Hugh Reese (1742 - 1825)

Born 20 Dec 1742 in Bristol Parish, Prince George, Virginia

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Newsom) Reese — married 20 Nov 1794 in Warren, Georgia, United States

Descendants

Died 12 Dec 1825 at age 82 in Warren, Georgia, USA [uncertain]

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Neal Parker [send private message], Bill Ansley [send private message], and Emory Reese [send private message]

Biography

Parents

There is clear documentary evidence that five brothers with surname Reese/Rees were in South Carolina in the second half of the 1700s. They were William, Benjamin, Hugh, Edwin, and Isham. Benjamin and Hugh migrated westward to Georgia. The other 3 remained in South Carolina.

Isham of the 5 brothers might be the same person as the Isham Reese born 8 Aug 1732 in Bristol Parish, Virginia. A counterargument is that none of the other four brothers is in the Bristol Parish christening records. The five brothers have to have a common father. Here they are assigned to John. See notes under Hugh's brother Isham for more details.

See also the analysis of Davis Reese. ^[1]

Census

1820 Columbia Co., Georgia, Capt. Benjamin Watson's District No 9 ^[2]
Hugh Rees 111101 -- 10010; 12 in agriculture, 16 slaves
male female
1 <10 1
1 10-16
1 16-18
1 16-26
26-45 1
1 >45

1830 Columbia Co., Georgia, District No 9 ^[3]
Elizabeth Rees 0000 -- 0001000001; 6 slaves
male female
< 5
5-10
10-15
15-20 1
20-30
30-40
40-50
50-60
60-70
70-80 1

The number of slaves may be 30. Her son Vincent Rees is the next entry.

In 1850 Elizabeth Reese (80, Va) is living in Warren Co., Georgia in the household of her stepson Harris Reese. ^[4]

Land in Craven Co., South Carolina

Summaries of documents relating to land grants and early land transactions in South Carolina can be seen at http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/.

A document dated 2 Mar 1767 relates to a grant of 75 acres in Craven Co., South Carolina on the Wateree River to Hugh Rees. Another document dated 20 Dec 1772 relates to a grant to Hugh Rees of 150 acres in Craven Co. in the Santee River Swamp. Two other documents in 1775 refer simply to a 150-acre grant in Craven Co. The latter 3 documents may refer to the same grant or to different grants.

Other documents refer to Hugh's brothers Edwin Rees, Isham Rees, Benjamin Rees, and William Rees.

According to Wikipedia, Craven Co., South Carolina was one of the 3 original counties established by the Lords Proprietor of the English colony of Carolana in 1682. The original Craven County's lands now lie in parts of Berkeley, Charleston, Georgetown, and Williamsburg counties. The Santee River drains a substantial part of South Carolina and enters the Atlantic Ocean at Charleston. It is formed by the confluence of the Wateree River and the Congaree River about 140 miles NW of Charleston.

Deeds in Craven Co., South Carolina

http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/warren/bios/rees854gbs.txt

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Davis Reese, October 21, 2005:

13 Feb 1777; Hugh Rees sold 75 acres to John Rees Craven Co., Parish of St. Marks. This John Rees and wife Mary Pentecost are mentioned as moving to SC in the Bristol Parish Register [no such mention can be found]. It is likely that Hugh and John were related, but not brothers.

20 Feb 1780; Hugh Rees & Sarah, his wife, of St. Marks Parish, Craven Co. to William Bracey of same; 1) 50 acres near Dry Swamp, Wateree River and 2) 150 acres taking in part of a small branch known by the name Dry Swamp. (Dry Swamp branch flows into the Wateree River in the High Hills of Santee.). Signatures: Hugh (LS), Sarah (X); Witnesses: William Rees (LS) and Isham Rees (LS); This shows that Hugh and two of his brothers could write.

Land in Wilkes Co., Georgia

Wilkes Co., Georgia, "Index to land grants, 1784-1829" at familysearch.org, "Vols. 1-2 1784-1829", film # 227284, image 78/107:

Hugh Rees, 200 acres, Brier Creek, 1785, Book GGG, pg 484
Hugh Rees, 100 acres, Brier Creek, 1785, Book III, pg 6
Hugh Rees, 200 acres, Brier Creek, 1785, Book III, pg 46
Hugh Rees, 100 acres, -----------, 1788, Book PPP, pg 548

On March 6, 1793 Hugh Rees, planter of Wilkes Co., Georgia, and Margaret, his wife, sell to Edmond Cody, planter of Wilkes Co., for £70 a tract of 200 acres in Wilkes Co. on Brier Creek, adjoined on the west by Ball and Davis, on the south by Solomon Newsom, and otherwise by vacant land. It was surveyed June 8, 1785 and was registered October 10, 1785 in Book III, folio 46. The deed is signed by Hugh Rees and Margaret (X) Rees. The witnesses are Richard Hodo and Jacob Burkhalter. (Wilkes Co., Georgia Deed Records, Book KK, pg 243)

Justice of the Peace

In the deed abstracts in Wilkes County, Georgia Deed Books A-VV 1784-1806 (Michel Martha Farmer, 1996), Hugh Rees is mentioned 10 times between 6 Nov 1786 and 23 Mar 1789 as a witness. Each time he is identified as a Justice of the Peace (CC128, DD9, DD106, EE196, FF9, FF11, FF13, FF30, HH241).

Land in Warren & Columbia Counties, Georgia

In 1786 Hugh's brother Benjamin Rees bought a large tract of 1285 acres on the boundary between Columbia and Warren Counties and probably in both counties. On September 1, 1791 Hugh buys 210 acres of it (Warren, A93). On January 6, 1797 he sells the 210 acres to his son-in-law Jacob Burkhalter (A569). On February 25, 1799 Hugh buys 236 acres out of his brother's large tract (A554), and on February 14, 1801 he buys another 47 acres (B6).

The following deed suggests that Hugh Reese might have been a miller.

On 29 May 1804 Hugh Reese of Warren Co. purchases 4 contiguous tracts in Columbia Co. from Mercer Brown, Junior, containing in all 172 acres, more or less. The first tract of 50 acres on both sides of Maddox's Creek includes a gristmill and a saw mill with the utensils thereunto belonging (Columbia, M368).

The deed records of Columbia and Warren Counties indicate that Hugh Reese bought and sold land in other parts of those counties and also slaves.

Wives

In 1780 the name of Hugh's wife was Sarah according to the deed of 20 Feb 1780 in Craven Co., South Carolina, mentioned above. In 1793 the name of Hugh's wife was Margaret according to the deed of 6 Mar 1793 in Wilkes Co., Georgia, also mentioned above. On 20 Nov 1794 Hugh married Elizabeth Newsom in Warren Co., Georgia. ^[5] Elizabeth is probably a daughter of Solomon Newsom, mentioned as an adjoining property owner in the 1793 deed.

The following list of children is partly correct and partly incorrect.

Wife: Sarah or Margaret

1. William Rees b. 1766/67 m. Lettice McCrery 2. John Rees b. 1769 m. Sarah Ganeway 3. Dorcus Rees b. 1770 m. ______Burkhalter 4. Mary Rees b. 1772 m. ______Burkhalter 5. Sarah Rees b. 1774 m. _______Holliman 6. Benjamin Rees b. 1776 m. Elizabeth Pierson 7. Jeremiah b. 1786 m. Sarah Porter 8. Hugh Rees, Jr. b. 1790 m. Martha McGee 9. Thorza Rees b. 1798 m. Allen Duckworth

Wife: Elizabeth Newsom b. 22 Jan 1772 d. 7 Jan 1848 m. 2nd 20 Nov 1794

10. Elizabeth Rees b. 1797 m. _____Brooks
11. Nancy Rees b. 1799
12. Britton C. Rees b. 1801 m. Lucinda McGhee
13. Moses Rees b. 1804 m. Micheal Todd
14. Mariah Prudence Rees b. 1804 m. 21 Feb 1820 Henry Scott
15. Simon Averett Rees b. 1805
16. Harrison Rees b. 1805 m. Nancy Todd
17. Vincent Rees b. 1808 m. Susan Short

Text of Will

The following will of Hugh Rees, Senr was presented to a court in Columbia Co., Georgia 22 May 1825 by Eliz__ (her X mark) Rees, B. M. Sanders, and Henry Scott. ^[6]

Georgia Columbia County
In the name of God, amen.
I Hugh Rees being old and infirm of body but of sound mind and disposing memory do constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament.
First. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth Rees all that tract of land lying on the east side of Maddox's creek which I purchased of Joel Sanders supposed to be about one hundred and forty acres for and during her natural life or widowhood. I also give her during her life or widowhood a negro man and negro woman to be chosen by her out of ____ belonging to my estate at the time of the division thereof hereinafter mentioned. Said tract of land and negroes at her death or future marriage to be equally divided between all the children she may then have living. I also give my sd wife one ____ bridle & saddle, a bedstead & bed & furniture, side board and table -- half dozen chairs -- all my kitchen furniture two cows and calves a sow & pigs & half Dozen ________ -- provisions and plantation tools Sufficient to last her a year -- all the ___ articles to be selected by her at the time of _____ previous to the division of my estate hereinafter named.
2nd I give and bequeath to my son Simmons Averitt Rees the tract of land on which he now lives containing about one hundred and ten acres on the south end of a tract purchased from Joseph Landrum and adjoining Frederick Brown and others.
3rd It is my will and desire that my two sons Britain Rees & Vincent Rees have & enjoy all that tract of land containing two hundred acres lying on middle creek in Warren County adjoining Robert Walton & others, -- & which was deeded to them by Richard Fletcher to be equally divided between them.
4th I give and bequeath to my several children following viz. to Benjamin Rees - Hugh Rees - William Rees Moses Rees - Jeremiah Rees - Thirza Duckworth, Dorcas Burkhalter, Mary Burkhalter, Nancy Rees -- and Sarah Holliman in addition to what they have already received fifty dollars each---. and fifty dollars to be divided among the children of my daughter Elizabeth Brooks deceased.
5th It is my will and desire that the rest & residue of my estate after paying my just debts be kept together till the _____ of January after my son Vincent Rees comes of lawful age for the Support of my wife Elizabeth Rees and her children ___ for the education of sd children according to the discretion of my sd wife, and then to be equally divided among all the children of my sd wife. For the better execution of this my last will and testament I appoint my wife Elizabeth Rees my executrix, and my son in law Henry Scott and B. M. Sanders my executors.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13th day of November 1823.
Hugh Rees (seal)
Witness
B. M. Sanders
John Reese
Benjamin Adams

Georgia Columbia County
Billington M Sanders one of the witnesses to the within instrument of writing and after being duly sworn deposeth & saith that he saw Hugh Rees the testator sign seal & acknowledge the within instrument to be his last will & testament and that the testator was of sound mind & disposing memory at the time of subscribing the same and that he together with John Rees & Benjamin Adams signed the same as witnesses in the presence of each other & by the request & in the presence of the testator.
B. M. Sanders
Sworn to in open court
May 22nd 1826
S. Crawford clk

Summary of Will

Summary:^[6]

wife Elizabeth Rees [Someone wrote in “Newsom” above and between the words Elizabeth and Rees. It *appears* to be the clerk’s handwriting.]
son Simmons Averitt Rees
two sons Britain Rees and Vincent Rees (Vincent is under age) - land in Warren County
my several children following viz Benjamin Rees, Hugh Rees, William Rees, Moses Rees, Jeremiah Rees, Thirza Duckworth, Dorcas Burkhalter, Mary Burkhalter, Nancy Rees and Sarah Holliman
children of my daughter Elizabeth Brooks deceased
Exrs: wife Elizabeth Rees, son in law Henry Scott, B. M. Sanders
Wit: B. M. Sanders [probate shows this is Billington M. Sanders], John Ray, Benjamin Adams
^[7]

Children

The children mentioned explicitly in Hugh Rees's will are Btitain Rees, Vincent Rees, Benjamin Rees, Hugh Rees, William Rees, Moses Rees, Jeremiah Rees, Thirza Duckworth, Dorcas Burkhalter, Mary Burkhalter, Nancy Rees, Sarah Holliman, and Elizabeth Brooks, dec'd.

This list is not complete. There is documentary evidence that Mahala and Mariah are daughters of Hugh, but they are not mentioned in the will. Harris Reese is also not mentioned, but in 1850 Hugh's widow (Harris's stepmother) is living with him, and often in the census Harris is living close to Hugh's sons or grandsons. A discordant note is that in the 1850 census Harris is said to have been born in North Carolina.

Mahala's obituary says that she was a daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth Rees of Columbia Co. Henry Scott is named as an executor in Hugh's will, and he is referred to there as "my son in law Henry Scott". Henry Scott was married to Mariah Reese; hence Mariah is Hugh's daughter. Billington M. Sanders is the other executor; he is presumably not a son-in-law since 'son-in-law' in the will is singular, not plural.

Revolutionary Soldier

Was he actually a "Captain"? It's not in his military files. He is listed as a private for his land grant warranty. ^[8][9]

He possibly served as a private in the Georgia troops and drew a land grant for his service. ^[10]

"Capt.Hugh Rees(e) was a Revolutionary soldier born in Sussex County, VA.This reference stated Capt. Hugh was son of Daniel Rees(e), grandson of Hugh Rees(e) "who was in Virginia as early as 1623 and received large land grant.The elder Hugh said to be son of Lord Rees (Rhys)".The family is said to be of Welch decent. Capt. Hugh received a grant of land in Wilkes County, GA soon after the Revolution, when many Virginia families moved to Georgia. Capt. Hugh was married three times and is said to have had 21 children; plus step-children."^[11]

Cemetery

"Hugh Rees(e) (1742-1825) and wife Elizabeth are buried in an abandon private cemetery on private land about 200 yards from intersection of Knox Rivers/Wrightsboro roads, Thomson, GA(As of 1870 this is now McDuffie County - formerly Columbia County. This land probably owned by Dudley Nurseries, Thomson, GA. Headstone of Hugh is intact.Elizabeth's headstone is now lying on ground broken into two pieces.12/2003).I have photos of both headstones in my posession"^[12]

See also Find A Grave: Memorial #73724357 relative to the Hugh Rees Family Cemetery. Click on the name of cemetery.

Sources

1. ↑ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Davis Reese October 21, 2005, 8:38 pm Author: Davis Reese. HUGH REES. Warren County Ga Archives Biographies. Rees, Hugh 1742 - 1825
2. ↑ 1820 Census: "1820 United States Federal Census"
   Fourth Census of the United States, 1820; Census Place: Capt Benjamin Watsons District, Columbia, Georgia; Page: 39; NARA Roll: M33_7; Image: 52
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 7734 #1427969 (accessed 29 March 2024)
   Hugh Rees in Capt Benjamin Watsons District, Columbia, Georgia, USA.
3. ↑ 1830 Census: "1830 United States Federal Census"
   Year: 1830; Census Place: District 9, Columbia, Georgia; Series: M19; Roll: 16; Page: 356; Family History Library Film: 0007036
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8058 #1748402 (accessed 29 March 2024)
   Elizabeth Rees in District 9, Columbia, Georgia.
4. ↑ 1850 Census: "1850 United States Federal Census"
   The National Archives in Washington D.C.; Record Group: Records of the Bureau of the Census; Record Group Number: 29; Series Number: M432; Residence Date: 1850; Home in 1850: Division 90, Warren, Georgia; Roll: 86; Page: 181b; Line Number: 31
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 8054 #16042245 (accessed 29 March 2024)
   Marvis Reese (64), Mechanic, in Division 90, Warren, Georgia, USA. Born in North Carolina.
5. ↑ "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXJK-QQ4 : 7 February 2020), Hugh Reese and Elizabeth Newson, 20 Nov 1794; citing Marriage, Warren, Georgia, United States, Georgia Department of Archives and History, Morrow, FHL microfilm 219,569.
6. ↑ ^{6.0 6.1} Columbia Co., Georgia Probate records at familysearch.org, "Wills, 1789-1939", "Wills, Perry - Z 1789-1930", images 79-82/698; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QSQ-G9QM-2BVT?i=78&cc=1999178&cat=285564
7. ↑ Hugh Reese's will is on file in Columbia Cty, GA in Will Book "B"; (1822 - 1842).Will dated November 13,1823, probated June 14, 1826. .
8. ↑ Daughters of American Revolution Ancestor #: A094947 Service: GEORGIA Rank(s): SOLDIER. Birth: 12-20-1742 VIRGINIA. Death: ANTE 6-14-1826 COLUMBIA CO GEORGIA. Service Source: HITZ, AUTH LIST OF ALL LAND LOTTERY GRANTS MADE TO VETS OF THE REV WAR BY GA, P 58. Service Description: RECEIVED LAND LOTTERY GRANT, 1827
9. ↑ "The DAR formerly recognized Hugh as a veteran of the Revolution. They now require more proof. Hugh Rees is shown as RS (revolutionary soldier) in the 1827 lottery, however, this was his estate, since he was dead. In the same lottery, Elizabeth Rees, almost certainly his wife, is listed as WRS (widow revolutionary soldier). Since these designations required a signed statement (open for all neighbors to see) (no longer extant), the DAR now accepts them as proof. Someone needs to send this info to the DAR.
10. ↑ Hugh Reese. Under 'Mrs. Mamie Burkhalter Little'; member no, 149319. Title: Lineage Book : NSDAR : Volume 150 : 1919.Daughters of the American Revolution. Also Published by North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 at Ancestry.
11. ↑ Incomplete Source. Notes on Hugh Reeses. Notes on Hugh Reeses Genealogy.com. Accessed March 28, 2021.
12. ↑ (Emory Reese) Cemetery Notes : The only other headstone at this site is that of William H. Rees, eldest son of Vincent & Susan. William born November 25, 1828, died December 26, 1828. I have photo of headstone. (Emory Reese) Cemetery Notes. Note of caution:Leroy Lewis, a Jefferson County, GA historian informed me August 2004 that almost everyone was buried without a headstone before 1850 or later.The stone would have been shipped from New England and it wasn't until railroads that the stone would have been shipped to to the south.Lewis suggested the stone marker of Hugh & wife would have been added long after his death by some of his heirs.This being true, it make the information on the headstones less reliable."

• page #192 "History of McDuffie County, GA". Compiled by Mrs. W. C. McCommons & Miss Clara Stovall.Book.(United Daughter of Confederacy, Thomson, Georgia).

• Source: S00016 Author: Hatcher, Patricia Law Title: Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data - Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987.Original data: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Grav; Repository: #R00001 NOTEHatcher, Patricia Law, Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data - Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Graves of Revolutionary Patriots. Dallas, TX, USA: Pioneer Heritage Press, 1987.Original data: Hatcher, Patricia Law. Abstract of Grav).

• Source: S00035 Author: Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp. Title: Georgia Census, 1790-1890 Publication: Name: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data - Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.Orig; Repository: NOTEJackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp., Georgia Census, 1790-1890 (Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data - Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.Orig).