Redding Denmark, also known as Redden Denmark, was born about 1775 in North Carolina as Redding/Redden Moye. He was the alleged son of William Denmark and the son of Anna Moye of Hyde county, North Carolina, but didn’t officially take his alleged fathers name until 18 Nov 1802 when he and his brother Malachi applied to the Georgia Legislature to have their name changed.
His father, William Denmark, left Hyde County about 1766 and moved to Pitt County, North Carolina. We then find William and Anna, at Fort Barnwell in Craven County, North Carolina in 1774 about the time of Redding’s birth. William enlisted in the Revolutionary war in 1782 at New Bern, Craven County, North Carolina.
On 17 Aug 1802, in Bulloch County, Redding was granted a marriage license to wed “Viny” Wise, daughter of Revolutionary veteran William Wise. Viny, or properly written, Lavinia, was born in South Carolina in 1786 and died in 1857 in what is now Brooks County, Georgia. While the Bulloch marriage and probate records refer to her as Vin, the 1850 census and subsequent marriage record refers to her as Lavina and Lavinia.
Children of Redding and Lavinia Denmark were:
- Elizabeth Denmark, born 1803, married James Groover on 27 Nov 1820.
- Clarisa Denmark, born 1804. See conflict resolution below.
- Sarah Denmark, born 1805, married William Lastinger, Jan. 10, 1825. Settled in Alachua County, Florida after 1850.
- Thomas Irving Denmark, born 30 Sep 1808, married Amanda Heiser Groover, daughter of Charles Groover on 1 Dec 1831. She died died 15 Aug 1890 and he died 12 Jan 1897 in Brooks County, Georgia.
- John Denmark, born 1804, married Mourning Hagan on 8 Jul 1830. Settled in Taylor County, Florida
Redding prospered as a Bulloch County farmer until his sudden death in 1813. Letters of Administration were issued on 02 Aug 1813 to his widow and his brother, Malachi Denmark, and the estate was appraised on 29 Sep 1813. See Bulloch County Wills and Estates Index, 1816-1835 to access those records.
On 13 May 1816, William Wise, father of Lavinia, left in his will to her “one slave girl named Sarah and one feather bed.” On 19 Dec 1816, Lavinia married William McNealy in Bulloch County.
Malachi Denmark published on 1 Nov 1823 in the Savannah Daily Republican an advertisement for the sale of the estate of Redding Denmark:
NOTICE
On the first Tuesday in Nov. next,
Will be sold at the late residence of Redding Denmark, dec. all the estate both real and personal of said deceased, consisting of two thousand four hundred acres of Land, with good improvements, and five Negroes, and other articles. Conditions, twelve months credit, small notes and approved security, sold for the benefit of the heirs.MALACHI DENMARK.
GuardianSept 6 278
Savannah Daily Republican, 1 Nov. 1823
During the 1830s Lavinia and three of her married children moved to Lowndes County (later Brooks County), where they purchased land and built successful plantations. Thomas Denmark remained in Brooks County and his descendants can be found in the area today.
Property Transactions
Bulloch County, Georgia
Redding’s land transactions started in 1796 in Bulloch County which coincided with the establishment of the county. If we based it upon his approximate age, it means he started purchasing land to live and farm on around the age of 21 (there were no age requirement in Georgia to own property). The transactions below also show a gift of a slave child that Redding gave to his younger brother Malachi in 1797. At the time, Malachi was only 10, which makes me wonder if the gift was for a slave playmate of around the same age.
The most interesting land transactions were a series of land swaps between Stephen and Redding in 1806 and 1807. It appears that, at least on paper, in 1806 Stephen and Redding paid each other $2500 for the other’s land. Only to reverse it in 1807. If you wonder why this occurred, then pay particular attention to the increase in the land quantity as shown in the 1 Jan 1807 transaction. I expect it had something to do with the legalities of Stephen benefitting from the purchase of the Sherriff sold lands for a debt owed to himself by the estate of John G. Wertsch.
11 Apr 1796
Redding Denmark from Hiram & Hannah Heussen, deed, 11 Apr 1796, Book A, folio 9, image 16-18
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KS29-V
For the sum of £100 sterling for land originally granted on 7 Oct 1766 by George the 3rd, King of Britain to John Flerl, Jr., for 200 acres being in the Parish of Philip, now Bulloch County including wertsch’s Cowpen on Black Creek butting and founding at the time of the survey thereof by vacant and on all sides.
Also all that tract of land originally on 3 May 1768 grated as one said to John Wertsch for 100 acres adjoining and bounding South “westerd” by said herein conveyed tract of land granted John Flerl and on all other sides by land Vacant at the time of the survey thereof.
And also all that tract of land originally on 7 Nov 1769 granted aforesaid to the John Wertch for 200 acres situate lying and being on Black Creek adjoining and bounding Sourth Eastwardly in part by the said herin Conveyed track of land granted to John Wertch and part by the said herein Conveyed track of land granted to John Flerl and on all other sides by Vacant Land at the time of the survey thereof
The said three tracts of land together Containing five hundred acres more or less, together with all singular the above tracts the Houses our houses buildings and improvements rents.
8 Feb 1797
Redding Denmark to Malachi Denmark, deed, 8 Feb 1797, book A, folio 6, image 13
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSKX-Y
Redding Denmark deeds a slave boy named Daniel, who was the son of a “wench” called Sall.
17 Jan 1803
Redding Denmark from John Gruver, deed, 17 Jan 1803, Book A., folio 83, image 91
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSK7-Q
For the sum of $125, Redding purchases from John Gruver 200 acres of land situated in Bulloch County, butting and bounding westwardly by the Estate of Wertch, Northwestwardly by Mary Gruver. Land originally granted to John Griver on 8 Jan 1793, with all houses, edifices, orchards gardens, water ways, and all the profits, etc.
3 Jul 1806
Redding Denmark to Stephen Denmark, deed, 3 Jul 1806, Book AA, folio 122, Image 143-145
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSK9-M
For the sum of $2,500 Redding sells the 3 previous tracts deeded on 11 Apr 1796 from Hiram & Hannah Heussen, as well as the 200 acre tract of land Redden received from John Gruver on 17 Jan 1803, and also one tract of 100 acres of land Redding received from the State of Georgia on 13 Oct 1797 butting southeast by the said Redding Denmark land, which was already conveyed, the said 5 tracts of land together containing 800 acres more or less. Redding signed, Winia left her mark.
Redding sells all his tracts of land along Black Creek in Bulloch County.
Stephen & Elizabeth Denmark to Redding Denmark, deed, 3 Jul 1806, Book AA, folio 124, image 145-147
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSK3-8
For the sum of $2,500 Stephen & Elizabeth Denmark sell to Redding Denmark the following tracts of land:
That tract of 300 acres of land orginally granted on 18 Sep 1766 by George the 3rd, King of Great Britain, to John Adam Treuther, being in the parish of St. Philip, now Bulloch County, and butting and bounding easterly by Great Ogechee River, South east by land of Micajah Rummer, South West in part by land of John Lane and in part by land vacant, and North West in part by land of Lambeth Lane, and in part by Land vacant, which said tract o land was conveyed to Stephen Denmark by John Treutten, son of the said John Adam Treutten, and heir to said land, by deed bearing date of 7 Jan 1793.
That tract of 300 acres if land originally granted to John Adam Treutten, except for 9 acres of land which was conveyed by the said Stephen Denmark to John Lane, 10 Feb 1803, situated on Ironmongers Creek, waters of Great Ogechee River, including the place where the said Stephen Denmark now lives and butting and bounding on all sides by vacant land at the time of the original survey, and was conveyed by the heirs of said John A. Treutten by a deed dated 5 Oct 1791.
That tract of 64 acres of land originally granted on 1 Aug 1793 to Stephen Denmark situated in the County of Bulloch and butting and bounding Northeasterly by John A. treutten’s land which is above mentioned land, North West by a Lanes land, South West by Thomas Tumblins land, and South East by said Stephen Denmark’s land at the time of the original survey.
That tract of 236 acres of land originally granted on 6 Aug 1793 to Stephen Denmark as a larger parcel of 536 acres. This 236 acres being on the North West side of the tract. The lands buts and bounds North Easterly by the said Stephen Denmark’s land, which is conveyed above, South easterly by John Geiger’s land Davins branch, which divides it from the residue of said tract, South Westerly by Asa Emanuels land and North West by vacant land.
That track of 500 acres of land originally granted on 20 May 1795 to Stephen Denmark butting and bounding North east by said Stephen Denmark’s land, Northwest by Alexander Lanes Jr. and Vacant Land, and on all other side by vacant land.
That tract of 85 acres, more or less, being the South east part of land originally granted to Stephen Denmark on 20 May 1795 for 285 acres, butting and bounding South West by land surveyed for Alexander Lane Sr., South East by the said Stephen Denmark’s land which is conveyed above, North East by Belchers land, and North West by a direct line to be run from the beginning of the N. 40th West 40 chains line of said tract to the end of the N. 50 E. 10,750 also line of said tract to divide it from the residue od said tract of land.
All the combined tracts of land above to equal 1,476 acres of land, more or less, including all buildings and out buildings, etc.
1 Jan 1807
Stephen Denmark to Redding Denmark, deed, 1 Jan 1807, Book AA, folio 138
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSVB-6
This land transactional deal inverses the deeds executed on 3 Jul 1806 of Redding to Stephen Denmark with the following additons:
That tract of 200 acres of land originally granted on 16 Apr 1796 to John Geiger and conveyed by him to Stephen Denmark by a deed bearing the date of 5 Jul 1806. The parcel was situate in the county of Bulloch, and butting and bounding North easterly by Wertsche’s land, which is mentioned above, North westerly by Trevener’s Land, and on all other sides by vacant land at the time of the original survey.
That tract of 300 acres of land originally granted on 13 Oct 1797 to Stephen Denmark by the State of Georgia, situate lying in the county of Bulloch, and butting and bounding North easterly by Vacant Land, North westerly byMary and John Gruvers Land, S. E. by Vacant Land, and South west by Reading Denmark’s, Geigers and Vacant Land.
The said 7 tracts together containing 1,300 acres more or less together with all houses, buildings, etc. for $2,500.
Redding Denmark to Stephen Denmark, deed, 1 Jan 1807, Book AA, folio 141, image 162-
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSV5-R
This land transactional deal inverses the deeds executed on 3 Jul 1806 of Stephen to Redding Denmark with the following additons:
That tract of 150 acres of land situated in Bulloch County and lying on Great Ogechee River adjoining lands of Martin Dasher, John Lane, and Vacant Land, which said tract of land was conveyed to the said Reading Denmark by Luke Wilson, Sheriff of Effingham County by a Deed of Conveyance bearing date 5 Aug 1806 which said tract of land was executed and seized by the said Sheriff by virtue of a writ of fire facias to satisfy a judgement obtained in the Superior Court in said County by Stephen Denmark against the estate of John G. Wertsch.
All tracts and parcels of tracts together containing 1,626 acres more or less, together with all homes, buildings, etc. for $2,500.
9 Mar 1824
Malachi Denmark Guardian to Thomas Jones, deed, 9 Mar 1824, Book 4A, folio 531, image 563
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSNL-W
Malachi, as Guardian of Thomas, John, and Clarisa Denmark, minor children of Redding Denmark, deceased, sold publicly to the highest bidder, he being Thomas Jones, 1,042 acres of land for $600.
Malachi Denmark Guardian to James Denmark, deed, 9 Mar 1824, Book 4A, folio 531, image 563-564
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSNL-W
Malachi, as Guardian of Thomas, John, and Clarisa Denmark, minor children of Redding Denmark, deceased, sold publicly to the highest bidder, he being James Denmark, 1,233 acres of land for $1005.
James Denmark to Malachi Denmark, deed, 9 Mar 1824, Book 4A, folio 533, image 565
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSJ3-Z
In this transaction for the same $1005 paid by James Denmark to the estate of Redding Denmark, Malachi purchases the same 1,233 acres of land sold at auction and awarded to James Denmark.
10 Mar 1824
Thomas Jones to Malachi Denmark, deed, 10 Mar 1824, Book 4A, folio 532, image 564
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSNK-F
In this transaction for the same $600 paid by Thomas Jones to the estate of Redding Denmark, Malachi purchases the same 1,042 acres of land sold at auction and awarded to Thomas Jones.
2 Jan 1826 – Guardianship
Malachi Denmark et. al., bond, 2 Jan 1826, Book 4A, folio 504, image 534-535
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS4K-KSJ9-Y
Malachi Denmark was appointed Guardian of Thomas John and Clarisa Denmark, orphans of Redding Denmark deceased.
Henry County
It is apparent by an 1826 Administrator’s Sale notices placed by Malachi Denmark in the Savannah Daily Republican that Redding Denmark, then deceased, owned 202 1/2 acres of land in Dekalb County, formerly Henry County, known as Lot No. 102 in the 15th district, which was to be sold to make a division between the heirs of Redding.
Will be sold on the first Teusday [sic] in March next, between the usual hours of sale at the Courthouse in DeKalb country [sic], Lot No. 102 in the 15th district formerly Henry county, now DeKalb; containing 202 1-2 acres, more or less, belonging to the heirs of Redding Denmark dec’d, sold to make a division between the said heirs:—Terms made known on the day of sale.
MALACHI DENMARK,
Guardian.December 26, 1826, 51-tds
Conflict Resolution
Double Trouble
Divorce was not easy in the 18th century and it is said that William Denmark (father of Redding) and his first wife, Mary Moye needed one; but either couldn’t get one, or didn’t try. When William and Anna were living in Craven County together, William was still married to Mary, but having children with her sister Anna in what descendants call a common-law marriage. It is stated by descendants that Anna and William did not marry until after Mary’s death in Jan 1795. The deed of gift by William to Redding and the name change in 1802 by Redden Moye to Redden Denmark would appear to confirm this, but others state that William Denmark adopted Redden and Malachi and their name change was done to enhance their chance at inheriting part of William Denmark’s estate at his death. That Redden used the Denmark name before the 1802 official change is stated in the name change record and in local records of Bulloch County inclduing his marriage record.
Name Change
William Redding was born as a Moye, his mother’s surname, as was his brother, Malachi. They both applied for a name change to the Georgia state legislature on 18 Nov 1802 and it was granted. Prior to that time it appears that William had used the name of William Redding, as he had applied for his marriage license under that name a few months earlier.
AN ACT: To authorize Redden and Malachi Moye to bear the name of Denmark.
WHEREAS: Redden and Malachi Moye, have generally been called and known by the names of Redden and Malachi Denmark, and under those names have made various contracts and engagements: And whereas, it is their wish and desire to bear the name of Denmark, and to be authorized and confirmed therein by law.
BE it therefore enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Georgia in General Assembly met, and by the authority of the same, that the said Redden and Malachi, be fully authorized to bear, use and retain the name of Denmark, and they are hereby confirmed therein. And all contracts and engagements made by them or either of them under the name, shall be equally valid to all intents and purposes, as if the same had been or were made in the name of Moye, anything to the contrary notwithstanding.
Abraham Jackson, Speaker
David Emanuel, President of SenateNovember 18, 1808
John Milledge, Governor
Wife’s Name
Folks Huxford stated in volume 1 of Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia that Redden married Miss Winnie Wise, daughter of William Wise. He then went on to say that some sources say the wife’s name was Lavina but the Bulloch county marriage and estate records show that she was Winnie. Actually, the records show “Winy”. In volume 2 he approached this conflict under the additions and corrections section and stated that the widow Mrs. Lavinia Denmark married William McNeely, and that marriage ended in separation in 1823. Further he states that while it is state in vol. 1 that Mrs. Denmark’s name was Winnie, the compiler now determines that her proper name was Lavinia (the “short” of which is commonly called “Vinia” and sometimes “Viney”). The handwriting of the old Bulloch County estate records where her name appears, gives her name as “Vinia” although the “V” resembles a “W”, thus leading one to suppose her name was Winnie… Her full name “Lavinia” appears in an instrument of gift from her husband “William McNeely, dated 20 Feb 1823, on the occasion of their separation. Her own father refers to her in his will as Viney Denmark.
Clarisa Denmark
The second child of Redding and Lavinia Denmark was Clarisa. Volume 1 of Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, states that she married John W. Gibson, but that cannot be, as later clarified in volume 2’s corrections. Clarisa Denmark, daughter of William and Lavinia appears with her brothers in a Bulloch County guardianship record of 1826. She would need no guardianship if she was already married. Hence, that Clarisa who married John W. Gibson in 1820 was the niece of Redding Denmark, not his daughter. It is not known what happened to Clarisa, daughter of Redding, after 1826.
Sources
- Huxford, Folks, Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia, vol. 1, p. 65-66; vol. 2, p. 301-302; vol. 4, p. 338; Jacksonville, Florida : Cooper Press, 1951-1967.
- McCall, Ettie Tidwell, McCall-Tidwell and allied families, page 495, Atlanta, Ga.: Published by the author, 1931.
- Memoirs of Georgia, Vol. I, page 378-380; Atlanta, GA, USA: The Southern Historical Association, 1895.
- Bulloch County, Georgia, Deeds and Mortgages, 1796-1912 > Deeds and mortgages, v. A-AAAA 1796-1828, FHS Film # 007899049 (https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/catalog/155333 : accessed 8 May 2025)
- “Georgia, Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-893G-F9W3-B : 20 May 2014), Bulloch > Bonds, inventories and appraisements, letters, marks and brands, marriages, wills 1795-1890 vol A > image 35 of 672; citing Bulloch County Court of Ordinary.
- “Georgia, Probate Records, 1742-1990,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L93G-67DL : 20 May 2014), Bulloch > Wills and estates 1816-1854 > image 10 of 515; citing Bulloch County Court of Ordinary.
- GeorgiaGenealogy, (Bulloch County Wills and Estates Index, 1816-1835, : accessed 8 May 2025).