Abraham Mott Jr (the Third) was born circa 1806 (btw 2 Jun 1805 – 31 May 1806) likely in Screven County, Georgia. It is presumed that his parents were residing in Screven County at the time of his birth (derived from Screven County DB A:402). He was the second son of Abraham Mott Sr (the Second) and Isabella Reid.
As a young boy, Abraham Mott Jr grew up in southwest Screven County, in an area that included Cooperville and Oliver. Screven County was formed from Effingham County in 1796.
Around 1819, when Abraham Mott Jr was about 13, he moved with his parents to Camden County, Georgia. They likely settled on a 476-acre tract of land along Spanish Creek, near the road leading to Camp Pinckney (derived from Camden County DB M:187).
Camp Pinckney was a significant military and trading post established around 1800 near Spanish Creek, close to the St. Mary’s River and the Florida border. This strategically located camp served as a frontier outpost during a period of territorial disputes and conflicts with Native American tribes, particularly the Creek and Seminole. Camp Pinckney was crucial for trade, acting as a hub for the exchange of goods between settlers, Native Americans, and traders, thanks to its proximity to the St. Mary’s River, which facilitated transportation and trade routes. The Motts’ move to this vibrant and strategically important area came at a time when the U.S. was asserting control over the region amidst tensions with Spain, which still claimed Florida until 1821, and Native American tribes resisting encroachment on their lands.
Within a few years, by 1825, Abraham Mott Jr moved with his family, presumably, across the St. Mary’s River into what would become Duval County, Florida (partially derived from Camden County DB M:84) . This move came after the United States acquired Florida from Spain with the signing of the Adams-Onís Treaty on February 22, 1819, an agreement that was formalized in 1821. As the U.S. solidified its control over the new territory, Duval County was established on August 12, 1822. Abraham Mott Sr is believed to have settled in this newly formed county, directly across the river from Traders Hill, contributing to the early development and community building in the area as it transitioned from Spanish to American governance.
Around 1828, at the age of 22, Abraham Mott Jr moved with his parents and his uncle Isaac Mott’s family to Jefferson County, Florida, where his father had purchased land south of Monticello in August 1827.
The town of Monticello was laid out early in 1828 and by 14 July 1828 Abraham Mott Sr purchased Lot 12. It also appears that Abraham Mott Jr came into ownership of Lot 20 as he sold this lot to his father in 1829.
Territory of Florida, Jefferson County; Jefferson County DB A:32
Know ye that Abraham Mott Jr of the county and Territory aforesaid do bargain sell and convey unto Abraham Mott of the same Territory and county, a certain Lot in the Town of Monticello known and distinguished in platt of said Town by number Twenty. To have and to hold the same to himslef his heirs and assigns forever, and I the said Abraham Jr do warrant the same against myself my heirs and assigns or any person or persons claiming in through or by me. In witness whereof I the said Abraham Jr have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal this the nineteenth of January 1829. Witness: John Seate, Edmund Gray Heace. Signed Abrahm Mott Jr (seal).
On 27 May 1832, Abraham Mott Jr married Susan Grubbs (Susannah). Susannah Grubbs was born about 1813 in Georgia and was the daughter of, a nearby Jefferson County resident, Benjamin Grubbs.
The Mott’s during this time also owned several tracts of land to the east near the town of Madison, Florida
The lands near Monticello and Madison were granted through the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), a government agency responsible for managing public lands. BLM land grants were part of the U.S. government’s efforts to encourage settlement and development in the expanding frontier, offering parcels of land to individuals willing to cultivate and build on them.
From 1828 to 1835, Abraham Mott Jr and relatives lived in Jefferson County and for spell in Madison County, Florida. He may have also travelled back to Nassau County in 1830 for a year.
Jefferson County, Florida Compiled Voter Rolls – Motts
| Election Date | Names | Location/Precinct | Other names of interest |
| 4 August 1828 | Isaac Mott, Abraham Mott, Abraham Mott Jr | Monticello | |
| 4 May 1829 | Isaac Mott Jr, Abraham Mott | Benjamin Grubb | |
| Jun 1830 | Abram Mott | Monticello | Benjm Grubbs |
| May 1831 | Isaac Mott | 1st Prec. – house of Uriah Grantham | Hope H Colson |
| 2 May 1831 | A. Mott Sen | Town of Monticello | Benj Grubbs |
| 7 November 1831 | Abram Mott, Abraham Mott Jun | Monticello | B. Grubbs |
| 5 November 1832 | Abraham Mott, Richard S Mott, Abram Mott Jr | Monticello | |
| 5 November 1832 | Isaac Mott | – house of M. Holliman | |
| 5 May 1834 | Monitcello Prec. | Benjamin Grubs | |
| 9 October 1837 | Abraham Mott | Monticello | |
| 14 October 1839 | Abraham Mott | 7th Prec. – Bryans Mill | |
| 2 October 1848 | Isaac Mott | Monticello – Prec. 2, Court House | |
| 2 October 1848 | Prec. 5 – Walkers | Benjm Grubbs | |
| 7 November 1848 | Isaac Mott | Monticello – Prec. 2, Court House |
From the above list: Isaac Mott is Abraham Mott Jr’s uncle. He married Mary Polly Colson, the sister of Abraham Colson, who was a neighbor of the Motts when they lived in Screven County, Georgia. Abraham Colson married Abraham Mott Jr’s aunt, Elizabeth Mott.
Hope H Colson is believed to be Hope Hull Colson, the brother of Abraham Colson. Research shows that Hope’s daughter, Matilda Colson, married John Futch. John Futch’s cousin, James Henry Futch, married Susan Smith, who is the sister-in-law of Charlotte Mott Smith, the daughter of Abraham Mott Jr.
Madison County, Florida Compiled Voter Rolls – Motts
| Election Date | Names | Location/Precinct | Other names of interest |
| 12 October 1835 | Abraham Mott Sr | 1st Distr. – Saw Pearr | |
| 12 October 1835 | Abraham Mott Jun, Paul Mott, Richard S Mott | 2nd Prec. – Townsend |
From the above list: Richard S Mott is the son of Abraham Mott Sr. Paul Mott is listed as a candidate for future research.
Abraham Mott Jr, his father and brother Richard S Mott owned land in the below BLM sections.
Starting about 1835 Abraham Mott Jr and his parents appear to start migrating back to Florida and Camden County, Georgia, respectively. (derived from Camden County DB M:325; dtd: 22 October 1835; states “Abramham Mott of the Territory of East Florida”).
Between 1839 and 1846 Abraham Mott Jr appears on the voting polls for Nassau County living in the area of Brandy Branch Precinct. This area is presumed to lie in the vicinity of Brandy Branch which runs into St. Mary’s River.
Brandy Branch also fell into what was called an ‘Overlap Area’ in Florida. From about 1828 to 1857 Duval and Nassau County both claimed this area as part of the Florida Territory Acts of 1828. The overlapping claims led to confusion over jurisdiction, affecting local governance, tax collection, and law enforcement.
Nassau County, Florida Compiled Voter Rolls – Motts
| Election Date | Names | Location/Precinct | Other names of interest |
| June 1830 | Abraham Mott | not listed | |
| 14 October 1839 | Abraham Mott | Brandy Branch Prec. – House of Abraham Mott | Abraham Colson |
| 12 October 1840 | Abraham Mott, Richard Mott | Brandy Branch Prec. – House of Abraham Mott | |
| 6 October 1845 | A. Mott, P. Mott | Brandy Branch Prec. | |
| April 1846 | Abram Mott | Brandy Branch Prec. | |
| 2 November 1852 | 4th Prec. – Kings Ferry | John W Smith | |
| 4 November 1856 | Abraham Mott | 2nd Prec. – Dunns Creek | |
| 4 November 1856 | R. S. Mott | 4th Prec. – Kings Ferry | Jno W Smith |
From the above list: Abraham Mott name appears on 1830 Nassau Co but he is not numbered nor was the precinct identified. Examining the Jefferson County voter polls, this Abraham Mott in Nassau County would presumed to be Abramham Mott Jr.
Abraham Colson appears to be Abraham Colson Jr, Abraham Mott Jr’s cousin. Recall that Abraham Colson Sr married Elizabeth Mott, Abraham Mott Sr’s sister.
By the early 1850s, Abraham Mott Jr relocated to familar territory, a place where he grew up as a teenager. The family can be found living in northern Nassau County in the Kings Ferry area.
During this time is when Abraham Mott Jr likely crossed path’s with the John W Smith’s family. They both can be found living in the same area in the 1850 U.S. Census for Nassau County. Ten years later, Abraham Mott Jr’s daughter Charlotte Mott would marry John W Smith’s son Richard Calhoun Smith.
Abraham Mott Jr last appears in Nassau County around 1864. He is shown as a Justice of the Peace for Nassau County and was involved in a settlement concerning Thomas B Nobles who died during the Civil War.
Between 1865 and 1868, Abraham Mott Jr and his wife, Susannah Grubbs Mott, relocated their family to Jefferson County, Florida, likely to be closer to Susannah’s family. According to the 1860 U.S. Census, Susannah’s widowed mother, Mary Grubbs, was living near Waukeenah, Florida, and by the 1870 U.S. Census, the Motts had settled near the Williamsburg area of Jefferson County.
Before her passing, Mary Grubbs requested that her son-in-law, Abraham Mott Jr, serve as the administrator of her estate. On January 2, 1869, Abraham was officially appointed as Administrator (Jefferson DB H:467; Probate Administrator Letters 1845–1926, pg. 279). Shortly after, on February 12, 1869, Abraham signed as an appraiser for the estate inventory of his mother-in-law, Mary Grubbs (Jefferson County, Wills Letters Administration, Vol A, pg. 198).
The final record for Abraham Mott Jr appears on May 6, 1871, when he presented the account for Mary Grubbs’ estate to the court, confirming that all matters related to the estate were current and completed (Monticello Court Records 1870–1909, pg. 58). This period highlights Abraham’s role as a devoted family member, managing the affairs of his late mother-in-law while establishing his own family’s presence in Jefferson County.
Abraham Mott Jr and Susannah Grubbs Mott disappear from the records after the 1871 U.S. Cenus.
Abraham Mott Jr and Susannah Grubbs Mott had the following children:
Isabella Mott, b. 1836, Florida
Hardy Mott, b. 1837, Florida; d. 14 June 1862, Lake City, Florida
Jasper Mott, b. 1840, Nassau County, Florida
Charlotte C Mott, b. btw June 1843 and June 1844, Nassau County, Florida; d. September 1883, Volusia County, Florida
Gincy Mott, b. August 1847, Nassau County, Florida; d. 4 January 1940, Grady County, Georgia
Newton Mott, b. 1850, Nassau County, Florida
Simeon Mott, b. 1852, Nassau County, Florida
Anna Mott, b. 1857, Florida
digging our roots 
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