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No record of Rebecca Walkup's date of birth can be found, but early sources have her born about 1707/08. [1] [2] [3]
Some references name her as the daughter of French Huguenot immigrant, Jacques Parque (aka James Parks), and as the widow of a John Walkup; [4] [5] [6] but researcher Muss calls into question this legend, which lacks any primary sources. Muss argues that Rebecca could have been a Walkup and related to the Wachup/Wackup family that may have been with the Caldwells in Pennsylvania and at Buck Mountain, and that is known to have been at the Cub Creek settlement. Muss also points out that William and Rebecca's son James named a daughter Rebecca Walkup, not Rebecca Parks/Parque. [7]
These same 20th Century references claim that Rebecca and William were married in Ireland and had children in Pennsylvania before migrating to Virginia, but they seem to ignore William's nephew John Rodgers who wrote in about 1824/25 that William and Rebecca were married at the Buck Mountain settlement in what is now Albemarle County, Virginia; [1] and the baptism record for William and Rebecca's first child John, who was baptized at Buck Mountain on 18 Dec 1740 by the Rev. John Craig (1709-1774), an itinerant Presbyterian minister. [7]
At any rate, the Caldwell clan, with Rebecca and William, removed from Buck Mountain and settled in about 1743/44 in that part of Brunswick County that would become Lunenburg County and then Charlotte County. [7]
The number, identity, and spouses of William and Rebecca's children are well documented in early sources, but some of their dates of birth and death are unknown, or uncertain. William and Rebecca's known children, with some documented dates, and their documented order of birth are: [1] [2] [3] [8]
Notes on the children:
Rebecca was said to have been as staunch in patriotism and Presbyterianism as her husband; had sufficient education herself to teach all her children to read and write (the fact that she signed her will with "her mark" was probably due to her advanced age and failing vision). She is described as quiet, decorous and introspective, small of stature with brown eyes, high forehead and cheekbones and a smiling countenance. [2] [8]
By 1770, Rebecca's eldest sons John and William, established in surveying South Carolina, persuaded her to join them and their sister Martha, who had already married surveyor Patrick Calhoun and removed to the Ninety Six District of South Carolina. So Rebecca brought her remaining children from Virginia and settled on Mill Creek, 16 miles due west of the present town of Newberry in the old Ninety-Six District. The site, translated to present geography, is believed to be near the joining of Mill and Mudlick creeks, and the junction of Routes 56 and 65 in western Newberry County. [11]
A staunch Whig, Rebecca welcomed to her home once in 1782 James Creswell, a young soldier of "proclaimed passionate animosity toward the British" whom he had just evaded. Rebecca's eldest son, John, had been murdered by an erstwhile Tory neighbor, "Bloody Bill" Cunningham the year before. Alerted that the Tories were arriving on Cresswell's trail, Rebecca, aged 75, sent her daughter Elizabeth into hiding and ordered some of the young woman's clothing for Creswell. In long skirts and large bonnet, Creswell with Rebecca mounted the ladies' riding horses as Rebecca informed the Tories that they must be on their way at once to a critically ill neighbor. The enemy set about searching for Creswell and finding Elizabeth realized they'd been duped. In retaliation they destroyed most furnishings, drove off the stock, and only by fast action of the slaves was the home saved from fire once the Tories left. [2] [12]
Rebecca is buried in the Williams-Caldwell family cemetery in Newberry County, South Carolina. [6]
According to her granddaughter Elizabeth, Rebecca had two slaves, Sambo, who is mentioned in her husband William's will, and Peggy (sp?). Rebecca's will does not name them, but asks that they be sold upon her death.
Will of Rebecka Caldwell [5] Transcribed by Jouett Taylor Prisley, 1994
In the name of God Amen I Rebecka Caldwell of Ninety Six District of Newberry County being weak in body but Sound in Memory Blessed be God for his Mercies, I do this day Make and Publish this my Last will and Testament and I do hereby Revoke and Make void all former Wills by me Made, I do Recommend My Soul to God that first gave it and My Body to be Decently buryed, and as touching Such Worldly goods where with it has pleased God bless Me with I despose there of as follows, first to Discharge all My Lawful Debts Second I give and bequeath to my Daughter Elenor Moore one Cow and Calf Item I give to My Daughter Rebecha East one yallow bay Mare and one cow and calf also all My house hold furniture Except three Beds and furniture to be Equally divided between My four Daughters to wit Marget Richey, Elenor Moore, Rebecha East and Elizabeth Gillam, also I give and Bequeath to My grand Daughter Sarah Martin (daughter of Sarah) fifteen pounds Sterling I give to My grand Daughter Rebecha Graves (daughter of Margaret) one bed and furniture I give to My grand Daughter Rebecca Moore (daughter of Eleanor) one bed and furniture also to My grand Daughter Rebecha Caldwell (daughter of James?) one bed and furniture I give and Bequeath to My Son James Caldwell all that Plantation or Tract of Land Whereon I Now live to him and his Heirs forever as also to the S James all My Stock of Sheep and My part of a Waggon and it is My will and desire that all My Slaves together with all the remainder of My Property as before Mentioned Should be Sold and Eaqually Divided between My Eight Children (viz) Marget Richey, Martha Calhoun, Elenor Moore, Rebecha East, William Caldwell, James Caldwell, Elizabeth Gillam, and David Caldwell and it is My will and desire that Should any of My Children die before Me that the part of Such Child or Children, ... and I do Constitute and appoint My two sons William Caldwell and James Caldwell My Lawful Executors to this My Last will and Testament in witness whereof I have to this Presents Set My hand and Seal this 4th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety Nine and in the 23 year of the Independence of the United States of America.
Signed Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of
Recorded in Will Book "G" page 102 & 103, Proved June 2 - 1806, Recorded May 2 - 1817, Samuel Lindsey; Ordinary of Newberry District, Box 27, Pkg 56, Est. No. 622
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P > Parks | C > Caldwell > Rebecca (Parks) Caldwell
Categories: Ireland, Emigrants | Newberry County, South Carolina, Slave Owners | Virginia, Slave Owners
However, I also noticed that she died in North Carolina, and her will indicates that the slaves were located in North Carolina upon her death. Should this profile be categorized into one of the Slavery, North Carolina categories rather than Virginia??
Thanks!
Julie