John Turner (c1740) and Patience Smith of Halifax and Martin Co, NC and Marion Co, SC

[Commentary] [Children] [Researcher List] [Register Report] [A Note about sources] [How to contact me] [Home]

I (Marty Grant) don't know how (or if) I'm related to the John Turner family, but I am very interested in him though. I think it is very likely that he is my ancestor, but I've been unable to prove my connection.

Special thanks to Ruth Powers Hundley and others for data shared on this family.

John Turner was born ca 1740 (no proof for that date, just an educated guess based on the birth dates of his known children). He might have been born in NC. He lived on the Roanoke River in Halifax (now Martin) County, NC in the 1760's before coming to SC.

One record says he lived somewhere along the Cape Fear River in North Carolina prior to moving to the Marion County, SC area. The Cape Fear and the Roanoke aren't really close to each other, but he could have lived on first one, then the other.

John Turner was a "mulatto" slave belonging to Thomas Weathersbee, Sr of Halifax (now Martin) County, North Carolina.

John Turner married Patience Smith prior to ca 1765, probably in Martin Co, NC. She is a child of Rachael (---) Smith. Her father hasn't been identified yet.

There was a John Turner with a wife named Patience in early Northampton Co, NC records, but research shared with me by Howard Schramm proves that John and Patience Turner of Northampton Co, NC are not the same as John and Patience of Marion Co, SC.

On 22 Jul 1769 Thomas Weathersbee, Senior, Planter of Halifax County, sold to Patience Turner, of same place, for 60 pounds, a mulatto man named John. Witnessed by Jonathan Cain, Jesse Bryan, Henry Medford, and William Bryan. (Halifax County, North Carolina Deed Book 11 page 144).

The above deed would seem to be Patience purchasing her husband's freedom. Proof that this is the same John and Patience of Marion County is in that a true copy of the original deed is filed in Marion County Loose Records (Pee Dee Queue, Vol XXVIII, No. 6, Nov-Dec 2004, p 5).

At some point (before 1790) the family moved to the Catfish Creek region of SC, in an area that later became Marion County. John Turner acquired land on or near Catfish Creek, somewhere in the area roughly between Latta, Sellers and Temperance Hill. This is along the modern Marion - Dillon County borders. I haven't been able to pinpoint the land yet, but I will study that and find out exactly where it was.

John Turner and his descendants were often listed on census records in the "Free Colored" columns, or listed with a race of "Mulatto", and just as often, listed as "White". Census takers used the "Free Colored" and "Mulatto" designation to show a person of mixed race, whether they be part Indian, part Black, or of some other origin (or a combination of origins). Unfortunately a census record does not give enough information to find out what that "mixed" blood actually was, whether Indian, Black, or both (or "Black Dutch", "Black Irish", Portuguese, Melungeon, etc). See my Ethnic Origins page for more on this subject.

The 1790 and 1800 census list John Turner and his family in the "Free Colored" columns, and some court records and one deed record state they were of black origin. We will go over these documents to see what can be made of them. Interestingly, the two primary records (not counting the census) were filled long after John and Patience had died, so they weren't around to defend themselves, or to set the record straight, or to say "yeah, that's right". While many descendants today claim "Indian" (Native American) ancestry, the only extant records show they had "black" or "African" blood.

The first record that I've found in Marion (besides the 1790 and 1800 census) to mention their "race" was a deed filed in Marion District in 1819. It was a simple statement by Willis Finklea and was filed in the deed books with no additional explanation:

22 Apr 1822 Willis Finklea Sr sayeth he lived with a woman named Olive Simmons near Cape Fear River who often told him she had seen Patience Turner's mother, wife of John Turner Sr, decd, and Mrs. Simmons often told him she was a white woman, of the Irish breed and the mixed blood came by a black man & heard old Mr. Abraham Dew say the mother of Patience Turner was a White Woman. Signed: Willis (X) Finklea Sr.

This is from Marion County, SC Deed Book K page 24 (as published by Lucille Utley and Alita White Sutcliffe).

The above record states that while Patience Turner herself was of mixed blood, it was via her father who was black, but her mother was white. I didn't quite understand the point of this statement, but my cousin Jo Church Dickerson, who is a noted Marion County researcher, explained it to us this way, as to why Finklea made the statement:

... this is not a bad thing, this is a favor he was doing for someone, probably Patience Turner. You see, a person's racial status was determined by the mother. A child born to an enslaved woman, no matter how light the mother's skin or the child's skin, was a slave. A child born to a white woman, no matter who his father may have been, whether Indian or black or mulatto or even a slave - well, that child was free, and was entitled to all the benefits allotted to any free person - that is, the right to own land and slaves and to vote or whatever. Also, that child, no matter how dark his skin, could not be enslaved. I'm not sure about what it would mean for a woman, but it is an area ripe for research.

So apparently, something happened that created the necessity for Patience Turner or someone in her family to prove that her mother was white. Willis Finklea obliged. Possibly Finklea and Turner came to Marion in the same group. There could have been all kinds of relationships here not even hinted at in the little affidavit.

But believe me, Finklea was a friend doing a service for someone in the Turner family with this affidavit. :-) The Marion deed books have a number of these affidavits recorded in them. That's why you can tell it was for something important to someone, probably a Turner, else they wouldn't have gone to all the trouble and expense of having the statement recorded. It was for the benefit of a descendant of John Turner's wife. Read it carefully. There are lots of clues in this affidavit - including where to look for early Turners (on Cape Fear River) ...

I have since found much evidence corroborating what Jo said. According to several researchers, most "free colored" people in this country back then were not offspring of white masters who had relations with their black slaves, (this is a common misconception, apparently, though it certainly happened), but instead, were the result of a union between a black man (whether slave or free) with a white woman. The law stated (in most states) that a child born to a white woman was free, even if the father was a slave. However, a child born to a female slave was also a slave (for a famous case, refer to Thomas Jefferson and Sally Hemmings). I don't know if any in-depth study has been done in regards to this (whether one was more frequent than the other), but I've seen the claims made.

I'll admit I'm not an expert on the subject, but if we are to accept this at face value, it says that Patience Turner (wife of John Turner Sr) was born of a white mother (of Irish origin) and a black man. This doesn't say whether or not the "black man" was a slave or a free person, or if he was married to the Irish woman, so that will need to be researched. Unfortunately, no names were mentioned, so we still don't know Patience's maiden name.

While the above accounts for Patience Turner's mixed blood, it doesn't explain her husbands. Apparently he was also of mixed blood, perhaps of a similar origin. Some descendants (or possible descendants) of this family claim "Indian Blood" in the family. This may be the case also. Perhaps the answers can be found in North Carolina records. The 1769 deed where Patience Turner purchased John lists him as a Mulatto. Some records filed in the 1860's say that John Turner was a slave and that his father was a white plantation owner, and that his freedom was purchased by his wife Patience. (See below for more on that). That seems correct.

While on this subject, it is important to note who the other people were in the statement of 1822. First of all, the man who made the statement was Willis Finklea Sr. There were several men by this name, but I think this refers to the eldest, born bef 1755 (per 1800 census). He was a neighbor of the Turner family, and owned land on Catfish Creek. There was another one born ca 1775, who this could be instead. He was twice married, first to Elizabeth Turbeville (daughter of William Turbeville and Mary Johnson), and second to Mary Bryant (daughter of Jesse Bryant and Mourning Smith). I don't know of any relationship between any of these families and the Turner family, though they lived in the same general area. Willis Finklea (c1775) died in 1842.

He mentioned living with a woman named Olive Simmons. Someone suggested they were "shacking up", but that is not what he said. He just said "living with", so he was probably boarding at her house, though the other is also a possibility, but quite an inference from such a simple statement. In any event, I don't know anything else about her. She lived "near the Cape Fear River". That covers a lot of territory. The Cape Fear River consists of two different rivers, the "Cape Fear" and the "North East Cape Fear". The first is formed in Chatham County, NC at the junction of the Deep and Haw Rivers. It then flows south east through Chatham County, Harnett County, Cumberland County, Bladen County, Columbus County, Pender County, Brunswick County and finally New Hanover County where it is joined by the North East Cape Fear at Wilmington, then flows into the ocean. Of these areas, New Hanover, Brunswick, Columbus and Bladen are the main areas where I'd suspect Finklea and Simmons were living. That doesn't necessarily mean that the Turners are from the same area, but if they were known my Ms. Simmons, then perhaps they were also from there.

The other person was Mr. Abraham Dew. He was also a person who lived near the Turner family, and had land on Catfish Creek. There were two older Abraham Dew's in early Marion, both born ca 1755/74 (per 1800 census). One was listed on the same page with Willis Finklea on the 1800 census, apparently in the Catfish Creek area.

So the 1822 Willis Finklea statement is quite interesting, but as some have noted, it is "hearsay" evidence. It probably solved whatever problem had come up (someone probably disputed the rights of Patience Turner or someone in the family), but it doesn't really resolve the ethnic origin issue.

Many years later in 1860, two of John and Patience's grandsons, both named Martin Turner, were in court defending their rights as free whites. Affidavits were filed by upstanding "white" citizens defending their character, but clearly pointing out that the Turners had black blood, though had always lived as free men and "passed" for white and were received as such, even though everyone knew they had African ancestry.

The first statement was made on 9 Aug 1860 in the case of Martin W. Turner (c1820) vs N. C. McDuffie, Sheriff of Marion District. A statement filed by John Blackman Sr and James Lane Sr (both relatives of mine by the way) said this about Martin:

come John Blackman Sr and James Lane Sr and upon being sworn says they knew John Turner alias Jack Turner and he was a free man so treated and received that he was a mulatto one half white and one half colored, that Patience Turner his wife passed and was received as a free white woman not having more than one fourth negro blood. That Reuben Turner was one of their children and passed and was received as a free white man, that Reuben Turner married Dolly Martin a free white woman without the least mixture of African blood, that Martha Turner alias Patty Turner was one of their children, who lived passed and was received as a free white woman that Martin Turner who is her son is the reported son of Needham Watson who was a white man without any mixture. ... (more said). (From "Marion County Court Records, Court of Common Pleas 1788 to June 1861" Extracted by Lucille Utley and Transcribed by Teri Dalrymple. Three Rivers Historical Society)

A month later on 17 Sep 1860, John Blackman Sr made another statement, this time on behalf of the other Martin Turner (c1816). He said the same thing about their John and Patience's ethnic origin, and also stated that Martin was a son of William Turner and Catherine Martin, and that William was a son of John and Patience Turner. Similar statements were also made by William H. Moody, James Lane Sr and James W. Bass. (From "Marion County Court Records, Court of Common Pleas 1788 to June 1861" Extracted by Lucille Utley and Transcribed by Teri Dalrymple. Three Rivers Historical Society) 

John Turner was listed on the 1790 census. He was listed in Prince George Parish of Georgetown District. His older children (John Jr and Reuben) were listed in neighboring Prince Frederick Parish (I don't know where the border went, but probably right through the Catfish Creek area).

The 1790 census was alphabetical, so we can't determine who a person's neighbors were, nor where they lived exactly. The entire family was listed in the "Other Free Persons" column. Unfortunately this column "lumped" everyone together, with no statistics on sex or age.

1790 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1790 Georgetown District, Prince George Parish, SC pg 56 John Turner 0-0-0-10-0
Analysis:
10 Others any age    (before 1790)	John TURNER (c1740)
					Patience ___ Turner, wife
					William TURNER (1767/68) son
					Catherine TURNER (1773/74) daughter --> m by 1794
					Penelope TURNER daughter
					Milly TURNER daughter
					Sarah TURNER daughter
					Child?
					Child?
					Child?

Ten people in the household would consist of John and his wife Patience, plus 8 children. That is three more than I have currently been able to identify. Several of their children are proven, but apparently they had other ones as well. This number could also include some son-in-laws and grandchildren.

On 7 Mar 1797 John Turner witnesses a deed between Daniel Miers and James Myers for the sale of two slaves. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book A page 128).

On 9 Dec 1797 John Turner Sr was mentioned in a deed between John Sanders and Enos Tart. The land being sold was referenced as joining Reuben Turner and John Turner Sr and others. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book D page 178).

Marion District was formed in 1798 from Georgetown District, and it included portions of Prince Frederick and Prince George Parish (I don't know exactly where the parish boundary line ran). The Turner's were found in Marion District from then on. They lived in the region of Catfish Creek roughly between the modern towns of Latta and Sellers and the Temperance Hill community.

John Turner was listed on the 1800 census in Marion District, SC. He was listed between Barbary Conner and Osborne Lane (who is one of my ancestors). John was once again listed in the "Free Colored" columns of the census. Just a few houses away was Milly Hussey, whom I believe to be his daughter (she was in the Free Colored columns as well). Unfortunately, this column was "lumped" together, and was not broken down by age and sex, so all we can tell is their were 5people in the household.

1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1800 Marion District, SC pg 459/803 John Turner Senr 00000-00000-5-0
Analysis:
5 Others            (before 1800)	John TURNER (c1740)
					Patience ___ Turner, wife
					William TURNER (1767/68) son
					Child?
					Child?

John Turner Sr had died before 1807, as on 30 Jan 1807 Barnabas Hathcock sold land he had inherited from John Turner, deceased and/or had been sold to him by the heirs of John Turner, deceased. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book I page 104).

I don't know when Patience Turner died, but she may have still been living as late as 1822 (when the Willis Finklea statement was made). If so, I don't have any other record of her.

I mentioned earlier that there were additional sources (other than the census) that mentioned the "race" issue. Many many years after John and Patience had died, a suit was filed in Darlington County, SC that apparently brings up this issue again, and in a very ugly way. I haven't yet seen the records, so I can only make some general statements based on what I've been told. The gist of the case was that John G. Powers (died 1867) had married Sarah Turner (daughter of John and Patience) in 1813. They had several children, and at some point they were divorced. John later remarried and had more children. Sarah died in 1859 in GA, and John G. Powers died in 1867 in Darlington District, SC. Apparently the children by the 2nd wife didn't think the children by the first wife were entitled to any inheritance, and a suit was filed. I don't know who instigated it or what the outcome was. I'm told by several Powers researchers that it got quite ugly and was very racially charged. This is the case where John Turner was said to be a former slave, and son of a white plantation owner, and that John's wife Patience purchased his freedom. That is all I'll say about it until I see the records myself, except to say that it named the children of John and Patience Turner as: John, Reuben, William, Penel(ope), Coty (Catherine), Milly and Sarah.

Special thanks to Ruth Powers Hundley for sharing information with me about the Powers lawsuit.

Debbie Turner Smith located the case in Columbia (SC Archives), and gave me this reference for it: Darlington District Court of Equity, Bills and Petitions, Year 1877, Package YY#1, on page #607. Or on roll #DA54 for Darlington Equity Records. Thanks Debbie!  

Children

John Turner Sr and wife Patience had three proven sons, and four proven daughters. They may have had a few others who are currently unidentified. Two of their sons are proven by an 1819 deed. The rest of the children are proven by various deeds and court records, and all are named in the Darlington County Court Case where the children of Sarah Turner Powers (former wife of John G. Powers) are in suit with the children of John G. Powers by his 2nd wife. (See above for more on that).

Reuben Turner (1760/65)

John Turner (Jr) (1760/70)

William Turner (c1768)

Catherine Turner (c1774)

Penelope Turner

Milly Turner

Sarah Turner 

Reuben Turner was born ca 1760/65, probably in Martin County, North Carolina. He married Dorothy Martin before 1790, probably in Catfish Creek area, the area that later became Marion District. Reuben is a proven son of John and Patience. In 1815 he sold 163 acres of land to Francis Bridges. In 1819 Bridges sold the same land, and in his deed, he gave the title history, he described it as being land from John Turner Sr to his son Rubin Turner and from R. Turner to Francis Bridges. Reuben was also listed as a son of John and Patience in the Darlington Court case. An 1860 Court record also proves that Reuben was John's son.

See his own page for additional information on his family.  

John Turner Jr was born ca 1765, in Martin Co, NC. His wife is unknown, but he apparently married before 1790, probably in Catfish Creek area, the area that later became Marion District. He may have also had a second wife later on. John Turner was associated with his brothers Reuben and William Turner in various records, but the only proof that he is a son of John and Patience is the Darlington Court case.

See his own page for additional information on his family.  

William Turner was born ca 1767/68 in South Carolina (per 1850 census). His wife was Catherine Martin. He lived in the Catfish Creek area, the area that later became Marion District. William is a proven son of John and Patience. He sold 50 acres of land to Francis Bridges. In 1819 Bridges sold the same land, and in his deed, he gave the title history, he described it as being land from John Turner Sr to his son William Turner and from him to Francis Bridges. William was also listed as a son of John and Patience in the Darlington Court case and in the 1860 Marion court records.

See his own page for additional information on his family.  

Catherine Turner was born ca 1774/75, probably in the Catfish Creek area, that later became Marion District, SC. She was mentioned as "Coty" in the Darlington court case, but I don't think it listed her husband.

She was probably home with her parents for the 1790 census, though John Turner's household was enumerated simply as 10 "Other Free" persons, with no age or sex breakdown. Catherine was certainly one of the 10 family members.

Apparently, Catherine Turner married Barnabas Hathcock between 1790 and ca 1794. He was listed on the 1800 census, and his family was listed in the "Free Colored" columns.  Barnabas was born ca 1765/74 (per census analysis). His family was also listed as "Free Colored" in the various census records. I don't know who his parents were, or what his supposed ethnic origin might be, though I've seen studies on the Internet showing the Hathcocks were of Indian origin.

They were listed on the 1800 census in Marion District, just two houses from Catherine's brothers John Turner Jr and Reuben Turner. The entire family was listed as "Free Colored", and were not individually enumerated, so it makes census analysis difficult.

1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1800 Marion Dist, SC 462/806 Barna Hatchcock 00000-00000-7-0
Analysis:
7 Others            (before 1800)	Barnabas HATHCOCK (1765/74)
					Catherine TURNER Hathcock (1773/74) wife
					William HATHCOCK (1793/94) son
					Child (bef 1800) --> gone by 1810
					Child (bef 1800) --> gone by 1810
					Child (bef 1800) --> gone by 1810
					Daughter? (1790/94)

On 30 Jan 1807, a deed was made  by Barnabas Hathcock selling 163 acres of land to Christopher Dew, he said it was his by "heirship" and also mentions a deed to him from the heirs of John Turner, deceased. His wife Catherine was not mentioned. Witnesses were John Martin and Charity Dew. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book I page 104).

Barnabas Hathcock was listed on the 1810 census in Marion District, SC.

1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1810 Marion Dist, SC pg 85 Barna Hathcock 41010-10110
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 26-44       (1765-1784)	Barnabas HATHCOCK (1765/74)
1 Male(s) 10-15       (1794-1800)	William HATHCOCK (1793/94) son
4 Male(s) 0-9         (1800-1810)	Son?
					Son?
					Son?
					Thomas HATHCOCK (1805/06) son
1 Female(s) 26-44     (1765-1784)	Catherine TURNER Hathcock (1773/74) wife
1 Female(s) 16-25     (1784-1794)	Daughter? (1790/94)
1 Female(s) 0-9       (1800-1810)	Daughter?

On 14 Aug 1819 Barnabas Hathcock and his wife Catherine sold 163 acres of land on Catfish, that had  been granted to John Turner in 1785. Witnesses were Jesse Moody and Francis Bridges. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book I page 99).

Barnabas Hathcock was listed on the 1820 census in Marion District, SC. Unfortunately, this census was alphabetical, so I can't determine who their neighbors were. Several family members were in the "White" columns, and several in the "Free Colored" columns.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Marion Dist, SC pg 60 Barnabas Hathcock 100001-00001-FPC=2400-2101
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 45 & up   (before 1775)	Barnabas HATHCOCK (1765/84)
1 Male(s) 0-9         (1810-1820)	Son?
1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1775)	Catherine TURNER Hathcock (1773/74) wife
4 FC Male(s) 14-25 (1794/1806)		William HATHCOCK (1793/94) son
					Son?
					Son?
					Son?
2 FC Male(s) 0-13 (1806/1820)		Thomas HATHCOCK (1805/06) son
					Son?
1 FC Female(s) 45+ (before 1775)	Mother? Mother-in-law? Sister? Sister-in-law?
1 FC Female(s) 14-25 (1794/1806)	Daughter?
2 FC Female(s) 0-13 (1806/1820)		Daughter?
					Daughter?

They moved to neighboring Darlington District, SC by 1830 and were listed on that census there. Barnabas was next to his sons William and Thomas.

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Darlington Dist, SC pg 248 Barnabas Hathcock 0000000000000-0000000000000-FPC=00001-02110
Analysis:
1 FC Male(s) 55-99     (1730-1774)	Barnabas HATHCOCK (1765/74)
1 FC Female(s) 36-54   (1774-1793)	Catherine TURNER Hathcock (1773/74) wife
1 FC Female(s) 24-35   (1793-1805)	Daughter?
2 FC Female(s) 10-23   (1805-1820)	Daughter?
					Daughter?

I didn't find them on the 1840 census. There was a Barnabas Hathcock in Bibb County, Alabama in 1840, but he was a younger man (born ca 1790/1800) and had also been there back in 1830. I was also unable to locate sons William and Thomas Hathcock in 1840. There were two Thomas' in Bibb, but neither was a good match for this Thomas, and there was a William in Dekalb Co, GA, but not a good match.

Barnabas Hathcock died before 1850, possibly in Covington County, Alabama for that is where I found Catherine living in 1850. She was listed twice on that census, once with son Thomas and again with son William. Her entry with Thomas gives her birth place as South Carolina, while William's gives North Carolina, and also lists her as "Insane" (senile).

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)

(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)

1850 COVINGTON CO, AL Page 129   House/Family #   39/  39  -  Twp

HATHCOCK THOMAS       44 M M FARMER                     SC                   1805/1806
HATHCOCK REBECCA      41 F M                            SC                   1808/1809
HATHCOCK WILLIAM      22 M M HIRELING                   SC                   1827/1828
HATHCOCK JOHN         20 M M ditto                      SC                   1829/1830
HATHCOCK JAMES        17 M M FARMER                     AL                   1832/1833
HATHCOCK ANN          15 F M                            AL                   1834/1835
HATHCOCK CATHERINE    13 F M                            AL                   1836/1837
HATHCOCK CHARLES      11 M M                            AL                   1838/1839
HATHCOCK SARAH         9 F M                            AL                   1840/1841
HATHCOCK MARTHAANN     7 F M                            AL                   1842/1843
HATHCOCK CALVERT       4 M M                            AL                   1845/1846
HATHCOCK LAWRENCE      2 M M                            AL                   1847/1848
HATHCOCK DAVID         2 M M                            AL                   1847/1848
HATHCOCK CATHERINE    76 F M                            SC                   1773/1774

1850 COVINGTON CO, AL Page 162B  House/Family #  476/ 476  -  Twp

HATHCOT WILLIAM       56 M M MECHANIC                   SC                   1793/1794
HATHCOT MAHALA        45 F M                            SC                   1804/1805
HATHCOT JOSIAH        16 M M FARMER                     AL                   1833/1834
HATHCOT LUCINDA       19 F M                            SC                   1830/1831
HATHCOT JAMES         16 M M FARMER                     AL                   1833/1834
HATHCOT GEORGE        13 M M                            AL                   1836/1837
HATHCOT IRE?          10 M M                            AL                   1839/1840
HATHCOT THOMAS         9 M M                            AL                   1840/1841
HATHCOT MARIAH         7 F M                            AL                   1842/1843
HATHCOT MARY           5 F M                            AL                   1844/1845
HATHCOT MANDA          2 F M                            AL                   1847/1848
HATHCOT CATHERINE     75 F M (Insane)                   NC                   1774/1775
BEASLEY JOHN           5 M M                            AL                   1844/1845

I have no data on Catherine after 1850. Son William was still in Covington County in 1860, but Catherine was not with him. I didn't find her son Thomas in 1860.

Penelope Turner was listed in the Darlington Court Case as "Penel". That probably is short for Penelope. I don't know anything for sure about this daughter. It seems from various records, that one of the Turners women probably married John Martin, as he was often associated with the family, and according to Ruth Hundley, his family went to AL with some of the others members of the John Turner family. For now, I'm saying it was Penelope who married him (only because she seems the only choice). I have no concrete evidence she was the one (or that he was actually a son-in-law of John and Patience).

My evidence about John Martin is circumstantial. He witnessed a 30 Oct 1804 deed where Reuben Turner gave his son Robert Turner a horse and some sundry items. He signed with a mark. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book F page 231).

He next witnessed a deed on 30 Jan 1807 between Barnabas Hathcock and Christopher Dew. He again signed with a mark. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book I page 104).

There were several men named John Martin in Marion District, SC, so sorting them out might be impossible. This is all I have currently, though Ruth Hundley tells me this family also went to Alabama when Sarah Turner Powers went. Perhaps more answers will be found in that state.

I checked the 1850 census index for Alabama and found 64 listings for men named John Martin. I did not check them out. 

Milly Turner was listed in the Darlington Court Case as "Milly". I don't know anything for sure about this daughter. It seems from various records, that she may have married a Mr. Hussey. According to Ruth Hundley, the William Hussey family went to AL with some of the others from the John Turner family. I believe that William Hussey is a child of Milly.

The 1800 census shows an apparent widow Milly Hussey just a few houses from John Turner Sr, and both households are enumerated in the "Free Colored" columns. She is the only one of that surname in Marion County in 1800. There are several male Hussey's who appear later who may be her sons, including Robert, John, Samuel and William, all born in the 1790's, so that fits.

The above isn't enough proof to be sure that it was Milly Turner who was married to a Mr. Hussey, but it is all I have to go on right now, pending further evidence.  The Husseys in Marion County certainly lived near the Turners, and seem to be connected, so this all fits, though solid proof confirming the connection is sadly lacking.

Milly was only listed on the 1800 census in Marion District. I have no record of her after that. in 1800 she was four houses from her father John Turner Sr.

1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1800 Marion Dist, SC pg 459/803 Milly Hussey 00000-00000-7-0
Analysis:
7 Others            (before 1800)	Milly TURNER Hussey (c1770) wd/o ?
					John HUSSEY (1790/1800) son
					Samuel HUSSEY (1790/1800) son
					William HUSSEY (1790/1800) son
					Robert HUSSEY (179798) son
					Child?
					Child?

There were no Hussey listings in Marion in 1810. In 1820 her probable sons Robert and John were both listed as heads of household in Marion District. 

Sarah Turner was born in the Catfish Creek area. Thanks to Ruth Powers Hundley for data on this family. Sarah Turner married John G. Powers in 1813 in Marion District, SC.

On 5 Jan 1819, John Powers and wife Sarah sold 100 acres of land to John Bridges. The land was bounded by William Turner, Barnabas Hathcock, John Martin and John Turner (Jr). The deed doesn't say so, but this must be her portion of the inheritance from John Turner Sr. (Marion Co, SC Deed Book H page 109).

I didn't find them on the 1820 census. There was a John W. Powers listed in Marion, but I don't think that was them.

The family moved to neighboring Darlington District, SC, where John and Sarah were divorced (don't know the date, but before 1828, I think). He remained in that area and remarried (to Sarah Conner), but Sarah Turner Powers left and moved, first, to Barbour Co, AL, then to Pike Co, AL, then to Stewart Co, GA and finally to Houston Co, GA. A temporary moved to Crawford Co, GA followed, but then back to Houston. (Thanks to Ruth Hundley for that list).

The 1830 census shows no John Powers in Darlington, but there is one in Marion and also a Sarah Powers. I checked the census and there were actually two Sarah's listed. The census was alphabetical, so I can't tell if either of them lived near the Turners or not. Both Sarah's were in their 30's, so born in the 1790-1800 time period. This works well for Sarah Turner. I don't know if these census entries represent two different Sarah Powers, or if it is a duplicate. Both had only one male with them, aged 10-14 (born ca 1815/20), and both listings had two apparent daughters, though not matching, one had two girls 10-14, the other had one 0-4, and one 5-9.

In 1840, John G. Powers was listed in Darlington Dist, SC. I didn't find Sarah Turner Powers. I checked Barbour and Pike Co, AL and Stewart and Houston Co, GA.

I did not find Sarah on the 1850 census either, though I found two of her daughters in Houston county, Georgia that year, and I found Charles Powers in Stewart County, Georgia (not sure if this is her son Charles or not).

Sarah Turner Powers died in 1859 in Houston Co, GA.

John G. Powers died in 1867 in Darlington District, SC. Apparently the estate of John G. Powers cause the children by one wife to sue the children of the other. The case was ripe with genealogical information, but since I have already commented on it above, I won't go into it again.  

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

John Turner (c1730-c1804) and Patience ---

1. Reuben Turner (1760/65) and Dorothy Martin
   1. Martha Turner (1784/90)
      1. Martin M. Turner (c1820) and Eliza ---
         1. Tonya Perry = TonnaforJC@aol.com (Martin-Kenneth-Minnie m Harris C. Turner)
         2. Debbie Turner Smith = JenSmith1@FTC-I.NET (Martin-Kenneth-Richard C-)
         3. Jackie Turner = JT52626@aol.com (Martin-Kenneth-Minnie m Harris C. Turner)
   2. Robert Turner (c1794) and Rebecca --- and Mary ---
2. John Turner (1760/70) and ---
3. William Turner (c1768) and Catherine Martin
   1. Catherine Turner (c1805) and Alva Parker
   2. Dolly Turner (c1810)
   3. Theophilus Turner (c1814) and Martha ---
   4. Martin W. Turner (c1816) and Elizabeth ---
4. Catherine Turner (c1774) and Barnabas Hathcock
   1. Kristen Brown = ofc129@yahoo.com
5. Penelope Turner and John Martin
6. Milly Turner and --- Hussey
7. Sarah Turner and John G. Powers

Register Report