Pee Dee Region of South Carolina

Farmer Families & Settlers Timeline

1733-1862

  1. 1733: William Farmer lived in the Georgetown District (Early Pee Dee Settlers, part 2, John M. Gregg, 1993). Part of Georgetown extended into an area of SC known as the Welch Tract. Settlers migrating from the north mostly populated it – specifically it was set aside for Welsh who had originally settled in Pennsylvania. While little is known of this Wm Farmer, and the Farmers of the Old Cheraws and Darlington District are believed to have migrated from the north (NC, VA) after the Revolution, it should be noted that the Georgetown District was less than 10 miles from the 1785 John Farmer homestead. A 1785 map of SC reflects the borders of Georgetown and Cheraws District converging at the curve of Lynches Creek where John Farmer lived. It must also be noted that Georgetown extended to the Carolina Coast, and it is not known where in that region this William Farmer resided. The Surveyor General stated on a map of 1730 that not more than five families resided north of the Santee.
  2. 1740: Thomas Farmer (RWS) of Darlington & Richland Districts is born, location unknown (according to his birthdate stated in his Accounts Audited File # 2314 for Revolutionary Service maintained by the SCDAH).
  3. 1740-1754: John Farmer of the Old Cheraws District is born, location unknown.
  4. 1760: Robert Farmer of Cheraw (1798), Sumter (1800), Barnwell (1810,1820, 1822), SC Districts, and Barbour County (1840), AL is born (location unknown)
  5. 1772: John Farmer registers plat for 200 acres in Berkley County on the Little River. (SCDAH) Little River is east to the Carolina coast from the Old Cheraws District. Berkley County is closer to the Santee River area. More research is needed in order to understand the location of this John Farmer land.
  6. 1774: James Farmer wed Rebecca Ellis in Santee, SC on 27 Jan. Santee is about halfway between Darlington and Charleston. It is south of Sumter and east of Orangeburg. It is unknown if this James Farmer is closely related to the Darlington Farmers, but it seems unlikely.
  7. 1782: Zachariah Farmer serves 33 days in the militia in Marion’s brigade ( Gregg’s History of the Old Cheraws, p. 407; Moss’s Roster of SC Patriots in the American Revolution; Accounts Audited #2303 SCDAH). He eventually resided in Kershaw District, SC.
  8. 1785: John Farmer has 300-acre plat certified by State in the Cheraws District. Surveyed by Elias Dubose, Jr. The property is on the “north side of Lynche’s Creek” adjoining Sparrow Swamp.
  9. 1786: John Farmer appears on a plat certified for Lucy Freman on Lynches Creek, Cheraws District. Elias Dubose, Sr. is the surveyor. Arthur Lee and John Farmer share boundaries with Freman.
  10. 1790: John Farmer is enumerated as household #763 on page 370 of the 1790 Census for the Cheraws District. The household includes 2 white males 16 years and upwards, 3 white males under 16, and 2 white females. Note that this John Farmer lives one household away from Elias Dubose. Elias Dubose, Jr. Was the State’s Deputy Surveyor who certified the 1785 plat for John Farmer. This census shows John with at least one son who is over 16 (assuming the 2 males over 16 are father and son). Assuming he is at least 20 years old when this son was born, he must be upward of 36 years in 1790, giving him a birth year of 1754 or before. 4 sons are implied.
  11. 1790: A second John Farmer is enumerated as household #1004 on page 375 of the 1790 Census for the Cheraws District. This household includes 1 white male 16 years and upwards, 3 white males under 16, and 1 white female. HeritageQuest Online lists the Cheraws District under “Charleston”. Ancestry has this particular page under St. Thomas. The St. Thomas Parish was in the Charleston Precinct according to the Samuel Lewis State of SC map of 1795. The John Farmer household listed in number 3 above was listed with HeritageQuest as “Charleston: Cheraws”, when in fact it was in St. David’s Parish of The Cheraw Precinct. This second John Farmer is then far removed geographically from the John Farmer listed on page #370. 3 sons implied.
  12. 1790: Thos. Farmar is enumerated as household #339 on page 360 of the 1790 Census for the Cheraws District. The household includes 2 males 16 and upward, 2 males under 16, and 3 females. 3 sons implied.
  13. 1790: A second Thos. Farmer is enumerated on page 238 of the Census for the Camden District. The household contains 1 male 16 and upward, 3 males under 16, and 6 females. 3 sons implied.
  14. 1790: Another Farmer household appears to be listed on the same page as is stated in #6 above. The writing is very faded, but the first name appears to begin with a “D”. The first column of persons is blank; the second and third columns contain numbers, but are illegible. It would appear the head of this household is female.
  15. 1792: John Farmer signed a petition to realign the militias in Cheraws (The Darlington Flag, Spring 1992).
  16. 1794: Josiah & Honner Farmer in Kershaw, SC appear on a dower receipt for 7 pounds sterling “left us by our late father Lewis F. Bryant, deceased”.
  17. 1798: Robert Farmer appears as the landowner adjacent to James Howell in a survey certified for Howell on 23 Jan 1798. The land is located in the District of Cheraw between Lake and Middle Swamps. That location places him in the proximity of the John Farmer plat of 1785 listed in #2 above.
  18. 1800: James Farmer is enumerated in the census for Darlington District. The household contains 1 male aged 26-44, 1 female under 10, and 1 female aged 16-25.
  19. 1800: Thomas Farmer is enumerated in the next household after James Farmer on #9 above. The 1800 census for Darlington shows this household contains 1 male 10-15, 1 male 45 and over, 3 females under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 45 and over.
  20. 1800: Robert Farmer is enumerated in the Salem Township of the Sumter District. On the 1825 Mill’s Atlas Map of Sumter District, Salem and Lower Salem is the area that runs near the Darlington – Sumter border on the Sumter side of Lynches Creek. The proximity is reasonably near the John Farmer homestead as reflected on the 1785 plat, and the Robert Farmer plat of 1798. This household contains 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 26-44. If this is the same Robert Farmer who eventually resided in Barbour County, he was born about 1760 based on age averages taken from the 1800-1840 census records. 2 sons implied.
  21. 1800: Thomas Farmer is enumerated in the Salem area of the Sumter District. The household contains 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-25, and 1 female 16-25. Note that this Farmer is recorded some 4 pages from Robert Farmer. 1 son implied.
  22. 1800: Luke Farmer is enumerated in the Kershaw District on page 423. His household contains 1 male 16-25, 1 female under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 16-25.
  23. 1800: Zachariah Farmer is enumerated in the Kershaw District on page 427. His household contains 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-25,
  24. 1800-1805: Abel Farmer, son of Robert, is born in SC according to the 1850 Barbour County, AL census, 1850 Henry County, AL Land Bounty, 1855 Henry County, AL Land Bounty.
  25. 1800-1810: Benjamin Farmer, son of Robert, is born in Barnwell District, SC (Indian Wars Widow’s pension app., 1850-1880 census records of Barbour County, AL). He grows to 6 feet, has gray eyes, dark hair and a dark complexion.
  26. 1801: James Farmer of Kershaw District bought 200 acres from Isaac Aarons on the east side of Haverd’s Branch off Black River bordering Thomas Sumter’s line. Witnessed by Ezra Courtney and Richard Horn. This property is carved out from a 2500 acre grant to Isaac Lenoir.
  27. 1802: Zachariah Farmer of Kershaw sells the same property listed in #22 above to William Rillins or Rollins for $200.
  28. 1802: “Suck” Farmer bought 2 cows at an estate sale in Darlington District. Suck is probably the phonic spelling for Suke. Sukey is a nickname for Susannah. Susanna Farmer appears in 1814 in a Darlington Commissioner for the Poor account ledger reflecting her payment of $15 for Mary Farmer.
  29. 1802: James Farmer of Darlington District signed a petition asking for a new road from Black Creek Crossing on the Post Road to McColloms Ferry on Lynches Creek. James Hudson, Thadeus Brown, Jacob Kelly, Kindred Holiman also signed.(SCDAH)
  30. 1804: John Farmer appears on a plat certified for Joseph Swails for 1000 acres on Dials Bay, Darlington District, surveyed by John Chandler. James Chandler and Josiah Jones are other names listed on plat. Lynches Creek is given as a location.
  31. 1805: Thomas Farmer of Darlington, brother to William Farmer of Darlington and Pike County, SC, probable son to John Farmer of Darlington, is born (1850 census of Darlington).
  32. 1806: John Farmer appears on a plat in Sumter District showing John McDonell having 89 acres surveyed/certified on Jacks Creek, Sumter, Santee River. James Smith, Richard Dennis, Brinkley Carter, and Brinkley Corbett also appear on the plat.
  33. 1807: Thomas Farmer called to Jury Duty in Darlington. (The Darlington Flag, Vol. No. 13)
  34. 1808: Thomas Farmer called to Jury Duty in Darlington.
  35. 1809: William Farmer, brother to Thomas, probable son of John, is born in Darlington, SC. He has auburn colored hair, blue eyes, a fair complexion, and grows to 5’10” tall. (1850-1860 Pike County, AL census records, 1892 Indian Wars Widow’s Pension Application of Lucy Ann Ward Farmer, and the Alabama Confederate Widow’s Pension Application for Lucy Farmer).
  36. 1809: Lucy Ann Ward, future wife of William Farmer listed in #17 is born to William and Ann Ward of Darlington District, SC (Indian Wars Pension App).
  37. 1810: John Farmer appears on a plat in the Darlington District showing John Anderson’s survey by Daniel Dubose of 400 acres between Sparrow Swamp and Lynches Creek. Asiah Jones, Abraham James, Joseph Swales also listed.
  38. 1810: James Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington District. His household contains 1 male aged 26-44, 2 females under 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 16-25, 1 female 26-44.
  39. 1810: Thomas Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington District. He is one household removed from the James Farmer listed in #19 above. His household contains 1 male over 45, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 16-25, 1 female over 45.
  40. 1810: A second Thomas Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington District. Note that this Thomas Farmer lives next to Stephen Jones. On the 1825 Mill’s Map for Sumter County, the Stephen Jones Bridge crosses Lynches Creek to join Sumter and Darlington Counties. Also note that this bridge is in immediate proximity to the John Farmer homestead listed in the 1785 land plat found in #3 above. This Thomas Farmer household contains 1 male under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 2 females under 10, 1 female 26-44. John Farmer is in the next household. 2 sons implied.
  41. 1810: John Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington District. This household contains 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 26-44, 2 females under 10, 3 females 10-15, 1 female 26-44. The two males under 10 are consistent with the birthdates of 1805 and 1809 for Thomas and William Farmer listed in #31 & #35 above. While he is in the right location for the John Farmer listed on the 1785 plat, this John is probably the son of the 1785 John. The John Farmer of the 1790 census appears to have 4 sons, with the oldest at least 16 years old. If this elder John had this son when he was only 20, me must be at least 36 by 1790, giving him a birth date of 1754, at the latest. By 1810 he would be 56, at best. The John Farmer in this household is no older than 44. 3 sons are implied.
  42. 1810: Robert Farmer is enumerated (twice, perhaps) in the Barnwell District census. This household contains 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 16-25, 1 male 45 and over, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 16-25, 1 female 45 and over, slaves 17. Note that Robert Farmer of Cheraws and Sumter, as well as the other Farmers in the Cheraws/Darlington area were never enumerated with slaves. In the second enumeration of a Robert Farmer in Barnwell the household contains 3 males under 10, 1 male 16-25, 1 male 45 and upwards, 2 females 10-15, 1 female 16-25, 1 female 26-44. No slaves are listed. While these two enumerations are similar in the census for free whites, no conclusions can be made. One record is on page 84 while another is on page 88. The Robert enumerated with slaves is living next to Aaron Rice. In an 1821 deed in Barnwell Robert Farmer bought land from Joshua Sandifer. Jesse Rice and Edmund Farmer witnessed it. One month later of that same year, Abel and Benjamin Farmer jointly purchased land from the same Sandifer man, and that deed was witnessed by Jesse Rice and Edmund Farmer. In the other enumeration of Robert Farmer, he is living near Ziegler households that end up in Barbour County, AL, as does he. He is also living near William Green. Abel Farmer’s only son was named William Green Farmer. Given these coincidences, it is hard to believe that these 2 different enumerations are of the same Robert Farmer family. The slave tally remains a mystery. Note that none of the Barbour County or Pike County Alabama Farmers owned slaves. 4 sons are implied.
  43. 1812: Thomas Farmer called as a Grand Juror. (Darlington Flag, Summer 2002)
  44. 1812: John Farmer called as a Petit Juror. (Darlington Flag, Spring 2003)
  45. 1812: Susanna Farmer paid $10 cash to the Tax Collector for the Darlington District/ Commissioners of the poor. (Darlington Flag, Vol. No. 5)
  46. 1813: William Meek Farmer marries Eliza Goodwin in Barnwell District (Barnwell County, SC Marriages 1775-1859; marriage implied in deed records)
  47. 1814: Susanna Farmer appears in 1814 in a Darlington Commissioner for the Poor account ledger reflecting her payment of $15 for Mary Farmer. (Darlington Flag, Vol. No. 5)
  48. 1815: Mary Farmer appears on the Darlington Tax Roll receiving payment for $20. The record reflects she is a pensioner. (Darlington Flag, Vol. No. 5)
  49. 1817: John Farmer appears in a plat certification for Jesse Langston. The land is on Lynche’s Creek and in Sparrow Swamp. Chandler’s, James’s, and Courtney’s are other landowner’s with common borders to the Langston land.
  50. 1817: Thomas Farmer has a 1000 acre tract of land certified in The Darlington District on the SW side of Boggy Swamp, waters of Black Creek, and waters of the Great PeeDee River. Adjacent landowners are Noel Johnston, Daniel Dubose, Joel Jordan, Thos. Coker.
  51. 1818: John Farmer is listed as an adjacent landowner to a 1000 acre tract surveyed and certified on a plat for Theophilus Ward. The lot is in Darlington District, north side of Lynches Creek, on Sparrow Swamp. Stephen Jones’s land adjoins John Farmer’s on one side. Jesse Langston’s land also adjoins Farmer’s on another side.
  52. 1820: Thomas Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington census as head of a household containing 1 male 45 and up, 1 female 16-26, and 1 female 45 and up. James Farmer lives in the next household.
  53. 1820: James Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington census as head of a household containing 1 male under 10, 1 male 45 and upwards, 2 females under 10, 1 female 10-15, 2 females 16-25, 1 female 26-45. Thomas Farmer is in the adjacent household. 1 son implied.
  54. 1820: John Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington census as head of a household containing 3 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male between 16 & 18, 2 males of 16 and under 26, 1 male 45 and upwards, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 45 and upwards. Note this John Farmer is a near neighbor to Stephen Jones. Thomas Farmer is no longer in the immediate “neighborhood”. 6-7 sons implied.
  55. 1820: Robert Farmer is enumerated in the Barnwell District census as head of a household containing 2 males 10-15, 2 males between 16 & 18, 1 male of 16 and under 26, 1 male 45 and upwards, 2 females under 10, 1 female 26-45. No slaves enumerated.
  56. 1821: Old Barnwell District; October 12, Deed Book N, p. 244; Joshua Sandifer to Robert Farmer for $125 one hundred nine acres on long branch, bounded N by Johnson Sandifer, W by heirs of Benjamin Tarrant, S by W. N. Sandifer and E by Robert Miller, part of a tract conveyed by Francis Trotti to W. N. Sandifer. Signed Joshua Sandifer. Witnesses: Jesse Rice, Edmund Farmer.
  57. 1821: Old Barnwell District; Deed Book N, p. 245 November 12, 1821 – Joshua Sandifer to Abel Farmer and Benjamin Farmer for $150 ninety-eight acres; seventy-three acres originally surveyed for Daniel Mathing and twenty-five for Joshua Sandifer on Grapevine Branch, Lemons Swamp, waters of Little Salt Catcher. Signed Joshua Sandifer. Witnesses: Jesse Rice and Edmund Farmer. Recorded July 1, 1822
  58. 1825: Thomas Farmer of Richland District, formerly of Darlington, petitions the SC State Senate for a pension for his Rev. War service. Thomas states he is 85 years old and infirm. John Hill of Darlington gives an affidavit that served with Thomas under Col. Baxter. Wm Farmer and William Hawthorne signed as wittnesses to John Hill’s statements. James Farmer testifies he knew Thomas Farmer during the American Revolution and that Thomas served 3 months under General Marion. The petition was not granted due to a lack of proof.
  59. 1826: Thomas Farmer provides more information regarding his service to the State House of representatives. Adam Griffis of the Kershaw District provided an affidavit giving his knowledge of Thomas Farmer’s service under Gen. Marion.
  60. 1826: James Farmer gives affidavit that he performed several tours of duty with his father Thomas Farmer under the command of Genl. Marion.
  61. 1826: Thomas Farmer’s petition granted in December for $60 per year. Vouchers are found dated until Dec 1831.
  62. 1829: William Farmer filed a claim praying compensation for attending a trial as a state witness in a case of horse stealing. Approved and paid $8.50. Location not given. Taken from Gen. Ass. Comm. Rpts. #130, SCDAH.
  63. 1829: William Farmer, petition #53, South Carolina Senate; shows Wm Farmer was required to attend the Fall session of the Edgefield Court in 1829 to testify for the State vs. William Clarke for horse stealing. The court in Edgefield showed William Farmer as a resident in Richland District – 68 miles. It is later learned that William Farmer was a minister. Was he in Edgefield for ministry, or perhaps to visit the Robert Farmer family who lived near the Edgefield border of Barnwell? Hmm.
  64. 1830: Thomas Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington District as head of a household containing 1 male under 5, 1 male 15-19, 1 male 20-29, 2 females under 5, 1 female 20-29.
  65. 1830: John Farmer is enumerated in the Darlington District as head of a household containing 2 males 10-14, 1 male 30-39, 1 male 70-79, 1 female 40-49.
  66. 1830: James Farmer is enumerated as head of a household containing 1 male 60-69, 1 female under 5, 1 female 10-14, 1 female 15-19, 1 female 40-49.
  67. 1830: Susannah Farmer is enumerated in Darlington as head of a household containing 1 male 20-29, 1 female 60-69.
  68. 1832: Thomas Farmer, RWS died on the 30th of June; reflected in Petition filed with the SC House by William Farmer of Harris County, Georgia in 1851. William is requesting the arrears of his father’s pension be made to his father’s heirs.
  69. 1832: William Farmer weds Lucy Ann Ward, both of Darlington District. A Rev. Good performs the ceremony (Ind. Wars Widow’s Pension file of Lucy A. Farmer).
  70. 1833: Alexander T. Farmer is born to William and Lucy in Darlington.
  71. 1834: William & Lucy Farmer move to Henry County, AL near Abbeville along with Lucy’s 2 brothers. One is named Ira Irvin Ward. William and Ira both settle in Pike County by 1840.
  72. 1835: William and Lucy have a second son – Ira Ervin Farmer. This Ira Farmer can not be found after the 1850 census.
  73. 1835: Abel & Molsie Farmer have a son in Henry County, AL named William Green Farmer.
  74. 1836: William Farmer - formerly of Darlington Sc now Henry County, Al - enlists for a tour in Blair’s Battalion, Gordon’s Company in the Creek War. He receives a Military Land Warrant for 40 acres in Henry County, AL, which he sells (he is living in Pike County, AL at the time).
  75. 1837: Benjamin & Eliza Farmer have a son named William Robert Farmer. Benjamin and his brother Abel both name their first sons William. Might their father, Robert, have been named William Robert as well? Note the time, place, and age of William Meek Farmer of 1813 above is a fit for another son of Robert Farmer.
  76. 1840: James Farmer enumerated in Darlington. 1 male under 5, 1 male 20-30, 1 female 20-30.
  77. 1840: Elizabeth Farmer is enumerated in the 1840 census of Darlington District, SC as a 60-69 year-old female, with 1 male 15-19, & 1 male 20-29 living in the household. Like the 1830 Darlington census, the 1840 is alphabetized, so no neighbors can be determined.
  78. 1840: Thomas Farmer is enumerated in Darlington. The household contains 2 males under 5, 1 male 5-10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 30-40, 1 female under 5, 1 female 5-10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 30-40.
  79. 1845: Edmund Farmer is named in a will in Muscogee County, GA. Although a careful search has been made for an Edmund Farmer after the 1821 deeds in Barnwell, one can not be found - except in this will. It is not known if this Edmund Farmer is the same one listed in the 1821 Robert Farmer deeds in Barnwell District, SC as a witness. If it is, it implies a relationship between the Robert Farmer of Barnwell and the Burke County, GA Farmer families. Moreover, if this connection is made, it could connect a large part of the SE Alabama Farmers, the larger part of the Georgia Farmers, and nearly all of the Up-Country SC Farmers. Barnwell and Burke are side-by-side, separated by the Savannah River. The Burke County Farmers are in the largest part descended from David Farmer, who was in the Tyger River area of NW SC before migrating to the Burke County area. Again, if the Edmund Farmer listed in the will of John Farmer and Mary Farmer Watkins of Muscogee is related to Robert Farmer, it would connect the Union-Spartanburg-Greenville, SC Farmers with the Cheraw-Darlington and Barnwell Farmers. The great-leap in this proposition ( that the NW SC Farmers are related to the NE SC Farmers) is the assumption that Robert Farmer is in-fact related to the Darlington Farmers, as is suspected based on the 1798 deed location. Note also that Muscogee County, GA is adjacent to Harris County, GA. Harris County is where William Farmer, son of Thomas Farmer, RWS, was residing in 1851. The abstraction of these estate papers are:

John Farmer in will recorded Feb. 10, 1845, Muscogee Co. (lived in part now