Henry Cassels, Sr

A Patriot of the American Revolution for SOUTH CAROLINA. DAR Ancestor #: A020153

GEDCOM Note

PLEASE DO NOT MERGE Cassels-118 and Cassels-12, PPP being applied. US Southern Colonies

Biography

1776 Sticker|Civil Service, American Revolution

Henry's birth date is not known for certain, but it is generally estimated to have been sometime in the 1710-1715 range. He married MargaretMitchell in a Congregationalist church in Charleston, South Carolina in 1734.<ref>Mabel L. Webber, ed., "Register of the Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church 1732-1738," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Volume 12, South Carolina Historical Society, 1911, p. 34 Google Books</ref> The identities of Henry's parents are unknown. The current profile lists a Henry Cassel of London as his father, but this seems to be merely a guess based on the name and the rough chronological match. It should not be taken as an established fact or even a likely possibility and is liable to be removed unless better arguments for itare provided. Henry and Margaret had a number of known children. The apparent first child, William, was baptized in the same church they were married in in 1735.<ref>Mabel L. Webber, ed., "Register of the Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church 1732-1738," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Volume 12, South Carolina Historical Society, 1911, p. 54 Google Books</ref> Given the English tradition wherein the first child in a family was typically born and baptized in the mother's home parish, this may indicate that this was her church.The second child, Hannah, was christened in an Anglican parish in Charleston in 1736,<ref>"South Carolina Births and Christenings, 1681-1935," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2NB-MXX : 11 February 2018), Hannah Cassells, 05 Dec 1736; Birth, citingSAINT PHILIP,CHARLESTON,CHARLESTON,SOUTH CAROLINA; FHL microfilm 976.</ref> which might tend to support the idea that Margaret's family were the Congregationalists. In 1736, Henry received a land grant in Craven County, and most likely the family moved out of Charleston around that time. The birth dates of the later children are less clear, since St Marks Parish registers are not extant before 1757.

Their securely identified children include:

• William, b. 1735
• Hannah, b. 1736
• Benjamin
• Henry Jr.
• Mary
• Lydia

(NOTE: The South Carolina Loyalist James Cassels 1736-1798, who married a "Miss Mann," WAS NOT a member of this family.<ref>Robert Cassels, Records of the family of Cassels and connexions, privately published, 1870, p. 34 Internet Archive</ref> See Research Notes below.) He was in Craven County by 1758, since he (and two sons, William and Benjamin) signed a petition regarding a road commission, which recommended Henry as one of its members.<ref>http://www.sadiesparks.com/mellett.htm, citing South Carolina Historical Magazine Vol 26, pp. 122-123 (1925)</ref>

Henry Cassels was a signer of the Camden Declaration of Independence on Nov. 5, 1774. He furnished provisions for the Continental Army in 1781 and was reimbursed in 1785 (not long before his death).<ref>South Carolina. Treasury; South Carolina. Archives Dept; Salley, A. S.; Wates, Wylma Anne, Stub entries to indents issued in payment of claims against South Carolina growing out of the Revolution, Columbia: Historical Commission of South Carolina, 1910, p. 12 Internet Archive</ref> (see details of his revolutionary war service below) He was also a justice of the Camden District (founded 1768) in the 1770s.<ref>South Carolina. General Assembly, Journal of the General Assembly of South Carolina: March 26, 1776-April 11, 1776, Historical Commission of South Carolina, 1906, p. 19 Google Books</ref> Craven County deeds show he was a JP at least as early as 1764. John Lee (his son in law) was issued letters of administration for Henry Cassels' estate on 10 Jul 1785,<ref>See e.g. http://freepages.rootsweb.com/~circuitcourtrecords/genealogy/fgr3/l... - often repeated, needs better citation</ref> which sets an upper limit to his dateof death. Most likely he died in June or early July, since administrations tended to be fairly prompt in the summer.

Henry Cassels 1736 Royal Grant deed

Craven County South Carolina Deed Book Sep 16, 1736 Royal Grant to Henry CASSELS pg ?) South Carolina George the Second, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the faith. To all to whom these presents shall come, Greeting: Know Ye, that We ofour special Grace, certain knowledge and mere motion, have given and granted and by these presents, for we, our heirs and successors, do give and grant unto Henry CASSELS, his heirs and assigns allotted a parcel or tract of land containing two hundred fifty acres situate lying and being within the township of Williamsburgh in Craven County butting&bounding Northwestward on W. BENTEN's land, Northeastwardly on FINLEY's land and on all other sides on vacant lands&also a lot in the __ __County aforesaid know __ the Number (314) three hundred fourteen. Andhath such shape, form and marks, as appears by a plat thereof, hereunto annexed: Together with all woods, underwoods, timber and timber trees, lakes, ponds, fishings, waters, water-courses, profits commodities, appurtenances and hereditaments whatsoever, thereunto belonging or in anywise appertaining; Together with privilege of hunting, hawking and fowling in and upon the same, and all mines and minerals whatsoever;having and reserving, nevertheless, to us, our heirs and successors, all white pine trees, if any there should be found graowing thereon; and also habving and reserving, to us, our heirs and successors, one tenth part of mines of silver and gold only: To have and to hold, the said tract of two hundred&fifty acres of land&lots and all and singular other the premises hereby granted, with the appurtenances, unto the said Henry CASSELS his heirs and assigns forever, in free and common foccage, he the said Henry CASSELS his heirs or assigns yielding and paying therefore, unto us, our heirs and successors, or to our Receiver-General for the time being, or to his Deputy or Deputies for the time being, yearly, that is to say, on every twenty fifth day of March, at the rate of three shillings sterling or four shillings proclmation money, for every hundred acres, and so in proportion, according to the quantity of acres, contained herein; the same to grow due and be and be accounted for from the date hereof. Provided always, and this present Grant is upon condition, nevertheless, that he the said Henry CASSELS his heirs and assigns, shall and do, within three years next after the date of these presents, clear and cultivate at the rate of one acre forevery five hundred acres of land, and so in proportion according to the quantity of acres herein contained or build a dwelling house thereon, and keep a flock of five head of cattle fore every five hudnred acres, upon the same, and in proportion for a greater or lesser quantity:And upon condition, that if the said rent, hereby reserved, shall happen to be in arrear and unpaid for the space of three years from the time it became due, and no distress can be found on the said lands, tenements and hereditaments hereby granted; that then and in such case, the said lands, tenements, and hereditaments hereby granted and every part and parcel thereof, shall revert to us, our heirs and successors, as fully and absolutely, as if the same had never been granted. Given under the Great Seal of our said Province. Witness William BULL Esqr, President Governor and Commander in chief in and over our said Province of South Carolina the sixteenth day of September Anno Domini 1736 and in the twelfth year of our reign. Signed by the Honorable the President J. BADENHOLE

Deed of Gift from Henry Cassels to Hannah Durant

May 5, 1760 Deed of Gift From Henry Cassels To Hannah Durant South Carolina pg ?) To all to whom these presents shall come, I, Henry CASSELSof Saint Marks Parish, Craven County Province aforesaid send greetings: Know Ye, That I the said Henry CASSELS for love, good will and tender affections which I do bear unto Hannah DURANT, my daughter and the children, lawfully begotten by her husband, John DURANT, those alreadyborn to him or may be born to him hereafter, I do freely and voluntary give unto the above said Hannah DURANT and her issue as above named,a Negro wench named Betty and her offspring, a black horse branded onthe off shoulder thus H and forty nine head of neat cattle, now in her possession, with all their increase to them their heirs and assigns forever, and the above said goods & chattels and Negro to be equally divided after the death of the above said Hannah DURANT by Henry DURANT& Benjamin CASSELS unto the above said heirs of her body and that thesaid Hannah DURANT shall have, hold & enjoy the above said effects inpeaceably and quiet possession the day next after the date thereof. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fifth day ofMay in the year of our Lord 1760. Hanry CASSELS (his seal) Signed, sealed & delivered in the presence of us Wm MATHEWS Jno MATHEWS Mary McCRAE (her mark)

Camden Declaration

Historic Camden by Thomas J. Kirkland, The State Company, 1905A transcription of part of Chapter 5, pages 106-108, Part One, Not Revolt-Revolution pg 106) On November 5th of the same year (1774) that lofty patriot, William Henry DRAYTON, presided at the sitting of the Circuit Court in Camden, and here delivered the first of those stirring charges to grandjuries that were so effective in arousing the people of upper Carolina to a sense and assertion of their rights. DRAYTON was one ofpg 107) the King's Council, and was serving only temporarily on the bench until the arrival of the successor to Mr Justice MURRAY, lately deceased.In response, the Grand Jury of Camden District returned a veritable little Declaration of Independence, antedating and not unfavorably comparing with those of Mecklenburg and Philadelphia. The third clause of this remarkable document reads as follows:We present, as a grievance of the most dangerous and alarming nature, the power exercised by the Parliament to tax, and to make laws to bindthe American Colonies in all cases whatsoever. We conceive such a power destructive of our birthright as freemen, descended from English ancestors, seeing such freemen cannot be constitutionally taxed or boundby any law without their consent, expressed by themselves or implied by the representatives of their own election - a consent which the good people of this colony never have signified, to be taxed or bound by laws of the British Parliament in which they never have had any constitutional representation. And whereas we rather choose to die freemen than to live slaves, bound by laws in the formation of which we have noparticipation, so now that the body of this district are legally assembled, as one step towards the defense of our constitutional rights, which are dearer to us than our lives and fortune, we think it is our indispensable duty, to the people of this district, to ourselves the grand jurors for the body of the people, and to our posterity,pg 108) thus clearly to express the sense of this large and populous district, touching our Constitutional rights and the very imminent danger to which they are exposed from the usurped power of the British Parliament, taxing and by law binding the Americans in all cases whatsoever, being resolved to maintain our Constitutional rights at the hazardof our lives and fortunes, we do most earnestly recommend that this presentment, in partivular, be laid before our Constitutional representatives in General Assembly, who, we doubt not, will do all in their power to support us in our rightsl. We also recommend the publication ofthese our presentments
Mathew Singleton, Foreman
Joshua English
Sylvester Dunn
Jasper Sutton
John Payn
Isham Moore
John Cantey
John Witherspoon
John Gamble
Robert Carter
Henry Hunter
David Neilson
Thomas Casity
John Perkins, Sen.
Henry Cassels
Samuel Bradley
James Conyers
David Wilson
Aaron Frierson
Moses Gordon
Samuel Cantey
Edward Dickey

Revolutionary War Service

CASSELL, HENRY Ancestor #: A020153 Service: SOUTH CAROLINA Rank(s): CIVIL SERVICE, PATRIOTIC SERVICE Birth: CIRCA 1710 Death: ANTE 7-1-1785 CAMDEN DIST SOUTH CAROLINA Service Source: HENDRIX & LINDSAY, JURY LISTS OF SC 1778-1779, PP 9, 40, 41; HISTORIC CAMDEN SC, PART1, PP 107-108; SC ARCH, ACCTS AUD #1134, ROLL #21; SALLEY & WATES, STUB ENTRIES TO INDENTS, BOOKS R-T, P 12, LIBER R, #59 Service Description: 1) SUPPLIED FOOD FOR THE ARMY; SIGNED CAMDEN DIST DECLARATION OFINDEPENDENCE; JUROR. <ref>DAR Patriot Index </ref>

Residence

: Residence: :: Date: BET 1733 AND 1904 :: Place: Kershaw, South Carolina, USA : Residence: :: Date: 1780 :: Place: Camden District, SC: Residence: :: Date: 1778 :: Place: Camden District, SC : Residence: :: Date: BET 1733 AND 1904 :: Place: Kershaw, South Carolina, USA : Residence: :: Date: 1778 :: Place: Camden District, SC

Research Notes

A "W. Cassels" was the churchwarden at St Andrew's Parish in Charleston in 1725, and he may have been related.<ref>Winnington-Ingram, ArthurF. and Sadler Phillips, transc., The Early English Colonies: a Summary of the Lecture by the Right Hon. and Right Rev. Arthur Foley, LordBishop of London London: E. Stock, 1908, p. 169 Hathi Trust</ref> However, it is worth noting that W. Cassels must obviously have been a conforming Anglican, while Henry Cassels was married in a Congregationalist church. If (as discussed above) Henry's wife was actually the Congregationalist in the family, since they baptized their second child as an Anglican, this objection would be removed. It's probably also worth noting that their first son was named William, so W[illiam] would be a likely candidate for his father's name. It might be worth looking at the 1750 PCC Will of "William Cassels or Casseles, Mariner now belonging to His Majesty's Ship Namure"<ref>UK National ArchivesPROB 11/780/79</ref>

The first known instance of Henry's name, in his marriage record, curiously spells it "Cassello" in Webber's transcription. It is unclear ifthis is accurately transcribed, but Kirkland and Kennedy report a later instance of a shoemaker named "Castelo" in Camden around the time of the Revolution.<ref>Thomas J. Kirkland and Robert MacMillan Kennedy,Historic Camden: Colonial and revolutionary, Camden (S.C.): StateCompany, 1905, p. 99, 400 Google Books</ref> This at least allows some suspicion that the name here is a variant of the Irish Costello, but it could just as easily be Scottish or English. The form "Cassels" with an 's' was distinctly more frequent in Scotland than in England , but final 's' was not very stable in English surnames in the 18th century, so it is hard to rule out variants of "Castle" or "Cassel", which were fairly common in England. Given the time and location, it's also not easy to rule out the possibility that Henry was from a Huguenot family, since a Richard Cassels was a prominent Huguenot architect working Ireland at thetime (deriving his name from Kassel in Hesse). Two of his daughters married into the local Huguenot families, the Duboses and the Durants. The Camden Declaration does state that the signatories were of English ancestry,<ref>Thomas J. Kirkland and Robert MacMillan Kennedy, Historic Camden: Colonial and revolutionary, Camden (S.C.): State Company, 1905, p. 107 Google Books</ref> but it is unclear if this should be taken too literally. Some sources suggest that Col. James Cassels, a South Carolina Loyalist during the Revolution, was one of Henry's sons, but other sources (based purportedly on a first-hand account by his nephew) indicate that this James Cassels was an immigrant from Scotland, the son of another James Cassels.<ref>Robert Cassels, Records of the family of Cassels and connexions, privately published, 1870, p. 34 Internet Archive

'''Henry''' Cassels. <ref>Source: [[#S36290]]   Date of Import: Feb 17, 2017</ref>'''Born'''  ABT. 1710. SC<ref>Source: [[#S36290]]   Date of Import: Feb 17, 2017</ref>'''Died'''  JUN 1785 Craven Co, SC. <ref>Source: [[#S36290]]   Date ofImport: Feb 17, 2017</ref> Marriage: Henry "Cassello" Spouse's Name: Margaret Mitchell Date: 18 Jul 1734 performed by Nathan Bassett a grad of Harvard College 1692 Place: St Phillip's Parish, Independent Congregational Circular Church, Charleston, Charleston, SC. <ref>http://archive.org/stream/southcarolinahi16socigoog/#page/n12/mode/... http://archive.org/stream/southcarolinahi16socigoogsouthcarolinahi1... </ref><ref>Mabel L. Webber, ed., "Register of the Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church 1732-1738," ''The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Volume 12,'' South Carolina Historical Society, 1911, p. 34 [https://books.google.com/books?id=GkMTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA35#v=onepage&f=... Google Books]</ref> 

Note: #NI038.

Marriage Husband Henry Cassels. Wife Margaret Mitchell. Child: William Cassels. Marriage: 18 JUL 1734. Indep Congreg Circular Church, Charleston, SC.<ref>Source: #S11810</ref><ref>Source: #S09039 </ref><ref>Source: #S36290 Date ofImport: Feb 17, 2017</ref>

Children of Henry Cassels & Margaret

1. William born Mar 1735 Charleston, Charleston Co SC, died about 1785 Charleston Co SC. Married: Margaret ? 1758. She was born 1735, died 1763. Children: William Henry & Elias. William Cassells, Son of Henry Cassells and Margaret his Wife, was Baptized April 6th 1735, by me."<ref>Mabel L. Webber, ed., "Register of the Independent or Congregational (Circular) Church 1732-1738," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Volume 12, South Carolina Historical Society, 1911, p. 54 Google Books</ref>
2. Hannah born Dec 3, 1736 Charleston, Charleston Co SC. Married: JohnDurant Feb 6, 1755 SC. He is the son of Henry Durant & Ann Walbanck &was born Aug 27, 1721 SC. Children: Henry (1756-1805), Rebecca (1757-?), George (1759-?), Margaret (1761-?), Elizabeth (1763-?), John (1764-?), Benjamin (1766-1810), Hannah (1774-?) & John (1775-?).
3. Mary born about 1737 Craven Co SC, died after Aug 4, 1803 SC Married: John Lee about 1750 SC. He was born between 1720-1730, died after Nov 16, 1786 Little River, Fairfield Co SC. Her children: Stephen, Elizabeth, Agnes, John, Sarah, Rachel, Frances, Rosanna & Rebecca.
4. James born 1738 St Mark's Parish, Craven Co SC. Married: Ann Mann 1769 SC. </strike># Benjamin born 1739, died Nov 8, 1798. Married: Esther T. Children: Benjamin.
5. John born 1740 St Mark's Parish, Craven Co SC.# Henry Jr. born about 1743 SC, died 1806 SC. Married: Violet ? in SC.Children: Unknown.
6. Jacob born about 1749 SC.
7. Lydia born about 1745 St Mark's Parish, Craven Co SC, died 1806 SC. Married: Elias Isaac DuBose (Capt) Jan 20, 1763 Sumter SC. Elias is the son of John Dubose & Mary Whilden & was born Oct 19, 1737, died Mar 16, 1789 SC. Children: Elias, Margaret, Daniel, Ezekiel, Mary, Jesse,Martha, Isaiah, John F. & Lydia. Note: <ref>Steve Coker's data on Lydia http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/DuBose/1998-050895880432.</ref><ref>North America, Family Histories, 1500-2000 for Lydia Cassels which is really the DAR lineage book.

(NOTE: The South Carolina Loyalist Col. James Cassels 1736-1798, who married a "Miss Mann," WAS NOT one of Henry and Margaret's children.<ref>Robert Cassels, Records of the family of Cassels and connexions,privately published, 1870, p. 34 Internet Archive</ref>)

Revolutionary War Service

Henry Cassels was a signer of the Camden Declaration of Independence on Nov. 5, 1774. He furnished provisions for the Continental Army. (seedetails of his revolutionary war service below) CASSELL, HENRY Ancestor #: A020153 Service: SOUTH CAROLINA Rank(s): CIVIL SERVICE, PATRIOTIC SERVICE Birth: CIRCA 1710 Death: ANTE 7-1-1785 CAMDEN DIST SOUTH CAROLINA Service Source: HENDRIX & LINDSAY, JURY LISTS OF SC 1778-1779, PP 9, 40, 41; HISTORIC CAMDEN SC, PART 1, PP 107-108; SC ARCH, ACCTS AUD #1134, ROLL #21; SALLEY & WATES, STUB ENTRIES TO INDENTS, BOOKS R-T, P 12, LIBER R, #59 Service Description: 1) SUPPLIED FOOD FOR THE ARMY; SIGNED CAMDEN DIST DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE;JUROR. <ref>DAR Patriot Index </ref>
Feb 27, 2017

Land

On 16 Sep 1736 a Royal Grant of Land to Henry Cassels - 250 acres in the township of Williamsburg, Craven Co, SC neighboring W. Benten and that of one Finley Francis Finley, Robert Finley. <http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~circuitcourtrecor...><http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~circuitcourtrecor... http://www.archivesindex.sc.gov/onlinearchivesSearchResults.aspx/> South Carolina Camden District - By Henry HAMPTON Esqr. Ordinary Whereas John Lee (son-in-law, husband of dau Mary) hath applied to me for Letters of Administration of all and singular the goods & chattels, rights and credits of Henry CASSELS - late of the said District, deceased, as nearest of kin in behalf of his wife these are therefore to cite and admonish all and singular the kindred & creditors of the said deceased to be and appear before me in the Court of ordinary for said District to be held at my plantation near Winnsborough on the twenty sixthday of this ult. to show cause if any they have why the said administration should not be granted. Given under my hand & seal this tenth day of July 1785 & in tenth year of American Independence. The grant was followed by others and he settled on the Black River opposite Lynch's Creek in the vicinity of what is now Clarendon county. He signed the Camden Declaration of Independence 5 Nov 1774. He also furnished provisions for the Continental Army. It was the son John Cassels who ended up with the 8 Mar 1765 150 ac. grant to Henry Cassels which bounded north on LYNCHES CREEK which plat was surveyed 19 Dec 1764 and also documented on the 1 May 1765 Memorial. In April 1784 Henry Cassels was one of the witnesses in the will of David Anderson of Camden Dist. Henry Cassels was a signer of the Camden Declaration of Independence on Nov. 5, 1774.

Research Notes

A "W. Cassels" was the churchwarden at St Andrew's Parish in Charleston in 1725, and he may have been related. However, it is worth noting that W Cassels must obviously have been a conforming Anglican, while Henry Cassels was a Congregationalist.<ref>Winnington-Ingram, Arthur F. and Sadler Phillips, transc., The Early English Colonies: a Summary of the Lecture by the Right Hon. and Right Rev. Arthur Foley, Lord Bishop of London London: E. Stock, 1908, p. 169 Hathi Trust </ref>

The first known instance of Henry's name, in his marriage record, curiously spells it "Cassello" in Webber's transcription. It is unclear ifthis is accurately transcribed, but Kirkland and Kennedy report a later instance of a shoemaker named "Castelo" in Camden around the time of the Revolution.<ref>Thomas J. Kirkland and Robert MacMillan Kennedy,Historic Camden: Colonial and revolutionary, Camden (S.C.): StateCompany, 1905, p. 99, 400 Google Books</ref> This at least allows some suspicion that the name here is a variant of the Irish Costello, but it could just as easily be Scottish or English. The form "Cassels" with an 's' was distinctly more frequent in Scotland than in England , but final 's' was not very stable in English surnames in the 18th century, so it is hard to rule out variants of "Castle" or "Cassel", which were fairly common in England. Given the time and location, it's also not easy to rule out the possibility that Henry was from a Huguenot family, since a Richard Cassels was a prominent Huguenot architect working Ireland at thetime (deriving his name from Kassel in Hesse). Two of his daughters married into the local Huguenot families, the Duboses and the Durants. The Camden Declaration does state that the signatories were of English ancestry,<ref>Thomas J. Kirkland and Robert MacMillan Kennedy, Historic Camden: Colonial and revolutionary, Camden (S.C.): State Company, 1905, p. 107 Google Books</ref> but it is unclear if this should be taken too literally.

Sources

• DAR record https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_adb/?action=ful... Source: Author: Ancestry.com Title: Public Member Trees Publication: Name: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc.; Location: Provo, UT, USA; Date: 2006*https://allthingsliberty.com/2013/02/americas-first-declaration-of-...
• http://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandacti...
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_the_American_Revolution
• http://www.ushistory.org/declaration/revwartimeline.html