Lenoir County, North Carolina BRYAN FAMILY PAPERS – Collection #96
– Southern Historical Collection – UNC Chapel Hill
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BRYAN FAMILY PAPERS – Collection #96 – Southern Historical Collection – UNC
Chapel Hill
My thanks to the staff for permission to abstract some of this information for
the GenWeb sites.
There are three Bryan Collections that I am aware of in North Carolina –
Southern Historical Collection, NC Archives in Raleigh, and Special Collections
at Duke. Most of the information comes from the papers of James Bryan who
married Rachel Heritage and their descendants. Both of their sons, John Heritage
and James, were well known in Craven County and across the state. John Heritage
Bryan was an attorney and had clients in neighboring counties and up and down
the eastern seaboard. The family was well connected to every prominent family in
eastern North Carolina and through personal correspondence many families can be
traced. Every descendant well into the twentieth century kept every scrap of
paper they ever owned, both personal and business. There are numerous scrapbooks
kept by the wives.
I have started the Collection at both UNC and the NC Archives. The former is 40
feet of material and may never be finished. Because the papers are spread out in
so many places, it makes working with them difficult from the standpoint, one
sees mention of the same legal cases in both Collections. The papers at the
Archives are frustrating because there are so many notes that refer to see
attached will or deed and said will or deed is not attached which means it could
be in any of the Collections in another folder.
There are many notes on scraps of papers and that is just what they are – notes
which may or may not make sense. The Collections are being culled primarily for
two reasons – to abstract any Dobbs, Greene or Lenoir County papers with
genealogical information and to abstract any documents that might pertain to the
early Bryan family which will be used by the Bryan research group. Because of
the latter, there are many Craven and Jones references in these notes. Another
member of the Bryan research group is going to continue with the correspondence
and I will concentrate on deeds, wills, and court records. There are numerous
Lenoir County Court Dockets in the Collection which will be typed later for a
separate file.
Eventually as more time is spent at UNC, this file will be added to and the
researcher will have to consult the date posted to know when it has been
changed. The Archives Collection file will probably be finished before the UNC
Collection.
CORRESPONDENCE – SERIES 1
Only did the first box in this series. Just picked out Genealogical information
of Lenoir and Greene Counties and the Bryan family. Many of the letters are
pertaining to business and legal clients especially from New York and many are
just scraps of paper. Leggett Fox in New York appears to be big client as people
from NC were not very good about paying their bills.
SERIES 1.1 – Folders 1-13
FOLDER #1
1. Letters regarding JOHN HARVEY
2. Estate of RIDGON WHITE of Craven County
FOLDER #2 – 1830
1. Regarding debts of JOHN M. OLIVER, JOSEPH OLIVER, CHARLES STEWART
2. Letter regarding the sale of Negroes of J. BROWN to W. I. BLACKLEDGE in
Washington – 25 May 1830 – money actually belonged to a sister – not named – the
sale may have been fraudulent – money had disappeared
3. 3 Oct 1830 – letter from H. M. COOKE of Beaufort which refers to sons, HENRY
L. and THOMAS COOK who were going to the western counties
FOLDER #3 – 1831
1. Letter from JOHN HILL – 28 Oct 1831 –
Return address Waynesboro, NC
Mr. John Heritage Bryan
New Bern, NC
I and Mr. Mooring have lately been down in Hyde (that is since we saw you) to
view and try to sell the land which we possess in that county. But we could not
sell it in consequence of its not being divided.
We employed Mr. John and Daniel Slade to superintend and have the land divided
and to sell the shares of the heirs of Wm. Bryan as they think it will be most
saleable after it’s divided. They wish to know the year, month, and day that
John Bryan, the son of John Bryan died as they may know whether John B. Jasper
is entitled to any share or not and as I am not able to inform them, I wish you
if you please to ascertain the time of his decease and write to them. The land
has been – next work unreadable – much delegated by John B. Jasper. He has sold
one hundred acres of it which includes all the cleared land and by what we could
discover it has been as much as ten or fifteen years since he sold this pice.
I think you had best get the above mentioned men or some other man to aline to
your these two Mr. Slades live in sight of the store which on the land. I’ll
inform you my family is tolerable well at present.
Yours
John Hill
2. Letter from FREDERICK S. BLOUNT to brother JAMES W. BRYAN – 20 Nov 1831 –
from Mobile, Ala
Refers to NATHAN WHITFIELD owing him money
Refers to COL. KING
Refers to visiting in Ala, MRS. JOHN VAIL the sister of MISS HARRIETT DADE who
appears to still be in NC
Refers to visiting DOCTOR WELCH
Refers to SQUIRE WHITFIELD who appears to be in Alabama
Refers to FRANK NELSON in Greensborough – he not going back to NC – said JOHN
FOY lived close to him as did MAJOR NAT. HELLEN
3. Letter from B. JASPER – 13 Dec 1831 to JOHN H. BRYAN
JOHN H. BRYAN offered to give his part of land in Hyde Co to the son of B.
JASPER, JOHN BRYAN JASPER, to apply towards his education – that land is
worthless – “two claimants under UNCLE WILLIAM were down here in the late fall
and offered to sell of two dollars per acres” – they could not sell. Son
appreciates the offer. “I discover from my grandfather, JNO BRYAN’S will that I
am entitled to 40 acres of land known by the name of Fork Neck.” JASPER want to
know where that land is located and what it is worth.
Folder #4 – 1832
1. Letter from Leggett Fox – 13 March 1832 – refers to JAMES WALLACE who moved
to Fla from Craven Co.
2. Letter from FRED. S. BLOUNT to JAMES W. BRYAN – 7 March 1832
Refers to PLEASANT H. MAY former beau of MISS HARRIETT SMITH – MAY also now in
Ala.
Refers to JUDGE SMITHHAND, his grandaughter MISS MARY TAYLOR
Refers to MR. LUND to marry MISS CONRAD and EDWARD STANLEY will not marry JULIA
JONES – all these people appear to be in New Bern
Refers to HENRY – will he marry SUSAN WASHINGTON
Refers to “why did JAMES STANLY send HARVEY into this part of the world?”.
HARVEY was a lawyer
REFERS to – none of the family has obtained the success or wealth of OLD JOHN
HERRITAGE
3. Letter to JOHN H. BRYAN from SCARBORO KEEK of Twiggs Co, Ga – 13 May 1832
4. Refers to JOHN S. or L. LAVENDER made a note and resides in Wilkerson Co, Ga
– in right of his wife who was a MISS GEORGE – regarding land in Jones Co a few
miles from Trenton – LAVENDER wants BRYAN to collect on note for him
FOLDER #5 – 1833
1. Letter from RICHARD B. JONES to JOHN H. BRYAN – Brookfield near Philadelphia
– 17 Sept 1833 – refers to MITCHELL heirs – MR. WASHINGTON has purchased 2/3rd
of land – JONES appears to won some of MITCHELL’S LAND
NOTE: There are a number of letter from Jones in this Collection
FOLDER #6 –
1. Letter to JOHN H. BRYAN from R. M. S. MOORE of Germantown in Hyde County – 10
May 1834
Refers to MR. JOSEPH DIXON wants to buy their share of land
2. Letter from WILLIAM C. BRYAN of Waynesboro to JOHN H. BRYAN – 19 Sept 1834
Dear Cousin,
Fearing that you may forget to bring with you to court the Papers pertaining
to the land in your county & in which you said you thought my fathers heirs were
Probally entitled to a share. Please favor myself with an opportunity of
reminding and also requesting you to bring up the Papers to the Superior Court
of this county or examine them as you may be Prepared to let me know whether or
not we have any right in it. Please give my complements to Cousin Mary Pam & C
Your affectionally,
William C. Bryan
3. Letter to JOHN H. BRYAN from FREDERICK ASKEW – 19 Dec. 1831 – Laurens County,
Ga
Refers to heirs of JOHN THOMPSON dec (this is probably in Onslow County) – land
sold at venue after your marriage to WIDOW THOMPSON – it was sold to JACOB
WILLIAM of Duplin Co – father of FREDERICK was a wit to Will of THOMPSON –
FREDERICK’S wife now dec –
NOTE: IT is not clear exactly who the widow married
FOLDER #7 – 1835
1. GEO. MORDECAI of Kinston to JAMES W. BRYAN in Beaufort – 18 March 1835
Mordecai appears to be an attorney
Refers to appeal properly taken by Wm. BRYAN against SEARS BRYAN – appears to be
about ownership of property – then refers to HARDY BRYAN doing the appeal –
judgement went against SEARS – NOTE; Very unclear what was happening
FOLDER #8 – 1836
1. Letter to MARTIN Van BUREN from R. M. SACEND ??
Letter of introduction of J. W. BRYAN brother of J. BRYAN formerly of Congress
– he may stop in Washington on the way to Europe
2. Letter from Wm. BOYD of New York to JAMES BRYAN – 16 June 1836
Refers to Broad Street near Wall Street burning
Refers to SUSAN WASHINGTON marrying WM. A. GRAHAM
2. Letter from L. or S. B. VAIL, Mobile – 20 June 1826 –
Refers to R. P. VAIL his half brother by his father’s 2nd marriage
FOLDER 12 – 1837
1. Letter from MRS. ELIZABETH GRIST to JAMES BRYAN – 11 Aug 1839
Refers to SUSAN, brother WILLIAM and FRANKLIN, cousin EMMA, cousin JOHN, cousin
WILLIAM WASHINGTON, cousins BETSY and MARY
SERIES 3.2 – 1704 – 1840 – FOLDERS 697 – 708 – NOT FINISHED
FOLDER #697
1. 5 June 1794 -I, WILLIAM HENRY, High Sheriff of the County of Craven – by
virture of an Execution agreed at the suit of Mathais (name not clear and could
be Stephen but it does not appear to be a p in the name) NEALE and EUNICE his
wife against the Estate of JOHN BRYAN – have sold at public vendue a Nergo girl
named SARAH aged about 14 years to JAMES BRYAN of Newbern for 125 pds, 5
shillings – BRYAN the highest bidder
WIT TH. L. OLIVER
2. 4 September 1795 – Indenture – GEORGE LANE of Craven of the one part and
JAMES BRYAN of the same of the other part — LANE for 5 pds sold a tract in
Craven Co on the SS Nuce River on Adams Creek – beginning at the mouth of a
small Creek where MRS. BRYAN now lives and runs with the first line of the
patent at JOHN CARNEYS CREEK and then down the various courses of said creek to
Adams Creek – 25 acres
WIT WILLIAM HAWLEY
FOLDER #698 – 1790 – 1800
1. 12 March 1793 – WILLIAM BOWEN of Somerset Co, Md 180 Spanish Milled Dollars
pd by JAMES BRYAN of New Bern – Negro man named Adam aged about 28 years
WIT JOHN CRADDOCK
2. Craven Co – 25 April 1797 – JOHN GREENE of New Bern to JAMES BRYAN of New
Bern – 40 pds – house and lot in New Bern – Graves & Middle Streets – Lot 345 –
1/2 acre
3. 16 April 1798 – Craven County – We, JAMES BRYAN and W. H. ?_ BRYAN bound unto
WILLIAM DUDLEY for 150 pds. Condition of above is such that whereas the
aforesaid JAMES BRYAN is possessed in right of his wife, RACHEL, now under age,
the following piece of land in Craven Co – SS main main being part of a patent
granted to WILLIAM HERITAGE dec for 500 acres – – 60 1/4 acres –land to be
conveyed to said DUDLEY as soon as RACHEL arrives at the age of 21
Both signed – James and W. H.
WIT THOS L. OLIVER
NOTE: No indication why W. H. Bryan would be signing this unless he was guardian
of Rachel
4. 6 February 1798 – I WILLIAM BRYAN of the County of Lenoir for 150 pds paid by
JAMES BRYAN of NewBern – sell a Negro woman named KATE aged about twenty two
years together with her child named SARAH aged about two years.
There is a large blotch between the W. and Bryan in the signature which to me
looks like there could have been a middle initial.
WIT WILLIAM BRYAN
FOLDER 699 –
1. Reference to a 300 acre patent to JOHN BRYAN on Bay River – no date – NS
Neuse at George’s Neck – adj CHRISTOPHER DAWSON, SILAS KELSEY, Wolf pocoson,
JOSEPH CRISPIN – note dated 22 July 1774 – note says sold to H. L. J. BRINSON
NOTE: Don’t see this patent in Bryan files
2. Reference to a 200 acres Patent to JOHN BRYAN 4 March 1885 – ES Goose Creek,
JOHN VENDRICK, NS Deep Run, NICHOLAS HARPER, Valentine’s Neck, Sand Hills – note
says this land sold to Scott
3. Reference to – PAUL SPARROW had a patent 4 March 1775 – 500 acres – SPARROW
sold to JOHN BRYAN – Book k no 2 p 385
4. Will of Col. JOHN BRYAN – notes
Home land was afterwards patented by JAMES BRYAN adj Sandhills and it is said
there was an exchange and there is a deed from JNO to JAMES for the land for
$500. JAMES exchanged his portion of Hyde Co land for JOHN’S Sandhill land in
1796
LEWIS died C 1797
MARY md JAMES CARNEY and died in 1787 per a family memo
ANN – married LEM. HATCH after JASPER (sic)
To wife, ELIZABETH a life estate in Adams Creek lands – it appears that 512
acres on Adams Creek were sold to WALHAM SMITH by JAMES BRYAN for 20 acres of
which there is a deed to JAMES from GEO. LANE – the other 492 1/2 acres he
inherited from JOSEPH BRYAN. LEWIS’ 246 acres descended to his brothers and
sister who were JAMES, WILLIAM and ANN. JAMES then owned 328 acres – and he may
have also disposed of his mother’s land at the same time
When JOSEPH (youngest son of Col JOHN) died, HENRY CARRAWAY informed me that he
was told by MRS. OLIVER (Formerly Neal) that his death took place within 5
minutes of the birth of his sister CARNEY’S first child (Mary md JAMES CARNEY)
5. INDENTURE – Craven Co – 15 August 1821 – JOHN H. BRYAN and JAMES BRYAN by his
guardian JOHN H. BRYAN to NOAH BELL – land in HYDE Co – conveyed to JOHN BRYAN
father of JAMES BRYAN dec – JAMES was father of JOHN H. and JAMES BRYAN –
NOTE: This appears to be a rental agreement but no money is mentioned
6. Indenture – Craven Co – 16 Jan 1822 – JOHN H. BRYAN as guardian for JAMES
BRYAN and himself – to WILLIAM L. HOOVER and ASA HOOVER – Bay River, adj JOHN
BRYAN, Pampton’s Road, Gaulberry Swamp – 300 acres – a lease for 5 years
7. 9 May 1793 – Indenture – JOHN BRYAN of Craven of the one part and JAMES BRYAN
of Town of Newbern of the other part – 500 pds – sell – all my land known as
Sandhill in Craven Co which land was devised to the said JOHN BRYAN by the last
Will and Testament of his Father Colonel JOHN BRYAN dec together with all
improvements: another parcel of undivided land on SS Nuce River in Craven Co on
Adams Creek being part of the land my Mother now lives on which said land fell
to me by the Death of my Brother, JOSEPH BRYAN together with all the Right title
interest claim or demand which was unto him the said JAMES BRYAN –
WIT FREDERICK DIVOUN, H MACHINE ??
Proven on oath of FREDERICK Divoun ?? 29 Oct 1809
Registered Craven Co, Book 3, page 370
8. ELIZABETH WIGGINGS vs JOHN WIGGINS and others
The complainant and the defendant JOHN WIGGINS came into court & declared that
they have made an agreement to the following effect. It is agreed between JOHN
WIGGINS & ELIZABETH his wife that henceforth they shall separate from bed &
board & that each shall forego & each doth hereby forego & release all right &
claim & interest which either has in the society of the other. It is agreed also
that the said JOHN WIGGINS shall secure to the said ELIZABETH the sum of –
original torn – — be approved by the Court of Equity in which in pending the
Bill of the said ELIZABETH against her said husband for alimoney. -ELIZABETH
renounces her claim upon the death of said JOHN to any part of his estate. —
there shall be secured for the separate use of complaimant of the moneys of her
husband the sum of $436.09 – for which sum $269.42 1/3 cents to be paid by CALEB
WIGGINS & $166.66 2/3 cents paid by ROBERT WIGGINS – ordered that the said CALEB
and ROBERT pay this sum within five months – and the said Clerk shall pay the
same to LEVI WEST who is chosen by complainant as her Trustee – said Trustee
shall pay to ELIZABETH an annual sum to be worked out – sum of $25 and interest.
The said JOHN WIGGINS to pay court costs.
Signed by ABNER PEARCE, CM of Lenoir Co Court – 3rd November 1821
Received from ROBERT WIGGINS by hands of CALEB WIGGINS $166 2/3 cents 22 March
1822
FOLDER #700
1. This folder contains an entire notebook regarding the Division of lands
belonging to heirs of WILLIAM SHEPHARD, esq – County of Weakly, Middle fork of
Obeou River, in Tenn – granted by State of NC to WILLIAM BLOUNT then to WILLIAM
SHEPHARD – a note says conveyed by RICHARD DOBBS SPEIGHT who conveyed to WILSON
BLOUNT
NOTE: There is no date but this division took place about 1826. There was about
1000 acres in each lot
Lot #1 – to WILLIAM B. SHEPHARD
LOT # 2- to EBENEZER PETTIGREW
Lot #3 – to CHARLES B. SHEPHARD
Lot #4 – to JAMES B. SHEPHARD
Lot #5 – to FREDERICK B. SHEPHARD
LOT #6 – to JOHN H. BRYAN
LOT #7 – to RICHARD M. SHEPHARD
Lot #8 – to PENEOPE S. SHEPHARD
Lot #9 – to JOHN S. SHEPARD
This book includes a list of the Grants which are not dated
5. JESSE SANDLIN of Onslow md SARAH THOMPSON daughter of JOHN THOMPSON – some of
this family went to Duplin Co – this case went to the Supreme Court in 1834
6. There is no date although a hand written note by the staff at the top says
Dec 1825 with a ?? – Jones County – To the Justices of the Court of Pleas and
Quarter Sessions of County of Jones. The petition of ______ SIMMONS, widow of
NEEDHAM SIMMONS, that on the ____ day of ____, the said NEEDHAM SIMMONS died,
possessed of the following tracts of land viz. One tract on Ss Trent in Jones
adj lands of the heirs of NEEDHAM SIMMONS and ELIZAN STEELS ?? containing 640
acres; another tract NS Trent adj THOMAS MURPHY and GEORGE C. HATCH –about
_____ acres; another tract on NS Trent adj lands of 11?? Heirs of EDWARD MUFORD
and LEML HATCH – 400 acres. The widow requests that the same be alloted her and
not assigned according to law.
Signed JAS BRYAN
FOLDER # 701
1. Will of JOHN COBB – Francis Hodges has already placed this will on the Lenoir
Co. Archives website
FOLDER #702 – 1831 – 1832
1. Note regarding estate case – these are only notes with no supporting
documents –
Mentioned that SARAH ANN RICE on 23 Sept 1831 – appears to be a case – PATRICK &
others vs STYE ?? – SPENCER mentioned – a STYE appears to have lived with SARAH
ANN RICE
2. 27 Jan1825 – Indenture – between NANCY SCOTT of town of New Bern on one part
and JOHN COBB of Lenoir on the other part – – said JOHN COBB in consideration of
the rents and covenants – hath granted to NANCY SCOTT a part of a lot of ground
in the town of New Bern on the SS Broad being lot # 84 – to pay rent of $1.50 a
quarter
FOLDER 704 – 1835 – 1836
1. Nov 1836 – GEO BRYAN vs WM WISE – MRS. WISE (now dead) was the first wife of
EBENEZER SLADE by whom she had three children – JEREMIAH 13, CATHERIN 12, ANN 10
– EBENEZER SLADE was the brother of the wife of GEO. BRYAN – their children are
the nearest and almost the only relatives in this state – GEO. BRYAN and his
wife have no children – they are willing to take the children and rear them –
WISE is now their guardian
NOTE; There is no indication of the outcome
FOLDER 706 – 1838
1. JONES CO – Superior Court – Fall Term 1839 – petition of JOSEPH and SUSAN
KINSEY. SUSAN was the daughter of WILLIAM RHEM dec. RHEM had a will 1 May 1830
and gave SUSAN a Negro when she married but there was no deed – her brother
WILLIAM B. RHEM, was executor of the estate and would not let SUSAN have her
Negro
There was a copy of the Will attached which I did not copy since Jones Co has
its records – the children WILLIAM RHEM mentioned in his will were
MARY I. RHEM
HANNAH PERRY
JOSEPH RHEM
SUSAN KINSEY
ELIZABETH LOFTIN
WILLIAM B. RHEM
MELCHER RHEM
Exec WILIAM B. RHEM and HARDY ?? PERRY
Written 1 May 1830
WIT JOHN L. KOONCE, AMOS L. KOONES
2. JOSEPH KINCEY (sic) vs JONATHAN WOOD and WILEY F. HIGGINS def
JOHN G. KINCEY (sic) is the brother in law of JONATHAN WOOD – Jones Co – this is
only genealogical information
3. No date but a note at the top says CA 1838 – To the Judges of the Superior
Court of Craven – Petition of JOHN C. WASHINGTON, JAMES A. WASHINGTON, ELIZA
GRIST, JAMES W. BRYAN & ANN his wife, WILLIAM A. GRAHAM & Hyraw – name not
readable – his wife, GEORGE WASHINGTON by his guardian, JAMES W. BRYAN, & MARY
WASHINGTON by JNO C. WSHINGTON her guard. — JOHN WASHINGTON late of the town
of New Bern died intestate on the ___ day of August 1837 leaving your
petitioners, his children & heirs – Said WASHINGTON in posession of several
tracts lying in different counties – land held by heir subject to an estate in
dower for ELIZABETH the widow – following tracts in Craven Co – the Eggpt &
Rasset ?? lands containing 1300 acres on Nuse River near Fort Barnwell – the
tract formerly belonging to JAMES G. STANLY on Brices Creek, the Bell and other
lands near New Bern containing about 1000 acres; The following lands in Lenoir
Co – tract adj Kinston of 1000 acres; the Robison tract of 200 acres; the Jones
land of 250 acres, Branton land of 300 acres, Witherington land of 250 acres,
the Allen, Croom and Jordan racts of 1500 acres; following land in Pitt – Croom
and Blount land of 2500 acres, Caswell track of 100 acres; and also land in
Johnston and Jones Counties – (not identified)
Petitioners wish to have land divided
Signed by JOHN H. BRYAN
FOLDER 707 – 1839
l. This is probably LENOIR CO although it does not say so – could be Jones Co –
DRIBBLE had a business in Lenoir
1 March 1839 – Article of Agreement – C. B. DRIBBLE and F. DUVAL – 365 mulberry
trees for planting – DuVal pd $182 to them to be planted and cultivated
WIT NEWET D. EDWARDS, GEORGE GREENE
FOLDER 708 – 1840
1. Deposition of JACOB (X) LANGSTON – 5 Oct 1840 – State of NC – County of
Lenoir
JACOB LANGSTON stated that JOSIAH H ? orton (could be Norton) had been dead
about 10 years – had children EVERETT, SARAH, ELIZABETH and MARTHA and they all
resided in Lenoir Co.
2. PENELOPE SHEPHARD died in 1840 – W. B. SHEPHARD was her exec and he sold her
land in Tenn to CHARLES SHEPHARD
3. 31 Jan 1794 – NOTE – the right side of this got cut off on the copy – On the
4th January 1794 – a division was mutually made and agreed on by the heirs of
MARY INGRAM her – next word cut off – MARY GRANBERRY now dec of 3 Negroes viz –
SUE and her two children named JACK and TOM and that division boy JACK fell to
JOHN CRADDOCK and ELIZABETH BRYAN to be by them equally divided. I JOHN
CRADDOCK of Newbern for 20 pds paid by JAMES BRYAN assign my 1/2 share of negro
(said malutto boy) JACK
BOX 2 – Series 3.2 Folders 709 – 730
FOLDER 709
1. JESSE KENNEDY to draw a piece of land being on Sandy Run adj JACOB PARROTT
WALTER KENNEDY to draw land – land at Sandy Run adj JACOB PARROTT – to drain
into the ditch which empties into Falling Creek
NOTE: These were all the notes – no actual date on paper
HEIRS OF ISAAC CROOM
these documents found in Folders 709 and 710 but I have combined them for
easier reading
SERIES 3.2
1. Folder 709 – 1841 ?
Mary Loftin
Olive Byrd Joshua Byrd
David Jones
Elizabeth Jones
Fred. M. Jones
Jesse Jones
Wm. C. Jones for the heirs of Margaret Westbook – out to the side and below
Margaret’s name are listed in ( ) with Westbrook written next to the ( )
James
Martha
Egbert
NOTE: The way it is written indicates James, Martha, and Egbert were Westbrooks
Wm C. Jones for self
Will M. Croom
John L. Croom
Mary Jones Fred Jones
E. J. Jones
Catherine Wayne
Nancy Herring Wm. Herring
Lydia Moseley Wm P. Moseley
Penelope Haywood Wm H. Haywood
Caroline Moore K. M. Moore
Mary A. Croom
Henryetta Croom
Dorthula Croom
On the back – land lying in Lenoir on NS Neuse adj James R. Croom, Jno Sutton ?
and others – 3000 acres or more (Isaac Croom dec)
2. FOLDER 709
ELIZABETH JONES, DAVID JONES, FRED JONES (MARTHA, JAMES, EGBERT children of
MARGARET WESTBOOK a deceased daughter), JESSE JONES JR and WILLIAM C. JONES –
WESTBROOK Children by HARRIS JONES ADM – Negroes – 48 or 50 – land on Neuse
River adj JNO WILLIAMS, GREENE TAYLOR, CHARLES ??? & others – home track –
TILGHMAN’s land, bridge plantation, STANTON TAYLOR lands, PATRIDGE Land
Signed by LEW. C. DESMOND, PINKNEY HARDEE, JAMES E. METTS, MELCHER RHEM, JOHN
JACKSON
No date – note says around 1841
3. FOLDER 710
State of North Carolina Lenoir County – July 4 1842 – To the worshipful the
Court of Pleas and Quarter Session, July Term 1842. Your petitioners humbly
showeth (?) that the estate of the late Isaac Croom dec is not in debt that the
perishable property of the said decd has been sold & that the lands and negroes
have been rented and hired for one year. Thus the Term for which they were
rented will ?? expire about the last of Dec 1842. We the undersigned heirs at
law of the aforesaid Isaac Croom dec humbly pray your worships to grant ?? a
division to be made in the said estate that your partitioners may divide portion
of said estate for which were will every pray
Signed by
Mary Loftin
Wm H. Haywood in Right of my wife Penelope B. Haywood
Wm C. Jones
Elizabeth Jones
4. Series 3.2 Folder 710
Lenoir County – 9 June 1842 – To the Honorable the Judge & Justices of the
County Court of Lenoir County, North Carolina. The undersigned hereby showeth
that the Estate of Isaac Croom late of said County dec is not indebted that the
perishable property belonging to said estate has been sold that the lands &
negroes were rented & hired for one year that the term for which they were
rented & hired will expire next month ?? ?? – that we the undersigned are heirs
at law of the aforesaid estate that we cannot ?? why said estate should not be
divided according to law at the exparation of said time for which said lands &
negroes were rented & hired. That we therefore humbly petition you to paas ?? an
order to that effect & that we your petitoners will and pray the court under our
hands this 9th day of June 1842
Signed by
K. M. Moore in right of his wife Elizabeth C. Moore & as administrator of the
estate of Joshua Croom dec & Guardian for the other heirs of said Croom
J. H. Byrd in right of his wife
Names of Fred. Westbrook – Marthy Westbrook, James Westbrook, Frederick
Westbrook
Names of Joshua Crooms children – Elizabeth Caroline Moore, Darthula Croom,
Henretta Croom, Mary Croom
Isaac Croom J (?)r died leaving Pinkney Hardee adm – Mary Croom his mother –
brother Abraham, Joshua both of whom died in lifetime of Isaac Croom – Abraham
left Henry, John, Mary, Betsy, Catherine, Nancy, Lydia, Penny – now Mary married
Fred Jones; Betsy married David ? Jones, Catherine married Barna Wayne who/dec
?? before Isaac Croom; Nancy married Wm. Herring, Lydia married Wm Palmer
Moseley, Penny married Wm H. Haywood
Joshua died in lifetime of Isaac Croom leaving Elizabeth C who married K. M.
Moore, Darthula, Henrietta; Mary,. (It is unclear if this is a dot or comma
behind Mary) Betsy a sister (who married & died in his lifetime) Jesse Jones Jr
leaving David, Fred, Jesse, William, Peggy who married Fred Westbook & died
since Isaac Croom Jr dec. Mary who md Ila Loftin – Loftin died before Croom &
Olive who married Joshua Byrd both being a sisters.
FOLDER 710 – 1842
See above Croom information
1. No date – This appears to be the division of the lands of JOHN WASHINGTON of
Craven Co – who also owned land in Lenoir Co
Lot #1 – to JOHN WASHINGTON –
866 1/2 acres adj Kinston
Lots No 28, 27, 26, 25,35,34,33,32
Lot 29 in Kinston
100 acres D ??adler land
96 acres in Caswell County
Lot #1 will pay to No 3 $117
LOT #2 – to JAMES W. BRYAN and wife
1054 acres Egypt plantation
146 acres – WILLIAM RUPELS
Lot #2 will pay to LOT #3 $1452, Lot #4 $1257 and Lot #5 $444 ??
LOT #3 – to GEORGE WASHINGTON
377 1/2 acres B. ROBINSONS
42 acres R. MOORE
870 1/2 acres ALLEN Lands
Lots 52, 58,5,6,7,8, in Kinston
Lot #1 will pay to #3 – $117
Lot # 2 will pay $1451
LOT #4 – to ELIZA H. GRIST
8 1/3 acres of marsh on Trent
5 1/8 acres – Wallace’s land
250 acres F. Hawks’s land
604 acres J. BELLS land
____ acres Marsh on Neuse River
630 acres – M. A. Pasteurs
446 acres Coom land in Lenoir
75 acres M. Jordan in Lenoir
135 acres R. JONES in Lenoir
115 acres T. JONES, Lenoir
360 acres – A. J. ? HANBY
No 2 will pay #4 $1257
LOT #5 – to A. WASHINGTON (double check initial)
Lots # 81 &83 in Waynesboro
300 acres Branton lands
298 acres R. WETHERINGTON land
Lot #34 in Smithfield
No 5 will refeive from No 2 $1501 ?? No 7 $357 ??
LOT #6 – to MARY WASHINGTON
719 acres – CROOM
687 acres – WILLIAM BLOUNT
1256 acres – G. BLOUNT
47 1/2 acres – Croom
half lot No 84 in New Bern
No 6 will receive from #7 $52
LOT #7 – to GRAHAM & WIFE
Lots No 3,4,40 in New Bern
Water Front of Lot No3
800 acres on Brices Creek
No 7 will pay # 6 $52 and to no 5 $357 ??
2. Lenoir Superior Court Spring Term 1842
The handwriting is extremely difficult to read
First 2 words not readable – CHARLES FULLER vs ? and BARNABAS WADSWORTH
This was an action of Ejectment on the trial of which the following parts were
agreed upon
4 Nov 1835 the premises in dispute and of which the defendant was in possession
of were mortgaged by him to WILLIAM D. MOSELEY by a deed dated that day – at the
March term 1838 Lenoir Superior Court the lesor ? of the plaintiff obtained a
judgement against the defendant WADSWORTH – on the 1st Monday in July 1838 the
land was sold by the sheriff at public sale when the lesor of the planitiff
became the purchaser and it expected it conveyed the defendants equity — on
the 1 Jan 1839 after the sale but before the commencement of the suit in the
23rd day of November 1838 the lesor procured a conveyance from MOSELEY the
mortgager of all his interest in the premises by a deed bearing that date. The
Court determined that the plaintiff was entitled to recover and rendered a
judgement which the defendant appealed. No appeal was required.
Will. H. Battle ????
FOLDER 712 –
Several Superior Court Dockets which will be transcribed in a separate folder.
FOLDER 713
1. To the Judge of the Court of Equity of County of Lenoir
In the matter of ANDREW J. ROUSE, THOMAS HILL & SARAH his wife, RICHARD WARTERS
& ELIZA his wife & others – Petition for sale of real estate of JONATHAN ROUSE
dec for partition – Filed Spring Term April 1845
The Petition of ANDREW J. ROUSE, QUINCY ROUSE, ALEXANDER ROUSE, SUSAN E. ROUSE,
ELIZABETH ROUSE and JEFFERSON ROUSE, the last five named children of RICHARD C.
ROUSE by their next friend, ANDREW J. ROUSe, THOMAS HILL & SARAH his wife,
ALEXANDER HILL & FINETTA his wife and JOHN HILL, RICHARD HILL, PENELOPE HILL &
JONATHAN HILL, infants of tender years by their next friend JESSE VAUSE, WILEY
J. ROUSE, JESSE H. ROUSE, RICHARD WARTERS & ELIZA his wife, CRAVEN B. GRIFFIN &
CATHERIN his wife, RICHARD DAWSON & NARCISSA his wife, WILLIAM H. ROUSE, LYDIA
A. S. ROUSE, JOHN ROUSE, SIMON ROUSE & JOSHUA ROUSE, the five last named infants
of tender years by their next friend, JESSE VAUSE the said JESSE being also
guardian of the said JOSHUA ROUSE, all of the County of LENOIR respectfully
showeth – that JONATHAN ROUSE late of the County of Lenoir on the — day of —
1844 departed this life intestate leaving him surviving your petitioners QUINCEY
ROUSE, ALEXANDER ROUSE, SUSAN E. ROUSE, ELIZABETH ROUSE & JEFFERSON ROUSE
children of his deceased son RICHARD C. ROUSE who died in the lifetime of the
said JONATHAN ROUSE, your petitioner SARAH, who intermarried with your
petitioner THOMAS HILL, his daughter, your petitioner FINETTA his daughter who
intermarried with your petitioner ALEXANDER HILL, your petitioner JOHN HILL,
RICHARD HILL, PENELOPE HILL & JONATHAN HILL children of his daughter SUSAN who
intermarried with HENRY HILL and died in the lifetime of the said JONATHAN
ROUSE, your petitioner ANDREW J. ROUSE, WILEY J. ROUSE, JESSE H. ROUSE, his
sons, your petitioner ELIZA his daughter who intermarried with your petitioner
RICHARD WATERS, your petitioner CATHERINE his daughter who intermarried with
your petitioner CRAVEN B. GRIFFIN, your petitioner NARCISSA his daughter who
intermarried with your petitioner RICHARD DAWSON & and your petitioners WILLIAM
H., LYDIA A. S. ROUSE, JON ROUSE, SIMON ROUSE & JOSHUA ROUSE his children and
heirs at law
The said JONATHAN ROUSE Sr was seized of a tract of land lying in the
county of Lenoir on both sides of the main road leading from Kinston to
Waynesboro, nine miles distant from the former place on Falling Creek adj the
lands of JESSE WIGGINS, GEORGE DAILY, JOHN C. WASHINGTON, WILLIAM GRAY, THOMAS
HILL & others containing 1100 acres and also of an undivided tract of land adj
the same held in common with JOHN C. WASHINGTON which the petitioners are
tenants in common and they are entitled upon a portion of said land to one
fifteenth as follows – 1/15 to QUINCY ROUSE, SUSAN E. ROUSE, ELIZABETH ROUSE
and JEFERSON ROUSE, jointly representing their deceased father, RICHARD C.
ROUSE; 1/15 to THOMAS HILL & SARAH his wife; 1/15 to ALEXANDER HILL and
FINETTE his wife; 1/15 JOHN HILL, RICHARD HILL, PENELOPE HILL, JONATHAN HILL
jointly in right of their deceased mother SUSAN HILL; 1/15 to each – ANDREW J.
ROUSE, WILEY H. ROUSE, WILLIAM H. ROUSE, JESSE H. ROUSE, LYDIA A. S. ROUSE, JOHN
ROUSE, SIMON ROUSE, JOSHUA ROUSE; 1/15 to RICHARD WATERS and ELIZA his wife and
1/15 to RICHARD DAWSON and NARCISSA his wife
Petitioners wish the land to be sold so the proceed could be divided
FOLDER 714 – 1846
1. MARRIAGE CONTRACT – 12 October 1846 – Between JEREMIAH WATERS of Lenoir
County and CHELLY WILSON of Lenoir – intending to marry — this indenture to
settle land, negroes and perishable possessions of JEREMIAH WATERS – $1.00 pd to
CHELLY by said JEREMIAH – she gives up any claim on following: one tract of
land in Lenoir – SS Neuse adj ADMIRAL CROOM, DAVID McLAWSON, JOHN WILLIAMS, and
JOHN SUTTON – being land purchased from W. B. EDMUNSON and known as SASER (?)
place; slaves – ROSE, JACK, DEG, MALIKIAH, WILLIAM, SIMON, WASHINGTON, LUCINDA,
CALEB, DELSEY, SEGE, ALFRED BELL, DELCEY, CYNTHIA, RELLY, WINNIE, GILBERT,
SUSANNAH, GENIEMA, TERRID, PHILLIS, ROBERT, ALLEN, COX, DINAH, JIM, JOSEPH,
MARY, HENRY, PENNY, JULIA, & LENEG; all perishable property viz cattle, horses,
hogs, household and kitchen, furniture; upon death of JEREMIAH, CHELLY to be
paid $1500; if they should have a child that child would inherit fully
9 April 1846 (note the two different dates)
JEREMIAH signed CHELLY used a mark
WIT RICH KING ALE WILSON
FOLDER 716 – 1848
1. 16 November 1848 – Deposition of GABRIEL COX who made oath in Lenoir County
of property that had come into his hands from his father’s estate – O. B. COX.
Before and since his death – one Negro boy, NED 14 years old – worth about $450;
one gig and harness worth $75; bed and furniture worth $15
J. R. CROOM, JP
FOLDER 717 – 1845
1. (This is hard to read) – Superior Court – April 1849 – Lenoir County – JOHN
DAVIS, late Sheriff of Lenoir – stated that EDWARD R. STANLY of Craven at July
Term 1844 obtained a judgement against ROYAL R. CANFIELD for $153.63. term of
office expired for sheriff – case continued – some money was received – interest
charged which was in error – needs to be corrected
signed by JOHN DAVIS
2. Court – Jan Term 1849 – Lenoir Co – JAMES FAULKNER and wife MARY to RICHARD
?? POOL – 1 Jan 1849 – sold tract NS White Marsh adj NEEDHAM HOLLAMAN, EDWARD
CHURCH, WARTERS, heirs of W. Y. ALDRIDGE – 50 acres
FOLDER 719 – 1851
I, JOHN BRYAN, sell to HENRY CARRAWAY for $300 – undivided 1/3 part of 400 acres
– land was devised by my grandfather, JOHN BRYAN, by will 19 Jan 1781 to his son
JOHN BRYAN – no date
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Copyright © 1999 by Martha Marble. This copy contributed
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