Old Maps… where I get them
I try to get the oldest “base” maps I can find. There is a caveat to that however… I want “accurate” maps (meaning they are to an accurate scale). All that means simply is that I have ran across Civil War era maps of Virginia and North Carolina which date to the 1860s which show early areas… they are woefully inaccurate for what I do. The earliest maps that I have found can be found here:
https://ngmdb.usgs.gov/topoview/viewer/#4/40.01/-100.06
These are historic USGS topo maps. With certain limitations, I assume, they can be overlaid with modern satellite image maps (say Google Maps) and they hold up remarkably well. All of which sums up what I mean by my statement “the surveyed patents and deeds from the earliest colonial settlers are just as accurate now as when they were originally surveyed”. Let that soak in a moment. The measurements they took then are still accurate… even today. The difference is that they did not have accurate base maps to portray them at scale. The scale I use is one mile to one foot.
My major complaint is that they show railroads. Which are too damn NEW for my olde stuff. But then, at least they do not show Interstate Highways… smiling.
If you stumble across a modern map I am forced to use, it is because I cannot find an earlier version. I think in the past.
John White of Chowan…
A preliminary timeline…
In 1690 John White was granted an escheat patent formerly granted to James Welch. This was a Nansemond County patent. In 1704 John White was listed with 150 acres in the Nansemond Rent Roll along with his son George White with 50 acres. I am left to speculate that this land was located deep into what was North Carolina and likely Albemarle County. That County would later become known as Chowan “precinct”. I don’t say that lightly… I am basically shocked that I might speculate that a Virginia patent was issued what will be very far south. But then again… this was 1690. And I am not convinced that the Virginians did not actually consider that the the borderline was at Wiccacone Creek. Read the rantings of Phillip Ludwell…
In 1713 Simon Knight sold to John Welsh 80 acres “joining the River Pecoson [Chowan River] , Stumpy Creek, James Flemmins and a branch”.
In 1717 Peter Parker sold John Welch 260 acres on the River pocoson and James Flemons.
John White, in my opinion, adjoined these properties.
In 1717 John White Sr is listed in the Chowan County Early Census along with his sons John Jr and George and apparently another son or grandson named Luke. I have seen references to a son named Media
This image is simply for reference… don’t try to zoom in. This was 20 miles! south of the Virginia border.
Click the blue filename under the graphic to zoom in…
Some nitty gritty research notes…
My initial interest in this White colonist was ignited when I found a deed of sale for a “periauger” (boat) that was sold by one Media White to John Bryan. I simply wanted to find out where he lived.
Note this deed below… I’m pretty sure that Media White was a son of John White Sr and lived just across the Chowan River from where John Bryan lived on the East side of Chowan R. If you look closely on my map above and find (southery) the patent of Thomas Gilbert you will see he adjoined George White. This area was known as Rockahock Neck. That is where I think Media White lived.
I am overwhelmingly confident I have John White placed within spitting distance… his sons George and Media were, as I assume, in Rockahock Neck. That happens to be almost directly across Chowan River from where John Bryan lived along with Edward Bryan (who I assume was his father). All which makes it very convenient to make a deal on a boat. The possible “icing on the cake” to this speculation is that a place called “White Landing” is located on the River in the Rockyhock Neck riverside. What are the odds that one of the White folks had a landing there?
A headscratcher I cannot explain is to be found at this link… it seems that John White (along with Media White whose name stands out like a sore thumb) was granted 1200 acres for his headrights in 1701 in Bath County…
James Fleming d.bef 1722… Chowan “precinct”
I have no particular interest in this guy… no offense toward any folks who ARE interested in his history. I am, however, interested in WHERE he lived on the eastern side of Chowan River. His several patents dating from 1714 to 1719 all seem to have clues to a difficult area I am having trouble wrapping my head around. He is surrounded by numerous other folks who are on my radar for various reasons.
Vizt: Blind neck branch, Stumpy Creek, Bucky Swamp, Stopping Creek, Beechy Swamp, and lastly, an unnamed creek… all of which are referred to in concert with a creek going by the name of Indian Creek… or Old Town Indian Creek.
I am torn between two places on the eastern Chowan River… one just south of the Virginia/ North Carolina bounday just east of a place called Sarem. (see the post or two below this one)
Or… there is a known Indian Creek further down the Chowan River north of the town of Edenton and just across from a place I have mapped called Maul’s Haven (on the west side of Chowan River). Just slightly north of this creek is another named Stumpy Creek.
Each of these areas have peculiar attributes that attract my attention… and so goes my dilemma.
Perhaps one of you puzzle solvers can help me out? Here is the Fleming study… or my notes so far:
A simple question might be… was there an Indian Creek near Sarem?
This is the “official” Indian Creek.. the one nearer to Edenton
White,Copeland,Parker,Jordan,Fleming…Chowan/Nansemond
NOTE… I have changed my mind on where the general area of this patent group is located… it turns out to be about 15 miles further south… I leave these notes so you can see my thought process.
Below stems from my research on the NE side of Chowan River just below the Virginia boundary and NC. This area has befuddled me for years… but as in this case, once I get a good set of clues… the dam breaks.
See the Post below this one for some background…
The “general area”…
This has me waste deep in the tall grass… but most of my viewers realize that with my methods.
William Copeland’s patent is not placed because it is extremely complicated but once I break it down it should shed a lot of light on this area.
… as usual, click under the graphic on the blue filename below… a new window will open so you can use the ZOOM feature more effectively.
As the file above is not on my map… so below… This James Fleming guy and his land is difficult to map because I have yet to figure out the creeks and branches (they simply do not pop out on my base map…which is about a hundred years old) Like I say, once I figure it out this should answer many questions…
…an Update
If you look carefully at may map above, where I show the “general area” of the very early 1700s… note below on this modern Google map:
The interesting point to be made with my “speculation” of where these patents “might” be located is that in these examples: just underneath my graphic for John Jordan is a creek named JORDAN CREEK. Is this merely a coincidence? Likewise… I am trying to place 300 year old patents in this area for various PARKERS and I find a Parker cemetery dating to at least the mid 1800s and possibly earlier. Again, is this merely coincidence? Google Map for yourself to verify…
Oh… and note that the name of Jernigan Branch on modern maps is itself a reference to early Jernigan colonists. It seems that Jernigan replaced the name Jordan for reasons unknown to me. I have not traveled this area of the eastern Chowan River but it seems to me this is not a useless “swampy quagmire” but more of a wooded area “that may occasionally flood”. Anyone know?
https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/2190393/parker-family-cemetery
chasing White, Bryan and Ballard shadows…
1729… John Bryan buys a “periague” from one Media White. This sale is duly witnessed by John White and Laurance Mague.
source: https://digital.ncdcr.gov/
So…to cut to the chase… I simply want to know where John White may have lived in 1729. Lawrence Mague was the purported father in law of John Bryan (Bryan married his daughter Alice Mague).
Common sense dictates that a periaguer (boat) would be near the water. But a periaguer was not a canoe… it was a somewhat larger craft usually also equipped with a sail.
As an aside… one Daniel McDaniel had a “periauger”. https://andersonnc.com/2021/07/09/daniel-mcdaniels-periauger/
Backing up a bit… who in hell would name someone “Media”? Well, John White did, evidently. You can search it out online… like I say, I just want to explore where Bryan and White and Mague may have found a convenient spot to make the deal for this freaking boat. Some folks think White may have settled near Bath County in the early 1700s. I don’t know… maybe/maybe not.
https://www.ourfamtree.org/browse.php/John-White/p38761
Here is where I think John White was in 1719… and why I think that.
as usual… click the blue filename below the graphic to open in a better window to zoom in.
Samuel Bozeman and John Ballard are just other shiny objects for you folks to fret over… I know how you are…
One Richard Parker left a whole heaping lot of lands to his kids in his will in Chowan “precinct”… I suspect he was the adjoining land owner to the John White land I discuss…
https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/parker-richard-chowan-county/801684
Blow boats…
This is my grandson and his buddy… yours truly with the obligatory can of beer.
We are on the outskirts of a lake just north of Lake Okeechobee in central Florida.
We had just passed by a small island with a small herd of cattle… not an everyday sight for me. Lunchtime we powered the airboat up next to a picnic table, had a sandwich and a beer and then continued the Saturday saga.
I lost my hat somewhere in the excitement…
Bryan study… Craven County… New Bern
This is preliminary… I do not have enough patents to really make associations. So do not hold my feet to the fire as to where “exactly” these folks settled.
Several of us are looking for the “historical” Beard’s Creek (which I think is in this area, but do not know). It probably may not exist on modern maps. See the blurb for a historical reference to one Capt. James Beard (of which the creek name is attributed).
So… where the hell is Beard’s Creek?
...click the blue filename below to open in a new page (better to zoom in)
I am presently searching on Familysearch.org for the original James Beard patent…
Wait while I pick my jaw up off the floor…
I mean… really… someone has to be pulling my leg here… aside from the fact that Edward Thatch or Teach was the pirate’s name. I am still laughing at any association with the name “Beard” to Blackbeard the Pirate.
https://www.bairdcreekpoint.com/Historic.html
AHA! Traci the Librarian has saved the day… Beard’s Creek in all its glory… just off my map, lower right
Now… who was this Martin Franck character? And did his daughter play around with pirates? C’mon you folks know I love this kind of intrigue… laughing
________________________________________________________________________________________
“A” John Bryan in the Town of New Bern (still trying to figure out which John Bryan)… this map mentions a date of 1713 but it is much more modern that that… Bryan somehow traded for these lots (both of which had direct water access. Note that I am hunting for a “merchant” John Bryan who may be associated with a “mariner” Edward Bryan.
Here is the court case of which I pulled the information:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/craven/deeds/cogdel10.txt
Craven County, NC - John Rice to Richard Cogdell, 1762
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THIS INDENTURE, made the 4th day of October, in the year of our Lord,
1762, between John Rice, Coroner of the County of Craven in the
Province of North Carolina, of the one part, and Richard Cogdell of New
Bern in the said County and Province, Esq., of the other part: Whereas,
a writ of Feesi-Taeeas, issued out of his majestys Inferior Court of
Pleas and Quarter Session held at New Bern for the County of Craven
tested the 10th day of July in the second year of his Reign of his
majestys, George, the said King of Great-Brittain, ect., and returnable
into the said Court on the 1st Tuesday of October, Instant and derected
to the said coroner, commanding him that of the goods and chattels,
lands and tenements of John Bryan, he should cause to be made the sum
of Thirty-Five Pounds fifteen shillings, Proc. Money, debt which the
said Richard Cogdell in the said Court, recorded for his debt, and also
the sum of Two Pounds 4 shillings and 5 pence, Proc. Money adjudged and
taxed for costs; and whereas, Cullen Pollock and Walter Lane,
Commissioners of the Town of New Bern, did by their deed bearing date
some time in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and
Thirty-One among other things, grant and convey unto John Rodgers, one
Lot or half an acre of land in the Town of New Bern, known in the plan
of said Town by Number 44; and whereas, the said John Rodgers and
Sarah, his wife, did by an instrument in writing, bearing date on or
about the 15th day of December, in the year of our Lord, the said Lot
#44 in the old plan to William Norwood, which said Lot is marked or
known in the new plan by #50; and whereas, the said William Norwood by
deed bearing date some time in the month of December, 1739, for the
consideration therein mentioned, grant and convey the said Lot # 44
unto Thomas Norwood; and whereas, the said Thomas Norwood did by a deed
or instrument bearing date the 30th day of March, 1750, in
consideration of 50 pounds old tomer equal in value to 6 pounds
thirteen shillings and 4 pence, Proc. Money, grant, bargain and sell
unto the said John Bryan, the Lot or half an acre of land in the said
Town of New Bern, #44.
To hold the said Lot or half acre of land, together with all and
singular the houses, gardens and farmes, and also the appurtenances to
the same belonging or appertaining to the said John Bryan, his heirs
and assigns forever; and whereas, Cullen Pollock of Tyrrell County in
the said Province, by his deed, poll or instrument in writing bearing
date the 6th day of March, in the year of our Lord, 1746, in
consideration of 12 pounds to him in hand paid by the said John Bryan,
give, grant, bargain and sell unto the said John Bryan, among other
things, a certain parcel of land, adjoining the Town of New Bern, being
the front of a Lot belonging to the said John Bryan in the said Town
numbered in the plan of the said Town, #17, to hold to the said John
Bryan, his heirs and assigns forever; and whereas, the said coroner in
persuance of the said writ of Fieri-Faieas, and by virtue of his said
office and by form of and act of parliment made in Great Britain in the
5th year of the Reign of his majestys, King George, the second Juliet
an Act for the more easy remaining debts is his majestys, plantations
and belongs in America did seized and take into his hands and
possession the said Lot or half acre of land in the Town of New Bern,
known in the plan of the said Town by #44; and also the said certain
parcel of land, adjoining the said Town of New Bern, being the front of
a Lot #17 in order to raise and levy the said debt and costs and
exposed the same to sale at Public Venue and at that sale sold the same
to the said Richard Cogdell for the sum of 40 pounds, Proc. Money,
being the highest or greatest sum bid or offered by any person for the
same at the said sale, as in and by the said several hereinbefore
recited deeds remaining of record in the register's Office of the said
Craven County, and also the said writ of Fieri-Faieas and return
relation being to them respectively had may more fully and at large
appear
NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH, that the said John Rice, Coroner, of the
said County of Craven in persuance of his Office, and by virtue of said
writ of Fieri-Faieas and also by virtue and in persuance of the said
Act of Parliment and for and in consideration of the sum of 40 pounds,
Proc. Money to him in hand paid by the said Richard Cogdell before the
sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt whereof is hereby
acknowledged, hath granted, bargained, sold, transfur and assigns, and
set over, convey and confirm, and by virtue of his said Office, and by
these presents doth grant, bargain, sell, transfer, assigns, set-over,
convey and confirm unto the said Richard Cogdell, all that and those
the said Lot or half acre of land in the Town of New Bern and known in
the plan of the said Town by number 44, and also the said certain
parcel of land, adjoining to New Bern Town, being the front of Lot #17,
so heretofore conveyed to the said John Bryan, together with all
houses, edifices, buildings and improvements executed or made on them
respectively and other appurtenances to them or either of them
belonging or appertaining
TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Lot or half acre of land in the said Town
of New Bern, #44, and the said certain parcel of land, being the front
of Lot #17, and all other the premises as hereinbefore mentioned or
intended to be granted unto the said Richard Cogdell, his heirs and
assigns forever, in as free and ample a manner as the said John Rice,
Coroner, of the said County of Craven by virtue of his office, and of
the said writ of Fieri-Faieas and Act of Parliment is enabled and
empowered to convey the same. And the said John Rice, doth hereby
covenant, promise and agree to and with the said Richard Cogdell, his
heirs and assigns, that he, the said Richard Cogdell, his heirs and
assigns, shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter
peaceably and quietly have, hold, occupy, possess, enjoy the said
premises and every part hereof, free and clear of and from all manner
of incumberances whatsoever, held, made, committed or done by the said
John Rice, or by any other person or persons by his measure or
pronouncement
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the said parties of these presents have hereunto
interchangeably set their hands and seals, the day and year first above
written
Signed, sealed and delivered in John Rice, Coroner {Seal}
the presence of us:
A.M. Fenner
Rich'd Fenner
I do hereby acknowledge to have received of him, the named Richard
Cogdell, the sum of 40 pounds, Proc. Money, being the consideration
Money the within deed mentioned, as Witness my hand, this 4th day of
October, 1762
£--40--0--0
Witness Present:
A.M. Fenner
Richard Fenner
North Carolina, November 13th, 1762, personally appeared John Rice,
Coroner of Craven County, and party to the within deed before me, and
acknowledged the within deed of bargain and sale from him to Richard
Cogdell to be the act and deed of him, the said John Rice. Let it be
registered
Chas. Berry, J.P.
___________________________________________________________________
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Guy Potts <gpotts1@nc.rr.com>
___________________________________________________________________
Note below that in the will of “one” Edward Bryan in 1745, this Edward leaves to his son Edward a lot in New Bern. The Bryans were heavily invested in New bern
BRYAN, EDWARD
January 28, 1745. May 9, 1746. Sons: JOHN BRYAN (220 acres land bought of Martin and Edward Frank, called “New Germany”), WILLIAM BRYAN (300 acres land, called “New Germany”), EDWARD BRYAN (lot in Newbern). Daughter: PENELIPY BRYAN (lot in Newbern). Wife: ANN BRYAN (“one plantation, called paradice”). Executors: ANN BRYAN (wife), HARDY BRYAN (brother), LEWIS BRYAN (brother). Witnesses: WM. WHITFORD, JANE HAND, RICHARD HART. Will proven before E. HALL, Chief Justice of North Carolina.
(Source: Abstracts of North Carolina Wills, By: J. Bryan Grimes, Secretary of State, 1910, Page 53)
Edward Bryan d.1745 wife Ann
son John
son William
son Edward
dau Penelipy
brother Hardy
brother Lewis
Note in the will above the name Martin Frank (Franck)… note also that Martin Franck is all over the place in the deed notes surrounding the area of “Beard’s Creek” that I chronicle in the Beards Creek Clues above. There is a lot of undiscovered history here…
Martin Franck bio
https://www.ncpedia.org/biography/franck-john-martin
…Bryan deeds… stolen from here:
http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/craven/deeds/bryan01.txt
Craven Co., NC Bryan Deed Abstracts 1742-1786 For ease in listing these abstracts have been grouped by individual names with all transactions under this name being either the grantor or grantee. Lewis Bryan Deed Book 1, Pg 153 Dated 21 Dec 1742 sells 100 acres on Maul's Run, Swift Creek Deed Book 1, Pg 159 Dated 21 Dec 1742 sells 75 acres on Maul Run, Swift Creek which Lewis Bryan holds by patent 23 Nov. 1739. Deed Book 1, Pg 563 Dated 22 Dec. 1743 buys 75 acres on Maul's Run, Swift Creek (witness William Bryan) Deed book 3, pg 212 Dated 17 Mar 1745-46 "Lewis Bryan son of John Bryan, deceased" sells "390 acres of which my father held by deed from John Simmons, on North side of Neuse River. . .." Wit. Lewis Bryan, Sen. " book" 3, pg 45 Dated 6 May 1745 sells "parcel of land on Maul's Run, Swift Creek including saw mill, with five acres which said Lewis Bryan holds by patented dated 23 Nov. 1739." (Witness John Blount) Deed Book 4, Pg 13 Dated 18 Jun 1747 sells to Wardens of Parish of Christ Church "a parcel of land adjoining the mill land on Swift Creek, one acre . . .part of a 275 acre patent from his Majesty King, George second." Deed Book 1, pg 385 Dated 2 Feb 1749 sells to Hardy Bryan "land on the West side of Beaver Creek formerly belonging Martin Franck. . .." Witness Joseph Bryan and Hardy Bush - Proved March 20, 1749 Deed Book 1, Pg 400 Dated ____Feb 1749 sells 165 acres on Maul's Run "being the branch by which said Lewis Hart now lives to the plantation where said Lewis Bryan did live. Was called 175 acres, one acre for Chapel and five for mill taken out, part of Lewis Bryan patent for 275, dated 23 Nov. 1739. Book of Deeds 4 pg 171 Dated 22 June 1748 Hardy Bryan, Lewis Bryan, Ann Bryan, Executors of Edward Bryan, deceased, sells land on East side of Swift Creek, patented to Edward Bryan, deceased, 8 May 1742." Book of Deeds 4 pg 272 Dated 1 July 1748 " Lewis Bryan, son of Edward Bryan" buys 550 acres on Rattlesnake Branch, William Isler's corner, Frederick Isler's corner, South side of Vine Swamp." Wit: Hardy Bryan and Hardy Bush Book of Deeds 4 pg 314 Dated 19 June 1749 buys 100 acres North side of Neuse River . . . part of Lee's patent for 315 acres of 22 May 1745 (this land went to Patrick Maule Bryan according to his father's will, Lewis Bryan 1816.) Book of Deeds 4 pg 238 Dated _____ _____ 1749 sells130 acres "part of a survey to John Bryan by his Majesty in 1739, on east side of Goose Creek . . . reserving 10 feet square from center of spot of land where said Edward Bryan and wife are buried. Wit Hardy Bush. Deed Book 7 pg 3 Dated 11 Oct. 1750 buys 550 acres beginning at the mouth of Rattlesnake branch, to Vine Swamp, Wit Hardy Bush Book of Deeds 1 Pg 466 Dated 1 Jan 1751 buys 200 acres on North side of Neuse River called Beasley's Island (this land went to Patrick Maule Bryan according to his father's will, Lewis Bryan 1816.) Deed Book 11, pg 65 Dated 2 Apr 1763 sells to "William Bryan, his son" 200 acres on north side of Neuse River, Beasley's Island. John Bryan Deed Book 3 pg 56 Dated____ ____ 1744 "John Bryan of Craven County, Merchant to Lewis Bryan, son of Edward Bryan, late of Craven County, Providence aforesaid, deceased, Planter, . . . John Bryan and Cady, his wife . . .130 acres of land part of survey granted to John Bryan by his Majesty's patent, 1739. . . east side if Goose Creek" sells to Lewis Bryan, son of Edward Bryan late of Craven Co. . ."reserves 10 square feet from the center of the spot of land, where said Edward and his wife are buried" (witness Edward Bryan) [does this read that John Bryan was son of Edward or that Lewis is son of Edward?] Deed Book 4, pg 210 Dated 10 Oct 1748 Commissioners of Town of New Bern to John Joseph Bryan "Lot beginning at Paul Palmer's corner on Water Street #113, Town of New Bern." Deed Book 6, pg 279 Dated 16 Aug 1754 Hardy Bryan to Sally Bryan daughter of John and Ann Cady Bryan, his wife Lot 376 "conveyed to Francis Fontaine by . . . Commissioners of New Bern, Nov. 2, 1751 and assigned by Francis Fontaine, 16 Feb 1754 to Hardy Bryan, Reserving to Ann Cady Bryan, wife of said John Bryan, the use of the said lot during her natural life, also reserving to Hardy Bryan ten feet square, WHERE THE GRAVES ARE NOW ON THE SAID LOT." Deed Book 2 Pg 318 Dated 11 Apr 1760 John Bryan sells part of a tract "being a grant to Edward Bryan 20 April 1740. . .east side of Swift Creek on Watery Branch, Palmetto Swamp, with houses, out houses, stables, barns, orchards, gardens, &c." Wit Joseph Bryan, Juret Proven in open court by oath of Joseph Bryan
Thomas Busby… Tuscarora Town…
I think I have posted this before and recently pulled it up again in my notes. I dug down to some fine print at the end of my rant and began to mull it all over again. My commenter friend Justin Petrone is interested in this guy also… he may have found some new morsels…
I have the pertinent part of the article posted below if you are not interested in the Atkins/McDaniel background …
as usual, click the blue filename below to open in a new page (works better for me)
I just randomly threw all this together above kind of as an afterthought… it was collected sources that I did not properly document (my bad)…
(d) Thomas Busby an Indian (born 1674)
He was identified in 1684 as being 10 years old. In 1690, he was
identified as being a tithable for the first time, which was precisely
on time, since he then was 16 years old.
(e) Thomas Busby (died in North Carolina ca. 1738)
He and his wife (presumably Catherine (Bryan?)) had at least
one daughter, who married John Page, Jr., prior to 1728.
Another presumed daughter, Hester, married Theophilus
Williams.
Numerous land transactions in Bertie County court included the
name of Thomas Busby in the period, ca. 1720-1738.
Thomas Busby witnessed the drawing of George Clements’ will in
1729.
Other records mentioning Thomas Busby and other Busby’s in
North Carolina include:
1715 John Busby died in Bertie County, N. C., in 1715. Inventory of his
estate is recorded in North Carolina State Wills 1712-1722, Book 2, pp. 208-09.
1712 to 1722: Richard Falk, Chowan precinct, made a will which was
witnessed by Thomas Busbe. (Later on, in South Carolina, Falk and Busby
families lived in the same section. Benjamin Clement Busby married Eve Falk.)
(Abstract of Wills, Grimes, 1690-1760, p. 117)
SOME OF THE BUZBEES AND THEIR BEST FRIENDS 230 VOLUME 1: BEYOND THE OLD WORLD 1725: Thomas Busby bought 174 acres on the east side of Cashi Swamp,
from Henry Roades, of Bertie Precinct.
(Abstract of Bertie County Deeds, Vol. 2, p. 53)
“Busby’s line” was used to describe a land grant to John Dew by the Lords
Proprietors. Another adjacent property owner was John Bond. 1 February 1725
Thomas Busby’s land was adjacent to 640 acres sold by Richard Milton to
Francis Parker (for 15 pounds). Other neighbor was John Blount. 3 January
1725. Thomas Busby, Nedham Bryan and John Protis witnessed the sale of 320
acres on Horse Pasture Creek and Dogwood Neck by John Page and his wife
Hanner to Samuel Garland. 9 November 1725.
Thomas Busbie and George Smith witnessed the sale of 640 acres on NS
Roduis, a branch of Casia, adjacent to Martin Gardner, John Edwards and Theo.
Williams. 25 October 1725. Thomas Busby’s land was used to describe the sale
of land by Henry Roads and wife Elizabeth to James Blount. 6 August 1725. In
the same sitting of the court, Roads sold 170 acres to Thomas Busby (for 10
pounds) on the east side Cashie Swamp. Owen O’Daniel and James Murry
witnessed. And still in the same court, Henry Roads sold 150 acres on the same
swamp to Peter Parker, using Henry Roads’ and Thomas Busby’s land for
descriptive purposes.
(Ibid., pp. 32, 33, 35)
1726: Thomas Busby’s land was used to describe land sold by William
Ricks and wife Esther to Thomas Kirby, Sr., 2 May 1726.
1728: Busbes line was mentioned in the sale of land by Henry Roads and
wife of Chowan Precinct to John Page. February court, 1728. Thomas Busby’s
land on the branch of Casiey River was mentioned as a boundary in the sale of
640 acres by Jacob Oldham of Nansemond County to Richard Meadling. 14 May
1728. Also in 1728: Thomas Busby gave 170 acres to John Page, Jr., for “…..love
good will and affection I have and do bare toward my loving son in law John
Page, Jun…..” The land was ES Cashie Swamp. Witnesses: John Duffield, John
Page, Sr. 6 August 1728.
(Ibid., p. 43, p. 86, p. 68, p. 77)
1729: The will of George Clement, proven in May Court, 1730, was witnessed by
Thomas Busby, George French, William Smith. The sons of George Clements were
Benjamin and George. (Later on, a (presumed) grandson of
Thomas Busby, John Jacob Busby, in South Carolina, was to name his son Benjamin
Clement Busby; and another in that generation was to be named Clem.
Busby). (Abstract of Wills, 1690-1760, p. 74)
1734: The land of Thomas Busby and John Blunt were used to described the
sale of 640 acres on the north side of Morattock River by Francis Parker (“of
fishing creek in Edgecombe precinct”) to Henry Everard. 12 February 1735).
The Everards apparently didn’t keep the land long. They sold it to Joseph
Thomas for 92 pounds, 10 shillings, 12 May 1735.
(Bertie County Deeds, Abstracts, vol. 3, p. 153)
The will of Thomas Mann made Thomas Busbey and George Williams, Sr.,
the executors of the Mann estate in Bertie County. George Williams, Jr., was
listed in the will as a grandson.
(Abstract of Wills, 1690-1760, Grimes, p. 236)
1736: Thomas Busby’s land was used to describe the sale of 200 acres at
Jumping Run and Flagg Run by Owen McDaniel to Edward Toole. 1 August
1736.
1738: Thomas Busby’s land was used to describe the sale of 220 acres on
NS Norrattock River by Littleton Spivey to Ealee Thomas. 13 November 1738.
(Bertie County Deeds, Vol. 3, Abstract, p. 169, p. 198)
1738: The will of Catherine Busbey, proven in court in Bertie Precinct in
February 1738, left “my plantation being on the North side of Roenoke River, to
Theophilus Williams, husband of my daughter, Hester.” (An abstract of this will
by Grimes is confusing: To Theophilus Williams (“my plantation liing on the
North side of Roneoake River”). Hester Williams (daughter of Theophilus), Jesse
Page (1 cow and calf). Executor: Theophilus Williams. Witnesses: Needham
Bryan, H. Bate, Susan Bryan.) January 22, 1738-9. Catherine may have been the
daughter of Needham Bryan, and probably the wife of Thomas Busbey. Thomas
SOME OF THE BUZBEES AND THEIR BEST FRIENDS 231 VOLUME 1: BEYOND THE OLD WORLD Busby’s sons (if any) are not known, but a researcher in the Prince family
speculates that one of Thomas’ grandsons was Needham Busby (born 1752 in
Johnston County, N. C.)
(Abstract of Wills, 1690-1760, Grimes, p. 57)
Wake County, N. C., records disclose the presence of Thomas, Sr., Thomas,
Jr., Henry, Isham, James, Jessee, and William Busby during the period 1771-1784.
1765 Thomas Busby (born ca. 1720) made his mark on marriage licenses
issued 29 May 1765 between Winnowfred Busby (b. ca. 1745?) and Robert
Thomas; and 14 May 1782 between Thomas Busbey, Jr. (b. ca. 1740?, d. 1815),
and Winney Prince. In the earlier wedding, the others who signed on the bond
were Jeremiah Hendrick and Robert Rowan. In the bond with Thomas, Jr., the
other signer was Nicholas Atkins.
1815 The date of death of Thomas, Sr., is not indicated. However, the will
of Thomas, Jr., was filed 29 September 1815 in Wake County. The wife, Winifred,
was listed, as were the sons: Johnson Busbee, Jonathan Busbee, Wilson Busbee,
Kinchen Busbee and James Busbee. A daughter was Cedy Smith. Grandson:
Edwin Smith. Johnson Busbee was executor. The widow, Winifred, died a year
later. Her will, however, also mentioned her son, John Prince, from her earlier
marriage. (John Prince would have been about 32 years old at the time, if he had
been an infant at the time his (presumably) widowed mother married Thomas
Busby, Jr., on 14 May 1782. Thomas Busby, Jr., however, did not mention the boy
in his will.)
(Johnson Busbee, Esq., died 2 June 1859 in Wake County, N. C., about 13
years after his wife, Christiana, died.)
(Also included among the North Carolina data of the mid 1700s in North
Carolina is a Warrant for 665 acres of land to Nathaniel Busby, Planter, in
Johnson County, on 13 January 1761. Parish of St. Patrick on a branch of Swift
Creek, called White Oak.
(Some of this data was compiled by Mrs. Mary Cloninger Boggs,
Charleston, S. C.)
A goldmine of information is noted below concerning many of the folks I study around what I call the Tuscarora Town… I think this author prefers to call it Indian Woods. Our interests are the same and I really enjoy the website.
I am working with Traci the Librarian, Jennifer from California and David Gammon to try to sort out a John Bryan(t) / wife Alice of the early 1700s era. This is where the stars line up with the above Catharine Bryan Ellis in particular and Martin Gardner… they all are related in some manner still unraveled.
I’m just sticking up a wet finger to see which way the winds are blowing… comments are welcome.
map for reference…
This link is to some info collected around 1999 by Cathy Farris. It relates to the area I mention above around the “Tuscarora Town” or Indian Woods. It is a study of the early settlers…
“mapping” thoughts…
My friend Jennifer from California sent a link which caught my attention.
Not to steal the author’s thunder, but instead of a simple comment, I can’t help but do a Post of my own. I try to put myself in the circumstances of the colonial map maker himself. They had no knowledge of any kind of say, an aerial map… not even a balloon. If they were familiar with the North Star they could grasp the NSEW coordinates… my point without further remarks is that it was all a rudimentary task. More to my point, imagine yourself canoeing up a river (paper and pen in hand) and draft a map. The existing maps are almost comical by today’s standards. But give the old boys a break… they served their purpose pretty well at the time.
But to the point of “How Accurate Are They?”. My opinion is that they are extremely accurate. And I do not take the term “extremely” lightly. They old boys were as accurate in their surveys as we are today… in some cases almost to a foot and inches. Examine almost any of my maps and note that I build on the basis of a modern “aerial” map… but the actual “survey” coordinates (metes and bounds) are hundreds of years old. My Isle of Wight map or Nansemond, as examples, date to the 1600s. I take immense pride in the fact that I am slowly resurrecting the “burned” county of Nansemond. You be the judge of how “accurate” it is…. the surveys are from the original records found at the Library of Virginia.
Indeed it was stated by a prominent NC colonist (Moseley) that his 1733 map “was based on actual surveys”… he just did not have that many surveys. I remember the old saying “close only counts in horse shoes and hand grenades”. I would add Colonial Maps. They got you to the ballpark… it was up to you to find the batter’s box.
……………I think Jennifer sent this link as well a while back
a Bryan/Bryant study…continued
I don’t think I have published this particular iteration of my early Chowan “Precinct”… but several of my friends and cohorts are delving in to the early Bryan(t)s of Nansemond…
Note the early settlers around the Chowan River near Maul’s Haven… and then venture westward to near what I refer to as the “Tuscarora Town”. In my opinion, these folks are related and “VERY” confusing to figure out. Which we (my cohorts and co-consprators) are hot on the trail but constantly perplexed.
Also, and adding more confusion, in what I could call the “central” Bryan(t)s along say, the Catawhiskie Creek area (roughly) and extending westward and eastward.
And not to help the situation… are some Bryan(t)s around the Meherrin River area.
But more to my friends’ study at the moment is the area around the Tuscarora Town area… I think
a “what the heck” and “good grief” tidbit is say, the Edward Brayon of Catawathee Meadow in 1714…under him is a James Bryant of 1715… I suspect these dudes may be related to another Bryant tribe of Nansemond who ventured southwestward from Nansemond while some other brothers ventured southeastward from Nansemond… confused yet?
It seems to me there are at least 3 generations of intermingled relatives to figure out… perhaps my map can help. No one has succeeded yet… so there is that.