Philemon Foster
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Family of William Sheppard Foster
It seems apparent to first point out that Philemon Foster is of the sons of William Sheppard Foster and Martha Smith. He was born in Craven County, North Carolina. His father was a native of Accomack Co. VA.
Philemon Foster married in Craven Co. NC on 6 August 1784, making his birth an estimated 1754 - 1764. The next record with his name is the 1790 Census of North Carolina. His wife, Sarah Hickman Foster, is listed as well (not by name) as well as two young sons and a daughter. Living near Philemon Foster was his brothers, father, and possibly a brother-in-law and father-in-law. They were all living in New Bern District.
1800, Philemon is not listed in the North Carolina Census. Therefore, he must have already been in Georgia. However, the 1800 and 1810 Censuses of Georgia have been destroyed. Philemon does appear in other records between these years. In 1806, Philemon is listed as being registered for a land lottery of Hanock County, Georgia in which he received two draws. Several other Fosters are listed on this record: Elizabeth Foster, widow; Levi Foster; an orphan of Samuel Foster; Thomas Foster; and William Truitt Foster. It seems logical to point out that these other Fosters are relatives in some way or another.
A Tax List was mandated for Hancock Co. GA in 1812. Philemon is once again listed. Along with him are: Elizabeth A. Foster; John Foster; Levi Foster; Richard Foster; Samuel Foster, deceased; and William T. Foster.
By 1816 Philemon Foster was between the age of 52 and 62. It is known that Fosters suffer from heart disease and Philemon MAY have already had a heart attack when he wrote his will on 3 April 1816. Something caused him to write his will at this early an age. He lists the names of possibly all his descendants at that time. The will was processed 7 October 1816 which means he died before this date.
His wife, Sarah Hickman Foster, is listed on the 1820 Census of Hancock Co. GA. Seven of her children were still living in her home. Sometime before 1830, they had moved northwestward into Jasper County. Sarah probably died there just before 1830.
Children of Philemon and Sarah Hickman Foster:
1. John Foster - apparently the oldest; died before his father. His children, unnamed, are mentioned in Philemon's will. Married in Hancock Co. GA 1809 to Nancy Wright. Estimated birth of John, 1786.
2. Francis Foster - it appears that Philemon's brother Kimmie had a son also named Francis Foster. The 1820 Census lists Francis Foster living between William T. Foster and Sarah Foster (Philemon's widow). I am going to assume that since Francis is listed first in Philemon's will, he was probably the oldest surviving child. He and John are probably the sons listed on the 1790 Census ... which means, he was born about 1788 (the same year the other Francis was born). This is probably the same Francis who married Cynthy White 17 December 1816 in Hancock Co. GA and is listed on the 1820 Census with his wife and one son. 1827, two Francis Fosters appear on another land lottery in Hancock Co. GA. One is listed as Francis Foster and the other as Francis Foster, Soldier. 1830, a Francis Foster is listed on the Putnam Co. GA census. In 1850, a Francis Foster who fits this age is listed in Greene Co. GA on page 112:
Francis Foster 62 NC
Harriet Styrons 17 GA
Polly Styrons 13 GA
Lucinda Styrons 55 GA
Apparently, Francis was widowed by this time as well as his sister Lucinda, and she and her daughters are living in his home.
3. Sedly Foster - other possible names are Siddy and Sidney; probably listed as the one daughter on the 1790 NC Census, was born circa 1790 in Craven Co. NC. She married in 1811 to Benjamin Collins. Sedly's children are listed on her father's will indicating that she may have been deceased by this time. Her sons are Robert and William.
4. Julia Foster - born approximately 1792 in Craven Co. NC. Julia is listed in her father's will, however no last name is given so she could have not been married. The nearest marriage matching her name and era was a Julia Foster marrying in Putnam County. Though not entirely impossible, it is unlikely that Julia went such a long distance (in those days) to marry. We may assume that she is possibly the daughter, aged 16 - 26, who was still living in her mother's household in 1820.
5. Keziah Foster - born about 1794 in Craven Co. NC. She is also plainly listed as Keziah in her father's will in 1816. However, marriage records show us that in 1814 she was married to a Benjamin Collins. Her sister Sedly was also married to a Benjamin Collins. It could be possible that Sedly died and Keziah married her sister's husband.
6. Lucinda Foster - daughter of Philemon Foster, was born in GA about 1795. She married William Styrons in Hancock Co. GA. She appears to have had two daughters: Harriet and Polly. She was living in the home of her brother Francis in the 1850 Census of GA.
7. Richard Foster - the next child of Philemon Foster, was born in GA in about 1796. He is named on his father's will in 1816. He married twice. The mother of his children was Elizabeth Ward whom he married in 1825. Some twenty years later, he remarried to Nancy Minter (born ca 1795). In 1850, Richard is listed as living in Jasper Co. GA. His children were: Thomas (1831), Richard (1835), John (1838), James (1841), and Frances (1843).
8. Philemon Foster, Jr. - listed in his father's will and also on the 1820 GA Census in his mother's household. A Philemon Foster is found on census records in Cherokee Co. GA in 1840, however other Fosters (not related) were living in that county. Viewing the page numbers on which they are listed, I would say that Philemon Foster in 1840 is probably of a different group of Fosters - the others were living near each other and Philemon was alone. The Philemon Foster of Cherokee Co. was married first to a Miss Ellison. They had several children before her death. Philemon remarried to a Nancy, but soon after marriage, his children are split up among their Ellison kin, as if Philemon had passed away or was incapable of raising the children.
9. Cornelius Foster - listed on his father's will and also on the 1820 GA Census. Married Christian Wilson in 1826. Cornelius Foster is listed on the 1830 Census for DeKalb County, GA and is the only Foster in that area. He may have moved there after his move to Jasper Co. He is not listed on any later GA censuses which indicates he had either died or moved out of state.
10. Thomas Foster - click on this name to go to a page about Thomas Foster
11. Asa Foster - click this name to go to Asa Foster's family
