James Dew, AKA: Due
[ca. bet. 1747 – 1752, SC/Ga. – ca. 1809, Darlington, South Carolina]
by Steven W. Due, Sept. 23rd 2006
The following genealogy represents my considered opinion based on thirty years of study. In the case of James Due, no single document provides us with a proof of his origin that will meet the standards ordinarily expected in a genealogy. However, a vast body of circumstantial evidence persuades me that the following descendant line depicted is essentially sound. Sons named James Dew consistently descend through seven generations of this family line, excepting for the generation of Robert Dew [1685/7 – 1722] who perished before he could name a James in his line. He was only married about five, or six years before his death in August of 1722, his wife perished before August of 1722. – Steve Due
His Antecedents:
Father: Capt. William Dewes [ca. 1721, St. Phillips, Charleston, Carolina – ca. 1786, Dewees Island, Charleston, SC about 64 years of age,] a wealthy Indian Merchant of Charleston, SC, and elsewhere. More about him follows in text.
Mother: Elizabeth Brown [ca. after 1736 – ca. bef. 1771 at age 35 or less,] a 3rd wife, (or concubine) of William Dewes that he took soon after his former 2nd wife of Charleston, Lois Wilkins perished. They are known to have resided in Savannah, Georgia (He was recorded as an Indian Trader there in 1755,) and then near Augusta in the forks of Uchee Creek before 1758.
Records indicate that she was likely a mixed blooded Irish-Indian tribal daughter of the Irishman Patrick Brown, a Fur Trader whose last trading post was in Augusta, Georgia, & his unidentified Indian concubine. The name of William Dewe’s 3rd spouse is thought to be Elizabeth Brown. Their issue is believed to be:
1. James Due [ca. 1751, Savannah, Ga. – ca. 1809, Darlington, SC] married Ann Rhodes, married Christiana Gordon.
2. Seth Due [ca. 1754, Savannah, Ga. – aft. 1818, Columbus, NC], married Lydia Ray.
It is noticed that James & Seth haunted the same region in the overlap lands of SC/NC disputed when Carolina was divided, and that James had sons who visited Wilmington. Seth also had children who came to Darlington, SC.
Elizabeth Brown, Dew’s existence, if not specific identity, is implied & predicted by the Wills of Patrick Brown, and others traders. Her given name is simply a good guess based on the name of a descendent daughter.
Paternal Grandfather: Robert Dews [ca. 1685, St. Peters All Saints, Parish, Barbados, WI – Sept. 1st 1722, St. Phillips Parish, Charleston, Carolina, at about 37 years of age] a Bricklayer of Barbados. He married Mary Baker in late 1716. He executed the Will of her grandfather William Rousham, Sr. in January of 1717.
Paternal Grandmother: Mary Baker [ca. 1700, Archdale Hall, Ashley River, Carolina – ca. 1722, St. Phillips Parish, Charleston, Carolina, at about 22 years of age] Relationships are proved by Robert’s Will, other Will bequests, and Church records for early Carolina. Issue of Robert Dewes & Mary Baker:
1. Bethel Dewes [Ch: Jan. 21st 1718, St. Andrews Parish, Dorchester, SC – ca. 1759, Charleston, SC] married May 8th 1740 to Margaret Crosskeys, daughter of John Crosskeys & Sarah Matthews.
2. William Dewes [ca. 1721, Dorchester, SC – ca. 1786, Dewees Island, Charleston, SC] Indian Merchant.
Likely 1st married Mary Haig, daughter of George Haig, and his Indian concubine;
2nd married on Oct. 2nd 1744 at St. Georges Parish, Dorchester, SC to Lois Wilkins, spinster, daughter
of William Wilkins, and Sarah Matthews, Croskeys, a remarried widow;
Likely 3rd married Elizabeth Brown, daughter of Patrick Brown; and
Likely 4th married to Jane Musgrove, Mongin a former concubine of Capt. David Mongin, a possible
daughter of John Musgrove, & and his unknown 1st Indian concubine.
Robert & Mary Dewes both died at a relatively young age, probably of the fever bred by mosquitoes in coastal marshland plantations.
Maternal Grandfather: Patrick Brown
Maternal Grandmother: unidentified mixed Indian concubine, possible daughter of Cherokee – Chickasaw Trader, Robert Lang, and Melasante, his Cherokee wife.
Paternal Great Grandfather: Capt. Thomas Dewe [ch: Oct. 8th 1626, Kington Lisle, Berkshire, Eng. – ca. 1689, St. Peter all Saints Parish, Barbados, WI, at about 63 years of age.]
Paternal Great Grandmother: 3rd wife Mary McKenzie [ca. 1642, Scotland – aft. 1687, St. Peter all Saints Parish, Barbados, WI, over 45 years of age.]. Proof of her identity has not been found, but her origin is implicated as follows.
It seems that the last wife of Capt. Thomas Dewes gave her last daughter remaining in Barbados Jemima, sister of Robert Dewes, her family ring bearing the Latin Motto “Luceo Non Oro” meaning “I shine, not burn,” depicting a stag’s head. Jemima passed this ring down to her surviving son John Skene before her death.
This Motto, and stag’s head specifically identifies the McKenzie Clan of Seaforth Scotland. Scottish law governing the use of Clan Arms, Badges, and family signet rings, used to seal documents, were quite specific, and were enforced. Severe penalty could result for abuse. However the rules governing the use of the Tartan that also identified family clan were generally quite lax because improper wearing of the Tartan could have few, if any legal ramifications, but such impropriety would have been considered silly and absurd.
It is believed that Jemima was first married to John Kenny, a clergyman of Barbados. He descended from a Sept of this same McKenzie Clan. But Kenny’s signet ring that identified his clan could only be inherited rightfully by his offspring unless his line became extinct. According to clan rules, only a direct descendent of this clan would be authorized to wear, or bear it. Even the elements of a family Sept could bear this clan symbol only by presenting it in the form of a Badge. But in the case of extinction (no surviving heirs,) any clan signet ring would become the inherited property of the closest kin among the collateral family of the specific clan of the decedent’s extinct line.
After Kenny perished, Jemima married next to Alexander Skene. Late in her life, Jemima gave this family signet ring, bearing the Seaforth McKenzie Motto, to her son John Skene, this indicating that it came from her mother’s line.
John Kenny was not of her son’s John Skene’s direct line, nor was this McKenzie clan known to be antecedent of his father Alexander Skene.
Mary was also the name of Jemima’s older deceased sister, and therefore, their mother is therefore thought to be Mary McKenzie.
Despite recognizing that I may have erroneously assumed her given name, I have still not been able to find Thomas Dew’s spouse in the Peerage of Scotland records, although there are tantalizing hints. Scotch families were exiled then in great numbers. Many were scattered into the West Indies, other colonies, and places. It is estimated that some 3,500 Scots came to Barbados, alone, by the mid to late 15th century.
Note that during the 1680 census of Barbados Thomas Doo (sic), and his son Thomas Doo (sic,) were the only males of the Dew, or Dewe family who are known with absolute certainty to be residing there as heads of household. A Jane Doo (sic) an apparent widow of Richard, was also counted there in her household. No doubt there were others. All were counted in the Parish of St. Peters all Saints, and probably lived on the same plantation.
Proof of Robert’s parents has not been found. However the relationship of Robert Dews to certain of his siblings is implied in Charleston records that have been found. The Will (ca. 1698) of Capt. Thomas Dewes has not been discovered. It was probably lost. We expect that it would have given us the necessary proof, but proof that it once existed is given in Maryland records whereas Edward Fisher, apparent husband of one of Thomas’s daughters, was named an heir in this Will. We also observe that Robert was quite likely to be a son of one of the adult males counted on the 1680 census of Barbados. Both male heads of household were named Thomas, a father and son, but since no record of the younger Thomas has been found after 1680 it is presumed that the younger son Ensign Thomas Dewe either perished, or returned to England. Therefore the elder Thomas must be considered Robert’s Dew’s father.
The issue of Capt. Thomas Dewe is believed to be:
1. James Dew [ch: May 9th 1650, Sparsholt, Berkshire, Eng. – after 1685, Virginia] married Mary, James was the issue of Capt. Thomas Dewe & second wife Annie.
2. Mary Ann Dew [ca. 1655, England, or Virginia – July 26th 1700, “Elms Plantation” Goose Creek, Berkley, SC] issue of Capt. Thomas Dewe’s 2nd wife Annie, or 3rd wife Mary McKenzie.
1st married John Smyth, merchant of Barbados who perished in 1682 in Carolina;
2nd married Dec. 7th 1682, Carolina to Arthur Middleton, Esq., Planter, who perished in 1685, Berkley, SC;
3rd married ca. 1686 Charleston, SC to Ralph Izard, Merchant of London.
3. Ensign Thomas Dew [ca. bef. 1658 – aft.1681] a Barbados militia officer 1679-80. Nothing more
known.
4. Ensign David Dew [ca. bef. 1660 – aft. 1681] a Barbados militia officer 1679-80. Noting more
known.
5. Sarah Dew [bef. 1660, Eng. – aft. 1720, SC]
1st married Richard Fowell, a Mariner in Barbados who perished ca. 1678 in Barbados;
2nd married before June 19th 1679 in Barbados to Edward Middleton, brother of Arthur Middleton;
3rd married ca. 1685, SC, to Job Howe, who perished in 1707, SC.
6. ___ Dew [ca. 1665, Eng. – aft. 1689, Dorchester, Maryland]
She married Edward Fisher, son of Thomas Fisher who was in the Barbados militia in 1679.
Capt. George Dew, Sr. [bef. 1670, Barbados, WI – ca. 1703, Bermuda, WI, age 33 or thereabouts] Mariner, & Privateer, He married Ann Welch, daughter of John Welch, & wife Ann Dewe.
7. Jemima Dew [ca. 1677, Barbados, WI – aft. 1739, St. George’s Parish, Dorchester, SC]
Probably 1st married John Kenny, clergyman of Barbados who perished by ca. 1698 in Barbados;
2nd married on Jan. 26th 1698, Barbados, WI to Alexander Skene, Esq., the Secretary of Barbados who perished ca. 1740, Charleston, SC.
8. Robert Dew [ca. 1685, Barbados, WI – Sept. 1st 1722, St. Phillips Parish, Charleston, SC] Bricklayer.
He married ca. 1717, Charleston, SC to Mary Baker, daughter of William Baker & wife Susannah Rousham.
Maternal Great Great Grandfather: William Rousham, Sr. [bef. 1651, England – bef. Nov. 28th 1717, Charleston, Carolina, at least 66 years of age.]
Maternal Great Great Grandfather: Jordan Probst [bef. 1660, England – ca. 1702, Charleston, Carolina, at least 42 years of age.]
Paternal Great Great Grandfather: Col. Thomas Dewes [ca.1601/02, Berkshire, England – ca. 1691, York, Va., about 89 or 90 years of age.]
Paternal Great Great Grandmother: Elizabeth Bennett [ca. 1603, London, England – ca. 1667, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, England, at 64 years of age.]
They were the first of his family to plant in the “New World.” His spouse is believed to be Elizabeth Bennett [ca. 1603, England – ca. 1667, England] who married Thomas Dewe no later than 1620 in England. Elizabeth is thought likely a daughter of Robert Bennett, and his unidentified wife who perhaps issued from a Sept of the Cromwell family. This seems implied in the record, but cannot be proved.
There exists evidence that Col. Thomas & Elizabeth Dewes had six surviving children that were old enough to travel with their father on a long sea voyage during the years of 1631, and 1632. They were called his “servants” on the ships manifest. This designation enabled them to travel with their father without any additional fee, but they needed to be old enough to travel with paternal supervision alone. Two of these children are thought to be Andrew Dewes (b. ca. 1625,) and Thomas Dewes (b. ca. 1626,) but it seems that there were four other older children whose identities, and ultimate fate are unknown. Perhaps they perished before becoming adults, or remained in England after getting an education there. All of the Colonel’s sons perished before his own death in 1691.
Robert Bennett & family arrived in Virginia with Thomas Dewe & wife Elizabeth in February 1622 on the “Seaflower.” On Mar. 22nd 1622 there was an Indian attack at “Bennett’s Welcome,” the Warraskoyak plantation of his wealthy & influential brother Edward Bennett a London Merchant who was the first Treasurer of the Virginia Company of London. This plantation had been occupied for less than a month, and was still under development. Being virtually destroyed in the attack, it was abandoned and the survivors were removed to Jamestown. On Feb. 16th 1623, Thomas Doe ux Doe (sic) Dewe were counted living in the Maine River District of James Citty. Robert Bennett & all in his household perished in about August of 1623. Conditions were so bad that Thomas Doe (sic) and his family departed for England on the “Ann” that arrived in Virginia on August 7th 1623.
Robert Bennett’s wife and children have never been identified. It has not been possible to prove the identity of Col. Thomas Dewe’s wife Elizabeth in surviving records, but we do know that there was another earlier marriage between the Col. Thomas Dewe’s uncle Richard Dewe to an Elizabeth Bennett in England. There also was many transactions recorded conducted between these two families in England during the previous century. They were close family friends and relations, so there is a viable basis for this speculation.
The first four unidentified children of Thomas & Elizabeth Dewe were born between 1620 and 1624 still living in 1632. The last three children are speculative, and unproved. The issue of Col. Thomas Dewe & wife Elizabeth (Bennett?) are believed to be:
1. unknown Dewe [ca. 1621, London – aft. 1632]
2. unknown Dewe [ca. 1622, Virginia – aft. 1632]
3. unknown Dewe [ca. 1623, Virginia – aft. 1632]
Thomas Dew & Elizabeth came to Virginia with Robert Bennett’s family, and arrived on the Seaflower in Feburary of 1622. Conditions there were bad. On March 22nd 1622 a terrible Indian Massacre at the Warraskoyak plantation “Bennett’s Welcome” killed 54 settlers. The survivors were removed to Jamestown because the plantation was destroyed. Thomas & Elizabeth may have been survivors of this attack. Thomas & Elizabeth Dewe were living at the Maine River in James Citty, Virginia on Feb. 16th 1623 where they were recorded as Thomas Doe, ux Doe. Robert Bennett, his wife and young children all perished by about August of 1623. At least one of the unidentified children above was born in Virginia. Thomas Dewe & family departed Virginia on the Ann in about August of 1623.
4. unknown Dewe [ca. 1624, London – aft. 1632]
Thomas Dewe & family returned via the “Ann” to London in about September, or October, of 1623, so the above child may have been born in London. Thomas Dewe’s father Thomas was ill, and made his nuncupative Will on Mar. 13th 1624 and perished before April 1st 1624 in London. Thomas Dewe was not mentioned as being present when his father’s Will was spoken, but he needed to be at hand to help his mother Annie settle his father’s estate, and comfort her, and his siblings. His residence appears to be in Berkshire for at least the next two years. Perhaps his mother retired to her residence there. Thomas Dewe became involved as a merchant in London attempting to supply the desperate needs of the Virginia Colony, and he did not return to colonial planting until the spring of 1627.
5. Andrew Dewe [ca. 1625, Berkshire, Eng. – Apr. 28th 1661, Rappahannock, Va.]
He married Ann Duncombe, daughter of Thomas Duncombe, & Ann Barber.
6. Thomas Dewe [ch: Oct. 8th 1626, Kingston Lisle, Berkshire, Eng. – ca. 1689, St. Peters All Saints,
Barbados, WI] The following marriages are considered likely his:
1st married Oct. 2nd 1643 Berkshire, England to Joane Ward. She perished without surviving issue;
2nd married ca. 1644, Berkshire, England, to Annie;
3rd married ca. 1655, England to Mary McKenzie.
Thomas Dewe voyaged to Somers Island to begin plantation Tobacco production in early 1627 and returned in June of 1628. He may have taken some of his oldest children with him, but it is likely that Elizabeth stayed behind in England considering the absence of any surviving children born for next six years. In June of 1628 Thomas Dewe signed a Petition in London for tax relief from duty on Tobacco imported from Somers Island. He signed for himself and children upon this Petition.
On Oct. 16th 1629 Thomas Dewe was in Virginia as a Burgess for Archer’s Hope, where he was given as Thomas Doe (sic.)
Thomas Doe (sic) Dewe, a London Merchant, arrived from Virginia in England Oct. 6th 1630 on the Friendship with 7,000 pounds of Tobacco.
7. Elizabeth Dewe [ca. 1632, Eng. - ?]
Early in 1631, Thomas Dewe, wife Elizabeth, and six children arrived at Association Island.
On Feb. 6th 1631, Elizabeth Dewe, at Association Island, made arrangements for Thomas Dewe to leave from Association Island to Old Providence Island with their six children, and that she was to go on the next ship.
They were both back in London in 1632. Thomas Dewe continued to Amsterdam probably to market his Tobacco for a higher profit. In Nov. 1632 Elizabeth Dew arranged passage for her husband from Amsterdam to Old Providence Island with six children, and for herself to go on the next ship.
In December 1632 Thomas Dewe, Merchant, returned to London in the Dainty with 500 Pounds of Tobacco.
In 1633 Thomas Dewe was representing Lower Norfolk, Virginia at a Grand Assembly.
8. Ann Dewe [ch: Nov. 21st 1634, St. Andrew, Holborn, London, Eng. – aft. 1703, St. Georges Is., Somers Islands, WI] It is suspected that she married John Welch.
On Jan. 12th 1634 Thomas Dewe was in Virginia.
On Feb. 12th 1634 Thomas Dewe was in London. He was on Official business for the London Company inquiry, and was also disbursing Tobacco. He may have remained in London because his mother Annie was ill. Elizabeth and children also came to England for this family crisis.
9. Richard Dewe [ca. perhaps in August of 1635, Nanesmond, Lower Norfolk, Va. – ca. 1680, St. Peters All Saints, Barbados, WI] The following marriages are considered likely his:
1st It is believed he married in London ca. 1658 to Elinor, who perished having a son David Dewe who lived 18 months;
2nd It is believed he married in Bristol, England to Jane Napper, a daughter of Commission Agent John Napper.
Thomas Dewe, and wife Elizabeth were both in England. Their ship of arrival is unidentified
It is believed that his mother Annie perished about this time, and her remaining sons started to leave England to plant in the New World colonies.
In May 1635 Joseph Dewe, age 22, went from London to St. Kitts on the Matthew.
In May 1635 Thomas Dewes, Planter of Old Providence, departed from Old Providence on the “Expectation.” to Virginia. He was not noticed on the incoming manifest from London, so must have arrived on an earlier ship.
On July 13th 1635 Elizabeth Dewe, age 32, left London for Virginia with her 9 month old daughter Ann Dewe on the Alice. She issued Richard Dewe, perhaps in late July or early August, not long after returning to Virginia from England.
Thomas Dewe made a voyage to England on an unidentified ship to sell Tobacco.
In August of 1635 Thomas Dewe, age 33, was transported to Virginia on the Safety.
Elizabeth became pregnant with John Dewe almost immediately after Thomas returned from England.
In 1635 Ralph Dewe came to Virginia.
10. John Dewe [Apr. 8th 1636, Nanesmond, Lower Norfolk, Va. – Oct. 1678, Isle of Wight, Va.]
His mother Elizabeth Dewe returned to England taking her children away for their educations, and she may have wanted a break from being constantly pregnant except for periods of separation from her husband involving business. Her last birth appears to have been premature. Elizabeth was now 33 years of age. It is believed she dwelled in Kidlington, Oxfordshire where they maintained a residence, but perhaps at times she met with her husband at Port in Devon, or elsewhere when he arrived from the Virginia plantations on Tobacco business. Her husband was occupied in both Virginia government, and operating thousands of acres of plantations in Virginia using slave, and indentured labor within a short period of time.
In 1636, John Dewe came to Virginia, but by 1638 was a landowner in Barbados. He was an uncle of the above son John Dewe.
John Dewe married ca. 1674, Virginia, to Elizabeth Shearer, daughter of John Shearer, & wife Elizabeth Parnell.
11. Edward Dewe [ca. ?, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, Eng. – bef. 1691] Husbandman of Warminster, arrested and sent to Barbados in 1659 where he became a Mariner. Came to Carolina as a Seaman on the Blessing on Aug. 17th 1771 to Stonoe Creek. Nothing more is known.
12. Francis Dewe [ca. ?, Kidlington, Oxfordshire, Eng. – bef. 1691, Barbados, WI] Apprenticed in Bristol, England, sent to Barbados on Jan. 6th 1679 on the Rainbow indentured five years to Bristol Commission Agent John Hopton. In 1686 Francis Dew was arrested in England and deported from Devon, England to Barbados.
13. Nicholas Dewe [ch: Nov. 20th 1642, Devon, England – bef. 1691.]
Col. Thomas Dewes born in Berkshire about 1601, and raised from the age of six on Fleet Street in London to adulthood.
Maternal Great Great Grandfather: Richard Baker
Maternal Great Great Grandmother: Elizabeth Wilson
Paternal Great Great Great Grandfather: London Guild Stationer Thomas Dewes [ca. 1584, Harwell, Berkshire, Eng. – ca. Mar. 1624, Fleet Street, London, Eng., at about 40 years of age.]
Paternal Great Great Great Grandmother: Annie Helmes [ch: Mar. 10th 1581, Chipping, Lancashire, Eng. – ca. 1635, Berkshire, Eng., at about 59 years of age.]
She was a younger sister of the previous Stationer of St. Dunstans Bookstore John Helmes who perished in ca. 1617. John Helmes [ 1567, Lancashire, Eng. – 1717, Fleet Street, London, Eng.] was the Master under whom Thomas Dewes apprenticed for the previous ten years, or thereabouts. His widow Annie Brittain, Helmes freed Thomas Dewes from bondage as a Stationer’s Apprentice when her husband perished, and she expedited his appointment as a new member of the London Stationers Guild. Widow Annie Brittain, Helmes, a Stationer herself, then became the Silent Partner of her brother-in-law Thomas Dewes at the Bookstore he operated until his death.
Guild Stationer Thomas Dewe, or Dew operated this Bookstore located at St. Dunstans in the West on Fleet Street in London until he died in 1625. He perished several years before his father Edward Dewe of Harwell in Berkshire, who perished leaving a Will in Harwell ca. 1632.
The Stationer Thomas Dewe [1584, Harwell, Berkshire, Eng. – bef. April 1st 1624, London, Eng.] did not specifically identify his wife’s maiden name in his nuncupative Will of 1624, but she was identified in the written document filed in Canterbury as Annie H. Dew, (The middle initial given in a spouses name traditionally originated from the first letter of her maiden name.) His London Will also did not specify the names of his children mentioned only in general, but he implied who several of his children were, and they are also implied in other records:
Paternal Great Great Great Grandfather: Robert Bennett [ca. ch: Apr. 27th 1571, Wiveliscombe, Somerset, Eng. – 1623, Bennett’s Hope plantation in Warrascoyack, Virginia, at about 52 years of age.]
Paternal Great Great Great Grandmother: unknown [ ca. 1580, England – ca. 1623, Bennett’s Hope plantation, Warrascoyack, Virginia, at about 43 years of age.] perhaps a daughter of a Cromwell Sept.
Paternal Great Great Great Great Grandfather: Edward Dewes [ca. 1652, Lockinge, Berkshire, Eng. – ca. 1632, Harwell, Berkshire, England, at about 70 years of age.), a Yeoman.
Paternal Great Great Great Great Grandmother: Agnes Loder [ca. 1567, Harwell, Berkshire, Eng. – ca. bef. 1632, Harwell, Berkshire, Eng. Less than 65 years of age.], a daughter of Robert Loder.
Edward Dewe had become wealthy by leasing and subleasing pastureland along the Thames River. Hitherto open for common public use since before the Iron Age, these grazing lands and pastures were only recently fenced.
The Patriarch Edward outlived his oldest son, the Stationer Thomas Dew, but while they both still lived Edward gave legacies to his oldest son, and to his grandsons of this line. These living legacies from Edward Dewe, expressed to them as their inheritance settlement, were their shares of the Virginia Company of London. Shares in such Royal Chartered Companies that fostered plantations in new English colonies were quite popular at the time, and considered a good investment.
Only the surviving daughters of Stationer Thomas Dew were mentioned in Edward’s Will because he had already settled the inheritance of all the males in this line.
Therefore incentive to make these legacies profitable prompted the sons of Stationer Thomas Dew to go forth and plant in the Caribbean, and Virginia colonies. These young men had great expectations of wealth and success. The eldest son, Thomas was the first, but other siblings followed him in this new world quest.
More about his Father:
Capt. William Dewes was orphaned near Charles Town, South Carolina at about two years of age. William’s parents were both buried at a churchyard in St. Phillips Parish by 1722. William’s father Robert Dews bequeathed large tracts of plantation estate, some town lots near or in Charles Town, and eleven slaves each, to his young sons William & Bethel Dews. Robert Dews appointed the widowed sister of his brother-in-law Alexander Skene, named Madam Lilia Haig as guardian of his young sons, and charged her with their upbringing, and good education. Lilia was a capable woman of means, and of high moral character. It is clear that Robert Dews was a man of considerable means, and he left legacies representing significant wealth to his sons made the Wards of Lilia Haig (sic) Hague during their minority.
In 1743 Bethel Dewe filed an infringement suit in the form of a Petition regarding a Charleston Town Lot that he testified his grandfather (William Baker) left him that was granted some 70 years ago, or in about 1672. This was several years before his grandfather William Baker arrived in Carolina. Therefore this town lot had been passed down to his grandparents William Baker & Susannah Rousham from William Rousham, Sr. who probably arrived in Carolina on a ship that came the year after the first fleet arrived in 1671.
Lilia Haig’s brother Alexander Skene was married to Robert Dew’s sister Jemima Dewes,
Kenny, Skene.
During The 1725 church census of St. George’s Parish, SC the following were some of those counted:
Head of Household white men, women, & children slaves: men, women, & children
Thomas Smith “D” [1-1-5] [0-0-0]
Lilia Haig [1-1-2] [15-6-7]
Sush. Baker “D” [3-3-5] [26-17-18]
Walter Izard [2-1-4] [29-23-39]
“widow” Izard [0-1-2] [2-1-2]
Jos’h Blake [1-1-3] [16-17-20]
The above household of Lilia Haig depicts herself, an adult male George Haig (sic) Hague, and two children Bethel, and William Dewes. She also has 18 slaves, and 22 of them are from the inherited estate of her Wards.
The household of her brother Alexander Skene, Esq., shows himself, two adult sons (Alexander, & John), wife Jemima Dewes, Kenny, Skene, and a daughter Lilia Skene.
William Dewes, and his brother Bethel, grew up in the Haig household with a much older George Haig, who it is believed was Lilia’s stepson, the issue of an earlier marriage of her deceased husband Obadiah Haig. George Haig was not named in Lilia Haig’s Will as he was not her son, and she had given him his father’s legacy when he first came of age.
George Haig was born before 1700, probably in Barbados. He acted as a surrogate father to the orphans of Robert Dews. He also acted as Overseer of the plantation lands, slaves, and other property. This family was known to be oriented toward the Quaker viewpoint. George Haig became a Surveyor who apprenticed under Carolina Surveyor George Hunter, and Haig also became a member of the Carolina Judiciary. Haig and Hunter were also extensively involved in the Indian fur trade before 1717 because it was the most lucrative business in Carolina. After George Hunter became Surveyor General of Carolina, it fell to George Haig to do most of the actual field survey work. As most Traders did, it is likely that George Haig issued offspring among the Indian tribes with whom he traded. He may have taken as his first concubine an Indian daughter of his older Master & mentor George Hunter.
When William & Bethel Dewes were just lads, it is believed that they were employed by George Haig as his chain carriers, and horse packmen who accompanied him during his frequent trading trips, and official land surveys of the Carolina frontier, mostly in or near Indian lands. In the interim they worked on the active plantations when they were out of school, and learned the plantation skills. George Haig apparently had half-siblings within the Cherokee Tribe from his father’s early trade expeditions from Barbados into pre-Darian Carolina. George Haig is often found noted in the new Townships of Amelia, Sax Gotha, and at Fort Congaree both when surveying land, and in trade business. Quite early in 1736 Haig was involved in a trade partnership with Patrick Brown & James Adair that was operated out of Fort Congaree. William Dewes, at 15 years if age, and already consorting with a tribal wife, may have been part of the crews of horse packman used by these Traders. Patrick Brown, and his brother Thomas Brown were early Irishmen among the Indian fur Traders at Fort Congaree. Capt. George R. Haig eventually married last to an Irishwoman named Elizabeth Seawright, and he was operating a trading post at Fort Congaree where he resided until he was captured and killed by northern Indians in February of 1748. Patrick Brown & Thomas Corker Executed his Will.
William Dewes first childbearing relationship:
About 1735 when he was about 14 years of age, it is thought that William Dewes consorted with one of George Haig’s mixed blooded Indian daughters named Mary Haig. They issued two children. Their relationship was ended by a tribal divorce, or the death of Mary Haig.
1. Mary Dew/Due [ca. 1735, SC - ?]
She was married ca. 1747 in North Carolina to William Williamson [1707, Isle of Wight, Va. – 1767, Prince George’s Parish, Craven County, South Carolina] while William Dewes was on a trading trip. William Williamson was also a trader, and owned land in North Carolina. He took Mary back to Virginia where she issued Thomas Williamson who married Elizabeth Hinds and are later found in Darlington, SC. They were the parents of Bright Williamson & William “Wiley” Williamson. These great nephews of James Due were intimately involved with his family when they were all living in the vicinity of Mechanicsville, Darlington, SC a few years after the Revolutionary War was over.
2. Benjamin Dew/Due [ca. 1738, SC – Dec. 31st 1759, Fort Prince George,
Cherokee Nation, (present day Pickens County) SC.] He is not known to have married or to have produced issue. Benjamin Dew/Due enlisted in the SC militia like his father. Apparently his first duty assignment was to guard the frontier settlement of Welch Neck on the Pee Dee River during the French-Indian War.
This War was started by Virginians intruding into French claimed territory of the Ohio valley beyond the Allegany Mountains. During early engagements the French & their Indian allies defeated British forces. When Edward Braddock was defeated at the Battle of Monongahela in 1755, the Virginians sought an alliance with the Cherokees to enlist their aid in fighting the French. An alliance was soon formed and consequently Cherokees warriors defended the western frontier on behalf of the British for three years. Meanwhile British Supt. of Indian Affairs, Edmund Atkin was generally insulting and abusive to the Cherokees people in his official capacity. Despite this affront by Atkin, Attacullaculla brought a large number of Cherokee warriors to Winchester, Virginia to help the Virginians make an assault on Fort Duquesne in 1758. But a new commander had been appointed, and General Forbes grossly misunderstood Indian warfare methods. As a result Forbes insulted and badly mistreated his Cherokee allies so profoundly that they quit his command on Nov. 15th 1758, just 10 days before Fort Duquesne was to be attacked. The Cherokees started home. Forbes was angry, and sent his men to intercept the Cherokees, take their horses, and arms intending to send them home from Virginia on foot, and defenseless. Shortly afterwards some Virginia “back woodsmen” attacked and killed about 12 of the unarmed Cherokee warriors while they were walking home. The young warriors immediately wanted war with the English, but Attacullaculla restrained them until English authorities could be consulted to obtain appropriate reparations. But ultimately all Cherokee diplomatic efforts to obtain such reparations from Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina failed. Finally Attacullaculla could no longer restrain his young warriors. They began to attack and slaughter English frontiersmen in the Long Canes, and other places. Two soldiers at Fort Loudon were killed. The Great Cherokee War was beginning. Upon hearing of these Cherokee attacks, & frontier massacres SC Governor Lyttleton called for his militia to muster at Fort Congaree for an Expedition against the Cherokees.
Meanwhile, Attacullaculla sent headman Oconostota and 31 other chieftains went to Charleston as a Peace Envoy in order to try to find a solution to the problem. But upon their arrival the Governor would not talk to them except to say that he would make his demands known when they reached Cherokee country. He required that the Cherokee Envoy accompany him to Fort Congaree where the militia was mustered. At Congaree he took the large Envoy of Indian dignitaries hostage, and forced them to march behind his militia column as his prisoners.
Benjamin Dew/Due witnessed a Deed in May 1758, from Jacob Buckholtz, Sr. to Rev. Robert Williams, 250 acres on both sides of Pigeon Creek, Craven County, in the Welch Tract on the south side of Pee Dee River. In 1769 this area became part of the Cheraw District, SC. Jacob Buckholtz was also a soldier in Governor Lyttleton’s SC militia during the expedition against the Cherokees. Benjamin Dew/Due mustered at Fort Congaree with his cousin Thomas Williamson, and with Jacob Buckholtz.
Benjamin Dew/Due, Thomas Williamson, George Haig, Jr., and Jacob Buckholtz were all soldiers in Lyttleton’s expedition against the Cherokees at the start of the Great Cherokee War. They were among the soldiers that built Fort Ninety-Six in the barnyard of trader Robert Goudy after it was Ordered by the Governor on Nov. 22nd 1759. The agreement to build this fort was negotiated with the owner Robert Goudy by George Haig, jr. Skirmishes with young Cherokee warriors occurred along the path to point ninety-six, and several militia soldiers were wounded. The invalids were left to man Fort Ninety-Six.
The day after this Fort was finished, the expedition departed, and stopped at “Dewe’s Corner” the trading post of Capt. William Dewes located about a mile west of Robert Goudy’s on the Cherokee path to Charleston. This was the last time Benjamin Dew/Due saw any of his family there.
When the Expeditionary Force reached Fort Prince George, near Keowee town, Lyttleton locked his Indian hostages in a small cramped room in the Fort, and called for headman Attacullaculla. He demanded that Attacullaculla turn over 24 Cherokees accused of killing white settlers. On a promise to do what he could, Attacullaculla secured the release of Oconastota, and 7 other headmen that were being held hostage, but 22 others were still held captive. Two of the accused Cherokees were delivered, and an agreement was made on Dec. 26th 1759 that the remainder would soon be delivered. Lyttleton was satisfied, and left Fort Prince George for Charleston. However, Attacullaculla found that the other accused warriors had fled, and so he was unable to comply with his promise, and he knew that war was now unavoidable.
Benjamin Dew/Due was killed on Dec. 31st 1759 near Fort Prince George as a Private in Capt. Evan’s Company of Colonel Powell’s Regiment of Gov. Lyttleton’s South Carolina militia at the beginning of major hostilities in the Great Cherokee War. Benjamin was in the nearby woods hunting meat for the militia when Cherokees killed him. His cousin Thomas Williamson was killed within a week or two of Benjamin’s death, also while hunting meat. The Fort had not yet been attacked, but the commander was attempting to stockpile provisions in case a siege occurred.
Oconastota called for a conference with Officers and men of Fort Prince George. The parties met on Feb. 16th 1760 on the opposite bank of the Savannah River (The Cherokees called it the Keowee River.) At a prearranged signal Cherokee warriors hidden in ambush fired on the soldiers from the Fort severely wounding all four. The Cherokees stormed the Fort, and in reprisal the soldiers killed all of the Cherokees still held hostages. The wounded Officer died, and the Fort fell under a long siege. Soon Fort Loudoun, located in the Tennessee River valley having a garrison of Scotch Highlanders, among them Capt. John Stuart, also fell under a siege of starvation. The Great Cherokee War began in its full fury, and it lasted until Sept. of 1761.
William Dewes, at age 21, was commissioned a Captain in the South Carolina militia about 1742. He is noticed mentioned in several entries in the Journal of the Commons House of Assembly of Carolina through 1743. It was during this period that his guardian and aunt Lilia Haig perished, her Will being made and probated in 1742.
Capt. William Dewe’s second childbearing relationship:
On Oct. 2nd 1744 Capt. William Dewes of St. George’s Parish, SC married one of his cousins Lois Wilkins, spinster, a daughter of William Wilkins, & wife Sarah Matthews. This was the only documented English marriage found for him found in SC records. His marriages to mixed blooded Indian wives were not recorded because by English law all interracial marriages were unsanctioned. However they were accepted and simply overlooked by Carolinians, as well as most other colonials. His issue by Lois Wilkins, probably two or three children before she perished, resulted in only one surviving son Robert Dews born about 1745 who became a Cherokee trader mentioned in Cherokee genealogist Emmitt Starr’s History of the Cherokees.
1. Robert Dews [ca. 1745, Charleston, SC – ca. bet. 1800-1810 Richmond, Ga.]
Cherokee Genealogist Emmitt Starr noted Robert Dews as a Trader among the Cherokees.
He “took up with” or married:
1st to Susannah Catherine Emory,
2nd to Elizabeth Emory,
3rd apparently to Nancy Augusta Tassel, and
4th last to an unidentified traders daughter.
In 1759 when he was 15 years old, Robert Dew entered a brief relationship with Susannah Catherine Emory, Stuart. She was born about 1744 in Tomathly, NC, and was only about 16 years old. She was a daughter of Robert Emory and Susannah Catherine Grant. Her grandfather was Ludovic Grant.
At 14 years of age, Susannah Catherine Emory embraced Captain John Stuart in a former relationship. In 1758 she issued a son who would become known as Bushyhead. John Stuart, born 1718 in Inverness, Scotland, was much older than Susannah Catherine Grant, and he already had an English born wife Sarah Fenwick, Stuart and children at Charleston. Captain Stuart had been assigned active duty at Fort Loudon from July 15th 1756 to March 27th 1757. But before February of 1758 he was sent to Beaufort District to fortify a Cannon House on Beaufort Island in order to counter the threat of a French attack by sea. After he departed Susannah Catherine Emory soon took up with young Robert Dews, a son of Merchant William Dews.
In 1759 Robert Dew, who was known as Tahlonteeskee among the Cherokees, and Susannah Catherine Emory issued a son who became known as Tahlonteeskee. That same year, the Great Cherokee War broke open in terrible violence. It separated and scattered Cherokee families. The Indian Merchants took refuge where they might find safety. Robert Dew and Sarah Catherine Emory were separated by this war that lasted until September of 1761.
During the Great Cherokee War, a young Virginian named John Jolly served in the military in the fight against the Cherokees. As a result of his military service, he met Sarah Catherine Emory. After the war they engaged in a relationship that produced a son John Jolly who born sometime between 1761 and 1763. Virginian John Jolly assisted the Grant family after the war. Susannah Catherine Emory soon perished in 1765, probably of smallpox, and her children hardly knew either of their biological parents. Relatives in the Long Hair clan raised her sons to manhood.
In much later times Tahlonteeskee, and John Jolly were mentioned as brothers, sons of Robert Dews. This is because the matriarchal Cherokees, having seven clans, traced their ancestry through their mother’s clan. They were a communal people where children were raised collectively by their clan. Although the Cherokees were quite aware of half and step kinships, these distinctions were not given much consideration. Siblings who had the same mother were simply regarded as brothers & sisters, regardless of their biological father. By extension, this practice included more distant relatives in the clan. A husband always joined his wife’s clan regardless of the clan of his own mother. Likewise the father of one in a family with stepchildren was the father of all, but observed clan origin in such matters. Orphans caused by death or long absence were reared in the clan, and all matters regarding marriage, childrearing, and related things were under the oversight, and ultimate authority of a powerful Clan headwoman, and her council. The council house was eight-sided building with a door in one side, and seven sides reserved one for each clan.
After the war in 1662, the Carolina Journal of Commons House of Assembly reported in their proceedings that Robert Dew about 17 years of age was working at the Trading Post “Dewe’s Corner” owned by Capt William Dewe’s a Charleston Merchant, and that Ezekiel Buffington, Elias Harlan, and Richard Fields were also working there. This trading Post was built sometime before the Great Cherokee War began, and had been plundered during the war.
In about 1667/8, Robert Dews, also known to the Cherokees as Tahlunteeskee, took up with Elizabeth Emory, a quarter blooded Cherokee daughter of William Emory & wife Mary Grant, also one of Ludovic Grant’s Cherokee daughters. They knew each other from family in Charleston. Elizabeth was recently involved with Ezekiel Buffington, who had a wife and children down on Turkey Creek in Abbeville. He was working at Dewes Corner along with his uncle Elias Harlan. She issued a daughter Mary Buffington, sometimes called Dew. When his father perished in Abbeville, Ezekiel Buffington left Elizabeth Emory to tend affairs at the plantation, and when he returned to find his Cherokee wife had taken up with Robert Dew, he moved in with her sister, Mary Grant, Fawling widow of William Rim Fawling.
Robert Dews & Elizabeth Emory were estranged after issuing a daughter Elizabeth
Virginia “Jennie” Due born in about 1768/71. Apparently Elizabeth Emory took up with Capt. John Rogers while Robert Dew was away for an extended period. Perhaps he had been sent to trade in upper Georgia since he made a Grant request in that region about 1768/9 mentioned below. But before 1777 he was apparently assigned to trade on the Tennessee River Valley, and he is found at Hiawassee Island that year.
In a matriarchal society Cherokee woman had completely different views than the English about what constituted proper social and marital behavior. They claimed the right to choose with whom they slept, and polygamy although not common was certainly accepted. Many traders had wives & families in the white settlements, and also in the tribe. Their tribal wives were well aware of the situation, and did not object
Robert Dews took a third tribal wife. Records suggest that she was a daughter of Old Tassel. I believe that she was his youngest daughter Nancy Augusta Tassel, and they most likely issued children but their identity is unclear. Perhaps “Dew” & “Ahuateskee” Otterlifter Dew, both men found on 1817 Treaty Roll records (The latter is also found on 1835 Treaty Roll records.,) were some of his children. If they were Robert Dew’s sons by Nancy Augusta then both would have been over 40 years of age in 1817. Apparently Nancy Augusta Tassel first took up with a man named (John?) Otterlifter whose name was attached to one of Robert’s sons, before she met Alexander Dromgoole. Perhaps he was the same man who married Susannah Harlan. Another of Robert’s children may have been Nancy “Nannie the Pain,” said to be born in 1775, but identified as Dromgoole from her mother’s last consort Alexander Dromgoole. Her mother took up with Dromgoole (after Robert Dew left Hiawassee Island in 1777,) but after the Revolutionary War. This daughter married Doublehead as his last wife.
In 1768/69 Robert Dew Petitioned for a Georgia Land Grant, 100 acres of land in the Forks of Uchee Creek where he stated that “he had formerly lived.” This was land previously occupied by his father Capt. William Dewes located on the old Indian Trading Path that served the Cherokees, and led to the Creek Indians, and other tribes further south and west. It is located in present day Columbia County, Georgia that was formerly Richmond County, but during the time of this Petition it was located in St. Paul’s Parish, Georgia. The Cherokees, and Indian Fur Traders primarily occupied this region since the Battle of Taliwa in 1755 whereby the Cherokees repulsed the Creeks from northern Georgia. If Robert Dew removed to this land for purposes of trade, this might explain his separation from Elizabeth Emory.
On April 17th 1769 Edward Bernard & Thomas Waters, Indian Traders, and co-partners of Granville County, SC, bought 200 acres of land on the Savannah River from James McClenachan, Yeoman of Charleston, SC. Bryant Ward & James Morgan, neighbors to this land were Witnesses to this Deed.
Thomas Waters had been in this area since before 1768 when he acquired 200 acres from Charles White, and Bryant Ward was a Witness to this conveyance.
Thomas Waters was still in this area after July 20th 1777 when he acquired an additional 100 acres from Samuel Glover, and again Bryant Ward was a Witness to this Deed. It was an area called the “Long Swamp.”
Bryant (sic) Brian Ward was a former Virginian militiaman who married the Cherokee widow of Kingfisher, headman of the Cherokees at the Battle of Taliwa between a large number of Creek warriors, and less than half that number of Cherokees fought in 1755.
Kingfisher was killed in battle, and Nancy, his wife, rallied the Cherokee warriors to victory. The Creeks were driven out of a large area of northern Georgia as a result of this battle, and Nancy became a powerful and a respected Cherokee woman who married Bryant Ward. Bryant Ward & Nancy were the parents of Elizabeth Ward who first married Trader Bernard Hughes. After Hughes she married Joseph Martin, a Virginian found in Anson County, NC in 1773. Martin became a wealthy Trader, and later was a member of the Virginia militia. Joseph Martin was the Magistrate who heard testimony proving the LW&T of Henry Rhodes in Dobbs County, NC when in 1774 one of the named Executors James Dew could not be located for the probate.
In June of 1777, the Revolutionary War complicated matters of marriage, allegiance and loyalty for Trader Robert Dews. He previously removed his trade business away from his father’s old Trading Post at “Dewe’s Corner” on the eastern boundary of the Cherokee Nation. Apparently he traded in upper Georgia a few years, but he was now at Hiawassee Island among the Overhill Cherokee in the Tennessee River basin. His livelihood required that he support British authorities, but his relatives and their neighbors along the frontier were at risk of death at the hands of a band of Chickamauga Cherokees under the leadership of Dragging Canoe who fiercely supported an English prohibition against colonial expansion into Indian lands. Dew was often used to interpret letters from English Agents to the Cherokees, and to write their responses.
Dews learned of a plan to attack and slaughter frontier settlers from a letter from Alexander Cameron at Pensacola to Dragging Canoe. He felt compelled to secretly divulge this plan to a Whig Envoy named Newell recently arrived for “talks” from Fort Patrick.
Dews found an opportunity and he passed this intelligence to the Envoy in secret, but soon Newell foolishly announced in the villager he knew about the planed attacks. Immediately the lives of local traders were at risk of death by vengeance of Dragging Canoe. All of them were under suspicion, and Dragging Canoe wanted scalps.