Andersons of Colonial N. Carolina

meant what they said, said what they meant

Quaker Pitmans… Edgecombe

with 14 comments

I think this post solves the “problem Pitman”…

Guy Baker found the missing “will” (actually a deed) of the Quaker Joseph… an obscure post from 1998 verifies it by the marriage of William Faulk and Patience Pitman…

Traci Thompson added the missing link of a forgotten daughter of Joseph Pitman… it all adds up… this is the second most difficult “proof” I’ve dealt with in the last 12 years…

Also see my Page “John Gay and John Gay Jr Wills”… I’ve updated the info which seriously substantiates what I say below…

More property puzzles to mull over…  click squares to enlarge… then click again…

As they say, “a picture is worth a thousand words”… but as kantankerous genealogists go… they demand the thousand words… so I’ve tried to add some of those…

These are some of the references I used to arrive at the map…

Edge. Co (Halifax) Db 4, page 153, deed date 10 Feb 1750, recorded Nov

Ct 1751, John Gay, Edge. Co to Joseph Pitman, Edge. Co for 35 pds, a

tract containing 240 acres beginning at a gum at the mouth of a branch

and running up the branch to Gay’s line then along the line to the

corner then down the said line to the river to three trees on the south

side of the branch then up the river to the first station, signed John

Gay (IC) (his mark), wit Moses Pitman, Joe Pitman (mark).  Abstracted

2-7-06, NCA film C.047.40002, CTC.

Abstracts of Deeds Edgecombe Precinct, Edgecombe Co NC, As Found In Halifax Co, NC, Public Registry, Deed Books 1-6, 1732-1758, Hoffman, Margaret M.

14 May 1756 Joseph Pitman, Sr. sold land to Joseph Pitman, Jr. 90 acres on Tar River, joining a branch, John Gay and the River. Wit. Moses Pitman.

1757       31 May. William Green of Edgecombe Co., planter, to Jesse Green of same, planter, for £23 a tract of 126 acres on the south bank of Tar River and on deep Branch adjoining Richard Horn. Wit: James Horn, Joseph Pitman. Edgecombe Co. Deed Book 00, p. 6.

Edge. Co. Db 00, page 100, deed date 29 Jun 1757, recorded Jun Ct

1760, William Horn, Edge. Co to my son, James Horn, for love and good

will to my son, a tract on the south side of Tar River beginning at a

white oak at the mouth of a branch and running up the branch as

follows, north 20 west 80 poles to a white oak then south 25 west 60

poles then south 50 west 34 poles then north (56) west 44 poles to a

red oak then north 10 east 240 poles to a red oat at the river then

down the courses of the river to the beginning, containing 200 acres,

signed William Horn (mark W & H with common vertical leg), wit Jesse

Green, William Gay, Elijah Horn (mark). Abstracted 12-20-05, NCA film

C.037.40001, CTC.

31 May 1757 William Green of Edgecombe Co., planter, to Jesse Green of 

same, planter, for £23 a tract of 126 acres on the south bank of Tar River and on deep Branch 

adjoining Richard Horn. Wit: James Horn, Joseph Pitman. Edgecombe Co. Deed Book 00, p. 6.

Edge. Co. Db D, page 372, deed date 17 Aug 1770, recorded (Aug Ct 

1772), Jesse Green, planter, Edge. Co to Joel Horn, planter, same 

county for 50 pds VA, a tract of 126 acres on the south side of Tar 

River beginning at William Horn’s corner a red oak at the river and 

running (south) 60 west to a pine in William Horn’s line then west to a 

red oak then north to the Deep Branch then down the said branch to the 

river then down the river to the beginning, signed Jesse Green, wit 

William Taylor, Molly Taylor (X), acknowledged by Jesse Green.  

Abstracted 24 Dec 07, NCA film C.037.40014, CTC.

1758       24 Nov. William Green of Edgecombe Co. to Joseph Pitman of same, for £3 a tract of 90 acres on the south bank of Tar River at the mouth of Deep Branch adjoining said Pitman. Wit: Joseph (J) Pitman, Jesse Green.

Edge. Co. Db 1, page 420, deed date 15 Oct 1761, recorded 3 Sep 1762,

Earl Granville to William Gay, Edge. Co for 10 shillings sterling, a

tract beginning at a white oak in Thomas Pollock’s line (John Gay’s)

corner then by said Gay’s line south 10 east 180 poles to a red oak

then by (Joseph ?) & (? Pitmans) line north 80 east 136 poles to a pine

(Jesse ?) corner then by said line south 40 poles to a red oak then

west 400 poles to a red oak then north 216 poles to a black oak in

Thomas Pollock’s line then by said line to the first station,

containing 340 acres, signed Thos Child, wit (Saml Swann), John Linton.

NOTE: VERY HARD TO READ. Abstracted 6 Mar 07, NCA film C.037.40002,

CTC.

1762       22 May. William Gay of edgecombe Co. to JOSEPH PITTMAN of same, for 20s. Virginia money a parcel of 12 acres adjoining both parties and JOSEPH PITTMAN SENR., it being part of a Granville grant to said Gay for 340 acres bearing date Oct. 11, 1761. Wit: James Horn, JOSEPH “J” PITTMAN. DB 1, p. 398.

1762       22 May. William Gay of Edgecombe Co. to JOSEPH PITTMAN of same, for 27s. 6d Virginia money a parcel of 13 acres adjoining both parties, it being part of a Granville Grant to said Gay for 340 acres bearing date Oct 11, 1761. Wit; JOSEPH PITTMAN, James Horn. DB 1, p. 401.

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.

1764       7 Mar. JACOB PITMAN of Edgecombe Co. to Samuel Longbottom of same, for £80 Proc. money a tract of 200 acres on the south bank of Tar River adjoining Record, “it being the land and plantation whereon my father, BENJA. PITMAN, lived and gave me by his last will and testament.” Wit: Edward Moore, Thomas Pridgin. DB C, p. 158.

Edge. Co. Db C, page 301, deed date 18 Jan 1765, recorded Apr Ct 1765,

William Gay, Edge. Co to Elisha Battle, county aforesaid, planter, for

62 pds VA, a tract containing 225 acres being part of two surveys at

“four shillings (per) hundred Quit rests” 150 acres os said land was

taken up and a patent granted to John Gay bearing date 20 Apr 1745 and

the other 75 acres granted to the said William Gay 15 Oct 1761, on the

south side of Tar River beginning at a Spanish Oak in the purchase

patent line the said Battle’s corner then north 83 east along the said

line to the river then down the various courses of the river to the

mouth of a large branch Joseph Pitman’s line then up the various

courses of said branch to the said Gay’s line of his new survey then

along the said line south 10 east to the said Gay’s back line then

along the said line (W) to two black jacks the said Battle’s corner

then north 203 poles to the first station, signed William Gay, Ann Gay

(X) (called his wife), wit Jesse Gilbert, Arthur Gay (A), John Battle,

Ann was examined for her free consent. Abstracted 11-07-05, RD copy,

CTC.

1769       24 Aug. Samuel Longbottom and wife, Mary Bottom, [sic] of Edgecombe Co. to NEWIT PITMAN, River adjoining Richards, it being part of a tract bequeathed by BENJA. PITMAN to his son, JACOB and conveyed by said JACOB PITMAN by deed to said Samuel Longbottom. Wit: Duncan Lamon, James Jolly, Archibald Lamon. DB D, p. 155.

Edge. Co. Db 3, page 466, deed date 29 Mar 1779, recorded Aug Ct 1779,

Elisha Battle, Edge. Co to William Battle, for natural love and

affection for his son, William Battle and for his better maintenance &

preferment, three tracts of land containing in the whole, 873 acres on

the south side of Tar River, to wit, #1 containing 615 acres being part

of two patents, one granted to George Pollock dated 18 Aug 1727 and the

other granted to John Gay dated 20 Apr 1745 and also a deed granted to

William Gay bearing date 15 Oct 1761, beginning at a maple on the river

bank a little above where Tristrem Rodgers formerly lived then by a

line south 7 east to the run of Gays Swamp then up the various courses

of the said swamp to Elisha Battle’s line then by said line south 7

east to a pine in the back line of Pollock’s patent Elisha Battle’s

corner then by said line north (23) east to a Spanish oak formerly

Gay’s corner then by a line south 203 poles to two black jacks in the

back line of said Gay’s survey then by the said line east to Jethro

Pitman’s corner then by his line north 10 west to a branch the dividing

line between the said Gay’s survey and Joseph Pitman’s land then down

the various courses of the said branch to the river then up the various

courses of the said river to the first station; #2 containing 258 acres

being part of a tract of land granted to the said Elisha Battle by a

deed bearing date 10 Aug 1762, beginning at Elisha Battle’s corner then

by his line south 240 poles to the back line of the said survey then by

his line east 172 poles to a corner pine then by a line north 240 poles

to Gay’s line then by said line west 172 poles to the first station,

reserving a lifetime right for said Elisha Battle and his wife to 200

acres as he or his wife shall choose, signed Elisha Battle, wit Jacob

Battle, Jeremiah Hilliard. NOTE: DEED CALLS FOR THREE TRACTS BUT ONLY

TWO ARE SHOWN TOTALING THE WHOLE 873 ACRES. Abstracted 5-12-05, NCA

film C.037.40005, CTC.

1780Joseph Pitman Sr of Edgcomb Co to William Faulk of same. 29 Apr 1780 3L. 90 acres on the south side of Tar River. Joining the mouth of Deep Branch, Joseph Pitman; also 12 acres which was part of a 340 acre Granville Grant to William Gay 15 Oct 1761 who sold it to Joseph Pitman 2 May 1762, on the south side of Tar River, joining Joseph Pitman Sr, sd William Gay. Wit: Joel Horn, Jethro Pittman. Aug Ct 1780. Edward Hall CC (Edgecombe County, North Carolina Deeds, Vol 3, 1778-1786, Abstracted by Dr Stephen E Bradley, Jr)

12 Nov 1782 – To all whom these presents shall come greeting know ye that I Joseph Pitman Senr of the county of Edgecombe in the state of North Carolina for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings current money of North Carolina to in hand paid by William Faulk my son in law and his wife the receipt which I do hereby acknowledge and for and in consideration of the natural love good will and affection I have and bear unto my said son in law William and his wife and divers other good causes and considerations me theretofore (having) hath given granted and by these presents doth freely and absolutely give and grant unto my said son in law William and his wife their heirs and assigns one tract of land containing ninety acres more or less (with) the appuntentures thereafter these (__) belonging and being the land and plantation whereon I now live also one (still) and one crosscut saw one hand saw and (__) carving knife one large iron pot and all my plantation tools (__) (__) (__) to have and to hold the said plantation land and premises aforesaid with the appurtenance respectively unto the said William Faulk and his heirs and assigns to the only proper use benefits and (__) (__) of him the sd William Faulk to him his heirs and assigns forever and (__) Joseph Pitman for my self my heirs (__) the land plantation and premises aforesd with the appurtenances and other articles to the afore mentioned William Faulk (__) his heirs and assigns shall and well warrant and defend forever by these presents in witness whereof I the said Joseph Pitman have hereunto set my hand and seal the 12th day of November anno Domini 1782 – Joseph Pitman – signed sealed and delivered in presence of / (Joel) Horn / Jefse Green (Edgecombe Co NC, Aug Court 1783) Edgecombe Co NC Real Estate Conveyances, 1780-1788, Vol E, 4, c.037.40006, Vol E, page 399 (William Faulk sold this land on 1 Jan 1786)

1 Jan 1786 – Edge. Co. Db 4, page 363, deed date 1 Jan 1786, recorded Feb Ct 1786, William Faulk, planter, Edge. Co. to Thomas Pitman, planter, Edge. Co. for 100 pounds, all his right to a tract of land containing 90 acres being part of a patent granted to Joseph Pitman bearing date Feb 10, 1750, on the south side of Tar River beginning at a corner sweet gum on the river in the mouth of the Long Branch then up the said branch to a white oak Jethro Pitman’s corner then south along the said line to a corner white oak then easterly to a red oak on the river then up the various courses of the river to the first station, signed William Faulk, wit. Williamson Barnes, D. Battle, Elisha Battle. Abstracted 8-19-03 from NCA film C.037.40014, CTC.

Edge. Co Db 5, page 85, deed date 3 Jan 1789, William Faulk, Edge. Co

to Henry Williams, county aforesaid for 75 pounds, a tract on the south

side of Tar River, beginning at the mouth of the Deep Branch then up

the said branch to the (line) a white oak then along the line to a pine

in Joseph Pitman’s line which is now Jethro Pitman’s then along the

said Pitman’s line to the river to a white oak then down the river to

the first station, containing 90 acres, also, another tract containing

12 acres being part of a tract contained in a grant from Granville

bearing the date 15 Oct 1764 to William Gay containing 340 acres on the

south side of Tar River and was conveyed by said Gay to Joseph Pitman

on 2 May 1762 and was conveyed by said Pitman to William Faulk on 29

Apr 1780, beginning at a marked gum in Joseph Pitman, SR’s line running

down the said line to said William Faulk’s own corner a pine the along

the said Wm. Faulk’s line to a white oak then up the above said Wm.

Gay’s back line to marked pine a corner in said line then along a line

of marked trees to the beginning, signed William Faulk, wit Abisha

Horn, Millie Horn.  Abstracted 9-25-04, NCA film C.037.40007, CTC.

———————–

the Estate Sale of Amy Pitman in 1791 shows some remarkable family ties…
note the buyers…
William Faulk… brother in law
Joseph Pitman… brother
Thomas Pitman… brother

her Executor was Abisha Horn (purported to marry Ann Ricks)… each are listed as buyers…

some notes involving Abisha Horn and others… note the property references…

1791 Jan 7 Jethro PITMAN, planter, sells 60 acres to Abishai HORN on S. side of Tar River, adj. Thomas PITMAN, on Great Branch, in Edgecombe County; proved in Feb 1794 court
1793 Mar 27 Jethro PITMAN sells 80 a. to Elisha HORN on S. side Tar River, adj. Abishai HORN and BATTLE, on Great Branch, in Edgecombe County; proved in Aug 1793 court
1793 Aug deed Jethro PITMAN to Elisha HORN proved in court, Edgecombe County
1794 Feb deed Jethro PITMAN to Abishai HORN proved in court, Edgecombe County 
1794 Jethro PITMAN receives state grant for land in Johnston County, NC, 100 a. on N. side of Little River
1796 May 31 Jethro PITMAN appointed overseer of the road in Johnston County
1796 Nov 24 Abisha HORN, dec’d, land divided among heirs, Joel, Joab, Josiah, Willie and Abisha, in Edgecombe County. 63 a. called the PITMAN place is mentioned. Land is on S. side of Tar River; Elisha BATTLE’s line; Daniel ROSS’s line; Abisha HORN’s line; PRICE’s corner; Buck (Beech?) Swamp. Earlier minutes of the Edgecombe County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions show Jethro involved in this area in regard to laying off land for a water grist mill for Moses HORN, 1774-1780.

In 1791 it seems Amy Pitman may have been living on her father’s property which had devolved to William Faulk…  Why didn’t she marry? Think about the pool of available men… if I am correct in my supposition that her father Joseph Pitman d.1782ish was a “strict” Quaker, then there simply may NOT have been an eligible Quaker male available.  She did note one underage daughter in her will (Elizabeth) which I suppose could indicate she was a widow of another Pitman male but it needs more research to prove… for now I am assuming she was single.

Amy Pitman will of 1791…

Notes on a later Joseph Pitman…  my hunch being that this is the son of Joseph the Quaker (brother of Amy Pitman) and also probably the man who witnessed the will of William Anderson in 1789…

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.

Edge. Co. Db 13, page 307, deed date (20) Jul 1801, recorded May Ct
1810, John Hines, Edge. Co. to my grandsons, John H. Walker (John Hines
Walke) & William Walker for natural love and affection, and the further
consideration of ten shillings, a tract of land, land is to be loaned
to my son in law, Thomas Walker and his wife, Sarah Walker during their
life but said Thomas and Sarah are not to sell land but may live on it
during their natural lives, being part of a tract of land I bought of
Isaac Hill beginning at a lying down oak Joseph Armstrong’s ( ) then
south 31 ½ west to John Griffin line then along the said Griffin’s line
to a pine a corner then along a line of marked trees 111 poles to a
pine or hickory then a line of marked to Joseph Armstrong’s line 152
poles to the first station, being 100 acres, signed John Hines, wit.
Joseph Pitman, Joseph Armstrong (proved). Abstracted 1-26-04, NCA film
C.037.40011, CTC.

Edge. Co. Db 13, page 203, deed date 21 Dec 1809, recorded Feb Ct.
1810, Joseph Pitman and his wife, Selah Pitman Edge. Co. to William
Moore, son of George Moore, Edge. Co. for 100 pounds a tract of land on
the north side of Town Creek containing 91 acres, except for the use of
1/3 of said land to Elizabeth (Hanbury), widow of Samuel Hanbury, dec’d
during he natural life and no longer, land on Ruffin Branch, beginning
at a pine a corner of Samuel (Hanbury), dec’d, then along said
(Hanbury) and Solomon Ward’s line west 54 poles then along said
Hanbury’s line 107 poles to a corner in said Hanbury’s line then south
37 east through the ( ) to an oak in said Hanbury’s line then
along said Hanbury’s line nearly a north course to the beginning,
signed Joseph Pitman (X), wit. Rhoda Proctor. Abstracted 10-29-03, NCA
film C.037.40011.

Edge. Co. Db 13, page 441, deed date 28 Dec 1809, recorded Feb Ct
1811, William Balfour, Edge. Co. to Joseph Pitman, County aforesaid,
for 175 pounds, a tract of land on the north side of Town Creek,
containing 116 acres, beginning, at a water oak in Watery Branch, James
Bracewell corner the along said Bracewell line to a lightwood stake
corner then (north) along James (May) line to a pine Moore’s and Hill’s
corner then along Hill’s line to aforesaid branch to a corner maple at
or near the run of said branch then down the water course of said
branch to the first station, signed William Balfour, wit. Hardy
Proctor, N. Sessums. Abstracted 2-6-04, NCA film C.037.40011, CTC.

Edge. Co Db 13, page 432, deed date 28 Aug 1810, recorded Feb Ct 1811,
Joseph Pitman, Edge. Co. to Moses Baker, county aforesaid for ($310) a
tract of land on the ( ) side of Town Creek containing ( )
acres, beginning at a water oak in the Watery Branch ( ) Baswell’s
corner then along said Bracewell’s line to a lightwood stake corner
then north along James Moors line to a pine Moors and Hill’s corner
then along Hill’s line to the aforesaid branch to a corner maple at or
near the run of the said branch then down the watery courses of said
branch to the first station, signed Joseph Pitman (X), wit. Isaac
Norfleet, Joshua Bullock. Abstracted 2-6-04, NCA film C.037.40011,
CTC.
—————

This DEED appears to be the intestate will “of a sorts” of Joseph the Quaker b. 1724- d. about 1782/3…  the missing piece of the puzzle, so to speak…

12 Nov 1782 – To all whom these presents shall come greeting know ye that I Joseph Pitman Senr of the county of Edgecombe in the state of North Carolina for and in consideration of the sum of five shillings current money of North Carolina to in hand paid by William Faulk my son in law and his wife the receipt which I do hereby acknowledge and for and in consideration of the natural love good will and affection I have and bear unto my said son in law William and his wife and divers other good causes and considerations me theretofore (having) hath given granted and by these presents doth freely and absolutely give and grant unto my said son in law William and his wife their heirs and assigns one tract of land containing ninety acres more or less (with) the appuntentures thereafter these (__) belonging and being the land and plantation whereon I now live also one (still) and one crosscut saw one hand saw and (__) carving knife one large iron pot and all my plantation tools (__) (__) (__) to have and to hold the said plantation land and premises aforesaid with the appurtenance respectively unto the said William Faulk and his heirs and assigns to the only proper use benefits and (__) (__) of him the sd William Faulk to him his heirs and assigns forever and (__) Joseph Pitman for my self my heirs (__) the land plantation and premises aforesd with the appurtenances and other articles to the afore mentioned William Faulk (__) his heirs and assigns shall and well warrant and defend forever by these presents in witness whereof I the said Joseph Pitman have hereunto set my hand and seal the 12th day of November anno Domini 1782 – Joseph Pitman – signed sealed and delivered in presence of / (Joel) Horn / Jefse Green (Edgecombe Co NC, Aug Court 1783) Edgecombe Co NC Real Estate Conveyances, 1780-1788, Vol E, 4, c.037.40006, Vol E, page 399 (William Faulk sold this land on 1 Jan 1786) (I think Guy Baker transcribed this…)

_________________

Henry Horn & Joseph Pitman notes…

Tar River (opened c. 1757, still active 1789).
Perquimans MM sent Joseph Newby to visit Friends on
Tar River, 6/6/1753. It later mentioned that Friends
were holding meeting there in the house of Henry Horn
(8/3/1757). These Friends became part of Perquimans MM
on 5/3/1758. Tar River Meeting became part of Rich
Square MM when it was established in 1760. It reported
to RSMM on 9/6/1760 that its worship circulated
between the houses of Henry Horn and Joseph Pitman. On
11/26/1774, EQM moved the meeting from Henry Horn’s
house, so by 8/19/1775 the Friends at Tar River had
started another meeting at Jure Watkins’s house. The
MM moved the meeting to Richard Vick’s house on
2/21/1778. On 8/31/1772, EQM transferred Tar River
Meeting to Contentnea QM. When Job Scott visited in
1789, he wrote that it was on Stoney Creek in Nash
County.         http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/QUAKER-ROOTS/2006-11/1163561204

————————————–

Here is how I think this all washes out…    These are the “Quaker Pitmans”….

Benjamin Pitman d. 1755    wife Ann

….. Moses

….. Jacob

….. Micah

….. Samson

….. Patience Faulk

….. Mary Bottoms

….. Abigal Pitman

….. Lacy Pitman

….. Cela Pitman

….. Jh_miaha Pitman

Moses Pitman d. 1760    wife Elizabeth

….. James

….. Moses

….. Mary

Joseph Pitman Sr   d. 1763  wife Ann   (son of William Pitman of Surry Co., VA)

….. Ann b. say 1749

….. Jethro  b. say 1751

….. Chloe b. say 1753

(estimates from Court Minutes)

Joseph Pitman Jr  b. 1-11-1724 d. 1782ish  (son of Thomas Pitman d.1730 of Meherin R.)

+Elizabeth (Gay) Pitman b. 1-11-1724 d. 3-31-1761

…..Faith b. 10-30-1747

…..Elizabeth b. 1-4-1752

…..Thomas b. 1-10-1754 d. 1816 m. Dicey Newton 1793  RW pension # R8275

…..Joseph b. 10-8-1756  m. Selah ___

…..Abia b. 3-12-1758

…..Patience b. 9-21-1760 m. William Faulk

 ————–
This Pitman is not connected to the Quakers… this is the guy who bought the property of Elizabeth Pitman in 1762 near Swift Creek adjacent to Wm. Anderson

Joseph Pitman  d.1787  wife Hanah   (son of Robert Pitman) a.k.a. “the Constable”

….. Abner

….. Isaac

….. Elizabeth

….. Hanah

….. Charity

———————-

RW pensions…

I don’t know who this Joseph is but I do not think it is the son of the “Quaker” Joseph d.1782ish…  I do think the below Thomas Pitman IS his son…  Update:  after thinking a bit… this could clearly be sons of the Joseph d.1782ish.  The dates work.

 

Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters

Pension application of Joseph Pitman S7314     fn13NC

Transcribed by Will Graves    9/8/09   http://revwarapps.org/

State of North Carolina Burke County

Personally appeared in Open Court before the Justices of the County Court of Pleas and quarter Sessions now sitting Joseph Pitman a resident of said County & State aged 75 years, my Father had a record of my age which said I was born on the 10th day of September 1757 — I have no other knowledge of my age except this record.  Said Pittman being duly sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefit of the act of Congress passed 7th of June 1832.

That he entered the service of the United States under the following named officers & served as herein stated.

I was drafted for three months in the County of Granville North Carolina in the year 1779 or 80 in the fall the year under Colonel William Gill & Captain John Walker we marched from Granville to Wilmington on the Cape Fear River where we were stationed for three or four weeks: we then marched up to Cross Creek, (now Fayetteville) while at Wilmington we were under General Butler — when we parted with him we marched up to Cross Creek.  From Cross Creek I was furloughed to come home where I remained about 2 weeks & was called out into service & marched on to High Rock on Haw River against the Tories.  We took several prisoners but killed none in battle.  I was discharged at that place by Colonel Gill he gave me a written discharge but it is lost I have not seen it for many years — sometime after I was again drafted for 3 months more & put under Colonel William Moore who lived in Caswell County & Captain Abram Potter we were marched on to reinforce General Gates but before we got to the South Carolina line we heard that he had got defeated & we turned our course towards Wilmington but before we got there we were turned to Pasquotank County after a band of Tories we drove them from that quarter & stationed there a few weeks & returned towards home — we were discharged at the end of our service by Colonel Moore between Wilmington & Cross Creek from which place I returned home — some eight or nine months after this I was drafted again for 3 months & when out against the Tories down towards New Bern I was then under Colonel Joseph Taylor Captain [indecipherable name] we were out about 2 months but done no good & we were furloughed to return home we remained at home but a short time till we were called on to go & reinforce General Green [sic, Nathanael Greene].  We marched up as to Col. Mebane’s end Orange County & there heard of the battle of Guilford Court House.  I Colonel then returned home & furloughed us all.  I was never called on afterwards.

I was drafted once before I went into service myself & hired a substitute in consequence of the situation of my family we were once also classed & out of every 12th man one had to go for 18 months.  My class hired a man & paid him $100 each in Continental money.  This is my services as well as I can recollect.

He hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present & declares that his name is not on the pension Roll of any State or the Agency of any State.

Sworn to & subscribed day & year aforesaid

Sworn to in open Court 28th of January 1833

S/ J. Erwin, Clk    S/ Joseph Pitman, X his mark

[James Buckhannon, John Davis, Robert Burchfield & Peter Epley gave the standard supporting affidavit.]

Southern Campaign American Revolution Pension Statements & Rosters

Pension application of Thomas Pitman (Pitmon) R8275 Dicy   fn33NC

Transcribed by Will Graves     9/8/09

State of North Carolina County of Buncombe

On this the 22nd day of May A.D. 1852 personally appeared before me, an acting Justice of the County Court (a Court of Record) for the County and State above mentioned: Dicy Pitman, a resident of Buncombe County; Aged, 81 years: who being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following Declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the Act of Congress passed July the 7th 1838, entitled, “An act granting half pay and pensions to certain Widows:” That she is the widow of Thomas Pitman deceased, who was a private in the Army of the Revolutionary war in the company commanded by Captain Alexander in the Regiment of North Carolina Militia commanded by Colonel Jackson, That he was a citizen of Edgecombe County in the State of North Carolina at the time he volunteered having been born and raised in said County.  She further says that the length of his first tower was 12 months and that he also served 2 other 6 months Towers one of which was as substitute for his Brother, Joseph Pitman, who was a Cooper of the Army.  The day of the month she does

not recollect on which he volunteered, but she thinks that the said Thomas Pitman spoke of the year 1776 and 1777 as the times in which he served.  Declarant further states that she has heard said Thomas Pittman speak of being in several Battlegrounds during his service but she does not recollect any particular one.  Declarant also states that she has heard the above mentioned Thomas Pitman speak of being in South Carolina during his service but that the greater part of his time was spent near the State line but that his service began and ended in North Carolina.

The Declarant further states that she has heard the aforementioned Thomas Pitman speak of other Officers than those already mentioned but that the names of the above are all that she recollects, except that of Washington, but whether the said Thomas Pitman was under his immediate command, she is not certain.  She being old, and her memory much impaired; and that a great many facts wants none with relation to the service have since the death of said Thomas Pitman escaped her memory.  That said Thomas Pitman at the date of his death was over 60 years of age and that he, the best of her knowledge, had never made any effort to obtain a pension.  She further states that her husband at his death had several papers relative to his services in the war, one of those papers she thinks was his discharge, but that a man by the name of Sawyer sent to her and got the papers and that she has not heard of them since that time.

She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Pitman in the County of Edgecombe, State of North Carolina on the 25th day of August A.D. 1793 and that her name before marriage was Dicy Newton, and that her husband, the aforementioned Thomas Pitman died on the 15th of March A.D. 1814: that she was not married to him prior to his leaving the service, but that the Marriage actually took place before the first of January 1794, viz. at the date above mentioned.  She also declares that the Family record which is transmitted is true and correct.

S/ Dicy Pitman, X her mark

“Thos Pitmon and Dicy Newton was Married

in August 25th 1793, Edgecomb County noth carlina

by Lemon Ruffin, J. Peace”

[fn p. 3: copy of the last will and testament of Thomas Pitman: dated March 8, 1816, while living in Buncombe County, NC, leaving his entire estate to his wife Dicy “to strengthened and assist her in raising the family….”]

[fn p. 31: According to an affidavit given by Samuel W. Davidson on February 7, 1853 in Buncombe County,  Thomas and Dicy Pitman came to Buncombe County, NC in 1806 or 1807; that they had at that time 4 children, namely Elizabeth, Thomas, Polly and Lot; that two of those children are now dead; that Elizabeth, the eldest, is now about 56 years of age.]

Written by anderson1951

April 7, 2012 at 2:55 pm

Posted in Uncategorized

14 Responses

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  1. Ah, the picture might be getting clearer…maybe.

    Marc, one question…if Patience is the daughter of Benjamin, and she married William Faulk, then how is William Faulk the son in law of Joseph Pitman Sr.?

    The 12 November 1782 transaction is not a will, it is a deed; not quite a deed of gift, as William Faulk paid 5 shillings, but almost, as it’s a pretty low amount and there obviously is language of familial love, “good will and affection,” etc. Many folks did, however, toward the end of life disburse property by deed to avoid making a will. Joseph may have done this.

    This is very interesting, because if Joseph Jr. who m. Selah is the brother of Thomas of Rev. War pension fame, then he probably is not the one who moved to Burke County, NC – the one other researchers think is Thomas’ brother. That Joseph is apparently present in Person and Burke County tax lists in 1805 and 1807; probably not the same guy in land transactions in Edgecombe in 1810.

    Like

    Traci Thompson

    April 10, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    • Benjamin’s daughter Patience married another Faulk… possibly John (I don’t know for sure). Benjamin’s will of 1755 names daughter Patience Faulk… this is a generation before the daughter Patience (born 1760) of Joseph. ….weird coincidence…

      The 1782 deed is not “technically” a will…. sue me 🙂 Note that he sells all his personal property also and significantly… he is still living on the land… its a will (in my opinion :)… he was clearly dead by the time Wm. Faulk sold the land (and this was before the will of Joseph and Hanah in 1786) …. come on…. this is the BIG missing piece to the puzzle…

      The other RW pension for Joseph is a different guy altogether (in my opinion) note that Thomas states he served as a “substitute”… possibly for his brother. I think the other “likely” candidate for this RW pension would be the son of Thomas Pitman d.1754 but he had moved to Robeson County by the time of the war with his brother Lot… he was clearly not available in 1793 to marry Dicy Newton.

      Also consider this as an “educated” assumption since there are no “guardianship” records for when Joseph Jr was born in 1724… his father Thomas d.1730 making him only 6 years old. How did this lone son of Thomas become a Quaker? I think it reasonable to assume “Brothers” Benjamin and Joseph Sr raised him.

      Like

      anderson1951

      April 10, 2012 at 2:12 pm

  2. Thanks for clearing up the Patiences and the Faulks – I get it now!

    How about this…it’s a deed serving the basic same purpose as a will. 🙂 Sorry, I have to be technical. Otherwise, I have scenarios like this: someone calls me at the library and asks for a copy of “Joseph Pitman’s will.” So I go to my will book and it’s not there. Person says, “But that guy said in his blog online that there’s a will.” Then we’re all confused and frustrated, until eventually someone realizes it’s actually a deed and is found in the deed books, not the will books.

    I very much agree that pension Joseph must be a different person. Thomas says in his RW pension application that he served as a substitute for his brother Joseph “who was a Cooperer for the Army.” If we could determine which Joseph Pitman was a Cooper, it would help tremendously.

    I’m not sure I understand your last paragraph… should I have a beverage? 🙂

    Like

    Traci Thompson

    April 10, 2012 at 5:21 pm

    • Point taken… I’ll reword the post.

      My personal question is “why” did a son of a non Quaker with non Quaker brothers enter the “sect”?… I just have a hunch that his guardian was either Benjamin Pitman, Joseph Pitman Sr or both. No big deal. It seems to me now that Joseph Jr. may have been the “Elder” of the Rich Square MM. I had previously assumed that Joseph Sr was in that role. It is highly likely that he disinherited 2 sons.. one seems to have been “officially” excommunicated… the daughter Amy apparently waited until after his death to find a little romance… I’m just thinking out loud.

      Since you mentioned adult beverages… I may pop a top… are we running out of Josephs yet?

      Like

      anderson1951

      April 10, 2012 at 5:54 pm

    • The tools that Joseph left to Faulk in the 1782 “deed” could easily be construed for “Cooper” tools…

      “one (still) and one crosscut saw one hand saw and (__) carving knife one large iron pot and all my plantation tools”

      crosscut saw
      hand saw
      carving knife
      the “still” would be for processing turpentine or tar… the byproduct being wood

      The “carving knife” (I’m thinking a 2 handled Drawing Knife perhaps) is rather essential and specific to shape the curvature of barrel slats or larger “casks”… Quakers are famous still today for their woodworking skills.

      Voila’… Joseph the Quaker was a Cooper

      Like

      anderson1951

      April 11, 2012 at 2:56 am

      • Other researchers (Myra Sims for one) have reasonably accounted for 7 of the 8 sons of Thomas Pitman d.1754… one which is unaccounted for could possibly be the Joseph “of Granville” Rev War fame. The 1754 will of Thomas mentions vaguely some property on Tar River… a deed reference later mentions that one of the Battle men leased property to some of those sons in 1764… a little smoke in search of some fire…

        Like

        anderson1951

        April 11, 2012 at 3:37 am

  3. Do we know for sure his father and brothers were not Quakers at some point? And what’s the excommunicated stuff? I must have missed something…(as usual, lol.)

    Not sure that the tools mentioned are enough to definitely call him a cooper. Lots of folks owned saws etc. for various jobs.

    Something else to consider…it’s been pointed out to me that Rev War Joseph gave his birth year in his application as 1757, while the Quaker record for that Joseph is 1756. So close, it depends on how much weight you give to the accuracy of the documents. I’m thinking the Granville guy probably comes out of the Granville Pitmans and has not much to do with the Edgecombe/Northampton crowd. However, the Thomas of Rev War fame had a son named Lot, which makes me think he somehow might tie to the Edgecombe (and later Robeson) group.

    Like

    Traci Thompson

    April 11, 2012 at 9:22 am

    • I’ve never seen anything to assume that his father and brothers were Quaker… course anything could pop up. My term “excommunicated” is perhaps extreme… the term “dismissed” or “disowned” may be more appropriate. Hugh B. Johnston made the reference to Quaker notes… that is my source.

      The tools list of Joseph did not include a hammer… since he must have used rope or metal bands to hold the barrel slats together he therefore must have been a cooper. Nails weren’t mentioned either so he must not have needed them for his barrels either. ( I’m kidding… don’t cancel my library card)

      This is interesting… from a fairly new web post http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=mwballard&id=I99130

      … remember Joseph m. “Selah” (as noted in a deed reference)

      HORN, HENRY, Patience (wife); William, Esther, Isaac, Jeremiah, Henry, Charity, Joel, Damaris, Mourning, Phoebe, Selah(Celia),

      “Quaker Records (Rich Square MM) June 7, 1775 Henry and wife Ann disowned by Quaker Church Sept. 16, 1775 Henry and Ann, regarding their breach of discipline, action deferred Feb. 17, 1776 Henry and wife Ann and children Jacob and Joel Horn Phebe Ricks and Charity Battle disowned Henry was a member of Rich Square monthly meeting of Quakers, Edgecombe Co.”

      Henry Horn of Edgecomb Co to his son William Horn of same. 21 Dec 1761. 50 pounds Va. 200 acres on the north side of Tar river, joining Stoney Creek.Wit: John Page, Joseph Pittman(a Quaker), Isaac Horn. Dec Ct 1761. Jams Hall DCC

      All this was going on when Joseph was “dismissed” from the MM… hmmm…. this could be a candidate for his wife (he was supposedly dismissed for proposing marriage to an outsider) wow… could it be he was kicked out for proposing to a woman who had just previously been kicked out? My point being that this daughter “Selah” of Henry Horn is worth researching to find out if she “may” be the wife of Joseph the son of the Quaker Joseph. The Henshaw Quaker records seem to have quite a bit of info that I have not delved into. Henry Horn and Joseph Pitman b.1724 would be of contemporary age and it is logical their kids could hook up. Just sayin’…

      Hmmm… the Battle researchers may disagree with me…

      CELIA HORN married LEMUEL SUGG JR, son of LEMUEL SUGG SR
      and MRS (–?–), at Edgecombe, North Carolina. She married
      ELIAS FORT JR, son of ELIAS FORT SR and SARAH SUGGS, at
      Tennessee. She was born at Edgecombe, North Carolina.

      Click to access BATTLE.pdf

      Like

      anderson1951

      April 11, 2012 at 11:01 am

  4. I was looking a bit at this Selah today…Joseph “of Edgecombe Co.” was dismissed for proposing marriage to one outside of the Society in 1776. Henry mentions daughter Selah in his 1798 will, and she is mentioned last, as if she might be youngest. I also don’t see a different surname for her, i.e. she is not mentioned as being a Pitman. A lot might hinge on how old she is…but so far, I’m thinking maybe it’s not the same Selah due to the timeline here.

    Like

    Traci Thompson

    April 20, 2012 at 9:12 am

    • I can’t find a good “authority” source on these Horns…. there seem to be two Selahs from my surfing around the web- one born 1758, the other b. 1779 (the 1779 being the daughter of the known Henry Horn the Quaker)… I’m getting stumped again, maybe there isn’t a 1758 Selah?

      Like

      anderson1951

      April 20, 2012 at 11:00 am

  5. I checked Hinshaw again for Selahs in the Rich Square Monthly Meeting. p. 216 of the book, p. 8 in the original source, Henry Horne b. 1716 and Ann b. 1723 had a daughter named Selah b. 1758. Page 217, p. 9 original source, cites a William Horn with wife Selah d. 1760. Also, 1771, Thomas Horn was reported married to “Cielia” Vick. In 1777, “Sela,” wife of Thomas of Tar River, requested a certificate to the Great Contentney [Wayne Co.] monthly meeting.

    Turning over to the Contentnea meeting…

    Thomas and “Celia,” no dates, are mentioned with their children.

    Hope this helps.

    Like

    Traci Thompson

    April 26, 2012 at 9:25 am

    • Well that verifies a 1758 Selah that would be a plausible wife and of a similar age… hmmm… I’ll keep digging.

      Like

      anderson1951

      April 26, 2012 at 12:22 pm

      • Hi Marc

        These deeds id Seleh Pittman as nee Seleh Hanbury

        Edge. Co Db 12, page 139, deed date 24 Nov 1806, Rhoda Hanbury, Edge.
        Co to Joseph Pittman and his wife, Selah Pittman, county aforesaid for
        100 pds, all the right that Rhoda Hanbury has in a tract being her
        proportional part of the land that her father, Samuel Hanbury died
        seized and possessed of containing 91 acres, except the use of one
        third of said land to Elizabeth Hanbury, widow of the aforesaid Samuel
        Hanbury, during her natural life, land being on the north side of Town
        Creek being on Ruffin Branch beginning at a pine the corner of Samuel
        Hanbury dec’d then along said Hanbury’s and Solomon Ward’s line west 54
        poles then along said Hanbury’s line 107 poles to a corner in said
        Hanbury’s line then south 37 east through the plantation to an oak in
        said Hanbury’s line then along said line mainly a north course to the
        beginning, signed Rhoda Hanbury, wit John Hyman, Edward Long (X),
        acknowledged in court. Abstracted 16 Jul 07, NCA film C.037.40010,
        CTC.

        Edge. Co Db 12, page 140, deed date 24 Nov 1806, Rhoda Hanbury, Edge.
        Co to Joseph Pittman and his wife, Selah Pittman, county aforesaid for
        100 pds, all the right that Rhoda Hanbury has in a tract being her
        proportional part of the land that her father, Samuel Hanbury died
        seized and possessed of containing 91 acres, except the use of one
        third of said land to Elizabeth Hanbury, widow of the aforesaid Samuel
        Hanbury, during her natural life, land being on the north side of Town
        Creek being on Ruffin Branch beginning at a pine the corner of Samuel
        Hanbury dec’d then along said Hanbury’s and Solomon Ward’s line west 54
        poles then along said Hanbury’s line 107 poles to a corner in said
        Hanbury’s line then south 37 east through the plantation to an oak in
        said Hanbury’s line then along said line mainly a north course to the
        beginning, signed Rhoda Hanbury, wit John Hyman, Edward Long (X),
        acknowledged in court. Abstracted 16 Jul 07, NCA film C.037.40010,
        CTC.

        Edge. Co Db 12, page 143, deed date 2 Jan 1807, recorded May Ct 1807,
        Joseph Pittman and his wife, Selah Pittman, Edge. Co to Rhoda Hanbury,
        county aforesaid for 100 pds, all their right to a tract of land being
        their proportional part of 91 acres Samuel Hanbury died seized and
        possessed of excepting only one third part together with the manor
        house and other buildings where Elizabeth Hanbury, widow of said Samuel
        Hanbury lives during her natural life and no longer, the said land
        being on the north side of Town Creek and on Ruffins Branch, beginning
        at said Pittman’s corner in the said (dec’d) former line then west 77
        poles to a pine standing on the west side of Ruffins Branch then to the
        said branch and down the various courses of the said branch to a red
        oak in the branch then along (Hanbury) original line to Pittman’s
        corner an oak in the said line then along the dividing line through the
        plantation north 37 west to the beginning, signed Joseph Pittman (X),
        Selah Pittman (X), wit John Hyman (proved), Edward Long (X).
        Abstracted 16 Jul 07, FHC film 0370242, CTC.

        12-140 Elizabeth Hanbury wife of Samuel Hanbury decd and Rhoda Hanbury sold land to Joseph and Seley Pittman 11/24/1806.
        12/-143 Joseph and Selah Pittman sold land back to Rhoda Hanbury 1/2/1807

        Rhoda married Hardy Proctor.
        Joani

        Like

        Joani Taylor

        January 30, 2017 at 3:42 pm

  6. Ah Joani, good to hear from you…

    As you well know, I am interested in who the Joseph Pittman was who witnessed the will of William Anderson d. 1789.

    Since you have identified the wife of Joseph Pittman who was clearly alive in 1807… would you care to hazard a guess as to who his father was?

    It seems rather obvious to me from my notes above… but then I am clearly biased because they are “my” notes. Care to offer a ruthless and “objective” opinion?

    Like

    anderson1951

    January 30, 2017 at 5:41 pm


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