Remember, my cooking peeps… Cornbread dressing has to be wet… It has to have celery and pecan halves. Also a small cubed red apple.

I am boiling up some chicken legs for the stock as I write… also I may char broil the leg bones and later add to the stock after boiling and condensing a bit more to concentrate even more. I think my momma would be proud… My kids and grandkids love it. Thanks mom, I miss her.

I am an unabashed admirer of the man… far and away my favorite Founder. This little ditty of an AI generated deep fake is eerie but fascinating to me. I visited Monticello years ago with a grandson and can safely chalk it off my bucket list.

An excellent docudrama of history, in my view… I may watch this again. This particular portrayal of the man is my favorite. I have no idea who the actor is but find him compelling.

Back around 2000 or a bit earlier when I first started my interest in genealogy, I looked up the records of his in the first census… he referred to his slaves as “dependants”… perhaps he was self serving and a bit guilt ridden…(who knows?) but whatever you think of the man, I find him complex. And view him with great respect.

TJ and John Adams died within hours of each other July 4th, 1826… yes, just a few hours apart, as if it were a contest…

I recently won an award for this blog and was contacted by email by a man named David McCorkle. He was persuaded to be the head of the North Carolina Genealogical Society (NCGS) and hence, is the guy who has to see that the toilets are cleaned and emails are sent out. Little did I realize that he was my hero. To explain: several years ago, to my delight, this website was created: https://nclandgrants.com/ . If you scroll down that page you will find the “ABOUT” link… therein you will find the history of how David created the website. NClandgrants is where I go to play… and find the seeds to grow my maps.

This Post is a hat tip to David… in an email he let slip that “My ancestors settled in Mecklenburg which nobody has mapped, so if you ever find yourself with nothing to do…”

In practical terms… this is not a Mecklenburg map, per se, but merely a “study”… the real deal would be an undertaking such as my Chowan “Precinct” map which is a grand ordeal. It seems that in 1762 or so the county was formed with the unspoken proviso that everything westerly of the area was considered in the county (meaning the county extended to the Mississippi River, by implication, at least). By 1768 the toady and often intoxicated government types realized that Holy Moly! there are more people flooding into the landscape than we can handle… So in desperation they stopped Mecklenberg at the Catawba River and declared everything to the west of that river to be Tryon County… then they adjourned and went to the local tavern for a Madiera, smiling that they had passed off a chore to some other toady government types who drink as opposed to working. Anyone who has studied North Carolina “county formations” soon realizes that this is the game they played. And I am convinced they were all drunks. With that in mind, I soon realized that the ancestors of David McCorkle were in that “western” part of Olde Mecklenberg, which is left vaporized in the fog of history and never “actually” existed… if you catch my drift. Luckily clues were left in the Metes and Bounds.

Of course my first stop was the 1911 map which quickly proved useless although it was interesting…

A reprint can be found on Amazon and elsewhere… but then I am an Edgecombe County snob and this interests me more for the history… particularly the Indian Traders who ventured down that way… but I digress.

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Click the Blue Filename above to open a better image…

Much to my dismay I cannot find any “historic” USGS maps for this area of NC. So I am left floundering in search of something without all the modern abominations like railroads and the utterly abhorrent Interstate Highways…Hell, I don’t appreciate anything paved on these maps. Tiny Towns are ok but barely. I do realize that it is important to our modern sensibilities to have some frame of reference but ye gads! they did not have concrete freaking bridges back in the day…they were wood if they did manage to erect one (which was not very often).

Below are 2 examples of what I refer to as “data sheets”… these contains the who, what, where, when and sometimes why of the people I map. When you put all this “data” together on a map it is magical. The more puzzle pieces you find and add, the more accurate the map becomes. And keep in mind that the surveyor’s metes and bounds of yesteryear are as accurate today as the year they were made (even though the trees cited in the survey are almost assuredly dead and gone and any stakes long since rotted away).

The patent below drives home the point that in 1762 when this patent was issued it was in Mecklenburg. But by 1769 an adjoining patent was proclaimed to be in Tryon County. Neither of those counties are anywhere near where this land is today. All of which explains my fondness for getting inebriated… capiche?

In the data sheet above note where I have begun to make associations of nearby landowners… some of my data sheets are marvels of investigative magic. And hence, a question for Mr McCorkle: How cool would it be on a map if one could click on a pretty yellow patent and be taken to a data sheet? An example of such an animal is below… although it is entirely unassociated with this Mecklenberg map… it is associated with my Chowan map. And how cool would this be to a researcher?

North Carolina Genealogical Society (ncgenealogy.org) is pleased to announce the winners of our 2024 awards which honor worthy individual and society endeavors in publishing and other contributions to North Carolina genealogy.

Award for Excellence in an Online Resource – 2024

Andersons of Colonial North Carolina

Marc Anderson, blogger

Traci Thompson, CG (accepting for Marc Anderson)

A commenter, Terri, a lush obviously, has rattled my cage in search of a very olde pharte of hers… She asks:

New comment waiting approval!

Terri Rice just commented on early_iow_3_dec16.These maps are awesome, but I’m coming up short on my relative. Thomas Jordan (1600-1644) lived at The Maine on the Governor’s Land in James City, where he stayed when first coming to the colony as one of Yeardley’s men in 1623. He moved south of the James River in the area with Bennett, Lawnes, and Basset as part of the Puritan congregation that put him in the House of Burgesses in 1629 and again in 1632, so he had land somewhere near that riverfront with the other folks.His patent for bring[ing] 18 people to the colony in 1635 gave him 900 acres near the head of the Warrasquinoke River. It is west of the old Indian town at the “Great Indian Field Neck”, supposedly a mile into the woods down to Cross Creek. The family homestead is supposed to be on what is now the Gwaltney property on Moonlight Road, and a Jordan Cemetery is there, but the old headstones have since disappeared so that what was a large field of graves currently only has markings for 8.In 1637, Thomas was part of the folks who made the Puritan trek to Nansemond, where he purchased 200 acres. Don’t know where that is either, but his son, Thomas of Chuckatuck’s land is between Chuckatuck Creek and Nansemond River, just off the main highway in Chuckatuck across the street from the water treatment plant. I visited this area recently from Florida and met with the historical societies who had no clue about the location of either man’s land, so this has had me reaching for the zinfandel as well. Alas, I will not fib, it was margaritas. Any help will be a life saver as I am writing a book for my nieces and nephews about our family roots and Robert Jordan needs an X marks the spot in it.

I took up this quest after a trip to my local Winn Dixie here in Florida, where Beringer’s has been on sale. To my good fortune, that particular cheap, rotgut wine tickles my fancy. On the other hand, my commenter seems to be under the spell of the late Jimmy Buffet (R.I.P.) who I can only hope has finally found his lost shaker of salt.

But back to Terri’s dilemma… while I have not specifically identified the land of Thomas Jordan, this seems to be perhaps a son or grandson… perhaps this is the X marks the spot in question?

Chuckatuck, Nansemond, Virginia

Terri should note the adjoining patent next to the Grist Mill that I was obsessing about in the above article. As I recall from my research, this particular area was the purported home grounds of the Nansemond Indians, who are mentioned in connection with her particular research.

I hate to be secretive, but this is a snippit quote from a source I cannot reveal because it is still theoretical, I assume, or they want to publish it. In any event I and some friends have gotten into the weeds in our research of the BRYANS of IOW/Nansemond and hence, my interest in this…

“…Quakers of the Chuckatuck MM? And, who was the “Mary Bryan” witness to the Quaker Chuckatuck marriage of John Jordan, son of Thomas Jordan of Chuckatuck …”ye Ninth day of ye twelfe month in ye year: 1688?” Mary Bryan was also a witness, “ye ninth day of ye twelft month in ye yeare 1687” to the marriage of “Robart Jordan the son of Tho: Jordan of Chucatuck in ye county of Nanzemund and Christian: Oudeland ye daughter of Tho: Taberer of the Isleaweight county”.

The Bryans, at this time, were but a few miles Southwesterly of the above patent on Indian Creek.

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Well now that I have had my fun with Terri, I suppose I should show the real problems with locating the early Thomas Jordan. This map shows a patent of Richard Young (1643) on what will become known as New Town Haven River… that seems to be the earliest reference I have noted. Other references show him or his descendants within a few miles of this general area. Of particular interest for me is the later Quaker references to “Elizabeth Oudelant” . This property must have a story behind it as it involves Moore Fantleroy and others somehow connected to the Jordans. I am a simple map maker and leave those details to you folks. Hopefully these clues can help the quest.

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…an update… Apparently all this talk of drinking, er… Jordans, has caught the interest of Jennifer from California and she has chimed in with some tidbits, to wit:

U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935

Chuckatuck, Nansemond, Western Branch, Somerton

Minutes, 1673-1756

Virginia Yearly Meeting Minutes, 1684-1717

Are Outland and Oudeland spelling variations?

Chuckatuck MM

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another update… lest anyone think that I indeed know anything even closely resembling a location of any of these folks (my standard is to walk around with a metal detector and find silver spoons with their name on it)… here is my unsuccessful attempt to find the Preacher’s house… to wit:

Click to access preachers-house-1.pdf

However… I am getting close. And to keep things in perspective… one of Thomas Jordan’s properties was within easy walking distance of the Preacher’s house… I think.

…some more clues

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Click to access davis-t-1644.pdf

Ya gotta love a big bloated government bureaucracy. I recently went looking for my favorite map site (as noted above). It seems that a simple search for “USGS historical maps” directs you to their new and improved labyrinth of confusion. I am reminded of The Peter Principal wherein the doctrine is expounded that “every man rises to his level of incompetence” (or something like that). I gave up after a few dozen clicks and went and poured a stiff drink in total frustration and melancholy (well I might be exaggerating a bit about the melancholy). Good Gawd! I thought, The Boys have managed to screw up a perfectly good website and make it totally incomprehensible. In desperation I searched my site for the “Olde LInk” and was successful … here it is… grab it and save it somewhere.

https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#4/40.01/-100.06

For those of you who doubt me about dangerous “diabolical bureaucratic brains”… ponder this :

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/rip-my-best-friend-outrage-ensues-after-beloved-rescue-squirrel-seized-ny-euthanized

Oh and Go Vote!… and vote often (laughing).

Follow these guys!

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2024/11/01/amish-possible-key-demographic-trump-winning-pennsylvania/

MAGA

The best way to find anyone you are interested in… and “if” I have dug up any dirt on them, is to use my SEARCH button half way down on the right side of this page. Last count, I have over 400 “Posts”.

“When I works I works hard! When I sets I sets easy, but when I thinks, I falls asleep!” Dizzy Dean

https://www.genealogy.com/forum/surnames/topics/warren/2674/

A John BROWN, Jr.’s inventory was complete 1726. He had died in Chowan Precinct, but the inventory is in the Bertie Co. Records. John WARREN and Grace his wife, Silvester ( Silvestra ) BROWN of precinct of Bertie ” for love and affection to our sister Elizabeth JOYNER sell her a tract of land formely belonging to John BROWN, our father, deceased, patented by him 1713, on west side of Chowan River.” Wits: Finierer HAYNE, Christian BROWN ( wife of Thomas ). I wish to identify the Brown family to which these people are connected. Any help appreciated. Arlina < amoss@sunline.net >

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I too have been curious of this woman for the last 20 odd years.

There is a WikiTree page: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Unknown-636635 where this is stated: “This Elizabeth is not Elizabeth Brown, daughter of John Brown. This Elizabeth’s surname who married Israel has not been determined yet.” Then this is stated: “Elizabeth Brown, daughter of John Brown, married John Joyner 1690-1748..”

Confused yet? Me too.

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The William Browne and Anthony Lewis noted above, are stepbrothers. The person connecting all these folks is John Browne of Kingsale, VA and Petty Shore, NC. But more of interest is the Nathan Joyner who adjoined Anthony Lewis… note how cozy all these patents are in proximity.

If this were a crime scene and we are the detectives then it is merely a clean up to find the culprit (obviously one of the dastardly Joyner boys) … and that is up to you to figure out. I am merely laying out the clues…

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I have made my case (pretty much) in raw form here: https://andersonnc.com/john-browne-of-kingsale-1639-1713-indian-trader/ where I demonstrate my confusion for all to see: Quoting myself:

“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:

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?

(((New remark today: I think the BRANTLEY comment by Boddie may prove to tear down the brick wall… see my research of LEWIS and BRANTLEY here: https://andersonnc.com/anthony-lewis-that-orphant-boy/ this area of Isle of Wight is where all of these families converge…the JOYNERS also were nearby)))

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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:

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.

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…“

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Below I have mapped the above described property on HORSE SWAMP… this map is several years old, so consider it as a “generalized” view. Horse Swamp is in the lower left. I will add details later…

Below is where I have determined where the troublesome land was located on Horse Swamp… as usual, click on the BLUE filename under the graphic to open in a better page for viewing and zooming in…

For a greater “context” of where this land is… see my Chowan “Precinct” map. (under Pages)

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According to my notes here, noted in the deed F 344… it states “John Joyner & wife Elizabeth”. Of course, I am not entirely sure if the gal Elizabeth was a daughter of John Browne Sr or Jr. Perhaps one of you sleuths can enlighten me.

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And not to leave a good mystery unsolved… as I have said or inferred… I don’t know the final circumstances of this John Browne (of Kingsale / Indian Trader) or of his son John Brown(e) Jr? And certainly not of any of the daughters of either. My research is still a theory at this point.

The document below begs a question… If John Browne Sr (the Indian Trader) died in 1713 as I suspect and have tried to indicate in my notes, then what is to be made of these Bertie County “Inventories” of 1727? John Warren, acting as Administrator, is settling an Estate but he clearly mentions two John Browns- a “Junior and a Senior”. Does this infer a “grandson” John of the Indian Trader?