Genealogy of Willis (Cornmaker) Finklea

Willis Finklea Sr. gave land to Willis Finklea Jr. The transfer document is as follows: Know all men by these present I, Willis Finklea Sr., for and in consideration of the love and affection I bear towards my son Willis Finklea Jr. do hereby give, grant, and release unto the said Willis Finklea Jr. one hundred acres of land more or less where he, the said Willis now lives, beginning at my line and Joel Fores in Catfish Creek at the mouth of the Little Branch just below said Willis' house, thence up said branch to the head, thence a due North course to a dead pine near fence a new made corner, thence a short agreed line due east to the road a corner, thence a new agreed line southeast through the bay to Salothiel Moodys, known by Samuel Jones line formerly, and on the north by Galathiel Moodys land. In witness I have set my hand and seal this 9th day of November 1841. Document was signed by Willis (X) Finklea, Sr.

Five years ago, this 21st of June, Ebenezer Church, Floydale Circuit, sent out the call for her first Home Coming. A considerable number of the members, ex-members and friends responded with their presence, making up a jolly, good natured crowd. All seemed to have enjoyed a fine spirit of fellowship. A program previously arranged consisted of several addresses, eloquently presenting various traditions gleaned from the mouths of those who had long gone before. After about two hours in session, which was a capacity audience for this old church, dinner was announced and all repaired to the zephir cooled shade of friendly oak and pine on the edge of the church ground. Here spread on a table 50 yards long parallel, with the highway was Ebenezer's bountiful repast of the most appetizing food and prepared for some 500 anticipated guests. But less than half that number was present for this occasion. After dinner, for an hour or so, every one was busy renewing old acquaintances and sipping the nectar of old time recollections amid the atmosphere of good fellowship. The occasion, the first of its kind for the old church seems to have failed to continue this joyous and initial Home Coming festivity. -- The prime object for calling together this Home Coming for Ebenezer was to establish with some accuracy the first organization of its membership. But as no record of its history had been preserved, bits of tradition, as above stated, was all to be offered by the speakers relative to the founding of the Church. It was asserted by the late Ben B. Sellers, in his address at the time, that the first organization of Ebenezer was at or near Moody's Mill and later on, the first house of worship called Ebenezer was built where the present house now stands That the first building was erected sometime in the early 1840's was burned in 1855. Two years later the present building was erected and from which Church Spring Branch, Zion, Latta Ch's are offsprings. The other speakers added little or nothing by way of contributing anything definite to the first organization and its progress up to the 1840's. Thus it would seem that the early days of this old puritanic M. E. Church with all its devoutness went with its adherents imprisoned to the grave.

It was the pleasure of this scribe to have been one of the visitors and withal, one of the ex-members of Ebenezer, but for some several years past he had been a resident of the Piedmont section of this state. And as he was not on the program, which Program seemed so definitely prepared for only those whose names appeared thereon to conduct the session. Probably there were some of those present, including the writer who might have added some inkling of interest had the privilege been extended for a free for all discussion. As matter of facts and there are facts, sustained by Court records, which establish the ownership of the land on which the three houses (churches) were from time to time erected in which Ebenezer Church worshiped. I mention Court records merely to substantiate facts locating the three church buildings between 1800-1857. The first of these church buildings was erected in the early 1800's on land owned by " Corn Maker" Willis Finklea, which land was later deeded to his own son Elly and later Elly deeded this same tract to his sister, Mrs. Martha Finklea Jones, my Grandmother. This estate comprised a considerable tract, beginning with its northern boundary at the cross roads where the present ch. is located and extending southward to land now owned by the I. P. Stackhouse estate. The first Ebenezer church, therefore as we see, was built on land owned by " Corn Maker" Willis Finklea, the second and third buildings on the same land, but by this time owned by his daughter Martha, the wife of Levi Jones, and who, by the way, were my Maternal Grand parents.

It was my privilege being the eldest of my parent's (William and Mary Jernigan) children to have been largely reared in the home of my grandmother Jones. She being a Methodist and member of the last two houses built for Ebenezer to worship in, also was familiar with and did worship in the first and original Methodist Church in Marion County. From her and other contemporaries with her I gained first hand that this first church building was located about half way between Moody's Mill and the present church, hard by Boggy Branch and on the east side of the road. This was a log house daubed with mud, and as above stated was erected in the early 1800's.

This crude structure accommodated the Methodist for this vicinity as a house of worship till about 1844 when its dilapidated walls encircling, it would seem now a too limited sanctuary, the congregation moved up to the present site where they built a more commodious and modern house of worship. The old log hut was later converted into a tenement which, alternately domiciled both whites and negroes until it became, by natural decay, untenable for a dwelling. Again vacated it not became a welcoming shelter of refuge in bad weather for the neighbor's sheep and goats, till answering natures last call. From dust to dust it sank to earth in a heap of its own debris. The debris was cleared away, leaving bare the precincts of what was once hallowed by a faithful little congregation, and now was converted into a vegetable garden, cultivated for some few years by a near neighbor. Finally the garden was abandoned and the area reclaimed by the ever present forest that surrounded it. As to the names of any of the adherents to this particular beginning of Marion County's Methodist Ebenezer the writer is utterly blank. Possibly the Tarts, Moodys and Platts are names of some of them who helped make up the Boggy branch congregation. But this suggestion is wholly conjecture on the part of the writer based upon the fact that people by those names lived in that vicinity, at that time, and were Methodists.

And now as we follow this little crowd up to its second house at the X roads we are still unable to identify, laymen, officers, teachers or preachers. Yet, we know the church continued to grow and increase in membership until 1855 when it was destroyed by fire. It was the most devistating conflagration that ever swept the community. [It was Windy Friday.] and in material prosperity. And it is to be supposed that as their physical membership increased their spirituality and ideals developed. Such is, I think, a reasonable conclusion evidenced by the erection of this new, attractive and more commodious house of God. Here Ebenezer opened wide her door to both master and slave. Her scheduled gathering together heard the same prayers, the songs, preaching. (Was God and his heaven nearer to them than he to us of this day?) This their second Meeting House, however was destined to house its congregation for only a short period, not longer than ten or twelve years.

* Levi Franklin (Frank) Jernigan, son of William Louis Jernigan and his wife Mary (Polly) Jones, was born in Marion County, South Carolina on 16 December 1873. He was born in the home of his grandparents, Levi and Martha (Patsy) Finklea Jones. It was the custom for an expectant mother to go to the home of her mother for the birth of her baby. Their home was approximately one mile south of Old Ebenezer Church and north of the early site of this Church. He attended and graduated from the local school and around 1898/1899 he attended Wake Forest College. There he took a two year pre-law course. After Wake Forest he came back to Marion County and read law in the office of Junius Evans and worked with him for near seven years. Frank was not an indoor person and a Law Office did not suit him so he became a Traveling Salesman, covering much of central South Carolina. It was in Fairfield County about 1910 that he met his future wife, Sara Evelyn Young, and they were married in Winnsboro on 5 June 1913. They moved into a new home that he had built on land that he inherited from his Mother, who had inherited it from her Mother Patsy Finklea Jones, wife of Levi Jones. In September 1922 Frank and Sara sold this farm and moved to Sara's old home place in Fairfield County. They lived there and he farmed until 1937 when they gave up farming and moved to Sumter where they lived until his death on 5 October 1955.

Bill for relief and injunction filed by Aaron Martin etc. .vs. Mourning Bryant and other.
Aaron Martin and Elizabeth Bryant (his wife), James Bryant, William Bryant, Willis Finklea and Mary Polly Bryant (his wife), David Perritt and Sally Bryant (his wife), Needham Perritt and Citsy Bryant (his wife), Henry Gasque and Milly Bryant (his wife), Johathan Harrell and Mourning Bryant (his wife), and Solomon Huggins and Smithy Bryant (his wife), that Jesse Bryant of Marion District, died in 1822 testate, that he appointed Aaron Martin of Marion District and Jesse Bryant, one of the defendants, executors. Among other things testator bequeathed as follows: I give to my beloved wife Mourning Bryant all the remaining part of my estate real and personal for her lifetime and at her death my whole estate will be divided amongst my surviving children, viz: Elizabeth Martin, William Bryant, James Bryant, Jesse Bryant, Mary Polly (Smith) Finklea, Sally Perrett, Mourning Harrell, Citsy Perrett, Milly Gasque, and Smithy Bryant. The widow Mourning Bryant took possession of the whole of his personal estate except a negro girl name Iris (?) who was bequeathed to his daughter, Smithy. The widow Mourning Bryant has wasted and mismanaged the estate.

Know all men by these present, I, Willis Finklea Sr., for and in consideration of the love and affection I bear towards my beloved son Willis Finklea Jr. do hereby give, grant and release unto the said Willis Finklea Jr. 100 acres of land more of less where he the said Willis Finklea now lives, beginning at my line and Joel Fore's on Catfish Creek at the mouth of the Little Branch just below said Willis' house, thence up said branch to the head, thence a due north course to a dead pine tree, thence to a new made corner, thence a short agreed line due east to the road a corner, thence a new agreed line, thence southeast through the bog to Salathiel Moody's line. Known by Samuel Jone's line, formerly, and on the north by Salathiel Moody's land. In witness I hereunto set my hand and seal this 9th day of November 1841. Signed by Willis (X) Finklea Sr.

William Turbeville, Mary's father, died about 1830. His estate records, dated 1833, names his widow Mary, and heirs William Turbeville Jr, Willis Finklea, Dewit Turbeville, Jesse Turbeville, Richard Turbeville, John Turbeville, Absalom Turbeville and Edmund Price. I'm not sure why the Probate records were so long after his death. (Probate Roll # 752, published in " Probate Records, Marion County, South Carolina Volume Two" , by Lucille Utley, Danny Smith, 1985, page 94).
This record shows that Willis and Mary were married before the death of William Turberville, which would indicate a marriage date of around 1825 or 1826, based on the birth of Hugh in about 1827. We also know that Mary Polly Bryant Finklea was named in her father's will, dated 24 February 1818.

South Carolina, Marion District. The petition of Mary Finklea, the widow of Willis Finklea, and William Turbeville, the brother of the widow, who desires to have her brother with her, respectively sayeth that Willis Finklea, late of Catfish (deceased) being possessed at the time of his death with sundry property, both real and personnel, your pertitioners are desirous of having granted to them Letters of Administration. Filed 5 October 1842. Letters of Administration were issued 21 October 1842. An inventory was conducted by appointees of the court and submitted on 22 October 1842. This inventory shows that Willis' estate was valued at $4,400.75. This included 11 negroes.

William Turbeville and Mary Finklea, Administrator and Administratrix of Willis Finklea versus, John Finklea, Elly Finklea, Willis Finklea, Levi Jones and Martha his wife, William Gasque and Sarah his wife, Mary Finklea, Hugh Finklea, William Finklea, Frances Finklea, Hardy Finklea, Alfred Finklea, Millie Finklea, Thomas Finklea. On motion of Harlee Campbell, it is ordered that Edward B. Wheeler be appointed guardian for the infant defendents Mary Finklea, Hugh Finklea, William Finklea,Frances Finklea, Hardy Finklea, Alfred Finklea, Milli Finklea, Thomas Finklea.

Orator William Turbeville and oratrix Mary Finklea show that Willis Finklea, late of Marion District, died 25 September 1842, leaving 550 acres of valuable land on Catfish Creek, 11 negroes, Mary Finklea (his widow), and the following children:
John Finklea
Elly Finklea
Willis Finklea
Martha Jones (wife of Levi Jones)
Sarah Gasque (wife of William Gasque)
Mary Finklea (a minor)
and the following additional children under the age of 21:
Hugh Finklea
William Finklea
Frances Finklea
Hardy Finklea
Alfred Finklea
Millie Finklea
Thomas Finklea
entitled to the real and personal estate of Willis Finklea who died intestate. William Turbeville was shown to be the guardian of the minor children.

William Turbeville and Mary Finklea (widow of Willis Finkea) petition the court for a partition and division of the estate of the late Willis Finklea who died 25 September 1842. In this petition they show that Willis Finklea died owning valuable land (e.g. 550 acres on the east side of Catfish Creek and on the waters of said creek) 11 negroes (Benitta, Iam, Charlotte, Hardy, Kate, Rose, Luce, George, Ambross, Astor, and Rhodes) other personal estate items (horses, cattle, hogs, etc., and chores in action) and 10 children (John Finklea, Elly Finklea, Willis Finklea, Martha Jones (wife of Levi Jones), Sarah Gasque (wife of William Gasque), Mary Finklea, Hugh Finklea, William Finklea, Frances Finklea, Hardy Finklea, Alfred Finklea, Millie Finklea, and Henry Finklea).

We Isham Watson, Asa Godbold, Bonfida Moody, and William S. Campbell commissioned, appointed, by virtue of a Writ of Partition to us directed, issuing from and under the seal of the Honorable Court of Equity for Marion District, to make partition and so forth of the lands of Willis Finklea among his heirs at-law of the said Willis Finklea, having gone upon the lands in question, we are of opinion that it would most conduce to the interest of all parties concerned that the whole of the lands in question should be allotted to Mary Finklea, widow of the said Willis Finklea, and one of the distributies and that she, the said Mary Finklea, should pay to the defendents the other heirs at-law the sum of $1,401.66 which is according to our opinion two-thirds of the value of said lands, to be paid by the first day of January next with interest from this date.

To my brother William Finklea his heirs and assigns and to my wife, Elizabeth Ann her heirs and assigns. No exector was named in the will.Witnesses to the will were W.B. Roswell, W.J. Baker, and A.Q. McDuffie. Proved on 2 December 1862. Elizabeth Ann shows that Hugh Finklea left a will but that no executor was named and that she , his widow, desires to take charge of his estate under the said will with the will annexed, 2 December 1862. Administration bond dated 18 December 1862 was $16,000. Bondsmen were Elizabeth Finklea, Stephen Fore, and A. Q. McDuffie. Inventory made on 20 December 1862 consisted of 4 Negroes and notes against Thomas Finklea for 177 acres of land valued at $1,770. Appraisers were J. H. Moody, Willis Finklea, Isham Watson, and Stephen Fore.

The orator, William Finklea, shows that on or about 30 March or April 1862, Hugh Finklea, the brother of the orator, made a will and died soon thereafter. From the tenor of the will it is apparent that his brother meant to appoint him executor but no one was appointed. The orator was in the Confederate Army and absent from home until 1865. Elizabeth Ann, the widow of said brother (he having left no children), had his will admitted to probate December 1863 and took out letters of administration. Elizabeth Ann, widow of Hugh Finklea, married A.B. Jordon on 10 November 1863.

Thomas Finklea and his wife, Joanna Finklea show that Col. John Roberts, father of the oratrix, died intestate 29 December 1862 survived by his widow, Frances Roberts, the oratrix who previously had married the orator Elizabeth M. Hays (a daughter who had married Alexander G. Hays), Arametta Gaddey (a daughter who had married Charles B. Gaddey), and daughters Sarah Frances Roberts, Amelia Roberts, and Mary John Roberts (widow), administrator. Intestate in his lifetime had made advancements to some of his children. John Mace guardian ad litem of minors. February 1867, Sarah Frances Roberts is now wife of Roger Roberts.