Abbeville County Genealogy

Formed 1785
Parent district Ninety-Six District
County seat Abbeville
Neighbors Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick

In-depth topics

Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy
Abbeville’s dual claim in Confederate memory—from early secession sentiment to Jefferson Davis’s final council.
John C. Calhoun and the Abbeville Connection
Calhoun’s roots in the Abbeville District shaped his political career and the region’s archival footprint.
Ninety-Six District Context
Abbeville’s earliest records live in the wider Ninety-Six District world.

Abbeville County was formed in 1785 (Ninety-Six District). The county seat is Abbeville. Neighboring counties include Anderson, Greenville, Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick.

Use the research panels below for modern starting points—government contacts, census, vital records, cemeteries—and read the legacy narrative for local history notes and older link collections (some updated).

Abbeville County was formed in 1785 from the old Ninety-Six District. It was known as "the birthplace and deathbed of the Confederacy." John C. Calhoun was a native of Abbeville County, SC. The later counties of Greenwood and McCormick were created from parts of Abbeville County, SC in 1897 with regards to Greenwood and 1916 for McCormick. The name Abbeville, is derived from a town named Abbeville in France. The area was settled by Huguenots and the name of the city of Abbeville is attributed to one of them. Interestingly I've seen several references, including the counties own website refer to the date of creation of the county as 1758 which seems to contradict this sciway.net County History Timeline which re-affirms the 1785 creation year. Certainly, the county was settled before 1785, but it wasn't formally Abbeville County until 1785 according to the State of South Carolina.

Abbeville County is home to Erskine College (located in Due West.)

Abbeville County Genealogy Resources

Abbeville County SCGenweb site

Abbeville County Historical Society
202 Church Stret
Abbeville, SC 29620

Abbeville County Courthouse old link
P.O. Box 579
County Courthouse
Abbeville, SC 29620

Census

1790 Census images (look here for the index.)

1860 Federal Census Transcription - Slave Schedule A-De (archive) old link
1860 Federal Census Transcription - Slave Schedule Di-La (archive) old link
1860 Federal Census Transcription - Slave Schedule Le-Re (archive) old link
1860 Federal Census Transcription - Slave Schedule Ri-Zi (archive) old link

Tax Records

1784 Abbeville County Tax list

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Cemeteries

USGS listing of Cemeteries in Abbeville County
Cemetery Transcriptions (Currently Power Burial Ground - Lowndesville, SC)

Query Forums

Cities and towns of Abbeville County:

Abbeville (County Seat)
Antreville
Calhoun Falls
Donalds
Due West
Honea Path
Lake Secession
Lowndesville
Ware Shoals

News related to Abbeville County, SC

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History notes

Abbeville County's documentary trail follows South Carolina's district-to-county evolution. When searching before county formation, check parent districts and neighboring counties for deeds, estates, and tax lists.

Research starting points

Census

Federal census schedules (and some state/colonial substitutes) are foundational for Abbeville County household reconstruction. Start with every decade the family should appear, then correlate with land and probate.

Vital records

South Carolina statewide vital registration is comparatively late. For many Abbeville County families you will rely on a mix of county probate, church registers, Bible records, newspapers, and delayed birth certificates—not only a single “vital records office” file.

Cemeteries

Cemetery surveys for Abbeville County appear in published books, Find a Grave, USGenWeb archives, and local historical society vertical files. Always note whether a reading is complete or partial.

Courthouse & contacts

Abbeville County Courthouse
P.O. Box 99
Abbeville, SC 29620
https://abbevillecountysc.com/