1. Edna May James, born 07 Oct 1904 in Grenada, Grenada, MS; died 01 May 1982 in West Monroe, Ouachita, LA. She was the daughter of 2. Virgil Robert James and 3. Lillian Mayes Carr. She married (1) Ephraim Hester Freeman, Jr. 28 Sep 1924 in Rayville, Richland, LA. He was born 20 Nov 1902 in Norwood, East Feliciana, LA, and died 21 May 1961 in Ruston, Lincoln, LA. He was the son of Ephraim Hester Freeman and Mary Ellett Lindsay.

Notes for Edna May James:

Edna May James was raised by her grandmother for many years, and then for two years by her great-aunt, Jeffersonia Elizabeth Davidson Coats. Edna May's mother had died when she was only 7. She resided in Bastrop, Louisiana for several years, before attending Mississippi State College for Women in eastern Mississippi. She and her boyfriend took a train to elope, marrying a few stops southwest in northern Louisiana. She raised her children in Ruston, Louisiana in a home near Louisiana Tech University. The family attended the Presbyterian church. Four children each earned university degrees.

Notes for Ephraim Hester Freeman, Jr.:

2. Virgil Robert James, born 18 Feb 1869 in Grenada Co., MS; died 05 Apr 1936 in Grenada, Grenada, MS. He was the son of 4. Isaac James and 5. Laura Anne Trussell. He married 3. Lillian Mayes Carr 05 Nov 1901 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

3. Lillian Mayes Carr, born 17 Dec 1882 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS; died 25 Jun 1912 in Grenada, Grenada, MS. She was the daughter of 6. William Overton Carr and 7. Mary Lavenia Davidson.

Notes for Virgil Robert James:

Virgil James attended Grenada county schools and got his formal college education in Iuka, Mississippi. He taught in Lamon School and was elected as County Superintendent of Education, Grenada County, and served in that capacity 1900-1916..

From his obituary:

"Virgil R. James, 69, Died After Long Siege of Illness

Served as County Supt. Deputy Sheriff and as Circuit Clerk of County.

Virgil R. James died in his home in Grenada Sunday, April 5th, 1936 at about noon. Mr. James had been ill for seven years, the last three of which he was practically confined to his bed.

He was a grandson of Culpepper James who came into the eastern part of this county over one hundred years ago. His father was Isaac James, his mother Laura Trussell James. Virgil James was born at the James old home east of Grenada on the 18th day of February, 1869. On the 5th day of November, 1901, he and Miss Lillie Carr, of Water Valley, were married. Two children, Mr. Julian James, of Jonesboro, Ark., and Mrs. Edna Freeman, of Hattiesburg, survive this union. Mr. James was married a second time. His second wife whom he married September 17, 1921 was Miss Ella Trussell, who survives him.

Mr. James had a brilliant record of service to Grenada county, serving from 1900 until 1916 as county superintendent of education, 1920-1921 as deputy sheriff under Sheriff D. W. Beck, and from 1924-1932 as circuit clerk. He also served a short while in 1919 as supervisor from District Two after the resignation of J. E. Carpenter.

"Virgie" James numbered his friends in Grenada county by the hundreds. He was an efficient officer, an accomodating friend, a devoted husband and father, and Grenada county suffered a great loss when he passed on.

It is, perhaps, not amiss here to say that his devoted wife has, for seven long years, stood by his side as he was wheeled about in his chair, has sat with him by day and by night, as occasion required, has ministered to his every physical,mental and material want, and, by her devotion to her husband and by her steadfast loyalty to him, has earned the admiration of all who know of her unselfishness to him as he lay there helpless and hopeless. It is no wonder, now that her long but hopeless fight is over, that she lies exhausted. The Sentinel feels that words are inadequate to express just how the people of Grenada feel toward this good woman, who has been so loyal, so true, so faithful, so tender to her mate as he lay there helpless. It was upon her that the brunt of this long battle fell. That she did her part well, no one will deny.

Funeral services from the First Baptist Church by the Rev. C. E. Patch - of which Mr. James was a devoted member - were held Monday afternoon ... Interment in a lot in Odd Fellows cemetery followed..."

Notes for Lillian Mayes Carr:

Lillie attended the public schools in Water Valley, and the two year college, Hammond Institute, and upon completion, applied to my Virgil James (later her husband) for a teaching job which she secured, and taught one year in Holcomb, Mississippi.

They married at First Presbyterian Church in Water Valley.

Her daughter writes:

"Mother continued her work in the office, she became a Baptist and sang in the church choir. She was acclaimed the perfect hostess and entertained with parties and houseparties as she was talented as a cake baker, for many friends of hers asked me if I had her recipes. She was loved by many as I remember the piano she won in a popularity contest. She undoubtedly was a beautiful person in every way.

"Early, about 7 in the morning, on June 25, 1912, my mother told my father that she was cold. He wrapped her in a blanket, took her in the guest room and put her in that bed, made a fire in the grate, put on a kettle of water so as to make tea, sent Julian for the doctor - but as we watched her, he on one side of the bed, and I on the other, she quietly died."

From her obituary:

"The death of Mrs. Virgil James at her home in this city at an early hour last Tuesday morning, was a shock to the entire community. She was on the streets Saturday, aparently well, and while it was generally known that she was troubled with some serious nervous disorder, yet her affliction was not generally regarded of such a nature to cause her death. She was taken ill on Sunday and the family physician was immediately called in, yet the community did not realize that she was so seriously ill.

In the demise of Mrs. James, there passed to the beyond not only a lady of more than ordinary talent, but a devoted adherent of the Baptist Church, a loving mother and a faithful wife. She was truly a helpmate to her husband. Death always leaves sorrow and grief in its wake, but when a mother is taken, one who has small children, the anguish of heart and soul is doubly intensified. While the community in general always sheds sympathizing tears for the bereft, the motherless child appeals with particular tenderness to all who realize and know what the ministrations and the devotions of "Mother" means to a child. Without the least irreverence, it would not seem improper to say that God owes a double duty to a motherless child.

Children of Virgil James and Lillian Carr are:

4. Isaac James, born 05 Feb 1847 in Yalobusha Co., MS; died 30 Dec 1893 in Grenada Co., MS. He was the son of 8. John Culpepper James and 9. Semsyl Narry Davis. He married 5. Laura Anne Trussell 27 Sep 1866 in Yalobusha Co., MS.

5. Laura Anne Trussell, born 16 Oct 1846 in Graysport, Yalobusha, MS; died 21 Jan 1927 in Pleasant Grove, Grenada Co., MS. She was the daughter of 10. Henry Trussell and 11. Jane Stanley Smith.

Notes for Isaac James:

From: his obituary in The Grenada Sentinel, 6 Jan 1894:

"In the death of Mr. Isaac James, son of the wel known citizen, Mr. J. C. James, on Saturday, December 30, at his home in the South-eastern part of the county, takes from the community one of its most worthy and respected members. Intelligent, industrious and honest, he had many friends, besides a loving family to mourn his loss."

Member of Eighth (8th) Regiment Mississippi Cavalry CSA, Co. B and K (part of 19th Battallion which was filled to form 8th Regiment in May, 1864). Officers of the Company: Col. Dulf and Capt. W. T. Terrell, 8th Mississippi Regiment Cavalry Co. B.

Notes for Laura Anne Trussell:

From her obituary in the Grenada Sentinel, 26 Jan 1927: "An Elderly Woman Dies"

"Mrs. Laura A. James died Jan. 21, 1927 at noon, at the home of her son, J. H. James, in the Pleasant Grove community, Grenada county. She was born near Graysport, October 16, 1846, being a daughter of Henry and Jane Trussell, who were among the first settlers of this county. She was the youngest of a family of eight children. She married Isaac James, December 25, 1866, her sister Ophelia, at the same time becoming the bride of Volney Wier. Mrs. James was the mother of eight children, seven of whom survive her. The surviving children are: J. H. James, president of the board of supervisors for the county, E. L., L. B., J. C. James and Mrs. F. E. Gillon and Mrs. J. C. Evans of Boyle, Miss. These children were all at the bedside of their mother when the end came. She also leaves twenty-seven grandchildren besides a number of great-grandchildren. Her husband died December 31, 1893. Her body was laid to rest beside the remains of her husband in the burying ground at Pleasant Grove church Jan. 22. The funeral services were had at the residence of her son where she died, Rev. S. A. Loveless, pastor of the Baptist church at Duck Hill, officiating.

"This good woman wrought an enduring work in her community. When a mere girl she gave her heart to God and united with the Baptist church and as the years passed, she grew in all that comes of a fellowship with God and of a determination to walk in the footsteps of the Master. She was known for her motherly counsel and for her radiant character and for those enduring virtues which are womanhood's chief adornment. She was truly a good mother, a thoughtful neighbor, and a doer of those things that make glad the sick and that bring cheer and comfort to the distressed and the bereft or stricken. Her life is written in lasting letters in the hearts and minds of a great many people who will cherish her memory and who will ever and anon hear the echo of her voice and the sound of her footsteps as they come back from the spirit land..."

Her will:

I, Laura A. James of Grenada County Miss., over twenty one years of age and of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding, hereby make and publish and declare this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all wills heretofore made by me.

First: I direct that my executor shall pay my just and legal debts and funeral expenses.

Second: I have already given each of my children some property and some money, some more than others. I want this to be adjusted and made equal among them in order that one may not receive more than another. Except that the land allready given and deeded by me to my son, J. H. James is not to be considered in this adjustment. The amounts given to each of my seven children is written down in pencil in my own handwriting and made a part of this will and signed by me in the presence of witnesses and bearing the same date of this will.

Third: I give and bequeath unto my seven children, J. H. James, V. R. James, E. L. James, L. B. James, J. C. James, Lura Evans and Hattie GIllon all my property, real, personal and mixed, it being my will and desire that they share equally in the division.

Fourth: I appoint my son J. C. James Executor without bond and hereby relieve him from accounting or reporting to any court as to his administration of the trust hereby imposed.

Children of Isaac James and Laura Trussell are:

6. William Overton Carr, born 17 Feb 1854 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS; died 12 Jun 1908 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He was the son of 12. Madison Henry Carr and 13. Mourning Elizabeth Pearson. He married 7. Mary Lavenia Davidson 26 Dec 1878 in Yalobusha Co., MS.

7. Mary Lavenia Davidson, born 01 Jun 1857 in Rosedale, Bolivar, MS; died 17 Jun 1935 in Baton Rouge, E. B. R., LA. She was the daughter of 14. Thomas Jefferson Davidson and 15. Jeffersonia Elizabeth Lawshe.

Notes for Mary Lavenia Davidson:

From memoirs of Helen Brank Davidson, a cousin, with whom the orphan children of Tom & Jeffie resided for some time after 1874:

"There were two young ladies in Uncle Tom's family - Cousin Ruth was almost 20 now and Cousin Mary, 17. Lewis was about 15, Tom 12, and the youngest girl was the same age as my brother Harry, five years older than I. Her name was Jeffersonia, but we called her "Lovie."

"Cousin Ruth was not very pretty and had a slight affliction. I don't know just how to describe it, but often when engaged in some work she would suddenly stop and seem to lose herself, gazing straight before her and batting her eyes; then in a few minutes she would be herself again.

"My oldest sister was also named Ruth, and she was almost 14 now; they called her "Little Ruth" and the other "Big Ruth." Both Cousin Ruth and Cousin Mary went to dances and played cards. I don't know whether my sister Ruth did or not at that time. She was nine years older than I and not exactly pretty but she had a vivid and charming personality. I don't know how my father could have kept her from taking part in these gaieties.

"Cousin Mary got a position in the town school, but Cousin Ruth could only stay at home. Once when a dance was planned on very short notice, Cousin Ruth took it into her head that she must have a new dress for the occasion. Mamma thought Cousin Ruth didn't need it and couldn't make it in one day, but Cousin Ruth rushed off to town about 5 o'clock, Mamma shouting after her, 'Well, go it, Old Catalpa!' (Old Catalpa was a bull my father owned.) Cousin Ruth got our neighbor, Mrs. Allen, to help her cut the dress out, and went to the dance that evening in yellow tarlatan with black velvet ribbons.

"The two girls were having a game of cards one evening in the parlour with two young men. Cousin Ruth made a very clever or lucky play, and Cousin Mary, not realizing how it sounded, exclaimed, 'Well Sister, you're not a fool if you do have fits!' "

In April, 1876, her sister Ruth petitioned the Chancery Court, and J. Bartlett was appointed the children's guardian.

October 4, 1876 the Court passed a Decree Procunfesso, declaring that Ruth had been regularly called to appear before the court to answer "Complaintant's" bill against her, that she failed to appear or answer the said Bill of Complaint and that consequently the Court judged against her.

Soon thereafter, a court order approved Edward's wish to sell his late brother-in-law's house and lot for the benefit of heirs at public auction. The sale was made on December 4 and the property sold for $800.

On July 12, 1877, citations were issued to Yalobusha County for Edward and to Marshall County, where Uncle Frank was now living with Cousin Sissie, because of their failure to make annual reports of their guardianship. They were granted an extension of time. This same month Edward severed his relations with the Water Valley church. In October, the time allowed for making his report was again extended. Then, on November 10, Ruth, Mary, Thomas and Jeffersonia appeared before the court asking that their guardian (Edward) be empowered to spend $75 more monthly to adequately clothe, board, and educate each child for the coming year.

The next year there was an order for Edward to make a new bond, though he was no longer living in Water Valley; and in April, 1879, when he was living in Oxford, there was an order of attachment and revoking his guardianship, demanding that he make a final report. Before this time, both Ruth and Mary were of age, and Mary's husband, William Carr, with her became guardian of the minor children.

The families remained close, and the proceedings were probably "ordinary" in the case or orphans and guardianships in their late teen years.

Helen Brank Davidson continued:

Children of William Carr and Mary Davidson are:

8. John Culpepper James, born 22 Oct 1821 in Autauga Co., AL; died 02 Oct 1897 in Grenada Co., MS. He was the son of 16. David James and 17. Sarah Harrell. He married 9. Semsyl Narry Davis 08 Jan 1840.

9. Semsyl Narry Davis, born 04 Nov 1822 in SC; died 20 Sep 1849 in Grenada Co., MS. She was the daughter of 18. Levi Davis and 19. Martha Burkhead.

Notes for John Culpepper James:

The following narrative was adapted from a paper by Bell Ross James dated 28 August 1937:

"John Culpepper James was educated in the country schools of Mississippi. As may be supposed, his advantages were not of the best at that early day. He was born 22 Oct 1821. He married three times. His first wife, Symsel (Semsyl) Davis, native of South Carolina, was born 4 Nov 1822, the daughter of Levi and Martha Burkett Davis, also of South Carolina. Mr. and Mrs. Davis moved to Grenada Co., MS and lived there the rest of their lives.

"Mrs. James died in 1849 leaving two children, Isaac (see later) and Reuben. Mr. James' second marriage was in 1850 to Lucinda Edmondson, a native of what is now known as Montgomery County, MS. She was the daughter of Thomas Edmondson, who came from AL to MS and died in the former state while on a visit there. The second Mrs. James died in 1860, leaving one daughter Elizabeth and three sons, Allen, Charley, and William R. A.

"Mr. James' third marriage to Mrs. Margaret S. Ware occurred in Pontoc, MS in November, 1864. She was born in the Lawrence District, SC in 1830, the daughter of Manes and Susamahm Crocker. Mr. Crocker died in 1830, previous to Mrs. James' birth. He was a planter and merchant. Mrs. Crocker moved to Aberdeen, MS and married Mr. Moncrief. Mrs. James came with her mother to MS at the age of nine. Her first marriage was to W. Z. Ware in 1862 while served in the War. She had two children by her first husband, Carrie (who married Monroe Aven) and Willie (who married H. H. Hargrove).

"She and Mr. James had two children, Fannie and Byrd C., who became a prominent Doctor and was a successful planter in the eastern part of Grenada Co. until his death in 1920.

"Mr. James, or "Uncle Cull" as most people called him, told his children how the Sabbaths were spent in the early days. Nearly everyone went fishing or hunting.

"People went ten miles to raise a house, or roll logs. All were the best of friends and no disturbances occurred.

"As a boy, Mr. James would take turns with his brothers during the night to keep the wolves and other wild animals from the pig pens and from carrying off the lambs. He often carried pine knots for a torch for his father to kill deer after night.

"The only mill was a steel mill run by hand. Many of Col. James' days were spent grinding corn for family use. The country was then a vast cane break and stock kept fat the entire year without care.

"In about 1837, the Baptists built a log church, to be known as Pleasant Grove Church, on his father's place. This was attended by people from a radius of ten or twelve miles. At that time, that distance was a long way from home, as everyone had to walk or go in wagons.

"He remembered his first trip to Grenada and would tell his children how he had to hitch his horse to a tree on the east side of Big Bogne Creek, it not being fordable, and how he and his father crossed on a foot log.

"Col. James, as he was familiarly called, was a very interesting conservationist. His reminiscences of pioneer days were very interesting indeed. He served a few months in the Mississippi Militia under Col. W. N. Pass in 1863. [19th Battallion Mississippi State Cavalry, CSA, member of Captain Stewart's Company.]

"He died 7 Oct 1897. At the time of his death he owned 800 acres of good land. He lost heavily during the war. He had been a member of the Pleasant Grove Baptist Church for 37 years. Two of his wives held membership in the same church, and all of his children have been members of this same little church that was built in those early days."

In the 1860 census, he owned real estate valued at $7000 and personal property valued at $37,025.

Notes for Semsyl Narry Davis:

Children of John James and Semsyl Davis are:

10. Henry Trussell, born 13 Nov 1813 in SC; died 13 Aug 1888 in Grenada Co., MS. He was the son of 20. John Trussell and 21. Annis Wright. He married 11. Jane Stanley Smith 03 Mar 1838 in Yalobusha Co., MS.

11. Jane Stanley Smith, born 03 Jul 1820 in SC; died 17 Apr 1895 in Grenada Co., MS. She was the daughter of 22. William Smith and 23. <Unknown> Stanley.

Notes for Henry Trussell:

Among the first settlers of Grenada Co., MS. Possibly an attorney, as his name appears in a large number of records.

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GScid=60344&GRid=13358067

Notes for Jane Stanley Smith:

Children of Henry Trussell and Jane Smith are:

12. Madison Henry Carr, born 08 Oct 1826 in Macon, Bibb, GA; died 12 Apr 1895 in Yalobusha Co., MS. He was the son of 24. Capt. William Austin Carr II and 25. Virginia Hawkins. He married 13. Mourning Elizabeth Pearson 22 Nov 1849 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

13. Mourning Elizabeth Pearson, born 06 Sep 1834 in Halifax Co., NC; died 05 Nov 1888 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. She was the daughter of 26. Isaac Overton Pearson and 27. Sarah Jenkins 'Salley' Bailey.

Notes for Madison Henry Carr:

Veteran of the War with Mexico - 1846-1848.

Children of Madison Carr and Mourning Pearson are:

14. Thomas Jefferson Davidson, born 16 Jul 1824 in Maury Co., TN; died 14 Apr 1874 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He was the son of 28. John Osimus Davidson and 29. Ruth Ragsdale. He married 15. Jeffersonia Elizabeth Lawshe 13 Apr 1854 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS.

15. Jeffersonia Elizabeth Lawshe, born 09 Jan 1836 in Bibb Co., GA; died 07 Sep 1867 in Rosedale, Bolivar Co., MS. She was the daughter of 30. Lewis Lawshe and 31. Cherokee Hawkins.

Notes for Thomas Jefferson Davidson:

He likely was living with or visiting his first cousin in 1850: "The 1850 Federal Census of Rusk County, Texas household number 721 list J. F. Davidson, 40 male with wife Mary, 35 both born in Tennessee, son Otey, 3, born in Miss. and Thomas J. Davidson, 23, born in Tenn."

He returned to Water Valley, where in 1854 he married. He was for a time the postmaster at Water Valley.

In 1860, Thomas Jefferson Davidson divided his time between managing his late father's estate and continuing to be a partner with Captain Woods in a large store in Water Valley.

He was the executor of his father's estate, and for several years managed the farm. He served in the Confederate Army in Tennessee. In February, 1862 Fort Henry on the Tennessee River fell, followed by Fort Donelson on the Cumberland with its garrison of 1300 men, six Mississippi regiments among them. Tom was among the prisoners. He was taken to Fort Warren.

He moved his family to Rosedale, Bolivar, MS. The family story says the mansion by the Mississippi River was lost in a flood, practically bankrupting the family. While living there his wife died. For some time after this tragedy, the family resided in Water Valley at the home of Rev. Edward Davidson and his wife Brank, as recounted in the memoirs of Helen Brank Davidson, their daughter:

"She speaks again of the house, the three rooms which, in 1774, were occupied "by my mother's brother Tom and his children. He had two boys, Tom (b.1862) and Lewis (b.1859), and three girls, Cousin Ruth (b.1855), Cousin Mary (b.1857), and Jeffersonia (b.1865). I have no recollection of their mother Jeffersonia Laushe [Lawshe] (b.1836). She died before I was born, but these children were members of our family."

But Helen was four years old when her uncle Tom died on April 14, 1874. He probably did not live with them at all, though his children did. According to records of the Yalobusha County Chancery Court, his children appeared before the court on May 2, petitioning that their uncle, Edward, be appointed their guardian, and Edward made bond in the amount of $10,000.

That same day Edward and his brother Frank petitioned that they be appointed administrators of Tom's estate since he left no will; that he had died possessed of a house and lot in Water Valley and 1/3 interest in a parcel of land in Bolivar County, 10 head of horses, three mules, 10 head of cattle, and some $600 in notes.

On June 3, the Davidson brothers were given court permission to sell the stock. They reported Tom's personal property sale and an inventory of his money and debts on November 28.

Dec. 1872, E. C. Davidson & W. S. B. & Helen J. Frazier, all of Yal. Co., MS, being joint heirs with C. R. Davidson, T. J. Davidson, A. B. Davidson, D. W. Davidson, M. M. Davidson, E. R. Hale & J. W. Davidson, M. A. Davidson - heirs of J. C. Davidson, decd sell their share of "The Matthews place", estate of P.M. Davidson, decd. to Thos. J. Davidson.

In 1872, several years after his wife, Jeffie had died, there was a suit by Moses J. Wicks vs Thomas J. Davidson for partition of lands in Bolivar Co., MS. By 1874 court records acknowledged his death, and the suit resumed against his heirs. J. F. Davidson is mentioned in several of these records. John Franklin Davidson was a cousin of Thomas J. Davidson who was a Physician and who was Mayor of Water Valley, MS in 1870. "Mary M., wife of J. F. Davidson, has an interest in the land as an heir of P. M. Davidson, decd. & asks to be added to lists of defdts. Suit dismissed at Complaintants' cost in Oct 1875."

The childrens' guardian was E. C. Davidson (Edward Chaffin Davidson) of Yalobusha Co., as shown in 1875 court records of Bolivar Co., MS. By June, 1878, a citation was sent to E. C. Davidson, guardian, and was mailed in June 1878 to Moses J. Wicks, Los Angeles, CA. Fannie Davidson & Ruth C. Davidson were listed "of Whitesboro, TX."

In 1880: E. C. Davidson, Grdn., et al vs M. J. Wallace et al: E. C. Davidson, grdn of Ruth C., Mary S., Lewis S., T. J. & Jeffie Davidson, minor heirs of Thos. J. Davidson, decd. & J. F. Hamilton & Fannie Hamilton all of MS vs M. J. Wallace of MS and Amanda C. Cole & her hub. E. A. Cole of Tunica Co., MS seek partition of lands. Complts own 1/3 undivided interest & defdts own the other 2/3rds. Filed 8 Nov. 1880. References are made to CC Pkt.#381 - J. M. Wallace et al vs J.F. Davidson et al. ; J. C. Sillers, G. W. Bellamy, J. S. Gant are [were?] appointed Commissioners to partition the land 19 Apr 1881. They allot 1/3 to minor Davidsons, 1/3 to Wallace, 1/3 to Amanda E. Cole 12 Nov. 1880.

Notes for Jeffersonia Elizabeth Lawshe:

One record says born Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. Since her younger brother's record says GA, I will use GA.

Children of Thomas Davidson and Jeffersonia Lawshe are:

16. David James, born 14 Aug 1790 in Pitt Co., NC; died 22 Oct 1864 in Yalobusha Co., MS. He was the son of 32. Daniel James and 33. <Unknown>. He married 17. Sarah Harrell Abt. 1814.

17. Sarah Harrell, born 1799 in Anson Co., NC or Pitt Co., NC; died 1870 in Yalobusha Co., MS. She was the daughter of 34. James Harrell and 35. Agnes White.

Notes for David James:

Moved from Pitt Co., NC by about 1814 to Warren Co., TN. His first son, Allen James, is shown to have been born in North Carolina in 1814. The county seat of Warren Co. is McMinnville, some 60 miles south-southeast of Nashville.

David and his small family shortly thereafter moved to Autauga Co., AL, just northwest of Montgomery and about sixty miles southeast of his brothers Frederick and Adam James, who were in Brent, near Centerville, Bibb, AL. Most of David and Sally's children were likely born in Autauga Co. from 1815 and 1833, according to census records. It is possible that some of these children were born in Tennessee.

In 1832-33 the family moved from Autauga Co., AL to Shelby Co., TN, the county of Memphis. In 1833 (or 1838) the family moved to that part of Yalobusha Co., MS which later became Grenada County, about 18 miles west of the town of Grenada, on Horse Pen Creek. Williamsville, MS is town listed in MS Memoirs, and Gore Springs is the closest town today. The area is served by Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, whish is the closest landmark.

Other James families from Pitt Co., patriarch John James b 1765, moved to Gibson Co., TN. Descendants named David Henry (b 1824 Pitt) and Frederick (b 1873) died in Crockett Co., TN. The county seat of Gibson is Trenton, and of Crockett is Humbolt. These counties are the "second county east of the River" midway from Mississippi to Kentucky.

Family records of David James and his brother Frederick were maintained by descendants of Frederick, which indicate that David and Sallie moved with Frederick to Tennessee, where they resided for several years. In TN, Frederick married. David & Sallie continued towards AL and eventually Grenada, MS.

Deed records from Pitt Co. have been indexed. A review of those indexes includes dozens of entries for James family members, some of whom are likely to be uncles / grandparents of these men. David and his brothers would not have been adults in Pitt Co., NC for any significant period of time.

This is from a narrative written by Bell Ross James dated 28 August 1937"

"David James was born 14 Aug 1790, a native of North Carolina, married Sarah (Sallie) Harrell. They moved to Alabama. in 1832 they moved to Shelby County, TN. They were not satisfied with this home, so in 1833 they moved to what is now Grenada County, MS. They camped in woods on Horse Pen Creek, eighteen miles [west] of Grenada.

"In this new country amid strange and unfamiliar scenes, Mr. James went to work to clear the forest and provide a home his family. The country at that time was almost a wilderness. Bears, deer, panthers, wild cats and wolves abounded.

"The nearest trading post or Post Office was at Grenada. The country was full of Indians. He experienced many hardships and deprivation, but gradually the family surmounted all difficulties, and at the time of his death 22 Oct 1864, he was quite a wealthy planter. His wife, who had been a faithful helpmate, died in 1870. Both had been members of the Baptist Church for years."

Children of David James and Sarah Harrell are:

18. Levi Davis, born 30 Nov 1797 in poss. Union Dist., SC; died 11 Feb 1849 in Yalobusha Co., MS. He was the son of 36. Allin Davis and 37. <Unknown> Vincent. He married 19. Martha Burkhead Abt. 1818.

19. Martha Burkhead, born 20 Mar 1799 in of Davidson Co., NC; died 27 Jan 1839 in Yalobusha Co., MS. She was the daughter of 38. James Meyer Burkhead and 39. Charity Muse.

Notes for Levi Davis:

His likely father, Allin Davis, had an part of his estate appraised in 1832 by Levi Davis, William Stripling and Elihu Richardson. Levi Davis named a child William Stripling Davis.

At the time of his marriage to Martha Burkhead, she was likely a resident of Rowan Co., NC in that area that became Davidson Co., NC in the 1820's.

The name of Richmond Terrell, common in Virginia in the 1600's and 1700's, must be a clue to Levi's ancestry; the name does not appear in his wife's ancestry.

Levi's home in Mississippi was in that area of Yalobusha County, MS that became Grenada County, which was formed in 1870. His home seems to have been located on land purchased in (later Gore Springs, MS) as early as 13 August 1837. The land was described as 31/2 Sec 20, T22, R7 East. It was sold to John Culpepper James after Levi Davis' death in 1849. The land was transferred on the second Monday in November, 1849.

Descendants resided in Calhoun County (established 1856) and Sabougla (PO established 17 Sep 1873). This village was first called Davistown, and the Terrell Davis home was perhaps the oldest house in the neighborhood.

He was from Union Co., SC, where other Davis family members from Calhoun / Webster with similar family names came from. Levi and Martha moved to Yalobusha Co. (now Calhoun) in 1835.

Census records for at least one child indicated that Levi may have resided briefly in Kentucky. A series of deeds for Trigg Co., KY names Levi Davis, Miles Davis, John B. Davis, father John Davis, and Jefferson Davis in the 1810-1830 time frame, before Yalobusha Co. was opened up. That Levi Davis patented land in Trigg Co., KY between 8 Aug 1820 and 15 Jun 1821, and he was dead by 1849.

http://fly.hiwaay.net/~woliver/Trigg_deeds.html

I do not know if the Kentucky family is the same family.

Notes for Martha Burkhead:

Children of Levi Davis and Martha Burkhead are:

20. John Trussell, born Abt. 1770 in SC; died 25 Apr 1836 in Clinton, Greene, AL. He was the son of 40. William Trussell and 41. Susannah 'Suckey' Asher. He married 21. Annis Wright Bef. 1803.

21. Annis Wright, born Bef. 1788 in SC. She was the daughter of 42. Clayborn Wright and 43. Elizabeth <Unknown>.

Notes for John Trussell:

Research Notes:

George McAliley (born in the 1780's) remained in Chester County, married a Miss Trussell, served as executor of his father's estate and appears on the roster of Captain John Walker's Company of the 1st Regiment of the South Carolina Militia during the War of 1812 (serving as a substitute for John Trussell, Sr., who some speculated was his father-in-law). George McAliley had three daughters, believed named Elizabeth, Milley, and Susa (possibly for Susannah), whose husbands were, not necessarily repectively, Hiram Miller, Ben McDonald and a Mr. Cook (who went west).

"George McAliley's children were born too soon to be grandchildren of this John Trussell. It appears possible that George was widowed at the time of the replacement and that George's three daughters were cared for by John Trussell and wife while George did the military service for some additional agreed upon fee.

"After that service two of George's daughters were cared for by his mother and property transferred to his mother for their benefit. The third daughter was believed to have been in the process of getting married and was provided her share around the time of the marriage.

"Some of this is in records and some of it is just speculation based upon what we do know about George and his wife Susannah. Susannah's purported parents had five daughters, Mary and then Rachel the two eldest. Susannah Trussell McAliley's three daughter bore the names of the other three daughters of William and Susannah Asher Trussell. We will presume this strengthens the likelihood of the claim that the daughter Susannah of William and Susannah was Susannah Trussell McAliley, at least in the majority of researchers' opinions."

Note: E. F. Trussell Age 86 yrs., 11 mos., 5 days died Aug. 20, 1887 and is buried in the same cemetery as Henry and some of his family, Lamon-Trussell Cemetery in Grenada Co., MS. Is this an earlier child, a later wife, of a daughter-in-law of this John Trussell?

Children of John Trussell and Annis Wright are:

22. William Smith, born Bef. 1784 in Scotland; died 27 Jul 1844 in Yalobusha Co., MS. He married 23. <Unknown> Stanley.

23. <Unknown> Stanley

Notes for William Smith:

He was killed in his store near Lamon Cemetery in Yalobusha County, MS.

Thanks to: Chris B. Morgan, historian for Yalobusha and surrounding counties. From his letter dated 29 August 1996:

This article appeared in Coffeeville's Dollar Democrat dated 7 Aug 1844. This was an early newspaper owned and operated by the famous newspaperman E. Percy Howe, who later emigrated to Texas.

William Smith was killed on 27 July 1844. William Smith, a native of Scotland, made his living a wagon maker. He had a shop on Red Glass Creek, which he called Somerset House. In addition to his work as a wagon maker, he also sold liquor. At the time of his murder, he was a 70 year old widower with several children.

He boarded with his son-in-law Robert Evans. One morning Evans sent his little boy to call Smith to breakfast. The boy looked in his grandfather's bedroom only to find it empty. Evans then went himself to look for the old man and discovered his lifeless body lying in the chimney corner.

It seems a slave man named Mark, a couple of hours after dark the night before, had gone by the shop to get a drink from Smith. Smith was already in bed, but he got up, lit a candle and, learning what Mark wanted, drew a glass of liquor which he handed to the slave. Mark gave Smith a dime, and then laid his purse on the counter. The old man then turned and walked towards the back of the shop. Mark eyed the purse closely and, seeing that it was well-filled, suddenly decided to kill the old man for it.

He struck Smith on the top of his head with a large white oak club, one end of which was loaded with lead, which he was carrying. The old man tumbled to the floor, exclaiming as he fell, "G_d d__n you, boy! Do you intend to murder me here?" Mark then struck him several more times on the back of his head, crushing his skull. As he fell, the candle turned on his right arm, setting his sleeve on fire. Mark put out the flames, placed the candlestick on the counter, took the purse and fled.

Mark then stopped at a nearby spring to wash the blood off his stick, and then proceeded another mile to the home of a woman he considered his wife, where he spent the rest of the night. In the morning, Mark returned home, got a pass to go to Graysport, three miles away, where he went to the store of Bryarly & Connelly and spent six dollars of his loot. This aroused suspicion, and as soon as word of the murder got around, Mark was apprehended by James Newton and William H. Chapman. The rest of the money from Smith's purse was found on him, including a five dollar gold piece.

At first Mark claimed he didn't do the deed itself, that he only stood by while three slaves belonging to Capt. G. W. Mayhew had done it. But it was soon learned that one of those he accused was at home lame and another was on his way to Grenada the night of the murder. He then confessed in full to J. J. E. Lamon, with Robert Evans, James S. Patterson and Edward Evans as witnesses to the confession.

Mark, who was described as "a bad looking chance," dreaded the prospect of prison, begged to be hung immediately. However, he was transported to the jail in Oxford, the jail in Coffeeville being too dilapidated to hold prisoners. The news article concludes with that, and any subsequent articles that may have appeared with details as to whether Mark was sent to the penitentiary or got his wich and was hanged, have apparently been lost.

Memo: 4 generations

Notes for <Unknown> Stanley:

Children of William Smith and <Unknown> Stanley are:

24. Capt. William Austin Carr II, born 05 Mar 1803 in GA; died 13 Aug 1857 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He was the son of 48. Henry Alexander Carr and 49. Mary Downs. He married 25. Virginia Hawkins 24 Feb 1825 in Ft. Hawkins, Pulaski Co., GA.

25. Virginia Hawkins, born 06 Mar 1811 in GA; died 03 Oct 1851 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. She was the daughter of 50. Col. Benjamin Hawkins and 51. Lavinia Downs.

Notes for Capt. William Austin Carr II:

The family of William Carr donated to Water Valley, MS the grounds on which stand the Water Valley Grammar School, a Masonic Lodge, and the Oak Hill Cemetery. Donated land for the courthouse, a Railroad Hotel and the Right-of-Way for the Mississippi Central RR.

Was appointed Postmaster of Water Valley, Yalobusha Co., MS 27 Jul 1848.

Adapted from Godspeed's "Memoirs of Mississippi" :

"Water Valley began its growth in the early 1830s. William A. Carr had the first store and blacksmith shop and was the first postmaster. Lewis Lawshe, whose wife was a sister of William A. Carr, Jr.'s wife, also came about this time, as did E. F. Crisp. Henry Carr and William Carr's land originally extended from Honeycutt to Velma. They later sold land to Henry Hill. The next to build after Hill was Mr. Hendricks."

A festival is held in Water Valley, MS each August celebrating "Turkey Bill Carr", who as a child was captured by Indians, and who is said to have been one of the earliest white residents of Yalobusha County, MS. He is identified based on Civil War records as William Perry Carr, b 1839-Jan1840 and d 1924 and a newphew of this William Carr.

Children of William Carr and Virginia Hawkins are:

26. Isaac Overton Pearson, born 23 Oct 1808 in Warren Co., NC; died 11 Jan 1863 in Yalobusha Co., MS. He was the son of 52. John J. 'Jack' Pearson and 53. Jane Mahoney 'Jenny' Harris. He married 27. Sarah Jenkins 'Salley' Bailey 25 Oct 1831 in Halifax Co., NC.

27. Sarah Jenkins 'Salley' Bailey, born 08 Jan 1811 in Halifax Co., NC; died 03 Aug 1858 in Yalobusha Co., MS. She was the daughter of 54. Richard Thomas Bailey and 55. Mourning Whitehead.

Notes for Isaac Overton Pearson:

Isaac Overton Pearson received original land in Yalobusha Co. in 1838 adjacent Presley Carter Person, Thomas Bailey, Gabriel Ragsdale, Henry Bee Carr, Broadstreet, Sarah Elizabeth Porter. See "Original Land Entries - Yalobusha Co., MS - Vol 1" by Chris Morgan, page 138.

Buried with consort Sarah Jenkins Pearson. His tombstone reads "Died exactly as he lived, for the last 12 years a Primitive Baptist." (though that is from memory and may be a different number of years). His grave is about 6 miles south of Water Valley on "Old Highway 7", behind the first "modern" house north of the Velma cutoff on the east side of the road.

Notes for Sarah Jenkins 'Salley' Bailey:

Children of Isaac Pearson and Sarah Bailey are:

28. John Osimus Davidson, born 29 Jan 1790 in prob. Buncombe Co., NC; died 02 Dec 1856 in College Hill, Lafayette, MS. He was the son of 56. John Davidson and 57. Ruth Clements. He married 29. Ruth Ragsdale 1814 in Hardeman Co., TN.

29. Ruth Ragsdale, born 18 Nov 1793 in NC; died 16 Jun 1870 in College Hill, Lafayette, MS. She was the daughter of 58. Gabriel Ragsdale and 59. Mary Davidson.

Notes for John Osimus Davidson:

About 1837, settled Lafayette Co., MS. He died of pneumonia, and was buried at College Hill near Oxford, Lafayette, MS

Notes for Ruth Ragsdale:

Children of John Davidson and Ruth Ragsdale are:

30. Lewis Lawshe, born 17 Aug 1789 in Lewisburg, Union, PA; died 31 Aug 1879 in San Marcos, Hays, TX. He was the son of 60. John Lawshe and 61. Eleanor Chamberlain. He married 31. Cherokee Hawkins 10 Aug 1819 in Jones Co., GA.

31. Cherokee Hawkins, born 16 Mar 1805 in GA; died 26 Feb 1849 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. She was the daughter of 50. Col. Benjamin Hawkins and 51. Lavinia Downs.

Notes for Lewis Lawshe:

Served in the War of 1812 as 2nd Lieut. in Captain Barker's Company, 42n Regiment of US Infantry. Served in both Seminole Indian Wars under Gen. Andrew Jackson, and under General Patterson in the Florida Indian war. Promoted to Captain in 1817. Moved to Georgia in 1818. Married in 1819, and moved to Water Valley, MS in 1839. When Ulysses S. Grant occupied Water Valley and burned his home, his net worth went from a quarter-million dollars to nothing over-night. He then set his slaves free. He was 75 years-old, but went to Virginia and fought through the Second Battle of Manassas. Lewis Lawshe moved from Georgia in 1839 and bought a 640 acre farm in Water Valley, Yalobusha Cty, Mississippi, owned in 1973 by R.B. Lawshe. He later moved to San Marcos, Texas to live with his daughter, Mary, and died there. A Lawshe cemetery in Water Valley is overgrown, and attempts to locate it in 1998 failed.

"He died at the residence of his son-in-law, Dr. Woods ... was the oldest inhabitant of this vicinity."

"Belived to have been the oldest member of the Masonic fraternity in the State of Texas."

San Marcos, Texas "Free Press" 6 Sep 1879.

Though some insist he was known as Lewis Madison Lawshe, articles, obituaries and his tombstone indicate "Louis Lawshe."

Notes for Cherokee Hawkins:

Children of Lewis Lawshe and Cherokee Hawkins are:

32. Daniel James, born Bet. 1760 - 1770 in Prob. Pitt Co., NC; died Bef. Jun 1836 in Pitt Co., NC or Cannon Co., TN. He was the son of 64. Thomas James and 65. <Unknown>. He married 33. <Unknown> Bef. 1790.

33. <Unknown>

Notes for Daniel James:

Evidence points to one Daniel James leaving records in Pitt. Co., NC after 1784; another Daniel James had already left Pitt Co. for Davidson Co., TN and was a juror there by April, 1784. The Daniel James who stayed in Pitt Co. is known to be the father of Enoch James due to deed records. This same Daniel apparently is the father of another group of James children who moved together to Warren Co., TN (to the part that later became Cannon Co., TN).

Daniel James likely had three sons and a daughter when son Frederick James was born on March 31, 1793. Census records from 1790 to 1830 reveal that he was born between 1766 and 1770; he had a large family and may have been married twice (unless married children were enumerated with his family); he was listed in the 1790 census between Thomas James, Sr. and Thomas Jr., and in 1800 immediately after Thomas Sr.

Around 1810-1814 Daniel James and most of his family left Pitt Co. for Warren Co., TN - probably near Hills Creek in present-day Cannon Co., TN.

June 1836-Cannon Co., TN Court Records: Harmon James was named as Administrator for the estate of Daniel James, deceased.

28 Oct 1836 - Cannon Co., TN Deed Bk. A, pg.131: Thomas James sold his 1/15 share of Daniel's land, as one of Daniel's 15 "heirs-at-law".

Some descendants show his name as: Daniel Milton James

I believe that Daniel James is not only father of Enoch James, but also Frederick, David, Adam and Harmon. He may also be the father of Buchanan James.

There appears to only be one Daniel James in Pitt Co., who was 60-70 in the 1830 census.

The Pitt Co., NC census of 1800 indicates the folling James:

Daniel James, Joshua James, Matthew James, Thomas James, Sr., Thomas James, Jr., and William James are shown living adjacent one-another. John James, Sr. and John James, Jr. are shown a few pages later. John James, Jr. is identified as a son of Joshua James.

The will of Frederick James, probated Feb 1818 in Bertie Co., NC, names Dicey James, Jonathan James, Allen James, James Frederick James, and Jeremiah James.

Several James families continued to reside in Pitt Co., NC after David and Frederick moved. The names of David James and Allen James were still in use in the county in the 1910's, as was the name Selina James, names which also appear in "my" James family. The names of Reuben James or Reubin James and Selina James or Salina James also appear in several other James families.

One daughter may be Rebecca James b c 1793 NC who married Ezekiel Mullins, who resided in Warren Co., TN.

Memo: 4 Generations

Notes for <Unknown>:

Her name may be Congleton - probably a neighbor due to deeds and the naming of grandchildren. The Jameses and William Congleton had adjacent lands in the Northern part of Pitt County.

Other possible surname are Monroe, Culpepper and Perry, though Perry may be a name from an earlier generation as it is shared by James descendants in lines now proven to be first cousins.

Children of Daniel James and <Unknown> are:

34. James Harrell, born Bef. 1770 in NC; died Bef. 06 Jan 1823 in Jasper Co., GA. He was the son of 68. Reuben Harrell and 69. Margaret <Unknown>. He married 35. Agnes White Abt. 1790 in Prob. Anson Co., NC.

35. Agnes White, born 17 Nov 1771 in Anson Co., NC; died Bef. 1823. She was the daughter of 70. Joseph White, Jr. and 71. Sarah Headley.

Notes for James Harrell:

Thanks to bbharrell@earthlink.net Barbara B. Harrell Sept. 2000 for this information:

14 Oct 1783 Anson Co NC grants JAMES HARRELL, grantee [d 1823 Jasper Co GA] four grants on Thompson Creek and Little Brown Creek.

1796 Anson Co NC Deed Bk __ JAMES HARRELL, seller; Reuben White, buyer

17 Jan 1799 Anson Co NC Deed Bk F&G, p. 19 Zachariah White, grantor JAMES HARRELL, grantee property on Lane¹s Creek

15 Jan 1805 Anson Co NC Deed Bk N&O, p. 136 JAMES HARRELL, seller; Jesse Melton, buyer

James Harrell was in Anson Co NC from abt 1796 to 1818 who appears beside Zachariah and Jedediah White on the 1800 census, at age 26-45, with a wife 16-25 and 2 sons and 2 daughters, all <10. He is believed to have married Agnes White ~1790. In 1810 James >45 was enumerated on the same page as Zachariah Harrell 26-45, who was still in Anson Co in 1820; both had large families in 1810. In 1817 (Anson Co NC DB S, p. 432) James and Isaac Harrell sold property on both sides of Lane's Creek adjoining Reuben Harrell to Solomon Marsh, father of the James Marsh who became the guardian of Simon Harrell's minor children in Sumter Co GA from 1857-1868. James Harrell then moved to Jasper Co GA, where he remarried in 1821 and died in 1823. (Samuel Harrell, second son of R. S. Simon Harrell, also moved to Jasper Co GA in 1818).

The will of James Harrell probated 6 Jan 1823 Jasper Co GA names grandsons Eli and James Atlass Harrell, "sons of Reuben Harrell;" son Isaac Harrell; daughters Elizabeth Mach [Marsh], SARAH JAMES, and Lydia Webb.

Solomon Marsh (son of Simon Marsh of the Litchfield, CT Marsh clan) was married to Agnes Little, whose father James Little bought property in Anson Co NC from Marsh Rushing in 1775. Michael Little of the Pitt Co NC Little family moved to Anson Co NC in 1808. His brother Pleasant Little was in Anson by 1816. They were enumerated side by side in Pitt Co NC in 1800, on microfilm page 289. Michael Harrell, whom all circumstantial evidence points to as the father of Simon Harrell (1804-1857) was on p. 288, while Reuben Harrell >45 and John Harrell 26-45 adjoined each other on p. 271. Michael Harrell's brother Simon Gray Harrell (aka Simon Jr) married Jane Rushing, eldest daughter of R. S. John "Flint River Jack" Rushing/Rushin, son of William Rushing of the Anson NC/Cheraws SC Rushings.

bbharrell@earthlink.net Barbara B. Harrell's husband descends from the family of Simon Harrell.

Notes for Agnes White:

One report mentions that this marriage occured in 1805 in Anson Co., NC, meaning that James would have had an unknown 1st wife as the mother to his children.

1800 CENSUS ANSON COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

Name & Page Male Females Other(Indians, slaves etc..)

Pg 218

George White 11010 20010 00

Henry White 31010 20100 03

Page 219

Joseph White Sr. 00001 00001 03

Joseph White 01101 00001 09

Robert White 30010 10010 00

Josiah White 10010 01100 03

Joel White 30010 00100 01

Reubin White 00010 30100 02

William White 10010 00100 02

Page 220

Zachariah White 20010 10100 00

Children of James Harrell and Agnes White are:

36. Allin Davis, born Abt. 1750 in of Union Dist., SC; died Bef. 1800 in Union Co., SC. He married 37. <Unknown> Vincent Bef. 1775 in SC.

37. <Unknown> Vincent

Notes for Allin Davis:

In 1832, there was an appraisal of some of Allin Davis' goods and chattels. The appraisers were Wm. Stripling, Elihu Robertson and Levi Davis. geniebug@prodigy.net Nancy

Thanks to jbritt@CompSurf.com Jim Britt Jan 1999 and Wayne_Misti@email.msn.com Misti Hinton Jan 1999.

http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/h/i/n/Misti-J-Hinton/index.html

Allin Davis was born before 1750 in SC, In the 1790 census is living in Union County, SC. He [likely] married a [Miss] Vincent. They had two known sons: Aaron Davis was born 1770-1780 and Vincent Davis was born 1780-1790. There may have been two other sons. [Levi Davis appears to be his son.] Allin Davis died before 1800, But Aaron and Vincent are on the same page in Union County. Vincent Davis had 4 known sons who came to MS in the 1830's. Isaac Davis was born around 1805, Jonathan Davis was born around 1812, Amos Davis was born between 1812 and 1815, and Aaron Davis was born about 1825. Jonathan, Amos, and their Uncle Aaron were in Webster County, MS in the 1840 census. Aaron was between 60 and 70 with 2 males in the household one between 5 and 10 and one between 20 and 30. Three females one between 5 and 10 one between 15 and 20 and one between 40 and 50, probably his wife. Amos moved on to Lafyette Co. MS. He married Drucilla Bailey at Pearidge, SC. Their children were all born in MS: Washington Davis was born in 1834, Robert Davis in 1839, Mary Davis in 1840, Margaret Davis in 1842, and James Columbus Davis was born 16 Nov 1854. Levi Davis was born 1856.

Union Co., SC was created in 1798 from 96 District, SC. This family was in the NE area near Fanning's Creek in early 1800's.

Memo: 5 generations

Notes for <Unknown> Vincent:

Children of Allin Davis and <Unknown> Vincent are:

38. James Meyer Burkhead, born Abt. 1767 in Anson Co., NC; died 07 Mar 1859 in near Mooresville, Moore Co., NC. He was the son of 76. Eleazer Birkhead, Jr. and 77. Elizabeth Nutwell. He married 39. Charity Muse 13 Jul 1790 in Moore Co., NC.

39. Charity Muse, born 24 Nov 1770 in Cumberland Co., NC; died Aft. 1850 in Davidson Co., NC. She was the daughter of 78. Capt. James Muse, Jr. and 79. Charity Braswell.

Notes for James Meyer Burkhead:

1822 - Commissioned as Justice of Peace with power to organize Davidson Co, NC. His wife was from that part of Cumberland Co., NC that is now Moore County.

The marriage of James Burkhead to Charity Muse is not proven but is based on tradition in both families. Circumstances suggest that the Burkhead brothers, James and Eleazer III probably lived as young men in Cumberland (now Moore) County, North Carolina in the late eighteenth century and married there. However, confirmation is impossible because all of the public records of Moore County were burned in a court-house fire in 1889. There is a long-held tradition that Charity and her sister Elizabeth Muse married the Burkhead brothers, which is presented here as a reasonable assumption of fact (supported later by the letter from her grandson, identifying her as "Charity.")

James "Burket" apparently returned with his bride to Rowan (now Davidson) County and appears in the 1790 census adjacent to his father Eleazer on Beaverdam Creek. The couple is listed with no children, having been only recently married. In the 1794 tax lists, James is assessed one white poll only and no land. Two years later, he is shown as owning 150 acres, although no record of the acquisition of this property has been located. In the 1800 census, "James Birched and Lazarus Birched" are recorded in Moore County suggesting that James and his brother Eleazer Burkhead III were again living in Moore County. Their wives' Muse family residence in Moore County makes that a logical arrangement and helps support the tradition of their marriages. By 1820, James and his family were back in Rowan (now Davidson) County near his father Eleazer on Beaverdam Creek. His brothers Levan and Eleazer III apparently remained in Moore County. They are mentioned in Robinson's history in a discussion of churches of the county:

"About 1820 there was also built a log meeting-house more than a mile west of Carthage, on the north side of the Troy Road. It was called the Burkhead Meeting-house, in honor of Leven Burkhead, who 'was then the leader of the Methodists in this community.' Among the members were Burkhead, Eleazer Burkhead, ... and James B. Muse ..."

On 14 August 1826, James Burkhead sold 87 1/2 acres on Beaverdam Creek to Jedithan Cook for $125. James was then assessed taxes on 287 acres each year from 1827 to 1841 when his holding was reduced to 237 acres and his son WIlliam A. Burkhead was assessed on 50 acres for the first time. On 24 January 1846, James sold 227 acres of the Beaverdam property to his eldest son Green M. Burkhead, who was then of Stanly County, North Carolina. James lived most of his life in Davidson County, but, according to his obituary in the Raliegh Register, he died in 1859 at the home of his son, Jesse D. Burkhead in Mooresville, Iredell County at the rather remarkable age of 93. A grandson's biography indicates he may have married 2nd a Margaret.

Notes for Charity Muse:

Some reports indicate that Charity married a Mr. McDaniel.

The DeWitt name begins showing up here as a middle name.

http://www.angelfire.com/nc/benjthomasofansonnc/snlove.html

http://www.angelfire.com/nc/benjthomasofansonnc/muse.html

Charity's father left her a slave. However, her brother as executor sold her share of the estate. She filed suit in feme court, but had little right. Later, when married, she filed suit again with her husband James Burkhead. Deopistion was taken from NC,

TN and MS. In order to prove her right, Charity provided a Bible record carrying her family back to 1719.

In 1826, JAMES BURKHEAD & wife CHARITY filed a Bill of Complaint in Davidson Co NC against the heirs of one JOSEPH COLSON. The lawsuit dragged on until 1838, ending up in the NC Supreme Court. Charity claimed that her mother Charity SR & her brother Jesse, who were Exctrs of her father's estate, illegally sold Charity JR's slave Rachel, bequeathed to her in her father's will, to JOSEPH COLSON SR. Then on 6 Dec 1790, Joseph Colson SR, "by artful contrivance" obtained her signature on an actual Bill of Sale ; that she was still a minor & didn't realize wht she was signing. The Burkheads wanted the court to declare the sale invalid, & return to her all the descendants of Rachel (18 of them) that were then in possession of Joseph Colson's heirs.

Testimony in the suit proves the following:

1. Charity Muse stated she was born 24 Nov 1770; this was backed up by the Family Record of her father JAMES MUSE JR, which was presented in evidence & copied into the court record. Thomas Muse stated that the handwriting was that of his father James JR.

2. Charity stated that she married JAMES BURKHEAD 13 Jul 1790 at age 20, and witness SAMUEL DUNN exhibited the original marriage certificate of JAMES BURKHEAD to CHARITY MUSE, dated 13 July 1790. Marriage was performed by WILLIAM DUNN, J.P. .

3. Witness SAMUEL DUNN stated that his daughter RHODA married GREEN BURKHEAD, son of Charity & James.

4. Witness SAMUEL DUNN stated he married the sister of CHARITY MUSE BURKHEAD, but didn't give his wife's name. He stated that a slave bequeathed to his wife had not been sold to pay the estate'sdebts. (His wife seems to have to be MARTHA or MARY, the only two daughters of James Muse for whom there is no known marriage info). Cornelius Dowd, Sheriff of Moore Co, stated that in 1790 he sold at public auction "a negro wench named LUCY & her child." Lucy was the slave that James JR bequeathed to his daughter MARTHA. Therefore: Samuel Dunn likely married MARY MUSE, who was bequeathed a slave named Venis.

5. Witness JAMES DOWD stated that "the Executrix (Charity SR) of JAMES MUSE dec'd died 2 or 3 years before the Executor " (Jesse). We know Jesse F. Muse SR died in 1820, so this places Charity SR's death at about 1817-18.

6. Charity's brother THOMAS MUSE stated that the last time he saw the leaf of paper containing James Muse's Famioy Record, it was in the possession of ELEAZER BURKHEAD. (This is strong circumstantial evidence that Elizabeth Muse was Eleazer Burkhead's wife.)

6. In 1827 testomony was taken from Charity's neice Elizabeth (MUSE) Phillips, wife of Brinkley Phillips, from her nephew, JAMES B. MUSE & his wife, ELIZABETH (GLASSCOCK) MUSE, all living in Moore Co. They all stated that Charity was given land & livestock as compensation for the slave Rachel. ELIZABETH MUSE PHILLIPS stated in her testimony that her father was JESSE MUSE.

7. Witnesses for both plaintiffs & defendants stated that James JR's estate was deep in debt when he died, and that's why his Executors arranged to sell Charity's slave. THOMAS MUSE stated that his sister Charity was aware of the 1784 sale, & that she was given 300 acres on Killet's Creek, a mare & a colt, as compensation for the slave. (Charity conveniently failed to mention that she'd received any compensation in her Complaint) The 300 acres on Killet's creek was originally granted to James JR on 24 May 1773.

8. Charity's brother in law, SAMUEL DUNN, stated that JOSEPH COLSON SR married Charity's aunt. Joseph Colson SR was born ca 1730. In his 1788 will, Joseph Colson's wife was named MARY. If MARY was Colson's only wife, that seems to rule out a paternal aunt, since James Muse SR didn't have a daughter named MARY. (However, Mary could have been a second wife). Therefore -- this aunt was likely Charity's MATERNAL aunt, a sister of James JR's wife CHARITY. (So if we could discover the maiden name of Joseph Colson's wife MARY, we'd be able to prove the maiden name of James JR's wife CHARITY. There is no proof that Charity's maiden name was COLSON or COLSTON, but it's evident that the Muses & the Colsons were well-acquainted with each other in Moore Co., NC. Joseph Colson could have married a Kindred or a Braswell).

9. Witness Cornelius Dowd, former Sheriff of Moore Co, deposed that when he was Sheriff in 1787, 88 or 89, a writ of Execution came to his office against James Muse JR's estate "for most of his property including a slave he had willed to one of his daughters who married JAMES HOLCOMB" (This was Lydia Muse)

Children of James Burkhead and Charity Muse are:

40. William Trussell, born Bef. 1735; died Bet. 23 Apr 1808 - 1812 in Chester Co., SC. He was the son of 80. <Unknown> Trussell. He married 41. Susannah 'Suckey' Asher Bet. 1755 - 1770 in Frederick Co., VA.

41. Susannah 'Suckey' Asher, born Bet. 1740 - 1750; died Bef. 10 Nov 1828. She was the daughter of 82. John Asher and 83. Nellie <Unknown>.

Notes for William Trussell:

Thomas Franklin, with dower by his wife, Priscilla Franklin, signed 9 April 1786 for 138 acres of land part of an original grant to Thomas Franklin on Sandy River. Wit: Richard Evans, John Franklin, James Trussell.

William Trussell of Sandy River, will signed 7 Nov 1803 and probated Oct. court 1812. Wife, Susannah Trussell, my single children will have the home plantation when the mother dies:

Mary Trussell, Rachel Trussell, Susannah Trussell, Milly Trussell.

My married children will divide the rest of the property equal and deceased children, their children will take their shares, etc. Executor: my son John Trussell with Richard Evins and John Evins, Jr.

Wit: John Kennedy, Samuel Evans and Moses Evans.

The author of the Franklin genealogy insists this is the father in law of Frances Franklin, and that her husband was William Trussell, Jr. However, on 23 Jul 1793, after Frances was widowed, a deed to Jonathan Dungan refers to land "now belonging to John Franklin, Thomas Baker Franklin, William Trussell, Jr. and Moses Grisham, etc."

I believe that this man, himself, was William Trussell, Jr.

Children of William Trussell and Susannah Asher are:

42. Clayborn Wright, born Bef. 1760; died Bet. 24 Jan 1824 - 15 Aug 1825 in Chester Co., SC. He was the son of 84. Richard Wright and 85. Mary <Unknown>. He married 43. Elizabeth <Unknown>.

43. Elizabeth <Unknown>

Notes for Clayborn Wright:

or Clayburne Wright or Claybourne Wright or Claibourne Wright or Claiborne Wright or Clayburn Wright

One Claiborne Wright of Chester Co., SC married Elizabeth Travis 02 Feb 1802. He was said to be born 5 Jan 1779 and died 21 Nov 1829, the son of William Wright (b Fauquier Co., VA, d Louisville, KY) and Henrietta Claiborne (m 5 May 1774 VA). He later married Harriett Hannah Brown House abt 1823. William was the son of William Wright of VA and Nancy Walker.

One Claybourn Wright married an Elizabeth about 1770 (possibly this one).

Claiborne Wright's will was signed 24 Jan, 1824; pr. 15 Aug, 1825 and is in will book H, page 273; Chester County, SC

The will starts "In my usual health" and names Elizabeth, wife - children: Reuben, son - William, son - Nancy Trussell, daughter - Richard Wright, deceased son, "his children to have $1.00 - John Wright, son - Elizabeth Tollison, daughter Annis Trussell, daughter - Marey Coleman, daughter - wit: Robert Simonton , Archibald McQuiston, Mary McQuiston

In the name of God Amen

I Claybourn Wright of Chester district and State of South Carolina being in my usual health but knowing that it is appointed unto men once to die I do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following

In the first place I allow my Body to be decently buried and all my debts to be fully paid.

2ndly I will appoint and ordain that my beloved wife Elizabeth Wright shall continue to hold enjoy and possess all the property which we now possess both real and personal untill her death and at her death I will and bequeath my tract of land to my sons Reuben and William to be equally divided between them as can conveniently be done. the divisional line to begin at the mulberry above my spring. Reuben to have the half whereon our house and spring is and WIlliam the other half.

3rd I will and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Trussel one dollar.

4th I will and bequeath to the children of my son Richard Wright deceased one dollar and lastly I will and ordain that all the remainder of our personal property shall be sold at publick sale and equally divided bewteen John Wright Reuben Wright William Wright Elizabeth Tollison Annis Trussel and Mary Coleman.

And I do hereby appoint and ordain my three sons John Reuben and William to be the whole and sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of January Anno Domine 1824 Clayborn Wright

Signed sealed and acknowledged in presence of Robert Simonton, Arch'd McQuiston, Mary McQuiston

State of South Carolina

Chester District } We the subscribers certify upon the examination of Clayborn Wright on oath the owner of a certain slave named Tony about thirty five years of age in years with some teeth wanting before in the upper jaw, that satisfactory proof being given to us that the sd slave is not of a bad character & is capable of gaining a lively hood by honest means.

Given under our hands this 23rd Dec 1803

Charles Boyd, J.Q.

James Kennedy, Junior

Thomas (his X mark) Walker

Richard (his X mark) Wright

James McClintock David Boyd

State of South Carolina

Chester District

To all who these presents shall come - Greeting -

Know ye that Clayborn Wright of the the District & State for diverse good causes & considerations me hereunto moving have this day set free my Negro man named Tony formerly the property of Notley Coats about thirty five years of age who had been adjudge by a justice of the Quorum & five freeholders agreeable to an act of Assembly in that case made and provided to be of good character and capable of obtaining a lively hood by honest means. And I hereby for myself my heirs and executors & administrators give & grant & for ever quit claim to all legal right title and command whatsoever in & over the sd Negro Tony, as full & as absolutely & is so ample a manner as if he had been actually born free & never in slavery.

Given under my hand & seal this 23rd day of Dec in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three & of American Independence the Twenty eighth.

Clayborn Wright (seal)

Signed sealed and acknowledged In presence of us ~ ~

James Kennedy

Thomas (his X mark) Walker

Deed Book J, pp 190/191. Chester County, South Carolina

State of South Carolina

Know all men by these presents that I Lemuel Owen of the District of Chester in the State aforesaid for and in consideration of the sum of three hundred and seventy five dollars to me in hand paid by John Wright of the District and State aforesaid have granted bargained sold & release & by these presents do grant bargain sell & release unto the said John Wright his heirs & assigns a plantation or tract of land containing one hundred thirty eight acres (be the same more or less) lying & being in the District and State aforesaid situated on Dog Branch of Sandy River bounded NW by land surv'd for Samuel Cartee (?Carter?) & Richard Head SW by Nathan Atterberry's land part of the said Plantation or tract of Land was originally granted to James Timms & part surveyed for Thomas Halswell reference being had to the former Grant & conveyance well more fully and at large [illegible word] Together will all and singular the rights members hereditaments and appurtenances to the said premises belonging or in anywise appertaining To Have and to Hold All and singular the premises before mentioned unto the said John Wright his heirs & assigns against myself my heirs & against every other person or persons whomsoever lawfully claiming or to claim the same or any part thereof. Witness my hand & seal this nineteenth day of August in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & two and of the independence of the United States of America the twenty fifth.

Lemuel Owen

Teste:

Clayborn Wright

Thomas Ramey (could be Rainey)

Book I, pg 151/52, Chester County, SC

Clayborn freed a slave and the record is stored at:

http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/WRIGHT/2001-02/0981672281

Notley Coate sold land to Clayborn Wright in 1803 in Chester Co.

Children of Clayborn Wright and Elizabeth <Unknown> are:

48. Henry Alexander Carr, born Bet. 1781 - 1783 in NC or GA; died Bef. 12 Feb 1848 in Jackson, Hinds, MS. He was the son of 96. William Austin Carr. He married 49. Mary Downs 1799 in GA.

49. Mary Downs, born 26 Oct 1784 in MD; died 09 Oct 1851 in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. She was the daughter of 98. Isaac Downs and 99. <Unknown>.

Notes for Henry Alexander Carr:

Henry is thought by many to be a child of William A. Carr of Randolph Co., NC, and he named his son William A. Carr, Jr. Both William Austin Carr and his wife, Susannah, left wills identifying children, and neither mentioned Henry. He could have been a very close relative, however, and only shows up as witness on deeds in the month of presumed grandfather Joseph Carr's death, but is not identified as a grandson. Several of William's children migrated to Georgia, to Jones County, early in the 1800's. Fort Hawkins was built in 1806 in Baldwin County, and was in Jones County until Bibb County was created some years later. Today, the Fort is at a point near the county line and adjacent to the Ocmulgee National Monument. Henry Carr served at the fort, and married a daughter of Col. Hawkins, for whom it was named. Fort Hawkins was in Jones County (now in Macon, Bibb, GA).

Another family with a William Austin Carr was in Anson Co., NC where William A. Carr was born about 1780 and married Frances Lanier. The right age to be a brother of this man?

He was a private and rose to Lieutenant Col. in a Georgia regiment and served to the end of the war. He was Quartermaster General under General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of New Orleans. (I have not found the source for this information, but he was mentioned as Capt. Henry Carr in the estate sale of Benjamin Hawkins in 1816). Was a Captain in a Georgia Co. and served in the Creek War, having been promoted to Captain by Gen. Andrew Jackson for gallant conduct on the battlefield between the Regular Army and the Indians near Macon, GA.

A group of soldiers were organized in October, 1814 at Fort Hawkins and joined with Andrew Jackson in Mobile.

Jones Co., Georgia was formed by an act of the Legislature December 10, 1807 from Baldwin County which was formed May 11, 1803. Jones County was laid out in 1807; part added from Putnam in 1810; a five mile slice given to Bibb in 1822, and since then her boundaries have remained stationary.

Henry Carr was buried in the same plot as his son and daughter-in-law William A. Carr II and Virginia Hawkins, in Water Valley, Yalobusha, MS. He was estranged from his wife at the time he wrote his will.

WILL RECORD BOOK 1 (AUG 27, 1832-- AUG 31, 1859), 2nd DISTRICT, HINDS COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI --- RAYMOND, MISSISSIPPI; pages 209-211:

"January Term 1848

"I, Henry Carr, of the county of Yalobusha and State of Mississippi, do make and publish this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills by me any time made.

"First, I direct that my funeral expenses and all of my just debts be paid as soon after death as possible out of any monies that I may die possessed of, or may first give into the hands of my executor.

"Second, I direct that the following negro slaves for life, to wit--Amy, a mulatto woman about 35 years old; Franklinne, a mulatto boy and child of Amy about six years old; Johanna, a mulatto girl and child of Amy about 4 years old; William Walker, a mulatto boy about two years old and child of Amy; Dallas, a girl and child of Henrietta, a mulatto and a grandchild of Amy about three years old; and Martha Amelia, a mulatto girl and child of Henrietta and grandchild of Amy about one year old, shall at my death, or as soon thereafter as convenient, be set free and released from bondage and slavery by my executor, in the manner hereinafter specified after paying and satisfying the specific legacies.

"Thirdly, I direct that the said slaves, Amy and her children and grandchildren, shall be sent to some territory, government, or State where they can enjoy their liberty and freedom in as full and ample a manner as if they had been born free --- and there set at liberty and given their liberty according to the laws, customs, and usages of such territory, government, or State; and for the purpose of transporting said slaves and defraying their expenses I do hereby give and bequeath unto Perry C. Carr in trust for the said slaves the sum of two hundred dollars out of my personal estate to be expended by him and appropriated for that use and no other whatever.

"Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my oldest child and daughter, Epsy B. Gilliland, in addition to what she has heretofore received by way of advancement, one dollar in cash.

"Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my second son, Benjamin H. Carr, in addition to what he has heretofore received by way of advancement, one dollar in cash.

"Sixthly, I direct that my negro man slave for life named Isaac, about 40 years old; Peggy his wife, a woman about 40 years old; Isaac, a boy and child of Peggy about 18 years old; Florida, a girl and child of Peggy, about 14 years old; Henrietta, a woman and child of Amy, about 17 years old; Henry, a boy and child of Amy about 13 years old; Anderson, a boy and child of Amy about 11 years old; Clinton a boy and child of Amy about 9 years old; Sarah a girl and child of Amy about 7 years old, together with all of the other personal property which I may have at the time of my death, may be disposed of as follows, to wit:

One 6th or a child's part of the whole amount, after paying funeral expenses, just debts, court costs, executors commissions, and counsel fees, I give and bequeath unto my wife, Mary Carr, who lives separate and apart from me in fee simple.

"Seventhly, the residue of my estate, after paying the specific legacies hereinbefore mentioned and the expenses of transporting and removing Amy and her children and grandchildren as aforesaid, I give and bequeath unto my son William Carr and my son George W. Carr, to be equally divided among them. If an equitable division cannot in the opinion of my executor be conveniently made between them, I direct that the same shall be sold on a credit of 6 months and the money arising from such sale divided as aforesaid.

" Eighthly, I give and bequeath unto Perry C. Carr, in trust for the use and benefit of Johanna, a mulatto girl and child of Amy, the bed, bedstead, bed clothes, and bedding which I now use and occupy for myself, to be her right and property when she obtains her feedom.

" I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appoint my son Perry C. Carr my executor, and in consequence of death, removal, or refusal to act, I do hereby nominate, constitute, and appint William Carr in his stead, with instructions to all and either of them to employ if necessary Franklin E. Plummer as a Counselor in the said business, and particularly in relation to the emancipation of the negro woman Amy and her children and grandchildren aforesaid, and to be governed by his advice. In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal the 15th day of March A.D. 1847 to this my last will and testament.

Henry Carr" (seal)

"Signed, sealed, and delivered, published, and promulgated in the presence of the undersigned, disinterested witnesses, and our names signed hereto in the presence of the said Henry Carr, the testator, on the day and year last aforesaid.

Attest: George W. Robinson

Attest: William T. Chance

Attest: F. E. Plummer

probated 12 Feb. 1848

It is interesting that his son is named William Austin Carr Jr., but the only record I have found that links Henry Carr directly to his presumed father, William Austin Carr of Randolph Co., NC is a single deed to which Henry was a witness, related to his presumed grandfather, Joseph Carr. His recorded birthdate may be wrong - the date is exactly twenty years to the day after his presumed father, whose grave is in Randolph Co., NC.

The following information is provided as research information about other Carr families that have been linked (without documentation) to this family:

According to the 1860 Yalobusha Co., MS census:

A Jonathan Carr, Jr. resided adjacent the Pearson family, whose daughter married a Carr from another line. This line included Jonathan, b c 1820 and wife Ann E. (both born in NC). Children

Henry E. Carr, 23 (b c 1837) NC

J. H. or J. W. Carr, 21 (b c 1839) NC (Joshua per 1850 Sampson Co.)

William A. Carr, 19 (b c 1841) NC

James H. Carr, 17,(b c 1843) NC

Lucy Jane Carr, 12 (b c 1848) NC

Sarah E. Carr, 9 (b c 1851) NC

Temperence Carr, 7 (b c 1853) NC

Edward M. Carr, 4 (b c 1856) NC

Samuel Carr, 2 (b c 1858) NC

Anna Carr, 1 (b c 1859) MS

The family listed immediately above was in the 1850 Sampson Co., NC census and descends from Patrick Car of Bertie Co., NC. It may be this family that had Lewis Perry Carr "Uncle Tobe" claiming to descend from Patrick Carr of NC and Georgia.

Another Patrick Carr is mentioned in 'The King's Mountain Men' : "Patrick came from Ireland before the Revolution, was a captain under Colonel Clark in the attack on Augusta in September, 1780, and was under Sumter at Blackstock. The statement that he killed one hundred tories must be an exaggeration, if to be understood as a personal matter. His murder in 1802, in Jefferson County, Georgia, is said to have been by a son of a tory he had killed. At King's Mountain he was under Major Chandler." This is obviously the Patrick Carr that "Uncle Tobe" was mentioning, as the "killed 100 men" was in the story. Is it possible that this Patrick Carr was the son of the other one that went from Ireland to North Carolina and is mentioned above? Patrick Carr did have a grandson with his name, of which no more is known.

There is no known connection to this Carr family, but it is interesting that they come from NC - where the Carr family is "known to have resided," according to family traditions, and that it includes a Henry and a William A., as does the family which married the Pearsons.

A Henry Carr was a Capt., married to Mary Griffin in Early Co., GA, dau of John and Mary Griffin. I do not think that it was this man. Mary Griffin's father, John Griffin, left his will 11 Oct 1822 (pro. 7 Jan 1823) mentioning executors Capt. Henry Carr and wife, Mary Griffin.

Notes for Mary Downs:

Children of Henry Carr and Mary Downs are:

50. Col. Benjamin Hawkins, born 15 Aug 1754 in Bute Co. (now Vance Co.), NC; died 06 Jun 1816 in Creek Agency near Roberta, Crawford, GA. He was the son of 100. Col. Philemon Hawkins II and 101. Delia Martin. He married 51. Lavinia Downs 09 Jan 1812 in Ft. Hawkins, Jones, GA.

51. Lavinia Downs, born 10 May 1781 in MD; died 22 Mar 1828 in Crawford Co., GA. She was the daughter of 98. Isaac Downs and 99. <Unknown>.

Notes for Col. Benjamin Hawkins:

Indian Agent for all Tribes south of the Ohio River. Senator from North Carolina. Well published, well-traveled, and many encyclopedia articles. Married when he thought he was on his deathbed, in order to make his children "legitimate." Then he survived for a couple of more years, and had another daughter.

The wife of a William McIntosh was Eliza Grierson (b c 1799, of Carroll Co., GA) who was said to have been raised by the family of Benjamin Hawkins. Several references exist in family histories of the "half-breed children of Benjamin Hawkins," with names other than those recorded in his will.

From: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress 1999: http://bioguide.congress.gov

a Delegate and a Senator from North Carolina; born in what was then [once] Granville, later Bute, and now Warren County, N.C., August 15, 1754; attended the county schools; student at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) when the Revolutionary War began; acquired a knowledge of French, and, at the request of General George Washington, left school and was appointed to the General’s staff as his interpreter; member, State house of commons 1778-1779, 1784; chosen by the North Carolina legislature in 1780 to procure arms and munitions of war to defend the State; Member of the Continental Congress 1781-1783 and 1787; appointed by Congress to negotiate treaties with the Creek and Cherokee Indians in 1785; delegate to the State constitutional convention which ratified the Federal Constitution in November 1789; elected to the United States Senate and served from November 27, 1789, to March 3, 1795; appointed Indian agent for all the tribes south of the Ohio River by President Washington in 1796 and held the office until his death in Crawford County, Ga., on June 6, 1818; interment on a plantation near Roberta, Crawford County, overlooking the Flint River.

Benjamin Hawkins' will dated Jan. 9, 1812, and probated Sept. 2, 1816 names his wife Lavinia Downs and a son Madison, daughters Georgia, Muskogee, Cherokee, Carolina, Virginia and a nephew William Hawkins of N. C. as beneficiaries. The will was witnessed by: Christian Lumbough, Thomas M. Ellis, and John Jameson.

Will of Benjamin Hawkins

"By this my last will and testament, I give all my lands and Negroes and property of every description to my wife, Lavinia Hawkins and our daughters, Georgia, Muscogee, Cherokee, Carolina and Virginia, and our son Madison, and William Hawkins, my nephew of North Carolina to be divided in eight equal parts to their heirs forever. If my wife finds or chooses to stay here, she can do so with the property, or if she should move into Georgia or any State to settle, she has full power to do so, to purchase a settlement for her convenience and accommodation for her children as her judgment may direct. I appoint my wife Lavinia Hawkins executrix and my nephew William Hawkins Executor of this my last will and testament given under my hand at the Creek Agency {Spring} this ninth day of January, one thousand eight hundred and twelve.

Witnesses:

Christian Limbough

Thomas M. Ellis

John Jameson

Signed: Benjamin Hawkins

Georgia, Jones County, Personally appeared in open court John Jameson one of the witnesses to the within will, who being duly sworn saith that he saw the testator, Benjamin Hawkins sign the same and saw the other witnesses, Christian Lumbough, Thomas M. Ellis signed in the presence of each other and the testator was in sound mind and memory. Sworn in open court September 2, 1816.

Test. A. Clark John Jameson

This will is recorded in Will Book B, page 1 in the Courthouse in Gray, Jones County, Georgia.

Memo: 4 generations

Notes for Lavinia Downs:

Was she ... or wasn't she ...? The Queen of Tuckabatchie?

There is evidence in the Moravian Diaries that Lavinia indicated she was white (See her father's record). Suspicion that she was Creek has been voiced since shortly after her death, including comments such as "there is no truth to the rumor that she was an Indian." However: " ... confirmation that Lavina Downs was Creek came from the Chehaws who showed Janice [Woods Windle] that the marriage of Hawkins and Downs is recorded in the official Marriages of the Muskogee."

http://www.rootsweb.com/~gajones/hawkins.htm

Lavinia Downs is thought by many family members to be of the Ocmulgee Creek Nation, and they insist she was first the wife of Chief Long Side of Tuckabatchie (Tookautchee). He was killed in a raid, and she was widowed with a young son, Silas. Her son Silas is said to have been born in 1792 which conflicts with Lavinia's reported birthdate of 10 May 1781. The birthdate of her presumed son Silas Downs, however, would have come at age 10 or 11, if both birthdates are reported correctly.

Lavinia lived at the Creek agency (in Crawford Co., GA) with her husband, Col. Benjamin Hawkins until his death. At her death, over a decade later, she was still living in Crawford County. One of her daughters was buried in Roberta, the county seat, and records from a lawsuit / complaint indicate that this daughter, Jeffersonia, lived with Lavinia. Lavinia was buried at Ft. Hawkins, and her grave is not (obviously) marked. Her obituary was carried in the Milledgeville paper, as that town was (then) a major center and the one-time state capital.

Page 60 of the Crawford County Guardian Bonds Book "A" states that Richard W. Ellis was appointed adminsitrator of her estate on March 3, 1834. Hiram Troutman and Bryan Bateman acted as security and a bond of $500 was posted. The minimal bond indicates that Pound was correct in stating that she lost most of her inheritance from Benjamin. Hiram Troutman was the father of Joanna Troutman who sewed the famous flag carried into the Texas Revolution by the Georgia volunteers.

Children of Benjamin Hawkins and Lavinia Downs are:

52. John J. 'Jack' Pearson, born Abt. 1783 in VA or NC; died Bef. 08 Nov 1851 in Warren Co., NC. He was the son of 104. Benjamin Pearson. He married 53. Jane Mahoney 'Jenny' Harris Bef. 1806.

53. Jane Mahoney 'Jenny' Harris, born Bet. 1781 - 1785 in NC; died Aft. 1860 in Yalobusha Co., MS. She was the daughter of 106. Capt. Isaac Harris and 107. Mary Mahoney.

Notes for John J. 'Jack' Pearson:

A tentative link to his presumed father, Benjamin Person or Benjamin Pearson, is based on the county (Brunswick) being cited in descendants records, and the Pearson / Person names living adjacent and intermarrying of North Carolina and Mississippi.

An 1811 Warren Co., NC Tax list includes these, in order:

Benjamin Pearson - 750 - 1 - 4

Joseph Harper - 125 - 1 - 2

Nancy Blanchard - 140 - - 1

Stephen Marshall - 600 - - 3

Lewis Clerk - 300 - - 1

Eley Tucker - - 1

John Pearson - 770 - 1 - 1

The 1814 Warren Co., NC tax list includes these families, in this order:

Henry Person

Amey Person

Priscilla Person

John Pearson

John B. Powell

William Powell for Ruth Powell

Benjamin Pearson

Notes for Jane Mahoney 'Jenny' Harris:

Note: As her husband's line of descent is speculative it is interesting to note that a Harris cousin assisted with the estate of a Henry Pearson (or Henry Person?) of Isle of Wight or Southampton Co., VA in 1754.

Children of John Pearson and Jane Harris are:

54. Richard Thomas Bailey, born 1781 in Fairfax Co., VA or Halifax Co., VA; died 1859 in Pine Valley, MS. He was the son of 108. Thomas Bailey and 109. Rebecca <Unknown>. He married 55. Mourning Whitehead 1809.

55. Mourning Whitehead, born Bet. 1789 - 1791; died 1865. She was the daughter of 110. Thomas Whitehead and 111. Elizabeth Culpepper.

Notes for Richard Thomas Bailey:

Before 1800, Resided Loudoun Co., VA. Bef. 1860 resided Yalobusha Co., MS.

Uncertain whether Richard Thomas Bailey was related to the Hayman Bailey and Dr. Thomas Bailey family from Maryland which resided in Yalobusha County. A Thomas Bailey resided adjacent to Isaac Overton Pearson - they both received original land in Yalobusha County, MS around 1838, a few miles south of the current Water Valley, MS (near Velma).

Notes for Mourning Whitehead:

Children of Richard Bailey and Mourning Whitehead are:

56. John Davidson, born 15 Feb 1749/50 in Augusta Co., VA; died 25 Feb 1825 in Maury Co., TN. He was the son of 112. Maj. John (Old John) Davidson Davison and 113. Jane <Unknown>. He married 57. Ruth Clements 05 Sep 1770 in Augusta Co., VA.

57. Ruth Clements, born 04 Jan 1756 in Augusta Co., VA; died Abt. 1792 in Burke Co., NC. She was the daughter of 114. Jacob Clements and 115. Mary Campbell.

Notes for John Davidson:

Reece's Chapel Cemetery (From Maury County, Tennessee Cemeteries, Vol. 1, compiled by Fred Lee Hawkins, Jr. pub. 1989) Davidson, John (15 Feb 1750 - 28 Feb 1825) Sacred to the Memory of John Davidson, who in the meridian of his life, zealously espoused the cause of freedom in the memorable struggle of 1776 and after securing Liberty to his posterity, retired and through a long life realized its Blessings in the peaceful pursuits of agriculture....At a good old age yielded to death and was here interred on the 25th of February 1825.

His father resided Chestnut Level, Lancaster Co., PA, and moved to Augusta Co., VA adjacent Tinkling Springs Presbyterian Church, where the names John Davison and Samuel Davison are listed as original "contributors" to its construction. In 1748 his father resided Iredell Co., NC. In 1807 John, known as "One-Eyed John" and / or "Columbia John" lived near Columbia, Maury Co., TN. 16 Jul 1751 was one incorrectly recorded birthdate, as it is the date of a cousin, John Davidson, son of George Davidson and Margaret Ware.

Quoted from a DAR submission: "John Davidson received a grant of land in Tennessee for his service as private, North Carolina Line. He was born in Rowan County, N. C. [note: not necessarily so] ; died in Maury County, Tenn."

On September 16, 1820 the Tennessee General Assembly reaffirmed John Davison’s grant of 5,000 acres (Maury County Deed Book H, Entry 455.) Another entry (Book J) made three weeks after the above reads in part:

". . . the same John Davidson, for the natural love and affection which he hath and doth bear unto his son John Osimus Davisdson, and more especially for an din consideration of the sum of five shillings, does give 800 acres on Little Tombigby Creek and part of the same John Davidson’s 5000 acre survey. Witnesses, Vincent Ridley and E. E. Davidson." [Note: Vincent Ridley is also an uncle to Mark Freeman though his mom; John Osimus Davidson is a grandather on his father's line.]

Old John Davidson (I) had already apportioned his land among his children: 466 acres to Whiteside when he married Ruth Malinda Clements Davidson; 900 acres to Ephriam Edward Davidson, 800 to John Osimus Davidson, plus 200 more to be administered for his stepmother, Francis Bateman (Benenoir, daughter of Revolutionary War soldier, Nathaniel Bateman); 400 to Paris Dooley, plus slaves for Cynthia, his daughter by Fanny Bateman; 120 acres to John Martin, husband of Mary.

On October 22, 1822 old John executed this deed:

. . . for natural love and affection, said John Davidson, hath and beareth unto the said Paris F. Dooley and also for the better maintenance, support, and livelihood of said Paris F. Dooley . . . 400 acres . . .

In December, 1822:

For natural love and affection I bear for my son, John Osimus Davidson, I give the tract of land on which I now reside, containing 200 acres (reserving to myself the occupancy and entire benefit of said premises during my natural life) and also a comfortable residence to my beloved wife, Fanny Davidson, if she survives me, during her widowhood, to be secure from molestation or disturbance of any kind from the said John Osimus Davidson . . .

His will:

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN

I John Davidson of the county of Maury and state of Tennessee being advanced of age and infirm but of sound mind and disposing memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and following first I wish my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executor, hereafter appointed, my worldly Estate to be divided as follows, to wit, My Negro man Condon I give and bequeath to him and his heirs forever to Ruth Clements Davidson, daughter of Ephriam Edward Davidson I give a Negro boy named Albert to her and her heirs forever to Richard Whiteside son of my daughter, Ruth Clements Davidson Whiteside, I give my Negro boy William to him and his heirs and assigns forever to my beloved wife Francis [sic] I give and bequeath my Negroes Chilsy a woman Randal a Negro boy and a Girl named Gady which three Negroes I will to her and her heirs forever as her right and to be at her disposal, to John G. Davidson, son of my son, Thomas Davidson, Dec’d I give and bequeath a horse worth 80 dollars to B. C. Davidson, son of my son Thomas Davidson I give and bequeath a sorrel cold now claimed by him all ballence [sic] of my property I wish sold by my Executors and one third of which I give and bequeath to my wife to her proper use and behoof forever. I further wish my Executors to pay over a legacy by me bequeathed to my Children, Grandchildren, and other legal heirs if any not named in this one dollar each as a full distributive share of my Estate I do further nominate and appoint my son, John O. Davidson and my son-in-law, Paris F. Dooley Executors to this my last will and testament. And having full confidence in their integrity and honesty no Security is required of them as such, and lest a misunderstanding should take place as to the ballence [sic] of my Estate in the hands of my Executors, my will is that after the legacies named in this will is paid the ballence [sic] after paying all my just debts are paid I wish divided equally between the heirs of Thomas Davidson in right of their father, Andrew Neeley and Jane, his wife; Ephraim Edward Davidson; John Osimus Davidson; Paris F. Dooley; and Cynthia, his wife, share and share alike. I do by this my last will and testament disannul and make void all former wills by me made declaring this and this alone to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and seal this 15th day of June, 1824.

Signed, sealed, and disclosed in presence of

Joseph B. Porter, Jurat

John Mathews, Jurat JOHN DAVIDSON

This man has been described with both of the descriptions "One-Eyed John" [by a cousin] and "Columbia John". The subject here is likely "Columbia John," having lived and died in Columbia, Maury Co., TN.

The story about a John D. Davidson marrying Nancy Brevard and being killed by Indians in 1781 is not about my ancestor. That other family is in my file, but the facts are in dispute. That John D. Davidson was probably born about 1750-1751.

Robert Stephens Hand attributes a birth date of 1744 to this John, based on a Tinkling Spring baptism of John, son of John Davidson and Jane on 24 Nov 1744 by Rev. John Craig. That man was the son of another John and Jane which is quite a coincidence, and is listed in this file as John Davidson II.

Notes for Ruth Clements:

Children of John Davidson and Ruth Clements are:

58. Gabriel Ragsdale, born Abt. 1759 in prob. Halifax Co., VA; died 1797 in Buncombe Co., NC. He was the son of 116. Daniel Ragsdale and 117. Phoebe <Unknown>. He married 59. Mary Davidson Bef. 1791.

59. Mary Davidson, born Aft. 1749 in NC; died in TN. She was the daughter of 118. Samuel Davidson and 119. <Unknown>.

Notes for Gabriel Ragsdale:

Killed by Indians while a member of the North Carolina legislature (1792-1797), while riding horseback to attend a legislature meeting. May have been born in NC.

In 1792 Gabriel Ragsdale and Wm. Brittain were Buncombe's first representatives in the North Carolina House of Commons and they continued to hold those places in 1793, 1794 and 1795, by reelections.

Notes for Mary Davidson:

Children of Gabriel Ragsdale and Mary Davidson are:

60. John Lawshe, born 14 Dec 1754 in Amwell, Hunterdon, NJ; died 08 Feb 1832 in prob. Lewisburg, PA. He was the son of 120. Abraham von Laaschet and 121. Margaret Bechelsheimer. He married 61. Eleanor Chamberlain 08 Sep 1779 in Hunterdon Co., NJ.

61. Eleanor Chamberlain, born 16 Sep 1761 in Hunterdon Co., NJ; died 04 Jul 1817 in prob. Lewisburg, PA. She was the daughter of 122. Col. William Chamberlain and 123. Elizabeth Ten Broeck.

Notes for John Lawshe:

He grew up in Amwell, NJ and moved in 1786 to Cumberland Co., PA. John owned a hotel / tavern in Lewisburg called "The Pennsylvania Arms" by 1800.

Notes for Eleanor Chamberlain:

Children of John Lawshe and Eleanor Chamberlain are:

64. Thomas James, born Bet. 1733 - 1741; died Bef. Feb 1811 in Pitt Co., NC. He was the son of 128. Lemuel James. He married 65. <Unknown>.

65. <Unknown>

Notes for Thomas James:

Thomas James may be the son of Lemuel James, Sr. and brother of Lemuel James, Jr. A 1762 tax list puts Thomas in the same household as Lemuel Sr. at the same time that Henry and John are in the household of Lemuel Jr. No deed has been found to prove the relationship, and no records of Lemuel James Sr. can be proven after 1762 (since they shared the same name & acquaintances, and the Sr. was not always used). He was likely at least 21 years old in 1762. He may have married twice (or more) as children appear to have been married up to twenty eight years apart.

Early James Records in Pitt Co (thanks to Sandy Hodges):

21 Oct 1782 | [grant] => Thomas James | 400 A. CB: Robert Daniel, Geo. Daniel | Bk.G-313

21 Oct 1782 | [grant] => George Daniel | 535 A. CB: Thomas James. Men.: John Cason, Robert Daniel | Bk.G-281

http://www.powow.com/sandyhodges/genea/PITT/PittJM.htm#James%20family

James, Absalom | | 1 male 16+ | 1762 Pitt tax list

James, Daniel | man 16+; 3 boys 0-16; female | 1790 census

James, Henry | 2 men 16+; boy 0-16; 3 females | 1790 census

James, Henry | in household of: James, Lamuel; with: John James | 3 males 16+ | 1762 Pitt tax list

James, John Jr. | man 16+; 2 boys 0-16; 2 females | 1790 census

James, John | 3 men 16+; 2 boys 0-16; 3 females | 1790 census

James, John | in household of: James, Lamuel; with: Henry James | 3 males 16+ | 1762 Pitt tax list

James, Joshua | 2 men 16+; 2 boys 0-16; 5 females | 1790 census

James, Lamuel | also in household: John James; Henry James | 3 males 16+ | 1762 Pitt tax list

James, Lance | 2 men 16+; 3 females | 1790 census

James, Lanck | also in household: Thomas James; John Whealer | 3 males 16+ | 1762 Pitt tax list

James, Lemuel | man 16+; 3 females | 1790 census

James, Lemuel | man 16+; 3 females | 1790 census

James, Matthew | man 16+; boy 0-16; 3 females; slave | 1790 census

James, Thomas | 2 men 16+; 2 boys 0-16; 5 females | 1790 census

James, Thomas | in household of: James, Lanck; with: John Whealer | 3 males 16+ | 1762 Pitt tax list

James, Thomas | man 16+; boy 0-16; female | 1790 census

James, William | man 16+; female | 1790 census

: | |--Mary Albritton b. 24 Jan 1767--~1800:Pitt

: | | :='86 Matthew James 1760: Pitt--19 Feb 1820

Thomas James is known to be the father of Daniel James due to the following deed & estate info:

Thomas James died intestate. His land was divided equally to his heirs.

Enoch got his father, Daniel's share because Daniel had signed a deed selling it to him before the date of the land partition. Thomas Daniels received the shares of Thomas James Jr, William James, and Charles Stewart Jr, & wife, Rachel, because they too had already sold their shares before the land was partitioned. Deeds show that Holland, Nancy Measly(Mizelle?), Thomas Ames & wife Sarah, Isham Jolly & wife Elizabeth, and Robert, all sold their shares shortly afterward. It is not certain when or if Noah James sold his land.

Division of lands: 89 A to Enoch James; Thomas Daniel purchased the shares of Thomas James, Charles Stewart and William James which was 240 A; 122 1/2 A to Noah James; 80 A to Sarah Ames and her husband, Thomas Ames; 146 A to Nancy james; 137 A to Robert James.

Note: Absalom James received a patent of land on 2 Mar 1761 in Beaufort County in St. Thomas Parish, on the w. side of Tranters Creek, joining John Buttler and Moses Dean; Jonathan Jolley's name is associated with the record. On 10 Mar 1761, Joseph Jolley and Jesse Jolley, separately, received 400 and 450 acres near the same location, joining Lemuel Cherry, Thomas Holley and William Congleton, with Absalom James mentioned on one and joining Solomon James, Dennis Glisson and Francis Hobson on the other. The names Congleton and Holley are associated with this Thomas James' family.

According to Lisa Delgado:

A grandson may be Buchanan James, Sr. who was born in North Carolina c.1790. He moved to Statesville, Wilson Co., Tennessee about 1810. He married Margaret "Peggy" McMinn Lewis c.1815 in TN. They had 13 children: Elizabeth Ann, Daniel, Catharine, Samuel, Enoch Henry, Buchanan Jr., Alvy (my ancestor), Richmond, Leander, Martha, Jane, Ellen Frances, and Rufus. Buchanan James Sr. bought land in Warren Co., TN on Jan. 16, 1832 from a William James. Witnesses were Daniel James, James James, and Lutha James. Thanks to: delgado@oak.negia.net (Lisa James Delgado) Aug. 1998.

Earlier James Families in North Carolina (paraphrasing and extracting Mrs. Charles Lore, footnotes cited in article)

... Thomas James .. had 200 acres in Pasquotank County prior to 1700 and a Sarah James who married future Dep-Governor Alexander Lillington on 11 Jun 1668.

... a James family later represented in Pasquotank Co. by brothers, William and Edward. These brothers, whose wills were filed in 1733 and 1721, respectively, were possibly sons of the previously-mentioned Thomas James.

In 1729 and John James is recorded as buying 25 acres of land in "Morratuck." Wince this was an early name for the Roanoke River, this land must have been located north of the eventual site of Pitt County. John James is subsequently recorded as a witness on wills in both Craven (1734 & 1739) and Beaufort Counties (1746).

The earliest James who can be proved to be in Pitt County (formed from Beaufort in 1760 and records destroyed in a fire in 1860) was Absalom James who had 185 acres surveyed for him on 27 Jun 1760 and received a grant of the same tract on 2 Mar 1761. This land lays in the same vicinity as later James family grants in Pitt. The later grants were all dated 21 Oct 1782, on which date there seems to have been a general granting of lands throughout Pitt County (the reason for this is obscure).

Among recipients of lands were the following:

Lemuel James - 100 ac and 80 ac surveyed 14 Feb 1781

Joshua James - 640 ac surveyed 10 Oct 1781

Henry James - 100 ac surveyed 10 Oct 1781

Thomas James - two 400 ac tracts, one surveyed 10 Oct 1781

John James - 50 ac surveyed 14 Feb 1781

Bounds recorded on the grants show that Joshua, Lemuel and Henry all lived adjacent to one another along the upper half of Hunting Run; John was just across Grindle Creek from them; and Thomas lived a short distance to the north of the first three. All (except possibly Henry) had other lands in the vicinity.

Two other neighborhood James men were recorded as "chainbearers" for some of the above grants. These were Matthew James (with Lemuel and John) and William James (with Joshua and Henry).

Eight years after these grants were issued, the census included 12 James families in Pitt County, including all 5 grantees of 1782, both chainbearers; namesakes (probably sons) of Lemuel, John, and Thomas, and two others: Lance James and Daniel James. Lance may be short for Lancelot James, as Lancelot is also a name used by a (later) related family.

Daniel James ... born sometime between 1766 and 1770; he had a large family and was possibly married twice (unless married children were enumerated with his family); he seems to have been connected with Thomas James, Sr. (listed soon after Thomas Sr. and immediately before Thomas J. in 1790, and immediately after Thomas Sr. in 1800).

Another Daniel James left Pitt Co. in the 1780's to take up a land grant assigned to him by a member of the Cason family (another Hunting Run family), in Davidson Co., TN, where he was on a jury list as early as April, 1784.

Daniel James seems to have already had three sons and a daughter when his next child, Frederick James, was born on March 31, 1793.

Frederick James was already a local name, as Frederick James of Bertie County (1761-1818) had been an orphan at 7, served in the revolution, and died in Bertie Co. leaving a number of sons, at least one of which seems to have been living in Pitt Co. in 1820. A relationship, if any, is not known.

From another source:

"Lemuel James is reputed to have settled along Grindle Creek in 1751, several years before John Whichard Sr. and his family, and it seems likely he was the taproot for the many branches of the James family who still live in the area..." http://tk-jk.net/Bridgers/Shaggy/fog0000000037.html

Pitt Co., NC Deeds involving some of the James who are likely related:

20 Apr 1745 | Patent Bk.5 pg.281 => George Cannon | 200 acres in Beaufort County on the S. side of Grindall creek | HC-3102 | sold to Lemuel James 20 Jul 1752

4 Mar 1761 | Granville bk.11 pg.53 => Ebenezer Folsom | 700 acres in Beaufort County in St Thomas Parish, joining the Great Pond, John Cason, Sassafras Pole Pocoson, Samuel James, Grindall Creek, the Great Meddow, James Barrow, Whitchard’s line, Cherrys line, Great Swamp, William Daniel Penkett, Edward Cannon and George May [Moye?] | BF-249

10 Mar 1761 | Granville bk.11 pg.57 => Jesse Jollet (Jolley?) | 450 acres in Beaufort County in St Thomas Parish on the E. side of flat Swamp, joining Dennis Glisson, Solomon James, Francis Hobson, and the sd. swamp | SCC: James Vance, William Knox | Wit: John Kennedy | BF-265

Mar 1764 | Edmund Kenedy => John Hodges, Jr. | 100 A; £—. Adj.: Lemuel James. Former owner: Ebenezer Folsom (Pat. 1761). Wit.: Archabald Adams, Jr. | Pitt Bk.C-68

1765 | John Barber => Lemuel James | 128 A; £75. Former owners: William Stafford (Pat), James Albriton (D), John Whichard (D). Wit.: John Jones, Thomas Pinkett | Pitt Bk.C-278

11 Mar 1740 | Patent Bk.5 pg.126 => William Casson | 200 acres in Beaufort County on the N. side of Grindal creek at the old Hunting Path, joining the Pocoson, a point that runs out of the creek, and the sd. creek | HC-2421 | given by D of G to Hillery Cason 1 Mar 1758, and 100 Ac. sold to Lemuel James 15 Mar 1775

Apr 1766 | Lemuel James => Henry Couper | 29 A; £20. Former owner: James Cason (Pat) | Pitt Bk.C-335

15 Mar 1775 | Samuel James => Hillery Cason | 128 A; £100. Former owner: William Stafford (Pat. 1740) | Bk.F-408 [Note: This William Stafford is Carolyn's ancestor!]

15 Mar 1775 | Hillery Cason (1758) => Lemuel James | 200 A; £100. Former owner: William Cason (1740), who made D of G to Hillery Cason. Wit.: John Jordan | Bk.F-289

May be the son of Lemuel James, Sr. and brother of Lemuel James, Jr. - tax records of 1762 suggest that the earlier one was associated with Thomas James at the same time as the younger was associated with Henry,

17 Jun 1775 | Richard Smith (BLAD) (D4769) => Daniel Williams | 150 A; £58. Former owner: John Johnston (Pat. 1740), Solomon James, Sen., Solomon James, Jr. Wit.: Daniel Clark | Pitt Bk.F-522

21 Oct 1782 | [grant] => John Cason | 550 A. CB: William James, Emanuel Daniel. Men.: Lemuel James, Henry Cason, Joseph James, Robert Daniel, John Jordan | Bk.G-179

21 Oct 1782 | [grant] => Henry Cason | 160 A. CB: John James, Mathew James. Men.: Lemuel James | Bk.G-192

13 Oct 1783 | [grant] => John Jordan | 240 A. CB: Joshua James, William James. Men.: Henry Cason, Lemuel James | Bk.G-460

6 Mar 1779 | John Hodges => Nathan Cherry, cooper | 200 A; £600. Former owner: Ebenezer Folsom (1761) | Bk.H-26 | SS Grindle Creek ; B Lemuel James corner tree a pine runing along said James line N,180P to a pine thence E,160P to a pine thence S,200P thence N85W to the FS | part of a tract or survey of land granted to Ebenezer Folsom by Earl Granvilles agents by deed bearing date may 20th 1761 & granted by said Folsom to me sd. Hodges & by sd. Hodges conveued to Edmund Kennedy & by the sd. Edmund Kennedy reconveyed to me sd. John Hodges.

13 Oct 1783, Bk G p 460, Grant to JOHN JORDAN, 240 ac N side of Tarr River and N side of Grindall Creek.....Henry CARSON's corner...Lemuel JAMES line.... George CANNON's corner. Chain Carriers: Joshua JAMES, Will JAMES

6 Jan 1787 | John Cherry => John Moore | 79 A + 6 A; £100. Former owner: Eleazer Cherry (Pat.1774 & 1777). Adj.: John Whichard. Wit.: John James, John Bowers | Pitt Bk.L-203

Notes for <Unknown>:

Children of Thomas James and <Unknown> are:

68. Reuben Harrell, born Bef. 1750 in NC; died Aft. 1809. He was the son of 136. Henry Harrell and 137. Rachel Wimberly. He married 69. Margaret <Unknown>.

69. Margaret <Unknown>

Notes for Reuben Harrell:

Reuben was mentioned in a deed between his brothers, John and Benjamin, in 1785. It suggests he was at that time still on land he had inherited from his father. He was not located in Bertie or Gates County for the 1787 State census or the 1790 Federal census. Yet on June 30, 1809, Reuben's brother, Benjamin, named him as an executor in his will.

The Pitt Co., NC 1800 census indicates John, Michael and Reubin Harrell living in the county, with John living adjacent to Reuben. Reuben was over 45, as was his wife, and had two daughters and five slaves in the household.

Did he also have sons Zachariah Harrell and John Harrell, who moved to Anson Co., NC?

Pitt Co. NC deeds prove that Michael / Micajah Harrell of Pitt Co NC (he's enumerated there in 1800 and 1820) was a son of R. S. Simon Harrell of Edgecombe Co NC > Warren Co GA. Simon was a son of Thomas Harrell d Edgecombe 1763.

Notes for Margaret <Unknown>:

Halifax Co., NC will #853 p.549 James Cain 28 Aug 1809 / May Ct 1814; son Joseph: son Joseph children land in Martin Co. formerly belonging to my son John Cain; son John; Son James, Son Levi Cain land adj Thomas Drew; son Eliga Cain land purch of Thomas Watson adj Watson & Hopgood; wife Precilla Cain; son Asall Cain; dau Mary Bryan; dau leaves to her 2 ch Ruth & William (no last name); dau Charity; grson James Harrell and dau Ann Cain. Wit. Thomas Weathersby, James C. Morriss.

Children of Reuben Harrell and Margaret <Unknown> are:

70. Joseph White, Jr., born 31 Mar 1735 in New Castle, DE; died Bef. Jul 1807 in Anson Co., NC. He was the son of 140. Joseph White and 141. Margaret Leeth. He married 71. Sarah Headley 10 Jun 1765 in Presbyterian Church, Churchville, Bucks Co., PA.

71. Sarah Headley, born 02 Jan 1737/38 in Bucks Co., PA. She was the daughter of 142. John Headley and 143. Hannah Bidgood.

Notes for Joseph White, Jr.:

A letter from a descendant to her niece, apparently relying on a family Bible, indicates he was born in Scotland.

He was a planter, as was his father, each owning slaves to produce cotton and possibly tobacco on several tracts of land that seldom adjoined their home tract.

(Info from Will of Joseph White)

Last Will and Testament

In the name of our Lord, Amen. I, Joseph White of Anson County, State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be God, on this twenty first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows to wit.. [February 21, 1805]

First that I give my soul to almighty God that gave it and my body to the ground to be buried in decent and Christian like manner.

Item: I lend to my loving wife, Sarah White, seven Negroes known by the following names, Tom, Tuck, Luces, Febe [Phoebe], Olive, Hannah, and Charles, also the Plantation and track of land whereon I now live, also all my horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep. Plantation utensils and household and kitchen furniture during her widowhood or lifetime then to be disposed of as follows:

Item: I give and bequeath to my son George White one Negro fellow, Tom to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son John White one Negro woman by the name of Nan to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Henry White ________________________________

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Ruben White one Negro girl named Millerrey to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give an bequeath to my Daughter Agnes Harrell one Negro Luce to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son James White one Negro boy by the name of Tom to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Joel White Twelve Pounds ten shillings which he borrowed of me to him and his heirs forever

Item: I give to my grandsons, Joseph and Joel White, sons of Joel White one Negro girl named Polly. She and her increase to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughter Jemima Shepherd one Negro Phebe to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Isaiah White one Negro boy named Charles to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Zachariah White after the death of my wife , all of my land and plantation where I now live on Big Brown Creek and two Negroes Tuck and Olive.

Item: I give and bequeath to my grand children of the sons and daughters of Joseph White in the State of Georgia as follows:

To the three sons fifty dollars each and to the three daughters thirty dollars each to be raised out of that part of my Estate which I have lent to my wife consisting of my horses, cattle, hogs, sheep household and kitchen furniture and plantation utensils and the residue of said Estate after the death of my wife to be equally divided amongst all my children to wit George White, John White, Henry White, Ruben White, James White, Joel White, Agnes Harrell, Jemima Shepherd, Isaiah White, and Zachariah White to [them and their heirs forever. ?]

I hereby constitute and appoint my sons George White, John White and Ruben White Executors to this my last will and testament revoking and [annulling ?] all former wills and testaments in writings whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and date above written.

Signed, sealed and delivered in Presence of us as the last will and testament of the said Joseph White.

signed Joseph… J White…

his mark and signature and seal..

J Battle

Ziba Barber

Thomas Atkinson

Martha White

Quit Claim Deed in Anson Co., NC

"January 9 1808 Reuben White, Henry White, George White, Agnes Harrell, James White, Zachariah White, Isaiah (Josiah) White, Thomas Shepherd, James Harrell, and Joel White, legatees of Joseph White deceased to John White; the heirs quit claim to John White 2 Negroes, Sam and Jude, born after the father's will and before his death." All signed, Witness Isham Davis.

Note: an Ephraim White lived in Bertie Co., NC and married Sarah Hardy, who was born 12 Apr 1759 in Bertie Co., NC, they married 20 Oct 1780. Could he be related?

Note: Edey White married William Harrell about 1790 in (prob. Bertie Co.), NC

The White family may have been in Bertie Co. or Pitt Co., NC for some years before 1783-1796, as daughter Agnes married James Harrell of Pitt Co.; their daughter Sarah Harrell married David James of Pitt Co. Alternately, James Harrell could have moved to Anson Co. by 1783 and returned to Pitt Co. to marry his sweetheart some years later.

Notes for Sarah Headley:

or Sarah Headly

Sarah Headley is listed by some as the daughter of John Headley b 1707 and Hannah Bidgood and, if so, the John Headley listed in NC is likely a brother or cousin.

Joseph White's marriage (license date) to Sarah Headley is on a list furnished by the Presbyterian Archives in Philadelphia, PA. The Presbyterian Synods of both Philadelphia and New York furnished travelling missionaries for North Carolina from 1755 to 1770 when the state was given its own Presbytery. Churchville is about 5 miles southeast of Neshaminy.

Children of Joseph White and Sarah Headley are:

76. Eleazer Birkhead, Jr., born Abt. 1737 in Anne Arundel Co., MD; died 1834 in Denton, Davidson, NC. He was the son of 152. Eleazer Birkhead and 153. Johanna Naylor. He married 77. Elizabeth Nutwell Abt. 1765 in Anson Co., NC.

77. Elizabeth Nutwell, born Abt. 1748 in Anne Arundel Co., MD; died 1834 in Davidson Co., NC. She was the daughter of 154. Elias Nutwell.

Notes for Eleazer Birkhead, Jr.:

Eleazer Birkhead, Jr. (later spelled Burkhead) appears in the Beaverdam Creek area of what is now Davidson Co., NC as early as 13 July 1774. The Anson County Court on that date ordered Walter Ashmore to be overseer of a road from "Moore's Ferry to Beaver Dam Creek" Moore's Ferry was apparently in Anson County and adjacent to then Rowan County. Eleazer was named 21st among the 23 designated hands, suggesting that he was already resident in the vicinity of the terminus of the road.

Eleazer appears in the 1778 Rowan County Tax List with property valued at £180. On 8 August of that year, he appears in the County Court minutes as a "nonjuror," i.e. a citizen who refuses to take an oath. There were dozens of nonjurors listed in Rowan County at the time and this refusal probably indicates the family's Quaker religion; however, it may have reflected Loyalist sentiments, which was not uncommon during these early years of the American Revolution.

Refusing to take an oath apparently did not affect Eleazer's good standing as a citizen. On 10 December 1778, he entered 400 acres of land described as being "on the main branch of the Beaverdam Creek, on the south side of Rich Mountain, lying above the Mulberry Ford, and running a south course each side of the creek adjoining Richard Loflin's line." The property was surveyed five years later on 19 April 1783 and the patent was issued 4 November 1784. According to North Carolina State Grant #924, he was charged the going rate of 50 shillings per 100 acres, which amounted to £10 for the entire tract. He entered another 100 acres " ... on the waters of Beaverdam Creek on the south side of his own home tract ..." on 7 February 1799 and the patent was issued 18 December of that year. On 30 January 1801, Eleazer (written Ebenezer) Burkhead sold to Burrel Wood, the husband of his daughter Margaret, 100 acres of his Beaverdam property for £54. The transaction was proved in the County Court at its November 1804 session by James Burkhead.

The 1794 Rowan County Tax List of "Capt. Davis of Bald Mountain District" which was in the southern part of present-day Davidson county, shows Eleazer (written Elijah) as the owner of 500 acres of land and he was assessed for one white poll; his sons Eleazer III and James were heads of their own households and were also assessed for one white poll each. In the 1796 tax list, Elazer Sr.'s assessment was reduced to 450 acres. He and his family appear consistently in the censuses of Rowan County from 1790 through 1820 and in Davidson County in 1830, it having been formed in 1822. He is said to have died there in 1834.

Thanks to Duane Wilson DWi3095824@aol.com March 2000.

Note; Presumed daughter Elizabeth, said to have been married to Azel Rush, may have been the daughter of another couple and had the surname Beckerdite. She has been detached from this family.

Notes for Elizabeth Nutwell:

Children of Eleazer Birkhead and Elizabeth Nutwell are:

78. Capt. James Muse, Jr., born 02 Jan 1733/34 in Prince William Co., VA; died Bet. 10 Jun 1780 - 19 Jan 1782 in Cumberland Co., NC. He was the son of 156. James Muse and 157. Sophia Pope. He married 79. Charity Braswell 27 May 1755 in NC.

79. Charity Braswell, born 05 Apr 1739; died Bet. 1817 - 1818 in of Cumberland Co., NC. She was the daughter of 158. Joseph Braswell and 159. Sarah Kindred.

Notes for Capt. James Muse, Jr.:

James Muse Jr. was a captain of light horse in McDonalds Tory army." Source: "History of Moore Co, NC" by Blackwell P. Robinson

A Tory in the Rev. War, he was sent away to England and then returned to Cumberland County, NC where he left a will.

The Children of James and Charity Muse are proven by will. Will of James Muse, 10 June 1780, proved 19 Jan 1782, Cumberland Co, NC. (He died in 1780)

Excerpted from "Miscellaneous Ancient Records of Moore County, N. C." by Rassie E Wicker published in 1971, pp. 323-324: "MUSE--James Muse, Sr. came down from Virginia and settled on the south side of Deep River, above the mouth of McLendon's Creek in 1755, upon a tract of land purchased of James Barton. He died here, his will being dated 30 March, 1758. He lists James, Thomas and Daniel as his sons. James (Jr.) and perhaps all his brothers came down on McLendon's Creek in the vicinity of Carthage. James, the most active of these, immediately began the entry of many tracts of land on McLendon's Creek, Killet's Creek and that general area, and purchased others. In February, 1776, he joined the "McDonald" Army, and was captured at Moore's Creek. He eluded his captors somewhere on their trek to Philadelphia, and returned home. He evidently took the oath, as he remained in the county afterwards. His wife, Charity, believed by the writer to be Charity Dickerson (this is an error, as James Muse married Charity Brazille or Braswell), the daughter of Robert Dickerson, who was a near neighbor of the elder James Muse's family on Deep River, was awarded by the Moore Court, the Cross Hill house and lands which James, Jr had sold to Dr. Alexander Morrison, and which was confiscated on account of Morrison's part in McDonald's Army. It is the writer's opinion that she made this place her home during her latter days. Jesse Muse, son of James, Jr, married a daughter of George Glasscock, and seems to be the ancestor of the Carthage branch of the family. The exact location of James Jr's home has long eluded a long search by the writer. It was probably at or near the present crossing of NC Rt. 27 of McLendon's and Killet's Creeks."

The Will Of James Muse, Jnr.

In the name of God amin

I James Muse of the County of Cumberland and province of North Carolina, planter in perfect health of body and memory thanks to God, calling unto Mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my lastwill and testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul to God that gave it and my body I recommend to earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of myexecutors, Nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same by the mighty power of God. And as Touching suchthings as Worldly estate therewith it has pleased God to bless me within this life I give and devise and dispose of in the following mannerand form.

First I lend to Charity, my beloved wife, the manor house and plantation wherein I now live with all the household furniture and stock of all kind to be kept for the use of the family and schooling the children after her decease, the household furniture and stock tobe sold at pubic sail with 12 months credit with approved security and the money thence arising to be equally divided amongst all my children except my son Daniel and James and my daughter Ferriba which has already received their full part of the household goods and stock.

Item I give to my son Daniel Muse, three hundred acres of land by the name of the front land and one hundred fifty acres joyning that same called the spring land with that I have already given him to be hisfull part of my estate. Likewise, I give and bequeath to my son, James Muse, the plantation where one he now lives and the land there unto belonging and 150 acres joyning called striblings folly with what I have already given him to be his full part of my estate. [Note Stribling reference: A descendant has a link to a Stribling]

Item I give and bequeath unto my son, Jesse Muse, the old plantation with the land thereunto belonging and 150 acres joyning above the cain patch and one stone horse called Roebuck, saddle and bridle, and that to be his full part of my estate.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Ferriba Seale, the 200 acresof land she now lives on and negro girl called Chloe with what I havealready given her to be her full part of my estate.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son Thos Muse one hundred and fifty acres of land at the mouth of mill swamp taken up by Charles Seale andone hundred and fifty acres between John Howell's and My old place with one gelding called Rainbow, saddle and bridle, and that to be his full part of my estate.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Muse, one negro girlcalled Venis to be delivered to her at the age of sixteen or the dayof her marriage.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Charity Muse, one negro girl named Rachel to be delivered to her at the age of sixteen or theday of her marriage.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Ludda, 200 acres of land joyning Anthony Seale of Virginia and the next child the negro woman Pen shall Bear to be delivered to her at the age of sixteen or day of marriage.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth, 150 acres of land on the mill swamp joyning Anthony Seale and taken up by Anthony Seale of Virginia and 300 acres of land on the road joyning Morrison land to be delivered to her at the age of sixteen or the day of her marriage.

Item I give and bequeath to my son, Kindred Muse, the Manor plantation whereon I now live and at his mother's death and the Land thereunto belonging and privilege to build on any part of the land not interrupting his mother.

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Martha Muse, one negro girl named Luce to be delivered to her at the age of sixteen or day ofmarriage.

It is my desire that my beloved wife shall have the use of negro Joand negro Pen during her Natural life and after her death them with all their not named increase to be sold and the money to be Equally divided Between all my children that is then alive.

It is also my desire . . . (illegible is assumed to read: that uponthe death of my children without) . . . a lawful heir their estate shall be sold and the money equally divided between all my children that is then alive.

It is also my desire that when any of my children shall marry that their mother shall give them what she thinks proper and have it valued and take a receipt for the same that may be had at a final settlement after her death.

And I do Constitute, Make, and ordain My dearly beloved wife, Charity Muse, and my loving sons, Daniel and Jesse Muse, Executrix andExecutors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterlydisallow, Revoke, and disannull all and every other former testaments, wills, legacies, bequests, Executions by me . . . (words blurred) . .. before named willed or bequeather ratifying and confirming this mylast will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my sealthis 10th day of June 1780.

Signed sealed pronounced and James Muse declared by the sd James Muse as his Seal last will and testament in the presence ofeach other have hereunto subscribed our names. John Howell Hannah Dean

Notes for Charity Braswell:

Children of James Muse and Charity Braswell are:

80. <Unknown> Trussell, born Bet. 1710 - 1717 in VA. He was the son of 160. John Trussell III and 161. Jane <Unknown>.

Notes for <Unknown> Trussell:

One of the listed sons of John Trussell III is likely the father of the branch that was later in Chester Co., SC, as John Trussell III's widow shared the same migration path with her second husband, John Hardin or John Harden or John Harding, and their descendants married common family groups.

Children of <Unknown> Trussell are:

82. John Asher, born Abt. 1720; died Bef. 18 Jun 1798 in Culpeper Co., VA. He was the son of 164. John Asher and 165. Susanna <Unknown>. He married 83. Nellie <Unknown> Abt. 1738 in Culpeper Co., VA.

83. Nellie <Unknown>

Notes for John Asher:

WILL BOOK D, PAGES 217-218 CULPEPER COUNTY, VIRGINIA

In the name of God, Amen. I John Asher of the County of Culpeper and Parish of St. Mark being of sound mind and memory and calling to mind the uncertanity of this life do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

First and principally I commend my soul to Almighty God. As to my worldly goods it hath pleased God to bestow on me, I give and bequeath in the following manner.

Item. I lend unto my beloved wife Elizabeth, one hundred acres of the land whereon I now live to be so laid out at the south end of my tract it shall include my personal dwelling house. One negro boy named Bartlett, one horse, two cattle (of the average value of my others), one half my present stock of hogs for the support of my five youngest children. Two beds and furniture and the remainder of household goods, except the balance of my beds, for and during her widowhood or natural life and at her decease to be disposed of by my Executors as is hereafter directed for the disposition of my other property.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my son William Asher's heirs my best wishes for their happiness and prosperity and no more, he having received in his life time an equalivent to my other children's proportion of what I now possess.

Item. I give and bequeath unto my children hereafter named, viz:

Mary Branham (Brandon), Sarah Trussell, Susanna Trussell, Rachael Kenard, Mildred Briant (Bryan), Nelly Asher's son, Waller Asher, Charles Asher, Letty Briant (Bryan), Nancy Mitchell, Frances

Asher, John Asher, William Asher, (by my second wife) Elizabeth Asher, Rebecca Asher, and Nerraway Asher and their heirs forever all my estate both real and personal to be equally divided amongst

them, their heirs and assigns as soon as may conveniently be after my decease (except that part of my estate lent to my wife) which is to be disposed of in like manner at her death.

Lastly. I do hereby consitute and appoint my trusty friends George Kenard, Reubin Porch and Mitchell Porch and my son Charles Asher, Executors to this my last will and testament, hereby revoking and disannuling all former will or wills by me made. In testimony of the above I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of September in the year of our Lord 1796.

Signed, sealed and acknowledged John Asher

in the presence of...

R. Latham Jr.

James Farriott

Thomas Chisham

Probated and recorded 18 June 1798 in Culpeper co., Virginia.

Inventory of John Asher: see Will Book D, page 221-222.

Children of John Asher and Nellie <Unknown> are:

84. Richard Wright, born Abt. 1711; died Bet. 07 Jan - 18 Feb 1773 in Louisa Co., VA. He married 85. Mary <Unknown>.

85. Mary <Unknown>

Notes for Richard Wright:

Wright, Richard Book: 2, Page: , Type: Will, Date: 2/18/1773

Submitted by Peggy Haythorn phaythorn@nc.rr.com

Richard Wright of Louisa County

Written 7 Jan. 1773 I lent unto my beloved wife Mary Wright all the tract of land whereon I now live.. Item 1 unto my son Clayborn Wright after my wife's decease one third part of the tract of land where on I now live to include the dwelling houses and what other houses that shall be on the third part. Item unto my son Bartelott Wright …after my wife decease one third part of the tract of land where on I now live to be laid off to him on both sides of the South fork of Little Rocky Creek. Item unto my son David Wright one third part or remainder of the tract of land where on I now live after my wife decease. Item where as when my son John died he left by a verbal will to my son Clayborn Wright effects to the amount of about three pounds value and as I've never paid the same to my son Clayborn my will and desire is that the sum of three pounds be paid him out of my estate. Item I lend unto my beloved wife all the remainder of my estate, and after her decease it be divided as followeth --- Item, unto my son Clayborn Wright Ten Pounds currt. money. Item I give unto my daughter Clorender Snelson one cow and calf and two sheep, to her, her heirs and assign forever, Item my will and desire is that my sons Wm. Wright and Richard Wright have no part of my estate as I have already given them their parts. Item, I have given my son David Wright a feather bed my will is that the value of it be deduced out of his part of my personal estate, Item I give unto my grand daughter Sarah Sims one feather bed and furniture to her heirs and assign forever Item My will and desire is that all the remaining parts of my estate be equally divided among my children hereafter named Lamonder Wright, David Wright, Mary Wright, Betty Wright, Candace Wright, Bartelott Wright and Clayborn Wright to them their heirs and assign forever. Item I constitute and appoint my sons Wm. Wright, David Wright and Bartelott Wright my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament, I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day year before written. Wit: John Smith, Thomas Coleman, Thomas Smith Richard (his mark) Wright

http://www.trevilians.com/probate/will1.htm#694

W. B. 2, p. 159

Bond of David & Bartelot Wright, Exors. of est. of RICHARD WRIGHT. Sec: John Smith, Wm. Smith. Amt.: L1000. Dated & rcd. 8 Feb. 1773. Signed: David Wright, Bartelot Wright, David Wright, Bartelot Wright, John Smith, William Smith.

W. B. 2, p. 160

Inventory of est. of RICHARD WRIGHT. Dated 15 Mch. 1773. Amt.: L114-14-4. Rcd. Feb. 1773. Apprs. John Smith, Wm. Pettus, Wm. Wash.

Ann Arnold (Benjamin Arnold, Sr.'s widow), John Pettus, Richard Wright, Thomas Graves, William MacGhee, Richard Davenport and Martin Davenport all owned property on Rocky Creek in Louisa County.

Stephen Pettus - listed on 1746 deed with Francis Arnold, Richard Wright, Henry Gambill and Thomas Wright.

Richard Wright - 1746, named as a neighbor on Rocky Creek in Louisa Co., Va ; on a Carr family deed.

Richard Wright is also found on other deeds up until the 1770's. A Jacob Wright's widow sold property to a Wm. and Mary Arnold on Beaverdam Br. of Reedy R. in 1795.

At least two Claiborne women married Wright men in Virginia, too late to be the father of Claiborne Wright; each had descendants named Claiborne Wright, and one was said to have married in Chester Co., SC, where this Claiborne Wright resided. They do not appear to be as closely related as one would expect.

Other Wright families from Chester County, SC"

Deed Book S, pg. 243

Document headed "State of Tennessee". The heirs of Abraham WRIGHT, deceased: Margaret WRIGHT, widow (residence not stated); William and Margaret PATTON (residence not stated); Thomas WRIGHT, eldest son, of Ohio State; Elizabeth THOMPSON of Bedford Co., TN; Lydia WRIGHT and Mary WRIGHT of Bedford Co., TN; Henry WRIGHT of Rutherford Co., TN. The heirs sold the property of Abraham to Col. John CHERRY of Chester County. 4 Sep 1814

Book I, pg. 33

Lucy WRIGHT (formerly BROWN) and Richard WRIGHT ; Molly SIMS (formerly BROWN) and Joseph SIMS give power of attorney to brother Vincent BROWN to settle estate of their father, Vincent BROWN in Richmond Co., VA.

Witnesses: Peter CORBELL, Sr. and Winney N. CORBELL 14 Mar 1804

Book H, pg. 278

Thomas and Mary WRIGHT of Chester to Guy McFADDEN 60 acres in Chester Co., ? Apr 1803

Samuel Wright (b. probably 1760) who m. Mary LOVE and lived with her in Chester County, SC where she died in 1801. Children James Love Wright and John Royal Wright.

Memo: 4 generations

Notes for Mary <Unknown>:

Children of Richard Wright and Mary <Unknown> are:

96. William Austin Carr, born Bef. 1761.

Notes for William Austin Carr:

Probably not the same man from Randolph Co., NC, son of Joseph Carr and Jane Reid, that was thought to be the ancestor for some years. Descendants suggest that they are closely related to Patrick 'Paddy' Carr who resided in Jefferson Co., GA, and who was said to have been from Ireland and who lived for some time in NC. It is possible that Tobe Carr who made this assertion found the information in the same article published by biographers of Paddy Carr that I did and made it his own.

I think that another man, William A. Carr or William Orson Carr of Randolph Co., NC, shares the birth & death dates commonly reported for this William Austin Carr, of 20 May 1763 and 6 Apr 1848. His will and his wife's will each identify the children (legitimate) of their marriage, and though a descendant of his father, Joseph Carr, was in Georgia, only scant circumstantial evidence can provide a potential link to this branch. That William A. Carr does not descend from the Louisa Co., VA Carrs, but is of the Westmoreland Co., VA branch, and was a loyalist during the war, being related by marriage to David Fanning.

Memo: 5 generations

Child of William Austin Carr is:

98. Isaac Downs, born Bef. 1740 in Prob. MD; died Aft. 1811 in Prob. GA. He was the son of 196. <Unknown> Downs. He married 99. <Unknown>.

99. <Unknown>, born Bef. 1745; died Aft. 1811.

Notes for Isaac Downs:

Thought by many to be Isaac Downs; likely also the father or brother of James Downs and Silas Downs. Grandchildren on two different lines claim that their parents were born in Maryland.

Likely a descendant's record:

27 Dec 1817 Jasper Co. GA Deed

Isaac Downs to Alexander Smith for $350 73 acres in the 2nd Section of Lot 81 in the 16th District of Baldwin Co., now Jasper Co. GA. Recorded 26 Oct 1818 [Jasper Co. GA Deed Book B1 p. 6]

There is convincing evidence (to the writer) that he was a white man and that he was in Indian country at an early date. Whether his wife was white or Creek is the subject of debate.

In the September, 2002 "Taylor County Tracer," John R. Adams writes (on page 18):

"Facts from my research:

"(1) Moravian Diary March 7, 1811. We prayed liturgy No. 26 in English. For this 13 were present. That evening there were seventeen persons in the audience, including Mrs. Hawkins's father, Mr. Downs. On the 8th there were thirty-one persons present. Twenty-nine came on the 9th, including the elderly Mr. Downs and his wife. (This could mean that Lavinia Downs' father and mother as well as her grand parents.)

"(2) Moravian Diary June 16, 1811. "The negro Claster said "'I am glad to have attended the service. I was undecided about coming, for our old master (meaning Mrs. Hawkins' father) attempted to keep me from going."

"(3) Moravian Diary July 14, 1811. "Twenty blacks, the parents of Mrs. Hawkins, and two of their children attended the meeting and listened attentively to what Br. Peterson had to say. A part-Indian disturbed us by making a noise in our middle house." (The Moravian Missionaries never referred to any of the Downs as mix blood, half Indian or half breed.)

"(4) Moravian Diary July 29, 1811. "Mr. Limbaugh had heard of this and he and Mr. Downs came to make inquiry. Greatly excited, they went to see Mrs. Hawkins. She was even more wrought up, had the instigator [Phil] tied to a tree and given 50 lashes with a cowhide [whip]. Phil's closest collaborator, the Negro Sam, was next tied but he escaped more lightly. I told Mrs. Hawkins that it was useless to force them to attend the meetings. To this she responded very reasonably, saying that was not her reason for having them whipped, but rather because they took it upon themselves to judge us and other whites and that she had already cautioned Phil. She remarked, You do not know this hypocrite. Even before the Colonel's departure, he had secretly gone and attracted all of the Negroes to himself. He is haughty and wants to be a preacher and preach in his house where he is able to take the women to his lap, which he is not able to do at your house. So he seeks secretly to tear them away from you. If he does not want to come to your meetings, nor is he to forbid it. They are not to mess into the affairs of white people. This hypocrite was ordered by his master not to preach, but no sooner had he gone than he began to preach." (Most of the Indians treated the Negro better tthan did the whites.)

"(5) Lavinia Hawkins was the Administrator of Col. Benjamin Hawkins estate and she also was Administrator of her daughter's husband's, Christopher Kysers, estate. (I don't believe that an Indian could have been Administrator of the estate of a white man at this time in history. This could only happen if no one knew she was an Indian or part Indian.)

"(6) When the Moravian Missionaries were sick Col. Benjamin Hawkins doctored them. You would think that if Lavinia Hawkins was an Indian she would have doctored them, however she could have instructed Col. Hawkins.

"(7) Merrit B. Pound's book, "Benjamin Hawkins - Indian Agent", on page 150 gives the following statement. Lavinia was a friend of Edward Price's family, and it is likely that Hawkins met her at Coleraine or at Fort Wilkinson. A letter from Price to Hawkins, written probably in December, 1798, seems to indicate that she had lived with Hawkins before that time. "Lavinia is with us, sleeps alone and says she can't help feeling solitary situation those cold nights." And footnote 28: Hawkins had written Price on October 23, 1797, asking that Price send him some woman to superintend his household as "a long continuance of the fatigue I daily experience would be more than I can bare" (sic). The letter was delivered by a man named Downs who was temporarily in the employ of Hawkins. It is possible that Price carried out the Agent's request by sending him a kinswoman of his messenger."

(end of transcription from Taylor County Tracer).

Lavinia Downs is reported to have been the "Queen of Tuckabatchie" in the book "True Women" by Janice Woods Windle. The family history maintained by her descendants with long Creek bloodlines show that she was the wife of Chief Long Side of Tuckabatchie and had a son, Silas Downs. Tuckabatchie was a Creek village across the Chatahoochie River, some sixty miles distant from Fort Hawkins, and in present day Alabama. Her husband was killed in a raid, leaving her and her young son in peril. She approached Col. Hawkins and proposed marriage. There is no confirmation that this is the same woman he married, but her medicine cape (or prayer shawl), of calf skin and beads, and definitely of Creek origin, has been handed down to the women descendants of her family and has been shown at family reunions. Was this a family heirloom or a gift from a friend?

Her father has been reported to be either Silas Downs or Isaac Downs, and a descendant was named William Downs Carr. It is claimed by some descendants that her father was a Revolutionary War Hero. According to information from a Creek source, it is thought that her name was taken from a white family, but that her parents were likely full-blood Indians. We may never know.

"Lavinia Downs was probably a white woman, the daughter of Isaac Downs of Hancock Co., GA" according to "The Southern Indians and Benjamin Hawkins" by Florette Henri, p 334 (note 50). [It would have been necessary to descendants to pass as white, for inheritance and to avoid a stigma.]

Crawford Downs is mentioned in "Letters, Journals and Writings of Benjamin Hawkins Vol. II - 1802-1816" on page 775, and footnote reads "probably a relative of Lavinia Downs." A Crawford Downs shows up in the marriage and census records of Alabama at ages that may make him a brother. Crawford Downs also made purchases from the estate of Benjamin Hawkins, as did Silas Downs. A Crawford Downs married Mary Ann Butler, daughter of Jesse Butler and a descendant of a Beale family of Pennsylvania, many of which were Quaker. Jesse Butler died 1827 in Morgan Co., GA; Mary Ann Butler was born c 1811 and had sister Epsey B. Butler. Mary Downs named her first daughter Epsey B. Carr in 1801.

Another Crawford Downs had at least four children, and later married his cousin, Elizabeth Downs 10 Jul 1810 in Randolph Co., GA. From Georgia, he moved to Amite Co., MS. He had a son with the middle name of Hawkins, and a grandson with a middle name of Hawkins, and a granddaughter with them middle name of Jeffersonia. Seems to be a good candidate to be a nephew, brother or half-brother of Lavinia & Mary Downs. Some say he was the son of Silas Downs of Harris Co., GA. At least one son of this Crawford married a Cherokee from Tennessee.

Family stories indicate that Mary Downs (who married Henry Carr) was the sister of Lavinia Downs. The family reports exact birthdates for both women. It is possible that they were not full sisters, and it is possible that Mary Downs' father (or both of their fathers) was in fact one of the Downs from Maryland who was a revolutionary war hero. Both may be half Creek. [I believe they were sisters.]

Silas Downs of Maryland and later of Harris Co., GA had children named Lavinia, Epsey, Isaac and Mary, and was the right age to be Mary and Lavinia's brother or uncle. Some of his descendants married descendants of James Downs, his neighbor and likely his brother. Whether some of this family were siblings or half-siblings of Lavinia is not obvious, but a close family connection is obvious.

Notes for <Unknown>:

Likely a Creek woman.

Because of family traditions that indicate that Lavinia Downs had Indian blood, and because her father was likely white, there is a strong likelihood that her mother was a Creek woman; she may have married or had two daughters by a white man named Downs. She was still alive and living wither Mr. Downs during 1811, and attending church with him. Moravian Diaries create doubt that she was actually Creek or part Creek.

However, " ... confirmation that Lavina Downs was Creek came from the Chehaws who showed Janice [Woods Windle] that the marriage of Hawkins and Downs is recorded in the official Marriages of the Muskogee." This supports that her mother must have been Creek.

http://www.rootsweb.com/~gajones/hawkins.htm

Children of Isaac Downs and <Unknown> are:

100. Col. Philemon Hawkins II, born 28 Sep 1717 in near Chickahominy River, Todd's Bridge, Charles City Co., VA; died 10 Sep 1801 in Pleasant Hill, Warren (now Vance) Co., NC. He was the son of 200. Philemon Hawkins and 201. Anne Eleanor Howard. He married 101. Delia Martin 1743 in Brunswick Co., VA.

101. Delia Martin, born 15 Dec 1721 in Brunswick Co., VA; died 20 Aug 1794 in Raleigh, Wake, NC. She was the daughter of 202. Zachariah Martin.

Notes for Col. Philemon Hawkins II:

1757 for several terms High Sheriff of Granville Co., NC

1776 member of the Continental Congress at Halifax, NC

He raised and commanded a batallion of cavalry.

Note: There is a Pleasant Hill cemetery off Kanuga Road, Henderson Co., NC. There is a Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in far-northern Granville Co., NC. The wikipedia article about his grandson, Governor William Hawkins, indicates that Pleasant Hill (plantation) was in the current Vance Co., which was established around 1890.

Though often repeated, no evidence has been found linking this Philemon Hawkins to Gloucester Co., VA - though it may have been the port of entry, and may have encompassed more land then than it does now.

Warren County Deed Book-l, page 133. 30 July 1766. Philemon Hawkins, of Bute Co. to his son John Hawkins.

Deed of Gift, for natural love & affection & for his better maintenance & preferment, 1000 A. in Bute Co. on Fishing Creek, beginning where the Court House Road crosses the Little Creek, through my pasture to Johnson's Road, adj. my lower line & Macon, Hurst & McLemore - all of the land granted 29 Nov. 1760, part of a tract bought 28 April 1753 and part of one obtained 25 March 1749. Wit: Len Henley Bullock, Stephen Jett. Ack: by Philemon Hawkins, Bute July Court 1766, Ben McCulloch, C.C. Reg: 24 November 1766, by Willm. Johnson, P.R.

DB-l? Page 140. 23 May 1766. Zachariah Martin to Philemon Hawkins, both of Bute Co. 50 Pds. Procl. money for 190 A. in Bute Co. on Sandy Creek, adj. Bledsoe, to a swamp & along the branch to Martin's line, part of the land belonging to John Martin, dec'd. Wit: Jos. Martin, Phoebe Terrell. Proved by Phoebe Terrill, Bute July Court 1766, Ben McCulloch, C.C. Reg: 26 November 1766, by Willm. Johnson, P.R.

DB-3, page 318. 19 July 1771. PHILEMON HAWKINS & DILLE, his wife, to DANIEL SLEDGE, all of Bute Co. 70 Pds. Procl. money for 385 A. in Bate Co. on NS Stone House Creek, the Watery Ran, adj. PERSON. Wit: ROBERT BIRD, JOHN TWITTY, PHIL. HAWKINS,JR. Ack: by PHILEMON HAWKINS & DILLE!, his wife, she having been first privately examined & consenting, Bute August Court 1771, BEN McCULLOCH, C.C. Reg: 20 November 1771, by JAMES JOHNSON, P.R. Marginal notation: 13th. Augst. 1772 Deld. to THOS. PERSON

note: John Martin's wife and Delia Martin Hawkins' sister-in-law Rachel is often shown to be Rachel Hawkins. She does not appear in recorded family histories of Philemon Hawkins. Who was she? Phoebe Terrell was her daughter, the wife of Hezekiah Terrell.

Virkus Compendium, Vol. II p. 286 indicates that this Philemon Hawkins had a daughter, Mary Hawkins, who married John Downey.

Notes for Delia Martin:

Children of Philemon Hawkins and Delia Martin are:

104. Benjamin Pearson, born Bef. 1763.

Notes for Benjamin Pearson:

Tentative link. Several men with similar names from Brunswick Co., VA (see families of Littleberry Pearson, Hyde Pearson)

Child of Benjamin Pearson is:

106. Capt. Isaac Harris, born Abt. 1742 in Brunswick Co., VA; died Aft. 27 May 1808 in Halifax Co., NC. He was the son of 212. Nathan Harris and 213. Catherine Walton. He married 107. Mary Mahoney Abt. 1772.

107. Mary Mahoney, born Bef. 1758 in Brunswick Co., VA; died Abt. 1810 in Halifax Co., NC. She was the daughter of 214. William Mahoney.

Notes for Capt. Isaac Harris:

He was the executor of his father-in-law, William Mahoney's will dated 20 Jan 1795.

27 May 1807- Signed will, probated Feb 1808

In the Name of God Amen, I, ISAAC HARRIS of Halifax County & State of North Carolina being of Sound & disposing mind & Memory do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following first and foremost I recommend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it in hope of a joyful resurrection of the Same & my body to be decently buried & as to what worldly Goods it has pleased God to bestow on me I dispose of as follows, to wit:

Item...I give & bequeath to my daughter ANNA HAWKINS, one negro girl named TAMER & one bay filly called Silver Tail to her, her heirs & assigns forever.

Item... I also leave to my said daughter ANNA HAWKINS the sum of Twenty Dollars pr year until her son WM. HAWKINS shall arrive to the age of Seven years for the support of her Said Son WILLIAM during that time, but in case he should die under that age the same is to cease at his death.

Item... I leave all the rest of my estate of what kind Soever to be sold by my Executors hereafter to be named at their discretion as they may think most advisable for the benefit of my said Estate & the Money arising from Such Sale to be equally divided among my nine children, Viz: PATSY WILLIAMS, BURGES HARRIS, WILLIAM HARRIS, NATHAN HARRIS, ANNA HAWKINS, ELIZABETH WILLIAMS, ISAAC HARRIS, SILAS HARRIS, & JANE PEARSON to them, their heirs & assigns forever, except my said Daughter PATSY WILLIAMS proportion of my Said estate, which I leave to be reserved in the hands of my Executors for them to administer the Same to my said Daughter as they may think her necessity requires & in case of her death, I then leave the same or what part may remain to be equally divided between all her children that may then be living to them their heirs & assigns forever & in case of the death of either of my before mentioned children I leave their proportion of Said Estate to be equeally divided among all their children that may then be living to them their heirs & Assigns forever.

Item... I do hereby constitute & appoint my two kinsmen JAMES HARRIS and BENJAMIN HARRIS of Halifax County, my whole & Sole Executors of this my last Will & Testament revoking all wills heretofore by me made, In Witness whereof I have hereto Set my hand & Seal this 27th day of May 1807.

ISAAC HARRIS [Seal]

Signed, sealed & delivered in the presence of THOS. TURNER

STATE OF North Carolina}

HALIFAX COUNTY}

Personally appeared before us THOMAS TURNER & DAVID HARDY & made oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God, that ISAAC HARRIS on his death bed requested them to take notice that it was his request & desire that the Executors to his last Will should lay in sufficient provision for the support & maintenance of his daughter ANNA HAWKINS & her children for the ensueing year, exclusive of the provision he has made for her in his will. In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands th 26th day of December 1807.

W.ALSTON, J.P.

JOHN ALSTON, J.P.

Halifax County,

February Sessions, 1808, then this will was acknowledged in Open Court & duly proved by the oath of THOMAS TURNER, the Subscribing Witness thereto, at the same time the said THOMAS TURNER one of the witnesses to the Codicil hereto annexed made oath that the same was written & sworn to at the Salatory request as a confirmation & in republication of his said last Will & Testament. On Motion ordered to be recorded, Whereupon JAMES HARRIS & BENJAMIN HARRIS Executors thereto named came in and was duly qualified to the same.

Attest

L.LONG, C.Cl.

A True Copy

Attest

STERLING M. GARY

CLERK SUPERIOR COURT

August 9th, 1913

Will Book Vol.3, Page 476

Deeds of Halifax County North Carolina 1786-1796 (abstracted by Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, Jr. 1990):

Deed Book 18,

Page 450 (372) Henry Hyde of Halifax County to Thomas Turner of same. 3 March 1798. 154 pounds 16 shillings Virginia 807 acres, joining Martins Swamp, Capt. George Coffer, Edmond, Brewers Branch, Bear Swamp, Johnston (formerly James Wright's),Capt. Isaac Harris. Henry Hyde. Wit: Presly Turner, Nowell (x) Colthrop. Nov. Ct. 1798. L. Long, CCt.

Page 457-(378) Thomas Turner of Halifax County to Isaac Harris & Abner Harris, executors of Elias Harris, dec'd. 9 March 1798. Sd Turner owed 102 pounds 10 shillings Virginia to sd executors. Thus he mortgages 807 acres which sd Turner purchased from Mr. Henry Hyde, joining Martin's Swamp, Capt. George Coffer, Edmonds, Bear Swamp, Johnston (formerly James Wright's), Capt. Isaac Harris; also the slaves Tom, Ben, Austin, London. Thos. Turner. Wit: David Hardy, Nowell (x) Colthorp. Nov. Ct. 1798.

Other deeds:

Halifax Co., NC:

p. 90, from HENRY BROWN and his wife JANE to JESSE BROWN, 160 acres on the south side of Roanoke River joining Brewers Wranch, WILLIAM MAHONEY, NATHAN HARRIS, and BETTY JONES dated 14 Oct 1766, ALSO: JOHN BROWN

Halifax Co., NC:

Purchased from NATHAN HARRIS of Brunswick County, Virginia, 250 acre s joining Elk Marsh, sd. NATHAN, JESSE BROWN, Marsh Swamp, and ISAAC HARRIS dated 1 Jun 1769 , W: ELIAS HARRIS, GIDEON HARRIS, and SAMPSON MONGER

Notes for Mary Mahoney:

Children Jane, Silas, Nathan and Elizabeth are identified as Mahoney grandchildren in the will of William Mahoney.

Children of Isaac Harris and Mary Mahoney are:

108. Thomas Bailey, born 08 Apr 1761 in Fairfax Co., VA; died 21 Nov 1832 in Halifax Co., VA or Nash Co., NC. He was the son of 216. Joseph Bailey. He married 109. Rebecca <Unknown> 1778.

109. Rebecca <Unknown>

Notes for Thomas Bailey:

Thomas Bailey (1761-1832) served as Private, 1778-81, under Captains Jacob Reed, Daniel Fagan and Simon Hancock, Colonels Francis Peyton and George Mason, Virginia Line. In 1832 he applied for a pension. His claim was allowed. He was born in Fairfax County, VA. Yalobusha Co., MS was not yet opened for settlement in 1832, but at least one Thomas Bailey emigrated to the county early (another is in my file, brother of Hayman Bailey and a cousin of mine on the Hayman line, who was born in Maryland and who died in 1850 in Titus Co., TX).

DAR Members on this line (research notes): Mrs. Elizabeth Crowell Carnes. DAR ID Number: 96599 ; Miss Addie Earle. DAR ID Number: 105034; Mrs. Tassie Earle Baker.157218 Eliabeth Crowell's DAR application indicates that "son Valentine born 1799." However, one Valentine Bailey living adjacent to Thomas's son Richard Thomas Bailey was mentioned in land records by 1814, indicating an earlier birth. When he applied for pension on 21 Mar 1832, Thomas Bailey resided in Halifax Co., VA. [conld have been Halifax Co., NC where children resided.]

The Bailey family was in Nash Co., NC and Halifax Co., NC which are adjacent, just east and northeast of Raleigh.

A Richard Bailey of Halifax Co., NC who died in 1762 is in this file with related deed and will information, but does not appear to be related. He had children Richard and Thomas, however, and was the son of Philip Bailey of Edgecombe Co., NC. (Nash was created from Edgecombe).

Mountjoy Bailey or Mountjoy Baily was born in Fairfax Co., VA c 1755, son of William Bailey or William Baily, and may be related.

Other Bailey names found in Nash county, belong to a family researched by Georgie Byerly gbyerly@san.rr.com and are not repeated here; they may (or may not) be related.

The following Richard Bailey may (or may not) be connected:

A John Taylor plat for 96 acres in Edgecombe County on Turkey Creek, "joining Taylor's own Line" was dated 18 Apr 1752. Sworn chain carriers were: Richard Bayley, Jams Smelley. Jams Conner Survr.

Notice that Richard Bayley was a chain carrier. Ten years later in Northampton County, a John Taylor would name his cousin Richard Bailey as a legatee in his will; and almost thirty years earlier a Richard 'Baley' witnessed with Rebecca Snodon and Thomas Taylor on 22 Feb 1720/21 when James Williamson of Perquimans Precinct sold 300 acres on the east side of 'Quittsnie in Morattoke' in Bertie County to Jonathan Taylor. There is a definite Bailey-Taylor connection that needs to be defined.

Research Note: Ambrose Bailey, once in Charles Co., MD and later in Stafford and possibly Fairfax Co., VA - by 1689.

Memo: 4 generations

Children of Thomas Bailey and Rebecca <Unknown> are:

110. Thomas Whitehead, born Abt. 1744 in Edgecombe Co., NC; died Abt. Feb 1808 in Nash Co., NC. He was the son of 220. Nathan Whitehead and 221. Mary Davis. He married 111. Elizabeth Culpepper 04 Jun 1768 in Edgecombe Co., NC.

111. Elizabeth Culpepper, born Abt. 1748; died Bef. May 1832 in Nash Co., NC. She was the daughter of 222. Benjamin Culpepper and 223. Elizabeth <Unknown>.

Notes for Thomas Whitehead:

THOMAS WHITEHEAD 29 Dec 1807 Feb Ct 1808 "weak in Body" Son NATHAN WHITHEAD - negro girl Fanney, Chaney. Son THOMAS WHITEHEAD - girl Beck, boy George. Son MATTHEW WHITEHEAD - woman Mimey & child Darkis. Son ARTHUR WHITEHEAD 550 acres where I now live, man Tom, woman Viney, boy Harrey, boy Luke, boy Jim; etc. Daughter ABIAR CULPEPPER - girl Barbary. Grandson THOMAS BATTLE - girl Sylvey. Daughter MOURNING - woman Amey, girl Fillis, girl Selah, boy Binam,

girl Dinah, girl Winney, etc. Wife ELIZABETH WHITEHEAD Jeffree, Jack, Hannah, Bandy, Solomon, Sarah, etc; lend to her 1/3 the sd land, etc. Ex. sons NATHAN & ARTHUR WHITEHEAD Wit. RICHD. ARRINGTON, WILLIAM ANDERSON, RAHAB WHITEHEAD

Notes for Elizabeth Culpepper:

Will dated 4 Dec 1828 names grandchildren, children of Richard Bailey and Mourning.

Will of ELIZABETH WHITEHEAD of Nash Co:

1. dau Abiah Culpepper, wife of Matthew Culpepper

2. dau MOURNING BALEY, wife of RICHARD BALEY

3. Grandson RICHARD THOMAS BALEY

4. Grandson ROBERT WILLIAMSON BALEY

5. Granddau LAVINA MOURNING BALEY

6. Granddau EVELINA F. BALEY

7. Granddau SALLEY BALEY

Wit: Benjamin Blunt. 4 Dec 1828 Rec. May Term 1832.

Will also entered for probate in Warren Co. Mar Ct 1832 and sent to Nash Co.

The following is from "Record of Estates, Warren County, NC, 1805--1833," by David B. Gammon:

ELIZABETH WHITEHEAD The exr. Joseph Arrington brought suit against Matthew Culpepper and wife to question the validity of the will, Apr. Ct., 1830. The Court requested that Arrington's name be stricken from the record and replaced with that of Richard Bailey. Record indicates the dec'd. left a will in Nash County (Apr. Ct., 1832), and contains the following text: to my grandchildren Richard Thomas Bailey, Robert Williamson Bailey, Levina Mourning Bailey, Eveline F. Bailey and Sally Bailey - Negroes each. To my son-in-law Richard Bailey - hogs, etc. The rest of my property is to be sold with proceeds paid to my daughters Abigail Culpepper and Mourning Bailey. My daughter Mourning is to have my clothing. I appoint my friend Joseph Arrington my executor. Will is dated Dec. 4, 1828 and was witnessed by Benjamin

Children of Thomas Whitehead and Elizabeth Culpepper are:

112. Maj. John (Old John) Davidson Davison, born Bef. 1700 in Shankill Par., Co. Armagh, Ireland; died Bet. 1749 - 1750 in Anson Co., NC or Iredell Co., NC. He was the son of 224. William Davison and 225. Elizabeth <Unknown>. He married 113. Jane <Unknown> Abt. 1727 in Ireland.

113. Jane <Unknown>, born Bef. 1714.

Notes for Maj. John (Old John) Davidson Davison:

It seems possible that Old John and his brother George Davidson (Davison) may have been the son of a George Davidson instead of the William Davidson whose will is mentioned. Naming conventions suggest this. In addition, a Samuel Davidson who is said to have married (2nd) Margaret Maner may be a brother (or cousin).

Much of the information in this line was found in "Davison / Davidson Family: The Descendants of William and Elizabeth Davison of County Armagh, Ireland" by Robert Stephens Hand, c 1990, 2nd ed. 1991. Hand indicates he was likely born c 1707, though he was likely an adult by 1721, when his presumed father wrote his will.

One report indicates: He was the son of William Davidson, Jr. and Elspet Milne and married Elspet Arbuthnot, the mother of Elizabeth Davidson that married Ephraim McLean, Sr. (same dates for this John).

Robert Stephens Hand says:

"John Davidson must have left Ireland around 1738, for his fourth child was born in Ireland in 1737. At this time the movement of Irish Protestants to southern Chester County, part of which is now Lancaster County, had grown so great that Penn's agents closed the doors of the land office between 1718 and 1733 and the settlers moved in and became "squatters" in and around Chestnut Level.

"John and Jane came to America with five children, and then spent eight or ten years in that area of Virginia that is now Augusta County before moving on to "Davison's Creek" (named for him) in what is now Iredell County, NC. Their three youngest children were baptized in Tinkling Springs in Virginia. John "proved his importation" 24 Jul 1740 with wife Jane and children George, Thomas, William and Samuel (daughter Rachel, second child, was also with her parents then). Information on the parents and the four sons is in Howard McKnight Wilson's "The Tinking Springs -- Headwaters of Freedom: A Study of the Church and Her People." John Davison's /Davidson's children Elizabeth, Margaret and John were baptized in Tinkling Spring by Rev. John Craig. Benjamin and James Davidson, often listed as children of our John Davison/ Davidson, were not his children. They appear to have been children of a Samuel Davidson of what was then Augusta and is now Rockbridge County, VA. Descendants of this Samuel, in at least one case, married into our Davidson line. Margaret Davidson, said to have been born 1725, and who lived in Augusta / Rockbridge County, the wife of Robert Houston and ancestresss of Gen. Sam Houston of Tennessee and Texas, may also have been a child of this Samuel Davidson, with whom we have been unable to establish any family connection.

"The first land surveyed for John Davison / Davidson in present Rockbridge County (then Augusta County) Virginia was in Beverly Manor, on Christian Creek, in May 1738. He bought these 785 acres before 5 Jun 1739, when he was listed among the purchasers of the Manor land. On 18 Feb 1747/48 he sold 485 acres of Beverly Manor land and 350 acres of land on Buffalo Creek, which runs into the upper waters of James River. These land sales were signed by Jane, who released her dower rights to them, and took place just before our John Davison / Davidson and his family left for NC. William Morrison was the last to inventory John's Virginia estate in 1751, and he was noted to be the "present husband" of "said Jane Davidson." According to George Samuel Franklin Davidson, who had his information from his father, Gen. Ephraim Davidson, and who put it in writing, John Davison /Davidson went from Rockbridge Co., VA to what is now Iredell Co., NC and died there about two years later.

"The first of the Granville lands surveyed in what was then Anson, later Rowan (after 1753) and is now Iredell (after 1788) County was dated 13 Nov 1848, and was made by the Granville surveyor Charles Robertson for John McDowell on McDowell's Creek. The second survey (the first in present Iredell County) was for John Davison, and was dated 26 Nov 1748. Title to the land was issued jointly to George Davidson and John Davison / Davidson. John had made the application and was probably living on the land in question and George, son and heir of John Davison / Davidson is listed as "Chainman" in surveying the land. John Davison / Davidson did not live to see the completoin of the paperwork. The Davison / Davidson grant covers land on Davison's creek, which flowed in a southwesterly direction to join the Catawba River.

"According to George Samuel Franklin Davidson, son of Gen. Ephraim Davidson and grandson of George, John Davison / Davidson died in 1750, two years after moving to NC, and was buried on his farm. Subsequent generations of this family used the second "d" in the name "Davidson" and even the name of the creek was changed from "Davison's" to "Davidson's" Creek.

"John, William Davison's second son, married widow Jane ( ) (not Morrison) in ireland. We know that our John Davison / Davidson went from Pennsylvania to what is now Rockbridge County, VA, where we know that John lived for about ten years, and where some of his children were born. It appears that George Davison / Davidson left Pennsylvania later, and perhaps joined his brother John for the trek from Tinkling Springs down the continuation of the Great Waggon Road leading from Virginia to the valley of the Catawba River in North Carolina. In the early North Carolina records the family still spelled their name "Davison", but this was soon changed to "Davidson." Settlers, Scotch-Irish and German, were attracted to this region because of the Granville land sales. Lord Granville, one of the origional "Proprietors", unlike his colleagues, had refused to sell his lands back to the English Crown, and was then selling, aat low prices, his Crown lands through agents who were usually unscrupulous and sometimes outright dishonest. John Davidson bought the first tract (the second in what is now Iredell Co) on what was to become known as "Davison's (later "Davidson's") Creek", a tributary of the Catawba River. This tract is located in the northwest corner of what is now Mecklenburg County and the southwest corner of present Iredell County, North Carolina, a few miles north of the present city of Charlotte, and a mile south of Centre Presbyterian Church. John died before the paperwork was finished, and his son George (third generation from William) inherited the property. A Davidson home, recently restored, was still standing in 1987. This was the home of Gen. Ephraim Davidson, son of George, grandson of John, and great grandson of the original William Davidson of Ireland. It was probably left by George Davidson to his son Ephraim, though this is by no means certain."

"In the Davidson family history, as with most families, there is often "tradition: as opposed to facts. Often, if not usually, such records have a factual background, and they should not be ignored. We have tried to distinguish between family tradition and facts. For example, it is interesting to read that a young red-headed widow [Jane ( ) Morrison] with a small son arrived in Philadelphia from Ireland minus her husband, who had died en route from Ireland. This tradition is negated by the facts.

The Augusta / Orange County (VA) "proof of importation" shows that John Davidson imported from Ireland to Philadelphia, at his expense, his wife Jane, his sons George, Thomas, William and Samuel. This proof of importation was required before a person to hold property, at least in Virginia. Women, in these early days, could hold property only if they inherited it from their husbands, so fhte "proof of importation" did not apply to daughters. Rachel, the oldest daughter, was with her parents when they settled in Beverly Manor, around Tinkling Spring. This proves that Jane and the first of John Davison's sons, were all born in Ireland, and that the legend about Jane, who lost her husband en route to America with a small son, is just so much legend. We now conclude that there is no basis for claiming that Jane was "wisow Morrison", nor that she had a small son named William Morrison. We alco conclude, from the 1737 date of birth for twins William and Samuel Davidson, youngest sons "imported", that John Davidson and his wife Jane and their family arrived in America (Philadelphia) in or after 1737 and before July 1740. Jane's son WIlliam Morrison was most likely the son of the William Morrison that Jane married in 1750, shortly after John Davison / Davidson died. John's brother George came to America before 1746. George tarried in Pennsylvania where his second son William was born, perhaps in the Chestnut Level area of present Lancaster Co. It has been reported (we have not seen documentation) that John Davison / Davidson came from Londonderry, County Londonderry, Ireland to America. This does not violate any facts as we know them, since John left Ireland at least 15 years before his father died, and Londonderry, a relatively large city at the time, is some 25 miles north of the "Cathedral" city of Armagh (in County Armagh) and would have been a likely place for a young man to begin raising a family."

"There were at least two Davidson families in North Carolina Piedmont area before the Revolutionary War: (1) those of the line of Major John Davidson of "Rural Hill" in Mecklenburg Co and his wife Violet WInslow WIlson. This Major John Davidson was son of Robert Davidson and his wife Isabella Ramsey who reportedly came from Scotland (she came from Dundee, Scotland), and (2) our John and George Davison / Davidson who we believe were immigrant sons of WIlliam Davison, and who came to America from Ireland. There have been several books published on various lines of our John Davidson, but only one (The Davidsons -- Ulster to Mississippi, 200 Years, by Florence Whitfield Barton) that made any efort to cover multiple lines of descent, and that study emphasized one line.

"We would invite the readers attention to the fact that there were other Davisons, apparently not related to ours, in what was then Augusta County (later Rockbridge Co) VA. Some reasons for accepting George and John Davison / Davidson as the sons of William of Legacorry, County Antrim, Ireland are (10 that the vital dates are compativle, (2) the initial spelling of the surname was "Davison" in the case of both the father and the sons, and (3) it is certain that John, as most likely that George Davison came from Ireland, since most of the immigrants who settled in lower Chester and Lancaster Counties of Pennsylvania (where George lived for a time) came from Ulster. Proof, unfortunately, is lacking for the connection between William Davison of Legacorry and George and John Davison / Davison in our line.

"Until the end of the Revolutionary War Tennessee was a westward extension of North Carolina, for in 1777 Washington County North Carolina covered the whole state of Tennessee. In 1784 Sullivan and Green counties North Carolina were carved out of Washington County. Later the same year North Carolina ceded to the United States the "Cumberland Settlements" (all the present state of Tennessee). The early immigration of white settlers to the "Cumberland" settlements began around 1783, mainly in the area where Nashville was established (the County is Davidson, named for Gen. William Lee Davidson).

"During the Revolutionary War North Carolina passed legislation rewarding certain of its veterans with land grants, and after the war she ceded Tennessee to the United States. Soon Tennessee became a new state. Mainly because of these "bounty lands" the development of this middle Tennessee area proceeded rapidly in the 1790s and the early 1800s. These newcomers took out land in East and middle Tennessee (mainly Davidson, Williamson, Maury, RUtherford, Bedford, Lincoln, and Giles Counties) and, when the Indians became less hostile, in Western Tennessee, particularly in the tier of counties along the Mississippi River. Many of our Davidsons went first to Maury and Bedford counties. Bedford County was established in large parts of what are now Marshall, Coffee and Franklin Counties, and all of present Moore County. The first county seat of Bedford was near the headwaters of Mulberry Creek, near the little village called "County Line", 3 miles north of Lynchburg. Late in the year 1809 Lincoln County was erected from the south end of Bedford, and the county seat was then in Lincoln County. The seat moved to Shelbyville, near the center of Bedford County, whre it has been ever since.

"The amount of Tennessee land a veteran of the North Carolina Continental Line received depended on his rank. General Nathaniel Green, for instance, was granted 25000 acres; a Lt. Colonel (of the "Line", as distinguished from the militia) got 5760 acres, and a private who stayed in service until the end of the war received 640 acres. Also widows of veterans received generous allotments of this "bounty" land. North Carolina sent out a survey team with 100 soldiers to protect them from the Indians. The survey team and the soldiers also received free Tennessee land grants."

Notes for Jane <Unknown>:

Jane was likely a widow when she married John Davison ; however, her last marriage (not her first) was to William Morrison.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800

AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT RECORDS. ORDER BOOK NO. III.

page 47 Page (188) William Morrison married the widow of John Davison. [this record was required as he still had property in Virginia subject to estate disposition, and her then-husband was executor.].

Children of John Davison and Jane <Unknown> are:

114. Jacob Clements, born 1702; died 01 Sep 1759 in Augusta Co., VA. He married 115. Mary Campbell Bef. 1744.

115. Mary Campbell, born Bef. 1729. She was the daughter of 230. William Campbell and 231. Sarah Gay.

Notes for Jacob Clements:

Written in some accounts as Jacob Clemons.

Jacob Clements' will was probated 21 Nov 1759, Augusta Co., VA. Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) descends from an Augusta / Rockbridge Co. family of Ezekiel Clements. No link has yet been proven.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800

ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT. WILL BOOK NO. 2.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

page 55

Page 337.--1st September, 1759. Jacob Clements' will--Wife; youngest children, Ruth, Isabella Clements; three daughters, Ann Burnet, Mary McKnight, Rachel Barnet; daughter, Sarah Clements; five daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth, Rebecca, Ruth, Isabel Clements. Executors, Thos. Gillham, James Campbell. Teste: Andrew Hamilton, Robert Lockridge, Thomas Lloyd. Proved, 21st November, 1759, by Lockridge and Hamilton. Executors qualify, with Andrew Hamilton and Robert Lockridge.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800

ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY, VIRGINIA. AUGUSTA COUNTY COURT. WILL BOOK NO. 2.

ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.

page 56

Page 351.--11th March, 1760. Jacob Clements' appraisement, by Andw. Lockridge, Robt. Gay, Robt. Bratton.

I forced the dates of the daughters to meet the only possible dates for this family line to work. It is possible the daughters are in order in the father's will, and that the dates should be consecutive.

Drumaboden, Ulster, Ireland was once listed as the birthplace of this Jacob Clements. I do not recall the source, and doubt it was correct.

"Ezekiel Clements was in Augusta Co., Va. , early.. He died by 1746. He was apparently from Monmouth Co., N.J. He could have been the father to Jacob, or a brother. There was also a Christian Clements. ****One of the most interesting characters on the Big Calfpasture River in these early days was Jacob Clements. Of him and from whence he came nothing is known, but it is surmised that he was a kinsman of some degree of Christian and Ezekiel Clements--the name is also Cleamons is is evidently of German derivation--who were early settlers in Augusta County. Jacob Clements' wife was named Mary and to them were born at least nine children, all girls....the above comes from p. 116 of "Rockbrige County, Virginia Notebook" --articles by Dr. George Diehl/compiled by A. Maxim Coppage.

Memo: 5 generations

Children of Jacob Clements and Mary Campbell are:

116. Daniel Ragsdale, born 09 May 1724 in Prince George Co., VA; died Abt. 1793 in poss. VA. He was the son of 232. Benjamin Ragsdale and 233. Martha Jones. He married 117. Phoebe <Unknown> Abt. 1745 in Pittsylvania Co., VA.

117. Phoebe <Unknown>, born in prob. VA; died 1802 in Pittsylvania Co., VA.

Notes for Daniel Ragsdale:

One record says Benjamin Ragsdale died 1772 St. James Parish, Mecklenburg Co., VA.

Children of Daniel Ragsdale and Phoebe <Unknown> are:

118. Samuel Davidson, born Abt. 1700; died 1787 in of Augusta Co., VA. He married 119. <Unknown>.

119. <Unknown>

Notes for Samuel Davidson:

Info on this family from:

http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/d/a/v/Samuel--T-Davidson/index.html

samdav@supernet.net

Samuel Davidson (wife's name unknown) bought land in Beverly Manor, Orange - later Augusta County VA in 1739. Their children were baptized at Tinkling Spring Presbyterian Church. He moved to Tryon / Mecklenburg County, NC in the 1760's This area fell into York, County South Carolina when a border dispute between SC and NC was settled. He owned land on Bullock's Creek. York County,SC. He died there in 1787, Three of his sons, William, Benjamin, and James fought at King's Mountain which was near their home and received Revolutionary land grants in Western NC. In 1792 they participated in the formation of Buncombe County. In 1798, James' son, John migrated to the Nashville,TN area from which Williamson County was created. Ca.1818 he set out for San Antonio, TX but died enroute in the Missouri Territory. His widow and children returned to Williamson County where her family (Patton) still lived. She died there (date and burial site unknown) after 1840. Her 3 sons went to Chickasaw County, MS in the 1840's; 2 daughters remained in TN. After the Civil War, 2 sons, John W. and Thomas W. went to TX while Samuel remained in MS. Samuel's descendants, quite numerous in Clay Co., MS have now scattered throughout the Southeast.

This Samuel Davidson is said by Samuel T. Davidson to be the father of Mary Davidson who married Gabriel B. Ragsale, a congressman from North Carolina.

Memo: 6 generations

Children of Samuel Davidson and <Unknown> are:

120. Abraham von Laaschet, born 12 May 1732 in Creyfeldt, Prussia; died 1819. He was the son of 240. Johannes Jacob von Laaschet and 241. Catherine <Unknown>. He married 121. Margaret Bechelsheimer.

121. Margaret Bechelsheimer, born 27 Apr 1723 in Of Amwell, Hunterdon, NJ; died 28 Nov 1814. She was the daughter of 242. John Bechelsheimer.

Notes for Abraham von Laaschet:

Came to America on the ship Harle, arriving in Philadelphia on September 1, 1736. with Father and family. Original surname was Von Laaschet. Records indicate he was the father of this branch of the Lawshe family in America. Of Creyfelt (Krefeld), Prussia.

Memo: 4 generations

Notes for Margaret Bechelsheimer:

Margaret Bechelschamer was the daughter of Elder John Bechelschamer, a preacher of the Amwell Church of Hunterdon County, New Jersey.

Children of Abraham von Laaschet and Margaret Bechelsheimer are:

122. Col. William Chamberlain, born 23 Sep 1736 in Ringoes, Hunterdon, NJ; died 21 Aug 1817 in Union Co., PA. He was the son of 244. Judge Lewis Chamberlain and 245. Lucretia Woolsey. He married 123. Elizabeth Ten Broeck 08 Jun 1758 in Hunterdon Co., NJ.

123. Elizabeth Ten Broeck, born 23 Aug 1740 in Harlingen, Somerset, NJ; died 29 Apr 1770 in Hunterdon Co., NJ. She was the daughter of 246. Wessell Jacobse Ten Broeck and 247. Neeltje DeWitt.

Notes for Col. William Chamberlain:

William Chamberlin, (1736-1817), was appointed lieutenant colonel, 1777, of the second New Jersey Volunteers. His service at Germantown was commended and it was at this battle that his son Lewis was killed. He was born at Ringoes, N. J., and died in Union county, Pa.

Followint: from: Barbara Rampt

Ramptex@aol.com 1998

There's a Prall genealogy, The Prall Family, by Richard Dwight Prall which was published in 1990. It seems that a Mary S. Prall (1807-1847) married Issacher Hoagland (1803-1878) who was the grandson of Derrick Hogeland (1743-1827) and Elizabeth Chamberlain (1748-1829) Elizabeth was the daughter of our ancestors, Lewis Chamberlain (1710-1772) and Lucretia Woolsey Chamberlain (1709-1812). Mr. Prall therefore included some info on the Chamberlains on pages 144 & 145 of his book.

He repeats the story about Lewis and Lucretia crossing the Sourland Mountains on foot but regulates it to "family tradition". He then adds the further information that "Lewis built a log cabin and cleared the land while Lucretia helped drag brush for burning while carrying their first child (our ancestor William) in a sack on her back."

With regard to William, Prall states "Co. Wm. Chamberlain was of the Chambellon Huguenot family who settled in London about two decades before the revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in 1685. After the great fire in London in 1666, the family moved to Ireland. Tradition says that three sons of the Chambellon refugee came to America about the beginning of the 18th century, changed their name to Chamberlain or Chamberlin, and the ancestor of Co. Wm. settled in Hunterdon Co., N. J.

Co. Wm. Chamberlain purchased from John Garrison in 1761 a house and mill on Neshanic Creek at Rainbow Hill, Hunterdon Co., N. J. At the time of the Rev. War, he owned a farm and mills on Neshanic Creek near Wertsville. He was a capt. of the 2nd Regt. of Hunterdon Co. during the Rev War and was in a number of battles and skirmishes. In 1776 he was promoted to major and later to Lt. Col. in both the militia and the continental army. Col. Wm. was at Trenton, Germantown 1777, Monmouth 1778, Elizabethtown 1780, and Springfield 1780. When Major Wm. Chamberlain was promoted in 1776, Capt. Nathan Stout (see Stout Ch.) took over his company. A foraging party of the British in 1776 burned Col. Wm. Chamberlain's mill at Clover Hill. At the Battle of Germantown on 10-3 & 10-4-1777, he lost his oldest son Lewis 18y. On 3-22-1780 Col., Wm. was court martialed for his "ungentelmanly and unofficer-like behavior towards the officers and men, impeding the militia, and favoritism toward certain officers." He was cashiered from the militia on 5-14-1781. In the 1780 Hunterdon Co. rateables he had 94 acres of farm land plus 20 acres of undeveloped land. Col. Wm. moved to Shamoken, Union Co., Pa., in 1792 where he purchased 600 acres."

Lucretia was one tough lady. No wonder she lived past 100 after bearing twelve children. I believe that Prall is incorrect about the Chamberlains having evolved from Chambellons. There seems to be an abundance of evidence that Henry Chamberlain came to Mass. in the 1600s and we are descended from him. I also think that both the court martial and cashiering were in 1781. The 1780 date is probably a typo. Haven't checked the other details but Prall probably did. I have seen other accounts which state that Col. William's son Lewis was not in the army but was visiting his father at the time of the battle of Germantown. He is supposed to have taken up a rifle but was struck by a cannon ball and bled to death before he could be taken to a surgeon."

Notes for Elizabeth Ten Broeck:

Children of William Chamberlain and Elizabeth Ten Broeck are:

128. Lemuel James, born Bef. 1698; died Aft. 1762 in Pitt Co., NC.

Notes for Lemuel James:

- - 1762 Lemuel James paid poll tax for himself, Thomas James & John Wheaton. He had no slaves

Was Lemuel closely related to John James who married Elizabeth Dearmore, daughter of Robert Dearmore?

Speculative link (no conclusive evidence other than circumstantial). Family names appearing in multiple lines, or surnames from Pitt Co. include Albritton, Holland, Cherry and first names of Delia, Salina, Nicey.

Memo: 6 generations

Children of Lemuel James are:

136. Henry Harrell, born Abt. 1710; died Bef. Feb 1777. He was the son of 272. Edward Harrell and 273. Ann House. He married 137. Rachel Wimberly Abt. 1733 in Bertie Co., NC.

137. Rachel Wimberly, born Abt. 1715 in Bertie Co., NC. She was the daughter of 274. John Wimberly and 275. Elizabeth Smith.

Notes for Henry Harrell:

27 Feb 1773 pro Feb 1777 {Henry HARRIL} son Rueben land near Cashy swamp, son Benjamin plantation he lives on by Cashy swamp up to Henry HARRELL & James HARRELL, son Henry HARRELL manor, son Whitmill land down run of Cashy swamp past the First Station , son John land between Henry HARRELL & James HARRELL to main run of Cashy branch up dividing line of John & Rubin HARRELL (to my son John Wimberly Harrell, ) 2 sons David & Joseph land on E side of Cashy Branch 160ac ; My patent lays in fork btween 2 forks of Cashy Swamp, son Edward ( 5 shillings full share) , dau Pharaby PULLE, dau Rachel, dau Barbara, dau Elizabeth, wf Rachel EX: 2 sons Reuben & Benjamin Wit: James DAVIS, Jr, John HIGGS, Jacob HARRELL

Children of Henry Harrell and Rachel Wimberly are:

140. Joseph White, born Bet. 1698 - 1710 in Prob. Ireland; died 11 Feb 1808 in Anson Co., NC. He was the son of 280. Moses White. He married 141. Margaret Leeth Bef. 1735 in New Castle, DE.

141. Margaret Leeth, born Bet. 1710 - 1720; died Aft. 1748. She was the daughter of 282. John Leeth.

Notes for Joseph White:

Some researchers contend that he descends from a different (but unknown) family than that of Moses White, and that son Joseph was born in Scotland.

Raleigh Register and North Carolina State Gazette, 2/11/1808:

"Died at his seat in Anson County, Mr. Joseph White at the extreme age of 112 years." (In Neal, Abstracts of Vital Records from Raleigh, NC newspapers, 1799-1819)

He was more likely born about 1710. He was raised in a Presbyterian household. He was not yet married when his father's will was prepared on 12 Mar 1735.

It is thought that he studied law early in life. In Anson Co., NC he was the attorney for several settlers.

He likely was in North Carolina by 1746, as he was grantee of a deed of land on 26 Sep 1746. The land was reported as sold by him on 2 Apr 1740 (obviously one date is wrong). Another deed dated 1742 names him; this land was still Bladen Co. until 1748, when Anson Co. was created.

Joseph was appointed first Sheriff of Anson Co. on 17 Mar 1749, and was also appointed Vestryman of St. George's Parish that same year (reappointed Justice 1 Apr 1751).

Joseph was in position to hear cases from settlers unable to pay taxes, and often reduced them, ruling that they were too old or too poor.

He was listed as a Captain of the Brown Creek Company in 1770; was likely a Regulator. Son Joseph Jr. was an Ensign. By the time of the Revolution, he had relinquished the Title and had enlisted as a Private in Stevenson's Company of the 10th Regiment. He was taken prisoner in June, 1779 and discharged 1 Mar 1780.

Heitman's roster of Revolutionary War regiments has an explanatory note regarding the 10th Regiment: The Regiment was of the Continental Line but after an interval, it was reformed and the new regiment seemed to be a state unit. It seems that the British caught and mauled the regiment so severely that its ranks were depleted and it could not function until replacements were made. Regular soldiers not available, the equipment was given to the State.

Transcribed and Paraphrased from 'A Line of White' by Jack D. White, Sr. of Weatherford, TX.

Notes for Margaret Leeth:

or Margaret Leath

Children of Joseph White and Margaret Leeth are:

142. John Headley, born 20 Oct 1707; died 28 May 1769. He was the son of 284. Joseph Headley and 285. Hannah Palmer. He married 143. Hannah Bidgood Bet. 04 - 24 May 1738 in Falls Twp., Bucks, PA.

143. Hannah Bidgood, born 29 Sep 1715 in Bucks Co., PA; died 1801. She was the daughter of 286. Richard Bidgood and 287. Sarah Ellet.

Notes for John Headley:

See "A History of the Headley and Headlee Families" by Ray L. Headlee, copyright 1959. Though this John Headley is not mentioned, the family settled in New Jersey and may be related.

Census: 1790 HEADLEY JOHN, Burke County NC, p 098, Eighth Company - may be a son or nephew.

Joseph White and Daniel Headley and Joseph Headley and John Headley attended a wedding in Bucks Co., PA in 1729.

Children of John Headley and Hannah Bidgood are:

152. Eleazer Birkhead, born 20 May 1707 in Anne Arundel Co., MD; died 27 Apr 1744 in Anne Arundel Co., MD. He was the son of 304. Abraham Birkhead, Jr. and 305. Rebecca Gover Billingsley. He married 153. Johanna Naylor Abt. 1728 in Anne Arundel Co., MD.

153. Johanna Naylor, born Abt. 1709 in Prince George Co., MD; died Aft. 1750 in Anson Co., NC. She was the daughter of 306. James Naylor and 307. Ann Jones.

Notes for Johanna Naylor:

Children of Eleazer Birkhead and Johanna Naylor are:

154. Elias Nutwell, born Bef. 1726; died Abt. 1804. He was the son of 308. James Nuthall and 309. Edith <Unknown>.

Notes for Elias Nutwell:

or Elias Nutall or Elias Nuthall. Not certain if this is the same Elias that married Dorance Shekells. Others indicate his son, James Nutwell, married Dorance (perhaps James Elias Nutwell).

Children of Elias Nutwell are:

156. James Muse, born 1702 in Westmoreland Co., VA; died 30 Mar 1758 in Deep River, Cumberland, NC. He was the son of 312. Thomas Muse and 313. Ann <Unknown>. He married 157. Sophia Pope Bef. 1725 in VA.

157. Sophia Pope, born Abt. 1705 in Westmoreland Co., VA; died Aft. 1791 in Fairfield Dist., SC. She was the daughter of 314. Humphrey Pope II and 315. Amey Veale.

Notes for James Muse:

"One of the first settlers around Carthage, NC was James Muse Jr. whose father had come down from Virginia and died at his plantation ca 1754. See Cumberland Co, NC DB A-241.

Will of James Muse, Sr:

"March ye 30th 1758:

In the name of God, Amen, I James Muse, in the County of Cumberland, NC, living at Deep River, being sick and weak of body, but of sound and perfect memory, Praise be God, and knowing the uncertainty of this life and being desirous to settle things in order, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following:

First, it is my desire that my wife, Sophia Muse have the use of my estate during her natural life. My desire is that if she cause to sell my plantation and land to full power to sell and make a deed and after my wife's decease to be divided as follows:

Item, I give to my son James a negro girl named Penellope with what I have already given him unto his possession to be his full part of my estate forever;

Item, I give to my daughter Liddy Ceal one negro named Benjamin with which I have already given unto her possession to be her full part of my estate forever.

Item, I give to my son Thomas Muse one negro named Will and one young mare named Blaze, saddle and bridle, and my gun and case of razors and straps to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I give to my son Daniel one negro wman named Lucy and a pair of spoon molds to him and his heirs forever.

Item, I give to my daughter Anne Muse one negro woman named Belinda and one bed and furniture belonging to her and her heirs forever.

Item, I give to my daughter Annabarbary Muse one feather bed and furniture one pewter dish and six plates one iron kettle and my old mare Blaze to her and her heirs forever.

Item, I give to my daughter Sophia Pope Runnels one horse to be valued at five pounds to her and her heirs forever.

Further it is my will and desire all the remainder of my estate unto two parts--

One part to my daughter Annabarbary Muse and the other part to be divided between my daughter Sophia Pope Runnels and her son William Ceal Muse to them and their heirs forever.

It is my desire that after the death and decease deliver to them at the age of sixteen or the day of marriage. It is my will and desire that my son Daniel have a maintenance out of my estate until he be fourteen years of age and I do appoint my well beloved wife and my son James Muse and Charles Ceal executors of my last will and testament--In witness hereunto set my hand the day, month and year above written.

Signed sealed in the presence of us Trustees, Robert Dickerson, James Bain, and Isaac Dickerson.

"Marriages of Some Virginia Residents" Vol 5, page 83, Dorothy Ford Wulfeck, 1897

Muse, James, son of Thomas, m. bef. 1732, Sophia Pope, dau. of Humphrey, Sr., and (1)Amey (Veale). Muse, John, b.1633; d. 1723; m (2) after Nov., 1698, Catherine (____) Moss-Talbott.

Notes for Sophia Pope:

Children of James Muse and Sophia Pope are:

158. Joseph Braswell, born Abt. 1710 in Isle of Wight Co., VA; died Aft. 1778 in Orangeburg Dist., SC. He was the son of 316. Richard Braswell and 317. Sarah <Unknown>. He married 159. Sarah Kindred Abt. 1739 in Isle of Wight Co., VA.

159. Sarah Kindred, born Abt. 1714 in Isle of Wight Co., VA. She was the daughter of 318. Samuel Kindred and 319. Mary Edwards.

Notes for Joseph Braswell:

This connection is still seen as speculative, though a lot of circumstantial evidence has come together. spice3@juno.com Susan Buckley shared the info on this link on the rootsweb mailing list.

On 8/26/2745 Joseph and William Braswell, acting as Executors, presented their father's will in Isle of Wight County Court. Joseph and Sarah began their southerly migration sometime after their marriage. As both Joseph and Sarah's families had considerable holdings and both were recipients of considerable inheritances, some time would have been required to divest themselves of their holdings.

In 1746 Joseph and Sarah sold lands in Isle of Wight Co VA which they owned jointly with brother Wm and his wife Sarah. In 1749 Sarah and her sister, Faithe, sold land in Isle of Wight Co VA to their brother, Samuel.

Joseph and Sarah probably were in Orangeburg Dist SC by 1750. Joseph is reported to be found in the 1778 Orangeburg Dist. SC Tax Roll. And, he is believed to have died sometime thereafter in Orangeburg Dist. SC.

-3/12/1746 Isle of Wight Co VA Records:

Joseph Braswell and wife, Sarah Braswell, and William Braswell and wife, Sarah Braswell, to Richard Vick....100 acres (being part of a patent granted Edward Goodson and Matthew Ruskin on 16 Jun 1714) adjoining Nottoway Swamp and Thomas Cafford. Wit: John Darden, William Bidgood and Matthew Griffin. Rec: 12 Mar 1746. Joseph (X) Braswell.

http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/BRASWELL-BRACEWELL/2004-10/1097167288

On 14 May 1747, WILLIAM and JOSEPH BRASWELL, executors of RICHARD BRASWELL, deceased, were sued by ANN VAUGHN, adminstratrix of RICHARD BLOW, deceased for 1 pound, 17 shillings, 1 pence. ANN won her suit and collected. (Isle of WIght Co., VA Records) Probably William Braswell Sr., as William Jr. is known to have had a Charity by 1765, who married Thomas Beckwith.

Joseph Braswell of Southampton Co., VA may be the father of Kindred, Charity and Jane Braswell, though records have not been found which provide evidence. Common names indicate the wife was likely Miss Kindred, as Charity is a repeated name found in that family. The names of Kindred and Braswell are linked as close relatives of the Crocker family. See:

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/prairie/2325/archives/archive1.txt

Note that the names Kindred and Charity are regularly used in the descendants of Charity, Kindred, Jane and Robert; however William Jr.'s descendants only use the name Charity and lived in a county heavily influenced by Quaker naming patterns. That makes the link of the other four quite speculative.

One RICHARD (1744 will); His brother JAMES was definitely alive and kicking (and possibly reproducing) as late as 1729 when he witnessed the will of SAMUEL KINDRED (WB3, 1726-1733, pp. 166-165). "JAMES BRASSELL's path" near White Oak Branch is also mentioned in KINDRED's will.

There is a George Brazel on the 1790 census for Moore County, NC. Reportedly a George Braswell descended from the early 1700's NC Braswell Family married a Polly Morgan in Moore County, NC. This George may have become of age too l ate to be the father of Charity. [Thanks to Douglas Wilson]

Notes for Sarah Kindred:

Children of Joseph Braswell and Sarah Kindred are:

160. John Trussell III, born Abt. 1673; died Bef. 18 Sep 1717. He was the son of 320. John Trussell II and 321. Elizabeth Chinn. He married 161. Jane <Unknown> Bef. 1710.

161. Jane <Unknown>, born Bet. 1678 - 1690; died Abt. 1721.

Notes for John Trussell III:

From Adventurers of Purse and Person:

'... sold to Thomas Barecroft, 20 Dec. 1711, the land inherited from his brother Robert, "formerly granted to Colonel John Trussell." On the same day, Thomas Barecroft sold 100 acres to John Trussell of St. Stephen's Parish. John Trussell married Jane ---, who acknowledged a deed given by him to Thomas Miller, Jr., 20 Aug. 1712. Trussell was dead by 18 Sept. 1717 when Jane was the wife of John Harding."

Notes for Jane <Unknown>:

Jane married 1st John Trussell and 2nd John Harding / John Harden. Her descendants from both marriages were in Chester Dist., SC and married into some of the same families. Nelda shared descendants of both branches. tnbrat2@bellsouth.net Oct. 2003

Children of John Trussell and Jane <Unknown> are:

164. John Asher, born Abt. 1662 in Prob. England; died in poss. Culpeper Co., VA. He married 165. Susanna <Unknown> Bef. 1707.

165. Susanna <Unknown>

Notes for John Asher:

Thanks to:

Larry P. Cornwell ; 7725 Halcyon Forest Trail ; Montgomery AL 36117-3483

John Ashur is the spelling in the Christening record of daughter Diana.

Memo: 7 generations

Children of John Asher and Susanna <Unknown> are:

196. <Unknown> Downs, born Bef. 1720 in Poss. of Maryland or Delaware.

Notes for <Unknown> Downs:

Though it is not certain that James and Silas are brothers, descendants married, and they were in close proximity in Georgia on census records, and were each from Maryland and/or Delaware. In addition, Silas named children in the same pattern as those of Mary Downs and Henry Carr, and Lavinia Downs and Benjamin Hawkins including names of Epsey and Lavinia. These must all be part of the same family. Many think that Isaac Downs was the father of Mary and Lavinia; he may be the brother or father of James and Silas.

akblomquist@cfl.rr.com Ann Blomquist provided substantial info on descendants of Silas and James. March, 2002.

Memo: 4 generations

Children of <Unknown> Downs are:

200. Philemon Hawkins, born 1690 in Slapton, Devonshire, England; died 1725 in Charles City Co., VA. He was the son of 400. <Unknown> Hawkins. He married 201. Anne Eleanor Howard Abt. 1714 in England.

201. Anne Eleanor Howard, born Abt. 1694 in England; died 1742 in Bute Co., NC. She was the daughter of 402. Capt. <Unknown> Howard.

Notes for Philemon Hawkins:

Philemon is said to have claimed to be the great-grandson of Sir Richard Hawkins. Descendants have maintained this as gospel ever since. Who am I to disagree? I cannot find the link, however.

p. 36 - Hawkins of Virginia, The Carolinas, and Kentucky - published by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck. "Queries from Genealogy and History Magazine" #7585 15 June 1943. An answer to #7377 which had been sent in by EPO. Hawkins, Howard, Smith, Craig, Taliaferro, Hayden, Long, Long, Simpson, Prichett, McDonald, Randle, Ellis, Casel; England, Va., No. Car., Ga.

"Philemon Hawkins (b. 1695, England) emigrated to America with wife, Eleanor (Howard); to Virginia in the neighborhood of Todd's Bridge, near relatives who had preceded him. (Such is the record of tradition familiar to descendants.) The Reg. Land Office, Richmond, Va., shows Philemon had land granted him in King William Co.: 2 patents in 1719 and 2 in 1725 in that part which is now King and Queen Co. Todd's Bridge was in King and Queen over the Matapony River. The probabilities are that John Hawkins of King William was the relative who had preceded the immigrant in 1714. Philemon d. 1725, and ca 1735, his widow and their children, Philemon, John and Anna, moved to No. Car. where many of their desc. now live."

"Philemon Hawkins emigrated to the colonies along with five brothers...Nicholas, Joseph, John, Lieu Dolphus and another whose name is unknown"

Caroline Co., VA Deeds:

165 VPB 10 p429 11 July 1719 Alexander Spotswood Philemon Hawkins of 400a on the S side of Polecat Creek

166 VPB 10 p430 11 July 1719 Alexander Spotswood Philemon Hawkins of 200a S side of Polecat Swamp and on

(Note: Another Philemon Hawkins, likely closely related, resided in Virginia and was born about 1715)

memo: 6 generations

Notes for Anne Eleanor Howard:

Anne Eleanor Howard was the daughter of Capt. Howard of Plymouth, England. The family of Howard in England is a prominent one, including Sir Thomas Howard, who commanded the Armada and who recommended that Philemon Hawkins' ancestor, Sir John Hawkins, get knighted after that victory. His descendants included two of the wives of Henry VIII of England, and his family is in my file, though no link has been established to Anne Eleanor. I am related to him as a cousin on another line. The possible naval family connection has me interested in pursuing this, though!

Children of Philemon Hawkins and Anne Howard are:

202. Zachariah Martin, born Bef. 1690 in VA; died Aft. 1763 in Warren Co., NC.

Notes for Zachariah Martin:

John Martin named son Zachariah in a Warren Co., NC will in the early 1700s, likely the father of this Zachariah. Other Zachariah Martins are in my file, some are linked and some are not. One John Martin that is a possible relative was married in Cumberland Co., PA.

Much on descendants of Zachariah Martin provided by Jeffrey L. Martin martin@fairind.com

http://www.angelfire.com/tx/lineage/index.html

with a note that some of the descendants are speculative. It appears that two (possibly unrelated) families may be improperly linked here.

"Orange County, Virginia Deed Books 1 and 2

1735-1738 Judgements 1735" abstracted and compiled by John Frederick Dorman Washington, DC 1961, the following: 2 references to Zachariah Martin of St. Mark's Parish, Orange County, 1 on page 36 and one on page 44.

1) 3-4 Jan. 1736 [1737] sale of 700 acres by Richard Mauldin to Zachariah Martin of St. Mark's Parish, Orange County; and 2) 26 Oct 1737 - sale of 200 acres of the aforementioned 700 acres by Zachariah Martin to George Martin of St. Margaret's Parish, Caroline County, VA

Thanks to: Jimmy Green <jgreen@orbitworld.net> in Nov 1998 for these comments:

"Zachariah Martin secured a land grant in 1724, born around 1690 Caroline County, Virginia and died there on or about 1730. Payments made to Zachariah Martin 15 lbs. 5 shillings by the Continental Army. He was a Colonial Officer."

Memo: 6 generations

Children of Zachariah Martin are:

212. Nathan Harris, born Abt. 1712 in Isle of White Co., VA; died 30 Apr 1793 in Greensville Co., VA. He was the son of 424. Edward Harris and 425. Mary Turner. He married 213. Catherine Walton 1737 in Brunswick Co., VA.

213. Catherine Walton, born Abt. 1718 in Brunswick Co., VA; died 30 Jun 1812 in Greensville Co., VA. She was the daughter of 426. Capt. George Walton and 427. Elizabeth Rowe.

Notes for Nathan Harris:

He had 14 children by the time his father's will was executed.

Granville County, Va wills 13 Apr 1793 Nathan Harris, wife Catherine Walton Sons: Walton Harris, Nathan Or Nathaniel Harris, Howell Harris, Isaac Harris, Hubbard Harris, David Harris dec'd by 1793. Daughters Jane Harris m. Williams, Elizabeth Harris Allen, ann or Anna Harris Patrick, possibly Catharine m. Coleman. One grandchild named Catherine Coleman

Children of Nathan Harris and Catherine Walton are:

214. William Mahoney, born Bef. 1738 in Of Brunswick Co., VA; died Aft. 20 Jan 1795 in Halifax Co., NC.

Notes for William Mahoney:

Will #528 Halifax Co., NC p. 254

William Mahoney 20 Jan. 1795 Aug. Ct. 1795

lend son John Mahoney negroes etc. and the north end of the land on which I now live joining Giddeon Harriss, Thomas Dent and Bare swamp and at the death of the sd. John I want my grandson Jesse Mahoney to have the land ... my 2 grandsons George Mahoney and James Mahoney sons of my son William Mahoney south end of my land ... my 2 grand children Nathan Harris and Elizabeth Harris the children of my son-in-law Isaac Harris money from sale of slaves .... grandson Dennis Mahoney and grand daughter Leana Mahoney daughter of my son William ... and Jane Harris and Silas Harris children of the sd. Isaac Harris 1 negro each. Amey Britt bed and furniture ... residue of my estate to be sold.

Wit.: John Lindsey, Robert Green

Extrs.: Isaac Harris and Nathan Harris his son.

Lincoln County, Georgia Probate office indicates reimbursements for Elizabeth, William, Dennis,?, and Linny? Mahoney to travel to North Carolina for their legacy left them by their grandfather, William Mahoney. They were also reimbursed for transporting slaves from North Carolina to Georgia belonging to their grandfather. This document is not dated but the date on the subsequent document was 1799.

Memo: 4 generations

Memo: Research notes: Look for James Mahoney, of Virginia, Revolutionary War Pension info:

William and Mary Quarterly, Third Series, Vol. 14, No. 2 (Apr, 1957), p.154-175

Children of William Mahoney are:

216. Joseph Bailey, born Bef. 1740 in Prob. VA; died Aft. 1783 in Poss. Halifax Co., VA.

Notes for Joseph Bailey:

Joseph Bailey appears on the 1783 tax list of Halifax Co., VA as having eight white souls in his household, but then disappears from the records. He does not appear in the county deed book indexes as either grantor or grantee. The only Baileys to appear in them over the next two decades are James, Thomas and John Bailey Jr. Apparently Joseph moved on, either west into Tennessee or Kentucky, or south into the Carolinas, Georgia or Alabama.

Thomas Bailey was a Revolutionary War soldier. In his pension request (No. S.6578), he stated that he was born April 8, 1761 in Fairfax Co. Va. and moved to Loudoun County when three years old. He lived there one year after the close of the Revolutionary War and then moved to Halifax County. He was still living in Halifax County when he filed the request on Nov. 21, 1832.

http://www.broyhill.org/wives/bailey.htm

Children of Joseph Bailey are:

220. Nathan Whitehead, born Abt. 1719 in Isle of Wight Co., VA; died Abt. 20 Mar 1778 in Nash Co., NC. He was the son of 440. Arthur Whitehead III and 441. Isabella Purcell. He married 221. Mary Davis Abt. 1740.

221. Mary Davis

Notes for Mary Davis:

Children of Nathan Whitehead and Mary Davis are:

222. Benjamin Culpepper, born Bet. 1698 - 1704 in Norfolk Co., VA; died 1772 in Edgecombe Co., NC. He was the son of 444. Robert Culpepper and 445. Sarah <Unknown>. He married 223. Elizabeth <Unknown> Abt. 1738.

223. Elizabeth <Unknown>, born Abt. 1715; died Abt. 1788 in Nash Co., NC.

Notes for Benjamin Culpepper:

Benjamin Culpepper may have married earlier, around 1727, a first wife. There was a Benjamin Culpepper born shortly thereafter, parents unproven, who married Lydia (Unknown). After his death in Edgecombe Co., NC around 1753, she moved to Camden Co., SC, where she died aft 1775.

Benjamin Culpepper was born in Norfolk Co., VA where he was mentioned in his father Robert Culpepper's will which was probated there in 1743. Since Benjamin does not appear in Norfolk Co., VA tithable records during the years 1730-1736, he must have left Norfolk Co., VA, prior to 1730 to join his brother, Joseph, on the North Carolina frontier. Benjamin may have married around 1726, but since his first wife's name is unknown, and his date of departure from Virginia is unknown, it is uncertain whether he married in Norfolk Co., VA, or in North Carolina. Benjamin and his brother, Joseph, moved west and south across the Roanoke River. At that time it was known as the Morratock or Moratuc, after an Indian village on the bank of the river. The brothers settled on land on Fishing Creek in what was then Bertie Precinct, NC and which became Bertie Co., NC in 1738 and Edgecombe Co., NC in 1741. Benjamin first appears in North Carolina deed records in 1735, witnessing the deed of John Rogers, Jr., to Edward Powers, for land on the north side of Fishing Creek (Edgecombe Pct, NC DB 1-143). He used "B" as his mark. In 1738, Joseph bought 320 acres "on the south side of Morratock River on the west side of Fishing Creek" (Edgecombe Pct, NC DB 1-291). Fishing Creek was the dividing line between Edgecombe Co., NC, and Halifax Co., NC. While the deed was taken out in Joseph's name, it appears from later evidence that they split the land, each getting 160 acres. Deed records involving Benjamin are incomplete and confusing. In 1744, Benjamin bought Joseph's half (Edgecombe Pct, NC DB 1-379). Perhaps as early as 1727 or shortly thereafter, Benjamin's first wife died. She may have died in childbirth, as there is evidence from later deeds for only one son, Benjamin, Jr., who must have been born around 1727 or so. By 1740 or so, Benjamin married Elizabeth, thought to be his second wife. She must have been a younger woman, as Benjamin was probably around 38 years old by this time. He had five additional children by this marriage. Benjamin apparently gave 160 acres of the Fishing Creek land to his son, Benjamin, Jr., perhaps as early as 1745, when Ben Jr. might have been around 18 years old. There is no record of this deed. Somewhere during this time period a Benjamin Culpepper (whether Sr. or Jr. is not clear) then moved west a few miles, to Sandy Creek, just across the county line in Granville Co., NC. No record has been found of this purchase or grant, but the sale is recorded a few years later. In 1749, Benjamin (whether Jr. or Sr. is not clear) witnessed a deed by George Nicholson to Lemuel Nicholson, for 160 acres on the north side of Fishing Creek. Both Nicholsons were from Norfolk County, VA, as was Nathaniel Powell, the other witness. There was clearly a colony of settlers from Norfolk Co., VA living in this area, other families from Norfolk Co., VA included the Wilders, the Powells, the Tarts, probably the Wards, and several others. In 1752, shortly before Benjamin, Jr.'s presumed death, Benjamin, Jr. sold his 160 acres on Fishing Creek to Benjamin, Sr. (Edgecombe Pct, NC DB 4-265). Benjamin, Sr. ended up with the entire 320 acres which his brother, Joseph, had purchased in 1738, and he eventually willed the land to Erasmus Culpepper, his son by his second marriage. In this deed Benjamin, Sr. was listed as a ferryman. In 1754, Benjamin (whether Sr. or Jr. is not clear) sold the 300 acres on Sandy Creek in Granville Co., NC "where I now live" to Thomas Davis. In 1755, Benjamin Sr. bought a 200 acre tract just a few miles away, but back in western Edgecombe Co., NC, on the south side of Great Peach Tree Creek, where he would live for the remainder of his life. Benjamin's will was probated in 1772 in Edgecombe Co., NC. He left everything to his second wife and her children, suggesting that he had already provided for his family by his first wife. He left two negroes, five cows and calves and a mare to his wife Elizabeth; one negro, and 312 acres on the north side of Moccasin Creek to his daughter, Rahab Whitehead; one negro and 200 acres on the south side of Peach Tree Creek to his daughter, Martha Manning; one negro and 200 acres on the north side of Peach Tree Creek to his daughter, Elizabeth; and 320 acres on the south side of Fishing Creek to his son, Erasmus. It is not clear how or when Benjamin acquired the second 200 acres on Peach Tree Creek, or the 312 acres on Moccasin Creek, which marks the western edge of the county. In 1777, the northwestern half of Edgecombe County, including all of Benjamin's Edgecombe County land, became Nash County. One of the deeds listed Benjamin as a ferryman. In Oct 1784, Benjamin's widow, Elizabeth, petitioned the Nash Co., NC court for her dower since her husband "who died some years past" owned land "adjoining Culpepper's Bridge over Fishing Creek." The incomplete and uncertain record of Benjamin's deeds is important to note. Further information from a trace of the title to Benjamin's land might prove the identity of both his first and second wives.

WILL: 15 Apr 1767, Edgecombe Co., NC PROBATE: 26 Aug 1772, Edgecombe Co., NC

Children of Benjamin Culpepper and Elizabeth <Unknown> are:

224. William Davison, born Bef. 1684 in Legacorry, Shankill Par., Co. Armagh, Ireland; died Aug 1723 in County Armagh, Ireland. He married 225. Elizabeth <Unknown> Bef. 1698.

225. Elizabeth <Unknown>, born Bef. 1683.

Notes for William Davison:

William Davison of Co. Armagh left a will which has been used by several researchers to conclude that he was the father of George and John Davidson of Augusta Co., VA and NC. Researchers are reviewing other evidence which indicates that may be a speculative connection, and that they may be the sons of George Davidson, and not so closely related to Ann, Helen, Judith & Margaret as this report indicates. Samuel Davidson may also be a sibling of Old John Davidson and George.

Please see John Lisle's web site for a more thorough discussion:

http://www.tqsi.com/davidson

****************************************************************************************

Some sources say William's wife was Elizabeth _____ . Others list Catherine Spellman, who probably married another William Davidson.

Much of the information in this line was found in "Davison / Davidson Family: The Descendants of William and Elizabeth Davison of County Armagh, Ireland" by Robert Stephens Hand, c 1990, 2nd ed. 1991.

Several other Davison / Davidson families followed the same migration path, through Lancaster Co., PA and Augusta Co., VA and then Iredell Co., NC, and descendants intermarried. Of these families, none are proven cousins of this line, but I expect they are and many have claimed that they are.

Robert Stephens Hand says:

"Will Davison made his mark on his will in Legacorry, Parish Shankill, County Armagh, (Northern) Ireland on 15 Jan 1721/1722. The will was proved a year and seven months later, on 30 Aug 1723, so Will Davison probably died in 1723. ... named wife Elizabeth, a brother John, his oldest son George, son John, a married daughter Anne (wife of John McCollum, whose property adjoined that of the testator), and four "youngest daughters" whom he named in the will, and of whom at least Judith and Margaret were under 21. George was bequeathed Will's "Smith's tools and shop", from which we infer that Will (William Davison) was a blacksmith. At one point on its eastern short County Antrim, Ireland, which adjoins County Armagh, is only seven miles west of an island on the east coast of Scotland, and it seems likely that this Presbyterian Davison family came originally from Scotland, perhaps as part of the settlement instigated by Queen Elizabeth I about a hundred years earlier. Elizabeth caused Scots to move to Ulster in order to displace the native Irish (Catholics), following the uprising and expulsion of the "Earls" from Ulster in the very early part of the seventeenth century.

"Just when (if indeed they did) the Davison family went from Scotland to Ireland is not known, but there were Davison, Reeses and Vances in the city of Londonderry at the time of the great siege by the soldiers of Catholic King James beginning in April of 1689.

"It is not hard to place the children of William Davison in appropriate order, for in addition to the foregoing he bequeathed land to his sons, who were joint executors of the will, so that we know the sons were not children at the time William made his will. In his will William provides assistance to his wife for the "bringing up" of the four youngest girls and "to help to school and maintain them during her widowhood." Thus we arrive at this order for the children: Anne (McCollum), George (oldest son), John (mature enough to handle his own affairs), and the four younger children, Elizabeth, Helen, Judith and Margaret, and we place these four in the order as mentioned in the will, since we have no better basis. Once having established the probable order of birth, it is not hard to work backwards from the nearest known family dates (the birthdates of 1746 for Gen. William Lee Davidson, second son of second-generation George, and 1728 for Col. George, third generation and oldest son of second-generation John Davidson. Thus we arrive at the approximate dates of birth for all the children of this William Davidson who died in 1723. Other researchers have followed similar reasoning, but some have shown William's son John as the youngest child, which is improbable from the wording of the will. In the interests of accuracy we must state again that there is no proof that this Will or William Davidson was the father of our George and John Davison / Davidson of PA, VA and NC. It is a fact that our Davidsons, in the early NC records, (down through George, son of John and grandson of Will Davison of Ireland), spelled their name "Davison" rather than "Davidson." When we look at the known concurrent variations in the spelling of the name "Brevard" (Bervard, Bevard, Buard and Bravard, all without any doubt referring to the same family) this evolution of names is not hard to understand.

"From information available ... we conclude that sons George and John Davison / Davidson were the only members of the family of first-generation William Davison (of Ireland) to come to America. We know that John and his family left Ireland and landed in Philadelphia. John and Jane were married then, for John "imported from Ireland to Philadelphia" his family, including his wife Jane. The evidence of the "importation" statement in Augusta County, VA proves that this was between 1737 and 1740. We have less evidence of the time of arrival of George Davison / Davidson.

Will of William Davidson, Co. Armagh, Northern Ireland, proved 1723.

"Dromore Will: --

William Davison of Legacorry, parish of Shankill, Co. Armagh. smith

My oldest son George Davison to pay the debts I owe to my brother John Davison out of the legacy I hereby bequeath to my said son.

My on John Davison to pay £20 which I borrowed from Rev. Dr. Penney for him my said son John.

My other son George Davison to pay half the debt I owe Robert Newel and my beloved wife to pay the other half thereof.

My wife to have the rents due out of my lands hereafter bequeathed to them, except for £1-10p, which my son John is to allow to his mother, and my Son John to have the sorrel mare to make up for the said £1-10p.

My beloved wife that part and proportion of my land from my dwelling house to the stony ditch with said dwelling house, excepting my smith's shop, and also to have a little pasture park joining the stony ditch for grazing of John McCollum's cow, all to be held by my wifee Elizabeth Davison during widowhood, and I order she may bring up my four youngest daughters.

"I order that the lane from my dwelling house or from the highway shall be in common between my wife, and my sons George and John Davison.

"To my son George Davison my whole half of my land & tenements except as above stated to my wife, with the black filly & smith's tools and shop, & Wm Marshall's house & garden.

"The low meadow to be equally divided bewteen my sons George and John.

"To my son John Davison the other half, except as above to my wife, with Thomas McGowan's house and garden.

"My sons to pay their respective portions of the landlord's rent & to pay the rent for their Mother's part as above, and also the following legacies.

"The division between my two sons shall run: to my son George his part shall begin at the stony ditch to Alex. Tough's march, straight over the breadth of the land, and John's part to be the low end.

"To my eldest daughter Anne Davison alias McCollum wife of John McCollum 2/6.

To my daughter Elizabeth Davison £20 to be paid to her provided what money I was bound for with John McCall to the Rev. Dr. Penney is paid, then my said daughter to have £15.

"To my daughter Helen Davison £20 on similar condition.

"To my daughter Judith £20 on similar condition when 21.

(Each of my wife, my two sons and four daughters to pay their share equally of my funeral expenses)

"To my daughter Margaret Davison £20 on similar conditions when she is 21.

"If any daughter marry against the will of my wife Elizabeth or Mr. Robert Wilson of Buckcomary, whom I appt. trustee and overseer with my wife, such daughter only to get 5p.

"My wife to have all my moveable goods to help to school and maintain the children, that is only during her widowhood.

"If my exors are obliged to pay that money for which I am bound for Mr. John McCall to Rev. Dr. Penney, my wife is to pay a proportional shre with my two sons.

"Appoint my two sons exors.

In witness whereof, 15 January 1721/22. Signed Will X Davison (his mark)

Witnesses: Thomas Binks, John Binks, Thomas Gilpin (Gilkin?)

Indorsed: "The Will of William Davidson Exhibited 30th Aug. 1723"

Dromore Diocese, a few miles south of Lough Neagh, not far from the city of Lurgan, in Skankill Parish in County Armagh.

Memo: 6 generations

Children of William Davison and Elizabeth <Unknown> are:

230. William Campbell, born Aft. 1696 in Ireland; died 1759 in Augusta Co., VA. He was the son of 460. John Campbell. He married 231. Sarah Gay Bef. 1728.

231. Sarah Gay, born Abt. 1710 in Ulster, Ireland; died in Augusta Co., VA.

Notes for William Campbell:

Though some indicate he died in 1740 in PA, others are convinced he is the husband of Sarah Gay and father-in-law of Jacob Clements.Several eminent researchers, including Margaret Campbell Pilcher and Phil Norfleet (whose web page is linked) assert that William Campbell whose will includes my ancestors - Clements - can not be linked to John Campbell and Grace Hay through any documentation they are aware of. Ms. Pilcher indicates that this William Campbell "died in Pennsylvania." I do not offer anything to refute that, but presume they are related to the same Clan and travelled at about the same time as the other Campbell families of Augusta Co., VA. In any event, this William Campbell had descendants who travelled with and intermarried with descendants of the other lines.

From Cleek's "Early Western Augusta Pioneers" - the will of a William Campbell that I descend from:

"In the name of God Amen, I William Campbell of the county of Augusta & Colony of Virginia considering the uncertainty of this mortal life and being of sound and perfect mind & memory blessed be almighty God for the Same but being now indisposed do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following That is to say first of all I leave & bequeath unto my sons James Campbell & John Campbell one shilling each. I also give & bequeath unto my daughters Mary Clements, Margaret Gillham, Elizabeth Price, Mary Ann Watson, and Rachel Carlile one shilling each and it is also my will that the above mentioned Legacies be paid or tendered on the day of my Burial and it is also my will that one hundred acres of land that my son-in-law Thomas Gillham now lives on it being part of that tract of land where my dwelling house now stands be equally divided amongst my daughter Margaret Gillham's children equally at her decease and I also leave and bequeath unto my son Samuel work horses and the plough & Irons and my plantation at my wife's decease that is to say my wife having the one third of said plantation during her life and I also leave & bequeath unto my well beloved wife Sarah Campbell all the residue of my estate whatsoever & to have it in her power to dispose of it as she shall think proper at her decease and I do hereby appoint my well beloved wife Sarah Campbell my sole Executrix & Executor of this my last will & testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made & witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this fifth day of October one Thousand Seven hundred and fifty four 1754."

Notes for Sarah Gay:

Children of William Campbell and Sarah Gay are:

232. Benjamin Ragsdale, born 1698 in Henrico Co., VA; died 1772 in Mecklenburg Co., VA. He was the son of 464. Godfrey Ragsdale II and 465. Rachel <Uncertain> Rowlett. He married 233. Martha Jones Abt. 1723 in Prince George Co., VA.

233. Martha Jones, born Bef. 1709; died Aft. 1741 in Mecklenburg Co., VA. She was the daughter of 466. Capt. Peter Jones II and 467. Mary Batte.

Notes for Benjamin Ragsdale:

Benjamin Ragsdale and Mary Jones may also have had a son, Thomas Ragsdale.

Notes for Martha Jones:

Children of Benjamin Ragsdale and Martha Jones are: