THE MARTIN CASWELL FAMILY
Martin Caswell was the third of five sons born to Richard Caswell, Sr. and Christian Dallam, He was born on Feb 15th, 1733, and was three years younger than his
famous sibling, Richard, jr. While Richard learned the trade of surveying from his future father-in-law, James McIlwean, Martin followed the path of his father and older brother William, who served as clerk and deputy clerk of the Johnson county court. Martin’s long career as Clerk of the Court in Dobbs Co. may not have been as illustrious as that of his brother Richard, but nonetheless impacted the lives of the families in the area to a significant degree. His name was probably as familiar as that of his brother in the early years because the clerk of the court was also the register of deeds. The position was one of great influence in local government, Charles Holloman notes, because the clerk was usually called upon to recommend persons to the royal governor for justices and other county offices. The given name Martin, Holloman adds, can be attributed to Martin Caswell. One hopes that the use of his name in the area indicates that he was well thought of and respected.
I can find no indication of how close the brothers or their families were on a personal level. Martin lived at Tower Hill for many years, so there were undoubtedly occasions when the brothers gathered at their parents’ home nearby or at the home of their in-laws, the Mackilweans, who also lived at Tower Hill. Sadly, the only correspondence discovered thus far relating to the two brothers is a letter wherein Richard makes note of Martin’s death, four short months before Richard himself died. “My brother Martin left this world 14 days ago. He labored long in great distress of dropsy". Martin was 56 years old at his death.
Martin was probably named after his colorful grandmother, Elizabeth Martin, wife of Richard Dallam. Evidently she was a very beautiful woman. There is a famous couplet ascribed to a disappointed suitor about Elizabeth. " Pretty Elizabeth (Bettie) Martin, tiptoe fine, couldn’t find a husband to suit her mind." Bette lived to the advanced age of 110 years; she was able to walk about the room the day before her death; to the last remaining her brilliancy of eye and freshness of complexion. Five generations sat at a table with her the last week of her life and the very day upon which she breathed her last, a grandson of the sixth generation was born-William Middlemore Dallam, MD. Two distinguished grandsons were Governor Paca, signer of the Declaration of Independence and Governor of Maryland, and Governor Caswell of North Carolina. She died at "Cranberry" in 1778. [Excerpt from the Hays-Archer Tree].
Elizabeth married her wealthy neighbor, Richard Dallam, of Harford Co., MD, who owned “The Cranberry” plantation. In 1712, William Smith, the uncle of Richard Caswell, Sr., arrived in America with his young nephew and settled on a 230 acre plantation called “Sterling’s Purchase”. They became friends of the Dallams, and when Richard Dallam died, William Smith married his widow, “Pretty Elizabeth”. Thus Smith became the stepfather of young Christian Dallam, then 8 years old, and her brother William. When Christian was 18, she married Richard Caswell, Sr. Richard was by that time 38 years of age, old enough to be Christian’s father. Meanwhile, William Smith and Elizabeth had children of their own. Their daughter Elizabeth married John Paca and they had William Paca, who was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and became Governor of Maryland in 1782. Thus, the “cousins”, William Paca and Richard Caswell, Jr., were governing their respective states at the same time.
Richard Sr. prospered in the mercantile business and he and Christian raised a large family. They attended St. Johns Anglican Church of Joppa, Maryland where Caswell was a vestryman. He also served as Justice of the Baltimore County Court and was a Captain of the Militia. The boys received their early education at St. Johns’ parish school. Over time, the growth and importance of the Baltimore harbor caused business in the Joppa harbor to decline drastically. Thus, Richard Caswell, Sr. sent his two oldest sons to North Carolina in 1745, there to seek a new life. Within a few years, Martin, and the rest of the family joined William and Richard; by 1750 they lived at “The Hill” where his parents remained until their deaths.
At the age of 21, about the time of his first marriage, Martin became Sheriff of Johnston County. After two years of service, from 1754 to 1756, he became Justice of Johnston County. He continued to serve as a Justice for Dobbs County when Dobbs County was formed from eastern Johnston County in 1759. In 1763, Martin gave up the Office of Justice to become Clerk of the Court for the newly formed Dobbs County. Martin held the Office of Clerk of the Court for 26 years until his death. In the “Census of 120 years ago” (Kinston Semi-Weekly Free Press, March 16, 1910), the author, who calls himself “Citizen” writes that Charles Westbrook was the only man who could break the Caswell hold on the courthouse for 50 years.
It is interesting to note that, in addition to training Governor Richard’s eldest son William to be clerk of the court, he passed on his professional skills to his son James. Genealogist Mae Hooten notes that Martin’s son James served as sheriff of Screven County, GA, which he helped to found, in 1795-1796 and thereafter was Clerk of the Superior Court in Screven, continually until 1809. Many other descendants in Martin’s family served as sheriffs, lawyers, and clerks of the court. Of particular note was Paul Edward Caswell (1907-1998), who was a GA. state representative, Solicitor General, and Judge of Superior Courts in the Atlantic Judicial Circuit.
Martin became active in the colonial militia at age 16. By 1761 he was captain of a company in the Dobbs militia, and he served at the battle of Alamance in 1771. In his brother Richard’s letter of May 11, 1775, he tells his son William to exhort his uncles Samuel and Martin “to arm and form Companies of Independents, to elect officers and meet often to go thro’ the exercise.” Martin was a Lt. Colonel in the North Carolina Militia during the battle of Moore’s Creek Bridge and became a colonel in 1779.
Martin first married about 1754. It is widely thought that his first wife was Anne McIlwean, daughter of James and Elinore McIlwean, though this marriage is not of record. Support for this marriage includes a letter found in an old Caswell bible in GA where the writer identifies himself as a great grandchild of Mary Caswell Wingate, Martin’s oldest daughter. The letter says, “Martin, son of Martin and Miss McIlwean.” Mrs. Ladson, a genealogist and friend of Bessie Carman, says that Martin Caswell married a daughter of James McIlwean Three of the four witnesses to Francis McIlwean’s will of 1774 were his brothers-in-law, Richard and Martin Caswell, and John Shine, and, finally, the name McIlwean carries on through generations of Martin’s descendants in Georgia. Over time, the spelling of the name became McElwain in Georgia.
Anne (b.1730) was two years older than her sister Mary, the first wife of Richard Caswell, and she was three years older than Martin. To this marriage were born three children, Martin James Caswell, jr., Mary, and James Alexander. Many records exist of these children , all of whom migrated to GA. Martin, Jr. was the "first settler" of Taylor's Creek in Liberty Co., GA. His younger brother James was a founder of Screven Co., GA. His daughter Mary and her husband Isaac Wingate, also moved south to Georgia.
Several records prove that his 2nd wife was Nancy Murphrey, the daughter of Capt. John Murphrey and Elizabeth Harrison. Martin was married to Nancy Murphrey by 1768. In September of 1769, a letter of Gayle Murphrey, Nancy's younger sister, tells of a visit to Tower Hill where "Sister Caswell" was born of a fine son". At the opening of Tryon palace in 1770, Gayle mentions that she went with Mr. Green and “Brother” Caswell to “the setting of the govournment in their new chambers”. Nancy is named wife of Martin Caswell in the Settlement of the estate of Capt. John Murphrey in 1776 and Elizabeth Harrison Murphrey bequeaths land to her daughter Nancy, “wife of Martin Caswell” in her will of 1788- “My daughter Nancy Caswell and her Heirs are to have the track of woodlands at Sandy Bottom adjoining Croom and the river”.
There are scattered records of Martin’s son Francis, many of which suggest that he was a somewhat of a rapscallian. In 1804, he was indicted and proven guilty of instigating a riot and assaulting Hardee Croom, along with four other young men, including Richard Francis McIlwean. In another suit, he was accused of stealing and killing a hog belonging to Hardee Croom, but, in this case, he was judged not guilty. It will be remembered that the Croom family had bought all of the Caswell lands, which were ordered sold to satisfy claims on Richard Caswell’s estate. I would be surprised if the antagonism between Croom and Francis Caswell wasn’t related in great part to the bitterness associated with that devastating financial loss. In 1813, William Easterling, former Sheriff of Lenoir County directed that the goods, chattles, lands of Francis Caswell should make the sum of ___ which was awarded against him the sd Francis Caswell for cost of suit wherein Hardee Croom was plantiff. After 1813, there are no further records on Francis.
Francis had a family in the 1800 census, but nothing is known of them. Also, little is known of Martin and Nancy’s daughter, Nancy, though it appears from a property deed that she may have married fairly late in life.
Their youngest son William, born about1780, is first listed as head of his own household in the Pitt Co. census of 1810. In 1806 he sold land belonging to his father Martin except for two acres of dower lands reserved for his mother, Nancy the Elder. With that $1100.00, he moved to New Bern, and went into business. He seems to have been fairly successful, if owning a great deal of family silver is any measure.
Martin died on the 16th of July 1789. In his collection of index cards, Charles Holloman cites a letter of Richard Caswell "There is a letter of Gov. Caswell of about this date which says, " My brother Martin left this world 14 days ago. He labored long in great distress of dropsy". In all likelihood, Martin is buried in the Caswell Cemetery located at "The Hill" where his mother and father are buried. There was evidently a will, as referenced by the “citizen” who commented on the census of 120 years ago. He wrote that he had often had occasion to refer to Martin Caswell’s will.
In conclusion, I would say that, while Martin will always be in the shadow of his famous brother, he made significant contributions to the life and times in which he lived. His lasting legacy was a life of dedication and service to the people who were his neighbors and friends.
NOTE: Francis Hodges noted that the best source for discussion of the Simon Brights is by Charles R. Holloman in Powell, William S., ed. Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Vol. 1. That same volume, p.341, is also the best soource for biographical information on Martin Caswell.
Because there is a dearth of information on Martin’s personal life, I have included several letters written by Gale Murphrey, the younger sister of Martin’s second wife Nancy. Letters courtesy of Ernie Murphrey.
Nancy Murphrey was the 2nd wife of Martin Caswell and the mother of my ancestor, William Caswell. Luckily there are narratives and letters ,which shed light on the Murphrey family in a personal way. First is a family tale of how Capt. John (Jack) Murphrey, Nancy’s father, met and wooed his wife Elizabeth Harrison. She is thought to be of the Jamestown Harrisons and thus tied to both President Harrisons.
This narrative is believed to have been written by Martha Suggs Dixon (1829-1904), the wife of Rev. Henry Aldridge Dixon. It begins, "Both my father and my mother were related from Old Capt. Jack Murphrey from across Contentnea from Snow Hill. This old gentleman was revered almost as a tribal god amongst his offspring and descendants who were numerous and intermarried with the oldest and best families in the area." The narrative says Capt. Jack was married to Betsey Harrison, whose family lived at Harrison's Landing near Richmond, before he left Virginia. It describes a fair they attended at Williamsburg during their courtship at which a greased pig contest was held. No one could catch the pig. Capt. Jack said he didn't know why everyone was having such a hard time. Elizabeth challenged him to try; he wanted to know what was in it for him. She replied that if he failed to catch the pig, he would have to buy her a new pony and saddle; if he should catch it, she would agree to marry him. Capt. Jack took his coat off, laid down in the pen, stuck a carrot in one ear and when the pig came up to bite the carrot, Capt. Jack caught him. Elizabeth married him shortly thereafter.
Thanks to Steve Dixon for sending me this story.
In Sept. 1769, a letter of Gayle Murphrey, Nancy's younger sister, tells of a visit to Tower Hill where "Sister Caswell was born of a fine son".
Gale writes of the devastating hurricane of 1769 in this letter. One can imagine the family huddled in the front hall of their home at Beare Garden. Elizabeth, her son Jethro, and Gale had just returned from a visit to Martin Caswell and Nancy at Tower Hill. There is no record that the “fine son” survived to adulthood,
“Dear Brother The Beare Garden 14 Sept. 1769 We received yours of the 9th inst. by cozin Dixon when he returned from down the countrie and we was right glad to here from you. We have had a frightful time of it here. Mama, Jethra, & me went down to Tower Hill to see sister Caswell who had been brought to bed of a fine new son. All are or were well there; we not hering from them since the gale, God only knows how they are. We was going to stay the night at Mrs. Shepards but made good time owning to the rds being firm & the chariott having no problems we got to Contentney & took the ferry on home. And good we did. The winds rose in the evening & becoming more violente begun to rattle the hole house. Mama was quite stricken with fright & would not be consold. Papa gatherd us together & set us all in the hall as it was the most inner place. In the early morning it stopped but came up again & lasted the better part of the day. Two of the biggest oak trees in the yard are down - one right on the barn. All the chimneys are knocked down and the negra houses gone. Most of the contents of the houses are now in the yard. Papa is much upset & swears he is ruind most of the tobacca being destroied & the store also. Cozin Holliday at Hawlanding faired bad also not a single house left standing on his planta. Dixon says Newbern is much destroied also and the country round abouts. Most of the roads are not passable owning to the high water and fallen trees and he said he had a rough go of it getting up the river. Please take cear of yourself there & hurry home. Your loving Sister Gale
Another letter of Gale Murphrey, Martin Caswell’s delightful young sister-in-law, describes the ball celebrating the opening of Tryon palace in 1770. Her descriptions are wonderful.
THIS LETTER DESCRIBES THE FESTIVITIES SURROUNDING THE OPENING OF TRYON, THE GOVERNOR’S PALACE in NEW BERN.
You can feel Gale’s excitement at being allowed to attend the ball. She is writing to her brother, Billy Murphrey.
Dear Billy, New Berne 10 Decr. 1770 We arrived here all safe & sound of Body. The weather has been pleasant and warm. The gods must surely smile on our festivities. We are not at Mr. Blackladges as was planned because of fever amongst his people but are instead with Mr. Coor. I have rooms at the top of the house with Sally and can see from river to river and well up the neck from this high point. “ This is such a bustling busy place after the solitude of our forest clearing. We have done much shopping and visiting abouts. There are so many old friends and acquantenses here and a great number of Dobbs folks are down. Saw many of them at Church a Sunday. We shared a pew with old Hannah Hill and Spyrs Singleton and family.
*Elizabeth Murphrey was Anglican so they would have worshiped at Christ Church.
As late as 1800, Christ Church is described as a small Georgian period
brick edifice,with a square tower, cupola, and bell. It was completed about
1751 and was the only place of Worship in the town. It was rebuilt in 1824.
“ On Celebration day the town was decked out as to appear a fair. Everyone in their finery & entertainments at every corner. We went with Mr. Green & Brother Caswell to the setting of the Govournment in their new Chambers but could naught but stand below windows such was the press. Papa was made door keeper for the Assemblage in that the regular keeper was a bed with the ague. The Government closed business for the day when the point guns saluted and everyone repaired to prepare for the ball. The Govournment House is indeed grand. Mama says that it is even grander that the gouvernors house in Virginia. I heard it said by a gentleman who is much travelled that it is an English house in the finest London taste. FRONT VIEW OF TRYON’S PALACE,
Photo online from “ PICTORIAL FIELD BOOK OF THE REVOLUTION. Vol. II. BY BENSON J. LOSSING, 1850”
“Oh, I wish you could have seen the ball. It dazled the eyes & mind of the beholder. Such finery & jewels. Mother never looked younger or in more health. She wore the blue spittlefelds gown Papa brought for her and Grandmother B's diamonds set her off to perfection. And you should have seen our little Polly all in green & yellow satin with plumes and turban. She has become quite the city lady.When presented to the Governour & Lady he spoke at some length with Mother his having met her cousins while in Virginia. We danced and danced the long part of the evening and ate a great number of delicasys which we have only for weddings & funerals. The lawn before the house was set to form a large feast for the general public who were not at the ball and the whole night ended with a great fire show. Parson Reed danced with me three times & the dear old gentleman would make to have great liberties of speech with Mother who laughed like a girl at such flirtations. Papa played the part of the jealous husband quite well to the merryment of all. On the day after the ball we walked over to Reed's & set upon porch for a while until he took Jethra & Papa to view the school and talk of tuition with Thomason.
“ We drank tea with Mrs. Reed and later came Mrs. Frank, Mrs. Roads and young Mrs. King a relation of Mrs. Roads from down the country. We supped at Cornell's to a large company and afterwards I played the harpsichord for all and Mother lost 4 L. to Mrs. Cornell at quadrille which caused Papa's blood to rise. The town is still in a festive mood, We have seen two horseraces and a concert by the young men of the town. We are to be home in less than a weeks time to prepare for the holydays. We have all or most of the items you wished, papa at present still haggling with Old Hard Money over credit and goods. Tell (torn) the bolts of cloth she wanted and the set of China. Tell her the ladies are wearing the most charming knots and over skits and ribbons this season. Mama has found the most charming Irish seamstress and you really must bring (torn) to town that she may make up dresses for her also. I really must close now (torn) is having a dance tonight & I have to begin (torn)t.
Love to All
Your sister Gale
In the following excerpts from Gale, we see her father, John Murphrey’s, sense of fun, zest for racing, and even musical talent!
Elizabeth Harrison Murphrey
Ca. 1712 &endash; 1788
“Papa entered his horse Marc Anthony in the heats but lost to Major Crooms filly Royal Flush. Abe Shepard's horse Donegale won the second heat and Billy Sutton's Jupitar the last. The track was some muddy which Pa accounts for Marc’s bad showing.” “On Monday Papa threw a BirthDay ball for Mama. A real tearing Ball it was too. Papa felt his Spirits and he & Billy Hooker play'd their fiddles most of the night. I danced till I was out winded and Justice Speight lost his wig during a reel with Mama. Oh, how she was aback and how we laughed at his little crop'd head.” It is heartening to think that Martin was a part of the large and fun-loving Murphrey family.
JAMES MCILWEAN
Martin Caswell and his brother Gov. Richard Caswell married the daughters of James and Elinore McIlwean. Here is a brief summary of James McIlwean. As there are several Caswell-McIlwean ties, the McIlwean family will be treated in a separate section of the booklet.
James Mackilwean, the progenitor of the family, came from Ayrshire, Scotland to New Bern in 1738. He soon became the surveyor general for the area, and hosted the two Caswell boys when they arrived from Md. in 1745. Richard, jr. lived with the family on their 850 acre plantation at Tower Hill, near Kinston and quickly learned the trade. He became deputy surveyor, got his first land grant, and built a home for his parents and their children called The Hill (renamed Newington-on-the-Hill). James Mackilwean had two sons and five daughters.
Francis, son of James, was my ancestor. He was about the same age as Richard and Martin Caswell and they became close friends as well as business and political associates. He was the first treasurer of the town of (Kingston) Kinston, a representative in the Colonial Assembly, and a member of the General assembly for Craven County from 1770-1773. All three of these men were involved in organizing the militia in the fight for independence, and Richard and Martin Caswell were both witnesses to his will of 1774. Francis was also responsible for changing the spelling of the family name from Mackilwean to the shortened version, McIlwean.
The close ties continued in the next generation. Gov. Caswell’s two oldest sons married Francis’s daughters by his 2nd wife, Mary Nixon. Martin Caswell’s youngest son William married Francis’ granddaughter by his first wife, Elizabeth Stringer. Her name was Hannah Mcilwean. Hannah married Thomas Emery, and their daughter, Harriett McIlwean Emery, married William Caswell.
Another family closely associated with the McIlweans was that of Dr. Francis Stringer. He arrived in Craven in 1737, just a year before James McIlwean arrived, and they were friends and close neighbors in the Tower Hill Area. Elizabeth , Dr. Stringer’s only child at the time of his will in 1749 married James McIlwean’s younger son, Francis.
Biographical Sketch of Francis Stringer
One of the most prominent settlers in the area now known as Lenoir County was Dr. Francis Stringer. A native of Virginia, he was the son of Dr. Thomas and Mary Stringer. His great-grandfather was Dr. John Stringer who was prominent in the affairs of Accomac and Northampton County in Virginia until his death.
Dr. Stringer came to the area in 1737 and began operating a ferry across the Neuse River, some two miles east of present-day Kinston. He was undoubtedly the first physician to proactive medicine in this remote frontier. In those days, the practice of medicine was passed down from generation to generation and Dr. Stringer was of the fourth generation of doctors in the Stringer family. Dr. Stringer was also a justice of the peace and served a number of terms in the General Assembly. He was married to the former Hannah Shine (sometimes Susannah), the sister of John and Daniel Shine. They had a daughter, Elizabeth. Dr. Stringer left a will written January 8, 1749 and died in 1753.
Perhaps because he was a physician and could be consulted by travelers, his ferry became the most popular river crossing in the region, serving land traffic from all directions. Two other ferries were operated on the Neuse, one by Abraham Taylor and the other by John Irons. Dr. Stringer's home was a popular meeting place of the day whenever official business affecting settlers was to be discussed.
Francis also owned one of the numerous taverns or ordinaries that dotted the streets of New Bern and the countryside of Craven. From 1741-1760, approximately ten to fifteen were licensed by the court. Many of the owners were men of prominence, including such justices and assemblymen as John Powell, Walter lane, George Bould, James Mcilwean, Francis Stringer, and John Carruthers. Others were just beginning their public careers-Richard Caswell, Richard Cogdell and Thomas Sitgreaves.
Another interesting fact was that for a brief period, from 1758-62, the capital of North Carolina was located at Stringer's Ferry at a bluff called Tower Hill. Land owned by James McIlwean was sold to Gov. Dobbs for the purposes of building government houses. Gov. Dobbs was dissatisfied with New Bern due to the high cost of living and the unhealthiness of the area. (Evidently he had had several relapses of Fevers and Agues)
Information on Francis Stringer provided by Guy Potts and Alan D. Watson’s A History of New Bern and Craven County
I have decided to present Martin Caswell’s genealogy as a modified register of five generations. Notes on each individual follow the register.
1. Martin Caswell was born on 2 Feb 1733 in Joppa MD. He died on 16 Jul 1789 in Dobbs Co, NC.
Martin married (1) Anne (Nancy) McIlwean, daughter of James McIlwean and Elinore Shine ?, in 1754. Anne was born in 1730. She died calculated 1768.
They had the following children:
+ 2 M i. Martin James Caswell jr. was born about 1758.
+ 3 F ii. Mary Caswell was born in 1759 and died in 1834.
+ 4 M iii. James Alexander Caswell was born in 1765 and died before 31 Dec 1822.
Martin also married (2) Nancy Murphrey, daughter of Capt. John Murphrey and Elizabeth Harrison, in about 1768. Nancy was born in Dobbs, now Green Co, NC.
They had the following children:
+ 5 M iv. Francis Caswell was born calculated 1776.
+ 6 M v. William Caswell was born about 1780 and died in 1844/1850.
7 F vi. Nancy Caswell was born about 1782.
Nancy married Mr. Pickle (marriage not proved) in 1831.
2. Martin James Caswell jr. (Martin) was born about 1758. He died in Bullock Co. GA.
Martin married (1) Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Martin Martin, about 1782 in Liberty Co. GA.
They had the following children:
+ 8 M i. Martin McElwain Caswell died in 1842.
Martin also married (2) Elizabeth Tillman in 1804 in Bullock Co. GA.
3. Mary Caswell (Martin) was born in 1759. She died in 1834 in Richmond Co. GA.
Mary married Isaac Wingate. Isaac died in 1802 in Ga.-probably Richmond Co.
They had the following children:
9 F i. Sarah Ann Wingate.
Sarah married Alexander Irvine on 9 Jun 1806.
4. James Alexander Caswell (Martin) was born in 1765 in Dobbs Co., NC. He died before 31 Dec 1822 in Tattnall Co., GA.
James married (1) Eleanor Williams about 1786 in NC. Eleanor died about 1791 in Screven Co., GA.
They had the following children:
10 F i. Piercy Caswell was born in 1787 in Dobbs Co., NC. She died before Dec 1822.
Piercy married William Branch on 15 Mar 1821 in Tattnall Co, GA.
11 F ii. Nancy Caswell was born in 1789.
James also married (2) Chloe Colson.
James and Chloe had the following children:
12 M iii. James Caswell.
+ 13 M iv. Matthew Madison Caswell was born in 1810.
14 F v. Christian Caswell.
15 M vi. Martin Caswell.
16 M vii. Madison Caswell.
17 F viii. Eleanor Caswell.
+ 18 M ix. Francis Neuman (Frank) Caswell was born in 1812.
19 M x. Norman Caswell.
5. Francis Caswell (Martin) was born about 1776.
He had the following children:
20 i. daughter Caswell was born between 1790-1800.
21 M ii. Son (Thomas?) Caswell.
6. William Caswell (Martin) was born calculated 1780 in Dobbs Co, NC. He died in 1844/1850 in Lenoir Co., NC.
William married (1) Harriett McIlwean Emery, daughter of Thomas James Emery and Hannah McIlwean, calculated 1806 in Pitt Co., NC. Harriett was born no later than 1779 in Craven Co., NC. She died in Jan 1827 in New Bern, NC. and was buried on 10 Jan 1827 in Christ Church, New Bern, NC.
They had the following children:
22 M i. son Caswell was born in 1809.
23 F ii. Harriett McIlwean Caswell was born calculated 1807 in Pitt Co., NC. and was christened April 29, 1855 (confirmation) in Christ Church, New Bern, NC. She died on 18 Jun 1862 in New Bern, NC..
+ 24 F iii. Rosaline T. (or M.) Caswell was born on 25 Dec 1817 and died Oct-Nov 1864.
William also married (2) Margaret T. after 1827.
8. Martin McElwain Caswell (Martin James, Martin) died in 1842 and was buried in Taylor's Creek Cemetery Liberty Co, GA.
Martin married Ellender Darcy on 13 Dec 1827 in Hinesville, Liberty Co. GA. Ellender was born about 1802. She died in 1870 and was buried in Taylor's Creek Cemetery Liberty Co, GA.
They had the following children:
25 M i. Raymond H. Caswell was born on 15 May 1830 in Florida. He died in Feb 1857 and was buried Taylor's Creek Cem., Liberty Co,.GA.
26 F ii. Isabella Caswell was born on 21 May 1832 in Florida. She died on 8 May 1909.
Isabella married Stephen Godfrey Baxter on 18 Dec 1853. Stephen was born on 25 Dec 1832. He died on 21 Mar 1904.
+ 27 M iii. James McElwain Caswell was born on 28 Sep 1837 and died on 23 Mar 1920.
13. Matthew Madison Caswell (James Alexander, Martin) was born in 1810 in Screven Co., GA. He died in Ga..
Matthew married Elizabeth Ward on 18 Sep 1822.
They had the following children:
28 F i. Eliza Ann Caswell was born about 1823.
29 M ii. John Winston Caswell was born on 19 Dec 1827. He died on 21 Dec 1907.
30 M iii. James Russell Caswell was born on 8 May 1830. He died on 7 Dec 1884.
31 M iv. William Carroll Caswell was born about 1833. He died in Nov 1864.
32 M v. Thomas Jefferson Caswell was born on 3 Mar 1834. He died on 19 Apr 1909.
18. Francis Neuman (Frank) Caswell (James Alexander, Martin) was born in 1812 in Screven Co., GA.
Francis married Harriet Coursey on 27 Jun 1833 in Tattnell Co., GA. Harriet was born in 1817 in Tattnell Co., GA.
They had the following children:
33 M i. James Monroe Caswell was born in 1834 in Tattnall Co., GA.
34 F ii. Ann Jane Caswell was born in 1837 in Tattnall Co., GA. She died calculated 1900 in Clinch Co., GA.
Ann married James M. McLaughlin on 31 Dec 1852 in Tattnall Co., GA. James was born in 1829 in GA.
35 M iii. Andrew Jackson Caswell was born in 1838 in Tattnall Co., GA.
Andrew married Martha (Mattie) Smith. Martha was born in 1846.
36 M iv. Francis Marion (Frank) Caswell was born in 1839 in Tattnall Co., GA.
37 F v. Harriet Caswell was born in 1841 in Tattnall Co., GA.
Harriet married Franklin Stafford Knight.
+ 38 M vi. Madison Matthew Caswell was born on 23 Feb 1843 and died in Mar 1923.
24. Rosaline T. (or M.) Caswell (William, Martin) was born on 25 Dec 1817 in New Bern, NC. and was confirmed in 1853 at Christ Church, New Bern, NC. She died Oct-Nov 1864 in New Bern, NC and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New Bern, NC.
Rosaline married William Purnell Hall, son of George Hall and Rebecca Porter (parentage not proved), on 13 Jul 1839 in New Bern, NC. William was born in 1810 in Maryland. He died Oct-Nov 1864 in New Bern, NC and was buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery, New Bern.
They had the following children:
+ 39 M i. George Washington Hall was born on 3 Apr 1840 and died on 28 Feb 1909.
40 F ii. Harriett Ann Edwards (Hattie) Hall was born 25 May1842 in New Bern, NC.She died on 18 May 1910 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried on 21 May 1910 in Greenmount Cemetery, Balt., Md..
41 M iii. Henry C. Hall was born on 11 Jan 1844 in New Bern, NC. He died on 19 Jan 1844 in New Bern, NC.
+ 42 M iv. William Henry Clay (Billie) Hall was born on 4 Aug 1846 and died on 11 Dec 1931.
43 F v. Caroline Wearing (Carrie) Hall was born on 17 Nov 1848 in New Bern, NC.. She died on 16 Dec 1893 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried in Dec 1893 in Greenmount cemetery, Baltimore, Md.
44 M vi. Benjamin Franklin Hall was born on 9 Sep 1850 in New Bern, NC. He died on 14 Sep 1850 in New Bern, NC.
45 M vii. John Harvey Hall was born on 30 Dec 1853 in New Bern, NC. He died on 30 Jun 1854 in New Bern, NC.
+ 46 F viii. Sarah Lucretia (Sallie) Hall was born on 16 Apr 1856 and died on 17 Oct 1919.
27. James McElwain Caswell (Martin McElwain, Martin James, Martin) was born on 28 Sep 1837. He died on 23 Mar 1920.
James married Clementine Elizabeth Martin, daughter of Angus Martin and Margaret Daniel, on 7 May 1857. Clementine was born on 15 Feb 1838. She died on 1 Sep 1920 in Hinesville GA.
James and Clementine had the following children:
47 M i. Raymond A. Caswell was born on 19 Feb 1858 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA. He died on 13 Jul 1927.
Raymond married Ann Prescott on 20 May 1893.
48 M ii. James McElwain Caswell Jr. was born on 26 Aug 1859. He died on 12 Apr 1931 and was buried in Bonventue Cemetery, Savannah, GA.
James married Rosa Jane Ryon. Rosa was born on 4 Mar 1872. She died on 26 Feb 1948 and was buried in Bon Ventue Cemetery, Savannah, GA.
49 M iii. John B. Caswell was born on 24 Mar 1861 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA. He died on 12 Mar 1943 in Hinesville Cemetery.
John married Sula Bagley.
50 M iv. Enoch H. Caswell was born on 6 Dec 1863 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA. He died in 1948 in Hinesville Cemetery.
Enoch married Ellen Long. Ellen was born in 1864. She died in 1949 in Hinesville Cemetery.
51 F v. Margaret Eula Lee Caswell was born on 17 Feb 1866 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA.
Margaret married Henry Carlos Laing on 17 Mar 1886.
52 M vi. Daniel Booth Caswell was born on 18 Nov 1867 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA. He died on 20 Jun 1935.
Daniel married Ellousy Prescott.
53 F vii. Mary Elizabeth "Mamie" Caswell was born on 14 Sep 1869 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA. She died on 1 Apr 1932 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA and was buried in Taylor's Creek Cemetery, Liberty Co, GA.
Mary married F.D. Brinson on 1 Jul 1897.
54 F viii. Ellendor "Ellen" Caswell was born on 27 Jun 1871 in Taylor's Creek Liberty Co, GA. was buried in Taylor's Creek Cemetery Liberty Co, GA.
Ellendor married E.T. Gainey on 2 Jul 1895.
55 M ix. Thomas Edgar Caswell was born on 3 Aug 1873. He died on 9 Feb 1925 and was buried in Hinesville Cemetery.
Thomas married Florence Eva Lee on 25 Oct 1905. Florence was born on 4 Oct 1884. She died on
8 May 1972 in Hinesville Cemetery.
56 F x. Adeline Jeanette Caswell was born on 21 Jan 1875.
Adeline married S.M. Rogers.
57 M xi. Benjamin Darcy Caswell was born on 8 Dec 1876. He died on 22 Sep 1897 and was buried in Taylor's Creek Cemetery Liberty Co, GA.
58 F xii. Susan Isabella (Sue Bell) Caswell was born on 22 Jan 1880. She died on 15 Mar 1965.
Susan married Oliver Capers on 2 Jul 1900. Oliver was born on 8 Apr 1879. He died on 26 Jun 1942.
38. Madison Matthew Caswell (Francis Neuman (Frank), James Alexander, Martin) was born on 23 Feb 1843 in Tattnall Co., GA. He died in Mar 1923 in Valdosta, Lowndes Co., GA and was buried in Valdosta, Lowndes Co., GA.
Madison married Sarah Smith on 18 Oct 1870 in Clinch Co., GA. Sarah was born in 1850 in GA. She died on 24 Jun 1930.
They had the following children:
59 M i. Francis M. "Frank" Caswell was born on 26 Sep 1871 in Homerville, Clinch Co., GA. He died young.
60 M ii. Lodowick M. "Loddie" Caswell was born on 25 Dec 1873 in Homerville, Clinch Co., GA. He died on 28 Aug 1951.
Lodowick married Mary Idella Nelson on 12 Mar 1891 in Valdosta, Lowndes Co, GA. Mary was born on 7 Aug 1873 in Lowndes Co, GA.
61 F iii. Frances "Fannie Lott" Caswell was born on 7 Dec 1875. She died Died Young.
62 M iv. Reppard B. Caswell was born on 21 Nov 1877 in Homerville, Clinch Co., GA. He died in 1927.
63 F v. Masse C. "Maude" Caswell was born on 14 Oct 1879 in Homerville, Clinch Co., GA.
64 M vi. Gordon Caswell was born in Jun 1881 in Homerville, Clinch Co., GA and was employed as Carpenter in Valdosta, Lowndes Co., GA.
65 M vii. Charles Granger Caswell was born on 17 Feb 1885. He died on 9 Feb 1897.
66 F viii. Ellen Ruth Caswell was born on 24 Dec 1889 in Valdosta, Lowndes Co., GA.
Ellen married George H. Harper on 2 Feb 1920.
67 F ix. Annie Caswell was born in Sep 1891 in Valdosta, Lowndes Co., GA.
Annie married Walter D. Jones on 1 Feb 1937.
39. George Washington Hall (Rosaline T.(or M.) Caswell, William, Martin) was born on 3 Apr 1840 in New Bern, NC. He died on 28 Feb 1909 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried on 2 Mar 1909 in Greenmount Cemetery, Balt., Md.
George married (1) Jennie F. Norwood, daughter of Thomas W. Norwood and Phoebe Ann Cissell, by 1865. Jennie was born in 1845. She died on 4 Jul 1872 in Baltimore, Md and was buried in Mt Olivet at death; reinterred at Greenmount Cemetery 8 April 1890.
They had the following children:
68 F i. Rosaline Rust Hall was born on 8 Nov 1868 in Baltimore, Md. She died March 1927 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried in Loudon Park Cemetery, Balt. Md.
Rosaline married John Hugh Roy Peabody Scott Duncan, son of John Fletcher Duncan and Virginia Taylor Morgan, on 14 Apr 1897 in Trinity Church (Episcopal), Balt., MD. John was born on 11 Nov 1866 in Balt. Md. He died on 20 Oct 1950 in Balt. Md and was buried on 23 Oct 1950 in Loudon Park Cemetery, Balt. Md.
69 F ii. Harriett Caswell Hall was born on 8 Mar 1872 in Baltimore, Md. She died on 5 Jan 1920 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried on 7 Jan 1920 in Greenmount Cemetery, Balt., Md.
George also married (2) Jane in Baltimore, Md. Jane was born in 1855. She died in 1884 and was buried in Greenmount cemetery, Baltimore, Md.
They had the following children:
70 M iii. Edward W. "Eddie" Hall was born on 29 Oct 1881. He died on 18 Mar 1886 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Balt., Md.
71 M iv. Purnell P. (Paul) Hall was born on 4 Dec 1882 in Baltimore, Md. He died on 28 Nov 1889 and was buried in Greenmount Cemetery, Balt., Md.
42. William Henry Clay (Billie) Hall (Rosaline T.(or M.) Caswell, William, Martin) was born on 4 Aug 1846 in New Bern, NC. and was christened on 1 May 1853 in Christ Church, New Bern, NC. He died on 11 Dec 1931 in Baltimore City, Md. and was buried on 14 Dec 1931 in Greenmount Cemetery, Balt., Md..
William married Annie M. Adams on 25 Oct 1876 in Baltimore, Md. Annie was born on 9 Jan 1850 in Carroll County. Md. She died on 25 Jul 1885 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried 2 Jul 1885 in Loudon Park. On 16 Apr 1890 she was moved to Greenmount Cemetery.
They had the following children:
72 M i. William Purnell Hall was born in 1877 in Baltimore City, Md. He died on 9 Aug 1940 in
Baltimore City, Md. and was buried in Druid Ridge Cemetery, Balt., Md..
William married Charlotte (Lottie) Washington Barnes, daughter of William Wilburforce Barnes and Martha W Williams, on 11 Jun 1901. Charlotte was born on 22 Feb 1879 in Norwich, Connecticut. She died on 27 Jul 1970 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried in Druid Ridge Cemetery, Balt., Md..
73 F ii. Carrie Melissa Hall was born in 1879 in Baltimore, Md. She died on 15 Jul 1942 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried on 17 Jul 1942 in Greenmount cemetery, Baltimore, Md.
74 F iii. Sarah L. "Sallie" Hall was born on 28 Sep 1883 in Baltimore, Md.. She died on 11 Jan 1885 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried in Greenmount cemetery, Baltimore, Md.
46. Sarah Lucretia (Sallie) Hall (Rosaline T.(or M.) Caswell, William, Martin) was born on 16 Apr 1856 in New Bern, NC. She died on 17 Oct 1919 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried on 20 Oct 1919 in Greenmount Cemetery NE #282.
Sarah married Richard A. Miller. Richard was born on 18 Sep 1853 in Md.. He died on 25 Jul 1917 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried in Jul 1917 in Greenmount Cemetery. NE #282
They had the following children:
75 M i. William Miller was born in 1875 in Md.
76 M ii. Richard A., jr."Rich" Miller was born in 1875 in Md. He died in 1949 in Baltimore, Md. and was buried in Greenmount Cemetery.
Richard married Elizabeth J."Bessie" Wheeler. Elizabeth was born in 1873.
1. Martin Caswell
SOURCE: The main source for biographical information on Martin is from Charles R. Holloman in Powell, William S., ed. Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, Vol 1 (A-C). See “Caswell, Martin”, p.341
SOURCE: Caswell’s letter of 11 May 1775;
Lenoir County Historical Association. The Heritage of Lenoir County. Winston-Salem: Hunter, 1981. See “The Story of Richard Caswell,” p.10
SOURCE: couplet “Pretty Bettie tiptoe fine”. The Hay-Archer Tree. Data prepared by Mrs. Bisland McCaleb, nee Olivia D. Archer deceased. http://www.archercousins.com/notes.htm
SOURCE: Martin’s children by Anne McIlwean: Hooten, Bernice Mae Caswell, “The Caswells; some Decendants of Richard Caswell. Sr.”(1998) s.n. 1vol.colli11. 29 cm: Ladson Genealogical Library, Vidalia, Georgia
SOURCE: [1750s] Commissions for Johnston County
Martin Caswell, Capt. of the Company, lately commanded by Francis Mackelwean, who resigned
SOURCE: Dobbs County, NC 1780 tax list: Martin Caswell is enumerated on a in the Kennedy District (1)Lenoir County,NC, from Kinston west, but north of the Neuse River] #4. Martin (Col.) Caswell 4,045acres.
SOURCE: Colony of North Carolina 1735-1764 Abstract of land Patents Vol. 1 by Margaret M. Hoffman, p.377:" 5320 pg. 254 MARTIN CASWELL 3 March 1759. 250 acres in Johnston Co on the south side of Great Contentey, joining Edwards Mill Run, John Suggs, Thos. Edwards, William Lewis, Wm. Ham, and Robert Hill.
SOURCE; on the Murphreys: Leroy Alfred Calder Journal 1914-1992; The Murphree Quarterly-genealogy vertical file; The Murphrey Quarterly, March 1978, Vol.VII. No.1- at NC State Library
NOTE of Dixie Ferris: Nancy "Anne"Murphrey Caswell's sister, Elizabeth "Betsy" Murphrey married John Sugg and Nancy Caswell's sister Patsey "Martha" Murphrey married Robert Hill
SOURCE: Murphrey letters, courtesy of Ernie Murphrey http://users.aol.com/emurphrey/murph.html
Letter of agreement to build the Little Goshen Chapel.
Little Goshen Chapel
pp. 92 -93
At the Vestry held for St. Patrick Parish the 3 day of May 1770 -
Present; The Revd Willm Miller, Simon Bright, Drew Aldrige, William Bell, Robert Williams, Martin Caswell, Major Croom, John Tilmon, Thomas Edwards
“To the Hon. Abraham Shepherd & Capt. John Murphrey Trustees
It is agreed that a Chapel should be built on some part of the old field belonging to the said Shepherd & Murphry called Little Goshen to be 60... “
SOURCE: Wayne Co. deeds
On 3 Jan 1786 a deed was filed in Wayne County by Richard Caswell (former Governor) and John Herritage, who were Executors of the Last will and Testament of William Herritage, late of Craven County, Deceased, who, in turn, was executor for the Will of George Roberts, late of Craven County. They sold 200 acres in Wayne County, NC to Martin Caswell of Dobbs Co, NC. The land was on the North Side of the Neuse River being a patent to George Roberts, Esquire from King George II dated
3 Mar 1738. Also transferred was a 1000 acre patent to George Roberts dated 5 Jun 1739. George Roberts had been dead over 40 years when this land was sold. The deed mentioned his Will dated 7 Nov 1741 and that this land was "formerly in Craven County, but now in Wayne". (Wayne Co, NC Deed
Book 3 page 105).
On the same date, 3 Jan 1786, Richard Caswell, of Dobbs Co, NC sold to Solomon Pope of Wayne Co, NC, 300 acres in Wayne County, on the North Side of the Neuse River in the North Roundabout, being the same land above sold back to Richard Caswell from Martin Caswell, being part of George Roberts lands. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 3 page 115).
SOURCE: Notes of Russell King, genealogist
Martin Caswell died 16 July 1789 Dobbs County of Dropsy
SOURCE: NC, Dobbs, Newspaper, The Kinston Semi-Weekly Free Press (Microfilm Roll KiKFP.1)
Wednesday, March 30, 1910
The Census of a Hundred and Twenty Years Ago for the County
of Dobbs, Now Lenoir and Greene *note - refers to1790 census-author unnamed
Let us now see where we are, I have an old land deed in my possession in which Aaron Pool "Doth grant bargain, sell, alien and convey unto the said Reubin Freeman, situated in the fork of Gum Swamp and Reedy Branch and runs up said swamp to Richard Caswell’s line, then with his line to the branch, then with the branch to the beginning, being a part of a tract of land surveyed for Richard Caswell. This paper was signed by Aaron Pool and witnessed by Samuel and Josiah Pool, three of the men written above. At that time William Caswell, son of Martin, was the clerk of the court when this deed was proved and D. Caswell was register. This Martin was brother of Richard Caswell and the clerk of the court from 1765 until his death in 1789, 24 years at least and perhaps further back than 1765. James Caswell was the son of Martin. I do not remember Ann Caswell only that she was a widow. Moses Westbrook perhaps was the father of Charles Westbrook, clerk, who was the only man who could break the Caswell hold on the courthouse for 50 years or more. Richard Caswell was deputy clerk, of then Johnson County, in 1749. ....The Honorable Richard Caswell, Esq., died in 1789. Isaac Wingate, no doubt the son-in-law of Martin Caswell, whose will I have had occasion to quote, was perhaps dead at this time. His wife Mary Wingate was taken, in that part of Craven next to Lenoir.
:SOURCE: Quarterly Review of E. Carolina Genealogical Society, vol.4, pp.21-25
(Proof of Ann (Nancy) Murphrey's marriage to Martin Caswell)
Papers pertaining to the settlement of the estate of John Murphrey found among some old papers formerly belonging to William Lyman Murphry. These papers were typewritten in about 1920 and were in bad condition. The originals were into there and had probably deteriorated with age, thus causing the typed copies to be made.
"...She also sheweth that her said husband at his death left children ten of whom are still living within this
Government vizc. Michael, John, William, Patsey, wife of Robert Hill, Elizabeth, wife of John Sugg, Anne, wife of Martin Caswell, Gale of Lawful age, Jethra, Eleanor and Sarah under lawfull age of 21 years who on acct. of their infancy are unable to assign to Your Petitioness her Dower or claim their just portion of sd, Estate without the assistance of this court to the end therefore that Your Petitioness may have her Dower and also a distribution share of his estate, real and personal set off to and allotted sd, Petitioness and sd, orphans..."
SOURCE: Elizabeth Murphrey's will of 1788..."My daughter Nancy Caswell and her heirs are to have the track of woodlands at Sandy Bottom adjoining Croom and the river..."
1S. Anne (Nancy) McIlwean
Ann was the older sister of Mary McIlwean, first wife of Gov. Caswell, Martin's older brother. She was three years older than Martin. Although her marriage to Martin Caswell is not proved, Martin's older children passed down the McIlwean name.Martin's 2nd marriage to Nancy Murphrey is proved, and she is not old enough to have borne Martin's three oldest children.
SOURCE: Genealogist Mae Caswell Hooten's notes sent to me in 2002
Circumstantial evidence of this marriage includes a letter found in a Caswell family bible. Although the letter is unsigned, the writer identified him or her self by referring to Mary Caswell Wingate as being his or her great grandmother. In the letter, the writer says"...Martin, son of Martin and Miss Mackilwean..."
1S. Nancy Murphrey
Nancy was the wife of Martin Caswell and the mother of my ancestor William Caswell. She is named wife of Martin Caswell in the Settlement of the estate of Capt. John Murphrey in 1776. Martin died in July of 1789.
CENSUS: 1790 Dobbs Co., NC
Ann Caswell: 1 M over 16, 1 M under 16, 2 F
Those sons would be Francis, b. ca 1774 and William, b.ca1780. The females are Ann and her daughter Nancy. A letter of Gale Murphrey (younger sister of Nancy) dated 14 Sept 1769 says she went to Tower Hill to see "sister Caswell" who had just delivered a "fine son". So Martin was married to Nancy by 1768.
North Carolina Dobbs County July Session 1776 (Settlement of the estate of Capt. John Murphrey)
To the Worshipful the Justices of the County Court Aforesd. The Petition of Elizabeth Murphry widow of Capt. John Murphry dec'd. respectfully sheweth that John Murphry her late husband depart'd this life in the Month of May inst., a greatly lamented event caused by his being thrown from his riding Chair, which accident fractured his skull, Your Petitioness sheweth that her late husband died intestate and being duly distressed as to the nature of these times and the distribution of her sd. husband's estate amongst herself and orphans she is advised she is entitled to her Dower and the Orphans to their Inheritance in the lands which said John Murphry died possessed of and also to a distribution share of his personal Estate. She further sheweth her sd, husband at his death was seized in fee simple and possessed of sundry lots tracks or parcels of land lying and being in Dobbs County, to Witt: One Track in the Beare garden whereon the Mansion house standeth, one other called the Panther Swamp quarter adjacent (now in the tenure of Michael Murphry), one other adjacent called and known as Sweetnin quarter, two Tracks adjoining the Mansion farm, the Meadow track on Mill Swamp and Muskettoe quarter on Contentny River whereon stand the mill landing and the Dutch house, sd, quarter now in the tenure of John Murphry the Younger, also Two other tracks, one purchased of William Wade (in the tenure of William Murphry) and one called and known by the name of Longbridge adjacent to Nahuney Swamp (for a more particular description of all the sd, lands she begs leave to refer to the title papers of the said John Murphry, decd. She also sheweth that her said husband at his death left children ten of whom are still living within this Government vizc. Michael, John, William, Patsey, wife of Robert Hill, Elizabeth wife of John Sugg, Anne wife of Martin Caswell, Gale of Lawful age, Jethra, Eleanor and Sarah under the lawfull age of 21 years who on acct. of their infancy are unable to assign to Your Petitioness her Dower or claim their just portion of sd. Estate without the assistance of this court to the end therefore that Your Petitioness may have her Dower and also a distribution share of his estate, real and personal set off to and allotted sd. Petitioness & sd. orphans. May it please Your Worships to grant a writ or writs of sub Poene to the sd. Michael, John, William, Jethra, Patsey, Elizabeth, Ann, Elleanor, Gale, Sarah and any other children that may be found still living outside this government commanding their answer or appearance and that Your Worship would make such order respectful of sd. infant children as may be right & proper to be directed to Benja. Caswell, Sheriff to Dobbs County commanding him to summons a lawfull Jury to lay off and allot to Your Petitioness her Dower in the land of sd. John Murphry decd. and also her share of his personal estate.
Benja. Exum Att'y for Petr.
Note; Murphry Dixon, cousin to the dec’d., named and appt. Guardian pro.hoc vice for the underage children.
2. Martin James Caswell Jr.
SOURCE: Mae Caswell Hooten has written a book on the descendants of Martin Caswell *see sources for Martin Caswell.. I do not have the book, but she kindly sent her research on the Georgia descendants.
SOURCE: Taylors Creek, Story of the Community and Her People Through 200 Years, Bird and Paul Yarbrough, Editors, A Project of Taylors Creek Cemetery Association, Press of The Atkinson County Citizen, Pearson, Georgia, 1963. A copy of this book can be found at the Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia. This book has an updated and revised version printed in 1985. (page 17)
"As the period now under discussion came to a close, at least nine families who were to play a prominent role on the community's history were already settled there. CASWELL: first settler Martin James Caswell, b. in Kingston, NC, the son of Martin Caswell and the grandson of Richard Caswell....." At least one of his sons, Martin McElwain Caswell, born in Bullock, returned to settle at Taylor's Creek, where he married Elinor Darcy Dec 13, 1827. Martin was in Liberty County, GA in 1792. It is not known whether Martin married before leaving NC, only that his son was born in 1797.
GEORGIA GENEALOGICAL MAGAZINE - July Issue 1965, No 17, Liberty Co, GA Deed
Records 1. Book B - p 555 - Henry Wood, Sheriff, Liberty Co to Abraham Leggett of Savannah, John Couper, merchant of North Newport Bridge, Lib. Co. Sheriff's deed dated May 25 1792, conveying 1380 acres on the great Satilla River in Camden Co, bounded SE by the river and other sides by vacant land; levied on and sold as property of the JOHN HARDY estate in the hands of Mary Hardy, Joseph T. Hardy, and John Graves, Administrators, to satisfy fifa from Liberty Superior Court in favor of MARTIN CASWELL of the State of North Carolina. WIT: Jacob Wood, Nathaniel Bacon. Mary Hardy, widow of said John Hardy in a separate instrument recorded with the deed, waives all her dowry rights in said property, Nov 10 1792.
SOURCE: New Bern Superior Court Papers submitted by Sue Guptill
Folder: 1790
Information: Arrest warrant for Martin CASWELL, junr. for failing to appear as a
witness in the case against Stephen SHEPHERD and others, then for failing to appear
when summoned to explain previous failure. Now to appear and remit fine charged against
him. (On back: Not to be found, the Defendant removed out of the County. s/Benja. Caswell, Shr.)
Date: May term, 1790
Date of: Term of court (only date I can find)
County: Dobbs
*Note-shows that Martin, Jr. was out of NC by 1790.
3. Mary Caswell
The Honorable Richard Caswell, Esq., died in 1789. Isaac Wingate, no doubt the son-in-law of Martin Caswell whose will I have had occasion to quote was perhaps dead at this time. His wife Mary Wingate was taken, in that part of Craven next to Lenoir.
From the census of 120 years ago author unknown *that would be census of 1790.
3S. Isaac Wingate
Augusta Chronicle: 11 Aug 1802
Mary Wingate appointed administrator of Isaac Wingate's estate
4. James Alexander Caswell
James Alexander Caswell moved to Georgia about 1792. He settled in Effingham Co., GA. He was one of the founders of Screven Co., GA, which was formed from parts of Effingham and Burke Counties. He served as sheriff in 1795-1796 and thereafter was Clerk of the Superior Court in Screven, continually until 1809. Documentation shows James and Eleanor had two daughters, Nancy and Piercy, as a legal document shows Samuel Williams in 1798 left the remainder of his estate to them. James was also the tax collector for Screven from 1805-1806 and commissioned a Captain in the Screven Militia.
CENSUS: 1790 Dobbs Co., NC pg. 464
James Caswell: 1 M 16 and up, 1 M under 16, 3 F
CENSUS: 1820 Tattnall Co., GA - Image: 9 of 18
James Caswell: 1 M to 10, 1 M 45 and over, 1 F to 10, 1 F 26-45
EVENT: 1792 James bought 100 acres of land in Screven from John and Mercy Moore.
SOURCE: Lovit Hines Vol.2 as viewed in Eliz. Moore Pc 1406.9 NC Archives
On February 2, 1793, James Caswell of Georgia bought 200 acres for 175 pounds from Isaac Taylor of Lenoir Co., NC, part of two surveys taken, one by Richard Caswell and the other by Martin Caswell, on Bryry Branch and the Great Meadow beginning at Solomon's Wright's and John Crooms corner in Richard's patent line, also in the corner of Martin's patent line.
EVENT: On May 3, 1803 James bought another 200 acres of land from Samuel Parrish in Screven.
EVENT: 1805 James was granted 100 acres of land in Screven.
1807 He was granted 1000 acres in Screven.
1809 He was granted an additional 100 acres in Screven.
1815 James moved to Tattnall Co., GA.
1818 He was granted another 200 acres in Screven.
1819 He granted 896 acres to his daughter Nancy.
EVENT: Thanks to the Caswell Family Site there are many sources and records already proven on James Caswell and his family as well as documentation of his ancestry to Martin and Richard Caswell. We also now have copies of the information of the family bible.
:SOURCE: Huxford, Folks, compiler Pioneers of Wiregrass Georgia.(Huxford Genealogical society, 1982)
Father: Martin CASWELL b: 15 FEB 1733 in Joppa, Baltimore Co.,MD
Mother: Anne "Nancy" E. MCILWEAN b: 1730
Marriage 1 Eleanor WILLIAMS
Married: Abt 1786 in NC 1 2 3
Children
Piercy CASWELL b: 1787 in Dobbs Co.,NC
Nancy CASWELL b: 1789
Marriage 2 Chloe COLSON b: Abt 1785 in Effingham Co., GA
Married: 1808 in Effingham Co., GA 1 2 3
Children
James CASWELL
Matthew Madison CASWELL b: 1810 in Screven Co., GA
Frances Newman "Frank" CASWELL b: 1812 in Screven Co., GA
Christian CASWELL
Martin CASWELL
Eleanor CASWELL
Sources:
Title: Robert Lee Robinson, Memoirs, published 1963. The life of Robert L. Robinson as written by himself.
Date: 24 JAN 2002
Title: GEDCOM File : Mathew McLaughlin Tree 4-19-02.ged
Date: 20 APR 2002
4S. Eleanor Williams
Eleanor died sometime prior to 1808
5. Francis Caswell
Records included below show that Francis led a troubled life. He didn't pay a debt, he was indicted for instigating a riot and assault of Hardee Croom, and he was charged with killing a hog belonging to Hardee Croom. He lost his goods, lands, and chattles in 1813; they were awarded to Hardee Croom. Book 23 (1805-10) of the Dobbs grantor index indicates that he had a son Thomas. There is no information on Thomas. Although it is possible that he went to GA. to join his older brothers James and Martin and his sister Mary, Mae Hooten, who has tracked the GA. descendants thoroughly, shows no records for him in Georgia. I suspect he died before the 1820 census.
Francis is the son of Martin. His mother was Nancy Murphrey, Martin's 2nd wife. Francis was over 16 in the 1790 census and was of age by 1792 and 1793 because he bought and sold land. Gale Murphrey, a sister of Nancy Murphrey, writes in Sept. 1769 that Nancy, "sister Caswell", had a fine new son.
LOVIT HINES Vol. 2 2-1-1795 Francis Caswell of Lenoir Co. to John Tull for 50 lbs Current money, 88 acres of land on the south side of Briery Branch, being the land Martin Caswell bought of the estate of Richard Caswell, Jr.and by the said Martin devised and bequeathed to the said Francis beginning at Isaac Taylor's corner to John Tull's near Great meadow to Caswell's Corner. Wit: Francis Shine, Wm. Witherington
SOURCE: CENSUS: 1790 Dobbs Co., NC Francis seems to be in house of his mother Ann (Nancy) Caswell and is over 16 years of age.
Ann Caswell: 1 M over 16, 1 M under 16, 2 F
Those sons would be Francis, b. ca 1774 and William, b.ca 1780. The female besides herself is Nancy.
SOURCE: 1800 US Census Lenoir County Francis is head of house, age between 16-26 years. There is one boy 0-10 years, one girl 0-10, one girl 11-16 (this may be his sister Nancy as Francis would be too young to be her father), a woman--wife?, 16-26 and a woman 45 and up (probably his or his wife's mother). I'm surmizing that the children are his son & daughter and the female 16-26 his sister Nancy. He would be born no earlier than 1774 if this census is correct. He disappears from the NC census after 1800.
SOURCE: Land grant to Francis Caswell 1804 (p. 196 #276) 5 acres Farmer's swamp adjoining Wm. Arrundall, Martin Caswell, dec’d.
SOURCE: CRAVEN COUNTY, NC - COURT - New Bern District Court Records
Dobbs Co. and others, part 24, 1804 submitted by Sue Guptill
New Bern District Court Records
DSCR 206.326.5
Folder: 1804
Information: Arrest warrant for Francis CASWELL, William HILL, Robert ARGON, & Richard MCILWEAN to answer a charge of riot.
Date: 15 Jan 1804
Date of: Warrant
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Indictment of Francis CASWELL, Benajah WHITE, William HILL,
Robert ARGOW, & Richard MCILWEAN for riotously assembling and assaulting Hardy
CROOM with clubs of the length of 5 feet, at his home.
Date: 15 Oct 1803/January term 1804
Date of: Event/Indictment
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Summons for William HARDEE, Nicholson WASHINGTON, & Daniel HICKS
to appear and testify against Francis CASWELL & others.
Date: 15 Jan 1804
Date of: Summons
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Summons for Ambrose JONES, Peggy CASWELL, & William WAYNE to appear and testify on behalf
of Benajah WHITE & others.
Date: 15 Jan 1804
Date of: Summons
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Indictment of Francis CASWELL for stealing a sow from Hardy CROOM. Date: 10 Jan 1801/July term
1801. [Back: William MARTIN listed as witness].
Date of: Event/Indictment
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Indictment of William MARTIN for perjury in the case against Francis CASWELL, in which CASWELL was indicted for stealing a blue sow from Hardy CROOM. MARTIN testified in that case that he saw CASWELL steal and kill the sow.
Date: 6 Jul 1801/July term 1802
Date of: Perjured testimony/indictment
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Oath by Thomas KING that he heard William MARTIN state that he had rendered false testimony in the case against Francis CASWELL, and if said CASWELL would not make up and compromise all differences between them, he would go to Saint Mary's.
Date: 26 Jan 1802
Date of: Oath
County: Not given
Folder: 1804
Information: 1) Indictment of Francis CASWELL for stealing 1 white and 1 blue sow, property of Hardy CROOM.
Jury: John WHITFIELD, foreman, Richard BYRD, John LOFTIN, Benjamin FORGASIN, Isom UZZAL, Richard CAULEY, John SUTTON, James INGRAM, & Moses SHERLEY. 2) Attached: Bill of indictment traversed, and defendant found not guilty. Jury: Edward BYRD, Joel HINES, Aron RATTIFF,
Ezekiel WHALEY, John ROUSE, Caleb HOOTEN, John DISMOND, Thomas BYRD, William FALKNER, Gershom WIGGINS, Ila LOFTIN, Miles HUTCHINS.
Date: 1) October term 1801 2) April term 1802
Date of: Indictment/Traverse of indictment
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Appears to be list of potential witnesses in case State vs. MARTIN: Jas INGRAM, Ben FERGUSON "to prove his swearing"; Thos. KING, [smeared, probably Slade-sbg] GATLIN "to prove his confession"; Francis CASWELL; Bryan WHITFIELD, Geo. DARNELL, Wm. MOSELEY, Gershom WIGGINS, Jesse WATERS "to prove what to jurors before the first Grand Jury"
Date: Not given
Date of:
County: Not given.
Folder: 1804
Information: Appearance bond for William MARTIN with Hardee CROOM bondsman to appear and abide by the decision of the court in the case against him.
Date: 7 Oct 1801
Date of: Bond
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Appearance bond for William MOSLEY and Thomas KING to appear and testify in the case against William MARTIN
Date: 7 Oct 1801
Date of: Bond
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Based on oath of Francis CASWELL that William MARTIN falsely swore before the Grand Jury, order to arrest William MARTIN to answer the above complaint.
Date: 7 Oct 1801
Date of: Order
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1804
Information: Oath by Hardy CROOM that Francis CASWELL, one of the jurors in
the case against Arthur CRAWFORD is not to his knowledge a freeholder.
Date: 26 Jul 1804
Date of: Oath
County: Not given
Folder: 1804
Information: "Arthur CRAWFORD maketh oath that he was not informed nor did he
know or believe until after the Jury were impanelled in the trial of the
Indictment against him, that he had cause of exception to either of the said
jurors & particularly he had no knowledge or reason to believe that Francis
CASWELL of said jury was not a freeholder."
Date: 26 Jan 1804
Date of: Oath
County: Not given
SOURCE:JOHNSTON/DOBBS/LENOIR COUNTIES GRANTOR INDEX - BOOK 23 - LENOIR COUNTY
1805 and 1806 and to August 1810
Grantor Grantee page #
Croom, William Thos. Caswell 216
(Francis)
Folder: 1806
Information: Certification from the records of Lenoir County court on the first Monday in July, 1803 before James BRIGHT, Benjamin HEARTSFIELD, William CROOM, and Lemuel BYRD, justices: On the 1st Monday in October, 1801, Francis CASWELL by his attorney William BLACKLEDGE charged William MARTIN with trespass with damages of 500 pounds. William MARTIN by his attorney Benjamin H. MARTIN responded with the plea, Genl. issue Justification Stat. Limt. with leave to add pleasø and puts himself upon his Country for tryal. The matter was then continued from term to term until the present [July 1803-sbg], where a jury consisting of Joseph WILSON, William HURST, William WILLIAMS, Ezekiel CREECH, James COX, Joseph WILLIAMS, Abimileck HEARTSFIELD, John KENNEDY, William TRUIT, John JACKSON, Simon HOUSE, and Josiah HARRELL found MARTIN guilty. The defendant appealed and the case was referred to Superior Court in New Bern. MARTIN entered into an appearance bond with Hardee CROOM and Henry ROUSE, bondsmen.
Date: 7 Nov 1803
Date of: Certification
County: Lenoir
Folder: 1806
Information: Appeal bond by William [X] MARTIN with Hardy CROOM and Henry [X] ROUSE, bondsmen to Francis CASWELL. CASWELL brought suit against MARTIN, and county court found in favor of CASWELL.
Date: 7 Jul 1803
Date of: Bond
County: Lenoir
SOURCE: Lovitt Hines
INDENTURE - WILLIAM EASTERLING TO JOSEPH HARDEE
13 April 1813 - Indenture - WILLIAM EASTERLING former Sheriff of Lenoir County (or) to JOSEPH HARDEE
(ee) - Superior Court in New Bern in day of______ directed that the good, chattles, lands of Francis Caswell should make the sum of ___ which was awarded against him the sd FRANCIS CASWELL
for cost of suit wherein HARDEE CROOM was plantiff. Sheriff advertized tract of 500 acres - adj WILLIAM ARANDALE & MARTIN CASWELL, JOHN GARROTS (sic) --- Sheriff sold to AMBROSE JONES for 5 pounds-
JONES transferred to JOSEPH HARDEE
WIT JAS. BRIGHT
To Court July Term 1813 - C. WESTBROOK
Enrolled 15 July 1813 JAS. BRIGHT, Reg
6. William Caswell
William Caswell (b.ca.1780,d.ca 1849) of Dobbs, Pitt, Craven & Lenoir Co, NC was the youngest son of Martin Caswell, younger brother. of Gov. Richard Caswell. His mother was Nancy Murphrey, daughter of Capt. John Murphrey and Elizabeth Harrison Murphrey. There is some evidence that Elizabeth Harrison was connected to the Ben Harrisons of VA, "the James River Harrisons" and thus to presidents Ben Harrison and William Harrison. (not proven). William. appears in the 1790 census of Dobbs in the house of his widowed mother Nancy, and siblings. He was under 16 in 1790 Dobbs census and between 26-45 in 1810 Pitt census. He is not listed in the 1800 census.
Several Pitt deeds-Deed books Q & V (1805,6 &8)-show that he sold his land there for $1100 except for 2 acres of dower lands to his mother Nancy.
It appears that he moved to New Bern about 1815. In the 1816-18 tax list, he owns an improved lot on Craven St. in New Bern. valued at $400.00. From the neighbors on the 1820 census, it appears that the house was located 2 doors from the "Stephens Brick block", built by Marcus Cicero Stephens in 1818, which occupied 220-226 Craven St.
Another neighbor in the 1820 census was James Riggs, who built the Riggs house at 223 Craven in 1829.
Another near neighbor is William G Taylor, who may have been the son of Isaac, who built the beautiful Taylor home, still standing, at 228 Craven It seems that William used the $1100.00 from the sale of his property in Pitt to buy a house in Craven, which may have been a shop for a business as well as the family residence. In 1816, he apprenticed James Sevile, an orphan of 15, as a trunk-maker. In the 1820 census, he has one male (0-10), his wife, and eldest daughter Harriet, b. ca 1807.
There is strong circumstantial evidence* that William married Harriett McIlwean Emery, b.ca.1778, daughter of Thos. James Emery (d. 1779) of New Bern and Hannah McIlwean. William's wife evidently died in 1827 and he appears to have moved back to Lenoir by 1830. It's possible that the William in Lenoir could have been a GA descendant who returned, but also probable that William remarried and moved to Lenoir-perhaps to conduct his business better from there. Perhaps James Sevile & Harriet Caswell coordinated the business in New Bern. A family bible calls his wife Margaret T. I believe she was his 2nd wife, and perhaps the recorders of the bible did not know of his first wife.
By 1830 he appears to be on the property bequeathed to his mother Nancy Murphrey by her mother Elizabeth Harrison Murphrey in her will of 1788. That land was a tract at Sandy Bottom in Lenoir. He remained in the Srtabane area until after 1844. On the 1844 Lenoir tax List he has 175 acres and 1 black pole. He is 40-50 in Lenoir 1830 census and 50-60 in 1840 Lenoir census.
In the 1860 Lenoir census, there is an Alice Caswell, age 55, living in the same area. She may have been his 2nd wife. I cannot find where he is buried. I cannot find where his wife was interred either, just her service at Christ Church. There seem to be many unidentified graves in the Caswell memorial plot in Kinston. Perhaps he is one of those. Gov Caswell had 2 half acre plots reserved in perpetuity for his family members.
William Caswell and his wife Harriett had 2 daughters, Harriett McIlwean, b. 1810, and Rosaline T., b.1817. They also had 1 son. (unknown). Rosaline was my gggrandmother; As previously noted, it is likely that William's wife was the "Mrs (Blank) Caswell" buried at Christ Church, New Bern on Jan. 10,1827.( Daughters Harriett and Rosaline were confirmed at Christ Church)
William left his 2 daughters Harriett, (b.1807, d1862), of age, and Rosaline (b.1817, d.1865) in New Bern; they are there alone in the 1830 census (Harriett is head of house, with Roz and 1 slave). Rosaline married Purnell Hall and remained there until the end of the Civil War.
SOURCE: 1830 census Lenoir
Caswell, William 1C1G (male 10-15, male40-50), 1G(female 40-50) /2ms-3fs; located in Sandy Bottom *This wife may have been Margaret T. "Peggy" Caswell .
Lenoir County, NC - Overseers Reports, 1826-1862
William S. Caswell - extending from the centre of South West bridge to Johns branch below said Caswells and work the usual hands.
SOURCE: 1840 Lenoir census
Caswell, William 1E,1H,1I/1D,1G/2ms-1fs/1fm located in Strabane, Trent township #2, abt a mile from his 1830 location
William Caswell's Deed transactions in Pitt County
Compiler :Ellis Found at Genealogy library, NC ARCHIVES
DEED BOOK Q (1804-1807) Pitt has the following transaction concerning William Caswell, son of Martin Caswell and nephew of Gov.Richard Caswell. Page 111 10-14-1805
Grantor-Reading Jackson Grantee-William Caswell 200a. 700 pounds.
Adj. Joseph Jackson, William Wooten. Wit; William Wooten, John
Jackson
DEED BOOK Q Page 339 1-6-1806 Grantor-William Caswell Grantee-Nancy Caswell
the Elder (LENO) 2 A for life; dower lands. Wit; Ambrose Jones, Former Owner: Martin Caswell,
dec., father of William Caswell, grantor, and former husband of Nancy Caswell the Elder, grantee.
DEED BOOK V p. 26 12-25-1808 Grantor-William Caswell
Grantee-William Wooten 200 A; $1150. Men,:Nancy Caswell, mother of William Caswell. wit;Wm.
Broome(Croom?), Sherwood Hines.
*NOTE-Ambrose Jones bought Martin Caswell's land from son Wm. before 1807. He also bought property bequeathed to Shine Caswell in will of Gov. Richard Caswell-see following deeds:
FROM LOVITT HINES *Note- Elinor Caswell, "Lany", wife of Samuel, is living in 1805. Shine Caswell was son of Samuel & Lany.
JONES FOLDER - 1803 From Lovett Hines Box 1
1. Be it known that I, SHINE CASWELL, of Lenoir County sell AMBROSE JONES
of same - 114 acres for $1,140 NS Neuse adj WILLIAM WHITE (**NOTE-Wm. White was husband of Gov. Caswell's dau. Anna) including houses and plantation where ELEANOR CASWELL now lives - beginning at MCILEWAINS corner below the hill where Pado ?? SHINE lived, main road to Kinston, COURT'S field (now
WHITES), LEYLINGER old field, Cypress gut, Boxes corner
WIT JOHN WOOTEN, D. CASWELL
October Court 1803 on oath of C. WESTBROOK, Clk
Enrolled Liber --- pages --- 21 Nov 1803 - W. M. LOVICK, Regr
( *DUPLICATE OF ABOVE DEED COPIED FROM ELIZ MOORE COLL PC 1406.9-abstracts from Lovett Hines
vol.2) Note the differences in price and date of transaction!)
8-19-1813-Shine Caswell for $140 paid by Ambrose Jones of Kinston, land on the north side of Neuse River, adjoining Wm. White, including the house and plantation where Elenor Caswell now lives, beginning at McIlwean's corner where "auld" Mr. Shine lived, 114 acres.xx Boxe's corner. Wit. John Wooten. D. Caswell
6. 3 March 1805 - AMBROSE JONES of Lenoir to WILLIAM CROOM of Lenoir
- $1700 - NS Neuce adj WILLIAM WHITE including house and plantation
where ELEANOR CASWELL now lives - adj McIWEANS corner below the hill
near where Old WM. SHINE lived - road leading to Kinston, DURNEU ??,
W. COART's field now W. WHITEs, KIDDENING'S ?? old field, to river at
mouth of Cypress Creek, BOX'S Corner - 114 acres - another tract of 100
acres part of a part of a patent granted to DOCTOR STRINGER - adj
PLEASANT POTTS - also one half of 100 acres, part of a tract deeded
to BENJAMIN SHEPPARD and JAMES MCILWEAN - adj where FRANCIS SHINE lives
- 100 acres to be equally divided between BENJAMIN SHEPPARD and FRANCIS SHINE, - 264 acres free and clear of all lawful claims
WIT W. CASWELL, WM LOVICK *NOTE-W. Caswell must be my William since Winston Caswell died in 1799
January Court 1815 on oath of WM. LOVITT C. WESTBROOK, Clk
Enrolled 15 Jan 1815 - JA BRIGHT,
4. 28 January 1809 - Indenture - AMBROSE JONES of Lenoir to JOSEPH WILLIAMS
of same - 950 pds - tract - NS Neuse - adj McILEWEAN, below the hill where old W. SHINE formerly lived, road to Kinston, W. COART'S field now W. CROOM'S field, KEELING'S old field, river at mouth of Cypress gut, BOXES' corner - 114 acres; another tract - adj above tract, and DOC. STRINGER, PLEASANT POTTS - being part of a patent granted to DOC. STRINGER of 100 acres; another tract adj to above being part of a patent granted to BENJAMIN SHEPPARD, adj McILWEAN, adj land where FRANCIS SHINE lived and that 100 acres to be equally divided between BENJAMIN SHEPPARD and FRANCIS SHINE - total of 365 acres
WIT WM. CROOM, JOHN HORRELL
April Court 1809 on oath of WILLIAM CROOM - C. WESTBROOK, CC
Enrolled 15 April 1809 - JAS. BRIGHT, Regr
From Lovitt Hines Collection
1811 - 1820
Also from Lovitt Hines-refers to 8 April transaction
INDENTURE - AMBROSE JONES TO HARDIE CROOM
p 169 - 8 April 1807 - Indenture - AMBROSE JONES of Lenoir (or) to HARDIE CROOM of Lenoir (ee) - $2550 -
several tracts on NS Neuse - first tract granted to MAJOR CROOM 30 March 1754 - adj corner mentioned in patent - 100 acres; another tract beginning at a line granted to JOHN WILLIAM adj RATCLIFF, corner of MAJOR CROOM'S patent, WILLIAM WILLIAMS - 120 acres; another tract above Tom's Branch, JOHN WILLIAMS, RICHARD CASWELL, Flat swamp Branch, beginning at land granted to SAMUEL CASWELL in 1770 - 15 acres; another tract adj above tract, SAML CASWELL, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, to dividing line of HILL Plantation -granted to SAMUEL CASWELL in 1764 - 30 acres; another tract granted to RICHARD CASWELL, bank of Falling Creek to River - 115 acres; another tract - adj land I bought of DALLAM CASWELL in May 1800, goes to the river and my other line - 60 acres; a total of 440 acres
WIT Wm CROOM, WM LOVICK
To Court Jan Term 1811 on oath of WILLIAM LOVICK - C. WESTBROOK Clerk
Enrolled 15 January 1811 - JAS. BRIGHT, regr
SURVEY FOR ABOVE LAND
p 179 - The Course of land sold by _____ survey A. JONES to H. CROOM regt.
The Will. CASWELL land & the Great Island lands or JOHN GATLIN
Additional description identical to above Indenture
*Note- seems to show that Martin lived at Tower Hill and that his son William sold this land to Ambrose Jones, who sold it to Hardee Croom in 1807-see following transaction.
INDENTURE - WM. CROOM AND OTHERS TO JOSEPH HARDIE
p 191 - ____ 1812 - Indenture - WILLIAM CROOM (or) (who purchased the shares of RICHARD G. CROOM,
WILLIAM BRYAN and wife OLLIVE, ISAAC HARDEE and JONATHAN ROUSE and wife CATHERINE, who were heirs at law in and to a part of the real estate of HARDIE CROOM dec and also between MARY KENNEDY, OLIVE HARDIE, and JESSE H. CROOM and wife SUSANNA who were also heirs in and to a part of the real estate of this said HARDEE CROOM decd) to JOSEPH HARDEE (ee) - sum of $1565 pd by JOSEPH HARDEE --- we the said WILLIAM CROOM, MARY KENNEDY, OLIVE HARDEE, JESSE H. CROOM and wife SUSANNA --- the following tracts in fee simple which was formerly the property of HARDEE CROOM dec and which was alloted and laid off to the heirs of SARAH HARDEE and JOSHUA CROOM who were heirs of the aforesaid HARDEE CROOM dec -NS Neuse - 1st tract patented by MAJOR CROOM on 30 March 1754 - 100 acres;
2nd tract - beginning in line of land granted to JOHN WILLIAMS adj RATCLIFF, patent line of MAJOR CROOM, WILLIAM WILLIAMS line - 120 acres; 3rd tract - adj Tom's Branch, JOHN WILLIAMS, RICHARD CASWELL, Flat swamp to line of land granted to SAML CASWELL in 1770 - 15 acres; 4th tract -Adj. SAML CASWELL, WILLIAM WILLIAMS, HILLS Plantation to line patented by SAML CASWELL, JOHN WILLIAMS - 30 acres ---- total of 265 acres it being the land whereon MARTIN CASWELL dec formerly lived and which was transferred by deed from WILLIAM CASWELL to AMBROSE JONES and from JONES to HARDEE CROOM on 8 April 1807.
No further information
*Note-the land on which Martin lived was transferred from William Caswell to Ambrose Jones sometime before 1807.
*Note-By 1828 William Croom seems to be in possession of most or all of Gov. Richard Caswell's properties-see will below:
Will of William Croom - June 2, 1828 From original at the NC Archives, Raleigh, NC. Abstracted and contributed by Guy Potts
.In the name of God, Amen, I, William Croom of Newington, Lenoir County,North Carolina,at the home of George Whitfield on my way to Florida, do on this 2nd day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight, make and declare this instrument of writing, written on one sheet of paper, to be my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following,viz.1st. I give to my beloved wife Elizabeth Croom for and during the termof her natural life my Newington plantation and lands adjoining called the Red Hill plantation, containing in the whole about twelve hundred acres....3rd. I give to my son Bryan Croom in Florida, all the negroes I have then in his possession, also Jacob and John, in the possession of Joshua St. Byrd, and all my right of lands in Florida. Also two thousand dollars to be paid him out of the sales of my estate to aid him in purchasing more lands in Florida, to him, his heirs and assigns forever.....5th. I give to my son William Croom my Tower Hill plantation, beginning at Neuse River, ..6th. I give to my two daughters Anne and Eliza Croom all my lands below Tower Hill lands, given to William, including the Collier, McIlwean place where Wingate now lives and the Stonington lands where David Evans lives to be equally divided by three competent commissioners chosen by my Executors for that purpose, to them, their heirs and assigns forever.."
PARROTT FOLDER (Lovitt Hines Coll. Box 1)
1. 17 October 1833 - Indenture - THOMAS HOOD and CLARISA HOOD his wife of Lenoir to JACOB PARROTT of the same - $1700 - NS Neuse - one tract beginning in JAMES A. HODGES line known as the corner of the second and third division of WILLIAM ARANDALL'S land given by sd ARANDALL to CLARRISA HOOD and JAS. A. HODGES - adj FRANCIS HILL, Hull Road, CASWELL, TULL, DESMOND, MAJOR CROOM'S Survey - 424 acres - grave yards excepted; another tract - on Big meadow - adj HENRY TULL, FRANCIS HILL, CASWELL - 11 acres; another tract on both sides of Little Briery, Hull road, line of patent of SOLOMON WRIGHT on 1 August
1768 - Reedy Branch - 78 acres; another tract - deeded by WM. CASWELL to WILLIAM ARANDALL - beginning in the division line of MAJOR CROOM survey - 1 ¾ Acres.
Both signed
WIT JAS. A. HODGES, ELIZABETH HOOD
To Court 19 October 1833 - CLARISA was privately examined by THOMAS LETTLE,JP
Enrolled 10 April 1834 - ? BRIGHT by WILL. LOVICK
*Note-Wm. Arundell and the Pools were immediate neighbors of Martin's widow Anne in 1790.First census of United States 1790-Newbern District-Dobbs county (photocopied at Archives); not alphabetical
Column 1-free white males of 16 & upward Column 2-Free white males under 16
Column 3- Free white females including head of house
column 4-all other persons
column 5-Slaves
p.136*
Arundell, William 1,1,6,...3
Pool, Aaron
Pool, Joseph
Caswell, James1,1,3...
Caswell,Ann1,1,2...3 1
Land in Pitt referred to:(Bryan collection )http://searches1.rootsweb.com/usgenweb/archives/nc/lenoir/records/bryan.
txt following land in Pitt - Croom and Blount land of 2500 acres, Caswell track of 100 acres; and also land in Johnston and Jones Counties - (not identified) Petitioners wish to have land divided
JOHNSTON/DOBBS/LENOIR COUNTIES GRANTOR INDEX - BOOK 27 - LENOIR
COUNTY - October 1828 to 1833
Grantor Grantee page #
Pickle, Nancy Ann & Wm. Richard Pickle 34
Caswell
JOHNSTON/DOBBS/LENOIR COUNTIES GRANTOR INDEX - BOOK 28 -
LENOIR COUNTY - 1833 to December 1838
Caswell, William Richard Moore 308
Washington, John & Jno. C. William L. Caswell 254
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nc/lenoir/court/overseer.txt
OVERSEER"S REPORT LENOIR CO
July 1837. William S. Caswell - extending from the centre of South West bridge to Johns branch below said Caswells and work the usual hands.
October 1837
William G. Caswell - extending from the centre of South West bridge to the centre of bridge at Daughety's mills and work the usual hands
April 1839
Lenoir County, NC - Overseers Reports, 1826-1862
John Daughety - extending from the centre of South West bridge to the centre of the bridge at Daughety's mills and work the usual hands.
April 1840
George Moy - extending from the centre of South West bridge to the centre of the bridge at Daughetys mills and work the usual hands.
April 1841 . David Evans - extending from the centre of South West bridge to the centre of the bridge at Daughetys and work the usual hands
JOHNSTON/DOBBS/LENOIR COUNTIES GRANTOR INDEX - BOOK 31 - LENOIR COUNTY
- 1 July 1846 to Dec 1849
Transcribed from the Grantor Index and checked against the Grantee
Index by Martha Mewborn Marble
Caswell, William Isaac Anderson 342
6S. Harriett McIlwean Emery
Harriett was without either parent by 1796 when her mother Hannah died. Hannah had remarried Gen. Wm. McClure after Thomas Emery died and he became the guardian for James Emery, but not for Harriet. I think she may have gone to live with her great aunt Lany Caswell, widow of Samuel Caswell."Lany" was Elinore Shine, sister of Hannah Shine; Hannah Shine had married Dr. Francis Stringer and they had Elizabeth Stringer. Remember that Elizabeth was the wife of Francis Mcilwean II, the mother of Hannah, and the grandmother of James and Harriet Emery. The Stringers, Shines, Mcilweans and Caswells were friends as well as relatives.One last piece to this puzzle is provided by the burial record at Christ Church, New Bern. On 10 January 1827 only three people were buried. The first was Elizabeth Green Nixon,, the sister of Richard Nixon.. The second person was a Mrs.-------Caswell, adult. I'm sure this was Harriet Emery Caswell, wife of William. The third person was Capt. David Wallace. He was the 2nd husband of Janet Emery; Janet had been married first to James Reed Emery, Harriet's brother. Was it a coincidence that these 3 were buried the same day? Perhaps, but I think it likely that the Caswells-Wm. and Harriet-and the Wallace's-Janet and David-were celebrating Christmas with Sarah and Elizabeth out at the Nixon plantation and all contracted a flu which resulted in their deaths. Sarah also died in 1827. The affiliation of these families to Christ Church (Anglican) dates back to abt. 1770 when James Reed was the first pastor of Christ Church. His wife was none other than Hannah Shine Stringer, widow of Dr. Francis Stringer The McIlweans, however, became connected to the Baptist church, so Sarah would not have been buried at Christ church. After their mother's death in 1827, the Caswell daughters, Harriet McIlwean Caswell and Rosaline T. Caswell remained in Newbern; both were baptized and confirmed-as adults- at Christ Church. They remained close to their half siblings, Sarah and Francis McIlwean, as witnessed by the fact that Alonzo T. Jerkins was the executor of Harriet McIlwean Caswell's will in 1858.The Sarah McIlwean that Alonzo married was the daughter of Richard Francis McIlwean.*
SOURCE: Early Records of Christ Church Episcopal New Bern to 1848:Burials:
1827 Jany 3. Mrs.------Caswell adult; David Wallace,do; Mrs. Eliz. Nixon
*Note All were related. This MUST be Harriett Caswell because there were no other Caswells in Craven at that time. David Wallace was the 3rd husband of Jannett Reed. Jannett was the 2nd wife of Harriett's brother James Reed Emery. Elizabeth Nixon was the sister of Richard Nixon. Richard's sister Mary was the mother of Sarah and Francis McIlwean. And they were half brother and sister to Harriett. I think it likely that they were all together over Christmas. Sarah Green McIlwean also died in 1827 but would have been buried in the Baptist church.
NOTE: Women are always hard to track; the ONLY reference to Harriet Mcilwean Emery's existence in in Bessie Carman's notes. She is listed as a daughter of Thomas Emery and Hannah McIlwean. I was happy to find her from such a reliable source!
6S. Margaret T.
A family bible lists Margaret T. as the wife of William L. Caswell and the mother of Rosaline M. The bible has 4 different recorders and has some errors. We don't know who the bible belonged to or when the information was recorded. Since a Mrs.-----------Caswell was buried at Christ Church in New Bern in 1827, I think Margaret T. was William's 2nd wife. He moved to Lenoir and re-married. There is also a possibility that Peggy may have been the widow of William's brother Francis.
Information: Summons for Ambrose JONES, Peggy CASWELL, & William WAYNE to appear and testify on behalf of Benajah WHITE & others.
Date: 15 Jan 1804
Date of: Summons
County: Lenoir
7. Nancy Caswell
It would appear that Nancy may have married a Mr. Pickle.
The following deed is of record.
JOHNSTON/DOBBS/LENOIR COUNTIES GRANTOR INDEX - BOOK 27 - LENOIR
COUNTY - October 1828 to 1833
Grantor Grantee page #
Pickle, Nancy Ann & Wm. Richard Pickle 34
Caswell
The 1860 census for Lenoir has an Alice Caswell, age 55, living with Caroline Pickle age 28
I think Alice must have been William Caswell's 2nd wife and she, now a widow, is living with her niece Caroline, the daughter of Nancy Ann Pickle.
8. Martin McElwain Caswell
Enlisted in the county Militia that marched immediately to join Andrew Jackson's Command on its way to attack the Seminole Indians in Florida. He was discharged as a Sergeant in April 1818. It is believed that they moved to Florida after his marriage to Ellender in 1827 to live where all three of their children were born. It would appear that he moved back to Liberty Co., GA after the 1840 census and before his death in 1842. The 1850 census of Liberty County lists Ellender and her three children and reflected that their state of birth was Florida. Martin died in 1842. Ellender lived about 28 years after Martin died. Both are buried in Taylor's Creek Cemetery in Liberty County, GA.
SOURCE: MAE HOOTEN: Hooten, Bernice Mae Caswell, “The Caswells; some Decendants of Richard Caswell. Sr.”(1998) s.n. 1vol.colli11. 29 cm: Ladson Genealogical Library, Vidalia, Georgia
BOOKS: Taylors Creek, Story of the Community and Her People Through 200 Years, Bird and Paul Yarbrough, Editors, A Project of Taylors Creek Cemetery Association, Press of The Atkinson County Citizen, Pearson, Georgia, 1963. A copy of this book can be found at the Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Georgia. This book has an updated and revised version printed in 1985. (page 17)
"As the period now under discussion came to a close, at least nine families who were to play a prominent role on the community's history were already settled there.
CASWELL: first settler Martin James Caswell, b. in Kingston, NC, the son of Martin Caswell and the grandson of Richard Caswell....." At least one of his sons, Martin McElwain Caswell, born in Bullock, returned to settle at Taylor's Creek, where he married Elinor Darcy Dec 13, 1827.
8S. Ellender Darcy
1850 Federal census Liberty County, GA
Caswell Elenor, Mrs. 42 318B pg315a.txt The 17th District
Caswell Isabella 18 318B pg315a.txt The 17th District
Caswell James M. 13 318B
Caswell Raymond H. 20 318B pg315a.txt The 17th District
10. Piercy Caswell
Piercy received a land grant of 1000 acres in 1827 in Screvern County, GA
11. Nancy Caswell
No record of any marriage. She received a land grant of 896 acres in 1819 in Screven Co., GA.
12. James Caswell
Went to Tattnell Co., GA
13. Matthew Madison Caswell
Matthew moved to Lowndes co., Ga. According to County Probate Records, Matther Madison Caswell was the Justice of the Peace in 1850 amd 1851. The length of his tenure has not been determined.
18. Francis Neuman (Frank) Caswell
Name: Frances Newman "Frank" CASWELL
Sex: M
Birth: 1812 in Screven Co.,GA
Death: 1848
Note: BIOGRAPHY: 1839-1841 Francis was the Sheriff of Tattnall Co., GA.
Father: James Alexander CASWELL b: 1765 in Dobbs Co.,NC
Mother: Chloe COLSON b: Abt 1785 in Effingham Co.,GA
Marriage 1 Harriet COURSEY b: 1817 in Tattnall Co.,GA
Married: 27 JUN 1833 in Tattnall Co.,GA 1 2 3
Children
James Monroe CASWELL b: 1834 in Tattnall Co.,GA
Ann Jane CASWELL b: 1837 in Tattnall Co.,GA
Andrew Jackson CASWELL b: 1838 in Tattnall Co.,GA
Francis Marion "Frank" CASWELL b: 1839 in Tattnall Co.,GA
Harriet CASWELL b: 1841
Madison Matthew CASWELL b: FEB 1843 in Tattnall Co.,GA
Sources:Rootsweb worldconnect; http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2866087&id=I152
Title: Robert Lee Robinson, Memoirs, published 1963. The life of Robert L. Robinson as written by himself.
Abbrev: Robert Lee Robinson, Memoirs, published 1963. The life of Robert L. Robinson as written by himself.
Date: 24 JAN 2002
Title: GEDCOM File : Mathew McLaughlin Tree 4-19-02.ged
Date: 20 APR 2002
Title: GEDCOM File : FamilyTree.ged
Abbrev: GEDCOM File : FamilyTree.ged
Date: 1 MAR 2004
18S. Harriet Coursey
Visit 260
CARSWELL Harriet 35 1815 F w Farmer Scriven
James 16 1834 M w Tattnall
Jane 13 1837 F w Tattnall
Andrew 12 1838 M w Tattnall
Francis 10 1840 F w Tattnall
Harriet 8 1842 F w Tattnall
Madison 7 1843 M w Tattnall
21. Thomas? Caswell
The following deed indicates that Thomas may have been the son of Francis Caswell.
JOHNSTON/DOBBS/LENOIR COUNTIES GRANTOR INDEX - BOOK 23 - LENOIR COUNTY
1805 and 1806 and to August 1810
Grantor Grantee page #
Croom, William Thos. Caswell 216
(Francis)
23. Harriett McIlwean Caswell
HARRIETT was born in 1810 in New Bern, NC. She was the eldest daughter of William Caswell and Harriett McIlwean Emery. In the 1830 census she was head of house at age 20 with her sister Rosaline, age 12, and one female slave. She was unmarried and always lived with her sister Rosaline (HALL) Harriett died on June 10, 1862. In her will, dated Jan. 12, 1858 , Craven Co., she left all her estate and property to her sister Rosaline and, after Rosaline's decease, to her three nieces Harriett, Caroline, and Sarah. It should be noted that she bought William P. Hall's property Aug. 12, 1857 and made her will shortly thereafter. Strangely, it was not probated until 1886 by the eldest niece, Harriet A. Hall. She (or her mother) was the original owner of silver marked HMC . Several spoons were donated to Tryon Palace in 1971 by Mrs. John Wolfe because of the connection to Richard Caswell, first governor of North Carolina. Mrs. John Wolfe was Dorothy Hall, a granddaughter of Wm Henry Hall.
SOURCE: Christ Church register
.BAPTISM RECORD: SOURCE the original register at Christ Church; the records are available on microfilm at Newbern Library-(CRAVEN COUNTY Christ Church, Newbern 1818-1946 vol.1-8 (in vol.1):March 1852/3 Harriet Caswell, adult, white, baptized at home in private ceremony, Mrs.E. Coart sponsor.
CONFIRMATION RECORD: (same microfilm): April 29, 1855 by Rt. Rev. Thos Atkinson
Harriet McIlwaine Caswell (*looks like Carwell)...on the previous page of the film is "Rosaline T. Hall"-the date is too hard to read, but must be the confirmation class just preceding Harriet's.
BOOK OF WILLS E, Folio 401 Craven County, North Carolina (NC ARCHIVES)
WILL OF HARRIET M.CASWELL 12 January 1858
In the name of God Amen! I Harriet M. Caswell of the Town of Newbern being of sound mind and memory do make and published this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following: I give to my sister Rosalina the wife of Purnell Hall for and during her natural life all my estate and property of every description (except what I shall herein loan to John Street.) After the decease of my sister Rosalina I desire and direct my property to be distributed in the following manner: that is to say I give to Harriet, Caroline, and Sarah Hall, children of my sister Rosalina, all my household furniture of every description, the northern part of Lot No. 18 on Middle Street being fifty six feet on the front of said by one hundred and seven feet three inches (for a more particular description reference is made to the deed from Purnell Hall to me dated 3rd day of August A.D. 1857 with all the buildings improvements ec..I lend to John Street during his natural life and no longer the upper rooms with the kitchen and candle house and the privilege and right to use the passage in the framed wooden building which I own standing on lot. no. 253-on the north side of Broad Street in Newbern the parts of said house I give my sister Rosalina during her natural life-All the rest and residue of my estate and property of every description I give to my three nieces Harriet, Caroline, and Sarah Hall after the decease of their mother to be equally divided between them-Lastly I appoint Alonzo T. Jerkins my executor-In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this 12 day of Jan.1858.
Signed Sealed and published by the testatrix in the presence of Wm.P. Moore Stephen B. Forbes
STATE OF MARYLAND CITY OF BALTIMORE: I herebye certify that on this 15th day of February in the year 1886 before me the subscriber a notary public duly commissioned by his Excellency the Governor of the State of Maryland and in the City of Baltimore personally appeared Harriet A. Hall, and made oath in due form of law, that she was well acquainted with Harriet M. Caswell now deceased, to witt this paper writing is attached: that she knows her handwriting and that the signature to the will herewith exhibited is the proper signature and in the handwriting of the said Harriet M. Caswell-That said testatrix died 18th day of June 1862 and that ever since her death said will has been in custody and keeping of this deponent-In witness whereof I hereunto subscribed my name and affix my
Notorial Seal the day and year herein above written-(signed)Harriet A. Hall Subscribed and Sworn to before me this 15th day of February 1886.(signed) Felix R. Sullivan, notary Public No. 5 Chamber of Commerce Baltimore, STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CRAVEN COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT 403 : It being proven that Wm. P. Moore and Stephen B. Forbes the subscriber witnesses to the Will aforesaid, are dead and Henry J. Lovick and Wm. G. Bryan, being examined upon oath as to their knowledge of the signatures of said Wm. P. Moore and Stephen B. Forbes, doth depose and say they are well acquainted with the handwriting of said Wm. P. moore and Stephen B. Forbes, the subscribing witnesses as aforesaid, that they have examined the signature which purports to be the signatures of Wm. P. Moore and Stephen B. Forbes, the subscribing witnesses to the Will aforesaid, and declares said signatures to be the genuine hand writing of the said Wm. P. moore and Stephen B. Forbes.(signed) Henry J. Lovick ,Wm. G. Bryan
Sworn and subscribed to before me this 3rd day of March 1886 (signed)E. W. Carpenter C.S.C.It is ordered that the said Will with the foregoing & annexed proof, probate , thereof be recorded and filed and that Letters Testamentary issue. Witness my hand & official seal of office in Newbern this 3rd day of March 1886.(signed) E. W. Carpenter, Clerk Sup Court .
DEATH June 18, 1862. I cannot find where she was buried. Watson's book describes rampant typhoid by the summer of 1862. He tells of soldiers who were buried in open trenches at Christ Church; often the pall-bearer was the next to go, he says. He surmizes that the bones dug up when the parsonage was built were those of the 1862 victims. I do know that the family was "under the protecton of a yankee office" (who probably lived in their house)' so undoubtedly had wide exposure to some soldiers. Perhaps Harriet caught typhoid and is buried in an unmarked grave at Christ Church.
DISPOSITION of Property-will probated in 1886; property sold in 1887
NEW BERN PROPERTY
The House they lived in in New Bern in 1850-60 on Broad St, lot #253, bequeathed in the will of Harriet Caswell (on the death of her sister Rosaline) was finally sold in 1887.The 1858 will was not probated until 1886. Deed kindly researched by Librarian Victor Jones.
"The will of Harriet Caswell gave John Street life estate in part of the property. It is possible that Street lived until 1886 or so, when Harriet and her sisters could claim the property for themselves. (I cannot find a listing for John Street in the Craven County Cemeteries.)
As for the property, the three sisters: Harriet A. Hall, Caroline W. Hall, Richard A. and Sarah L. Miller his wife, sold the property to Thomas A. Green of Craven County on 4 Apr 1887 for $1800. (Craven County Deed Book 95 page
536 ff.) If Street had died earlier, the sisters may have been renting the property from the time of his death until 1887, when for some reason they decided to sell." Victor Jones feels both properties were sold to T A Green. Still puzzling why they kept it for so long.
.
CH Notes- BAPTISM RECORD: Christ Church, New Bern, May 1, 1852 or 1853 (same microfilm) William Henry Hall ,age 6 years, at church, parents-Purnell and Rosaline Hall, sponsor: Rev. A.F.N.Rolfe
*NOTE-in Alan Watson's book, A HISTORY OF NEW BERN AND CRAVEN COUNTY,p 342, A.F.N. Rolfe is mentioned. Referring to the New Bern Academy.."The ebb and flow of the school's fortunes continued. After another relapse in the late forties, the academy reopened under Dr. E.A. Seiker, assisted by A.F.N.Rolfe, who had previously operated a private school in New Bern." I find it very interesting that Rev. Rolfe was the sponsor for Wm. Hall; it suggests that he was a close family friend of Rosaline and Harriet. I wonder if the girls went to Mr. Rolfe's school in the 1820's, or if perhaps one or both taught there?? Whatever the tie, the friendship lasted until 1852.
24. Rosaline T. (or M.) Caswell
Rosaline was born in New Bern in 1818. She was the younger daughter of William Caswell and Harriett McIlwean Emery. She married William Purnell Hall on July 13, 1839 in New Bern. She was his second wife. Records indicate that Wm Purnell Hall was born in Md. He doesn't appear to be connected to any of the Hall families of New Bern. In 1840 they lived with her older unmarried sister, Harriett McIlwean Caswell , who had bought lot 253 on the North side of Broad St. adjoining the Washington Hotel. By 1858 the family had acquired lot 17 &18 on Middle St. Middle Street was the main business section, so this property, now a successful restaurant, may have been a business of some sort. Letters from her oldest son George's wife from Baltimore City in 1865 suggest that the rest of the family was still in New Bern in 1865. One letter of July 1865 mentions grieving over Rosaline's recent death. Both she and her husband Purnell died in the yellow fever epidemic of 1864-5. An article published in Nov 1864 lists their names. They were buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery in a plot called "the yellow fever plot".
We will not have exact death dates.
SOURCE: CONFIRMATION- from original church records, Christ Church, New Bern:
"Rosaline T. Hall" The date is May, but the year is indecipherable: the next confirmation class-that is, the next one in the record book, which is obviously not in sequence- was on April 29, 1855.
Her older sister, Harriet McIlwaine Caswell(*looks like Carwell), was confirmed on that day. Her younger son William Henry Hall was baptized at Christ Church in 1853*see note below
SOURCE: MARRIAGE: copy of original marriage record from NC ARCHIVES. Craven County, 13 July, 1839 Purnell Hall and Rosalina Caswell Wit: Leroy White, James Carter
SOURCE: DEATH: email from Victor Jones with the following:
Benjamin, W.S. "The Great Epidemic in New Berne and
Vicinity, September and October 1864, by One Who Passed
Through It." (New Berne, N.C.: Geo. Mills Joy, 1865) *Note-See Wm Purnell Hall.
NOTES:
1.I believe the "Mrs Caswell" whose burial is recorded at Christ church on Jan.10th, 1827,
was Harriet McIlwean Emery, wife of William Caswell.
2. I also found baptism records for Rosaline's sister Harriet and Rosaline's son, Billie.
Baptism records are on microfilm at Newbern Library-(CRAVEN COUNTY Christ Church, Newbern 1818-1946 vol.1-8 (in vol.1: March 1852/3)
Baptism record: Harriet Caswell, adult, white, baptized at home in private ceremony,
Mrs.E. Coart sponsor.
Baptism record: May 1, 1852 or 1853(same microfilm) William Henry Hall, age 6 years,
at church, parents-Purnell and Rosaline Hall, sponsor: Rev. A.F.N.Rolfe
24S. William Purnell Hall
In the few records I've gathered, he called himself "Purnell". William Purnell Hall was born in 1810 in Maryland. There are records that indicate that the Hall family first settled in the Berlin/Snow Hill of Worcester Co., Md. Purnell arrived in New Bern as a young man. His first marriage was to Aseneth Turner on Aug. 8, 1838. He married second Rosaline Caswell July 13, 1839 in New Bern. He is listed as a sailor until 1850, and then a sea captain in 1860 Craven Co. census. He and his wife Rosaline both died in Oct-Nov. 1864 during the yellow fever epidemic which killed est. 1300 people. They are buried in Cedar Grove Cemetery in an unmarked plot for victims of the yellow fever plague. A Hall cousin said his family had been told that Purnell transported lumber from New Bern to Baltimore.
SOURCE: MARRIAGE #1
Bride: Asenath Turner
Groom: Purnell Hall
Bond Date: 09 Aug 1838
County: Craven
Record #: 02 145
Bondsman: Solomon Chadwick
Witness: J. G. Stanly
Bond #: 000026713
SOURCE: MARRIAGE #2 : original record NC ARCHIVES.
13 July, 1839 Purnell Hall and Rosalina Caswell Wit: Leroy White, James Carter
SOURCE: Charlotte Ruffner's family records - Purnell Hall and Rosaline M. Caswell A. D. were married 13 July, 1839 by Geo. W. Dixon, esq.
SOURCE: email from Ila McIlwean White
It is interesting that George W. Dixon is one of the characters at Tryon Palace Historic Sites and Gardens. (usually played by Paul Switzer) He was born in the early 1800's, owned a tailor shop in partnership with Spencer Willis, purchased the lot on corner of George and Pollock St. in 1826 built a house ( 1830) in the federal side hall plan which is one of sites to visit at TPHS&G. He was married to Antoinette Hunt, was a member of St.John's Masonic Lodge, the Methodist Church and served as mayor of New Bern for a short time.
NOTES on the Hall family bibles by Clair Hadley
The following pages from two Hall bibles were kindly provided by Chaarlotte Ruffner of VA, a descendant of Wm Henry Hall (1846-1931), on Feb. 20, 2005.The pages are in her scrapbook and have been removed from two family bibles. The information in the first three catagories listed -Births, Marriages, and Deaths-is from one bible. The 2nd Deaths listing and the Memoranda section are both from a 2nd bible. We don't know when the information was recorded or by whom. I suspect the maiden Hall sisters, Carrie and Hattie, did the recording and perhaps Wm. Henry's daughter, Carrie Melissa , or his wife Annie was the third recorder. I have a sample of William Henry Hall's signature and it does not match any of the recorders.
NOTES on BIRTHS: The handwriting for Rosaline, Geo., Harriett Ann, Henry Clay., William Henry, John Harvey and Sarah Lucretia is the same (recorder #1). The record for Caroline and Benjamin Franklin is by a 2nd recorder.The record for Harriet M. Caswell is by a third recorder-added later- who obviously a mistake as the incomplete date of 185 makes clear. Harriet M. Caswell died 10 june, 1858 as her will states. I also note that the original Christ Church, New Bern baptism record clearly has Rosaline T. Caswell rather than Rosaline M. Caswell. My final observation is that Harriet M. Caswell died June 10, 1858 and the two sisters had her will from her death until 1886 when it was probated. Harriet A., and Caroline Hall, and Sarah Hall Miller appeared for probate and Harriet declared that the will had been in her possession. Recorder # 3, who made the Harriet M. error, was obviously not aware of Harriet M. Caswell's birthdate
NOTES on DEATHS: The record for Henry C. and John Harvey is done by recorder #1
The record for Benjamin Franklin is done by recorder #2.
NOTES on Marriages: Purnell and Rosaline's marriage is written by recorder #1.
Sarah and Richard Miller's marriage is done in blue ink by a fourth recorder.
BIBLE # 1
BIRTHS
Rosaline M. Caswell daughter of William L. & Margaret T. Caswell was born 25th day of December A.D. 1817.
Geo. Washington Hall son of Purnell & Rosaline M. Hall was born April 3rd 1840.
Harriet Ann Edwards Hall daughter of Purnell and Rosaline M. Hall was born May 25th A.D. 1842
Henry C. Hall son of Purnell and Rosaline M. Hall was born January 11th A.D. 1844
William Henry Clay Hall son of Purnell & Rosaline M. Hall was born August 11th A.D. 1846
Caroline Wearing Hall daughter of Purnell and Rosaline M. Hall was born Nov.17 A.D. 1848
Benjamin Franklin Hall Son of Purnell & Rosaline M. Hall was born 9th day of September A.D. 1850
John Harvey Hall son of Purnell & Rosaline M. Hall was born Friday, Dec 30, 1853
Sarah Lucretia Hall daughter of Purnell & Rosaline M. Hall was born Monday April 16th at 8 O clock A.M.*year is Missing Harriet M. Caswell was born Friday September 20th 185 * last digit is missing.
MARRIAGES
Purnell Hall and Rosaline M. Caswell were married by Geo. W. Dixon, Esq. July 13th A.D. 1839.
Richard A. Miller and Sarah L. Hall were joined together in holly wedlock on the 19 of November 1873 by the Rev. William T. Speake *holy is misspelled in the record.
DEATHS
Henry C. Hall son of Purnell & Rosaline M. Hall departed this life January 19th A.D. 1844 Age 8 days
Benjamin Franklin Hall Son of Purnell & Rosaline Hall departed this life September 14.A.D. 1850 Aged 5 Days.
John Harvey Hall son of Purnell & Rosaline Hall died Saturday June 30 1854 at 7 O' clock P.M. & was buried next day at 5 O'clock P.M.
Bible #2
DEATHS (The border on this page and the Memoranda page is different from the preceeding pages; I assume it was from a different, more recent bible)
Sarah Lucretia Hall, departed this life at twenty minutes past seven Sunday morning the seventh day of January in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty five.
Hattie A. Hall died Wed. May 18 at 5 minutes past three p.m. Born May 25, died May 18, 1910.
Wm. H. Hall died Freday, December 11, 1931 at 1:15 p.m. Age 85 years.
Wm. Purnell Hall died Friday Aug.9, 1940 at 6:10 p.m. Age 62 years
Carrie M. Hall died Monday, July 15, 1942 at 8:15 a.m. age 62 years.
MEMORANDA
William H. Hall born Aug. 4th, 1846, married October 25th 1876 to Annie Adams Born January 9th, 1850
Carrie M. Hall was baptized Sunday, May 3rd 1903 at Grace Baptist Church by Rev. W.H. Baylor.
END BIBLE
SOURCE: DEATH
Benjamin, W.S. "The Great Epidemic in New Berne and Vicinity, September and October 1864, by One Who Passed Through It." (New Berne, N.C.: Geo. Mills Joy, 1865) p.33
On a hunch, I checked an often overlooked source for deaths in New Bern in the 1864-1865 era.That is the year of the Yellow Fever epidemic in New Bern and the North Carolina Times published a booklet from the various newspaper articles published at that time. In the booklet, on page 31 is "The following list [of those who died in the epidemic] was published in the North Carolina Times, November 26, 1864:" on page 33 "Hall, Purnell, Capt.; Hall, Purnell, Mrs.;"
By the end of the epidemic, over 1300 people had died. Most were buried in an unmarked plot in Cedar Grove Cemetery in mass graves known as the "Yellow Fever Plot"
Thanks to Victor Jones, Librarian, Craven Co Library E-mail: vjones@ncsl.dcr.state.nc.us
SOURCE: CENSUS:
1840 Craven Co. Census
William Purnell Hall
one male under 5, one male 30-40, one female 20-30, one female 40-50
* note-next door is Witchord White. Leroy White was witness for the marriage of William and Rosaline
1850 Craven Co. census
#515 Hall, Purnell 40 sailor b. Maryland
Rosaline 33 bNC
Geo W. 9 b NC in school
Harriet 7 b NC in school
William 3 b NC
Caroline 1 b NC
* Note-in # 514 Rosaline's sister Harriet is listed with John Street. In # 516 is the old Washington
Hotel run by William R Street, hotel keeper. *The Washington Hotel was torched by the retreating Rebel troops in 1862. Evidently, the Hall home was occupied by a Union officer during the war. At least, family lore has it that the family was "under the protection of a Union officer". Most of the large homes were occupied by the Union army throughout the war and this is the reason damage to the city was minimal.
1860 Craven Co. census, ward 1, New Bern
# 566. Pernel Hall ,Sea Captain, aged 50, born in Maryland $100.00
Rosalind (42, f)
Harriet (18, f)
William H. (14, )
Caroline (12, f)
Sarah L. (5, f)
Harriet M. Caswell (50, f)
*Oldest son George Washington Hall is found in the 1860 census of Baltimore City in ward 3. He is apprentice to a tinner.
*2007-Sandy Fisher Hall Handcock-said that her family had been told that Wm.Purnell Hall ferried lumber from New Bern to Baltimore. If so, that may have been why George Washington Hall came north in 1860.
26. Isabella Caswell
ID: I14560
Name: Isabella Caswell
Sex: F
Birth: 21 MAY 1832 in Liberty, GA
Death: 8 MAY 1909 in Riceboro, Liberty, GA
Burial: Baxter Cemetery, Reboro, GA
Change Date: 8 MAY 2004 at 08:58:57
Father: Martin McElwain Caswell b: 15 MAR 1798
Mother: Elllender Darsey b: 4 MAR 1806
Children
Ann Eliza Baxter b: 1855 in Liberty, GA
Raymond Shelman Baxter b: OCT 1858 in Liberty, GA
Susan Agnes Leile Baxter b: 1860 in Liberty, GA
Joseph Jackson Baxter b: 7 APR 1862 in Liberty, GA
Mary Elizabeth Baxter b: 1865 in Liberty, GA
Olivia Tallulah Baxter b: 1868 in Liberty, GA
James William Baxter b: APR 1870 in Liberty, GA
John Allen Baxter b: 19 AUG 1875 in Liberty, GA
26S. Stephen Godfrey Baxter
Stephen Godfrey Baxter; born Dec 25, 1832 in Gadsden County, Florida just prior to his parents' return to Liberty County, Georgia. He grew up at Taylors Creek, community about three and one-half miles southeast of the village proper. On Dec.18, 1883, he married Miss Isabella Caswell, daughter of Martin McElwain Caswell and Elender
(Darsey) Caswell (1808-1870). The couple made their home on a tract six hundred acres received from the groom's father John H. Baxter . On Aug 27, 1861, Stephen G. Baxter enlisted in Company I, 25th Regiment, GA Volunteer Infantry, C.S.A., led by Capt George Troupe Dunham, and later by Baxter's first cousin Capt. James M. Smith. He served in this company as a corporal throughout the War. After the War, the couple acquired a portion of Hunters Hall Plantation east of Riceboro and relocated there. Stephen G. Baxter died on March 21, 1904. His wife, born in Liberty County on May 21, 1832 died May 8, 1909. Both are buried in the family cemetery on the property. They had eight children, all of whom were born and reared in Liberty County, Georgia. Part of the Hall was still standing in 1985 the cemetery was located behind the ruins.(inserted by Charlotte Baxter Hensley(1999).
27. James McElwain Caswell
Served in the Civil War as first sergeant in the Liberty County guards from April 1861 to April 26, 1865.
Owned and operated the Caswell hotel on Market St, now Main St, Liberty County, GA.
TAYLORS CREEK METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY - (White)
Fort Stewart Cemetery Number 12, located in Area E-1. Land Acquisition Tract Number: 562. Acreage: 4.49.
Former Property Owner: Taylors Creek Methodist Church. Map Grid Coordinates - Vertical: 33.3, Horizontal: 38.8.
North on GA-119 toward Pembroke to FS-144. Left on FS-144 to cemetery on right.
Death dates on some of the markers predate the establishment of the cemetery. These markers were moved by familymembers from the Daniel Family and Hendry Family cemeteries when the land was acquired in 1941 by the federal government for Camp Stewart.
For the history of the Taylors Creek Methodist Church and Cemetery, see TAYLORS CREEK, 1760-1960 published by the Taylors Creek Cemetery Association.
138 Caswell, James McElwain, Sept 28, 1837-Mar 23, 1920.
139 Brinson, Mamie E., Sept 14, 1869-Apr 5, 1932.
140 Caswell, Benjamin D., son of J.M. & E.C. Caswell, Dec 8, 1876-Sept 22, 1897.
141 Caswell, Infant of J.M. & C.E. Caswell, no dates.
142 Caswell, Infant of J.M. & C.E. Caswell, no dates.
143 Long, Eliza A., Aug 9, 1828-Jun 19, 1868.
144 Caswell, Ellender, Mar 4, 1806-Aug 14, 1870.
34. Ann Jane Caswell
Name: Ann Jane CASWELL
Sex: F
Birth: 1837 in Tattnall Co., GA
Death: Abt 1900 in Clinch Co., GA
Father: Frances Newman "Frank" CASWELL b: 1812 in Screven Co., GA
Mother: Harriet COURSEY b: 1817 in Tattnall Co., GA
Marriage 1 James M. MCLAUGHLIN b: 1829 in Laurens Co., GA
Married: 31 DEC 1852 in Tattnall Co., GA 1 2 3
Children
James Algeron MCLAUGHLIN b: 17 NOV 1853 in Tattnall Co., GA
Indianna MCLAUGHLIN b: 1855
Rowan Marion MCLAUGHLIN b: 6 DEC 1857 in Tattnall Co., GA
William H. MCLAUGHLIN b: MAR 1860 in Holmesville,Appling Co.,GA
Ann Jane MCLAUGHLIN b: 2 JUL 1861
35. Andrew Jackson Caswell
It was recorded in the Wiregrass obit. and Death Notices that the " honorable A.J. Caswell, one of the most prominent citizens of Homerville, Clinch Co., GA is dead. He was county treasurer at the time of his death".
Andrew Jackson was a member of the Board of Education from 1872-1889. He served as President of the Board in 1888 and resigned 10 Sept 1889. He was the Clinch county Treasurer and served in that position until he died.
CENSUS: 1860 Clinch Co., GA - Magnolia P.O., Enumeration Date: 8 Jul 1860
Image 40 of 68 at Ancestry.com - Dwelling 277, Visitation 241
Caswell, A.J.: 22 M, Farmer, Value of Personal Estate: 140, Born: GA
CENSUS: 1870 Clinch Co., GA - Homerville - Enumeration Date: 13 Jun, pg143, Image 7 of 100 at Ancestry.com,
Dwelling: 135, Visitation: 135
Caswell, Andrew J.: 32 M, Merchant/Grocer, Value of Estate: 1000, Personal Estate: 300, Born: GA
Martha: 22 F, Born: GA
I.F.: 1 F, Born: GA
J.M.: 2/12 M, Born: Apr, GA
Algeron McLaughlin, his sister Ann's son, is boarding and a J. Dowdy.
CENSUS: 1880 Clinch Co., GA - Homerville- Enumeration District: 39,Enumeration Date: 4 Jun, Image 4 of 29 at
Ancestry.com
Dwelling: 50, Visitation: 51
Caswell, Andrew J.: 42 M, Farmer, Born: GA, Parents Born: GA
Mattie: Wife, 34 F, Born: GA, Parents Born: GA
Ida F.: Daughter, 11 F, attending school, Born: GA
James: Son, 9 M, attending school, Born: GA
Andrew: Son, 7 M, attending school, Born: GA
Allen N.: Son, 5 M, Born: GA
Tildon F.: Son, 3 M, Born: GA
William L.: Son, 2 M, Born: GA
Riley Smith, a 22 male, is boarding.
BIBLE:
on 20 March, 1881, Raymond Harvey Caswell was born.
On Aug 4 1885 Annie J Caswell was born and died at age 14 months.
On 22 Oct 1887 Thomas Norwood Caswell was born. He married Birdie Pearl on 21Aug 1921.ID: I155
38. Madison Matthew Caswell
CENSUS: 1840 Lowndes Co., GA - Image 33 of 44 at Ancestry.com
M.M. Caswell: 1 M under 5, 1 M 20-30, 1 F 20-30
CENSUS: 1860 Lowdnes Co., GA
Name: Madison Matthew CASWELL
Given Name: Madison Matthew
Surname: Caswell
Sex: M
Birth: 23 Feb 1843 in Tatnall County, Georgia
Death: Mar 1923 in Valdosta, Georgia
Burial: Mar 1923 Valdosta City Cemetery
Note: Enlisted in Company A, 29th Georgia Volunteer Infantry on Sept. 9, 1861. He lost his left arm above the elbow during battle at Franklin, Tenn. on Dec. 1, 1864 and was captured. Confined to Federal Prison at Pt. Lookout, Va. He was released on June 5, 1865 and took up residence in Homerville, Georgia. There he served as Town Clerk, Treasurer, and Commissioner before moving to Valdosta around 1890. His occupation there was insurance agent, and he was the 1910 census enumerator for Lowndes County
CENSUS: 1870 Clinch Co., GA - Homerville - pg. 143 Image 7 of 100 at Ancestry.com - Enumeration Date: 13 June
1870
Dwelling: 135 Visitation: 135 - Andrew Jackson Caswell Sr. Household
Caswell, M.M.: 24 M, Grocery Merchant, Value of Real Estate: 100, Of Personal Estate: 600, Born: GA
CENSUS: 1880 Clinch Co., GA - Homerville - Enumeration District: 39,Enumeration Date: 4 Jun, Dwelling: 56,
Visitation: 59
Caswell, Madison: 36 M, At Home, Maimed or Cripple/Disabled, Born: GA, Parents Born: GA
Sarah: Wife, 29 F, Born: GA, Parents Born: GA
Franklin M.: Son, 8 M, Born: GA
Loddie M.: Son, 6 M, Born: GA
Ceppard B.: Son, 2 M, Born: GA
Masse C.: Daughter, 8/12 F, Born: Oct in GA
CENSUS: 1880 Clinch Co., GA - Madison Caswell was the Enumerator. He also lived just a few houses from his Brother, Andrew J.Caswell.
CENSUS: 1900 Lowndes Co., GA - Valdosta City, District 663 &endash; Enumeration District: 70, Sheet: 18B, Enumeration
Date: 12 Jun 1900, Crane Ave.
House: 215, Dwelling: 316, Visitation: 403
Line 74 Caswell M.M.: Head, Born: Feb 1843, 57 M, Married: 20 yrs.,Born: GA, Parents Born: GA, Owns House,
Mortgaged
Sarah: Wife, Born: Oct 1850, 49 F, Married: 20 yrs., Born:GA, Parents Born: GA
Frank M.: Son, Born: Sep 1871, GA, 28 M, single, Carpenter
Maude: Daughter, Born: Oct 1879, GA, 20 F, single, Salesmanin Dry Goods
Gordon: Son, Born: Jun 1881, GA, 18 M, single, Carpenter
Ellen: Daughter, Born: Dec 1889, GA, Attending School
Annie: Daughter, Born: Sep 1891, GA, Attending School
CENSUS: 1920 Lowndes Co., GA - Valdosta City, Enumeration District: 125,Sheet: 4B, Enumeration Date: 13 Jan
1920, Image 8 of 19 at Ancestry.com -Dwelling: 92, Visitation: 103, House# 215
Line 58 Kaswell, Madison: Head, Owns House, Free of Mortgage, Age 76,Married, Can Read/Write, Born: GA,
Father: NC, Mother: GA
Sarah: Wife, 69 F, Married, Born: GA, Parents Born: GA, Can Read/Write
Daughter, 25, single, Born: GA, Can Read/Write
Annie: Daughter, 24, single, Born: GA, Can Read/Write, Sales Body, Dry Goods, Wage
Madison and son Gordon are neighbors.
Name: Madison Matthew CASWELL
Sex: M
Birth: FEB 1843 in Tattnall Co.,GA
Death: MAR 1923 in Valdosta, Lowndes Co.,GA
Burial: Valdosta, Lowndes Co.,GA
Note:
38S. Sarah Smith
ID: I518899991
Name: Sarah SMITH
Given Name: Sarah
Surname: Smith
Sex: F
Birth: 23 Oct 1850 in Homerville, Clinch Co.,Georgia
Death: 24 Jun 1930 in Valdosta, Georgia
Clinch Co., Ga. Misc. Marriages - various years - various names
93. Madison M. Caswell and Sarah Smith on Oct. 18, 1870
39. George Washington Hall
George Washington Hall was born in 1840 in New Bern, N.C and died in Baltimore Feb 27, 1909. He was the eldest child of William Purnell Hall and Rosaline T. Caswell. He was twice married. He moved to Baltimore about 1859 as a young apprentice to a tinner, but returned to New Bern to enlist when the Civil War began. During his brief stay, he lived in the home of his future bride, Jane Norwood, then 15.His mother, his younger brother Billy, and his sisters Harriett, Caroline, and Sarah remained in New Bern until sometime after the summer of 1865. The four siblings were all in Baltimore by the 1870 census. George, and later his brother Billie, founded a ship's chandler buiness at 221 McElderry Wharf, Baltimore. His sister Sarah's husband, Richard A. Miller, became the third partner. George retired when his business was destroyed in the Baltimore fire of 1904. The business was carried on, however. He died Feb. 28, 1909. At the time of his death, he lived at 1011 E. Preston St, Baltimore, Md., just two doors from his brother Billie. George is buried at Greenmount Cemetery in Baltimore, Md.
SOURCE: CENSUS:
1850 Craven County, NC census; NC Archives
#515 Hall, Purnell 40 sailor b. Maryland
Rosaline 33 bNC
Geo W. 9 b NC in school
Harriet 7 b NC in school
William 3 b NC
Caroline 1 b NC
# 514 Rosaline's sister Harriet is listed with John Street. Next door, in #516, was the gracious old Washington Hotel on Broad Street, run by William R Street, hotel keeper.
1860 CENSUS Baltimore, ward 4 ,p.33. visitation 214, family #291
#291 Frank Winship (sp??) age 56, House Carpenter from MD, cannot read/write
Mary Winship (sp??) age 23 from M
#292 Rachael Norwood age 30
Jane Norwood 15
John 9
William 2
Harvey 4/12 (as of 13 June 1860)
Joseph Harryman 24 Segar maker b. PA
George Hall, age 20, Apprentice to Tinner , b. NC
.
1870 CENSUS for Baltimore City, copied at Md. State Archives., enumerated 16 August, 1870:
Third Ward, Dwelling #1422, family #1897
WIMSATT, Frances-Head, age 68 -Keeping house, personal estate-$100., b. MD, parents not of foreign birth
Norwood, Pheby, age 38- Seamstress, b. Md
Hall, Jane age 24-, b. Md. Seamstress,
Johns, Willie, age 12, b.Md. .
Hall, George, age 35-Tin and Sheet Iron maker, born NC.
Hall, Rose, age 3, born MD.
Wimsatt, Ellen, age 90, b. Md
Wimsatt, Maria age 16-Seamstress, b.Md.
1880 CENSUS Baltimore City, Ward 3, Enumeration district 28 sheet.13 House 112 132.
Enumerated June 3, 1880 by Wm. Caldwell
District 28 was south.of Pratt St, W. of Broadway, N of Gough, E of Caroline St. The
S. Bond St address is on the soundex card but not on the actual census.
Wimpsay, Frances C age 80, widow, keeping house, born Maryland, father b. NC,
mother b. Md.
Norwood, Eva age 48, single, granddaughter, seamstress, born Md.
Father born Ireland,
Mother b. Md.
Hall, George W. age 40, widower, son-in-law, joiner, father born NC,
mother born Md
Rosa R. age 13, single, granddaughter, at school, father born NC,
mother born Md.
Hattie C. age 10, single, granddaughter, at school, father born NC,
mother born Md.
Johns, William age 22, single, boarder? , Ship Chandler, father born Md,
mother born Md.
Johns, Henry(?) age 20, single, boarder?, Ship Chandler, father born Md
mother born Md.
The 1880 soundex card adds that the family lived on S. Bond St (maybe # 119)
SOURCE: NC Archives NC CIVIL WAR RECORDS, Co.1, 2nd Regiment N.C. State Troops, p.465
Hall, George W. Resided in Craven County where he enlisted at age 21 May 29, 186, for the war. Mustered in as Corporal and promoted to Sergeant, May-June 1863. Captured at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July1-4, 1963, and confined at DeCamp General Hospital, Davids Island, New York harbor. Transferred on Dec. 17, 1863 to Point Lookout, Md., where he was released after taking the Oath of Allegiance on Feb.6, 1864.
SOURCE: Baltimore City Directory, 1890.
Baltimore, MD: R. L. Polk and Co., 1890.
Geo W Hall tinner 1011 E. Preston Baltimore, MD 1890
SOURCE: OBITUARY GEORGE W. HALL March 1, 1909 (Baltimore Sun)
Mr. George W. Hall, a retired merchant of 1011 East Preston St. died Saturday morning
at St. Joseph's Hospital after a short illness following an operation. Mr. Hall was a native
of Newberne, North Carolina and after the Civil War, moved to this city, where he engaged
in business at 221 McElderry's wharf, being the senior member of the firm of Hall, Miller & Co.
He retired after the fire. Although very young, when the call was made for volunteers during the Civil War, Mr. Hall promptly enlisted his services in the cause of the South and went to the front as a member of the Second North Carolina Regiment. He served throughout the War.Mr. Hall was a descendant of the Caswells of North Carolina, Gov. Richard Caswell of that State being his great uncle. He is survived by his two daughters, Mrs. John H. Duncan and Miss Hattie C. Hall and William H. Hall, a brother, and his two sisters, Miss Hattie A. Hall and Mrs. Richard G. Miller.
SOURCE: DEATH CERTIFICATE C20014 Maryland State Archives
Place of Death St Joseph's Hosp
Full Name George W Hall
Residence: 1011 E. Preston St.
Duration of Residence in Baltimore: 43 years
Date of Birth: April 3 1840
Date of Death: Feb 28, 1909
Age: 68 years, 8 months, 25 days
Widowed
Birthplace: North Carolina
Father: Purnell Hall
Birthplace of Father: Md
maiden name of Mother: Rosaline Caswell
Birthplace of Mother: N Carolina
Occupation of Deceased: Retired
Informant: R.A. Miller
Address: 2028 Kennedy Av.
Place of Burial: Greenmount Cemetery
Date: March 2, 1909
Cause of Death: Acute dilations of Heart
SOURCE: GREENMOUNT CEMETERY RECORD provided by cemetery employee Mary Murray, by phone.
Northeast area Slot 138 owned by George Washington Hall; no date of purchase, but probably early 1890
just before he re-interred his family members
Hall, Paul P. 28 Mar 1890
Hall, Jane and Edward W. 8 April 1890, re-interred at Greenmount from Loudon
Hall, Jennie 8 April 1890 re-interred at Greenmount from?
Hall, Sallie L. 16 Apr 1890 re-interred at Greenmount from ?
Annie M. removed from? Apr 16, 1890
Carrie W. Dec 17, 1893
George Washington Hall March 2, 1909
Hattie A. Hall may 21, 1910
Hattie Caswell Hall Jan 7, 1920
Wm H. Hall Dec.14, 1931
Carrie Melissa Hall July 17, 1942
*Note the re-interments
SOURCE: GREENMOUNT CEMETERY RECORD for Sallie Hall and husband
Richard A. Miller
NE 282-just yards from the Geo W. Hall plot Information supplied by Mary
Murray by phone
Owner Richard. Miller. Verified by visit to the cemetery.
William Miller Oct 30, 1895
Elizabeth Miller Jan 29, 1879
William J. Aug 12 , 1912
Richard Miller July 28, 1917
Sarah Oct 20, 1970 *error by cemetery should be 1917
Richard, jr. no date
39S. Jennie F. Norwood
Jane, known as Jennie, was born in Maryland in 1845, the year after her parents married in St. Mary's County, Md. She appears to be their only child. The family is living in Baltimore in the 1850 census, but by 1860, she and her mother Phoebe were living with her grandmother, Frances Wimsatt. A young George W. hall is a boarder in the house in 1860, so we know how they met. There is no Thomas Norwood in the 1860 census, so we can assume her father had died. Jennie, as she was called, married George W. Hall sometime between his release from Pt. Lookout prison camp in 1864 and July of 1865, the date of her letters to N.C. She died very young, at age 27, leaving her 2 small daughters, Rosaline and Harriett. She was originally buried with her mother, Phoebe A. Norwood, and her
grandmother, Frances Wimsatt in Mt. Olivet Cemetery on July 4, 1872, but was re-interred in 1890 by her husband, George W. Hall, when he bought a plot a Greenmount Cemetery large enough for his family and that of his brother Billie.
SOURCE: MARRIAGE RECORD Margaret K. Fresco, Marriages and Deaths St. Mary's County, Maryland
1634-1900, (no place: no publisher, 1982).
Fresco: Thomas Norwood of Eastern Shore, MD m. Phoebe Ann Cecil of SMC, 1/11/1844 at St. Andrew's Epis.
SOURCE: 1850 CENSUS
310 John Norwood Baltimore 3rd Ward 1824 26 Painter MD
Harriet I/J. (Harris) Norwood Baltimore 3rd Ward 1825 25 MD
Henrietta I/J. Norwood Baltimore 3rd Ward 1846 4 MD
Sarah Wiley Baltimore 3rd Ward 1834 16 MD
William Ecworth Baltimore 3rd Ward 1815 35 Sailor MD
Mary Ecworth Baltimore 3rd Ward 1830 20 England
310 Thomas Norwood Baltimore 3rd Ward 1826 24 MD
Phiba Ann (Cissell) Norwood Baltimore 3rd Ward 1824 26 MD
311 Jane F. Norwood Baltimore 3rd Ward 1845 5 MD
Frank ?Warnpsey (fenmale) Baltimore 3rd Ward 1809 41 MD
SOURCE:1860 census Baltimore, ward 4 ,p.33. visitation 214
291 Frank Winship (sp??) age 56, House Carpenter from MD, cannot read/write
Mary Winship (sp??) age 23 from M
292 Rachael Norwood age 30
Jane Norwood ,age 15
John 9
William 2
Harvey 4/12 (as of 13 June 1860)
Joseph Harryman 24 Segar maker b. PA
George Hall 20 Apprentice to Tinner , b. NC
SOURCE: Vol #.1( A-D) Cemetery Records of Mt Olivet Cemetery
From Vol. 1:sections A-D of the caretaker records of Mt. Olivet Cemetery Baltimore, Md.
Dates of interment
Lot 301-A: owner Frances A. WINSATT (their spelling)-Remains, Apr.16,1855;
Columbus NORMAN, Mar.28, 1853;
Child of EMORY, July 19, 1856;
Mr. COSLEY, May 1, 1863;
Rose BEAN, Feb. 28,1872;
Jennie HALL, July 4, 1872; **-Jennie was re-interred in Greenmount on April 8, 1890 by George W Hall (per
Greenmount records)
Frances F. WINSETT, Aug. 6, 1881;
Phoe(be) A. NORWOOD, Dec 31, 1891
Ann HALL, Apr. 19,1895.
SOURCE: original letters in the possession of Duncan Yeagar, passed down from his mother, Nancy Lou Duncan Yeagar. Duncan kindly photocopied them and other family information in his possession. They are written by George Washington Hall’s wife Jennie from Baltimore to New Bern, NC shortly after the death of Purnell and Rosaline Hall in 1864.
Baltimore City July 22, 1865
Dear Carrie,
I received your kind and welcome letter and felt extremely happy to hear from you and to hear that you and your family was well. We are all well excepting George my husband and he is very sick. He has to come home from the store this afternoon. I don't know what is the matter with him. I am going to send for the Doctor now in a few moments or as soon as Ma goes downtown so as I may know what to do for him. and if he gets worse why I will ? and let you know
.
Dear Carrie Baltimore July 22, 1865
I received your kind and welcome letter and felt extremely happy to hear from you and to hear that you and your family was well. We are all well excepting George my husband and he is very sick. he has to come home from the store this afternoon. I don't know what is the matter with him. I am going to send for the doctor now in a few moments as soon as Ma goes down town so as I might know what to do for him and if he gets worse why I will write and let you know.
*on same page
Dear Carrie,
I thought as I was writing I inform you of the death of Dr. Gamberio Daughter's death she died this week. Carrie, write soon and give mine and Husbands love to all your family and Hattie when you hear from her.
Excuse bad writing
no more from Jennie
Dear Carrie Aug. 9th 1865
You wrote me word in your letter that if it was not for your Dear Sisters and Brother you would be willing to die for the sake of being with your dear Mother. I know it greaves you, my Dear, to know she is no more and that you miss her at the fireside but you must try to resign yourselves to the will of the Lord for he doeth all things well. She has only gone a little while before you can go and meet her where parting is no more. I know it is hard for us to part with our friends and particularly a parent- for three weeks past I have been with the sick and the dieing, I have seen the Old Grey headed man bent in prayer and tears over his daughter and in another case I have seen the daughter and the wife weeping over a father and husband and in another case I have seen parents and sisters weeping over a very Dear Brother, but you see it was God's will to send this dreadful affliction upon us and they have to bear it although very hard and why not you and Hattie and Billy and Sallie do the same. I hope you will, for God's sake and my sake and your Brother's sake try to do so. As it is growing late I will have to close. Give mine and George's love to all the family and keep a part for yourself. No More. I remain as ever your affectionate
Sister-in-law
Jennie
PS. Tell Hattie I was very happy to hear that she enjoyed herself and hope she will condesend to write me a letter now and also tell Billy I received the paper and was very mutch obliged to him for it.
Write soon again.
Jennie
NOTES:
1.Thomas Norwood is not listed in the 1860 census. His brother, John, is in ward 3, three houses from John Duncan. John Norwood has stayed in the same spot it appears. Assuming that Thomas died, it seems that Phoebe, now a widow, moved in with her mother, Frances Wimsatt by the 1860 census. There are many errors in the 1860 household. ( for example, Rachel Norwood should be Phoebe and Frank Winship should be Frances Wimsatt)