Genealogical Abstracts of Edgefield [SC] Equity Court Records – Carol Wells. Equity records are a rich source of genealogical facts. In the course of settling disputed or complicated inheritances, names of stepchildren, half siblings, maiden names, deceased husbands, first, second, third spouses, and extended family relations may all be part of testimony. Suits for separate maintenance show the deplorable situation of women when married to violent or unstable husbands. Here we find families torn by dissention, abused wives, dishonest guardians, contentious relatives, and at least one destroyed will. Other official records and family bibles cannot compare with the revelation of troubles and relationships found in Equity Court holdings.
In many suits dozens of pieces of evidence have been compressed into a few paragraphs of names, dates, situation, and decree. Although one suit concerns a transaction made in 1736, most problems fall between 1790 and 1820. Contains a useful list of abbreviations and a fullname and place index. 2002, 85 pp., index, paper
