Of my maternal line; my 3rd great grandfather, Benjamin Seymour first family was a mystery. Until I located this news clipping of his death, this was a nugget. It mentions a brother, but no name, how cruel is this! I wanted to shout at the writer of this announcement or whoever submitted the miniscule details of his familial ties. I created a time, it appears he lived his entire life in Sumter County, he never left, never migrate to other counties, or out of state, never enlisted in the Civil War. He simply live, married, raised a family, purchased land, became a farmer, voted and died in a unfortunate manner...
I had no leads as how to start with the exception of the,1870 United States Federal Census. Located in Concord Township, Sumter County, Benjamin Seymore age 40 years old, with wife Molly, with personal and real estate value of $200.00 respectively. Next door was a Cato Seymore age 55 as head of household with his family and Personal Estate value of $300.00. A few doors further away was L. Seymore (Laurence/Lawrence) age 42 years old with a family and a Real Estate value a little over a $1000.00 and Personal Estate value at $460.00.
Benjamin had purchased land from Laurence Seymour some five years after the Civil War had ended and the abolishment of slavery. What was their relationship? Was it through bloodline or was Laurence the identifying slaveholder. Who was Benjamin first family i.e. parents and siblings? What Ben and Laurence historical connection? To answers these questions, I opted to search the Harvin line via deeds and probate records.
While browsing FamilySearch, I stumble upon "Sale Appointments", I was delighted to find Lawrence Seymour and his wife Francis E., the daughter of Richard Harvin, had died sometime in 1850. They were petitioning land against the Estate of Richard Harvin Petition. A lightbulb went off! I do have a connection to the Harvins'. Benjamin fathered a child with my 3rd great grandmother, Celia. She appears to had adopted the surname or may have been enslaved by a Harvin. I later, discovered Laurence Seymour and his wife, Frances E. inherited from his father-in-law, Richard Harvin, an enslaved family; Rose and her two children, Isaac and Ben.
I did notice something interesting. Listed underneath Rose and family, is "1 negro Isaac".
Rose's son share the same name of this "Isaac." Is there a connection or perhaps the father? Another research project to discover. I went further back in the Harvins' genealogy line. Again finding another inventory, there is listed is a slave named Rose for $200.00
I have now the names and birth years of Benjamin's first family.
Sources:
- 1870; Census Place: Concord, Sumter, South Carolina; Roll: M593_1509; Page: 157A; Family History Library Film: 553008
- South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964; Sumter > Probate Court, Estate records > 1784-1960 > Bundles 040-048 > image 761 of 878; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
- FamilySearch "South Carolina Probate Records, Files and Loose Papers, 1732-1964," FamilySearch, Sumter > Probate Court, Estate records > 1784-1960 > Bundles 163-164 > image 345 of 437; county courthouses, South Carolina, and South Carolina Department of Archives and History, Columbia.
- The Watchman and Southron: Sumter, South Carolina: 23 Mar 1904, Wed • Page 5



