America
JOHN LUCAS & ANN MIKELL
On 17 Apr 1772, John Lucas was granted a plantation of 100 acres in Craven Co, South Caroline, on a branch of Little River called Sandy Run bounding south on Hon. Andrew Erwin, north east on Robert Johnson & John Sims, north on James Goggins, and west on William Anderson. Signed,17 Apr 1772. Jno. Caldwell, D.S. (Ref: Colonial Plats Vol. 16, SC) In 1773, when rich land tracts were ceded by the Creeks and the Cherokees, the Governor of GA issued a proclamation offering most liberal terms to prospective settlers. An influx began, which continued through the early part of the Rev. War era.Gov. Wright's proclamation offered 200 acres for each family member - wife, children & negros if they came here to live. 5 Lb. sterling was paid down for each 100 acres total not to exceed 5 shillings per acre. Land Courts opened at Augusta and elsewhere In 1774 and considerable land went on the market. During this period, produce grown included indigo, corn, rice, peas, rye, and some wheat; also, pitch, tar, & turpentine. Ref "Georgia as Colony and State" by Amanda Johnson. On 16 Sep 1774, the above SC Plat to John Lucas was entered as a Royal Grant, same location and boundaries. Wit: Hon. Wm. Bull, Esq.,. 16 Sep 1774. (Ref.: Royal Grants, Col. 33. p. 446, SC). John Lucas married first Ann Mikell, daughter of (Major) John Mikell and Ann Ball, in the City of Savannah, GA by Rev. Edmund Botsford in 1774. Ref.; BLWT 2215-300. In Dec. 1777, SC, The St David's Society was established "to promote learning by founding a public School in said Parish. Among those pledging was; John Lucas 25 pounds, John Mikell 50 pounds, etc. on 31 Jan 1778. This shows that they returned to SC after their trip to GA. On 12 May 1778, John and Ann Lucas had their first child, a son William Lucas (the author of the account of the family in SC Mag). Ref Family Bible photocopy in possession of ehm. Capt. John Lucas was on the Florida Expedition and was in the Battles of St. Marys and Augusta. (Ref Nat'l Archives #S11010). During the period 1775-1778, Georgia did not actively engage in the Rev. War. Then, John Lucas was commissioned 1 March 1777 as a Captain in GA 3d, and served in "GA Line" under command of Col. White. He was captured in the fall of Savannah and from 1778 until 1782 GA was so dangerous, most of the families went back to relatives in the SC "back country" for the duration of the War. Ref BLWT 2215-300 Lucas, John, GA. Deposition of son John M. Lusas, and Journal of Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell, pp. 110 &111 and “GA Citizens & Soldiers of the American Rev”. pp. 126, 139 & 146. Thirty-two of the captured officers were sent on parole to Sunbury. Ibid. On the list of officers taken in Savannah, John Lucas, Capt, 4th GA Battn was listed as #5 for exchange. On Muster Roll of the Fourth GA Continental Battn dated 2 Aug 1779, John Lucas, Capt, appeared as "present with the enemy". Ibid. He returned to his people in SC after he was paroled as in 1779 John Lucas appeared in Cheraw Dist as Petit Juror and also for Special Juror. Apparently John Lucas found a way to help the patriots without actually taking up arms in violation of his parole as the following receipts indicate: In the month of June and July 1782, to certify that John Lucas did serve the public in General Marion's Brigade in hunting and driving beef cattle for his Brigade thirty days and found his own self a horse at same time - certified by me. MM Murphy (Moses Murphy who married Catherine Mikell, sister of John Lucas’ wife, Ann Mikell). In ye month of Nov 1782 - This is to certify that John Lucas did serve ye public six days and found his own hob (horse) and a good man to hunt and drive beef cattle for ye use of Gen'l Marion's Brigade. Centifyed by me. M M Murphy, Lt. Col. In 1782, a noted character, Old Mrs. Croly, lived two miles below Society Hill, afterwards in the flat woods on Black Creek. She often harbored Tories. John Lucas and a few other Whigs once found a party of Tories at her house, who managed to escape. Lucas took her out, and was about to hang her, when Capt. M'Intosh and Major John Mikell came up and caused her to be released. Ref p 387 "Hist of the Old Cheraws" by Gregg.For the record, I wish to state here that there were three Capt. John Lucas in GA & SC during the war and two of them served in the GA Line. With the help of Lloyd Evans, who researched from a military standpoint in regard to the battles fought and where the units were stationed at particular times, we were able to uncover the fact that one John Lucas was Aide de Camp to Gen. Lachlan McIntosh (not the one who was son of Ursula Mikell McIntosh); and, this one did not marry, died on a visit to New York and was buried there. His brother, Thomas, settled his estate and Thomas' daughter Margaret applied for any settlement due this John Lucas for his service and was granted the land that was due our John Lucas. In the government files, these three men's records were all mixed up and when John M. Lucas later applied for his father's land, his claim was denied stating it had already been paid. After the duel between Button Gwenett and Lachlan McIntosh in which Button Gwenett died as a result, McIntosh (with his aide John Lucas) was sent north and was not present at the first Battle of Savannah. Therefore, the John Lucas who fought in that battle and was captured and paroled, was our John. In 1783, John Lucas appeared on the Jury List for Cheraw Dist as Petit Juror. At this time, John and Ann Lucas apparently made the move back to GA even though it still took several trips to settle his war claims. On 23 Apr 1783, Chatham Co, GA. Deed Book D, p. 390 John Lucas was living on a lot on Bull Street, Savannah, GA; from Abraham Ravot, Esq. Comm. of Forfeited estates to John Lucas land in Effingham Co, 500 acres south side Great Ogeechee, 8-10 miles from flat Fords. On 6 Aug 1783, in Cheraw Dist, SC, John Lucas turned in the following receipts: SC 1781 -60 Bushels of corn - 10.10 1782 - 1 Beef wt. 350 lb. 4.4.1036 days Duty in Mil. 2.11.5 Total 17.11.3SC Cheraws Dist -6 Aug 1783, Thos. Powe, JP On 9 Oct 1783, John and Ann Lucas had a daughter Margaret Lucas. In Jun 1784, John Lucas sold above Effingham Co, GA, land. Ref Deed BK D, p.391. On 20 Jan 1785, John Lucas, was granted a tract of land 300 acres in the Dist of Cheraw on the SW side of Great Peedee River on Swift Creek….20th day of Jan 1785 Ephraim Mitchell.Ref. State Plats, Vol.19, p. 324, SC. On 1 Aug 1785, John and Ann Lucas had a son John M. Lucas. Another receipt; The State of SC to John Lucas -30 days driving cattle -4.6.3; and, 12 days driving cattle – 1.147: Total 6.0.7.South Carolina Cheraw District, John Lucas made oath before me that he has never rec'd any satisfaction for the same. Signed Jno Lucas Sworn Sep 7, 1785 Thos. Powe, JP. John finally made settlement on his 36 days service, etc: 25 Jul 1875 John Lucas, Provision of Forage also 36 days duty done as private with Militia in 1781 and 1782, also 60 bushels of corn - 17 lbs - 11 shillings - 3 pence sterling. Received 13 Sep 1785 one yr interest signed Jno Lucas. Received20 Jul 1785 full satisfaction for this audited account No.39 Book V. Signed Jno Lucas. Received 9 Jul & 12 Jul 1786 2 years interest and full sat. by discount on purchase of land. Signed Thos. Powe. JP (Ref Bk Y872 No 98). On 20 Nov 1786, Chatham Co, GA, Deed Bk D, p. 141 - John Lucas of Chatham Co sold to Robert Bolton, Jr. of Savannah, merchant, lot on south commons & Bull Street granted by Comm. of Confiscated Estates 16 Jul 1784. On 14 Jan 1788, John and Ann Lucas had daughter Ann Lucas. On 2 Mar 1790, John and Ann Lucas had daughter Mary Ann Lucas. On 5 May 1792, John and Ann Lucas had daughter Sarah Lucas. On 27 Jan 1793, John and Ann Lucas had daughter Elizabeth Lucas. Ann Mikell Lucas died at or shortly after the birth of her seventh child Elizabeth. John Lucas married 2d Mary Clarissa Denmark, 20 Dec 1794 in Effingham Co, GA, and they had at least these children: Ann, Reading, Malada, Hugh P., James S., Samuel Wilds, Amy, Alice, Ana Jane, and Bilga. Clarissa was a member of Little Ogeechee Baptist Church. Note; Screven County was cut out of Burke and Effingham Co in 1793 and then in 1796 some of this area became Bulloch Co. Screven County, GA, Deed Book P-273, seems to indicate John Lucas had obtained a tract of land on which he was living and proposed to sell as follows: John Lucas, planter of Screven Co to Mergan Mergow of Ebenezer, sum of 150 pounds Sterling for tract of 250 acres of land where said Lucas now lives dated 16 Oct 1795. Next we find: Georgia, Screven County - received 24 day of September 1800 from John M. Dasher on the sum 150 pounds equal $646.47-1/2 the consideration for land being in the county aforesaid, bound by land granted Ben Munch, eastwardly by a lagoon, southwardly by Savannah River & John Bradley & west by vacant lands, said tract of land was sold by John Lucas to Mergan Mergow, deceased, in said Mergan Mergow's life time and now confirmed. Signed by John Lucas (LS), Witness: John M Dasher, James Kirk & Benj Machen. 5 Nov 1 1803 Warrant, 16 Dec 1804 for survey of 400 acres land in Screven Co, GA for John Lucas. 23 Nov 1807 200 acres land in Effingham Co, GA, to John Lucas bounding east by land ofJohn Lucas and all other sides vacant. On 19 Sep 1808 John Lucas obtained a passport through the Creek Nation. (No mention of taking family). In 1809 John and Clarissa's daughter Ana Jane was born. 3 Apr 1809 Warrant, 13 Jan 1810 Survey, 30 Dec 1819 Grant to John Lucas 800 acres in Effingham Co, Ga bounded now by Martin, Lucas, vacant & Dampier land, Ely Montford's Mill tract s & sw by vacant, Wm McGahagen (married John's dau Ann Eliza) & Gill's land and nw by Ann McGahagin land. On 1816 Territorial Census of Marion County, Mississippi (where Elizabeth Thomson Mikell, widow of John Mikell, Jr, James, who married Elizabeth’s sister, Margaret Thomson; and, Edward Mikell, brother to John, Jr and James, who married his first cousin, Elizabeth Mikell daughter of Barnet Mikell and Jane McCall, and their families were living at that time): LUCAS, JOHN - 1 male over 21 and 1 slave. Note: Mikell, Ball and Hooker families were in Tennessee by 1811 and Mississippi by 1813. 1 Nov 1816 - John Lucas for $200 sells to William Black a negro woman "Pat", Ref Bk K (5-P) pages 56-57. /S/John Lucas, Sen., Witness: James S. Lucas and John M. Lucas. On 19 Nov 1816, John Lucas of Screven Co, GA, killed David Lee of Effingham Co, GA. Ref The GA Black Book by Robert Scott Davis page 12. We don't know what happened between John Lucas and David Lee (or which David Lee it is as there were 3 generations of David Lees. I will check and see which one died in 1816 emh). One David Lee was also a Rev War veteran and two of his daughters Dicy and Mary both married Mikells -Charles and James Mikell, Sr. This is apparently the David Lee whose land adjoined one 533 acre tract of John Lucas.
Some descendants just refuse to believe that this person killed a man but he must have, even if accidentally, as on 13 Jan 1817 John Lucas was pardoned for the murder of David Lee by Proclamation of the Governor. Ref GA Black Book by Robert Scott Davis page 12. On 9 Jan 1817 in Screven Co, GA, John Lucas, Planter, made the statement that he was moving and gave his son, John M. Lucas, Power of Attorney for him and his lawful wife Clarissa Lucas, John M's step-mother. Ref Book K, p. 54 Ct of Ordinary. This was verified on 5 Sep 1817 in Effingham Co and states that James S. Lucas and Hugh P. Lucas witnessed the above transaction. 20 Jan 1817, John Lucas, Planter, and his wife, Mary C. Lucas to Hugh P. Lucas for $1,000 for 100 acres formerly Effingham Co now Screven Co, GA, adjoining Scruggs... west by Little Ogeechee, sw by Wm Moore, nw by Cool Springs Branch.. mentions a Mill and Dam.. and 300 acres adjoining Tanner, also land adj Caleb Powell, David lee and John Boykin, Sr. totaling 533 acres in all. Wit: John M Lucas and James S. Lucas. Signed Clarisa (x) Lucas. Ref Screven Co. Deed Bk K, p.35. John Lucas went to visit his daughter Margaret Lucas Mcintosh (who married Ursula Mikell McIntosh's son James) who was still living in the Cheraw area and he deeded her a gift: Know all men by these presents that I, John Lucas, of State of Georgia, Screven County, for love and affection towards my loving daughter Margaret McIntosh of the State of South Carolina, Darlington District, do give her one negro girl named Rose now in possession of my wife Clarissa Lucas in the above named State of Georgia, Screven County, the said Margaret Mcintosh is hereby impowered to go or send by an agent and take into her possession the said negro girl...Signed 7 Feb 1817 in presence of: Joseph Norwood, Martha Norwood. Signed by John Lucas LS, Recorded 12 Mar 1817. John Lucas was said to have been one of the first residents of Memphis, TN in a deposition by Margaret Ann Thompson, copy in possession of emh. They probably stopped there for a time before moving on to Alabama, then finally to Jefferson Co, Missouri. John Lucas, County of St. Louis, Territory of Missouri, to my son James S. Lucas, negro boy 8 mo. old named Handy 22 Sep 1818. Wit: Jonathon Vickers & Hugh P. Lucas. 1820 Census of Limestone Co, AL (North Central Alabama on the Tennessee border): there were 2 John Lucas families. In 1821, the son, William Lucas, had settled in Franklin Co, AL, and was serving as state Senator. We had never seen anything signed by John Lucas by any other name until he made his Will. There he said I, John Perkins Lucas. His will was dated 2 Aug 1825 in Jefferson Co, MO. Deed Bk C, p.52. He mentioned his wife Clarissa Lucas, daughters Bilga, Amy and Alice, and sons Miles and Hugh P. Lucas. In his will John gave his son Miles (Wilds) a 10 mo. old mulatto boy named Louis 2 Aug 1825. John Lucas, Sen. died 1 May 1826 in Jefferson. Co, MO. 25 Dec 1829 Bilga Lucas married John Hendrickson in Jefferson Co, MO. 1830 Census of Jefferson Co, MO. page 119.Clarissa Lucas head of household with:1 male 15-201 male-20-301 female 10-201 female 50-60 In 1831. Samuel W(ilds) Lucas mortgaged the above negro (mulatto) boy now 6 years old. Sale from Hugh P. Lucas to James S. Lucas 5 Aug 1833 in Jefferson Co, MO; One beaureau, one writing desk, one bedstead, one candlestand, one bed and clothing of said bed for $50. Wit: Wiles Lucas. Clarissa Denmark Lucas died on 30 Mar 1835 according to statement of John M. Lucas. John M. Lucas, remained in Screven Co, GA., and his descendants are still living in the area. Researched and prepared by Elizabeth Mikell Herrington
Edward Newberry Governor D. B. Mitchell Proclamation: State of Georgia, By his Excellency David B. Mitchell, Governor and Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of this state and of the Militia thereof. A PROCLAMATION, WHEREAS I have received official information, that JOHN LUCAS, late of the county of Scriven in this state,did on the 19 th November last, feloniously kill and murder David Lee of the said county of Effingham. And whereas it has been represented to me that the said John Lucas, has absconded from the said county of Scriven, and probably from this state. I have therefore thought proper to issue this my Proclamation hereby offering a reward of two hundred dollars to any person or persons who may apprehend and secure the said John Lucas, in any safe jail within this state. And I do moreover hereby charge and require all officers both Civil and Military, to be vigllant and attentive in endeavoring to apprehend and secure the aforesaid John Lucas, if to be found within this state, and to give all aid and assistance in their power to any other person or persons who may apprehend ? for confinement in Jail, in order that he may be brought to trial for the crime of which he is charged. Given under my hand and the seal of the state, at the state-house in Milledgeville, this 13th day of January, in the year of our Lord 1817, and of the Indpendence of the United States of America the forty first. D. B. MITCHELL By the Governor, ABNER HAMMOND, Secretary of State The above citation is from The Georgia Journal, Milledgeville, Georgia, Tuesday, January 28, 1817, No.10.
Cc blue 63 John Lucas: Interesting write up, thanks for going to the trouble. Regarding John Lucas killing a man, there is mention of that in a letter included in his Pension file (I found it on Fold3). Not as much detail as you have here it simply states: "Captain John Lucas killed a man in Screven County and fled to Alabama in which state I believe he died"
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