Chris & Julie Petersen's Genealogy

Charity Adair

Female 1770 - 1826  (56 years)


Personal Information    |    Notes    |    All    |    PDF

  • Name Charity Adair 
    Born 1770  of Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Female 
    Died 6 Nov 1826  Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried Duncan Creek Cemetery, Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I3738  Petersen-de Lanskoy
    Last Modified 27 May 2021 

    Father Joseph Adair,   b. 12 Apr 1735, of, Chester, Pennsylvania, United States Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 20 Jan 1812, , Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 76 years) 
    Mother Elizabeth,   d. From 1808 to 1812, of Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married Bef 1756  of Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F932  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 1 Farmer,   d. From 1789 to 1797, of Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Married Bef 1789  of Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Mary Farmer,   b. 21 Jun 1789, of Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1844  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family 2 David Little,   b. 11 Nov 1767, , , Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 17 Nov 1812, Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 45 years) 
    Married Bef 1798  of Duncan Creek, Laurens, South Carolina, United States Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Last Modified 28 May 2021 
    Family ID F1686  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Notes 
    • RESEARCH_NOTES:
      1. Censuses:
      1800 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina:
      Name: David Little Free White Males (Age 0-10): 1 Free White Males (Age 10-16): 0 Free White Males (Age 16-26): 0 Free White Males (Age 26-45): 1 Free White Males (Age 45+): 0 Free White Females (Age 0-10): 1 Free White Females (Age 10-16): 1 Free White Females (Age 16-26): 0 Free White Females (Age 26-45): 1 Free White Females (Age 45+): 0 Other: 0 Slaves: 0

      1810 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina, pg. 28 of 76:
      David Little, 4-1-0-1-0;2-1-1-1-0-0-2.

      1820 US: Laurens Co., South Carolina, pg. 7 of 67, lists Charity without David; confirms David was deceased:
      Charity Little, Males 1-2-1-0-0-0, females 0-1-1-1-1; 6 slaves.

      2. Jett Hanna [jettplane@aol.com] provided me on 8 Jul 2005 with a copy of his analysis of the Brownlee manuscript as follows. It mirrors my own understanding; however, anything with which I disagree I note in [brackets]. Jett entitles his paper as "Laurens County Area Adair Family Trees." It is broken down by three families: James Adair who married Eleanor, his brother Joseph who married Sarah Laferty, and a William of whom absolutely nothing is known except just his name on the Williams Petition and that Brownlee notes he died 1780-84 and that his estate was administered 1784 per Abbe Wills, p. 10. Text quoted as follows:
      "This tree is based on Early Adairs of Laurens County, South Carolina, by Mildred Brownlee. This was provided to me by W. Lee Adair, who obtained it from the Laurens County Public Library. Handwritten notes show a date of 1990 on Brownlee's manuscript. I have not examined these deeds personally. In some cases, notes and questions below are my own additions. This analysis seems to discredit some of the trees in the Adair History and Genealogy, and adds significantly to what is know of the Laurens area Adairs. I have not fully finished analyzing this work, and may have left out parts that are not as critical to my work.
      "Based on this work, it appears very possible that the elder Joseph Adair (m. Sarah, m. Susannah) and his brother James (m. Eleanor) settled in Laurens County at the same time, as suggested by the Adair History and Genealogy. I do not believe, however, that this James was the author of the book on the Indians and reputed patriarch of the Cherokee Adairs. This James was a cooper (barrel maker) according to the deeds. Modern editions of the History of the American Indians suggest that the author James Adair was a direct immigrant to South Carolina, but with no concrete evidence.
      "The Williams Petition: In the tree, LCW is Laurens County Wills; LCD is Laurens County Deeds. Also mentioned is the Williams petition. This petition is a significant document in analyzing the Laurens County Adairs. Published in the South Carolina Magazine of Ancestral Research, Vol. XV, No. 1 1987, p. 32-33, the original is #5767, Manuscript Department, Wm. Perkins Library at Duke University. The petition is in support of Colonel James Williams, a militia leader of the Patriots in the Laurens area (Little River Regiment). The petition, signed by members of the Little River Regiment, is directed to the Governor of South Carolina and the Privy Counsel, and attests to Williams' devotion to the Patriot cause. Williams led militia in a number of battles. I suspect that this petition was provided prior to Williams' elevation to the rank of Brigadier General following the Battle of Musgrove Mill, which was fought in what is now Laurens County. Williams had been accused of puffing his role in the battle. Williams went on to die at Kings Mountain - one of the few Patriot casualties that day on October 7, 1780. Williams had run for the South Carolina legislature as a Patriot in 1778, only to lose to Robert Cunningham, the infamous Loyalist leader. For more on Williams, see Draper, "Kings Mountain and Its Heroes," (Cincinnati, 1883). Signers of the Williams petition include the following Adairs: Isaac Adair, Jms. Adair, James Adair, Sr., Joseph Adair, Jr., Joseph Adair, Benjamin Adair, Joseph Adair, Sr., James Adair, Jr, son of James, William Adair, John Adair, and John Adair, Sr., and Alexander Adair. Comparing deed and will records to the names, Brownlee identifies the Adair signers [copies Brownlee's explanations]. Brownlee's identifications look very logical to me.
      "The Laurens County Adair Tree:
      2. Joseph Adair m. Sarah Lafferty, m. Susannah Long: 250a land grant, present site of Duncan Creek Presbyterian Church. Was sold 1778 to Benjamin Adair LCD A/189, 1778). Release by wife??? Will in LCW A-1/19, dated 1788, other info says death 1801. Joseph 414(5) 1790 Census?
      2.1 Joseph Adair m. Elizabeth - Joseph's son named in father's will. His will LCW D-1/104; Bundle 65, Pkg. 10, proven 1/14/1813.
      2.1.1 John m. Jane Jones: John named as son in father's will.
      2.1.2 James m. Rebecca: James named as son in father's will.
      2.1.3 Robert: Robert named as son in father's will.
      2.1.4 Elisha m Elizabeth (Betsy) Reese?: Elisha named as son in father's will.
      2.1.4.1 Joseph: Named as grandson in grandfather's will
      2.1.4.2 Washington
      2.1.4.3 Isaac
      2.1.4.4 Thomas R. m. Jane Blakely
      2.1.4.5 Allen
      2.1.4.6 Richmond
      2.1.4.7 Matilda
      2.1.5 Elizabeth m. George Davis: Elizabeth named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name in will is John Huston.
      2.1.5.1 Mary Davis m. Robert Cunningham Hanna
      2.1.5.2 Hannah Davis m. Robert McCord
      2.1.5.3 George Davis
      m. John Huston
      2.1.5.4 Joseph Hughston
      2.1.5.5 Elisha Hughston
      2.1.5.6 Nancy/Agnes Hughston m. James Wilson
      2.1.6 Jean m. Thomas Holland: Jean named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name is in will. Thomas Holland 101 1790 Census?
      2.1.7 Cassy m. Thomas McCrary: Cassy named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name is in will.
      2.1.8 Charity m. ___ Farmer: Charity named as daughter in father's will. Husband's name in will is David Little.
      2.1.8.1 Mary Farmer: stepdaughter mentioned in will of David Little.
      m. David Little
      2.1.8.2 David Little
      2.1.8.3 Elizabeth Little
      2.1.8.4 Joseph Little
      2.1.8.5 James Little
      2.1.8.6 Jane Little
      2.1.8.7 John Little
      2.1.8.8 Nancy Little
      2.1.8.9 Thomas E. Little
      2.1.8.10 Holland Little
      2.2 James Adair m. Rebecca Montgomery: James named as son in father's will. 110a from Nathaniel Hillen, 144a granted to him directly. POA to brother Benjamin in Book G, Pg. 666. Does POA mention Rebecca? Or dower releases? Deeds LCW J/161-162, A/308. J/161 is sale to sons of James Sr. -Joseph and George R. James 327 1790 Census? If 13 children, only 10 in this census.
      2.2.1 Joseph Adair: LCW J/160 sells interest to brother George R.
      2.2.2 George R. Adair m. Rachel Musgrove: George named in deed from brother Joseph.
      (From Indiana Data according to Brownlee:)
      2.2.3 Margaret Jane Adair m. John Ewing
      2.2.4 Rebecca Adair m. James Remy
      2.2.5 John Adair
      2.2.6 Jane Adair m. ___Eads
      2.2.7 Isaac Adair m. Jane Holland
      2.2.8 Lucretia Adair m. John Wildridge
      2.2.9 James Adair
      2.3 Benjamin Adair m. Nancy (George?): Benjamin named as son in father's will. Benjamin's will Box 1, Pkg 1. I have seen another cite for will. Benjamin 133 1790 Census. Only 3 of 5 sons accounted for, 2 of 4 daughters. Children below in his will.
      2.3.1 Zadock
      2.3.2 William
      2.3.3 John
      2.3.4 d m. James Jamieson
      2.3.5 d m. Samuel Bowie
      2.3.6 Isaac
      2.3.7 Benjamin
      2.3.8 Margaret
      2.3.9 d m. William Craig
      2.4 Jean/Jane Adair m. Ramage
      2.5 John Adair m. Sarah Adair (son of Joseph???). Died in Revolution. Note: Sarah named in Joseph's will. Might have been daughter in law, wife of the deceased son John. [Jett places John as a son of Joseph Sr. whereas Brownlee makes a case for him being a possible son of either Joseph or his brother James.]
      2.5.1 Benjamin Adair, Jr.
      2.5.2 Joseph Adair
      2.5.3 Martha Adair
      2.5.4 Hezekiah Adair
      2.5.5 Isaac Adair

      3. The publication "Laurens County Kinfolks Volume 1 Book 2," by Richard W. Fowler, gives the following family: "Charity Adair was born 1773 and died 6 Nov 1826 in Laurens Co., SC [bur.] Duncan Creek Pres. Cem. She m. David Little, Sr., (11 Nov 1767-17 Nov 1812), son of James Little (1737-1807) and Isabella Hamilton. Duncan Creek Pres. Cem. in Laurens Co. Little River is said to be named for this family. Children:
      A. Elizabeth, b. 27 Aug 1799; d. 29 Nov 1844. She m. 1819 James C. Copeland (1793-15 Apr 1869), son of John Copeland and Margaret Blakely.
      B. David, Jr., b. 25 Sep 1802; d. 7 Mar 1852 in Laurens Co., bur. Duncan Creek Pres. Cem. He m. Sarah U. Little.
      C. Joseph, b. 24 Jul 1801. He m. ___ Dickert.
      D. James, b. 12 Jul 1803. He m. Matilda Williams.
      E. Jane, b. 12 Jul 1803.
      F. John, b. 23 Feb 1806.
      G. Nancy, b. 28 Sep 1807. She m. Alex Fairburn.
      H. Thomas, b. 1 Aug 1809, d. 5 Sep 1872. He m. Jane E. Little 1840.
      I. Holland, b. 1811; d. 1872."

      BIOGRAPHY:
      1. Typescript "Early Adairs of Laurens County, South Carolina." Compiled by Mildred Brownlee; Source Records: Wills; Intestate Estates; Deeds; Court Records; Cemetery Inscriptions. Some dates of birth and death obtained from Lineage Charts. Dates of birth and death subject to correction. Spelling of names subject to correction. [Note that bracketed comments are later additions by other reviewers including myself - Kerry Petersen.]
      A. "Recorded in Will Book D-l, Page 104, Bundle 65, pkg. 10. Proven January 14, 1813. David Anderson Ordy. Will of Joseph Adair:
      "State of South Carolina Laurens District. In the name of God, Amen. Know all men by those presents that I Joseph Adair of tho same State and District are now in good health and in my natural senses at this date and time make this my last will and testament. At my death I bequeath my body to tho tomb, my soul to the almighty God, my maker and created and Jesus Christ my redeemer. Likewise I give and bequeath unto John Adair my son all the land that I layed off for him, that Richard Hollen and John Frier now lives on and one Negro woman named Jude. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my son James Adair all that part of a tract of land he now lives on lying on the South Side of Little Dunkins Creek bounded on land of Thomas McCrary, Alexander Wilkerson, Elisha Adair and one Negro man named Duke. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my son Robert Adair the money that he did receive from Alexander Wilkerson for a tract of land made over by me and my son Elisha Adair to said Wilkerson and one Negro girl named Tamer. Likewise I give and bequeath to my son Elisha Adair all that part of land I now live on containing three hundred and seventy five acres more or less, resurvayed by John A. Elmore one Negro boy named Morris, one new waggon and all her harness. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my grandson Joseph Adair, son of Elisha Adair, one set of silver coat buttons, and one set of silver breeches buttons to my son Robert Adair. I likewise, give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth and her husband John Huston, one Negro girl named Clartis to be thern during there natural life, and at their death to be equally divided among all Elizabeth Huston's children of her natural body. Likewise, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jean, wife of Thomas Holland. one Negro girl named Dice. Likewise, I give unto my daughter Cassy, wife of Thomas McCrary one Negro woman named Lid. Likewise, I give and bequeath, unto Charity, wife of David Little, one Negro woman named Sarah and all the rest of my perishable property to be equally divided among my eight children of my natural body. I hereby set my hand and seal this 20th of January, 1812. It being the thirty sixth and thirty seventh years of American Independency. And l do here appoint Elisha Adair and John Adair my Executors.
      Joseph Adair (Seal)
      Witness present: Richard Holland, William Adair, George McCrary
      Recorded in Will Book D-1, Page 105. Recorded date not available. Proven Jan. 15, 1813. David Anderson Ordy."
      B. Charity Adair - unto my daughter Charity, wife of David Little, one Negro woman named Sarah". Charity Adair, b. 1770, d. 6 Nov. 1826, mar. (1) ___ Farmer by whom she had a daughter Mary Farmer, b. 21 June 1789. Mary Farmer mentioned as step-daughter in the will of David Little. Charity Adair Farmer married (2) David Little. Chn:
      David Little, b. 1 May 1798, d. young.
      Elizabeth Little. b. 27 Aug. 1799/1800, mar. James Copeland.
      Joseph Little, b. 24 July 1801
      James Little, b. 12 July 1803, mar. Matilda Williams.
      Jane Little, b. 12 July 1803, mar. Andrew Park.
      John Little, b. 23 Feb. 1806, mar. Sarah Wolf.
      Nancy Little, b. 28 Sept. 1807, mar. Alexander Fairburn.
      Thomas E. Little, b. 1 Aug. 1809, mar. Jane Eleanor Craig.
      Holland Little, b. 1811"

      MARRIAGE:
      1. I had a date of "Bef. 1798" in my database. Most researchers of this line indicate the same or state 1797. The oldest son of this marriage is David Little whose birth is generally given as "1798" or 1 May 1798," hence the marriage dates used. One database ":930667" on Rootsweb.com Worldconnect notes date as 12 Oct 1797 but without documentation - if correct this would mean David Jr. was born 2 months premature or the Oct date is too late.