McDowell Family History

known Children
John McDowell*	b. guessing about 1763 in Ireland/England	d. about 1821-23 SC	m. Mary alive in 1821 SC
*Nancy "Ann" McDowell**	b. 1764 Ireland	d. 3 Jan. 1852	m. Thomas Terry
Susan McDowell*	b.	d.	m. John Harrison
William McDowell*

We finally have, what I consider proof positive, that John McDowell who leaves a will in 1821 is the brother of Nancy "Ann" McDowell. See his will of 1821. He also states that he has been in the country since 1784. By naming pattern we think that his father may have been John or William. We're sure that Thomas Terry came to South Carolina from England to set up a church in the wilderness. He had left his wife and family there to brought over later by his brother-in-law John Harrison. On the trip from the coast of South Carolina the family was overcome by yellow fever of which John's sister, Thomas Terry's wife, dies. Thomas remarries Ann McDowell as identified in the the will of John McDowell in 1821. There had been a family tradition that John McDowell was Ann's father, the document gives more proof to another story that said that two McDowell brothers came at one time. Other family members are also identified in the will as being John McDowell's sister and brother. Mary Norfleet, the generous researcher of this family believes as I do that the tombstone of Mary Sherridan is the remarries mother of John McDowell who probably came over with the other members of the family. The progenitor, John McDowell may have died before they left or on the voyage from Ireland. The grandson of Thomas says that he knew his grandmother "Ann" to have come from Dublin.

1791 - In the year 1791 Thomas Terry married again to Miss Rebecca McDowell who was the daughter of a wealthy merchant of Charleston. John Harrison, his brother-in-law, married Miss Susan McDowell also of Charleston." [The History of the Pisgah Methodist Church, 200th Homecoming, Fountain Inn, S.C. May 1991]

R. Y. H. Terry, the grandson of Thomas Terry, claims in letters written to his daughter that "Anna" as he knew her was from Dublin, Ireland. She was the second wife of Thomas. She meet him while he was on business in Charleston after his first wife died. According to R. Y. H. she was to have immigrated with her two brothers. She had in Charleston a wealthy merchant uncle named McDowell. [Norfleet records]

"John McDowell of Charleston was a friend of the Harrisons and the Terrys and later two of the McDowell daughters married: Susan McDowell m. John Harrison (Bro. in law of Thomas Terry) Rebecca McDowell m. Thomas Terry as his second wife. [Note 94, pg 14, Leanardo Andrea Notes]

Died on the 3rd Jan., Mrs. Ann Terry, in the 88th year of her age. She was born in Ireland, 1764, but emigrated to America in 1788 ... maiden name McDowell. Married soon after her settlement in Charleston, from which place she removed with her familly to Greenville District. . . left children and grand children. [Holcomb, Brent. Marriage and Death Notices from the Southern Christian Advocate, Volume I: 1837-1860, ]

1805, Feb 18 - John McDowell files for a plat for 1000 acres on Wolf Swamp Creek, Spartanburgh District, surveyed by James Smith Jr. Location is on the Middle Tyger River. Other names mentioned are Clayton; Hogan; Loftiss; Powell. This property is later willed to his son William McDowell in 1825.
[South Carolina Archives, Series S213192, vol. 40, page 377]

1814, Sep 29 - John McDowell sells to Miss Ann C. Gibson a slave named Prince and his wife, Bino. Purchased at Mrs. Thomas Terry's in Greenville District. bill of sale. [South Carolina Archives, s213003, vol. 0041, page, 240]

1821 - John McDowell files his will in Charleston, S. C. In this will John McDowell identifies his immigration year, other family members as well as his address in Charleston. He seems to be very prosperous. He had a son, John, and daughter, Mary. The following document was copied as it was typed by the WPA project.

Will of John McDowell
In the name of God Amen, I John McDowell of the City of Charleston State of South Carolina, a Citizen of the United States Since 1784 and formerly a Merchant of this place do make this my last Will and Testament and frust I order that all my Just debts are paid if any, for at this time I owe no man any thing but Love, and 2nd, I give and bequeath to John McDowell Border Son of Stephen Borders Esquire of Jackson County State of Georgia One Thousand Dollars; I give , Two hundred Dollars to John McDowell White Son of David White formerly of Spartanburg District now of Tennessee, 3rd. I give one thousand Dollars to my Cosin Dr. James C. Stubbs of Chillicoth State of Ohio-- I give all my waring apparel to my Uncle Wm. Stubbs, and my Watch, I give all my household Furniture, plate, Carage & Hoarse to my dear Wife Mary with the privlage of living Five years rent and Taxes free in house behind house No. 194 King Street and an annuity payable quarterly out of my estate, of Five hundred Dollars with the use of the Fellow Tom and the wash woman menly During her life only, at her Death, the Slaves are to be set free from their Mifstrefs This Settlement on my good wife I hope shee Will consider a full compinsition for any right of dower on my Estate; as I fully do; I request that Dr. Adams Clerks Bible may be given to my Grand Son, John and so remain in my family - 4th. i settle the interest only of Fifteen Thousand Dollars of my Six Pr Stock of the United States, on my Grand Daughter Mary at this time with me, and to the lawful heirs of her Body, after hir to Be be divided Share and Share alick principla and interest between hir Childre, but in case of hir Death without my Children, then this gift to transfered to heir sister Sarah and Sophia & and any other sisters they mayhave by the same Father, and to their Children in liek manner and my Grand Son John, I lave the three forths of the residue of my Estate on the same principal as what Mary's is fixed, viz. the Income only and if their should be any more Brothers by the same Father & Mother they are to have an equal Share with John. I reserver by Mount Carmel pofsefsion to remain in the male heirs of my family by my Son William, if the should become extinct, then to my Brother ?Williams Sons &c &c. I give One Thousand Dollars to each of Viz. John McDowell Terry and John McDowell Harrison, my Nephew's, of Greenville District. After all the Legacies are paid, the remainder one forth of my Estate I give Share and Share alike to the Children of my two Sisters viz: Ann Terry and Susan Harrison I believe Thirteen in Number in Greenville district So. Carolina my House and lot in Petersburge State of Georgia I give and bequeath to my Daughter in law Sarah McDowell during hir life only--After which to her two Daughters Sarah and Sophia equally divided, my peer and faithful Slaves I order my Executors to Enmincimat and have set free or if this should be attended with any unconvenience I will to the fellow named Cavan Six hundred Dollars to James. Tom, to Cavens Wife Byne Six hundred Dollars to Old Byna Three hundred Dollars, to old Phillis three hundred Dollars to be paid amoung the furst payments, or their freedom, any three of my Executors agreeing may make sale of any of my Houses and Lots, and make a Deed for the same. Thou I expect my income Will pay All in the space of two or three years, axcept the one forths of my Estate which my Sisters Children are to have Mrs. Sollay Borders Wife of Stephen Border Esqure of Georgia I appoint as the guardian of my grand Son John and Mary to Bord & School for which I order three hundred Dollars for each yearly, I would leave themunder the care of my Wife but this might be troublesome & the are not to be brought up under the care of their Father or Mother Mother, if the should inviagle them to their House their income shall be cut of during the time a d Divided among my other Legaties a & I have wrote this my Will in a hurry and without any Leaguel advice, it is pofuible their may be gound for disputing but if that should be the case I order my Executors to Appoint Five Cizezers of good report who have allways paid their just Debts, and brought up a family of thier own full members of some Branch of the Prodeston Church, and refer any dispute or misunderstanding to them, and the Award of three out of the Five, Shall be my Will in all matters and things whatever, their shall be no Actions in Law or in Equity respectiong my bit of property. And lastly I appoint Stephen Borders Esq of Jackson County (Georgia) and my Cousin Dr. James c. Stubbs of Chillicoth Ohio James Adger & George Pringle Merchants of Chaleston and my Dear Wife Mary Executors & Executrix to this my last Will Dated this Eight day of April 1819.
                                                                         John McDowell            his hand
__________ Witnefs ----------------------------- and affixed his seale (L. S.)

George Miller              Joseph McCosh,                 Joel Stevens

My Grand Children I wish to be given the best of Education the Surplus if any After paying all the gifts, and my Wife; Dower of $500 per An; their will be a sum to put At Interest Yearly, and which I do hope my Good Executors wil have don; I have taken the Liberty of Appointing them with out asking anyone of their consent, I beg them forgivenefs and I hope they will all Qualify, I am not able to pay them for this labour of love but when they come to lave the World Some men will have to Act for the, as they don for me, then they are paid

                                                                       John McDowell
State of South Carolina
District of Charleston                    Whereas I John McDowell of state and District aforesaid have by and in my last will and Testament made certain, appropiations for the use and Benefet of a male Child of my Son William McDowell and Sarah his wife And also therein appointed George Pringle one of my Executers, Reference being had thereto will more fully appear, Now be it known to all whom these presents doth conser, that I John McDowell of State and District aforesaid by this Codicil do Will and bequeath the Sum and Benefits therein appropriated to the said Male Child to be equally applyed and divided Share and Share alike, among all the male Children of my said Son M. McDowell now alive, or that may hereafter be lawfully Born, provide the Conditions therein required be fulfilled And I also will and desire that the female Children of my said Son William McDowell shall receive from my fund not otherwise specially appropiated such and
Afsestance towards their Education as my action as my acting Executors may deem expedient and proper --- I will and bequeath unto my Son William Wm. McDowell his heirs Executors and Afsigns forever, all the tract or parcel of land situate in Spartenburg District State aforesaid, on Tiger River, commonly called Maple Swamp, adjoining the land of Thomas Foster the same being ther hundred acres by survey and now occupied by                Burns he not haveing complyed with terms of Sale, and not having any Titles for the same. I also will and desire, that the Legacies and compensations set forth in my last Will and Testament for the Benenfit of my Negro Slaves be null and void, and that only my Negro Wench Phillis shall have her freedom and a gift of Twenty Dollars and also that my faithful Servant Boy Cavan Shall have the sum of Three hundred and fifty Dollars for his own proper use & Benefit: or to be applyed toward his emancipation should he so with it, --- I also hereby Will and appoint my true & loving friend Alexander Black one of my Acting Executors in Leiu of George Pringle whose Appoinment in Said last will and Testament is hereby declared null and Void --- In all other respects the said last will and Testament to stand good, and is my me this Day confirmed, In Witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twenty seventh Day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand, Eight hundred & Twenty and of the Independence of the United States the forth fifth
                                                                    Jno McDowell (L.S.)
Signed Sealed in Presence of Wifnefs
henry F. Farmer,                                  Thomas Coates,                              Solomon Solomon.
Proved Before james D. Mitchell Esq. o. C. T. D. January 3rd, 1821 At the saem time qualified Alexander Black Executor. January 19. 1821 qualified mary McDowell Executrix.
Exam.
15 C: Sh:
J. D. M.

Recorded in Will Book - F   1818-1826
Recorded on Page 261

1823, January - John McDowell of Charleston sells to John McDowell Terry, his nephew, five hundred acres for one dollar.

I Hudson Berry acco. of the squirum to do hereby unto all to whom it may on this

I have since come to the conclusion that her name was Nancy "Ann" McDowell based on the indenture of 1816 and the deed of 1833 abstracted under Thomas Terry. I still need proof and the connection to the proper McDowell family.

1825, March 25 - John McDowell (Jr.) submits his Return for Taxes of $6.8 on $1623.20 for land and $30.75 for 41 slaves at .75 cents each for a total of $36.83 in St. Thomas and St. Dennis Parish. [South Caroline Archives, Individual Tax Returns 1824]