Estate records and wills, 17881912 family history library indexes to the county wills of south carolina. The south carolina state library and the south carolina digital library present the south carolina bookmobiles collection, a collection of historical and contemporary images from the 1940s to the early 2000s. John duncan a native of aberdeen, scotland was the first white settler to inhabit the area. Laurens county by laurens county museum association. The county is located in the northwest location of the state. Laurens county museum is located at 205 west laurens st. In laurens county, the communitys history unfolds in vintage postcards of the laurens court house. Laurens county was one of the major paths of migration into south carolina as well as from s. Pettypool, a laurens county, south carolina family family history site for a laurens county pool family, descending from seth petty pool biography of leonidas conaro prather whos who in finance, banking and insurance, 19201922 source. In 1790 the first government census taken after the adoption of the constitution gave laruens district 1,395 heads of families and a total population of 9,337 including negro freedmen and slaves. The town and county of laurens are named for south carolina revolutionary war patriot henry laurens. Located in the upstate region of south carolina, the city of laurens is named after john laurens of. Statewide registration for births and deaths began in 1915.
Laurens county, south carolina, united states britannica. Laurens county was founded in the late 18th century and named for henry laurens, revolutionary war hero and distinguished south carolina statesman. Jesse hogan motes, 3 and margaret peckh 147005 150822l. Laurens county by laurens county museum association arcadia. Laurens county is located in the piedmont region of south carolina and is a county of forests and gently rolling hills. If there is an item we do not have that you would like, please submit a request card at any location and we. History of laurens county, sc a brief history town. The register of deeds office is within the office of the clerk of court for laurens county. Equity records of old 96 and abbeville district, s. Their weekly hours are thursdays and sundays 25 pm, and by appointment, and you can visit online and check out their many events happening throughout the year. He arrived in 1752 from pennsylvania and settled along a creek in the northeastern section of the county, between presentday clinton and. The area is also characterized by its large trees, wellkept yards, and granite retaining walls. This book covers the early indians who lived in the area, the natural environment of the county, the economic and social side of coffees history, the civil war, educational development, churches, newspapers, pioneer families, and railroads. Laurens is a charming southern city located in the piedmont of south carolina.
The county was named in honor of henry laurens, president of the second continental congress and prisoner of war during the american revolution. Four families of laurens county, south carolina william c. The photographs are from the archives of the south carolina state library and many were taken by state library field agents. Laurens district, south carolina library of congress. It is situated in a hilly piedmont region between the saluda river to the southwest and the enoree river to the northeast. It reaches a greater number of people than any other agency and thus has always been and. This collection will continue to have materials added to it. The laurens county courthouse is located in laurens, south carolina. John stevens and betty hudgens wolff, william simpson and isabella henderson, samuel lewis power and nancy mary poole by elinor power varndell. Quickfacts provides statistics for all states and counties, and for cities and towns with a population of 5,000 or more. Laurens county vital records can be found at the south carolina department of health has copies of birth records after 19 and death records after 1930, copies of marriage since jan 1962 and a divorce records since 1958. Laurens county, south carolina rabun creek settlement, 17621848 source. He proposed several bills to in corporate churches throughout the county and was responsible for getting several roads established. She is a member of the south carolina hall of fame.
South carolina was divided into three coastal counties in 1682, berkeley centered around charleston form the stono river to seewee creek to the north. We also provide links to online records for sc slaveholders on. Map border contains historical and demographic information. Laurens county, south carolina free genealogy and family history, military data, marriages, obituaries,cemeteries, old news articles, biographies, wills, death records.
Now with the publishing of the multivolume discovering laurens county, this history will come alive for all. Laurens county, south carolina genealogy records images of. National register sites in laurensl county south carolina. The search for enslaved ancestors requires research in the records of slaveholding families. American history counties laurens county, south carolina. Laurens county, south carolina genealogy records images. Laurens county, south carolina, minutes of the county court, 17861789. Welcome to the official website for the city of laurens south carolina. Laurens county, south carolina genealogy, books, cds, maps.
Newberry county borders on the southeast, and greenville county on the northwest. Laurens county and its county seat, laurens, were named for revolutionary war leader henry laurens 17241792. Four families of laurens county, south carolina 2004. Laurens county, south carolina history and genealogy volunteers dedicated to free genealogy part of the genealogy trails group always free, always updating. The county s small towns have grown to include opportunities in business, the arts, and education. From each site is a link to the original nomination in adobe pdf format. Today the city of laurens is a community where people from surrounding areas still gather downtown to shop in our unique shops on our town. Laurens county will book a 17871789, abstracts laurens county will book c 17971807, abstracts. A history of the cunningham family and its life on the land snipes, christy on. It was named after henry laurens, the fifth president of. Read, highlight, and take notes, across web, tablet, and phone. The countys small towns have grown to include opportunities in business, the arts, and education. On the heels of her free blacks and mulattos in the south carolina 1850 census, she has now abstracted all references to african americans that could be found in the deed books for laurens and newberry counties, south carolina, between 1780 and 1827.
Coronavirus covid19 notice please be advised that due to the federal, state and local mandates concerning the covid19 virus pandemic, the laurens county council will be holding scheduled and called meetings at. Click here or here to submit to the usgenweb archives project south carolina guidelines help for submitters or send your text files directly to carolyn golowka, the usgenweb archives project south carolina manager. We are proud to expand into south carolina, providing our experience gained from years of researching our ancestors and website hosting. Laurens county was also home to ann pamela cunningham 18161875, the leader of the movement to preserve mount vernon, and educator wil lou gray 18831984. Researching a slaveholders genealogy can be a timeconsuming task, but fortunately, there are many genealogies for south carolina slaveholders online. Laurens is a city in laurens county, south carolina, united states.
Where can find laurens county birth, marriage, divorce and death records. Laurens county museum encourages residents and visitors to help preserve the areas heritage through education and preservation. The enoree river separates laurens from spartanburg and union counties on the northeast. Laurens county, south carolina genealogy genealogy. We are a federallyrecognized 501c3 nonprofit that works to preserve the history of south carolinas historic, natural, and cultural landmarks before they are lost to time. Map and sketch of laurens county, south carolina map of laurens county, south carolina shows names of landowners.
Researching a slaveholders genealogy can be a timeconsuming task, but fortunately, there are many genealogies for south carolina slaveholders. Laurens district chapter of the south carolina genealogical society. The following properties in laurens county have been listed in the national register as historic sites or districts. May 23, 2007 laurens county was founded in the late 18th century and named for henry laurens, revolutionary war hero and distinguished south carolina statesman. Original maps indicate the town may have originally been called laurensville. Four families of laurens county, south carolina 2004 edition. Laurens county, south carolina will book a, volume ii, 18401853 family history library laurens county, south carolina will books af, 17771834 family history library.
Henry mcdaniel, a noted black politician from laurens county, served in the south carolina legislature from 1868 until 1872. Laurens county, south carolina native americans, or american indians, were the first known inhabitants of the area now known as laurens county. The cherokee indians were the original inhabitants of laurens county. Rosemont plantation, laurens county, south carolina. He arrived in 1752 from pennsylvania and settled along a creek in the northeastern section of the county, between presentday clinton and whitmire. Laurens county is included in the greenville anderson mauldin, sc metropolitan statistical area. Laurens county was one of six counties created in 1785 from a division of the old district of ninetysix. Here, we provide links to online genealogies of south carolina slaveholders.
Laurens county, south carolina was created on march 12, 1785 from ninetysix district. The cherokee indians, members of the iroquois nation, lived and hunted in the western and central piedmont of south carolina. The county was named for henry laurens, the fifth president of the continental congress. Epitaphs of 18th and 19th century settlers in union county, south carolina and their descendants. Public records within the register of deeds office include all. The first reference to it being called laurens is a town charter written in 1873. Laurens county counties south carolina digital library. Our goal is helping you find your ancestors by placing data online for the free use of all researchers. Laurens county was created in 1807 from wilkinson county. This book contains the names of more than 34,000 persons mentioned in these records, which include wills, proven dates of wills, estate inventories, appraisals and sales, purchasers at these sales, gifts of slaves to individuals not in estate. The laurens district chapter promotes genealogical research.
Page 264 it is a well recognized fact that the most powerful influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. Public records within the register of deeds office include all land transactions, liens, and dd214 military discharges. L 30038 court of common pleas laurens county sheriffs. The rich history of laurens county, south carolina, provides a proud heritage for its citizens, but for too long, much of this history has languished in forgotten manuscripts and scattered places. In order to identify records of interest, you must first examine the genealogy of slaveholding families. This website serves as a permanent digital archive of over 2,300 south carolina landmarks and counting. This book contains the names of more than 34,000 persons mentioned in these records, which include wills, proven dates of wills, estate inventories, appraisals and sales, purchasers at these sales, gifts of slaves to individuals not in estate settlements. Laurens county wills and estates available to members of south carolina pioneers abstracts of last wills and testaments. Learn more about state of south carolina court, tax, land and probate records the clerks office does not do research most staff will assist people in finding the materials, but it is up to the individual to do the research. Return to laurens county, south carolina index page. Some of these items are on order and will arrive soon, but you can still place holds on anything listed by calling the library or using our online catalog. Now with the publishing of the multivolume discovering laurens county, this.
Laurens county, south carolina history and genealogy. Brief history courtesy of south carolina state library. Appears in 333 books from 18192008 page 264 it is a well recognized fact that the most powerful influence in shaping and controlling public life is the press. The county was established in 1785 as a part of ninety six district. Laurens county writ books of the court of common pleas 18081816 0. The south carolina public library history, 19301945 collection. Everyday discount prices and great customer service.
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