Absolom Farrar

Absalom Farrar appears in his father's, Thomas Farrar, Sr., Personal Property Tax List in Mecklenburg Co., VA in 1789 and evidently moved soon after to Columbia Co., GA with his brother, Francis Farrar, as his bond to marry Mrs. Mildred Clark was dated 05 Dec 1790, Old Richmond (now Columbia) Co., GA, signed by Absalom Farrar and Michael McNeill. (Ref: Georgia Archives).

The Thomas and Elizabeth (Howard) Farrar family and the John and Phoebe (Archer) Avary family were near neighbors in Mecklenburg Co., VA prior to moving to Georgia which probably means that Absalom Farrar, son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Howard) Farrar, Sr., and Mildred "Milly" Avery, daughter of John and Phoebe (Archer) Avary, were acquainted prior to moving to Georgia.

John and Phoebe (Archer) Avary patented 324 acres on the Savannah River in Columbia Co., GA in 1787. (Land Book, p169, 06 Aug 1787; Plat Book "A", p73, 04 Jul 1796)

Mildred "Milly" Avary married Gilbert Clark on 26 Jan 1788 at Old Richmond Co., GA. He died before 11 Jul 1789 when she was appointed administrator of his estate ("Richmond County Estate Records 1788-98", p5).

AS mentioned above, Absalom Farrar's bond to marry his first wife, Mrs. Mildred (Avary) Clark, widow of Gilbert Clark, was dated 05 Dec 1790 at Old Richmond (now Columbia) Co., GA.

Absalom was Justice of Peace of Columbia Co., GA in 1799-1804 and served on the Grand Jury of the Superior Court of Columbia Co. for the June 1799 term and the September 1800 term.("Augusta Chronicle" and "Gazette of the State, Georgia General Magazine", April 1964, pp736, 758.

On 17 Nov 1791, as highest bidder, Absalom Farrar bought the estate of his wife, Milly Farrar ("Columbia County, "D" Book, p142, 19 Jul 1793). On 12 Feb 1810, a quit-claim to Absalom Farrar then of Morgan Co., GA was signed by Elizabeth Clark, only heir of Gilbert Clark, for her share of his estate. (Elizabeth Clark was the only known child of Gilbert Clark and Mildred Avary (Columbia County Book, p53).

In his 09 Jul 1817 probated will, John Avary, left his "daughter, Milly Farrar, chattel". (Columbia County, Book "H" pp404-6).

Absalom and Mildred moved to Morgan Co., GA by June 1807 and founded the town of "Farrar" in Jasper Co., GA.

His first wife, "Mrs. Milly Farrar, died in Morgan Co., GA on 23 Feb 1824, aged 57", as reported in the local newspaper; "Georgia Journal, Milledgeville, Georgia", 09 Mar 1824. .

Eighteen months later, on 20 Jul 1825, "61 Y/O Absalom Farrar, Esquire married secondly 43 Y/O Mrs. Margaret Vincent, a widow of Lincoln Co., GA." (Lincoln County Marriage Record: "Augusta Chronicle" 30 Jul 1827). They had moved to Henry Co. by 1830. The 1830 US Census of Henry Co., GA enumerated the household of Absalom Farrar, age range 60-70 Y/O (actual age 66 Y/O). The only other person living in the household was a female in the age range of 40-50 Y/O. This was Absalom's second wife, 45 Y/O Margaret Vincent Farrar.

At the age of 69 or 70 he was appointed Justice of the Inferior Court (Judge of Probate) of Henry Co., GA, 20 Sep 1832-15 Jun 1833.He was very active in buying and selling land in several counties; there are many extant land records.

The 1840 US Census of Henry Co. GA enumerated the household of Absalom Farrar, age range 70-79 Y/O (actual age 76 Y/O). Also living in the household was a female, age range 50-59 Y/O who was Absalom's second wife, 55 Y/O Margaret Vincent Farrar. The only other person living in the household was a male in the age range of 5-9 Y/O. At the age of 73, on 03 Jul 1837, Absalom legally adopted his grandson, Absalom Farrar, orphaned by the death of his father, George Washington Farrar.

The 1850 US Census of District 42, Henry Co., GA enumerated the household of 86 Y/O Absalom Farrar, a farmer born in VA and his 68 Y/O wife, Margaret Vincent, born in North Carolina. Also Living in the household was Absalom Farrar, Jr. a farmer born in GA. This is actually Absalom Farrar's grandson and is an example of "Jr." being used not for father and son but age related.

The children of Absalom and Mildred (Avary) Farrar:
1) Phoebe Farrar, m. Paul.
2) Mariah Farrar, b. ca. 1796 Columbia Co., GA, d. 21 May 1881, m. 1) Owen Fort Spurlock, 2) Abel Fleming
3) Orrie (Dorothea) Farrar, m. Rev Moses Paul.
4) Thurza Farrar, m. 11 Aug 1819 Levin Wailes Thomas, 2) James McCord Aft. 1833.
5) Matilda Farrar, m. J.C. Reeves
6) John (Absalom) Farrar, b. Columbia Co., GA, m. 16 Feb 1828 to Mary Carlisle.
7) Thomas (Jefferson) Farrar, m. Martha Royster.
8) George (Washington) Farrar, b. ca. 1805 Columbia Co., GA, d. Bef. 1837, m. Susan (Harvey) Buckley

Source:
"Some Farrar's Island Descendants" by Alvahn Holmes, 1979, pp215-218.

Bio by Gresham Farrar.* Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Sep 11 2023, 19:30:52 UTC