Gilbert Godfrey (1889-1965) - Find a Grave... (2024)

Ancestors of Gilbert Godfrey

Generation No. 1

1. Gilbert Godfrey, born 04 Jun 1889 in Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Oct 1965 in Albemarle Hospital, Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC. He was the son of 2. Ephraim Godfrey and 3. Susan "Rebecca" Turner. He married (1) Mattie Elizabeth White 14 Jul 1913 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC. She was born 23 May 1891 in Weeksville, Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC, and died 31 May 1993 in Guardian Care, 901 Halstead Boulevard, Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC. She was the daughter of Willis Doctrine White and Grizzelle F(rances?) Ellis.

Notes for Gilbert Godfrey:
Biography by great-grandson Bryan S. Godfrey, grandson of his daughter Katherine Godfrey Godfrey:

Gilbert Godfrey, the fourth child and eldest son of Ephraim and Rebecca Turner Godfrey, was born 4 June 1889 in the Hog Neck and Little River vicinity of Perquimans County, North Carolina, where his patrilineal ancestor (and also an ancestor of his mother), Francis Godfrey, had settled about 220 years prior to his birth, making the Godfreys likely the oldest continually resident family in the county. His parents were half-first cousins, since Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853) was their common grandfather, who was married four times. Ephraim's father was a son of Benjamin by his third wife, Martha Colson, whereas Rebecca's mother was a daughter of Benjamin by his fourth wife, Rebecca Robbins. Gilbert was named for his paternal grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, who was born about 1822 and died about 1855. He in turn was named for his maternal grandfather, Gilbert Colson. And to trace the history of the name Gilbert back even further, it appears that one of the early settlers of Perquimans County, Gilbert Gooddale, had a daughter who married William Colson. This William Colson was either the grandfather or great-grandfather of Gilbert Colson. The last one thus far to bear the name Gilbert in the direct line of Gilbert Godfrey, was my dad, Gilbert Wayne Godfrey (1945-2012), who was known as Wayne and was a grandson of Gilbert Godfrey II.

Gilbert's father was a farmer who was blind, but how long is unknown. According to family report, a pair of sheep shears had fallen off a fireplace mantle and struck Ephraim in the eye, which resulted in an infection that spread to both eyes and left him totally blind.

Around 1904, when Great-Granddad was a teenager, his parents moved from Perquimans County to Pasquotank County, settling down on a farm near present-day Perkins Lane and Pear Tree Road a short distance south of Elizabeth City. According to family tradition, Ephraim and Becky had a total of 14 children, so four of them must have died as infants. The two youngest children, Glenn and Eugene, were apparently born after the family settled in Pasquotank.

Gilbert met Mattie White at a church social, and they were married 13 July 1913 in the home of Dr. Olds in Pasquotank County. When she was in her late nineties, Great-Grandma reminisced about going to her mother-in-law's house for chicken dinner after the wedding. Almost a year later, their first child, Alma, was born in a house near Gilbert's parents' home. Aunt Alma recalled helping her Grandfather Godfrey walk along the ditches on his farm as he was blind and needed help knowing where the ditches were. She must have been less than four years old, for he died in 1918. Aunt Alma also remembered visiting her bedridden grandmother shortly before her death. Gilbert's mother died the day after Christmas on 26 December 1917 at the age of 54. Her sister, Mary Turner Williams of Elizabeth City, was the informant for her death certificate. Gilbert's father died of influenza less than a year later on 5 November 1918 at the age of 64, during the tragic Spanish influenza epidemic which swept the East Coast. Ephraim and Becky were buried in the Godfrey family plot at Hog Neck in Perquimans County. Unfortunately, there are no tombstones in this cemetery, whose location appears to have become unknown to all, and the graves had been marked by tree stumps at one time before farm aninals trampled all over them.

The deaths of Gilbert's parents within a year resulted in their children who were still at home getting displaced. Glenn and Eugene became orphans. Uncle Glenn went to a boarding school at Asheville, North Carolina and afterward went to work out west in oil fields. At some point living with his oldest sister Mattie and her husband John Campbell near Sanford in Lee County, North Carolina, where Mr. Campbell was from, Glenn settled there, where he married Nettie Spivey in 1926 and had ten children. Several of these children generally host the annual Campbell-Godfrey Family Reunion. Uncle Eugene lived with his brother Gilbert and wife Mattie (my great-grandparents) for a while and eventually went to work for the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Base at Havelock, North Carolina, where he was electrocuted in 1943, leaving his wife Ruby with a toddler and an unborn son. Two sisters, Aunt Leila and Aunt Sallie, were still living at home and keeping house, but they went to work at the Louise Hotel in Washington, North Carolina after their parents died. Another unmarried daughter, Loretta, had died of typhoid fever in 1913 at the age of 19; location and place of burial are unknown. As the eldest son, Great-Granddad Gilbert became the family leader and was always regarded very highly by his siblings, nephews, and nieces.

He and Great-Grandma lived in several temporary locations in the first ten years following their wedding. They lived in town at Elizabeth City for a time, where Carlton, their oldest son, was severly injured at age two, about 1918, when he was stepped on by a horse. Carlton suffered from speech impediments and had several other ailments throughout his life, which probably resulted from this injury. For this reason, Great-Granddad and Great-Grandma felt especially obliged to look after Uncle Carlton for the rest of their lives. At the time of my Grandmother Katherine's birth in 1920, they had moved back to the county and were living in Nixonton Township in lower Pasquotank County. It is believed that Great-Granddad used money from his inheritance to buy the farm on Body Road, two miles south of Elizabeth City, and about two miles west of his parents' farm off Perkins Lane, to which they moved around 1925. He eventually acquired over 200 acres here and bought out adjacent farms such as the Raper farm and other land which he deeded to his sons Carlton, Raymond, and Roy, who also became farmers. The house originally was one-room, but Gilbert and Mattie soon added other rooms and an upstairs which made it a four-bedroom house. This house is still standing in very poor repair as of 2017. It was occupied until Great-Grandma became a resident of the Guardian Care nursing home in Elizabeth City following a stroke in January, 1986.

Hog-killing time in the fall was a well-known southern ritual that was observed regularly by the Godfrey family. It was the occasion in which relatives gathered on the farm to help slaughter the hogs and cook the meat. Many members of the extended family came to the Godfrey farm to assist in this effort, particularly Great-Granddad's siblings. Even in those days, people had to worry about crime, in the country as well as the city, particularly during the hard times of the Great Depression when people became especially greedy. Once the hams were prepared after the hog killing and needed to be hung to cure, Great-Granddad hung them in the house attic instead of the barn because it was a common practice for thieves to wander the countryside through barns to steal the hams. Before Gilbert resorted to storing the hams inside his attic, he once heard intruders trying to enter the barn at night where the hams were curing, so he rushed outside carrying his gun and scared them off.

Great-Granddad often remarked to my dad, his grandson, that people became especially greedy during the Depression which tested one's integrity and moral values, but once America entered World War II, he observed that people seemed to pull together and become united in a common cause.

Great-Granddad was fondly remembered by my dad and other grandchildren who spent a lot of time helping him on the farm. My dad spent part of each summer with his grandparents as a youth, helping his family members out in the fields and was free to play when his chores were over. There was a small landing strip down the road where my dad liked to hang out on Sundays and after his chores were finished. Gilbert had a good sense of humor but was very inclined toward hard work. He was a Methodist and attended both Hall's Creek and City Road United Methodist Churches. Often, my dad recalled, his grandfather would fall asleep during the sermon. He always wore a straw hat to church. My dad's older sister Bobbie, born in 1939 in her grandparents' house, two years before her parents came to Newport News, Virginia, always held a special fondness for her grandparents' farm lifestyle. Until she was about sixteen years old, she spent entire summer vacations with her grandparents on the farm and did not return to Newport News until just before school started. Her and her husband's lifelong dreams of continuing this farming lifestyle materialized when they purchased land in Nelson County, Virginia, around 1975, over 20 years before they permanently retired there to take up cattle farming. My dad's younger sister, Luanne, however, is quite the opposite. She has never cared for country living and admits that city life and malls are her passion. Perhaps I am in between my Aunts Bobbie and Luanne in regard to my views on farming and country life. While I admire the pastoral ideal that most of my ancestors lived by, I am perhaps too concerned about animal rights (I suppose this is easy to say when I have never had to kill an animal to eat and have never been forced to work on a farm in which killing animals is an accepted way of life) and too much of a clean-freak to ever be interested in livestock farming, but I can relate to the idea of having a second residence in a rural setting someday and engaging in gardening or herb farming, keeping a few animals only as pets and never fishing, hunting, or slaughtering animals.

Gilbert Godfrey became revered around Pasquotank for his hard work and integrity. He served on the Pasquotank County School Board. While on the school board he handed out diplomas at high school commencement ceremomies.

Since farmers of their generation rarely had the means or time to travel, it is fortunate that Great-Grandma and Great-Granddad were able to make trips to visit their children. They came often to Virginia to visit two daughters, Alma, who lived at Norfolk with her husband Oliver Rosso, and my grandmother, Katherine, of Newport News. They also went on two occasions to Warren, Rhode Island, to visit their daughter Hazel, her husband Eddie Procopio, and their four children. In spite of how down-home, Protestant and Anglo, the Godfrey family was, two of the three daughters of Gilbert and Mattie, Aunt Alma and Aunt Hazel, married men whose parents were Italian immigrants and had grown up in cities. On the other hand, my grandmother, the second daughter, married my grandfather, who was of the same North Carolina farming background in which she was raised. He was also a Godfrey, proven to be related to Gilbert's Godfreys by YDNA matches, and was from Camden County, on the other side of the Pasquotank River from where Grandma's family lived. The four sons all got married and remained in North Carolina. Uncle Carlton, Uncle Raymond, and Uncle Roy all married women from the Elizabeth City area and remained near the homeplace. Uncle Marvin married Jean Jones of Raleigh, North Carolina and moved there following his graduation from North Carolina State University. He, Jean, and their three children later moved to Raleigh, and after the children were grown, settled in Fuquay-Varina near Raleigh, where Marvin still lives. Marvin was the only son who did not continue the family tradition of farming, but he majored in agriculture-related subjects in college and later received his Master's Degree in Seed Germination. He worked for FCX, a feed and seed supplier, most of his career, and his knowledge of efficient planting and seed germination practices was helpful in advising his parents on how to improve their farm.

Hearing my dad reminisce about the first trip he took with his sister Bobbie, their parents, and their maternal grandparents (Gilbert and Mattie) in 1951 to Warren, Rhode Island, makes me appreciate how difficult travel was in those days. That was Great-Granddad's and Great-Grandma's first trip there, probably the first time either of them had ever been in any state besides Virginia and North Carolina. My grandparents (Garland and Katherine Godfrey) left their home in Newport News, Virginia, went south at first to spend the night at Great-Granddad's and Great-Grandma's house, and then they all left for Rhode Island at 1:00 AM the following morning. My Granddad Garland drove the entire way, as Grandma's father was uncomfortable driving in a strange area. This was before interstates existed, so they drove up regular highways, taking Route 13 up the Eastern Shore before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel was built, ate picnics along the way (never stopping at restaurants since they were few and far-between then), and did not arrive in Rhode Island until around midnight, 23 hours after leaving Elizabeth City. Granddad, Grandma, Grandma's parents, my dad, and his older sister Bobbie were all packed in Great-Granddad's Chevrolet! Great-Grandma loaded down the trunk with many jars of homemade preserves for Aunt Hazel and her family. And my assumption is that they all dressed formally for the trip, even though it was made during the summer in a car without air conditioning. Pictures of Great-Grandma and Great-Granddad in Rhode Island show him wearing a tie and her wearing a dress, which is what she always wore.

But usually Aunt Hazel and Uncle Eddie were the ones who made the trip to see Hazel's family in North Carolina and Virginia. Eddie Procopio was most generous every summer, when he took his annual two-week vacation, in insisting at least one week be set aside for traveling to North Carolina to see her family. All of his family lived near him in Rhode Island. It was not necessarily a vacation for Uncle Eddie once he arrived, however, for he always helped his inlaws on the farm, even though he was born and raised in the city in and around Bristol, Rhode Island, in an Italian immigrant, Roman Catholic culture entirely different from Hazel's southern Protestant upbringing.

In 1957, the 350th anniversary year of the settlement of Jamestown, Gilbert and Mattie visited Jamestown while visiting their daughter Katherine and son-in-law Garland at Newport News, VA. My dad remembered his grandfather standing near the statue of Captain John Smith and recalling visiting there 50 years earlier during the Jamestown Exposition of 1907. The Exposition was actually held in Norfolk because the transportation difficulties of that time did not sustain having the celebration at Jamestown, and the island itself had barely been restored or excavated by that time. However, apparently Great-Granddad took an excursion, probably by steamboat from Norfolk, to Jamestown Island. Gilbert told my dad that he would not be around 50 years later for the 400th anniversary in 2007, but to remember what he told him about being there in 1907 so he could pass it on to his own grandchildren by then. My dad told me this in 2006. Unfortunately, my dad did not have grandchildren by 2007 to pass this on to; times have changed since 1957 as families are smaller, fewer people are having children, and people are generally waiting longer to marry and have families.

In July, 1963, Great-Granddad and Great-Grandma celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in their home. His health had begun declining, as he had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His health grew much worse in the last year of his life, and he died at the age of 76 on 12 October 1965 in Albemarle Hospital at Elizabeth City. His funeral was conducted at Hall's Creek United Methodist Church. Great-Grandma continued to live at home for the next 20 years until she went in a nursing home in 1986, where she died seven years later at the age of 102. They are buried at New Hollywood Cemetery at Elizabeth City.

Below are two of Great-Granddad's obituaries from the Elizabeth City "Daily Advance":

Gilbert Godfrey
Gilbert Godfrey, 76, died Tuesday night in Albemarle Hospital after being in declining health for the past two years.
He was a native of Perquimans County but a resident of Elizabeth City Rt. 1, for most of his life. He was a retired farmer. He was the husband of Mrs. Mattie White Godfrey and son of the late Ephram and Susan Rebecca Turner Godfrey.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons, Carlton, Raymond, and Roy Godfrey all of Rt. 1, Elizabeth City and Marvin Godfrey of Raleigh; three daughters, Mrs. Alma Rosso of Norfolk, Mrs. Katherine Godfrey of Newport News, Va. and Mrs. Hazel Procopio of Warren, R.I.; two brothers, Merritt Godfrey of Elizabeth City, and Glenn Godfrey of Sanford; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Woodville and Mrs. Sallie Harris of Washington, N.C., 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Hall's Creek Methodist Church by the Rev. Jerry Smith, pastor, assisted by the Rev. Carlos P. Womack, pastor of First Methodist Church. Burial will be in New Hollywood Cemetery. The body will be taken from Twiford Funeral Home to the church to lie in state one hour prior to services.

Gilbert Godfrey
Funeral services for Gilbert Godfrey, who died Tuesday night in Albemarle Hospital, were conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in Hall's Creek Methodist Church by the Rev. Jerry Smith, pastor, and the Rev. Carlos P. Womack, pastor of First Methodist Church.
The casket pall consisted of red roses, white carnations and fern.
"Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "The Old Rugged Cross" were sung by members of City Road Methodist Church choir. Mrs. Tildon Whitehurst accompanied at the piano.
Pallbearers were Walter Burgess, Clarence Byrum, Lenford Stallings, Shelton White, Sidney Benton, Watson Harris, Allen Scarborough and Frank Kramer.
Burial followed in New Hollywood Cemetery.

More About Gilbert Godfrey:
Burial: 15 Oct 1965, New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Intestinal obstruction-complications from prostate cancer
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-member of Hall's Creek and City Road United Methodist Churches.
Occupation: Farmer and nurseryman
Personality/Intrst: Served as Pasquotank County Commissioner and on the local school board; very revered for his integrity, frugality, work ethic, and character; was considered a family leader by his siblings; hard-working; possessed a good sense of humor.
Residence 1: Aft. 1925, Owned 200+ acre farm on Body Road 2 miles south of Elizabeth City, NC. This farm was owned by his heirs until 2013. It is believed he used his inheritance to buy this farm and previously lived on rented property in Pasquotank Co.
Residence 2: Bef. 1904, Grew up mainly at Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC, where his ancestors had lived for many generations.
Residence 3: Bet. 1905 - 1913, His parents bought a farm in Pasquotank Co., NC on present-day Pear Tree Road
Residence 4: Aft. 1913, Lived at various locations around Pasquotank County and Elizabeth City, NC before settling down on a farm on present-day Body Road in Pasquotank County about 1927.

Notes for Mattie Elizabeth White:
Biography by great-grandson Bryan S. Godfrey:

Mattie Elizabeth White Godfrey, my great-grandmother and the only great-grandparent of mine who was alive in my lifetime (even though all eight of my great-grandparents lived to ages of 72 years and beyond), was born 23 May 1891 near Weeksville in the southern portion of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, where her father ran a store. She was the eldest of the three children of Willie and Grizzelle Ellis White. Her mother was also a native of lower Pasquotank County, but her father came from Whiteston in northern Perquimans County, which was apparently named for his White family. The farm where she was born and raised was located near the intersection of Pear Tree Road and Palmer Lane, near the Weeksville Fire Department. Great-Grandma's brother Johnny inherited this farm, and the land is now owned by the heirs of his deceased granddaughter, Murna White Stevenson. The home burned down long ago. [Comment by Bryan Godfrey in 2017: I need to verify this, as my most recent understanding is that Uncle Johnny's land came from his wife's Meads side].

Great-Grandma was probably raised as a Southern Baptist, as in 1888 her mother's name was listed on a roll of Olivet Baptist Church in Pasquotank County, reproduced in a newsletter of the Family Research Society of the Albemarle. Many of her ancestors, including her paternal grandparents and the Pailins on her mother's side, had been of the Quaker faith.

Great-Grandma had a brother Johnny born in 1892 and a sister Willie who was born in 1894, less than two months before their father died at age 28. The cause of his death is unknown, as North Carolina was not recording deaths and births at that time. Aunt Willie had not been named yet when her father was dying, so they named her Willie Grizzelle after both her parents. It is remarkable that Great-Grandma would live to be 102 and her sister Willie would live to be 93. Uncle Johnny died of a heart attack at the age of 58, however.

On 5 July 1896, Great-Grandma's mother married Clarence Henry Jennings, who was born 12 February 1873 and died 16 February 1954. There were no children of this second marriage. Grizzelle, Clarence, and her children moved to Elizabeth City shortly afterward. Clarence was a difficult husband and stepfather. In this regard, Great-Grandma had an unfortunate childhood. She told her children that she often witnessed her stepfather beat her mother. When she was a child, she and her siblings would return from school hungry, but their stepfather kept the icebox locked. Grizzelle died 7 June 1922 at the age of 52. Clarence then married Mrs. Nora Wells Stevenson (1881-1955). Apparently he became more likeable in his later years and was a better stepfather to Nora's children than he was to the children of his first wife Grizzelle. Since Clarence outlived her mother by 32 years and remained in Elizabeth City, it is evident that my great-grandmother did not speak to him, for her children did not remember ever meeting him.

Although Great-Grandma lost both parents at young ages, her maternal grandfather, William Hithe Ellis, outlived her mother, living his later years in Norfolk, Virginia, with his second wife and family. He was killed by an automobile in 1926, at about the age of 79 or 80, while returning to Weeksville to visit family and friends, and was buried there, probably beside his first wife, Elizabeth Pailin Ellis, Great-Grandma's grandmother, who died when she was one year old, in the Old Episcopal Cemetery, also known as the Newbegun Creek Quaker Cemetery. It is most likely that two large boulders in that graveyard mark their graves. Because she was a great-grandmother when she died (and surprisingly not a great-great-grandmother yet), Great-Grandma saw six generations of her family.

It is not certain how much education Great-Grandma had, as her children disagreed over whether she quit school in the third or the seventh grade. It is likely that she remained in the home of her mother and stepfather at 300 Cherry Street in Elizabeth City until she married Gilbert Godfrey at the age of 22 in 1913. She met him at a church social.

My Aunt Alma vaguely remembered her mother sitting on the porch crying over the death of her mother and then going to see her grandmother decked out in the casket in the parlor of the home on Cherry Street. She recalled that her mother died of Bright's disease, a kidney ailment now known as chronic nephritis, and Grizzelle Jennings' death certificate lists the cause of death as cardiovascular and renal (failure?).

Great-Grandma nearly died from typhoid fever one summer around 1929, and she had to teach herself how to walk all over again. While recovering from typhoid fever, the community physician, Dr. Isiah ("Ike") Fearing (1869-1965), paid her a visit. She inquired why so many cars had gone past the house that day, and he replied, "Oh Miss Mattie, you haven't heard, the Only (Onley?) boys (a family that lived nearby) drowned, one went in after the other and they both drowned."

She was especially regarded for her cooking ability. She made almost all of her food from scratch, and is best remembered for her corn bread and baked apples. She cooked corn bread practically every day until she went into Guardian Care at the age of 94 in January, 1986. She never recorded her recipe, but fortunately my grandmother knew how to reproduce it and has taught me how. Her Carolina cornbread was very sweet and doughy, and to make it, Great-Grandma used hard homemade biscuits ground up and mixed with corn meal, sugar, eggs, homemade milk, and grease. In perfecting this recipe, my goal has been to make it appeal to the health-conscious young generations by minimizing the amount of grease used. I would also need to reduce the amount of sugar, something which I cannot compromise on because that, to me, is what makes it taste so great! When people ask where I obtained the recipe, and how fattening it is, all I have to say is that my great-grandmother cooked it nearly every day most of her adult life yet lived to be 102!

Great-Grandma's crude lifestyle on the farm contrasted greatly with the life of her younger sister Willie, who lived in Elizabeth City most of her adult life, where her husband, Bennie Meads, was a carpenter. Aunt Willie and her four daughters, Marion, Selma, Audrey, and Margie, enjoyed the advantages of city life, but they spent a lot of time with their Godfrey cousins on the farm nearby. Aunt Willie was very prim and proper, maintained a trim figure, and unlike her sister Mattie, she enjoyed dressing up, going out on the town in an evening gown, and other social niceties.

Great-Grandma's brother Johnny and his wife, Sallie, lived close by in Symond's Creek Township in lower Pasquotank County, and were also farmers. They had four children, Willie (a son), Shelton, Lillie, and John, Jr. Their family has suffered several tragedies. In 1939, when Willie was 22 years old, he was swimming near his home in the Pasquotank River and dived into the water, not knowing a stake was underneath. The stake punctured through his stomach, but he was able to push himself off, swim back to shore, and run home, but he only lived three days. Ten years later, Shelton's four-year-old son, Ernest Douglas White, choked to death on a toy balloon, an event which deeply affected Shelton for the rest of his life and deepened his religious convictions so much that he became a part-time minister, mainly at revivals. As already mentioned, Uncle Johnny died of a heart attack at the age of 58 in 1951. John, Jr. died of a cerebral hemmorhage at the age of 54 in 1980, and Shelton died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 69 in 1989. Of his five children, his widow, Dacie Meads White (1921-2003), outlived three of them. Shelton and Dacie White were especially close with his Aunt Mattie and Uncle Gilbert. They were regarded as true Christians in their community, and their sons, Ronnie and Wayne White, leased the Gilbert Godfrey farm after Great-Grandma and her son Carlton quit farming the land and went into the nursing home.

Great-Grandma was very old-fashioned. When my grandmother and her two sisters were young, they occasionally wanted to be tomboys and go swimming with their brothers in the Pasquotank River, but Great-Grandma was opposed to the idea of girls wearing bathing suits. She always wore farm-syle dresses and never wore pants her entire life. Once after my dad became an adult and dropped by to visit after fishing, she chided him for fishing on Sunday. Like most women of her generation, and my other three great-grandmothers, she never drove an automobile, as that was generally a task limited to the husband. She expressed disbelief in the wonders of modern technology, even though she witnessed more technological advances in her 102-year lifespan than had occurred in all previous centuries combined. When she was 12 years old, in 1903, the first known airplane flight occurred at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, just 40 miles from where Great-Grandma was living at Elizabeth City. In 1969, when she was 78 years old, Great-Grandma witnessed man's first trip to the moon, but she told my grandmother she did not believe it was real. When Grandma told her just to look at it on the television, Great-Grandma replied it was probably staged. She never cared for television or news. Great-Granddad bought a television for his living room in his later years, and especially enjoyed watching Saturday night wrestling. However, shortly after his death, it stopped working, and Great-Grandma never had it fixed or bought a new one. She was content sitting in her kitchen or on her porch in her spare time. But even in her later years, she kept herself busy by cooking and offering hospitality to visitors whenever they called. Sometimes others took advantage of her hospitality by calling on her frequently around meal time, perhaps because of loneliness.

Immediately after Gilbert's death, Great-Grandma lived with my grandparents in Newport News for a short while but soon returned to her farm. Uncle Carlton and Uncle Roy continued to run the farm, and Great-Grandma prepared the milk after they milked the cows. Roy and his wife, Jean Kay, moved to Sun City, California in 1980, however. Carlton and his wife Allie May lived on one side of his parents' farm, and Roy and Jean Kay lived on the opposite side. Carlton ceased running the farm and sold all the livestock shortly after his mother moved into Guardian Care, and he was in poor health for the last decade of his life and in 1991 also became a resident of Guardian Care, the same year Allie May died. Before she went into the nursing home, Great-Grandma and children hosted large family get-togethers every Christmas holiday. Of course, in her declining years, her children helped out with most of the cooking. She broke her hip in 1980 but recovered and was still able to live by herself afterward. Her children became increasingly fearful for her safety while she lived alone out in the county, but Uncle Carlton and Uncle Raymond looked after her. One time when Great-Grandma was in her eighties, she found a stranger, perhaps a vagrant, in the house, and simply replied, "You've got the wrong house." He left without hesitation, but this incident made her children fearful of her continuing to live alone. During winters, she slept in a bed in her kitchen beside her woodstove. My dad helped out a lot by chopping firewood for her each fall. In the fall of 1985, Hurricane Gloria struck, and my dad went down to the farm to prepare it in the event of hurricane damage by wrapping a chain around the house by driving around it with his truck. He asked his grandmother if she was prepared to get underneath the kitchen table in the event of severe storms, and she said she was. Fortunately, no damage occurred there.

I remember the tragedy Great-Grandma went through in 1983 when she lost her youngest daughter Hazel after cancer spread to her brain. She seemed to adjust well, possibly because she only saw her about once a year ever since Hazel moved to Rhode Island with her husband 40 years earlier. She did not feel like traveling to Rhode Island to visit her when she was ill or for her funeral. Besides losing her parents and brother at young ages, and losing her nephew Willie in 1939 after he dived into the water and a stake went through his stomach, outliving Hazel was the only major tragedy she lived through, and all of her other children lived into their eighties and beyond. At the beginning of 2007, I made a remark here that it was fortunate all 17 of her grandchildren and all of her 25+ great-grandchildren were living, but this was spoiled by the tragic, unexpected death of her granddaughter, Lynn Rosso Buechner (29 Oct 1952--9 Mar 2007) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who was found by her husband sleeping for over 18 hours and was brain-dead by the time she arrived at the hospital. She was removed from life support three days later. Because she was an organ donor, an autopsy could not be performed, so the exact cause of Lynn's death will always remain a mystery, but it appears that she was recovering from the flu and aspirated in her sleep, which gave her pneumonia, and it is also possible she had overmedicated herself on pain killers as she had a long history of back pain and other health ailments. Aunt Alma, Great-Grandma's oldest child, was the same age when she outlived her daughter Lynn (92) as Great-Grandma was when she outlived Aunt Hazel.

Great-Grandma suffered a stroke in January, 1986, the same week as the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. My dad immediately visited her in the hospital, and on the day my brother and I were at home at our mother's apartment in Newport News, VA watching coverage of the explosion, my dad called us and said Great-Grandma was having great difficulty breathing and had lost the will to live since she would not be able to return to the farm. She was then placed in Guardian Care at Elizabeth City, only two miles from her farm. At first she was depressed and did not bother to get to know the other patients, but soon her health and spirit improved considerably. She was able to get around with a walker but was growing increasingly deaf. Her mind was still sharp, and she would remain in fairly stable condition for the next five years until she declined more after she turned 100 in 1991.

Remarkably, Great-Grandma was still able to enjoy family get-togethers even after she was 95 years old. For the Fourth of July, 1986, her grandson, Dr. Ritchie O. Rosso of Virginia Beach, Virgnia, hosted a family get-together at his home. Uncle Marvin brought Great-Grandma to Ritchie's. Her daughter Hazel had died three years earlier, and this was the first time most of Hazel's family had come back to visit. The next year, in May, 1987, my grandparents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Calvary Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia, and Uncle Raymond and his wife Alma brought Great-Grandma, which was a great surprise to my grandmother. The day prior to the celebration we had all been in Elizabeth City celebrating Great-Grandma's 96th birthday. The family celebrated Great-Grandma's birthdays by bringing her to her home for three years after she went into the nursing home, but by the time she was 99 years old, she had lost interest in going back to the farm, so her 100th and 101st birthdays were celebrated at the nursing home. The home was damaged in 1990 by lightning which caused a fire in one of the upstairs bedrooms. By this time, the house was in such poor repair that the family abandoned all hope of restoring it, but we did make the bedroom weathertight since the furniture in the house had not been auctioned or split up yet.

Shortly after her 100th birthday, Great-Grandma fell and became weaker. She went through spells in which she refused to eat. Her son Carlton became a resident of Guardian Care and therefore spent a lot of time with her. A month before her death, she remained bedridden and could not eat. I last saw her alive on her 102nd birthday, May 23, 1993, eight days before her death. Most of her family came down to see her then, but as she was bedridden, there was no party. Her only words that day when I was there were "Where's Carlton?". Carlton spent most of his time at her bedside, but at that time had gone down the hall to hear the Sunday sermon. He was her main concern throughout most of her life, perhaps because she apparently felt guilty that she was not watching him when he wandered out into a pasture at age two and was stepped on by a horse.

Great-Grandma died on Memorial Day 1993 while Aunt Alma Rosso was at her bedside. Her funeral was conducted at Twiford Funeral Home's Downtown Chapel in Elizabeth City by Rev. Arthur Wilt, pastor of the church to which Uncle Carlton belonged, with burial following in New Hollywood Cemetery.

It is ironic that my Great-Grandma Mattie was the only great-grandparent alive in my lifetime, having lived until I was 20 years old, yet for many years after her death, I knew little about her family background relative to that of my other seven great-grandparents, and at the time of her death I only knew the full names, birthdates, and death dates of her parents and the first names of both sets of her grandparents. There are so many questions I wish I had asked her. I wanted to interview and tape-record her from the time I was thirteen years old, but her hearing was so bad that I feared I would be a nuisance, and I was too shy to admit to my family how much I was really interested in genealogy; my interest in genealogy began before age 13 but my persistence about it did not bloom until after I turned 18. I have long had trouble tracing back several sides of her family, including the Whites, Whiteheads, Ellises, and Pailins, even though most of Great-Grandma's ancestors had lived in Perquimans and Pasquotank Counties for many generations where the records remain intact and are very complete, with at least one side (the Garretts) residing in Camden County whose records were largely destroyed in the 1860s and in Currituck County. What has complicated tracing her ancestry, and required using indirect or circ*mstantial evidence to trace to some extent, is the fact that the marriage of her paternal grandparents, Doctrine and Catherine Whitehead White, was apparently never recorded, nor were the marriages of Doctrine's parents (Nehemiah and Elizabeth Perry White), and those of both sets of her mother's grandparents, Joshua and Mary Ellis and Henry and Frances Garrett Pailin. The White marriage more than likely occurred in Perquimans, and the Ellis and Pailin marriages in Pasquotank. It is only because of tradition among descendants of Great-Grandma's Aunt Henrietta White Hurdle that I learned in 1996 that Henrietta's mother, Doctrine's wife, was a Whitehead, because of the saying that she "lost her head when she married a White," and the 1845 Perquimans will of Catherine's maternal grandmother Elizabeth Willard Evans refers to a granddaughter Catherine Whitehead. It was not until 2019 that I discovered a deed involving her paternal grandparents, Doctrine and Catherine White, inheriting land from Catherine's parents, John and Mary Whitehead, the only legal document thus far proving this lineage. Thankfully, the 1834 Pasquotank will of Nehemiah White mentioned a wife Elizabeth and a son Doctrine R.P. White, and I accidentally discovered in 2003 that Elizabeth was a Perry by coming across an 1818 Pasquotank will of Cader Perry which mentioned a daughter Elizabeth White, a son Doctrine R. Perry, and the land of Nehemiah White. I discovered that Great-Grandma's maternal grandmother was a daughter of Henry Pailin and Frances Garrett in 1996 after hearing my grandmother refer to her mother having an Aunt Patty who was the mother of a Cousin Mollie Palmer of Weeksville whom Grandma claimed was related somehow on the Ellis side, and then finding the 1927 death certificate of Pattie Pritchard which listed Henry Pailin and Frances Garrett as her parents. From a White-Ellis-Jennings Family Bible that my grandmother copied, I knew Great-Grandma's mother had a half-brother named George Pailin who died in 1888, so I initially assumed Great-Grandma's Grandmother Ellis was first married to a Pailin, but her mother's death certificate lists her mother's maiden name as Elizabeth Pailin, forcing me to conclude George Pailin was her illegitimate son. Because there were earlier Nehemiah Whites in the Henry White family of Perquimans, which was Quaker, I was long fairly certain Great-Grandma's Whites were from that line, even thouugh there was also a Thomas White family that settled Perquimans in the 1600s. In 2018, after corresponding with a young researcher on several of our mutual lineages, he located an 1807-10 record of the estate of Robert White in which Nehemiah White was listed as administrator, and as Great-Grandma's great-grandfather Nehemiah White was the only living Nehemiah White in that area after 1806, it seemed safe to conclude our Nehemiah was son of Robert, who was son of Joshua, son of Nehemiah, Sr., son of Arnold, Jr., son of Arnold, Sr., son of Henry White, Sr. Later in 2018, I finally located estate records proving the parents of Great-Grandma's maternal great-grandfather Henry Pailin, enabling me to determine that her mother was descended two ways from her father's patrilineal ancestor Henry White, and from three families I long already knew were in the ancestry of my mother--the Overmans, Newbys, and Nicholsons. Thus, in the year that would have been my parents' 50th wedding anniversary had my parents not gotten divorced and had my father still been living, I determined my parents were ninth cousins two ways and eighth cousins once removed one way, all through common Quaker ancestors in Perquimans and Pasquotank Counties, in spite of the fact that my mother's immediate family was from Virginia and she had no idea she had ancestry in that area. I still have not, as of 2021, determined the origins of Great-Grandma's great-grandfather John Whitehead, but because Great-Grandma's son Marvin's autosomal DNA results match several descendants of the Arthur Whitehead family of Southside Virginia, I feel fairly certain John was descended from Arthur, especially since there was an earlier John Whitehead, grandson of Arthur, who married Miriam Murdaugh around 1774 in Perquimans, though he went back to Southampton County, Virginia where his 1791 will named a bunch of sons. Other families in Great-Grandma's ancestry that I have traced back to the 1600s include the Evanses, Jessops, Bundys, and Perrys on her paternal side, and the Garretts, Forbeses, Barcos, Torkseys, Scarboroughs, Moores, and Jenningses on her maternal side. The ancestry of her Grandfather Ellis is a complete blank before his parents' generation, and I don't even know the maiden name of his mother, who appears to have been born around 1832, meaning she would only have been about 59 years old had she been alive when Great-Grandma, her great-granddaughter, was born. Her Grandfather Ellis was probably orphaned, for he was living with a Markham family at the time of the 1860 Pasquotank Census. The greatest mystery about her Grandfather Ellis is why her children and nieces were unaware of him, their great-grandfather, being killed by an automobile in 1926 after I found out about him from a grandson of his second marriage in 1996, for several were born and should have remembered or heard about it. I have wondered whether she and her mother may have been estranged from her grandfather in his later years after he remarried a much younger woman the same age as his oldest daughter, had four more children, and moved to Norfolk.

One genealogy of another side of my family, written in 1889, says that change of residence is known to prolong life and enhance genetic strength in man as much as it is known to do in plants, apparently implying that members of the family whose ancestors inbred and did not migrate to other places did not live as long as those who moved around and had a less intermarried ancestry. However, the fact that Great-Grandma Mattie lived her entire life and died within ten miles of where she was born, is evidence that the author's supposition had exceptions. I have long believed that people who live in scenic places such as the Swiss Alps are the most likely to reach 100 as scenery can enhance one's attitude and will to live. The land in Pasquotank is not nearly as scenic, but Great-Grandma was surrounded by pastoral scenery until her last years.

Because all four of my grandparents were among the generation in America that underwent the transition from rural to urban life following the Great Depression and World War II, knowing Great-Grandma Mattie in my childhood, when she still lived on her farm, enabled me to appreciate the rural lifestyles that preceded "The Greatest Generation." I still remember the foods she cooked from scratch, the bed she slept on in her kitchen beside the woodstove, and the mechanical pump she used on the back porch for drawing water, beside which often sat a bowl of milk that Uncle Carlton brought inside after milking the cows. Although her house had electricity, is was used almost solely for lighting and kitchen stoves.

Even though her oldest great-grandson, my first cousin David Glenn Newton, was 32 years old when Great-Grandma died, she was not a great-great-grandmother until about three years after her death when my Aunt Hazel's first great-granchild was born in Rhode Island. But nevertheless, it is remarkable that Great-Grandma lived long enough to know six generations of her family, including her parents (not remembering her father since he died when she was three years old), her Grandfather Ellis (her Grandmother Ellis having died when she was a year old so I am not counting her), her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The following is quoted from an article in the Elizabeth City, North Carolina, newspaper printed shortly after the celebration of Great-Grandma's 100th birthday in May, 1991, which I had the privilege of attending just one month before graduating high school:

A New Century:
Godfrey family takes pride in woman's special birthday
by Nancy Royden-Clark
Perquimans County reporter

Sunday was more than a 100th birthday party for Mattie White Godfrey. It was a celebration for a woman who continues to be the matriarch of a family that has spread its roots throughout the country.

"Her biggest hobby was being a mother and a wife. That took all her time," said Mrs. Godfrey's son, Marvin R. Godfrey.

Her birthday was Thursday, May 23, but family members celebrated Sunday with a party at Guardian Care Nursing Home in Elizabeth City.

Mrs. Godfrey was surrounded by family members from the Albemarle and as far away as California, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, DC. Birthday cake, red punch and pink decorations flanked the dining room of the facility. The honoree was dressed "pretty in pink" as she was hugged and greeted by old and young relatives.

"Mattie lived in Pasquotank County all her life. She was raised near Weeksville and she married Gilbert Godfrey. She was married for over 50 years," her son said.

Mrs. Godfrey worked with her husband on their 200-acre farm. There they grew corn, soybeans, cabbage, sweet corn, potatoes, and cotton.

The much-loved woman was originally mother to four boys and three girls. Today Marvin lives in Fuquay-Varina; Carlton and Raymond Godfrey in Elizabeth City; Roy Godfrey in Sun City, Calif.; Katherine Godfrey of Newport News, Va.; and Alma Rosso of Norfolk, Va.

Mrs. Godfrey also has 17 grandchildren and about 22 great-grandchildren.

Marvin said he was happy to see his mother in good health today, especially since she worked long, hard hours as a farmer's wife.

"She keeps everything together. Her mind is still sharp. She can hear a little in her left ear and none in her right ear," said Katherine.

Not only was she a hard worker, she was also a good neighbor.

Mattie was also someone "city folks" counted on for fresh farm food.

"She always had chickens and biddies coming along. She also sold cream and milk. She worked in the Pasquotank Curb Market where each person had a table and they put in orders," daughter Katherine said.

Marvin said his mother was able to sew without any formal training, a skill that was necessary in tough economic times.

"During the Depression, ladies would pick prints on food bags, that would determine which bag to buy," he said.

Relatives also recall the time when the matriarch would hitch up horses to a buggy. Although she was not very interested in riding horses, she enjoyed driving the buggy.

Mrs. Godfrey attended Hall's Creek and City Road United Methodist Churches.

Below is Great-Grandma Godfrey's obituary from the Elizabeth City "Daily Advance":

Mattie W. Godfrey
...native of Pasquotank County
Mrs. Mattie White Godfrey, 102, died Monday, May 31, in Guardian Care Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, June 2, at 1 p.m. in Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, with Rev. Arthur Wilt officiating. Burial will follow in New Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
Mrs. Godfrey was a native of Pasquotank County. She was a former member of Halls Creek United Methodist Church and the Marcie Albertson Home Demonstration Club.
Mrs. Godfrey was the widow of Gilbert Godfrey and the daughter of the late Willie and Grizelle Ellis White.
She is survived by two daughters, Alma G. Rosso of Norfolk, Va. and Katherine Godfrey of Newport News, Va.; four sons, Carlton Gilbert Godfrey and Raymond M. Godfrey, both of Elizabeth City, Marvin R. Godfrey of Fuquay-Varina and Roy F. Godfrey of Sun City, Calif.; and 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Ruth Hazel Procopio, who resided in Warren, R.I.

Most of the Gilbert and Mattie White Godfrey farm was sold late in 2011 and 2012 by their heirs. The home has been beyond repair for years but is still standing due to legal difficulties in having asbestos shingles removed. When the first parcel was sold late in 2011, my dad, G. Wayne Godfrey, a grandson of Gilbert and Mattie, was dying from a glioblastoma brain tumor, a very tragic time in my family. But a year earlier, in November, 2010, my brother Jason and I enjoyed walking the farm with our dad, his first cousin Dr. Ritchie Rosso, Ritchie's wife Barbara, and two of their three children, Annie and Nathan. Ritchie's mother, Aunt Alma, the eldest child of Mattie and Gilbert, died only 47 days before my dad, just a few weeks after the first parcel was sold, at the age of 97. In 2014, the only remaining portion of the farm that had not been sold, a timbered area, mainly swampland and therefore uninhabitable, southwest of the main farm, on the other side of Body Road and adjoining Simpson Ditch Road, was sold, and the Gilbert and Mattie White Godfrey estate was officially closed 21 or 22 years after her death. As executor of the estate, her son Marvin managed the affairs of the farm until it was sold, and the sale and closing of the estate were handled by his lawyer son, David R. Godfrey of Apex, North Carolina.

In November, 2017, the last of Great-Grandma's seven children, the two youngest, passed away thirteen days apart, when Uncle Roy died in California at age 87 and then Uncle Marvin was killed in a car accident at age 90 the day after Thanksgiving while heading to his girlfriend's house in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina when he pulled out onto the highway off his street and was struck by a Food Lion tractor trailer that he apparently could not see because of blinding sunlight. Ironically, Great-Grandma was about two months pregnant with Uncle Marvin when her Grandfather Ellis, about 80 years old, was killed by an automobile while walking down a road at night, and 90 years later, Uncle Marvin himself would be killed inside an automobile by a much larger truck.

More About Mattie Elizabeth White:
Burial: 02 Jun 1993, New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Congestive heart failure and malnutrition resulting from extreme old age
Census 1: 1910, Listed in Nixonton Township (probably Weeksville), Pasquotank Co., NC with siblings in household of stepfather Clarence Jennings & mother. The Richard Palmer household was 2 households away, which included her Great-Aunt Pattie Pailin Prichard.
Census 2: 1900, Her father's sister Kate (Catherine White Sawyer, listed as Lizzie Sawyer in this census) & sons were lodging in her mother and stepfather's household.
Census 3: 1900, Listed in Nixonton Township (probably Weeksville), Pasquotank Co., NC with siblings in household of stepfather Clarence Jennings & mother. The Richard Palmer household was next door, which included her Great-Aunt Pattie Pailin Prichard.
Comment: Made the best southern-style cornbread from scratch daily!
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-attended Hall's Creek & City Road U.M.C., Pasquotank Co., NC
Event: Abt. 1929, Stricken by typhoid fever one summer-almost died; learned to walk all over again
High School: Only had a primary school education
Medical Information: Suffered from palsy which caused her arms to shake the last 30 years of her life
Occupation: Farm wife; sold farm products at Pasquotank Curb Market in Elizabeth City
Personality/Intrst: Hard-working; enjoyed driving buggy when young but didn't care to ride horses; old-fashioned and Fundamentalist; not inclined toward leisurely activities; spent most of her time in the kitchen, where most of her food was made from scratch.
Residence 1: Lived in Pasquotank Co., NC her entire life of 102 years--born and raised at Weeksville and Elizabeth City, NC; lived in several locations in Pasquotank or Elizabeth City before she and her husband bought farm on Body Road ca. 1925; nursing home aft 1986.
Residence 2: Bef. 1896, Weeksville, Pasquotank Co., NC
Residence 3: Bet. 1896 - 1913, Believed to have lived mainly in Elizabeth City, NC on Cherry Street after her mother remarried in 1896.
Residence 4: Bet. 1913 - 1927, Lived at various locations around Pasquotank County and Elizabeth City, NC before settling down on a farm on present-day Body Road in Pasquotank County about 1927.
Residence 5: Bet. 1925 - 1986, Body Road, Pasquotank Co., NC two miles south of Elizabeth City
Residence 6: Aft. Jan 1986, Guardian Care nursing home, 901 Halstead Blvd., Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Generation No. 2

2. Ephraim Godfrey, born 28 Jan 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 05 Nov 1918 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC. He was the son of 4. Gilbert Godfrey and 5. Penelope Sawyer. He married 3. Susan "Rebecca" Turner 20 Nov 1878 in Perquimans Co., NC.
3. Susan "Rebecca" Turner, born 05 Apr 1862 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 26 Dec 1917 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC. She was the daughter of 6. Alfred Turner and 7. Martha Jane Godfrey.

Notes for Ephraim Godfrey:
The following information on Ephraim and Rebecca Godfrey and their children is quoted from letters to me written by a grandson in 1994:

Bryan--
Thank you for your long and informative letter. I am enclosing a photograph of Rebecca Turner Godfrey. Now you have photographs of 15 of your 16 great-great-grandparents. Pretty impressive! I hope you can complete the set. [Yes, I did, in 2002, after I had made copies of photographs of my Pearson great-great-grandparents]. By the way, that is Eugene Godfrey (long hair) and Glenn Godfrey (short hair) which are your Great-grandfather Gilbert's younger brothers. My father Eugene was orphaned at 8 or 9 so Rebecca must be 54 or so when this photo was made. The big portrait that I snapped this picture from came down to me from Penny Sawyer--her daughter Irene to me as a gift from Dennis Sawyer when Irene died. Since my father is in the picture as well as my grandmother, it is a special picture to me. Dennis Sawyer was 8 or 9 when Ephraim Godfrey died and identified the picture of Ephraim that I sent to you before Dennis died. By the way--thank you for offering to pay but I will not let you do that. I will however eagerly await any information about the family that you care to provide. I am so glad that you and John [Swain] are doing this. I know quite a bit about Sally Godfrey Harris. I was quite close to her. Yes, she raised Otis [her nephew, son of Merritt and Lina Belle Godfrey] from the time he was in his early teens. I can fill you in on some family history that was passed down to me. I look forward to doing this when we meet again. We will be home (map and telephone number enclosed) until December 26 and we will spend the remainder of our Xmas vacation in Philadelphia with my older daughter Leigh G. Webber. Please come by--you are welcome to spend the night(s) here with us while you do your research [on the Pearson side of my family--maternal side] in Wayne County.
The story which came down to me is that Rebecca died around Xmas of 1916 [actually 1917]. Ephraim died not quite a year later. They both died from the flu. I am not sure anyone knows where the cemetery is. Land was sold, timber cut, landmarks lost.
Aunt Penny married Claymon Sawyer. I think they ran off in a horse powered cart (eloped) and married over Rebecca Godfrey's objections. Penny was a very friendly and colorful woman from all accounts. She was my father's [Eugene Godfrey's] favorite. He loved her very much. She was like a mother to him and Penny's son Dennis was my father's best friend (and nephew) I got very close to Dennis before he died. I talked to him for many hours about the family history. He was my first cousin even though he was 35 years my senior. I want to have a long talk while this is fresh in my mind and let you know what he told me about the family. The Ephraim Godfrey house is still standing and in good shape today. I would love for you to see it. It is on Pear Tree Road--not quite 2 miles as the crow flies from Gilbert's [my great-grandfather's--eldest son of Ephraim and Rebecca] home.
Sally, Lela, and Eugene Godfrey are all buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, NC.
Sally and Lela, Glen, Eugene, Loretta, and Merritt were all living in the homeplace when Ephraim Godfrey died. I think Gilbert lived in the homeplace and helped tend the farm along with (possibly Merritt--not sure). Ephraim Godfrey was blind in the latter part of his life and could not manage the farm alone. After his death the brothers and sisters gradually (over several years) left the homeplace to make their own way in the world. Glenn and Eugene went to live with Gilbert who purchased a farm on Body Road [in Pasquotank Co., NC]. Glenn stayed only several years and then left home and traveled the western U.S. Eugene stayed with Gilbert but for how long I don't know. Aunt Sally and Aunt Lela went to Washington {NC, also known as Little Washington] to work at the Louise Hotel on Main Street. Room, board, and a salary which neither one would spend a penny of (not a figure of speech). This is how they got to be quite wealthy. Sally and Lela traveled out west for Lela's health (tuberculosis--later died of cancer). Later returned to Washington around late 1930s. Sally married late in life. Her husband Marvin Harris was a car salesman in Washington and they lived on the farm just outside the city that Sally and Lela had purchased. In 1940 Sally and Marvin adopted an infant daughter and named her Rebecca. Marvin Harris died three or four years later and Sally raised Rebecca. Lela died in 1942 (?) [actually 1944]. Sally and Lela were living together and working together quite some time before Sally married Marvin Harris. I think Lela lived with them after they were married. Sally raised Otis Godfrey [Merritt's son] from his teens to adulthood before Rebecca was born. Otis still lives in Washington and would love to fill you in on some of these points.
Mother [Ruby Parker Godfrey, wife of Eugene Godfrey] remarried in 1953. Married William Edward Pinkham. He was a super stepfather and really the only father I ever knew. I was born three months after Eugene died [he was electrocuted while working at the Cherry Point Marine Base in Havelock, NC]. Ed and mother did not have children. Ed was tragically killed in an auto accident in 1973. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Washington.
Some of Uncle Glenn's boys are looking into having the photo [of Ephraim Godfrey] restored. If that falls thru I would gladly join you in contributing $30 toward the restoration of Ephraim Godfrey's photo. I think we could easily raise the $300 or so that this project would take. It would have to be at a Godfrey reunion.
From your letter, it sounds as if you have not traveled to Elizabeth City recently. You have been to your Great-grandfather Gilbert's farm though, haven't you? Have you ever seen your Great-Great-grandfather's house on Pear Tree Road? If not and you travel to Elizabeth City in the future, maybe I can come up and show you the homeplace and farm. I am enclosing the only known photo of Ephraim and Rebecca Godfrey. The child is my father Eugene. This picture was taken in the fields on Ephraim's farm.
Bryan--I must close for now. I am very interested in any family history and genealogy you have. Hope to see you soon.
Take care,
James Godfrey

More About Ephraim Godfrey:
Burial: Godfrey family plot near Mill Road and Deep Creek at Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC (graves marked only by tree stumps originally which have been destroyed).
Cause of Death: Influenza, one of the many victims of the infamous 1918 Spanish flu epidemic.
Census 1: 11 Jun 1900, New Hope Township, Perquimans Co., NC. Owned his farm free of a mortgage. Unable to read or write. Date of birth listed as Mar 1854 instead of Jan 1854. Wife Susan could read and write, date of birth listed as May 1860.
Census 2: 21 Apr 1910, Listed in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC, age 56, wife Rebecca erroneously listed as age 41, and all children except Mattie and Penny who were already married. Rebecca able to read and write, listed as mother of 14 children with 10 living.
Comment 1: He was blind from being struck in eye by sheep shears; infection resulted which spread to the other eye.
Comment 2: It is said that after he became blind, he could find his way easily. He could leave a hoe in a field and walk back to it the next day from the house.
Medical Information: Was blind due to eye being struck by sheep shears; infection resulted in both eyes, causing blindness
Occupation: Farmer
Residence: Aft. 1904, Lived in Hog Neck area of Perquimans Co., NC until about 1904 when he bought a farm on present-day Perkins Lane near Pear Tree Road, Pasquotank Co., NC. This home is still standing.

Notes for Susan "Rebecca" Turner:
There are conflicting dates of birth for Rebecca. On her marriage license, her age is listed as 19, indicating 1859 as the likely year of birth, but if that were the case, it would mean she was 50 when she had her youngest child, Eugene. Her death certificate lists 5 April 1863, which could not be correct if her sister Mary were born on 20 August 1863, as Mary's death certificate indicates. The census of 1870 lists her age as six years, whereas the census of 1900 lists her date of birth as May 1860. The 1880 census lists her age as 18. Perhaps 1862 is the most likely year.

More About Susan "Rebecca" Turner:
Burial: Godfrey family plot near Mill Road and Deep Creek at Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC (graves marked only by tree stumps originally which have been destroyed)
Cause of Death: Death certificate appears to read "tuberculosis of lungs"
Comment: Ephraim and his wife Becky were half-first cousins, both grandchildren of Benjamin Godfrey by different wives. Ephraim's father was a son of Benjamin by his 3rd wife, Martha Colson, whereas Becky's mother was a daughter of his 4th wife, Rebecca Robins.
Medical Information: According to family tradition, she died from influenza
Nickname: Becky

Children of Ephraim Godfrey and Susan Turner are:
i. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1879 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 06 Sep 1971 in Albemarle Hospital, Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married John Robert Campbell; born 19 Jul 1866 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC; died 09 Nov 1952 in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC.

Notes for Martha Jane Godfrey:
Obituary from "The Raleigh Observer":

MRS. MARTHA G. CAMPBELL Funeral services were held to day at 3 p. m. for Mrs. Martha Godfrey Campbell, 92, who died Monday. The Rev. John Habbs and the Rev. Leonard Nix officiated from Johnson Funeral Home chapel. Burial was in Pineview Cemetery. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Pierce of Woodville and Mrs. Gertrude Davis of Highland Springs, Va.; four sons, Dan Campbell of Gokisboro, Wilson Campbell of Elm City, Alton Campbell of Wilson and Lee T. Campbell of Woodbury, N.J.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Sally Harris of Washington, N. C; one brother, Glenn Godfrey of Sanford; three step- daughters, Mrs. Cathleen Manley of Goldsboro, Mrs. Bessie Stapleford of New Bern and Mrs. Julia Devine of Norfolk, Va.; one step-son, Vaughan Campbell, of California.

More About Martha Jane Godfrey:
Burial: Pineview Cemetery, 761 North Raleigh Street, south Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC 27801
Cause of Death: Erythema due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Census 1: 1920, Living in Cross Creek, Cumberland Co., NC with husband and children. Her brother Glen W. Godfrey, orphaned at that time, was living with them and erroneously listed as their son.
Census 2: 1930, She, her husband, and children listed in Jamesville, Martin Co., NC
Comment: Was named for her maternal grandmother, Martha Jane Godfrey Turner, but always known as Mattie even though her grandmother was known as Patsy
Nickname: Mattie
Residence: Lived at Rocky Mount, NC most of her adult life, but since her husband was a travelling salesman, they lived in several places including Suffolk, VA; had been living at Woodville, Perquimans Co., NC with daughter Margaret Campbell Pierce when she died.

Notes for John Robert Campbell:
Obituary from "Rocky Mount Evening Telegram," Rocky Mount, NC, Monday, November 10, 1952, downloaded from newspaperarchive.com

JOHN R. CAMPBELL

John Robert Campbell, 86, died at his home at 728 Arlington St., at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon following several years of declining health and a serious illness of a few days.

Funeral services will be conducted from the Johnson Funeral Chapel at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. J. J. Boone, pastor of the Clark Street Methodist church. Burial will be in the Pineview cemetery.

He was born May 19, 1886 [correction--1866], son of the late W.R. Campbell and Narcissa Thompson Campbell of Sanford.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mattie Godfrey Campbell of the home; six sons, John M. Campbell of Eustis, Fla., Isaac Vaughan Campbell of Long Beach, Calif., Daniel G. Campbell of Wilmington, Wilson T. of Elm City, Alton Paige Campbell of Rocky Mount, Lee Turner Paige [correction--Campbell] of the U.S. Navy in San Francisco; six daughters, Mrs. Kathleen Manley of Goldsboro, Mrs. Julia Devine of Norfolk, Va., Mrs. Bessie Stapleford of New Bern, Mrs. Clara Broadway of Dover, Mrs. Margaret Pierce of Elizabeth City and Mrs. Gertrude Davis of Highland Springs, Va.; 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

More About John Robert Campbell:
Burial: Pineview Cemetery, 761 North Raleigh Street, south Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC 27801
Comment: Was 13 years older than Mattie. He had been married before and his first wife died, leaving him with several children and then he had six more children by Mattie. Even Mattie and the entire Godfrey family called him Mr. Campbell.
Occupation: Travelling salesman; mainly sold pianos
Residence: 1952, 723 Arlington Street, Rocky Mount, NC at time of death

ii. Lela Godfrey, born 10 Sep 1882 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 05 Mar 1944 in near Washington, Beaufort Co., NC.

Notes for Lela Godfrey:
Obituuary of Lelia Godfrey from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 7 March 1944, page 10:

MISS LELIA GODFREY Washington N C—Miss Lelia Godfrey 62 died at the home of her sister, Mrs J. M. Harris Sunday night following an illness of several years A daughter of the late Ephran and Rebecca Turner Godfrey, she was born in Perquimans County Sept. 10 1882 Surviving are three sisters, Mrs J. M. Harris of this city, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Rocky Mount, and Mrs. Penny Sawyer of Elizabeth City; four brothers, Gilbert Godfrey and Clarence Godfrey of Elizabeth City, Merritt K Godfrey of Norfolk, Va., and Glen Godfrey of Sanford; 26 nephews and eight nieces She was a member of the First Methodist Church and came to this City to reside in 1918. Funeral services will be held from the home of her sister Mrs. Harris Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev D A Clarke, pastor of the First Methodist Church, in charge. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery.

More About Lela Godfrey:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Breast cancer
Comment: Never married
Medical Information: Suffered from tuberculosis and was in a sanitarium at Pinehurst, NC for a while
Residence: Aft. 1918, Folllowing their parents' deaths, she and Sallie lived together in Washington, NC, where they worked and lived at the Louise Hotel, and after Sallie's marriage, they lived in a rural area outside Washington in Beaufort Co., NC.

iii. Penelope Irene Godfrey, born 15 Jan 1887 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Mar 1956 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Clingman Henry Sawyer 03 Jan 1904 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 14 May 1882 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 03 Dec 1923 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Penelope Irene Godfrey:
Below is Aunt Penny's obituary from "The Virginian-Pilot" of Norfolk, Virginia:

Carolina Deaths
Penny Godfrey Sawyer

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.--March 30--Mrs. Pennie Godfrey Sawyer, 69, died today at 3:17 a.m. at the residence at 303 North Dyer Street.
She was a native of Perquimans County and has been residing in Elizabeth City for the past 31 years.
She was the daughter of Ephraim and Rebecca Godfrey; the wife of the late C.H. Sawyer, and a member of the City Road Methodist Church.
Surviving are one daughter, Miss Irene Sawyer of Elizabeth City; five sons, Kenneth, of Camden, Dennis, of Florida, John A., Muldrow, and William B. Sawyer, all of this city; two sisters, Mrs. J.R. [Mattie] Campbell of Rocky Mount and Mrs. J.M. [Sallie] Harris of Washington [NC]; four brothers, Gilbert Godfrey, of Route 1, Merritt Godfrey, of this city, Clarence Godfrey, of Route 2, and Glenn Godfrey, of Sanford.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Twiford Funeral Home by the Rev. D.J. Reid, pastor of the City Road Methodist Church. Burial will be in a local cemetery.

More About Penelope Irene Godfrey:
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Pulmonary tuberculosis due to diabetes with gangrene and hypertension
Nickname: Pennie
Residence: 303 North Dyer Street, Elizabeth City, NC at time of death

More About Clingman Henry Sawyer:
Cause of Death: Apoplexy and uremia

1 iv. Gilbert Godfrey, born 04 Jun 1889 in Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Oct 1965 in Albemarle Hospital, Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Mattie Elizabeth White 14 Jul 1913 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.
v. Sallie Godfrey, born 20 Oct 1892 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 26 Oct 1988 in Glennville, Tatnall Co., GA; married John "Marvin" Harris 27 Mar 1935 in Beaufort Co., NC; born 14 Jan 1879 in Mecklenburg Co., NC; died 10 Dec 1945 in Washington, Beaufort Co., NC.

Notes for Sallie Godfrey:
Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 28 October 1988:

SALLIE G HARRIS WASHINGTON NC — Mrs Sallie Godfrey Harris, 96, died Wednesday. Funeral 11 am Saturday, Paul Funeral Home. Burial, Oakdale Cemetery. Surviving: daughter Mrs Mary Rebecca Harris Skinner of Raleigh, brother Glenn Godfrey of Sanford; two grandchildren; a great-grandchild. Family at funeral home, 7:30-8:30 pm today

More About Sallie Godfrey:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Event: 1940, Adopted Rebecca who was dropped off as an infant on their doorstep, believed to have been Marvin Harris' natural daughter though from an affair; Sallie raised Rebecca as her own and claimed she was her child
Medical Information: Her mind was very confused the last decade or so of her life and she lived in a nursing home in Georgia since her daughter lived there at the time
Occupation: Worked in Louise Hotel at Washington, NC
Personality/Intrst: Was extremely frugal, especially before marriage when she worked for and had room and board at the Louise Hotel; spent some money travelling out West though before marriage; used rainwater to wash hair; made dresses from feed bags
Residence: Washington, NC; nursing home at Glennville, GA
Social Security #: 246-13-2315

More About John "Marvin" Harris:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Carcinoma of the prostate and bladder; died in Fowle Memorial Hospital
Occupation: Car salesman; did not work regularly though and lived off Sallie's savings
Personality/Intrst: Very selfish and greedy; cruel to nephews and nieces; believed to have been the natural father of Rebecca because she resembled his daughter from a previous marriage; known as Mr. Harris to the entire Godfrey family; swore he didn't need to work hard
Residence: Washington, NC

vi. Lauretta Godfrey, born 02 Mar 1894 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 13 May 1913 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC.

Notes for Lauretta Godfrey:
MISS LAURETTA GODFREY Elizabeth City Girl Taken Home from school Dead (Special to News and Observer, Elizabeth City May 17)—The remains of Miss Lauraetta Godfrey arrived here Thursday afternoon from Sanford where she died Tuesday after a brief illness. They were taken to the home about three miles from the city for interment. Miss Godfrey was about seventeen years old. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Godfrey,residents of Pear Tree road. The young lady had been attending school in Sanford and had finished her school work and intended to return home to her parents on the very day that her body was brought home a corpse.

More About Lauretta Godfrey:
Cause of Death: Typhoid fever
Comment: Said to have been attending college or finishing school when she died at age nineteen

vii. Merritt Kilgo Godfrey, born 17 Aug 1896 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 20 Apr 1971 in Norfolk General Hospital, 600 Gresham Drive, Norfolk, VA; married (1) Lina Belle Spruill 10 May 1916 in Pasquotank Co., NC; born 04 Mar 1902 in Washington Co., NC; died 26 May 1973 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married (2) Lucy Evans 1946 in Pasquotank Co., NC; born 14 Dec 1907 in Pasquotank Co., NC; died 26 May 1955 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Merritt Kilgo Godfrey:
Below is Uncle Merritt's obituary from "The Virginian-Pilot" of Norfolk, Virginia:

Merritt K. Godfrey

CHESAPEAKE--Merritt Kilgo Godfrey, 74, died Tuesday in Norfolk General Hospital after illness of three months.
A native of Perquimans County, N.C., he was the husband of the late Mrs. Lucy Evans Godfrey and a son of Ethan [incorrect--Ephraim] and Mrs. Susan Rebecca Turner Godfrey.
He retired from Elizabeth City Cotton Mills in 1966.
Surviving are four sons, Richard T. Godfrey, L.A. Godfrey, and Belmerit Godfrey of Elizabeth City and Otis Godfrey of Washington, N.C.; a daughter, Mrs. Winnie Parker of Elizabeth City; a brother, Glenn Godfrey of Sanford, N.C.; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Woodville, N.C., and Mrs. Sallie G. Harris of Washington, N.C.; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. in Twiford Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery, Elizabeth City.

More About Merritt Kilgo Godfrey:
Burial: Highland Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Cardiorespiratory arrest
Occupation: Retired from Elizabeth City Cotton Mills in 1966
Residence: Elizabeth City, NC; 821 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA at time of death

More About Lina Belle Spruill:
Burial: New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: acute myocardial infarction; chronic and acute myocardial decompensation

viii. Clarence Calhoon Godfrey, born 02 Jan 1900 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 15 Jun 1963 in Mt. Herman Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Bessie Naomi Trueblood 03 Sep 1917; born 27 Nov 1903 in Perquimans Co. or Pasquotank Co., NC; died 25 Dec 1961 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Clarence Calhoon Godfrey:
Obituary prepared by Twiford's Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, NC:

Funeral services for CLARENCE CALHOON GODFREY, SR., who died Saturday morning at the family residence, Elizabeth City, Route 2, were conducted Monday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock in the chapel of the Twiford Funeral Home, Rev. William S. Brown, pastor of the Woodville Baptist Church officiated.

The casket pall consisted of white carnations with a cross of red carnations in the center.

"Sweet Hour of Prayer" and "Beyond the Sunset" were sung by, Miss Beth Bon Durant accompanied at the organ by Mrs. W.E. Scott.

Pallbearers were, Eldon Tuttle, Bennie Morris, Clement Griffin, Tom Ambrose, L.R. Gay and D.T. Whitehurst.

Burial followed in Westlawn cemetery.

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

Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 16 Jun 1963, page 16:

CLARENCE C GODFREY ELIZABETH CITY — Clarence Calhoon Godfrey, 63, died Saturday at his home. He was a native of Perquimans County and had lived in Pasquotank for the past 58 years. He owned and operated the Godfrey Texaco Service Station on US 17 South. Surviving are one daughter, Miss Margaret Godfrey of the home; four sons, Clarence Jr and Wilson Godfrey of Elizabeth City Wilson and Edward Godfrey of Moyock; two sisters, Mrs Sally Harris of Washington, NC, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Hertford; three brothers, Gilbert and Merritt Godfrey of Elizabeth City, Glen Godfrey of Sanford; and 12 grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 3 pm in Twiford Funeral Home by the Rev. W E Brown. Burial will follow in Westlawn Cemetery.

More About Clarence Calhoon Godfrey:
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Coronary occlusion w/ myocardial infarction; arteriosclerotic heart disease
Occupation: Grocery store merchant
Residence: His home is still standing, 646 Old US 17 South, Elizabeth City, NC.It was inherited by and the residence of his only daughter Margaret, and is now owned by his son Carence Jr.'s 2 children.

Notes for Bessie Naomi Trueblood:
Obituary prepared by Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, NC:

MRS. BESSIE GODFREY, 58, died Monday night at 6:15 o'clock at the family residence, Elizabeth City Route 2, following an illness of ten years. She was a native and lifelong resident of Pasquotank County. She was the daughter of Madison Trueblood and the late Mrs. Nannie White Trueblood. She was a member of Halls Creek Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Clarence C. Godfrey, Sr., her father, Madison Trueblood, one daughter, Miss Margaret Godfrey, Route 2, Elizabeth City, four sons, Clarence Godfrey, Jr., RFD 2, Elizabeth City, William C. Godfrey, RFD 1, Elizabeth City, Edward Godfrey and Wilson Godfrey both of Moyock, one sister, Mrs. Ben Lane of Hertford, three half-sisters, Mrs. Louis Lane, RFD 4, Elizabeth City, Mrs. Raymond Trueblood and Mrs. Garland Lane both of Perquimans county, four half-brothers, Linwood, Irvin, George and Walter Trueblood all of Perquimans county, and 11 grandchildren.

Remains were removed to the Twiford Funeral Home, pending completion of funeral arrangements, which will be announced later.

Later:

Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Godfrey who died Monday night at the family residence, Route 2, Elizabeth City, N.C., were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the chapel of Twiford Funeral Home. The Rev. Oscar Williams, former pastor of the Moyock Methodist church officiated assisted by The Rev. J.M. Carroll pastor of the Newbegan methodist church.

"Beyond the Sunset" and "Sweet Hour of Prayer" were sung by Miss Norma Fay Bright, Miss Janet Norman, Miss Barbara Sherlock and Miss Edith Williams. Mrs. Calvin Chappell accompanied at the console of the organ.

The casket was covered with a pall made of red carnations, white carnations, and fern.

Active pallbearers were, Elton Tuttle, Clement Griffin, D.T. Whitehurst, Tom Ambrose, Bennie Morris and William Whitehurst.

More About Bessie Naomi Trueblood:
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Coronary thrombosis due to arteriosclerosis; suffered from diabetes and obesity
Residence: Elizabeth City, NC

ix. Glenn Wilson Godfrey, born 28 Dec 1904 in Pasquotank Co., NC; died 21 Jan 1989 in 2217 South Plank Road near Sanford, Lee Co., NC; married Flora Jeanette Spivey 23 Dec 1928 in Lee/Moore Co., NC; born 25 Dec 1906 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC; died 27 Jul 1997 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC.

Notes for Glenn Wilson Godfrey:
Below is Uncle Glenn's obituary from the Sanford, North Carolina newspaper:

Glenn W. Godfrey Sr.

SANFORD--Glenn Wilsom Godfrey, Sr., 84, of 2217 S. Plank Road died Saturday at his home.
He was a retired machinist and tool maker at Saco Lowell Shops.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Center United Methodist Church by the Revs. Larry Crane, David Russell and John Glover. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Surviving are his wife Flora Spivey Godfrey; sons Roy L., G.W., Jr., Harold W., Gerald D. and Wesley E. Godfrey, all of Sanford, Billy Godfrey of Leland, W. Harvey Godfrey of St. Louis and Ralph M. Godfrey of Winston-Salem; daughter Doris Swain of Sanford; 26 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Church of God of Prophecy on Plank Road or to a favorite charity.

Glenn Wilson Godfrey Sr.

Funeral for Glenn Wilson Godfrey Sr., 84, who died Saturday (1/21/89), was conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Center United Methodist Church by the Rev. Larry Crane, Rev. David Russell and the Rev. John Glover. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bobby Joe Daw, John Gaines, Michael Godfrey, Ronny Goins, Harold McDuffie and Ben Overton.
Honorary pallbearers were Steven Godfrey, Wayne Godfrey, Jack Godfrey, Danny Godfrey, John Swain and James Swain.
Robin Godfrey sang "Amazing Grace," accompanied by Debbie Gaskill, Doris Swain, Earl Swain and John Swain sang "The Old Rugged Cross." Doris Swain was pianist.
Arrangements were by Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.

Uncle Glenn and Aunt Nettie were preceded in death by a son, Larry James Godfrey (September 1, 1945-November 16, 1969), who was shot in a bowling alley in Sanford at age 24, leaving a wife and three small children who were raised partly by Uncle Glenn and Aunt Nettie.

More About Glenn Wilson Godfrey:
Burial: Center United Methodist Church, 4141 South Plank Road near Sanford, NC
Cause of Death: Prostate cancer
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-member of Center United Methodist Church near Sanford, NC
Event: Abt. 1926, Settled down in Lee Co., NC near Sanford, where he married Nettie Spivey and raised ten children, nine sons and one daughter!
High School: Was sent to school at Asheville, NC after becoming an orphan. Lacked one class (Latin) that was required to graduate high school.
Occupation 1: Farmer and machinist with Saco-Lowell at Sanford, NC. Eventually owned about 500 acres and was able to leave each child 50 acres. Specialized in tool and die work at Saco-Lowell.
Occupation 2: Bef. 1926, Held several different jobs after becoming an orphan--Rock Island Railroad; oil fields out West; planted trees on Pike's Peak in a national forest; drove a truck in West Virginia. Traveled by hopping trains.
Residence: 2217 South Plank Road near Sanford, NC

Notes for Flora Jeanette Spivey:
Below is Aunt Nettie's obituary from a Sanford, North Carolina newspaper:

Flora 'Nettie' Spivey Godfrey

Funeral for Flora "Nettie" Spivey Godfrey, 90, of 2217 South Plank Road, who died Sunday (7/27/97), was conducted Tuesday at Center United Methodist Church by the Rev. Samuel Brackett and the Rev. David Russell. Burial followed at the church cemetery.
The Chorale sang "Amazing Grace" and "Trust and Obey."
Active pallbearers were R.L. Godfrey, Jr., Glen Godfrey, Steven Godfrey, Charlie Bryant, Jr., Ernest Dalrymple and John Swain.
Honorary pallbearers were Chris Swain, James Swain, Jr., Ken Godfrey and Ben Overton.
Arrangements were by Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.

More About Flora Jeanette Spivey:
Burial: Center United Methodist Church, 4141 South Plank Road near Sanford, NC
Cause of Death: Complications from cancer surgery
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-member of Center United Methodist Church near Sanford, NC
Nickname: Nettie
Residence: near Sanford, NC

x. Eugene Godfrey, born 08 Nov 1909 in Pasquotank Co., NC; died 16 Aug 1943 in Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, Havelock, Craven Co., NC; married Ruby Lee Parker; born 16 Sep 1916 in Belgrade, Onslow Co., NC; died 02 Feb 2005 in Goldsboro, Wayne Co., NC.

Notes for Eugene Godfrey:
Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 17 August 1943:

ELIZABETH CITY MAN ELECTI1OCUTED ON JOB Eugene Godfrey, 33, Killed While at Work at Cherry Point Marine Base
New Bern, Aug 16—Eugene Godfrey, 3,3 of Maysville, formerly of Elizabeth City, was electrocuted today when electric current apparently jumped several feet from a high-voltage line to a wire cable attached to a pile driver lead being used in construction work at the Marine Air Station at Cherry Point. Two Negroes working with him were severely burned. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock by the Rev D A Clark at the graveside in Oakdale Cemetery at Washington N. C. Surviving are his wife Mrs. Ruby Palmer [correction--Parker] Godfrey; one son Philip Godfrey [another son James was not born yet]; four sisters, Mrs. J M Harris and Lela Godfrey of Washington, Mrs Penny Sawyer of Elizabeth City, and Mr.s Mattie Campbell of Rocky Mount; and three brothers Gilbert Clarence and Merrill [correction--Merritt] all of Elizebath City

More About Eugene Godfrey:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Electrocution due to current jumping from power line to crane cable.
Comment: Had two sons, Philip and James; James was born three months after his death.
Fact: Aft. 1918, Lived with his eldest brother Gilbert and family for a while after he became an orphan.
Occupation: Oiler in the excavation industry. Was working at the Cherry Point base when he was electrocuted while operating a crane.
Residence: Havelock, NC at time of death, where he was working for the Cherry Point Marine Corps base.

Notes for Ruby Lee Parker:
http://www.newsargus.com/obituaries/archives/2005/02/03/ruby_pinkham/index.shtml
Goldsboro "News-Argus" newspaper

RUBY PINKHAM
Ruby Godfrey Pinkham, 88, died Wednesday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

A graveside service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, N.C. The Reverend Dr. James Hagwood will officiate.

Mrs. Pinkham was born in Onslow County to the late James William Parker and Della Taylor Parker and was married to the late Eugene Godfrey and William E. Pinkham. She had worked as a bookkeeper with the First United Methodist Church in Orlando, Fla.

She is survived by one son, James Godfrey, and wife, Nell, of Goldsboro; four grandchildren, Leigh Godfrey Webber of Pennsylvania, Karen Lynn Hartley and husband, Eddie, of Clayton, Stephen Godfrey and wife, Alisha, of Chapel Hill and Michael Godfrey of Washington; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joyce Radcliff of Maysville.

She was preceded in death by a son, Philip Godfrey.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home.

More About Ruby Lee Parker:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Suffered massive stroke while being treated for small cell lung cancer.
Event: Abt. 1953, Married (2) to William Edward (Ed") Pinkham, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1973. She had no children by him, and he was a wonderful stepfather to her two sons by Eugene, Philip and James.
Medical Information: Diagnosed with small cell lung cancer two months before death. Was taking chemotherapy when she suffered massive stroke a week before her death. Had quit smoking many years earlier.
Residence: Goldsboro, NC

Generation No. 3

4. Gilbert Godfrey, born Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 8. Benjamin Godfrey and 9. Martha Colson. He married 5. Penelope Sawyer 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC.
5. Penelope Sawyer, born 24 Sep 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Apr 1883 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 10. Caleb Sawyer and 11. Susannah Jackson.

More About Gilbert Godfrey:
Burial: probably Godfrey family plot, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC
Census: 1850, Little River District of Perquimans Co., NC
Comment: He was apparently married twice. By his first wife Sarah ?, he had a son Benjamin Godfrey. Penelope was his second wife and he must have died either shortly before or after the birth of their only child Ephraim in 1854, for she married Grandy Morse in 1855
Residence: Perquimans Co., NC

Notes for Penelope Sawyer:

More About Penelope Sawyer:
Census: 1870, Penny Morse listed in Perquimans Co., NC, age 34. For some reason her husband Grandy was not listed, although he was living. Value of real estate $100. In household were son Ephraim Godfrey and children by 2nd husband, John G., Susan, Doctrine, Allie Morse
Comment 1: 30 Aug 1855, Following Gilbert Godfrey's death, she married Grandy Morse in Perquimans Co., NC and had several children by him. It is assumed Ephraim was her only child by Gilbert Godfrey.
Comment 2: Her husbands, Gilbert Godfrey and Grandy Morse, were second cousins, both great-grandsons of William Colson and Miriam Mullen, Gilbert through their son Gilbert, and Grandy through their daughter Eleanor who married John Roberts.

Children of Gilbert Godfrey and Penelope Sawyer are:
2 i. Ephraim Godfrey, born 28 Jan 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 05 Nov 1918 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Susan "Rebecca" Turner 20 Nov 1878 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Seth Godfrey, died Abt. 1858.

6. Alfred Turner, born 20 Mar 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 07 Sep 1871 in Perquimans Co., NC. He married 7. Martha Jane Godfrey 22 Jul 1858 in Perquimans Co., NC.
7. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1838 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 8. Benjamin Godfrey and 15. Rebecca Melissa Robins.

Notes for Alfred Turner:
Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey, great-great-great-grandson:

Alfred Turner's parents are unknown, and I hope to determine their names since he is the only great-great-great-grandparent of mine for whom I do not know the name of either parent (for two of my other great-great-great-grandfathers, I know the father's name but not the mother's maiden name). The following information uncovered by his great-grandson, Wilbur H. Turner, may provide clues for further research. This was copied and pasted from part of an e-mail message sent to me by Mr. Turner in July, 2001:

I'm so glad that you got to see Alfred's grave site. I wish there had been
time for me to take you while we were at Nellie's barbecue. Should
we do something about rejuvenating the writing on the tombstone? Also, did
someone show you the old homeplace in Perquimans county?
I really do think Alfred was closely related to those other Turner's. I
have a hunch that he was James Turner's brother and that their father's
name was James Turner also, because the 1850 census for Little River of
Durant's Neck lists Alfred Turner, age 26 working as a laborer on the farm
of James Turner who was 31 years old, farming land valued at $12,000 (this
could have been Alfred's older brother).
[****UPDATE--as of October 2002, Mr. Turner's conclusion is that the census
record was misread as James Turner. He has examined the original handwriting
himself.]
Also, the 1850 census for Little River of Durant's Neck lists another
James Turner (this could have been his father), age 60, farming land valued
at $450, with Nancy (age 40, maybe his second wife and not Alfred's
mother), Julia (age 13), Cordelia (age 11), James (age 8) John (age 4), and
Samuel Ivey (age 80).
Additionally, the 1850 census for Little River of Durant's Neck lists
Ambros Turner (age 23) farming land valued at $3,000. Living there also is
Martha Turner (appears to be aged 55, but it could be 25, I can't make
out), Mary A. Turner (age 10), Martha A. Turner with property valued at
$1300 (age 10 maybe Mary A. & Martha A. were twins. But why does one of
them have property and the other one no property??), Catherine Stacey (age
25 with property valued at $1500 ), and Mary Bagley (age 22).
If any of this is true, the older James Turner's first set of children
could have been: James Turner (age 31), Alfred Turner (age 26), and Ambros
Turner (age 23). The only flaw is that there was a James (age 8) in the
second set of James Turner's children. That would have made him having two
children named James.
I have uncovered some limited information on Mary Turner (sister to Wilson
and Susan Rebecca) and am still working to learn more. If you recall, she
married a Williams. Her husband's name was Noah Williams. He was
previously married to Mary Jane Butt (I don't know the results of that
marriage), but I think they had some children. Ephraim Godfrey was one of
the witnesses at the wedding, which took place at the home of Mrs. Alfred
Turner on 7 Jul 1881 (Alfred had passed away 10 years earlier on 7 Sep
1871). Mary and Noah had at least 3 children (Jack, Noah (Butch), and
Paul) and from Aunt Blanche's notes, Paul was retarded.

The following is another 2001 e-mail between Mr. Turner and a descendant of Mary Turner Williams:

I can share everything that I know with you. My great grandfather was Alfred Turner. He married Martha Jane (Patsy) Godfrey. He is buried at the Methodist Church at New Hope, in Perquimans County, but Martha Jane was not buried there. She was buried in an unmarked grave in the family graveyard on their property in New Hope.

I have been unsuccessful in determining Alfred's parents. Maybe you can help. Also, in addition to the three sisters, at one time there were two other older children living with Alfred and Martha Jane. Their names were Martha A. and Ambrose. They could not have been the children of Martha Jane because Martha Jane and Alfred were not married until 22 July 1858 and Martha A. and Ambrose were 5 and 3 years old respectively at that time. Maybe Alfred was married before, since he was 14 years older than Martha Jane.
(I have since found this not to be the case. Perquimans Book, "Cross Index to Guardians", shows that Alfred Turner was appointed guardian over Margaret Ann (not Martha A. as shown in the census records) Turner and Ambrose Turner in May 1860 and indicates that the information is recorded in Perquimans Book 10 on Page 98. Perquimans County Court House could not find Book 10, so they sent me to the Archives in Raleigh, but the book was not there either.)
The 1850 census shows Alfred (age 26) working as a laborer on the farm of James Sumner (age 31). In the 1860 census Alfred and Martha Jane were listed with 3 children: Martha A.(age 7), Ambrose (age 5), and Mary J.(age 1). In the 1870 census the family consisted of Alfred, Martha Jane, Martha A, Ambrose, Susan Rebecca, Mary, Wilson, and Ada.

In the 1880 census Martha Jane was a widow with three children: Mary (16 years old), Wilson (14 years old), and Ada (12 years old). The oldest daughter, Susan Rebecca, had married Ephraim Godfrey, and was living away from home. They became the parents of Martha Jane Godfrey, Leila Godfrey, Penelope Irene Godfrey, Gilbert Godfrey, Sallie Godfrey, Loretta Godfrey, Merritt Kilgo Godfrey, Clarence Calhoon Godfrey, Glenn Wilson Godfrey, and Eugene Godfrey.

Alfred was born 20 March 1823 and died 7 September 1871, making him about 48 1/2 years old at this death.

Five things are mysteries to me:

1). Where did Alfred come from?
(I have since found in Perquimans Book, "Cross Index to Guardians", that William Jackson was appointed guardian over Alfred Turner in February 1839 and indicates that the information is recorded in Perquimans Book 8 on Page 13. Perquimans County Court House could not find Book 8, so they sent me to the Archives in Raleigh, but the book was not there either.)
2). Who was James Sumner, owner of the farm where Alfred worked as a laborer?
3). What happened to Mary J. (age 1) from the 1860 census?
4). Who was and what happened to Martha A.?
5). What happened to Ambrose?

I'm just curious about how you found me?

Keep in touch
Wil Turner
Titusville, FL

******************************************************
Some Turner records in Perquimans County:

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/TURNER/1998-11/0909916689

From: "David L. Costner"
Subject: [TURNER-L] Turners by County
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 05:38:09 -0500

Starting a new county - Pequimans Co, NC

1793 Joshua Turner sold land to Joshua Turner, son of John Turner

1719 Richard Turner left will naming Bridget and son-in-law Wm Bastable,
g.d. Hannah Bastable, gson Samuel Newby and Daughter Elizabeth newby.

1774 Abraham Turner in will index names spouse as Miriam and children as
Benj. Exekiel, Miles, Ann, Margaret, William, Millen, Miriam

1800 Abraham Turner will mentions sister Elizabeth Peters, Nieces Polly
and Elizabeth Hudson, Polly Tildy Halsey. Nephew Abrahm Halsey. Brothers
John, Thomas exe. of will and Elisha Twine, Jesse Winslow exe. Sisters
Esther Winslow and Mourning Riddick.

1788 Arthur Turner purchasing land

1782 Benjamin Turner selling land. Relationship shown is grandfather is
William Turner, father is Abraham, brother is Ezekiel, both Ezekiel and
Benj. sell land to Whidbee.

1840 Charles Turner in will index show heirs Hawkins and Comfort. Hard to
see relationship in index, write for will if you think it is your family.
They may be his siblings, not children. I put down as children, however.

1805 Comfort Turner will, mother is Martha Turner as exe. father Joseph
as desc. Witnessed by Richard Turner and james Whedbee.

1737 Edward Turner wife was Ann and their child was Joseph. Found in
early records of NC Joseph was born this year.

1757 Edward - not sure what this information means - 1757 son Joseph, John
Turner John Whidbee (son-in-law???) 1760 Edward Jr., 1766 Dempsey, 1772
not sure if son Richard. All these names were found in land records
indicating they are the children of Edward and Agnes - giving land to them
through out a period. Check this crazy record - sounds like several
together. I was making hand notes and weeks later entered them into data
base.

1827 Elsberry Turner in will names wife Mary and heirs as son Asbury G.,
Mary Jackson, Susanne Brothers, Fanney White, One girl name unreadable, son
Nathan. Witness was Hawkins Turner and Nathan Maudlin. Look above at 1840
entry. Wonder if Hawkins the same man???

1782 Ezekiel Turner sold land to G. Whidbee same time as his brother Benj.
did. they are the sons of Abraham and gson of William.

1792 George Turner - wife Ann, father is Dempsey Turner Sr, brother is
Demsey, Jr. Look at 1757 entry above (Edward and Agnes may be his
gparents) selling land. also found record in 11796 that George sells
land.

1815 Harrison Turner will. Names brothers James and Richard Turner,
mother is Martha. cousin is Robertson Fisher. Witness John Miller and
Ellsberry Turner

1815 Hawkins Turner selling land with wife Nancy to Noles.

1799 Henry Turner selling land to Shedbee. Witnesses are Miles and Rachel
Turner and Nathan and Martha Turner.

1796 Joseph Turner in land record gives his gson Noah Fiveash land. Noah
is the son of Jane Turner Fiveash and husband, John Fiveash. Fiveash name
is also found in Isle of Wight.

1770 John Turner in will index names wife Sarah, and children Joshua,
Timothy, Dorcas, Sarah, John.

1776 John Turner selling land with wife Mary. Also land records in 1780,
1781, 1785.

1762 Joseph Turner gets gift of land from Abraham Riggs which was left him
by his late uncle Abraham Riggs.

1766 Joseph Turner and his spouse Jane Mullen Riggs, widow of Abraham gets
1/6 the estate of Abraham Mullen. they purchase the rest of the estate
from her sisters - Mary and Gideon Moudlin, Deborah and Chris Towe,
William and Miriam Colson, William and Betty Bateman, Tamer and Jeremiah
Caruthers.

1793 Joseph Turner gives land to son Elsbury Turner

1793 Joseph Turner purchasing record of land with spouse Ann

1795 Joseph Turner and wife Joanne gives land to son Thomas Turner

1796 Joseph Turner and wife Ann sell land in Tyrell Co NC to Joseph
Pledger on Alligator Creek and Leonard Creek.

1796 Joseph and wife Ann sell more land

1766 Joseph the elder gets land from William and Miriam Colson, Jane Turner's sister.

1792 Joseph, jr. mentioned in land record. My notes show Martha Turner
mentioned before Joseph. Joseph is son of Edward. Is Martha wife or
sister??? selling land to Whidbee. Not clear on these notes. Sorry. Hard
to imagine how quickly we were writing standing up and then getting home
and wondering what I wrote. Their land records are wonderful to show
relationships.

1786 Joseph, sr. sells land from father Edward desc. to son Joseph, jr.

1729 Joshua Turner is purchasing land also in 1734

1741 Joshua Turner with wife Mary is selling land

1790 Joshua Turner selling land

1792 Joshua Turner, son of John, selling to Joseph, son of Edward Turner

1796 Joshua sr in will index - only name mentioned is Mary Turner -
probably his spouse.

1818 Martha Turner in will names children - John Stevenson, Mary Stevenson
(maybe children by another marriage or gchildren or a husband and wife) gd.
Martha Godfrey, the 4 children (no names) heirs of Sarah Turner, Elizabeth
Davis, Mary Stevens, George Turner

1819 Martha Turner will mentions gd. Patsey Fisher and Elizabeth Foster d.
of Joshua, sons James and Richard. exe. Witness are Martha Sumner and
James Whedbee.

1791 Miles Turner selling land.

1788 Miriam, wife of John Turner, widow of John Colson is selling land.
both men may be dead - maybe twice a widow.

1816 Myles Turner will, names wife Martha and children William, Edmond,
James, Myles, Alexander, George, Mary Stephenson. Gd. Nancy and Martha.
Witnesses are John Stephens and Mary Stevenson. Note all three spellings
of Stephens name.

1849 Nathan Turner will index mentions the following names: Catherine,
Stacy, Elizabeth, Henry,(all Turners), Joseph Godfrey, Martha L. and Nathan
G. Turner, Martha N. and Ambrose Turner.

1815 Rachel Turner gets property from father's estate, John Smith. Her
siblings are Caleb Smith, James Smith and Mary Small.

1721 Richard Turner is son in law of William Bastable - I've typed that
name in this document. check above for relationships

1833 Richard Turner in will names wife Elizabeth and sons Jospeh, Richard,
angeline, John, Asher, Havell, fanny, Mary, Eliz. Witnesses are James and
George Whidbee

1827 Sarah Turner, sr. in will mentions son Thomas Mullen, Daughter
Patsey Mullen, gd Sarah Mullen Turner, son-in-law Joseph Turner.
Witnesses were Ellliany and James Sawyer. In my notes, I write Not sure
she knew relationships. wording must have been strange.

1816 Thomas Turner, will index mentions daughters Priscilla Stallings,
timothy and Lavinia Peters, Sophia Stallings, sons William and Thomas.
Will probate was 1824.

1694 William Turner in property dealing shows married to Katherine Kinse,
daughter of John Kinse who calls Wm son-in-law.

This completes what I found in this county in the period of time I was
checking. I seldom went beyond 1820's in looking for my relative was in GA
by 1815 for sure. Will start with another county next time.

More About Alfred Turner:
Burial: New Hope United Methodist Church, New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC
Census 1: 1850, Working as a laborer on the farm of James Sumner on Little River, Durant's Neck District, Perquimans Co., NC.
Census 2: 1860, Residing in Little River District-real property valued at $1500 and personal property valued at $1345
Census 3: 1870, Residing in New Hope Township, Perquimans Co., NC--children listed were Martha (age 18), Ambrose (age 17), Rebecca (age 6), Mary (age 5), Wilson (age 4), Ada (age 3), and Benjamin (age 1/12). Value of real estate $700, value of personal estate $300.
Occupation: Farmer

More About Martha Jane Godfrey:
Burial: probably Godfrey family plot, Perquimans Co., NC
Census: 1880, Residing in New Hope Township-listed as a widow with 3 children in household and boarders Sarah E. Godfrey (age 24), Melissa Ellis (her sister) and Charles Ellis (her nephew, actually Charles Godfrey)
Nickname: Patsy

Children of Alfred Turner and Martha Godfrey are:
3 i. Susan "Rebecca" Turner, born 05 Apr 1862 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 26 Dec 1917 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Ephraim Godfrey 20 Nov 1878 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Mary Jane Turner, born 20 Aug 1863 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 15 Jan 1936 in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC; married Noah Williams 07 Jul 1881 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Nov 1843; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC?.

More About Mary Jane Turner:
Burial: Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC
Cause of Death: Cerebral hemmorhage
Census 1: 08 Jun 1900, Listed in her husband's household in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC
Census 2: 1910, Listed as a widow in the household of her son Joshua A. Williams on Dyer Street, Elizabeth City, NC. Says she was the mother of 9 children, 5 of whom are living. Son Paul and daughter Lula in household. Joshua was a salesman for a retail grocery store.
Comment: She was living with her niece, Martha ("Mattie") Godfrey Campbell of Rocky Mount, NC at the time of her death. The informant for the death certificate was Mrs. J.R. Campbell of 219 Edgecombe Street, Rocky Mount, NC.
Residence: 1917, Elizabeth City, NC

More About Noah Williams:
Residence: 1900, New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC

iii. Wilson Turner, born 04 Dec 1865 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 06 Jan 1946 in Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Susan Teabout 29 Jan 1890 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 20 Oct 1870 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 03 Dec 1934 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC?.

Notes for Wilson Turner:
Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 9 Jan 1946, page 11:

WILSON TURNER SR Elizabeth City—Wilson Turner Sr, 80, died Sunday night at 6:45 o'clock after a long illness. He was a native of Perquimans County but had been living in Pasquotank for the past 36 years. He was the son of the late Alfred and Martha Godfrey Turner. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs Bailey Harris of Elizabeth City Route 2, Mrs Perry Hughes of Vallejo Cal., Mrs William Coeffield Norfolk Va and Mrs Richard Temple of Elizabeth City Route 3; four sons, George Turner of Elizabeth City, Alfred and Wilson Turner Jr of Elizabeth City Route 2, and J B Turner of Elizabeth City Route I; one siste,r Mrs. Ada Cleary of Belhaven; 28 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

More About Wilson Turner:
Burial: Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Cardiovascular and renal disease

More About Susan Teabout:
Burial: Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC

iv. Ada Turner, born 08 Aug 1868 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 19 Sep 1950 in Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC; married William Henry Clary/Cleary 17 Nov 1885 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 02 Mar 1858 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; died 04 Oct 1931 in Belhaven, Pantego Township, Beaufort Co., NC.

Notes for Ada Turner:
The following notes have been compiled by Wilbur H. Turner, a great-nephew
of Aunt Ada Turner Clary:

Notes:
1. Ada was born in August 1868. If she married in November 1885, that means
that she was only 16 years and 3 months old when she married, however, the
marriage license states that she was 20 years old. Also, I could hardly
read the place where she was married or the name of the Justice of the Peace
who performed the ceremony.

2. There seems to be some confusion about whether the name should be spelled
'Clary' or 'Cleary'.

3. According to the 1900 census taken in the city of Suffolk, VA, Ada w
born in August 1868. In 1885 she married William H. Clary (Cleary), a
blacksmith and carpenter, who was born in March 1858. They had 3 living
children; a daughter, Mary A., was born in May 1887; a son, William H., was
born in February 1892; and a son, Wilson, was born in 1895. Accordi
the census Ada had given birth to 6 children and 3 were still living. She
could read and write, however, her husband, William could neither read nor
write.

4. Sometime before the 1910 census Ada and William moved from Suffolk, VA,
to Pantego Township, Beaufort County, NC. There they added 2 more children
to their family; a daughter, Mattie and a son, John. Mattie and John must
have been twins since they were both listed as being 2 years old in 1910.
According to the 1910 census Ada had now given birth to 9 children, 5 were
still living and 4 were still living at home. Mary A. was not listed;
therefore, being 23 years old she must have married and moved to a home of
her own. According to the census husband William could now read and write.

5. A 1920 census listing for the Cleary family could not be found; however,
they were found in the 1930 census and still living in Pantego Township, but
the only child living at home was John who was 22 years old. Husband
William, now 72, was listed as a truck farmer. Ada was listed as having
married at the age of 17.

More About Ada Turner:
Burial: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Comment: Her death certificate incorrectly lists her name as Ida Turner Cleary rather than Ada Turner Cleary. It also errs in listing her father as Wilson Turner instead of Alfred Turner, but it lists her mother as Patsy Godfrey.
Residence: Aft. 1906, Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC

More About William Henry Clary/Cleary:
Burial: Odd Fellows Cemetery, West Pantego Street, Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Cause of Death: Cirrhosis of the liver
Occupation: Blacksmith and carpenter; later a truck farmer and mechanic

v. Benjamin Turner, born Abt. 1870 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1871 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC?.

More About Benjamin Turner:
Comment: He probably died young as no further record is found of him after the 1880 census and his brother Wilson's granddaughter, Maude Pritchard, once stated having heard that her grandfather Wilson Turner was the only boy in his family and had several sisters.

Generation No. 4

8. Benjamin Godfrey, born 25 Jul 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Dec 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 16. Tully/Tulle Godfrey and 17. Mary McClanahan. He married 9. Martha Colson 07 Dec 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC.
9. Martha Colson, born Abt. 1793 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1836 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 18. Gilbert Colson and 19. Sarah Turner.

Notes for Benjamin Godfrey:
Tully Godfrey's will does not list a son Benjamin, but he does name one daughter and refers to "rest of my children." However, he is referred to in the will as Tully Godfrey, Sr. Benjamin appears to be his only son. The reference as "Sr." is probably used to distinguish him from Benjamin's son Tully. The Abraham Godfrey family of Perquimans County had sent me family charts and information in 1991 which enabled me to trace my Grandma Godfrey's ancestry back to the supposed immigrant, Francis Godfrey. However, I do not see any actual proof that Tully Godfrey and Mary Poynter were the parents of Benjamin Godfrey. It seems fairly certain since Benjamin gave the name Tully to his eldest son. However, I have not researched Perquimans County land and deed records in detail, and since the information recorded by the Abraham Godfrey family lists exact dates of birth and death for Benjamin, perhaps his father was recorded in a family Bible or other record. It seems most later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from Benjamin Godfrey, even though the Godfreys had been in Perquimans for five generations prior to Benjamin.

Abstract of estate settlements located by Harold Colson on Familysearch.org:

Heirs of Benjamin Godfrey, deceased, petition the court to sell a 100-acre parcel of his land and divide the cash proceeds among them. Petitioners: Tully Godfrey, John Stanton (and wife Mary Godfrey), Caleb Sawyer (and wife Sarah Godfrey), Joseph S. Godfrey, William Godfrey, William Gregory (and wife Margaret Godfrey), Martha Godfrey, Edmund Godfrey, Stephen Godfrey, Ann Godfrey, Wilson Godfrey, Rebecca Godfrey, Penny Godfrey (widow), and Benjamin, Seth, and Ephraim Godfrey (children of Gilbert Godfrey, recently deceased).

Spring term 1855 ?Perquimans County, North Carolina

Account of Benjamin Godfrey estate by the former guardian (William E. Godfrey) of his "infant" (under age 21) heirs: Martha, Ann, Rebecca, Edmond, Wilson, Stephen. The named heirs are Benjamin's children by late wife Rebecca Robbins, and they receive a 1/13 financial share from the estate.

August 1856 Perquimans County, North Carolina

More About Benjamin Godfrey:
Census 1: 28 Aug 1850, Listed in 1850 Census of Perquimans Co., NC as a farmer, age 63, value of real estate $855. Three households down the page, a Thomas Robins, age 50, with wife Julia, age 47, are listed--probably close relative (brother?) of his last wife Rebecca.
Census 2: 1850, Joseph Godfrey, age 34, and his household were listed next to him in the 1850 census, indicating they were probably neighbors. The value of Joseph's real estate was $3300. Joseph was Benjamin's first cousin once removed.
Residence: 1850, Little River of Durants Neck District, Perquimans Co., NC

Notes for Martha Colson:
From a document discovered by Harold Colson on Familysearch.org:

The five children of the late Benjamin Godfrey by his wife Martha Colson petition to divide among them a tract of land along Deep Creek that Martha (also deceased) had received from her father Gilbert Colson (d. 1818). The petitioning children are Gilbert Godfrey, Joseph Godfrey, William Godfrey, Sarah Godfrey (now married to Caleb Sawyer), Margaret Godfrey. Five men are appointed commissioners by the court to divide the parcel.

?February term 1854 ?Perquimans County, North Carolina

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Martha Colson are:
4 i. Gilbert Godfrey, born Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah ? Abt. 1845; married (2) Penelope Sawyer 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Sarah Godfrey, born Abt. 1824 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Caleb Sawyer, Jr. 26 Jun 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1830 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1869; married (2) James Morse Aft. 1859.

More About Caleb Sawyer, Jr.:
Comment: His daughter, Eliza Sawyer, married Foster Raper, parents of Sarah Ann Raper (1879-1955) who married William Carson Hurdle (1875-1940), son of Henrietta White Hurdle who was aunt of Mattie Elizabeth White who married Gilbert Godfrey, Caleb's great-nephew.

iii. Joseph S. Godfrey, born Abt. 1828 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1857 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Susan Sawyer 21 May 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iv. William E. Godfrey, born Abt. 1831 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About William E. Godfrey:
Comment: Unsure whether he is the same William E. Godfrey, son of Benjamin Godfrey & Martha Colson of Perquimans, who married Susan Morgan on 23 Apr 1855 in Pasquotank Co., NC

v. Margaret L. Godfrey, born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; married William Gregory.

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Rebecca Robins are:
7 i. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1838 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; married Alfred Turner 22 Jul 1858 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Edmond Godfrey, born Abt. 1840 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Margaret "Ann" Godfrey, born Nov 1841 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1909 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Alfred William Humphries 20 Dec 1865 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1877 - 1885 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Margaret "Ann" Godfrey:
Name 2: Elizabeth Ann Godfrey
Comment: Her daughter Margaret Ann's death certificate lists mother's name as Margaret Ann Humphries, but all other sources only give her name as Ann. If her name were Margaret Ann, it gives credence to her maternal grandmother being Margaret Godfrey Robins.

iv. Wilson C. Godfrey, born 18 Dec 1844 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 22 Apr 1918 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Julia A. Robins 21 May 1874 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 15 Aug 1855 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 10 Apr 1927 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Wilson C. Godfrey:
Wilson Godfrey and Julia Robbins were somehow related, possibly first cousins. They had several children. One son, William Lumsden Godfrey (1886-1964), known as Will, became a sailmaker and was one of the last of a dying breed in that craft as sailing ships met their heyday after the 1950's. In the book "This Was Chesapeake Bay" (1963) by Robert H. Burgess, who at that time was Curator of Exhibits at The Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia, is a chapter on Will Godfrey, entitled "Godfrey the Sailmaker," pages 132-33.

One of Wilson and Julia Godfrey's daughters, Viola Godfrey (1875-1935), married Captain Thomas Beauregard Hayman (1870-1932), whose family established the Hayman boatyard in the harbor at Elizabeth City and became prominent civic leaders in the town, including its fire department. The Haymans were an old family of shipbuilders and watermen. Viola and Capt. Tom had a son, Roger Beauregard Hayman (1897-1977), who married Clemma White Hurdle (1892-1985), daughter of Quinton Riddick Hurdle and Henrietta Martin White of Perquimans County, North Carolina. Roger Hayman was a second cousin of my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, while Clemma was a first cousin of my great-grandmother, Mattie White Godfrey. Mr. and Mrs. Hayman lived at Newport News, Virginia, where they built the two-story brick home at the corner of Warwick Boulevard and Gatewood Drive, in front of the Jewish synagogue and across the highway from The Mariners Museum Park and Lake Maury. For many years Cousin Clemma ran a bed and breakfast here, known as The Travelers Inn. Their son, Roger Beauregard Hayman, Jr. (1921-1996), inherited this home. Although I grew up in Newport News, I never knew this home had been in my family until August, 1996, while I was tracking down some of my cousins on the White side of my family when I learned my Aunt Ret Hurdle had a daughter who lived in Newport News. After looking up Roger Hayman's name in the phone directory, I called his house, and his sister, Miss Dorothy Adair Hayman (1923-2011) of Sun City, Arizona, answered and said she was in the process of selling the house because her brother had died there a month earlier. Miss Hayman welcomed me to come by for a visit and told me what she knew about the White family. It was coincidental when I arrived and soon found out she was also related to my great-grandfather. Although the families had lost contact and my grandmother never heard of Cousin Clemma or anyone in her mother's family who lived in Newport News, Miss Hayman remembered her mother speaking of my great-grandmother as Cousin Mattie White. Shortly after this first visit, I brought my Grandmother Godfrey with me to visit Miss Hayman, who before then did not know one another even though they were only second cousins through the White family and third cousins through the Godfreys. But they both recalled their memories of their mutual Great-aunt Kate (Catherine White Sawyer Walston 1863-1954), for whom my grandmother was named. Miss Hayman was most gracious in allowing me to borrow and copy a portrait of her Great-Uncle Will L. Godfrey which at the time was hanging in her brother's house, ironically across the street from the museum whose curator included the same picture in his 1963 Chesapeake Bay book. Learning about Miss Hayman and her family in Newport News was one of the many small-world coincidences I have encountered in genealogy. As of 2007, the Hayman home is a fraternity house for Christopher Newport University.

More About Wilson C. Godfrey:
Burial: Section 1 North, Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Chronic interstitial nephritis
Census: 16 Jun 1880, Living in Elizabeth City, NC, occupation miller. Unable to read or write. "Brother" Gilbert Robins, age 11, listed in household. Listed next to Frederick and Lydia Brothers Cohoon.
Occupation: Sawmill operator
Residence: 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

More About Julia A. Robins:
Cause of Death: Found dead in room--probably endocarditis
Residence: 1927, 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

v. Stephen Miles Godfrey, born 20 Sep 1846 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 27 Dec 1900 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sophie Jackson 07 Feb 1873 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 29 Apr 1851 in Manteo, Dare Co., NC?; died 06 Feb 1913 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Stephen Miles Godfrey:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

More About Sophie Jackson:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

vi. Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey, born 15 Aug 1850 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 17 Jun 1924 in Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC; married (1) ?; married (2) John B. Ellis 29 Jan 1879 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1844; married (3) William Long 1881 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (4) William Hartin/Horten Aft. 1881; born May 1845.

Notes for Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Comments by Bryan Godfrey:

Upon noticing that Rev. Wiley Dennis Godfrey, pastor at that time of Belhaven, NC Church of Christ, delivered the blessing at the 1988 Abraham L. Godfrey family reunion in Perquimans Co., NC, I tried to determine his connection to the family. In October, 2008, I called Rev. Godfrey, who now lives in Ollin, IL, and his brother, Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX, and the latter does not know his ancestry beyond his grandfather, Charles Godfrey, who died about 1926 in Pamlico Co., NC. All I can determine from ancestry.com is that their father was Stephen Charles Godfrey (1911-1960) of Belhaven, whose father Charles Godfrey, born about 1871, was listed in the 1920 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, with daughters Margaret and Alice, son Stephen, and mother, Melissa Harton, age 76. Could this be Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin? Could she have been known by her middle name and have been listed under her first name on her death certificate? Could Charles Godfrey have been an illegitimate son of hers prior to her marriage to William Hartin/Horton? Indeed, the fact that Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton died in Belhaven, perhaps while residing with her great-niece Sallie Godfrey Harris (my great-great-aunt) since she was the informant on her death certificate, and the fact that Stephen Charles Godfrey and children apparently lived in Belhaven, give a strong likelihood that Rebecca's name was Rebecca Melissa Godfrey (named for her mother, Rebecca Melissa Robins), that she had an illegitimate son named Charles Godfrey around 1871, and that she then married William Hartin/Horton/Horten about 1880, by whom she had a son William Hartin or Horton in December, 1882, according to census records. The 1900 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, lists Rebecca Hartin as having had one child, however, whereas if both Charles Godfrey and William Horten were her sons, she should have had two. But Charles could have been omitted since he was not by her husband listed above her in the household. I have not been able to locate a death certificate for Charles Godfrey, only a record of the date of his death. He apparently died in Pamlico County, near Belhaven in Beaufort County, and is buried in an unmarked grave there, but his wife predeceased him and is buried in Elizabeth City, NC.

I called the wife of Abraham Godfrey, Jr., who hosted the 1988 Godfrey Reunion and has collected family information over the years, but all she recalls is hearing her inlaws speak of "Cousin Stephen Godfrey" and "Cousin Charles Godfrey" in Belhaven without knowing exactly how they are related. She was under the impression that they are closely related to my branch, the Gilbert Godfrey family, but they are not since my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, did not have brothers named Charles or Stephen and Gilbert's father, Ephraim Godfrey, apparently had no full siblings and only one paternal half-brother named Benjamin Godfrey. Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX knew the Abraham and John Thomas Godfrey families well, but does not know the exact relationship either. However, since they all lived in Belhaven at one time, Mr. Charles Godfrey said he knew the Cleary family well, the descendants of Ada Turner Cleary, who was a daughter of Martha Jane Godfrey Turner and a sister of my great-great-grandmother, Rebecca Turner Godfrey, wife of Ephraim Godfrey. If my theory is correct that Rebecca Melissa Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton of New Hope and later Belhaven was the mother of Charles Godfrey of Elizabeth City and Belhaven, then she would have been an aunt of Ada Turner Cleary who settled in Belhaven with her husband; therefore, Ada would have been first cousin to Charles Godfrey. The fact that neither Charles' grandson nor Abe Godfrey, Jr.'s wife know the exact connection gives greater credence to the possibility that Charles was illegitimate and took the Godfrey surname from his mother. In other words, his family knew they were close cousins of the Abraham Godfrey and the Ada Turner Cleary families, but more than likely the exact connection was forgotten early on due to the possibility of an illegitimacy and no one wanted to divulge that he took the Godfrey surname from his mother.

But to come to any conclusions regarding this, I need to contact more descendants of Charles Godfrey and investigate more records of Perquimans or Beaufort Counties, as well as obituaries or Bible records, that are not available on ancestry.com. I need to verify that Rebecca M. Horten who died 17 June 1924 in Belhaven is the same person as Melissa Horten who is listed as the mother of Charles Godfrey in his household in the 1920 Perquimans census, although her age in the latter was 76, indicating an estimated birth year of 1844 instead of the 1850 date shown on Rebecca's death certificate, but it is not unusual to have such inconsistencies in ages shown on census records for different decades or even on death certificates and grave markers.

If I am unable to use existing records or the knowledge of living relatives to come to any conclusions, I suppose I could ask one of Charles Godfrey's male-line grandsons or great-grandsons to submit a YDNA sample for me to see if it matches my YDNA. If my theory is correct, then their YDNA would not match mine since there would be a break in their Godfrey male lineage. Hopefully I can find records that will render such a test unnecessary. The first item I should search for is Rebecca Hartin's obituary which would hopefully list a son Charles Godfrey as a survivor. Even if I can never prove my exact connection to the Charles W. Godfrey family on the Godfrey sides, the fact that his wife was a Bundy, that one of my Great-Grandmother Godfreys was a Bundy descendant, and that both lineages can be proven back to the Rhode Island and North Carolina Quaker settlers William and Elizabeth Bundy, gives me at least one definite connection to this family.

February, 2009 update: When I visited Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln Godfrey, Jr. at their farm in Perquimans County, North Carolina, I saw among their family papers several sheets of photocopied pictures labeled by Shelton Godfrey (1913-1968), who had performed lots of Godfrey genealogy research. One of them was labeled "Charles Godfrey, son of Melissa Godfrey." This seems to settle the question of his connection.

More About Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Burial: Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Cause of Death: Acute dysentery
Comment: Om her marriage record to John B. Ellis, she is listed as Melissa Godfrey, father Benjamin Godfrey but mother is listed as Patsy Godfrey. This does not match her mother being Rebecca, but she had a sister Patsy. Ages matches Benjamin and Rebecca's daughter
Residence: New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC in 1900. Living at Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC at time of death. Since her great-niece, Sallie Godfrey (Harris) then of Belhaven, was the informant on her death certificate, she may have been living with her.

10. Caleb Sawyer, born 01 Nov 1799 in Camden Co., NC; died 19 Aug 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 20. Sylvanus Sawyer and 21. Elisha/Clisha Gregory?. He married 11. Susannah Jackson 24 Dec 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC.
11. Susannah Jackson, born 05 Aug 1800 in Perquimans Co., NC?; died May 1850 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Caleb Sawyer:
Comments by Bryan Godfrey (March, 2008): I located dates of birth and death for Caleb and Susannah Jackson Sawyer on an ancestry.com posting, which also listed his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc., but I do not know where this information came from. I never thought I would be able to trace either of my Sawyer lines (the Caleb Sawyer line of Perquimans Co., NC on my paternal grandmother's side and the Thomas Sawyer line of Pasquotank Co., NC on my paternal grandfather's side) due to so many Sawyers in that area with those names, even more than one Caleb Sawyer with a wife named Susanna! One source lists Caleb's alleged father, Sylvanus, as marrying Mary Jones and having two daughters, so I need to find documentation for this Caleb Sawyer being a son of Sylvanus. It seems probable since Sylvanus' father's name was Caleb. For now I am showing a questionable line of descent for Caleb Sawyer based on two unsourced ancestry.com sites back to Thomas Sawyer, who died around 1720, probably in the Sawyer's Creek vicinity of present-day Camden Co., NC which was then part of Pasquotank. Between 1695 and 1714, three Sawyers who are often assumed to be brothers, John, Henry, and Thomas Sawyer, accumulated 3086 acres in land grants. Sawyer is now one of the most common surnames in the vicinity of Elizabeth City, NC due to their prolific line of descendants, and some have even suggested there were unrelated Sawyers settling in that area also. I am indebted to Mrs. Thelma Sawyer Forbes for giving me two large hand-written charts on the Sawyers at the Forbes Family Reunion in 2001. While there are Thomas Sawyers scattered throughout each branch of this family which makes it impossible for me to narrow down the possibilities for the line of my grandfather's ancestor Thomas Sawyer who married Lydia Davis in 1803, I only see Caleb Sawyers in the family of Thomas Sawyer, one of the original settlers of the Pasquotank area. This makes it fairly certain that this Caleb Sawyer of Perquimans descends somehow from Thomas, though it is possible he was not a son of Sylvanus in spite of what I discovered on ancestry.com, and that there were more than two generations between Thomas and Caleb.

An Elkenny Sawyer, age 24, with a wife Mary, age 25, is listed in the 1850 Census of Perquimans County, Little River and Durants Neck Districts, very close to the Caleb Sawyer family. One of the aforementioned websites lists an Elkenny Sawyer as a son of Sylvanus and brother of Caleb Sawyer. However, the Elkenny in this census record is more likely either a son or nephew of Caleb, especially if Caleb's alleged father, Sylvanus Sawyer, died when Caleb was very young.

E-mail from Harry Schoettle to Bryan S. Godfrey, 20 September 2014:

Looking through my Kinsfolk of Camden County Deed Books vol 1 & 2 found this interesting deed.
Camden County Deed Book U-2 page 371 year 1834
Caleb Sawyer (etal) Perquimans County sold to William Ferrell,
People who sold were Caleb, James, Elkannah and Isaac Sawyer and Caleb and Mary Gray.
This looks like Caleb heirs ( 4 sons and 1 daughter) sold their inheritance.
It would be nice to see the whole deed.

These two deeds might be good to have to see if it's the same land Caleb heirs sold.

Deed Book F pg 148 1795 Stephen Sawyer sold to Caleb Sawyer

Deed Book D pg 223/224 1787 Jacob Sawyer sold to Caleb Sawyer Jr (this one for sure) It might prove if this is your Caleb line.

E-Mails from Mr. Shoettle, 3 and 4 November 2014:

Bryan, I'm now trying to find which Sawyer owned 6 acres on Arenuse Creek in Camden County the later part of 1700's to 1835 when the heirs sold it.

The deed U2 page 371 mentions the land is bounded by Clokey Pritchard and Lucy Ross and Arenuse Creek.

If you have any deed books maybe you could look.

My deed books only mention kinship. There is no Pritchard or Ross by those names in my books.

Harry

Found something interesting on the deed copies I have of Camden County.

Deed D-223/224 1785 Jacob Sawyer sells to Caleb Sawyer JR 32 acres on NW side Arenuse creek. Formerly belonging to John Ferrill. Witness: Caleb Sawyer SR

Deed U2-371 1834 Sawyer heirs (Caleb, Elkannah, Isaac, James and Mary) sell 6 acres to William Ferrill on Arenuse Creek.

Just wondering if William Ferrill is trying to buy back land once owned by John Ferrill????????

More About Susannah Jackson:
Cause of Death: Bilious fever

Children of Caleb Sawyer and Susannah Jackson are:
i. Mary Sawyer
ii. Richard Sawyer
iii. William Sawyer
iv. Caleb Sawyer, Jr., born Abt. 1830 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1869; married Sarah Godfrey 26 Jun 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1824 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Caleb Sawyer, Jr.:
Comment: His daughter, Eliza Sawyer, married Foster Raper, parents of Sarah Ann Raper (1879-1955) who married William Carson Hurdle (1875-1940), son of Henrietta White Hurdle who was aunt of Mattie Elizabeth White who married Gilbert Godfrey, Caleb's great-nephew.

v. Susannah Sawyer, born Abt. 1833 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Aft. 1900 in Pulaski Co., MO?; married Hugh Godfrey 05 Jan 1857; born 29 Jan 1829 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1931 in Pulaski Co., MO?.

More About Susannah Sawyer:
Residence: Glaize, Miller Co., MO according to 1870 and 1880 censuses; Liberty, Pulaski Co., MO according to 1900 census.

Notes for Hugh Godfrey:
Biographical Sketch of Hugh Godfrey, Pulaski County, Missouri

From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell ([emailprotected])

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

Hugh Godfrey, liveryman of Richland, MO., was born in the "Old North
State", about 1830, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moss)
Godfrey, who were also North Carolinians, and moved to Indiana about
1840. Here they resided eight years, and after a short residence in
their native State took up their permanent abode in Washington
County, Ind., where the mother died. The father afterward married
again, and moved to some other State, and was never afterward heard
from. He was a farmer by occupation. Hugh Godfrey is the second of
six children, and in early life received but a meager education. He
was married in North Carolina on January 5, 1857, to Susan Sawyer,
daughter of Caleb Sawyer, by whom he became the father of nine sons,
one of whom is deceased. Richard and Alexis are farmers in Miller
County, as is James; Joseph, Thomas, Frank, Caleb, George and Isaac
live in Pulaski County; Caleb is a railroad man. In 1859 Mr. Godfrey
removed to Washington County, Ind., and from there removed to Carroll
County, MO., and from 1869 to 1882 was a resident of Miller County.
Since that time he has resided in Richland, and for three years
carried the mail to Brumley, but since that time has been engaged in
the livery business, and is in good circ*mstances, being the owner of
several lots in Richland, and a good livery barn, seven horses, four
buggies and two hacks. He is a Democrat politically, and he and wife
are members of the Christian Church.

More About Hugh Godfrey:
Census: 1920, Listed as age 90 in household of son James in Glaize, Miller Co., MO

5 vi. Penelope Sawyer, born 24 Sep 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Apr 1883 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Gilbert Godfrey 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Grandy Morse 30 Aug 1855 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vii. Caroline Sawyer, born 1844; died 1910.

8. Benjamin Godfrey, born 25 Jul 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Dec 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 16. Tully/Tulle Godfrey and 17. Mary McClanahan. He married 15. Rebecca Melissa Robins 02 Sep 1837 in Perquimans Co., NC.
15. Rebecca Melissa Robins, born Abt. 1813 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1850 - 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Benjamin Godfrey:
Tully Godfrey's will does not list a son Benjamin, but he does name one daughter and refers to "rest of my children." However, he is referred to in the will as Tully Godfrey, Sr. Benjamin appears to be his only son. The reference as "Sr." is probably used to distinguish him from Benjamin's son Tully. The Abraham Godfrey family of Perquimans County had sent me family charts and information in 1991 which enabled me to trace my Grandma Godfrey's ancestry back to the supposed immigrant, Francis Godfrey. However, I do not see any actual proof that Tully Godfrey and Mary Poynter were the parents of Benjamin Godfrey. It seems fairly certain since Benjamin gave the name Tully to his eldest son. However, I have not researched Perquimans County land and deed records in detail, and since the information recorded by the Abraham Godfrey family lists exact dates of birth and death for Benjamin, perhaps his father was recorded in a family Bible or other record. It seems most later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from Benjamin Godfrey, even though the Godfreys had been in Perquimans for five generations prior to Benjamin.

Abstract of estate settlements located by Harold Colson on Familysearch.org:

Heirs of Benjamin Godfrey, deceased, petition the court to sell a 100-acre parcel of his land and divide the cash proceeds among them. Petitioners: Tully Godfrey, John Stanton (and wife Mary Godfrey), Caleb Sawyer (and wife Sarah Godfrey), Joseph S. Godfrey, William Godfrey, William Gregory (and wife Margaret Godfrey), Martha Godfrey, Edmund Godfrey, Stephen Godfrey, Ann Godfrey, Wilson Godfrey, Rebecca Godfrey, Penny Godfrey (widow), and Benjamin, Seth, and Ephraim Godfrey (children of Gilbert Godfrey, recently deceased).

Spring term 1855 ?Perquimans County, North Carolina

Account of Benjamin Godfrey estate by the former guardian (William E. Godfrey) of his "infant" (under age 21) heirs: Martha, Ann, Rebecca, Edmond, Wilson, Stephen. The named heirs are Benjamin's children by late wife Rebecca Robbins, and they receive a 1/13 financial share from the estate.

August 1856 Perquimans County, North Carolina

More About Benjamin Godfrey:
Census 1: 28 Aug 1850, Listed in 1850 Census of Perquimans Co., NC as a farmer, age 63, value of real estate $855. Three households down the page, a Thomas Robins, age 50, with wife Julia, age 47, are listed--probably close relative (brother?) of his last wife Rebecca.
Census 2: 1850, Joseph Godfrey, age 34, and his household were listed next to him in the 1850 census, indicating they were probably neighbors. The value of Joseph's real estate was $3300. Joseph was Benjamin's first cousin once removed.
Residence: 1850, Little River of Durants Neck District, Perquimans Co., NC

Notes for Rebecca Melissa Robins:
Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey, great-great-great-great-grandson (July 2009):

It is not known by me who the parents and ancestors of Rebecca Robins Godfrey were, nor is it known when she died. The most likely couple to have been her parents, based on Robins marriages in the records of Perquimans County, North Carolina, were John Robins and Anna B. Sutton who were married 15 April 1807. Perhaps he is the same John Robins who married Margaret Godfrey 15 August 1814, sister of Rebecca's husband Benjamin Godfrey.

It is not known when Rebecca died, but the fact that she is not listed in censuses after 1850, and that her minor children were listed in a different household in the 1860 census, might indicate she died before the 1860 census and left her younger children as orphans, as shown by the following ancestry.com census record:

Little River, Perquimans, North Carolina
Post Office: Durants Neck
Household Members: Name Age
Sybraneous Humphris 30
Mary Humphris 40
Eliz Ann Godfrey 18
Stephen Godfrey 14
Mellicia B Godfrey 11
Margaret A Stanton 7
Jos Haskitt 21

Ann later married Alfred Humphries. Her name here is listed as Eliza Ann, but a death certificate of one of her children lists her name as Margaret Ann.

Her son Wilson Godfrey was listed in the household of his half-sister Margaret L. Gregory, age 23, in the 1860 census.

The following information on the John Robbins who married Margaret Godfrey is copied and pasted from the Robbins Family Genealogy Forum:

Date: April 27, 1999
My gggrandfather John Robbins, born in NC, married Margaret Godfrey, August 15,1814 in
Perquimans County NC.
The only child, known to me, from this union was my ggrandfather Asa, born January 2, 1831,
in Durants Neck, Perquimans County NC.
I believe they were the last of a long line of coasters.
I would appreciate any information on their ancestry and anything on the history of the coasters. ...All the information I have, puts all of my people in Perquimans County,they were ship owners and were known as coasters.
James Robbins
[emailprotected]

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Martha Colson are:
4 i. Gilbert Godfrey, born Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah ? Abt. 1845; married (2) Penelope Sawyer 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Sarah Godfrey, born Abt. 1824 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Caleb Sawyer, Jr. 26 Jun 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1830 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1869; married (2) James Morse Aft. 1859.

More About Caleb Sawyer, Jr.:
Comment: His daughter, Eliza Sawyer, married Foster Raper, parents of Sarah Ann Raper (1879-1955) who married William Carson Hurdle (1875-1940), son of Henrietta White Hurdle who was aunt of Mattie Elizabeth White who married Gilbert Godfrey, Caleb's great-nephew.

iii. Joseph S. Godfrey, born Abt. 1828 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1857 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Susan Sawyer 21 May 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iv. William E. Godfrey, born Abt. 1831 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About William E. Godfrey:
Comment: Unsure whether he is the same William E. Godfrey, son of Benjamin Godfrey & Martha Colson of Perquimans, who married Susan Morgan on 23 Apr 1855 in Pasquotank Co., NC

v. Margaret L. Godfrey, born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; married William Gregory.

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Rebecca Robins are:
7 i. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1838 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; married Alfred Turner 22 Jul 1858 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Edmond Godfrey, born Abt. 1840 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Margaret "Ann" Godfrey, born Nov 1841 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1909 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Alfred William Humphries 20 Dec 1865 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1877 - 1885 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Margaret "Ann" Godfrey:
Name 2: Elizabeth Ann Godfrey
Comment: Her daughter Margaret Ann's death certificate lists mother's name as Margaret Ann Humphries, but all other sources only give her name as Ann. If her name were Margaret Ann, it gives credence to her maternal grandmother being Margaret Godfrey Robins.

iv. Wilson C. Godfrey, born 18 Dec 1844 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 22 Apr 1918 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Julia A. Robins 21 May 1874 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 15 Aug 1855 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 10 Apr 1927 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Wilson C. Godfrey:
Wilson Godfrey and Julia Robbins were somehow related, possibly first cousins. They had several children. One son, William Lumsden Godfrey (1886-1964), known as Will, became a sailmaker and was one of the last of a dying breed in that craft as sailing ships met their heyday after the 1950's. In the book "This Was Chesapeake Bay" (1963) by Robert H. Burgess, who at that time was Curator of Exhibits at The Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia, is a chapter on Will Godfrey, entitled "Godfrey the Sailmaker," pages 132-33.

One of Wilson and Julia Godfrey's daughters, Viola Godfrey (1875-1935), married Captain Thomas Beauregard Hayman (1870-1932), whose family established the Hayman boatyard in the harbor at Elizabeth City and became prominent civic leaders in the town, including its fire department. The Haymans were an old family of shipbuilders and watermen. Viola and Capt. Tom had a son, Roger Beauregard Hayman (1897-1977), who married Clemma White Hurdle (1892-1985), daughter of Quinton Riddick Hurdle and Henrietta Martin White of Perquimans County, North Carolina. Roger Hayman was a second cousin of my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, while Clemma was a first cousin of my great-grandmother, Mattie White Godfrey. Mr. and Mrs. Hayman lived at Newport News, Virginia, where they built the two-story brick home at the corner of Warwick Boulevard and Gatewood Drive, in front of the Jewish synagogue and across the highway from The Mariners Museum Park and Lake Maury. For many years Cousin Clemma ran a bed and breakfast here, known as The Travelers Inn. Their son, Roger Beauregard Hayman, Jr. (1921-1996), inherited this home. Although I grew up in Newport News, I never knew this home had been in my family until August, 1996, while I was tracking down some of my cousins on the White side of my family when I learned my Aunt Ret Hurdle had a daughter who lived in Newport News. After looking up Roger Hayman's name in the phone directory, I called his house, and his sister, Miss Dorothy Adair Hayman (1923-2011) of Sun City, Arizona, answered and said she was in the process of selling the house because her brother had died there a month earlier. Miss Hayman welcomed me to come by for a visit and told me what she knew about the White family. It was coincidental when I arrived and soon found out she was also related to my great-grandfather. Although the families had lost contact and my grandmother never heard of Cousin Clemma or anyone in her mother's family who lived in Newport News, Miss Hayman remembered her mother speaking of my great-grandmother as Cousin Mattie White. Shortly after this first visit, I brought my Grandmother Godfrey with me to visit Miss Hayman, who before then did not know one another even though they were only second cousins through the White family and third cousins through the Godfreys. But they both recalled their memories of their mutual Great-aunt Kate (Catherine White Sawyer Walston 1863-1954), for whom my grandmother was named. Miss Hayman was most gracious in allowing me to borrow and copy a portrait of her Great-Uncle Will L. Godfrey which at the time was hanging in her brother's house, ironically across the street from the museum whose curator included the same picture in his 1963 Chesapeake Bay book. Learning about Miss Hayman and her family in Newport News was one of the many small-world coincidences I have encountered in genealogy. As of 2007, the Hayman home is a fraternity house for Christopher Newport University.

More About Wilson C. Godfrey:
Burial: Section 1 North, Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Chronic interstitial nephritis
Census: 16 Jun 1880, Living in Elizabeth City, NC, occupation miller. Unable to read or write. "Brother" Gilbert Robins, age 11, listed in household. Listed next to Frederick and Lydia Brothers Cohoon.
Occupation: Sawmill operator
Residence: 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

More About Julia A. Robins:
Cause of Death: Found dead in room--probably endocarditis
Residence: 1927, 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

v. Stephen Miles Godfrey, born 20 Sep 1846 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 27 Dec 1900 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sophie Jackson 07 Feb 1873 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 29 Apr 1851 in Manteo, Dare Co., NC?; died 06 Feb 1913 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Stephen Miles Godfrey:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

More About Sophie Jackson:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

vi. Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey, born 15 Aug 1850 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 17 Jun 1924 in Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC; married (1) ?; married (2) John B. Ellis 29 Jan 1879 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1844; married (3) William Long 1881 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (4) William Hartin/Horten Aft. 1881; born May 1845.

Notes for Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Comments by Bryan Godfrey:

Upon noticing that Rev. Wiley Dennis Godfrey, pastor at that time of Belhaven, NC Church of Christ, delivered the blessing at the 1988 Abraham L. Godfrey family reunion in Perquimans Co., NC, I tried to determine his connection to the family. In October, 2008, I called Rev. Godfrey, who now lives in Ollin, IL, and his brother, Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX, and the latter does not know his ancestry beyond his grandfather, Charles Godfrey, who died about 1926 in Pamlico Co., NC. All I can determine from ancestry.com is that their father was Stephen Charles Godfrey (1911-1960) of Belhaven, whose father Charles Godfrey, born about 1871, was listed in the 1920 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, with daughters Margaret and Alice, son Stephen, and mother, Melissa Harton, age 76. Could this be Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin? Could she have been known by her middle name and have been listed under her first name on her death certificate? Could Charles Godfrey have been an illegitimate son of hers prior to her marriage to William Hartin/Horton? Indeed, the fact that Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton died in Belhaven, perhaps while residing with her great-niece Sallie Godfrey Harris (my great-great-aunt) since she was the informant on her death certificate, and the fact that Stephen Charles Godfrey and children apparently lived in Belhaven, give a strong likelihood that Rebecca's name was Rebecca Melissa Godfrey (named for her mother, Rebecca Melissa Robins), that she had an illegitimate son named Charles Godfrey around 1871, and that she then married William Hartin/Horton/Horten about 1880, by whom she had a son William Hartin or Horton in December, 1882, according to census records. The 1900 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, lists Rebecca Hartin as having had one child, however, whereas if both Charles Godfrey and William Horten were her sons, she should have had two. But Charles could have been omitted since he was not by her husband listed above her in the household. I have not been able to locate a death certificate for Charles Godfrey, only a record of the date of his death. He apparently died in Pamlico County, near Belhaven in Beaufort County, and is buried in an unmarked grave there, but his wife predeceased him and is buried in Elizabeth City, NC.

I called the wife of Abraham Godfrey, Jr., who hosted the 1988 Godfrey Reunion and has collected family information over the years, but all she recalls is hearing her inlaws speak of "Cousin Stephen Godfrey" and "Cousin Charles Godfrey" in Belhaven without knowing exactly how they are related. She was under the impression that they are closely related to my branch, the Gilbert Godfrey family, but they are not since my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, did not have brothers named Charles or Stephen and Gilbert's father, Ephraim Godfrey, apparently had no full siblings and only one paternal half-brother named Benjamin Godfrey. Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX knew the Abraham and John Thomas Godfrey families well, but does not know the exact relationship either. However, since they all lived in Belhaven at one time, Mr. Charles Godfrey said he knew the Cleary family well, the descendants of Ada Turner Cleary, who was a daughter of Martha Jane Godfrey Turner and a sister of my great-great-grandmother, Rebecca Turner Godfrey, wife of Ephraim Godfrey. If my theory is correct that Rebecca Melissa Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton of New Hope and later Belhaven was the mother of Charles Godfrey of Elizabeth City and Belhaven, then she would have been an aunt of Ada Turner Cleary who settled in Belhaven with her husband; therefore, Ada would have been first cousin to Charles Godfrey. The fact that neither Charles' grandson nor Abe Godfrey, Jr.'s wife know the exact connection gives greater credence to the possibility that Charles was illegitimate and took the Godfrey surname from his mother. In other words, his family knew they were close cousins of the Abraham Godfrey and the Ada Turner Cleary families, but more than likely the exact connection was forgotten early on due to the possibility of an illegitimacy and no one wanted to divulge that he took the Godfrey surname from his mother.

But to come to any conclusions regarding this, I need to contact more descendants of Charles Godfrey and investigate more records of Perquimans or Beaufort Counties, as well as obituaries or Bible records, that are not available on ancestry.com. I need to verify that Rebecca M. Horten who died 17 June 1924 in Belhaven is the same person as Melissa Horten who is listed as the mother of Charles Godfrey in his household in the 1920 Perquimans census, although her age in the latter was 76, indicating an estimated birth year of 1844 instead of the 1850 date shown on Rebecca's death certificate, but it is not unusual to have such inconsistencies in ages shown on census records for different decades or even on death certificates and grave markers.

If I am unable to use existing records or the knowledge of living relatives to come to any conclusions, I suppose I could ask one of Charles Godfrey's male-line grandsons or great-grandsons to submit a YDNA sample for me to see if it matches my YDNA. If my theory is correct, then their YDNA would not match mine since there would be a break in their Godfrey male lineage. Hopefully I can find records that will render such a test unnecessary. The first item I should search for is Rebecca Hartin's obituary which would hopefully list a son Charles Godfrey as a survivor. Even if I can never prove my exact connection to the Charles W. Godfrey family on the Godfrey sides, the fact that his wife was a Bundy, that one of my Great-Grandmother Godfreys was a Bundy descendant, and that both lineages can be proven back to the Rhode Island and North Carolina Quaker settlers William and Elizabeth Bundy, gives me at least one definite connection to this family.

February, 2009 update: When I visited Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln Godfrey, Jr. at their farm in Perquimans County, North Carolina, I saw among their family papers several sheets of photocopied pictures labeled by Shelton Godfrey (1913-1968), who had performed lots of Godfrey genealogy research. One of them was labeled "Charles Godfrey, son of Melissa Godfrey." This seems to settle the question of his connection.

More About Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Burial: Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Cause of Death: Acute dysentery
Comment: Om her marriage record to John B. Ellis, she is listed as Melissa Godfrey, father Benjamin Godfrey but mother is listed as Patsy Godfrey. This does not match her mother being Rebecca, but she had a sister Patsy. Ages matches Benjamin and Rebecca's daughter
Residence: New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC in 1900. Living at Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC at time of death. Since her great-niece, Sallie Godfrey (Harris) then of Belhaven, was the informant on her death certificate, she may have been living with her.

Generation No. 5

16. Tully/Tulle Godfrey, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1845 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 32. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. and 33. Mary Turner?. He married 17. Mary McClanahan 16 Oct 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC.
17. Mary McClanahan, died Bef. 10 Dec 1811 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 34. Samuel McClanahan.

More About Tully/Tulle Godfrey:
Census 1: 1830, Probably the 1 white male age 60-69 in household of Tulley Godfrey, Perquimans Co., NC. 1 free white female 10-14, 1 free white female 15-19, 1 male slave 10-23 also in household.
Census 2: 1790, Listed as Tulle Godfrey in Perquimans Co., NC, 1 male under 16, 1 male 16+, 4 free white females, 5 slaves in household. Son Benjamin is probably the 1 white male under 16.
Census 3: 1810, Listed in Perquimans Co., NC, probably the 1 white male age 45+, with 1 free white male 16-25 (Benjamin), 2 free white females 16-25, and 5 slaves.
Event: Abt. 1800, Perquimans Co., NC Bastardy Bonds indicate that he apparently fathered a child by Margaret White.
Probate: Nov 1845, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 22 Sep 1845, Listed as Tulley Godfrey, Sr. (probably because his son Benjamin had a son Tully). Perquimans Co., NC Book F, page 326. Mentioned daughter Elizabeth Haskett, rest of his children (unnamed).

Notes for Mary McClanahan:
Account by Tully Godfrey, guardian, for care of Elizabeth Pointer, orphan of John Pointer. Tully was married to Elizabeth's mother, Mary McClanahan, widow of John Pointer.

?proved February term 1799

Children of Tully/Tulle Godfrey and Mary McClanahan are:
8 i. Benjamin Godfrey, born 25 Jul 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Dec 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah Barclift 14 May 1814 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Jane Albertson 20 Dec 1815 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (3) Martha Colson 07 Dec 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (4) Rebecca Melissa Robins 02 Sep 1837 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Martha Godfrey, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; married ? Layden.
iii. Nancy Godfrey, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Isaac Layden 06 Sep 1810 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) William Roberson? Aft. 1810.
iv. Rebecca Godfrey?, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Sarah Godfrey?, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Mary Godfrey, born 20 Oct 1790 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John M. White; married (2) Jesse Hollowell 13 Feb 1812 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1782 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1837 in Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Jesse Hollowell:
The following is quoted from Vikki Hollowell Highfield's "Hollowell Home Page":

CENSUS: Burtcher-Hollowell Bible owned by Irene Burtcher Cartwright. 1800 Perquimans Co., NC, age between 1775-1794.
26 Dec. 1814, Christopher Wilson of Perquimans Co., NC, sold Jesse Hollowell of Perquimans Co., a piece of ground in Pasquotank Co., NC, lying ont he Northwest side of Little River. Beginning at main road running down Hardy Perrys line to river and then up said run to said Wilson line then up said Wilson line to main road then down said road to first station containing by estimation 50 acres. Witness: Nathan Hollowell, Henry Hollowell. Recorded March 30, 1816, Pasquotank Co., NC. (Book V, 1815-1817, p. 170).
3 March 1837, John White appointed guardian for Edmund, Zachariah, Margaret and Mary Hollowell, orphans of Jesse Hollowell, deceased. Signed John M. White, __ Perry, Jacob N. Perry in presence of Edmond Blount, James S. Rulfe, N. Small. Rec'd. March 1837. (Pasquotank Co., NC Guardian Bonds, 1832-1849, p. 8).

vii. Margaret Godfrey, born Abt. 1793 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John Robins 15 Aug 1814 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Thomas Davis 11 Jul 1833 in Perquimans Co., NC.
viii. Ann Godfrey, born Abt. 1810 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1841 in Perquimans Co., NC; married John Haskett 20 Feb 1834 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1813; died Abt. 1863 in Virginia?.

18. Gilbert Colson, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 36. William Colson III and 37. Miriam Mullen. He married 19. Sarah Turner 13 Aug 1792 in Perquimans Co., NC.
19. Sarah Turner, born Abt. 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 38. John Turner and 39. Sarah ?.

Children of Gilbert Colson and Sarah Turner are:
i. Gilbert Colson, Jr.
9 ii. Martha Colson, born Abt. 1793 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1836 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Benjamin Godfrey 07 Dec 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Eleanor Colson

20. Sylvanus Sawyer, born Abt. 1774 in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1825 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 40. Caleb Sawyer and 41. ? Litton. He married 21. Elisha/Clisha Gregory? Bef. 1799.
21. Elisha/Clisha Gregory?, born Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 42. Isaac Gregory, Jr. and 43. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?.

Notes for Elisha/Clisha Gregory?:
Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr
Clay Peterson
21 May 2018, 11:11 PMYou;Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])
So I've created a list of evidence to support my theory that Sylvanus Sawyer married a daughter of Isaac Gregory, Jr.:

1. Sylvanus Sawyer and Isaac Gregory Jr are next door neighbors in the 1800 census for Camden County. The only household shown as being between them is John Dozier. Elisha Sawyer (whom I think Isaac Gregory Jr's daughter Elisha is named for) is in turn a next door neighbor living above Sylvanus Sawyer.

2. The aforementioned 1818 deed H474 from Perquimans between the Robins family and Isaac Gregory Jr in which Sylvanus Sawyer was a witness.This is the first known deed that was proved for Isaac Gregory in Perquimans although he had made plans to buy land from Hosea Gregory at about the same time, it wasn't proved until six months later in Feb 1819.

3. The problem with the 1820 Census for Perquimans is that the enumerators seemed to have tried to list the names somewhat alphabetically which makes it impossible to determine where households lived in relation to each other. If you take all the Perquimans deeds together, however, it becomes apparent that Truman Sawyer, Sylvanus Sawyer, and Isaac Gregory shared a lot of the same neighbors with each other and that they must have lived fairly close to each other.

4. In an estate sale on 28 Feb 1828 for Alif Gregory, Elkeni Sawyer (son of Sylvanus Sawyer) purchased items at the estate sale. There were only four other purchasers at this estate sale: Joseph Gregory (younger son of Isaac Gregory Jr), James Rapier (admin of estate), Benjamin Knowles (admin of estate), and William Burnham (lead admin of estate).

5. In the case of Caleb Sawyer, since he was the oldest son of Sylvanus Sawyer, I'm inclined to agree with the birth year given by his 1850 census record in Perquimans as being born in 1799, not 1794. Someone at some point must have mixed the 9 up with a 4. Most of the other census records for Sylvanus Sawyer and Caleb Sawyer also seem to agree more with the 1799 date than the 1794 date. Although it would certainly still be possible for Sylvanus Sawyer to have married Elisha Gregory in 1794-1795, it would make more sense age-wise if the marriage took place in 1798.

6. The will of Isaac Gregory Jr from 12 Mar 1822 gives Merium Sawyer and Elisha Sawyer a specific monetary amount (I think it was five or six pounds each) and not any inherited land or rights to further property. His property was exclusively given to his two sons, Jesse Gregory of Camden County, and Joseph Gregory of Perquimans County. This is why there are no deed exchanges in Perquimans County between the estate of Isaac Gregory to Truman Sawyer or Sylvanus Sawyer.

7. As a point of interest, General Isaac Gregory bought 50 acres from the elder Sylvanus Sawyer in 1769, and the two were neighbors until the elder Sylvanus Sawyer's death.

8. I remember reading from some of the Dempsey Sawyer deeds in Camden and Pasquotank that the Dempsey Sawyer who married Lovey Gregory had purchased land adjacent that of Richard Sawyer and Zail Sawyer and that Isaac Gregory was an adjacent neighbor of all three Sawyers in Camden. Isaac Gregory Jr and Dempsey Sawyer (grandfather of Truman Sawyer) were next door neighbors in the 1790 Census for Camden.

9. Truman Sawyer and Sylvanus Sawyer are the only two male Sawyers in Perquimans in that time period whose wives are currently unknown, and Isaac Gregory Jr has two daughters who married Sawyers named in his will whose husbands' names are unknown. The fact that a large group of people all moved to Perquimans from Camden at about the same time and included the three of these men would normally indicate marriage ties of some sort. If I remember correctly, I think Mark S Sawyer (eldest son of Truman Sawyer) was later involved in some of the estate transactions of Sylvanus Sawyer's sons, James Sawyer and Elkenny Sawyer.

I will send you anything else that I find regarding these lines. I will also look into the relationship deed from 1771 in Pasquotank that mentions "Alef, wife of Auguston Harrison" to see if she could be related to Alif Gregory.

Children of Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha/Clisha Gregory? are:
10 i. Caleb Sawyer, born 01 Nov 1799 in Camden Co., NC; died 19 Aug 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Susannah Jackson 24 Dec 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Nancy ? Aft. 1844.
ii. Elkenny/Elkannah Sawyer
iii. James Sawyer
iv. Isaac Sawyer
v. Mary Sawyer, married Caleb Gray.

Generation No. 6

32. Thomas Godfrey, Jr., born 11 Mar 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1774 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 64. Thomas Godfrey and 65. Ellinor Turner?. He married 33. Mary Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC.
33. Mary Turner?, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1806 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Thomas Godfrey, Jr.:
The following is the will of Thomas Godfrey, Jr.:

North Carolina
Perquimans County

In the name of God amen this 18th day of January 1773 I, Thomas Godfrey of the County aforesaid farmer being in reasonable good health of body and of perfect mind and memory-thanks be to God for the same calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I recommend my soul to God that gave it nothing doubting but I shall receive the same again at the last day by the mighty power of God and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Excrs [executors] hereafter named and as for temporal Estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
In Primus-I give to my son Joseph Godfrey one plantation containing one hundred and twenty one acres of land being the land that I bought of Joseph Snoden to him his heirs and assigns forever But in case he should die without heir of his body lawfully begotten I give the said land to be equally divided between my two younger sons Thomas and Tully Godfrey.
Item I give to son Thomas Godfrey the plantation whereon I now live containing seventy acres be it more or less-beginning at the Creek side taking from the Gut side across to my brother William Godfrey's line and reaching up the said land to a branch a little above the old spring when a west course across the said land to Wm. Godfrey's line of marked trees will make appear to him and his heirs forever.
But in case he should die without heirs of his body lawfully begotten I give the said land to be divided between my other two sons Joseph and Tully Godfrey.
Item I give the remainder part of my land to my son Tully Godfrey beginning at the aforesaid branch above the old spring and all the upper part of my land not before mentioned Known by the name of Beachy Hill to him and his heirs forever. But if in case he should die without heir of his body lawfully begotten I give the land equally to be divided between my other two sons Joseph & Thomas Godfrey.
Item I give to my daughter Winnia Godfrey one Negro girl called Nancy with her increase to her and her heirs forever-But if in case she should die without heir of her body lawfully begotten I give the said Negro girl to my daughter Elizabeth Godfrey.
Item I give to daughter Elizth. Godfrey one Negro girl named Rose with her increase to her and her heirs forever but in case she should die without heir of her body lawfully begotten I give the said negro girl to my daughter Winnia Godfrey.
Item I give to my son Joseph Godfrey one Negro boy called Dick to him and his heirs forever but in case he should die without heir of his body lawfully begotten I give the said Negro boy to my two sons Thomas and Tully Godfrey.
Item I give to wife Mary Godfrey the use and labor of one Negro woman called Lavinia during her natural life.
Item I give to my daughters Winnia and Elizth. Godfrey my Negro woman called Lavinia with her increase hereafter after my wife's decease to them and their heirs forever to be equally divided.
Item I give to my son Joseph Godfrey one feather bed and what furniture belongs to it.
Item I give to my daughter Winnia Godfrey one feather bed and what furniture belongs to it also one cow and calf also one heifer three year old also one breeding mare also one sizable iron pot-Also one pewter dish to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give to my daughter Elizth Godfrey one feather bed and what furniture belongs to it also my riding horse called Snip Also one cow and yearling and three year old heifer also one Iron Pot, one pewter dish to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give to my two daughters Winnia and Elizabeth Godfrey two breeding Ewes apiece also 6 pewter plates apiece.
Item I give to my wife Mary Godfrey all the use of my dwelling house during her widowhood also one Bay Horse called Snip also one yoke of oxen and oxcart also one bed and furniture also twenty nine head of year old Hogs at Piney Ridge also five sows and pigs at the same place.
Item I give to my son Joseph Godfrey fifteen head of hogs and eight pigs at the folly also one young bay mare also my riding saddle also one new gun also two cows and calves and two youngsters also one heifer also one bar plow also one pewter dish and two small Iron Pots also one handsaw also one half a whipsaw.
Item I give to my son Thomas one cow and calf also one three year old heifer also two breeding ewes also one old gun also my silver shoe Buckles also one handmill.
Item I give to my son Tully one large Iron Pot also two breeding ewes also one cow and calf and three year old heifer Also one large Stone Jug and two stone Pots also one fifteen bottle case.
Item I give to my two sons Thomas and Tully seventeen head of hogs to be sold the next ensuing year and the money to be put to schooling the said boys.
Item I give to my wife two thirds of my wheat that is now growing and I give to my son Joseph one third of the said wheat.
Item I give to my wife all the residue of my cattle not mentioned also all the residue of my household goods and sheep not mentioned.
Item What money I have by me I leave to my Exors. Towards paying my Just debts. And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Joseph Godfrey and my wife Mary Godfrey to be my whole and sole Exor [executor] and Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all, every other former Testaments, wills, legacies and bequests and Exors by me in any ways before hand willed and bequeathed Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written----

His
Thomas Godfrey (SEAL)
Mark
Signed, sealed, pronounced and declared by the said Thomas Godfrey as his last Will and Testament in presence of-
John Gibson
William Knowles

More About Thomas Godfrey, Jr.:
Probate: Apr 1774, Perquimans Co., NC
Residence: Apparently lived on Deep Creek which flows into the Little River in Perquimans Co., NC, probably the same land his great-grandfather Francis Godfrey settled on before 1668.
Will: 18 Jan 1773, Will Book C, page 139, Perquimans Co., NC. Will mentions wife Mary, sons Joseph, Thomas, and Tully, daughters Winnia and Elizabeth; refers to land of his brother William, indicating William remained in Perquimans. Also mentioned four Negroes (slaves).

More About Mary Turner?:
Comment: Proof is desired that she was a Turner. One secondary source says she was a daughter of Thomas Turner, and other sources list her parents as John Turner and Esther Belman.
Probate: Nov 1806, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 26 Jul 1806, Will of Mary Foster, Perquimans Co., NC Will Book E, page 249. Mentions son Joseph Godfree, daughter Elizabeth Layden and her son John, granddaughters Mary Godfree and Mary Foster, son Tully Godfrey, daughter Winiford Humphrys.

Children of Thomas Godfrey and Mary Turner? are:
i. Elizabeth Godfrey, married Francis Layden 19 May 1780 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Joseph Godfrey, born 22 Nov 1754 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1831 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Mary Hosea 14 Aug 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Deborah Sutton 14 Aug 1799 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Joseph Godfrey:
Probate: Nov 1831, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 26 Sep 1831, Book F, p. 189, Perquimans Co., NC. Mentions son Hugh; grandchildren Zadock, Elizabeth, Joseph, Martha Perry, Penelope Stokes, Sarah Douglas, Hetty Roberts, Levinia Roberts, Robert Stacy, Eliza Stacy, Joseph G. & Martha Barclift; daughter Penelope Layden.

iii. Thomas Godfrey III, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Mary Mullen 12 Nov 1805 in Perquimans Co., NC.
16 iv. Tully/Tulle Godfrey, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1845 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Mary McClanahan 16 Oct 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Elizabeth Bateman 10 Dec 1811 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (3) Mary Halsey 08 Aug 1836 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Winnie Godfrey, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC.

34. Samuel McClanahan, died Bef. Jul 1785 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Samuel McClanahan:
History of Perquimans county as compiled from records found there and elsewhere

No. 223. Sept 13, 1782. Jacob Morgan of Perq, for £50 pd by Samuel Maclanahan, of afsd—sold 50a, adj Nathaniel Martin, Joseph Wood, John Modlin, & Ralph Fletcher. Test' Duke Bogue, Joseph Perrishoe.

No. 224. Zebulon Snoden, for £300 pd by Samuel McClanahan, both of Perq, sold parcel of land, adj Benjamin Sutton, Joseph Perrishoe, & Elihu Albertson. Sept 27, 1782. Test' Caleb Toms, Gosby Toms.

No. 239. Oct 1, 1778. Samuel McClanahan, of Perq, & Mary his wife, for £1500 pd by John Fanning, of afsd—sold "Lots in the Town of Hertford, No 133-34-35, the land & Ferry House, formerly belonging to Benj'n Phelps, with Ferry, & Boats, & all privileges appertaining." Test' Nathan Mastyn, Cornelius Ratliff.

No. 511. John Pointer, & Mary his wife, (heir of Samuel McClanahan dec'd) for three tracts, to us secured, & £5 pd by Elizabeth Nixon, (the other co-heir) do assign to her 299a, which sd Samuel bought of Caleb Twine, & another tract, purchased by same, of Jacob Morgan 50a, also 120a, contiguous, bought of Charles Moore, Sheriff of Perq; the whole 473a. Oct 1, 1785. Test' Thomas Hosea, Geo Suttom.

No. 515. Mary McClannahan, widow of Samuel dec'd, & Elizabeth Nixon, one of the co-heirs of sd Samuel, for "three tracts secured to us," by John Pointer, & Mary his wife (the other heir) transferred to them 100a, near the head of Deep Creek, which sd Samuel bought of Zebulon Snoden, also 95a contiguous to it, sd Samuel bought of William Robins, & 149a, near Nags head Chappel," which sd Samuel bought of Spencer Williams, the whole 344a. Oct 1, 1785. Test' Thomas Hosea, Geo. Sutton.

No. 250. Dec 21, 1782. Spencer Williams, of Pasq Co, for £150 pd by Samuel McClanahan, of Perq, sold 159a on No East Side of Perq River, "near Nags head Chapple." Test' John Earl, Caleb Toms.

No. 407. William Robins, & John Bateman, Exors of Joseph Perrishoe, late of Perq, have sold (pursuant to his will) 95a, adj George Whedbee, (unto Samuel McClanahan, £166, now dec'd), & Elisha Albertson, to the Road. — 1784. Test' John Clayton, William Whedbee, Thomas Sutton.

More About Samuel McClanahan:
Probate: Jul 1785, Proved in Perquimans Co., NC; Mary McClanahan and John Poynter are named as the administrators. It appears Mary was first married to a Pointer and then she married Tully Godfrey.

Children of Samuel McClanahan are:
17 i. Mary McClanahan, died Bef. 10 Dec 1811 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John Pointer; married (2) Tully/Tulle Godfrey 16 Oct 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Elizabeth McClanahan, married ? Nixon.

36. William Colson III, born Abt. 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 72. William Colson, Jr. and 73. Ann Parish?. He married 37. Miriam Mullen.
37. Miriam Mullen, born in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 74. Abraham Mullen, Jr. and 75. Ellinor Ming.

More About William Colson III:
Event: 1750, He and father William were both taxed
Military: 1754, "Wm. Coleston" and this "Wm. Coleston Junr." appear on county militia roll, in Capt. John Stevenson's company, in Perquimans Co., NC, according to original research by Harold Gordon Colson, Jr. posted to ancestry.com

More About Miriam Mullen:
Comment: The 1799 will of her (fourth?) husband, John Stanton, refers to wife Meriam and her granddaughter Martha Colson, youngest child of her son Gilbert Colson, and sons John and Thomas (who must have been sons of John Stanton by a former marriage).

Children of William Colson and Miriam Mullen are:
18 i. Gilbert Colson, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah Turner 13 Aug 1792 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Eleanor Colson, born Abt. 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1829 in Perquimans Co., NC; met (1) William Knowles Abt. 1789; married (2) John Roberts Aft. 1789; died Abt. 1803 in Perquimans Co., NC.

38. John Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 76. Edward Turner and 77. Ann ?. He married 39. Sarah ?.
39. Sarah ?

More About John Turner:
Probate: Oct 1770, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 27 Aug 1770, Perquimans Co., NC Will Book C, p. 91

Children of John Turner and Sarah ? are:
i. Dorcas Turner
ii. Joshua Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; married Polly Colson 25 Sep 1794 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Timothy Turner
iv. John Turner, Jr., born Abt. 1765 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1791 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah Roberts?.
19 v. Sarah Turner, born Abt. 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Gilbert Colson 13 Aug 1792 in Perquimans Co., NC.

40. Caleb Sawyer, born in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1774 in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 80. Richard Sawyer and 81. Ann Spence?. He married 41. ? Litton.
41. ? Litton, born Abt. 1750. She was the daughter of 82. Isaac Litton and 83. Rebecca Ross.

Child of Caleb Sawyer and ? Litton is:
20 i. Sylvanus Sawyer, born Abt. 1774 in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1825 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Elisha/Clisha Gregory? Bef. 1799; married (2) Hannah Weeks 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC.

42. Isaac Gregory, Jr., born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 84. Gen. Isaac Gregory and 85. Elizabeth Whedbee. He married 43. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?.
43. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?, born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC. She was the daughter of 86. Lemuel Sawyer and 87. Mary Taylor.

Notes for Isaac Gregory, Jr.:
E-mail from Clay Peterson to Bryan Godfrey, 19 May 2018
Deed involving Sylvanus Sawyer and Isaac Gregory Jr

Clay Peterson

Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])

Here is an abstract of the very first deed involving Isaac Gregory Jr in Perquimans:

25 Mar 1818

John and Margaret Robins sold 85 acres of land to Isaac Gregory, neighboring W. John heirs, J. Foster, and J. Leigh. Witnessed by Noah Fiveash and Sylvanus Sawyer.

James Leigh/Ley was Isaac Gregory Jr.'s lawyer and basically his personal assistant, so many of his transactions were also witnessed or involved James Leigh in some way. Richard Leigh who was the executor of Isaac Gregory Jr.'s will and was probably James Leigh's son.

John Foster was a neighbor to both Isaac Gregory Jr and Truman Sawyer. Truman Sawyer and his children had numerous dealings with the Fosters, and I suspect Martha, Truman's 2nd wife, may have been a Foster.

Noah Fiveash is a mystery for now, but Sylvanus Sawyer witnessing this deed, especially since it is the first deed involving Isaac Gregory Jr in Perquimans, is certainly interesting, and helps to prove my theory. I guess he could have just been a neighbor witnessing a deed, but I have a gut feeling I've stumbled onto something important with this information, and when I have a feeling this strongly about something, it usually turns out to be true. I've always suspected there was more to the Truman Sawyer and Sylvanus Sawyer families and that they had to be connected in some other way to have moved to Perquimans at about the same time from Camden. If their wives were sisters, it would make perfect sense.

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

Re: Gen. Isaac Gregory's wives

Clay Peterson

Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])

DNA tests prove that I am descended from the Lamb family of Camden in some way and that I have a bigger chunk of Lamb DNA than would be feasible if I was only descended from them from one branch. I discovered that I descend from the Lambs from a branch of my mother's family going way back, but that wouldn't be strong enough to be as closely related to them as I am. DNA suggests that I descend from the Lambs in probably three different ways. One from my mother's side, and probably a double dose somewhere in my Sawyer lineage. If Sarah Lamb was the mother of Isaac Gregory, the pieces would fit with what I know about my DNA. Now, I would just have to find out where the third Lamb lineage comes into play.

On Sat, May 19, 2018 at 3:08 PM, Bryan Godfrey wrote:

Isaac's wife or wives have been variously listed. Do you know definitely who they were, and who the mother of Isaac Jr was?

------ Original message------

From: Clay Peterson

Date: Sat, May 19, 2018 2:56 PM

To: Bryan Godfrey;Harry Schoettle;

Subject:Sylvanus Sawyer's 1st wife

After I recently discovered Isaac Gregory Jr's will in Perquimans in 1822 that mentioned Truman Sawyer and two daughters that married Sawyers, I was able to find a few other deeds that strongly suggest that Truman Sawyer married Miriam Gregory, daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr. A Miriam Sawyer died in 1838 according to Sawyers Creek Baptist Church, and this fits ideally with the date that Truman Sawyer's 1st wife died as gleaned from the 1830 and 1840 census records. Isaac Gregory Jr was a son of General Isaac Gregory who Isaac, Jr.) moved to Perquimans from Camden in 1819. Most of his sons and daughters seemed to have moved with him to Perquimans by the 1820 Census.

Here is the interesting thing about Isaac Gregory Sr and Jr - they basically had dealings with three Sawyer families - Dempsey Sawyer who married Lovey Gregory (being the grandparents of Truman Sawyer), the three sons of Lemuel Sawyer (Enoch, Dempsey, Edmund), and Sylvanus Sawyer.

There are several deeds between the Gregorys and Sylvanus Sawyer. Isaac Gregory Jr and Sylvanus Sawyer were also close neighbors in both Camden and Perquimans County, as attested to in several deeds and census record listings.

I had thought at first that Isaac Gregory Jr's daughter Clisha/Elisha Gregory Sawyer had married Truman Sawyer's brother, Willis Sawyer, but after digging deeper into the records of Willis Sawyer, I had found some inconsistencies with this idea. His 1st wife was definitely not named Elisha/Clisah or anything similar to it. Also, there are no records, deeds or otherwise, that link Willis Sawyer to Isaac Gregory Jr, and Willis Sawyer did not move to Perquimans until much later than Truman Sawyer or the other children and in-laws of Isaac Gregory Jr.

The only other Sawyer that is seems likely that Elisha/Clisha could have married is Sylvanus Sawyer, and there are links between Truman Sawyer's family and the family of Sylvanus Sawyer that seem too close for them to have just been friends or cousins. More than likely their spouses were related as well as the two of them being distant cousins.

Isaac Gregory made his will 12 Mar 1822, and Sylvanus Sawyer remarried Hannah Weeks by 15 Oct 1822, so it is definitely feasible that Elisha/Clisha could have been Sylvanus Sawyer's first wife, even though Isaac Gregory didn't die until about Feb 1824 and no further changes were made to his will.

So it would seem that the lines of Sylvanus Sawyer and Truman Sawyer probably both descend from General Isaac Gregory and his son, Isaac Gregory Jr. Isaac Gregory Jr's wife was named Alif, but I have not been able to find her surname or parents. I suspect she was either a Grandy, maybe a daughter of Noah Grandy or his father Absalom Grandy, or that she may have been a daughter of Lemuel Sawyer. I'm not sure how the blood relations between Sawyers would be and whether Lemuel, Sylvanus, and Truman Sawyer would have been too closely related to have i intermarried. I will have to investigate this further. Yet, Lemuel Sawyer left no will or probate files (destroyed in the storage fire in Camden), and although his sons are known from deed records, most of his daughters are currently unknown. Truman Sawyer and Miriam Gregory were second cousins by blood, since Isaac Gregory Sr and Lovey Gregory were siblings.

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

From: Harry Schoettle
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 7:18 AM
To: Clay Peterson; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Re: Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr

I'm going to jump in on this conversation. Remember when we all were trying to figure out where Sylvanus came from. We found his heirs sold Land in Camden County along Arenuse Creek and at Pllummers point. Through my research I found the land to be Isaac Litten land. Then it was found in 1818 Thomas Ferrill sold 6 acres to Thamar Godfrey, 1813 Thomas Ferrill sold 6 acres to lurany Bass, Peggy Etheridge received some but don't know how (didn't find a deed), Sylvanus Sawyer heirs sold 6 acres (never found deed where he received the land). Know the deed M-464 and 465 the Litten heirs sold this land to Thomas Ferrell (Ferrill). Through the years many Sawyer's owned land around here including Truman Sawyer. My only question is how Sylvanus got this land, did Thomas Ferrill give his daughter a wedding plot or sell to Slyvanus?????
Clay I believe I sent you some rough plots of this area. If not I still have them.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 10:08 PM, Clay Peterson wrote:
Alright, I'm trying not to give you too much information at once like I usually do, but after examining all three available census records for Isaac Gregory Jr, something becomes immediately apparent - the fact that he had to have had one daughter that was much older than his other children and whom was probably from a different wife.

The 1790 Census for Isaac Gregory Jr shows him as one male 16+ and one female. This could be a wife, but it's more than likely a daughter, given what we already know about him.

The 1800 Census for Isaac Gregory: 1 male under 10 (Joseph), 1 male 10-15 (Jesse), 1 male 26-44 (Isaac), 2 females under 10 (Frankie Wells and Nancy), 2 females 10-15 (Miriam and Mary "Polly"), and 1 female 26-44 (Alif).

The 1820 Census for Isaac Gregory: 1 male 10-15 (Joseph - note age discrepancy from 1800 Census), 1 male 45+ (Isaac), 1 female 10-15 (Lovey), 2 females 16-25 (Nancy and Judith), 1 female 45+ (Alif).

Isaac Gregory Jr's daughter Nancy Gregory married in Perquimans 1 Apr 1828 Jesse Jackson. Jude/Judith Gregory married in Perquimans 24 Sep 1828 to Thomas Robinson. His (probably) youngest daughter, Lovey Gregory, is thus far untraced. Frances "Frankey" Gregory Wells might have married John Wells in Rowan County in 1815. Miriam Gregory of course married Truman Sawyer in 1814-1815. Finally, Mary "Polly" Gregory seems to have married Elias Williams, as previously mentioned.

Whatever way you look at it, there is a missing daughter in the 1800 and 1820 Censuses, and that daughter seems to be Elisha who married Sylvanus Sawyer.

Here is an abstract of Isaac Gregory's will for 12 Mar 1822: "wife Alif; daughters (Mary) Polly Williams, Elisha Sawyer, Franky Wells, Marium Sawyer; youngest daughters Jude, Lovey, and Nancy Gregory; sons Jesse and Joseph Gregory; executors wife & friend Richard Ley."

I will let you two digest all of this for a little while before I send anything else.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 6:37 PM, Clay Peterson wrote:
To further confuse matters, there was another Isaac Gregory and William Gregory who were sons of Jacob Gregory, although they had considerably less deeds pertaining to them. I would have to see the documentation that Matilda Gregory married John Ehringhaus. It could have been a daughter of this other Isaac Gregory that married him and not ours.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 5:48 PM, Clay Peterson wrote:
I am fairly certain that Isaac Gregory Jr and William Gregory were the sons of Sarah Lamb. I only have a few gaps in my family tree left to find on the Sawyer-White side, and I've ruled out Lambs as not being two of them already. The DNA just couldn't work out any other way. The problem with Sarah Lamb is that there are a multitude of different dates given for her birth, and I don't think most of them are anywhere near being accurate. Most of the websites dedicated to these families are patently false, others are somewhat correct but pursue wild theories that I can't support. The best I can tell from the records is that Sarah Lamb (not Mary as in some records) was one of Thomas Lamb's youngest daughters. I have estimated her birth date as being between 1738-1741. William S. Powell, who was probably North Carolina's greatest historian, said in his dictionary entry for "Gregory, Isaac" that the General may have 1st married a daughter of Caleb Sawyer (but which Caleb Sawyer?). He could not have married a daughter of Caleb, son of Thomas, because of all of Caleb Sawyer's children are accounted for in his estate records. I don't think Powell is correct though, as family information (see below) contradicts this. Still, William S. Powell agrees that Sarah Lamb was General Isaac Gregory's 2nd wife, and that General Isaac Gregory had the following six children: William, Isaac, Mary, Sarah, Penelope, and Harriet. Most records agree on the fact that he had these six children, but several disagree on whom their mother was. There is basically no evidence other than a Bible record that Elizabeth Whidbee was Isaac Gregory's 1st wife, but I've looked at all the available sources for these families, and it seems like it's true if for no other reason than why would someone pick that name randomly if there are no other records pertaining to her. It would just be unusual if it wasn't true. Also, from my own experience, being descended from some of South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia's most prominent families is that they tend to keep better records, so I tend to agree more with family tradition from their descendants than I would from less prominent families.

I will have to recheck the records from Pasquotank, as I have already searched through everything from Camden regarding these families, and Camden wouldn't have any records that far back anyway. There's still a lot I need to research regarding the Lambs to see what is verifiable and what isn't. The only proof I've found of relation between the two families in Camden is that Isaac Lamb sold land to Isaac Gregory Jr at an estate sale in 1806 (Camden deed K500-502). Gideon Lamb is also noted as being a neighbor of General Isaac Gregory in 1782 (Camden deed G-111).

Most of the information about Isaac Gregory's wives and family supposedly comes from an old Bible record, but no one seems to know its current location. The Bible apparently gave Elizabeth Whidbee as being his first wife, but she only lived for under year and probably didn't give him any children. The children were probably all from Sarah Lamb who was known to be younger than Isaac Gregory and not older. The birth date of 1737 and death date of 2 Apr 1800 for Isaac Gregory also comes from this Bible record, and I seriously doubt that he was born any earlier than that given his children's probable birth dates and his census records. I corresponded with a descendant of General Isaac Gregory's son, William Gregory, a few years back when I was researching Dempsey Sawyer and Lovey Gregory, and this person had actually seen the Bible once at a family reunion decades ago. It had belonged to an uncle of his, but he doesn't know what ever became of it. Another interesting thing I learned from my William Gregory contact is that the family had thought Isaac Gregory Jr had died in 1819 because he disappeared from the records of Camden County at about that time, but it turns out that he just moved to Perquimans, and the two brothers' families lost contact with each other after that.

On the other hand, Isaac Gregory Jr was probably married twice. Given the census records for Isaac Gregory Jr for 1790, as well as the timing of certain deeds, I am inclined to think his first wife (possibly a daughter of Lemuel Sawyer) died before 1790, probably in 1788, and that they had one daughter born 1779-1783 who married Sylvanus Sawyer. Isaac Gregory Jr probably remarried Alif about 1790-1791 and had his other children. His son, Jesse Gregory was born 1790-1795, most of his other daughters were born between 1791 and 1810, including Miriam Gregory who married Truman Sawyer, and his youngest son, Joseph Gregory, was born 1805-1810. The reason why I think Isaac Gregory Jr 1st married a daughter of Lemuel Sawyer is that all of Lemuel Sawyer's known heirs are neighbors of both General Isaac Gregory and Isaac Gregory Jr, and Lemuel's children had several land dealings together with Isaac Gregory Jr (but not Sr). I would also find it hard to believe that as prominent as General Isaac Gregory and Lemuel Sawyer were during the 1770s and 1780s that at least one marriage didn't occur between the two families. A daughter of Lemuel Sawyer marrying Isaac Gregory Jr and in turn Isaac's daughter Elisha Gregory marrying Sylvanus Sawyer would have made made them 1st cousins twice removed or third cousins via the Sawyer side.

Here is a deed of interest that shows Isaac Gregory Jr of Perquimans selling property to Truman Sawyer of Camden County:
Camden deed R151: Isaac Gregory of Perquimans sells 92 acres on the Lake to Truman Sawyer of Camden, bordering Elias Williams and two sides of Absalom Grandy's patent line. Wit: Elias Williams & Tatum Forbes. Proved: Feb 1823.
Elias Williams was Isaac Gregory Jr's son-in-law who married his daughter Mary "Polly" Williams (born early 1790s). Also, note that Isaac Gregory Jr's property borders Absalom Grandy's patent line on two sides. Absalom Grandy was the father of Noah Grandy. Absalom Grandy is also a possible father of Alif Gregory. If my Edmund Sawyer's paternal grandmother was Alif Grandy, sister of Noah Grandy, it would partly explain why he would name his oldest son, Noah Grandy Sawyer, the other being that Nelly Week's father was Noah Weeks.

Bryan has given me a lot to think about, and I'll be digging more into this over the summer to see what I can find. Because you couldn't witness a deed until you were typically 20-21, and Isaac Gregory Jr witnessed his father's deeds as early as 1782, he couldn't have been born any later than 1762. I have seen some records that give William Gregory's middle name as being W, which could stand for Whidbee, but since there were three different William Gregorys active at that time, and they were all related, it's not possible to tell whether it was referring to the son of Isaac Gregory or one of the other William Gregorys. It's possible that William Gregory may have been a son of Elizabeth Whidbee, while Isaac Gregory Jr may have been a son of Sarah Lamb, although my source was fairly certain that both sons were children of Sarah Lamb.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 2:17 PM, Bryan Godfrey wrote:
Maybe I "jumped the gun" by modifying my Barco chart to add my paternal grandmother's descent via Gen. Isaac Gregory, so I saved it with a different name from the one I already had. Clay, does this look like the lineages you have proposed for us?

The mystery now is the wives of Isaac and which was the mother of Isaac, Jr. Sure would be nice to claim the Lambs and all their New England ancestors! The Lamb genealogy says Thomas Lamb's daughter Mary born 1725 possibly married Isaac Gregory, whereas her sister Sarah married a Sexton.

________________________________________
From: Bryan Godfrey
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 9:11 AM

To: Clay Peterson; Harry Schoettle
Subject: Re: Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr

https://www.chromosomequest.com/morgan

This site suggests Isaac, Jr. was born in 1772 and was a son of Elizabeth, and it also questions the descent of Isaac from Thomas Gregory and Priscilla Bareco*ck. But it also seems out of line in assigning Morgan as a middle name for Isaac, which seems contrived.

________________________________________
From: Bryan Godfrey
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 8:10 AM
To: Clay Peterson; Harry Schoettle
Subject: Re: Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr

Some information suggesting Sarah Lamb may not have been the last wife of Isaac Gregory is the fact that their daughter Matilda married John Christopher Ehringhaus, who was born in 1783. It is unlikely that she would have been older, so this would mean Sarah would have had her in her 50s.

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

From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2018 1:11 PM
To: Bryan Godfrey; Harry Schoettle
Subject: Whedbee Connections to the Sawyers and Gregorys

Isaac Gregory Jr's estate file includes two different Whedbees appointed to divide the estate by the court, Joshua Whedbee and James P Whedbee. Both of these Whedbees are great grandsons of John Whedbee Sr (1715-1785) via two of his sons, Thomas Whedbee and George Whedbee.

I did find a will for John Whedbee from 1783 but it only mentions one daughter, a Sarah, who had a son named John. John Whedbee's estate files mention other daughters not named in the will, which leaves open the possibility for a daughter or grandchildren to not have received an official inheritance from the estate.There is a problem when researching Isaac Gregory Jr. He is described in his earliest deeds as having already been a resident of Perquimans. So where did he get his original plot of land? I think the answer was probably in the estate files that got burned in Camden. There probably was an estate file in Camden for the children of Elizabeth Whedbee giving them property in Perquimans, but it no longer exists.

John Whedbee first married Elizabeth Norcom (1713-1750) who would have also been the mother of the Elizabeth Whedbee who married General Isaac Gregory. John Whedbee 2nd married a Sarah who was the widow Benjamin Sutton. After John died in 1785, Sarah Sutton Whedbee 2nd married Thomas Sutton.

John Whedbee sold land in 1771 to Zebulon and Sarah Snowden. General Isaac Gregory's daughter Sarah married Nathan Snowden, son of Francis Snowden who moved to Currituck County in 1763. I'm not sure how these Snowdens are related yet, but it is an interesting connection.

The Whedbees exchanged deeds with and most likely married into the Turner family of Perquimans. The Turners are also closely involved in the deeds and marriages of the Sylvanus Sawyer and Truman Sawyer families. A few Turners also purchased items at Isaac Gregory Jr's estate sale.

The Suttons and Fosters are both closely associated with the family of John Whedbee, as his father had half-brothers who were Suttons and his neighbors were Fosters. John Whedbee's grandmother, Sarah Cooke, was originally married to a Sutton. The Suttons were mentioned in several land and probate records regarding the family of Truman Sawyer. Truman Sawyer's widow (2nd wife), Martha, was most likely a Foster.

All of this builds a stronger case for Isaac Gregory Jr being a grandson of John Whedbee, together with the fact that John Whedbee's family was the most prominent of the Whedbee families in the area at the time. His son, John Whedbee Jr, was a state senator, and both he and his son John Jr served different years as representatives from Perquimans during the Revolution. It would also appear that his son Richard Whedbee, rather than his brother Richard, served as Lieutenant in the 7th NC Continental Line.

I need to research Isaac Gregory Jr's brother William Gregory a lot more. He's the one blind spot in my research, but unfortunately, it will take me quite a lot of time to untangle him from the other William Gregorys active at that time. I am fairly certain that his middle initial was "W" from the deeds I know for sure belong to him. I remember that there are also deeds for a William Gregory in Perquimans in the early 1800s, but I'm not sure if it's the right William Gregory.

Child of Isaac Gregory and Mary/Miriam Sawyer? is:
21 i. Elisha/Clisha Gregory?, born Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sylvanus Sawyer Bef. 1799.

Generation No. 7

64. Thomas Godfrey, born Abt. 1675 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1749 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 128. William Godfrey and 129. ?Jane Barrow?. He married 65. Ellinor Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC?.
65. Ellinor Turner?, died in Perquimans Co., NC?.

Notes for Thomas Godfrey:
The following information from Mrs. Watson Winslow's 1931 book, "History of Perquimans County," might suggest Ellinor was a Turner. Secondary, undocumented records have also listed their son Thomas Godfrey, Jr. as marrying Mary Turner, one source listing her father as Thomas Turner, and another listing her parents as John Turner and Esther Belman.

Perquimans County Deed Book C, Number 137: Thomas Godfrey of Perq. Planter--for 50 pounds pd by Wm Turner, of Pasquotank, Planter--sold 60a on So West Side of Little River. Ellinor Godfrey "Doth give all her Right of Dowry." August 5, 1732 Test' Thomas Weeks, John Parish, William Godfrey.

If Ellinor was a Turner, then it was the first of several intermarriages between Turners and Godfreys in Perquimans County.

More land records involving Thomas Godfrey:

http://www.theharmons.us/harmon_t/b1902.htm

Perquimans Co., NC, Deed Book C, No.161] Terence Macardel, of Pasquotank, Taylor ... "am firmly bound" unto Thoams Godfrey of same, Planter ... for 100 pounds July 14, 1732. Whereas: said Macardel did purchase 50 acres of land from said Godfrey, Nov 20, 1731, and Acknowldedge the same before Hon'ble John Palin Esq, Chief Justice of Province " now said Marcardel do Disannul and make Void said Deed, his Right to said 50 acres. Reg Feb 5, 1734/5. Test: Thomas Weeks William Turner.

More About Thomas Godfrey:
Event 1: Oct 1735, At a court held at the courthouse at Phelps Point, a deed of sale from John Godfrey to Thomas Godfrey was duly acknowledged in open court and ordered to be recorded. This was probably his brother John Godfrey who was probably selling land in Perquimans.
Event 2: 26 Jul 1699, At a court held for Perquimans Precinct in Albemarle County, Thomas Godfrey recorded his flesh mark, a crop and an under keel on each ear and a slit in the left ear. The flesh marks of William Godfrey, Sr. and Jr. and Ffrances Godfrey were also recorded.
Probate: Apr 1749, Perquimans Co., NC
Property: 01 Nov 1732, The most direct evidence linking him to his father & siblings is Deed Book C, Number 184, in which John Godfrey, referred to as his brother, sold him 125 acres, part of a patent to his father William 1 Jan 1694, on Deep Creek, assigned by brother William
Will: 26 Nov 1748, Perquimans Co., NC. Will mentions sons William, Thomas, Francis, and Joseph, daughters Sarah and Ellinor, and wife Ellinor.

Children of Thomas Godfrey and Ellinor Turner? are:
i. Francis Godfrey, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died in Onslow Co., NC?.

Notes for Francis Godfrey:
There is a strong possibility that this Francis Godfrey is identical with the Francis Godfrey of Onslow County, North Carolina. The following information is copied and pasted from the website http://members.aol.com/usina/godfrey.htm

GODFREY FAMILY

of Onslow County, NC; Screven, Burke, Jefferson and Bibb counties, Georgia;

and Blount County, Tennessee

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Francis Godfrey, Sr. (c.1720-aft. 1790)? He lived in Onslow County, North Carolina. He married Elizabeth Williams around 1745 in Onslow County, NC. He had children William Godfrey, Enoch E. Godfrey, Francis Godfrey, Jr., Mary Ann Godfrey and Sukey Godfrey.

Enoch E. Godfrey, Esq. (c. 1750- ) He married Martha. They were living in Onslow County, NC, in the 1790 Census. They had children: Francis H. Godfrey, another son, Rebecca, Nancy, and two other daughters. They moved to Screven County, Georgia, by 1794. On 13 February 1796, Enoch Godfrey purchased from Risdon and Sarah Oliver all their rights of land in Burke and Screven counties as heirs of Sarah's father's (William Williams) estate for 20 pounds sterling. His son, Francis Godfrey, was a witness. On 2 March 1796, Enoch Godfrey purchased from Henry and Charlotte Gragg all their rights of land in Burke and Screven counties as heirs of Charlotte's father's (William Williams) estate for 20 pounds sterling. On 29 October 1796, Enoch E. Godfrey purchased 150 acres of land from David Price Hay and his wife Elizabeth for 18 pounds sterling. His son, Francis Godfrey, was a witness. On 27 July 1797, Enoch Godfrey purchased a one tenth part of a 240 acre plot of land from James and Presilla Oliver for $20. This was witnessed by his son, Francis Godfrey. On 26 November 1798, Enoch Godfrey purchased a one tenth part of a 240 acre plot of land from Michael and Mary Livingston for $20. On 21 March 1799, Enoch E. Godfrey purchased 200 acres of land in Burke and Screven counties from James and Presilla Oliver for $300. In 1799 and 1800, Enoch was a Justice of the Peace for Screven County. On 11 September 1804, Enoch Godfrey was granted 670 [acres?] of land on Beaver Dam Creek bordering the lands of William Skinner, William Lancey, Daniel McDaniel, Aquilla Williamson, John McQueen, and John Henry. On 27 September 1804, Enoch and Martha sold this land to Robert Watkins and William Skinner for $250.

Francis H. Godfrey, Esq. (1778-1835) He was probably born in Onslow County, NC in 1778. He moved to Georgia by 1794. Francis Godfrey of Burke County, Georgia, bought 100 acres of land in Burke and Screven counties from Dr. John and Rosannah Stockman in Burke and Screven counties on 29 October 1794 for 24 pounds sterling. Enoch Godfrey was a witness. This land was near the Savannah River and Mobley's Pond, bordered on the northwest by the lands of John McQueen, on the southwest by the lands of George Sycord and John Williams. In 1801, Francis was living in Screven County. He married Mary Parkinson, the daughter of John Parkinson, Esq. of Winton District, SC, on 23 July 1801 near Savannah, Georgia. The minister was Rev. James Sweat of the Bethesda Baptist Church of Barnwell, South Carolina, according to the Columbia Museum and Savannah Advertizer (7/28/1801). Francis and Mary had several children: a son born around 1802, Lucy Virginia Godfrey (1806-1827), Martha Susan Godfrey (1808-1863), a daughter born c. 1810, a daughter born between 1810 and 1820, and Frances H. Godfrey (born between 1817 and 1820). In 1820, Francis was living in Jefferson County, Georgia. Mary died between 1820 and 1822. Francis married Nancy Isler on 22 November 1822 in Pulaski County, Georgia. Francis and Nancy had two children: Virginia Godfrey (1825-1849), and William Morris Godfrey (d.y. in 1830). Francis was in Bibb County by 1823. Francis H. Godfrey of Bibb County purchased Lot 155, 202 1/2 Acres in the 4th District of Houston County (now Bibb County) for $600. On 5 June 1825, Francis' daughter Lucy Virginia Godfrey was married in Macon, Georgia, to Philip Powledge. On 17 September 1827, Francis' daughter Lucy Virginia (Godfrey) Powledge died in Macon, Georgia. On 29 January 1828, Francis' daughter Martha Susan Godfrey was married in Macon, Georgia, to Gideon Powledge, Jr. In 1830, Francis was living in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Francis' youngest child, William Morris Godfrey, died on 30 August 1830 near Macon, Georgia. According to his obituary, he left Macon, Georgia for Tennessee just prior to his death for health reasons — obviously not effective. Francis made his will on 20 June 1835. Francis died in Montvale Springs, Marysville, Blount County, Tennessee, on 30 September 1835. His will was probated on 11/2/1835. He left all his Masonic articles to his friend and fellow Mason Henry G. Lamar. Francis is buried at the New Providence Old Churchyard (Presbyterian), Maryville, Tennessee. In 1836, Gideon Powledge was named guardian of Francis Godfrey's daughter Frances Godfrey. In 1837, Mrs. Nancy Godfrey was named guardian of her daughter Virginia Godfrey. Francis' widow, Mrs. Nancy Godfrey, was living in Bibb Co., Georgia, according to the Census of 1850. Francis's daughter Frances H. Godfrey married A.S.Halley. Frances' daughter Virginia Godfrey married Benjamin Chairs. Virginia died on 26 September 1849 in Marysville, Tennessee, and was buried in the New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery.

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If you have any information on this family, please contact me at [emailprotected]

The following is copied and pasted from http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GODFREY/2007-04/1176519890

Also, looking at the Will of Thomas Godfrey, of Perquimans, dated 1749, one of the four sons mentioned is a Francis Godfrey. In 1771, there appears to be both a Francis Godfrey, and a Thomas Godfrey, (two of the sons mentioned in that Will) living in Onslow County, North Carolina, leading to the theory that the Francis Godfrey, born 1720, who is the ancestor of this Onslow Godfrey line, was indeed, the son of the older Thomas Godfrey. This Francis Godfrey had as sons, Francis, Enoch, and William, who by early 1800's was in the Burks, Pulaski counties area of Georgia, later some of them moving on to Alabama and other states.

Comment by Bryan Godfrey: The only glitch is that Thomas Godfrey, Jr., brother of Francis Godfrey of Perquimans, remained in Perquimans. Only if the above-mentioned Thomas of Onslow, mentioned in the 1771 record in Onslow, is a son rather than a brother of Francis of Onslow, would it make the above theory plausible. YDNA tests are needed for Godfreys from this branch to confirm or disprove a connection.

ii. Sarah Godfrey
iii. Ellinor Godfrey
iv. William Godfrey, born Abt. 1720 in Perquimans Co., NC?; died Aft. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Frances ?.

More About William Godfrey:
Comment 1: It is known that Thomas Godfrey had a son William and Thomas Godfrey, Jr. mentions his brother William's land in his 1773 will, indicating William probably remained in Perquimans County near him. Whether this William had a son William is not known yet.
Comment 2: In showing the ancestry of Manliff Godfrey of Camden Co., NC, born bet 1800-10, a descendant listed two generations of Samuels, two generations of Williams, and two generations of Thomases. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. did not have a son William.
Residence 1: 1773, Perquimans Co., NC
Residence 2: It is possible he and/or a son of his was one of the William Godfreys in Camden Co., NC, but he was apparently still living in Perquimans Co., NC around 1774 as his brother Thomas referred to his land in his will.

32 v. Thomas Godfrey, Jr., born 11 Mar 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1774 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Mary Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Joseph Godfrey, born 14 Feb 1727 in Perquimans Co., NC.

72. William Colson, Jr., born Abt. 1698; died Abt. 1763 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 144. William Colson and 145. ? Goodale?. He married 73. Ann Parish?.
73. Ann Parish?

Notes for William Colson, Jr.:
E-mail from Harold Colson:

The 2nd William Colson of Perq died 1762. The clue to his wife comes from this deed extract:
1757 Deed
[F-216]
John Parish, of Tyrell Co, St Andrews Parish, for 48 pounds pd by John Barclift Sr, of Berkeley Parish, Perq Co, sold 685a, "which my late father John Parish of sd Co, & Parish, did by his will 1738, give to me, his only son," at the mouth of Deep Creek, except 100a already passed to Wm Colson, & Ann his wife, where he now lives." Jan 3, 1757. Test' John Weeks, Thos Weeks Jr.
Source: Winslow, History of Perquimans County, p. 169
This suggests to me that Wm. II married Ann, daughter of one of these John Parishes. Also, the Perq. tax rolls show in the few years right after Wm.'s death in 1762 an "Ann Colson" as head of a household (almost certainly the widow). She eventually disappears from the tax rolls, although I do not know if by death, remarriage, or relocation.

More About William Colson, Jr.:
Event 1: 16 Oct 1759, In Perquimans Co., NC, he petiioned the court to be "exempt from paying taxes" due to being "much advanc'd in years, and not able to Labour as formerly, and having a large famiy to Maintain, and no freehold Estate to Depend on." From Harold Colson research
Event 2: 1740, Appears on county tithable list (poll tax) with 1 poll, sugesting son William was under 16 years of age, according to research by Harold Colson

Children of William Colson and Ann Parish? are:
36 i. William Colson III, born Abt. 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Miriam Mullen.
ii. David Colson, born Abt. 1725; died Abt. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Mourning Perisho.

74. Abraham Mullen, Jr., born Abt. 1700 in possibly Manakintowne French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA; died Abt. 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 148. Abraham Moulin/Mullen and 149. Rachel Broret. He married 75. Ellinor Ming.
75. Ellinor Ming, born Abt. 1715 in Deptford, London, England?; died 21 Dec 1765 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Abraham Mullen, Jr.:
Event: 19 Apr 1762, His widow Eleanor Mullen petitioned to administer estate of her late husband Abraham Mullen, according to research of Harold G. Colson, Jr.

Children of Abraham Mullen and Ellinor Ming are:
37 i. Miriam Mullen, born in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) William Colson III; married (2) ?; married (3) John Turner Abt. 1767 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married (4) William Stafford 30 Sep 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (5) John Stanton Aft. 1786.
ii. Mary Mullen, married Gideon Maudlin.
iii. Jane Mullen, married (1) Abraham Riggs; married (2) Joseph Turner.
iv. Deborah Mullen, married Christopher Towe 22 Jul 1763 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1730 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland?; died 01 Apr 1778 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Tamer Mullen, married (1) Jeremiah Caruthers; married (2) Isaac Hassell 03 Oct 1758 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Hannah Mullen, married William Bateman 12 Sep 1759.
vii. Bette Mullen, married William Bateman 26 Sep 1760.

76. Edward Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1785 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 152. William Turner, Jr. and 153. Ann ?. He married 77. Ann ?.
77. Ann ?

Children of Edward Turner and Ann ? are:
i. Abraham Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1774 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Miriam Maudlin?.
ii. Joseph Turner, married (1) Martha ?; married (2) Mary Hawkins 23 Oct 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Dempsy Turner, died Abt. 1782 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Hartwell Pearce 23 Oct 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Sarah Mullen 09 Apr 1781 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Dempsy Turner:
Probate: Oct 1782, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 05 Feb 1782, Perquimans Co., NC Book C, p. 260 mentions wife Sarah; sons George and Dempsey; executors brother Joseph and [Dempsy's] wife; witnessed by Mirriam Colson, Joseph McAdam, and Fanny Turner

38 iv. John Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah ?.
v. Edward Turner, Jr., born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1789 in Bertie Co., NC; married (1) Agnes ?; married (2) Elizabeth ?.

80. Richard Sawyer, born Abt. 1702 in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County); died Aft. Feb 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC?. He was the son of 160. Capt. Thomas Sawyer. He married 81. Ann Spence?.
81. Ann Spence? She was the daughter of 162. Robert Spence.

Notes for Richard Sawyer:
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.sawyer/1821.1.1.1.1.2.1.1/mb.ashx

Richard Sawyer, son of Thomas1 Sawyer info/proof summary:

Note that Alice Doaks "Marks for Cattle" proof also proves both Thomas and Caleb were sons of Richard Sawyer.

Richard, son of Thomas Sawyer resided in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. He was the owner of large tracts of land and had extensive dealings in land. These deeds are on file in Paquotank County, North Carolina. It is these deeds that prove Thomas was the son of Richard. In all the deeds in which Thomas is mentioned , he is listed as "the son of Richard Sawyer". In several of these deeds both Thomas' wife Keziah and Richard's wife Ann are mentioned. These are the only surviving links author has been able to find as no will has been located for Richard and it is believed to have been destroyed in the early courthouse fires

58 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol I, p 76 - Will Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, dated 19 Jul 1720 lists sons Caleb, Stephen, Thomas, and Richard, daughters Mary, Ann, Hannah Sawyer and Dancy McDowell and wife (no name given)

59 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book F & G, p 290 - Deed signed by Richard Sawyer and wife Ann, dated 25 Apr 1757

60 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book D & E, p 109 - Deed from Thomas Sawyer which reads in part "…that I Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer with Cozier my wife in the County of Pasquotank…" dated 31 Dec 1761

61 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deed dated 18 Aug 1758 - Deed signed by Thomas Sawyer and Keziah Sawyer, wife which reads in part "…betwixt Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer, farmer, of one part…"

192 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed, Book F & G, p 432 dated 26 Feb 1760 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer sale of land called "Dogwood Ridge" to his father Richard Sawyer. Land on Northeast side of Pasquotank River

193 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed dated 17 Aug 1758 - Purchase of "Dogwood Ridge" land by Thomas Sawyer from Solomon Sawyer. Gives Thomas' relationship with Richard (See Proof 192)

197 Tyrrell County, North Carolina will dated Jan 1800 - Will of Jonathan Sawyer which mentions 55 acres of land on "Dogwood Ridge" (See proofs 192 and 193)

Children of Richard Sawyer and Ann Spence? are:
40 i. Caleb Sawyer, born in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1774 in Camden Co., NC; married ? Litton.
ii. Thomas Sawyer, died Abt. 1783 in Tyrrell Co., NC; married Keziah ?.

Notes for Thomas Sawyer:
Thomas Sawyer married Keziah (7th G) (father makes a stock mark 5 June 1758)
Pasquotank deeds:
F&G page 233 dated 17 Aug. 1758 bought 50 acres from Solomon Sawyer known as Dogwood Ridge, deed says Thomas son of Richard,
F&G page 406 dated 28 Feb. 1760 deed says Thomas son of Richard,
F&G page 432 dated 26 Feb 1760,
D&E page 109 dated 31 Dec. 1761 deed says Thomas son of Richard, Tyrrell County Deed Book 8 page 51, Book 11 page 150, State Grant 4 dated 1 Oct 1779 Deed Book 8 page 50

More About Thomas Sawyer:
Property: Thomas and Keziah Sawyer received grant of land in Tyrrell Co., NC between Goose Creek and Frying Pan Landing off the Alligator River

iii. Jonathan Sawyer, born in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County); died Aft. Jan 1800 in Tyrrell Co., NC.

Notes for Jonathan Sawyer:
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.sawyer/1821.1.1.1.1.2.1.1/mb.ashx

Jonathan Sawyer, I believe oldest son of Richard circ*mstantial proofs:

CAUTION: Author believes Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard but only circ*mstantial evidence to prove it:

Proof 193 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer buy 50 acres more or less on "Dogwood Ridge" and deed says this Thomas is son of Richard

Proof 192 - Thomas and Keziah sell the "Dogwood Ridge" property to Richard

Proof 197 - Jonathan Sawyer's will in Tyrrell County, North Carolina leaves 55 acres to his oldest son, T. Robert Sawyer (and since Tyrrell County is where Thomas died, all these facts seem to prove that Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard.

iv. Richard Sawyer, Jr.
v. Zail Sawyer

82. Isaac Litton, born 13 Feb 1724 in Baltimore Co., MD; died in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 164. Thomas Litton, Jr. and 165. Ann Hawkins. He married 83. Rebecca Ross.
83. Rebecca Ross She was the daughter of 166. Capt. Abell Ross?.

Children of Isaac Litton and Rebecca Ross are:
i. Isaac Litton
ii. Abel Litten
41 iii. ? Litton, born Abt. 1750; married Caleb Sawyer.

84. Gen. Isaac Gregory, born Abt. 1737 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1800 in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 168. William Gregory and 169. Judith Morgan. He married 85. Elizabeth Whedbee.
85. Elizabeth Whedbee, born Abt. 1742 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Gen. Isaac Gregory:
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

• The Master of Fairfield Plantation

BRIGADIER GENERAL ISAAC GREGORY OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA MILITIA
ca 1740-1800

TO CAMDEN FOLK Isaac Gregory is the most dignified figure who has played a part in their history—partly because of the somewhat impressive surroundings into which he was born, but more largely because of his own rather austere bearing. The lighter touch at least was not one of his immediately apparent characteristics. And if his painstaking habits and ponderous actions tended to add to the impressiveness of his personality, by the same token they also helped to make of him a controversial individual. His deliberation, for example, could at times be a source of exasperation to his associates. Amidst the feverish activities of war General Caswell once wrote to Governor Nash:

"Gen'l Gregory, I am afraid, will be tardy unless your Excellency can give him a spur." Sometimes his conduct seemed motivated by a singletrack mind which could overlook highly relevant circ*mstances. One conspicuous instance was the occasion when his appointment as sheriff of Pasquotank was not received from the royal governor until noon on the day of elections, which were by law conducted under the direction of the sheriff. Disregarding regulations affecting the hours for voting, he took the oath of office, opened the polls at twelve o'clock and permitted balloting until after sundown. Although the Election Committee which reviewed the matter in the General Assembly could find no evidence of wrongdoing per se, the action of the sheriff was considered highly irregular and the election therefore was declared illegal. Another oversight may have been merely absentmindedness, but later in life he dispatched by post a proposal of marriage to the widow of a former governor six months after the death of that estimable lady.

On the other hand, his record in public life definitely indicates a man who possessed other qualities besides slowness and diffidence. As a resident of Pasquotank before the formation of Camden, he was appointed eight times as sheriff, three years as member of the precinct court, and was elected three times to the Provincial Assembly. He was also a delegate to the early provincial congresses meeting in Hillsborough and at New Bern. In the militia of the county and state he held commissions as lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier general. Beginning with 1780, he was elected once to the House of Commons, followed by eight years in succession to the Senate. Among other public capacities were his appointments as first collector of customs for the Port of Camden or Plank Bridge, and trustee of the Currituck Seminary of Learning.

What, then, were the attributes which enabled Gregory to become a commanding figure in the county's history? The answer seems to be that while they were few, they were fundamental. In the first place he was devoid of any pretense or affectations. As might naturally be expected, he was entirely forthright both in speech and action. If he was slow, he was at the same time thorough. Such qualities appear to good advantage in the capacities of sheriff or justice of a court.

His greatest assets, however, would seem to have been his integrity—honesty in both thought and deed—and a keen sense of justice which was the result of his sincerity. Dr. Hugh Williamson once made the following estimate of Gregory in a letter to General Washington: "Gen'l Gregory is recommended as a gentleman whose Character as a soldier and Citizen stands high in the universal esteem of his fellow Citizens. He is a man of respectable property; has the full confidence of his Country and is the constant Enemy to public officers suspected of corrupt practices." Gregory was in fact a member of all the committees in the Senate which conducted hearings on charges of frauds in public accounts, and frequently he served as chairman. During the war he was entrusted with vast sums of money and quantities of supplies. So carefully did that meticulous mind keep accounts that when the air was at times full of charges and countercharges of corrupt practices, no question as to his conduct in financial affairs or management was ever directed toward him.

He was as stern with the derelictions of officers coming from his own social level as he was with those of the humblest private. There were, as an illustration, the two officers, one from Chowan and another from Perquimans. The Chowan gentleman assumed to himself the privilege of resigning his commission when in a huff and of reclaiming his rank at will; the Perquimans offender simply neglected or abandoned his men on occasion in order to devote himself to personal pleasure. When General Thomas Benbury of Edenton recommended that these officers be brought to task, Gregory was just as firm with them as he was with the wretched deserters who were now and then flushed from their hiding places in the Camden swamps.

He may not have possessed the flair for dramatic leadership in combat as might be displayed by Colonel Gideon Lamb or Colonel Selby Harney, two of his neighbors who were with the continental forces, and he may have lacked the diplomacy and forceful persuasiveness of the legislator, Joseph Jones. Nevertheless, whereas Jones might be inclined to sulk if events did not proceed according to his liking, and Harney and Lamb might become despondent under adverse circ*mstances, Gregory habitually maintained his poise and continued to go plodding along. To his mind the war was a job to be finished and no one should let anything divert him from the work at hand. Contemplating the dilatory tactics of some of his associates on one occasion, he wrote to Governor Caswell: "I don't understand the officers here. Can't seem to get them to do their duty." In fact, according to one of his later reports, he "had more trouble with the officers drafted than with the men."

Opinions vary as to the effectiveness of his military leadership. In 1779 he and John Pugh Williams were nominated for the position of brigadier general in the state militia. Williams was elected, thanked the Legislature and resigned. The commission was then issued to Gregory. He and Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford commanded the two brigades of militia under Major General Horatio Gates when the American forces were decisively routed at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. Saunders states: "The continentals and some of the militia, notably Gregory's brigade, fought with desperation." In other quarters his efforts have been regarded less favorably. The general conduct of the militia in this battle, it seems, was not praiseworthy, a statement which unfortunately is too often applicable to the efforts of the militia throughout the war. In all fairness, however, it should be pointed out that the dismal showing made by some of the troops did not result from emulation of the spirit displayed by the brigade commanders. The resolute General Rutherford was captured as he vainly tried to rally his men; General Gregory received a bayonet wound and his horse was shot from under him. In his report of the engagement to Lord Germain, Cornwallis listed Gregory as killed. Nor did the Legislature then in session appear to be reluctant in expressing their appreciation of Gregory's services. This body, twenty-six days after the battle, adopted the following resolution: "That General Gregory be furnished at the Expence of the State, for immediate service, with a gelding of the first Price, in consideration of the one by him lost in the late action near Camden."

Whatever may be said as to the effectiveness of his efforts, the records show him to have been in the conflict from the beginning to the end. He was a delegate to the Provincial Congresses held at New Bern in April of 1775 and at Hillsborough in the following August, when he was appointed colonel of the 2nd Regiment of the Pasquotank Militia and was also placed on a committee "to inquire what number of troops may probably be raised in the different counties of this State and report to the House." A special assignment, with Othniel Lacelles, was "to receive, procure and purchase fire arms for use of the troops" (of Pasquotank). And in 1781 we find him attempting the always uphill job of raising troops to defend Edenton should Lord Cornwallis take the coastal route on his northward march from Wilmington, or he is with a small contingent at Northwest and at Great Bridge to prevent invasion from that direction.

To Gregory befell the unusual experiences of defending a Tory at the beginning of the Revolution and of facing charges as a traitor at the close, and the former could have had a bearing on the latter. When the Provincial Congress met in New Bern in 1775, all the delegates voted in effect to subscribe unequivocally to the actions of the Continental Congress except Thomas McKnight, who demurred at the strong terms of the endorsem*nt. After some deliberation the delegates by a majority of two voted to permit him to use the word "accede." Emotions were already aflame, however, and the minority threatened to withdraw if McKnight were permitted this concession. Whereupon McKnight withdrew, and the Congress then reversed itself and passed a motion of "civil excommunication" toward him. McKnight, who was a delegate from Currituck, was also clerk of the Pasquotank court. As a protest against the motion of censure, three members from Currituck and two from Pasquotank, of whom one was Gregory, also removed themselves from the assembly. They prepared a written defense of their conduct which was published in the Virginia Gazette May 6, 1775.

The other incident occurred in 1781 at Great Bridge where Gregory and his men were facing British forces under the command of a Captain Stevenson. One day while idling in his tent, the captain fell to daydreaming as to how he might proceed should Gregory betray his command after the manner of Benedict Arnold. To pass the time he accordingly wrote a letter to the General with instructions as to procedure. Shortly thereafter the British withdrew and the letter, discovered by the advancing Americans, understandably created a sensation. The General was charged with treason. Fortunately, in some way news of the accusation came to Captain Stevenson who promptly dispatched an explanation to the Americans, stating that the letter was entirely a figment of his imagination and declaring Gregory to be in no way involved. Gregory was exonerated, of course; and being the phlegmatic person that he was, his reaction may be best described as one of genuine puzzlement that anyone could believe him to be guilty of treasonable conduct after the years he had devoted so completely to the struggle for freedom. His defense of the Tory McKnight in 1775 may have been recalled with malicious intent by certain persons. An interesting aftermath of this incident, although unrelated, was letters to the Congress from both General Muhlenberg and the Marquis de la Fayette stating that while at Great Bridge Gregory was acting under Continental orders.

In this same year (1781) he was elected to the House of Commons from Camden and was reelected successively to the Senate for the next eight years. During this entire period he was a member of the Committee on Privileges and Elections and also on the Committee of Claims for the distract of Edenton. He was an active member of the committee which reported frauds on the part of certain officers in settling army accounts. Equally sensational were the findings in 1786 of a special committee which, under Gregory, charged Phillip Alston with being a murderer and an atheist, and thereby caused him to be declared ineligible for membership in the senate. By act of the Legislature the General was one of those authorized to receive subscriptions "for opening a navigable passage from Albemarle Sound into the ocean." In 1789 he introduced the bill which authorized the establishment of the Currituck Seminary of Learning, and which also named him as a trustee. An aristocrat, his voting record sharply reflected the sentiments of the aristocratic East. He and that ultra-conservative, Samuel Johnston, usually voted alike on measures of public import.

Fairfield Plantation, the residence of General Gregory, is today a gaunt and empty shell. The house has been abandoned for years and has been stripped of the beautiful paneling and mantels by vandals. But in Gregory's time it was the county's most impressive abode and indeed one of the great plantations of the Albemarle. The General was a cordial host whose home was often the scene of distinguished gatherings. Some of the grants to individuals in this area bear the notation "Done at Fairfield," and were issued while a visiting governor was a guest.

Whether the structure was erected by William Gregory, the General's father, or by some other wealthy planter as, for example, Colonel Thomas Hunter, is a matter of surmise. The building itself, however, is one of the purest examples of Georgian architecture in North Carolina, and by many it is hoped some means of restoration will become available before deterioration is complete.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncalber2/In_ancient_albemarle_chapter12.htm

CHAPTER XII

GENERAL ISAAC GREGORY, A REVOLUTIONARY OFFICER
OF PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN

DURING the War of the Revolution, the Albemarle Region, though threatened with invasion time and again by the British, seldom heard the tread of the enemy's army, or felt the shock of battle. For this immunity from the destruction of life and property, such as the citizens whose homes lay in the path of Cornwallis and Tarleton suffered, this section of North Carolina is largely indebted to General Isaac Gregory, one of the bravest officers who ever drew sword in defense of his native home and country.
Both Pasquotank and Camden claim this gallant officer for their son, and both have a right to that claim ; for the two counties were one until 1777. In that year a petition was presented to the General Assembly by Joseph Jones, of Pasquotank, from citizens living in what is now Camden County, that the portion of Pasquotank lying on the northeast bank of the river should be formed into a separate county, and have a courthouse of its own, in order to do away with the inconvenience the people of that section suffered in having to cross the river to attend court, military drills and other public gatherings. The General Assembly passed an act providing for the erection of a new county, and this county was named for Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden, a member of Parliament and Chancellor, who in the stormy days of 1765 worked for the repeal of the hated Stamp Act, and justice to the Colonies. Before the long and bloody days of the Revolution proved his worth as a soldier, Isaac Gregory had won a prominent place in the public affairs of his county. His name first occurs in the Colonial Records in 1773, when he was elected sheriff of Pasquotank. In the same year he was appointed one of the trustees of St. Martin's Chapel in Indian Town, Currituck County, a settlement whose citizens were many of them to become honored in the civil and military history of our State.

Ever since the passing of the Stamp Act in 1765, low mutterings of the storm that was soon to sweep over the country some ten years later had disturbed the peace of the Thirteen Colonies; and events in North Carolina showed that this colony was standing shoulder to shoulder with her American sisters in their endeavor to obtain justice from England.

In 1774, John Harvey's trumpet call to the peo ple of North Carolina to circumvent Governor Martin's attempt to deprive them of representation in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, had resulted in the convention at New Bern, the first meeting in America at which the representatives of a colony as a whole had ever gathered in direct defiance of orders from a Royal Governor.

The next year, in April, Harvey again called a convention of the people to meet in New Bern. Again Governor Martin was defied; again, the North Carolinians, taking matters into their own hands, elected delegates to Philadelphia, and before adjourning, added Carolina's name to the association of Colonies.

Pasquotank was represented in this convention by Edward Jones, Joseph Redding, Edward Everigen, John Hearing, and Isaac Gregory. The last named, being by now an acknowledged leader in his county, was appointed by this body a member of the Committee of Safety in the Edenton District.

The path toward separation from the mother country was now being rapidly trod by the American colonies, though few, as yet, realized whither their steps were tending. In the vanguard of this march toward liberty and independence, North Carolina kept a conspicuous place. The Edenton Tea Party in October, 1774, had proved the mettle of her women. The farmers of Mecklenburg had struck the first chord in the song of independence, hardly a note of which had been sounded by the other colonies. Governor Martin had fled from New Bern, and in August, 1775, the Hillsboro Convention had organized a temporary form of government, and had placed at the head of public affairs Cornelius Harnett, who, as President of the Provincial Council, had more power in the State than is generally delegated to a governor.

In December, 1775, Lord Dunmore's attempted invasion of the State had been thwarted, largely by the aid of the Minute Men from Albemarle. Then came the famous Snow Campaign, in which the militia of the western counties joined the patriots of South Carolina in defeating the Tories of that State. And in February, 1776, the important victory at Moore's Creek Bridge had completely for a time broken the power of the Loyalists in North Carolina. There was no longer any hope of obtaining justice from England, nor, after such open and steady rebellion against the king's officers, civil and military, could there be any hope of conciliation with the mother country, save on terms too humiliating to even contemplate.

North Carolina, recognizing these facts, called another convention to meet at Halifax in April, 1776, and there sounded her defiance as a State to King and Parliament, and boldly authorized her delegates to the next Continental Congress at Philadelphia to vote for independence.

The convention then proceeded to make further preparations for the war which all now felt was inevitable. Pasquotank, in response to the call immediately issued for more troops, raised two regiments of militia. Isaac Gregory, who had been appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Pasquotank Militia by the Convention of 1775, was promoted and made Colonel of the Second Regiment of Pasquotank Militia, the other officers being Dempsey Burgess, Lieutenant - Colonel, Joshua Campbell, Major, and Peter Dauge, Second Major.

Independence having been declared by the Continental Congress of 1776, the thirteen Colonies, now independent States, proceeded to organize a permanent government within their several borders.

In North Carolina a State convention was called to meet at Halifax in November, 1776, to frame a constitution for the government of that State. To this convention Isaac Gregory, Henry Abbott, Devotion Davis, Dempsey Burgess and Lemuel Burgess were elected to represent Pasquotank, and Abbott was appointed on the committee to frame the constitution. By the 18th of December the work was completed and the constitution adopted, which, with amendments, is still the organic law of the State.

After Clinton's unsuccessful attempt to invade North Carolina in May, 1776, no further effort to place the State under British control was made until 1780. But during the intervening years the Carolina troops had not been idle. Their valor had been proved at Brandywine, Germantown and Stony Point, and during the winter at Valley Forge 1,450 of her soldiers shared with their comrades from the other States the hunger, cold and suffering that was the portion of Washington's army throughout those dreary months. The North Carolina troops had aided in the brave but unsuccessful attempt to drive the British from Savannah, and 5,000 of her soldiers had been sent to prevent the capture of Charleston ; but the patriot forces had been unable to repulse the invaders. Savannah fell, then Charleston, and by the last of May, 1780, both Georgia and South Carolina were in the hands of the enemy, and Cornwallis was threatening North Carolina.

So great was the blow to the American cause from the loss of these Southern States, and so great the danger confronting North Carolina, that Congress ordered DeKalb, of the Continental line with the regulars from Maryland and Delaware to march to the rescue of the patriots in the South.

General Gates, the reputed victor at Saratoga, was also ordered South, and put in command of the Southern forces.

For awhile the enemy remained quiet, Cornwallis- delaying the devastation of South Carolina until the maturing crops should be safe. This respite gave the Carolinians time to collect their forces on the South Carolina border, in order to drive back the enemy.

Isaac Gregory, who in May, 1779, had been pro- moted to the office of Brigadier-General of the Edenton District, on the resignation of John Pugh Williams, was ordered to join General Caswell in South Carolina. As soon as he could collect his men, Gregory marched towards the Piedmont sec- tion, on his way to Caswell's army ; and by June he was with Rutherford's Brigade at Yadkin's Ford in Rowan. Near this place the Tories had collected, some 800 strong; and Rutherford hoped, with Gregory's aid,-to crush them. But to his dis- appointment, no opportunity was given, for Gen- eral Bryan, the Tory leader, hearing of the defeat of the Loyalists at Ramseur's Mill a few days be- fore, crossed the Yadkin and united with General MacArthur, whom Cornwallis had sent to Anson County.

By July 31 Gregory's men, with Rutherford and his brigade, were with General Caswell at The Cheraws, just across the South Carolina border. For several weeks there was much suffering among the men on account of the lack of food, for though corn was plentiful, the rivers were so high that the mills could not grind the meal.

Lord Rawdon's army was stationed near Camden, South Carolina, and Gates, who had joined Caswell on August 17, having learned that the British general was daily expecting a supply of food and stores for his men, determined to intercept the convoy and capture the supplies for his own army. In the meantime Cornwallis, unknown to Gates, had joined Lord Rawdon. Gates, ignorant of this reinforcement of Cornwallis' troops, marched leisurely towards Camden to capture the coveted stores.
The result of the battle that followed is known only too well. The American militia, panic-stricken at the furious onslaught of the. enemy, threw down their arms and fled. General Gates, after a vain attempt to rally his troops, lost courage, and abandoning his forces and his stores, brought everlasting disgrace upon his name by fleeing in hot haste from the field.

But the cowardly conduct of Gates and several of the other officers of the American army, as well as many of the militia, in this disastrous battle, was offset by the heroism and courage of others; and among those who won undying fame on that fatal field, none is more worthy of praise than General Gregory.

Roger Lamb, a British officer, writing an account of the battle, and speaking of the disgraceful conduct of those officers and men whose flight from the field brought shame upon the American army, gives this account of Isaac Gregory's heroic struggle to withstand the enemy at this bloody field: "In justice to North Carolina, it should be remarked that General Gregory's brigade acquitted themselves well. They formed on the left of the Continentals, and kept the field while they had a cartridge left. Gregory himself was twice wounded by bayonets in bringing off his men, and many in his brigade had only bayonet wounds."

As to fight hand to hand with bayonets requires far more courage than to stand at a distance and fire a musket, this account of Gregory and his troops proves the bravery with which they fought during those terrible hours. General Gregory's horse was shot from under him while the battle was raging; and seeing him fall, so sure was the enemy of his death that Cornwallis in his official report of the battle, gave in his name in the list of the American officers killed on the field.

Two days after the battle of, Camden, the patriots, Shelby, Clarke and Williams, defeated a band of Tories at Musgrove's Mill in South Carolina ; but hearing of the disaster at Camden, these officers now withdrew from the State. Sumter's corps, near Rocky Mount, had been put to flight by Tarleton, Gates had fled the State, and only Davie's men were left between the army of Cornwallis and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Had the British General pressed on into the State, North Carolina must have inevitably fallen into the hands of the enemy. But Cornwallis delayed the invasion for nearly a month, thus giving the Carolinians time to collect their forces to repel his attempt.

The General Assembly which met in September, 1780, acting upon Governor Nash's advice, created a Board of War to assist him in conducting the military affairs of the State. This board now proceeded to put General Smallwood, of Maryland, in command of all the forces in the State, giving him authority over all the officers in the Southern army, the honor being conferred upon him on account of his gallant conduct at Camden. General Gregory was consequently ordered to hold himself in readiness to obey General Smallwood's orders, with the other officers in North Carolina.

The Board of War then proceeded to raise money, arms and men for the army that would soon be called upon to drive Cornwallis from the State. Gregory's brigade received $25,000 of the funds raised, and 150 flints and 15 guns were distributed among his soldiers.

The British now confidently expected that Cornwallis would quickly subdue North Carolina, then sweep over the State into Virginia. In order to prevent the Americans from hurrying into that State to join forces against Cornwallis, General Leslie was ordered from New York to the Chesapeake, and in October his army was stationed near South Quays in Virginia, not far from Norfolk.

The presence of Leslie's army so close to the Carolina border caused much alarm for the safety of the Albemarle section, which for the second time was in danger of invasion. General Gregory, who after the battle of Camden had joined Exum and Jarvis in front of Cornwallis, had recently returned to Albemarle. He was now ordered to take the field against Leslie, and to prevent him from entering the State. From his camp at Great Swamp, near North River, he wrote to Governor Nash in November, 1780, reporting the repulse of the enemy. He also warned the Governor that the British were planning to attack Edenton ; and he set forth in his letter the blow that the capture of this town would be to the commerce of the State.

General Gregory's post at Great Swamp was no sinecure. He had only about 100 men to withstand Leslie, whose forces at Portsmouth amounted to nearly 1,000 men. His troops were poorly equipped, half naked, and ill-fed ; and his situation seemed almost desperate. To add to his troubles, an attempt was made at this time by Colonel Blount, of the Edenton District, to deprive him of his command. But a Council of State, held at Camp Norfleet Mills to inquire into the matter, declared that as Colonel Blount had resigned of his own free will and accord—in favor of Gregory — he should not now take the command from him.

In spite of the troubles and perplexities that beset Gregory in the fall of 1780, he bravely held his ground; and by the end of November he wrote Governor Nash from his camp at North West that the British had abandoned Portsmouth, and had departed for parts unknown.

While these events were taking place in the East, Cornwallis, whose left wing under Ferguson had suffered a crushing defeat at King's Mountain, disappointed at the humbling of the Tories at that battle, had left North Carolina on October 12th, and returned to South Carolina. The heavy rains encountered by his army on his retreat caused much sickness among his men ; and himself falling ill, he was obliged to give up his command temporarily to Lord Rawdon.

General Leslie's destination soon became known. On November 23 he had abandoned the vicinity of Norfolk, and had sailed to Wilmington, N. C., hoping to rouse the Tories in that section ; but Lord Rawdon's army being now in great danger, Leslie was ordered to his assistance, and he accordingly set out for the British army near Camden. But Southern Virginia and the Albemarle region were not long to be free from the fear of invasion, for soon another British army under the command of the traitor, Benedict Arnold, sailed into Chesapeake Bay, and Gregory was again sent to keep the enemy in check.

During this campaign a serious charge was brought against Gregory, which, though soon proved to be wholly unfounded, caused the gallant officer life-long mortification and distress. The circ*mstances of this unfortunate occurrence were as follows :

Captain Stevens, a British officer in Arnold's corps, while sitting idly by his fire one night, "just for a joke," as he afterwards explained, wrote two notes to General Gregory, which he intended to destroy, as they were simply the product of his own imagination, and were never intended to go out of his hands.

In some unknown way these papers came into the hands of an American officer, who, deeming from their contents that Gregory was a traitor, carried them to headquarters. Their purport being made public, even Gregory's most loyal friends began to look upon him with suspicion and distrust.

The first of these two notes was as follows :

"General Gregory :

"Your well-formed plans of delivering into the hands of the British these people now in your command, gives me much pleasure. Your next, I hope, will mention place of ambuscade, and manner you wish to fall into my hands."

The second note was equally incriminating :

"General Gregory :

"A Mr. Ventriss was last night made prisoner by three or four of your people, -I only wish to inform you that Ventriss could not help doing what he did in helping to destroy the logs. I my self delivered him the order from Colonel Simcox."

Great was the excitement and consternation in Gregory's brigade, and indeed throughout the American army when these notes were read. Arnold's treason early in 1780 was still fresh in the minds of all ; and it was natural that the accusation now brought against General Gregory should find ready and widespread credence. Gregory was arrested and court-martialed by his own men but his innocence was soon established, for as soon as Colonel Stevens heard of the disgrace he had unintentionally brought upon an innocent man, he hastened to make amends for his thoughtless act by a full explanation of his part in the affair. Colonel Parker, a British officer and a friend of Stevens, had been informed of the writing of the notes, and he now joined Stevens in furnishing testimony at the trial that fully exonerated the brave general from the hateful charge. But though friends and brother officers now crowded around him with sincere and cordial congratulations upon the happy termination of the affair, and with heartfelt expressions of regret at the unfortunate occurrence, the brave and gallant officer, crushed and almost heart-broken at the readiness with which his men and many of his fellow officers had accepted what seemed proofs of his guilt, never recovered from the hurt caused by the cruel charge. For though he nobly put aside his just resentment, and remained at his post of duty, guarding the Albemarle counties from danger of invasion until the withdrawal of the British troops from southeastern Virginia removed the danger, his life was ever afterwards shadowed by the mortification he had been called upon to undergo.

In February, 1781, the enemy's army in Virginia became such a source of terror to the people of that section that General Allen Jones was ordered to reinforce Gregory with troops from the Halifax District. But later that same month a greater danger confronted the patriot army in the South, and this order was countermanded. Most of the forces in the States were now hurried to the aid of General Greene, who had superseded Gates after the battle of Camden, and was leading Cornwallis an eventful chase across the Piedmont section of North Carolina. Cornwallis, after having been reinforced by General Leslie, had planned to invade North Carolina, conquer that State, march through Virginia and join Clinton in a fierce onslaught against Washington's army in the North. To foil the plans of the British officers Greene was concentrating the patriot troops in the South in the Catawba Valley, and Gregory was left with only a handful of men to hold the enemy at Norfolk in check.

In June, General Gregory's situation was so desperate that the Assembly again ordered General Allan Jones to send 400 men from Halifax District to North West Bridge to reinforce Gregory; and the latter officer was authorized to draft as many men as possible from the Edenton District. General Jones informed the Assembly that he would send the troops as soon as possible, but that Gregory would have to provide arms, as he had no means of furnishing equipments for them.

Several engagements took place in June between the British and Americans in the Dismal Swamp region, and in one of them Gregory was repulsed and driven from his position. But in July he wrote to Colonel Blount reporting that his losses were trifling, and that he had regained his old post from the enemy. In August, 1781, a letter from General Gregory conveyed the joyful tidings that the enemy had evacuated Portsmouth. As his troops were no longer needed to guard against the danger of invasion from that direction, and as smallpox had broken out in his camp, General Gregory now released his men from duty, and they returned to their homes.

The British army that had just left Portsmouth, was now on its way to Yorktown, whither Cornwallis, after his fruitless chase of Greene, his disastrous victory at Guilford Courthouse, and his retreat to Wilmington, was now directing his army. There on the 19th of October the famous Battle of Yorktown was fought and Cornwallis and his entire army forced to surrender.

This battle virtually ended the war; but peace did not come to Carolina immediately upon the surrender. The Tories in the State kept up a constant warfare upon their Whig neighbors, and in March, 1782, General Greene, who not long after the battle of Guilford Courthouse had won a decisive victory at Eutaw Springs, and was still in South Carolina, sent the alarming intelligence to the towns on the coast that the British had sent four vessels from Charleston harbor to plunder and burn New Bern and Edenton. To meet this unexpected emergency, General Rutherford was ordered to quell the Tories in the Cape Fear section, who were terrorizing the people in that region. And in April, 1782, General Gregory received orders from General Burke to take 500 men to Edenton for the defense of that town, and to notify Count de Rochambeau as soon as the enemy should appear in Albemarle Sound. In August no sign of the British ships had as yet been seen, though the coast towns were still in daily dread of their arrival. Governor Martin, who had succeeded Burke, wrote Gregory to purchase whatever number of vessels the Edenton merchants considered necessary for the protection of the town, to buy cannon and to draft men to man the boats.

But Edenton was spared the horror of a second raid such as she had suffered in 1781. In December, 1782, the British army in South Carolina,which since the battle of Eutaw Springs had been hemmed in at Charleston by General Greene, finally embarked for England. The ships that had been keeping the towns near the coast in North Carolina in terror, departed with them, and the States that had for so many long and bitter years been engaged in the terrific struggle with England, were left to enjoy the fruits of their splendid victory without further molestation from the enemy.

In September, 1783, the Treaty of Peace was signed by Great Britain, and the United States, separately and individually, were declared to be "free, sovereign and independent States."

General Gregory's services to his State did not end with the war. Eight times from 1778 to 1789, we find him representing Camden County in the State Senate, serving on important committees, and lending the weight of his influence to every movement tending toward the prosperity and welfare of the State. In the local affairs of his neighborhood he also took a prominent part. In 1789 the Currituck Seminary was established at Indian Town, and Isaac Gregory and his friend and brother officer, Colonel Peter Dauge, were appointed on the board of trustees of this school, which for many years was one of the leading educational institutions of the Albemarle section.

General Gregory lived at the Ferebee place in Camden County in a large brick house, known then, as now, as Fairfax Hall. The old building is still standing, a well known landmark in the county.

A letter from James Iredell to his wife, written while this famous North Carolina judge was a guest at Fairfax, gives a pleasant account of an evening spent in General Gregory's home with Parson Pettigrew and Gideon Lamb, and also of the kindness and hospitality of the Camden people.

In volume 2 of the Iredell letters this description of General Gregory's personal appearance is given :

"A lady, who remembers General Gregory well, says that he was a large, fine looking man. He was exceedingly polite, had a very grand air, and in dress was something of a fop." In the same volume the following interesting account of an incident in the life of the famous General is found : "General Gregory lived in his latter years so secluded a life and knew so little of events beyond his own family circle, that he addressed to a lady, the widow of Governor Stone, a letter making a formal proposal of marriage, full six months after her death."

General Isaac Gregory was the son of General William Gregory, an officer who took a prominent part in the French and Indian Wars. He married Miss Elizabeth Whedbee, and had two children, Sarah and Matilda. Sarah married Dempsey Burgess, of Camden, and Matilda married a young German, John Christopher Ehringhaus. Many of the descendants of this brave Revolutionary officer are living in the Albemarle region to-day, and claim with pride this ancestor, who, as Captain Ashe in his History of North Carolina says, "was one of the few who won honor at Camden, and whose good fame was never tarnished by a single unworthy action."

The Sir Walter Raleigh Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution have within the past year obtained from the United States government a simple stone which they have had placed to mark the grave of this gallant officer, who lies buried in the family graveyard at Fairfax.

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Historic marker for Camden County hero is restored

By Jeff Hampton
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 14, 2011
CAMDEN COUNTY, N.C.

Across the road from a cornfield stands a small monument to Gen. Isaac Gregory. Inscribed are the dates of his birth and death: 1737 and 1800.

It says nothing, though, about his bayonet charge into the British troops of Lord Charles Cornwallis, that he was nearly killed or later falsely accused of treason based on an enemy prank.

But Gregory's descendents and others who will gather around the marker Saturday will know of Gregory's heroics. They will honor the general who 231 years ago led his inexperienced North Carolina militia into brutal hand-to-hand combat with some of the best-trained troops in the world.

Gregory was born in Pasquotank County, where he served as a sheriff, a militia colonel and a representative in the last General Assembly to meet under a royal governor.

In 1777, Pasquotank County was divided at the river forming the new county of Camden and included Gregory's home and property. He was appointed to a committee that established the courthouse in the new county. After the war, he represented Camden in the state's House of Commons and in its Senate.

"He was the most notable person to have ever lived in Camden County," said local historian Alex Leary.

On Aug. 16, 1780, a 43-year-old Gregory led a North Carolina militia at the Battle of Camden, S.C., under the overall command of Gen. Horatio Gates, the hero of Saratoga, according to several accounts, including the Encyclopedia of the American Revolution and the North Carolina Office of Archives and History.

Commanded by Lord Charles Cornwallis, the British forces charged the Americans, causing many of the militia units to flee. Gates fled with them and was later blamed for the resounding defeat where about 900 Americans were killed or wounded and 1,000 captured.

Despite the loss, there were acts of bravery by the Americans, in particular those of Gregory.

At the battle's worst, Gregory's men joined a charge with Continental regiments from Maryland and Delaware into the oncoming British. Gregory's horse was killed, pinning him to the ground. British soldiers bayoneted him twice as he lay there. He was captured, but British doctors released him when they thought he was dying. Cornwallis even recorded him as among the American dead.

Gregory recovered to lead a militia to protect northeastern North Carolina from a possible invasion of the British from Suffolk, according to the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography.

The British did make forays into the region. On one occasion, a British officer left behind a note as a prank saying Gregory was a traitor and may betray American troops. American forces found the note and Gregory was charged with treason.

The British officer heard about the charges and sent a letter explaining his prank. The case never went to court, but Gregory was hurt by the lack of trust in him.

"He never forgot that," Leary said.

After the war, Gregory ran a plantation called Fairfield where he built a 3-story brick mansion and had a family of six children. He died at the home and was buried there in 1800 at the age of 63. There is no sign of his grave.

The brick home was occupied until about the 1950s and stood for 30 more years until its remnants were torn down into a pile of bricks, said Bess Tillitt Godfrey Sawyer, a descendant of Gregory and owner of much of what was Gregory's plantation. Most of the brick rubble is gone now, too. The only sign is a patch of trees in the middle of a corn field.

The marker also has a story.

The Daughters of the American Revolution set the white 3-foot tall marker some 100 years ago in front of the Gregory home. It was knocked down in the 1970s and lay there until it disappeared for a while before being recovered.

For more than 30 years it stood in a corner of Sawyer's garage. Earlier this year, the Sons of the American Revolution had the marker cleaned and a new metal plaque mounted on it with the years of Gregory's birth and death and a note about the Camden battle on it. The marker was reset in a mowed area across from the cornfield where it once sat.

Camden's most notable citizen is remembered again.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, [emailprotected]

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More About Elizabeth Whedbee:
Date born 2: Abt. 1740

Children of Isaac Gregory and Elizabeth Whedbee are:
i. Sarah Gregory?, married Dempsey Burgess.
ii. William Gregory?
42 iii. Isaac Gregory, Jr., born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Mary/Miriam Sawyer?; married (2) Aliff Grandy.
iv. Penelope Gregory?, married Nathan Snowden.

86. Lemuel Sawyer, born Abt. 1734; died Abt. 1787. He was the son of 172. Capt. Caleb Sawyer and 173. Susannah Spence?. He married 87. Mary Taylor.
87. Mary Taylor

Children of Lemuel Sawyer and Mary Taylor are:
i. Dempsey Sawyer
ii. Edmund Sawyer
iii. Elizabeth Sawyer, married Col. Dempsey Burgess; born Abt. 1751 in present-day Camden Co., NC; died 13 Jan 1800 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Col. Dempsey Burgess:
Quoted from "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank" by Jesse Forbes Pugh
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

COLONEL DEMPSEY BURGESS
ca 1751-1800

WHEN DEMPSEY BURGESS, eighteen years old, and eleven others were cited to the precinct court in 1769 "to show why they should not be fined for not attending to guard the Public Gaol," their elders probably expressed alarm at the irresponsibility of the younger generation and foresaw a dismal future for them. The young Dempsey may have been singled out as an object of especial concern inasmuch as his father and grandfather had been ministers and citizens of considerable influence in the county. Fortunately, the young people have in all ages generally been able to confound the prophets of disaster, and Dempsey likewise failed to justify any dire forebodings as to his future. If there has ever been a more capable and aggressive youngster reared in Camden, the records fail to bear witness to him.

Upon arriving at his twenty-first birthday in the spring of 1772, he immediately assumed the guardianship of a brother and sister, Zephaniah and Freelove, and also of his half-uncle Benoni, a son of a late marriage by his grandfather, William Burgess. And on May 20 he qualified and took seat as one of the members of the precinct court. At the age of twenty-two he was elected a representative from Pasquotank to the Assembly and reelected two years later.

In this year a circ*mstance incident to the beginning of the Revolutionary conflict placed him in an additional office. Thomas McKnight, clerk of the Pasquotank Court, was also a representative, and at a session of the Assembly in New Bern in 1775 he openly refused to subscribe to resolutions antagonistic to Great Britain. McKnight stoutly defended himself, notably in his historic press debate with Joseph Jones and in letters to Samuel Johnston and others. Emotions were running high, however, and McKnight found his position so unpopular that he departed to join the British, supposedly the forces of Lord Dunmore at the siege of Norfolk. An entry in the Pasquotank court minutes for December reads: "Thomas McKnight not appearing or any person as his deputy for him, Demsey Burges is appointed to act as Clerk." Burgess' appointment was confirmed at a later date and he continued to hold this office until the formation of Camden County in 1777, when he immediately was appointed to the same position in the new county.

He is best remembered locally, perhaps, for his gift to Shiloh Baptist Church when he was twenty-three years old. The Baptist meeting house had been built on the property of, and largely at the expense of the pastor, Elder John Burgess. By the terms of his will a large tract including the site of the building was bequeathed equally to his sons John annd Dempsey, John to have first choice. John chose the half on which the church was located. According to a contemporary report Elder John made a dying request that the church and site be donated to the congregation. John failed to comply with this request, and in 1774 Dempsey purchased John's share and gave a ninety-nine year lease on this property to "the Pastor and Elders of the Baptist Society," excepting the schoolhouse and "Reserving to myself the Privilege of Eight feet square for a Pew for myself and family." Tension between the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists, who now controlled the congregation, is reflected in the lease. "If at any time within the limits of the said lease," Dempsey stipulated, "it should fall out that the said Publick Worship should . . . be carried on contrary to the new principles . . . then the said House and Grounds to be returned to the said Demsey Burges his heirs or assigns." So strong was the tension that the pastor, Elder Henry Abbott, thought it wise to be rebaptised again in a ceremony conducted by those favoring the "new principles," that is, the Particular Baptists.

Burgess was a delegate to the majority of the congresses convened during the Revolutionary period. As a member of the Hillsborough Congress in 1775 when the business in hand was preparation for war, he signed an agreement to be bound by the acts of the Provincial Congress, and was also placed on a large committee "for the purpose of preparing a plan for the regulation of the internal peace, order and saftey of this province." At Halifax, in April of 1776, he served on a Committee of Ways and Means "to form an estimate of the expense for supporting the troops to be raised for one year," and was later added to the Committee of Enquiry. This Congress adjourned with the expectation that the same delegates would meet again in the fall to consider a state constitution, which the Congress had ordered to be drawn up. Meanwhile the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4 and the Provincial Council of Safety, meeting in August, called for another election of delegates for the November session of the Congress. The voters were urged to exercise especial care in electing delegates who were "not only to make laws for the good Government of, but also to form a Constitution for this State." While there may be no especial significance in the results, the fact is that of the five who had been elected for the first session in April, only two, Henry Abbott and Dempsey Burgess, were reelected for the fall session, and these were both from the northeast or Camden side. During the fall session Burgess was added to a committee "to devise a more effectual way of apprehending deserters."

Insofar as the records show, his first military appointment was as a field officer with the rank of major when the Pasquotank Regiment of Minute Men was organized in 1775. In the following year the Pasquotank Militia was organized into the First and Second Regiments, one on either side of the river. On the northeast side the officers of the Second Regiment were Isaac Gregory, colonel; Dempsey Burgess, lieutenant colonel; Joshua Campbell, 1st major; and Peter Dauge, 2nd major. In 1777 Burgess was promoted to colonel in the room of Isaac Gregory, who had been promoted to brigadier general to succeed John Pugh Williams, resigned. Little is known of his military career. He acted as a courier in 1777, bringing reports to Governor Caswell on the progress of recruiting in Camden County, where seventeen had recently enlisted. He also carried a letter to the Governor from Captain Manlove Tarrant who wanted to know what disposition should be made of the regiment left in his care by Major Hardy Murfree. Was Colonel Burgess in the fighting at Great Bridge? Norfolk? with Gregory at Northwest? These are questions which only lend themselves to supposition.

His election to the Congress of the United States from the First North Carolina District in 1795 gave him the distinction of being the first resident of Camden County to receive this honor. He was a member of the Fourth and Fifth Congresses, 1795-98. Somewhat surprisingly his congressional record was undistinguished. His only speech is said to have been in opposition to the states meeting certain obligations to the Federal Government. The North Carolina delegations of the time were accused in certain quarters of subserviency to the Virginia delegation. Associate Justice James Iredell, writing to his wife from Philadelphia while the Congress was in session, made this sharp comment: "there is too much reason to fear that everyone of our members (except Mr. Grove) will vote for it [the Jay Treaty] including Mr. Blair's favorite Mr. Burgess, who on all occasions has shown himself a thorough-paced Virginian."

Some of the miscellaneous items in Colonel Burgess' career are not without interest. For a time he served as member of a commission to confiscate, as well as to make inventories of, the properties of certain Tories. He was one of the five commissioners first appointed for the newly established Camden County. In 1789 he was appointed a trustee of the Currituck Seminary of Learning which was chartered during that year. Colonel Dempsey and his brother Lieutenant Zephaniah formed one of two pairs of brothers from Camden who were commissioned officers, the other two being General Isaac Gregory and his brother Captain Dempsey.

Dempsey Burgess was the third generation of a family which had been a predominating influence in the county, and he was the first from this county to participate in national politics. As a business man he was quite successful and one of the largest slaveowners, reporting thirty slaves in the 1790 census. He is one of the four individuals for whom markers have been erected in this county by the State Department of Archives and History. He died January 13, 1800.

iv. Frederick B. Sawyer
v. Matthias Sawyer
vi. Pharoah Sawyer
vii. Enoch Sawyer, born 03 Mar 1758 in Camden Co., NC; died 16 Mar 1827 in Camden Co., NC; married Mary Gregory; born 27 Sep 1772 in Camden Co., NC; died 08 Oct 1854.

Notes for Enoch Sawyer:
From Jesse Forbes Pugh's "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina," copied and pasted from an online reprint from
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

Host to the President of the United States

ENOCH SAWYER
ca 1760-1823

WHETHER GEORGE WASHINGTON ever strayed over into Camden territory during his surveying expeditions in the Dismal Swamp may be a debatable question, but the visit of President James Monroe with a distinguished entourage to the residence of Enoch Sawyer, gentleman planter and Collector of the Port of Camden, has been recorded with copious details by the brother of the host, Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, who was present on the occasion. Incidentally, the quotations included in this narrative are all taken from the Congressman's Autobiography.

The visit came about in this manner. Partly for political reasons and partly to make a survey of the needs for internal improvements, Monroe came to Norfolk in June of 1818. From Norfolk he made a tour of the Dismal Swamp Canal, visited Lake Drummond and came on to Elizabeth City, possibly as the result of a suggestion from Lemuel Sawyer, Congressman from the First District. Following the President's trip to Lake Drummond, he spent the night at a public house along the canal, and in the morning he and his companions set out for Elizabeth City. A party from that town and environs, including Congressman Sawyer, met the advancing President and his escort whose approach could be detected a mile off because of the cloud of dust. In the town Sawyer introduced the chief executive to several of the assembled populace, after which all were entertained at the "City Hotel with an excellent repast in which a fine green turtle presented the most inviting dish."

During the progress of the banquet the President was extended an invitation to remain over until the next day in order to meet more of his constituents in the vicinity. Among those present at the dinner was the Congressman's brother, Enoch, whose dwelling was the Sawyer ancestral home, "Richmond," some three miles away over in Camden. His invitation to the President and his escort to be overnight guests at his home was accepted. Sawyer dispatched a messenger with a brief note of three lines to inform his wife of the imminent honor. Not unwarranted was Congressman Sawyer's later comment: "Had the President come, like Lear with his hundred knights, he would have been accommodated," for not only was the "mansion" spacious, Enoch's wife Mary was not lacking in social experience. She was a daughter of General Isaac Gregory and from her youth up had been accustomed to assist in the entertainment of distinguished guests who frequently visited Fairfield Plantation, her girlhood home.

The Presidential party consisted of about a dozen men, among whom were Benjamin Williams Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy; John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War; and Congressman J. H. Bassett of New York. Probably because of his acquaintance with the members, Congressman Lemuel seems to have made himself a sort of master of ceremonies, for he led the way with Calhoun in his barouche, "and all the rest of the Company followed in their carriages and on horseback."

Enoch and Mary Sawyer's daughter Mary seems to have already acquired much of her mother's social charm since she contributed greatly to the pleasure of the evening's entertainment. She was the center of a diverting incident when, before tea was served, she went into the garden to gather some roses for the guest of honor, and one of the young men suddenly evinced a desire for flowers and almost captured Mary and her bouquet before she could place it in the President's hands. After refreshments she "entertained 'till bedtime, by some of her best airs on the harp, an instrument on which she excelled, accompanied by a sweet trained voice." The next morning Monroe took his leave, appearing to have been highly gratified at his reception and afterwards "always making it a point to inquire particularly into the welfare of the family."

Enoch Sawyer was a youngster of fifteen at the outbreak of the Revolution. If he bore arms at all in this conflict, he was with the state militia, and individual records for this branch of the military are practically non-existent. The first public attestation of any connection with martial activities is in 1781, when the returns of military supplies impressed from private citizens show 1045 pounds of sugar were requisitioned from him. Again in 1784 the Legislature approved his claim in the amount of sixty-five pounds "for cloathing for officers of the continental line."

Coming from a family which for a century had continued to fill various public capacities, his election to the House of Commons in 1784, at the age of twenty-three, and for six more years in succession, seems almost a matter of routine. Political control was indeed in the hands of a few families and during four years of this period the senator from Camden was Sawyer's father-in-law, General Gregory. As would be expected, his voting record reflected the sentiments of the plantation aristocracy in the East, which generally opposed policies supported by the central and western sections. His vote in 1790 against advancing a loan to the newly chartered state university is a reminder that the public mind at the time had not accepted the principle of supporting educational institutions with funds from public revenue. Nevertheless, Sawyer was not a disloyal North Carolinian; in his will he left directions for his two sons to "be educated at the University of this State or at one of the colleges in the northern states."

Other positions of a public character filled by Sawyer were: delegate to the Hillsborough and Fayetteville Conventions in 1788 and 1789, trustee of the Currituck Seminary of Learning; Collector of the Port of Camden, succeeding General Gregory in this office.

Partly as a result of the accident of birth but more largely because of his own admirable personality, this scion of the dominant family in the county was one of those fortunate individuals who pass their lives under agreeable circ*mstances. He augmented his considerable inheritance by his own initiative, was a merchant who apparently imported his supplies in his own schooner, and operated a plantation and the ferry for which his father had obtained a franchise and known in modern times as Lamb's Ferry. Highly esteemed because of his exemplary habits in his private life, his charming wife and fine family of two sons and six daughters added to the prestige of his household.

For more than a century political and social life had been dominated by four families—Burgess, Gregory, Jones and Sawyer—not only on the northeast side of the river but often on the southwest side as well, before Pasquotank was separated into two counties. Of the four clans the Sawyers were the most enduring and the most powerful. There were years during the colonial period when three of the five representatives from Pasquotank in the Assembly would be Sawyers from Sawyers Creek. This tribe was the first to rise in prominence and the last to decline. The union of three of these local dynasties at the end affords a dramatic climax. Colonel Dempsey Burgess married Enoch Sawyer's sister Elizabeth, and as has already been noted, Enoch's wife was a daughter of General Gregory. Three of the leaders, Joseph Jones, Burgess and Gregory, all died in 1800 and Sawyer, in 1823. New names now appeared to take the place of those whose potency had departed. But none of the later ones have ever wielded as much influence as those political leaders of the eighteenth century, and few have equalled them in ability.

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Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey, descendant (at least two ways) of the Sawyer family (or families) of Camden Co., NC and vicinity, and of the Gregory, Barco, and Torksey families from which Enoch Sawyer's wife was descended:

The information quoted below casts rather unpleasant dispersions on the character of Enoch Sawyer in contrast to the above biography that was written in the 1950s in a time when county or family histories were more celebratory and less inclusive than histories are now. The below is quoted from pages 30-32 of Dr. David S. Cecelski's "The Waterman's Song: Slavery and Freedom in Maritime North Carolina" (2001). While attending a conference for teachers about whaling and the Underground Railroad in New Bedford, Massachusetts in July, 2011, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, I was provided with a packet of books by authors who came to speak to our group during the week we were there. Dr. Cecelski's book was one of them, and because it is set in Tidewater North Carolina where roughly half of my ancestry is rooted back to colonial times, I began reading it that week during my spare time and finished it the last day of the conference, the day Dr. Cecelski spoke. Because much of my paternal ancestry in that area is unknown more than seven generations back, due mainly to loss of records, I was eager to to be inculcated with the heritage of that area and to read the sources that were utilized. According to the book, about 31 percent of Camden County's population in 1790 was African-American, and African-Americans dominated the coastal life of Eastern North Carolina, whether they were engaged in ferrying, fishing, sailing, canal digging, or other maritime pursuits. The book is known for its exceptional, groundbreaking coverage of slaves or free blacks engaged in martiime activity in contrast to earlier works concentrating on persons of color in agriculture, debunking the myth that slaves in the South were predominantly engaged in agriculture. These pages are quoted thus:

In 1790 Moses Grandy's first master, William "Billy" Grandy, owned more slaves than almost anyone in Camden County. "My mother often hid us all in the woods, to prevent master selling us," his former slave recalled, but William Grandy eventually sold away most of Moses's brothers and sisters. At his death, he deeded Moses to his young son, James, stipulating that his son's guardian hire Moses out to other masters until James reached his majority. Like many slaves in the Albemarle Sound vicinity, Moses Grandy thus moved annually from master to master.

Moses Grandy worked first on the water as a ferryman. Hired from James Grandy's guardian by Enoch Sawyer, Grandy tended the ferry across the Narrows on the Pasquotank River. Three miles across at its nearby mouth on the Albemarle Sound, the river abruptly closed to a width of one-fifth of a mile at the Narrows, more recently remembered as Lamb's Ferry. First franchised to the Sawyer family during George Washington's administration, the ferry ran from the Sawyers' manor house in Camden to just north of Knobb's Creek. It carried local traffic as well as travelers and goods passing down the main road between Norfolk and Edenton, the seat of Chowan County to the west and at that time the largest port on Albemarle Sound.

The daily traffic of tidewater life was in the hands of slave ferrymen like Grandy. They conducted wayfarers across the multitude of creeks, rivers, and lakes that had yet to be bridged. Slave ferrymen usually made short trips and suffered stiff oversight compared to other watermen, but a few were absent from their masters for a day or longer during every crossing. A slave ferryman carried passengers across Currituck Sound, a six-mile journey, and another slave transported passerby across Lake Mattamuskeet, approximately a ten-mile round trip. Their boats ranged from periaugers and dugout canoes to cable-drawn barges, but the preferred craft on a slow, blackwater river like the Pasquotank would have been a wide flatboat operated by at least two hands using fore and aft sweeps, or long oars. Travelers contracted for ferry services with a local tavernkeeper or other merchant who had obtained a license to operate a toll ferry. In Grandy's case, they likely made arrangements at Sawyer's home. All ferry profits, of course, accrued to Sawyer.

Grandy tended Enoch Sawyer's ferry for three years. He later wrote that it was "a cruel living." Sawyer was a planter, merchant, and, from 1791 to 1827, collector of the port of Camden. The scion of one of four families that dominated Camden County in the eighteenth century, and brother of U.S. congressman Lemuel Sawyer, he owned two plantations, ten slaves, a schooner, eight lots across the river in the new port of Elizabeth City, and approximately 10,000 acres of swamp forest in Camden and Pasquotank Counties. Grandy acknowledged the decency of several of his other masters, but he recalled from his years on Sawyer's ferry only hunger, cold, and want. Grandy described being "half-starved" and his "naked feet being cracked and bleeding from extreme cold" while working for Sawyer. He rejoiced when finally George Furley hired him away from Sawyer, employing Grandy to haul lumber in the Great Dismal Swamp. There at least he had enough food and clothing. "I then thought I would not have left the [Dismal] to go to heaven," he wrote, a sentiment rarely shared by anybody who was not a slave.

More than hunger and privation colored Grandy's comtempt of Enoch Sawyer. Sawyer later owned Grandy's first wife, and, short on cash, he sold the woman away from the Albemarle. Grandy never saw her again. "I loved her," he wrote in his "Narrative," "as I loved my life."

During the War of 1812, Grandy first ran boats on the Dismal Swamp Canal. Built by slave labor from 1793 to 1805, the canal ran 22 miles through cypress and juniper swamp, from Joyce's Creek, a Pasquotank tributary, to Deep Creek, a tributary of the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Virginia. The narrow waterway linked Albemarle Sound to Norfolk's deepwater harbor, making it possible to reach other domestic and foreign markets without risking the dangerous shoals at Ocraco*ke Inlet. [Comment by Bryan: At that time, there was no Oregon Inlet, which is a closer way to get from the Sounds to the Atlantic Ocean, and the closest inlet then to the Albemarle Sound was the one separating Hatteras from Ocraco*ke.]

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http://camden.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/cems/enochsawyercempics.htm

The following is a complete listing of the tombstones in the Enoch Sawyer Cemetery in Camden County, NC.

Location on Havenwood Dr in the back yard of the 1st house on the left. ASK PERMISSION BEFORE VISITING!

GPS Coordinates:
36.314971 N
76.181602 W

The epitaphs are as follows:

Mary Sawyer
Wife of
Enoch Sawyer
Sep 27 1772
Oct 8 1834

Enoch Sawyer
Mar 3 1758
Mar 16 1827
Aged 69 ys 10 ds

Lemuel Sawyer
1777-1852
Author 1st NC Play
1824
Member of Congress
16 ys

More About Enoch Sawyer:
Personality/Intrst: He was a venturesome scion of one of the most prominent families of Camden Co., NC (port collector, plantation owner, ferry owner, etc.), but a narrative written by one of his slaves, Moses Grandy, casts dispersions on Sawyer as a slave master.

43 viii. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?, born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC; married Isaac Gregory, Jr..
ix. Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, Jr., born Abt. 1777 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1852 in Washington, DC; married Mary Snowden 11 Aug 1810 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, Jr.:
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh, reprinted online in
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

A Unique Author and Congressman

LEMUEL SAWYER, JR.
ca 1777-1852

TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Lemuel Sawyer of Camden County was the youngest member of the House of Commons in 1800; but otherwise there was nothing unusual in the appearance of a member of his family in the legislature. Even though the journals for a dozen or more sessions of the assembly have been lost, those remaining prove Sawyers were elected for at least twenty-eight times during the previous one hundred years—all of them coming from Sawyers Creek on the northeast side of the river.

Despite his lack of age this young man already had the advantage somewhat of a cosmopolitan education and experience. At the age of sixteen he had entered the school of the renowned Dr. Peter Wilson, Flatbush Academy on Long Island, which he attended for three years. Then for a year he went to Philadelphia to be with his brother-in-law, Congressman Dempsey Burgess, and was an irregular student at the University of Pennsylvania. For the next two years he unsuccessfully attempted farming on his lands in Camden. His chief interests were in politics and literature, however, and in 1799 he studied law at the University of North Carolina as a means of advancement toward a political future.

If election to office be accepted as a criterion, his career was a successful one. He soon won local fame as an attorney and orator, and because of his family connections experienced no difficulty in being elected to the House of Commons for two terms. His ardent support of Jefferson and Republicanism (Jefferson's party) quickly gained for him state-wide recognition as one of the up-and-coming young men in the political field. As a Republican elector he voted for Jefferson and Clinton in 1804; and in the same year the legislature elected him a member of the Council of State, following a partisan speech in which he declared the election of Jefferson in 1801 "was a greater subject for joy than the capture of Cornwallis." The reputation he had thus gained, his personal popularity and family prestige, enabled him to defeat William Murfree for a seat in Congress in 1806, and he continued to win triumphant support at the polls for seven more terms with intervals as follows: 1807-1813, 1817-1823, 1825-1829.

In Congress Sawyer was a consistent supporter of Jefferson, Madison and Monroe. He belonged to the school of political thought whose leader was Nathaniel Macon and naturally at the beginning of his career he advocated rigid economy, supported the Embargo Act, and opposed a naval establishment. One effect of the embargo, however, was to reduce the lumber trade of North Carolina to a critical condition, and in 1808 our Congressman introduced a resolution to reopen trade with the West Indies. By 1810 Sawyer, who was known as one of the North Carolina "War Hawks," was calling for a declaration of war with England and a "bold irruption into Canada." After the war with England he proposed a sharp increase in the navy, but he opposed the federal policy of internal improvements as unconstitutional and inexpedient. During his last period in Congress he became a Jackson Democrat. A speech made in Congress in December, 1825, attracted wide notice because he proposed the use of a war vessel for the exploration of the polar regions of North America, declaring that "the time has come when this nation should likewise enter into this glorious career of discovery and human improvement."

The perpetuation of Sawyer's memory will not be on account of his congressional record, which was, as a whole, undistinguished, but because of his authorship of a farce comedy published in 1824 under the title Blackbeard. He had early evinced an interest in reading and literature, a bent which became more pronounced in later years. "I was always a great reader," he wrote. "Being of a delicate constitution, I seldom ventured out at night in search of amusem*nt or pleasure, and was in a measure forced to supply their place with books, to occupy my mind agreeably on long winter evenings." Not a copy of his first literary attempt, Journey to Lake Drummond, is extant; however, if the uncomplimentary comment by one who had seen it affords a reasonable criterion, the world has suffered no great loss thereby. Two other books were announced though never published. The significance of Blackbeard does not derive from its literary excellence; it would seem to be the first drama written by a native of the state and "the first with a North Carolina setting and with North Carolina characters."

The scene is laid in Currituck for very personal reasons on the part of the author. In recent years Currituck had consistently delivered a majority vote against him—a fact not calculated to endear any locality to the heart of an aspirant for office. The time of the action in the play is 1823, and in the major plot Sawyer somewhat gleefully unfolds a scheme whereby two sharpers fleece four unsophisticated natives by promising them a large share of Blackbeard's treasure in return for a cash payment by the gullible victims. The tricksters disappear with the money, as would be expected, leaving the hapless Currituckians with a bag of sand—a plight merited by their cupidity, at least in the mind of the playwright. The minor plot concerns itself with the campaign of an honest candidate (no doubt personifying Sawyer) against an unscrupulous opponent who resorts to lies, trickery and plenty of grog. Our honest hero is helpless before such skullduggery and is defeated as a matter of course. Nevertheless, in a melodramatic climax, the wicked opponents repent their wrongdoings and promise to support for an uncontested seat in Congress the man they have unethically overcome. In the play Sawyer has depicted social and political conditions with almost brutal frankness, and as such it is a valuable contemporary document of life in Currituck in 1823. "Thus, in the first North Carolina play, literature and history are fused."

Several terms in Congress and the authorship of a unique and significant literary effort insure for Sawyer a place of permanent distinction in the history of Camden, but unfortunately these accomplishments are but the segments of a half-told tale which, when narrated in full, becomes a sordid account, dimming the luster of what would be otherwise a bright page indeed in the archives of this small county. Despite his attractive personality and influential family connections, extravagance, questionable conduct and general shabbiness brought him surely, albeit gradually, to wretched poverty and neglect in his declining years, leaving us to wonder how he flourished as long as he did. As an explanation of his eccentric proclivities one biographer cites the year spent, when he was nineteen, with his brother-in-law in Philadelphia, where he "developed habits of extravagance and fondness for gay society which beset him throughout life." Whether this analysis be accepted or whether he be considered rather as a sport from the heretofore rigidly upright Sawyer stock, the facts are nothing less than shocking.

By the time he entered Congress his inheritance, consisting of a few hundred acres of land and some half dozen slaves (he claimed there were a dozen), had almost been dissipated as a result of poor management and improvident spending. In Washington he depended upon the winnings of a gambler friend, whom he staked, for the means to maintain his habits of extravagance and easy-going principles. He shamelessly admits an affair "with a woman of bad fame" in his Autobiography. Notwithstanding his transgressions, in order to give credit where credit is due, one must assume that this unorthodox individual must have possessed some solid attributes. Simply a likeable personality would hardly explain his friendly acquaintance with leaders like Henry Clay and Vice-President George Clinton.

Sawyer's literary efforts also strikingly reflect the capricious disposition of the author, marked here and there with flashes of brilliance and skill. Despite its shrewd portrayals, Blackbeard is poorly constructed and uneven in treatment. The most prominent characteristic of another play, The Wreck of Honor, is the lewdness of some of the language and scenes, which would be considered indecent even according to the liberal standards of the present century. A literary curiosity is A Biography of John Randolph of Roanoke, with a Selection from His Speeches, a volume whose purpose seems to be to berate the subject and whose content was characterized by the Southern Literary Messenger as a "false, scandalous and malicious libel." His most famous work is his Autobiography, a somewhat repelling mixture of shameless revelations of his misdeeds, whining complaints of his condition, and pointless quotations from speeches which lack interest. There is some question as to his authorship of a two-volume novel, Printz Hall. His last literary effort was a short article which discusses in a sprightly manner the growing of scuppernongs along the Albemarle and pleads for a scientific study of this grape looking toward the development of a wine industry in this region.

His marital relations afford still other unsavory aspects of his character. In 1810 he married Sarah Snowden, daughter of a substantial planter in Camden County. Their children all died in infancy. At the time of pregnancy and last illness of his wife he was in Norfolk carousing around and did not learn of her death until after the burial. Although he condemns his inexcusable conduct in his Autobiography and sorrowfully bewails his loss, the real cause for his grief, it is evident, was that the death of his wife and heir deprived him of any chance to a share in the Snowden property. At the age of forty-three he married sixteen-year-old Camilla Wertz of Washington, after a three-day courtship. Their children also died in infancy and after five years death came to Camilla, the object, if not the victim, of neglect. At the age of fifty he married a wealthy widow who was his senior in years, Mrs. Diana Rapalye Fisher of Brooklyn, and there followed a time when Sawyer was better off financially than he had ever been before. "I had my horses and servant," he declared, ". . . in hunting by day and the amusem*nt of cards or other social pleasures at night." This fortune also was gradually dissipated by the profligate hand which was without restraint.

Although not much is known of his latter years in Brooklyn, in all likelihood they were increasingly wretched to one who in turn had become the pathetic object of neglect and victim of poverty. When he was seventy-three, he obtained a minor clerkship in Washington. The National Intelligencer of Washington carried the following brief notice on January 12, 1852: "Died in Washington, D. C. at residence of G. R. Adams on 11th St. near F, Hon. Lemuel Sawyer for nearly 20 years Congressman from N. C. Died of heart condition." His remains were brought to Camden and placed in an unmarked grave in the family plot at Lamb's Ferry.

Somewhat to our embarrassment in Camden, the course of events in Lemuel Sawyer's life bears an unhappy parallel to the history of this county. Born in 1777, the year Camden was formed, in his youth he knew and was a part of a proud period when the county was a prosperous and vigorous community and its leaders were men whose influence was felt even beyond the confines of the state. After 1800 a gradual but presistent decline became evident in the economic life of the county, a condition, incidentally, which was felt throughout North Carolina, following the panic of 1819. But even after 1820 the prestige of the locality was still such as to attract young men of the caliber of Alfred Gatlin and William B. Shepard, both of whom were to become members of Congress. The processes of deterioration were at work, however, and not only did these men leave in search of places where prospects were more inviting, but for the same reason a gradual migration of many of the old families was set in motion. One by one the Canadys, Guilfords, Chamberlains and Harneys, for example—as well as some members of the Lamb, Burgess, Gregory and Sawyer clans—went elsewhere. Although a few stopped as nearby as Elizabeth City, the trek of the majority extended to Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas and elsewhere, as the local population continued to dwindle. While there were now and then exceptional performances by individuals, on the whole the tone of community life consistently subsided to lower levels.

As elsewhere in the South at the close of the War Between the States, the county was left prostrate. While in other locations men proceeded to build anew on dead foundations, this northest side remained in a quagmire of ignorance and poverty. The schools deteriorated until they were ineffective; the courthouse became a center of petty corruption. For a considerable period our local public offices, including that of county superintendent, were sold for a price. From a once prosperous political unit Camden had become a pauper.

It is therefore a matter for much gratification to be able to report that in recent years there has been healthy resurgence in civic life. Even Lemuel Sawyer may have become an augur of the return of better days. Commemorating the hundredth anniversary of his death, in 1952 the State Department of Archives and History sponsored a reprint of his most significant work, Blackbeard. As an introduction to this commemorative publication, Mr. Richard Walser of the English Department of State College has written a careful and scholarly account of the man and his achievements, factually recording his shortcomings but prophesying Sawyer's permanence in the literary history of North Carolina. And, as will be revealed in another sketch, conduct in public office in the county has ceased to be a source of embarrassment. Through assistance from State funds, a modern school system has been initiated; population has ceased to decline and is increasing at a healthy rate. And just as Sawyer's memory has reasserted itself, the glow of a healthier community life gives some promise of return to a condition of former times when the county was economically sufficient and its citizens knew no inferiority complex.

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From "Documenting the American South":
http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/sawyer/sawyer.html

Source: From DICTIONARY OF NORTH CAROLINA BIOGRAPHY edited by William S. Powell. Copyright (c) 1979-1996 by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. www.uncpress.unc.edu

Lemuel Sawyer, 1777-1852

Sawyer, Lemuel (1777 -- 9 Jan. 1852), writer and politician, was born in Camden County, the youngest of nine children of Lemuel and his first wife, Mary Taylor Sawyer. The elder Sawyer, whose family connections were numerous and affluent, was active in local affairs. His son attended the country schools, then in 1793-96 Flatbush Academy on Long Island. In May 1796 he went to Philadelphia to visit his brother-in-law, Congressman Dempsey Burgess, and quickly succumbed to the elegant living and the genial social life of the city. He studied mathematics briefly at the University of Pennsylvania. The following year Sawyer was back in Camden County, where he had inherited a dilapidated farm. In 1799 he was a student at The University of North Carolina, in 1800 and 1801 he held a seat in the North Carolina House of Commons, and in 1804 he was a presidential elector, casting his vote for Thomas Jefferson and DeWitt Clinton. Also in 1804 he was admitted to the bar and set up a law office in Elizabeth City. In these years, to support his improvident ways, he began to sell his property, first the slaves, then the land.

Sawyer served eight terms in Congress (1807-13, 1817-23, and 1825-29.) Twice during this period he ran unsuccessfully and once did not stand for reelection. Though he neglected his duties and often was absent from the sessions because of illness, so attractive and pleasant was his easygoing manner and so widespread and undiminished his personal popularity that he was able to defeat such formidable opponents as William H. Murfree and James Iredell. In Congress he supported the Embargo, championed Arctic exploration, and, ironically, was for rigid government economy. His favorite haunt was the reading room in the Library of Congress. From time to time he returned to North Carolina.

The first of Sawyer's three wives was Sarah Snowden, of Camden County, whom he married in 1810. She died two years later. In 1820 he married, in Washington, D.C., Camilla Wertz, who died in 1826. The three children of these marriages did not survive childhood. His third wife was the wealthy Mrs. Diana Rapalye Fisher, of Brooklyn, whom he married in 1828. He thereafter moved to New York State, where his liberal and spendthrift nature, extravagant style, and chronic invalidism eventually dissipated his wife's fortune and led to downright poverty. During his last two years he held a minor clerkship in Washington, where he died. Family tradition holds that he was buried in an unmarked grave beside his brother Enoch at Lambs Ferry in Camden County. In 1954 a marker was erected at the spot.

Sawyer's literary productions, like the books he chose to read, were quite diversified. First to be published was the now-lost Journal to Lake Drummond (ca. 1797), concerning which David L. Swain commented: "The events are without interest, the remarks puerile, and the language the most superlative bombast." Also lost are three unpublished manuscripts: "Essays Literary, Political, and Dramatic" (ca. 1805), a "Roman History" (ca. 1822), and a work on "Greek Literature" (late 1840s). His four-act comedy Blackbeard (1824), the first play by a native North Carolinian, as well as the first to use North Carolina scenes and North Carolina characters, is a mixture of low farce and flowery melodrama. Neither of its two plots had to do with the famous pirate: instead, Sawyer deals, first, with a group of gullible rustics who in 1823 are intent on recovering Blackbeard's buried treasure and, second, with a disreputable crowd of corrupt Currituck County politicians. The play was sold by subscription to members of Congress, and so delighted was Sawyer with the financial reward that he immediately brought out another play, The Wreck of Honor (1824). One of its two plots follows the amorous adventures of an American in Paris, while the other, in blank verse, is a drama of seduction and murder, including a scene at the Battle of Waterloo. Neither play has ever been staged.

Quite a different sort of literary efforts is The Observatory (1833), advocating a national observatory in Washington for the purpose of spreading scientific knowledge. In A Biography of John Randolph of Roanoke (1844), Sawyer's congressional colleague is portrayed as a coward, a mountebank, and a quarrelsome and egoistical numskull. Poorly organized and hastily put together, it was, according to reviewers at the time, false, scandalous, malicious, and libelous. Even so, his book on Randolph is no more scathing than the Auto-Biography of Lemuel Sawyer (1844), a frank disclosure of his gambling, wastefulness, dissipation, chicanery, and tawdry love affairs. This book must be one of the most self-condemning documents in all American letters. His last publication was "The Vine of North Carolina," included in Report of the Commissioner of Patents (1849), where Sawyer encourages the growing of scuppernongs in northeastern North Carolina to promote the commercial production of wine. Though once ascribed to him, the novel Printz Hall (1839) is now known not to be by Sawyer.

RICHARD WALSER

Autobiography
of Lemuel Sawyer,
Formerly Member of Congress from North Carolina:
Electronic Edition.
Lemuel Sawyer (1777-1852)

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Call number CCB S371s 1844 (North Carolina Collection, UNC-CH)

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Library of Congress Subject Headings,
19th edition, 1996
LC Subject Headings:
Sawyer, Lemuel, 1777-1852.
Legislators -- United States -- Biography.
Politicians -- North Carolina -- Biography.
Authors, American -- North Carolina -- Biography.
Authors, American -- 19th century -- Biography.

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finished TEI-conformant encoding and final proofing.

1996-10-10,
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finished scanning (OCR) and proofing.

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AUTO-BIOGRAPHY
OF
LEMUEL SAWYER,
FORMERLY MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
AUTHOR OF
The Biography of John Randolph

NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR,
1844.

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IT is due to the reader, to assure him that no ingredient of vanity has entered into the publication of this trifle. I never imagined my own life of sufficient notoriety and consequence to entitle it to the especial favor of the public, in the shape of a separate and independent chronicle. I had prepared an enlarged and improved volume of the Life of JOHN RANDOLPH, and intended to prefix to the second edition, a brief account of my own. In composing it, I found it grew on my hands, and although "curtailed of many of its proportions" yet it threatened to intrude too far upon the prohibited grounds of the main work. The intended edition is a heavy and expensive undertaking, and I have postponed it to a more convenient season. In the mean time I have been advised by a friend, in whose judgment I place implicit confidence, to advance this pamphlet into the world as a precursor, instead of an accompaniment of that projected work. Should I be fortunate enough to receive the countenance of this enlightened community, it will afford an encouraging presage of its success, and expedite its future appearance. Should it fail, it will at least afford a salutary admonition to withdraw it altogether.

LEMUEL SAWYER.

Brooklyn, July 1, 1844.

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AUTO-BIOGRAPHY

OF

LEMUEL SAWYER.

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So far as my course has become a part of the history of the country, connected as it has been with many of its leading events, as the non-intercourse, embargo, and war, a personal memoir may be justifiable as a small link in the intricate chain of national affairs. A somewhat full and particular detail of a life under such circ*mstances, if it were found not destitute of eventful interest, and, as it is hoped, not an ignoble one, it would present still stronger claims to the reader's acceptance. In the Sunday Atlas of New York, of the 13th of August last, was given a sketch of the writer, under the head of Portraits of the People, and it is intended to make that the groundwork of this memoir, with the alterations and additions that the occasion requires, by which it will necessarily be extended to much greater length. The Atlas stated truly, "that the subject of this memoir was the youngest of nine children by the first wife, all of whom arrived at years of maturity, and most of whom reared numerous families, thrived well, and rose to independence and consideration in their several spheres of life. Although he was the most delicate of all his brothers, and has been heard to declare that he could not safely assert that he was ever well a day in his life, but suffered some ailment, local or general, yet has he survived all his brothers and sisters, and has been for six years the sole survivor. His situation is a deplorable one, and deserves the commiseration of every feeling heart. He lost his parents in early life, his mother dying in childbirth, before he was a month old, by which he was deprived of the blessing of that maternal affection, nurture, and moral discipline so necessary to his well- being, to which he may add the death of his father in his fifth year, by which he was left an orphan, unprotected and almost unsupported, to blind chance, to make his way through the world - devious and difficult at all times, dangerous under the untoward circ*mstances in which he was placed. It is no wonder, then, that his life has proved unfortunate and unhappy, from the want of parental instruction and authority, aid, and advice. Having no brother nor sister, having lost his two first wives, with "all their little ones, at one fell swoop," he stands like a solitary pillar in the desert, tottering on its base, ready to tumble amidst the ruins that surround it.

He was born in Camden County, N. C., in the fall of 1777, at the new family mansion on the banks of the river Pasquotank, the location of the ferry since established by the erection of a floating bridge. He received his Christian name Lemuel from his father, as the favorite child of his old age, and as large a share of his property as any of his brothers, except Enoch the oldest, to whom was devised the family seat, with its extensive domain, and where the first custom-house for the district was established. Enoch

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was appointed the collector in 1791, under Washington, and filled the office satisfactorily till the day of his death, in March, 1827.

In August, 1793, in his sixteenth year, after reaping such benefits as common country schools afforded from the period of his tenth year, he was taken by one of his brothers by sea to Flatbush Academy on Long Island, then in the meridian of its renown under the direction of Dr. Peter Wilson. He was placed there, not more for the purpose of education than for the restoration of his health being then afflicted with a tertian ague, following a bilious fever, and of eighteen months standing. It had reduced him to the brink of the grave. It was hoped that the sea voyage, with the change of air to a more salubrious climate, with good medical treatment would, by their benign influence, conquer this most obstinate form of chronic fever. For the benefit of all similar invalids we may mention, that by the end of three months he was restored to health, except the remains of a swelled spleen. A physician of New York was consulted. He prescribed flannel next the skin, and an emetic divided into portions, to be taken upon the accession of the chill, which never failed to occur every third afternoon. The advice was followed; as soon as the symptoms supervened, the doses were taken, and repeated till they operated. The patient then went to bed as usual, waiting for the recurrence of fever; but after an hour's expectation of his unwelcome visitor, he arose from his bed, went about his business, and never had another fit of the disease. In May, 1796, at the repeated solicitation of his brother-in-law, Demsey Burgess, the member of Congress from his district, then in session at Philadelphia, he reluctantly and unadvisedly left his numerous class, standing at its head, which is paying no small compliment to his proficiency, when such distinguished scholars and eminent men as the two brothers, Wm. and John Duer, the Rev. Peter Vanpelt, lately of Staten Island, Governors Troup and Telfair, of Georgia, were his colleagues. While he resided at Flatbush, he was very properly subjected to a rigid economy, his pocket money being limited to a shilling a week, which proved sufficient, where there was no temptation to dissipation or extravagance. But on arriving at Philadelphia the scene was reversed. He was ushered at once into gay and fashionable society, and his brother-in-law's purse being almost forced upon him, he spent more in six months than he had the whole time he was at Flatbush. But that was not the least of the evils entailed upon him by that ill-advised visit. He acquired habits of extravagance and recklessness in money matters, that followed him through life, and has occasioned many bitter pangs and vain regrets in after life. He attended awhile, though not regularly, as an honorary student of mathematics, under Professor Robert Patterson, of the University of Pennsylvania, occasionally occupied a seat in the gallery of Congress, and heard the debates in which John Nicholas, William B. Giles of Va., Mr. Gallatin, and R. G. Harper bore the leading parts. He was frequently gratified with the sight of the great Washington, and has been at the theatre on one occasion, the first appearance of Cooper in Richard the Third, when Washington entered the box assigned him, and the audience rose simultaneously, and saluted him with three cheers. As he boarded opposite to Andrew Ellicot, the astronomer, in North Sixth street, he was soon introduced to him and became intimately acquainted with the family. He was much attached to Andrew the son, and felt more than common friendship for the eldest daughter, Jane, which unfortunate attachment was the only cause of his refusing the offer by Mr. Ellicot, to take him in his suite at thirty dollars a month, with a horse found, as his secretary, on his mission to Florida as commissioner to run the boundary between this country and the Spanish colony of Florida. He regretted much afterwards, of the loss of that excellent opportunity to gain a knowledge of the country by travel, to acquire a practical knowledge of surveying and

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astronomy by a master, and one of the kindest and best of men, as well as of learning the value of various tracts of unoccupied lands, and the opportunity thus afforded of making up for his expenditures by successful speculation. He, however, did not remain long after Mr. Ellicot had left Philadelphia for Pittsburg, to descend thence down the rivers Ohio and Mississippi to Baton Rouge or Natchez, where he was to land. and begin the line of survey through to the head of the St. Mary's, on the Gorgia frontier. His attachment cooled by degrees, and his pockets collapsed as rapidly, and he returned to his native home in August, by a coasting vessel belonging to an old schoolmate and neighbor, and entered the State through an inlet near Roanoke Island, which has long since filled up, and left not a vestige of its former site. He had grown so much, and was so improved in personal appearance, that some of his nearest relatives and old playmates did not know him. On reaching the court-house, the court then sitting, he saw a very handsome young gentleman in the crowd, and upon asking who he was, he learned it was his youngest brother Wilson, born of a second wife. They had been separated when children, and had not met before. His patrimonial estate consisted of a farm, much exhausted and dilapidated, and a dozen slaves, which he took possession of, though but twenty years of age, to gratify the hands, who were tired of being, hired out, and wished to be put to work upon the farm, under the direction of their master. But he knew little or nothing of the business, was too easy and careless, and did not exact from them that full amount of labor, which they were not disposed voluntarily to render, and for three or four successive years the loss was so considerable that one of the gang had to be disposed of annually, to supply the deficiency. He took sides with the democratic party, entered with zeal against the administration of' John Adams and was elected a member of Assembly in the summer of 1800. Though the youngest man in the House, being barely eligible, he was the first to deliver a speech, soon after the house was organized, and succeeded in defeating the usual resolution to continue the old officers of the house, and substituted one by nomination and ballot, by which means he was enabled to promote a young friend from the ranks of private life, to a clerkship, from which he rose to be Secretary of State, and has filled that office with fidelity ever since. William Hill, the gentleman alluded to, acknowledges with gratitude that he was indebted to this decided step of Mr. Sawyer, in abolishing this unfair monopoly, and introducing the more just and liberal one by election. The Speaker's chair was filled by a Frenchman, Stephen Cabarus, a respectable and wealthy farmer from Edenton, from whom the County of Cabarus, the first where a gold mine was discovered, was named. Although he had lived among us from boyhood, yet his pronunciation had much of the foreign accent, and his reciting the captions or titles of bills and resolutions, invariably forced a smile from the members. On his return from the usual short session of two months, he divided his attention between his farm and his studies, which he now directed mainly to the acquisition of the law. Even then he had an eye to a seat in the national councils, and he made that profession a stepping-stone to mount to that post of honor. In the course of three years, he obtained a license to practice at the bar, which in that State, costs something besides hard study - a fee of twenty-five dollars to the examining judges. His first appearance in the forum was in defending a criminal on a trial for murder. He had volunteered on the case, and had fully prepared himself. He of course was enabled to make a powerful appeal to the jury, his client was acquitted, or, what is tantamount, was brought in guilty of manslaughter only, which is seldom visited by the moderate penalty of the law by branding the letter M on the brawn of the thumb of the left hand. His fame as a counsellor immediately spread, but there was not much business in the courts of that district. Though the reapers were

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many, the harvest was poor. A county court fee was only four dollars, and a Superior Court fee only ten, and there was no charge allowed for intermediate services, by long attorney's bills for preparing the case for trial. The large accumulation of fees and costs, seen and felt here, and "the law's delay," which frequently place the suitor in the predicament of Gulliver, who was ruined by a suit in chancery going in his favor with costs, are unknown there. The laws are few and simple, and justice speedy among that pure and unsophisticated people, nor was it ever heard of, as in New York, that a husband could not claim and receive his wife's personal property, though standing in her maiden name. It remained for the sapient conscience of Vice-chancellor H----n to introduce the interpolation upon all precedents in equity, but which will be no more regarded by future chancellors than the decisions of preceding ones were by him. The bench, however, has since got rid of him by a removal, and a happy riddance it was. We may conclude from its effects, as well as its etymology, that a chancery is a court wherein the causes are decided by chance, and wherein the goddess Fortune, perfectly blind, presides. Would it not save much time, costs, and trouble, instead of the present mode of bill and answer, and all their interlocutory proceedings, to adopt the more summary, popular, and just mode of appealing to her by the usual tools and implements, a raffle, a pack of cards, or heads and tails. Let the parties accommodate their difference by the fashionable game of old sledge, or whist, or brag, or a throw of the dice, and I will warrrant they will have as fair a chance at least, and save thousands in money and years in time, consumed by the present system. It is a monstrous excrescence on the fair face of our jurisprudence, and ought to be lopped off.

In October, 1804, Mr. Sawyer was elected one of the electors of President And Vice President for the district of Edenton, composing six counties, notwithstanding he lost the vote of Currituck, by the sheriff failing to attend with the returns, at the appointed place. The college met at Raleigh, the December following, during the sitting of the Legislature, and he then made a lengthy and able speech in favor of the republican candidates, which was listened to with earnest attention by the members of the Legislature; after which he deposited his vote for Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton, who received eight votes each, out of the twelve. This introduced him so favorably to the majority, that he was immediately afterwards chosen one of the seven counsellors of State, a post more of honor than profit, for they were not once convened during the whole period, and, of course he received nothing.

In the spring of 1806, upon his return from a visit to Washington, he learned that Col. Thomas Wynns, the representative in Congress, had declined a re-election, and he thus found the opportunity he had much desired, of becoming a candidate under favorable circ*mstances. He had some weeks the start, a no inconsiderable advantage in an election race, of his opponent, William H. Murfree, of Murfreesboro, and gained the victory by over a thousand majority. Mr. Murfree succeeded him, however, six years afterwards, Mr. Sawyer, having declined in consequence of ill health which debarred him from the house a whole session.

Congress was convened on the 26th of October, 1807, by the proclamation of President Jefferson, on account of the irritation of the public mind arising from the attacks of the frigate Leopard upon the Chesapeake within our waters, and the imprisonment of four seamen from her crew, on the pretence of their being deserters. Mr. Sawyer gave his hearty support to the administration both by his votes and his speeches, through its long and arduous struggle with Great Britain, in the successive measures of embargo, non-importation, non-intercourse, and war, and vindicated the rights of his country against the insults and oppression of that domineering power. In

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August, 1810, Mr. Sawyer married Miss Mary Snowden, a beautiful young lady, of the vicinity, the niece of his brother Enoch's wife, and grand-daughter of General Isaac Gregory, who commanded the militia at the battle of Camden, on Gates' defeat, when, on endeavoring to rally his men, he was wounded. They lived with her parents for the present, and until Mr. Sawyer returned from Congress, to which he was again elected over his old opponent by the usual large majority. When his time of departure arrived, Mr. Sawyer took a most affectionate leave of his wife, whom he left in tears and proceeded to a friend's that afternoon, at a distance of ten miles on his rout, intending to remain with him that night, and start for Norfolk the next morning. He loved his wife so dearly, he felt the pain of separation so severely, that he found it impossible to go without her. He therefore returned before night to the family, and persuaded his father and mother-in-law, to allow their daughter to accompany him. She was their favorite, but his wife and sister joining with him, their consent was obtained. The next day they visited his brother Enoch, for the purpose of prevailing on his eldest daughter Sarah to accompany them to Washington. The family agreed that Sarah should accompany them, as there were four daughters left to console them in her absence. They remained a few days with their relations in Norfolk, and thence proceeded by a packet to Baltimore and reached the seat of government the next day.

Mr. S. engaged board in the same mess with Mr. Clay, and his amiable wife on Capitol Hill. Their families became inseparable, and joined in all the numerous parties, of which not a week passed that they were not invited to two or three, by the heads of departments, the President's levees graced by Mrs.' Madison and of the foreign ministers. Vice President Clinton was also a member of our mess, and showed such marked attention to the ladies, that my niece was joked upon her mighty conquest, and nick-named Mrs. Vice. My wife divided with her the admiration and attention of the young members, and the military officers, several of whom were in the suite of General Wilkinson, who was then present attending a court of inquiry, ordered at his own request for charges made against him by Mr. Randolph. It was universally agreed, that they were two of the most beautiful women in the city, and my niece having been educated at a female seminary in Philadelphia, added to her personal charms a highly cultivated talent for music, which was on every evening that we remained at home, called into requisition by a numerous and attentive audience, with V. P. Clinton at their head. My wife among others made a conquest of the French Minister, General Tureau, who was an old widower, and who called upon us frequently for the purpose of meeting with the ladies in the drawing room. - In fact, we passed a most delightful season till the 4th of March, when we broke up, and I look back upon that winter as the happiest in my life, since those gay, innocent, playful school-boy days, which are always excepted. The house where we boarded on Capitol Hill, belonged to Thomas Law, the brother of Lord Ellenboro who had laid out a fortune of $100,000 and upwards on lots and improvements in Washington. He boarded (being separated from his wife, the niece of Mrs. Washington, Miss Custis) a part of the session with us. He was an eccentric man. of great nervous excitability and quick impulse. He often joined us in a game of whist, and though the rapidest player that probably ever was seen, he was one of the best. His stake never exceeded one dollar, while that of the members generally were from 5 to $10 on the game. Had it not been for Mr. Law, my expenses would have exceeded my pay, and I should have been straightened for means to get home. I agreed with him to stake $5 or $10 on every game he played, I would risk the balance and what he lost over his stake, I would make good, and what he gained he should give me. That relieved him of

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the embarrassment which his low bets occasioned. Upon retiring early in the evening, I offered him on that occasion $20 as a fund to start with, but he refused to take it, saying he had enough to meet all his losses. The next morning after breakfast, he handed me thirty dollars as my share of the gains of his skill and good luck, and frequently afterwards, on his return from Whist parties, he would give me sums from 5 to $20, and not more than once or twice, had I to make good any trifling loss. His son John, was a very respectable counsellor, and was engaged by Wilkinson to defend him in the court of inquiry. He had a most beautiful daughter about 15 years old, and although she was with her mother, she frequently called on him at his room. She seemed to be an angel of light and appeared as a peacemaker between them, and I never saw her leave the door without being suffused with tears. But it all would not do - He remained irreconcilable to the day of his death.

We left Alexandria the 5th of March, 1811, in the packet for Norfolk, attended by a number of young gentlemen, the fruits of Sarah's conquest, to see the last of us, and bid us adieu. We reached home in good time, meeting the smiling spring, the croaking music of the frogs (always grateful to me, but now seldom enjoyed,) and passed, a part of our way, under festoons of yellow jessamine, suspended from the highest trees and perfuming the whole atmosphere with a delicious incense. Soon after our return, my wife from prematurely leaving off her flannel, took a cold, and had a violent attack of inflammatory fever, with congestion of the lungs. Nothing but the most unwearied attention and the best medical experience saved her. She was bled, during the fever, three times copiously, the two last at my suggestion because I perceived that her pulse indicated it, though strongly opposed by her parents. Before she finally recovered, her kind, affectionate, and attentive mother was taken sick, no doubt from great excitement at the danger of her daughter, and exhaustion upon setting up by her. Her disease was nervous fever, and her end was hastened by depletion while I happened to be out of the way, she having seen its good effect upon my wife, requested the doctor to bleed her, and he was fool enough to do it, though her pulse was then weak and rapid, and of a typhus grade. She sunk rapidly, and in three days, we lost our dear parent, and best and steadiest friend we had in the world. I have dwelt somewhat upon the particulars of Mrs. Sawyer's illness, and my constant attendance on her from which I derived the gratification of having done my duty, and aided in her recovery, for the purpose of contrasting it with a future occasion, on which I have to reproach myself with a want of this conjugal tenderness, and which above all other sins I ever was guilty of, was heaviest on my conscience.

In the fall of 1811, my health suffering from the effects of that sickly season, I travelled to the north as far as Baltimore, and among the hills in that neighborhood, from thence I went to Philadelphia, where I had a niece at school. I recovered my health before the end of September, but delayed my return, without any assignable reason, till the middle of October, when I was attacked with my tedious and distressing complaint, gastro-enteritis, or dyspepsia with nervous irritation. I immediately gave up all hopes of returning home, and would have compromised with fate for a safe arrival at Washington before the session commenced.

I placed myself under the care of my old physician, Doct. Benjamin Rush. After a few days attendance, I discovered the drift of his remedy, and it immediately lost its charm. He invariably began by asking questions, and introducing political subjects, to draw my attention from my disease by making me think of something else. But I could not be led away from the sore point, but sat brooding over my ills, and venting my complaints and discontent, and would not be comforted. The Doctor applied few or no prescriptions but mental ones. I was not confined, however, and as the

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term approached I felt great anxiety to escape the severity of the winter and enter a more genial climate, and he encouraged my intention of endeavoring to reach Washington by easy stages, in company with some travelling friend. I reached Baltimore by moderate journeys, and after a few days' rest, started with a horse and gig for the city. It is the nature of the disease to render the patient restless, impatient and to urge him on beyond his strength. I can compare him to nothing more suitable than a mad dog, who the moment the symptoms appear, starts off in a brisk trot, and never stops till he is knocked in the head or falls exhausted. I named it restphobia. The nearer I approached Washington, the more anxious was I to reach it. I arrived at Rossburgh to dinner without suffering much from fatigue, and had I remained there all night, and the next day, all would have been well, and it would have saved me much of suffering, besides other dreadful consequences arising from my imprudence. I was irresolute for some moments after dinner, whether to remain or not. But at last I hastily decided by a sudden impulse, without any new light of reason or cause, to go on that night. After proceeding four miles, I began to feel overcome, but there was no comfortable quarters on the road from Bladensburg, and a kind of fatality which had before led me into such predicaments, or wilful obstinacy urged me on, and although I did not proceed out of a walk, when I reached my quarters I was completely exhausted. My symptoms were aggravated two-fold. I was a miserable invalid the whole winter, and never once took my seat during the session. I employed a doctor and took a great deal of physic, but nothing did me any good. Were I to be put on my oath, I do not know but that I should be obliged to swear on my conscience, that I never took a dose of medicine while laboring under these chronic diseases, that did me any good, but that in many instances they have done me harm. I depended on exercise and diet, and as soon as the river was clear of ice, the first of March, I took passage for Norfolk. My wife found me there in a few days. The sight of her revived me. By the advice of Doct. Rush, I put myself on a milk diet, and as I could not endure travel, (I will not say fatigue) by land, we took the water route, by the Dismal Smamp Canal, which saved me all jolting for more than half the journey. It took me three or four days however, to accomplish the journey of forty miles. I gradually regained my health by a milk and vegetable diet, and exercising much on horseback, and by the first of June, I had serious thoughts of returning back to my seat. But upon making a demonstration on a very hot day, of twelve miles, I was completely cured of my travelling fit and was glad to get back next day alive. My little farm was flourishing. It was a beautiful and central location, and now belongs to my successor, W. B. Shephard, whose land adjoined, My wife was six months advanced in the family way. I thought the house (which was a mere shell, and low pitched,) an uncomfortable one, I persuaded her to return with me to her father's roof in August, much against her will, and as it appeared afterwards against the judgment of her father, who wished to see me do well and to apply my time steadily to the business of the farm. I afterwards perceived my error, when it was too late to correct it, and was sorry I did not remain over and run the risk of a relapse, or a billious attack; rather than incur the displeasure of my wealthy father-in-law by such childish and fickle conduct. I soon afterwards, feeling some unpleasant symptoms, took a trip down to the sea-shore to fortify myself against the insalubrity of the approaching fall. When I returned after a week's absence, my father-in-law received me coldly, and my wife was not in the best humour. She required as much attention and caressing to retain her affection as she did to gain it, and I was not a person to submit to such terms. I was getting unwell as the month of September progressed, (the most sickly

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month in the year,) I felt myself uncomfortably situated, and I concluded to take the sea-shore on my route to Washington, and though a few miles out of the direct way, to stop a while at Curntuck Court House. It is situated on a high shore on the sound, which is there ten miles across to the inlet and the sea-shore. Before I left, my wife grew ill, but not so much so as to require particular attention, and she kept an obstinate silence from me of the state of her feelings. The night before I left, she lay quiet, and never complained once. Only that her sister declared she was sick, while she was carrying a hearty breakfast to her, I should not have known it. She did not make any objection to my excursion, and I started in a horse and gig, having a neighbor with me to bring them back, should I conclude to go on. Our family physician being on the route, I called on him to request him to visit my wife, but not finding him at home I left order to that effect which he complied with. Had I seen him, I should have bethought me to get him to promise to send for me, should she grow worse. I remained there four or five days, but heard nothing from my wife. When I started in the morning, I was so divided in my opinion what course to pursue whether to return, or go on, that I stopped to deliberate before I entered the main road, which was the Rubicon in my destination. I asked the advice of my nephew, a lad about sixteen, but he was undecided too, but I think rather inclined to visit Norfolk. In this state of indecision, bordering on distraction, I determined to submit the event to chance, and starting the horse in a gentle trot, I threw the reins down, and left it entirely to his decision. On what trifles do the most important events hang. He turned into the road for Norfolk, and I was a ruined man. I went on about twenty miles, and stopped for the night at a friend's. I was only twenty-five miles from home. My wife grew worse. She sent an express after me which went to the court house; but not finding me there, instead of pursuing me, and he might have come up with me that night, he returned home. I reached Norfolk the next day, and sent the gig back, remaining in total ignorance of the sad change which had taken place at home, which for ever blasted my hopes of happiness in this world. I had been at my sister's in Norfolk at least a week before we had any tidings from Carolina. She had learned from a market man the account of my loss, and imparted it to me in such a delicate way, with such an air of doubt, that I immediately went to the market to learn the particulars. I there found the man a neighbor of mine, who informed me that my wife was dead and buried, and that he was at her funeral. She had been delivered of a seven-month daughter, and expired from the exhaustion, preceded by ten days illness. I was overwhelmed with sorrow, remorse, and a most guilty conscience that whispered in my heart, that I had been negatively guilty of murder. I returned to the house so overcome, that I was taken violently ill, so that my sister called in the aid of a physician. It was a week before I retained sufficient strength to attempt a fulfilment of my resolution to return home. My sister accompanied me. I had a brother living near the Dismal Swamp Canal which was about half the distance, and by going by water I was enabled to reach there the second day, but found my strength entirely insufficient to enable me to reach home, without resting and recruiting several days. My sister consented to go on, as she felt much interest in seeing my daughter, and she had a sister and brother in the neighborhood, whom she had not seen for a year or more. She found my little daughter with a wet nurse employed, and the old gentleman devoted to the little grand-child. Everything was explained to the family, and my unfortunate ignorance to the last, of the real condition of my wife. She remained a week with her relatives, but before she returned my dear little infant had expired, it is supposed from being overlaid by the nurse, and thus one major inducement for

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my visit to the family was destroyed. I, therefore, mending but slowly, and being half way on my journey to Norfolk, concluded to retrace my steps, and by the tenth of November I again took shelter under my sister's roof. My father-in-law, as he had a right to do, and as there was no one there to take care of them, carried the negroes back to his house, together with the stock and furniture. I have since been very sick and thought myself at the point of death; and upon a retrospect of the black catalogue of a long life of sin and shame, this act of mine towards my wife presses heaviest upon my soul. It overbalances all the rest, although I have repented in tears, although I have confessed the odious offence to my confessor, and received his absolution, which I have prayed may be ratified in heaven. I never shall be able to clear my conscience of the stain of cruelty, inhumanity, and a want of conjugal affection in thus abandoning my wife at such a critical moment. None of the circ*mstances attending the case can afford the least excuse or palliation on my part. I ever shall believe, had I remained with her, had I nursed her with the tenderness I did on a former occasion, had I watched her symptoms, and I have much medical skill and experience, had I manifested that anxious concern and kind sympathy which was due to her and which she had a right to expect, she would have recovered or at least she should have had the consolation of dying in my arms. But by that one false step, I was deprived of wife and child, and an ample fortune, and committed such a heinous sin, that a whole life spent in penitence can never atone for. Mr. Snowden lived only two years afterwards. His whole estate, worth at least $40,000, fell to the surviving daughter. She had married, against her father's advice, a dissipated and insolvent Englishman by the name of Charles Bowring, a relation of Doct. Bowring of London, and in less than three short years the whole estate was squandered. They moved to the neighborhood of Norfolk, and undertook market-gardening, with one or two slaves all that remained out of forty. But he kept constantly drunk. The neighbors' castle got in and destroyed all the vegetation, and as a last refuge they moved to Norfolk. Here the scenes soon ended. He had neither money nor credit left. He died a miserable sot in the street, and she soon followed in a state of degradation, little short of starvation, and broken-hearted. I proceeded to Congress and served my term out, which ended in the year 1813. Feeling that I ought not to press my claims for a re-election, after losing the whole of the preceding session from indisposition, I wrote to my principal friends, that if Mr. Murfree would again declare himself a candidate, I would yield the field to him. He did so, and was elected the May following. I returned home in tolerable health, and retired to my little farm. I felt rather solitary and unhappy, and preferred more society and busier scenes. In the course of two years I sold my place at a very great price, and with the avails, about $2,000, went to Norfolk with a view of engaging in some other business. I consulted a friend there, who had been an extensive shipping merchant, and he advised me to enter into the book and stationary line. I entrusted him with the money to invest in that merchandise, and in the meantime became an inmate of his family. He became embarrassed and failed to procure the goods I wanted. A young man whom I saw daily in attendance for the purpose of obtaining means to set up a country store, I thought would meet with success, in case he succeeded in obtaining the capital; he went to Carolina, and opened in my old neighborhood, at a place called Sawyer's Creek, where my guardian had lived, and where I was admitted as one of the family and received as full a share of affection and partiality as either of my companions, their son and eldest daughter, nearly of my age. He had a store here before I left him for Flatbush, in 1793, where he made considerable money. But both himself and wife were dead when I returned home

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in August, 1796, and I was ushered into the world in my 20th year, and put in possession of my little property, without their sage advice and direction, and without any knowledge of the world, or judgment to manage my pecuniary affairs.

After some persuasion my friend entered into my views, and equiped the young adventurer with a small assortment of dry goods, groceries, and hardware; and he arrived at the spot with his cargo in a lighter through the Dismal Swamp Canal, and opened his store without competition for ten miles around. He had a good run of business, and kept the boats steadily employed in bringing through the Canal, the grain, lumber, and other produce he received. I was charged with the sale of the produce which came to my order, and the purchase of all the supplies necessary to keep up the assortment at the store. We continued the business until March, 1817, when the store-keeper, after long complaining, grew worse, and was incapable of managing the concern. Being a Jersey man, the climate disagreed with him, and he determined to return home as soon as the warm season advanced. I willingly consented to accept the commission of visiting the store, and taking charge of the business, as it again threw me into the arms of my old playmates and schoolfellows, and recalled the pleasing associations of my boyhood, by returning to a shop endeared to me by a thousand recollections. On my arrival, I found our partner laid up with the rheumatism, and as the busy season was nearly over, and the stock of goods wanted replenishing, we came to the conclusion to sell out, by auction, for cash, and wind up the concern. We accordingly put up advertisem*nts, and about the middle of April fixed the day of sale. A large concourse of people attended; goods were scarce, and money plentiful, and the stock went off briskly at fair rates. I received the avails, settled with the store-keeper, who soon left for his former home, and I indemnified myself for the loan of $2000 and interest, out of the avails.

Among the company in attendance, was the sheriff of the county, a next door neighbor of my brother Enoch, and an energetic and popular man. I had been absent from the district fifteen months, and could not be fairly deemed a resident. I learned that Mr. Murfree had refused to serve any longer, alledging that he lost more money by it than he gained honor. There were two candidates for his place. But it seemed the people generally did not like either. My presence, in the centre of my old constituents awakened all their predilections, and revived feelings similar to those aroused by Bonaparte on landing from Elba at Frejus. The sheriff solicited me to declare myself a candidate. It never for a moment entered my head, when I left Norfolk, a few weeks before, that I should find an occasion, or the wish of the people, to renew my former political connection with them. But I found I had hit upon the lucky moment, and I determined to seize it. The multitude gathered around me, I made them a short address and concluded by declaring I should be proud and happy to serve them again, if they thought me worthy, and was greeted with loud huzzas.

I then commenced my electioneering tour, with the requisite funds, as an election in that State is a very expensive undertaking, and every cent a member can save out of his earnings, out of his pay and mileage, is consumed in the next campaign - an election, a week before the general one, was held in the uppermost county, Hertford, that I was not aware of, and of course did not attend, so my two antagonists divided the vote there nearly equally. But I met them in the next county, Gates, where I was less known than in the middle and lower counties, but where one of the candidates stood the strongest. I received only 80 votes there, however, out of 500, and being quite unwell, stopped at the public inn at the Court House, to rest and take some remedies against the bilious symptoms which

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affected me. As the court was about to set, which would collect the greater portion of the people, I concluded to stay until its adjournment, in order to learn the result of the election before I left, and to form a better acquaintance and strengthen my influence in that county. For four days we had not heard a syllable from the rest of the district; and from the returns in these two counties, my chance appeared desperate. In the afternoon of that day, the sheriff of Pasquotank, one of my strong holds, and the backbone of the district, rode up to the door, having business in the county above. We met him as he entered, all anxious to hear the news. He remained silent for some minutes on the subject, and talked on indifferent matters. When he did commence to open his budget, he merely asked me how I came on in Gates, and how many votes I had got there. I told him. What said he, 80 votes. Then, by G-d, you are elected. It was so close, that I only cleared my nearest antagonist by about that majority - or plurality over the two, as a majority over all is not required there. A loud huzza was raised; the largest bowl on the premises, and it was a monster, was filled with the best of toddy, composed of that most delicious of spirits, the apple brandy of the county, was handed to the sheriff, who did ample honor to my success, and thence circulated. It was drained and refilled, till they all had sufficiently manifested their cordial approbation of my triumph. I received the congratulations of many who voted against me, which I took in good part, and to which I knew how to make suitable acknowledgments. The next morning, though a little feverish, I started on my return. I had but 60 miles to go, to reach my home, Elizabeth City, which was the centre of my popularity, but on arriving at my brother Frederick's, who lived on the canal, and about half way to Norfolk, I was obliged to lay by, and concluded to give up my visit to the lower part of the county, where my friends expected me. I felt too unwell to perform the journey there and back. I feared I should be seriously attacked with bilious fever. After a few days' rest, I took passage by water, through the Dismal Swamp Canal, being too weak to ride, and arrived at Norfolk close upon the news of my election. It was news indeed to my numerous friends and relatives there, who had no thought upon my going out to Carolina, five months before, that I could become a candidate. Among the first persons I met, was a young lady, with whom I had fell, not head and ears, but about up to the middle in love, and to whom I had sent through a friend, on the eve of my departure an offer of my affection, or if that was too strong a dose, my friendship. She refused to receive either. She was now radiant with smiles, but by a cold, frosty look, and a formal stiff bow, I "nipp'd these blushing honors thick upon her," and let her know if she could not love the man, she should not have the Congressman. I ought to confess that I had previously given her cause of offence, by giving her name' to our lighter, which she thought degraded her. To regain my health. I chose a sea voyage, and took passage, in a small packet, only 80 tons, with about 30 passengers, for New York, about the 26th of August. Upon going on board, and witnessing so many persons embarked, men, women, and children, it occurred to me that some of them would have to go without berths, and I immediately entered the cabin and secured mine. It was well I did, for when night came, six or eight of them had to pick out the softest plank, or to lay on the cabin floor. We, however, had a short passage, having a fair wind, and were only two nights subjected to the hard trial of a soft plank. I arrived as soon as the news of my new honor, and passed a few most pleasant weeks between Flatbush, my old Alma Mater, and the city. I regained my health, enjoyed the hospitalities of my old, and made acquaintance with many worthy new friends, and left the city in November, with very favorable impressions, to arrive at the seat of government

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a few days before the meeting of the house, in order to choose a good seat in the Hall, and obtain a choice lodging room: both of which I happily accomplished.

I did not renew my acquaintance with my old fellow members, nor extend it among the new: and few persons were aware of my being in the house. The first knowledge they had of me, was on the occasion of my old friend, Col. R. M. Johnson's commutation bill, when I arose like an apparition before them, and opposed its passage. The Col. among others was amazed, and after I sat down, came up to shake hands with me, and to express his sorrow that my first appearance on the stage, for the last six years, should be on such an occasion. The Colonel answered me with his usual urbanity and good temper, but he lost his favorite measure. Though it is not my intention to detain the reader in the current of his reading of this narrative, by laying in his way any abstraction of a long, dull speech of mine, I trust he will allow a few pages of some of the lighter ones to be strewn in his path. It was on the 17th December, 1817, the bill came up for discussion. The first section contained a provision authorising the government, through its pension agents in the different States, to commute with, or buy from the holders of patents of bounty lands issued to soldiers of the late or present army, by allowing them in four annual payments $140 the acre. The speech as reported in the Intelligencer is a very condensed and brief summary of my observations. It states it thus, - "Mr. Sawyer of N. C. opposed the bill by a variety of arguments, but principally upon the heavy demand it would create upon the treasury. Money he said was power. He did not wish to live to see another empty treasury. We had enough of that the last war. If that had continued another year, I do not know what would have been the consequences arising from "a plenteous lack" of money and credit, (after advancing various illustrations of the advantages of a full treasury) Mr. S. added, that he considered this bill as merely offering a premium in speculation. It was surprising, he said, how industrious we are, as soon as we find we have a balance in the treasury, to get it out again. But of all the schemes contrived for such drainage, the bill appears to be the most ingenious. No prodigal was ever more anxious to lavish a rich inheritance than we do that whenever intrusted to our care by the people. For his part, he wished there could be stationed at the gate of the treasury, an angel with a flaming sword to prohibit entrance to all who had not an order from the genius of economy, countersigned by the hand of justice."

This is but a skeleton of the speech I delivered. I recollect it was given at length in some of the papers, and that I forwarded several copies among my constituents, not forgetting my useful friend, the sheriff of Camden, among whom it was well received.

It was not long before I had another opportunity of gratifying my oratorical propensity, though I should not have been so hasty or rash had I known I should have provoked two such champions as Mr. Clay, and Henry St. George Tucker, the half brother of Mr. Randolph. The latter, as chairman of the committee of Roads and Canals, or internal improvement, for the purpose of testing the sense of the House on that doubtful and unsettled policy, introduced some resolutions, with a view of authorising and instructing that committee to report a bill to effect the object of internal improvement.

Mr. Monroe had but just commenced his first term, and, in his message, had distinctly stated his objections, on constitutional grounds, to any measure or act that might be presented to him for his approbation to any such measure. On the 6th of March, as soon as the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and took the resolutions under consideration, I

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moved the committee should rise, with a view of getting the subject immediately in the House, for the purpose of moving its indefinite postponement I stated as my reasons for the motion, that as the President had expressed his insuperable constitutional objections to the policy of internal improvement, I thought, unless we felt confident we could carry the measure by a two-thirds vote, or a constitutional majority, it would be an idle waste of time to discuss it, and urge it forward. It was known also, that there was before the Senate, a proposition to amend the constitution, so as to give this. disputed power to Congress; from which it might be inferred that branch did not conceive the power existed. To prevent a tedious and useless debate, to the delay of more important and practicable business, I felt it my duty to make the motion that the committee rise and report progress, to which I for one should not grant leave to sit again. Mr. Tucker was up in a moment, to protect his offspring. Mr. Clay followed, and expressed an earnest desire that the debate should not be thus early strangled by my motion, but that every member should have an opportunity to express his opinions on this great and important question. He expressed a preference in seeing me come out in a constitutional speech in favor of this wise policy, than to be the first to try to stifle it at its birth. The committee felt disposed to accommodate the gentlemen in their wishes, and my motion was lost.

A long debate ensued. I had an opportunity of making, if not a constitutional speech, at least (as I said), not an unconstitutional one. I find it reported at length in the Intelligencer of the day.

Though I am convinced that I took the wrong side of the question then, and have changed my ground, yet as this speech, though upon the whole rather a foolish one, contained so much humor, drollery (and not to say wit), that makes me laugh while I am transcribing it; in hopes the reader may join me in the laugh, not at me, but at my manner of treating the question, I give it, word for word, as I find it.

"If my opinion should correspond with the President's I shall not think the worse of it on that account. I do not entrench myself behind the President's veto, but as the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Clay), has placed me there, I am perfectly satisfied with my station. While I am defended by his shield I feel safe from the gentleman's attacks. If it were any gratification to the gentleman to notice the cordiality with which the President was received on his Northern tour, I hope another opportunity may be shortly afforded him for a similar gratification in a Southern tour. Like the sun, I hope he will soon visit us, cheer and enliven us in his annual course. I for one will be ready to hail his approach, and give him a warm and hearty welcome, if for nothing else but the very course he has observed with regard to the subject before us, which other gentlemen have thought proper to condemn. I stated on a former occasion, that so far from feeling any repugnance at his interposition on the first instance, I was glad of it, as it was intended to save us all the useless waste of time and treasure which this discussion would necessarily give rise to, and I am only sorry we did not improve the hint. It was for that reason I moved to postpone the subject indefinitely; for as I anticipated the result, that there would not be a constitutional majority in favor of it, I was unwilling to see the commencement of this wordy war, which has been waged for several days, with unabated warmth to the no small entertainment of the audience, but, very little, in my apprehension, to the settlement of this question, or the furtherance of the important business of the nation. And although I may not be able to satisfy the gentleman's (Mr. Clay's) call on me for a constitutional speech, I will promise him it shall not be an unconstitutional one, which is more than I can say of some speeches I have heard.

"On the constitutionality of this question, I stated that I did no think it

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worth while to enter into a discussion of that point. I have too humble an opinion of my own powers to expect to convince others, and if I can advance enough on that head to satisfy my own political friends, as I can my own mind, of the propriety of the vote I shall give, I throw my javelin of hope no farther.

"I have a sufficient reason to satisfy my own mind, on the ground that there is no express provision delegating the power to Congress; if there be, let those who assert it point it out. Do they expect to show it by a long course of argument? I, who have sworn to support the Constitution, must have something to satisfy my conscience more positive and clear than any labored attempt at a constructive power, by so fallacious a method as argumentation. Nor shall I feel satisfied with the production of precedent. Precedent without law has no weight with me. If other persons have deemed the right constitutional, that is no reason I should: for that would be to make other's consciences the standard of mine, which I will not do in politics or religion. I must have a proof so clear, that there must be "no hook or loop to hang a doubt upon." Did I understand some gentlemen to say that this government could and ought to exercise this power without the consent of the several States interested? Such language would be more suitable to that of a Nero to a Roman senate, than the occasion to which it was the other day applied by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Mercer.) Strike out the words in the resolution "with the consent of the States," and undertake to enforce this high-handed doctrine, and the constitution will be in a fair way to be cured of that plethora the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Clay) spoke of: for if it requires depletion, it will assuredly be let blood. If such a violent course be attempted, I apprehend it will be met with more arguments than any used here. Those who may come with their pick- axes, spades, shovels, to tear the virgin bosom of our country, in defiance of us, may plant themselves behind the first bank they throw up. The very first hole they dig may prove their grave. Should my State unfurl her banner, I, for one, would plant myself under them, and resist till the flesh was hacked from my bones, before I would submit to such despotism. If the States have a mind to fold their arms, and suffer themselves to be tied and bound together in this cord, like a knot of slaves, let them - but while our hands are free, I trust we shall use them in defence of our rights, from whatever quarter they may be assailed. I was born free, so have I lived, so will I die. It is true as the gentleman from Kentucky stated, it might be prudent "to obtain the consent of the States." Indeed, I think it would. Under what clause of the Constitution is this right conveyed? The 10th article of the amendment declares, that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States themselves, or to the people. This question resolves itself into a syllogism, and they must first prove the major and minor, before they draw the conclusion. They must show that the power is delegated to the United States, or is prohibited by the Constitution to the States, or the category must follow, that it is reserved to the States or the people. Perhaps it may be looked for in the 1st clause of the 8th article, under the terms "general welfare." What would a plain unsophisticated man say was the meaning of the words "general warfare." Political health, the full enjoyment of the constitutional faculties of the whole Union. It is a relative term, and means no more than that the General Government should have a watchful eye over the common weal, and see that each member of it enjoy that portion of political sanity, and maintain that true course around its own axis, imparted to it at its creation. They have all hitherto existed and flourished under this wholesome constitutional supervision of the General Government nor do they now see any occasion for this extraordinary and

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officious care proffered to them by the resolutions on the table. They have gone on very well in their old course. Enjoying a good share of health, they feel no necessity of being obliged to swallow drugs, because their family physician may prescribe them. I have known children being killed with too much care, and I believe it has fared with States as with individuals.. Augustus C?r, out of a kind concern for the "welfare" of his country, generously took the management of it into his own hands. Oliver Cromwell promoted the general welfare of England by a similar token of parental kindness. Bonaparte manifested the same disposition, and extended the same fostering hand over his countrymen. I only hope this is the last practical commentary upon the text of general welfare. Let us examine the 8th section of the 1st article: "To establish post offices and post roads" On this head, the gentleman from Kentucky admitted there might be a concurrent jurisdiction, and that the principle might be pushed so far as to produce collision between the State and General Government. Does not this prove that the right is not clearly delegated to the United States? For if it were, this collision could not take place. There is no collision between the parties in the exercise of other delegated powers. The instance the gentleman puts of an excise on the same article by the States and General Government, is not applicable to the case, because the jurisdiction of each might be complete and independent over the subject, and that of the General Government is expressly given. The Constitution does not grant power by halves, it does not. create a partnership between the States and General Government with an equal contribution of political capital. When it professes to make a transfer of power, it does it completely and absolutely. The idea of the United States keeping the roads in repair, and at the same time leaving murders and other felonies committed on them to the State Courts, is entirely irreconcilable to the power and jurisdiction of the United States in analogous cases. Murders committed in forts and arsenals are exclusively under the cognizance of feudal courts: and if the United States had jurisdiction over post roads, their tribunals would be equally exclusively paramount. A great display of etymological learning has been exhibited on the word "establish." The gentleman from Kentucky contends that its meaning is to construct, - to make. I cannot think it can be tortured into such a meaning in regard to roads. Its true meaning will be found in its application to the nature and character of the object expressed. Thus, to establish post roads, is merely designating the transportation of the mail by a certain route. If the framers of the Constitution meant that Congress should make and construct roads, they must have said so in so many words; because they could not find any other expression of such intention. When a new road is about being made, the common definition of operation is to open, run, or cut, but never to establish. How could they mean to make and construct, when they were already made and constructed under the authority of the States. The question has been already so much debated that I shall not detain the committee with such other reasons as occur to me on the constitutional points; I merely meant to show that I, at least, entertain doubts on the subject. When I once doubt on a constitutional point, I cannot give it my support, particularly when it proposes the transfer of power into my own hands. Nor are these doubts to be removed by the uncertain deduction of argument. When I hear a speech of one hour, attempting to establish a constitutional point, I naturally begin to have my doubts about it, and several speeches of two or three hours each, with the same view, may remove them, but in a very different manner from what the speaker intended. If the power be granted, why all this pains to show it? It is only necessary to turn to the clause, and if it be there, we have ocular demonstration, and the question is decided. I have seen so much of the fallacy of human judgment, and of the

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erroneousness of argument, that I begin to admire the policy of one of the kingdoms that Gulliver visited, when, after a politician had made a long speech in favor of a proposition, he is forced to turn about and vote against it. A few words on the expediency of the resolution. As to the detention of the Western mail for several days, which the gentleman so feelingly described, whose fault is that? If the ways of the western people are so bad, it is high time for them to mend them. Do the people of Kentucky mean to look on and see the other States making turnpike roads, and expending their wealth and enterprise in improving the face of the country, and then call upon the General Government to furnish them with means to make similar improvements? Do they wish to tax other States to make their turnpike roads and canals? If the gentleman's wagon sticks in the mud, let him apply his own shoulder to the wheel before he calls Upon Hercules. Look at New York, and behold the noble work she is engaged in? See New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and my own State through her Dismal Swamp Canal, intersected with turnpike roads and canals in all directions. Would it be fair now that they have made such progress in these works by their own means that their money should be taken out of the common stock, and given to other States who have supinely looked on, and made no exertions. The gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Clay), has told us of the constant stream of wealth that has flowed from his State into the treasury, without one drop stopping by the way to enrich the soil. I can say the same of my State, with the addition that it flows through channels dug with her own hands.

"Suppose the gentleman was to obtain a repeal of the acts he enumerated for facilitating our commerce on the ocean by the erection of light houses and buoys, who would he injure most by it. Is not the trade of Kentucky as much benefitted by the patent reelecting lamps of Lewis as any Atlantic State? How is the produce of the West to find a market except through her regular channels' These are the necessary means and instruments for regulating our commerce, indisputably vested in Congress by the 3d Article of the 8th Section of the Constitution, in which Kentucky is as much interested as North Carolina. or any other State of the Union of equal population. But the gentleman, although arguing for the expediency of the measure, confesses, that however expedien t, unless constitutional, it would not be proper to exercise the power, while I am so convinced of the inexpediency of it, that I could hardly vote for it, if I had no doubts of the Constitutionality of it, and if I should hereafter be in favor of the only mode to effect this object, a constitutional amendment, it must he upon the contingency of a conviction of its then expediency. We cannot afford to make the advances or to spare the money required by this measure, which is only the commencement of a system. I am not for giving away our money till we have paid off our national debt. We owe about 100 millions of dollars, besides a large amount of private claims; when they are paid and we have more money in the treasury than we know what to do with, 1 shall have no objection to let it be expended in the manner proposed, under a constitutional amendment. At present, I think the nation would be more benefited by this money remaining in the treasury, than by any use it could be put to in the way of internal improvement. The greatest improvement of the nation is to fill its coffers. Let our improvement, like charity, begin at home. Let us never forget the straits we were put to during the last war, for want of money, and which drove the nation to the very brink of ruin. We don't know how soon we may be involved in another. It behooves us to improve and take care of our resources and be always prepared for the worst. We should be just before we are generous; for besides the national debt, there are private claims on our table to an incalculable amount, and if a fair

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proportion of them only are allowed it will make a sensible diminution of the amount in the treasury. The gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Tucker) seems to apprehend a great deal of difficulty about the disposal of our surplus money. If he will only wait till the end of the session, I will promise him an end of his difficulties on that head. Our conduct puts me in mind of the kings of Sweden and Denmark, when an island rising up between them, each claimed it, and after "note of dreadful preparation" between them to decide the title by arms, the island sunk into the sea again. Though this treasure is now floating above the surface of the treasury, it will before long be swallowed up in the unfathomable gulph of private claims. Three successive Presidents have labored under the same difficulty with the gentleman from Virginia, and have recommended a similar disposition of our money, but the House soon found there was no necessity to torture their ingenuity on that head. We have made some heavy appropriations already, besides several heavy blows aimed at the treasury which missed it by a hair's breadth. There are now before us, two claims alone, which, if allowed, will make a huge void space in our vaults, and cause them to "reverb a hollow sepulchral sound."

"I deem it the best and the safest policy to wait and see if we have any money to dispose of, before we fall out about the method of disposing of it. If, after a few weeks' contention we should decide in favor of the gentleman's proposition, the tidings should arrive, that the cause of our dispute had disappeared, it would be placing us in rather a ludicrous plight. Wherefore, having my doubts of the constitutionality of the resolutions, and feeling certain of their inexpediency, I am constrained "to vote against them."

Although the above speech may be deemed somewhat lengthy, but nothing in comparison to several delivered on that occasion, it is hoped that the reader may be sufficiently amused to keep up his attention to the end of it. It is a good joke, to hear me thus talk about economy, and to witness my wonderful care and sharp vigilance over the people's money. One would conclude, that if I were not a miser, I were a most provident and economical house-keeper, and were enjoying the satisfaction of adding daily to my growing "piles of wealth." There never was a greater deception. I was always as reckless and short-sighted in money matters as an Indian, and never knew the blessings, the cheerfulness, after manhood, of independence, except for a few short intervals when fortune in some of her freaks has thought proper to smile on me, but soon bestowed her darkest frowns, on seeing the ill-use I made of her favors. I may say, it was not the failing of any one of my seven brothers, all of whom made fortunes, and the youngest, Wilson, amassed $50,000 by his own industry and enterprise as a merchant, although he did not live long to enjoy it, but died and was buried at Saratoga Springs, in his 40th year, in September, 1824.

There were three distinct messes under one proprietor, a desperate black- leg fellow, who in order to monopolise the board on Capitol Hill, rented all Mr. Law's row, containing seven or eight houses, and having entered into an understanding. with other boarding-house keepers in the neighborhood, put up the price of board to 15 dollars a week. In consequence of this ex- action, which members generally would not submit to, some of his partners in extortion, for fear of losing their custom, gave way and reduced their charges. Our Landlord Bailey, in consequence, was not half full, although he had run largely in debt, in furnishing so many houses, and providing servants and a part of his winter's stock of provision. I took the old quarters that I so pleasantly occupied with my family in 1810-11, when we had an agreeable party of a dozen members, some of whom had their families. We fared tolerably well for a month or so. In that time we were joined for a short period by a notable personage, Bailey came into the drawing-room,

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where we were all congregated, and ushered in a gentleman, as Douglass, Earl of Selkirk, the first lord I had the honor of seeing. He was a very modest gentleman, of the light hair, blue eye and fair complexion of the Highlander, and some of us endeavored to smoothe the way to a better acquaintance, by a sociable conversation. He had planted a colony on our North-western borders, called Pembina, at a great expense, but on one of our engineers, Major Long, visiting that spot, in his tour of exploration, shortly afterwards and taking an observation for its latitude, he found it was two minutes or so within our boundary line. Lord Selkirk had to break up, and remove his colony further North, and nearer lake Winnepeg on the Red River of that region. He informed me that he was a partner in a new fur company, called the Northwest, and his traders coming in collision with those of the Old Hudson's Bay, a battle had ensued and several lives lost on both sides. His lordship among others, had been under arrest by the authorities of Upper Canada, for a charge of murder, or manslaughter, but was admitted to bail. After much disturbance, several fights, and a serious appearance of a civil war between them, the matter was finally compromised by a union of the two companies. In these operations his lordship had expended at least £60,000, and seriously, if not ruinously impaired his fortune. We introduced him to the ladies, among whom, the most conspicuous, was Mrs. Hunter, wife of the Senator William Hunter of Rhode Island. She was as agreeable as beautiful, and was the idol of worship to all the gentlemen of the mess, whose attentions she seemed no ways disposed to repel, but maintained a perfect impartiality to all that approached to offer up their incense to her attractions. The Senator did not interfere in the least, and showed no signs of jealousy at the marked, but respectful, behavior which was so generally bestowed on his lady. We had a regular contest every evening, for a seat by her side on the sofa, and it was amusing to observe the tricks played upon each other to obtain the favored place. While two gentlemen were up in a scuffle for that honor, I once slipped behind them and got it myself, to their discomfiture and the merriment of the company. We practised the game of battledore with the ladies, and one of us made it a point to challenge Mrs. Hunter, in order to have an opportunity of gazing on her fine person as she displayed it before us, in every variety of attitude which that graceful game was calculated to show her in. We got his lordship to join in the amusem*nt, and he soon became a good proficient. He however maintained a grave and dignified countenance, though without the least tinge of lordly pride. He escaped the fascination which bound us, and left us very favorable impressions of his correct deportment, great intelligence and pleasing and unaspiring manners.

Our social enjoyments, however, were soon destined to a painful interruption, and our pleasant company dispersed among other messes. Bailey did not, with all his extravagant charges, meet his expenses. He was himself a gambler and possessed dissipated habits. He was living with a woman, in rather a questionable state of moral propriety, though she officiated as a helpmate in the culinary and other domestic duties of the establishment. Times began to grow hard and pinching among the messes. Sometimes the wood was out, and consequently our fires. The good provision of the table began to diminish and dish after dish disappeared, until we were in danger of being seated at another watery feast of Timon. The creditors applied in vain for their dues, and some of them anticipating the difficulty, had been beforehand with others, obtained judgment against Bailey, and for want of something more convenient took his precious body, and as they could not "coin it into ducats," put it into durance vile. We were for days put on short rations, and had to supply the deficiency by our own means. After Bailey had suffered confinement for a week or so, he contrived to escape, and

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in so doing, made a general jail delivery, for he took nearly the whole broadside of the building with him. Upon viewing the hole whence he made his exit, a chasm in the wall appeared, from the upper story window nearly to the basem*nt, and large enough to drive in a wagon and team. The marshal, Mr. Ringgold, advertised a reward of $500 for the seizure and delivery of the said Bailey, or securing him in any county jail. In a few days afterwards, large placards were everywhere posted up offering a reward of $1000 for the said Ringgold to be paid on delivery of him to Robert Bailey, and a proportionate sum for both or either of his ears - signed by the said Bailey and dated from his retreat in Berkley County. Our sufferings at last became too intolerable to hear. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter looked out for another house, and we soon followed their example, and found not only cheaper, but better fare. The session closed in May, and I returned home and made the usual tour of the district. Whether it was from my invitation in my speech on the internal improvement resolution, or from a laudable desire to make a tour of inspection personally, as Mr. Monroe afterwards stated, in June he did us the honor of paying us a visit. He came out with about twenty gentlemen as an escort, besides four or five as a part of his family, among whom was his and his wife's nephews, James Monroe and Samuel Gouverneur, Esqrs., of New York. We received them as they reached us from Norfolk, by the Dismal Swamp road, they having passed a part of the day in visiting Lake Drummond, and spent that night at a public house on the Canal, about sixteen miles from Elizabeth City. In returning from the lake in a yawl boat, furnished from the Navy Yard at Gosport, and manned by four of the seamen, she struck on a stump, and canting to one side, threw a greater part of the passengers overboard. The water was not over four feet deep, but was plentifully intermixed with mud, and several gentlemen, among them Com. Elliot got a due proportion of both. When they arrived at the hotel, in the carriage, the Commodore hastened to divest himself of his muddy garments and to invest himself with those of a lighter complexion. His mind, however, was ill at ease with the accident, and in giving vent to his discontent, did not spare even his Excellency himself, who happened to be standing near the carriage at the time. The Commodore in loud terms cursed the folly of a President of the United States in attempting such puerile trips in such a place, and throwing his friends into such a ridiculous plight.

In the midst of his soliloquy, Mr. Monroe put his head into the door of the carriage, and saluted the abashed Commodore with the question, "What is the matter, friend Elliot?" The Commodore laid an injunction of secrecy upon the cause of his complaints, and hastened his toilet in perfect silence. We heard of their approach; and in the afternoon I rode a few miles out to meet the cortege, the dust of which, for near a mile off, gave signs of their approach. The President's carriage, surrounded by a dozen attendants on horseback, was in the van, and Mr. Crowninshield and Calhoun followed, and I fell into the rear, and joined them at the City Hotel. Here I introduced a large number of the citizens, and at their motion I invited Mr. Monroe and his party to remain over the next day, to give our constituents the opportunity of tendering to him the hospitalities of the town, and to become their guest at a dinner the next day. He and his numerous escort accepted the invitation; and accordingly a large number of the citizens united on the occasion, and sat down with them to an excellent repast, in which a fine green turtle presented the most inviting dish.

My brother Enoch was Collector of the port, and with the other brother, Wilson, composed a part or the company at dinner. My brother's (the Collector's) residence; a spacious mansion, was three miles distance, across his toll-bridge, in Camden County. He invited Mr. Monroe, and all his escort, to spend the evening with him at his house. Upon his assenting, he merely

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wrote three lines, and sent a messenger to his wife, notifying her of the honor of the intended visit. Had the President come, like Lear with his hundred knights, he could have accommodated them. I took Mr. Calhoun in my barouche, and all the rest of the company followed in their carriages and on horseback. Among the number I may mention the Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Crowninshield; Mr. Basset, a member of Congress from York district; Mr. Newton, from Norfolk; Col. James Monroe, and Mr. Samuel Gouverneur, the President's private Secretary, and ten or a dozen private gentlemen, that joined the suite at Norfolk. My niece Mary, a beautiful and accomplished young maiden, entertained the party, after early tea, till bedtime, by some of her best airs on the harp, an instrument on which she excelled, accompanied by a sweet well-trained voice. Col. Swift was the gentleman, usher and cashier to the President. Before tea, it being the month of roses, Mary went to the flower garden, to prepare a bouquet for the President. Col. Swift watched her; and as soon as she came through the gate with a beautiful bunch of flowers, declaring that he must have it, gave chase to her: they had a hard race for it, but she reached the President first and put it in his hands. We passed an agreeable evening. The President appeared highly gratified at his reception, and always made it a point to inquire particularly into the welfare of the family upon meeting me afterwards. The next morning the President took his leave, and the whole cavalcade departed, on their return to Norfolk, and thence on their route homewards. Elizabeth city being the termination of their Southern jaunt that year; but I may state, the same party, with his Excellency, paid us another visit the following year, when I had the honor of meeting them at Educton, and introducing them to my constituents there; my brother, Dr. Sawyer, being among the principal ones to join in honoring the company by a grand ball and supper in the evening, after a sumptuous dinner in the large room of the Court-house. The President thence proceeded in a steamboat furnished by the mail contractor, down the Albemarle Sound, with Col. Swift and others, to make a reconnoisance about the Inlet of Nag's head, and the Narrows at Roanoke Sound: with whom I was especially invited to join, but respectfully declined. Mr. Calhoun concluding to proceed homewards, to S. C., we obtained for him a private conveyance from a friend near Windsor, in Berlin County, to Tarboro, whence he could obtain a seat in a regular stage. On the return of the party from Roanoke, we separated, they returning to the north, through Gates and Nansemond, and I finished my election tour by the end of June. Having "made my calling and election sure," and finding, for the first time, the track clear, I concluded to spend a part of my earnings, thus unexpectedly saved, by a trip up the Bay to Baltimore. I was absent during the day of election in August, a rather dangerous hazard, but it was not much known in the district. I was on my way back homeward, and reached the district on the evening of the same day; but finding all right, I again turned to the sea-shore, and took passage, at Currituck Inlet, in a small coasting vessel, as none other could find water enough over the bar, and made my annual tour from Baltimore to New York. In October I was joined by my brother Wilson, wife and eldest son Julian, then five years old, who came on by sea in a brig of his. We re-established our health, and passed an agreeable season, which that great emporium always presents in the fall, when the climate and the conflux of travellers combine with various other means to please and gratify the temporary resident.

I may here casually mention, that Jacob Barker was then in his zenith of prosperity; and the first time I had ever tasted of that popular dish, chowder, was at a supper at his house, to which myself and brother were invited. The company consisted of some of the first characters of the State, the Mayor, De Witt Clinton, Judge Smith Thompson, and' Ambrose Spencer.

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I found Mr. Spencer a remarkably pleasant and gentlemanly personage. He asked my advice on the subject of internal improvement, it being then contemplated to hazard a beginning of the Erie Canal, whether it would be worth while, or proper, to apply to Congress for aid in that vast undertakeg. I candidly stated my objections, and the difficulties they would experience, if they waited the tardy and doubtful motions of that body, to commence the enterprise. He was convinced by my reasons, and concluded it the best and most noble policy to rely upon the unaided energies of his own State. His son, John C. was then a member elect, and was to take his seat at the ensuing session of Congress. The Judge was polite enough to commit his youth and inexperience to my more mature judgment and direction. I could but smile at the suggestion, and answered the Judge, that I had too humble a sense of my unworthiness, and thought his son was much more able to advise and direct me than I him. The party passed off pleasantly; though I thought Mr. Clinton rather a dull companion. He said little; and all the observation he made at supper was, that the lawyers, of whom there were two or three distinguished ones present, governed the State. They ruled and controlled the Judges, and the Judges ruled the people; which aphorism, if applied to one branch of the justiciary, the Chancery, would not have been far from the truth. I did not relish Mr. Barker's chowder, which was a villainous compound of offensive tastes; in which artificial fire, in the shape of Cayenne pepper, predominated. The rest of the company thought otherwise; and as there is no disputing about tastes, I let them have their own way, without being convinced by their persuasion and example.

Early in December we set out on our return, and travelled a part of the way with some distinguished characters: among them Mr. Forsyth, who paid marked attention to Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer and their boy Julian. At Baltimore we separated, he going down the Bay to Norfolk and I proceeding to Washington. On arriving at Rossburg, three miles from Bladensburgh, I left the stage, resolved to rest there that night, for the roads were then so rough and broken, that I was so much jolted as to require a night's repose. Just before night a carriage and four drove up, in which I observed two gentlemen and as many ladies. I took the liberty of waiting upon the ladies, and handing them out. They were remarkably handsome, and one of them, the youngest, particularly. We entered the parlor together; and addressing myself to the youngest gentleman, mentioned the circ*mstance of my remaining over night, and that I thought it would pass more agreeably if could have the pleasure of forming their acquaintance. For that purpose I begged leave to introduce myself; and Mr. Stoughton immediately introduced me to Don. Onis and his daughters, now on his way to the city, as minister from Spain. The ladies spoke our language as well as natives.

We established a lasting friendship; and Mr. Onis gave me an invitation to call on him at his residence. Soon after arriving at the city, as the rule is, I left my card, and in three days received Don Onis in return, and was among the first guests invited to dinner; where I had the honor of a seat near the ladies. We frequently met at ball parties, given at their own house, and by the other foreign ministers, especially Mr. Hyde De Neuville, where I had the pleasure of dancing with them as partners in cotillions. I was the best representative from the South, on the floor; and it was no trifling art, but one which rendered me always an eligible partner to the ladies. The figure was not given out then as now, by a leader of the band, nor were there a regular series of them, but every tune had its own particular figure allotted to it, of which scores of promiscuous ones were played in the course of the evening. I have often been amused and flattered to observe the parties in the nearest sets waiting to see me lead off, which I always could do without hesitation. The ladies occasionally visited the sessions of the House,

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when I uniformly joined them in the gallery, Don Onis, owing to the ill treatment of Spain, and the exciting discussion going on between him and Mr. Adams on the subject of the cession of Florida, in 1819, was rather in bad odor when he came within the bar of the House, as the rules allowed, to witness our proceedings; none of the members, except myself, saluted him. I always approached him in a friendly manner, and entered into a sociable conversation. With Mr. Stoughton, who is since the Spanish Consul at the port of New York, and was then attached to the embassy as Secretary of Legation, I have maintained an uninterrupted friendship. The eldest daughter was married by proxy to the Marquis Heredia; and since their return home, about the year 1822, after we had closed the treaty of cession of Florida. I have not heard the fate of the youngest sister, though she deserved a happy one. The Chevalier died a few years since.

I was laid up the greater part of the session of 1820, at Baltimore, being taken with my old symptoms of gastric and nervous irritation and debility, on the road from the north; and the fatigue of the journey and cold weather aggravating the disease, so that I did not resume my seat till the 20th of April, about the time of the duel between Decatur and Barron. I had lost so much ground in the popular favor by this and other detentions from my seat, and long absence, by which my name was so often out of the list of the ayes and noes on the journals, that it was remarked and made an objection against my re-election. So that by the time I returned home, early in June, I found a competitor in the field against me, Gen. James Iredel, a gentleman at the head of the bar, and one who has had the honor since of being also at the head of the State government, and Senator in Congress. He, however, was not popular on account of his politics, being on the opposite one to the administration, or what was called a federalist. I had only to ride through the country, to associate among my old friends, to remove the unfavorable impression which they had felt, on account of my long and frequent absence from the house, and to turn the current of popular prejudice in my favor. But the course my adversary took against me completely ruined his chance, and that blow which he intended against me, rebounded on his own head. Some malicious personal enemy at Washington had been plying him with letters from that place, with charges and certificates to prove my previous connection with a woman of bad fame, which, though I am ashamed of confessing contained too much truth, yet I was not singular in that offense, though I was singled out as a victim to a base and unworthy motive. Mr. Iredel gave copies to the printers, two of whom were on his side in politics. They seized the food of slander with avidity, and distributed handbills through the district, with an expectation that I would be overwhelmed with the storm of excitement it would create. They fell into their own snare. General indignation was excited, but against themselves, and I rode on the wave of popular favor that engulphed them, while it landed me safe and triumphant in my seat again. My majority was over seventeen hundred. I felt, of course, an additional share of gratitude for this unmerited generosity, by which the people had consigned my offences against good morals to oblivion, and pressed me to their hearts notwithstanding my sin. I determined, however, to give no future occasion for a repetition of the offense, or of the accusation, and on going to Washington I decided to marry the first decent girl I met. I was fated to forego the pleasure of wife-hunting, however, and to suffer that privation among others from the effects of a severe cold caught on board the packet by sleeping near the door of the cabin of the packet on my way to Washington on the 1st of December. The disease settled in my head, and although it did not prevent my daily attendance in the house, yet the pain, which seemed to come on in regular paroxysms at night, was so severe that I could not lie in a recumbent

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posture, nor get a wink of sleep till near midnight. After suffering this till March, a friend called to see me; upon learning the nature of my . complaint, he gave me the pleasing assurance of an infallible remedy, as he had used it frequently in similar cases. It was warm French brandy, well applied at night, on going to bed, by the hands, and continued for half an hour, enveloping the head in flannel. I tried it, and went to bed a well man. A few days afterwards another acquaintance called on me, and hearing me complain of my lonely condition and of my determination quickly to change it, without waiting for the usual tedious process of courtship, informed me that he knew of a good opportunity of my being accommodated, as there were two sisters who occupied a part of the same house with his family. The father had been a wealthy farmer, represented the County of Bedford in the Senate of Pennsylvania, but had met with a great reverse, and was now living in poverty. He offered to introduce me, and I accordingly accompanied him to the house, and was presented to the family. The eldest sister, a most beautiful creature, was put forward to receive my onset. I was satisfied, that time, with a short reconnoisance. I called again the next afternoon, and observing the younger sister, who was refused to me, (as they term it in military phrase, where a wing of the army is not brought into action) busily employed in the labor of the house, I approached her, and after a few preliminary remarks, opened at once the business of my negotiation. I found her innocence personified, very handsome, and possessed of a sweet look and disposition, and though only sixteen years of age, while I was on the wrong side of forty, I at once proposed myself. She at first objected her tender age and inexperience in household affairs, but finally agreed to permit me to ask the consent of her parents. They knew something of me from the partial representation of our mutual acquaintance, and I did not leave their door till they had given their approbation to the match. Thus, within three days after I first saw the young lady, she became my wife I had no time to inquire into her disposition or temper, but I judged very correctly, from the unerring signs her physiognomy exhibited, with the few sentiments I heard from her lips; and knowing as I did that matrimony was a lottery in which the adventurer, no matter how deliberately he may put his hand in the wheel, was as apt to draw a blank as a prize, I ventured at once. I never had occasion to repent of my choice. She was the most gentle, modest, sweet-tempered creature I ever knew. She humored me in all my caprices and irritability of temper, and would never betray the least anger or obstinacy, however much provoked. She led me a quiet, peaceful, and happy life, the three short years she was spared to me. I advanced her parents funds to extricate their furniture from mortgage, and enabled the mother to open a respectable boarding-house on the Pennsylvania Avenue, where we took a room and had an agreeable mess of members for several succeeding sessions. She bore me three children, but they died in early infancy, except a son, who lived to be able to walk and begin to speak, but unfortunately she took; him with her in the summer of 1824, to our residence in N. C., which is a most unhealthy spot at that season, where he was soon after attacked with bilious fever, that settled into a bowel complaint that carried him off, dying in my arms on our arrival in Washington the following November. The year previous, in September, 1823, I had imprudently returned to my district the last of August, and before the close of September was attacked with my old nervous disease, accompanied with an alarming affection of the heart. I lingered till the beginning of November, before I felt sufficiently restored to dare venture on my journey to Washington, and that by short and easy stages. I made out to reach my niece's, living on the canal, twelve miles from Elizabeth City, who was married to a wealthy gentleman by the name of Samuel Proctor; and remained with them several

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days in a state of much debility. Unfortunately, the canal was emptied for the purpose of excavation, except to the first lock, a distance of six miles. I reached there by water, and remained at a friend's over night, the next day I started with a view of reaching Deep Creek, a distance of about twenty miles, but on going about half the distance, though only in a walk, in an easy gig, and frequently stopping to rest, I could reach only the second lock, where I hoped to find enough water to enable me to descend the balance of the way in a canoe or skiff. But I was disappointed. Nor was that the worst of it, for there was no house to stop at, but mere negro huts, without going over a logged road through a swamp, the place called Bear Swamp, two miles distant. It was night when I came there, and though the house was not comfortable, the landlord gave me a hospitable reception, and I lay down, hoping to attain that greatest balm to a diseased and fatigued body, but I found none. As usual in such cases, a reaction ensued, with most distressing symptoms. I arose next morning from a restless couch, and when I looked around and saw myself two miles from the canal, in the midst of a swamp, fit for the habitation of bears, I could not perceive by what infatuation I had got into such a trap, not being in my recollection one of those quadrupeds, though feeling very much like another, of harder hoofs and longer ears. I had to "suffer durance vile" for two weeks before I gained strength to reach the canal again. Then after waiting half the day, the promised skiff came, there being only six or eight inches water to float in. I made out to get to Deep Creek that night, and felt too weak the next day to leave, and was there a week longer before I could venture to be floated down to Gosport, where I landed and stopped at a friend's for a fortnight longer, though only a mile from Norfolk. I was too weak to make the least exertion to cross the river. I received the kindest treatment here for three weeks, during which time my wife joined me from Washington, and bestowed on me her tenderest and holiest care. We made out in December to get to Norfolk, and remain under the roof of my sister. But as the session was advancing, and ended the 4th of March, and my condition too precarious and weak to undertake the completion of my long journey of two hundred and fifty miles by water, and my friends at home writing discontented letters, and threatening me with a loss of my election if I did not go on, my situation was little short of distraction. The jarring of the steam- boat was always very prejudicial to me, especially on a trip when I had to remain all night on board, as I could not sleep for that vile noise of the machinery, and I apprehended the most disastrous consequences upon adventuring on it, the first of January, in my weak state. However, I was so importuned, and my wife being also anxious, I started. We unfortunately encountered a head wind and snow storm, and were thirty-six hours going the trip. Of course, I was taken out of my berth in a state of exhaustion, and carried to my mother-in-law's, where I lay so helpless that I could not turn in bed, and had to be fed with a spoon, like a child. My wife was an angel of mercy hovering over me, with healing in her wings. Her cheerful, soothing voice and constant presence kept me from sinking entirely, although I thought I must go to my long home, not having closed my eyes for nine nights and days. By a milk diet, which I commenced on the tenth day of my confinement, a little sleep was restored to me, and by constant and careful nursing, I began slowly to recover. All kinds of medicine so entirely disagreed with me that I dismissed my physician. It was March before I could leave my room, and the House adjourned without my being able to take my seat. I was able to return home in June, yet on trial I broke down in making the circuit of the district, and was beaten by a small majority. I had no right to calculate on being re-elected under such circ*mstances, as this was the third session I had entirely lost, besides several intervals and

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days, by indisposition. My wife, whom I accompanied to Norfolk, returned home and remained there the whole of the fall and winter of 1824.

I vamped up a manuscript comedy that I had laying by me, called Blackbeard, and paid a visit to my wife in Washington in May, 1824. I concluded to publish a small edition of the comedy by subscription, and for that purpose consulted with Mr. Clay, the Speaker of the House. He encouraged me to take that step, and promised to head the list, and give it a motion through the House. I accordingly handed it to him to which he put his name, and by the aid of the boys who attended on the members in the hall the list circulated freely, and the second day after came out of the House with seventy names attached to it, which just paid the cost of publication; so that I had a clear gain in the sale of about four hundred copies, at thirty seven and a half cents each. It does not become me to boast of any merit or praise which rewarded me in addition to the profit of the work. But I received enough of both to satisfy me - in fact, more than I deserved. I returned to my district after an absence of fifteen months, and although it might have been objected to me on the score of non-residence, yet the people disliked my successor, he had made himself so unpopular by voting against General Jackson for the Presidency.

The election took place in Currituck (the lowest county, and bordering on Virginia), the last week in July, and about two weeks before the general election. I visited the county about a week previous, intending to make a circuit through a part of it, but was unfortunately seized with a bilious remittent, which confined me till the day of the election. I then made a desperate effort, as my election in a measure depended on it, and reached the principal ground of election (there were eight or ten districts) as the polls opened. I resolutely kept on my feet, though quite feeble, until the polls were closed, when I found I had obtained a majority of 40 in that district. Though I learned the next day, my adversary, by the means of treating and other electioneering tricks, succeeded in the county at large by the usual majority of 300. That county always voted against me of late years, in consequence of my having beaten two of their candidates at different times, who opposed me in Congress, and in doing so excited them and their connections and friends against me, and made them my implacable foes. - The next Monday was the court week for Camden County, adjoining Currituck, and the place of my nativity, and the bones of my ancestors rested within a mile of the court house ground - I addressed my old friends, though showing the effects of my disease by a sallow look and sore lips, I concluded by encouraging them to support me, notwithstanding the loss of Currituck, for with their aid, I could easily balance that majority, and return triumphant from the upper counties. They promised to give it. Two days before the election in the district at large, I went to Perquimons, the middle county, where I thought the issue doubtful., where, from my non-attendance at the last election, I imputed my defeat. There was a separate election the Thursday or day before the principal one, in the upper part of the county, which I attended. I was induced to play their own acts upon my adversaries, and treated pretty largely to such entertainment as the place afforded, in the shape of melons and the distilled juice of the apple, which I repeat, is the most palatable in our opinion, of all the products of the still. I obtained a majority there of four-fifths with the news of which I return to Hertford, as a favorable prelude to the battle of the next day. Before the polls were opened on the morning of Friday, I distributed my file leaders at their posts, well supplied with proper ammunition and went up and down the ranks to encourage my partisans. We gained the day by an overwhelming majority, but it nearly cost me my life. I was overcome with fatigue. heat and fever, and had to remain at head quarters a week. Knowing the anxiety

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of my friends to hear the result from the centre where I was, and the upper county where my opponent went. I wrote them, somewhat in this form, and what was droll, sent it by a parson who was passing at the time.

Bulletin of the grand army,
Head-quarters, Hertfort,August 13, 1825
.

"I hasten to give you the result of the glorious victory gained over the caucusites. Finding they had made an impression on my vanguard, stationed in Currituck, by their sharp shooters, and in the use of all kinds of missiles, particularly in a large quantity of liquid fire, by which they gained a temporary advantage, and hoped to dispirit my men at the main battle, I determined to oppose them with the same weapons. I took my station in the centre, and having given the proper orders to officer Col. Morgan, commanding the right wing at Murfreesboro, and Gen. White of the left wing stationed at Edenton, I made my dispositions for a general attack of the enemy on the morning of the 10th. Hearing, however, that the enemy was preparing to establish a post at Newby, in the upper end of the county, and to attempt a sortie on me on the 9th, I hastened up there with reinforcements and an ammunition wagon loaded with a fresh supply of white ruin, melons, and gingerbread. We took them by a coup de main within two hours after the firing commenced, we made 120 prisoners, with the trifling loss of only 21 on our part. From thence I hastened to head quarters, at Hertford, to make arrangements for the great battle of the ensuing day. The sun rose bright and warm, and I mustered my officers, after they had partaken of refreshments, and distributed them at their respective posts. At 10 o'clock, I rode up and down the ranks with my aids, and encouraged my troops to maintain their reputation of veterans, which they had so well earned in seven great victories. They responded with three hearty cheers. I felt confident of success, and took my stand, a little in the rear, and near the Inn, where I could see the evolutions and operations of the lines, and be at hand to ply the ammunition as occasion required. I issued my commands to engage, as the hour of ten arrived, and the engagement commenced with great gallantry by my troops, but with an apparent apathy on the part of the enemy. Soon after the action commenced, their ranks were thinned by desertion, and by 4 o'clock the battle was gained in the complete rout of the enemy, horse, foot, and dragoons. Their leader fell in the engagement, while I received a contusion in the breast by a water-melon, which has confined me to my quarters for the present, but I hope to take up my line of march on my return home, there to dismiss my men, and give them their well earned honorable discharge from this war, till it may be necessary to re-enlist them in the sping of 1827, should the enemy then, under some other leader, attempt to rally the scattered forces of the caucusites."

The reading of the bulletin created as much merriment as gratification to a knot of my friends at Elizabeth city, on the evening of the same day, and they enjoyed the joke also from the circ*mstance that so ludicrous a communication had been delivered by so grave a personage as an episcopal clergyman. I returned at the day appointed, having entirely recovered from my exhaustion and my wound; which, in truth, proceeded from the effects of the missile internally. My triumph, however, was marred by the dangerous state in which I found my only child Helenus, about sixteen months old, whom my wife had improvidently brought with her in May, from Washington, and who was a fine, promising child, just learning to walk, and to pronounce the endearing names of his father and mother. By proper treatment the fever abated, but the disease settled on his bowels, and became obstinately chronic, under which our dear child gradually sunk. My wife delayed too long her return to the city. Had she started soon after I went home in August, the child might have had strength to bear the journey. But by waiting till November,

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it was too near gone, and the jarring of the steamer from Norfolk to Washington, over two hundred miles distant, completely exhausted him, and he expired, as I stated, in my arms in ten minutes after arrival. Out of four or five born to me by my two first wives, this was the only child that bid fair to live to years of maturity.

I was always a great reader. Being of a delicate constitution, I seldom ventured out at night in search of amusem*nt or pleasure, and was in a measure forced to supply their place with books, to occupy my mind agreeably on long winter evenings. The library of Congress afforded a rich literary repast, containing the contributions of the highest talents from all parts of the world, too costly for any private collection, and surpassing all other public ones in America for the number and value of its books. I gathered the best specimens and rarest articles from all the different kingdoms of knowledge, which I stored away, having a bad memory, in a manuscript volume, for future reference and use. This enabled me to be always ready, during the discussion of any important question, with some illustration, fact, or argument by which I could enrich my discourse, whenever I thought proper to take the floor. I had the advantage over every other member from this magazine of learning, and was like an armed man meeting a naked adversary in the field of debate. I had levied many contributions from Ross and Parry's voyages for the discovery of a Northwest passage, and fortunately they soon became available on a resolution introduced by Mr. Baylies, of Massachusetts. As great injustice has been done me, by snatching from my hand the honor of being the best projector in this country of a voyage of discovery, in justice to my claim I may here give a detailed history of the proceedings, and my speech on the occasion.

On the 18th of December, 1825, Mr. Bailies called up his resolution, which was in the following words: - " Resolved, That the Secretary be required to inform this House whether the sloop of war Boston might not be employed in exploring the N. W. coast of America, its rivers and inlets between the parallels of latitude 42 and 48 north, without detriment to the naval service of the United States, and whether the expense incurred on such service would exceed the ordinary expense of such vessel while cruising; and also whether it would be practicable to transmit more cannon and munitions of war in said vessel, than would be necessary for use." I proposed an amendment to the resolution as follows: - "and thence proceed into Behring's Straits, and, if practicable, to continue her route into the Polar Sea, or through the opening of Prince Regent's Inlet, or Barrow's Strait, into Baffin's, Hudson's and Davis' Bays, and thence down said bays to some port in the United States."

In support of my proposition I arose and observed, "that this amendment was predicated upon that part of the President's message which relates to our contribution of mind, of labor, and expense to the acquisition of knowledge, and has reference to those numerous voyages of discovery of a N. W. passage to China which have been fitted out of late years, particularly by Great Britain. In 1818 a ship was sent under the direction of Capt. Ross, who for the first time made the circuit of Baffin's Bay, and penetrated as far as 77° N., two degrees beyond the place called Red Head, the highest point reached by whalers. He not only enlarged the sphere of geographical science so much as to render the maps of this section of our continent useless, and added many facts and subjects to natural history, but led his adventurous countrymen through fields and mountains of ice to new harbors of the whale, where full cargoes of whale oil are obtained in a comparatively short time. He invented the deep sea clam, an instrument that brings up portions of the soil from a depth of seven hundred fathoms. He was succeeded in 1810, by Capt. Parry, the fearless champion of science, who in three successive voyages

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has discovered no less than three passages into the Polar Seas, that might lead through Behring's Straits into the Pacific. In his final voyage he discovered the openings which he named after his ships the Fury and Hecla; in his second and third, he found those which he called Prince Regent's Inlet, and Barrow's Strait. It is but three months since he returned from his third voyage, which failed from the loss of one of his ships, the Fury, that was wrecked by a flue of ice, while running through Barrow's Straits with every prospect of success. In his second voyage Capt. Parry obtained the bounty of 1000l., granted by Parliament to the navigator who should first reach the 110th degree of West longitude. He also passed over a portion of the magnetic pole, in lat. 74 and longitude 100 west, immediately after which the compass before varied 108. 58' changed to 165.50' east.

"Capt. Parry has enriched physical science by many valuable contributions. Contemporaneous with the last voyage was a land expedition under Capt. John Franklin, through the United British Fur Company's posts, down the Coppermine river to the sea. He arrived at the Arctic Sea in August, 1820, and navigated it in a NE. direction in canoes for several hundred miles. He discovered the group of Islands which he named King George the Fourth's Archipelago. He is now performing another journey in that direction, and contemplates meeting Capt. Parry at some given point on the Polar Sea. In about the latitude 64°N., he passed the zenith of the Aurora Borealis, which, as he proceeded, appeared in the southern portion of the heavens. He endeavored to ascertain whether this electric fluid emitted any noise, as is alleged by the Indians and factors, but left that problem still in doubt. He made many observations on the intensity of the magnetic forces in different stations, from the oscillations of the needle - and on meteorology, settled the latitude and longitude of many remarkable points, immortalized his friends and patrons by giving their names to them, and brought home immense spoils from the zoological, botanical, and mineralogical kingdoms.

"The enterprising king of Britain deserves much praise for the lead he has taken, in conjunction with France and Russia, and the perseverance with which he has pursued these hazardous, expensive, and disinterested expeditions for the common benefit of mankind. The time has come for this nation likewise to enter into this glorious career of discovery and human improvement. Are we for ever to remain idle spectators of those splendid exertions to trace our own continent? Will none but kings enlist in the cause of science? I had as soon borrow their money without any intention of repaying it, as to borrow their knowledge that they have been at such great pains to acquire. We ought to feel that unhappiness that Alexander felt, upon learning the conquests of his father, Philip, for fear he would leave him nothing to conquer. These views of policy, however, being new to us, I cannot flatter myself that they will be greeted by a majority of the House, I content myself by proving that I am willing to go as far, if not farther, than the avowed friends of the President on this part of his recommendation. Can it be pretended that a mere reconnoissance of seven degrees of latitude will be received as a discharge of our part of this debt to science, which the President justly pronounces sacred.

"The ship, according to this resolution, is to cruize within our acknowledged limits, which from the Spanish boundary of 42° to the British of 49° of N. latitude, includes a space of 420 miles. It is with the view of making a tender, on the part of my constituents, of their part of this debt, that I have offered this amendment."

As I anticipated, the amendment was lost, being opposed by Mr. Bailies himself, who had some fears that his own resolution would not pass, if encumbered with my amendment. His was therefore agreed to, but owing to the stupidity of the mover, in proposing it as a single, instead of a joint resolution,

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the President refused to carry it into effect. My speech was published the next morning in the city papers, and copied and circulated through all parts of the Union, and found its way in some of the magazines of England. The great credit which was awarded me for this effort to originate a voyage of discovery, amply repaid me for the failure, and the censure that Mr. Bailies received, even in his own State, would have atoned for any illiberal treatment towards me, which I might have accused him of. The impulse thus given, however, to the cause of discovery was not suffered to languish, or to cease with this first effort. The nation was aroused and caught fire at the imagination of the glory it might wrest from the grasp of a rival power on this untried field of enterprise, and would not rest satisfied until an expedition was authorized. Although our government thought proper to give its destination a southern direction, and others have arrogated all the credit of the enterprise, yet in truth and in justice it of right belongs to me, as the first originator and supporter of the proposition. I forwarded a copy of my amendment, with the accompanying remarks, and the subsequent defense, to Capt. Parry, and they were published, with handsome comments, in the Westminster Review, and re-copied in the North American. The pride and liberality of Great Britain was again appealed to, and the government entreated to persevere in its determination to find the long-sought NW. passage, before they were outstripped in the race of glory by the infant republic. I received a complimentary, letter from Capt. Parry, which is inserted below, and another expedition was fitted out under Lieut. Ross, which extended very much the field of geographical science, and found the location of the magnetic pole.

[CAPT. PARRY'S LETTER.]
Admiralty. London, Jan. 30, 1826.

"DEAR SIR: - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th of December, enclosing an account of the proceedings of the House of Representatives upon an amendment moved by yourself to a resolution on the subject of discovery on the N. W. coast of America.

In offering you my warm thanks for the very flattering manner in which you have been pleased to mention my humble services in the cause of science, as well as for your kindness in forwarding to me the account of your proceedings, I beg to assure you of the sense I entertain of the liberal and disinterested motives which have induced you to step forward in the same cause on this occasion. Enterprises of this kind, so liberal in their nature and their object, cannot fail to do honor to the country that undertakes them, even if they do not prove absolutely successful; and I cannot but consider it a proud distinction for you to have been the first individual of your Assembly to propose a measure so creditable as that of promoting science for its own sake. Though your first attempt in this way has failed, I trust, sir, that you will prove more fortunate in any future endeavors in furtherance of that end.

I believe it is not in contemplation at present to send out any further expedition from this country to the Northwest. It is, indeed, more than probable that we shall await the return of Capt. Franklin, who is now about to proceed down Mackenzie's River in order to determine the actual position of the Northern coast of America. Should any future attempts be determined on, I need scarcely assure you that I am at all times willing and ready to undertake the enterprise, which will, I doubt not, one day or other be accomplished.

Your faithful and obedient servant,
W. PARRY.

To the Hon. Lemuel Sawyer.

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On the 27th of January, 1826, I had to suffer a most severe domestic affliction in the loss of my faithful, kind and affectionate wife. As if she had a presentiment of her approaching fate, she had occupied a seat by me, every night during the winter, and while I was engaged till bedtime in reading books of general literature, she was intently engaged in perusing the Scripture. We had attended the Jackson anniversary ball on the night of the 8th, where she seemed to enjoy herself and was pronounced one of the handsomest women in the room being then in blooming health and only 20 years of age. In returning from the heated room, the night being cold, it is probable she took cold, for in a day or two afterwards she was troubled with a cough. She showed no serious symptoms, however, till the morning of the 18th, when she was seized with a chill, followed by a fever, and a violent affection, or inflammation of the lungs. Her breathing became quick and difficult, literally panting for breath with her tongue out. I never witnessed so violent a pulmonic affection, and saw at once her imminent danger. I attended her as constantly as I could, and frequently stole away from my seat in the house for that purpose and regretted one day in particular, when being called to the chair in committee of the whole house on a contested election case, I was detained from her till late in the afternoon, and upon flying to her bedside was shocked to find her fever much aggravated with the other symptoms, from the imprudent use of some cordials her relatives had given her. Her sufferings continued unabated and extreme, during the whole progress of the disease. I called in a physician, being a member of the house and a friend of ours, but I fear his remedy did harm. Her pulse was never under 140, and oftener 160 beats in a minute and yet he bled her three times. As it must have been of a typus grade, this depletion was injudicious. I called in another physician of the city of long established reputation, and be applied all the other remedies that suggested themselves, as a blister on the breast and m ild evacuation. But it was all in vain. Though she continued to suffer thus for nine days, such excruciating agony, without a moment's sleep or respite from pain, she never uttered a complaint. The violence of the disease, on the ninth day of its continuance, forced a premature delivery of a male infant which survived only twenty-four hours. She was sensible to the last. She began to sink gradually after the exhaustion from child birth. In the afternoon of the ninth day of her illness, seeing her friends seated around her with sorrow depicted in their countenances, she observed it and read her fate in their looks. I addressed her, and endeavoured to keep up her spirits, by assuring her I did not perceive any danger, and urged her to disregard any tokens of grief she might observe in the countenances of the female attendants and try and compose herself, to get a little sleep. She called me near her and gave the heart-rending sentence, that we must part for ever. She added some wholesome religious advice, on the score of reformation, and which I trust has not been lost on me. Besought me to be a friend of her mother, and to divide her effects between her and her sister. She then called them up end gave them her last commands, and good religious advice. - We were all overwhelmed with grief at this solemn spectacle. I asked her if she was willing to go, and she answered, yes. She rallied a little in the night, and took some soup her mother kept by the fire, and talked on religious subjects, and seemed to join in spirit and devout attention, while two Christian ladies of the neighborhood sung some hymns she requested. In the hope that she might still get some repose, I requested the company to retire, all but her mother and sister, who might rest in an adjoining bed, and to put out the light. - She endeavoured to obtain some sleep, but could not. At 3 o'clock she was seized suddenly with the pangs of death, said she could not see, and called for two candles. I was alarmed by the family, and hastened to her from another room, and found her speechless

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and moaning, and breathing heavy and hurriedly. After about five minutes from the time she was seized in the arms of the king of terrors, she drew a long breath, - it was her last. We followed her corpse, the second day after, to the Congress burying-ground, an appendage to the Presbyterian church, and situated near the eastern branch, not far from the navy yard, where she was deposited, with her infant, among the monuments of the mighty dead. She made so noble an end, that I made a memorandum of the circ*mstances at the time, and challenge the whole mortuary of philosophers or heroes to produce a more enviable one. But it was in a great measure constitutional. A happy temperament, a good, easy, and tranquil mind, not subject to nervous irritation, both ensure exemplary lives and happy ends. And to crown such blessed characters with the faith and holiness of Christianity in their last trying scene, is all that is required to elevate them to the dignity of angels, and console their surviving friends.

I continued my course of reading, and filled my Album, or what I called Museum of Literary Curiosities, by transferring to it every remarkable fact and interesting passage, culled from natural science, history, voyages and travels. Humboldt's researches in South America afforded the richest mine of philosophical wealth. Sir Stamford Raffles' account of Java also furnished much novel and curious information. In the course of four or five years, during which I had made extracts from the choicest passages of the works I read, I had compiled two volumes of considerable size. I have to regret the loss of the first one, which was stolen from a room in Elizabeth City, with my trunk and various other articles, but I have the second one, which is full of curious and astonishing facts and circ*mstances, that would afford a vast deal of information and amusem*nt, without the trouble of wading through a hundred large tomes to obtain them. I propose here, to add a few, taken at random, as specimens from hundreds which the diary contains:

Humboldt, Vol. IV. p. 188.
The reason that the earth is soon impoverished by the culture of indigo, particularly between the tropics, is because the rays of the sun penetrate freely into the earth, and by accelerated combustion of the hydrurets of carbon, and other accidified principles, destroy the germ of fecundity. Trees and shrubs loaded with branches, such as sugar-canes, vines, &c. draw a part of their nourishment from the ambient air, and the virgin soil augments its fertility by the decomposition of the vegetable substance which progressively accumulates.

Soil is often accused of being exhausted when in reality it is the atmosphere that is changed by the progress of cultivation and clearing. The air that embraces a virgin soil covered with forests, is loaded with humidity and those gaseous mixtures that serve for the nourishment of plants, and arise from the decomposition of organic substances. When a country has been long cultivated, it is not the proportions between azote and oxygen that vary. The constituent bases of the atmosphere remain unaltered; but, no longer contain, in a state of suspension, those vinary and ternary mixtures of carbon, azote and hydrogen which a virgin soil exhales, and which are regarded as a source of fecundity. The air, purer and less charged with miasma and heterogeneous exhalations, becomes drier, and the elasticity of the vapours undergoes a sensible diminution. - p. 245. The food of plants being already prepared and dissolved, they require no organs of digestion, because the stimulus is applied to these organs directly by the contact of the gaseous fluids which holds the pabulum in suspension; or is the food itself rather

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Too much wet and cloudy weather obstructs the growth of vegetables by preventing the sublimation of the airs in intercepting solar heat, thus causing a condensation of vapors at the surface.

Hot Springs of Trinchera - Humboldt.
These springs are about three hours' ride from Puerto Cabello. They are the hottest in the world, except those of Urigint in Japan. They are 90° 3 of Reaumur, and boil eggs in four minutes. Notwithstanding their heat, the vegetation around them is luxuriant, and the roots of fig-trees and others have run into the bottom of the spring, at a temperature of 85°. - Hum.

Note. - In the hot springs of Arkansas small fish exist - a species of aquatic salamander.

The Cow-Tree of Caraccas. - Humboldt.
The Cow-Tree, Palo de Vaccas, grows at the plantation Barbula, near Puerto Cabello. This fine tree rises like the Broad-leafed Star Apple. Some of the leaves are ten inches. The fruit is somewhat fleshy and contains one and sometimes two nuts. When incisions are made in the trunk of the tree, it yields abundance of the glutinous milk, tolerably thick, destitute of all acrimony, and of an agreeable and balmy smell. It was offered us in the shell of the Calabash-tree. We drank considerable quantities of it in the evening, before we went to bed, and in the morning, without feeling the least injurious effects. The Majordomo told us the negroes grew fat during the season when the Palo di Vaca was in milk. This extraordinary tree appears to be peculiar to the Cordilleras of the coast. A common chain links together all organic nature. This tree is the connecting link between the animal and vegetable kingdoms. The inhabitants of the Andes Quindiu fabricate tapers with the thick layers of wax that cover the trunk of the palm tree. Lately has been discovered in Europe, Caseum, the basis of cheese, in the emulsion of almonds; yet for ages past the milk of a tree on the mountains of the coast of Venezuela, and the cheese separated from that vegetable milk, have been considered a salutary aliment."

Gymnotus Electricus. - The Electrical Eel.
The electrical eel abounds in the rivers of South America, the Oronoco, the Amazon, and the Meta. In the Plains, particularly in the environs of Calabozo, the basins of stagnant water are filled with electrical eels. They are sometimes taken with the Barbasco, the root of the Piscidea Erythrina, and some pieces of phylanthrus, which, thrown into the pool, intoxicates or benumbs them.

The Indians told me they could fish with horses - "embarbas car con cavallos" We found it difficult to form an idea of this extraordinary manner of fishing. but we soon saw our guides return from the savannah with about thirty wild horses and mules, which they forced into the water. The noise caused by the horses makes the eels rise from the mud, and excites them to combat. These yellowish and livid eels, resembling large aquatic serpents, swim on the surface, and crowd under the bellies of the horses and mules. A contest between animals of such distinct characters, furnishes a striking spectacle. The Indians, provided with harpoons and long slender reeds, surround the pool closely. Some climb the trees, the branches of which extend over the water. By their cries and their weapons, they prevent the horses from running away. The eels, aroused by the noise, defend themselves by repeated discharges of their electric batteries. During some time they appear to be victorious. Several horses sink beneath the violence of the invisible strokes they receive from all sides, and stunned by the force and

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frequency of the shocks, disappear under the water. Others panting, with mane erect and haggard eyes, raise themselves and endeavor to flee. They are driven back by the Indians, but some escape, When they reach the shore, stumbling at every step, they stretch themselves on the sand, exhausted with fatigue and benumbed by the electric shocks.

In less than five minutes two horses were drowned. The eel being five feet long, and pressing against the belly of the horse, makes a discharge along the whole extent of its electrical organs. He attacks at once the heart, the intestines, and the plexus callideus of the abdominal nerves. The horses are probably not killed but stunned. They were drowned from the impossibility of rising from the prolonged struggle. By degrees the impetuosity of this unequal combat diminished, and the wearied gymnoti dispersed. They require long rest and nourishment to repair the loss of galvanic force. The mules and horses appear less frightened, their manes are no longer bristled, and their eyes express less dread. The gymnoti approach timidly the edge of the marsh, when they are taken by small harpoons fastened to long cords. When the cords are dry, the Indians feel no shock in raising the eels into the air. In a few minutes we had five large eels. The temperature of the water which the gymnoti inhabit is from 26 to 27° of Reaumur. It is remarkable that animals endowed with electro-motive organs, the effects of which are sensible to man, are not found in the air, but in a fluid that is a conductor of electricity. The gymnotus is the largest of electrical fishes. Two rows of small yellow spots are placed symmetrically along the back to the end of the tail. In consequence, the skin of this eel is constantly covered with a mucous matter, which, as Volta has proved, conducts electricity twenty or thirty times better than pure water. No electrical fish possesses scales They do not suspend their respiration in the air, but absorb the gaseous oxygen like a reptile furnished with lungs. I do not remember ever to have received from the discharge of a large Leyden jar a more dreadful shock than that which I experienced by imprudently placing my feet on a gymnotus just taken out of the water. I was affected, the rest of the day, with a violent pain in the joints. The electric action of the gymnotus depends onits will. They kill at some distance fish put in the same trough.

Edible Birds' Nests.
Among the interesting subjects which still remain open for research are the habits and constitution of the Hirundo Esculata, the swallow that makes the edible nests, annually exported in large quantities from Java to the Easter Isles, and to China. These birds only abound among the fissures and caverns of several of the mountains and hills in the interior of the country. From every observation which has been made on Java, it has been inferred that the mucilaginous substance of which the nests are formed is not, as has generally been supposed, obtained from the ocean. [He is mistaken, as we shall show presently.] The birds, it is true, generally inhabit caverns in the vicinity of the sea, as agreeing best with their habits, and affording them the most convenient retreats for attaching their nests. But several caverns are found inland, at a distance of fifty miles from the sea, containing nests similar to those on the shore. Dr. Horsfield thinks it is an animal elaboration, perhaps a kind of secretion, but to determine its nature accurately, it should be analyzed. - P. 51. The quantity of birds' nests annually exported to China in junks, is not less than two hundred piculs. Their value as a luxury in that empire has been estimated to be weight for weight in silver; the price for the best being of late years at Canton $40 per katy, or one and aquarter pounds. The quantity of nests obtained from the rocks called Karang Bolang, on the Southern coast of Java, is estimated at a hundred piculs annually, and is calculated to afford an annual revenue to government of $200,000

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The quantity gathered in other parts by individuals on rocks and hills belonging to them is estimated at fifty piculs. The quality of the nests has been improved by European management. The caverns are cleansed by smoking with sulphur, and removing the old nests. The gathering takes place as soon as it is supposed the young are fledged. If they are allowed to remain till eggs are again laid in them, they lose their pure color and transparency. Those collected before the birds have time to lay in them, are superior. The best are those procured from rocks where nitrous damp prevails, where they imbibe a nitrous taste, without which they are little esteemed by the Chinese. The nest cavern will bear two gatherings a year. Those employed in gathering are lowered down with ropes, but it is attended with danger; and the packing away is done by the same persons, carefully.

Now we conclude by declaring the substance to be no other than the Biche le M?/em, found in large quantities among the newly-discovered islands near the shore, in the Pacific Ocean. It is a jelly, supposed to be an inert fish, which is of a delicious flavor, and which Capt. Morrill has brought into notice, in his last voyage. While engaged in preparing a quantity on shore for the China market, on a newly-discovered Island which he called Massacre Island, his party were attacked by a band of the inhabitants, and five or six slain. These the swallows no doubt, collect in their stomachs and bills, as materials well calculated to construct their nests, by its adhesive properties. And as to the five hundred miles, which they have to perform out and in, in the course of a day, it is but a few hours flight, and on their return at dusk with their cargo, they disgorge it as it is required for their mason work. In a few minutes, on alighting upon the substance, which floats on the surface, it is so abundant they can obtain their freight. - P. 51.

Worms for food. or retaliation. - P. 97.
None of the palms of Java furnish the worms which areused for food in other eastern countries - but similar worms are found in various growths of rotan, solak, &c., which are considered as dainties, not only by the natives, but by the Chinese and some Europeans. They are called Gerdon. Worms of various species, but all equally esteemed as an article of food, are found in the teak and other trees. White ants are the common articles of food in parrticular districts. They are collected in different ways and sold generally in the markets. Their extensive nests are opened to take out the chrysalis. They are also watched, and swarms are taken in basins or trays, containing a little water."

A picul of rice, 133 1/2 lbs., sometimes sells for only twenty-five cents Generally a katy, 1 1/4 lbs., sells for less than a penny.

Javan Ethics.
Sir Stamford has given us copious extracts from a popular work, called Niti Sastra, in the Kanir language. We will select a few of their moral aphorisms.

1. A wise man must on no account listen to the advice of a woman, be he ever so good, for the end of it will be death and shame. But he must always consult his own mind in what he has to do or not to do, never losing aught of the lessons of his instructors

2. No. man ought to be termed a hero till he has conquered an hundred heroes, nor should any be termed a holy man until he can boast of surpassing in virtue a hundred holy men - for as long as a hero has not conquered an hundred heroes, or a holy man has not surpassed an hundred holy men, he can neither be considered a hero or a holy man. Note. - We fear these rules would prove too rigid in their application to our code of morals.

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3. The signs of the approaching end of this world will be, all kinds of depravity among mankind. That is to say, the wise will turn foolish, the holy men will become worldly, children will abandon their parents, princes will lose their empires, the little will become great, and commit depredations. In short, every thing will be in confusion." Idem., 254 -

I ought to stop here, and put my house in order. For if these are the true signs of the end of the world, we have not long to live. I submit them to Parson Miller as powerful aids in sustaining his prophecy, and hope there will be no occasion, after this, of further postponement.

A bad man is like a fire that enflames all who approach it. We ought never to go near, with an intention to extinguish it. A good man on the contrary is like a sweet scented tree which continues to produce flowers and fruit, pleasant to the smell and taste of every one, and the fragrance of which remains in the wood even after the tree is cut down and rooted out. A perfect man should be in firmness and stability, equal to eight women, and to satisfy a woman, a man must be able to please her in nine different manners.

4 Public employment is not unnatural in ascent, for there are degrees and regular steps to it; but if ambitious men will needs leap when they may safely walk, or run themselves out of breath when they may take time and consider, the fault is not in the steps, but in the intemperance of the person. - Idem. P. 510.

Java - by Sir STAMFORD RAFFLES. - Vol. ii.
Tancuban-Prahu, a Volcano, visited by Doct. Horsfield. - Near the centre of the crater, it contains an irregular oval lake, nearly one hundred yards in diameter. The water is white, and exhibits truly the appearance of a lake of milk, boiling with a perpetual discharge of large bubbles, which rise with greatest force on the eastern side. The heat is 112° Farenheit. The apparent boiling arises from a constant development of fixed air. The water has a sulphurous smell, its taste is astringent and somewhat saline. Shaken in a bottle it explodes with great violence." - p. 15.

"About the centre of this limestone district is a phenomenon. It is discovered by a large volume of smoke, rising and disappearing at intervals. Through this smoke a large hemispheral mass is observed of black earth, sixteen feet in diameter, rising to the height of twenty or thirty feet in a regular manner, as if pushed up by a force beneath, which suddenly explodes with a dull noise, and scattering about a volume of black mud. In two or three minutes it is repeated." - p. 24.

Denman and Clapperton's Travels in Africa, in the years 1822, 23, and 24.
"The worms so celebrated in the kingdom (Bonou) are found in these lakes (Trona) they are small animalcul?almost invisible to the naked eye, surrounded with a large quantity of glutinous matter. They are of a reddish brown color, and have a strong slimy smell. When seen through a microscope, the head appears small and depressed, the eyes two large black spots. They are caught in a long hand net, after allowing the net to lay some time at the bottom. It is then drawn a little along the bottom, and when taken up several pints are caught at one haul. By the promise of a dollar, a small basin full was caught for us before breakfast." - p. 44.

The Trona pond is of inconsiderable depth from evaporation. The Trona (a kind of soda), chrystallizes at the bottom. The cakes of trona vary in thickness from a mere film to several inches. The surface of the water is covered in several places with large thin sheets of salt, of the appearance of ice. In the beginning of winter the trona is the thickest and best, but in the spring it disappears entirely. The size of the lake has diminished considerably

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within the last nine years. There is always sufficient tr onarfe the demand. The quantity annually carried away amounts to four or fivo hundred camel-loads, containing each about four hundred pounds. It is put into square bundles; and sent to Tripoli and Fezzan. The price of each load is two dollars.

Dance of the Girls at Houka, the Capital of Bornou.
"The Houkowy advance by twos and threes, and after advancing and returning and throwing themselves into various attitudes, accompanied by the music of several drums, they suddenly turn their backs to each other, and suffer those parts which are doomed to endure the punishment of all the offences of our youth, to come together with all their force, and she that keeps her equilibrium, and destroys that of her opponent, is greeted by cheers and shouts, and is led out of the ring by a matron, covering her face with her hands. They sometimes come together with such force as to burst the belt of beads which all the women of rank wear around their bodies, just above the hips, and showers of beads would fly in every direction. Some of the belts are twelve or sixteen inches wide, and cost fifteen or twenty dollars.

Address is often used in these contests, with better success than strength, and a well-managed feint at the moment of the expected concussion, even when the weight of metal would be very unequal, oftentimes brings the more weighty to the ground, while the other is quietly seated.

Pompeii. - Pompeiena, Vol. 2, p. 106.
Dice, supposed to be loaded were found in the ruins of Pompeii among other relics of the Romans. Augustus and his court used to play with dice, and they were the instruments of desperate gambling among the Germans, on whose throw the liberty of the adventurer was staked.

A complete toilet, with combs, thimbles, rings, pins for the hair - Almonds, dates, grapes, eggs, raisins, chesnuts. No forks were found, but all other table and kitchen furniture. Sabinum Rufum - the name of the owner, is constantly found on the door post. A bakers' establishment with ovens, &c., and a loaf of bread, with the bakers name, and the weight and material stamped upon it. - The city was overwhelmed by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius the 24th of August, in the 79th year and in the reign of Titus. The Appian Way, constructed by Appius Audius the Censor, extended from Rome to Capua. It was composed of three stratas - 1st. The lower, of rough stones and flint, cemented together, formed a foundation or stratum. 2d. A middle stratum of gravel. 3d. The upper and well pointed stones of irregular forms. It remains in many places perfect to the present day.

The loaf of bread found in the house attached to the house of Pansa is now preserved in the Royal Museum at Naples. It is eight inches in diameter. Upon the top is, Siligo, Cranii, E. Cicer. Siligo was a white, but little nutritive flour. A better sort, a mixture of vetch was probably indicated by Cicer, while Oranius was the baker's name. Over the oven was the baker's sign, painted a deep red and motto - Hic habitat felicitas.

Sir William Gell visited the place twice and gave an account of the progress of the work of exhumation. By a regulation of the government of Naples, visiters at Naples are prohibited from taking drawings of the buildings and other curiosities. But he, being a member of their academy of arts, obtained the privilege. . . . Glass was found, which had lighted the cupola of some of the baths, of good plate glass. It was first brought from Egypt, called valas, from the Coptic. The Romans manufactured allf kinds of jewelry, imitations of precious stones. That they knew the art o glass blowing, the vast number of bottles discovered in Pompeii proves.

smegm*ta, or wash balls. Among the the perfumed oils, were the mendisium,

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the magaliurn, the metopium amaracetium, Cyrprinum, susinum, nardinum, spreatum and jasmine. Heliogabalus never bathed without oil of saffron or crocum. The Cyprian used in baths to put a stop to further perspiration, and its name is still retained. In bathing, according to Lucilius, the bather had to undergo scabor, suppelor, desquamo, pumecorornor, expilor, pingor. By the Turks, the term shampooing is applied, now borrowed by our barbers. At the house of the tragic poet, in the Mosaic pavement was a dog chained, and represented in black and white spots and cave canem, written under him. Among the ornaments found with the ladies' toilet, were two gold necklaces, a twisted gold cord, four braclets, one weighing seven ounces, and formed into serpents. A child's necklace, two small bracelets, four ear-rings and an engraved stone mounted on a large ring, and two gold coins, twenty-two silver coins, a braccierro for fire and a variety of utensils of bronze and earthen ware. In an adjoining house of refreshment, the skeleton of the proprietor was found. He had sought shelter under a stone stair case. His treasure was found near, consisting of gold rings, ear-rings, and 140 pieces of copper and silver coin. The buildings, as the temple of Isis, are fast losing their freshness and beauty, by exposure to the air. The stuccoes, which when first discovered, were fresh, and the paintings on the walls of bright colors, had disappeared on a second visit. The letters A. E. D., which had been supposed to refer to the house, seem, according to Bunocci to signify the ?dile whose favor was invoked by the owner of the shop. . . .

Prickly Pear. - co*ckBURN'S Voyage, 1810.
The prickly pear of Sicily has a peculiar quality. It changes the lava, in a manner breaks it up - and in p rocess of time, pulverises it, though ever so hard, and then it forms the most luxuriant soil. They bring a little earth to any crevise of lava, and plant a prickly pear tree. It spreads and splits the rock in about seven years. A thick growth is formed, and a little earth being added, in ten years more it is pulverised for some inches.

The Dead Preserved. - Idem. p. 362.
They put the body in a small dry room, in the Capuchin Convent at Palermo, on a sort of large grating. They then close the door so as to exclude the air. By this means, in six months, it is completly dried and quite light, but much shrivelled. They then take out the body, wash and expose it some days in the heat of the sun, after which it is dressed and placed in a niche. A disgusting sight. A visit here might mortify the pride of som e and remind them,

"That all which beaut
All which wealth e'er gav
Await alike the inevitable hou
The paths of glory lead but to the grave."

There are some hundreds of coffins also, on the ground, in which the bodies of the nobility and gentry are deposited in full dress. The relatives keep a lock on their chest or coffin, and occasionally come on a visit to their deceased friend. No woman, Brydon says, is ever admitted into this Convent dead or alive. In this he is mistaken.

The Weichselzoph, or Plica Polonica.
Cracow is the centre of this singular and revolting disease. It derives its name from its prominent symptom, the entangling the hair in a confused

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mass. Is preceded by violent headache. Attacks the bones, joints, and even the nails of the toes and fingers. It is so obstinate as to defy treatment, it ends in blindness, deafness, or in the most melancholy distortions of the limbs, sometimes all these miseries together. The most extraordinary part of this disease is its action on the hair. The hair begins to swell at the roots, and to exude a fat, slimy substance, frequently mixed with suppurated matter. When the disease has reached a high degree of malignity, not only whole masses, but single hairs will bleed if cut! The hair growing rapidly amidst this corrupted moisture, twists together inextricably - into a clotted, confused, disgusting mass. - Russel's tour in Germany, 1822.

I have thus ventured to give several pages of these extracts without apprehending any dissatisfaction for their exchange for as many pages of thnarrative. They will be viewed as handsome and valuable mosaic, added as an ornament to the dull uniformity of the work. I will now take up the narrative where I left off, hoping the reader is well refreshed by the agreeable relaxation and repose I have thus afforded him on his journey.

On my arrival at Norfolk on the 10th of March 1827, on my r eturn home, I was met by the melancholy news of the death of my brother Enoch, the collector, one of the best and kindest of all my relations, a most amiable man and pious Christian. My only surviving brother, Doctor Sawyer, attended him in his last moments, being attacked with gout in the stomach and black vomit. His last end was that of the righteous, the last words he uttered being a quotation from the Bible: "Though I may pass through the dark valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear. The Lord is my rod and my staff. He feeds me in green pastures." His remains had been committed to the tomb of his fathers before I arrived home.

I did not calculate that any person could find the least chance for success as a candidate against me. I had been in better health than usual, attended more regularly in my place, and as I thought had not been a useless or ignoble member. I met an antagonist, however, at the court house in Hertford, the extreme county, and commenced the campaign. There was always a large party, then called the federal, that maintained a standing opposition against me, and were ready to sustain any candidate that might venture to take their lead. Being fortunately blessed with such bodily health, though by no means robust, as to enable me to attend the public meetings, and to discharge the most irksome and no very reputable duties of electioneering till the day arrived, I succeeded again with a triumphant majority.

I attended my seat at the commencement of the session, but in March, I was attacked with bilious fever, which was followed by utter prostration and debility, that brought me so low I could not turn in bed. For nine nights, as happened twice before, I did not obtain a wink of sleep, and was so weak, I could neither speak out, nor endure the sound of other's voices. I dismissed my physician, and made a wise exchange for a better one, and on his first visit, we agreed that I should resort to my never-failing soporific, fresh milk and hot rye mush, to which he added a few spoonfuls of limewater. It was the 10th night and day I had passed without a moment's sleep. I made a supper of the milk and mush, I got some sleep - I was saved. I was anxious to arise in time to vote on the tariff-bill, as I knew, after losing so many votes, if I was absent also on that momentous question, it would be noticed, and I should be called to severe account. Towards the last of April, after six weeks confinement, the Doctor ordered me to be taken out of bed, put in a carriage, and rode a mile, or as much as I could bear. A mile was beyond my strength, but the short excursion I took, with a sight of the green trees, and the breath of fresh air, revived me. I began to mend fast, and as I lived near the capitol, about a quarter of a mile, I had left orders

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with a friend, that as soon as the roll was called on the tariff bill, to despatch a hack for me. The debate was kept up till some time in May, and when the ayes and noes were ordered, the back called for me, and I was enabled to reach my seat before the clerk called my name, and thus saved distance and my influence by voting against it. I had heretofore supported these measures for the encouragement of our infant manufactures, and had gone further in the policy than any southern member, and encountered considerable opposition on that account, but as I thought this present tariff bill, of May 1828, went beyond the medium point of protection, I could not vote for it, although it passed.

In June, I concluded, after so serious a spell, not to return home as usual, but to take a tour to the North, and spend the season at Saratoga Springs. I reached Philadelphia by easy stages by the 12th of June, where I met my sister who had agreed to wait for me there, a few days, that we might travel together to the springs. It was very unfortunate for me, that I found her, as I had passed four days in the vain search, she not having informed me of the house at which she meant to stop, and I had intended to start for Trenton that afternoon, that by broken journeys I might reach New York, without endangering a relapse by the heat and fatigue. I accidentally met her at church, and on waiting on her to her boarding-house, met with a lady from New York, of very respectable family, of considerable wealth. My sister immediately laid her off as a wife for me, and although she was of the order of old maids, was a pious, agreeable, and every way a suitable companion for me. I went on very encouragingly for two days, and from what my sister suggested to her, of our plans, she appeared to lend a favorable ear to the proposition. She allowed me to accompany her, nay, seemed to desire it, to the usual places of fashionable resort, as the academy of arts, the museum, and the rotunda of the hospital, which contained West's celebrated picture of our Saviour healing the sick. As luck had it, another lady from New York who had been indisposed for a few days, recovered sufficiently to join our party. Her brother had been persuaded by her to visit my sister's niece, who was a handsome and really accomplished young lady, and one we thought would be sure to captivate him. I was immediately struck with this lady's personal appearance. She was much younger and handsomer than the first acquaintance. I paid rather too much attention to her to be agreeable to the other, and did not know myself which bundle to choose, like the ass in the fable that hesitated between the two. - Strawberries were in season. I was very fond of them, and made so free with them at all hours, particularly for supper, accompanied with a glass of wine, that they put me much out of order. I had a considerable fever the evening before we were to leave, and did not get a nap of sleep till just before day. Soon after sunrise, I was awakened with a message from my sister to know if I intended to start with them at the hour of six, for New York. I did not reflect upon the impropriety of attempting the journey, in my febrile state and disordered stomach, and on a day in which the thermometer stood 96°. I thought my gallantry would be called in question, if I remained behind, and so I was impelled, by my ill fate, to arise from the midst of a most refreshing and critical sleep, to dress and join them at so early an hour. The hack that was in waiting had been taken by my sister for some little shopping business, and I was compelled to walk fully one mile to the boat, in company with the two ladies, my niece and her new beau being a little ahead of us. Before I got to Trenton, I found my fever increasing, and other very unpleasant symptoms supervening. While sitting on the binnacle in conversation with the youngest of the ladies, the eldest came up from the cabin and in a burst of jealously assailed her with such expressions and charges as confused and astounded us both. I at once saw the difficulty in which I had gotten

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myself, by dividing my attention between the two, instead of adhering to the first. I felt faint and sick all the way through, the travel then was by stage and a very rough road, and by the time I reached the boat at New Brunswick, was sensible that I had done for myself for one while. Yet I could not feel satisfied to stop anywhere on the road. I landed in New York, in a state of almost helplessness. There I found a barouche in waiting for each of the two ladies, and after seeing them off, went with my sister to a fashionable boarding-house in Broadway. As I anticipated, this accursed trip ruined my chance for a rich and respectable wife. I was so unwell for several weeks, that had enough to do to take care of myself, and often felt such horrid affections about the heart, as to make me fear every moment would be my last. It broke up my courtship. The youngest visited a fashionable watering place where she soon after made choice of another suitor much better calculated to make her happy than ever I could be. She however, did not long survive her connubial union, but died in childbirth, within three years. The other lives in single blessedness still. I, however, was determined not to be disappointed in the main object of my visit, and as soon as I gained a sufficiency of strength to adventure into the field of hymen, some friends undertook to make a match for me, and proccured a rich widow, a neighbor of theirs, who they judged would answer my purpose. I yielded to their negotiation. After an introduction and three short visits, we proposed in form, and they conducted the affair with such expedition that in three weeks I became married the third time. It was a desperate chance. I was poor and growing old, but my congressional dignity turned the scale in my favor; for I cannot conceive what other inducements led to the choice on the widow's part. I gained nothing on the score of age, as she exceeded me in that honored degree, and instead of a fortune, I found I had married a law suit, which involved all she was worth.

I took my seat in December, leaving her to settle the affairs of her late husband, and at the adjournment of Congress, upon the accession of General Jackson to the head of affairs on the 4th of March 1829, I returned home. I had been absent more than sixteen mouths, and being married, and my wife being in another state, it was used as an argument against my re-election, by that party that was always on the watch to seize every circ*mstance that they could use to defeat me. My wife could not conveniently, or was unwilling to travel on so far south, at that season to join me, by which omission the objection on the ground of residency was much strengthened, and one of my most influential friends being gained over by the other party, I was defeated by my old antagonists, by a small majority. I returned to Brooklyn soon after the election: I found the suit ready for trial. Mrs. Sawyer's counsel demanded an interview with me at New York. On meeting them, they advised me to compromise the suit, or they feared we would lose it. It was on the will of her husband, who had left her the bulk of his estate. The heirs contested it. The surrogate of King's County had confirmed the will. The heirs appealed to the chancellor, Walworth, and he reversed the decision of the surrogate. Upon consulting with my wife on the propriety of compromising, which the other party were willing to do on liberal terms, she utterly refused to listen to the proposal, and forbade me at the risk of her displeasure, to mention it again. Two days before the day set for trial before the Court of Errors and Appeals, her lawyers wrote me a note, informing me that they had not received their fees, amounting to $600, and if they did not get them before the suit was called, they would abandon it to its fate. I had no money to pay them, and Mrs. Sawyer absolutely refused to advance a dollar, though she had thousands in the house at the time, besides stock and funds in the banks to three times the sum. I became alarmed at their threat; called on them and remonstrated at their course, but they persevered in their resolution not to appear.

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I consulted another lawyer, and we agreed that I could compromise the suit, as far as the personal property was concerned, in defiance of my wife and her counsel, who now took her side against my proceeding without her consent. On the eve before the trial I accordingly entered into an agreement of compromise with the two heirs, one acting as attorney in fact for the brother, by which we agreed to divide the money and stock in the banks, amounting to more than $40,000, between us; she having no children, being entitled to one half. We left the real estate, consisting of houses and lots in Brooklyn, and tracts of land in the central parts of the state, worth $100,000 as it stood, untouched by our agreement, and subject to the future decision of the court under the will. That point has not been settled to this day, as Mrs. Sawyer, being displeased at the course I took, which upon the whole, was a very unadvised and foolish one, as it turned out, would never take any measures to bring it on. I allowed, very improperly, one of the heirs to administer. I received at different times, about $20 000, the first payment being made within a few days after they obtained letters of administration, amounting to $15,000. There were bonds and mortgages and dividends, that raised the assets in their hands to $50,000, but they held back a large part of it on the plea of outstanding debts. I returned to my old district, in December following, as I had promised my constituents, to show them that I had not abandoned them, as I had been charged. It would have been well for me, if I had remained with them. I was then comparatively rich. I had my horses and servant, enjoyed myself among them in hunting by day and the amusem*nt of cards or other social pleasures at night, and had I known what it was to be happy, I then had the boon in my power. There was no possible objection to my abode there, but the climate. It was unhealthy in the fall. That could have been readily obviated by removing to the sea shore. Roanoke and the north Banks were within forty miles, a few hours' sail from Elizabeth City. The place, though of sandy soil. was annually growing up in thick foliage, and trees of considerable size, while the grape and the fig flourished in abundance. There is no place anywhere more salubrious. The inhabitants are stout and athletic, and powerful as mountaineers. It abounded in game, as all kinds of snipe in flocks upon the beach, wild fowl in the sound, and venison in the woods.

I had spent many pleasant days there, and had recruited my weary body, by bathing in the sea, after an exhausting campaign in the upper counties of the district on my election tour. The inhabitants of Elizabeth City have wisely chosen this place, called Nag's Head, as a retreat in the warm season, where they have built cottages, and a large Inn, and where many families from the neighboring counties join them, and they pass a delightful season, and thus escape the annual scourge, - the bilious fever. To the other advantages of this location, we may add its most suitable one for wrecks. To those who may deem it no harm to speculate on the misfortunes of others, this place affords the best opportunities. Every winter, there are sure to be a wreck or two, and after some autumnal storms, the beach is strewed with goods and hulls of vessels. The bankers are expert in getting off vessels, and frequently buy the hulls of schooners, and other craft of not very burthensome tonnage, for a mere trifle, yet launch them again in the sea, and carry them into a neighboring port, and realize an immense profit. The merchants of Elizabeth City, and monied men from above, make handsome speculations by attending wreck sales. And often handsome funiture, carriages and pianos and harps bound to the south, are wrecked on this coast, and landed with little or no damage. I have known several thousand dollars made at one time, by a relation of mine on the purchase and sale of a quantity of such articles. I made more money while I resided during the winter of 1830 at Elizabeth City, than I expended. But I became discontented

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with my old home. It did did not afford sufficient stimulus to an indolent mind. I had been in New York too much. The country appeared dull to it. I had means to purchase the venal pleasures this great mart afforded.

In making bargains the southerner has not the tact, the shrewdness, and the perseverance of the northerner. He does not so well see through the whole bearings of the subject, nor calculate the consequences. He is more the creature of impulses and of a sanguine temperament. In the encounter with the well disciplined corps of brokers, he is like contending naked with an armed adversary, and stands as little chance of escaping unhurt. It would be a very imperfect confession, and a criminal concealment, if I were to lay my present poverty to the score of losses or misfortunes entirely. For though I have experienced a full share of both, they are not sufficient to account for the considerable sums that have disappeared, that have taken wings and flown away since my residence here. The faults, follies, or sins which betrayed me into these losses, are fit only for the ear of my confessor. I have lived to see the error of my ways, however, and for years past have, I ttust, reformed them altogether. After all, if I could ever realize the costs of my investment in Texas land stock, the remainder of my days could be spent in the enjoyment of peace and comfort. We must admit, however, that of all the precious gifts that providence can bestow, a sound judgment is the greatest. The want of that has been the principal cause of my failure in discharging properly the purpose for which I was created, the social duties as a citizen, and the moral obligations as a responsible agent to the author of my being. As far as a life, for years past devoted to the performance of those religious duties which I had too long neglected, can compensate or atone for a long career of sinful indulgence, and a determination to discharge the duties which appertain to me as a member of the catholic church with faithfulness in future, I trust I may be secure in the respect and esteem which is extended to me by a numerous class of friends, and that my last days may be illuminated with the pleasing hope of a peaceful exit from this troublesome world to a happier.

The great source of my discontent is the want of employment. That is a true saying, "quem diabolus non invenit occupatum ipse occupa," the devil employs those that have nothing to do. If not tempted by him to do mischief, he is sure to torment the indolent with ennui, restlessness, and discontent. I have in some measure, overcome these pests to happiness by a passion for reading. I have also relaxed my mind by occasional essays in literature, some of which have appeared in the periodicals and more evanescent daily prints.

Having seen some notices of John Randolph in some of the monthly and other journals, which seemed only as scraps thrown to the literary public, and having myself contributed a few short numbers to a daily paper, I was encouraged to undertake a more full, connected, and, respectable work, in the form of a pamphlet biography of that celebrated character. As soon as I had collected a bulk of materials, and prepared the introduction, I called on some of the large and popular publishing houses but they all had their hands full, principally of foreign productions, or new editions of old works on which they had no consideration to pay for copyright, and declined the undertaking. I at length found a bookseller, who adventured, but I could obtain no better terms than about one twelfth of the retail price, or two cents a copy for a two shilling pamphlet, payable when the edition was sold, or a given number of copies calculated upon the issue of a second or third edition of 4000 copies each. I had not had proper time to arrange the materials, before they were in the hands of the printer. As he proceeded slowly, having two or three other jobs on hand, I added

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more matter, and put the undigested mass in better form, but did not follow exactly the regular order of time and dates on the principal events. When the impression was made, notwithstanding I corrected the proof sheets, there were many typographical errors; and although I offered a page of errata, the printer refused to prefix it. answering that he could find no room, or that he did not deem it necessary. It was accordingly flung into the face of the public with all its imperfections on its head, with those of the printer superadded. The publisher being possessed of but limited means, and apprehensive of a want of success in the sale of the edition, took a sample of it to another extensive publishing house, and which was the great mart for the sale of periodical and other pamphlets. After improving a night with a consultation over it, by a committee of critics, they accepted the terms, took off the whole edition of 4,000 copies except the few hundred reserved for me, as my share. and got up the pamphlet in a handsome style, making a three shillings work of it instead of the intended and usual price of two shillings. The publisher was thus released from his fears, made something handsome by the job, and the purchasers have, notwithstanding the dangerous experiment of raising the price a third above the fixed standard, I believe disposed of all or the greater part of the copies. Those I had, I found no difficulty in getting rid of in this quarter, but in Virginia such as were sent there to try the market have mostly remained on hand, in consequence of some of Mr. Randolph's relations raising an outcry against the work, either on the score of its want of merit, or from the fact of its having given their relative as he was, his dark side with the bright. It has been severely criticised in the Southern Literary Messenger, of Richmond. I have published an answer to it through the columns of the Daily Whig, of that place, which in order to show some of their grounds of complaint, I have thought proper to give below. An attack was also made as soon as the work made its appearance in Washington, in the Intelligencer, by a nephew of Mr. R's. as I was informed. But I never saw the article nor learned the name of the writer. Surmising, however, the nature of his objections, from an answer to a letter of mine to an old friend of Mr. Randolph's in Richmond, and from the fact that a citizen of that State was engaged in writing a biography of Mr. R. I wrote an answer to the editors of the Intelligencer, but have not seen it in their columns. I have, however, availed myself of the information which I have obtained from correspondents, corrected the errors as to dates and facts, suggested by the friends of Mr. Randolph, extended the work into the respectable size of a common octavo volume, and reduced the materials into a more regular form, ready for a new and I hope more respectable edition.

I will now give a copy of my answer in the Richmond Whig, to the illiberal criticism of the editor of the Southern (Virginia rather) Literary Messenger.

To the Editors of the Richmond Daily Whig.
NEW YORK, May 1, 1844.

GENTLEMEN: - Although I have not the pleasure of your personal acquaintance, I had the honor of serving with, in the National Councils, and enjoying the friendship of the father of the senior editor, (James Pleasants, Esq.,) and trust that I may be allowed to claim the protection of your columns, against a wanton and unprovoked attack. It is to afford me only the means of defence, as I wish not to employ those of offence, against the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger, from his severe and ungenerous criticismof my Biography of John Randolph, in the April number last. My attention was not called to the article till a few days since, too late to reply in time for the May number of that Magazine, supposing the editor would have deigned to notice it, after the contemptuous manner in which he has treated both me and my pamphlet. At any rate, it would be another

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month before the antidote to his poison could be administered at the centre of the small circle where it has done its mischief, and where it is destined to run its injurious but short career. He has thought proper to head his article by a short quotation at third hand, which he found ready, being the one applied by the subject of the biography, to the Hon. John W. Taylor, of New York, perhaps with as little justice as on this occasion. I presume of course, he meant myself as an ornamental frontispiece, an ass kicking a dead lion. As to my being the ass, if it is his opinion it is my misfortune I cannot help it. He has a right to enjoy it, and is welcome to express it too, but I cannot grant the use of his postulate that I ever kicked the dead lion. I defy the most minute inspection, aided by the most powerful microscope from his apparatus of satire to trace a mark or a scar left by any heels of mine upon the body of the lion. The hoof of his animal is not sufficiently indurated by practice, to become proof against the black and "corrosive ichor" which the author of the Tale of the Tub has pronounced superior to all other vessels for retaining that deleterious juice of "viporous slander." I never had the least cause, I never felt the least provocation, I never had the least motive for such treatment. The editor has classed me among Mr. Randolph's political opponents and from thence deduced the conclusion that I might have felt too much prejudice to deal fairly with my subject. If the privilege of being his biographer be limited to Mr. Randolph's little band of friends, amounting at one time to about half a dozen, the literary appetite of the reading public would have suffered a prolonged fast, for they are dead and gone years ago, Mr. Garnet having been the last survivor. Although Mr. Randolph, after his secession from the ranks of the Republican party under Mr. Jefferson's administration in 1806, voted of necessity with those of the opposition, the editor will hardly class them as Mr. Randolph's political friends, men whom in a published letter to a friend in New York, as late as January 31, 1833, not five months before his death, he described in the following terms: "I leave to General Jackson and the Hartford men, and ultra-Federalists and Tories, the office-holders and office-seekers, their triumph over the liberties of this country. They will stand damned to everlasting fame." In passing this dreadful sentence of condemnation, we will stop only to observe, that had I shown as little mercy to Mr. Randolph, as he has shown towards his old friend, from whom he had but lately received the high official favor of a foreign mission, I should deserve the title I have received at the hands of the editor. The relations of Mr. Randolph from some of whom I have better evidence than my own word (which in the opinion of the editor will not go for much) to prove the ties of friendship in which we stand, have felt a proper delicacy, during the unsettled question of the will, to undertake the task which has devolved on them of writing the biography of their worthy ancestor as the question of his sanity should not be prejudged. After waiting more than ten years for that decision, the community may well be pardoned for manifesting some impatience and to be content with such imperfect entertainment as I can afford them, "though coming from another State." Nor have I attempted to forestall public opinion on the subject of Mr. Randolph's sanity, as I have admitted that he had, at all times a greater share of good sense than ever I was blessed with, and that I should leave the question where it was to the judgment of the high court of errors and appeals.

On statements of facts, I shall always feel pleased to stand corrected by any person better informed than myself, and thank them for any knowledge they may think proper to communicate, bearing on any of the numerous statements contained in the work. The editor has denied my statement, that there was any such message from the president of the 17th January 1806, proposing an appropriation for the purchase of the Floridas; which he takes for granted that I had offered as the cause of Mr. Randolph's change,

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from a friendly to a hostile attitude towards Mr. Jefferson. I think he is mistaken in my views on both points. I did not say that anything contained in the message was the cause, but the manner in which it was transmitted to the house, by the hands of Barnabas Bidwell, instead of the usual channel of Mr. Randolph. The mere date of the message, therefore, is perfectly immaterial to the main point, but even in that, I do not confess myself wrong. In the 26th page I stated that we are informed that on Friday, the 21st of March, the house sat with closed doors, which ended in the resolution for purchasing the Territory. I added that about the 17th of January, Mr. Jefferson had communicated to Congress a secret message, no doubt containing the proposition for purchasing the Floridas. I have since examined the old files of newspapers, wherever I obtained the information, I have not been able to procure the journals of that date; which is the true source of information to all editors of newspapers, but I have found the statement, just as I had given it, in a volume of the Morning Herald, a New York Gazette. The gentleman should recollect that he himself is the conductor of a magazine, and I am willing to admit, a respectable one, and I would ask him how he would like to have his authority questioned. The circ*mstance of that message is a part of the recorded history of the country, the measure growing out of it, too notorious to admit of a doubt, or to be called in question at this remote period.

But the most grave and serious charge has to be met. It seems I have been guilty of an act that should call down upon me the vengeance of the relations of a lady, to whom I alluded as the one to whom Mr. Randolph was engaged to be married, and that I escaped by a mere misnomer. I should be sorry to have to depend upon that circ*mstance for protection against the personal assaults he has invited them to commit upon me, as from the circ*mstance related of her marriage with a cousin of Mr. Randolph, the lady is clearly enough pointed out. He has accused me of giving an indecent anecdote of that lady, for which he declares if there is a spark of spirit in the breast of her nearest male relative, he ought to visit me with a severe punishment. He has not thought proper to give the passage. I will do so, and if, after its perusal, any of her chivalric relatives can perceive the least matter of offence, he is welcome to inflict on me whatever punishment he may think I merit. In page 47 is this passage: "The occasion on which he came near being bound in the silken chains of matrimony occurred in Richmond, and not in the country, nor attended with the circ*mstances narrated by the Washington correspondent of the Tribune in July last. The lady's name was Miss Eggleston, whose father, we believe, was a member of Congress, in 1800 to 1804 - and she afterwards became the wife of Peyton Randolph of Richmond. They had proceeded so far in the ceremony, that a license was obtained, a clergyman sent for, and the happy pair, hand in hand, were about to stand up to be joined together, when the mother handed Mr. Randolph a paper to read, and, if he agreed, to sign. It was a deed of release or assignment of all the young lady's property for her exclusive benefit. Mr. Randolph asked the intended bride if it were a condition with her, or her will, that he should sign it. She answered in the affirmative, upon which Mr. R. saying there was no farther use for the minister, took his leave and departed."

I will leave that extract to the most vindictive of all the lady's male relatives, to the greatest "fire-eater" among them, to gather one particle o cause for offence or anger. Had it not thus been presented to him, he might have surmised from the editors appeal to his worst passions, that I had used some insulting phrase, or called her chastity in question. The whole passage is perfectly inoffensive to all parties concerned. What is mere customary among the higher ranks, particularly in Great Britain, to make marriage settlements. Nor is it an unusual thing in this country, nor can it be tortured

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into the slightest reproach or dishonor to the lady in this case, if she felt some solicitude as to the disposal of her portion of their joint estates by expressing a wish to have it secured to her. She may blame her want of judgment for entertaining undue fears on that score (for her property could not have been entrusted to safer hands than those of her affianced bridegroom). She gave no possible grounds for improper insinuations on making the proposal, still less can any be deduced from a simple narration. And yet for these words, innocent as they are, the editor could calmly stand by and see me assailed by the cane, or dagger, until I was either maimed or fell covered with wounds and blood, and if I have escaped, it is owing more to the just forbearance and moderation of the party appealed to, than to the good will of the editor of the Messenger.

What vengeance ought I not to deprecate against the head or the heart of the man who could thus bring my life in jeopardy for such groundless causes? Ought I not to feel wrought up to the highest pitch of fury? Ought I not to resolve upon a full revenge? I do. I will have it. I forgive him from my soul."

I had also forwarded a defence against another assault, which I learned had been committed on the devoted biography, by a nephew of John Randolph. I did not learn the name of the writer, nor the particular heads of his condemnation, through the columns of the Intelligencer. I had a right to expect, however, as old friends and countrymen, they would act impartially, and allow me the use of their columns on the occasion. They have not done so, and thus the difficulty thrown in the way of the sale of the copies sent there, is unremoved, and for what I know, they may remain on hand. But I have had enough, both in honor and profit, in the sale of the rest to console me for this trifling disappointment. As a compensation for these two instances of anger, in which we may find a cause in my not giving a funeral oration, or a panegyric upon the memory of the honored relative, and the favored son of Virginia, instead of an impartial history, I have to offer the numerous articles of approbation and praise, in the public prints here, and in Washington City also, with the exception of the Intelligencer, whose lips were sealed with fear, probably of provoking the anger of his correspondent.

I have now brought the history of my life to a close, to which my life itself, in the ordinary course of nature must soon follow. I have drained the bitter cup of existence to the dregs. I have no earthly object to live for nor have I the means to do so, with that comfort and ease which alone ought to reconcile it to superanuated infirmity. I have but to conquer one great and constitutional infirmity, a nervous weakness, a dread of death which has heretofore haunted me in every case of sickness to render the visit of the king of terrors under all the circ*mstances of the case perfectly welcome. I will try to bring my mind to view him in the light of a friend, beckoning me to follow him through his dark and icy gates, to a brighter and happier life, and not as a horird monster, sent to terminate by the most dreadful pangs, my mortal existence. When I come to reap the fruits of my firm faith, to ascend the regular steps of the catholic religion which I have embraced, to confirmation, and shall have received the last holy rites of the Church, through the hands of my pious and beloved confessor, I trust that the virtue of the unction applied to my eyes will close them in peace and perfect resignation to the will of God, and that a most assured hope of a happy immortality will vanquish the vain tyrant fear, that has heretofore enslaved me, and that I may depart like many others equally timid that I have seen, under such benign influences, without "casting one last lingering look behind," and with a pleasing foretaste of that beatitude which is the inheritance of every true Christian.

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More About Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, Jr.:
Burial: Lambs Ferry, Camden Co., NC

Generation No. 8

128. William Godfrey, born Abt. 1655 in Barbados, West Indies; died Abt. 1726 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 256. Councillor Francis Godfrey and 257. Joan ?. He married 129. ?Jane Barrow?.
129. ?Jane Barrow?

Notes for William Godfrey:
http://newsarch.rootsweb.com/th/read/NCBLADEN/2002-08/1029513235

"In colonial North Carolina it was possible to obtain a grant of
vacant land for importing people into the colony (called the headright
grant) or to purchase vacant land from the government (a purchase
grant)."

Paraphrased from #217
I can find a JOHN GODFREY that received a headright grant for 1400
acres in Albemarle on March 14, 1693 (date of warrant for survey) for
the transportation of 28 people: Francis Godfrey, his wife Joan, Fr.
Godfrey, Wm. Godfrey, Edw. Godfrey, Tho. Roberts, Hanah Sheephook, and
a number of slaves/servants.
An adjoining entry in this Warrant book shows Wm. Godfrey receiving
250 acres in Albemarle on Feb. 5, 1693 (date of warrant for survey)
for transporting 5 persons: Prudence Hallum, John Hallum, Eliza.
Hallum, Wm. Godfrey, Sarah Godfrey.
The warrant further shows that Wm. Godfrey was awarded an additional
100 acres because John Godfrey assigned 2 of his (John's) rights
(people) to William. The two people that were given to William by
John were Francis Godfrey and Joan Godfrey. Thus William ended up with
a total grant of 350 acres.
Both of these headright grants were awarded in Perquimans Precinct
(Albemarle).
From # 16 paraphrased:
William was finally granted his 350 acres on 1 January, 1694 (on Deep
Creek and the Pocosin of Little River).
John was granted 310 acres on the same day.
John was granted 640 acres on the same day (on Little River).
I can't find another entry for John so I have no idea why this total
acreage for him falls short of his headright entitlement.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~confido/hhnc4.htm

1708. Nov. 25. The deposition of Wm. GODFREY aged about 50 years or thereabouts ... saith That Thomas HARRIS the first settler on the land where now Nathaniell NICHOLLSON liveth near Muddy Creek, did never know any person laying claim to the said land and so with out molestation did possesse the same dureing his life ... Wit: William BARCLIFT, Thomas BLITCHENDEN, John HECKLEFIELD. The above deposition Elizabeth HECKLEFIELD doth swear to and knoweth no more as by her oath she doth affirme the date abovesaid ... [same wits.] [CCR 148] Price: N. C. Higher Court Records, IV:476-477.

More About William Godfrey:
Comment 1: He is the ancestor of all later Perquimans Godfreys since brother John had no sons. He may be the ancestor of most Godfreys throughout NC's Albemarle region, except for some who may descend from John Godfrey of Norfolk Co., VA.
Comment 2: Either William Godfrey or his son Thomas Godfrey were probably the common patrilineal ancestors of Garland Stevens Godfrey and wife Katherine Godfrey Godfrey, but Garland's line of descent is unproven. Y-DNA results show the families are related.
Comment 3: He was probably married more than once, first to a Jane (some say she was a Barrow without documentation) and then to a Sarah. The maternity of his son Thomas has not been determined.
Occupation: Planter
Property: 1709, According to the Albemarle County Rent Roll for 1709, William Godfrey was recorded as having 350 acres of land at Deep Creek in Perquimans.
Residence: Durants Neck on Deep Creek on south side of Little River, Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for ?Jane Barrow?:
Possible identity and ancestry of the wife of William Godfrey, whose name has been listed in various secondary sources as both Jane and Sarah, maiden name Barrow, without documentation:

John Barrow, born 1643; died June 10, 1718 in Albermarle County, North Carolina. He was the son of 56. Joseph Barrow. He married Sarah Sutton February 01, 1667/68 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina.
Sarah Sutton, born Bef. September 15, 1650 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died September 16, 1714 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina. She was the daughter of 58. George Sutton and 59. Sarah Tilden.

Children of John Barrow and Sarah Sutton are:
i. Joanna Barrow, born July 16, 1669 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1720 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Jenkins Williams August 03, 1690 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. William Barrow, born February 20, 1670/71 in Perquimans Co., NC; died April 27, 1717 in Bath Co., NC; married Elizabeth Elker June 14, 1696 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. December 1741 in Bath Co., NC.
iii. John Barrow, born June 03, 1674 in Perquimans Co., NC; died June 19, 1718 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah Bef. 1700; married (2) Rachel Lawrence Aft. May 11, 1715 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Aft. 1690.
iv. Elizabeth Barrow, born December 25, 1676 in Perquimans Co., NC; died December 16, 1687 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Ann Barrow, born August 03, 1679 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1699 in Perquimans Co., NC; married John Bentley November 06, 1694 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. November 25, 1695 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Sarah Barrow, born January 15, 1681/82 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John Ashley Abt. 1700; died Bef. 1743; married (2) Edward Maudlin Abt. 1743; born February 11, 1694/95 in Berkeley, Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. January 19, 1753 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vii. George Barrow, born August 04, 1685 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1712; married Elizabeth Turner June 10, 1710 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1690.
viii. James Barrow, born January 24, 1686/87 in Perquimans Co., NC; died June 18, 1718 in Chowan Co., NC; married Sarah Abt. 1712.
14 ix. Joseph Barrow, born April 04, 1690 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. January 1755 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Jane Nicholson May 17, 1712 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Sarah Pierce February 02, 1728/29 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (3) Sara Ann Hill March 02, 1739/40.
x. Jane Barrow, born Bet. 1670 - 1690; married William Godfrey.
xi. Margaret Barrow, born Bet. 1670 - 1690.

George Sutton, born December 04, 1613 in Sandwich, Kent, England; died April 12, 1669 in Nansemond Co., Virginia. He was the son of Robert Sutton. He married 59. Sarah Tilden March 13, 1635/36 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
59. Sarah Tilden, born Bef. January 13, 1612/13 in Tenterden, Kent County, England; died March 20, 1676/77 in Nansemond Co., Virginia. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Tilden and Lydia Huckstep.

Children of George Sutton and Sarah Tilden are:
i. Nathaniel Sutton, born Bet. 1637 - 1643 in Scituate, Massachusetts; died December 29, 1682 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Deborah Astine August 12, 1668 in Nansemond Co., VA; born 1649; died Bef. October 15, 1732 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Joseph Sutton, born Abt. 1639 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died January 17, 1694/95 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Deliverance Nicholson Abt. 1679 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 1663 in Nansemond Co., Virginia; died September 10, 1688 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Daniel Sutton, born Bet. 1639 - 1640 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died March 10, 1710/11 in Burlington Co., NJ; married (1) Mary Cole April 15, 1667 in Charlestown, MA; born November 20, 1639 in Charlestown, MA; married (2) Agnes Hutchinson Aft. 1672.
iv. William Sutton, born April 25, 1641 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died April 28, 1718 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ; married (1) Damaris Bishop July 11, 1666 in Eastham, MA; born 1646 in Eastham, Plymouth County, MA; died February 26, 1681/82 in Piscataway, Middlesex County, NJ; married (2) Jane Barnes January 09, 1683/84 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ; born July 11, 1666 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ.
v. Lydia Sutton, born Bef. September 13, 1646 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died 1647 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
vi. Sarah Sutton, born Bef. December 03, 1648 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died 1649.
29 vii. Sarah Sutton, born Bef. September 15, 1650 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died September 16, 1714 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina; married (1) Isaac Cox; married (2) John Barrow February 01, 1667/68 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina.
viii. Elizabeth Sutton, born Bef. August 28, 1653 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died January 21, 1699/00 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina; married Ralph Fletcher March 11, 1673/74 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina; born Abt. 1632 in England; died Bet. 1704 - 1720 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina.

Children of William Godfrey and ?Jane Barrow? are:
64 i. Thomas Godfrey, born Abt. 1675 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1749 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ellinor Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC?.
ii. John Godfrey, born 16 Feb 1685 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Aft. 1734 in present-day Camden Co., NC?.

Notes for John Godfrey:
Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey:

I believe this John Godfrey, son of William Godfrey and grandson of Francis and Joane Godfrey of Perquimans County, North Carolina, was the first of the name to appear in the deed records of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, beginning around 1727. The part of the county where he lived, northeast of the Pasquotank River, became the new county of Camden in 1777, whereas today Pasquotank County lies only west of the Pasquotank River. There were John Godfreys among the family of Francis Godfrey of Perquimans County, North Carolina, which adjoins Pasquotank County to the west, and in the family of John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk County, Virginia, in 1635. However, through a process of elimination among the first three generations of Francis Godfrey and John Godfrey's families, it appears I can conclude that the John Godfrey who deeded land in Pasquotank beginning in the 1720's was one of Francis' family. Francis Godfrey had two sons, John and William, and John lived from about 1665 until 1697 and apparently had only one daughter Elizabeth. William Godfrey (ancestor of my paternal grandmother, Katherine Godfrey Godfrey) did have sons named John and Joseph, which added much frustration in trying to place the John and Joseph Godfrey who were neighbors in Pasquotank in the 1720's. The John Godfrey who was a son of William Godfrey of Perquimans was born February 16, 1685/86, according to "Old Albemarle County, North Carolina, Perquimans Precinct: Births, Marriages, Deaths, and Flesh Marks 1659-1820" (1980) by Weynette Parks Haun, page 20. In the same book on page 131 is a record of Joseph Godfrey of Perquimans Precinct "to Ezekiel Maudlin [an ancestor of my maternal grandmother], same, merchant, 30 pounds in specie of this country, to William Godfrey, his brother, the receipt we do acknowledge. Quit claim to said Ezekiel Maudlin, land on southwest side of Little River, 100 acres beginning at William Evans' line...being part of a tract taken up and surveyed by John Godfrey in the year 1694, as patent makes appear...", January 20, 1728/29.

Unless they lived in Perquimans and merely owned land on the Pasquotank River in present-day Camden, I believe this John and Joseph may be the same ones who deeded land in Camden in the 1720's. I could very well be wrong about this conclusion, though. My reluctance to place the Pasquotank John and Joseph Godfreys among the Perquimans family at first was based on the fact that members of the Norfolk family are known to have owned land in Pasquotank by the mid-1700's, as shown by the 1753 Norfolk County will of Jonathan Godfrey's son John Godfrey, in which he mentions a wife and left land in Norfolk County to his brother Matthew and his land in Pasquotank to his brother William. This John Godfrey was an uncle to the one who made his will in 1753, a brother of Jonathan Godfrey. John Godfrey, brother of Jonathan, may have had children, while Jonathan's son John apparently did not since he did not mention any in his 1753 will. Also, I have not found any Joseph Godfreys in the Norfolk County records, yet this name occurs several times in the Perquimans County records. The problem here is that the names John and William have been passed down through both the Norfolk and Perquimans families, so it becomes a matter of guessing which family that William and John Godfreys of Camden County came from. More than likely there were two John Godfreys who lived and/or owned land in Camden or Pasquotank at the same time in the early 1700's, perhaps the one from Perquimans and one from Norfolk.

The following references to a John and Joseph Godfrey are found in "Pasquotank County, North Carolina Record of Deeds 1700-1751" by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman:

(Deed Book C:246): 13 April 1730 Between John BELL of the Precinct of North Carolina of the one part & Joseph GODFREY of ye same prct & province afs'd of the other part...In consideration of 50 pounds Current money...sold...a certain Tract of Land containing 40 acres...between John PERKINS Senr and afsd John BELL...two log branch....Signed: John BELL. Wit: Jonathan JONES. Jno. SCARBROUGH. Ack: April Court 1730. Regt: 30 June 1730.

John PERKINS of Pasquotank Precinct in North Carolina for & in Consideration of the sum of 120 pounds of current money of this Province & 3000 # of Fresh Pork... paid by John GODFREY of the Preceinct of Pasquotank in the aforesaid Province...Sold...Tract of Land...110 acres and part of a tract sold by Henry CREECH Junr. to Will. BELL Junr. and since pattent to John BELL Senr. with sd. 110 acres since sold by the said John BELL Senr. with 110 acres since sold by the said John BELL senr. to Will and Thomas CREECH...
(C:335)...10 July 1732. Signed: John X Perkins his mark. Wit: Noah BISHOP, Will. TURNER, Jer. SYMONS. Ack: 12 July 1732 John PERKINS to John GODFREY before me Jno. PALIN Chf Just. Regt: 2 Aug. 1733.

John GODFREY of Pasquotank prct. in the County of Albemarle and Province of No Ca. for and in Consideration of the sum of 100 pounds Current money of No Ca. ... paid by Job GREGORY of the same prct. and Province afsd. ...
(C: 335) ...sold...a Tract of Lying on the No E. Side of Pasquotank River and the Plantation which I bought of John PERKINS containing 60 Acres...bounding upon John PERKINS Line & Joseph Godfrey's Line & upon the Beaver Dam Swamp... 10 July 1734.
Signed: John IG GODFREY his mark. Wit: C PALIN, Will. MINSON. Ack: July court 1734 by John GODFREY to Job GREGORY. Regt: 31 Oct. 1734.

(North Carolina Pasquotank Precinct) John GODFREY of Pasquotank Precinct in the County of Albemarle & Province of North Carolina for and in Consideration of 14 pounds proclamation...paid by Edward JAMES of the Precinct and Province afsd. ... Sold ... parcel of land lying on the N.E. Side of Pasquotank River ... on the Beaver Dam ... on the said Edward JAMES'S and William BECKETT's Land ... Joseph GODFREY's Land ... between John GODFREY's Land & the said Land... (blank) Acres...
(B:214 12 April 1737. Signed: John IG GODFREY. Wit: Wm. Turner, John CONNYERS. Ack: April Court 1737. Regt: 9 June 1737.

In 1777, Camden County was formed from the portion of Pasquotank County lying north or east of the Pasquotank River. Since John and Joseph Godfrey were buying land on the northeast side of the river, it is safely assumed this is in present-day Camden County, and that these were the first Godfreys to settle there. However, whether all later Godfreys there descended from John or Joseph is questionable, as I have been unable to determine whether John had any children. There was a later John Godfrey in Camden who could have been his son or grandson. It seems John and Joseph's brother Thomas also may have had sons or grandsons named William who could have been the same William Godfreys appearing in Camden by the mid-1700s. There was a Lemuel Godfrey in Camden in the late 1700s and early 1800s, who may have been of the Norfolk Godfreys, as Daniel Godfrey, Jr. of Norfolk Co., VA named a son Lemuel in his 1758 will.

Later records of John Godfreys in Camden Co., NC:

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~dobson/nc/nccamden.htm

P-394: 5 Feb. 1818, Dempsey Dunkin to Thomas Gordon, both Camden Co. NC, $100, 7 acres on Main Road near the road leading down to Raymond Creek in lower part of Camden Co. and close by a place called the Trap, Thomas Gordon's store, and adj. the same, John Godfrey's line. No wife. Wit. Chas. Bowning (sic), L.B. Barnett. (FHL film 18,372)

More About John Godfrey:
Comment 1: He and Joseph Godfrey appear to be the first Godfreys in present-day Camden Co., NC, owning land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River in what was then part of Pasquotank County by the early 1730s. They were probably sons of William Godfrey.
Comment 2: It is not known whether this John Godfrey had children or whether he had a son named William. However, it seems likely since his father was probably William Godfrey of Perquimans and there were William Godfreys in present-day Camden Co., NC.

iii. Francis Godfrey, born 05 Aug 1689 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iv. Joseph Godfrey, born Bet. 1690 - 1710 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1765 in present-day Camden Co., NC?; married Elizabeth Gregory; born Abt. 1700 in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC; died in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC.

More About Elizabeth Gregory:
Comment: Several sources state, without documentation, that her husband's first name was Francis. If so, the only Francis Godfrey who fits would be the son of William Godfrey (1658?-1726) of Perquimans Co., NC, whose sons Joseph and John settled in Camden too.

v. Mary Godfrey, born 25 Aug 1691 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. William Godfrey, Jr., born Bef. 1699 in Perquimans Co., NC.

144. William Colson, died Abt. 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC. He married 145. ? Goodale?.
145. ? Goodale? She was the daughter of 290. Gilbert Goodale?.

More About William Colson:
Property: 09 Sep 1712, In Albemarle County, Perquimans Precinct, NC, William was bequeathed in the will of Gilbert Goodale (probably his grandfather) 2 cows and land where George Taylor lived, 58 acres along Deep Creek. His will was proved 27 Oct 1713.

Child of William Colson and ? Goodale? is:
72 i. William Colson, Jr., born Abt. 1698; died Abt. 1763 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ann Parish?.

148. Abraham Moulin/Mullen, born Abt. 1678 in Paris, France?; died Aft. 1743 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 296. Abraham Moulin (Mullen) and 297. Madeline Chupret (Chypre). He married 149. Rachel Broret 27 Dec 1699 in L'Eglise Des Grecs, London, England.
149. Rachel Broret

Notes for Abraham Moulin/Mullen:
The following is quoted from "The Huguenot Publication No. 27," 1975-77, pages 132-38, published by The Huguenot Society Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, Incorporated.

MULLEN
(Des Moulins--Du Moulin)

By The Rev. Emmett Moore Waits

ABRAHAM DES MOULINS, whose surname became Anglicized to the subsequent Mullen spelling, came to the Colony of Virginia aboard "The Mary and Ann" during the summer of 1700. He and his wife, RACHEL (BRORET), had been married 27 December 1699 at L'Eglise Francais Des Grecs in London and had joined the large company of French Huguenots who sailed from Gravesend during the summer of 1700 destined for Virginia. Their leaders were the distinguished Huguenot nobleman, the Marquis Oliver de la Muse and his assistant, Charles de Sailly. The "Mary and Ann" reached James City on 12 August 1700, bearing the colonists of what was to become the noted Huguenot settlement at Manakintowne. Among these were "Abraham Moulin et sa femme" and members of the bride's family, the Brorets.

Most of this company was made up of Protestants who had fled from France following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in October 1685. The Protestants, having suffered growing intimidation and persecution for years during the reign of Louis XIV, now had no alternative. Flight became a matter of survival. After the "Sun King" abolished the edict which had protected non-Catholics in France for more than three quarters of a century, it suddenly became punishable by death for Protestants even to assemble for public worship, to proclaim allegiance to any save the Roman Catholic Church, to own a Bible, or to own any Calvinist tract or publication. The Protestant families, leaving all behind, fled from the Kingdom to Holland, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Germany, and to England by the thousands. It was a blow from which France never recovered. For with the Huguenots went the best of French scholarship, technical knowledge, industry and craftsmanship, and the most responsible of the noble families.

Such a family was the Des Moulins, or Du Moulin, family who immigrated to London immediately following the Revocation. They had come from Paris and were, according to Smiles' "The Huguenots," of noble origin. This family apparently consisted of the widow and four children of Abraham Des Moulins, who may have died in Paris before the Revocation or shortly after the family's flight to London. These were Madame Madeleine (Chupret) Des Moulins and her children, Paul, Abraham, Jean and Marie, all of whom arrived in London as refugees sometime between 1685 and 1687. They resided in West Street in London's Soho section, and appear frequently in the registers of the French Protestant churches of the area, namely the French church of Treadneedle Street, Des Grecs, Le Carre and Berwick Street, and the Church of the Tabernacle. From these registers it is possible to glean a wealth of information about the years subsequent to the flight to London and before the immigration to the New World of our aforementined Ancestor, ABRAHAM DES MOULINS the younger.

(1) First, the parentage of the family is established by the following marriage record of Paul Des Moulins, who was apparently the eldest son of the family. "Paul Des Moulins, natif de Paris, fils de feu Abraham des Moulins et de defunte Madeleine Chupret; Jeanne de la Ruelle, de Paris, fille de feu Guillaume de la Ruelle et de Rachel Loret. Aout 7 (1689), Epouse's le 18 Septembre 1689."

(2) Madame Madeleine (Chupret) des Moulins, widow of Abraham des Moulins the elder, and mother of this family, remarried following the settlement in London, her second husband having been Benjamin Godde.

(3) The trades and professions into which the sons of this family entered are also proved by the informative entries in the church records.

Paul des Moulins, who married Jeanne de la Ruelle, is styled "ebeniste" or "cabinet-maker."

Jean des Moulins is styled "avocat" or "counsellor" i.e. "lawyer."

Marie des Moulins, apparently the only daughter of the family, married George Orvin, also styled "avocat" in the records of the Eglise des Grecs."

The children and grandchildren of Paul and Jean des Moulins, their births, baptisms, marriages and deaths, continue to be recorded in the Huguenot registers aforementioned. It was L'Eglise des Grecs, however, which seems to be the home parish of this family and in which references to the members most frequently appear, until well into the late 1700's.

(4) Finally, and without doubt, the family Des Moulins reside in the London Parish of St. Giles and for some years on West Street.

Of the Des Moulins ancestry in France very little is known, except for the statement by Samuel Smiles in his "The Huguenots: Their Settlements, Churches, and Industries in England and Ireland" that this was "an ancient and noble family of the Isle de France," related to the famous Huguenot divines, Pierre, Charles and Louis des Moulin. And in Volume VIII of "The Huguenot," the publication of the Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, it is stated that the Des Moulins or De Moulin family was one of those Manakintowne families who were armigerous: "Gules de la croix d'or, pattee' et alezee'.

I am inclined to trust both of these claims. It is apparent that this family in London associated with members of the exiled French gentry and that, indeed, the Widow Madeleine (Chupret) des Moullins married into the Godde family, which was of the nobility. For Benjamin Godde was a brother of the Sieur Pierre Godde, as seen in the church registers. At the baptism of Jacob Godde, son of Benjamin (1692) and Madeleine (Chupret) Godde, it is interesting to notice that the sponsors are listed as Lord Pierre de Baufre and Dame Judic Toulle. Secondly, it is of interest to notice that in the same page of the register is reference to Oliver, Marquis de la Muse. This page is from the Huguenot Church of Le Carre and Berwick Street, and certainly more than suggests association of the Des Moullins family with the Marquis de la Muse, who formed and led the Huguenot refugees from London to Virginia in 1699/1700.

As to the claim of arms, those described as borne by the Moulin family of Manakintowne, Colony of Virginia, that is by Abraham Moulin, are, among the numerous armorial bearings used by the French-Flemish-Belgian des Moulins-du-Moulin-de Moulin families, one of the most obscure. The only reference I find to these particular arms and tinctures is that of Philippe Des Moulins, bishop of Nevers in the 1400's. The arms, however, are claimed by Riestrap to have been those of Des Moulins of Paris.

Finally, there remain the necessary arguments for claiming that Abraham Des Moulin, or Des Moulins, of London and Abraham Moulin-Mullen of Manakin, Virginia, and Perquimans County, North Carolina, were one and the same. I present the following:

(1) The historical chronology is perfectly compatible with the claim that Abraham des Moulins of London was the same as the immigrant to Manakin, Virginia. Abraham Moulin would have been approximately 18-20 years of age on 27 December 1699 when he married Rachel Broret in London. His migration to Virginia with "sa femme" but no children followed soon after, in 1700. His death in 1743 would have made his age at the time to have been approximately 73-75 years.

(2) The second argument for establishing that Abraham des Moulins of West Street in London was the same as the immigrant can be found by an examination of the registers of the Huguenot churches of the area of London approximate to West Street. Following the registration of his marriage to Rachel Broret in 1699 Abraham (des) Moulins disappears from records in the church registers. However, frequent references to the other members of this family continue to appear long after 1700, these being those pertaining to Abraham's mother, who by then was "Madame Madeleine Chupret, femme de Mr. Benjamin Godde"; to his brothers, Paul and Jean, and to his sister, "Marie des Moulins, femme de George Orvin." The absence of mention of Abraham des Moulins after 1699 coincides with the 1700 migration of so many of the post-Revocation refugees to Virginia.

(3) There is further strength for this argument in the evident association of the Marquis de la Muse with the Des Moulins and other families who later joined the company of Manakin colonists.

(4) Finally, I would point to the strongest evidence. Abraham (des) Moulins married Rachel Broret at L'Eglise Des Grecs in London 27 December 1699. In the list of arrivals at James City aboard "The Mary and Ann" 12 August 1700 the following names appear side by side: "Jacques Broret, sa femme et deux enfants, Abraham Moulin et sa femme."

NOTES

1. The des Moulins family were, of course, Huguenots. Smiles, in his early work on the Huguenot emigration to England and Ireland, describes the family as "an ancient and noble family of the Isle de France." The Moulin family of Manakin, Virginia, bore arms of the Paris des Moulins family, "Gules a la croix recercelee d'or." This family, like thousands of other Protestant families, fled from the Kingdom of France following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in October 1685.

2. During the summer of 1700 "Abraham Moulin et sa femme" and "Jacques Broret, sa femme et deux enfants" were among the Huguenot colonists who immigrated to Virginia aboard "The Mary and Ann," sailing from gravesend and arriving at James City 12 August 1700. Led by the Marquis Oliver de la Muse and his assistant, Charles de Sailly, the company settled the well-known Huguenot community named Manakintowne in Virginia. Abraham Moulin remained at Manakin until shortly before April 1707, when he first purchased land in Perquimans County, North Carolina. His descendants in America are in lineage from his three sons by Rachel Broret, these being Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all born at Manakin, Virginia, between 1700 and 1706.

During the years following his immigration to the Colony of Virginia, then to Perquimans County, North Carolina, the spelling of the surname of the immigrant ancestor appears in the documents as Moulin-Moullin-Moulins and finally Mullen. By the second generation, with two or three exceptions, the documented spelling is Mullen.

REFERENCES

1. R.A. Brock, "Huguenot Emigration to Virginia" (Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1973 reprint), page 254.

2. Samuel Smiles, "The Huguenots: Their Settlements, Churches and Industries in England and Ireland" (London), page 507.

3. "Registers L'Eglise Francais de Threadneedle Street," Huguenot Society of London, Volume 16 (1906/1969 reprint), page 15.

4. "Registers L'Eglise Le Carre and Berwick Street 1690-1788," Huguenot Society of London, Volume 25 (1921), page 2.

5. "Register de la Savoye de Spring Gardens et des Grecs 1684-1900," Huguenots Society of London, Volume 26, page 139.

6. Smiles, ibid.

7. "The Huguenot 1959-61, Publication #19" (Huguenot Society Founders of Manakintowne in the Colony of Virginia), page 123.

8. "Register L'Eglise Le Carre and Berwick Street," page 2.

9. "Histoire Genalogique et Chronologique de la Maison Royale de France, Volume II" (Paris, 1826), page 414.

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Comments by Bryan Godfrey, descendant of Abraham Moulin/Mullen and of the Cashat family of Fairfax Co., VA and Chatham Co., NC:

When searching for clues to the origins of my ancestors John or Jacob Cashat, I came across the following information on the Huguenot Andre Cochet who settled Manakintowne, as did Abraham Mullen. Being concerned with proving that the Abraham Moulin/Mullen of Manakintowne was identical with the one who settled in Perquimans Co., NC by 1707, I was delighted to find Cochet and Mullen mentioned together in this Perquimans record, for it is strong circ*mstantial evidence that proves the Abraham Mullens are the same. Add to this the fact that Abraham never appeared in Huguenot land grant records for the Manakintowne Huguenots, because his settlement in the Manakintowne colony was less than seven years long and he soon settled in Perquimans.

http://slpatterson.com/familyhistory/getperson.php?personID=I00425&tree=1

THE INFORMATION ON THE CUSHATT CAME FROM GENDEX ENTERED BY DOUG LOVELAND OF
ONTARIO CANADA. HIS UNCLE ROBERT SEARS OF OVERLAND PARK KANSAS HAS THE FAMILY BIBLE OF AQUILLA AND OSEE LOGSDON CUSHATT. MR. SEARS IS OF THE OPINION THAT JOHN'S FATHER WAS ANDRE COCHET A HUGUENOT BORN ABT 1675. WILL ADD HIM WHEN WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA IF HE IS REALLY A PART OF THIS FAMILY. IN A LETTER TO MR. SEARS WRITTEN BY C. WAYNE CASHATT OF THOMASVILLE, NC 2 AUG 1979 SAYS JOHN DIED ABOUT 1748 AND THAT HE WAS A CARPENTER AND FARMER. HE ALSO MENTIONS HIS WIFE ELEANOR. IN ANOTHER SEARS DATA LISTS WIFE AS MARGARET (POSSIBLY CONFUSED WITH A LATER JOHN CASHATT). SAYS DEATH DATE WAS 1745. ABSTRACT OF WILLS AND INVE NTORIES 16 MAY 1749 LISTS JOHN'S WILL AS THIS DATE WITH RESIDENCE LISTED AS FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. THIS INFORMATION FROM VIRGINIA WILLS AND ADMINISTRATION-1632-1800 COMPILED BY CLAYTON TORRENCE Pg. 75. ALTHOUGH IN THIS CASE JOHN'S DEATH DATE IS GIVEN AS 1748. NO CHILDREN MENTIONED IN THE WILL.

NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY 18-21 1972-1975 P. 2/32 NC ADMINISTRATIVE BONDS (WILLS ETC) 1680-1778 LISTS IN 1728 IN PERQUIMENS COUNTY, WILL OF ANDREW CUSHATT; ABRAHAM MOULIN, ADMINISTRATOR. FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA WILLS, BOOK A1, PAGES 257, 282 SHOWS ELEANOR CASHATT AS ADMINISTRATRIX. SHE AND TWO OTHERS GAVE BOND 16 NOV 1784. INVENTORY WAS TAKEN 28 NOV 1748.

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http://members.tripod.com/cornelius_carroll/Mullins/id22.htm

Abraham Moulin b. ca 1675 and wife arrived in Virginia on the ship Mary Ann in 1700. On 19 April 1700, the sum of 940 pounds was paid in full for the passage of two hundred and five people aboard the ship Mary Ann bound for Virginia. Among the passengers were Abraham Moulin and his wife. There is no mention of children. A list of French refugees at Manakintown on 6 March 1701/02 contains the surname Moulins. King William III donated 10,000 acres to the French refugees at Manakintown in 1700. The land allocated to the French refugees at Manakintown 26 Oct. 1704 totaled 10,033 acres, 3 rods, and 19 poles. A list of refugees, for whom no French patents exist, either died shortly after their arrival in Manakintown or migrated to other parts of the colony or beyond, contains Abraham Moulin and his wife. This may be Abraham Moulins, "faiserur de savon", who resided on West Street, St. Giles Parish, in London, and md Rachel Broret in the Greek Street Church 27 Dec. 1699 by Rev. Severin. Abraham moved to Perquimans County, North Carolina where Samuel Cretchington, of Perquimans County, North Carolina, assigned "right to within deed unto Abraham Mullen, of same", for 10 pounds 8 April 1707. Nathaniel Nicholson assigned right of patent to Abraham Mullen for 210 1/2 acres on Perquimans River 10 April 1716. In 1734, Richard Whedbee for 30 barrels of pork sold Abraham Mullen 153 acres on the north east side of Perq River, called "Beaver Cove". In 1740, Abraham sold John Gohyer 210 acres adjacent Arthur Croxton. Abraham is on the 1716 North Carolina Corn List. The surviving Perquimans County tax records are fragmentary but he appears in the 1720 tax list. Abraham Sr., Abraham Jr., Isaac, and Jacob Mullen are on the 1740 tax list of Periqumans County. In 1740, Abraham Mullen Sr. made a deed for "love I bear my son Isaac Mullen" of Perquimans County "do give 105 acres on the North side of Beaver Cove Swamp, adjacent Foster Thomas, Christoper Sutton, and Abraham Riggs, where we now live." The witnesses were Abraham Mullen Jr., Abraham Hosea, and Jos. Sutton. In 1743, Abraham Mullens Sr. made a deed for "love I bear my son Abraham, have given 105 acres, on north east side of Perq River, near the head of Beaver Cove Swamp" and another tract of 153 acres, called "Beaver Cove". Abraham died without leaving a will but had the following known children:

2. Isaac Mullen (will dated 1743 Perquimans County, North Carolina) md Elizabeth Sutton

3. Abraham Mullen Jr. (division of estate in 1762 Perquimans County, North Carolina) md Eleanor Ming

4. Jacob Mullen (will dated 1758 Perquimans County, North Carolina) md Sarah Nicholson

According to the research of Mary Lambeth, Abraham Moulins Sr. may also have had at least two daughters:

5. Sarah Mullen md _____ Thomas

6. Elizabeth Mullen

More About Abraham Moulin/Mullen:
Comment: It has been assumed he is the same Abraham Moulins who married Rachel Broret in the Greek Street Church in London 27 Dec 1699, and resided on West Street, St. Giles Parish, London.
Immigration: 1700, Was among the French Huguenots that settled at Manakin Towne, VA on the ship "Mary Ann".
Property: 08 Apr 1707, Purchased land in Perquimans Co., NC, on the northeast side of Perquimans River, known as "Beaver Cove."
Residence 1: Bef. 1699, France and London, England
Residence 2: Bet. 1700 - 1706, Manakin French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA
Residence 3: Aft. 1707, Perquimans Co., NC

Children of Abraham Moulin/Mullen and Rachel Broret are:
74 i. Abraham Mullen, Jr., born Abt. 1700 in possibly Manakintowne French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA; died Abt. 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ellinor Ming.
ii. Isaac Mullen, died Abt. 1743 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Elizabeth Sutton; born Abt. 1713.

More About Elizabeth Sutton:
Comment: According to a Mullen website, her mother was Rebecca Jones

iii. Jacob Mullen, born Aft. 1700 in probably Manakin French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA; died Abt. 1758 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah Nicholson; born Abt. 1706.
iv. William Mullen, born Abt. 1704; married Kathryn ?.

152. William Turner, Jr., died Abt. 1709 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 304. William Turner and 305. Katherine ?. He married 153. Ann ?.
153. Ann ?

Children of William Turner and Ann ? are:
76 i. Edward Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1785 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ann ?.
ii. William Turner III, born Abt. 1705 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1753 in Pasquotank Co., NC; married Kesiah ?.

160. Capt. Thomas Sawyer, born in England?; died Abt. 1720 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 320. John Sawyer?.

More About Capt. Thomas Sawyer:
Property: 1695, Received two land grants for 450 acres and 200 acres on northeast side of Pasquotank River, one piece adjoining Thomas Cooper, the other joining Thomas Franch and William Jennings.

Children of Capt. Thomas Sawyer are:
i. Stephen Sawyer
ii. Thomas Sawyer, Jr., married Catherine Spence; born Abt. 1720.
80 iii. Richard Sawyer, born Abt. 1702 in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County); died Aft. Feb 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Ann Spence?.
iv. Mary Sawyer
v. Ann Sawyer
vi. Hannah Sawyer
vii. Capt. Caleb Sawyer, born Abt. 1703 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; married Susannah Spence?; born Abt. 1715.

Notes for Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17076/caleb%20sawyer#hit4
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh (1891-1976):

First Attempt to Form the County
Caleb Sawyer
ca 1703-1758

AS A SITE for the precinct courthouse the Pasquotank Commissioners purchased an acre of land from Thomas Palin and wife Susannah on October 17, 1727. The location was on the southwest side of the river on "a little creek or gut issuing out of Newbegun Creek." Here the courthouse was forthwith erected and as a result sentiment began to develop on the northeast side of the river for the formation of a new precinct. The primary reason for this dissatisfaction was the width of the river at the point selected, some three miles or more. Crossings on a ferry would be a difficult undertaking even in moderate weather and nothing short of hazardous when the winds were high. As a matter of fact, there was no regular or dependable ferry service at the time except at Sawyer's Ferry about fifteen miles up the river, and to cross over to the other side over the roads, which were no more than rutty cart paths, was also a time-consuming inconvenience for the majority of the inhabitants on the northeast side, inasmuch as the most populous area was as yet in the lower or southern part. At first, for lack of a building, court sessions were held at various private residences, but in 1715 the Assembly specifically named the residence of Joseph Glaister on Newbegun Creek as the place for holding court as well as county elections.

The erection of a courthouse in this vicinity, moreover, eliminated the chance of holding court elsewhere, and this fact, along with the transportation difficulties, became a continuing source of dissatisfaction to those living on the other side of the river.

Caleb Sawyer, "of Sawyers Creek," as one of the representatives from Pasquotank in the House of Commons, was the first to attempt to obtain the legislative enactment necessary in order to form that northeast side into a separate precinct. An entry in the minutes of the House on January 25, 1735, reads as follows: "Read petition of the inhabitants of the N. E. Parish of Pasquotank praying that that Parish be established into a separate precinct. Referred." On February 3 this additional entry is recorded: "By Mess. Caleb sawyer, Dan'll Sawyer. The petition of ther Inhabitants of the North East Parish of Pasquotank was a second time read for establishing that part into a precinct with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle County. Ordered that a bill be prepared for same." On February 22 the bill appears with an amendment to name the precinct "Johnston," undoubtedly a diplomatic gesture for the purpose of securing the approval of the governor, Gabriel Johnson. Caleb Sawyer is regarded as sponsor of this legislation since he is the only representative mentioned in connection with it except the one instance including Daniel Sawyer.

The bill with amendments was passed the required three times and ordered to be engrossed. It was promptly vetoed by Governor Johnston who objected to the provision "with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle," which meant five representatives in the House of Commons for the new county. In 1670 Albemarle County had been divided into four precincts—Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan—and each was allotted five representatives in the General Assembly. Later Bertie was allotted five and Tyrell, three; all other precincts or counties were allowed only two. Because of this method of representation the Albemarle region held the balance of political power and as a consequence officials elected in the assembly continued to be from that area. Governor Johnston was therefore strongly opposed to creating another precinct in the same territory with a quota of five members in the legislature. He later attempted to reduce representation in all the Albemarle precincts to two each; but the old precincts appealed to the Crown and their claims were upheld as a special privilege from the Proprietors.

Sawyer was elected to four two-year terms in the legislature. An important bill which he and Jeremiah Symons sponsored in 1735 for the benefit of navigation was "An Act appropriating the Powder Money towards the fortifying beaconing and Buoying out the several Ports or Channels in the Province and for Imploying Pilotes." In 1743 Sawyer assisted in preparing a bill "providing for his Majesty's Rent Roll." During his last term—1743—he was fined for twelve days' non-attendance, the reason for the absence not being stated.

Members of the Sawyer family have made important contributions to the history of Camden County. Caleb's first cousin Thomas donated the land for the Episcopal chapel erected near Sawyers Creek shortly after 1715, thereby becoming our first public benefactor. Not only was Caleb himself an outstanding citizen, he was the progenitor of descendants who also distinguished themselves. His son Lemuel held several local offices and was a delegate to important state conventions during the Revolutionary Period. A daughter married General Isaac Gregory. A grandson, Lemuel, was elected several times to the U. S. Congress and was also an author of note. A granddaughter also married a congressman. Another grandson, Enoch, achieved wealth, public honors, and entertained President James Monroe in his home.

More About Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
Occupation: Sea captain

Notes for Susannah Spence?:
From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:33 AM
To: Harry Schoettle; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Caleb Sawyer (d. 1758) and Robert Spence (d. 1762)

Since there's a good chance that Sylvanus Sawyer's wife was descended from Caleb Sawyer's son Lemuel Sawyer Sr, I thought I would take a closer look into the Sawyer-Spence records

Mr. Schoettle sent me some information last night that gave strong proof that Catherine Spence, daughter of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman, actually married Thomas Sawyer Jr (son of Thomas Sawyer (d. 1720). So, I think I can rule her out as being Caleb Sawyer's wife. Yet, there was a deed from April 1739 (Pasquotank Deed B-260) where Robert Spence and wife Ann sell 100 acres to Caleb Sawyer. Robert Spence was a son of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman. Alexander Spence's will from 2 Aug 1734 left 100 acres to son Robert Spence adjacent to Richard Ferrill, Abel Ross, and John Trueblood. This was probably the same land that Robert and Ann Spence later sold to Caleb Sawyer in 1739. Robert Spence had a probate file from 1763 that doesn't specifically name his heirs, but it mentions the administrator as being an Esther/Hester Spence who was probably his 2nd wife and also notes people who were given money or items from the estate: Thomas Sawyer, Richard Sawyer, John Sawyer, Lemuel Sawyer, Sarah Sawyer, John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones. I suspect the Thomas Sawyer and John Sawyer mentioned above were the sons of Caleb Sawyer, as of course, was Lemuel Sawyer. Robert Spence's sister, Catherine Spence, married Richard Sawyer's brother, Thomas Sawyer Jr, so it makes sense that Richard would also be mentioned here. Although, it also makes me wonder if Richard Sawyer's wife might have also been a daughter of Robert and Ann Spence - and if so, Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha Gregory would have been 3rd cousins in two different ways via the Sawyers and Spences. John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones were probably Robert Spence's son-in-laws. Most likely, Dempsey (since he had a son named Truman), Lemuel, John, and Thomas were sons of Caleb Sawyer and Robert and Ann Spence's daughter of unknown name. Elisha and Sylvanus Sawyer seem to have been quite a bit younger than the other sons of Caleb Sawyer and may have been from a different mother, perhaps from Susannah. I will have to double check when each of Caleb Sawyer's sons first appear in the deed and tax records to see if it is feasible for them to have been grandsons of Robert Spence. Men and women were mostly married by their mid-teens during that time period, given how harsh life was back then.

Some records give Robert Spence's wife Ann's maiden name as being Lovey, but I'm not sure how correct it is. There's very little surviving records regarding the Spence family in general, and there's only a few deeds for Alexander Spence and Robert Spence listed in the Pasquotank deed indexes. Nonetheless, I found an interesting record from Oct 1797 that suggests Robert Spence was born quite a bit earlier than previously thought. John Spence, Alexander's Spence's brother, apparently arrived in North Carolina shortly before Alexander with John's wife Catherine and a Robert Spence whom is not explicitly stated as being his son. John Spence could have had a son named Robert who predeceased him and thus was not mentioned in his will, but I think it's more likely that he took his nephew with him. I have seen various other immigration records for North Carolina during that time when an uncle or aunt would take a nephew or niece with them in advance of the child's parents arriving. I would wager that this is what happened in this scenario. If so, Robert Spence was probably born in Somerset, Maryland in the early 1790s. Alexander Spence's will indicates that he was probably his third son after James and Joseph Spence.

Here is an excellent site about the Spence-Truman family, and Alexander Spence in particular: http://ncgenweb.us/nc/camden/spence-alexander-a-pasquotank-pioneer/ The author takes the position that John Truman moved from Calvert County, MD to the eastern shore of Virginia due to a controversy involving his brother, Thomas. This seems credible, but more information would be needed to prove it. The Calvert County Trumans are reputedly the branch of Trumans of whom President Truman was a descendant. Calvert County was diagonally across the Chesapeake from Somerset, so they wouldn't have had to travel very far.

162. Robert Spence, born Bef. 1695 in Somerset Co., MD. He was the son of 324. Alexander Spence and 325. Dorothy Truman.

Children of Robert Spence are:
i. Susannah Spence?, born Abt. 1715; married Capt. Caleb Sawyer; born Abt. 1703 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Susannah Spence?:
From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:33 AM
To: Harry Schoettle; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Caleb Sawyer (d. 1758) and Robert Spence (d. 1762)

Since there's a good chance that Sylvanus Sawyer's wife was descended from Caleb Sawyer's son Lemuel Sawyer Sr, I thought I would take a closer look into the Sawyer-Spence records

Mr. Schoettle sent me some information last night that gave strong proof that Catherine Spence, daughter of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman, actually married Thomas Sawyer Jr (son of Thomas Sawyer (d. 1720). So, I think I can rule her out as being Caleb Sawyer's wife. Yet, there was a deed from April 1739 (Pasquotank Deed B-260) where Robert Spence and wife Ann sell 100 acres to Caleb Sawyer. Robert Spence was a son of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman. Alexander Spence's will from 2 Aug 1734 left 100 acres to son Robert Spence adjacent to Richard Ferrill, Abel Ross, and John Trueblood. This was probably the same land that Robert and Ann Spence later sold to Caleb Sawyer in 1739. Robert Spence had a probate file from 1763 that doesn't specifically name his heirs, but it mentions the administrator as being an Esther/Hester Spence who was probably his 2nd wife and also notes people who were given money or items from the estate: Thomas Sawyer, Richard Sawyer, John Sawyer, Lemuel Sawyer, Sarah Sawyer, John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones. I suspect the Thomas Sawyer and John Sawyer mentioned above were the sons of Caleb Sawyer, as of course, was Lemuel Sawyer. Robert Spence's sister, Catherine Spence, married Richard Sawyer's brother, Thomas Sawyer Jr, so it makes sense that Richard would also be mentioned here. Although, it also makes me wonder if Richard Sawyer's wife might have also been a daughter of Robert and Ann Spence - and if so, Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha Gregory would have been 3rd cousins in two different ways via the Sawyers and Spences. John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones were probably Robert Spence's son-in-laws. Most likely, Dempsey (since he had a son named Truman), Lemuel, John, and Thomas were sons of Caleb Sawyer and Robert and Ann Spence's daughter of unknown name. Elisha and Sylvanus Sawyer seem to have been quite a bit younger than the other sons of Caleb Sawyer and may have been from a different mother, perhaps from Susannah. I will have to double check when each of Caleb Sawyer's sons first appear in the deed and tax records to see if it is feasible for them to have been grandsons of Robert Spence. Men and women were mostly married by their mid-teens during that time period, given how harsh life was back then.

Some records give Robert Spence's wife Ann's maiden name as being Lovey, but I'm not sure how correct it is. There's very little surviving records regarding the Spence family in general, and there's only a few deeds for Alexander Spence and Robert Spence listed in the Pasquotank deed indexes. Nonetheless, I found an interesting record from Oct 1797 that suggests Robert Spence was born quite a bit earlier than previously thought. John Spence, Alexander's Spence's brother, apparently arrived in North Carolina shortly before Alexander with John's wife Catherine and a Robert Spence whom is not explicitly stated as being his son. John Spence could have had a son named Robert who predeceased him and thus was not mentioned in his will, but I think it's more likely that he took his nephew with him. I have seen various other immigration records for North Carolina during that time when an uncle or aunt would take a nephew or niece with them in advance of the child's parents arriving. I would wager that this is what happened in this scenario. If so, Robert Spence was probably born in Somerset, Maryland in the early 1790s. Alexander Spence's will indicates that he was probably his third son after James and Joseph Spence.

Here is an excellent site about the Spence-Truman family, and Alexander Spence in particular: http://ncgenweb.us/nc/camden/spence-alexander-a-pasquotank-pioneer/ The author takes the position that John Truman moved from Calvert County, MD to the eastern shore of Virginia due to a controversy involving his brother, Thomas. This seems credible, but more information would be needed to prove it. The Calvert County Trumans are reputedly the branch of Trumans of whom President Truman was a descendant. Calvert County was diagonally across the Chesapeake from Somerset, so they wouldn't have had to travel very far.

Notes for Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17076/caleb%20sawyer#hit4
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh (1891-1976):

First Attempt to Form the County
Caleb Sawyer
ca 1703-1758

AS A SITE for the precinct courthouse the Pasquotank Commissioners purchased an acre of land from Thomas Palin and wife Susannah on October 17, 1727. The location was on the southwest side of the river on "a little creek or gut issuing out of Newbegun Creek." Here the courthouse was forthwith erected and as a result sentiment began to develop on the northeast side of the river for the formation of a new precinct. The primary reason for this dissatisfaction was the width of the river at the point selected, some three miles or more. Crossings on a ferry would be a difficult undertaking even in moderate weather and nothing short of hazardous when the winds were high. As a matter of fact, there was no regular or dependable ferry service at the time except at Sawyer's Ferry about fifteen miles up the river, and to cross over to the other side over the roads, which were no more than rutty cart paths, was also a time-consuming inconvenience for the majority of the inhabitants on the northeast side, inasmuch as the most populous area was as yet in the lower or southern part. At first, for lack of a building, court sessions were held at various private residences, but in 1715 the Assembly specifically named the residence of Joseph Glaister on Newbegun Creek as the place for holding court as well as county elections.

The erection of a courthouse in this vicinity, moreover, eliminated the chance of holding court elsewhere, and this fact, along with the transportation difficulties, became a continuing source of dissatisfaction to those living on the other side of the river.

Caleb Sawyer, "of Sawyers Creek," as one of the representatives from Pasquotank in the House of Commons, was the first to attempt to obtain the legislative enactment necessary in order to form that northeast side into a separate precinct. An entry in the minutes of the House on January 25, 1735, reads as follows: "Read petition of the inhabitants of the N. E. Parish of Pasquotank praying that that Parish be established into a separate precinct. Referred." On February 3 this additional entry is recorded: "By Mess. Caleb sawyer, Dan'll Sawyer. The petition of ther Inhabitants of the North East Parish of Pasquotank was a second time read for establishing that part into a precinct with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle County. Ordered that a bill be prepared for same." On February 22 the bill appears with an amendment to name the precinct "Johnston," undoubtedly a diplomatic gesture for the purpose of securing the approval of the governor, Gabriel Johnson. Caleb Sawyer is regarded as sponsor of this legislation since he is the only representative mentioned in connection with it except the one instance including Daniel Sawyer.

The bill with amendments was passed the required three times and ordered to be engrossed. It was promptly vetoed by Governor Johnston who objected to the provision "with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle," which meant five representatives in the House of Commons for the new county. In 1670 Albemarle County had been divided into four precincts—Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan—and each was allotted five representatives in the General Assembly. Later Bertie was allotted five and Tyrell, three; all other precincts or counties were allowed only two. Because of this method of representation the Albemarle region held the balance of political power and as a consequence officials elected in the assembly continued to be from that area. Governor Johnston was therefore strongly opposed to creating another precinct in the same territory with a quota of five members in the legislature. He later attempted to reduce representation in all the Albemarle precincts to two each; but the old precincts appealed to the Crown and their claims were upheld as a special privilege from the Proprietors.

Sawyer was elected to four two-year terms in the legislature. An important bill which he and Jeremiah Symons sponsored in 1735 for the benefit of navigation was "An Act appropriating the Powder Money towards the fortifying beaconing and Buoying out the several Ports or Channels in the Province and for Imploying Pilotes." In 1743 Sawyer assisted in preparing a bill "providing for his Majesty's Rent Roll." During his last term—1743—he was fined for twelve days' non-attendance, the reason for the absence not being stated.

Members of the Sawyer family have made important contributions to the history of Camden County. Caleb's first cousin Thomas donated the land for the Episcopal chapel erected near Sawyers Creek shortly after 1715, thereby becoming our first public benefactor. Not only was Caleb himself an outstanding citizen, he was the progenitor of descendants who also distinguished themselves. His son Lemuel held several local offices and was a delegate to important state conventions during the Revolutionary Period. A daughter married General Isaac Gregory. A grandson, Lemuel, was elected several times to the U. S. Congress and was also an author of note. A granddaughter also married a congressman. Another grandson, Enoch, achieved wealth, public honors, and entertained President James Monroe in his home.

More About Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
Occupation: Sea captain

81 ii. Ann Spence?, married Richard Sawyer.

164. Thomas Litton, Jr., born Aft. 1682 in Harford Co., MD; died 21 Apr 1761 in Harford Co., MD. He was the son of 328. Thomas Litton and 329. Mary Webster. He married 165. Ann Hawkins.
165. Ann Hawkins, born Abt. 1689 in Harford Co., MD; died 29 Jan 1756 in Harford Co., MD.

Notes for Thomas Litton, Jr.:
http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/litton/502/

Thomas Litton and Ann Hawkins

By Kerry Bate December 15, 2010 at 04:00:30

I've recently completed a biographical sketch of Thomas Litton and his wife, Ann Hawkins, and am posting it for comment, correction, and addition.
THOMAS LITTON – 2

BIRTH/PARENTAGE:
"I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Letton & my doughter Sarah Letton & unto Thomas son… who at age 18…" [29 October 1700 Will of Thomas Litton, Baltimore County Wills, B6:396-97 and Jane Baldwin Cotton, MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS 6:396]. Thomas Litton Senior also mentions "[my] loving brother John Webster" in his will [ibid.]. Thomas Litton Jr. was an apprentice of John Webster's in 1707 [Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5; William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40]. Webster's wife, Hannah Butterworth, was not a sister to Thomas Litton and given the reference to "brother" and that Webster accepted Thomas Litton Jr. as an apprentice, it seems probable that Litton senior was married to Webster's sister and therefore Thomas Litton Jr. was son of Thomas and Mary (Webster) Litton.

Thomas Litton Jr. could have been born no earlier than 1682 if he were not yet 18 at the date of his father's will in 1700; he was married by 6 April 1715, when his daughter Elizabeth was born [ST GEORGE, HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND PARISH REGISTERS, p. 217]. His fellow apprentice, Antell Deaver, was aged "about 40" on 12 May 1730 (born about 1690), "age about 52" on 3 May 1737 (born about 1685), age about 71" 5 May 1755 (born about 1684) and "age about 71" 27 October 1755 (born about 1684) [Dr. Richard H.Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5, 16, 42, 44], so it would not be unreasonable to estimate Thomas LittonJr.'s birth as around 1685-1690.

OCCUPATION:
Thomas Litton, like his father and like the uncle to whom he was apprenticed by 1707 [Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5; William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40], John Webster [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1659-1737, p. 41] was a carpenter.

MARRIAGE:
Thomas Litton's wife was named Ann, as shown in the birth of her daughter Elizabeth in 1715 [ST GEORGE, HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND PARISH REGISTERS, p. 217] and Ann was also named in his will, dated 29 January 1756. John Hawkins Sr leaves to my "daughter Ann Litten my Negro Man named Mingoe after the decease of my loving wife Rebecca" [Jane Baldwin Cotton, MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS, 7:33; 7:33; Baltimore Co Wills 2:287]; Thomas Litten and John Hawkins sign the inventory of the estate of John Hawkins, Sr., as "nearest of kin" [Baltimore Co, MD Inventories 4:485; also see MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L"]. Hence Thomas's wife was Ann Hawkins, daughter of John Hawkins, whom he probably married about 1714.

TRACTS OF LAND:
Bare Hills, 100 acres patented 10 June 1734
Arabia Petrea, 100 acres, 1739, mentioned in 29 January 1756 will
Litton's Desire, 50 acres, 1741
Litton's Lot, 25 acres, 1742
Margaret's Mount, 160 acres, mentioned in will
New Design, 40 acres or more, part of Margaret's Mount, mentioned in will
Spencer's Neighbour, mentioned in will
Falling Branch, 25 acres, mentioned in will
Litten's Fancy "whereon is suppose[d] to be a mine" mentioned in will

RELIGION:
Quaker until discharged 20-6-1743 [20 July 1743, the year starting in March before 1752; Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County Book F – 1808-1836].

Ann's Delight, mentioned in will
DEATH:
Thomas Litton's last land transaction was dated 17 April 1760 and his will was probated on 21 April 1761 [Baltimore County Probates] so he died between those dates and closest to the latter.

BIOGRAPHY BY KERRY WILLIAM BATE:
Thomas Litton's father died when he was a minor, probably when he was ten or fifteen, and the Baltimore Rent Rolls show resources from land called Speedwell and Tall Hill were "in the posestion of Mary Litton for the orphants of Thomas Litton" [MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 20 (1925) 286]. His mother remarried by August 1715, choosing as her second husband another carpenter, John Miles, Jr. [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 448; John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1659-1737, p. 55].

He was apprenticed to his uncle by 1707 [Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5], carpenter John Webster, who was or became "an ardent Quaker" [Nancy Webster Barnes and Marwood Darlington, SOME WEBSTER AND DOWNING FAMILIES OF MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA (1993), p. 5] and Litton was himself a Quaker, though ultimately an unsuccessful one. Webster, who lived to the age of 91, was described in his obituary as having "always maintained a good character in every Station: was a tender Husband, kind Parent and Indulgent Master. All his neighbors agree that he has not left an honester man" [MARYLAND GAZETTE, 12 April 1753, quoted in MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 19 (1924) 211 and in Barnes and Darlington, already cited, p. 6]. We would expect, then, that Webster was kind to his fatherless apprentice-nephew though the only record of that apprenticeship is the testimony of the wonderfully named Antell Deaver, "aged forty years" who deposed 12 May 1730 "that about twenty-three years agoe this deponent lived with John Webster as an apprentice and that about that time he saw abounded chesnut standing near an old Indian grave…. And that Thomas Litton then a youth and fellow prentice told him it was the bounded tree of Christophers Camp and Sedley" [LAND COMMISSIONS, Liber H.W. iS. No. 2, f. 89, quoted in William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40]; also see Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5].

Thomas Litton married, about 1714, Ann Hawkins, daughter of John Hawkins Sr, a man whose inventory included not only a valuable (£25) "Negro Man named Mingo" (who was bequeathed to Ann Hawkins Litton), but an even more valuable (£30) Negro "Woman Named Kate" as well as a Negro "Boy named Will" and "1 white servt Woman nam'd Alse Evans" (£6) [Baltimore County Inventories: 4:485], reminding us that slavery actually began as a form of time-limited indenture and was applied to white as well as black.

Ann, like most colonial wives, is almost only a name on a piece of paper; she shows up twice in deeds with her husband [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS, 2:140 (28 January 1742); 2:270 (23 February 1747)] and she is named in the births of her children in the parish registers of St. George, Baltimore County [now Harford], Maryland:

"Elizabeth Litton the Daughter of Thomas & Ann Litten his Wife was Born April the Sixth 1715" (p. 217)
"Mary Litten was born April the first 1717) the Daughters & Sons of Thomas
Hannah Litten was born March the 10th 1719) Litten & Ann his Wife (p. 230)
Thomas Litten was born Jany the 30th 1721)
"John Litten the Son of Thomas Litten & Ann his Wife Was Born March the tenth 1722/3" (p. 234)
"Isaac Litton the son of Thomas & Ann Litton his wife was born February the thirteenth 1724/" (p. 234)
Michael Litton Son of Thomas Litton, & Ann his Wife was Born April the 14th 1730" (p. 256)
"Decr the 4th Day of 1732 Then was Born Elizabeth Litten Daughter of Thomas Litten and Ann his Wife." (p. 267)
August the 10th 1734 – Then was Born Samuel Litten Son of Thomas Litton and Ann his Wife" (p. 285).
"James Litten Son of Thomas Litten and Ann his Wife was Born the fifth day of February Anno Domini 1740" (p. 314)
"April the 25th 1740. Then died Ann Litten Daughter of Thomas Litten and Ann his Wife" (p. 309).

The only clue we have that she might have had an interesting personality and been important in her own right is a tract of land named in Thomas Litton's will: Ann's Delight. We don't know what the acreage was but we can hope it was named after our colonial multi-great-grandmother and that it really did Delight her.

There is some reason to suspect his stepfather John Miles of kindness toward him, because Miles and Thomas's mother Mary conveyed 62 acres to Thomas "for love and affection" on 15 September 1716, with his mother signing by mark, his sister Sarah Litton signing by mark, but his stepfather signing his own name [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS, 1659-1737, 1:247].

That apparently worked out well enough that the trick was repeated, when on 2 November 1720 "John & Mary Miles" deeded 60 acres named "Father-in-laws Bounty" to Thomas. In those days, Father-in-law also meant step-father, so the name chosen for the tract of land probably reflected the generosity behind the gift [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS, 1659-1737, 1:269] and shortly thereafter, perhaps in a burst of prosperity, Litton records his branding mark [ibid., 1:269]. Certainly this was a meaningful piece of property, for it was one-half of Margaret's Mount, which property was to play some significant role in the Litton/Litten family.

In 1722 Miles appointed his wife Mary—Litton's mother—administratrix of his estate for life, and mentioned Martha Litton, who was illegitimately begotten on Thomas-2 Litton's sister Sarah Litton by her step-brother, Thomas Miles, a son of John Miles by a previous wife—hence Martha was a granddaughter of both John and Mary Miles and a niece of our Thomas-2 [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, pp. 405, 448]. When, on 6 May 1732 Mary Miles was called upon to administer her late husband's estate, Thomas Litton and his half-brother, John Miles Youngblood, joined her in posting bond [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 448], though she later conveyed all her personal estate to that brother—perhaps because Thomas-2 received substantial gifts of land [ibid., p. 448].

Litton continued to appear in the land records of Baltimore County, buying 100 acres from his cousin, Isaac Webster, and Webster's wife Margaret on 1 May 1739 for £25 [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:95] and with his wife Ann selling 100 acres for £35 to James Rowland, planter, on 28 January 1742—perhaps the same 100 acres he bought in 1739, and therefore making a nice profit [ibid., 2:140]. He is able to sign his name to this and other transactions. Several years later, 23 February 1747, Thomas Litton, described as a planter, and his wife Ann sell 27 acres to Nicholas Ruxton Gay for "4,500 pounds of tobacco", land"patented by Arthur Taylor, who sold, 2 Aug 1670, to Richard Wiley, who sold, 20 Feb 1671, to Robert Gates, who devised (50 acres) to Thomas Litton, the father of said Thomas… 2nd tract, 40 acres… south side of Gunpowder River… patented, 16 Jan 1697, by Thomas Litton Sr… 3rd tract, 27 acres… patented by Roger Spinks, went to his son Enoch Spinks, who sold to Thomas Litton Sr. Signed Thomas Litton. Wit: Thomas Sheredine and Thomas Sligh", the preceding being quotes from the abstract of the deed, not the deed itself [ibid., 2:270-71] a transaction expanded amplified on 28 August 1748 [ibid., 2:278]. Thomas also Patented a 100 acre parcel of land on 10 June 1734 called "Bare Hills" [Certificate 468 1734/06/10 Bare Hills, Thomas Litten, 100 Acres 6 0 MSA S 1190-563], Litton's Desire of 50 acres in 1741 [Unpatented Certificate 891, Date: 1741, Description: Litton's Desire, 50 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas; Baltimore County Circuit Court Land Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index)Index by Reference], and Litton's Lot of 25 acres [Unpatented Certificate 892, Date: 1742, Description: Litton's Lot, 25 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas].

He was even given a civic responsibility for, as reported by William B. Marye, "Thomas Litton is appointed overseer of the road from Johnsons Ford where Deer Creek road formerly came into John Websters Rolling road from Coll Hollands Ford to Esq Halls Rolling house and from Thomas Cullings to Susquehanna Upper Ferry" [William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40, citing June Court, 1730, Baltimore County Court Proceedings, Liber I.W.S. No. 6, 1728-30, folio 416].

From all this it looks like Thomas-2 Litton was living a prosperous, happy life. But, thanks to censorious Quaker records, we know he drank too much and that his children caused him troubles and concerns.

His son, blacksmith Isaac Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:355] married in late 1742 or early 1743 to Mary Jones, widow of Thomas Jones, who was old enough to be his mother (Isaac was born in 1725; Mary's eldest child in 1728) but she wasn't a Quaker and that didn't sit well with his co-religionists: Isaac Litton "reported 16-6-1746 [16 August 1746] before E Nottingham Preparative Meeting as 'having lately been married out of unity'; 'seeing his act to be wrong he appeared [before] this meeting & offered a paper of acknowledgement which was accepted." That was only the beginning of the troubles in his marriage, though the Quakers brought him to account on 9 April 1748 because he "has been guilty of using very unbecoming language to his Aunt"; his "acknowledgement was accepted on 21 May 1748. However when he was accused, as the Quakers worded it, of "suffering fiddling & dancing in his house & for non-attendance at meetings" he was disowned by the Society [Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County, Book F 1808-1836].

And besides that, Isaac's marriage wasn't working out. When his wife Mary's brother-in-law Jonathan Jones didn't find Isaac-3 Litton's stewardship of the Jones estate satisfactory in 1750 he took that responsibility away from Litton [MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L", referencing Baltimore County probates, ref: Test Pro Liber 32, folio 14, Land Office, Annapolis; Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 371], and probably not coincidentally, the Baltimore County Deeds have two side-by-side notations, as abstracted by John Davis:

1750, Isaac Litton, states no one is to deal with his wife Mary who has left. Signed Isaac Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:347].

7 Jun 1750, Jonathan Jones is guardian of Thomas Jones, son of Thomas Jones. Signed Jonathan Jones. Wit: William Hopkins [ibid., 347].

Isaac apparently grew disgusted and left Maryland, for in 1756 Thomas-2 Litton writes rather poignantly in his will, "my will and meaning is that if my Son Isaac comes back within the Term of Three Years from the date of this my Last Will & Testament that he shall be called [sic] Littens Fancy whereon is suppose[d] to be a Mine during his Natural Life and to his heirs Lawfully Begotten for ever; but in case he doth not return within the time of three years, as above, then that Land called Littens Fancy I will dispose of as I see proper & this Paragraph in my Will to be Void." I believe our Isaac may be the man of that name who shows up as in Pasquotank and then Camden County, North Carolina, probably as a soldier and hardly an exemplar of Quaker precepts [ NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, 1 (1900) 167]. Nor was Thomas-2 much luckier with his son James, who definitely enlisted in the Army and ended up in Rowan County, North Carolina, unable to later help settle his father's estate and bequeathing much trouble to Thomas-2's son Samuel and some important genealogical records to his kin.

Isaac's sister Hannah seems to have been married to a Jones, perhaps a member of the Jones family that he felt brought him misfortune, and she brought additional trials on Thomas-2, including the loss of his church membership, for she seems to have been cursed with a number of slu*tty men in her life.

The St. George Parish Vestry Records tell us that "Then was summons ordered to be sent to Samuel Hughes Thomas & Ann Litten and John & Isaac Litten and Elisabeth Pritchard to appear fit the Vestry the Tuesday in May ... 1743" [St. George Parish Registers, p. 306], which summons probably had to do with Litton's unconventional daughter Hannah, born in 1719. She is given a succinct career in Robert Barnes' study of Baltimore families: "LITTON, HANNAH…. Tried for bast[ardy]. in Aug. 1742; ind[icted] again in March 1743/4; also the Hannah Litton alias Jones who was charged by the vestrys of St. John's Parish in April 1746 for unlawful cohabitation with Samuel Hughes; ind[icted]. for bast[ardy]. again in Nov. 1746" [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 405; Barnes seems cautious identifying this Hannah Litton with our Aunt Hannah, but since her parents were summoned there is no doubt of the identification]. A succinct record of the vestry, St. John's, referenced by Barnes, says, "Ordered that Saml Hughs & Hannah Litten alias Jones have notice to appear before the next Vestry for unlawfully cohabiting with each other" [Vestry Records, St Johns, 1735-83, pp. 82-83].

We don't know who the Jones is that caused her to be called "Hannah Litten alias Jones"—in signing the inventory of her father's estate in 1761 she is also "Hannah Jones" (signing "h" as her mark) but I think he is John Jones, the only unaccounted, marriage-wise, son of Thomas and widow Mary Jones, and thus she would be step-daughter to her brother Isaac. On 21 August 1770 Isaac's brother "Samuel Litton" witnessed a deed where John Jones, "late of Baltimore County, Maryland, but now of Red Stone Creek on the waters of the Ohio", son of Thomas Jones, sold to his brother Thomas Jones, saddler, of Baltimore County, 200 acres of land [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD DEEDS 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997), 4:91]. Under my thesis, this would be Hannah's husband and therefore Samuel's brother-in-law.

We know something of another of her lovers. Samuel Hughes wasn't an entirely pristine character. He married Jane Scott, daughter of prominent Baltimore planter Daniel Scott and sister of another Daniel Scott, member of the Maryland legislature. However besides being summoned to unlawful cohabitation with Hannah Litton in April 1746, he was unzipped again in September 1757 when his wife Jane "reported him to the vestry for unlawful cohabitation with Henrietta Jones" (after Hughes' wife died in 1765 he married again, this time to a woman named Hannah but we doubt it was our unfortunate aunt) [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 346].

The Quaker records tell us why Thomas-2 was involved with this situation, or at the least, what the neighborhood gossip was (I've changed the abbreviations to full words):

Name:
Thomas Litton Comment: reported 18-4-1743 [18 June 1743] by Bush River Preparative Meeting, to "have fallen into the habit of excessive drinking of strong liquor & also indulging a man to cohabit with his daughter; on 16-5-1743 [16 July 1743] our committee reported having visited him & that while he confessed drinking to excess, he denied the other charge; but Friends report that upon inquiry they find he appears guilty of suffering a man to cohabit with his daughter & also of gaming." Disowned 20-6-1743 [20 August 1743]; our testimony reported read by Richard Johns before Bush River Meeting & Deer Creek Meeting [Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County Book F - 1808-1836].

Hunter C. Sutherland, in a study of the Bush River Friends Meeting of Harford County, Maryland, to which our Thomas-2 Litton belonged and from which he was disowned (they reported to the Nottingham Monthly Meeting), quotes historian Blish Forbush as saying that "the 18th century practice of disciplining members as 'theological suicide'" [Hunter C. Sutherland, "A Brief History of the Bush River Friends Meeting of Harford county, Maryland," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 77 (1982) 366], but it would perhaps be more accurate to call it institutional, rather than theological, suicide. The Shakers' practice of celibacy was theological suicide.

To add anguish for a troubled heart, Thomas-2's son Samuel took up Methodism—though likely after Thomas's decease, and his son John, who seems either especially virtuous or malevolent—John Patrick, Justice of Harford County, was accused of "Malversation in Office," for, among others, the Judgment he rendered against John Litton [J. Hall Pleasants, ed., ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND XLVIII, Journal and Correspondence of the State Council 1781-1784, p. 466]—married outside unity, and while "Seeing the same to be wrong, but appeared at this meeting [16 August 1746] & offered a paper of acknowledgment which was accepted," he was in more serious trouble on 20 April 1751 when the Bush River denomination "reported that John Litton was guilty of using abusive language to his mother-in-law, even to cursing, so this meeting (considering how often he has been dealth with & his conduct not appearing to mend but grows worse) decided to disown him. He was disowned 18-3-1751 [18 May 1751; Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County, Book F 1808-1836; I have completed abbreviated words in this record].

But these were not Thomas and Ann Litton's only laments. Their son, Thomas Litton III, predeceased them, and we find on 5 February 1754 Thomas Litton deeding livestock to Thomas III's daughter Ann, a record witnessed by Michael Litton, another son of Thomas and Ann, and allegedly by "Sand (X) Litton," whom we suspect is really Thomas-2's wife Ann in disguise [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:365]. He was to remember this granddaughter in his will as well.

That will was not long in coming after Thomas's gift to granddaughter Ann, being written on 29 January 1756:
KNOW All Men by these Presents, That I, Thomas Litten of Baltimore County & Province of Maryland, Planter, being in perfect health as also mind & memory, do for the better settlement of my Temporal affairs wherewith it has pleased God to Bless me with in this Life do make, ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following

Imprimis I Give and Bequeath unto Ann Litten my Dear Beloved Wife my now Dwelling Plantation of one hundred & sixty Acres of Land, it being a part of a Tract of Land called Margrets Mount during her Natural Life, I also leave to my said Wife the third part of all my personal Estate, my Lawful Debts being first paid.

Item my Will and Meaning is that after Wife's decease my sd. dwelling plantation I leave to my Son Samuel Litten and to my Son James Litten, I leave forty Acres to be laid out at South End of the aforesaid Tract at the place called the New Design during their Natural Lives and to their Heirs Lawfully begotten for ever, and if either of them die without Issue my Will is that the survivor or survivors enjoy the whole one Hundred & Sixty Acres.

Item, my Will and meaning is that the Tract of Land called Spencers Neighbour fall to my son Michael during his Natural Life and to his heirs lawfully begotten forever, and if in case my Son Michael die without Issue then his land to be sold & the money to be divided equally amongst the Survivors. Item, my will and meaning is that the Tract of Land called the Falling Branch containing twenty five acres fall to my sons Michael. & James jointly during their natural lives, and to their heirs lawfully begotten for ever, and if in case either or both of them should die without Issue then to fall to the Survivors of my Children.

Item my will and meaning is that if my Son Isaac comes back within the Term of Three Years from the date of this my Last Will & Testament that he shall be called [sic] Littens Fancy whereon is suppose[d] to be a Mine during his Natural Life and to his heirs Lawfully Begotten for ever; but in case he doth not return within the time of three years, as above, then that Land called Littens Fancy I will dispose of as I see proper & this Paragraph in my Will to be Void.

Item, my will and meaning is that my Son John shall have all the remaining part of Arrebea Petrea which is left unsold which land I bought of Isaac Webster & Jacob Giles as also my Will and mind is that my Son John shall have the Tract of Land called Anns delight during his Natural Life and to his heirs Lawfully Begotten for ever, and in case my son John shall die without Issue then & in such case the above two Parcells of Land to be Equally divided Amongst all my surviving Children.

Item my Will & meaning is that after my Wife's third be paid the remainder of my Personal estate be equally divided amongst my children saving my Sons John & Isaac & my daughter Mary who shall have Twelve pounds apiece less then the rest of Children of my personal Estate Item my will is that my Grand Children Samuel & Ann Prichard have each of them a cow and Calf as before given them, which cattle are now in the Possession of Doctr. Edward Wakemans excr. or administrator if not already them as also the Encrease & benefit of them, and is to be made Good by the said Wakeman.

Item my Will & meaning is that my Granddaughter Anne Litten (daughter of my son Thomas deceased, have one cow & calf, one ewe & lamb, one Sow & Pigs and their increase for ever already Given to her and her heirs Lawfully begotten of her Body and if she die without Issue the same to fall to my Children to be equally divided amongst them

And Lastly I leave my Loving Wife Anne Litten, & my Son Michael Litten my whole & sole Executrix & Executor of this my Last Will & Testament hereby disannulling & making Void all others heretofore by me made declaring this & no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & fixt my seal this Twenty Ninth day of January Anno Domino 1756.

Seald & Acknowledged by the Testator)
the word Son in the Tenth Line & the)Thomas Litten (Seal)
word part in the Twenty Eight line)
& the word have in the Thirtieth Line)
being first Interlined in presence)

Litton lived some years after the will was written, for on 17 April 1760 he entered into a transaction with his son, Michael:

Thomas Litten to )
Michael Litten(Baltimore County to wit, BE IT REMEMBERED that upon the
Bond)Seventeenth Day of April in the Year Seventeen hundred and Sixty cometh into the Office of the Clerk of Baltimore County towit a certain Michael Litten in his proper Person and produces an Infftrument of Writing which he prays may be here entered among the Records of the same Court and thereupon it is now to wit the said Seventeenth Day of April in the in the [sic] Year of our Lord Christ Seventeen hundred and sixty aforesaid here inrolled in form following to wit:

KNOW ALL MEN by thefe Prefents that I Thomas Litten of Baltimore County and Province of Maryland am held and firmly bound unto Michael Litten of the County and Province of Maryland aforesaid the sum of two hundred pounds of good and lawful Money of Maryland to be paid to faid Michael Litten or his certain Attorney Executors Administrators or afsigns to which payment well and truly to be made I bind myself my Heirs Executors and Administrators firmly by thefe Prefents Sealed with my Seal Dated the nineteenth Day of March in the——Year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord——by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and fo forth and in the Year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and fixty.

THE CONDITION of this obligation is fuch that if the above bonden Thomas Litten of the County and Province aforesaid his Heirs Executors or Administrators do well and truly make over unto the said Michael Litten his Heirs Executors or Administrators or Afsigns to tracts of land known by the names of Litton's Lot containing twenty five acres and Spencer's Neighbour containing feventy five acres both fituated on the north fide of Deer Creek according to his Lordships Commifsion and Survey as by Leases appear then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and Virtue.
Thomas Litten (LS)
Sealed and Delivered in the Prefence of James Crawford, Robert Hawkins )
Samuel Litten, Mordecai Crawford)
Exam'd
Baltimore County stamps paid Duty Paid B. Bondley, Cl.

Hence Thomas-2 died after 17 April 1760 and before his will was probated on 21 April 1761:

Jacob GilesBalt. Coty. April 21st, l761 came Jacob Giles one of
Willm. Smiththe People called Quakers and made his Solemn Affirmation
John Rigbiethat he saw the Testator, Thomas Litten sign the within
Will on the same day Wm. Smith, Surveyor made oath and July 15th 1761 John Rigbie made Oath that they both saw the Testator Thomas Litten sign the within Will and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament , that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing mind & memory that they severally subscribed their respective names as Witnesses to the said Will in the presence of the said Testator and at his request. Affirmed and Sworne before
William Young, Deputy Commissary Balt. County.

The inventory wasn't completed until October:

AN INVENTORY of the goods and chattels rights and credits of Thomas Litten late of Baltimore County deceased appraised in current money of Maryland by us the Subscribers:
Vizt. To his weareing apparel £2.0.0
To. 1 Feather bed 5.2.0
To. 1 Do. & furniture (?) furniture 5.0.0
To. 1 do. verry old 1.0.0
To. 3 bedstids old 0.10.0
To. 1 writeing Desk 3.10.0
To. 1 pair of money scales & small pockett compafs
0.16.0
to. 1 sunglafs and pair spectakels 0.1.0
To 2 razors old & Strap 0.13.0
To 1 pair of silver shoebuckels old & silver probe 0.5.0
To 1 small looking glafs to 2 yds Irish linen 0.3.0
To aremenant woolen cloth 0.4.0
To a bell mettle spice morter and pestle old 0.8.0
to 1 Teat kettle old, to chaffing dish 0.6.0
To warming pann 5/to 2 candlesticks 2/to 4 glafses
0.8.0
to 1 box iron old 1/6 to 1 pair of scales old 0.3.0
To some tea ware old and difsorted 0.7.0
To 3 cannisters old 1/ to pair of spoon molds 0.6.0
To 1 spyglafs and Pipe 0.1.6
To 2 stone Juggs and 2 stone butter Potts 0.7.0
To 2 Earthen Crocks & 1 glafs bottles 0.2.0
To Parcell of books old 4/ to 1 Gunn old 0.9.0
To 1 large looking glafs 1.10.0
£23.6.6
carried over
To 1 small Do. 10/ to 1 spice box 0/12/6
To 2 Ovill Tabels verry old 0.10.0
To 1 square do. 2/6 to 6 leather chairs old 0.12.6
To. 2 Chests old 7/6 to 3 old trunks 0.8.6
To 1 crofs cutt saw old 0.5.0
To 1 linnen wheel old 2/6 to 1 woolen do 0.3.6
To 4 pulley blocks and some ropes old 0.8.0
To 2 pair of sheets old & old pair of shoeboots 0.21.0
To 3 reap hooks old 1/ to 1 iron hackle old 0.3.0
To mousetrap 1/ to 22 1/2 of pewter 1/31 .19.1 ½
To 33th Do.Do. 1/ 1.23.0
To 1 pair of hand mill stones 0.10,0
To parcell of pattapams old 1/ to 1 skillett old 0.3.6
To a parcell of shoemakers tools old & Elsrs old (?)
0.10.0
To 2 brafs locks old 2/6 to a parcell of carpenters tools
0.18.6
To a parcell of Coopers do. old 0.10.6
To 5 hoes old 5/ to a parcell of old iron 0.15.0
To 1 pair of small stilliards 0.7.6
To. 1 iron pott 39th @/sd 0.13.0
To 1 small do. 6th 2/ to 1 pott rack 0.7.0
To 1 scythe & pitchfork old 0.5.0
To 1 frying pann spitt & flesh forks 0.10.0
To 2 steel traps old 10/ to a sail & wedges & mattocks
0.16.0
To 1 bagg old 1/6 to 4 bells old 0.6.6
To 2 ploughs old & some Geers 1.0.0
To 15 Cyder casques 2/ each 1.10.0
To 1 Cyder mill old 10/ to some Lumber 1.5.0
To 2 wier scives & meal sifter 0.8.6
To 1 mans saddle 1.0.0
Horses 19.5.7
To 1 Gilding old2.0.0
To 1 mare gray old3.10.0
To 1 Black Mare6.0.0
Cows
To 1 Cow & calf 3.0.0
To 1 Cow 2.10.0
To 1. Do. & Calf 3.0.0
To 1 Steer 3.0.0
To 1 bull 15/to heiffer 1.15.0
To 3 head of sheep 15/1 grindstone 1.2.6
Hoggs
To 3 Barrows 12/s each 1.16.0
To 2 sows and six piggs 0.15.0
To 1 pair of Cart wheels very old 0.5.0
To 1 quilting frame old 1/6 to 1 flax brake 0.2.9
To 1 sundial old 16 & 1 iron pott 23... 0.7.6
To 14 1/2 barrels of corn 18/4 pr barrell 6.0.10
To 10 bushels of Wheat 3/ 1.10.0
£79.13.8 1/2
OCTOBER YE 24 1761
To charges for appraisem*nt)James Lee(seal)
And copying Inventory 0.15.0 )Edward Morgan

I approve of ye above appraisem*nt)
being a creditor )Thos. White

I approve of the above apraisem*nt)
being a creditor)Thos. Miller
Michael Litten

I approve of the above appraisem*nt ) her
being a daughter of of Thos. Litten deceasd )HanahhJones
mark

I approve of the above appraisem*nt) her
being a daughter of Thos. Litten deceased ) Mey JJinings
mark

DECEMBER 9th 1761 Samuel Litten administrator with will annexed made oath on the Holy Evangelist of almighty God that the within & foregoing Inventory is a Just & perfect one of all and singular the goods and chattes [sic] rights & credits o£ Thomas Litten late of Baltimore County deceased so farr forth as the same is already come to his hands pofsefsion or knowledge and that what shall hereafter come to his hands or pofsefsion he will return in an additional Inventory that he knows of no concealment by any person whatsoever & if he shall hereafter Discover any concealment or suspect any to be that he will acquaint the Commifsary General for the time being or his Deputy with such discovery or Cause of suspicion that it may be Enquired into & that he will well and truly give an account of every part and parcell of the Deceaseds personal Estate that shall hereafter come to his hands pofsefsion or knowledge sworne before W. Young D. Corny Balt. County [Maryland Inventories, XX, Inv 143, Acct 256, (film 3301 pt 5); Thomas LITTEN, Baltimore Book 32, Liber DDI; folio 420; 1762, Tho Litten, 123, no. 6; Baltimore County, Md., Inventories, no. 8, 1749-69, p. 241-243].

It is unclear if Ann outlived him. She's not mentioned in the estate records, but she was to get Margaret's Mount for her lifetime and sons Samuel-3 and James-3 didn't sell it until about 1770 [Harford County Land Records 1776 JLG A 205].

Thomas had an interesting life, and thanks to some brief sentences in Quaker records we're able to see him as a human being with challenges and heartaches rather than just a name in parish registers, deeds, and probate records. We only wish we had as much to go on for his wife Ann.

NOTES:
[ca 1706] The settlement of the region lying between tidewater and Deer Creek, the Little Falls of Gunpowder River and Susquehanna River, began, as did that of the country to the southward, about the year 1699, and was probably well under way in four or five years. Roads which are described as running through this region in records of or earlier than 1699 were in all likelihood military roads, if they were not Indian. In these records the reader will, I think, look in vain for any certain evidence of the existence of English plantations up in the "forest," as the "back" country was called. On the contrary, we have the evidence of Captain Oldton's report of 1697, which tells us that the distance by road from the cabin on the north side of Deer Creek to the nearest inhabitants was sixteen miles.

The earliest record I have found of a plantation made in the forest far above tidewater, within what is now Harford County, is found in the proceedings of a land commission which was held on August 5th, mine the bounds of "Christopher's Camp," John Webster, aged sixty-four years, declared " that soon after this deponent settled the plantation whereon he now lives which to the best of his knowledge is about twenty-four years agoe a certain Robert Love came to this deponent's house and told this deponent that he had been employed by the Brooks to find out a piece of land called My Lords Gift and that he had run two lines of a piece of land called (Sedgly, etc., etc." Antell Deaver, aged forty years, testified before the same commission " that about twenty-three years agoe this deponent lived with John Webster as an apprentice and that about that time he saw a bounded chestnut standing near an old Indian grave . . . and that Thomas Litton then a youth and fellow prentice told him it was the bounded tree of Christophers Camp and Sedgley." (Land Commissions, Liber H. W. iS. No. 2, f. 89.) The land on which John Webster settled about 1706 was probably "Webster's Forest" which lies between Fountain Green and Creswell. In November, 1711, John Gallion was appointed overseer of the road "that leads from the Rollinghouse of John Hall Esq to his Upper Quarter." (Baltimore County Court Proceedings, Liber I. S. No. B., 1708-1715, f. 265-267, March Court, 1711.) In June, 1712, James Crawford, John Dooley, John Cowen and Mathew Molton petitioned the court " for a road to be made through a certain plantation of John Hall, Esq." (same, f. 314.) These men were probably settlers on the north side of Deer Creek)"—William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40.

[1716-17] 1: 251-52: Account of tobacco delivered to John Crockett…. [p. 252]…Thomas Litton 196…. Gentleman, I have delivered to John Crockett your notes and accounts several sums to the names annexed for rents to Henry Darnall due by virtue of an order from said Darnall, hereby desire you to pay the respective sums in the notes and accounts specified to the said Crockett, his order and his receipt shall discharge you 7 years rent due to the Lady Baltimore and 1 years rent to the present Lord Baltimore and order of Henry Darnall. Signed George Nelson [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1659-1737, pp. 251-52].

[June 1730] "The following records may throw some light on the question of the ford or fords at which the Garrison Road crossed Deer Creek, and on the course of the road sixteen miles in length which ran from the cabin on the north side of Deer Creek to the nearest settlements: " Thomas Litton is appointed overseer of the roads from Johnsons Ford where Deer Creek road formerly came in to John Websters Rolling road from Coll Hollands Ford to Esq. Halls Rolling house and from Thomas Cullings to Susquehannah Upper Ferry" (June Court, 1730, Baltimore County Court Proceedings, Liber I. W. 8, No. 6, 1728-1730, f. 416)"—William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 137.

[1732] MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L"
LITTON, —Ann HAWKINS1732
Dau of John Hawkins, Bait Co Wills Liber 20 Folio 750, Land Office, Annapolis.

[10 June 1734] Baltimore County Circuit CourtLand Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1190: (Certificates, Patented, BA)Index by Reference
Reference: Patented Certificate 468
Date: 1734/06/10
Description: Bare Hills, Thomas Litten, 100 Acres
Storage Location: 01/25/01/89
Patented Certificate 468 1734/06/10 Bare Hills, Thomas Litten, 100 Acres 6 0 MSA S 1190-563

[1735-83] pp. 82-3. "Ordered that Saml Hughs & Hannah Litten alias Jones have notice to appear before the next Vestry for unlawfully cohabiting with each other. (Vestry Records, St Johns, 1735-83)

[1 May 1739] 2: 95: 1 May 1739, Isaac & Margaret Webster and Jacob & Johannah Giles, merchants, of Baltimore Co, MD to Thomas Litton, of same, £25, 100 acres. Signed Isaac Webster and Jacob Giles. Wit: Nathaniel Rigbie and Richard Johns [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:95]

[1741] Baltimore County Circuit CourtLand Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index)Index by Reference
Reference: Unpatented Certificate 891
Date: 1741
Description: Litton's Desire, 50 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas
Storage Location:
Baltimore County Circuit CourtLand Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index)Index by Reference

[1742] Reference: Unpatented Certificate 892
Date: 1742
Description: Litton's Lot, 25 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas

[28 Jan 1742] 2: 140: 28 Jan 1742, Thomas & Ann Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD to James Rowland, planter, of same, £35, 100 acres… between John Cooper and mouth of Muddy creek. Signed Thomas Litton. Wit: Henry David, Skipwith Coale and Mary Coale [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:140].

[May 1743] ST GEORGE, HARFORD COUNTY, MD. PARISH REGISTERS
p. 306 "Then was summons ordered to be sent to Samuel Hughes Thomas & Ann Litten and John & Isaac Litten and Elisabeth Pritchard to appear fit the Vestry the Tuesday in May ... 1743

[18 June 1743] Name: Thomas Litton
Comment: rptd 18-4-1743 by Bush River PM, to "have fallen into the habit of excessive drinking of strong liquor & also indulging a man to cohabit with his daughter; on 16-5-1743 our comm rptd having visited him & that while he confessed drinking to excess, he denied the other charged; but Frds rpt that upon inquiry they find he appears guilty of suffering a man to cohabit with his daughter & also of gaming." Dis 20-6-1743; our testimony rptd read by Richard Johns before Bush River Mtg & Deer Creek Mtg
Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County
Book F - 1808-1836

[23 Feb 1747] 2: 270: 23 Feb 1747, Thomas & Ann Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD to Nicholas Ruxton Gay, of same, 4,500 pounds of tobacco, 27 acres of 50 acres of 100 acres… patented by Arthur Taylor, who sold, 2 Aug 1670, to Richard Wiley, who sold, 20 Feb 1671, to Robert Gates, who devised (50 acres) to Thomas Litton, the father of said Thomas… 2nd tract, 40 acres… south side of Gunpowder River… patented, 16 Jan 1697, by Thomas Litton Sr… 3rd tract, 27 acres… patented by Roger Spinks, went to his son Enoch Spinks, who sold to Thomas Litton Sr. Signed Thomas [p. 271] Litton. Wit: Thomas Sheredine and Thomas Sligh [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:270].

[13 Apr 1747] 2: 347: 13 Apr 1747, received £17.2 from Isaac Litton. Signed John Litton. Wit: Willim Coale [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:347].

[28 Aug 1748] 2: 278: 28 Aug 1748 [1784 in transcript but obvious error] Nicholas Ruxton Gay, of Baltimore Co, MD to Walter Tolley, of same, 6,200 pounds of tobacco, 50 acres, 40 acres, and 27 acres… purchased, 3 Feb 1747, of Thomas Litton. Signed Nicholas Ruxton Gay. Wit: William Young and William Dallam [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:278].

[1750] 2: 347: 1750, Isaac Litton, states no one is to deal with his wife Mary who has left. Signed Isaac Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:347].

[13 May 1752] 2: 355: 13 May 1752, Isaac Litton, blacksmith, of Baltimore Co, MD to John Litton and Thomas Farmer, of same, £28, chattel goods and livestock. Signed Isaac Litton. Wit: Richard Dallam [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:355].

[5 Feb 1754] 2: 365: 5 Feb 1754, Thomas Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD to his granddaughter, Ann Litton, daughter of Thomas Litton, deceased, for love and affection, livestock. Signed Thomas Litton. Wit: Michael Litton and Sand (X) Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:365].

[1 June 1755] 2: 374: 1 June 1755, David Hawkins, weaver, of Baltimore Co, MD to Joseph Lee, of same, chattel goods. Signed David Hawkins. Wit: John Litton and Jonathan (X) Mot [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:374].

[7 June 1758] 3:74: 7 June 1758, John Litton, of Baltimore Co., Maryland assignment of lease to James Clark, of same, 30 acres. Signed John Litton. Wit: Nicholas Ruxton Gay and Walter Tolley [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:74]

[19 Mar 1760] 3: p. 110 19 Mar 1760, Thomas Litten, of Baltimore Co., Maryland to [p. 111] Michael Litten, of same, good deed on 25 acres. Signed Thomas Litten. Wit: James Crawford, Robert Hawkins, Samuel Litten and Mordecai Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore County, MD Deeds 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:110-11].

THOMAS LITTON CHILDREN-3

HANNAH LITTON/LITTEN JONES:
[21 August 1770] 4: p. 91: 21 Aug 1770 John Jones (son of Thomas Jones), cart wheel wright, late of Baltimore Co., Maryland, but now of Red Stone Creek on the waters of the Ohio to his brother Thomas Jones, saddler, of Baltimore co, MD, £0.25, 50 acres and 100 acres of 50 acres… purchased of Joseph Jones… 175 acres… purchased of Michael Webster. Signed John Jones. Wit: William Hopkins and Samuel Litton [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:91.

[29 Dec 1742] THOMAS JONES, planter, of Baltimore County, Md., wd 29 Dec 1742, wp 7 Feb. 1742, owned part of Arebea Petrea, md. MARY, mentined in will,
CHILDREN:
i.Mary, b. 17 Feb. 1728, St George.
ii. Cassandra, b 9 May 1732, St George.
iii. Thomas, b 27 Apr 1735, md St Geo. 20 June 1757, MARY DOOLEY, codicil of his will mentions mother, Mary Issom. . . among wit: John Hawkins. (NOTE: This codicil of will, that of THOMAS JONES, SR)
iv. Jonathan, b. 16 Feb 1739, St George, md. Martha —.
v.John.
vi. Eleanor.
vii. Sarah.
(For ref see Baltimore Co Wills 1:339, Par Reg St George Harf, Md.)

THOMAS LITTON/LITTEN III:
Children of SEABORN TUCKER and MARGARET COBB, a d of JAMES COBB and REBECCA EMSON (she md 2, THOMAS LITTON, III)
i.Jacob, b 22 May 1731, St George.
ii.Susannah, b 15 Apr 1734. St George.
iii. Margaret, b 28 Aug 1736, St George P.E. Church, Harford Co. Md.. Register and Vestry Proceedings, 1681-1799).

[1742] LITTON, Thomas, Jr.Margaret COBB,1742
wid of Seaborn Tucker, Bait Co His acct Sept 30, 1742. Adm Accts, Liber 14 folio 193, Land Office, Annapolis.

[1709] MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, Continued
COBB, James, 30 Oct 1709, md Rebecca Em(er)son, SG, 208, Balt Co
Marriages bef 1730, by Robert W. Barnes, p. 3.

JOHN LITTON/LITTEN:

Name: John Litton
Comment: rptd 16-6-1746 by E Nottingham PM as "lately mou" "Seeing the same to be wrong, he appeared at this mtg & offered a paper of ack which was acc" On 20-2-1751 Bush River rptd that John Litton was guilty of using abusive language to his mother-in-law, even to cursing, so this mtg (considering how often he has been dealth with & his conduct not appearing to mend but grows worse) decides to dis him. He was dis 18-3-1751
Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County
Book F - 1808-1836

[23 Oct 1764] 3: p. 274: 23 Oct 1764 John West, farmer, of Baltimore Co, Maryland leases to John Litton and Robert Cook, of same. Signed John West, John Litton and Robert Cook. Wit: Daniel Cook and William (X) and Benjamin Rogers Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore County, MD Deeds 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:274; GRANTEE INDEX, Balt Co, MD, 1764, LITTON, John, to John West, pt Maidens Mt, 13/N, 396].

[8 June 1765] 3: p. 293: 8 June 1765, William & Mary Andrews, of Baltimore Co, Maryland to Thomas Sligh, of same £115, sold by said Thomas some years ago to John Lynch, deceased. Signed William Andrews. Wit: John Litten Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore County, MD Deeds 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:293].

[3 Nov 1767] 4: p. 8: 3 Nov 1767 John Pribble, Jr., of Bedford Co, VA to Joseph Reese, of Baltimore Co, MD £40, 50 acres… sold , 28 Aug 1739, by Richard Butts to John Pribble, Sr., who gave to his son. Signed John Pribble. Wit: John Litton and James Eagon [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:8].

[11 Dec 1767] 4: p. 10: 11Dec 1767 John Paca, of Baltimore Co, MD to his son Aquila Paca, of same, for love and affection, Thomas Run. Signed John Paca. Wit: John Litton and Abraham Farrett [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:10].

[11 Dec 1767] 4: p. 11: 11 Dec 1767 John Paca, of Baltimore Co, MD to his son William Paca, of same, for love and affection, head of Swan creek. Signed John Paca. Wit: John Litton and Abraham Farrett [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:11].

[1766-68] Volume 61, Page 578 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1766-1768 [don't move courthouse]
v 61 p 577: don't move courthouse:
John Litten

[1771] Baltimore County Circuit Court Land Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium Plats MSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index) Index by Reference
Reference: Unpatented Certificate 1028
Date: 1771
Description: Mill Seat (The), 10 1/2 Acres Developer/Owner: Litten, John

[18 Mar 1772] 4: p. 165: 18 Mar 1772, John West, of Baltimore Co, MD to John Litton, of same £200, 104 acres. Signed John West. Wit: David Clarke and William Vonsdan [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:165].

[18 Mar 1772] 4: p. 166: 18 Mar 1772, John & Mary Litton, farmer, of Baltimore Co., Maryland to James Calder, surveyor, of same, £10, half part of 42.5 acres… Susquehanna River. Signed John Litton. Wit: David Clarke [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:166].

[1776] Gaius M. Brumbaugh, MARYLAND RECORDS COLONIAL, REVOLUTIONARY, COUNTY AND CHURCH FROM ORIGINAL SOURCES, 2 vols, 1928.
Broad Creek Hundred, Harford County, Census
Susq. Hundred, Harford Co.
LITTEN, John....58
Mary44
Mary13
Hanah10
John Lee11
Total 5; taxable, 1

[1781-1784] ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND XLVIII, Journal and Correspondence of the State Council
(8) 1781-1784, J. Hall Pleasants, ed., Baltimore Md., Historical Society, p. 466
charges against John Patrick, Justice of Harford County, accused of "Malversation in Office," because, among others, in rendering Judgment and issuing Execution against John Litton.

[1783] Historic Pub., MARYLAND TAX LIST 1783, HARFORD COUNTY (1970)
p. 84, Broad Creek Hundred, John Litten, 3 white, taxed 2.11.6, owned pt of Maidens Mount (104) Partnership (21), Littens View (30 acres).

CALENDAR OF MARYLAND STATE PAPERS, no. 1, "The Black Book," (1967) John LITTEN signed a petition against the proposed bill "To Prevent the making or Reparing of any Fish Dams & Pots on the River Susquennah,." it is contrary to the natural rights of fishermen; they suggest other means of preserving the young fish...LITTEN was the first signer.

ISAAC LITTON/LITTEN:
See above, Hannah Litton/Litten Jones

[1746] LITTON, Isaac,Mary1746
widow of Thomas JONES (see above). Balt Co, ref: Test Pro Liber 32, folio 14, Land Office, Annapolis) MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L"

Name: Isaac Litton
Comment: rptd 16-6-1746 by E Nottingham PM as "having lately been mou"; "seeing his act to be wrong he appeared at this mtg & offered a paper of ack which was acc" Bush River PM rptd 9-2-1748 that Isaac Litton "has been guilty of using very unbecoming language to his Aunt."; his ack acc as satisfaction 21-3-1748. He was dis 17-9-1750 for suffering fiddling & dancing in his house & for non-att at mtgs
Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County
Book F - 1808-1836

[12 February 1759] NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, vol 1 Jan 1900, no. 1; Abstract of Land Grants, pp. 167, ALBERTSON, Isaac, Pasquotank, Feb. 12, 1759,
March Court 1759, wife Jemima daughter Ruth. Test. Thomas Craghill, ISAAC LITTON, Sarah Martin.

[1782] JOURNAL OF NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY, p. 142, vol 9, Camden Co, 1782 Tax List,
ISAAC LITTAN

[1806] CAMDEN COUNTY ORPHANS ACCOUNTS, 1804-09, JOURNAL OF NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY, vol. 9, no. 2, 1963,
ROSS, orphan, Isaac Litton, 1806. . .
John"
Thamar"

[1794-1827] MARRIAGE BONDS OF TYRONE AND LINCOLN COUNTIES, NORTH CAROLINA, ed. Curtis Bynum,
1929:
LITTON/ LITTEN/ LETTON / LETTEN
——, Gilbert; Summit, LevinaJohn Sumit, 16 Jan 1827 J.T. Alexander
——, Hiram, Sherril, Alls; Charles Beatty, 30 Sept 1819. V McBee
——, Isaac, Bridges, Anna; Henry Andres, 17 Mar 1810, Dal M. Forney
——, James; Edwards, Nancy; George x Jones; Oct. 20, 1812, Vardry McBee
——, Joel, Bridges, Sarah; Isaac Lytton, Oct 1, 1823, Jas T. Alexander
——, Michael, Jones, Mary, Benjamin Taylor, 11 July 1807, DM Forney
——, Sammuel, Proctor, Elizabeth, John Sherrill, 25 Nov 1813.
——, Thomas, Whitson, Margaret, Price x Williams, 20 Oct 1784
——, William, Sherril, Eliza; David Day, 20 July 1824, V McBee
——, Isaac, Lytle, Frances; William Little (Lytle) 8 Dec 1795.
——, Lawson H., Shuford, Barbara Elam Lewis 13 Sept 1830, JT Alexander
——, Logan C., Sherrill, Nancy, Uriah Long, 25 (or 20) Jan. 1837.
——, Sammuel, Robeson, Rachel; Silas Littlejohn, 16 June 1826; V McBee
——, Westley, Thompson, Ann, James Alien, no date, Joseph Steel.
James Allen, Litten, Tabitha, Isaac Litten, 26 Apr 1794, Joseph Steel
Brown, George. Litten, Viney, John Litten, 7 March 1838, Wm Long
Edwards, Charles; Litten. Ruth, James x Litten, 28 Apr 1812, Elizabeth Henderson.

[1795-1811] CAMDEN COUNTY, N.C., DEEDS, extracts relating to LITTON
K/418: heirs of ISAAC LITTON, receive land surveyed 14 June 1805; to John LITTON, Lemuel LITTON, Polly LITTON, to Thamar LITTON, to Isaac LITTON, Ross LITTON.
K/437: Polly LIXTON, "Lemey" LITTON, land for $40, wit, Nat. Midget, Peter Mercer, 17 Sept 1805.
K/220: Abel LITTON, land grandet for being Revolutionary soldier.
H/135: Demsey Etheridge, Isaac LITTEN, 9 Dec 1796.
H/267, Peter Mercer/Abel LITTEN & wife Jane, 16 Sept 1795.
H/354, Isaac LITTEN/ Nathan Mdgett, also Ann LITTEN, signed as his wife.
1/316: ISAAC LITTON appoints lawyer to get land due him for fighting in the Revolution, 3 Aug 1796.
D/298: Abel LITTEN for love of his brother, ISAAC LITTEN, 8 Mar. 1788.
E/62: Rebecca Washup, Isaac LITTON, son of said Rebecca, brothers of Isaac, that is, Abel LITTON, William Webster, sons of Rebecca.
F/244; Rebecca Wachup, to son Abel LITTEN. . . land given by ABEL ROSS, to his aforesaid daughter, Rebecca,... brothers-of aforesaid Abel Litton, ISAAC LITTON and William Webster,
G/288, ISAAC LITTEN, to Peter Mercer, land. . . belonged to John Wachup, Jr.
G/368: ABEL LITTEN & GENIA his wife, to Nathan Midgett. . . signed Abel and "Jane." Litten, 12 Aug. 1793.
M/464: LEME LITTON, BETSY CARTWRIGHT, BENJ KINNON, POLLY KINNON, ANNY LITTON, land July 10, 1811.

[1771-1775] THE COLONIAL RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, ed. William L. Saunders, vol IX, 1771-1775, Raleigh, 1890.
p. 92, petition to Josiah Martin, from settlers of Catawba River, Yadking River and 3 creeks, petition for a new county. . . signed by James Litten.

[1826-1829] GENERAL INDEX REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCES 1753-1926. L-Re, Grantors, ROWAN
COUNTY, N.C. Littens as late as 1920.
LITTEN, James Jr. James Litten et al. 1826
LITTEN, Fanny, Hannah, James, Martha Sally J. Thompson, divisor, James Litten,
LITTEN, Elsie & Hiram, divsor, Aron Sherrill, 1-1829, bk k, p. 125.
LITTEN, Nancy, dis Sarah Hauss, 6-10- bk 1, 55240 pt 2)

[17 July 1850] 1850 Census, LINCOLN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 17 July 1850, p. 2, Schedule 1:
8-8 Isaac LITTON,26 MN.C.
Perthinia Litton 24 FN.C.
Sarah S. Litton4 FN.C.
Margaret S. Litton IFN.C.
Wm Litten20 MN.C.

[1755] THE COLONIAL RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, 22:347
ISAAC LITTEN, Lt in Capt. Nehemiah Jones Co, 1755, Pasquotank Co Muster Roll.

[1786] THE STATE RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, ed. Walter Clark, volXXII, Goldsboro, N.C. (1907), 18:797, letter of Selby Harney, 21 Dec 1786, mentions ISAAC LITTON as a soldier.

[1786] Vol XVII/1786 (1900), The Army Acts of the N.C Line, LEMUEL, ABEL LITTEN, ISAAC
LITTER(sic)

[following are unsourced notes:]
LITTEN, Isaac, 10th reg, Sergt Blount's-Co. enlisted 20 June 1777, served 3 years
also, 2nd reg
Sami Litten, pvt 18 Dec 1776-31 Jan 1780
Abell Litten. 1 Dec 1776, 3 yrs, Nov 1777, Drum Major, 1 Nov 1778.

26 Mar 1779-21 Feb 1792] CAMDEN DEEDS, NORTH CAROLINA:B/75, Samuel Barnard, farmer, to JOHN WACHUP, shoemaker, 26 Mar. 1779.
E/9: Rebecca Wachup to her son John Wachup. . . land given by Abel Ross dec'd, to his dau aforesaid Rebecca. Other sons of Rebecca, Abel & Isaac LITTEN, & William Webster, wit.
E/166, Demsey Sawyer to Samuel Wachup 21 Feb. 1792.
E/195, Samuel Wachup to Demsey Burgess, mentions "dower claim of his father's widow," land given by John Wachup to his son Samuel. 28 July 1789.

MICHAEL LITTON/LITTEN:
[23 August 1762] The acct of SAMUEL LITTON, administrator of Thomas Litton of Baltimore County, "This acct chargeth himself with the decisads inventory amounting to the sum of L 79.13.8 1/2
And he charges himself with cash received 07.10.
And with a bond of Michael LITTON 1500
paid to JOHN JONES 23 Aug 1762.

JAMES LITTON/LITTEN:
[12 June 1769] p. 265, ROWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, MARRIAGE BONDS, pt. 1, A-L, typed by Genealogical Society of Utah (July, 1937):
LITTEN, James (m) Ann Thompson, dau. of Henry Thompson, 12 June 1769 (bond) bondsmen and witnesses: Henry Thompson (w) Thomas Frabock.

[27 Mar 1770] 4: p. 87: 27 Mar 1770, Samuel Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD mortgage to Charles Anderson, millwright, of same, 40 acres… purchased of his brother, James Litton. Signed Samuel Litton. Wit: Amos Garrett Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:87].

[1826] INDEX TO WILLS, LINCOLN CO., N.C.: LITTEN, James Jr. 1826 L1829 1/125

[1826] JOURNAL OF NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY, LINCOLN (AND TYRON COUNTY WILLS), 1769-1824, LITTON, James, of Lincoln Co., Will dated 25 May 1826. probated ("not to be recorded") Brother, Michael Litton. Father & mother, James & Anney LITTON. Legatee: Henry Jones. My five children: Martha J. Monroe, Sally Ann, Isaac Newton, Thompson ("if that is his name as he was not named when I last saw him") signed. James Litten. Wit: Jacob Michal, Michael( vol 8, JNCG)

--also see LITTON/LITTEN, Samuel, for James Litten's deed and power of attorney to his brother.

UNPLACED LITTON/LITTENS:
[1767] ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND, Correspondence of Governor Horatio Sharpe, vol III,1761-1771 ed William H. Browne, (1895)
p. 415
(Sharpe to Baltimore)
To Lord Baltimore.Annapolis 30th July 1767.
Since I addressed myself to your Lordship the 27th Inst William Holliday & THOMAS LITTON have brought me the inclosed Bills for forty eight Pounds six Shillings & Twenty two pounds sixteen shillings being the first Payment for the Tracts of Land they respectively bought the 21s1- Inst as your Ldp will see by the inclosed Minute. I am &c.

[15 Dec 1769] 4: p. 63: 15 Dec 1769 John & Martha Tipton, of Baltimore Co, MD to Christopher Galeboch, of same, £61, 50 acres… north side of Grave run. Signed John (X) Tipton. Wit: Samuel Worthington and Thomas Litton [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:63].

[2 July 1771] 4: p. 131: 2 July 1771 Archibald Philips, tobacconist, of Baltimore Co, MD assignment of lease to Nathaniel Litton and John Patrick, tanners, of same, £55, lot #26 in town of Baltimore. Signed Archibald Philips and Nathaniel Litton. Wit: Jonathan Plowman and John Moale [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:131].

[6 Mar 1774] 4: p. 263: 6 Mar 1774 Nathaniel Litton, wheelwright, of Baltimore Co, MD assignment of lease to Gideon Perveil, of same, lot #26 in town of Baltimore. Signed Nathaniel Litton. Wit: William Spencer and Samuel Sherrett [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:263].

checked out al Litten(s) on Maryland State Archive site hits 1-83 (8 Dec 2010).

Children of Thomas Litton and Ann Hawkins are:
82 i. Isaac Litton, born 13 Feb 1724 in Baltimore Co., MD; died in Camden Co., NC; married Rebecca Ross.
ii. Caleb Litton

166. Capt. Abell Ross?, died Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 332. William Ross? and 333. Agnes Fisher.

Notes for Capt. Abell Ross?:
Could Abell Ross' wife have been a sister of John Trueblood, since Trueblood mentions him as "brother" in his will? This information has been copied and pasted from http://www.winslowtree.com/tree/getperson.php?personID=I6122&tree=Winslow

Notes Notes taken from "The Trueblood Family in America" by Bula Trueblood Watson, copyright 1964.

"....Land Grant to John and Amos Trueblood, 1694
Know Ye that We have granted unto John Trueblood and Amos Trueblood, between them the s'd John Trueblood and Amos Trueblood to be holden severally a Tract of Land containing Six hundred Acres lying on the Westward side of the Northermost branch of Aranuse Creek in Pascotank prc. & Beginning at a Beech by the S & Branch side the corner tree of John Archdale Esq. thence up ye s'd (said and aforesaid) Branch by Various courses to a White Oak, then West twenty degrees North two hundred and eighty poles to a Gum, then South five degrees East three hundred forty six poles to a Maple, then East twenty degrees South three hundred and twenty poles to the first Station, To Hold Ye Giver from the first day of Janry 1694. Witness Ye Philip Ludwell, Tho. Harvey, Paul Akehurst, Francis Tomes, Thos. Pollock
______________________________________________________
...........................pg xvi

".....John (B-4) and Amos (B-5) grow to manhood before any recorded mention of them can be found. They, no doubt, were reared in the Quaker faith, since Thomas Symons (or Simons) and Jeremiah Symons were among the early Friends in Albemarle. The Friends, however, were not always able to hold their young people within their protective arm. Such must have been the case with John and Amos Trueblood since they are referred to in the original minutes of a Quaker meeting at Symons Meeting House as being "of the world." Thus, Catherine Cartwright marries John Trueblood and Elizabeth Cartwright marries Amos Trueblood in a double civil ceremony "before a Justice."

.....John (B-4) Trueblood's will was written in Pasquotank County, 10-28-1734, and probated 11-14-1734. His executors were "Abell Ross, brother, and Jarvis Sauls, Willoughby," and he willed the following to his sons:
John my manner plantation, also plantation on Arrannuse Creek known by the name Cretches Old Field, and one negro...Fisker (Fisher)....land known by the name of Ieve Neck,...Daniel...one negro...Daughters...Miriam and Elizabeth..negroes given to each...
...............................pg 2

".....John and Amos Trueblood, the two sons of John and Agnes (Fisher) Trueblood, added to their 600 acres on the Arraneuse (Neuse) River. Their children and grandchildren continued to accumulate land and descendants until in 1790 the Census lists 18 Trueblood heads of families with 98 members of these families represented. From the Pasquotank records one notices that for the most part the Truebloods dwelt within the area of Pasquotank County which encompassed Flatty Creek north of Elizabeth City; Little River to the west and on south to Nixonton; and Newbegun, Symons, and Mill Creeks, which flow into the Pasquotank River. Only two families lived outside Pasquotank: Asa in Tyrell and William in Randolph County. No Truebloods lived in any other state in 1790."
.....................................pg 3
---------------------------------
See copy of land grant at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dbeeler/JohnAmos1694Grant.html#La ndJohnAmos

Sources [S150] The Trueblood Family In America, Bula Trueblood Watson, (Copyright 1964....Wayside Press, Gainesville, Florida), L. C. Catalogue Card Number 64-24920., Pg 1 (Reliability: 3).

[S151] John Trueblood Will, John Trueblood, (probated in Pasquotank County, North Carolina July 4, 1692).

[S150] The Trueblood Family In America, Bula Trueblood Watson, (Copyright 1964....Wayside Press, Gainesville, Florida), L. C. Catalogue Card Number 64-24920., pg 2 (Reliability: 3).

[S165] Jessie Hardy, (P. O. Box 5030, Raleigh, North Carolina (E-mail [emailprotected])).

[S150] The Trueblood Family In America, Bula Trueblood Watson, (Copyright 1964....Wayside Press, Gainesville, Florida), L. C. Catalogue Card Number 64-24920., Pg 2 (Reliability: 3).

Quoted from "The House of Plant of Macon, Georgia" by George Sherwood Dickerman:

Considering now the question from what part of Virginia this family came, it is to be noticed first that there was a William Ross in Pasquotank County as early as October i, 1701, when it is recorded in that county that he received from Mary Trueblood a release from a debt of jC^o. He also bought land there October 1o, 1713 and was mentioned in the court records of 1727. Then, October 12, 1742, it is recorded that Wm. Ross, planter of Pasquotank County, sold to Jarvis Jones, merchant of Norfolk, Va. seventy-four acres of land known by the name of Cornnall, part of a patent granted to Wm. Norris, transferred to Wm. Jones and willed to Wm. Ross, with houses, orchards, woods, etc., for ^3o. With the sale of this property he may have moved from this place—his name not occurring later in the Pasquotank records—and so be identical \vith the William Ross of Tyrrel County.

At this same period there was an Abel Ross in Pasquotank County who may have been his brother. This Abel Ross, who is called Captain, received a grant of two hundred and forty acres of land, October 3, 1715, for which he paid ^3o, to Thos. Grundy, and his name occurs repeatedly in the Pasquotank records till as late as February 2o, 1795. Probably, however, in the later examples, the Abel Ross who is called a "joiner" was a son of Capt. Abel Ross.

More About Capt. Abell Ross?:
Comment: There may have been three or more generations of Abel Rosses preceding Laurania Ross Forbes (born ca. 1810), since a Capt. Abel Ross owned land in Camden as early as 1729.
Occupation: Seaman, sailor
Property 1: 1729, Owned land on the west side of Arenuse Creek, Camden Co., NC; bought 196 acres on the north side of his land from John Winn in 1734.
Property 2: 1736, Bought a plantation called "Purchased Manor" from John and Elizabeth Davis on Arenuse Creek.
Property 3: 1743, His property line was on The Indian Line on North Arenuse Creek.
Property 4: 1743, Sold 10 acres on Arenuse Creek to Jeremiah Sawyer.
Property 5: 1746, Sold 196 acres on Arenuse Creek to James Williams.
Property 6: 1748, Gave his daughter Dorothy and her husband Samuel Lowman 35 acres on the "Down River" Road.

Children of Capt. Abell Ross? are:
i. Abel Ross, Jr.?, born Abt. 1750.
ii. Dorothy Ross, married Capt. Samuel Lowman; born Abt. 1725; died Abt. 1772.

Notes for Capt. Samuel Lowman:
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put
Digital reprint of Jesse Forbes Pugh's 1957 book, "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina":

• Three Captains of the Colonial Militia

Shortly after the outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1754 the Pasquotank Militia was formed into a regiment of eight companies,four on each side of the river. Every able-bodied man from the age of sixteen upwards was mustered in, and a company was made up of men living within a specified geographical area. The total Pasquotank organization was under the command of Robert Murden, Colonel; Thomas Taylor, Lieutenant Colonel; and Jarvis Jones, Major. This article will be concerned with but three of the captains on the northeast side inasmuch as the fourth has already been discussed in another sketch.

CAPTAIN SAMUEL LOWMAN
ca 1725-1772

THE SO-CALLED First Company comprised all those residing between the mouth of the river and Arenuse Creek, which generally meant those living along the highway leading from John Wright's plantation near Albemarle Sound up to Colonel Thomas Hunter's watermill. There were fifty-one men, not including the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The official personnel, besides Captain Lowman, were: John Burgess, lieutenant; Benjamin Torksey, ensign; Nathan Pusley, John Brown and John Wright, sergeants; John Beals, Jacob James, John Forbes and William Wright, corporals; Absolom Grimes and William Cartwright, drummers; John Squires, clerk.

Samuel Lowman was a blacksmith by trade. In early life he had been a sailor and possibly may have seen military service during King George's War (1744-48). He settled here after his marriage to Dorothy, daughter of a veteran seaman, Captain Abell Ross. At first Lowman lived on the west side of Arenuse Creek near his father-in-law, but after changing residence several times he passed his last days in Great Island, a one-time settlement in the North River pocosin which has long since been abandoned and reverted to forest. His only public office in the county was that of tax-lister for a brief period.

83 iii. Rebecca Ross, married Isaac Litton.

168. William Gregory, born Abt. 1700 in present-day Camden Co., NC; died 27 Jun 1752 in present-day Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 336. Thomas Gregory and 337. Priscilla Barco. He married 169. Judith Morgan.
169. Judith Morgan She was the daughter of 338. Robert Morgan and 339. Elizabeth Torksey.

Children of William Gregory and Judith Morgan are:
i. Dempsey Gregory
ii. Mary Gregory
iii. Lovey Gregory, married Dempsey Sawyer; born Abt. 1740; died Abt. 1782 in Camden Co., NC.

More About Dempsey Sawyer:
Date born 2: Abt. 1740, Camden Co., NC
Died 2: Abt. 1795, Chowan Co., NC
Appointed/Elected: Bet. 1780 - 1782, House Assembly member from Camden

iv. Affiah Gregory
v. Mark Gregory
vi. Willis Gregory
84 vii. Gen. Isaac Gregory, born Abt. 1737 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1800 in Camden Co., NC; married (1) Elizabeth Whedbee; married (2) Sarah Lamb?.

172. Capt. Caleb Sawyer, born Abt. 1703 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 160. Capt. Thomas Sawyer. He married 173. Susannah Spence?.
173. Susannah Spence?, born Abt. 1715. She was the daughter of 162. Robert Spence.

Notes for Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17076/caleb%20sawyer#hit4
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh (1891-1976):

First Attempt to Form the County
Caleb Sawyer
ca 1703-1758

AS A SITE for the precinct courthouse the Pasquotank Commissioners purchased an acre of land from Thomas Palin and wife Susannah on October 17, 1727. The location was on the southwest side of the river on "a little creek or gut issuing out of Newbegun Creek." Here the courthouse was forthwith erected and as a result sentiment began to develop on the northeast side of the river for the formation of a new precinct. The primary reason for this dissatisfaction was the width of the river at the point selected, some three miles or more. Crossings on a ferry would be a difficult undertaking even in moderate weather and nothing short of hazardous when the winds were high. As a matter of fact, there was no regular or dependable ferry service at the time except at Sawyer's Ferry about fifteen miles up the river, and to cross over to the other side over the roads, which were no more than rutty cart paths, was also a time-consuming inconvenience for the majority of the inhabitants on the northeast side, inasmuch as the most populous area was as yet in the lower or southern part. At first, for lack of a building, court sessions were held at various private residences, but in 1715 the Assembly specifically named the residence of Joseph Glaister on Newbegun Creek as the place for holding court as well as county elections.

The erection of a courthouse in this vicinity, moreover, eliminated the chance of holding court elsewhere, and this fact, along with the transportation difficulties, became a continuing source of dissatisfaction to those living on the other side of the river.

Caleb Sawyer, "of Sawyers Creek," as one of the representatives from Pasquotank in the House of Commons, was the first to attempt to obtain the legislative enactment necessary in order to form that northeast side into a separate precinct. An entry in the minutes of the House on January 25, 1735, reads as follows: "Read petition of the inhabitants of the N. E. Parish of Pasquotank praying that that Parish be established into a separate precinct. Referred." On February 3 this additional entry is recorded: "By Mess. Caleb sawyer, Dan'll Sawyer. The petition of ther Inhabitants of the North East Parish of Pasquotank was a second time read for establishing that part into a precinct with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle County. Ordered that a bill be prepared for same." On February 22 the bill appears with an amendment to name the precinct "Johnston," undoubtedly a diplomatic gesture for the purpose of securing the approval of the governor, Gabriel Johnson. Caleb Sawyer is regarded as sponsor of this legislation since he is the only representative mentioned in connection with it except the one instance including Daniel Sawyer.

The bill with amendments was passed the required three times and ordered to be engrossed. It was promptly vetoed by Governor Johnston who objected to the provision "with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle," which meant five representatives in the House of Commons for the new county. In 1670 Albemarle County had been divided into four precincts—Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan—and each was allotted five representatives in the General Assembly. Later Bertie was allotted five and Tyrell, three; all other precincts or counties were allowed only two. Because of this method of representation the Albemarle region held the balance of political power and as a consequence officials elected in the assembly continued to be from that area. Governor Johnston was therefore strongly opposed to creating another precinct in the same territory with a quota of five members in the legislature. He later attempted to reduce representation in all the Albemarle precincts to two each; but the old precincts appealed to the Crown and their claims were upheld as a special privilege from the Proprietors.

Sawyer was elected to four two-year terms in the legislature. An important bill which he and Jeremiah Symons sponsored in 1735 for the benefit of navigation was "An Act appropriating the Powder Money towards the fortifying beaconing and Buoying out the several Ports or Channels in the Province and for Imploying Pilotes." In 1743 Sawyer assisted in preparing a bill "providing for his Majesty's Rent Roll." During his last term—1743—he was fined for twelve days' non-attendance, the reason for the absence not being stated.

Members of the Sawyer family have made important contributions to the history of Camden County. Caleb's first cousin Thomas donated the land for the Episcopal chapel erected near Sawyers Creek shortly after 1715, thereby becoming our first public benefactor. Not only was Caleb himself an outstanding citizen, he was the progenitor of descendants who also distinguished themselves. His son Lemuel held several local offices and was a delegate to important state conventions during the Revolutionary Period. A daughter married General Isaac Gregory. A grandson, Lemuel, was elected several times to the U. S. Congress and was also an author of note. A granddaughter also married a congressman. Another grandson, Enoch, achieved wealth, public honors, and entertained President James Monroe in his home.

More About Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
Occupation: Sea captain

Notes for Susannah Spence?:
From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:33 AM
To: Harry Schoettle; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Caleb Sawyer (d. 1758) and Robert Spence (d. 1762)

Since there's a good chance that Sylvanus Sawyer's wife was descended from Caleb Sawyer's son Lemuel Sawyer Sr, I thought I would take a closer look into the Sawyer-Spence records

Mr. Schoettle sent me some information last night that gave strong proof that Catherine Spence, daughter of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman, actually married Thomas Sawyer Jr (son of Thomas Sawyer (d. 1720). So, I think I can rule her out as being Caleb Sawyer's wife. Yet, there was a deed from April 1739 (Pasquotank Deed B-260) where Robert Spence and wife Ann sell 100 acres to Caleb Sawyer. Robert Spence was a son of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman. Alexander Spence's will from 2 Aug 1734 left 100 acres to son Robert Spence adjacent to Richard Ferrill, Abel Ross, and John Trueblood. This was probably the same land that Robert and Ann Spence later sold to Caleb Sawyer in 1739. Robert Spence had a probate file from 1763 that doesn't specifically name his heirs, but it mentions the administrator as being an Esther/Hester Spence who was probably his 2nd wife and also notes people who were given money or items from the estate: Thomas Sawyer, Richard Sawyer, John Sawyer, Lemuel Sawyer, Sarah Sawyer, John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones. I suspect the Thomas Sawyer and John Sawyer mentioned above were the sons of Caleb Sawyer, as of course, was Lemuel Sawyer. Robert Spence's sister, Catherine Spence, married Richard Sawyer's brother, Thomas Sawyer Jr, so it makes sense that Richard would also be mentioned here. Although, it also makes me wonder if Richard Sawyer's wife might have also been a daughter of Robert and Ann Spence - and if so, Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha Gregory would have been 3rd cousins in two different ways via the Sawyers and Spences. John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones were probably Robert Spence's son-in-laws. Most likely, Dempsey (since he had a son named Truman), Lemuel, John, and Thomas were sons of Caleb Sawyer and Robert and Ann Spence's daughter of unknown name. Elisha and Sylvanus Sawyer seem to have been quite a bit younger than the other sons of Caleb Sawyer and may have been from a different mother, perhaps from Susannah. I will have to double check when each of Caleb Sawyer's sons first appear in the deed and tax records to see if it is feasible for them to have been grandsons of Robert Spence. Men and women were mostly married by their mid-teens during that time period, given how harsh life was back then.

Some records give Robert Spence's wife Ann's maiden name as being Lovey, but I'm not sure how correct it is. There's very little surviving records regarding the Spence family in general, and there's only a few deeds for Alexander Spence and Robert Spence listed in the Pasquotank deed indexes. Nonetheless, I found an interesting record from Oct 1797 that suggests Robert Spence was born quite a bit earlier than previously thought. John Spence, Alexander's Spence's brother, apparently arrived in North Carolina shortly before Alexander with John's wife Catherine and a Robert Spence whom is not explicitly stated as being his son. John Spence could have had a son named Robert who predeceased him and thus was not mentioned in his will, but I think it's more likely that he took his nephew with him. I have seen various other immigration records for North Carolina during that time when an uncle or aunt would take a nephew or niece with them in advance of the child's parents arriving. I would wager that this is what happened in this scenario. If so, Robert Spence was probably born in Somerset, Maryland in the early 1790s. Alexander Spence's will indicates that he was probably his third son after James and Joseph Spence.

Here is an excellent site about the Spence-Truman family, and Alexander Spence in particular: http://ncgenweb.us/nc/camden/spence-alexander-a-pasquotank-pioneer/ The author takes the position that John Truman moved from Calvert County, MD to the eastern shore of Virginia due to a controversy involving his brother, Thomas. This seems credible, but more information would be needed to prove it. The Calvert County Trumans are reputedly the branch of Trumans of whom President Truman was a descendant. Calvert County was diagonally across the Chesapeake from Somerset, so they wouldn't have had to travel very far.

Children of Caleb Sawyer and Susannah Spence? are:
i. Capt. Thomas Sawyer, married Margaret Cotton 14 Dec 1749 in Plymouth Co., MA; born 23 Jan 1730 in Plymouth Co., MA; died 23 Nov 1788 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Capt. Thomas Sawyer:
http://www.americanancestors.org/almost-mayflower-descendants-in-the-carolinas/

"Almost-Mayflower" Descendants in the Carolinas
John Anderson Brayton

Indigenous Southerners rarely feel the kinship with the Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock that they do with the Jamestown colonists. There is something that seems so remote about New England, its settlers, and its cold winters that most Southerners are content to ascribe to geography this historical lack of interest. The other excuse is in some ways prejudice: the typical Southerner feels that his ancestry has very little to do with the Northern "cradle of civilization." Few of us aware of our "Carpetbagger" roots readily boast of descent from the early generations of Puritans who settled the North. But nearly anyone in the South with Quaker connections will find, with some research, that he or she is a descendant of any of scores of northern Quakers who drifted southward - first to Philadelphia, then Maryland and Virginia, and finally to the Piedmont area of North Carolina, where they were well entrenched by the 1770s. The point is that most Southerners have "Yankee" ancestry, like it or not; they may simply be unaware of it. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on which side of my family one might ask) one of my father's lines can be easily traced to William Warren, Peter Brown, and trusty John Billington - whose exploits can be counted on to raise an eyebrow or two during family gatherings. Thus I can claim some partnership with those prestigious Mayflower descendants who can - aided and abetted by vital records that were kept, court-houses that exist, and the Aspinwall collection at NEHGS (among other sources) - pinpoint ancestors with relative ease.

In order to surprise some Tennessee relatives whom I always thought a bit smug about their Southern heritage, I wondered if I should ever be able to prove their descent from some Northern Puritans, thus demonstrating that everybody's background contains widely distributed genealogical elements. I had almost despaired of doing so until I stumbled in Salt Lake City upon a microfilmed manuscript, compiled in 1823 by Dr. Rossiter Cotton of Plymouth, Mass., which was said to be presently at the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah [1].

In the seventh grade I had responded to a "My Most Famous American" history assignment by writing a controversial biography of my great-great-great-grand-mother, Mary G. (Williams) Bright, born in Currituck Co., N.C., in 1815. To the horror of my family, I repeated (complete with documentation) every yarn I had ever heard spun about this woman, and somehow was chosen to present this concoction before the local DAR chapter. (I did not win their award for "most interesting paper.") However, Mary Williams has always been something of a family legend - a ghost treated by my older relatives with great affection - and even at an early age I began to collect what information I could find about her. Mary Williams was born to a well-to-do family in Currituck and was married at 15 to an adventurer who took her money and went to New Orleans where he died of cholera. Thereafter she moved with some of her second cousins to Hinds Co., Mississippi, and by the outbreak of the Civil War to Haywood Co. Tennessee, where she died in 1906.

Being only 13 or 14 at the time, I was quite limited in the research I might do. No one knew anything of Mary's parents, and even less about her forebears. Only much later, as an adult (after years of beleaguering some very patient clerks with long-distance request for deeds and wills) did I discover her to be the great--granddaughter of Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank, who died in 1765, and his wife Margaret , about whom nothing seemed to be known after the probate of her husband's will [2]. Thomas was a sea captain, as were his father Caleb and grandfather Thomas; his will includes the bequest of several ships to his sons. I did not realize how extensive his travels were, or how typical it would be for coastal Southerners to have connections in the North or abroad, until I came upon the microfilm ("Extracts from the Cotton Manuscripts") mentioned above. Subsequent visits to the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Plymouth [Mass.] Historical Society, and the Savannah Historical Society have failed to uncover anything faintly resembling the full "Cotton Manuscripts." It would be interesting to know the whereabouts of the full compilation.

Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer, b. Plymouth, Mass. 23 January 1730, was the daughter of Rev. Josiah Cotton (1680-1756), Register of Deeds for Plymouth Colony [3], and his wife Hannah Sturtevant (1687-1756), the daughter of John Sturtevant (b. 1658) and his wife Hannah (Winslow) Crowe (1644-1684). Margaret marred Thomas Sawyer at Plymouth 14 September 1749. One can only imagine what kind of nerve it took for a minister's daughter to take up with a Southern sea-trader, leave what she probably considered to be "civilization," and embark upon a journey to a part of the world that for most New Englanders only dimly existed. In his will [5] Rev. Cotton added a codicil, date 14 March 1750, which touchingly bespeaks the distance that Margaret would put between herself and her family.

"Inasmuch as my Daughter Margarett is gon to No. Carolina, where I suppose she may be well Provided for as to Temporall Enjoyments, I do upon a full consideration of that affair from first to last, utterly retract, Revoke and Disanull That part of my aforewritten Will wherein I have made her an Equall Legatee with her Sisters and do allow her what she had had; and if She come again to thi[s] Country a Living or dwelling in my House if she see cause, and Twenty shillings in money and her part of the Books in full of what She is to receive of my Estate; and my said will in every thing else to stand good....Only if she hath any Children at my decease I give to them (or it) Sixty pounds Old Tenour."

It is difficult to say whether the old minister approved of this union, but connections between the families were scrupulously maintained until at least the third generation, judging from the manuscript extracts that I have seen. A deed written two years later by Josiah [25] Cotton and his wife in order to distribute the property of John Sturtevant mentions Margaret Sawyer as a full legatee [5].

Hannah (Sturtevant) Cotton's grandfather Josiah Winslow, brother of Edward Winslow the Mayflower passenger, provides the necessary link for an "almost-Mayflower " connection. Below is a chart of the Plymouth descent of Mary G. Williams, with whom I began my discussion:

Mary G. Williams, 1815-1906: Samuel G. Williams & (1) Elizabeth ___; Thomas Pool Williams & Elizabeth Sawyer; Thomas Sawyer & Margaret Cotton; Rev. Josiah Cotton & Hannah Sturtevant; John Cotton, Jr. & Joanna Rossiter, John Sturtevant & Hannah (Winslow) Crow; Rev. John Cotton & Sarah (Hawkridge) Story, Dr. Bryan Rossiter & Elizabeth Alsop, Samuel Sturtevant & Anne ___, Josiah Winslow & Margaret Bourne; Roland Cotton & Mary Hurlbert, Anthony Hawkredd & Isabel Dowse, Dr. Edward Rossiter & ___ Combe, Rev. John Alsop & ___, Edward Winslow & Magdalen Olyver, Thomas Bourne & Elizabeth ___.

Thomas and Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer had the following children, b. in Pasquotank Co., NC.: 1-3. Three children who d. as infants; 4. Caleb Sawyer, b. 6 October 1756, d. in Hispaniola 1777; 5. Lucy Sawyer, b. 8 September 1757, m. 9 July 1774 William Scarborough; 6. Thomas Sawyer [Jr.], b. 28 January 1760, d. 1784 at sea near Cape Lookout; 7. Elizabeth Sawyer, b. 31 October 1762, m. ca. 1780 Thomas Pool Williams; 8. Margaret Sawyer, b. 19 December 1764, m. (1) 3 March 1785 Abner Lamb, (2) 20 April 1795 Gen. Peter Dauge. Mrs. Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer m. (2) ca. 1770 John Sawyer and had by him a daughter, Sophia Sawyer , born in Pasquotank Co. 13 August 1771, who m. prob. Pasquotank Co. 15 August 1790 Joseph Scott [7]. Margaret (Cotton) (Sawyer) Sawyer d. Camden Co., N.C. (set off from Pasquotank) 23 November 1789[8]. All the children except Lucy (Sawyer) Scarborough remained in eastern North Carolina, as did their descendants for four generations. Lucy's progeny migrated widely.

After the discovery of the microfilmed manuscript extracts in Salt Lake City, I happened upon an entry in the National Cyclopaedia of American Biography for William Scarborough, Jr., son of William and Lucy (Sawyer) Scarborough. The Scarboroughs settled in Barnwell Co., South Carolina, from which area their children scattered. William Scarborough, Jr. moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he made a fortune as the builder and owner of the first steamship (the sidewheeler Savannah ) to sail the Atlantic, in 1819 [9]. Other notable descendants were Charlotte de Bernier (Scarborough) Taylor, a well-known author and entomologist of the middle nineteenth century [10]; Preston Saylor, better known as "K.O. Duggan," a crazed Georgia prizefighter who murdered his brother in the 1930s [11]; and Dr. Julian Edward Wood, a Civil War hero his second year at VMI, and one of the founders of Pi Kappa Alpha National Fraternity [12].

The other, less well-known descendants of Thomas and Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer have scattered over Mississippi, western Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, the English Midlands, Brazil, Australia, and even Africa. Fortunately they have left a documented trail, so tracing them is relatively easy. As this example shows, many Southerners can, with a bit of research, find roots and interesting relatives in unexpected parts of the country. And many Yankee families figure in the ancestry of Mississippi belles, gentlemen planters, Confederate soldiers, and molders of the New South.

NOTES

1. "Copies of Family Bibles, in possession of the Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia," film #203240 (hereafter "Cotton Manuscripts"), Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
2. Will (Pasquotank Co., NC. Will Book "HIK," pp.270-73 of Thomas Sawyer, dated 21 May, proved 31 July 1765.
3. LaVerne C. Cooley, The Rev. John Cotton of Boston and a Cotton Genealogy of His Descendants (1945), pp. 30-31.
4. Rev. Josiah Cotton d. Plymouth 19 August 1756; his will, dated 14 March 1750, was proved 6 October 1750 (Plymouth Co. Docket #5075).
5. Plymouth Co., Mass., Deed Book 44, P. 225, dated 19 August 1752, recorded last Tuesday in September, 1756.
6. See Eugene Aubrey Stratton, Plymouth Colony: Its History & People, 1620-1697 (1986), pp. 375-76, for a thorough treatment of his life and family.
7. Cotton Manuscripts, p. 1.
8. Ibid.
9. Dictionary of American Biography, vol. 16 (1935), p. 410; National Cyclopaedia of American Biography , vol. 2 (1899), pp. 237-38. According to the latter source, which includes a portrait of Scarborough and a picture of his ship, some suspected that the steamer was intended for Napoleon's escape from St. Helena.
10. Ibid ., p. 164 (William Scarborough, Jr. & Julia Bernard; William Scarborough & Lucy Sawyer).
11. See Medora Field Perkerson, "Murder at Ghost Castle," in White Columns in Georgia (1952), pp. 205-12, for the gothic tale of this branch of the family (Preston Saylor: ___ Saylor & Adelaide Baltzelle; James Peter Baltzelle and Julia Bernard Barnsley; Godfrey Barnsley & Julia Henrietta Scarborough, William Scarborough, Jr. & Julia Bernard, as above [#10]).
12. See Dr. Jerome V. Reel, Jr., The Oak, A History of Pi Kappa Alpha (1980), p. 142, for a biography of J.E. Wood, a great-great-grandson of Thomas and Margaret (Cotton Sawyer (Julian Edward Wood: William Edward Wood & Sophia Dauge Trotman; Ezekiel Trotman & Emelia Sawyer Dauge; Gen. Peter Dauge & Mrs. Margaret (Sawyer) Lamb; Thomas Sawyer & Margaret Cotton.

John Anderson Brayton, a native of Dyersburg, Tenn., is professional concert pianist and former Latin teacher whose genealogical interests include the English origins of colonial immigrants, both northern and southern. Interested readers may write him at 920 Holland Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
.

ii. Sylvanus Sawyer, died Abt. 1780; married Dorcas? ?.
iii. John Sawyer
iv. Elisha Sawyer
v. Dempsey Sawyer, born Abt. 1740; died Abt. 1782 in Camden Co., NC; married (1) Lovey Gregory; married (3) ?.

More About Dempsey Sawyer:
Date born 2: Abt. 1740, Camden Co., NC
Died 2: Abt. 1795, Chowan Co., NC
Appointed/Elected: Bet. 1780 - 1782, House Assembly member from Camden

86 vi. Lemuel Sawyer, born Abt. 1734; died Abt. 1787; married Mary Taylor.
vii. Mary Sawyer, married Josiah Nash.
viii. Miriam Sawyer, married Henry Pailin 04 Feb 1741 in Pasquotank Co., NC; born Abt. 1720 in Newbegun Creek area of Pasquotank Co., NC; died Abt. 1768 in Pasquotank Co., NC.

Generation No. 9

256. Councillor Francis Godfrey, born Abt. 09 Aug 1613 in probably Thonock/Thorock or Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England?; died 1675 in New Hope/Little River area of present-day Perquimans County, North Carolina USA (then Albemarle County, Province of Carolina). He married 257. Joan ?.
257. Joan ?, died 03 Feb 1677 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Councillor Francis Godfrey:
http://ncpedia.org/biography/godfrey-francis

Godfrey, Francis

by Mattie Erma E. Parker, 1986

d. October or November 1675

Francis Godfrey, Council member, was in the North Carolina colony, then called Albemarle, by 21 Apr. 1669. At that time he was a member of the Albemarle Council, an office that he held at least through 1670. In the latter year he was Proprietor's deputy for Sir Peter Colleton. He may have been the Francis Godfrey who was graduated from Peterhouse, Cambridge University, in 1629. His business connections and other circ*mstances suggest that he may have come to Albemarle from Barbados. There is no firm evidence, however, on any aspect of Godfrey's life before he settled in Albemarle.

Godfrey lived in Perquimans Precinct, where he owned at least 1,400 acres of land. He operated a public house or inn, at which the Council met and held court in 1673. He also conducted a mercantile business, serving as factor for a Barbados merchant, John Swinsted. He and his wife, Joane, had three children who lived to adulthood: Frances, William, and John. At his death, Godfrey left a substantial estate in addition to his land. His will, dated 20 Oct. 1675, was probated on 5 November.

His widow, Joane, married William Therill in December 1676. She died the following February, leaving Godfrey's estate, of which she was executrix, unsettled because of disorders then afflicting the colony. In March 1680/81, when settled government had been restored, Godfrey's will was again probated and Therill was appointed administrator.

Frances Godfrey, the only daughter of Francis and Joane, married Thomas Hawkins. The couple had two children: John (b. 18 Feb. 1671/72) and Mary (b. 13 Jan. 1674/75). Both Frances and her husband died before October 1675. Their children were made the wards of William Therill after the death of their grandmother, Joane.

William Godfrey, the elder son of Francis and Joane, was born about 1658. He was married twice and had five children: two daughters, Frances and Mary, and three sons, John, Francis, and Thomas. Two of his children, John and Frances, may have been born to his first wife, Jane, who is named as their mother in some records although in others his second wife, Sarah, is named as their mother.

John Godfrey, the younger son of Francis and Joane, was born on 17 Aug. 1665. He married Elizabeth Bagster, widow of Nathaniel Bagster, on 19 Feb. 1685/86. John and Elizabeth had only one child, Elizabeth, who died when she was about thirteen. John Godfrey died on 29 Oct. 1697. His widow married John Hecklefield.

References:

J. Bryan Grimes, ed., Abstracts of North Carolina Wills (1910).

J. R. B. Hathaway, ed., North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, 3 vols. (1900–1903).

Mattie Erma E. Parker, ed., Colonial Records of North Carolina, Higher-Court Records, 1670–1696, vol. 2 (1968), and 1697–1701, vol. 3 (1971).

William S. Powell, ed., Ye Countie of Albemarle in Carolina (1958).

William S. Price, Jr., ed., Colonial Records of North Carolina, Higher-Court Records, 1702–1708, vol. 4 (1974).

William L. Saunders, ed., Colonial Records of North Carolina, vol. 1 (1886).

Unpublished sources, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh: Albemarle Book of Warrants and Surveys, 1681–1706.

Council Minutes, Wills, Inventories, 1677–1701.

Perquimans Births, Marriages, Deaths, and Flesh Marks, 1659–1739.

Perquimans Precinct Court Minutes, 1688–93, 1698–1706.

Will of Francis Godfrey.

Copyright notice

This article is from the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, 6 volumes, edited by William S. Powell. Copyright ©1979-1996 by the University of North Carolina Press.

*******************************************************************************************
The following is quoted from an October 13, 1988 article in "The Perquimans Weekly" of Hertford, North Carolina, by noted Perquimans County genealogist Raymond A. Winslow:

Godfrey's distinguished as oldest family to continuously reside in Perquimans County

The distinction of being the oldest continuously resident family in Perquimans County probably belongs to the Godfreys. Their presence here can be documented for three hundred twenty years.
Founder of the family was Francis Godfrey, who was evidently a resident of the province prior to 1668. In or before February 1668 he attended the sickbed of George Catchmaid, earliest known speaker of the Carolina legislature. It was recounted some years later that Godfrey had "asked Mr. Catchmaid what he would do with his estate, and he looked upon (Godfrey) but said nothing." Whereupon (Catchmaid) replied, "I think so." That deathbed statement elicited by Godfrey would engender a series of lawsuits that continued off and on for nearly a century, as various Catchmaid heirs and claimants argued its validity.
Like his neighbor Catchmaid, Francis Godfrey was active in the political life of the infant colony. In 1669 and 1670 he was a member of the governor's council as deputy to the Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton. Godfrey sat with other councilors at a court held in 1670 and his own house was the meeting place of a court on May 25, 1673.
Godfrey was also a substantial planter, owning a one thousand-acre tract of land on the south side of Little River in Durant's Neck. It appears he was also engaged in mercantile ventures as factor for John Swinstead of Barbados.
By his wife Joan, Francis Godfrey had three children: (1) Frances, who married Thomas Hawkins; (2) William, who married Sarah; and (3) John, born August 17, 1665, who married Elizabeth. All later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from William, as John had no sons.
Less than a decade after he first appeared in Carolina records, Francis Godfrey was dead. The exact date of his death is unknown, but it evidently occurred in October or November 1675. The old register of vital statistics for Perquimans claimed he died on October 9, 1676, but it is manifestly in error since Godfrey's will was dated October 20, 1675, and it was probated on November 5, 1675. The will was contemporary with the event, while the register was not begun until four years after it.
As he was present when some words were spoken that set in motion a long series of events, so some words spoken at Godfrey's house about the time he left this earthly scene also had lingering effects. At Godfrey's in November 1675 Thomas Miller was heard to remark that the Lord's Supper was "a little hog's wash put in a pig's trough," blasphemies that would be trotted out for trial when Miller became acting governor and fell afoul of Godfrey's friend John Culpeper and neighbor George Durant. Francis Godfrey's surroundings must have resounded with political talk of the day, and he was one of the earliest political leaders of Perquimans.

More information on the historical background of Culpeper's Rebellion can be found in the website http://www.elizcity.com/history/culpepers-rebellion.shtml

Comments by Bryan Godfrey:

Francis and Joane Godfrey are fairly well-proven ancestors (two ways and perhaps more) of the father of my paternal grandmother, Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey Godfrey. It seems likely that they are the ancestors of all later Caucasian Godfreys in the Albemarle region of Northeastern North Carolina, except for some who may be descendants of John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk County, Virginia, in 1635, and married Sarah Dadford. I had discovered a record of a Thomas Godfrey in Albemarle (later Perquimans County) deeds dating back to 1699. My grandmother descends from Francis' grandson Thomas Godfrey, whose wife was named Elinor. It seemed unlikely the Thomas Godfrey of the 1699 deed was that Thomas, as Thomas' father William Godfrey was born about 1658 and William's son Thomas was probably too young to own land at that time. However, Perquimans County genealogist Raymond A. Winslow provided the following information in response to this record and the record of a Lawrence Godfrey,

"The will of William Berlite [Barclift] of 14 March 1694/95 does not mention any Thomas Godfrey. The name Thomas was an error made by J. Bryan Grimes in his book of will abstracts. The original will (I have a photocopy before me now) says "mr Johne godferie". I also note that the 1691 will of Leawrence Arnell refers to 'Leawrence godfery which went by the name of my son'. This Godfrey might have been Arnold's bastard child, but other interpretations of the wording are possible."

It is not proven that Francis Godfrey is a direct ancestor of my paternal grandfather, Garland Stevens Godfrey, but because my Y-DNA closely matches that of my grandmother's brother, my grandfather's Godfreys were definitely related patrilineally to the Francis Godfrey family. When I learned in 2007 that my Y-DNA matched my Uncle Marvin Godfrey's Y-DNA with only two mismatches on a 67-marker test, it seemed safe to assume that Francis was my patrilineal immigrant ancestor, but it is still possible that other Godfreys could have settled in North Carolina who were related to Francis and that my grandfather could descend from one of them. Also, one of my father's second cousins on my grandfather's side, Carl Franklin Cannon, Jr. (1928-1994) of Williamsburg, Virginia, once stated that his grandfather (my great-great-uncle Loyal Berry Godfrey) traced his family back nine generations. On a family chart, Mr. Cannon, without citing any additional information or where he obtained the information, showed Loyal's great-grandfather as Manliff Godfrey (my great-great-great-great-grandfather who was born about 1800 and died about 1840 in Camden County, North Carolina, the earliest I have proven my patrilineal ancestry back to), then two generations of Samuel Godfreys preceding Manliff, then two generations of William Godfreys (one with a wife named Frances) preceding the first Samuel, then two generations of Thomas Godfreys preceding the first William. Since my grandmother's ancestor, Thomas Godfrey, Jr., was born about 1724 in Perquimans County, it seemed impossible for my grandfather to descend from that Thomas because there are too many generations squeezed in, since we know from census records that Manliff Godfrey was born between 1800 and 1810. However, it seems likely that my Uncle Loyal or his wife might have heard the ancestry back to one of the William Godfreys of Camden and then used Mrs. Watson Winslow's 1931 book, "History of Perquimans County," to make an assumption that he was identical with a William whose lineage was delineated in that book on page 351, under the Godfrey section, as follows:

Godfrey, (3) William (2) Thomas (1) m Frances. He was dead May 9, 1773. (Inventory.)

The Thomas Godfrey referred to as Generation 1 here is probably the one who married Ellinor ? and died about 1749, son of William and grandson of Francis, as he did have a son named William; however, this William apparently remained in Perquimans. Perhaps one of the William Godfreys in Camden during the Revolutionary War period was his son.

However, it will always remain a mystery to me as to where Mr. Cannon obtained that Godfrey lineage, as he showed me that chart when I first met him in 1992, but said something to the effect that he could not remember where those early generations came from, and in his biographical information on Manliff Godfrey, he had a blank space for the names of Manliff's parents. I didn't pay attention until after his death to his remark in the introduction to the Godfrey family notebook he had compiled for his daughter when he said "Loyal Godfrey traced his family back nine generations." I do know that Uncle Loyal's wife, Luna Stevens Godfrey Godfrey, who was also descended from the Perquimans Godfreys and claimed no kin to her husband's Camden Godfreys, did some genealogy research, and maybe she was able to use records I have not discovered yet to trace back the ancestors of Loyal's great-grandfather, Manliff Godfrey. It is possible that Uncle Loyal knew some of the generations by word of mouth, since he was 22 years old when his grandfather, Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), died, but I find it hard to believe he would have heard nine generations by word of mouth. Samuel's father Manliff died when Samuel was between 12 and 15 years old, and Samuel very well could have heard that he was named for his grandfather and his father before him, but beyond that, it seems improbable he would have had an oral history going back several more generations. I agree, but may never be able to prove, that Manliff's father was Samuel Godfrey, since Manliff named his only son Samuel, that this Samuel may have been a Junior, and that prior to Samuel there were one, two, or three generations of William Godfreys. The first Godfreys I have found in what is now Camden County (then part of Pasquotank until 1777), were John and Joseph Godfrey, who by 1734 owned land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River. They were probably brothers and sons of my grandmother's ancestor William Godfrey of Perquimans, and I hope to prove that John had a son named William. But whether all later Godfreys in Camden descend from John and Joseph, I have not determined.

From 1993 until 2006, I believed it was more likely that my patrilineal ancestors were the John and Sarah Dadford Godfrey family of Norfolk County, Virginia (present-day Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake vicinity) through their son Warren Godfrey who married Elizabeth Williams. My great-grandfather's first cousin reported having heard that his Godfreys came from around Kempsville in present-day Virginia Beach, and the fact that my Uncle Loyal's wife Luna's father, whose father was from Perquimans, claimed he was not related to the rest of the Godfreys in Camden, gave credence to my grandfather's Godfreys descending from the Norfolk Godfreys. Also, there was a Lemuel Godfrey in Camden who is assumed to be the same Lemuel mentioned as a son of Daniel Godfrey, Jr. of Norfolk County in his 1758 will, and Lemuel had a descendant, Mrs. Margery Wood Furguiele (1919-2001) who wrote a book called "Genealogical Glimpses: Maternal" with a Godfrey chapter. She showed several Godfreys in Camden, including Samuel, as descending from Daniel Godfrey, but I cannot find the source of much of her information. Unfortunately, she passed away within a few weeks of my learning about her book in 2001, parts of which a Godfrey researcher mailed to me. It was because of all this that I claimed the John Godfrey family of Norfolk as my patrilineal ancestors until I learned in 2006 that my Y-DNA does not match a fairly well-proved patrilineal descendant of that line whose family had remained in Norfolk until his father's generation. Maybe some Godfreys in Camden were descended from that line, such as the Lemuel Godfrey family, but apparently the Samuel and Manliff Godfrey line, from which I descend, originated in Perquimans County, as suggested by the Y-DNA match between my grandmother's brother and me.

Soon after obtaining the Godfrey Y-DNA results in 2007, I was researching census information on ancestry.com when I discovered that in the 1870 census, my patrilineal great-great-great-grandfather, Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), who was from Camden County, was living in the Kempsville section of Princess Anne County, Virginia, with his family. The census listed the birthplace of three of his children as Virginia, so he apparently lived there several years before returning to Camden by 1880. This almost certainly explains why my great-grandfather's first cousin heard his Godfreys came from Kempsville. His grandparents were actually from Camden but lived in Kempsville temporarily (probably less than ten years in the 1860s and 1870s) before returning to Camden where his father, Samuel Hughes Godfrey, was born in 1877.

Shortly after I received the good news from the Godfrey DNA tests, Rickey Godfrey of Nashville, Tennessee (whose Godfreys came from Burke County, North Carolina, and whose DNA does not match my line or the Norfolk line) began searching for the origins of various Godfrey families. Because Francis Godfrey was on the Governor's Council and a deputy to Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton, and Col. John Godfrey, who settled in Charleston, South Carolina, also had dealings with Colleton, Rickey speculates Francis and John were closely related, probably brothers, and there are indications that Francis and John both lived on the island of Barbados prior to settling in the Carolinas. Furthermore, Rickey believes they probably came from Lincolnshire, England, as shown by some Internet information he has found on the Willoughby family there in which Catherine Willoughby married Joseph Godfrey and had several sons, including Francis and John, perhaps this Francis or his father or uncle. I am anxious to find a patrilineal male descendant of the Col. John Godfrey family of Charleston to have them submit a Y-DNA sample, hoping it will match my Godfreys. Because of the humble nature of my own Godfrey lines of North Carolina, it seems far-fetched that we could be related to the rather aristocratic Charleston Godfreys, but then again, Francis Godfrey was a man of prominence, but the prominence gradually faded out in my lineages, especially in my grandfather's line following the Civil War since his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were sharecroppers most of their lives who probably never owned their own farms. Admittedly there is a lot of snob appeal in genealogy in having New England, Virginia, and South Carolina connections, whereas North Carolinians have traditionally been looked down upon with unfair stereotypes. If the descendants of the Charleston Col. John Godfrey match me, it will give me collateral connections to lots of old South Carolina aristocratic families, since Col. Godfrey's immediate descendants seemed to intermarry with some first- or second-generation Low Country planters.

In researching Barbados records of the Godfreys in "Barbados Wills and Administrations", reproduced on ancestry.com, it does seem likely that this Francis Godfrey is identical with the Francis Godfrey there. The strongest circ*mstantial evidence is in reference to the Barbados will of George Orchard. On 27 May 1662, Richard Walter and Robert Sinckler "being with George Orchard a little before he died, heard his bequeaths to his bro[ther] & sis[ter] in England, Mr. Francis Godfrey to be Xtr [executor]". Francis Godfrey deposed on the same date that "he mentioned Widow Parker his mo[ther] in law." This was recorded 30 Dec 1662. The circ*mstantial evidence is the fact that Francis of Perquimans had a son John Godfrey whose wife was determined to be Elizabeth Sinkler Godfrey Bagster Hecklefield, formerly married to a John Sinkler/Sinckler. The unusual surname Sinckler/Sinkler indicates this was probably the same Francis Godfrey. If so, he was still living on the Island of Barbados in 1662, but apparently settled in present-day Perquimans County, North Carolina by 1668.

The following excellent information was discovered and e-mailed to me by Jason Godfrey (not my brother Jason) in April, 2008:

I am sending you a little information concerning a new lead that I came across when I was looking into this matter concerning whether there were proofs that Councilor Francis Godfrey of Albemarle and Colonel John Godfrey were related. I believe that I found the solution. Sending this info to Bryan Godfrey as well, since he might have some interest.

The idea that Francis and John Godfrey were likely brothers was first proffered in William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine in 1894. The writer made that inference after discovering the two initially represented Sir Peter Colleton--who was a senior-most member of the King's Council in Barbados under then Governor William Willoughby, 6th Lord Willoughby of Parham (1669-1670). I discovered that there was a factual basis for the idea that Francis and John Godfrey were very closely related after looking more closely at primary sources from Carolina and Barbados (informally cited).

Francis Godfrey was mentioned in the will of one John Ball who died in St Peter All Saint Parish Barbados in 1657. This will also mentioned a son named James Ball. This particular James Ball was later styled Captain James Ball and he resided in St Peter All Saint Parish as his father had before him. He had a lease of 50 acres of land there from Col. John Godfrey of South Carolina. Captain James Ball's son, Benjamin, later bought this property from Col. John Godfrey in 1688. And finally, Benjamin Ball of Barbados was named as the main executor of Col. John Godfrey's will, dated 12 March 1690. Of interest, the following records would have been central to showing that Francis and John Godfrey were related, probably brothers:

Ball, John

St. Peters Parish, 12 Oct 1657, RB6/13, p.206

Bro Will: Ball Esq of Ross in Herefore; sis Joane Fade of Kensington; bro

George Ball – 6 months of time of maid Elinor Shaw; wife Francis Ball;

Richard Backford and John Swinsted – Overseers in trust; mentions

Francis Godfrey; chn John Ball & James Ball both at 18. Signed John (X)

Ball. Wit: John Wilkens, John (X) Murphie, John Roope

Proved 3 Feb 1657

[The Will of John Ball, as cited in: Barbados Records: Wills and Administrations

by Joanne Mcree Sanders, Barbados Dept. of Archives - Barbados – 1981, p. 14]

28 Dec. 1688. Richard Walters. Mercht. Attny of John Godfrey, Son of

The prov. of Carolina sells to Benjamin Ball of St. Peter a plantn there of

50 acres which was formerly let to farm by sd Godfrey, to Captain James

Ball father of sd Benjamin.

[The Journal of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Barbados Museum and Historical

Society, 1934, p. 21]

I doe leave in yt [sic] hands of Benjamin Ball Gentleman in ye island of Barbados

Two Hundred and odd pounds Ster. Wch will Comply and pay far more than I doe

or cann owe, wch Said Money is by Judgements & when what is just is paid &

satisfied I wood have the Remainder of it Laid out & put in a Generall stock &

Devided Among my Children According unto ye Purposs & Meaning I have

ordered in my foregoing will …

[The Will of Colonel John Godfrey, as cited in: The South Carolina Historical

And Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XVI, July, 1915, No. 3, p. 13

John Ball's Will (1657), mentioning Francis Godfrey, was redacted so there was no way of knowing what Francis Godfrey's relationship to the family was, per se, without the original will from Barbados. That John Ball's brother George Ball* was indentured (mentioned elsewhere in the will) very well may have suggested that he or possibly one of the other Ball family members was indentured to the Godfreys. And, moreover, this may have explained why John Ball's son and grandson ended up working the Godfrey plantation in Barbados (likely the one in Col. John Godfrey possession in 1665).

*["My bother George B. his freedom after my decease." A partial excerpt of the

Will of John Ball, as cited in: Ball Beginnings by Claudette Maerz, University

of Michigan, 1984, p. 24]

Francis and John Godfrey were first mentioned in legal documents from St Peter All Saint Parish dating from 1657 to 1662. The first and last mention of Francis Godfrey in All Saint Parish documents overlapped with the first mention of "Capt. John Godfrey" in 1661. They evidently lived in the same parish in Barbados and were residents at the same time during the early 1660s.* Francis and John Godfrey were immediately related, it was safe to say—but nobody has known how because the probable answer has been hidden in the Will of John Ball who died in Barbados in 1657.

*[Francis Godfrey witnessed the will of Hugh Burrows, 11 April 1666; "Capt. John

Godfrey" witnessed the will of Mary Thomas, 13 Dec. 1661, as cited in: Barbados

Records: Wills and Administrations by Joanne Mcree Sanders, Barbados Dept. of

Archives - Barbados – 1981, p. 56 & p. 352.]

The issue of who they were related to might be dependent on evidence that they were indeed brothers. It appears that they're very closely related. The Will of John Ball probably holds the answer. I suspect John Ball's Will likely mentions an indenture or a debt due to the Godfreys, or perhaps the Balls were of some relation.

Comments by Bryan Godfrey: The mention of John Swinstead, and the fact that Francis Godfrey of North Carolina was a factor for a John Swinstead of Barbados, seem to establish beyond a doubt that Francis Godfrey of North Carolina was identical with Francis Godfrey of Barbados. The fact that he was mentioned in Barbados records as late as April, 1666, yet was in North Carolina by 1668, also seems to narrow his date of immigration to North Carolina in the 1666-68 range, and the other records cited suggest his son William, an ancestor of my paternal grandmother and probably my paternal grandfather too, was probably born on Barbados since Francis was evidently living there by 1657 and in a 1708 deposition in North Carolina, William gave his age as approximately fifty years.

Another e-mail from Jason Godfrey:

It was quite interesting to hear that Francis Godfrey was a factor for John Swinstead of Barbados because James Ball sold John Swinstead 42 acres in St. Peter for 160 pounds*, and he is the same one who had a lease of 50 acres in St. Peter from Colonel John Godfrey. It looks to me as though all of this documentation ties together well. *[The Journal of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Barbados Museum and Historical Society, 1934, p. 21]

Also, I think you're correct that Joane Fade (John Ball's sister) may have married Francis Godfrey. It would not surprise me. I think the common thread that ties all these people together is Captain James Ball: He's mentioned in his father John Ball's will, along with Francis Godfrey and John Swinstead; then James sells John Swinstead land in St Peter; then Francis is mentioned as John Swinstead's factor (apparently there's a source for this); then Colonel John Godfrey sells Benjamin Ball land that was leased to his father James Ball, and then lastly Benjamin is listed as the main executor of Col. John Godfrey's will.

There's scant evidence that Godfreys of Kent had connections to Barbados, but there were anecdotes in a book called the Life Of Sir Richard Steele (he was related to the Godfreys of Wye, a branch of the family from Kent). I have yet to find any evidence that these Godfreys had any meaningful connection to Barbados.

The Godfreys of Thonco*ck in Lincolnshire had multiple connections with Barbados, both direct and indirect, and at least five of their Willoughby cousins resided on Barbados. I think some biographic details concerning Sir George Carteret imply that he knew the Godfreys of Thonock. The family knew Sir John Eliot (1590-1632) and his son, Hon. Richard Eliot, and/or grandson settled in Barbados, possible ancestors of the Elliotts who later married into Col. John Godfrey's line. When Colonel John Godfrey worked for Deputy of Barbados he almost certainly came into contact with Governor William Willoughby, 6th Lord Willoughby of Parham. And there were other details that pointed more at the Lincolnshire Godfreys. A Cyprian Godfrey who was related to the family was listed as a Vice admiral of the coast in the 1590s. Also, there was a Captain William Godfrey who was an immediate descendant of Joseph Godfrey of Thonock (i.e. similar backgrounds).

My line is descended from William Godfrey of Hanco*ck Co., Ga, who was born 1798 to 1805 in Tennessee. His parents were likely from the Carolinas, and some evidence and family folklore seem to suggest that he was most likely a descendant of Francis Godfrey of Onslow, North Carolina. I haven't gotten around to doing the DNA test, although I've known about it for years. [end of Jason Godfrey e-mail] [Update a few months later: Jason Godfrey's YDNA does not match the Francis Godfrey line].

More comments by Bryan Godfrey:

The following information is quoted from pages 39-41 of "Ye Countie of Albemarle":

Documents
No. 16

March 10, 1670. Appointment by members of the Council of Peter Carteret to be Governor of Carolina

Original document on vellum with a portion of the large wax seal of the colony. One page, 13 3/4 X 11 inches, plus a margin of 1 3/4 inches turnedup at the bottom.

This document not only establishes the date of Carteret's appointment in March (instead of October as previously thought), but it also gives us a list of members of the council at that time. Together with No. 15 [the preceding document quoted in this text] it also helps establish the death of [Governor Samuel] Stephens as having occurred in 1670.

Whereas it hath pleased God by Death to take away our Governor Samuell Stevens Esqr: and Comander in Cheife; Wee therefore: John Jenkins. John Harvey; [blank] Richard ffoster ; ffrancis Godfrey; and John Willoughby Councell: to walke Regulerly by our Authority accordinge to the Instructions of our Right Honorable the true and Absoelute Lords Proprietor: of all the Province of Carolina; have made Choyce of Peter Carteret Esqr: Our Sole Governor; and Commander in Cheife him Impoweringe by Commission under writte

WEE In the name of the Right Honoble: the Lords Proprietors: Doe hereby constitute: and appoint you Peter Carteret Esqr: Governor and Comander in Cheife; Dureing the pleasure of the said power to whome wee are subordinate Governor of the county of Albemarle; as alsoe of all Iles; Islets; Rivers; ans Seas wthin the Bounds of the said County; together wth: the Iles; and Islets wth in tenn Leagues thereof wth: power to nominate appointe; & take to you Twelfe able men at most six att least to be your councll: or Asistance; or any even number betweene six Twelfe; untill the Right Honoble: Lords Proprietors: make Choyce of all of any of them And wee doe; further constitute; and appoint you to be commander in chiefe Dureing the Lords pleasure of all the forces raised: and to be raised wth:in the said county Iles;and Islets aforesaid: for the securitye of the same; & the parts adjacent within the said Province; over which fforces you are to place officers; & to cause them to be Duely exercised in Armes; & doe all; and every other thing: and things wch unto the charge of a commander in chiefe of any Army belongeth or hath accustomed to belong COMMANDING: all Inferior officers: and Souldiers of the said fforces you to obey as there commander in Cheife acording to this commission; and the powers herein given unto you; and according to the Lawes; and Discipline of warr; and you your selfe alsoe are to observe; and follow such orders; and directions as from tyme to tyme you shall receive from the Right Honoble Lords Proprietor: And in all things to Governe your selfe as unto your duty and place of Governor: of the said county; and Commander in cheife of all the fforces there, doth beloneth; Given under our hands and the Seale of the county the Tenth Day of March Anno: Domo: 1669/70:

John Jenkins John Harvey Richard ffoster Francis Godfrey
John Willoughby

The following footnotes are also quoted, pertaining to the men mentioned in this document. Note that immediately below the footnote on Francis Godfrey, is one pertaining to John Willoughby and his unknown kinship to the Willoughbys of Parham, England and Barbados. Because of this information appearing side by side, and the fact that John Willoughby's name appears beneath Francis Godfrey's in the above document, it would seem coincidental if Francis Godfrey here were not identical with Francis Godfrey who was son of Joseph Godfrey and Catherine Willoughby, a sister of these Willougbys of Parham.

pages 3-40 of "Ye Countie of Albemarle":

1. One John Jenkins was graduated from Clare College, Cambridge, in 1642. Eleven years later John Jenkins patented land in Northumberland County, Virginia, but did not settle it. In September of the same year, 1653, he was licensed by the Council of State in England as master of a ship to carry 23 men and 100 dozen pairs of shoes to the Bermudas. About 1658 we find John Jenkins settled in the Albemarle, and in 1663 he witnessed a deed from George Catchmaid to George Durant. On September 5, 1663, Jenkins received a grant from Sir William Berkeley of 700 acres with the Perquimans River as a northern boundary. He became deputy in Albemarle for the Earl of Craven in January, 1670, and served as a member of the governor's council. Two years later he is listed as a member of the assembly and, as a lieutenant colonel, appointed acting governor during the absence of Governor Peter Carteret. Jenkins was a member of the council in 1670 under Governor Stephens, in 1677 under Governor Eastchurch, and in 1679 under Governor John Harvey. By virtue of his office as President of the Council, he was acting governor from 1672 to 1676, and from 1679 to 1681. Between his terms as acting governor he took a leading part in Culpeper's Rebellion. His death occurred on December 17, 1681. Jenkins' name appears in connection with several of the following documents.

2. John Harvey came to the Albemarle from Virginia about 1658 and brought in seventeen persons. He had a grant of land on what has since been known as Harvey's Neck. As indicated here, he was a member of the council in 1670 under Governor Stephens, and assistant to Governor Peter Carteret in 1672. He seems to have taken no part in Culpeper's Rebellion, and from February, 1679, until his death in August he served as governor of the colony by appointment of the Lords Proprietors. Their instructions to him have been printed ("Colonial Records", I, 235-239). His wife was Dorothy Tooke of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, who may have been related to Thomas Tuke one of a group of men who bought land from the Indians in 1648 between the mouth of the Roanoke River and Weyanoke Creek.

3. Richard Foster appears in records of Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, as early as 1641; a member of the House of Burgesses from that county in 1655-1656 with the title of captain; and still living in Virginia in 1659. By 1670 he was in Carolina and a member of the governor's council under Samuel Stephens; he held the same position under Peter Carteret (1670-1672), John Harvey (1679), and John Jenkins (1680). In 1675 he held the rank of lieutenant colonel. His home seems to have been in the "Lower Precinct of yt County called Corrituck." He was the only Proprietary Deputy to take part in Culpeper's Rebellion, the records of which indicate that he was a level-headed advisor who was referred to as "thier cheefe Judge." His name appears in several of the following documents.

4. Francis Godfrey may have been the one of that name of Suffolk who was graduated A.B. from Peterhouse, Cambridge University, in 1629. As indicated here, he was a member of the council under Governor Stephens. His will, dated October 20, 1675, was proved in November, and he left a widow, Joane, and two sons. John Culpeper, later leader of the rebellion, was one of the witnesses to his will.

5. At a time when Francis Willoughby, Lord Willoughby of Parham, was "Lieutenant General of the Caribee Islands" and Lord William Willoughby was governor of Barbadoes, John Willoughby was active in Carolina. What the relation was among these men, if any, has not been traced. In 1670 Willoughby was deputy in Carolina for the Earl of Shaftesbury as well as "Regester publique of the Country." He was a member of the council in 1670 under Stephens, in 1679 under Harvey, and in 1680 under Jenkins. Between 1693 and 1705 his name appears frequently on Perquimans jury lists.

As a judge he was described as arbitrary and having "a natural habit of pride or ambition." He once defied a summons to court, beat the officer delivering it, and fled the colony to return only at the time of Culpeper's Rebellion in which he played a leading role. He is said to have gone with George Durant to England as an agent following the rebellion "to cover all their actions over in England that truth might not come to light."

In January, 1681, he was said to be 60 years of age. He and his wife Deborah were the parents of twins, John and Deborah, born March 13, 1686.

The following information on Francis Godfrey's home is quoted from page 842 of "Architecture and Town Planning in Colonial North America" by James D. Kornwolf, Georgiana Wallis Kornwolf:

North Carolina Plantations and Houses

The severity of the Tuscarora War in 1713 nearly forced the abandonment of the colony and may also explain the absence of 17th-century buildings. The most recent research suggests that North Carolina retains no structures that can be readily dated from before c. 1730. Only one surviving building in the state, the Flemish bond brick Newbold-White House, near Hertford, has ever been assigned a 17th-century date. Both frame and log houses appear to have been built in North Carolina by 1700. For example, Francis Godfrey had a 20-by-40-ft. frame house built in Perquimans County in 1675 that was described as "all sawed worke," so it must have been exceptionally fine. ...

Below is an essay I had typed (and updated or added to since then) following the Godfrey YDNA testing results in 2007, much of which repeats the same information above:

My Quest to Determine My Patrilineal Genealogy and Whether My Paternal Grandparents Were Related Through the Same Godfrey Family

by

Bryan Scott Godfrey (1973- ), son of
Gilbert "Wayne" Godfrey (1945-2012), son of
Garland Stevens Godfrey (1914-1996), son of
Charles Forbes Godfrey (1886-1962), son of
John Hughes Godfrey (1859-1934), son of
Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), son of
Manliff Godfrey (ca. 1805-ca. 1840), probably son of (lineage conjectural beyond this point)
Samuel Godfrey, probably son of
Samuel or William Godfrey, possibly son or grandson of
John, Thomas, William, or Joseph Godfrey, probably sons or grandsons of
William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726), son of
Francis Godfrey ( ?-ca. 1676), settled in Perquimans Co., NC before 1668; birthplace uncertain but likely Lincolnshire, England; Y-DNA from a descendant matches that of me.

My paternal grandmother's patrilineal lineage:
Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey (1920-2010)(wife/ distant cousin of Garland Stevens Godfrey), daughter of
Gilbert Godfrey (1889-1965), son of
Ephraim Godfrey (1854-1918), son of
Gilbert Godfrey (ca. 1822-ca. 1854), son of
Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853), son of
Tully Godfrey (ca. 1760-1846), son of
Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-ca. 1774), son of
Thomas Godfrey (ca. 1685-ca. 1749), son of
William Godfrey (ca. 1658-ca. 1726), son of
Francis Godfrey (1613?-ca. 1676), same as above

Note: Ephraim Godfrey's wife, Susan "Rebecca" Turner (1863-1917), was also his half-first cousin. Her parents were Alfred Turner (1823-1871) and Martha Jane Godfrey (1838-before 1890), and Martha was a daughter of Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853) above by his fourth wife, Rebecca Melissa Robbins (ca. 1813- ? ). These connections make my dad and me triple Godfrey descendants, and it is possible that Rebecca Robins was the daughter of a Robins who married Margaret Godfrey, whose descent from this line has not been determined, so I could descend from the Godfrey family more than three ways.

Since traditional western genealogy has tended to emphasize one's patrilineal (direct-male) ancestry due to the fact that one generally inherits their surname from this lineage (except in the present trend of out-of-wedlock births in which children often take their mother's maiden name), Manliff Godfrey, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, is a special ancestor to me because he is the earliest one I can document my patrilineal ancestry back to. More than likely there are no records in existence to prove his dates of birth or death, place of burial, parents, or even his wife Hester's maiden name, due partly to the destruction of many of Camden County, North Carolina's courthouse records in a fire in the 1860s. Based on census records, his wife's will, and the 1828 birthdate of his son Samuel, it appears Manliff Godfrey was born between 1800 and 1810 and died between 1840, when he was listed in the Camden County Census, and 1843, when Hester's will was probated. He was living in Camden County's Gum Pond section in 1830. His wife Hester, who according to census estimates was older than Manliff, listed two other children besides Samuel Godfrey in her will, Charles Portlock and Elizabeth Portlock, indicating she had probably been married before, though if these children were out of wedlock, Portlock might have been her maiden name. If so, Manliff was not the only Godfrey in Camden to marry a Portlock--an Enoch Godfrey, son of Lemuel Godfrey and Hannah Gardner whose relationship to Manliff Godfrey is uncertain, married Sally Portlock. In any case, Manliff and Hester apparently both died before their son Samuel, said to have been their only child together, was fifteen years old, and he was afterwards raised by Edmund Dozier, a boatbuilder in Camden County, whose daughter Mary later became Samuel's first of three wives and the mother of his eldest son Manliff Godfrey II (1856-1920).

There was at least one Samuel Godfrey in Camden who was apparently older than Manliff, and since Manliff named his son Samuel, I have conjectured that Samuel Godfrey was Manliff's father's name. One Samuel Godfrey believed to be Manliff's father was living in the Garrington Island section on the North River in Camden County in the 1830 census, aged 40-50, born between 1780 and 1790, which suggests he may not be the same Samuel Godfrey in the 1800 census aged 25-45 (born between 1755 and 1775). According to an 1812 deed, Malachi Godfrey had a son named Samuel, and according to the 1822 will of Tamur Godfrey, Malachi was her brother and she also had brothers named James, William, and Samuel. A 1796 deed refers to a William Godfrey having a son named William, Jr. One of these Samuel Godfreys served in the War of 1812.

One of the major reasons I became interested in genealogy as a teenager was because both of my paternal grandparents were Godfreys from neighboring counties in the Albemarle region of Northeastern North Carolina but did not know how, or even if, they were related. My grandfather, Garland Stevens Godfrey (1914-1996), was from Camden County, whereas my grandmother, Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey Godfrey (1920-2010), was from Pasquotank County, but her father's family came from Perquimans County. Pasquotank is between Perquimans and Camden, and the Pasquotank River, which flows from Elizabeth City into the Albemarle Sound, separates Camden from Pasquotank.

Because my grandmother's mother lived from 1891 to 1993 on her farm two miles south of Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, until she was 94 years old, we visited her several times a year when I was a child. I remember being very confused as a small child when my mom told me that Great-Grandma was Grandma Godfrey's mother, yet her last name was Godfrey! I asked my mom about this when I was in the first grade, and she replied, "Both your Granddad and Grandma were Godfreys." That was a difficult and unusual situation to explain to a young child. Then again, my situation was not as complex compared to what parents must explain to so many children from dysfunctional or unusual family situations. At least my parents were together and married until I was almost eight years old, I had a full set of grandparents until my maternal grandfather died when I was eleven, and there had not been any divorces or remarriages in my immediate family when I was that age; i.e., I did not have step-grandparents then, whereas if I ever marry and have children, I will have to explain to them the difference between grandparents and step-grandparents since I have stepparents (hopefully they will all be alive when and if I ever have children, but they will not have great-grandparents on my side).

But that incident was probably the beginning of my curiosity about my family's past. My parents and grandparents never knew nor cared whether my paternal grandparents were related through the same Godfrey family. Since Godfrey is not a common surname generally and my grandparents were from the same general vicinity of Elizabeth City where there are many Godfreys (though not nearly as many as there are Sawyers which my grandparents also descend from), it was agreed they were probably related way back. I was determined to find the connection after I was thirteen years old, and I became very interested in genealogy after three genealogy books had already come out on my mother's side, one being a booklet on my maternal grandfather's family in Bedford County, Virginia, the second being the genealogy of my maternal grandmother's Pearson family of Wayne County, North Carolina, and the third being the genealogy of my maternal grandfather's Updike family of New Jersey and Virginia.

In 1986, when I was thirteen years old, my dad and grandparents took me to meet with my grandfather's aunt-by-marriage, Luna Stevens Godfrey Godfrey (1887-1987), who was 99 years old and in a nursing home in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. My grandfather said she had done some research and might be able to identify some of the people in the old photographs my grandfather had inherited which I stumbled upon accidentally while looking for a book on their bookshelf. Aunt Luna was the widow of my patrilineal great-grandfather's brother, Loyal Berry Godfrey (1884-1968), and I became confused when she mentioned being a Godfrey and marrying a Godfrey, just as my grandmother had done. She was also a first cousin of my patrilineal great-grandmother through the Stevens family.

During college breaks when I was at the College of William and Mary, I began tracing sides of my family that had not been published, including my paternal side, mainly by making phone calls or writing letters to relatives or local genealogy experts, even if I was not sure at first how or if they were related. A few years before, my grandparents, Grandma's mother, and several of Grandma's siblings attended a large Godfrey Family Reunion for her side of the family in Perquimans County, North Carolina, hosted by a distant cousin of hers, Abraham Lincoln Godfrey, Jr. Grandma could not tell me exactly how her "Cousin Abe's" family was related, but she saw them often while growing up. So I called Mr. Godfrey's wife in 1991, and she mailed me a large packet with charts, one of which showed my great-grandfather Gilbert Godfrey's lineage (on both sides of his family since his parents were half-first cousins) back to the presumed immigrant, Francis Godfrey of Perquimans. Also included in this packet was a newspaper article that Perquimans County genealogist and historian Raymond A. Winslow had written in 1988 about Francis Godfrey and how his early settlement in Perquimans had probably made his male-line descendants the oldest continually resident family in the county. This packet did not contain any information about Godfreys in Camden County though, so I still had no clue about my grandfather's ancestry beyond his grandfather, John Hughes Godfrey of Camden. The information in this packet dealt with Godfreys who remained in Perquimans, and I learned that the Godfrey ancestors of my great-grandfather Gilbert Godfrey had lived in the same general vicinity of Perquimans County, near or on Little River around the Hog Neck, Durant's Neck, and New Hope areas, since 1668, until my great-grandfather's parents moved from Perquimans about ten miles northeast to Pasquotank County between 1900 and 1910, purchasing a small farm a few miles south of Elizabeth City.

In 1992, five years after Aunt Luna's death, I learned that her eldest grandson, Carl Franklin Cannon, Jr. (1928-1994), who lived near me in Williamsburg, Virginia where I was a freshman at William and Mary, had done some genealogy research. I met him and made copies of several Godfrey-Stevens notebooks he was compiling for his daughter. According to Mr. Cannon's introduction to the Godfrey family, his grandfather, Loyal Godfrey, "traced his family back nine generations." Apparently these Godfreys, the Manliff Godfrey line, had lived in Camden since the 1700s or even earlier. Loyal's wife Luna was also a Godfrey from Camden, but her grandfather, David Godfrey (ca. 1827-ca. 1860), came to Camden from Perquimans County, North Carolina, and in the same section Mr. Cannon went on to say concerning his grandmother, "Luna Godfrey traced her family back only five generations. On the maternal side most of the branches have been traced far back, one family to 1663 in North Carolina." I have no idea where Mr. Cannon's information came from for him to make the first statement about his grandfather's Godfrey line, but he sometimes made mistakes in his writings, which appeared to be in the draft stages anyhow. In his brief page on Manliff Godfrey, he left blanks for the names of Manliff's parents. However, on the same day I first visited him in 1992, he showed me a fan-shaped genealogy poster he had prepared for his daughter, showing two generations of Samuel Godfreys preceding Manliff Godfrey, then two generations of William Godfreys (one with a wife named Frances) preceding the first Samuel, then two generations of Thomas Godfreys preceding the first William. When I asked him where that information came from, he indicated he could not remember, because we discussed earlier in the day how no one had been able to trace the lineage beyond Manliff. However, if one counts these generations on the chart, they add up to nine generations preceding Loyal Berry Godfrey, Manliff's great-grandson and my great-great-uncle. If this is the accurate lineage, it points to Manliff Godfrey descending from the Francis Godfrey family of Perquimans County, North Carolina, from which my paternal grandmother and Mr. Cannon's maternal grandmother were both descended, because Francis Godfrey's son William had a son named Thomas who also had a son named Thomas, from whom my grandmother and Aunt Luna were both descended. However, Mr. Cannon said his grandparents always claimed they were not related, and others in the Camden area had remembered Aunt Luna's father, Thomas Burgess Godfrey (ca. 1860-1946), saying he "was not related to the rest of the Godfreys around," apparently including the family of his daughter Luna's husband Loyal Godfrey. Even so, such a claim may not be significant, for I find it is common for people with the same surname in the same general area to claim no kinship if the kinship is unknown or distant, even if they have an uncommon surname, when in fact they are related.

Perhaps Uncle Loyal and Aunt Luna had heard the generations preceding Loyal's great-grandfather, Manliff Godfrey, by word of mouth, or perhaps Aunt Luna examined records documenting Manliff's ancestry that I have not discovered yet. Loyal's grandfather, Samuel Godfrey, died in 1906 when Loyal was 22 years old, shortly after he and Aunt Luna were married, and it is recorded that they visited him often before his death. Samuel may have told them that he was named for his grandfather Samuel Godfrey or that there were two generations of Samuel Godfreys preceding his father, Manliff Godfrey. However, it seems unlikely Loyal could have heard even earlier generations by word of mouth, so it is a mystery as to how Carl Cannon, Jr. received information to the effect that Manliff was the son of Samuel who was the son of Samuel who was the son of William who was the son of William who was the son of Thomas, Jr.

Assuming my Uncle Loyal and Aunt Luna may not be related, and that my grandparents, Garland and Katherine, probably were not either, I focused my Godfrey research, for my grandfather's side, on other possible Godfrey families that may have settled in Camden. In 1993, I called my great-grandfather's first cousin, Samuel Gallop Godfrey (1919-2002) of Camden, who admitted he did not know much about his genealogy but had heard the Godfreys came from around Kempsville, now part of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Shortly thereafter I discovered that a John Godfrey settled in Norfolk County, Virginia (present-day Norfolk and Virginia Beach vicinity) in 1635 and had sons named Warren, John, and Matthew. After investigating wills and deeds of Norfolk and Princess Anne Counties, I concluded that the John, Lemuel, Jonathan, and William Godfreys there may be the same ones showing up just across the state line in Pasquotank and Camden by the 1700s. Because of what Sam Godfrey told me and because Aunt Luna's family came from Perquimans and claimed no connection to the rest of the Godfreys in Camden, I believed for about ten years that Manliff Godfrey was probably descended from the John and Warren Godfrey family of Norfolk County. I could not find any Thomas or Samuel Godfreys among the early generations of this family though, but found several Williams, and the lack of Thomases in that family might question whether Manliff was descended from this line if his descents from two generations of Thomases, Williams, and Samuels, as Carl Cannon showed, were valid. I only found the name Thomas among the Perquimans Godfreys. Joseph was another common name among the Perquimans Godfreys that I did not find among the Norfolk Godfreys.

In 2001, I became even more convinced of my grandfather's descent from the John Godfrey family after a Godfrey researcher mailed me a chapter from a book by Mrs. Margery Wood Furguiele (1919-2001) of Culpeper, Virginia, "Genealogical Glimpses: Maternal", which has a section on the Lemuel Godfrey family of Camden. Mrs. Furguiele, a descendant of Lemuel, concluded he was descended from the Norfolk family because Daniel Godfrey, Jr. (grandson of Warren) in his 1758 will named a son Lemuel and there were Wilsons connected with Godfreys in both counties. However, she made many errors and undocumented statements in her book, including references to Daniel Godfrey, Jr. coming to Camden County in 1730, Daniel being the father of Samuel, Malachi, Tamur, William, James, and Lemuel Godfrey of Camden (when in actuality the 1758 will of Daniel Godfrey, Jr. in Norfolk County named sons William, Lemuel, Matthias, Jonathan, and Arthur), and saying Malachi married Mrs. Hester Portlock when it was actually Manliff Godfrey who married Hester. Unfortunately, Mrs. Furguiele passed away before I had a chance to contact her, coincidentally within a few weeks of my learning about her Godfrey research. I called her home after receiving this information, and her daughter answered and said she was in the hospital due to a broken hip and was expected to recover, but I read her obituary in the Richmond newspaper about a week later. Perhaps Sam Godfrey had contacts with other Godfreys in Camden who really were descendants of the John Godfrey family of Virginia. It is possible that both Godfrey families had descendants who lived or owned land in present-day Camden and Pasquotank, especially since the former Norfolk and Princess Anne Counties in Virginia border Camden and Pasquotank to the north and Perquimans borders Pasquotank. On pages 142-43 of her book, Mrs. Furguiele states, "There were several Godfreys, who operated in Camden County in the same time span as our family. From whence they came and where they went is not known. It is highly possible they descended from some of Warren Godfrey, Sr.'s sons. Several of his sons left no wills. Or, they could have descended from the Francis Godfrey and his wife, Joane, who came into old Albemarle District in November 1675, and had two sons, William and John Godfrey...In 1679, Francis Godfrey was in Pasquotank County. Nothing more appears about Francis Godfrey, but from 1693 to 1775 there are some transactions of a William, John, and Peter Godfrey. It seems likely the William and John Godfrey were the children (or grandchildren) of Francis and Joane Godfrey. In their land transactions, the property bounds were not the same (or close) to those in our Godfrey line. As late as the 1950s and 60s, there were not many Godfreys in Camden County." I need to research the locations of the land of all Godfreys in Camden to see if I can sort out whether some were from the Norfolk family and others were from the Perquimans family. It appears my Godfrey ancestors and some of their brothers originally settled on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River in present-day Camden County by the 1730s, and that members of later generations moved eastward toward the Sandy Hook and North River areas, as my ancestor Manliff Godfrey was in that area in the Gum Pond section.

Also in 2001, a descendant of the John and Warren Godfrey family, Thomas James Godfrey of Dunedin, Florida, an Ohio native, e-mailed me a large file on that family, indicating some had become large landowners and prominent merchants in the Norfolk area. In 2005, Tom and I both submitted cheek cell samples so our Y-DNA could be analyzed to determine whether we share a common patrilineal ancestry. Early in 2006, I viewed the results for us and for all the other Godfreys who were submitting samples, and was disappointed to learn Tom and I do not match, nor did either of us match the other Godfreys whose ancestries were rooted in other areas. So I was forced to conclude that either my patrilineal lineage was not of the John and Warren Godfrey family of Norfolk, or there was a break or breaks in the lineages of Tom or myself, such as an unreported adoption, "child switching," illegitimacy in which someone could have taken the Godfrey name from their mother, or false paternity in which the putative Godfrey father was not the biological father.

However, this disappointment was reversed a year later on 1 February 2007 when I received one of the big surprises of my life, one month after obtaining a sample from my grandmother's brother Marvin Ralph Godfrey, that Uncle Marvin and I were a perfect match on all twelve Y-DNA markers tested. This indicates that my paternal grandparents were descended in a biologically accurate patrilineal lineage, with the probability being 99 percent that their common patrilineal ancestor lived in a period after surnames became widely adopted in Europe. I immediately upgraded the test to a 67-marker test for my sample and Uncle Marvin's sample, hoping the number of matches/ mismatches will better indicate the probability that the common ancestor lived in the 1700s or earlier. This will better enable me to conclude whether Manliff Godfrey was descended from the Francis Godfrey who settled in Perquimans by 1668 and died around 1676 or was related to him collaterally through a common ancestor in the Old World. More than likely he was a direct descendant, since all Godfreys in that area appear to descend from Francis Godfrey's son William Godfrey, who was born about 1658 and died about 1726 in Perquimans County. This William Godfrey seems to have had sons named William, Jr., Francis, Thomas, John, and Joseph. My grandmother and Aunt Luna descend from his son Thomas, then his son Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774). Records of the late Sheldon Godfrey said that Thomas Godfrey, III married Mary Mullen in 1805 and was the father of Aunt Luna's grandfather, David Godfrey, born about 1827, which I question and wonder whether there is documentation for this descent; there may have been another generation between Thomas Godfrey, Jr. and David Godfrey. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. must have had Thomas III later in life, or Thomas III must have married Mary Mullen late in life. Whenever there is a much younger child in a family, one must consider the possibility that the child is the product of another marriage from the older children or that the child is illegitimate and its grandparents are raising their daughter's child and passing it off as theirs. I hope to track down a nephew of Aunt Luna so their YDNA can be compared with mine too.

Based on my Y-DNA results, Carl Cannon's chart may be partially correct, but there do appear to be too many generations squeezed in between Manliff Godfrey and Thomas Godfrey, Jr., since Thomas was born about 1724 and Manliff was born about 1805. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. mentioned a brother William in his 1774 will, but no son William. It seems more likely that there was at most one generation of Thomases, one or two generations of Williams, and one or two generations of Samuels preceding Manliff Godfrey. If Manliff descends from Thomas Godfrey, Sr., son of William and grandson of Francis, it is probably through Thomas' sons Joseph or William. However, the first Godfreys appearing in the part of Pasquotank County that became Camden in 1777 were John and Joseph Godfrey, who around 1727 appear in deed records referencing land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River. These were probably sons of Francis' son William, since his apparent sons of those names had recently sold land in Perquimans, possibly to move to Pasquotank, that part now lying in Camden. There were John and William Godfreys in the Norfolk family also who could have bought land in Pasquotank or Camden, but no Joseph appears in the early generations of this family, so it seems more likely the John and Joseph Godfrey of Camden were from Perquimans. However many generations there are between Manliff and Francis Godfrey (assuming Manliff descends from Francis and is not a collateral relative), it seems unlikely that my grandparents were evenly descended from Francis, because my grandmother was in the ninth generation, whereas my grandfather was probably in the tenth or possibly the eleventh generation. Generations tended to be shorter in my grandfather's line than in my grandmother's; thus, it is likely that my grandparents were distant cousins once or twice removed and that I might even be in the same generation as my grandmother!

Sam Godfrey's claim that he heard his Godfreys came from Kempsville might be reconciled by the fact that he could have confused his father's family, the Godfreys, with his mother's family, the Gallops. There is a Gallop's Corner section of Virginia Beach, which is in the same general area as Kempsville. Indeed, he or someone in his family had mistakenly labeled his picture of his grandfather Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), Manliff's son, as William Gallop, the name of his other grandfather. I knew it was Samuel Godfrey when they showed it to me in 1998 because I had already seen and copied another copy of that picture in the possession of my grandfather's first cousin, Mary Tatem Johnson (1911-2005), of Newport News, Virginia. Mrs. Johnson had it labelled as "John Godfrey's father," but admitted she did not know her great-grandfather's name. Her mother would have remembered her grandfather Samuel Godfrey, so I trust it was my great-great-great-grandfather.

Later in 2007, after I purchased a one-year subscription to ancestry.com, I discovered something which almost certainly explains why Sam Godfrey told me our Godfreys came from Kempsville. When searching for census records on my great-great-great-grandfather Samuel Godfrey (son of Manliff), I found that in the 1870 census, he and his family were living in the Kempsville section of Princess Anne County, Virginia, and that several of his children born after 1863 were born in Virginia. By 1880 they had returned to Camden County, North Carolina. Cousin Sam Godfrey's father, Samuel Hughes Godfrey (1877-1965), the youngest child of Samuel, was apparently born shortly after his parents returned to Camden from Kempsville, which probably explains why Mr. Godfrey made the comment to me that his family came from Kempsville. It was not because they were descended from the John Godfrey family of that area, which I assumed, but rather because Mr. Godfrey's grandparents lived there for several years before his father was born. Carl Cannon, Jr.'s biography of Samuel Godfrey indicated he had gone to Norfolk to work after he was first married, lost everything within a year, and returned to Camden with his family in a cart. Either he moved to Virginia more than once, or perhaps this refers to when he lived in Kempsville, only it was several years after he married his third wife, and he was in Virginia at least seven years because several of his children were listed in the census as born in Virginia. My great-great-grandfather, John Hughes Godfrey (1859-1934), was Samuel's eldest son by his third wife, Sarah Ann Hughes (1834-1898), and he was born in Camden, but his parents apparently moved to Kempsville before he was five years old and returned to Camden before their youngest child, Samuel Hughes Godfrey (1877-1965), was born.

One warning is in order before I dismiss any notion of descent from the Norfolk Godfreys--as of 2007, Tom Godfrey is the only descendant of John Godfrey who has submitted to the Godfrey Y-DNA project. Although his Godfreys remained in Norfolk until the early 1900s and there is only one generation between himself and John Godfrey that is not absolutely proven by records, it is remotely possible there was a break in his biological line. Therefore, it is desired that other descendants of the John and Warren Godfrey family (preferably related distantly to Tom Godfrey) submit samples so we can determine a definite Y-DNA signature for John and Warren Godfrey. Without others to confirm the biological authenticity of his descent, it is still remotely possible that I might descend patrilineally from John and Warren Godfrey because John could have been related to Francis Godfrey of Perquimans. In other words, we need to prove that John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk County, Virginia in 1635 was not related to the Francis Godfrey who settled in Perquimans County, North Carolina by 1668. The names John and William are common among both families, but this is not especially significant since they are common names among the general population. But it does become frustrating trying to sort out Godfreys who often have the same such names through many generations.

Because both John Godfrey of Norfolk and Francis Godfrey of Perquimans settled in areas bordering present-day Camden County, North Carolina, it seems likely that both had descendants there. Perhaps the aforementioned Lemuel Godfrey of Camden really was from the Norfolk family and not connected with the Manliff Godfrey family. I hope to track down male-line descendants of Lemuel Godfrey for YDNA comparisons too.

Here is a summary of the lives and immediate family of Manliff Godfrey's likely patrilineal immigrant ancestors, Francis and Joane Godfrey. Even if Manliff and my grandfather were not direct descendants of Francis and Joane, they were related to Francis as established by Y-DNA results, and Francis and Joane are well-proven to be ancestors at least two ways of my Grandma Godfrey's father. Francis Godfrey was living in Perquimans County by 1668, and I am fairly certain he is the same Francis Godfrey found in records of the island of Barbados in the early 1660s. It is most likely he came from England, and current speculation focuses on the possibility that his family were the Joseph Godfreys of Lincolnshire who intermarried with the Willoughby family, or perhaps the Godfreys of County Kent, said to be the most prominent family of Godfreys in England. Acquiring a thousand acres on the south side of Little River in present-day Perquimans County, he became a deputy to Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton in 1670, enabling Francis to become a member of the Governor's Council. At a court in 1670, he was a justice. Three years later, he hosted the court at his residence, at which Thomas Miller made disparaging remarks that he would be held accountable for in Culpeper's Rebellion. Because both lived on Barbados before settling in the Carolinas and had connections with Peter Colleton, it is believed Francis Godfrey was a brother of, or other close relative of, Col. John Godfrey, one of the earliest settlers of, and acting deputy governor of, South Carolina, having been one of the original settlers of Charleston in 1670, where his descendants intermarried with the colony's most prominent families. Therefore, I hope to track down male-line descendants of Col. John to compare their Y-DNA with my own. Francis Godfrey's will, probated in 1676, is believed to be the oldest extant will and inventory in Perquimans, and noted Perquimans County genealogist Raymond Winslow has written that the Godfreys are probably the oldest continually resident family in the county. He also states that all later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from Francis and Joane's son William, since their only other son, John Godfrey, had no sons. Francis and Joane also had a daughter Elizabeth who married Thomas Hawkins. Therefore, if Manliff Godfrey descends from Francis and Joane, it has to be through their son William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726), who also lived on Deep Creek and the Little River in Perquimans.

When I learned that my Uncle Marvin Godfrey and I match perfectly on the cheapest 12-marker YDNA test, I upgraded to a 67-marker test. We only mismatch by two markers, one of which is a fast mutator, one of which is not. A 65/67 match means there is a 90 percent probability that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) was no more than 12 generations back. Francis Godfrey was nine generations back from Uncle Marvin and my Grandmother Godfrey, and eleven generations back from me on my grandmother's side. Based on these results, it is very probable that Francis Godfrey's son William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726) was the closest common patrilineal ancestor of my paternal grandparents and an ancestor of Manliff Godfrey, but one must consider the possibility that Manliff could descend from a cousin of Francis and William instead.

In July, 2007, I learned of a second Y-DNA match through Family Tree DNA. On the 12-marker test, Uncle Marvin and I both perfectly match a Godfrey in Mississippi who only knows his Godfrey line back two or three generations, but claims his Godfreys came from North Carolina. It would be interesting to view all 67 of his markers. If he matched Uncle Marvin closer than he does me, it means he is probably related more closely to my grandmother's side, but if he matches me more closely, it means he is related more closely to my grandfather's side. However, I think it is a waste of money to upgrade his test since he does not know his lineage more than three generations. There have been Godfreys with names like Francis, Enoch, and Joseph appearing in Onslow County, North Carolina, some of which went further South to Georgia who are believed to descend from Francis and William Godfrey of Perquimans. These are Godfreys whose descendants I would most like to have tested besides the Charleston Godfreys or Godfrey males who might still be residing in Lincolnshire, England.

The records of Pasquotank/ Camden Counties throughout the entire 1700s need to be evaluated thoroughly to better determine the probable generations preceding Manliff Godfrey. By the time of the French and Indian War around 1755, several Godfreys were listed in the militia, two Josephs, and Job, Jacob, and James Godfrey. During the Revolutionary War, Godfreys shown had the first names Anthony, Clement, and William. In the 1782 Camden County Tax List, the Godfreys listed were Joshua, Joseph, Jacob, John, and Jesse. Finally, in the War of 1812 rosters, the Godfreys listed were two Jameses, William, John, Hiram, Jonathan, James, and Samuel. A book has been published delineating relationships shown in various deed books of Camden, but I have not researched deeds not shown in that book. Examining numerous other extant deeds which do not show relationships between Godfrey parties, but which might show property bounds and locations and infer relationships, may give a better idea of whether Godfreys from the Norfolk and Perquimans families were both in Camden and enable me to construct a conjectural pedigree. Whatever the case, it seems unlikely there was a single Godfrey pioneer to Camden County. Whether later Godfreys there descended from brothers, cousins, or nonrelatives who came from another county, remains to be discovered.

Due to a paucity of records, I may never be able to prove Manliff Godfrey's ancestry or be able to determine for sure whether Francis Godfrey was our patrilineal ancestor or a collateral patrilineal relative. I may also never know whether Francis Godfrey was the North American immigrant or the European origins of my Godfreys, but Y-DNA testing may furnish clues if other Godfreys match me in the future. In an ideal case, one's patrilineal lineage can be traced back many generations before the immigration to America, and one's surname can be unique to descendants of a particular person in medieval times. Often it does happen that everyone with a rare surname descends from one person, but surnames originated often from multiple sources, some becoming very common (such as Jones, Williams, or Smith) while others die out or become rare. The Godfrey surname falls in between. The fifteen or more Y-DNA results already submitted as of 2007, most of which show no relationship to one another within the past thousand years since surnames originated, seem to indicate that the Godfrey surname probably evolved from multiple people or places, and may be of multiple European nationalities. In spite of all these uncertainties, I am grateful that my Godfrey surname appears to be biologically accurate from father to son for both my grandfather's and my grandmother's sides back to the 1700s and probably earlier, since genealogy experts often comment that very long biologically accurate patrilineal genealogies are rare, even if the written records are sufficient to document the descent, due to occasional adultery, adoptions, or illegitimacies. Some have even constructed mathematical models for determining the probability of inaccurate pedigrees based on the number of paternal generations between one and a certain ancestor, and that the more maternal generations there are in between, the more likely the lineage is to be biologically accurate. Because my pedigree has been bottom-heavy rather than top-heavy, meaning I tend to be able to trace the maternal sides farther back than the paternal sides (I know my matrilineal line back twelve generations, to about 1700), I should be fortunate in this regard.

I feel almost certain that both of my paternal grandparents were descended from Francis Godfrey's son William Godfrey (ca. 1658-ca. 1726) of Perquimans County, North Carolina. However, it is likely that they were not in the same generation and that my grandfather may have been one generation farther down the lineage than my grandmother, since his great-great-grandfather, Manliff Godfrey, was born between 1800 and 1810, whereas her great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Godfrey, was born in 1787. Also, if there is some truth to Carl Cannon, Jr.'s chart, then there are many generations squeezed in prior to Manliff Godfrey's generation, indicating these men had children early in life, especially if the chart is correct in showing descent from one of the Thomas Godfreys, as between Thomas, Jr. and Manliff, there are two Williams and two Samuels. It seems certain there could not have been more than one Thomas, as my grandmother's ancestor, Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774), did not mention a son William in his will, but he did mention the land of his brother William, who could perhaps be an ancestor of Manliff and my grandfather. However, Thomas, Jr.'s father, Thomas Godfrey, Sr. (died 1749), also had a brother named William Godfrey, Jr., and it is likely that the John and Joseph Godfrey who owned land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River in present-day Camden County, North Carolina, by the 1730s, were brothers of Thomas, Sr. and sons of William Godfrey.

Circ*mstantial evidence indicates that John Godfrey of Norfolk was probably from Huntingdonshire, England, as there were intermarriages between Godfreys and Nicholses in both the Huntingdonshire family and his immediate family.

Rickey Godfrey of Nashville, Tennessee, is doing research on the origins of all Godfrey families in America and England, and he thinks either Lincolnshire or County Kent were the most likely birthplaces of Francis and his probable relative, Col. John Godfrey of Charleston, South Carolina. The names Francis, Joseph, John, and William have been very common in the Lincolnshire family, and my ancestor Francis might have been the son or grandson of a Joseph Godfrey there who married Catherine Willoughby and had a son named Francis born in 1613. Rickey speculates that the County Kent Godfreys were probably the most prominent Godfreys in England and that Francis Godfrey "was no ordinary citizen" due to his ties with deputy governors and Lords Proprietors and serving on the Governor's Council. Rickey deserves the credit for being the first to inform me of my likely patrilineal origins in 2007 when he located a website on the Willoughbys of Parham, Suffolk, England and suggested that Joseph and Catherine Willoughby Godfrey's son Francis might be identical with Francis of North Carolina or, at the very least, closely related to him.

In knowing how the past few generations of my Godfrey ancestors lived, beginning with my grandparents and going back on both my grandmother's and grandfather's sides, it seems rather far-fetched that I could be related to the Charleston Godfreys or Godfreys of prominence in England. But the prominence, like in many families, could have faded with later generations, especially after the Civil War impoverished so many southerners. My grandmother's parents and grandparents were small farmers who owned their own land most of their lives, whereas my grandfather's parents, Godfrey grandparents, and Godfrey great-grandparents were tenant farmers and/or shipwrights nearly all of their lives, moving from place to place while working someone else's farm. My grandfather's father lived his later years in boarding houses or on a barge in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and all he had to leave my grandfather when he died in 1962 was a chair and some old family photographs. Samuel Godfrey, my grandfather's great-grandfather, could not read or write, according to census records. I always felt my paternal grandparents were rather simple for my tastes, having had few educational advantages (although my grandfather had a high school diploma) and having lived in a two-bedroom house in what was considered to be the "wrong side of the tracks" when I was growing up in Newport News, Virginia, but I must remember that my Grandfather Godfrey, having come from meager means as the only child of a sharecropping father and a mother who had mental problems, had a lot to overcome. At least he owned his own home after he was 34 years old, always paid off his debts, never took charity from anyone or the Government, held a steady, stressful, and hazardous job as a burner in the Newport News Shipbuilding for about 38 years, never had a credit card ( a definite example for the younger generations including me), and encouraged his children, especially my dad, to be self-sufficient and frugal. And he, like so many men of earlier generations and even some today, was too proud to allow my grandmother to work outside the home. He would work two jobs before he would encourage my grandmother to get a job.

At least now whenever someone asks me where my Godfreys are from, my story will sound simpler than it had been before I ruled out my descent from the Norfolk Godfreys. Prior to 2007 it had been difficult to keep the story simple when I had to explain that both my grandparents were Godfreys, that my grandmother was from the Francis Godfrey family of Perquimans County, North Carolina and that my grandfather was either from that family or the John Godfrey family of Norfolk County, Virginia. Now I can say that I descend from the Perquimans County Godfreys at least three ways, one patrilineally through my grandfather and two through my grandmother whose paternal grandparents were half-first cousins.

Coincidentally, while growing up in Newport News, Virginia, my principal in middle and high school was a Godfrey, an African-American gentleman named Henry J. Godfrey. Even before I got to middle school, my maternal grandmother, who retired in 1981 as a secretary with Newport News Public Schools in its Administration Building, spoke highly of Mr. Godfrey. He was Principal of Dunbar-Erwin Middle School (now closed) in downtown Newport News when I attended seventh and eighth grades there in 1985-87. Then, as I was entering the tenth grade at Ferguson High School (also closed now) in 1988, we learned that Mr. Godfrey was transferring there to replace the principal who transferred to another high school. My dad once had a conversation with Mr. Godfrey about where their families were from, and I remember Mr. Godfrey saying he was from Norfolk. He was the one who handed me my diploma at my high school graduation. Because Mr. Godfrey was so courtly and proper, with very strict standards and always wearing a three-piece suit, underachieving students often considered him a sell-out, yet his demeanor and dedication were definitely commendable, and he is one of my role models in my current educational profession. He retired several years after I graduated, later serving as Assistant Superintendent and on the Hampton, Virginia School Board. Although I have been known as Bryan most of my life until I entered the educational profession in 2005, and still prefer to be called Bryan even by younger people, I have a habit of thinking of my principal, Mr. Godfrey, whenever someone calls me Mr. Godfrey, especially since my dad is like me in that he prefers being called Wayne by everyone.

Now Perquimans County, North Carolina, holds a special place in my ancestral heritage. Even though my parents were both born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, my mother's parents were both from Virginia and my father's parents were both from North Carolina, both of them have extensive family roots in Perquimans County, but so far I have not proven any common ancestors between them in that area, although I do have relatives there who are related to both of my parents. It now appears that three of my grandparents have patrilineal roots in Perquimans County, my paternal grandparents both being connected with or descended from the Francis Godfrey family there, and my maternal grandmother being patrilineally descended from the Quaker family of Peter Pearson who settled in Perquimans before the 1720s. However, her ancestors left Perquimans by the 1780s as she was descended from Peter's son Jonathan Pearson who settled in Wayne County, North Carolina, about 1776, and five generations later, her father settled in Prince Edward County, Virginia, in 1911.

Below is the email I sent out once I received the full 67-marker YDNA test results for my Uncle Marvin's sample and mine:

From: "Bryan Godfrey"
Subject: Results of Godfrey Y-DNA test--full 67 marker upgrade
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:23:57 -0400

I hope I'm not being a burden again, especially for those of you who are not even related to the Godfreys, but since DNA has been a subject we've discussed lately, I thought I'd share the news with all, and it may be educational for those it doesn't concern. I'm learning more and more all
the time lately about DNA and genetics, especially now that I'm on Spring Break and just finished two of the three education courses I've been taking the past three months. Maybe genetic genealogy should be another calling of mine after I've grown tired of teaching math!

Uncle Marvin (my Grandma Godfrey's brother) and I differ by only 2 out of 67 markers, one of which is a fast mutator, one of which is not. The calculated probabilities are below, the second set of calculations being based on the fact that we do not share a common patrilineal ancestor within six generations beyond Uncle Marvin, with his parents, my
great-grandparents, counting as Generation 1, and Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774) counting as Generation 6. More than likely Thomas, Jr.'s grandfather, William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726) of Perquimans Co., NC, son of
Francis Godfrey the presumed immigrant, was the closest common ancestor of my grandparents, but my grandfather Garland Godfrey was probably one or two generations further down from William than my grandmother Katherine Godfrey Godfrey.

My grandmother's lineage, proven by records, is as follows:

1. Francis Godfrey (died 1675), settled Perquimans Co., NC before 1668

2. William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726)

3. Thomas Godfrey (died ca. 1749)

4. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774)

5. Tully Godfrey (ca. 1765-1845)

6. Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853)

7. Gilbert Godfrey (ca. 1822-ca. 1854)

8. Ephraim Godfrey (1854-1918), moved from Perquimans to Pasquotank Co., NC ca. 1910

9. Gilbert Godfrey (1889-1965) of Pasquotank Co., NC

10. Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey (1920-2010 ) of Elizabeth City, NC and Newport News and Hampton, VA

11. Gilbert Wayne Godfrey (1945-2012) later of Charles City Co., VA

12. Bryan Scott Godfrey (1973- ) of Richmond, VA

My grandfather's line is as follows, Generations 3-6 being conjecture, with the proven descent beginning with Manliff Godfrey, my great-great-great-great-grandfather:

1. Francis Godfrey

2. William Godfrey

3. John Godfrey, settled in Camden Co., NC ca. 1730 with probable brother Joseph Godfrey

4. William Godfrey (Revolutionary War)

5. Samuel Godfrey

6. Samuel Godfrey (War of 1812)

7. Manliff Godfrey (ca. 1800-ca. 1840)

8. Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906)

9. John Hughes Godfrey (1859-1934)

10. Charlie Forbes Godfrey (1886-1962) of Camden Co. and Elizabeth City, NC

11. Garland Stevens Godfrey (1914-1996) of Camden Co. and Elizabeth City, NC and Newport News, VA

12. Gilbert Wayne Godfrey (1945-2012)

13. me

There could have been 2 generations of Williams and/or 2 generations of Samuels preceding Manliff Godfrey. We don't even have proof Manliff's father was Samuel, but the late Carl Cannon, Jr. apparently got that information from his grandfather, Uncle Loyal Godfrey, and the fact that Manliff named his only child Samuel gives credence to his father being a Samuel Godfrey.

FTDNATiPT Report
Family Tree DNA Time Predictor*
Version 1.2 - Patent Pending

In comparing 67 markers, the probability that Marvin R. Godfrey and Bryan S. Godfrey shared a common ancestor within the last...
generation is 4.83%
2 generations is 15.96%
3 generations is 30.39%
4 generations is 45.16%
5 generations is 58.46%
6 generations is 69.5%
7 generations is 78.16%
8 generations is 84.68%
9 generations is 89.43%
10 generations is 92.81%
11 generations is 95.17%
12 generations is 96.79%
13 generations is 97.89%
14 generations is 98.62%
15 generations is 99.1%
16 generations is 99.42%
17 generations is 99.63%
18 generations is 99.76%
19 generations is 99.85%
20 generations is 99.91%

Refine your results with paper trail input

The numbers below represent how the probabilities have changed after adding your genealogical information into the FTDNATiP calculations.
Knowing that Marvin R. Godfrey and Bryan S. Godfrey could not have had a common ancestor in the last 6 generations, their 67 marker comparison shows that the probability that they shared a common ancestor within the last...
7 generations is 26.57%
8 generations is 47.42%
9 generations is 63.1%
10 generations is 74.55%
11 generations is 82.69%
12 generations is 88.38%
13 generations is 92.27%
14 generations is 94.91%
15 generations is 96.68%
16 generations is 97.84%
17 generations is 98.61%
18 generations is 99.11%
19 generations is 99.43%
20 generations is 99.64%

More About Councillor Francis Godfrey:
Appointed/Elected: Bet. 1669 - 1670, Member of the Governor's Council-Deputy to Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton.
Baptism: 09 Aug 1613, It is not proven he is the same Francis Godfrey baptized at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, on this date, son of Joseph Godfrey and Catherine Willoughby, but circ*mstantial evidence makes it likely or, if not, that the 2 Francis Godfreys were closely related.
College: One source suggests he may be the same Francis Godfrey who graduated at Cambridge in England in 1629. If Francis of North Carolina were really born about 1613, it is possible it is the same one, especially since his mother's family were from Suffolk.
Comment 1: His family is said to be the oldest continually resident family in Perquimans Co
Comment 2: Because both had connections with Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton, it is probable that Francis was a brother of Col. John Godfrey, early settler of Charleston, SC. John was a Deputy too.
Comment 3: Because his origins and parents are not proven, question marks are shown beside all Godfreys preceding him or presumed to be his relatives. The royal and noble ancestry shown for his likely mother, Catherine Willoughby, is fairly well-documented.
Comment 4: Catherine Willoughby and Joseph Godfrey had sons named Francis and John, and her ancestry has been well-documented back to nobility and royalty on several sides, but it is not proven they were the same Francis and John Godfreys of Barbados & the Carolinas.
Comment 5: Circ*mstantial evidence indicates he possibly could be the same Francis Godfrey born in 1613, son of Joseph and Catherine Willoughby Godfrey of Thonock, Lincolnshire, England, who also had a son John. However, he would have had his children later in life.
Comment 6: In 1665 a Mr. John Godfrey agreed to settle in Carolina, and on 20 Jan 1669 Sir Peter Colleton sent him to Albemarle as his Deputy according to "North Carolina Colonial Records." It is suggested this John Godfrey was a brother of Francis Godfrey.
Comment 7: It is not proven that Joseph and Catherine Willoughby Godfrey's son Francis, born 9 Aug 1613, is identical with Francis Godfrey who settled in Barbados and North Carolina, but circ*mstantial evidence makes it likely, or if not, that they were close kin.
Comment 8: Most Godfreys in the Albemarle region of North Carolina probably descend from Francis, but there was a John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk Co., VA in 1635 who had sons named John, Warren, and Matthew who may be ancestors of some Godfreys in the area.
Comment 9: Originally the part of North Carolina where he settled was Albemarle Precinct or Albemarle County. That part of Albemarle became Perquimans County, and Pasquotank County and Camden County were also carved from Albemarle.
Comment 10: Probably not related to John Godfrey family of Norfolk Co., VA as YDNA of their descendants does not match; those Godfreys probably came from Huntingdonshire, England. Was almost certainly closely related to Col. John Godfrey of Barbados and Charleston, SC
Immigration: Bet. 1666 - 1668, Left Barbados and settled in present-day Perquimans Co., NC, then Albemarle County.
Occupation: Planter
Personality/Intrst: Politically active; also was a factor for John Swinstead of Barbados.
Probate: 05 Nov 1675, Albemarle Precinct, North Carolina (present-day Perquimans County).
Residence: Probably came from Thorock/Thonock, Lincolnshire, England; settled island of Barbados in the West Indies bef 1657; settled present-day Perquimans Co., NC abt 1667, where he owned 1000 acres on Deep Creek on the south side of Little River in Durants Neck.
Will: 20 Oct 1675, Albemarle Precinct, North Carolina (present-day Perquimans County).

More About Joan ?:
Comment: She may have been a Ball or connected with the James and John Ball family of Barbados. There was a Joan in their family.
Event 1: 02 Nov 1676, Following Francis Godfrey's death, Joane married William Therrill of Berkeley Precinct (later Perquimans Precinct). She died shortly thereafter, and on 12 Jul 1677, William Therrill and Mrs. Ann Cooke were married.
Event 2: After her death, her second husband, William Therrill was granted administration of the estate of her first husband, Francis Godfrey, on 20 Mar 1680 by the General Court for Albemarle County. Therrill was appointed guardian for stepson John Godfrey.

Children of Francis Godfrey and Joan ? are:
i. Frances Godfrey, married Thomas Hawkins.
128 ii. William Godfrey, born Abt. 1655 in Barbados, West Indies; died Abt. 1726 in Perquimans Co., NC; married ?Jane Barrow?.
iii. John Godfrey, born 17 Aug 1665 in Barbados, West Indies or Perquimans Co., NC; died 1697 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Elizabeth Abington 19 Feb 1685 in present-day Perquimans Co., NC.

More About John Godfrey:
Comment 1: No sons
Comment 2: Because Joseph Godfrey of Lincolnshire, who had a son named Francis, had a brother named Edward Godfrey, the mention of an Edw. Godfrey in John's patent is more evidence of the Perquimans Godfreys being of the Lincolnshire Godfrey family.
Event: 1694, Patent was granted to John Godfrey for 310 acres for importing Ffrances Godfrey, Wm. Godfrey, Edw. Godfrey, Thomas Roberts, Hannah Sheephooke, Eliz. a servant, and 10 ..(?). Edward's kinship is unknown.

290. Gilbert Goodale?, born in Maryland?; died in Perquimans Co., NC.

Child of Gilbert Goodale? is:
145 i. ? Goodale?, married William Colson.

296. Abraham Moulin (Mullen) He married 297. Madeline Chupret (Chypre).
297. Madeline Chupret (Chypre)

Child of Abraham (Mullen) and Madeline (Chypre) is:
148 i. Abraham Moulin/Mullen, born Abt. 1678 in Paris, France?; died Aft. 1743 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Rachel Broret 27 Dec 1699 in L'Eglise Des Grecs, London, England.

304. William Turner, died Abt. 1696 in Little River area of Perquimans Co., NC. He married 305. Katherine ?.
305. Katherine ?

Notes for William Turner:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=gwenbj&id=I2023661

Weynette Parks Haun, Old Albemarle County North Carolina, Perquimans
Precinct, Births, Marriages, Deaths & Flesh Marks 1659 thru 1820,
(Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1980) transcribed from Microfilm
C.077.60001, NC Archives, Raleigh, NC. p. 61
===
William TURNER of Littel River & Kathern KINSE took Each other for Man
& Wife at a meting At Ffrances TOMES ye 5 day of Mar__ Anno 1693.
===
Weynette Parks Haun, Old Albemarle County North Carolina Book of Land
Warrants and Surveys 1681-1706, (Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun,
1984), p. 58, 75, 1694 CERTIFICATES
This may certify all whom it may concerne yt. Willm. TURNER has proved
Seven Rights whose names are upon Record and are hereunder written
Namely Wm. TURNER, Ruth TURNER, Katherine TURNER, Ruth WATKINS, Henry
PLATT two rights & John LAWRENCE. Certifyed ye 20th. of Aprl. Ano Dm.
1694. P: Edw. MAYO Clrk. Pascot. A Wart. given.
===
Weynette Parks Haun, Perquimans County North Carolina Deed Abstracts
1681 thru 1729 Book I, (Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1983) p. 15.
===
No. 75. Albemarle County in the Province of Carolina
6th of the 2 month 1694. William TURNER of Little River, to my Son in
Law John KINSE all the right title or Interest of the two thirds part
of that Plantation which did belong to my Predesessor John KINSE lying
& being on the North East side of Perquimans River, that is to say
also to have two thirds of the Orchard when the sd John KINSE shall
come to age & after the Decease of my wife Catharine TURNER, I do give
unto my Son in Law John KINSE the whole Plantation of 150 acres ...
Signed: William (H) TURNER
Test: Francis TOMS, Joseph (N) NICHOLSON
===
No. 76
6th of the 2 month 1693/4. William TURNER, of Little River, do bind
myself etc. to pay or couse to be paid unto my son in law John KINSE
the son of my wif eCatharine as being a just Debt due unto him from
me, the som of twenty pounds Sterling to be paid in good Pork when the
afsd John KINSE shall be at the full age of one & twent years ...
Signed: William (H) TURNER
Test: Francis TOMS, Joseph (N) NICHOLSON
Ack: 9 Apr 1694. Test: pr. John STEPNEY, Clerk.
===
J. Bryan Grimes, Abstract of North Carolina Wills Compiled from
Original and Recorded Wills in the Office of the Secretary of State,
(Raleigh, N. C.: E. M. Uzzell & Co., State Printers and Binders,
1910), 383
===
TURNER, WILLIAM Albemarle County
28 Apr 1696. 27 Jul 1698. Little River. Sons: William and John
(plantation to each). Dau: Sarah TURNER. Wife and Exex: Katherine.
Wit: Richard PLATER, Hugh CAMPBELL, Henry PALIN, Thomas SIMMONS.
Clerk to Council: W. Glover.
===
28 Oct 1696. No probate. Little River. Sons: William (orchard on
Little Creek) John (plantation bought of Patrick BALEY). Dau: Sarah
TURNER. Exors: Matthew KELLY and James DAVIS. Wit: Richard PLATOR,
Hugh CAMBELL, Henry PALIN, Thomas SIMONS. This is a copy made by J.
KNIGHT.
===
Gwen Boyer Bjorkman, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Record of
Deeds, 1700-1751 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1990) pp. 56-57
A:148
Jno. KINSEY of North Carolina and County of Albemarle do Aquit &
discharge Thos. STAFFORD of ye. Same County aforesaid agst. any bond
that was passed formerly passed to pay ye. sd. Jno KINSEY be it in
what form or manner. And I do acquit & discharge ye. sd. STAFFORD of
all my fathers Estate that I was to possess from my father Wm. TURNER
Senr. or Junr. or any of their Children, that the bill or bond Shall
be of no effect or force agst. any of his Children or his heirs as
being paid ... 25 Dec. 1714. Signed: John CK KINSEY. Wit: Richd
RATCLIFE, Jos. NEWBY, Jno. KC KINSEY. Regt: 26 Aug. 1716. (No
Probate)
===
[A:149] August 28th. 1713. Received of Thomas STAFFORD in full of my
proper Estate which was my fathers Estate as witness my hand Signed:
John TURNER. Wit: Robt. LOWRY, James X DAVIS, David JACKSON, John
WHITE. Regt: 26 Aug. 1716.
John TURNER, Wm. TURNER, Edwd. Turner Orphans.
August 28 1816. Received of Tho. STAFFORD in full of all Debts dues &
demands of their proper Estate before Mr. Robt. LOWRY, Mr James DAVIS
Mr David JACKSON & mr. John WHITE as Witnesses thereunto. Signed:
Robt LOWRY, James DAVIS, David JACKSON, John WHITE. Regt: 26 Aug.
1716.

*********************************************************************************
Records of early Turners in Perquimans Co., NC:

http://newsarch.rootsweb.com/th/read/FIVEASH/2000-01/0947785067

From: nparr
Subject: [FIVEASH] Will of Jane Turner Fiveash's Father
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2000 12:37:47 -0500

Hello All,
Some time ago, Nancy Jones sent a message asking if any of us had a
copy fo the above mentioned Will. I forwarded her message on to Cliff
Fiveash because I felt that he either had a copy of it or had seen one.
I received an email from Cliff last night and he included the
information on said Will. I am cutting and pasting parts of his message
below. It also includes other Turner information which I am including.
Maybe this will help some of us :-)
Regards,
Nancy E Parr
======================
exercpts for Cliff Fiveash on 01-12-2000:

"I got the following from: Deana Costner in Nov,
1998." (she is on the Turner mailing list..NP)

1793 Joshua Turner sold land to Joshua Turner, son of John Turner

1719 Richard Turner left will naming Bridget and son-in-law Wm
Bastable,
g.d. Hannah Bastable, gson Samuel Newby and Daughter Elizabeth newby.

1774 Abraham Turner in will index names spouse as Miriam and children
as
Benj. Exekiel, Miles, Ann, Margaret, William, Millen, Miriam

1800 Abraham Turner will mentions sister Elizabeth Peters, Nieces Polly
and Elizabeth Hudson, Polly Tildy Halsey. Nephew Abrahm Halsey.
Brothers
John, Thomas exe. of will and Elisha Twine, Jesse Winslow exe. Sisters
Esther Winslow and Mourning Riddick.

1788 Arthur Turner purchasing land

1782 Benjamin Turner selling land. Relationship shown is grandfather
is
William Turner, father is Abraham, brother is Ezekiel, both Ezekiel and
Benj. sell land to Whidbee.

1840 Charles Turner in will index show heirs Hawkins and Comfort. Hard
to
see relationship in index, write for will if you think it is your
family.
They may be his siblings, not children. I put down as children,
however.

1805 Comfort Turner will, mother is Martha Turner as exe. father
Joseph
as desc. Witnessed by Richard Turner and james Whedbee.

1737 Edward Turner wife was Ann and their child was Joseph. Found in
early records of NC Joseph was born this year.

1757 Edward - not sure what this information means - 1757 son Joseph,
John
Turner John Whidbee (son-in-law???) 1760 Edward Jr., 1766 Dempsey,
1772
not sure if son Richard. All these names were found in land records
indicating they are the children of Edward and Agnes - giving land to
them
through out a period. Check this crazy record - sounds like several
together. I was making hand notes and weeks later entered them into
data
base.

1827 Elsberry Turner in will names wife Mary and heirs as son Asbury
G.,
Mary Jackson, Susanne Brothers, Fanney White, One girl name unreadable,
son
Nathan. Witness was Hawkins Turner and nathan Maudlin. Look above at
1840
entry. Wonder if Hawkins the same man???

1782 Ezekiel Turner sold land to G. Whidbee same time as his brother
Benj.
did. they are the sons of Abraham and gson of William.

1792 George Turner - wife Ann, father is Dempsey Turner Sr, brother is
Demsey, Jr. Look at 1757 entry above (Edward and Agnes may be his
gparents) selling land. also found record in 11796 that George sells
land.

1815 Harrison Turner will. Names brothers James and Richard Turner,
mother is Martha. cousin is robertson Fisher. Witness John Miller and
Ellsberry Turner

1815 Hawkins Turner selling land with wife Nancy to Noles.

1799 Henry Turner selling land to Shedbee. Witnesses are Miles and
Rachel
Turner and Nathan and Martha Turner.

1796 Joseph Turner in land record gives his gson Noah Fiveash land.
Noah
is the son of Jane Turner Fiveash and husband, JOhn Fiveash. fiveash
name
is also found in Isle of Wight.

1770 John Turner in will index names wife Sarah, and children Joshua,
Timothy, Dorcas, Sarah, John.

1776 John Turner selling land with wife Mary. Also land records in
1780,
1781, 1785.

1762 Joseph Turner gets gift of land from Abraham Riggs which was left
him
by his late uncle Abraham Riggs.

1766 Joseph Turner and his spouse Jane Mullen Riggs, widow of Abraham
gets
1/6 the estate of Abraham Mullen. they purchase the rest of the estate
from her sisters - Mary and Gideon Moudlin, Deborah and Chris Towe,
William and Miriam Colson, William and Betty Bateman, Tamer and Jeremiah
Caruthers.

1793 Joseph Turner gives land to son Elsbury Turner

1793 Joseph Turner purchasing record of land with spouse Ann

1795 Joseph Turner and wife Joanne gives land to son Thomas Turner

1796 Joseph Turner and wife Ann sell land in tyrell Co NC to Joseph
Pledger on Alligator Creek and Leonard Creek.

1796 Joseph and wife Ann sell more land

1766 Joseph the elder gets land from William and Miriam Colson, Jane
Turner's sister.

1792 Joseph, jr. mentioned in land record. My notes show Martha Turner
mentioned before Joseph. Joseph is son of Edward. Is Martha wife or
sister??? selling land to Whidbee. Not clear on these notes. Sorry.
Hard
to imagine how quickly we were writing standing up and then getting home
and wondering what I wrote. Their land records are wonderful to show
relationships.

1786 Joseph, sr. sells land from father Edward desc. to son Joseph, jr.

1729 Joshua Turner is purchasing land also in 1734

1741 Joshua Turner with wife Mary is selling land

1790 Joshua Turner selling land

1792 Joshua Turner, son of John, selling to Joseph, son of Edward
Turner

1796 Joshua sr in will index - only name mentioned is Mary Turner -
probably his spouse.

1818 Martha Turner in will names children - John Stevenson, Mary
Stevenson
(maybe children by another marriage or gchildren or a husband and wife)
gd.
Martha Godfrey, the 4 children (no names) heirs of Sarah Turner,
Elizabeth
Davis, Mary Stevens, George Turner

1819 Martha Turner will mentions gd. Patsey Fisher and Elizabeth Foster
d.
of Joshua, sons James and Richard. exe. Witness are Martha Sumner and
James Whedbee.

1791 Miles Turner selling land.

1788 Miriam, wife of John Turner, widow of John Colson is selling land.
both men may be dead - maybe twice a widow.

1816 Myles Turner will, names wife Martha and children William, Edmond,
James, Myles, Alexander, George, Mary Stephenson. Gd. Nancy and Martha.
Witnesses are John Stephens and Mary Stevenson. Note all three
spellings
of Stephens name.

1849 Nathan Turner will index mentions the following names: Catherine,
Stacy, Elizabeth, Henry,(all Turners), Joseph Godfrey, Martha L. and
Nathan
G. Turner, Martha N. and Ambrose Turner.

1815 Rachel Turner gets property from father's estate, John Smith. Her
siblings are Caleb Smith, James Smith and Mary Small.

1721 Richard Turner is son in law of William Bastable - I've typed that
name in this document. check above for relationships

1833 Richard Turner in will names wife Elizabeth and sons Jospeh,
Richard,
angeline, John, Asher, Havell, fanny, Mary, Eliz. Witnesses are James
and
George Whidbee

1827 Sarah Turner, sr. in will mentions son Thomas Mullen, Daughter
Patsey Mullen, gd Sarah Mullen Turner, son-in-law Joseph Turner.
Witnesses were Ellliany and James Sawyer. In my notes, I write Not sure
she knew relationships. wording must have been strange.

1816 Thomas Turner, will index mentions daughters Priscilla Stallings,
timothy and Lavinia Peters, Sophia Stallings, sons William and Thomas.
Will probate was 1824.

1694 William Turner in property dealing shows married to Katherine Kinse, daughter of John Kinse who calls Wm son-in-law.

Child of William Turner and Katherine ? is:
152 i. William Turner, Jr., died Abt. 1709 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ann ?.

320. John Sawyer?, born Abt. 1650; died Abt. 20 Dec 1713 in Albemarle Co., NC (present-day Pasquotank Co. or Camden Co., NC). He was the son of 640. ? Sawyer.

Notes for John Sawyer?:
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.sawyer/1821.1.1.1.1.2.1.1/mb.ashx

Jean, here's a recap of my proofs on Thomas1 and Richard Sawyer and Thomas2.

Keziah, wife of Thomas2, and daughter-in-law of Richard Sawyer, did NOT have a last name of Cozier, or Dozier, or anything remotely like it. I inadvertently started this rumor/error when my notes listed a Keziah/"Cozier" as being Thomas2's wife. I got the spelling variation from land transactions. I've explained untold times that "Cozier" was a variation in spelling of her first name Keziah, not her last name. But once something gets out there, you know how it is, it seems impossible to correct. Please see my proof listings below, especially proof 60 which clears up the issue of her name once and for all. Her last name has never been identified by me or anyone else, as far as I'm aware but I am 100% certain it wasn't Cozier. No one ever mentioned it until I put it on my old records.

Thomas1 Sawyer is proven to be the son of John Sawyer.
Richard Sawyer is proven to be the son of Thomas1 Sawyer and to be the father of Thomas2 Sawyer. The numbered proofs below correspond to my proof books and I have copies of most of these items or a reference to where the items can be found in public records.

I'm descended from two of Thomas2 and Keziah's sons, Ephriam and Joab D Sawyer. I can prove Ephriam was Thomas2 son and can prove Joab was also the son of Thomas2 by a land deed where Ephraim called Joab his brother and where Ephriam stated he was giving Joab land left to Ephriam by their father, Thomas Sawyer.
-----------------------

Thomas Sawyer, son of John info/proof summary:
John Sawyer was probably the original immigrant of this line of the Sawyer family. There are two early references to a John Sawyer in history books. One is from Virginia dated Apr 1679; the other from North Carolina dated 1680. Both of these were headrights in which a person was brought to this country by another man. One of these is our John Sawyer but which one may never be known. The likeliest is the Virginia man simply because all the Sawyers in the northern area of North Carolina appear to have moved from Virginia. However the first real evidence of our John Sawyer is a will dated 22 Dec 1713 from Albemarle County, North Carolina. Albemarle County originally included about 10 of the early northeastern North Carolina Counties. This will lists his sons and his wife and executrix, Jean. Each of the sons were given a plantation in the will so there must originally have been land records for John but these have not been located. A grandson, Charles Grandy is listed in the will also.It has been speculated that Jean's surname was Reading because a Timothy Reading was a witness to John Sawyer's will. This is just speculation and there has been no proof found

Thomas Sawyer, son of John and Jean, made a will dated Mar 1720 probated 19 Jul 1720. Richard the fourth son was left 100 acres. The other sons fared much better inheriting the vast estate left by Thomas. Thomas is listed in "The North Carolina Historical and Genealaogyical Register" Jan, 1900 p 76.

Caleb's grandson entertained President Monroe during the President's inspection tour of the Dismal Swamp Canal. This entertainment was said to have been held in "the palatial plantation home" of Caleb's grandson

Pasquotank County, North Carolina was formed in 1670 from the much larger county of Albemarle. In Thomas' will he begins by saying "In the name of God amen I Thomas Sawyer, Sen of Pasquotank in North Carolina in Albemarle County make this my last will..."

Letter from National Society of Daughters of the American Revoluntion dated 24 Jun 1982 accepting Thomas Sawyer's Revolutionary War service on author's application makes all descendents of this couple eligible for membership in DAR and SAR.

Deed proof 150 is witnessed by John Sawyer (his strange mark used). Believe this John Sawyer is the brother of Thomas Sawyer, and the son of John Sawyer original immigrant

NOTE: Mary Jennings is NOT PROVEN to be Thomas' wife. Speculation and conjecture only

55 "Virginia Cavalry & Pioneers", Vol II, p 196 - Lists a John Sawyer who was a headright for Edmund Belson and Robert Montgomery in Nansemond County, Virginia 1679

56 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol II, p 300 - Lists a John Sawyer who was a headright for Richard Jones in Carteret County, North Carolina 1680

57 "Abstracts of North Carolina Wills" by Grimes, p 328 - Will John Sawyer, lists sons Thomas, John, Robert, Solomon, Grandson Charles Grandy, wife and Executrix, Jean (Joanne)

58 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol I, p 76 - Will Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, dated 19 Jul 1720 lists sons Caleb, Stephen, Thomas, and Richard, daughters Mary, Ann, Hannah Sawyer and Dancy McDowell and wife (no name given)

150 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deed Book A, p 238-239 dated 1 Jan 1720 - Gives the name of Mary Sawyer and her relationship (wife) to Thomas Sawyer and gives date of Thomas Sawyer's original patent

176 General information on North Carolina Counties

199 National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution on Service of Thomas Sawyer - Peggy Jean (Zube) Thomas membership

338 Letter from Faye and Bill Ligon, 821 N. Foch St, Truth or Consequences, N.M. 87901 - Miscellaneous Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church records of Davies and Eaves families of Chester County, S.C.
------------------------------------------------

Richard Sawyer, son of Thomas1 Sawyer info/proof summary:

Note that Alice Doaks "Marks for Cattle" proof also proves both Thomas and Caleb were sons of Richard Sawyer.

Richard, son of Thomas Sawyer resided in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. He was the owner of large tracts of land and had extensive dealings in land. These deeds are on file in Paquotank County, North Carolina. It is these deeds that prove Thomas was the son of Richard. In all the deeds in which Thomas is mentioned , he is listed as "the son of Richard Sawyer". In several of these deeds both Thomas' wife Keziah and Richard's wife Ann are mentioned. These are the only surviving links author has been able to find as no will has been located for Richard and it is believed to have been destroyed in the early courthouse fires

58 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol I, p 76 - Will Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, dated 19 Jul 1720 lists sons Caleb, Stephen, Thomas, and Richard, daughters Mary, Ann, Hannah Sawyer and Dancy McDowell and wife (no name given)

59 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book F & G, p 290 - Deed signed by Richard Sawyer and wife Ann, dated 25 Apr 1757

60 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book D & E, p 109 - Deed from Thomas Sawyer which reads in part "…that I Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer with Cozier my wife in the County of Pasquotank…" dated 31 Dec 1761

61 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deed dated 18 Aug 1758 - Deed signed by Thomas Sawyer and Keziah Sawyer, wife which reads in part "…betwixt Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer, farmer, of one part…"

177 County Map of Virginia

192 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed, Book F & G, p 432 dated 26 Feb 1760 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer sale of land called "Dogwood Ridge" to his father Richard Sawyer. Land on Northeast side of Pasquotank River

193 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed dated 17 Aug 1758 - Purchase of "Dogwood Ridge" land by Thomas Sawyer from Solomon Sawyer. Gives Thomas' relationship with Richard (See Proof 192)

197 Tyrrell County, North Carolina will dated Jan 1800 - Will of Jonathan Sawyer which mentions 55 acres of land on "Dogwood Ridge" (See proofs 192 and 193)

-------------------
Jonathan Sawyer, I believe oldest son of Richard circ*mstantial proofs:

CAUTION: Author believes Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard but only circ*mstantial evidence to prove it:

Proof 193 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer buy 50 acres more or less on "Dogwood Ridge" and deed says this Thomas is son of Richard

Proof 192 - Thomas and Keziah sell the "Dogwood Ridge" property to Richard

Proof 197 - Jonathan Sawyer's will in Tyrrell County, North Carolina leaves 55 acres to his oldest son, T. Robert Sawyer (and since Tyrrell County is where Thomas died, all these facts seem to prove that Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard.

Hope this helps a little. Regards, Peggy

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

An Analysis of Early Sawyer Records in Virginia and North Carolina

Clay Peterson June 1, 2017

Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])

This email is kind of long, but I wanted to be thorough. Take your time to read and digest it and get back to me about it.

I have been double checking the records for John Sawyer. Unfortunately I could not find a digital copy of Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume II, which contains the first entry for John Sawyer from 30 April 1679 in Nansemond County, Virginia. So, I will have to include just a basic summary.

"Edmund Belson & Robert Mountgumery in behalfe of themselves & diverse inhabitants resideing from Cowards Creeke downwards to sd Belson's and from Belson's to Robert Peel's by the Mill at the head of Mr Bennett's Cr. 850a of swamp land in Nanzemond Co by or near the boundarye of sd Inhabitants. Beg at corner of Parish land N to Wm Staples, by Wm Carter, by the Widdow Smith by Capt Jeffrys fence. 30 Apr 1679 p678." This passage then goes on to explain that Montgomery and Belson obtained this patent via transporting seventeen persons, including John Sawyer.

From Hathaway's North Carolina historical and genealogical register, Volume II (page 300):
"At a Court held for ye precinct of Cartaret July ye 15, 1680, the following persons proved their rights, viz:
Richard Jones for freedom rights; Richard Jones, wife Mary and Wm. Jones, Edward German himself a freedom right, Jno. Sawyer two freedom and one transportation right, Mary his wife, Mary Sawyer transported Servt."

It is important to note here that Cartaret was not in the location of present day Carteret County, but that at that time it was another name for Currituck County.

My question for this entry is what do they mean by freedom rights? Were they related to indentured servitude? I've been researching freedom rights, but I haven't found an explanation as to what exactly they were yet. If it's what I think it is, it's the freedom to apply for a headright after previously having been an indentured servant. So in this case, John Sawyer was able to apply for two headrights. Only people who had already been living in the Colonies for awhile were eligible for two headrights. New settlers were only entitled to one headright. So he most likely wasn't a new settler at this point. His wife Mary was a third headright via transportation.

From what I can gather from these two records, it seems like the two John Sawyers are the same person, but that it was probably the younger John Sawyer in these records and not the older one. John Sawyer was transported from England to Nansemond, Virginia via Edmund Belson and Robert Montgomery in exchange for taking out head rights on Mr. Sawyer on 30 April 1679. John Sawyer then likely worked as an indentured servant for one or both of these two men for a little over a year until he was eligible for two headrights of his own. He then requested his wife to join him from England on 15 Jul 1680. This process was actually fairly typical of settlers of that time. The journey across the Atlantic was especially rough on women. Men would usually travel ahead of the family, become established, and then send home for their wife and children to sail to America. This seems to be exactly what happened.

There is a book called The Bristol Registers of Servants Sent to Foreign Plantations (1654-1686). It is available on Ancestry but only for those who have signed up for the international research bundle. Money's a little tight for me this summer, so I can't shell out for it right now. But I noticed it contains an index entry for a John Sawyer who was contracted out to work as an indentured servant in Virginia for four years.

I've come to the conclusion that John Sawyer Sr. never really existed. He was a figment of various researchers (myself included) misinterpreting the records. We actually have no idea who the father was of the first four Sawyers (John, Thomas, Robert, and Henry). The document that debunks this notion is the court case of 1695 when John Sawyer gives his age as being 32 years old when retelling the story of the accidental shooting. That would mean he was born in 1663 and that he was about sixteen years old when he came to Nansemond, Virginia in April 1679. This fits with the within the average age range of indentured servants traveling to the Colonies at that time. I had an ancestor who was only twelve when he sold himself into indentured servitude and sailed for Maryland in 1715. This John Sawyer must have been newly married when he left England because he never sent home for any of his other children. These factors suggest that the 1679, 1680, and 1695 records for John Sawyer were for the same person, and that this person was not the father of the four Sawyer brothers. This also suggests that John Sawyer was married twice, first to a Mary, and then to Jean Reading. The other factor that supports this theory, and correct me if I'm wrong, but there just doesn't seem to be enough deeds or other records In Pasquotank to suggest that there was more than one John Sawyer active before 1700 in Albemarle Sound.

We know that John Sawyer and Robert Sawyer were brothers thanks to a land survey from 30 Oct 1695 which mentions the transport of Robert Sawyer, Francis Sawyer (Robert's wife), and Mary Sawyer. Mary Sawyer's identity is not known, but I suspect that she was an eldest child of Robert and Francis Sawyer. We also know that Robert was a brother of Henry Sawyer thanks to Henry Sawyer's will from 24 June 1728. Thomas is the odd one out of the four brothers, but we can assume he was also their brother based on where he lived and the circ*mstantial connections to the other three Sawyer brothers. I will have to re-examine the Sawyer deeds from before 1720 to build a stronger case for Thomas Sawyer's relation to these other Sawyers. It is very likely that Thomas Sawyer was the oldest brother of the four and that he was one of several Thomas Sawyers who moved to Virginia between 1650 and 1674. On the flip side, it is also possible that Thomas and Henry Sawyer were younger brothers and they had a different mother than John or Robert Sawyer. There is also the question of when/if Henry Sawyer immigrated to America. A more careful check of the immigration records will be necessary.

Either all the Sawyer brothers emigrated over from England and had no father who lived in North Carolina or Virginia at the time or the situation is a much more complex one. Given the court case of 1713, I lean toward the more complex explanation, which is that their father had more than one wife, one who died in England (mother of Robert and John) and one who gave birth to Thomas and Henry on American soil. Researchers often forget too that wealthier families during that time period often traveled back and forth between the New World and England, especially if they were merchants or sailors. It was also fashionable during that time period to take your Native wife back to England to live with you (Pocahontas being a good case in point). Instead of ruling anything out, this latest scenario just leaves even more questions to be asked.

Unfortunately, there are no deeds, only grants and headrights, from Pasquotank before 1700, and there are few surviving records at all from Nansemond, Virginia.

At this point, there is a rather strong possibility that the Sawyer brothers had relatives who lived among the Tuscarora Indians, and this would explain the court case of 1713, where the Sawyers refused to fight in the Tuscarora Indian war. The Sawyer name among the Tuscarora predates the The Tuscarora War of 1712-1713, and it is one of the most common names today among the surviving tribal members both in New York and in North Carolina. I am currently talking to several different researchers about this lineage and have requested a rare book about the Tuscarora called Onkwehonweh-the first people-Tuscarora by Marilyn Mejorado Livingston, who used to run a museum dedicated to the Tuscarora in Bertie County, NC before it was destroyed by flooding from Hurricane Floyd. She has several documents related to early Tuscaroran families, including the Sawyers. It will take quite a lot of time to find any connections from that far back, if there are any, but I'm working on it.

The Sawyers who ended up among the Tuscarora may have originally been Meherrin or Nottoway that were later absorbed into the Tuscarora. The Meherrin and Nottaway were also Iroquoian like the Tuscarora and spoke roughly the same language. If these Sawyers were Meherrin originally, it would make more sense because according to a North Carolina Governor's Council 17 June 1707 [Colonial Records of North Carolina, Volume II, p. 657], the Yeopim Indians appointed the Meherrin to be wards of the Chowan Indians and their land on the southside of the Meherrin River before European settlers entered the area. The Yeopim spoke the same language (Algonquin) as the Chowan, so the two were allies, as were the Meherrin by association. The Chowan were of a completely different tribe and language than the Meherrin (Iroquoian), but the two tribes were peaceful with each other and often intermarried. This could be compared to marriages between the Creeks and Cherokees, which were just as different as the Chowan and Meherrin in terms of culture, heritage, and language, and yet intermarriages happened quite often in their histories. According to records from 1774, most of the surviving Yeopim in Camden and Currituck Counties went north to live with Tuscarora in New York, as did some of the Nottaway, Meherrin, and Chowan who had otherwise assimilated into the Tuscarora.

The Tuscaroras are also a tribe that is at the center of the Lost Colonists debate because French Huguenots in the late 1600s described some of them as having blonde hair and blue eyes. They had apparently been mixing with Europeans since contact was first established in the 1500s. One scenario I have considered is that the father or grandfather of the four Sawyer brothers was taken captive by the Tuscaroras, forcing him to abandon his family in England before he could send for them to come to America. It's also possible that he was an Indian trader and had more than one wife, which was very common among Indian traders of the time. Often, Indian traders would have two or three Indian wives and then one European wife back in England. Whatever the case, over the course of time, this Sawyer would have eventually become a part of the tribe and most likely would have had children with a Tuscarora woman. This sort of thing happened a lot more often than most people think. Sometimes these children later became re-integrated into colonial society without hardly anyone knowing of their Native ancestry. This situation happened with some of my ancestors among the Creek Indians. It would explain how Thomas Sawyer and Henry Sawyer magically show up later in the records of Pasquotank without any immigration records, unlike John Sawyer and Robert Sawyer, and yet all of them are considered to be brothers.

Let me know what you think.

Children of John Sawyer? are:
160 i. Capt. Thomas Sawyer, born in England?; died Abt. 1720 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC.
ii. Robert Sawyer, died Abt. 1735 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC; married Frances ??.

More About Robert Sawyer:
Will: Apr 1735, Pasquotank Co., NC

iii. Solomon Sawyer
iv. John Sawyer, Jr., died Abt. 1743.
v. ? Sawyer, born Abt. 1695; married Thomas Grandy; born Abt. 1695.

324. Alexander Spence, born 13 Sep 1669 in Wicomico, Somerset Co., MD; died 02 Aug 1734 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 648. David Spence and 649. Ann Roe. He married 325. Dorothy Truman.
325. Dorothy Truman, born Abt. 1672; died Abt. 1734. She was the daughter of 650. John Trewman/Truman.

Notes for Alexander Spence:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nccamden/charts/alexanderspence.htm

ALEXANDER SPENCE: A PASQUOTANK PIONEER

Submitted by Janie Spence Keenum

Alexander Spence was the second son of Maryland settler David Spence (c1639-1679), whose Somerset County patent was named "Despence". The family was Scots, believed to have descended from a family long associated with the area around Edinburgh, Scotland.

David and his wife, Anne, had five children: David Jr., Alexander, John, James, and Anne. At David's death in 1679, they were 13, 10, 7, 5, and 2, respectively. Nothing is known of their childhood, but surviving records indicate that none of David's sons remained in Maryland once they reached adulthood.

His eldest son, David Jr. (1666-1725/26), seems to have made an exploratory trip with his brothers to North Carolina, but from age 32 was firmly settled in the well-established Virginia colony, living out his life near Coan, in the Newman's Neck area of Northumberland County.

His three younger sons cast their fortunes with the newly established province of North Carolina, created in 1663 by Charles II to reward eight men who had helped him to regain the English throne.

This enormous expanse of land along the eastern seaboard, with its deeply indented bays and broad rivers, was initially named Albemarle County. Most of its settlers came from Virginia and South Carolina, rather than from overseas, and were generally yeoman farmers, although a land-owning aristocracy did arise with connections to the two older colonies. Land usage reflected a mixture of plantations and farms, which concentrated on tobacco cultivation but also produced a considerable quantity of naval stores and provisions.

North Carolina society was never as hom*ogeneous as that in Virginia and South Carolina. There was a wide range of religious groups, and many of the waves of colonists came from traditionally independent ethnic and national groups such as the highland Scots, the Scotch-Irish, and the protestant Germans. The state had no deep-water ports, Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds being shallow and Cape Fear River having a treacherous sandbar at its mouth. As a result, no central port city developed to draw the colony's citizens into close and regular contact and to make North Carolina easily accessible to its proprietors and to the Crown. This may explain how the colony came to have a reputation as a center of political discontent and to develop a tradition of opposition to authority that was described by Governor George Burrington in 1732 in the following manner.

"The inhabitants..are not Industrious but subtle and crafty to admiration, allways behaved insolently to their governours. Some they have Imprisoned, drove others out of the Country, at other times sett up two or three supported by Men under Arms...All the Governors that ever were in this Province" he observed, "lived in fear of the People...and Dreaded their Assemblys."

David's three younger sons lived out their lives in North Carolina and at least one (Alexander) seems to have played an active part in its civic and political life, perhaps being one of the "subtle and crafty" inhabitants whom Governor Burrington decried.

In 1670, four precincts had been carved from the great east coast forests of Albemarle County, among them Currituck, bordering the Atlantic; Pasquotank, next inland and stretching from the Virginia border south across the Albemarle Sound; Perquimans, moving further west; and Chowan, surrounding the western end of the wide but shallow Albemarle Sound. Settlements followed the rivers which drained the great swamps of the low-lying coast. There were creeks in abundance, and, moving inland along the sound's northern bank were the North, the Pasquotank, the Flatty, the Little, and the Perquimans Rivers. Each successive wave of settlers pushed further inland along the rivers, and by 1700 lands were being granted along the upper reaches of the Pasquotank in what would, in 1777, become Camden County, NC.

Adding to the difficulties of establishing homes and farms in what was, most likely, a swampy tangle of vegetation, there was constant military turmoil in NC in the first two decades of the 1700's, both internal and external. The presence of French and Spanish vessels off the coast from 1702 to 1713, and occasional incursions by their crews, made it necessary to organize and arm for defense.

In 1708-1711 came Cary's Rebellion, one of the many periods of resistance to royal or proprietorial govenment that characterizes NC history . The Tuscaroras massacred 130 settlers in surprise attacks in 1711, and no sooner had NC troops and their Indian allies supressed this uprising than the colony was called upon to come to the aid of South Carolina against the Yemassee Indians. In the following year, an epidemic of yellow fever claimed many victims.

In his 1902 "History of Albemarle County", J. R. B. Hathaway comments: "It is hard to realize the serious inconveniences, privations and hardships" of the early settlers of Carolina. "The country was sparsely settled, neighbors were frequently miles away. Without roads or public conveyances they were forced to make their journeys on foot or horseback along Indian paths or trails, with the savage and wild beast roaming at will the dense forests surrounding them on every side." Edenton, then known as the Port of Roanoke, was the sole "metropolis", and settlers having business there or were required to travel from sixty to seventy-five miles through the wilderness, and frequently to cross the Sound in small canoes. Communication was exceedingly difficult, as there were no mail routes and letters had to be entrusted to the vagaries of travellers. "Deeds were allowed to accumulate in a neighborhood until the number justified the appointment of some one person" who, armed with powers of attorney, would make the difficult journey to the "nearest place of Probate" to have them properly recorded (hence why we find the same witnesses and dates on many documents).

Money was scarce and rarely used, tobacco and pork being the common and legal tenders of the era.

Marriages were frequent and early. Both men and women married as soon as they were physically adult, often in their mid-teens. Divorce was unknown, but many early settlers married four or five times as illness and accident took their mates.

There were no institutions of learning and few churches (none prior to 1702; and only three as late as 1708). Children learned what their parents could teach them, which in many cases, did not include reading and writing.

After about 1718, NC gradually entered into a six-decade long period of prosperity that would not again be equalled until the advent of World War II. The Indian "menace" was eliminated, piracy surpressed, and government (which was in 1729 returned to the Crown) was more efficiently administered. As the result, population increased rapidly; agriculture and commerce were stimulated; and living standards rose considerably. Roads were laid out and more comfortable dwellings were erected. While the north side of the Pasquotank did not contain many individuals of great wealth, there were several whose possessions enabled them to live comfortably and leisurely and who were recognized as members of the planter class. Their plantations, or farms, contained from a few hundred acres upward, and these men were dominant factors in the economic as well as the social life of the area. Their chief interests were their households and friends and, in the words of Dr. John Brickell, who lived in Edenton in 1730 and who wrote The Natural History of North Carolina, "...you seldom hear them Repine at any Misfortunes in life, except the loss of Friends, there being plenty of Necessaries convenient for Life: Poverty being an entire Stranger here, and the Planters the most hospitable People that are to be met with...".

ALEXANDER SPENCE, second child and second son of David and Anne Spence, was born September 13, 1669 in Somerset Co., MD. He was only ten when his father died, and nothing is known of his education and upbringing. He may have spent some time in Northumberland Co., VA, but should not be confused with the Alexander Spence (possibly a cousin) of Westmoreland Co., VA, son of Patrick and Dorcas Youell Spence, who was a noted surveyor and attorney there in the late 1600's and early 1700's.

At his father's death in 1679 Alexander inherited 125 acres in Somerset County, MD, being half of the plantation called "Spence's Choice" David Sr. had patented March 17, 1673. On April 4, 1681, the 12-year-old Alexander, his older brother David, and his 4-year-old sister Anne, recorded livestock marks in Somerset County, indicating that some sort of farming operation was being continued by the widow and her children, but the records are silent for the next fifteen years.

In that time, Alexander presumably was educated, found a bride, and determined to try his luck in a newer province, for in October 1697, the 28-year-old Alexander was granted "rites" for the transport of his wife, "Dorety" (whose maiden name is believed to have been Trueman) and brothers, "John, Daved (David) and James" to Perquimans Precinct, Albemarle County, North Carolina.

Why did Alexander and his brothers leave Maryland? A close perusal of his father's will shows that while land was left to the two older boys (David and Alexander), and the main plantation (Despence) was left to the two younger boys(John and James), then ages 7 and 5, all the "goods, chattels & substance & all belonging thereto both without doores & within" were left to their mother, Anne. That is, the farms were left to the sons, but the means of farming were left to the mother, who apparently remained in control of the main plantation until her death in 1711.

Alexander's wife, Dorothy, is believed to have been the daughter of John Trueman, who was born ca 1620 in Gelding Parish, Nottingham, England and who emigrated to Maryland with his wife, Anne Storer, and brothers John, James, and Thomas. A controversy regarding this last brother, Major Thomas Trueman, who was impeached, fined and imprisioned for murdering five Indian chiefs in 1675 may have led to John's relocation from St. Mary's, Calvert Co., MD to the Eastern Shore of VA sometime after that date. John had three daughters: Dorothy, Elizabeth, and Catherine, and, upon his death in 1686, assigned them to the guardianship of Richard Stevens, John Booth, and James Daishell, respectively. Note that Daishell was a neighbor and family connection of Alexander's father, David, and that John Booth also had a daughter, Esther. Given that the families were of relatively even social standing and would have been involved in the same social activities, it would only have been natural that the Spence boys paid court to the Booth and Trueman girls. James married Esther Booth, while Alexander and brother John married two of the Trueman sisters…Dorothy and Catherine, respectively.

Alexander spent several years in Perquimans Precinct, where a son, James, was born sometime in 1697 or early 1698, and the family was increased by another son, Alex-ander Jr., on March 8, 1699. The elder Alexander seems to have been a civic-minded man, for his name regularly appears in North Carolina colonial records in various community and civic endeavors. He served as a grand juror for the Precinct "Att a Generall Court holden at the house of Mrs. Eliz. Godfrey the Twenty fourth Day of March" 1697 and, with his brother John, was reimbursed thirteen shillings and four pence each for expenses incurred in attending court in October 1698 as "evidences" against a William Mansell. Like his brother David in Virginia, Alexander was appointed overseer of "ye high Wayes from Suting Creek to (illegible)" in April 1699, some five months before his 30th birthday.

(Perquimans Precinct lay west of the Little River, one of many feeding into Albemarle Sound. Albemarle also included Pasquotank, Currituck, and other precincts, all of which later became counties. Currituck was the east-most, bordering the Atlantic behind a narrow strip of sandy outer banks. Pasquotank came next, running from the western bank of the North River to the eastern bank of the Little River, where it cojoined Perquimans. Pasquotank was further divided in 1777, with the land northeast of the central Pasquotank River being renamed Camden County.)

From 1670, each of the first four precincts had been entitled to five representatives in the NC House of Commons, or Burgesses. While the actual date of his election is unknown (the early journals of this legislative body having been lost), Alexander was at some point elected as a representative (for Perquimans or Pasquotank) and was a signatory on a 1712 petition from that body to Alexander Spotswood, Governor of Virginia, requesting that a force of 200 men be sent to aid the North Carolinians against what were characterized as "inhuman barbaritys of the Indians", referencing a series of attacks by the Tuscaroras (who, from their perspective, were simply retaliating for depredations by the colonists).

Alexander was again called as a juror in the General Court for the precinct on Tuesday, March 31, 1713, the panel finding that William Willson had, indeed, uttered "false feigned Scanderlous malicious & abrobrious words" about Joseph Jordan, but quite sensibly awarding Mr. Jordan only £5 instead of the £500 asked by his lawyer, Edward Moseley.

Where in Perquimans Precinct Alexander lived is unknown, but by January 28, 1715 he is found on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River where he received a patent for "100 acres in Pasquotank precinct, joining the mouth of a branch, Daniel Phillips, Thos. Barkett, and ye swamp of ye river", and a second patent for "273 acres on ye N. side of Pasquotank river, joining a small swamp". The swamps referred to are, presumably, part of what is now called the "Great Dismal Swamp", out of which the Pasquotank River drains. He was, at that time, about 45 years of age.

Alexander was one of the first vestrymen appointed when in 1715 the province of North Carolina established the Church of England as the province's official church and divided the province into parishes. In Alexander's case, he served on the Northeast Parish of Pasquotank, along with Thomas Miller, John Solley, John Relfe, John Bell, Samuel Bernard, Capt. John Norson, Gabriel Burnham, Thomas and Robert Sawzer (probably Sawyer), Henry Sawyer, and John Upton. Alexander and his closest co-religionists in the northern part of the county , including Thomas McBride, Patrick Kelly, John Jones, William Joy, Robert Edney and Robert Taylor, build a place of worship called "Forke Chappell" near the Fork Bridge on Joy's Creek, close by Alexander's homeplace. The creek was named for William Joy, one of the first settlers in the area. In modern Pasquotank (now Camden Co.), the name has been corrupted to "Joyce's Creek" and few know its historical roots.

The 1718-19 tax list of Pasquotank Precinct shows Alexander as listing three "tythables" in his household, and 570 acres of land, together causing him to be taxed £3.1.7. Tithables at this time included free, white males 16 years and older, as well as slaves 12 years and older, whether male or female. It is possible that his eldest son James, who would have been around 20 years of age at this time, had set up his own establishment, and that the tax list represents Alexander Senior (age 49) and his next two sons, Alexander Junior (19) and Truman (about 18). Sons Joseph (about 8) and Robert (about 1) would have been too young to be counted. Given the 15+ year differences in the ages of the two younger boys and their three older brothers, it is interesting to speculate that the younger boys might have been the sons of a second wife. The era was also one of high infant mortality and devastating epidemics (such as the yellow fever outbreak of 1712) so it is equally possible that Alexander and his wife had other children during that period who did not survive their infancy.

On July 18, 1721, Alexander bought a parcel of land from Griffin Jones for 10 pounds, and received a third patent on 10 July, 1722 for 318 acres of land on the NE side of the Pasquotank River. The land is described as "joining a branch, Capt. Salley, Richd. Ferril, Ross (?) and the river pocoson". (Capt. Salley may have been John Solley, while Ross is probably Abel Rose, an adjacent landowner mentioned in Alexander's will.)

Alexander remained active in the affairs of the community, being listed with his brothers, son Alexander Jr., and nephew, James Jr., as #143 on the 1723 list of jurymen in Pasquotanck Precinct.

On April 9, 1724, he sucessfully petitioned the Council at Edenton to grant him a lapse patent for 74 acres in Pasquotank that had been first patented in 1716 by Griffin Jones but not cultivated "as the Law directs". The parcel lay on the north side of the river, joining Richard Gregory and John Trueblood, who were surely related to the James Gregory from whom he bought another small parcel of land on October 7, 1730 "containing by estimation 20 acres on the NE side of the Pasquotank River", and to the Amos Trueblood to whom the parcel was adjacent.

Alexander witnessed several deeds 13 July 1731 and, in November of 1732, he witnessed the will of a "free man" named William Wood. By 19 Feb 1733, his neighbors included the above-mentioned John Trueblood, James & Margaret Gregory, Benjamin Kowing or Knauing (most probably, Koen), John Gray, and John Soley (Solley). Other neighbors or business acquaintances between 1721 and 1734 included Jonathan Jaco*cks, Capt. John Relfe, Mary Relfe, Anthony Walkins, William Minson, Thomas Palin, Jarvis Jones, Thomas Sawyer, and Jeremiah Murden. Many of these names reoccur in the business and matrimonial dealings of Alexander's children and their cousins.

From all evidence, Alexander was a man of substance and of some importance in the area. He is cited as one of the four most influential men in the province by Jesse Forbes Pugh in his book, "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank", which says..."The population of the Camden area in 1733 must have been upwards of a total of three hundred; nevertheless, in Colonel Edward Moseley's opinion there were only four men hereabouts who were important enough to merit a reference on his map. Those four individuals were John Hawkins, Griffith Jones, Alexander Spence (then age 64) and Gabriel Burnham.". Col. Moseley's 1733 map of the Pasquotank area clearly identifies Alexander Spence's holdings as lying in the fork of "Joy's Creek" . (today, Joyce Creek), some miles east of that creek's confluence with the Pasquotank and of present-day South Mills. Interestingly, a "Spence's Lane" is shown on current NC maps along Hwy 343 some few miles north of South Mills, although it appears to be some miles west of the location indicated in this patent.

Sometime in early 1734, Alexander (or his estate) paid to the Crown half the quitrent in arrears (from September 1729 to March 1732 and totaling a little more than £9) on two parcels of land in Pasquotank precinct, one the 318 acres patented in 1722 and another of 200 acres, not specifically identified, but presumably the 200 acres on the south side of the river referenced in his will. The issue of whether quitrents were to be paid to the Crown in specie (in return for the remission of earlier arrears) or in commodities or paper money according to local custom, was part of the reason Governor Burrington so dreaded the Assembly, and was not finally settled until 1754. Alexander's partial payment, along with those of his brothers and nephew, may have represented a further "subtle and crafty" move on the part of the landowners.

When Alexander died "very sick and weak of body" in Pasquotank Co., NC August 24, 1734, shortly before his 65th birthday, he was survived by sons James, Alexander Jr., Joseph, Robert and Truman; and daughters Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer. As his wife, Dorothy, is not mentioned, it is presumed that she predeceased him. (However, a Dorothy Spence is on record as witnessing the 1763 will of Joseph Solley, who left his family land out of Alexander Spence's patent and a tract known as Robin Spence's. Alexander's widow would have been quite ancient by this time (at least 80 and probably older), so it is more likely that the 1763 Dorothy was a namesake descendant.)

Alexander's will refers to him as a "planter", a title well substantiated by the quantity of land he left his heirs. To his "eldest" son, James, he left 240 acres on the Eastern Shore in Maryland "joining William Ellgate". It appears that this bequest included the 125-acre half-share in "Spence's Choice" Alexander inherited from his father in 1679, but the source of the remaining 115 acres is not known. A William Elgate did patent a plantation in 1664 along the Marumsco River in Somerset Co., MD, some distance southeast of the family's original plantation, "Despence". Unfortunately, none of the holdings adjacent to "Elgate" appear to have been named "Spence's Choice", and William Elgate sold out in 1672, a year before David Spence patented the "Choice".

Alexander left 200 acres on south side of the Pasquotank River in NC to son Joseph; 100 acres "where I now live, joining Richard Faril, Abel Rose, John Trublood" to son Robert; and to son and executor, Truman, the"remainder of the land where I now live, my Mark belonging to all my creatures (his stock brand or mark) and likewise all my moveables and remaining part of my Estate within and without." To his daughters, Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer, and his son Alexander Jr. he left only 10 shillings.

The will is signed "Alex Spence" in an uneven but legible hand, and was witnessed by Jeremiah Murden, Thomas Sawyer, and Evin Lurry.

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

https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/09/26/alexander-spence-1669-1735-and-dorothy-truman-1672-1734/

Alexander Spence (1669-1735)
The second son of David Spence and Ann Roe, Alexander Spence was born September 13, 1669 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland (11), and he died March 14, 1735 in Pasquotank, North Carolina. In 1681, he registered his cattle marks in Somerset County at the age of twelve(12). In October 1697, Alexander married Dorothy Truman in Somerset County. They had the following children:
1. Alexander Spence (1699-1739). Alexander was born March 8, 1699 in Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died in 1739 in Pasquotank. I have no additional information about him.
2. James Spence (1699-1755). James was born March 8, 1699 in Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died February 4, 1755 in Pasquotank. His wife was Elizabeth Tucker (1700-1755). Their children were:
a. John Spence (1728-1803)
b. Sarah Spence (1730-1793). Sarah married a Cook.
c. Alexander Spence (1732-1755)
d. Letitia Spence (1734-1785)
e. Arey Spence (1736-1755)
f. Dorothy Spence (1738-1755)
g. James Spence (1740-1792). James married Partheny Chancey (1757-1822). Their son was James Spence (1760-1828), who married Courtney Ann Brite (1781-1841). Their children were
(1) Anna Keeter Spence
(2) Edward Spence
(3) Courtney Spence (b. 1787)
(4) Nancy Spence (b.1795)
(5) Ollie Spence (b. 1798)
(6) Silas Spence (b. 1804)
(7) Amelia "Millie" Spence (1809-1874)
(8) James Brite Spence (b. 1813)
(9) Parthenia Spence (b. 1815)
(10) John Spence (b. 1821)
2. Joseph Spence (abt 1700-1783). Joseph was born about 1700 in Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died March 18, 1783 in Pasquotank. He married Louisa Sarah Rencher (1708-1783) about 1720 in Pasquotank. Their children were:
a. Mark Spence, Sr. (1723-1804). Mark was born about 1723 in Pasquotank, and he died about 1804 in Camden County. He married Ann Temple about 1745. Their children were:
(1) Miles Spence
(2) Mark Spence, Jr. (1794-1839). Mark was born in Pasquotank in 1794, and he died February 1839 in Pasquotank. His wife was Mary Burnham (1800-1840). Their children were:
(a) Mark B. Spence (b.1822)
(b) John Spence (b. 1829)
(c ) William James Spence (1833-1917)
(d) Thomas R. Spence (b. 1835)
(e) Eliza Ann Spence (1836-1900)
(f) Asenith Spence (b.1838)
(g) Newton Enoch Spence (1839-1904).
3. Sarah Spence (1731-1783). Sarah married a Sawyer
4. Joseph Spence (1737-1783)
5. Rencher Spence (1739-1796). Rencher was born in Pasquotank in 1739, and he died May 23, 1796 in Pasquotank. His wife was Rachel "Barshel" Williams (1773-1796). Their children were:
a. Samuel Spence (1760-1804)
b. David Spence (1767-1796)
c. Daniel Spence (abt 1770-1850)
d. James Spence (abt 1770-1814). James was born about 1770 in Pasquotank and he died about 1814 in Camden County. He had two marriages. The first was to Elizabeth Parks (1754-1797) and the second was to Sarah Sawyer (b. 1770).
e. Nancy Spence (abt 1770-1796)
f. Newton Spence (abt 1770-1796)
g. Tamer Spence (abt 1770-1796)
h. Peggy Spence (born 1771)
I. Jane Spence (born 1773)
[Note: the actual birthdates and death dates of some of these children are unknown]
6. Samuel Spence (1760-1805). Samuel was born in Pasquotank in 1760, and he died in 1805 in Edonton, Pasquotank, North Carolina. His wife was Julian Gray (1760-1804). Their children were:
a. Jean Spence, born 1785
b. Elizabeth Spence, born 1786
c. Newton Enoch Spence (1788-1870). Newton was born in Pasquotank, and he died May 9, 1870 in Rutherford County, Tennessee
d. Rencher Spence (1788-1870). Rencher was born in Pasquotank, and he died May 9, 1870 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He had two wives. His first wife was Nancy Harris (1790-1860). Their children were:
(1) Elizabeth Spence (1819-1902)
(2) John Wesley Spence (1822-1852)
(3) William J Spence (1823-1864)
(4) Martha Ann Spence (1825-1903)
(5) Abner Spence (1828-1870)
(6) Britton Spence (1828-1888)
(7) Nancy G. Spence, born 1830
(8) Beverly Spence (1833-1909)
(9) Rencher Spence (1833-1896)
(10) James Doak Spence (1834-1892)
(11) Alsea H. Spence (1835-1860)
(12) Martin Van Buren Spence (1837-1877)
(13) Mary W. Spence (1843-1870)
(14) Temple Spence (born 1845)
His second wife was Lydia Harris (1838-1910). Their children were:
(1) Mary J. Spence (1856-1894)
(2) Susana Spence (1864-1910)
(3) Andrew Jackson Spence (1868-1937)
(4) Lorenzo Spence (1869-1869)
e. Joseph Spence (1790-1829)
f. Brittain Spence (1791-1829). Brittain was born in Edonton, Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died October 8, 1829 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. On May 9, 1812, he married Jane "Jennie" Forehand in Davidson County, Tennessee. This couple will re-appear in a later article. Their children were:
(1) Samuel Spence ( born 1816)
(2) Joseph Spence (1816-1880)
(3) Phoebe Spence (1820-1897)
(4) Alison Spence (1822-1922)
(5) Elizabeth Spence (born 1829)
(6) Juliann Spence (born 1829)
(7) Mary Spence (born 1829)
(8) William Spence (born 1829)
[Again, some of these birth dates are unknown.]
g. Luckey Spence (born 1800).
All family information here reflects the current status of my ancestral tree (a continuing effort)(13).
A timeline for Alexander Spence follows:
13 Sep 1669–Born in Somerset County, Maryland
1681–Registered Cattle Marks in Somerset County, Maryland
1697–Married Dorothy Truman, Somerset County, Maryland
Oct 1697–Proves rites into Perquimans, North Carolina as follows: Himself, Dorety Spence, John Spence, David Spence, James Spence. The Virginia Valley Records indicates that he proved rights for five sons, but since he had just married, he didn't have any children as yet. Two of these people are Alexander and his wife. I believe the other three are his brothers: David, John and James. David didn't stay in North Carolina and went to Virginia. John remained there. James returned to Somerset to stay with his widowed mother until her death. He then returned to North Carolina. All of Alexander's children were born in North Carolina
1699–Returned to Maryland. He had been traveling back and forth between Maryland and North Carolina.
1699–Road overseer in Perquimans
1713–Alexander Spence a juror in Perquimans
1715–Vestryman in Perquimans, North Carolina
1723–Juror in Pasquotank
1729-1735–Pays Quit Rents on 380 Acres of Land in Pasquotank
Undated–Asks the aid of Virginia (14)
While searching through my Spence Research Notebook, I discovered a copy of an email I posted ca. 1995-1996. It may have been posted to a Spence discussion board.
In his will (15), he left 240 acres on the Eastern Shore in Maryland joining
Wm. Elgate" to his "eldest son, James". This bequest
Appears to have included the 125 ac half-share in "Spence's
Choice"inherited from his father, David, in 1679, but the
source of the remaining 115ac is not known. A William
Elgate did patent a plantation by that name in 1664 along
the Marumsco River in Somerset Co., MD some
distance SE of the family's original plantation, "Despence",
but none of the holding adjacent to "Elgate" appear to have
been named "Spence's Choice" and Elgate sold out in
1672, a year before David patented the"Choice". More
research is needed to resolve this issue. (Source:
Dryden,1985: "Land Records of Somerset Co., MD, p
146) he relocated to North Carolina by October 1697 with
his wife, Dorety (Dorothy), and brothers. He seems to have
been a prosperous, civic-minded man, as he eventually
owned a substantial amount of land along the Pasquotank
River in what is now Camden Co., NC, below the Great
Dismal Swamp. He was active in various civic and legal
proceedings. He served in the House of Burgesses, was a
highway overseer, grand juror, Church of England
vestryman, and witnessed many deeds in the area.
Alexander died around August 24, 1734 at age 65, leaving sons James, Alexander Jr., Joseph, Robert, and Truman; and daughters Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer.(16)
His will was dated August 24, 1734. He died about April 1735, since his will was entered for probate at that time(17).
==========================================
References
(1)John Truman 1685 Will Abstract, Maryland Calendar of Wills: Volume 2, Volume 11. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(2)England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906 about John Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(3)England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about William Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(4) England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about Robert Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(5)England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about Robert Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(6)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Jno Truman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(7)Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666 about Jno. Truman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(8)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Robert Trueman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(9)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Robert Trueman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(10)Last Will & Testament of John Truman, From The Maryland State Archives MSA No. SM16, PREROGATIVE COURT (Wills) JOHN TRUMAN, book 4 pp. 215-216, SR 4400
(11)They Lived in Somerset: 17th Century Marylanders. Rootsweb.com Website. Date Accessed: May 8, 1998. Available online at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mdsomers/tlis1_s.html
(12)Maryland, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1772-1890 about Alexander Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(13)Inman-Spence-Beall-Warfield Family Branches, A Private Tree. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(14)Virginia Valley records : genealogical and historical materials of Rockingham County, Virginia, and related regions (with map), Ancestry. com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(15)North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about Alexander Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014.
(16)Barbara Inman Beall, email dated 1995-1996. Copy found in Spence Research Notebook. It may have been originally posted on a Spence discussion board.
(17)North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about Alexander Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com

Notes for Dorothy Truman:
https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/09/26/alexander-spence-1669-1735-and-dorothy-truman-1672-1734/

Bundles of Twigs and Flowers
Alexander Spence (1669-1735) and Dorothy Truman (1672-1734)
Posted by drbibeall43
For a number of years, I believed Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman were my seventh great grandparents. Updated research proved otherwise; Alexander is my seventh great grand uncle. Alexander Spence was the second oldest son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711), and Dorothy Truman was the daughter of John Trewman/Truman (1627-1685). Since the Truman family is destined to reappear in a later article, I will discuss them first.
The Trewman/Trueman/Truman Family
Over the years, people have speculated that John Trewman/Truman was another brother of the Trewman/Truman brothers who settled in Calvert County, Maryland. Since he does not appear on any of their records, I tend to believe he was not another brother. The little information known about him is that he had a cousin named Robert Trewman/Truman (1634-1685) and a "brother" named John MackBride (McBride) (1664-1704). An abstract of John Trewman's will follows:
Truman, John, Somerset Co.,8th Aug., 1685;
6th July, 1686.
To brother John Makbride and cousin Robert Truman, personalty.
To 3 daus., viz., Dorothy, Elisa:, and Catherine, at age, residue of estate, real and personal. Richard Stevens to have care of dau. Dorothy; John Booth to have care of dau. Eliza:, and Jas. Dashields to have care of dau. Catherine.
Exs.: Richard Stevens, Jno. Booth, Jas. Breden.
Test: Robt. Truman, Jas. Breden. 4. 215.
MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 2
VOLUME II (1)
Using the names provided in his will, I believe I have found his actual family.
According to English Parish Records, John Trewman was baptized April 29, 1627 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. He was the son of Richard Trewman (1607-abt 1659) and Marie Huthwaite of Nottinghamshire(2). Since the Calvert County Trewmans originated in Nottinghamshire, John was probably a distant cousin of the Calvert County line. Richard Trewman was baptized May 31, 1607 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of William Trewman (b. 1577) and Mary Cowper. William Trewman was baptized August 17, 1577 in Limber-Magna, Lincoln, England. His father was George Trewman (b. 1550)(3). Besides William, George had another son named John Trewman (b. 1580), whose wife's name was Jane. Their son, Robert Trewman (1610-1650), was baptized December 10, 1610 in Crayke,Yorkshire, England(4). Robert and his wife Joice were the parents of Robert Trewman (1634-1685), who was baptized December 1634 in St Botolph Without Aldgate, London, London, England(5). This Robert Trewman was John Trewman's cousin referenced in his will. They were actually second cousins.
The next reference to John Trewman/Truman (born 1627) concerns his transportation to Virginia in 1654(6). John appears on a List of Early Virginia Residents as follows:
Name: Jno Truman
Arrived By: 1654
Sponsors: John Watson and John Bognall
Residence Place: Westmoreland, Virginia
Reference: Early Virginia Immigrants; 1623–1666 T(7)
The ship passenger list suggests an Irish connection, indicating that John may have left England and settled in Antrim, Ireland prior to his relocation to Virginia. This is an excellent possibility since his cousin Robert was in Antrim by 1650. Robert's daughter, Margaret Truman (1654-1711), was born in Antrim in 1654. She would later marry John McBride (1664-1704), also from Antrim. It appears that the Trewmans and McBrides were well acquainted with one another prior to their arrival in America. John Trewman arrived in Virginia in 1654, and he settled in Westmoreland County. Robert Trewman obtained his land patent in Virginia in 1656; he may have arrived with John(8).
John's wife's name was possibly Anne. Some people think her full name was Anne Storer. But since a number of Trewman men had a wife named Anne Storer, I doubt that was the case. John would have married Anne about 1658 in Westmoreland County, Virginia; her surname is unknown.
John's family probably moved to Somerset County, Maryland about 1674. John began working on land deals there in 1669. It appears that Robert Truman relocated to Somerset County in 1668(9).
They had the following children:
1. Catherine Truman (1665-1726). Catherine was born January 25, 1665 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and she died April 29, 1726 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. She married John Spence (1672-1736) in Somerset County, Maryland. He was the third son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711), They will be discussed in a later article.
2. Dorothy Truman (1672-1734). Dorothy was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and she died in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. She will be discussed in the next section since she became the wife of Alexander Spence—the subject matter here.
3. Sarah Elizabeth Truman (1673-1740). Sarah Elizabeth was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and she died in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. She would later become the second wife of the youngest son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711)–James Spence (1674-1740). She will be discussed more fully in a later article.
John drew up his will probably after his wife's death in 1685. As already noted, in the event of his death, he requested his daughters be placed as follows:
In the name of God Amen. I JOHN TRUMAN being sick and weak in body with thanks be to God in perfect mind and memory doe make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and frame as followeth—FIRST, I leave and bequeath unto RICHARD STEVENS my daughter DORYTY TRUMAN during the tyme of three years. I also leave and bequeath unto JOHN BOOTH my daughter ELIZABETH TRUMAN during the tyme of five years. I leave and bequeath unto JAMES DASHIELL my daughter KATHERINE TRUMAN _______________ years. I also give and bequeath unto my brother JOHN MAKBRIDE one small __________ sword with a silver hilt. I also give and bequeath unto my cousin ROBERT TRUMAN all my woollen clothing, and all the rest of my estate, moveables or unmovables, which will appear by inventory. I give and bequeath unto my three daughters CATHERINE TRUMAN, DORYTHY TRUMAN and ELIZABETH TRUMAN to be equally divided among them as their tymes above mentioned shall be expired and that I do wholly make and ordaine RICHARD STEVENS and JOHN BOOTH with the assistance of JAMES BREDEN to be my Executors and overseers of what is herein mentioned unto which I sett my hand and seal this 5th day of August, 1685. I give and bequeath enterlined before assigned.
The mark of JOHN TRUMAN
Witnesses: ROBERT (his mark) TRUMAN
JAMES (his mark) BREDEN
RECORDED July 6, 1686(10)
John died before July 6, 1686 in Somerset County, Maryland. His daughters went to live with those designated to receive them. They would grow up knowing their future husbands because they all lived in the same neighborhood.

Children of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman are:
i. Joseph Spence, born Abt. 1715 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died 18 Mar 1783 in Pasquotank Co. or Camden Co., NC; married Louisa Sarah Rencher.
162 ii. Robert Spence, born Bef. 1695 in Somerset Co., MD.
iii. Truman Spence
iv. Mark Spence
v. Alexander Spence, Jr.
vi. Catherine Spence, born Abt. 1720; married Thomas Sawyer, Jr..
vii. Jane Spence, married ? Sawyer.

328. Thomas Litton, died Abt. 1700 in Baltimore/Harford Co., MD. He married 329. Mary Webster.
329. Mary Webster

Child of Thomas Litton and Mary Webster is:
164 i. Thomas Litton, Jr., born Aft. 1682 in Harford Co., MD; died 21 Apr 1761 in Harford Co., MD; married Ann Hawkins.

332. William Ross?, born Abt. 1650. He married 333. Agnes Fisher Aft. 1692.
333. Agnes Fisher, born 01 Jan 1656 in Ulverston, Lancashire, England; died Aft. 1702.

More About William Ross?:
Comment: It is only a theory that he was the father of Abel Ross, since both owned land on Arenuse Creek.
Property 1: 1712, Owned land on Arenuse Creek, Camden Co., NC
Property 2: 1713, Received title from Solomon and Sarah Davis for land on the eastern branch of Arenuse Creek.
Property 3: 1719, Owned land on the westside of the mouth of Arenuse Creek, the location of Treasure Point.
Property 4: 1742, Sold 74 acres at "Cornwall, " in the forks of the Pasquotank River, to Jarvis Jones.

Notes for Agnes Fisher:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nccamden/wills.htm

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF

AGNES TRUBLOOD

September 15, 1692

Copied from MARS

Albermarle

Know all men by those presents that I AGNES TRUBLOOD of Pascotank River and of the County aforesd. Widow; through the naturall affections that I bare unto my dear children & for other good reasons md thereunto moueing: doe To my voluntary good will and naturall Respects to my four Children that is to say MARY TRUBLOOD ELIZIBETH TRUBLOOD JOHN TRUBLOOD & AMOS TRUBLOOD I doe freely give unto my four Children the one half of all the negro children that shall be begotten or born of the body of my negro woman called Diana; And if it should happen that theye should have but one that then the young negro to be valued and my Children to have theire choice either the young negro or if halfe worth of ye sd negro & if the negro woman should have two children that they shall have their first choice and soo forward be what quantitye of negro children ???? as pleases god; to be divided as aforesd. my childr. Always to have theire first choice; And I do freely give unto my Children aforesd. the mantainoned of shoes young negro until my Children (torn)mos to age to Receive them; That is my Dafter MARY to h(torn) she first negro child if it lives my Daughter ELIZIBETH the next as shay fall in corse as above mentioned, (torn)

To my Children partitularly as they come to age & likewise I do give unto my four children abovsd the mantainoned until they come to Lawfull Age for the use of their Estate; and to pay them theire portions as they come to age according to the appraisment of theire fathers Estate as witness my hand this fifteenth day of September 1692

AGNES TRUEBLOOD

Child of William Ross? and Agnes Fisher is:
166 i. Capt. Abell Ross?, died Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC.

336. Thomas Gregory, born Abt. 1675; died Abt. 1740 in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC. He was the son of 672. John Gregory. He married 337. Priscilla Barco.
337. Priscilla Barco She was the daughter of 674. Thomas Bareco*ck/Barco.

Notes for Thomas Gregory:
http://www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Parker/Gregory.htm#Thomas

Children of Thomas Gregory and Priscilla Bareco*ck:
1. William Gregory bef 1692 - 24 Nov 1751/ Apr 1752 Pasquotank Co
married bef 1734 Judith Morgan bef 1702 - 1753
daughter of Robert Morgan ca 1670 - ca 1730 Pasq. & Elizabeth Torksey 1681-
2. Elizabeth Gregory bef 1702 -
married Francis Godfrey bef 1736 ?
3. Nathan Gregory bef 1707 - bef 1817
married aft 1744 Susan aft 1727 - aft 1817 Camden Co
4. Jacob Gregory bef 1714 - aft 1790
5. Priscilla Gregory
married John Gray
6. Sampson Gregory
7. Job Gregory
8. Richard Gregory

Will of Thomas Gregory, planter 10 Apr 1736 - 23 June 1740 bef W Smith
of Pasquotank Precinct.
- son Nathan - 1/2 of 267 acres on Eastern Branch of Arronute Creek on east side of Pasquotank River, with reversion to son Sampson & further reversion to son Jacob.
- sons Jacob & Job - neg Toney.
- 5s each to sons Richard & William & grandson Frederick Gregory.
- all my movable estate to son Jacob Gregory, Elizabeth Godfree, Job Gregory, Sampson Gregory, Nathan Gregory, Druscilla Gray. other legacies.
EX: sons Jacob & Job Gregory
Wit: John Bell, Jno. Roberts, John Bearco*ck

More About Thomas Gregory:
Property: 13 Jan 1710, Patented land in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County)

Children of Thomas Gregory and Priscilla Barco are:
i. Nathan Gregory
ii. Sampson Gregory
iii. Jacob Gregory
iv. Richard Gregory
v. Priscilla Gregory, married Thomas Gray.
168 vi. William Gregory, born Abt. 1700 in present-day Camden Co., NC; died 27 Jun 1752 in present-day Camden Co., NC; married Judith Morgan.
vii. Elizabeth Gregory, born Abt. 1700 in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC; died in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC; married Joseph Godfrey; born Bet. 1690 - 1710 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1765 in present-day Camden Co., NC?.

More About Elizabeth Gregory:
Comment: Several sources state, without documentation, that her husband's first name was Francis. If so, the only Francis Godfrey who fits would be the son of William Godfrey (1658?-1726) of Perquimans Co., NC, whose sons Joseph and John settled in Camden too.

viii. Job Gregory, born Abt. 1715 in Camden Co., NC.

More About Job Gregory:
Property 1: 10 Jul 1734, According to Pasquotank Co., NC Deed Book C, he purchased from John Godfrey a tract of land on northeast side of Pasquotank River in present-day Camden Co., NC
Property 2: 1760, Capt. Griffin Jones purchased land in the Sandy Hook area of present-day Camden Co., NC from his sons Job, Nathan, and Abner
Property 3: 1778, William and Job Gregory (probably his sons) sold land to Willis Wilson. The deed mentions the lines of Griffin Jones.

338. Robert Morgan, born Abt. 1670; died Abt. 1730 in present-day Camden Co., NC?. He married 339. Elizabeth Torksey.
339. Elizabeth Torksey, born Abt. 1681 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA; died in present-day Camden Co., NC?. She was the daughter of 678. Philip Torksey and 679. Mary Scarborough.

Notes for Robert Morgan:
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put
Three hundred years along the Pasquotank : a biographical history of Camden County
Pugh, Jesse Forbes

Host to the Provincial Assembly
ROBERT MORGAN
ca 1670-1727

AS THE SETTLERS increased in numbers the Indians found themselves being correspondingly deprived of their lands and restricted in their hunting areas. Some of the more scrupulous of the white newcomers were both tactful and honest in their dealings with the natives. Others failed to live up to their bargains with the redskins, subjected them to gross mistreatment, and there are a few instances of record where an Indian was forced into slavery without any legal or moral justification. The Indians, also human beings, responded in kind to their treatment. They repaid broken promises with trickery and dishonesty with theft. According to one irate planter, one of their most exasperating performances was to fall upon a fat shoat feeding in the forests and to enjoy an impromptu feast of barbecued pig on the spot.

In an effort to solve the problems of friction and mounting tension between the two races, the provincial leaders began to set aside specified areas for the sole use and benefit of the Indians. Apparently the Council of State had been considering the circ*mstances of the Yawpim Indians on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River for a number of years without taking any definite action. In 1704 the situation seems to have become acute for on April 12, at a meeting held at the house of Captain John Hecklefield "in Little River," the Council adopted the following directive: "Ordered that the Surveyor General or Deputy shall (with what expedition is possible) upon complaint of the Yawpim Indians lay out for the sd Indians (where they now live) four square miles of land or the quantity not injuring any of the old Settlements which was made before the order of Council bearing date in October, 1697. And Mr. John Hawkins, Mr. Thomas Taylor, Mr. Robert Morgan and Mr. John Relfe or any three of them are hereby required to attend the Surveyor or Deputy in laying out the same. To John Anderson Dep. Surveyor or to be directed to Captain Thomas Relfe to execute with Speed and make returns."

The survey was made by Thomas Relfe and, according to a petition presented a few years later by his widow for reimbursem*nt for his services, the tract contained 10,240 acres. The Moseley map of 1733 clearly indicates the Yawpim village with a cluster of wigwams on the reservation which included most of the present day communities of Sandy Hook and Indiantown with several thousand acres of swamp lands binding North River. The arrangement seems to have been satisfactory to the Indians inasmuch as they continued to maintain peaceful relations with their white neighbors until their departure in 1774 to join the Iroquois in New York. Fortunately the lands furnished an abundance of food supply; bear and deer are still found in the swamps and North River is a popular attraction for fishermen. Incidentally, the Indians taught the settlers a method of cooking fish which is still regarded as a gastronomical treat in the southern part of the county. When fish are netted during the late summer and fall months, the practice is to dress a freshly caught mullet, mount it on a skewer of aromatic wood, such as bay or myrtle, apply salt and pepper liberally, and roast it over a bed of coals prepared on the shore.

Supervising the Yawpim survey is the first recorded appearance of Robert Morgan in a public capacity. He next appears as one of the five members in the House of Burgesses from Pasquotank during the years 1708-09. Of the few minutes of the proceedings surviving, one item records Robert Morgan and Nicholas Crisp as bringing a message "from the lower House" to the upper or Council.

An incident in which Morgan was involved in 1713 may be illuminative as to the public mind during the succession of Indian wars of that period. As a concession to the religious beliefs of the Society of Friends, whose tenets forbade them to bear arms, legislation had been enacted to permit a man to pay a fee of five pounds in lieu of military service. In Pasquotank Precinct, so the Deputy Marshal reported, Robert Morgan, John Sawyer, Sr., John Sawyer, Jr., Edward Williams, Richard Hastings and Robert Sawyer "utterly refused" to pay the five pounds due from them by act of assembly for "not going out in yeIndian Warr." These men, who lived around Sawyers Creek, were not Quakers; indeed, three of them, including Morgan, were members of the vestry of the Parish of St. Peter. Nor was the incident an isolated one. On the southwest side of the river a man was arrested for refusing to be "impressed," and over in Currituck two men were charged with "seducing and turning men aside" from performing military duty. Whether this attitude resulted from resentment because the Quakers were exempt from active service, or from fear that their own families would be exposed to savage attacks while they were away on the expeditions, is not clear. Certainly no public stigma seems to have resulted from the refusal of Morgan to comply. Afterwards he was twice elected to the Assembly and also received an appointment as one of the "Gentlemen Justices" who presided over the precinct courts of quarter sessions and common pleas.

A distinction, unique in Camden's history, came to Morgan during the 1725 session of the Assembly, of which he was a member. Since no capitol building had as yet been erected, legislative sessions were customarily held at the residence of one of the members. According to the minutes they first met at "Edistow," but on November 2, the entry reads: "House mett according to adjournment with Mr. Robt. Morgan, Representative from Pasquotank." So far as is known, this is the only time a provincial assembly was convened within the borders of what is now Camden County. The entire membership of the assembly at the time did not exceed thirty-five.

The exact location of Morgan's residence in the vicinity of Sawyers Creek has not been determined. His first recorded purchase was in 1698 for two hundred acres, and he owned eight hundred at the time of his death. It may not be amiss to add that he was a direct ancestor of General Isaac Gregory of the Revolutionary era and of the late Governor J. C. B. Ehringhaus, and he was also the progenitor of the well-known Morgan families in Currituck and elsewhere.

More About Robert Morgan:
Probate: 20 Nov 1730
Will: 22 Oct 1727, Pasquotank Co., NC

More About Elizabeth Torksey:
Baptism: 10 Apr 1681, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA

Children of Robert Morgan and Elizabeth Torksey are:
i. Bennet Morgan, died 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; married Dorothy Sawyer.

More About Bennet Morgan:
Will: 07 Jul 1758, Pasquotank Co., NC

ii. Joseph Morgan, died Abt. 1777 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC.
iii. Robert Morgan, Jr., born Abt. 1703; married Chloe ?.

More About Robert Morgan, Jr.:
Probate: Jun 1774
Will: 04 Feb 1772, Pasquotank Co., NC

iv. Moses Morgan
v. Ann Morgan
vi. Allis Morgan
vii. Elizabeth Morgan
169 viii. Judith Morgan, married William Gregory.
ix. Aaron Morgan

Generation No. 10

640. ? Sawyer, born in England?; died in England?.

Children of ? Sawyer are:
320 i. John Sawyer?, born Abt. 1650; died Abt. 20 Dec 1713 in Albemarle Co., NC (present-day Pasquotank Co. or Camden Co., NC).
ii. Henry Sawyer

648. David Spence, born Abt. 1639 in Dysart, Fife, Scotland?; died Abt. 1679 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland USA. He was the son of 1296. John Spence and 1297. Helen Morris. He married 649. Ann Roe.
649. Ann Roe, born Abt. 1640; died Abt. 1711.

Notes for David Spence:
http://www.mdgenweb.org/somerset/history/dspence.htm

USGenWeb
Somerset County MDGenWeb

THE FIRST AMERICAN GENERATION: DAVID SPENCE, 1639-1679

This article has been provided by it's author, Janie Keenum, who is a descendant of David Spence of Somerset County. Thanks, Janie, for sharing this fascinating information on one of the county's early residents.

David Spence is believed to have been born on April 5, 1639, in the town Dysart and the county of Fife on the eastern coast of Scotland. Lying below the Ochil Hills, Fife is a fat tongue of land extended eastward into the North Sea, bounded on the north by the Firth (or Bay) of Tay and on the south by the Firth of Forth. Scotland's coast curves out both above and below Fife, offering protection from the harsh northern winds, so that Fife has the distinction of being the sunniest and driest part of the country. It is an area of sandy beaches, windswept cliffs, hills, and glens. The little fishing town of Dysart lies just east of Kirkcaldy on the northern bank of the Forth, across from but somewhat east of Edinburgh, and nearly midway between the ancient royal seat of Dumfermline and St. Andrews, once Scotland's most powerful ecclesiastical center, now known more for golf than for its university, founded in 1411[1].

The family of Spens (or Spence, Spense) is of very high antiquity in Scotland, descended from a younger son of the Earl of Fife, and carried on its armorial bearing the lion rampant of the Clan MacDuff to denote descent from that ancient house[2]. The name was sometimes rendered as "de Spens", or "of the Spences". Both the Scottish "Spens" and the English "Spencer" carry the meaning of steward.

It is believed that David is descended from another David Spence, born 1538 in Wormiston, Fife, Scotland, who married Margaret Learmouth. David, Laird of Wormiston, who was an active supporter of the Marian cause, died on September 4, 1571 in the famous raid on Stirling Castle.

This was a time of great unrest in Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots, had abdicated. Her half-brother, James, Earl of Moray, the first Regent appointed for her son, James, had been murdered in 1570. The second Regent, Matthew, fourth Earl of Lennox and father of the murdered Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley (Mary's late husband), was the focus of the raid on Stirling[3]. The attack was initially successful, and the Regent surrendered to Sir David, who promised to spare his life and took Lennox up behind him on the same horse. Suddenly, the defenders rallied, and Sir David attempted to flee the castle with his prisoner. As they fled, a Marian soldier shot Lennox in the back, mortally wounding him. The same bullet severely wounded Sir David, who was then killed by the Regent's rescuers even though the dying Regent begged that they spare him.

As the result of his participation in Lennox's capture, Sir David's lands of Wormiston and Mairstoun, his tenements in Cupar and Kirk Wynd, Crail, and his office of Constable of Crail were formally awarded to Patrick, 6th Lord Lindsay of the Byres (Queen Mary's jailer). His widow, Margaret, could waste no time in mourning, and, according to the family history developed by Dr. Barbara Beall[4], quickly married a neighbor and David's kinsman, Sr. James Anstruther, who was highly regarded in court circles. His respectability may have led to James Spence (David's oldest son) being permitted to inherit his father's title in 1579.

The children of Sir David and Margaret were James, probably born around 1551, who married Agnes Durie and Margareta Forath; Lucretia, born in 1568 or 1569, who married Patrick Forbes, Archbishop of Aberdeen, and David, Jr., born August 28, 1571, just before his father's death.

Sir James entered the service of King Karl IX of Sweden and recruited Scottish mercenaries for the Swedish royal service. He became Count de Spens, and in December 1613 was appointed Swedish ambassador to Great Britain. James died in 1632.

David Jr. married a woman believed to have been named Janet Cunningham, and is thought to have had three children. Daughter Janet was christened 16 December 1614 in Dysart; Margaret, christened 21 December 1617 in Dysart; and John, born March 1612.

John Spence first married HelenMorris (born ca 1614), by whom he had 4 children: (1) Patrick, born ca 1633, whom Dr. Beall believes to have become the progenitor of the Westmoreland VA Spence families. (2) Margaret, born 5 November 1637 and christened 14 June 1638 in Dysart, who died young. (3) & (4) David and James, twins born 5 April 1639 and christened in Dysart 16 April 1639. Helen died in childbirth, as possibly did James.

John next married Anne Roe or Rowe at St. Oswald's, Durham, England on 29 September 1639. Their seven children were twins Thomas & Susannah, Alexander, Margaret, Isobel, Janet, and John. Anne Rowe was the sister of John Rowe, who married Anne Inglis, emigrated to Northumberland Co., VA, and was the father of Anne Rowe who married John's son, the emigrant David.

Lastly, John married Martharet Guthrie in 1629, by whom he had twins Jeane & Henry.

David and his brothers were born at a critical time in Scottish history. To paraphrase J. D. Mackie, the long reign of James VI, heir to the Scottish throne through his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, and, more recently, to the English throne through Elizabeth I, had brought peace and prosperity to Scotland. But beneath the surface lurked a discontent based on longstanding religious grievances, which meant far more to the people of the early 17th century than we of the late 20th century can easily understand. Protestant factions in both England and Scotland greatly feared a resurgence of Catholicism in both religion and politics, a concern fueled by James' long effort to bring not only the two Parliaments but also the Scottish church under the control of the Crown. By making innovations gradually, James had divided his opponents; following James' death in 1625, his son Charles I united them all against the Crown.

By 1628-9, Charles had come to a complete breach with the English Parliament. By 1635, his hold on the Scottish Parliament and his attempts to force the Scottish church into patterns and practices of faith that, to them, "smacked of Popery", had alienated not only the nobles and religious leaders but the common people as well. They at last retaliated by drawing up a "National Covenant" which supported "the true religion, liberties, and laws of the kingdom" under His Majesty. By implication, the "Majesty" portion was negotiable, and as the "Covenanters" became bolder in their cries for a free Parliament, civil war became inevitable. The first tentative clash occurred in Berwick late in the spring of 1639, only months after David's birth.

Charles I fared poorly in his dealings with the English and Scottish reformers. The first actual battle of the Civil War was fought at Edgehill in 1642. Cromwell and his anti-royalist forces took Edinburgh in 1648, and on January 30, 1649, Charles I was beheaded. The Scots, still staunchly Presbyterian but by then thoroughly disillusioned with their English allies, immediately proclaimed King Charles II. The Cavaliers and Covenanters were now unlikely allies against Cromwell's England.

Battles raged around Edinburgh, where Cromwell captured 10,000 Scotsmen in 1650, and Dundee was sacked and its inhabitants massacred in 1651. Charles II became a fugitive, and Cromwell ruled the newly established Commonwealth. By 1655, Scotland was little more than an occupied province, heavily taxed and tightly controlled by Cromwellian troops. It was no wonder that Scotland greeted the restoration of Charles II in 1660 with undisguised joy[5].

David Spence's family was to some extent involved in, and certainly affected by, these long years of civil unrest. John Spence seems to have shifted his family between Dysart, Scotland and Durham, England frequently, seeking refuge in Durham when the Presbyterians were in control of Scotland and returning to Dysart when the tide of war favored the Angelicans. It seems reasonable to believe that, having lived all their lives in the midst of war, members of the Spence family might have had little fear of the dangers inherent in removing to a new and unsettled country.

DAVID SPENCE, EMIGRANT

In his great study of Somerset County, Torrence speaks of David Spence as being a Scotsman. While we do not know the circ*mstances which led David Spence to leave his native land to become an "adventurer", or sponsor of colonists to Lord Baltimore's new province of Maryland, he was one of only 62 such adventurers to be granted a "manor", or grant of 1000 acres or more. To secure the grant, he was required to transport twenty colonist (including himself) to the new land.

By such large grants, Lord Baltimore meant to create an American aristocracy along feudal lines, with each "Lord of the manor" having extensive judicial and social power over his tenants. By 1641, such powers were reserved for those granted 2,000 acres or more[6], so that David would never have been considered a "Lord". Still, a 1,000 acre grant implies a certain level of social standing (and influence) on the part of David, his family, or his family connections.

In the normal course of events, colonists taking up land grants first established proof of their presence in the new lands, including a specification of how they met the conditions for their patent. By 1662, these records were taken under oath and came to be called "Proofs of Rights". The colonist would then present a written "demand" to the colony's officials for the land, which led to the issuance of a warrant directing the colony's Surveyor to lay out the requisite amount of land. Only after this was accomplished would the colonist be issued a "patent", formally describing the land awarded and carrying the colony's Great Seal[7].

David apparently landed in America sometime in late 1662, for on January 1, 1663, he appeared before William Thorne, one of the officials of Lord Calvert's new colony, to enter rights "in part to make good his Pattent for one thousand acres"[8]. He named eleven people (including himself): James and Ann Dashiell and their son, James Jr., Elizabeth Dashiell ( a niece, age 9[9]), George Doone, John Thomas, Joell Taylor, Robert Murdrake (or Muldrake), William Layton, and Isabell Egions (Evans?)[10]. No listing has been found of the remaining nine people David transported in order to secure his patent. A deed was drawn up on February 8, 1663[11], and a certificate of survey and patent were subsequently issued on September 8, 1663 for a 1000 acre tract of land which David named "Despence"[12], from the Scottish "de Spens", or "of the Spences".

While David may have been responsible for bringing some of the listed people from Scotland (or England) to Maryland, it appears that some, if not all, were already in America. James Dashiell is known to have emigrated from Yorkshire, England to Northumberland Co., VA in 1653[13], where in 1659 he married Ann Cannon, another Yorkshire immigrant. One presumes that Dashiell and David met in Virginia, but they could have been acquaintances from Scotland, as Dashiell was born in Edinburgh in 1634[14]. According to researcher Dr. Barbara Beall, they were "kinsmen", with Dashiell being first cousin to David's wife, Anne.

In the terminology of the records of the time, "immigrated" means that the individual furnished his/her own transportation to Maryland (or other province), while "trans-ported" means that someone else paid the individual's passage. The cost of passage from Scotland or England to Virginia would have been about £6, a substantial sum at that time. It is possible that David arrived in the colonies prior to January 1663 and simply gathered around himself a group of people already living in Virginia who wished to take advantage of the opportunities available in the newer colony of Maryland, and agreed to pay the lesser cost of transporting them, with their belongings and livestock, across the Chesapeake Bay.

This seems reasonable, as it appears that David did not immedately take up his Maryland plantation but first settled in the more-established Virginia colony, as evidenced by a deed showing that he purchased from George and Sarah Pickrin (Pickering) on April 8, 1664, a "parcell of land" situated on the southwest side, toward the head of the "Lower Machotanck Creek" in Northumberland County, VA[15].

Northumberland county was officially formed in 1648, although people had been settling there since 1642, and included all the land between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. It lay the the east of Westmoreland county, and included some land initially incorporated as York county in 1642/3. It was known then, as it is now, as the "Northern Neck" of Virginia.

There were other Spences already settled in Virginia when David arrived. As Spence is not a common name, and appears infrequently in colonial records, it seems likely that the Patrick Spence referenced in Westmoreland Co., VA records on October 4, 1656[16] was kin to David (if not the brother postulated earlier), as was the William Spence referenced in the same records on June 2, 1656[17], and that in settling in Virginia, David was following in his family's footsteps. (See Appendix A for further data on William, Patrick, Patrick's descendants, and other colonial Spence connections.)

By late 1665, David seems to have begun winding up his affairs in Virginia in anticipation of the move to Maryland. On October 28, 1665, he assigned his rights to an unspecified parcel of land, also in Northumberland county, to a John Graham[18]. While this could have been the land bought from George Pickrin, at least some of that acerage may have remained in David's possession, because a June 1714 land transaction references William Pickering (surely George's son) and David Spence (surely David Jr.) as adjacent landowners[19].

On November 21, 1665, still in Northumberland, David gave a "heyfer calfe" to John Alexander, the young son of William Alexander[20]. According to Spence researcher Dr. Barbara Beall, there was a family connection between David and the Alexanders predating his arrival in America, with his half-sisters Margaret and Isobel (or "Bessie) marrying (respectively) John and James Alexander, of Dumfermline. A facsimile of this conveyance in David's handwriting can be found on page 3 of Pippenger's John Alexander, a Northern Neck Proprietor[21].

Sometime in the next twelve months, the move was accomplished. By November 26, 1666, David was sufficiently established in Maryland to record a cattle mark[22]. He was then about 27 years of age. As his first son was born less than 3 months later (on 25 January 1666), he appears to have married in Northumberland County some time before the move, presumably before April 1665. This is further substantiated by a second demand for Maryland land rights filed in March 1667 which indicates that he and "Anne, his wife" came there "out of Wiccomico in Virginia"[23].

Anne is believed to have been the daughter of John Roe (Rowe) and Anne Inglis, sister of Margaret Englis who was the mother of James Dashiell. John Rowe was born about 1611 in Durham, England, and died after 1653 in Northumberland County, VA. He was the son of Edward Roe, born ca 1580, South Shield, Durham, England, andElizabeth Pattison, born ca 1584 in the same location.[24] If Dr. Beall is correct, David and Anne were step-cousins, with Anne being the niece of David's stepmother, Anne Rowe (his father's second wife) and thus would have known each other from childhood, as well as in Northumberland County VA as adults.

David's 1000 acres were situated on the south side of the "Wiccocomoco", or Wicomico,
River, just below the mouth of Wicomico Creek and near the present-day town of Mt. Vernon. Today, the Reading (or Redden) Ferry road runs through the original grant[25]. Like two other rivers of the same name in Virginia, the Maryland Wicomico was named for a tribe of Indians native to the area. It was a fertile territory consisting of thousands upon thousands of acres of wonderful forests and rich, level fields with great, deep streams winding westward to the Bay[26].

He was not the first settler on this section of the Wicomico. Thomas Manning had taken up his 800 acre patent, "Manning's Resolution", along the Great Monye Creek in 1662. A year later, Nehemiah and Ann Covington established themselves on their 300 acre plantation, "Covington's Vinyard", along Manning's western line. And in 1664, William Thomas "of Virginia", patented "The Lott", another 1,000 acre plantation some half mile to the east, along the Wicomico. In Ann Covington, Anne Spence would have had from the beginning at least one female neighbor of her own social standing. And in 1669, a second female neighbor arrived in the person of Winifred Thorne, wife of Captain William Thorne, whose 300 acre plantation "Taunton Deane" touched "Despence's" southeastern corner[27].

It is worthwhile to note that Lord Baltimore required each patentholder to choose a name for their patent, which was duly incorporated into its legal description. A perusal of the names chosen by early Wicomico settlers . . . "Mannings Resolution", "Flower Field", "Last Purchase", "Covington's Folly", "Carnys Chance", "Neglect", and "Rectified Mistake"[28]…vividly illustrates their hopes, fears, and wry sense of humor.

David and Anne, along with their neighbors, most probably dressed like the English colonists of Virginia. At home and while working, he would have worn a linen shirt and woolen breeches over knit hose, and over that for more formal occasions a long vest and jacket of satin, velvet, or wool with a fancy cravat of linen and lace. While wigs were an indespensible part of a gentleman's daily attire, fashionable European visitors were often scandalized by the colonists' predeliction for "wearing their own hair" . . . that is, going wigless, doubtless due to the temperature differential between the cool British isles and the warm and humid Americas.

Anne would have had a least one velvet or silk gown worn over a quilted underskirt and finely embroidered chemise, but for everyday would have worn a muslin blouse under a woolen bodice and skirt, with an apron over all for protection. Both would have had long warm capes for bad weather and would have worn low, buckled leather shoes outdoors and soft leather slippers inside (although many people went barefoot except for formal occasions). The children of this time were treated, in many ways, as miniature adults and accordingly would have worn miniature replicas of their parents' clothes[29].

Lord Baltimore wasted no time in establishing a government for his new county. A "Sheriffe" was immediately appointed, as was a military commander, and James Dashiell, David's friend and neighbor, was appointed one of five surveyors charged with laying out a highway to serve the county. In January 1667, the court laid out the five initial districts, designated as "hundreds", into which the county would be divided. On June 30, 1668, David was sworn in as Constable for Wiccocomoco Hundred[30].

On that same date, David conveyed half (500 acres) of his original grant to James Dashiell[31]. While the actual circ*mstances are lost in time, it seems reasonable to speculate that this was done on the basis of some prior agreement between the two friends, who may have pooled their influence, funds, or other resources to secure the original grant. It is interesting to note that Dashiell sold the 500 acres less than three years later (8 Nov 1670) to Thomas Rowe (or Roe), believed to be David's brother-in-law. Rowe later patented a 200 acre parcel adjoining Despence which he named "Hereafter", and assigned to David's sons John and James.

Although Somerset, like much of Scotland, was an ultra-Protestant county, David was a "Churchman", or adherent to the Church of England, as was his neighbor, James Dashiell[32]. As Torrance notes, there is every indication that the "churchmanship" of the C of E people in Somerset in those early days was of a liberal, tolerant type. It has been described as "absolutely loyal in principle, yet marked by the absence of any sence of bigotry[33]. This may offer an insight into David's character, and also into his decision to leave a country decimated by a war fueled by religious strife for a freer land.

It is assumed that David prospered in his new country. He was not as active in the county's civic activities as some of his peers, and may instead have concentrated his efforts on establishing his home and family. A son, David Jr., was born January 25, 1666; a second son, Alexander, on September 13, 1669; a third son, John, on April 11, 1672; a fourth son, James, on January 25, 1674; and, finally, a daughter on October 30, 1677, named Ann after her mother[34].

A third demand for land rights was filed by David alone in December 1677[35]. The purpose of the 1667 and 1677 demands is unclear, as no record has been found to link them to specific grants. However, on March 17, 1673, David did patent a further 250 acres which he named "Spence's Choice"[36], on the north side of the "Cuttymortyes River" in Somerset. The exact location of this patent has not yet been determined.

The home that David and Anne built on their patent was probably small. As A. S. Barnes states in his work on early Maryland houses, "Maryland's early homes were patterned after contemporary English farm homes . . . Even the largest manor and plantation homes of the 1600's were small and unpretentious, the accent being on making a living from tobacco and grain, rather than trying to live grandly . . . A house of only two rooms divided by a hall was first-rate for the day."[37] A kitchen, smoke house, and barn were among the "dependancies" which would have been erected close to the main house (but not attached, for fear of fire).

The siting of the early plantations along riverways was not only for ease of transportation, but for the clay to be found in their banks. This clay was molded and fired on site to make the bricks used in these early homes. Some were entirely of brick, with walls that were not only thick, but intricately patterened. Others had only their end walls of brick, incorporating the massive chimneys that were the sole source of heat for the dwelling. Floors were of wood, or slate, or brick. While windows were few and small, those in the homes of prosperous landowners would have been small panes of glass set in wooden frames.

"Make Peace", built immediately after 1663, is a good example of these early dwellings. Overall, the main house measured 46' by 22'2", with 10'4" ceilings and walls well over a foot thick[38]. Construction was of brick with end walls containing not only massive chimneys, but closets as well. Bed chambers would have been tucked beneath the steeply sloped roof.

On September 8, 1674, David served on a jury convened in the "Sommersett" County Court under seven justices, one of whom was David's old friend, James Dashiell. The jury found George Johnson not guilty with respect to the demise of a "strange Cowe" belonging to Randall Revell which broke into Johnson's "cornnefeilld"[39]. The next day (September 9), David himself came before the court as a defendant in the case of Isaack Hudson v. David Spence. Hudson alleged that he had indentured himself to David for one year beginning September 1, 1673 in consideration of 1,000 pounds of tobacco, but that David had denied him payment. The contract, produced by David's lawyer, William Tompson, provided for a seven year apprenticeship, during which David was to give Hudson a red yearling heifer called Skeet, with her future increase, and to find and allow to Isaack sufficient meat, drink, washing and lodging, and also "convenient" clothing and other needs fit for a servant, and to allow him the freedom of every Saturday afternoon, Sundays and holidays. The court found Isaack to have no cause of complaint and ordered him to perform the contract for the remaining term[40].

David's occupation was listed in many of these documents as a "planter", a term used for those farmers of considerable acreage who grew mainly tobacco, a crop so important that it was the currency of expediency for that time and place. At its October-November 1678 session, the Maryland General Assembly passed an act directing the payment of tobacco to numerous men, including 102 pounds to David Spence, as reimbursem*nt for "Tobacco expended layd out & disbursed by severall of the Inhabitants of this Province in the late Expedicon against the Nantico*ke Indians . . ."[41].

Nothing more is found in the records until David's will, written March 29, 1678, is probated in August 1679[42], dividing his land among his sons and making his wife his sole executor. The division was somewhat unusual in that, while he did leave land to his two older sons (the 250 acre plantation named "Spence's Choice), the main plantation ("Despence") was left to the two younger boys, then ages 7 and 5. To his wife, Ann, he left the majority of the livestock and all the "goods, chattels & substance & all belonging thereto both without doores & within". This appears to be a deliberate move to ensure that Ann would be able to remain in their home for at least the 10-12 years it would take for the younger boys to reach their majority. As ownership of the "goods & chattels" was permanent, rather than limited to her widowhood, it would also establish a substantial "dowry" for the widow Spence should she be inclined to remarry at some later date. In fact, there is persuasive evidence that Ann remained in control of the main plantation until her death, as the two younger sons removed to North Carolina around 1697, but the plantation was not sold until 1710. She would have been around 70 years of age at that date, an advanced age for the time.

David's will also contained a small bequest to a servant maid named "Sofuoea" (Sophia), but it is the provisions he made for the "nurting and educaeon" of his little daughter Ann that solidify the picture of a good man, devoted to his church and attempting to do his best to secure the future well-being of his wife and their children. David died at age 39 or 40, presumably from illness, sometime between the late spring of 1678, when he made his will, and mid-summer, 1679, when his will was probated[43]. Today, forty is barely middle-aged, but history tells us that three hundred years ago, few people reached their fiftieth birthday. Still, it must have been hard, dying in a raw, new land so far from from his birthplace. Perhaps that is why David's "mark", drawn in place of the signature he was apparently too weak to inscribe, looks much like a shield, perhaps recalling family ties he knew as a child in Scotland.

[1] Fodor's Scotland, 1998, pp. 144-155

[2] John Wayland, 1930: Virginia Valley Records: "The Spence Family", p 366

[3] J. D. Mackie, 1964: A History of Scotland, pp. 164-167

[4] Barbara Beall, "Twigs of Inman-Spence" Part I, Section 1, , downloaded 9/6/99, pp 1-11

[5] J. D. Mackie, 1964: A History of Scotland, pp. 187-231

[6] Forman, H.C., 1982: Early Manors & Plantation Houses of MD, pp 22

[7] Hartsoosk & Skordas, 1946: Land Office & Prerogative Court Records of Colonial MD, Vol 4

[8] Maryland Hall of Records: Land Office Index 1663, #6, Liber 149

[9] Dashiell, Benjamin J., 1928: Dashiell Family Records, p. 19

[10] Ibid., p. 22

[11] Ibid., p. 23

[12] Maryland Hall of Records: Land Office (Patents) 6, pp. 148-150

[13] Dashiell, Benjamin J., 1928: Dashiell Family Records, p. 19

[14] Ibid.

[15] Sparacio, Ruth, 1993: Deed & Will Abstracts of Northumberland Co, VA 1662-1666, p. 129(53)

[16] Fleet, Beverly, 1945: Westmoreland Co., 1653-1657, Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol 23, p. 56

[17] Ibid., p. 49

[18] Sparacio, Ruth, 1993: Deed & Will Abstracts of Northumberland Co. VA 1662-1666, p.169

[19] Gray, G. E. 1987: Virginia Northern Neck Land Grants, Vol 1, 1694-1742 (Book 5, 1713-1719)

[20] Sparacio, Ruth, 1993: Deed & Will Abstracts of Northumberland Co. VA 1662-1666, p. 175

[21] Pippenger, W. E., 1990: John Alexander, a Northern Neck Proprietor, pp. 2-3

[22] Powell, Jody, 1991: Somerset Co. MD Livestock Marks 1665-1772, p. 10

[23] Maryland Hall of Records: Land Office (Patents) 11, p. 499

[24] Barbara Beall, "Twigs of Inman-Spence", Part 1, Section 2, downloaded 9/6/99, p 1-4

[25] Delorme, 1998: Maryland Delaware Atlas & Gazetteer, p 33

[26] Torrence, C., 1936: Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, p 9

[27] Dryden, Ruth, 198?: Land Records of Somerset Co., MD, p 487 (redrawn by JSK)

[28] Dryden, Ruth, 198?: Land Records of Somerset Co., MD, pp 487-488

[29] Wilcox, Ruth T., 1963: Five Centuries of American Costume, p 110-111

[30] Torrence, C., 1936: Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, p. 74-75

[31] Dashiell, Benjamin, 1928: Dashiell Family Records, p. 23

[32] Torrence, C., 1935: Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, p. 131

[33] Ibid., p. 134

[34] Maryland Hall of Records: Somerset Co. MD Land Records, IKL, pp. 241, 243, 245

[35] Maryland Hall of Records: Land Office (Patents) 15, pp. 449

[36] Dryden, Ruth, 1981: Calvert Papers, Rent Rolls of Somerset Co. MD 1663-1723, p. 15

[37] Wilson, E. B., 1965: Maryland's Colonial Mansions and Other Early Houses, pp 16-18

[38] Forman, Henry C., 1982: Early Manor and Plantation Houses of Maryland, p 149

[39] Lankford, Wilmer, 1992: Court Records of Somerset Co. MD, pp. 59-60

[40] Ibid., pp. 63-65

[41] Browne, W. H., 1889: Archives of Maryland, Proceedings & Acts of the General Assembly of

Maryland, October 1678-November 1683, pp. 87, 98

[42] Maryland Hall of Records: Will of David Spence, 1679

[43] Cotton, Jane Baldwin, 1901: Maryland Calendar of Wills, Vol 1, p. 216

© 1996 - 2018 Shari Handley

Tuesday, 17-Jul-2018 10:06:51 CDT

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http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~lsimmons/sit/FG02/FG02_425.htm

Group Sheet

Name David Spence
Birth 5 Apr 1639, Dysart, Fife, Scotland
Death Jul 1679, Wiccomocomo, Somerset Co, MD
Father John Spence

Misc. Notes
Appointed constable: June 30, 1668, For Wiccocomoco (Wicomico) Hundred
Assigns right in land: October 28, 1665, To unspecified parcel of land in Northumberland Co, VA to a John Graham
Church: Bet 1639 - 1679, Adherent of the Church of England
Conveys gift: November 21, 1665, Gives a "heyfer calfe" to John Alexander, the young (under 10) son of Wm Alexander, who is believed to have been David's brother-in-law
Conveys half of patent: June 30, 1668, Conveys half (500 ac) of original grant of "Despence" to James Dashiell
Daughter born1: October 30, 1677, First daughter born in Somerset Co, MD; named Ann
Enters rights1: January 1663, Appears before Wm Thorne, an official of Lord Calvert's Maryland colony, to enter rights "in part to make good his Pattent for one thousand acres"
Enters rights2: March 1667, Enters second demand for land rights for himself and wife, Anne, indicating that they came to MD from "Wicomico in Virginia" (Note: there are 2 rivers so named in VA and 1 in MD)
Enters rights3: December 1677, Filed third demand for rights for himself alone
Is sued: September 9, 1674, By Isaack Hudson, who claimed David had not lived up to terms of Isaack's indenture Jury found for David
Jury service: September 8, 1674, Serves on jury convened in the "Sommersett" Co Court under 7 justices, among them James Dashiell, re case of George Johnson and a wandering cow
Location of "Despence": 1663, Situated on the south side of the present-day Wicomico River, just below the mouth of Wicomico Creek, near present-day towns of Whitehaven & Mt Vernon
Occupation: Bet 1663 - 1679, Planter
Patents land in MD: March 17, 1673, Patents 250 acres called "Spence's Choice" on the north side of the "Cuttymortyes River", Somerset Co, MD
Purchased land in VA: April 8, 1664, From George & Sarah Pickrin (Pickering), a "parcell of land" situated on the southwest side toward the head of the "Lower Machotanck Creeke" in Northumberland Co, VA
Receives deed: February 8, 1663, For David & wife, Anne
Recieves patent: September 8, 1663, For 1000 ac tract named "Despence", on the south bank of the Wicomico River, Somerset Co, MD
Records livestock mark: November 26, 1666, In Somerset Co, MD
Reimbursed by Gen Assy: November 1678, An act passed by the MD General Assembly reimbursing a number of men (including David, 102 lbs) for the tobacco they had "layd out & disbursedin the late Expedicon against the Nantico*ke Indians"
Son born1: January 25, 1666, First son born in Somerset Co, MD; named David Jr
Son born2: September 13, 1669, Second son born in Somerset Co, MD; named Alexander
Son born3: April 11, 1672, Third son born in Somerset Co, MD; named John
Son born4: January 25, 1674, Fourth son born in Somerset Co, MD; named James
Transports to MD: 1663, People listed on demand for MD rights were: James & Ann Dashiell, their son, James, a niece, Elizabeth (age 9), George Doone, John Thomas, Joell Taylor, Robert Murdrake (Muldrake?), William Layton, and Isabell Egions (Evans?)
Will probated: August 1679, In Somerset Co, MD
Will written: March 29, 1678, In Somerset Co, MD 20

Marriage abt 1663, Somerset Co, MD

Spouse Anne Alexander
Death abt 1710, 'see notes'
Father James Alexander

Misc. Notes
Appears on deed: 1663, With husband, David Spence, in deed for 1000 ac grant in Wicomico, Somerset Co, MD 21

Notes for ANNE ALEXANDER:
Believed to be the sister of William Alexander, son of James Alexander, on the basis of the gift of a "heyfer calfe" made to William's young son, John, by her husband, David Spence, on November 21, 1665 (Pippenger, 1990: John Alexander, A Northern Neck Proprietor, pg 2-3)

Anne may have lived until 1710 A careful reading of David's will shows that, while he did leave land to his two oldest sons, he left the main plantation to the two younger boys, then ages 7 and 5, but all of the household furnishings, farm equipment and livestock to his wife ("all goods, chattells & substance & all belonging thereto both without doores & within") It seems clear that he wanted Anne to be assured of a home for at least the 10 years until the younger boys came of age Add to this the fact that both the younger boys relocated to NC around 1697 (ages 25 and 23), but did not sell the Maryland plantation until 1710, and it is reasonable to speculate that Anne (with or without the boys' blessings) retained control of "Despence" until (probably) her death sometime around 1710 20

Children:
1 M David Spence Jr
Birth 25 Jan 1666, Somerset Co, MD
Death 20 Apr 1726, Northumberland Co, VA

Misc. Notes
Although born in Somerset Co, Maryland, in 1666, David left there sometime before November 1692 and settled in Northumberland Co, Virginia In 1697 he travelled with his brothers to the new colony of NC, but quickly returned to Virginia, where around 1698 he married Sarah, widow of John Span and daughter of John Downing. David apparently settled in Newman's Neck, possibly around the present-day town of Coan, along the Potomac He and Sarah had three children: Sarah, Anne, and John It appears that Sarah died around 1710 and he married another widow, Ann Edwards, by whom he had no issue David seems to have been a prosperous and dignified citizen, as he was elected constable in 1708 and the inventory of his estate taken in 1726 totalled some 114 pounds He died in Northumberland Co, VA at around the age of 60, sometime between February 1724/5 and April 1726 He was survived by his daughters, Sarah Pickren (Pickering) and Anne Welsh (Welch), and son John His second wife, Ann, was not mentioned in his will
Appointed constable: May 19, 1708, Replacing William Nelms for Newman's Neck, Northumberland Co, VA (being the area lying between Hull & Presley Creeks, fronting on the Poromac River and today bisected by Virginia Hwy 636)
Appointed hwy overseer: July 17, 1699, For Northumberland Co, VA
Appraises estates1: 1711, Appraises estate of James Rogers, Northumberland Co, VA
Appraises estates2: 1712, Appraises estate of Dan'l Murphew, Northumberland Co, VA
Daughter born1: Abt 1700, Named Sarah, believed to have been born in Northumberland Co, VA
Daughter born2: April 5, 1702, Named Anne, born in St Stephen's Parrish, Northumberland Co, VA
Estate inventoried: July 20, 1726, Was extensive, totalling some 114 pounds, including livestock, furnishings, books, and a pair of spectacles
Inherited: 1679, From his father, David, a "fouling peece about four feet by ye barrell" and a half share in the 250 ac plantation called "Spence's Choice" in Somerset Co, MD
Judgement granted: September 23, 1699, In Northumberland Co, VA court to "David Spens & Sarah his wife, legatee of Mr John Downing" against "Mrs Eliza Downing, exx of Mr John Downing"
Legal proceedings1: July 1700, Re estate of John Span, wife Sarah's first husband (Northumberland Co,VA)
Legal proceedings2: 1702, Re estate of John Span, wife Sarah's first husband (Northumberland Co,VA), where they caused on eJohn Reason to be arrested and received a judgement against him of L12 and 2000 pounds of tobacco
Legal proceedings3: May 20, 1703, David is brought to court on a charge of trespass (eg, unlawful use) of 100 ac of land supposedly owned by Charles & Mary Botts in Newman's Neck, Northumberland Co, VA The disposition of the charge is unknown
Legal proceedings4: June 17, 1714, A suit brought by David and Ann against Frances Clifford as administrators of the estate of her late husband, Nicholas Edwards, is remanded to the next court session
Legal proceedings5: September 16, 1719, David & Ann are ordered to answer the petition of Ann's son (or step-son) Charles Edwards relating to their administration of the estate of his father, Nicholas
Moved to NC: 1697, Name appears in a head right claim submitted by his brother, Alexander, in Perquimans Precinct, Albermarle Co, North Carolina
Moved to VA: Bef November 16, 1692, Relocated to Northumberland Co, VA, where John Downing was awarded an attachment against the estate of one John James, "a part of which is in the hands of David Spence" (who possibly was renting the land)
Neighbors: June 21, 1714, In Northumberland Co, VA included James White, John Cottrell, Mathew Chittwood, John Nelms, Simon Bowley, Hugh Collings, an Allgood, and William Picaring (Pickering)
Owned land in VA: 1714, Is known to have owned land in Northumberland Co , VA next to a William Pickering
Proves will: February 1704, With Thomas Rout and Edward Lawrence, proves will of William Sanders (name is spelled "Spens" in this and other records)
Records livestock mark: 1681, In Somerset Co, MD
Replaced as constable: May 17, 1710, By William Payne, at end of two year term
Resided: May 17, 1710, Gives place of residence as Cone or Cono, possibly a variant of Coan, which is the name of a present-day small town on the river by that name which opens to the Potomac some 2-3 miles above (NW) of Newman's Neck
Returns to VA: Bef May 18, 1698, Proves will of John Downing in the Northumberland Co, VA general court
Son born1: March 21, 1707, Named John, born in St Stephen's Parrish, Northumberland Co, VA
Will probated: April 1726, In Northumberland Co, VA Executor was Silvester Welsh (Welch) Jr, husband of David's daughter, Ann
Will written: February 1724, Or 1725, in Northumberland Co, VA Signed in a firm, bold hand Leaves token amt of livestock to dtrs Sarah Pickren (Pickering) and Ann Welsh (Welch); rest of estate, including 1/2 share in "Spence's Choice", Somerset Co, MD to son John 20
Spouse Sarah Downing
Marriage bef 23 Sep 1699, Northumberland Co, VA

Spouse Ann Edwards
Marriage bef 17 Jul 1711, Northumberland Co, VA

2 M Alexander Spence
Birth 13 Sep 1669, Somerset Co, MD
Death 2 Aug 1734, Pasquotank Co, NC

Misc. Notes
Born in 1699 in Somerset Co, MD, he relocated to NC by October 1697 with his wife, Dorety (Dorothy), and brothers He seems to have been a prosperous, civic-minded man, as he eventually owned a substantial amount of land along the Pasquotank River in what is now Camden Co, NC, below the Great Dismal Swamp He was active in various civic and legal proceedings He served in the House of Burgesses, was a highway overseer, grand juror, Church of England vestryman, and witnessed many deeds in the area Alexander died around August 24, 1734 at age 65, leaving sons James, Alexander Jr, Joseph, Robert, and Truman; and daughters Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer

In his will, he left 240 acres on the Eastern Shore in Maryland "joining Wm Elgate" to his "eldest son, James" This bequest apears to have included the 125 ac half-share in "Spence's Choice" inherited from his father, David, in 1679, but the source of the remaining 115 ac is not known A William Elgate did patent a plantation by that name in 1664 along the Marumsco River in Somerset Co, MD some distance SE of the family's original plantation, "Despence", but none of the holding adjacent to "Elgate" appear to have been named "Spence's Choice" and Elgate sold out in 1672, a year before David patented the "Choice" More research is needed to resolve this issue (Source: Dryden, 1985: "Land Records of Somerset Co, MD, p 14

Alexander also left 200 ac on the S side of the Pasquotank River in NC to son Joseph; 100 acres "where I now live, joining Richard Faril, Abel Rose, John Trublood" to son Robert; and to son and executor, Truman, the "remainder of the land where I now live, my Mark belonging to all my creatures (eg, his stock mark or brand), and likewise all my moveables and remaining part of my Estate within and without" To his daughters Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer, and to son Alexander Jr, he left 10 shillings

Land patented in NC in 1717-1722 appears to have been some 10 miles south of present-day South Mills, Camden Co, NC There is a "Spence's Corner" listed along Hwy 343 some 2-3 miles north of the town of Camden on current NC maps, close to the location of these patents
Appointed hwy overseer: April 1699, Of "yee high Wayes from Suting Creek to (illegible)", Pasquotank Co, NC
Appointed vestryman: 1715, One of first vestrymen appointed when the province of NC established the Church of England as the province's official church Served on the NE Parrish of Pasquotank with John Solley, John, Relve, Gabriel Burnham, among others
Built church: Abt 1715, Called "Forke Chappell" near the Fork Bridge on Joy's (present-day Joyce) Creek, with others
Buys land: July 18, 1721, From neighbor, Griffin Jones, for 10 pounds
Buys land2: October 7, 1730, From James Gregory "containing by estimation 20 ac on the NE side of the Pasquotank River", adjacent to Amos Trueblood
Elected: Bef 1712, To NC House of Burgesses representing Pasquotank
Enters rights1: October 1697, For transport of himself, his wife "Dorety", and brothers John, "Daved" and James to Perquimans Precinct, Albemarle Co, NC
Gives evidence: October 1698, With brother, John, is reimbursed 13 shillings, four pence for expenses incurred in giving evidence in a suit by John & Rebecca Byrd against James Cole over 2 pigs
Had as neighbors: February 19, 1733, John Trueblood, James & Margaret Gregory, Benjamin Kowing or Knauing (probably Koen), John Gray, John Soley (Solley)
Influential: 1733, One of 4 men referenced on Col Edward Moseley's 1733 map
Inherited: 1679, From his father, half (125 ac) of the plantation in Somerset Co, MD known as "Spence's Choice", patented 1673
Jury list: 1723, #143 on the 1723 list of jurymen in Pasquotank Precinct
Jury service: March 24, 1697, Serves as grand juror "att a Generall Court holden at the house of Mrs Eliz Godfrey"
Jury service2: March 31, 1713, For Perquimans Precinct General Court
Jury service3: March 31, 1717, For the General Court of Pasquotank, NC
Occupation: Planter
Paid quitrent: 1734, He or his heirs paid to the Crown half the quitrent in arrears on two parcels of land in Pasquotank Precinct; one the 318 ac patented in 1722 and the other 200 ac not specifically identified, but presumably the 200 ac mentioned in his will of that year
Receives patent2: January 28, 1715, For "273 ac on ye N side of Pasquotank river, joining a small swamp"
Receives patent3: July 10, 1722, For 318 ac on the NE side of the Pasquotank River, "joining a branch, Capt Salley (Solley), Richd Ferrill, Ross (Rose), and the river pocoson"
Receives patent4: April 9, 1724, Petitioned Council at Edenton NC to grant him a lapse patent for 74 ac in Pasquotank first patented in 1716 b7 Griffin Jones but not cultivated "as the law directs" Parcel was on N side of river adjoining Richard Gregory and John Trueblood
Recieves patent: January 28, 1715, For "100 ac in Pasquotank precinct, joining the mouth of a branch, Daniel Phillips, Thos Barkett, and ye swamp of ye river"
Records livestock mark: April 4, 1681, In Somerset Co, MD
Son born1: Abt 1697, Named John, believed to have been born in Perquimans Precinct, NC
Son born2: March 8, 1699, Named Alexander, born in Perquimans Precinct, NC
Tax list: 1718, For Pasquotank, shows 3 "tythables" (free WM 16 and older, plus M/F slaves 12 and older) and 570 ac of land, for which he was taxed a bit under 3 pounds
Was signatory: 1712, To petition from NC House of Burgesses to Gov Alexander Spotswood of VA requesting aid against Tuscarora Indians
Will written: August 24, 1734, "Very sick and weak of Body" See Notes for content of will
Witnessed deeds: July 13, 1731, In Pasquotank Co, NC
Witnessed will: November 1732, Of a "free man" named William Wood in Pasquotank Co, NC

Spouse Dorothy Trueman
Marriage bef Oct 1697, Somerset Co, MD

3 M John Spence
Birth 11 Apr 1672, Somerset Co, MD
Death 14 Mar 1735, Pasquotank Co, NC

Misc. Notes
Born in 1672 in Somerset Co, MD, he was only seven when his father died in 1679 By age 24 in 1696, he was living in Albemarle Co, Perquimans Precinct, NC with his wife Katherine and daughter, Ann He seems to have been less outgoing than his brothers, appearing rarely in the annals of the time, but he did perform his civic duties by giving evidence in court in October 1698 and serving on a Pasquotank Co, NC jury in 1700 He never returned to Maryland, selling his share of his father's Wicomico plantation, "Despence", in 1710 By 1718, John owned 350 acres of land in Pasquotank, and was listed as a juryman there in 1723 He died at age 63 or 64, leaving his lands to be divided equally between sons David and Alexander To daughter Dorothy Davis he left a negro woman called Rose, and to daughter Elizabeth Spence, two negros named Suth and Darby, and a great deal of household goods, including a feather bed and "fourniture that was called hearn in her mothers life time", two iron pots "her choyes" (choice), three large "puter" dishes and three large "puter basons" (basins), three "puter" plates, one "dusen" (dozen) spoons, two cows, two "haffers" (heifers), a side saddle, her wearing clothes and two gowns To granddaughter Rachell Sawyer he left a feather bed In his will, he describes himself as a "gentleman", a term used in those days to describe a person of good social and financial standing It gives a man named Thomas Duffells "his share of the crop ne is making now", and finally divided the remainder of his property "amongst alle my children both males and females", the which inclusion of females in the division being unusual for the time The device on the will's seal includes the letters S S, three circles and a square His executors were Charles Sawyer and John Davis, believed to be the husbands of his daughters Ann (who seems to have predeceased him) and Dorothy, respectively
Acquires land: Bef 1710, Shares with his brother, James, a 200 ac tract named "Hereafter", first patented in 1679 by Thomas Roe, lying adjacent to the northern boundary of Despence in the bend of the Wicomico River
Acquires land2: August 21, 1711, Is granted clear title to 280 acres northeast of the Pasquotank River in NC given him by Margaret McBride, by her son & heir (and his future son-in-law), Truman McBride
Buys land1: July 12, 1720, For 10 pounds from James & Mary McDaniel, an adjoining 50 acres known as "Tom's Ridge" The land was near a lake, and among his neighbors were John Jones and Thomas Sawyer (himself a neighbor of John's brother, Alexander)
Daughter born1: February 1696, Named Ann, in Albemarle Co, Perquimans Precinct, NC
Enters rights1: October 1697, "For three persons transported into this Co whose names are under Wretten viz him selfe, Kattern his Wife, Robart Spence" (in Albemarle Co, Perquimans Precinct, NC)
Gives evidence: October 1698, With brother, Alexander, gives "evidences" in the Perquimans General Court in a case involving the misappropriation of two pigs and is reimbursed 13 shillings 4 pence for associated expenses
Inherited: 1679, From his father, half (250 acres) of the Maryland plantation named "Despence", lying south of the Wicomico River in Somerset Co, MD, along with some cattle and a "mill" which was in his father's house
Jury service1: Abt 1700, In Pasquotank Co, NC, where he and his fellows found James Fisher guilty of assulting and cursing Henderson Walker, president of the Council, and thus disturbing the peace
Jury service2: 1723, With brothers James and Alexander, and nephews James Jr and Alexander Jr, appears as #145 on a list of jurymen for Pasquotank Precinct
Paid quitrent: Abt 1734, Paid half the quitrents in arrears on 400 acres of land in Pasquotank Precinct at a cost of 7 pounds The record lists him as John "Senr", although no record of his having a son named after himself
Sells land: December 4, 1710, With brother, James, sells the Maryland plantation named "Despence" inherited from their father and the adjoining plantation named "Hereafter" to George Gale
Tax list: 1718, Is carried (in Pasquotank Co, NC) as accountable for two tithables (one noted "ffree") and 350 acres of land
Will probated: April 13, 1736, In Pasquotank Co, NC
Will written: March 14, 1735, (Or 1736) In Pasquotank Co, NC, survived by his sons David and Alexander, daughters Dorothy Davis and Elizabeth Spence, and granddaughter Rachell Sawyer 20
Spouse Kathren
Marriage abt 1694

4 M James Spence Sr
Birth 25 Jan 1674, Somerset Co, MD
Death bef Oct 1740, Pasquotank Co, NC

Misc. Notes
Acquires land: Bef 1710, Shares with his brother, John, a 200 ac tract named "Hereafter", first patented in 1679 by Thomas Roe, lying adjacent to the northern boundary of Despence in the bend of the Wicomico River137
Acquires land2: Abt 1698, "Possesses for Isaac Booth" (or managed) a 200 acre plantation called 'Fatsters Quarternear the branches of the Wicomico" Fatsters is a corruption of "Fatt Steer's", the name originally given to the Booth plantation 138
Buys land: Bef 1715, With wife, Esther, buys 320 acres in Pasquotank Co, NC from Wm Leeffman, which was from a 640 ac patent initially granted to a Robert Taylor139
Buys land 3: March 1, 1719, Another 640 ac of land in Pasquotank, originally patented 1 May 1668 and "known by ye name of old Joyes Fork", a name derived from the original patent-holder, Wm Joy140
Buys land2: December 20, 1716, From Griffith Jones, the western 200 ac of a 400 ac tract originally surveyed for Wm Foy "joining on the point of the swamp of ye River in the fork of ye River" "Foy" is Wm Joy, for whom Joy's (now Joyce) Creek is named, and Spence is written "Spencer"141
Inherited: 1679, Half (250 acres) of his father's Somerset MD plantation "Despence"142
Jury list: 1723, With brothers Alexander and John, son James Jr and nephew Alexander Jr, is #142 on the list of jurymen for Pasquotank Precinct143
Moved to NC: July 1697, With brothers Alexander and John, moves briefly to Perquimans Precinct, NC144
Paid quitrent: 1734, Paid half the quitrents in arrears on 300 acres of land in Pasquotank Precinct at a cost of 5 pounds, 5 shillings145
Remarries: Aft 1715, Sarah, believed to be the sister of his brother John's wife, Dorothy146
Sells land: December 4, 1710, With brother, John, sells the Maryland plantation named "Despence" inherited from their father and the adjoining plantation named "Hereafter" to George Gale147
Sells land2: June 11, 1715, Sells 50 acres from the 320 ac tract to Thomas Betty for 9 pounds The tract was described as beginning "at a gum, Capt Relfe's corner tree, and up the sd Line a mile in lenght taking for breadth the quantity of 50 acres"148
Sells land3: October 15, 1723, Sells 2 parcels of land to son-in-law, Truman McBride, accounting for most (or all) of the Joy's Fork tract, one of 426 ac and the other either 200 or 142 ac149
Sells land4: Bet October 1737 - April 1738, Sold 130 ac "on Mr Abbitts Line" to John McBride for 10 pounds Oct 9, 1737; 200 ac "on John Macbrides Line" for 30 pounds to John Kelly on Apr 3, 1738; 100 ac "at Abbitts corner holly" for 12 pounds to Jacob Sawyer Apr 11, 1738150
Tax list: 1718, Shows James with 1 tithable (himself) and 450 ac of land for which he was taxed 163151
Wife dies: Aft June 11, 1715, Last recorded mention of Esther is on the sale of 50 acres to Thomas Betty152
Will probated: October 1740, In Pasquotank Co, NC153
Will written: March 20, 1740, Leaving his "maner plantation" to son David; " the landNorth of Taylor's Branch" to son James, and "100 ac that lieth in the fork joyning Jacob Sawyers and Grapevine ridge" to gson James, the rest of estate to wife Sarah and her 3 children154
Witnessed deeds: Bet 1728 - 1730, For neighbors and acquaintances such as Thomas Swann, John Abbitt, Robert Morgan, William McDanid, and Thomas Sawyer Jr155
Witnessed will: May 1698, Witnesses will of John Booth, of "Wiccocomacoe, Somerset Co" MD, father of his wife, Esther
Spouse Sarah Trueman
Marriage aft 1715, Pasquotank Co, NC

Spouse Esther Booth
Marriage abt 1696, Perquimans Precinct, NC

5 F Ann Spence
Birth 30 Oct 1677, Pasquotank Co, NC
Death abt Apr 1703, Pasquotank Co, NC

Misc. Notes
Inherited: 1679, From her father, two heifers named "Black Bird & Mouse", the calves of which were to be used for Ann's nurturing and education; also the old mare "Nany", a ten gallon iron pot, and the "puter" (pewter) dishes

Registered livestock mark: 1681, In Somerset Co, MD

John Spence was one of the men who appraised the estate of an Ann Holland "at Wicomico" on April 27,1703 As it was the general practice to appoint at least one close male family member to handle or assist in handling an estate, it is reasonable to assume that Ann Holland and John Spence were closely related, possibly a brother and sister 20

Last Modified 8 Aug 1999 Created 24 Jun 2000 by EasyTree for Windows95

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Children of David Spence and Ann Roe are:
i. David Spence, Jr., born 25 Jan 1666 in Wicomico, Somerset Co., MD; died 20 Apr 1726 in Wicomico, Northumberland Co., VA; married Sarah Downing 23 Sep 1699.

Notes for David Spence, Jr.:
https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/09/22/two-children-of-david-and-anne-roe-spence-david-spence-1666-1726-and-ann-spence-1677-1713/

wo Children of David and Anne Roe Spence: David Spence (1666-1726) and Ann Spence (1677-1713)
Posted by drbibeall43
David and Ann Spence were the oldest and youngest children of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711). I focus on the two of them here since they ended up in the same location. While their siblings relocated to Pasquotank, North Carolina, David and Ann settled in Northumberland County, Virginia.
David Spence (1666-1726)
According to the Maryland, Births and Christening Records, David Spence was born 25 Jan 1666 in Wicocomico, Somerset County, Maryland.(1) He was the oldest son and child of David and Ann Roe Spence. The next reference to young David is in Somerset County where at the age of fifteen, David registered his cattle marks.(2) His father had died in 1679, so David became a man at a relatively young age. When his brothers began focusing on North Carolina in the 1690s, David elected not to go there. Instead, he turned his attention to Northumberland County, Virginia, where his father had originally settled. He had visited Northumberland with his father, for David Sr. continued investing in property there. While I have yet to find a specific record indicating his earliest presence there, he was definitely in Northumberland by 1699.
On September 23, 1699, David married a widow by the name of Sarah Downing Span (1668-1711) in Northumberland County, Virginia.(3) Sarah was the daughter of John B. Downing (1645-1698) and Elizabeth Hughlett (1643-1715). Her first husband was John Span (1663-1697), whom she had married in Northumberland County May 19, 1697. Their daughter, Elizabeth Span, was born in 1698 in Wicocomico, Northumberland County, Virginia and died in Northumberland February 17, 1698.
Sarah Downing and David Spence had the following children:
1. Sarah Spence, who was born in 1700 in Wicocomico, Northumberland County, Virginia, and who died before March 2, 1752 in Northumberland County. For the longest time, I thought Sarah did not exist until I found her marriage listed in the Northumberland County Records. Sarah Spence, the daughter of David Spence and Sarah Downing married William Pickering (1694-1736) before December 18, 1718 in Northumberland County.(4) William was the son of William Pickering (1660-1712). People have confused this William Pickering with a William Pickren (1698-1752)—but they were different individuals. William Pickren's parents were Richard Pickren (1675-1740) and Martha (b. 1675). William Pickren died in Georgia. His wife was Elinor Haynie (b. 1708), whom he married in Northumberland County in 1729. Their children were Robert F. Pickren (1726-1800), Spencer Pickren (1729-1783) and Nelly Pickren (b. 1732). William Pickren may have had a previous marriage, but it was not to Sarah Spence.
The children of William Pickering and Sarah Spence were:
a. Sarah Pickering (b. December 18, 1718, St. Stephen's Parish, Northumberland County, Virginia).
b. William Pickering, Jr. (b. November 24, 1720, St. Stephen's Parish, Northumberland County, Virginia). William died after March 2, 1752.
c. Ann Pickering (b. December 28, 1722, St. Stephen's Parish, Northumberland County, Virginia).
d. David Pickering (b. February 2, 1725, St. Stephen's Parish, Northumberland County, Virginia).
William Pickering died in Northumberland County, Virginia December 13, 1736.
2. Anne Spence, who was born April 5, 1702, Wicocomico, Northumberland County, Virginia and who died before March 2, 1752 in Northumberland County.(5) About 1724, Anne married Sylvester Welch (Welsh) II (1696-1754) in Northumberland County, Virginia.(6) Their children were:
a. Winifred Welch (b. 1721)
b. Benjamin Welch (1723-1785)
c. Anne Welch (b. 1725)
d. Sarah Welch (b. 1725)
e. John Welch (b. 1727)
f. Sylvester Welch III (1729-1810)
g. Dempsey Welch (1729-1792)'
h. Daniel Welch (1732-1753)
i. Laurenah or Lurena Welch (1733-1754)
j. Sarah Welch (b. 1735)
k. Nancy Welch (1740-1850).
A note on my family tree indicates: "Silvester referenced, w/ wife's nephew, William Pickering Jr., as the "two surviving heirs" to the half of "Spence's Choice", Somerset Co. MD plant. inher. by Anne's father, David Jr. from his own father in 1679. Welch & Pickering sold to Purnell Johnson." (7)
Concerning Silvester Welch:
Name also given as Welsh. Served as executor to wife's brother (John Spence) estate in 1726/7. According to the William & Mary Quarterly, the Welches were a substantial and well known family and furnished several soldiers to the Revolutionary Army. The records of St. Stephen's Parish in Northumberland Co., VA indicate that a Silvester Welsh had a daughter, Winefred, on Dec. 8, 1714, and a second daughter, also named Winefred, on August 22, 1721. Even for that time it is unlikely that Anne Spence was the mother of the first Winefred, as she would have been only 11 when she became pregnant. A more reasonable scenario is that Silvester's first wife and child died, with Anne Spence being his second wife, and their first child named after the one who died.(8)
3. John Spence, who was born March 21, 1707 in St. Stephens Parish, Northumberland County, Virginia, and who died March 15, 1727 in Wicomico, Northumberland County, Virginia. He remained single.
After Sarah Downing Spence's death in 1711, David Spence married Anne Edwards (1666-1719) in Northumberland County, Virginia about 1711.(9) I believe I should mention here that the reason why there are so many approximate dates in these early records stems from the fact that the earlier records burned or were otherwise destroyed and Northumberland County had to recreate those early records. If no witnesses were still around and the County was forced to guess, recorders used approximate dates. Existing records for David Spence and his two wives follow:
17 Nov 1714 — Age: 48
Northumberland County, Virginia, USA
Lawsuit filed against Frances Clifford, Relict of Robert, now wife of Jno Archbell by David & Ann Spence, Admrs of Nicho Edwards Estate
16 Sep 1719 — Age: 53
Northumberland County, Virginia, USA
Charles Edwards, son of Nicholas Edwards, decd. David & Ann Spence ordered to answer his Petition.; Appt. Admrs of Nicholas Edwards Estate 17 Jun 1714 (10)
David Spence died in Wicomico, Northumberland County Virginia on April 20, 1726. (11)
Ann Spence (1677-1713)
The youngest child and only daughter of David and Ann Roe Spence, Ann Spence was born October 30, 1677 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland.(12) She was two years old when her father died in 1679. Then in 1699 at the age of twenty-two, she joined her brother David in Northumberland County, Virginia, where she met and married her first husband Hugh Callan (1670-1709). Hugh Callan was born in England or in Scotland, and he died June 1, 1709 in Northumberland County, Virginia. Their children were:
1. Nicholas Callan, born in 1701, Northumberland County, Virginia
2. Eliza (Elizabeth) Callan, born 1706, Northumberland County, Virginia.(13)
In June 1709, Ann married John Lyon, who was born in 1669 and who died after 1711 in Northumberland County, Virginia. Northumberland County Records show the following:
20 Jun 1711
Northumberland County, Virginia
Jno. Lyon Re-rec Inv. of est of Hugh Callan, decd, 17.113
20 Jun 1711
Northumberland County, Virginia
Inv of Est re-rec by John Lyon and Alexander Mulraine. Orig. date of inv. not shown it having been burned. 17.113 (14)
Concerning Ann Spence Callan Lyon, the records show:
20 Jul 1709— Age: 31
Northumberland Co. Virginia
Anne Lyon, wife of John Lyon, and executrix of Hugh Callan, petitioned the Court to appoint Mr. John Downing, Charles Nelms and David Spence to appraise the said Callan's Estate (15)
Ann's second husband John Lyon predeceased her in 1711. She died before March 1713/14, when her orphaned children by Hugh Callan were bound out as follows:
Eliza Callan (orph. Dau. of Hugh Callan) dec'd, seven years old the first day of July next, bound to Tho. Harding till 18. 12 Mar 1713/14. 6.21.
Nicho: (orph Son of Hugh Callan) dec'd. abt 12 years of age, bound to Charles Moorhead till 21 to be taught the trade of a cooper. 18 Mar 1713/14. 6.25
Nich: (orph Son of Hugh Callan) dec'd abt 13 years, bound by his request to John Crump to learn the trade of a shoemaker. 16 Mar 1714/15. 6.100 (16)
___________________________________________________________
References
(1) Maryland, Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911 about David Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(2) Maryland, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1772-1890 about David Spence Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(3) Virginia, Marriages of the Northern Neck of Virginia, 1649-1800 about David Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(4) Northumberland, Virginia County Records about Sarah Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(5) Virginia, Marriages of the Northern Neck of Virginia, 1649-1800 about Anne Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(6) Virginia, Marriages of the Northern Neck of Virginia, 1649-1800 about Anne Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(7) Somerset County, Princess Anne, MD, Deed Book A, p 227
(8) From FamilyTree Maker
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/k/e/e/Janie-S-Keenum/ GENE2-0002.html Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(9) Virginia, Marriages of the Northern Neck of Virginia, 1649-1800 about David Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(10) Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. I, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(11) Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. I, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(12) Maryland, Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911 about Ann Spence. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(13) Northumbria collectanea, 1645-1720, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(14) Northumbria collectanea, 1645-1720, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(15) Northumbria collectanea, 1645-1720, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(15) Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 22, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com

324 ii. Alexander Spence, born 13 Sep 1669 in Wicomico, Somerset Co., MD; died 02 Aug 1734 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC; married Dorothy Truman.
iii. John Spence, born 11 Apr 1672 in Wicomico, Somerset Co., MD; died Abt. 1736 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC; married Catherine Truman; born 25 Jan 1665 in Westmoreland Co., VA; died 29 Apr 1726 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC.

Notes for John Spence:
https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/10/14/john-spence-1672-1736-and-catherine-truman-1665-1726/

John Spence (1672-1736) and Catherine Truman (1665-1726)
Posted by drbibeall43
The third son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711), John Spence was born April 11, 1672 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland.(1) His father died in 1679 and after their father's death, John and his younger brother James Spence (1674-1740) inherited Hereafter, a property left to them by their father.(2) About 1690, John married Catherine Truman (1665-1726), one of the orphaned daughters of John Truman (1627-1686), in Somerset County, Maryland. Catherine was raised by Richard Stevens, a Quaker who resided in Somerset County.(3)
By 1697, John and his brother, Alexander, elected to relocate to Perquimans County, North Carolina. According to North Carolina Colonial and State Records:
Cathron was imported by her husband John Spence, also three sons. Vol. 1, p. 488(4)–
–indicating that John and Catherine had their three sons in Maryland prior to relocating to North Carolina. One of those sons is identified in the North Carolina Records:
Robert imported by father John Spence, 1697. Vol. 1, p. 488(5)
The names of John and Catherine's other sons have been gleaned from their father's will. The daughters were apparently born in North Carolina.
In 1723, John appears as a juror in Pasquotank, North Carolina.(6) The other reference I found for him occurred in 1729, as follows:
John Spence, Sr. pays quit rents for 400 acres in Pasquotank County in 1729.(7)
Catherine Truman Spence died April 29, 1726 in Pasquotank County. She was the oldest of John Truman's daughters. John and Catherine's son, Robert, died before John drew up his will in 1735. The abstract of his will follows:
Name:
John Spence
Location:
Pasquotank County
Will Date:
14 Mar 1735
Probate Date:
13 Apr 1736
Will:
Sons: David and Alexander (lands divided between them). Daughters: Dorothy Davis, Elizabeth Spence. Granddaughter: Reachell Sawyer. Executors: Charles Sawyer and John Davis. Witnesses: Geo. Rowe, Alexander Leflear, Elizabeth Lefleare. Clerk of the Court: Jos. Smith. Device on seal: Letters S. S., three circles and square(8).
The children of John Spence and Catherine Truman were:
1. Robert Spence (1690-bef. 14 Mar 1735). Robert is the only child listed on the transportation list to Perquimans, so he was probably the oldest son. He is not mentioned in his father's will, so he may have died young.
2. Alexander Spence (bef. 1697-Jan 1744). Alexander would have been one of the sons imported into North Carolina in 1697. He apparently died in Pasquotank County, North Carolina in January 1744. I know nothing else about him. He is identified in his father's will.
3. David Spence (bef. 1697-1741). David would have been the third son imported into North Carolina by his father in 1697. He is identified in his father's will and is believed to have died in Pasquotank County in 1741.
4. Ann Spence (aft. 1697-bef 14 Mar 1735). She is not mentioned in her father's will, but her daughter is. Ann married Charles Sawyer (1692-1750) about 1734 in Pasquotank County. He was the son of Henry Sawyer (1673-1729) and his wife Sarah, who was born about 1677. They had one daughter—Rachel Sawyer (1735-bef 1750)—and she is mentioned in her grandfather's will. Ann died in childbirth with Rachel. Charles remarried about 1736, but the name of his second wife is unknown. Their children were: Charles Sawyer (1739-1764); Dorothy Sawyer (born aft 1739); Jesse Sawyer (b. 1739); John Sawyer (1739-1743); Miriam Sawyer (b. 1739); Robert Sawyer (1739-1764); Willis Sawyer (1739-1753). The exact dates of birth and order of birth are unknown for these children. An abstract of Charles Sawyer's will reads:
Name:
Charles Sawyer
Location:
Pasquotank County
Will Date:
21 Oct 1750
Probate Date:
Jan 1750(1)—Since the will was dated 1750, it was probably entered for probate in 1751.
Will:
Sons: John (plantation on North River), Jesse (land on North River), Charles ("land I now live on," riding horse and cattle); Willis (land adjoining Butterworth, John Sawyer, etc.). Daughters: Dorothy and Miriam. To each of above-named children is bequeathed a negro. Wife: not named. Executor: Willis Sawyer. Witnesses: Bennett Morgan, Lodwick Williams, S. S. Plomer. Clerk of the Court: Thos. Taylor.(9)
5. Dorothy Spence (1698-1758). Dorothy married John Davis (1685-1765) in Pasquotank County. They had two sons: Ephraim and George Davis. Nothing else is known.
6. Elizabeth Spence (1702-aft 1736). Nothing else is known.
John's will was entered for probate in April 1736. His estate inventory was filed the following year.(10)
References
(1)Maryland, Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911 about John Spence. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(2)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about John and James Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(3)John Truman 1685 Will Abstract, MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 2
VOLUME II.
(4)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 1, p. 488
(5)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 1, p. 488
(6)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 25, p. 187
(7)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 22, p. 256
(8) John Truman 1786 Will Abstract, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(9) North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about Charles Sawyer, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(10) North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about John Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com

iv. James Spence, born 25 Jan 1673 in Wicomoco, Somerset Co., MD; died 20 Mar 1740 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC; married Sarah Truman.

Notes for James Spence:
https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2015/01/02/james-spence-1674-1740-esther-booth-1674-1715-and-sarah-elizabeth-truman-1673-1740/

James Spence (1674-1740), Esther Booth (1674-1715), and Sarah Elizabeth Truman (1673-1740)
Posted by drbibeall43 0
The youngest son of David Spence and Ann Roe, James Spence was born January 5, 1674 in Wicocomico, Somerset County, Maryland, and he died in October 1740 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. His first wife was Esther Booth, daughter of John Booth (1630-1698). They were my seventh great grandparents. After Esther's death in Pasquotank, North Carolina, James married Sarah Elizabeth Truman, another daughter of John and Ann Truman of Somerset County, Maryland. Sarah was known by her middle name Elizabeth on Somerset County records when her father was still living. As already noted in previous articles, the three daughters—Dorothy, Catherine and Elizabeth—were bound out to guardians after John Truman died. Elizabeth moved into the John Booth household, where she began using her first name. The Booths already had a daughter named Elizabeth or Eliza, so Sarah used her first name in order to avoid confusion.
James Spence was five years old when his father David died. David had originally patented 1,000 acres in Somerset County, 500 acres of which became the property of James Dashiell. Concerning David Spence's remaining 500 acres of Despence:
"He (James) inherited half (250 acres) of his father's Maryland plantation, "Despence" (his brother John inheriting the other half). Lord Calvert's rent rolls for 1663-1723 show that James retained ownership of this half interest for some time. The same documents show that at some time all 240 acres of his father's second plantation, "Spence's Choice", was "apportioned" to James (specified as being in North Carolina), although it had been left to his older brothers David and Alexander, and was eventually sold by their heirs. The documents also show that James shared with his brother, John, a 200 acre tract named "Hereafter", assigned to them by Thomas Roe, and that James "possessed for Isaac Booth" a 200 acre plantation called "Fatsters Quarter", "near the branches of the Wicomico". The word "fatster" appears to be a corruption of "Fatt Steer's", the name originally given the Booth plantation, and the term "possessed" suggested that James managed, rather than owned, the latter plantation." (1)
In the 1690s, the Spence brothers relocated to the Virginia and North Carolina colonies. Some speculation has been presented that perhaps their mother Ann (Anne) Roe Spence remained in full control of Despence until her death, and the Spence brothers never really settled upon it. (2) David Jr., Alexander and John Spence were the first to leave Somerset County—David settling in Northumberland County, Virginia, and Alexander and John settling in Perquimans, North Carolina. In all likelihood, James probably moved to Perquimans with Alexander and John, per the following:
"It is known that James moved with his brothers to Perquimans Precinct, NC around July 1697, when he would have been only 23. No wife is mentioned, and he was back in Maryland by May 1698, when he witnessed the will of John Booth, of "Wiccocomacoe, Somerset Co.". James married Booth's daughter, Esther, and both she and their daughter, Bridget, are mentioned in Booth's will. From this, it appears that James and Esther may have married sometime before his venture to North Carolina in 1697, and that she did not accompany him on the journey because she was pregnant with Bridget. Esther was a sister to Isaac Booth, who subsequently inherited the above-mentioned plantation, "Fatsters Quarter", from their father, John Booth Sr." (3)
The possibility exists that James traveled back and forth between the two colonies until after his mother's death. Then he was free to finally settle in North Carolina.
The children of James Spence and Esther Booth follow:
1. Bridget Spence (1698-1740). Bridget was born before May 1698 in Somerset County, Maryland, and she died ca. 1740. She married Truman McBride (1686-1727) in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Their children were:
a. James McBride (no information)
b. Rhoda McBride (no information)
c. John McBride (1725-1766)
d. Sarah McBride (1725-1766) (Dates for John and Sarah are approximate). Sarah McBride will return later in the future William Edward Spence article.
Truman McBride was born March 27, 1686 in Somerset County, Maryland. He was the son of John McBride (1664-1704) and Margaret Truman (1654-1711).
After Truman's death, Bridget married Benjamin Coen (1697-1734) on August 5, 1727. They had one daughter: Betty Coen, born 1734.
2. Alexander Spence (1700-1752). Alexander married Ann Sawyer. I have no additional information.
3. James Spence (1702-1753)—my sixth great grandfather. He will be treated in a separate article.
After Esther's death, James Spence married Sarah Elizabeth Truman, who has already been identified as one of the orphaned daughters of John Truman. Their children follow:
4. David Spence (1717-1775). I have no additional information
5. Betty Spence (1719-1740). I have no additional information
6. Sarah Spence (1721-1739). I have no additional information.
An abstract of James Spence's will follows:
"Name: James Spence
Location: Pasquotank Precinct
Will Date: 20 Mar 1739
Probate Date: Oct 1740
Will:
Sons: Alexander, David, James. Daughters: Bridget Spence and Betty Mardrum. Wife and Executrix: Sarah. Witnesses: John Jones, Berd Banger, Elizabeth Perishe. Clerk of the Court: James Craven." (4)
The Booth, Truman and McBride families all came from Somerset County, Maryland. Concerning the Booth and Truman families, I have not found any evidence that they were directly connected with the Booths of Baltimore County, Maryland (John Wilkes Booth's family) or the Truman families of St. Mary's County, Maryland (President Harry S. Truman's ancestors). At most, they may have been distant cousins. A George Booth settled in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland about the same period of time as David Spence. As yet, I have not determined David's connection with John Booth other than the fact they settled in the same neighborhood. The dates of birth and death for George Booth appear to have been 1625-1666. I have speculated that he was John Booth's brother, but do not have any proof of that as yet. The McBrides originated in Belfast, Antrim, Ireland, where John McBride was born in 1664. He died in Pasquotank, North Carolina in 1704. John McBride's wife was Margaret Truman (Trewman) (1654-1711). She was the daughter of Robert Trewman (1634-1685)—a cousin of John Truman of Somerset County. The relationship is established in John Truman's will. (5)
According to "Notes for James Spence":
"James died in 1740 at about age 65 in Pasquotank, survived by his wife and executor, Sarah; children Alexander, Bridget, Betty Mardrum, David, James Jr., and Sarah; and grandson James (III), according to his will written on March 20th of that year. As mentioned above, it appears that he had 3 children with each wife, as the will leaves "the rest of my estate to my wife Sarah and her 3 children, above specified". Unfortunately, the will doesn't actually identify which children were Sarah's. It is easy to assume that the children are listed in birth order, and, in fact, Alexander probably was the eldest son since he was made co-executor. Bridget would also fall in the "first three" group, and may actually have been the eldest, as she is known to have been Esther's child, born in 1697 or 1698. But "James Spence Junr" bought land in 1731, so he had to have been born well before Esther's death ca 1715, and thus could not have been Sarah's child. Best guess at present is that Betty, David, and Sarah were the youngest of James' children.
The will was probated in October 1740. He had retained enough land to leave his "maner plantation.. that lieth on the South side of Taylors Branch" to his son, David; "all the land that lieth on the North side of …Taylors Branch" to his son James Jr.; and, finally, "100 acres that lieth in the fork joyning of Jacob Sawyers and Grapevine ridge" to his grandson, James III." (6)
References
(1) "Notes for James Spence", Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: January 2, 2015. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(2) "Notes for James Spence", Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: January 2, 2015. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(3) "Notes for James Spence", Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: January 2, 2015. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(4) North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about James Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: January 2, 2015. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(5) From The Maryland State Archives,No. SM16 PREROGATIVE COURT (Wills) JOHN TRUMAN. Book 4 pp. 215-216, SR 4400
(6) Notes for James Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: January 2, 2015. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com

v. Ann Spence, born 30 Oct 1677 in Wicomico, Somerset Co., MD; died Bef. Mar 1714 in Northumberland Co., VA; married (1) Hugh Callan; married (2) John Lyon.

Notes for Ann Spence:
https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/09/22/two-children-of-david-and-anne-roe-spence-david-spence-1666-1726-and-ann-spence-1677-1713/

Ann Spence (1677-1713)
The youngest child and only daughter of David and Ann Roe Spence, Ann Spence was born October 30, 1677 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland.(12) She was two years old when her father died in 1679. Then in 1699 at the age of twenty-two, she joined her brother David in Northumberland County, Virginia, where she met and married her first husband Hugh Callan (1670-1709). Hugh Callan was born in England or in Scotland, and he died June 1, 1709 in Northumberland County, Virginia. Their children were:
1. Nicholas Callan, born in 1701, Northumberland County, Virginia
2. Eliza (Elizabeth) Callan, born 1706, Northumberland County, Virginia.(13)
In June 1709, Ann married John Lyon, who was born in 1669 and who died after 1711 in Northumberland County, Virginia. Northumberland County Records show the following:
20 Jun 1711
Northumberland County, Virginia
Jno. Lyon Re-rec Inv. of est of Hugh Callan, decd, 17.113
20 Jun 1711
Northumberland County, Virginia
Inv of Est re-rec by John Lyon and Alexander Mulraine. Orig. date of inv. not shown it having been burned. 17.113 (14)
Concerning Ann Spence Callan Lyon, the records show:
20 Jul 1709— Age: 31
Northumberland Co. Virginia
Anne Lyon, wife of John Lyon, and executrix of Hugh Callan, petitioned the Court to appoint Mr. John Downing, Charles Nelms and David Spence to appraise the said Callan's Estate (15)
Ann's second husband John Lyon predeceased her in 1711. She died before March 1713/14, when her orphaned children by Hugh Callan were bound out as follows:
Eliza Callan (orph. Dau. of Hugh Callan) dec'd, seven years old the first day of July next, bound to Tho. Harding till 18. 12 Mar 1713/14. 6.21.
Nicho: (orph Son of Hugh Callan) dec'd. abt 12 years of age, bound to Charles Moorhead till 21 to be taught the trade of a cooper. 18 Mar 1713/14. 6.25
Nich: (orph Son of Hugh Callan) dec'd abt 13 years, bound by his request to John Crump to learn the trade of a shoemaker. 16 Mar 1714/15. 6.100 (16)

650. John Trewman/Truman, born Abt. 1627 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England; died Abt. 1685 in Somerset Co., MD. He was the son of 1300. Richard Trewman and 1301. Marie Huthwaite.

Children of John Trewman/Truman are:
i. Catherine Truman, born 25 Jan 1665 in Westmoreland Co., VA; died 29 Apr 1726 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC; married John Spence; born 11 Apr 1672 in Wicomico, Somerset Co., MD; died Abt. 1736 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC.

Notes for John Spence:
https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/10/14/john-spence-1672-1736-and-catherine-truman-1665-1726/

John Spence (1672-1736) and Catherine Truman (1665-1726)
Posted by drbibeall43
The third son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711), John Spence was born April 11, 1672 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland.(1) His father died in 1679 and after their father's death, John and his younger brother James Spence (1674-1740) inherited Hereafter, a property left to them by their father.(2) About 1690, John married Catherine Truman (1665-1726), one of the orphaned daughters of John Truman (1627-1686), in Somerset County, Maryland. Catherine was raised by Richard Stevens, a Quaker who resided in Somerset County.(3)
By 1697, John and his brother, Alexander, elected to relocate to Perquimans County, North Carolina. According to North Carolina Colonial and State Records:
Cathron was imported by her husband John Spence, also three sons. Vol. 1, p. 488(4)–
–indicating that John and Catherine had their three sons in Maryland prior to relocating to North Carolina. One of those sons is identified in the North Carolina Records:
Robert imported by father John Spence, 1697. Vol. 1, p. 488(5)
The names of John and Catherine's other sons have been gleaned from their father's will. The daughters were apparently born in North Carolina.
In 1723, John appears as a juror in Pasquotank, North Carolina.(6) The other reference I found for him occurred in 1729, as follows:
John Spence, Sr. pays quit rents for 400 acres in Pasquotank County in 1729.(7)
Catherine Truman Spence died April 29, 1726 in Pasquotank County. She was the oldest of John Truman's daughters. John and Catherine's son, Robert, died before John drew up his will in 1735. The abstract of his will follows:
Name:
John Spence
Location:
Pasquotank County
Will Date:
14 Mar 1735
Probate Date:
13 Apr 1736
Will:
Sons: David and Alexander (lands divided between them). Daughters: Dorothy Davis, Elizabeth Spence. Granddaughter: Reachell Sawyer. Executors: Charles Sawyer and John Davis. Witnesses: Geo. Rowe, Alexander Leflear, Elizabeth Lefleare. Clerk of the Court: Jos. Smith. Device on seal: Letters S. S., three circles and square(8).
The children of John Spence and Catherine Truman were:
1. Robert Spence (1690-bef. 14 Mar 1735). Robert is the only child listed on the transportation list to Perquimans, so he was probably the oldest son. He is not mentioned in his father's will, so he may have died young.
2. Alexander Spence (bef. 1697-Jan 1744). Alexander would have been one of the sons imported into North Carolina in 1697. He apparently died in Pasquotank County, North Carolina in January 1744. I know nothing else about him. He is identified in his father's will.
3. David Spence (bef. 1697-1741). David would have been the third son imported into North Carolina by his father in 1697. He is identified in his father's will and is believed to have died in Pasquotank County in 1741.
4. Ann Spence (aft. 1697-bef 14 Mar 1735). She is not mentioned in her father's will, but her daughter is. Ann married Charles Sawyer (1692-1750) about 1734 in Pasquotank County. He was the son of Henry Sawyer (1673-1729) and his wife Sarah, who was born about 1677. They had one daughter—Rachel Sawyer (1735-bef 1750)—and she is mentioned in her grandfather's will. Ann died in childbirth with Rachel. Charles remarried about 1736, but the name of his second wife is unknown. Their children were: Charles Sawyer (1739-1764); Dorothy Sawyer (born aft 1739); Jesse Sawyer (b. 1739); John Sawyer (1739-1743); Miriam Sawyer (b. 1739); Robert Sawyer (1739-1764); Willis Sawyer (1739-1753). The exact dates of birth and order of birth are unknown for these children. An abstract of Charles Sawyer's will reads:
Name:
Charles Sawyer
Location:
Pasquotank County
Will Date:
21 Oct 1750
Probate Date:
Jan 1750(1)—Since the will was dated 1750, it was probably entered for probate in 1751.
Will:
Sons: John (plantation on North River), Jesse (land on North River), Charles ("land I now live on," riding horse and cattle); Willis (land adjoining Butterworth, John Sawyer, etc.). Daughters: Dorothy and Miriam. To each of above-named children is bequeathed a negro. Wife: not named. Executor: Willis Sawyer. Witnesses: Bennett Morgan, Lodwick Williams, S. S. Plomer. Clerk of the Court: Thos. Taylor.(9)
5. Dorothy Spence (1698-1758). Dorothy married John Davis (1685-1765) in Pasquotank County. They had two sons: Ephraim and George Davis. Nothing else is known.
6. Elizabeth Spence (1702-aft 1736). Nothing else is known.
John's will was entered for probate in April 1736. His estate inventory was filed the following year.(10)
References
(1)Maryland, Births and Christenings Index, 1662-1911 about John Spence. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(2)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about John and James Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(3)John Truman 1685 Will Abstract, MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 2
VOLUME II.
(4)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 1, p. 488
(5)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 1, p. 488
(6)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 25, p. 187
(7)North Carolina Colonial and State Records, Vol. 22, p. 256
(8) John Truman 1786 Will Abstract, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(9) North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about Charles Sawyer, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(10) North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about John Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: October 14, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com

325 ii. Dorothy Truman, born Abt. 1672; died Abt. 1734; married Alexander Spence.

672. John Gregory

Children of John Gregory are:
336 i. Thomas Gregory, born Abt. 1675; died Abt. 1740 in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC; married (1) Priscilla Barco; married (2) ?.
ii. Richard Gregory, born Abt. 1684; died Abt. 1719 in Pasquotank (that part probably now in Camden) Co., NC; married (1) Margaret Barco; born Abt. 1690 in Pasquotank (that part probably now in Camden) Co., NC; died Abt. 1753 in Pasquotank (that part probably now in Camden) Co., NC; married (2) ?.

Notes for Richard Gregory:
Will: September 15, 1720, Family Tree Maker CD Early North Carolina Settlers 1700's - 1900's Text; Richard Gregory of Pasquotank. May 17, 1719; Sept 15, 1720, eldest son Richard, son James and John, wife Margret.

Notes for Margaret Barco:
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/r/e/Sue-C-Gregory-guzman/GENE8-0001.html

Will: July 1753, Mentions Daughters Mary Humphries, Margaret Barber and Sarah Grandy, Grnd-dau. Sarah Humphries.

674. Thomas Bareco*ck/Barco, born Abt. 1643 in England?; died Abt. 1721 in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County).

Notes for Thomas Bareco*ck/Barco:
The following is quoted from "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County (North Carolina), pages 26-27, by Jesse Forbes Pugh:

Ancestor to Many
THOMAS BAREco*ck
ca. 1653-1721

It is not only possible for a native of Camden to be a blood relative to fifty percent or more of the county's population, but this is probably the true status of many individuals now living here. For those whose ancestors were in this vicinity two hundred and fifty years ago there must have been as a biological necessity either sixty-four or one hundred and twenty-eight distant grandparents, depending upon the intervals between generations, who were living generally in the Albemarle region. From the beginning of the Revolution in 1776, immigration to this area has been slight, especially on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River. As a consequence, succeeding generations have intermarried so that over the years many family relationships have become extremely complex. Because this characteristic is so much a historical aspect of the Camden people, one early settler is included in these sketches for the purpose of indicating the multiplicity of family ties which may exist.

We do not know when Thomas Bareco*ck became a resident but we know that he was living here in 1679 with his wife who was a daughter of another pioneer, William Jennings. According to Bareco*ck's will, he was the father of nine children--two boys and seven girls--all of whom were married in 1721. The marriages contracted by seven of his offspring are fairly well documented and they are reviewed briefly herewith in an attempt to indicate the ensuing ramifications.

One son, William Bareco*ck, who was evidently named for his godfather, William Jennings, married Jane Peggs who lived across the river in what is now Pasquotank County, and to this couple were born two daughters and six sons. The male issue of this union would seem to be the antecedents of all of the name to be found in northeastern North Carolina, southeastern Virginia, and scattered localities in other states. Incidentally, the spelling was changed in the period immediately preceding the Revolution to "Barco," thereby conforming orthographically to the pronunciation. A well-known parallel on the coast is found in Ocraco*ck, which is pronounced locally as if the last syllable were spelled "co."

To the genealogist the marriages of the Bareco*ck sisters are of especial interest because their husbands were either the first of their names to settle hereabouts or, at the most, of the second generation. For example, Elizabeth married the first of the Uptons--John. Although they had five sons and two daughters, let us consider only one of their progeny, a daughter Mary. She too became the bride of a newcomer, Peter Brown, and through their daughter Jane (or Jean) the Bareco*ck strain merged into many families, the names of some of them being Bell, Burfoot, Bartlett, Forbes, Gregory, Guilford, Hughes, Squires, Stevens and Wright. Likewise, Sarah Bareco*ck was the wife of a pioneer settler, John Sanderlin. From their four sons would seem to have derived all the Sanderlins in the regions roundabout and in neighboring parts of Virginia. In addition to those already named, among the connections of this household are those who bear the name of Burgess, Duncan, Jones, McPherson, Pritchard and Sawyer.

In October of 1701 arrived James Forbes, probably by way of Connecticut [later disproved--now proved to have come from the Eastern Shore of Virginia], with his wife, a daughter and five sons. Two of the latter, James and John, proceeded to woo and lead to the altar Rebecca and Martha Bareco*ck. The descendants of those two sisters intermarried with the Brays, Learys, Torkseys and many others.

If Margaret and Priscilla Bareco*ck did not marry brothers, their husbands did bear the same name--Gregory--and their first names were Richard and, probably, Thomas. In addition to her three sons, Margaret Gregory was also the mother of two daughters, Sarah and Mary, who merit especial mention because they took as their spouses two pioneers, a Grandy and a Humphries, both of whose descendants have played a conspicuous part in local history. Priscilla Gregory was the mother of six sons and an unknown number of daughters. The Gregorys have been numerous in the county for the past two centuries and for this reason Priscilla and Margaret may occupy a more important position, genealogically speaking, than the other children of Thomas Bareco*ck. The Gregory connections are almost legion and some of the best known are Ferebee, Lamb, Morgan and Williams.

Because any further analysis would only add to the tediousness of innumerable details, further exploration will be omitted. What has been enumerated thus far would seem to be sufficient to establish the significance of Thomas Bareco*ck as an ancestor in the chronicles of Camden County.

Besides the details of his family, very little is known of this tribal chieftain. He owned four hundred acres of land and lived somewhere in the southern half of the county, probably near Sanderlin Swamp inasmuch as his son William is known to have lived nearby on "Barco's Island," now known as "Garlington's Island."

http://home.netcom.com/~fzsaund/bareco*ck.html

Thomas BAREco*ck m. Margaret10; died between 1 Jan. 1721 and 17 Jan. 1721/2
Pasquotank Co., NC1
It would appaar that Thomas was a step-son of William JENNINGS, although
it is also possible that a wife of Thomas was a daughter of JENNINGS.
William SEARES in his will written in 1679 made his wife Ann his executrix.2

As overseers he appointed his "father-in-law William JENNINGS & sd. JENNINGS
son-in-law Thomas BARco*ck." Son-in-law in that time period was used in both
the modern connotation, and also to refer to a step-son. If Thomas BAREco*ck
had married a daughter of JENNINGS, it would seem that SEARES would have
referred to BARco*ck as either his "brother" or "brother-in-law" rather than
"JENNINGS son-in-law".

William JENNINGS own will written on 24 January 1686/7 and proved --
April 1687 would also imply the same. He made bequests to his daughter Ann
LATHUM [who first married the above William SEARES], his godson William
BARKco*kE, Ralph GARNET's daughter Mary, and his son John JENNINGS. The
heirs of his residual estate were his daughter Ann LATHUM and son John
JENNINGS.4 That Thomas's son William was called a "godson" and not
grandson, and that he was the only of Thomas's children that received a
bequest, it would appear more likely that Thomas BAREco*ck was a step-son
of William JENNINGS.

More About Thomas Bareco*ck/Barco:
Comment: Ancestor of most old families of Camden Co., NC
Event: Living in what is now Camden Co., NC by 1679
Residence: Southern part of Camden County, probably near Sanderlin Swamp

Children of Thomas Bareco*ck/Barco are:
i. Rebecca Barco, married James Forbes, Jr. Bef. 1721 in Camden Co., NC; born Bef. 1701 in probably near Modest Town, Accomack Co., VA; died Bef. 1754 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for James Forbes, Jr.:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/171695744/james-forbes

James was one of 6 known children of James & Alice Forbes. He was born in Accomack County, VA between 1696-1701. 1696 is shown here as an estimate.

The Forbes family stayed in Accomack County, VA until Oct 1701 when they moved to present day Camden County, NC.

James is shown in 1716 paying the Corn tax in lower present day Camden County.

His father gives James 100 acres of the original Forbes 532 acres of headright land. Dates on this vary between June 1718 and March 1719.

Colonial jury records 1729-1732 show the names of Bayley Forbus, John Forbus and Francis (James?) Forbus.

Sometime before 1721 James Jr. married Rebecca Jennings Barco*ck.

The couple reportedly had 7 children:

1. Edward, aft 1701-aft Apr 1754
2. James, aft 1701-aft 1782, m. Tamer Smithson, son Jas.
3. Bailey, aft 1701-aft 1754
4. John, aft 1701-bef 1754
5. Moses, aft 1701-aft 1782
6. Jacob, 1725-1785, m. Sarah Bray, 5 ch
7. Aaron, 1737-abt 1806, m. unk, 4 ch

Various court records from 1718 to 1754 show James name.

In 1753 James & his wife Rebecca affirmed her mother Margaret's will

In 1754 records shows the division of James estate. It names Edward Forbes, James Forbes, Aron Forbes, Jacob Forbes, Moses F(sheet currently torn), Jonathan Garrett. (who is Jonathan, did he marry an unnamed daughter of James?).

The death date for James is found in NC State Archives, Estate Records 1712-1931, Pasquotank Co, CR 075.508.55, Forbes, James 1754
... James Forbes Deceased this 19th of Jan 1754 Pasquotank County. ..

More About James Forbes, Jr.:
Event: 1719, received 100 acres from father

ii. Martha Barco, married John Forbes; born Bef. 1701 in probably Accomack Co., VA; died Abt. 1750 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for John Forbes:
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/171695903/john-forbes

John was one of 6 known children of James & Alice Forbes. He was born in Accomack County, VA between 1696-1701. 1696 is shown here as an estimate.

The Forbes family stayed in Accomack County, VA until Oct 1701 when they moved to present day Camden County, NC.

1715 records for Camden County show John paying taxes.

In 1718 John had apparently been gifted 100 acres of the original 532 acres of Forbes headright land.

1719-1724 taxes records list John's name.

Sometime before 1721 John married Martha Bareco*ck the daughter of Thoman & Martha/Ann Bareco*ck.

A jury list of 1729-1732 shows John's name.

His will of 24 Nov 1747 shows that John Forbes Sr. was a planter. The will refers John's wife Martha, son James and James wife Martha. It does not refer to his John Jr. (no record can be found for John Forbes Jr.)

Probate began in the July court in 1750.

More About John Forbes:
Event: 1724, received 100 acres from father

iii. Elizabeth Barco, married John Upton; died Abt. 1715 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC.
337 iv. Priscilla Barco, married Thomas Gregory.
v. William Barco, born Abt. 1677; died Abt. 05 Mar 1730; married Jane Peggs/Brown?.

More About William Barco:
Probate: 03 Jul 1731, present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County)
Residence: Barco's Island (now Garlington's Island), Camden Co., NC

vi. Sarah Barco, born Abt. 1690; died Abt. 1752 in present-day Camden Co., NC; married John Sanderlin; born Abt. 1685; died Abt. 1747 in present-day Camden Co., NC.

Notes for John Sanderlin:
http://www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Parker/sandlin3.htm

This is my working hypothesis - the way I see it as of this moment!!

John Sanderlin may be the son of James Sanderlin whose son James was accidently killed at a muster in Oct 1694 in North Carolina.

Sarah Bareco*ck was the daughter of Thomas Bareco*ck [who wrote his will 1 Jan 1721/22]

Children of John Sanderlin & Sarah Bareco*ck:
[from div. of John Sanderlin's estate Oct 1747]
1. Robert Sanderlin ca 1720 - [eldest son according to Ct. records]
married 1st ?
married ca 1780 2nd Elizabeth ?[could she be Ferebee?]
2. John Sanderlin ca 1722 - 1751?
married Dianne Alladay
3. Joseph Sanderlin ca 1724 - 1751?
4. Collinsworth Sanderlin ca 1725 - 1758 Pasq.
? married ca 1743 Mary ca 1727 - 1764
5. Priscilla Sanderlin
6. Mary Sanderlin

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Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds 1700-1751 comp. Bjorkman

26 Jan. 1713/14 Sollo. Davies do assign ...within mentioned plat & land ... to John Sanderlin. Signed Sollo. Davies, Sarah Davies Wit: W. Norris. Reg. 5 Feb 1713/14.

4 April 1714 Patent Book 8 Joseph Sparnon 169 acres in Pasquotank precinct on ye N side of ye river joining Henry Creeche ye gum pond swamp, ye Indian line and John Sanderlin. Wit: Thos. Pollock; Thos. Boyd; N. Chevin; Wm. Reed; T. Knight [Hofmann]

30 March 1721 Patent Book 3 William Stevens 50 acres in Pasquotank precinct called Sandy Hook, joining John Sanderlin, long point swamp and Scrubby point Swamp Wit: Cha. Eden; Wm. Reed; Fra. Forster; Richd. Sanderson; John Lovick. [Hofmann]

21 Jul. 1724 A:316 No. Carolina, John Sanderlin of the Precinct of Pasquotank & Province of North Carolina ... for £10 ... paid by Edward James sold 50 acres [extending] to Wm. Beckett's being part of a 214 acre patent granted to me the said John Sanderlin bearing the date 26 Oct 1723. Signed John [I] Sanderlin his mark.

6 Feb. 1724/25 Henry Hayman do assign all my right of the within mentioned patent unto John Sanderlin and Edward James. signed Henry {H} Hayman his mark.

A:368 Macrora Scarbrough & Henry Hayman of the Precinct of Pasquotank & Province of North Carolina sold unto John Sanderlin and Edward James of the province and precinct afsd. tract of land called Hayman's Island lying on the North River containing 100 acres. signed by Macrora Scarbrough & Henry Hayman Wit: John Scarborough & James Hayman. Reg: 5 May 1726.

8 Apr. 1735 C:378 [the above tract called Hayman's Island ] assigned to William Creech by John Sanderlin and Edward James. Wit: Robert Sawyer and Will. Simpson. Reg 27 May 1735.

7 Jan 1739/40 John Sanderlin Senr. of the North East Parish of the County of Pasquotank turner for and in consideration of the love and Good Will towards my loving son John Sanderlin turner of the same parish and county planter give 100 acres of land being my manor plantation after my Life and the death of my wife's Life. signed John Sanderlin senr Wit: John Hourm and Robert Sanderlin. Reg 10 Jan 1739.

12 July 1747 B:22 John Sanderlin senr. and John Sanderlin junr. both of the County of Pasquotank and in the Province of North Carolina planter for £50 lawful money paid by Robert Sanderlin of the same county planter sold 55 acres ...a corner tree between the afsd Robert Sanderlin and the afsd John Sanderlin senr and John Sanderlin junr ....Edward James lines. Wit: Edward James and John Lurry. Ref. 21 July 1747.

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Pasquotank County Court Records: Book II 1747-1753

Dec. 1745 Joseph Sanderlin recorded his mark as three slits in the right ear.

6 March 1746/47 B:40 Joseph Parisho to Joseph Sanderlin - manor.

Jul 1747: A deed of sale for Land from John Sanderlin Senr. and Junr. to Robert Sanderlin was proved in Open Ct by the oath of Edward James, a subscribing Evidence & was ordered to be recorded. paid. Certified.

1748 John Davis to Joseph Sanderlin - 100 acres.

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Oct 1747: Letters of Admon. is granted to Robert Sanderlin on the Estate of John Sanderlin Senr. being the Eldest son the same is granted he giving Security in the sum of £1000 proclamation money, Sarah Sanderlin, the Widow, having relinqished her right of admon. to the said Robert as appears to the court, which security is given by the said Robert, John White, and James Forbush.

Estate Packet for John Sanderlin died 1747 exists at the Archives in Raleigh:

It is also ordered that Major Jos. Godfrey, William Bell, & Charles Sawyer devide the Estate of the said John Sanderlin between the widow, Robert Sanderlin, John Sanderlin, Joseph Sanderlin, Collinsworth do, Priscilla Sanderlin, & Mary Sanderlin, they being first Qualified &ca and to make a report to the next Court.

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July 1751: Mr. Samll. Heighe delivered up on Joseph Sanderlin a Prisoner and is ordered to be Committed to Goal.

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July 1751 - It is ordered that David Sanderlin be bound to Capn. Jarvis Jones till he arrive to the age of 21, he be now about fourteen years of age and to Learn him the art of a Shoe maker etc

July 1751 - James Sanderlin, orphan, is bound to Samll. Lowman till he arive to the age of 21 he being now 12 years old And the Clerk to Draw the Indentures and to learn him the Art and Mistery of a blacksmith.

July 1751 - Elizabeth Sanderlin, orphan, is bound to Isaac Stockley till she arive to the age of 21 she being now about 8 years old the Clerk to Draw the Indentures according to Law.

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Apr 1752: on list of Exers. & admrs. summoned to April Ct 1752
Robert Sanderlin, Admr. on John Sanderlin.

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1754 Pasquotank County [Sanderlin]
James, John, Robert, Collingsworth

1755 Militia Capt. Griffan Jones Company; Col Robert Mundern Reg. Pasq.
Robert Sanderlin, John Sanderlin, Callensworth Sanderlin, John Sanderlin Jr.

1767 Pasquotank County [Sanderlin}
Devotion, Ezekiel, James, Maxey, John, Jr.

1769 Pasquotank County
Devotion, Ezekiel, James, Maxey, John, Jr.

1782 Camden County [Sanderlin]
Devotion, Ezekiel, Jacob, James [3x's], John, Joseph, Levi, Robert, Thomas.

More About John Sanderlin:
Comment: probably ancestor of all Sanderlins-Sanderlings of Northeastern North Carolina

vii. Margaret Barco, born Abt. 1690 in Pasquotank (that part probably now in Camden) Co., NC; died Abt. 1753 in Pasquotank (that part probably now in Camden) Co., NC; married Richard Gregory; born Abt. 1684; died Abt. 1719 in Pasquotank (that part probably now in Camden) Co., NC.

Notes for Margaret Barco:
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/g/r/e/Sue-C-Gregory-guzman/GENE8-0001.html

Will: July 1753, Mentions Daughters Mary Humphries, Margaret Barber and Sarah Grandy, Grnd-dau. Sarah Humphries.

Notes for Richard Gregory:
Will: September 15, 1720, Family Tree Maker CD Early North Carolina Settlers 1700's - 1900's Text; Richard Gregory of Pasquotank. May 17, 1719; Sept 15, 1720, eldest son Richard, son James and John, wife Margret.

678. Philip Torksey, born in Middlesex Co., VA?; died Abt. 1727 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC. He married 679. Mary Scarborough 31 Jul 1683 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA.
679. Mary Scarborough, born in Middlesex Co., VA?; died in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC. She was the daughter of 1358. John Scarborough, Jr. and 1359. ? Moore.

Notes for Philip Torksey:
Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey, great-great-great-great-great-grandson of Susannah Torksey who married James Garrett:

I do not know of anyone who has proven who the parents of Susannah were, but since she had a brother named Philip Torksey and a son named Philip Garrett, and since the first Philip Torksey in Camden County, North Carolina, married Mary Scarborough, it seems safe to assume Susannah and all Torkseys/Toxeys in Camden were descended from this couple. Philip Torksey married Mary Scarborough in 1683 when they still lived in Middlesex County, Virignia, and afterwards settled in present-day Camden County, North Carolina, then part of Pasquotank County. Although Philip and Mary had several sons, John, Robert, and Philip, it seems that their son Philip was an ancestor of Susannah. Because the first Philip was married in 1683 and Susannah Torksey Garrett's husband was born about 1773, the former was most likely a great-great-grandfather of Susannah, and Philip, Jr. was most likely her great-grandfather.

More About Philip Torksey:
Probate: 18 Jul 1727, Pasquotank Co., NC
Residence: Middlesex Co., VA; later settled in Pasquotank/ Camden Co., NC.
Will: 16 Jan 1721, Pasquotank Co., NC

Children of Philip Torksey and Mary Scarborough are:
i. Mary Torksey
ii. Robert Torksey
iii. Sarah Torksey
339 iv. Elizabeth Torksey, born Abt. 1681 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA; died in present-day Camden Co., NC?; married Robert Morgan.
v. Philip Torksey, Jr., born Abt. 1684 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA; died Abt. 1727 in present-day Camden Co., NC; married Margaret Raymond.

More About Philip Torksey, Jr.:
Baptism: 08 Jun 1684, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA
Ethnicity/Relig.: Baptist--listed as one of the founders of Shiloh Baptist Church in 1727
Residence: Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County)

More About Margaret Raymond:
Comment: Because her will mentioned a daughter Sarah Torksey and her children Philip and Sarah Torksey, apparently her daughters Margaret and Sarah both married Torkseys.

vi. John Torksey, born Aft. 1683; died Abt. 1747 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC; married Elizabeth ?.

Generation No. 11

1296. John Spence He married 1297. Helen Morris.
1297. Helen Morris

Children of John Spence and Helen Morris are:
648 i. David Spence, born Abt. 1639 in Dysart, Fife, Scotland?; died Abt. 1679 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland USA; married Ann Roe.
ii. Patrick Spence, born Abt. 1633; died Abt. 1684; married Dorcas ?.

Notes for Patrick Spence:
https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Spence-24

Patrick Spence (1634-1684) Born in Scotland. Arrived in Virginia prior to 1655

Andrew1 Monroe had grants in Virginia from 1650 to 1662. He is referred to in the Maryland Archives in one place as "mariner." He died about 1668, when his widow married secondly George Horner. He had issue, 1, Susannah: 2, Elizabeth, married Bunch Roe; 3, Andrew9; 4, George; 5, William. Of these children Andrew9 married Ellinor, daughter of Patrick Spens (he, Spens, was born in 1633, and his will was proved March 26, 1689). His (Patrick Spence's) widow, Dorcas, married secondly John Jordan, whose will, proved February 6, 1693, mentions his stepsons Alexander, Patrick, Thomas, and John Spens, and sons-in-law John Sturman, Andrew Monroe, and George Weedon, and daughter Ellinor Monroe's daughter Elizabeth. Issue of Capt . Andrew1 Monroe (will proved 26th May, 1714), and Ellinor Spens. 1, Spens; 2, Susannah; 3, Andrew3; 4, Elizabeth. Spens,3 d. B., p. about 1725. I think Spens Monroe, father of President Monroe, was son of Andrew3. President Monroe's father was a J. P. and gent., and by his will, proved February 14, 1774, he had issue, 1, James; 2, Spens; 3, Elizabeth, who married William Buckner. President Monroe's mother was Elizabeth, sister of Joseph Jones, member of Congress.

William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Volume 4 p 36-40

Not much is known of the early life or origins of Patrick Spence, the first identified member of my Spence line in America. He was probably born in Scotland in about 1634[1], but the exact timing and circ*mstances of his arrival in Virginia are not known. According to some sources, he was from Dysart, Fifeshire, Scotland, but I do not know whether or not this can be proven through existing documents. Since there is no record of his parents in Virginia, one presumes that he was not a native of Virginia and that he arrived in Virginia prior to 1655, for it was in that year in Westmoreland County, Virginia, that Patrick married Dorcas Youell, the daughter of Thomas Youell (1618-1655) and Ann Sturman (1618-1670). In the records of Westmoreland County, Patrick is referred to as a Planter, and his name appears in connection with several wills and land transactions

The children of Patrick Spence and Dorcas Youell are listed as follows:

Alexander, born about 1656 and died before before 30 Aug 1704, when his will was proved in Westmoreland County, Virginia. In his will he mentions son Patrick and daughters Mary, Dorcas and Elizabeth, along with his wife (to whom he bequeath[ed] nothing… only allowing her now wearing apparel for her parrapharnalia). Patrick Spence, born about 1658 and died about 1695. Thomas, born about 1660 and died after 6 Feb 1693[2]. Elizabeth, born about 1660 and died before 6 Feb 1693[3]. She married John Sturman (1650-1723), the grandson of Thomas Sturman and Ann Porter[4]. Eleanor, born about 1664 and married Andrew Monroe (1641-1714), the son of Andrew Monroe (1625-1668), immigrant John, born about 1665 and died after 6 Feb 1693[5] The will of Dorcas Youell (Spence) was dated 25 Oct 1708 and proved 24 Nov 1708 in Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia. Many family relationships can be identified through this document. In her will she states that she has 13 grandchildren and names:
grandson Patrick Spence, son and heir of Alexander (deceased), to whom she gave 2 negroes, old Bess and young Betty; grandson Patrick, son of Patrick Spence, deceased, to whom she gave negro Prince; Dorcas Sanford, daughter to my eldest daughter Elizabeth Sturman, to whom she gave negroes
Mingo and Pegg

Other grandchildren have been identified through the will of John Jordan, the second husband of Dorcas Youell (Spence), which was dated 6 Feb 1693/4 and proved in Westmoreland County, Virginia on 27 Jan 1696/7

…Unto my loving son Alexander Spence's daughter Dorcas one Negroe boy Dick… Unto my loving son Patrick Spence his son Partrick one Negroe boy Baker… Unto my loving daughter Elinor Munro's daughter Elizabeth one Negroe Sue… Unto my son John Spence £25 sterling which I have in England in Mr. William Briscoe's executors' or administrators' hands or in Mr. John Scott's hand, to purchase John a Negro and to no other use, the said Negro to be delivered unto John at the day of his marriage… Unto my son Thomas Spence my two Negroes Mingo and Pegg at the day of his marriage, and ten head of cattle and three sows and two beds, a feather bed and a flock bed with covering suitable. If the said John or Thomas should dye without issue then whatsoever is above bequeated unto them, the survivor of the two to have… Unto my God daughter Dorcas Sturman 5000 pounds of tobacco to be paid her either in tobacco or goods within a year or two after her marriage… Unto my said sons Alexander and Partrick after my wife's decease the stock of hoggs which are remaining at the forrest plantation, also a cow… and a good ring a piece to the value of twenty shillings each ring. No advantage of survivorship shall be taken by either Alexr. or Partrick if either should die before my wife. The ring be delivered unto my said sons as soon as they can be acquired, before the decease of my wife. Unto my sons John Sturman, Andrew Munro and George Weedon each a gold ring of fifteen shillings value… My said sone Alexander have the Negro Bess after my wife's decease according to his own father's will… Unto Elizabeth Sturman one cow at the day of marriage. My loveing wife executrix. My sones Alexander and Partrick trustees. Signed by John Jordon. Wit: William Thompson, John Wright, John Linton

It is evident that the grandchildren who are specifically mentioned in the wills are the issue of the deceased children of Patrick Spence and Dorcas Youell (Spence), including their deceased son Patrick and their grandson Patrick

In about 1686 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, Patrick Spence (1658-1695), the son of Patrick Spence and Dorcas Youell, married Penelope Youell (1st cousins to each other, since Patrick's mother and Penelope's father her siblings; i.e. offspring of Thomas Youell and Ann Sturman). Her date of birth is not known with certainty, but a date of about 1670 or a little later would be consistent with the birth dates of her mother (1654) and her son Patrick (1693)

In 1722, Patrick Spence (1693-1740), the son of Patrick Spence and Penelope Youell, married Jemima Pope, the daughter of Lawrence Pope and Jemima Waddy. Jemima Pope was born between about 1702-08 and died 30 Sep 1755, both in Westmoreland County, Virginia. The daughter of Patrick Spence and Jemima Pope is Jemima Spence, born in about 1730 in Westmoreland County, Virginia and died at Bryan Station, Kentucky (at that time still a part of Virginia) in 1786.

In about 1750, Jemima Spence married James Suggett, the son of James Suggett and Mary Frances Bayless, who was born 18 Apr 1722 in Virginia and died at Bryan Station, Kentucky (at the time still a part of Virginia) in 1786. The lineage of Jemima Spence and James Suggett is continued under the heading of John Suggett (1645-1690).

[1] Age is based on testimony sworn to the court on 29 Apr 1674, in which Patrick gives his age: Mr. Patrick Spence… 40 years or thereabouts: Being in Maryland in Chew's [?] Bay in the County of St. Maries in 1669 I did see Robt. Drewry of the same county signe a bill of 1468 pounds of tobacco to David Norrey which bill I did write and am a witnesse to the bill… 29 Apr [1674]. Sworn in Court by Patrick Spence.

[2] Thomas is mentioned on this date in the will of his step-father, John Jordan.

[3] Elizabeth is mentioned on this date in the will of her step-father, John Jordan.

[4] My 11th g-grandparents, discussed under their own heading.

[5] John is mentioned on this date in the will of his step-father, John Jordan.

More source material:

[1]. Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties

Notes for Dorcas ?:
http://www.ewellfamily.org/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I8&tree=ewellcombo

Dorcas last name is unknown. It was thought to be Youell but research cannot document it. Many data bases including Family Search.org shows her last name as Yowell or Youell, dau of Thomas Yowell and Ann or Anna Lee. Thomas Youell's will does not name a Dorcas as a child. Perhaps the error started because Thomas Youell lists a grandchild as Thomas Spence in his will. Because Dorcas and Lt. Patrick Spence did have a Thomas Spence, then the thought continued to be perpetuated that her maiden name must be Yowell.

Following the death of Patrick Spence, Sr., in 1684, Dorcas, remarried, this time to John Jordan of Westmoreland County. A Court Order of November 25, 1685, mentions "John Jordan as marrying the relict and executrix of Patrick Spence." (COB 1665/61688/9, P. 459)

Dorcas was mentioned in John Jordan's will in Westmoreland County.(see notes for John Jordan)
Probate for John Jordan was
On May 27, 1702, Dorcas Jordan appeared in Court. She said she was livery ancient and sickly," but wanted some "peace and quietness in her old age." Her problem was with Jemima Spence, the widow of her son, John. Jemima had remarried, to Lawrence Pope, and while John's estate had 25 pounds of money due from the estate of John Jordan, Jemima and Lawrence still owed for "John Spence's funeral, two years crops of two Negroes unjustly obtained by Pope and Jemima, among other items totaling L83.13.06. Dorcas was willing to call it even, and wanted the Court to know her side of the story." (Deeds & Wills 1691-1707, pp. 94-5)

Dorcas Jordan of Cople Parish, widow of two marriages, wrote her will on October 25, 1708. It was proved a month later, on November 24. Here is an abstract: (Vol. 4, p. 162)

To grandson Patrick Spence son & heir of Alexander Spence, Gent: dec. Old Bess and young Betty, a large silver Tankard & tumbler--personalty. To Jordan Weedon negro man Harry. To Mary Weedon, sister to the said Jordan Weedon, now wife to the son of Bunch Roe, negro Jack. To Dorcas Sandford, dau. to my eldest dau. Elizabeth Sturman, negroes Mingo & Pegg. To grandson Patrick Spence, son to Patrick Spence, dec. negro Prince. To dau. Jane Spence negro Rose--Cattle. To dau. Ellenor Munroe two parts of my whole estate not before given, that whereas there is 13 grandchildren, to be divided in 15 parts, and the said Ellenor Munroe to have two of them. Friends John Sturman, John Higgins and Lawrence Pope Exrs. Witt: Will: Sturman, Nicho Minor, Mary Minor.

Codicil: To son in law John Sturman a pair of silk stock­
ings, etc.

From the above it appears that both Dorcas and John Jordan had been married before, for both had children of the earlier marriages.

Notes by Jim G. Faulconer, Ohio

1300. Richard Trewman, born Abt. 1607; died Abt. 1659. He was the son of 2600. William Trewman. He married 1301. Marie Huthwaite.
1301. Marie Huthwaite

Child of Richard Trewman and Marie Huthwaite is:
650 i. John Trewman/Truman, born Abt. 1627 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England; died Abt. 1685 in Somerset Co., MD.

1358. John Scarborough, Jr., born Bef. 1625; died Abt. 1675 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA. He was the son of 2716. John Scarborough?. He married 1359. ? Moore.
1359. ? Moore She was the daughter of 2718. John Moore and 2719. Elizabeth Merritt?.

More About John Scarborough, Jr.:
Comment: His origins are not known. It is not known how, or even if, he is related to the Edmund Scarborough family of Virginia's Eastern Shore, from which Bryan Godfrey's paternal grandfather and stepfather were descended several ways.
Probate: 06 Sep 1675, Middlesex Co., VA
Will: 02 May 1674, Middlesex Co., VA

Children of John Scarborough and ? Moore are:
679 i. Mary Scarborough, born in Middlesex Co., VA?; died in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; married (1) ? French Bef. 1683; married (2) Philip Torksey 31 Jul 1683 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA.
ii. John Scarborough, Jr.
iii. Augustine Scarborough, born in Middlesex Co., VA; died in Pasquotank Co. or Camden Co., NC; married (1) Dorothy Eddington 06 Oct 1682 in Middlesex Co., VA?; married (2) Ann Mayo Aft. 1688.

More About Augustine Scarborough:
Date born 2: Abt. 1680
Appointed/Elected: Represented Pasquotank Precinct in the North Carolina Legislature; treasurer of Pasquotank Precinct in 1713.
Event: 1694, Proved his rights of importation of nine persons into North Carolina. Obtained warrants for 327 and 450 acres.

iv. George Scarborough?
v. William Scarborough, married (1) Frances Macrora Abt. 1691; married (2) Elizabeth Raymond Aft. 1691.

Generation No. 12

2600. William Trewman, born Abt. 17 Aug 1577 in Limber-Magna, Lincolnshire, England. He was the son of 5200. George Trewman.

Child of William Trewman is:
1300 i. Richard Trewman, born Abt. 1607; died Abt. 1659; married Marie Huthwaite.

2716. John Scarborough?

Child of John Scarborough? is:
1358 i. John Scarborough, Jr., born Bef. 1625; died Abt. 1675 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA; married ? Moore.

2718. John Moore, born Abt. 1588 in England?; died Aft. 03 Jul 1635 in Elizabeth City Co. (present-day City of Hampton), VA or present-day Poquoson area of York Co., VA. He married 2719. Elizabeth Merritt?.
2719. Elizabeth Merritt?

Notes for John Moore:
This John Moore, ancestor of the Phillip Torksey/Toxey family of Camden and Pasquotank Counties, North Carolina, from which Bryan S. Godfrey descends through his paternal grandmother, is probably not the immigrant ancestor of most later Moores in the area of present-day Poquoson and York County, Virginia. Although my stepdad's sister's husband, Dr. Alfred Phillips Moore, DDS, descends from this John Moore at least two ways, and for the last 25 years of his dental career his practice was located just across the Back River from where our mutual ancestor John Moore settled, John Moore is probably not his patrilineal immigrant ancestor, as there appear to have been two Moore families in that area in the 1600s. It appears the farthest we can trace back my Uncle Al's patrilineal ancestry is to another John Moore, born between 1640 and 1650, who married Amy Parsons. While this John Moore's descendants intermarried with those of John and Amy Parsons Moore, it is possible that they were unrelated and the John Moore who married Amy Parsons was the grandson of another Moore immigrant who settled in present-day Poquoson or York County, whereas this John Moore lived in present-day Hampton (then Elizabeth City County), across the Back River from York County and Poquoson.

According to http://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/Moorefield_Plantation_Site , John Moore's plantation was called "Moorefield" and was in the Moore family until 1876, when it was sold to Jefferson C. Phillips, then to Nannie Collier in 1882, and finally to the Federal Government in 1942. "Moorefield," probably not the original John Moore home, burned in 1895. The land is now part of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration-Langley at Hampton, VA.

From http://crgis.ndc.nasa.gov/historic/Plantations :

1635 – Summary of original John Moore Patent – "lying and being North upon the little Poquoson Creek, East butting upon the land of Thomas Boulding, West upon the land of Thomas Garnett, and running south into the woods toward the head of a Broad Creek..." July 3, 1635

1676 – New Patent for Augustine Moore, son of John Moore (Patented 200A in 1635). Quote there from – "Two hundred eighty five Acres of Land lying and being in the county of Elizabeth City at the head of little Poquoson creek (now Tabb Creek) and beginning at a marked gum by a marsh side and Running thence SW butting NW on the land of Mr. Thomas Wythe 294 po. (4851 feed) to a marked Ash in a swamp being the said Wyth's corner tree

1735 - Augustine Moore bought 50 acres of land around 1735 from James Toomer – the grandson of Thomas Wythe I and the son of Constant and John Tomer – House was the Moore family home for at least thirty-five years

1735 – c. Deed: From – James Toomer*** To – Augustine Moore, son of William Moore -grandson of Thomas Wythe I and son of Constant and John Toomer

Note: Deed not found, but referenced in Augustine Moore's will dated 24 March 1736

1737 - around 1737 – four more rooms built

1737 – Will/Prob. From – Augustine Moore, Sr. To – Augustine Moore, son of William Moore

1747 - (Cloverdale Plantation Site) Captain Augustine Moore bought the Tomer land.

1747 – (Cloverdale Plantation Site)Captain Augustine Moore's nephew, Augustine Moore inherited the property in 1747.

1795 – (Moorefield Plantation Site) Upon his father's death, Augustine Moore, in 1795, William Moore moved to his father's 200 acre farm; William Moore's Brother Augustine Moore inherited the 50 acre tract.

1796 – Deed - From – Anne Moore To – William Moore

More About John Moore:
Census: 1623, Elizabeth City Co. (present-day City of Hampton), VA
Comment: One source, arlisherring.com, lists birthplace as Reading, Berkshire, England.
Immigration: 1620, Came to Virginia in the "Bona Nova."
Property: 03 Jul 1635, Patented 200 acres on Little Poquoson Creek, Elizabeth City Co., VA. It adjoined Thomas Boulding and Thomas Garnett and ran south into the woods towards head of Broad Creek.

Children of John Moore and Elizabeth Merritt? are:
i. Augustine Moore, died Aft. 19 Jun 1676 in York Co., VA?.

More About Augustine Moore:
Comment: He was the great-great-grandfather of the Augustine Moore (1731-1787) of "Temple Farm, " York Co., VA, at whose house Lord Cornwallis signed the capitulation which ended the Revolutionary War. This was near Yorktown.
Property 1: 09 Sep 1652, Patented 650 acres in the part of Lancaster Co., VA that became Middlesex County on northeast side of Piankatank River opposite New Chiskack; named among headrights himself, his wife Ann, and son Augustine.
Property 2: 08 Dec 1662, Sold 300 acres to his brother-in-law John Scarborough; leased remainder to John Gore on 29 Nov 1669, eventually selling it.
Property 3: 28 Oct 1672, Received an escheat patent for 225 acres in Elizabeth City County.
Property 4: 19 Jun 1676, Repatented his father's 1635 grant on Little Poquoson Creek as 285 acres.
Residence 1: Bef. 1677, Present-day Middlesex Co., VA
Residence 2: 1677, Elizabeth City Co. (present-day City of Hampton), VA

1359 ii. ? Moore, married John Scarborough, Jr..

Generation No. 13

5200. George Trewman, born Abt. 1550.

Child of George Trewman is:
2600 i. William Trewman, born Abt. 17 Aug 1577 in Limber-Magna, Lincolnshire, England.

Ancestors of Gilbert Godfrey

Generation No. 1

1. Gilbert Godfrey, born 04 Jun 1889 in Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Oct 1965 in Albemarle Hospital, Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC. He was the son of 2. Ephraim Godfrey and 3. Susan "Rebecca" Turner. He married (1) Mattie Elizabeth White 14 Jul 1913 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC. She was born 23 May 1891 in Weeksville, Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC, and died 31 May 1993 in Guardian Care, 901 Halstead Boulevard, Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC. She was the daughter of Willis Doctrine White and Grizzelle F(rances?) Ellis.

Notes for Gilbert Godfrey:
Biography by great-grandson Bryan S. Godfrey, grandson of his daughter Katherine Godfrey Godfrey:

Gilbert Godfrey, the fourth child and eldest son of Ephraim and Rebecca Turner Godfrey, was born 4 June 1889 in the Hog Neck and Little River vicinity of Perquimans County, North Carolina, where his patrilineal ancestor (and also an ancestor of his mother), Francis Godfrey, had settled about 220 years prior to his birth, making the Godfreys likely the oldest continually resident family in the county. His parents were half-first cousins, since Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853) was their common grandfather, who was married four times. Ephraim's father was a son of Benjamin by his third wife, Martha Colson, whereas Rebecca's mother was a daughter of Benjamin by his fourth wife, Rebecca Robbins. Gilbert was named for his paternal grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, who was born about 1822 and died about 1855. He in turn was named for his maternal grandfather, Gilbert Colson. And to trace the history of the name Gilbert back even further, it appears that one of the early settlers of Perquimans County, Gilbert Gooddale, had a daughter who married William Colson. This William Colson was either the grandfather or great-grandfather of Gilbert Colson. The last one thus far to bear the name Gilbert in the direct line of Gilbert Godfrey, was my dad, Gilbert Wayne Godfrey (1945-2012), who was known as Wayne and was a grandson of Gilbert Godfrey II.

Gilbert's father was a farmer who was blind, but how long is unknown. According to family report, a pair of sheep shears had fallen off a fireplace mantle and struck Ephraim in the eye, which resulted in an infection that spread to both eyes and left him totally blind.

Around 1904, when Great-Granddad was a teenager, his parents moved from Perquimans County to Pasquotank County, settling down on a farm near present-day Perkins Lane and Pear Tree Road a short distance south of Elizabeth City. According to family tradition, Ephraim and Becky had a total of 14 children, so four of them must have died as infants. The two youngest children, Glenn and Eugene, were apparently born after the family settled in Pasquotank.

Gilbert met Mattie White at a church social, and they were married 13 July 1913 in the home of Dr. Olds in Pasquotank County. When she was in her late nineties, Great-Grandma reminisced about going to her mother-in-law's house for chicken dinner after the wedding. Almost a year later, their first child, Alma, was born in a house near Gilbert's parents' home. Aunt Alma recalled helping her Grandfather Godfrey walk along the ditches on his farm as he was blind and needed help knowing where the ditches were. She must have been less than four years old, for he died in 1918. Aunt Alma also remembered visiting her bedridden grandmother shortly before her death. Gilbert's mother died the day after Christmas on 26 December 1917 at the age of 54. Her sister, Mary Turner Williams of Elizabeth City, was the informant for her death certificate. Gilbert's father died of influenza less than a year later on 5 November 1918 at the age of 64, during the tragic Spanish influenza epidemic which swept the East Coast. Ephraim and Becky were buried in the Godfrey family plot at Hog Neck in Perquimans County. Unfortunately, there are no tombstones in this cemetery, whose location appears to have become unknown to all, and the graves had been marked by tree stumps at one time before farm aninals trampled all over them.

The deaths of Gilbert's parents within a year resulted in their children who were still at home getting displaced. Glenn and Eugene became orphans. Uncle Glenn went to a boarding school at Asheville, North Carolina and afterward went to work out west in oil fields. At some point living with his oldest sister Mattie and her husband John Campbell near Sanford in Lee County, North Carolina, where Mr. Campbell was from, Glenn settled there, where he married Nettie Spivey in 1926 and had ten children. Several of these children generally host the annual Campbell-Godfrey Family Reunion. Uncle Eugene lived with his brother Gilbert and wife Mattie (my great-grandparents) for a while and eventually went to work for the Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Base at Havelock, North Carolina, where he was electrocuted in 1943, leaving his wife Ruby with a toddler and an unborn son. Two sisters, Aunt Leila and Aunt Sallie, were still living at home and keeping house, but they went to work at the Louise Hotel in Washington, North Carolina after their parents died. Another unmarried daughter, Loretta, had died of typhoid fever in 1913 at the age of 19; location and place of burial are unknown. As the eldest son, Great-Granddad Gilbert became the family leader and was always regarded very highly by his siblings, nephews, and nieces.

He and Great-Grandma lived in several temporary locations in the first ten years following their wedding. They lived in town at Elizabeth City for a time, where Carlton, their oldest son, was severly injured at age two, about 1918, when he was stepped on by a horse. Carlton suffered from speech impediments and had several other ailments throughout his life, which probably resulted from this injury. For this reason, Great-Granddad and Great-Grandma felt especially obliged to look after Uncle Carlton for the rest of their lives. At the time of my Grandmother Katherine's birth in 1920, they had moved back to the county and were living in Nixonton Township in lower Pasquotank County. It is believed that Great-Granddad used money from his inheritance to buy the farm on Body Road, two miles south of Elizabeth City, and about two miles west of his parents' farm off Perkins Lane, to which they moved around 1925. He eventually acquired over 200 acres here and bought out adjacent farms such as the Raper farm and other land which he deeded to his sons Carlton, Raymond, and Roy, who also became farmers. The house originally was one-room, but Gilbert and Mattie soon added other rooms and an upstairs which made it a four-bedroom house. This house is still standing in very poor repair as of 2017. It was occupied until Great-Grandma became a resident of the Guardian Care nursing home in Elizabeth City following a stroke in January, 1986.

Hog-killing time in the fall was a well-known southern ritual that was observed regularly by the Godfrey family. It was the occasion in which relatives gathered on the farm to help slaughter the hogs and cook the meat. Many members of the extended family came to the Godfrey farm to assist in this effort, particularly Great-Granddad's siblings. Even in those days, people had to worry about crime, in the country as well as the city, particularly during the hard times of the Great Depression when people became especially greedy. Once the hams were prepared after the hog killing and needed to be hung to cure, Great-Granddad hung them in the house attic instead of the barn because it was a common practice for thieves to wander the countryside through barns to steal the hams. Before Gilbert resorted to storing the hams inside his attic, he once heard intruders trying to enter the barn at night where the hams were curing, so he rushed outside carrying his gun and scared them off.

Great-Granddad often remarked to my dad, his grandson, that people became especially greedy during the Depression which tested one's integrity and moral values, but once America entered World War II, he observed that people seemed to pull together and become united in a common cause.

Great-Granddad was fondly remembered by my dad and other grandchildren who spent a lot of time helping him on the farm. My dad spent part of each summer with his grandparents as a youth, helping his family members out in the fields and was free to play when his chores were over. There was a small landing strip down the road where my dad liked to hang out on Sundays and after his chores were finished. Gilbert had a good sense of humor but was very inclined toward hard work. He was a Methodist and attended both Hall's Creek and City Road United Methodist Churches. Often, my dad recalled, his grandfather would fall asleep during the sermon. He always wore a straw hat to church. My dad's older sister Bobbie, born in 1939 in her grandparents' house, two years before her parents came to Newport News, Virginia, always held a special fondness for her grandparents' farm lifestyle. Until she was about sixteen years old, she spent entire summer vacations with her grandparents on the farm and did not return to Newport News until just before school started. Her and her husband's lifelong dreams of continuing this farming lifestyle materialized when they purchased land in Nelson County, Virginia, around 1975, over 20 years before they permanently retired there to take up cattle farming. My dad's younger sister, Luanne, however, is quite the opposite. She has never cared for country living and admits that city life and malls are her passion. Perhaps I am in between my Aunts Bobbie and Luanne in regard to my views on farming and country life. While I admire the pastoral ideal that most of my ancestors lived by, I am perhaps too concerned about animal rights (I suppose this is easy to say when I have never had to kill an animal to eat and have never been forced to work on a farm in which killing animals is an accepted way of life) and too much of a clean-freak to ever be interested in livestock farming, but I can relate to the idea of having a second residence in a rural setting someday and engaging in gardening or herb farming, keeping a few animals only as pets and never fishing, hunting, or slaughtering animals.

Gilbert Godfrey became revered around Pasquotank for his hard work and integrity. He served on the Pasquotank County School Board. While on the school board he handed out diplomas at high school commencement ceremomies.

Since farmers of their generation rarely had the means or time to travel, it is fortunate that Great-Grandma and Great-Granddad were able to make trips to visit their children. They came often to Virginia to visit two daughters, Alma, who lived at Norfolk with her husband Oliver Rosso, and my grandmother, Katherine, of Newport News. They also went on two occasions to Warren, Rhode Island, to visit their daughter Hazel, her husband Eddie Procopio, and their four children. In spite of how down-home, Protestant and Anglo, the Godfrey family was, two of the three daughters of Gilbert and Mattie, Aunt Alma and Aunt Hazel, married men whose parents were Italian immigrants and had grown up in cities. On the other hand, my grandmother, the second daughter, married my grandfather, who was of the same North Carolina farming background in which she was raised. He was also a Godfrey, proven to be related to Gilbert's Godfreys by YDNA matches, and was from Camden County, on the other side of the Pasquotank River from where Grandma's family lived. The four sons all got married and remained in North Carolina. Uncle Carlton, Uncle Raymond, and Uncle Roy all married women from the Elizabeth City area and remained near the homeplace. Uncle Marvin married Jean Jones of Raleigh, North Carolina and moved there following his graduation from North Carolina State University. He, Jean, and their three children later moved to Raleigh, and after the children were grown, settled in Fuquay-Varina near Raleigh, where Marvin still lives. Marvin was the only son who did not continue the family tradition of farming, but he majored in agriculture-related subjects in college and later received his Master's Degree in Seed Germination. He worked for FCX, a feed and seed supplier, most of his career, and his knowledge of efficient planting and seed germination practices was helpful in advising his parents on how to improve their farm.

Hearing my dad reminisce about the first trip he took with his sister Bobbie, their parents, and their maternal grandparents (Gilbert and Mattie) in 1951 to Warren, Rhode Island, makes me appreciate how difficult travel was in those days. That was Great-Granddad's and Great-Grandma's first trip there, probably the first time either of them had ever been in any state besides Virginia and North Carolina. My grandparents (Garland and Katherine Godfrey) left their home in Newport News, Virginia, went south at first to spend the night at Great-Granddad's and Great-Grandma's house, and then they all left for Rhode Island at 1:00 AM the following morning. My Granddad Garland drove the entire way, as Grandma's father was uncomfortable driving in a strange area. This was before interstates existed, so they drove up regular highways, taking Route 13 up the Eastern Shore before the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel was built, ate picnics along the way (never stopping at restaurants since they were few and far-between then), and did not arrive in Rhode Island until around midnight, 23 hours after leaving Elizabeth City. Granddad, Grandma, Grandma's parents, my dad, and his older sister Bobbie were all packed in Great-Granddad's Chevrolet! Great-Grandma loaded down the trunk with many jars of homemade preserves for Aunt Hazel and her family. And my assumption is that they all dressed formally for the trip, even though it was made during the summer in a car without air conditioning. Pictures of Great-Grandma and Great-Granddad in Rhode Island show him wearing a tie and her wearing a dress, which is what she always wore.

But usually Aunt Hazel and Uncle Eddie were the ones who made the trip to see Hazel's family in North Carolina and Virginia. Eddie Procopio was most generous every summer, when he took his annual two-week vacation, in insisting at least one week be set aside for traveling to North Carolina to see her family. All of his family lived near him in Rhode Island. It was not necessarily a vacation for Uncle Eddie once he arrived, however, for he always helped his inlaws on the farm, even though he was born and raised in the city in and around Bristol, Rhode Island, in an Italian immigrant, Roman Catholic culture entirely different from Hazel's southern Protestant upbringing.

In 1957, the 350th anniversary year of the settlement of Jamestown, Gilbert and Mattie visited Jamestown while visiting their daughter Katherine and son-in-law Garland at Newport News, VA. My dad remembered his grandfather standing near the statue of Captain John Smith and recalling visiting there 50 years earlier during the Jamestown Exposition of 1907. The Exposition was actually held in Norfolk because the transportation difficulties of that time did not sustain having the celebration at Jamestown, and the island itself had barely been restored or excavated by that time. However, apparently Great-Granddad took an excursion, probably by steamboat from Norfolk, to Jamestown Island. Gilbert told my dad that he would not be around 50 years later for the 400th anniversary in 2007, but to remember what he told him about being there in 1907 so he could pass it on to his own grandchildren by then. My dad told me this in 2006. Unfortunately, my dad did not have grandchildren by 2007 to pass this on to; times have changed since 1957 as families are smaller, fewer people are having children, and people are generally waiting longer to marry and have families.

In July, 1963, Great-Granddad and Great-Grandma celebrated their golden wedding anniversary in their home. His health had begun declining, as he had recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer. His health grew much worse in the last year of his life, and he died at the age of 76 on 12 October 1965 in Albemarle Hospital at Elizabeth City. His funeral was conducted at Hall's Creek United Methodist Church. Great-Grandma continued to live at home for the next 20 years until she went in a nursing home in 1986, where she died seven years later at the age of 102. They are buried at New Hollywood Cemetery at Elizabeth City.

Below are two of Great-Granddad's obituaries from the Elizabeth City "Daily Advance":

Gilbert Godfrey
Gilbert Godfrey, 76, died Tuesday night in Albemarle Hospital after being in declining health for the past two years.
He was a native of Perquimans County but a resident of Elizabeth City Rt. 1, for most of his life. He was a retired farmer. He was the husband of Mrs. Mattie White Godfrey and son of the late Ephram and Susan Rebecca Turner Godfrey.
Besides his wife, he is survived by four sons, Carlton, Raymond, and Roy Godfrey all of Rt. 1, Elizabeth City and Marvin Godfrey of Raleigh; three daughters, Mrs. Alma Rosso of Norfolk, Mrs. Katherine Godfrey of Newport News, Va. and Mrs. Hazel Procopio of Warren, R.I.; two brothers, Merritt Godfrey of Elizabeth City, and Glenn Godfrey of Sanford; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Woodville and Mrs. Sallie Harris of Washington, N.C., 17 grandchildren and one great-grandchild.
Funeral services will be conducted Friday at 2:30 p.m. at Hall's Creek Methodist Church by the Rev. Jerry Smith, pastor, assisted by the Rev. Carlos P. Womack, pastor of First Methodist Church. Burial will be in New Hollywood Cemetery. The body will be taken from Twiford Funeral Home to the church to lie in state one hour prior to services.

Gilbert Godfrey
Funeral services for Gilbert Godfrey, who died Tuesday night in Albemarle Hospital, were conducted Friday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock in Hall's Creek Methodist Church by the Rev. Jerry Smith, pastor, and the Rev. Carlos P. Womack, pastor of First Methodist Church.
The casket pall consisted of red roses, white carnations and fern.
"Beautiful Isle of Somewhere" and "The Old Rugged Cross" were sung by members of City Road Methodist Church choir. Mrs. Tildon Whitehurst accompanied at the piano.
Pallbearers were Walter Burgess, Clarence Byrum, Lenford Stallings, Shelton White, Sidney Benton, Watson Harris, Allen Scarborough and Frank Kramer.
Burial followed in New Hollywood Cemetery.

More About Gilbert Godfrey:
Burial: 15 Oct 1965, New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Intestinal obstruction-complications from prostate cancer
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-member of Hall's Creek and City Road United Methodist Churches.
Occupation: Farmer and nurseryman
Personality/Intrst: Served as Pasquotank County Commissioner and on the local school board; very revered for his integrity, frugality, work ethic, and character; was considered a family leader by his siblings; hard-working; possessed a good sense of humor.
Residence 1: Aft. 1925, Owned 200+ acre farm on Body Road 2 miles south of Elizabeth City, NC. This farm was owned by his heirs until 2013. It is believed he used his inheritance to buy this farm and previously lived on rented property in Pasquotank Co.
Residence 2: Bef. 1904, Grew up mainly at Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC, where his ancestors had lived for many generations.
Residence 3: Bet. 1905 - 1913, His parents bought a farm in Pasquotank Co., NC on present-day Pear Tree Road
Residence 4: Aft. 1913, Lived at various locations around Pasquotank County and Elizabeth City, NC before settling down on a farm on present-day Body Road in Pasquotank County about 1927.

Notes for Mattie Elizabeth White:
Biography by great-grandson Bryan S. Godfrey:

Mattie Elizabeth White Godfrey, my great-grandmother and the only great-grandparent of mine who was alive in my lifetime (even though all eight of my great-grandparents lived to ages of 72 years and beyond), was born 23 May 1891 near Weeksville in the southern portion of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, where her father ran a store. She was the eldest of the three children of Willie and Grizzelle Ellis White. Her mother was also a native of lower Pasquotank County, but her father came from Whiteston in northern Perquimans County, which was apparently named for his White family. The farm where she was born and raised was located near the intersection of Pear Tree Road and Palmer Lane, near the Weeksville Fire Department. Great-Grandma's brother Johnny inherited this farm, and the land is now owned by the heirs of his deceased granddaughter, Murna White Stevenson. The home burned down long ago. [Comment by Bryan Godfrey in 2017: I need to verify this, as my most recent understanding is that Uncle Johnny's land came from his wife's Meads side].

Great-Grandma was probably raised as a Southern Baptist, as in 1888 her mother's name was listed on a roll of Olivet Baptist Church in Pasquotank County, reproduced in a newsletter of the Family Research Society of the Albemarle. Many of her ancestors, including her paternal grandparents and the Pailins on her mother's side, had been of the Quaker faith.

Great-Grandma had a brother Johnny born in 1892 and a sister Willie who was born in 1894, less than two months before their father died at age 28. The cause of his death is unknown, as North Carolina was not recording deaths and births at that time. Aunt Willie had not been named yet when her father was dying, so they named her Willie Grizzelle after both her parents. It is remarkable that Great-Grandma would live to be 102 and her sister Willie would live to be 93. Uncle Johnny died of a heart attack at the age of 58, however.

On 5 July 1896, Great-Grandma's mother married Clarence Henry Jennings, who was born 12 February 1873 and died 16 February 1954. There were no children of this second marriage. Grizzelle, Clarence, and her children moved to Elizabeth City shortly afterward. Clarence was a difficult husband and stepfather. In this regard, Great-Grandma had an unfortunate childhood. She told her children that she often witnessed her stepfather beat her mother. When she was a child, she and her siblings would return from school hungry, but their stepfather kept the icebox locked. Grizzelle died 7 June 1922 at the age of 52. Clarence then married Mrs. Nora Wells Stevenson (1881-1955). Apparently he became more likeable in his later years and was a better stepfather to Nora's children than he was to the children of his first wife Grizzelle. Since Clarence outlived her mother by 32 years and remained in Elizabeth City, it is evident that my great-grandmother did not speak to him, for her children did not remember ever meeting him.

Although Great-Grandma lost both parents at young ages, her maternal grandfather, William Hithe Ellis, outlived her mother, living his later years in Norfolk, Virginia, with his second wife and family. He was killed by an automobile in 1926, at about the age of 79 or 80, while returning to Weeksville to visit family and friends, and was buried there, probably beside his first wife, Elizabeth Pailin Ellis, Great-Grandma's grandmother, who died when she was one year old, in the Old Episcopal Cemetery, also known as the Newbegun Creek Quaker Cemetery. It is most likely that two large boulders in that graveyard mark their graves. Because she was a great-grandmother when she died (and surprisingly not a great-great-grandmother yet), Great-Grandma saw six generations of her family.

It is not certain how much education Great-Grandma had, as her children disagreed over whether she quit school in the third or the seventh grade. It is likely that she remained in the home of her mother and stepfather at 300 Cherry Street in Elizabeth City until she married Gilbert Godfrey at the age of 22 in 1913. She met him at a church social.

My Aunt Alma vaguely remembered her mother sitting on the porch crying over the death of her mother and then going to see her grandmother decked out in the casket in the parlor of the home on Cherry Street. She recalled that her mother died of Bright's disease, a kidney ailment now known as chronic nephritis, and Grizzelle Jennings' death certificate lists the cause of death as cardiovascular and renal (failure?).

Great-Grandma nearly died from typhoid fever one summer around 1929, and she had to teach herself how to walk all over again. While recovering from typhoid fever, the community physician, Dr. Isiah ("Ike") Fearing (1869-1965), paid her a visit. She inquired why so many cars had gone past the house that day, and he replied, "Oh Miss Mattie, you haven't heard, the Only (Onley?) boys (a family that lived nearby) drowned, one went in after the other and they both drowned."

She was especially regarded for her cooking ability. She made almost all of her food from scratch, and is best remembered for her corn bread and baked apples. She cooked corn bread practically every day until she went into Guardian Care at the age of 94 in January, 1986. She never recorded her recipe, but fortunately my grandmother knew how to reproduce it and has taught me how. Her Carolina cornbread was very sweet and doughy, and to make it, Great-Grandma used hard homemade biscuits ground up and mixed with corn meal, sugar, eggs, homemade milk, and grease. In perfecting this recipe, my goal has been to make it appeal to the health-conscious young generations by minimizing the amount of grease used. I would also need to reduce the amount of sugar, something which I cannot compromise on because that, to me, is what makes it taste so great! When people ask where I obtained the recipe, and how fattening it is, all I have to say is that my great-grandmother cooked it nearly every day most of her adult life yet lived to be 102!

Great-Grandma's crude lifestyle on the farm contrasted greatly with the life of her younger sister Willie, who lived in Elizabeth City most of her adult life, where her husband, Bennie Meads, was a carpenter. Aunt Willie and her four daughters, Marion, Selma, Audrey, and Margie, enjoyed the advantages of city life, but they spent a lot of time with their Godfrey cousins on the farm nearby. Aunt Willie was very prim and proper, maintained a trim figure, and unlike her sister Mattie, she enjoyed dressing up, going out on the town in an evening gown, and other social niceties.

Great-Grandma's brother Johnny and his wife, Sallie, lived close by in Symond's Creek Township in lower Pasquotank County, and were also farmers. They had four children, Willie (a son), Shelton, Lillie, and John, Jr. Their family has suffered several tragedies. In 1939, when Willie was 22 years old, he was swimming near his home in the Pasquotank River and dived into the water, not knowing a stake was underneath. The stake punctured through his stomach, but he was able to push himself off, swim back to shore, and run home, but he only lived three days. Ten years later, Shelton's four-year-old son, Ernest Douglas White, choked to death on a toy balloon, an event which deeply affected Shelton for the rest of his life and deepened his religious convictions so much that he became a part-time minister, mainly at revivals. As already mentioned, Uncle Johnny died of a heart attack at the age of 58 in 1951. John, Jr. died of a cerebral hemmorhage at the age of 54 in 1980, and Shelton died of a sudden heart attack at the age of 69 in 1989. Of his five children, his widow, Dacie Meads White (1921-2003), outlived three of them. Shelton and Dacie White were especially close with his Aunt Mattie and Uncle Gilbert. They were regarded as true Christians in their community, and their sons, Ronnie and Wayne White, leased the Gilbert Godfrey farm after Great-Grandma and her son Carlton quit farming the land and went into the nursing home.

Great-Grandma was very old-fashioned. When my grandmother and her two sisters were young, they occasionally wanted to be tomboys and go swimming with their brothers in the Pasquotank River, but Great-Grandma was opposed to the idea of girls wearing bathing suits. She always wore farm-syle dresses and never wore pants her entire life. Once after my dad became an adult and dropped by to visit after fishing, she chided him for fishing on Sunday. Like most women of her generation, and my other three great-grandmothers, she never drove an automobile, as that was generally a task limited to the husband. She expressed disbelief in the wonders of modern technology, even though she witnessed more technological advances in her 102-year lifespan than had occurred in all previous centuries combined. When she was 12 years old, in 1903, the first known airplane flight occurred at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, just 40 miles from where Great-Grandma was living at Elizabeth City. In 1969, when she was 78 years old, Great-Grandma witnessed man's first trip to the moon, but she told my grandmother she did not believe it was real. When Grandma told her just to look at it on the television, Great-Grandma replied it was probably staged. She never cared for television or news. Great-Granddad bought a television for his living room in his later years, and especially enjoyed watching Saturday night wrestling. However, shortly after his death, it stopped working, and Great-Grandma never had it fixed or bought a new one. She was content sitting in her kitchen or on her porch in her spare time. But even in her later years, she kept herself busy by cooking and offering hospitality to visitors whenever they called. Sometimes others took advantage of her hospitality by calling on her frequently around meal time, perhaps because of loneliness.

Immediately after Gilbert's death, Great-Grandma lived with my grandparents in Newport News for a short while but soon returned to her farm. Uncle Carlton and Uncle Roy continued to run the farm, and Great-Grandma prepared the milk after they milked the cows. Roy and his wife, Jean Kay, moved to Sun City, California in 1980, however. Carlton and his wife Allie May lived on one side of his parents' farm, and Roy and Jean Kay lived on the opposite side. Carlton ceased running the farm and sold all the livestock shortly after his mother moved into Guardian Care, and he was in poor health for the last decade of his life and in 1991 also became a resident of Guardian Care, the same year Allie May died. Before she went into the nursing home, Great-Grandma and children hosted large family get-togethers every Christmas holiday. Of course, in her declining years, her children helped out with most of the cooking. She broke her hip in 1980 but recovered and was still able to live by herself afterward. Her children became increasingly fearful for her safety while she lived alone out in the county, but Uncle Carlton and Uncle Raymond looked after her. One time when Great-Grandma was in her eighties, she found a stranger, perhaps a vagrant, in the house, and simply replied, "You've got the wrong house." He left without hesitation, but this incident made her children fearful of her continuing to live alone. During winters, she slept in a bed in her kitchen beside her woodstove. My dad helped out a lot by chopping firewood for her each fall. In the fall of 1985, Hurricane Gloria struck, and my dad went down to the farm to prepare it in the event of hurricane damage by wrapping a chain around the house by driving around it with his truck. He asked his grandmother if she was prepared to get underneath the kitchen table in the event of severe storms, and she said she was. Fortunately, no damage occurred there.

I remember the tragedy Great-Grandma went through in 1983 when she lost her youngest daughter Hazel after cancer spread to her brain. She seemed to adjust well, possibly because she only saw her about once a year ever since Hazel moved to Rhode Island with her husband 40 years earlier. She did not feel like traveling to Rhode Island to visit her when she was ill or for her funeral. Besides losing her parents and brother at young ages, and losing her nephew Willie in 1939 after he dived into the water and a stake went through his stomach, outliving Hazel was the only major tragedy she lived through, and all of her other children lived into their eighties and beyond. At the beginning of 2007, I made a remark here that it was fortunate all 17 of her grandchildren and all of her 25+ great-grandchildren were living, but this was spoiled by the tragic, unexpected death of her granddaughter, Lynn Rosso Buechner (29 Oct 1952--9 Mar 2007) of Virginia Beach, Virginia, who was found by her husband sleeping for over 18 hours and was brain-dead by the time she arrived at the hospital. She was removed from life support three days later. Because she was an organ donor, an autopsy could not be performed, so the exact cause of Lynn's death will always remain a mystery, but it appears that she was recovering from the flu and aspirated in her sleep, which gave her pneumonia, and it is also possible she had overmedicated herself on pain killers as she had a long history of back pain and other health ailments. Aunt Alma, Great-Grandma's oldest child, was the same age when she outlived her daughter Lynn (92) as Great-Grandma was when she outlived Aunt Hazel.

Great-Grandma suffered a stroke in January, 1986, the same week as the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion. My dad immediately visited her in the hospital, and on the day my brother and I were at home at our mother's apartment in Newport News, VA watching coverage of the explosion, my dad called us and said Great-Grandma was having great difficulty breathing and had lost the will to live since she would not be able to return to the farm. She was then placed in Guardian Care at Elizabeth City, only two miles from her farm. At first she was depressed and did not bother to get to know the other patients, but soon her health and spirit improved considerably. She was able to get around with a walker but was growing increasingly deaf. Her mind was still sharp, and she would remain in fairly stable condition for the next five years until she declined more after she turned 100 in 1991.

Remarkably, Great-Grandma was still able to enjoy family get-togethers even after she was 95 years old. For the Fourth of July, 1986, her grandson, Dr. Ritchie O. Rosso of Virginia Beach, Virgnia, hosted a family get-together at his home. Uncle Marvin brought Great-Grandma to Ritchie's. Her daughter Hazel had died three years earlier, and this was the first time most of Hazel's family had come back to visit. The next year, in May, 1987, my grandparents celebrated their golden wedding anniversary at Calvary Baptist Church in Newport News, Virginia, and Uncle Raymond and his wife Alma brought Great-Grandma, which was a great surprise to my grandmother. The day prior to the celebration we had all been in Elizabeth City celebrating Great-Grandma's 96th birthday. The family celebrated Great-Grandma's birthdays by bringing her to her home for three years after she went into the nursing home, but by the time she was 99 years old, she had lost interest in going back to the farm, so her 100th and 101st birthdays were celebrated at the nursing home. The home was damaged in 1990 by lightning which caused a fire in one of the upstairs bedrooms. By this time, the house was in such poor repair that the family abandoned all hope of restoring it, but we did make the bedroom weathertight since the furniture in the house had not been auctioned or split up yet.

Shortly after her 100th birthday, Great-Grandma fell and became weaker. She went through spells in which she refused to eat. Her son Carlton became a resident of Guardian Care and therefore spent a lot of time with her. A month before her death, she remained bedridden and could not eat. I last saw her alive on her 102nd birthday, May 23, 1993, eight days before her death. Most of her family came down to see her then, but as she was bedridden, there was no party. Her only words that day when I was there were "Where's Carlton?". Carlton spent most of his time at her bedside, but at that time had gone down the hall to hear the Sunday sermon. He was her main concern throughout most of her life, perhaps because she apparently felt guilty that she was not watching him when he wandered out into a pasture at age two and was stepped on by a horse.

Great-Grandma died on Memorial Day 1993 while Aunt Alma Rosso was at her bedside. Her funeral was conducted at Twiford Funeral Home's Downtown Chapel in Elizabeth City by Rev. Arthur Wilt, pastor of the church to which Uncle Carlton belonged, with burial following in New Hollywood Cemetery.

It is ironic that my Great-Grandma Mattie was the only great-grandparent alive in my lifetime, having lived until I was 20 years old, yet for many years after her death, I knew little about her family background relative to that of my other seven great-grandparents, and at the time of her death I only knew the full names, birthdates, and death dates of her parents and the first names of both sets of her grandparents. There are so many questions I wish I had asked her. I wanted to interview and tape-record her from the time I was thirteen years old, but her hearing was so bad that I feared I would be a nuisance, and I was too shy to admit to my family how much I was really interested in genealogy; my interest in genealogy began before age 13 but my persistence about it did not bloom until after I turned 18. I have long had trouble tracing back several sides of her family, including the Whites, Whiteheads, Ellises, and Pailins, even though most of Great-Grandma's ancestors had lived in Perquimans and Pasquotank Counties for many generations where the records remain intact and are very complete, with at least one side (the Garretts) residing in Camden County whose records were largely destroyed in the 1860s and in Currituck County. What has complicated tracing her ancestry, and required using indirect or circ*mstantial evidence to trace to some extent, is the fact that the marriage of her paternal grandparents, Doctrine and Catherine Whitehead White, was apparently never recorded, nor were the marriages of Doctrine's parents (Nehemiah and Elizabeth Perry White), and those of both sets of her mother's grandparents, Joshua and Mary Ellis and Henry and Frances Garrett Pailin. The White marriage more than likely occurred in Perquimans, and the Ellis and Pailin marriages in Pasquotank. It is only because of tradition among descendants of Great-Grandma's Aunt Henrietta White Hurdle that I learned in 1996 that Henrietta's mother, Doctrine's wife, was a Whitehead, because of the saying that she "lost her head when she married a White," and the 1845 Perquimans will of Catherine's maternal grandmother Elizabeth Willard Evans refers to a granddaughter Catherine Whitehead. It was not until 2019 that I discovered a deed involving her paternal grandparents, Doctrine and Catherine White, inheriting land from Catherine's parents, John and Mary Whitehead, the only legal document thus far proving this lineage. Thankfully, the 1834 Pasquotank will of Nehemiah White mentioned a wife Elizabeth and a son Doctrine R.P. White, and I accidentally discovered in 2003 that Elizabeth was a Perry by coming across an 1818 Pasquotank will of Cader Perry which mentioned a daughter Elizabeth White, a son Doctrine R. Perry, and the land of Nehemiah White. I discovered that Great-Grandma's maternal grandmother was a daughter of Henry Pailin and Frances Garrett in 1996 after hearing my grandmother refer to her mother having an Aunt Patty who was the mother of a Cousin Mollie Palmer of Weeksville whom Grandma claimed was related somehow on the Ellis side, and then finding the 1927 death certificate of Pattie Pritchard which listed Henry Pailin and Frances Garrett as her parents. From a White-Ellis-Jennings Family Bible that my grandmother copied, I knew Great-Grandma's mother had a half-brother named George Pailin who died in 1888, so I initially assumed Great-Grandma's Grandmother Ellis was first married to a Pailin, but her mother's death certificate lists her mother's maiden name as Elizabeth Pailin, forcing me to conclude George Pailin was her illegitimate son. Because there were earlier Nehemiah Whites in the Henry White family of Perquimans, which was Quaker, I was long fairly certain Great-Grandma's Whites were from that line, even thouugh there was also a Thomas White family that settled Perquimans in the 1600s. In 2018, after corresponding with a young researcher on several of our mutual lineages, he located an 1807-10 record of the estate of Robert White in which Nehemiah White was listed as administrator, and as Great-Grandma's great-grandfather Nehemiah White was the only living Nehemiah White in that area after 1806, it seemed safe to conclude our Nehemiah was son of Robert, who was son of Joshua, son of Nehemiah, Sr., son of Arnold, Jr., son of Arnold, Sr., son of Henry White, Sr. Later in 2018, I finally located estate records proving the parents of Great-Grandma's maternal great-grandfather Henry Pailin, enabling me to determine that her mother was descended two ways from her father's patrilineal ancestor Henry White, and from three families I long already knew were in the ancestry of my mother--the Overmans, Newbys, and Nicholsons. Thus, in the year that would have been my parents' 50th wedding anniversary had my parents not gotten divorced and had my father still been living, I determined my parents were ninth cousins two ways and eighth cousins once removed one way, all through common Quaker ancestors in Perquimans and Pasquotank Counties, in spite of the fact that my mother's immediate family was from Virginia and she had no idea she had ancestry in that area. I still have not, as of 2021, determined the origins of Great-Grandma's great-grandfather John Whitehead, but because Great-Grandma's son Marvin's autosomal DNA results match several descendants of the Arthur Whitehead family of Southside Virginia, I feel fairly certain John was descended from Arthur, especially since there was an earlier John Whitehead, grandson of Arthur, who married Miriam Murdaugh around 1774 in Perquimans, though he went back to Southampton County, Virginia where his 1791 will named a bunch of sons. Other families in Great-Grandma's ancestry that I have traced back to the 1600s include the Evanses, Jessops, Bundys, and Perrys on her paternal side, and the Garretts, Forbeses, Barcos, Torkseys, Scarboroughs, Moores, and Jenningses on her maternal side. The ancestry of her Grandfather Ellis is a complete blank before his parents' generation, and I don't even know the maiden name of his mother, who appears to have been born around 1832, meaning she would only have been about 59 years old had she been alive when Great-Grandma, her great-granddaughter, was born. Her Grandfather Ellis was probably orphaned, for he was living with a Markham family at the time of the 1860 Pasquotank Census. The greatest mystery about her Grandfather Ellis is why her children and nieces were unaware of him, their great-grandfather, being killed by an automobile in 1926 after I found out about him from a grandson of his second marriage in 1996, for several were born and should have remembered or heard about it. I have wondered whether she and her mother may have been estranged from her grandfather in his later years after he remarried a much younger woman the same age as his oldest daughter, had four more children, and moved to Norfolk.

One genealogy of another side of my family, written in 1889, says that change of residence is known to prolong life and enhance genetic strength in man as much as it is known to do in plants, apparently implying that members of the family whose ancestors inbred and did not migrate to other places did not live as long as those who moved around and had a less intermarried ancestry. However, the fact that Great-Grandma Mattie lived her entire life and died within ten miles of where she was born, is evidence that the author's supposition had exceptions. I have long believed that people who live in scenic places such as the Swiss Alps are the most likely to reach 100 as scenery can enhance one's attitude and will to live. The land in Pasquotank is not nearly as scenic, but Great-Grandma was surrounded by pastoral scenery until her last years.

Because all four of my grandparents were among the generation in America that underwent the transition from rural to urban life following the Great Depression and World War II, knowing Great-Grandma Mattie in my childhood, when she still lived on her farm, enabled me to appreciate the rural lifestyles that preceded "The Greatest Generation." I still remember the foods she cooked from scratch, the bed she slept on in her kitchen beside the woodstove, and the mechanical pump she used on the back porch for drawing water, beside which often sat a bowl of milk that Uncle Carlton brought inside after milking the cows. Although her house had electricity, is was used almost solely for lighting and kitchen stoves.

Even though her oldest great-grandson, my first cousin David Glenn Newton, was 32 years old when Great-Grandma died, she was not a great-great-grandmother until about three years after her death when my Aunt Hazel's first great-granchild was born in Rhode Island. But nevertheless, it is remarkable that Great-Grandma lived long enough to know six generations of her family, including her parents (not remembering her father since he died when she was three years old), her Grandfather Ellis (her Grandmother Ellis having died when she was a year old so I am not counting her), her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The following is quoted from an article in the Elizabeth City, North Carolina, newspaper printed shortly after the celebration of Great-Grandma's 100th birthday in May, 1991, which I had the privilege of attending just one month before graduating high school:

A New Century:
Godfrey family takes pride in woman's special birthday
by Nancy Royden-Clark
Perquimans County reporter

Sunday was more than a 100th birthday party for Mattie White Godfrey. It was a celebration for a woman who continues to be the matriarch of a family that has spread its roots throughout the country.

"Her biggest hobby was being a mother and a wife. That took all her time," said Mrs. Godfrey's son, Marvin R. Godfrey.

Her birthday was Thursday, May 23, but family members celebrated Sunday with a party at Guardian Care Nursing Home in Elizabeth City.

Mrs. Godfrey was surrounded by family members from the Albemarle and as far away as California, Rhode Island, Texas, and Washington, DC. Birthday cake, red punch and pink decorations flanked the dining room of the facility. The honoree was dressed "pretty in pink" as she was hugged and greeted by old and young relatives.

"Mattie lived in Pasquotank County all her life. She was raised near Weeksville and she married Gilbert Godfrey. She was married for over 50 years," her son said.

Mrs. Godfrey worked with her husband on their 200-acre farm. There they grew corn, soybeans, cabbage, sweet corn, potatoes, and cotton.

The much-loved woman was originally mother to four boys and three girls. Today Marvin lives in Fuquay-Varina; Carlton and Raymond Godfrey in Elizabeth City; Roy Godfrey in Sun City, Calif.; Katherine Godfrey of Newport News, Va.; and Alma Rosso of Norfolk, Va.

Mrs. Godfrey also has 17 grandchildren and about 22 great-grandchildren.

Marvin said he was happy to see his mother in good health today, especially since she worked long, hard hours as a farmer's wife.

"She keeps everything together. Her mind is still sharp. She can hear a little in her left ear and none in her right ear," said Katherine.

Not only was she a hard worker, she was also a good neighbor.

Mattie was also someone "city folks" counted on for fresh farm food.

"She always had chickens and biddies coming along. She also sold cream and milk. She worked in the Pasquotank Curb Market where each person had a table and they put in orders," daughter Katherine said.

Marvin said his mother was able to sew without any formal training, a skill that was necessary in tough economic times.

"During the Depression, ladies would pick prints on food bags, that would determine which bag to buy," he said.

Relatives also recall the time when the matriarch would hitch up horses to a buggy. Although she was not very interested in riding horses, she enjoyed driving the buggy.

Mrs. Godfrey attended Hall's Creek and City Road United Methodist Churches.

Below is Great-Grandma Godfrey's obituary from the Elizabeth City "Daily Advance":

Mattie W. Godfrey
...native of Pasquotank County
Mrs. Mattie White Godfrey, 102, died Monday, May 31, in Guardian Care Nursing Home.
Funeral services will be conducted on Wednesday, June 2, at 1 p.m. in Twiford Memorial Chapel, 405 East Church Street, with Rev. Arthur Wilt officiating. Burial will follow in New Hollywood Cemetery. The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. in the funeral home.
Mrs. Godfrey was a native of Pasquotank County. She was a former member of Halls Creek United Methodist Church and the Marcie Albertson Home Demonstration Club.
Mrs. Godfrey was the widow of Gilbert Godfrey and the daughter of the late Willie and Grizelle Ellis White.
She is survived by two daughters, Alma G. Rosso of Norfolk, Va. and Katherine Godfrey of Newport News, Va.; four sons, Carlton Gilbert Godfrey and Raymond M. Godfrey, both of Elizabeth City, Marvin R. Godfrey of Fuquay-Varina and Roy F. Godfrey of Sun City, Calif.; and 17 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by a daughter, Ruth Hazel Procopio, who resided in Warren, R.I.

Most of the Gilbert and Mattie White Godfrey farm was sold late in 2011 and 2012 by their heirs. The home has been beyond repair for years but is still standing due to legal difficulties in having asbestos shingles removed. When the first parcel was sold late in 2011, my dad, G. Wayne Godfrey, a grandson of Gilbert and Mattie, was dying from a glioblastoma brain tumor, a very tragic time in my family. But a year earlier, in November, 2010, my brother Jason and I enjoyed walking the farm with our dad, his first cousin Dr. Ritchie Rosso, Ritchie's wife Barbara, and two of their three children, Annie and Nathan. Ritchie's mother, Aunt Alma, the eldest child of Mattie and Gilbert, died only 47 days before my dad, just a few weeks after the first parcel was sold, at the age of 97. In 2014, the only remaining portion of the farm that had not been sold, a timbered area, mainly swampland and therefore uninhabitable, southwest of the main farm, on the other side of Body Road and adjoining Simpson Ditch Road, was sold, and the Gilbert and Mattie White Godfrey estate was officially closed 21 or 22 years after her death. As executor of the estate, her son Marvin managed the affairs of the farm until it was sold, and the sale and closing of the estate were handled by his lawyer son, David R. Godfrey of Apex, North Carolina.

In November, 2017, the last of Great-Grandma's seven children, the two youngest, passed away thirteen days apart, when Uncle Roy died in California at age 87 and then Uncle Marvin was killed in a car accident at age 90 the day after Thanksgiving while heading to his girlfriend's house in Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina when he pulled out onto the highway off his street and was struck by a Food Lion tractor trailer that he apparently could not see because of blinding sunlight. Ironically, Great-Grandma was about two months pregnant with Uncle Marvin when her Grandfather Ellis, about 80 years old, was killed by an automobile while walking down a road at night, and 90 years later, Uncle Marvin himself would be killed inside an automobile by a much larger truck.

More About Mattie Elizabeth White:
Burial: 02 Jun 1993, New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Congestive heart failure and malnutrition resulting from extreme old age
Census 1: 1910, Listed in Nixonton Township (probably Weeksville), Pasquotank Co., NC with siblings in household of stepfather Clarence Jennings & mother. The Richard Palmer household was 2 households away, which included her Great-Aunt Pattie Pailin Prichard.
Census 2: 1900, Her father's sister Kate (Catherine White Sawyer, listed as Lizzie Sawyer in this census) & sons were lodging in her mother and stepfather's household.
Census 3: 1900, Listed in Nixonton Township (probably Weeksville), Pasquotank Co., NC with siblings in household of stepfather Clarence Jennings & mother. The Richard Palmer household was next door, which included her Great-Aunt Pattie Pailin Prichard.
Comment: Made the best southern-style cornbread from scratch daily!
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-attended Hall's Creek & City Road U.M.C., Pasquotank Co., NC
Event: Abt. 1929, Stricken by typhoid fever one summer-almost died; learned to walk all over again
High School: Only had a primary school education
Medical Information: Suffered from palsy which caused her arms to shake the last 30 years of her life
Occupation: Farm wife; sold farm products at Pasquotank Curb Market in Elizabeth City
Personality/Intrst: Hard-working; enjoyed driving buggy when young but didn't care to ride horses; old-fashioned and Fundamentalist; not inclined toward leisurely activities; spent most of her time in the kitchen, where most of her food was made from scratch.
Residence 1: Lived in Pasquotank Co., NC her entire life of 102 years--born and raised at Weeksville and Elizabeth City, NC; lived in several locations in Pasquotank or Elizabeth City before she and her husband bought farm on Body Road ca. 1925; nursing home aft 1986.
Residence 2: Bef. 1896, Weeksville, Pasquotank Co., NC
Residence 3: Bet. 1896 - 1913, Believed to have lived mainly in Elizabeth City, NC on Cherry Street after her mother remarried in 1896.
Residence 4: Bet. 1913 - 1927, Lived at various locations around Pasquotank County and Elizabeth City, NC before settling down on a farm on present-day Body Road in Pasquotank County about 1927.
Residence 5: Bet. 1925 - 1986, Body Road, Pasquotank Co., NC two miles south of Elizabeth City
Residence 6: Aft. Jan 1986, Guardian Care nursing home, 901 Halstead Blvd., Elizabeth City, NC 27909

Generation No. 2

2. Ephraim Godfrey, born 28 Jan 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 05 Nov 1918 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC. He was the son of 4. Gilbert Godfrey and 5. Penelope Sawyer. He married 3. Susan "Rebecca" Turner 20 Nov 1878 in Perquimans Co., NC.
3. Susan "Rebecca" Turner, born 05 Apr 1862 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 26 Dec 1917 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC. She was the daughter of 6. Alfred Turner and 7. Martha Jane Godfrey.

Notes for Ephraim Godfrey:
The following information on Ephraim and Rebecca Godfrey and their children is quoted from letters to me written by a grandson in 1994:

Bryan--
Thank you for your long and informative letter. I am enclosing a photograph of Rebecca Turner Godfrey. Now you have photographs of 15 of your 16 great-great-grandparents. Pretty impressive! I hope you can complete the set. [Yes, I did, in 2002, after I had made copies of photographs of my Pearson great-great-grandparents]. By the way, that is Eugene Godfrey (long hair) and Glenn Godfrey (short hair) which are your Great-grandfather Gilbert's younger brothers. My father Eugene was orphaned at 8 or 9 so Rebecca must be 54 or so when this photo was made. The big portrait that I snapped this picture from came down to me from Penny Sawyer--her daughter Irene to me as a gift from Dennis Sawyer when Irene died. Since my father is in the picture as well as my grandmother, it is a special picture to me. Dennis Sawyer was 8 or 9 when Ephraim Godfrey died and identified the picture of Ephraim that I sent to you before Dennis died. By the way--thank you for offering to pay but I will not let you do that. I will however eagerly await any information about the family that you care to provide. I am so glad that you and John [Swain] are doing this. I know quite a bit about Sally Godfrey Harris. I was quite close to her. Yes, she raised Otis [her nephew, son of Merritt and Lina Belle Godfrey] from the time he was in his early teens. I can fill you in on some family history that was passed down to me. I look forward to doing this when we meet again. We will be home (map and telephone number enclosed) until December 26 and we will spend the remainder of our Xmas vacation in Philadelphia with my older daughter Leigh G. Webber. Please come by--you are welcome to spend the night(s) here with us while you do your research [on the Pearson side of my family--maternal side] in Wayne County.
The story which came down to me is that Rebecca died around Xmas of 1916 [actually 1917]. Ephraim died not quite a year later. They both died from the flu. I am not sure anyone knows where the cemetery is. Land was sold, timber cut, landmarks lost.
Aunt Penny married Claymon Sawyer. I think they ran off in a horse powered cart (eloped) and married over Rebecca Godfrey's objections. Penny was a very friendly and colorful woman from all accounts. She was my father's [Eugene Godfrey's] favorite. He loved her very much. She was like a mother to him and Penny's son Dennis was my father's best friend (and nephew) I got very close to Dennis before he died. I talked to him for many hours about the family history. He was my first cousin even though he was 35 years my senior. I want to have a long talk while this is fresh in my mind and let you know what he told me about the family. The Ephraim Godfrey house is still standing and in good shape today. I would love for you to see it. It is on Pear Tree Road--not quite 2 miles as the crow flies from Gilbert's [my great-grandfather's--eldest son of Ephraim and Rebecca] home.
Sally, Lela, and Eugene Godfrey are all buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, NC.
Sally and Lela, Glen, Eugene, Loretta, and Merritt were all living in the homeplace when Ephraim Godfrey died. I think Gilbert lived in the homeplace and helped tend the farm along with (possibly Merritt--not sure). Ephraim Godfrey was blind in the latter part of his life and could not manage the farm alone. After his death the brothers and sisters gradually (over several years) left the homeplace to make their own way in the world. Glenn and Eugene went to live with Gilbert who purchased a farm on Body Road [in Pasquotank Co., NC]. Glenn stayed only several years and then left home and traveled the western U.S. Eugene stayed with Gilbert but for how long I don't know. Aunt Sally and Aunt Lela went to Washington {NC, also known as Little Washington] to work at the Louise Hotel on Main Street. Room, board, and a salary which neither one would spend a penny of (not a figure of speech). This is how they got to be quite wealthy. Sally and Lela traveled out west for Lela's health (tuberculosis--later died of cancer). Later returned to Washington around late 1930s. Sally married late in life. Her husband Marvin Harris was a car salesman in Washington and they lived on the farm just outside the city that Sally and Lela had purchased. In 1940 Sally and Marvin adopted an infant daughter and named her Rebecca. Marvin Harris died three or four years later and Sally raised Rebecca. Lela died in 1942 (?) [actually 1944]. Sally and Lela were living together and working together quite some time before Sally married Marvin Harris. I think Lela lived with them after they were married. Sally raised Otis Godfrey [Merritt's son] from his teens to adulthood before Rebecca was born. Otis still lives in Washington and would love to fill you in on some of these points.
Mother [Ruby Parker Godfrey, wife of Eugene Godfrey] remarried in 1953. Married William Edward Pinkham. He was a super stepfather and really the only father I ever knew. I was born three months after Eugene died [he was electrocuted while working at the Cherry Point Marine Base in Havelock, NC]. Ed and mother did not have children. Ed was tragically killed in an auto accident in 1973. He is buried in Oakdale Cemetery in Washington.
Some of Uncle Glenn's boys are looking into having the photo [of Ephraim Godfrey] restored. If that falls thru I would gladly join you in contributing $30 toward the restoration of Ephraim Godfrey's photo. I think we could easily raise the $300 or so that this project would take. It would have to be at a Godfrey reunion.
From your letter, it sounds as if you have not traveled to Elizabeth City recently. You have been to your Great-grandfather Gilbert's farm though, haven't you? Have you ever seen your Great-Great-grandfather's house on Pear Tree Road? If not and you travel to Elizabeth City in the future, maybe I can come up and show you the homeplace and farm. I am enclosing the only known photo of Ephraim and Rebecca Godfrey. The child is my father Eugene. This picture was taken in the fields on Ephraim's farm.
Bryan--I must close for now. I am very interested in any family history and genealogy you have. Hope to see you soon.
Take care,
James Godfrey

More About Ephraim Godfrey:
Burial: Godfrey family plot near Mill Road and Deep Creek at Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC (graves marked only by tree stumps originally which have been destroyed).
Cause of Death: Influenza, one of the many victims of the infamous 1918 Spanish flu epidemic.
Census 1: 11 Jun 1900, New Hope Township, Perquimans Co., NC. Owned his farm free of a mortgage. Unable to read or write. Date of birth listed as Mar 1854 instead of Jan 1854. Wife Susan could read and write, date of birth listed as May 1860.
Census 2: 21 Apr 1910, Listed in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC, age 56, wife Rebecca erroneously listed as age 41, and all children except Mattie and Penny who were already married. Rebecca able to read and write, listed as mother of 14 children with 10 living.
Comment 1: He was blind from being struck in eye by sheep shears; infection resulted which spread to the other eye.
Comment 2: It is said that after he became blind, he could find his way easily. He could leave a hoe in a field and walk back to it the next day from the house.
Medical Information: Was blind due to eye being struck by sheep shears; infection resulted in both eyes, causing blindness
Occupation: Farmer
Residence: Aft. 1904, Lived in Hog Neck area of Perquimans Co., NC until about 1904 when he bought a farm on present-day Perkins Lane near Pear Tree Road, Pasquotank Co., NC. This home is still standing.

Notes for Susan "Rebecca" Turner:
There are conflicting dates of birth for Rebecca. On her marriage license, her age is listed as 19, indicating 1859 as the likely year of birth, but if that were the case, it would mean she was 50 when she had her youngest child, Eugene. Her death certificate lists 5 April 1863, which could not be correct if her sister Mary were born on 20 August 1863, as Mary's death certificate indicates. The census of 1870 lists her age as six years, whereas the census of 1900 lists her date of birth as May 1860. The 1880 census lists her age as 18. Perhaps 1862 is the most likely year.

More About Susan "Rebecca" Turner:
Burial: Godfrey family plot near Mill Road and Deep Creek at Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC (graves marked only by tree stumps originally which have been destroyed)
Cause of Death: Death certificate appears to read "tuberculosis of lungs"
Comment: Ephraim and his wife Becky were half-first cousins, both grandchildren of Benjamin Godfrey by different wives. Ephraim's father was a son of Benjamin by his 3rd wife, Martha Colson, whereas Becky's mother was a daughter of his 4th wife, Rebecca Robins.
Medical Information: According to family tradition, she died from influenza
Nickname: Becky

Children of Ephraim Godfrey and Susan Turner are:
i. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1879 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 06 Sep 1971 in Albemarle Hospital, Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married John Robert Campbell; born 19 Jul 1866 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC; died 09 Nov 1952 in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC.

Notes for Martha Jane Godfrey:
Obituary from "The Raleigh Observer":

MRS. MARTHA G. CAMPBELL Funeral services were held to day at 3 p. m. for Mrs. Martha Godfrey Campbell, 92, who died Monday. The Rev. John Habbs and the Rev. Leonard Nix officiated from Johnson Funeral Home chapel. Burial was in Pineview Cemetery. Surviving are two daughters, Mrs. Margaret Pierce of Woodville and Mrs. Gertrude Davis of Highland Springs, Va.; four sons, Dan Campbell of Gokisboro, Wilson Campbell of Elm City, Alton Campbell of Wilson and Lee T. Campbell of Woodbury, N.J.; 10 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; one sister, Mrs. Sally Harris of Washington, N. C; one brother, Glenn Godfrey of Sanford; three step- daughters, Mrs. Cathleen Manley of Goldsboro, Mrs. Bessie Stapleford of New Bern and Mrs. Julia Devine of Norfolk, Va.; one step-son, Vaughan Campbell, of California.

More About Martha Jane Godfrey:
Burial: Pineview Cemetery, 761 North Raleigh Street, south Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC 27801
Cause of Death: Erythema due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Census 1: 1920, Living in Cross Creek, Cumberland Co., NC with husband and children. Her brother Glen W. Godfrey, orphaned at that time, was living with them and erroneously listed as their son.
Census 2: 1930, She, her husband, and children listed in Jamesville, Martin Co., NC
Comment: Was named for her maternal grandmother, Martha Jane Godfrey Turner, but always known as Mattie even though her grandmother was known as Patsy
Nickname: Mattie
Residence: Lived at Rocky Mount, NC most of her adult life, but since her husband was a travelling salesman, they lived in several places including Suffolk, VA; had been living at Woodville, Perquimans Co., NC with daughter Margaret Campbell Pierce when she died.

Notes for John Robert Campbell:
Obituary from "Rocky Mount Evening Telegram," Rocky Mount, NC, Monday, November 10, 1952, downloaded from newspaperarchive.com

JOHN R. CAMPBELL

John Robert Campbell, 86, died at his home at 728 Arlington St., at 2 o'clock Sunday afternoon following several years of declining health and a serious illness of a few days.

Funeral services will be conducted from the Johnson Funeral Chapel at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. J. J. Boone, pastor of the Clark Street Methodist church. Burial will be in the Pineview cemetery.

He was born May 19, 1886 [correction--1866], son of the late W.R. Campbell and Narcissa Thompson Campbell of Sanford.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Mattie Godfrey Campbell of the home; six sons, John M. Campbell of Eustis, Fla., Isaac Vaughan Campbell of Long Beach, Calif., Daniel G. Campbell of Wilmington, Wilson T. of Elm City, Alton Paige Campbell of Rocky Mount, Lee Turner Paige [correction--Campbell] of the U.S. Navy in San Francisco; six daughters, Mrs. Kathleen Manley of Goldsboro, Mrs. Julia Devine of Norfolk, Va., Mrs. Bessie Stapleford of New Bern, Mrs. Clara Broadway of Dover, Mrs. Margaret Pierce of Elizabeth City and Mrs. Gertrude Davis of Highland Springs, Va.; 27 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.

More About John Robert Campbell:
Burial: Pineview Cemetery, 761 North Raleigh Street, south Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC 27801
Comment: Was 13 years older than Mattie. He had been married before and his first wife died, leaving him with several children and then he had six more children by Mattie. Even Mattie and the entire Godfrey family called him Mr. Campbell.
Occupation: Travelling salesman; mainly sold pianos
Residence: 1952, 723 Arlington Street, Rocky Mount, NC at time of death

ii. Lela Godfrey, born 10 Sep 1882 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 05 Mar 1944 in near Washington, Beaufort Co., NC.

Notes for Lela Godfrey:
Obituuary of Lelia Godfrey from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 7 March 1944, page 10:

MISS LELIA GODFREY Washington N C—Miss Lelia Godfrey 62 died at the home of her sister, Mrs J. M. Harris Sunday night following an illness of several years A daughter of the late Ephran and Rebecca Turner Godfrey, she was born in Perquimans County Sept. 10 1882 Surviving are three sisters, Mrs J. M. Harris of this city, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Rocky Mount, and Mrs. Penny Sawyer of Elizabeth City; four brothers, Gilbert Godfrey and Clarence Godfrey of Elizabeth City, Merritt K Godfrey of Norfolk, Va., and Glen Godfrey of Sanford; 26 nephews and eight nieces She was a member of the First Methodist Church and came to this City to reside in 1918. Funeral services will be held from the home of her sister Mrs. Harris Tuesday afternoon at 2 o'clock with the Rev D A Clarke, pastor of the First Methodist Church, in charge. Burial will be in Oakdale Cemetery.

More About Lela Godfrey:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Breast cancer
Comment: Never married
Medical Information: Suffered from tuberculosis and was in a sanitarium at Pinehurst, NC for a while
Residence: Aft. 1918, Folllowing their parents' deaths, she and Sallie lived together in Washington, NC, where they worked and lived at the Louise Hotel, and after Sallie's marriage, they lived in a rural area outside Washington in Beaufort Co., NC.

iii. Penelope Irene Godfrey, born 15 Jan 1887 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Mar 1956 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Clingman Henry Sawyer 03 Jan 1904 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 14 May 1882 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 03 Dec 1923 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Penelope Irene Godfrey:
Below is Aunt Penny's obituary from "The Virginian-Pilot" of Norfolk, Virginia:

Carolina Deaths
Penny Godfrey Sawyer

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C.--March 30--Mrs. Pennie Godfrey Sawyer, 69, died today at 3:17 a.m. at the residence at 303 North Dyer Street.
She was a native of Perquimans County and has been residing in Elizabeth City for the past 31 years.
She was the daughter of Ephraim and Rebecca Godfrey; the wife of the late C.H. Sawyer, and a member of the City Road Methodist Church.
Surviving are one daughter, Miss Irene Sawyer of Elizabeth City; five sons, Kenneth, of Camden, Dennis, of Florida, John A., Muldrow, and William B. Sawyer, all of this city; two sisters, Mrs. J.R. [Mattie] Campbell of Rocky Mount and Mrs. J.M. [Sallie] Harris of Washington [NC]; four brothers, Gilbert Godfrey, of Route 1, Merritt Godfrey, of this city, Clarence Godfrey, of Route 2, and Glenn Godfrey, of Sanford.
Funeral services will be conducted Saturday at 2 p.m. at the Twiford Funeral Home by the Rev. D.J. Reid, pastor of the City Road Methodist Church. Burial will be in a local cemetery.

More About Penelope Irene Godfrey:
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Pulmonary tuberculosis due to diabetes with gangrene and hypertension
Nickname: Pennie
Residence: 303 North Dyer Street, Elizabeth City, NC at time of death

More About Clingman Henry Sawyer:
Cause of Death: Apoplexy and uremia

1 iv. Gilbert Godfrey, born 04 Jun 1889 in Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Oct 1965 in Albemarle Hospital, Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Mattie Elizabeth White 14 Jul 1913 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.
v. Sallie Godfrey, born 20 Oct 1892 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 26 Oct 1988 in Glennville, Tatnall Co., GA; married John "Marvin" Harris 27 Mar 1935 in Beaufort Co., NC; born 14 Jan 1879 in Mecklenburg Co., NC; died 10 Dec 1945 in Washington, Beaufort Co., NC.

Notes for Sallie Godfrey:
Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 28 October 1988:

SALLIE G HARRIS WASHINGTON NC — Mrs Sallie Godfrey Harris, 96, died Wednesday. Funeral 11 am Saturday, Paul Funeral Home. Burial, Oakdale Cemetery. Surviving: daughter Mrs Mary Rebecca Harris Skinner of Raleigh, brother Glenn Godfrey of Sanford; two grandchildren; a great-grandchild. Family at funeral home, 7:30-8:30 pm today

More About Sallie Godfrey:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Event: 1940, Adopted Rebecca who was dropped off as an infant on their doorstep, believed to have been Marvin Harris' natural daughter though from an affair; Sallie raised Rebecca as her own and claimed she was her child
Medical Information: Her mind was very confused the last decade or so of her life and she lived in a nursing home in Georgia since her daughter lived there at the time
Occupation: Worked in Louise Hotel at Washington, NC
Personality/Intrst: Was extremely frugal, especially before marriage when she worked for and had room and board at the Louise Hotel; spent some money travelling out West though before marriage; used rainwater to wash hair; made dresses from feed bags
Residence: Washington, NC; nursing home at Glennville, GA
Social Security #: 246-13-2315

More About John "Marvin" Harris:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Carcinoma of the prostate and bladder; died in Fowle Memorial Hospital
Occupation: Car salesman; did not work regularly though and lived off Sallie's savings
Personality/Intrst: Very selfish and greedy; cruel to nephews and nieces; believed to have been the natural father of Rebecca because she resembled his daughter from a previous marriage; known as Mr. Harris to the entire Godfrey family; swore he didn't need to work hard
Residence: Washington, NC

vi. Lauretta Godfrey, born 02 Mar 1894 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 13 May 1913 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC.

Notes for Lauretta Godfrey:
MISS LAURETTA GODFREY Elizabeth City Girl Taken Home from school Dead (Special to News and Observer, Elizabeth City May 17)—The remains of Miss Lauraetta Godfrey arrived here Thursday afternoon from Sanford where she died Tuesday after a brief illness. They were taken to the home about three miles from the city for interment. Miss Godfrey was about seventeen years old. She was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ephraim Godfrey,residents of Pear Tree road. The young lady had been attending school in Sanford and had finished her school work and intended to return home to her parents on the very day that her body was brought home a corpse.

More About Lauretta Godfrey:
Cause of Death: Typhoid fever
Comment: Said to have been attending college or finishing school when she died at age nineteen

vii. Merritt Kilgo Godfrey, born 17 Aug 1896 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 20 Apr 1971 in Norfolk General Hospital, 600 Gresham Drive, Norfolk, VA; married (1) Lina Belle Spruill 10 May 1916 in Pasquotank Co., NC; born 04 Mar 1902 in Washington Co., NC; died 26 May 1973 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married (2) Lucy Evans 1946 in Pasquotank Co., NC; born 14 Dec 1907 in Pasquotank Co., NC; died 26 May 1955 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Merritt Kilgo Godfrey:
Below is Uncle Merritt's obituary from "The Virginian-Pilot" of Norfolk, Virginia:

Merritt K. Godfrey

CHESAPEAKE--Merritt Kilgo Godfrey, 74, died Tuesday in Norfolk General Hospital after illness of three months.
A native of Perquimans County, N.C., he was the husband of the late Mrs. Lucy Evans Godfrey and a son of Ethan [incorrect--Ephraim] and Mrs. Susan Rebecca Turner Godfrey.
He retired from Elizabeth City Cotton Mills in 1966.
Surviving are four sons, Richard T. Godfrey, L.A. Godfrey, and Belmerit Godfrey of Elizabeth City and Otis Godfrey of Washington, N.C.; a daughter, Mrs. Winnie Parker of Elizabeth City; a brother, Glenn Godfrey of Sanford, N.C.; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Woodville, N.C., and Mrs. Sallie G. Harris of Washington, N.C.; 14 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. in Twiford Memorial Chapel, Elizabeth City. Burial will be in Highland Park Cemetery, Elizabeth City.

More About Merritt Kilgo Godfrey:
Burial: Highland Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Cardiorespiratory arrest
Occupation: Retired from Elizabeth City Cotton Mills in 1966
Residence: Elizabeth City, NC; 821 Cedar Road, Chesapeake, VA at time of death

More About Lina Belle Spruill:
Burial: New Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: acute myocardial infarction; chronic and acute myocardial decompensation

viii. Clarence Calhoon Godfrey, born 02 Jan 1900 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 15 Jun 1963 in Mt. Herman Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Bessie Naomi Trueblood 03 Sep 1917; born 27 Nov 1903 in Perquimans Co. or Pasquotank Co., NC; died 25 Dec 1961 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Clarence Calhoon Godfrey:
Obituary prepared by Twiford's Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, NC:

Funeral services for CLARENCE CALHOON GODFREY, SR., who died Saturday morning at the family residence, Elizabeth City, Route 2, were conducted Monday afternoon at 3:00 o'clock in the chapel of the Twiford Funeral Home, Rev. William S. Brown, pastor of the Woodville Baptist Church officiated.

The casket pall consisted of white carnations with a cross of red carnations in the center.

"Sweet Hour of Prayer" and "Beyond the Sunset" were sung by, Miss Beth Bon Durant accompanied at the organ by Mrs. W.E. Scott.

Pallbearers were, Eldon Tuttle, Bennie Morris, Clement Griffin, Tom Ambrose, L.R. Gay and D.T. Whitehurst.

Burial followed in Westlawn cemetery.

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

Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 16 Jun 1963, page 16:

CLARENCE C GODFREY ELIZABETH CITY — Clarence Calhoon Godfrey, 63, died Saturday at his home. He was a native of Perquimans County and had lived in Pasquotank for the past 58 years. He owned and operated the Godfrey Texaco Service Station on US 17 South. Surviving are one daughter, Miss Margaret Godfrey of the home; four sons, Clarence Jr and Wilson Godfrey of Elizabeth City Wilson and Edward Godfrey of Moyock; two sisters, Mrs Sally Harris of Washington, NC, Mrs. Mattie Campbell of Hertford; three brothers, Gilbert and Merritt Godfrey of Elizabeth City, Glen Godfrey of Sanford; and 12 grandchildren. Funeral services will be conducted Monday at 3 pm in Twiford Funeral Home by the Rev. W E Brown. Burial will follow in Westlawn Cemetery.

More About Clarence Calhoon Godfrey:
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Coronary occlusion w/ myocardial infarction; arteriosclerotic heart disease
Occupation: Grocery store merchant
Residence: His home is still standing, 646 Old US 17 South, Elizabeth City, NC.It was inherited by and the residence of his only daughter Margaret, and is now owned by his son Carence Jr.'s 2 children.

Notes for Bessie Naomi Trueblood:
Obituary prepared by Twiford Funeral Home, Elizabeth City, NC:

MRS. BESSIE GODFREY, 58, died Monday night at 6:15 o'clock at the family residence, Elizabeth City Route 2, following an illness of ten years. She was a native and lifelong resident of Pasquotank County. She was the daughter of Madison Trueblood and the late Mrs. Nannie White Trueblood. She was a member of Halls Creek Methodist Church.

She is survived by her husband, Clarence C. Godfrey, Sr., her father, Madison Trueblood, one daughter, Miss Margaret Godfrey, Route 2, Elizabeth City, four sons, Clarence Godfrey, Jr., RFD 2, Elizabeth City, William C. Godfrey, RFD 1, Elizabeth City, Edward Godfrey and Wilson Godfrey both of Moyock, one sister, Mrs. Ben Lane of Hertford, three half-sisters, Mrs. Louis Lane, RFD 4, Elizabeth City, Mrs. Raymond Trueblood and Mrs. Garland Lane both of Perquimans county, four half-brothers, Linwood, Irvin, George and Walter Trueblood all of Perquimans county, and 11 grandchildren.

Remains were removed to the Twiford Funeral Home, pending completion of funeral arrangements, which will be announced later.

Later:

Funeral services for Mrs. Bessie Godfrey who died Monday night at the family residence, Route 2, Elizabeth City, N.C., were conducted Wednesday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in the chapel of Twiford Funeral Home. The Rev. Oscar Williams, former pastor of the Moyock Methodist church officiated assisted by The Rev. J.M. Carroll pastor of the Newbegan methodist church.

"Beyond the Sunset" and "Sweet Hour of Prayer" were sung by Miss Norma Fay Bright, Miss Janet Norman, Miss Barbara Sherlock and Miss Edith Williams. Mrs. Calvin Chappell accompanied at the console of the organ.

The casket was covered with a pall made of red carnations, white carnations, and fern.

Active pallbearers were, Elton Tuttle, Clement Griffin, D.T. Whitehurst, Tom Ambrose, Bennie Morris and William Whitehurst.

More About Bessie Naomi Trueblood:
Burial: Westlawn Memorial Park, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Coronary thrombosis due to arteriosclerosis; suffered from diabetes and obesity
Residence: Elizabeth City, NC

ix. Glenn Wilson Godfrey, born 28 Dec 1904 in Pasquotank Co., NC; died 21 Jan 1989 in 2217 South Plank Road near Sanford, Lee Co., NC; married Flora Jeanette Spivey 23 Dec 1928 in Lee/Moore Co., NC; born 25 Dec 1906 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC; died 27 Jul 1997 in Sanford, Lee Co., NC.

Notes for Glenn Wilson Godfrey:
Below is Uncle Glenn's obituary from the Sanford, North Carolina newspaper:

Glenn W. Godfrey Sr.

SANFORD--Glenn Wilsom Godfrey, Sr., 84, of 2217 S. Plank Road died Saturday at his home.
He was a retired machinist and tool maker at Saco Lowell Shops.
Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday at 11 a.m. at Center United Methodist Church by the Revs. Larry Crane, David Russell and John Glover. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
Surviving are his wife Flora Spivey Godfrey; sons Roy L., G.W., Jr., Harold W., Gerald D. and Wesley E. Godfrey, all of Sanford, Billy Godfrey of Leland, W. Harvey Godfrey of St. Louis and Ralph M. Godfrey of Winston-Salem; daughter Doris Swain of Sanford; 26 grandchildren; and 20 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends tonight from 7 to 9 at Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Church of God of Prophecy on Plank Road or to a favorite charity.

Glenn Wilson Godfrey Sr.

Funeral for Glenn Wilson Godfrey Sr., 84, who died Saturday (1/21/89), was conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday at Center United Methodist Church by the Rev. Larry Crane, Rev. David Russell and the Rev. John Glover. Burial was in the church cemetery.
Active pallbearers were Bobby Joe Daw, John Gaines, Michael Godfrey, Ronny Goins, Harold McDuffie and Ben Overton.
Honorary pallbearers were Steven Godfrey, Wayne Godfrey, Jack Godfrey, Danny Godfrey, John Swain and James Swain.
Robin Godfrey sang "Amazing Grace," accompanied by Debbie Gaskill, Doris Swain, Earl Swain and John Swain sang "The Old Rugged Cross." Doris Swain was pianist.
Arrangements were by Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.

Uncle Glenn and Aunt Nettie were preceded in death by a son, Larry James Godfrey (September 1, 1945-November 16, 1969), who was shot in a bowling alley in Sanford at age 24, leaving a wife and three small children who were raised partly by Uncle Glenn and Aunt Nettie.

More About Glenn Wilson Godfrey:
Burial: Center United Methodist Church, 4141 South Plank Road near Sanford, NC
Cause of Death: Prostate cancer
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-member of Center United Methodist Church near Sanford, NC
Event: Abt. 1926, Settled down in Lee Co., NC near Sanford, where he married Nettie Spivey and raised ten children, nine sons and one daughter!
High School: Was sent to school at Asheville, NC after becoming an orphan. Lacked one class (Latin) that was required to graduate high school.
Occupation 1: Farmer and machinist with Saco-Lowell at Sanford, NC. Eventually owned about 500 acres and was able to leave each child 50 acres. Specialized in tool and die work at Saco-Lowell.
Occupation 2: Bef. 1926, Held several different jobs after becoming an orphan--Rock Island Railroad; oil fields out West; planted trees on Pike's Peak in a national forest; drove a truck in West Virginia. Traveled by hopping trains.
Residence: 2217 South Plank Road near Sanford, NC

Notes for Flora Jeanette Spivey:
Below is Aunt Nettie's obituary from a Sanford, North Carolina newspaper:

Flora 'Nettie' Spivey Godfrey

Funeral for Flora "Nettie" Spivey Godfrey, 90, of 2217 South Plank Road, who died Sunday (7/27/97), was conducted Tuesday at Center United Methodist Church by the Rev. Samuel Brackett and the Rev. David Russell. Burial followed at the church cemetery.
The Chorale sang "Amazing Grace" and "Trust and Obey."
Active pallbearers were R.L. Godfrey, Jr., Glen Godfrey, Steven Godfrey, Charlie Bryant, Jr., Ernest Dalrymple and John Swain.
Honorary pallbearers were Chris Swain, James Swain, Jr., Ken Godfrey and Ben Overton.
Arrangements were by Bridges-Cameron Funeral Home.

More About Flora Jeanette Spivey:
Burial: Center United Methodist Church, 4141 South Plank Road near Sanford, NC
Cause of Death: Complications from cancer surgery
Ethnicity/Relig.: Methodist-member of Center United Methodist Church near Sanford, NC
Nickname: Nettie
Residence: near Sanford, NC

x. Eugene Godfrey, born 08 Nov 1909 in Pasquotank Co., NC; died 16 Aug 1943 in Cherry Point Marine Corps Air Station, Havelock, Craven Co., NC; married Ruby Lee Parker; born 16 Sep 1916 in Belgrade, Onslow Co., NC; died 02 Feb 2005 in Goldsboro, Wayne Co., NC.

Notes for Eugene Godfrey:
Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 17 August 1943:

ELIZABETH CITY MAN ELECTI1OCUTED ON JOB Eugene Godfrey, 33, Killed While at Work at Cherry Point Marine Base
New Bern, Aug 16—Eugene Godfrey, 3,3 of Maysville, formerly of Elizabeth City, was electrocuted today when electric current apparently jumped several feet from a high-voltage line to a wire cable attached to a pile driver lead being used in construction work at the Marine Air Station at Cherry Point. Two Negroes working with him were severely burned. The funeral will be held Tuesday afternoon at 4 o'clock by the Rev D A Clark at the graveside in Oakdale Cemetery at Washington N. C. Surviving are his wife Mrs. Ruby Palmer [correction--Parker] Godfrey; one son Philip Godfrey [another son James was not born yet]; four sisters, Mrs. J M Harris and Lela Godfrey of Washington, Mrs Penny Sawyer of Elizabeth City, and Mr.s Mattie Campbell of Rocky Mount; and three brothers Gilbert Clarence and Merrill [correction--Merritt] all of Elizebath City

More About Eugene Godfrey:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Electrocution due to current jumping from power line to crane cable.
Comment: Had two sons, Philip and James; James was born three months after his death.
Fact: Aft. 1918, Lived with his eldest brother Gilbert and family for a while after he became an orphan.
Occupation: Oiler in the excavation industry. Was working at the Cherry Point base when he was electrocuted while operating a crane.
Residence: Havelock, NC at time of death, where he was working for the Cherry Point Marine Corps base.

Notes for Ruby Lee Parker:
http://www.newsargus.com/obituaries/archives/2005/02/03/ruby_pinkham/index.shtml
Goldsboro "News-Argus" newspaper

RUBY PINKHAM
Ruby Godfrey Pinkham, 88, died Wednesday at Wayne Memorial Hospital.

A graveside service will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. at Oakdale Cemetery in Washington, N.C. The Reverend Dr. James Hagwood will officiate.

Mrs. Pinkham was born in Onslow County to the late James William Parker and Della Taylor Parker and was married to the late Eugene Godfrey and William E. Pinkham. She had worked as a bookkeeper with the First United Methodist Church in Orlando, Fla.

She is survived by one son, James Godfrey, and wife, Nell, of Goldsboro; four grandchildren, Leigh Godfrey Webber of Pennsylvania, Karen Lynn Hartley and husband, Eddie, of Clayton, Stephen Godfrey and wife, Alisha, of Chapel Hill and Michael Godfrey of Washington; four great-grandchildren; and one sister, Joyce Radcliff of Maysville.

She was preceded in death by a son, Philip Godfrey.

The family will receive friends Friday from 6 until 8 p.m. at Seymour Funeral Home.

More About Ruby Lee Parker:
Burial: Oakdale Cemetery, Washington, NC
Cause of Death: Suffered massive stroke while being treated for small cell lung cancer.
Event: Abt. 1953, Married (2) to William Edward (Ed") Pinkham, who was killed in an automobile accident in 1973. She had no children by him, and he was a wonderful stepfather to her two sons by Eugene, Philip and James.
Medical Information: Diagnosed with small cell lung cancer two months before death. Was taking chemotherapy when she suffered massive stroke a week before her death. Had quit smoking many years earlier.
Residence: Goldsboro, NC

Generation No. 3

4. Gilbert Godfrey, born Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 8. Benjamin Godfrey and 9. Martha Colson. He married 5. Penelope Sawyer 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC.
5. Penelope Sawyer, born 24 Sep 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Apr 1883 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 10. Caleb Sawyer and 11. Susannah Jackson.

More About Gilbert Godfrey:
Burial: probably Godfrey family plot, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC
Census: 1850, Little River District of Perquimans Co., NC
Comment: He was apparently married twice. By his first wife Sarah ?, he had a son Benjamin Godfrey. Penelope was his second wife and he must have died either shortly before or after the birth of their only child Ephraim in 1854, for she married Grandy Morse in 1855
Residence: Perquimans Co., NC

Notes for Penelope Sawyer:

More About Penelope Sawyer:
Census: 1870, Penny Morse listed in Perquimans Co., NC, age 34. For some reason her husband Grandy was not listed, although he was living. Value of real estate $100. In household were son Ephraim Godfrey and children by 2nd husband, John G., Susan, Doctrine, Allie Morse
Comment 1: 30 Aug 1855, Following Gilbert Godfrey's death, she married Grandy Morse in Perquimans Co., NC and had several children by him. It is assumed Ephraim was her only child by Gilbert Godfrey.
Comment 2: Her husbands, Gilbert Godfrey and Grandy Morse, were second cousins, both great-grandsons of William Colson and Miriam Mullen, Gilbert through their son Gilbert, and Grandy through their daughter Eleanor who married John Roberts.

Children of Gilbert Godfrey and Penelope Sawyer are:
2 i. Ephraim Godfrey, born 28 Jan 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 05 Nov 1918 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Susan "Rebecca" Turner 20 Nov 1878 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Seth Godfrey, died Abt. 1858.

6. Alfred Turner, born 20 Mar 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 07 Sep 1871 in Perquimans Co., NC. He married 7. Martha Jane Godfrey 22 Jul 1858 in Perquimans Co., NC.
7. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1838 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 8. Benjamin Godfrey and 15. Rebecca Melissa Robins.

Notes for Alfred Turner:
Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey, great-great-great-grandson:

Alfred Turner's parents are unknown, and I hope to determine their names since he is the only great-great-great-grandparent of mine for whom I do not know the name of either parent (for two of my other great-great-great-grandfathers, I know the father's name but not the mother's maiden name). The following information uncovered by his great-grandson, Wilbur H. Turner, may provide clues for further research. This was copied and pasted from part of an e-mail message sent to me by Mr. Turner in July, 2001:

I'm so glad that you got to see Alfred's grave site. I wish there had been
time for me to take you while we were at Nellie's barbecue. Should
we do something about rejuvenating the writing on the tombstone? Also, did
someone show you the old homeplace in Perquimans county?
I really do think Alfred was closely related to those other Turner's. I
have a hunch that he was James Turner's brother and that their father's
name was James Turner also, because the 1850 census for Little River of
Durant's Neck lists Alfred Turner, age 26 working as a laborer on the farm
of James Turner who was 31 years old, farming land valued at $12,000 (this
could have been Alfred's older brother).
[****UPDATE--as of October 2002, Mr. Turner's conclusion is that the census
record was misread as James Turner. He has examined the original handwriting
himself.]
Also, the 1850 census for Little River of Durant's Neck lists another
James Turner (this could have been his father), age 60, farming land valued
at $450, with Nancy (age 40, maybe his second wife and not Alfred's
mother), Julia (age 13), Cordelia (age 11), James (age 8) John (age 4), and
Samuel Ivey (age 80).
Additionally, the 1850 census for Little River of Durant's Neck lists
Ambros Turner (age 23) farming land valued at $3,000. Living there also is
Martha Turner (appears to be aged 55, but it could be 25, I can't make
out), Mary A. Turner (age 10), Martha A. Turner with property valued at
$1300 (age 10 maybe Mary A. & Martha A. were twins. But why does one of
them have property and the other one no property??), Catherine Stacey (age
25 with property valued at $1500 ), and Mary Bagley (age 22).
If any of this is true, the older James Turner's first set of children
could have been: James Turner (age 31), Alfred Turner (age 26), and Ambros
Turner (age 23). The only flaw is that there was a James (age 8) in the
second set of James Turner's children. That would have made him having two
children named James.
I have uncovered some limited information on Mary Turner (sister to Wilson
and Susan Rebecca) and am still working to learn more. If you recall, she
married a Williams. Her husband's name was Noah Williams. He was
previously married to Mary Jane Butt (I don't know the results of that
marriage), but I think they had some children. Ephraim Godfrey was one of
the witnesses at the wedding, which took place at the home of Mrs. Alfred
Turner on 7 Jul 1881 (Alfred had passed away 10 years earlier on 7 Sep
1871). Mary and Noah had at least 3 children (Jack, Noah (Butch), and
Paul) and from Aunt Blanche's notes, Paul was retarded.

The following is another 2001 e-mail between Mr. Turner and a descendant of Mary Turner Williams:

I can share everything that I know with you. My great grandfather was Alfred Turner. He married Martha Jane (Patsy) Godfrey. He is buried at the Methodist Church at New Hope, in Perquimans County, but Martha Jane was not buried there. She was buried in an unmarked grave in the family graveyard on their property in New Hope.

I have been unsuccessful in determining Alfred's parents. Maybe you can help. Also, in addition to the three sisters, at one time there were two other older children living with Alfred and Martha Jane. Their names were Martha A. and Ambrose. They could not have been the children of Martha Jane because Martha Jane and Alfred were not married until 22 July 1858 and Martha A. and Ambrose were 5 and 3 years old respectively at that time. Maybe Alfred was married before, since he was 14 years older than Martha Jane.
(I have since found this not to be the case. Perquimans Book, "Cross Index to Guardians", shows that Alfred Turner was appointed guardian over Margaret Ann (not Martha A. as shown in the census records) Turner and Ambrose Turner in May 1860 and indicates that the information is recorded in Perquimans Book 10 on Page 98. Perquimans County Court House could not find Book 10, so they sent me to the Archives in Raleigh, but the book was not there either.)
The 1850 census shows Alfred (age 26) working as a laborer on the farm of James Sumner (age 31). In the 1860 census Alfred and Martha Jane were listed with 3 children: Martha A.(age 7), Ambrose (age 5), and Mary J.(age 1). In the 1870 census the family consisted of Alfred, Martha Jane, Martha A, Ambrose, Susan Rebecca, Mary, Wilson, and Ada.

In the 1880 census Martha Jane was a widow with three children: Mary (16 years old), Wilson (14 years old), and Ada (12 years old). The oldest daughter, Susan Rebecca, had married Ephraim Godfrey, and was living away from home. They became the parents of Martha Jane Godfrey, Leila Godfrey, Penelope Irene Godfrey, Gilbert Godfrey, Sallie Godfrey, Loretta Godfrey, Merritt Kilgo Godfrey, Clarence Calhoon Godfrey, Glenn Wilson Godfrey, and Eugene Godfrey.

Alfred was born 20 March 1823 and died 7 September 1871, making him about 48 1/2 years old at this death.

Five things are mysteries to me:

1). Where did Alfred come from?
(I have since found in Perquimans Book, "Cross Index to Guardians", that William Jackson was appointed guardian over Alfred Turner in February 1839 and indicates that the information is recorded in Perquimans Book 8 on Page 13. Perquimans County Court House could not find Book 8, so they sent me to the Archives in Raleigh, but the book was not there either.)
2). Who was James Sumner, owner of the farm where Alfred worked as a laborer?
3). What happened to Mary J. (age 1) from the 1860 census?
4). Who was and what happened to Martha A.?
5). What happened to Ambrose?

I'm just curious about how you found me?

Keep in touch
Wil Turner
Titusville, FL

******************************************************
Some Turner records in Perquimans County:

http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/TURNER/1998-11/0909916689

From: "David L. Costner"
Subject: [TURNER-L] Turners by County
Date: Sun, 1 Nov 1998 05:38:09 -0500

Starting a new county - Pequimans Co, NC

1793 Joshua Turner sold land to Joshua Turner, son of John Turner

1719 Richard Turner left will naming Bridget and son-in-law Wm Bastable,
g.d. Hannah Bastable, gson Samuel Newby and Daughter Elizabeth newby.

1774 Abraham Turner in will index names spouse as Miriam and children as
Benj. Exekiel, Miles, Ann, Margaret, William, Millen, Miriam

1800 Abraham Turner will mentions sister Elizabeth Peters, Nieces Polly
and Elizabeth Hudson, Polly Tildy Halsey. Nephew Abrahm Halsey. Brothers
John, Thomas exe. of will and Elisha Twine, Jesse Winslow exe. Sisters
Esther Winslow and Mourning Riddick.

1788 Arthur Turner purchasing land

1782 Benjamin Turner selling land. Relationship shown is grandfather is
William Turner, father is Abraham, brother is Ezekiel, both Ezekiel and
Benj. sell land to Whidbee.

1840 Charles Turner in will index show heirs Hawkins and Comfort. Hard to
see relationship in index, write for will if you think it is your family.
They may be his siblings, not children. I put down as children, however.

1805 Comfort Turner will, mother is Martha Turner as exe. father Joseph
as desc. Witnessed by Richard Turner and james Whedbee.

1737 Edward Turner wife was Ann and their child was Joseph. Found in
early records of NC Joseph was born this year.

1757 Edward - not sure what this information means - 1757 son Joseph, John
Turner John Whidbee (son-in-law???) 1760 Edward Jr., 1766 Dempsey, 1772
not sure if son Richard. All these names were found in land records
indicating they are the children of Edward and Agnes - giving land to them
through out a period. Check this crazy record - sounds like several
together. I was making hand notes and weeks later entered them into data
base.

1827 Elsberry Turner in will names wife Mary and heirs as son Asbury G.,
Mary Jackson, Susanne Brothers, Fanney White, One girl name unreadable, son
Nathan. Witness was Hawkins Turner and Nathan Maudlin. Look above at 1840
entry. Wonder if Hawkins the same man???

1782 Ezekiel Turner sold land to G. Whidbee same time as his brother Benj.
did. they are the sons of Abraham and gson of William.

1792 George Turner - wife Ann, father is Dempsey Turner Sr, brother is
Demsey, Jr. Look at 1757 entry above (Edward and Agnes may be his
gparents) selling land. also found record in 11796 that George sells
land.

1815 Harrison Turner will. Names brothers James and Richard Turner,
mother is Martha. cousin is Robertson Fisher. Witness John Miller and
Ellsberry Turner

1815 Hawkins Turner selling land with wife Nancy to Noles.

1799 Henry Turner selling land to Shedbee. Witnesses are Miles and Rachel
Turner and Nathan and Martha Turner.

1796 Joseph Turner in land record gives his gson Noah Fiveash land. Noah
is the son of Jane Turner Fiveash and husband, John Fiveash. Fiveash name
is also found in Isle of Wight.

1770 John Turner in will index names wife Sarah, and children Joshua,
Timothy, Dorcas, Sarah, John.

1776 John Turner selling land with wife Mary. Also land records in 1780,
1781, 1785.

1762 Joseph Turner gets gift of land from Abraham Riggs which was left him
by his late uncle Abraham Riggs.

1766 Joseph Turner and his spouse Jane Mullen Riggs, widow of Abraham gets
1/6 the estate of Abraham Mullen. they purchase the rest of the estate
from her sisters - Mary and Gideon Moudlin, Deborah and Chris Towe,
William and Miriam Colson, William and Betty Bateman, Tamer and Jeremiah
Caruthers.

1793 Joseph Turner gives land to son Elsbury Turner

1793 Joseph Turner purchasing record of land with spouse Ann

1795 Joseph Turner and wife Joanne gives land to son Thomas Turner

1796 Joseph Turner and wife Ann sell land in Tyrell Co NC to Joseph
Pledger on Alligator Creek and Leonard Creek.

1796 Joseph and wife Ann sell more land

1766 Joseph the elder gets land from William and Miriam Colson, Jane Turner's sister.

1792 Joseph, jr. mentioned in land record. My notes show Martha Turner
mentioned before Joseph. Joseph is son of Edward. Is Martha wife or
sister??? selling land to Whidbee. Not clear on these notes. Sorry. Hard
to imagine how quickly we were writing standing up and then getting home
and wondering what I wrote. Their land records are wonderful to show
relationships.

1786 Joseph, sr. sells land from father Edward desc. to son Joseph, jr.

1729 Joshua Turner is purchasing land also in 1734

1741 Joshua Turner with wife Mary is selling land

1790 Joshua Turner selling land

1792 Joshua Turner, son of John, selling to Joseph, son of Edward Turner

1796 Joshua sr in will index - only name mentioned is Mary Turner -
probably his spouse.

1818 Martha Turner in will names children - John Stevenson, Mary Stevenson
(maybe children by another marriage or gchildren or a husband and wife) gd.
Martha Godfrey, the 4 children (no names) heirs of Sarah Turner, Elizabeth
Davis, Mary Stevens, George Turner

1819 Martha Turner will mentions gd. Patsey Fisher and Elizabeth Foster d.
of Joshua, sons James and Richard. exe. Witness are Martha Sumner and
James Whedbee.

1791 Miles Turner selling land.

1788 Miriam, wife of John Turner, widow of John Colson is selling land.
both men may be dead - maybe twice a widow.

1816 Myles Turner will, names wife Martha and children William, Edmond,
James, Myles, Alexander, George, Mary Stephenson. Gd. Nancy and Martha.
Witnesses are John Stephens and Mary Stevenson. Note all three spellings
of Stephens name.

1849 Nathan Turner will index mentions the following names: Catherine,
Stacy, Elizabeth, Henry,(all Turners), Joseph Godfrey, Martha L. and Nathan
G. Turner, Martha N. and Ambrose Turner.

1815 Rachel Turner gets property from father's estate, John Smith. Her
siblings are Caleb Smith, James Smith and Mary Small.

1721 Richard Turner is son in law of William Bastable - I've typed that
name in this document. check above for relationships

1833 Richard Turner in will names wife Elizabeth and sons Jospeh, Richard,
angeline, John, Asher, Havell, fanny, Mary, Eliz. Witnesses are James and
George Whidbee

1827 Sarah Turner, sr. in will mentions son Thomas Mullen, Daughter
Patsey Mullen, gd Sarah Mullen Turner, son-in-law Joseph Turner.
Witnesses were Ellliany and James Sawyer. In my notes, I write Not sure
she knew relationships. wording must have been strange.

1816 Thomas Turner, will index mentions daughters Priscilla Stallings,
timothy and Lavinia Peters, Sophia Stallings, sons William and Thomas.
Will probate was 1824.

1694 William Turner in property dealing shows married to Katherine Kinse,
daughter of John Kinse who calls Wm son-in-law.

This completes what I found in this county in the period of time I was
checking. I seldom went beyond 1820's in looking for my relative was in GA
by 1815 for sure. Will start with another county next time.

More About Alfred Turner:
Burial: New Hope United Methodist Church, New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC
Census 1: 1850, Working as a laborer on the farm of James Sumner on Little River, Durant's Neck District, Perquimans Co., NC.
Census 2: 1860, Residing in Little River District-real property valued at $1500 and personal property valued at $1345
Census 3: 1870, Residing in New Hope Township, Perquimans Co., NC--children listed were Martha (age 18), Ambrose (age 17), Rebecca (age 6), Mary (age 5), Wilson (age 4), Ada (age 3), and Benjamin (age 1/12). Value of real estate $700, value of personal estate $300.
Occupation: Farmer

More About Martha Jane Godfrey:
Burial: probably Godfrey family plot, Perquimans Co., NC
Census: 1880, Residing in New Hope Township-listed as a widow with 3 children in household and boarders Sarah E. Godfrey (age 24), Melissa Ellis (her sister) and Charles Ellis (her nephew, actually Charles Godfrey)
Nickname: Patsy

Children of Alfred Turner and Martha Godfrey are:
3 i. Susan "Rebecca" Turner, born 05 Apr 1862 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 26 Dec 1917 in Nixonton Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Ephraim Godfrey 20 Nov 1878 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Mary Jane Turner, born 20 Aug 1863 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 15 Jan 1936 in Rocky Mount, Edgecombe Co., NC; married Noah Williams 07 Jul 1881 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Nov 1843; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC?.

More About Mary Jane Turner:
Burial: Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC
Cause of Death: Cerebral hemmorhage
Census 1: 08 Jun 1900, Listed in her husband's household in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC
Census 2: 1910, Listed as a widow in the household of her son Joshua A. Williams on Dyer Street, Elizabeth City, NC. Says she was the mother of 9 children, 5 of whom are living. Son Paul and daughter Lula in household. Joshua was a salesman for a retail grocery store.
Comment: She was living with her niece, Martha ("Mattie") Godfrey Campbell of Rocky Mount, NC at the time of her death. The informant for the death certificate was Mrs. J.R. Campbell of 219 Edgecombe Street, Rocky Mount, NC.
Residence: 1917, Elizabeth City, NC

More About Noah Williams:
Residence: 1900, New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC

iii. Wilson Turner, born 04 Dec 1865 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 06 Jan 1946 in Providence Township, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Susan Teabout 29 Jan 1890 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 20 Oct 1870 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 03 Dec 1934 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC?.

Notes for Wilson Turner:
Obituary from "The News and Observer," Raleigh, NC, 9 Jan 1946, page 11:

WILSON TURNER SR Elizabeth City—Wilson Turner Sr, 80, died Sunday night at 6:45 o'clock after a long illness. He was a native of Perquimans County but had been living in Pasquotank for the past 36 years. He was the son of the late Alfred and Martha Godfrey Turner. Surviving are four daughters, Mrs Bailey Harris of Elizabeth City Route 2, Mrs Perry Hughes of Vallejo Cal., Mrs William Coeffield Norfolk Va and Mrs Richard Temple of Elizabeth City Route 3; four sons, George Turner of Elizabeth City, Alfred and Wilson Turner Jr of Elizabeth City Route 2, and J B Turner of Elizabeth City Route I; one siste,r Mrs. Ada Cleary of Belhaven; 28 grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

More About Wilson Turner:
Burial: Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Cardiovascular and renal disease

More About Susan Teabout:
Burial: Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC

iv. Ada Turner, born 08 Aug 1868 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died 19 Sep 1950 in Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC; married William Henry Clary/Cleary 17 Nov 1885 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 02 Mar 1858 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; died 04 Oct 1931 in Belhaven, Pantego Township, Beaufort Co., NC.

Notes for Ada Turner:
The following notes have been compiled by Wilbur H. Turner, a great-nephew
of Aunt Ada Turner Clary:

Notes:
1. Ada was born in August 1868. If she married in November 1885, that means
that she was only 16 years and 3 months old when she married, however, the
marriage license states that she was 20 years old. Also, I could hardly
read the place where she was married or the name of the Justice of the Peace
who performed the ceremony.

2. There seems to be some confusion about whether the name should be spelled
'Clary' or 'Cleary'.

3. According to the 1900 census taken in the city of Suffolk, VA, Ada w
born in August 1868. In 1885 she married William H. Clary (Cleary), a
blacksmith and carpenter, who was born in March 1858. They had 3 living
children; a daughter, Mary A., was born in May 1887; a son, William H., was
born in February 1892; and a son, Wilson, was born in 1895. Accordi
the census Ada had given birth to 6 children and 3 were still living. She
could read and write, however, her husband, William could neither read nor
write.

4. Sometime before the 1910 census Ada and William moved from Suffolk, VA,
to Pantego Township, Beaufort County, NC. There they added 2 more children
to their family; a daughter, Mattie and a son, John. Mattie and John must
have been twins since they were both listed as being 2 years old in 1910.
According to the 1910 census Ada had now given birth to 9 children, 5 were
still living and 4 were still living at home. Mary A. was not listed;
therefore, being 23 years old she must have married and moved to a home of
her own. According to the census husband William could now read and write.

5. A 1920 census listing for the Cleary family could not be found; however,
they were found in the 1930 census and still living in Pantego Township, but
the only child living at home was John who was 22 years old. Husband
William, now 72, was listed as a truck farmer. Ada was listed as having
married at the age of 17.

More About Ada Turner:
Burial: Odd Fellows Cemetery, Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Comment: Her death certificate incorrectly lists her name as Ida Turner Cleary rather than Ada Turner Cleary. It also errs in listing her father as Wilson Turner instead of Alfred Turner, but it lists her mother as Patsy Godfrey.
Residence: Aft. 1906, Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC

More About William Henry Clary/Cleary:
Burial: Odd Fellows Cemetery, West Pantego Street, Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Cause of Death: Cirrhosis of the liver
Occupation: Blacksmith and carpenter; later a truck farmer and mechanic

v. Benjamin Turner, born Abt. 1870 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1871 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC?.

More About Benjamin Turner:
Comment: He probably died young as no further record is found of him after the 1880 census and his brother Wilson's granddaughter, Maude Pritchard, once stated having heard that her grandfather Wilson Turner was the only boy in his family and had several sisters.

Generation No. 4

8. Benjamin Godfrey, born 25 Jul 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Dec 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 16. Tully/Tulle Godfrey and 17. Mary McClanahan. He married 9. Martha Colson 07 Dec 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC.
9. Martha Colson, born Abt. 1793 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1836 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 18. Gilbert Colson and 19. Sarah Turner.

Notes for Benjamin Godfrey:
Tully Godfrey's will does not list a son Benjamin, but he does name one daughter and refers to "rest of my children." However, he is referred to in the will as Tully Godfrey, Sr. Benjamin appears to be his only son. The reference as "Sr." is probably used to distinguish him from Benjamin's son Tully. The Abraham Godfrey family of Perquimans County had sent me family charts and information in 1991 which enabled me to trace my Grandma Godfrey's ancestry back to the supposed immigrant, Francis Godfrey. However, I do not see any actual proof that Tully Godfrey and Mary Poynter were the parents of Benjamin Godfrey. It seems fairly certain since Benjamin gave the name Tully to his eldest son. However, I have not researched Perquimans County land and deed records in detail, and since the information recorded by the Abraham Godfrey family lists exact dates of birth and death for Benjamin, perhaps his father was recorded in a family Bible or other record. It seems most later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from Benjamin Godfrey, even though the Godfreys had been in Perquimans for five generations prior to Benjamin.

Abstract of estate settlements located by Harold Colson on Familysearch.org:

Heirs of Benjamin Godfrey, deceased, petition the court to sell a 100-acre parcel of his land and divide the cash proceeds among them. Petitioners: Tully Godfrey, John Stanton (and wife Mary Godfrey), Caleb Sawyer (and wife Sarah Godfrey), Joseph S. Godfrey, William Godfrey, William Gregory (and wife Margaret Godfrey), Martha Godfrey, Edmund Godfrey, Stephen Godfrey, Ann Godfrey, Wilson Godfrey, Rebecca Godfrey, Penny Godfrey (widow), and Benjamin, Seth, and Ephraim Godfrey (children of Gilbert Godfrey, recently deceased).

Spring term 1855 ?Perquimans County, North Carolina

Account of Benjamin Godfrey estate by the former guardian (William E. Godfrey) of his "infant" (under age 21) heirs: Martha, Ann, Rebecca, Edmond, Wilson, Stephen. The named heirs are Benjamin's children by late wife Rebecca Robbins, and they receive a 1/13 financial share from the estate.

August 1856 Perquimans County, North Carolina

More About Benjamin Godfrey:
Census 1: 28 Aug 1850, Listed in 1850 Census of Perquimans Co., NC as a farmer, age 63, value of real estate $855. Three households down the page, a Thomas Robins, age 50, with wife Julia, age 47, are listed--probably close relative (brother?) of his last wife Rebecca.
Census 2: 1850, Joseph Godfrey, age 34, and his household were listed next to him in the 1850 census, indicating they were probably neighbors. The value of Joseph's real estate was $3300. Joseph was Benjamin's first cousin once removed.
Residence: 1850, Little River of Durants Neck District, Perquimans Co., NC

Notes for Martha Colson:
From a document discovered by Harold Colson on Familysearch.org:

The five children of the late Benjamin Godfrey by his wife Martha Colson petition to divide among them a tract of land along Deep Creek that Martha (also deceased) had received from her father Gilbert Colson (d. 1818). The petitioning children are Gilbert Godfrey, Joseph Godfrey, William Godfrey, Sarah Godfrey (now married to Caleb Sawyer), Margaret Godfrey. Five men are appointed commissioners by the court to divide the parcel.

?February term 1854 ?Perquimans County, North Carolina

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Martha Colson are:
4 i. Gilbert Godfrey, born Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah ? Abt. 1845; married (2) Penelope Sawyer 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Sarah Godfrey, born Abt. 1824 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Caleb Sawyer, Jr. 26 Jun 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1830 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1869; married (2) James Morse Aft. 1859.

More About Caleb Sawyer, Jr.:
Comment: His daughter, Eliza Sawyer, married Foster Raper, parents of Sarah Ann Raper (1879-1955) who married William Carson Hurdle (1875-1940), son of Henrietta White Hurdle who was aunt of Mattie Elizabeth White who married Gilbert Godfrey, Caleb's great-nephew.

iii. Joseph S. Godfrey, born Abt. 1828 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1857 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Susan Sawyer 21 May 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iv. William E. Godfrey, born Abt. 1831 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About William E. Godfrey:
Comment: Unsure whether he is the same William E. Godfrey, son of Benjamin Godfrey & Martha Colson of Perquimans, who married Susan Morgan on 23 Apr 1855 in Pasquotank Co., NC

v. Margaret L. Godfrey, born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; married William Gregory.

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Rebecca Robins are:
7 i. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1838 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; married Alfred Turner 22 Jul 1858 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Edmond Godfrey, born Abt. 1840 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Margaret "Ann" Godfrey, born Nov 1841 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1909 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Alfred William Humphries 20 Dec 1865 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1877 - 1885 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Margaret "Ann" Godfrey:
Name 2: Elizabeth Ann Godfrey
Comment: Her daughter Margaret Ann's death certificate lists mother's name as Margaret Ann Humphries, but all other sources only give her name as Ann. If her name were Margaret Ann, it gives credence to her maternal grandmother being Margaret Godfrey Robins.

iv. Wilson C. Godfrey, born 18 Dec 1844 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 22 Apr 1918 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Julia A. Robins 21 May 1874 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 15 Aug 1855 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 10 Apr 1927 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Wilson C. Godfrey:
Wilson Godfrey and Julia Robbins were somehow related, possibly first cousins. They had several children. One son, William Lumsden Godfrey (1886-1964), known as Will, became a sailmaker and was one of the last of a dying breed in that craft as sailing ships met their heyday after the 1950's. In the book "This Was Chesapeake Bay" (1963) by Robert H. Burgess, who at that time was Curator of Exhibits at The Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia, is a chapter on Will Godfrey, entitled "Godfrey the Sailmaker," pages 132-33.

One of Wilson and Julia Godfrey's daughters, Viola Godfrey (1875-1935), married Captain Thomas Beauregard Hayman (1870-1932), whose family established the Hayman boatyard in the harbor at Elizabeth City and became prominent civic leaders in the town, including its fire department. The Haymans were an old family of shipbuilders and watermen. Viola and Capt. Tom had a son, Roger Beauregard Hayman (1897-1977), who married Clemma White Hurdle (1892-1985), daughter of Quinton Riddick Hurdle and Henrietta Martin White of Perquimans County, North Carolina. Roger Hayman was a second cousin of my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, while Clemma was a first cousin of my great-grandmother, Mattie White Godfrey. Mr. and Mrs. Hayman lived at Newport News, Virginia, where they built the two-story brick home at the corner of Warwick Boulevard and Gatewood Drive, in front of the Jewish synagogue and across the highway from The Mariners Museum Park and Lake Maury. For many years Cousin Clemma ran a bed and breakfast here, known as The Travelers Inn. Their son, Roger Beauregard Hayman, Jr. (1921-1996), inherited this home. Although I grew up in Newport News, I never knew this home had been in my family until August, 1996, while I was tracking down some of my cousins on the White side of my family when I learned my Aunt Ret Hurdle had a daughter who lived in Newport News. After looking up Roger Hayman's name in the phone directory, I called his house, and his sister, Miss Dorothy Adair Hayman (1923-2011) of Sun City, Arizona, answered and said she was in the process of selling the house because her brother had died there a month earlier. Miss Hayman welcomed me to come by for a visit and told me what she knew about the White family. It was coincidental when I arrived and soon found out she was also related to my great-grandfather. Although the families had lost contact and my grandmother never heard of Cousin Clemma or anyone in her mother's family who lived in Newport News, Miss Hayman remembered her mother speaking of my great-grandmother as Cousin Mattie White. Shortly after this first visit, I brought my Grandmother Godfrey with me to visit Miss Hayman, who before then did not know one another even though they were only second cousins through the White family and third cousins through the Godfreys. But they both recalled their memories of their mutual Great-aunt Kate (Catherine White Sawyer Walston 1863-1954), for whom my grandmother was named. Miss Hayman was most gracious in allowing me to borrow and copy a portrait of her Great-Uncle Will L. Godfrey which at the time was hanging in her brother's house, ironically across the street from the museum whose curator included the same picture in his 1963 Chesapeake Bay book. Learning about Miss Hayman and her family in Newport News was one of the many small-world coincidences I have encountered in genealogy. As of 2007, the Hayman home is a fraternity house for Christopher Newport University.

More About Wilson C. Godfrey:
Burial: Section 1 North, Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Chronic interstitial nephritis
Census: 16 Jun 1880, Living in Elizabeth City, NC, occupation miller. Unable to read or write. "Brother" Gilbert Robins, age 11, listed in household. Listed next to Frederick and Lydia Brothers Cohoon.
Occupation: Sawmill operator
Residence: 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

More About Julia A. Robins:
Cause of Death: Found dead in room--probably endocarditis
Residence: 1927, 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

v. Stephen Miles Godfrey, born 20 Sep 1846 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 27 Dec 1900 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sophie Jackson 07 Feb 1873 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 29 Apr 1851 in Manteo, Dare Co., NC?; died 06 Feb 1913 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Stephen Miles Godfrey:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

More About Sophie Jackson:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

vi. Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey, born 15 Aug 1850 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 17 Jun 1924 in Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC; married (1) ?; married (2) John B. Ellis 29 Jan 1879 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1844; married (3) William Long 1881 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (4) William Hartin/Horten Aft. 1881; born May 1845.

Notes for Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Comments by Bryan Godfrey:

Upon noticing that Rev. Wiley Dennis Godfrey, pastor at that time of Belhaven, NC Church of Christ, delivered the blessing at the 1988 Abraham L. Godfrey family reunion in Perquimans Co., NC, I tried to determine his connection to the family. In October, 2008, I called Rev. Godfrey, who now lives in Ollin, IL, and his brother, Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX, and the latter does not know his ancestry beyond his grandfather, Charles Godfrey, who died about 1926 in Pamlico Co., NC. All I can determine from ancestry.com is that their father was Stephen Charles Godfrey (1911-1960) of Belhaven, whose father Charles Godfrey, born about 1871, was listed in the 1920 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, with daughters Margaret and Alice, son Stephen, and mother, Melissa Harton, age 76. Could this be Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin? Could she have been known by her middle name and have been listed under her first name on her death certificate? Could Charles Godfrey have been an illegitimate son of hers prior to her marriage to William Hartin/Horton? Indeed, the fact that Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton died in Belhaven, perhaps while residing with her great-niece Sallie Godfrey Harris (my great-great-aunt) since she was the informant on her death certificate, and the fact that Stephen Charles Godfrey and children apparently lived in Belhaven, give a strong likelihood that Rebecca's name was Rebecca Melissa Godfrey (named for her mother, Rebecca Melissa Robins), that she had an illegitimate son named Charles Godfrey around 1871, and that she then married William Hartin/Horton/Horten about 1880, by whom she had a son William Hartin or Horton in December, 1882, according to census records. The 1900 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, lists Rebecca Hartin as having had one child, however, whereas if both Charles Godfrey and William Horten were her sons, she should have had two. But Charles could have been omitted since he was not by her husband listed above her in the household. I have not been able to locate a death certificate for Charles Godfrey, only a record of the date of his death. He apparently died in Pamlico County, near Belhaven in Beaufort County, and is buried in an unmarked grave there, but his wife predeceased him and is buried in Elizabeth City, NC.

I called the wife of Abraham Godfrey, Jr., who hosted the 1988 Godfrey Reunion and has collected family information over the years, but all she recalls is hearing her inlaws speak of "Cousin Stephen Godfrey" and "Cousin Charles Godfrey" in Belhaven without knowing exactly how they are related. She was under the impression that they are closely related to my branch, the Gilbert Godfrey family, but they are not since my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, did not have brothers named Charles or Stephen and Gilbert's father, Ephraim Godfrey, apparently had no full siblings and only one paternal half-brother named Benjamin Godfrey. Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX knew the Abraham and John Thomas Godfrey families well, but does not know the exact relationship either. However, since they all lived in Belhaven at one time, Mr. Charles Godfrey said he knew the Cleary family well, the descendants of Ada Turner Cleary, who was a daughter of Martha Jane Godfrey Turner and a sister of my great-great-grandmother, Rebecca Turner Godfrey, wife of Ephraim Godfrey. If my theory is correct that Rebecca Melissa Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton of New Hope and later Belhaven was the mother of Charles Godfrey of Elizabeth City and Belhaven, then she would have been an aunt of Ada Turner Cleary who settled in Belhaven with her husband; therefore, Ada would have been first cousin to Charles Godfrey. The fact that neither Charles' grandson nor Abe Godfrey, Jr.'s wife know the exact connection gives greater credence to the possibility that Charles was illegitimate and took the Godfrey surname from his mother. In other words, his family knew they were close cousins of the Abraham Godfrey and the Ada Turner Cleary families, but more than likely the exact connection was forgotten early on due to the possibility of an illegitimacy and no one wanted to divulge that he took the Godfrey surname from his mother.

But to come to any conclusions regarding this, I need to contact more descendants of Charles Godfrey and investigate more records of Perquimans or Beaufort Counties, as well as obituaries or Bible records, that are not available on ancestry.com. I need to verify that Rebecca M. Horten who died 17 June 1924 in Belhaven is the same person as Melissa Horten who is listed as the mother of Charles Godfrey in his household in the 1920 Perquimans census, although her age in the latter was 76, indicating an estimated birth year of 1844 instead of the 1850 date shown on Rebecca's death certificate, but it is not unusual to have such inconsistencies in ages shown on census records for different decades or even on death certificates and grave markers.

If I am unable to use existing records or the knowledge of living relatives to come to any conclusions, I suppose I could ask one of Charles Godfrey's male-line grandsons or great-grandsons to submit a YDNA sample for me to see if it matches my YDNA. If my theory is correct, then their YDNA would not match mine since there would be a break in their Godfrey male lineage. Hopefully I can find records that will render such a test unnecessary. The first item I should search for is Rebecca Hartin's obituary which would hopefully list a son Charles Godfrey as a survivor. Even if I can never prove my exact connection to the Charles W. Godfrey family on the Godfrey sides, the fact that his wife was a Bundy, that one of my Great-Grandmother Godfreys was a Bundy descendant, and that both lineages can be proven back to the Rhode Island and North Carolina Quaker settlers William and Elizabeth Bundy, gives me at least one definite connection to this family.

February, 2009 update: When I visited Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln Godfrey, Jr. at their farm in Perquimans County, North Carolina, I saw among their family papers several sheets of photocopied pictures labeled by Shelton Godfrey (1913-1968), who had performed lots of Godfrey genealogy research. One of them was labeled "Charles Godfrey, son of Melissa Godfrey." This seems to settle the question of his connection.

More About Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Burial: Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Cause of Death: Acute dysentery
Comment: Om her marriage record to John B. Ellis, she is listed as Melissa Godfrey, father Benjamin Godfrey but mother is listed as Patsy Godfrey. This does not match her mother being Rebecca, but she had a sister Patsy. Ages matches Benjamin and Rebecca's daughter
Residence: New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC in 1900. Living at Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC at time of death. Since her great-niece, Sallie Godfrey (Harris) then of Belhaven, was the informant on her death certificate, she may have been living with her.

10. Caleb Sawyer, born 01 Nov 1799 in Camden Co., NC; died 19 Aug 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 20. Sylvanus Sawyer and 21. Elisha/Clisha Gregory?. He married 11. Susannah Jackson 24 Dec 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC.
11. Susannah Jackson, born 05 Aug 1800 in Perquimans Co., NC?; died May 1850 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Caleb Sawyer:
Comments by Bryan Godfrey (March, 2008): I located dates of birth and death for Caleb and Susannah Jackson Sawyer on an ancestry.com posting, which also listed his father, grandfather, great-grandfather, etc., but I do not know where this information came from. I never thought I would be able to trace either of my Sawyer lines (the Caleb Sawyer line of Perquimans Co., NC on my paternal grandmother's side and the Thomas Sawyer line of Pasquotank Co., NC on my paternal grandfather's side) due to so many Sawyers in that area with those names, even more than one Caleb Sawyer with a wife named Susanna! One source lists Caleb's alleged father, Sylvanus, as marrying Mary Jones and having two daughters, so I need to find documentation for this Caleb Sawyer being a son of Sylvanus. It seems probable since Sylvanus' father's name was Caleb. For now I am showing a questionable line of descent for Caleb Sawyer based on two unsourced ancestry.com sites back to Thomas Sawyer, who died around 1720, probably in the Sawyer's Creek vicinity of present-day Camden Co., NC which was then part of Pasquotank. Between 1695 and 1714, three Sawyers who are often assumed to be brothers, John, Henry, and Thomas Sawyer, accumulated 3086 acres in land grants. Sawyer is now one of the most common surnames in the vicinity of Elizabeth City, NC due to their prolific line of descendants, and some have even suggested there were unrelated Sawyers settling in that area also. I am indebted to Mrs. Thelma Sawyer Forbes for giving me two large hand-written charts on the Sawyers at the Forbes Family Reunion in 2001. While there are Thomas Sawyers scattered throughout each branch of this family which makes it impossible for me to narrow down the possibilities for the line of my grandfather's ancestor Thomas Sawyer who married Lydia Davis in 1803, I only see Caleb Sawyers in the family of Thomas Sawyer, one of the original settlers of the Pasquotank area. This makes it fairly certain that this Caleb Sawyer of Perquimans descends somehow from Thomas, though it is possible he was not a son of Sylvanus in spite of what I discovered on ancestry.com, and that there were more than two generations between Thomas and Caleb.

An Elkenny Sawyer, age 24, with a wife Mary, age 25, is listed in the 1850 Census of Perquimans County, Little River and Durants Neck Districts, very close to the Caleb Sawyer family. One of the aforementioned websites lists an Elkenny Sawyer as a son of Sylvanus and brother of Caleb Sawyer. However, the Elkenny in this census record is more likely either a son or nephew of Caleb, especially if Caleb's alleged father, Sylvanus Sawyer, died when Caleb was very young.

E-mail from Harry Schoettle to Bryan S. Godfrey, 20 September 2014:

Looking through my Kinsfolk of Camden County Deed Books vol 1 & 2 found this interesting deed.
Camden County Deed Book U-2 page 371 year 1834
Caleb Sawyer (etal) Perquimans County sold to William Ferrell,
People who sold were Caleb, James, Elkannah and Isaac Sawyer and Caleb and Mary Gray.
This looks like Caleb heirs ( 4 sons and 1 daughter) sold their inheritance.
It would be nice to see the whole deed.

These two deeds might be good to have to see if it's the same land Caleb heirs sold.

Deed Book F pg 148 1795 Stephen Sawyer sold to Caleb Sawyer

Deed Book D pg 223/224 1787 Jacob Sawyer sold to Caleb Sawyer Jr (this one for sure) It might prove if this is your Caleb line.

E-Mails from Mr. Shoettle, 3 and 4 November 2014:

Bryan, I'm now trying to find which Sawyer owned 6 acres on Arenuse Creek in Camden County the later part of 1700's to 1835 when the heirs sold it.

The deed U2 page 371 mentions the land is bounded by Clokey Pritchard and Lucy Ross and Arenuse Creek.

If you have any deed books maybe you could look.

My deed books only mention kinship. There is no Pritchard or Ross by those names in my books.

Harry

Found something interesting on the deed copies I have of Camden County.

Deed D-223/224 1785 Jacob Sawyer sells to Caleb Sawyer JR 32 acres on NW side Arenuse creek. Formerly belonging to John Ferrill. Witness: Caleb Sawyer SR

Deed U2-371 1834 Sawyer heirs (Caleb, Elkannah, Isaac, James and Mary) sell 6 acres to William Ferrill on Arenuse Creek.

Just wondering if William Ferrill is trying to buy back land once owned by John Ferrill????????

More About Susannah Jackson:
Cause of Death: Bilious fever

Children of Caleb Sawyer and Susannah Jackson are:
i. Mary Sawyer
ii. Richard Sawyer
iii. William Sawyer
iv. Caleb Sawyer, Jr., born Abt. 1830 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1869; married Sarah Godfrey 26 Jun 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1824 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Caleb Sawyer, Jr.:
Comment: His daughter, Eliza Sawyer, married Foster Raper, parents of Sarah Ann Raper (1879-1955) who married William Carson Hurdle (1875-1940), son of Henrietta White Hurdle who was aunt of Mattie Elizabeth White who married Gilbert Godfrey, Caleb's great-nephew.

v. Susannah Sawyer, born Abt. 1833 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Aft. 1900 in Pulaski Co., MO?; married Hugh Godfrey 05 Jan 1857; born 29 Jan 1829 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1931 in Pulaski Co., MO?.

More About Susannah Sawyer:
Residence: Glaize, Miller Co., MO according to 1870 and 1880 censuses; Liberty, Pulaski Co., MO according to 1900 census.

Notes for Hugh Godfrey:
Biographical Sketch of Hugh Godfrey, Pulaski County, Missouri

From "History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas,
Pulaski, Phelps & Dent Counties, Missouri, Published 1889, Goodspeed
Publishing Company.

Transcribed by: Penny Harrell ([emailprotected])

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

Hugh Godfrey, liveryman of Richland, MO., was born in the "Old North
State", about 1830, and is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Moss)
Godfrey, who were also North Carolinians, and moved to Indiana about
1840. Here they resided eight years, and after a short residence in
their native State took up their permanent abode in Washington
County, Ind., where the mother died. The father afterward married
again, and moved to some other State, and was never afterward heard
from. He was a farmer by occupation. Hugh Godfrey is the second of
six children, and in early life received but a meager education. He
was married in North Carolina on January 5, 1857, to Susan Sawyer,
daughter of Caleb Sawyer, by whom he became the father of nine sons,
one of whom is deceased. Richard and Alexis are farmers in Miller
County, as is James; Joseph, Thomas, Frank, Caleb, George and Isaac
live in Pulaski County; Caleb is a railroad man. In 1859 Mr. Godfrey
removed to Washington County, Ind., and from there removed to Carroll
County, MO., and from 1869 to 1882 was a resident of Miller County.
Since that time he has resided in Richland, and for three years
carried the mail to Brumley, but since that time has been engaged in
the livery business, and is in good circ*mstances, being the owner of
several lots in Richland, and a good livery barn, seven horses, four
buggies and two hacks. He is a Democrat politically, and he and wife
are members of the Christian Church.

More About Hugh Godfrey:
Census: 1920, Listed as age 90 in household of son James in Glaize, Miller Co., MO

5 vi. Penelope Sawyer, born 24 Sep 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 12 Apr 1883 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Gilbert Godfrey 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Grandy Morse 30 Aug 1855 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vii. Caroline Sawyer, born 1844; died 1910.

8. Benjamin Godfrey, born 25 Jul 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Dec 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 16. Tully/Tulle Godfrey and 17. Mary McClanahan. He married 15. Rebecca Melissa Robins 02 Sep 1837 in Perquimans Co., NC.
15. Rebecca Melissa Robins, born Abt. 1813 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1850 - 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Benjamin Godfrey:
Tully Godfrey's will does not list a son Benjamin, but he does name one daughter and refers to "rest of my children." However, he is referred to in the will as Tully Godfrey, Sr. Benjamin appears to be his only son. The reference as "Sr." is probably used to distinguish him from Benjamin's son Tully. The Abraham Godfrey family of Perquimans County had sent me family charts and information in 1991 which enabled me to trace my Grandma Godfrey's ancestry back to the supposed immigrant, Francis Godfrey. However, I do not see any actual proof that Tully Godfrey and Mary Poynter were the parents of Benjamin Godfrey. It seems fairly certain since Benjamin gave the name Tully to his eldest son. However, I have not researched Perquimans County land and deed records in detail, and since the information recorded by the Abraham Godfrey family lists exact dates of birth and death for Benjamin, perhaps his father was recorded in a family Bible or other record. It seems most later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from Benjamin Godfrey, even though the Godfreys had been in Perquimans for five generations prior to Benjamin.

Abstract of estate settlements located by Harold Colson on Familysearch.org:

Heirs of Benjamin Godfrey, deceased, petition the court to sell a 100-acre parcel of his land and divide the cash proceeds among them. Petitioners: Tully Godfrey, John Stanton (and wife Mary Godfrey), Caleb Sawyer (and wife Sarah Godfrey), Joseph S. Godfrey, William Godfrey, William Gregory (and wife Margaret Godfrey), Martha Godfrey, Edmund Godfrey, Stephen Godfrey, Ann Godfrey, Wilson Godfrey, Rebecca Godfrey, Penny Godfrey (widow), and Benjamin, Seth, and Ephraim Godfrey (children of Gilbert Godfrey, recently deceased).

Spring term 1855 ?Perquimans County, North Carolina

Account of Benjamin Godfrey estate by the former guardian (William E. Godfrey) of his "infant" (under age 21) heirs: Martha, Ann, Rebecca, Edmond, Wilson, Stephen. The named heirs are Benjamin's children by late wife Rebecca Robbins, and they receive a 1/13 financial share from the estate.

August 1856 Perquimans County, North Carolina

More About Benjamin Godfrey:
Census 1: 28 Aug 1850, Listed in 1850 Census of Perquimans Co., NC as a farmer, age 63, value of real estate $855. Three households down the page, a Thomas Robins, age 50, with wife Julia, age 47, are listed--probably close relative (brother?) of his last wife Rebecca.
Census 2: 1850, Joseph Godfrey, age 34, and his household were listed next to him in the 1850 census, indicating they were probably neighbors. The value of Joseph's real estate was $3300. Joseph was Benjamin's first cousin once removed.
Residence: 1850, Little River of Durants Neck District, Perquimans Co., NC

Notes for Rebecca Melissa Robins:
Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey, great-great-great-great-grandson (July 2009):

It is not known by me who the parents and ancestors of Rebecca Robins Godfrey were, nor is it known when she died. The most likely couple to have been her parents, based on Robins marriages in the records of Perquimans County, North Carolina, were John Robins and Anna B. Sutton who were married 15 April 1807. Perhaps he is the same John Robins who married Margaret Godfrey 15 August 1814, sister of Rebecca's husband Benjamin Godfrey.

It is not known when Rebecca died, but the fact that she is not listed in censuses after 1850, and that her minor children were listed in a different household in the 1860 census, might indicate she died before the 1860 census and left her younger children as orphans, as shown by the following ancestry.com census record:

Little River, Perquimans, North Carolina
Post Office: Durants Neck
Household Members: Name Age
Sybraneous Humphris 30
Mary Humphris 40
Eliz Ann Godfrey 18
Stephen Godfrey 14
Mellicia B Godfrey 11
Margaret A Stanton 7
Jos Haskitt 21

Ann later married Alfred Humphries. Her name here is listed as Eliza Ann, but a death certificate of one of her children lists her name as Margaret Ann.

Her son Wilson Godfrey was listed in the household of his half-sister Margaret L. Gregory, age 23, in the 1860 census.

The following information on the John Robbins who married Margaret Godfrey is copied and pasted from the Robbins Family Genealogy Forum:

Date: April 27, 1999
My gggrandfather John Robbins, born in NC, married Margaret Godfrey, August 15,1814 in
Perquimans County NC.
The only child, known to me, from this union was my ggrandfather Asa, born January 2, 1831,
in Durants Neck, Perquimans County NC.
I believe they were the last of a long line of coasters.
I would appreciate any information on their ancestry and anything on the history of the coasters. ...All the information I have, puts all of my people in Perquimans County,they were ship owners and were known as coasters.
James Robbins
[emailprotected]

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Martha Colson are:
4 i. Gilbert Godfrey, born Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1854 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah ? Abt. 1845; married (2) Penelope Sawyer 06 Apr 1851 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Sarah Godfrey, born Abt. 1824 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Caleb Sawyer, Jr. 26 Jun 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1830 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1869; married (2) James Morse Aft. 1859.

More About Caleb Sawyer, Jr.:
Comment: His daughter, Eliza Sawyer, married Foster Raper, parents of Sarah Ann Raper (1879-1955) who married William Carson Hurdle (1875-1940), son of Henrietta White Hurdle who was aunt of Mattie Elizabeth White who married Gilbert Godfrey, Caleb's great-nephew.

iii. Joseph S. Godfrey, born Abt. 1828 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1857 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Susan Sawyer 21 May 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iv. William E. Godfrey, born Abt. 1831 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About William E. Godfrey:
Comment: Unsure whether he is the same William E. Godfrey, son of Benjamin Godfrey & Martha Colson of Perquimans, who married Susan Morgan on 23 Apr 1855 in Pasquotank Co., NC

v. Margaret L. Godfrey, born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; married William Gregory.

Children of Benjamin Godfrey and Rebecca Robins are:
7 i. Martha Jane Godfrey, born 03 Jun 1838 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1910 in New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC; married Alfred Turner 22 Jul 1858 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Edmond Godfrey, born Abt. 1840 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Margaret "Ann" Godfrey, born Nov 1841 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1900 - 1909 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Alfred William Humphries 20 Dec 1865 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1835 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bet. 1877 - 1885 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Margaret "Ann" Godfrey:
Name 2: Elizabeth Ann Godfrey
Comment: Her daughter Margaret Ann's death certificate lists mother's name as Margaret Ann Humphries, but all other sources only give her name as Ann. If her name were Margaret Ann, it gives credence to her maternal grandmother being Margaret Godfrey Robins.

iv. Wilson C. Godfrey, born 18 Dec 1844 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 22 Apr 1918 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC; married Julia A. Robins 21 May 1874 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 15 Aug 1855 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 10 Apr 1927 in Elizabeth City, Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Wilson C. Godfrey:
Wilson Godfrey and Julia Robbins were somehow related, possibly first cousins. They had several children. One son, William Lumsden Godfrey (1886-1964), known as Will, became a sailmaker and was one of the last of a dying breed in that craft as sailing ships met their heyday after the 1950's. In the book "This Was Chesapeake Bay" (1963) by Robert H. Burgess, who at that time was Curator of Exhibits at The Mariners Museum in Newport News, Virginia, is a chapter on Will Godfrey, entitled "Godfrey the Sailmaker," pages 132-33.

One of Wilson and Julia Godfrey's daughters, Viola Godfrey (1875-1935), married Captain Thomas Beauregard Hayman (1870-1932), whose family established the Hayman boatyard in the harbor at Elizabeth City and became prominent civic leaders in the town, including its fire department. The Haymans were an old family of shipbuilders and watermen. Viola and Capt. Tom had a son, Roger Beauregard Hayman (1897-1977), who married Clemma White Hurdle (1892-1985), daughter of Quinton Riddick Hurdle and Henrietta Martin White of Perquimans County, North Carolina. Roger Hayman was a second cousin of my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, while Clemma was a first cousin of my great-grandmother, Mattie White Godfrey. Mr. and Mrs. Hayman lived at Newport News, Virginia, where they built the two-story brick home at the corner of Warwick Boulevard and Gatewood Drive, in front of the Jewish synagogue and across the highway from The Mariners Museum Park and Lake Maury. For many years Cousin Clemma ran a bed and breakfast here, known as The Travelers Inn. Their son, Roger Beauregard Hayman, Jr. (1921-1996), inherited this home. Although I grew up in Newport News, I never knew this home had been in my family until August, 1996, while I was tracking down some of my cousins on the White side of my family when I learned my Aunt Ret Hurdle had a daughter who lived in Newport News. After looking up Roger Hayman's name in the phone directory, I called his house, and his sister, Miss Dorothy Adair Hayman (1923-2011) of Sun City, Arizona, answered and said she was in the process of selling the house because her brother had died there a month earlier. Miss Hayman welcomed me to come by for a visit and told me what she knew about the White family. It was coincidental when I arrived and soon found out she was also related to my great-grandfather. Although the families had lost contact and my grandmother never heard of Cousin Clemma or anyone in her mother's family who lived in Newport News, Miss Hayman remembered her mother speaking of my great-grandmother as Cousin Mattie White. Shortly after this first visit, I brought my Grandmother Godfrey with me to visit Miss Hayman, who before then did not know one another even though they were only second cousins through the White family and third cousins through the Godfreys. But they both recalled their memories of their mutual Great-aunt Kate (Catherine White Sawyer Walston 1863-1954), for whom my grandmother was named. Miss Hayman was most gracious in allowing me to borrow and copy a portrait of her Great-Uncle Will L. Godfrey which at the time was hanging in her brother's house, ironically across the street from the museum whose curator included the same picture in his 1963 Chesapeake Bay book. Learning about Miss Hayman and her family in Newport News was one of the many small-world coincidences I have encountered in genealogy. As of 2007, the Hayman home is a fraternity house for Christopher Newport University.

More About Wilson C. Godfrey:
Burial: Section 1 North, Old Hollywood Cemetery, Elizabeth City, NC
Cause of Death: Chronic interstitial nephritis
Census: 16 Jun 1880, Living in Elizabeth City, NC, occupation miller. Unable to read or write. "Brother" Gilbert Robins, age 11, listed in household. Listed next to Frederick and Lydia Brothers Cohoon.
Occupation: Sawmill operator
Residence: 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

More About Julia A. Robins:
Cause of Death: Found dead in room--probably endocarditis
Residence: 1927, 509 Morgan Street, Elizabeth City, NC

v. Stephen Miles Godfrey, born 20 Sep 1846 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 27 Dec 1900 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sophie Jackson 07 Feb 1873 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 29 Apr 1851 in Manteo, Dare Co., NC?; died 06 Feb 1913 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Stephen Miles Godfrey:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

More About Sophie Jackson:
Burial: Stephen Miles Godfrey family plot on Woodville Road, Hog Neck, Perquimans Co., NC

vi. Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey, born 15 Aug 1850 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 17 Jun 1924 in Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC; married (1) ?; married (2) John B. Ellis 29 Jan 1879 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1844; married (3) William Long 1881 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (4) William Hartin/Horten Aft. 1881; born May 1845.

Notes for Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Comments by Bryan Godfrey:

Upon noticing that Rev. Wiley Dennis Godfrey, pastor at that time of Belhaven, NC Church of Christ, delivered the blessing at the 1988 Abraham L. Godfrey family reunion in Perquimans Co., NC, I tried to determine his connection to the family. In October, 2008, I called Rev. Godfrey, who now lives in Ollin, IL, and his brother, Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX, and the latter does not know his ancestry beyond his grandfather, Charles Godfrey, who died about 1926 in Pamlico Co., NC. All I can determine from ancestry.com is that their father was Stephen Charles Godfrey (1911-1960) of Belhaven, whose father Charles Godfrey, born about 1871, was listed in the 1920 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, with daughters Margaret and Alice, son Stephen, and mother, Melissa Harton, age 76. Could this be Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin? Could she have been known by her middle name and have been listed under her first name on her death certificate? Could Charles Godfrey have been an illegitimate son of hers prior to her marriage to William Hartin/Horton? Indeed, the fact that Rebecca M. Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton died in Belhaven, perhaps while residing with her great-niece Sallie Godfrey Harris (my great-great-aunt) since she was the informant on her death certificate, and the fact that Stephen Charles Godfrey and children apparently lived in Belhaven, give a strong likelihood that Rebecca's name was Rebecca Melissa Godfrey (named for her mother, Rebecca Melissa Robins), that she had an illegitimate son named Charles Godfrey around 1871, and that she then married William Hartin/Horton/Horten about 1880, by whom she had a son William Hartin or Horton in December, 1882, according to census records. The 1900 census of New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC, lists Rebecca Hartin as having had one child, however, whereas if both Charles Godfrey and William Horten were her sons, she should have had two. But Charles could have been omitted since he was not by her husband listed above her in the household. I have not been able to locate a death certificate for Charles Godfrey, only a record of the date of his death. He apparently died in Pamlico County, near Belhaven in Beaufort County, and is buried in an unmarked grave there, but his wife predeceased him and is buried in Elizabeth City, NC.

I called the wife of Abraham Godfrey, Jr., who hosted the 1988 Godfrey Reunion and has collected family information over the years, but all she recalls is hearing her inlaws speak of "Cousin Stephen Godfrey" and "Cousin Charles Godfrey" in Belhaven without knowing exactly how they are related. She was under the impression that they are closely related to my branch, the Gilbert Godfrey family, but they are not since my great-grandfather, Gilbert Godfrey, did not have brothers named Charles or Stephen and Gilbert's father, Ephraim Godfrey, apparently had no full siblings and only one paternal half-brother named Benjamin Godfrey. Charles H. Godfrey of Amarillo, TX knew the Abraham and John Thomas Godfrey families well, but does not know the exact relationship either. However, since they all lived in Belhaven at one time, Mr. Charles Godfrey said he knew the Cleary family well, the descendants of Ada Turner Cleary, who was a daughter of Martha Jane Godfrey Turner and a sister of my great-great-grandmother, Rebecca Turner Godfrey, wife of Ephraim Godfrey. If my theory is correct that Rebecca Melissa Godfrey Hartin/Horten/Horton of New Hope and later Belhaven was the mother of Charles Godfrey of Elizabeth City and Belhaven, then she would have been an aunt of Ada Turner Cleary who settled in Belhaven with her husband; therefore, Ada would have been first cousin to Charles Godfrey. The fact that neither Charles' grandson nor Abe Godfrey, Jr.'s wife know the exact connection gives greater credence to the possibility that Charles was illegitimate and took the Godfrey surname from his mother. In other words, his family knew they were close cousins of the Abraham Godfrey and the Ada Turner Cleary families, but more than likely the exact connection was forgotten early on due to the possibility of an illegitimacy and no one wanted to divulge that he took the Godfrey surname from his mother.

But to come to any conclusions regarding this, I need to contact more descendants of Charles Godfrey and investigate more records of Perquimans or Beaufort Counties, as well as obituaries or Bible records, that are not available on ancestry.com. I need to verify that Rebecca M. Horten who died 17 June 1924 in Belhaven is the same person as Melissa Horten who is listed as the mother of Charles Godfrey in his household in the 1920 Perquimans census, although her age in the latter was 76, indicating an estimated birth year of 1844 instead of the 1850 date shown on Rebecca's death certificate, but it is not unusual to have such inconsistencies in ages shown on census records for different decades or even on death certificates and grave markers.

If I am unable to use existing records or the knowledge of living relatives to come to any conclusions, I suppose I could ask one of Charles Godfrey's male-line grandsons or great-grandsons to submit a YDNA sample for me to see if it matches my YDNA. If my theory is correct, then their YDNA would not match mine since there would be a break in their Godfrey male lineage. Hopefully I can find records that will render such a test unnecessary. The first item I should search for is Rebecca Hartin's obituary which would hopefully list a son Charles Godfrey as a survivor. Even if I can never prove my exact connection to the Charles W. Godfrey family on the Godfrey sides, the fact that his wife was a Bundy, that one of my Great-Grandmother Godfreys was a Bundy descendant, and that both lineages can be proven back to the Rhode Island and North Carolina Quaker settlers William and Elizabeth Bundy, gives me at least one definite connection to this family.

February, 2009 update: When I visited Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Lincoln Godfrey, Jr. at their farm in Perquimans County, North Carolina, I saw among their family papers several sheets of photocopied pictures labeled by Shelton Godfrey (1913-1968), who had performed lots of Godfrey genealogy research. One of them was labeled "Charles Godfrey, son of Melissa Godfrey." This seems to settle the question of his connection.

More About Rebecca "Melissa" Godfrey:
Burial: Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC
Cause of Death: Acute dysentery
Comment: Om her marriage record to John B. Ellis, she is listed as Melissa Godfrey, father Benjamin Godfrey but mother is listed as Patsy Godfrey. This does not match her mother being Rebecca, but she had a sister Patsy. Ages matches Benjamin and Rebecca's daughter
Residence: New Hope, Perquimans Co., NC in 1900. Living at Belhaven, Beaufort Co., NC at time of death. Since her great-niece, Sallie Godfrey (Harris) then of Belhaven, was the informant on her death certificate, she may have been living with her.

Generation No. 5

16. Tully/Tulle Godfrey, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1845 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 32. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. and 33. Mary Turner?. He married 17. Mary McClanahan 16 Oct 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC.
17. Mary McClanahan, died Bef. 10 Dec 1811 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 34. Samuel McClanahan.

More About Tully/Tulle Godfrey:
Census 1: 1830, Probably the 1 white male age 60-69 in household of Tulley Godfrey, Perquimans Co., NC. 1 free white female 10-14, 1 free white female 15-19, 1 male slave 10-23 also in household.
Census 2: 1790, Listed as Tulle Godfrey in Perquimans Co., NC, 1 male under 16, 1 male 16+, 4 free white females, 5 slaves in household. Son Benjamin is probably the 1 white male under 16.
Census 3: 1810, Listed in Perquimans Co., NC, probably the 1 white male age 45+, with 1 free white male 16-25 (Benjamin), 2 free white females 16-25, and 5 slaves.
Event: Abt. 1800, Perquimans Co., NC Bastardy Bonds indicate that he apparently fathered a child by Margaret White.
Probate: Nov 1845, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 22 Sep 1845, Listed as Tulley Godfrey, Sr. (probably because his son Benjamin had a son Tully). Perquimans Co., NC Book F, page 326. Mentioned daughter Elizabeth Haskett, rest of his children (unnamed).

Notes for Mary McClanahan:
Account by Tully Godfrey, guardian, for care of Elizabeth Pointer, orphan of John Pointer. Tully was married to Elizabeth's mother, Mary McClanahan, widow of John Pointer.

?proved February term 1799

Children of Tully/Tulle Godfrey and Mary McClanahan are:
8 i. Benjamin Godfrey, born 25 Jul 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 30 Dec 1853 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah Barclift 14 May 1814 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Jane Albertson 20 Dec 1815 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (3) Martha Colson 07 Dec 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (4) Rebecca Melissa Robins 02 Sep 1837 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Martha Godfrey, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; married ? Layden.
iii. Nancy Godfrey, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Isaac Layden 06 Sep 1810 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) William Roberson? Aft. 1810.
iv. Rebecca Godfrey?, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Sarah Godfrey?, born Aft. 1787 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Mary Godfrey, born 20 Oct 1790 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John M. White; married (2) Jesse Hollowell 13 Feb 1812 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1782 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1837 in Pasquotank Co., NC.

Notes for Jesse Hollowell:
The following is quoted from Vikki Hollowell Highfield's "Hollowell Home Page":

CENSUS: Burtcher-Hollowell Bible owned by Irene Burtcher Cartwright. 1800 Perquimans Co., NC, age between 1775-1794.
26 Dec. 1814, Christopher Wilson of Perquimans Co., NC, sold Jesse Hollowell of Perquimans Co., a piece of ground in Pasquotank Co., NC, lying ont he Northwest side of Little River. Beginning at main road running down Hardy Perrys line to river and then up said run to said Wilson line then up said Wilson line to main road then down said road to first station containing by estimation 50 acres. Witness: Nathan Hollowell, Henry Hollowell. Recorded March 30, 1816, Pasquotank Co., NC. (Book V, 1815-1817, p. 170).
3 March 1837, John White appointed guardian for Edmund, Zachariah, Margaret and Mary Hollowell, orphans of Jesse Hollowell, deceased. Signed John M. White, __ Perry, Jacob N. Perry in presence of Edmond Blount, James S. Rulfe, N. Small. Rec'd. March 1837. (Pasquotank Co., NC Guardian Bonds, 1832-1849, p. 8).

vii. Margaret Godfrey, born Abt. 1793 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John Robins 15 Aug 1814 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Thomas Davis 11 Jul 1833 in Perquimans Co., NC.
viii. Ann Godfrey, born Abt. 1810 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1841 in Perquimans Co., NC; married John Haskett 20 Feb 1834 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1813; died Abt. 1863 in Virginia?.

18. Gilbert Colson, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 36. William Colson III and 37. Miriam Mullen. He married 19. Sarah Turner 13 Aug 1792 in Perquimans Co., NC.
19. Sarah Turner, born Abt. 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 38. John Turner and 39. Sarah ?.

Children of Gilbert Colson and Sarah Turner are:
i. Gilbert Colson, Jr.
9 ii. Martha Colson, born Abt. 1793 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1836 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Benjamin Godfrey 07 Dec 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Eleanor Colson

20. Sylvanus Sawyer, born Abt. 1774 in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1825 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 40. Caleb Sawyer and 41. ? Litton. He married 21. Elisha/Clisha Gregory? Bef. 1799.
21. Elisha/Clisha Gregory?, born Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 42. Isaac Gregory, Jr. and 43. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?.

Notes for Elisha/Clisha Gregory?:
Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr
Clay Peterson
21 May 2018, 11:11 PMYou;Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])
So I've created a list of evidence to support my theory that Sylvanus Sawyer married a daughter of Isaac Gregory, Jr.:

1. Sylvanus Sawyer and Isaac Gregory Jr are next door neighbors in the 1800 census for Camden County. The only household shown as being between them is John Dozier. Elisha Sawyer (whom I think Isaac Gregory Jr's daughter Elisha is named for) is in turn a next door neighbor living above Sylvanus Sawyer.

2. The aforementioned 1818 deed H474 from Perquimans between the Robins family and Isaac Gregory Jr in which Sylvanus Sawyer was a witness.This is the first known deed that was proved for Isaac Gregory in Perquimans although he had made plans to buy land from Hosea Gregory at about the same time, it wasn't proved until six months later in Feb 1819.

3. The problem with the 1820 Census for Perquimans is that the enumerators seemed to have tried to list the names somewhat alphabetically which makes it impossible to determine where households lived in relation to each other. If you take all the Perquimans deeds together, however, it becomes apparent that Truman Sawyer, Sylvanus Sawyer, and Isaac Gregory shared a lot of the same neighbors with each other and that they must have lived fairly close to each other.

4. In an estate sale on 28 Feb 1828 for Alif Gregory, Elkeni Sawyer (son of Sylvanus Sawyer) purchased items at the estate sale. There were only four other purchasers at this estate sale: Joseph Gregory (younger son of Isaac Gregory Jr), James Rapier (admin of estate), Benjamin Knowles (admin of estate), and William Burnham (lead admin of estate).

5. In the case of Caleb Sawyer, since he was the oldest son of Sylvanus Sawyer, I'm inclined to agree with the birth year given by his 1850 census record in Perquimans as being born in 1799, not 1794. Someone at some point must have mixed the 9 up with a 4. Most of the other census records for Sylvanus Sawyer and Caleb Sawyer also seem to agree more with the 1799 date than the 1794 date. Although it would certainly still be possible for Sylvanus Sawyer to have married Elisha Gregory in 1794-1795, it would make more sense age-wise if the marriage took place in 1798.

6. The will of Isaac Gregory Jr from 12 Mar 1822 gives Merium Sawyer and Elisha Sawyer a specific monetary amount (I think it was five or six pounds each) and not any inherited land or rights to further property. His property was exclusively given to his two sons, Jesse Gregory of Camden County, and Joseph Gregory of Perquimans County. This is why there are no deed exchanges in Perquimans County between the estate of Isaac Gregory to Truman Sawyer or Sylvanus Sawyer.

7. As a point of interest, General Isaac Gregory bought 50 acres from the elder Sylvanus Sawyer in 1769, and the two were neighbors until the elder Sylvanus Sawyer's death.

8. I remember reading from some of the Dempsey Sawyer deeds in Camden and Pasquotank that the Dempsey Sawyer who married Lovey Gregory had purchased land adjacent that of Richard Sawyer and Zail Sawyer and that Isaac Gregory was an adjacent neighbor of all three Sawyers in Camden. Isaac Gregory Jr and Dempsey Sawyer (grandfather of Truman Sawyer) were next door neighbors in the 1790 Census for Camden.

9. Truman Sawyer and Sylvanus Sawyer are the only two male Sawyers in Perquimans in that time period whose wives are currently unknown, and Isaac Gregory Jr has two daughters who married Sawyers named in his will whose husbands' names are unknown. The fact that a large group of people all moved to Perquimans from Camden at about the same time and included the three of these men would normally indicate marriage ties of some sort. If I remember correctly, I think Mark S Sawyer (eldest son of Truman Sawyer) was later involved in some of the estate transactions of Sylvanus Sawyer's sons, James Sawyer and Elkenny Sawyer.

I will send you anything else that I find regarding these lines. I will also look into the relationship deed from 1771 in Pasquotank that mentions "Alef, wife of Auguston Harrison" to see if she could be related to Alif Gregory.

Children of Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha/Clisha Gregory? are:
10 i. Caleb Sawyer, born 01 Nov 1799 in Camden Co., NC; died 19 Aug 1856 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Susannah Jackson 24 Dec 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Nancy ? Aft. 1844.
ii. Elkenny/Elkannah Sawyer
iii. James Sawyer
iv. Isaac Sawyer
v. Mary Sawyer, married Caleb Gray.

Generation No. 6

32. Thomas Godfrey, Jr., born 11 Mar 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1774 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 64. Thomas Godfrey and 65. Ellinor Turner?. He married 33. Mary Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC.
33. Mary Turner?, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1806 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Thomas Godfrey, Jr.:
The following is the will of Thomas Godfrey, Jr.:

North Carolina
Perquimans County

In the name of God amen this 18th day of January 1773 I, Thomas Godfrey of the County aforesaid farmer being in reasonable good health of body and of perfect mind and memory-thanks be to God for the same calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I recommend my soul to God that gave it nothing doubting but I shall receive the same again at the last day by the mighty power of God and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Excrs [executors] hereafter named and as for temporal Estate it hath pleased God to bless me with I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
In Primus-I give to my son Joseph Godfrey one plantation containing one hundred and twenty one acres of land being the land that I bought of Joseph Snoden to him his heirs and assigns forever But in case he should die without heir of his body lawfully begotten I give the said land to be equally divided between my two younger sons Thomas and Tully Godfrey.
Item I give to son Thomas Godfrey the plantation whereon I now live containing seventy acres be it more or less-beginning at the Creek side taking from the Gut side across to my brother William Godfrey's line and reaching up the said land to a branch a little above the old spring when a west course across the said land to Wm. Godfrey's line of marked trees will make appear to him and his heirs forever.
But in case he should die without heirs of his body lawfully begotten I give the said land to be divided between my other two sons Joseph and Tully Godfrey.
Item I give the remainder part of my land to my son Tully Godfrey beginning at the aforesaid branch above the old spring and all the upper part of my land not before mentioned Known by the name of Beachy Hill to him and his heirs forever. But if in case he should die without heir of his body lawfully begotten I give the land equally to be divided between my other two sons Joseph & Thomas Godfrey.
Item I give to my daughter Winnia Godfrey one Negro girl called Nancy with her increase to her and her heirs forever-But if in case she should die without heir of her body lawfully begotten I give the said Negro girl to my daughter Elizabeth Godfrey.
Item I give to daughter Elizth. Godfrey one Negro girl named Rose with her increase to her and her heirs forever but in case she should die without heir of her body lawfully begotten I give the said negro girl to my daughter Winnia Godfrey.
Item I give to my son Joseph Godfrey one Negro boy called Dick to him and his heirs forever but in case he should die without heir of his body lawfully begotten I give the said Negro boy to my two sons Thomas and Tully Godfrey.
Item I give to wife Mary Godfrey the use and labor of one Negro woman called Lavinia during her natural life.
Item I give to my daughters Winnia and Elizth. Godfrey my Negro woman called Lavinia with her increase hereafter after my wife's decease to them and their heirs forever to be equally divided.
Item I give to my son Joseph Godfrey one feather bed and what furniture belongs to it.
Item I give to my daughter Winnia Godfrey one feather bed and what furniture belongs to it also one cow and calf also one heifer three year old also one breeding mare also one sizable iron pot-Also one pewter dish to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give to my daughter Elizth Godfrey one feather bed and what furniture belongs to it also my riding horse called Snip Also one cow and yearling and three year old heifer also one Iron Pot, one pewter dish to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give to my two daughters Winnia and Elizabeth Godfrey two breeding Ewes apiece also 6 pewter plates apiece.
Item I give to my wife Mary Godfrey all the use of my dwelling house during her widowhood also one Bay Horse called Snip also one yoke of oxen and oxcart also one bed and furniture also twenty nine head of year old Hogs at Piney Ridge also five sows and pigs at the same place.
Item I give to my son Joseph Godfrey fifteen head of hogs and eight pigs at the folly also one young bay mare also my riding saddle also one new gun also two cows and calves and two youngsters also one heifer also one bar plow also one pewter dish and two small Iron Pots also one handsaw also one half a whipsaw.
Item I give to my son Thomas one cow and calf also one three year old heifer also two breeding ewes also one old gun also my silver shoe Buckles also one handmill.
Item I give to my son Tully one large Iron Pot also two breeding ewes also one cow and calf and three year old heifer Also one large Stone Jug and two stone Pots also one fifteen bottle case.
Item I give to my two sons Thomas and Tully seventeen head of hogs to be sold the next ensuing year and the money to be put to schooling the said boys.
Item I give to my wife two thirds of my wheat that is now growing and I give to my son Joseph one third of the said wheat.
Item I give to my wife all the residue of my cattle not mentioned also all the residue of my household goods and sheep not mentioned.
Item What money I have by me I leave to my Exors. Towards paying my Just debts. And I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Joseph Godfrey and my wife Mary Godfrey to be my whole and sole Exor [executor] and Executrix of this my last Will and Testament. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all, every other former Testaments, wills, legacies and bequests and Exors by me in any ways before hand willed and bequeathed Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written----

His
Thomas Godfrey (SEAL)
Mark
Signed, sealed, pronounced and declared by the said Thomas Godfrey as his last Will and Testament in presence of-
John Gibson
William Knowles

More About Thomas Godfrey, Jr.:
Probate: Apr 1774, Perquimans Co., NC
Residence: Apparently lived on Deep Creek which flows into the Little River in Perquimans Co., NC, probably the same land his great-grandfather Francis Godfrey settled on before 1668.
Will: 18 Jan 1773, Will Book C, page 139, Perquimans Co., NC. Will mentions wife Mary, sons Joseph, Thomas, and Tully, daughters Winnia and Elizabeth; refers to land of his brother William, indicating William remained in Perquimans. Also mentioned four Negroes (slaves).

More About Mary Turner?:
Comment: Proof is desired that she was a Turner. One secondary source says she was a daughter of Thomas Turner, and other sources list her parents as John Turner and Esther Belman.
Probate: Nov 1806, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 26 Jul 1806, Will of Mary Foster, Perquimans Co., NC Will Book E, page 249. Mentions son Joseph Godfree, daughter Elizabeth Layden and her son John, granddaughters Mary Godfree and Mary Foster, son Tully Godfrey, daughter Winiford Humphrys.

Children of Thomas Godfrey and Mary Turner? are:
i. Elizabeth Godfrey, married Francis Layden 19 May 1780 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Joseph Godfrey, born 22 Nov 1754 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1831 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Mary Hosea 14 Aug 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Deborah Sutton 14 Aug 1799 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Joseph Godfrey:
Probate: Nov 1831, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 26 Sep 1831, Book F, p. 189, Perquimans Co., NC. Mentions son Hugh; grandchildren Zadock, Elizabeth, Joseph, Martha Perry, Penelope Stokes, Sarah Douglas, Hetty Roberts, Levinia Roberts, Robert Stacy, Eliza Stacy, Joseph G. & Martha Barclift; daughter Penelope Layden.

iii. Thomas Godfrey III, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Mary Mullen 12 Nov 1805 in Perquimans Co., NC.
16 iv. Tully/Tulle Godfrey, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1845 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Mary McClanahan 16 Oct 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Elizabeth Bateman 10 Dec 1811 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (3) Mary Halsey 08 Aug 1836 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Winnie Godfrey, born Abt. 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC.

34. Samuel McClanahan, died Bef. Jul 1785 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Samuel McClanahan:
History of Perquimans county as compiled from records found there and elsewhere

No. 223. Sept 13, 1782. Jacob Morgan of Perq, for £50 pd by Samuel Maclanahan, of afsd—sold 50a, adj Nathaniel Martin, Joseph Wood, John Modlin, & Ralph Fletcher. Test' Duke Bogue, Joseph Perrishoe.

No. 224. Zebulon Snoden, for £300 pd by Samuel McClanahan, both of Perq, sold parcel of land, adj Benjamin Sutton, Joseph Perrishoe, & Elihu Albertson. Sept 27, 1782. Test' Caleb Toms, Gosby Toms.

No. 239. Oct 1, 1778. Samuel McClanahan, of Perq, & Mary his wife, for £1500 pd by John Fanning, of afsd—sold "Lots in the Town of Hertford, No 133-34-35, the land & Ferry House, formerly belonging to Benj'n Phelps, with Ferry, & Boats, & all privileges appertaining." Test' Nathan Mastyn, Cornelius Ratliff.

No. 511. John Pointer, & Mary his wife, (heir of Samuel McClanahan dec'd) for three tracts, to us secured, & £5 pd by Elizabeth Nixon, (the other co-heir) do assign to her 299a, which sd Samuel bought of Caleb Twine, & another tract, purchased by same, of Jacob Morgan 50a, also 120a, contiguous, bought of Charles Moore, Sheriff of Perq; the whole 473a. Oct 1, 1785. Test' Thomas Hosea, Geo Suttom.

No. 515. Mary McClannahan, widow of Samuel dec'd, & Elizabeth Nixon, one of the co-heirs of sd Samuel, for "three tracts secured to us," by John Pointer, & Mary his wife (the other heir) transferred to them 100a, near the head of Deep Creek, which sd Samuel bought of Zebulon Snoden, also 95a contiguous to it, sd Samuel bought of William Robins, & 149a, near Nags head Chappel," which sd Samuel bought of Spencer Williams, the whole 344a. Oct 1, 1785. Test' Thomas Hosea, Geo. Sutton.

No. 250. Dec 21, 1782. Spencer Williams, of Pasq Co, for £150 pd by Samuel McClanahan, of Perq, sold 159a on No East Side of Perq River, "near Nags head Chapple." Test' John Earl, Caleb Toms.

No. 407. William Robins, & John Bateman, Exors of Joseph Perrishoe, late of Perq, have sold (pursuant to his will) 95a, adj George Whedbee, (unto Samuel McClanahan, £166, now dec'd), & Elisha Albertson, to the Road. — 1784. Test' John Clayton, William Whedbee, Thomas Sutton.

More About Samuel McClanahan:
Probate: Jul 1785, Proved in Perquimans Co., NC; Mary McClanahan and John Poynter are named as the administrators. It appears Mary was first married to a Pointer and then she married Tully Godfrey.

Children of Samuel McClanahan are:
17 i. Mary McClanahan, died Bef. 10 Dec 1811 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John Pointer; married (2) Tully/Tulle Godfrey 16 Oct 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Elizabeth McClanahan, married ? Nixon.

36. William Colson III, born Abt. 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 72. William Colson, Jr. and 73. Ann Parish?. He married 37. Miriam Mullen.
37. Miriam Mullen, born in Perquimans Co., NC. She was the daughter of 74. Abraham Mullen, Jr. and 75. Ellinor Ming.

More About William Colson III:
Event: 1750, He and father William were both taxed
Military: 1754, "Wm. Coleston" and this "Wm. Coleston Junr." appear on county militia roll, in Capt. John Stevenson's company, in Perquimans Co., NC, according to original research by Harold Gordon Colson, Jr. posted to ancestry.com

More About Miriam Mullen:
Comment: The 1799 will of her (fourth?) husband, John Stanton, refers to wife Meriam and her granddaughter Martha Colson, youngest child of her son Gilbert Colson, and sons John and Thomas (who must have been sons of John Stanton by a former marriage).

Children of William Colson and Miriam Mullen are:
18 i. Gilbert Colson, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1818 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah Turner 13 Aug 1792 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Eleanor Colson, born Abt. 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1829 in Perquimans Co., NC; met (1) William Knowles Abt. 1789; married (2) John Roberts Aft. 1789; died Abt. 1803 in Perquimans Co., NC.

38. John Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 76. Edward Turner and 77. Ann ?. He married 39. Sarah ?.
39. Sarah ?

More About John Turner:
Probate: Oct 1770, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 27 Aug 1770, Perquimans Co., NC Will Book C, p. 91

Children of John Turner and Sarah ? are:
i. Dorcas Turner
ii. Joshua Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; married Polly Colson 25 Sep 1794 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Timothy Turner
iv. John Turner, Jr., born Abt. 1765 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1791 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah Roberts?.
19 v. Sarah Turner, born Abt. 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Gilbert Colson 13 Aug 1792 in Perquimans Co., NC.

40. Caleb Sawyer, born in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1774 in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 80. Richard Sawyer and 81. Ann Spence?. He married 41. ? Litton.
41. ? Litton, born Abt. 1750. She was the daughter of 82. Isaac Litton and 83. Rebecca Ross.

Child of Caleb Sawyer and ? Litton is:
20 i. Sylvanus Sawyer, born Abt. 1774 in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1825 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Elisha/Clisha Gregory? Bef. 1799; married (2) Hannah Weeks 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC.

42. Isaac Gregory, Jr., born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 84. Gen. Isaac Gregory and 85. Elizabeth Whedbee. He married 43. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?.
43. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?, born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC. She was the daughter of 86. Lemuel Sawyer and 87. Mary Taylor.

Notes for Isaac Gregory, Jr.:
E-mail from Clay Peterson to Bryan Godfrey, 19 May 2018
Deed involving Sylvanus Sawyer and Isaac Gregory Jr

Clay Peterson

Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])

Here is an abstract of the very first deed involving Isaac Gregory Jr in Perquimans:

25 Mar 1818

John and Margaret Robins sold 85 acres of land to Isaac Gregory, neighboring W. John heirs, J. Foster, and J. Leigh. Witnessed by Noah Fiveash and Sylvanus Sawyer.

James Leigh/Ley was Isaac Gregory Jr.'s lawyer and basically his personal assistant, so many of his transactions were also witnessed or involved James Leigh in some way. Richard Leigh who was the executor of Isaac Gregory Jr.'s will and was probably James Leigh's son.

John Foster was a neighbor to both Isaac Gregory Jr and Truman Sawyer. Truman Sawyer and his children had numerous dealings with the Fosters, and I suspect Martha, Truman's 2nd wife, may have been a Foster.

Noah Fiveash is a mystery for now, but Sylvanus Sawyer witnessing this deed, especially since it is the first deed involving Isaac Gregory Jr in Perquimans, is certainly interesting, and helps to prove my theory. I guess he could have just been a neighbor witnessing a deed, but I have a gut feeling I've stumbled onto something important with this information, and when I have a feeling this strongly about something, it usually turns out to be true. I've always suspected there was more to the Truman Sawyer and Sylvanus Sawyer families and that they had to be connected in some other way to have moved to Perquimans at about the same time from Camden. If their wives were sisters, it would make perfect sense.

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

Re: Gen. Isaac Gregory's wives

Clay Peterson

Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])

DNA tests prove that I am descended from the Lamb family of Camden in some way and that I have a bigger chunk of Lamb DNA than would be feasible if I was only descended from them from one branch. I discovered that I descend from the Lambs from a branch of my mother's family going way back, but that wouldn't be strong enough to be as closely related to them as I am. DNA suggests that I descend from the Lambs in probably three different ways. One from my mother's side, and probably a double dose somewhere in my Sawyer lineage. If Sarah Lamb was the mother of Isaac Gregory, the pieces would fit with what I know about my DNA. Now, I would just have to find out where the third Lamb lineage comes into play.

On Sat, May 19, 2018 at 3:08 PM, Bryan Godfrey wrote:

Isaac's wife or wives have been variously listed. Do you know definitely who they were, and who the mother of Isaac Jr was?

------ Original message------

From: Clay Peterson

Date: Sat, May 19, 2018 2:56 PM

To: Bryan Godfrey;Harry Schoettle;

Subject:Sylvanus Sawyer's 1st wife

After I recently discovered Isaac Gregory Jr's will in Perquimans in 1822 that mentioned Truman Sawyer and two daughters that married Sawyers, I was able to find a few other deeds that strongly suggest that Truman Sawyer married Miriam Gregory, daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr. A Miriam Sawyer died in 1838 according to Sawyers Creek Baptist Church, and this fits ideally with the date that Truman Sawyer's 1st wife died as gleaned from the 1830 and 1840 census records. Isaac Gregory Jr was a son of General Isaac Gregory who Isaac, Jr.) moved to Perquimans from Camden in 1819. Most of his sons and daughters seemed to have moved with him to Perquimans by the 1820 Census.

Here is the interesting thing about Isaac Gregory Sr and Jr - they basically had dealings with three Sawyer families - Dempsey Sawyer who married Lovey Gregory (being the grandparents of Truman Sawyer), the three sons of Lemuel Sawyer (Enoch, Dempsey, Edmund), and Sylvanus Sawyer.

There are several deeds between the Gregorys and Sylvanus Sawyer. Isaac Gregory Jr and Sylvanus Sawyer were also close neighbors in both Camden and Perquimans County, as attested to in several deeds and census record listings.

I had thought at first that Isaac Gregory Jr's daughter Clisha/Elisha Gregory Sawyer had married Truman Sawyer's brother, Willis Sawyer, but after digging deeper into the records of Willis Sawyer, I had found some inconsistencies with this idea. His 1st wife was definitely not named Elisha/Clisah or anything similar to it. Also, there are no records, deeds or otherwise, that link Willis Sawyer to Isaac Gregory Jr, and Willis Sawyer did not move to Perquimans until much later than Truman Sawyer or the other children and in-laws of Isaac Gregory Jr.

The only other Sawyer that is seems likely that Elisha/Clisha could have married is Sylvanus Sawyer, and there are links between Truman Sawyer's family and the family of Sylvanus Sawyer that seem too close for them to have just been friends or cousins. More than likely their spouses were related as well as the two of them being distant cousins.

Isaac Gregory made his will 12 Mar 1822, and Sylvanus Sawyer remarried Hannah Weeks by 15 Oct 1822, so it is definitely feasible that Elisha/Clisha could have been Sylvanus Sawyer's first wife, even though Isaac Gregory didn't die until about Feb 1824 and no further changes were made to his will.

So it would seem that the lines of Sylvanus Sawyer and Truman Sawyer probably both descend from General Isaac Gregory and his son, Isaac Gregory Jr. Isaac Gregory Jr's wife was named Alif, but I have not been able to find her surname or parents. I suspect she was either a Grandy, maybe a daughter of Noah Grandy or his father Absalom Grandy, or that she may have been a daughter of Lemuel Sawyer. I'm not sure how the blood relations between Sawyers would be and whether Lemuel, Sylvanus, and Truman Sawyer would have been too closely related to have i intermarried. I will have to investigate this further. Yet, Lemuel Sawyer left no will or probate files (destroyed in the storage fire in Camden), and although his sons are known from deed records, most of his daughters are currently unknown. Truman Sawyer and Miriam Gregory were second cousins by blood, since Isaac Gregory Sr and Lovey Gregory were siblings.

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

From: Harry Schoettle
Sent: Tuesday, May 22, 2018 7:18 AM
To: Clay Peterson; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Re: Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr

I'm going to jump in on this conversation. Remember when we all were trying to figure out where Sylvanus came from. We found his heirs sold Land in Camden County along Arenuse Creek and at Pllummers point. Through my research I found the land to be Isaac Litten land. Then it was found in 1818 Thomas Ferrill sold 6 acres to Thamar Godfrey, 1813 Thomas Ferrill sold 6 acres to lurany Bass, Peggy Etheridge received some but don't know how (didn't find a deed), Sylvanus Sawyer heirs sold 6 acres (never found deed where he received the land). Know the deed M-464 and 465 the Litten heirs sold this land to Thomas Ferrell (Ferrill). Through the years many Sawyer's owned land around here including Truman Sawyer. My only question is how Sylvanus got this land, did Thomas Ferrill give his daughter a wedding plot or sell to Slyvanus?????
Clay I believe I sent you some rough plots of this area. If not I still have them.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 10:08 PM, Clay Peterson wrote:
Alright, I'm trying not to give you too much information at once like I usually do, but after examining all three available census records for Isaac Gregory Jr, something becomes immediately apparent - the fact that he had to have had one daughter that was much older than his other children and whom was probably from a different wife.

The 1790 Census for Isaac Gregory Jr shows him as one male 16+ and one female. This could be a wife, but it's more than likely a daughter, given what we already know about him.

The 1800 Census for Isaac Gregory: 1 male under 10 (Joseph), 1 male 10-15 (Jesse), 1 male 26-44 (Isaac), 2 females under 10 (Frankie Wells and Nancy), 2 females 10-15 (Miriam and Mary "Polly"), and 1 female 26-44 (Alif).

The 1820 Census for Isaac Gregory: 1 male 10-15 (Joseph - note age discrepancy from 1800 Census), 1 male 45+ (Isaac), 1 female 10-15 (Lovey), 2 females 16-25 (Nancy and Judith), 1 female 45+ (Alif).

Isaac Gregory Jr's daughter Nancy Gregory married in Perquimans 1 Apr 1828 Jesse Jackson. Jude/Judith Gregory married in Perquimans 24 Sep 1828 to Thomas Robinson. His (probably) youngest daughter, Lovey Gregory, is thus far untraced. Frances "Frankey" Gregory Wells might have married John Wells in Rowan County in 1815. Miriam Gregory of course married Truman Sawyer in 1814-1815. Finally, Mary "Polly" Gregory seems to have married Elias Williams, as previously mentioned.

Whatever way you look at it, there is a missing daughter in the 1800 and 1820 Censuses, and that daughter seems to be Elisha who married Sylvanus Sawyer.

Here is an abstract of Isaac Gregory's will for 12 Mar 1822: "wife Alif; daughters (Mary) Polly Williams, Elisha Sawyer, Franky Wells, Marium Sawyer; youngest daughters Jude, Lovey, and Nancy Gregory; sons Jesse and Joseph Gregory; executors wife & friend Richard Ley."

I will let you two digest all of this for a little while before I send anything else.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 6:37 PM, Clay Peterson wrote:
To further confuse matters, there was another Isaac Gregory and William Gregory who were sons of Jacob Gregory, although they had considerably less deeds pertaining to them. I would have to see the documentation that Matilda Gregory married John Ehringhaus. It could have been a daughter of this other Isaac Gregory that married him and not ours.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 5:48 PM, Clay Peterson wrote:
I am fairly certain that Isaac Gregory Jr and William Gregory were the sons of Sarah Lamb. I only have a few gaps in my family tree left to find on the Sawyer-White side, and I've ruled out Lambs as not being two of them already. The DNA just couldn't work out any other way. The problem with Sarah Lamb is that there are a multitude of different dates given for her birth, and I don't think most of them are anywhere near being accurate. Most of the websites dedicated to these families are patently false, others are somewhat correct but pursue wild theories that I can't support. The best I can tell from the records is that Sarah Lamb (not Mary as in some records) was one of Thomas Lamb's youngest daughters. I have estimated her birth date as being between 1738-1741. William S. Powell, who was probably North Carolina's greatest historian, said in his dictionary entry for "Gregory, Isaac" that the General may have 1st married a daughter of Caleb Sawyer (but which Caleb Sawyer?). He could not have married a daughter of Caleb, son of Thomas, because of all of Caleb Sawyer's children are accounted for in his estate records. I don't think Powell is correct though, as family information (see below) contradicts this. Still, William S. Powell agrees that Sarah Lamb was General Isaac Gregory's 2nd wife, and that General Isaac Gregory had the following six children: William, Isaac, Mary, Sarah, Penelope, and Harriet. Most records agree on the fact that he had these six children, but several disagree on whom their mother was. There is basically no evidence other than a Bible record that Elizabeth Whidbee was Isaac Gregory's 1st wife, but I've looked at all the available sources for these families, and it seems like it's true if for no other reason than why would someone pick that name randomly if there are no other records pertaining to her. It would just be unusual if it wasn't true. Also, from my own experience, being descended from some of South Carolina, Florida, and Georgia's most prominent families is that they tend to keep better records, so I tend to agree more with family tradition from their descendants than I would from less prominent families.

I will have to recheck the records from Pasquotank, as I have already searched through everything from Camden regarding these families, and Camden wouldn't have any records that far back anyway. There's still a lot I need to research regarding the Lambs to see what is verifiable and what isn't. The only proof I've found of relation between the two families in Camden is that Isaac Lamb sold land to Isaac Gregory Jr at an estate sale in 1806 (Camden deed K500-502). Gideon Lamb is also noted as being a neighbor of General Isaac Gregory in 1782 (Camden deed G-111).

Most of the information about Isaac Gregory's wives and family supposedly comes from an old Bible record, but no one seems to know its current location. The Bible apparently gave Elizabeth Whidbee as being his first wife, but she only lived for under year and probably didn't give him any children. The children were probably all from Sarah Lamb who was known to be younger than Isaac Gregory and not older. The birth date of 1737 and death date of 2 Apr 1800 for Isaac Gregory also comes from this Bible record, and I seriously doubt that he was born any earlier than that given his children's probable birth dates and his census records. I corresponded with a descendant of General Isaac Gregory's son, William Gregory, a few years back when I was researching Dempsey Sawyer and Lovey Gregory, and this person had actually seen the Bible once at a family reunion decades ago. It had belonged to an uncle of his, but he doesn't know what ever became of it. Another interesting thing I learned from my William Gregory contact is that the family had thought Isaac Gregory Jr had died in 1819 because he disappeared from the records of Camden County at about that time, but it turns out that he just moved to Perquimans, and the two brothers' families lost contact with each other after that.

On the other hand, Isaac Gregory Jr was probably married twice. Given the census records for Isaac Gregory Jr for 1790, as well as the timing of certain deeds, I am inclined to think his first wife (possibly a daughter of Lemuel Sawyer) died before 1790, probably in 1788, and that they had one daughter born 1779-1783 who married Sylvanus Sawyer. Isaac Gregory Jr probably remarried Alif about 1790-1791 and had his other children. His son, Jesse Gregory was born 1790-1795, most of his other daughters were born between 1791 and 1810, including Miriam Gregory who married Truman Sawyer, and his youngest son, Joseph Gregory, was born 1805-1810. The reason why I think Isaac Gregory Jr 1st married a daughter of Lemuel Sawyer is that all of Lemuel Sawyer's known heirs are neighbors of both General Isaac Gregory and Isaac Gregory Jr, and Lemuel's children had several land dealings together with Isaac Gregory Jr (but not Sr). I would also find it hard to believe that as prominent as General Isaac Gregory and Lemuel Sawyer were during the 1770s and 1780s that at least one marriage didn't occur between the two families. A daughter of Lemuel Sawyer marrying Isaac Gregory Jr and in turn Isaac's daughter Elisha Gregory marrying Sylvanus Sawyer would have made made them 1st cousins twice removed or third cousins via the Sawyer side.

Here is a deed of interest that shows Isaac Gregory Jr of Perquimans selling property to Truman Sawyer of Camden County:
Camden deed R151: Isaac Gregory of Perquimans sells 92 acres on the Lake to Truman Sawyer of Camden, bordering Elias Williams and two sides of Absalom Grandy's patent line. Wit: Elias Williams & Tatum Forbes. Proved: Feb 1823.
Elias Williams was Isaac Gregory Jr's son-in-law who married his daughter Mary "Polly" Williams (born early 1790s). Also, note that Isaac Gregory Jr's property borders Absalom Grandy's patent line on two sides. Absalom Grandy was the father of Noah Grandy. Absalom Grandy is also a possible father of Alif Gregory. If my Edmund Sawyer's paternal grandmother was Alif Grandy, sister of Noah Grandy, it would partly explain why he would name his oldest son, Noah Grandy Sawyer, the other being that Nelly Week's father was Noah Weeks.

Bryan has given me a lot to think about, and I'll be digging more into this over the summer to see what I can find. Because you couldn't witness a deed until you were typically 20-21, and Isaac Gregory Jr witnessed his father's deeds as early as 1782, he couldn't have been born any later than 1762. I have seen some records that give William Gregory's middle name as being W, which could stand for Whidbee, but since there were three different William Gregorys active at that time, and they were all related, it's not possible to tell whether it was referring to the son of Isaac Gregory or one of the other William Gregorys. It's possible that William Gregory may have been a son of Elizabeth Whidbee, while Isaac Gregory Jr may have been a son of Sarah Lamb, although my source was fairly certain that both sons were children of Sarah Lamb.

On Mon, May 21, 2018 at 2:17 PM, Bryan Godfrey wrote:
Maybe I "jumped the gun" by modifying my Barco chart to add my paternal grandmother's descent via Gen. Isaac Gregory, so I saved it with a different name from the one I already had. Clay, does this look like the lineages you have proposed for us?

The mystery now is the wives of Isaac and which was the mother of Isaac, Jr. Sure would be nice to claim the Lambs and all their New England ancestors! The Lamb genealogy says Thomas Lamb's daughter Mary born 1725 possibly married Isaac Gregory, whereas her sister Sarah married a Sexton.

________________________________________
From: Bryan Godfrey
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 9:11 AM

To: Clay Peterson; Harry Schoettle
Subject: Re: Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr

https://www.chromosomequest.com/morgan

This site suggests Isaac, Jr. was born in 1772 and was a son of Elizabeth, and it also questions the descent of Isaac from Thomas Gregory and Priscilla Bareco*ck. But it also seems out of line in assigning Morgan as a middle name for Isaac, which seems contrived.

________________________________________
From: Bryan Godfrey
Sent: Monday, May 21, 2018 8:10 AM
To: Clay Peterson; Harry Schoettle
Subject: Re: Proofs for Sylvanus Sawyer's wife being a daughter of Isaac Gregory Jr

Some information suggesting Sarah Lamb may not have been the last wife of Isaac Gregory is the fact that their daughter Matilda married John Christopher Ehringhaus, who was born in 1783. It is unlikely that she would have been older, so this would mean Sarah would have had her in her 50s.

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

From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Sunday, August 12, 2018 1:11 PM
To: Bryan Godfrey; Harry Schoettle
Subject: Whedbee Connections to the Sawyers and Gregorys

Isaac Gregory Jr's estate file includes two different Whedbees appointed to divide the estate by the court, Joshua Whedbee and James P Whedbee. Both of these Whedbees are great grandsons of John Whedbee Sr (1715-1785) via two of his sons, Thomas Whedbee and George Whedbee.

I did find a will for John Whedbee from 1783 but it only mentions one daughter, a Sarah, who had a son named John. John Whedbee's estate files mention other daughters not named in the will, which leaves open the possibility for a daughter or grandchildren to not have received an official inheritance from the estate.There is a problem when researching Isaac Gregory Jr. He is described in his earliest deeds as having already been a resident of Perquimans. So where did he get his original plot of land? I think the answer was probably in the estate files that got burned in Camden. There probably was an estate file in Camden for the children of Elizabeth Whedbee giving them property in Perquimans, but it no longer exists.

John Whedbee first married Elizabeth Norcom (1713-1750) who would have also been the mother of the Elizabeth Whedbee who married General Isaac Gregory. John Whedbee 2nd married a Sarah who was the widow Benjamin Sutton. After John died in 1785, Sarah Sutton Whedbee 2nd married Thomas Sutton.

John Whedbee sold land in 1771 to Zebulon and Sarah Snowden. General Isaac Gregory's daughter Sarah married Nathan Snowden, son of Francis Snowden who moved to Currituck County in 1763. I'm not sure how these Snowdens are related yet, but it is an interesting connection.

The Whedbees exchanged deeds with and most likely married into the Turner family of Perquimans. The Turners are also closely involved in the deeds and marriages of the Sylvanus Sawyer and Truman Sawyer families. A few Turners also purchased items at Isaac Gregory Jr's estate sale.

The Suttons and Fosters are both closely associated with the family of John Whedbee, as his father had half-brothers who were Suttons and his neighbors were Fosters. John Whedbee's grandmother, Sarah Cooke, was originally married to a Sutton. The Suttons were mentioned in several land and probate records regarding the family of Truman Sawyer. Truman Sawyer's widow (2nd wife), Martha, was most likely a Foster.

All of this builds a stronger case for Isaac Gregory Jr being a grandson of John Whedbee, together with the fact that John Whedbee's family was the most prominent of the Whedbee families in the area at the time. His son, John Whedbee Jr, was a state senator, and both he and his son John Jr served different years as representatives from Perquimans during the Revolution. It would also appear that his son Richard Whedbee, rather than his brother Richard, served as Lieutenant in the 7th NC Continental Line.

I need to research Isaac Gregory Jr's brother William Gregory a lot more. He's the one blind spot in my research, but unfortunately, it will take me quite a lot of time to untangle him from the other William Gregorys active at that time. I am fairly certain that his middle initial was "W" from the deeds I know for sure belong to him. I remember that there are also deeds for a William Gregory in Perquimans in the early 1800s, but I'm not sure if it's the right William Gregory.

Child of Isaac Gregory and Mary/Miriam Sawyer? is:
21 i. Elisha/Clisha Gregory?, born Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1822 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sylvanus Sawyer Bef. 1799.

Generation No. 7

64. Thomas Godfrey, born Abt. 1675 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1749 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 128. William Godfrey and 129. ?Jane Barrow?. He married 65. Ellinor Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC?.
65. Ellinor Turner?, died in Perquimans Co., NC?.

Notes for Thomas Godfrey:
The following information from Mrs. Watson Winslow's 1931 book, "History of Perquimans County," might suggest Ellinor was a Turner. Secondary, undocumented records have also listed their son Thomas Godfrey, Jr. as marrying Mary Turner, one source listing her father as Thomas Turner, and another listing her parents as John Turner and Esther Belman.

Perquimans County Deed Book C, Number 137: Thomas Godfrey of Perq. Planter--for 50 pounds pd by Wm Turner, of Pasquotank, Planter--sold 60a on So West Side of Little River. Ellinor Godfrey "Doth give all her Right of Dowry." August 5, 1732 Test' Thomas Weeks, John Parish, William Godfrey.

If Ellinor was a Turner, then it was the first of several intermarriages between Turners and Godfreys in Perquimans County.

More land records involving Thomas Godfrey:

http://www.theharmons.us/harmon_t/b1902.htm

Perquimans Co., NC, Deed Book C, No.161] Terence Macardel, of Pasquotank, Taylor ... "am firmly bound" unto Thoams Godfrey of same, Planter ... for 100 pounds July 14, 1732. Whereas: said Macardel did purchase 50 acres of land from said Godfrey, Nov 20, 1731, and Acknowldedge the same before Hon'ble John Palin Esq, Chief Justice of Province " now said Marcardel do Disannul and make Void said Deed, his Right to said 50 acres. Reg Feb 5, 1734/5. Test: Thomas Weeks William Turner.

More About Thomas Godfrey:
Event 1: Oct 1735, At a court held at the courthouse at Phelps Point, a deed of sale from John Godfrey to Thomas Godfrey was duly acknowledged in open court and ordered to be recorded. This was probably his brother John Godfrey who was probably selling land in Perquimans.
Event 2: 26 Jul 1699, At a court held for Perquimans Precinct in Albemarle County, Thomas Godfrey recorded his flesh mark, a crop and an under keel on each ear and a slit in the left ear. The flesh marks of William Godfrey, Sr. and Jr. and Ffrances Godfrey were also recorded.
Probate: Apr 1749, Perquimans Co., NC
Property: 01 Nov 1732, The most direct evidence linking him to his father & siblings is Deed Book C, Number 184, in which John Godfrey, referred to as his brother, sold him 125 acres, part of a patent to his father William 1 Jan 1694, on Deep Creek, assigned by brother William
Will: 26 Nov 1748, Perquimans Co., NC. Will mentions sons William, Thomas, Francis, and Joseph, daughters Sarah and Ellinor, and wife Ellinor.

Children of Thomas Godfrey and Ellinor Turner? are:
i. Francis Godfrey, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died in Onslow Co., NC?.

Notes for Francis Godfrey:
There is a strong possibility that this Francis Godfrey is identical with the Francis Godfrey of Onslow County, North Carolina. The following information is copied and pasted from the website http://members.aol.com/usina/godfrey.htm

GODFREY FAMILY

of Onslow County, NC; Screven, Burke, Jefferson and Bibb counties, Georgia;

and Blount County, Tennessee

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Francis Godfrey, Sr. (c.1720-aft. 1790)? He lived in Onslow County, North Carolina. He married Elizabeth Williams around 1745 in Onslow County, NC. He had children William Godfrey, Enoch E. Godfrey, Francis Godfrey, Jr., Mary Ann Godfrey and Sukey Godfrey.

Enoch E. Godfrey, Esq. (c. 1750- ) He married Martha. They were living in Onslow County, NC, in the 1790 Census. They had children: Francis H. Godfrey, another son, Rebecca, Nancy, and two other daughters. They moved to Screven County, Georgia, by 1794. On 13 February 1796, Enoch Godfrey purchased from Risdon and Sarah Oliver all their rights of land in Burke and Screven counties as heirs of Sarah's father's (William Williams) estate for 20 pounds sterling. His son, Francis Godfrey, was a witness. On 2 March 1796, Enoch Godfrey purchased from Henry and Charlotte Gragg all their rights of land in Burke and Screven counties as heirs of Charlotte's father's (William Williams) estate for 20 pounds sterling. On 29 October 1796, Enoch E. Godfrey purchased 150 acres of land from David Price Hay and his wife Elizabeth for 18 pounds sterling. His son, Francis Godfrey, was a witness. On 27 July 1797, Enoch Godfrey purchased a one tenth part of a 240 acre plot of land from James and Presilla Oliver for $20. This was witnessed by his son, Francis Godfrey. On 26 November 1798, Enoch Godfrey purchased a one tenth part of a 240 acre plot of land from Michael and Mary Livingston for $20. On 21 March 1799, Enoch E. Godfrey purchased 200 acres of land in Burke and Screven counties from James and Presilla Oliver for $300. In 1799 and 1800, Enoch was a Justice of the Peace for Screven County. On 11 September 1804, Enoch Godfrey was granted 670 [acres?] of land on Beaver Dam Creek bordering the lands of William Skinner, William Lancey, Daniel McDaniel, Aquilla Williamson, John McQueen, and John Henry. On 27 September 1804, Enoch and Martha sold this land to Robert Watkins and William Skinner for $250.

Francis H. Godfrey, Esq. (1778-1835) He was probably born in Onslow County, NC in 1778. He moved to Georgia by 1794. Francis Godfrey of Burke County, Georgia, bought 100 acres of land in Burke and Screven counties from Dr. John and Rosannah Stockman in Burke and Screven counties on 29 October 1794 for 24 pounds sterling. Enoch Godfrey was a witness. This land was near the Savannah River and Mobley's Pond, bordered on the northwest by the lands of John McQueen, on the southwest by the lands of George Sycord and John Williams. In 1801, Francis was living in Screven County. He married Mary Parkinson, the daughter of John Parkinson, Esq. of Winton District, SC, on 23 July 1801 near Savannah, Georgia. The minister was Rev. James Sweat of the Bethesda Baptist Church of Barnwell, South Carolina, according to the Columbia Museum and Savannah Advertizer (7/28/1801). Francis and Mary had several children: a son born around 1802, Lucy Virginia Godfrey (1806-1827), Martha Susan Godfrey (1808-1863), a daughter born c. 1810, a daughter born between 1810 and 1820, and Frances H. Godfrey (born between 1817 and 1820). In 1820, Francis was living in Jefferson County, Georgia. Mary died between 1820 and 1822. Francis married Nancy Isler on 22 November 1822 in Pulaski County, Georgia. Francis and Nancy had two children: Virginia Godfrey (1825-1849), and William Morris Godfrey (d.y. in 1830). Francis was in Bibb County by 1823. Francis H. Godfrey of Bibb County purchased Lot 155, 202 1/2 Acres in the 4th District of Houston County (now Bibb County) for $600. On 5 June 1825, Francis' daughter Lucy Virginia Godfrey was married in Macon, Georgia, to Philip Powledge. On 17 September 1827, Francis' daughter Lucy Virginia (Godfrey) Powledge died in Macon, Georgia. On 29 January 1828, Francis' daughter Martha Susan Godfrey was married in Macon, Georgia, to Gideon Powledge, Jr. In 1830, Francis was living in Macon, Bibb County, Georgia. Francis' youngest child, William Morris Godfrey, died on 30 August 1830 near Macon, Georgia. According to his obituary, he left Macon, Georgia for Tennessee just prior to his death for health reasons — obviously not effective. Francis made his will on 20 June 1835. Francis died in Montvale Springs, Marysville, Blount County, Tennessee, on 30 September 1835. His will was probated on 11/2/1835. He left all his Masonic articles to his friend and fellow Mason Henry G. Lamar. Francis is buried at the New Providence Old Churchyard (Presbyterian), Maryville, Tennessee. In 1836, Gideon Powledge was named guardian of Francis Godfrey's daughter Frances Godfrey. In 1837, Mrs. Nancy Godfrey was named guardian of her daughter Virginia Godfrey. Francis' widow, Mrs. Nancy Godfrey, was living in Bibb Co., Georgia, according to the Census of 1850. Francis's daughter Frances H. Godfrey married A.S.Halley. Frances' daughter Virginia Godfrey married Benjamin Chairs. Virginia died on 26 September 1849 in Marysville, Tennessee, and was buried in the New Providence Presbyterian Cemetery.

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If you have any information on this family, please contact me at [emailprotected]

The following is copied and pasted from http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/GODFREY/2007-04/1176519890

Also, looking at the Will of Thomas Godfrey, of Perquimans, dated 1749, one of the four sons mentioned is a Francis Godfrey. In 1771, there appears to be both a Francis Godfrey, and a Thomas Godfrey, (two of the sons mentioned in that Will) living in Onslow County, North Carolina, leading to the theory that the Francis Godfrey, born 1720, who is the ancestor of this Onslow Godfrey line, was indeed, the son of the older Thomas Godfrey. This Francis Godfrey had as sons, Francis, Enoch, and William, who by early 1800's was in the Burks, Pulaski counties area of Georgia, later some of them moving on to Alabama and other states.

Comment by Bryan Godfrey: The only glitch is that Thomas Godfrey, Jr., brother of Francis Godfrey of Perquimans, remained in Perquimans. Only if the above-mentioned Thomas of Onslow, mentioned in the 1771 record in Onslow, is a son rather than a brother of Francis of Onslow, would it make the above theory plausible. YDNA tests are needed for Godfreys from this branch to confirm or disprove a connection.

ii. Sarah Godfrey
iii. Ellinor Godfrey
iv. William Godfrey, born Abt. 1720 in Perquimans Co., NC?; died Aft. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Frances ?.

More About William Godfrey:
Comment 1: It is known that Thomas Godfrey had a son William and Thomas Godfrey, Jr. mentions his brother William's land in his 1773 will, indicating William probably remained in Perquimans County near him. Whether this William had a son William is not known yet.
Comment 2: In showing the ancestry of Manliff Godfrey of Camden Co., NC, born bet 1800-10, a descendant listed two generations of Samuels, two generations of Williams, and two generations of Thomases. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. did not have a son William.
Residence 1: 1773, Perquimans Co., NC
Residence 2: It is possible he and/or a son of his was one of the William Godfreys in Camden Co., NC, but he was apparently still living in Perquimans Co., NC around 1774 as his brother Thomas referred to his land in his will.

32 v. Thomas Godfrey, Jr., born 11 Mar 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1774 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Mary Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Joseph Godfrey, born 14 Feb 1727 in Perquimans Co., NC.

72. William Colson, Jr., born Abt. 1698; died Abt. 1763 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 144. William Colson and 145. ? Goodale?. He married 73. Ann Parish?.
73. Ann Parish?

Notes for William Colson, Jr.:
E-mail from Harold Colson:

The 2nd William Colson of Perq died 1762. The clue to his wife comes from this deed extract:
1757 Deed
[F-216]
John Parish, of Tyrell Co, St Andrews Parish, for 48 pounds pd by John Barclift Sr, of Berkeley Parish, Perq Co, sold 685a, "which my late father John Parish of sd Co, & Parish, did by his will 1738, give to me, his only son," at the mouth of Deep Creek, except 100a already passed to Wm Colson, & Ann his wife, where he now lives." Jan 3, 1757. Test' John Weeks, Thos Weeks Jr.
Source: Winslow, History of Perquimans County, p. 169
This suggests to me that Wm. II married Ann, daughter of one of these John Parishes. Also, the Perq. tax rolls show in the few years right after Wm.'s death in 1762 an "Ann Colson" as head of a household (almost certainly the widow). She eventually disappears from the tax rolls, although I do not know if by death, remarriage, or relocation.

More About William Colson, Jr.:
Event 1: 16 Oct 1759, In Perquimans Co., NC, he petiioned the court to be "exempt from paying taxes" due to being "much advanc'd in years, and not able to Labour as formerly, and having a large famiy to Maintain, and no freehold Estate to Depend on." From Harold Colson research
Event 2: 1740, Appears on county tithable list (poll tax) with 1 poll, sugesting son William was under 16 years of age, according to research by Harold Colson

Children of William Colson and Ann Parish? are:
36 i. William Colson III, born Abt. 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Miriam Mullen.
ii. David Colson, born Abt. 1725; died Abt. 1773 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Mourning Perisho.

74. Abraham Mullen, Jr., born Abt. 1700 in possibly Manakintowne French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA; died Abt. 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 148. Abraham Moulin/Mullen and 149. Rachel Broret. He married 75. Ellinor Ming.
75. Ellinor Ming, born Abt. 1715 in Deptford, London, England?; died 21 Dec 1765 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Abraham Mullen, Jr.:
Event: 19 Apr 1762, His widow Eleanor Mullen petitioned to administer estate of her late husband Abraham Mullen, according to research of Harold G. Colson, Jr.

Children of Abraham Mullen and Ellinor Ming are:
37 i. Miriam Mullen, born in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) William Colson III; married (2) ?; married (3) John Turner Abt. 1767 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married (4) William Stafford 30 Sep 1786 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (5) John Stanton Aft. 1786.
ii. Mary Mullen, married Gideon Maudlin.
iii. Jane Mullen, married (1) Abraham Riggs; married (2) Joseph Turner.
iv. Deborah Mullen, married Christopher Towe 22 Jul 1763 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1730 in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Scotland?; died 01 Apr 1778 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Tamer Mullen, married (1) Jeremiah Caruthers; married (2) Isaac Hassell 03 Oct 1758 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Hannah Mullen, married William Bateman 12 Sep 1759.
vii. Bette Mullen, married William Bateman 26 Sep 1760.

76. Edward Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1785 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 152. William Turner, Jr. and 153. Ann ?. He married 77. Ann ?.
77. Ann ?

Children of Edward Turner and Ann ? are:
i. Abraham Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1774 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Miriam Maudlin?.
ii. Joseph Turner, married (1) Martha ?; married (2) Mary Hawkins 23 Oct 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Dempsy Turner, died Abt. 1782 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Hartwell Pearce 23 Oct 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Sarah Mullen 09 Apr 1781 in Perquimans Co., NC.

More About Dempsy Turner:
Probate: Oct 1782, Perquimans Co., NC
Will: 05 Feb 1782, Perquimans Co., NC Book C, p. 260 mentions wife Sarah; sons George and Dempsey; executors brother Joseph and [Dempsy's] wife; witnessed by Mirriam Colson, Joseph McAdam, and Fanny Turner

38 iv. John Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1770 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah ?.
v. Edward Turner, Jr., born in Perquimans Co., NC; died 1789 in Bertie Co., NC; married (1) Agnes ?; married (2) Elizabeth ?.

80. Richard Sawyer, born Abt. 1702 in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County); died Aft. Feb 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC?. He was the son of 160. Capt. Thomas Sawyer. He married 81. Ann Spence?.
81. Ann Spence? She was the daughter of 162. Robert Spence.

Notes for Richard Sawyer:
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.sawyer/1821.1.1.1.1.2.1.1/mb.ashx

Richard Sawyer, son of Thomas1 Sawyer info/proof summary:

Note that Alice Doaks "Marks for Cattle" proof also proves both Thomas and Caleb were sons of Richard Sawyer.

Richard, son of Thomas Sawyer resided in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. He was the owner of large tracts of land and had extensive dealings in land. These deeds are on file in Paquotank County, North Carolina. It is these deeds that prove Thomas was the son of Richard. In all the deeds in which Thomas is mentioned , he is listed as "the son of Richard Sawyer". In several of these deeds both Thomas' wife Keziah and Richard's wife Ann are mentioned. These are the only surviving links author has been able to find as no will has been located for Richard and it is believed to have been destroyed in the early courthouse fires

58 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol I, p 76 - Will Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, dated 19 Jul 1720 lists sons Caleb, Stephen, Thomas, and Richard, daughters Mary, Ann, Hannah Sawyer and Dancy McDowell and wife (no name given)

59 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book F & G, p 290 - Deed signed by Richard Sawyer and wife Ann, dated 25 Apr 1757

60 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book D & E, p 109 - Deed from Thomas Sawyer which reads in part "…that I Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer with Cozier my wife in the County of Pasquotank…" dated 31 Dec 1761

61 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deed dated 18 Aug 1758 - Deed signed by Thomas Sawyer and Keziah Sawyer, wife which reads in part "…betwixt Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer, farmer, of one part…"

192 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed, Book F & G, p 432 dated 26 Feb 1760 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer sale of land called "Dogwood Ridge" to his father Richard Sawyer. Land on Northeast side of Pasquotank River

193 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed dated 17 Aug 1758 - Purchase of "Dogwood Ridge" land by Thomas Sawyer from Solomon Sawyer. Gives Thomas' relationship with Richard (See Proof 192)

197 Tyrrell County, North Carolina will dated Jan 1800 - Will of Jonathan Sawyer which mentions 55 acres of land on "Dogwood Ridge" (See proofs 192 and 193)

Children of Richard Sawyer and Ann Spence? are:
40 i. Caleb Sawyer, born in Camden Co., NC; died Bef. 1774 in Camden Co., NC; married ? Litton.
ii. Thomas Sawyer, died Abt. 1783 in Tyrrell Co., NC; married Keziah ?.

Notes for Thomas Sawyer:
Thomas Sawyer married Keziah (7th G) (father makes a stock mark 5 June 1758)
Pasquotank deeds:
F&G page 233 dated 17 Aug. 1758 bought 50 acres from Solomon Sawyer known as Dogwood Ridge, deed says Thomas son of Richard,
F&G page 406 dated 28 Feb. 1760 deed says Thomas son of Richard,
F&G page 432 dated 26 Feb 1760,
D&E page 109 dated 31 Dec. 1761 deed says Thomas son of Richard, Tyrrell County Deed Book 8 page 51, Book 11 page 150, State Grant 4 dated 1 Oct 1779 Deed Book 8 page 50

More About Thomas Sawyer:
Property: Thomas and Keziah Sawyer received grant of land in Tyrrell Co., NC between Goose Creek and Frying Pan Landing off the Alligator River

iii. Jonathan Sawyer, born in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County); died Aft. Jan 1800 in Tyrrell Co., NC.

Notes for Jonathan Sawyer:
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.sawyer/1821.1.1.1.1.2.1.1/mb.ashx

Jonathan Sawyer, I believe oldest son of Richard circ*mstantial proofs:

CAUTION: Author believes Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard but only circ*mstantial evidence to prove it:

Proof 193 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer buy 50 acres more or less on "Dogwood Ridge" and deed says this Thomas is son of Richard

Proof 192 - Thomas and Keziah sell the "Dogwood Ridge" property to Richard

Proof 197 - Jonathan Sawyer's will in Tyrrell County, North Carolina leaves 55 acres to his oldest son, T. Robert Sawyer (and since Tyrrell County is where Thomas died, all these facts seem to prove that Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard.

iv. Richard Sawyer, Jr.
v. Zail Sawyer

82. Isaac Litton, born 13 Feb 1724 in Baltimore Co., MD; died in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 164. Thomas Litton, Jr. and 165. Ann Hawkins. He married 83. Rebecca Ross.
83. Rebecca Ross She was the daughter of 166. Capt. Abell Ross?.

Children of Isaac Litton and Rebecca Ross are:
i. Isaac Litton
ii. Abel Litten
41 iii. ? Litton, born Abt. 1750; married Caleb Sawyer.

84. Gen. Isaac Gregory, born Abt. 1737 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1800 in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 168. William Gregory and 169. Judith Morgan. He married 85. Elizabeth Whedbee.
85. Elizabeth Whedbee, born Abt. 1742 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Gen. Isaac Gregory:
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

• The Master of Fairfield Plantation

BRIGADIER GENERAL ISAAC GREGORY OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA MILITIA
ca 1740-1800

TO CAMDEN FOLK Isaac Gregory is the most dignified figure who has played a part in their history—partly because of the somewhat impressive surroundings into which he was born, but more largely because of his own rather austere bearing. The lighter touch at least was not one of his immediately apparent characteristics. And if his painstaking habits and ponderous actions tended to add to the impressiveness of his personality, by the same token they also helped to make of him a controversial individual. His deliberation, for example, could at times be a source of exasperation to his associates. Amidst the feverish activities of war General Caswell once wrote to Governor Nash:

"Gen'l Gregory, I am afraid, will be tardy unless your Excellency can give him a spur." Sometimes his conduct seemed motivated by a singletrack mind which could overlook highly relevant circ*mstances. One conspicuous instance was the occasion when his appointment as sheriff of Pasquotank was not received from the royal governor until noon on the day of elections, which were by law conducted under the direction of the sheriff. Disregarding regulations affecting the hours for voting, he took the oath of office, opened the polls at twelve o'clock and permitted balloting until after sundown. Although the Election Committee which reviewed the matter in the General Assembly could find no evidence of wrongdoing per se, the action of the sheriff was considered highly irregular and the election therefore was declared illegal. Another oversight may have been merely absentmindedness, but later in life he dispatched by post a proposal of marriage to the widow of a former governor six months after the death of that estimable lady.

On the other hand, his record in public life definitely indicates a man who possessed other qualities besides slowness and diffidence. As a resident of Pasquotank before the formation of Camden, he was appointed eight times as sheriff, three years as member of the precinct court, and was elected three times to the Provincial Assembly. He was also a delegate to the early provincial congresses meeting in Hillsborough and at New Bern. In the militia of the county and state he held commissions as lieutenant colonel, colonel and brigadier general. Beginning with 1780, he was elected once to the House of Commons, followed by eight years in succession to the Senate. Among other public capacities were his appointments as first collector of customs for the Port of Camden or Plank Bridge, and trustee of the Currituck Seminary of Learning.

What, then, were the attributes which enabled Gregory to become a commanding figure in the county's history? The answer seems to be that while they were few, they were fundamental. In the first place he was devoid of any pretense or affectations. As might naturally be expected, he was entirely forthright both in speech and action. If he was slow, he was at the same time thorough. Such qualities appear to good advantage in the capacities of sheriff or justice of a court.

His greatest assets, however, would seem to have been his integrity—honesty in both thought and deed—and a keen sense of justice which was the result of his sincerity. Dr. Hugh Williamson once made the following estimate of Gregory in a letter to General Washington: "Gen'l Gregory is recommended as a gentleman whose Character as a soldier and Citizen stands high in the universal esteem of his fellow Citizens. He is a man of respectable property; has the full confidence of his Country and is the constant Enemy to public officers suspected of corrupt practices." Gregory was in fact a member of all the committees in the Senate which conducted hearings on charges of frauds in public accounts, and frequently he served as chairman. During the war he was entrusted with vast sums of money and quantities of supplies. So carefully did that meticulous mind keep accounts that when the air was at times full of charges and countercharges of corrupt practices, no question as to his conduct in financial affairs or management was ever directed toward him.

He was as stern with the derelictions of officers coming from his own social level as he was with those of the humblest private. There were, as an illustration, the two officers, one from Chowan and another from Perquimans. The Chowan gentleman assumed to himself the privilege of resigning his commission when in a huff and of reclaiming his rank at will; the Perquimans offender simply neglected or abandoned his men on occasion in order to devote himself to personal pleasure. When General Thomas Benbury of Edenton recommended that these officers be brought to task, Gregory was just as firm with them as he was with the wretched deserters who were now and then flushed from their hiding places in the Camden swamps.

He may not have possessed the flair for dramatic leadership in combat as might be displayed by Colonel Gideon Lamb or Colonel Selby Harney, two of his neighbors who were with the continental forces, and he may have lacked the diplomacy and forceful persuasiveness of the legislator, Joseph Jones. Nevertheless, whereas Jones might be inclined to sulk if events did not proceed according to his liking, and Harney and Lamb might become despondent under adverse circ*mstances, Gregory habitually maintained his poise and continued to go plodding along. To his mind the war was a job to be finished and no one should let anything divert him from the work at hand. Contemplating the dilatory tactics of some of his associates on one occasion, he wrote to Governor Caswell: "I don't understand the officers here. Can't seem to get them to do their duty." In fact, according to one of his later reports, he "had more trouble with the officers drafted than with the men."

Opinions vary as to the effectiveness of his military leadership. In 1779 he and John Pugh Williams were nominated for the position of brigadier general in the state militia. Williams was elected, thanked the Legislature and resigned. The commission was then issued to Gregory. He and Brigadier General Griffith Rutherford commanded the two brigades of militia under Major General Horatio Gates when the American forces were decisively routed at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. Saunders states: "The continentals and some of the militia, notably Gregory's brigade, fought with desperation." In other quarters his efforts have been regarded less favorably. The general conduct of the militia in this battle, it seems, was not praiseworthy, a statement which unfortunately is too often applicable to the efforts of the militia throughout the war. In all fairness, however, it should be pointed out that the dismal showing made by some of the troops did not result from emulation of the spirit displayed by the brigade commanders. The resolute General Rutherford was captured as he vainly tried to rally his men; General Gregory received a bayonet wound and his horse was shot from under him. In his report of the engagement to Lord Germain, Cornwallis listed Gregory as killed. Nor did the Legislature then in session appear to be reluctant in expressing their appreciation of Gregory's services. This body, twenty-six days after the battle, adopted the following resolution: "That General Gregory be furnished at the Expence of the State, for immediate service, with a gelding of the first Price, in consideration of the one by him lost in the late action near Camden."

Whatever may be said as to the effectiveness of his efforts, the records show him to have been in the conflict from the beginning to the end. He was a delegate to the Provincial Congresses held at New Bern in April of 1775 and at Hillsborough in the following August, when he was appointed colonel of the 2nd Regiment of the Pasquotank Militia and was also placed on a committee "to inquire what number of troops may probably be raised in the different counties of this State and report to the House." A special assignment, with Othniel Lacelles, was "to receive, procure and purchase fire arms for use of the troops" (of Pasquotank). And in 1781 we find him attempting the always uphill job of raising troops to defend Edenton should Lord Cornwallis take the coastal route on his northward march from Wilmington, or he is with a small contingent at Northwest and at Great Bridge to prevent invasion from that direction.

To Gregory befell the unusual experiences of defending a Tory at the beginning of the Revolution and of facing charges as a traitor at the close, and the former could have had a bearing on the latter. When the Provincial Congress met in New Bern in 1775, all the delegates voted in effect to subscribe unequivocally to the actions of the Continental Congress except Thomas McKnight, who demurred at the strong terms of the endorsem*nt. After some deliberation the delegates by a majority of two voted to permit him to use the word "accede." Emotions were already aflame, however, and the minority threatened to withdraw if McKnight were permitted this concession. Whereupon McKnight withdrew, and the Congress then reversed itself and passed a motion of "civil excommunication" toward him. McKnight, who was a delegate from Currituck, was also clerk of the Pasquotank court. As a protest against the motion of censure, three members from Currituck and two from Pasquotank, of whom one was Gregory, also removed themselves from the assembly. They prepared a written defense of their conduct which was published in the Virginia Gazette May 6, 1775.

The other incident occurred in 1781 at Great Bridge where Gregory and his men were facing British forces under the command of a Captain Stevenson. One day while idling in his tent, the captain fell to daydreaming as to how he might proceed should Gregory betray his command after the manner of Benedict Arnold. To pass the time he accordingly wrote a letter to the General with instructions as to procedure. Shortly thereafter the British withdrew and the letter, discovered by the advancing Americans, understandably created a sensation. The General was charged with treason. Fortunately, in some way news of the accusation came to Captain Stevenson who promptly dispatched an explanation to the Americans, stating that the letter was entirely a figment of his imagination and declaring Gregory to be in no way involved. Gregory was exonerated, of course; and being the phlegmatic person that he was, his reaction may be best described as one of genuine puzzlement that anyone could believe him to be guilty of treasonable conduct after the years he had devoted so completely to the struggle for freedom. His defense of the Tory McKnight in 1775 may have been recalled with malicious intent by certain persons. An interesting aftermath of this incident, although unrelated, was letters to the Congress from both General Muhlenberg and the Marquis de la Fayette stating that while at Great Bridge Gregory was acting under Continental orders.

In this same year (1781) he was elected to the House of Commons from Camden and was reelected successively to the Senate for the next eight years. During this entire period he was a member of the Committee on Privileges and Elections and also on the Committee of Claims for the distract of Edenton. He was an active member of the committee which reported frauds on the part of certain officers in settling army accounts. Equally sensational were the findings in 1786 of a special committee which, under Gregory, charged Phillip Alston with being a murderer and an atheist, and thereby caused him to be declared ineligible for membership in the senate. By act of the Legislature the General was one of those authorized to receive subscriptions "for opening a navigable passage from Albemarle Sound into the ocean." In 1789 he introduced the bill which authorized the establishment of the Currituck Seminary of Learning, and which also named him as a trustee. An aristocrat, his voting record sharply reflected the sentiments of the aristocratic East. He and that ultra-conservative, Samuel Johnston, usually voted alike on measures of public import.

Fairfield Plantation, the residence of General Gregory, is today a gaunt and empty shell. The house has been abandoned for years and has been stripped of the beautiful paneling and mantels by vandals. But in Gregory's time it was the county's most impressive abode and indeed one of the great plantations of the Albemarle. The General was a cordial host whose home was often the scene of distinguished gatherings. Some of the grants to individuals in this area bear the notation "Done at Fairfield," and were issued while a visiting governor was a guest.

Whether the structure was erected by William Gregory, the General's father, or by some other wealthy planter as, for example, Colonel Thomas Hunter, is a matter of surmise. The building itself, however, is one of the purest examples of Georgian architecture in North Carolina, and by many it is hoped some means of restoration will become available before deterioration is complete.

http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~ncalber2/In_ancient_albemarle_chapter12.htm

CHAPTER XII

GENERAL ISAAC GREGORY, A REVOLUTIONARY OFFICER
OF PASQUOTANK-CAMDEN

DURING the War of the Revolution, the Albemarle Region, though threatened with invasion time and again by the British, seldom heard the tread of the enemy's army, or felt the shock of battle. For this immunity from the destruction of life and property, such as the citizens whose homes lay in the path of Cornwallis and Tarleton suffered, this section of North Carolina is largely indebted to General Isaac Gregory, one of the bravest officers who ever drew sword in defense of his native home and country.
Both Pasquotank and Camden claim this gallant officer for their son, and both have a right to that claim ; for the two counties were one until 1777. In that year a petition was presented to the General Assembly by Joseph Jones, of Pasquotank, from citizens living in what is now Camden County, that the portion of Pasquotank lying on the northeast bank of the river should be formed into a separate county, and have a courthouse of its own, in order to do away with the inconvenience the people of that section suffered in having to cross the river to attend court, military drills and other public gatherings. The General Assembly passed an act providing for the erection of a new county, and this county was named for Charles Pratt, Earl of Camden, a member of Parliament and Chancellor, who in the stormy days of 1765 worked for the repeal of the hated Stamp Act, and justice to the Colonies. Before the long and bloody days of the Revolution proved his worth as a soldier, Isaac Gregory had won a prominent place in the public affairs of his county. His name first occurs in the Colonial Records in 1773, when he was elected sheriff of Pasquotank. In the same year he was appointed one of the trustees of St. Martin's Chapel in Indian Town, Currituck County, a settlement whose citizens were many of them to become honored in the civil and military history of our State.

Ever since the passing of the Stamp Act in 1765, low mutterings of the storm that was soon to sweep over the country some ten years later had disturbed the peace of the Thirteen Colonies; and events in North Carolina showed that this colony was standing shoulder to shoulder with her American sisters in their endeavor to obtain justice from England.

In 1774, John Harvey's trumpet call to the peo ple of North Carolina to circumvent Governor Martin's attempt to deprive them of representation in the Continental Congress at Philadelphia, had resulted in the convention at New Bern, the first meeting in America at which the representatives of a colony as a whole had ever gathered in direct defiance of orders from a Royal Governor.

The next year, in April, Harvey again called a convention of the people to meet in New Bern. Again Governor Martin was defied; again, the North Carolinians, taking matters into their own hands, elected delegates to Philadelphia, and before adjourning, added Carolina's name to the association of Colonies.

Pasquotank was represented in this convention by Edward Jones, Joseph Redding, Edward Everigen, John Hearing, and Isaac Gregory. The last named, being by now an acknowledged leader in his county, was appointed by this body a member of the Committee of Safety in the Edenton District.

The path toward separation from the mother country was now being rapidly trod by the American colonies, though few, as yet, realized whither their steps were tending. In the vanguard of this march toward liberty and independence, North Carolina kept a conspicuous place. The Edenton Tea Party in October, 1774, had proved the mettle of her women. The farmers of Mecklenburg had struck the first chord in the song of independence, hardly a note of which had been sounded by the other colonies. Governor Martin had fled from New Bern, and in August, 1775, the Hillsboro Convention had organized a temporary form of government, and had placed at the head of public affairs Cornelius Harnett, who, as President of the Provincial Council, had more power in the State than is generally delegated to a governor.

In December, 1775, Lord Dunmore's attempted invasion of the State had been thwarted, largely by the aid of the Minute Men from Albemarle. Then came the famous Snow Campaign, in which the militia of the western counties joined the patriots of South Carolina in defeating the Tories of that State. And in February, 1776, the important victory at Moore's Creek Bridge had completely for a time broken the power of the Loyalists in North Carolina. There was no longer any hope of obtaining justice from England, nor, after such open and steady rebellion against the king's officers, civil and military, could there be any hope of conciliation with the mother country, save on terms too humiliating to even contemplate.

North Carolina, recognizing these facts, called another convention to meet at Halifax in April, 1776, and there sounded her defiance as a State to King and Parliament, and boldly authorized her delegates to the next Continental Congress at Philadelphia to vote for independence.

The convention then proceeded to make further preparations for the war which all now felt was inevitable. Pasquotank, in response to the call immediately issued for more troops, raised two regiments of militia. Isaac Gregory, who had been appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Pasquotank Militia by the Convention of 1775, was promoted and made Colonel of the Second Regiment of Pasquotank Militia, the other officers being Dempsey Burgess, Lieutenant - Colonel, Joshua Campbell, Major, and Peter Dauge, Second Major.

Independence having been declared by the Continental Congress of 1776, the thirteen Colonies, now independent States, proceeded to organize a permanent government within their several borders.

In North Carolina a State convention was called to meet at Halifax in November, 1776, to frame a constitution for the government of that State. To this convention Isaac Gregory, Henry Abbott, Devotion Davis, Dempsey Burgess and Lemuel Burgess were elected to represent Pasquotank, and Abbott was appointed on the committee to frame the constitution. By the 18th of December the work was completed and the constitution adopted, which, with amendments, is still the organic law of the State.

After Clinton's unsuccessful attempt to invade North Carolina in May, 1776, no further effort to place the State under British control was made until 1780. But during the intervening years the Carolina troops had not been idle. Their valor had been proved at Brandywine, Germantown and Stony Point, and during the winter at Valley Forge 1,450 of her soldiers shared with their comrades from the other States the hunger, cold and suffering that was the portion of Washington's army throughout those dreary months. The North Carolina troops had aided in the brave but unsuccessful attempt to drive the British from Savannah, and 5,000 of her soldiers had been sent to prevent the capture of Charleston ; but the patriot forces had been unable to repulse the invaders. Savannah fell, then Charleston, and by the last of May, 1780, both Georgia and South Carolina were in the hands of the enemy, and Cornwallis was threatening North Carolina.

So great was the blow to the American cause from the loss of these Southern States, and so great the danger confronting North Carolina, that Congress ordered DeKalb, of the Continental line with the regulars from Maryland and Delaware to march to the rescue of the patriots in the South.

General Gates, the reputed victor at Saratoga, was also ordered South, and put in command of the Southern forces.

For awhile the enemy remained quiet, Cornwallis- delaying the devastation of South Carolina until the maturing crops should be safe. This respite gave the Carolinians time to collect their forces on the South Carolina border, in order to drive back the enemy.

Isaac Gregory, who in May, 1779, had been pro- moted to the office of Brigadier-General of the Edenton District, on the resignation of John Pugh Williams, was ordered to join General Caswell in South Carolina. As soon as he could collect his men, Gregory marched towards the Piedmont sec- tion, on his way to Caswell's army ; and by June he was with Rutherford's Brigade at Yadkin's Ford in Rowan. Near this place the Tories had collected, some 800 strong; and Rutherford hoped, with Gregory's aid,-to crush them. But to his dis- appointment, no opportunity was given, for Gen- eral Bryan, the Tory leader, hearing of the defeat of the Loyalists at Ramseur's Mill a few days be- fore, crossed the Yadkin and united with General MacArthur, whom Cornwallis had sent to Anson County.

By July 31 Gregory's men, with Rutherford and his brigade, were with General Caswell at The Cheraws, just across the South Carolina border. For several weeks there was much suffering among the men on account of the lack of food, for though corn was plentiful, the rivers were so high that the mills could not grind the meal.

Lord Rawdon's army was stationed near Camden, South Carolina, and Gates, who had joined Caswell on August 17, having learned that the British general was daily expecting a supply of food and stores for his men, determined to intercept the convoy and capture the supplies for his own army. In the meantime Cornwallis, unknown to Gates, had joined Lord Rawdon. Gates, ignorant of this reinforcement of Cornwallis' troops, marched leisurely towards Camden to capture the coveted stores.
The result of the battle that followed is known only too well. The American militia, panic-stricken at the furious onslaught of the. enemy, threw down their arms and fled. General Gates, after a vain attempt to rally his troops, lost courage, and abandoning his forces and his stores, brought everlasting disgrace upon his name by fleeing in hot haste from the field.

But the cowardly conduct of Gates and several of the other officers of the American army, as well as many of the militia, in this disastrous battle, was offset by the heroism and courage of others; and among those who won undying fame on that fatal field, none is more worthy of praise than General Gregory.

Roger Lamb, a British officer, writing an account of the battle, and speaking of the disgraceful conduct of those officers and men whose flight from the field brought shame upon the American army, gives this account of Isaac Gregory's heroic struggle to withstand the enemy at this bloody field: "In justice to North Carolina, it should be remarked that General Gregory's brigade acquitted themselves well. They formed on the left of the Continentals, and kept the field while they had a cartridge left. Gregory himself was twice wounded by bayonets in bringing off his men, and many in his brigade had only bayonet wounds."

As to fight hand to hand with bayonets requires far more courage than to stand at a distance and fire a musket, this account of Gregory and his troops proves the bravery with which they fought during those terrible hours. General Gregory's horse was shot from under him while the battle was raging; and seeing him fall, so sure was the enemy of his death that Cornwallis in his official report of the battle, gave in his name in the list of the American officers killed on the field.

Two days after the battle of, Camden, the patriots, Shelby, Clarke and Williams, defeated a band of Tories at Musgrove's Mill in South Carolina ; but hearing of the disaster at Camden, these officers now withdrew from the State. Sumter's corps, near Rocky Mount, had been put to flight by Tarleton, Gates had fled the State, and only Davie's men were left between the army of Cornwallis and Charlotte, North Carolina.

Had the British General pressed on into the State, North Carolina must have inevitably fallen into the hands of the enemy. But Cornwallis delayed the invasion for nearly a month, thus giving the Carolinians time to collect their forces to repel his attempt.

The General Assembly which met in September, 1780, acting upon Governor Nash's advice, created a Board of War to assist him in conducting the military affairs of the State. This board now proceeded to put General Smallwood, of Maryland, in command of all the forces in the State, giving him authority over all the officers in the Southern army, the honor being conferred upon him on account of his gallant conduct at Camden. General Gregory was consequently ordered to hold himself in readiness to obey General Smallwood's orders, with the other officers in North Carolina.

The Board of War then proceeded to raise money, arms and men for the army that would soon be called upon to drive Cornwallis from the State. Gregory's brigade received $25,000 of the funds raised, and 150 flints and 15 guns were distributed among his soldiers.

The British now confidently expected that Cornwallis would quickly subdue North Carolina, then sweep over the State into Virginia. In order to prevent the Americans from hurrying into that State to join forces against Cornwallis, General Leslie was ordered from New York to the Chesapeake, and in October his army was stationed near South Quays in Virginia, not far from Norfolk.

The presence of Leslie's army so close to the Carolina border caused much alarm for the safety of the Albemarle section, which for the second time was in danger of invasion. General Gregory, who after the battle of Camden had joined Exum and Jarvis in front of Cornwallis, had recently returned to Albemarle. He was now ordered to take the field against Leslie, and to prevent him from entering the State. From his camp at Great Swamp, near North River, he wrote to Governor Nash in November, 1780, reporting the repulse of the enemy. He also warned the Governor that the British were planning to attack Edenton ; and he set forth in his letter the blow that the capture of this town would be to the commerce of the State.

General Gregory's post at Great Swamp was no sinecure. He had only about 100 men to withstand Leslie, whose forces at Portsmouth amounted to nearly 1,000 men. His troops were poorly equipped, half naked, and ill-fed ; and his situation seemed almost desperate. To add to his troubles, an attempt was made at this time by Colonel Blount, of the Edenton District, to deprive him of his command. But a Council of State, held at Camp Norfleet Mills to inquire into the matter, declared that as Colonel Blount had resigned of his own free will and accord—in favor of Gregory — he should not now take the command from him.

In spite of the troubles and perplexities that beset Gregory in the fall of 1780, he bravely held his ground; and by the end of November he wrote Governor Nash from his camp at North West that the British had abandoned Portsmouth, and had departed for parts unknown.

While these events were taking place in the East, Cornwallis, whose left wing under Ferguson had suffered a crushing defeat at King's Mountain, disappointed at the humbling of the Tories at that battle, had left North Carolina on October 12th, and returned to South Carolina. The heavy rains encountered by his army on his retreat caused much sickness among his men ; and himself falling ill, he was obliged to give up his command temporarily to Lord Rawdon.

General Leslie's destination soon became known. On November 23 he had abandoned the vicinity of Norfolk, and had sailed to Wilmington, N. C., hoping to rouse the Tories in that section ; but Lord Rawdon's army being now in great danger, Leslie was ordered to his assistance, and he accordingly set out for the British army near Camden. But Southern Virginia and the Albemarle region were not long to be free from the fear of invasion, for soon another British army under the command of the traitor, Benedict Arnold, sailed into Chesapeake Bay, and Gregory was again sent to keep the enemy in check.

During this campaign a serious charge was brought against Gregory, which, though soon proved to be wholly unfounded, caused the gallant officer life-long mortification and distress. The circ*mstances of this unfortunate occurrence were as follows :

Captain Stevens, a British officer in Arnold's corps, while sitting idly by his fire one night, "just for a joke," as he afterwards explained, wrote two notes to General Gregory, which he intended to destroy, as they were simply the product of his own imagination, and were never intended to go out of his hands.

In some unknown way these papers came into the hands of an American officer, who, deeming from their contents that Gregory was a traitor, carried them to headquarters. Their purport being made public, even Gregory's most loyal friends began to look upon him with suspicion and distrust.

The first of these two notes was as follows :

"General Gregory :

"Your well-formed plans of delivering into the hands of the British these people now in your command, gives me much pleasure. Your next, I hope, will mention place of ambuscade, and manner you wish to fall into my hands."

The second note was equally incriminating :

"General Gregory :

"A Mr. Ventriss was last night made prisoner by three or four of your people, -I only wish to inform you that Ventriss could not help doing what he did in helping to destroy the logs. I my self delivered him the order from Colonel Simcox."

Great was the excitement and consternation in Gregory's brigade, and indeed throughout the American army when these notes were read. Arnold's treason early in 1780 was still fresh in the minds of all ; and it was natural that the accusation now brought against General Gregory should find ready and widespread credence. Gregory was arrested and court-martialed by his own men but his innocence was soon established, for as soon as Colonel Stevens heard of the disgrace he had unintentionally brought upon an innocent man, he hastened to make amends for his thoughtless act by a full explanation of his part in the affair. Colonel Parker, a British officer and a friend of Stevens, had been informed of the writing of the notes, and he now joined Stevens in furnishing testimony at the trial that fully exonerated the brave general from the hateful charge. But though friends and brother officers now crowded around him with sincere and cordial congratulations upon the happy termination of the affair, and with heartfelt expressions of regret at the unfortunate occurrence, the brave and gallant officer, crushed and almost heart-broken at the readiness with which his men and many of his fellow officers had accepted what seemed proofs of his guilt, never recovered from the hurt caused by the cruel charge. For though he nobly put aside his just resentment, and remained at his post of duty, guarding the Albemarle counties from danger of invasion until the withdrawal of the British troops from southeastern Virginia removed the danger, his life was ever afterwards shadowed by the mortification he had been called upon to undergo.

In February, 1781, the enemy's army in Virginia became such a source of terror to the people of that section that General Allen Jones was ordered to reinforce Gregory with troops from the Halifax District. But later that same month a greater danger confronted the patriot army in the South, and this order was countermanded. Most of the forces in the States were now hurried to the aid of General Greene, who had superseded Gates after the battle of Camden, and was leading Cornwallis an eventful chase across the Piedmont section of North Carolina. Cornwallis, after having been reinforced by General Leslie, had planned to invade North Carolina, conquer that State, march through Virginia and join Clinton in a fierce onslaught against Washington's army in the North. To foil the plans of the British officers Greene was concentrating the patriot troops in the South in the Catawba Valley, and Gregory was left with only a handful of men to hold the enemy at Norfolk in check.

In June, General Gregory's situation was so desperate that the Assembly again ordered General Allan Jones to send 400 men from Halifax District to North West Bridge to reinforce Gregory; and the latter officer was authorized to draft as many men as possible from the Edenton District. General Jones informed the Assembly that he would send the troops as soon as possible, but that Gregory would have to provide arms, as he had no means of furnishing equipments for them.

Several engagements took place in June between the British and Americans in the Dismal Swamp region, and in one of them Gregory was repulsed and driven from his position. But in July he wrote to Colonel Blount reporting that his losses were trifling, and that he had regained his old post from the enemy. In August, 1781, a letter from General Gregory conveyed the joyful tidings that the enemy had evacuated Portsmouth. As his troops were no longer needed to guard against the danger of invasion from that direction, and as smallpox had broken out in his camp, General Gregory now released his men from duty, and they returned to their homes.

The British army that had just left Portsmouth, was now on its way to Yorktown, whither Cornwallis, after his fruitless chase of Greene, his disastrous victory at Guilford Courthouse, and his retreat to Wilmington, was now directing his army. There on the 19th of October the famous Battle of Yorktown was fought and Cornwallis and his entire army forced to surrender.

This battle virtually ended the war; but peace did not come to Carolina immediately upon the surrender. The Tories in the State kept up a constant warfare upon their Whig neighbors, and in March, 1782, General Greene, who not long after the battle of Guilford Courthouse had won a decisive victory at Eutaw Springs, and was still in South Carolina, sent the alarming intelligence to the towns on the coast that the British had sent four vessels from Charleston harbor to plunder and burn New Bern and Edenton. To meet this unexpected emergency, General Rutherford was ordered to quell the Tories in the Cape Fear section, who were terrorizing the people in that region. And in April, 1782, General Gregory received orders from General Burke to take 500 men to Edenton for the defense of that town, and to notify Count de Rochambeau as soon as the enemy should appear in Albemarle Sound. In August no sign of the British ships had as yet been seen, though the coast towns were still in daily dread of their arrival. Governor Martin, who had succeeded Burke, wrote Gregory to purchase whatever number of vessels the Edenton merchants considered necessary for the protection of the town, to buy cannon and to draft men to man the boats.

But Edenton was spared the horror of a second raid such as she had suffered in 1781. In December, 1782, the British army in South Carolina,which since the battle of Eutaw Springs had been hemmed in at Charleston by General Greene, finally embarked for England. The ships that had been keeping the towns near the coast in North Carolina in terror, departed with them, and the States that had for so many long and bitter years been engaged in the terrific struggle with England, were left to enjoy the fruits of their splendid victory without further molestation from the enemy.

In September, 1783, the Treaty of Peace was signed by Great Britain, and the United States, separately and individually, were declared to be "free, sovereign and independent States."

General Gregory's services to his State did not end with the war. Eight times from 1778 to 1789, we find him representing Camden County in the State Senate, serving on important committees, and lending the weight of his influence to every movement tending toward the prosperity and welfare of the State. In the local affairs of his neighborhood he also took a prominent part. In 1789 the Currituck Seminary was established at Indian Town, and Isaac Gregory and his friend and brother officer, Colonel Peter Dauge, were appointed on the board of trustees of this school, which for many years was one of the leading educational institutions of the Albemarle section.

General Gregory lived at the Ferebee place in Camden County in a large brick house, known then, as now, as Fairfax Hall. The old building is still standing, a well known landmark in the county.

A letter from James Iredell to his wife, written while this famous North Carolina judge was a guest at Fairfax, gives a pleasant account of an evening spent in General Gregory's home with Parson Pettigrew and Gideon Lamb, and also of the kindness and hospitality of the Camden people.

In volume 2 of the Iredell letters this description of General Gregory's personal appearance is given :

"A lady, who remembers General Gregory well, says that he was a large, fine looking man. He was exceedingly polite, had a very grand air, and in dress was something of a fop." In the same volume the following interesting account of an incident in the life of the famous General is found : "General Gregory lived in his latter years so secluded a life and knew so little of events beyond his own family circle, that he addressed to a lady, the widow of Governor Stone, a letter making a formal proposal of marriage, full six months after her death."

General Isaac Gregory was the son of General William Gregory, an officer who took a prominent part in the French and Indian Wars. He married Miss Elizabeth Whedbee, and had two children, Sarah and Matilda. Sarah married Dempsey Burgess, of Camden, and Matilda married a young German, John Christopher Ehringhaus. Many of the descendants of this brave Revolutionary officer are living in the Albemarle region to-day, and claim with pride this ancestor, who, as Captain Ashe in his History of North Carolina says, "was one of the few who won honor at Camden, and whose good fame was never tarnished by a single unworthy action."

The Sir Walter Raleigh Chapter of the Daughters of the Revolution have within the past year obtained from the United States government a simple stone which they have had placed to mark the grave of this gallant officer, who lies buried in the family graveyard at Fairfax.

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Historic marker for Camden County hero is restored

By Jeff Hampton
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 14, 2011
CAMDEN COUNTY, N.C.

Across the road from a cornfield stands a small monument to Gen. Isaac Gregory. Inscribed are the dates of his birth and death: 1737 and 1800.

It says nothing, though, about his bayonet charge into the British troops of Lord Charles Cornwallis, that he was nearly killed or later falsely accused of treason based on an enemy prank.

But Gregory's descendents and others who will gather around the marker Saturday will know of Gregory's heroics. They will honor the general who 231 years ago led his inexperienced North Carolina militia into brutal hand-to-hand combat with some of the best-trained troops in the world.

Gregory was born in Pasquotank County, where he served as a sheriff, a militia colonel and a representative in the last General Assembly to meet under a royal governor.

In 1777, Pasquotank County was divided at the river forming the new county of Camden and included Gregory's home and property. He was appointed to a committee that established the courthouse in the new county. After the war, he represented Camden in the state's House of Commons and in its Senate.

"He was the most notable person to have ever lived in Camden County," said local historian Alex Leary.

On Aug. 16, 1780, a 43-year-old Gregory led a North Carolina militia at the Battle of Camden, S.C., under the overall command of Gen. Horatio Gates, the hero of Saratoga, according to several accounts, including the Encyclopedia of the American Revolution and the North Carolina Office of Archives and History.

Commanded by Lord Charles Cornwallis, the British forces charged the Americans, causing many of the militia units to flee. Gates fled with them and was later blamed for the resounding defeat where about 900 Americans were killed or wounded and 1,000 captured.

Despite the loss, there were acts of bravery by the Americans, in particular those of Gregory.

At the battle's worst, Gregory's men joined a charge with Continental regiments from Maryland and Delaware into the oncoming British. Gregory's horse was killed, pinning him to the ground. British soldiers bayoneted him twice as he lay there. He was captured, but British doctors released him when they thought he was dying. Cornwallis even recorded him as among the American dead.

Gregory recovered to lead a militia to protect northeastern North Carolina from a possible invasion of the British from Suffolk, according to the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography.

The British did make forays into the region. On one occasion, a British officer left behind a note as a prank saying Gregory was a traitor and may betray American troops. American forces found the note and Gregory was charged with treason.

The British officer heard about the charges and sent a letter explaining his prank. The case never went to court, but Gregory was hurt by the lack of trust in him.

"He never forgot that," Leary said.

After the war, Gregory ran a plantation called Fairfield where he built a 3-story brick mansion and had a family of six children. He died at the home and was buried there in 1800 at the age of 63. There is no sign of his grave.

The brick home was occupied until about the 1950s and stood for 30 more years until its remnants were torn down into a pile of bricks, said Bess Tillitt Godfrey Sawyer, a descendant of Gregory and owner of much of what was Gregory's plantation. Most of the brick rubble is gone now, too. The only sign is a patch of trees in the middle of a corn field.

The marker also has a story.

The Daughters of the American Revolution set the white 3-foot tall marker some 100 years ago in front of the Gregory home. It was knocked down in the 1970s and lay there until it disappeared for a while before being recovered.

For more than 30 years it stood in a corner of Sawyer's garage. Earlier this year, the Sons of the American Revolution had the marker cleaned and a new metal plaque mounted on it with the years of Gregory's birth and death and a note about the Camden battle on it. The marker was reset in a mowed area across from the cornfield where it once sat.

Camden's most notable citizen is remembered again.

Jeff Hampton, (252) 338-0159, [emailprotected]

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More About Elizabeth Whedbee:
Date born 2: Abt. 1740

Children of Isaac Gregory and Elizabeth Whedbee are:
i. Sarah Gregory?, married Dempsey Burgess.
ii. William Gregory?
42 iii. Isaac Gregory, Jr., born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1823 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Mary/Miriam Sawyer?; married (2) Aliff Grandy.
iv. Penelope Gregory?, married Nathan Snowden.

86. Lemuel Sawyer, born Abt. 1734; died Abt. 1787. He was the son of 172. Capt. Caleb Sawyer and 173. Susannah Spence?. He married 87. Mary Taylor.
87. Mary Taylor

Children of Lemuel Sawyer and Mary Taylor are:
i. Dempsey Sawyer
ii. Edmund Sawyer
iii. Elizabeth Sawyer, married Col. Dempsey Burgess; born Abt. 1751 in present-day Camden Co., NC; died 13 Jan 1800 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Col. Dempsey Burgess:
Quoted from "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank" by Jesse Forbes Pugh
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

COLONEL DEMPSEY BURGESS
ca 1751-1800

WHEN DEMPSEY BURGESS, eighteen years old, and eleven others were cited to the precinct court in 1769 "to show why they should not be fined for not attending to guard the Public Gaol," their elders probably expressed alarm at the irresponsibility of the younger generation and foresaw a dismal future for them. The young Dempsey may have been singled out as an object of especial concern inasmuch as his father and grandfather had been ministers and citizens of considerable influence in the county. Fortunately, the young people have in all ages generally been able to confound the prophets of disaster, and Dempsey likewise failed to justify any dire forebodings as to his future. If there has ever been a more capable and aggressive youngster reared in Camden, the records fail to bear witness to him.

Upon arriving at his twenty-first birthday in the spring of 1772, he immediately assumed the guardianship of a brother and sister, Zephaniah and Freelove, and also of his half-uncle Benoni, a son of a late marriage by his grandfather, William Burgess. And on May 20 he qualified and took seat as one of the members of the precinct court. At the age of twenty-two he was elected a representative from Pasquotank to the Assembly and reelected two years later.

In this year a circ*mstance incident to the beginning of the Revolutionary conflict placed him in an additional office. Thomas McKnight, clerk of the Pasquotank Court, was also a representative, and at a session of the Assembly in New Bern in 1775 he openly refused to subscribe to resolutions antagonistic to Great Britain. McKnight stoutly defended himself, notably in his historic press debate with Joseph Jones and in letters to Samuel Johnston and others. Emotions were running high, however, and McKnight found his position so unpopular that he departed to join the British, supposedly the forces of Lord Dunmore at the siege of Norfolk. An entry in the Pasquotank court minutes for December reads: "Thomas McKnight not appearing or any person as his deputy for him, Demsey Burges is appointed to act as Clerk." Burgess' appointment was confirmed at a later date and he continued to hold this office until the formation of Camden County in 1777, when he immediately was appointed to the same position in the new county.

He is best remembered locally, perhaps, for his gift to Shiloh Baptist Church when he was twenty-three years old. The Baptist meeting house had been built on the property of, and largely at the expense of the pastor, Elder John Burgess. By the terms of his will a large tract including the site of the building was bequeathed equally to his sons John annd Dempsey, John to have first choice. John chose the half on which the church was located. According to a contemporary report Elder John made a dying request that the church and site be donated to the congregation. John failed to comply with this request, and in 1774 Dempsey purchased John's share and gave a ninety-nine year lease on this property to "the Pastor and Elders of the Baptist Society," excepting the schoolhouse and "Reserving to myself the Privilege of Eight feet square for a Pew for myself and family." Tension between the General Baptists and the Particular Baptists, who now controlled the congregation, is reflected in the lease. "If at any time within the limits of the said lease," Dempsey stipulated, "it should fall out that the said Publick Worship should . . . be carried on contrary to the new principles . . . then the said House and Grounds to be returned to the said Demsey Burges his heirs or assigns." So strong was the tension that the pastor, Elder Henry Abbott, thought it wise to be rebaptised again in a ceremony conducted by those favoring the "new principles," that is, the Particular Baptists.

Burgess was a delegate to the majority of the congresses convened during the Revolutionary period. As a member of the Hillsborough Congress in 1775 when the business in hand was preparation for war, he signed an agreement to be bound by the acts of the Provincial Congress, and was also placed on a large committee "for the purpose of preparing a plan for the regulation of the internal peace, order and saftey of this province." At Halifax, in April of 1776, he served on a Committee of Ways and Means "to form an estimate of the expense for supporting the troops to be raised for one year," and was later added to the Committee of Enquiry. This Congress adjourned with the expectation that the same delegates would meet again in the fall to consider a state constitution, which the Congress had ordered to be drawn up. Meanwhile the Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4 and the Provincial Council of Safety, meeting in August, called for another election of delegates for the November session of the Congress. The voters were urged to exercise especial care in electing delegates who were "not only to make laws for the good Government of, but also to form a Constitution for this State." While there may be no especial significance in the results, the fact is that of the five who had been elected for the first session in April, only two, Henry Abbott and Dempsey Burgess, were reelected for the fall session, and these were both from the northeast or Camden side. During the fall session Burgess was added to a committee "to devise a more effectual way of apprehending deserters."

Insofar as the records show, his first military appointment was as a field officer with the rank of major when the Pasquotank Regiment of Minute Men was organized in 1775. In the following year the Pasquotank Militia was organized into the First and Second Regiments, one on either side of the river. On the northeast side the officers of the Second Regiment were Isaac Gregory, colonel; Dempsey Burgess, lieutenant colonel; Joshua Campbell, 1st major; and Peter Dauge, 2nd major. In 1777 Burgess was promoted to colonel in the room of Isaac Gregory, who had been promoted to brigadier general to succeed John Pugh Williams, resigned. Little is known of his military career. He acted as a courier in 1777, bringing reports to Governor Caswell on the progress of recruiting in Camden County, where seventeen had recently enlisted. He also carried a letter to the Governor from Captain Manlove Tarrant who wanted to know what disposition should be made of the regiment left in his care by Major Hardy Murfree. Was Colonel Burgess in the fighting at Great Bridge? Norfolk? with Gregory at Northwest? These are questions which only lend themselves to supposition.

His election to the Congress of the United States from the First North Carolina District in 1795 gave him the distinction of being the first resident of Camden County to receive this honor. He was a member of the Fourth and Fifth Congresses, 1795-98. Somewhat surprisingly his congressional record was undistinguished. His only speech is said to have been in opposition to the states meeting certain obligations to the Federal Government. The North Carolina delegations of the time were accused in certain quarters of subserviency to the Virginia delegation. Associate Justice James Iredell, writing to his wife from Philadelphia while the Congress was in session, made this sharp comment: "there is too much reason to fear that everyone of our members (except Mr. Grove) will vote for it [the Jay Treaty] including Mr. Blair's favorite Mr. Burgess, who on all occasions has shown himself a thorough-paced Virginian."

Some of the miscellaneous items in Colonel Burgess' career are not without interest. For a time he served as member of a commission to confiscate, as well as to make inventories of, the properties of certain Tories. He was one of the five commissioners first appointed for the newly established Camden County. In 1789 he was appointed a trustee of the Currituck Seminary of Learning which was chartered during that year. Colonel Dempsey and his brother Lieutenant Zephaniah formed one of two pairs of brothers from Camden who were commissioned officers, the other two being General Isaac Gregory and his brother Captain Dempsey.

Dempsey Burgess was the third generation of a family which had been a predominating influence in the county, and he was the first from this county to participate in national politics. As a business man he was quite successful and one of the largest slaveowners, reporting thirty slaves in the 1790 census. He is one of the four individuals for whom markers have been erected in this county by the State Department of Archives and History. He died January 13, 1800.

iv. Frederick B. Sawyer
v. Matthias Sawyer
vi. Pharoah Sawyer
vii. Enoch Sawyer, born 03 Mar 1758 in Camden Co., NC; died 16 Mar 1827 in Camden Co., NC; married Mary Gregory; born 27 Sep 1772 in Camden Co., NC; died 08 Oct 1854.

Notes for Enoch Sawyer:
From Jesse Forbes Pugh's "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina," copied and pasted from an online reprint from
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

Host to the President of the United States

ENOCH SAWYER
ca 1760-1823

WHETHER GEORGE WASHINGTON ever strayed over into Camden territory during his surveying expeditions in the Dismal Swamp may be a debatable question, but the visit of President James Monroe with a distinguished entourage to the residence of Enoch Sawyer, gentleman planter and Collector of the Port of Camden, has been recorded with copious details by the brother of the host, Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, who was present on the occasion. Incidentally, the quotations included in this narrative are all taken from the Congressman's Autobiography.

The visit came about in this manner. Partly for political reasons and partly to make a survey of the needs for internal improvements, Monroe came to Norfolk in June of 1818. From Norfolk he made a tour of the Dismal Swamp Canal, visited Lake Drummond and came on to Elizabeth City, possibly as the result of a suggestion from Lemuel Sawyer, Congressman from the First District. Following the President's trip to Lake Drummond, he spent the night at a public house along the canal, and in the morning he and his companions set out for Elizabeth City. A party from that town and environs, including Congressman Sawyer, met the advancing President and his escort whose approach could be detected a mile off because of the cloud of dust. In the town Sawyer introduced the chief executive to several of the assembled populace, after which all were entertained at the "City Hotel with an excellent repast in which a fine green turtle presented the most inviting dish."

During the progress of the banquet the President was extended an invitation to remain over until the next day in order to meet more of his constituents in the vicinity. Among those present at the dinner was the Congressman's brother, Enoch, whose dwelling was the Sawyer ancestral home, "Richmond," some three miles away over in Camden. His invitation to the President and his escort to be overnight guests at his home was accepted. Sawyer dispatched a messenger with a brief note of three lines to inform his wife of the imminent honor. Not unwarranted was Congressman Sawyer's later comment: "Had the President come, like Lear with his hundred knights, he would have been accommodated," for not only was the "mansion" spacious, Enoch's wife Mary was not lacking in social experience. She was a daughter of General Isaac Gregory and from her youth up had been accustomed to assist in the entertainment of distinguished guests who frequently visited Fairfield Plantation, her girlhood home.

The Presidential party consisted of about a dozen men, among whom were Benjamin Williams Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy; John C. Calhoun, Secretary of War; and Congressman J. H. Bassett of New York. Probably because of his acquaintance with the members, Congressman Lemuel seems to have made himself a sort of master of ceremonies, for he led the way with Calhoun in his barouche, "and all the rest of the Company followed in their carriages and on horseback."

Enoch and Mary Sawyer's daughter Mary seems to have already acquired much of her mother's social charm since she contributed greatly to the pleasure of the evening's entertainment. She was the center of a diverting incident when, before tea was served, she went into the garden to gather some roses for the guest of honor, and one of the young men suddenly evinced a desire for flowers and almost captured Mary and her bouquet before she could place it in the President's hands. After refreshments she "entertained 'till bedtime, by some of her best airs on the harp, an instrument on which she excelled, accompanied by a sweet trained voice." The next morning Monroe took his leave, appearing to have been highly gratified at his reception and afterwards "always making it a point to inquire particularly into the welfare of the family."

Enoch Sawyer was a youngster of fifteen at the outbreak of the Revolution. If he bore arms at all in this conflict, he was with the state militia, and individual records for this branch of the military are practically non-existent. The first public attestation of any connection with martial activities is in 1781, when the returns of military supplies impressed from private citizens show 1045 pounds of sugar were requisitioned from him. Again in 1784 the Legislature approved his claim in the amount of sixty-five pounds "for cloathing for officers of the continental line."

Coming from a family which for a century had continued to fill various public capacities, his election to the House of Commons in 1784, at the age of twenty-three, and for six more years in succession, seems almost a matter of routine. Political control was indeed in the hands of a few families and during four years of this period the senator from Camden was Sawyer's father-in-law, General Gregory. As would be expected, his voting record reflected the sentiments of the plantation aristocracy in the East, which generally opposed policies supported by the central and western sections. His vote in 1790 against advancing a loan to the newly chartered state university is a reminder that the public mind at the time had not accepted the principle of supporting educational institutions with funds from public revenue. Nevertheless, Sawyer was not a disloyal North Carolinian; in his will he left directions for his two sons to "be educated at the University of this State or at one of the colleges in the northern states."

Other positions of a public character filled by Sawyer were: delegate to the Hillsborough and Fayetteville Conventions in 1788 and 1789, trustee of the Currituck Seminary of Learning; Collector of the Port of Camden, succeeding General Gregory in this office.

Partly as a result of the accident of birth but more largely because of his own admirable personality, this scion of the dominant family in the county was one of those fortunate individuals who pass their lives under agreeable circ*mstances. He augmented his considerable inheritance by his own initiative, was a merchant who apparently imported his supplies in his own schooner, and operated a plantation and the ferry for which his father had obtained a franchise and known in modern times as Lamb's Ferry. Highly esteemed because of his exemplary habits in his private life, his charming wife and fine family of two sons and six daughters added to the prestige of his household.

For more than a century political and social life had been dominated by four families—Burgess, Gregory, Jones and Sawyer—not only on the northeast side of the river but often on the southwest side as well, before Pasquotank was separated into two counties. Of the four clans the Sawyers were the most enduring and the most powerful. There were years during the colonial period when three of the five representatives from Pasquotank in the Assembly would be Sawyers from Sawyers Creek. This tribe was the first to rise in prominence and the last to decline. The union of three of these local dynasties at the end affords a dramatic climax. Colonel Dempsey Burgess married Enoch Sawyer's sister Elizabeth, and as has already been noted, Enoch's wife was a daughter of General Gregory. Three of the leaders, Joseph Jones, Burgess and Gregory, all died in 1800 and Sawyer, in 1823. New names now appeared to take the place of those whose potency had departed. But none of the later ones have ever wielded as much influence as those political leaders of the eighteenth century, and few have equalled them in ability.

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Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey, descendant (at least two ways) of the Sawyer family (or families) of Camden Co., NC and vicinity, and of the Gregory, Barco, and Torksey families from which Enoch Sawyer's wife was descended:

The information quoted below casts rather unpleasant dispersions on the character of Enoch Sawyer in contrast to the above biography that was written in the 1950s in a time when county or family histories were more celebratory and less inclusive than histories are now. The below is quoted from pages 30-32 of Dr. David S. Cecelski's "The Waterman's Song: Slavery and Freedom in Maritime North Carolina" (2001). While attending a conference for teachers about whaling and the Underground Railroad in New Bedford, Massachusetts in July, 2011, sponsored by the National Endowment for the Humanities, I was provided with a packet of books by authors who came to speak to our group during the week we were there. Dr. Cecelski's book was one of them, and because it is set in Tidewater North Carolina where roughly half of my ancestry is rooted back to colonial times, I began reading it that week during my spare time and finished it the last day of the conference, the day Dr. Cecelski spoke. Because much of my paternal ancestry in that area is unknown more than seven generations back, due mainly to loss of records, I was eager to to be inculcated with the heritage of that area and to read the sources that were utilized. According to the book, about 31 percent of Camden County's population in 1790 was African-American, and African-Americans dominated the coastal life of Eastern North Carolina, whether they were engaged in ferrying, fishing, sailing, canal digging, or other maritime pursuits. The book is known for its exceptional, groundbreaking coverage of slaves or free blacks engaged in martiime activity in contrast to earlier works concentrating on persons of color in agriculture, debunking the myth that slaves in the South were predominantly engaged in agriculture. These pages are quoted thus:

In 1790 Moses Grandy's first master, William "Billy" Grandy, owned more slaves than almost anyone in Camden County. "My mother often hid us all in the woods, to prevent master selling us," his former slave recalled, but William Grandy eventually sold away most of Moses's brothers and sisters. At his death, he deeded Moses to his young son, James, stipulating that his son's guardian hire Moses out to other masters until James reached his majority. Like many slaves in the Albemarle Sound vicinity, Moses Grandy thus moved annually from master to master.

Moses Grandy worked first on the water as a ferryman. Hired from James Grandy's guardian by Enoch Sawyer, Grandy tended the ferry across the Narrows on the Pasquotank River. Three miles across at its nearby mouth on the Albemarle Sound, the river abruptly closed to a width of one-fifth of a mile at the Narrows, more recently remembered as Lamb's Ferry. First franchised to the Sawyer family during George Washington's administration, the ferry ran from the Sawyers' manor house in Camden to just north of Knobb's Creek. It carried local traffic as well as travelers and goods passing down the main road between Norfolk and Edenton, the seat of Chowan County to the west and at that time the largest port on Albemarle Sound.

The daily traffic of tidewater life was in the hands of slave ferrymen like Grandy. They conducted wayfarers across the multitude of creeks, rivers, and lakes that had yet to be bridged. Slave ferrymen usually made short trips and suffered stiff oversight compared to other watermen, but a few were absent from their masters for a day or longer during every crossing. A slave ferryman carried passengers across Currituck Sound, a six-mile journey, and another slave transported passerby across Lake Mattamuskeet, approximately a ten-mile round trip. Their boats ranged from periaugers and dugout canoes to cable-drawn barges, but the preferred craft on a slow, blackwater river like the Pasquotank would have been a wide flatboat operated by at least two hands using fore and aft sweeps, or long oars. Travelers contracted for ferry services with a local tavernkeeper or other merchant who had obtained a license to operate a toll ferry. In Grandy's case, they likely made arrangements at Sawyer's home. All ferry profits, of course, accrued to Sawyer.

Grandy tended Enoch Sawyer's ferry for three years. He later wrote that it was "a cruel living." Sawyer was a planter, merchant, and, from 1791 to 1827, collector of the port of Camden. The scion of one of four families that dominated Camden County in the eighteenth century, and brother of U.S. congressman Lemuel Sawyer, he owned two plantations, ten slaves, a schooner, eight lots across the river in the new port of Elizabeth City, and approximately 10,000 acres of swamp forest in Camden and Pasquotank Counties. Grandy acknowledged the decency of several of his other masters, but he recalled from his years on Sawyer's ferry only hunger, cold, and want. Grandy described being "half-starved" and his "naked feet being cracked and bleeding from extreme cold" while working for Sawyer. He rejoiced when finally George Furley hired him away from Sawyer, employing Grandy to haul lumber in the Great Dismal Swamp. There at least he had enough food and clothing. "I then thought I would not have left the [Dismal] to go to heaven," he wrote, a sentiment rarely shared by anybody who was not a slave.

More than hunger and privation colored Grandy's comtempt of Enoch Sawyer. Sawyer later owned Grandy's first wife, and, short on cash, he sold the woman away from the Albemarle. Grandy never saw her again. "I loved her," he wrote in his "Narrative," "as I loved my life."

During the War of 1812, Grandy first ran boats on the Dismal Swamp Canal. Built by slave labor from 1793 to 1805, the canal ran 22 miles through cypress and juniper swamp, from Joyce's Creek, a Pasquotank tributary, to Deep Creek, a tributary of the southern branch of the Elizabeth River in Virginia. The narrow waterway linked Albemarle Sound to Norfolk's deepwater harbor, making it possible to reach other domestic and foreign markets without risking the dangerous shoals at Ocraco*ke Inlet. [Comment by Bryan: At that time, there was no Oregon Inlet, which is a closer way to get from the Sounds to the Atlantic Ocean, and the closest inlet then to the Albemarle Sound was the one separating Hatteras from Ocraco*ke.]

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http://camden.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/cems/enochsawyercempics.htm

The following is a complete listing of the tombstones in the Enoch Sawyer Cemetery in Camden County, NC.

Location on Havenwood Dr in the back yard of the 1st house on the left. ASK PERMISSION BEFORE VISITING!

GPS Coordinates:
36.314971 N
76.181602 W

The epitaphs are as follows:

Mary Sawyer
Wife of
Enoch Sawyer
Sep 27 1772
Oct 8 1834

Enoch Sawyer
Mar 3 1758
Mar 16 1827
Aged 69 ys 10 ds

Lemuel Sawyer
1777-1852
Author 1st NC Play
1824
Member of Congress
16 ys

More About Enoch Sawyer:
Personality/Intrst: He was a venturesome scion of one of the most prominent families of Camden Co., NC (port collector, plantation owner, ferry owner, etc.), but a narrative written by one of his slaves, Moses Grandy, casts dispersions on Sawyer as a slave master.

43 viii. Mary/Miriam Sawyer?, born Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1783 in Camden Co., NC; married Isaac Gregory, Jr..
ix. Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, Jr., born Abt. 1777 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1852 in Washington, DC; married Mary Snowden 11 Aug 1810 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, Jr.:
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh, reprinted online in
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put

A Unique Author and Congressman

LEMUEL SAWYER, JR.
ca 1777-1852

TWENTY-THREE-YEAR-OLD Lemuel Sawyer of Camden County was the youngest member of the House of Commons in 1800; but otherwise there was nothing unusual in the appearance of a member of his family in the legislature. Even though the journals for a dozen or more sessions of the assembly have been lost, those remaining prove Sawyers were elected for at least twenty-eight times during the previous one hundred years—all of them coming from Sawyers Creek on the northeast side of the river.

Despite his lack of age this young man already had the advantage somewhat of a cosmopolitan education and experience. At the age of sixteen he had entered the school of the renowned Dr. Peter Wilson, Flatbush Academy on Long Island, which he attended for three years. Then for a year he went to Philadelphia to be with his brother-in-law, Congressman Dempsey Burgess, and was an irregular student at the University of Pennsylvania. For the next two years he unsuccessfully attempted farming on his lands in Camden. His chief interests were in politics and literature, however, and in 1799 he studied law at the University of North Carolina as a means of advancement toward a political future.

If election to office be accepted as a criterion, his career was a successful one. He soon won local fame as an attorney and orator, and because of his family connections experienced no difficulty in being elected to the House of Commons for two terms. His ardent support of Jefferson and Republicanism (Jefferson's party) quickly gained for him state-wide recognition as one of the up-and-coming young men in the political field. As a Republican elector he voted for Jefferson and Clinton in 1804; and in the same year the legislature elected him a member of the Council of State, following a partisan speech in which he declared the election of Jefferson in 1801 "was a greater subject for joy than the capture of Cornwallis." The reputation he had thus gained, his personal popularity and family prestige, enabled him to defeat William Murfree for a seat in Congress in 1806, and he continued to win triumphant support at the polls for seven more terms with intervals as follows: 1807-1813, 1817-1823, 1825-1829.

In Congress Sawyer was a consistent supporter of Jefferson, Madison and Monroe. He belonged to the school of political thought whose leader was Nathaniel Macon and naturally at the beginning of his career he advocated rigid economy, supported the Embargo Act, and opposed a naval establishment. One effect of the embargo, however, was to reduce the lumber trade of North Carolina to a critical condition, and in 1808 our Congressman introduced a resolution to reopen trade with the West Indies. By 1810 Sawyer, who was known as one of the North Carolina "War Hawks," was calling for a declaration of war with England and a "bold irruption into Canada." After the war with England he proposed a sharp increase in the navy, but he opposed the federal policy of internal improvements as unconstitutional and inexpedient. During his last period in Congress he became a Jackson Democrat. A speech made in Congress in December, 1825, attracted wide notice because he proposed the use of a war vessel for the exploration of the polar regions of North America, declaring that "the time has come when this nation should likewise enter into this glorious career of discovery and human improvement."

The perpetuation of Sawyer's memory will not be on account of his congressional record, which was, as a whole, undistinguished, but because of his authorship of a farce comedy published in 1824 under the title Blackbeard. He had early evinced an interest in reading and literature, a bent which became more pronounced in later years. "I was always a great reader," he wrote. "Being of a delicate constitution, I seldom ventured out at night in search of amusem*nt or pleasure, and was in a measure forced to supply their place with books, to occupy my mind agreeably on long winter evenings." Not a copy of his first literary attempt, Journey to Lake Drummond, is extant; however, if the uncomplimentary comment by one who had seen it affords a reasonable criterion, the world has suffered no great loss thereby. Two other books were announced though never published. The significance of Blackbeard does not derive from its literary excellence; it would seem to be the first drama written by a native of the state and "the first with a North Carolina setting and with North Carolina characters."

The scene is laid in Currituck for very personal reasons on the part of the author. In recent years Currituck had consistently delivered a majority vote against him—a fact not calculated to endear any locality to the heart of an aspirant for office. The time of the action in the play is 1823, and in the major plot Sawyer somewhat gleefully unfolds a scheme whereby two sharpers fleece four unsophisticated natives by promising them a large share of Blackbeard's treasure in return for a cash payment by the gullible victims. The tricksters disappear with the money, as would be expected, leaving the hapless Currituckians with a bag of sand—a plight merited by their cupidity, at least in the mind of the playwright. The minor plot concerns itself with the campaign of an honest candidate (no doubt personifying Sawyer) against an unscrupulous opponent who resorts to lies, trickery and plenty of grog. Our honest hero is helpless before such skullduggery and is defeated as a matter of course. Nevertheless, in a melodramatic climax, the wicked opponents repent their wrongdoings and promise to support for an uncontested seat in Congress the man they have unethically overcome. In the play Sawyer has depicted social and political conditions with almost brutal frankness, and as such it is a valuable contemporary document of life in Currituck in 1823. "Thus, in the first North Carolina play, literature and history are fused."

Several terms in Congress and the authorship of a unique and significant literary effort insure for Sawyer a place of permanent distinction in the history of Camden, but unfortunately these accomplishments are but the segments of a half-told tale which, when narrated in full, becomes a sordid account, dimming the luster of what would be otherwise a bright page indeed in the archives of this small county. Despite his attractive personality and influential family connections, extravagance, questionable conduct and general shabbiness brought him surely, albeit gradually, to wretched poverty and neglect in his declining years, leaving us to wonder how he flourished as long as he did. As an explanation of his eccentric proclivities one biographer cites the year spent, when he was nineteen, with his brother-in-law in Philadelphia, where he "developed habits of extravagance and fondness for gay society which beset him throughout life." Whether this analysis be accepted or whether he be considered rather as a sport from the heretofore rigidly upright Sawyer stock, the facts are nothing less than shocking.

By the time he entered Congress his inheritance, consisting of a few hundred acres of land and some half dozen slaves (he claimed there were a dozen), had almost been dissipated as a result of poor management and improvident spending. In Washington he depended upon the winnings of a gambler friend, whom he staked, for the means to maintain his habits of extravagance and easy-going principles. He shamelessly admits an affair "with a woman of bad fame" in his Autobiography. Notwithstanding his transgressions, in order to give credit where credit is due, one must assume that this unorthodox individual must have possessed some solid attributes. Simply a likeable personality would hardly explain his friendly acquaintance with leaders like Henry Clay and Vice-President George Clinton.

Sawyer's literary efforts also strikingly reflect the capricious disposition of the author, marked here and there with flashes of brilliance and skill. Despite its shrewd portrayals, Blackbeard is poorly constructed and uneven in treatment. The most prominent characteristic of another play, The Wreck of Honor, is the lewdness of some of the language and scenes, which would be considered indecent even according to the liberal standards of the present century. A literary curiosity is A Biography of John Randolph of Roanoke, with a Selection from His Speeches, a volume whose purpose seems to be to berate the subject and whose content was characterized by the Southern Literary Messenger as a "false, scandalous and malicious libel." His most famous work is his Autobiography, a somewhat repelling mixture of shameless revelations of his misdeeds, whining complaints of his condition, and pointless quotations from speeches which lack interest. There is some question as to his authorship of a two-volume novel, Printz Hall. His last literary effort was a short article which discusses in a sprightly manner the growing of scuppernongs along the Albemarle and pleads for a scientific study of this grape looking toward the development of a wine industry in this region.

His marital relations afford still other unsavory aspects of his character. In 1810 he married Sarah Snowden, daughter of a substantial planter in Camden County. Their children all died in infancy. At the time of pregnancy and last illness of his wife he was in Norfolk carousing around and did not learn of her death until after the burial. Although he condemns his inexcusable conduct in his Autobiography and sorrowfully bewails his loss, the real cause for his grief, it is evident, was that the death of his wife and heir deprived him of any chance to a share in the Snowden property. At the age of forty-three he married sixteen-year-old Camilla Wertz of Washington, after a three-day courtship. Their children also died in infancy and after five years death came to Camilla, the object, if not the victim, of neglect. At the age of fifty he married a wealthy widow who was his senior in years, Mrs. Diana Rapalye Fisher of Brooklyn, and there followed a time when Sawyer was better off financially than he had ever been before. "I had my horses and servant," he declared, ". . . in hunting by day and the amusem*nt of cards or other social pleasures at night." This fortune also was gradually dissipated by the profligate hand which was without restraint.

Although not much is known of his latter years in Brooklyn, in all likelihood they were increasingly wretched to one who in turn had become the pathetic object of neglect and victim of poverty. When he was seventy-three, he obtained a minor clerkship in Washington. The National Intelligencer of Washington carried the following brief notice on January 12, 1852: "Died in Washington, D. C. at residence of G. R. Adams on 11th St. near F, Hon. Lemuel Sawyer for nearly 20 years Congressman from N. C. Died of heart condition." His remains were brought to Camden and placed in an unmarked grave in the family plot at Lamb's Ferry.

Somewhat to our embarrassment in Camden, the course of events in Lemuel Sawyer's life bears an unhappy parallel to the history of this county. Born in 1777, the year Camden was formed, in his youth he knew and was a part of a proud period when the county was a prosperous and vigorous community and its leaders were men whose influence was felt even beyond the confines of the state. After 1800 a gradual but presistent decline became evident in the economic life of the county, a condition, incidentally, which was felt throughout North Carolina, following the panic of 1819. But even after 1820 the prestige of the locality was still such as to attract young men of the caliber of Alfred Gatlin and William B. Shepard, both of whom were to become members of Congress. The processes of deterioration were at work, however, and not only did these men leave in search of places where prospects were more inviting, but for the same reason a gradual migration of many of the old families was set in motion. One by one the Canadys, Guilfords, Chamberlains and Harneys, for example—as well as some members of the Lamb, Burgess, Gregory and Sawyer clans—went elsewhere. Although a few stopped as nearby as Elizabeth City, the trek of the majority extended to Indiana, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas and elsewhere, as the local population continued to dwindle. While there were now and then exceptional performances by individuals, on the whole the tone of community life consistently subsided to lower levels.

As elsewhere in the South at the close of the War Between the States, the county was left prostrate. While in other locations men proceeded to build anew on dead foundations, this northest side remained in a quagmire of ignorance and poverty. The schools deteriorated until they were ineffective; the courthouse became a center of petty corruption. For a considerable period our local public offices, including that of county superintendent, were sold for a price. From a once prosperous political unit Camden had become a pauper.

It is therefore a matter for much gratification to be able to report that in recent years there has been healthy resurgence in civic life. Even Lemuel Sawyer may have become an augur of the return of better days. Commemorating the hundredth anniversary of his death, in 1952 the State Department of Archives and History sponsored a reprint of his most significant work, Blackbeard. As an introduction to this commemorative publication, Mr. Richard Walser of the English Department of State College has written a careful and scholarly account of the man and his achievements, factually recording his shortcomings but prophesying Sawyer's permanence in the literary history of North Carolina. And, as will be revealed in another sketch, conduct in public office in the county has ceased to be a source of embarrassment. Through assistance from State funds, a modern school system has been initiated; population has ceased to decline and is increasing at a healthy rate. And just as Sawyer's memory has reasserted itself, the glow of a healthier community life gives some promise of return to a condition of former times when the county was economically sufficient and its citizens knew no inferiority complex.

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From "Documenting the American South":
http://docsouth.unc.edu/fpn/sawyer/sawyer.html

Source: From DICTIONARY OF NORTH CAROLINA BIOGRAPHY edited by William S. Powell. Copyright (c) 1979-1996 by the University of North Carolina Press. Used by permission of the publisher. www.uncpress.unc.edu

Lemuel Sawyer, 1777-1852

Sawyer, Lemuel (1777 -- 9 Jan. 1852), writer and politician, was born in Camden County, the youngest of nine children of Lemuel and his first wife, Mary Taylor Sawyer. The elder Sawyer, whose family connections were numerous and affluent, was active in local affairs. His son attended the country schools, then in 1793-96 Flatbush Academy on Long Island. In May 1796 he went to Philadelphia to visit his brother-in-law, Congressman Dempsey Burgess, and quickly succumbed to the elegant living and the genial social life of the city. He studied mathematics briefly at the University of Pennsylvania. The following year Sawyer was back in Camden County, where he had inherited a dilapidated farm. In 1799 he was a student at The University of North Carolina, in 1800 and 1801 he held a seat in the North Carolina House of Commons, and in 1804 he was a presidential elector, casting his vote for Thomas Jefferson and DeWitt Clinton. Also in 1804 he was admitted to the bar and set up a law office in Elizabeth City. In these years, to support his improvident ways, he began to sell his property, first the slaves, then the land.

Sawyer served eight terms in Congress (1807-13, 1817-23, and 1825-29.) Twice during this period he ran unsuccessfully and once did not stand for reelection. Though he neglected his duties and often was absent from the sessions because of illness, so attractive and pleasant was his easygoing manner and so widespread and undiminished his personal popularity that he was able to defeat such formidable opponents as William H. Murfree and James Iredell. In Congress he supported the Embargo, championed Arctic exploration, and, ironically, was for rigid government economy. His favorite haunt was the reading room in the Library of Congress. From time to time he returned to North Carolina.

The first of Sawyer's three wives was Sarah Snowden, of Camden County, whom he married in 1810. She died two years later. In 1820 he married, in Washington, D.C., Camilla Wertz, who died in 1826. The three children of these marriages did not survive childhood. His third wife was the wealthy Mrs. Diana Rapalye Fisher, of Brooklyn, whom he married in 1828. He thereafter moved to New York State, where his liberal and spendthrift nature, extravagant style, and chronic invalidism eventually dissipated his wife's fortune and led to downright poverty. During his last two years he held a minor clerkship in Washington, where he died. Family tradition holds that he was buried in an unmarked grave beside his brother Enoch at Lambs Ferry in Camden County. In 1954 a marker was erected at the spot.

Sawyer's literary productions, like the books he chose to read, were quite diversified. First to be published was the now-lost Journal to Lake Drummond (ca. 1797), concerning which David L. Swain commented: "The events are without interest, the remarks puerile, and the language the most superlative bombast." Also lost are three unpublished manuscripts: "Essays Literary, Political, and Dramatic" (ca. 1805), a "Roman History" (ca. 1822), and a work on "Greek Literature" (late 1840s). His four-act comedy Blackbeard (1824), the first play by a native North Carolinian, as well as the first to use North Carolina scenes and North Carolina characters, is a mixture of low farce and flowery melodrama. Neither of its two plots had to do with the famous pirate: instead, Sawyer deals, first, with a group of gullible rustics who in 1823 are intent on recovering Blackbeard's buried treasure and, second, with a disreputable crowd of corrupt Currituck County politicians. The play was sold by subscription to members of Congress, and so delighted was Sawyer with the financial reward that he immediately brought out another play, The Wreck of Honor (1824). One of its two plots follows the amorous adventures of an American in Paris, while the other, in blank verse, is a drama of seduction and murder, including a scene at the Battle of Waterloo. Neither play has ever been staged.

Quite a different sort of literary efforts is The Observatory (1833), advocating a national observatory in Washington for the purpose of spreading scientific knowledge. In A Biography of John Randolph of Roanoke (1844), Sawyer's congressional colleague is portrayed as a coward, a mountebank, and a quarrelsome and egoistical numskull. Poorly organized and hastily put together, it was, according to reviewers at the time, false, scandalous, malicious, and libelous. Even so, his book on Randolph is no more scathing than the Auto-Biography of Lemuel Sawyer (1844), a frank disclosure of his gambling, wastefulness, dissipation, chicanery, and tawdry love affairs. This book must be one of the most self-condemning documents in all American letters. His last publication was "The Vine of North Carolina," included in Report of the Commissioner of Patents (1849), where Sawyer encourages the growing of scuppernongs in northeastern North Carolina to promote the commercial production of wine. Though once ascribed to him, the novel Printz Hall (1839) is now known not to be by Sawyer.

RICHARD WALSER

Autobiography
of Lemuel Sawyer,
Formerly Member of Congress from North Carolina:
Electronic Edition.
Lemuel Sawyer (1777-1852)

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Text scanned (OCR) by Bill McGloughlin
Text encoded by Natalia Smith
First edition, 1997.
ca. 200K
Academic Affairs Library, UNC-CH
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
1997.
This work is the property of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. It may be used freely by individuals for research, teaching and personal use as long as this statement of availability is included in the text.

Call number CCB S371s 1844 (North Carolina Collection, UNC-CH)

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The electronic edition is a part of the UNC-CH digitization project, Documenting the American South, Beginnings to 1920.
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Library of Congress Subject Headings,
19th edition, 1996
LC Subject Headings:
Sawyer, Lemuel, 1777-1852.
Legislators -- United States -- Biography.
Politicians -- North Carolina -- Biography.
Authors, American -- North Carolina -- Biography.
Authors, American -- 19th century -- Biography.

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1997-03-31,
Natalia Smith, project manager,
finished TEI-conformant encoding and final proofing.

1996-10-10,
Bill McGloughlin
finished scanning (OCR) and proofing.

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AUTO-BIOGRAPHY
OF
LEMUEL SAWYER,
FORMERLY MEMBER OF CONGRESS FROM NORTH CAROLINA.
AUTHOR OF
The Biography of John Randolph

NEW YORK:
PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR,
1844.

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IT is due to the reader, to assure him that no ingredient of vanity has entered into the publication of this trifle. I never imagined my own life of sufficient notoriety and consequence to entitle it to the especial favor of the public, in the shape of a separate and independent chronicle. I had prepared an enlarged and improved volume of the Life of JOHN RANDOLPH, and intended to prefix to the second edition, a brief account of my own. In composing it, I found it grew on my hands, and although "curtailed of many of its proportions" yet it threatened to intrude too far upon the prohibited grounds of the main work. The intended edition is a heavy and expensive undertaking, and I have postponed it to a more convenient season. In the mean time I have been advised by a friend, in whose judgment I place implicit confidence, to advance this pamphlet into the world as a precursor, instead of an accompaniment of that projected work. Should I be fortunate enough to receive the countenance of this enlightened community, it will afford an encouraging presage of its success, and expedite its future appearance. Should it fail, it will at least afford a salutary admonition to withdraw it altogether.

LEMUEL SAWYER.

Brooklyn, July 1, 1844.

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AUTO-BIOGRAPHY

OF

LEMUEL SAWYER.

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So far as my course has become a part of the history of the country, connected as it has been with many of its leading events, as the non-intercourse, embargo, and war, a personal memoir may be justifiable as a small link in the intricate chain of national affairs. A somewhat full and particular detail of a life under such circ*mstances, if it were found not destitute of eventful interest, and, as it is hoped, not an ignoble one, it would present still stronger claims to the reader's acceptance. In the Sunday Atlas of New York, of the 13th of August last, was given a sketch of the writer, under the head of Portraits of the People, and it is intended to make that the groundwork of this memoir, with the alterations and additions that the occasion requires, by which it will necessarily be extended to much greater length. The Atlas stated truly, "that the subject of this memoir was the youngest of nine children by the first wife, all of whom arrived at years of maturity, and most of whom reared numerous families, thrived well, and rose to independence and consideration in their several spheres of life. Although he was the most delicate of all his brothers, and has been heard to declare that he could not safely assert that he was ever well a day in his life, but suffered some ailment, local or general, yet has he survived all his brothers and sisters, and has been for six years the sole survivor. His situation is a deplorable one, and deserves the commiseration of every feeling heart. He lost his parents in early life, his mother dying in childbirth, before he was a month old, by which he was deprived of the blessing of that maternal affection, nurture, and moral discipline so necessary to his well- being, to which he may add the death of his father in his fifth year, by which he was left an orphan, unprotected and almost unsupported, to blind chance, to make his way through the world - devious and difficult at all times, dangerous under the untoward circ*mstances in which he was placed. It is no wonder, then, that his life has proved unfortunate and unhappy, from the want of parental instruction and authority, aid, and advice. Having no brother nor sister, having lost his two first wives, with "all their little ones, at one fell swoop," he stands like a solitary pillar in the desert, tottering on its base, ready to tumble amidst the ruins that surround it.

He was born in Camden County, N. C., in the fall of 1777, at the new family mansion on the banks of the river Pasquotank, the location of the ferry since established by the erection of a floating bridge. He received his Christian name Lemuel from his father, as the favorite child of his old age, and as large a share of his property as any of his brothers, except Enoch the oldest, to whom was devised the family seat, with its extensive domain, and where the first custom-house for the district was established. Enoch

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was appointed the collector in 1791, under Washington, and filled the office satisfactorily till the day of his death, in March, 1827.

In August, 1793, in his sixteenth year, after reaping such benefits as common country schools afforded from the period of his tenth year, he was taken by one of his brothers by sea to Flatbush Academy on Long Island, then in the meridian of its renown under the direction of Dr. Peter Wilson. He was placed there, not more for the purpose of education than for the restoration of his health being then afflicted with a tertian ague, following a bilious fever, and of eighteen months standing. It had reduced him to the brink of the grave. It was hoped that the sea voyage, with the change of air to a more salubrious climate, with good medical treatment would, by their benign influence, conquer this most obstinate form of chronic fever. For the benefit of all similar invalids we may mention, that by the end of three months he was restored to health, except the remains of a swelled spleen. A physician of New York was consulted. He prescribed flannel next the skin, and an emetic divided into portions, to be taken upon the accession of the chill, which never failed to occur every third afternoon. The advice was followed; as soon as the symptoms supervened, the doses were taken, and repeated till they operated. The patient then went to bed as usual, waiting for the recurrence of fever; but after an hour's expectation of his unwelcome visitor, he arose from his bed, went about his business, and never had another fit of the disease. In May, 1796, at the repeated solicitation of his brother-in-law, Demsey Burgess, the member of Congress from his district, then in session at Philadelphia, he reluctantly and unadvisedly left his numerous class, standing at its head, which is paying no small compliment to his proficiency, when such distinguished scholars and eminent men as the two brothers, Wm. and John Duer, the Rev. Peter Vanpelt, lately of Staten Island, Governors Troup and Telfair, of Georgia, were his colleagues. While he resided at Flatbush, he was very properly subjected to a rigid economy, his pocket money being limited to a shilling a week, which proved sufficient, where there was no temptation to dissipation or extravagance. But on arriving at Philadelphia the scene was reversed. He was ushered at once into gay and fashionable society, and his brother-in-law's purse being almost forced upon him, he spent more in six months than he had the whole time he was at Flatbush. But that was not the least of the evils entailed upon him by that ill-advised visit. He acquired habits of extravagance and recklessness in money matters, that followed him through life, and has occasioned many bitter pangs and vain regrets in after life. He attended awhile, though not regularly, as an honorary student of mathematics, under Professor Robert Patterson, of the University of Pennsylvania, occasionally occupied a seat in the gallery of Congress, and heard the debates in which John Nicholas, William B. Giles of Va., Mr. Gallatin, and R. G. Harper bore the leading parts. He was frequently gratified with the sight of the great Washington, and has been at the theatre on one occasion, the first appearance of Cooper in Richard the Third, when Washington entered the box assigned him, and the audience rose simultaneously, and saluted him with three cheers. As he boarded opposite to Andrew Ellicot, the astronomer, in North Sixth street, he was soon introduced to him and became intimately acquainted with the family. He was much attached to Andrew the son, and felt more than common friendship for the eldest daughter, Jane, which unfortunate attachment was the only cause of his refusing the offer by Mr. Ellicot, to take him in his suite at thirty dollars a month, with a horse found, as his secretary, on his mission to Florida as commissioner to run the boundary between this country and the Spanish colony of Florida. He regretted much afterwards, of the loss of that excellent opportunity to gain a knowledge of the country by travel, to acquire a practical knowledge of surveying and

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astronomy by a master, and one of the kindest and best of men, as well as of learning the value of various tracts of unoccupied lands, and the opportunity thus afforded of making up for his expenditures by successful speculation. He, however, did not remain long after Mr. Ellicot had left Philadelphia for Pittsburg, to descend thence down the rivers Ohio and Mississippi to Baton Rouge or Natchez, where he was to land. and begin the line of survey through to the head of the St. Mary's, on the Gorgia frontier. His attachment cooled by degrees, and his pockets collapsed as rapidly, and he returned to his native home in August, by a coasting vessel belonging to an old schoolmate and neighbor, and entered the State through an inlet near Roanoke Island, which has long since filled up, and left not a vestige of its former site. He had grown so much, and was so improved in personal appearance, that some of his nearest relatives and old playmates did not know him. On reaching the court-house, the court then sitting, he saw a very handsome young gentleman in the crowd, and upon asking who he was, he learned it was his youngest brother Wilson, born of a second wife. They had been separated when children, and had not met before. His patrimonial estate consisted of a farm, much exhausted and dilapidated, and a dozen slaves, which he took possession of, though but twenty years of age, to gratify the hands, who were tired of being, hired out, and wished to be put to work upon the farm, under the direction of their master. But he knew little or nothing of the business, was too easy and careless, and did not exact from them that full amount of labor, which they were not disposed voluntarily to render, and for three or four successive years the loss was so considerable that one of the gang had to be disposed of annually, to supply the deficiency. He took sides with the democratic party, entered with zeal against the administration of' John Adams and was elected a member of Assembly in the summer of 1800. Though the youngest man in the House, being barely eligible, he was the first to deliver a speech, soon after the house was organized, and succeeded in defeating the usual resolution to continue the old officers of the house, and substituted one by nomination and ballot, by which means he was enabled to promote a young friend from the ranks of private life, to a clerkship, from which he rose to be Secretary of State, and has filled that office with fidelity ever since. William Hill, the gentleman alluded to, acknowledges with gratitude that he was indebted to this decided step of Mr. Sawyer, in abolishing this unfair monopoly, and introducing the more just and liberal one by election. The Speaker's chair was filled by a Frenchman, Stephen Cabarus, a respectable and wealthy farmer from Edenton, from whom the County of Cabarus, the first where a gold mine was discovered, was named. Although he had lived among us from boyhood, yet his pronunciation had much of the foreign accent, and his reciting the captions or titles of bills and resolutions, invariably forced a smile from the members. On his return from the usual short session of two months, he divided his attention between his farm and his studies, which he now directed mainly to the acquisition of the law. Even then he had an eye to a seat in the national councils, and he made that profession a stepping-stone to mount to that post of honor. In the course of three years, he obtained a license to practice at the bar, which in that State, costs something besides hard study - a fee of twenty-five dollars to the examining judges. His first appearance in the forum was in defending a criminal on a trial for murder. He had volunteered on the case, and had fully prepared himself. He of course was enabled to make a powerful appeal to the jury, his client was acquitted, or, what is tantamount, was brought in guilty of manslaughter only, which is seldom visited by the moderate penalty of the law by branding the letter M on the brawn of the thumb of the left hand. His fame as a counsellor immediately spread, but there was not much business in the courts of that district. Though the reapers were

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many, the harvest was poor. A county court fee was only four dollars, and a Superior Court fee only ten, and there was no charge allowed for intermediate services, by long attorney's bills for preparing the case for trial. The large accumulation of fees and costs, seen and felt here, and "the law's delay," which frequently place the suitor in the predicament of Gulliver, who was ruined by a suit in chancery going in his favor with costs, are unknown there. The laws are few and simple, and justice speedy among that pure and unsophisticated people, nor was it ever heard of, as in New York, that a husband could not claim and receive his wife's personal property, though standing in her maiden name. It remained for the sapient conscience of Vice-chancellor H----n to introduce the interpolation upon all precedents in equity, but which will be no more regarded by future chancellors than the decisions of preceding ones were by him. The bench, however, has since got rid of him by a removal, and a happy riddance it was. We may conclude from its effects, as well as its etymology, that a chancery is a court wherein the causes are decided by chance, and wherein the goddess Fortune, perfectly blind, presides. Would it not save much time, costs, and trouble, instead of the present mode of bill and answer, and all their interlocutory proceedings, to adopt the more summary, popular, and just mode of appealing to her by the usual tools and implements, a raffle, a pack of cards, or heads and tails. Let the parties accommodate their difference by the fashionable game of old sledge, or whist, or brag, or a throw of the dice, and I will warrrant they will have as fair a chance at least, and save thousands in money and years in time, consumed by the present system. It is a monstrous excrescence on the fair face of our jurisprudence, and ought to be lopped off.

In October, 1804, Mr. Sawyer was elected one of the electors of President And Vice President for the district of Edenton, composing six counties, notwithstanding he lost the vote of Currituck, by the sheriff failing to attend with the returns, at the appointed place. The college met at Raleigh, the December following, during the sitting of the Legislature, and he then made a lengthy and able speech in favor of the republican candidates, which was listened to with earnest attention by the members of the Legislature; after which he deposited his vote for Thomas Jefferson and George Clinton, who received eight votes each, out of the twelve. This introduced him so favorably to the majority, that he was immediately afterwards chosen one of the seven counsellors of State, a post more of honor than profit, for they were not once convened during the whole period, and, of course he received nothing.

In the spring of 1806, upon his return from a visit to Washington, he learned that Col. Thomas Wynns, the representative in Congress, had declined a re-election, and he thus found the opportunity he had much desired, of becoming a candidate under favorable circ*mstances. He had some weeks the start, a no inconsiderable advantage in an election race, of his opponent, William H. Murfree, of Murfreesboro, and gained the victory by over a thousand majority. Mr. Murfree succeeded him, however, six years afterwards, Mr. Sawyer, having declined in consequence of ill health which debarred him from the house a whole session.

Congress was convened on the 26th of October, 1807, by the proclamation of President Jefferson, on account of the irritation of the public mind arising from the attacks of the frigate Leopard upon the Chesapeake within our waters, and the imprisonment of four seamen from her crew, on the pretence of their being deserters. Mr. Sawyer gave his hearty support to the administration both by his votes and his speeches, through its long and arduous struggle with Great Britain, in the successive measures of embargo, non-importation, non-intercourse, and war, and vindicated the rights of his country against the insults and oppression of that domineering power. In

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August, 1810, Mr. Sawyer married Miss Mary Snowden, a beautiful young lady, of the vicinity, the niece of his brother Enoch's wife, and grand-daughter of General Isaac Gregory, who commanded the militia at the battle of Camden, on Gates' defeat, when, on endeavoring to rally his men, he was wounded. They lived with her parents for the present, and until Mr. Sawyer returned from Congress, to which he was again elected over his old opponent by the usual large majority. When his time of departure arrived, Mr. Sawyer took a most affectionate leave of his wife, whom he left in tears and proceeded to a friend's that afternoon, at a distance of ten miles on his rout, intending to remain with him that night, and start for Norfolk the next morning. He loved his wife so dearly, he felt the pain of separation so severely, that he found it impossible to go without her. He therefore returned before night to the family, and persuaded his father and mother-in-law, to allow their daughter to accompany him. She was their favorite, but his wife and sister joining with him, their consent was obtained. The next day they visited his brother Enoch, for the purpose of prevailing on his eldest daughter Sarah to accompany them to Washington. The family agreed that Sarah should accompany them, as there were four daughters left to console them in her absence. They remained a few days with their relations in Norfolk, and thence proceeded by a packet to Baltimore and reached the seat of government the next day.

Mr. S. engaged board in the same mess with Mr. Clay, and his amiable wife on Capitol Hill. Their families became inseparable, and joined in all the numerous parties, of which not a week passed that they were not invited to two or three, by the heads of departments, the President's levees graced by Mrs.' Madison and of the foreign ministers. Vice President Clinton was also a member of our mess, and showed such marked attention to the ladies, that my niece was joked upon her mighty conquest, and nick-named Mrs. Vice. My wife divided with her the admiration and attention of the young members, and the military officers, several of whom were in the suite of General Wilkinson, who was then present attending a court of inquiry, ordered at his own request for charges made against him by Mr. Randolph. It was universally agreed, that they were two of the most beautiful women in the city, and my niece having been educated at a female seminary in Philadelphia, added to her personal charms a highly cultivated talent for music, which was on every evening that we remained at home, called into requisition by a numerous and attentive audience, with V. P. Clinton at their head. My wife among others made a conquest of the French Minister, General Tureau, who was an old widower, and who called upon us frequently for the purpose of meeting with the ladies in the drawing room. - In fact, we passed a most delightful season till the 4th of March, when we broke up, and I look back upon that winter as the happiest in my life, since those gay, innocent, playful school-boy days, which are always excepted. The house where we boarded on Capitol Hill, belonged to Thomas Law, the brother of Lord Ellenboro who had laid out a fortune of $100,000 and upwards on lots and improvements in Washington. He boarded (being separated from his wife, the niece of Mrs. Washington, Miss Custis) a part of the session with us. He was an eccentric man. of great nervous excitability and quick impulse. He often joined us in a game of whist, and though the rapidest player that probably ever was seen, he was one of the best. His stake never exceeded one dollar, while that of the members generally were from 5 to $10 on the game. Had it not been for Mr. Law, my expenses would have exceeded my pay, and I should have been straightened for means to get home. I agreed with him to stake $5 or $10 on every game he played, I would risk the balance and what he lost over his stake, I would make good, and what he gained he should give me. That relieved him of

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the embarrassment which his low bets occasioned. Upon retiring early in the evening, I offered him on that occasion $20 as a fund to start with, but he refused to take it, saying he had enough to meet all his losses. The next morning after breakfast, he handed me thirty dollars as my share of the gains of his skill and good luck, and frequently afterwards, on his return from Whist parties, he would give me sums from 5 to $20, and not more than once or twice, had I to make good any trifling loss. His son John, was a very respectable counsellor, and was engaged by Wilkinson to defend him in the court of inquiry. He had a most beautiful daughter about 15 years old, and although she was with her mother, she frequently called on him at his room. She seemed to be an angel of light and appeared as a peacemaker between them, and I never saw her leave the door without being suffused with tears. But it all would not do - He remained irreconcilable to the day of his death.

We left Alexandria the 5th of March, 1811, in the packet for Norfolk, attended by a number of young gentlemen, the fruits of Sarah's conquest, to see the last of us, and bid us adieu. We reached home in good time, meeting the smiling spring, the croaking music of the frogs (always grateful to me, but now seldom enjoyed,) and passed, a part of our way, under festoons of yellow jessamine, suspended from the highest trees and perfuming the whole atmosphere with a delicious incense. Soon after our return, my wife from prematurely leaving off her flannel, took a cold, and had a violent attack of inflammatory fever, with congestion of the lungs. Nothing but the most unwearied attention and the best medical experience saved her. She was bled, during the fever, three times copiously, the two last at my suggestion because I perceived that her pulse indicated it, though strongly opposed by her parents. Before she finally recovered, her kind, affectionate, and attentive mother was taken sick, no doubt from great excitement at the danger of her daughter, and exhaustion upon setting up by her. Her disease was nervous fever, and her end was hastened by depletion while I happened to be out of the way, she having seen its good effect upon my wife, requested the doctor to bleed her, and he was fool enough to do it, though her pulse was then weak and rapid, and of a typhus grade. She sunk rapidly, and in three days, we lost our dear parent, and best and steadiest friend we had in the world. I have dwelt somewhat upon the particulars of Mrs. Sawyer's illness, and my constant attendance on her from which I derived the gratification of having done my duty, and aided in her recovery, for the purpose of contrasting it with a future occasion, on which I have to reproach myself with a want of this conjugal tenderness, and which above all other sins I ever was guilty of, was heaviest on my conscience.

In the fall of 1811, my health suffering from the effects of that sickly season, I travelled to the north as far as Baltimore, and among the hills in that neighborhood, from thence I went to Philadelphia, where I had a niece at school. I recovered my health before the end of September, but delayed my return, without any assignable reason, till the middle of October, when I was attacked with my tedious and distressing complaint, gastro-enteritis, or dyspepsia with nervous irritation. I immediately gave up all hopes of returning home, and would have compromised with fate for a safe arrival at Washington before the session commenced.

I placed myself under the care of my old physician, Doct. Benjamin Rush. After a few days attendance, I discovered the drift of his remedy, and it immediately lost its charm. He invariably began by asking questions, and introducing political subjects, to draw my attention from my disease by making me think of something else. But I could not be led away from the sore point, but sat brooding over my ills, and venting my complaints and discontent, and would not be comforted. The Doctor applied few or no prescriptions but mental ones. I was not confined, however, and as the

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term approached I felt great anxiety to escape the severity of the winter and enter a more genial climate, and he encouraged my intention of endeavoring to reach Washington by easy stages, in company with some travelling friend. I reached Baltimore by moderate journeys, and after a few days' rest, started with a horse and gig for the city. It is the nature of the disease to render the patient restless, impatient and to urge him on beyond his strength. I can compare him to nothing more suitable than a mad dog, who the moment the symptoms appear, starts off in a brisk trot, and never stops till he is knocked in the head or falls exhausted. I named it restphobia. The nearer I approached Washington, the more anxious was I to reach it. I arrived at Rossburgh to dinner without suffering much from fatigue, and had I remained there all night, and the next day, all would have been well, and it would have saved me much of suffering, besides other dreadful consequences arising from my imprudence. I was irresolute for some moments after dinner, whether to remain or not. But at last I hastily decided by a sudden impulse, without any new light of reason or cause, to go on that night. After proceeding four miles, I began to feel overcome, but there was no comfortable quarters on the road from Bladensburg, and a kind of fatality which had before led me into such predicaments, or wilful obstinacy urged me on, and although I did not proceed out of a walk, when I reached my quarters I was completely exhausted. My symptoms were aggravated two-fold. I was a miserable invalid the whole winter, and never once took my seat during the session. I employed a doctor and took a great deal of physic, but nothing did me any good. Were I to be put on my oath, I do not know but that I should be obliged to swear on my conscience, that I never took a dose of medicine while laboring under these chronic diseases, that did me any good, but that in many instances they have done me harm. I depended on exercise and diet, and as soon as the river was clear of ice, the first of March, I took passage for Norfolk. My wife found me there in a few days. The sight of her revived me. By the advice of Doct. Rush, I put myself on a milk diet, and as I could not endure travel, (I will not say fatigue) by land, we took the water route, by the Dismal Smamp Canal, which saved me all jolting for more than half the journey. It took me three or four days however, to accomplish the journey of forty miles. I gradually regained my health by a milk and vegetable diet, and exercising much on horseback, and by the first of June, I had serious thoughts of returning back to my seat. But upon making a demonstration on a very hot day, of twelve miles, I was completely cured of my travelling fit and was glad to get back next day alive. My little farm was flourishing. It was a beautiful and central location, and now belongs to my successor, W. B. Shephard, whose land adjoined, My wife was six months advanced in the family way. I thought the house (which was a mere shell, and low pitched,) an uncomfortable one, I persuaded her to return with me to her father's roof in August, much against her will, and as it appeared afterwards against the judgment of her father, who wished to see me do well and to apply my time steadily to the business of the farm. I afterwards perceived my error, when it was too late to correct it, and was sorry I did not remain over and run the risk of a relapse, or a billious attack; rather than incur the displeasure of my wealthy father-in-law by such childish and fickle conduct. I soon afterwards, feeling some unpleasant symptoms, took a trip down to the sea-shore to fortify myself against the insalubrity of the approaching fall. When I returned after a week's absence, my father-in-law received me coldly, and my wife was not in the best humour. She required as much attention and caressing to retain her affection as she did to gain it, and I was not a person to submit to such terms. I was getting unwell as the month of September progressed, (the most sickly

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month in the year,) I felt myself uncomfortably situated, and I concluded to take the sea-shore on my route to Washington, and though a few miles out of the direct way, to stop a while at Curntuck Court House. It is situated on a high shore on the sound, which is there ten miles across to the inlet and the sea-shore. Before I left, my wife grew ill, but not so much so as to require particular attention, and she kept an obstinate silence from me of the state of her feelings. The night before I left, she lay quiet, and never complained once. Only that her sister declared she was sick, while she was carrying a hearty breakfast to her, I should not have known it. She did not make any objection to my excursion, and I started in a horse and gig, having a neighbor with me to bring them back, should I conclude to go on. Our family physician being on the route, I called on him to request him to visit my wife, but not finding him at home I left order to that effect which he complied with. Had I seen him, I should have bethought me to get him to promise to send for me, should she grow worse. I remained there four or five days, but heard nothing from my wife. When I started in the morning, I was so divided in my opinion what course to pursue whether to return, or go on, that I stopped to deliberate before I entered the main road, which was the Rubicon in my destination. I asked the advice of my nephew, a lad about sixteen, but he was undecided too, but I think rather inclined to visit Norfolk. In this state of indecision, bordering on distraction, I determined to submit the event to chance, and starting the horse in a gentle trot, I threw the reins down, and left it entirely to his decision. On what trifles do the most important events hang. He turned into the road for Norfolk, and I was a ruined man. I went on about twenty miles, and stopped for the night at a friend's. I was only twenty-five miles from home. My wife grew worse. She sent an express after me which went to the court house; but not finding me there, instead of pursuing me, and he might have come up with me that night, he returned home. I reached Norfolk the next day, and sent the gig back, remaining in total ignorance of the sad change which had taken place at home, which for ever blasted my hopes of happiness in this world. I had been at my sister's in Norfolk at least a week before we had any tidings from Carolina. She had learned from a market man the account of my loss, and imparted it to me in such a delicate way, with such an air of doubt, that I immediately went to the market to learn the particulars. I there found the man a neighbor of mine, who informed me that my wife was dead and buried, and that he was at her funeral. She had been delivered of a seven-month daughter, and expired from the exhaustion, preceded by ten days illness. I was overwhelmed with sorrow, remorse, and a most guilty conscience that whispered in my heart, that I had been negatively guilty of murder. I returned to the house so overcome, that I was taken violently ill, so that my sister called in the aid of a physician. It was a week before I retained sufficient strength to attempt a fulfilment of my resolution to return home. My sister accompanied me. I had a brother living near the Dismal Swamp Canal which was about half the distance, and by going by water I was enabled to reach there the second day, but found my strength entirely insufficient to enable me to reach home, without resting and recruiting several days. My sister consented to go on, as she felt much interest in seeing my daughter, and she had a sister and brother in the neighborhood, whom she had not seen for a year or more. She found my little daughter with a wet nurse employed, and the old gentleman devoted to the little grand-child. Everything was explained to the family, and my unfortunate ignorance to the last, of the real condition of my wife. She remained a week with her relatives, but before she returned my dear little infant had expired, it is supposed from being overlaid by the nurse, and thus one major inducement for

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my visit to the family was destroyed. I, therefore, mending but slowly, and being half way on my journey to Norfolk, concluded to retrace my steps, and by the tenth of November I again took shelter under my sister's roof. My father-in-law, as he had a right to do, and as there was no one there to take care of them, carried the negroes back to his house, together with the stock and furniture. I have since been very sick and thought myself at the point of death; and upon a retrospect of the black catalogue of a long life of sin and shame, this act of mine towards my wife presses heaviest upon my soul. It overbalances all the rest, although I have repented in tears, although I have confessed the odious offence to my confessor, and received his absolution, which I have prayed may be ratified in heaven. I never shall be able to clear my conscience of the stain of cruelty, inhumanity, and a want of conjugal affection in thus abandoning my wife at such a critical moment. None of the circ*mstances attending the case can afford the least excuse or palliation on my part. I ever shall believe, had I remained with her, had I nursed her with the tenderness I did on a former occasion, had I watched her symptoms, and I have much medical skill and experience, had I manifested that anxious concern and kind sympathy which was due to her and which she had a right to expect, she would have recovered or at least she should have had the consolation of dying in my arms. But by that one false step, I was deprived of wife and child, and an ample fortune, and committed such a heinous sin, that a whole life spent in penitence can never atone for. Mr. Snowden lived only two years afterwards. His whole estate, worth at least $40,000, fell to the surviving daughter. She had married, against her father's advice, a dissipated and insolvent Englishman by the name of Charles Bowring, a relation of Doct. Bowring of London, and in less than three short years the whole estate was squandered. They moved to the neighborhood of Norfolk, and undertook market-gardening, with one or two slaves all that remained out of forty. But he kept constantly drunk. The neighbors' castle got in and destroyed all the vegetation, and as a last refuge they moved to Norfolk. Here the scenes soon ended. He had neither money nor credit left. He died a miserable sot in the street, and she soon followed in a state of degradation, little short of starvation, and broken-hearted. I proceeded to Congress and served my term out, which ended in the year 1813. Feeling that I ought not to press my claims for a re-election, after losing the whole of the preceding session from indisposition, I wrote to my principal friends, that if Mr. Murfree would again declare himself a candidate, I would yield the field to him. He did so, and was elected the May following. I returned home in tolerable health, and retired to my little farm. I felt rather solitary and unhappy, and preferred more society and busier scenes. In the course of two years I sold my place at a very great price, and with the avails, about $2,000, went to Norfolk with a view of engaging in some other business. I consulted a friend there, who had been an extensive shipping merchant, and he advised me to enter into the book and stationary line. I entrusted him with the money to invest in that merchandise, and in the meantime became an inmate of his family. He became embarrassed and failed to procure the goods I wanted. A young man whom I saw daily in attendance for the purpose of obtaining means to set up a country store, I thought would meet with success, in case he succeeded in obtaining the capital; he went to Carolina, and opened in my old neighborhood, at a place called Sawyer's Creek, where my guardian had lived, and where I was admitted as one of the family and received as full a share of affection and partiality as either of my companions, their son and eldest daughter, nearly of my age. He had a store here before I left him for Flatbush, in 1793, where he made considerable money. But both himself and wife were dead when I returned home

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in August, 1796, and I was ushered into the world in my 20th year, and put in possession of my little property, without their sage advice and direction, and without any knowledge of the world, or judgment to manage my pecuniary affairs.

After some persuasion my friend entered into my views, and equiped the young adventurer with a small assortment of dry goods, groceries, and hardware; and he arrived at the spot with his cargo in a lighter through the Dismal Swamp Canal, and opened his store without competition for ten miles around. He had a good run of business, and kept the boats steadily employed in bringing through the Canal, the grain, lumber, and other produce he received. I was charged with the sale of the produce which came to my order, and the purchase of all the supplies necessary to keep up the assortment at the store. We continued the business until March, 1817, when the store-keeper, after long complaining, grew worse, and was incapable of managing the concern. Being a Jersey man, the climate disagreed with him, and he determined to return home as soon as the warm season advanced. I willingly consented to accept the commission of visiting the store, and taking charge of the business, as it again threw me into the arms of my old playmates and schoolfellows, and recalled the pleasing associations of my boyhood, by returning to a shop endeared to me by a thousand recollections. On my arrival, I found our partner laid up with the rheumatism, and as the busy season was nearly over, and the stock of goods wanted replenishing, we came to the conclusion to sell out, by auction, for cash, and wind up the concern. We accordingly put up advertisem*nts, and about the middle of April fixed the day of sale. A large concourse of people attended; goods were scarce, and money plentiful, and the stock went off briskly at fair rates. I received the avails, settled with the store-keeper, who soon left for his former home, and I indemnified myself for the loan of $2000 and interest, out of the avails.

Among the company in attendance, was the sheriff of the county, a next door neighbor of my brother Enoch, and an energetic and popular man. I had been absent from the district fifteen months, and could not be fairly deemed a resident. I learned that Mr. Murfree had refused to serve any longer, alledging that he lost more money by it than he gained honor. There were two candidates for his place. But it seemed the people generally did not like either. My presence, in the centre of my old constituents awakened all their predilections, and revived feelings similar to those aroused by Bonaparte on landing from Elba at Frejus. The sheriff solicited me to declare myself a candidate. It never for a moment entered my head, when I left Norfolk, a few weeks before, that I should find an occasion, or the wish of the people, to renew my former political connection with them. But I found I had hit upon the lucky moment, and I determined to seize it. The multitude gathered around me, I made them a short address and concluded by declaring I should be proud and happy to serve them again, if they thought me worthy, and was greeted with loud huzzas.

I then commenced my electioneering tour, with the requisite funds, as an election in that State is a very expensive undertaking, and every cent a member can save out of his earnings, out of his pay and mileage, is consumed in the next campaign - an election, a week before the general one, was held in the uppermost county, Hertford, that I was not aware of, and of course did not attend, so my two antagonists divided the vote there nearly equally. But I met them in the next county, Gates, where I was less known than in the middle and lower counties, but where one of the candidates stood the strongest. I received only 80 votes there, however, out of 500, and being quite unwell, stopped at the public inn at the Court House, to rest and take some remedies against the bilious symptoms which

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affected me. As the court was about to set, which would collect the greater portion of the people, I concluded to stay until its adjournment, in order to learn the result of the election before I left, and to form a better acquaintance and strengthen my influence in that county. For four days we had not heard a syllable from the rest of the district; and from the returns in these two counties, my chance appeared desperate. In the afternoon of that day, the sheriff of Pasquotank, one of my strong holds, and the backbone of the district, rode up to the door, having business in the county above. We met him as he entered, all anxious to hear the news. He remained silent for some minutes on the subject, and talked on indifferent matters. When he did commence to open his budget, he merely asked me how I came on in Gates, and how many votes I had got there. I told him. What said he, 80 votes. Then, by G-d, you are elected. It was so close, that I only cleared my nearest antagonist by about that majority - or plurality over the two, as a majority over all is not required there. A loud huzza was raised; the largest bowl on the premises, and it was a monster, was filled with the best of toddy, composed of that most delicious of spirits, the apple brandy of the county, was handed to the sheriff, who did ample honor to my success, and thence circulated. It was drained and refilled, till they all had sufficiently manifested their cordial approbation of my triumph. I received the congratulations of many who voted against me, which I took in good part, and to which I knew how to make suitable acknowledgments. The next morning, though a little feverish, I started on my return. I had but 60 miles to go, to reach my home, Elizabeth City, which was the centre of my popularity, but on arriving at my brother Frederick's, who lived on the canal, and about half way to Norfolk, I was obliged to lay by, and concluded to give up my visit to the lower part of the county, where my friends expected me. I felt too unwell to perform the journey there and back. I feared I should be seriously attacked with bilious fever. After a few days' rest, I took passage by water, through the Dismal Swamp Canal, being too weak to ride, and arrived at Norfolk close upon the news of my election. It was news indeed to my numerous friends and relatives there, who had no thought upon my going out to Carolina, five months before, that I could become a candidate. Among the first persons I met, was a young lady, with whom I had fell, not head and ears, but about up to the middle in love, and to whom I had sent through a friend, on the eve of my departure an offer of my affection, or if that was too strong a dose, my friendship. She refused to receive either. She was now radiant with smiles, but by a cold, frosty look, and a formal stiff bow, I "nipp'd these blushing honors thick upon her," and let her know if she could not love the man, she should not have the Congressman. I ought to confess that I had previously given her cause of offence, by giving her name' to our lighter, which she thought degraded her. To regain my health. I chose a sea voyage, and took passage, in a small packet, only 80 tons, with about 30 passengers, for New York, about the 26th of August. Upon going on board, and witnessing so many persons embarked, men, women, and children, it occurred to me that some of them would have to go without berths, and I immediately entered the cabin and secured mine. It was well I did, for when night came, six or eight of them had to pick out the softest plank, or to lay on the cabin floor. We, however, had a short passage, having a fair wind, and were only two nights subjected to the hard trial of a soft plank. I arrived as soon as the news of my new honor, and passed a few most pleasant weeks between Flatbush, my old Alma Mater, and the city. I regained my health, enjoyed the hospitalities of my old, and made acquaintance with many worthy new friends, and left the city in November, with very favorable impressions, to arrive at the seat of government

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a few days before the meeting of the house, in order to choose a good seat in the Hall, and obtain a choice lodging room: both of which I happily accomplished.

I did not renew my acquaintance with my old fellow members, nor extend it among the new: and few persons were aware of my being in the house. The first knowledge they had of me, was on the occasion of my old friend, Col. R. M. Johnson's commutation bill, when I arose like an apparition before them, and opposed its passage. The Col. among others was amazed, and after I sat down, came up to shake hands with me, and to express his sorrow that my first appearance on the stage, for the last six years, should be on such an occasion. The Colonel answered me with his usual urbanity and good temper, but he lost his favorite measure. Though it is not my intention to detain the reader in the current of his reading of this narrative, by laying in his way any abstraction of a long, dull speech of mine, I trust he will allow a few pages of some of the lighter ones to be strewn in his path. It was on the 17th December, 1817, the bill came up for discussion. The first section contained a provision authorising the government, through its pension agents in the different States, to commute with, or buy from the holders of patents of bounty lands issued to soldiers of the late or present army, by allowing them in four annual payments $140 the acre. The speech as reported in the Intelligencer is a very condensed and brief summary of my observations. It states it thus, - "Mr. Sawyer of N. C. opposed the bill by a variety of arguments, but principally upon the heavy demand it would create upon the treasury. Money he said was power. He did not wish to live to see another empty treasury. We had enough of that the last war. If that had continued another year, I do not know what would have been the consequences arising from "a plenteous lack" of money and credit, (after advancing various illustrations of the advantages of a full treasury) Mr. S. added, that he considered this bill as merely offering a premium in speculation. It was surprising, he said, how industrious we are, as soon as we find we have a balance in the treasury, to get it out again. But of all the schemes contrived for such drainage, the bill appears to be the most ingenious. No prodigal was ever more anxious to lavish a rich inheritance than we do that whenever intrusted to our care by the people. For his part, he wished there could be stationed at the gate of the treasury, an angel with a flaming sword to prohibit entrance to all who had not an order from the genius of economy, countersigned by the hand of justice."

This is but a skeleton of the speech I delivered. I recollect it was given at length in some of the papers, and that I forwarded several copies among my constituents, not forgetting my useful friend, the sheriff of Camden, among whom it was well received.

It was not long before I had another opportunity of gratifying my oratorical propensity, though I should not have been so hasty or rash had I known I should have provoked two such champions as Mr. Clay, and Henry St. George Tucker, the half brother of Mr. Randolph. The latter, as chairman of the committee of Roads and Canals, or internal improvement, for the purpose of testing the sense of the House on that doubtful and unsettled policy, introduced some resolutions, with a view of authorising and instructing that committee to report a bill to effect the object of internal improvement.

Mr. Monroe had but just commenced his first term, and, in his message, had distinctly stated his objections, on constitutional grounds, to any measure or act that might be presented to him for his approbation to any such measure. On the 6th of March, as soon as the house resolved itself into a committee of the whole, and took the resolutions under consideration, I

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moved the committee should rise, with a view of getting the subject immediately in the House, for the purpose of moving its indefinite postponement I stated as my reasons for the motion, that as the President had expressed his insuperable constitutional objections to the policy of internal improvement, I thought, unless we felt confident we could carry the measure by a two-thirds vote, or a constitutional majority, it would be an idle waste of time to discuss it, and urge it forward. It was known also, that there was before the Senate, a proposition to amend the constitution, so as to give this. disputed power to Congress; from which it might be inferred that branch did not conceive the power existed. To prevent a tedious and useless debate, to the delay of more important and practicable business, I felt it my duty to make the motion that the committee rise and report progress, to which I for one should not grant leave to sit again. Mr. Tucker was up in a moment, to protect his offspring. Mr. Clay followed, and expressed an earnest desire that the debate should not be thus early strangled by my motion, but that every member should have an opportunity to express his opinions on this great and important question. He expressed a preference in seeing me come out in a constitutional speech in favor of this wise policy, than to be the first to try to stifle it at its birth. The committee felt disposed to accommodate the gentlemen in their wishes, and my motion was lost.

A long debate ensued. I had an opportunity of making, if not a constitutional speech, at least (as I said), not an unconstitutional one. I find it reported at length in the Intelligencer of the day.

Though I am convinced that I took the wrong side of the question then, and have changed my ground, yet as this speech, though upon the whole rather a foolish one, contained so much humor, drollery (and not to say wit), that makes me laugh while I am transcribing it; in hopes the reader may join me in the laugh, not at me, but at my manner of treating the question, I give it, word for word, as I find it.

"If my opinion should correspond with the President's I shall not think the worse of it on that account. I do not entrench myself behind the President's veto, but as the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Clay), has placed me there, I am perfectly satisfied with my station. While I am defended by his shield I feel safe from the gentleman's attacks. If it were any gratification to the gentleman to notice the cordiality with which the President was received on his Northern tour, I hope another opportunity may be shortly afforded him for a similar gratification in a Southern tour. Like the sun, I hope he will soon visit us, cheer and enliven us in his annual course. I for one will be ready to hail his approach, and give him a warm and hearty welcome, if for nothing else but the very course he has observed with regard to the subject before us, which other gentlemen have thought proper to condemn. I stated on a former occasion, that so far from feeling any repugnance at his interposition on the first instance, I was glad of it, as it was intended to save us all the useless waste of time and treasure which this discussion would necessarily give rise to, and I am only sorry we did not improve the hint. It was for that reason I moved to postpone the subject indefinitely; for as I anticipated the result, that there would not be a constitutional majority in favor of it, I was unwilling to see the commencement of this wordy war, which has been waged for several days, with unabated warmth to the no small entertainment of the audience, but, very little, in my apprehension, to the settlement of this question, or the furtherance of the important business of the nation. And although I may not be able to satisfy the gentleman's (Mr. Clay's) call on me for a constitutional speech, I will promise him it shall not be an unconstitutional one, which is more than I can say of some speeches I have heard.

"On the constitutionality of this question, I stated that I did no think it

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worth while to enter into a discussion of that point. I have too humble an opinion of my own powers to expect to convince others, and if I can advance enough on that head to satisfy my own political friends, as I can my own mind, of the propriety of the vote I shall give, I throw my javelin of hope no farther.

"I have a sufficient reason to satisfy my own mind, on the ground that there is no express provision delegating the power to Congress; if there be, let those who assert it point it out. Do they expect to show it by a long course of argument? I, who have sworn to support the Constitution, must have something to satisfy my conscience more positive and clear than any labored attempt at a constructive power, by so fallacious a method as argumentation. Nor shall I feel satisfied with the production of precedent. Precedent without law has no weight with me. If other persons have deemed the right constitutional, that is no reason I should: for that would be to make other's consciences the standard of mine, which I will not do in politics or religion. I must have a proof so clear, that there must be "no hook or loop to hang a doubt upon." Did I understand some gentlemen to say that this government could and ought to exercise this power without the consent of the several States interested? Such language would be more suitable to that of a Nero to a Roman senate, than the occasion to which it was the other day applied by the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Mercer.) Strike out the words in the resolution "with the consent of the States," and undertake to enforce this high-handed doctrine, and the constitution will be in a fair way to be cured of that plethora the gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Clay) spoke of: for if it requires depletion, it will assuredly be let blood. If such a violent course be attempted, I apprehend it will be met with more arguments than any used here. Those who may come with their pick- axes, spades, shovels, to tear the virgin bosom of our country, in defiance of us, may plant themselves behind the first bank they throw up. The very first hole they dig may prove their grave. Should my State unfurl her banner, I, for one, would plant myself under them, and resist till the flesh was hacked from my bones, before I would submit to such despotism. If the States have a mind to fold their arms, and suffer themselves to be tied and bound together in this cord, like a knot of slaves, let them - but while our hands are free, I trust we shall use them in defence of our rights, from whatever quarter they may be assailed. I was born free, so have I lived, so will I die. It is true as the gentleman from Kentucky stated, it might be prudent "to obtain the consent of the States." Indeed, I think it would. Under what clause of the Constitution is this right conveyed? The 10th article of the amendment declares, that the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States themselves, or to the people. This question resolves itself into a syllogism, and they must first prove the major and minor, before they draw the conclusion. They must show that the power is delegated to the United States, or is prohibited by the Constitution to the States, or the category must follow, that it is reserved to the States or the people. Perhaps it may be looked for in the 1st clause of the 8th article, under the terms "general welfare." What would a plain unsophisticated man say was the meaning of the words "general warfare." Political health, the full enjoyment of the constitutional faculties of the whole Union. It is a relative term, and means no more than that the General Government should have a watchful eye over the common weal, and see that each member of it enjoy that portion of political sanity, and maintain that true course around its own axis, imparted to it at its creation. They have all hitherto existed and flourished under this wholesome constitutional supervision of the General Government nor do they now see any occasion for this extraordinary and

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officious care proffered to them by the resolutions on the table. They have gone on very well in their old course. Enjoying a good share of health, they feel no necessity of being obliged to swallow drugs, because their family physician may prescribe them. I have known children being killed with too much care, and I believe it has fared with States as with individuals.. Augustus C?r, out of a kind concern for the "welfare" of his country, generously took the management of it into his own hands. Oliver Cromwell promoted the general welfare of England by a similar token of parental kindness. Bonaparte manifested the same disposition, and extended the same fostering hand over his countrymen. I only hope this is the last practical commentary upon the text of general welfare. Let us examine the 8th section of the 1st article: "To establish post offices and post roads" On this head, the gentleman from Kentucky admitted there might be a concurrent jurisdiction, and that the principle might be pushed so far as to produce collision between the State and General Government. Does not this prove that the right is not clearly delegated to the United States? For if it were, this collision could not take place. There is no collision between the parties in the exercise of other delegated powers. The instance the gentleman puts of an excise on the same article by the States and General Government, is not applicable to the case, because the jurisdiction of each might be complete and independent over the subject, and that of the General Government is expressly given. The Constitution does not grant power by halves, it does not. create a partnership between the States and General Government with an equal contribution of political capital. When it professes to make a transfer of power, it does it completely and absolutely. The idea of the United States keeping the roads in repair, and at the same time leaving murders and other felonies committed on them to the State Courts, is entirely irreconcilable to the power and jurisdiction of the United States in analogous cases. Murders committed in forts and arsenals are exclusively under the cognizance of feudal courts: and if the United States had jurisdiction over post roads, their tribunals would be equally exclusively paramount. A great display of etymological learning has been exhibited on the word "establish." The gentleman from Kentucky contends that its meaning is to construct, - to make. I cannot think it can be tortured into such a meaning in regard to roads. Its true meaning will be found in its application to the nature and character of the object expressed. Thus, to establish post roads, is merely designating the transportation of the mail by a certain route. If the framers of the Constitution meant that Congress should make and construct roads, they must have said so in so many words; because they could not find any other expression of such intention. When a new road is about being made, the common definition of operation is to open, run, or cut, but never to establish. How could they mean to make and construct, when they were already made and constructed under the authority of the States. The question has been already so much debated that I shall not detain the committee with such other reasons as occur to me on the constitutional points; I merely meant to show that I, at least, entertain doubts on the subject. When I once doubt on a constitutional point, I cannot give it my support, particularly when it proposes the transfer of power into my own hands. Nor are these doubts to be removed by the uncertain deduction of argument. When I hear a speech of one hour, attempting to establish a constitutional point, I naturally begin to have my doubts about it, and several speeches of two or three hours each, with the same view, may remove them, but in a very different manner from what the speaker intended. If the power be granted, why all this pains to show it? It is only necessary to turn to the clause, and if it be there, we have ocular demonstration, and the question is decided. I have seen so much of the fallacy of human judgment, and of the

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erroneousness of argument, that I begin to admire the policy of one of the kingdoms that Gulliver visited, when, after a politician had made a long speech in favor of a proposition, he is forced to turn about and vote against it. A few words on the expediency of the resolution. As to the detention of the Western mail for several days, which the gentleman so feelingly described, whose fault is that? If the ways of the western people are so bad, it is high time for them to mend them. Do the people of Kentucky mean to look on and see the other States making turnpike roads, and expending their wealth and enterprise in improving the face of the country, and then call upon the General Government to furnish them with means to make similar improvements? Do they wish to tax other States to make their turnpike roads and canals? If the gentleman's wagon sticks in the mud, let him apply his own shoulder to the wheel before he calls Upon Hercules. Look at New York, and behold the noble work she is engaged in? See New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, and my own State through her Dismal Swamp Canal, intersected with turnpike roads and canals in all directions. Would it be fair now that they have made such progress in these works by their own means that their money should be taken out of the common stock, and given to other States who have supinely looked on, and made no exertions. The gentleman from Kentucky (Mr. Clay), has told us of the constant stream of wealth that has flowed from his State into the treasury, without one drop stopping by the way to enrich the soil. I can say the same of my State, with the addition that it flows through channels dug with her own hands.

"Suppose the gentleman was to obtain a repeal of the acts he enumerated for facilitating our commerce on the ocean by the erection of light houses and buoys, who would he injure most by it. Is not the trade of Kentucky as much benefitted by the patent reelecting lamps of Lewis as any Atlantic State? How is the produce of the West to find a market except through her regular channels' These are the necessary means and instruments for regulating our commerce, indisputably vested in Congress by the 3d Article of the 8th Section of the Constitution, in which Kentucky is as much interested as North Carolina. or any other State of the Union of equal population. But the gentleman, although arguing for the expediency of the measure, confesses, that however expedien t, unless constitutional, it would not be proper to exercise the power, while I am so convinced of the inexpediency of it, that I could hardly vote for it, if I had no doubts of the Constitutionality of it, and if I should hereafter be in favor of the only mode to effect this object, a constitutional amendment, it must he upon the contingency of a conviction of its then expediency. We cannot afford to make the advances or to spare the money required by this measure, which is only the commencement of a system. I am not for giving away our money till we have paid off our national debt. We owe about 100 millions of dollars, besides a large amount of private claims; when they are paid and we have more money in the treasury than we know what to do with, 1 shall have no objection to let it be expended in the manner proposed, under a constitutional amendment. At present, I think the nation would be more benefited by this money remaining in the treasury, than by any use it could be put to in the way of internal improvement. The greatest improvement of the nation is to fill its coffers. Let our improvement, like charity, begin at home. Let us never forget the straits we were put to during the last war, for want of money, and which drove the nation to the very brink of ruin. We don't know how soon we may be involved in another. It behooves us to improve and take care of our resources and be always prepared for the worst. We should be just before we are generous; for besides the national debt, there are private claims on our table to an incalculable amount, and if a fair

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proportion of them only are allowed it will make a sensible diminution of the amount in the treasury. The gentleman from Virginia, (Mr. Tucker) seems to apprehend a great deal of difficulty about the disposal of our surplus money. If he will only wait till the end of the session, I will promise him an end of his difficulties on that head. Our conduct puts me in mind of the kings of Sweden and Denmark, when an island rising up between them, each claimed it, and after "note of dreadful preparation" between them to decide the title by arms, the island sunk into the sea again. Though this treasure is now floating above the surface of the treasury, it will before long be swallowed up in the unfathomable gulph of private claims. Three successive Presidents have labored under the same difficulty with the gentleman from Virginia, and have recommended a similar disposition of our money, but the House soon found there was no necessity to torture their ingenuity on that head. We have made some heavy appropriations already, besides several heavy blows aimed at the treasury which missed it by a hair's breadth. There are now before us, two claims alone, which, if allowed, will make a huge void space in our vaults, and cause them to "reverb a hollow sepulchral sound."

"I deem it the best and the safest policy to wait and see if we have any money to dispose of, before we fall out about the method of disposing of it. If, after a few weeks' contention we should decide in favor of the gentleman's proposition, the tidings should arrive, that the cause of our dispute had disappeared, it would be placing us in rather a ludicrous plight. Wherefore, having my doubts of the constitutionality of the resolutions, and feeling certain of their inexpediency, I am constrained "to vote against them."

Although the above speech may be deemed somewhat lengthy, but nothing in comparison to several delivered on that occasion, it is hoped that the reader may be sufficiently amused to keep up his attention to the end of it. It is a good joke, to hear me thus talk about economy, and to witness my wonderful care and sharp vigilance over the people's money. One would conclude, that if I were not a miser, I were a most provident and economical house-keeper, and were enjoying the satisfaction of adding daily to my growing "piles of wealth." There never was a greater deception. I was always as reckless and short-sighted in money matters as an Indian, and never knew the blessings, the cheerfulness, after manhood, of independence, except for a few short intervals when fortune in some of her freaks has thought proper to smile on me, but soon bestowed her darkest frowns, on seeing the ill-use I made of her favors. I may say, it was not the failing of any one of my seven brothers, all of whom made fortunes, and the youngest, Wilson, amassed $50,000 by his own industry and enterprise as a merchant, although he did not live long to enjoy it, but died and was buried at Saratoga Springs, in his 40th year, in September, 1824.

There were three distinct messes under one proprietor, a desperate black- leg fellow, who in order to monopolise the board on Capitol Hill, rented all Mr. Law's row, containing seven or eight houses, and having entered into an understanding. with other boarding-house keepers in the neighborhood, put up the price of board to 15 dollars a week. In consequence of this ex- action, which members generally would not submit to, some of his partners in extortion, for fear of losing their custom, gave way and reduced their charges. Our Landlord Bailey, in consequence, was not half full, although he had run largely in debt, in furnishing so many houses, and providing servants and a part of his winter's stock of provision. I took the old quarters that I so pleasantly occupied with my family in 1810-11, when we had an agreeable party of a dozen members, some of whom had their families. We fared tolerably well for a month or so. In that time we were joined for a short period by a notable personage, Bailey came into the drawing-room,

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where we were all congregated, and ushered in a gentleman, as Douglass, Earl of Selkirk, the first lord I had the honor of seeing. He was a very modest gentleman, of the light hair, blue eye and fair complexion of the Highlander, and some of us endeavored to smoothe the way to a better acquaintance, by a sociable conversation. He had planted a colony on our North-western borders, called Pembina, at a great expense, but on one of our engineers, Major Long, visiting that spot, in his tour of exploration, shortly afterwards and taking an observation for its latitude, he found it was two minutes or so within our boundary line. Lord Selkirk had to break up, and remove his colony further North, and nearer lake Winnepeg on the Red River of that region. He informed me that he was a partner in a new fur company, called the Northwest, and his traders coming in collision with those of the Old Hudson's Bay, a battle had ensued and several lives lost on both sides. His lordship among others, had been under arrest by the authorities of Upper Canada, for a charge of murder, or manslaughter, but was admitted to bail. After much disturbance, several fights, and a serious appearance of a civil war between them, the matter was finally compromised by a union of the two companies. In these operations his lordship had expended at least £60,000, and seriously, if not ruinously impaired his fortune. We introduced him to the ladies, among whom, the most conspicuous, was Mrs. Hunter, wife of the Senator William Hunter of Rhode Island. She was as agreeable as beautiful, and was the idol of worship to all the gentlemen of the mess, whose attentions she seemed no ways disposed to repel, but maintained a perfect impartiality to all that approached to offer up their incense to her attractions. The Senator did not interfere in the least, and showed no signs of jealousy at the marked, but respectful, behavior which was so generally bestowed on his lady. We had a regular contest every evening, for a seat by her side on the sofa, and it was amusing to observe the tricks played upon each other to obtain the favored place. While two gentlemen were up in a scuffle for that honor, I once slipped behind them and got it myself, to their discomfiture and the merriment of the company. We practised the game of battledore with the ladies, and one of us made it a point to challenge Mrs. Hunter, in order to have an opportunity of gazing on her fine person as she displayed it before us, in every variety of attitude which that graceful game was calculated to show her in. We got his lordship to join in the amusem*nt, and he soon became a good proficient. He however maintained a grave and dignified countenance, though without the least tinge of lordly pride. He escaped the fascination which bound us, and left us very favorable impressions of his correct deportment, great intelligence and pleasing and unaspiring manners.

Our social enjoyments, however, were soon destined to a painful interruption, and our pleasant company dispersed among other messes. Bailey did not, with all his extravagant charges, meet his expenses. He was himself a gambler and possessed dissipated habits. He was living with a woman, in rather a questionable state of moral propriety, though she officiated as a helpmate in the culinary and other domestic duties of the establishment. Times began to grow hard and pinching among the messes. Sometimes the wood was out, and consequently our fires. The good provision of the table began to diminish and dish after dish disappeared, until we were in danger of being seated at another watery feast of Timon. The creditors applied in vain for their dues, and some of them anticipating the difficulty, had been beforehand with others, obtained judgment against Bailey, and for want of something more convenient took his precious body, and as they could not "coin it into ducats," put it into durance vile. We were for days put on short rations, and had to supply the deficiency by our own means. After Bailey had suffered confinement for a week or so, he contrived to escape, and

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in so doing, made a general jail delivery, for he took nearly the whole broadside of the building with him. Upon viewing the hole whence he made his exit, a chasm in the wall appeared, from the upper story window nearly to the basem*nt, and large enough to drive in a wagon and team. The marshal, Mr. Ringgold, advertised a reward of $500 for the seizure and delivery of the said Bailey, or securing him in any county jail. In a few days afterwards, large placards were everywhere posted up offering a reward of $1000 for the said Ringgold to be paid on delivery of him to Robert Bailey, and a proportionate sum for both or either of his ears - signed by the said Bailey and dated from his retreat in Berkley County. Our sufferings at last became too intolerable to hear. Mr. and Mrs. Hunter looked out for another house, and we soon followed their example, and found not only cheaper, but better fare. The session closed in May, and I returned home and made the usual tour of the district. Whether it was from my invitation in my speech on the internal improvement resolution, or from a laudable desire to make a tour of inspection personally, as Mr. Monroe afterwards stated, in June he did us the honor of paying us a visit. He came out with about twenty gentlemen as an escort, besides four or five as a part of his family, among whom was his and his wife's nephews, James Monroe and Samuel Gouverneur, Esqrs., of New York. We received them as they reached us from Norfolk, by the Dismal Swamp road, they having passed a part of the day in visiting Lake Drummond, and spent that night at a public house on the Canal, about sixteen miles from Elizabeth City. In returning from the lake in a yawl boat, furnished from the Navy Yard at Gosport, and manned by four of the seamen, she struck on a stump, and canting to one side, threw a greater part of the passengers overboard. The water was not over four feet deep, but was plentifully intermixed with mud, and several gentlemen, among them Com. Elliot got a due proportion of both. When they arrived at the hotel, in the carriage, the Commodore hastened to divest himself of his muddy garments and to invest himself with those of a lighter complexion. His mind, however, was ill at ease with the accident, and in giving vent to his discontent, did not spare even his Excellency himself, who happened to be standing near the carriage at the time. The Commodore in loud terms cursed the folly of a President of the United States in attempting such puerile trips in such a place, and throwing his friends into such a ridiculous plight.

In the midst of his soliloquy, Mr. Monroe put his head into the door of the carriage, and saluted the abashed Commodore with the question, "What is the matter, friend Elliot?" The Commodore laid an injunction of secrecy upon the cause of his complaints, and hastened his toilet in perfect silence. We heard of their approach; and in the afternoon I rode a few miles out to meet the cortege, the dust of which, for near a mile off, gave signs of their approach. The President's carriage, surrounded by a dozen attendants on horseback, was in the van, and Mr. Crowninshield and Calhoun followed, and I fell into the rear, and joined them at the City Hotel. Here I introduced a large number of the citizens, and at their motion I invited Mr. Monroe and his party to remain over the next day, to give our constituents the opportunity of tendering to him the hospitalities of the town, and to become their guest at a dinner the next day. He and his numerous escort accepted the invitation; and accordingly a large number of the citizens united on the occasion, and sat down with them to an excellent repast, in which a fine green turtle presented the most inviting dish.

My brother Enoch was Collector of the port, and with the other brother, Wilson, composed a part or the company at dinner. My brother's (the Collector's) residence; a spacious mansion, was three miles distance, across his toll-bridge, in Camden County. He invited Mr. Monroe, and all his escort, to spend the evening with him at his house. Upon his assenting, he merely

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wrote three lines, and sent a messenger to his wife, notifying her of the honor of the intended visit. Had the President come, like Lear with his hundred knights, he could have accommodated them. I took Mr. Calhoun in my barouche, and all the rest of the company followed in their carriages and on horseback. Among the number I may mention the Secretary of the Navy. Mr. Crowninshield; Mr. Basset, a member of Congress from York district; Mr. Newton, from Norfolk; Col. James Monroe, and Mr. Samuel Gouverneur, the President's private Secretary, and ten or a dozen private gentlemen, that joined the suite at Norfolk. My niece Mary, a beautiful and accomplished young maiden, entertained the party, after early tea, till bedtime, by some of her best airs on the harp, an instrument on which she excelled, accompanied by a sweet well-trained voice. Col. Swift was the gentleman, usher and cashier to the President. Before tea, it being the month of roses, Mary went to the flower garden, to prepare a bouquet for the President. Col. Swift watched her; and as soon as she came through the gate with a beautiful bunch of flowers, declaring that he must have it, gave chase to her: they had a hard race for it, but she reached the President first and put it in his hands. We passed an agreeable evening. The President appeared highly gratified at his reception, and always made it a point to inquire particularly into the welfare of the family upon meeting me afterwards. The next morning the President took his leave, and the whole cavalcade departed, on their return to Norfolk, and thence on their route homewards. Elizabeth city being the termination of their Southern jaunt that year; but I may state, the same party, with his Excellency, paid us another visit the following year, when I had the honor of meeting them at Educton, and introducing them to my constituents there; my brother, Dr. Sawyer, being among the principal ones to join in honoring the company by a grand ball and supper in the evening, after a sumptuous dinner in the large room of the Court-house. The President thence proceeded in a steamboat furnished by the mail contractor, down the Albemarle Sound, with Col. Swift and others, to make a reconnoisance about the Inlet of Nag's head, and the Narrows at Roanoke Sound: with whom I was especially invited to join, but respectfully declined. Mr. Calhoun concluding to proceed homewards, to S. C., we obtained for him a private conveyance from a friend near Windsor, in Berlin County, to Tarboro, whence he could obtain a seat in a regular stage. On the return of the party from Roanoke, we separated, they returning to the north, through Gates and Nansemond, and I finished my election tour by the end of June. Having "made my calling and election sure," and finding, for the first time, the track clear, I concluded to spend a part of my earnings, thus unexpectedly saved, by a trip up the Bay to Baltimore. I was absent during the day of election in August, a rather dangerous hazard, but it was not much known in the district. I was on my way back homeward, and reached the district on the evening of the same day; but finding all right, I again turned to the sea-shore, and took passage, at Currituck Inlet, in a small coasting vessel, as none other could find water enough over the bar, and made my annual tour from Baltimore to New York. In October I was joined by my brother Wilson, wife and eldest son Julian, then five years old, who came on by sea in a brig of his. We re-established our health, and passed an agreeable season, which that great emporium always presents in the fall, when the climate and the conflux of travellers combine with various other means to please and gratify the temporary resident.

I may here casually mention, that Jacob Barker was then in his zenith of prosperity; and the first time I had ever tasted of that popular dish, chowder, was at a supper at his house, to which myself and brother were invited. The company consisted of some of the first characters of the State, the Mayor, De Witt Clinton, Judge Smith Thompson, and' Ambrose Spencer.

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I found Mr. Spencer a remarkably pleasant and gentlemanly personage. He asked my advice on the subject of internal improvement, it being then contemplated to hazard a beginning of the Erie Canal, whether it would be worth while, or proper, to apply to Congress for aid in that vast undertakeg. I candidly stated my objections, and the difficulties they would experience, if they waited the tardy and doubtful motions of that body, to commence the enterprise. He was convinced by my reasons, and concluded it the best and most noble policy to rely upon the unaided energies of his own State. His son, John C. was then a member elect, and was to take his seat at the ensuing session of Congress. The Judge was polite enough to commit his youth and inexperience to my more mature judgment and direction. I could but smile at the suggestion, and answered the Judge, that I had too humble a sense of my unworthiness, and thought his son was much more able to advise and direct me than I him. The party passed off pleasantly; though I thought Mr. Clinton rather a dull companion. He said little; and all the observation he made at supper was, that the lawyers, of whom there were two or three distinguished ones present, governed the State. They ruled and controlled the Judges, and the Judges ruled the people; which aphorism, if applied to one branch of the justiciary, the Chancery, would not have been far from the truth. I did not relish Mr. Barker's chowder, which was a villainous compound of offensive tastes; in which artificial fire, in the shape of Cayenne pepper, predominated. The rest of the company thought otherwise; and as there is no disputing about tastes, I let them have their own way, without being convinced by their persuasion and example.

Early in December we set out on our return, and travelled a part of the way with some distinguished characters: among them Mr. Forsyth, who paid marked attention to Mr. and Mrs. Sawyer and their boy Julian. At Baltimore we separated, he going down the Bay to Norfolk and I proceeding to Washington. On arriving at Rossburg, three miles from Bladensburgh, I left the stage, resolved to rest there that night, for the roads were then so rough and broken, that I was so much jolted as to require a night's repose. Just before night a carriage and four drove up, in which I observed two gentlemen and as many ladies. I took the liberty of waiting upon the ladies, and handing them out. They were remarkably handsome, and one of them, the youngest, particularly. We entered the parlor together; and addressing myself to the youngest gentleman, mentioned the circ*mstance of my remaining over night, and that I thought it would pass more agreeably if could have the pleasure of forming their acquaintance. For that purpose I begged leave to introduce myself; and Mr. Stoughton immediately introduced me to Don. Onis and his daughters, now on his way to the city, as minister from Spain. The ladies spoke our language as well as natives.

We established a lasting friendship; and Mr. Onis gave me an invitation to call on him at his residence. Soon after arriving at the city, as the rule is, I left my card, and in three days received Don Onis in return, and was among the first guests invited to dinner; where I had the honor of a seat near the ladies. We frequently met at ball parties, given at their own house, and by the other foreign ministers, especially Mr. Hyde De Neuville, where I had the pleasure of dancing with them as partners in cotillions. I was the best representative from the South, on the floor; and it was no trifling art, but one which rendered me always an eligible partner to the ladies. The figure was not given out then as now, by a leader of the band, nor were there a regular series of them, but every tune had its own particular figure allotted to it, of which scores of promiscuous ones were played in the course of the evening. I have often been amused and flattered to observe the parties in the nearest sets waiting to see me lead off, which I always could do without hesitation. The ladies occasionally visited the sessions of the House,

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when I uniformly joined them in the gallery, Don Onis, owing to the ill treatment of Spain, and the exciting discussion going on between him and Mr. Adams on the subject of the cession of Florida, in 1819, was rather in bad odor when he came within the bar of the House, as the rules allowed, to witness our proceedings; none of the members, except myself, saluted him. I always approached him in a friendly manner, and entered into a sociable conversation. With Mr. Stoughton, who is since the Spanish Consul at the port of New York, and was then attached to the embassy as Secretary of Legation, I have maintained an uninterrupted friendship. The eldest daughter was married by proxy to the Marquis Heredia; and since their return home, about the year 1822, after we had closed the treaty of cession of Florida. I have not heard the fate of the youngest sister, though she deserved a happy one. The Chevalier died a few years since.

I was laid up the greater part of the session of 1820, at Baltimore, being taken with my old symptoms of gastric and nervous irritation and debility, on the road from the north; and the fatigue of the journey and cold weather aggravating the disease, so that I did not resume my seat till the 20th of April, about the time of the duel between Decatur and Barron. I had lost so much ground in the popular favor by this and other detentions from my seat, and long absence, by which my name was so often out of the list of the ayes and noes on the journals, that it was remarked and made an objection against my re-election. So that by the time I returned home, early in June, I found a competitor in the field against me, Gen. James Iredel, a gentleman at the head of the bar, and one who has had the honor since of being also at the head of the State government, and Senator in Congress. He, however, was not popular on account of his politics, being on the opposite one to the administration, or what was called a federalist. I had only to ride through the country, to associate among my old friends, to remove the unfavorable impression which they had felt, on account of my long and frequent absence from the house, and to turn the current of popular prejudice in my favor. But the course my adversary took against me completely ruined his chance, and that blow which he intended against me, rebounded on his own head. Some malicious personal enemy at Washington had been plying him with letters from that place, with charges and certificates to prove my previous connection with a woman of bad fame, which, though I am ashamed of confessing contained too much truth, yet I was not singular in that offense, though I was singled out as a victim to a base and unworthy motive. Mr. Iredel gave copies to the printers, two of whom were on his side in politics. They seized the food of slander with avidity, and distributed handbills through the district, with an expectation that I would be overwhelmed with the storm of excitement it would create. They fell into their own snare. General indignation was excited, but against themselves, and I rode on the wave of popular favor that engulphed them, while it landed me safe and triumphant in my seat again. My majority was over seventeen hundred. I felt, of course, an additional share of gratitude for this unmerited generosity, by which the people had consigned my offences against good morals to oblivion, and pressed me to their hearts notwithstanding my sin. I determined, however, to give no future occasion for a repetition of the offense, or of the accusation, and on going to Washington I decided to marry the first decent girl I met. I was fated to forego the pleasure of wife-hunting, however, and to suffer that privation among others from the effects of a severe cold caught on board the packet by sleeping near the door of the cabin of the packet on my way to Washington on the 1st of December. The disease settled in my head, and although it did not prevent my daily attendance in the house, yet the pain, which seemed to come on in regular paroxysms at night, was so severe that I could not lie in a recumbent

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posture, nor get a wink of sleep till near midnight. After suffering this till March, a friend called to see me; upon learning the nature of my . complaint, he gave me the pleasing assurance of an infallible remedy, as he had used it frequently in similar cases. It was warm French brandy, well applied at night, on going to bed, by the hands, and continued for half an hour, enveloping the head in flannel. I tried it, and went to bed a well man. A few days afterwards another acquaintance called on me, and hearing me complain of my lonely condition and of my determination quickly to change it, without waiting for the usual tedious process of courtship, informed me that he knew of a good opportunity of my being accommodated, as there were two sisters who occupied a part of the same house with his family. The father had been a wealthy farmer, represented the County of Bedford in the Senate of Pennsylvania, but had met with a great reverse, and was now living in poverty. He offered to introduce me, and I accordingly accompanied him to the house, and was presented to the family. The eldest sister, a most beautiful creature, was put forward to receive my onset. I was satisfied, that time, with a short reconnoisance. I called again the next afternoon, and observing the younger sister, who was refused to me, (as they term it in military phrase, where a wing of the army is not brought into action) busily employed in the labor of the house, I approached her, and after a few preliminary remarks, opened at once the business of my negotiation. I found her innocence personified, very handsome, and possessed of a sweet look and disposition, and though only sixteen years of age, while I was on the wrong side of forty, I at once proposed myself. She at first objected her tender age and inexperience in household affairs, but finally agreed to permit me to ask the consent of her parents. They knew something of me from the partial representation of our mutual acquaintance, and I did not leave their door till they had given their approbation to the match. Thus, within three days after I first saw the young lady, she became my wife I had no time to inquire into her disposition or temper, but I judged very correctly, from the unerring signs her physiognomy exhibited, with the few sentiments I heard from her lips; and knowing as I did that matrimony was a lottery in which the adventurer, no matter how deliberately he may put his hand in the wheel, was as apt to draw a blank as a prize, I ventured at once. I never had occasion to repent of my choice. She was the most gentle, modest, sweet-tempered creature I ever knew. She humored me in all my caprices and irritability of temper, and would never betray the least anger or obstinacy, however much provoked. She led me a quiet, peaceful, and happy life, the three short years she was spared to me. I advanced her parents funds to extricate their furniture from mortgage, and enabled the mother to open a respectable boarding-house on the Pennsylvania Avenue, where we took a room and had an agreeable mess of members for several succeeding sessions. She bore me three children, but they died in early infancy, except a son, who lived to be able to walk and begin to speak, but unfortunately she took; him with her in the summer of 1824, to our residence in N. C., which is a most unhealthy spot at that season, where he was soon after attacked with bilious fever, that settled into a bowel complaint that carried him off, dying in my arms on our arrival in Washington the following November. The year previous, in September, 1823, I had imprudently returned to my district the last of August, and before the close of September was attacked with my old nervous disease, accompanied with an alarming affection of the heart. I lingered till the beginning of November, before I felt sufficiently restored to dare venture on my journey to Washington, and that by short and easy stages. I made out to reach my niece's, living on the canal, twelve miles from Elizabeth City, who was married to a wealthy gentleman by the name of Samuel Proctor; and remained with them several

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days in a state of much debility. Unfortunately, the canal was emptied for the purpose of excavation, except to the first lock, a distance of six miles. I reached there by water, and remained at a friend's over night, the next day I started with a view of reaching Deep Creek, a distance of about twenty miles, but on going about half the distance, though only in a walk, in an easy gig, and frequently stopping to rest, I could reach only the second lock, where I hoped to find enough water to enable me to descend the balance of the way in a canoe or skiff. But I was disappointed. Nor was that the worst of it, for there was no house to stop at, but mere negro huts, without going over a logged road through a swamp, the place called Bear Swamp, two miles distant. It was night when I came there, and though the house was not comfortable, the landlord gave me a hospitable reception, and I lay down, hoping to attain that greatest balm to a diseased and fatigued body, but I found none. As usual in such cases, a reaction ensued, with most distressing symptoms. I arose next morning from a restless couch, and when I looked around and saw myself two miles from the canal, in the midst of a swamp, fit for the habitation of bears, I could not perceive by what infatuation I had got into such a trap, not being in my recollection one of those quadrupeds, though feeling very much like another, of harder hoofs and longer ears. I had to "suffer durance vile" for two weeks before I gained strength to reach the canal again. Then after waiting half the day, the promised skiff came, there being only six or eight inches water to float in. I made out to get to Deep Creek that night, and felt too weak the next day to leave, and was there a week longer before I could venture to be floated down to Gosport, where I landed and stopped at a friend's for a fortnight longer, though only a mile from Norfolk. I was too weak to make the least exertion to cross the river. I received the kindest treatment here for three weeks, during which time my wife joined me from Washington, and bestowed on me her tenderest and holiest care. We made out in December to get to Norfolk, and remain under the roof of my sister. But as the session was advancing, and ended the 4th of March, and my condition too precarious and weak to undertake the completion of my long journey of two hundred and fifty miles by water, and my friends at home writing discontented letters, and threatening me with a loss of my election if I did not go on, my situation was little short of distraction. The jarring of the steam- boat was always very prejudicial to me, especially on a trip when I had to remain all night on board, as I could not sleep for that vile noise of the machinery, and I apprehended the most disastrous consequences upon adventuring on it, the first of January, in my weak state. However, I was so importuned, and my wife being also anxious, I started. We unfortunately encountered a head wind and snow storm, and were thirty-six hours going the trip. Of course, I was taken out of my berth in a state of exhaustion, and carried to my mother-in-law's, where I lay so helpless that I could not turn in bed, and had to be fed with a spoon, like a child. My wife was an angel of mercy hovering over me, with healing in her wings. Her cheerful, soothing voice and constant presence kept me from sinking entirely, although I thought I must go to my long home, not having closed my eyes for nine nights and days. By a milk diet, which I commenced on the tenth day of my confinement, a little sleep was restored to me, and by constant and careful nursing, I began slowly to recover. All kinds of medicine so entirely disagreed with me that I dismissed my physician. It was March before I could leave my room, and the House adjourned without my being able to take my seat. I was able to return home in June, yet on trial I broke down in making the circuit of the district, and was beaten by a small majority. I had no right to calculate on being re-elected under such circ*mstances, as this was the third session I had entirely lost, besides several intervals and

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days, by indisposition. My wife, whom I accompanied to Norfolk, returned home and remained there the whole of the fall and winter of 1824.

I vamped up a manuscript comedy that I had laying by me, called Blackbeard, and paid a visit to my wife in Washington in May, 1824. I concluded to publish a small edition of the comedy by subscription, and for that purpose consulted with Mr. Clay, the Speaker of the House. He encouraged me to take that step, and promised to head the list, and give it a motion through the House. I accordingly handed it to him to which he put his name, and by the aid of the boys who attended on the members in the hall the list circulated freely, and the second day after came out of the House with seventy names attached to it, which just paid the cost of publication; so that I had a clear gain in the sale of about four hundred copies, at thirty seven and a half cents each. It does not become me to boast of any merit or praise which rewarded me in addition to the profit of the work. But I received enough of both to satisfy me - in fact, more than I deserved. I returned to my district after an absence of fifteen months, and although it might have been objected to me on the score of non-residence, yet the people disliked my successor, he had made himself so unpopular by voting against General Jackson for the Presidency.

The election took place in Currituck (the lowest county, and bordering on Virginia), the last week in July, and about two weeks before the general election. I visited the county about a week previous, intending to make a circuit through a part of it, but was unfortunately seized with a bilious remittent, which confined me till the day of the election. I then made a desperate effort, as my election in a measure depended on it, and reached the principal ground of election (there were eight or ten districts) as the polls opened. I resolutely kept on my feet, though quite feeble, until the polls were closed, when I found I had obtained a majority of 40 in that district. Though I learned the next day, my adversary, by the means of treating and other electioneering tricks, succeeded in the county at large by the usual majority of 300. That county always voted against me of late years, in consequence of my having beaten two of their candidates at different times, who opposed me in Congress, and in doing so excited them and their connections and friends against me, and made them my implacable foes. - The next Monday was the court week for Camden County, adjoining Currituck, and the place of my nativity, and the bones of my ancestors rested within a mile of the court house ground - I addressed my old friends, though showing the effects of my disease by a sallow look and sore lips, I concluded by encouraging them to support me, notwithstanding the loss of Currituck, for with their aid, I could easily balance that majority, and return triumphant from the upper counties. They promised to give it. Two days before the election in the district at large, I went to Perquimons, the middle county, where I thought the issue doubtful., where, from my non-attendance at the last election, I imputed my defeat. There was a separate election the Thursday or day before the principal one, in the upper part of the county, which I attended. I was induced to play their own acts upon my adversaries, and treated pretty largely to such entertainment as the place afforded, in the shape of melons and the distilled juice of the apple, which I repeat, is the most palatable in our opinion, of all the products of the still. I obtained a majority there of four-fifths with the news of which I return to Hertford, as a favorable prelude to the battle of the next day. Before the polls were opened on the morning of Friday, I distributed my file leaders at their posts, well supplied with proper ammunition and went up and down the ranks to encourage my partisans. We gained the day by an overwhelming majority, but it nearly cost me my life. I was overcome with fatigue. heat and fever, and had to remain at head quarters a week. Knowing the anxiety

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of my friends to hear the result from the centre where I was, and the upper county where my opponent went. I wrote them, somewhat in this form, and what was droll, sent it by a parson who was passing at the time.

Bulletin of the grand army,
Head-quarters, Hertfort,August 13, 1825
.

"I hasten to give you the result of the glorious victory gained over the caucusites. Finding they had made an impression on my vanguard, stationed in Currituck, by their sharp shooters, and in the use of all kinds of missiles, particularly in a large quantity of liquid fire, by which they gained a temporary advantage, and hoped to dispirit my men at the main battle, I determined to oppose them with the same weapons. I took my station in the centre, and having given the proper orders to officer Col. Morgan, commanding the right wing at Murfreesboro, and Gen. White of the left wing stationed at Edenton, I made my dispositions for a general attack of the enemy on the morning of the 10th. Hearing, however, that the enemy was preparing to establish a post at Newby, in the upper end of the county, and to attempt a sortie on me on the 9th, I hastened up there with reinforcements and an ammunition wagon loaded with a fresh supply of white ruin, melons, and gingerbread. We took them by a coup de main within two hours after the firing commenced, we made 120 prisoners, with the trifling loss of only 21 on our part. From thence I hastened to head quarters, at Hertford, to make arrangements for the great battle of the ensuing day. The sun rose bright and warm, and I mustered my officers, after they had partaken of refreshments, and distributed them at their respective posts. At 10 o'clock, I rode up and down the ranks with my aids, and encouraged my troops to maintain their reputation of veterans, which they had so well earned in seven great victories. They responded with three hearty cheers. I felt confident of success, and took my stand, a little in the rear, and near the Inn, where I could see the evolutions and operations of the lines, and be at hand to ply the ammunition as occasion required. I issued my commands to engage, as the hour of ten arrived, and the engagement commenced with great gallantry by my troops, but with an apparent apathy on the part of the enemy. Soon after the action commenced, their ranks were thinned by desertion, and by 4 o'clock the battle was gained in the complete rout of the enemy, horse, foot, and dragoons. Their leader fell in the engagement, while I received a contusion in the breast by a water-melon, which has confined me to my quarters for the present, but I hope to take up my line of march on my return home, there to dismiss my men, and give them their well earned honorable discharge from this war, till it may be necessary to re-enlist them in the sping of 1827, should the enemy then, under some other leader, attempt to rally the scattered forces of the caucusites."

The reading of the bulletin created as much merriment as gratification to a knot of my friends at Elizabeth city, on the evening of the same day, and they enjoyed the joke also from the circ*mstance that so ludicrous a communication had been delivered by so grave a personage as an episcopal clergyman. I returned at the day appointed, having entirely recovered from my exhaustion and my wound; which, in truth, proceeded from the effects of the missile internally. My triumph, however, was marred by the dangerous state in which I found my only child Helenus, about sixteen months old, whom my wife had improvidently brought with her in May, from Washington, and who was a fine, promising child, just learning to walk, and to pronounce the endearing names of his father and mother. By proper treatment the fever abated, but the disease settled on his bowels, and became obstinately chronic, under which our dear child gradually sunk. My wife delayed too long her return to the city. Had she started soon after I went home in August, the child might have had strength to bear the journey. But by waiting till November,

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it was too near gone, and the jarring of the steamer from Norfolk to Washington, over two hundred miles distant, completely exhausted him, and he expired, as I stated, in my arms in ten minutes after arrival. Out of four or five born to me by my two first wives, this was the only child that bid fair to live to years of maturity.

I was always a great reader. Being of a delicate constitution, I seldom ventured out at night in search of amusem*nt or pleasure, and was in a measure forced to supply their place with books, to occupy my mind agreeably on long winter evenings. The library of Congress afforded a rich literary repast, containing the contributions of the highest talents from all parts of the world, too costly for any private collection, and surpassing all other public ones in America for the number and value of its books. I gathered the best specimens and rarest articles from all the different kingdoms of knowledge, which I stored away, having a bad memory, in a manuscript volume, for future reference and use. This enabled me to be always ready, during the discussion of any important question, with some illustration, fact, or argument by which I could enrich my discourse, whenever I thought proper to take the floor. I had the advantage over every other member from this magazine of learning, and was like an armed man meeting a naked adversary in the field of debate. I had levied many contributions from Ross and Parry's voyages for the discovery of a Northwest passage, and fortunately they soon became available on a resolution introduced by Mr. Baylies, of Massachusetts. As great injustice has been done me, by snatching from my hand the honor of being the best projector in this country of a voyage of discovery, in justice to my claim I may here give a detailed history of the proceedings, and my speech on the occasion.

On the 18th of December, 1825, Mr. Bailies called up his resolution, which was in the following words: - " Resolved, That the Secretary be required to inform this House whether the sloop of war Boston might not be employed in exploring the N. W. coast of America, its rivers and inlets between the parallels of latitude 42 and 48 north, without detriment to the naval service of the United States, and whether the expense incurred on such service would exceed the ordinary expense of such vessel while cruising; and also whether it would be practicable to transmit more cannon and munitions of war in said vessel, than would be necessary for use." I proposed an amendment to the resolution as follows: - "and thence proceed into Behring's Straits, and, if practicable, to continue her route into the Polar Sea, or through the opening of Prince Regent's Inlet, or Barrow's Strait, into Baffin's, Hudson's and Davis' Bays, and thence down said bays to some port in the United States."

In support of my proposition I arose and observed, "that this amendment was predicated upon that part of the President's message which relates to our contribution of mind, of labor, and expense to the acquisition of knowledge, and has reference to those numerous voyages of discovery of a N. W. passage to China which have been fitted out of late years, particularly by Great Britain. In 1818 a ship was sent under the direction of Capt. Ross, who for the first time made the circuit of Baffin's Bay, and penetrated as far as 77° N., two degrees beyond the place called Red Head, the highest point reached by whalers. He not only enlarged the sphere of geographical science so much as to render the maps of this section of our continent useless, and added many facts and subjects to natural history, but led his adventurous countrymen through fields and mountains of ice to new harbors of the whale, where full cargoes of whale oil are obtained in a comparatively short time. He invented the deep sea clam, an instrument that brings up portions of the soil from a depth of seven hundred fathoms. He was succeeded in 1810, by Capt. Parry, the fearless champion of science, who in three successive voyages

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has discovered no less than three passages into the Polar Seas, that might lead through Behring's Straits into the Pacific. In his final voyage he discovered the openings which he named after his ships the Fury and Hecla; in his second and third, he found those which he called Prince Regent's Inlet, and Barrow's Strait. It is but three months since he returned from his third voyage, which failed from the loss of one of his ships, the Fury, that was wrecked by a flue of ice, while running through Barrow's Straits with every prospect of success. In his second voyage Capt. Parry obtained the bounty of 1000l., granted by Parliament to the navigator who should first reach the 110th degree of West longitude. He also passed over a portion of the magnetic pole, in lat. 74 and longitude 100 west, immediately after which the compass before varied 108. 58' changed to 165.50' east.

"Capt. Parry has enriched physical science by many valuable contributions. Contemporaneous with the last voyage was a land expedition under Capt. John Franklin, through the United British Fur Company's posts, down the Coppermine river to the sea. He arrived at the Arctic Sea in August, 1820, and navigated it in a NE. direction in canoes for several hundred miles. He discovered the group of Islands which he named King George the Fourth's Archipelago. He is now performing another journey in that direction, and contemplates meeting Capt. Parry at some given point on the Polar Sea. In about the latitude 64°N., he passed the zenith of the Aurora Borealis, which, as he proceeded, appeared in the southern portion of the heavens. He endeavored to ascertain whether this electric fluid emitted any noise, as is alleged by the Indians and factors, but left that problem still in doubt. He made many observations on the intensity of the magnetic forces in different stations, from the oscillations of the needle - and on meteorology, settled the latitude and longitude of many remarkable points, immortalized his friends and patrons by giving their names to them, and brought home immense spoils from the zoological, botanical, and mineralogical kingdoms.

"The enterprising king of Britain deserves much praise for the lead he has taken, in conjunction with France and Russia, and the perseverance with which he has pursued these hazardous, expensive, and disinterested expeditions for the common benefit of mankind. The time has come for this nation likewise to enter into this glorious career of discovery and human improvement. Are we for ever to remain idle spectators of those splendid exertions to trace our own continent? Will none but kings enlist in the cause of science? I had as soon borrow their money without any intention of repaying it, as to borrow their knowledge that they have been at such great pains to acquire. We ought to feel that unhappiness that Alexander felt, upon learning the conquests of his father, Philip, for fear he would leave him nothing to conquer. These views of policy, however, being new to us, I cannot flatter myself that they will be greeted by a majority of the House, I content myself by proving that I am willing to go as far, if not farther, than the avowed friends of the President on this part of his recommendation. Can it be pretended that a mere reconnoissance of seven degrees of latitude will be received as a discharge of our part of this debt to science, which the President justly pronounces sacred.

"The ship, according to this resolution, is to cruize within our acknowledged limits, which from the Spanish boundary of 42° to the British of 49° of N. latitude, includes a space of 420 miles. It is with the view of making a tender, on the part of my constituents, of their part of this debt, that I have offered this amendment."

As I anticipated, the amendment was lost, being opposed by Mr. Bailies himself, who had some fears that his own resolution would not pass, if encumbered with my amendment. His was therefore agreed to, but owing to the stupidity of the mover, in proposing it as a single, instead of a joint resolution,

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the President refused to carry it into effect. My speech was published the next morning in the city papers, and copied and circulated through all parts of the Union, and found its way in some of the magazines of England. The great credit which was awarded me for this effort to originate a voyage of discovery, amply repaid me for the failure, and the censure that Mr. Bailies received, even in his own State, would have atoned for any illiberal treatment towards me, which I might have accused him of. The impulse thus given, however, to the cause of discovery was not suffered to languish, or to cease with this first effort. The nation was aroused and caught fire at the imagination of the glory it might wrest from the grasp of a rival power on this untried field of enterprise, and would not rest satisfied until an expedition was authorized. Although our government thought proper to give its destination a southern direction, and others have arrogated all the credit of the enterprise, yet in truth and in justice it of right belongs to me, as the first originator and supporter of the proposition. I forwarded a copy of my amendment, with the accompanying remarks, and the subsequent defense, to Capt. Parry, and they were published, with handsome comments, in the Westminster Review, and re-copied in the North American. The pride and liberality of Great Britain was again appealed to, and the government entreated to persevere in its determination to find the long-sought NW. passage, before they were outstripped in the race of glory by the infant republic. I received a complimentary, letter from Capt. Parry, which is inserted below, and another expedition was fitted out under Lieut. Ross, which extended very much the field of geographical science, and found the location of the magnetic pole.

[CAPT. PARRY'S LETTER.]
Admiralty. London, Jan. 30, 1826.

"DEAR SIR: - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 17th of December, enclosing an account of the proceedings of the House of Representatives upon an amendment moved by yourself to a resolution on the subject of discovery on the N. W. coast of America.

In offering you my warm thanks for the very flattering manner in which you have been pleased to mention my humble services in the cause of science, as well as for your kindness in forwarding to me the account of your proceedings, I beg to assure you of the sense I entertain of the liberal and disinterested motives which have induced you to step forward in the same cause on this occasion. Enterprises of this kind, so liberal in their nature and their object, cannot fail to do honor to the country that undertakes them, even if they do not prove absolutely successful; and I cannot but consider it a proud distinction for you to have been the first individual of your Assembly to propose a measure so creditable as that of promoting science for its own sake. Though your first attempt in this way has failed, I trust, sir, that you will prove more fortunate in any future endeavors in furtherance of that end.

I believe it is not in contemplation at present to send out any further expedition from this country to the Northwest. It is, indeed, more than probable that we shall await the return of Capt. Franklin, who is now about to proceed down Mackenzie's River in order to determine the actual position of the Northern coast of America. Should any future attempts be determined on, I need scarcely assure you that I am at all times willing and ready to undertake the enterprise, which will, I doubt not, one day or other be accomplished.

Your faithful and obedient servant,
W. PARRY.

To the Hon. Lemuel Sawyer.

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On the 27th of January, 1826, I had to suffer a most severe domestic affliction in the loss of my faithful, kind and affectionate wife. As if she had a presentiment of her approaching fate, she had occupied a seat by me, every night during the winter, and while I was engaged till bedtime in reading books of general literature, she was intently engaged in perusing the Scripture. We had attended the Jackson anniversary ball on the night of the 8th, where she seemed to enjoy herself and was pronounced one of the handsomest women in the room being then in blooming health and only 20 years of age. In returning from the heated room, the night being cold, it is probable she took cold, for in a day or two afterwards she was troubled with a cough. She showed no serious symptoms, however, till the morning of the 18th, when she was seized with a chill, followed by a fever, and a violent affection, or inflammation of the lungs. Her breathing became quick and difficult, literally panting for breath with her tongue out. I never witnessed so violent a pulmonic affection, and saw at once her imminent danger. I attended her as constantly as I could, and frequently stole away from my seat in the house for that purpose and regretted one day in particular, when being called to the chair in committee of the whole house on a contested election case, I was detained from her till late in the afternoon, and upon flying to her bedside was shocked to find her fever much aggravated with the other symptoms, from the imprudent use of some cordials her relatives had given her. Her sufferings continued unabated and extreme, during the whole progress of the disease. I called in a physician, being a member of the house and a friend of ours, but I fear his remedy did harm. Her pulse was never under 140, and oftener 160 beats in a minute and yet he bled her three times. As it must have been of a typus grade, this depletion was injudicious. I called in another physician of the city of long established reputation, and be applied all the other remedies that suggested themselves, as a blister on the breast and m ild evacuation. But it was all in vain. Though she continued to suffer thus for nine days, such excruciating agony, without a moment's sleep or respite from pain, she never uttered a complaint. The violence of the disease, on the ninth day of its continuance, forced a premature delivery of a male infant which survived only twenty-four hours. She was sensible to the last. She began to sink gradually after the exhaustion from child birth. In the afternoon of the ninth day of her illness, seeing her friends seated around her with sorrow depicted in their countenances, she observed it and read her fate in their looks. I addressed her, and endeavoured to keep up her spirits, by assuring her I did not perceive any danger, and urged her to disregard any tokens of grief she might observe in the countenances of the female attendants and try and compose herself, to get a little sleep. She called me near her and gave the heart-rending sentence, that we must part for ever. She added some wholesome religious advice, on the score of reformation, and which I trust has not been lost on me. Besought me to be a friend of her mother, and to divide her effects between her and her sister. She then called them up end gave them her last commands, and good religious advice. - We were all overwhelmed with grief at this solemn spectacle. I asked her if she was willing to go, and she answered, yes. She rallied a little in the night, and took some soup her mother kept by the fire, and talked on religious subjects, and seemed to join in spirit and devout attention, while two Christian ladies of the neighborhood sung some hymns she requested. In the hope that she might still get some repose, I requested the company to retire, all but her mother and sister, who might rest in an adjoining bed, and to put out the light. - She endeavoured to obtain some sleep, but could not. At 3 o'clock she was seized suddenly with the pangs of death, said she could not see, and called for two candles. I was alarmed by the family, and hastened to her from another room, and found her speechless

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and moaning, and breathing heavy and hurriedly. After about five minutes from the time she was seized in the arms of the king of terrors, she drew a long breath, - it was her last. We followed her corpse, the second day after, to the Congress burying-ground, an appendage to the Presbyterian church, and situated near the eastern branch, not far from the navy yard, where she was deposited, with her infant, among the monuments of the mighty dead. She made so noble an end, that I made a memorandum of the circ*mstances at the time, and challenge the whole mortuary of philosophers or heroes to produce a more enviable one. But it was in a great measure constitutional. A happy temperament, a good, easy, and tranquil mind, not subject to nervous irritation, both ensure exemplary lives and happy ends. And to crown such blessed characters with the faith and holiness of Christianity in their last trying scene, is all that is required to elevate them to the dignity of angels, and console their surviving friends.

I continued my course of reading, and filled my Album, or what I called Museum of Literary Curiosities, by transferring to it every remarkable fact and interesting passage, culled from natural science, history, voyages and travels. Humboldt's researches in South America afforded the richest mine of philosophical wealth. Sir Stamford Raffles' account of Java also furnished much novel and curious information. In the course of four or five years, during which I had made extracts from the choicest passages of the works I read, I had compiled two volumes of considerable size. I have to regret the loss of the first one, which was stolen from a room in Elizabeth City, with my trunk and various other articles, but I have the second one, which is full of curious and astonishing facts and circ*mstances, that would afford a vast deal of information and amusem*nt, without the trouble of wading through a hundred large tomes to obtain them. I propose here, to add a few, taken at random, as specimens from hundreds which the diary contains:

Humboldt, Vol. IV. p. 188.
The reason that the earth is soon impoverished by the culture of indigo, particularly between the tropics, is because the rays of the sun penetrate freely into the earth, and by accelerated combustion of the hydrurets of carbon, and other accidified principles, destroy the germ of fecundity. Trees and shrubs loaded with branches, such as sugar-canes, vines, &c. draw a part of their nourishment from the ambient air, and the virgin soil augments its fertility by the decomposition of the vegetable substance which progressively accumulates.

Soil is often accused of being exhausted when in reality it is the atmosphere that is changed by the progress of cultivation and clearing. The air that embraces a virgin soil covered with forests, is loaded with humidity and those gaseous mixtures that serve for the nourishment of plants, and arise from the decomposition of organic substances. When a country has been long cultivated, it is not the proportions between azote and oxygen that vary. The constituent bases of the atmosphere remain unaltered; but, no longer contain, in a state of suspension, those vinary and ternary mixtures of carbon, azote and hydrogen which a virgin soil exhales, and which are regarded as a source of fecundity. The air, purer and less charged with miasma and heterogeneous exhalations, becomes drier, and the elasticity of the vapours undergoes a sensible diminution. - p. 245. The food of plants being already prepared and dissolved, they require no organs of digestion, because the stimulus is applied to these organs directly by the contact of the gaseous fluids which holds the pabulum in suspension; or is the food itself rather

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Too much wet and cloudy weather obstructs the growth of vegetables by preventing the sublimation of the airs in intercepting solar heat, thus causing a condensation of vapors at the surface.

Hot Springs of Trinchera - Humboldt.
These springs are about three hours' ride from Puerto Cabello. They are the hottest in the world, except those of Urigint in Japan. They are 90° 3 of Reaumur, and boil eggs in four minutes. Notwithstanding their heat, the vegetation around them is luxuriant, and the roots of fig-trees and others have run into the bottom of the spring, at a temperature of 85°. - Hum.

Note. - In the hot springs of Arkansas small fish exist - a species of aquatic salamander.

The Cow-Tree of Caraccas. - Humboldt.
The Cow-Tree, Palo de Vaccas, grows at the plantation Barbula, near Puerto Cabello. This fine tree rises like the Broad-leafed Star Apple. Some of the leaves are ten inches. The fruit is somewhat fleshy and contains one and sometimes two nuts. When incisions are made in the trunk of the tree, it yields abundance of the glutinous milk, tolerably thick, destitute of all acrimony, and of an agreeable and balmy smell. It was offered us in the shell of the Calabash-tree. We drank considerable quantities of it in the evening, before we went to bed, and in the morning, without feeling the least injurious effects. The Majordomo told us the negroes grew fat during the season when the Palo di Vaca was in milk. This extraordinary tree appears to be peculiar to the Cordilleras of the coast. A common chain links together all organic nature. This tree is the connecting link between the animal and vegetable kingdoms. The inhabitants of the Andes Quindiu fabricate tapers with the thick layers of wax that cover the trunk of the palm tree. Lately has been discovered in Europe, Caseum, the basis of cheese, in the emulsion of almonds; yet for ages past the milk of a tree on the mountains of the coast of Venezuela, and the cheese separated from that vegetable milk, have been considered a salutary aliment."

Gymnotus Electricus. - The Electrical Eel.
The electrical eel abounds in the rivers of South America, the Oronoco, the Amazon, and the Meta. In the Plains, particularly in the environs of Calabozo, the basins of stagnant water are filled with electrical eels. They are sometimes taken with the Barbasco, the root of the Piscidea Erythrina, and some pieces of phylanthrus, which, thrown into the pool, intoxicates or benumbs them.

The Indians told me they could fish with horses - "embarbas car con cavallos" We found it difficult to form an idea of this extraordinary manner of fishing. but we soon saw our guides return from the savannah with about thirty wild horses and mules, which they forced into the water. The noise caused by the horses makes the eels rise from the mud, and excites them to combat. These yellowish and livid eels, resembling large aquatic serpents, swim on the surface, and crowd under the bellies of the horses and mules. A contest between animals of such distinct characters, furnishes a striking spectacle. The Indians, provided with harpoons and long slender reeds, surround the pool closely. Some climb the trees, the branches of which extend over the water. By their cries and their weapons, they prevent the horses from running away. The eels, aroused by the noise, defend themselves by repeated discharges of their electric batteries. During some time they appear to be victorious. Several horses sink beneath the violence of the invisible strokes they receive from all sides, and stunned by the force and

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frequency of the shocks, disappear under the water. Others panting, with mane erect and haggard eyes, raise themselves and endeavor to flee. They are driven back by the Indians, but some escape, When they reach the shore, stumbling at every step, they stretch themselves on the sand, exhausted with fatigue and benumbed by the electric shocks.

In less than five minutes two horses were drowned. The eel being five feet long, and pressing against the belly of the horse, makes a discharge along the whole extent of its electrical organs. He attacks at once the heart, the intestines, and the plexus callideus of the abdominal nerves. The horses are probably not killed but stunned. They were drowned from the impossibility of rising from the prolonged struggle. By degrees the impetuosity of this unequal combat diminished, and the wearied gymnoti dispersed. They require long rest and nourishment to repair the loss of galvanic force. The mules and horses appear less frightened, their manes are no longer bristled, and their eyes express less dread. The gymnoti approach timidly the edge of the marsh, when they are taken by small harpoons fastened to long cords. When the cords are dry, the Indians feel no shock in raising the eels into the air. In a few minutes we had five large eels. The temperature of the water which the gymnoti inhabit is from 26 to 27° of Reaumur. It is remarkable that animals endowed with electro-motive organs, the effects of which are sensible to man, are not found in the air, but in a fluid that is a conductor of electricity. The gymnotus is the largest of electrical fishes. Two rows of small yellow spots are placed symmetrically along the back to the end of the tail. In consequence, the skin of this eel is constantly covered with a mucous matter, which, as Volta has proved, conducts electricity twenty or thirty times better than pure water. No electrical fish possesses scales They do not suspend their respiration in the air, but absorb the gaseous oxygen like a reptile furnished with lungs. I do not remember ever to have received from the discharge of a large Leyden jar a more dreadful shock than that which I experienced by imprudently placing my feet on a gymnotus just taken out of the water. I was affected, the rest of the day, with a violent pain in the joints. The electric action of the gymnotus depends onits will. They kill at some distance fish put in the same trough.

Edible Birds' Nests.
Among the interesting subjects which still remain open for research are the habits and constitution of the Hirundo Esculata, the swallow that makes the edible nests, annually exported in large quantities from Java to the Easter Isles, and to China. These birds only abound among the fissures and caverns of several of the mountains and hills in the interior of the country. From every observation which has been made on Java, it has been inferred that the mucilaginous substance of which the nests are formed is not, as has generally been supposed, obtained from the ocean. [He is mistaken, as we shall show presently.] The birds, it is true, generally inhabit caverns in the vicinity of the sea, as agreeing best with their habits, and affording them the most convenient retreats for attaching their nests. But several caverns are found inland, at a distance of fifty miles from the sea, containing nests similar to those on the shore. Dr. Horsfield thinks it is an animal elaboration, perhaps a kind of secretion, but to determine its nature accurately, it should be analyzed. - P. 51. The quantity of birds' nests annually exported to China in junks, is not less than two hundred piculs. Their value as a luxury in that empire has been estimated to be weight for weight in silver; the price for the best being of late years at Canton $40 per katy, or one and aquarter pounds. The quantity of nests obtained from the rocks called Karang Bolang, on the Southern coast of Java, is estimated at a hundred piculs annually, and is calculated to afford an annual revenue to government of $200,000

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The quantity gathered in other parts by individuals on rocks and hills belonging to them is estimated at fifty piculs. The quality of the nests has been improved by European management. The caverns are cleansed by smoking with sulphur, and removing the old nests. The gathering takes place as soon as it is supposed the young are fledged. If they are allowed to remain till eggs are again laid in them, they lose their pure color and transparency. Those collected before the birds have time to lay in them, are superior. The best are those procured from rocks where nitrous damp prevails, where they imbibe a nitrous taste, without which they are little esteemed by the Chinese. The nest cavern will bear two gatherings a year. Those employed in gathering are lowered down with ropes, but it is attended with danger; and the packing away is done by the same persons, carefully.

Now we conclude by declaring the substance to be no other than the Biche le M?/em, found in large quantities among the newly-discovered islands near the shore, in the Pacific Ocean. It is a jelly, supposed to be an inert fish, which is of a delicious flavor, and which Capt. Morrill has brought into notice, in his last voyage. While engaged in preparing a quantity on shore for the China market, on a newly-discovered Island which he called Massacre Island, his party were attacked by a band of the inhabitants, and five or six slain. These the swallows no doubt, collect in their stomachs and bills, as materials well calculated to construct their nests, by its adhesive properties. And as to the five hundred miles, which they have to perform out and in, in the course of a day, it is but a few hours flight, and on their return at dusk with their cargo, they disgorge it as it is required for their mason work. In a few minutes, on alighting upon the substance, which floats on the surface, it is so abundant they can obtain their freight. - P. 51.

Worms for food. or retaliation. - P. 97.
None of the palms of Java furnish the worms which areused for food in other eastern countries - but similar worms are found in various growths of rotan, solak, &c., which are considered as dainties, not only by the natives, but by the Chinese and some Europeans. They are called Gerdon. Worms of various species, but all equally esteemed as an article of food, are found in the teak and other trees. White ants are the common articles of food in parrticular districts. They are collected in different ways and sold generally in the markets. Their extensive nests are opened to take out the chrysalis. They are also watched, and swarms are taken in basins or trays, containing a little water."

A picul of rice, 133 1/2 lbs., sometimes sells for only twenty-five cents Generally a katy, 1 1/4 lbs., sells for less than a penny.

Javan Ethics.
Sir Stamford has given us copious extracts from a popular work, called Niti Sastra, in the Kanir language. We will select a few of their moral aphorisms.

1. A wise man must on no account listen to the advice of a woman, be he ever so good, for the end of it will be death and shame. But he must always consult his own mind in what he has to do or not to do, never losing aught of the lessons of his instructors

2. No. man ought to be termed a hero till he has conquered an hundred heroes, nor should any be termed a holy man until he can boast of surpassing in virtue a hundred holy men - for as long as a hero has not conquered an hundred heroes, or a holy man has not surpassed an hundred holy men, he can neither be considered a hero or a holy man. Note. - We fear these rules would prove too rigid in their application to our code of morals.

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3. The signs of the approaching end of this world will be, all kinds of depravity among mankind. That is to say, the wise will turn foolish, the holy men will become worldly, children will abandon their parents, princes will lose their empires, the little will become great, and commit depredations. In short, every thing will be in confusion." Idem., 254 -

I ought to stop here, and put my house in order. For if these are the true signs of the end of the world, we have not long to live. I submit them to Parson Miller as powerful aids in sustaining his prophecy, and hope there will be no occasion, after this, of further postponement.

A bad man is like a fire that enflames all who approach it. We ought never to go near, with an intention to extinguish it. A good man on the contrary is like a sweet scented tree which continues to produce flowers and fruit, pleasant to the smell and taste of every one, and the fragrance of which remains in the wood even after the tree is cut down and rooted out. A perfect man should be in firmness and stability, equal to eight women, and to satisfy a woman, a man must be able to please her in nine different manners.

4 Public employment is not unnatural in ascent, for there are degrees and regular steps to it; but if ambitious men will needs leap when they may safely walk, or run themselves out of breath when they may take time and consider, the fault is not in the steps, but in the intemperance of the person. - Idem. P. 510.

Java - by Sir STAMFORD RAFFLES. - Vol. ii.
Tancuban-Prahu, a Volcano, visited by Doct. Horsfield. - Near the centre of the crater, it contains an irregular oval lake, nearly one hundred yards in diameter. The water is white, and exhibits truly the appearance of a lake of milk, boiling with a perpetual discharge of large bubbles, which rise with greatest force on the eastern side. The heat is 112° Farenheit. The apparent boiling arises from a constant development of fixed air. The water has a sulphurous smell, its taste is astringent and somewhat saline. Shaken in a bottle it explodes with great violence." - p. 15.

"About the centre of this limestone district is a phenomenon. It is discovered by a large volume of smoke, rising and disappearing at intervals. Through this smoke a large hemispheral mass is observed of black earth, sixteen feet in diameter, rising to the height of twenty or thirty feet in a regular manner, as if pushed up by a force beneath, which suddenly explodes with a dull noise, and scattering about a volume of black mud. In two or three minutes it is repeated." - p. 24.

Denman and Clapperton's Travels in Africa, in the years 1822, 23, and 24.
"The worms so celebrated in the kingdom (Bonou) are found in these lakes (Trona) they are small animalcul?almost invisible to the naked eye, surrounded with a large quantity of glutinous matter. They are of a reddish brown color, and have a strong slimy smell. When seen through a microscope, the head appears small and depressed, the eyes two large black spots. They are caught in a long hand net, after allowing the net to lay some time at the bottom. It is then drawn a little along the bottom, and when taken up several pints are caught at one haul. By the promise of a dollar, a small basin full was caught for us before breakfast." - p. 44.

The Trona pond is of inconsiderable depth from evaporation. The Trona (a kind of soda), chrystallizes at the bottom. The cakes of trona vary in thickness from a mere film to several inches. The surface of the water is covered in several places with large thin sheets of salt, of the appearance of ice. In the beginning of winter the trona is the thickest and best, but in the spring it disappears entirely. The size of the lake has diminished considerably

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within the last nine years. There is always sufficient tr onarfe the demand. The quantity annually carried away amounts to four or fivo hundred camel-loads, containing each about four hundred pounds. It is put into square bundles; and sent to Tripoli and Fezzan. The price of each load is two dollars.

Dance of the Girls at Houka, the Capital of Bornou.
"The Houkowy advance by twos and threes, and after advancing and returning and throwing themselves into various attitudes, accompanied by the music of several drums, they suddenly turn their backs to each other, and suffer those parts which are doomed to endure the punishment of all the offences of our youth, to come together with all their force, and she that keeps her equilibrium, and destroys that of her opponent, is greeted by cheers and shouts, and is led out of the ring by a matron, covering her face with her hands. They sometimes come together with such force as to burst the belt of beads which all the women of rank wear around their bodies, just above the hips, and showers of beads would fly in every direction. Some of the belts are twelve or sixteen inches wide, and cost fifteen or twenty dollars.

Address is often used in these contests, with better success than strength, and a well-managed feint at the moment of the expected concussion, even when the weight of metal would be very unequal, oftentimes brings the more weighty to the ground, while the other is quietly seated.

Pompeii. - Pompeiena, Vol. 2, p. 106.
Dice, supposed to be loaded were found in the ruins of Pompeii among other relics of the Romans. Augustus and his court used to play with dice, and they were the instruments of desperate gambling among the Germans, on whose throw the liberty of the adventurer was staked.

A complete toilet, with combs, thimbles, rings, pins for the hair - Almonds, dates, grapes, eggs, raisins, chesnuts. No forks were found, but all other table and kitchen furniture. Sabinum Rufum - the name of the owner, is constantly found on the door post. A bakers' establishment with ovens, &c., and a loaf of bread, with the bakers name, and the weight and material stamped upon it. - The city was overwhelmed by an eruption of Mt. Vesuvius the 24th of August, in the 79th year and in the reign of Titus. The Appian Way, constructed by Appius Audius the Censor, extended from Rome to Capua. It was composed of three stratas - 1st. The lower, of rough stones and flint, cemented together, formed a foundation or stratum. 2d. A middle stratum of gravel. 3d. The upper and well pointed stones of irregular forms. It remains in many places perfect to the present day.

The loaf of bread found in the house attached to the house of Pansa is now preserved in the Royal Museum at Naples. It is eight inches in diameter. Upon the top is, Siligo, Cranii, E. Cicer. Siligo was a white, but little nutritive flour. A better sort, a mixture of vetch was probably indicated by Cicer, while Oranius was the baker's name. Over the oven was the baker's sign, painted a deep red and motto - Hic habitat felicitas.

Sir William Gell visited the place twice and gave an account of the progress of the work of exhumation. By a regulation of the government of Naples, visiters at Naples are prohibited from taking drawings of the buildings and other curiosities. But he, being a member of their academy of arts, obtained the privilege. . . . Glass was found, which had lighted the cupola of some of the baths, of good plate glass. It was first brought from Egypt, called valas, from the Coptic. The Romans manufactured allf kinds of jewelry, imitations of precious stones. That they knew the art o glass blowing, the vast number of bottles discovered in Pompeii proves.

smegm*ta, or wash balls. Among the the perfumed oils, were the mendisium,

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the magaliurn, the metopium amaracetium, Cyrprinum, susinum, nardinum, spreatum and jasmine. Heliogabalus never bathed without oil of saffron or crocum. The Cyprian used in baths to put a stop to further perspiration, and its name is still retained. In bathing, according to Lucilius, the bather had to undergo scabor, suppelor, desquamo, pumecorornor, expilor, pingor. By the Turks, the term shampooing is applied, now borrowed by our barbers. At the house of the tragic poet, in the Mosaic pavement was a dog chained, and represented in black and white spots and cave canem, written under him. Among the ornaments found with the ladies' toilet, were two gold necklaces, a twisted gold cord, four braclets, one weighing seven ounces, and formed into serpents. A child's necklace, two small bracelets, four ear-rings and an engraved stone mounted on a large ring, and two gold coins, twenty-two silver coins, a braccierro for fire and a variety of utensils of bronze and earthen ware. In an adjoining house of refreshment, the skeleton of the proprietor was found. He had sought shelter under a stone stair case. His treasure was found near, consisting of gold rings, ear-rings, and 140 pieces of copper and silver coin. The buildings, as the temple of Isis, are fast losing their freshness and beauty, by exposure to the air. The stuccoes, which when first discovered, were fresh, and the paintings on the walls of bright colors, had disappeared on a second visit. The letters A. E. D., which had been supposed to refer to the house, seem, according to Bunocci to signify the ?dile whose favor was invoked by the owner of the shop. . . .

Prickly Pear. - co*ckBURN'S Voyage, 1810.
The prickly pear of Sicily has a peculiar quality. It changes the lava, in a manner breaks it up - and in p rocess of time, pulverises it, though ever so hard, and then it forms the most luxuriant soil. They bring a little earth to any crevise of lava, and plant a prickly pear tree. It spreads and splits the rock in about seven years. A thick growth is formed, and a little earth being added, in ten years more it is pulverised for some inches.

The Dead Preserved. - Idem. p. 362.
They put the body in a small dry room, in the Capuchin Convent at Palermo, on a sort of large grating. They then close the door so as to exclude the air. By this means, in six months, it is completly dried and quite light, but much shrivelled. They then take out the body, wash and expose it some days in the heat of the sun, after which it is dressed and placed in a niche. A disgusting sight. A visit here might mortify the pride of som e and remind them,

"That all which beaut
All which wealth e'er gav
Await alike the inevitable hou
The paths of glory lead but to the grave."

There are some hundreds of coffins also, on the ground, in which the bodies of the nobility and gentry are deposited in full dress. The relatives keep a lock on their chest or coffin, and occasionally come on a visit to their deceased friend. No woman, Brydon says, is ever admitted into this Convent dead or alive. In this he is mistaken.

The Weichselzoph, or Plica Polonica.
Cracow is the centre of this singular and revolting disease. It derives its name from its prominent symptom, the entangling the hair in a confused

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mass. Is preceded by violent headache. Attacks the bones, joints, and even the nails of the toes and fingers. It is so obstinate as to defy treatment, it ends in blindness, deafness, or in the most melancholy distortions of the limbs, sometimes all these miseries together. The most extraordinary part of this disease is its action on the hair. The hair begins to swell at the roots, and to exude a fat, slimy substance, frequently mixed with suppurated matter. When the disease has reached a high degree of malignity, not only whole masses, but single hairs will bleed if cut! The hair growing rapidly amidst this corrupted moisture, twists together inextricably - into a clotted, confused, disgusting mass. - Russel's tour in Germany, 1822.

I have thus ventured to give several pages of these extracts without apprehending any dissatisfaction for their exchange for as many pages of thnarrative. They will be viewed as handsome and valuable mosaic, added as an ornament to the dull uniformity of the work. I will now take up the narrative where I left off, hoping the reader is well refreshed by the agreeable relaxation and repose I have thus afforded him on his journey.

On my arrival at Norfolk on the 10th of March 1827, on my r eturn home, I was met by the melancholy news of the death of my brother Enoch, the collector, one of the best and kindest of all my relations, a most amiable man and pious Christian. My only surviving brother, Doctor Sawyer, attended him in his last moments, being attacked with gout in the stomach and black vomit. His last end was that of the righteous, the last words he uttered being a quotation from the Bible: "Though I may pass through the dark valley of the shadow of death, I will not fear. The Lord is my rod and my staff. He feeds me in green pastures." His remains had been committed to the tomb of his fathers before I arrived home.

I did not calculate that any person could find the least chance for success as a candidate against me. I had been in better health than usual, attended more regularly in my place, and as I thought had not been a useless or ignoble member. I met an antagonist, however, at the court house in Hertford, the extreme county, and commenced the campaign. There was always a large party, then called the federal, that maintained a standing opposition against me, and were ready to sustain any candidate that might venture to take their lead. Being fortunately blessed with such bodily health, though by no means robust, as to enable me to attend the public meetings, and to discharge the most irksome and no very reputable duties of electioneering till the day arrived, I succeeded again with a triumphant majority.

I attended my seat at the commencement of the session, but in March, I was attacked with bilious fever, which was followed by utter prostration and debility, that brought me so low I could not turn in bed. For nine nights, as happened twice before, I did not obtain a wink of sleep, and was so weak, I could neither speak out, nor endure the sound of other's voices. I dismissed my physician, and made a wise exchange for a better one, and on his first visit, we agreed that I should resort to my never-failing soporific, fresh milk and hot rye mush, to which he added a few spoonfuls of limewater. It was the 10th night and day I had passed without a moment's sleep. I made a supper of the milk and mush, I got some sleep - I was saved. I was anxious to arise in time to vote on the tariff-bill, as I knew, after losing so many votes, if I was absent also on that momentous question, it would be noticed, and I should be called to severe account. Towards the last of April, after six weeks confinement, the Doctor ordered me to be taken out of bed, put in a carriage, and rode a mile, or as much as I could bear. A mile was beyond my strength, but the short excursion I took, with a sight of the green trees, and the breath of fresh air, revived me. I began to mend fast, and as I lived near the capitol, about a quarter of a mile, I had left orders

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with a friend, that as soon as the roll was called on the tariff bill, to despatch a hack for me. The debate was kept up till some time in May, and when the ayes and noes were ordered, the back called for me, and I was enabled to reach my seat before the clerk called my name, and thus saved distance and my influence by voting against it. I had heretofore supported these measures for the encouragement of our infant manufactures, and had gone further in the policy than any southern member, and encountered considerable opposition on that account, but as I thought this present tariff bill, of May 1828, went beyond the medium point of protection, I could not vote for it, although it passed.

In June, I concluded, after so serious a spell, not to return home as usual, but to take a tour to the North, and spend the season at Saratoga Springs. I reached Philadelphia by easy stages by the 12th of June, where I met my sister who had agreed to wait for me there, a few days, that we might travel together to the springs. It was very unfortunate for me, that I found her, as I had passed four days in the vain search, she not having informed me of the house at which she meant to stop, and I had intended to start for Trenton that afternoon, that by broken journeys I might reach New York, without endangering a relapse by the heat and fatigue. I accidentally met her at church, and on waiting on her to her boarding-house, met with a lady from New York, of very respectable family, of considerable wealth. My sister immediately laid her off as a wife for me, and although she was of the order of old maids, was a pious, agreeable, and every way a suitable companion for me. I went on very encouragingly for two days, and from what my sister suggested to her, of our plans, she appeared to lend a favorable ear to the proposition. She allowed me to accompany her, nay, seemed to desire it, to the usual places of fashionable resort, as the academy of arts, the museum, and the rotunda of the hospital, which contained West's celebrated picture of our Saviour healing the sick. As luck had it, another lady from New York who had been indisposed for a few days, recovered sufficiently to join our party. Her brother had been persuaded by her to visit my sister's niece, who was a handsome and really accomplished young lady, and one we thought would be sure to captivate him. I was immediately struck with this lady's personal appearance. She was much younger and handsomer than the first acquaintance. I paid rather too much attention to her to be agreeable to the other, and did not know myself which bundle to choose, like the ass in the fable that hesitated between the two. - Strawberries were in season. I was very fond of them, and made so free with them at all hours, particularly for supper, accompanied with a glass of wine, that they put me much out of order. I had a considerable fever the evening before we were to leave, and did not get a nap of sleep till just before day. Soon after sunrise, I was awakened with a message from my sister to know if I intended to start with them at the hour of six, for New York. I did not reflect upon the impropriety of attempting the journey, in my febrile state and disordered stomach, and on a day in which the thermometer stood 96°. I thought my gallantry would be called in question, if I remained behind, and so I was impelled, by my ill fate, to arise from the midst of a most refreshing and critical sleep, to dress and join them at so early an hour. The hack that was in waiting had been taken by my sister for some little shopping business, and I was compelled to walk fully one mile to the boat, in company with the two ladies, my niece and her new beau being a little ahead of us. Before I got to Trenton, I found my fever increasing, and other very unpleasant symptoms supervening. While sitting on the binnacle in conversation with the youngest of the ladies, the eldest came up from the cabin and in a burst of jealously assailed her with such expressions and charges as confused and astounded us both. I at once saw the difficulty in which I had gotten

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myself, by dividing my attention between the two, instead of adhering to the first. I felt faint and sick all the way through, the travel then was by stage and a very rough road, and by the time I reached the boat at New Brunswick, was sensible that I had done for myself for one while. Yet I could not feel satisfied to stop anywhere on the road. I landed in New York, in a state of almost helplessness. There I found a barouche in waiting for each of the two ladies, and after seeing them off, went with my sister to a fashionable boarding-house in Broadway. As I anticipated, this accursed trip ruined my chance for a rich and respectable wife. I was so unwell for several weeks, that had enough to do to take care of myself, and often felt such horrid affections about the heart, as to make me fear every moment would be my last. It broke up my courtship. The youngest visited a fashionable watering place where she soon after made choice of another suitor much better calculated to make her happy than ever I could be. She however, did not long survive her connubial union, but died in childbirth, within three years. The other lives in single blessedness still. I, however, was determined not to be disappointed in the main object of my visit, and as soon as I gained a sufficiency of strength to adventure into the field of hymen, some friends undertook to make a match for me, and proccured a rich widow, a neighbor of theirs, who they judged would answer my purpose. I yielded to their negotiation. After an introduction and three short visits, we proposed in form, and they conducted the affair with such expedition that in three weeks I became married the third time. It was a desperate chance. I was poor and growing old, but my congressional dignity turned the scale in my favor; for I cannot conceive what other inducements led to the choice on the widow's part. I gained nothing on the score of age, as she exceeded me in that honored degree, and instead of a fortune, I found I had married a law suit, which involved all she was worth.

I took my seat in December, leaving her to settle the affairs of her late husband, and at the adjournment of Congress, upon the accession of General Jackson to the head of affairs on the 4th of March 1829, I returned home. I had been absent more than sixteen mouths, and being married, and my wife being in another state, it was used as an argument against my re-election, by that party that was always on the watch to seize every circ*mstance that they could use to defeat me. My wife could not conveniently, or was unwilling to travel on so far south, at that season to join me, by which omission the objection on the ground of residency was much strengthened, and one of my most influential friends being gained over by the other party, I was defeated by my old antagonists, by a small majority. I returned to Brooklyn soon after the election: I found the suit ready for trial. Mrs. Sawyer's counsel demanded an interview with me at New York. On meeting them, they advised me to compromise the suit, or they feared we would lose it. It was on the will of her husband, who had left her the bulk of his estate. The heirs contested it. The surrogate of King's County had confirmed the will. The heirs appealed to the chancellor, Walworth, and he reversed the decision of the surrogate. Upon consulting with my wife on the propriety of compromising, which the other party were willing to do on liberal terms, she utterly refused to listen to the proposal, and forbade me at the risk of her displeasure, to mention it again. Two days before the day set for trial before the Court of Errors and Appeals, her lawyers wrote me a note, informing me that they had not received their fees, amounting to $600, and if they did not get them before the suit was called, they would abandon it to its fate. I had no money to pay them, and Mrs. Sawyer absolutely refused to advance a dollar, though she had thousands in the house at the time, besides stock and funds in the banks to three times the sum. I became alarmed at their threat; called on them and remonstrated at their course, but they persevered in their resolution not to appear.

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I consulted another lawyer, and we agreed that I could compromise the suit, as far as the personal property was concerned, in defiance of my wife and her counsel, who now took her side against my proceeding without her consent. On the eve before the trial I accordingly entered into an agreement of compromise with the two heirs, one acting as attorney in fact for the brother, by which we agreed to divide the money and stock in the banks, amounting to more than $40,000, between us; she having no children, being entitled to one half. We left the real estate, consisting of houses and lots in Brooklyn, and tracts of land in the central parts of the state, worth $100,000 as it stood, untouched by our agreement, and subject to the future decision of the court under the will. That point has not been settled to this day, as Mrs. Sawyer, being displeased at the course I took, which upon the whole, was a very unadvised and foolish one, as it turned out, would never take any measures to bring it on. I allowed, very improperly, one of the heirs to administer. I received at different times, about $20 000, the first payment being made within a few days after they obtained letters of administration, amounting to $15,000. There were bonds and mortgages and dividends, that raised the assets in their hands to $50,000, but they held back a large part of it on the plea of outstanding debts. I returned to my old district, in December following, as I had promised my constituents, to show them that I had not abandoned them, as I had been charged. It would have been well for me, if I had remained with them. I was then comparatively rich. I had my horses and servant, enjoyed myself among them in hunting by day and the amusem*nt of cards or other social pleasures at night, and had I known what it was to be happy, I then had the boon in my power. There was no possible objection to my abode there, but the climate. It was unhealthy in the fall. That could have been readily obviated by removing to the sea shore. Roanoke and the north Banks were within forty miles, a few hours' sail from Elizabeth City. The place, though of sandy soil. was annually growing up in thick foliage, and trees of considerable size, while the grape and the fig flourished in abundance. There is no place anywhere more salubrious. The inhabitants are stout and athletic, and powerful as mountaineers. It abounded in game, as all kinds of snipe in flocks upon the beach, wild fowl in the sound, and venison in the woods.

I had spent many pleasant days there, and had recruited my weary body, by bathing in the sea, after an exhausting campaign in the upper counties of the district on my election tour. The inhabitants of Elizabeth City have wisely chosen this place, called Nag's Head, as a retreat in the warm season, where they have built cottages, and a large Inn, and where many families from the neighboring counties join them, and they pass a delightful season, and thus escape the annual scourge, - the bilious fever. To the other advantages of this location, we may add its most suitable one for wrecks. To those who may deem it no harm to speculate on the misfortunes of others, this place affords the best opportunities. Every winter, there are sure to be a wreck or two, and after some autumnal storms, the beach is strewed with goods and hulls of vessels. The bankers are expert in getting off vessels, and frequently buy the hulls of schooners, and other craft of not very burthensome tonnage, for a mere trifle, yet launch them again in the sea, and carry them into a neighboring port, and realize an immense profit. The merchants of Elizabeth City, and monied men from above, make handsome speculations by attending wreck sales. And often handsome funiture, carriages and pianos and harps bound to the south, are wrecked on this coast, and landed with little or no damage. I have known several thousand dollars made at one time, by a relation of mine on the purchase and sale of a quantity of such articles. I made more money while I resided during the winter of 1830 at Elizabeth City, than I expended. But I became discontented

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with my old home. It did did not afford sufficient stimulus to an indolent mind. I had been in New York too much. The country appeared dull to it. I had means to purchase the venal pleasures this great mart afforded.

In making bargains the southerner has not the tact, the shrewdness, and the perseverance of the northerner. He does not so well see through the whole bearings of the subject, nor calculate the consequences. He is more the creature of impulses and of a sanguine temperament. In the encounter with the well disciplined corps of brokers, he is like contending naked with an armed adversary, and stands as little chance of escaping unhurt. It would be a very imperfect confession, and a criminal concealment, if I were to lay my present poverty to the score of losses or misfortunes entirely. For though I have experienced a full share of both, they are not sufficient to account for the considerable sums that have disappeared, that have taken wings and flown away since my residence here. The faults, follies, or sins which betrayed me into these losses, are fit only for the ear of my confessor. I have lived to see the error of my ways, however, and for years past have, I ttust, reformed them altogether. After all, if I could ever realize the costs of my investment in Texas land stock, the remainder of my days could be spent in the enjoyment of peace and comfort. We must admit, however, that of all the precious gifts that providence can bestow, a sound judgment is the greatest. The want of that has been the principal cause of my failure in discharging properly the purpose for which I was created, the social duties as a citizen, and the moral obligations as a responsible agent to the author of my being. As far as a life, for years past devoted to the performance of those religious duties which I had too long neglected, can compensate or atone for a long career of sinful indulgence, and a determination to discharge the duties which appertain to me as a member of the catholic church with faithfulness in future, I trust I may be secure in the respect and esteem which is extended to me by a numerous class of friends, and that my last days may be illuminated with the pleasing hope of a peaceful exit from this troublesome world to a happier.

The great source of my discontent is the want of employment. That is a true saying, "quem diabolus non invenit occupatum ipse occupa," the devil employs those that have nothing to do. If not tempted by him to do mischief, he is sure to torment the indolent with ennui, restlessness, and discontent. I have in some measure, overcome these pests to happiness by a passion for reading. I have also relaxed my mind by occasional essays in literature, some of which have appeared in the periodicals and more evanescent daily prints.

Having seen some notices of John Randolph in some of the monthly and other journals, which seemed only as scraps thrown to the literary public, and having myself contributed a few short numbers to a daily paper, I was encouraged to undertake a more full, connected, and, respectable work, in the form of a pamphlet biography of that celebrated character. As soon as I had collected a bulk of materials, and prepared the introduction, I called on some of the large and popular publishing houses but they all had their hands full, principally of foreign productions, or new editions of old works on which they had no consideration to pay for copyright, and declined the undertaking. I at length found a bookseller, who adventured, but I could obtain no better terms than about one twelfth of the retail price, or two cents a copy for a two shilling pamphlet, payable when the edition was sold, or a given number of copies calculated upon the issue of a second or third edition of 4000 copies each. I had not had proper time to arrange the materials, before they were in the hands of the printer. As he proceeded slowly, having two or three other jobs on hand, I added

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more matter, and put the undigested mass in better form, but did not follow exactly the regular order of time and dates on the principal events. When the impression was made, notwithstanding I corrected the proof sheets, there were many typographical errors; and although I offered a page of errata, the printer refused to prefix it. answering that he could find no room, or that he did not deem it necessary. It was accordingly flung into the face of the public with all its imperfections on its head, with those of the printer superadded. The publisher being possessed of but limited means, and apprehensive of a want of success in the sale of the edition, took a sample of it to another extensive publishing house, and which was the great mart for the sale of periodical and other pamphlets. After improving a night with a consultation over it, by a committee of critics, they accepted the terms, took off the whole edition of 4,000 copies except the few hundred reserved for me, as my share. and got up the pamphlet in a handsome style, making a three shillings work of it instead of the intended and usual price of two shillings. The publisher was thus released from his fears, made something handsome by the job, and the purchasers have, notwithstanding the dangerous experiment of raising the price a third above the fixed standard, I believe disposed of all or the greater part of the copies. Those I had, I found no difficulty in getting rid of in this quarter, but in Virginia such as were sent there to try the market have mostly remained on hand, in consequence of some of Mr. Randolph's relations raising an outcry against the work, either on the score of its want of merit, or from the fact of its having given their relative as he was, his dark side with the bright. It has been severely criticised in the Southern Literary Messenger, of Richmond. I have published an answer to it through the columns of the Daily Whig, of that place, which in order to show some of their grounds of complaint, I have thought proper to give below. An attack was also made as soon as the work made its appearance in Washington, in the Intelligencer, by a nephew of Mr. R's. as I was informed. But I never saw the article nor learned the name of the writer. Surmising, however, the nature of his objections, from an answer to a letter of mine to an old friend of Mr. Randolph's in Richmond, and from the fact that a citizen of that State was engaged in writing a biography of Mr. R. I wrote an answer to the editors of the Intelligencer, but have not seen it in their columns. I have, however, availed myself of the information which I have obtained from correspondents, corrected the errors as to dates and facts, suggested by the friends of Mr. Randolph, extended the work into the respectable size of a common octavo volume, and reduced the materials into a more regular form, ready for a new and I hope more respectable edition.

I will now give a copy of my answer in the Richmond Whig, to the illiberal criticism of the editor of the Southern (Virginia rather) Literary Messenger.

To the Editors of the Richmond Daily Whig.
NEW YORK, May 1, 1844.

GENTLEMEN: - Although I have not the pleasure of your personal acquaintance, I had the honor of serving with, in the National Councils, and enjoying the friendship of the father of the senior editor, (James Pleasants, Esq.,) and trust that I may be allowed to claim the protection of your columns, against a wanton and unprovoked attack. It is to afford me only the means of defence, as I wish not to employ those of offence, against the editor of the Southern Literary Messenger, from his severe and ungenerous criticismof my Biography of John Randolph, in the April number last. My attention was not called to the article till a few days since, too late to reply in time for the May number of that Magazine, supposing the editor would have deigned to notice it, after the contemptuous manner in which he has treated both me and my pamphlet. At any rate, it would be another

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month before the antidote to his poison could be administered at the centre of the small circle where it has done its mischief, and where it is destined to run its injurious but short career. He has thought proper to head his article by a short quotation at third hand, which he found ready, being the one applied by the subject of the biography, to the Hon. John W. Taylor, of New York, perhaps with as little justice as on this occasion. I presume of course, he meant myself as an ornamental frontispiece, an ass kicking a dead lion. As to my being the ass, if it is his opinion it is my misfortune I cannot help it. He has a right to enjoy it, and is welcome to express it too, but I cannot grant the use of his postulate that I ever kicked the dead lion. I defy the most minute inspection, aided by the most powerful microscope from his apparatus of satire to trace a mark or a scar left by any heels of mine upon the body of the lion. The hoof of his animal is not sufficiently indurated by practice, to become proof against the black and "corrosive ichor" which the author of the Tale of the Tub has pronounced superior to all other vessels for retaining that deleterious juice of "viporous slander." I never had the least cause, I never felt the least provocation, I never had the least motive for such treatment. The editor has classed me among Mr. Randolph's political opponents and from thence deduced the conclusion that I might have felt too much prejudice to deal fairly with my subject. If the privilege of being his biographer be limited to Mr. Randolph's little band of friends, amounting at one time to about half a dozen, the literary appetite of the reading public would have suffered a prolonged fast, for they are dead and gone years ago, Mr. Garnet having been the last survivor. Although Mr. Randolph, after his secession from the ranks of the Republican party under Mr. Jefferson's administration in 1806, voted of necessity with those of the opposition, the editor will hardly class them as Mr. Randolph's political friends, men whom in a published letter to a friend in New York, as late as January 31, 1833, not five months before his death, he described in the following terms: "I leave to General Jackson and the Hartford men, and ultra-Federalists and Tories, the office-holders and office-seekers, their triumph over the liberties of this country. They will stand damned to everlasting fame." In passing this dreadful sentence of condemnation, we will stop only to observe, that had I shown as little mercy to Mr. Randolph, as he has shown towards his old friend, from whom he had but lately received the high official favor of a foreign mission, I should deserve the title I have received at the hands of the editor. The relations of Mr. Randolph from some of whom I have better evidence than my own word (which in the opinion of the editor will not go for much) to prove the ties of friendship in which we stand, have felt a proper delicacy, during the unsettled question of the will, to undertake the task which has devolved on them of writing the biography of their worthy ancestor as the question of his sanity should not be prejudged. After waiting more than ten years for that decision, the community may well be pardoned for manifesting some impatience and to be content with such imperfect entertainment as I can afford them, "though coming from another State." Nor have I attempted to forestall public opinion on the subject of Mr. Randolph's sanity, as I have admitted that he had, at all times a greater share of good sense than ever I was blessed with, and that I should leave the question where it was to the judgment of the high court of errors and appeals.

On statements of facts, I shall always feel pleased to stand corrected by any person better informed than myself, and thank them for any knowledge they may think proper to communicate, bearing on any of the numerous statements contained in the work. The editor has denied my statement, that there was any such message from the president of the 17th January 1806, proposing an appropriation for the purchase of the Floridas; which he takes for granted that I had offered as the cause of Mr. Randolph's change,

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from a friendly to a hostile attitude towards Mr. Jefferson. I think he is mistaken in my views on both points. I did not say that anything contained in the message was the cause, but the manner in which it was transmitted to the house, by the hands of Barnabas Bidwell, instead of the usual channel of Mr. Randolph. The mere date of the message, therefore, is perfectly immaterial to the main point, but even in that, I do not confess myself wrong. In the 26th page I stated that we are informed that on Friday, the 21st of March, the house sat with closed doors, which ended in the resolution for purchasing the Territory. I added that about the 17th of January, Mr. Jefferson had communicated to Congress a secret message, no doubt containing the proposition for purchasing the Floridas. I have since examined the old files of newspapers, wherever I obtained the information, I have not been able to procure the journals of that date; which is the true source of information to all editors of newspapers, but I have found the statement, just as I had given it, in a volume of the Morning Herald, a New York Gazette. The gentleman should recollect that he himself is the conductor of a magazine, and I am willing to admit, a respectable one, and I would ask him how he would like to have his authority questioned. The circ*mstance of that message is a part of the recorded history of the country, the measure growing out of it, too notorious to admit of a doubt, or to be called in question at this remote period.

But the most grave and serious charge has to be met. It seems I have been guilty of an act that should call down upon me the vengeance of the relations of a lady, to whom I alluded as the one to whom Mr. Randolph was engaged to be married, and that I escaped by a mere misnomer. I should be sorry to have to depend upon that circ*mstance for protection against the personal assaults he has invited them to commit upon me, as from the circ*mstance related of her marriage with a cousin of Mr. Randolph, the lady is clearly enough pointed out. He has accused me of giving an indecent anecdote of that lady, for which he declares if there is a spark of spirit in the breast of her nearest male relative, he ought to visit me with a severe punishment. He has not thought proper to give the passage. I will do so, and if, after its perusal, any of her chivalric relatives can perceive the least matter of offence, he is welcome to inflict on me whatever punishment he may think I merit. In page 47 is this passage: "The occasion on which he came near being bound in the silken chains of matrimony occurred in Richmond, and not in the country, nor attended with the circ*mstances narrated by the Washington correspondent of the Tribune in July last. The lady's name was Miss Eggleston, whose father, we believe, was a member of Congress, in 1800 to 1804 - and she afterwards became the wife of Peyton Randolph of Richmond. They had proceeded so far in the ceremony, that a license was obtained, a clergyman sent for, and the happy pair, hand in hand, were about to stand up to be joined together, when the mother handed Mr. Randolph a paper to read, and, if he agreed, to sign. It was a deed of release or assignment of all the young lady's property for her exclusive benefit. Mr. Randolph asked the intended bride if it were a condition with her, or her will, that he should sign it. She answered in the affirmative, upon which Mr. R. saying there was no farther use for the minister, took his leave and departed."

I will leave that extract to the most vindictive of all the lady's male relatives, to the greatest "fire-eater" among them, to gather one particle o cause for offence or anger. Had it not thus been presented to him, he might have surmised from the editors appeal to his worst passions, that I had used some insulting phrase, or called her chastity in question. The whole passage is perfectly inoffensive to all parties concerned. What is mere customary among the higher ranks, particularly in Great Britain, to make marriage settlements. Nor is it an unusual thing in this country, nor can it be tortured

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Page 48
into the slightest reproach or dishonor to the lady in this case, if she felt some solicitude as to the disposal of her portion of their joint estates by expressing a wish to have it secured to her. She may blame her want of judgment for entertaining undue fears on that score (for her property could not have been entrusted to safer hands than those of her affianced bridegroom). She gave no possible grounds for improper insinuations on making the proposal, still less can any be deduced from a simple narration. And yet for these words, innocent as they are, the editor could calmly stand by and see me assailed by the cane, or dagger, until I was either maimed or fell covered with wounds and blood, and if I have escaped, it is owing more to the just forbearance and moderation of the party appealed to, than to the good will of the editor of the Messenger.

What vengeance ought I not to deprecate against the head or the heart of the man who could thus bring my life in jeopardy for such groundless causes? Ought I not to feel wrought up to the highest pitch of fury? Ought I not to resolve upon a full revenge? I do. I will have it. I forgive him from my soul."

I had also forwarded a defence against another assault, which I learned had been committed on the devoted biography, by a nephew of John Randolph. I did not learn the name of the writer, nor the particular heads of his condemnation, through the columns of the Intelligencer. I had a right to expect, however, as old friends and countrymen, they would act impartially, and allow me the use of their columns on the occasion. They have not done so, and thus the difficulty thrown in the way of the sale of the copies sent there, is unremoved, and for what I know, they may remain on hand. But I have had enough, both in honor and profit, in the sale of the rest to console me for this trifling disappointment. As a compensation for these two instances of anger, in which we may find a cause in my not giving a funeral oration, or a panegyric upon the memory of the honored relative, and the favored son of Virginia, instead of an impartial history, I have to offer the numerous articles of approbation and praise, in the public prints here, and in Washington City also, with the exception of the Intelligencer, whose lips were sealed with fear, probably of provoking the anger of his correspondent.

I have now brought the history of my life to a close, to which my life itself, in the ordinary course of nature must soon follow. I have drained the bitter cup of existence to the dregs. I have no earthly object to live for nor have I the means to do so, with that comfort and ease which alone ought to reconcile it to superanuated infirmity. I have but to conquer one great and constitutional infirmity, a nervous weakness, a dread of death which has heretofore haunted me in every case of sickness to render the visit of the king of terrors under all the circ*mstances of the case perfectly welcome. I will try to bring my mind to view him in the light of a friend, beckoning me to follow him through his dark and icy gates, to a brighter and happier life, and not as a horird monster, sent to terminate by the most dreadful pangs, my mortal existence. When I come to reap the fruits of my firm faith, to ascend the regular steps of the catholic religion which I have embraced, to confirmation, and shall have received the last holy rites of the Church, through the hands of my pious and beloved confessor, I trust that the virtue of the unction applied to my eyes will close them in peace and perfect resignation to the will of God, and that a most assured hope of a happy immortality will vanquish the vain tyrant fear, that has heretofore enslaved me, and that I may depart like many others equally timid that I have seen, under such benign influences, without "casting one last lingering look behind," and with a pleasing foretaste of that beatitude which is the inheritance of every true Christian.

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More About Congressman Lemuel Sawyer, Jr.:
Burial: Lambs Ferry, Camden Co., NC

Generation No. 8

128. William Godfrey, born Abt. 1655 in Barbados, West Indies; died Abt. 1726 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 256. Councillor Francis Godfrey and 257. Joan ?. He married 129. ?Jane Barrow?.
129. ?Jane Barrow?

Notes for William Godfrey:
http://newsarch.rootsweb.com/th/read/NCBLADEN/2002-08/1029513235

"In colonial North Carolina it was possible to obtain a grant of
vacant land for importing people into the colony (called the headright
grant) or to purchase vacant land from the government (a purchase
grant)."

Paraphrased from #217
I can find a JOHN GODFREY that received a headright grant for 1400
acres in Albemarle on March 14, 1693 (date of warrant for survey) for
the transportation of 28 people: Francis Godfrey, his wife Joan, Fr.
Godfrey, Wm. Godfrey, Edw. Godfrey, Tho. Roberts, Hanah Sheephook, and
a number of slaves/servants.
An adjoining entry in this Warrant book shows Wm. Godfrey receiving
250 acres in Albemarle on Feb. 5, 1693 (date of warrant for survey)
for transporting 5 persons: Prudence Hallum, John Hallum, Eliza.
Hallum, Wm. Godfrey, Sarah Godfrey.
The warrant further shows that Wm. Godfrey was awarded an additional
100 acres because John Godfrey assigned 2 of his (John's) rights
(people) to William. The two people that were given to William by
John were Francis Godfrey and Joan Godfrey. Thus William ended up with
a total grant of 350 acres.
Both of these headright grants were awarded in Perquimans Precinct
(Albemarle).
From # 16 paraphrased:
William was finally granted his 350 acres on 1 January, 1694 (on Deep
Creek and the Pocosin of Little River).
John was granted 310 acres on the same day.
John was granted 640 acres on the same day (on Little River).
I can't find another entry for John so I have no idea why this total
acreage for him falls short of his headright entitlement.

http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~confido/hhnc4.htm

1708. Nov. 25. The deposition of Wm. GODFREY aged about 50 years or thereabouts ... saith That Thomas HARRIS the first settler on the land where now Nathaniell NICHOLLSON liveth near Muddy Creek, did never know any person laying claim to the said land and so with out molestation did possesse the same dureing his life ... Wit: William BARCLIFT, Thomas BLITCHENDEN, John HECKLEFIELD. The above deposition Elizabeth HECKLEFIELD doth swear to and knoweth no more as by her oath she doth affirme the date abovesaid ... [same wits.] [CCR 148] Price: N. C. Higher Court Records, IV:476-477.

More About William Godfrey:
Comment 1: He is the ancestor of all later Perquimans Godfreys since brother John had no sons. He may be the ancestor of most Godfreys throughout NC's Albemarle region, except for some who may descend from John Godfrey of Norfolk Co., VA.
Comment 2: Either William Godfrey or his son Thomas Godfrey were probably the common patrilineal ancestors of Garland Stevens Godfrey and wife Katherine Godfrey Godfrey, but Garland's line of descent is unproven. Y-DNA results show the families are related.
Comment 3: He was probably married more than once, first to a Jane (some say she was a Barrow without documentation) and then to a Sarah. The maternity of his son Thomas has not been determined.
Occupation: Planter
Property: 1709, According to the Albemarle County Rent Roll for 1709, William Godfrey was recorded as having 350 acres of land at Deep Creek in Perquimans.
Residence: Durants Neck on Deep Creek on south side of Little River, Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for ?Jane Barrow?:
Possible identity and ancestry of the wife of William Godfrey, whose name has been listed in various secondary sources as both Jane and Sarah, maiden name Barrow, without documentation:

John Barrow, born 1643; died June 10, 1718 in Albermarle County, North Carolina. He was the son of 56. Joseph Barrow. He married Sarah Sutton February 01, 1667/68 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina.
Sarah Sutton, born Bef. September 15, 1650 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died September 16, 1714 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina. She was the daughter of 58. George Sutton and 59. Sarah Tilden.

Children of John Barrow and Sarah Sutton are:
i. Joanna Barrow, born July 16, 1669 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1720 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Jenkins Williams August 03, 1690 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. William Barrow, born February 20, 1670/71 in Perquimans Co., NC; died April 27, 1717 in Bath Co., NC; married Elizabeth Elker June 14, 1696 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. December 1741 in Bath Co., NC.
iii. John Barrow, born June 03, 1674 in Perquimans Co., NC; died June 19, 1718 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Sarah Bef. 1700; married (2) Rachel Lawrence Aft. May 11, 1715 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Aft. 1690.
iv. Elizabeth Barrow, born December 25, 1676 in Perquimans Co., NC; died December 16, 1687 in Perquimans Co., NC.
v. Ann Barrow, born August 03, 1679 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1699 in Perquimans Co., NC; married John Bentley November 06, 1694 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. November 25, 1695 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. Sarah Barrow, born January 15, 1681/82 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) John Ashley Abt. 1700; died Bef. 1743; married (2) Edward Maudlin Abt. 1743; born February 11, 1694/95 in Berkeley, Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. January 19, 1753 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vii. George Barrow, born August 04, 1685 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1712; married Elizabeth Turner June 10, 1710 in Perquimans Co., NC; born Abt. 1690.
viii. James Barrow, born January 24, 1686/87 in Perquimans Co., NC; died June 18, 1718 in Chowan Co., NC; married Sarah Abt. 1712.
14 ix. Joseph Barrow, born April 04, 1690 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. January 1755 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (1) Jane Nicholson May 17, 1712 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (2) Sarah Pierce February 02, 1728/29 in Perquimans Co., NC; married (3) Sara Ann Hill March 02, 1739/40.
x. Jane Barrow, born Bet. 1670 - 1690; married William Godfrey.
xi. Margaret Barrow, born Bet. 1670 - 1690.

George Sutton, born December 04, 1613 in Sandwich, Kent, England; died April 12, 1669 in Nansemond Co., Virginia. He was the son of Robert Sutton. He married 59. Sarah Tilden March 13, 1635/36 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
59. Sarah Tilden, born Bef. January 13, 1612/13 in Tenterden, Kent County, England; died March 20, 1676/77 in Nansemond Co., Virginia. She was the daughter of Nathaniel Tilden and Lydia Huckstep.

Children of George Sutton and Sarah Tilden are:
i. Nathaniel Sutton, born Bet. 1637 - 1643 in Scituate, Massachusetts; died December 29, 1682 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Deborah Astine August 12, 1668 in Nansemond Co., VA; born 1649; died Bef. October 15, 1732 in Perquimans Co., NC.
ii. Joseph Sutton, born Abt. 1639 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died January 17, 1694/95 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Deliverance Nicholson Abt. 1679 in Perquimans Co., NC; born 1663 in Nansemond Co., Virginia; died September 10, 1688 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iii. Daniel Sutton, born Bet. 1639 - 1640 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died March 10, 1710/11 in Burlington Co., NJ; married (1) Mary Cole April 15, 1667 in Charlestown, MA; born November 20, 1639 in Charlestown, MA; married (2) Agnes Hutchinson Aft. 1672.
iv. William Sutton, born April 25, 1641 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died April 28, 1718 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ; married (1) Damaris Bishop July 11, 1666 in Eastham, MA; born 1646 in Eastham, Plymouth County, MA; died February 26, 1681/82 in Piscataway, Middlesex County, NJ; married (2) Jane Barnes January 09, 1683/84 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ; born July 11, 1666 in Piscataway, Middlesex Co., NJ.
v. Lydia Sutton, born Bef. September 13, 1646 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died 1647 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA.
vi. Sarah Sutton, born Bef. December 03, 1648 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died 1649.
29 vii. Sarah Sutton, born Bef. September 15, 1650 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died September 16, 1714 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina; married (1) Isaac Cox; married (2) John Barrow February 01, 1667/68 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina.
viii. Elizabeth Sutton, born Bef. August 28, 1653 in Scituate, Plymouth Co., MA; died January 21, 1699/00 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina; married Ralph Fletcher March 11, 1673/74 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina; born Abt. 1632 in England; died Bet. 1704 - 1720 in Perquimans Co., North Carolina.

Children of William Godfrey and ?Jane Barrow? are:
64 i. Thomas Godfrey, born Abt. 1675 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1749 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ellinor Turner? in Perquimans Co., NC?.
ii. John Godfrey, born 16 Feb 1685 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Aft. 1734 in present-day Camden Co., NC?.

Notes for John Godfrey:
Comments by Bryan S. Godfrey:

I believe this John Godfrey, son of William Godfrey and grandson of Francis and Joane Godfrey of Perquimans County, North Carolina, was the first of the name to appear in the deed records of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, beginning around 1727. The part of the county where he lived, northeast of the Pasquotank River, became the new county of Camden in 1777, whereas today Pasquotank County lies only west of the Pasquotank River. There were John Godfreys among the family of Francis Godfrey of Perquimans County, North Carolina, which adjoins Pasquotank County to the west, and in the family of John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk County, Virginia, in 1635. However, through a process of elimination among the first three generations of Francis Godfrey and John Godfrey's families, it appears I can conclude that the John Godfrey who deeded land in Pasquotank beginning in the 1720's was one of Francis' family. Francis Godfrey had two sons, John and William, and John lived from about 1665 until 1697 and apparently had only one daughter Elizabeth. William Godfrey (ancestor of my paternal grandmother, Katherine Godfrey Godfrey) did have sons named John and Joseph, which added much frustration in trying to place the John and Joseph Godfrey who were neighbors in Pasquotank in the 1720's. The John Godfrey who was a son of William Godfrey of Perquimans was born February 16, 1685/86, according to "Old Albemarle County, North Carolina, Perquimans Precinct: Births, Marriages, Deaths, and Flesh Marks 1659-1820" (1980) by Weynette Parks Haun, page 20. In the same book on page 131 is a record of Joseph Godfrey of Perquimans Precinct "to Ezekiel Maudlin [an ancestor of my maternal grandmother], same, merchant, 30 pounds in specie of this country, to William Godfrey, his brother, the receipt we do acknowledge. Quit claim to said Ezekiel Maudlin, land on southwest side of Little River, 100 acres beginning at William Evans' line...being part of a tract taken up and surveyed by John Godfrey in the year 1694, as patent makes appear...", January 20, 1728/29.

Unless they lived in Perquimans and merely owned land on the Pasquotank River in present-day Camden, I believe this John and Joseph may be the same ones who deeded land in Camden in the 1720's. I could very well be wrong about this conclusion, though. My reluctance to place the Pasquotank John and Joseph Godfreys among the Perquimans family at first was based on the fact that members of the Norfolk family are known to have owned land in Pasquotank by the mid-1700's, as shown by the 1753 Norfolk County will of Jonathan Godfrey's son John Godfrey, in which he mentions a wife and left land in Norfolk County to his brother Matthew and his land in Pasquotank to his brother William. This John Godfrey was an uncle to the one who made his will in 1753, a brother of Jonathan Godfrey. John Godfrey, brother of Jonathan, may have had children, while Jonathan's son John apparently did not since he did not mention any in his 1753 will. Also, I have not found any Joseph Godfreys in the Norfolk County records, yet this name occurs several times in the Perquimans County records. The problem here is that the names John and William have been passed down through both the Norfolk and Perquimans families, so it becomes a matter of guessing which family that William and John Godfreys of Camden County came from. More than likely there were two John Godfreys who lived and/or owned land in Camden or Pasquotank at the same time in the early 1700's, perhaps the one from Perquimans and one from Norfolk.

The following references to a John and Joseph Godfrey are found in "Pasquotank County, North Carolina Record of Deeds 1700-1751" by Gwen Boyer Bjorkman:

(Deed Book C:246): 13 April 1730 Between John BELL of the Precinct of North Carolina of the one part & Joseph GODFREY of ye same prct & province afs'd of the other part...In consideration of 50 pounds Current money...sold...a certain Tract of Land containing 40 acres...between John PERKINS Senr and afsd John BELL...two log branch....Signed: John BELL. Wit: Jonathan JONES. Jno. SCARBROUGH. Ack: April Court 1730. Regt: 30 June 1730.

John PERKINS of Pasquotank Precinct in North Carolina for & in Consideration of the sum of 120 pounds of current money of this Province & 3000 # of Fresh Pork... paid by John GODFREY of the Preceinct of Pasquotank in the aforesaid Province...Sold...Tract of Land...110 acres and part of a tract sold by Henry CREECH Junr. to Will. BELL Junr. and since pattent to John BELL Senr. with sd. 110 acres since sold by the said John BELL Senr. with 110 acres since sold by the said John BELL senr. to Will and Thomas CREECH...
(C:335)...10 July 1732. Signed: John X Perkins his mark. Wit: Noah BISHOP, Will. TURNER, Jer. SYMONS. Ack: 12 July 1732 John PERKINS to John GODFREY before me Jno. PALIN Chf Just. Regt: 2 Aug. 1733.

John GODFREY of Pasquotank prct. in the County of Albemarle and Province of No Ca. for and in Consideration of the sum of 100 pounds Current money of No Ca. ... paid by Job GREGORY of the same prct. and Province afsd. ...
(C: 335) ...sold...a Tract of Lying on the No E. Side of Pasquotank River and the Plantation which I bought of John PERKINS containing 60 Acres...bounding upon John PERKINS Line & Joseph Godfrey's Line & upon the Beaver Dam Swamp... 10 July 1734.
Signed: John IG GODFREY his mark. Wit: C PALIN, Will. MINSON. Ack: July court 1734 by John GODFREY to Job GREGORY. Regt: 31 Oct. 1734.

(North Carolina Pasquotank Precinct) John GODFREY of Pasquotank Precinct in the County of Albemarle & Province of North Carolina for and in Consideration of 14 pounds proclamation...paid by Edward JAMES of the Precinct and Province afsd. ... Sold ... parcel of land lying on the N.E. Side of Pasquotank River ... on the Beaver Dam ... on the said Edward JAMES'S and William BECKETT's Land ... Joseph GODFREY's Land ... between John GODFREY's Land & the said Land... (blank) Acres...
(B:214 12 April 1737. Signed: John IG GODFREY. Wit: Wm. Turner, John CONNYERS. Ack: April Court 1737. Regt: 9 June 1737.

In 1777, Camden County was formed from the portion of Pasquotank County lying north or east of the Pasquotank River. Since John and Joseph Godfrey were buying land on the northeast side of the river, it is safely assumed this is in present-day Camden County, and that these were the first Godfreys to settle there. However, whether all later Godfreys there descended from John or Joseph is questionable, as I have been unable to determine whether John had any children. There was a later John Godfrey in Camden who could have been his son or grandson. It seems John and Joseph's brother Thomas also may have had sons or grandsons named William who could have been the same William Godfreys appearing in Camden by the mid-1700s. There was a Lemuel Godfrey in Camden in the late 1700s and early 1800s, who may have been of the Norfolk Godfreys, as Daniel Godfrey, Jr. of Norfolk Co., VA named a son Lemuel in his 1758 will.

Later records of John Godfreys in Camden Co., NC:

http://homepages.rootsweb.com/~dobson/nc/nccamden.htm

P-394: 5 Feb. 1818, Dempsey Dunkin to Thomas Gordon, both Camden Co. NC, $100, 7 acres on Main Road near the road leading down to Raymond Creek in lower part of Camden Co. and close by a place called the Trap, Thomas Gordon's store, and adj. the same, John Godfrey's line. No wife. Wit. Chas. Bowning (sic), L.B. Barnett. (FHL film 18,372)

More About John Godfrey:
Comment 1: He and Joseph Godfrey appear to be the first Godfreys in present-day Camden Co., NC, owning land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River in what was then part of Pasquotank County by the early 1730s. They were probably sons of William Godfrey.
Comment 2: It is not known whether this John Godfrey had children or whether he had a son named William. However, it seems likely since his father was probably William Godfrey of Perquimans and there were William Godfreys in present-day Camden Co., NC.

iii. Francis Godfrey, born 05 Aug 1689 in Perquimans Co., NC.
iv. Joseph Godfrey, born Bet. 1690 - 1710 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1765 in present-day Camden Co., NC?; married Elizabeth Gregory; born Abt. 1700 in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC; died in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC.

More About Elizabeth Gregory:
Comment: Several sources state, without documentation, that her husband's first name was Francis. If so, the only Francis Godfrey who fits would be the son of William Godfrey (1658?-1726) of Perquimans Co., NC, whose sons Joseph and John settled in Camden too.

v. Mary Godfrey, born 25 Aug 1691 in Perquimans Co., NC.
vi. William Godfrey, Jr., born Bef. 1699 in Perquimans Co., NC.

144. William Colson, died Abt. 1725 in Perquimans Co., NC. He married 145. ? Goodale?.
145. ? Goodale? She was the daughter of 290. Gilbert Goodale?.

More About William Colson:
Property: 09 Sep 1712, In Albemarle County, Perquimans Precinct, NC, William was bequeathed in the will of Gilbert Goodale (probably his grandfather) 2 cows and land where George Taylor lived, 58 acres along Deep Creek. His will was proved 27 Oct 1713.

Child of William Colson and ? Goodale? is:
72 i. William Colson, Jr., born Abt. 1698; died Abt. 1763 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ann Parish?.

148. Abraham Moulin/Mullen, born Abt. 1678 in Paris, France?; died Aft. 1743 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 296. Abraham Moulin (Mullen) and 297. Madeline Chupret (Chypre). He married 149. Rachel Broret 27 Dec 1699 in L'Eglise Des Grecs, London, England.
149. Rachel Broret

Notes for Abraham Moulin/Mullen:
The following is quoted from "The Huguenot Publication No. 27," 1975-77, pages 132-38, published by The Huguenot Society Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, Incorporated.

MULLEN
(Des Moulins--Du Moulin)

By The Rev. Emmett Moore Waits

ABRAHAM DES MOULINS, whose surname became Anglicized to the subsequent Mullen spelling, came to the Colony of Virginia aboard "The Mary and Ann" during the summer of 1700. He and his wife, RACHEL (BRORET), had been married 27 December 1699 at L'Eglise Francais Des Grecs in London and had joined the large company of French Huguenots who sailed from Gravesend during the summer of 1700 destined for Virginia. Their leaders were the distinguished Huguenot nobleman, the Marquis Oliver de la Muse and his assistant, Charles de Sailly. The "Mary and Ann" reached James City on 12 August 1700, bearing the colonists of what was to become the noted Huguenot settlement at Manakintowne. Among these were "Abraham Moulin et sa femme" and members of the bride's family, the Brorets.

Most of this company was made up of Protestants who had fled from France following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in October 1685. The Protestants, having suffered growing intimidation and persecution for years during the reign of Louis XIV, now had no alternative. Flight became a matter of survival. After the "Sun King" abolished the edict which had protected non-Catholics in France for more than three quarters of a century, it suddenly became punishable by death for Protestants even to assemble for public worship, to proclaim allegiance to any save the Roman Catholic Church, to own a Bible, or to own any Calvinist tract or publication. The Protestant families, leaving all behind, fled from the Kingdom to Holland, Switzerland, Scandinavia, Germany, and to England by the thousands. It was a blow from which France never recovered. For with the Huguenots went the best of French scholarship, technical knowledge, industry and craftsmanship, and the most responsible of the noble families.

Such a family was the Des Moulins, or Du Moulin, family who immigrated to London immediately following the Revocation. They had come from Paris and were, according to Smiles' "The Huguenots," of noble origin. This family apparently consisted of the widow and four children of Abraham Des Moulins, who may have died in Paris before the Revocation or shortly after the family's flight to London. These were Madame Madeleine (Chupret) Des Moulins and her children, Paul, Abraham, Jean and Marie, all of whom arrived in London as refugees sometime between 1685 and 1687. They resided in West Street in London's Soho section, and appear frequently in the registers of the French Protestant churches of the area, namely the French church of Treadneedle Street, Des Grecs, Le Carre and Berwick Street, and the Church of the Tabernacle. From these registers it is possible to glean a wealth of information about the years subsequent to the flight to London and before the immigration to the New World of our aforementined Ancestor, ABRAHAM DES MOULINS the younger.

(1) First, the parentage of the family is established by the following marriage record of Paul Des Moulins, who was apparently the eldest son of the family. "Paul Des Moulins, natif de Paris, fils de feu Abraham des Moulins et de defunte Madeleine Chupret; Jeanne de la Ruelle, de Paris, fille de feu Guillaume de la Ruelle et de Rachel Loret. Aout 7 (1689), Epouse's le 18 Septembre 1689."

(2) Madame Madeleine (Chupret) des Moulins, widow of Abraham des Moulins the elder, and mother of this family, remarried following the settlement in London, her second husband having been Benjamin Godde.

(3) The trades and professions into which the sons of this family entered are also proved by the informative entries in the church records.

Paul des Moulins, who married Jeanne de la Ruelle, is styled "ebeniste" or "cabinet-maker."

Jean des Moulins is styled "avocat" or "counsellor" i.e. "lawyer."

Marie des Moulins, apparently the only daughter of the family, married George Orvin, also styled "avocat" in the records of the Eglise des Grecs."

The children and grandchildren of Paul and Jean des Moulins, their births, baptisms, marriages and deaths, continue to be recorded in the Huguenot registers aforementioned. It was L'Eglise des Grecs, however, which seems to be the home parish of this family and in which references to the members most frequently appear, until well into the late 1700's.

(4) Finally, and without doubt, the family Des Moulins reside in the London Parish of St. Giles and for some years on West Street.

Of the Des Moulins ancestry in France very little is known, except for the statement by Samuel Smiles in his "The Huguenots: Their Settlements, Churches, and Industries in England and Ireland" that this was "an ancient and noble family of the Isle de France," related to the famous Huguenot divines, Pierre, Charles and Louis des Moulin. And in Volume VIII of "The Huguenot," the publication of the Huguenot Society of the Founders of Manakin in the Colony of Virginia, it is stated that the Des Moulins or De Moulin family was one of those Manakintowne families who were armigerous: "Gules de la croix d'or, pattee' et alezee'.

I am inclined to trust both of these claims. It is apparent that this family in London associated with members of the exiled French gentry and that, indeed, the Widow Madeleine (Chupret) des Moullins married into the Godde family, which was of the nobility. For Benjamin Godde was a brother of the Sieur Pierre Godde, as seen in the church registers. At the baptism of Jacob Godde, son of Benjamin (1692) and Madeleine (Chupret) Godde, it is interesting to notice that the sponsors are listed as Lord Pierre de Baufre and Dame Judic Toulle. Secondly, it is of interest to notice that in the same page of the register is reference to Oliver, Marquis de la Muse. This page is from the Huguenot Church of Le Carre and Berwick Street, and certainly more than suggests association of the Des Moullins family with the Marquis de la Muse, who formed and led the Huguenot refugees from London to Virginia in 1699/1700.

As to the claim of arms, those described as borne by the Moulin family of Manakintowne, Colony of Virginia, that is by Abraham Moulin, are, among the numerous armorial bearings used by the French-Flemish-Belgian des Moulins-du-Moulin-de Moulin families, one of the most obscure. The only reference I find to these particular arms and tinctures is that of Philippe Des Moulins, bishop of Nevers in the 1400's. The arms, however, are claimed by Riestrap to have been those of Des Moulins of Paris.

Finally, there remain the necessary arguments for claiming that Abraham Des Moulin, or Des Moulins, of London and Abraham Moulin-Mullen of Manakin, Virginia, and Perquimans County, North Carolina, were one and the same. I present the following:

(1) The historical chronology is perfectly compatible with the claim that Abraham des Moulins of London was the same as the immigrant to Manakin, Virginia. Abraham Moulin would have been approximately 18-20 years of age on 27 December 1699 when he married Rachel Broret in London. His migration to Virginia with "sa femme" but no children followed soon after, in 1700. His death in 1743 would have made his age at the time to have been approximately 73-75 years.

(2) The second argument for establishing that Abraham des Moulins of West Street in London was the same as the immigrant can be found by an examination of the registers of the Huguenot churches of the area of London approximate to West Street. Following the registration of his marriage to Rachel Broret in 1699 Abraham (des) Moulins disappears from records in the church registers. However, frequent references to the other members of this family continue to appear long after 1700, these being those pertaining to Abraham's mother, who by then was "Madame Madeleine Chupret, femme de Mr. Benjamin Godde"; to his brothers, Paul and Jean, and to his sister, "Marie des Moulins, femme de George Orvin." The absence of mention of Abraham des Moulins after 1699 coincides with the 1700 migration of so many of the post-Revocation refugees to Virginia.

(3) There is further strength for this argument in the evident association of the Marquis de la Muse with the Des Moulins and other families who later joined the company of Manakin colonists.

(4) Finally, I would point to the strongest evidence. Abraham (des) Moulins married Rachel Broret at L'Eglise Des Grecs in London 27 December 1699. In the list of arrivals at James City aboard "The Mary and Ann" 12 August 1700 the following names appear side by side: "Jacques Broret, sa femme et deux enfants, Abraham Moulin et sa femme."

NOTES

1. The des Moulins family were, of course, Huguenots. Smiles, in his early work on the Huguenot emigration to England and Ireland, describes the family as "an ancient and noble family of the Isle de France." The Moulin family of Manakin, Virginia, bore arms of the Paris des Moulins family, "Gules a la croix recercelee d'or." This family, like thousands of other Protestant families, fled from the Kingdom of France following the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes by Louis XIV in October 1685.

2. During the summer of 1700 "Abraham Moulin et sa femme" and "Jacques Broret, sa femme et deux enfants" were among the Huguenot colonists who immigrated to Virginia aboard "The Mary and Ann," sailing from gravesend and arriving at James City 12 August 1700. Led by the Marquis Oliver de la Muse and his assistant, Charles de Sailly, the company settled the well-known Huguenot community named Manakintowne in Virginia. Abraham Moulin remained at Manakin until shortly before April 1707, when he first purchased land in Perquimans County, North Carolina. His descendants in America are in lineage from his three sons by Rachel Broret, these being Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, all born at Manakin, Virginia, between 1700 and 1706.

During the years following his immigration to the Colony of Virginia, then to Perquimans County, North Carolina, the spelling of the surname of the immigrant ancestor appears in the documents as Moulin-Moullin-Moulins and finally Mullen. By the second generation, with two or three exceptions, the documented spelling is Mullen.

REFERENCES

1. R.A. Brock, "Huguenot Emigration to Virginia" (Genealogical Publishing Company, Baltimore, 1973 reprint), page 254.

2. Samuel Smiles, "The Huguenots: Their Settlements, Churches and Industries in England and Ireland" (London), page 507.

3. "Registers L'Eglise Francais de Threadneedle Street," Huguenot Society of London, Volume 16 (1906/1969 reprint), page 15.

4. "Registers L'Eglise Le Carre and Berwick Street 1690-1788," Huguenot Society of London, Volume 25 (1921), page 2.

5. "Register de la Savoye de Spring Gardens et des Grecs 1684-1900," Huguenots Society of London, Volume 26, page 139.

6. Smiles, ibid.

7. "The Huguenot 1959-61, Publication #19" (Huguenot Society Founders of Manakintowne in the Colony of Virginia), page 123.

8. "Register L'Eglise Le Carre and Berwick Street," page 2.

9. "Histoire Genalogique et Chronologique de la Maison Royale de France, Volume II" (Paris, 1826), page 414.

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Comments by Bryan Godfrey, descendant of Abraham Moulin/Mullen and of the Cashat family of Fairfax Co., VA and Chatham Co., NC:

When searching for clues to the origins of my ancestors John or Jacob Cashat, I came across the following information on the Huguenot Andre Cochet who settled Manakintowne, as did Abraham Mullen. Being concerned with proving that the Abraham Moulin/Mullen of Manakintowne was identical with the one who settled in Perquimans Co., NC by 1707, I was delighted to find Cochet and Mullen mentioned together in this Perquimans record, for it is strong circ*mstantial evidence that proves the Abraham Mullens are the same. Add to this the fact that Abraham never appeared in Huguenot land grant records for the Manakintowne Huguenots, because his settlement in the Manakintowne colony was less than seven years long and he soon settled in Perquimans.

http://slpatterson.com/familyhistory/getperson.php?personID=I00425&tree=1

THE INFORMATION ON THE CUSHATT CAME FROM GENDEX ENTERED BY DOUG LOVELAND OF
ONTARIO CANADA. HIS UNCLE ROBERT SEARS OF OVERLAND PARK KANSAS HAS THE FAMILY BIBLE OF AQUILLA AND OSEE LOGSDON CUSHATT. MR. SEARS IS OF THE OPINION THAT JOHN'S FATHER WAS ANDRE COCHET A HUGUENOT BORN ABT 1675. WILL ADD HIM WHEN WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA IF HE IS REALLY A PART OF THIS FAMILY. IN A LETTER TO MR. SEARS WRITTEN BY C. WAYNE CASHATT OF THOMASVILLE, NC 2 AUG 1979 SAYS JOHN DIED ABOUT 1748 AND THAT HE WAS A CARPENTER AND FARMER. HE ALSO MENTIONS HIS WIFE ELEANOR. IN ANOTHER SEARS DATA LISTS WIFE AS MARGARET (POSSIBLY CONFUSED WITH A LATER JOHN CASHATT). SAYS DEATH DATE WAS 1745. ABSTRACT OF WILLS AND INVE NTORIES 16 MAY 1749 LISTS JOHN'S WILL AS THIS DATE WITH RESIDENCE LISTED AS FAIRFAX, VIRGINIA. THIS INFORMATION FROM VIRGINIA WILLS AND ADMINISTRATION-1632-1800 COMPILED BY CLAYTON TORRENCE Pg. 75. ALTHOUGH IN THIS CASE JOHN'S DEATH DATE IS GIVEN AS 1748. NO CHILDREN MENTIONED IN THE WILL.

NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY 18-21 1972-1975 P. 2/32 NC ADMINISTRATIVE BONDS (WILLS ETC) 1680-1778 LISTS IN 1728 IN PERQUIMENS COUNTY, WILL OF ANDREW CUSHATT; ABRAHAM MOULIN, ADMINISTRATOR. FAIRFAX COUNTY, VIRGINIA WILLS, BOOK A1, PAGES 257, 282 SHOWS ELEANOR CASHATT AS ADMINISTRATRIX. SHE AND TWO OTHERS GAVE BOND 16 NOV 1784. INVENTORY WAS TAKEN 28 NOV 1748.

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http://members.tripod.com/cornelius_carroll/Mullins/id22.htm

Abraham Moulin b. ca 1675 and wife arrived in Virginia on the ship Mary Ann in 1700. On 19 April 1700, the sum of 940 pounds was paid in full for the passage of two hundred and five people aboard the ship Mary Ann bound for Virginia. Among the passengers were Abraham Moulin and his wife. There is no mention of children. A list of French refugees at Manakintown on 6 March 1701/02 contains the surname Moulins. King William III donated 10,000 acres to the French refugees at Manakintown in 1700. The land allocated to the French refugees at Manakintown 26 Oct. 1704 totaled 10,033 acres, 3 rods, and 19 poles. A list of refugees, for whom no French patents exist, either died shortly after their arrival in Manakintown or migrated to other parts of the colony or beyond, contains Abraham Moulin and his wife. This may be Abraham Moulins, "faiserur de savon", who resided on West Street, St. Giles Parish, in London, and md Rachel Broret in the Greek Street Church 27 Dec. 1699 by Rev. Severin. Abraham moved to Perquimans County, North Carolina where Samuel Cretchington, of Perquimans County, North Carolina, assigned "right to within deed unto Abraham Mullen, of same", for 10 pounds 8 April 1707. Nathaniel Nicholson assigned right of patent to Abraham Mullen for 210 1/2 acres on Perquimans River 10 April 1716. In 1734, Richard Whedbee for 30 barrels of pork sold Abraham Mullen 153 acres on the north east side of Perq River, called "Beaver Cove". In 1740, Abraham sold John Gohyer 210 acres adjacent Arthur Croxton. Abraham is on the 1716 North Carolina Corn List. The surviving Perquimans County tax records are fragmentary but he appears in the 1720 tax list. Abraham Sr., Abraham Jr., Isaac, and Jacob Mullen are on the 1740 tax list of Periqumans County. In 1740, Abraham Mullen Sr. made a deed for "love I bear my son Isaac Mullen" of Perquimans County "do give 105 acres on the North side of Beaver Cove Swamp, adjacent Foster Thomas, Christoper Sutton, and Abraham Riggs, where we now live." The witnesses were Abraham Mullen Jr., Abraham Hosea, and Jos. Sutton. In 1743, Abraham Mullens Sr. made a deed for "love I bear my son Abraham, have given 105 acres, on north east side of Perq River, near the head of Beaver Cove Swamp" and another tract of 153 acres, called "Beaver Cove". Abraham died without leaving a will but had the following known children:

2. Isaac Mullen (will dated 1743 Perquimans County, North Carolina) md Elizabeth Sutton

3. Abraham Mullen Jr. (division of estate in 1762 Perquimans County, North Carolina) md Eleanor Ming

4. Jacob Mullen (will dated 1758 Perquimans County, North Carolina) md Sarah Nicholson

According to the research of Mary Lambeth, Abraham Moulins Sr. may also have had at least two daughters:

5. Sarah Mullen md _____ Thomas

6. Elizabeth Mullen

More About Abraham Moulin/Mullen:
Comment: It has been assumed he is the same Abraham Moulins who married Rachel Broret in the Greek Street Church in London 27 Dec 1699, and resided on West Street, St. Giles Parish, London.
Immigration: 1700, Was among the French Huguenots that settled at Manakin Towne, VA on the ship "Mary Ann".
Property: 08 Apr 1707, Purchased land in Perquimans Co., NC, on the northeast side of Perquimans River, known as "Beaver Cove."
Residence 1: Bef. 1699, France and London, England
Residence 2: Bet. 1700 - 1706, Manakin French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA
Residence 3: Aft. 1707, Perquimans Co., NC

Children of Abraham Moulin/Mullen and Rachel Broret are:
74 i. Abraham Mullen, Jr., born Abt. 1700 in possibly Manakintowne French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA; died Abt. 1762 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ellinor Ming.
ii. Isaac Mullen, died Abt. 1743 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Elizabeth Sutton; born Abt. 1713.

More About Elizabeth Sutton:
Comment: According to a Mullen website, her mother was Rebecca Jones

iii. Jacob Mullen, born Aft. 1700 in probably Manakin French Huguenot settlement, present-day Powhatan Co., VA; died Abt. 1758 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Sarah Nicholson; born Abt. 1706.
iv. William Mullen, born Abt. 1704; married Kathryn ?.

152. William Turner, Jr., died Abt. 1709 in Perquimans Co., NC. He was the son of 304. William Turner and 305. Katherine ?. He married 153. Ann ?.
153. Ann ?

Children of William Turner and Ann ? are:
76 i. Edward Turner, born in Perquimans Co., NC; died Bef. 1785 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ann ?.
ii. William Turner III, born Abt. 1705 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1753 in Pasquotank Co., NC; married Kesiah ?.

160. Capt. Thomas Sawyer, born in England?; died Abt. 1720 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 320. John Sawyer?.

More About Capt. Thomas Sawyer:
Property: 1695, Received two land grants for 450 acres and 200 acres on northeast side of Pasquotank River, one piece adjoining Thomas Cooper, the other joining Thomas Franch and William Jennings.

Children of Capt. Thomas Sawyer are:
i. Stephen Sawyer
ii. Thomas Sawyer, Jr., married Catherine Spence; born Abt. 1720.
80 iii. Richard Sawyer, born Abt. 1702 in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County); died Aft. Feb 1760 in Perquimans Co., NC?; married Ann Spence?.
iv. Mary Sawyer
v. Ann Sawyer
vi. Hannah Sawyer
vii. Capt. Caleb Sawyer, born Abt. 1703 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; married Susannah Spence?; born Abt. 1715.

Notes for Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17076/caleb%20sawyer#hit4
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh (1891-1976):

First Attempt to Form the County
Caleb Sawyer
ca 1703-1758

AS A SITE for the precinct courthouse the Pasquotank Commissioners purchased an acre of land from Thomas Palin and wife Susannah on October 17, 1727. The location was on the southwest side of the river on "a little creek or gut issuing out of Newbegun Creek." Here the courthouse was forthwith erected and as a result sentiment began to develop on the northeast side of the river for the formation of a new precinct. The primary reason for this dissatisfaction was the width of the river at the point selected, some three miles or more. Crossings on a ferry would be a difficult undertaking even in moderate weather and nothing short of hazardous when the winds were high. As a matter of fact, there was no regular or dependable ferry service at the time except at Sawyer's Ferry about fifteen miles up the river, and to cross over to the other side over the roads, which were no more than rutty cart paths, was also a time-consuming inconvenience for the majority of the inhabitants on the northeast side, inasmuch as the most populous area was as yet in the lower or southern part. At first, for lack of a building, court sessions were held at various private residences, but in 1715 the Assembly specifically named the residence of Joseph Glaister on Newbegun Creek as the place for holding court as well as county elections.

The erection of a courthouse in this vicinity, moreover, eliminated the chance of holding court elsewhere, and this fact, along with the transportation difficulties, became a continuing source of dissatisfaction to those living on the other side of the river.

Caleb Sawyer, "of Sawyers Creek," as one of the representatives from Pasquotank in the House of Commons, was the first to attempt to obtain the legislative enactment necessary in order to form that northeast side into a separate precinct. An entry in the minutes of the House on January 25, 1735, reads as follows: "Read petition of the inhabitants of the N. E. Parish of Pasquotank praying that that Parish be established into a separate precinct. Referred." On February 3 this additional entry is recorded: "By Mess. Caleb sawyer, Dan'll Sawyer. The petition of ther Inhabitants of the North East Parish of Pasquotank was a second time read for establishing that part into a precinct with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle County. Ordered that a bill be prepared for same." On February 22 the bill appears with an amendment to name the precinct "Johnston," undoubtedly a diplomatic gesture for the purpose of securing the approval of the governor, Gabriel Johnson. Caleb Sawyer is regarded as sponsor of this legislation since he is the only representative mentioned in connection with it except the one instance including Daniel Sawyer.

The bill with amendments was passed the required three times and ordered to be engrossed. It was promptly vetoed by Governor Johnston who objected to the provision "with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle," which meant five representatives in the House of Commons for the new county. In 1670 Albemarle County had been divided into four precincts—Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan—and each was allotted five representatives in the General Assembly. Later Bertie was allotted five and Tyrell, three; all other precincts or counties were allowed only two. Because of this method of representation the Albemarle region held the balance of political power and as a consequence officials elected in the assembly continued to be from that area. Governor Johnston was therefore strongly opposed to creating another precinct in the same territory with a quota of five members in the legislature. He later attempted to reduce representation in all the Albemarle precincts to two each; but the old precincts appealed to the Crown and their claims were upheld as a special privilege from the Proprietors.

Sawyer was elected to four two-year terms in the legislature. An important bill which he and Jeremiah Symons sponsored in 1735 for the benefit of navigation was "An Act appropriating the Powder Money towards the fortifying beaconing and Buoying out the several Ports or Channels in the Province and for Imploying Pilotes." In 1743 Sawyer assisted in preparing a bill "providing for his Majesty's Rent Roll." During his last term—1743—he was fined for twelve days' non-attendance, the reason for the absence not being stated.

Members of the Sawyer family have made important contributions to the history of Camden County. Caleb's first cousin Thomas donated the land for the Episcopal chapel erected near Sawyers Creek shortly after 1715, thereby becoming our first public benefactor. Not only was Caleb himself an outstanding citizen, he was the progenitor of descendants who also distinguished themselves. His son Lemuel held several local offices and was a delegate to important state conventions during the Revolutionary Period. A daughter married General Isaac Gregory. A grandson, Lemuel, was elected several times to the U. S. Congress and was also an author of note. A granddaughter also married a congressman. Another grandson, Enoch, achieved wealth, public honors, and entertained President James Monroe in his home.

More About Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
Occupation: Sea captain

Notes for Susannah Spence?:
From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:33 AM
To: Harry Schoettle; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Caleb Sawyer (d. 1758) and Robert Spence (d. 1762)

Since there's a good chance that Sylvanus Sawyer's wife was descended from Caleb Sawyer's son Lemuel Sawyer Sr, I thought I would take a closer look into the Sawyer-Spence records

Mr. Schoettle sent me some information last night that gave strong proof that Catherine Spence, daughter of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman, actually married Thomas Sawyer Jr (son of Thomas Sawyer (d. 1720). So, I think I can rule her out as being Caleb Sawyer's wife. Yet, there was a deed from April 1739 (Pasquotank Deed B-260) where Robert Spence and wife Ann sell 100 acres to Caleb Sawyer. Robert Spence was a son of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman. Alexander Spence's will from 2 Aug 1734 left 100 acres to son Robert Spence adjacent to Richard Ferrill, Abel Ross, and John Trueblood. This was probably the same land that Robert and Ann Spence later sold to Caleb Sawyer in 1739. Robert Spence had a probate file from 1763 that doesn't specifically name his heirs, but it mentions the administrator as being an Esther/Hester Spence who was probably his 2nd wife and also notes people who were given money or items from the estate: Thomas Sawyer, Richard Sawyer, John Sawyer, Lemuel Sawyer, Sarah Sawyer, John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones. I suspect the Thomas Sawyer and John Sawyer mentioned above were the sons of Caleb Sawyer, as of course, was Lemuel Sawyer. Robert Spence's sister, Catherine Spence, married Richard Sawyer's brother, Thomas Sawyer Jr, so it makes sense that Richard would also be mentioned here. Although, it also makes me wonder if Richard Sawyer's wife might have also been a daughter of Robert and Ann Spence - and if so, Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha Gregory would have been 3rd cousins in two different ways via the Sawyers and Spences. John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones were probably Robert Spence's son-in-laws. Most likely, Dempsey (since he had a son named Truman), Lemuel, John, and Thomas were sons of Caleb Sawyer and Robert and Ann Spence's daughter of unknown name. Elisha and Sylvanus Sawyer seem to have been quite a bit younger than the other sons of Caleb Sawyer and may have been from a different mother, perhaps from Susannah. I will have to double check when each of Caleb Sawyer's sons first appear in the deed and tax records to see if it is feasible for them to have been grandsons of Robert Spence. Men and women were mostly married by their mid-teens during that time period, given how harsh life was back then.

Some records give Robert Spence's wife Ann's maiden name as being Lovey, but I'm not sure how correct it is. There's very little surviving records regarding the Spence family in general, and there's only a few deeds for Alexander Spence and Robert Spence listed in the Pasquotank deed indexes. Nonetheless, I found an interesting record from Oct 1797 that suggests Robert Spence was born quite a bit earlier than previously thought. John Spence, Alexander's Spence's brother, apparently arrived in North Carolina shortly before Alexander with John's wife Catherine and a Robert Spence whom is not explicitly stated as being his son. John Spence could have had a son named Robert who predeceased him and thus was not mentioned in his will, but I think it's more likely that he took his nephew with him. I have seen various other immigration records for North Carolina during that time when an uncle or aunt would take a nephew or niece with them in advance of the child's parents arriving. I would wager that this is what happened in this scenario. If so, Robert Spence was probably born in Somerset, Maryland in the early 1790s. Alexander Spence's will indicates that he was probably his third son after James and Joseph Spence.

Here is an excellent site about the Spence-Truman family, and Alexander Spence in particular: http://ncgenweb.us/nc/camden/spence-alexander-a-pasquotank-pioneer/ The author takes the position that John Truman moved from Calvert County, MD to the eastern shore of Virginia due to a controversy involving his brother, Thomas. This seems credible, but more information would be needed to prove it. The Calvert County Trumans are reputedly the branch of Trumans of whom President Truman was a descendant. Calvert County was diagonally across the Chesapeake from Somerset, so they wouldn't have had to travel very far.

162. Robert Spence, born Bef. 1695 in Somerset Co., MD. He was the son of 324. Alexander Spence and 325. Dorothy Truman.

Children of Robert Spence are:
i. Susannah Spence?, born Abt. 1715; married Capt. Caleb Sawyer; born Abt. 1703 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Susannah Spence?:
From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:33 AM
To: Harry Schoettle; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Caleb Sawyer (d. 1758) and Robert Spence (d. 1762)

Since there's a good chance that Sylvanus Sawyer's wife was descended from Caleb Sawyer's son Lemuel Sawyer Sr, I thought I would take a closer look into the Sawyer-Spence records

Mr. Schoettle sent me some information last night that gave strong proof that Catherine Spence, daughter of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman, actually married Thomas Sawyer Jr (son of Thomas Sawyer (d. 1720). So, I think I can rule her out as being Caleb Sawyer's wife. Yet, there was a deed from April 1739 (Pasquotank Deed B-260) where Robert Spence and wife Ann sell 100 acres to Caleb Sawyer. Robert Spence was a son of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman. Alexander Spence's will from 2 Aug 1734 left 100 acres to son Robert Spence adjacent to Richard Ferrill, Abel Ross, and John Trueblood. This was probably the same land that Robert and Ann Spence later sold to Caleb Sawyer in 1739. Robert Spence had a probate file from 1763 that doesn't specifically name his heirs, but it mentions the administrator as being an Esther/Hester Spence who was probably his 2nd wife and also notes people who were given money or items from the estate: Thomas Sawyer, Richard Sawyer, John Sawyer, Lemuel Sawyer, Sarah Sawyer, John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones. I suspect the Thomas Sawyer and John Sawyer mentioned above were the sons of Caleb Sawyer, as of course, was Lemuel Sawyer. Robert Spence's sister, Catherine Spence, married Richard Sawyer's brother, Thomas Sawyer Jr, so it makes sense that Richard would also be mentioned here. Although, it also makes me wonder if Richard Sawyer's wife might have also been a daughter of Robert and Ann Spence - and if so, Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha Gregory would have been 3rd cousins in two different ways via the Sawyers and Spences. John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones were probably Robert Spence's son-in-laws. Most likely, Dempsey (since he had a son named Truman), Lemuel, John, and Thomas were sons of Caleb Sawyer and Robert and Ann Spence's daughter of unknown name. Elisha and Sylvanus Sawyer seem to have been quite a bit younger than the other sons of Caleb Sawyer and may have been from a different mother, perhaps from Susannah. I will have to double check when each of Caleb Sawyer's sons first appear in the deed and tax records to see if it is feasible for them to have been grandsons of Robert Spence. Men and women were mostly married by their mid-teens during that time period, given how harsh life was back then.

Some records give Robert Spence's wife Ann's maiden name as being Lovey, but I'm not sure how correct it is. There's very little surviving records regarding the Spence family in general, and there's only a few deeds for Alexander Spence and Robert Spence listed in the Pasquotank deed indexes. Nonetheless, I found an interesting record from Oct 1797 that suggests Robert Spence was born quite a bit earlier than previously thought. John Spence, Alexander's Spence's brother, apparently arrived in North Carolina shortly before Alexander with John's wife Catherine and a Robert Spence whom is not explicitly stated as being his son. John Spence could have had a son named Robert who predeceased him and thus was not mentioned in his will, but I think it's more likely that he took his nephew with him. I have seen various other immigration records for North Carolina during that time when an uncle or aunt would take a nephew or niece with them in advance of the child's parents arriving. I would wager that this is what happened in this scenario. If so, Robert Spence was probably born in Somerset, Maryland in the early 1790s. Alexander Spence's will indicates that he was probably his third son after James and Joseph Spence.

Here is an excellent site about the Spence-Truman family, and Alexander Spence in particular: http://ncgenweb.us/nc/camden/spence-alexander-a-pasquotank-pioneer/ The author takes the position that John Truman moved from Calvert County, MD to the eastern shore of Virginia due to a controversy involving his brother, Thomas. This seems credible, but more information would be needed to prove it. The Calvert County Trumans are reputedly the branch of Trumans of whom President Truman was a descendant. Calvert County was diagonally across the Chesapeake from Somerset, so they wouldn't have had to travel very far.

Notes for Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17076/caleb%20sawyer#hit4
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh (1891-1976):

First Attempt to Form the County
Caleb Sawyer
ca 1703-1758

AS A SITE for the precinct courthouse the Pasquotank Commissioners purchased an acre of land from Thomas Palin and wife Susannah on October 17, 1727. The location was on the southwest side of the river on "a little creek or gut issuing out of Newbegun Creek." Here the courthouse was forthwith erected and as a result sentiment began to develop on the northeast side of the river for the formation of a new precinct. The primary reason for this dissatisfaction was the width of the river at the point selected, some three miles or more. Crossings on a ferry would be a difficult undertaking even in moderate weather and nothing short of hazardous when the winds were high. As a matter of fact, there was no regular or dependable ferry service at the time except at Sawyer's Ferry about fifteen miles up the river, and to cross over to the other side over the roads, which were no more than rutty cart paths, was also a time-consuming inconvenience for the majority of the inhabitants on the northeast side, inasmuch as the most populous area was as yet in the lower or southern part. At first, for lack of a building, court sessions were held at various private residences, but in 1715 the Assembly specifically named the residence of Joseph Glaister on Newbegun Creek as the place for holding court as well as county elections.

The erection of a courthouse in this vicinity, moreover, eliminated the chance of holding court elsewhere, and this fact, along with the transportation difficulties, became a continuing source of dissatisfaction to those living on the other side of the river.

Caleb Sawyer, "of Sawyers Creek," as one of the representatives from Pasquotank in the House of Commons, was the first to attempt to obtain the legislative enactment necessary in order to form that northeast side into a separate precinct. An entry in the minutes of the House on January 25, 1735, reads as follows: "Read petition of the inhabitants of the N. E. Parish of Pasquotank praying that that Parish be established into a separate precinct. Referred." On February 3 this additional entry is recorded: "By Mess. Caleb sawyer, Dan'll Sawyer. The petition of ther Inhabitants of the North East Parish of Pasquotank was a second time read for establishing that part into a precinct with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle County. Ordered that a bill be prepared for same." On February 22 the bill appears with an amendment to name the precinct "Johnston," undoubtedly a diplomatic gesture for the purpose of securing the approval of the governor, Gabriel Johnson. Caleb Sawyer is regarded as sponsor of this legislation since he is the only representative mentioned in connection with it except the one instance including Daniel Sawyer.

The bill with amendments was passed the required three times and ordered to be engrossed. It was promptly vetoed by Governor Johnston who objected to the provision "with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle," which meant five representatives in the House of Commons for the new county. In 1670 Albemarle County had been divided into four precincts—Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan—and each was allotted five representatives in the General Assembly. Later Bertie was allotted five and Tyrell, three; all other precincts or counties were allowed only two. Because of this method of representation the Albemarle region held the balance of political power and as a consequence officials elected in the assembly continued to be from that area. Governor Johnston was therefore strongly opposed to creating another precinct in the same territory with a quota of five members in the legislature. He later attempted to reduce representation in all the Albemarle precincts to two each; but the old precincts appealed to the Crown and their claims were upheld as a special privilege from the Proprietors.

Sawyer was elected to four two-year terms in the legislature. An important bill which he and Jeremiah Symons sponsored in 1735 for the benefit of navigation was "An Act appropriating the Powder Money towards the fortifying beaconing and Buoying out the several Ports or Channels in the Province and for Imploying Pilotes." In 1743 Sawyer assisted in preparing a bill "providing for his Majesty's Rent Roll." During his last term—1743—he was fined for twelve days' non-attendance, the reason for the absence not being stated.

Members of the Sawyer family have made important contributions to the history of Camden County. Caleb's first cousin Thomas donated the land for the Episcopal chapel erected near Sawyers Creek shortly after 1715, thereby becoming our first public benefactor. Not only was Caleb himself an outstanding citizen, he was the progenitor of descendants who also distinguished themselves. His son Lemuel held several local offices and was a delegate to important state conventions during the Revolutionary Period. A daughter married General Isaac Gregory. A grandson, Lemuel, was elected several times to the U. S. Congress and was also an author of note. A granddaughter also married a congressman. Another grandson, Enoch, achieved wealth, public honors, and entertained President James Monroe in his home.

More About Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
Occupation: Sea captain

81 ii. Ann Spence?, married Richard Sawyer.

164. Thomas Litton, Jr., born Aft. 1682 in Harford Co., MD; died 21 Apr 1761 in Harford Co., MD. He was the son of 328. Thomas Litton and 329. Mary Webster. He married 165. Ann Hawkins.
165. Ann Hawkins, born Abt. 1689 in Harford Co., MD; died 29 Jan 1756 in Harford Co., MD.

Notes for Thomas Litton, Jr.:
http://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/litton/502/

Thomas Litton and Ann Hawkins

By Kerry Bate December 15, 2010 at 04:00:30

I've recently completed a biographical sketch of Thomas Litton and his wife, Ann Hawkins, and am posting it for comment, correction, and addition.
THOMAS LITTON – 2

BIRTH/PARENTAGE:
"I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Letton & my doughter Sarah Letton & unto Thomas son… who at age 18…" [29 October 1700 Will of Thomas Litton, Baltimore County Wills, B6:396-97 and Jane Baldwin Cotton, MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS 6:396]. Thomas Litton Senior also mentions "[my] loving brother John Webster" in his will [ibid.]. Thomas Litton Jr. was an apprentice of John Webster's in 1707 [Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5; William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40]. Webster's wife, Hannah Butterworth, was not a sister to Thomas Litton and given the reference to "brother" and that Webster accepted Thomas Litton Jr. as an apprentice, it seems probable that Litton senior was married to Webster's sister and therefore Thomas Litton Jr. was son of Thomas and Mary (Webster) Litton.

Thomas Litton Jr. could have been born no earlier than 1682 if he were not yet 18 at the date of his father's will in 1700; he was married by 6 April 1715, when his daughter Elizabeth was born [ST GEORGE, HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND PARISH REGISTERS, p. 217]. His fellow apprentice, Antell Deaver, was aged "about 40" on 12 May 1730 (born about 1690), "age about 52" on 3 May 1737 (born about 1685), age about 71" 5 May 1755 (born about 1684) and "age about 71" 27 October 1755 (born about 1684) [Dr. Richard H.Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5, 16, 42, 44], so it would not be unreasonable to estimate Thomas LittonJr.'s birth as around 1685-1690.

OCCUPATION:
Thomas Litton, like his father and like the uncle to whom he was apprenticed by 1707 [Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5; William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40], John Webster [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1659-1737, p. 41] was a carpenter.

MARRIAGE:
Thomas Litton's wife was named Ann, as shown in the birth of her daughter Elizabeth in 1715 [ST GEORGE, HARFORD COUNTY, MARYLAND PARISH REGISTERS, p. 217] and Ann was also named in his will, dated 29 January 1756. John Hawkins Sr leaves to my "daughter Ann Litten my Negro Man named Mingoe after the decease of my loving wife Rebecca" [Jane Baldwin Cotton, MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS, 7:33; 7:33; Baltimore Co Wills 2:287]; Thomas Litten and John Hawkins sign the inventory of the estate of John Hawkins, Sr., as "nearest of kin" [Baltimore Co, MD Inventories 4:485; also see MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L"]. Hence Thomas's wife was Ann Hawkins, daughter of John Hawkins, whom he probably married about 1714.

TRACTS OF LAND:
Bare Hills, 100 acres patented 10 June 1734
Arabia Petrea, 100 acres, 1739, mentioned in 29 January 1756 will
Litton's Desire, 50 acres, 1741
Litton's Lot, 25 acres, 1742
Margaret's Mount, 160 acres, mentioned in will
New Design, 40 acres or more, part of Margaret's Mount, mentioned in will
Spencer's Neighbour, mentioned in will
Falling Branch, 25 acres, mentioned in will
Litten's Fancy "whereon is suppose[d] to be a mine" mentioned in will

RELIGION:
Quaker until discharged 20-6-1743 [20 July 1743, the year starting in March before 1752; Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County Book F – 1808-1836].

Ann's Delight, mentioned in will
DEATH:
Thomas Litton's last land transaction was dated 17 April 1760 and his will was probated on 21 April 1761 [Baltimore County Probates] so he died between those dates and closest to the latter.

BIOGRAPHY BY KERRY WILLIAM BATE:
Thomas Litton's father died when he was a minor, probably when he was ten or fifteen, and the Baltimore Rent Rolls show resources from land called Speedwell and Tall Hill were "in the posestion of Mary Litton for the orphants of Thomas Litton" [MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 20 (1925) 286]. His mother remarried by August 1715, choosing as her second husband another carpenter, John Miles, Jr. [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 448; John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1659-1737, p. 55].

He was apprenticed to his uncle by 1707 [Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5], carpenter John Webster, who was or became "an ardent Quaker" [Nancy Webster Barnes and Marwood Darlington, SOME WEBSTER AND DOWNING FAMILIES OF MARYLAND AND PENNSYLVANIA (1993), p. 5] and Litton was himself a Quaker, though ultimately an unsuccessful one. Webster, who lived to the age of 91, was described in his obituary as having "always maintained a good character in every Station: was a tender Husband, kind Parent and Indulgent Master. All his neighbors agree that he has not left an honester man" [MARYLAND GAZETTE, 12 April 1753, quoted in MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 19 (1924) 211 and in Barnes and Darlington, already cited, p. 6]. We would expect, then, that Webster was kind to his fatherless apprentice-nephew though the only record of that apprenticeship is the testimony of the wonderfully named Antell Deaver, "aged forty years" who deposed 12 May 1730 "that about twenty-three years agoe this deponent lived with John Webster as an apprentice and that about that time he saw abounded chesnut standing near an old Indian grave…. And that Thomas Litton then a youth and fellow prentice told him it was the bounded tree of Christophers Camp and Sedley" [LAND COMMISSIONS, Liber H.W. iS. No. 2, f. 89, quoted in William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40]; also see Dr. Richard H. Miller, ABSTRACTS OF THE BALTIMORE COUNTY LAND COMMISSIONS 1727-1762, p. 5].

Thomas Litton married, about 1714, Ann Hawkins, daughter of John Hawkins Sr, a man whose inventory included not only a valuable (£25) "Negro Man named Mingo" (who was bequeathed to Ann Hawkins Litton), but an even more valuable (£30) Negro "Woman Named Kate" as well as a Negro "Boy named Will" and "1 white servt Woman nam'd Alse Evans" (£6) [Baltimore County Inventories: 4:485], reminding us that slavery actually began as a form of time-limited indenture and was applied to white as well as black.

Ann, like most colonial wives, is almost only a name on a piece of paper; she shows up twice in deeds with her husband [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS, 2:140 (28 January 1742); 2:270 (23 February 1747)] and she is named in the births of her children in the parish registers of St. George, Baltimore County [now Harford], Maryland:

"Elizabeth Litton the Daughter of Thomas & Ann Litten his Wife was Born April the Sixth 1715" (p. 217)
"Mary Litten was born April the first 1717) the Daughters & Sons of Thomas
Hannah Litten was born March the 10th 1719) Litten & Ann his Wife (p. 230)
Thomas Litten was born Jany the 30th 1721)
"John Litten the Son of Thomas Litten & Ann his Wife Was Born March the tenth 1722/3" (p. 234)
"Isaac Litton the son of Thomas & Ann Litton his wife was born February the thirteenth 1724/" (p. 234)
Michael Litton Son of Thomas Litton, & Ann his Wife was Born April the 14th 1730" (p. 256)
"Decr the 4th Day of 1732 Then was Born Elizabeth Litten Daughter of Thomas Litten and Ann his Wife." (p. 267)
August the 10th 1734 – Then was Born Samuel Litten Son of Thomas Litton and Ann his Wife" (p. 285).
"James Litten Son of Thomas Litten and Ann his Wife was Born the fifth day of February Anno Domini 1740" (p. 314)
"April the 25th 1740. Then died Ann Litten Daughter of Thomas Litten and Ann his Wife" (p. 309).

The only clue we have that she might have had an interesting personality and been important in her own right is a tract of land named in Thomas Litton's will: Ann's Delight. We don't know what the acreage was but we can hope it was named after our colonial multi-great-grandmother and that it really did Delight her.

There is some reason to suspect his stepfather John Miles of kindness toward him, because Miles and Thomas's mother Mary conveyed 62 acres to Thomas "for love and affection" on 15 September 1716, with his mother signing by mark, his sister Sarah Litton signing by mark, but his stepfather signing his own name [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS, 1659-1737, 1:247].

That apparently worked out well enough that the trick was repeated, when on 2 November 1720 "John & Mary Miles" deeded 60 acres named "Father-in-laws Bounty" to Thomas. In those days, Father-in-law also meant step-father, so the name chosen for the tract of land probably reflected the generosity behind the gift [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS, 1659-1737, 1:269] and shortly thereafter, perhaps in a burst of prosperity, Litton records his branding mark [ibid., 1:269]. Certainly this was a meaningful piece of property, for it was one-half of Margaret's Mount, which property was to play some significant role in the Litton/Litten family.

In 1722 Miles appointed his wife Mary—Litton's mother—administratrix of his estate for life, and mentioned Martha Litton, who was illegitimately begotten on Thomas-2 Litton's sister Sarah Litton by her step-brother, Thomas Miles, a son of John Miles by a previous wife—hence Martha was a granddaughter of both John and Mary Miles and a niece of our Thomas-2 [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, pp. 405, 448]. When, on 6 May 1732 Mary Miles was called upon to administer her late husband's estate, Thomas Litton and his half-brother, John Miles Youngblood, joined her in posting bond [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 448], though she later conveyed all her personal estate to that brother—perhaps because Thomas-2 received substantial gifts of land [ibid., p. 448].

Litton continued to appear in the land records of Baltimore County, buying 100 acres from his cousin, Isaac Webster, and Webster's wife Margaret on 1 May 1739 for £25 [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:95] and with his wife Ann selling 100 acres for £35 to James Rowland, planter, on 28 January 1742—perhaps the same 100 acres he bought in 1739, and therefore making a nice profit [ibid., 2:140]. He is able to sign his name to this and other transactions. Several years later, 23 February 1747, Thomas Litton, described as a planter, and his wife Ann sell 27 acres to Nicholas Ruxton Gay for "4,500 pounds of tobacco", land"patented by Arthur Taylor, who sold, 2 Aug 1670, to Richard Wiley, who sold, 20 Feb 1671, to Robert Gates, who devised (50 acres) to Thomas Litton, the father of said Thomas… 2nd tract, 40 acres… south side of Gunpowder River… patented, 16 Jan 1697, by Thomas Litton Sr… 3rd tract, 27 acres… patented by Roger Spinks, went to his son Enoch Spinks, who sold to Thomas Litton Sr. Signed Thomas Litton. Wit: Thomas Sheredine and Thomas Sligh", the preceding being quotes from the abstract of the deed, not the deed itself [ibid., 2:270-71] a transaction expanded amplified on 28 August 1748 [ibid., 2:278]. Thomas also Patented a 100 acre parcel of land on 10 June 1734 called "Bare Hills" [Certificate 468 1734/06/10 Bare Hills, Thomas Litten, 100 Acres 6 0 MSA S 1190-563], Litton's Desire of 50 acres in 1741 [Unpatented Certificate 891, Date: 1741, Description: Litton's Desire, 50 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas; Baltimore County Circuit Court Land Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index)Index by Reference], and Litton's Lot of 25 acres [Unpatented Certificate 892, Date: 1742, Description: Litton's Lot, 25 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas].

He was even given a civic responsibility for, as reported by William B. Marye, "Thomas Litton is appointed overseer of the road from Johnsons Ford where Deer Creek road formerly came into John Websters Rolling road from Coll Hollands Ford to Esq Halls Rolling house and from Thomas Cullings to Susquehanna Upper Ferry" [William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40, citing June Court, 1730, Baltimore County Court Proceedings, Liber I.W.S. No. 6, 1728-30, folio 416].

From all this it looks like Thomas-2 Litton was living a prosperous, happy life. But, thanks to censorious Quaker records, we know he drank too much and that his children caused him troubles and concerns.

His son, blacksmith Isaac Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:355] married in late 1742 or early 1743 to Mary Jones, widow of Thomas Jones, who was old enough to be his mother (Isaac was born in 1725; Mary's eldest child in 1728) but she wasn't a Quaker and that didn't sit well with his co-religionists: Isaac Litton "reported 16-6-1746 [16 August 1746] before E Nottingham Preparative Meeting as 'having lately been married out of unity'; 'seeing his act to be wrong he appeared [before] this meeting & offered a paper of acknowledgement which was accepted." That was only the beginning of the troubles in his marriage, though the Quakers brought him to account on 9 April 1748 because he "has been guilty of using very unbecoming language to his Aunt"; his "acknowledgement was accepted on 21 May 1748. However when he was accused, as the Quakers worded it, of "suffering fiddling & dancing in his house & for non-attendance at meetings" he was disowned by the Society [Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County, Book F 1808-1836].

And besides that, Isaac's marriage wasn't working out. When his wife Mary's brother-in-law Jonathan Jones didn't find Isaac-3 Litton's stewardship of the Jones estate satisfactory in 1750 he took that responsibility away from Litton [MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L", referencing Baltimore County probates, ref: Test Pro Liber 32, folio 14, Land Office, Annapolis; Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 371], and probably not coincidentally, the Baltimore County Deeds have two side-by-side notations, as abstracted by John Davis:

1750, Isaac Litton, states no one is to deal with his wife Mary who has left. Signed Isaac Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:347].

7 Jun 1750, Jonathan Jones is guardian of Thomas Jones, son of Thomas Jones. Signed Jonathan Jones. Wit: William Hopkins [ibid., 347].

Isaac apparently grew disgusted and left Maryland, for in 1756 Thomas-2 Litton writes rather poignantly in his will, "my will and meaning is that if my Son Isaac comes back within the Term of Three Years from the date of this my Last Will & Testament that he shall be called [sic] Littens Fancy whereon is suppose[d] to be a Mine during his Natural Life and to his heirs Lawfully Begotten for ever; but in case he doth not return within the time of three years, as above, then that Land called Littens Fancy I will dispose of as I see proper & this Paragraph in my Will to be Void." I believe our Isaac may be the man of that name who shows up as in Pasquotank and then Camden County, North Carolina, probably as a soldier and hardly an exemplar of Quaker precepts [ NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, 1 (1900) 167]. Nor was Thomas-2 much luckier with his son James, who definitely enlisted in the Army and ended up in Rowan County, North Carolina, unable to later help settle his father's estate and bequeathing much trouble to Thomas-2's son Samuel and some important genealogical records to his kin.

Isaac's sister Hannah seems to have been married to a Jones, perhaps a member of the Jones family that he felt brought him misfortune, and she brought additional trials on Thomas-2, including the loss of his church membership, for she seems to have been cursed with a number of slu*tty men in her life.

The St. George Parish Vestry Records tell us that "Then was summons ordered to be sent to Samuel Hughes Thomas & Ann Litten and John & Isaac Litten and Elisabeth Pritchard to appear fit the Vestry the Tuesday in May ... 1743" [St. George Parish Registers, p. 306], which summons probably had to do with Litton's unconventional daughter Hannah, born in 1719. She is given a succinct career in Robert Barnes' study of Baltimore families: "LITTON, HANNAH…. Tried for bast[ardy]. in Aug. 1742; ind[icted] again in March 1743/4; also the Hannah Litton alias Jones who was charged by the vestrys of St. John's Parish in April 1746 for unlawful cohabitation with Samuel Hughes; ind[icted]. for bast[ardy]. again in Nov. 1746" [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 405; Barnes seems cautious identifying this Hannah Litton with our Aunt Hannah, but since her parents were summoned there is no doubt of the identification]. A succinct record of the vestry, St. John's, referenced by Barnes, says, "Ordered that Saml Hughs & Hannah Litten alias Jones have notice to appear before the next Vestry for unlawfully cohabiting with each other" [Vestry Records, St Johns, 1735-83, pp. 82-83].

We don't know who the Jones is that caused her to be called "Hannah Litten alias Jones"—in signing the inventory of her father's estate in 1761 she is also "Hannah Jones" (signing "h" as her mark) but I think he is John Jones, the only unaccounted, marriage-wise, son of Thomas and widow Mary Jones, and thus she would be step-daughter to her brother Isaac. On 21 August 1770 Isaac's brother "Samuel Litton" witnessed a deed where John Jones, "late of Baltimore County, Maryland, but now of Red Stone Creek on the waters of the Ohio", son of Thomas Jones, sold to his brother Thomas Jones, saddler, of Baltimore County, 200 acres of land [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD DEEDS 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997), 4:91]. Under my thesis, this would be Hannah's husband and therefore Samuel's brother-in-law.

We know something of another of her lovers. Samuel Hughes wasn't an entirely pristine character. He married Jane Scott, daughter of prominent Baltimore planter Daniel Scott and sister of another Daniel Scott, member of the Maryland legislature. However besides being summoned to unlawful cohabitation with Hannah Litton in April 1746, he was unzipped again in September 1757 when his wife Jane "reported him to the vestry for unlawful cohabitation with Henrietta Jones" (after Hughes' wife died in 1765 he married again, this time to a woman named Hannah but we doubt it was our unfortunate aunt) [Robert W. Barnes, BALTIMORE COUNTY FAMILIES, 1659-1759, p. 346].

The Quaker records tell us why Thomas-2 was involved with this situation, or at the least, what the neighborhood gossip was (I've changed the abbreviations to full words):

Name:
Thomas Litton Comment: reported 18-4-1743 [18 June 1743] by Bush River Preparative Meeting, to "have fallen into the habit of excessive drinking of strong liquor & also indulging a man to cohabit with his daughter; on 16-5-1743 [16 July 1743] our committee reported having visited him & that while he confessed drinking to excess, he denied the other charge; but Friends report that upon inquiry they find he appears guilty of suffering a man to cohabit with his daughter & also of gaming." Disowned 20-6-1743 [20 August 1743]; our testimony reported read by Richard Johns before Bush River Meeting & Deer Creek Meeting [Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County Book F - 1808-1836].

Hunter C. Sutherland, in a study of the Bush River Friends Meeting of Harford County, Maryland, to which our Thomas-2 Litton belonged and from which he was disowned (they reported to the Nottingham Monthly Meeting), quotes historian Blish Forbush as saying that "the 18th century practice of disciplining members as 'theological suicide'" [Hunter C. Sutherland, "A Brief History of the Bush River Friends Meeting of Harford county, Maryland," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 77 (1982) 366], but it would perhaps be more accurate to call it institutional, rather than theological, suicide. The Shakers' practice of celibacy was theological suicide.

To add anguish for a troubled heart, Thomas-2's son Samuel took up Methodism—though likely after Thomas's decease, and his son John, who seems either especially virtuous or malevolent—John Patrick, Justice of Harford County, was accused of "Malversation in Office," for, among others, the Judgment he rendered against John Litton [J. Hall Pleasants, ed., ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND XLVIII, Journal and Correspondence of the State Council 1781-1784, p. 466]—married outside unity, and while "Seeing the same to be wrong, but appeared at this meeting [16 August 1746] & offered a paper of acknowledgment which was accepted," he was in more serious trouble on 20 April 1751 when the Bush River denomination "reported that John Litton was guilty of using abusive language to his mother-in-law, even to cursing, so this meeting (considering how often he has been dealth with & his conduct not appearing to mend but grows worse) decided to disown him. He was disowned 18-3-1751 [18 May 1751; Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County, Book F 1808-1836; I have completed abbreviated words in this record].

But these were not Thomas and Ann Litton's only laments. Their son, Thomas Litton III, predeceased them, and we find on 5 February 1754 Thomas Litton deeding livestock to Thomas III's daughter Ann, a record witnessed by Michael Litton, another son of Thomas and Ann, and allegedly by "Sand (X) Litton," whom we suspect is really Thomas-2's wife Ann in disguise [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:365]. He was to remember this granddaughter in his will as well.

That will was not long in coming after Thomas's gift to granddaughter Ann, being written on 29 January 1756:
KNOW All Men by these Presents, That I, Thomas Litten of Baltimore County & Province of Maryland, Planter, being in perfect health as also mind & memory, do for the better settlement of my Temporal affairs wherewith it has pleased God to Bless me with in this Life do make, ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following

Imprimis I Give and Bequeath unto Ann Litten my Dear Beloved Wife my now Dwelling Plantation of one hundred & sixty Acres of Land, it being a part of a Tract of Land called Margrets Mount during her Natural Life, I also leave to my said Wife the third part of all my personal Estate, my Lawful Debts being first paid.

Item my Will and Meaning is that after Wife's decease my sd. dwelling plantation I leave to my Son Samuel Litten and to my Son James Litten, I leave forty Acres to be laid out at South End of the aforesaid Tract at the place called the New Design during their Natural Lives and to their Heirs Lawfully begotten for ever, and if either of them die without Issue my Will is that the survivor or survivors enjoy the whole one Hundred & Sixty Acres.

Item, my Will and meaning is that the Tract of Land called Spencers Neighbour fall to my son Michael during his Natural Life and to his heirs lawfully begotten forever, and if in case my Son Michael die without Issue then his land to be sold & the money to be divided equally amongst the Survivors. Item, my will and meaning is that the Tract of Land called the Falling Branch containing twenty five acres fall to my sons Michael. & James jointly during their natural lives, and to their heirs lawfully begotten for ever, and if in case either or both of them should die without Issue then to fall to the Survivors of my Children.

Item my will and meaning is that if my Son Isaac comes back within the Term of Three Years from the date of this my Last Will & Testament that he shall be called [sic] Littens Fancy whereon is suppose[d] to be a Mine during his Natural Life and to his heirs Lawfully Begotten for ever; but in case he doth not return within the time of three years, as above, then that Land called Littens Fancy I will dispose of as I see proper & this Paragraph in my Will to be Void.

Item, my will and meaning is that my Son John shall have all the remaining part of Arrebea Petrea which is left unsold which land I bought of Isaac Webster & Jacob Giles as also my Will and mind is that my Son John shall have the Tract of Land called Anns delight during his Natural Life and to his heirs Lawfully Begotten for ever, and in case my son John shall die without Issue then & in such case the above two Parcells of Land to be Equally divided Amongst all my surviving Children.

Item my Will & meaning is that after my Wife's third be paid the remainder of my Personal estate be equally divided amongst my children saving my Sons John & Isaac & my daughter Mary who shall have Twelve pounds apiece less then the rest of Children of my personal Estate Item my will is that my Grand Children Samuel & Ann Prichard have each of them a cow and Calf as before given them, which cattle are now in the Possession of Doctr. Edward Wakemans excr. or administrator if not already them as also the Encrease & benefit of them, and is to be made Good by the said Wakeman.

Item my Will & meaning is that my Granddaughter Anne Litten (daughter of my son Thomas deceased, have one cow & calf, one ewe & lamb, one Sow & Pigs and their increase for ever already Given to her and her heirs Lawfully begotten of her Body and if she die without Issue the same to fall to my Children to be equally divided amongst them

And Lastly I leave my Loving Wife Anne Litten, & my Son Michael Litten my whole & sole Executrix & Executor of this my Last Will & Testament hereby disannulling & making Void all others heretofore by me made declaring this & no other to be my Last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & fixt my seal this Twenty Ninth day of January Anno Domino 1756.

Seald & Acknowledged by the Testator)
the word Son in the Tenth Line & the)Thomas Litten (Seal)
word part in the Twenty Eight line)
& the word have in the Thirtieth Line)
being first Interlined in presence)

Litton lived some years after the will was written, for on 17 April 1760 he entered into a transaction with his son, Michael:

Thomas Litten to )
Michael Litten(Baltimore County to wit, BE IT REMEMBERED that upon the
Bond)Seventeenth Day of April in the Year Seventeen hundred and Sixty cometh into the Office of the Clerk of Baltimore County towit a certain Michael Litten in his proper Person and produces an Infftrument of Writing which he prays may be here entered among the Records of the same Court and thereupon it is now to wit the said Seventeenth Day of April in the in the [sic] Year of our Lord Christ Seventeen hundred and sixty aforesaid here inrolled in form following to wit:

KNOW ALL MEN by thefe Prefents that I Thomas Litten of Baltimore County and Province of Maryland am held and firmly bound unto Michael Litten of the County and Province of Maryland aforesaid the sum of two hundred pounds of good and lawful Money of Maryland to be paid to faid Michael Litten or his certain Attorney Executors Administrators or afsigns to which payment well and truly to be made I bind myself my Heirs Executors and Administrators firmly by thefe Prefents Sealed with my Seal Dated the nineteenth Day of March in the——Year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord——by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and fo forth and in the Year of our Lord one thoufand feven hundred and fixty.

THE CONDITION of this obligation is fuch that if the above bonden Thomas Litten of the County and Province aforesaid his Heirs Executors or Administrators do well and truly make over unto the said Michael Litten his Heirs Executors or Administrators or Afsigns to tracts of land known by the names of Litton's Lot containing twenty five acres and Spencer's Neighbour containing feventy five acres both fituated on the north fide of Deer Creek according to his Lordships Commifsion and Survey as by Leases appear then this obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and Virtue.
Thomas Litten (LS)
Sealed and Delivered in the Prefence of James Crawford, Robert Hawkins )
Samuel Litten, Mordecai Crawford)
Exam'd
Baltimore County stamps paid Duty Paid B. Bondley, Cl.

Hence Thomas-2 died after 17 April 1760 and before his will was probated on 21 April 1761:

Jacob GilesBalt. Coty. April 21st, l761 came Jacob Giles one of
Willm. Smiththe People called Quakers and made his Solemn Affirmation
John Rigbiethat he saw the Testator, Thomas Litten sign the within
Will on the same day Wm. Smith, Surveyor made oath and July 15th 1761 John Rigbie made Oath that they both saw the Testator Thomas Litten sign the within Will and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament , that at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing mind & memory that they severally subscribed their respective names as Witnesses to the said Will in the presence of the said Testator and at his request. Affirmed and Sworne before
William Young, Deputy Commissary Balt. County.

The inventory wasn't completed until October:

AN INVENTORY of the goods and chattels rights and credits of Thomas Litten late of Baltimore County deceased appraised in current money of Maryland by us the Subscribers:
Vizt. To his weareing apparel £2.0.0
To. 1 Feather bed 5.2.0
To. 1 Do. & furniture (?) furniture 5.0.0
To. 1 do. verry old 1.0.0
To. 3 bedstids old 0.10.0
To. 1 writeing Desk 3.10.0
To. 1 pair of money scales & small pockett compafs
0.16.0
to. 1 sunglafs and pair spectakels 0.1.0
To 2 razors old & Strap 0.13.0
To 1 pair of silver shoebuckels old & silver probe 0.5.0
To 1 small looking glafs to 2 yds Irish linen 0.3.0
To aremenant woolen cloth 0.4.0
To a bell mettle spice morter and pestle old 0.8.0
to 1 Teat kettle old, to chaffing dish 0.6.0
To warming pann 5/to 2 candlesticks 2/to 4 glafses
0.8.0
to 1 box iron old 1/6 to 1 pair of scales old 0.3.0
To some tea ware old and difsorted 0.7.0
To 3 cannisters old 1/ to pair of spoon molds 0.6.0
To 1 spyglafs and Pipe 0.1.6
To 2 stone Juggs and 2 stone butter Potts 0.7.0
To 2 Earthen Crocks & 1 glafs bottles 0.2.0
To Parcell of books old 4/ to 1 Gunn old 0.9.0
To 1 large looking glafs 1.10.0
£23.6.6
carried over
To 1 small Do. 10/ to 1 spice box 0/12/6
To 2 Ovill Tabels verry old 0.10.0
To 1 square do. 2/6 to 6 leather chairs old 0.12.6
To. 2 Chests old 7/6 to 3 old trunks 0.8.6
To 1 crofs cutt saw old 0.5.0
To 1 linnen wheel old 2/6 to 1 woolen do 0.3.6
To 4 pulley blocks and some ropes old 0.8.0
To 2 pair of sheets old & old pair of shoeboots 0.21.0
To 3 reap hooks old 1/ to 1 iron hackle old 0.3.0
To mousetrap 1/ to 22 1/2 of pewter 1/31 .19.1 ½
To 33th Do.Do. 1/ 1.23.0
To 1 pair of hand mill stones 0.10,0
To parcell of pattapams old 1/ to 1 skillett old 0.3.6
To a parcell of shoemakers tools old & Elsrs old (?)
0.10.0
To 2 brafs locks old 2/6 to a parcell of carpenters tools
0.18.6
To a parcell of Coopers do. old 0.10.6
To 5 hoes old 5/ to a parcell of old iron 0.15.0
To 1 pair of small stilliards 0.7.6
To. 1 iron pott 39th @/sd 0.13.0
To 1 small do. 6th 2/ to 1 pott rack 0.7.0
To 1 scythe & pitchfork old 0.5.0
To 1 frying pann spitt & flesh forks 0.10.0
To 2 steel traps old 10/ to a sail & wedges & mattocks
0.16.0
To 1 bagg old 1/6 to 4 bells old 0.6.6
To 2 ploughs old & some Geers 1.0.0
To 15 Cyder casques 2/ each 1.10.0
To 1 Cyder mill old 10/ to some Lumber 1.5.0
To 2 wier scives & meal sifter 0.8.6
To 1 mans saddle 1.0.0
Horses 19.5.7
To 1 Gilding old2.0.0
To 1 mare gray old3.10.0
To 1 Black Mare6.0.0
Cows
To 1 Cow & calf 3.0.0
To 1 Cow 2.10.0
To 1. Do. & Calf 3.0.0
To 1 Steer 3.0.0
To 1 bull 15/to heiffer 1.15.0
To 3 head of sheep 15/1 grindstone 1.2.6
Hoggs
To 3 Barrows 12/s each 1.16.0
To 2 sows and six piggs 0.15.0
To 1 pair of Cart wheels very old 0.5.0
To 1 quilting frame old 1/6 to 1 flax brake 0.2.9
To 1 sundial old 16 & 1 iron pott 23... 0.7.6
To 14 1/2 barrels of corn 18/4 pr barrell 6.0.10
To 10 bushels of Wheat 3/ 1.10.0
£79.13.8 1/2
OCTOBER YE 24 1761
To charges for appraisem*nt)James Lee(seal)
And copying Inventory 0.15.0 )Edward Morgan

I approve of ye above appraisem*nt)
being a creditor )Thos. White

I approve of the above apraisem*nt)
being a creditor)Thos. Miller
Michael Litten

I approve of the above appraisem*nt ) her
being a daughter of of Thos. Litten deceasd )HanahhJones
mark

I approve of the above appraisem*nt) her
being a daughter of Thos. Litten deceased ) Mey JJinings
mark

DECEMBER 9th 1761 Samuel Litten administrator with will annexed made oath on the Holy Evangelist of almighty God that the within & foregoing Inventory is a Just & perfect one of all and singular the goods and chattes [sic] rights & credits o£ Thomas Litten late of Baltimore County deceased so farr forth as the same is already come to his hands pofsefsion or knowledge and that what shall hereafter come to his hands or pofsefsion he will return in an additional Inventory that he knows of no concealment by any person whatsoever & if he shall hereafter Discover any concealment or suspect any to be that he will acquaint the Commifsary General for the time being or his Deputy with such discovery or Cause of suspicion that it may be Enquired into & that he will well and truly give an account of every part and parcell of the Deceaseds personal Estate that shall hereafter come to his hands pofsefsion or knowledge sworne before W. Young D. Corny Balt. County [Maryland Inventories, XX, Inv 143, Acct 256, (film 3301 pt 5); Thomas LITTEN, Baltimore Book 32, Liber DDI; folio 420; 1762, Tho Litten, 123, no. 6; Baltimore County, Md., Inventories, no. 8, 1749-69, p. 241-243].

It is unclear if Ann outlived him. She's not mentioned in the estate records, but she was to get Margaret's Mount for her lifetime and sons Samuel-3 and James-3 didn't sell it until about 1770 [Harford County Land Records 1776 JLG A 205].

Thomas had an interesting life, and thanks to some brief sentences in Quaker records we're able to see him as a human being with challenges and heartaches rather than just a name in parish registers, deeds, and probate records. We only wish we had as much to go on for his wife Ann.

NOTES:
[ca 1706] The settlement of the region lying between tidewater and Deer Creek, the Little Falls of Gunpowder River and Susquehanna River, began, as did that of the country to the southward, about the year 1699, and was probably well under way in four or five years. Roads which are described as running through this region in records of or earlier than 1699 were in all likelihood military roads, if they were not Indian. In these records the reader will, I think, look in vain for any certain evidence of the existence of English plantations up in the "forest," as the "back" country was called. On the contrary, we have the evidence of Captain Oldton's report of 1697, which tells us that the distance by road from the cabin on the north side of Deer Creek to the nearest inhabitants was sixteen miles.

The earliest record I have found of a plantation made in the forest far above tidewater, within what is now Harford County, is found in the proceedings of a land commission which was held on August 5th, mine the bounds of "Christopher's Camp," John Webster, aged sixty-four years, declared " that soon after this deponent settled the plantation whereon he now lives which to the best of his knowledge is about twenty-four years agoe a certain Robert Love came to this deponent's house and told this deponent that he had been employed by the Brooks to find out a piece of land called My Lords Gift and that he had run two lines of a piece of land called (Sedgly, etc., etc." Antell Deaver, aged forty years, testified before the same commission " that about twenty-three years agoe this deponent lived with John Webster as an apprentice and that about that time he saw a bounded chestnut standing near an old Indian grave . . . and that Thomas Litton then a youth and fellow prentice told him it was the bounded tree of Christophers Camp and Sedgley." (Land Commissions, Liber H. W. iS. No. 2, f. 89.) The land on which John Webster settled about 1706 was probably "Webster's Forest" which lies between Fountain Green and Creswell. In November, 1711, John Gallion was appointed overseer of the road "that leads from the Rollinghouse of John Hall Esq to his Upper Quarter." (Baltimore County Court Proceedings, Liber I. S. No. B., 1708-1715, f. 265-267, March Court, 1711.) In June, 1712, James Crawford, John Dooley, John Cowen and Mathew Molton petitioned the court " for a road to be made through a certain plantation of John Hall, Esq." (same, f. 314.) These men were probably settlers on the north side of Deer Creek)"—William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 139-40.

[1716-17] 1: 251-52: Account of tobacco delivered to John Crockett…. [p. 252]…Thomas Litton 196…. Gentleman, I have delivered to John Crockett your notes and accounts several sums to the names annexed for rents to Henry Darnall due by virtue of an order from said Darnall, hereby desire you to pay the respective sums in the notes and accounts specified to the said Crockett, his order and his receipt shall discharge you 7 years rent due to the Lady Baltimore and 1 years rent to the present Lord Baltimore and order of Henry Darnall. Signed George Nelson [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1659-1737, pp. 251-52].

[June 1730] "The following records may throw some light on the question of the ford or fords at which the Garrison Road crossed Deer Creek, and on the course of the road sixteen miles in length which ran from the cabin on the north side of Deer Creek to the nearest settlements: " Thomas Litton is appointed overseer of the roads from Johnsons Ford where Deer Creek road formerly came in to John Websters Rolling road from Coll Hollands Ford to Esq. Halls Rolling house and from Thomas Cullings to Susquehannah Upper Ferry" (June Court, 1730, Baltimore County Court Proceedings, Liber I. W. 8, No. 6, 1728-1730, f. 416)"—William B. Marye, "The Baltimore County 'Garrison' and the Old Garrison Roads," MARYLAND HISTORICAL MAGAZINE 16 (1921) 137.

[1732] MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L"
LITTON, —Ann HAWKINS1732
Dau of John Hawkins, Bait Co Wills Liber 20 Folio 750, Land Office, Annapolis.

[10 June 1734] Baltimore County Circuit CourtLand Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1190: (Certificates, Patented, BA)Index by Reference
Reference: Patented Certificate 468
Date: 1734/06/10
Description: Bare Hills, Thomas Litten, 100 Acres
Storage Location: 01/25/01/89
Patented Certificate 468 1734/06/10 Bare Hills, Thomas Litten, 100 Acres 6 0 MSA S 1190-563

[1735-83] pp. 82-3. "Ordered that Saml Hughs & Hannah Litten alias Jones have notice to appear before the next Vestry for unlawfully cohabiting with each other. (Vestry Records, St Johns, 1735-83)

[1 May 1739] 2: 95: 1 May 1739, Isaac & Margaret Webster and Jacob & Johannah Giles, merchants, of Baltimore Co, MD to Thomas Litton, of same, £25, 100 acres. Signed Isaac Webster and Jacob Giles. Wit: Nathaniel Rigbie and Richard Johns [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:95]

[1741] Baltimore County Circuit CourtLand Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index)Index by Reference
Reference: Unpatented Certificate 891
Date: 1741
Description: Litton's Desire, 50 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas
Storage Location:
Baltimore County Circuit CourtLand Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium PlatsMSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index)Index by Reference

[1742] Reference: Unpatented Certificate 892
Date: 1742
Description: Litton's Lot, 25 Acres; Unpatented CertificateDeveloper/Owner: Litton, Thomas

[28 Jan 1742] 2: 140: 28 Jan 1742, Thomas & Ann Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD to James Rowland, planter, of same, £35, 100 acres… between John Cooper and mouth of Muddy creek. Signed Thomas Litton. Wit: Henry David, Skipwith Coale and Mary Coale [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:140].

[May 1743] ST GEORGE, HARFORD COUNTY, MD. PARISH REGISTERS
p. 306 "Then was summons ordered to be sent to Samuel Hughes Thomas & Ann Litten and John & Isaac Litten and Elisabeth Pritchard to appear fit the Vestry the Tuesday in May ... 1743

[18 June 1743] Name: Thomas Litton
Comment: rptd 18-4-1743 by Bush River PM, to "have fallen into the habit of excessive drinking of strong liquor & also indulging a man to cohabit with his daughter; on 16-5-1743 our comm rptd having visited him & that while he confessed drinking to excess, he denied the other charged; but Frds rpt that upon inquiry they find he appears guilty of suffering a man to cohabit with his daughter & also of gaming." Dis 20-6-1743; our testimony rptd read by Richard Johns before Bush River Mtg & Deer Creek Mtg
Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County
Book F - 1808-1836

[23 Feb 1747] 2: 270: 23 Feb 1747, Thomas & Ann Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD to Nicholas Ruxton Gay, of same, 4,500 pounds of tobacco, 27 acres of 50 acres of 100 acres… patented by Arthur Taylor, who sold, 2 Aug 1670, to Richard Wiley, who sold, 20 Feb 1671, to Robert Gates, who devised (50 acres) to Thomas Litton, the father of said Thomas… 2nd tract, 40 acres… south side of Gunpowder River… patented, 16 Jan 1697, by Thomas Litton Sr… 3rd tract, 27 acres… patented by Roger Spinks, went to his son Enoch Spinks, who sold to Thomas Litton Sr. Signed Thomas [p. 271] Litton. Wit: Thomas Sheredine and Thomas Sligh [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:270].

[13 Apr 1747] 2: 347: 13 Apr 1747, received £17.2 from Isaac Litton. Signed John Litton. Wit: Willim Coale [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:347].

[28 Aug 1748] 2: 278: 28 Aug 1748 [1784 in transcript but obvious error] Nicholas Ruxton Gay, of Baltimore Co, MD to Walter Tolley, of same, 6,200 pounds of tobacco, 50 acres, 40 acres, and 27 acres… purchased, 3 Feb 1747, of Thomas Litton. Signed Nicholas Ruxton Gay. Wit: William Young and William Dallam [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:278].

[1750] 2: 347: 1750, Isaac Litton, states no one is to deal with his wife Mary who has left. Signed Isaac Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:347].

[13 May 1752] 2: 355: 13 May 1752, Isaac Litton, blacksmith, of Baltimore Co, MD to John Litton and Thomas Farmer, of same, £28, chattel goods and livestock. Signed Isaac Litton. Wit: Richard Dallam [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:355].

[5 Feb 1754] 2: 365: 5 Feb 1754, Thomas Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD to his granddaughter, Ann Litton, daughter of Thomas Litton, deceased, for love and affection, livestock. Signed Thomas Litton. Wit: Michael Litton and Sand (X) Litton [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:365].

[1 June 1755] 2: 374: 1 June 1755, David Hawkins, weaver, of Baltimore Co, MD to Joseph Lee, of same, chattel goods. Signed David Hawkins. Wit: John Litton and Jonathan (X) Mot [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1727-1757, 2:374].

[7 June 1758] 3:74: 7 June 1758, John Litton, of Baltimore Co., Maryland assignment of lease to James Clark, of same, 30 acres. Signed John Litton. Wit: Nicholas Ruxton Gay and Walter Tolley [John Davis, BALTIMORE COUNTY, MARYLAND DEED RECORDS 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:74]

[19 Mar 1760] 3: p. 110 19 Mar 1760, Thomas Litten, of Baltimore Co., Maryland to [p. 111] Michael Litten, of same, good deed on 25 acres. Signed Thomas Litten. Wit: James Crawford, Robert Hawkins, Samuel Litten and Mordecai Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore County, MD Deeds 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:110-11].

THOMAS LITTON CHILDREN-3

HANNAH LITTON/LITTEN JONES:
[21 August 1770] 4: p. 91: 21 Aug 1770 John Jones (son of Thomas Jones), cart wheel wright, late of Baltimore Co., Maryland, but now of Red Stone Creek on the waters of the Ohio to his brother Thomas Jones, saddler, of Baltimore co, MD, £0.25, 50 acres and 100 acres of 50 acres… purchased of Joseph Jones… 175 acres… purchased of Michael Webster. Signed John Jones. Wit: William Hopkins and Samuel Litton [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:91.

[29 Dec 1742] THOMAS JONES, planter, of Baltimore County, Md., wd 29 Dec 1742, wp 7 Feb. 1742, owned part of Arebea Petrea, md. MARY, mentined in will,
CHILDREN:
i.Mary, b. 17 Feb. 1728, St George.
ii. Cassandra, b 9 May 1732, St George.
iii. Thomas, b 27 Apr 1735, md St Geo. 20 June 1757, MARY DOOLEY, codicil of his will mentions mother, Mary Issom. . . among wit: John Hawkins. (NOTE: This codicil of will, that of THOMAS JONES, SR)
iv. Jonathan, b. 16 Feb 1739, St George, md. Martha —.
v.John.
vi. Eleanor.
vii. Sarah.
(For ref see Baltimore Co Wills 1:339, Par Reg St George Harf, Md.)

THOMAS LITTON/LITTEN III:
Children of SEABORN TUCKER and MARGARET COBB, a d of JAMES COBB and REBECCA EMSON (she md 2, THOMAS LITTON, III)
i.Jacob, b 22 May 1731, St George.
ii.Susannah, b 15 Apr 1734. St George.
iii. Margaret, b 28 Aug 1736, St George P.E. Church, Harford Co. Md.. Register and Vestry Proceedings, 1681-1799).

[1742] LITTON, Thomas, Jr.Margaret COBB,1742
wid of Seaborn Tucker, Bait Co His acct Sept 30, 1742. Adm Accts, Liber 14 folio 193, Land Office, Annapolis.

[1709] MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, Continued
COBB, James, 30 Oct 1709, md Rebecca Em(er)son, SG, 208, Balt Co
Marriages bef 1730, by Robert W. Barnes, p. 3.

JOHN LITTON/LITTEN:

Name: John Litton
Comment: rptd 16-6-1746 by E Nottingham PM as "lately mou" "Seeing the same to be wrong, he appeared at this mtg & offered a paper of ack which was acc" On 20-2-1751 Bush River rptd that John Litton was guilty of using abusive language to his mother-in-law, even to cursing, so this mtg (considering how often he has been dealth with & his conduct not appearing to mend but grows worse) decides to dis him. He was dis 18-3-1751
Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County
Book F - 1808-1836

[23 Oct 1764] 3: p. 274: 23 Oct 1764 John West, farmer, of Baltimore Co, Maryland leases to John Litton and Robert Cook, of same. Signed John West, John Litton and Robert Cook. Wit: Daniel Cook and William (X) and Benjamin Rogers Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore County, MD Deeds 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:274; GRANTEE INDEX, Balt Co, MD, 1764, LITTON, John, to John West, pt Maidens Mt, 13/N, 396].

[8 June 1765] 3: p. 293: 8 June 1765, William & Mary Andrews, of Baltimore Co, Maryland to Thomas Sligh, of same £115, sold by said Thomas some years ago to John Lynch, deceased. Signed William Andrews. Wit: John Litten Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore County, MD Deeds 1755-1767 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1996) volume 3:293].

[3 Nov 1767] 4: p. 8: 3 Nov 1767 John Pribble, Jr., of Bedford Co, VA to Joseph Reese, of Baltimore Co, MD £40, 50 acres… sold , 28 Aug 1739, by Richard Butts to John Pribble, Sr., who gave to his son. Signed John Pribble. Wit: John Litton and James Eagon [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:8].

[11 Dec 1767] 4: p. 10: 11Dec 1767 John Paca, of Baltimore Co, MD to his son Aquila Paca, of same, for love and affection, Thomas Run. Signed John Paca. Wit: John Litton and Abraham Farrett [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:10].

[11 Dec 1767] 4: p. 11: 11 Dec 1767 John Paca, of Baltimore Co, MD to his son William Paca, of same, for love and affection, head of Swan creek. Signed John Paca. Wit: John Litton and Abraham Farrett [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:11].

[1766-68] Volume 61, Page 578 Proceedings and Acts of the General Assembly, 1766-1768 [don't move courthouse]
v 61 p 577: don't move courthouse:
John Litten

[1771] Baltimore County Circuit Court Land Survey, Subdivision, and Condominium Plats MSA S1582: (Patents, BA, Tract Index) Index by Reference
Reference: Unpatented Certificate 1028
Date: 1771
Description: Mill Seat (The), 10 1/2 Acres Developer/Owner: Litten, John

[18 Mar 1772] 4: p. 165: 18 Mar 1772, John West, of Baltimore Co, MD to John Litton, of same £200, 104 acres. Signed John West. Wit: David Clarke and William Vonsdan [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:165].

[18 Mar 1772] 4: p. 166: 18 Mar 1772, John & Mary Litton, farmer, of Baltimore Co., Maryland to James Calder, surveyor, of same, £10, half part of 42.5 acres… Susquehanna River. Signed John Litton. Wit: David Clarke [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:166].

[1776] Gaius M. Brumbaugh, MARYLAND RECORDS COLONIAL, REVOLUTIONARY, COUNTY AND CHURCH FROM ORIGINAL SOURCES, 2 vols, 1928.
Broad Creek Hundred, Harford County, Census
Susq. Hundred, Harford Co.
LITTEN, John....58
Mary44
Mary13
Hanah10
John Lee11
Total 5; taxable, 1

[1781-1784] ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND XLVIII, Journal and Correspondence of the State Council
(8) 1781-1784, J. Hall Pleasants, ed., Baltimore Md., Historical Society, p. 466
charges against John Patrick, Justice of Harford County, accused of "Malversation in Office," because, among others, in rendering Judgment and issuing Execution against John Litton.

[1783] Historic Pub., MARYLAND TAX LIST 1783, HARFORD COUNTY (1970)
p. 84, Broad Creek Hundred, John Litten, 3 white, taxed 2.11.6, owned pt of Maidens Mount (104) Partnership (21), Littens View (30 acres).

CALENDAR OF MARYLAND STATE PAPERS, no. 1, "The Black Book," (1967) John LITTEN signed a petition against the proposed bill "To Prevent the making or Reparing of any Fish Dams & Pots on the River Susquennah,." it is contrary to the natural rights of fishermen; they suggest other means of preserving the young fish...LITTEN was the first signer.

ISAAC LITTON/LITTEN:
See above, Hannah Litton/Litten Jones

[1746] LITTON, Isaac,Mary1746
widow of Thomas JONES (see above). Balt Co, ref: Test Pro Liber 32, folio 14, Land Office, Annapolis) MARYLAND MARRIAGE RECORDS, bk 13, "L"

Name: Isaac Litton
Comment: rptd 16-6-1746 by E Nottingham PM as "having lately been mou"; "seeing his act to be wrong he appeared at this mtg & offered a paper of ack which was acc" Bush River PM rptd 9-2-1748 that Isaac Litton "has been guilty of using very unbecoming language to his Aunt."; his ack acc as satisfaction 21-3-1748. He was dis 17-9-1750 for suffering fiddling & dancing in his house & for non-att at mtgs
Maryland Quaker Records: Nottingham Monthly Meeting, Cecil County
Book F - 1808-1836

[12 February 1759] NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, vol 1 Jan 1900, no. 1; Abstract of Land Grants, pp. 167, ALBERTSON, Isaac, Pasquotank, Feb. 12, 1759,
March Court 1759, wife Jemima daughter Ruth. Test. Thomas Craghill, ISAAC LITTON, Sarah Martin.

[1782] JOURNAL OF NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY, p. 142, vol 9, Camden Co, 1782 Tax List,
ISAAC LITTAN

[1806] CAMDEN COUNTY ORPHANS ACCOUNTS, 1804-09, JOURNAL OF NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY, vol. 9, no. 2, 1963,
ROSS, orphan, Isaac Litton, 1806. . .
John"
Thamar"

[1794-1827] MARRIAGE BONDS OF TYRONE AND LINCOLN COUNTIES, NORTH CAROLINA, ed. Curtis Bynum,
1929:
LITTON/ LITTEN/ LETTON / LETTEN
——, Gilbert; Summit, LevinaJohn Sumit, 16 Jan 1827 J.T. Alexander
——, Hiram, Sherril, Alls; Charles Beatty, 30 Sept 1819. V McBee
——, Isaac, Bridges, Anna; Henry Andres, 17 Mar 1810, Dal M. Forney
——, James; Edwards, Nancy; George x Jones; Oct. 20, 1812, Vardry McBee
——, Joel, Bridges, Sarah; Isaac Lytton, Oct 1, 1823, Jas T. Alexander
——, Michael, Jones, Mary, Benjamin Taylor, 11 July 1807, DM Forney
——, Sammuel, Proctor, Elizabeth, John Sherrill, 25 Nov 1813.
——, Thomas, Whitson, Margaret, Price x Williams, 20 Oct 1784
——, William, Sherril, Eliza; David Day, 20 July 1824, V McBee
——, Isaac, Lytle, Frances; William Little (Lytle) 8 Dec 1795.
——, Lawson H., Shuford, Barbara Elam Lewis 13 Sept 1830, JT Alexander
——, Logan C., Sherrill, Nancy, Uriah Long, 25 (or 20) Jan. 1837.
——, Sammuel, Robeson, Rachel; Silas Littlejohn, 16 June 1826; V McBee
——, Westley, Thompson, Ann, James Alien, no date, Joseph Steel.
James Allen, Litten, Tabitha, Isaac Litten, 26 Apr 1794, Joseph Steel
Brown, George. Litten, Viney, John Litten, 7 March 1838, Wm Long
Edwards, Charles; Litten. Ruth, James x Litten, 28 Apr 1812, Elizabeth Henderson.

[1795-1811] CAMDEN COUNTY, N.C., DEEDS, extracts relating to LITTON
K/418: heirs of ISAAC LITTON, receive land surveyed 14 June 1805; to John LITTON, Lemuel LITTON, Polly LITTON, to Thamar LITTON, to Isaac LITTON, Ross LITTON.
K/437: Polly LIXTON, "Lemey" LITTON, land for $40, wit, Nat. Midget, Peter Mercer, 17 Sept 1805.
K/220: Abel LITTON, land grandet for being Revolutionary soldier.
H/135: Demsey Etheridge, Isaac LITTEN, 9 Dec 1796.
H/267, Peter Mercer/Abel LITTEN & wife Jane, 16 Sept 1795.
H/354, Isaac LITTEN/ Nathan Mdgett, also Ann LITTEN, signed as his wife.
1/316: ISAAC LITTON appoints lawyer to get land due him for fighting in the Revolution, 3 Aug 1796.
D/298: Abel LITTEN for love of his brother, ISAAC LITTEN, 8 Mar. 1788.
E/62: Rebecca Washup, Isaac LITTON, son of said Rebecca, brothers of Isaac, that is, Abel LITTON, William Webster, sons of Rebecca.
F/244; Rebecca Wachup, to son Abel LITTEN. . . land given by ABEL ROSS, to his aforesaid daughter, Rebecca,... brothers-of aforesaid Abel Litton, ISAAC LITTON and William Webster,
G/288, ISAAC LITTEN, to Peter Mercer, land. . . belonged to John Wachup, Jr.
G/368: ABEL LITTEN & GENIA his wife, to Nathan Midgett. . . signed Abel and "Jane." Litten, 12 Aug. 1793.
M/464: LEME LITTON, BETSY CARTWRIGHT, BENJ KINNON, POLLY KINNON, ANNY LITTON, land July 10, 1811.

[1771-1775] THE COLONIAL RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, ed. William L. Saunders, vol IX, 1771-1775, Raleigh, 1890.
p. 92, petition to Josiah Martin, from settlers of Catawba River, Yadking River and 3 creeks, petition for a new county. . . signed by James Litten.

[1826-1829] GENERAL INDEX REAL ESTATE CONVEYANCES 1753-1926. L-Re, Grantors, ROWAN
COUNTY, N.C. Littens as late as 1920.
LITTEN, James Jr. James Litten et al. 1826
LITTEN, Fanny, Hannah, James, Martha Sally J. Thompson, divisor, James Litten,
LITTEN, Elsie & Hiram, divsor, Aron Sherrill, 1-1829, bk k, p. 125.
LITTEN, Nancy, dis Sarah Hauss, 6-10- bk 1, 55240 pt 2)

[17 July 1850] 1850 Census, LINCOLN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, 17 July 1850, p. 2, Schedule 1:
8-8 Isaac LITTON,26 MN.C.
Perthinia Litton 24 FN.C.
Sarah S. Litton4 FN.C.
Margaret S. Litton IFN.C.
Wm Litten20 MN.C.

[1755] THE COLONIAL RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, 22:347
ISAAC LITTEN, Lt in Capt. Nehemiah Jones Co, 1755, Pasquotank Co Muster Roll.

[1786] THE STATE RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, ed. Walter Clark, volXXII, Goldsboro, N.C. (1907), 18:797, letter of Selby Harney, 21 Dec 1786, mentions ISAAC LITTON as a soldier.

[1786] Vol XVII/1786 (1900), The Army Acts of the N.C Line, LEMUEL, ABEL LITTEN, ISAAC
LITTER(sic)

[following are unsourced notes:]
LITTEN, Isaac, 10th reg, Sergt Blount's-Co. enlisted 20 June 1777, served 3 years
also, 2nd reg
Sami Litten, pvt 18 Dec 1776-31 Jan 1780
Abell Litten. 1 Dec 1776, 3 yrs, Nov 1777, Drum Major, 1 Nov 1778.

26 Mar 1779-21 Feb 1792] CAMDEN DEEDS, NORTH CAROLINA:B/75, Samuel Barnard, farmer, to JOHN WACHUP, shoemaker, 26 Mar. 1779.
E/9: Rebecca Wachup to her son John Wachup. . . land given by Abel Ross dec'd, to his dau aforesaid Rebecca. Other sons of Rebecca, Abel & Isaac LITTEN, & William Webster, wit.
E/166, Demsey Sawyer to Samuel Wachup 21 Feb. 1792.
E/195, Samuel Wachup to Demsey Burgess, mentions "dower claim of his father's widow," land given by John Wachup to his son Samuel. 28 July 1789.

MICHAEL LITTON/LITTEN:
[23 August 1762] The acct of SAMUEL LITTON, administrator of Thomas Litton of Baltimore County, "This acct chargeth himself with the decisads inventory amounting to the sum of L 79.13.8 1/2
And he charges himself with cash received 07.10.
And with a bond of Michael LITTON 1500
paid to JOHN JONES 23 Aug 1762.

JAMES LITTON/LITTEN:
[12 June 1769] p. 265, ROWAN COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, MARRIAGE BONDS, pt. 1, A-L, typed by Genealogical Society of Utah (July, 1937):
LITTEN, James (m) Ann Thompson, dau. of Henry Thompson, 12 June 1769 (bond) bondsmen and witnesses: Henry Thompson (w) Thomas Frabock.

[27 Mar 1770] 4: p. 87: 27 Mar 1770, Samuel Litton, planter, of Baltimore Co, MD mortgage to Charles Anderson, millwright, of same, 40 acres… purchased of his brother, James Litton. Signed Samuel Litton. Wit: Amos Garrett Crawford [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:87].

[1826] INDEX TO WILLS, LINCOLN CO., N.C.: LITTEN, James Jr. 1826 L1829 1/125

[1826] JOURNAL OF NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGY, LINCOLN (AND TYRON COUNTY WILLS), 1769-1824, LITTON, James, of Lincoln Co., Will dated 25 May 1826. probated ("not to be recorded") Brother, Michael Litton. Father & mother, James & Anney LITTON. Legatee: Henry Jones. My five children: Martha J. Monroe, Sally Ann, Isaac Newton, Thompson ("if that is his name as he was not named when I last saw him") signed. James Litten. Wit: Jacob Michal, Michael( vol 8, JNCG)

--also see LITTON/LITTEN, Samuel, for James Litten's deed and power of attorney to his brother.

UNPLACED LITTON/LITTENS:
[1767] ARCHIVES OF MARYLAND, Correspondence of Governor Horatio Sharpe, vol III,1761-1771 ed William H. Browne, (1895)
p. 415
(Sharpe to Baltimore)
To Lord Baltimore.Annapolis 30th July 1767.
Since I addressed myself to your Lordship the 27th Inst William Holliday & THOMAS LITTON have brought me the inclosed Bills for forty eight Pounds six Shillings & Twenty two pounds sixteen shillings being the first Payment for the Tracts of Land they respectively bought the 21s1- Inst as your Ldp will see by the inclosed Minute. I am &c.

[15 Dec 1769] 4: p. 63: 15 Dec 1769 John & Martha Tipton, of Baltimore Co, MD to Christopher Galeboch, of same, £61, 50 acres… north side of Grave run. Signed John (X) Tipton. Wit: Samuel Worthington and Thomas Litton [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:63].

[2 July 1771] 4: p. 131: 2 July 1771 Archibald Philips, tobacconist, of Baltimore Co, MD assignment of lease to Nathaniel Litton and John Patrick, tanners, of same, £55, lot #26 in town of Baltimore. Signed Archibald Philips and Nathaniel Litton. Wit: Jonathan Plowman and John Moale [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:131].

[6 Mar 1774] 4: p. 263: 6 Mar 1774 Nathaniel Litton, wheelwright, of Baltimore Co, MD assignment of lease to Gideon Perveil, of same, lot #26 in town of Baltimore. Signed Nathaniel Litton. Wit: William Spencer and Samuel Sherrett [John Davis, Baltimore Co, MD Deed Records 1767-1774 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1997) volume 4:263].

checked out al Litten(s) on Maryland State Archive site hits 1-83 (8 Dec 2010).

Children of Thomas Litton and Ann Hawkins are:
82 i. Isaac Litton, born 13 Feb 1724 in Baltimore Co., MD; died in Camden Co., NC; married Rebecca Ross.
ii. Caleb Litton

166. Capt. Abell Ross?, died Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 332. William Ross? and 333. Agnes Fisher.

Notes for Capt. Abell Ross?:
Could Abell Ross' wife have been a sister of John Trueblood, since Trueblood mentions him as "brother" in his will? This information has been copied and pasted from http://www.winslowtree.com/tree/getperson.php?personID=I6122&tree=Winslow

Notes Notes taken from "The Trueblood Family in America" by Bula Trueblood Watson, copyright 1964.

"....Land Grant to John and Amos Trueblood, 1694
Know Ye that We have granted unto John Trueblood and Amos Trueblood, between them the s'd John Trueblood and Amos Trueblood to be holden severally a Tract of Land containing Six hundred Acres lying on the Westward side of the Northermost branch of Aranuse Creek in Pascotank prc. & Beginning at a Beech by the S & Branch side the corner tree of John Archdale Esq. thence up ye s'd (said and aforesaid) Branch by Various courses to a White Oak, then West twenty degrees North two hundred and eighty poles to a Gum, then South five degrees East three hundred forty six poles to a Maple, then East twenty degrees South three hundred and twenty poles to the first Station, To Hold Ye Giver from the first day of Janry 1694. Witness Ye Philip Ludwell, Tho. Harvey, Paul Akehurst, Francis Tomes, Thos. Pollock
______________________________________________________
...........................pg xvi

".....John (B-4) and Amos (B-5) grow to manhood before any recorded mention of them can be found. They, no doubt, were reared in the Quaker faith, since Thomas Symons (or Simons) and Jeremiah Symons were among the early Friends in Albemarle. The Friends, however, were not always able to hold their young people within their protective arm. Such must have been the case with John and Amos Trueblood since they are referred to in the original minutes of a Quaker meeting at Symons Meeting House as being "of the world." Thus, Catherine Cartwright marries John Trueblood and Elizabeth Cartwright marries Amos Trueblood in a double civil ceremony "before a Justice."

.....John (B-4) Trueblood's will was written in Pasquotank County, 10-28-1734, and probated 11-14-1734. His executors were "Abell Ross, brother, and Jarvis Sauls, Willoughby," and he willed the following to his sons:
John my manner plantation, also plantation on Arrannuse Creek known by the name Cretches Old Field, and one negro...Fisker (Fisher)....land known by the name of Ieve Neck,...Daniel...one negro...Daughters...Miriam and Elizabeth..negroes given to each...
...............................pg 2

".....John and Amos Trueblood, the two sons of John and Agnes (Fisher) Trueblood, added to their 600 acres on the Arraneuse (Neuse) River. Their children and grandchildren continued to accumulate land and descendants until in 1790 the Census lists 18 Trueblood heads of families with 98 members of these families represented. From the Pasquotank records one notices that for the most part the Truebloods dwelt within the area of Pasquotank County which encompassed Flatty Creek north of Elizabeth City; Little River to the west and on south to Nixonton; and Newbegun, Symons, and Mill Creeks, which flow into the Pasquotank River. Only two families lived outside Pasquotank: Asa in Tyrell and William in Randolph County. No Truebloods lived in any other state in 1790."
.....................................pg 3
---------------------------------
See copy of land grant at:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~dbeeler/JohnAmos1694Grant.html#La ndJohnAmos

Sources [S150] The Trueblood Family In America, Bula Trueblood Watson, (Copyright 1964....Wayside Press, Gainesville, Florida), L. C. Catalogue Card Number 64-24920., Pg 1 (Reliability: 3).

[S151] John Trueblood Will, John Trueblood, (probated in Pasquotank County, North Carolina July 4, 1692).

[S150] The Trueblood Family In America, Bula Trueblood Watson, (Copyright 1964....Wayside Press, Gainesville, Florida), L. C. Catalogue Card Number 64-24920., pg 2 (Reliability: 3).

[S165] Jessie Hardy, (P. O. Box 5030, Raleigh, North Carolina (E-mail [emailprotected])).

[S150] The Trueblood Family In America, Bula Trueblood Watson, (Copyright 1964....Wayside Press, Gainesville, Florida), L. C. Catalogue Card Number 64-24920., Pg 2 (Reliability: 3).

Quoted from "The House of Plant of Macon, Georgia" by George Sherwood Dickerman:

Considering now the question from what part of Virginia this family came, it is to be noticed first that there was a William Ross in Pasquotank County as early as October i, 1701, when it is recorded in that county that he received from Mary Trueblood a release from a debt of jC^o. He also bought land there October 1o, 1713 and was mentioned in the court records of 1727. Then, October 12, 1742, it is recorded that Wm. Ross, planter of Pasquotank County, sold to Jarvis Jones, merchant of Norfolk, Va. seventy-four acres of land known by the name of Cornnall, part of a patent granted to Wm. Norris, transferred to Wm. Jones and willed to Wm. Ross, with houses, orchards, woods, etc., for ^3o. With the sale of this property he may have moved from this place—his name not occurring later in the Pasquotank records—and so be identical \vith the William Ross of Tyrrel County.

At this same period there was an Abel Ross in Pasquotank County who may have been his brother. This Abel Ross, who is called Captain, received a grant of two hundred and forty acres of land, October 3, 1715, for which he paid ^3o, to Thos. Grundy, and his name occurs repeatedly in the Pasquotank records till as late as February 2o, 1795. Probably, however, in the later examples, the Abel Ross who is called a "joiner" was a son of Capt. Abel Ross.

More About Capt. Abell Ross?:
Comment: There may have been three or more generations of Abel Rosses preceding Laurania Ross Forbes (born ca. 1810), since a Capt. Abel Ross owned land in Camden as early as 1729.
Occupation: Seaman, sailor
Property 1: 1729, Owned land on the west side of Arenuse Creek, Camden Co., NC; bought 196 acres on the north side of his land from John Winn in 1734.
Property 2: 1736, Bought a plantation called "Purchased Manor" from John and Elizabeth Davis on Arenuse Creek.
Property 3: 1743, His property line was on The Indian Line on North Arenuse Creek.
Property 4: 1743, Sold 10 acres on Arenuse Creek to Jeremiah Sawyer.
Property 5: 1746, Sold 196 acres on Arenuse Creek to James Williams.
Property 6: 1748, Gave his daughter Dorothy and her husband Samuel Lowman 35 acres on the "Down River" Road.

Children of Capt. Abell Ross? are:
i. Abel Ross, Jr.?, born Abt. 1750.
ii. Dorothy Ross, married Capt. Samuel Lowman; born Abt. 1725; died Abt. 1772.

Notes for Capt. Samuel Lowman:
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put
Digital reprint of Jesse Forbes Pugh's 1957 book, "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina":

• Three Captains of the Colonial Militia

Shortly after the outbreak of the French and Indian War in 1754 the Pasquotank Militia was formed into a regiment of eight companies,four on each side of the river. Every able-bodied man from the age of sixteen upwards was mustered in, and a company was made up of men living within a specified geographical area. The total Pasquotank organization was under the command of Robert Murden, Colonel; Thomas Taylor, Lieutenant Colonel; and Jarvis Jones, Major. This article will be concerned with but three of the captains on the northeast side inasmuch as the fourth has already been discussed in another sketch.

CAPTAIN SAMUEL LOWMAN
ca 1725-1772

THE SO-CALLED First Company comprised all those residing between the mouth of the river and Arenuse Creek, which generally meant those living along the highway leading from John Wright's plantation near Albemarle Sound up to Colonel Thomas Hunter's watermill. There were fifty-one men, not including the commissioned and non-commissioned officers. The official personnel, besides Captain Lowman, were: John Burgess, lieutenant; Benjamin Torksey, ensign; Nathan Pusley, John Brown and John Wright, sergeants; John Beals, Jacob James, John Forbes and William Wright, corporals; Absolom Grimes and William Cartwright, drummers; John Squires, clerk.

Samuel Lowman was a blacksmith by trade. In early life he had been a sailor and possibly may have seen military service during King George's War (1744-48). He settled here after his marriage to Dorothy, daughter of a veteran seaman, Captain Abell Ross. At first Lowman lived on the west side of Arenuse Creek near his father-in-law, but after changing residence several times he passed his last days in Great Island, a one-time settlement in the North River pocosin which has long since been abandoned and reverted to forest. His only public office in the county was that of tax-lister for a brief period.

83 iii. Rebecca Ross, married Isaac Litton.

168. William Gregory, born Abt. 1700 in present-day Camden Co., NC; died 27 Jun 1752 in present-day Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 336. Thomas Gregory and 337. Priscilla Barco. He married 169. Judith Morgan.
169. Judith Morgan She was the daughter of 338. Robert Morgan and 339. Elizabeth Torksey.

Children of William Gregory and Judith Morgan are:
i. Dempsey Gregory
ii. Mary Gregory
iii. Lovey Gregory, married Dempsey Sawyer; born Abt. 1740; died Abt. 1782 in Camden Co., NC.

More About Dempsey Sawyer:
Date born 2: Abt. 1740, Camden Co., NC
Died 2: Abt. 1795, Chowan Co., NC
Appointed/Elected: Bet. 1780 - 1782, House Assembly member from Camden

iv. Affiah Gregory
v. Mark Gregory
vi. Willis Gregory
84 vii. Gen. Isaac Gregory, born Abt. 1737 in Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1800 in Camden Co., NC; married (1) Elizabeth Whedbee; married (2) Sarah Lamb?.

172. Capt. Caleb Sawyer, born Abt. 1703 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died Abt. 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 160. Capt. Thomas Sawyer. He married 173. Susannah Spence?.
173. Susannah Spence?, born Abt. 1715. She was the daughter of 162. Robert Spence.

Notes for Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/17076/caleb%20sawyer#hit4
From "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank: A Biographical History of Camden County, North Carolina" by Jesse Forbes Pugh (1891-1976):

First Attempt to Form the County
Caleb Sawyer
ca 1703-1758

AS A SITE for the precinct courthouse the Pasquotank Commissioners purchased an acre of land from Thomas Palin and wife Susannah on October 17, 1727. The location was on the southwest side of the river on "a little creek or gut issuing out of Newbegun Creek." Here the courthouse was forthwith erected and as a result sentiment began to develop on the northeast side of the river for the formation of a new precinct. The primary reason for this dissatisfaction was the width of the river at the point selected, some three miles or more. Crossings on a ferry would be a difficult undertaking even in moderate weather and nothing short of hazardous when the winds were high. As a matter of fact, there was no regular or dependable ferry service at the time except at Sawyer's Ferry about fifteen miles up the river, and to cross over to the other side over the roads, which were no more than rutty cart paths, was also a time-consuming inconvenience for the majority of the inhabitants on the northeast side, inasmuch as the most populous area was as yet in the lower or southern part. At first, for lack of a building, court sessions were held at various private residences, but in 1715 the Assembly specifically named the residence of Joseph Glaister on Newbegun Creek as the place for holding court as well as county elections.

The erection of a courthouse in this vicinity, moreover, eliminated the chance of holding court elsewhere, and this fact, along with the transportation difficulties, became a continuing source of dissatisfaction to those living on the other side of the river.

Caleb Sawyer, "of Sawyers Creek," as one of the representatives from Pasquotank in the House of Commons, was the first to attempt to obtain the legislative enactment necessary in order to form that northeast side into a separate precinct. An entry in the minutes of the House on January 25, 1735, reads as follows: "Read petition of the inhabitants of the N. E. Parish of Pasquotank praying that that Parish be established into a separate precinct. Referred." On February 3 this additional entry is recorded: "By Mess. Caleb sawyer, Dan'll Sawyer. The petition of ther Inhabitants of the North East Parish of Pasquotank was a second time read for establishing that part into a precinct with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle County. Ordered that a bill be prepared for same." On February 22 the bill appears with an amendment to name the precinct "Johnston," undoubtedly a diplomatic gesture for the purpose of securing the approval of the governor, Gabriel Johnson. Caleb Sawyer is regarded as sponsor of this legislation since he is the only representative mentioned in connection with it except the one instance including Daniel Sawyer.

The bill with amendments was passed the required three times and ordered to be engrossed. It was promptly vetoed by Governor Johnston who objected to the provision "with the rights and privileges of other precincts of Albemarle," which meant five representatives in the House of Commons for the new county. In 1670 Albemarle County had been divided into four precincts—Currituck, Pasquotank, Perquimans and Chowan—and each was allotted five representatives in the General Assembly. Later Bertie was allotted five and Tyrell, three; all other precincts or counties were allowed only two. Because of this method of representation the Albemarle region held the balance of political power and as a consequence officials elected in the assembly continued to be from that area. Governor Johnston was therefore strongly opposed to creating another precinct in the same territory with a quota of five members in the legislature. He later attempted to reduce representation in all the Albemarle precincts to two each; but the old precincts appealed to the Crown and their claims were upheld as a special privilege from the Proprietors.

Sawyer was elected to four two-year terms in the legislature. An important bill which he and Jeremiah Symons sponsored in 1735 for the benefit of navigation was "An Act appropriating the Powder Money towards the fortifying beaconing and Buoying out the several Ports or Channels in the Province and for Imploying Pilotes." In 1743 Sawyer assisted in preparing a bill "providing for his Majesty's Rent Roll." During his last term—1743—he was fined for twelve days' non-attendance, the reason for the absence not being stated.

Members of the Sawyer family have made important contributions to the history of Camden County. Caleb's first cousin Thomas donated the land for the Episcopal chapel erected near Sawyers Creek shortly after 1715, thereby becoming our first public benefactor. Not only was Caleb himself an outstanding citizen, he was the progenitor of descendants who also distinguished themselves. His son Lemuel held several local offices and was a delegate to important state conventions during the Revolutionary Period. A daughter married General Isaac Gregory. A grandson, Lemuel, was elected several times to the U. S. Congress and was also an author of note. A granddaughter also married a congressman. Another grandson, Enoch, achieved wealth, public honors, and entertained President James Monroe in his home.

More About Capt. Caleb Sawyer:
Occupation: Sea captain

Notes for Susannah Spence?:
From: Clay Peterson
Sent: Thursday, May 31, 2018 10:33 AM
To: Harry Schoettle; Bryan Godfrey
Subject: Caleb Sawyer (d. 1758) and Robert Spence (d. 1762)

Since there's a good chance that Sylvanus Sawyer's wife was descended from Caleb Sawyer's son Lemuel Sawyer Sr, I thought I would take a closer look into the Sawyer-Spence records

Mr. Schoettle sent me some information last night that gave strong proof that Catherine Spence, daughter of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman, actually married Thomas Sawyer Jr (son of Thomas Sawyer (d. 1720). So, I think I can rule her out as being Caleb Sawyer's wife. Yet, there was a deed from April 1739 (Pasquotank Deed B-260) where Robert Spence and wife Ann sell 100 acres to Caleb Sawyer. Robert Spence was a son of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman. Alexander Spence's will from 2 Aug 1734 left 100 acres to son Robert Spence adjacent to Richard Ferrill, Abel Ross, and John Trueblood. This was probably the same land that Robert and Ann Spence later sold to Caleb Sawyer in 1739. Robert Spence had a probate file from 1763 that doesn't specifically name his heirs, but it mentions the administrator as being an Esther/Hester Spence who was probably his 2nd wife and also notes people who were given money or items from the estate: Thomas Sawyer, Richard Sawyer, John Sawyer, Lemuel Sawyer, Sarah Sawyer, John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones. I suspect the Thomas Sawyer and John Sawyer mentioned above were the sons of Caleb Sawyer, as of course, was Lemuel Sawyer. Robert Spence's sister, Catherine Spence, married Richard Sawyer's brother, Thomas Sawyer Jr, so it makes sense that Richard would also be mentioned here. Although, it also makes me wonder if Richard Sawyer's wife might have also been a daughter of Robert and Ann Spence - and if so, Sylvanus Sawyer and Elisha Gregory would have been 3rd cousins in two different ways via the Sawyers and Spences. John Lambert, Josiah Wilkinson, Samuel Swann, Griffith Gray, James Dauge, and Jarvis Jones were probably Robert Spence's son-in-laws. Most likely, Dempsey (since he had a son named Truman), Lemuel, John, and Thomas were sons of Caleb Sawyer and Robert and Ann Spence's daughter of unknown name. Elisha and Sylvanus Sawyer seem to have been quite a bit younger than the other sons of Caleb Sawyer and may have been from a different mother, perhaps from Susannah. I will have to double check when each of Caleb Sawyer's sons first appear in the deed and tax records to see if it is feasible for them to have been grandsons of Robert Spence. Men and women were mostly married by their mid-teens during that time period, given how harsh life was back then.

Some records give Robert Spence's wife Ann's maiden name as being Lovey, but I'm not sure how correct it is. There's very little surviving records regarding the Spence family in general, and there's only a few deeds for Alexander Spence and Robert Spence listed in the Pasquotank deed indexes. Nonetheless, I found an interesting record from Oct 1797 that suggests Robert Spence was born quite a bit earlier than previously thought. John Spence, Alexander's Spence's brother, apparently arrived in North Carolina shortly before Alexander with John's wife Catherine and a Robert Spence whom is not explicitly stated as being his son. John Spence could have had a son named Robert who predeceased him and thus was not mentioned in his will, but I think it's more likely that he took his nephew with him. I have seen various other immigration records for North Carolina during that time when an uncle or aunt would take a nephew or niece with them in advance of the child's parents arriving. I would wager that this is what happened in this scenario. If so, Robert Spence was probably born in Somerset, Maryland in the early 1790s. Alexander Spence's will indicates that he was probably his third son after James and Joseph Spence.

Here is an excellent site about the Spence-Truman family, and Alexander Spence in particular: http://ncgenweb.us/nc/camden/spence-alexander-a-pasquotank-pioneer/ The author takes the position that John Truman moved from Calvert County, MD to the eastern shore of Virginia due to a controversy involving his brother, Thomas. This seems credible, but more information would be needed to prove it. The Calvert County Trumans are reputedly the branch of Trumans of whom President Truman was a descendant. Calvert County was diagonally across the Chesapeake from Somerset, so they wouldn't have had to travel very far.

Children of Caleb Sawyer and Susannah Spence? are:
i. Capt. Thomas Sawyer, married Margaret Cotton 14 Dec 1749 in Plymouth Co., MA; born 23 Jan 1730 in Plymouth Co., MA; died 23 Nov 1788 in Camden Co., NC.

Notes for Capt. Thomas Sawyer:
http://www.americanancestors.org/almost-mayflower-descendants-in-the-carolinas/

"Almost-Mayflower" Descendants in the Carolinas
John Anderson Brayton

Indigenous Southerners rarely feel the kinship with the Pilgrims of Plymouth Rock that they do with the Jamestown colonists. There is something that seems so remote about New England, its settlers, and its cold winters that most Southerners are content to ascribe to geography this historical lack of interest. The other excuse is in some ways prejudice: the typical Southerner feels that his ancestry has very little to do with the Northern "cradle of civilization." Few of us aware of our "Carpetbagger" roots readily boast of descent from the early generations of Puritans who settled the North. But nearly anyone in the South with Quaker connections will find, with some research, that he or she is a descendant of any of scores of northern Quakers who drifted southward - first to Philadelphia, then Maryland and Virginia, and finally to the Piedmont area of North Carolina, where they were well entrenched by the 1770s. The point is that most Southerners have "Yankee" ancestry, like it or not; they may simply be unaware of it. Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on which side of my family one might ask) one of my father's lines can be easily traced to William Warren, Peter Brown, and trusty John Billington - whose exploits can be counted on to raise an eyebrow or two during family gatherings. Thus I can claim some partnership with those prestigious Mayflower descendants who can - aided and abetted by vital records that were kept, court-houses that exist, and the Aspinwall collection at NEHGS (among other sources) - pinpoint ancestors with relative ease.

In order to surprise some Tennessee relatives whom I always thought a bit smug about their Southern heritage, I wondered if I should ever be able to prove their descent from some Northern Puritans, thus demonstrating that everybody's background contains widely distributed genealogical elements. I had almost despaired of doing so until I stumbled in Salt Lake City upon a microfilmed manuscript, compiled in 1823 by Dr. Rossiter Cotton of Plymouth, Mass., which was said to be presently at the Georgia Historical Society in Savannah [1].

In the seventh grade I had responded to a "My Most Famous American" history assignment by writing a controversial biography of my great-great-great-grand-mother, Mary G. (Williams) Bright, born in Currituck Co., N.C., in 1815. To the horror of my family, I repeated (complete with documentation) every yarn I had ever heard spun about this woman, and somehow was chosen to present this concoction before the local DAR chapter. (I did not win their award for "most interesting paper.") However, Mary Williams has always been something of a family legend - a ghost treated by my older relatives with great affection - and even at an early age I began to collect what information I could find about her. Mary Williams was born to a well-to-do family in Currituck and was married at 15 to an adventurer who took her money and went to New Orleans where he died of cholera. Thereafter she moved with some of her second cousins to Hinds Co., Mississippi, and by the outbreak of the Civil War to Haywood Co. Tennessee, where she died in 1906.

Being only 13 or 14 at the time, I was quite limited in the research I might do. No one knew anything of Mary's parents, and even less about her forebears. Only much later, as an adult (after years of beleaguering some very patient clerks with long-distance request for deeds and wills) did I discover her to be the great--granddaughter of Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank, who died in 1765, and his wife Margaret , about whom nothing seemed to be known after the probate of her husband's will [2]. Thomas was a sea captain, as were his father Caleb and grandfather Thomas; his will includes the bequest of several ships to his sons. I did not realize how extensive his travels were, or how typical it would be for coastal Southerners to have connections in the North or abroad, until I came upon the microfilm ("Extracts from the Cotton Manuscripts") mentioned above. Subsequent visits to the Massachusetts Historical Society, the Plymouth [Mass.] Historical Society, and the Savannah Historical Society have failed to uncover anything faintly resembling the full "Cotton Manuscripts." It would be interesting to know the whereabouts of the full compilation.

Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer, b. Plymouth, Mass. 23 January 1730, was the daughter of Rev. Josiah Cotton (1680-1756), Register of Deeds for Plymouth Colony [3], and his wife Hannah Sturtevant (1687-1756), the daughter of John Sturtevant (b. 1658) and his wife Hannah (Winslow) Crowe (1644-1684). Margaret marred Thomas Sawyer at Plymouth 14 September 1749. One can only imagine what kind of nerve it took for a minister's daughter to take up with a Southern sea-trader, leave what she probably considered to be "civilization," and embark upon a journey to a part of the world that for most New Englanders only dimly existed. In his will [5] Rev. Cotton added a codicil, date 14 March 1750, which touchingly bespeaks the distance that Margaret would put between herself and her family.

"Inasmuch as my Daughter Margarett is gon to No. Carolina, where I suppose she may be well Provided for as to Temporall Enjoyments, I do upon a full consideration of that affair from first to last, utterly retract, Revoke and Disanull That part of my aforewritten Will wherein I have made her an Equall Legatee with her Sisters and do allow her what she had had; and if She come again to thi[s] Country a Living or dwelling in my House if she see cause, and Twenty shillings in money and her part of the Books in full of what She is to receive of my Estate; and my said will in every thing else to stand good....Only if she hath any Children at my decease I give to them (or it) Sixty pounds Old Tenour."

It is difficult to say whether the old minister approved of this union, but connections between the families were scrupulously maintained until at least the third generation, judging from the manuscript extracts that I have seen. A deed written two years later by Josiah [25] Cotton and his wife in order to distribute the property of John Sturtevant mentions Margaret Sawyer as a full legatee [5].

Hannah (Sturtevant) Cotton's grandfather Josiah Winslow, brother of Edward Winslow the Mayflower passenger, provides the necessary link for an "almost-Mayflower " connection. Below is a chart of the Plymouth descent of Mary G. Williams, with whom I began my discussion:

Mary G. Williams, 1815-1906: Samuel G. Williams & (1) Elizabeth ___; Thomas Pool Williams & Elizabeth Sawyer; Thomas Sawyer & Margaret Cotton; Rev. Josiah Cotton & Hannah Sturtevant; John Cotton, Jr. & Joanna Rossiter, John Sturtevant & Hannah (Winslow) Crow; Rev. John Cotton & Sarah (Hawkridge) Story, Dr. Bryan Rossiter & Elizabeth Alsop, Samuel Sturtevant & Anne ___, Josiah Winslow & Margaret Bourne; Roland Cotton & Mary Hurlbert, Anthony Hawkredd & Isabel Dowse, Dr. Edward Rossiter & ___ Combe, Rev. John Alsop & ___, Edward Winslow & Magdalen Olyver, Thomas Bourne & Elizabeth ___.

Thomas and Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer had the following children, b. in Pasquotank Co., NC.: 1-3. Three children who d. as infants; 4. Caleb Sawyer, b. 6 October 1756, d. in Hispaniola 1777; 5. Lucy Sawyer, b. 8 September 1757, m. 9 July 1774 William Scarborough; 6. Thomas Sawyer [Jr.], b. 28 January 1760, d. 1784 at sea near Cape Lookout; 7. Elizabeth Sawyer, b. 31 October 1762, m. ca. 1780 Thomas Pool Williams; 8. Margaret Sawyer, b. 19 December 1764, m. (1) 3 March 1785 Abner Lamb, (2) 20 April 1795 Gen. Peter Dauge. Mrs. Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer m. (2) ca. 1770 John Sawyer and had by him a daughter, Sophia Sawyer , born in Pasquotank Co. 13 August 1771, who m. prob. Pasquotank Co. 15 August 1790 Joseph Scott [7]. Margaret (Cotton) (Sawyer) Sawyer d. Camden Co., N.C. (set off from Pasquotank) 23 November 1789[8]. All the children except Lucy (Sawyer) Scarborough remained in eastern North Carolina, as did their descendants for four generations. Lucy's progeny migrated widely.

After the discovery of the microfilmed manuscript extracts in Salt Lake City, I happened upon an entry in the National Cyclopaedia of American Biography for William Scarborough, Jr., son of William and Lucy (Sawyer) Scarborough. The Scarboroughs settled in Barnwell Co., South Carolina, from which area their children scattered. William Scarborough, Jr. moved to Savannah, Georgia, where he made a fortune as the builder and owner of the first steamship (the sidewheeler Savannah ) to sail the Atlantic, in 1819 [9]. Other notable descendants were Charlotte de Bernier (Scarborough) Taylor, a well-known author and entomologist of the middle nineteenth century [10]; Preston Saylor, better known as "K.O. Duggan," a crazed Georgia prizefighter who murdered his brother in the 1930s [11]; and Dr. Julian Edward Wood, a Civil War hero his second year at VMI, and one of the founders of Pi Kappa Alpha National Fraternity [12].

The other, less well-known descendants of Thomas and Margaret (Cotton) Sawyer have scattered over Mississippi, western Tennessee, Georgia, Florida, the English Midlands, Brazil, Australia, and even Africa. Fortunately they have left a documented trail, so tracing them is relatively easy. As this example shows, many Southerners can, with a bit of research, find roots and interesting relatives in unexpected parts of the country. And many Yankee families figure in the ancestry of Mississippi belles, gentlemen planters, Confederate soldiers, and molders of the New South.

NOTES

1. "Copies of Family Bibles, in possession of the Georgia Historical Society, Savannah, Chatham Co., Georgia," film #203240 (hereafter "Cotton Manuscripts"), Family History Library, Salt Lake City.
2. Will (Pasquotank Co., NC. Will Book "HIK," pp.270-73 of Thomas Sawyer, dated 21 May, proved 31 July 1765.
3. LaVerne C. Cooley, The Rev. John Cotton of Boston and a Cotton Genealogy of His Descendants (1945), pp. 30-31.
4. Rev. Josiah Cotton d. Plymouth 19 August 1756; his will, dated 14 March 1750, was proved 6 October 1750 (Plymouth Co. Docket #5075).
5. Plymouth Co., Mass., Deed Book 44, P. 225, dated 19 August 1752, recorded last Tuesday in September, 1756.
6. See Eugene Aubrey Stratton, Plymouth Colony: Its History & People, 1620-1697 (1986), pp. 375-76, for a thorough treatment of his life and family.
7. Cotton Manuscripts, p. 1.
8. Ibid.
9. Dictionary of American Biography, vol. 16 (1935), p. 410; National Cyclopaedia of American Biography , vol. 2 (1899), pp. 237-38. According to the latter source, which includes a portrait of Scarborough and a picture of his ship, some suspected that the steamer was intended for Napoleon's escape from St. Helena.
10. Ibid ., p. 164 (William Scarborough, Jr. & Julia Bernard; William Scarborough & Lucy Sawyer).
11. See Medora Field Perkerson, "Murder at Ghost Castle," in White Columns in Georgia (1952), pp. 205-12, for the gothic tale of this branch of the family (Preston Saylor: ___ Saylor & Adelaide Baltzelle; James Peter Baltzelle and Julia Bernard Barnsley; Godfrey Barnsley & Julia Henrietta Scarborough, William Scarborough, Jr. & Julia Bernard, as above [#10]).
12. See Dr. Jerome V. Reel, Jr., The Oak, A History of Pi Kappa Alpha (1980), p. 142, for a biography of J.E. Wood, a great-great-grandson of Thomas and Margaret (Cotton Sawyer (Julian Edward Wood: William Edward Wood & Sophia Dauge Trotman; Ezekiel Trotman & Emelia Sawyer Dauge; Gen. Peter Dauge & Mrs. Margaret (Sawyer) Lamb; Thomas Sawyer & Margaret Cotton.

John Anderson Brayton, a native of Dyersburg, Tenn., is professional concert pianist and former Latin teacher whose genealogical interests include the English origins of colonial immigrants, both northern and southern. Interested readers may write him at 920 Holland Street, Winston-Salem, NC 27101.
.

ii. Sylvanus Sawyer, died Abt. 1780; married Dorcas? ?.
iii. John Sawyer
iv. Elisha Sawyer
v. Dempsey Sawyer, born Abt. 1740; died Abt. 1782 in Camden Co., NC; married (1) Lovey Gregory; married (3) ?.

More About Dempsey Sawyer:
Date born 2: Abt. 1740, Camden Co., NC
Died 2: Abt. 1795, Chowan Co., NC
Appointed/Elected: Bet. 1780 - 1782, House Assembly member from Camden

86 vi. Lemuel Sawyer, born Abt. 1734; died Abt. 1787; married Mary Taylor.
vii. Mary Sawyer, married Josiah Nash.
viii. Miriam Sawyer, married Henry Pailin 04 Feb 1741 in Pasquotank Co., NC; born Abt. 1720 in Newbegun Creek area of Pasquotank Co., NC; died Abt. 1768 in Pasquotank Co., NC.

Generation No. 9

256. Councillor Francis Godfrey, born Abt. 09 Aug 1613 in probably Thonock/Thorock or Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, England?; died 1675 in New Hope/Little River area of present-day Perquimans County, North Carolina USA (then Albemarle County, Province of Carolina). He married 257. Joan ?.
257. Joan ?, died 03 Feb 1677 in Perquimans Co., NC.

Notes for Councillor Francis Godfrey:
http://ncpedia.org/biography/godfrey-francis

Godfrey, Francis

by Mattie Erma E. Parker, 1986

d. October or November 1675

Francis Godfrey, Council member, was in the North Carolina colony, then called Albemarle, by 21 Apr. 1669. At that time he was a member of the Albemarle Council, an office that he held at least through 1670. In the latter year he was Proprietor's deputy for Sir Peter Colleton. He may have been the Francis Godfrey who was graduated from Peterhouse, Cambridge University, in 1629. His business connections and other circ*mstances suggest that he may have come to Albemarle from Barbados. There is no firm evidence, however, on any aspect of Godfrey's life before he settled in Albemarle.

Godfrey lived in Perquimans Precinct, where he owned at least 1,400 acres of land. He operated a public house or inn, at which the Council met and held court in 1673. He also conducted a mercantile business, serving as factor for a Barbados merchant, John Swinsted. He and his wife, Joane, had three children who lived to adulthood: Frances, William, and John. At his death, Godfrey left a substantial estate in addition to his land. His will, dated 20 Oct. 1675, was probated on 5 November.

His widow, Joane, married William Therill in December 1676. She died the following February, leaving Godfrey's estate, of which she was executrix, unsettled because of disorders then afflicting the colony. In March 1680/81, when settled government had been restored, Godfrey's will was again probated and Therill was appointed administrator.

Frances Godfrey, the only daughter of Francis and Joane, married Thomas Hawkins. The couple had two children: John (b. 18 Feb. 1671/72) and Mary (b. 13 Jan. 1674/75). Both Frances and her husband died before October 1675. Their children were made the wards of William Therill after the death of their grandmother, Joane.

William Godfrey, the elder son of Francis and Joane, was born about 1658. He was married twice and had five children: two daughters, Frances and Mary, and three sons, John, Francis, and Thomas. Two of his children, John and Frances, may have been born to his first wife, Jane, who is named as their mother in some records although in others his second wife, Sarah, is named as their mother.

John Godfrey, the younger son of Francis and Joane, was born on 17 Aug. 1665. He married Elizabeth Bagster, widow of Nathaniel Bagster, on 19 Feb. 1685/86. John and Elizabeth had only one child, Elizabeth, who died when she was about thirteen. John Godfrey died on 29 Oct. 1697. His widow married John Hecklefield.

References:

J. Bryan Grimes, ed., Abstracts of North Carolina Wills (1910).

J. R. B. Hathaway, ed., North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, 3 vols. (1900–1903).

Mattie Erma E. Parker, ed., Colonial Records of North Carolina, Higher-Court Records, 1670–1696, vol. 2 (1968), and 1697–1701, vol. 3 (1971).

William S. Powell, ed., Ye Countie of Albemarle in Carolina (1958).

William S. Price, Jr., ed., Colonial Records of North Carolina, Higher-Court Records, 1702–1708, vol. 4 (1974).

William L. Saunders, ed., Colonial Records of North Carolina, vol. 1 (1886).

Unpublished sources, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh: Albemarle Book of Warrants and Surveys, 1681–1706.

Council Minutes, Wills, Inventories, 1677–1701.

Perquimans Births, Marriages, Deaths, and Flesh Marks, 1659–1739.

Perquimans Precinct Court Minutes, 1688–93, 1698–1706.

Will of Francis Godfrey.

Copyright notice

This article is from the Dictionary of North Carolina Biography, 6 volumes, edited by William S. Powell. Copyright ©1979-1996 by the University of North Carolina Press.

*******************************************************************************************
The following is quoted from an October 13, 1988 article in "The Perquimans Weekly" of Hertford, North Carolina, by noted Perquimans County genealogist Raymond A. Winslow:

Godfrey's distinguished as oldest family to continuously reside in Perquimans County

The distinction of being the oldest continuously resident family in Perquimans County probably belongs to the Godfreys. Their presence here can be documented for three hundred twenty years.
Founder of the family was Francis Godfrey, who was evidently a resident of the province prior to 1668. In or before February 1668 he attended the sickbed of George Catchmaid, earliest known speaker of the Carolina legislature. It was recounted some years later that Godfrey had "asked Mr. Catchmaid what he would do with his estate, and he looked upon (Godfrey) but said nothing." Whereupon (Catchmaid) replied, "I think so." That deathbed statement elicited by Godfrey would engender a series of lawsuits that continued off and on for nearly a century, as various Catchmaid heirs and claimants argued its validity.
Like his neighbor Catchmaid, Francis Godfrey was active in the political life of the infant colony. In 1669 and 1670 he was a member of the governor's council as deputy to the Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton. Godfrey sat with other councilors at a court held in 1670 and his own house was the meeting place of a court on May 25, 1673.
Godfrey was also a substantial planter, owning a one thousand-acre tract of land on the south side of Little River in Durant's Neck. It appears he was also engaged in mercantile ventures as factor for John Swinstead of Barbados.
By his wife Joan, Francis Godfrey had three children: (1) Frances, who married Thomas Hawkins; (2) William, who married Sarah; and (3) John, born August 17, 1665, who married Elizabeth. All later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from William, as John had no sons.
Less than a decade after he first appeared in Carolina records, Francis Godfrey was dead. The exact date of his death is unknown, but it evidently occurred in October or November 1675. The old register of vital statistics for Perquimans claimed he died on October 9, 1676, but it is manifestly in error since Godfrey's will was dated October 20, 1675, and it was probated on November 5, 1675. The will was contemporary with the event, while the register was not begun until four years after it.
As he was present when some words were spoken that set in motion a long series of events, so some words spoken at Godfrey's house about the time he left this earthly scene also had lingering effects. At Godfrey's in November 1675 Thomas Miller was heard to remark that the Lord's Supper was "a little hog's wash put in a pig's trough," blasphemies that would be trotted out for trial when Miller became acting governor and fell afoul of Godfrey's friend John Culpeper and neighbor George Durant. Francis Godfrey's surroundings must have resounded with political talk of the day, and he was one of the earliest political leaders of Perquimans.

More information on the historical background of Culpeper's Rebellion can be found in the website http://www.elizcity.com/history/culpepers-rebellion.shtml

Comments by Bryan Godfrey:

Francis and Joane Godfrey are fairly well-proven ancestors (two ways and perhaps more) of the father of my paternal grandmother, Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey Godfrey. It seems likely that they are the ancestors of all later Caucasian Godfreys in the Albemarle region of Northeastern North Carolina, except for some who may be descendants of John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk County, Virginia, in 1635, and married Sarah Dadford. I had discovered a record of a Thomas Godfrey in Albemarle (later Perquimans County) deeds dating back to 1699. My grandmother descends from Francis' grandson Thomas Godfrey, whose wife was named Elinor. It seemed unlikely the Thomas Godfrey of the 1699 deed was that Thomas, as Thomas' father William Godfrey was born about 1658 and William's son Thomas was probably too young to own land at that time. However, Perquimans County genealogist Raymond A. Winslow provided the following information in response to this record and the record of a Lawrence Godfrey,

"The will of William Berlite [Barclift] of 14 March 1694/95 does not mention any Thomas Godfrey. The name Thomas was an error made by J. Bryan Grimes in his book of will abstracts. The original will (I have a photocopy before me now) says "mr Johne godferie". I also note that the 1691 will of Leawrence Arnell refers to 'Leawrence godfery which went by the name of my son'. This Godfrey might have been Arnold's bastard child, but other interpretations of the wording are possible."

It is not proven that Francis Godfrey is a direct ancestor of my paternal grandfather, Garland Stevens Godfrey, but because my Y-DNA closely matches that of my grandmother's brother, my grandfather's Godfreys were definitely related patrilineally to the Francis Godfrey family. When I learned in 2007 that my Y-DNA matched my Uncle Marvin Godfrey's Y-DNA with only two mismatches on a 67-marker test, it seemed safe to assume that Francis was my patrilineal immigrant ancestor, but it is still possible that other Godfreys could have settled in North Carolina who were related to Francis and that my grandfather could descend from one of them. Also, one of my father's second cousins on my grandfather's side, Carl Franklin Cannon, Jr. (1928-1994) of Williamsburg, Virginia, once stated that his grandfather (my great-great-uncle Loyal Berry Godfrey) traced his family back nine generations. On a family chart, Mr. Cannon, without citing any additional information or where he obtained the information, showed Loyal's great-grandfather as Manliff Godfrey (my great-great-great-great-grandfather who was born about 1800 and died about 1840 in Camden County, North Carolina, the earliest I have proven my patrilineal ancestry back to), then two generations of Samuel Godfreys preceding Manliff, then two generations of William Godfreys (one with a wife named Frances) preceding the first Samuel, then two generations of Thomas Godfreys preceding the first William. Since my grandmother's ancestor, Thomas Godfrey, Jr., was born about 1724 in Perquimans County, it seemed impossible for my grandfather to descend from that Thomas because there are too many generations squeezed in, since we know from census records that Manliff Godfrey was born between 1800 and 1810. However, it seems likely that my Uncle Loyal or his wife might have heard the ancestry back to one of the William Godfreys of Camden and then used Mrs. Watson Winslow's 1931 book, "History of Perquimans County," to make an assumption that he was identical with a William whose lineage was delineated in that book on page 351, under the Godfrey section, as follows:

Godfrey, (3) William (2) Thomas (1) m Frances. He was dead May 9, 1773. (Inventory.)

The Thomas Godfrey referred to as Generation 1 here is probably the one who married Ellinor ? and died about 1749, son of William and grandson of Francis, as he did have a son named William; however, this William apparently remained in Perquimans. Perhaps one of the William Godfreys in Camden during the Revolutionary War period was his son.

However, it will always remain a mystery to me as to where Mr. Cannon obtained that Godfrey lineage, as he showed me that chart when I first met him in 1992, but said something to the effect that he could not remember where those early generations came from, and in his biographical information on Manliff Godfrey, he had a blank space for the names of Manliff's parents. I didn't pay attention until after his death to his remark in the introduction to the Godfrey family notebook he had compiled for his daughter when he said "Loyal Godfrey traced his family back nine generations." I do know that Uncle Loyal's wife, Luna Stevens Godfrey Godfrey, who was also descended from the Perquimans Godfreys and claimed no kin to her husband's Camden Godfreys, did some genealogy research, and maybe she was able to use records I have not discovered yet to trace back the ancestors of Loyal's great-grandfather, Manliff Godfrey. It is possible that Uncle Loyal knew some of the generations by word of mouth, since he was 22 years old when his grandfather, Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), died, but I find it hard to believe he would have heard nine generations by word of mouth. Samuel's father Manliff died when Samuel was between 12 and 15 years old, and Samuel very well could have heard that he was named for his grandfather and his father before him, but beyond that, it seems improbable he would have had an oral history going back several more generations. I agree, but may never be able to prove, that Manliff's father was Samuel Godfrey, since Manliff named his only son Samuel, that this Samuel may have been a Junior, and that prior to Samuel there were one, two, or three generations of William Godfreys. The first Godfreys I have found in what is now Camden County (then part of Pasquotank until 1777), were John and Joseph Godfrey, who by 1734 owned land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River. They were probably brothers and sons of my grandmother's ancestor William Godfrey of Perquimans, and I hope to prove that John had a son named William. But whether all later Godfreys in Camden descend from John and Joseph, I have not determined.

From 1993 until 2006, I believed it was more likely that my patrilineal ancestors were the John and Sarah Dadford Godfrey family of Norfolk County, Virginia (present-day Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Chesapeake vicinity) through their son Warren Godfrey who married Elizabeth Williams. My great-grandfather's first cousin reported having heard that his Godfreys came from around Kempsville in present-day Virginia Beach, and the fact that my Uncle Loyal's wife Luna's father, whose father was from Perquimans, claimed he was not related to the rest of the Godfreys in Camden, gave credence to my grandfather's Godfreys descending from the Norfolk Godfreys. Also, there was a Lemuel Godfrey in Camden who is assumed to be the same Lemuel mentioned as a son of Daniel Godfrey, Jr. of Norfolk County in his 1758 will, and Lemuel had a descendant, Mrs. Margery Wood Furguiele (1919-2001) who wrote a book called "Genealogical Glimpses: Maternal" with a Godfrey chapter. She showed several Godfreys in Camden, including Samuel, as descending from Daniel Godfrey, but I cannot find the source of much of her information. Unfortunately, she passed away within a few weeks of my learning about her book in 2001, parts of which a Godfrey researcher mailed to me. It was because of all this that I claimed the John Godfrey family of Norfolk as my patrilineal ancestors until I learned in 2006 that my Y-DNA does not match a fairly well-proved patrilineal descendant of that line whose family had remained in Norfolk until his father's generation. Maybe some Godfreys in Camden were descended from that line, such as the Lemuel Godfrey family, but apparently the Samuel and Manliff Godfrey line, from which I descend, originated in Perquimans County, as suggested by the Y-DNA match between my grandmother's brother and me.

Soon after obtaining the Godfrey Y-DNA results in 2007, I was researching census information on ancestry.com when I discovered that in the 1870 census, my patrilineal great-great-great-grandfather, Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), who was from Camden County, was living in the Kempsville section of Princess Anne County, Virginia, with his family. The census listed the birthplace of three of his children as Virginia, so he apparently lived there several years before returning to Camden by 1880. This almost certainly explains why my great-grandfather's first cousin heard his Godfreys came from Kempsville. His grandparents were actually from Camden but lived in Kempsville temporarily (probably less than ten years in the 1860s and 1870s) before returning to Camden where his father, Samuel Hughes Godfrey, was born in 1877.

Shortly after I received the good news from the Godfrey DNA tests, Rickey Godfrey of Nashville, Tennessee (whose Godfreys came from Burke County, North Carolina, and whose DNA does not match my line or the Norfolk line) began searching for the origins of various Godfrey families. Because Francis Godfrey was on the Governor's Council and a deputy to Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton, and Col. John Godfrey, who settled in Charleston, South Carolina, also had dealings with Colleton, Rickey speculates Francis and John were closely related, probably brothers, and there are indications that Francis and John both lived on the island of Barbados prior to settling in the Carolinas. Furthermore, Rickey believes they probably came from Lincolnshire, England, as shown by some Internet information he has found on the Willoughby family there in which Catherine Willoughby married Joseph Godfrey and had several sons, including Francis and John, perhaps this Francis or his father or uncle. I am anxious to find a patrilineal male descendant of the Col. John Godfrey family of Charleston to have them submit a Y-DNA sample, hoping it will match my Godfreys. Because of the humble nature of my own Godfrey lines of North Carolina, it seems far-fetched that we could be related to the rather aristocratic Charleston Godfreys, but then again, Francis Godfrey was a man of prominence, but the prominence gradually faded out in my lineages, especially in my grandfather's line following the Civil War since his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather were sharecroppers most of their lives who probably never owned their own farms. Admittedly there is a lot of snob appeal in genealogy in having New England, Virginia, and South Carolina connections, whereas North Carolinians have traditionally been looked down upon with unfair stereotypes. If the descendants of the Charleston Col. John Godfrey match me, it will give me collateral connections to lots of old South Carolina aristocratic families, since Col. Godfrey's immediate descendants seemed to intermarry with some first- or second-generation Low Country planters.

In researching Barbados records of the Godfreys in "Barbados Wills and Administrations", reproduced on ancestry.com, it does seem likely that this Francis Godfrey is identical with the Francis Godfrey there. The strongest circ*mstantial evidence is in reference to the Barbados will of George Orchard. On 27 May 1662, Richard Walter and Robert Sinckler "being with George Orchard a little before he died, heard his bequeaths to his bro[ther] & sis[ter] in England, Mr. Francis Godfrey to be Xtr [executor]". Francis Godfrey deposed on the same date that "he mentioned Widow Parker his mo[ther] in law." This was recorded 30 Dec 1662. The circ*mstantial evidence is the fact that Francis of Perquimans had a son John Godfrey whose wife was determined to be Elizabeth Sinkler Godfrey Bagster Hecklefield, formerly married to a John Sinkler/Sinckler. The unusual surname Sinckler/Sinkler indicates this was probably the same Francis Godfrey. If so, he was still living on the Island of Barbados in 1662, but apparently settled in present-day Perquimans County, North Carolina by 1668.

The following excellent information was discovered and e-mailed to me by Jason Godfrey (not my brother Jason) in April, 2008:

I am sending you a little information concerning a new lead that I came across when I was looking into this matter concerning whether there were proofs that Councilor Francis Godfrey of Albemarle and Colonel John Godfrey were related. I believe that I found the solution. Sending this info to Bryan Godfrey as well, since he might have some interest.

The idea that Francis and John Godfrey were likely brothers was first proffered in William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine in 1894. The writer made that inference after discovering the two initially represented Sir Peter Colleton--who was a senior-most member of the King's Council in Barbados under then Governor William Willoughby, 6th Lord Willoughby of Parham (1669-1670). I discovered that there was a factual basis for the idea that Francis and John Godfrey were very closely related after looking more closely at primary sources from Carolina and Barbados (informally cited).

Francis Godfrey was mentioned in the will of one John Ball who died in St Peter All Saint Parish Barbados in 1657. This will also mentioned a son named James Ball. This particular James Ball was later styled Captain James Ball and he resided in St Peter All Saint Parish as his father had before him. He had a lease of 50 acres of land there from Col. John Godfrey of South Carolina. Captain James Ball's son, Benjamin, later bought this property from Col. John Godfrey in 1688. And finally, Benjamin Ball of Barbados was named as the main executor of Col. John Godfrey's will, dated 12 March 1690. Of interest, the following records would have been central to showing that Francis and John Godfrey were related, probably brothers:

Ball, John

St. Peters Parish, 12 Oct 1657, RB6/13, p.206

Bro Will: Ball Esq of Ross in Herefore; sis Joane Fade of Kensington; bro

George Ball – 6 months of time of maid Elinor Shaw; wife Francis Ball;

Richard Backford and John Swinsted – Overseers in trust; mentions

Francis Godfrey; chn John Ball & James Ball both at 18. Signed John (X)

Ball. Wit: John Wilkens, John (X) Murphie, John Roope

Proved 3 Feb 1657

[The Will of John Ball, as cited in: Barbados Records: Wills and Administrations

by Joanne Mcree Sanders, Barbados Dept. of Archives - Barbados – 1981, p. 14]

28 Dec. 1688. Richard Walters. Mercht. Attny of John Godfrey, Son of

The prov. of Carolina sells to Benjamin Ball of St. Peter a plantn there of

50 acres which was formerly let to farm by sd Godfrey, to Captain James

Ball father of sd Benjamin.

[The Journal of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Barbados Museum and Historical

Society, 1934, p. 21]

I doe leave in yt [sic] hands of Benjamin Ball Gentleman in ye island of Barbados

Two Hundred and odd pounds Ster. Wch will Comply and pay far more than I doe

or cann owe, wch Said Money is by Judgements & when what is just is paid &

satisfied I wood have the Remainder of it Laid out & put in a Generall stock &

Devided Among my Children According unto ye Purposs & Meaning I have

ordered in my foregoing will …

[The Will of Colonel John Godfrey, as cited in: The South Carolina Historical

And Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XVI, July, 1915, No. 3, p. 13

John Ball's Will (1657), mentioning Francis Godfrey, was redacted so there was no way of knowing what Francis Godfrey's relationship to the family was, per se, without the original will from Barbados. That John Ball's brother George Ball* was indentured (mentioned elsewhere in the will) very well may have suggested that he or possibly one of the other Ball family members was indentured to the Godfreys. And, moreover, this may have explained why John Ball's son and grandson ended up working the Godfrey plantation in Barbados (likely the one in Col. John Godfrey possession in 1665).

*["My bother George B. his freedom after my decease." A partial excerpt of the

Will of John Ball, as cited in: Ball Beginnings by Claudette Maerz, University

of Michigan, 1984, p. 24]

Francis and John Godfrey were first mentioned in legal documents from St Peter All Saint Parish dating from 1657 to 1662. The first and last mention of Francis Godfrey in All Saint Parish documents overlapped with the first mention of "Capt. John Godfrey" in 1661. They evidently lived in the same parish in Barbados and were residents at the same time during the early 1660s.* Francis and John Godfrey were immediately related, it was safe to say—but nobody has known how because the probable answer has been hidden in the Will of John Ball who died in Barbados in 1657.

*[Francis Godfrey witnessed the will of Hugh Burrows, 11 April 1666; "Capt. John

Godfrey" witnessed the will of Mary Thomas, 13 Dec. 1661, as cited in: Barbados

Records: Wills and Administrations by Joanne Mcree Sanders, Barbados Dept. of

Archives - Barbados – 1981, p. 56 & p. 352.]

The issue of who they were related to might be dependent on evidence that they were indeed brothers. It appears that they're very closely related. The Will of John Ball probably holds the answer. I suspect John Ball's Will likely mentions an indenture or a debt due to the Godfreys, or perhaps the Balls were of some relation.

Comments by Bryan Godfrey: The mention of John Swinstead, and the fact that Francis Godfrey of North Carolina was a factor for a John Swinstead of Barbados, seem to establish beyond a doubt that Francis Godfrey of North Carolina was identical with Francis Godfrey of Barbados. The fact that he was mentioned in Barbados records as late as April, 1666, yet was in North Carolina by 1668, also seems to narrow his date of immigration to North Carolina in the 1666-68 range, and the other records cited suggest his son William, an ancestor of my paternal grandmother and probably my paternal grandfather too, was probably born on Barbados since Francis was evidently living there by 1657 and in a 1708 deposition in North Carolina, William gave his age as approximately fifty years.

Another e-mail from Jason Godfrey:

It was quite interesting to hear that Francis Godfrey was a factor for John Swinstead of Barbados because James Ball sold John Swinstead 42 acres in St. Peter for 160 pounds*, and he is the same one who had a lease of 50 acres in St. Peter from Colonel John Godfrey. It looks to me as though all of this documentation ties together well. *[The Journal of the Barbados Museum and Historical Society, Barbados Museum and Historical Society, 1934, p. 21]

Also, I think you're correct that Joane Fade (John Ball's sister) may have married Francis Godfrey. It would not surprise me. I think the common thread that ties all these people together is Captain James Ball: He's mentioned in his father John Ball's will, along with Francis Godfrey and John Swinstead; then James sells John Swinstead land in St Peter; then Francis is mentioned as John Swinstead's factor (apparently there's a source for this); then Colonel John Godfrey sells Benjamin Ball land that was leased to his father James Ball, and then lastly Benjamin is listed as the main executor of Col. John Godfrey's will.

There's scant evidence that Godfreys of Kent had connections to Barbados, but there were anecdotes in a book called the Life Of Sir Richard Steele (he was related to the Godfreys of Wye, a branch of the family from Kent). I have yet to find any evidence that these Godfreys had any meaningful connection to Barbados.

The Godfreys of Thonco*ck in Lincolnshire had multiple connections with Barbados, both direct and indirect, and at least five of their Willoughby cousins resided on Barbados. I think some biographic details concerning Sir George Carteret imply that he knew the Godfreys of Thonock. The family knew Sir John Eliot (1590-1632) and his son, Hon. Richard Eliot, and/or grandson settled in Barbados, possible ancestors of the Elliotts who later married into Col. John Godfrey's line. When Colonel John Godfrey worked for Deputy of Barbados he almost certainly came into contact with Governor William Willoughby, 6th Lord Willoughby of Parham. And there were other details that pointed more at the Lincolnshire Godfreys. A Cyprian Godfrey who was related to the family was listed as a Vice admiral of the coast in the 1590s. Also, there was a Captain William Godfrey who was an immediate descendant of Joseph Godfrey of Thonock (i.e. similar backgrounds).

My line is descended from William Godfrey of Hanco*ck Co., Ga, who was born 1798 to 1805 in Tennessee. His parents were likely from the Carolinas, and some evidence and family folklore seem to suggest that he was most likely a descendant of Francis Godfrey of Onslow, North Carolina. I haven't gotten around to doing the DNA test, although I've known about it for years. [end of Jason Godfrey e-mail] [Update a few months later: Jason Godfrey's YDNA does not match the Francis Godfrey line].

More comments by Bryan Godfrey:

The following information is quoted from pages 39-41 of "Ye Countie of Albemarle":

Documents
No. 16

March 10, 1670. Appointment by members of the Council of Peter Carteret to be Governor of Carolina

Original document on vellum with a portion of the large wax seal of the colony. One page, 13 3/4 X 11 inches, plus a margin of 1 3/4 inches turnedup at the bottom.

This document not only establishes the date of Carteret's appointment in March (instead of October as previously thought), but it also gives us a list of members of the council at that time. Together with No. 15 [the preceding document quoted in this text] it also helps establish the death of [Governor Samuel] Stephens as having occurred in 1670.

Whereas it hath pleased God by Death to take away our Governor Samuell Stevens Esqr: and Comander in Cheife; Wee therefore: John Jenkins. John Harvey; [blank] Richard ffoster ; ffrancis Godfrey; and John Willoughby Councell: to walke Regulerly by our Authority accordinge to the Instructions of our Right Honorable the true and Absoelute Lords Proprietor: of all the Province of Carolina; have made Choyce of Peter Carteret Esqr: Our Sole Governor; and Commander in Cheife him Impoweringe by Commission under writte

WEE In the name of the Right Honoble: the Lords Proprietors: Doe hereby constitute: and appoint you Peter Carteret Esqr: Governor and Comander in Cheife; Dureing the pleasure of the said power to whome wee are subordinate Governor of the county of Albemarle; as alsoe of all Iles; Islets; Rivers; ans Seas wthin the Bounds of the said County; together wth: the Iles; and Islets wth in tenn Leagues thereof wth: power to nominate appointe; & take to you Twelfe able men at most six att least to be your councll: or Asistance; or any even number betweene six Twelfe; untill the Right Honoble: Lords Proprietors: make Choyce of all of any of them And wee doe; further constitute; and appoint you to be commander in chiefe Dureing the Lords pleasure of all the forces raised: and to be raised wth:in the said county Iles;and Islets aforesaid: for the securitye of the same; & the parts adjacent within the said Province; over which fforces you are to place officers; & to cause them to be Duely exercised in Armes; & doe all; and every other thing: and things wch unto the charge of a commander in chiefe of any Army belongeth or hath accustomed to belong COMMANDING: all Inferior officers: and Souldiers of the said fforces you to obey as there commander in Cheife acording to this commission; and the powers herein given unto you; and according to the Lawes; and Discipline of warr; and you your selfe alsoe are to observe; and follow such orders; and directions as from tyme to tyme you shall receive from the Right Honoble Lords Proprietor: And in all things to Governe your selfe as unto your duty and place of Governor: of the said county; and Commander in cheife of all the fforces there, doth beloneth; Given under our hands and the Seale of the county the Tenth Day of March Anno: Domo: 1669/70:

John Jenkins John Harvey Richard ffoster Francis Godfrey
John Willoughby

The following footnotes are also quoted, pertaining to the men mentioned in this document. Note that immediately below the footnote on Francis Godfrey, is one pertaining to John Willoughby and his unknown kinship to the Willoughbys of Parham, England and Barbados. Because of this information appearing side by side, and the fact that John Willoughby's name appears beneath Francis Godfrey's in the above document, it would seem coincidental if Francis Godfrey here were not identical with Francis Godfrey who was son of Joseph Godfrey and Catherine Willoughby, a sister of these Willougbys of Parham.

pages 3-40 of "Ye Countie of Albemarle":

1. One John Jenkins was graduated from Clare College, Cambridge, in 1642. Eleven years later John Jenkins patented land in Northumberland County, Virginia, but did not settle it. In September of the same year, 1653, he was licensed by the Council of State in England as master of a ship to carry 23 men and 100 dozen pairs of shoes to the Bermudas. About 1658 we find John Jenkins settled in the Albemarle, and in 1663 he witnessed a deed from George Catchmaid to George Durant. On September 5, 1663, Jenkins received a grant from Sir William Berkeley of 700 acres with the Perquimans River as a northern boundary. He became deputy in Albemarle for the Earl of Craven in January, 1670, and served as a member of the governor's council. Two years later he is listed as a member of the assembly and, as a lieutenant colonel, appointed acting governor during the absence of Governor Peter Carteret. Jenkins was a member of the council in 1670 under Governor Stephens, in 1677 under Governor Eastchurch, and in 1679 under Governor John Harvey. By virtue of his office as President of the Council, he was acting governor from 1672 to 1676, and from 1679 to 1681. Between his terms as acting governor he took a leading part in Culpeper's Rebellion. His death occurred on December 17, 1681. Jenkins' name appears in connection with several of the following documents.

2. John Harvey came to the Albemarle from Virginia about 1658 and brought in seventeen persons. He had a grant of land on what has since been known as Harvey's Neck. As indicated here, he was a member of the council in 1670 under Governor Stephens, and assistant to Governor Peter Carteret in 1672. He seems to have taken no part in Culpeper's Rebellion, and from February, 1679, until his death in August he served as governor of the colony by appointment of the Lords Proprietors. Their instructions to him have been printed ("Colonial Records", I, 235-239). His wife was Dorothy Tooke of Isle of Wight County, Virginia, who may have been related to Thomas Tuke one of a group of men who bought land from the Indians in 1648 between the mouth of the Roanoke River and Weyanoke Creek.

3. Richard Foster appears in records of Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, as early as 1641; a member of the House of Burgesses from that county in 1655-1656 with the title of captain; and still living in Virginia in 1659. By 1670 he was in Carolina and a member of the governor's council under Samuel Stephens; he held the same position under Peter Carteret (1670-1672), John Harvey (1679), and John Jenkins (1680). In 1675 he held the rank of lieutenant colonel. His home seems to have been in the "Lower Precinct of yt County called Corrituck." He was the only Proprietary Deputy to take part in Culpeper's Rebellion, the records of which indicate that he was a level-headed advisor who was referred to as "thier cheefe Judge." His name appears in several of the following documents.

4. Francis Godfrey may have been the one of that name of Suffolk who was graduated A.B. from Peterhouse, Cambridge University, in 1629. As indicated here, he was a member of the council under Governor Stephens. His will, dated October 20, 1675, was proved in November, and he left a widow, Joane, and two sons. John Culpeper, later leader of the rebellion, was one of the witnesses to his will.

5. At a time when Francis Willoughby, Lord Willoughby of Parham, was "Lieutenant General of the Caribee Islands" and Lord William Willoughby was governor of Barbadoes, John Willoughby was active in Carolina. What the relation was among these men, if any, has not been traced. In 1670 Willoughby was deputy in Carolina for the Earl of Shaftesbury as well as "Regester publique of the Country." He was a member of the council in 1670 under Stephens, in 1679 under Harvey, and in 1680 under Jenkins. Between 1693 and 1705 his name appears frequently on Perquimans jury lists.

As a judge he was described as arbitrary and having "a natural habit of pride or ambition." He once defied a summons to court, beat the officer delivering it, and fled the colony to return only at the time of Culpeper's Rebellion in which he played a leading role. He is said to have gone with George Durant to England as an agent following the rebellion "to cover all their actions over in England that truth might not come to light."

In January, 1681, he was said to be 60 years of age. He and his wife Deborah were the parents of twins, John and Deborah, born March 13, 1686.

The following information on Francis Godfrey's home is quoted from page 842 of "Architecture and Town Planning in Colonial North America" by James D. Kornwolf, Georgiana Wallis Kornwolf:

North Carolina Plantations and Houses

The severity of the Tuscarora War in 1713 nearly forced the abandonment of the colony and may also explain the absence of 17th-century buildings. The most recent research suggests that North Carolina retains no structures that can be readily dated from before c. 1730. Only one surviving building in the state, the Flemish bond brick Newbold-White House, near Hertford, has ever been assigned a 17th-century date. Both frame and log houses appear to have been built in North Carolina by 1700. For example, Francis Godfrey had a 20-by-40-ft. frame house built in Perquimans County in 1675 that was described as "all sawed worke," so it must have been exceptionally fine. ...

Below is an essay I had typed (and updated or added to since then) following the Godfrey YDNA testing results in 2007, much of which repeats the same information above:

My Quest to Determine My Patrilineal Genealogy and Whether My Paternal Grandparents Were Related Through the Same Godfrey Family

by

Bryan Scott Godfrey (1973- ), son of
Gilbert "Wayne" Godfrey (1945-2012), son of
Garland Stevens Godfrey (1914-1996), son of
Charles Forbes Godfrey (1886-1962), son of
John Hughes Godfrey (1859-1934), son of
Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), son of
Manliff Godfrey (ca. 1805-ca. 1840), probably son of (lineage conjectural beyond this point)
Samuel Godfrey, probably son of
Samuel or William Godfrey, possibly son or grandson of
John, Thomas, William, or Joseph Godfrey, probably sons or grandsons of
William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726), son of
Francis Godfrey ( ?-ca. 1676), settled in Perquimans Co., NC before 1668; birthplace uncertain but likely Lincolnshire, England; Y-DNA from a descendant matches that of me.

My paternal grandmother's patrilineal lineage:
Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey (1920-2010)(wife/ distant cousin of Garland Stevens Godfrey), daughter of
Gilbert Godfrey (1889-1965), son of
Ephraim Godfrey (1854-1918), son of
Gilbert Godfrey (ca. 1822-ca. 1854), son of
Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853), son of
Tully Godfrey (ca. 1760-1846), son of
Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-ca. 1774), son of
Thomas Godfrey (ca. 1685-ca. 1749), son of
William Godfrey (ca. 1658-ca. 1726), son of
Francis Godfrey (1613?-ca. 1676), same as above

Note: Ephraim Godfrey's wife, Susan "Rebecca" Turner (1863-1917), was also his half-first cousin. Her parents were Alfred Turner (1823-1871) and Martha Jane Godfrey (1838-before 1890), and Martha was a daughter of Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853) above by his fourth wife, Rebecca Melissa Robbins (ca. 1813- ? ). These connections make my dad and me triple Godfrey descendants, and it is possible that Rebecca Robins was the daughter of a Robins who married Margaret Godfrey, whose descent from this line has not been determined, so I could descend from the Godfrey family more than three ways.

Since traditional western genealogy has tended to emphasize one's patrilineal (direct-male) ancestry due to the fact that one generally inherits their surname from this lineage (except in the present trend of out-of-wedlock births in which children often take their mother's maiden name), Manliff Godfrey, my great-great-great-great-grandfather, is a special ancestor to me because he is the earliest one I can document my patrilineal ancestry back to. More than likely there are no records in existence to prove his dates of birth or death, place of burial, parents, or even his wife Hester's maiden name, due partly to the destruction of many of Camden County, North Carolina's courthouse records in a fire in the 1860s. Based on census records, his wife's will, and the 1828 birthdate of his son Samuel, it appears Manliff Godfrey was born between 1800 and 1810 and died between 1840, when he was listed in the Camden County Census, and 1843, when Hester's will was probated. He was living in Camden County's Gum Pond section in 1830. His wife Hester, who according to census estimates was older than Manliff, listed two other children besides Samuel Godfrey in her will, Charles Portlock and Elizabeth Portlock, indicating she had probably been married before, though if these children were out of wedlock, Portlock might have been her maiden name. If so, Manliff was not the only Godfrey in Camden to marry a Portlock--an Enoch Godfrey, son of Lemuel Godfrey and Hannah Gardner whose relationship to Manliff Godfrey is uncertain, married Sally Portlock. In any case, Manliff and Hester apparently both died before their son Samuel, said to have been their only child together, was fifteen years old, and he was afterwards raised by Edmund Dozier, a boatbuilder in Camden County, whose daughter Mary later became Samuel's first of three wives and the mother of his eldest son Manliff Godfrey II (1856-1920).

There was at least one Samuel Godfrey in Camden who was apparently older than Manliff, and since Manliff named his son Samuel, I have conjectured that Samuel Godfrey was Manliff's father's name. One Samuel Godfrey believed to be Manliff's father was living in the Garrington Island section on the North River in Camden County in the 1830 census, aged 40-50, born between 1780 and 1790, which suggests he may not be the same Samuel Godfrey in the 1800 census aged 25-45 (born between 1755 and 1775). According to an 1812 deed, Malachi Godfrey had a son named Samuel, and according to the 1822 will of Tamur Godfrey, Malachi was her brother and she also had brothers named James, William, and Samuel. A 1796 deed refers to a William Godfrey having a son named William, Jr. One of these Samuel Godfreys served in the War of 1812.

One of the major reasons I became interested in genealogy as a teenager was because both of my paternal grandparents were Godfreys from neighboring counties in the Albemarle region of Northeastern North Carolina but did not know how, or even if, they were related. My grandfather, Garland Stevens Godfrey (1914-1996), was from Camden County, whereas my grandmother, Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey Godfrey (1920-2010), was from Pasquotank County, but her father's family came from Perquimans County. Pasquotank is between Perquimans and Camden, and the Pasquotank River, which flows from Elizabeth City into the Albemarle Sound, separates Camden from Pasquotank.

Because my grandmother's mother lived from 1891 to 1993 on her farm two miles south of Elizabeth City in Pasquotank County, North Carolina, until she was 94 years old, we visited her several times a year when I was a child. I remember being very confused as a small child when my mom told me that Great-Grandma was Grandma Godfrey's mother, yet her last name was Godfrey! I asked my mom about this when I was in the first grade, and she replied, "Both your Granddad and Grandma were Godfreys." That was a difficult and unusual situation to explain to a young child. Then again, my situation was not as complex compared to what parents must explain to so many children from dysfunctional or unusual family situations. At least my parents were together and married until I was almost eight years old, I had a full set of grandparents until my maternal grandfather died when I was eleven, and there had not been any divorces or remarriages in my immediate family when I was that age; i.e., I did not have step-grandparents then, whereas if I ever marry and have children, I will have to explain to them the difference between grandparents and step-grandparents since I have stepparents (hopefully they will all be alive when and if I ever have children, but they will not have great-grandparents on my side).

But that incident was probably the beginning of my curiosity about my family's past. My parents and grandparents never knew nor cared whether my paternal grandparents were related through the same Godfrey family. Since Godfrey is not a common surname generally and my grandparents were from the same general vicinity of Elizabeth City where there are many Godfreys (though not nearly as many as there are Sawyers which my grandparents also descend from), it was agreed they were probably related way back. I was determined to find the connection after I was thirteen years old, and I became very interested in genealogy after three genealogy books had already come out on my mother's side, one being a booklet on my maternal grandfather's family in Bedford County, Virginia, the second being the genealogy of my maternal grandmother's Pearson family of Wayne County, North Carolina, and the third being the genealogy of my maternal grandfather's Updike family of New Jersey and Virginia.

In 1986, when I was thirteen years old, my dad and grandparents took me to meet with my grandfather's aunt-by-marriage, Luna Stevens Godfrey Godfrey (1887-1987), who was 99 years old and in a nursing home in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. My grandfather said she had done some research and might be able to identify some of the people in the old photographs my grandfather had inherited which I stumbled upon accidentally while looking for a book on their bookshelf. Aunt Luna was the widow of my patrilineal great-grandfather's brother, Loyal Berry Godfrey (1884-1968), and I became confused when she mentioned being a Godfrey and marrying a Godfrey, just as my grandmother had done. She was also a first cousin of my patrilineal great-grandmother through the Stevens family.

During college breaks when I was at the College of William and Mary, I began tracing sides of my family that had not been published, including my paternal side, mainly by making phone calls or writing letters to relatives or local genealogy experts, even if I was not sure at first how or if they were related. A few years before, my grandparents, Grandma's mother, and several of Grandma's siblings attended a large Godfrey Family Reunion for her side of the family in Perquimans County, North Carolina, hosted by a distant cousin of hers, Abraham Lincoln Godfrey, Jr. Grandma could not tell me exactly how her "Cousin Abe's" family was related, but she saw them often while growing up. So I called Mr. Godfrey's wife in 1991, and she mailed me a large packet with charts, one of which showed my great-grandfather Gilbert Godfrey's lineage (on both sides of his family since his parents were half-first cousins) back to the presumed immigrant, Francis Godfrey of Perquimans. Also included in this packet was a newspaper article that Perquimans County genealogist and historian Raymond A. Winslow had written in 1988 about Francis Godfrey and how his early settlement in Perquimans had probably made his male-line descendants the oldest continually resident family in the county. This packet did not contain any information about Godfreys in Camden County though, so I still had no clue about my grandfather's ancestry beyond his grandfather, John Hughes Godfrey of Camden. The information in this packet dealt with Godfreys who remained in Perquimans, and I learned that the Godfrey ancestors of my great-grandfather Gilbert Godfrey had lived in the same general vicinity of Perquimans County, near or on Little River around the Hog Neck, Durant's Neck, and New Hope areas, since 1668, until my great-grandfather's parents moved from Perquimans about ten miles northeast to Pasquotank County between 1900 and 1910, purchasing a small farm a few miles south of Elizabeth City.

In 1992, five years after Aunt Luna's death, I learned that her eldest grandson, Carl Franklin Cannon, Jr. (1928-1994), who lived near me in Williamsburg, Virginia where I was a freshman at William and Mary, had done some genealogy research. I met him and made copies of several Godfrey-Stevens notebooks he was compiling for his daughter. According to Mr. Cannon's introduction to the Godfrey family, his grandfather, Loyal Godfrey, "traced his family back nine generations." Apparently these Godfreys, the Manliff Godfrey line, had lived in Camden since the 1700s or even earlier. Loyal's wife Luna was also a Godfrey from Camden, but her grandfather, David Godfrey (ca. 1827-ca. 1860), came to Camden from Perquimans County, North Carolina, and in the same section Mr. Cannon went on to say concerning his grandmother, "Luna Godfrey traced her family back only five generations. On the maternal side most of the branches have been traced far back, one family to 1663 in North Carolina." I have no idea where Mr. Cannon's information came from for him to make the first statement about his grandfather's Godfrey line, but he sometimes made mistakes in his writings, which appeared to be in the draft stages anyhow. In his brief page on Manliff Godfrey, he left blanks for the names of Manliff's parents. However, on the same day I first visited him in 1992, he showed me a fan-shaped genealogy poster he had prepared for his daughter, showing two generations of Samuel Godfreys preceding Manliff Godfrey, then two generations of William Godfreys (one with a wife named Frances) preceding the first Samuel, then two generations of Thomas Godfreys preceding the first William. When I asked him where that information came from, he indicated he could not remember, because we discussed earlier in the day how no one had been able to trace the lineage beyond Manliff. However, if one counts these generations on the chart, they add up to nine generations preceding Loyal Berry Godfrey, Manliff's great-grandson and my great-great-uncle. If this is the accurate lineage, it points to Manliff Godfrey descending from the Francis Godfrey family of Perquimans County, North Carolina, from which my paternal grandmother and Mr. Cannon's maternal grandmother were both descended, because Francis Godfrey's son William had a son named Thomas who also had a son named Thomas, from whom my grandmother and Aunt Luna were both descended. However, Mr. Cannon said his grandparents always claimed they were not related, and others in the Camden area had remembered Aunt Luna's father, Thomas Burgess Godfrey (ca. 1860-1946), saying he "was not related to the rest of the Godfreys around," apparently including the family of his daughter Luna's husband Loyal Godfrey. Even so, such a claim may not be significant, for I find it is common for people with the same surname in the same general area to claim no kinship if the kinship is unknown or distant, even if they have an uncommon surname, when in fact they are related.

Perhaps Uncle Loyal and Aunt Luna had heard the generations preceding Loyal's great-grandfather, Manliff Godfrey, by word of mouth, or perhaps Aunt Luna examined records documenting Manliff's ancestry that I have not discovered yet. Loyal's grandfather, Samuel Godfrey, died in 1906 when Loyal was 22 years old, shortly after he and Aunt Luna were married, and it is recorded that they visited him often before his death. Samuel may have told them that he was named for his grandfather Samuel Godfrey or that there were two generations of Samuel Godfreys preceding his father, Manliff Godfrey. However, it seems unlikely Loyal could have heard even earlier generations by word of mouth, so it is a mystery as to how Carl Cannon, Jr. received information to the effect that Manliff was the son of Samuel who was the son of Samuel who was the son of William who was the son of William who was the son of Thomas, Jr.

Assuming my Uncle Loyal and Aunt Luna may not be related, and that my grandparents, Garland and Katherine, probably were not either, I focused my Godfrey research, for my grandfather's side, on other possible Godfrey families that may have settled in Camden. In 1993, I called my great-grandfather's first cousin, Samuel Gallop Godfrey (1919-2002) of Camden, who admitted he did not know much about his genealogy but had heard the Godfreys came from around Kempsville, now part of Virginia Beach, Virginia. Shortly thereafter I discovered that a John Godfrey settled in Norfolk County, Virginia (present-day Norfolk and Virginia Beach vicinity) in 1635 and had sons named Warren, John, and Matthew. After investigating wills and deeds of Norfolk and Princess Anne Counties, I concluded that the John, Lemuel, Jonathan, and William Godfreys there may be the same ones showing up just across the state line in Pasquotank and Camden by the 1700s. Because of what Sam Godfrey told me and because Aunt Luna's family came from Perquimans and claimed no connection to the rest of the Godfreys in Camden, I believed for about ten years that Manliff Godfrey was probably descended from the John and Warren Godfrey family of Norfolk County. I could not find any Thomas or Samuel Godfreys among the early generations of this family though, but found several Williams, and the lack of Thomases in that family might question whether Manliff was descended from this line if his descents from two generations of Thomases, Williams, and Samuels, as Carl Cannon showed, were valid. I only found the name Thomas among the Perquimans Godfreys. Joseph was another common name among the Perquimans Godfreys that I did not find among the Norfolk Godfreys.

In 2001, I became even more convinced of my grandfather's descent from the John Godfrey family after a Godfrey researcher mailed me a chapter from a book by Mrs. Margery Wood Furguiele (1919-2001) of Culpeper, Virginia, "Genealogical Glimpses: Maternal", which has a section on the Lemuel Godfrey family of Camden. Mrs. Furguiele, a descendant of Lemuel, concluded he was descended from the Norfolk family because Daniel Godfrey, Jr. (grandson of Warren) in his 1758 will named a son Lemuel and there were Wilsons connected with Godfreys in both counties. However, she made many errors and undocumented statements in her book, including references to Daniel Godfrey, Jr. coming to Camden County in 1730, Daniel being the father of Samuel, Malachi, Tamur, William, James, and Lemuel Godfrey of Camden (when in actuality the 1758 will of Daniel Godfrey, Jr. in Norfolk County named sons William, Lemuel, Matthias, Jonathan, and Arthur), and saying Malachi married Mrs. Hester Portlock when it was actually Manliff Godfrey who married Hester. Unfortunately, Mrs. Furguiele passed away before I had a chance to contact her, coincidentally within a few weeks of my learning about her Godfrey research. I called her home after receiving this information, and her daughter answered and said she was in the hospital due to a broken hip and was expected to recover, but I read her obituary in the Richmond newspaper about a week later. Perhaps Sam Godfrey had contacts with other Godfreys in Camden who really were descendants of the John Godfrey family of Virginia. It is possible that both Godfrey families had descendants who lived or owned land in present-day Camden and Pasquotank, especially since the former Norfolk and Princess Anne Counties in Virginia border Camden and Pasquotank to the north and Perquimans borders Pasquotank. On pages 142-43 of her book, Mrs. Furguiele states, "There were several Godfreys, who operated in Camden County in the same time span as our family. From whence they came and where they went is not known. It is highly possible they descended from some of Warren Godfrey, Sr.'s sons. Several of his sons left no wills. Or, they could have descended from the Francis Godfrey and his wife, Joane, who came into old Albemarle District in November 1675, and had two sons, William and John Godfrey...In 1679, Francis Godfrey was in Pasquotank County. Nothing more appears about Francis Godfrey, but from 1693 to 1775 there are some transactions of a William, John, and Peter Godfrey. It seems likely the William and John Godfrey were the children (or grandchildren) of Francis and Joane Godfrey. In their land transactions, the property bounds were not the same (or close) to those in our Godfrey line. As late as the 1950s and 60s, there were not many Godfreys in Camden County." I need to research the locations of the land of all Godfreys in Camden to see if I can sort out whether some were from the Norfolk family and others were from the Perquimans family. It appears my Godfrey ancestors and some of their brothers originally settled on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River in present-day Camden County by the 1730s, and that members of later generations moved eastward toward the Sandy Hook and North River areas, as my ancestor Manliff Godfrey was in that area in the Gum Pond section.

Also in 2001, a descendant of the John and Warren Godfrey family, Thomas James Godfrey of Dunedin, Florida, an Ohio native, e-mailed me a large file on that family, indicating some had become large landowners and prominent merchants in the Norfolk area. In 2005, Tom and I both submitted cheek cell samples so our Y-DNA could be analyzed to determine whether we share a common patrilineal ancestry. Early in 2006, I viewed the results for us and for all the other Godfreys who were submitting samples, and was disappointed to learn Tom and I do not match, nor did either of us match the other Godfreys whose ancestries were rooted in other areas. So I was forced to conclude that either my patrilineal lineage was not of the John and Warren Godfrey family of Norfolk, or there was a break or breaks in the lineages of Tom or myself, such as an unreported adoption, "child switching," illegitimacy in which someone could have taken the Godfrey name from their mother, or false paternity in which the putative Godfrey father was not the biological father.

However, this disappointment was reversed a year later on 1 February 2007 when I received one of the big surprises of my life, one month after obtaining a sample from my grandmother's brother Marvin Ralph Godfrey, that Uncle Marvin and I were a perfect match on all twelve Y-DNA markers tested. This indicates that my paternal grandparents were descended in a biologically accurate patrilineal lineage, with the probability being 99 percent that their common patrilineal ancestor lived in a period after surnames became widely adopted in Europe. I immediately upgraded the test to a 67-marker test for my sample and Uncle Marvin's sample, hoping the number of matches/ mismatches will better indicate the probability that the common ancestor lived in the 1700s or earlier. This will better enable me to conclude whether Manliff Godfrey was descended from the Francis Godfrey who settled in Perquimans by 1668 and died around 1676 or was related to him collaterally through a common ancestor in the Old World. More than likely he was a direct descendant, since all Godfreys in that area appear to descend from Francis Godfrey's son William Godfrey, who was born about 1658 and died about 1726 in Perquimans County. This William Godfrey seems to have had sons named William, Jr., Francis, Thomas, John, and Joseph. My grandmother and Aunt Luna descend from his son Thomas, then his son Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774). Records of the late Sheldon Godfrey said that Thomas Godfrey, III married Mary Mullen in 1805 and was the father of Aunt Luna's grandfather, David Godfrey, born about 1827, which I question and wonder whether there is documentation for this descent; there may have been another generation between Thomas Godfrey, Jr. and David Godfrey. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. must have had Thomas III later in life, or Thomas III must have married Mary Mullen late in life. Whenever there is a much younger child in a family, one must consider the possibility that the child is the product of another marriage from the older children or that the child is illegitimate and its grandparents are raising their daughter's child and passing it off as theirs. I hope to track down a nephew of Aunt Luna so their YDNA can be compared with mine too.

Based on my Y-DNA results, Carl Cannon's chart may be partially correct, but there do appear to be too many generations squeezed in between Manliff Godfrey and Thomas Godfrey, Jr., since Thomas was born about 1724 and Manliff was born about 1805. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. mentioned a brother William in his 1774 will, but no son William. It seems more likely that there was at most one generation of Thomases, one or two generations of Williams, and one or two generations of Samuels preceding Manliff Godfrey. If Manliff descends from Thomas Godfrey, Sr., son of William and grandson of Francis, it is probably through Thomas' sons Joseph or William. However, the first Godfreys appearing in the part of Pasquotank County that became Camden in 1777 were John and Joseph Godfrey, who around 1727 appear in deed records referencing land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River. These were probably sons of Francis' son William, since his apparent sons of those names had recently sold land in Perquimans, possibly to move to Pasquotank, that part now lying in Camden. There were John and William Godfreys in the Norfolk family also who could have bought land in Pasquotank or Camden, but no Joseph appears in the early generations of this family, so it seems more likely the John and Joseph Godfrey of Camden were from Perquimans. However many generations there are between Manliff and Francis Godfrey (assuming Manliff descends from Francis and is not a collateral relative), it seems unlikely that my grandparents were evenly descended from Francis, because my grandmother was in the ninth generation, whereas my grandfather was probably in the tenth or possibly the eleventh generation. Generations tended to be shorter in my grandfather's line than in my grandmother's; thus, it is likely that my grandparents were distant cousins once or twice removed and that I might even be in the same generation as my grandmother!

Sam Godfrey's claim that he heard his Godfreys came from Kempsville might be reconciled by the fact that he could have confused his father's family, the Godfreys, with his mother's family, the Gallops. There is a Gallop's Corner section of Virginia Beach, which is in the same general area as Kempsville. Indeed, he or someone in his family had mistakenly labeled his picture of his grandfather Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906), Manliff's son, as William Gallop, the name of his other grandfather. I knew it was Samuel Godfrey when they showed it to me in 1998 because I had already seen and copied another copy of that picture in the possession of my grandfather's first cousin, Mary Tatem Johnson (1911-2005), of Newport News, Virginia. Mrs. Johnson had it labelled as "John Godfrey's father," but admitted she did not know her great-grandfather's name. Her mother would have remembered her grandfather Samuel Godfrey, so I trust it was my great-great-great-grandfather.

Later in 2007, after I purchased a one-year subscription to ancestry.com, I discovered something which almost certainly explains why Sam Godfrey told me our Godfreys came from Kempsville. When searching for census records on my great-great-great-grandfather Samuel Godfrey (son of Manliff), I found that in the 1870 census, he and his family were living in the Kempsville section of Princess Anne County, Virginia, and that several of his children born after 1863 were born in Virginia. By 1880 they had returned to Camden County, North Carolina. Cousin Sam Godfrey's father, Samuel Hughes Godfrey (1877-1965), the youngest child of Samuel, was apparently born shortly after his parents returned to Camden from Kempsville, which probably explains why Mr. Godfrey made the comment to me that his family came from Kempsville. It was not because they were descended from the John Godfrey family of that area, which I assumed, but rather because Mr. Godfrey's grandparents lived there for several years before his father was born. Carl Cannon, Jr.'s biography of Samuel Godfrey indicated he had gone to Norfolk to work after he was first married, lost everything within a year, and returned to Camden with his family in a cart. Either he moved to Virginia more than once, or perhaps this refers to when he lived in Kempsville, only it was several years after he married his third wife, and he was in Virginia at least seven years because several of his children were listed in the census as born in Virginia. My great-great-grandfather, John Hughes Godfrey (1859-1934), was Samuel's eldest son by his third wife, Sarah Ann Hughes (1834-1898), and he was born in Camden, but his parents apparently moved to Kempsville before he was five years old and returned to Camden before their youngest child, Samuel Hughes Godfrey (1877-1965), was born.

One warning is in order before I dismiss any notion of descent from the Norfolk Godfreys--as of 2007, Tom Godfrey is the only descendant of John Godfrey who has submitted to the Godfrey Y-DNA project. Although his Godfreys remained in Norfolk until the early 1900s and there is only one generation between himself and John Godfrey that is not absolutely proven by records, it is remotely possible there was a break in his biological line. Therefore, it is desired that other descendants of the John and Warren Godfrey family (preferably related distantly to Tom Godfrey) submit samples so we can determine a definite Y-DNA signature for John and Warren Godfrey. Without others to confirm the biological authenticity of his descent, it is still remotely possible that I might descend patrilineally from John and Warren Godfrey because John could have been related to Francis Godfrey of Perquimans. In other words, we need to prove that John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk County, Virginia in 1635 was not related to the Francis Godfrey who settled in Perquimans County, North Carolina by 1668. The names John and William are common among both families, but this is not especially significant since they are common names among the general population. But it does become frustrating trying to sort out Godfreys who often have the same such names through many generations.

Because both John Godfrey of Norfolk and Francis Godfrey of Perquimans settled in areas bordering present-day Camden County, North Carolina, it seems likely that both had descendants there. Perhaps the aforementioned Lemuel Godfrey of Camden really was from the Norfolk family and not connected with the Manliff Godfrey family. I hope to track down male-line descendants of Lemuel Godfrey for YDNA comparisons too.

Here is a summary of the lives and immediate family of Manliff Godfrey's likely patrilineal immigrant ancestors, Francis and Joane Godfrey. Even if Manliff and my grandfather were not direct descendants of Francis and Joane, they were related to Francis as established by Y-DNA results, and Francis and Joane are well-proven to be ancestors at least two ways of my Grandma Godfrey's father. Francis Godfrey was living in Perquimans County by 1668, and I am fairly certain he is the same Francis Godfrey found in records of the island of Barbados in the early 1660s. It is most likely he came from England, and current speculation focuses on the possibility that his family were the Joseph Godfreys of Lincolnshire who intermarried with the Willoughby family, or perhaps the Godfreys of County Kent, said to be the most prominent family of Godfreys in England. Acquiring a thousand acres on the south side of Little River in present-day Perquimans County, he became a deputy to Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton in 1670, enabling Francis to become a member of the Governor's Council. At a court in 1670, he was a justice. Three years later, he hosted the court at his residence, at which Thomas Miller made disparaging remarks that he would be held accountable for in Culpeper's Rebellion. Because both lived on Barbados before settling in the Carolinas and had connections with Peter Colleton, it is believed Francis Godfrey was a brother of, or other close relative of, Col. John Godfrey, one of the earliest settlers of, and acting deputy governor of, South Carolina, having been one of the original settlers of Charleston in 1670, where his descendants intermarried with the colony's most prominent families. Therefore, I hope to track down male-line descendants of Col. John to compare their Y-DNA with my own. Francis Godfrey's will, probated in 1676, is believed to be the oldest extant will and inventory in Perquimans, and noted Perquimans County genealogist Raymond Winslow has written that the Godfreys are probably the oldest continually resident family in the county. He also states that all later Godfreys in Perquimans descend from Francis and Joane's son William, since their only other son, John Godfrey, had no sons. Francis and Joane also had a daughter Elizabeth who married Thomas Hawkins. Therefore, if Manliff Godfrey descends from Francis and Joane, it has to be through their son William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726), who also lived on Deep Creek and the Little River in Perquimans.

When I learned that my Uncle Marvin Godfrey and I match perfectly on the cheapest 12-marker YDNA test, I upgraded to a 67-marker test. We only mismatch by two markers, one of which is a fast mutator, one of which is not. A 65/67 match means there is a 90 percent probability that the most recent common ancestor (MRCA) was no more than 12 generations back. Francis Godfrey was nine generations back from Uncle Marvin and my Grandmother Godfrey, and eleven generations back from me on my grandmother's side. Based on these results, it is very probable that Francis Godfrey's son William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726) was the closest common patrilineal ancestor of my paternal grandparents and an ancestor of Manliff Godfrey, but one must consider the possibility that Manliff could descend from a cousin of Francis and William instead.

In July, 2007, I learned of a second Y-DNA match through Family Tree DNA. On the 12-marker test, Uncle Marvin and I both perfectly match a Godfrey in Mississippi who only knows his Godfrey line back two or three generations, but claims his Godfreys came from North Carolina. It would be interesting to view all 67 of his markers. If he matched Uncle Marvin closer than he does me, it means he is probably related more closely to my grandmother's side, but if he matches me more closely, it means he is related more closely to my grandfather's side. However, I think it is a waste of money to upgrade his test since he does not know his lineage more than three generations. There have been Godfreys with names like Francis, Enoch, and Joseph appearing in Onslow County, North Carolina, some of which went further South to Georgia who are believed to descend from Francis and William Godfrey of Perquimans. These are Godfreys whose descendants I would most like to have tested besides the Charleston Godfreys or Godfrey males who might still be residing in Lincolnshire, England.

The records of Pasquotank/ Camden Counties throughout the entire 1700s need to be evaluated thoroughly to better determine the probable generations preceding Manliff Godfrey. By the time of the French and Indian War around 1755, several Godfreys were listed in the militia, two Josephs, and Job, Jacob, and James Godfrey. During the Revolutionary War, Godfreys shown had the first names Anthony, Clement, and William. In the 1782 Camden County Tax List, the Godfreys listed were Joshua, Joseph, Jacob, John, and Jesse. Finally, in the War of 1812 rosters, the Godfreys listed were two Jameses, William, John, Hiram, Jonathan, James, and Samuel. A book has been published delineating relationships shown in various deed books of Camden, but I have not researched deeds not shown in that book. Examining numerous other extant deeds which do not show relationships between Godfrey parties, but which might show property bounds and locations and infer relationships, may give a better idea of whether Godfreys from the Norfolk and Perquimans families were both in Camden and enable me to construct a conjectural pedigree. Whatever the case, it seems unlikely there was a single Godfrey pioneer to Camden County. Whether later Godfreys there descended from brothers, cousins, or nonrelatives who came from another county, remains to be discovered.

Due to a paucity of records, I may never be able to prove Manliff Godfrey's ancestry or be able to determine for sure whether Francis Godfrey was our patrilineal ancestor or a collateral patrilineal relative. I may also never know whether Francis Godfrey was the North American immigrant or the European origins of my Godfreys, but Y-DNA testing may furnish clues if other Godfreys match me in the future. In an ideal case, one's patrilineal lineage can be traced back many generations before the immigration to America, and one's surname can be unique to descendants of a particular person in medieval times. Often it does happen that everyone with a rare surname descends from one person, but surnames originated often from multiple sources, some becoming very common (such as Jones, Williams, or Smith) while others die out or become rare. The Godfrey surname falls in between. The fifteen or more Y-DNA results already submitted as of 2007, most of which show no relationship to one another within the past thousand years since surnames originated, seem to indicate that the Godfrey surname probably evolved from multiple people or places, and may be of multiple European nationalities. In spite of all these uncertainties, I am grateful that my Godfrey surname appears to be biologically accurate from father to son for both my grandfather's and my grandmother's sides back to the 1700s and probably earlier, since genealogy experts often comment that very long biologically accurate patrilineal genealogies are rare, even if the written records are sufficient to document the descent, due to occasional adultery, adoptions, or illegitimacies. Some have even constructed mathematical models for determining the probability of inaccurate pedigrees based on the number of paternal generations between one and a certain ancestor, and that the more maternal generations there are in between, the more likely the lineage is to be biologically accurate. Because my pedigree has been bottom-heavy rather than top-heavy, meaning I tend to be able to trace the maternal sides farther back than the paternal sides (I know my matrilineal line back twelve generations, to about 1700), I should be fortunate in this regard.

I feel almost certain that both of my paternal grandparents were descended from Francis Godfrey's son William Godfrey (ca. 1658-ca. 1726) of Perquimans County, North Carolina. However, it is likely that they were not in the same generation and that my grandfather may have been one generation farther down the lineage than my grandmother, since his great-great-grandfather, Manliff Godfrey, was born between 1800 and 1810, whereas her great-great-grandfather, Benjamin Godfrey, was born in 1787. Also, if there is some truth to Carl Cannon, Jr.'s chart, then there are many generations squeezed in prior to Manliff Godfrey's generation, indicating these men had children early in life, especially if the chart is correct in showing descent from one of the Thomas Godfreys, as between Thomas, Jr. and Manliff, there are two Williams and two Samuels. It seems certain there could not have been more than one Thomas, as my grandmother's ancestor, Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774), did not mention a son William in his will, but he did mention the land of his brother William, who could perhaps be an ancestor of Manliff and my grandfather. However, Thomas, Jr.'s father, Thomas Godfrey, Sr. (died 1749), also had a brother named William Godfrey, Jr., and it is likely that the John and Joseph Godfrey who owned land on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River in present-day Camden County, North Carolina, by the 1730s, were brothers of Thomas, Sr. and sons of William Godfrey.

Circ*mstantial evidence indicates that John Godfrey of Norfolk was probably from Huntingdonshire, England, as there were intermarriages between Godfreys and Nicholses in both the Huntingdonshire family and his immediate family.

Rickey Godfrey of Nashville, Tennessee, is doing research on the origins of all Godfrey families in America and England, and he thinks either Lincolnshire or County Kent were the most likely birthplaces of Francis and his probable relative, Col. John Godfrey of Charleston, South Carolina. The names Francis, Joseph, John, and William have been very common in the Lincolnshire family, and my ancestor Francis might have been the son or grandson of a Joseph Godfrey there who married Catherine Willoughby and had a son named Francis born in 1613. Rickey speculates that the County Kent Godfreys were probably the most prominent Godfreys in England and that Francis Godfrey "was no ordinary citizen" due to his ties with deputy governors and Lords Proprietors and serving on the Governor's Council. Rickey deserves the credit for being the first to inform me of my likely patrilineal origins in 2007 when he located a website on the Willoughbys of Parham, Suffolk, England and suggested that Joseph and Catherine Willoughby Godfrey's son Francis might be identical with Francis of North Carolina or, at the very least, closely related to him.

In knowing how the past few generations of my Godfrey ancestors lived, beginning with my grandparents and going back on both my grandmother's and grandfather's sides, it seems rather far-fetched that I could be related to the Charleston Godfreys or Godfreys of prominence in England. But the prominence, like in many families, could have faded with later generations, especially after the Civil War impoverished so many southerners. My grandmother's parents and grandparents were small farmers who owned their own land most of their lives, whereas my grandfather's parents, Godfrey grandparents, and Godfrey great-grandparents were tenant farmers and/or shipwrights nearly all of their lives, moving from place to place while working someone else's farm. My grandfather's father lived his later years in boarding houses or on a barge in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and all he had to leave my grandfather when he died in 1962 was a chair and some old family photographs. Samuel Godfrey, my grandfather's great-grandfather, could not read or write, according to census records. I always felt my paternal grandparents were rather simple for my tastes, having had few educational advantages (although my grandfather had a high school diploma) and having lived in a two-bedroom house in what was considered to be the "wrong side of the tracks" when I was growing up in Newport News, Virginia, but I must remember that my Grandfather Godfrey, having come from meager means as the only child of a sharecropping father and a mother who had mental problems, had a lot to overcome. At least he owned his own home after he was 34 years old, always paid off his debts, never took charity from anyone or the Government, held a steady, stressful, and hazardous job as a burner in the Newport News Shipbuilding for about 38 years, never had a credit card ( a definite example for the younger generations including me), and encouraged his children, especially my dad, to be self-sufficient and frugal. And he, like so many men of earlier generations and even some today, was too proud to allow my grandmother to work outside the home. He would work two jobs before he would encourage my grandmother to get a job.

At least now whenever someone asks me where my Godfreys are from, my story will sound simpler than it had been before I ruled out my descent from the Norfolk Godfreys. Prior to 2007 it had been difficult to keep the story simple when I had to explain that both my grandparents were Godfreys, that my grandmother was from the Francis Godfrey family of Perquimans County, North Carolina and that my grandfather was either from that family or the John Godfrey family of Norfolk County, Virginia. Now I can say that I descend from the Perquimans County Godfreys at least three ways, one patrilineally through my grandfather and two through my grandmother whose paternal grandparents were half-first cousins.

Coincidentally, while growing up in Newport News, Virginia, my principal in middle and high school was a Godfrey, an African-American gentleman named Henry J. Godfrey. Even before I got to middle school, my maternal grandmother, who retired in 1981 as a secretary with Newport News Public Schools in its Administration Building, spoke highly of Mr. Godfrey. He was Principal of Dunbar-Erwin Middle School (now closed) in downtown Newport News when I attended seventh and eighth grades there in 1985-87. Then, as I was entering the tenth grade at Ferguson High School (also closed now) in 1988, we learned that Mr. Godfrey was transferring there to replace the principal who transferred to another high school. My dad once had a conversation with Mr. Godfrey about where their families were from, and I remember Mr. Godfrey saying he was from Norfolk. He was the one who handed me my diploma at my high school graduation. Because Mr. Godfrey was so courtly and proper, with very strict standards and always wearing a three-piece suit, underachieving students often considered him a sell-out, yet his demeanor and dedication were definitely commendable, and he is one of my role models in my current educational profession. He retired several years after I graduated, later serving as Assistant Superintendent and on the Hampton, Virginia School Board. Although I have been known as Bryan most of my life until I entered the educational profession in 2005, and still prefer to be called Bryan even by younger people, I have a habit of thinking of my principal, Mr. Godfrey, whenever someone calls me Mr. Godfrey, especially since my dad is like me in that he prefers being called Wayne by everyone.

Now Perquimans County, North Carolina, holds a special place in my ancestral heritage. Even though my parents were both born and raised in Newport News, Virginia, my mother's parents were both from Virginia and my father's parents were both from North Carolina, both of them have extensive family roots in Perquimans County, but so far I have not proven any common ancestors between them in that area, although I do have relatives there who are related to both of my parents. It now appears that three of my grandparents have patrilineal roots in Perquimans County, my paternal grandparents both being connected with or descended from the Francis Godfrey family there, and my maternal grandmother being patrilineally descended from the Quaker family of Peter Pearson who settled in Perquimans before the 1720s. However, her ancestors left Perquimans by the 1780s as she was descended from Peter's son Jonathan Pearson who settled in Wayne County, North Carolina, about 1776, and five generations later, her father settled in Prince Edward County, Virginia, in 1911.

Below is the email I sent out once I received the full 67-marker YDNA test results for my Uncle Marvin's sample and mine:

From: "Bryan Godfrey"
Subject: Results of Godfrey Y-DNA test--full 67 marker upgrade
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2007 23:23:57 -0400

I hope I'm not being a burden again, especially for those of you who are not even related to the Godfreys, but since DNA has been a subject we've discussed lately, I thought I'd share the news with all, and it may be educational for those it doesn't concern. I'm learning more and more all
the time lately about DNA and genetics, especially now that I'm on Spring Break and just finished two of the three education courses I've been taking the past three months. Maybe genetic genealogy should be another calling of mine after I've grown tired of teaching math!

Uncle Marvin (my Grandma Godfrey's brother) and I differ by only 2 out of 67 markers, one of which is a fast mutator, one of which is not. The calculated probabilities are below, the second set of calculations being based on the fact that we do not share a common patrilineal ancestor within six generations beyond Uncle Marvin, with his parents, my
great-grandparents, counting as Generation 1, and Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774) counting as Generation 6. More than likely Thomas, Jr.'s grandfather, William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726) of Perquimans Co., NC, son of
Francis Godfrey the presumed immigrant, was the closest common ancestor of my grandparents, but my grandfather Garland Godfrey was probably one or two generations further down from William than my grandmother Katherine Godfrey Godfrey.

My grandmother's lineage, proven by records, is as follows:

1. Francis Godfrey (died 1675), settled Perquimans Co., NC before 1668

2. William Godfrey (ca. 1658-1726)

3. Thomas Godfrey (died ca. 1749)

4. Thomas Godfrey, Jr. (ca. 1724-1774)

5. Tully Godfrey (ca. 1765-1845)

6. Benjamin Godfrey (1787-1853)

7. Gilbert Godfrey (ca. 1822-ca. 1854)

8. Ephraim Godfrey (1854-1918), moved from Perquimans to Pasquotank Co., NC ca. 1910

9. Gilbert Godfrey (1889-1965) of Pasquotank Co., NC

10. Katherine Elizabeth Godfrey (1920-2010 ) of Elizabeth City, NC and Newport News and Hampton, VA

11. Gilbert Wayne Godfrey (1945-2012) later of Charles City Co., VA

12. Bryan Scott Godfrey (1973- ) of Richmond, VA

My grandfather's line is as follows, Generations 3-6 being conjecture, with the proven descent beginning with Manliff Godfrey, my great-great-great-great-grandfather:

1. Francis Godfrey

2. William Godfrey

3. John Godfrey, settled in Camden Co., NC ca. 1730 with probable brother Joseph Godfrey

4. William Godfrey (Revolutionary War)

5. Samuel Godfrey

6. Samuel Godfrey (War of 1812)

7. Manliff Godfrey (ca. 1800-ca. 1840)

8. Samuel Godfrey (1828-1906)

9. John Hughes Godfrey (1859-1934)

10. Charlie Forbes Godfrey (1886-1962) of Camden Co. and Elizabeth City, NC

11. Garland Stevens Godfrey (1914-1996) of Camden Co. and Elizabeth City, NC and Newport News, VA

12. Gilbert Wayne Godfrey (1945-2012)

13. me

There could have been 2 generations of Williams and/or 2 generations of Samuels preceding Manliff Godfrey. We don't even have proof Manliff's father was Samuel, but the late Carl Cannon, Jr. apparently got that information from his grandfather, Uncle Loyal Godfrey, and the fact that Manliff named his only child Samuel gives credence to his father being a Samuel Godfrey.

FTDNATiPT Report
Family Tree DNA Time Predictor*
Version 1.2 - Patent Pending

In comparing 67 markers, the probability that Marvin R. Godfrey and Bryan S. Godfrey shared a common ancestor within the last...
generation is 4.83%
2 generations is 15.96%
3 generations is 30.39%
4 generations is 45.16%
5 generations is 58.46%
6 generations is 69.5%
7 generations is 78.16%
8 generations is 84.68%
9 generations is 89.43%
10 generations is 92.81%
11 generations is 95.17%
12 generations is 96.79%
13 generations is 97.89%
14 generations is 98.62%
15 generations is 99.1%
16 generations is 99.42%
17 generations is 99.63%
18 generations is 99.76%
19 generations is 99.85%
20 generations is 99.91%

Refine your results with paper trail input

The numbers below represent how the probabilities have changed after adding your genealogical information into the FTDNATiP calculations.
Knowing that Marvin R. Godfrey and Bryan S. Godfrey could not have had a common ancestor in the last 6 generations, their 67 marker comparison shows that the probability that they shared a common ancestor within the last...
7 generations is 26.57%
8 generations is 47.42%
9 generations is 63.1%
10 generations is 74.55%
11 generations is 82.69%
12 generations is 88.38%
13 generations is 92.27%
14 generations is 94.91%
15 generations is 96.68%
16 generations is 97.84%
17 generations is 98.61%
18 generations is 99.11%
19 generations is 99.43%
20 generations is 99.64%

More About Councillor Francis Godfrey:
Appointed/Elected: Bet. 1669 - 1670, Member of the Governor's Council-Deputy to Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton.
Baptism: 09 Aug 1613, It is not proven he is the same Francis Godfrey baptized at Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, on this date, son of Joseph Godfrey and Catherine Willoughby, but circ*mstantial evidence makes it likely or, if not, that the 2 Francis Godfreys were closely related.
College: One source suggests he may be the same Francis Godfrey who graduated at Cambridge in England in 1629. If Francis of North Carolina were really born about 1613, it is possible it is the same one, especially since his mother's family were from Suffolk.
Comment 1: His family is said to be the oldest continually resident family in Perquimans Co
Comment 2: Because both had connections with Lord Proprietor Sir Peter Colleton, it is probable that Francis was a brother of Col. John Godfrey, early settler of Charleston, SC. John was a Deputy too.
Comment 3: Because his origins and parents are not proven, question marks are shown beside all Godfreys preceding him or presumed to be his relatives. The royal and noble ancestry shown for his likely mother, Catherine Willoughby, is fairly well-documented.
Comment 4: Catherine Willoughby and Joseph Godfrey had sons named Francis and John, and her ancestry has been well-documented back to nobility and royalty on several sides, but it is not proven they were the same Francis and John Godfreys of Barbados & the Carolinas.
Comment 5: Circ*mstantial evidence indicates he possibly could be the same Francis Godfrey born in 1613, son of Joseph and Catherine Willoughby Godfrey of Thonock, Lincolnshire, England, who also had a son John. However, he would have had his children later in life.
Comment 6: In 1665 a Mr. John Godfrey agreed to settle in Carolina, and on 20 Jan 1669 Sir Peter Colleton sent him to Albemarle as his Deputy according to "North Carolina Colonial Records." It is suggested this John Godfrey was a brother of Francis Godfrey.
Comment 7: It is not proven that Joseph and Catherine Willoughby Godfrey's son Francis, born 9 Aug 1613, is identical with Francis Godfrey who settled in Barbados and North Carolina, but circ*mstantial evidence makes it likely, or if not, that they were close kin.
Comment 8: Most Godfreys in the Albemarle region of North Carolina probably descend from Francis, but there was a John Godfrey who settled in Norfolk Co., VA in 1635 who had sons named John, Warren, and Matthew who may be ancestors of some Godfreys in the area.
Comment 9: Originally the part of North Carolina where he settled was Albemarle Precinct or Albemarle County. That part of Albemarle became Perquimans County, and Pasquotank County and Camden County were also carved from Albemarle.
Comment 10: Probably not related to John Godfrey family of Norfolk Co., VA as YDNA of their descendants does not match; those Godfreys probably came from Huntingdonshire, England. Was almost certainly closely related to Col. John Godfrey of Barbados and Charleston, SC
Immigration: Bet. 1666 - 1668, Left Barbados and settled in present-day Perquimans Co., NC, then Albemarle County.
Occupation: Planter
Personality/Intrst: Politically active; also was a factor for John Swinstead of Barbados.
Probate: 05 Nov 1675, Albemarle Precinct, North Carolina (present-day Perquimans County).
Residence: Probably came from Thorock/Thonock, Lincolnshire, England; settled island of Barbados in the West Indies bef 1657; settled present-day Perquimans Co., NC abt 1667, where he owned 1000 acres on Deep Creek on the south side of Little River in Durants Neck.
Will: 20 Oct 1675, Albemarle Precinct, North Carolina (present-day Perquimans County).

More About Joan ?:
Comment: She may have been a Ball or connected with the James and John Ball family of Barbados. There was a Joan in their family.
Event 1: 02 Nov 1676, Following Francis Godfrey's death, Joane married William Therrill of Berkeley Precinct (later Perquimans Precinct). She died shortly thereafter, and on 12 Jul 1677, William Therrill and Mrs. Ann Cooke were married.
Event 2: After her death, her second husband, William Therrill was granted administration of the estate of her first husband, Francis Godfrey, on 20 Mar 1680 by the General Court for Albemarle County. Therrill was appointed guardian for stepson John Godfrey.

Children of Francis Godfrey and Joan ? are:
i. Frances Godfrey, married Thomas Hawkins.
128 ii. William Godfrey, born Abt. 1655 in Barbados, West Indies; died Abt. 1726 in Perquimans Co., NC; married ?Jane Barrow?.
iii. John Godfrey, born 17 Aug 1665 in Barbados, West Indies or Perquimans Co., NC; died 1697 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Elizabeth Abington 19 Feb 1685 in present-day Perquimans Co., NC.

More About John Godfrey:
Comment 1: No sons
Comment 2: Because Joseph Godfrey of Lincolnshire, who had a son named Francis, had a brother named Edward Godfrey, the mention of an Edw. Godfrey in John's patent is more evidence of the Perquimans Godfreys being of the Lincolnshire Godfrey family.
Event: 1694, Patent was granted to John Godfrey for 310 acres for importing Ffrances Godfrey, Wm. Godfrey, Edw. Godfrey, Thomas Roberts, Hannah Sheephooke, Eliz. a servant, and 10 ..(?). Edward's kinship is unknown.

290. Gilbert Goodale?, born in Maryland?; died in Perquimans Co., NC.

Child of Gilbert Goodale? is:
145 i. ? Goodale?, married William Colson.

296. Abraham Moulin (Mullen) He married 297. Madeline Chupret (Chypre).
297. Madeline Chupret (Chypre)

Child of Abraham (Mullen) and Madeline (Chypre) is:
148 i. Abraham Moulin/Mullen, born Abt. 1678 in Paris, France?; died Aft. 1743 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Rachel Broret 27 Dec 1699 in L'Eglise Des Grecs, London, England.

304. William Turner, died Abt. 1696 in Little River area of Perquimans Co., NC. He married 305. Katherine ?.
305. Katherine ?

Notes for William Turner:
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=gwenbj&id=I2023661

Weynette Parks Haun, Old Albemarle County North Carolina, Perquimans
Precinct, Births, Marriages, Deaths & Flesh Marks 1659 thru 1820,
(Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1980) transcribed from Microfilm
C.077.60001, NC Archives, Raleigh, NC. p. 61
===
William TURNER of Littel River & Kathern KINSE took Each other for Man
& Wife at a meting At Ffrances TOMES ye 5 day of Mar__ Anno 1693.
===
Weynette Parks Haun, Old Albemarle County North Carolina Book of Land
Warrants and Surveys 1681-1706, (Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun,
1984), p. 58, 75, 1694 CERTIFICATES
This may certify all whom it may concerne yt. Willm. TURNER has proved
Seven Rights whose names are upon Record and are hereunder written
Namely Wm. TURNER, Ruth TURNER, Katherine TURNER, Ruth WATKINS, Henry
PLATT two rights & John LAWRENCE. Certifyed ye 20th. of Aprl. Ano Dm.
1694. P: Edw. MAYO Clrk. Pascot. A Wart. given.
===
Weynette Parks Haun, Perquimans County North Carolina Deed Abstracts
1681 thru 1729 Book I, (Durham, NC: Weynette Parks Haun, 1983) p. 15.
===
No. 75. Albemarle County in the Province of Carolina
6th of the 2 month 1694. William TURNER of Little River, to my Son in
Law John KINSE all the right title or Interest of the two thirds part
of that Plantation which did belong to my Predesessor John KINSE lying
& being on the North East side of Perquimans River, that is to say
also to have two thirds of the Orchard when the sd John KINSE shall
come to age & after the Decease of my wife Catharine TURNER, I do give
unto my Son in Law John KINSE the whole Plantation of 150 acres ...
Signed: William (H) TURNER
Test: Francis TOMS, Joseph (N) NICHOLSON
===
No. 76
6th of the 2 month 1693/4. William TURNER, of Little River, do bind
myself etc. to pay or couse to be paid unto my son in law John KINSE
the son of my wif eCatharine as being a just Debt due unto him from
me, the som of twenty pounds Sterling to be paid in good Pork when the
afsd John KINSE shall be at the full age of one & twent years ...
Signed: William (H) TURNER
Test: Francis TOMS, Joseph (N) NICHOLSON
Ack: 9 Apr 1694. Test: pr. John STEPNEY, Clerk.
===
J. Bryan Grimes, Abstract of North Carolina Wills Compiled from
Original and Recorded Wills in the Office of the Secretary of State,
(Raleigh, N. C.: E. M. Uzzell & Co., State Printers and Binders,
1910), 383
===
TURNER, WILLIAM Albemarle County
28 Apr 1696. 27 Jul 1698. Little River. Sons: William and John
(plantation to each). Dau: Sarah TURNER. Wife and Exex: Katherine.
Wit: Richard PLATER, Hugh CAMPBELL, Henry PALIN, Thomas SIMMONS.
Clerk to Council: W. Glover.
===
28 Oct 1696. No probate. Little River. Sons: William (orchard on
Little Creek) John (plantation bought of Patrick BALEY). Dau: Sarah
TURNER. Exors: Matthew KELLY and James DAVIS. Wit: Richard PLATOR,
Hugh CAMBELL, Henry PALIN, Thomas SIMONS. This is a copy made by J.
KNIGHT.
===
Gwen Boyer Bjorkman, Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Record of
Deeds, 1700-1751 (Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, 1990) pp. 56-57
A:148
Jno. KINSEY of North Carolina and County of Albemarle do Aquit &
discharge Thos. STAFFORD of ye. Same County aforesaid agst. any bond
that was passed formerly passed to pay ye. sd. Jno KINSEY be it in
what form or manner. And I do acquit & discharge ye. sd. STAFFORD of
all my fathers Estate that I was to possess from my father Wm. TURNER
Senr. or Junr. or any of their Children, that the bill or bond Shall
be of no effect or force agst. any of his Children or his heirs as
being paid ... 25 Dec. 1714. Signed: John CK KINSEY. Wit: Richd
RATCLIFE, Jos. NEWBY, Jno. KC KINSEY. Regt: 26 Aug. 1716. (No
Probate)
===
[A:149] August 28th. 1713. Received of Thomas STAFFORD in full of my
proper Estate which was my fathers Estate as witness my hand Signed:
John TURNER. Wit: Robt. LOWRY, James X DAVIS, David JACKSON, John
WHITE. Regt: 26 Aug. 1716.
John TURNER, Wm. TURNER, Edwd. Turner Orphans.
August 28 1816. Received of Tho. STAFFORD in full of all Debts dues &
demands of their proper Estate before Mr. Robt. LOWRY, Mr James DAVIS
Mr David JACKSON & mr. John WHITE as Witnesses thereunto. Signed:
Robt LOWRY, James DAVIS, David JACKSON, John WHITE. Regt: 26 Aug.
1716.

*********************************************************************************
Records of early Turners in Perquimans Co., NC:

http://newsarch.rootsweb.com/th/read/FIVEASH/2000-01/0947785067

From: nparr
Subject: [FIVEASH] Will of Jane Turner Fiveash's Father
Date: Thu, 13 Jan 2000 12:37:47 -0500

Hello All,
Some time ago, Nancy Jones sent a message asking if any of us had a
copy fo the above mentioned Will. I forwarded her message on to Cliff
Fiveash because I felt that he either had a copy of it or had seen one.
I received an email from Cliff last night and he included the
information on said Will. I am cutting and pasting parts of his message
below. It also includes other Turner information which I am including.
Maybe this will help some of us :-)
Regards,
Nancy E Parr
======================
exercpts for Cliff Fiveash on 01-12-2000:

"I got the following from: Deana Costner in Nov,
1998." (she is on the Turner mailing list..NP)

1793 Joshua Turner sold land to Joshua Turner, son of John Turner

1719 Richard Turner left will naming Bridget and son-in-law Wm
Bastable,
g.d. Hannah Bastable, gson Samuel Newby and Daughter Elizabeth newby.

1774 Abraham Turner in will index names spouse as Miriam and children
as
Benj. Exekiel, Miles, Ann, Margaret, William, Millen, Miriam

1800 Abraham Turner will mentions sister Elizabeth Peters, Nieces Polly
and Elizabeth Hudson, Polly Tildy Halsey. Nephew Abrahm Halsey.
Brothers
John, Thomas exe. of will and Elisha Twine, Jesse Winslow exe. Sisters
Esther Winslow and Mourning Riddick.

1788 Arthur Turner purchasing land

1782 Benjamin Turner selling land. Relationship shown is grandfather
is
William Turner, father is Abraham, brother is Ezekiel, both Ezekiel and
Benj. sell land to Whidbee.

1840 Charles Turner in will index show heirs Hawkins and Comfort. Hard
to
see relationship in index, write for will if you think it is your
family.
They may be his siblings, not children. I put down as children,
however.

1805 Comfort Turner will, mother is Martha Turner as exe. father
Joseph
as desc. Witnessed by Richard Turner and james Whedbee.

1737 Edward Turner wife was Ann and their child was Joseph. Found in
early records of NC Joseph was born this year.

1757 Edward - not sure what this information means - 1757 son Joseph,
John
Turner John Whidbee (son-in-law???) 1760 Edward Jr., 1766 Dempsey,
1772
not sure if son Richard. All these names were found in land records
indicating they are the children of Edward and Agnes - giving land to
them
through out a period. Check this crazy record - sounds like several
together. I was making hand notes and weeks later entered them into
data
base.

1827 Elsberry Turner in will names wife Mary and heirs as son Asbury
G.,
Mary Jackson, Susanne Brothers, Fanney White, One girl name unreadable,
son
Nathan. Witness was Hawkins Turner and nathan Maudlin. Look above at
1840
entry. Wonder if Hawkins the same man???

1782 Ezekiel Turner sold land to G. Whidbee same time as his brother
Benj.
did. they are the sons of Abraham and gson of William.

1792 George Turner - wife Ann, father is Dempsey Turner Sr, brother is
Demsey, Jr. Look at 1757 entry above (Edward and Agnes may be his
gparents) selling land. also found record in 11796 that George sells
land.

1815 Harrison Turner will. Names brothers James and Richard Turner,
mother is Martha. cousin is robertson Fisher. Witness John Miller and
Ellsberry Turner

1815 Hawkins Turner selling land with wife Nancy to Noles.

1799 Henry Turner selling land to Shedbee. Witnesses are Miles and
Rachel
Turner and Nathan and Martha Turner.

1796 Joseph Turner in land record gives his gson Noah Fiveash land.
Noah
is the son of Jane Turner Fiveash and husband, JOhn Fiveash. fiveash
name
is also found in Isle of Wight.

1770 John Turner in will index names wife Sarah, and children Joshua,
Timothy, Dorcas, Sarah, John.

1776 John Turner selling land with wife Mary. Also land records in
1780,
1781, 1785.

1762 Joseph Turner gets gift of land from Abraham Riggs which was left
him
by his late uncle Abraham Riggs.

1766 Joseph Turner and his spouse Jane Mullen Riggs, widow of Abraham
gets
1/6 the estate of Abraham Mullen. they purchase the rest of the estate
from her sisters - Mary and Gideon Moudlin, Deborah and Chris Towe,
William and Miriam Colson, William and Betty Bateman, Tamer and Jeremiah
Caruthers.

1793 Joseph Turner gives land to son Elsbury Turner

1793 Joseph Turner purchasing record of land with spouse Ann

1795 Joseph Turner and wife Joanne gives land to son Thomas Turner

1796 Joseph Turner and wife Ann sell land in tyrell Co NC to Joseph
Pledger on Alligator Creek and Leonard Creek.

1796 Joseph and wife Ann sell more land

1766 Joseph the elder gets land from William and Miriam Colson, Jane
Turner's sister.

1792 Joseph, jr. mentioned in land record. My notes show Martha Turner
mentioned before Joseph. Joseph is son of Edward. Is Martha wife or
sister??? selling land to Whidbee. Not clear on these notes. Sorry.
Hard
to imagine how quickly we were writing standing up and then getting home
and wondering what I wrote. Their land records are wonderful to show
relationships.

1786 Joseph, sr. sells land from father Edward desc. to son Joseph, jr.

1729 Joshua Turner is purchasing land also in 1734

1741 Joshua Turner with wife Mary is selling land

1790 Joshua Turner selling land

1792 Joshua Turner, son of John, selling to Joseph, son of Edward
Turner

1796 Joshua sr in will index - only name mentioned is Mary Turner -
probably his spouse.

1818 Martha Turner in will names children - John Stevenson, Mary
Stevenson
(maybe children by another marriage or gchildren or a husband and wife)
gd.
Martha Godfrey, the 4 children (no names) heirs of Sarah Turner,
Elizabeth
Davis, Mary Stevens, George Turner

1819 Martha Turner will mentions gd. Patsey Fisher and Elizabeth Foster
d.
of Joshua, sons James and Richard. exe. Witness are Martha Sumner and
James Whedbee.

1791 Miles Turner selling land.

1788 Miriam, wife of John Turner, widow of John Colson is selling land.
both men may be dead - maybe twice a widow.

1816 Myles Turner will, names wife Martha and children William, Edmond,
James, Myles, Alexander, George, Mary Stephenson. Gd. Nancy and Martha.
Witnesses are John Stephens and Mary Stevenson. Note all three
spellings
of Stephens name.

1849 Nathan Turner will index mentions the following names: Catherine,
Stacy, Elizabeth, Henry,(all Turners), Joseph Godfrey, Martha L. and
Nathan
G. Turner, Martha N. and Ambrose Turner.

1815 Rachel Turner gets property from father's estate, John Smith. Her
siblings are Caleb Smith, James Smith and Mary Small.

1721 Richard Turner is son in law of William Bastable - I've typed that
name in this document. check above for relationships

1833 Richard Turner in will names wife Elizabeth and sons Jospeh,
Richard,
angeline, John, Asher, Havell, fanny, Mary, Eliz. Witnesses are James
and
George Whidbee

1827 Sarah Turner, sr. in will mentions son Thomas Mullen, Daughter
Patsey Mullen, gd Sarah Mullen Turner, son-in-law Joseph Turner.
Witnesses were Ellliany and James Sawyer. In my notes, I write Not sure
she knew relationships. wording must have been strange.

1816 Thomas Turner, will index mentions daughters Priscilla Stallings,
timothy and Lavinia Peters, Sophia Stallings, sons William and Thomas.
Will probate was 1824.

1694 William Turner in property dealing shows married to Katherine Kinse, daughter of John Kinse who calls Wm son-in-law.

Child of William Turner and Katherine ? is:
152 i. William Turner, Jr., died Abt. 1709 in Perquimans Co., NC; married Ann ?.

320. John Sawyer?, born Abt. 1650; died Abt. 20 Dec 1713 in Albemarle Co., NC (present-day Pasquotank Co. or Camden Co., NC). He was the son of 640. ? Sawyer.

Notes for John Sawyer?:
http://boards.ancestry.com/surnames.sawyer/1821.1.1.1.1.2.1.1/mb.ashx

Jean, here's a recap of my proofs on Thomas1 and Richard Sawyer and Thomas2.

Keziah, wife of Thomas2, and daughter-in-law of Richard Sawyer, did NOT have a last name of Cozier, or Dozier, or anything remotely like it. I inadvertently started this rumor/error when my notes listed a Keziah/"Cozier" as being Thomas2's wife. I got the spelling variation from land transactions. I've explained untold times that "Cozier" was a variation in spelling of her first name Keziah, not her last name. But once something gets out there, you know how it is, it seems impossible to correct. Please see my proof listings below, especially proof 60 which clears up the issue of her name once and for all. Her last name has never been identified by me or anyone else, as far as I'm aware but I am 100% certain it wasn't Cozier. No one ever mentioned it until I put it on my old records.

Thomas1 Sawyer is proven to be the son of John Sawyer.
Richard Sawyer is proven to be the son of Thomas1 Sawyer and to be the father of Thomas2 Sawyer. The numbered proofs below correspond to my proof books and I have copies of most of these items or a reference to where the items can be found in public records.

I'm descended from two of Thomas2 and Keziah's sons, Ephriam and Joab D Sawyer. I can prove Ephriam was Thomas2 son and can prove Joab was also the son of Thomas2 by a land deed where Ephraim called Joab his brother and where Ephriam stated he was giving Joab land left to Ephriam by their father, Thomas Sawyer.
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Thomas Sawyer, son of John info/proof summary:
John Sawyer was probably the original immigrant of this line of the Sawyer family. There are two early references to a John Sawyer in history books. One is from Virginia dated Apr 1679; the other from North Carolina dated 1680. Both of these were headrights in which a person was brought to this country by another man. One of these is our John Sawyer but which one may never be known. The likeliest is the Virginia man simply because all the Sawyers in the northern area of North Carolina appear to have moved from Virginia. However the first real evidence of our John Sawyer is a will dated 22 Dec 1713 from Albemarle County, North Carolina. Albemarle County originally included about 10 of the early northeastern North Carolina Counties. This will lists his sons and his wife and executrix, Jean. Each of the sons were given a plantation in the will so there must originally have been land records for John but these have not been located. A grandson, Charles Grandy is listed in the will also.It has been speculated that Jean's surname was Reading because a Timothy Reading was a witness to John Sawyer's will. This is just speculation and there has been no proof found

Thomas Sawyer, son of John and Jean, made a will dated Mar 1720 probated 19 Jul 1720. Richard the fourth son was left 100 acres. The other sons fared much better inheriting the vast estate left by Thomas. Thomas is listed in "The North Carolina Historical and Genealaogyical Register" Jan, 1900 p 76.

Caleb's grandson entertained President Monroe during the President's inspection tour of the Dismal Swamp Canal. This entertainment was said to have been held in "the palatial plantation home" of Caleb's grandson

Pasquotank County, North Carolina was formed in 1670 from the much larger county of Albemarle. In Thomas' will he begins by saying "In the name of God amen I Thomas Sawyer, Sen of Pasquotank in North Carolina in Albemarle County make this my last will..."

Letter from National Society of Daughters of the American Revoluntion dated 24 Jun 1982 accepting Thomas Sawyer's Revolutionary War service on author's application makes all descendents of this couple eligible for membership in DAR and SAR.

Deed proof 150 is witnessed by John Sawyer (his strange mark used). Believe this John Sawyer is the brother of Thomas Sawyer, and the son of John Sawyer original immigrant

NOTE: Mary Jennings is NOT PROVEN to be Thomas' wife. Speculation and conjecture only

55 "Virginia Cavalry & Pioneers", Vol II, p 196 - Lists a John Sawyer who was a headright for Edmund Belson and Robert Montgomery in Nansemond County, Virginia 1679

56 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol II, p 300 - Lists a John Sawyer who was a headright for Richard Jones in Carteret County, North Carolina 1680

57 "Abstracts of North Carolina Wills" by Grimes, p 328 - Will John Sawyer, lists sons Thomas, John, Robert, Solomon, Grandson Charles Grandy, wife and Executrix, Jean (Joanne)

58 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol I, p 76 - Will Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, dated 19 Jul 1720 lists sons Caleb, Stephen, Thomas, and Richard, daughters Mary, Ann, Hannah Sawyer and Dancy McDowell and wife (no name given)

150 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deed Book A, p 238-239 dated 1 Jan 1720 - Gives the name of Mary Sawyer and her relationship (wife) to Thomas Sawyer and gives date of Thomas Sawyer's original patent

176 General information on North Carolina Counties

199 National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution on Service of Thomas Sawyer - Peggy Jean (Zube) Thomas membership

338 Letter from Faye and Bill Ligon, 821 N. Foch St, Truth or Consequences, N.M. 87901 - Miscellaneous Fishing Creek Presbyterian Church records of Davies and Eaves families of Chester County, S.C.
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Richard Sawyer, son of Thomas1 Sawyer info/proof summary:

Note that Alice Doaks "Marks for Cattle" proof also proves both Thomas and Caleb were sons of Richard Sawyer.

Richard, son of Thomas Sawyer resided in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. He was the owner of large tracts of land and had extensive dealings in land. These deeds are on file in Paquotank County, North Carolina. It is these deeds that prove Thomas was the son of Richard. In all the deeds in which Thomas is mentioned , he is listed as "the son of Richard Sawyer". In several of these deeds both Thomas' wife Keziah and Richard's wife Ann are mentioned. These are the only surviving links author has been able to find as no will has been located for Richard and it is believed to have been destroyed in the early courthouse fires

58 "North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register" by Hathaway, Vol I, p 76 - Will Thomas Sawyer of Pasquotank County, North Carolina, dated 19 Jul 1720 lists sons Caleb, Stephen, Thomas, and Richard, daughters Mary, Ann, Hannah Sawyer and Dancy McDowell and wife (no name given)

59 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book F & G, p 290 - Deed signed by Richard Sawyer and wife Ann, dated 25 Apr 1757

60 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deeds Book D & E, p 109 - Deed from Thomas Sawyer which reads in part "…that I Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer with Cozier my wife in the County of Pasquotank…" dated 31 Dec 1761

61 Pasquotank County, North Carolina Deed dated 18 Aug 1758 - Deed signed by Thomas Sawyer and Keziah Sawyer, wife which reads in part "…betwixt Thomas Sawyer son of Richard Sawyer, farmer, of one part…"

177 County Map of Virginia

192 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed, Book F & G, p 432 dated 26 Feb 1760 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer sale of land called "Dogwood Ridge" to his father Richard Sawyer. Land on Northeast side of Pasquotank River

193 Pasquotank County, North Carolina, Deed dated 17 Aug 1758 - Purchase of "Dogwood Ridge" land by Thomas Sawyer from Solomon Sawyer. Gives Thomas' relationship with Richard (See Proof 192)

197 Tyrrell County, North Carolina will dated Jan 1800 - Will of Jonathan Sawyer which mentions 55 acres of land on "Dogwood Ridge" (See proofs 192 and 193)

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Jonathan Sawyer, I believe oldest son of Richard circ*mstantial proofs:

CAUTION: Author believes Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard but only circ*mstantial evidence to prove it:

Proof 193 - Thomas and Keziah Sawyer buy 50 acres more or less on "Dogwood Ridge" and deed says this Thomas is son of Richard

Proof 192 - Thomas and Keziah sell the "Dogwood Ridge" property to Richard

Proof 197 - Jonathan Sawyer's will in Tyrrell County, North Carolina leaves 55 acres to his oldest son, T. Robert Sawyer (and since Tyrrell County is where Thomas died, all these facts seem to prove that Jonathan was the oldest son of Richard.

Hope this helps a little. Regards, Peggy

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

An Analysis of Early Sawyer Records in Virginia and North Carolina

Clay Peterson June 1, 2017

Harry Schoettle ([emailprotected])

This email is kind of long, but I wanted to be thorough. Take your time to read and digest it and get back to me about it.

I have been double checking the records for John Sawyer. Unfortunately I could not find a digital copy of Cavaliers and Pioneers, Volume II, which contains the first entry for John Sawyer from 30 April 1679 in Nansemond County, Virginia. So, I will have to include just a basic summary.

"Edmund Belson & Robert Mountgumery in behalfe of themselves & diverse inhabitants resideing from Cowards Creeke downwards to sd Belson's and from Belson's to Robert Peel's by the Mill at the head of Mr Bennett's Cr. 850a of swamp land in Nanzemond Co by or near the boundarye of sd Inhabitants. Beg at corner of Parish land N to Wm Staples, by Wm Carter, by the Widdow Smith by Capt Jeffrys fence. 30 Apr 1679 p678." This passage then goes on to explain that Montgomery and Belson obtained this patent via transporting seventeen persons, including John Sawyer.

From Hathaway's North Carolina historical and genealogical register, Volume II (page 300):
"At a Court held for ye precinct of Cartaret July ye 15, 1680, the following persons proved their rights, viz:
Richard Jones for freedom rights; Richard Jones, wife Mary and Wm. Jones, Edward German himself a freedom right, Jno. Sawyer two freedom and one transportation right, Mary his wife, Mary Sawyer transported Servt."

It is important to note here that Cartaret was not in the location of present day Carteret County, but that at that time it was another name for Currituck County.

My question for this entry is what do they mean by freedom rights? Were they related to indentured servitude? I've been researching freedom rights, but I haven't found an explanation as to what exactly they were yet. If it's what I think it is, it's the freedom to apply for a headright after previously having been an indentured servant. So in this case, John Sawyer was able to apply for two headrights. Only people who had already been living in the Colonies for awhile were eligible for two headrights. New settlers were only entitled to one headright. So he most likely wasn't a new settler at this point. His wife Mary was a third headright via transportation.

From what I can gather from these two records, it seems like the two John Sawyers are the same person, but that it was probably the younger John Sawyer in these records and not the older one. John Sawyer was transported from England to Nansemond, Virginia via Edmund Belson and Robert Montgomery in exchange for taking out head rights on Mr. Sawyer on 30 April 1679. John Sawyer then likely worked as an indentured servant for one or both of these two men for a little over a year until he was eligible for two headrights of his own. He then requested his wife to join him from England on 15 Jul 1680. This process was actually fairly typical of settlers of that time. The journey across the Atlantic was especially rough on women. Men would usually travel ahead of the family, become established, and then send home for their wife and children to sail to America. This seems to be exactly what happened.

There is a book called The Bristol Registers of Servants Sent to Foreign Plantations (1654-1686). It is available on Ancestry but only for those who have signed up for the international research bundle. Money's a little tight for me this summer, so I can't shell out for it right now. But I noticed it contains an index entry for a John Sawyer who was contracted out to work as an indentured servant in Virginia for four years.

I've come to the conclusion that John Sawyer Sr. never really existed. He was a figment of various researchers (myself included) misinterpreting the records. We actually have no idea who the father was of the first four Sawyers (John, Thomas, Robert, and Henry). The document that debunks this notion is the court case of 1695 when John Sawyer gives his age as being 32 years old when retelling the story of the accidental shooting. That would mean he was born in 1663 and that he was about sixteen years old when he came to Nansemond, Virginia in April 1679. This fits with the within the average age range of indentured servants traveling to the Colonies at that time. I had an ancestor who was only twelve when he sold himself into indentured servitude and sailed for Maryland in 1715. This John Sawyer must have been newly married when he left England because he never sent home for any of his other children. These factors suggest that the 1679, 1680, and 1695 records for John Sawyer were for the same person, and that this person was not the father of the four Sawyer brothers. This also suggests that John Sawyer was married twice, first to a Mary, and then to Jean Reading. The other factor that supports this theory, and correct me if I'm wrong, but there just doesn't seem to be enough deeds or other records In Pasquotank to suggest that there was more than one John Sawyer active before 1700 in Albemarle Sound.

We know that John Sawyer and Robert Sawyer were brothers thanks to a land survey from 30 Oct 1695 which mentions the transport of Robert Sawyer, Francis Sawyer (Robert's wife), and Mary Sawyer. Mary Sawyer's identity is not known, but I suspect that she was an eldest child of Robert and Francis Sawyer. We also know that Robert was a brother of Henry Sawyer thanks to Henry Sawyer's will from 24 June 1728. Thomas is the odd one out of the four brothers, but we can assume he was also their brother based on where he lived and the circ*mstantial connections to the other three Sawyer brothers. I will have to re-examine the Sawyer deeds from before 1720 to build a stronger case for Thomas Sawyer's relation to these other Sawyers. It is very likely that Thomas Sawyer was the oldest brother of the four and that he was one of several Thomas Sawyers who moved to Virginia between 1650 and 1674. On the flip side, it is also possible that Thomas and Henry Sawyer were younger brothers and they had a different mother than John or Robert Sawyer. There is also the question of when/if Henry Sawyer immigrated to America. A more careful check of the immigration records will be necessary.

Either all the Sawyer brothers emigrated over from England and had no father who lived in North Carolina or Virginia at the time or the situation is a much more complex one. Given the court case of 1713, I lean toward the more complex explanation, which is that their father had more than one wife, one who died in England (mother of Robert and John) and one who gave birth to Thomas and Henry on American soil. Researchers often forget too that wealthier families during that time period often traveled back and forth between the New World and England, especially if they were merchants or sailors. It was also fashionable during that time period to take your Native wife back to England to live with you (Pocahontas being a good case in point). Instead of ruling anything out, this latest scenario just leaves even more questions to be asked.

Unfortunately, there are no deeds, only grants and headrights, from Pasquotank before 1700, and there are few surviving records at all from Nansemond, Virginia.

At this point, there is a rather strong possibility that the Sawyer brothers had relatives who lived among the Tuscarora Indians, and this would explain the court case of 1713, where the Sawyers refused to fight in the Tuscarora Indian war. The Sawyer name among the Tuscarora predates the The Tuscarora War of 1712-1713, and it is one of the most common names today among the surviving tribal members both in New York and in North Carolina. I am currently talking to several different researchers about this lineage and have requested a rare book about the Tuscarora called Onkwehonweh-the first people-Tuscarora by Marilyn Mejorado Livingston, who used to run a museum dedicated to the Tuscarora in Bertie County, NC before it was destroyed by flooding from Hurricane Floyd. She has several documents related to early Tuscaroran families, including the Sawyers. It will take quite a lot of time to find any connections from that far back, if there are any, but I'm working on it.

The Sawyers who ended up among the Tuscarora may have originally been Meherrin or Nottoway that were later absorbed into the Tuscarora. The Meherrin and Nottaway were also Iroquoian like the Tuscarora and spoke roughly the same language. If these Sawyers were Meherrin originally, it would make more sense because according to a North Carolina Governor's Council 17 June 1707 [Colonial Records of North Carolina, Volume II, p. 657], the Yeopim Indians appointed the Meherrin to be wards of the Chowan Indians and their land on the southside of the Meherrin River before European settlers entered the area. The Yeopim spoke the same language (Algonquin) as the Chowan, so the two were allies, as were the Meherrin by association. The Chowan were of a completely different tribe and language than the Meherrin (Iroquoian), but the two tribes were peaceful with each other and often intermarried. This could be compared to marriages between the Creeks and Cherokees, which were just as different as the Chowan and Meherrin in terms of culture, heritage, and language, and yet intermarriages happened quite often in their histories. According to records from 1774, most of the surviving Yeopim in Camden and Currituck Counties went north to live with Tuscarora in New York, as did some of the Nottaway, Meherrin, and Chowan who had otherwise assimilated into the Tuscarora.

The Tuscaroras are also a tribe that is at the center of the Lost Colonists debate because French Huguenots in the late 1600s described some of them as having blonde hair and blue eyes. They had apparently been mixing with Europeans since contact was first established in the 1500s. One scenario I have considered is that the father or grandfather of the four Sawyer brothers was taken captive by the Tuscaroras, forcing him to abandon his family in England before he could send for them to come to America. It's also possible that he was an Indian trader and had more than one wife, which was very common among Indian traders of the time. Often, Indian traders would have two or three Indian wives and then one European wife back in England. Whatever the case, over the course of time, this Sawyer would have eventually become a part of the tribe and most likely would have had children with a Tuscarora woman. This sort of thing happened a lot more often than most people think. Sometimes these children later became re-integrated into colonial society without hardly anyone knowing of their Native ancestry. This situation happened with some of my ancestors among the Creek Indians. It would explain how Thomas Sawyer and Henry Sawyer magically show up later in the records of Pasquotank without any immigration records, unlike John Sawyer and Robert Sawyer, and yet all of them are considered to be brothers.

Let me know what you think.

Children of John Sawyer? are:
160 i. Capt. Thomas Sawyer, born in England?; died Abt. 1720 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC.
ii. Robert Sawyer, died Abt. 1735 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC; married Frances ??.

More About Robert Sawyer:
Will: Apr 1735, Pasquotank Co., NC

iii. Solomon Sawyer
iv. John Sawyer, Jr., died Abt. 1743.
v. ? Sawyer, born Abt. 1695; married Thomas Grandy; born Abt. 1695.

324. Alexander Spence, born 13 Sep 1669 in Wicomico, Somerset Co., MD; died 02 Aug 1734 in Pasquotank/Camden Co., NC. He was the son of 648. David Spence and 649. Ann Roe. He married 325. Dorothy Truman.
325. Dorothy Truman, born Abt. 1672; died Abt. 1734. She was the daughter of 650. John Trewman/Truman.

Notes for Alexander Spence:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nccamden/charts/alexanderspence.htm

ALEXANDER SPENCE: A PASQUOTANK PIONEER

Submitted by Janie Spence Keenum

Alexander Spence was the second son of Maryland settler David Spence (c1639-1679), whose Somerset County patent was named "Despence". The family was Scots, believed to have descended from a family long associated with the area around Edinburgh, Scotland.

David and his wife, Anne, had five children: David Jr., Alexander, John, James, and Anne. At David's death in 1679, they were 13, 10, 7, 5, and 2, respectively. Nothing is known of their childhood, but surviving records indicate that none of David's sons remained in Maryland once they reached adulthood.

His eldest son, David Jr. (1666-1725/26), seems to have made an exploratory trip with his brothers to North Carolina, but from age 32 was firmly settled in the well-established Virginia colony, living out his life near Coan, in the Newman's Neck area of Northumberland County.

His three younger sons cast their fortunes with the newly established province of North Carolina, created in 1663 by Charles II to reward eight men who had helped him to regain the English throne.

This enormous expanse of land along the eastern seaboard, with its deeply indented bays and broad rivers, was initially named Albemarle County. Most of its settlers came from Virginia and South Carolina, rather than from overseas, and were generally yeoman farmers, although a land-owning aristocracy did arise with connections to the two older colonies. Land usage reflected a mixture of plantations and farms, which concentrated on tobacco cultivation but also produced a considerable quantity of naval stores and provisions.

North Carolina society was never as hom*ogeneous as that in Virginia and South Carolina. There was a wide range of religious groups, and many of the waves of colonists came from traditionally independent ethnic and national groups such as the highland Scots, the Scotch-Irish, and the protestant Germans. The state had no deep-water ports, Albemarle and Pamlico Sounds being shallow and Cape Fear River having a treacherous sandbar at its mouth. As a result, no central port city developed to draw the colony's citizens into close and regular contact and to make North Carolina easily accessible to its proprietors and to the Crown. This may explain how the colony came to have a reputation as a center of political discontent and to develop a tradition of opposition to authority that was described by Governor George Burrington in 1732 in the following manner.

"The inhabitants..are not Industrious but subtle and crafty to admiration, allways behaved insolently to their governours. Some they have Imprisoned, drove others out of the Country, at other times sett up two or three supported by Men under Arms...All the Governors that ever were in this Province" he observed, "lived in fear of the People...and Dreaded their Assemblys."

David's three younger sons lived out their lives in North Carolina and at least one (Alexander) seems to have played an active part in its civic and political life, perhaps being one of the "subtle and crafty" inhabitants whom Governor Burrington decried.

In 1670, four precincts had been carved from the great east coast forests of Albemarle County, among them Currituck, bordering the Atlantic; Pasquotank, next inland and stretching from the Virginia border south across the Albemarle Sound; Perquimans, moving further west; and Chowan, surrounding the western end of the wide but shallow Albemarle Sound. Settlements followed the rivers which drained the great swamps of the low-lying coast. There were creeks in abundance, and, moving inland along the sound's northern bank were the North, the Pasquotank, the Flatty, the Little, and the Perquimans Rivers. Each successive wave of settlers pushed further inland along the rivers, and by 1700 lands were being granted along the upper reaches of the Pasquotank in what would, in 1777, become Camden County, NC.

Adding to the difficulties of establishing homes and farms in what was, most likely, a swampy tangle of vegetation, there was constant military turmoil in NC in the first two decades of the 1700's, both internal and external. The presence of French and Spanish vessels off the coast from 1702 to 1713, and occasional incursions by their crews, made it necessary to organize and arm for defense.

In 1708-1711 came Cary's Rebellion, one of the many periods of resistance to royal or proprietorial govenment that characterizes NC history . The Tuscaroras massacred 130 settlers in surprise attacks in 1711, and no sooner had NC troops and their Indian allies supressed this uprising than the colony was called upon to come to the aid of South Carolina against the Yemassee Indians. In the following year, an epidemic of yellow fever claimed many victims.

In his 1902 "History of Albemarle County", J. R. B. Hathaway comments: "It is hard to realize the serious inconveniences, privations and hardships" of the early settlers of Carolina. "The country was sparsely settled, neighbors were frequently miles away. Without roads or public conveyances they were forced to make their journeys on foot or horseback along Indian paths or trails, with the savage and wild beast roaming at will the dense forests surrounding them on every side." Edenton, then known as the Port of Roanoke, was the sole "metropolis", and settlers having business there or were required to travel from sixty to seventy-five miles through the wilderness, and frequently to cross the Sound in small canoes. Communication was exceedingly difficult, as there were no mail routes and letters had to be entrusted to the vagaries of travellers. "Deeds were allowed to accumulate in a neighborhood until the number justified the appointment of some one person" who, armed with powers of attorney, would make the difficult journey to the "nearest place of Probate" to have them properly recorded (hence why we find the same witnesses and dates on many documents).

Money was scarce and rarely used, tobacco and pork being the common and legal tenders of the era.

Marriages were frequent and early. Both men and women married as soon as they were physically adult, often in their mid-teens. Divorce was unknown, but many early settlers married four or five times as illness and accident took their mates.

There were no institutions of learning and few churches (none prior to 1702; and only three as late as 1708). Children learned what their parents could teach them, which in many cases, did not include reading and writing.

After about 1718, NC gradually entered into a six-decade long period of prosperity that would not again be equalled until the advent of World War II. The Indian "menace" was eliminated, piracy surpressed, and government (which was in 1729 returned to the Crown) was more efficiently administered. As the result, population increased rapidly; agriculture and commerce were stimulated; and living standards rose considerably. Roads were laid out and more comfortable dwellings were erected. While the north side of the Pasquotank did not contain many individuals of great wealth, there were several whose possessions enabled them to live comfortably and leisurely and who were recognized as members of the planter class. Their plantations, or farms, contained from a few hundred acres upward, and these men were dominant factors in the economic as well as the social life of the area. Their chief interests were their households and friends and, in the words of Dr. John Brickell, who lived in Edenton in 1730 and who wrote The Natural History of North Carolina, "...you seldom hear them Repine at any Misfortunes in life, except the loss of Friends, there being plenty of Necessaries convenient for Life: Poverty being an entire Stranger here, and the Planters the most hospitable People that are to be met with...".

ALEXANDER SPENCE, second child and second son of David and Anne Spence, was born September 13, 1669 in Somerset Co., MD. He was only ten when his father died, and nothing is known of his education and upbringing. He may have spent some time in Northumberland Co., VA, but should not be confused with the Alexander Spence (possibly a cousin) of Westmoreland Co., VA, son of Patrick and Dorcas Youell Spence, who was a noted surveyor and attorney there in the late 1600's and early 1700's.

At his father's death in 1679 Alexander inherited 125 acres in Somerset County, MD, being half of the plantation called "Spence's Choice" David Sr. had patented March 17, 1673. On April 4, 1681, the 12-year-old Alexander, his older brother David, and his 4-year-old sister Anne, recorded livestock marks in Somerset County, indicating that some sort of farming operation was being continued by the widow and her children, but the records are silent for the next fifteen years.

In that time, Alexander presumably was educated, found a bride, and determined to try his luck in a newer province, for in October 1697, the 28-year-old Alexander was granted "rites" for the transport of his wife, "Dorety" (whose maiden name is believed to have been Trueman) and brothers, "John, Daved (David) and James" to Perquimans Precinct, Albemarle County, North Carolina.

Why did Alexander and his brothers leave Maryland? A close perusal of his father's will shows that while land was left to the two older boys (David and Alexander), and the main plantation (Despence) was left to the two younger boys(John and James), then ages 7 and 5, all the "goods, chattels & substance & all belonging thereto both without doores & within" were left to their mother, Anne. That is, the farms were left to the sons, but the means of farming were left to the mother, who apparently remained in control of the main plantation until her death in 1711.

Alexander's wife, Dorothy, is believed to have been the daughter of John Trueman, who was born ca 1620 in Gelding Parish, Nottingham, England and who emigrated to Maryland with his wife, Anne Storer, and brothers John, James, and Thomas. A controversy regarding this last brother, Major Thomas Trueman, who was impeached, fined and imprisioned for murdering five Indian chiefs in 1675 may have led to John's relocation from St. Mary's, Calvert Co., MD to the Eastern Shore of VA sometime after that date. John had three daughters: Dorothy, Elizabeth, and Catherine, and, upon his death in 1686, assigned them to the guardianship of Richard Stevens, John Booth, and James Daishell, respectively. Note that Daishell was a neighbor and family connection of Alexander's father, David, and that John Booth also had a daughter, Esther. Given that the families were of relatively even social standing and would have been involved in the same social activities, it would only have been natural that the Spence boys paid court to the Booth and Trueman girls. James married Esther Booth, while Alexander and brother John married two of the Trueman sisters…Dorothy and Catherine, respectively.

Alexander spent several years in Perquimans Precinct, where a son, James, was born sometime in 1697 or early 1698, and the family was increased by another son, Alex-ander Jr., on March 8, 1699. The elder Alexander seems to have been a civic-minded man, for his name regularly appears in North Carolina colonial records in various community and civic endeavors. He served as a grand juror for the Precinct "Att a Generall Court holden at the house of Mrs. Eliz. Godfrey the Twenty fourth Day of March" 1697 and, with his brother John, was reimbursed thirteen shillings and four pence each for expenses incurred in attending court in October 1698 as "evidences" against a William Mansell. Like his brother David in Virginia, Alexander was appointed overseer of "ye high Wayes from Suting Creek to (illegible)" in April 1699, some five months before his 30th birthday.

(Perquimans Precinct lay west of the Little River, one of many feeding into Albemarle Sound. Albemarle also included Pasquotank, Currituck, and other precincts, all of which later became counties. Currituck was the east-most, bordering the Atlantic behind a narrow strip of sandy outer banks. Pasquotank came next, running from the western bank of the North River to the eastern bank of the Little River, where it cojoined Perquimans. Pasquotank was further divided in 1777, with the land northeast of the central Pasquotank River being renamed Camden County.)

From 1670, each of the first four precincts had been entitled to five representatives in the NC House of Commons, or Burgesses. While the actual date of his election is unknown (the early journals of this legislative body having been lost), Alexander was at some point elected as a representative (for Perquimans or Pasquotank) and was a signatory on a 1712 petition from that body to Alexander Spotswood, Governor of Virginia, requesting that a force of 200 men be sent to aid the North Carolinians against what were characterized as "inhuman barbaritys of the Indians", referencing a series of attacks by the Tuscaroras (who, from their perspective, were simply retaliating for depredations by the colonists).

Alexander was again called as a juror in the General Court for the precinct on Tuesday, March 31, 1713, the panel finding that William Willson had, indeed, uttered "false feigned Scanderlous malicious & abrobrious words" about Joseph Jordan, but quite sensibly awarding Mr. Jordan only £5 instead of the £500 asked by his lawyer, Edward Moseley.

Where in Perquimans Precinct Alexander lived is unknown, but by January 28, 1715 he is found on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River where he received a patent for "100 acres in Pasquotank precinct, joining the mouth of a branch, Daniel Phillips, Thos. Barkett, and ye swamp of ye river", and a second patent for "273 acres on ye N. side of Pasquotank river, joining a small swamp". The swamps referred to are, presumably, part of what is now called the "Great Dismal Swamp", out of which the Pasquotank River drains. He was, at that time, about 45 years of age.

Alexander was one of the first vestrymen appointed when in 1715 the province of North Carolina established the Church of England as the province's official church and divided the province into parishes. In Alexander's case, he served on the Northeast Parish of Pasquotank, along with Thomas Miller, John Solley, John Relfe, John Bell, Samuel Bernard, Capt. John Norson, Gabriel Burnham, Thomas and Robert Sawzer (probably Sawyer), Henry Sawyer, and John Upton. Alexander and his closest co-religionists in the northern part of the county , including Thomas McBride, Patrick Kelly, John Jones, William Joy, Robert Edney and Robert Taylor, build a place of worship called "Forke Chappell" near the Fork Bridge on Joy's Creek, close by Alexander's homeplace. The creek was named for William Joy, one of the first settlers in the area. In modern Pasquotank (now Camden Co.), the name has been corrupted to "Joyce's Creek" and few know its historical roots.

The 1718-19 tax list of Pasquotank Precinct shows Alexander as listing three "tythables" in his household, and 570 acres of land, together causing him to be taxed £3.1.7. Tithables at this time included free, white males 16 years and older, as well as slaves 12 years and older, whether male or female. It is possible that his eldest son James, who would have been around 20 years of age at this time, had set up his own establishment, and that the tax list represents Alexander Senior (age 49) and his next two sons, Alexander Junior (19) and Truman (about 18). Sons Joseph (about 8) and Robert (about 1) would have been too young to be counted. Given the 15+ year differences in the ages of the two younger boys and their three older brothers, it is interesting to speculate that the younger boys might have been the sons of a second wife. The era was also one of high infant mortality and devastating epidemics (such as the yellow fever outbreak of 1712) so it is equally possible that Alexander and his wife had other children during that period who did not survive their infancy.

On July 18, 1721, Alexander bought a parcel of land from Griffin Jones for 10 pounds, and received a third patent on 10 July, 1722 for 318 acres of land on the NE side of the Pasquotank River. The land is described as "joining a branch, Capt. Salley, Richd. Ferril, Ross (?) and the river pocoson". (Capt. Salley may have been John Solley, while Ross is probably Abel Rose, an adjacent landowner mentioned in Alexander's will.)

Alexander remained active in the affairs of the community, being listed with his brothers, son Alexander Jr., and nephew, James Jr., as #143 on the 1723 list of jurymen in Pasquotanck Precinct.

On April 9, 1724, he sucessfully petitioned the Council at Edenton to grant him a lapse patent for 74 acres in Pasquotank that had been first patented in 1716 by Griffin Jones but not cultivated "as the Law directs". The parcel lay on the north side of the river, joining Richard Gregory and John Trueblood, who were surely related to the James Gregory from whom he bought another small parcel of land on October 7, 1730 "containing by estimation 20 acres on the NE side of the Pasquotank River", and to the Amos Trueblood to whom the parcel was adjacent.

Alexander witnessed several deeds 13 July 1731 and, in November of 1732, he witnessed the will of a "free man" named William Wood. By 19 Feb 1733, his neighbors included the above-mentioned John Trueblood, James & Margaret Gregory, Benjamin Kowing or Knauing (most probably, Koen), John Gray, and John Soley (Solley). Other neighbors or business acquaintances between 1721 and 1734 included Jonathan Jaco*cks, Capt. John Relfe, Mary Relfe, Anthony Walkins, William Minson, Thomas Palin, Jarvis Jones, Thomas Sawyer, and Jeremiah Murden. Many of these names reoccur in the business and matrimonial dealings of Alexander's children and their cousins.

From all evidence, Alexander was a man of substance and of some importance in the area. He is cited as one of the four most influential men in the province by Jesse Forbes Pugh in his book, "Three Hundred Years Along the Pasquotank", which says..."The population of the Camden area in 1733 must have been upwards of a total of three hundred; nevertheless, in Colonel Edward Moseley's opinion there were only four men hereabouts who were important enough to merit a reference on his map. Those four individuals were John Hawkins, Griffith Jones, Alexander Spence (then age 64) and Gabriel Burnham.". Col. Moseley's 1733 map of the Pasquotank area clearly identifies Alexander Spence's holdings as lying in the fork of "Joy's Creek" . (today, Joyce Creek), some miles east of that creek's confluence with the Pasquotank and of present-day South Mills. Interestingly, a "Spence's Lane" is shown on current NC maps along Hwy 343 some few miles north of South Mills, although it appears to be some miles west of the location indicated in this patent.

Sometime in early 1734, Alexander (or his estate) paid to the Crown half the quitrent in arrears (from September 1729 to March 1732 and totaling a little more than £9) on two parcels of land in Pasquotank precinct, one the 318 acres patented in 1722 and another of 200 acres, not specifically identified, but presumably the 200 acres on the south side of the river referenced in his will. The issue of whether quitrents were to be paid to the Crown in specie (in return for the remission of earlier arrears) or in commodities or paper money according to local custom, was part of the reason Governor Burrington so dreaded the Assembly, and was not finally settled until 1754. Alexander's partial payment, along with those of his brothers and nephew, may have represented a further "subtle and crafty" move on the part of the landowners.

When Alexander died "very sick and weak of body" in Pasquotank Co., NC August 24, 1734, shortly before his 65th birthday, he was survived by sons James, Alexander Jr., Joseph, Robert and Truman; and daughters Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer. As his wife, Dorothy, is not mentioned, it is presumed that she predeceased him. (However, a Dorothy Spence is on record as witnessing the 1763 will of Joseph Solley, who left his family land out of Alexander Spence's patent and a tract known as Robin Spence's. Alexander's widow would have been quite ancient by this time (at least 80 and probably older), so it is more likely that the 1763 Dorothy was a namesake descendant.)

Alexander's will refers to him as a "planter", a title well substantiated by the quantity of land he left his heirs. To his "eldest" son, James, he left 240 acres on the Eastern Shore in Maryland "joining William Ellgate". It appears that this bequest included the 125-acre half-share in "Spence's Choice" Alexander inherited from his father in 1679, but the source of the remaining 115 acres is not known. A William Elgate did patent a plantation in 1664 along the Marumsco River in Somerset Co., MD, some distance southeast of the family's original plantation, "Despence". Unfortunately, none of the holdings adjacent to "Elgate" appear to have been named "Spence's Choice", and William Elgate sold out in 1672, a year before David Spence patented the "Choice".

Alexander left 200 acres on south side of the Pasquotank River in NC to son Joseph; 100 acres "where I now live, joining Richard Faril, Abel Rose, John Trublood" to son Robert; and to son and executor, Truman, the"remainder of the land where I now live, my Mark belonging to all my creatures (his stock brand or mark) and likewise all my moveables and remaining part of my Estate within and without." To his daughters, Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer, and his son Alexander Jr. he left only 10 shillings.

The will is signed "Alex Spence" in an uneven but legible hand, and was witnessed by Jeremiah Murden, Thomas Sawyer, and Evin Lurry.

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

https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/09/26/alexander-spence-1669-1735-and-dorothy-truman-1672-1734/

Alexander Spence (1669-1735)
The second son of David Spence and Ann Roe, Alexander Spence was born September 13, 1669 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland (11), and he died March 14, 1735 in Pasquotank, North Carolina. In 1681, he registered his cattle marks in Somerset County at the age of twelve(12). In October 1697, Alexander married Dorothy Truman in Somerset County. They had the following children:
1. Alexander Spence (1699-1739). Alexander was born March 8, 1699 in Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died in 1739 in Pasquotank. I have no additional information about him.
2. James Spence (1699-1755). James was born March 8, 1699 in Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died February 4, 1755 in Pasquotank. His wife was Elizabeth Tucker (1700-1755). Their children were:
a. John Spence (1728-1803)
b. Sarah Spence (1730-1793). Sarah married a Cook.
c. Alexander Spence (1732-1755)
d. Letitia Spence (1734-1785)
e. Arey Spence (1736-1755)
f. Dorothy Spence (1738-1755)
g. James Spence (1740-1792). James married Partheny Chancey (1757-1822). Their son was James Spence (1760-1828), who married Courtney Ann Brite (1781-1841). Their children were
(1) Anna Keeter Spence
(2) Edward Spence
(3) Courtney Spence (b. 1787)
(4) Nancy Spence (b.1795)
(5) Ollie Spence (b. 1798)
(6) Silas Spence (b. 1804)
(7) Amelia "Millie" Spence (1809-1874)
(8) James Brite Spence (b. 1813)
(9) Parthenia Spence (b. 1815)
(10) John Spence (b. 1821)
2. Joseph Spence (abt 1700-1783). Joseph was born about 1700 in Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died March 18, 1783 in Pasquotank. He married Louisa Sarah Rencher (1708-1783) about 1720 in Pasquotank. Their children were:
a. Mark Spence, Sr. (1723-1804). Mark was born about 1723 in Pasquotank, and he died about 1804 in Camden County. He married Ann Temple about 1745. Their children were:
(1) Miles Spence
(2) Mark Spence, Jr. (1794-1839). Mark was born in Pasquotank in 1794, and he died February 1839 in Pasquotank. His wife was Mary Burnham (1800-1840). Their children were:
(a) Mark B. Spence (b.1822)
(b) John Spence (b. 1829)
(c ) William James Spence (1833-1917)
(d) Thomas R. Spence (b. 1835)
(e) Eliza Ann Spence (1836-1900)
(f) Asenith Spence (b.1838)
(g) Newton Enoch Spence (1839-1904).
3. Sarah Spence (1731-1783). Sarah married a Sawyer
4. Joseph Spence (1737-1783)
5. Rencher Spence (1739-1796). Rencher was born in Pasquotank in 1739, and he died May 23, 1796 in Pasquotank. His wife was Rachel "Barshel" Williams (1773-1796). Their children were:
a. Samuel Spence (1760-1804)
b. David Spence (1767-1796)
c. Daniel Spence (abt 1770-1850)
d. James Spence (abt 1770-1814). James was born about 1770 in Pasquotank and he died about 1814 in Camden County. He had two marriages. The first was to Elizabeth Parks (1754-1797) and the second was to Sarah Sawyer (b. 1770).
e. Nancy Spence (abt 1770-1796)
f. Newton Spence (abt 1770-1796)
g. Tamer Spence (abt 1770-1796)
h. Peggy Spence (born 1771)
I. Jane Spence (born 1773)
[Note: the actual birthdates and death dates of some of these children are unknown]
6. Samuel Spence (1760-1805). Samuel was born in Pasquotank in 1760, and he died in 1805 in Edonton, Pasquotank, North Carolina. His wife was Julian Gray (1760-1804). Their children were:
a. Jean Spence, born 1785
b. Elizabeth Spence, born 1786
c. Newton Enoch Spence (1788-1870). Newton was born in Pasquotank, and he died May 9, 1870 in Rutherford County, Tennessee
d. Rencher Spence (1788-1870). Rencher was born in Pasquotank, and he died May 9, 1870 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. He had two wives. His first wife was Nancy Harris (1790-1860). Their children were:
(1) Elizabeth Spence (1819-1902)
(2) John Wesley Spence (1822-1852)
(3) William J Spence (1823-1864)
(4) Martha Ann Spence (1825-1903)
(5) Abner Spence (1828-1870)
(6) Britton Spence (1828-1888)
(7) Nancy G. Spence, born 1830
(8) Beverly Spence (1833-1909)
(9) Rencher Spence (1833-1896)
(10) James Doak Spence (1834-1892)
(11) Alsea H. Spence (1835-1860)
(12) Martin Van Buren Spence (1837-1877)
(13) Mary W. Spence (1843-1870)
(14) Temple Spence (born 1845)
His second wife was Lydia Harris (1838-1910). Their children were:
(1) Mary J. Spence (1856-1894)
(2) Susana Spence (1864-1910)
(3) Andrew Jackson Spence (1868-1937)
(4) Lorenzo Spence (1869-1869)
e. Joseph Spence (1790-1829)
f. Brittain Spence (1791-1829). Brittain was born in Edonton, Pasquotank, North Carolina, and he died October 8, 1829 in Rutherford County, Tennessee. On May 9, 1812, he married Jane "Jennie" Forehand in Davidson County, Tennessee. This couple will re-appear in a later article. Their children were:
(1) Samuel Spence ( born 1816)
(2) Joseph Spence (1816-1880)
(3) Phoebe Spence (1820-1897)
(4) Alison Spence (1822-1922)
(5) Elizabeth Spence (born 1829)
(6) Juliann Spence (born 1829)
(7) Mary Spence (born 1829)
(8) William Spence (born 1829)
[Again, some of these birth dates are unknown.]
g. Luckey Spence (born 1800).
All family information here reflects the current status of my ancestral tree (a continuing effort)(13).
A timeline for Alexander Spence follows:
13 Sep 1669–Born in Somerset County, Maryland
1681–Registered Cattle Marks in Somerset County, Maryland
1697–Married Dorothy Truman, Somerset County, Maryland
Oct 1697–Proves rites into Perquimans, North Carolina as follows: Himself, Dorety Spence, John Spence, David Spence, James Spence. The Virginia Valley Records indicates that he proved rights for five sons, but since he had just married, he didn't have any children as yet. Two of these people are Alexander and his wife. I believe the other three are his brothers: David, John and James. David didn't stay in North Carolina and went to Virginia. John remained there. James returned to Somerset to stay with his widowed mother until her death. He then returned to North Carolina. All of Alexander's children were born in North Carolina
1699–Returned to Maryland. He had been traveling back and forth between Maryland and North Carolina.
1699–Road overseer in Perquimans
1713–Alexander Spence a juror in Perquimans
1715–Vestryman in Perquimans, North Carolina
1723–Juror in Pasquotank
1729-1735–Pays Quit Rents on 380 Acres of Land in Pasquotank
Undated–Asks the aid of Virginia (14)
While searching through my Spence Research Notebook, I discovered a copy of an email I posted ca. 1995-1996. It may have been posted to a Spence discussion board.
In his will (15), he left 240 acres on the Eastern Shore in Maryland joining
Wm. Elgate" to his "eldest son, James". This bequest
Appears to have included the 125 ac half-share in "Spence's
Choice"inherited from his father, David, in 1679, but the
source of the remaining 115ac is not known. A William
Elgate did patent a plantation by that name in 1664 along
the Marumsco River in Somerset Co., MD some
distance SE of the family's original plantation, "Despence",
but none of the holding adjacent to "Elgate" appear to have
been named "Spence's Choice" and Elgate sold out in
1672, a year before David patented the"Choice". More
research is needed to resolve this issue. (Source:
Dryden,1985: "Land Records of Somerset Co., MD, p
146) he relocated to North Carolina by October 1697 with
his wife, Dorety (Dorothy), and brothers. He seems to have
been a prosperous, civic-minded man, as he eventually
owned a substantial amount of land along the Pasquotank
River in what is now Camden Co., NC, below the Great
Dismal Swamp. He was active in various civic and legal
proceedings. He served in the House of Burgesses, was a
highway overseer, grand juror, Church of England
vestryman, and witnessed many deeds in the area.
Alexander died around August 24, 1734 at age 65, leaving sons James, Alexander Jr., Joseph, Robert, and Truman; and daughters Jane Sawyer and Catherine Sawyer.(16)
His will was dated August 24, 1734. He died about April 1735, since his will was entered for probate at that time(17).
==========================================
References
(1)John Truman 1685 Will Abstract, Maryland Calendar of Wills: Volume 2, Volume 11. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(2)England & Wales Christening Records, 1530-1906 about John Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(3)England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about William Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(4) England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about Robert Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(5)England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975 about Robert Trewman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(6)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Jno Truman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(7)Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666 about Jno. Truman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(8)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Robert Trueman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(9)U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s about Robert Trueman, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(10)Last Will & Testament of John Truman, From The Maryland State Archives MSA No. SM16, PREROGATIVE COURT (Wills) JOHN TRUMAN, book 4 pp. 215-216, SR 4400
(11)They Lived in Somerset: 17th Century Marylanders. Rootsweb.com Website. Date Accessed: May 8, 1998. Available online at http://www.rootsweb.com/~mdsomers/tlis1_s.html
(12)Maryland, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1772-1890 about Alexander Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(13)Inman-Spence-Beall-Warfield Family Branches, A Private Tree. Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(14)Virginia Valley records : genealogical and historical materials of Rockingham County, Virginia, and related regions (with map), Ancestry. com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com
(15)North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about Alexander Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014.
(16)Barbara Inman Beall, email dated 1995-1996. Copy found in Spence Research Notebook. It may have been originally posted on a Spence discussion board.
(17)North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1660-1790 about Alexander Spence, Ancestry.com, Provo, Utah. Date Accessed: September 25, 2014. Available online at http://www.ancestry.com

Notes for Dorothy Truman:
https://bundlesoftwigsandflowers.com/2014/09/26/alexander-spence-1669-1735-and-dorothy-truman-1672-1734/

Bundles of Twigs and Flowers
Alexander Spence (1669-1735) and Dorothy Truman (1672-1734)
Posted by drbibeall43
For a number of years, I believed Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman were my seventh great grandparents. Updated research proved otherwise; Alexander is my seventh great grand uncle. Alexander Spence was the second oldest son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711), and Dorothy Truman was the daughter of John Trewman/Truman (1627-1685). Since the Truman family is destined to reappear in a later article, I will discuss them first.
The Trewman/Trueman/Truman Family
Over the years, people have speculated that John Trewman/Truman was another brother of the Trewman/Truman brothers who settled in Calvert County, Maryland. Since he does not appear on any of their records, I tend to believe he was not another brother. The little information known about him is that he had a cousin named Robert Trewman/Truman (1634-1685) and a "brother" named John MackBride (McBride) (1664-1704). An abstract of John Trewman's will follows:
Truman, John, Somerset Co.,8th Aug., 1685;
6th July, 1686.
To brother John Makbride and cousin Robert Truman, personalty.
To 3 daus., viz., Dorothy, Elisa:, and Catherine, at age, residue of estate, real and personal. Richard Stevens to have care of dau. Dorothy; John Booth to have care of dau. Eliza:, and Jas. Dashields to have care of dau. Catherine.
Exs.: Richard Stevens, Jno. Booth, Jas. Breden.
Test: Robt. Truman, Jas. Breden. 4. 215.
MARYLAND CALENDAR OF WILLS: Volume 2
VOLUME II (1)
Using the names provided in his will, I believe I have found his actual family.
According to English Parish Records, John Trewman was baptized April 29, 1627 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England. He was the son of Richard Trewman (1607-abt 1659) and Marie Huthwaite of Nottinghamshire(2). Since the Calvert County Trewmans originated in Nottinghamshire, John was probably a distant cousin of the Calvert County line. Richard Trewman was baptized May 31, 1607 in Nottingham, Nottinghamshire, England, the son of William Trewman (b. 1577) and Mary Cowper. William Trewman was baptized August 17, 1577 in Limber-Magna, Lincoln, England. His father was George Trewman (b. 1550)(3). Besides William, George had another son named John Trewman (b. 1580), whose wife's name was Jane. Their son, Robert Trewman (1610-1650), was baptized December 10, 1610 in Crayke,Yorkshire, England(4). Robert and his wife Joice were the parents of Robert Trewman (1634-1685), who was baptized December 1634 in St Botolph Without Aldgate, London, London, England(5). This Robert Trewman was John Trewman's cousin referenced in his will. They were actually second cousins.
The next reference to John Trewman/Truman (born 1627) concerns his transportation to Virginia in 1654(6). John appears on a List of Early Virginia Residents as follows:
Name: Jno Truman
Arrived By: 1654
Sponsors: John Watson and John Bognall
Residence Place: Westmoreland, Virginia
Reference: Early Virginia Immigrants; 1623–1666 T(7)
The ship passenger list suggests an Irish connection, indicating that John may have left England and settled in Antrim, Ireland prior to his relocation to Virginia. This is an excellent possibility since his cousin Robert was in Antrim by 1650. Robert's daughter, Margaret Truman (1654-1711), was born in Antrim in 1654. She would later marry John McBride (1664-1704), also from Antrim. It appears that the Trewmans and McBrides were well acquainted with one another prior to their arrival in America. John Trewman arrived in Virginia in 1654, and he settled in Westmoreland County. Robert Trewman obtained his land patent in Virginia in 1656; he may have arrived with John(8).
John's wife's name was possibly Anne. Some people think her full name was Anne Storer. But since a number of Trewman men had a wife named Anne Storer, I doubt that was the case. John would have married Anne about 1658 in Westmoreland County, Virginia; her surname is unknown.
John's family probably moved to Somerset County, Maryland about 1674. John began working on land deals there in 1669. It appears that Robert Truman relocated to Somerset County in 1668(9).
They had the following children:
1. Catherine Truman (1665-1726). Catherine was born January 25, 1665 in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and she died April 29, 1726 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. She married John Spence (1672-1736) in Somerset County, Maryland. He was the third son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711), They will be discussed in a later article.
2. Dorothy Truman (1672-1734). Dorothy was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and she died in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. She will be discussed in the next section since she became the wife of Alexander Spence—the subject matter here.
3. Sarah Elizabeth Truman (1673-1740). Sarah Elizabeth was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, and she died in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. She would later become the second wife of the youngest son of David Spence (1639-1679) and Ann Roe (1640-1711)–James Spence (1674-1740). She will be discussed more fully in a later article.
John drew up his will probably after his wife's death in 1685. As already noted, in the event of his death, he requested his daughters be placed as follows:
In the name of God Amen. I JOHN TRUMAN being sick and weak in body with thanks be to God in perfect mind and memory doe make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and frame as followeth—FIRST, I leave and bequeath unto RICHARD STEVENS my daughter DORYTY TRUMAN during the tyme of three years. I also leave and bequeath unto JOHN BOOTH my daughter ELIZABETH TRUMAN during the tyme of five years. I leave and bequeath unto JAMES DASHIELL my daughter KATHERINE TRUMAN _______________ years. I also give and bequeath unto my brother JOHN MAKBRIDE one small __________ sword with a silver hilt. I also give and bequeath unto my cousin ROBERT TRUMAN all my woollen clothing, and all the rest of my estate, moveables or unmovables, which will appear by inventory. I give and bequeath unto my three daughters CATHERINE TRUMAN, DORYTHY TRUMAN and ELIZABETH TRUMAN to be equally divided among them as their tymes above mentioned shall be expired and that I do wholly make and ordaine RICHARD STEVENS and JOHN BOOTH with the assistance of JAMES BREDEN to be my Executors and overseers of what is herein mentioned unto which I sett my hand and seal this 5th day of August, 1685. I give and bequeath enterlined before assigned.
The mark of JOHN TRUMAN
Witnesses: ROBERT (his mark) TRUMAN
JAMES (his mark) BREDEN
RECORDED July 6, 1686(10)
John died before July 6, 1686 in Somerset County, Maryland. His daughters went to live with those designated to receive them. They would grow up knowing their future husbands because they all lived in the same neighborhood.

Children of Alexander Spence and Dorothy Truman are:
i. Joseph Spence, born Abt. 1715 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; died 18 Mar 1783 in Pasquotank Co. or Camden Co., NC; married Louisa Sarah Rencher.
162 ii. Robert Spence, born Bef. 1695 in Somerset Co., MD.
iii. Truman Spence
iv. Mark Spence
v. Alexander Spence, Jr.
vi. Catherine Spence, born Abt. 1720; married Thomas Sawyer, Jr..
vii. Jane Spence, married ? Sawyer.

328. Thomas Litton, died Abt. 1700 in Baltimore/Harford Co., MD. He married 329. Mary Webster.
329. Mary Webster

Child of Thomas Litton and Mary Webster is:
164 i. Thomas Litton, Jr., born Aft. 1682 in Harford Co., MD; died 21 Apr 1761 in Harford Co., MD; married Ann Hawkins.

332. William Ross?, born Abt. 1650. He married 333. Agnes Fisher Aft. 1692.
333. Agnes Fisher, born 01 Jan 1656 in Ulverston, Lancashire, England; died Aft. 1702.

More About William Ross?:
Comment: It is only a theory that he was the father of Abel Ross, since both owned land on Arenuse Creek.
Property 1: 1712, Owned land on Arenuse Creek, Camden Co., NC
Property 2: 1713, Received title from Solomon and Sarah Davis for land on the eastern branch of Arenuse Creek.
Property 3: 1719, Owned land on the westside of the mouth of Arenuse Creek, the location of Treasure Point.
Property 4: 1742, Sold 74 acres at "Cornwall, " in the forks of the Pasquotank River, to Jarvis Jones.

Notes for Agnes Fisher:
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~nccamden/wills.htm

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF

AGNES TRUBLOOD

September 15, 1692

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Know all men by those presents that I AGNES TRUBLOOD of Pascotank River and of the County aforesd. Widow; through the naturall affections that I bare unto my dear children & for other good reasons md thereunto moueing: doe To my voluntary good will and naturall Respects to my four Children that is to say MARY TRUBLOOD ELIZIBETH TRUBLOOD JOHN TRUBLOOD & AMOS TRUBLOOD I doe freely give unto my four Children the one half of all the negro children that shall be begotten or born of the body of my negro woman called Diana; And if it should happen that theye should have but one that then the young negro to be valued and my Children to have theire choice either the young negro or if halfe worth of ye sd negro & if the negro woman should have two children that they shall have their first choice and soo forward be what quantitye of negro children ???? as pleases god; to be divided as aforesd. my childr. Always to have theire first choice; And I do freely give unto my Children aforesd. the mantainoned of shoes young negro until my Children (torn)mos to age to Receive them; That is my Dafter MARY to h(torn) she first negro child if it lives my Daughter ELIZIBETH the next as shay fall in corse as above mentioned, (torn)

To my Children partitularly as they come to age & likewise I do give unto my four children abovsd the mantainoned until they come to Lawfull Age for the use of their Estate; and to pay them theire portions as they come to age according to the appraisment of theire fathers Estate as witness my hand this fifteenth day of September 1692

AGNES TRUEBLOOD

Child of William Ross? and Agnes Fisher is:
166 i. Capt. Abell Ross?, died Abt. 1760 in Camden Co., NC.

336. Thomas Gregory, born Abt. 1675; died Abt. 1740 in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC. He was the son of 672. John Gregory. He married 337. Priscilla Barco.
337. Priscilla Barco She was the daughter of 674. Thomas Bareco*ck/Barco.

Notes for Thomas Gregory:
http://www.sallysfamilyplace.com/Parker/Gregory.htm#Thomas

Children of Thomas Gregory and Priscilla Bareco*ck:
1. William Gregory bef 1692 - 24 Nov 1751/ Apr 1752 Pasquotank Co
married bef 1734 Judith Morgan bef 1702 - 1753
daughter of Robert Morgan ca 1670 - ca 1730 Pasq. & Elizabeth Torksey 1681-
2. Elizabeth Gregory bef 1702 -
married Francis Godfrey bef 1736 ?
3. Nathan Gregory bef 1707 - bef 1817
married aft 1744 Susan aft 1727 - aft 1817 Camden Co
4. Jacob Gregory bef 1714 - aft 1790
5. Priscilla Gregory
married John Gray
6. Sampson Gregory
7. Job Gregory
8. Richard Gregory

Will of Thomas Gregory, planter 10 Apr 1736 - 23 June 1740 bef W Smith
of Pasquotank Precinct.
- son Nathan - 1/2 of 267 acres on Eastern Branch of Arronute Creek on east side of Pasquotank River, with reversion to son Sampson & further reversion to son Jacob.
- sons Jacob & Job - neg Toney.
- 5s each to sons Richard & William & grandson Frederick Gregory.
- all my movable estate to son Jacob Gregory, Elizabeth Godfree, Job Gregory, Sampson Gregory, Nathan Gregory, Druscilla Gray. other legacies.
EX: sons Jacob & Job Gregory
Wit: John Bell, Jno. Roberts, John Bearco*ck

More About Thomas Gregory:
Property: 13 Jan 1710, Patented land in present-day Camden Co., NC (then part of Pasquotank County)

Children of Thomas Gregory and Priscilla Barco are:
i. Nathan Gregory
ii. Sampson Gregory
iii. Jacob Gregory
iv. Richard Gregory
v. Priscilla Gregory, married Thomas Gray.
168 vi. William Gregory, born Abt. 1700 in present-day Camden Co., NC; died 27 Jun 1752 in present-day Camden Co., NC; married Judith Morgan.
vii. Elizabeth Gregory, born Abt. 1700 in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC; died in Pasquotank Co. (that part now in Camden Co.), NC; married Joseph Godfrey; born Bet. 1690 - 1710 in Perquimans Co., NC; died Abt. 1765 in present-day Camden Co., NC?.

More About Elizabeth Gregory:
Comment: Several sources state, without documentation, that her husband's first name was Francis. If so, the only Francis Godfrey who fits would be the son of William Godfrey (1658?-1726) of Perquimans Co., NC, whose sons Joseph and John settled in Camden too.

viii. Job Gregory, born Abt. 1715 in Camden Co., NC.

More About Job Gregory:
Property 1: 10 Jul 1734, According to Pasquotank Co., NC Deed Book C, he purchased from John Godfrey a tract of land on northeast side of Pasquotank River in present-day Camden Co., NC
Property 2: 1760, Capt. Griffin Jones purchased land in the Sandy Hook area of present-day Camden Co., NC from his sons Job, Nathan, and Abner
Property 3: 1778, William and Job Gregory (probably his sons) sold land to Willis Wilson. The deed mentions the lines of Griffin Jones.

338. Robert Morgan, born Abt. 1670; died Abt. 1730 in present-day Camden Co., NC?. He married 339. Elizabeth Torksey.
339. Elizabeth Torksey, born Abt. 1681 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA; died in present-day Camden Co., NC?. She was the daughter of 678. Philip Torksey and 679. Mary Scarborough.

Notes for Robert Morgan:
http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/historyfiction/fullview.aspx?id=put
Three hundred years along the Pasquotank : a biographical history of Camden County
Pugh, Jesse Forbes

Host to the Provincial Assembly
ROBERT MORGAN
ca 1670-1727

AS THE SETTLERS increased in numbers the Indians found themselves being correspondingly deprived of their lands and restricted in their hunting areas. Some of the more scrupulous of the white newcomers were both tactful and honest in their dealings with the natives. Others failed to live up to their bargains with the redskins, subjected them to gross mistreatment, and there are a few instances of record where an Indian was forced into slavery without any legal or moral justification. The Indians, also human beings, responded in kind to their treatment. They repaid broken promises with trickery and dishonesty with theft. According to one irate planter, one of their most exasperating performances was to fall upon a fat shoat feeding in the forests and to enjoy an impromptu feast of barbecued pig on the spot.

In an effort to solve the problems of friction and mounting tension between the two races, the provincial leaders began to set aside specified areas for the sole use and benefit of the Indians. Apparently the Council of State had been considering the circ*mstances of the Yawpim Indians on the northeast side of the Pasquotank River for a number of years without taking any definite action. In 1704 the situation seems to have become acute for on April 12, at a meeting held at the house of Captain John Hecklefield "in Little River," the Council adopted the following directive: "Ordered that the Surveyor General or Deputy shall (with what expedition is possible) upon complaint of the Yawpim Indians lay out for the sd Indians (where they now live) four square miles of land or the quantity not injuring any of the old Settlements which was made before the order of Council bearing date in October, 1697. And Mr. John Hawkins, Mr. Thomas Taylor, Mr. Robert Morgan and Mr. John Relfe or any three of them are hereby required to attend the Surveyor or Deputy in laying out the same. To John Anderson Dep. Surveyor or to be directed to Captain Thomas Relfe to execute with Speed and make returns."

The survey was made by Thomas Relfe and, according to a petition presented a few years later by his widow for reimbursem*nt for his services, the tract contained 10,240 acres. The Moseley map of 1733 clearly indicates the Yawpim village with a cluster of wigwams on the reservation which included most of the present day communities of Sandy Hook and Indiantown with several thousand acres of swamp lands binding North River. The arrangement seems to have been satisfactory to the Indians inasmuch as they continued to maintain peaceful relations with their white neighbors until their departure in 1774 to join the Iroquois in New York. Fortunately the lands furnished an abundance of food supply; bear and deer are still found in the swamps and North River is a popular attraction for fishermen. Incidentally, the Indians taught the settlers a method of cooking fish which is still regarded as a gastronomical treat in the southern part of the county. When fish are netted during the late summer and fall months, the practice is to dress a freshly caught mullet, mount it on a skewer of aromatic wood, such as bay or myrtle, apply salt and pepper liberally, and roast it over a bed of coals prepared on the shore.

Supervising the Yawpim survey is the first recorded appearance of Robert Morgan in a public capacity. He next appears as one of the five members in the House of Burgesses from Pasquotank during the years 1708-09. Of the few minutes of the proceedings surviving, one item records Robert Morgan and Nicholas Crisp as bringing a message "from the lower House" to the upper or Council.

An incident in which Morgan was involved in 1713 may be illuminative as to the public mind during the succession of Indian wars of that period. As a concession to the religious beliefs of the Society of Friends, whose tenets forbade them to bear arms, legislation had been enacted to permit a man to pay a fee of five pounds in lieu of military service. In Pasquotank Precinct, so the Deputy Marshal reported, Robert Morgan, John Sawyer, Sr., John Sawyer, Jr., Edward Williams, Richard Hastings and Robert Sawyer "utterly refused" to pay the five pounds due from them by act of assembly for "not going out in yeIndian Warr." These men, who lived around Sawyers Creek, were not Quakers; indeed, three of them, including Morgan, were members of the vestry of the Parish of St. Peter. Nor was the incident an isolated one. On the southwest side of the river a man was arrested for refusing to be "impressed," and over in Currituck two men were charged with "seducing and turning men aside" from performing military duty. Whether this attitude resulted from resentment because the Quakers were exempt from active service, or from fear that their own families would be exposed to savage attacks while they were away on the expeditions, is not clear. Certainly no public stigma seems to have resulted from the refusal of Morgan to comply. Afterwards he was twice elected to the Assembly and also received an appointment as one of the "Gentlemen Justices" who presided over the precinct courts of quarter sessions and common pleas.

A distinction, unique in Camden's history, came to Morgan during the 1725 session of the Assembly, of which he was a member. Since no capitol building had as yet been erected, legislative sessions were customarily held at the residence of one of the members. According to the minutes they first met at "Edistow," but on November 2, the entry reads: "House mett according to adjournment with Mr. Robt. Morgan, Representative from Pasquotank." So far as is known, this is the only time a provincial assembly was convened within the borders of what is now Camden County. The entire membership of the assembly at the time did not exceed thirty-five.

The exact location of Morgan's residence in the vicinity of Sawyers Creek has not been determined. His first recorded purchase was in 1698 for two hundred acres, and he owned eight hundred at the time of his death. It may not be amiss to add that he was a direct ancestor of General Isaac Gregory of the Revolutionary era and of the late Governor J. C. B. Ehringhaus, and he was also the progenitor of the well-known Morgan families in Currituck and elsewhere.

More About Robert Morgan:
Probate: 20 Nov 1730
Will: 22 Oct 1727, Pasquotank Co., NC

More About Elizabeth Torksey:
Baptism: 10 Apr 1681, Christ Church Parish, Middlesex Co., VA

Children of Robert Morgan and Elizabeth Torksey are:
i. Bennet Morgan, died 1758 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC; married Dorothy Sawyer.

More About Bennet Morgan:
Will: 07 Jul 1758, Pasquotank Co., NC

ii. Joseph Morgan, died Abt. 1777 in Pasquotank Co. or present-day Camden Co., NC.
iii. Robert Morgan, Jr., born Abt. 1703; married Chloe ?.

More About Robert Morgan, Jr.:
Probate: Jun 1774
Will: 04 Feb 1772, Pasquotank Co., NC

iv. Moses Morgan
v. Ann Morgan
vi. Allis Morgan
vii. Elizabeth Morgan
169 viii. Judith Morgan, married William Gregory.
ix. Aaron Morgan

Generation No. 10

640. ? Sawyer, born in England?; died in England?.

Children of ? Sawyer are:
320 i. John Sawyer?, born Abt. 1650; died Abt. 20 Dec 1713 in Albemarle Co., NC (present-day Pasquotank Co. or Camden Co., NC).
ii. Henry Sawyer

648. David Spence, born Abt. 1639 in Dysart, Fife, Scotland?; died Abt. 1679 in Wicomico, Somerset County, Maryland USA. He was the son of 1296. John Spence and 1297. Helen Morris. He married 649. Ann Roe.
649. Ann Roe, born Abt. 1640; died Abt. 1711.

Notes for David Spence:
http://www.mdgenweb.org/somerset/history/dspence.htm

USGenWeb
Somerset County MDGenWeb

THE FIRST AMERICAN GENERATION: DAVID SPENCE, 1639-1679

This article has been provided by it's author, Janie Keenum, who is a descendant of David Spence of Somerset County. Thanks, Janie, for sharing this fascinating information on one of the county's early residents.

David Spence is believed to have been born on April 5, 1639, in the town Dysart and the county of Fife on the eastern coast of Scotland. Lying below the Ochil Hills, Fife is a fat tongue of land extended eastward into the North Sea, bounded on the north by the Firth (or Bay) of Tay and on the south by the Firth of Forth. Scotland's coast curves out both above and below Fife, offering protection from the harsh northern winds, so that Fife has the distinction of being the sunniest and driest part of the country. It is an area of sandy beaches, windswept cliffs, hills, and glens. The little fishing town of Dysart lies just east of Kirkcaldy on the northern bank of the Forth, across from but somewhat east of Edinburgh, and nearly midway between the ancient royal seat of Dumfermline and St. Andrews, once Scotland's most powerful ecclesiastical center, now known more for golf than for its university, founded in 1411[1].

The family of Spens (or Spence, Spense) is of very high antiquity in Scotland, descended from a younger son of the Earl of Fife, and carried on its armorial bearing the lion rampant of the Clan MacDuff to denote descent from that ancient house[2]. The name was sometimes rendered as "de Spens", or "of the Spences". Both the Scottish "Spens" and the English "Spencer" carry the meaning of steward.

It is believed that David is descended from another David Spence, born 1538 in Wormiston, Fife, Scotland, who married Margaret Learmouth. David, Laird of Wormiston, who was an active supporter of the Marian cause, died on September 4, 1571 in the famous raid on Stirling Castle.

This was a time of great unrest in Scotland. Mary, Queen of Scots, had abdicated. Her half-brother, James, Earl of Moray, the first Regent appointed for her son, James, had been murdered in 1570. The second Regent, Matthew, fourth Earl of Lennox and father of the murdered Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley (Mary's late husband), was the focus of the raid on Stirling[3]. The attack was initially successful, and the Regent surrendered to Sir David, who promised to spare his life and took Lennox up behind him on the same horse. Suddenly, the defenders rallied, and Sir David attempted to flee the castle with his prisoner. As they fled, a Marian soldier shot Lennox in the back, mortally wounding him. The same bullet severely wounded Sir David, who was then killed by the Regent's rescuers even though the dying Regent begged that they spare him.

As the result of his participation in Lennox's capture, Sir David's lands of Wormiston and Mairstoun, his tenements in Cupar and Kirk Wynd, Crail, and his office of Constable of Crail were formally awarded to Patrick, 6th Lord Lindsay of the Byres (Queen Mary's jailer). His widow, Margaret, could waste no time in mourning, and, according to the family history developed by Dr. Barbara Beall[4], quickly married a neighbor and David's kinsman, Sr. James Anstruther, who was highly regarded in court circles. His respectability may have led to James Spence (David's oldest son) being permitted to inherit his father's title in 1579.

The children of Sir David and Margaret were James, probably born around 1551, who married Agnes Durie and Margareta Forath; Lucretia, born in 1568 or 1569, who married Patrick Forbes, Archbishop of Aberdeen, and David, Jr., born August 28, 1571, just before his father's death.

Sir James entered the service of King Karl IX of Sweden and recruited Scottish mercenaries for the Swedish royal service. He became Count de Spens, and in December 1613 was appointed Swedish ambassador to Great Britain. James died in 1632.

David Jr. married a woman believed to have been named Janet Cunningham, and is thought to have had three children. Daughter Janet was christened 16 December 1614 in Dysart; Margaret, christened 21 December 1617 in Dysart; and John, born March 1612.

John Spence first married HelenMorris (born ca 1614), by whom he had 4 children: (1) Patrick, born ca 1633, whom Dr. Beall believes to have become the progenitor of the Westmoreland VA Spence families. (2) Margaret, born 5 November 1637 and christened 14 June 1638 in Dysart, who died young. (3) & (4) David and James, twins born 5 April 1639 and christened in Dysart 16 April 1639. Helen died in childbirth, as possibly did James.

John next married Anne Roe or Rowe at St. Oswald's, Durham, England on 29 September 1639. Their seven children were twins Thomas & Susannah, Alexander, Margaret, Isobel, Janet, and John. Anne Rowe was the sister of John Rowe, who married Anne Inglis, emigrated to Northumberland Co., VA, and was the father of Anne Rowe who married John's son, the emigrant David.

Lastly, John married Martharet Guthrie in 1629, by whom he had twins Jeane & Henry.

David and his brothers were born at a critical time in Scottish history. To paraphrase J. D. Mackie, the long reign of James VI, heir to the Scottish throne through his mother, Mary, Queen of Scots, and, more recently, to the English throne through Elizabeth I, had brought peace and prosperity to Scotland. But beneath the surface lurked a discontent based on longstanding religious grievances, which meant far more to the people of the early 17th century than we of the late 20th century can easily understand. Protestant factions in both England and Scotland greatly feared a resurgence of Catholicism in both religion and politics, a concern fueled by James' long effort to bring not only the two Parliaments but also the Scottish church under the control of the Crown. By making innovations gradually, James had divided his opponents; following James' death in 1625, his son Charles I united them all against the Crown.

By 1628-9, Charles had come to a complete breach with the English Parliament. By 1635, his hold on the Scottish Parliament and his attempts to force the Scottish church into patterns and practices of faith that, to them, "smacked of Popery", had alienated not only the nobles and religious leaders but the common people as well. They at last retaliated by drawing up a "National Covenant" which supported "the true religion, liberties, and laws of the kingdom" under His Majesty. By implication, the "Majesty" portion was negotiable, and as the "Covenanters" became bolder in their cries for a free Parliament, civil war became inevitable. The first tentative clash occurred in Berwick late in the spring of 1639, only months after David's birth.

Charles I fared poorly in his dealings with the English and Scottish reformers. The first actual battle of the Civil War was fought at Edgehill in 1642. Cromwell and his anti-royalist forces took Edinburgh in 1648, and on January 30, 1649, Charles I was beheaded. The Scots, still staunchly Presbyterian but by then thoroughly disillusioned with their English allies, immediately proclaimed King Charles II. The Cavaliers and Covenanters were now unlikely allies against Cromwell's England.

Battles raged around Edinburgh, where Cromwell captured 10,000 Scotsmen in 1650, and Dundee was sacked and its inhabitants massacred in 1651. Charles II became a fugitive, and Cromwell ruled the newly established Commonwealth. By 1655, Scotland was little more than an occupied province, heavily taxed and tightly controlled by Cromwellian troops. It was no wonder that Scotland greeted the restoration of Charles II in 1660 with undisguised joy[5].

David Spence's family was to some extent involved in, and certainly affected by, these long years of civil unrest. John Spence seems to have shifted his family between Dysart, Scotland and Durham, England frequently, seeking refuge in Durham when the Presbyterians were in control of Scotland and returning to Dysart when the tide of war favored the Angelicans. It seems reasonable to believe that, having lived all their lives in the midst of war, members of the Spence family might have had little fear of the dangers inherent in removing to a new and unsettled country.

DAVID SPENCE, EMIGRANT

In his great study of Somerset County, Torrence speaks of David Spence as being a Scotsman. While we do not know the circ*mstances which led David Spence to leave his native land to become an "adventurer", or sponsor of colonists to Lord Baltimore's new province of Maryland, he was one of only 62 such adventurers to be granted a "manor", or grant of 1000 acres or more. To secure the grant, he was required to transport twenty colonist (including himself) to the new land.

By such large grants, Lord Baltimore meant to create an American aristocracy along feudal lines, with each "Lord of the manor" having extensive judicial and social power over his tenants. By 1641, such powers were reserved for those granted 2,000 acres or more[6], so that David would never have been considered a "Lord". Still, a 1,000 acre grant implies a certain level of social standing (and influence) on the part of David, his family, or his family connections.

In the normal course of events, colonists taking up land grants first established proof of their presence in the new lands, including a specification of how they met the conditions for their patent. By 1662, these records were taken under oath and came to be called "Proofs of Rights". The colonist would then present a written "demand" to the colony's officials for the land, which led to the issuance of a warrant directing the colony's Surveyor to lay out the requisite amount of land. Only after this was accomplished would the colonist be issued a "patent", formally describing the land awarded and carrying the colony's Great Seal[7].

David apparently landed in America sometime in late 1662, for on January 1, 1663, he appeared before William Thorne, one of the officials of Lord Calvert's new colony, to enter rights "in part to make good his Pattent for one thousand acres"[8]. He named eleven people (including himself): James and Ann Dashiell and their son, James Jr., Elizabeth Dashiell ( a niece, age 9[9]), George Doone, John Thomas, Joell Taylor, Robert Murdrake (or Muldrake), William Layton, and Isabell Egions (Evans?)[10]. No listing has been found of the remaining nine people David transported in order to secure his patent. A deed was drawn up on February 8, 1663[11], and a certificate of survey and patent were subsequently issued on September 8, 1663 for a 1000 acre tract of land which David named "Despence"[12], from the Scottish "de Spens", or "of the Spences".

While David may have been responsible for bringing some of the listed people from Scotland (or England) to Maryland, it appears that some, if not all, were already in America. James Dashiell is known to have emigrated from Yorkshire, England to Northumberland Co., VA in 1653[13], where in 1659 he married Ann Cannon, another Yorkshire immigrant. One presumes that Dashiell and David met in Virginia, but they could have been acquaintances from Scotland, as Dashiell was born in Edinburgh in 1634[14]. According to researcher Dr. Barbara Beall, they were "kinsmen", with Dashiell being first cousin to David's wife, Anne.

In the terminology of the records of the time, "immigrated" means that the individual furnished his/her own transportation to Maryland (or other province), while "trans-ported" means that someone else paid the individual's passage. The cost of passage from Scotland or England to Virginia would have been about £6, a substantial sum at that time. It is possible that David arrived in the colonies prior to January 1663 and simply gathered around himself a group of people already living in Virginia who wished to take advantage of the opportunities available in the newer colony of Maryland, and agreed to pay the lesser cost of transporting them, with their belongings and livestock, across the Chesapeake Bay.

This seems reasonable, as it appears that David did not immedately take up his Maryland plantation but first settled in the more-established Virginia colony, as evidenced by a deed showing that he purchased from George and Sarah Pickrin (Pickering) on April 8, 1664, a "parcell of land" situated on the southwest side, toward the head of the "Lower Machotanck Creek" in Northumberland County, VA[15].

Northumberland county was officially formed in 1648, although people had been settling there since 1642, and included all the land between the Potomac and Rappahannock Rivers. It lay the the east of Westmoreland county, and included some land initially incorporated as York county in 1642/3. It was known then, as it is now, as the "Northern Neck" of Virginia.

There were other Spences already settled in Virginia when David arrived. As Spence is not a common name, and appears infrequently in colonial records, it seems likely that the Patrick Spence referenced in Westmoreland Co., VA records on October 4, 1656[16] was kin to David (if not the brother postulated earlier), as was the William Spence referenced in the same records on June 2, 1656[17], and that in settling in Virginia, David was following in his family's footsteps. (See Appendix A for further data on William, Patrick, Patrick's descendants, and other colonial Spence connections.)

By late 1665, David seems to have begun winding up his affairs in Virginia in anticipation of the move to Maryland. On October 28, 1665, he assigned his rights to an unspecified parcel of land, also in Northumberland county, to a John Graham[18]. While this could have been the land bought from George Pickrin, at least some of that acerage may have remained in David's possession, because a June 1714 land transaction references William Pickering (surely George's son) and David Spence (surely David Jr.) as adjacent landowners[19].

On November 21, 1665, still in Northumberland, David gave a "heyfer calfe" to John Alexander, the young son of William Alexander[20]. According to Spence researcher Dr. Barbara Beall, there was a family connection between David and the Alexanders predating his arrival in America, with his half-sisters Margaret and Isobel (or "Bessie) marrying (respectively) John and James Alexander, of Dumfermline. A facsimile of this conveyance in David's handwriting can be found on page 3 of Pippenger's John Alexander, a Northern Neck Proprietor[21].

Sometime in the next twelve months, the move was accomplished. By November 26, 1666, David was sufficiently established in Maryland to record a cattle mark[22]. He was then about 27 years of age. As his first son was born less than 3 months later (on 25 January 1666), he appears to have married in Northumberland County some time before the move, presumably before April 1665. This is further substantiated by a second demand for Maryland land rights filed in March 1667 which indicates that he and "Anne, his wife" came there "out of Wiccomico in Virginia"[23].

Anne is believed to have been the daughter of John Roe (Rowe) and Anne Inglis, sister of Margaret Englis who was the mother of James Dashiell. John Rowe was born about 1611 in Durham, England, and died after 1653 in Northumberland County, VA. He was the son of Edward Roe, born ca 1580, South Shield, Durham, England, andElizabeth Pattison, born ca 1584 in the same location.[24] If Dr. Beall is correct, David and Anne were step-cousins, with Anne being the niece of David's stepmother, Anne Rowe (his father's second wife) and thus would have known each other from childhood, as well as in Northumberland County VA as adults.

David's 1000 acres were situated on the south side of the "Wiccocomoco", or Wicomico,
River, just below the mouth of Wicomico Creek and near the present-day town of Mt. Vernon. Today, the Reading (or Redden) Ferry road runs through the original grant[25]. Like two other rivers of the same name in Virginia, the Maryland Wicomico was named for a tribe of Indians native to the area. It was a fertile territory consisting of thousands upon thousands of acres of wonderful forests and rich, level fields with great, deep streams winding westward to the Bay[26].

He was not the first settler on this section of the Wicomico. Thomas Manning had taken up his 800 acre patent, "Manning's Resolution", along the Great Monye Creek in 1662. A year later, Nehemiah and Ann Covington established themselves on their 300 acre plantation, "Covington's Vinyard", along Manning's western line. And in 1664, William Thomas "of Virginia", patented "The Lott", another 1,000 acre plantation some half mile to the east, along the Wicomico. In Ann Covington, Anne Spence would have had from the beginning at least one female neighbor of her own social standing. And in 1669, a second female neighbor arrived in the person of Winifred Thorne, wife of Captain William Thorne, whose 300 acre plantation "Taunton Deane" touched "Despence's" southeastern corner[27].

It is worthwhile to note that Lord Baltimore required each patentholder to choose a name for their patent, which was duly incorporated into its legal description. A perusal of the names chosen by early Wicomico settlers . . . "Mannings Resolution", "Flower Field", "Last Purchase", "Covington's Folly", "Carnys Chance", "Neglect", and "Rectified Mistake"[28]…vividly illustrates their hopes, fears, and wry sense of humor.

David and Anne, along with their neighbors, most probably dressed like the English colonists of Virginia. At home and while working, he would have worn a linen shirt and woolen breeches over knit hose, and over that for more formal occasions a long vest and jacket of satin, velvet, or wool with a fancy cravat of linen and lace. While wigs were an indespensible part of a gentleman's daily attire, fashionable European visitors were often scandalized by the colonists' predeliction for "wearing their own hair" . . . that is, going wigless, doubtless due to the temperature differential between the cool British isles and the warm and humid Americas.

Anne would have had a least one velvet or silk gown worn over a quilted underskirt and finely embroidered chemise, but for everyday would have worn a muslin blouse under a woolen bodice and skirt, with an apron over all for protection. Both would have had long warm capes for bad weather and would have worn low, buckled leather shoes outdoors and soft leather slippers inside (although many people went barefoot except for formal occasions). The children of this time were treated, in many ways, as miniature adults and accordingly would have worn miniature replicas of their parents' clothes[29].

Lord Baltimore wasted no time in establishing a government for his new county. A "Sheriffe" was immediately appointed, as was a military commander, and James Dashiell, David's friend and neighbor, was appointed one of five surveyors charged with laying out a highway to serve the county. In January 1667, the court laid out the five initial districts, designated as "hundreds", into which the county would be divided. On June 30, 1668, David was sworn in as Constable for Wiccocomoco Hundred[30].

On that same date, David conveyed half (500 acres) of his original grant to James Dashiell[31]. While the actual circ*mstances are lost in time, it seems reasonable to speculate that this was done on the basis of some prior agreement between the two friends, who may have pooled their influence, funds, or other resources to secure the original grant. It is interesting to note that Dashiell sold the 500 acres less than three years later (8 Nov 1670) to Thomas Rowe (or Roe), believed to be David's brother-in-law. Rowe later patented a 200 acre parcel adjoining Despence which he named "Hereafter", and assigned to David's sons John and James.