James Sutherland Sr

The first Sutherland in my family born in America was my fourth Great Grandfather James Sutherland Sr. He was born in Culpeper County, Virginia in 1764. James served in the military during the Revolutionary War as a Private in the North Carolina Militia. He received a pension of $20.00 Annual Allowance; His pension began on May 16, 1833 at the age of 70. James Sutherland Sr’s will dated July 21st 1845 names twelve of his fourteen children. His wife had died several years before this, records on her are scarce, Most records indicate she was Rebecca Parkinson who was from North Carolina but this has not been verified as of yet. James died around 1844 in Pickens County, South Carolina. His Father John Sutherland was born in Scotland. His Mother was Sarah Ladd of Rowan County, North Carolina. Both John and Sarah died in Pendleton District, South Carolina.

James son Pascal Sutherland (my third Great Grandfather) was born in Spartanburg County, South Carolina in 1790. He died before 1850 in Pickens County, South Carolina and was buried in the Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery in Pickens County, South Carolina. He married Mary Esther Edens, Daughter of Samuel Edens and Rebecca Chastain. Esther was born in 1802 in Pendleton District, South Carolina she died after 1870 in Pickens County, South Carolina. She was also buried in The Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery in Pickens County, South Carolina.

Pascal and Esther had three children two sons and a daughter. Their daughter Mary Ann Sutherland was born around 1825 in the Pendleton District of South Carolina and died sometime after 1870 she lived her entire life in the Pumpkintown area and truth be known she is probably buried at Oolenoy with most of the family.

Both of their sons fought in the War for Southern Independence (AKA Civil War). Samuel E. Sutherland (My Great Great Grandfather) was born on May 10th 1821 in Pendleton District, South Carolina, Sam farmed in and around the Pumpkintown Community all of his life. He married Nancy Hendricks around 1844 in Pickens County, SC and had 4 children with her. Nancy was the daughter of Moses Hendricks and Hannah Trout they farmed in the Pumpkintown, South Carolina community, he was known as “Corn” or “Corn Makin Mose”. Nancy had 14 brothers and sisters so it is safe to say that Corn and Hannah Hendricks were a big part of adding to the Hendricks Family name in this area. After the death of Nancy, Sam married Elizabeth M. “Eliza” McJunkin and had 8 more children.

Sam mustered in as a Private in Kershaw’s Company B, 2nd Regiment of the South Carolina Infantry Rifles during the Civil War. After the War Sam continued to live in the Pumpkintown Community until his death on January 6th 1879, Sam is buried in the Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery in Pickens County, South Carolina.

In 1901 a Widows Pension Application was filed by his wife Elizabeth M."Eliza" Sutherland for Sam's service to the Confederacy. Eliza died in 1905 and was buried next to Sam in the Oolenoy Baptist Church Cemetery.

Also serving at this time was Sam's younger brother James William Sutherland who was born on November 17th 1828 in Pickens County, SC, He mustered in to the 4th Regiment South Carolina Infantry Rifles, Company H, as a Private on April 14, 1861 and served under the command of Captain R Z Griffin until his discharge on April 9th, 1865 at Appomattox, Virginia. He married Sarah Edmondson “Sallie” Reid on December 26th 1876 and raised 6 children with her. James died on March 17th 1909 in Pumpkintown, Pickens County, South Carolina and was buried at Holly Springs Baptist Church Cemetery, in Pickens County, South Carolina.

Application for a widow’s pension was made on April 10th, 1919 by his wife Sallie. James A. Griffin of Company H, 4th Regiment SC Infantry, and Colonel Robert Esli Bowen Commander of Company E, 2nd Regiment SC Infantry Rifles (aka Moore's Rifles), appeared before Probate Judge J B Newberry in Pickens County, South Carolina to verify the information on the application, The application was approved, signed, and sealed on April 15th, 1919 by Probate Judge J B Newberry.