Mary KENNEDY

     Mary KENNEDY, daughter of Alexander KENNEDY and Jane (?), was born in 1777 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was also known as Polly.

In a letter dated 30 Aug 1859, from Thomas Hamilton Abney to his son, Alexander Hamilton Abney, Thomas wrote: "To give a history of your grandmother's family would require a large volume, for it dates back to the reign of King John of England, whom the Norman barons forced to sign the great Magna Carta, which is the foundation of our present liberty.

Suffice it to say, they acted a conspicuous part both in England and Ireland. The great Frederic the Third of Prussia was indebted to my great grandfather and General Gordon, a Scotsman, for a large acquisition to his dominion.

He was a refugee from Ireland when the Hearts of Steele were overcome by the English forces, and took refuge in Prussia and commanded one division of the Army, and Frederic ennobled him and gave him letters patent, which he brought to this county.

Of my mother's family I can say no more. As I said, it would take a volume to hold it..."¹

Mary married Samuel ABNEY Jr., son of Samuel ABNEY Sr. and Martha Harriett HAMILTON, before 1790 in Edgefield District, South Carolina.

She was probably the female under listed in the household of her husband, Samuel ABNEY Jr., in the 1790 Federal Census of Edgefield County, South Carolina, They had no chilldren or slaves.²

Samuel ABNEY Jr. and Mary KENNEDY sold a tract of land to Moses Walton on 20 December 1797 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For £100 sterling they sold 200 acres orginally granted to Samuel Abney 16 Aug 1778 by Gov. Chas. Montague, the now Samuel Abney being the son and heir of deceased Samuel Abney. Witnesses were William Bladon, William Spragins and Nathaniel Spragins. It was signed by Samuel Abney and Mary (X) Abney. It was proven 26 Dec [written over] by William Spragins before Nathaniel Abney, JP. Recorded 5 Apr 1802.³

Samuel died in 1802 in Edgefield County, South Carolina, leaving Mary ABNEY as a widow.⁴ She was the administrator of Samuel ABNEY Jr.'s estate on 15 January 1802 in Edgefield County, South Carolina.⁵

Mary ABNEY bought land from William Yarbrough of Abbeville District on 13 January 1806 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. For 60 pounds he sold Polly Abney, widow of Samuel Abney deceased, in behalf of herself and four children Thomas Abney, Elizabeth Abney, Maria Abney, and Emily Abney, 250 acres whereon said Polly Abney now resides, originallly granted to John Abney[Jonathon Bay Abney] and conveyed by him to said William Yarbrough, bounded by land whereon James Carson now lives, where Mary Bladen resides, ands belonging to James Hill, John Coleman, Nathaniel Abney, Azariah Abney, and Jesse Sanford. Witnesses were John Bolger and John Carson. Signed by Wm. Yarbrough. Justice Thomas Anderson certifies the relinquishment of dower by Mary Yarbrough, wife of William Abney(sic), on 15 Jan 1806. Signed Mary Yarbrough. Proven 13 Jan 1806 by John Carson and Nathaniel Abney JP. Recorded 25 Mar 1806.⁶

Mary Abney, like her mother-in-law, was left a young widow in 1802. After her son, Thomas, went off to the War of 1812 and Martha Hamilton Abney died, the family pulled up stakes and moved to Richmond, Virginia.^7,8

Mary ABNEY was named an heir in the will of Jane KENNEDY dated 16 October 1823 in Jasper County, Georgia. She left Mary and her othe heirs one dollar each.⁹

Mary ABNEY appeared as head of household on a census enumerated 1 June 1830 in Bibb County, Alabama. The household was listed as one female age 60-69.¹⁰

Mary KENNEDY appeared on a census, enumerated 1 June 1840, in the household of Thomas Hamilton ABNEY and Mary Ann Holmes in Bibb (now Chilton) County, Alabama.¹¹

Mary KENNEDY appeared on a census, enumerated 5 November 1850, in the household of James SAMPLE and Mariah ABNEY in Bibb County, Alabama.¹²

Mary KENNEDY died on 11 October 1852 in Randolph, Bibb County, Alabama.