I had to enter the discussion as I am enclosing a minor part of a will from a
man in S.C. that in a way sort of answers the question. Maybe it all depends
on the state.
                    *************************
Item: I give and bequeath to Margaret Crocker and the five children I had by
her all my plate and household furniture, plantation tools at Rose Duc, boats
and all the cattle, hogs at Rose Duc to be equally divided between her and the
aforesaid five children that I have by her and each of the children
is to have a home.
                    **************************
In other parts of the will he had left each of the above children so many
slaves and so much property.  He had earlier in the will given his children by
his "first wife" land and property, etc. But I have always assumed these were
his illegitimate children by a woman he never married. No marriage has been
found for them. The below more or less says the same thing-I received from another
genealogist looking for Butler records.

 In 1754, his first wife, Mary, died and he moved to Savannah, GA, where he
lived until he died in 1775. While in Savannah, he met Margaret Crocker and had
five children by her. The wording in his will suggests that they might NOT
have been formally married.

Does this help in any way?  I always give to Paul as feel he is more
knowledgeable than I altho I have done reserach for almost 50 years. I am still not
satisfied that I have covered all the bases or done it all right.
Srah Browder

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