William KENNEDY

     William KENNEDY, son of Alexander KENNEDY and Jane (?), was born in 1770 in Ireland.²

William KENNEDY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1779 in Old 96 District, South Carolina. The census also included these related households: Edmond Kennedy and John Kennedy.³

During the American Revolution, William KENNEDY enlisted in Capt. Zachary Smith Brooks' Company of Militia in Edgefield County, South Carolina.⁴

William KENNEDY witnessed the sale of land from Samuel ABNEY Jr. to Thomas Spraggins on 14 August 1793 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For 8 pounds he sold 18 acres, part of 150 acres originally granted 20 May 1769 unto Stephen Collins and conveyed to Samuel Abney, dec'd, the father of the said Samuel Abney, and he being heir at law. Said tract was on the Saluda River adjacent to branches of Tosetys Creek and land of said Thomas Spraggins. Witnesses were William Kennedy and John Abney.⁵

William married Martha ABNEY, daughter of Samuel ABNEY Sr. and Martha Harriett HAMILTON, circa 1794 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.¹

William KENNEDY bought a tract of land from John ABNEY on 10 April 1800 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For £15 sterling the sale was for 100 acres being part of 740 acres originally granted to said John Abney 5 Sep 1785 upon Tosety Creek of Saluda River, said 100 acres bounding on said William Kennedy's land, Paul Abney, road from Saluda Old Town to Charleston, old Dutch survey now belonging to Cullen Lark. Witnesses were Azariah Abney and Joel Abney. It was signed by John Abney and proven 10 Apr 1802 by Joel Abney before Nathaniel Abney, JP. Recorded 26 Mar 1803.⁶

William KENNEDY bought land from an unknown person in 1808 in Jasper County, Georgia. He said he was from Edgefield, South Carolina.

William KENNEDY sold a tract of land to John ABNEY, merchant, on 15 July 1809 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. In the bond, William Kennedy stated his father was Alexander Kennedy and his wife Patsey or Martha Kennedy. The bond was for 200 acres on Tosetys Creek, a branch of the Saluda River, (part of an original grant to his father Alexander Kennedy). Tosety Creek is where Samuel Abney, Sr.'s land was in Edgefield (now Saluda) county. The land was discribed as being originally granted to said John Abney and conveyed to William Kennedy. It was on northeast side of Paul Abney's land, on southeast of John Bolger, south by more land of John Abney, west by John Sanford, southwest by Azariah Abney and north by said John Abney. Witnesses were George Nunn, Alex. S. Legg, and Hugh Duffey. Patsey or Martha Kennedy, wife of William, relinquished her dower.^1,7,8

William KENNEDY witnessed the deed of John ABNEY and Zachariah ABNEY on 29 December 1810 in Edgefield County (now Saluda), South Carolina. According to the bond, William Kennedy, now of Georgia, had sold land where he formerly lived on Tosetys Creek, a branch of the Saluda River. It not being convenient for him to procure rights from some of the legatees of his father's estate, including his brothers John and James Kennedy and his sister Rosanna Kennedy. Zachariah paid $200 bond to indemnify John Abney against claims of the legatees should they come forward.^9,10

William KENNEDY appeared on the 1820 Federal Census of Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia. 2 males under 10, 1 male 16-25, 1 male over 45 [William], 1 female under 10, 1 female 26-44 [Martha], and 6 slaves.

William KENNEDY was named an heir in the will of Jane KENNEDY dated 16 October 1823 in Jasper County, Georgia. She left him and her other heirs one dollar each.¹¹

William KENNEDY appeared on the 1830 Federal Census of Greene County, Alabama, 1 male 60-69 [Willam, 60], 1 female 50-59 [Martha, 54], and 13 slaves.

William KENNEDY appeared on the 1840 Federal Census of Greene County, Alabama, 1 male 60-69 [William, 70], 1 female 20-29, 1 female 60-69 [Martha, 64], and 23 slaves.

William left a will dated 7 September 1848 in Greene County, Alabama. He mentions his wife, Martha, son, James Kennedy, and daughter, Harriett Brown. His son James was his executor when the will was probated 27 Aug 1849. In court papers Martha mentions her son James Kennedy and son-in-law William P. Brown.

William KENNEDY died in June 1849 in Greene County, Alabama.²