Individual Details
Joseph Greer "the Elder"
(Bef 1739 - 1799)
We are uncertain of the parents of my identified relative, Joseph Greer of 1770, but the research of Janice Craft seems to point to the Joseph Greer Sr. family of Laurens Co, S. C. Janice Craft hired Brent Holcomb to do the research that indicates that there is strong evidence for Joseph Greer Sr. to have been the father of my Joseph Greer. His family is only a best guess projection and we certainly need more proof to verify that we are looking at the correct family. Hopefully someone will come forward with more information.
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Note: Brent Holcomb, author of "Greer and Related Families," published 1986, shows that Thomas Greer was the son of Thomas Greer, born about 1710, in Ireland and his second wife, Susanna Carver. Holcomb states that the information about the older Thomas Greer is based on a letter from J. C. Cooper to his son in 1856.
According to Holcomb, there was a Thomas Greer, who left a will in April of 1783, in Cumberland County, North Carolina. He feels that this is the Thomas Greer, father of Thomas Greer, who married Sarah Smith.
Thomas Greer was born in 1740, in Deep River, Guilford, N. C. He married Sarah (Sallie) Smith, daughter of Luke B. Smith and his wife, Judith Farris.
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1755, August 5 - Ann McCrarey researched the records in South Carolina for the McCrary family and found many in the Journal of His Majesties Honorable Council are petitions for land from John McCrarey. On this same date land grants were made to:
John Hanna, 100 a waters of Santee
John Greer (6 persons in family) on Duncan's Creek
Timothy Reirday, South side of Saludy R.
Alexr. Moorhead. [Microfilm reference at S. C. Archives, D532 1754-1756, D533 (CO 5/470, 471) Pro Reel 41]
The previous record seems to indicate a John Greer may have been one of the first recorded Greers in South Carolina as early as 1755. Joseph Greer (200 ac) had land sandwiched between Robt. McCrary (210 ac.) and Basil Prater (150 ac). John Greer had 300 acres next to Bazil Prater 55 acres. Jonas Greer (180 ac) and Jos. Greer (150 ac) is on the south side of Duncan Creek and borders Robt. McCrary's other 200 acres on Duncan Creek.
1761- The Bounty Act was broadened as an incentive to immigration. It gave special benefit of these religious refugees. All the applicants had to have certificates that showed that they were protestants and entitled to receive the benefits allowed by the new Bounty Act. Many of the immigrants who came under this Act were protestants from what is now Northern Ireland.
1764 - Land records of the colony of South Carolina show several Greers here as early as 1764, [Paul Sarrett, Jr. , US Genweb.com]:
GREER, Andrew 1764 Colony, SC Warrant for Land No Twp Listed
GREER, John 1764 Colony, SC Warrant for Land No Twp Listed
GREER, John 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
GREER, Joseph 1764 Colony, SC Warrant for Land No Twp Listed
GREER, Joseph 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
GREER, Josiah 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
GRIER, David 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
The following record of early land warrants shows that the Greer family came from somewhere in Ireland, probably northern Ireland before 1764. Although many records in this book list ships manifests of new immigrants, Joseph Greer and kin seemed to already be present before the Bounty Land Act started their records. The McCrary family is not listed, but McCrory is present about the same time, and the spelling difference can be a mis-transcription.
Council Journal 30, page 20-31 Meeting of 24th January 1764
The following Petitions for Warrants of Survey of lands on the bounty were presented and read Acres Acres
Johnston Rainey 100
David Read 300
William Lindsay 350
Jane Read 100
Jane Read 100
Samuel Read 100
Daniel Gordon 100
St. John Smilley 450
John Gordon 100
Anne Smiley 100
Wm. McElwean 100
John Smiley 100
Hugh McCulloach 100
Wm. Dunwoodie 100
Archibald Strain 100
John Lesslie 150
George Dowdell 100
George Smith 100
Alexander Kennedy 100
Henry Powell 100
John Martin 100
Elizabeth Powell 100
Samuel Young 100
William Levinston 300
Arthur Read 100
Jean Levinston 100
John T ------------- 250
John Levinston 100
Jane Adair 100
John Greer 150
Hugh Fee 450
Joseph Greer 100
Sarah Fee 100
John Greer, Jun'r 100
Andrew Patterson 250
Andrew Greer 100
Jane Greer 100
Samuel Frizzle 200
Sarah Greer 100
Hannah Cosby 100
William Adams 300
Hugh McConnel 100
Gilbert Lemmon 100
Robert Corrough 100
James Orr 100
Robert McCrackan 400
John Frizzle 100
Mary McCrachan 100
The Petitioners were respectively sworn to their family rights & produced Certificates under the hands of Ministers & Church Wardens of Desenting Ministers & Elders of Congregation in Ireland of their being Protestants & sett forth that they were arrived in this Provice upon the encouragement & bounty allowed by the Act of the General Assembly of this Province pass'd 25th. July 1761 & therefore humbly prayd an Order to the public Treasurer to pay the said Bounties and It appearing that they severally paid for their respective passages. ORDER'D that the Clerk do grant them Certificates to the public Treasurer to pay the said Bounties and that the Secretary do prepare Warrant of Survey to the Surveyor General to cause the land prayd for to be run out to the petitioners in Boonsborough or Township. [Petitions for Land 1763-1773, page 9-10]
Janice Craft lists Nell Orr of Chambers County stating: "There was a Joseph Greer and George Greer who were neighbors of Bazil Prather's in Laurens County, SC in the 1770's. A James Greer lived nearby."
In the following document we have a petition by members of the Little River Regiment to the Gov. of S. C. protesting the arrest of their Commanding Officer, l Colo. James Williams. It is transcribed from a document in the Manuscript collection of the Wm. R. Perkins Library, Duke University. #5767 "James Williams Petition. Several McCreary and Greer family members indicate that they were part of this regiment during the Revolutionary war. The document is undated and signed with legible signatures of all included. [document provided by Ann McCrary]:
To His Excellency (torn) Esq. , Govenor & Commander in Chief in (torn) of South Carolina the Honourabel the pivy counsels, the honourable the Senate & House of Representatives in General Assembly; Whereas we the zealous friends to our country, and to all who love & distinguish themselves in her cause) do understand & are exceeding sorry to hear that there are false & (?) accusations either lying or about to shortly be laid against James Williams, our present Colo. in and over Little River Regiment of which we are a part representing him as distressing and very injurious to the Regiment, and designed (as we believe) by the private enemies of our country, to deprive us of so worthy a friend to his country. In general a good officer, to us in particular & thereby do a very singular piece of service to the common enemies of America. We do briefly and anziously remonstrate this: That we do experimentally know Col. James Williams to havfe been a zealous Patriot from the commencement of the America contest with Briten; and to have allways stood foremost in every occasion when called upon to defience of his country. W do further declare who voluntarily and judiciously when legally called upon and commanded to the field, have turned out in the defense of their Native rights & privileges together with that of their Country; and we do avow it from our knowledge, that whensoever Colo. James Williams either directly or indirectly executed any distressing things, it was upon the stuboorn and refractory, whose practices of obstinancy declare them inimical to their country: & that Hoyan & fellow citizens. without delaying you, we your humble petitions do earnestly beg that you will hear this our faithful remonstrance & proceed with our respected Colo. James your superior judgements may direct: only begging leave to conclude with this one remark, that doubtless you know that such clamours are frequently the necessary effects of disaffection to the country.
Robt. McCrery Lt. Colo. George Davis Capt. Matthew McCrarey Lieut. George Young Matthew Cunnigham Andrew McCrary James Greer James Dillard John Owens Samuel Exing William Davis Absolom Filby John McCrary Sener John McCrary Juner Robert Long Matthew McCrery William Bean John Williams Wm. Arther Capt. Josiah Geer Joseph Rammage John Robinson John Bourland John Greer Juner Isaac Adair JMS Adair Thos McCrery J: P: James Ones Andrew Ones John Watson Hughes Manford (?) David Watson Isaac Greer James Ralley John Glenn John Jones Henry Atwood James Adair Sener Joseph Adair Juner Benjamin Adair Joseph Adair Sener James Adair Juner,, son of James William Adair John Finney John Adair John Adair Sener James Craige William Craig James Howerton Ameris Witten Phillip Whitten John Gray John Greer James Montgomery Thomas Ewing William Blake James Gamble Edward Stapleton John Gamble William Huddleston James Huddleston Alexander Adair Benjamin Willson Benja. Goodman Daniel Williams
1779 Census, Old 96th Dist., S. C. lists residents in the large frontier county of Old 96th which was later divided into Edgefield, Abbeville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newport, Greenwood, and Union. [records of Paul R. Sarrett, Jr., US Genweb South Carolina.
G660 GREER John 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G660 GREER Joseph 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G660 GREER Josiah 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G616 GRFEER James 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G660 GRIER David 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
M266 McCREARY Alexander 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
M266 McCREARY Gilbert 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
M266 McCRERY Robert 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
1783 - Joseph Greer Sr. apparently dies. Papers are filed to establish the administrators of the estate.
Est. admns. Mar. 12, 1783. by Thomas Murphy, Robt. Neel, Isaac Mathews, Benjamin Kilgore bound to John Ewing Calhoun Ord. 96 Dist sum 14,000 lbs. Inv. made May 23, 1783 by Andrew Cunningham, Jno. McClinton, Jno. Hall. [Old Ninty-six & Abbeville Dist. Wills , Box 40, Pack 886 / Young's Abstracts of Old Ninty-six]
1788, Oct- The history of the Duncan Creek church in Laurens County contains some interesting stories that may include some potential relatives. This Joseph Greer would have to be the Joseph Greer Jr. since senior would have died by this time. According to this author John Duncan, first settled the area, was Scotch-Irish pioneer from Pennsylvania. He erge [Sellers]
Ordained Oct 1788, by Rev. Joseph Alexander
Thomas McCrery, Joseph Greer, Samuel Laird, Robert Long James Craig, Robert Bell
1790- There are Six Greer heads-of-family in Laurens county but Joseph Greer was the only one who had two males over 16. [Craft]
[U. S. Census , p. 83 Ninety-Six Dist. / Pendleton] names males slaves
Greer, James 2 1 4 - 1
Greer, Equilla 2 4 2 - 5
Greer, Solomon 2 - 4 - 1 [p. 84 ]
Greer, John 2 4 5 - - [p. 75 ]
Greer, Robert 1 1 2 - -
Greer, James 1 5 2 ç - -
1799- Joseph Greer dies and Robert Greer becomes the administrator of the will. This says to me that Robert was probably the older of the children.
June 15, 1799. Recorded March 28, 1803. "Robert Greer of Spartanburg, administrator of the estate of Joseph Greer, deceased, to Joseph Greer for $261.50, 200 acres on Duncan's Creek originally granted to Joseph Greer deceased by Bull August 19, 1774. Bounded by John Greer. Witness: John D. Kern, Samuel McConahey. George Whitmore, JP. [Laurens Co., SC Deed Book G, p. 617.]
Feb. 15, 1803. Recorded March 27, 1803 "Robert Greer of Spartanburg, administrator of the estate of Joseph Greer, deceased, to Joseph Greer for $132, 60 acres originally granted to Joseph Greer deceased in 1790 by Pinckney on ridge between the Enoree River and Duncan Creek. bounded by John Prather and Robert McCrery. Witness: Andrew McCrery, Samuel McConahy. Note: the McCrery's here are certainly the related McCrary family. [Laurens Co., SC Deed Book G, p. 608.] [records of John Harrison on Genforum #3282]
1799 - Joseph Greer bought from Robert Greer 200 acres on Duncan Creek. Robert Greer Adm. of estate of Joseph Greer, Deceased. Located between Enoree and Duncan's Creek. Bounded by lands belonging to John Greer. witnesses: John D. Kern, Samuel McConahey [Laurens Co., Deed Book G, p 617. 15 June 1799 ]
1803 - Robert Greer sells 20 and 200 acres to Joseph Greer on Duncan Creek. This could only be to Joseph Greer Jr. born in 1770, his father died before 1799. This is probably part of the property that was originally own by John Greer "the immigrant". [Laurens Co., Deed Book G, p 608 and p 617]
1820- U. S. Census show the heads of households in Laurens and Spartanburg Co., SC
Greer, Benjamin [Spartanburg 249] 1 0 0 0 1 0 - 0 0 1 0 0
Greer, John [Laurens 013] 2 1 0 1 1 0 - 4 0 1 1 0
Greer, John [Laurens 014] 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 0 0 1 0
Greer, Joseph [Laurens 013] 1 2 0 1 0 1 - 2 0 1 1 0
Greer, Joseph [Spartanburg 239] 2 0 0 1 0 0 - 2 0 0 1 0
Greer, Robert [Spartanburg 238] 2 3 0 1 0 2 - 0 1 1 0 1
Sources:
Craft, Janice. Greer/Davis families personal research , privately published July 10, 2000. Janice Barnett Craft, 1166 Cloverdale Dr, Greenville, Miss 38701-8301, email - jrcraft@tecinfo.com
"James Williams Petition", item #5767, microfilm and transcript copies in the Manuscript Collection, Wm. R. Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham North Carolina.
McCrary, Ann. records provided by 2216 Parkside Ct., Virginia Beach, VA.
Moss, Bobby Gilmer. Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, Gen. Pub. Co., Inc., 1983
United States census records
Revill, Janie. A Compilation of the Original Lists of Protestant Immigrants to South Carolina 1763-1773. Clearfield. orig. pub. 1939, reprint 1981 Gen. Pub. Co., Inc., Baltimore.
Sellers, Hazel Crowson. Old South Carolina Churches, 1941- Duncan Creek Prebyterian Church web page. http://genealogytrails.com/scar/laurens/duncan_pres_church.htm
Abstracts of Old Ninty-six & Abbeville Dist. Wills & Records 1964, Georgia Genealogical Reprints, Rev. Silas Lucas. Vidalia, Georgia 30474
----------
Note: Brent Holcomb, author of "Greer and Related Families," published 1986, shows that Thomas Greer was the son of Thomas Greer, born about 1710, in Ireland and his second wife, Susanna Carver. Holcomb states that the information about the older Thomas Greer is based on a letter from J. C. Cooper to his son in 1856.
According to Holcomb, there was a Thomas Greer, who left a will in April of 1783, in Cumberland County, North Carolina. He feels that this is the Thomas Greer, father of Thomas Greer, who married Sarah Smith.
Thomas Greer was born in 1740, in Deep River, Guilford, N. C. He married Sarah (Sallie) Smith, daughter of Luke B. Smith and his wife, Judith Farris.
---------
1755, August 5 - Ann McCrarey researched the records in South Carolina for the McCrary family and found many in the Journal of His Majesties Honorable Council are petitions for land from John McCrarey. On this same date land grants were made to:
John Hanna, 100 a waters of Santee
John Greer (6 persons in family) on Duncan's Creek
Timothy Reirday, South side of Saludy R.
Alexr. Moorhead. [Microfilm reference at S. C. Archives, D532 1754-1756, D533 (CO 5/470, 471) Pro Reel 41]
The previous record seems to indicate a John Greer may have been one of the first recorded Greers in South Carolina as early as 1755. Joseph Greer (200 ac) had land sandwiched between Robt. McCrary (210 ac.) and Basil Prater (150 ac). John Greer had 300 acres next to Bazil Prater 55 acres. Jonas Greer (180 ac) and Jos. Greer (150 ac) is on the south side of Duncan Creek and borders Robt. McCrary's other 200 acres on Duncan Creek.
1761- The Bounty Act was broadened as an incentive to immigration. It gave special benefit of these religious refugees. All the applicants had to have certificates that showed that they were protestants and entitled to receive the benefits allowed by the new Bounty Act. Many of the immigrants who came under this Act were protestants from what is now Northern Ireland.
1764 - Land records of the colony of South Carolina show several Greers here as early as 1764, [Paul Sarrett, Jr. , US Genweb.com]:
GREER, Andrew 1764 Colony, SC Warrant for Land No Twp Listed
GREER, John 1764 Colony, SC Warrant for Land No Twp Listed
GREER, John 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
GREER, Joseph 1764 Colony, SC Warrant for Land No Twp Listed
GREER, Joseph 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
GREER, Josiah 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
GRIER, David 1779 Colony, SC Resident Old 96th DISTRICT
The following record of early land warrants shows that the Greer family came from somewhere in Ireland, probably northern Ireland before 1764. Although many records in this book list ships manifests of new immigrants, Joseph Greer and kin seemed to already be present before the Bounty Land Act started their records. The McCrary family is not listed, but McCrory is present about the same time, and the spelling difference can be a mis-transcription.
Council Journal 30, page 20-31 Meeting of 24th January 1764
The following Petitions for Warrants of Survey of lands on the bounty were presented and read Acres Acres
Johnston Rainey 100
David Read 300
William Lindsay 350
Jane Read 100
Jane Read 100
Samuel Read 100
Daniel Gordon 100
St. John Smilley 450
John Gordon 100
Anne Smiley 100
Wm. McElwean 100
John Smiley 100
Hugh McCulloach 100
Wm. Dunwoodie 100
Archibald Strain 100
John Lesslie 150
George Dowdell 100
George Smith 100
Alexander Kennedy 100
Henry Powell 100
John Martin 100
Elizabeth Powell 100
Samuel Young 100
William Levinston 300
Arthur Read 100
Jean Levinston 100
John T ------------- 250
John Levinston 100
Jane Adair 100
John Greer 150
Hugh Fee 450
Joseph Greer 100
Sarah Fee 100
John Greer, Jun'r 100
Andrew Patterson 250
Andrew Greer 100
Jane Greer 100
Samuel Frizzle 200
Sarah Greer 100
Hannah Cosby 100
William Adams 300
Hugh McConnel 100
Gilbert Lemmon 100
Robert Corrough 100
James Orr 100
Robert McCrackan 400
John Frizzle 100
Mary McCrachan 100
The Petitioners were respectively sworn to their family rights & produced Certificates under the hands of Ministers & Church Wardens of Desenting Ministers & Elders of Congregation in Ireland of their being Protestants & sett forth that they were arrived in this Provice upon the encouragement & bounty allowed by the Act of the General Assembly of this Province pass'd 25th. July 1761 & therefore humbly prayd an Order to the public Treasurer to pay the said Bounties and It appearing that they severally paid for their respective passages. ORDER'D that the Clerk do grant them Certificates to the public Treasurer to pay the said Bounties and that the Secretary do prepare Warrant of Survey to the Surveyor General to cause the land prayd for to be run out to the petitioners in Boonsborough or Township. [Petitions for Land 1763-1773, page 9-10]
Janice Craft lists Nell Orr of Chambers County stating: "There was a Joseph Greer and George Greer who were neighbors of Bazil Prather's in Laurens County, SC in the 1770's. A James Greer lived nearby."
In the following document we have a petition by members of the Little River Regiment to the Gov. of S. C. protesting the arrest of their Commanding Officer, l Colo. James Williams. It is transcribed from a document in the Manuscript collection of the Wm. R. Perkins Library, Duke University. #5767 "James Williams Petition. Several McCreary and Greer family members indicate that they were part of this regiment during the Revolutionary war. The document is undated and signed with legible signatures of all included. [document provided by Ann McCrary]:
To His Excellency (torn) Esq. , Govenor & Commander in Chief in (torn) of South Carolina the Honourabel the pivy counsels, the honourable the Senate & House of Representatives in General Assembly; Whereas we the zealous friends to our country, and to all who love & distinguish themselves in her cause) do understand & are exceeding sorry to hear that there are false & (?) accusations either lying or about to shortly be laid against James Williams, our present Colo. in and over Little River Regiment of which we are a part representing him as distressing and very injurious to the Regiment, and designed (as we believe) by the private enemies of our country, to deprive us of so worthy a friend to his country. In general a good officer, to us in particular & thereby do a very singular piece of service to the common enemies of America. We do briefly and anziously remonstrate this: That we do experimentally know Col. James Williams to havfe been a zealous Patriot from the commencement of the America contest with Briten; and to have allways stood foremost in every occasion when called upon to defience of his country. W do further declare who voluntarily and judiciously when legally called upon and commanded to the field, have turned out in the defense of their Native rights & privileges together with that of their Country; and we do avow it from our knowledge, that whensoever Colo. James Williams either directly or indirectly executed any distressing things, it was upon the stuboorn and refractory, whose practices of obstinancy declare them inimical to their country: & that Hoyan & fellow citizens. without delaying you, we your humble petitions do earnestly beg that you will hear this our faithful remonstrance & proceed with our respected Colo. James your superior judgements may direct: only begging leave to conclude with this one remark, that doubtless you know that such clamours are frequently the necessary effects of disaffection to the country.
Robt. McCrery Lt. Colo. George Davis Capt. Matthew McCrarey Lieut. George Young Matthew Cunnigham Andrew McCrary James Greer James Dillard John Owens Samuel Exing William Davis Absolom Filby John McCrary Sener John McCrary Juner Robert Long Matthew McCrery William Bean John Williams Wm. Arther Capt. Josiah Geer Joseph Rammage John Robinson John Bourland John Greer Juner Isaac Adair JMS Adair Thos McCrery J: P: James Ones Andrew Ones John Watson Hughes Manford (?) David Watson Isaac Greer James Ralley John Glenn John Jones Henry Atwood James Adair Sener Joseph Adair Juner Benjamin Adair Joseph Adair Sener James Adair Juner,, son of James William Adair John Finney John Adair John Adair Sener James Craige William Craig James Howerton Ameris Witten Phillip Whitten John Gray John Greer James Montgomery Thomas Ewing William Blake James Gamble Edward Stapleton John Gamble William Huddleston James Huddleston Alexander Adair Benjamin Willson Benja. Goodman Daniel Williams
1779 Census, Old 96th Dist., S. C. lists residents in the large frontier county of Old 96th which was later divided into Edgefield, Abbeville, Spartanburg, Laurens, Newport, Greenwood, and Union. [records of Paul R. Sarrett, Jr., US Genweb South Carolina.
G660 GREER John 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G660 GREER Joseph 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G660 GREER Josiah 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G616 GRFEER James 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
G660 GRIER David 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
M266 McCREARY Alexander 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
M266 McCREARY Gilbert 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
M266 McCRERY Robert 1779 Old 96th D SC No Twp. Listed
1783 - Joseph Greer Sr. apparently dies. Papers are filed to establish the administrators of the estate.
Est. admns. Mar. 12, 1783. by Thomas Murphy, Robt. Neel, Isaac Mathews, Benjamin Kilgore bound to John Ewing Calhoun Ord. 96 Dist sum 14,000 lbs. Inv. made May 23, 1783 by Andrew Cunningham, Jno. McClinton, Jno. Hall. [Old Ninty-six & Abbeville Dist. Wills , Box 40, Pack 886 / Young's Abstracts of Old Ninty-six]
1788, Oct- The history of the Duncan Creek church in Laurens County contains some interesting stories that may include some potential relatives. This Joseph Greer would have to be the Joseph Greer Jr. since senior would have died by this time. According to this author John Duncan, first settled the area, was Scotch-Irish pioneer from Pennsylvania. He erge [Sellers]
Ordained Oct 1788, by Rev. Joseph Alexander
Thomas McCrery, Joseph Greer, Samuel Laird, Robert Long James Craig, Robert Bell
1790- There are Six Greer heads-of-family in Laurens county but Joseph Greer was the only one who had two males over 16. [Craft]
[U. S. Census , p. 83 Ninety-Six Dist. / Pendleton] names males slaves
Greer, James 2 1 4 - 1
Greer, Equilla 2 4 2 - 5
Greer, Solomon 2 - 4 - 1 [p. 84 ]
Greer, John 2 4 5 - - [p. 75 ]
Greer, Robert 1 1 2 - -
Greer, James 1 5 2 ç - -
1799- Joseph Greer dies and Robert Greer becomes the administrator of the will. This says to me that Robert was probably the older of the children.
June 15, 1799. Recorded March 28, 1803. "Robert Greer of Spartanburg, administrator of the estate of Joseph Greer, deceased, to Joseph Greer for $261.50, 200 acres on Duncan's Creek originally granted to Joseph Greer deceased by Bull August 19, 1774. Bounded by John Greer. Witness: John D. Kern, Samuel McConahey. George Whitmore, JP. [Laurens Co., SC Deed Book G, p. 617.]
Feb. 15, 1803. Recorded March 27, 1803 "Robert Greer of Spartanburg, administrator of the estate of Joseph Greer, deceased, to Joseph Greer for $132, 60 acres originally granted to Joseph Greer deceased in 1790 by Pinckney on ridge between the Enoree River and Duncan Creek. bounded by John Prather and Robert McCrery. Witness: Andrew McCrery, Samuel McConahy. Note: the McCrery's here are certainly the related McCrary family. [Laurens Co., SC Deed Book G, p. 608.] [records of John Harrison on Genforum #3282]
1799 - Joseph Greer bought from Robert Greer 200 acres on Duncan Creek. Robert Greer Adm. of estate of Joseph Greer, Deceased. Located between Enoree and Duncan's Creek. Bounded by lands belonging to John Greer. witnesses: John D. Kern, Samuel McConahey [Laurens Co., Deed Book G, p 617. 15 June 1799 ]
1803 - Robert Greer sells 20 and 200 acres to Joseph Greer on Duncan Creek. This could only be to Joseph Greer Jr. born in 1770, his father died before 1799. This is probably part of the property that was originally own by John Greer "the immigrant". [Laurens Co., Deed Book G, p 608 and p 617]
1820- U. S. Census show the heads of households in Laurens and Spartanburg Co., SC
Greer, Benjamin [Spartanburg 249] 1 0 0 0 1 0 - 0 0 1 0 0
Greer, John [Laurens 013] 2 1 0 1 1 0 - 4 0 1 1 0
Greer, John [Laurens 014] 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 0 0 1 0
Greer, Joseph [Laurens 013] 1 2 0 1 0 1 - 2 0 1 1 0
Greer, Joseph [Spartanburg 239] 2 0 0 1 0 0 - 2 0 0 1 0
Greer, Robert [Spartanburg 238] 2 3 0 1 0 2 - 0 1 1 0 1
Sources:
Craft, Janice. Greer/Davis families personal research , privately published July 10, 2000. Janice Barnett Craft, 1166 Cloverdale Dr, Greenville, Miss 38701-8301, email - jrcraft@tecinfo.com
"James Williams Petition", item #5767, microfilm and transcript copies in the Manuscript Collection, Wm. R. Perkins Library, Duke University, Durham North Carolina.
McCrary, Ann. records provided by 2216 Parkside Ct., Virginia Beach, VA.
Moss, Bobby Gilmer. Roster of South Carolina Patriots in the American Revolution, Gen. Pub. Co., Inc., 1983
United States census records
Revill, Janie. A Compilation of the Original Lists of Protestant Immigrants to South Carolina 1763-1773. Clearfield. orig. pub. 1939, reprint 1981 Gen. Pub. Co., Inc., Baltimore.
Sellers, Hazel Crowson. Old South Carolina Churches, 1941- Duncan Creek Prebyterian Church web page. http://genealogytrails.com/scar/laurens/duncan_pres_church.htm
Abstracts of Old Ninty-six & Abbeville Dist. Wills & Records 1964, Georgia Genealogical Reprints, Rev. Silas Lucas. Vidalia, Georgia 30474
Events
| Birth | Bef 1739 | Magheragall, County Antrim, Ireland |  | ||
| Census | 1790 | Laurens County, South Carolina | |  | |
| Death | 1799 | Ninety-Six District, South Carolina | | ||
| Burial | South Carolina |
Families
| Spouse | Sarah Smith (1745 - 1817) |
| Child | Robert Jonathan Greer (1762 - 1827) |
Notes
Birth
Joseph and his siblings must have all been born before 1743 because they applied for land in 1764 when they had to be at least 21 years of age. The date of birth no later than 1739 is based on the assumption that Joseph was the first born of five adult offspring of John Greer, Sr.Census
Joseph Greir 23400M 16+: 2
M 0-15: 3
Females: 4
Others: 0
Slaves: 0
Death
1799- Joseph Greer dies and Robert Greer becomes the administrator of the will. This indicates that Robert was probably the older of the children.The old Ninety-Six District was the counties of Abbeville, Edgefield, Laurens, Newberry, Spartanburg, and Union.
Endnotes
1. United States Census, 1790 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHKN-J29.