Pike Report (February, 1983)
The starting point of this research was with one Samuel Pike and his wife, Jean or Jane, of Pasquotank County, North Carolina. There are some minor changes on the family group we have. It was learned in the Quaker records that Samuel died 8 May 1718 and that his wife, Jane, Married second Arnold White on 9 June 1720. The sheet shows that Samuel was “of Orange County, NC,” but Orange County was not set up until 1752 and it is known that Samuel was in North Carolina as early as 1669. So, Samuel was “of” Pasquotank County, not Orange County. I prefer to leave this off the sheet, unless it serves some purpose.
Concerning Samuel’s children, the following summarizes:
1 – John married 4 Nov. 1731, Abigail Overman. They had nine children. They lived in Pasquotank County, then removed to Frederick Co., Va. in the 1730’s which was an important Quaker area at that time. He then returned to N.C. and settled in Orange County, where he died 15 Jan. 1774.
2 – Samuel married 7 Apr 1737 to Sarah Overman. They had eight children; lived in Virginia for a short time, lived on Cape Fear for several years and then went to Northampton County in 1773. Samuel married second Anna Jucely in 1774. He and Anna moved to Wayne County, probably in 1777. In 1784 Samuel appears to have deeded all his lands to his son, Nathan. There is no estate record for him, but he probably died there between 1784 and 1790. His widow appears to have moved to Back Creek, MM in 1797.
3 – Ann married Jonathan White in 1729. They had several children and, most likely, remained in Pasquotank County.
4 – Benjamin married Jean or Jane Bundy. Benjamin was disowned by the Quakers in 1737, but re-admitted when he confessed his “outgoings” in 1761. He died 2 Mar 1785, in full fellowship. No children are known to have been born to this couple.
5 – Susanna – nothing further is known of her.
See documents pertaining to Samuel Pike, Attached
These documents show that Samuel was transported to N.C. by Edward Mayo, Sr., in Feb. 1693/4. He was involved in two law suits, one involving a land patent to James Ellis of Pasquotank County. The other was a suit brought by John Newman, Jr. of Gloucester, Mass.
This latter suit is quite interesting because it involves a New Englander. It is known that many of the early Quakers immigrated from New England, where they were severely persecuted, to North Carolina, where there was great religious freedom. So, some investigation was done to determine if Samuel were earlier in New England. Two Samuel Pikes were found in Massachusetts in the right time period. One was the son of John and Mary (Tarbell) Pike of Newbury. Newbury is just a short distance up the coast from Glousester. This, I think, is the John & Mary intended to be Samuel’s parents as per our present family group sheet. Our sheet shows Mary Lorville, but I could find no trace of that surname in America or England.
The other Samuel Pike of New England was born 12 Oct 1666 in Newbury, son of Joseph and Susannah (Kingsbury) Pike. Neither of these two possibilities was investigated very far. Some of the questions we have are:
1) Did Joseph & Susannah or any of their children have connections in the South?
2) Did John & Mary or any of their children have connections in the South?
3) Did either family have Quaker connections?
4) Where did Edward Mayo originate? New England?
There is strong evidence that Africa Pike is a close relative of Samuel from the North Carolina records. (See NC Higher-Court Records, vol 1 (2), pg.405. On 31 July 1718, just two months after Samuel’s death, Jane petitioned for administration on the estate of Patrick & Gregor McGregor “in behalf of her children as nearest of kin.” (North Carolina Archives, vol. 2, p. 307, GS 874154) Checking the will of Hugh McGregor of Pasquotank Dist., we see that he names two sons, Patrick and Gregor, and his wife Africa. It is almost certain, then, that Africa was formerly a Pike and the one mentioned as transported to N.C. with Samuel. She is most likely his sister, but could be more distantly related. Then it is apparent that after Hugh’s death all his heirs died by 1718 and the estate would go to Hugh’s nephews and nieces; namely, Samuel and Jane Pike’s children.
It seems that the most important clue is in the name Africa. Once we find a Pike family naming a daughter, Africa, we can be almost sure that we have found the right family. Continued work to answer the above questions is needed. We also need to look for an Africa Pike.
Documents pertaining to Samuel Pike:
Source: Henshaw’s, Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, pp. 114, 161. 1720, 4, 9 (9 June 1720) Jane (Pike), widow (of) Pascotank Precink, (married) Arnold White, at Little River (Meeting House). Samuel Pike (died) 308-1718 (8 May 1718).
Source: NC Higher-Court Records, Vol. 1 (2), p. 405. Edward Mayo has proved his Right being (transporting) Edward Mayo Senior, Edward Mayo Junior, Sarah Mayo, Ann Mayo, Elizabeth Mayo, Three Negroes, John Nixon, Enna Nixon, Ann Nixon, Affrica Pike, Samuel Pike in all thirteen – Feb Court 1693/4
Source: Ibid, Vol. 2 (3), pp. 261, 275, 401. Samuel Pike served on grand jury March, 1698/9. Bartholomew Hewitt plaintiff versus William Reid Defendant (plea) of Defamation. Plaintiff summons Henry Pendleton, Sam Pike and John Powell.
Source: Ibid, Vol. 3 (4), pp. 443, 446-8. Geo. Ellis Comes by Thos. Snoden his Attorney to prosecute his Suite against Samall Pike and Complaines as per Bill and the said Defendant Comes by Edwd. Bonwich his Attorney And Answers (illegible) and this Court having heard the whole matter.
It is ordered and Decreed that the Suite be dismissed and the plaintiff pay Costs alias Execution.
Source: Ibid, Vol 4(5), pp. 148-9.
Source: Ibid, Vol. 4(5), pp. 193
Source: Ibid, Vol. 4(5), p. 230
Source: Grimes, Abstract of N.C. Wills, 975.6 Szgr
p. 56 – Samuel Pike witnesses the will of John Burnby dated 8 Apr 1705, proved 19 Aug. 1707 – Pasquotank Prect., N.C.
p. 189 – Samuel Pike witnessed the will of Arthur Jones, Blanden Co., dated 21 Oct. 1750 – Dec. 1750.
p. 294 – Samuel Pike witnessed the will of Richard Pope, Pasquotank Prect. – 23 June 1701 – 15 July 1701.
Source: Pasquotank County Deed Index. 23 Oct. 1713 – Samuel Pike & Jane to Wm. Haige, Vol. A, p. 62, 300 acres. 20 Oct. 1715 – Samuel Pike from William & Hannah Nall, Vol. A, p. 115
Source: North Carolina Wills (GS 018049). The 11th Day of the 10th Moth 1716 I Samuel Pike of Pasquotank precinct being (illeg.) in body but of perfect mind and memory (illeg.) the Lord therefore I Do make and ordain this my Last will in manner and forme following that is to say (illeg.) my just Debts and funeral expenses be paid
Item – I give and bequeath unto my Loveing wife Jane Pike all my Estate Reale and personal Excepting one mair During her Natural Life
Item – I give and bequeath unto my Son Samuel Pike and my Daughter Susannah Pike my Negro Named Joe after the diseas of my wife to be Equally divided between them
Item – I give and bequeath unto my Son Benjamin and Daughter Ann Pike my other Negro Man named Peter after the Diseas (descease) of my wife to be equally Devided between them.
Item – I give and bequeath unto my son John my Mair and Colt only my will is that he (prob. “deliver”) of their increase unto Every of his Brothers and Sisters and Equal Share as wel as of the principle.
I do also make and ordain my Loveing wife my only and Sole Executricks Dissalowing and (illeg.) al former wills and testaments in mennor (manner) (illeg.) and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof Shalle herunto Patt my hand & seal the (date) and year above written.
Signed Sealed Published and Delivered
By the s Sam Pike as his Last will and
Testament in ye presencs of John Martin
John Moor
Source: North Carolina Archives, Vol. 2, p. 30 (Council Journal). At a council held at Sandy Point in Chowa July 31st, 1718…Upon Petition of Mathew Pritchet praying Adm on the EState of Patrick and Gregor McKregeory may be given to Jane Pike widow in behalf of her children as nearest of Kin. Ordered that ye same be granted as pray’d for
Source: North Carolina Wills (GS 018048) (4546, pt 7). Will of Hugh McGregor of Pasquotank (Dist), Albemarle Co: Lands in New York to my brother-in-law John McGregor, my two sons Patrick McGregor & Gregor McGregor & their (heirs) when they are of age; to son Patrick my Ffowling ___ ____________ & plate Hill (Hilt?) Swerd; the land where I now live, after the death of my wife Africa, to my two sons; 12 Jan 1703/4; wit: Wm. Barnsfoild, Tho. Pendleton, Thos. Abington. Hugh signs with mark.
