Laurens County, SC, Plantation Owner Served As Sergeant In 1st Virginia State Regiment During Revolutionary War, Bequeaths Slaves, Land And Soldier Claims

DANIEL ABETT (1758-1800), also known as Abbett and Abbott, was a farmer and landowner born in Virginia. He was a Sergeant with the 1st Virginia State Regiment under Col. George Gibson during the Revolutionary War. He lived several years in both Virginia and Massachusetts before marrying Alice McClanahan (1767-1809) in 1785 and settling in Laurens County, South Carolina.

DAVID (LEWIS) ANDERSON (1764-1836) was the son of Revolutionary War Major George Anderson and joined the war at age 16. He served as a recorder for a time and was elected Judge of the Court of Ordinary for Laurens District in 1800, a position he held until his death.

Offering the Last Will and Testament of Abett, bequeathing several slaves, plantation, tools and livestock, written in 1800.  Folio broadsheet, 12 1/2 x 14 3/4. Beautifully and completely written in period brown ink and signed at the end by Abett, Anderson (as recorder), Austin Moore and Nelson Kelley as witnesses.

“In the name of God Amen. I Daniel Abett of the state of South Carolina and District of Laurens – being in a low state of health but of sound and perfect judgment now make and constitute and ordain this my last will and testament...The land that I now liv(e) on containing eight hundred and fifty acres it being the amount of real estate that I am in possession of but as have some soldiers claims for lands in the western state of Pennsylvania which said lands if they should ever be obtained I will that they be disposed of in the same manner as the other of my estate – and as to my personal estate two wit one Negrow man named Titus, another Negrow man named Eueset, another Negrow man named Lewis that has absconded and one Negrow woman named Pender and her children to wit Willis, Finter and Narah and Zachariah & Alford together with all my horses, cattle and stock of every kind that I now possess...that the whole of my said estate continue in the possession of my beloved wife Alsey during her widowhood or until my oldest child Betsey Paquett Abett shall be of lawful age or marry...”

Old folds, light toning. One fold tear repaired with archival tape.  Else very good.  Phonetic spelling corrected in translation for clarity.  A wonderful example reflecting the disposition of a Southern plantation and all that was associated with it.

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