Life History

Notes

• Benjamin married, second: Mary S Van Lew (15 May 1795) in 1838.  She was the daughter of John and Margaret Cox Van Lew.  A prenuptial agreement between the two appears in Deed Book Y, p. 357.  A later trust deed for infant daughter, Mary E J Gregory, executed 28 June 1839, indicates that baby Mary was three months old.  Within this document, Benjamin lists Joseph H Crawford as the baby’s grandfather.  A mulatto girl, Julia, is to be held in trust for Mary E J.  Mary S. Van Lew Gregory died in 1861 at about 66 years of age.
  --  Gregory Family Genealogy, http://gregoryfamilygenealogy.org/?page_id=387
  
  Benjamin Gregory died in 1847.  In the 1850 census Mary Van Lew in what appears to be her sister's household.  Genealogies report a sister named Eleanor, born in 1804.  Two children in the household have a surname that appears to be either Vandlieu or Van Llieu.  Sophia is named in Mary's will as Sophia Van Lew, Elizabeth as Elizabeth Henderson Van Lew.  Mary S Gregory is the mother of Mary Gregory who is in Isaac's household.
  
  1850 Federal Census, Union County, South Carolina, 19 November, page 44 (scan 222), Hse/Fam #348
  Ledford Rodgers 50 M Planter $10,000 Real Estate b South Carolina [b abt 1800]
  Eleanor Rodgers 40 F b South Carolina [b abt 1810]
  Mary S Gregory 51 F b South Carolina [b abt 1799]
  Sophia Vand[er]lieu 12 F b South Carolina [b abt 1838]
  Elizabeth Vand[er]lieu 5 F b South Carolina [b abt 1845]
  Oliver Rodgers 17 M Pupil b South Carolina [b abt Jan 1833]
  
  Mary's father-in-law Isaac Gregory is next door to the Rodgers household.  In Isaac's household is Mary's daughter 17-year-old Mary Gregory.
  
  1850 Federal Census, Union County, South Carolina, 19 November, page 44 (scan 222), Hse/Fam #349
  Isaac Gregory 71 M Planter $10,000 Real Estate b South Carolina [b abt Jan 1779]
  Jane Gregory 19 F b South Carolina [b abt 1831]
  Mary Gregory 17 F b South Carolina [b abt 1833]
  
  South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980
  Mary S Gregory
  Will Written 21 February 1861 Union District, South Carolina, USA
  John Meador named as executor of her will
  Willed to John Meador and Rettis W Chick, her "her trusty friends," after the payment of all her just debts, the balance of her estate, to be held in trust for her two nieces Margaret Sophia Van Lew and Elizabeth Henderson Van Lew, daughters of her brother Henry D Van Lew
  henry to have her house as his residence for his natural life, after which the property and estate to be divided between the two nieces
  An amount of $300 to be placed in a trust account from which to pay the annual interest for the ministry of the Cane Creek Presbyterian Church
  Will Proved in Court 8 June 1861
  Death Abt June 1861 South Carolina
  Witnesses:  Wm Humphries, James McBride, Wm Thompson
  Affidavit 8 June 1861 by James McBride as witness to Mary's signing of the will
  Recorded Union District Will Probate Records, pp 201-202

Sources

• 1. Gregory Family Genealogy
• 2. 1850 Federal Census, Union County, South Carolina
  • 19 November, page 44 (scan 222), Hse/Fam #348
• 3. South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980
• 4. 1850 Federal Census, Union County, South Carolina
  • 19 November, page 44 (scan 222), Hse/Fam #349