Howards of Edgefield District, South Carolina & Houston County, Georgia

The information below is from a group of 'cousins', I have been working with for several years on the Howard Brickwall! The group comprises of Sandra, Eddie, Tonya, Darien, Esther and recently Katherine who is searching for Watsons and tumbled down our wall for us, concerning Michael's wife Temphester, as she was named in the census records, but Temperance Watson was her maiden name. 

Michael Howard

Michael Howard was born in 1793 in South Carolina. More than likely he was born in the Edgefield District and his father may have been Richard Howard.  We are searching for more information about the Howards in Edgefield District in the late 1700's.

We know that Michael married Temperance Watson about 1820 in South Carolina, because in his 1851 will he bequeaths all his land, horses, cattle, hogs and farming tools to his wife of 30 years.  Michael and Tempie moved to Pike Co, Ga in the mid to late 1820's. Michael is on the 1827 Tax Digest for Pike Co, Ga. Michael purchases 101 1/4 acres of land  Lot # 230 from Arthur D. Meek, on 26 Feb 1828.   This land was in Captain Jesse B. Reaves district.

7. viii Enoch Howard born about 1836.

Other Howards in the District, from the History of Pike County, Georgia Volume 1:

Land Lot Grantees

First District  - David Howard  Lot 1
7th District    - Henry Howard  Lot 116
10th District  - Mordecai Howard, sr  Lot 69
15th District  -  Alsey Howard    Lot 26

In the 1830, they sell Tempie's inheritance to her brothers.

From Katherine : One deed dated 15 Feb 1830,
Book 44, page 347, Edgefield Dist.,SC, shows Michael Howard and his wife
Temperance Watson selling their inherited 1/10 part of 2/3 of Richmond
Watson's land (wife Sarah  inherited 1/3 of his land) to Archibald Watson and
Abner Watson.  Michael Howard was of Pike Co., GA, at the time of the sale. 
The witnesses to the deed were Thomas R Bond and John Gosset.  Temperance
relinquished dower on 27 Feb 1830.

In 1835, Michael is selling his land in Pike County and is living in Houston County.  He purchases land in Houston County from Hardy   Howard. The deeds below show some Howards selling land  in Houston County.

From Tonya: 

Deed Book G, Page 304-305 Hardy Howard to Michael Howard was dated September 12,
1837.  District 5, Lot 37 containing 101 1/4 acres for $125.00.  This was
witnessed by William Howard, signed by Hardy Howard  and LakeWatson's name was also on here,
we assume as a witness with Nathan Busby, JP.

Deed Book H, Page 64 Hardy Howard to Michael Howard was dated April 24, 1840.
District 5, Lot 36, containing 202 1/2 acres for $150.00.  This was witnessed by
Richard Howard and W. W. Howard (William Howard?).

Deed Book H, Page 64 - Abner Watson* to Hardy Howard, dated April 31, 1833
District 5, Lot 36 for $100.00.  This wasn't recorded until 4/4/1840 (apparently
when Hardy sold it to Michael). *Abner was Tempie's brother

Deed Book H, Page 64 - Micajah Bateman to Abner Watson 202 1/2 acres, dated
12/20/1832 for $100.00.

Deed Book C, Page 79 - Theodore Guerry to Jane Howard District 5, Lot 64 for
$800.00, dated 7/28/1827.

Deed Book G, Page 305 - Cline Powers to Hardy Howard 202 1/2 acres in District
5, Lot 37 for $250.00, dated 10/27/1837.

Michael and Temperance were very involved in their community in Houston County, Ga. They had a large family, 
Their children: Stancel, Temphestia, Wade Hampton, Joseph West, Richmond W , Enoch and possibly Caroline and Allan A Howard.

Michael was planter and JP. Both Tempie and Michael were very involved in their church, the Fellowship Baptist Church in Houston County.   He was the Secretary of the Church.  We have seen books of Estray (stray animals) that Michael kept as well as marriage certificates signed by him.  Several of Michael and Tempie's sons were in the Civil War, three of them in Company G, 62nd Georgia Cavalry.

Our group is now trying to find information on Richard Howard of Edgefield District, South Carolina.  We would like to know if he is the father of Michael Howard.  We would also like to know how Hardy Howard is related to Michael.  Is he the same Hardy Howard who lived in South Carolina?

Below is the email address of descendants of each of Michael & Temperance's children: