Edward Couch Family History

Children
Watson Couch	b.about 1784-1794(census)	d.	m. Mary Chandler
Douvica "Dosha" / Louvicy Couch	b. 6 July 1779#	d. Jan. 31, 1848 Edgefield Co., SC#	m. William McDaniel 23 June 1798 Edgefield Co., SC# (son of Absolom McDaniel)
Frances Couch	b. about 1784-1794(census)	d. 1862 SC	m. Moses Holston 1810 in Edgefield District, SC (son of William Holston Sr.)
Charity Couch	b.	d.	m. Moore Johnson
Mary Couch	b.about 1779/80 96th Dist., S. C.	d. about 1802/3 Ridge Springs, Edgefield Co. (now Saluda Co.), S. C.	m. Henry Spann about 1797
John Couch	b. 1773 Edgefield Co., SC	d. abt 1819	m. Sarah
Sarah Couch	b. Jan. 6, 1781 Edgefield Co., SC	d. Nov. 11, 1862 Gwinnett Co., Ga.	1m. c1796 Richard Bush Jr. 2m. Jan. 6, 1808 William McDaniel of Barnwell Co., SC

The Couch family web site gives a history of the "One Alabama Couch Family, 1600-2000 by Dr. Robert Hill Couch. He says that Edward is the child of Benjamin Couch. I have not been able to verify that. There are a number of records for Edward Couch in South Carolina. One of the first ones in 1770 links the Watson family to Edward Couch in Colleton County.

1769, Dec 21 - Capt. Michael Watson files a plat for 50 acres on Cloud Creek, a sometimes dry branch of the Saluda River in Colleton County. surveyed by John Fairchild. [South Carolina Archives, vol. 19, page 283]

1770, Jan 24, - Edward Couch of Edgefield Co., SC is originally granted about 423 acres land by Gov. William Bull near Clouds Creek of Little Saludy River.

1770, Nov. 1, - William Dooly sold land to Edward Couch, both of SC. Sold 150 acres for 250 pounds originally granted Jan. 24, 1770 being near Clouds Creek a branch of Little Saluda River adj. E by Henry Hartley and N by Moses Powel. S/ William Dooly. Wit: Patrick McDougal, Michael Walton, William Clark, who swore by oath April 29, 1793 before Henry King, JP. Recorded April 30, 1793. [South Carolina Archives, vol. 14, page 191]

South Carolina
Pursuant to a precept directed
under the hand and seal of John Bremar Esq DSG. bearing date the 7th day of August 1770, I have measured and laid out unto Capt Michael Watson a plantation or tract of one hundred and fifty acres of land, situated in Colleton County, near Cloud Creek. Butting and bounding to the NW part on land held by Wm Watson and part on vacant land to the SW on land held by Edwd Couch, to the SE part on land held by Edwd Couch, and part on land held by Capt. Michael Watson, to the NE part on land by Capt Michael and part on land held by John Watson; And hand such shape for and marks as the above plat, above, etc.
Given under my hand this 6th day of Feb 1771.
Ord. Co. Oct. 1771 John Fairchaild, DS,

1772, Feb 25 - Michael Watson files a memorial for 150 acres on "Clouds Creek, in Colleton County, SC. other names listed are Edward Couch, John Watson and William Watson. [South Carolina Archives, vol. 11, page 136]

1776 c or Later - Couch, Edward, account audited (file no. 1508) of claims growing out of the American Revolution. [South Carolina Archives, series S108092, Reel 26, Frame 381]

1779- Edward Couch in listed in the Ninety-Sixth Dist., no township listed, [SC Early Census Index]

1784, Dec. 1 - Edward Couch files for a plat of 150 acres on Rocky Creek, Ninety Six Dist. surveyed by Harwood Jones. [South Carolina Archives, vol. 7, page 448]

1786 - A will is made by Absalom McDaniel naming sons William, Hiram and Jehiel. [records of Tom Strong , Rootsweb 12/15/07]

May 13, 1816, Hezekiah Bush sold to Hames Temples for $400 a tract of land containing 30 acres, part of a tract of land granted to Edward Couch by Patent, February 5, 1787, and one tract in the District containing 160 acres, being part of a tract granted to Isaac Bush by Patent bearing date, September 14, 1797, beginning at S. Edisto to Emsley Lott's mill, running a path that leads to Hohn Bush's corner. Witnessed: Willis Couch and Richard Gibson, Jr. (Vol 37, pp13, 14 Edgefield County Deeds)

1791, Aug. 30 - Edward files a plat for 206 Acres on Beach Creek, Edgefield Co., Ninety Six Dist., surveyed by Robert Lang on Dec. 13, 1786. [South Carolina Archives, series S213190, vol. 27, page 278, item 1]

1793- May 2 - Edward Couch sold 150 acres for 100 pounds to Thomas Holsel, both of Edgefield Co., SC originally granted Jan 24, 1 770 near Clouds Creek of Little Saludy River adj. SE by Henry Hartley, NE by Moses Powell at the time of survey. S/ Edward Couch , Apsela Couch. Wit: Abraham (A) Smith, Reaseign Holsel, who swore by oath May 18, 1793 before Richard Tutt, JP Recorded May 18 , 1793.

1793 - Aug 3 - Edward Couch files a Plat for 492 acres on Long Branch, Edgefield Co., Ninety Six District, Surveyed by William Coursey on August 7, 1792 - Series S213190, 0032, page 00658,

1794/7 - Edward Couch dies in Old Edgefield District of SC, now Saluda. His estate is settled and his listed heirs include Watson Couch, Moses Holston, Henry Spann, and Moore Johnson. (Claire Furth 2002) Why does Edward Couch sign in land documents in 1795/1796/ and 1797?
His estate is apparently not settled until 1813.

1795 - April 16, Edward Couch of Edgefield Co., SC to Moore Johnson and Charity, his wife for love and affection, gives a Negro bo y named Tom about 11 years old and an inventory?S/ Edward Couch . Wit: John Johnson, Robert Willis, who swore by oath Aug. 15, 1 795 before Richard Tutt, JP. Recorded Aug. 15, 1795.

page 267-269    -     Edward Couch to John Spann. Deed, 16 April 1796, L50 150 acres part of grant to sd Couch 5 August 1793, Horse Creek, Loseway Branch, plantation where Toserlin formerly lived on west side of Caraway Branch. Wit John Permenter, Jacob (D) Dove, John Kent. /s/ Edward Couch. Reliquishment of dower by Absela Couch widow of within named Edward Couch decd, 10 Oct 1796; Joseph Hightower. Proven 10 Octr 1796 by John Kent; Rd Tutt. Rec 10 Oct 1796. [ page 18, Carol Wells]

page 292-293   -    Edward Couch to John Kent. Deed, 10 October 1796, F0, 150 acres being part of a grant to sd Couch 5 August 1793, on Horse Creek. Wit J. Spann, Asceila (X) Permenter. /s/ Edward Couch. Renunciation of dower by Asselia Couch widow of within named Edward Couch 10 Oct 1796; Joseph Hightower, /s/ Asselia Couch. Proven 10 Oct 1796 by Wm Watson; Aquila Miles J. P. Rec 10 Oct 1796.
            [page 20. Edgefield County, South Carolina. Deed Books 13, 14, & 15. Carol Wells, Ge Lee Corley Hendrix]

page 313-216   -   Arthur Watson & Robert Stark exors of will of Michael Watson decd to Richmond Watson. Lease and Release, 1 February 1788/2 February 1788, L17 lawful money, 150 acres in Colleton County near Clouds Creek adj William Watson, Edward Couch, John Watson. Wit: Samuel Sotcher, Henry King. /s/ Arthur (A) Watson. /s/ Robert Stark. Proven 10 Oct 1796 by Henry King; Rd Tutt.   Rec 10 Octr 1796. [page 22. Carol Wells]

1796 - August 3 - Couch, Edward, plat for 492 acres on Long Branch, Edgefield Co, Ninety Six District, Surveyed by William Coursey on August 7, 1792. [South Carolina Archives. plat - http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/ ]

1797- Edward Couch seems to have died. The question I have is about the foregoing land of 482 acres and the following 500 acres. If these are different land plats it says that Edward Couch and Apselea Couch were major land owners.

1797 - August 31 - Apselea Couch files for a plat 500 acres on Long Branch, Edgefield County, Ninety Six District, Surveyed by William Prichard. -- other names listed include witnesses : Bush, Prescot; Couch, Apselea; Couch, Edward; Prichard, William.
[South Carolina Archives. plat - http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/ ]
I don't understand this record because it seems to be the same land that Edward Couch filed for in 1796. Why does he show up on this document. Is this an unidentified son?

1806- Edgefield County, South Carolina Deed Books 27, 28, and 29.
p. 491 Richard & William Bush to John Permenter, Deed of Conveyance, 6 September 1806, Two hundred Dollars, two hundred eighty seven acres situate on Horse Creek one of the head branches of South Edisto River being part of a tract of 544 acres originally granted to Edward Couch deceased; sd Couch in his lifetime did convey part of sd tract to James Tomlin which is now held by John Mills and Isaac Foreman and land held by Robert and Alexander B. Stark, and land held by the Widow Pitts, and Bush. Proven 27 April 1807 by John Don; Elijah Watson J Q. Rec 9 January 1808. [Wells vol. 27, 28 and 29 , page 85]

1860 - Trying to find additional records for Frances Couch and her husband Moses Holston, the following correspondence seems to lay out the case for this family by Alice Keel.
         I have found a proof that Frances, widow of Moses Halston (sic), received a bounty land patent in Louisiana dated 9/1/1860.
         US Dept. of     Interior, Bureau of Land Management, General Land Office Records. Accession Nr. MW-0295-106,
         Document type military- for Moses service in the SC militia Feb. 4- Mar 17, 1815 under Capt. Marsh..
        She assigned it to her son, James W. Halston. I know this is not proof that this is your Frances Couch,
        but it fits everything else our family knew about the family.

Baughn, Linda - records on Genforum, Dec 6, 2002.
Couch, Robert H. , "One Alabama Couch Family", 1007 Felton Lane, 1/1/2000 Auburn, AL 36830 tel: (334) 887-7348 e-mail: rcouchauburn@mindspring.com
Furth, Claire, records on Genforum, November 30, 2002
Keel, Alice. records and correspondence Aug. 2017 alicekeel@arilion.com
South Carolina Archives, http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/
Spann, Joe - records as given in emails on Genforum, various dates. 1999-2002 - jspann@pclc.lib.fl.us
Strong, Tom. records on Roots Web Strong McLemore Genealogy, 12/15/07,
U. S. Census records
Wells, Carol and Ge Lee Corley Hendrix. Edgefield County, South Carolina. Deed Books 13, 14, & 15. Heritage Books 2007