Quoting from the Muse data base, "In 1795, John and his wife Anna separated and he took up with a Peggy Smith and by her had many illegitimate children. Between 1817 and 1819, he deeded his land to his illegitimate sons. Anna found out about this and wanted to make sure that all of JohnÆs property was preserved for her own children who were his only legitimate heirs. In 1819, Thomas Muse makes a statement that his sister Anna was the wife of John Tolleson In a deposition in 1821 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, Anna complained about John's drunkenness, physical abuse, and on threatening her life. This document was last seen in the 1950's and was stolen by some of the Tolleson descendants to hide such a bad statement about their ancestor; most likely one of the descendants of the children of Tolleson and Smith. We do have John Tolleson's response where he states that all his wife had brought into the marriage was an old slave and some furniture."

"Will of John Tolleson of the District of Spartanburg being far advanced in age but being of a sound mind ... To such of the children of my deceased daughter Nancy Briant as may be living at my death one hundred dollars each to be paid in property as they arrive at lawful age or may marry. To my daughter Lydia Sparks one Negro boy named Isaac. To my son Dum John Tolleson Five hundred Dollars to be paid to him at the pleasure of my Executors. To my daughter Levice Kirby one negro man Dick also $700 to be paid in property at my death. To such of the children of my daughter Anny Gossett may have living at my death, $100 each as they arrive at age or may marry. To my son Muse Tolleson one negro man Cooper & $700. To my son Ely Tolleson $500 to be paid in property at my death. To my son Stephen Tolleson one negro boy named Dazo and $700. To Berryman Quinn son of my daughter Ity Quinn $5 at my death to be paid in property exclusive of what I have given his mother & I never intend giving her any more. Sons Muse and Stephen the remainder."