William Golden, born about 1750

Table of Contents

A Probable History of the Golden Family
of Newberry, South Carolina Since 1761
Updated 2023.09.25

 

William Golden, born about 1750, place unknown. Believed to have died in late 1809, probably at Newberry, South Carolina.

There are no documents that at any point discuss William’s specific age at any time. Census records placed people within year brackets. The ability to sign a contract or to conduct legal transactions was age 21+.

Age 21 / Legal Transactions: 1774, we know that William Golden had his own property adjacent to Thomas Golden. This would indicate that he was born in 1753 or before, if age 21 in 1774.

• Parents: Thomas Golden presumed to be father. Mother may have been a Noel.
• Spouse: Ellender / Ellander / Eleanor. Appears to have been known as both Ellender and Eleanor. May have also been known Nelly or Nellie Golden, a common nickname for Eleanor. William’s younger children were living in household of Nellie Golden during 1810 census, same place as where William lived. A nearby family, the Warrens, claim Eleanor Golden as their mother, married to William Warren. Nelly/Nellie is a common nickname for Eleanor. Could Nelly in 1810 have been William Golden‘s sister instead of wife, taking care of his children. We do not know. The 1810 census is the only time she is mentioned in any record.
• Children:

~~~ Possible children pre-Revolutionary War service. Some or all could also be children of William’s father Thomas. Samuel Golden and Thomas W. Golden male descendants are yDNA-tested and are our Golden family one way or another.

~~~~~~ Samuel Golden, born about 1770 South Carolina

~~~~~~ John Golden (Unconfirmed), born about 1775 South Carolina

~~~~~~ Thomas W. Golden, born about 1775 South Carolina

~~~Post-Revolutionary War children. 1790, 1800 and 1810 census does not provide names but there is room for little doubt that these Goldens are referenced in census reports. Other confirmatory information will be discussed in the profile for each. All male lines are yDNA-tested.

~~~~~~ Nathaniel Greene Golden, born about 1783 South Carolina

~~~~~~ Isaac Golden, born about 1784 South Carolina

~~~~~~ Margaret Frances Golden, born about 1785 South Carolina

~~~~~~ FNU Daughter, born 1786-1789 South Carolina

~~~~~~ Abraham Golden, born 1790 South Carolina

~~~~~~ FNU Daughter, born 1792-1795 South Carolina

~~~~~~ Sarah Frances Golden, born 1796 South Carolina

• Military: Served in Dutch Fork Royalist Militia Regiment under command of Major Daniel Clary, family kin by the c1810 marriage of the Nathaniel Greene Golden (c1783) line into the Morgan family of Rachel Isabella Morgan (c1784). ^[1]Daniel Clary, c1706 MD – aft.1795 Newberry, SC, is kin by being husband of 1st cousin 7x removed, Eleanor Deveron, 1715-1761, grandmother to our Loftin line of Newberry SC grandparents: Thomas … Continue reading Pay records indicate loyalist service from 1777-1780. ^[2]’Dutch Fork‘ is the regional name for the greater Newberry area. ‘Dutch’ comes from ‘Deutsch’ which means German. The Dutch Fork today is comprised of the counties … Continue reading After the 1780 Fall of Charleston, William served in the revolutionary regiment of Colonel Philemon Waters, a Newberry area plantation owner on the Saluda River. ^[3]William Goulding received payment in amount of indent (payment for pledged service after service fulfilled): 6.8.6 3/4 £ English pounds currency for his service during Anderson’s Return, in … Continue reading ^[4]Can we seek DAR recognition for William Golden’s service? No. We must establish firm confirmation of descent. Our William died c1809 and did not live long enough to go through the process of … Continue readingAfter the Battle of Eutaw Springs (Sep 1781), Colonel Waters erected a defensive block house at his plantation at Waters Ferry, Saluda, SC. He then became an active recruiter of loyalists to switch sides without forcing them to serve. Waters also had a reputation of defending loyalists who had done no more than serve honorably in loyalist militia. ^[5]Treatment of captured loyalists, one story in particular emphasizes Water’s stance: … He [Waters] captured a man (a Tory) peculiarly obnoxious to Colonel Brandon [Water’s … Continue reading  William Goulding is listed on a final payroll settlement document of 2 Apr 1786 for militia duty since the Fall of Charleston (May 1780). ^[6]How do we know that this was our grandfather William Golden? We will never be able to confirm this. The militia of both sides kept only pay records that identified the unit that a member belonged to … Continue reading View this link for a much larger discussion of Revolutionary War service by William.

• Working Notes: Yes, but not yet organized online.
• A Last Will and Testament and/or Probate documentation exists: No. None believed to exist, even if one was created in the past. ^[7]Most records for the Ninety Six District are at Abbeville, South Carolina. An index of last wills and testaments (LWT) for Ninety Six citizens exists. There is no LWT for any of our Goldens. See … Continue reading ^[8]Years refer to the county record books. There are wills for William Golden (1840-1858, probably a Golding) and a variety of Goldings: Polly Golding (1840-1858); Reuben Golding (1823-1840); Robert … Continue reading

TIMELINE 

1760: 

~~~ 1767 Oct 7: … Thomas Perry (Parry) receives land grant for 100 acres that sits on the northern boundary of the 200 acres granted to our Thomas Golden. Kinship of Thomas Perry to our grandfather William Nathan Perry (c1748) has not been confirmed. ^[9]Like many genealogies for the period, there were few records naming relationships. We do not know the parentage of our grandfather William Nathan Perry, which could have been Thomas Perry. … Continue reading

1770:

~~~ 1774 Oct 18: … Edward Cox receives land grant of 67 acres by Hon. William Ball 18 October 1774 lying on Beaver Dam Creek from Thomas Golden’s Spring Branch binding on Joel Etheridge’s land and William Golden. Joel was a distance cousin to William from a Virginia line related to the Noel family, Noels being William Golden’s grandmother line from father Thomas. ^[10]Relationship of Joel Etheridge and William Golden: 5th cousin 1x removed. Source of this land transaction

~~~ 1777-1780: … Served in Dutch Fork Royalist Militia Regiment under command of Major Daniel Clary, serving within the company of second cousin commanded by Vachel Clary.^[11]Post war relationship: Vachel Clary is 2nd cousin 1x removed of daughter-in-law (Rachel Isabella Morgan married to William’s son Nathaniel Greene Golden) of William Golden. Pay records indicate service from 1777-1780. ‘Dutch Fork‘ is the greater Newberry area and today is comprised of the counties of Lexington, Newberry, and Richland. After the 1780 Fall of Charleston, William served in the rebel regiment of Colonel Philemon Waters, a neighbor to our Goldens. Colonel Waters was an active recruiter of loyalists to switch sides without forcing them to serve: William Goulding is listed on a final payroll settlement document of 2 Apr 1786 for militia duty since the Fall of Charleston (May 1780). View this link for a much larger discussion of Revolutionary War service by William.

1780:

~~~ 1780 – 14 Jun through 13 Dec 1780: William Golden is #31 on Pay Abstract Nr 1, for Colonel Daniel Clary‘s Regiment (Royalist), Dutch Fork Militia, Ninety Six Brigade. He serves with rank of Private in Captain Vachel Clary‘s Company of men who went to Orangeburgh with Lieutenant Colonel John H. Cruger. Due 183 days of pay for service between 14 Jun-13 Dec 1780. Also serving in the unit was Reuben Morgan (#11 on Pay Abstract; may have been Reuben Clinton Morgan Sr, 1755-1829; uncle to Rachel Isabella Morgan, wife of Nathaniel Greene Golden, c1783-aft.1822). ^[12]Source: Loyalists in the Southern Campaign, Vol I, Murtie June Clark, 1981, pg 229.

~~~ 1780 Aug 19: Battle of Musgrove Mill. The loyalist troops responsible for securing Musgrove Mill was assigned to Colonel Daniel Clary, Dutch Fork Militia Regiment, under charge of  a Major Fraser. Revolutionary troops were able to overcome the defense prepared by the Dutch Fork troops, a number being killed and captured. ^[13]Colonial and Revolutionary History of Upper South Carolina, by John Belton O’Neall Landrum, Jan 1897 · Shannon, printers. Pages 178-179. … Pay records show that William Golden served through 13 December 1780, four months beyond the Battle of Musgrove Mill, so obviously he was not among those captured. William may also have not been at Musgrove Mill. Clary’s troops under Colonel John H. Cruger were at this moment responsible for the defense of the garrison of Ninety Six.  ^[14]Pay records for Loyalists in the Southern Campaign, Vol I, Murtie June Clark, 1981, pg 229.

~~~ 1785: … An Indenture of Lease and Release from Frederick Gray to John Howell was proved by the oaths of Adam Taylor & William Golden witnesses thereto and ordered o be recorded. ^[15]Newberry County, South Carolina, Minutes of the County Court, 1785-1798, by the Rev. Silas Emmett Lucas, Jr, 1977, Southern Historical Press, Easley, South Carolina /B/

~~~ 1786 Jul 18-19: … Witness to a probable neighbor’s land transaction. Frederick Gray of Ninety Six District, planter to John Howell of same, planter, for £20 sterling, 160 acres granted to Frederik Gray in Newberry County adj. William Elmore, recorded in Book DDD, page 313. Frederick Gray (Seal), Wit: Adam Daylor (A), William Golden (mark), William Howell (X). Proved in open Court 4, Sept 1786. ^[16]Relationship to any of these individuals is unknown. A John Howell lived in Liberty County, Georgia and William Elmore lived in Lincoln County, North Carolina, several counties north of Newberry on … Continue reading

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1790: 

~~~ 1792: Supposedly William Golden bought property within Edgefield District, South Carolina. Can find no record of this.

1800: 

~~~ 1800 Census: William Goulden is head of household with 1 male under age 10, 1 male 10-15, 1 male 45+ (self), and 2 females under age 10, 1 female 10-15, 1 female 16-25 and a female 45+. Total in household: 8.  The location is given only as Edgefield, South Carolina; referring to anywhere within Edgefield District which included several modern counties. There is no reason to be believe that William is not still living on Beaverdam Creek, Newberry in the section known today as Helena. ^[17]Year: 1800; Census Place: Edgefield, South Carolina; Series: M32; Roll: 47; Page: 177; Image: 343; Family History Library Film: 181422

~~~ 1804 Dec 15: … Thomas Golden, probable son or brother of William Golden: … Thomas Golden and John Pike are witnesses to Daniel Cotney deeding 200 acres for $300 to William Cotney. Land is located on the waters of Little Saluda River on Beaverdam Creek. This land is part of an original 762 acres granted to Kisiah Cotney on 19 Feb 1791, subsequently conveyed to Daniel Cotney on 23 Mar 1798. ^[18]Edgefield County, South Carolina Deed Books 30 and 31, abstracted by Carols Wells, pg 212. Heritage Books, Inc. Note: Margaret Frances Golden, daughter of William Golden, married William Jackson Cotney. She would sign away all dower rights to this property on 15 May 1806. ^[19]Justice John Pope certifies relinquishment of dowery rights by Margaret Frances Golden, who signed her name with an ‘X’.  Edgefield County, South Carolina Deed Books 30 and 31, … Continue reading

~~~ 1805 Feb 25: … Beaver Dam Creek, Saluda, SC … Sarah Edwards to Benjamin Forkner, Deed, $100, sixty seven acres lying on from Thomas Goldens Spring Branch binding on Joel Etheridges land and William Golden. Wit William Calney [Cotney], Thomas Harris. /s/ Sarah (x) Edwards.  ^[20]25 Feb 1805: Cotney kin William Jackson Cotney (1773–1819), married to William Golden‘s daughter Margaret Frances Golden (1784–1875), is a land transaction witness.  Edgefield County, … Continue reading

~~~ 1807 / 1808 Dec 30: …Edgefield District, William Golden sells 120 acres of land for ‘sixty pounds sterling money to me in hand paid by Nathan Boddie‘^[21]Nathan Boddie is a distant cousin; relationship to author is 7th cousin 6x removed via Belcher line married with Henry Roosevelt Golden, 1904-1987 and Readie Mae Belcher, 1907-1993. Any relationship … Continue reading. This 120 acres of land came from “… part of two tracts eighty acres in each was granted unto William Johnson (Esq) …” on 5 Jun 1790 by Governor Charles Pinckney, Esq. … Thomas DeLoach and William DeLoach were witnesses. Other names are referenced; will research those. ^[22]Copy of this transaction document shared by Tom Young. A big thank you to Tom as this document confirms that Ellender (Elander) Golden was wife to William Golden. This document does not seem findable … Continue reading ^[23]William DeLoach is probably William Pinkney DeLoach, 1781–1849, born 22 APR 1781 in Edgefield County, South Carolina, moving to Harris County, Georgia circa 1835, where he passed 19 JUN 1849 at … Continue reading

~~~~~~ It can be that this land transaction transpired in 1807 and for whatever reason was just being finalized or recorded in the records for submission in late 1809. Ellander Goolden (sic) was interviewed by Elijah Watson on 13 Feb 1808 to confirm that ‘… Elleander Goolden the wife of the within named William Goolden did th(is) appear before (me) and after being privately and seperately examined by me did declare that she freely, voluntarily and without any complusion, dread or fear of any person(ages) whatsoever, renounce, release and forever relinquish unto the within named Nathan Body his heirs and assigns all her intrust (sic: interest) and estate as also all her right and (???) of dower of in or to all and singular the premises within mentioned and release given under my hand and (seal) this 13 day of Frebruary 1808 …” … Ellander Gooden made her mark of agreement and Elijah Watson made his seal. // It appears that the entire transaction was entered in to court record as of ‘Recorded 25th November 1809’.

1810:

~~~ 6 Aug 1810, Edgefield District: It is presumed that William Golden died during 1809 and prior to 6 Aug 1810 as he does not appear in the census. Wife Ellender ‘Nelly’ Golden is head of household in the 1810 census. ^[24]Census for our Golden family taken on 6 Aug 1810. Head of household was Nelly Goldin, with five (5) persons in the household; see Year: 1810; Census Place: Edgefield, South Carolina; Roll: 62; Page: … Continue reading

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©2023 William Golden, Norfolk1956@gmail.com // Material may be shared without requesting permission and with appropriate attribution: A Probable History of the Golden Family of Newberry, South Carolina Since 1761, compiled by William Golden