William Abernathy (abt. 1785 - abt. 1846)

Born about 1785 in North Carolina

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Melvina (Rockett) Abernethy — married 26 Mar 1807 in Granville County, NC

Descendants

Died about 1846 at about age 61 in Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA

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Biography

William Abernathy was born in North Carolina.

BIRTH

William Abernathy/Abernethy

No middle initial or middle name is used in any documents.

Possible middle name HARLEY, per undocumented source

Birth estimated about 1785, based on the following:

1) birth between 1781-1790, per census in 1830, age 40-49

2) birth between 1781-1790, per census in 1840, age 50-59

3) possible birth 1776, per a modern gravestone that was placed in the cemetery many years after his death. However, this birth-year does not agree with his census.

Place of birth: North Carolina, based on the following:

1) The earliest census for William is 1800 Lincoln Co. NC

2) The earliest NC census for ANY Abernathy is 1790 Lincoln Co. NC

3) There were Abernathy’s in the Lincoln County area in 1770's.

Note: The 1772 Will of William's assumed great-grandfather, Robert Abernathy III, is in NC. This 1772 Will is held in Lincoln County (previously part of Tyron County). It begins with: "I Robert Abernethy Senr of Tryon County and province of North Carolina"

4) Possible birth: Tyron (now Lincoln) Co., NC. (reference Border Changes)

5) The children of William are inconsistent on William's birthplace, but NC is the most prevalent.

Birthplace according to William's children:

1) child Starling's 1880 census says both parents born NC

2) child Martha's 1880 census says father born SC, mother born GA

3) child Elizabeth's 1880 census says both parents born SC

4) child William's 1880 census says both parents born NC

5) child William's 1900 census says both parents born AL

6) child William's 1910 census says both parents born AL

7) child Amanda's 1880 census says both parents born NC

8) child Nancy lived to 1880 census, but does not know parent's birthplace

NORTH CAROLINA Border Changes

Most genealogies show William's birthplace as either Lincoln or Catawba County, North Carolina. However, neither Lincoln County nor Catawba County, existed in when William was born.

Present day Lincoln County was Tryon County in 1776.

Present day Catawba County was Burke County in 1776.

Dates of border changes:

1778: Lincoln County was formed from eastern portion of Tryon County.

1782: Lincoln County grew northward, encompassing a portion of Burke Co.

1841: the southwest corner of Lincoln, became Clay County.

1842: northern part of Lincoln, became Catawba (previously Burke in 1780).

1846: the southern half of Lincoln, became Gaston County.

The first record of William Abernathy was 1810 census in Lincoln Co., NC.

There is no evidence (either way) the Abernathy's moved between 1776-1810.

Therefore, it is feasible William's birthplace is: Tyron (now Lincoln) Co., NC

DEATH

Death estimated about 1846, based on the following:

1) died between 1840 and 1850 census.

2) possible death: 1846, per undocumented source

Place of death: assume Pontotoc Co. MS, based on the following:

1) It appears that all of their children in Pontotoc Co. MS by 1850 census.

2) Youngest child, Amanda age 14, living with sister in 1850 Pontotoc Co. MS

3) Find-a-Grave in Pontotoc Co. MS, but no picture or source for death.

Find A Grave Memorial# 50506311

Burial: Abernethy Cemetery, Algoma, Pontotoc County, Mississippi

The gravestone pictured on find-a-grave is a modern gravestone that was placed in the cemetery many years after his death. The single stone includes 5 people.

Inscription: Abenethy, William Abernethy (1776-1846), Sallie Melvina Rockett Abernethy ( -1847), Robert Burton Abernethy (son), Mary Jane Abernethy Wood (1836-1856), Infant Wood (July 1856)

Note: The birth-year on the gravestone does not agree with William's census records.

MARRIAGE

There are no documents that show wife's name, not even first name.

It is assumed his wife was Sarah, based on undocumented research.

Possible marriage date: 26 Mar 1807, per undocumented source

Possible marriage place: Lincoln Co. NC, per undocumented source

PARENTAGE

Many genealogies show William's parents as Robert Abernathy V (the 5th) and Ann Nance.

I have not been able to find any documentation to prove William's parents.

The most logical choice for father, would have an 1810 census in Lincoln Co. NC. There are many Abernathy households in 1810 Lincoln County that have males old enough to be father of William. There are 3 potential fathers (Robert, John, and Battle) who live in the same district as William.

Note: Potential fathers are determined by age group of 45+ on 1810 census.

LAND

Ancestry.com. U.S. General Land Office Records, 1796-1907

Also found on http://www.glorecords.blm.gov

Name: William Abernathy

Issue Date: 4 Nov 1834

Acres: 40.25

Meridian: Huntsville

County, State: Jefferson, Alabama

Township: 19-S

Range: 4-W

Section: 23

Land Office: Tuscaloosa

Document Number: 9775

CENSUS / TIMELINE

1810 Census: *** NOT VERIFIED ***

Census Location: Capt Reids District, Lincoln, North Carolina

Name: William Abernathy

1 - Males - Under 10: ......... [Sterling]

1 - Males - 16 thru 25: ....... [WILLIAM]

1 - Females - Under 10: ..... [Eleanor]

1 - Females - 16 thru 25: ... [SARAH]

Numbers of Slaves: 2

Number of Household Members: 6

1810 Census Notes:

There are 4 different William Abernathy in 1810 Lincoln Co. NC, but this census appears to be the closest.

1820 Census: *** NOT VERIFIED ***

Location: West of the South Fork of the Catawba River, Lincoln, North Carolina

Name: Wm Abernathy

4 - Males - Under 10: ......... [Sterling, Richard, James, and ???]

1 - Males - 26 thru 44: ....... [WILLIAM]

1 - Females - Under 10: ..... [Eleanor, Nancy, Mary] <--- too many

1 - Females - 26 thru 44: ... [SARAH]

Engaged in Agriculture: 1

Total Free White Persons: 7

1820 Census Notes:

There are 3 different William Abernathy in 1820 Lincoln Co. NC, but none of them have enough daughters. The above census is the closest match for the number of sons.

1824: child Robert, born in Alabama (assume Jefferson County)

1825: child Martha, born in Alabama (assume Jefferson County)

1825: child Eleanor, married Samuel Abernathy, 18 Aug 1825 Jefferson Co. AL

1828: son-in-law, Samuel Abernathy, purchased land in Jefferson Co. AL

1828: child Elizabeth, born in Alabama (assume Jefferson County)

1830 Census: Jefferson, Alabama, p.15

Name: Wm Abanathy

2 - Males - 5 thru 9: ........... [Robert and James]

1 - Males - 15 thru 19: ....... [Richard]

1 - Males - 20 thru 29: ....... [Sterling]

1 - Males - 40 thru 49: ....... [WILLIAM]

2 - Females - Under 5: ....... [Elizabeth and Martha]

2 - Females - 15 thru 19: ... [Mary and Nancy]

1 - Females - 30 thru 39: ... [SARAH]

Total Free White Persons: 10

1830 Census Notes:

Living next to Samuel Abernathy (assumed son-in-law, the husband of Eleanor)

Living next to David Abernathy (assumed father-in-law of Eleanor)

1831: child Nancy, married Henry Pitts (date estimated)

1834: William Abernathy purchased 40 acres in Jefferson County, Alabama

1834: child Richard, married Mary Alexander, Jefferson Co. AL

1835: child Starling, married Elizabeth Ware, Jefferson Co. AL

1836: child Mary, married Elam Ware (date estimated)

1840 Census: Jefferson, Alabama, p.27

Name: William Abernathy

1 - Males - 10 thru 14: ....... [William]

1 - Males - 50 thru 59: ....... [WILLIAM]

1 - Females - 5 thru 9: ....... [Amanda]

2 - Females - 10 thru 14: ... [Elizabeth and Martha]

1 - Females - 40 thru 49: ... [SARAH]

Total Free White Persons: 6

Note: living next to son: Richard Abernathy

Note: living close to Wilson Abernathy (assume David "Wilson" Abernathy)

1840: child Nancy, w/husband Henry Pitts, has census in Pontotoc MS

1840: child Elizabeth, w/husband Starling Abernathy, census in Pontotoc MS

1840: children James & Robert, cannot locate; ages 16 & 18, assume nearby

1845: child Mary, w/husband Elam Ware, substitute census in Pontotoc MS

1845: child Robert, has substitute census in Pontotoc MS

1845: child Eleanor, w/husband Samuel, substitute census in Pontotoc MS

1847: child Martha, married Calab Flanagan (date estimated)

1840-1850: death of William Abernathy (assume died 1846 in Pontotoc MS)

1840-1850: death of wife (assume Sarah, assume died 1847 in Pontotoc MS)

1850: all children have census in Pontotoc Co. MS

1851: child James, married Emeline Porter, in Pontotoc Co. MS

CHILDREN

Below are the assumptions for William’s children.

They are listed in order of certainty.

Child Richard:

1) father William's 1830 census indicates a son Robert's age.

2) living next to father William in 1840.

3) Robert missing from father's 1840 census, which makes sense with marriage.

Children James, Robert, Martha, Elizabeth, Mary, and Amanda:

1) all living in very close proximity to each other in 1850 Pontotoc Co. MS

2) all are living close to William's son Richard (who is assumed by 1840 census)

3) all fit correctly on father William's 1830 & 1840 census

4) correct number of children drop off of father's 1840 census when married

5) Father William & wife cannot be located in 1850 (assumed deceased), which is consistent with 14-year-old Amanda living with married sister Mary in 1850.

Children Sterling and William, appear to be brothers:

1) Sterling and William are living in same household in 1850 Pontotoc Co. MS

2) The move to Pontotoc MS, consistent with family group of William Abernathy.

3) Sterling fits on father William's 1830 census

4) William fits on father William's 1840 census.

5) Starling missing from father's 1840 census, which makes sense for marriage.

6) Father William & wife cannot be located in 1850 (assumed deceased), which is consistent with 18-year-old William living with older brother Starling in 1850.

Child Eleanor:

1) Eleanor assumed Abernathy (same as husband), based on marriage record.

2) Eleanor and Samuel, living between William and David Abernathy in 1830.

..... William is Eleanor's assumed father. David is Samuel's assumed father.

3) Her move to Pontotoc MS, consistent with family group of William Abernathy.

4) father William's 1810 census indicates a daughter of Eleanor's age.

Note: there are 3 different William Abernathy in 1810 Lincoln Co. NC.

It is not clear which one is Eleanor's father, but all 3 have one daughter, who is Eleanor's age.

Child Nancy:

Note: assumptions for Nancy are vague. Nancy's maiden name is assumed.

1) Her move to Pontotoc MS, consistent with family group of William Abernathy.

2) father William's 1830 census indicates a daughter Nancy's age.

3) Nancy missing from father's 1840 census, which makes sense for marriage

4) Nancy living close to Starling Abernathy in 1840 (assumed son of William)

5) Nancy living fairly close to Mary Ware in 1860 (assumed daughter of William)

Sources

• Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50506311/william-abernethy: accessed 28 July 2023), memorial page for William Abernethy (1776–1846), Find a Grave Memorial ID 50506311, citing Abernethy Cemetery, Algoma, Pontotoc County, Mississippi, USA; Maintained by ponder (contributor 48265717).