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Pressly Family
   
 

This page provides information about one branch of the Pressly family that originated in Scotland and immigrated to County Down, Ireland and then to colonial South Carolina. They settled first around Charleston and then some members moved to the upcountry in a part of the old 96th district that is now Abbeville County. On this page, information is also provided about the Ardrey and Edmiston families.

In the Erskine College library there is an 80-page manuscript entitled The Pressly Family, written by William L. Pressly. 

The following paragraphs are from William L. Pressly's account:

Three Pressly brothers, David, John, and William, lowland Scots, migrated to County Down, Ireland, and settled.  On September 14, 1734, they sailed for America, and about December 1st, landed in Charleston, where they were warmly received.  After Christmas they sailed up the coast, in an open boat, into Winyah bay, and pushed up the Black River to Kingstree.  There they remained until 1751, when a terrible plague broke out.  William died there, and David and John moved upstate, into the 96-District.  John settled on land lying between Long Cane and Hard Labor creeks.  David moved on into southwest Anderson County.   There he "gained a competence" and returned to Charleston.

From emigrant David descended Rev. John S. Pressly, teacher, legislator, and preacher, and Judge Ben C. Pressley, of the South Carolina Supreme Court.

From emigrant John's son, David, there descended Samuel P., MD, John Taylor, DD, George W., MD, James P., DD, William, and Mary, who married Rev. Joseph Lowry, DD. Some descendents of Emigrant John's son, William, were Ebenezer Erskine, first president of Erskine College, and William Laurens, DD, and Neill A. Pressly, DD.

From emigrant William descended Col. James Fowler Pressley, CSA, and Lt. Col. John Gotea Pressley, CSA, who was the youngest signer of the Articles of Secession and was made treasurer of the group.

After the Confederate War, the Pressleys in Kingstree sailed south, crossed the Isthmus of Darien, and took passage to San Francisco.

David Pressly I (-1785)

David Pressly I emigrated from Scotland with his brothers. Apparently, he went back and forth between Scotland and South Carolina for in 1767 he brought his family to the colonies.

On Friday 27 February 1767, David Pressly petitioned for a warrant of survey for land on the bounty, as shown in Petitions for Land from South Carolina Council Journals Volume VI: 1766-1770 (Columbia: SCMAR, 1999), p. 61: 

David Pressley 350 [acres]

The following were listed as part of his family (p. 64):

Ester Pressley 36
Samuel Pressley 11
David Pressley 6
Agnes Pressley 4

There was another petition for land on Tuesday 3 March 1772 for David Pressley for 150 acres, as shown in Petitions for Land from South Carolina Council Journals Volume VII: 1771-1774 (Columbia: SCMAR, 1999), p. 93.

On Tuesday 1 Septermber 1772, there was a petition to certify a plat fro David Presley for 135 acres in South Carolina, as shown in Petitions for Land from South Carolina Council Journals Volume VII: 1771-1774 (Columbia: SCMAR, 1999), p. 140.

On Tuesday 17 May 1774, David Pressley petitioned to have certified elapsed plats on the bounty for 100 acres in Granville County as shown in Petitions for Land from South Carolina Council Journals Volume VII: 1771-1774 (Columbia: SCMAR, 1999), p. 272.

The following abstract is from Abstracts of the Wills of Charleston District, South Carolina 1783-1800, p. 76:

David Pressly, Long Cane settlement, Ninety-Six District, planter, now residing in Charleston. Sons: eldest Samuel, plantation on W branch of Stephens Creek; 2nd David, land on S branch Hard Leabour [sic] Creek next land laid out to me, William Pressly and William Drise's survey; William and John. Daus: eldest Agnes [Wyly] alias Agnes Pressly, land on any square or corner of the survey where I lived except the part already mentioned, then to her dau. Elizabeth Wyly; Mary Ann and Esther.  Son-in-law: Henry Wyly. Mentions: remaining lands divided among my children Mary Ann, William, John, and Esther; residue of estate to said children and son-in-law. Exors: son David; Henry Geddes; George McCombe; Andrew McCombe. Wit: Henry Wyly, Casimer Patrick, John Pattison.

D: 5 Jan. 1785. P: 15 Jan. 1785. R: nd. p. 459

According to William L. Pressly's manuscript mentioned above, the name of David Pressly's wife was Esther.

David Pressly II (1764-1834)

Photo of Gravestone of David Pressly.
 

David Pressly, the son of David Pressly and Esther, was born in Glasgow, Scotland on January 12, 1764. In 1767, the Pressly family immigrated to South Carolina. According to his 1833 application for a federal pension (W24917) for being a Revolutionary War soldier, he was brought to the colonies as a young boy.  He grew up in South Carolina in a part of the 96th district that is now Abbeville Co.  

He married Ann Edmiston on November 16, 1784, and they had 11 children. At some point he was the postmaster at Pressly, a previous name for what is now Lowndesville, Abbeville Co., SC.

In early 1832 they moved from Abbeville Co. to Moffittsville, Anderson Co. In his 1833 pension application, he stated that he served in the Revolutionary War for approximately 14 months and that part of his service was under Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox. He was able to provide no paper documentation in support of his service but the testimony of his character witnesses, including that of Andrew Hamilton, the captain under whom he served in 1776, proved to be convincing: he was granted a pension of $48.33 per year. (His pension file is over 20 pages long.) He died in 1834 in Anderson Co., SC.

In 1845 his widow Ann was granted a pension as the wife of a Revolutionary War veteran, but the pension file records show that she had a difficult time making her case because the only evidence for his service was his declaration from 1833, which was eventually accepted as evidence.

Both of them are buried at Old Generostee Cemetery in Anderson Co., South Carolina.

The following information about the Presslys of Lowndesville is mainly from published in H. A. Carlisle's The History of Lowndesville, S.C. Heritage Papers: Danielsville, GA, 1987.  (My wife and I had the pleasure of spending a long afternoon with Mr. Carlisle on May 9, 1992, discussing genealogy and visiting the remote cemeteries in the area, including Old Generostee graveyard in Anderson Co., where David Pressly II and his wife are buried.  We also visited the location of the old Pressly house in Lowndesville, which unfortunately had burned to the ground a few years before.)

David Pressly and Ann Edmiston (Edmonson) had the following children:

  • David Pressly, Jr. Born January 29, 1786. Died August 32, 1786.
  • James Pressly. Born August 7, 1787. Married first Esther Hines. Married second Elizabeth Ardrey.
  • Mary Ann Pressly. Born 1789. Married Sochin Johnson.
  • David Pressly. Born 1791.
  • Alexander Edmondson Pressly. Born 1793. Married Tabitha Cothran Thompson.
  • Esther Brown Pressly. Born 1795. Married Charles Porter.
  • Jean Pressly. Born December 8, 1796. Died October 8, 1797.
  • Jane Miller Pressly. Born 1798. Married W. O'Bryant.
  • Elizabeth Pressly. Born 1800. Married Richard E. Porter.
  • Agnes Pressly. Born March 17, 1802. Married Elijah Wilbanks.
  • Rachel Pressly. Born 1808.

He died on May 11, 1834 in Anderson Co., SC. The following will is in Pendleton District and Anderson County, S.C. Wills, Estates, Inventories, Tax Returns and Census Records, p. 77.

To daughters Jane M. and Rachel M. bed and furniture, horse, saddle and bridle, and cow and calf to make them equal with other daughters.  Sons James Presley and Alexander E. Presley $20.00 each to make them equal with other children.  Daughter-in-law Elizabeth Presley, wife of James Presley to be supported on plantation where she now lives and at her death equally divided between David A. Presley and William A. Presley sons of James Presley. Grandsons called for me, namely David P. Porter, son of Charles B. Porter; David P. Porter, son of Richard E. Porter; David W. Presley, son of Alexander Presley; David W. Presley, son of David Pressly, Jr., and my name sake David, son of Laughlen Johnson, Esq., to each of them $5.00.  On account of my son-in-law Elijah Willbanks kindness to me when unable to manage own business I will to his son David Presley 50 acres of land, part of tract where I now live, joins Widow Crawford and Robert Cowen.  Other land to Elijah Willbanks, joins James Baskens and William Scott.  Beloved children: Lauchlen Johnson, Charles B. Porter, Richard E. Porter, David Presley, Jr., Elijah Willbanks.  My sister Esther is to be supported on plantation as long as she chooses. To daughter Jane M., negro girl Amanda about 12.  To daughter Rachel M., negro boy Cornelius and $250.00.  To nephew John S. Presley bed and furniture.  Executors: Wife Ann and trusty friend the Rev. Ebenezer E. Presley and my Nephew John S. Presley.  Dated 12 Jan. 1834.
Wit.: Mathew Young                                                     (Signed) David Presley, Sr.
        Lewis McAllister
        Elijah Wilbanks
Proven 14 June, 1834.

 

Edmiston

Ann Edmiston (about 1763-1848)
 
Photo of Gravestone of Ann Edmiston Pressly.
Anne Edmiston/Edmonson was born about 1763.  She married David Pressly on November 16, 1784. For more information about their family, see the material about David Pressly.

In 1845 Ann was granted a pension as the wife of a Revolutionary War veteran, but the pension file records show that she had a difficult time making her case because the main evidence she had was David Pressly's  declaration from 1833, which was eventually accepted as evidence.

She died on November 17, 1848 and is buried with her husband at Old Generostee graveyard in Anderson Co.

There is evidence from an 1842 letter posted on genealogy.com in the Edmiston forum that Ann was the daughter of David Edmiston (who lived first in Augusta Co., Virginia and died in Mecklinburg Co., North Carolina) and Jane Miller, who was born in Augusta Co., Virginia and was the daughter of Alexander Miller, an Irish immigrant.  After the death of David Edmiston, his wife Jane moved to South Carolina, where she married John Sansom. John Sansom died around 1780. By her first marriage to David Edmiston, she had the following children: Alex, David, Ann, John, and James.  By her marriage to John Sansom, she had the following children: Nancy, William, Samuel D., Hannah M., and Andrew.

In the 1790 federal census for Abbeville, she is listed as Jane Sansom with 3 males age 16 and older, 1 male under age 16, 2 females, and no slaves.

Jane Edmiston was living in South Carolina by 1767, when she submitted a petition under Jane Edmundston for warrant of survey for 150 acres near the Waters of the Savannah River in the meeting of Tuesday 6 January 1767, as noted in Brent H. Holcomb, Petitions for Land from the South Carolina Council Journals, Volume VI: 1766-1770 (Columbia: SCMAR, 1999), p. 50.

The following abstract appears in Willie Pauline Young's Abstracts of Old Ninety-Six and Abbeville District Wills and Bonds (1950; Easley, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1977), p. 293:

Sansom, John--Box 86, pack 2096:
Est. admnr. Nov., 29, 1780 by Jane Sansom, David Edmiston. David, Alexr. Logan bound to John Ewing Calhoun Ord. Abbeville Dist. sum 14,000 lbs. Inv. made Jan. 18, 1783 by Alexr., John, David Logan.

James Pressly (1787-1830s)

James Pressly was a son of William Pressly and Ann Edmiston.  He was born on August 7, 1787.  His first marriage was to Esther Hines, who died. His second marriage was to Elizabeth Ardrey (daughter of William Ardrey of York Co., SC and wife Mary).

They had seven children. In his father David’s 1834 will, it sounds like James is still alive but not living with his family. His father leaves him $20, but it says “Daughter-in-law Elizabeth Presley wife of James Presley to be supported on plantation where she now lives and at her death equally divided between David A. Presley and William A. Pressley, sons of James Pressly.” It is not known what became of James.  Elizabeth lived with the family of her son William Ardrey Pressly until her death in 1868.

The family belonged to the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church.

In the 1820 census in Abbeville Co., the household was listed as:

  • 10-16 male: 1
  • 26-45 male: 1
  • under 10 female: 3
  • 26-45 female: 1

In the 1830 federal census in Abbeville Co., James Presley's family was listed as:

  • under 5 male: 2
  • 5-10 male: 1
  • 30-40 male: 1
  • 20-30 female: 1

There were eight slaves: three males under 10, two males between 10 and 24, one male between 24 and 35, and two females between 10 and 24.

In the 1840 federal census in Abbeville Co., Elizabeth Pressly's family was listed as:

  • 10-15 female: 1
  • 15-20 female: 1
  • 40-50 female: 1

The children of James Pressly and Elizabeth Ardrey were:

  • Mary Ann Pressly. Married William Underwood.
  • Eliza Pressly. Married Israel McAllister.
  • Matilda Pressly. Born about 1813. Married Lewis McAllister. Died December 29, 1849 in Lowndesville, Abbeville Co., SC.
  • Rebecca Pressly. Married Benjamin Smith.
  • William Ardrey Pressly. Born January 30, 1816. Married Arabella G. Harden on August 9, 1838. Died 1865, probably in Florence, SC.
  • Jane Pressly. Born about 1820. Married Samuel Lindsey. Died July 1, 1877 in Watkinsville, Oconee Co., GA.
  • Elvira Pressly. Born about 1823. Died October 10, 1843 in Lowndesville, Abbeville Co., SC.

Ardrey

William Ardrey (about 1765-1831)
William Ardrey was born about 1765, perhaps in Ireland.  He seems to have been married twice, first to a woman named Mary and then around 1800 to Jean (Amberson), who is mentioned in his will. He died on March 11, 1831.

The following will abstract is in Brent H. Holcomb's York County, South Carolina Will Abstracts 1787-1862 [1770-1862], (Columbia: SCMAR, 2002), p. 184:

Pages 333-334: South Carolina, York District. Will of Wm Ardary of district aforesaid... To my beloved wife Jean Ardary the house in which I now live, her maintenance off the plantation, her choice of horses, and household and kitchen furniture. To my son Alexander Ardary my negro girl named Meriah. I leave to my son Joseph Ardary the price of my negro Washington in cash, the boy to be sold. TO my daughter Nancy Ardary my negro girl Sarah, also my clock and cupboard, her bed and furniture, my panskin mare and her colt, also that piece of land on which Jeremiah Tommasson now lives to begin where the road from Samuel Chambers to Ebenezar croseth Mr. Wright's line, to James Fewel. To my sons Wm Ardary, John Ardary & Robert Ardary, the balance of my land equally divided amongst them. To John Ardary the place on which he now lives. To my daughter Jane Fewel and son in law James Fewel my loom and tackling, also a note on said James Fewel. To my daughter Polly Thomason a woman's saddle or price thereof. The balance of my property to be sold and equally divided betwixt Peggy McElwaine, Betsey Priestly, Lety Alexander, Jean Fewel, and Polly Thomasson. I appoint Alexander Moore & Joseph McCuen, exrs., 26 June 1829. Wm Ardary (mark), Wit: Alexander Moore, James Wright, Joseph McCain.

Elizabeth Ardrey (about 1790-1868)
Elizabeth Ardrey was born about 1790, a daughter of William Ardrey of York Co., SC, and his first wife, Mary. Elizabeth married James Pressly of Abbeville Co. By 1850 she was living with the family of her son William in Abbeville Co. For more information about their children, see the information about James Pressly.

She died April 6, 1868 in Abbeville Co.

William Ardrey Pressly (1816-1865)

William Ardrey Pressly was born on January 30, 1816 in Abbeville Co., SC, a son of James Pressly and Elizabeth Ardrey.

He married Arabella Goss Harden on August 9, 1838.

They had the following children:

  • Ralph Alexander Pressly. Born May 18, 1839. Married Palmyra Antoinette Hutchison on May 13, 1863. Died on February 10, 1912, probably in Milledgeville, Baldwin Co., GA.
  • Chambers J. Pressly. Born September 18, 1840.  Died December 30, 1840.
  • Mary "Mollie" L. Pressly. Born August 1, 1842. Married J. Marion Carlile on June 8, 1872. Died on October 16, 1913.
  • Rosa Rebecca Pressly. Born April 9, 1845. First marriage to Benjamin F. Hutchison on April 9, 1861. Second marriage to John Richard Cater on October 14, 1865. Third marriage to Jacob E. Huff. Died September 20, 1915 in Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA.
  • William Calvin Pressly. Born October 19, 1847. First marriage to Ann E. Latimer on October 19, 1869.  Second marriage to Emma C. Young about 1875. Died February 20, 1930 in Duval Co., FL.
  • James W. Pressly.  Born February 27, 1850. Married Margaret E. White.
  • Susan C. W. Pressly.  Born November 20, 1852. Married Edward Smith about 1875.  Died December 17, 1917 in Anderson Co., SC.
  • Eliza "Janie" Jane Pressly.  Born March 13, 1855.  First marriage to George Washington Black. Second marriage to J. P. Fowler in 1895. Died in Texas after 1900.
  • Martha "Mattie" Pressly.  Born March 28, 1857. Married William Ferdinand Bogajski on December 22, 1877. Died 1915.
  • Arabella "Belle" Pressly. Born September 10, 1859.  Married William Crawford about 1882.  Died April 30, 1916 in Greenville Co., SC.
  • Elizabeth "Lizzie" B. Pressly.  Born January 20, 1862.  Married William N. Keaton about 1884. Died December 26, 1928 in Anderson Co., SC.
  • Margaret "Maggie" B. Pressly.  Born September 19, 1864.  First marriage to A. Preston Fant about 1883.  Second marriage to W. T. Tommie. Died January 22, 1953.

William Ardrey Pressly and his wife Arabella Goss Harden reared their family on their land near Lowndesville, Abbeville Co., South Carolina. The couple had 12 children, four of them sons, including one who died as an infant. They probably raised cotton and, according to the 1860 federal slave schedule, had slaves. Their son Ralph Alexander Pressly was listed in the 1860 census as an overseer.

In the 1840 federal census for Abbeville Co., SC, W. A. Pressly's family shows 1 male child under the age of 5, one male between 20 and 30, and one female between 15 and 20.

In the 1850 federal census for the Savannah River Regiment in Abbeville District, SC, the family was listed as:

  • William A. Pressly, 34, farmer, real estate valued at $3,000.
  • Arabella Pressly, 26.
  • Ralph A. Pressly, 12.
  • Mary L. Pressly, 8.
  • Rebecca L. Pressly, 6.
  • William C. Pressly, 3.
  • James W. Pressly, 7/12.
  • Elizabeth Pressly, 60.
  • Thomas Gillespie, 78.

In the 1860 federal census for Lowndesville in Abbeville Co., SC, the family was listed as:

  • Wm. A. Presley, 44. Farmer. Real estate valued at $4,000 and personal property valued at $17,465.
  • Arabella Presley, 35.
  • Ralph Presley, 21. Overseer.
  • Mary S. Presley, 17.
  • Rebecca Presley, 15.
  • Wm. C. Presley, 13.
  • Jas. W. Presley, 10.
  • Susan C. Presley, 7.
  • Mattie Presley, 5.
  • Eliza Presley, 3.
  • Isabella Presley, 1.
  • Elizabeth Presley, 70.

In 1860, William A. Pressly had 16 slaves, 11 below the age of 10, and 2 slave houses.

In 1865 near the end of the Civil War, William A. Pressly apparently joined Co. G, 1st South Carolina Reserves (according to a list of Confederate soldiers in a list at the Clerk Court, Abbeville, SC) and was part of a group that was moving prisoners. His son Calvin was with him for a time. A copy of a letter William wrote to his wife on February 17th and 18th, 1865 from Florence, SC survives. The last line of his letter mentions that his “arm is Sore from vaccination but is doing very well.” Family tradition has it that he became sick after a vaccination and died.

Here is the letter from William A. Pressly to his wife.  This letter has been widely circulated in typed form, but the whereabouts of the original is not known.

Florence, Feby. 17th 1865.

Arabellah, My dear Wife:

I am writing again, as usual, but have rather poor encouragement to do so. I have not received one word from home since I left for my command but I am not disposed to blame you for it. I think you have written before this time, but from some cause they have not reached me. It would be a great satisfaction to me just to hear from home. Arabellah, I am thankful that I can inform you that Calvin [William Calvin Pressly (1847-1930)] and myself are both well and hearty. Calvin has grown considerably since you have seen him, and the best of all is, he is a good boy and gets along quietly with all the boys. He and Charley Young are like brothers, always together.

Arabellah, we are moving the prisoners at this time. They have sent three thousand to Salisbury [NC] and will send one thousand today. That number will comprise all the well prisoners. There are three thousand sick in the Stockade yet. Our Company has not assisted in moving the prisoners. When we do leave here we will go to the front. The North Carolinas will guard their own prisoners. It appears that Sherman is near Columbia and considerable fighting going on. I do hope that he will be driven back. You need not be uneasy about us. If Sherman should get Columbia and cut us off we will go up by way of Raleigh and unite with our forces.

Feby. the 18th, 1865. When I commenced this letter I intended sending it that day by mail but learned there was no communication. I have met with the opportunity of sending this by private conveyance to Laurens. Columbia has fallen at last. We received the news today. I was not prepared for such a result. I still think he will be whipped yet. If he is not whipped soon Richmond will drop.

Arabellah, we started the last of the well prisoners today to Salisbury, by way of Wilmington. The rest of the prisoners are not able to go. I hear they will be all parolled tomorrow and left in the hands of a Sergeant and Commissary. We will leave in a short time for the front. I do not know to what point, some say to Kingsville, others say down on the Santee River between here and Charleston.

Just so soon as we move and communication is opened I will write you all, of course. I regret very much not getting a letter from home. I have not heard from one of you since I left. Arabellah, I do not want you to be uneasy about me. Tell Ma [Elizabeth Ardrey Pressly (1790-1868)] not to grieve for me. If anything should occur that I should not get home, I sincerely hope we will all meet again in another and a better world. Tell her to cheer up, her troubles will soon be over. She need not care what happens, it is all for the best and all things will work together for her good. If it should be the will of God to spare my life and permit us all to meet again in the flesh it would be very pleasant. There is nothing on earth which would give me more pleasure than ministering to the wants and soothing the cares of a kind and indulgent Mother, but I have commended to the care and protection of a kind and covenant-keeping God, who has promised to be a husband to the widow and a father to the orphan. I trust I have in faith committed you all to His care and protection. I hope He will keep you and sustain you all in these calamitous times.

Arabellah, I want you to train up the children for Heaven. I have an abiding hope that I will be permitted to return to assist you in the discharge of that responsible duty. You must write to me as soon as communication is opened and you hear where I am. You must excuse my hasty letter, as the man is waiting. Calvin and myself are all well. My arm is sore from vaccination but is doing very well.

W. A. Pressly.

Where he died is a mystery: different accounts show Florence, SC; Salisbury, NC; and Virginia. Rosa Rebecca Pressly’s application to the Daughters of the Confederacy indicates that he died in Florence. Whatever the case, he never returned home from the war, and it is not known where he is buried.
 

Ralph Alexander Pressly (1839-1912)

Ralph Alexander Pressly was born May 18, 1839 in Abbeville Co., SC, the eldest son of William A. Pressly and Arabella Harden.

In the 1860 federal census, his occupation was overseer. When the Civil War broke out, Ralph Alexander Pressly enlisted on April 15, 1861 at the Abbeville Court House along with his brother-in-law Benjamin F. Hutchison. They joined 1 Co. D, 7th South Carolina Infantry Regiment, also known as Hester’s Company. The regiment was sent to northern Virginia. On June 9th, Alex was accidentally shot in Richmond and sent home on furlough. In August 1861 he was in the CSA General Hospital in Charlottesville for treatment of jaundice and an arm wound. On June 29, 1862 he was wounded in battle at Savage Station, VA and sent home on furlough. He received a medical discharge on December 25, 1862.

On May 13, 1863 he married Palmyra Antoinette Hutchison from Lowndesville. They had the following children:

  • Julia Catherine Pressly. Born about 1864 in South Carolina. Died August 31, 1937 in CA.
  • William A. Pressly. Married second Nora Huie on October 4, 1898 in Atlanta, GA. Died October 15, 1952 in Henderson, Rusk Co., TX.
  • Robert Henry Pressly. Born March 17, 1868 in South Carolina. Married Willie P. Cater on June 26, 1889 in Atlanta, Fulton, GA. Died on October 18, 1930 in Atlanta, Fulton, GA.
  • Eulalia Pressly. Born about 1871. Married Richard Lauterbach on June 9, 1901 in Eagle Co., CO. Died January 12, 1909 in Mitchell, Eagle, CO.
  • Frances Pressly. Born about 1873. Died before 1908.
  • Martha A. Pressly. Born about 1875. Died before 1908.
  • Palmyra Pressly. Born 1877 in South Carolina. Died April 12, 1961 in Los Angeles, CA.
  • Emmet C. Pressly. Born 1880 in South Carolina. Died February 5, 1933 in Cobb Co., GA.

In the 1870 federal census for Corner township, Moffitsville, Anderson Co., SC, the family was listed as:

  • R. A. Presley, 31, farmer, real estate valued at $660 and personal property valued at $200.
  • Palmira Presley, 23.
  • Julia C. Presley, 6.
  • Wm. A. Presley, 4.
  • Robert H. Presley, 2.
  • E. C. Presley, 6/12.

In the 1880 federal census for Dark Corner, Anderson Co., the family was listed as:

  • Robert [sic] A. Presley, 41. Farming
  • Palmyra A. Presley, 32.
  • Julia C. Presley, 15.
  • William A. Presley, 13, farm laborer.
  • Robert H. Presley, 11, farm laborer.
  • Eulila Presley, 9.
  • Frances Presley, 7.
  • Martha A. Presley, 5.
  • Palmyra Presley, 3.
  • Emma [Emmet] Presley, 11/12.

In the 1880s the family moved to Atlanta, Georgia, where the three sons joined the fire Department: Robert in 1888, William in 1898, and Emmett in 1901. Robert H. Pressly eventually became the First Assistant Fire Chief.

RA Pressly’s wound, which according to records was a head wound, affected his mental health and his family for the rest of his life. The last decades of his life he was in and out of jail or the State Hospital in Milledgeville, Georgia. On March 18, 1889 Robert H. Pressly, his son, had him committed to the State Hospital after he was declared insane by a medical examination.

Two items are in the Milledgeville records:

  • Mr. Ralph Alexander Pressley. Lunatic from Fulton County Ga. Age 50 years. Married. Occupation farmer. Of limited education. Duration of insanity several years – cause supposed to have been from a wound received during the war about the head. He is violent and dangerous: attempted to kill his son and wife. Has many delusions about business. When excited regarded as dangerous. Has been in jail. General health tolerably good. Received 27 March 1889. His daughter Miss Julia C. Pressley, Due West, SC.
  • Mr. R. A. Pressley. Lunatic from Fulton Co. Age 65. Single. Peddler. Presbyterian. Duration 25 years. Has been in the Asylum twice before. Cause wound received during the war. Disposed to be violent. Eats and sleeps irregularly. Received 3 July 1905. Died 10 January 1912. Senile exhaustion. Address. Mr. Wm A Pressley c/o J. C. Carlisle, Atlanta GA.

It is unclear if he and his wife ever divorced. In some of the censuses, Palmyra is shown as a widow. Her 1908 death certificate indicates she is widowed, although he died several years later in 1912.

In the 1900 federal census, Ralph A. Pressly was enumerated with the family of his son Robert in Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA.  In the 1910 federal census, R. A. Pressley was enumerated at the Georgia State Sanitarium in 321 District of Baldwin Co., GA.

According to the Milledgeville records, he died on January 10, 1912.

It is not known where Ralph Alexander Pressly is buried. There is no gravestone for him in the Pressly plot at Old Casey Cemetery in Atlanta, where his wife, his son Robert, and his sister Rosa Rebecca are buried. He may be buried there in an unmarked grave.
 

Robert Henry Pressly (1868-1930)

Photograph of Robert Henry Pressly as a young fireman

Photograph of Robert Henry Pressly as First Assistant Fire Chief

Robert Henry Pressly, a son of Ralph Alexander Pressly, was born in South Carolina on March 17, 1868 in Abbeville Co., SC.  He married Willie P. Cater, his cousin, on June 26, 1889 in Atlanta, Fulton, GA.

Robert joined the Atlanta fire department in 1888, eventually rising to be the First Assistant Fire Chief.  On January 9, 1889, he became a Regular. On October 1, 1896, he became a Tillerman #1. On October 1, 1897, he became a Foreman #1. On February 10, 1902, he became 3rd. Assistant Chief. On April 1, 1905, he became 2nd Assistant Chief, and on December 2, 1910, he became 1st Assistant Chief.

Robert H. Pressly and Willie P. Cater had eight children, four of whom died young:

  • Celestia Pressly.  Born March 17, 1890. Married Alvin Freeman Copeland on March 17, 1907 in Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA. Died March 12, 1959 in Lake Worth, FL. Buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta.
  • Effie Lillian Pressly. Born July 8, 1891. Died January 15, 1892. Buried in Old Casey Cemetery in Atlanta.
  • Ila Pressly. Born November 11, 1892. Died October 3, 1893. Buried in Old Casey Cemetery in Atlanta.
  • Robert Henry Pressly, Jr. Born 1894. Married Mary Lou "Lula" Harris (Haney?) on August 5, 1916 in Atlanta. Died September 8, 1977 in Fulton Co., GA.
  • Willie Marie Pressly. Born 1895. Married Ishmael Jacobs on January 30, 1917 in Atlanta.
  • Altia Pressly.  Born October 24, 1896. Died May 24, 1897. Buried in Old Casey Cemetery in Atlanta.
  • John Alford Pressly. Born 1898. Married Mildred Bower. Died February 14, 1962 in Atlanta, Fulton, GA. Buried in Westview Cemetery in Atlanta.
  • Josephine Pressly. Born December 10, 1899. Died March 19, 1900. Buried in Old Casey Cemetery in Atlanta.

In the 1900 federal census for Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA, the Pressly family at 22 Bailey Street was listed as:

  • Robt H. Pressly, 33, fire department
  • Willie P. Pressly, 32
  • Celestia Pressly, 9
  • Robert H. Pressly, 6
  • Marie Pressly, 5
  • John H. Pressly, 2

Robert's father, Ralph A. Pressly, 61, farmer, was enumerated as a boarder.

In the 1910 federal census for Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA, the Pressly family at 68 Fairlie Street was listed as:

  • Robert H. Pressly, 42, assistant chief fireman
  • Willie P. Pressly, 41
  • Robert H. Pressly, Jr., 16, railroad clerk
  • Marie Pressly, 15
  • John A. Pressly, 12

There were two lodgers enumerated with them.

In the 1920 federal census for Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA, the Pressly family at 77 West Cain Street was listed as:

  • Robert H. Pressly, 50
  • Willie Pressly, 50
  • John A. Pressly, 21, driver, taxicab

Six lodgers were enumerated with them.

In the 1930 federal census for Atlanta, Fulton Co., GA, Robert and Willie Pressly were living at 407 Sydney Street.  Their son, Robert and his wife Lula were living with them.

Robert Henry Pressly died on October 18, 1930 in Atlanta from cirrhosis of the liver.  He is buried in Old Casey Cemetery.

The following obituary is from the Atlanta Constitution, October 19, 1930:

Assistant Fire Chief Pressly Dies Here After Short Illness

Veteran "Smoke Eater," 42 Years in Service, Is Praised in Death by His Superior.

Death Saturday took from the Atlanta fire department one of its oldest and most efficient fire-fighters, First Assistant Fire Chief Robert Henry Pressly, Sr., 62, died Saturday morning in Steiner Clinic at Grady hospital after a short illness.

Funeral services will be conducted at 2:30 p'clock Monday at the Grant Park Baptist church with the Rev. Robert Ivey and the Rev. E. M. Altman officiating.  Interment will be in Casey's cemetery.

The entire fire department will pay tribute to the memory of its first assistant chief and all pallbearers have been chosen from the department.  They will be Chief William Butler, Chief W. B. Fanning, Captain S. M. Smith, G. B. Carlton, W. A. Pope, J. P. Griswold, H. H. Ewing and H. W. Medlin.  They are requested to meet at the funeral home of Harry G. Poole at 2 o'clock Monday afternoon.

The honorary escort headed by Fire Chief John Terrell and composed of all members of the fire department save a skeleton unit to maintain a vigil at the various stations, will meet at the Grant Park Baptist church at 2:15 o'clock.

The veteran assistant chief had seen almost 42 years of service as a member of the department, the last 22 of which had been spent in the office of assistant chief.  Prior to his last appointment, he served as a captain, holding that rank about 15 years, the remainder of his service having been that of the "rookie" who works through the various stages of ladderman and hoseman.  He enrolled as a ladderman in Company No. 1. in 1889.

Until his death he was one of the oldest, if not the oldest man in point of service on the rolls of the department.  Only one other man approached his service record as a fire-fighter--Captain C. M. Thurman.

In all of his turbulent days as a "smoke-eater," Chief Pressly never suffered a serious injury, though he was to be found always in the thickest and most perilous parts of dangerous conflagrations, directing the work of the men under him with clearcut efficient and dispatch.  Oldtimers, however, recall many narrow escapes by the veteran.

On one occasion he was thrown from a truck while speeding to a blaze, and on numerous other occasions he had figured in crashes.

Chief John Terrell was high in his praise of his late assistant.  He said he believed Chief Pressly was one of the greatest fireman who ever lived in Atlanta or the south.  In speaking of his work in the local department, Chief Terrell said:

"He was one of the most efficient firemen the city ever had.  He had a prominent part in fighting all the spectacular fires during his years of service, and was injured on numerous occasions.  He was never seriously hurt, however, but experienced many close calls, and he was always back on the job without a complaint."

Assistant Chief Pressly suffered an illness growing out of a serious liver disorder little more than a week ago.  He was taken from his home at 407 Sydney street, S. E., to Steiner clinic at Grady hospital, where his condition underwent various changes, during which he showed slight improvement from time to time, but gradually it became clear he was fighting a losing battle. Friday he was semi-conscious during the early part of the day, but during the afternoon recorded a slight rally.  His condition grew steadily worse during the night and he expired shortly after 10 o'clock Saturday morning.

In addition to his widow, Mrs. Willie Pressly, he is survived by two sons, R. H. Pressly, Jr., of Atlanta, and John A. Pressly, Detroit; two daughters, Mrs. A. F. Copeland, Atlanta, and Mrs. Ishmael Jacobs, Chicago; two sisters, Miss Julia Pressly and Miss Palmira Pressly, both of Manhattan Beach, Cal., and two brothers, E. C. Pressly, Atlanta, and W. A. Pressly, Henderson, Texas.

The following obituary is from the Abbeville Press and Banner:

Mr. R.H. Pressly Passes in Atlanta

Former Abbeville Man Will Be Buried in Atlanta Today.

Atlanta, October 20.--A finale salute from comrades in blue Monday afternoon will mark the last chapter in the long fire-fighting career of First Assistant Chief R. H. Pressly.

Funeral services for the veteran fire fighter will be conducted this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the Grant Park Baptist Church, with life-long friends and comrades of the Atlanta Fire Department acting as pallbearers and forming an escort of honor.  Rev. E. M. Altman and Rev. Robert Ivey will officiate and interment will be in Casey's Cemetery.

Chief Pressly died early Saturday morning at Grady Hospital's Steiner Clinic after more than forty years of active service in fighting fires.  He had been in ill health for some time, but until two weeks ago had remained at his post directing the work of fighting flames from the Headquarters Company on Alabama Street.

His condition grew rapidly worse, however, and he finally was forced to leave his work.   Physicians had realized for the last several days that he could not overcome the malady from which he was suffering, and a son and daughter who lived in other cities had been notified to come to his bedside.

Born in Abbeville, S. C., on March 17, 1868, he entered the local fire-fighting service as a regular on January 9, 1889.  He was promoted rapidly, and in 1908 became an assistant chief.  About seven years later he became first assistant chief, and had served in that capacity until his death.

A dauntless worker, Chief Pressly had been injured many times in line of duty, but never seriously.  Only two months ago he sustained a badly wrenched shoulder in a fall while directing the work of extinguishing a blaze on Central Avenue at night.

He is survived by his wife; two daughters, Mrs. F. A. Copeland, of Atlanta, and Mrs. Ishmael Jacobs, of Chicago; two sons, R. H. Pressly, of Atlanta, and John A. Pressly, of Detroit; two sisters, Miss Julia C. Pressly and Miss Palmira Pressly both of Manhattan Beach, Calif., and two brothers, E. R. Pressly, of Atlanta, and W. A. Pressly, of Henderson, Texas.

Relatives in Abbeville.

Mr. Pressly was a nephew of Miss Rebecca Cater and a cousin of Mr. R. C. Wilson of this city.  Mr. Wilson and Mrs. C. B. Wilson went to Atlanta yesterday for the funeral.

 Celestia Pressly

Celestia Pressly died March 12, 1959 in Lake Worth, Palm Beach, FL. She is buried with her husband and her father-in-law in Greenwood Cemetery in Atlanta.

The following funeral notice is from the Atlanta Constitution, March 17, 1959:

The friends of Mrs. A. F. (Celestia) Copeland Sr., Mr. and Mrs. A. F. Copeland Jr., Mr. and Mrs. H. A. Copeland, Mr. and Mrs. S. B. Copeland, Mr. and Mrs. R. A. Copeland, Mr. and Mrs. E. B. Strickland Jr., Mr. and Mrs. W. E. Narzinsky, Mr. and Mrs. C. B. Stanley, Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Murphy, Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Ingram, Mr. and Mrs. R. H. Pressly, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Pressly are invited to attend the funeral of Mrs. A. F. (Celestia) Copeland Sr. Tuesday, March 17, at 3 o'clock from the Colonial Hills Baptist Church with remains placed in state at 2 o'clock. Dr. Paul Van Gorder, Rev. J. R. Haynes officiating. Interment, Greenwood Cemetery.  Pallbearers are: Mr. H. E. Strickland, Mr. E. B. Strickland III, Mr. W. A. Strickland, Mr. T. B. Harris, Mr. W. I. Holland, Mr. K. W. Smith. Please assemble at the church at 2:45. A. C. Hemperley & Sons.
Rosa Rebecca Pressly

Tintype of Rosa Rebecca Pressly and Hutchison child

Photograph of Rosa Rebecca Pressly

Rosa Rebecca Pressly was a daughter of William Ardrey Pressly and Arabella Harden.  She was born April 9, 1845 in Abbeville Co., SC.

Rosa Rebecca Pressly married Benjamin Fayette Hutchison on April 9, 1861 a few days before he enlisted in 1 Co. D, 7th South Carolina Infantry Regiment, also known as Hester’s Company. They had two children, but only one son survived: Benjamin Pressly Hutchison. Benjamin F. Hutchison evidently died during the war or may have simply not returned home.

On October 14, 1865, Rosa married John Richard Cater, who was born in Abbeville Co. but during his youth moved with his family to Mississippi. He was Civil War veteran who had served in the 40th Mississippi Regiment and was wounded in the leg at the Battle of Peachtree Creek in Atlanta in 1864. I am indebted to Jerry Teague for much of this information about the Cater family.

Their children were

  • Emma Irving Cater. Born 1867. Married Edward Lawrence Milam. Died August 20, 1932 in Marietta, Cobb, GA. Buried in Crest Hill Cemetery in Marietta.
  • Willie Pressly Cater. Born June 26, 1868.  Married Robert H. Pressly on June 26, 1889. Died March 27, 1956 in Atlanta, Fulton, GA. Buried in Old Casey Cemetery in Atlanta.
  • Hattie Belle Cater. Born 1870. Married John Floyd Clower II on May 28, 1889. Died April 2, 1958 in AL.
  • Josiah Brison Cater. Born August 17, 1873. Died May 20, 1956 in San Diego, CA.

In the 1870 federal census for Sweetwater, Monroe Co., TN, the Cater family was listed as:

  • John Cater, 26, farm laborer.
  • Rose Cater, 24, keeping house.
  • Emma Cater, 4.
  • Willie Cater, 2.

On October 8, 1876, Rosa filed for divorce. The abstract from the Chancery Court records for Monroe Co., TN (Monroe County, Tennessee Chancery Court Records 1832-1887. Researched and Compiled by Reba Bayless Boyer. 1988) follows:

R. Rosa Cater v. John R. Cater. Field 8 Oct. 1876. Bill for divorce. His residence unknown. Married in Loundsville [sic], Abbeville Co., S.C. 14 Oct. 1865; moved to Sweetwater in 1869; he left her and four small children in 1872; she asks divorce, restoration of maiden name of Hutcheson, and custody of children.

In the 1880 federal census for Sweetwater, Monroe, TN, her family was listed as:

  • R. R. Cator, 35, keeping house
  • B. P. Cator, 16, homemaker [actually B. P. Hutchison]
  • I. E. Cator, 13, at school
  • Willie Cator, 12, at school
  • Hattie Cator, 10, at school
  • Joseph B. Cator, 8

In the 1880 federal census, her daughters Willie P. Cater and Hattie B. Cater were also listed with their grandmother, Jane L. Cater, in Abbeville, Abbeville Co., SC.

By 1881 they moved to Atlanta, where the daughters began working as seamstresses. The city directories show that the family moved frequently in the downtown Atlanta area. In the 1880s Rosa was apparently married to Jacob E. Huff (May 20, 1837-November 23, 1918) of Atlanta for a while, but the records are confusing.  On October 1, 1882, Rosa R. Hutchison married Jacob E. Huff.  The Atlanta Constitution on September 12, 1883 notes Rosa R. Huff had filed for divorce from Jacob E. Huff in Superior Court in Atlanta. Then on June 7, 1888, Rosa R. Cater married Jacob E. Huff.  In the Atlanta city directories, there is also confusion.  For 1889, she is identified as Rosa R. Huff, but for some other years she is identified as R. R. Cater, the widow of John.

In the 1900 federal census for Marietta, Cobb, GA, she was listed with the family of Edward L. Milam, her son-in-law and her daughter Erving on Powder Springs Street.  The Milam family was entered in error in the census as Lyman.  Rosa Cater was born in April 1855, which is in error.  She was a widow and worked as a seamstress.

In the 1910 federal census for Marietta, Cobb, GA, she was listed with the family of Edward Milam, her son-in-law and her daughter Irving Emma on 714 Church Street.  Rosa Cater was 65 years old, a widow, and five of her seven children were living.

Her death certificate shows that Mrs. R. R. Cater, a widow, died from heart disease on September 20, 1915 in Atlanta, Fulton, GA.  Her residence was 77 N. Cain St, the address of her nephew, Robert H. Pressly.  She was buried on September 21, 1915 at Casey Cemetery.

The following was printed in the Atlanta Constitution on September 21, 1915:

Mrs. R. R. Cater

Mrs. R. R. Cater, aged 70, died Monday at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. H. Tressley [sic], 77 West Cain.  The body was removed to the chapel of Barclay & Brandon.  Besides Mrs. Tressley [sic] she is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Lawrence Mackle [sic], of Marietta; two sons, P.[sic] P. Hutchinson, of Ohio, and Joseph Cater, of Texas.

The following was printed in the Marietta Journal and Courier on September 24, 1915:

Mrs. R. R. Cater dies after short illness

Mrs. Rosa Rebecca Cater died at noon Monday in Atlanta at the home of her daughter, Mrs. R. H. Pressley. She was 70 years old and had been in failing health for some time but was in bed only 10 days before she passed away with two of her daughters and other loved ones at her side.

Besides Mrs. John Clowers, of Dayton, Tenn., Mrs. E. L. Milam, of Marietta, and Mrs. R. H. Pressley, of Atlanta, her three daughters, she leaves two sons, Mr. Joe Cater, of Texas, and Mr. B. T. [sic] Hutchinson [sic], of Canada, and many grand children.

The funeral was conducted Tuesday afternoon by Dr. J. H. Patton, assisted by Rev. J. A. Moore, her pastor. The interment was in Casey's cemetery and the pall-bearers were Stuart and Philip Milam, Robert and Alfred Pressley, Alvin Copeland and H. H. Hughes.

Mrs. Cater had lived with Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Milam for some time and was a leader in church work and all neighborly kindnesses. She was always cheerful and full of life and energy and will be sadly missed by all who knew her.