Andersons of Colonial N. Carolina

I’m like a little kid when I find a “proof”… I’m rushing this map… I “should” wait until I develop it some more.

To hell with that.

The facts speak for themselves…   click several times to enlarge…

Here is the background…

TTT John Browne of Kingsale, 1639-1713, Indian Trader

This is why I am strutting around like a rooster… the hunches, the theory, and the facts align just like ….  well…. a map!

This was my conundrum… grabbed from the link above…

Other researchers have attempted to tie John Joyner, son of Bridgeman Joyner, to a 2nd marriage to one Eizabeth Brown. I suggest that if there is a connection of an Elizabeth Brown it may have been a daughter, or more likely a granddaughter, of John Browne.  This John Browne relocates to North Carolina about 1700 near Wiccacon Creek, along with Richard Booth and Booth’s nephew Thomas Mann, Jr.

This account by Boddie gets my attention… well actually it just confuses the hell out of me… Boddie made a lot of helpful notes but DAMN! sometimes he was just WRONG!

Historical Southern Families Vol. 1

Pg. 23 John Brown died in Surry Co. 1714, wife Eliza Brown 6-6-1714 left 1 son and 4 daughters as follows:    (Not the Browne I chronicle)

1. Sylvester Brantley Bertie Co. NC  (is this a typo?… is this a step-son?… is this a female?)

2 Hester Brantley, the will of Hester probated in 1727 in Surry Co. VA mentioned her daughters Priscilla and Elizabeth and her 2 sisters Eliza Joyner and Grace Warren. Appoints James Wilson and James Piland executors.

3 Eliza married to Nehemiah Joyner   (is this an Elizabeth Brown different from the one I am researching?… if so this can get VERY confusing!))

4 Grace married John Warren of Bertie Co. NC

5 Susannah Brown

There is a missing link here… I’m wondering if it may be a son John Jr that left this will in Surry County?   (Nope)

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That account has caused speculation of a JOYNER connection to these deeds in North Carolina in 1727… (this is where I begin to differ with Boddie)

Mary Best Bell, Colonial Bertie County, NC, DB A-H, 1720-1757

Bell, C 167(160)  Susanah Brown, John Warren & wife Grace, Sylvester Brown and ____ to Elizabeth Joyner

Feb. 12, 1727/28. *. 256 A. “…love… for our sister Elizabeth Joyner…” Land formerly belonging to our father, John Brown dec’d.  Patent July 28, 1713.  On WS Chowan adj. J. Curlee, J. Smith.  Wit: Fincher Hayne, Charles Brown.  Court  *.  Thomas Crew D. C/C.

(I note that this does not state that their father died in 1713… it merely says the patent is dated 1713)

C 171  Susanna Brown & Sylvester Brown to William Evans  Nov 22, 1729.  5 pds  for 100 A.  On Horse swamp.  Adj. John Thomas, Lazarus Thomas.  Wit: Richard Williford, Mary Luden (Laden?).  Feb Court 1729.  Thomas Crew D. C/C.

and again in 1741…

F 344  Soloman Joyner of Edgecombe Co., & John Joyner & wife Elizabeth of Isle of Wight Co, Va. to Joseph Witherington of Surry Co, Va. Feb 7, 1741. 25 pds, for 256 A.  A Patent granted John Brown for 256 A. July 28, 1713 on “Bank of the River” adj. James Curlee, John Smyth  Wit: James Washington, Henry Crafford, Morning Crafford, John Sherard, William Plyant, John Fort (FOORT).  May Court 1742.  Thomas Crew C/C.

So the Elizabeth Joyner who received the Brown property by gift in 1727 was the wife of John Joyner… (of Isle of Wight in 1741)

all of which relates to this patent…

Margaret Hoffman, PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA ABSTRACTS OF LAND PATENTS 1663-1729

3313  pg. 285  John Brown  date (not given)  256 acres on the W. side of Chowan River, joining the bank of ye river, James Courlee, and John Smith  Witnesses: (not given)

The half dozen patents before and after that one are in the date range of 1713-1716… so logic dictates that the date of July 28, 1713 is probably correct and was referenced in the later deeds… my problem with this is a “death” reference for “a” John Brown in 1713 (Hathawy).

” John Browne dead.  April 7, 1713.”, p. 34, Vol. 1, The North Carolina historical and genealogical register. If this is the same guy then the patent may have been issued after his death OR it was perhaps re-issued to a son of the same name.  My theory is that it was devised to a John Brown Junior.  And this is the John Brown that died sometime before 1727 and was the father of the Brown children who gifted the property to their sister Elizabeth who married John Joyner of Isle of Wight.

Now I haven’t exactly pulled this John Brown Junior out of thin air… I do have some proof. The references below are in Isle of Wight where John Browne and son previously lived:

3 Jun 1690…. John Browne, the Elder, to Richard Shewll…. 100 acres (being part of 600 acres) on Broadneck Swamp adjoining Wolf Pit Branch.

Wit: Edward (X) Floid, Henry Baker and Thomas (X) Wickins.

2 Dec 1692….   John Browne, Sr. appoints John Browne as his attorney in the difference with Capt. Hugh Campbell.

Wit: Daniel Leigh and Mary (X) Browne

Consider this deed of Susanna Brown & Sylvester Brown again from 1729… mention of Lazaris Thomas… note where he and they seem to be living:

C 171  Susanna Brown & Sylvester Brown to William Evans  Nov 22, 1729.  5 pds  for 100 A.  On Horse swamp.  Adj. John Thomas, Lazarus Thomas.  Wit: Richard Williford, Mary Luden (Laden?).  Feb Court 1729.  Thomas Crew D. C/C.

The property above is not on my map yet… 

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JAMES PEEK to JOHN WARREN, Aug 9 1727, 10 pds for 100 a. SS Chowan River, adj. LAURANCE MARTIN,LAZARUS THOMAS at Horse Swampe. Wit: John Beverley, John Sutton. November Court 1729, (Bertie Co Deed Book C p181)

JOHN EARLY to DAVID RYAN, heir of THOMAS RYAN, deceased. 1754, 350 a.. for discharge of a bond from John Early to Thomas Ryan land between JAMES WILKON’s line and the Holley Swamp at Horse Swamp” adj. ISAAC LEWIS, JAMES WILLIAMSON, LAZARUS THOMAS, WILLIAM WARREN to the Wiccacon Swamp. Wit: John Cricket, Thomas Kinsey, John Nichols Jr. Aug Court 1754 (Bertie Co Deed Book H p111)

Note that John Warren was in the 1727 deed with Susanna Brown and Sylvester Brown gifting the property to Elizabeth Joyner…

Charles Merrit was an old croney Indian Trader with John Brown and Richard Booth. After Booth moved to North Carolina Charles Merritt located near by… (see Deep Creek on the map above). The merchant, James Peake sold a chunk of land to John Warren (also at Deep Creek).

BK B PG. 112

1715 – Elinor Merrett/Meriet to William Nixon/Mixon (melton) 16 Apr 1715 p of atty to act in open Court 130 A for ye said William Merret unto James Peeke. Witnesses: Peter Evens, Rich Barfield.

Ellinor Merritt to Wm. Mixon. Power of Attorney to acknowledge deed to Rich’d Barefield for land sold by my husband Charles Merritt and Peter Evans to said Barefield, 280 acres on Deep Creek branch, Test. Wm. Mixon, Peter Evans.

Same to acknowledge deed to James Peake, of Boston, Executed by my husband Charles Merritt for 130 acres on south side of Chowan River, at ye mouth of Deep Branch; Apl. 16, 1715. Test, Peter Evans, Richard Barefield (NCHGR 138).

…from will of James Peake 1728…

“Item my will is that my executors hereafter mentioned do grant & give to

John Warren of the precinct a good and lawfull deed for one hundred acres of 

land that he now lives on he paying at his ens__ling the said deed Tenn

pounds currant mony of North Carolina not withstanding not withstanding

(sic) any thing that is before mentioned to the contrary.”

_______________________________________________________________________

Now for the icing on the cake…

http://docsouth.unc.edu/csr/index.html/document/csr02-0132#p2-264

Minutes of the General Court of North Carolina
North Carolina. General Court
August 02, 1716

——————– page 264 ——————–
Wee the body of the Grand Jury for Albemarle County in the Province of North Carolina do present Charity Brown for that she hath a Bastard Child at the House of Mr Thoss Rogers in this Precinct of Chowan

(I have no idea who “Charity” belonged to)

Also in Currytuck Precinct one Edwd Boune leaving a wife in Virginia and keeps a whore in this Governmt by which it very plain appears that She hath severall Bastards by him the sd Boune.

Also one Susanah Brown living at Petty Shore hath two Bastards

(BINGO!  this little lady may be the straw to break the brick wall)

Information of Capt Jno Worley also who keeps in his house the wife of Jno Hawkins she having severall children Contrary to Law.

JOSph SANDERSON
Adjourned to the Court in Course

C. GALE Ch: Just:

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I found another specific reference to her in Hofmann’s Chowan Precinct…1696-1723, pg 218.  This record is the minutes of Chowan Court July 1715.  This is 2 years after I “suppose” John Brown Sr died. (But per the later records she would fit as a granddaughter and not a daughter)

“Whereas Susannah Brown (?), by her Oath on ye Holy Evangelist, Declared that John M—— is father to a bastard Child born to her, it is Ordered that the Marshall have the bodys of the sd. M—— and the sd. Susannah Brown at the next Court”.

(3 “M” neighbors nearby were Mann, Mayner (Maner Manear) and Merritt… the abstractor left 6 “dashes” because she did not feel confident of the letters to make a judgement… when I do abstracts I try to make the “dashes” relate to the letters I cannot read……. just sayin’)

Which begs the question… is this the same Susannah Brown 12 years later… and still not married?  (deed referred to above)

Bell, C 167(160) Susanah Brown, John Warren & wife Grace, Sylvester Brown and ____ to Elizabeth Joyner

Feb. 12, 1727/28. *. 256 A. “…love… for our sister Elizabeth Joyner…” Land formerly belonging to our father, John Brown dec’d. Patent July 28, 1713. On WS Chowan adj. J. Curlee, J. Smith. Wit: Fincher Hayne,Charles Brown. Court *. Thomas Crew D. C/C.

(I have no idea who this “Charles Brown” is… )

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Case closed.

See here for some of the “historic” background of some of these Indian Traders… (and some of my stumbling and fumbling)…

Roanoke R. to Chowan 1863 Civil War map

…

update++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I found this partial list of landowners of Chowan “Precinct”… written in 1720…

There are four references to “Petty Shore”.  When John Browne obtained his patent in 1713, the adjoining property was listed as “James Curlee”.  By this 1720 patent list it seems George Wyn(n) may have obtained  property nearby.  Another reference is a “Edmund Wiggans” which also ties to the patent (adjoining).  The Stephen Williams mentioned is a son of Lewis Williams … his property was nearby.  The other Abraham Bullet fella I have no idea who he was. (update:  this fella is Abraham Blewlet… his patent was for 640ac in 1714… his land appears to be between James Curlee and Lewis Williams). see my ongoing map below…

old Chowan Precinct map

While searching around for clues I find this…

Papers of Wynn at East Carolina University

https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/special/ead/findingaids/0691-002

Papers (1800-1961) of Hertford County, NC, family, consisting of correspondence, legal documents, financial papers, estate papers, account books, ledgers and time books, and miscellany, including records of Petty Shore Fishery and the family cotton business.

“During 1863 and 1864, several letters were received from Wynns’ Uncle James Dean Wynns, telling of the elder Wynns’ ill health and reporting that Yankee troops had taken all of his clothes, leaving him destitute and in great need of assistance. Other Civil War-era correspondence includes several leaves of absence granted to Wynns (most allowing him to attend the North Carolina State Legislature sessions,) a statement of receipt of supplies and money given to Wynns, an official letter from Adjutant General Daniel(?) Fowle authorizing Wynns to enlist another 250 or more mounted infantry troops, a few letters discussing issues related to age limits of the enlisted and some general orders. Other topics of particular interest in the correspondence include activities at Petty Shores Fishery…”

So I think it safe to assume the Petty Shore property stayed in the hands of WYNN heirs…  A WYNN daughter seems to have married a Peter Evans.  A son or brother of Peter Evans was one Robert Evans…

July 10, 1715 Chowan Prect. At a court in the house of HENRY KING.

“Tredle KEEF and JOHN MAINER being attached (?) of a Breach of trust reposed in him by the Publick, it is ordered that the Marshall take ye sd. Keef and Mainer into Custody until they give bond to appear at ye Next Generall Court and that ROBERT EVANS on PETTY SHORE AND THOMAS BROWN (?) and JAMES RUTTLAND be Summoned Evidences on behalf of the Soverign Lord the King.

Deed Book B #1 Chowan Co. Abstract by Hofmann, pg. 217

John Mainer (Manner, etc) also had property adjoining John Browne.

I propose that the above mentioned Thomas Brown is the son of John Browne (Indian Trader).  Thomas Brown died about 1718 or 19.

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Update…

I think the guy below is James Brown Jr… son of the Indian Trader.  I will place his property on my old Chowan Precinct map as time permits.

As usual with these Browns, the sale is undated.  So again we are left guessing.  But a clue is left as low hanging fruit to easily grab…  “John Brown, of Bertie…”

History. The county was formed as Bertie Precinct in 1722 from the part of Chowan Precinct of Albemarle County lying west of the Chowan River. It was named for James Bertie, his brother Henry Bertie, or perhaps both, each having been one of the Lords Proprietors of Carolina.

So logic dictates he died sometime after 1722 and before 1728 (when his children sold the Petty Shore property noted below).

Feb. 12, 1727/28. *. 256 A. “…love… for our sister Elizabeth Joyner…” Land formerly belonging to our father, John Brown dec’d.  Patent July 28, 1713.  On WS Chowan adj. J. Curlee, J. Smith.  Wit: Fincher Hayne, Charles Brown.  Court  *.  Thomas Crew D. C/C.

Another reference for John Brown in Bertie in 1722:

http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/bertie/deeds/cattle.txt

Since he sold the 286 acres near the Nansemond, VA state line… where was he living?  He is noted as “of Bertie” and the Petty Shore property ceased to be of Chowan and became Bertie County in 1722.  When I map his property near Nansemond you will note he had an adjoining neighbor named Benjamin Rogers.  The Brown and Rogers associations are not easily ignored.  My hunch is there were intermarriages.

From the 1716 deposition…

“Wee the body of the Grand Jury for Albemarle County in the Province of North Carolina do present Charity Brown for that she hath a Bastard Child at the House of Mr Thoss Rogers in this Precinct of Chowan”     (Note that I am not accusing Thomas Rogers of knocking the girl up… he may have simply been a friend or relative looking after her welfare).

This map is pretty accurate if I have correctly identified Beech Swamp… note that the John Brown patent was issued 1719 (6 years after I think Browne Sr died).  My theory is Thomas and John Brown Jr were brothers. Thomas died about 1719 in what was then Bertie County, NC. (Thomas also had a son named John but I do not think this is him).  Refer to the land gift/sale transactions to understand my theory that John Brown JR removed from this area to the Petty Shore, NC property.

The yellow patents were issued in Virginia.  White patents were issued in NC.  This map is obviously incomplete… the southerly patents are temporarily placed…

To re-hash a bit… (refer to the Petty Shore map top of post)

Hathaway listed the death of “a” John Browne in 1713…

This reference is who I think his widow was:

Deed Bk W #1, Chowan Co., NC, Hofmann

#321 pg. 154 BRIDGETT BROWN of Chowan Prect. to ISAAC LEWIS of ye Co. of Albemarle, my well beloved Son  15 July 1713  Letter of Attorney to prosecute to Judgement any person I, the sd. BRIDGETT BROWN, shall at this time or from time to time bring action against and likewise to Defend any action brought against me   Wit.  TREDDELL KEEFE, MARY LEWIS m her mark  Reg. (not given)

Since John Browne Sr apparently died intestate (any records missing)… then we can ponder that Bridgett Brown probably was living on the “widow’s third” of the property.  I presume that John Browne JR may or may not be living on the Petty Shore property with the widow.  He possibly was living near the Virginia border where he later patented land in 1719.  In any event she chose here son to act as her attorney in settling her affairs.  He seems to be living within walking distance.

Note carefully the neighbors of this deed of her son Isaac Lewis in 1717… he was quite close if not adjoining to the Browne SR property. (I have not been able to place the deed on my map because it has no metes and bounds and I have to plot the surrounding deeds to isolate Isaac Lewis’ land. Also noted in the deed is Jacob Lewis as close by. (another son by my speculation).

Several points that I think are obvious…

• John Browne JR was from a previous marriage… hence the widow was more comfortable in 1713 with her own son Isaac as her attorney… OR John Browne JR was not living close by
• Bridgett Lewis had multiple children (her maiden name unknown)… my hunch is her age was similar to John Browne SR
• At the death of Bridgett Browne the Petty Shore property became fully owned by John Browne JR
• At the death of John Browne JR (prior to 1728) the property devolved to his children

Mary Best Bell, Colonial Bertie County, NC, DB A-H, 1720-1757

Bell, C 167(160) Susanah Brown, John Warren & wife Grace, Sylvester Brown and ____ to Elizabeth Joyner

Feb. 12, 1727/28. *. 256 A. “…love… for our sister Elizabeth Joyner…” Land formerly belonging to our father, John Brown dec’d. Patent July 28, 1713. On WS Chowan adj. J. Curlee, J. Smith. Wit: Fincher Hayne, Charles Brown. Court *. Thomas Crew D. C/C.

Could be a breakthrough connecting him to Carolus Anderson.  Carolus lived on the line between Virginia and North Carolina on the Meherrin River.  Near neighbors were the Boons and Pitmans… along with this fella … Abraham Stevenson.

Oct. 17, 1739 Nicholas Boon to Arthur Stevenson, 125 A S/S Meherrin Riv adj. Carolus Anderson, Elias Fort, Joseph Strickland, Wm. Eldridge, Robert Cobb, Arthur Stevenson, pat. Dec 3, 1720

Nov. 4, 1739-Nicholas Boon to Robert Cobb, 20 pds., 165 A S/S Meherring Riv- purch. of Wm Bennett 5/14/1723. Wits: CHARLES Anderson, Joseph Cobb, Jr., Abraham Stevenson, Nov. Crt, 1739 [ this “Charles” is Carolus].

The 1733 will of Elizabeth Anderson, mother of Carolus Anderson mentions her daughter’s son William Anderson.  Of course her “daughter” is named as Elizabeth PITMAN in the will which has confounded everyone for years.

Now this tidbit which has me all in a tizzy to get a copy of the deed AND the survey.

Land grant to William Boon dated June 22, 1749, of 100 acres on the northeast side of the Meherrin River between the river and the county line; William Anderson and Abraham Stephens chain carriers. Secretary of State Land Grants 78-B.

This could bring down a HUGE brick wall… it is all I can do to contain myself…  William Anderson would be a young man if this is the same person. He would get his own survey in Edgecombe county about 1752.

Remember this area is a burned county… some nitwit lunatic burned down the house with the county records in an attempt to get rid of the records and save his sorry ass from his mortgage.

oops…wrong county for the firebug…

https://archive.org/stream/colonialandstat01winbgoog#page/n16/mode/2up

ANY tidbit such as this mention is a treasure.  Since this small quote mentions the chain carriers… I assume (hope) that the survey is still extant.  Here is the deed… the reference notes there “are no documents in the shuck” which is a bummer because that means no survey.  But SOMEWHERE is a note of the chain carriers.

The land in question is on the VA / NC boundary and Meherrin River.  This was just below Carolus Anderson’s original 1726 Virginia grant.  Note that by 1745 Carolus had moved south to Meherrin Woods and Pattys Delight Swamp area.  Note that Arthur Stevenson’s property adjoined his own. Note also that the Stevenson property was originally owned by Abraham Stevenson (per the survey boundary description).    …Also this is the most comprehensive Boon map I have done so far…

Click several times to enlarge…

So… Traci sent me these scans…   The one image we can read is not conclusive AT ALL!  We can debate all day whether the signature is Ambroson or not.  But my first reaction (and I admit I have a dog in this fight) is that it is closer to Anderson than Andrews (the most common misspelling).  Amerson does not seem likely because it is clearly a “d” or a “b”.

So… no mention of the chain carriers that I can find in the 2nd document…  and the 3rd document is clearly “Ambroson”.    What the hell ???  Alright all you Jeffreys researchers fess up!  Was Osborn Jeffrys (the surveyor) a drunk?  Was he hard of hearing?  If you think I am engaging in a bit of “character assassination” of Osborne Jeffreys then you would be correct… I ran across him several years ago and made a few observations… to wit:

On 6 december 1725 Abraham and Ann, his wife, sold to Thomas Stephenson 100 acres on Seacock Swamp in Isle of Wight Co, VA(21). On 23 November 1730 Abraham appraised the estate of Edward Brown. Nine years later he relocated south of the Virginia state border into Bertie Co., NC, where he bought 150 acres on the south side of “Maherring” River adjoining the lands of William Boon, John Bryant, and a Mr. Bennet from Elias Fort on 23 October 1739.

Abraham Stevenson did have an association with a William Andrews:

Northampton County.

Thomas Nickson

December 1, 1752. February Court, 1753. Brothers: JOSEPH and HENRY NICKSON. Sister: SARAH JINER. Executors: Abraham Stevenson, JUNR., and WILLIAM ANDREWS. Witnesses: WILLIAM TURNER, MARTHA MORE. Clerk of the Court: I. EDWARDS.

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Bottom line….  I can’t declare this a “proof”… darn it!  But my “radar” is on.  The first wife of William was Martha ____ .  Their first daughter was named Absala, possibly for the mother of Martha… so he may have met and wed her in Northampton County?

A detailed Stevenson genealogy with numerous references to Carolus Anderson…

Click to access bookFormat_John_Stephenson.pdf

Traci Thompson just happens to be my most prolific commenter… she is all over the place on this blog.  She is an Olde School librarian… meaning she will get her hands dirty while digging up all these genealogical bones.  She will also not hesitate to call you out if she disagrees.  I respect that.

Around the year 2000 or so… me being a rookie… I asked her about the old Micajah Anderson book of Edgecombe County.  She patiently copied the darn thing, page by page, and mailed it to me… charged a measly amount per page and apologized for the outlandish postage.

A year ago or so she became one of those high-falutin “certified” genealogists.

Do it… vote!  She deserves it.

http://www.ilovelibraries.org/nominate-public-librarian

She hangs out here:

http://braswell-library.libguides.com/home