The Windes of Society Hill, South Carolina

Traveling back to the mid seventeen hundreds, we find the name SAMUEL WINDES, a young man who had apparently fought in the Cherokee Wars. He was granted 500 acres of land in a region called 'The Welsh Tract' alongside the Pee Dee River in South Carolina, where a village named Society Hill developed (See facsimile - document granted - King of England - 1759). Samuel is said to have come to the region with other soldiers recruited from Morris County, N.J. He may have been a brother or a nephew to William Wind(e)s, of Rockaway, N.J., a Revolutionary War brigadier general and personal friend of George Washington. He was a probable descendant of Barnabas Windes of Southold, Long Island, N.Y., who arrived in the New World circa 1630 from Ipswich, England.

The Pee Dee section is geographically typical of the state. The dividing line between Low and Upper Country runs in a northeasterly direction through Chesterfield County. Mostly the Pee Dee is in Low Country. It always runs yellow from the North Carolina clay it picked up by its headwaters near the Yadkin, though the tributary Little Pee Dee and Black rivers have clear ebony waters. By the way, Stephen Foster (the famed American song writer), first titled his most popular tune: "Way Down Upon The PEE DEE River" (he later changed it to SWANEE). Another interesting fact; living close to the Windes on the Pee Dee were the Milhouses and Nixons (as in President Richard M.).

An Episcopalian priest, Bishop Asbury, crossed the Pee Dee region on horseback almost every winter from 1786 till his death in 1816. He was 'fighting the devil', the swollen rivers of South Carolina, deep sand, and deeper bogs called roads, but he still saw great beauty. His diary contains the following brief entry concerning our ancestry lands: "We crossed the Little Pee Dee at the Potato Bed Ferry. Beautiful deep sands, live oaks, lofty pines, pimento swamps, with intermingled gums and cypress, variegated by evergreens of bay and laurel, and twining jessamine flinging its odors far and wide around, lawns and savannahs - such is the country and such (are) the charming scenes through which we passed".

Society Hill was settled by a church congregation which was given a tract along the Pee Dee River, on the border of Darlington and Marlboro Counties. In 1736/37, the Colonial Government granted land along the river for the sole use of the Welsh Baptists of Delaware. They then established their colony, settling in the bend of the river. They called their little village Long Bluff. By 1750 the settlement had become an important trading post/boat landing and was chosen as the site for the County court house. St. David's Society was formed in 1777 to promote education in the area. Residents built St. David's Academy shortly after the Revolutionary War, on a small rise a little further away from the river. The new Welsh Neck Baptist Church went up near the school and a small community grew up around these buildings. Long Bluff was then abandoned in favor of this new site and given a new name. Nowadays, Society Hill is a small community, rich in historic old buildings and southern hospitality. It's the oldest settlement in Darlington County. The only working commercial rice plantation in South Carolina is presently located there. Places of interest will be further identified in this manuscript.

Samuel would stay in the region for the duration of his long life, which ended in 1810. He married three times, to Lydia Edwards, Sarah Lang and Mary (surname unknown). He had children by his first and third wives, thus a vast difference in ages occurred between the siblings. He and Lydia's children were: Enoch, Mary, Sarah, and Susannah. Those born to Mary (mostly underage when Samuel died) were: Samuel Jr., Margaret, Rebecca and Thomas. Samuel donated money to St. David's Academy and his children were enrolled there. His wives may all have been associated with the Welsh Neck church, as their surnames are found on the original charter. Samuel donated beef to the loyal forces in the War for Independence. He was a slave owner and had considerable land holdings when he died. By then, two of his children (Enoch and Susannah) were living in Missouri and another daughter (Mary) would soon move to the southwest - Mississippi (see my TIMELINE at end of manuscript).

The family unit of Samuel Windes is believed documented in three Federal censuses. Those entries are shown thus:

Head of Household: WILLIAM WINDS. Note: The given name appears to be in error. It was just after the close of the Revolutionary War. Males are known to have changed given names then for a variety of reasons. The sparse stats from the census entry certainly fit the known family of Samuel Winds.

Interesting Note: There is another Samuel Winds listed as living in Chesterfield County in this census. He is noted as between 16-25, with a wife 16-25 and two small sons, both under 10. It sounds as though it could be Enoch Windes with his wife Sarah and first two sons, Joseph and William. Could Enoch have been Samuel Enoch Windes? The handwritten census record doesn't indicate Junior, but a 1799 taxpayer list does note a Samuel and Samuel Junior. Perhaps Enoch choose his middle name, thus leaving the option open for Samuel to name his first son through his third wife Mary, as Sam Junior.

Enoch Windes (and family) and Susannah Windes have moved to Tennessee and on to Missouri.

Now for a closer look at his family from his FIRST MARRIAGE. The Edwards males were leaders in the Welsh Baptist Church. Samuel and Lydia were probably married circa 1763/4. Lydia's father was Job Edwards, said to be from Wales. Her mother's name may have been Mary Wilds. A Job Edwards and Mary Wild(s) were married on Sept. 10, 1737 in S.C. Lydia probably died by 1785.

Enoch is said to have been 17 when the War for Independence ended. He learned the carpenter trade. Certainly the most prolific of Samuel's offspring, Enoch is responsibility for the modern Windes name in America today. The family that stayed in the Northeast used the Wines spelling. There are no known offspring of Enoch's brothers, Samuel and Thomas. It is possible that even if they did father children, that they used the Wines/Winds spelling. Even the Society Hill descendants of Negro slaves who may have been owned by Samuel Windes (and who later adopted his name?), only used the Wines spelling.

Enoch Windes married Sarah Dumville before 1790. He was probably age 25 and Sarah about age 20. Her parents were Robert Dumville and Mary McCall. Enoch and Sarah were our progenitors that followed the admonition to "GO WEST." They would live in many different locations in their lifetime, including Virginia, Tennessee, Missouri and finally in Hinds Co., Mississippi. They eventually had twelve children (including seven sons), who would scatter widely, distributing the surname into various clans throughout the land. The famed St. Madrid Earthquakes of 1811/1812 are said to have helped the disbursement along. The known (and suspected children) of Enoch and Sarah are:

Joseph (1790-1847) possibly Sarah (1793-1850) William A. (1795-1868) Samuel P. (1797-1847) Robert Dumville (1799- 1867) Susan (1807-aft. 1880) Enoch (1809-1872) Lydia (ca. 1811-unk.) Mary Dumville (1812 -1839) and suspected children: Elizabeth ( ?-? ) C.P. ( ?-? ) Jacob ( ?-? )

See my little manuscripts concerning four of the major family groups established by the above named children. Also, read James Windes' excellent booklet: THE WINDES OF APPLE GROVE, ALABAMA. Enoch Windes, born 1809, was the patriarch of that particular clan.

Married William Lang, circa 1790 - Gleaning from a letter below, it appears that they had three sons and two daughters. William Lang died in 1804. Mary then married Silas Maynor and they moved to Mississippi in 1818 - along the Federal Road through the Creek Nation. Sarah E. Lang, born 1798, married Benjamin McLaughlin on Nov. 17th, 1819, in the Southeast. They had ten children, one of which, Laura, instigated the family search that has provided us with the invaluable letters, the first of which follows:

Mr. Enoch Windes - Oak Point, Tenn.
Sir,
After reading my letter I hope you will pardon the liberty I take for addressing you. I have often heard my Mother speak of a maternal Uncle that she had that bore the same name as yourself; Enoch Windes, and has often expressed the wish that she could hear from kin. I saw your name in The Baptist of Nov. 7th, and hence my writing to you to learn if you are one of her Uncle Enoch' s family. My mother spells the name, I think, Wynds. My mother was raised in Society Hill, South Carolina. She was the daughter of Wm and Mary Lang. Her mother's maiden name was Mary Wyndes, and she was (the) daughter of Samuel and Lydia Wynds. Lydia Wynds was a daughter of Job Edwards of Wales. My mother was born in S.C. in 1798, came to Mississippi in 1818, married Benjamin McLaughlin in 1819, and was left a widow in 1841. Has never married since my father's death. She is now living in Caldwell County of this state. I would be glad to hear from you on the subject and hope you will not think it rude in me to write you these few lines. My address is Marlin, Texas.

My grand-father was named Samuel Wynds and his wife's maiden name was Lydia Edwards, they had four children, i.e., Enoch, Mary, Susannah and Sarah. His wife Lydia then died, and he married Sarah Evans who died and he then married the third time (no name), and had 4 children, i.e., Samuel, Thomas, Margaret, and Rebecca, these were all the children that my grand-father had. Mary, a daughter by his first wife, was my mother, she married Wm. Lang, who was my father and who died when I was six years old. My Uncle Enoch was about 17 years old when the old war of '76 ended, he then learned the house carpenter trade, went to Tenn, and built the first house that was built in Knoxville, he married in Tenn, a Miss Nelle (Sarah) Dumble (Dumville), and then went to Missouri, where he lived a long time, and then moved to Mississippi, and died near Jackson about 36 years ago. My mother has been dead 34 years, my uncle dying before my mother. My husband, Benj. McLaughlin died in '41. My Uncle's oldest son was named Joseph and (Uncle) had seven sons, one of his sons was a physician, I do not know his name, he had 12 children, two of his daughters were teachers. I expect my uncle was your great great grand-father, for I am now 76 years old. I am the only one of my mother's family that is living, I had three brothers and one sister, and they are all gone. My Aunt Susannah went to Mo. With my Uncle Enoch and married Mr. James McCormack and had five children and then died. I have lost sight of all my Uncle's and Aunt's children.
Sarah E. McLaughlin

The foregoing is a copy of a letter that I rec'd from my mother today. I rec'd your card a day or two before tak'in with a very serious attack of fever, and was for sometime very near grave, consequently did not write to my mother about our correspondence until after my recovery, hence, my delay in replying to you. My Mother's letter that I have copied and sent to you gives all the information I can command. I would be glad to hear from you again,

From the records of the Welsh Neck Baptist Church, we learn that Sarah Lang (Laura's mother) was baptized on March 15th, 1818. On October 24 of the same year, Silas Maynor, Mary Windes Maynor, Elizabeth Maynor and Sarnh Lang were "dismissed by letters to the Southwest."

From the 1874 letter it appears that Mary Windes Lang Maynor died around 1840, in Mississippi. She was the mother of at least three sons and two daughters. There is a listing for Silas Maynor in the censuses of Kemper County, Ms., for 1839, 1840, 1841 and 1845. He also signed a petition in 1837. Silas apparently remarried, to Mrs. Jane Roddy on 30 Sept. 1844 in Lauderdale County, Ms.

One wonders what the connection was (if any) between William Lang, her first husband, and Sarah Lang, the second wife of Samuel Windes.

Married John Geer and stayed in the Society Hill area. She was probably a member of the Welsh Neck church, and is buried in the church cemetery beside her husband and daughter. Her husband John got into an extended disagreed with Sarah's stepmother, Mary Windes. The church finally disfellowshipped both of them until they agreed to forgive each other. It apparently concerned the use of shared land in the Windes tract. They probably lived on those holdings. John's will revealed considerable data on the family. Only one daughter is mentioned in the will, Lydia Jane Geer McMillan, though grandchildren are also given certain possessions. His slaves were sold in family groups, to friends, so as not to divide. Sarah Windes Geer is buried next to her husband John Geer and her daughter Lydia Geer McMillan at the Welsh Neck Baptist Church cemetery. I hope to get photos of the stones (w/dates?) eventually. Another daughter of the family, Clarissa F., married Richardson Prince on March 5th, 1824. She probably died before her father's will was written, perhaps without issue.

Susannah was the final child of Samuel and Lydia, believed born circa 1780. When Enoch and Sarah Windes left South Carolina in the mid 1790's, she opted to travel with them. Perhaps there was friction between she and her step-mother and the lure of the West was also calling her. She was undoubted a great help to her sister-in-law Sarah in helping care for her huge family that eventually numbered twelve children. Susan is known to have been educated and was a smart young school teacher when the family moved to Ste. Genevieve, Mo., around 1805. She married Mr. James M. McCormack of Jefferson County, Mo., on July 26, 1809. James was the son of Peter Patrick and Margaret Donnell McCormack. Five children were eventually born to James and Susan Windes McCormack. They were:

Peter (1810-1878) Enoch (1811-1843) Sarah (1811-1865) Margaret (1814- ? ) Susan (1818-1865)

Susan died on Jan. 16, 1819. James married Margaret McMullin Nov. 26, 1822. He established a family cemetery on the top of a steep ridge behind the location of his plantation house at Plattin Gap, Jefferson County, Mo. It is not known if Susan is buried there, since the burial ground was on private land and the date of its first burial is unknown. The earliest stone standing there is dated 1833. James McCormack died Jan. 19, 1846 and is buried in the cemetery. At least three of Susan's children are buried there also. The old cemetery is surrounded by a black iron fence and is only accessible by a foot path up a steep ridge. See my manuscript: THE WINDES OF PLATTIN GAP. A lengthy poignant poem concerning "the memories" buried in this cemetery was once written by a widowed husband, a minister who married a McCormack girl. As of yet, I've been unable to locate a copy of it.

The name Lang is very common in the membership records of the Welsh Neck Baptist Church of Christ, often found in leadership roles. This marriage must have been of short duration and no children were born to the couple. A death notice in the church records for "MARY WINDS" of February 1785 may actually be for Sarah (perhaps known as Mary). The name appears after the supposed death of Lydia, and before Enoch's third marriage to Mary (surname unknown). This is only subjective guessing however.

They were probably married circa 1790. Three of the four children born to Samuel and Mary would be underage at the time of Samuel's death in 1810. Mary was much younger than Samuel and would live for at least three decades after his death. Here are the related CENSUS findings:

Sam Jr., was the 'dutiful son' who remained in the area always. He apparently never married and assumed the responsibility for his younger brother and sisters when his father died in 1811. He himself died in 1821. A newspaper article from that year very possibly documented his early death. Here is the 'short' entry:

Samuel …, a long time citizen of this area, as was his father Samuel … has died.

The location, death year and given name are correct, but unfortunately the surname itself can't be read (the binding is to tight). I give it a 75/25 chance of being in behalf of our relative, Samuel Winds Jr.

I can find no church membership for Samuel Jr. at Welsh Neck Church. However, the family did have female member links to the church and possibly Samuel was interred there, in a grave no longer marked. Certainly there could have been a private burial site on the 'Windes Tract' of family owned land as well.

There is a possible connection to Andrew Wines - a mulatto - town storeowner - and educator of Society Hill. Research is continuing to link the families together.

Margaret married Samuel Adams, born circa 1795-1800 (found in the 1820 Chesterfield Co. census). He died before February 1830 and it is likely that Margaret died before that time. In the February Term of Marlboro Equity Court, 1830, Dr. Thomas Smith was appointed Guardian of the four Adams orphans; Thomas, James, Rebecca and William. Dr. Smith filed annual accounts of expenditures for the children through January 1837, at which time the oldest child, Thomas R. Adams had reached age 20, and could assume responsibility for his younger siblings. The two younger children had been boarded in the home of John Prince from around 1835. It appears that he may have been the son-in-law of Sarah Windes Geer. Thus a cousin had taken younger cousins into her home. Thomas Adams later moved to DeSoto Parish, Louisiana. His slaves built the first court house at Mansfield around 1844. I have only researched one of his siblings, William G., who moved to La. with his brother and later married and lived in Texas. Margaret Windes Adams was given slaves via the Will of her brother Samuel Windes Jr.

Only two known references mention Rebecca Windes (other than the Texas letters). First, the school records of St. David Academy reveal that Rebecca and Margaret Wines were missing too much school in the year 1809. Secondly, Samuel Jr. did assume the responsibility for her upon their father's death in 1811 (she was under 21 years of age). She is not mentioned in the division of property of her father's estate that was finally completed in 1814 (perhaps because she was not of age). Of course, she may have married and disappeared into the fabric of the community in those early times. Research of the 1850 census for the area would turn up wives named Rebecca, but then linking them to the Windes family would prove most difficult. Perhaps a family bible will one day surface and provide more Rebecca data to us.

The name of Thomas Wind(e)s appears for a couple of decades in the national census records. He seems to have lived near his mother, Mary, who also lived on for several decades after the death of her husband. There is no one living with him in 1820 and I've never been able to contact anyone who is descended from him. Perhaps he changed the spelling to Wines, but a pedigree link should have been established by this time. He is listed in the 1819 tax list for Marlboro County. Samuel Jr. left slaves to this brother.

February 15th 1821. Will of Samuel Windes (sic) proved by Major Pledger and William Pledger Senr, not subscribing witnesses but swore to the handwriting; Thomas Winds admr. with will annexed.

March 5th 1821. Thomas Winds returned citation for admn. On estate of Samuel Winds with his will annexed; entered into bond with Jas. Gillispie and Jno. J. McColloch for $5000.

A 1830 census entry for Thomas has not been identified. He may have been living with his mother.

Samuel Windes lived a long life, which ended circa 1810. He was approximately 80 years of age. Reference is made to his will, in the eventual distribution of his land, but I have never located a copy of the will itself. He had made provisions for his widow Mary and most of his children but didn't mention Sarah, the wife of William Geer. The will was therefore contested and the final distribution of his land was delayed for several years. Note the following entries:

Minute Book A, page 27
John Geer and wife verses William Houze (may be House) and others … bill for account and partition. Mr. Enoch Hanford makes motion the court appoint Samuel Windes guardian to Thomas, Margaret and Rebecca Winds, infants under 21 years. It is the opinion of the court that the name of Sarah was omitted in the will of later Samuel Windes by mistake, therefore, court directs Wm. Houze, George Wilds, and William Ellerbe for personal estate …

February 11, 1811: John Geer and wife Sarah verses Wm. Ellerbe, executor of Samuel Winds in bill for account and partition. Shows, Enoch Winds and Susannah Winds, two of the defendants are residents without the state (in Missouri). Summoned to appear.

February 1813: John and wife verses executors of Samuel Windes. Court ordered executors to divide estate according to will of testator. Personal estate after debts paid (totaled): $3,036.00.

June 1813: Same people. Bill of partition. Josiah Cantey appointed to run out division (of) estate.

February 1814: Partition of estate of Samuel Winds: First Parcel of land: John Geer 77 acres, Samuel Winds (Jr.) 81 acres, Thomas Winds 73½ acres widow, Mary 94 acres.

Second Parcel of land: widow, Mary 300 acres, Thomas Winds 88¾ acres, Susannah Winds 88¾ Acres, Enoch Windes 88¾ acres, Silas Maynor 88¾ acres. Geographic features noted: Pee Dee River, Nahe Creek

Eventually all the land was distributed. The land presented to the Geers remained in that family for decades and was known as the Windes tract (see my manuscript, ENOCH and SARAH WINDES). The burial site of Samuel Windes is unknown, although his widow was associated with the Welsh Neck church. Mary Winds death date and burial site is likewise unknown. They are both probably buried in the Welsh Neck cemetery. His earlier wives are likely there as well, perhaps buried with their birth families.

FOR THOSE WHO EVER WISH TO MAKE A FAMILY HISTORY TOUR, HERE ARE SOME THINGS TO SEE IN OLD SOCIETY HILL:

Built in 1822, one year after the death of Samuel Windes Jr. It is a one of the oldest lending libraries in South Carolina. It was organized by a group of prominent local citizens who each contributed their share of $240 to purchase the books. Members paid a membership fee of $20 and an annual fee of $5 to purchase books from Philadelphia. The old building has been moved from its original location. It is open on special occasions. Don't miss it!

The second oldest Baptist Church in South Carolina. It was established by those Welsh settlers from Delaware in 1738 on the east side of the river. They moved to this site in 1798. Female members of the family were associated with this church. The present building was completed in 1938 after an earlier structure burnt. It is the third building on this lot. Also here are the cemetery and baptistery. The old cemetery is fascinating to explore. Graves of Confederate and Revolutionary War soldiers lie next to modern Industrialists and Ivy League professors. Be sure to visit the Windes/Geer/McMillan graves. A master list of burials in posted permanently in the cemetery. Samuel Windes (1730-1811) and his wives probably rest here in unmarked graves.

The baptistery dates from 1843. Timbers from the church were used to build this structure after an alter call at a revival. A crowd had moved toward that alter and the floor collapsed. An outside building was then constructed.

Owned and operated by Zachariah W. Wines, black merchant and educator. He also represented Darlington County in the SC House from 1876-1878 and was commissioned by Governor Wade Hampton in 1877 as a captain in the National Guard. He also taught at nearby Waddell School and later served as Society Hill's postmaster. He died in 1920. Research is being currently going on to see if he links to the Samuel Windes family. He was listed as mulatto in the 1880 census, having been raised in Society Hill. He is possibly connected to Samuel Windes Jr, who died in 1821. Samuel was a slave owner, who never married.

Dates to 1777 and was the first Academy in eastern South Carolina. St. David's was known as an excellent educational facility throughout the state. The second building as erected on this site in 1840. The present building is the sixth on the lot and dates from 1957. Samuel Wind(e)s contributed to the Academy. It helped to establish Society Hill as the cultural center of the county in the 1800's. Many well-known professors and students have come from the school, including some of the 1st professors at the renowned University of South Carolina. At least some of the children of Samuel Windes attended here.

Samuel Windes was associated with several important members. He voted at one of their houses. He may have been a member here. The building was finished in 1774. The cemetery needs to be checked. Both church and cemetery are located on Church Street. They can be visited. The church became Presbyterian after the Revolutionary War for a couple of decades, even as the Southold church did.

Completed in 1834, it was the first Episcopal Church in the county and is the oldest original church building of any denomination still standing. It was closed in 1929 but holds one service per year.

Founded in 1885 with 125 members, the church structure was built in 1887. Deacon Andrew Z. Wines gave the church its name. The first church clerk and trustee was Zack Wines. He held those positions until his death in 1920 (see Wines Store).

Built in 1820, Croly Hill was the site of the home of the infamous Mrs. Croly, who during the Revolutionary War often harbored the Tories. She was once taken out to be hung, but was saved when Captain McIntosh and Major Mikell came to her aid. The present house was built by Governor Williams as a summerhouse.

The current house was built in 1805, replacing an earlier house burned by the British in 1780. This architectural treasure is the oldest house in Society Hill. It became the home of Josiah Evans through his marriage to Dorothea Dewitt in 1813. They enlarged the dwelling considerably. The wooden ornaments on some of the gables are said to keep the evil spirits away.

Col. Kolb's Tomb Monument - Take Highway 15 to S.H.; right on old River Road 1 mile, in the woods

Colonel Abel Kolb was a prominent Revolutionary War Patriot. A band of Tory raiders, on the night of April 27/28, 1781, surrounded his home and shot him while he surrendered himself as a prisoner of war. His home was burned. His grave is in the old Welsh Neck cemetery one mile north, on the banks of the Pee Dee. This cemetery was used by the Welsh settlers until the church was moved into Society Hill, at which time the cemetery was abandoned. Only two stone monuments and several river rock markers remain today. It's unknown if it was ever used for any of the Windes or their marriage related families. One rock appears with the initials M/W, another one is marked M.W. - 1792. Yet another marked A. Wilds, 1781-1796.

A brave and Noble Soldier of the Era of '76/Lurking Tories Failing to decoy him/From his house Which Stood Near the Ferry /Set fire to it/And in escaping From the Flames/He was shot/Ready as he was To Devote his all to His Country's Cause/He lost not sight of his Obligations to his God/He was a Worthy Member of the Welsh Neck Church/A long line of Admiring Descendants and Friends will Cherish his Memory/ With Profound Veneration.

May actually be very close to the Windes land holdings, this battle occurred on August 1, 1780 right at the Darlington and Marlboro County line. Enoch Windes was 17 years old when the war ended a year later. Was he involved? His father did supply beef to the American army, though whether it was voluntarily or by seizure is unknown.

Take US 52 into Society Hill and the cemetery and church is at the fork of the road. You can't miss it.

There are probably many family members laid to rest here. Those three known are:
GEER John (circa 1770 - after 1853)
GEER Sarah Windes (circa 1775 - after 1853
McMILLAN, Lydia Geer (8/18/1802-1/1/1883)

WINES, Andrew Z. 1814-1909 May have taken the Wines name upon leaving slavery. Listed as mulatto.
WINES, Susannah 1825-1903 Wife of Andrew Z.
WINES, Zackariah W. 1847-1920 Son of Andrew Z.
WINES, Mariah L. Mishow 1859-1901 Wife of Zachariah W.
GRANVILLE, Necey 1861-1904 Long term relationship with Zachariah W. Buried next to Wines family
WINES, Johnnie Z. 1863-1891 Son of Zachariah W.
WINES, Benjamin F. 1879-1879 Son of Zachariah W.
WINES, Thomas 1886-1936 Son of Zachariah W.
WINES, Samuel 1893-1918 Son of Zachariah W.
WINES, Zack 1879-1922 Son of Andrew W.
WINES, Constantia 1866-1905 Wife of Andrew W., a son of Andrew Z.
WINES, Marion Cooper 1890-1943 Wife of Thomas Wines
WINES, Victoria 1913-1990 Daughter of Thomas Wines, granddaughter of Zachariah W.

My brother, John Howell Windes, once interviewed the town historian at Society Hill. He knew of the Windes family and believed that they had pretty much left the area by the 1820/1830's. John had noticed a historial marker while passing through the town that mentioned Zachariah Wines and brought it up. The historian said that he was a prominent black businessman whose descendants were respected educators, etc. He didn't indicate a relationship between the families (see book on the Harmston Family of Virginia), but such a dismissal was apropos to the time. It is very evident that as the white family departed the village, the black family rose to prominent.

Two separate grids reveal the land holdings of Samuel Windes at his death in 1811 (see the attachment). Also, the Will of his son-in-law John Geer written in 1853 mentions the "Windes Tract," of which Geer then owned 95 acres. It is identified as sitting on the Pee Dee River, bounded on the south by the lands of Dr. Z.E. Wilson, who is further noted as a friend of John Geer.

Here's the way in which the Texas letters came to me. Decades ago, a Kentucky father was delivering his daughter to her new college in St Louis., Missouri. He checked their massive phone book for Windes listings and his finger fell upon the name of one Cynthia Windes. He called her and she proceeded to tell him all about me, a son of her husband's uncle. A friendship with one Billy Windes was thus forged and when I wrote about my frustration with the parentage of Enoch Windes (1765), he wrote back and stated; you mustn't have the Texas letters … which he proceeded to copy and mail to me.

1756 - "About this time, the name … Samuel Windes … (is) found among the records." HISTORY OF THE OLD CHERAWS By Right Rev. Alexander Gregg, 1867.
1759 - Land allotment to Samuel Wind(e)s for service rendered in the Cherokee Wars along the PeeDee River in southeast South Carolina near the North Carolina border. He may have been part of a New Jersey regiment that was called up for the emergency and ties to the New Jersey Windes'.
1763 ca - Samuel marries Lydia Edwards, daughters of a prominent family associated with the Welsh Neck Church, located on the PeeDee. They will have 4 children, one son and three daughters.
1765 ca - Enoch Windes born to Samuel and Lydia Edwards Windes near Society Hill, S.C.
1769 - Samuel Windes voted in election held at Mr. Charles Bedingfield's house at Society Hill, S.C.
1770 ca - Sarah Dumville born to Robert and Mary McGill Dumville - will marry Enoch
1785 ca - Lydia Edwards Windes dies. Sam then marries Sarah Lang, daughter of another prominent family associated with the Welsh Neck Church. She dies within a few years. (no children).
1785 - Samuel Windes sells beef to the Revolutionary Army. He is apparently never paid for it.
1785 - The death of a 'Mary Wines' is noted in the records of the Welsh Neck Church, Society Hill.
1788 ca - Enoch Windes marries Sarah Dumville, daughter of Robert and Mary Dumville
1789 ca - Samuel Windes marries his third wife, Mary (surname unknown). They will have four children, two sons and two daughters. Samuel will die before most of them are of age.
1790 - First U.S. Census lists a "William" Winds and family living near Society Hill, S.C. The stats seem to reflect the family of Samuel Windes; i.e., their ages, children, etc.
1790 ca - Samuel's daughter, Mary, marries William Lang. They have several children before his death in 1804. She then marries Silas Maynor. Later they move to Mississippi.
1792 - Enoch Windes witnesses indenture document between Aaron Baxley and Richard Dumville at Camden, S.C.
1795 - Enoch Windes and Sarah his wife purchase land in Abingdon, Virginia. They soon sell the same and head further west.
1798 - Enoch Windes witnesses land transaction between Noah Jarnigan and Robert Dumville in Grainger County, Tennessee.
1798 - Sarah Lang born to William Lang and Mary Winds Lang at Society Hill.
1799 - Enoch "Winds" found in early Tennessee tax list
1800 - U.S. Census - Samuel Winds and family listed as living near Society Hill, S.C. They have slaves.
1803 - Enoch Windes wedding bondsman for Ellender Dumville and William Sims, in Grainger County.
1804 - Enoch Windes witness for land transfer between Robert Dumville and William Sims
1806 - Last mention of Enoch Windes in Grainger County, Tennessee.
1809 - Margaret and Rebecca Wines noted as missing too much school at St. David's Academy, Society Hill
1809 - Samuel's daughter, Susannah, marries James M. McCormack in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.
1810 ca - Samuel Winds dies. He had several underage children.
1810 - U.S. census -Mary Winds and family listed as living near Society Hill, S.C.
1810 - Division of Samuel Winds ' property. Seven of his children are mentioned.
1813 - Mary Windes Maynor and family move to the 'Southeast' (Mississippi), per church records.
Circa 1815 - Margaret Windes marries Samuel Adams. Both deceased by 1830 - four children orphaned. Two eventually live with the Prince family, who may be a son-in-law of Margaret's sister Sarah.
1813 - Joseph, Enoch's son marries Nancy McMullin in Jefferson County, Missouri
1814 - Final distribution - the land of Samuel Wind(e)s.
1816 - Enoch and Sarah Windes witnesses for the Will of Robert Estes
1818 - Mary Winds Lang Maynor moves with husband and children to Mississippi.
1818 - Samuel, son of Enoch signs petition in support of Missouri becoming state.
1819 - Enoch Windes sells a young slave in Washington County, Mo.
1819 - Enoch and Sarah Windes purchase a city lot in Potosi, Mo. They buy from Moses Austin, later considered the 'grandfather' of Texas. His son Stephen becomes 1st Texas governor. They sell in 1821.
1819 - Thomas Winds, son of Samuel, listed in tax list for Marlboro County.
1819 - Samuel Winds (Jr.) son of Samuel, listed in tax list for Marlboro County
1820 - Thomas Wines, son of Samuel, in census for Marlboro County, living alone, aged between 25/35.
1820 - Mary Wines, widow of Samuel, listed in census for Chesterfield County.
1821 - Samuel Wines Jr., son of Samuel, dies near Camden, South Carolina
1821 - Thomas Wind(e)s appointed administrator of Samuel Wines estate.
1823 - Enoch and Sarah buy land in Potosi, Missouri from Moses Austin
1824 - Enoch and Sarah sell land in Potosi to John Brickey. Enoch had probably built a house on it.
1825 - Susan Windes, Enoch's daughter, a witness at a wedding in Ste. Genevieve Co., Mo.
1825 - Enoch Windes signs the 'stray book' in Ste. Genevieve Co., Mo.
1830 - Mary Wines, widow of Samuel, listed in census for Chesterfield County. A male lives with her.
1830 - Samuel Adams, husband of Margaret Windes dies. Children placed under guardianship.
1830 - Enoch Windes and his son Samuel P. both listed near each other in Hinds County, Ms.
1830 - William Wynds, Enoch' son, listed in the census for Jefferson County, Mo.
1830 - Lydia, Enoch's daughter marries John Futch in Hinds County.
1833 - Susan, Enoch's daughter marries Robert Wells in Hinds County, Mississippi
1837 - Enoch's daughter Mary D. dies at Robert D. Windes plantation in Louisiana.
1838 - Enoch Windes (born 1765) dies in Hinds County, Mississippi
1839 - Susan Windes' husband, Robert Wells, sells a 10 year old slave in Hinds County, Mississippi
1840 - Mary Windes Maynor dies at Kemper County, Mississippi.
1845 - Joseph Windes dies in Jefferson County, Missouri - a son of Enoch and Sarah
1847 - Samuel P. Windes dies in Union Parish, Louisiana -a son of Enoch and Sarah
1850 - Lydia Windes' husband, John Futch, dies in Hinds County, Mississippi
1853 - William Geer prepares his LW&T. His wife, Sarah Windes Geer is still living, then approximately 75/80 years of age. She is probably the last of the Windes siblings.
1867 - Robert Dumville Windes dies at his large plantation near Eola, Louisiana. He is the son of Enoch and Sarah Dumville Windes. His son R.D. Jr. takes over and writes poetry.
1867 - Rev. William Winds, son of Enoch and Sarah, died at his home in Courtois Township, Crawford County, Missouri. His two 'old maid' daughters take over the farm.
1880 - Susan, Enoch's daughter is listed as living with her daughter Emma Lee in Arkansas, age 73.
1883 - Thomas Adams, son of Samuel and Margaret Windes Adams, dies in DeSoto Parish, La.

The old St. David's Episcopal Church still exists in Cheraw. It was finally finished in 1774. Charles Beddingfield was associated with this church and it was at his house that Samuel Winds voted in 1769. The PeeDee could be navigated as far as Cheraw, then goods had to be moved by road to Society Hill, a few miles further up stream. Cheraw was English, and Samuel may have been linked to this church. Society Hill was Welsh, and the Baptist church was popular there.

The Revolutionary War came to Cheraw with a vengeance in 1780. The British forces came burning and plundering. They used the church as a hospital. Later in the fall of that year the Americans soldiers moved back in. Samuel Winds provided beef for them and later applied to get paid for it in 1785.

The Windes of Society Hill, South Carolina

by George Windes

See also:

WEBSITE BY JILL HOLROYD AND MILES
LAST MODIFIED: 19 NOVEMBER 2006

The Windes of Society Hill, South Carolina

by George Windes

See also:

WEBSITE BY JILL HOLROYD AND MILES LAST MODIFIED: 19 NOVEMBER 2006

WEBSITE BY JILL HOLROYD AND MILES
LAST MODIFIED: 19 NOVEMBER 2006