It has occurred to me that many of the individuals interviewed in the Draper Manuscript who discussed SUMPTER and SUMTER individuals and families are in fact probably descendants of early Virginia SUMPTER ancestors. I think it would be worthwhile to thoroughly review the Draper Papers in an attempt to determine if those interviewed have Sumpter relatives. John Redd, whose interview is discussed below, has an unknown relationship with Henry Sumpter and Agnes Dillion in Henry Co., VA and has personal knowledge of General Thomas Sumter's mother, Elizabeth Patience Sumpter. The wife of Henry Sumpter, Agnes Dillion, is believed to be the daughter of William Dillion. In the 1796 Henry Co., VA court records, Dillion's (Admr.) vs Sumpter, Book 6, page 268, John Redd's & John Barksdale's award from William Dillon's estate to be the judgement of court. 1792 Dillion (Admrs.), Benjamin vs Dillion, William (dec'd.); Book 6, page 33. Henry Sumpter, his security entered into bond. 1795 Dillion vs Dillions (Admr.); Book 6, page 236. Didimus awarded to the deft. to take deposition of Abraham Adams & Sarah, his wife, & Drury Ward. (Abraham Adams married Sarah Sumpter, believed to be the daughter Henry Sumpter and Agnes Dillion) Although unconfirmed, on 15 Sep 1797, William Sumpter (married to Margaret Pirtle and presumed to be the son of Henry Sumpter and Agnes Dillion) gives a deposition in Henry Co., VA court records concerning the estate of his grandfather, William Dillion. I'm wondering if John Redd's mother could be the daughter of either Richard Sumpter or Henry Sumpter. Otherwise, if he lived in Orange Co., VA and Elizabeth Patience Sumpter, widow, lived in Albamerle Co., VA, how did he, as a small boy, know she was a widow and by 1774 know that she was an old lady still living, unless he was related to her. Also, how would Lynn Draper know John Redd had information relating to General Sumter, unless Draper knew John Redd probably had Sumpter kinfolks? The quest will be to review the complete Henry Co., VA court records regarding William Dillion's estate proceedings and locate the complete interview of John Redd within the Draper Papers. Hopefully, these reviews will provide clues on a possible Redd-Sumpter connection and possibly show a relationship with Elizabeth Patience Sumpter, widow. John Redd and I probably share a common ancestor, John Redd II who died by 1749 in Henrico Parish, Chesterfield Co., VA. I connect to the Redd/Rudd line through my Cannon line. Further discussion on this issue are most welcome. Jim Young - -------------------------- DRAPER MANUSCRIPT from the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Madison Page 635, Reports and Resolutions, S. C. 1908, Vol. 3, address by Henry A. M. Smith unveiling of monument to Gen. Thomas Sumter: "William Sumter was born in Hanover County, Virginia, on the 29th October, 1731. Redd knew him to he brother of Gen. Sumter. Thomas Sumter was born in said county on August 14th, 1734." Also: "There is, however, in the possession of Gen. Sumter's lineal descendants an old leaf, which is traditionally said to be a leaf from the family Bible. This old leaf has written upon it in quite archaic script the following entries: '(births copied above) Page 636 John Redd of Henry County, Virginia to Lynn C. Draper and dated the 13th of June 1850.' General Sumter's mother was a widow when I first knew her, which was when I was quite a small boy. When I left Orange County in 1774 the old lady was then living. General Sumter's sister married a man by the name Lan McCrady." The history of South Carolina in the Revolution, page 564, says General Sumter's mother was a Virginian of English stock. Source: "The Huguenot", No. 4 [1929]; published by The Huguenot Society; pp 41-47; LDS Microfilm V163-0024