Andersons of Colonial N. Carolina

I’ve become aware of a dilemma in genealogy.  Its not really a “pro” vs “amateur” thing although pros go out of their way to provide explanations. I’m speaking of that damn footnote thing that they do. As an obstinate amateur, I only use footnotes as a last resort… any careful reader of mine will surmise correctly that I do it just to tick them off.  Its written in “The Amateur’s Code”… not sure of the page number… or the publisher.

The dilemma I refer to is a casual statement of a fact “that appears so obvious to a genealogist that they see no reason to cite, source and document it”. One of those “everybody knows it” situations.  I think it is something we all do and have to guard against. Pros know to watch out for it because it can ruin a reputation… or at least leave a stain.  An amateur may do a family history that is picked up decades later and is subjected to scrutiny.  Such cases, particularly today with this new internet thingy, can be dismissed and regulated to the trash heap when they contain pretty little “pearls” of information.  While the said document may be a hideous fabrication from an incompetent boob, it also could be a turd that simply needs polishing and refined a bit. Actually I’ve never seen one that is really “hideous” and also I don’t think “boobs” are interested in genealogy.  As a matter of fact most boobs in my local watering hole just go up to play the juke box when I start talking genealogy trash. I should watch my tasteless humor here because I’m about to show an example and I certainly don’t want to infer my trashtalk is about this family historian.  Are we cool with that?  Good, because I’ve spent ten years of arduous polishing and darned if it isn’t getting shiny.

On a somewhat more serious level, if I can contain myself, I’ve presented this synopsis several times in my various posts and I’ve been somewhat surprised at the response to it.  I think it has been tarnished with the dreaded “undocumented sources” curse and is in danger of being relegated to a footnote somewhere in “The Amateur’s Code”.

From the research of Donald Gordon (a Pittman descendant):

Thomas Pitman,of Monmouthshire, England, fled England during the Cromwell rebellion and landed in Virginia in 1649. He purchased land in Surry County, Virginia and had two sons Thomas and William. This grandson, the third Thomas moved about 1707 to Isle of Wight County. His daughter Elizabeth and son Robert, with Robert’s two sons, Samuel and Joseph moved to Edgecombe County North Carolina about 1738. Deeds in Edgecombe County show Robert, Samuel, Joseph and Elizabeth holding several hundred acres in the area North and West of Tarboro. Joseph who first appears on Edgecombe records as a bailiff of the court had a son Abner (b. 1758) and grandson born 1787. By this time the Pitmans became Pittmans and all spelled their name with two tees . The Pittmans held land North of Leggett stretching into southern Halifax County. Here Joseph and his wife Mary had a son Henry Elias born 1828. In 1850 Henry married Lucy Anderson who in 1852 gave birth to Biscoe Pittman who married Martha Alice Walston. To this marriage was born, as the last of eight children, Hobson Lafayette Pittman (1899) at Epworth.

(Cracking my knuckles) … let me dissect this…

“Thomas Pitman,of Monmouthshire, England, fled England during the Cromwell rebellion and landed in Virginia in 1649. He purchased land in Surry County, Virginia and had two sons Thomas and William.”

This may or may not be bunk… a Pro simply will not go there because it would be necessary to back up the statement with facts and that would involve research in England.  I speculate that any number of Pros would step up to the plate to do the necessary research provided expenses were paid. …I pause to clear my throat and try to maintain my decorum.  It also doesn’t take a wild flight of imagination to realize that it really wasn’t that long ago, particularly in some richly “Southern” enclaves, that it was popular to be associated with English castletrash… even if it was as a rebel fleeing those that actually caused them to flee.  I’ve always found that strange… but then again, I’m more Texan than Southern and Texans started their own damn country until they foolishly gave it up… but I digress.

“This grandson, the third Thomas moved about 1707 to Isle of Wight County.”

Turn in your account with your Internet Provider, throw your computer in the trash and go directly to the Library of Virginia.  Find the oldest librarian on the staff and explain to her/him that you want to do genealogy like a “Real Man”, or woman,  and do it the “old fashioned way” like it is supposed to be done!  Be forceful if necessary, the staff may be somewhat startled but they will eventually come around.

“His daughter Elizabeth and son Robert, with Robert’s two sons, Samuel and Joseph moved to Edgecombe County North Carolina about 1738.”

Hmmm… he sounds downright specific about that statement.  No equivocations or sissy little adjectives like “possibly” or “may have” or even that grand standby “quite likely”.  I find it quite likely that he may have possibly gone to the “The LIbrary”.  I also think that he may have had local family sources that he used and may have been so wrapped up in the Isle of Wight stuff that he thought the local stuff was just “obvious”. He was after all, “a Pittman descendant”.   I’ve spent the last decade verifying the above statement and it is correct.   … the “Elizabeth” part is a bit “iffy” tho’.

“Deeds in Edgecombe County show Robert, Samuel, Joseph and Elizabeth holding several hundred acres in the area North and West of Tarboro. Joseph who first appears on Edgecombe records as a bailiff of the court had a son Abner (b. 1758) and grandson born 1787.” 

I’m damn close to proving this correct. Or not.  I’m polishing.

“By this time the Pitmans became Pittmans and all spelled their name with two tees . The Pittmans held land North of Leggett stretching into southern Halifax County. Here Joseph and his wife Mary had a son Henry Elias born 1828. In 1850 Henry married Lucy Anderson who in 1852 gave birth to Biscoe Pittman who married Martha Alice Walston. To this marriage was born, as the last of eight children, Hobson Lafayette Pittman (1899) at Epworth.”

I think I will make a special effort to find an old phone book and take a digital photo of the Pittman references and post it.  Then I can rest assured about that “two tees” bit.  Buried in some of my notes, is a snippet of info

from 2001 from a Pittman descendant:

“I have an orginal of Hobson Pittman’s biography written by Donald Gordan. Years ago mom gave it to me, because I have been research the Pittmans at the state of NC archives. I don’t know where she got it, but Hobson was her uncle.    Also there was a family bible that listed Abner and Joseph. It only had them and no spouses or children. My mom didn’t know who they were. There names were just in it on a page with no reference.”  Its a shame Mr. Gordon did not document his work, but he gave some pretty good clues.  Amateur.

Amateurs like me don’t hesitate to throw out theories… we are looking for answers to clues.  We look at “brick walls” as something climb over.  But of course we have to watch out for a lot of bunk.  Junk genealogy is all over the web and darn it… I suppose we should document our sources… maybe add it to the Amatuer’s Code.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m just collecting notes trying to figure this guy out…

Abner Pitman was the son of who?… OK… which Joseph?

EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT MINUTES, 1775-1785, BOOK III, Haun 

[346] -76     Nov 1785

3.  A Deed of Sale from Joseph PITMAN to Abner PITMAN proved by Ethd. PHILIPS.

EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT MINUTES, 1786-1792, BOOK IV, Haun

[160]     Feb 1789

10.  A deed of Sale from Jacob BATTLE Sheriff to Abner PITMAN acknd.

From Kinfolks of Edgecombe County by Alan Watson 1969

Deed book 5 # 91 Abner Pitman bought the land of Joseph Pitman decd. at Sheriff’s sale formerly granted to Elizabeth Pitman, May 1, 1788.

Deed book 11 # 561 Abner Pitman of Maryan (Marion District) South Carolina was son of Joseph Pitman Feb. 19, 1806

Joseph Pitman Dec. 18, 1786 feb. ct. 1787  [son Abner]

Account of sale by Wm. Fort, D. Sheriff, and Reubin Jones, exr., Feb. 23, 1787, October Court 1787.
Account current with the exr., October Court 1787.
Edgecombe County NC Estate Records, NC State Archives, C.R. 037.508.98
PITTMAN Joseph – 1787 – Reuben JONES, excr.; Abner PITTMAN to render slaves Priss (value L200), Abraham (L200), Vilet (L200); no family info, per se.

Edge. Co. Db 5, page 136, deed date 21 Mar 1789, recorded May Ct 1789,

Abner Pitman, Edge. Co to Arthur Pitt for 60 pounds, a Negro boy named

Abraham, about 5 years old last fall, signed Abner Pittman, wit.

Etheldred Philips, Noah Woodard.  Abstracted 9-18-04, NCA film

C.037.40007, CTC.

Edgecombe County NcArchives Wills…..Proctor, Moses – Estate 1795

Proctor, Moses, Estate file, NC Archives, Edgecombe Co. Estates,

CR.037.508.102.  JUDGEMENT against Wm. Brake for 3 pounds, one shilling

with interest from (?0 Dec 1794 until paid, to be taken from the goods

and chattels of said Brake, issued 24 June, 1795 by S. Ruffin.  Marked

Deloach vs Wm. Brake and Wm.. Faulk, warrant L3-1-0, executed by Abner 

Pitman.  (from the research of Tommy Colbert  http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/edgecombe/wills/proctor2747wl.txt)

Edge. Co. Db 9, page 362, deed date 29 Jan 1800, recorded Feb Ct 1800,

Malichi Murphrey, Edge. Co to Abner Pitman, Edge. Co for $500 silver, a

tract beginning at William Horn’s corner a red oak and gum in Falling

Run then by said Horn’s line south 70 west 760 poles to a white oak a

corner tree then by Horn’s line north 60 west 80 poles to a pine in

Thos. Pollich’s line then by said line north 82 east 118 poles to a

corner a white oak then by the other line north 8 west 160 poles to a

white oak sapling then east 42 poles to a gum on Falling Run then down

said run to the first station, containing 107 acres, signed Malichi

Murphree, Sally Murphree, wit Josiah Horn, William Horn. Abstracted 9

Nov 07, RD copy, CTC.

(don’t let that deed reference to the little creek “Falling Run” throw you off because it is shown on modern maps over near Swift Creek because (and I’m not certain) there also was another little creek with the same name in the old deeds near William Horn’s property South of Tar River near the old Battle property… the deed references to Thomas Pollock makes me suspect it was associated nearer to south Tar River (that Pollock was a descendant of the “war” governor of 1711)…. this stuff is maddening.)

Edge. Co. Db 9, page 457, deed date 28 Mar 1800, recorded May Ct 1800,

commissioners divide the lands of John Stallings dec’d between the

lawful claimants, viz, Matthew Stallings and William Stallings,

pursuant to an order from Feb Ct 1800, commissioners divided a tract

containing 159 & 1/4 acres as per the above figure ABCDEFGHL into equal

lots, 1 & 2 containing 79 acres, three roods and twenty poles, #1

containing the lower part was drawn by Matthew Stallings and is to pay

unto his brother, William Stallings $50 silver, beginning at a stake in

Adam I. Haywood’s line marked with “A” then north 6 east 187 poles to a

dead pine Abram Jones corner at “B” then along the black line which

divides the plate south 80 west to three white oaks and a dogwood then

south 119 poles along Abner Pitman’s line to a small pine Haywood’s

corner at “L” then along Haywood’s line to the beginning, lot #2

containing the upper half and the house an equal number of acres but

inferior in value, beginning at a dead pine standing in the cleared

grounds at the letter “B” then north 88 east 32 poles to a red oak in

Abram Jones line then along said line south 84 east 50 poles to a white

oak said Jones & Frederick Phillips’ corner tree then along a crooked

line of marked trees, viz, north 14 west 18 poles then north 44 west 8

poles then north 68 west 24 poles then north 49 west 29 poles then

north 23 west 18 poles to a branch near the old foot way then up the

said branch north 85 west 26 poles to an oak then along Frederick

Phillips other line north 27 poles to a pine standing near Linches Path

then along Lynches line south 44 west 24 poles then south 48 west 36

poles to a pine and gum Linches corner marked in the above plan with

the letter “G” then along Linches other line south 28 west 48 poles to

a maple standing in the old line at “H” then along the old line south

55 poles to the center of three white oaks and a dogwood marked as “I”

then along the Black Line which divides the whole tract by a course

north 80 east to the beginning, signed Hartwell Philips, Exum Philips,

Sr, John Fountain (X), Exum Philips, Jr, Duke Wm. Sumner, Fredk.

Philips, County surveyor. NOTE: DEED HAS PLAT.  Abstracted 14 Sep 07,

RD copy CTC.

Edge. Co. Db 11, page (542), deed date 14 Feb 1806, recorded Feb Ct

1806, John Evans, county aforesaid to Abraham Evans, his father, same

place, for one pepper corn to be annualy paid least to farm, two tracts

of land on the north side of Tar River and on each side of Falling Run

in one tract on the west side of said run 107 acres formerly belonging 

to Malechi Murphrey & Abner Pitman, the other tract adjoining

containing 353 acres being the tract and plantation sold from Jacob

Dickinson to Jacob Battle, signed John Evans, wit Frederick Philips,

Jos Jno. Sumner. Abstracted 12-7-06, NCA film C.037.400010, CTC.

I’m not sure where this property was?  I think it could be at either question mark… is this the same Murphy that shows up also in South Carolina?

————————————-

So I’m in Raleigh a couple years ago…  I’m not a local.  (I go back a couple centuries)   I’m looking up stuff from Chowan County filmstrips…

A kindly old gentleman from the staff offers assistance… “What are you looking for?”  he asked.  “I’m looking for James Anderson in Chowan County in 1716, I says”.  He looks perplexed… “you mean Cha Juan” he says.  I looked at him and said “Well I’m not so sure now”.  “I’m referring to Chow Ann County” I says. He seemed a bit miffed.  He says the Cha Juan records are right over here.  I says “Are you trying to talk like an indian or what?”  He left me with the records… I drove them crazy getting quarters for those damn pay machines.

And yes, I’ve had a couple beers.

Sorry… well not really because I don’t think any young impressionable minds visit this site that will be impacted by my profanity.  I don’t understand what the “big deal” is with everyone putting silly disclaimers on their websites declaring their disdain over someone taking their “stuff” and posting it elsewhere where someone may (gasp) make a profit off of it?   Let’s see…. Ancestry.com might actually grab something I posted and use it?  So what?

If you want something I have posted just grab it and run…. use it…. a courtesy reference to me would be nice but I won’t lose any sleep over it.  Free or Profit… I don’t care.

And while I’m on a soapbox… why is it that the NC Archives site won’t allow me to grab an image of a stinking will and let me post it? (trust me folks, I can easily work around their pitiful attempt to make that impossible).  SC Archives has a “save file” feature…. hmm.  Familysearch.org has a “save” feature.   And why is it that Chowan County refused to let the Mormans take photos of “their” precious records when every other county in NC allowed them access?  hmmm?

Sorry to rant… this nonsense drives me nuts… I’m just trying to figger out who my ggggggdaddy was…  it would also be nice if the NC Archives would figure out what a digital camera is.

To NC Archives… here’s a (gasp) capitalist idea… hire a young kid, give him/her a digital camera capable cell phone (c’mon make a deal with your local cell phone company)… when a request for a record is emailed in just snap a picture and email it back to the requester….. (use PayPal or whatever) … this isn’t rocket surgery.  Better hurry tho’  SC may see this post.

Robert Pitman d. aft 1760  wife unknown (no will found)

….. Joseph

….. Samuel

…..Jesse?

son Joseph

Edgecombe Co., NC, Court Minutes 1744-1762 Book I, GoldenWest Marketing Genealogy, Temple City, CA 

[187]   Feb 1757/8

Jos. PITMAN son of Robert (Overseer marked out) Constable in Room of George WIMBERLY

son Samuel  b.1736  d.1812

see here page 20        http://digital.ncdcr.gov/cdm4/document.php?CISOROOT=/p15012coll1&CISOPTR=6082&REC=1   (copy/paste in your browser)

(I have not scoured thru this bible to see if it mentions other family connections… give it a shot and post your thoughts in a comment… I’m all ears…)

son Jesse*

*(NCNRH-DE2 p. 57)  I assume this is a Northampton, NC  Deed Book 2 reference and I have not seen it… a little help here?     Per a short reference I have seen posted on the web this deed refers to a sale of land on 8 Nov, 1764 to Harmen Taylor and refers to a Jesse Pitman which can be tied to Robert Pitman?  Robert’s brother Thomas d.1755 also has a purported son Jesse so that is the issue I have.

——————————-

Robert, Samuel and Martha (who is she?) witnesses to 2 back to back wills in 1760…

source:  Familysearch.org   North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970 HalifaxWills, 1755-1781, Vol. 01  Image  17, 18, 19 of 245

1765       10 Jun. Jesse Blackwell (mark) of Edgecombe Co., planter to John Arliss Junr. of same, for £10 Proc. money a tract of land on the Mill Branch adjoining Arthur Dew and Hickman, it being part of a tract granted to said Jesse Blackwell bearing date 3 Nov 1761. Wit: JESSE PITMAN, Nath’l Hickman, senr. DB C, p. 369.

Karen’s note: A Jesse Pitman married Rachel Horn 26 Sep 1765, James Jolly bondsman; T. Cavenah, witness;   [son of Thomas d.1754?]
Also, A Jesse Pitman married Christian Hickmen 19 Oct 1765, William Hickman bondsman, Thomas Cavenah, witness. [son of Robert]

BRYANT, GAYLE Apr 8, 1788. Nov. Ct., 1793. Wife & Extx: Elizabeth, land, mare, bridle and
saddle all my hogs and cattle – household goods, and clothes, until her decease or marriage.
Reversion to my children. Dau: SARAH BRAND, lining wheel; Dau: EDAH JORDAN, all land and manner
(manor) plantation; loom and weaving gear. Gr. son: NAZARETH ALLEN, small shot gun. Exr: Joseph
Jordan. Wit: JESSE PITMAN, MORUNING PITMAN, THOMAS EDWARDS

Petition of Benjamin Cobb, who had a land entry adjoining Michael Horn,
Thomas Viverett, William Dew, and John Dew to run around the lines of John
Dew, who refused to let the surveyor run his lines. 6 Jan 1783
Petition for settlement of estate. Thomas Viverett died on 18 October 1791,
leaving a will with Jesse Pitman as executor. Said Pitman died intestate in
1793, and administration was granted to William Dew and Cornelius Joyner, who
refused to make a final settlement with Micajah Viverett and Lancelot
Viverett, two sons of the deceased. No date.

Thomas Vivrett: Judgement (27 Aug 1799) made against goods of Jesse Pittman,
decd in the hands of Mourning Pittman, Felix Pittman, Patience Allen, Jesse
Pittman, Robert Pittman and Christian Pittman, as the result of a suit in
favor of Cornelius Joyner, admr. of Thomas Vivrett.

Edgecombe Co. DB 3-426, dated 24 Jan 1776: Jeremiah Cony and wife Mary (x)
Cony of Edgecombe Co., planter, to Thomas Vivret of same for 46 pds Proc.
money a tract of 125 acres on the bank of Toisnot Swamp, it being part of a
tract granted to said Jeremiah Coney and wife Mary, bearing date 24 Jan 1776.
Wit: William Bond Whitehead, Jesse Pitman, Nathaniel Hickman, Junr.

EC DB 3-427, dated 29 Jan 1777: Arthur (x) Dew and wife, Mary, of Edgecombe
Co., planter to Thomas Vivret of same, for 155 pds Proc. money a tract of 125
acres on the south bank of Toisnot Swamp adjoining John Dew. Wit: Jesse
Pitman, Robert Peele, Junr., Nath. Hickman, Junr. Mary Dew was examined
separately concerning her right of dower.

Scroll to bottom of Page list…

And yes, I work in my theory of Elizabeth Pitman… its what I do… its an obsession.

Scroll to bottom of Page list if you dare… it even has nifty documents.

Read the post just before this to get a grasp of what this post is about.  With my vast audience I figure at least a dozen people are enthralled by this… maybe 13.

Below is a chronology of the “Court Minutes”, Book 1-4 of Edgecombe County 1757-1790.  I have extracted only the Joseph Pitmans out of the vast Pitman Pie.

The object of the game is to figure out the logical choice as to “who is the Joseph who was most likely left standing to sign the will of William Anderson in 1789.”… or Who is the last Old Phart Joseph left standing in 1788…. whichever, I’m flexible with rules.

The term “Quaker” is used below to identify a family group… while the later children may not be Quakers I still use it as a basis to link them to their earlier forebears and in some cases neighbors.

A distinctly different Joseph is who I refer to as the “Constable”.

Please let me know if you can identify any Joseph who is not connected to the “Quakers” or the “Constable.”

 Got it? Let’s go….

Joseph Pitman

Edgecombe Co., NC, Court Minutes 1744-1762 Book I, GoldenWest Marketing Genealogy, Temple City, CA

[187]   Feb 1757/8

Jos. PITMAN son of Robert (Overseer marked out) Constable in Room of George WIMBERLY

(This is a critical bit of info… this is “the Bailiff” referred to in the research of Donald Gordon. Note also that I have found only ONE Robert Pitman of this era and area. This Joseph was clearly born at least by 1736… I have a bible record of his brother Samuel b.1736. I think Joseph was born a bit earlier.) 

[191]   Feb 1757/8

Philip THOMAS in the room of Joseph PITMAN Overseer

[241]   Jun 1759

Wm. GREEN to Joseph PITMAN Deed prov’d by Jesse GREEN

(Nov. 24, 1758 William Green sold to Joseph Pitman 90 acres on the south bank of Tar River at the mouth of Deep Branch adjoinjng said Pitman…. Wit: Joseph (J) Pitman and Jesse Green.  These 2 Josephs are father and son… the “Quakers”… uh …. I think)

[267]   Sep 1760

Robert COLEMAN is appointed Oversr. of the Road from SWEETENS Landan (sic) on Tar River

to MIALS Bridge on SWIFT Creek.  Ordered that the following hands Work on the same, Towit:

John MOORE          John FOUNTAIN          Wm. ROLLINS          James BROWN

John HATCHER       Joseph PHILIPS          Joshua SIKES           Robert MANOR

Aaron ODUM           Andw. ROSS              John ONEALS           Wm. ANDERSON

Joseph PITMAN       Arthr. PITMAN            James STALLIONS    Gregory STALLIONS

Moses WOODWARD &       Robert COLEMAN

(note the neighbors… particularly William Anderson… these folks are clearly north of Tar River in 1760.  The 2 Josephs noted in [241] above are clearly south of Tar River)

[272]   Dec 1760

The last Will & Testament of Moses PITMAN Deced. was Exhibited by the Exrs. therein named

and at the same time Joseph PITMAN one of the People called Quakers affirmed that he saw the

sd. Moses PITMAN Execute the sd. Will & that he saw Jno. GAY & Jesse GREEN sign the same

as Evidence thereto & at the same Time the Exr. Qualified acco. to Law

  (note the name Jesse Green… see [241] above)

[301]   Sep 1762

Jonathan COLEMAN appointed Guardian of Aaron COLEMAN orphan of Charles COLEMAN

(Robert COLEMAN crossed out) & John MURPHREE & Joseph PITMAN Sec. in the sum of

£200 Proc.

( Jonathan Coleman married the sister of the wife of William Anderson… note the involvement of Joseph Pitman “the Constable”)

[304]   Sep 1762

Deed of Sale from Elizabeth PITMAN to Joseph PITMAN proved by Aaron COLEMAN

(Elizabeth Pitman’s property adjoined William Anderson… note above which Joseph Pitman gave Security for this Aaron……I say the Constable… what do you think?)

[310]   Sep 1761-Dec 1761

Ordred that Joseph PITMAN & John BAILY be appointed Searchers

  (I don’t know where Baily lived?…… sue me.)

[318]   Dec 1761-Mar1762

A Deed of Sale from Elizabeth PITMAN to Arthur PITMAN proved by Sherd. HAYWOOD Esq.

(note the presence of Arthur Pitman in [267] above and the proximity to Joseph Pitman. I say the Constable.)

(…further down the transcrpt)

A Deed of Gift from Henry HORN to Wm. HORN proved by the Affirmation of Joseph

PITMAN a Quaker

(need I point out the obvious? “the Affirmation bit”… Horn was south of Tar River and he was also a Quaker)

[342]   Sep 1762

A Deed of Sale from Arthur PITMAN to Joseph PITMAN proved by Wm. ANDERSON

(see [304] and [267]…. the Constable )

[343]   Sep 1762

A Deed of Sale from William GAY to Joseph PITMAN acknowledged

(William Gay was a Quaker and lived south of Tar River adjoining sd. Pitman)

[347]   Sep 1762

Ordred that the following Persons be a jury to lay off a Road from the foot of the New Bridge

to be built over the Tar river the nearest and most convenient Way into the road that leads

Tarbo. Towit:

(list of names including)   Joseph PITMAN…William ANDERSON

(I’m thinkin’ the Constable)

Edgecombe Co., NC, Court Minutes 1763-1774 Book II, GoldenWest Marketing Genealogy, Temple City, CA

[11]   Jan 1763

John BAILEY & Joseph PITMAN Searchers

(Baily again…where did he live exactly?)

[12]   Jan 1763

Joseph PITMAN constable in the Room of John MURFREE

(I think most folks will agree that being a Quaker came with a “stigma”… I can cite laws, particularly during the early 1700s of Perquimins Precinct/ County that specifically forbade Quakers from holding an office such as Constable.  My hunch is this is the son of Robert)

[18]   Jun 1763

Grand Jury retur’d towit:

Samuel CARTER          Hardyman POPE          James BOAZMANS          James KNIGHT

Joseph STRICKLAND    James WILLIAMS        Soloman NETTLE              Kindred CARTER

Robert WRIGHT            Arthur PHILIPS            Richd. THOMAS                Moses WOODWARD

Elias FORT                  Joseph PITMAN           James WILLIAMSON          John WATKINS

William BRYANT

who being Qualified withdrew to Business

Petit Jury returned &c towit,

(list includes William ANDERSON)

[25]   Jul 1763

Ann PITMAN is appointed Guardian to Ann, Jethro & Chloe PITMAN Orphans of Joseph PITMAN

Deceas’d giving Security in the sum of £500 Proc. Daniel ROSS & Jesse GREEN Security

(Quaker)

[27]   Jul 1763

The last Will & Testament of Joseph PITMAN Decd. was Exibited on Oath by the Exor. &

proved by the Oaths of James HORN & Mary GREEN two of the Subscribing Witnesses thereto

& at the same Time the Exors. were qualified accordg. to Law Ordred &c.

An Inventory of the Estate of sd. Joseph PITMAN was Exhibited on Oath & Orderd &c.

Ordred that Elisha BATTLE Esqr. Joseph SUMNER & Daniel ROSS or any two of them being

first duly qualified meet & divide the Estate of Joseph PITMAN deceas’d among the Widow &

Children of sd. Deceas’d & Return &c.

(Quaker)

[28]   Jul 1763

Ordred that Joseph PITMAN Exor. to the Estate of John GAY Junr? Deced. sell the Perishable

Part of the sd. Estate accordg. Law (sic) for the Benefit of the Devisee.

(Quaker)

[35]   Jul 1763-Oct 1763

Ordred that Anne PITMAN Guardian of the Orpans of Joseph PITMAN have leave to sell the

Perishable Part of the Estate of the sd. Orpahans & return &c. & that she likewise have leave

to sell a Mare and Colt which were of the Estate of the sd. Joseph PITMAN deced. and

not yet divided be sold to pay the Debts of the sd. Joseph & that the sd. Sale be held on

last? Friday in Novemr. next.

(Quaker)

[37]   Oct 1763

The Person appointed to Divide the Estate of Joseph PITMAN deced. havf? made return

Orddred (sic) to be recorded.

Addl. Invy. of Estate of Joseph PITMAN deced. being Ret. adm. to Record.

(see a pattern here?)

[49]   Jan 1764

Acct. Sales of the Estate of Joseph PITMAN Deced. Ord. &c.

(that Quaker thing…)

[58]   Apr 1764

William PITMAN is appointed Constable in Room of Edward LANE Ordred &c.

Lycence is on Mocon granted to Abram ALQUI__ to keep an Ordinary and Victualling house

at his dwelling Plantation he thereupon enterd into Bo__ with Isaac WILSON and Joseph

PITMAN Securities.

(with my concerns of the Quaker “stigma”, I hazard a guess that this may be the son-in-law of Andrew Ross who had property near William Anderson….  but the Ross’ had property in several areas of Edgecombe including the area of the Quaker Josephs.  But I may be blowing smoke because one of the Quaker Josephs served in the militia- 1750s…bottom line… I don’t know about this William guy… see [80] below.)

[66]   Apr 1764

Ordred that Elisha BATTLE, Sherwood HAYWOOD Esqrs __ ___SUMNER or any two of them

divide & settle the Estat_ __ Joseph PITMAN deced. and return &c.

(Quaker)

[70]   Jul 1764

The Persons appointed to divide & settle the Estate of Joseph PITMAN deced. return’d an

acct. thereof which ___ Ordred to be recorded.

(Quaker)

[80]   Oct 1764

A Deed of Sale from John HATCHER & Uxr. to Stephen BATCHEL__ proved by William PITMAN

A Deed of Sale from Robert ARMSTRONG to William PITM__ proved by Joseph PITMAN

A Deed of Sale from Robert ARMSTRONG to William PITM__ proved by Joseph PITMAN

(this is a headbanger because Stephen Batchelor and “a” William Pitman eventually obtained property in Nash Co.  I’ve tried to track this William to a point of frustration very near sobriety… I’m pretty near ticked off)

(I call it Quaker) 

[82]   Oct 1764

Joseph PITMAN is appointed Constable ___ the ensuing Year.

(ahh… the Constable… he must have liked the job)

[83]   Oct 1764-Jan 1765

John BAILEY and Joseph PITMAN Searchers for the Ensuing Year.

(who IS this John Bailey? and what exactly IS a Searcher?)

[87]   Jan 1765

Anne PITMAN Guardian of the Orphans of Joseph PITMAN hath leave to bring in her accts.

with sd. Orphans next Court.

(Quaker)

[92]   Jan 1765

The following Persons are appointed Constables for the ensuing Year, towit,

(list includes) Joseph PITMAN

(job security)

[117]   Jan1766

Anne PITMAN Guardian of Jethro Anne & Chloe PITMAN Orphans of Joseph PITMAN deced.

exhibited on Oath accts. of her Guardianship which were allow’d &c.

Joseph PITMAN Guardian of Thomas PITMAN Orphan of Joseph PITMAN deced. exhibited

his acct. by his Afirmation which was allow’d &c.

(Quaker… the “Afirmation thing”)

[144]   Jan 1767

Joseph PITMAN Execu. of the last Will & Testam__ of John GAY Deceaed Exhibited an acct

Current against the sd. Estate which was approved of and Ordered &c.

(son of the older Quaker)

[178]   Oct 1767

Ann PITMAN (accounts of her Guardianship…)

(Quaker)

[204]   Feb 1769

Joseph PITMAN Guardian of Thomas PITMAN A Legatee to John GAY decd. returned an acct. of

his Guardianship which was approved Ordered &c.

(ditto)

[249]   Feb 1770

Joseph PITMAN Overseer of the Road in the Room of Robert CARLISLE

(dunno… where did Carlisle live?)

[251]   Feb 1770

Joseph PITMAN Guardian of Thomas PITMAN exhibited an Acct. of his Guardianship

(“on Oath who” crossed out) Affermation Ordred &c.

(this could support an argument that he was a Quaker, but then I don’t think I need to)

Anne PITMAN exhibited…account of her Guardianship

  (Quaker)

[274]   Aug 1770

Joseph PITMAN Overseer of the Road in the Room of Robert CARLISLE

(that pesky Carlisle guy again?)

[291]   Feb 1771

Ann PITMAN Guardian of Jethro & Cloe PITMAN Orphans of Joseph PITMAN dec’d

exhibited an Acct. of the Guardianship of the last year which was approved of Ordered &c.

Joseph PITMAN Guardian to Thomas PITMAN Legatee of John GAY decd. exhibited

his account into Court which was aproved. Ordered &c. (sic)

(Quaker)

[297]   Feb 1771-May 1771

Joseph PITMAN is appointed Constable in the Room of Jonathan COLEMAN

(son of Robert… note how I just threw that in?)

[299]   same as above

Robert DIGGES is appointed Overseer of the Road in the Room of Joseph PITMAN

(must have been too busy Constable’in to mess with that Road crap)

[306]   May 1771-Aug 1771

The following Majestrates are appointed to take the List of Taxables for the Present

Year Vizt: (list includes) Joseph PITMAN

( I think a Constable was considered a Majestrate?)

[329]   Feb 1772

Joseph PITMAN (account of Guardianship…Thomas PITMAN)

Anne…(same)

(Quaker)

[348]   May 1772-Aug 1772

Joseph PITMAN (list of Magistrates…similar to above)

(similar to above [306])

[380]   Feb 1773

Ann PITMAN Guardian to Chloe PITMAN Orpan of Joseph PITMAN decd. exhibited

an Acct. of her Guar___ which was approved, Ordered &c.

(Quaker)

[381]   same as above

Joseph PITMAN (account of Guardianship…Thomas PITMAN)

(Quaker)

[405]   Apr 1774-Jul 1774

Joseph PITMAN continued Constable for the ensuing year.

(son of Robert)

[413]   Jul 1774-Oct 1774

Joseph PITMAN (list of Magistrates…to take List of Taxables)

(son of Robert)

EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT MINUTES, 1775-1785, BOOK III, Haun

[18]    Apl 1775

3.   Jonathan COLEMAN is appointed Constable for the ensuing year in the room of Joseph PITMAN.

(son of Robert… don’t forget the Jonathan Coleman connection)

[31]    Oct 1775

A Deed of Sale from Joseph PITMAN & Wife to Thomas TEAT acknowledged.

(where did Teat live?)

[63]    Feb 1779

Joseph PITMAN is appointed Overseer of the Road in the room of Loveless SAVAGE.

____  _____ Robert CARLILE is appointed Overseer of the Road in the Room of Joseph PITMAN.

(this Carlile guy is beginning to irritate me.)

[128]   Feb 1780

Deed of Sale from Joseph PITMAN to William FOLK proved by the Oath of Joel HORN.

Deed of Sale from Joseph PRICE to Moses PITMAN proved by the Oath of Joel HORN.

(Is this Joseph Price related to the Price living next to William Anderson?  actually this Joseph Price lived near the Quakers) (I call this Quakers)

[231]   A Deed of Gift from Joseph PITMAN to Wm. FOLK? proved by Joel HORN.

(William Faulk was the son-in-law of Joseph Pitman of southside Tar River…. Quaker)

[320]   A Grant to Joseph PITMAN.

(hmmm…  I haven’t checked this grant?)

[346]   3. A Deed of Sale from Joseph PITMAN to Abner PITMAN proved by Ethd. PHILIPS.

(according to the research of Donald Gordon…”Joseph who first appears in Edgecombe records as a bailiff of the court had a son Abner (b. 1758) and grandson born 1787″.  …there is a purported bible reference supporting Abner as a son of Joseph the Baliff… but then, that pesky Quaker Joseph also had a son named Abner, noted in his will, 1787.  … what’s your call, Quaker or Constable?)

EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, COURT MINUTES, 1786-1792, BOOK IV, Haun

[67]    The last Will & Testament of Joseph PITMAN was proved by the oaths William EMSON and Frederick TERVATHAN Ord. &c.

(Quaker)

[71]    Feb 1787

Reuben JONES one of the executors named in the last Will and Testament of Joseph PITMAN decd. came into Court and qualified thereto.

Ordered that the perishable estate of Joseph PITMAN decd. be sold by the Exor. according to Law.

(Quaker)

[75]    Apl 1787

Amos PITMAN Orphan of Joseph PITMAN decd. aged Sixteen years is Ordered to be bound apprentice to Timothy MANNING to learn the trade of a Taylor.

(ditto)

[105]   Acct. Sales of the estate of Joseph PITMAN decd. exhibited on Oath by the exor.

(ditto)

[107]   Reuben JONES exor. of Joseph PITMAN decd. return’d his acct. Current agt. the sd. estate on Oath.

(ditto)

[121]   Jan 1788

Charity & Isaac PITMAN Orphans of Joseph PITMEN decd. being of lawfull age came into Court & chose Reuben? JONES Guardian.

(ditto)

[183]   May 1789

28.  A deed of Sale from Joseph PITMAN to Thomas PITMAN proved by Robert SHERROD.

(?) (The Joseph d.1763 left an orphan Thomas… I can’t call this because the 2 Quakers are dead and a pesky young Joseph shows up in an estate sale of an Amy Pitman of 1791 but its obvious this is a young phart that can’t be associated with the distinguished Old Pharts that I’m analyzing. Got it? Good… Let’s continue….)

[238]   May 1790

The Last Will & Testament of William ANDREWS decd. was proved by the Oaths of Elijah HORN & Joseph PITMAN & Elijah PRICE the exor therein qualified and at same time took out Letters Testamty.

(this is William ANDERSON)

[239]   May 1790

Inventory of the estate of William ANDERSON deceased returned on Oath by the exor.

(The will was signed by Joseph Pitman the son of Robert Pitman.   I think they knew each other since childhood and quite possibly were cousins.)  If you think this may be one of the mystery sons of Thomas Pitman from his 1750ish Will then I will just shake my head. Those kids would be young pharts.)

1790 Edgecombe County Census

Joseph Pitman  1 over 16,  2 males under 16,  2 females

(This is the only Joseph Pitman on the census… but if you are one of those who take a look at the neighbors it could easily appear that this guy is living south of the Tar River which would be one of the Quaker clan.  It is pure coincidence.)

Michael Horn

Sarah Barnes

John Pitman

Joseph Price

Ann Horn

Jethro Pittman (son of the Quaker Joseph, d. 1787)

Ann Pittman

Briton Adams

Amos Rose

Sion Trevathan

Frederick Trevathan  (witness to will of 1787…the Quaker)

Wm. Deloach

Wm. Elenor

Joseph Pitman  (son of Robert? or a young phart?)

(Until their senior years, William Anderson and Joseph Pitman lived northside Tar River near Swift Creek and near a little creek called Falling Run.  In 1787 Anderson moved southside Tar River just above the modern Wiggins Lake.  He made his will there. “a” Joseph Pitman was living just west of him.)

Edge. Co. Db 9, page 335, deed date 25 Mar 1797, recorded Feb Ct 1800,

John Haywood, Raleigh, NC to Michael Williams, Edge. Co for $250, a

tract on the west side of Deloachs Branch containing (220) acres being

part of a tract which Joseph Pitman presently lives & being the whole

of the land belonging to the said Haywood on the west side of Deloachs

Branch except that part where Joseph Pitman lives, containing 25 acres,

signed John Haywood, wit S. Haywood, John Hudson. Abstracted 9-27-06,

NCA film C.037.40009, CTC.

(the only Joseph this could be is the son of Robert… who was in the 1790 census, being that he was an Old Phart… otherwise it is a young phart.)

Got it?

Joseph Pittman, son of Thomas Pittman, was born on January 11, 1724-
1725, and settled in lower Edgecombe County. His wife Elizabeth was
born on January 11, 1724 (?) and died on March 31, 1761. They were
members of the Rich Square Monthly Meeting of the Quaker Society by
September 6, 1760, but he was on November 16, 177- “dismissed for
proposing marriage to one outside of the Society.: (This reference
could have been to Thomas Pittman, Jr.)

Children of Joseph and Elizabeth Pittman:

Faith Pittman was born on October 30, 1747.
Amy Pittman was born on May 2, 1749.
Elizabeth Pittman was born on January 4, 1752.
Thomas Pittman, Jr., was born on October 8, 1756.
Abia Pittman was born on March 12, 1758.
Patience Pittman was born on September 21, 1760.

There were quite a few Pitmans or Pittmans living in Edgecombe County
by 1760, but no one appears to have worked out all their
relationships. Joseph Pitman the Quaker, witnessed the will of Moses
Pitman on March 24, 1759. One Joseph Pitman made his will on
December 18, 1786, and another on October 9, 1762, but the lists of
legatees do not indicate that either was the father of the above
children.

Hugh Johnston
Rocky Mount Telegram
June 6, 1958

Who the heck is this James Pitman?

Haun’s Edgecombe Cout Minutes, Book III

[327]-57   May 1785

The following are insolvents returned by the collector of Captain FLOWER’S district for 1784 which were allowd viz: Sherrod HORN, Jesse BOAZMAN, Isaac MELTON, James PITMAN, William JONES, Daniel HIGHSMITH , Benjamin ROGERS, all Pols & Danl. HIGHTOR? for 1 Poll & 460 acres.

With the pitiful lack of information we have for ANY James Pitman can this be our guy of the 1740s deeds?  If he was in his 20s in the 1740s this would tag him roughly 70ish yrs old in 1785.  I dunno.

I have him “apparently” selling all his holdings by 1746 and then he just disappears… could it be he was a tenant, sharecropper, living near relatives on the south side of Tar River?  The glaring problem is the 40 year gap…. but it is “plausible”.