Person Page - 932

     Samuel was born circa 1765 at North Carolina.² He was the son of Samuel Tompkins and Elizabeth Partin. He married Polly (--?--), , circa 1792 at Washington Co., Georgia. Samuel died before 1860 at Covington Co., Alabama.
     
Biography of Samuel Tompkins:

The earliest record of Samuel Tompkins we have found is in 1793 when his name is listed on the muster role³ for the 1st Battn, 2nd Reg. of the Washington County, Georgia Militia under Captain George Spann. In 1805, Samuel Tompkins was eligible for two draws in the 1805 Land Lottery of Washington County, Georgia⁴. He drew blanks and received no land. Samuel Tompkins, as head of family, is listed in the 1820 Census of Washington County with four males, two age to 10, (unknown and Stephen), one age 10-16, (Benjamin), one age 16-18, (John W.) and one age 19-26 (William P.) and Samuel age 45 up. Five females are also listed, two age to 10, one age 10-16, one age 16-26 and one age 45 up. The 1820 Census indicated that Samuel owned 29 slaves, thus making him likely a very wealthy man. We have not been able to determine the names of any of his daughters. Many early records of Washington County, Georgia have been destroyed by a courthouse fire in 1855 and by General Sherman during the Civil War on his march to the sea. As a result, records made prior to 1865 may not be extant.

Samuel Tompkins, Soldier, of Washington Co, Georgia drew Lot 23, District 12. Section 2 in Muscogee County, Georgia in the 1827 Georgia Land Lottery⁵. This appears to be the same Samuel discussed here. In 1828, Burrell Tompkins of Washington County, Georgia was listed as agent for Samuel Tompkins in the Washington County Tax Digest⁶. This would suggest that Samuel and his family left Washington County around 1828 to take up land in southwest Georgia. It also strongly suggests that Burrell and Samuel are brothers, as who else but a close relative would one entrust to act as their agent.

We next find Samuel Tompkins in the 1830 Census of Bibb Co. Georgia listed as a 60-70 year old head of household with one male age 15-20, two females age 10-16, one female age 20-30 and one female age 40-50. There is a John W.Tompkins age 20-30 family and a William P. Tompkins age 20-30 listed as heads of household on the same census page as Samuel. This suggests that these families are related and that William P. and John W. are probable sons of Samuel. It is also possible that the 15-20 year old is Benjamin or Stephen. Also listed in the 1830 Census of Muscogee Co. Georgia is a Harris Tompkins as head of household age 20-30 along with another male age 20-30 and no other members of the household. This may suggest that Harris and the other male (possibly Benjamin or Stephen) were sons of Samuel Tompkins perhaps living on the Muscogee Co. property he had won in 1827.

Samuel and Partin Tompkins are listed on the June 1831 Petit Jury list for the first Superior Court of Stewart County Georgia⁷ This suggests Samuel and family had moved to Stewart County by June of 1831 and were well established in the community by that time..

In September of 1833, we find the first of a dozen deeds wherein Samuel Tompkins purchased land in Stewart County, Georgia. This first deed was from Elizabeth Miller to Samuel Tompkins for 202 1/2 acres, Lot 229 in the 23rd Dist of Stewart County. ⁸ This would suggest that Samuel and his family left Bibb County by 1833 to farm the inexpensive land in Stewart County where Partin Tompkins (1775-1860) , who we believe is Samuel's brother, had already established residence in the late 1820's. In 1836, Samuel purchased lots in the north western part of the Town of Lumpkin, suggesting by 1836 he may have moved into a house in Town. These deeds show Samuel owned land in Districts 19, 20 and 23 to the south of the Town of Lumpkin, Georgia

In addition, to the deeds on Samuel Tompkins in Stewart County we found his name as part of a group of citizens authorized to form the Florence Bridge Company to construct a toll bridge across the Chattahoochee River in 1838. The bridge was constructed, but was destroyed in 1846 and never rebuilt.⁹

In the 1840 Census of Stewart County, Georgia we find Samuel Tompkins listed as head of family, age 70-80, along with 6 others. There is no older female listed. Thus his wife, Polly, likely died. The 1840 Census shows that Samuel had 44 slaves suggesting he continued to prosper.

A search of the land records in Stewart County Georgia suggest that Samuel left Stewart County about 1841 as we were not able to find records of him after that date.

On 1 July 1841 a Samuel Tompkins of Henry County Alabama purchased 79.7 acres of land in the "West half of the South East quarter of Section 6 in Township four of Range twenty seven" of Henry County. The purchase of this land in 1841 that coincides with Samuel Tompkins departure from Stewart CountyGeorgia suggests that Samuel moved some 20 to 30 miles into Henry County Alabama in 1841.

We next find Samuel in 1850 living in Covington Co., Alabama. The Census records list him as living alone, age 75, and farmer born North Carolina. Living next door is Partin Tompkins, age 75 born South Carolina. A study of his possible birth date from earlier census records suggests that Samuel was most likely born about 1765, rather than 1775 as he indicated in the 1850 Census of Covington Co., Georgia. Based on that study we have assigned his year of birth as 1765.

Samuel likely died after the 1850 Census and before the 1860 Census in Covington Co., Alabama, as he does not appear in the 1860 Census.

The children of Samuel Tompkins listed below are our best judgment, based on the evidence we have gathered. Unfortunately, we have not found documentation that would prove they are the children of Samuel. In each case, we discuss our rationale for determining their relationship to Samuel.

     Samuel was born on 30 September 1808 at Washington Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of Burrell Tompkins and Rachel (--?--). He married Elizabeth Otey Prosser, daughter of William Prosser and (?) Otey, circa 1835. Samuel died in November 1843 at Washington Co., Georgia, at age 35.
     
Biography of Samuel Tompkins:

Samuel had no children per the obituary of Elizabeth Oata Tompkins.

     Samuel was born circa 1827 at Washington Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of Rukin Tompkins and Rachel (--?--).

     Samuel was born circa 1740 at Anson Co., North Carolina. He was the son of Thomas Tompkins and Mary (--?--). Samuel Tompkins married Elizabeth Partin circa 1762. Samuel Tompkins died in 1776 at South Carolina.
     
Biography of Samuel Tompkins:

The earliest record we have found concerning Samuel Tompkins is an Anson County, North Carolina deed dated 13 January 1764 where Thomas Tompkins of Anson deeds to John Flowers of same, for L 25 proc. money 100 acres "where Sam'l Tompkins lived, on old mill creek". ¹ Thomas Tompkins had bought this same land from Elizabeth Kemp widow of Wm. Kemp on 20 December 1752. This deed suggests that Samuel is a son of Thomas Tompkins as who but a son would be living on that land. The deed also suggest that Samuel Tompkins had lived on that land prior to 1764, but no longer lived there.

The next record of Samuel Tompkins is his witnessing an Anson County deed three days later on 17 Jan 1764 where Abram Paul of Anson, planter, for L 32 NC money, deeds to Benj. Jackson... 300 a on N side Thompson Creek. Abraham Paul (seal), Wit: William Prestwood, Peter Partin, Saml. Tomkins (s).² This land around Thompson Creek was in North Carolina in 1764, however when the 1764 boundary dispute between the Carolina's was settled in 1772 the boundary between North and South Carolina was moved north about 12 miles north causing the land in the area of Thompson Creek to be located in South Carolina. Also Peter Partin is suspected to be the father of Elizabeth Partin, who was or soon to be the wife of Samuel Tompkins.

In 1769 Samuel Tompkins bought and then sold 150 acres in Anson County, North Carolina. A deed dated 14 August 1769 shows George Carter selling Samuel Tompkins for L20 proc. money of NC, ... 150 acres on the head branches of Babers Creek ,crossing Babers branch. /s/ George Carter, Wit: Thomas Dickson, Stephen Tomkins. ³ A second deed dated two months later, 12 October 1769 shows Samuel Tompkins of Anson selling to Thomas Dickson of same, L16 Proc. Money, 150 a. on SW side of Pee Dee River beginning in a branch of old Mill Creek. /s/ Samuel (HIs X)Mark) Tompkins. Wit: John Hornbeck, Stephen Tompkins. Both of these deeds had a deposition from Stephen Tompkins that he was present at the signing of these deeds. These deeds were registered at the Jan Court. 1811. These deeds were no doubt re-recorded to prove ownership of the land in 1811 as the original recordings were destroyed in one of the several courthouse fires that occurred in Anson County. We believe this property was on or very near Mill Creek and believe both of these properties were in Anson County, North Carolina and remained in North Carolina after the boundary move of 1772.


South Carolina Abstracts by Clara A. Langley shows on p. 129. Book Q-3, pp.233-239, 23 & 24 Oct. 1769, L & R: William Forbes, gentleman, of the Province of East Fla. to Paul Trapier,Esq., of Prince George Parish, Craven Co., SC for L600 British, 2 plantations in SC on Pee Dee River, granted in NC but by the late running of the line between the 2 provinces fell within the limits of the S. Province; being 200 a. about 8 miles above the Great Charaws, bounding S on vacant land; W on Mathew Creed; E on William Forbes; N on Pee Dee River; bought by Forbes from Thomas Tomkins; also 300 a. bounding E on Mathew Creed; W on Samuel Tomkins; S on vacant land; bought by Forbes from William Dinkins. Witnesses: Marmaduke Bell, James Delaire, Hugh Kavanaugh, Before Joseph Dubourdieu, J.P. Recorded 22 June 1770.

Book C-4, pp. 159-164 25&26 Jan. 1771, L & R Paul Trapier, Esq. of Georgetown, to Claudius Pegues, for ? 2600 currency, 2 plantations on Pee Dee River, forerly in NC, but by the late running of the dividing line between the 2 Provinces now in SC, vix: 200 a. about 8 miles above the Great Charows; bounding S on vacant land; W on Mathew Creed; E on William Forbes; N on Pee Dee River, bought from Thomas Tomkins by William Forbes; 300 a. bounding E on Maaatthew Creed; W on Samuel Tomkins; S on vacant land; bought by Forbes from William Denkins, Witnesses; Robert Heriot, Samuel Wragg. Before Archibald Brown (Baird?), J.P., 9 Feb 1771. Recorded 20 Mar. 1773 by William Rugely, Pro. Register.

The above deeds suggest that Samuel was living on his father's property on old mill creek in Anson Co. North Carolina in 1764 and removed that year back to the area around Thompson's Creek where he bought land of his own.

The above are the only deeds that we have been able to locate concerning Samuel Tompkins.

Samuel Tompkins name appears in the 1782 estate papers of Michael Watson⁴ of Abbeville District, South Carolina as "Samuel Tomkins Dt. 13 January 1775 Runaway Dead" . The note is on a page entitled "1782 Michael Watsons Notes & Accounts" which lists some 40 notes or accounts of money due Michael Watson. The note is for 42 pounds, 8 shillings and 9 cents. Michael Watson was "A CAPTAIN IN THE MILITIA OF THE STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, WHO FELL IN ACTION AGAINST THE BRITISH AT DEAN SWAMP ORANGEBURG DISTRICT IN 1781 AND WAS BURIED IN THE EPISCOPAL GRAVEYARD, ORANGEBURG, S. C. " according to a stone erected by the Michael Watson Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution and his Descendants, 1931 (This stone is located iin front of the Ridge Spring Baptist Church, Ridge Spring, Saluda County, South Carolina). It is not certain that Samuel Tompkins of these estate paper is the same person as the Samuel Tompkins of this biography, however, we believe it is likely to be him. This is supported by Jessee Parten being listed in the same estate papers as having signed a note for 2 pounds, 1 shilling, 3 cents on 22 November 1772. Jesse Parten is listed as being deceased and is believed to be a close relative of Elizabeth Partin, wife of Samuel Tompkins. Michael Watson was on the grand jury of Ninety Six District who on 17 November 1774 signed a document condemning the attitude of the British government toward the colonies. Michael Watson and most of the men that signed that document were soon active in the Revolution. Michael Watson was actually captured by the British near the beginning of the war and imprisoned for a time. These records suggest that in January 1775 (two months after the signing of the Grand Jury document) Samuel Tompkins borrowed money from Michael Watson who lived in the area of Ridge Spring near Edgefield, South Carolina which was part of Ninety Six District.

Thomas Tompkins died intestate in 1777.and his estate was sold. The Account of sale of the estate of Thomas Tompkins ⁵shows that his wife, Mary, his sons, Thomas, Stephen and Francis were listed as purchasers of some the estates assets. However, it is very interesting to note that there is no mention of Samuel Tompkins being a purchaser. Furthermore, although there are many records of Thomas, Stephen and Francis Tompkins well into the l800's, there are none for Samuel. When we find him listed as dead in the Michael Watson estate papers, we conclude that Samuel Tompkins died between 1775 and 1777 and have established his date of death as circa 1776.

There are not other records of Samuel Tompkins that we have been able to find. It is our theory that Samuel married Elizabeth Partin about 1764 in the area of Thompson's Creek, Anson County, North Carolina where Partin families lived and established his new household in that area at that time. The area around Thompson's Creek being where Samuel's father, Thomas Tompkins lived since 1741 and where Samuel was likely born and grew up. Perhaps Samuel Tompkins was part of the early American Revolution with Michael Watson and died in the early skirmishes with the Cherokee or British Soldiers.

The family of Samuel Tompkins

We show that James Tompkins (1760-1819), Samuel Tompkins (1765-1860), Burrell Tompkins (1770-1860), John Tompkins (1771-1840) and Partin Tompkins (1775-1860), who lived in Washington and Jefferson Co. Georgia in the late 1700's and early 1800's were very likely the children of Samuel Tompkins (1740).

     Samuel was born circa 1836 at Washington Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of Rukin Tompkins and Rachel (--?--). He married Ellen J. Massey, , on 3 August 1856 at Washington Co., Georgia.²

     Samuel was born on 23 January 1840 at Washington Co.., Georgia.¹ He was the son of John Young Tompkins and Sarah O'Quinn. He married Sarah Ann W. Sherrer, , on 17 October 1859 at Marion Co., Georgia. Samuel died on 6 June 1862 at Charleston, Charleston Co., South Carolina, at age 22.²
     
Biography of Samuel Brient Welch Tompkins:

Samuel B. W. Tompkins served as a Private in the Confederate Army. He enlisted in Company G, 46th Regiment, Muscogee Co. Georgia Volunteers on 27 April 1862. He died in Charleston, South Carolina 6 June 1862.

     Samuel was born on 9 April 1857 at Covington Co., Alabama.¹ He was the son of James A. Tompkins and Sarah McLendon. He married Mattie (--?--), .² Samuel Buck Tompkins died on 24 November 1932 at Coffee Co., Alabama, at age 75.²

     Samuel was born circa 1836 at Washington Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of James M. Tompkins and Eliza Ann King. He married Martha Ann Patridge, daughter of Paten Patridge, on 15 April 1860 at Washington Co., Georgia.² Samuel died on 4 January 1863 at Howard Grove Farm, Richmond, Virginia.
     
Biography of Samuel Francis Tompkins:

Samuel F. Tompkins joined the Confederate Army on 26 April 1861. He died at Howards Grove Farm near Richmond, Virginia on 4 January 1863.

     Samuel was born circa 1893 at Stewart Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of William Samuel Tompkins and Mattie Alice Adams. He married Beatrice (--?--), .

     Samuel was born circa 1831 at Bibb Co., Georgia.¹ He was the son of William P. Tompkins and Eleanor Crouch. He married Sarah J. Turner, daughter of Jane (--?--), circa 1857 at Covington Co., Alabama.²