John sometime called “Uncle Long” was the sixth child and
fifth son of Robert and Mary Singleton Foster. He was born ca 1737 in Essex County, Virginia and died 1787 in
Greenville County, South Carolina.He married ca 1764 Craven County, South Carolina Eleanor Collins.She was born ca 1749 in Essex County,
Virginia and died ca 1835 in Greenville County, South Carolina.
John and
his wife Eleanor had a large family.
They all went west, except Anna, who married Benjamin Perry and Robert
Singleton who studied law and remained unmarried.
Benjamin F.Perry, Unionist by Lillian A. Kible published by University Press in 1936 gives
a short sketch of John and Eleanor Collins Foster.Following are some isolated and interesting facts taken from the
story.
Anna Foster, daughter of John
and Eleanor, married Benjamin Perry and they were the parents of Benjamin F.
Perry, who was Governor of South Carolina that is, he was appointed Provisional
Governor at the end of the Civil War.
The follow is a quote from the above story.
“Perry’s retirement called
forth from various quarters echoes of the ‘well done’ pronounced on his
administration by the Columbia Phoenix…called upon to govern his native State,
by her enemies, in a most trying period of history, he has served his State,
his country, and his friends, with wisdom, zeal and ability.He has brought order out of confusion, and
kept faith with all parties.His
uprightness of character has made him a host of friends, at home and abroad.Long may he deserve them.Verily he was the right man in the right
place…..” “Sympathetic, shrewd, and energetic, he settled the complicated
problems that were before him with wisdom and dispatch.His administration was one of the most
productive in the history of the state.”
|
The will of
John Foster was dated October 9, 1787 in Greenville, SC. |
I, John Foster of Greenville County and District 96,
Carpenter being weak in body yet of sound and perfect memory.
I will that all my just debts be paid. I
give to my loving wife three negros, Sam, Cole and Lill with stock and
household goods, at her deceased be equally divided among the chen.
I give to my dtr. May Haneley one negro girl
named Silvia which she has now in her possession. I give to my son John Crow Foster one negro named Cain, with two
tracts of land I bought of John Hambelton and Robert Ramey containing 246 acres
to be equally divided between said John and his brother George Singleton
Foster. I give to my son George
Singleton Foster one negro named Sheriff. I give to my dtr. Frances fifty acres
of land at the lower end of the plantation whereon I now live. I give to my
sons James Hackett and Robert Singleton and my dtr. Nancy the plantation
whereon I now live containing 30 acres with forty acres being part of a tract I
sold unto Josiah Smith. My debts to be
collected and then to be laid out in young negrors for the use of the chn. I appoint my sons John Crowe Foster and
George Singleton Foster executors. Dated 9 October 1787
Wit. Rich Thompson
Dave Hidden
John Rabun
| Children of John and Eleanor Collins Foster |
| 1. | John Crowe
born ca 1765 Ninety Six District, SC; died ca 1808 Anderson Co., SC; married
(1) ca 1788 Mary Brown. She was born ca
1773 Virginia; died ca 1795 South Carolina (2) 1797 Sarah Kirksey born October
7, 1777 North Carolina; died May 16 1852 Tuscaloosa Co., AL; buried Grants
Creek Cemetery, Tuscaloosa Co., AL |
| 2. | George
Singleton born ca 1767/1779 Ninety Six District, SC; married ca 1790 Hanna
Carr; |
| 3. | Robert
Singleton born ca 1769/79 Ninety Six District, SC; died February 11, 1859
Greenville, Greenville Co., SC; married ca 1819 Susan (Suzanna) Elizabeth P.
Young, daughter of Richard Young. She was born 1801 Greenville, Greenville Co.,
SC; died 1881 Greenville, Greenville Co., SC |
| 4. | Mary born ca
1771 Ninety Six District, SC; married William (Peter?) Hendley |
| 5. | Josiah born
ca 1773 Ninety Six District, SC; died 1821 Pendleton Co., SC; married Polly |
| 6. | James
Hackett (Hoggatt?) was born ca 1775 Ninety Six District, SC; died January 25,
1841; married April 19, 1795 Nancy Brown |
| 7. | Frances born
ca 1774 Ninety Six District, SC; died married (1) William Grant (2) Mr.
McWhorter |
| 8. | Nancy Ann
“Anna” born May 8, 1782 Ninety Six District, SC; died September 18, 1857;
married Benjamin Perry |
For additional information e-mail bfoster@prodigy.net or
write
Dr. B. G. Foster
1302 Santa Fe Trail
Tyler, TX 75703