First Families of Edgefield County South Carolina Abney Family ancestor of John R. Abney, a lawyer now living in New York City, and of Ben Abney, elected to the State Legislature from Richland County. His home is in Columbia. He also is a lawyer. Near William Abney settled Samuel Abney, a brother, I think, to whom land was granted February 19th, 1772. Michael Abney was in the same neighborhood. Land was granted to him October 3rd, 1771. Lower down Saluda, just below Higgin's Ferry and lying on the river, land was granted to Dannett Abney, June 14th, 1768. From him descended O. L. Schumpert, Esq., sometime member of the Legislature, afterwards Solicitor of the Circuit in which he resides. His home is at Newberry. Dannett Abney met with a tragic fate during the Revolutionary war. He was butchered in his wife's arms by Cunningham and his men in that celebrated raid of 1781, the sole object of which seemed murderous revenge. To Nathaniel Abney on the river, lying just above and adjoining Dannett's on both sides of the road leading to the ferry, lands were granted October 5th, 1763, and Septemeber 20th 1766. These Abneys all came from Virginia to this State. The family is Norman-English, Norman REF: Chapman - A History of Edgefield County