“The first colony established on the Ashley river in the present state of south Carolina was in the year 1671. These early settlers were a group of English people direct from the Old World, and another group, the members of which had been living on the Barbados Island, the southeastern most island in the west Indies. They called their settlement Charles town. A few months later some Dutch families, who had left New York after the English had taken over there, had established themselves along the Ashley river. They were later joined by many families direct from Holland. In 1675 a group of Quakers came into the Territory. In 1680 about 45 families of Huguenots also established homes there. In 1684 ten families of Scotch Presbyterians established themselves at Port Royal. In 1713 the southern Carolina region separated from North Carolina and was recognized as a royal colony in 1723. Immigrants continued to come in large streams until by 1730 there were gathered “on the banks of the Santee, some of the best elements of the European nations. The Huguenot, the Scotch Presbyterian, the English Dissenter, the Loyalist, and High Churchman, the Irish adventurer and the Dutch mechanic composed the powerful material out of which soon grew the beauty and renown of the Palmetto State
South Carolina was the eighth state to enter the Union in 1788. More than a hundred years before in 1683, the first three counties Berkeley, Collation, and Craven were established. All were discontinued. By an act ratified in 1769 the province of South Carolina was divided into seven judicial districts; Charleston, Georgetown, Beaufort, Orangeburg, Ninety-six and Caraways. In 1798 the nine districts then existing were divided again into twenty-four. From Ninety Six district, Abbeville, Edgefield, Newberry, Spartanburg and Laurens were formed. It is in this area of south Carolina that we turn our interest.
Just how early our Hobbs family arrived in South Carolina I do not know but I do know they were among some of the early arrivals. Several family traditions have been passed down from different family historians. The most popular suggests that William Hubbs the first known ancestor in Laurens County South Carolina was of Scotch-Irish Descent. One tradition states that he was stolen off the shores of Ireland and brought to America as an indentured servant. Another tradition suggests that the family originated somewhere near Orange County Virginia and immigrated to South Carolina from there. This tradition has some merit as there is a William Hubbs in Frederick County Virginia who died in the early 1750′s unfortunately no will can be found and no descendants are listed in any of the known records. However many of the families who intermarried with the children of William Hubbs also immigrated to Laurens County about the same time that our William appeared there from the same area.
As early as December 1, 1786 William Hubbs witnessed a land deed between Haisten Doyall ( Haystin Dial) and wife Rebecca to John Todd.[1]The identification of William’s wife comes from a deed dated 11 Dec 1789 in which William Hubbs sells to George Fuller for L20 100 acres on Sm Branch on the North Side of Reaburns Creek originally granted to Margaret Todd. Conveyed to Frederick Little and in 1787 to Wm. Hubbs.. His wife Elizabeth signs her release of Dower rights.[2] In Pendleton County the following deed dated 27 Apr 1789 pages 160-161 appears dated 30 May 1789. Nimrod Williams of Pendleton County, S.C. conveys to Thomas Foster, for L.30. Sterling, a tract of land containing 190 acres in Pendleton County, on the waters of Brushy Creek, bounding south and west by land surveyed for Thomas Hallum, E. By land surveyed for William Hobbs and William McWilliams’ land. And No. by land surveyed for Watson Allison, and all other sides by vacant land. S/=Nimrod Williams-Ann (x) Williams . Wit. William Allison and William McWilliams.[3]
The 1790 census of the Heads of Household of the United States in the State of South Carolina does not show the following Hubbs/Hobbs families: William Hubbs living in the Pendleton District of South Carolina. John Hubbs in the 96th District with a family William Hubbs 96th District Greenville County 1 male 16 and up, 2 m under 16 and 3 f
The 1800 census of the Heads of Household of the United States in the State of South Carolina list the following information about these two William Hubbs. William Hubbs living in Laurens District with a m 0-9 ,1 m 10-15, 1 m 26-45,one f under 10 and 1 f 26-45.He has no slaves.[4] William Hobbs living in Pendleton District 2 m 5-10, 1 m 10-16, 1 m over 45, 3 f under 10, 1 f 10-16, 1 f 26-45[5](Note: This could very possibly father and son as there is probably less 25 miles between the two properties discussed in the two counties. Especially since the McWilliams are listed as one of the bordering properties.)
The 1810 census in Laurens County list a William Hubbs with 2 males 10-16, 2 males 16-26 1 males 26-45 and 1 male over 45. He also shows a female over 45.
Family Historians have listed the following children for William Hubbs
1. John Hubbs born 1783 married Isabella Madden both of Laurens Co.
2. William Hubbs born 18 Feb 1787 in Laurens CS married 28 Nov 1809 to Frances McWilliams and died 17 Sep 1837 in Talladega Alabama. His was married 2 more times to Mary Sweeney and Mary Posey.
3. Nancy Hubbs born 1789 married John bolt Esq. She died 22 Sep 1854 and is buried in the John Bolt Cemetery Laurens Co. SC.
4. Lewis Harrison Hubbs born 1791 and married to Nancy Whittington 7 Mar 1821. He died in Alabama
5. Charles Hubbs married Mary Taylor and died 29 Sep 1817 in Laurens SC.
In the1830 Census John Hubbs Laurens County with 3 boys 0-4, 2 boys 5-9 and he is between 30-39. He also lists one female 20-29. He is living in close proximity to several Ellison Families including his father in law Robert Ellison. His sister in law Mary Hubbs is also listed. William no longer appears in the census records.
A deed recorded on January 10, 1818 states that “Charles Hubbs, late of this County who intermarried with Mary Taylor, daughter of John Taylor, who departed this life on 29 Sep 1817″……And is the son of William Hobbs, A second deed is also recorded as the widow Mary and his father William divide the estate. Mary taking a Negro girl as her portion and William taking the land as his portion. Charles died without issue. It is interesting to me to note that a single Negro girl was of more value than the 75 acres of land by $25.00. On 9 March 1824 a deed can be found which shows that William was a man of some substance for he held a mortgage on the property of Jonathon and James Motes, which was situated on the waters of Rabourns Creek known as Dirty Creek[6]. A deed dated 18 January 1830 shows John selling land connected to his brother and father. This is the instrument that lends credence to the relationship between John and Charles for he is selling land, 79 acres which was conveyed by Robert Bryson to Charles Hobbs in the year 1812 and later to William Hubbs. This appears to be the land inherited by William at the death of his son Charles. The relinquishment of Dower rights substantiates the fact that we are indeed looking at the right John Hubbs for it is signed by his wife Ibby which is a nickname for Isabella Hubbs. A note here that although William and Elizabeth signed with a mark when they settled the estate , John and Ibby did not. On January 14, 1832 John Hubbs sells his plantation which was deeded to William Hubbs by John and William Martin on September 12, 1796. Again the relinquishment of Dower rights is signed by John’s wife, Ibby Hobbs and is dated 5 December5 1833. This is the last time this family appears in the Laurens County Documents.
Family historians have been unable to find a record that documents the service of William Hubbs on the American side in the Revolutionary war. There is however listed in the book Loyalists in the Southern Campaign the following information showing a William Hubbs as a loyalist as late as 1782 Page 229 Pay Abstract No. 1 Colonel Daniel Clary’s Regiment, Dutch Fork Militia (between the Fork of the Broad and Saludy Rivers), Ninety six Brigade, Captain Vachel Clary’s company of men who cane to Orangeburgh with Lieut. Colonel John H. Cruger, 183 days pay, 14 Jun – 13 Dec 1780 No. 3 Private Hubbs, William Page 273 Pay Abstract No. 161 Major William Cunningham’s Troop of Mili Dragoons, ninety Six Brigade, Charlestown SC 93 days pay. 9 Jul – 9 Oct 1782, 1 Oct 1782 Nr. 11 Private William Hubbs Mustered at the Shipyard on cooper River 23 Sept You will also find that at one time John Madden ( grandfather of his sons wife) and other of his neighbors and friends were also a Loyalists as were many of his neighbors. Bloody Bill Cunningham not only would have been a neighbor but had strong family ties in Frederick County Virginia as well.
A thorough examination of the records suggest that many men in South Carolina began the war fighting for the King and then as truth began to come forth and as the war progressed they switched sides to fight for the Patriots against their friends and brothers in order to protect their families and feed them during this time of war. To say that William was not a Patriot is to due dishonor to the family name. Did he fight on both sides? Probably so and it may be that his service on the American side will never be found since it may simply never have been recorded. To have survived in those times would have been difficult enough and many fought for what they believed in without worry of whether or not record of their service was being recorded for posterity. Thus family tradition states as passed down through Williams daughter Nancy :
“ In those times any man 16 years or older could be called into service. Often in emergency there were no written lists or even orders. William Hubbs may have served without papers too. His encounter with “Bloody Bill Cunningham was once written up in a newspaper although no one seems to have a copy of it. William was working at his farm when Cunningham was headed his way with other British. Charles Allen, on his way to the mill, saw them, rushed to the Hubbs. William just had time to get into the middle of a hay stack. The British knew he had been warned, so they hung Charles till he was almost dead. They then cut him down and tried to make him talk. He would not so they hung him again and left him for dead. Mrs. Hubbs and one child were there si they quickly cut him down and revived him. Charles lived to be a leading citizen of Laurens. Oh, the men stuck a pitchfork all over the hay stack. Either they missed William or he was not much hurt. William was said to have had another fight with others and Bloody Bill Cunningham. He had his sword raised and was close to Cunningham when he stumbled and fell over a log. The British got away.” Many years later Joseph Bolt one Nancy’s descendant’ took the time to honor this great Family Hero by placing a marker honoring William Hubbs as a Patriot. He was assisted by the Sons of the Revolution. [7]
Years later the following story was found on the Allen family website which has helped to add proof to the service of William Hubbs. This information was published in a obituary at the death of Charles Allen a Prominent citizen of Laurens County South Carolina .[8] That the story is about an unrelated party to the Hubbs would make family traditions seem very plausible.
MY ANCESTOR WAS HANGED WHEN HE WAS 14 YEARS OLD
When Charles Allen III, born in Charlotte Virginia, in 1764, was just a young boy, his father Charles Allen II, was killed by the Tories. The Allen family had moved to what is now Laurens County, South Carolina, and were farming there when the death occurred. Mrs. Allen and her son, with the help of a few slaves, were trying to carry on with the farm as the heat of the Revolutionary War built around them in 1778.It was cotton-picking time that summer. Because everyone else was busy with the cotton and they were in need of cornmeal, Charles was sent to the grist mill about two miles by a narrow lane through a dense wood. Mrs. Allen was reluctant to send the boy carrying a twenty-five pound bag of corn over his shoulder, but he assured his mother that he was man enough to take care of the job.
It was dark and scary deep in the wood when he had followed the crooked path through a few turns so that neither end of the lane was visible. When Charles heard horses thundering around a bend, he quickly hid his sack in the brush and climbed up a big tree which had limbs that stretched out over the lane. He flattened himself out on a limb, like butter on a roasting ear, completely hidden by the leaves. Charles froze as the horses and riders, led by Tory General William “Bloody Bill” Cunningham, stopped right underneath the limb on which he lay. He scarcely dared to breath. The men talked over their plans to kill Patriot Officer William Hubbs, at his farm on the other side of the wood. Because they could not ride through the dense wood where no path had been cleared, they would have to go on to the junction near the mill and then around the wood. As soon as the Tories rode on to complete their bloody task, Charles climbed down from his hiding place and set off through the wood to warn Mr. Hubbs. He fought his way through the brush, finding some animal trails to speed the way, praying with each breath that he would be in time. That was the same bunch of Tories that had killed his own father.
Finally, scratched, torn, panting and shouting to the Hubbs family, he broke into the clearing of the farm. “Hide, Mr. Hubbs! Quick! Hide. The Tories are coming. Bloody Bill Cunningham is coming.” Mr. Hubbs knew they would search the house and barn. Where could he hide. His son and wife were too scared to think. Hubbs quickly lay down in the barnyard and told the boys to cover him with hay. He told his wife to get her egg bucket and go to the hen house. Soon they could hear the horses, but the haystack was pretty big by then. The boys tossed some hay over the fence to the two cows to make it look like they had just been feeding as the Tories rode into the yard.
First, the general questioned Mrs. Hubbs. “Woman, where is your husband?”
Mrs. Hubbs managed, in spite of her fear, to say, “He’s back at camp with the men.”
“I know he’s home on leave. Tell me were he is,” demanded Cunningham.
“He was home last week, but he went back.”
Bloody Bill demanded answers from the son, too. But he gave the same answers his mother did.
Seeing how scratched and torn Charles was, he turned his questions to him. “Did you warn them we were coming? Where is Hubbs?”
“I wouldn’t tell you. You are the one that killed my dad!”
“You had better tell me or I’ll string you to yon tree!”
“No!”
The general ordered his men to put a noose around Charles’ neck and hang him to the big tree in the yard. The did so. They hanged Charles and immediately rode off. The Hubbs family quickly ran to the tree. Mrs. Hubbs grabbed the end of the limb that was bending under the weight of the boy and swung with all of her weight. The Hubbs boy got his knife, but couldn’t reach high enough. Mr. Hubbs plunged out of the hay and ran to cut Charles down. He was still alive and soon revived.
Later in life, Charles Allen III became a well known judge. He helped survey and establish Laurens County and the town of Laurens. Judge Allen lived to be 92 years of age and died January 5, 1856. Daughters of the American Revolution erected a marker at his grave in 1974. The story of his bravery and other deeds was published in the papers and celebrated at his funeral.
Was William Hubbs an American Patriot and hero. Bill Cunningham was probably his neighbor and acquaintance. He obviously wanted to hang William for some reason. That he had switched sides, was a spy or a patriot all along matters not. That he was obviously supporting the United States of America at the time of this incidence is.
Note: Oct 1, 1999 I have recently found a notation to a William Hubbs, Soldier 1394 Newbern dist. In Pierce’s Register p. 313 Vouchers pg 385 Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution This William Hubbs lived in Tennessee much of his life and moved to Kentucky before his death and is of no apparent relation to our William Hubbs.
[1] Laurens County Deeds, Deed Book B page 166 12/2/1786
[2]Book B pf 276 Deed Laurens Co South Carolina
[3]Pendleton County Conveyance Book A pages 159-160 dated 27 Apr 1789 pages 160-161
[4]1800 United States Federal Census, Laurens District South Carolina. Image service. Ancestry.com
[5]1800 United States Federal Census, Pendleton District South Carolina. Image Service
Ancestry.com
[6]Book k pg 198 Laurens Co South Carolina Deeds
[7]Mrs. Margaret Bolt
[8] www.our-town.com/editorials/edge-clendenin/edgeancestot.htm
