13. Assuming James’ wife, Mary,
was a Killingsworth, could James have come from where
Mary’s family came from, possibly Johnston or Edgecombe counties, NC or Surry
Co, VA? Even though there is no evidence
to disprove a Killingsworth connection, I found no
such marriage claim by the Killingsworth researchers
nor was there any other evidence of such a marriage. Also, I did not find a potential James Phelps
in any of the new areas. If either could
be found our line might lead to the Felps/Felts of
Surry Co, VA in early 1700s. The
research of others indicates the Felts of Surry/Sussex moved to Warren Co, NC – and by 1835 the
Felts name appears in Caswell, not far from there. (One DNA test for a
Thomas Felts in NC did not match our line’s DNA. See the Phelps DNA Project)
This intriguing
possibility resulted from the curious appearance of the name “Freeman Killingsworth Phelps” in at least two descendants of James’
son Obediah.
Below you will find all my research. I will summarize here. I have provided many source records, but
unfortunately nearly all the Killingsworth
genealogies have very little real proofs.
A Killingsworth Farmily
Book has been named but I was unable to determine what sources were used in
that book. Since no one ever claimed a
Phelps marriage, I did not make every effort to prove or disprove the Killingsworth family claims.
I found clear
evidence that the Killingsworths, and specifically
two Freemans, lived in Johnston Co, NC in the 1700s.
I found no records at all of a Phelps/Felps/etc in Johnson Co during this time.
According to one Killingsworth researcher, the name Freeman appeared many
times in their family. For certain the
name was popular in both families.
However, that Obediah would have named his son
after his grandmother Phelps’s family seems odd. It would seem more appropriate to have chosen
a name from his wife’s family but I found nothing to support that either.
After much
searching in many places I did not find any suggestion or record of a James
Phelps to a Mary Killingsworth. There was one Mary b.
1758 (undocumented) but she is documented to have married in SC in 1775.
Another wild
possibility could be that a Mary Thompson, reported by one researcher, who
married a John Killingsworth b 1723 son of Surry Co Killingsworth (undocumented) later remarried our
James. However, there is no support for
this at all.
I hope that another researcher will find new or better
evidence to connect these two families.
Appearance of the name Freeman Killingsworth
Phelps in Phelps descendants
According to the
will of James Phelps of Caswell Co, d 1785, his wife was Mary. Based on the confident reports of family
descendants of his son Obediah, Obediah moved to Ky
and his wife was Margaret Dye. His
descendants are reported to include occasions of the name Freeman Killingsworth
Phelps.
James Phelps
Obediah Sr. m. Margaret
Dye
Freeman Killingsworth Phelps b 1797 (reportedly in
Caswell Co, NC)
Lorenzo Dow Phelps m. Margaret Brinson
Freeman Killingsworth Phelps b.
1843 (reportedly in
Reported by Tamra
Phelps (
An excellent web site with much
Killingsworth information, some of which is basic records: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~backyard/Killingsworth.htm However
no refererence was found anywhere for a James Phelps
marriage to a Mary. Their families
are:
The source of the following
lineage states it is supported by wills and deeds. nansbackyard@usa.com
Nan Hankovich.
Descendants of William Killingsworth I Revised 12/2005
1 William Killingsworth I b: 1657 Charles City, Surry Co., VA d:
. +Avis Jones m: 1683 in Surry Co., VA b: Abt. 1670 VA d:
.... 2 Lucy Killingsworth b: Abt. 1687 Surry
Co., VA d: Abt. 1767 Surry Co.,
VA
........ +John Gulledge, Jr. m: in
VA b: 1644 Trowbridge,
.... 2 William Killingsworth II b: Abt. 1690 Surry
Co., VA d: Bef. 1735 Johnston Co.,
NC
........ +Leah Hunnicutt m: Abt. 1710 in Surry Co., VA b: Abt.
1690 d: Aft. 1735
........... 3 William Killingsworth
III b: Abt. 1710
............... +Sarah Brown m: Bef.
1730 in NC b: 1714 NC d:
........... 3 Elizabeth Killingsworth b: Bet. 1711 - 1725 Bertie, Edgecombs
Co., NC
........... 3 Sarah Killingsworth b: Bet. 1711 - 1725 Bertie, Edgecombs
Co., NC
........... 3 Edward Killingsworth b: Abt. 1715 Bertie, Edgecombs Co., NC
........... 3 Lucy Killingsworth b: Abt. 1716 Bertie, Edgecombs Co., NC
........... 3 John Killingsworth b: 1723 Bertie, Edgecombs
Co., NC d: Abt. 1771 Newborn Dist., Johnston
Co., NC
............... +Mary Thompson b: 1725 d:
1800 Is it possible this Mary married our James Pheplps?
.................. 4 Mark Killingsworth b: Abt. 1744
NC d: Bef. 1820 Barnwell Co.,
SC
.................. 4 Penelope "Nellie" Killingsworth b: Aft.
1745
.................. 4 William Killingsworth b: Aft. 1746
.................. 4
Freeman Killingsworth,
Sr. b: Abt.
1747 Edgecomb Co., NC d: 1812 Johnston Co.,
NC
.................. 4 Henry Killingsworth,
Sr. b: Aft. 1748 d: May 1782 Johnston
Co., NC
.................. 4 John Killingsworth b: 1752
........... 3 Nicholas Killingsworth,
Sr. b: Abt. 1724
Bertie, Edgecombs Co., NC d:
1788
.... 2 John Thomas Killingsworth I b: 1698 Surry Co., VA d: 1765 Halifax Co.,
NC
........ +Rachel _______ b: Abt. 1704
........... 3 Freeman Killingsworth b: 1735
........... 3 Henry Killingsworth b: Aft. 1750
........... 3 John Thomas Killingsworth
II b: 1723 Edgecomb/Johnston
Co., NC d: 1812 Hawkins Co., TN
·
Richard
Killingsworth, Sr. b: Abt.
1660 d: Bef. 1733
·
.....
2 Richard Killingsworth, Jr. b: Abt.
1685 NC d: Bef. 1733 NC
o
(This is apparently the 1733 Edgecomb
will of Richard Killingsworth:
·
.........
+Mary d: 1733 NC
·
.....
2 William A. Killingsworth, Sr. b: Abt. 1686 NC
·
............
3 Richard Killingsworth III d: 1746 NC
·
............
3 William Killingsworth, Jr. d: 1760 Berkeley Co., SC
·
................
+Mrs. Sarah Homes d: 1759 Berkeley Co., SC
·
....................
4 William Killingsworth
·
...........................
5 Jacob Killingsworth
·
...........................
5 Mary Killingsworth SEE ****Mary
BELOW There is a record of a marriage in
Berkley Co., SC
·
...........................
5 Pricilla Killingsworth
·
....................
4 John Killingsworth
· Freeman Killingsworth b: Aft. 1747 Edgecomb
Co., NC d: 1812 Johnston Co., NC
· ..... 2 Freeman Killingsworth b: Abt. 1767
· ......... +Polly Raiford
· ............ 3 Morris Killingsworth
· ............ 3 Peggy Killingsworth
· ............ 3 Patsy Killingsworth
· ............ 3 Phillip Killingsworth
· ............ 3 Piety Killingsworth
· ..... 2 John T. Killingsworth
b: 1765 d: 1830 Tuscaloosa Co., AL
· ......... +Lucrecia/Lucritia
Hayes/Hays b:
· ............ 3 Truman Killingsworth
b: 1789
· ............ 3 Mary Killingsworth
b: 1790
· ............ 3 John Killingsworth
b: Abt. 1792
· ............ 3 Freeman Killingsworth b: 1793
Johnson Co., NC d: 1887 AL
· ................ +Comfort B. Record
· .................... 4 Sarah Ann N. Killingsworth d: TX
· ........................ +Henry Taylor b: TX
· ............ 3 Lucretia
Killingsworth b: 1794
· ............ 3 Henry/Harry Killingsworth b: 1796 d: 1867
· ................ +Rebecca Moore b: Abt. 1812 d: Bef. 1858
· .................... 4 Henrietta Killingsworth b: 1825 d: 1854
· ........................ +Jesse Boyett b: 1821 d: 1901
· ........................... 5 Elizabeth Boyett b: 1853
· ........................... 5 Zilpha H. Boyett b: 1853
Reported below by
Roger, a Killingsworth researcher rog56@the-i.net using his cousin’s
database. A major source for this was
from the book, “The Killingsworth Family
593-1983” by LaFrona Foshee
Mouiser, printed by Gregath
Co, PO Box 1045, Cullman Alabama 35056-1045
NOTE: He reports there were no Phelps
named in this book.
1. Avis Jones d. 1711 Surry co, VA (supported by her
will) m. William Killingsworth d 1709
2. John Thomas K (per his mother’s
will) b 1698 Surry Co, VA;
d. 1748 Edgecomb Co; m. Rachel
3. John K b 1723 m. Mary
Thompson Is is possible this Mary
Thompson Killingsworth married later to James Phelps?
4.Freeman K b
abt 1750; d 1812
5.
Freeman K Jr b 1770
5.
John K b 1773
4.
John K b. 1752
4.
Henry K b 1750
3. Freeman K b. 1735 Edgecomb
Co d1771
4.
John K b 1765
Johnston Co, d 1767
5. Mary K b
1790
5.
Freeman K b 1793 NC m. Comfort
Record in Maury Co., TN
4.
Freeman K b. 1767 m. Polly Raiford
3. Henry K d.
1781 Johnston Co, NC
2. Lucy
2. Richard d.1723
Roger also reports
that his cousin this information with no support given. Mary is key here.
Wm II married Leah Hunnicut
John Thomas K b. 1698
Wm III b.1710
Elizabeth and Sara b.1711
Edward b 1715
Richard b. 1715
Levi b. 1716
John b. 1723
Nicholas b 1724
Wm III married Mary Woodard and then Sara Wood
their children:
Mary b 1758
**** Was this the Mary described above??
Pricilla b. 1759
William b. 1762
John b. ??
Mark b. ??
children with Sara Wood
Martha b. 1763
John b. 1765
Mark married Nancy Shell
children:
James Franklin K. b.8-29-1810
William Green K. b.
|
Guilford Co., NC |
||
|
|
William Killinsworth to Rachel Harrison |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sally Killingsworth to John Perdu |
|
|
|
Nicholas Killingsworth to Rachel McKimmy |
|
|
|
William R. Killingsworth to Margaret Shilcutt |
|
|
|
Mark W. Killingsworth to Susannah McGee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
Johnston Co., NC |
||
|
|
Jean Killingsworth to John Snipes |
|
|
1788 |
John T. Killingsworth to Lucreasy Hays |
|
|
|
Rachel Killingsworth to John Blackman |
|
|
|
John Killingsworth to Sarah Blackman |
|
|
|
Katherine Killingsworth to John Wilder |
|
|
|
Freeman Killingsworth, Jr. to Polly Raidford |
|
|
|
John Killingsworth to Patty Gulley |
(John Killingsworth to Martha Gulley) |
|
|
Betsy Killingsworth to Whitly Stevens |
|
|
|
Dicy
Killingworth to John Massy |
|
|
|
Polly Killingsworth to Jesse Pittman |
|
|
|
||
|
Martin/Wilson
Co., NC |
||
|
|
Nancy Killingsworth to F.D. McDaniel |
|
In the
following, if Phelps is not recorded that means none were found (including
spelling variations)
KILLINGSWORTHS IN JOHNSTON CO., NC (formed from Craven Co in
1746
Date range of the Killingsworths:
Francis,
son Nols, wife Rebeka as seen in the
following records: 1751
John – as seen
in the following records: 1768- 1806 . I found deed
8 references for him from 1791 through 1806 “Johnson Co Record of Estates
1781-1807”; 7 times beginning in “1796
in Johnson Co Deeds 1759-1825”
Benjamin - 1771
Henry - as seen in the
following records: 1768 – 1770
Freeman Sr - as seen in the
following records: 1761-1804*
Freeman Jr - as seen in the following records: 1790*
Mary Freeman was found
in Craven Count deeds
in
Details
* I found
10 references to “F” or
Freeman beginning in 1796 “ Johnson Deeds 1759-1825”
* I found
deed 20 references for a Freeman from 1791 through 1807 “ Johnson Co Record of Estates 1781-1807”
The
following deeds reported by Tamra Phelps,
researcher. Comments are hers:
Nov. 13, 1759-William Killingsworth, Prince Frederick Co., SC, to Ephraim
Stephens, Johnston Co., NC, 500 acres in Johnston Co. for 50 pounds Virginia
money. on South side Nuse Riv. beginning at a white oak, North side of Mill Cr.,
North 48, East 8 to a red Oak, etc., land
patent had been granted to William Killingsworth
(Possibly this guy had moved to SC? Anyway, the
others seem to live in NC.)
Sep.22, 1768-John Killingsworth to Henry Killingsworth, both of Johnston Co.,
for 10 pounds VA money, 100 acres in Johnston Co., on westside
Horse Cr., joining Terrell land, vacant lands, and the adjoining creek, it
being all the land that said John Killingsworth bought of Benj
Hardy that lay on that side of Horse Cr., only one acre excepted, which is to
begin at Red Oak marked
K and to run up the
creek for the adjoining acre.
Deed book F, pg 8. witnesses: Freeman Killingsworth, P Hawkins, Jos. Jones
Sep.22, 1768-Freeman Killingsworth to Joseph Jones, both Johnston Co., for 20
pounds VA money, 125 acres in Johnston Co., on the waters of Neuse Riv, beginning at a comer Pine near the forest race paths,
with Powers line, til strikes road, to Suggs line,
along Suggs line to a comer Hickory, along new line of marked trees, (mind this
must be marked) at the last of second line between trees & to (illegible)
at the head of a bottom, down bottom to brook, to Brewer line & along line
of marked trees to beginning.
Deed book F, pg. 9 witnesses John Killingsworth, P Hawkins, Peter Masse
for some reason same deed
in Deed book Tr-1: 78 (251).
Dee 22, 1770-Freeman Killingsworth to Henry Killingsworth, both Johnston Co.,
for 40 pounds,125 acres on east side Horse Cr.
Beginning at Poplar tree. Suggs corner
running North ????
Horse Cr., up creek to mouth of Spring brook, up
brook to a comer Poplar, along line of marked trees to road, up to Powers line,
along Powers line to comer Pine tree by race paths along line of marked trees
to Suggs line, Suggs line to beginning.
Deed book Tr-1: 129 (302). witnesses John Killingsworth, P hawkins,
Oct 27, 1789-James Baucom,
Wake Co., NC, to Freeman Killingsworth Sr., Johnston Co., NC, for 30 pounds, 100 acres in
Johnston County, on eastside of Tims Creek beginning
at a White Oak tree where John Watson's & Robert Gulley's
lines intersect, North along Gulley line to a pine to the agreed line between Danl Brown & John Green, East along the line to a white
Oak or small Hickory, south along an agreed line to a Pine on John Watson's line,
West to beginning. Deed book Tr-3: 263. #857. witnesses Freeman
Killingsworth Jr, John Baucom
Johnson Co Will Abstracts 1746-1870
Johnson Co Census records
1784
Freeman Killingsworth 1
w21-60; 4 w U21/O60; 4 f ; 0; 0
John
Killingsworth 1 w21-60; 0;0;0;0;
John
Killingsworth 2 w21-60;2w U21/O60; 3 F;0;1
No Felps/Phelps
1790
Freeman
Killingsworth 2FWM 16+; 2 FWM 16-; 3 FWF;0;0
Freeman
Killingsworth Jr 1 FWM 16+;0;0;0;0
John
Killingsworth 1 FWM 16+; 1FWM 16-; 2 FWF;0;1
John
Killingsworth 3 FWM 16+ 2 FWM 16-; 3 FWF;0;1
No Felps/Phelps
EDGECOMBE
CO., NC
Reported by Tamra Phelps
Date range of the Killingsworths:
1733- 1738
Richard
and Mary Killingsworth
William
Killingsworth
Richard
Killingsworth, son of William, cousin to Richard above
Wife Leah Honeycut,
Williams orphans William, John, Nicholas, Sarah, Edward, Levy and
Details
1733
WILL OF Richard Killingsworth:
From Abstracts_ of the
Wills of
1738 I found this: Div of estate of William Killingsworth. Wife Leah Honeycut,
orphans William, John, Nicholas, Sarah, Edwrd, Levy
and Elizabeth Estate Records of Edgecomb CO 1730-1820
Killingsworths and Phelps in
Surry was
formed in 1652 from


Date range of Killingsworths in Surry
Co, VA:
1675-1709 William Killingsworth
Sr
1709
Avis K, wife of William Sr, sons William Jr and
John
Details
1675 Wm
Killingsworth, servant of Mrs. Mary Sidway. Adjudged
seventeen yrs of age and ordered to Serve According to act (Southwark,
until 1681)." Surry Co VA court
records 1672 Jan 1682, Bk III.
1685 William Killingsworth 1685 titheables
unconfirmed but reported in the Killingsworth Family Book. Note:
No Killingsworth appeared in the 1668 or 1678 Titheables
list
1704
William K. landowner. Rent
Roll of VA 1704-5
1709 Will of William Killingsworth VA
Wills and Admin
1782 No Killingsworths or Phelps in the Surry
CO Census
Date range of key Phelps/Felts/Felps in
Surry and
The name changed from Felps
to Phelps to Felts
1678- 1716 Humphrey Felps/Phelps/Felts
(Phelps used three times, Felts used in later years) d abt
1716
1716 Francis Felps
1730 Thomas Phelts and Nathanial Felts
1747-1775 Thomas Felts
1747-1780 Nathanial Felts
1747 Richard Felts/Phelps (Phelps once)
1755-1768 William Felts
dates not checked: Alice, Alse, Burrel (Thomas’ son), Mary
1756 Nathaniel
Felts Jr.
Bet 1754-1801
(not researched) Aaron and Francis Felts
Details
1678 Humph
Felps Surry Co. Titheables NOTE: No Phelps or Felps
appeared in the 1668 Titheables
1685 Humphrey
Phelps Surry Titheables
reported in the Killingsworth Family book but
unconfirmed
9/1688 Humphrey Felps names Surry
CO Deeds, Wills, etc #4 p 112
1704 Humphrey
Phelps landowner
Landowners 1704 – Surry CO Rent Rolls of VA 1704-5
3/1709 Helen and Humphrey Felps named Surry
CO Deeds, Wills, etc #5 p444
1716 Francis Felps. Exe of last will, inventory of Humphry Felps, Surry Co Court Records 1712-1718 Book VII
1712-1718 Francis and Humphry Felps seen many times
Humphry
Felts seen 3 times
1747-1775 Thomas
Felts reported many times.
As late as 1755: Thomas Felts Sussex Co VA Court records 1754-1801 Book 1. Yet a
Vestry book record mentions his death in 1771 at the same time naming Burrel as his son??????
1747-1780 Nathanial
Felts reported many times.
As late as 1756: Nathaniel Felts and 1755: Nathaniel Felts Jr. Sussex
Co VA Court records 1754-1801
Book 1
1747 Richard
Felts reported 4l times.
Richard
Phelps reported once
1755-1768 William Felts
reported 4 times.
Alice, Alse, Burrel (Thomas’ son), Mary
Bet 1754-1801
(dates not researched Aaron and Francis
Felts Sussex Co VA Court records
1754-1801 Book
1
1782 No Killingsworths or Phelps in the Surry
CO Census or the
1672- ???? NO Phelps in Surry CO. court records back to
1672
King and Queen Co, VA very
(near Surry Co)
1704 Thomas Phelps 1704 landowners of King and
1704 Charles
Philip Rent Rolls of VA 1704-5
Anne Arundel Co,
Anne Arundel Co., MD
Warren Co,
NC
There were many Felts in
Warren County, and other researchers feel the Surry/Sussex Co families moved
here. There seems to be evidence for
this. There was a James Felps of the time period but he was still alive in 1800 per
the census. There were no Killingsworths or Phelps.