Paternal lineage: Information found from various websites. Scroll to the bottom to start from Evan (10 generation according to this info) and work your way backward to England.
Descendants of William Seller(s), Sr.
1. William1 Seller(s), Sr. was born Abt. 1637 in Charlton-On-Otmoor, Oxon, England, and died Bef. Sep 1714 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia. He marriedSarah Harrison Aft. 1661 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, daughter of Josiah Harrison and Unknown Wife. She was born Aft. 1637 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, and died in Isle of Wight County, Virginia.
Notes for William Seller(s), Sr.:
Under the Headright system in Virginia in the 1600’s, one could obtain a 50 acre land grant for himself and each other person he brought to settle there. A person could also be granted 50 acres for each person for whom he paid passage (“transported”) to Virginia from elsewhere, either as an Indentured Servant or free man. An Indentured Servant entered into a contract (Indenture) with the person in Virginia to pay their passage and room & board after arrival in exchange for all their personal services for a period of years, usually seven. Upon presentation of proof to the court that he had paid for the transportation from outside Virginia of identified persons at least three years previously, the Virginian was given a certificate (Patent) which could be redeemed for 50 acres of land per person transported. These Patents did not have to be “cashed” immediately, and were commonly sold or traded as chattel paper for years afterward.
On November 25, 1657, a man named Christopher Reynolds, Jr. obtained a Headright Patent certificate for a 350 acre Virginia land grant for the transportation (probably as Indentured Servants) of seven persons to Isle of Wight County, Virginia from (probably) England, namely Jno. Becham, Joseph Kerby, Jno. Moode, William Seller, Edmond Howsden, Margaret Langridge, and Susan Stubbers, This transaction was recorded, and was reported by Nell M. Nugent in her book “Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, 1623-1666”. The November 25, 1657 date has since been widely mis-cited by Sellers researchers as the transportation date of William Sellers from England. By law, however, the Headright certificate for a land Patent could only be issued a minimum of three years after the actual transportation occurred, so William Seller(s) et al were transported to Virginia in the year 1654 or earlier. ( Christopher Reynolds, Jr. apparently never “cashed” the Patent certificate for these seven persons, and later traded or sold it to a man named Richard Jordan on March 18, 1662.) Assuming that William Seller(s)’ contract (Indenture) of servitude was for the customary seven years, he probably completed it and became a free man in the year 1661 or earlier. This enabled him to own land in his own right and to marry after that time. It is believed, but not proven, that he married Sarah Harrison about 1661.
Prior to immigration, a person believed to be this William Seller appeared as an heir in the estate of John Kirbye of Charlton, England, proven in Oxford, England in January, 1642. There is some indication that, as a youth, he was imprisoned in England for unknown acts (possibly religious dissent), and was among a group of prisoners brought to Virginia from England by Christopher Reynolds, Jr. He was later a participant (or at least a sympathizer) in “Bacon’s Rebellion” in Virginia in 1676, and was among a group of partitioners to spare the life of William West (who was arrested for participation in Bacon’s Rebellion) in October, 1677.
William Seller(s) became the progenitor of the Southern branch of Sellers who later migrated into North Carolina about 1700 and then disbursed from there into many other Southern states. See James Marlowe’s book, “Records Pertaining To The Sellers Family Of Brunswick County, North Carolina”. Also see “Decendents of William Sellers, Sr. of Isle of Wight, Virginia, 1657” by Opal Freer Spencer.
It is also recorded that William Sellers bought blacksmith tools from the estate of a Captain Fulgham in Isle of Wight County on January 9, 1667, although this writer is uncertain that he was a blacksmith by trade.
On September 5, 1714, John Sellers, son of William, and his wife Elizabeth sold land on Seward’s Swamp (Isle of Wight County, VA) that had been obtained by John’s father William by Deed of Gift from Josiah Harrison (believed to be the father of William’s wife, Sarah. The identity of William’s wife is not proven.) on December 9, 1684. Since no record exists of William’s having transferred this land to John, it is probable (but not certain) that William had died by September, 1714, and that John had acquired the land by inheritance.
Notes for Sarah Harrison:
I believe it highly probable that William’s wife was the daughter of Josiah Harrison, who gave William a documented gift of land in 1684. Such gifts of land were common by a bride’s father to his new son-in-law as a sort of dowry; it started the new couple off right and kept the daughter close to home. Since William Seller and his wife may have lived on the land for quite some time before it was deeded to William, this transaction does not necessarily indicate marriage in 1684. The given name “Sarah” comes from the undocumented research of others, and may or may not be accurate.
Children of William Seller(s) and Sarah Harrison are:
| + | 2 | i. | John2 Seller(s), born Aft. 1662 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia; died Aft. 1737 in Virginia. | |
| + | 3 | ii. | Matthew William Sellers, born 1675 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia; died 1740 in Bertie County, North Carolina. |
Notes for Matthew William Sellers:
There is an entry in an old family Bible owned by the family of Hartwell Herschell Sellers which places Matthew William Sellers’ date of birth in 1675.
8-1740 CATHERINE SELLERS, appointed Adm for husband MATHEW SELLERS
estate.
Notes for Catherine Jordan:
Catherine’s maiden name is cited as “Jordan” in a WFT tree posted on Genealogy.com by Durell Sellers. It is cited as “Jordon” in a WFT tree posted by Florence Alexandria Smith. Neither of these postings is proven, but they are the only references I’ve ever found for Catherine’s maiden name.
Child of Matthew Sellers and Catherine Jordan is:
| + | 6 | i. | William Benjamin3 Sellers, born Abt. 1710 in Bertie County, North Carolina; died Feb 1761 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. |
Notes for William Benjamin Sellers:
Although his full name was William Benjamin Sellers, he went by Benjamin. He is alternately referred to as William or Benjamin in various records. Sarah Hickman was Benjamin Sellers’ second wife. His first wife was (possibly) Marie, whose maiden surname is unknown at this time. There is a great deal of debate among Sellers researchers about the distribution of William Benjamin’s children between his two wives. The chart reflects my current conclusions, and is subject to change.
FEB 1740 Edgecombe Co, NC = Benjamin SELLERS
of Edgecombe Co, sells 50 acres of land in Bertie Co that
my father Mathew SELLERS bought of Benjamin FOREMAN,
where my mother now lives.
Notes for Sarah Hickman:
Sarah Hickman Sellers remarried Thomas Dixon June 17, 1763 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
Children of William Sellers and Marie Unknown are:
| + | 14 | i. | Elisha4 Sellers, born Bet. 1735 – 1738 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died Nov 1801 in Brunswick County, North Carolina. | |
| + | 15 | ii. | James Sellers, born Bet. 1736 – 1737 in Duplin County, North Carolina; died Bet. 1790 – 1799 in Brunswick County, North Carolina. | |
| + | 16 | iii. | William Benjamin Sellers, Jr., born Bet. 1739 – 1740 in New Hampton, Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died Apr 1817 in Iron Springs Swamp, Greensea, Horry County, South Carolina. |
Children of William Sellers and Sarah Hickman are:
| + | 17 | i. | Joel4 Sellers, born 1745 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died Abt. 1813 in Bladen County, North Carolina. | |
| + | 18 | ii. | Matthew Sellers, born 1743 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died 20 Dec 1807 in Livingston County, Kentucky. | |
| 19 | iii. | Henry Sellers, born 1744 in North Carolina; died Bef. 1761 in North Carolina. | ||
| 20 | iv. | Mary Penelope Sellers, born 1746 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died 02 Apr 1822 in Brunswick County, North Carolina. She married Arthur Robbins 14 Apr 1764 in Tarboro, Edgecombe County, North Carolina; born 1742 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died 29 Sep 1819 in Brunswick County, North Carolina. | ||
| 21 | v. | Jechonias (Sion) Sellers, born 1747 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died 1813 in Brunswick County, North Carolina. |
| Notes for Jechonias (Sion) Sellers: Jechonias Sellers never married. He lived with his sister Mary Penelope and her husband Arthur Robbins. |
| + | 22 | vi. | Simon Sellers, born 1748 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died Dec 1816 in Brunswick County, North Carolina. | |
| 23 | vii. | Sarah Sellers, born 1749 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. She married William Young 19 Aug 1763 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; born Bef. 1743 in North Carolina. | ||
| 24 | viii. | Mary Unity Sellers, born 1750 in Edgecombe County , North Carolina; died 02 Jan 1781 in Louisiana. She married Nathaniel West Aft. 1768; born 1735 in Louisiana; died 1776 in Louisiana. |
Notes for Joel Sellers:
In court records of October, 1764, Joel Sellers was “bound out’ to Kindred Carter. This writer is uncertain of the meaning of this transaction, although it may have been a forced apprenticeship of some kind. Some records have his full name as Joel Flynn Sellers.
Notes for Amelia (Milly) Milliford:
Source data on Amelia is limited. This writer is uncertain as to whether Milliford was her maiden name or a subsequent married name from a remarriage.
Children of Joel Sellers and Amelia Milliford are:
| + | 56 | i. | Sion5 Sellers, born 1775 in North Carolina; died 1850 in Horry County, South Carolina. | |
| + | 57 | ii. | Matthew Sellers, born Bet. 1780 – 1784 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina; died Bet. 1830 – 1839 in Columbus County, North Carolina. | |
| + | 58 | iii. | Elisha Sellers, born 1785 in Brunswick County, North Carolina; died Bet. 1850 – 1859 in Columbus County, North Carolina. | |
| + | 59 | iv. | Joel Sellers, born 1787 in Brunswick County, North Carolina; died Bet. 1850 – 1859 in South Carolina. |
Notes for Sion Sellers:
Sion Sellers migrated to Horry County, South Carolina prior to 1800.
22 March 1810 Sion of Horry District I sold land to John Carlile in the fork of Beaver Dam Swamp and Great Pond Branch. Witnesses: Joel & Elisha.
Brunswick Co deed 13 Oct 1800, Sion of SC sold 100 ac on 7 creeks to Elias Duncan. Witness: Jordan & Benjamin Sellers.
1808 John James gave Sion property on Little Pee Dee River in Horry Co.
2 Nov 1811 purchased 450 ac on Chinner’s Swamp at Little Pee Dee River Horry Co, SC.
5 June 1827 purchased 90 ac from Willis James located on S side of Chinner’s Swamp.
23 April 1844, gift deed to his grandson Sion Sellers, son of John. Gift was several cattle. Joel C Sellers was a witness.
19 Dec 1845 sold 400 ac E side of Little Pee Dee to John D Jordan. John Sellers witness.
31 July 1846 bought 73 ac “newton’s grant” from John Skipper. S side of Chinner’s Swamp.
1810 Horry Co, SC census: head of hh; 1 male 26-45; 2 males 0-10; 1 female 26-45; 3 females 0-10.
1820 Horry Co census: head of hh; 1 male > 45; 1 male 18-26; 1 male 10-16; 1 male 0-10; 1 female 26-45; 1 female 16-26; 2 females 10-16; 3 females 0-10.
1830 Horry census: head of hh; 1 male 50-60; 1 male 20-30; 1 male 10-15; 1 male 5-10; 1 female 60-70; 2 females 20-30; 1 female 15-20; 1 female 10-15.
1840 Horry census: head of hh; 1 male 60-70; 1 male 20-30; 1 male 15-20; 1 female 50-60; 2 females 30-40; 1 female 20-30; 1 female 0-5.
1850 census: Sion 75 was head of hh; Lukey 70; Edney 40; Joannah 5; James 2; Joel Sellers 27; John Sellers 30.
Children of Sion Sellers and Lucretia James are:
| + | 148 | i. | John Asberry6 Sellers, born 1820 in Horry County, South Carolina; died Bet. 1860 – 1869 in Horry County, South Carolina. | |
| + | 149 | ii. | Samuel Sellers, born 1803 in Horry County, South Carolina. | |
| 150 | iii. | Unknown Female Sellers, born 1804 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| 151 | iv. | Patience Edney Sellers, born 1806 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| 152 | v. | Unknown Female Sellers, born 1808 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| + | 153 | vi. | Levin James Sellers, born 1810 in Horry County, South Carolina; died Abt. 1890 in Horry County, South Carolina. | |
| 154 | vii. | Unknown Female Sellers, born 1812 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| 155 | viii. | Unknown Female Sellers, born 1814 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| + | 156 | ix. | Joel C. Sellers, born 1822 in Horry County, South Carolina; died Bet. 1860 – 1869 in South Carolina. | |
| + | 157 | x. | Solomon Sellers, born 1823 in Horry County, South Carolina. |
Notes for John Asberry Sellers:
John Asberry Sellers served during the Civil War in Co. D, 6th South Carolina Cavalry Regiment. From the estimated date of his death, he may not have survived the war. According to the SC Archives, a J. A. Sellers that was a member of the 6th SC Calvary, Company D, enlisted on Feb. 26, 1863 and was wounded at Trevillian Station, VA on June 11, 1864. The document said that he was given a 30 day furlough from Jackson Hospital, Richmond, VA on July 7, 1864. He was absent from the Roll Call for the Company on September/October 1864. Battle of Trevillian Station information:http://www.nps.gov/hps/abpp/battles/va099.htm
Children of John Sellers and Unity Unknown are:
| + | 321 | i. | Sion F.7 Sellers, born 30 Oct 1843 in Horry County, South Carolina; died Aft. 1910 in Bucks Township, Horry County, South Carolina. | |
| 322 | ii. | Rheutilla Sellers, born Abt. 1848 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| 323 | iii. | Julia S. A. Sellers, born Abt. 1849 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| + | 324 | iv. | William McNeil (Mack) Sellers, born Abt. 1854 in Horry County, South Carolina. | |
| + | 325 | v. | Joel Sidney Sellers, born Bet. 1855 – 1856 in Horry County, South Carolina; died 1924 in Horry County, South Carolina. | |
| + | 326 | vi. | Benjamin F. Sellers, born Bet. 1860 – 1861 in Horry County, South Carolina; died 1926 in North Carolina. |
More About Joel Sidney Sellers:
Burial: Juniper Bay Baptist Church Cemetery, SC
More About Martha Thompkins:
Burial: Juniper Bay Baptist Church Cemetery, SC
Children of Joel Sellers and Martha Thompkins are:
| 471 | i. | Laura8 Sellers, born 13 Jul 1883 in Horry County, South Carolina; died 17 Oct 1900 in Horry County, North Carolina. |
| More About Laura Sellers: Burial: Juniper Bay Baptist Church Cemetery, SC |
| 472 | ii. | Lizzy Sellers, born Bet. 1885 – 1886 in Horry County, South Carolina; died 02 Feb 1932 in Horry County, South Carolina. |
| More About Lizzy Sellers: Burial: Juniper Bay Baptist Church Cemetery, SC |
| 473 | iii. | William George Sellers, born 25 Jan 1892 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| 474 | iv. | Orpha Sellers, born Bet. 1895 – 1896 in Horry County, South Carolina; died in Robeson County, North Carolina. She married Garry McQueen 04 Jun 1910 in Horry County, South Carolina; born Bef. 1895 in South Carolina. | ||
| 475 | v. | Henry Sellers, born Bet. 1902 – 1903 in Horry County, South Carolina. He married Babe Goodman Bet. 1904 – 1928; born Bet. 1883 – 1907. | ||
| 476 | vi. | Charlie Sellers, born Bet. 1903 – 1904 in Horry County, South Carolina. | ||
| 477 | vii. | Leo Sellers, born 15 Sep 1908 in Horry County, South Carolina. |
Evan Sellers' Family Tree 