Individual Details
Ignatius Stokes
(1778 - Dec 1835)
It is not currently known where Ignatius Stokes was born, but by 1790, his father was in Cheraw District of South Carolina, and by 1794, the family had settled in Union Co. SC.
In Nov 1794 in Union Co SC, Ignatius was a witness when his father John Stokes bought land on Fair Forest Creek. (DB D p 23) In Oct 1799, Ignatius bought 200 acres on Fairforest Creek from his father for $150 with his older brother John Stokes as a witness. (DB F p 293)
In 1799, interesting obligations fell on Ignatius. In Spartanburg Co SC, both William and Eleanor Benson had died, leaving at least 10 minor children. In Jul 1799, Ignatius was made the guardian of Patience and Polly Benson by the Spartanburg Co Court. This is an interesting action, because he was still probably unmarried. The 1800 census shows Ignatius in Spartanburg Co as age 16-26 with a female 26-45 in his household [who?] and two young females 0-10, probably Patience and Polly Benson.
In Nov 1802 in Union Co, Ignatius and his father witnessed a deed between Richard Hayes and John Saunders. (DB G p 319)
About 1804, Ignatius married Rebecca Benson, an older sister of his two wards. Ignatius and Rebecca had only 4 children. About 1801, Ignatius' brother John had married Rebecca's sister Elizabeth, so brothers married sisters!
In Jul 1805, Ignatius was mentioned in a deed between his father and his older brother. The deed names John Stokes Jr and Ignatius Stokes as sons of John, and younger brother Levi Stokes was old enough to witness the deed. (DB I p 491)
In Aug 1807, Ignatius bought 150 acres in adjacent Laurens Co SC from Thomas Hendricks for $500 on Holson's branch of the Enoree River. The witnesses were Thomas Gitzendanner [a brother-in-law] and William Prude.
The family appears in the 1810 census in Union Co listed as "Nase" Stokes: 1 male 26-45 [Ignatius c32], 1 male 0-10 [William 5], 1 female 16-26 [Rebecca 25], and 2 females 0-10 [Malinda 3, Eleanor 1].
In Mar 1811, Ignatius sold his Laurens Co tract of 150 acres for the same price as his purchase 3 years earlier. "Rebekah" relinquished her dower rights. In Aug 1811, Ignatius was serving as a justice of the peace in Union Co, because a deed between Christopher Young and John Stokes Jr was proved by Young before Ignatius. (DB L p 56)
In Feb 1816, Ignatius sold 346 acres on the waters of Fairforest Creek to Robert Duncan for $200. The witnesses were his father John Stokes, his brother John Stokes Jr, and John Saunders, with "Rebekah" signing her dower rights. (DB N p 274) Since his only deed in Union Co was a purchase from his father of 200 acres, it is not known how he obtained an additional 146 acres contained in this deed.
Perhaps this sale was prompted by the family's decision to migrate into GA. By 1820, the family had settled in Jasper Co GA. The 1820 census for the family seems to have several errors: 1 male > 45 [Ignatius c42], 1 male 16-18 [William 15], 1 female > 45 [who?], 1 female 26-45 [Rebecca 35], 1 female 16-26 [Malinda 13], 1 female 10-16 [Eleanor 11], and 1 female 0-10 [Elizabeth 7].
Rebecca died during the 1820s. The 1830 Jasper Co census shows the household without wife Rebecca: 1 male 50-60 [Ignatius 52], 1 male 20-30 [William 25], 1 female 20-30 [Eleanor 21], and 1 female 15-20 [Elizabeth 17].
Ignatius married Phoebe Gordon in 1831 in Jasper Co, but his name was incorrectly recorded as Jonathan Stokes. Ignatius died in 1836 about age 58. His widow Phoebe married Sylvanus Walker in 1837 in Newton Co GA and she appears with him in the 1850 census in Hancock Co GA.
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SCMAR, Vol. VII, Fall 1979, No. 4, p.200
P. 11] The Same vs Mary Rice and all of the Heirs of Hezekiah Rice, deceased - Summons in Partition. On the motion of Mr. Farrow, petitioners solicitor, ordered that a writ of partition do issue to Maj. Thomas Young, John Stokes, Senr., James Davis, Ignatious [sic] Stokes and Robert Gregory to make partition and division of the following Negroe slaves belonging to the Estate of Hezekiah Rice, Dec'd., to wit: Will, John, George, Kitt, Dick, Jim, Jacob, Pegg, Beck, Dolley, Suck, Celia, and Aaron, between the said Mary, William, Nancey, John, Jane, Elizabeth, Reuben, David, George, Hezekiah, and Charles, and said commissioners to make due return of the said writ at the next court, showing in what manner they have executed the same. [Note: One Ignatious Turley did live in Union Co. during this period.]
Death and Obituary Notices from The Southern Christian Advocate, 1867-1878, p 57.
Southern Christian Advocate, January 15, 1869, page 214
Mrs. Eleanor K. Tatom, daughter of Ignatius and Rebecca Stokes, was born in Spartanburg District, S. C., June 20, 1806. In 1812 her parents removed to Jasper Co, GA. On the 11th of May 1828 she was joined in marriage to Abel Tatom, and they removed to Monroe Co, GA, in November of that year... died October 20th 1868. J. E. Evans
References
Holcomb, Brent. Union Co SC Deed Abstracts, Vol 1 1785-1800. p 147, 260.
Holcomb, Brent. Union Co SC Deed Abstracts, Vol 2 1800-1811. p 38, 206.
Holcomb, Brent. Union Co SC Deed Abstracts, Vol 3 1811-1820. p 9, 141.
Union Co SC Records.
Nash, Sara. Abstracts of Early Records of Laurens Co SC 1785-1820. p 285, 322.
Holcomb. Brent. Spartanburg Co SC Minutes of the County Court 1785-1799. p 265-266.
Holcomb. Brent. Spartanburg Co SC Will Abstracts 1787-1840. p xx.
Jasper Co GA Records.
Researched and written by Ann Blomquist. 9/2002
This narrative is copyrighted material and may not be posted or published except by the author.
________________________________________________________
Ignatius Stokes was first married to Rebecca Benson, daughter of William Henry Benson and Eleanor Key of Spartanburg District, South Carolina.My records show that four of the five children you list are actually the children of Rebecca Benson, and not the second wife, Phebe Gordon Walker.These children were:
1) William Benson Stokes, a one-time Ordinary of Jasper Co., GA;
2) Malinda Stokes, who died unmarried;
3) Eleanor Key Stokes, who married an Abel Tatom (1800-1886); and
4) Elizabeth Ann Stokes, who first married Philip G. Tigner, then John Carson, and eventually settled in Texas.
Other than this, I don't know very much about the Stokeses; Rebecca was the sister of my ancestor Patience Benson [Foster].Another Benson daughter, Elizabeth, married a John Stokes, and I seem to remember, but cannot put my finger right now on anything showing this, that John and Ignatius were brothers.I also recall that Ignatius at one time lived in Union District, SC, was a member of the Union Literary Society (an early library -- I have seen records showing the books that he checked out), was the guardian of several of the younger Benson children after William Henry died in 1796 and Eleanor three years later, and, at least according to one source, was a heavy drinker.
Anyway, I would be most interested in what you have discovered about Ignatius and his family, including the source for the date of his death.
Many thanks.
Tom Hunter
In Nov 1794 in Union Co SC, Ignatius was a witness when his father John Stokes bought land on Fair Forest Creek. (DB D p 23) In Oct 1799, Ignatius bought 200 acres on Fairforest Creek from his father for $150 with his older brother John Stokes as a witness. (DB F p 293)
In 1799, interesting obligations fell on Ignatius. In Spartanburg Co SC, both William and Eleanor Benson had died, leaving at least 10 minor children. In Jul 1799, Ignatius was made the guardian of Patience and Polly Benson by the Spartanburg Co Court. This is an interesting action, because he was still probably unmarried. The 1800 census shows Ignatius in Spartanburg Co as age 16-26 with a female 26-45 in his household [who?] and two young females 0-10, probably Patience and Polly Benson.
In Nov 1802 in Union Co, Ignatius and his father witnessed a deed between Richard Hayes and John Saunders. (DB G p 319)
About 1804, Ignatius married Rebecca Benson, an older sister of his two wards. Ignatius and Rebecca had only 4 children. About 1801, Ignatius' brother John had married Rebecca's sister Elizabeth, so brothers married sisters!
In Jul 1805, Ignatius was mentioned in a deed between his father and his older brother. The deed names John Stokes Jr and Ignatius Stokes as sons of John, and younger brother Levi Stokes was old enough to witness the deed. (DB I p 491)
In Aug 1807, Ignatius bought 150 acres in adjacent Laurens Co SC from Thomas Hendricks for $500 on Holson's branch of the Enoree River. The witnesses were Thomas Gitzendanner [a brother-in-law] and William Prude.
The family appears in the 1810 census in Union Co listed as "Nase" Stokes: 1 male 26-45 [Ignatius c32], 1 male 0-10 [William 5], 1 female 16-26 [Rebecca 25], and 2 females 0-10 [Malinda 3, Eleanor 1].
In Mar 1811, Ignatius sold his Laurens Co tract of 150 acres for the same price as his purchase 3 years earlier. "Rebekah" relinquished her dower rights. In Aug 1811, Ignatius was serving as a justice of the peace in Union Co, because a deed between Christopher Young and John Stokes Jr was proved by Young before Ignatius. (DB L p 56)
In Feb 1816, Ignatius sold 346 acres on the waters of Fairforest Creek to Robert Duncan for $200. The witnesses were his father John Stokes, his brother John Stokes Jr, and John Saunders, with "Rebekah" signing her dower rights. (DB N p 274) Since his only deed in Union Co was a purchase from his father of 200 acres, it is not known how he obtained an additional 146 acres contained in this deed.
Perhaps this sale was prompted by the family's decision to migrate into GA. By 1820, the family had settled in Jasper Co GA. The 1820 census for the family seems to have several errors: 1 male > 45 [Ignatius c42], 1 male 16-18 [William 15], 1 female > 45 [who?], 1 female 26-45 [Rebecca 35], 1 female 16-26 [Malinda 13], 1 female 10-16 [Eleanor 11], and 1 female 0-10 [Elizabeth 7].
Rebecca died during the 1820s. The 1830 Jasper Co census shows the household without wife Rebecca: 1 male 50-60 [Ignatius 52], 1 male 20-30 [William 25], 1 female 20-30 [Eleanor 21], and 1 female 15-20 [Elizabeth 17].
Ignatius married Phoebe Gordon in 1831 in Jasper Co, but his name was incorrectly recorded as Jonathan Stokes. Ignatius died in 1836 about age 58. His widow Phoebe married Sylvanus Walker in 1837 in Newton Co GA and she appears with him in the 1850 census in Hancock Co GA.
--------------------------------------------------
SCMAR, Vol. VII, Fall 1979, No. 4, p.200
P. 11] The Same vs Mary Rice and all of the Heirs of Hezekiah Rice, deceased - Summons in Partition. On the motion of Mr. Farrow, petitioners solicitor, ordered that a writ of partition do issue to Maj. Thomas Young, John Stokes, Senr., James Davis, Ignatious [sic] Stokes and Robert Gregory to make partition and division of the following Negroe slaves belonging to the Estate of Hezekiah Rice, Dec'd., to wit: Will, John, George, Kitt, Dick, Jim, Jacob, Pegg, Beck, Dolley, Suck, Celia, and Aaron, between the said Mary, William, Nancey, John, Jane, Elizabeth, Reuben, David, George, Hezekiah, and Charles, and said commissioners to make due return of the said writ at the next court, showing in what manner they have executed the same. [Note: One Ignatious Turley did live in Union Co. during this period.]
Death and Obituary Notices from The Southern Christian Advocate, 1867-1878, p 57.
Southern Christian Advocate, January 15, 1869, page 214
Mrs. Eleanor K. Tatom, daughter of Ignatius and Rebecca Stokes, was born in Spartanburg District, S. C., June 20, 1806. In 1812 her parents removed to Jasper Co, GA. On the 11th of May 1828 she was joined in marriage to Abel Tatom, and they removed to Monroe Co, GA, in November of that year... died October 20th 1868. J. E. Evans
References
Holcomb, Brent. Union Co SC Deed Abstracts, Vol 1 1785-1800. p 147, 260.
Holcomb, Brent. Union Co SC Deed Abstracts, Vol 2 1800-1811. p 38, 206.
Holcomb, Brent. Union Co SC Deed Abstracts, Vol 3 1811-1820. p 9, 141.
Union Co SC Records.
Nash, Sara. Abstracts of Early Records of Laurens Co SC 1785-1820. p 285, 322.
Holcomb. Brent. Spartanburg Co SC Minutes of the County Court 1785-1799. p 265-266.
Holcomb. Brent. Spartanburg Co SC Will Abstracts 1787-1840. p xx.
Jasper Co GA Records.
Researched and written by Ann Blomquist. 9/2002
This narrative is copyrighted material and may not be posted or published except by the author.
________________________________________________________
Ignatius Stokes was first married to Rebecca Benson, daughter of William Henry Benson and Eleanor Key of Spartanburg District, South Carolina.My records show that four of the five children you list are actually the children of Rebecca Benson, and not the second wife, Phebe Gordon Walker.These children were:
1) William Benson Stokes, a one-time Ordinary of Jasper Co., GA;
2) Malinda Stokes, who died unmarried;
3) Eleanor Key Stokes, who married an Abel Tatom (1800-1886); and
4) Elizabeth Ann Stokes, who first married Philip G. Tigner, then John Carson, and eventually settled in Texas.
Other than this, I don't know very much about the Stokeses; Rebecca was the sister of my ancestor Patience Benson [Foster].Another Benson daughter, Elizabeth, married a John Stokes, and I seem to remember, but cannot put my finger right now on anything showing this, that John and Ignatius were brothers.I also recall that Ignatius at one time lived in Union District, SC, was a member of the Union Literary Society (an early library -- I have seen records showing the books that he checked out), was the guardian of several of the younger Benson children after William Henry died in 1796 and Eleanor three years later, and, at least according to one source, was a heavy drinker.
Anyway, I would be most interested in what you have discovered about Ignatius and his family, including the source for the date of his death.
Many thanks.
Tom Hunter
Events
| Birth | 1778 | Geenville County, South Carolina | |||
| Census | 1800 | Spartanburg District, South Carolina |  |  | |
| Marriage | 1804 | Union County, South Carolina - Rebekah Benson | |||
| Census (family) | 1810 | Union County, South Carolina - Rebekah Benson | | ||
| Census (family) | 1820 | Monticello, Jasper County, Georgia - Rebekah Benson | | | |
| Census | 1830 | Jasper County, Georgia | | | |
| Marriage | 7 Apr 1831 | Jasper County, Georgia - Phoebe Gordon | | | |
| Death | Dec 1835 | Jasper County, Georgia |
Families
| Spouse | Rebekah Benson (1785 - 1839) |
| Child | Elender Stokes (1795 - 1850) |
| Child | William Benson Stokes (1805 - ) |
| Child | Eleanor Key Stokes (1806 - 1868) |
| Child | Malinda Stokes (1808 - ) |
| Child | Elizabeth Ann Stokes (1813 - ) |
| Spouse | Phoebe Gordon (1791 - 1850) |
| Father | John Stokes Sr. (1750 - 1830) |
| Mother | Rachel Fletcher (1752 - 1830) |
| Sibling | Sarah Priscilla Stokes (1772 - 1812) |
| Sibling | Amelia Stokes (1773 - 1848) |
| Sibling | Priscilla Stokes (1774 - 1853) |
| Sibling | John Stokes Jr. (1778 - 1860) |
| Sibling | Levi Stokes (1783 - ) |
| Sibling | Precia Stokes (1786 - ) |
| Sibling | Dorcas Stokes (1788 - 1851) |
| Sibling | Robert Stokes (1792 - ) |
Notes
Census
1800 census 00100/20010/05Free White Males
16-25 1 [Ignatius]
Free White Females
0-10 2 [Patience & ?]
26-44 1
Slaves 5
Census (family)
The family appears in the 1810 census in Union Co listed as "Nase" Stokes: 1 male 26-45 [Ignatius c32], 1 male 0-10 [William 5], 1 female 16-26 [Rebecca 25], and 2 females 0-10 [Malinda 2, Eleanor 1].Census (family)
By 1820, the family had settled in Jasper Co GA. The 1820 census for the family seems to have several errors: 1 male > 45 [Ignatius c42], 1 male 16-18 [William 15], 1 female > 45 [who?], 1 female 26-45 [Rebecca 35], 1 female 16-26 [Malinda 13], 1 female 10-16 [Eleanor 11], and 1 female 0-10 [Elizabeth 7].1820 Census
Free White: 001001/11101
Males:
0-10 0
11-16 0
17-18 1 [William 15]
19-26 0
27-45 1 [Ignatius 42]
45 & over
Females:
0-10 1 [Elizabeth 7]
11-16 1 [Eleanor 11]
17-26 1 [Malinda 13]
27-45 0 [Rebecca 35]
45 & over 1
Foreigners not naturalized 1
Slaves: 1210/1010
Males:
0-14 1
14-26 2
26-46 1
45+ 0
Females:
0-14 1
14-26 0
26-46 1
45+ 0
Census
The 1830 Jasper Co census shows the household without wife Rebecca: 1 male 50-60 [Ignatius 52], 1 male 20-30 [William 25], 1 female 20-30 [Eleanor 21], and 1 female 15-20 [Elizabeth 17].Regiment 38 and 30
Marriage
Ignatius Stokes married Phoebe Gordon in 1831 in Jasper Co, but his name was incorrectly indexed as Jonatus Stokes.Endnotes
1. "United States Census, 1800", database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRC-HRT : 10 June 2015), Inatius Stokes, 1800..
2. "United States Census, 1820", database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLX-KT5 : 16 July 2015), Ignatius Stokes, 1820..
3. "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHPL-LLC : 18 August 2015), Ignatius Stokes, Regiment 38 and 30, Jasper, Georgia, United States; citing 380, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 18; FHL microfilm 7,038..
4. "Georgia, County Marriages, 1785-1950," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KXJ4-813 : 11 February 2018), Ignatius Stokes and Phebe Gordon, 07 Apr 1831; citing Marriage, Jasper, Georgia, United States, Georgia Department of Archives and History, Morrow, FHL microfilm 158,442..
5. "Georgia Marriages, 1808-1967," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:FW78-9WB : 11 February 2018), Ignatius Stokes and Phebe Gordon, 07 Apr 1831; citing Jasper, Georgia; FHL microfilm 158,442..