John Blackman and Ann Bird of Marion Co, SC

I (Marty Grant) am a 1st cousin 5 times removed to John Blackman via my Lane ancestry. I don't know how (or if) I'm related to him via my Blackman ancestry.

John Blackman was born December 1814 in Marion Dist, SC. According to W.W. Sellers in his History of Marion County, South Carolina, 1902, page 389, John Blackman, called "Jack" was a son of John Blackman and Elizabeth Lane (daughter of Osborne Lane).

Here is what Sellers wrote about John Blackman (page 388 and 389) in the Lane family writeup (anything in brackets [] was added by me):

There were a few other things said in Sellers work about the John (Jack) Blackman family. I don't know how accurate the above information is. Sellers work, while amazing and incredibly valuable, does contain some errors, so it is best, when possible, to find confirmation from other sources. From what I've found so far, this one seems to be correct.

John Blackman married Ann Byrd ca 1830/39 in Marion Dist, SC. Her maiden name was mentioned by Sellers, and is also proven by several Marion District Equity Records and Probate records.

John was listed on the 1840 census in Marion Dist, SC. He was listed between his brother Stephen Blackman and his uncle Thomas Lane.

A document dated 17 Feb 1848 in the Marion County Equity rolls helps document this family quite nicely. The Case was Joseph Byrd and Hamilton Blackman vs John Blackman Jr and John Blackman and wife vs H.G. Byrd, Executor. The gist of the case was that Elizabeth Bird died leaving heirs including Ann Blackman, wife of John Blackman. John Blackman made a deed of trust to his children: Hamilton Blackman, Mary Ann Blackman, Betsey Blackman and John Blackman. The case stated that Betsy Blackman died under age and unmarried. (Roll # 17, Marion County, South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls by Lucile Utley)

The above date must be slightly wrong, or else Elizabeth Bird's Will is wrong (the date, anyway). Elizabeth Bird made her will on 14 Mar 1848 naming children including daughter "Ann Blackmon". (Marion County Probate Records Volume I, # 109 by Lucille Utley, Danny Smith, Indexed by Ferrell and Nancy Prosser, 1985).

John Blackman and family were listed on the 1850 census in Marion County. Some of the names of his children don't match up with later records, making this census somewhat suspicious (this one and several others!)

The Civil War (1861-1865) saw John (and his son Hamilton) take action for the Southern Cause. John Blackman enlisted in Company H, Orr's Regiment of Rifles as a Private. He was transferred to a Cavalry unit in 1863. (History of Marion County, South Carolina, W.W. Sellers, 1902, page 578)

He was transferred to Company F, 4th Regiment, SC Cavalry. He was reported wounded at Reams Station. (History of Marion County, South Carolina, W.W. Sellers, 1902, page 582)

John and Anna were listed on the 1870 census in Marion Co, SC in Marion Township.

Anna Byrd Blackman died in the 1870's. John Blackman married Caroline Mears during that same timeframe. They were listed in Marion Township in 1880, and with a 13 year old son named John Blackman Jr. His age is at odds with their possible marriage dates. In the 1870 census, Caroline and her children were next to John Blackman. Caroline had at least eight children, all born out of wedlock. John Blackman Jr seems to be one of those, but it would seem that old John Blackman was his father, at least would explain why he took the Blackman name later on. Caroline Mears and two of her older children were named in the Will of John Coleman (1857), with whom she was residing in 1850, making it seem as if they were his children, at least those two were his.

Caroline was listed on the 1900 census in Reaves Township, listed as a widow, and residing with a Lambert family, listed as "Grandmother". Her son John Blackman is residing with them as well.

Children

Children of John and Ann are proven by the various census records and by Equity Roll # 17 and other records. Sellers listed some of them.

Hamilton J. Blackman was born ca 1839/40 in Marion Dist, SC. He was home with his parents in 1850 and 1860. Hamilton apparently was a teacher, for filed in the Marion County Equity rolls was a document dated 24 Oct 1856 showing that his employers were satisfied with his performance. (Roll # 233, Marion County, South Carolina Extracts from Equity Rolls by Lucile Utley)

For the Civil War, he enlisted in Company D, 10th Regiment, SC Infantry, at first as a Sgt, but was later promoted to 2nd Lieutenant. He died at a hospital July 1862. (History of Marion County, South Carolina, W.W. Sellers, 1902, page 626)

Mary Ann Blackman was born ca 1841/42 in Marion Dist, SC. She was at home with her parents in 1850, 1860 and 1870. In 1880 she was with her brother Joseph Blackman. I don't know who (or if) she ever married.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Blackman was born ca 1842/43 in Marion Dist, SC. She was at home with her parents in 1850, but I have no record of her after that. She died before 1860. Equity Roll # 17 stated that "Betsy" died under age and unmarried.

John H.G. Blackman was born ca 1843/44 in Marion Dist, SC. He was listed as "John" in the 1848 record (Equity Roll # 17) and on the 1850 census, but as "H.G." in 1860 and in his Civil War records. He enlisted in Company F, 4th Regiment, SC Cavalry as a Private. He died in a Union Prison at Point Lookout in 1863. (History of Marion County, South Carolina, W.W. Sellers, 1902, page 582)

Joseph Peter Blackman was born ca 1847/48 in Marion Dist, SC. He was listed as "Peter" on the 1850 census, but as "Joseph" on 1860, and all later records. He was at home with his parents in 1850, 1860 and 1870. In 1880 he was living in Marion Co, SC in Marion Township, single, but with his sister Mary residing with him.

John Blackman was born December 1866 per the 1900 census. This age agrees with the 1880 census, but he was not with the family in 1870. This may indicate he is Caroline's child, but not John Blackman's child, or else he was born before they married (Caroline did have at least eight child born out of wedlock including a son John Mears born ca 1866/67). Since John Blackman (Sr) and his first wife (Ann Bird) had a son named "John" already, it makes me wonder if this John was not his son, or if he was born out of wedlock. John and Caroline didn't marry until after 1870.

John (1866) was with his mother Caroline Mears on the 1870 census, and listed with her name. They were next door to John and Anna Blackman. He was with John and Caroline Blackman in 1880, and with Caroline in 1900, still single at that time. In both 1880 and 1900 he used "Blackman" as his surname.

Researcher List

1. John "Jack"¹ Blackman Pvt , born Dec 1814 in Marion Dist, SC; died 22 Jun 1895 in Marion Co, SC; buried in Tranquil Cem, Marion Co, SC, son of John Blackman and Elizabeth Lane . He married (1) in 1830/39 in Marion Dist, SC Ann Byrd , born 1809/10 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1870/80 in Marion Co, SC, daughter of Arthur Byrd and Elizabeth (---) ; (2) in 1870/80 in Marion Dist, SC Caroline Mears , born Jan 1834 in Marion Dist, SC; died aft 1900 in Marion Co, SC.

Children of John "Jack" Blackman Pvt and Ann Byrd were as follows:

2 i Hamilton J² Blackman 2lt , born 1839/40 in Marion Dist, SC; died Jul 1862 in Civil War.

3 ii Mary Ann² Blackman , born 17 Aug 1841 in Marion Dist, SC; died 15 Apr 1884 in Marion Co, SC; buried in Tranquil Cem, Marion Co, SC.

4 iii Elizabeth "Betsy"² Blackman , born 1842/43 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1850/60 in Marion Dist, SC.

5 iv John H G² Blackman Pvt , born 1843/44 in Marion Dist, SC; died 1863 in Civil War, Point Lookout.

6 v Joseph A² Blackman , born 1847/48 in Marion Dist, SC; died 25 Sep 1885 in Marion Co, SC; buried in Tranquil Cem, Marion Co, SC.

Children of John "Jack" Blackman Pvt and Caroline Mears were as follows:

7 i John² Blackman , born Dec 1866 in Marion Dist, SC.

John Blackman (1814) and Ann Bird and Caroline Mears of Marion Co, SC

Children

Researcher List

Register Report