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Jason COMER (b c1810)

Jason Comer is my maternal great-great-grandfather.

I am confident that Mary L Comer's father was Jason Comer, but that confidence was reached initially by a circuitous route. The start was identifying Mary's father as the husband of Nancy Crawford. The will of Joseph Crawford who died in 1869 named his daughter Nancy Crawford Comer's children. Among them is Polly Kelly who was married to Thomas [N] Kelly. This is direct and primary evidence of the relationship between Nancy Crawford Comer and Mary (Polly) Comer Kelly and of the relationship between Nancy and a husband named Comer. Alas, Joseph Crawford's will did not provide Nancy Crawford Comer's husband's given name. For that, we must look to other sources.

Only in early 2020 did I discover the document that provides direct and primary evidence that Jason Comer was the husband of Nancy Crawford and the father of her children. That document is an 1873 petition to the Probate Court of Union County, SC for the partition or sale of property formerly owned by Joseph Crawford. Both Crawford and his wife Margaret are now deceased. In 1873, two of Nancy Crawford's sons, Benjamin and Simpson, are living out of state, one in Arkansas and the other in Mississippi. In one action of the Court, reference is made to the fact that "their father Jason Comer" has informed his sons of the Courts requirement that they make their position regarding the partition known to the Court. This is direct and primary evidence that Jason Comer was the husband of Nancy Comer.

In addition, two of the children of Nancy Crawford died after 1900 and had death certificates recorded in state records. Mary L Kelly died in 1925 and the earlier and seemingly more reliable of two certificates identified her parents as Jason Comer and Sallie Crawford. I will assume that the informant's knowledge was at best sketchy and presume that he was guessing at his grandmother's given name. We know that it was Nancy Crawford and not Sallie. Francis M Sherman's death certificate identified her parents as Jason Comer and Mrs Crawford. Here we have two independent sources naming Mrs Crawford's husband as Jason. There is no reason at this point to doubt that we have identified Polly Comer's father.

The 1850 US Census was the first to record names of household members. Only one Jason Comer appeared in Union County, SC in 1850. We would hope that Mary L Comer (b 12 Jul 1846) might appear in his household and so she does. In that census, Jason appeared with three children, Franklin (age 10), Sarah (age 7) and Mary (age 5). We would have hoped to find both his wife Nancy Crawford and daughter Frances Margaret as well, but they are not there. Frances would have been about age 1. One thing that could explain wife Nancy's absence would be her death before 1850. If that were the circumstance of the family in 1850, that Nancy had died and Jason was without a wife to care for his children, it is likely as well that Francis had been entrusted to a relative or friend who was in a position to care for an infant. In fact, the child appears in the household of Betty Gregory and her age is given as 11 months (in November of 1850). Although the evidence is far from definitive, it seems possible that the Jason Comer who appears in the 1850 Census in Union, SC was the husband of Nancy Crawford and the father of Mary L Comer.

In 1860, there is again only one Jason Comer in the census of Union County. Jason appeared in Santuck (Union) SC with his wife Jane and eight children. Nancy Crawford's child, Francis, is missing from the household. Francis Margaret (age 10) was living in the household of George Spencer in Union township, perhaps to attend school there. The children in the household Benjamin (age 24), Francis [Franklin] (age 21), Sarah (age 16), Mary (age 13), Nancy (age 6), Elendar (age 5), Susan (age 1) and an infant age 1 month. This infant, Jesse, was apparently the last of Jason and Jane's children. He was still the youngest child in the household when the census was conducted in 1870.

Jane Vance, Jason's second wife, died on 13 Mar 1866. When the 1870 US Census was conducted on 17 Aug 1870, Jason's name was recorded as John (age 60), but his household was comprised of Betsy (age 46) and four children, Nancy (age 17), Ellen (age 15), Susan (age 12) and Jesse (age 10). Betsy was apparently Jason's third wife. The couple appeared again in the 1880 US Census in Fish Dam (Union) SC, but Betsy's name was now recorded as Elizabeth (age 57). Jason's age was given as 67. Jason's children, Ellin (age 25), Susan (age 21), and Jessee (age 19) were also members of the household along with a granddaughter named Ann Sarter (age 17). Ann was the only member of the household who could read and write. Neither parent nor son was literate. The daughters could read but not write.

In 1850, Jason's occupation was recorded as overseer. Thereafter, in each federal census, his occupation was recorded as farmer. In 1860, he rented the land he farmed, and he would appear to be of very modest means measured against the standard of his neighbors. He was a good bit more prosperous when caught by the 1880 US Agricultural census. He owned 175 acres of land of which 75 acres were improved and he valued the farm at $1000.

There is a gravestone in Gilliams Chapel Cemetery in Union County, SC that reads "Jason Comer died July 10, 1885, Aged 84 years." The proximity of another stone marking the grave of Betty Elizabeth Comer (d 1888) suggests that this is our Jason Comer. The stone's report that he was 84 years old is almost certainly an error. (It does explain, however, the number of Ancestry Family Trees that give his date of birth as 1801.) Unless the information provided in the censuses of 1850, 1860, 1870, and 1880 were incorrect, he was most likely only 74 or 75 years of age. The census ages would place his birth around 1810. If he was being more careful in reporting his age in 1880 rather than using the convenient, round number of 70, his birth would be placed circa 1813. If he was being careful in 1850 when he reported his age as 40 and deliberately shorting his age in 1880 when he reported his age as 67 instead of 70, his birth would be placed circa 1810. I have settled on describing the date as circa 1810. There seems to be little reason to doubt that he was born in Union, South Carolina.

Sources and Notes:

Will of Joseph Crawford: Ancestry.com. South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1670-1980. The will is found in Union County, SC, Will Book D, pages 9-10 and is dated 25 Nov 1868. In the will, James Crawford names his wife Margaret Crawford, his son Benjamin Crawford, daughters Louisa Hampton and Jane Gregory, and the children of his deceased daughter Nancy [Crawford] Comer "namely Benjamin Comer, Simpson Comer, Sally Hollingsworth (wife of James Hollingsworth), Polly Kelly (wife of Thomas Kelly), Franky Sherman (wife of James Sherman).

1873 Probate Court Petition naming husband of Nancy Crawford Comer. South Carolina Probate Records, Bound Volumes, 1671-1977. FamilySearch: South Carolina, Union County, Real estate book, 1872-1876, image 114 of 330; citing Department of Archives and History, Columbia. Note: The record shows an appeal to the Union County probate court dated 07 Oct 1873 by the living children of Joseph Crawford as petitioners and the children (and one grandchild) of Nancy Crawford Comer (their deceased sibling) as defendants for the partition or sale of 495 acres of land that were once the property of Joseph Crawford. The occasion is the death of Joseph's wife Margaret who was the primary legatee of Joseph's will. On page 209 there is reference to Jason Comer, the father of Benjamin and Simpson Comer who are of concern because they are not residents of South Carolina at the time of the appeal.

Mary L [Comer] Kelly death certificates: FamilySearch.com. Family Search, South Carolina Deaths, 1915-1943. Curiously there are two instances of the death certificate, one recorded on 10 May 1925 and the other on 06 Nov 1925. The basic information on the two certificates is the same. Mary L Kelly died on 18 Apr 1925 in Pinckney (Union) SC. She was widowed. Her date of birth was 12 Jul 1846 and she was 79 years old. The cause of death was chronic nephritis. She was buried at Fosters Chapel on 19 Apr 1925. For both, the informant is listed as Mary's son Butler N Kelly. Oddly, the parents named differ on the two certificates. The former names her parents as Jason Comer and Sallie (sic) Crawford. The latter names only her father and the name given is Jessie Comer. The latter information is almost certainly incorrect. The former seems more reliable, but Butler does not seem to have know his grandmother's given name.

Francis M [Comer] Sherman Death Certificate: Ancestry.com. Ancestry, North Carolina, Death Certificates, 1909-1976. The certificate, dated 15 Jan 1930 (sic) [actually 1931], reported that Francis M Sherman died on 09 Jan 1931, age 82 yrs, 6 mos, 9 days, in Hendersonville (Henderson) NC. Burial was on 11 Jan 1931 in ?Dana? NC. Francis's parents were named as Jason Comer and Mrs Crawford. The informant was J M Sherman of Hendersonville, NC, presumably one of her children.

Nannie Comer Stokes death certificate: Ancestry.com. South Carolina Death Records, 1821-1965. The record shows that Mrs Nannie Comer Stokes, age 88 yrs, 3 days, died on 12 Oct 1941 in Santuck (Union) SC. Cause of death was given as cardiovascular disease. Her birth date was given as 09 Oct 1853 in Union County, SC. She was buried at Kellys Chapel on 14 Oct 1941. Her parents were identified as Jason Comer and Jane Vance (both of Union Co, SC). [The informant, Mr Aughtry Stokes (Nannie's grandson), did not know Nannie's husband's name. Aughtry's home address was listed as RFD 1, Carlisle, SC.]

1840 US Census, household of Jason Comer: Ancestry.com. 1840 United States Federal Census. Census Place: Union County, SC; Roll 516; Page 179; Family History Library Film: 0022511. The record shows the household of Jason Comer. One person in the household is engaged in agriculture. There is a free white male age 20-29 [presumably Jason], a free white female age 20-29 [presumably Nancy] and two free white males under 5 [presumably Benjamin and Simpson]. There are no slaves in this household.

1850 US Census, household of Jason Comer: Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census. Union County, SC. 09 Nov 1850. [Unfortunately, the name Comer has been transcribed as Pomer in the Ancestry database. The name in the record is almost certainly Comer but the reason for the confusion is obvious.] The household is listed as dwelling and family 201. It is comprised of (1) Jason Comer (age 40, male, overseer), (2) Franklin (age 10, male), (3) Sarah (age 7, female), and (4) Mary (age 5, female). NOTE: In 1850, Jason's son Benjamin (age 16 and a laborer) can be found in the household of Messer Fuller, son Simpson (age 12) can be found in the household of Andrew Mullinas, and daughter Frances Margaret in the household of Betty Gregory, all in Union County, SC.

1850 US Census, household of Messer Fuller: Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census. Union County, SC, 19 Nov 1850, dwelling 351, family 351. The household includes (1) Messer Fuller (age 46, male, planter, real estate value $3000), (2) Jane (age 48, female), (3) Mary (age 15, female, attended school), (4) Minerva ?Gracey? (age 22, female), (5) Benjamin Comer (age 16, male, laborer). All were born in South Carolina.

1850 US Census, household of Betty Gregory: Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census. Union County, SC, 19 Nov 1850, dwelling 352, family 352. The household includes (1) Betty Gregory (age 64, female), (2) Mary (age 36, female), and (3) Margaret Comer (age 11/12, female). All were born in SC.

1850 US Census, household of Andrew Mullinas: Ancestry.com. 1850 United States Federal Census. Union County, SC. 25 Oct 1850. The household is listed as dwelling and family 921. Simpson Comer (age 12, male) appears in the household of Andrew (age 27, a shoemaker) and Lydia (24) Mullinas. There is another couple, James (age 59, planter) and Mary (age 37) McBride and three other children, William (age 4, male), James (age 3, male) and Christiana (age 1, female) in the household.

1860 US Census, household of Jason Comer: Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census. Santuck (Union) SC. 19 Jun 1860. Dwelling 360 and family 307. The household includes (1) Jason Comer (age 50, male, farmer, person estate valued at $500, no real estate), (2) Jane (age 4[0], female), (3) Benjamin (age 24, male, farm laborer), (4) Francis [Franklin] age 27 [age 21], male, farm laborer), (5) Sarah (age 16, female), (6) Mary (age 13, female), (7) Nancy (age 6, female), (8) Elendar (age 5, female), (9) Susan (age 1, female) and (10) Infant (age 1/12, female (sic). All members of the household were reported to be born in South Carolina. NOTE: Jason's daughter Francis Margaret was not part of this household but can be found in the household of George Spencer in Union Township.

1860 US Census, household of George Spencer: Ancestry.com. 1860 United States Federal Census. Unionville (Union) SC. 22 Jun 1860. Dwelling 416 and family 359. The household is comprised of (1) George Spencer (age 54, farmer), (2) Mary (age 45), (3) James (age 12, student) and (4) Frances Comer (age 10, student).

1860 US Agricultural Census, Jason Comer: Ancestry.com. U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880. Santuck (Union) SC. 10 Jun 1860. The record shows Jason Comer renting his land, having 2 horses, 2 milch cows, 4 other cattle, 2 swine, 150 bushels of indian corn, a few beans, potatoes and sweet potatoes. He valued livestock at $300.

1870 US Census, household of John [Jason] Comer: Ancestry.com. 1870 United States Federal Census. Fishdam (Union) SC. 17 Aug 1870. Dwelling 221 and family 219. The household is comprised of (1) John [Jason] Comer (age 60, male, farmer, personal estate valued at $600), (2) Betsy (age 45, female), (3) Nanci (age 17, female), (4) Ellen (age 15, female), (5) Susan (age 12, female), and (6) Jesse (age 10, male). All members of the household were born in South Carolina. All but Susan and Jesse were reported to be able to read and write.

1880 US Census, household of Jason Comer: Ancestry.com. 1880 United States Federal Census. Fish Dam (Union) SC. 11 Jun 1880. Dwelling 237 and family 241. The household is comprised of (1) Jason Comer (age 67, male, farmer), (2) Elizabeth (age 53, female, wife, keeping house), (3) Ellin (age 25, female, daughter, works farm), (4) Susan (age 21, female, daughter, works farm), (5) Jessee (age 19, male, son, works farm), (6) Ann Sarter (age 17, female, gnd child, works farm). All members of the household were born in South Carolina. I believe the enumerator mistook the category for cannot read and cannot write to be can read and can write. Assuming this, Jason, Elizabeth and Jesse could read and write. The two daughters could write but not read and the grandchild could neither read nor write.

1880 US Agricultural Census, Jason Comer: Ancestry.com. U.S., Selected Federal Census Non-Population Schedules, 1850-1880. Fish Dam (Union) SC. 10 Jun 1880. The record shows Jason Comer, owner of his land, 75 acres tilled, 40 acres pasture or orchard, 100 acres other unimproved (not woodland), values farm at $1000, machinery at $40, livestock at $295. Established value of all production in 1879 is $620. He had 5 horses, no mules or asses, 2 working oxen, 1 milch cow, 8 other, 3 calves dropped, 1 slaughtered, 2 died/strayed/stolen. He had 16 swine, 21 barnyard chickens and produced 15 dozen eggs in 1879. He had 24 acres of indian corn that produced 300 bushels in 1879, 3 acres of oats that produced 70 bushels in 1879, 6 acres of wheat that produced 20 bushels in 1879, 28 acres of ?peas/beans? that produced 6 bushels in 1879. No fibers, sugar, pototoes, tobacco, orchards or forest products.

Find A Grave Memorial for Jane Vance Comer: Find A Grave, database and images. Memorial no 107728850 submitted by dora brown on 02 Apr 2013. The memorial states that Jane Vance Comer was buried in Cane Creek Quaker Church Cemetery in Santuc, Union County, SC. Her death date is given as 13 Mar 1866. Unfortunately there is no photograph of the gravestone so the source of the date of death is not given. The memorial reports that Jane was the wife of Jason Comer.

Find A Grave memorial page for Jason Comer: Find A Grave, database and images. Memorial 112955823 submitted by dorabrown on 26 Jun 2013. The memorial includes a photograph of the gravestone found in Gilliams Chapel Cemetery in Union County, South Carolina. The stone clearly states that Jason Comer died on 10 Jul 1885 aged 84 years. [The age on the gravestone is almost certainly in error. I suspect that Jason was 74 years of age at his death in 1885.]

Find A Grave Memorial for Betty Elizabeth Comer: Find A Grave, database and images. Memorial no 112955796 submitted by dora brown on 26 Jun 2013. The memorial states that Betty Elizabeth Comer was buried in Gilliams Chapel Cemetery in Union County, SC. Her death date is given as Sep 1888. The photograph of the gravestone is unfortunately unreadable, so the source of the date of death is not given. The memorial reports that Betty was the wife of Jason Comer.