Andersons of Colonial N. Carolina

As best as I can figure this James Anderson is the first Anderson in the area of Occoneeche Neck and may be the defining progenitor of the Andersons of the later Halifax and Edgecombe Counties.

CHOWAN PRECINCT. NORTH CAROLINA , 1696-1723  Margaret M. Hofmann  Deed Book B #1

#889 pg. 345, Matthew CAPPS and Elizabeth CAPPS to James ANDERSON, 12 July 1716, assignment of a sale of land formerly belonging to William BRASSWELL. Wit: William BRASSWELL, Edward HOWARD. Reg. 6 Aug. 1716

#890 pg. 346 Elizabeth CAPPS wife of Matthew CAPPS of Meherrin to Robert SHARER  13 July 1716  letter of Attorney to relinquish my Dower of all land my husband hath sold   Wit: Henry WHEELER, James ANDERSON (capital I with horizontal dash across middle) his mark  Reg 6 Aug 1716

This seems to be the current theory regarding this James:

Article by Hugh B. Johnston, “Looking Backward”, March 13, 1966

JAMES ANDERSON

On July 12, 1716 Matthew (X) and Elizabeth (E) Capps sold James Anderson certain land in Chowan Precinct that formerly belonged to William Brasswell; witnessed by William Brasswell and Edward Howard.  On November 12, 1720, James (I) and Elizabeth (S) Anderson of Chowan Prect. sold Joseph Sims of the same place 100 acres from William Brasswell’s former patent on Cypress Swamp on March 4, 1711-12, adjoining Robert Sims: witnessed by Matthew (M) Russian and William Murphey.  On September 17, 1721, James (I) Anderson of Chowan County sold Robert Sims of the same place for an unspecified sum 100 acres from William Brasswell’s patent on Cypress Swamp dated March 4, 1711-12, “yt. Makes into Morattock River” and adjoining William Boon, Gum Pond, and said Anderson: witnessed by Henry (S) Sims and Henry Wheeler.  On April 20, 1722, James Anderson of Bath County sold Captain John Grey of Albemarle County for 12.0.0 pounds current North Carolina money 400 acres north of Morattock River on Cypress Swamp adjoining William Boon and John Nellson (from 640 acres in Occoneeche Neck in Almemarle County patented by William Brassell and sold to Matthew Capps who sold the same to said Anderson: witnessed by Patrick Maule and Mar. Moore.

Elizabeth Anderson (widow of James Anderson) made her will in Bertie County on November 5, 1732, and it was probated in August Court, 1733:  (1) son James Anderson,  (2) son Carrolus Anderson; (3)  daughter Elizabeth Pitman;  (4)  granddaughter Elizabeth Anderson;  (5)  granddaughter Sarah Anderson;  (6)  witnesses:  Elias Fortt  __ Fortt, and Henry Crompton.

Children of James and Elizabeth Anderson:

1. James Anderson

2.  Carrolus Anderson

3.  Elizabeth Anderson married ___Pitman

(Mr. Johnston “assumed” the daughter married a Pitman… he left out “I give my Daughter Elisebeth Pitmans Son William Anderson one Hiefer”… I note the possibility that she is the daughter of Thomas Pitman, a near neighbor to Elizabeth Anderson.)

(I also question Mr. Johnston’s theory that James was the “husband” of Elizabeth Anderson who left her will in 1733…I think he was her son and the brother of Carolus Anderson.)

………………………………………

In 1994 this interesting article appeared… I have snipped the relevant passages:

THE NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL, Volume XX, No.2, May 1994:  JAMES LOGAN COLBERT of the CHICKASAWS:THE MAN AND THE MYTH, by Richard A. Colbert

…””Using the names of “Licensed Indian traders”, a list of Virginai, North and South Carolina traders was created. A partial list includes Robert LONG, Charles HICKS, John BROWN, William GILCHRIST, Abraham COLSON, James ANDERSON, William KEMP, James MOORE, Richard HYDE, John SIMS, William WILLIAMS, and John PETTYGREW.”…

“Major Robert Mumford and the Families of Plumbtree Island

Further research revealed that the TURBEVILLEs, COLSONs, and CALVERTs worked for Major Robert MUMFORD of Brunswick County, Virginia, and with Thomas WHITMELL. Major MUMFORD was a large land speculator and the descendant of an Indian trading family. The MUMFORDs had traded alongside men like Abraham WOOD, Benjamin HARRISON, Robert BOLLING, William BYRD I, Peter POYTHRESS, and Robert HICKS since the late 1600s.(42)

The TURBEVILLEs learned of the Occoneechee Neck on the Roanoke through their association with Arthur KAVANAUGH and Major Robert MUMFORD. By 1712 both KAVANAUGH and MUMFORD were large landowners in Virginia and North Carolina. KAVANAUGH began selling his North Carolina patents in 1713 and MUMFORD acted as his attorney. Thomas WHITMELL, the Indian trader, bought six hundred acres from KAVANAUGH on the north side of the Morattuck River in 1715.(43)

Before moving to North Carolina, the TURBEVILLEs sold land they owned in Prince George County, Virginia, to Peter MITCHELL, an Indian trader and land speculator.(MITCHELL lived high on the Roanoke River near the CALDWELLs and James LOGAN.) Major MUMFORD acted as Mary TURBEVILLE’s power of attorney and it was witnessed by Arthur KAVANAUGH and John ANDERSON.(44)

ANDERSON was also an Indian trader and land speculator who worked with MUMFORD. Prior to 1722, ANDERSON lived with his family on the Occoneechee Neck of the Roanoke River. Before moving to the Roanoke River and the Occoneechee, ANDERSON had lived in Prince George County, Virginia.

Prince George County records reveal that in the 1704 “Rent Roll of all the Lands held in the County”, the following names were listed: Jno.ANDERSON, Lewis GREEN, Peter JONES, Peter MITCHELL, Hubert GIBSON, Coll.BOLLING, Coll.HARRISON, Arthur KAVANAUGH, Francis POYTHRES Sr., Dan’ll HICKDON[HIGDON],Coll.BYRD, Rob’t.HIX, Robt.MUNFORD, Rich’d.TURBERFIELD, and Wm.EPPES.(45)

In 1722 Major MUMFORD and John ANDERSON were the first individuals to apply for a patent in present-day Mecklenburg County in Virginia. It was for “2811 acres in the fork of Cock’s (now Poplar) Creek” and the Roanoke River.(46)

When Richard TURBEVILLE and his family moved to North Carolina, they lived on the Occoneechee with other Chickasaw traders and next to ANDERSON, COLSON, PACE, MASON, GIBSON, LANG(LONG), and Thomas WHITMELL.(47)

On 1 March 1720 the Lords Proprietors of North Carolina issued patents to Plumbtree Island and on the south side of Plumbtree Swamp abutting the island. These patents went to Thomas WHITMELL, William GREEN, John COTTON, John GEDDES, William REEVES, Barnaby MILTON, and Robert LANG(LONG). Shortly after Thomas WHITMELL obtained his patent on Plumbtree Island, Joseph CALVERT and his family moved on the island.(48) The CALVERTs were later joined by the TURBEVILLEs and COLSONS.”

I think the author erred by lumping the John Anderson with the James Anderson.  In another post I offer a theory of the “Virginia” John vs the “North Carolina” John Anderson.  This James could very well have been a trader at this time however… he was surrounded by them.   (*As a footnote, I’ll post the will of the John Anderson who was associated directly with Munford of Virginia…he was the uncle of this John of Bridgers Creek in NC.)

A compelling argument against my theory can be found here:        The site also gives an excellent trace of Carolus Anderson.

http://www.sadiesparks.com/canderson.htm

___________________________________

Some details and notes:

Most of these deed transactions involve the original patents of William Braswell in 1711:

Bk. 1, pg. 173, William BRASWELL, 4 Mar. 1711/12, 640 acres on a Cypress swamp issuing out of Morattuck River, joining ye meanders of ye sd. swamp.

Bk. 1, pg. 174, William BRASWELL, 4 Mar. 1711/12, 640 acres on a Cypress swamp on Maratuck River joining John HATHHORN, another Cypress swamp, ye head of ye Meadow branch and ye sd. Cypress swamp.

(This seems to indicate he has 1200+ ac. to deal with)

1716

Matthew Capps seems to make a deal with Thomas Anderson but the sale for 640 acres is made with James Anderson.

Chowan County, North Carolina Cross Index to Deeds – Grantees 1696-1878 Vol B

Transaction: Assignment
1st Grantee Last Name: Anderson
1st Grantee First Name: Thomas
Grantor First Name: Matthew
Grantor Last Name: Capps
Year: 1716
Book: B
Page #: 345

(Hathaway)

Thursday, July 21, 1715 Court met.

Matthew Capps proves rights for importation of Matthew, and Elizabeth Capps, Sr., Elizabeth, Jr., Mary and Ann Capps, Mary and Elizabeth Powell.

(This shows Capps is pursuing land grants.  By 1729, Capps is living on the property of Robert Sims in Occoneechee Neck…per Will of Sims.)

CHOWAN PRECINCT. NORTH CAROLINA , 1696-1723  Margaret M. Hofmann  Deed Book B #1

#889 pg. 345, Matthew CAPPS and Elizabeth CAPPS to James ANDERSON, 12 July 1716, assignment of a sale of land formerly belonging to William BRASSWELL. Wit: William BRASSWELL, Edward HOWARD. Reg. 6 Aug. 1716

(640 acres in Occoneechee Neck.)

#890 pg. 346 Elizabeth CAPPS wife of Matthew CAPPS of Meherrin to Robert SHARER  13 July 1716  letter of Attorney to relinquish my Dower of all land my husband hath sold   Wit: Henry WHEELER, James ANDERSON (capital I with horizontal dash across middle) his mark  Reg 6 Aug 1716

(Deed Book 1 of then Chowan Precinct shows Henry Wheeler “held and firmly bound unto Robert Sharer  of the upper parish of Isle of Wight Co., Va. in the full and just sum of 10,000 pounds of good and Merchantable Leaf Tobacco and Cast this 23 April 1715. To secure the debt, the said Wheeler conveys to the said Sharer 200 acres on ye south side of Meherrin (Roanoke) River which is part of 300 acres granted to the said Wheeler”  Wheeler finally settles around present day Murfreesboro, NC)

CHOWAN PRECINCT NORTH CAROLINA Chowan Co., NC Deed Book B #1
pg. 145, James ANDERSON of Chowan Prect. to Robert SIMS of the Prect. afrsd. 11 Nov. 1720, 20 pounds sterling, 100 acres on a Cypress Swamp that makes into Morattock river, joining William BOON, the Cypress Swamp, a Gum Pond and James ANDERSON’s fence, part of a Pattent to William BRASSWELL dated 4 Mar. 1711/12. Wit.: Henry SIMS (his mark), Henry WHEELER. Ack. 5 7ber 1721 by Henry SIMS before me Fred JONES, Ch. Just. Reg. 17 Sept. 1721.

pg. 176, James ANDERSON of Chowan Prect. and Elizabeth, my wife, to Joseph SIMS of Chowan Prect., 12 Nov. 1720, 24 pounds sterling, 100 acres on the Cypress Swamp that makes out of Morattoke River, joining Robert SIMS, the swamp and a Wett Slash, part of a pattent to William BRASSWELL 4 Mar. 1711/12. Wit.: Matt RUSSIAN, William MURPHEY. Ack. 5 Sept. 1721 by Henry SIMS before me F. JONES, Ch. Just. Reg. 3 8ber 1721.

Colonial Bertie Co., NC Deed Books 1720-1757  Mary Best Bell  Deed Book A

pg. 19. James ANDERSON of Bath County to John GRAY (Capt.) March 3, 1721/22. 400 a. NS Morattock River in Occoneeche Neck. Part of 640 a. surveyed by Coll. William MAULE for William BRASWELL then sold to Matthew CAPPS, and by CAPPS sold to James ANDERSON. Adj. William BOON, John NELLSON. Wit: Patrick MAULE, Mau. MOORE. April 20, 1722. C. GALE, C/C

(This deed involves the sale of 400 acres in addition to the 600 acres that he had sold the year before to the 3 Sims…see Hathaway notes below.)

(John Gray’s will of  1750 mentions “my loving brother Edward Bryan” and “nephew” Thomas Whitmel.)

NC 1663-1729 Abstracts – Hofmann

2384 pg.208  JOHN COTTON  30 July 1726  521 acres on North side of Morattock River in Bertie precinct, joining Ochaneeche Swamp and JAMES ANDERSON which was formerly patented for JOHN NELSON and now resurveyed for sd. COTTON.  Witnesses:  R. EVERARD

August 9, 1727 JOHN COTTON  to WILLIAM LITTLE- 50 Acres Occoneechee Swamp, adjoining JAMES ANDERSON. Wts: Robt. Forster, Edwd. Marshborne. Aug Crt., 1727 B-274

(This deed of 1727 could be clearly stating that James is still living on some remaining property although it “seems” he has sold out… also the will of Elizabeth Anderson of 1733 is clearly referencing a “living” son James.)

(John Cotton Sr. had a “trading post” on the Blackwater River prior to relocating to NC . His son or grandson John is reputed to have married a daughter of Thomas Whitmel the indian trader….William Little is shown on the Mosely map, drawn in 1728, residing at Occoneechee Neck)

1728-28 Aug.  C-259 John Gray to Wm Little 28 Aug 1728 80 pds 400 ac in Occaneachy Neck adj John Cotton on Meherrin part of pat to WM. BRASSWELL & he to James Anderson, then to John Gray now adj Wm. Little. Wit. Robert Foster, John Patterson.

…A List of Jurymen in Bertie Precinct….Jos: Sims, Rob’t Sims, & Hen: Sims (James Anderson and Thomas Anderson are NOT listed)

Acts of the North Carolina General Assembly, 1723

North Carolina. General Assembly

November 23, 1723

CSR Volume 25, Pages 184-209

The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register By James Robert Bent Hathaway      p.617/8 (selected names)

James Anderson and wife Elizabeth to Joseph Sims. 100 acres on Cypress Swamp, patented by Wm. Brasswell, Nov. 2, 1720. Test, Matt Russian, Henry Sims, Wm. Murphy.

James Anderson to Robert Sims; Nov. 11, 1720. 100 acres adjoining land of Wm. Boon. Test, Henry Sims, Henry Wheeler.

Same to Same. 200 acres part of a Patent for 600 acres dated Mcli. 5, 1711-2. (Sept. 2nd, 1721.)

Same to Henry Sims. 200 acres adjoining above Sept. 2, 1721. Test, Nic Boon, Wm. Boon.

(Total of 600 acres)

CHOWAN PRECINCT, NORTH CAROLINA   1696-1723, GENEALOGICAL ABSTRACTS OF DEED BOOKS, by Margaret M. Hofmann

DEED BOOK C #1, Chowan County, N.C.

#1552 pg. 360 JAMES COURLEE to WILLIAM DOWNING  27 Mar. 1721 assignment of a Pattent dated 7 Mar. 1717/18 for 320 acres

Wit.  THOMAS ANDERSON, WILLIAM SHARP   Ack. 29 Mar. 1723 before me C. GALE, C. Just.   Reg. 6 Apr. 1723

(This abstract shows the mystery Thomas in Chowan … he is not on the jury list of 1723)

Transaction: Deed
1st Grantee Last Name: Sims
1st Grantee First Name: Robert
Grantor First Name: Jas
Grantor Last Name: Anderson
Year: 1725
Book: C
Page #: 145

……………………………….

In 1722, a colony of Scotch Highlanders came across the Roanoke from Virginia and settled in a great bend in the river, and gave their settlement the name of Scotland Neck. The exact locality is not known, but it was somewhere in that large belt of fertile lands between the Caledonia farms and Palmyra. It is also unknown as to how many families were in this colony; but they were an industrious set of people, had built comfortable homes, and had raised several good crops of corn, tobacco, and wheat, when a tremendous freshet in the river swept away everything they had accumulated. Becoming discouraged, they abandoned the settlement and went to the Cape Fear country.   History of Halifax County By William Cicero Allen 1918

notes

note the date of all these deed transfers

The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register By James Robert Bent Hathaway   p.617/8 (selected names)

Wm. Boon and wife Elizabeth to Thos.. Boon, Jr., July 15, 1721. 50 acres part of 423 acres on South side Meherring River. Test, John Dew, Sr., John Dew, Jr., Rt. Hicks.

Same to Samuel Canady. 100 acres adjoining above; July 15. 1721. Same Tests.

Same to Benj. Fort. 40 acres on Meherrin River. Same date, &c.

Same to Nicholas Boon. 40 acres, &c., &c., as above.

Same to Jacob Boon. 50 acres &e., as above.

Same to Nicholas Boon. 50 acres &c., as above.

Same to Wm. Powell. 200 acres part of Patent for 630 acres; Jan. 10, 1721. Test, Thos. Boon, Rt. Hicks.

Same to Wm. Boon or. 200 acres part of above tract, &c., as above.

James Boon and wife Elizabeth to Wm. Boon. Patent of 600 acres dated Apl. 5, 1720, this deed dated July 15, 1721. Test, Robert Hicks.

Thos. Boon to Wm. Boon. 520 acres on Southside Meherrin River; July 15, 1721. Test, Rt. Hicks.

Jarnes Boon to Stephen Howard. 100 acres on South side Cho- wan River; July 22, 1721. Test, Edward Howard, Robert Hicks.

Hathaway-

The records of Albemarle County Courts are to be found in the Court House at Edenton in a fair state of preservation, and contain most of the early history of the Albemarle section of North Carolina. The Courts were held regularly, and in the absence of Court Houses, the private dwellings of her citizens were utilized for that purpose. No record of the existence of any Court House has been found earlier than 1718. This building seems to have been first used Nov 11, 1718 (Col. Rec., Vol. II, page 314), was located at Edenton, and was in existence in 1729. …

It is hard to realize, in this progressive age, the serious inconveniences, privations and hardships that environed the early settlers of Carolina, in every department of life. The country was sparsely settled, neighbors were frequently miles away. Without roads or public conveyances they were forced to make their journeys on foot or horseback along Indian paths or trails, with the savage and wild beast roaming at will the dense forests surrounding them on every side. The Port of Roanoke (Edenton) was the metropolis, and many of those having business, public or private, were compelled in many instances to travel thither as indicated above, from sixty to seventy- five miles, and frequently cross the Albemarle Sound in an ” Indian Dugout,” to reach their courts, or procure such articles as had been imported into the Colony, that were necessary for the maintenance of their families and promotive of their business. The processes of the Courts were executed by a Marshal, who had deputies living in different parts of the several precincts. Arrest and imprisonment for debt was frequent. Their communication the one with the other living at different points in the county was exceedingly difficult. There were no mail routes, and the pockets of the traveller constituted their only mail bags—uncertain, and often vexatious, as carelessness and forgetfulness caused frequently weeks of delay in receiving replies to letters conveyed in this manner. The same difficulty appears in passing the titles to real estate. Deeds were allowed to accumulate in a neighborhood until the number justified the appointment of some one person in the community armed with powers of attorney to repair to the nearest place of Probate, and have them properly probated and recorded, hence we find the same witnesses to perhaps six or eight instruments recorded at the same time….

____________________________

By about 1722 James Anderson goes off the radar… which accounts for the assumption that he may have died and hence, the prevailing theory that he was the husband of Elizabeth Anderson who left her will in 1733.   But consider my theory:

History of Edgecombe County, North Carolina

pg. 18   The western part of Bertie Precinct increased rapidly in population, making progress both in civilization and importance. By 1723 there were twenty families on Tar River alone. Among the freeholders here in 1723 were James Thigpen, Thomas Elliott, Paul Palmer, James Anderson, Francis Branch, Samuel Spruill, James Long, Thomas Hawkins, William Burgis, William Arren- ton. Some of these families still have representatives among the county’s citizens, while the counties of Halifax and Nash, when cut off, carried some of these settlers, and their descendants also live in those counties.

Unfortunately I can find no documentation or source to substantiate this observation by the authors.

pg. 35  In 1758, the same year the county of Halifax was formed, seven merchants, Thomas Spell, James Anderson, Aquila Suggs, Edward Telfair, Peter Mitchell, Robert Bignall, John Watson were selling merchandise at the village, Tarr Burrow. Two years later, on September 23d, Joseph Howell, then living on Tar River, where the town of Tarboro now stands, sold to James Moir, Aquila Suggs, Lawrence Toole, Elisha Battle, and Benjamin Hunt, one hundred and fifty acres of land for 2,000 pounds proclamation money of the province of North Carolina. This tract of land lay on the south side of Tar River.

Unfortunately again, this does not explain the gap from 1723 to 1758 although this quote can be substantiated:

The Colonial and State records of North Carolina

Petition from the inspectors and merchants of Tarboro concerning the salary of inspectors Spell, Thomas; Bignall, Robert, ca. 1730-1787; Et Al. 1758  Volume 05, Page 961 [From MSS. Records in Office of Secretary of State.]   North Carolina—Edgcombe County.

To His Excellency Arthur Dobbs Esqr Capt General Governor and Commander In Cheafe in and over the Province afsd; and To His Majestys Honorable Counsell: Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of Burgises

The Petition of the Inspectors and Marchants of the town of Tarr Burrow In the county afsd Whose names are under written Humbly Sheweth that the Salary that is by Law allowed to each Inspector is not a Suffiant Sum for thare troble and featage as they are at and thare Fore We Humbly Pray that the Salary may be Inlarged so as to Put us on an Equality with the Inspectors at the Town of Halifax and We your Petetioners as In Duty Bound shall ever pray, &c.

THOs SPELL

PETER MITCHELL

JAMES ANDERSON

ROBERT BIGNALL

AQUILA SUGG

JOHN WATSON

EDWd TELFAIR

__________________

May 5th 1753. Then laid out unto William Anderson 240 Acres of Land in

Edgecomb County Joyning the Lands of Andrew Ross and Widow Pittman

beginning at a white Oak on Ross line Runing thence Et. 272 Pole

to a Pine   then So. 142 Pole to a White Oak on Widow Pittman line

then along her line Wt. 80 pole to a white Oak and Gum then So. Wt. 66 pole

to hers and Price’s Corner  a pine then along Prices line N. 65 W. 122 pole

to a White Oak Price’s Corner N. 25 Wt. along the Stream? to Lawrace

Corner a White Oak then the Same Course to Ross Corner 150 Pole the first

Station   Containing 240 Acres as the above figure Represents

Sworn Chain Carriers                                     Laid out pr

Arthur Anderson Jam.s Conner

James Anderson