Living

Family/Spouse: Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5433

Notes:

Immigrated to Charlestown, South Carolina in 1743.

Hendrick married Margaret in Germany. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5434

Family/Spouse: Barbara. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5365

Notes:

From the book by Al Mets Jr. (Metts Family in America"

b. 1752 - d. October 1812
Militia Soldier in the American Revolution
Henry Mitts was born and died in South Carolina. Many documents contain his name, and a reasonable description of his life can be written. His parentage was discussed to establish Henrick and his wife, Margaret, as his father and mother. The date of his birth is not proved. The old family
genealogist, Henry Richard Metts, said that Henry died in his sixtieth year in 1817, hence, a birth year of 1752. With the genealogy are three more pages of outlines of the family, obviously made by family members over the years. The outline gives his birth as 1744, reason unstated.

The old Metts genealogist, Henry Richard Metts, in 1859, wrote that Henry's "death took place in October 1812 (dying in his sixtieth year of age)". Using this best evidence, he was born in Saxe Gotha on the 250-acre farm of his father. He was a child during the long years of building a home in the wilderness, clearing the farm, and living in constant fear of Indian attack. He did not go to school or learn to read and write. It may be said that he was illiterate, but he was not ignorant. His life was successful, though hard.

A long-time genealogist in South Carolina, Lee R. Gandee wrote that no Metts records survived the Civil War, but he believed, "The family seemed to have no legal entanglements and to keep rather out of sight. They were old-believers, devout Lutherans, farmers who practiced the old ways, believed in witchcraft, and held to themselves". He may have been right because the old Germans lived apart. Probably, no one will ever know the name of Henry's wife.

We can identify his children. Documents in Newberry County, in Columbia at the South Carolina Archives, and in Charleston have been studied to find the general story of his life.

Brother Charles must have been older than Henry. He moved to Newberry County and bought the 200 acres on Heller's Creek in 1765. Evidently, Henry followed Charles. No land grant or purchase document has been found that records Henry's purchase of his land on Heller's Creek, but in 1772 a man bought land next to Henry's farm. In 1773, a purchase by a Gartman, next to Charles shows that both Henry and Charles lived on Heller's Creek.

Again, father Henrick died in Saxe Gotha about 1765, Soon after his death, both Henry and Charles acquired land on Heller's Creek. In 1778 and 1779, Henry's name appears on a jury list in Newberry County. Henry's children were being born before he became involved in the American Revolution, but his service will be discussed before the family.

Most Americans think of the American Revolution in the terms presented to them in/school - Bunker Hill, Washington crossing the Delaware, and Yorktown. But there were other sides to the Revolution that many people never have considered. While the northern colonies were eager to fight, many of the southerners had no quarrel with England. The Germans loved Queen Anne as their savior. Their problems were on the frontier - food for their family and protection from the Indians.

Open warfare broke out between the Tories - loyal to England - and those supporting the Revolution. The protection of British troops and authority disappeared. Bands of renegades under the colors of either side pillaged the country. In South Carolina, groups of "Regulators" were organized to try and maintain order. Then, the English encouraged the Indians to renew their attacks upon the frontier. Weapons were provided to the Indians and advisors stirred up trouble. Of course, the Indians were smart enough to realize the opportunities presented by the war. The event that brought the South Carolina frontier strongly to the. American cause was the fall of Charleston to the English on 12 May 1780.

Now, the war was close to home - South Carolina. Henry Mitts joined the militia in the Water's Regiment. Colonel Philemon
Waters was a neighbor. He had served in the Continental Army since the war began. He enlisted his regiment from Laurens and Newberry Counties. There is no way to describe the service of Henry Mitts, other than to present the documentation of his service. These records are in South Carolina.

Archives in Columbia.
Henry was the father of eight children. They are listed in the outline with the HRM genealogy as follows: John, Phillip (our ancestor), Henry, David, Adam, George, Barbara, and "another daughter". This cannot be the correct order of birth. Only three birthdays are known: Barbara on 10 Aug 1778, Henry in 1782, and George on 28 Jul 1790. In the first U.S. Census, Henry Mitts had 4 sons under 16 years old and two women in the household. One would be daughter, Barbara and the other may be his wife. By 1800, he had two sons under 10, two sons between 10 and 16 years, two sons 16 to 26 years, and one woman 16 to 26 years (Barbara). He had one "free person". This means that he had no wife in 1800.

Seven children were at home. The story of Phillip Mitts, our ancestor and son of Henry, will be told later. Since the other children are not in our direct line, discussion of each will be brief. John married Mary M. Koone and had eight children. Their son, Henry married Sara Caroline Vance and moved to Mississippi. John has many descendants in SC, TN, and MS.

Henry, son of Henry, was born in 1782 and married Rebeccah Lake. When she died, he married Missouri Ike, a sister. There were six children. Henry's sons David and Adam both died young, and neither was married. (Gene Brownlow - I think this Adam actually did marry and he is in my line) When Adam died, he owned 90 acres of land. David Lightsey bought the land and the money was divided among Adam's living brothers and sisters. The documents are in Box 20, Package 12, at the Newberry courthouse. Documents of this kind prove the validity of the old RHM genealogy.

George Metts was born in 1790. He is the father of HRM. George married Lucy Strother and Lucretia Holland. Their five children produced many outstanding and well-educated South Carolinians. George was the last owner of the old homestead on Heller's Creek. He sold it in 1835. At that time, HRM was 19 years old.

The daughter of Henry, Barbara, was born in 1778. HRM listed her next to last, the last being an "unnamed daughter". Maybe, it was because she was a girl, but Barbara was far from last, in more than one way. She was big sister in every way! Her husband was a lawyer named Andrew Wicker. She married him in 1805 and they moved to Mississippi in 1818 - long before any of the others.

Andrew was the only well-educated person in the entire "bunch". He wrote the legal documents and rode herd over the family business. There were legal battles, particularly when John died. Andrew was a leading participator.

The old homestead on Heller's Creek must have been a busy place during those years. HRM described the family, "Now what shall I say about these six sons, their father and grandfather. From tradition, and the writer's own knowledge they were honest, industrious, peaceable, quiet, and thrifty family. None of them ever occupied high public trust, they never sought office, but most of/them were what was known as leading citizens of the neighborhood.".

Henry Mitts was a strong and hardworking man who served his country during the American Revolution. His Service and lineage to this writer has been proved to and approved by the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution. Henry died in October 1812.

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5435

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5436

Other Events:

• FSID: LHK5-HZ7
• Reference Number: 5281
• Residence: 1810, Newberry, South Carolina, United States

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth Barre. Elizabeth was born in 1775 in Newberry County, South Carolina; died in 1812. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5369

Family/Spouse: Andrew Wicker. Andrew was born about 1775; died after 1830. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5370

Family/Spouse: Rebecca Lake. Rebecca was born about 1803. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Mariah Missouri Lake. Mariah was born about 1807; died after 1870. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5371

Notes:

From the book by Al Metts Jr., Metts Family in America

born before 1790 - died 16 May 1842

Phillip Mitts was born at the old homestead on Heller's Creek. He was born on a farm and died on a farm, following a plow all the days of his short life - less than sixty years. He married a strong and capable woman, Rebecca Suber, about 1814. Her family lived near the Metts homestead on Heller's
Creek. The story of Rebecca's family will be discussed in a separate chapter on the Suber surname. The U.S.Census of 1790 shows four sons in father Henry's household. Phillip was one of them. He helped build Henry's estate and must
have saved his own dollars for the day when he would buy his farm.

No document remains to show the settlement of Henry's estate when he died in 1812. Rebecca's father died in 1813, leaving her one hundred dollars. Older brother, John must have taken control of the Mitts homestead. Regardless, Phillip married and started his family. David William Metts was born in 1815, the first of seven children. David s descendant, George Pierce Metz, of Louisville, MS, is a student of the family history and will write a book about the family in Winston County, MS. David served as a Colonel in the Confederacy.

Our ancestor is Phillip's son, Michael Albert Metts, and his life will be covered later. He was born in 1825. The other five children are not discussed in their order of birth. Martha Caroline was born 13 Jun 1817. She married Giles C. Linch, a lawyer who would take a leading role in all family business.

Lemuel P. Mitts was another son. Susannah Mitts married Thomas Carroll.

Elizabeth G. Metts married John C. Doss. One of her descendants is Mrs. E. G. (Sarakay) Jordan, of Austin, Texas, former Librarian of the Texas State Genealogical Library. The seventh child was Rebecca A. Metts.'She died young, about one year after the death of her father, Phillip.

Finally, with a wife and family, Phillip was able to buy his own land. The year was 1830. On January 16th, he paid Thomas Boyd $375 for 93 acres on Cannon Creek. The next day he paid David Chalmers $660 for 100 acres joining the 93 acres. aAlso, he acquired 425.4 more acres for a total of 618.4 acres.

The land is several miles east of the town of Newberry. This land had much better soil than the farm on Heller's Creek. A copy of the plat is on the next page.

Several years ago, cousin George Metz, of Louisville, MS, mentioned earlier, went to Newberry with his wife researching family history. They went to the farm that Phillip had owned. .An old man pointed to an old abandoned
house and said that it was called "the Metts Place". They stored hay in the old house. It had been struck by lightning and was partly burned.

In 1835, Phillip's brother, Adam died. As stated earlier, he had not married, so he left his estate to his brothers and sisters. Phillip received his share, $358.81 3/5. Dollars were valuable in those days so pennies were divided into fifths.

It seems that, in the old days lawyers were no better or worse than they are today. Family problems were taken to court and lawyers got their money. In 1835, we see David Lightsey, Henry Mitts, Phillip Mitts, and George Metts
versus Lemuel Glymph, administrator of John Mitts, deceased. Glymph was the guardian7of John's children. Teamed with Glymph were Andrew and Barbara Wicker (Phillip's brother-in-law and sister) and John A. Wicker and wife. (Box 20,
Bill 1835/Box 38-Newberry). Remembering that the old Metts homestead was sold in 1835, there is little doubt about the subject at stake.

Later, in 1842, in court again (Bx 28, Bill 1843/Bx 41, Order 1883/Bx 89) we see David W. Mitts versus Rebecca, Lemuel, Susannah, Michael aAlbert, Elizabeth G., Rebecca A., and Martha Caroline Linch. This is the year that Phillip died . David has his entire family on the other side. He was the first to make the move to Mississippi.

The farm of Phillip Mitts
The Phillip Mitts family were Lutherans, members of the Bethlehem Lutheran Church near Pomaria, SC, in Newberry County. This church is near the old Metts homestead. My wife, Betty, and I visited the church and cemetery on
our way to Heller's Creek. Of course, the church is rebuilt. The S.C. Magazine of Ancestral Research, Winter, 1977, pp.16-24, has some early records of the church. Phillip's sister, Barbara and husband, Andrew Wicker, were very active
members. Several of Phillip's in-laws were active. The records are for 1815-1832. On page eleven is the entry, "Martha Caroline, Daughter of Philip Metz and wife Rebekah born 13th of June 1817. Sponcers A. Wecker & wife.". The
spelling is bad, but there is no doubt about who they are.
When Phillip died on 16 May 1842, Giles C. Linch, the lawyer and son-in-law took over. There are about 15 pages of detailed handwritten documents to handle the business. Rebecca sold the farm on 20 Nov 1846. She sold it to Job Johnston for $1,855. She signed the document with an "X".
Phillip's estate was settled in 1845. Each child received $570.29 and his wife, Rebecca got $1,924.42. The total was $3,848.85. When daughter Rebecca A. died in June 1843, her share of Phillip's estate was divided among the family.
The sums above may seem small in these inflated times, but Phillip died a very wealthy man. In addition to the 618 acres of good farming land, he owned 20 slaves, horses, hogs, cotton, corn, tools, and many household items. A small
part of the inventory is below:
(Listed in the book)

Phillip was the last ancestor with the Metts name that signed his name with a mark.

The family was left with decisions to make for the future. Legal action forced division of the estate. The farm was sold. There is an interesting point to make, here. We see the changing times. In old England, then Virginia and with the move west, there was the old English law of "primo genitor" which left all of the inheritance to the oldest son. The intention was to keep estates intact. Wives got next to nothing. Now, here, we see Rebecca taking her place as the head of the family. She had a lawyer son-in-law on her side.

The oldest son, David, set out for Winston County, Mississippi. The family planned to follow him, so plans were made for the wagon train to leave in 1847. Other families joined the Metts family for the big move. Our ancestor,
Michael Albert Metts, was to "pilot" the convoy. Wagons, slaves, animals, food, and money were organized and Phillip's wife, Rebecca Suber Metts would
head westward.

The story will return to South Carolina to give the family history of the Saeber-Suber- Weyman-Miller- Glymph ancestors of Rebecca. (Please see the chart). Later, the story goes back to South Carolina again for the Nash and Hodges ancestors. Then, the Kaiglers will be the last of the South Carolina kin. This is an appropriate time in the story to recognize and express appreciation to four South Carolina friends who are great genealogists and generous contributors to this history.

Glenda Bundrick of Newberry and Betty Bundrick of Columbia have searched and found every paper with any spelling of Metts and sent them to me with their expert interpretation and evaluation. Dr. .Andy Suber, of Columbia, is the head of the Suber clan. When his book comes forth, we will have a great reference. Carol Speers is the Probate Clerk in the Abbeville Courthouse.

That's where the Old 96th District was administered. Carol knows where the papers are and has helped greatly. Let me thank each of you before taking the Mitts-Metts convoy to Mississippi!

Family/Spouse: Rebecca Suber. Rebecca was born on 7 Sep 1794 in Newberry Cty., Sc; died on 25 Aug 1862 in Winston Cty., Ms. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5372

George married Lucy Strother in Apr 1814. Lucy died in Apr 1823. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

George married Anna Souter in Oct 1828. Anna was born about 1800; died after 1880. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5368

Other Events:

• Reference Number: 5367

Family/Spouse: Mary Magdalene Koon. Mary was born on 4 Apr 1784 in Newberry Cty., Sc; died on 12 Feb 1833. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]