Govan Mills

Govan Mills held a great deal of land (and slaves) in both Spartanburg County SC and the newly-formed county of Polk in NC. His son Richard was apparently his agent and overseer for the Polk County plantations.

November 1840: was a signator among trustees of Spartanburg Female Seminary supporting the founding of a Female College. S165015: Petitions to the General Assembly: TRUSTEES OF THE SPARTANBURG FEMALE ACADEMY, PETITION FOR AN APPROPRIATION TO TURN THE SCHOOL INTO A FEMALE COLLEGE, ALSO NOTING THEIR INTENTION TO APPLY TO THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?reco...

December 1842. S165015: Signator to petition to the General Assembly: CITIZENS OF SPARTANBURG, PETITION TO OPEN A ROAD FROM THE GLADE OLD FIELD TO LIVELYS SHOP, CONNECTING WITH A NORTH CAROLINA ROAD. http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?reco...

p. 59-60. 7 Oct 1847. Deed of Conveyance. Littleton Bagwell for $10 paid by Govan Mills of Spartanburg Dist, sold 2 and 2/10 acres, part of the south west corner of the tract of land whereon Bagwell now lives, beginning at Bagwell & Mills corner. Attest, 7 Oct 1847: Lowry Burnett, H. Hammett. Signed, Littleton (x) Bagwell. Witness oath, 7 Oct 1847: Signed, Lowry Burnett to Jas Smith, Mag. Registered, Examined & Certified 16th Sept. 1848, Original delivered to~~ Govan Mills, 10th April 1850.

p. 196-197. 15 Dec 1848. Sheriff’s Titles. R.C. Poole, Sheriff of Spartanburg Dist., to John T. Kirby by writ of Fieri Ficias issues out of the Court of Common Pleas, Spartanburg Dist, 20th Oct 1840 - at the suit of Jesse Cleveland and others commanding that of the goods, chattels, lands & tenements of William Tracy to levy $1,066.71 with interest, damages & costs - the Sheiff (Viz) George Nicholls - have taken 515 acres on the waters of Losson’s Fork and bounded by Thomas Wells, Littleton Bagwell, J.J. Boyd, Govan Mills & others, exposed the land to sale at public vendue and purchased by J.T. Kirby for $839. J.R. Poole successor to George Nicholls. Wit: H.J. Dean, John Belton Tolleson. Signed, R.C. Poole, S.S.D. Witness oath, 20 March 1849: Signed, J. Belton Tolleson to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered 20th March 1849.

p. 216-217. 15 Jan 1844. Deed of Conveyance. Richard Thomson of Spartanburg Dist, to David Miller of Spartanburg Dist, for $115 sold a Lot in the Village of Spartanburg, containing something over one half acre, beginning at the corner of Luther Lewis & David Miller’s lot running North to a stone on H.H. Thomson’s street and to a corner of a Lot Richard Thomson this day sold to H.H. Thomson, then South to a lot I heretofore sold to David Miller. Wit: H.H. Thomson, Govan Mills. Signed, Richard Thomson. Witness oath, 30 Apr 1849: Signed, H.H. Thomson to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered 30th April 1849.

In Spartanburg County, he (and sometimes with his brother Columbus) owned land on Chinquepin Creek and also on Lawson's Creek. there were interwoven connections to the Richard Thomson and H.H. Thomson family land, as indicated in the following transactions:

p. 253-255. [No day] June 1848. Deed of Conveyance. J.W. Tucker of Spartanburg Dist, to H.H. Thomson & J. Waddy Thomson of Spartanburg & Union Dists, for $250 sold 59 acres called the Neighbors tract which I bought at Public auction from the Executors of R. Thomson Decd, on Lawsons Fork creek. Wit: Govan Mills, Revd. Benj. Wofford. Signed, J.W. Tucker. Witness oath, 23 July 1849: Signed, Benj. Wofford to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Release of Dower, 23 July 1849: Signed, Emily A. Tucker to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered Examined & certified 23rd July 1849. Original delivered to ~~ H.H. Thomson.

p. 257-260. [no day] June 1848. Deed of Conveyance. J.W. Tucker to H.H. Thomson of Spartanburg Dist, for $2931 sold (5) tracts in Spartanburg Dist and (1) in Union Dist. In Spartanburg Dist: (1) 91 acres called the Crocker Tract on the Wills Road, bounded by Chapman; (2) 180 acres called the Bagwell Tract No

1; (3) 97 acres, Bagwell Tract No

2 bounded by Bagwell Tract No

1; (4) 131 acres, Bagwell Tract No

3, bounded by David Thomson, a branch on the Cane Brake Track, Bagwell Tract No

2; and (5) 600 acres called the Spratt Tract bounded by Colter’s Ford Road near Hine’s Fence, across a branch of Peter’s Creek, crossing the Furnace Road and a branch of Caseys Creek. In Union Dist: 79 acres on Broad River called the Bankhead Tract, bounded by Hamilton, being the whole of the Bankhead tract which R. Thomson Decd, seized and possessed of Except one acre on the west side of Broad River including the banks & ferry known as Howels ferry as deeded by Richard Thomson to H.H. Thomson which deed is proven & recorded at York Court House. Wit: Govan Mills, Benj. Wofford. Signed, J.W. Tucker. Witness oath, [no day] June 1848: Signed, Benj. Wofford to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Release of Dowerm 23 June 1849: Signed, Emily A. Tucker to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered 

40 Spartanburg District Conveyances Examined & certified 23rd July 1849. Original delivered to ~~ H.H. Thomson. 

p. 288-290. 9 June 1848. Deed of Conceyance. H.H. Thomson, Junius W. Thomson & J. Waddy Thomson, Executors of Richard Thomson Decd, by authority of the will of R. Thomson and a decree of the Court of Equity for Spartanburg Dist in the case of Govan Mills & wife and others against H.H. Thomson and others, did, after duly advertising, sold the following tracts of land at public outcry: (1) A 150 acre tract called the Cleveland tract partly in the Incorporate limits of the Town of Spartanburg on Chinquepin Creek, sold to J.W. Tucker for $1525; and (2) The Neighbors tract, 59 acres on bank of Lawson’s [Fork?] sold to J.W. Tucker for $250. Wit: Revd. Benj. Wofford, John Linder. Signed, H.H. Thomson, J. Waddy Thomson, J.W. Thomson, as Executors of Rich. Thomson Decd. & by the Court of Equity. Witness oath, 5 Sept 1849: Signed, Benj. Wofford to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered Examined & certified 5th Sept. 1849. Original delivered to ~~ H.H. Thomson. p. 290-293. 9 June 1848. Deed of Conveyance. H.H. Thomson, Junius Thomson, W. Thomson & J. Waddy Thomson, the Executors of Richard Thomson Decd, by the will of R. Thomson Decd, and a decree of the Court of Equity for Spartanburg Dist in the case of Govan Mills & wife

44 Spartanburg District Conveyances and others against H.H. Thomson and others, did duly advertise and sold at public outcry the following tracts of land which were owned by Richard Thomson at the time of his death: (1) The Crocker tract, 91 acres, bounded by the Well’s Road and Chapman Tract, sold for $171 to J.T. Kirby and transferred to J.W. Tucker of Spartanburg Dist; (2) The Bagwell Tract No

1, 180 acres, which was bid off by J.W. Tucker for $65;. (3) The Bagwell Tract No

2, 97 acres, bid off by Jacob Zimmerman and transferred to J.W. Tucker, for $37;. (4) The Bagwell Tract No

3, 131 acres bounded by David Thomson, bid off by J. Zimmerman for $536 which bid was transferred to J.W. Tucker. The boundaries of all the above tracts, in Spartanburg Dist, will more fully appear by Plats made by Geo. Nichols & A.S. Camp under order of the Court of Equity. (5) The Spratt Tract, in Spartanburg Dist, 600 acres, bounded by South side Coulter ford Road near Hine’s fence, crossing a branch of Peter’s creek and furnace road and branch of Casey’s creek, bid off by J.W. Tucker for $300; (6) The Bankhead tract in Union Dist on Broad River adjoining Hamilton and containing all of the Bankhead tract which R. Thomson owned, except an acre which includes the west bank of Howels ferry as Deeded by Richard Thomson to H.H. Thomson at York Court House, by reference to the deed will more fully appear and leaving 79 acres bid by J.W. Tucker for $1202. Wit: Benj. Wofford, John Linder. Signed, H.H. Thomson, J. Waddy Thomson, J.W. Thomson, as Executors of R. Thomson and by order of the court of Equity. Witness oath, 5 Sept 1849: Signed, Benj. Wofford to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered Examined & certified 5 Sept. 1849. Original delivered to ~~ H.H. Thomson. 

p. 300-301. 3 Sept 1849. Deed of Conveyance. Executors of the last Will & Testament of Richard Thomson, H.H. Thomson, J. Waddy Thomson & Junius W. Thomson, in obedience to the order of the Court of Equity for Spartanburg Dist made in the case of G. & C. Mills and their wives against the Executors of Richard Thomson deceased. This day the land was exposed to public outcry for sale at the risk[?] of the former purchaser and the Turner tract, 86 acres on the waters of Lawson’s Fork was sold to James W. Tucker for $366. The land adjoins Jane Martin and R. Thomson’s homestead Tract. Wit: George W.H. Legg, J.B. Tolleson. Signed, H.H. Thomson, J. Waddy Thomson, J.W. Thomson, Executors of the Estate of Richard Thomson. Witness oath, 8 Sept 1849: Signed, G.W.H. Legg to J.B. Tolleson, Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered Examined and certified 8th Sept. 1849. Original delivered to ~~ H.H. Thomson.

p. 329-331. 3 Sept 1849. Deed of Conveyance. H.H. Thomson, J. Waddy Thomson & Junius W. Thomson, Executors of R. Thomson Decd, by order of the Court of Equity for Spartanburg Dist, in the case of G. & C. Mills and their wives against the Executors of R. Thomson Decd, sold, at the risk of the former purchaser to the highest bidder, sold to G.W.H. Legg for $1,500, sold 258 acres called the Lancaster Tract on Chinquepin Creek, bounded by Jesse Cleveland. Wit: J.B. Tolleson, Govan Mills. Signed, H.H. Thomson, J. Waddy Thomson, J.W. Thomson, Executors. Witness oath, 27 Sept 1849: Signed, Govan Mills to J.B. Tolleson Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered 27th Sept 1849.

p. 347-348. 25 Sept 1849. Deed of Conveyance. J. Waddy Thomson of Spartanburg Dist, to Rev. J.D. McCulloch of Spartanburg Dist, for $1795 sold 123 acres on Chinquepin creek partly in the incorporated limits of the Town of Spartanburg, North side of Road, Dr. Golding, Dean & Walker, Cleveland and near Junius Thomson. Wit: Govan Mills, J.W. Tucker. Signed, J. Waddy Thomson. Witness oath, J.W. Tucker Esqr to J.B. Tolleson Clk & Mag Ex iffo. Registered 30th Oct 1849. Original delivered to ~~ Rev. J.D. McCulloch.

p. 376-477. 26 March 1850. Mortgage. A. Brawley is indebted to H.H. Thomson for $75 by three sealed notes of $25 each due 1st Jany. 1851, 1852 & 1853, the purchase money of a 2 acre Lot in the Town of Spartanburg which A. Brawley bought this day of H.H. Thomson; beginning on SE back corner of the Parsonage lot and adjoining Jesse Cleveland. Wit: J.W. Tucker, Govan Mills. Signed, A. Brawley. Witness oath, 26 March 1850: Signed, Govan Mills to J.B. Tolleson Clk & mag Exoffi. Registered 26th March1850. Original delivered to ~~ H.H. Thomson. 24th Jany 1851.

SC LAND GRANTS (State Archives Online Index) Series: S213192 Volume: 0055 Page: 00261 Item: 000 Record 1 of 2 records MILLS, GOVAN, RESURVEYED, PLAT FOR 1,431 ACRES ON LAWSONS FORK, SPARTANBURGH DISTRICT, SURVEYED BY W. W. HARRIS. View all index terms 5/24/1850 No online image available

Series: S213192 Volume: 0055 Page: 00262 Item: 000 Record 2 of 2 records BOYD, J. J., RESURVEYED, PLAT FOR 1,050 ACRES ON LAWSONS FORK, SPARTANBURG DISTRICT, SURVEYED BY W. W. HARRIS. View all index terms 5/24/1850 No online image available

Henry H. Thomson's 1858 Spartanburg County will speaks of his lot bordering Dr. Columbus and Susan Ann Mills' lot and Govan and Nancy Mills' lot, near Main Street and the Palmetto House. http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?reco...

In an 1858 petition to the SC General Assembly, GREENVILLE AND FRENCH BROAD RAIL ROAD CO., PETITION FOR AID IN CONSTRUCTING A RAILROAD FROM SPARTANBURG TO ASHEVILLE, N.C., THEN DOWN THE VALLEY OF THE FRENCH BROAD RIVER TO THE PAINT ROCK ON THE TENNESSEE LINE. [http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchives/Thumbnails.aspx?reco...] Govan and Columbus Mills are among the list of investors/guarantors.

In the 1860 slave schedule for Polk County, NC, "Govan Mills by Richard Mills, Agt." owned 33 slaves. In Spartanburg, Govan Mills is listed with 31 slaves.

In the 1860 Spartanburg Co, SC census, Govan Mills is listed with $41,000 real estate and $60,000 personal estate. The 1860 census for Polk County lists "R.H. Mills, Agt." with a financial worth of $21,000 in real estate and $37, 860 in Personal Estate. This is exorbitantly greater than most of the people, even the planter class, in this county, whose worth ran up to a few thousand dollars on average. Most farmers are listed with real estate in the 100's. His brother Columbus Mills's worth was valued at $12,400 in real estate and $50,785 in personal estate (i.e. slaves); he owned 46 slaves.

In a separate listing, a G.J. Mills owned 9 slaves, including a 100-year-old black female named Jinny and a 60-year-old named Mary. Others were not named.

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Nov 12 2016, 21:58:41 UTC

  ---

• Reference: Ancestry Genealogy - SmartCopy: Jun 8 2019, 22:50:26 UTC