James Monk
Born: 1751 Scotland
Died: April 29, 1854 age 103 at his residence.
Named Siblings: Archibald (from genealogy info on RootsWeb.com), Flora Monk as possible sister 2
James Monk was about about 20 years of age at the time of his father's arrival into North Carolina. In 1784, James Monk established residence in Cumberland County in a section of the county which became Moore County. This was at the head of Dunham's Creek. Dunham's Creek is located about one mile from Cross Creek Road.
James Monk served in the Continental Line during the last part of the American Revolution. He enlisted in 1782 and served eighteen months. His service as a Patriot is documented by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). 1
He married Catherine Currie and fathered eleven children. It was a Scottish custom of naming the oldest son after their paternal grandfather. In this case, his oldest son was named Archibald for his father. It is this Archibald Monk who settled near near Monk's Crossroads in Sampson County, NC.
James Monk was a farmer. He did not own slaves.
Death notice in Fayetteville Observer, May 15, 1854: "DIED, Near Carthage, Moore County, on the 29th ult., at his residence, JAMES MONK, S'r. in the One Hundred and Third year of his age - a Soldier of the Revolution." From this death notice, his birth year of 1751 is derived.
James Monk is buried next to this wife at Union Presbyterian Church near Carthage, NC. Other children of James and Catherine Monk from genealogy info on RootsWeb.com:
- Sarah Monk (Born 1799)
- Polly Monk (Born 1804)
- Betsay Monk (Born 1807)
- James Monk (Born .1811)
- Alexander Monk (Born 1813)
Photographs of Union Presbyterian Church and cemetery taken by Charles Bell in August 2000.
References:
1 Charles H. Bowman, "Archibald Monk: Public Servant of Sampson County", North Carolina Historical Review (Autumn 1970 Volume XLVII, October 1970 Number 4): 339 - 369.
2 Rassie E. Wicker, "Miscellaneous Ancient Records of Moore County, N.?C.", Moore County Historical Association, pages 117, 158, 308, 322, 335, 440, 463
Notes:
(1) The newspaper, The Fayetteville Observer was formerly named The Carolina Observer.
(2) A slightly different tradition passed down to Charles Bell from his mother Elizabeth Monk Bell was that James Monk came from Scotland with five brothers.
(3) Popular amusements of the time in Moore County included cockfighting, horse racing, fox chasing.
(4) Archibald was a common given name for many Scottish men.
(5) It is likely that James Monk served at Wilmington during his military service. His name is not among those listed as serving in the Battle of Crosss Creek which occurred in North Carolina before James Monk's enlistment. The name Menion Monk is listed for that battle and may possibly be a brother or relative.
(6) First census of Moore County in 1790 lists Asabel, Daniel, and James Monk as heads of households.2
(7) Census of Moore County in 1850 lists James Monk age 90.2
(8) Flora Monk listed as possible sister of James Monk. She married to John Wadsworth and lived on Mill Swamp (Cox's Mill Creek( just north of Carthage. She was widowed ad was known as the widow Wadsworth. John Wadsworth was the son of Jason Wadsworth. 2
(9) In 1815 James Monk was listed as owning 140 acres valued at $80. 2
Last updated: May 26, 2008 by Charles Bell