The Forgotten Patriots Project at SOFAFEA.org

It's been years since I've written in this blog. So much in my life has changed since I researched for the North Carolina Society Sons of the American Revolution for the Forgotten Patriots Project. In the past, I wrote about 

• the Revolutionary War Pension Files, 
• the SAR Grave Memorial Ceremony honoring the fourteen free Patriots of Color from Harlowe, Craven County, North Carolina who fought in the American Revolution (March 16, 2014), and
• the Chartering of the only SAR Chapter named for a Patriot of Color, the Patriot Isaac Carter Chapter, named for my late husband Cedric C. Carter 's 3rd great-grandfather (September 3, 2016).

Photo Courtesy of Regina Yvette Carter Garcia, 2016
Cedric C. Carter pictured 5th from the Right

In August 2023, my brother-in-law, H. David Carter emailed me about an opportunity to continue my work on the Harlowe Patriots. The Society of First African Families of English America took the mantle of the Forgotten Patriots Project and is applying a multi-faceted approach. Since September 2023, I've been actively researching and writing about the details of the Harlowe Patriots' service by focusing on their regiments' movements in a series of engagements through three theaters of war. This has proved to be an enlightening challenge!

We are discovering new things about the trials our ancestors endured as we focus our research on the commanding generals, colonels, and captains of the soldiers' regiments found in written accounts of the battle history. Our sources go beyond the Survivor and Widow's Pensions, service records, and muster rolls, now including letters, diaries, state records, and military and local histories. Some of the things we thought we knew already have been proven flawed, and we are correcting that through a series of books we will be publishing. 

I am honored to be collaborating with about fifty authors and scholars on this project and will use this blog to help sort out some of the research questions I address as I work toward our first big deadline of March 31, 2024.

The Will of Thomas Hyman: An Abstract

Craven County, North Carolina
Record of Wills (Loose), 1760-1890

Will Book B: 287 - 288.
Written 25 April 1807; proved December Term 1807
In the name of God, Amen. I THOMAS HYMAN of the County of Craven, give my wife PATSEY, during her life, one third part all my lands including the buildings where we reside, and the negroes STEPNEY, DINAH, BIG TOM, MOLLY, SAM, FIELDER, CAMBRIDGE, CHARITY, RACHAEL, and blacksmith, GODFREY; to my son, SAMUEL, all my lands situate in Craven County upon Hancocks Creek, Northward of Bounder neck gut and the south prong of said gut; to my daughter ANN, all that part of my lands situate in Craven County upon Hancocks Creek, Southward of Bounder neck gut, and southward of the south prong of said gut; to my son SAMUEL the negroes, NELLY, AFFRICA, BOB, BEN, BIG BILL, ABRAHAM, SUKEY, LITTLE BILL, DAVID, and my half of negro LARRY, owned by WILLIAM CONWAY and me; to my daughter ANN, the negroes, TILL, LITTLE TOM, NOAH, TOBEY, JACOB, AMERICA, ADAM and HETT; to my son SAMUEL my interest and property in the Stock, debts, tools and other property belonging to the partnership of WILLIAM CONWAY and me in the Blacksmith business excepting only my interest in the negroes WILLOUGHBY and PHOBE, which I give WILLIAM CONWAY, the residue of my estate to be equally divided among my wife and two children.
I[f] my children die under the age of twenty one, without issue living at their decease, the shares go to the surviving child; i[f] both my children should die under the age of twenty one and without issue living at the time of their decease, I give to BETSEY COART, daughter of my former wife, all the negroes I obtained by my marriage with her mother and the residue of the negroes & personal property given to my children & the profits arising from the same, not applied towards the maintenance and education of my children. I give upon the death of my children, as aforesaid, to my wife; my lands, upon the death of my children, I give my nephew WILLIAM CONWAY; I appoint my wife PATSEY and WILLIAM CONWAY Executors Newbern the 25th day of April 1807.
[Signed] THOMAS HYMAN
Witnesses: WM HOLLISTER, ABNER K. WEST
State of North Carolina, Craven County, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, December Term 1807; THOMAS HYMAN deceased was proved by the oath of WILLIAM HOLLISTER, a witness, and WILLIAM CONWAY, one of the Executors. Ordered that letters testamentary issue to said Execr and that said Will be Recorded.
Attest
J.G. STANLY, CC

Note: This article has been expanded and updated with new research. To read the current, comprehensive version and explore my latest projects, coaching, and storytelling services, please visit my official author platform at: debranewtoncarter.com.

Amanuensis Monday: The Will of Thomas Hyman

Welcome to the first Amanuensis Monday as we focus on the Descendants of Abraham and Rhoda (Whitehead) Hyman.

Amanuensis?

For those who may be joining us for the first time, you may wonder what is "Amanuensis Monday?" 

"Amanuensis: one employed to write from dictation or to copy manuscript....Latin, from (servus) a manu slave with secretarial duties. First Known Use 1619." [1]

Each Monday, we will examine a document that guides us on our quest for the origins of the African American HYMAN family in Craven and Carteret Counties, North Carolina.

For the purpose of maintaining the integrity of our research, we must approach each individual, each relationship, as new information. We must set aside any biases or prior beliefs about the family so that we can reconstruct the family group within the context of its society.

The Will of Thomas Hyman

In order to do so, we must first look to the will of Thomas Hyman [2], the white owner of those recorded in the Census as slaves, but believed to be indentured servants by family historians. 

Thomas Hyman's

Will

[       ]

Recorded in Book

of Wills (letter B)

folios 287 & 288 --

Attest J.G. Stanly

 In the name of God, Amen. I Thomas Hyman of the County of Craven, being of sound, disposing mind and memory do make this my last testament.

I give my dear wife Patsey, during her life, one third part all my lands including the buildings where we reside. I give my said wife the following negroes, viz. Stepney, Dinah, big Tom, Molly, Sam, Fielder, Cambridge, Charity, Rachael, and blacksmith, Godfrey, to her and her heirs forever. 

I give to my son, Samuel, all that part of my lands situate in Craven County upon Hancocks Creek, which lies to the Northward of Bounder neck gut and the south prong of said gut, to him, his heirs and assigns forever--

I give to my daughter Ann, all that part of my lands situate in Craven County upon Hancocks Creek, which lies to the Southward of Bounder neck gut, and southward of the south prong of said gut, to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

I give to my son Samuel the following negroes, Viz. Nelly, Affrica, Bob, Ben, big Bill, Abraham, Sukey, -- little Bill, David, and my half of negro Larry, owned by William Conway and me, to my said son & his heirs, forever.

I give to my daughter Ann, the following negroes, Viz., Till, little Tom, Noah, Tobey, Jacob, America, Adam and Hett, to her and her heirs forever.

I give to my son Samuel my interest and property in the Stock, debts, tools and other property belonging to the partnership of William Conway and me in the Blacksmith business excepting

only my interest in the negroes Willoughby and Phobe, which I give to the said William Conway. The residue of my estate I give to be equally divided among my wife and two children.

In case with of my children should die under the age of twenty one years, and without issue living at their decease, it is my will, and I do devise that the shares of such child in my estate under any clause of this will, go and vest in the surviving child. And in case both my children should die under the age of twenty one years and without issue living at the time of their decease, Then I give and devise to Betsey Coart, daughter of my former wife, all the negroes which I obtained by my marriage with her mother and the residue of the negroes & personal property given to my children & the profits arising from the same, which shall not have been applied for and towards the maintenance and education of my said children. I give upon the death of my children, as aforesaid, to my wife, & her heirs forever. My lands, upon the death of my children as aforesaid I give to my nephew William Conway, to him & his heirs forever. I nominate and appoint my wife Patsey and William Conway, Executors of this my last will and testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Newbern the 25th day of April 1807.

Signed, sealed, published and      )            Thos Hyman (seal)

declared by Thomas Hyman as   )

His last will in presence of us      )

Wm Hollister, jp

Abner K West

State of North Carolina   Court of Pleas & Quarter 

Craven County                Sessions December Term 1807

The foregoing last Will and Testament of Thomas Hyman deceased was produced and the due execution thereof by the testator was proved by the oath of William Hollister one of the subscribing Witnesses thereto at same time William Conway one of the Executors therein named appeared and qualified. Ordered that letters testamentary issue to said Execr and that said Will be Recorded.

Attest

J.G. Stanly, C.C.

Sources

[1]  Merrium-Webster Online Dictionary, (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amanuensis : accessed 27 July 2015), "amanuensis." The definition includes an audio pronunciation by clicking on the speaker symbol.

[2] "North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970," Images, (http:FamilySearch.org : accessed 27 July 2015,) Craven County Courthouse, North Carolina.

Note: This article has been expanded and updated with new research. To read the current, comprehensive version and explore my latest projects, coaching, and storytelling services, please visit my official author platform at: debranewtoncarter.com.

Reuniting Nine Branches of HYMAN Descendants

It's difficult to believe that it's already been a year since I went on hiatus . . . not from researching, but just from blogging.

I am now more focused, more organized, and digging deeper through analysis, thanks to Thomas MacEntee's Genealogy Do-Over. I chose to do the "Modified Participant Option," which is more like a "Go-Over," and am now in the midst of Cycle 3. 

Besides working on reorganization, I have also participated in several webinars for genealogy and writing memoirs.

Yes! At times it feels like it's just too much for this genealogist, who also works at a full-time job, who's working on BCG Certification and writing a family history memoir, to sort and file the myriad documents collected over years of research only to find that I didn't catch it all the first time around, and am expanding from four surname binders to six!

How do I ever keep it all straight? 

To be honest, if you saw my office, you would be asking the same question. 

I began the process of applying for my credential in May 2013, not realizing that I still had much to research and analyze in order to prove the relationships in my Kinship Determination Project, aka the KDP. This has been the most challenging section of the seven-step process. 

In May 2015 I requested "my last" one-year extension, and I anticipate my work to be submitted within five or six months, with any luck.

Back to North Harlowe for HYMAN Family Reunion 2015

Also, this past May, my husband and I attended the HYMAN Family Reunion in North Harlowe, Craven, North Carolina. What a wonderful time we had, making so many new family connections, and visiting with cousins we had met years ago at the Peter James HYMAN Family Reunion in Beaufort, Carteret,  North Carolina. 

As we looked over a manuscript that a cousin is preparing for publication, it became clear to me that there is a need to complete the whole family tree, beginning with the will of their ancestors' masters, Thomas Hyman and his son Samuel, uniting nine branches of this family. 

I suppose everyone's African American genealogical dream would be to work back even further, to locate the plantation records and find the first African to cross over to the colony. And, how I would love to be able to locate any living descendants of the white Hyman family and learn about both sides, master and servant. 

Nine Branches of  Descent

• Abraham and Kitty (Brown) HYMAN
• William and Deborah Elizabeth (Dove) HYMAN
• Peter and Caroline (Borden) HYMAN
• Stephen and Betsey J. (Fisher) HYMAN
• Adam and Phyllis (Brown) & Jeffrie Ann (Cully) & Mary (Downs) HYMAN
• Merebee (HYMAN) and Lanan COLEMAN
• Rachel (HYMAN) and Hasty CHADWICK
• Charity HYMAN
• Jane HYMAN

If you descend from one of these branches and you would like to contribute to this project, please contact me. I would love to work with you!

Isaac Perkins: Revolutionary War Pension Application File: Part 6

Update: The North Carolina Continentals

Major General Nathaniel Greene,
Commander of Washington's Left Wing
Courtesy Library of Congress

It is amazing how a vacation...a week away...though filled with activity, offers opportunity for reading without distraction! I finished the chapter entitled, Charleston, 1780 (Chapter 11), and then read Chapter 7, Monmouth and the New York Highlands.

As I read, I highlight the details which might have effected my ancestor directly, or may have been aware of. I then check the footnotes, and work on tracing the information back to its origins, some of which include Writings of Washington, The Diary of James McHenry, Correspondence of Colonel John Laurens, and Revolutionary War Journals of Henry Dearborn. Even though the ancestor was unable to read a newspaper, keep a diary, or correspond with his spouse, the eye-witness accounts of those serving close by offer a glimpse at shared events, the difference being a matter of individual perspective.

By making notations on the first page of the chapters of the names of those ancestors who participated in the battles, I am able to gain a quick glimpse of who was serving together, and in what capacity, militia or Continental Line.

Checking out the backstory: A letter bearing reference to character
As you will see below, this letter contains the combined testimony of Joseph Physioc and John S. & Cherry Whitehead. When considering the judgment of a person's character as written in a letter such as this, background knowledge of those giving testimony has the potential to supply greater depth to the quality of the individual's characterization.

Joseph Physioc, I remember from prior research, was a Quaker and a member of the North Carolina Manumission Society. The Physioc Family Tree states that he was born about 1786 to Peter and Abigail (---) Physioc. He married first on 30 August 1805 to Contentnea Evans, and married second on 1 April 1839 to Eliza Hope Borden Cox.[1]

Joseph Physioc Estate File:
Image 21/79

His estate file (1841) reveals some bits of interest concerning his dealings with manumission. The letter to the left, written at Rocky Hill on 20 Dec 1841 by Thomas Kennedy, states second hand knowledge of Physioc's recent death, and makes mention of his last will and testament,

 

 

Joseph Physioc Estate File:
 Image 12/79 

in which he has directed that his Negroes should be Freed; leaving funds for the purpose of Transporting them and Colonizing them in Liberia, that he has appointed me with others, to carry his Philanthropical views into Effect--

The Inventory of Slaves records the names and ages of twenty-five slaves from the Joseph Physioc household.


The other men whose signature is affixed to the character reference of Isaac Perkins were John S. Whitehead, and Cherry Whitehead. While John S. Whitehead's (1832) estate file contains only two pages, Cherry Whitehead's file (1832) contains 100 pages. I had originally assumed that Cherry was John's wife's name; but, when I looked into the estate file, I discovered that Cherry Whitehead was the husband of Sarah. I was unable to locate any marriage record of a "Cherry" Whitehead in Craven County Records. Searching FamilySearch.org, however, revealed a document of interest: Jeremiah (Alias Cherry) Whitehead, md. Sally Rice on 1 Jan 1828.

Now I am beginning to wonder what happened in 1832 that both of these Whiteheads died in the same year....

In any event, these three men were Isaac Perkins' neighbors as can be seen on their 1790 U.S. Census enumeration.

Transcription of letter of character

[Note: All spelling and punctuation is as found within the pages of this letter.]

Craven, at Woodville 15th Decr 1829

19/35

Dear Sir,
     Your letter of the of the 12th Inst. came
safe to hand in which you State that is is necys-
-ary  that myself together with another of my
Neighbours should make a statement of sorts
with Respect to the conduct and Expenditures
of our Old Neighbour Isaac Perkins, as Also
how he may have Diminished his little property
since the year of 1818---
     With Respect to his property we know of
no means used by him to Diminish it---
true he did sell one yoke of Old oxen six or
Eight years ago to John Franklin of Newbern,
but at what price we do not now recollect.
It is also true that he sold to Isaac Carter in the
foregoing part of the year of 1827 one hundred
and fifty acres of poor sandridge land bordering
on the flat pocoson for forty Dollars-- of which
a part of the purchase money was paid in adv-
-ance by the said Carter. By work and labour
done on the premices of the said Isaac Perkins
in the repairing of his fences and puting his
little farm in order -- but we think to the
best of our recollection that the said Perkins
has acquired this Same 150 Acres of land since
the year of 1818 -- by a grant or patent in
his own name ---- Exclusive of this above we
know of no property sold or diminished by the

20/35

Said Perkins Except perhaps a Sow and
Piggs or the like -- but how he may have
spent or disposed of his little moneys from
time to time it is impossible for us to say.
Other than for the support of himself
and his family --- from a long and Inti-
-mate acquaintance with the general con-
-duct and Character of the Said Isaac
Perkins we do not hesitate to declare
that (though a man of Colour) we do
believe him to be to honest in principal
to practise any thing like a fraud.
and we are well asured that he has not
attempted it ---- he is now Old and infirm
his infirmity orriginates no doubt, from
severe Exposures in the Revolutionary Army
in which it is notoriously believed that he
was a faithful soldier -- he is not able to
labour -- and it is Evident that he must
Suffer (Should he Exist) if he is not assisted
by the fostering hand of the General Government
or by the humain Charity of his friends and
Neighbours--- Respectfully
                        Your obedient servants
                        Jos Physioc
                        John S. Whitehead
                        Cherry Whitehead

21/35

P.S.  in Regard to the 150 Acres of land sold
by I. Perkins as stated in the foregoing. There
will appear a mistake of ten Dollars between
the face of the Deed, and the price stated above,
the cause is thus accounted for, I drew the
Deed at the request of Perkins. before I had
properly understood the Bargained price -- and
drew it for fifty Dollars, whereas the Bargain-
-ed price was but forty Dollars -- I also drew
the note given by Carter for the same, for
forty Dollars. and at the request of the parties
some few months afterwards I gave credit
and said note for fifteen Dollars, partly
as I understood for labour done by the said
Carter in advance           Very respectfully
                                             yours Jos Physioc

Two years after date I promise to pay
to the order of Isaac Perkins the Sum of
forty Dollars for Value Recd this 30th day
of January 1827--            his
 Attest                      Isaac  X  Carter
     Jos Physioc               mark

22/35

Recd fifteen
Dollars in
part of the
within note
Decr 4th 1827
seven Dollars and fifty
cents in part of the
within note.

--------------
[upside down]
Isaac Carters note
$40.00








---------------------
[1] Rowan, Carla and Peter, compilers; from the records of Elinor Fletcher. Physioc Family Tree and the Descendants of Joseph Edward Physioc. <http.//home.mchsi.com/~davidsclarke/Physiocs/history/PhysiocFamilyHistory.htm>, available 20 May 2007.

Isaac Perkins: Revolutionary War Pension Application File: Part 5

Historical Background

Watercolor painting by Charles M. Lefferts
Courtesy of Wikipedia.org

As I pondered the idea of one day assembling a complete narrative for the 1st and 2nd North Carolina Continental Line, focusing on the men serving in the same battles our Carter and Perkins ancestors fought, my mind drifted to their common denominator: military pension application files. For those I have already transcribed, each veteran had received their pension on the merit of having served for the minimum time prescribed (at least nine months), but had not necessarily been wounded in battle. Their maladies were related to their current state of indigence, and a grateful country's financial response.

Below you will find a listing of several online resources offering the basic guidelines for the military pension application:

• Follow the Money: Tracking Revolutionary War Army Pension Payments, by Claire Prechtel-Kluskens. National Archives, Prologue Magazine, Winter 2008, Vol. 40, No. 4
• Revolutionary War Pension Files, Including Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files, M804, Fold3.com
• Pensions Enacted by Congress for American Revolutionary War Veterans, Rootsweb.Ancestry.com. Taken verbatim from GenForum-Genealogy.com message board: American Revolution Pension Acts, Message #3250, "Dead Wrong about Pension Acts," by Ed.
• Revolutionary War 1776-1783: Pensions, by Jeannette Holland Austin
• Revolutionary War: Classes of Revolutionary pensioners, USGenWeb Archives: Pensions Project. Source: Sprague's Journal of Maine History, Vol. V, November, December, January 1917-18, No. 4, pp. 191-193.  

While several of the above are very good sites which describe the legislation of and basis for obtaining a military pension, one of the best online resources I have found is the National Archives Microfilm Publications Pamphlet Describing M804 entitled, Revolutionary War Pension Bounty -- Land -- Warrant Application Files, and a description of Revolutionary Pension Files is available at Fold3.com.

For a more comprehensive treatment of the topic, the book entitled, The History of Military Pension Legislation in the United States, by William Henry Glasson, can be found at Archive.org. The book can be viewed online or a PDF version can be downloaded to your computer. Always make sure you save it to a file where you can find it easily when needed.

Update: The North Carolina Continentals
I am currently reading this book during lunch breaks at my day job, and have nearly completed Chapter One: War Comes to North Carolina. I am focusing on any pertinent information that would help me develop a true picture of news developments my husband's ancestors were privilege to, as well as their first-person military experience in the battles mentioned in their pension files.

So far I have read about the formation of county Committees of Safety, how news of Lexington and Concord arrived to the people of Craven County, raising the brigade, and the uniforms and provisions prescribed for local militia and the Continental Line. The detail offered is outstanding, and I would highly recommend this book for anyone searching for details of their ancestor's North Carolina Revolutionary War experience.

In addition to the author's description, the footnotes prove a very good source for tracing the author's critique back to the original sources.

Back to the Pension Application: A Land Indenture
When I first began reading this land indenture, the memory of having read it prior to obtaining this file sprang forth. I had photocopied the certified copy of this indenture from the volumes at Craven County Register of Deeds several years ago. So, I checked my family surname binders and located the document. I noticed that I had neglected to cite the volume number on the back of the photocopies.

Craven County Register of Deeds Staff have always been wonderful in answering my queries, so I emailed them the pertinent details of the document and the page numbers which appeared in the upper corners of the pages. I also attached the pages of the indenture from the pension file.

The very next day, Michelle Toth, the Assistant Register of Deeds,  emailed her reply. In addition to the question of which volume these pages appear, I had also wondered about a difference in the dates posted on the certified copy obtained at the Register of Deeds and the copy found within the pension file. The former copy stated,

This Indenture made and executed this 3rd day of January 1827 between Isaac Perkins...and Isaac Carter....

while the pension file's copy stated,

 This Indenture made and Executed this 30th day of January 1827. Between Isaac Perkins...and Isaac Carter....

The handwritten copy of the original, is written in a different hand that the derivative, and the format of the latter differs as well in both style, spelling and punctuation. I had asked the Register of Deeds which would be the most reliable, and she responded that the copy found in their office would be the more precise.

With that information, I will transcribe the derivation below, making any significant differences between it and the copy in brackets as such: [   ].

TRANSCRIPTION: Vol. 47, pp.16 & 17

Image 16/35

This Indenture made and Executed this 30th [3rd] day
of January 1827. Between Isaac Perkins of the
State of North Carolina and County of Craven
of the One part, and Isaac Carter of the State and
County aforesaid, of the other part, Witnesseth that
I the said Isaac Perkins, do for and in Consideration
of the Sum of Fifty dollars to me in hand paid by
the said Isaac Carter at and before the sealing and
delivery of this [these] presents the receipt whereof I do
hereby acknowledge [whereof is hereby acknowledged]
have given, granted, bargained
sold, released and confirmed enfeeoffed[1], and do
and by this presants [these presents] give grant bargain sell release
and confirm enfeeoff, &, I -----  [      ] the said Isaac Carter
his heirs and assigns forever a certain piece or
parcel of Land situated in the state and County
aforesaid on the south side of Neuse River and on the
head of Handcocks Creek. Beginning at a Gum on
the West side of Mococks branch John Whiteheads
corner, running thence with Whiteheads line So 45 Wst
108 poles to a pine in his other patent line, thence
with the said line South 140 poles to a pine at the
pocoson [interlined in derivative: side, then with the various courses of the pocoson] South Easterly 128 poles to a pine at the
No. 15 Et. 24 poles to a pine, then No. 48 Et. 22 poles to a
pine in the Pocoson. then No. 2 Wt. 60 poles to a pine
near the head of Mococks branch. thence with the said
branch to the beginning. Estimate to contain One
hundred and fifty Acres more or less, which was
granted by Patent to the said Isaac Perkins, dated

Image 17/35

the 15th decr 1814 To have and to hold with all
and singular the previlidges [privileges] and profits thereinto [thereunto]
belonging or in any wise appertaining to the only
proper use and behoof of him the said Isaac Carter
his heirs and assigns for ever, and the said Isaac
Perkins do for myself my heirs Executors or Admin
istrators, covenant and agree to the Warrant and defend
above described tract or parcel of Land free and
clear of any person claiming any right or title thereto
by through or under me, my Heirs Executors and Adminis
trators or Assigns, and no further to him the said
Isaac Carter his heirs and assigns forever.
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed my seal, the day and date first above              
                                      his
Written                                                       Isaac    X  Perkins
Signed sealed and                                                mark
delivered in presants [presence]
of us---
Attest Joseph Physioc
           William Simpson


State of North Carolina )
December 12th 1829    )
This was the execution of the foregoing Deed acknowledged
before me in due form of Law, by Isaac Perkins the Bargainer
                                                                Let it be registered
                                                                              J R Donnell J.S.L.D.C.

_________

NOTE: I am unable to find the meaning of JR Donnell's credential. On this derivative it appears to be "JSLDC," yet on the copy it appears to be "J.S.L.H.E." Please contact me if you have knowledge of this credential and its meaning.

_________

Image 18/35

I Borthick C Gillespie Register of the County
of Craven in the State of North Carolina
certify the foregoing to be a true copy from
the Records of said County book No. 47 folio 16&c
December 15th 1829)                    B. C. Gillespie Regr )

State of North Carolina )
   Craven County             )
           I James G Stanly Clerk
of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of
Craven County hereby certify that Bortherick
C. Gillespie Esquire is Register of Craven County
and the foregoing is his signature
In testimony whereof I hereunto
set my hand, and affix my seal
of said Court at New Bern, this
17th Day of December A.D. 1829
            J G Stanly Clerk

________________

[1] enfeoff, trans. vb. (en fef): (Law) property law (a person) with possession of a freehold estate in land. Collins English Dictionary. To put into possession of land in exchange for a pledge of service.

Isaac Perkins: Revolutionary War Pension Application File, Part 2

Pension Applications can give us insight to the everyday life of our ancestors.
The following documents include an inventory of Isaac Perkins' real and personal property used to determine if he was truly an indigent veteran of the Revolutionary War, a certificate sworn by the clerk of courts that the names of the men who conducted the inventory were true, and a sworn statement that the inventory itself is true. They were signed and sealed in April and November 1829.

[Transcription]

Isaac Perkins/Image 3/35
www.Fold3.com

At the request of Isaac Perkins of Craven
County in the state of North Carolina
an old Revolutionary Soldier and a claimant
for a petition under the former act of
Congress Granting petitions for the releaf [sic]
of Indigent Soldiers of the Revolutionary
war--we the undersigned have met and
have valued all the property he the said
Perkin[s] is now [           ] off--which we apprise
and value as follows--  --that is to say
100 acres of poor piney land)       $25.00
valued at 25 cents per acre    )
11 head of cattle val'd at $2.00)
each upon an [E]verage --         )      22.00
32 head of hogs, mostly pigs)
[E]verage 5/ Each --               ) --     11.00
House hold & kitchen furniture
 valued in toto of $15--                     15.00
A small canoe valued at 10/                 1.00
3 head of sheep valued at 10/              3.00  
                                                         $77.00



[From here I would search the deeds at Craven County Register of Deeds for a detailed description of this piece of land, and its location; however, the deed itself is contained within this pension file: Images 16/35 and 17/35. I would also search FamilySearch.org for his estate file, which may include a list of the items of household furniture and any farming implements in his possession that could provide clues of his living conditions.]

Isaac Perkins/Image 4/35
www.Fold3.com

We the undersigned haveing [sic] been long
acquainted with the above claimant, Perkins;
as well as also with his Resources and means
of support--his age and infirmities-- over--

[page 2]
believe him to be deserving & also entitled to
assistance from the Bounty of his Country
we hereby Certify that we have valued
his property fair and Equitable to the
best of our Judgments and abilities
and we find it to be worth at most of this
this time of [           ] --not exceeding the sum
Seventy Seven Dollars in money.
Given under our hand and seals this
25th day of April 1829---

                      his                            Abner W. Seabrook [seal]

                  Isaac X Perkins                              Wm Physioc [seal]

mark                             John S. Whitehead [seal]

Saml Gerock                  Meshack Always  [seal]

Jos Physioc JP [seal]

Isaac Perkins/Image 5/35
www.Fold3.com

Let a  Certificate to

above be presented--

North Carolina

Craven County court S. November Term AD 1829

William Physioc & Joseph Physioc whose names are 

subscribed to the foregoing schedule made oath in open

court & in due form of law that the facts noted

in said schedule are true.                      

 Attest J.G. Stanly Clerk of Craven County Court

[Page 3]

I James G Stanly Clerk of the County Court
do hereby certify that it appears to the satisfaction
of the Court that the said Isaac Perkins did serve in the
Revolutionary War and stated in the preceding declar
ation against the Common Enemy for the term of
Mine Months, and one engagement, on the Continental
establishment. I also Certify that the foregoing Oath
and the Schedule thereto annexed, are truly copied
from the Records of the said Court, and I do further
Certify that it is the Opinion of the said Court that

Isaac Perkins/Image 6/35
www.Fold3.com

the total amount in value of the property exhibited in
the aforesaid schedule is seventy seven Dollars
and ------ Cents
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand
and affixed the Seal of said Court this 12th day
of November 1829                            J G Stanly Clerk




[Page 4]
Isaac Perkins
Admitted

Incorporating Military Histories to Piece Together Overlapping Service

Available at Amazon.com

As I read military histories about the skirmishes and battles in which our ancestors fought, I try to look for specific information about their regiments so I can piece together the movements and experiences they might have had. For instance, I am currently reading the book, Monmouth Courthouse 1778: The last great battle in the North, by Brendan Morrissey.

From our last post, you'll note that we found the names of Isaac Perkins' commanding officers: Captain Stevenson and Colonel Sheppard (North Carolina Militia), and Captain Clement Hall and Colonel John Patten (2nd North Carolina Regiment). According to Morrissey, Col. John Patten and the 2nd North Carolina were part of the main body of General George Washington's troops, serving in the right wing under Major General Nathanael Green (p. 86). There were seven Brigadier Generals commanding the right wing:

1. Brigadier General William Woodford (Virginia), 
2. vice Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh (North Carolina), 
3. Brigadier General Enoch Poor (New Hampshire and New York), 
4. Brigadker General Jedediah Huntington (Connecticut), 
5. Brigadier General William Smallwood (Maryland and Delaware), 
6. Brigadier General Peter Muhlenberg (Virginia and German Battalion), and 
7. vice Brigadier General George Weedon (Virginia).

McIntosh's troops were made up of the 1st North Carolina (Colonel Thomas Clark) and 2nd North Carolina (Colonel John Patten). 

Additional information about Asa Spelmore/Spelman

In looking back at Asa Spemore's Pension Application File, it was stated that he was a 

Private in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Davidson of the N. Carolina line....[that] he enlisted in the company commanded by Captain Quinn in the Tenth North Carolina Regiment Continental Establishment Commanded by Colonel Davidson.

It appears, however, that Asa Spelman possibly made an error in his recollections as Captain Michael Quinn was associated with the 8th and the 3rd North Carolina Regiments; and, Asa Spelman appears on the roll of the 8th NC Regiment. Note also that Quinn resigned his commission 14 Dec 1779 and became a traitor for the British cause, was captured in Edenton, NC in 1781 and was executed. Following his resignation, the remains of the 8th Regiment were added to the 2nd North Carolina Regiment.

According to the list of Lt. Colonels on The American Revolution in North Carolina website, Lt. Colonel William Lee Davidson changed regiments several times in his career. Starting out in the 4th North Carolina Regiment as a Major, he received a promotion to Lt. Colonel and transferred to the 5th, the 7th, 3rd, and then the 1st, all between the years of 1777 and 1779. It was noted that he served at the Battle of Monmouth as well. So while Isaac Perkins swore that he saw Asa Spelman while on duty in White Plains, they were both at Monmouth as well.

Asa Spelmore: American Revolution Service Declaration, Part 2

Continued from Cross-Referencing Pension Files: The Revolutionary War Pension File of Asa Spelmore, 31 March 2014

[The following two images are a continuation of the previous sworn testimony.]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

www.Fold3.com
Asa Spelmore, Image 5

John Carter a citizen of Craven County in
the State of North Carolina maketh oath
that he was enlisted in the Company [when?]:
mustered by Captain Quinn, in the Regiment
commanded by Colo Davidson (the [?])
in the North Carolina line Continental es-
tablishment during the War of the Revolution
and served nine months and deponent
knows that Asa Spelman was a soldier in
the same company and that the said
Spelman did serve the term of nine months
in said company.  signed                his
                                              John    X    Carter
                                                         Mark
It is the opinion of the Court that the
total amount in value of the property cohab-
ited in the aforesaid schedule is considerably
less than one hundred Dollars--
Craven County Court of Pleas & Quarter
Sessions.     March Term A.D. 1821--
Thomas A Davis Esq. Sheriff of Craven
County appeared in open Court and made
oath that he is well acquainted with

Asa Spelmore or Spelman that said Asa

is at this time and has been for many years

a resident Citizen of this County and that he

is the same person who has applied for a

pension. And it is Ordered that the

Clerk Certify to the Secretary at War of 

the United States, that the Witnesses in

support of the petition of the said Asa

Spelman or Spelmore are worthy of merit.

Asa Spelmore, Image 6

State of North Carolina

Craven County

I James G Stanly, Clerk of the

Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions

of Craven County do hereby Certify

that the foregoing affidavits and

the schedule thereto annexed are

truly copied from the records of

Said Court.

In Testimony whereof

I have hereunto set my hand and

affixed the seal of said Court

at Newbern this 15th day of

January A.D. 1822.

J S Stanly  CC

State of North Carolina )

       Craven County         )

             Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions

May Term A.D. 1822.

Asa Spelmore or Spelman maketh oath

in open Court that he has endeavored to ascertain

the time of his entering the service, and the time

of his leaving it--and is now able to declare

that he entered the Service at Smith's Creek

in Craven County, No Ca on the 20 July in the

year seventeen hundred and seventy-eight--

and was discharged at Halifax, No Ca on

the eighth day of May one thousand

seven hundred and seventy-nine

Sworn to and subscribed in

open Court 15th May

1822. Attest J S Stanly  CC     his                

Asa    X   Spelman

mark               

State of North Carolina

Craven County

I James G Stanly

Clerk of the Court of Pleas and

Quarter Sessions of Craven County hereby

certify that the foregoing affidavit is

truly copied from the records of said

in Court.        In Faith whereof I hereunto

set my hand and affix the seal of

said Court at Newbern this 14th

day of June 1822.

J S Stanly  CC

The Estate File of William Carter (1867): An Index

"North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VKJM-XLD : accessed 29 Aug 2013), William Carter, 1867; 32 Images.

1/32: Folder: Carter, William  1867
2/32: June 5, 1917: S.R. Street, Commissioned Notary Public, Craven County, NC
3/32: June 11, 1917: Oath of Notary Public/S.R. Street
4/32: S.R. Street Qualified June 11/1917
5/32: Application of Guardian, Guardian's Oath and Letters of Guardianship: Effie Carter Dove: June 1, 1917
6/32: Application Cover
7/32: 11 March 1867: On petition of Rachel G. Carter, widow of Wm Carter, One Year Provisions
8/32: Writ to lay off year's provisions: $265
9/32: Petition "to have her year's support out of the estate of her said husband [William Carter]...to set apart to her so much of the crop, stock, and provisions, belonging thereto, as may be adequate to support herself and her family for one year". March Term, 1867.
10/32: Petition Cover
11/32: Court Costs or administrating one year's provisions
12/32: 27 July 1868: Court Order to Sheriff to bring in the taxed monies assessed to Rachel G. Carter in the amount of $10.67, on the second Monday of March next.
13/32: James E. Flemming, Sheriff of Craven County, attended by the following Jury of good and lawful men...proceeded on the 26th day of May 1868...to lay off and allot to Rachael Carter her dower and thirds in the lands of William Carter...South Side of Neuse River, West Side of Clubfoots Creek, adjoining to the lands of John [George] and brothers...twenty-five acres.
14/32: Cover sheet
15/32: Petition for Dower: Rachel G. Carter vs. Heirs at Law of William Carter
16/32: Cover sheet
17/32: To James Carter: To appear in Court on 2nd Monday in June 1867
18/32: Cover for Subpoena & Copy of Petition to James Carter
19/32: To Jesse Godett: To appear in Court on 2nd Monday in June 1867
20/32: Cover for Subpoena & Copy of Petition to Jesse Godett 
21/32: To Amos Carter: To appear in Court on 2nd Monday in June 1867
22/32: Cover for Subpoena & Copy of Petition to Amos Carter
23/32: To Martha A. Godett: To appear in Court on 2nd Monday in June 1867
24/32: Cover for Subpoena & Copy of Petition to Martha A. Godett
25/32: Handwritten note on torn paper: "200 acres of land adjoining the lands of Hetty George & the Heirs at Law of Theophilus George.
26/32: To the Sheriff of Craven County: summons to form a Jury to come to the premises of William Carter's lands to lay off the Dower, one third part, of Rachel Carter
27/32: Cover: Trial: Writ to Lay off Dower for Rachel G. Carter
28/32: To the Sheriff of Craven County: to appear with a Jury of men in Court on the 2nd Monday of March 1868
29/32: Cover sheet
30/32: Paid to Wm H. Marshall, $5.00, for laying Rachel Carter's dower in lands
31/32: Petition for Dower, Cover sheet
32/32: The Petition of Rachel G. Carter, Widow of William Carter; Heirs at Law: Martha A. Godet, Jesse Godet, James Carter, Amos Carter, Cassie J. Carter, Josephus Carter, Eliza M. Carter, Isaac H. Carter, & Garrison E. Carter, the last six infants; lands adjoining Hetty George & the Heirs at Law of Theophilus George & others, "and containing by estimation about 200 acres".

Mixed Records in Estate Files: William Carter (1867)

When browsing documents in an estate file, you would think that all the records contained in that file would belong to the estate of the person recorded on the file's name. While looking at documents for the estate of my husband's 2nd great grand uncle, William Carter, I was surprised to find that the first five documents actually had nothing to do with his estate. Or was there some connection less obvious?

"North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," 
index and images, FamilySearch 
(https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/VKJM-XLD : 
accessed 29 Aug 2013), 
William Carter, 1867; Image 5/32.

To the right is the main document in question. It is an application of Guardianship made by Effie Carter Dove on behalf of James Harrington Carter, Lena Stanley Carter and Willie Benjamin Carter, dated 1 June 1917.

How does a document drawn up fifty years after the deceased's file is closed end up within that file?

Let's start by taking a look at the relationship held within this document. Effie Carter Dove. She was the daughter of Enoch & Abigail (Hyman) Hargett, b. abt. 1892. She married first William Benjamin Carter, Sr.; and following his death, she married Jacob Dove. Using this information, we can see that she was the mother of these children, Willie Benjamin Carter being named for his father, who died abt. 1911; however, she did not make the petition until she was remarried. But that still doesn't answer the question of how this document would end up in William Carter's estate file of 1867.

William Carter was the great grand uncle of William Benjamin Carter, Sr. through the George Carter, Sr. branch. Their common ancestor is Isaac Carter (md. Sarah Perkins).

While these children might be considered heirs at law of William Carter's Estate (1867), there is no direct connection made through the documents contained within the file itself.

So the question remains...why would the records of William B. Carter, Sr.'s heirs be filed in the William Carter (1867) file? Could it be something as simple as they were both named William Carter? Perhaps.

This leads me to believe that in searching for estate records, it might necessitate browsing all the records for a given surname in a given locale to weed out the possibility of other such mix-ups. Otherwise, we might overlook some valuable evidence hiding within the folder of some other deceased ancestor.