Benjamin Kirkland Family
? Virginia & South Carolina


Benjamin Kirkland
b. c1750 ?SC ? NC ?VA
d. by Nov 1805 Barnwell Co., South Carolina

m. Alce(? possibly Odom) [will of 1796]

father: Snowden Kirkland b. c1730
mother: Sibbell (unknown)
Children
Susanna Kirkland b. c 1768  
d. m. (unknown)(? many researchers state she married Jeremiah Roden but not likely - see notes below in 1783)
Benjamin Kirkland Jr. b. 1770-80
"my eldest son"
d. after 1830 [Peacock 138] m. Ferebee (unk.)
Caleb Kirkland b. 1770-80 d.c1840 m. Sarah (Ransom?)
Richard Kirkland b. c 1774 d. c 1798 m. unk.
Jonathan Kirkland b. d. m. Eleanor (unk.)
Moses Kirkland b. c1780 d. c1848 Henry Co., AL m. (Susanna?)
William Kirkland b. c1786
"my youngest son"
d. about 26 May 1864 Henry Co., AL m. Dicy Helton

c 1750 - Benjamin is born to Snowden Kirkland and Sibbell. They recorded a deed in Charleston County, South Carolina in 1752 and since Benjamin's exact birthdate is unknown it impossible to tell whether he was born here or in North Carolina or Virginia.

1774- Benjamin Kirkland petitioned for " ... a tract or plantation of 200 A. situate in Orangeburg Dist. on Edisto Ck., bd. to the SE on land gt. Michael Odum & on NE on ?Edisto Ck, other sides vacant ... certified 27 day of May 1774. per Wm. Daniel, D. S. This land was gt. Ben 8 Jul. 1774." [S.C. Archives, Colonial Plats, Grants &Memorials, vol. 13 p 174]
This land was from a Colonial grant although he later another purchased 100 acres probably from Michael Odum. It is interesting to note that several of Snowden Kirkland's sons lived in the headwaters of the Little Saluda River in Edgefield Dist. on Clouds Creek, Mine Creek, Dry Creek and Indian Creek. Benjamin and Aaron Kirkland moved to the headwaters of the South Edisto River to Bridge Creek, Rocky Creek and McTeer Creek which are fairly close proximity to the other Kirklands. [Peacock 136]

1776 - We don't know if Benjamin Kirkland was a Loyalist supporter to the English. There were a number of Kirklands that did fight on the side of the Revolution and lend other support. His possible relative, Moses Kirkland, was a Colonel in the English army and a notorious Tory. Edgefield Co. seems to have been one of the strong holds of the English against other surrounding counties such as Laurens and Greenville.

After the Revolution many pressures were laid on loyalists to compensate for suspected and real wrongs that the loyalist performed during the revolution. These included the seizing of land and personal property. Many loyalist were forced out of South Carolina and went further into the unsettled territories of Georgia, Florida, and Mississippi Territories. It seems that Benjamin continued to live in Barnwell County until he died in 1805. This seems to indicate that he was able to get along with the changes that took place about him. His children apparently moved out for more or better land.

1783, 28 April, Monday- Susanna Kirkland marries Jeremiah Roden. There has been a good deal of confusion on the marriage of Susanna Kirkland, daughter of Caleb. Although we don't have The Roden Bible gives the date of the marriage but it is doubtful if this Susanna is the daughter of Benjamin Kirkland. The age of Susanna Roden is born 1759 in Georgia, according to the Roden Bible, which would make her father approximately nine years old at the time of her birth. She made an affidavit in 1853 for military benefits where she gave the story of Jeremiah and herself. She makes no mention of who her father was. It is further believed by other researchers that since she was married at the time of Benjamin Kirkland's will 1796 he would have addressed her as Susanna Roden not Susanna. It is curious that Benjamin only gave her 5 shillings in sterling. This is usually done for an heir that has been well taken care of during his life with such things as land grants for wedding presents. [The Roden Bible KSBR v1 p209,210,346]

1787- 3 Mar - Vol. 15q, p. 151

1788-Jul 21 - Vol.23, p. 135 1788-Jul 21 - Vol. 23, p. 134

1790 - US Census, Orangeburg dist.

Benjamin Jr. is enumerated in Benjamin Sr's household although apparently married. This says that Benjamin Sr. had seven sons by this date. Perhaps one son died without issue. [Peacock 137]

1793-Jul 22 - Vol. 31, p. 476

1794-Nov 7 - Vol. 33, p. 126 1796, 13 Mar. - Benjamin made his will in Winton Co, Orangeburg Dist. South Carolina. Later probated in Barnwell Co., as boundaries changed. [KSBR v1, p. 76] When this will was made the district line of Orangeburg touched Edgefield and this line went right through Benjamin's property. His deeds were recorded in Edgefield,... and Orangeburg. Since Barnwell Co. was created just prior to Ben's death his will was recorded in Barnwell Co. " His wife, Alcy, was to get the plantation that he was living on - "200 A. gt. him July 8, 1774 and 100 A. gt. Michael Odom". There is no record in the KSBR or any in any discovered record to indicate that Alcy was an Odom herself although Benjamin and Michael Odom, Sr and Jr. had close proximity and similar emigration patterns. [KSBR., v2, p.188.189]

1802- Feb 20 - Benjamin Sr. sells 150 acres to Caleb Kirkland and 170 acres to Benjamin Jr.

Deed Bk. 24, pp. 66-69, Rec. 26 Oct. 1803

1802- Feb 20 - Deed Bk. 24, pp. 58, 59, 60, Rec. 26 Oct. 1803
1805 - June 22, Deed Bk. 31 pp. 375-376, Rec. Sep 1813 1805, Oct. 2 - Inventory Book 1810-20, Bk. C, p. 50 1805, November - Benjamin Sr. dies in Barnwell Co., South Carolina. His will is proved 6 Jan 1806. From "John Ryan's Book", published in the National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Vol. 51, p. 117. where it states, "...BENJAMIN KIRKLAND died." [KSBR v1, p 153] Benjamin's four sons, Benjamin Jr., Caleb, Moses and William are known to be some of the earliest settlers to Henry Co. Alabama. They came to Alabama from Edgefield Co., South Carolina about 1824. [KSBR., v2, p.188.189]

sources:


Kirkland Family Index || Elroy's Family Index || Ancestor Chart #10 || Kirklands of Henry Co., AL


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