Although born in Ireland, her father moved from Scotland to flee persecution as an Anti-Burgher. In Scotland her apparent grandfather, James Renwick, was hanged as the last martyr of the Covenants on Feb 16,1688.

According to an article in the Newberry Co., S. C. newpaper
"Rev. John Renwick "Brought his Anti-Burgher congregation from County Antrim, Ireland to Newberry county, South Carolina in 1767-1770. Founder of King's Creek and Cannon's Creek Churches. Elizabeth his wife, buried beside him." "John Renwick, Sr. was and Anti-Burgher pastor. In Scotland and Ireland this was of great importance. An Anti-Burgher was one who believed it was wrong for any of their number to swear the oath of office to become a Burgher (that is a town councilman) if that oath had a religious clause in it. In America, this was not so important and soon the Presbytery that was formed had both Burgher and Anti-Burgher pastors. Dr. Thomas Clark of Cedar Springs was a Burgher pastor.

According to the A. R. P. Centennial History, John Renwick, Sr. died August 20,m 1775 at the age " of forty years old. ... Elizabeth apparently gained some financial success after his death as her will shows "that she owned four Negro slaves means that she had accumulated some financial assets. She willed one slave to Agnes, one to John and one to William. She also gave each one a good feather bed which shows the value of feather beds. Why the second daughter, Anne, didn't get a slave or a feather bed makes one think that she was well provided for by her husband. Elizabeth had cows, calves, hogs, horses, sheep and household goods.
[Newberry Co., S. C. newpaper of Friday, june 24, 1988, Women's World Section.]

Agnes came to the Colonies in 1770 being only two years old.

Although she had two children it is not known what their father's name was. Some have thought she had two children out of wedlock. One researcher theorized that she may have adopted them but no papers have been found to verify this theory. I propose that she came from a very religious family and it would have been unlikely that she maintained a good relationship with her parents and other relatives if she had had a child out of wedlock much less two children. It seems more likely that she could have married a cousin with the same last name as did happen in the Machen family. We still have no name to associate with the father.

Her will states:

The State of South Carolina,
Newberry District:
Know all men by these presents, that I, Nancy Renwick, of the State and District aforesaid, for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which I have for my daughter, Leah Michan, of the District and State aforesaid, gave freely and voluntarily lent and by these presents do hereby lend unto my said daughter Leah Michan, a negro woman named Sarah, and all her future increase, and also her two children, Spencer, about two years old and Young, about nine months old, which said three negroes, and the future increase of the said Sarah, I lend to the said Leah Michan during her natural life, to her separate, sold and exclusive use and behoof; and after her death, I give and grant the said negroes and the future increase of said Sarah, to the children lawfully begotten of to Leah, share and share alike, as Tenants in common, without any right of survivorship.

In witness whereof , I have herunto set my hand and seal, this 4th day of October, A. D. 1819 Nancy Renwick (seal)
In presence of John Bauskett J. Q.

South Carolina
Newberry Dist.

Before me personally appeared John Bauskett Esq. and made oath that he was present and saw the within instrument of writing signed and delivered for eth uses and purposes thereiin mentioned.
Sworn to before me this 7th October 1819 John Bauskett (seal)

Y. J. Harrington
A true record made October 11th, 1819
J. Y. Harrington Register
[Deed book N., p. 68, Newberry Dist., S. C. 1819, copied by Renwick Bradley]

This inheritance continues to be in dispute. See Leah Machen's suit against Henry J. Thompson in Arkansas.

Deed book N., p. 68, Newberry Dist., S. C. 1819
Newberry Co., S. C. newpaper of Friday, June 24, 1988, Women's World Section.
records of Carolyn Adams, 640 - 39th St. N.E., Cedar Rapids, IA 52402-5612
records of Renwick Bradley, 1426 Camden Cir. N. , Savannah, GA 31406

Return to Renwick Index || || Return to Ancestoral Chart #16

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