WILLIAM FEW, SR.

WILLIAM FEW, SR. was born 1714, married Mary Wheeler, daughter of Benjamin Wheeler, His grandfather, Isaac Few, came to the American colonies in 1682, settling in Pennsylvania, married Hannah Stanfield. Isaac died in 1734, leaving a large family. William Few, Sr. lived in Maryland, later becoming a resident of Georgia.

About 1758 he removed his family of a wife and six children to North Carolina, locating on the Eno River in Orange Co. erecting a saw and grist mill on the banks of that river. Several years later, a public disturbance resulted in a son, James Few, being sent to the gallows. He seems to have been identified with the Regulator uprisings, which was a colonists open rebellion against the mother country, protesting government outrages. The rebellion included some of the most substantial citizens of that section, and culminated in the battle of Almance. James Few, following this battle, in which the Regulators were defeated, was taken and hanged without trial, being the first martyr of the Revolution. William Few, Jr.., it seems was left embarrassed for his known connection with the Regulator affairs as a bondsman for those outlawed.

The family then removed to the Quaker Settlement in Wrightsboro, Georgia (now McDuffie County), first receiving Land Grants in Richmond Co. in 1769, again in 1784.

Richmond Co. Deed dated 1/29/1776, James Brown and his wife, Ann, of St. George Parish, Ga., deed to William Few, Sr. of St. Paul's Parish, Ga. (Richmond Co.), 350 acres located in St. Paul's Parish, which adjoin lands of William Few, et al. Again, on 12/4/1789, William Few, Sr. granted to Ignatius Few 34 acres on Rae's Creek. William Few, Sr. granted to Ignatius Few the land which was originally granted him in 1769.

From Papers and Addresses of William Preston Few, President of Duke University, by Robert H. Woody:

"William Preston Few, descended from William Few of Maryland, who purchased land in 1758 Orange County, North Carolina. He was born 1714, died 1794, a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. William moved to Wrightsboro, Richmond Co., Georgia, and a son, Colonel William Few represented Georgia in the Continental Congress, and his sons, Major Ignatius Few and Colonel Benjamin Few, were officers in the Patriot Army. Ignatius married Mary, daughter of William Candler, and their son was Ignatius A. Few, Founder of Emory University, then Emory College."

William Few, Sr. died in Columbia Co. 7/1/1794, his LWT dated 10/22/1789, probated 7/21/1794, Columbia Co., naming wife, Ann; stepdaughters, Katherine Hunt and Hannah Hunt; sons, Benjamin, William and Ignatius; daughters, Hannah Howard and Elizabeth Andrews. Exrs: Benjamin Andrews, Benjamin Few, Ignatius Few, Rhesa Howard. Issue:

1. Benjamin Few, Colonel in the Revolutionary War; Road Commissioner of Richmond Co., 1783; Justice of Peace 1783-1784; Justice of Inferior Court 1789-1790. He was born in 1744 at the "Three Sisters" Plantation, near Hickory, Baltimore, now Harford Co., Maryland, being the eldest son of William Few, Sr. and Mary Wheeler, deriving his given mname from his maternal grandfather, Benjamin Wheeler. Benjamin Few m. Rachel Wiley in North Carolina. During the war, the patriots were also engaged in Indian warfare. The following order, signed by Governor A. Bulloch, dated May 16, 1776, was part of the Orders to Captain William McIntosh:

   "And as there has been information made of the murder of an Indian by one Few and a party of men under his command, you are therefore ordered to use your utmost efforts to apprehend the said Few and to being him to Savannah, and at all times to do whatever may be in your power to prevent the murder of any Indian in the Back Country."

   However, when Benjamin Few went to Savannah, he did so with the militia of Richmond County at his back.
   
   Under the Act of the Georgia Legislature of March 1, 1778, he was one of the Commissioners from Richmond Co. For the sale of the confiscated estate os Tories or those attainted of treason. This was a dangerous committee, as its members, if caught by the British, were hanged.
   
   Colonel Few was with the troops which marched against British General Prevost in his attempt to take Savannah from Florida, but said troops failed to meet him. Also, he was part of the unfortunate expedition to St. Augustine, Florida in the spring of 1778, which was a planned retaliation for Prevost's campaign. This resulted in his imprisonment in the dungeon.
   
   After the capture of Savannah, the whole patriot force, which included Richmond Co., went under the command of Benjamin Few. The first successful engagement in Georgia occurred when he resisted the attack of the British under Brown and McGirth in Burke Co., afterwards dispersing a large body of Creek Indians on the Ogeechee River. This was after the Georgia militia had been driven into South Carolina, not being able to resist the capture of Augusta by the British on January 31, 1779. The Georgia Gazette, a Tory paper, dated 2/15/1779, announced the departure from Georgia of "a villainous tribe of plunderers under the celebrated horse thief, Captain Few."
   
   The name, "Benjamin Few, Rebel Officer, Richmond", appeared in the black list of British Governor Wright, and subsequently The Georgia Gazette on 3/14/1782, announced that "A Georgia Parole" (hanging) had been reserved for the "virtuous Few."
   
   
2. James Few, hanged in North Carolina.
   
   
3. Elizabeth Few m. Benjamin Andrews. From the book, Men of Mark, it is stated that Elizabeth Few as married to Colonel Greenberry Lee, an active participant during the Revolutionary War.
   
   
4. Hannah Few m. Rhesa Howard who was actively engaged in the Revolutionary War.
   
   William Few b. 6/8/1748 on a farm near Baltimore, Maryland, died 6/16/1828 in Fishkill, New York. He was only ten years old when his father, a farm laborer and brick layer, moved the family to North Carolina. While the elder Few emigrated to the Quaker settlement near Wrightsboro in 1773, young William Few remained in North Carolina to settle the estate. He came to Georgia in 1776. He represented Georgia in the Continental Congress from 1780-1788; he was at the Constitutional Convention of 1777; Commander of Creek-Cherokee Conference 5/1783; House of Representatives of Columbia Co. In 1796; Surveyor General of Georgia in 1779. He was a man of modest means, studied law in north Georgia where he was reinterred on 19 October 1973. Colonel Few died in Beacon, New York and was buried at the Reformed Church of Beacon. A marker was placed in the St. Paul's Graveyard, Augusta, Georgia - "Colonel William Few, Junior, 1748-1828. Soldier, Patriot, Statesman, Banker, Humanitarian."
   
   From The Georgia Gazette "Honorable William Few married Miss Catherine Nicholson, daughter of Commodore Nicholson of New York City, in New York, June 1, 1788."
   
   Columbia County Deed Book A
   
   William Few of New York gives power of attorney to Ignatius Few of Columbia County "to transfer in my name a tract of land in Jackson County. on the North Fork of the Oconee Rivers, 1,024 acres being granted to me on 30 October 1785." Columbia Co. Deeds.
   
   William Few to Dorothy Short for $150.00 a Negro girl, Ester and to Edward Short, a Negro boy, Turner, for $200.00. Date: 21 February 1809. Columbia Co. Deeds.
   
   From The Southern Recorder dated 8/2/1828: "Died on the 16th inst., at the residence of his son-in-law, Mr. Christie, in Fishkill, New York, Colonel William Few in his 81st year. He was a Senator from Georgia, 1789-1793, and delegate from this state to the Constitutional Convention of 1787."
   
   The Bible of William Few who married Catherine, daughter of Frances Witter and Mr. Nicholson, cites their issue:
   
   

1. Frances Few b. 4/20/1789 m. Albert Chrystie of New York 4/1822, d. 3/26/1885 in Hastings, New York.
   
   
2. Mary Few b. 12/18/1790 New York.
   
   
3. Matilda Few b. 2/22/1794 Ga. M. In New York, Rev. Doc Knox.
   
   
4. Albert Few b. 9/5/1797 Ga., d. 9/3/1810, New York, aged 13.
   
   
5. Ignatius Few, Major in the Revolutionary War, m. Mary Candler, daughter of William Candler. Just before his death in July of 1810, he was separated from his wife. Received headright grants in Richmond Co. 1774, 1790 and 1793. Jackson Co., Ga. Land deeded to Ignatius Few by John Bender 11/6/1788. The Savannah Republican dated 3/8/1810: "On 18th ult., Ignatius Few, Esq. of Columbia County, died in his 60th year. He served in the Revolutionary War as a Captain of Dragoons....Was taken prisoner by the British and confined a long time in a dungeon at. St. Augustine, Florida."
   
   The LWT of Ignatius Few was dated 8/21/1809, probated 7/1810 in Columbia Co. He left the following legacies: To his son, William, when of age, Pamona Plantation, being 900 acres on which he now lives called "Mount Pamona", being the original estate of Henry Candler, plus negroes, furniture, etc.
   
   When son, Ignatius, comes of age, he is to retain Mt. Carmel Plantation of 350 acres; 300 acres; 41 acres, being originallly the property of testator's father; 400 acres.
   
   To Mrs. Mary Frail, alias Hicks, with testator's children and a child with which she is supposed to be pregnant, to remain on Mt. Carmel and receive maintenance.
   
   "Having been married to Miss Mary Candler and a mutual separation taking place," testator paid to Miss Mary Candler Few her dower and "she has no further claim".
   
   William Devereaux, husband of deceased daughter, Elizabeth, to have household furniture and "all the property to my daughter, Elizabeth, was entitled to."
   
   To my daughter, Lavinia, when 16, 2/5ths of a tract originally belonging to William Candler, 1150 acres, also slaves, flatboat at ferry, piano, guitar, music, books, china, etc., and she is to have the best education possible.
   
   To Alfred, 3900 acres in Franklin Co., negroes, etc., to be sent to a decent boarding school and receive good English education, including bookkeeping, to be apprenticed to a marchant until he is 18, then to enter respectable mercantile house until 21, then to have $2000 to set himself up in business.
   
   To Leonidas, 1760 acres on the Broad River in Franklin Co., negroes, etc., to be kept at school, and apprenticed for three years to learn a trade.
   
   To Camillus, 287 1/2 acres in Washington Co., negroes, etc., to attend school and enter into a respectable mercantile house.
   
   To daughter, Lodiska, 100 acres on Germany Creek, being the original land of Thomas Few, with mills, gin, storehouse, and two-thirds of 400 acre tract on the North Fork of Little River, negroes, etc., to receive a good English education.
   
   To Crapus, 925 acres on Rocky Comfort Creek; 500 acres on Joe's Creek; 1000 acres on Fort's Creek; 200 acres on Sweetwater Creek, to be sent to school and educated to "practice Physic."
   
   The Codicil of the Will which Ignatius Few made dated 11/29/1809, stated that he would have his illegtimate child legalized (approved by the Governor on 12/1/1809), changing the names from Hicks to Few, and they were made legal heirs. Wife, Mary Candler Few, to have all the property given to her before their separation.
   
   

Issue:

1. William Few m. Margaret Hickey 1/2/1797 Columbia Co.
2. Ignatius Alphonso Few, b. 4/11/1789 Columbia Co., d. 11/28/1845, Athens, Ga., m. Selina Carr 8/26/1811 Columbia Co.

Cyclopedia of Georgia, Vol. II by Allen D. Candler and Clement A. Evans:

"Ignatius Few was first President of Emory College. Born in Columbia County April 11, 1789. His father, Captain Ignatius Few, was a gallant soldier in the war for indendence and the son was in the War of 1812. He graduated from Princeton College and when Emory was founded in 1837, he was elected the first President ....Died at Athens, Georgia, November 28, 1845."

Lavinia Few

Alfred Few

Lodiska Few m. Augusta Brown

Camillus Few

Crapus Few

Elizabeth Few m. William Devereaux 4/17/1795 Columbia Co.

Leonidas Few m. Martha Lourey 6/10/1822 in Jackson Co. On 2/27/1823 he purchased land in Jackson Co., Ga. From Elizabeth Bush and on 6/2/1829 land from Alexander Telfair. He died in Jackson Co. 6/1833, leaving widow, Martha, and 15 children, with Martha pregnant at the time. His LWT dated 5/10/1833, probated 7/1/1833, page 181-2, Jackson Co. Will Book A, named father-in-law, Levi Lowry, bequeathing his children 1760 acres in Franklin Co., 1000 acres on Curries Creek, Jackson Co. After his death, Martha m. Charles Witt of Jackson Co. On 8/25/1837.

Issue:

Betsy Few
1. Hudgoe Few
2. Will Few
3. Eleanor Few
4. Rachel Few
5. Mary Few b. 1815, living with sister, Caroline Thomas on the 1850 Richmond Co., Ga. Census.
6. Emeline Few
7. Betty Few
8. Laura Few
9. Camillas L. Few m. Susan Swinney 6/8/1853 Jackson Co., deed of trust to him from his step-father, Charles Witt, dated 1853, Jackson Co.

Lafayette Few

Ignatius Few m. Marion Phelps 1/4/1846 in Jackson Co.

William Simon Few

Leonidas Allen Few

Carole G. Few m. Joseph B. Thomas 10/16/1836 Richmond Co., Ga., farmer, b. 1810 Ga. Issue: Ann E., b. 1835, Robert b. 1839, William b. 1843, Thomas b. 1845, all Richmond Co., Ga. Richmond Co. Will Book C, page 272, LWT of Joseph Thomas leaves to my sister-in-law, Mary Few, to continue to reside in my home and in every respect to be held and treated as one of my family, dated 10/14/1860.