MESDA Craftsman Database

Do you happen to have a carpenter in your family tree? How about a blacksmith? A bricklayer? Or any of 127 different crafts practiced in the American South (coopers NOT included, more’s the pity). This is your lucky day! I have just stumbled over this bit of magic! The MESDA Craftsman Database is an awesome resource.

Search to Discover

As a I often do, I was running Google Book searches on random ancestors, just to see. Upon entering “Benedictus Horsington” into the box, the first thing to pop up was from The Journal of Early Southern Decorative Arts. Only a very confusing snippet was viewable, so I searched for the journal. Which I found, in full, through the Internet Archive. It took a bit to find the right issue. But, at last, Volume 25, No. 1, p. 172:

But what does it mean? To find out, I went to the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts website. The Research tab led me to the database.

Benedictus Horsington

When I typed “Horsington, Benedictus” into the appropriate field, I got the three records referred to in the journal. I clicked the apprenticeship record:

I’ve long suspected that Benedictus was the son of Thomas Horsington and wife, Katherine, who I’ve seen in Princess Anne County records. However, I’ve had no proof. Now, I do. I got more details when I looked up his Master.

One wonders what kind of role model Master Burns was to his young apprentice!

Andrew Lathinghouse, bricklayer, Gloucester County, Virginia

Filled with elation, and curiosity, I next searched for “Lathinghouse.” Well, our dear Andrew, living in Gloucester County (this was news to me!), indentured himself to William Taylor of James City County 13 Sep 1708. This indenture was supposed to last until “ye last day of March in ye yeare…Seven hundred and ten.” However, Taylor sold him to the Honorable Robert Carter, Esq. 3 Nov 1708. With little option, and, I would imagine, tons of frustration, Andrew agreed to serve Mr. Carter for an unspecified period after the original indenture expired. This occurred 9 Mar 1709. All of this took place in Lancaster County. Why articles of indenture of a man in Gloucester County to another from James City County happened in Lancaster County, I have no clue.

Covington, Francis and Thomas Searles of Essex County, Virginia

Another impulse led me to enter “Searles” into the box. Francis was my 7th great-grandfather. Bound to Covington 21 Feb 1738 until he turned 21, he was to learn the ship carpenter’s trade. Covington, himself, had learned his trade from James Curtis, to whom he was bound 15 Jul 1729. At that time, he was “almost” fifteen. The youngest Searles brother was taught a different trade.

On Petition of Covington Searles It is ordered that the Churchwardens of St. Anns Parish do bind Thomas Searles an orphan of Edward Searles deced an apprentice to Richard Coleman to learn the trade of a Joiner

Essex County Orders, 1742-43, p. 308

Chesley French Boulware apprenticed himself to Covington Searles 17 Jun 1746.

Andrew Lathinghouse, there were three

In my post about Thomas Laughinghouse, Sr., I mention an early Andrew Laughinghouse. He purchased 100 acres “lying back of the north side of Pamplico River” from John Bean 2 December 1738 (Beaufort County Deed Book 2, p. 292). Andrew Laughinghouse, brick layer, sold this land to John McKeel 29 Aug 1741 (Beaufort County Deed Book 2, p. 407). Thomas witnessed the latter transaction. Since that post, I’ve learned there was one more Andrew.

Andrew the Elder

The first record I’ve found for Andrew Lathinghouse comes from Richmond County, Virginia.  On 6 Jun 1717, Mrs. Eliza Seale sued Andrew for nonpayment of debt (Virginia County Abstracts, Volume 17 by Beverley Fleet, p. 61).  

By 1 Mar 1717/8, he was in Chowan Precinct, North Carolina.  On this date, he was contracted by Joanna, widow of Thomas Peterson, to build a brick chimney among other sundry “works & labours.”  He charged her £10 sterling.  In Jul 1719, he sued her and her new husband, Paul Palmer, for nonpayment.  This case was, eventually, dismissed in Mar 1723 (North Carolina Higher Court Minutes, 1709-1723).  Andrew had to pay costs.  

Thomas Laughinghouse, but not Andrew, is listed on the Beaufort County Tax List for 1755, and only with one white poll, meaning he was the only male in the household of or over the age of 16.  Perhaps he died between 1741 and 1755.

Andrew Lathinghouse, Jr.

Yes, you read that right. There was, indeed, a junior. According to the Journal of North Carolina Genealogy, Volume 18-19 by William Perry Johnson, p. 2811, administration on the estate Andrew Lathinghouse, Jr. was granted James Calef in 1740.

Who married Patience Smith?

When discussing the senior Thomas, I make a point of clarifying this myth. His wife was named Susannah, NOT Patience. But, it turns out, Patience did marry a Lathinghouse.

Henry Crofton of the Said precinct [Beaufort] gent…on or about the Sixteen day of April 1734 in St. thomas Parish and precinct aforesaid did as a Justice of the peace Join Andrew Lathinghouse and Patience Smith together in the holy state of Matrimony….

The Church of England in North Carolina: Documents, 1699-1741 by Robert J. Cain, Editor p. 364

But which Andrew?  Your guess is as good as mine.  Crofton broke the law when he performed the ceremony.  The parish of St. Thomas had a minister in residence, John Garzia.  It was illegal for a lay person to officiate if that was the case.  Crofton owed Garzia £2.5 and another £2.5 to the parish.  He also married other couples.  Garzia sued Crofton and a summons issued for Andrew and Patience.  They failed to appear and a warrant went out for them 30 Jun 1736 (see here).

Was Andrew Laughinghouse, III really a Laughinghouse?

I think he was the natural, legitimate child of Thomas and Susannah.  I cannot prove this, however.  It is entirely possible he was the son of Andrew, Jr. and Patience.  Thomas and Susannah may have adopted him after his father’s death in 1740.  But I don’t think so.  Not only was Thomas the only taxable Laughinghouse in 1755, but also in 1762 (Pitt County Tax List, 1762).  Thus, no other male in the family was born in or before 1746.  

Another possible heir of Elizabeth Reel Gatlin

In a previous post, I posited that the Elizabeth Gatlin who was issued a patent for 100 acres 21 Jul 1774 was Elizabeth Reel Gatlin, widow of the Edward who died in 1763. Based on a deed found on page 373 of Craven County Deed Book 163, as well as evidence found in marriage bonds, I next hypothesized that she and Edward had six children together. And, further, that four of these children were

1. Sarah Gatlin who married Evan Thomas. The marriage bond was purchased 6 Oct 1782. A James Gatlin acted as surety.
2. Joshua Gatlin who married Sarah Banks.  James Gatlin was, again, surety for the 11 Oct 1783 bond.
3. John Gatlin whose bond to marry Esther Tingle was purchased 16 Jan 1784.  The bondsman was, you guess it, James Gatlin.
4. James Gatlin, himself, purchased a bond to wed Mary Surles (or Searles) 11 Feb 1784.  Joshua Gatlin was bondsman.

Now, I may be able to add another son, name currently unknown.

State of North Carolina Craven County
Warranted Deed Know all men by these presents that Wm. Gatlin of & in consideration of to sell my right and title which I have in a piece of land & likewise my uncle James Gatlin the same the two rights I sell for twenty dollars to Shaderick Gatlin & the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge do hereby give grant sell and convey unto the said Shaderick Gatlin a certain lot or parcel of land & here insert the premises surveyed for Elizabeth Gatlin one hundred acres of land in Craven County on the North side of Neuse River and east side of Swift’s Creek begining at a red oak John Gatlin’s corner near the cutting sedge and runs No 25 Wt 140 pole to a small white oak near the head of Griffith’s branch then No 65 Et 114 pole to a small pine then So 25 Et 140 pole to a black Jack near the road then to the begining the two rights I sell out of the said tract is 33 1/3 acres. To have and to hold the same to the said Shaderick Gatlin his heirs and assigns to his & there use and benifit forever and I do covenant with the said Shaderick Gatlin his heirs and assigns that I am lawfully seized in fee of the premises that they are free of all incumbrances that I have good right to sell and convey the same to the said Shaderick Gatlin his heirs and assigns forever against the lawful claims and demands of any persons. April 10th 1818 ——
unto set my hand and seal this being the year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and eighteen —
Signed Sealed and
delivered in presence William Gatlin
of Solomon Henry
Benjn. F Brinson

Craven County Court March Term 1819
Then was the due and legal execution of the foregoing deed acknowledged by the grantor in open court Ordered that said Deed be Registered
Attest J. G. Stanley C.C.

Craven County Deed Book 41, p. 176

Uncle James was, most likely, the man who married Mary Surles and stood surety for his siblings’ bonds. William’s father appears to have been yet another son of Edward Gatlin and Elizabeth Reel. More, William was, either, an only child, or his siblings perished without legitimate issue. There were multiple William Gatlins in the records of this period, so I’m not really certain which one this is.

Interestingly, Shadrack sold his brother-in-law, Shadrack Roe, 16 Mar 1819 “a certain piece or parcel of land…on the North side of Neuse river and eastside of Swift Creek containing Seventy three acres being part of a tract granted Elizabeth Gatlin for one hundred acres…” (Craven County Deed Book 41, p. 307).  Why is this interesting?  Let’s do some math.  One hundred divided by six is 16 2/3.  So each of their six children was entitled to 16 2/3 acres of the patent.  Two “undivided sixths” is 33 1/3 acres.  Therefore, Shadrack Gatlin acquired 66 2/3 acres of land.  Other evidence suggests that Shadrack, himself, had five siblings.  Plus, his mother, Esther Tingle Gatlin, would have been entitled to 1/3 of their father’s Estate.  When I did the math on this, Esther ended up with 5 5/9 acres and each child with 1 23/27 acres.  I know that Esther was deceased by 3 Jul 1819.  Did she die earlier?  If so, then Shadrack would inherit a sixth portion of her share.  This would total, all together, a little over 74 acres.  So, obviously, I’m missing something!  Or, maybe, an acre was set aside for some purpose.  A family graveyard, perhaps.

Documents

Evan & Sarah Thomas and John & Sarah Roderick, Fredrick & Elizabeth Johnston, James & Naomi Hoover, Levi Gatlin and Joshua Gatlin to Shadrack Gatlin Craven County Deed Book 163, p. 373 and 374

William Gatlin to Shadrack Gatlin Craven County Deed Book 41, p. 176

Shadrack Gatlin to Shadrack Roe Craven County Deed Book 41, p. 307 and 308

John Hill (d. 1731) and Mary, his wife

At a guess, John Hill was born sometime in the late 1690s to George Hill and his unknown first wife. Just where he was born, I have no clue.

On 25 Apr 1719, John witnessed a deed between Edmund Pearce and Thomas Tyson (Beaufort County Deed Book 1, p. 323). Pearce sold Tyson 120 acres “bound by George Hill’s cow line upon the south side of Pamptico River.” Thomas was John’s stepbrother and Edmund would marry John’s sister, Rachel, if he hadn’t already.

In his will, dated 17 Apr 1722, George bequeathed John, among other things, one half of the home plantation. And half its profits. Also, a bag of feathers and a down pillow saved for him by his mother. He, his brother, George, and their stepmother were appointed Executors.  He was deceased by 30 Mar 1723 when his will as proven in Open Court.

The 1723 list of Jurymen shows John and Harman, but not young George. George was a mariner by trade, so he was, most likely, at sea.

As per their father’s will, George sold John the 140 acres left him in the will, for ₤30, 20 Oct 1726 (Beaufort County Deed Book 1, p. 542).  Remember, the brothers were only allowed to sell land bequeathed them by their father to each other.

John wrote his own will 27 Mar 1731. He mentions his wife, but does not give her name. They had two sons, John and Joshua. The boys were underage since he makes provision for their schooling. He also makes a bequest to his stepbrother, Thomas Tyce, referring to him as “friend.” After his wife’s death, the home plantation was to go to Joshua. The Executors appointed were his wife and Edmund Pearce.  In Sep 1731, the will was proven on the oath of Harman Hill. Edmund Pearce and Mary Hill qualified as Executors.

At some point after John’s death, Mary married John Padget. Mary Padget, Joshua Hill and John Padget sold the plantation (either 100 or 160 acres) to Harman Hill for ₤40 24 Sep 1751 (Beaufort County Deed Book 3, p. 77).  For some reason, the signature says her husband was William, but the text of the deed and it’s probate say he was John.

Mary Patchett came into Court 8 Oct 1760 and prayed letters of administration on the Estate of her deceased husband, John Patchett.  (Note: The record on this in the Court Minutes is very difficult to read.  The pages are dark with lots of ink bleeding through and dark splotches.)  Such was granted and letters issued the following day.  In Court, the bond was set at one hundred pounds, but the actual bond says two hundred.  Joseph Bryan and her son, Joshua Hill, were sureties.  The Inventory and Sale of his Estate bear the date 26 Dec 1760.  John Hill was one of the purchasers.

Documents

Will of John Hill Page: 1, 2

Mary Padget, Joshua Hill and John Padget to Harman Hill Beaufort County Deed Book 3, p. 77 and 78

Mary Patchett Court Record, praying letters of administration Craven County Minutes, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, 1758-1761, p. 171

Administrator Bond on the Estate of John Patchett

 

George Hill of the County of Bath

Far as I can tell, it begins with George Hill of Bath County.  A few genealogies claim George was the son of Nicholas Hill of Isle of Wight County, Virginia. I was interested to read that Nicholas’s daughter, Ann, is said to have married Jacob Darden. After Jacob’s death, she is supposed to have removed to North Carolina and married James Leigh. Ann Leigh wrote her will 9 Aug 1732. She died before the following March.  However, I’ve yet to find anything that proves Ann Hill was Ann Darden Leigh.  From his will, dated 19 Apr 1675, we learn that Nicholas Hill did, indeed, have children named Ann and George.  George was left a certain tract of land after the death of Nicholas’s wife, Silvestra Bennett Hill (whether she was his mother is uncertain).  In her own will, written 20 Oct 1706, Silvestra bequeathed this land to her goddaughter, Mary Baker (Source: Seventeenth Century Isle of Wight County, Virginia by John Bennett Boddie, p. 256-7).  This may imply that George, son of Nicholas, was deceased. According to the Hill DNA Project at FamilyTreeDNA, George shares quite a bit with Colonel Humphrey Hill of King and Queen County, Virginia.  They are Group 49.

Regardless, the first record I’ve found of our George, is record of a patent issued 1 Sep 1707 for 160 acres on the south side of the Pamlico River, beginning at the mouth of Hill’s Creek.  I have not found the actual patent, but, rather, a reference to it in a deed dated 24 Sep 1751 in Beaufort County Deed Book 3, p. 77.

In 1715, George was listed on the Corn List for Beaufort and Hyde Precincts.  Also on that list was the Widow Tice.  Sometime after this, in 1715 or 1716, he married her.  Mary, for that was her name, was the widow of Mathias Tyson (d. 1710, his will). This was not George’s first marriage. Nor was she the mother of his children.

On an inventory of the Estate of Robert Banks dated 29 May 1716, George Hill is listed as an appraiser (Beaufort County Deed Book 1, p. 272).  The others were Henry Slade and Charles Smith.  It was proven in Court 3 Jul.

In 1717, George was taxed for 430 acres on the south side of the “Pamtico” River. He also paid for Samuel Tyce (Mary’s son) for 470 acres on Slades Creek (Slades Creek would, later, become known as Blounts Creek).  Here’s the are as shown on the Edward Moseley Map of 1733:

John Snoad and George Hill witnessed the will of Emmanuel Cleaves of Wickham Precinct 26 Sep 1717 (Beaufort County Deed Book 1, p. 286).

Edmund Pearce, who, if he was not already George’s son-in-law, would become so, sold 120 acres “bound by George Hill’s cow line upon the south side of Pamptico River” to Thomas Tyson 25 Apr 1719 (Beaufort County Deed Book 1, p. 323).  John Trippe and John Hill were witnesses.  On 8 Aug in the same year, Edward Tison sold Edmund Tison 150 acres on the east side of the Matchapungo River and west side of Slades Creek “between the creek and George Hill’s land, lying in a neck” (Beaufort County Deed Book 1, p. 259).

George wrote his will 17 Apr 1722. In this document, he mentions Mary and his four children: John, George, Harman (the same Harman who was NOT the father of Elizabeth ? Bright Handcock who died 1744!) and Rachel. He specified that his sons were not permitted to sell any of the land he left them except to each other. George, Sr. died before 30 Mar 1723 when the will was admitted to probate.

Mary Hill was still living 7 Feb 1738. On this date, she sold 70 acres of land on Slades Creek in Hyde Precinct to Edmund Tison (Hyde County Deed Book A, Deed 68, Transcribed from p. 58). It “being the plantation I formerly dwelt.”

Heirs of Amos Squires

There were, at least, three men named Amos Squires living in Craven and/or Beaufort Counties circa 1790. One was the son of Rodger Squires. How the others were related to him is a question. It is not known if Amos, son of Rodger, had a son named Amos. Or if Rodger had a brother by that name. What we do know, from probate records, is that one Amos Squires died in 1801 and another in 1797. Thomas Hyman, Levi Moore and Edmund Perkins paid a 50 pound administrator bond on the estate of Amos Squires 16 Dec 1797 and John Squires, Henry Tillman and Harmon Gaskins paid a 1,000 pound administrator bond on the estate of Amos Squires 13 Jun 1801. The following two deeds probably refer to the heirs of the latter Amos Squires.

State of North Carolina Craven County, This Indenture made this 11th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and one between Thomas Gaskins Elizabeth Gaskins John Squires and Sarah Gaskins of the County and State aforesaid of the one part and Henry Tillman of the other part Witnesseth That the said Thomas Gaskins Elizabeth Gaskins John Squires and Sarah Gaskins for and in consideration of the sum of twenty pounds to us in hand paid by the said Henry Tillman the receipt whereof we do hereby acknowledge have bargained and sold and by these presents doth bargain & sell unto the said Henry Tillman his heirs and assigns forever our undivided parts of all the Lands of our father Amos Squires Deceased with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging to him the said Henry Tillman and the sd. Herman Gaskins Elizabeth Gaskins John Squires and Sarah Gaskins for themselves their heirs doth warrant and will forever defend the aforesaid Lands and premises against every person or persons whatever to him the said Henry Tillman his heirs & assigns forever–In witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands and seals the day and year above written.

Test                               Herman Gaskins
Readin Gaskins          Elizabeth Gaskins
James Gaskins            John Squires
Sarah Gaskins

Elizabeth Gaskins was duly examined separate and apart from her Husband respecting the Signing theh above deed before me, and acknowledged that she signed the same of her own free will without any com[]sion of her said Husband before me examined June 10th, 1807
Geo Lane J.P.

State of North Carolina June Term 1801
Craven County Court
Then was the within deed from Hemon Gaskins and others to Henry Tillman proved in open Court by Reading Gaskins one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and at the same time George Lane Esqr. was appointed to take the private Examination of Elizabeth Gaskins respecting her voluntary execution of the same who afterwards reported to the Court that he ded examine the said Elizabeth separate and apart from her Husband and that she acknowledged to him that she Executed the said deed to the said Henry Tillman freely and without coercion ordered that the same be Registered.
attest Saml. Chapman CC
Craven County Deed Book 34, p. 378

This Indenture this 19th January eighteen hundred and two (1802) Between Jeremiah Squires of North Carolina County of Craven of the one part and Henry Tillman of the county and state aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth that for and in consideration for the some of thirty pounds to me in hand paid by the said Henry Tillman I the said Squires do bargain sell make over convey unto the said Tillman his heirs and assigns for ever all said Squire’s undivided part of lands of his deceased Father Amos Squires in the County of Craven and on both sides of Bay River with all the appurtenances thereto belonging. to the said Tillman and that the said Squires for himself his heirs executors and administrators will warrant and ever defend the above mentioned lands to the said Henry Tillman. Given under my hand and seal the day and year above mentioned.

Jeremiah Squires

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
John Coart
Craven County Deed Book 38, p. 203

So, the children of this Amos Squires were:

• Elizabeth Squires married Harman Gaskins
• John Squires married 1) Celia Herrington 8 Mar 1794 and 2) Chloe Herrington 27 Jun 1803
• Sarah Squires married a Gaskins who was dead by 1801
• Jeremiah Squires married 1) Elizabeth Gaskins 28 Sep 1782 and 2) Patsey Hayes 1 Oct 1796

There are several unplaced Squires of this generation.

• Mary Squires who married William Gaskins
• Zipporah Squires married 1) Joseph Gaskins 21 Sep 1782 and 2) Jesse Everington 12 Apr 1802.  Joseph stood bondsman for John’s first marriage and for
• Amos Squiers married Mary Fulsher 19 Aug 1782.  Amos and Mary separated, then divorced and he married Mary Saunders 26 Dec 1799.
• Sabra Squires married Jacob Lewis 20 Feb 1784, Benjamin Riden surety.
• Hannah Squires married Thomas Ives 30 Aug 1784.  Thomas Carraway was surety.
• John Squires married Hannah Gaskins 2 Dec 1796.  According to his Estate records, the John who married the Chloe Herrington only married twice.  The surety for this marriage was Amos Squiers.
• Dinah Squires from the following deed

Know all men by these Presents that I Thomas Ives and Hannah Ives my wife of the State of North Carolina Craven County hath Bargained and Sold my Right and Title of the Land and negroes that belonged to Dinah Squires to Phereby Ives her Heirs Executors administrators or assigns In Witness hereof I have set my hand and Seal this 30th day of September 1791
Signed sealed and delivered           Thomas Ives
in the Presence of us                         Hannah Ives
Nicholas Cary
James Clayton
Craven County Deed Book 29, p. 239

And, just to make things more confusing, their last name being Squires does not necessarily mean their father was a Squires.  Reading Squires, for example, was the illegitimate son of Thamar Squires, daughter of Rodger, and Thomas Wharton.  She would go on to marry Peregrine Fulcher.

Documents

Thomas and Hannah Ives to Phereby Ives Craven County Deed Book 29, p. 239

Harman Gaskins, Elizabeth Gaskins, John Squires, and Sarah Gaskins to Henry Tillman Craven County Deed Book 34, p. 378, 379

Jeremiah Squires to Henry Tillman Craven County Deed Book 38, p 203, 204

Will of Asa Gaskins (1875)

I Asa Gaskins of the County of Craven and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say, I give and bequath to my two Sons Henry A. Gaskins and William D. Gaskins all the land I own allso I give and bequath to my son William D Gaskins my shot gun. I give and bequath to my Wife Maranda Gaskins her choice of my beds her life time and at her Decease to my daughter Margret L. Gatlin I give and bequath to my daughter Margret L. Gatlin my weaveing Loom, The balance of my personal property I give and bequath to my three daughers to be equally devided between them namely Sarah E. Gaskins Margret L. Gatlin and Julia C. D. Everet

In witness whereof I the said Asa Gaskins do hereunto set my hand and seale, This the 21rst day of June A.D. 1875

Signed sealed and declared
by the said Asa Gaskins to
be his last will and testa
ment in the presence of                             his
us who at his request and                Asa X Gaskins
in his presence do subsc                        mark
ribe our names as witness
es thereto

James A. Askin
Freeman B. Gaskins

Will of Thomas Gaskins

In the Name of god amen I Thomas Gaskins of Craven County and State of North Carolina bein week of body But sound In mind and memory Blessed be god for it and knowing the mortaloty of mankind that it is appointed for all men once to die do therefore make this my last will and testement as Touching this worldly been Pleas god to bless me with In this life I will and bequeath unto my beloved son thomas Gaskins all my land one hunred and fifty acres with the manar plantation and 50 acres Joining it & 40 acres Joining on the other side and my still all so with it Item I give and to my son william gaskins one Negro fellow named peter one Negro fellow named more I allso leave to my son Harmon gaskins I all so giv to my fisher gaskins one fellow named manuell

Item I give to my Daughter Sarah kemp one Negro wench cauld pacients I all give to my Daughter Elesebeth Arther one wench cauled fillis I allso lend my well beloved wife hannah gaskins all my Stock of Cattle horses sheep & hogs and household furnetur During her life and my plantation I leve with my plantation and after her deceas the Stock & furneture to be Equaly Devide between my sons William gaskins harmon gaskins & fisher gaskins my daughters Sarah kemp and Elesebeth arter I do hearby appoint my belovd son thomas gaskins and my beloved friend James Pearce my Executors seald this Twenty third of January in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty seven

his
James Pearce                     Thomas Gaskins
David hill                                      mark

Heirs of Harmon Gaskins (d. 1826) and daughter, Mary Gaskins Barrington

Heirs of Mary Gaskins Gaskins Barrington

I found this deed while glancing through the Grantor/Grantee Indexes:

This Indenture made and executed on this __ day of _______ A.D. One thousand eight hundred and forty nine by and between John and James Gaskins, Mary and Elizabeth Rowe, Hannah Everington, Hatsy Fulshire, and Penelope Toler of the County of of State of North Carolina of the one part and James Averitt of the aforesaid County and State of the other part, Witnesseth that the said John and James Gaskins, Mary and Elizabeth Rowe, Hannah Everington Hatsy Fulshire and Penelope Toler for and in consideration of the sum of Thirty five dollars to them in hand paid by the said James Averitt the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain and sell to the said James Averitt his heirs and assigns all of theirs the said John and James Gaskins, Mary and Elizabeth Rowe, Hannah Everington, Hatsy Fulshire and Penelope Toler right title and interest in and to one half of a certain tract of land lying in aforesaid County and State on the North side of Neuse river and East side of Great swamp and adjoining the lands of Enoch Averitt, Thomas Ewell and others consisting of three patents two granted to Harman Gaskins one dated April 27th 1791 the other dated September 13 1787 on granted to William Beesley dated September 26 1753. To have and to hold the aforesaid undivided interest in said land and premises to him the said James Averitt his heirs and assigns forever free and discharged from all incumbrances whatever, the parties of first do covenant to and with the said James Averitt that they have before the execution of these presents full right and absolute lawful authority to sell and convey the aforesaid bargained premises to the said James Averitt his heirs and assigns forever and do agree to warrant and defend the same to the said James Averitt his heirs and assigns forever, from the lawful claims of all persons whatever. In witness whereof the parties of the first part do hereunto set their hand and seal day and date first above written
John S. Gaskins
James G. Gaskins
James G. Gaskins for Enoch Gaskins
James G. Gaskins for Robert Gaskins
Hannah Everington
Hatsy Fulshire
Willis Rowe
Wm. Toler
Mary Rowe
Penelope Toler
Craven County Deed Book 60, p. 20

When the document was proven in Court, Frederick P. Latham was appointed to examine Mary, wife of Willis Rowe, and Penelope, wife of William Toler, to ascertain that they were selling this property of their own free will (p. 21). I’ll admit to being confused. I thought Willis Rowe married Elizabeth Barrington.

And, although, Elizabeth Rowe is one of the parties listed in the transaction, she is not a signatory. Despite the Church of England’s stance on the matter, even in colonial times, marriage between a widower and one of his late wife’s sisters was quite common. But, if that is what happened here, then why is Elizabeth still listed?

Heirs of James Gaskins (d. 1812)

Mary Gaskins Barrington was married twice. First, to James Gaskins, son of William, 9 Dec 1797. James died in 1812 and William in 1814. James’s will, dated 24 Jul 1812, left everything to his wife during her natural life or widowhood. At her death or remarriage it was to be divided equally amongst herself and the children. His land was to be divided among the children at her death.  He named Mary his Executrix along with her brother, Adam (see below).

William’s will, written 28 Jan 1814, says

I Give and bequeath to my Grand Children Enoch Gaskin, John Gaskin, Hannah Hatsey Robert & James Grand Children of my Son Jas. Gaskins decd. Negro woman Fanny and a negro Boy Bill her Son

Also, the residue of the Estate was to be sold and the proceeds divided amongst his children after the funeral was paid for, including “James Gaskin Six Children.”

Adam Gaskins was appointed the children’s guardian 15 Mar 1814.  His securities for the bond were Thomas Gaskins and Hezekiah Willis (James’s brother and brother-in-law).  Hannah, aged 11, was bound out to James Ipock, Sr. as a spinster 13 Jun 1814 and John, 14, was bound to Daniel Gaskins as a shoemaker 13 Jun 1815.  Guardian accounts are filed through 1819 with Adam as their guardian, then, it seems, Enoch was old enouch to take over.  A settlement of the accounts of Enoch Gaskins as guardian to Robert was filed 12 May 1829 and he renewed his bond as guardian of Robert and James 10 May 1830.  Shadrack Gatlin and Nathan Witherington were sureties.

Nathan Barrington (d. 1845)

Her second marriage was to Nathan Barrington 1 Apr 1815.  I find it interesting that this marriage did not take place until after her father-in-law’s death.  She and Nathan had either two or three daughters:  Elizabeth, Mary (?), and Penelope.  Nathan remarried in 1830, to Sarah West.

Heirs of Harmon Gaskins (d. 1826)

There is a second deed on p. 21, wherein Lewis Heath sells Averitt the second half share in these lands. He acquired this from Bryan Heath 10 Oct 1842 (Craven County Deed Book 55, p. 516). This transaction provides an exception “for the natural life of Nathan Barrington.” Barrington died in Sep 1845. How it came into Bryan’s possession, I’m not yet certain. I know from estate records that this half share went to Mary’s sister, Nancy Gaskins, in the partition of their father’s real property. During the Feb 1827 term of the county Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, Nancy Gaskins and Mary Barrington petitioned the Court for shares in the real property of “Armond” Gaskins:

To the worshipful the Justices of the court of pleas & quarter sessions of the County of Craven
The petition of Nancy Gaskins and Nathan Barrington & Mary his wife respectfully sheweth unto your worships that on the __ day of ___ Armond Gaskins of the county of Craven died intestate seized in fee simple of three tracts of land in Craven county, situate on Neuse river, about fifteen miles from Newbern & adjoining the lands of Spicer Lane & of the heirs of Thomas Brown, viz one tract of eighty acres, another of one hundred acres & a third tract of twenty acres more or less, & leaving him surviving your petitioners Nancy Gaskins & Mary Barrington, & Adam, Daniel, Jesse & Silas Gaskins, all his children & heirs at law, and thereupon the aforesaid lands descended upon said children as tenants in common.
Your petitions further shew unto your worships that the aforesaid Adam, Daniel Jesse & Silas Gaskins did every of them receive gifts or advancements in land from their father Armond Gaskins, during the life of their said father, and that your petitioners have never received any advancements or gifts of land from their father.
Your petitioners are desirous that partition of the aforesaid lands should be made & their shares thereof allotted them in severalty, they therefore pray that your worships will in pursuance of the acts of the general assembly in such case make & provided appoint five commissioners to make said partition & allotment.
and your petitioners further pray that your worships will issue the process of your worshipful court, commanding the aforesaid Adam, Daniel, Jesse & Silas Gaskins to be & appear before the commissioners, that your worships may appoint in compliance with the prayer of your petitioners,
and to bring into Hotchpot or common with the lands above described all the lands which they have received by gift or advancement from their father at any time whatsoever, or otherwise to be forever barred of all claim right title interest or demand whatever in to or out of the above described lands or any or any part thereof….

Jesse Pearce, John Reel, James Askins, Shadrack Gatlin and Norman Willis were appointed commissioners and were ordered to meet before the next term, which was in May. So, either Bryan Heath married Nancy Gaskins at some point, he father did, or he purchased it from her heirs.  Nancy Gaskins sold her inheritance to Nathan Barrington for $100 20 Mar 1827 (Craven County Deed Book 45, p. 305).

Documents

Craven County Deed Book 60, Page: 20, 21, 22

Edward Williams (d. 1739) and Mrs. Elizabeth Grinder

In a previous post, I speculated about the parentage of Elizabeth, wife of Andrew Grinder. I theorized that she may have been the daughter of Edward Williams who died in 1739. The Court granted administration upon his Estate to Andrew 21 Dec of that year. Rees Price and John Jacob Grinder acted as sureties. Now, with further reflection, I realize that was an error. Elizabeth was, in fact, Edward’s widow. More, she bore Edward, at least, three children.

Benjamin Williams

James Tingle wrote his will 19 Oct 1774 naming “my Loving Brother Benjamin Williams and my Loving friend Levi Dawson Brother Joseph Tingle to be my hole and sole Executors….”

Remember that Andrew and Elizabeth Grinder had two daughters, Elizabeth and Ann Sevilla. Elizabeth married James Tingle and Ann Sevilla married Esau Tingle.

On 12 Dec 1762, Benjamin Williams and Mary Williams, “wife and Relinct of John Franklin Decd.” sell her right of dower in the Estate of her deceased husband to John Carney for 65 pounds proclamation money (Craven County Deed Book 11, p. 52).  To be completely fair, it is possible that Mary was James’s sister.  The only daughter actually named in the 1764 will of Hugh Tingle was named Rachel, but there is a clause in which the word “Daughter” may have been plural.

As you can see, it’s difficult to tell.

Benjamin himself wrote a will 2 Oct 1780.  He makes several bequests to Mary and her two sons by John Franklin, Peter and Joseph.  But he also mentions two nieces, Liza and Frances Williams, daughters of his brother, Edward Williams.  There is also a nephew, Jesse Williams.

I lend all the rest of my whole estate both real and perishable unto my beloved wife Mary Williams during her natural life which hath not been allready given and after the death of my said wife I gave the same to be equally divided between the sons and daughters of my brother Edward Williams the land only excepted which I gave and devise unto my nephew Jesse Williams and his heirs and assigns forever.

Jesse Williams and Peter Franklin are appointed Executors and Peter qualified as such during the Dec 1780 term.  The inventory he took of the Estate is dated 5 Nov.

Edward Williams

The will of Edward Williams was written 31 Dec 1780 and probated Jun 1781 (the inventory is dated 9 May). According to this and other documents, Edward and his wife, Margret, had the following children:

• Charles Williams (d. 1807) m. Elizabeth (after his death, she would marry William Gatlin)
• John Williams (d. 1790) m. Lydia Ernul 10 Oct 1783
• Elizabeth “Liza” Williams m. John Ernul 25 Mar 1786
• Sinah Williams m. Thomas Littleton 30 Jan 1782
• Celia Williams (d. 1789) m. James Dial (or Deal, Doyle, Dayle and various other spellings, d. 1788)
• Frances “Frankie” Williams m. William Tignor 7 Nov 1785

Charles and his wife had no children together, so his estate was divided among his various nieces and nephews.  John had two sons, but they died in childhood.  The others were Mary Enrul, Charles W. Ernul, Sarah Ernul, Margaret Dayle, James G. Tignor, Sinah Tignor and Deborah Tignor.

Jesse Williams

So far, the father of Jesse Williams remains unknown to me.  By the time Jesse wrote his own will, 19 Feb 1780, his father was deceased and his mother, Keziah, was married to William Tyre.  They are both mentioned in the will, as is a nephew, Benjamin Oliver, his sister’s son.  She is not named.  He also leaves a horse named Hunter to Sinea Williams.  Edward Williams and William Tyre are named Executors.  Tyre qualified as such in Sep 1781.

I cannot help but wonder why there were so many deaths in this family in so short a time.  There was the war going on, obviously.  There were also smallpox and influenza to contend with.

Update
July 11, 2020

Jesse was the son of William Williams. His sisters were Zilphia and Euphemia. Which one was the mother of Benjamin Oliver, I have no idea. William Williams was deceased by 26 Dec 1765 when William Tyre and wife promulgated an inventory of his Estate. Keziah signs with a “W” mark.

Documents
Wills	James Tingle Page: 1, 2, 3	Benjamin Williams Page: 1, 2	Edward Williams Page: 1, 2, 3	Jesse Williams Page: 1, 2
Deeds	Benjamin and Mary Williams to John Carney Craven County Deed Book 11, p. 52, p. 53