Benjamin Duke(s) of SC, 1745-1790, A Summary by Lynn S. Teague
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Benjamin Duke(s), Prince Frederick Parish
William Dukes was born to Benjamin and Mary Dukes on 27 September 1745 and was christened Oct. 29, 1745, in Prince Frederick Winyaw Parish.1

In 1766 a plat for 200 acres in Craven County was registered by Benjamin Duke.2 The property was described as being in Prince Frederick Parish on the west side of the Black River adjacent to vacant land. This would place the property in Craven (contemporary Williamsburg) county.

On the 19th of September, 1770, a plat was registered by Benjamin Duke for 200 acres in Prince Frederick Parish, Craven County, adjacent vacant land. The plat was dated 4 September 1770.3 In 1771 a plat for 200 acres in Craven County, adjacent vacant land, was registered by Benjamin Duke. The plat itself was dated 4 January 1771.4 This could be in the same location, or elsewhere in Craven County. The original plat has not been examined. In 1779 Benjamin Duke was an Overseer for the parish.5 In 1783 both Benjamin and William Duke(s) were listed as petit jurors for
Georgetown.6


Benjamin Duke in Saint Thomas and Saint Denis Parish, Berkeley County
For several years no direct reference to the residence of Thomas Goodman Duke was found, and so it was inferred from information about others involved in the John Snow will (witnessed by Thomas Goodman Duke and by Henry Bonneau) that he was from Christ Church or St. Thomas & St. Denis Parish (see Addenda). However, it has been found that his family is listed in the Register of St. Thomas & St. Denis Parish, but (at least in the printed account) is incorrectly identified as Thomas Goodmunduke. His family is listed there are follows:7 Goodmunduke Parents Thomas and Susannah Thomas born Apl. 13, 1735 Elizabeth born Jan. 27, 1736-37 Benjamin Duke born Mch. 29, 1739 Susannah born Dec. 18, 1741 Mary born June 9, 1744

Benjamin Duke was in the Berkeley County militia, drafted November 9, 1759, and discharged January 8, 1760.8 This surely refers to the son of Thomas Goodman Duke. "Mr. Benjamin Duke of the Parish of St. Thomas & St. Dennis, Planter, admr. with the will annexed of David Watts, late of the Parish of St. Thomas & St. Dennis, Shoemaker, who appointed Elizabeth Watts and Benjamin Simms,9 Extx. & exr. & sd. Elizabeth Watts is since dead and Benjamin Simms hath rendered his Exorship, 31 July, 1783. Sureties: Joseph Warnock of St. Thomas & St. Dennis Parish, Planter, and Frances Bonneau10 of Charleston, House-Carpenter." Reference: Page 67 (Source???). (In the 1790 federal census, Frances Bonneau is listed as living in St. Phillip's Parish with 12 other white household members and 11 slaves, next door to Edward Rutledge.) The Bonneau family association and the location of his residence argue that this was the Benjamin Duke who was the son of Thomas Goodman Duke, also of the St. Thomas and St. Denis Parish and also closely associated with the Bonneau family.

On 9 December 1784 Benjamin Duke witnessed the marriage of Lewis Bochet (Parish of Prince George, Georgetown District) and Rebecca Watts (Prince Frederick Parish, encompassing Williamsburg County) at the home of Mrs. Rebeca Watts of the Parish of Prince Frederick. The service was conducted by Samuel Fenner Warren, of the Parish of St. James Parish, Santee.11 Benjamin Duke served as a witness, with Joseph Boutwell.12 The Watts association makes it clear that this is the same individual who was a planter of St. Thomas & St. Dennis Parish, rather than the older Benjamin Duke, of Prince Frederick Parish. The location and the Bonneau association strongly suggest that this is in turn the same individual who was a son of Thomas Goodman Duke.

The Watts family appeared in Orangeburgh District, and was probably associated with the Watts family connected with Benjamin Duke in St. Thomas and St. Dennis Parish. John Watts, a shoemaker (like David Watts of St. Thomas and St. Denis) appeared in the 1850 federal census of Orangeburgh District, living near St. Matthews, perhaps between there and Elloree judging by his census neighbors (Kellers, Kennerlys, Keitts, Warren Adam Shuler, and so forth).13 Zimmie Dantzler plats show that Joe Watts received a 1768-69 grant on Fleabite Creek, near Halfway Swamp.14 John and William were probably his descendants, since this places them in the same area. The Watt family name also appears in connection with the Duke family in Sumter County, where Jonathon Watt married Adelphus Duke, born 1815, whose mother was a Simmons.

It is clearly the Duke family of the Hobcaw Point area that had connections with both the Watt and Simmons families. Specifically, Benjamin Duke was brother of Elizabeth, who married a Simmons, and had close ties to the Watt family. He was probably the father of Adelphus Duke. There is another Bonneau/Duke family connection. In 1766 Elizabeth Duke of St. Thomas and St. Denis, daughter of Thomas Goodman Duke, married Henry Simons, son of Samuel Simons and Elizabeth Bonneau.


The Family of Thomas Duke, Williamsburg County
The family begun by Thomas Duke, son of an unknown Duke and Sarah Blackwell, follows the above individuals, Benjamin and his son William, in the Williamsburg County area. It is possible that Thomas Duke of Williamsburg is descended from the Benjamin Duke family, although this is by no means clear. According to the family records of Richard Duke of New Zion, Williamsburg County, South Carolina, the family history of Thomas Duke descendants includes the following: An unknown Duke married Margaret Blackwell (1769-1799), daughter of Samuel Blackwell and Elizabeth Dozier. Samuel Blackwell was the son of Samuel Blackwell who served under Francis Marion in the Revolutionary War. Margaret Blackwell was married first to this unknown Duke, then to Samuel Adair, and finally to John McClary.

Thomas, in turn, married John McClary's daughter, Mary Hamilton McClary. Thomas Duke, born 10 Nov 1786, died 30 Nov 1855, buried McClary cemetery, married first Mary Hamilton McClary, born 26 July 1784, died 28 Mar 1840. Their children were David McClary Duke, b. ca. 1819, d. Mar 1873, and Sarah Thermutis Duke, born 1822, died 26 Nov 1866. Thomas Duke married second Susan Thorp, born about 1824, died 1849. They had sons Thomas Flovia Duke and Benjamin F. Duke. David McClary Duke named his children Susannah, William D., Robert E., Thomas, Mary Helen, and Elizabeth A. Duke. The male names parallel exactly the male names of the known Duke family in Berkeley County.

Thomas Flovia Duke also had sons named Thomas Edward and William Fowler Duke. William Fowler Duke brings to mind the Fowlers connected to the Duke family through Joan Watkins Halliburton Dukes, whose will was probated in 1771 and referred to her sister: Anne Watkins, who first married James Cammell and second Jonathon Fowler. In addition, the Blackwells were from Haddrels Point, now called Mt. Pleasant, very close to Hobcaw Point in Christ Church Parish, Berkeley County.15 Margaret Blackwell Duke had a brother named Boutwell Blackwell.16 It will be remembered that Joseph Boutwell witnessed a Prince Frederick's Parish wedding with Benjamin Duke, son of Robert Goodman Duke of the Hobcaw Point area, in 1784. The LDS IGS shows Joseph Boutwell's father as Burtonhead Boutwell, of Jeffries Creek, Prince Frederick Parish, Craven County, SC. However, the 1790 federal census has Joseph Boutwell in Georgetown District, Prince Frederick's Parish, but Burton and John Boutwell in Barnwell County in close proximity to many families with names associated with various parts of the Dukes family: Christian Faust; Joseph, William, and John Pendarvis; James Kirkland; James Myrick; and George Crim. The LDS IGI also associates Joseph Boutwell with Barnwell County.


Benjamin Duke(s) in Lancaster County
The first property acquired by the Duke family in Camden District appears to be a grant of 250 acres on the Wateree River, Craven County, to Benjamin Duke. The plat is dated 10 Oct 1749, and the grant is dated 15 May 1751.17 County records show that Benjamin and Mary Duke acquired property in Lancaster County in 1751;18 this could be the property represented by the state grant.

In 1753 John Duke acquired land on the north side of the Wateree River through a lease and release transaction: 19 23 & 24 Sept. 1753. Lease and Release. William Harrison, carpenter & Ann (Nancy) (her mark) his wife, to John Dukes, carpenter, both of Craven County for 60 pounds currency, 150 acres in Craven County on N. side Wateree River, other sides on vacant land; as granted Harrison by Gov. James Glen on 6 Mar. 1749. Wit: Richard Kirkland, Robert (his mark) Humohris, Joseph Kirkland. Before James McGirt, J.P. Recorded 9, Sept. 1765 by Fenwicke Bull, Register. The Orangeburgh website Kirkland and Brown family listings give William Harrison as the first husband of Ann Kirkland, who was a daughter of Richard Snowden Kirkland and a sister of Moses Kirkland.

There is a reference to Benjamin Duke's land on the Wateree River, adajcent to that of Robert Harrison, mariner:20 27 August, 1767. Lease and Release. Anthony Gillmore to Robert Harrison, mariner, both of Charleston, for 40 pounds currency, 150 acres in St. Marks Parish, Craven County, bounding SE on Lewis Buckingham & vacant land; SW on Santee River; other sides on vacant land; also 50 acres in Craven County on NE side Wateree River, bounding SE on Benjamin Dukes, other sides on vacant land. Wit: M. Lucullus Ryall, John Nevin. Before Fenwicke Bull, J. P. and P. Register. And also:21 1 & 2 February, 1770. Lease and Release. Robert Harrison of Charlestown, Berkley County, SC to Benjamin Farar of St. Mathews Parish for 750 pounds SC money, 150 acres in St. Mark's Parish adj. Luis Buckingham on Santee River originally granted to John Cameron 21 June 1765 also a tract of 50 acres on northeast side of Wateree River in Craven County adj. Benjamin Dukes originally granted to James Lynah 4 June 1759. Robert Harison (LS) Wit: Andw Broughton Sener, Andrew Broughton.22 Proved in Berkley County by the oath of Andw. Broughton Senr 15 March 1770 before Wm. Thomson.23 Recorded 26 March 1778. Robert Harrison was indeed a mariner, appearing in the surviving records of early South Carolina ship registrations:24 Ann, sloop, 15 tons, Charleston, 1:219; master, Robert Harrison; owner, Robert Harrison (mariner, Charleston); taken from French by privateer Major Rogers; condemned as lawful prize by vice-admiralty court Charleston 21 June 1763; registered 7 October 1763. Another Harrison, Gilbert, was master and owner of the 20 ton schooner William and Jane, registered in Charleston in 1773.25


Benjamin Duke in the Revolutionary War
In 1780 Benjamin Duke was a saddler for Colonel Peter Horry's cavalry.


Benjamin Duke of St. Phillip's Parish and Richland County
Benjamin Duke, carpenter, St. Phillip's Parish and Richland County Benjamin Duke, carpenter, married to Rachel Higgins, widow of deceased Thomas Higgins of Charleston, on September 5, 1784.26 A more detailed account was found by Joe Lineberger: Mr. Benjamin Duke of St. Phillips Parish, House-Carpenter, & Rachael Duke, his wife, admr. & admx. of Thomas Higgins, late of said Parish, House-Carpenter. Sureties: John Hughes & John Bonnicot of Charleston, House-Carpenters. October 8, 1784.27 Mrs. Rachael Duke appointed administratix of Benjamin Duke's Estate. August 17, 1790.28


Note: From 1785-1791, Richland County included a part of Kershaw County west of the Wateree. This was probably the same individual. It was also quite likely the same individual who owned land in Lancaster County, SC, and who was associated with John Duke and with William and Robert Harrison there. This links him also to a Benjamin Duke who had a son, William, with his wife, Mary, in 1745 in Georgetown. The Benjamin Duke of Lancaster County was married to Mary in the 1750's -- LST





1 1916. The Register Book for the Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw. Baltimore: The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Page 21. South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine Vol. IX:21,23; Vol. XI:124,127; Vol. XXXI:92.

2 Colonial Plats, Vol. 11, p. 407. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

3 Colonial Plats. Vol. 21, p. 88. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

4 Colonial Plats, Vol. 23, p. 223. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

51916. The Register Book for the Parish Prince Frederick Winyaw. Baltimore: The National Society of the Colonial Dames of America. Page 221.

6 Warren, Mary B., ed. 1977. South Carolina Jury Lists, 1718-1783. Danielsville GA: Heritage Papers.

7 Clute, Robert F. 1884.The Annals and Parish Register of St. Thomas & St. Denis Parish. Page 62.

8 Clark, Martie June. 1986. Colonial Soldiers of the South 1732-1774. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co.

9 Probably the younger Benjamin Simmons or Simons, uncle of the Henry Simmons who married Elizabeth Duke in St. Thomas and St. Denis Parish.

10 Frances Bonneau married first the daughter of Thomas Elfe, Charleston's most famous cabinetmaker, and then the widow of the successful merchant Samual Legare of Charleston.

11 Webber, Mabel L., ed. Parish Register of St. James', Santee 1758-1788. South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine Vol. XVI:165.

12 The LDS IGS shows Joseph Boutwell's father as Burtonhead Boutwell, of Jeffries Creek, Prince Frederick Parish, Craven County, SC. However, the 1790 federal census has Joseph Boutwell in Georgetown District, Prince Frederick's Parish, but Burton and John Boutwell in Barnwell County, in close proximity to many families with names associated with various parts of the Dukes family: Christian Faust; Joseph, William, and John Pendarvis; James Kirkland; James Myrick; and George Crim. The LDS IGI also associates Joseph Boutwell with Barnwell County.

13 Culler, Daniel Marchant. Ed. by Justine Bond Culler, Mason Culler Wolfe, Justine Smith Hundley Culler. 1995. Orangeburgh District 1768-1868: History and Records. Spartanburg: The Reprint Company, Publishers. Pages 568, 570.

14 Zimmie Dantzler Plats. Orangeburgh German-Swiss Newsletter. Vol. I (19): 96.

15 Gregg, Right Rev. Alexander. 1925. History of the Old Cheraws. Columbia: The State Company. Page 602.

16 Gregg, Right Rev. Alexander. 1925. History of the Old Cheraws. Columbia: The State Company. Page 603.

17 Colonial Plats. Vol. 5, p. 27, item. 1. South Carolina Department of History and Archives. Colonial Grants. Vol. 4, page 367. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

18 Lancaster County, SC, Deed Book B, page 71.

19 Deed Book E-3, p. 1. Charleston Deeds. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

20 Book H-3, p. 48. Charleston Deeds. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

21 Book W-4, pp. 313-315. Charleston Deeds. South Carolina Department of History and Archives.

22 Broughtons occur elsewhere in the Duke family circle. Penelope Duke, wife of William Roddie Duke, was a daughter of Shadrack Broughton and his wife Mary Smith Broughton, according to Brandenberger (Brandenberger, Evelyn Duke. 1979. The Duke Family. Houston: Evelyn Duke Brandenberger. Page 270). William Roddie Duke was born in Spartanburg, SC, on 21 April 1823, and died in Alabama on 1 June 1877. Brandenberger associates him with the family of Major Duke of Union County.

23 Col. William Thomson held many public offices in Amelia Township, and lived at Belleville Plantation.

24 Olsberg, R. Nicholas, compiler. 1973. Ship's Registers in the South Carolina Archives, 1734-1780. South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine. Vol. 74 (4): 199.

25 Olsberg, R. Nicholas, compiler. 1973. Ship's Registers in the South Carolina Archives, 1734-1780. South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine. Vol. 74 (4): 277.

26 Salley, A.S., Jr. Marriage Notices in the South Carolina Gazette. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine. Vol. XIX: 107.

27 Holcomb, Brent H. 1977. Probate Records of South Carolina, Volume I: Index to Inventories 1746-1785. Easley: Southern Historical Press. Page 67.

28 Will Book B, p. 137. Richland County, SC.

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