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Biography
Samuel's birth date is estimated to be between 1730 and 1737 (see Research Notes). Samuel, the youngest son, was born in Prince William County, Colony of Virginia, the son of Capt. Francis Awbrey and Frances (Tanner) Awbrey. [1]
His wife is listed as Rebecca - no other information.[2]
By the mid-1750s, Samuel had joined his brother Henry in South Carolina (Province of Carolina, America until 1787). They established themselves on the Enoree River in South Carolina.[1] [2]
Samuel built a fort at his location on the Enoree River at coordinates 34° 28' North and 81° 30' West located in what is now Sumter National Forest. It was about 1000' southwest of Capt. Edward Musgrove's larger fort.[2]
Soon after his arrival in South Carolina, Samuel found himself serving as an adjutant under Colonel John Chevillette in the Cherokee War of 1760, and for his service was paid extremely well.[1] Another source indicates Samuel was a Lt. serving under Capt. Edward Musgrove.[2]
During the Cherokee War, Samuel moved his family to the larger Musgrove fort. In 1760, he re-established his fort.[2]
Following the cessation of the Cherokee War, and during the backcountry’s subsequent lawless period, Captain Samuel Awbrey was appointed a justice of the district in 1765. About this time, Samuel acquired the title "Captain." It is not clear whether this title referred to his military rank or some social standing. He is listed as such in a number of South Carolina land records dating as early as 1759.[1]
Samuel died in 1768 in Charlotte County, Virginia, possibly while collecting rents on land he had retained there.[1]
A careful examination of the Virginia inventory of his estate indicates that he was not a full-fledged resident of Charlotte County. The inventory lists only personal items, and says nothing of furniture or property, so it is somewhat obvious that he was not keeping house in that county.
This inventory is quite interesting when Samuel’s personal possessions are compared to James Head’s description of the gentry of Northern Virginia, as his possessions match Head’s descriptions rather closely.[1]
Samuel's known children are Philip, Samuel, Jr., and George. Philip Awbrey is named a son of Captain Samuel Awbrey by the prominent colonial genealogist Mary Carter. Also, Marvin Awbrey, copied a number of specific family records relating to the children of Philip, Samuel, Jr., and George Awbrey of South Carolina, and he lists the three as brothers, indicating that Samuel, Jr., and George Awbrey were also sons of Captain Samuel Awbrey. [1]
Another source lists Jesse as a son.[2] Other sources conjecture he was a cousin to this family.
Research Notes
Reasons for estimated birth date:
Conjecture: Why did the Awbrey brothers and other landed Virginia families leave the established counties of Northern Virginia? Was it the lure of new land, or was it because land in Virginia was no longer as productive due to the prolonged growing of tobacco?
It is known that Henry was bequeathed 1,000 acres on Four Mile Creek in Prince William County, Virginia by his father. Samuel also owned land in Virginia. Samuel and some of the other families retained ownership of their Virginia lands.[1]
Other Virginia families who were either friends or relatives of the Awbreys who moved to South Carolina about the same time were the Andersons, Dickersons, Curetons, Gordons, and Nolands.[2]
Sources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 Awbrey, Jon A. published Aubrey/Awbrey - Dominion and Decline in 2007
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 Awbrey, Jack C. published Awbrey-Aubrey Family Heritage and History in 1991
Acknowledgements
- Awbrey-82, created by Cole Aubrey through the import of aubrey-2 (1).ged on Jul 3, 2014.
