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Benjamin Pollard, Sr
b.Bef 1755 Virginia, United States
d.Bef 15 Jan 1825 Greenville, South Carolina, United States
Family tree▼ (edit)
m. Abt 1769
Facts and Events
THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY UNDER CONSTRUCTION! PLEASE CHECK BACK. Disclaimer: Several family researchers are currently researching the link between Benjamin Pollard, his roots and his descendants of Greenville, South Carolina. There are many family documents, but few provide any real proof of family relationships. I am adding known documents in order to provide all with the hope that it will aid others in coming forth with additional data or documents that will help in this giant family puzzle. Questions or contacts may be left for me at Txbluebell6 [edit] Biography of Benjamin Pollard SeniorBenjamin Pollard (c. 1752-1825) was probably born in Virginia, perhaps in Amherst County. He lived in Amherst as a young man, becoming Court Clerk sometime before 1773. He left Amherst County, Va sometime after August of 1775 and moved to Chatham County, North Carolina by Dec 1778. It is not known where he was during the early years of the Revolutionary War and currently we have not found any war service records for him. He moved on to Greenville, SC sometime around early 1789 where he was very active in buying and selling land. He also worked in Greenville, SC as a Justice of the Peace. Deed records reflect he owned a Grist Mill, and a Rock Quarry. It is possible that he was a "planter" as he also purchased some plantation tracts in Greenville. Benjamin died before 15 Jan 1825 as his death is mentioned in the minutes of Standing Springs Baptist Church where he was a member. [edit] Possible link to Amherst County, VirginiaIt is possible that Benjamin Pollard came from Amherst County, VA. The first record for Benj. Pollard was on 9 Nov 1768 as a witness for 202.5 acres of land from George Blane to Neill Campbell[13]. Richard Tankersely was a witness, along with Benjamin Pollard. On 7 Dec 1768 John Tarrant married Tabita Tankersley in Amherst County, VA with consent of Richard Tankersley, (probably her father). Benjamin Pollard served as surety[12]. The Tarrant and Tankersley families both ended up in Greenville County, SC. At the end of the Amherst deed book C, page 147, Benjamin Pollard signs the Book as "Clerk", so he is working in a legal capacity. The last entry in the book is dated 3 May 1773. If Benjamin Pollard is at least of age to be able to serve as a witness to a legal document and County Clerk, then his birth would have to have occurred before 1752[13](1773-21=1752). Additionally he is listed as "Over 45" on the 1800 Greenville, SC census, which would puts his birth before 1755[2]. On 8 Apr 1799 John Tarrant made his will in Washington District, Greenville Co, SC[5]. David 'Crofford' witnessed the will. David Crawford appears to be from Amherst County as well as he is in the Amherst deed records and lived near Benjamin Pollard on the 1790 and 1800 Greenville County, SC census. Benjamin Pollard witnessed a legal document for David Crawford in Amherst County, VA in 11 Jul 1774. The last Amherst record for Benjamin was 18 Aug 1775 where he witnesses a deed for Carter Braxton and wife Elizabeth and appears no further in the Amherst deed records after that. Furthermore, Benjamin Pollard does not appear on the 1783 heads of household for Amherst County. This is consistent with our Benjamin Pollard's move to North Carolina. There are several Amherst deeds with Benjamin Pollard as a witness, but I did not find any land purchase for him. See the following for a complete list of these Amherst deeds: Amherst, Virginia deeds. Also of interest is the fact that a William Pollard gives his power of attorney to dispose of his real estate in Amherst County, VA in 1784 because he is about to remove to South Carolina. This William Pollard of Amherst County, VA could likely be a brother to Benjamin Pollard of Amherst County. William is in South Carolina by 1789 where he is witness to a deed with Benjamin Pollard. Benjamin Pollard appears first in the Amherst deed records, so it is possible that William may be 2-3 years younger than Benjamin. [edit] Benjamin in Orange and Chatham Counties, North CarolinaIn Chatham County, North Carolina, 28 Dec 1778, page 496[9], Benjamin Pollard is listed as a "Claimant" for 200 acres of land, "Proceeding ret. feby court". The land is "On the North side of the Haws River, beginning at the mouth of a gutt, on the river running east to Lacy's line thence South to Spurling's line, thence round to the first station for compliment". (I checked entries for Lacy and Charles Spurling and there is no mention of Pollard in their deed entries). There is also no mention of any other Pollard (other than Benjamin) in either Chatham or Orange Counties in North Carolina. Also in Chatham County, North Carolina, 31 Dec 1778, page 597[9], Benjamin Pollard's land boundary is mentioned in the recording of a deed for Brooks Williams for 200 acres of land, beginning on Benjamin Pollard's line running east around for comp. agreeable to Law. In Orange County, North Carolina, 22 October 1782, deed book 3, page 8[10], Benjamin Pollard and William Cox are witnesses to a deed for Thomas Baskett of Chatham to Robert Morrison of Orange, 110 pounds, 150 acres, on the S side of Haws River, begin at George Martin's cor. tree on the river, along sd. line 160 to a red oak, N165 p. to a red oak, E 160 p. to a walnut on the river, down river to first station. Granville to Zachariah Martin Junior 24 June 1751, given to Thomas Baskett by will of his father Wm. Baskett; signed Thomas Baskett, proved by Cox February Term 1787. compd. by A Mickles, PR. Also in Orange County, North Carolina, 13 October 1787, deed book 4, p 310[11], William Cox Sr. of Orange to John Milleson of Chatham, two hundred and fifty pounds, on Cain Cr. and Haw R., 110 acres, begin at a red oak on the Bend of Haw R., W 47 1/2 ch. to a white oak, 22 1/2 ch. to a hicory, E to a burch on bank of Cain Cr., down creek to Haw R., up river to first stations: Signed William Cox, Alie Cox; witness: James Newlin, Kathrin White, Benja. Pollard; proved November 1787 Term by Newlin. We now have dates for Benjamin Pollard living in Virginia between 9 Nov 1768 and 18 Aug 1775. He is in North Carolina between 28 Dec 1778 and 13 October 1787. The American Revolutionary War was fought between 1775-1783, and this indicates that Benjamin Pollard was living in North Carolina at least two or three years after the war started, and we do not know where he was between 1775 and 1778, the first three years of the war. The two Chatham land entries above show an association between Benjamin Pollard and William Cox and (his wife) Alie Cox; Benjamin later sells 10 acres of his land to William Cox in Greenville, South Carolina. These two families apparently move to Greenville, South Carolina as their association continues there between the Cox family and the Pollard's. William Cox died in Greenville, South Carolina in 1814 according to Cox family history. [edit] Benjamin in Greenville County, South CarolinaThe earliest record found In Greenville, South Carolina for Benjamin Pollard is when Thomas Samford, Benjamin Pollard and William Pollard were witnesses to a sale of 100 acres of land to James Samford from Michael B Purkle and Barbara Purkle as part of a tract of original 200 acres recorded in Book B, page 57-58, April 28, 1789[40](page 57 Image is missing and I need to reorder it). Benjamin Pollard, Sr. appears on a list of Justices of the Peace for Greenville District. The list in order is Leonard Tarrants, John Morton, Pleasant Hudson, John Young, Robert Cooke, John Tubbs, Hugh McVay, Jr., Thomas Ferguson, Henry T. Walker, Philip Evans, John Goode, Elisha Green, Charles Dean, Benjamin Griffith, Jr., John McElroy, Joseph Dunkley, Humphrey Cobb, and Benjamin Pollard Sr. Source: p 108, Acts and Resolutions of the General Assembly of South Carolina, passed in Dec 1802, Early American Imprints, series 2, No 5082. In estate papers Apt 5, File 279, of William Lee, his will was probated May 22, 1803, Greenville, SC. Benjamin Pollard served as J. P. on Dec 5, 1803 for appraisers appointed to inventory the estate of William Lee, dec'd. In William Lee's will, he mentions his daughter, "Margot Pollard" who is believed to have married Benjamin's son, John Pollard. Witnesses to this will were an "L. Tarrant" and "Crawford White"[7]. According to "A Collection of Upper South Carolina Genealogical and Family Records, Vol III", Benjamin Pollard, Sr and James Sanford served as witnesses to the will of Frederick Croft[6]. The will was dated 26 Aug 1805 and probated 4 Nov 1805. Heirs were Catherine Croft, widow; children, David, Elizabeth, Anne, Frederick, George, Jacob, John & Martin Croft; Dolley Duvall, Rebecca Jackson & Catherine Brasher. Frederick Croft lived 6 houses away from Benjamin Pollard on 1790 census. Benjamin Pollard was also appointed appraiser of the estate of Frederick Croft. Worthy of note: A great granddaughter of Benjamin and daughter of John W Pollard would later be named Margaret Croft Pollard. Also, according to the same publication, Vol II, Benjamin Pollard served as J. P. on 14 Dec 1808 for a deed from John Townsend to Bartlett Whorton, 99 acres on both sides of Mill Creek, a branch of South Pacolet. On the South Carolina Archives website, http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/search/default.asp, there is an entry under Legislative Papers, 1782-1866, dated 1813 in which Benjamin Pollard, Adam Caruth, Charles Garrison and Robert Tarrant filed a petition for remission of fines for "rioting by a Court in Abbeville District, SC". Adam Carruth lived near Benjamin Pollard, Sr. on the 1800 Greenville, SC census. Both Robert Tarrant and Charles Garrison also lived in Greenville County, SC. There is little doubt this is Benjamin Pollard, Sr. and once again he is linked with a Tarrant. Mills 1824 Atlas of Greenville District, SC shows Pollard's Mill on Reedy River below Greenville, and to the SW of the mill on a road that parallels the Reedy River along its entire West side, Pollard Tavern. [edit] Pollard's in U. S. Census Records, Greenville South CarolinaIn 1790 the only Pollard listed in Greenville County, South Carolina census is Benjamin Pollard. He is shown as the only male above age 16, with three males under age 16, one female over 16 and three females under 16. He owned one slave. We are aware that William Pollard Sr or William B Pollard are not listed on the 1790 census, yet his birth is recorded as being of the age to be born in 1770 which would make him nineteen years old. An exhaustive search and analysis of the census records, both in SC and in other states have failed to resolve this issue. On the 1800 U. S. Greenville County, South Carolina census, there are three Pollards listed: Benjamin Pollard Sen'r, Benjamin Pollard Jun, and William Pollard. The two younger men are now married and each of them has one child. Benjamin Sen'r and his wife are both now over 45 years old, has one daughter living with them that is probably unmarried and over 16, and three sons. That would make Benjamin Sen'r with a total of five sons, and at least two daughters -- one that has married (or died) to an unknown spouse, and one still at home. We know that one of the boys left at home is probably John Pollard who is soon to be married to William Lee's daughter, Margaret Lee. William Lee's will was written 2 May 1803 and his passing was in August, 1803 and names his daughter, Margot Pollard. In William Lee's Bible (sold on Ebay in August, 2004, quoted but unable to secure a copy), there is a record for Margot Lee marrying "John Pollard", but the entry has no date. Benjamin Pollard Sen'r also has one slave in his household. At present, there are no other Pollards found on the 1800 Greenville census. On the 1810 U. S. Greenville County South Carolina Census, there are four Pollards listed: Benjamin Pollard Sen'r, William Pollard, Benjamin Pollard Jun, and now John Pollard is married and has appeared. Again, we find no other senior Pollard to lead this family, but Benjamin. He still has two sons at home -- this writer believes them to be James and possibly Pharham or another unknown son. Benjamin Pollard Sen'r now owns six slaves. William has two. In 1820 Benjamin and his wife are living alone with the exception of two slaves -- all the children have married and left home. In this census we add James (A) Pollard and a new name appears: Parham (spelled Phiram on the census). The writer believes that James (A) Pollard is the son of Benjamin Sen'r because of the amount of deed transactions between the two men as you will see develop below. In 1830, Old Benjamin Sr and Mary have apparently both died. There is a William Pollard, Esquire listed on the census, William Jr, John W., Benjamin (Jr), John, and a William L. We know for sure from Bible records that John W is the son of William (B). William L serves as administrator for " John Pollard's" estate in 1860 in Greenville and James (A) is missing from Greenville. It is very possible he is the James Pollard found on the 1830 Census in St Clair County, Alabama. [edit] Greenville County, South Carolina Deeds[edit] 1789 - 1808Thomas Samford, Benjamin Pollard and William Pollard were witnesses to a sale of 100 acres of land to James Samford from Michael B Purkle and Barbara Purkle as part of a tract of original 200 acres recorded in Book B, page 57-58, April 28, 1789[40]. Benjamin Pollard acquired 250 acres of land from James McWilliams August 17, 1789, Book B page 59[40] through an indenture bond proved in open court by James Samford and Matthew Armstrong. Copy shown is p59, entry at bottom. (I failed to make a copy of the second page of deed). Benjamin Pollard sells 276 acres of land, its premises, house, outhouses, waterway passages, and plantation land, south of the Reedy River to John Linderman. The deed is signed on the 7th May 1792 and is recorded in Greenville County, Deed Book C, page 523, 524 and 525[21][22][23], on 31 October 1794. Witnesses are James Samford, John Chambers and Peter Linderman. Benjamin Pollard purchases 300 acres of land from John Pyles on Pyles Branch of the Reedy Fork of the Reedy River on 16 August 1798 in Greenville County. Deed is recorded in Deed Book E pages 87, 88, and 89[24][25][26]. Witnesses are Frederick Crafford (Croft ?), Wm Pyle and Hezekiah H Garharham (?). Note: This land lies adjacent with the line of William Lee's land, who is to become his sons' (John Pollard's) father-in-law when he marries William Lee's daughter Margot Lee sometime after 1800 and before May of 1803[7].
Benjamin Pollard Sen and William Pollard sell 140 acres of land for 100 pounds to William Cox on 16 May 1799 and recorded on 1 June 1800. 10 acres come from the land of Benjamin and 130 acres come from the land of William -- is the land between them since their property lines are shared? Could this land sale be because of a marriage? The deed is recorded in Book E, pages 416-417[29][30] and is witnessed by James Samford and John Evens. It also mentions the land is "within a few rods of Benj Pollard's Mill". Noteworthy: A "John Evans" and "William Cox" are mentioned in a "List of 136 Loyalist Captured During the Snow Campaign"[8]. There is definitely several men named William Cox , but noteworthy is several of the men in the Snow Campaign are from Orange County, North Carolina.
Benjamin Pollard Sen'r sells 200 acres of land to Horatio Griffin in a deed signed 20 March 1808 and is recorded in Deed Book H, pp108-109[33][34]. The land is "below the ford at the cotton machine of John Pollard", and also "mentions the corner of Wm Coxes line, thence along Wm Coxes line to the beginning corner". The deed is witnessed by John H Joyce, and James Samford, signed by Justice of Peace B Griffith and is recorded 22 of April 1808. Noteworthy: This deed mentions the Cotton Machine of John Pollard. [edit] 1809 A Purchase of Slaves -- Alexander and EadeJames Pollard purchases a female slave named "Eade" from an estate sale of Thomas Williams, dec'd from His Executor of the Estate, John Williams of Spartenburg for $450.00. Eade is about 33 years old. The Bill of sale to James Pollard is signed under oath by John Pollard and James Samford that they saw the Executor, John Williams affix his signature to the "Bill of Sale" on 15 Nov 1804, sworn to on 22 March 1809. The bill of sale is recorded in the Greenville County deed records Book H pages 250-251, 1 May 1809[35][36]. James Pollard purchases a male slave named "Alexander" from Benjamin Pollard Sen'r for a sum of $500.00 on 28th October 1808. He is about 44 years old. The bill of sale is witnessed by John Evans and signed by Justice of Peace L. Brashier and is recorded in Greenville County Deed Book H, page 251, the 1st May 1809[37]. These two slave purchases will become important as we will see later on. [edit] 1809 Benjamin Pollard Senr Acquires 2/3 Mill InterestDeed between Horates Griffin of Greenville District, South Carolina and Benja Pollard Senr, paid $300.00. Land is described: Grant bargain sell and release to the said Benja Pollard two hundred acres of land more of less together with two thirds of a mill that is situated on said back of land that said land is situated on the waters of Piles Branch, beginning on a poplar stump on Wm Coxes line thence running up Piles branch the middle of the water is the line and across the dam to a maple stump in the pon (?), thence westward by one chain two pence staks thence Northward two chains to a black Oak comes on James Samfords line thence runing westward along the old Indian trale to a stake corner on the road, then Southward along the said Road crossing said Piles Branch at the Ford below John Pollards Cotton Machine to a sweet gum thence to a large pine stump thence to a stake comes on the original line thence So Eastwardly on the said original line to a final corner, thence No Eastwardly to a stake corner on Wm Cox's line thence along said Cox's line to the Beginning corner including two hundred acres of land more or less, together with all and singular the rights members hereditaments and appertanances to the said premises belonging or in any wise incident or apportaining. The deed is signed by H Griffin on the 14 day of September 1809. The deed is witnessed by "William Pollard" and "James Pollard" on the 25 day of Dec 1809 and recorded 5 March 1810, Book H, p334-335[38][39]. B Griffith is the Justice of Peace. It does not state who owns the other 1/3 of the mill. [edit] More Land Deed SalesBenjamin Pollard Junr and Andrew Nelson sell 100 acres of land on the Reedy Fork of the Reedy River to William Pollard on 5th January 1814, Book S P47. It is witnessed by James Pollard and Elizabeth Hide and signed by Andrew Nelson and Benjamin Pollard (Junr - but signature does not say so). The interesting thing about this deed is that it is also signed by Benjamin Pollard J. P. who witnessed Elizabeth Hide's signature on 16 Jan 1814, however this deed was not recorded until 9th day Feb 1836, well after Benjamin Pollard Sen'r had passed away in 1825. [edit] Benjamin Pollard's Wife - MaryOn the 17th day of July 1814, Benjamin Pollard Senr sells 100 acres of land and it's premises for $250 to Fleming Thomasson. This particular tract includes a rock quarry called the "Mill Stone Quarry". This was located, more or less, on the North side of Pyles Branch. The deed is recorded in Book L, page 320 and is witnessed by William Pollard and James Pollard. On the following page Book L, p 321, Mary Pollard, "the wife of the within named, Benjamin Pollard, being privately and separately examined, without any compulsion, dread or fear swears under oath that she relinquished all her interest and estate and also her right and claim of dower to the mentioned premises". She signs her mark "Mary Pollard" the 9th day of March 1816. The deed is recorded 9th day of March 1816. We now know for sure that Benjamin's wife is named "Mary"[20].
On 29 Dec 1821, J A Pollard sells 155 acres of land for $550.00. This is recorded on 5 Jan 1822, in deed book L, pp296-297. It is witnessed by George Croft and Benjamin Pollard Sr[43][44]. [edit] Benjamin buys Eade and AlexanderOn 15 March 1822, J A Pollard sells three negros for the sum of $1,000 paid by Benjamin Pollard. One a fellow named Alexander, about 50 years of age and his wife, Eade, about 45 years of age. So Alexander and Eade have married. There is also a boy named David, about 17 years old. It's not known if David is their son. It is recorded in Book M, page 20-21[45][46] and signed by Wm Reed and B Griffith. [edit] Benjamin Acquires Use of Alexander and HenryOn 18 March 1822, J. A. Pollard gives the use of two slaves to Benjamin Pollard and "His mother" to use during their life. The two slaves are to remain the property of J. A. Pollard during Benjamin's and his mother's lifetime, or until he leaves the county. This deed is recorded 15 Jan 1825, about the time of Benjamin's death[57]. This deed is significant because it proves that Benjamin Pollard Sr is the father of J A Pollard, since his mother is married to Benjamin. On 26 April 1823, Benjamin Pollard sells 175 acres of land to John Dean for $200.00. This is recorded on the 6 Oct 1823, Deed Bk N118-119[49][50]. This particular deed mentions that this was originally granted to J A Pollard by His Excellancy, Joseph Alston on the 17th Nov 1814. [edit] Benjamin Pollard Senior sells Alexander and EadeOn 12 July 1822 Benjamin Pollard enters a bill of sale for two slaves, Alexander and Eade, including a horse, cattle, hogs and household furniture, for a sum of $60.00 To Abraham Cox (see above where he paid $1000.00). They are to continue in service to Benjamin Pollard and his wife during their lifetimes until their deaths. Abraham Cox agrees to give them papers from year to year along with the ability to labor and trade for themselves and profit from same, keeping all property they had at the time of sale. The bill of sale is recorded 15 June 1824, Book N300-301[51][52]. On 15 Sept 1823, Benjamin Pollard Sr sells 200 acres of land "where J A Pollard now lives" for $550.00 to Alexander Sloan. It further states that Alexander Sloan cannot obstruct the said Benjamin Pollard from rebuilding or repairing his mill dam. It is recorded on 31 July 1824 in Book N325-326[53][54]. [edit] Benjamin Senior sells Rock QuarryOn 7th day of June 1824, Benjamin Pollard sells 200 acres of land, including a Rock Quarry near the mill to J A Pollard. The deed is witnessed and recorded 2 December 1824. It also mentions the land border of Parham Pollard. It is recorded in Book O, page 10-11[55][56]. [edit] Benjamin's DeathBenjamin Pollard dies before 15 January 1825 in Greenville, South Carolina. His death is mentioned in the Standing Springs Baptist Church minutes, p232[14]. The prior church minutes are dated 20 Nov 1824, so Benjamin died sometime between the two dates. A grave site for him has not been found, but is probably the Standing Springs Church Cemetery where he was a member and other Pollards are buried. There is also no will found in the indexes of Greenville. References
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