THE NORTH CAROLINA
GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
JOURNAL
VOLUME XIX, NO. 1 FEBRUARY 1993
Taxation in Colonial and Revolutionary North Carolina,
by William D. Bennett . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
1718 Tax List of Pasquotank Co., N. C.,
by Raymond A. Winslow, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
Petition of the Presbyterians of Wilmington, N. C., 1785,
submitted by Grace W. Turner . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Equity Bond Docket, 1789-1817, Hillsborough District and Orange
County, N. C. (Part 3) , by Grace H. Wight . . . . . . . . . . . 29
North Carolina Apprentice Indentures Through 1850 (Part 12),
by Raymond A. Winslow, Jr. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Revolutionary War Pension Applications at the NC Archives (17th in
series) , by Betty J. Camin . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Document Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48
Queries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 58
Fillers
Johnson, and Johnson, and Johnson . . . . submitted by Timothy
Kearney . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
Temperance Chavers Petition for Billy and Elick, 1810 . . . . . 35
Some Drownings in 1887 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Some Marriages in 1887 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57
Editor: Raymond A. Winslow, Jr.
Book Review Editor: Betsy Dodd Pittman
* Copyright 1993 by The North Carolina Genealogical Society *
TAXATION IN COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY
NORTH CAROLINA
by William D. Bennett, R. G.
[The author retains the copyright, all rights reserved.]
From the beginning of the colony, taxation in North Carolina has fallen into two categories. The first was
the taxation imposed by the authorities in England; the second was that imposed by the General Assembly. The
first category consisted of the quit rents charged by the Lords Proprietors, the Crown, and Earl Granville.1
The charter to the Lords Proprietors provided for occupants to pay an annual quit rent of twenty marks or
thirteen pounds six shillings eight pence. In the Concessions and Agreements issued by the Lords Proprietors
in 1665, land granted was subject to a quit rent of one half penny per acre;. Because of protests from the
colonists that the quit rents were twice those charged by Virginia, the Lords Proprietors in May 1668 issued the
Great Deed of Grant which provided for a quit rent of a farthing per acre, half the original quit rents. A letter
to the governor which accompanied the Great Deed of Grant recommended that the Governor encourage the
Assembly to pass an act which would void this concession. The Fundamental Constitutions of 1669 raised the
quit rents to one penny per acre.2 From then until 1775, there was continual clamor from the colonists that they
were being overcharged for quit rents and continual complaint from the Lord Proprietors, the Crown, and Earl
Granville that they were not being paid the quit rents due them.
The second category of taxes, those imposed by the General Assembly, are the taxes which will be discussed
in this article. These taxes consisted primarily of taxes on individuals (poll taxes or head taxes) and taxes on
land. In the earliest records, taxes on individuals were referred to as taxables, while taxes on land were referred
to as levies. Later all taxes were referred to as levies. In the Concessions and Agreements, provisions were
made for the General Assembly to impose taxes. The section entitled "Which Assemblies Are To Have Power"
under paragraph 4 grants the power "to lay equal taxes and Assessments, equally to raise money or goods. Upon
all Lands (excepting the Lands of Us, the Lords Proprietors, before Settling) or persons within the Several
precincts, . . . as oft as necessity shall require, and in such manner as to them shall seem most equal and easy
for the said Inhabitants, . . ."3
While very few of the acts of the General Assembly passed during the seventeenth century have survived, it
is apparent that poll or head taxes were being imposed on the colonists. A few of the seventeenth-century lists
survive and are filed at the North Carolina State Archives under "Colonial Court Records." In 1669, an act was
passed which relieved newcomers from paying any tax for the first year. The minutes of the Executive Council
for September 1703 refer to distraints for failure to pay levies. To finance the cost of the Tuscarora Indian War,
'Quit rents had evolved in the late feudal period. During the feudal period, occupants of the land were required to render service to
the lord of the manor. During the late feudal period, the occupants were allowed to pay a yearly sum instead of providing service. This
yearly sum was called a quit rent because it quit the occupant of liability for providing service.
There were differences in the quit rent rates at various times. Instructions to President John Harvey and the Council on 5 February
1678/9, for example, allowed rates of one farthing per acre, one halfpenny per acre, and one penny per acre in differing circumstances.
Robert J. Cain, ed., Records of the Executive Council, 1664-1734 (Raleigh, NC: Department of Cultural Resources, Division of Archives
and History, 1984), pp. 350-353, hereinafter cited as Cain, Records of Council.
Mattie Erma Edwards Parker, ed., North Carolina Charters and Constitutions 1578-1698 (Raleigh, NC: Carolina Charter
Tercentenary Commission, 1963), p. 116, hereinafter cited as Parker, Charters.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 2
the General Assembly levied a tax to be paid in corn. Corn was used as a medium because there was not enough
money in circulation for a tax to be satisfied in currency. The first record of a corn tax being imposed comes
from the minutes of the Executive Council for February 1711/12 and reads: "Ordered that five hundred bushels
of corn be immediately raised and sent round to Bath County for the use and subsistence of the forces now come
from South Carolina. . ."4
That the inhabitants had already been taxed in corn seems apparent from the minutes of the Executive Council
for March 1711/12 which read:
Ordered that Capt. Edwd. ADLARD shall depart with his Sloop "Core Sound Merchant" to Pasquotank River
and there take from on board the Return . . . so much Corn as will load his sloop, . . . and that he embrace
the first fair wind and weather to go to Bath County and there apply himself to the Hon. Jno. BARNWELL
Esqr. Genl. of all the forces of Carolina . . ,5
In April 1712, the minutes report"... that there hath not been impresst above twelve hundred bushels of the
corn ordered and directed to be impressed by Act of Assembly. . ."6
Undated corn lists prior to 1715 appear to be complete and this corn tax continued for several years. The only
surviving act which called for a corn tax is found in the Laws of 1715. Chapter LXII was entitled "An Act for
raising Corn to satisfy the Debt due from this Government to the Honourable Charles CRAVEN, Esq., Governor
of South Carolina; and for the Subsistance of such Forces as shall be raised for the necessary Defence of the
Frontiers of this Government." This act provided for a poll tax of one bushel of corn per poll. The corn
collected in Currituck, Pasquotank, and Perquimans precincts was to be sent to South Carolina as reimbursement
for arms and ammunition which had been sent in 1712 and the remainder was for the use of North Carolina.7
From surviving records, it would appear that the poll tax charged in 1713 was five shillings per poll. In
November 1714, the General Assembly ordered that each person's total assets be valued for the imposition of
a tax. Copies of some of these lists survive and are found in the loose papers of the "Colonial Court Records."
Copies of the record of taxes collected on land are also to be found in this collection.8 The Laws of 1715 also
provided for "An Act for raising the sum of two thousand Pounds annually till the publick Debts are answered
. . . " This act was felt necessary because of the irregularities and mismanagement committed in the manner of
assessing the earlier estate and poll tax. Under this act tithables were charged fifteen shillings and landowners
were charged two shillings six pence per hundred acres. This act also provided that land should be listed with
the Clerk of each precinct before the first day of February and taxes were to be paid by the 21st day of March.9
The earliest act concerning liability for poll tax is found in the Laws of 1715. Chapter LI reads: "[A]ll Males
not being Slaves in this Government shall be Tythable at the Age of Sixteen Years And All Slaves Male or
Female, either Imported or born in the Country shall be Tythable at the Age of Twelve Years."10 It was this
4 Cain, Records of Council, p. 9.
5 Cain, Records of Council, p. 11.
6 Cain, Records of Council, p. 16.
The title to this act is found in Walter dark, ed., The State Records of North Carolina (Winston and Goldsboro, NC: State of North
Carolina, 16 vols., numbered XI-XXVI, 1895-1907), XXIII:90, hereinafter cited as dark, State Records. The complete text of the act
is found in Colonial Office Papers, Class 5, Volume 293, folios 216b-218b, Public Record Office, London, in microfilm publication
Z.5.22N, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC, hereinafter cited as CO 5/293.
8Colonial Court Records, Taxes & Accounts, 1679-1754, stack file number CCR.190, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
9Clark, State Records, XXIII:90.
10Clark, State Records, XXIII:72.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 3
same year that the Assembly passed an act requiring that "[F]rom henceforward the Militia of this Governmt.
shall consist of all the Freemen within the same between the years of Sixteen years and Sixty. . ."11 This
provision has left some researchers with the feeling that free males over sixty v»/ere exempt from paying a poll
tax. Nothing has been found in the laws to substantiate this presumption.
These provisions in the Laws of 1715 leave some question as to the taxable ages during the seventeenth
century. Both of these provisions hold free males aged sixteen and over responsible for both poll taxes and
militia service. In the Fundamental Constitutions of 1669, paragraph 91 states: "No person above seventeen
years of Age shall have any benefit or protection of the law, or be capable of any place of profit or honor, who
is not a member of Some church. . ."12 Paragraph 106 states: "All Inhabitants and freemen of Carolina above
seventeen years of Age and under Sixty shall be bound to bear Arms and serve as Soldiers whenever the grand
Council shall find it necessary."13 Paragraph 108 states: "Nor shall any person, of what condition or degree
soever, above seventeen years Old, have any Estate or possession in Carolina, or protection or benefit of the law
there, who has not Subscribed these fundamental constitutions. . ."14 These provisions could imply that the
minimum taxable age was eighteen. They could also imply that anyone aged eighteen or older could enter into
contract, such as selling land.
The Laws of 1720 reduced the tax on land from two shillings six pence per hundred acres to one shilling eight
pence and the poll tax from fifteen shillings to ten shillings. This act provided for a method of listing taxes that
would remain in effect for a number of years. The act provided that each constable should go to "the Dwelling
House of each House Keeper in his District on or before the 30th of December . . . and demand of Such House
keeper a true List of Tythables, which List every House Keeper is required to give in writing the Number, Name
and Condition of every Tythable person he or they ought to pay Tax for, and in the Said List shall mention
whether the same Tythable or Tythables be free Servant or Slave, Negro, Indian or Mulatto, Men or Women,
. . . " The Clerk was required to take this list and prepare an alphabetical account containing "an Acc't of each
person, Master or Mistress, of the Family who are charged with Land or pole Tax . . . and . . . plainly and
distinctly Sett down to each person the Several parcels of Land holden or claimed by Patent, Survey or Deed,
. . ."15 When these lists were completed, a copy was to be given the commissioner appointed by the Assembly
for filing with the colony records. A number of these lists have survived.
While there were earlier vestry acts that apparently provided for the local vestries to levy a tax, the Laws of
1720 provided for levying a poll tax of five shillings on each taxable. The vestry of the North east Parish was
authorized to levy whatever additional poll tax was needed to pay their minister what was due him at the time.16
In 1722, in the act authorizing the colony to issue bills of credit, the previous land and poll tax acts were
repealed. This act provided for only a poll tax in the amount of five shillings. It is apparent from the wording
of the act that the General Assembly had already begun allowing the individual precincts to collect taxes to cover
local expenses when it refers to "publick, precinct, and parish Taxes."17 This same year the precincts of
Beaufort and Hyde were granted permission to enact a poll tax not exceeding five shillings for construction of
11Clark. State Records, XXIII:29.
12Parker, Charters, p. 149.
13Parker, Charters, p. 151.
14Parker, Charters, p. 151.
15Clark, State Records, XXV: 162, 163.
16Clark, State Records, XXV: 167.
17Clark, State Records, XXV: 173-175.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 4
a courthouse at Bath.18
The following year, 1723, the justices of Carteret Precinct were granted permission to levy poll and/or land
tax sufficient to produce an income of not more than one hundred pounds for construction of a courthouse.19
This same year there was a distinct change made concerning the definition of tithables. The following law was
enacted:
. . . all free Negroes, Mulattoes, and other Persons of that kind, being mixed Blood, including the Third
Generation, who are, or hereafter shall be. Inhabitants or Residents in this Government, both Male and Female,
who are of the age of Twelve years and upwards, shall, . . . be deemed and taken for Tithables. . . any White
Person or Persons whatsoever, Male or Female, Inhabitant of this Government, or that may or shall remove
themselves hither from other Parts, that now is, or hereafter shall be, married with any Negro, Mulatto, Mustee,
or other Person being of mixed Blood, . . . shall be, . . . liable to the same Levies and Taxes, as the Negroes,
Mulattoes, or other mixed Blood, as herein above is expresed; . . .20
Sometime during the following seven years an act was passed eliminating the land tax and reducing the poll
tax to five shillings. The date of this act and its wording have not survived, but in 1729 the General Assembly
passed "An Act For the making and Emitting the Sum of Fourty Thousand pounds Publick Bills of Credit of
North Carolina." This act refers to the fact that the poll tax had been five shillings per tithable, and with this
act the new rate would be three shillings per tithable.21
Throughout this entire period reference is made to the fact there was no hard currency and all obligations
could be paid in produce. For this reason, periodically, the General Assembly rated the various items of produce
acceptable for payment of taxes. One of the earliest surviving lists giving the rated values of produce, that for
1715, itemizes:
£ s d
Tobacco per hundredweight 10
Indian Corn per bushel 1 8
Wheat per bushel 3 6
Tallow per pound 5
Leather tanned & uncurried per pound 8
Wild Cat skins per piece 1
Beaver & other skins 2 6
Butter per pound 6
Cheese per pound 4
Raw Buck & Doe Skins per pound 2 6
Feathers per pound 1 4
Pitch per barrel full gauge 1 10
Whale Oil per barrel 1 10
Pork per barrel 2 5
Beef per barrel 1 1022
18Clark, State Records, XXV: 192.
19Clark, State Records, XXV:208.
20Clark, State Records, XXIII: 106.
21CO 5/293, folios 139-142.
22Colonial Office Papers, Class 5, Volume 295, folio 138b, Public Record Office, London, in microfilm publication Z.5.23N, North
Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC, hereinafter cited as CO 5/295.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 5
A year later the following rates were in effect:
£ s d
Tobacco per hundred weight 10
Indian Corn per bushel 1 8
Wheat per bushel 3 6
Cheese per pound 4
Raw Buck & Doe Skins per pound 3
Dried Buck & Doe Skins per pound 2 6
Tallow per pound 5
Tar per barrel full gauge 1
Leather tanned & uncurried per pound 8
Feathers per pound 1 4
Wild Cat Skins per piece 1
Butter per pound 6
Pitch per barrel full gauge 1
Whale Oil per barrel 1 10
Beef per barrel 1 10
Pork per barrel 2 523
In 1723 the following items were rated:
£ s d
Hemp water rotted merchantable & fit
for export per hundred weight 8
Rice per hundred weight cleaned &
fit for export 1 5
Turpentine merchantable per barrel
full gauge 31 gallons 1 5
Indian Corn per bushel 2
Wheat per bushel 424
The act of 1729 gave the following rated values:
£ s d
Pitch per barrel 1
Tar per barrel 12 6
Pork per barrel 4 10
Beef per barrel 3
Tallow per pound 10
Silver per ounce 1 5
Gold per ounce 1
Indian Corn per bushel 4
Turpentine per barrel 1 5
Train Oil per barrel25 7 10
Wheat per bushel 7
Tobacco per hundred weight 1 5
23CO 5/295, folios 126, 127.
24CO 5/295, folio 125.
25Train oil is another term for whale oil or marine oil.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 6
Hydes per pound 6
Rice per hundred weight 1 526
The 1729 statute provided that after the bills which were being emitted were redeemed, payments to the Lords
Proprietors would be based on the values rated in 1715.
Chapter IX of the Laws of 1734 provided for another issue of bills of credit and an appropriate tax to redeem
these bills. Unfortunately, the wording of the act has not survived and it is difficult to determine what poll tax
was prescribed. In the Laws of 1738, Chapter II provided a description of those considered taxable for poll tax.
The wording of this act has not survived, either, but a tax of five shillings per poll was imposed at this time.
In 1739 the General Assembly imposed an additional tax of five shillings on each poll in New Hanover County
to pay for erecting a courthouse and gaol in Wilmington.27 To defray the cost of militia sent to fight against
the Spanish, the General Assembly in 1740 levied a poll tax of three shillings proclamation money. "Finding
that the Poverty of the People of this Province renders it impracticable to collect a Levy in Money," the colonists
were allowed to pay in rated commodities at the following values: Tobacco per hundred ten shillings, rice per
hundred seven shillings six pence. "For that part of the Province only heretofore known by the Name of Bath
County," Indian dressed deer skins not weighing less than one pound per skin two shillings six pence the pound,
pork in good, tight barrels, dry salted each barrel containing two hundred and twenty weight, at one pound seven
shillings per barrel, beef in good, tight barrels, dry salted, each barrel containing two hundred and twenty pounds
at seventeen shillings and six pence per barrel. If for any reason the taxable wished to pay with bills of credit,
he paid at the rate of seven pounds ten shillings for each pound proclamation due.28 In 1741, the General
Assembly provided that any county which needed funds for building or repairing a court house, prison, or stocks
could levy a poll tax of one shilling.29 The Vestry Act that year repeated the provision that a poll tax could be
levied on the taxables of the parish sufficient to cover the expenses of the vestry, including any cost incurred in
constructing buildings and purchasing land.30
In 1743 an act was passed which changed the manner in which taxes were listed. Previously, the constable
had procured the lists from each household and turned the lists in to the clerk. The Laws of 1743 provided that
the constable was "to go from House to House, in his District, and summon the Master or Mistress of every
Family, or the Overseer of every Plantation, of which there is no master or Mistress, . . . to appear, . . . before
the then next Court . . . or before some Justice . . . and there to give in, . . . a List, in Writing, of all the
Taxables in his or her Family, . . ."31 This same year the residents of Bertie County were taxed two shillings
and six pence to build a courthouse, prison, and stocks.32 Because of the threat from Spain, an additional tax
of eight pence per poll was levied by the General Assembly.33 In 1745, in order to pay bills of credit, the
General Assembly ordered an additional tax of one shilling per poll.34 The Court Act of 1746 provided for an
26CO 5/293, folio 140.
27Clark, State Records, XXIII: 133.
28Clark, State Records, XXIII: 151, 152.
29Clark, State Records, XXIU:181.
30Clark, State Records, XXIII: 189.
31Clark, State Records, XXUl:210.
32Clark, State Records, XXIII:215.
33Clark, State Records, XXV:232.
34Clark, State Records, XXV:234.
NCGSJ - Fob 93 7
additional poll tax of four pence.35 In 1748 new bills of credit were issued and a poll tax of one shilling was
imposed.36 The Court Act of 1749 renewed the four pence poll tax for support of the courts.37 The Laws of
1749 again defined those who were taxable. It reads:
. . . all and every White Person, Male, of the Age of Sixteen Years, and upwards, all Negroes, Mulattoes,
Mustees Male or Female, and all Persons of Mixt Blood, to the Fourth Generation, of the Age of Twelve
Years, and upwards, and all white Persons intermarrying with any Negro, mulatto, or Mustee, or other Person
of mixt Blood, while to intermarry with no other Person or Persons whatsoever, shall be deemed Taxables:
38
This act also redefined the method of listing taxes:
. . . every Master or Mistress of a Family, or Overseer of a Plantation, of which there is no Master or
Mistress, . . . although not summoned, is hereby required to appear before one of his Majesty's Justices of
the Peace . . . and to give in his or her List of Taxables, setting forth in such List, the Name and Sex of each
Taxable Person, whether white or black, bond or free, and distinguishing such Male Slaves as are Sixteen
Years of Age, and upwards; . . .39
Those with no place of residence were required to get some householder to lisi; them.
In 1751, the residents of New Hanover County were taxed one shilling four pence to pay for the construction
of an Anglican church to be built in Wilmington.40 The Court Act of 1753 continued the four pence poll tax
to defray expenses of the courts.41 The Laws of 1754 continued the one shilling poll tax for the sinking fund
used to redeem bills of credit. This act also included a tax of four pence per gallon on wine, rum, and other
distilled liquors that were imported into the colony.42 The Court Act that year raised the poll tax for support
of the courts to six pence per poll. An act was also passed imposing a poll tax of one shilling and six pence to
pay the salaries of the Chief Justice and Attorney General.43 In 1755 an additional tax of two shillings per poll
was levied to defray the additional expenses being incurred because of the French and Indian War.44 The
following year, 1756, the two shilling poll tax was continued and an additional tax of two pence per gallon was
placed on wine, rum, and other spirituous liquors imported into the colony.45 An additional parish tax of three
shillings and four pence was levied on the residents ofJohnston County.46
35Clark, State Records, XXIIL255.
36Clark, State Records, XXIIL295.
37Clark, State Records, XXIIL329.
38Clark, State Records, XXIII: 345.
39Clark. State Records, XXIIL345.
40Clark, State Records, XXV: 243.
41Clark. State Records, XXV:254.
42Clark, State Records, XXIIL395.
43Clark, State Records, XXV:285, 309.
44Clark, State Records, XXIII: 423.
45Clark, State Records, XXV:332.
46Clark, State Records, XXV:344.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 8
It was at this time, November 1756, that Governor Arthur DOBBS wrote the Board of Trade:
All that I have been able to obtain is about thirty four hundred pounds, and the appropriation of twelve
hundred pounds more which remained out of the sum of twelve thousand pounds granted in March 1754 to
raise and maintain the Men which were first sent to Virginia. This Sum is to be raised by 2 Shillings upon
each Taxable for one year which at 27,000 Taxables will raise twenty three hundred and fifty pounds, and by
laying a 2d per Gallon more upon wine and Spirits imported, which if well collected may raise about seven
or eight hundred more . . . The Taxes now raised upon this province for the publick is about nine shillings
per taxable, which amounts to near twelve thousand pounds per annum and six pence per gallon upon Wine
and Spirits imported, which would raise if duly collected about twenty three hundred pounds more . . . The
other county & parish taxes amount to near six shillings more per taxable, these they think heavy taxes, having
scarce ever paid any before.47
In 1757, the poll tax levied for defraying the expenses of the French and Indian War was raised to four
shillings and six pence. An additional tax of seven shillings and six pence was levied on all court suits.48 In
April 1758, the same poll tax was continued and additional tax of two pence per gallon was levied on wine and
distilled liquors imported into the colony.49 That fall, in November 1758, the General Assembly levied a poll
tax for 1760 in the amount of three shillings and one penny.50 An additional poll tax of one shilling and six
pence was levied to pay the salaries of the Chief Justice and the Attorney General.51 In 1759, the General
Assembly authorized the issuance of bills of credit to be repaid by a poll tax of one shilling and eight pence to
be levied in the years 1761, 1762, and 1763,52
The Laws of 1760 repeated the definition of taxables. This act again required the constable to go from house
to house to notify people to list taxes. However, those not notified were still liable for listing their taxes. Taxes
were to be listed ten days before the second court held after the first of May. There were additional provisions
in this act. Newcomers arriving before the first of May were required to list their taxables. Idle persons, having
no home, who failed to pay taxes were subject to imprisonment for one month. At the end of that time, they
could be sold for their taxes and prison fees to the person who would pay these fees for the prisoner's shortest
term of service. Such persons, whose services had been sold, were liable to the same laws that concerned
indentured servants. This act also provided that each county was to keep bound ledgers of its tax records.53
(It would appear that this provision was never enforced.) In 1761, the General Assembly issued more bills of
credit which were to be redeemed by a poll tax of two shillings to be collected in 1764. Another act passed that
year provided for an additional poll tax of two shillings to pay the salaries of the Chief Justice and the Attorney
General.54
The following year, 1762, the account book of the colony Treasurer gives some idea of the taxes being
imposed on the populace. The account book is the Treasurer's settlements with the sheriffs. The settlements
47Colonial Office Papers, Class 5, Volume 297, folio 369, Public Record Office, London, in microfilm publication Z.5.24N, North
Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
48Clark, State Records, XXV:346.
49Clark, State Records, XXV:362.
50Clark, State Records, XXV:370.
51Clark, State Records, XXIII:494.
52Clark. State Records, XXV:395.
53Clark, State Records, XXIII: 526-531.
54Clark, State Records, XXIIL539, 540, 542.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 9
cover the years from 1757 to 1762 and list the following taxes for which settlements were made: Contingent Tax;
Sinking Fund; Act of December 1758; The First Two Shilling Aid; Nine Penny Aid; Punting Tax; First Four
Shilling Tax; Six Penny Tax; Four Shilling Six Pence Tax; Two Shilling Aid; Third Four Shilling Tax; and One
Shilling Eight Pence Aid of 1761.55
In 1766 a poll tax was levied on the residents of New Bern District for the construction of a new gaol.
Residents of Craven County were charged two shillings, while residents of Dobbs, Carteret, Pitt, Beaufort, and
Hyde were charged one shilling and four pence.56 This session also levied a poll tax of two shillings to begin
in 1771 and continue as long as needed to redeem certificates being issued. "The better to enable the Industrious
Poor of this Province to discharge their annual Taxes" the following commodities were rated: Tobacco at fifteen
shillings per hundred weight; Hemp, entitled to a bounty of forty shillings per hundred weight; rice at twelve
shillings per hundred weight; indigo at four shillings per pound; bees wax at one shilling per pound; myrtle wax
at eight pence per pound; tallow at six pence per pound; and Indian dressed deer skins, not weighing less than
one pound each, at two shillings and six pence per pound.57 That fall, November 1766, the first of a series of
tax measures which would eventually create conflicts was passed. The General Assembly passed a poll tax of
eight pence for two years to purchase land for a home in New Bern for the Governor. Before the session
adjourned, an additional poll tax of two shillings and six pence was levied, for three years, starting in 1769, to
pay for the construction of the home.58 The expenses incurred due to the Regulator movement amounted to sixty
thousand pounds. In 1771, the General Assembly authorized the issuance of debenture bills to cover this expense
and also authorized a two shilling poll tax to be collected annually for ten years to redeem these bills.59 That
same year, a one-year poll tax was levied on the residents of Salisbury District to finish a gaol, pillory, and
stocks. The residents of Rowan County were to pay one shilling and the residents of the other counties in the
district were to pay eight pence. In addition, they were charged another poll tax to construct a court house. This
was a two-year tax and the taxables in Rowan were to pay eight pence, while the taxables in Anson,
Mecklenburg, Tryon, Guilford, and Surry counties were to pay six pence per year.60 This same year the
General Assembly authorized the Commissioners of Wilmington to impose a poll tax on the taxables in
Wilmington, not to exceed fifteen shillings, to pay for the cost of clearing and repairing the streets, alleys, and
lanes in the town.61 The taxables in Hillsborough District were charged a two-year poll tax for finishing the
gaol. Taxables in Orange County were charged one shilling four pence per year and taxables in Granville, Wake,
and Chatham counties were charged one shilling per year.62
The Court Act of 1773 provided that the County Courts could "assess and lay such a Tax on the Taxable
Persons in their respective Counties, as shall be sufficient to defray the contingent Charges of the same; . . ."63
55Colonial Office Papers, Class 5, Volume 299, folios 73-83, Public Record Office, London, in microfilm publication Z.5.26N, North
Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
56Clark, State Records, XXIIL744.
57Clark, State Records, XXIII:781, 782.
58Clark, State Records, XXIIL665, 711, 712.
59Clark, State Records, XXIII:850.
60Clark, State Records, XXIIL863, 866.
61Clark, State Records, XXIII: 867.
62Clark, State Records, XXIII: 869.
63Clark, State Records, XXIII:887.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 10
In 1769 discontent was rife throughout the province. The conviction that local officials were corrupt was not
confined to the Regulators; it was likewise held by many, notably by Governor TRYON, who declared that the
sheriffs were delinquent in their accounts. There was also a belief that the taxes levied to redeem the outstanding
issues of paper money had fulfilled their purpose and should no longer be collected. Consequently, in December
1768, the General Assembly authorized John BURGWYN, Clerk of the Court of Chancery and Secretary of the
Council, to investigate the state of the public accounts, and the authorization was repeated the following
December. Three reports resulted. One was a statement of the accounts of the sheriffs which showed that those
officials were behind in their settlements with the colonial treasury. The second report indicated that the taxes
levied to retire the currency were greater than the amount of currency issued, and so contributed to the final
controversy between the Governor and the General Assembly concerning the currency. Both these reports were
filed in December 1770. The third report, made probably at the same time, was a table of the number oftaxables
and the taxes paid, county by county, from 1748 to 1770. It is singular that while copies of the other reports may
be found in the Colonial Records of North Carolina, this one is lacking; indeed, only one copy is known to exist,
and that is in the possession of the Massachusetts Historical Society. This report shows the following types of
taxes and amounts per poll collected during the period:
1748 through 1754: Sinking Tax -1s; Contingent Tax - 8d
1755 through 1759: Sinking Tax - 1s; School Tax - 8d; Glebe Tax - 2s; Contingency & Printing Tax - 1s
lOd
1756: Aid Tax - 2s
1757: Aid Tax - 4s 6d
1758: Aid Tax - 6s 6d
1759: Aid Tax - 4s 6d
1760: Sinking Tax -1s; School Tax - 9d; Contingency & Printing Tax - 1s lOd; Aid Tax - 3s 4d
1761: Sinking Tax -1s; School Tax - 9d; Contingency & Printing Tax - 3s lOd; Aid Tax - Is 8d
1762: Sinking Tax - 1s; Contingency & Printing Tax - 3s 6d; Aid Tax - 1s 8d
1763: Sinking Tax - 2s; Contingency & Printing Tax - 3s 6d; Aid Tax - 1s 8d
1764: Sinking Tax - 4s; Contingent Tax - 3s 6d
1765: Sinking Tax - 4s; Contingent Tax - 2s
1766: Sinking Tax - 4s; Printing Tax - 4d
1767: Sinking Tax - 4s; Contingent & Printing Tax - 2s 4d; Edifice Tax - 8d
1768: Sinking Tax - 1s; Contingent & Printing Tax - 2s 4d; Edifice Tax - 8d & 2s 6d
1769: Sinking Tax - 1s; Contingent & Printing Tax - 2s 4d; Edifice Tax - 2s 6d
1770: Sinking Tax - 1s; Printing Tax - 3d; Edifice Tax - 2s 6d
The information contained in the table is not entirely self-explanatory. The taxes listed were levied on the poll,
but some of the statutes authorizing them do not exist. Thus the rates for contingencies are not included in the
revenue laws as published or in the manuscript copies of the laws, although the captions of acts levying
contingencies are sometimes given. Moreover, the rates on certain aids are not stated in the statutes; this is true
of those levied in 1757, 1758, 1759, 1760, and 1761. Although in 1760 the aid for 1763 was fixed at Is by the
statute, it is noted in the table as Is 8d; and although the levy of Is 6d was authorized in 1758 for salaries and
expenses, there is no memorandum of its collection. According to the table, the sinking tax, which had its origin
in 1748, was doubled in 1763 and 1764, but there is no authorization in the statutes extant; in 1768 it appears
to have been reduced, also unwarranted in any known act of the General Assembly.
Another detail of the table is shrouded in obscurity, that of the school tax levied from 1755 to 1761, inclusive.
There is no provision for this tax in the statutes, but Governor DOBBS, writing to the Board of Trade in 1757,
mentions the tax as authorized in the aid granted in 1754, and he adds that it yields nine hundred pounds per
annum. The purpose of the tax was undoubtedly to support the six thousand pounds in bills of credit voted in
1754 for a public school in the province. However, the money was used for the expenses of the government in
the French and Indian War and no reimbursement was granted to the colony by the British authorities in settling
the accounts at the end of the conflict. Hence the public school was never established.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 11
From these facts it is evident that the statutes that have come down to us do not give a complete account of
the taxes levied and that supplementary information may be gained from the table prepared by John BURGWYN.
Another interesting phase of the table is the list of counties from which no tax was collected for various years
after 1748. Some of these counties were, of course, nonexistent for the years in which no taxes are reported;
the deficiency regarding others is doubtless due to the fact that their tax records were not available. Lack of data
pertaining to Chowan, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Tyrrell is explained by ths unarmed rebellion of 1748 and
the confusion resulting therefrom.64
While this article has not listed all the acts providing for taxes imposed by towns, counties, or parishes,
sufficient records are shown to indicate the many and varied taxes that were imposed on the citizens of the
colony. With all of these taxes, it is no surprise those citizens rose in arms when England tried to impose
additional taxes involving their day-to-day operations.
With the Declaration of Independence from Britain, one of the first concerns of the leaders of the State was
how to finance the operations of the State government and how to finance the prosecution of the war with
England. To gain the support of the entire state and to answer the vigorous complaints from the central and
western part of the state, the General Assembly enacted a tax act that had not been used since 1714. Chapter II
of the Laws of 1777 read:
Whereas the levying a tax on property by general assessment will tend to the ease of the inhabitants of this
State and will greatly relieve the poor people thereof and as it is absolutely necessary for the support of
government and defraying the expences and contingent charges thereof that a tax be immediately laid and the
monies arising therefrom collected as soon as may be.
The act proceeded to levy a tax of one half of a penny on each pound value of all the lands, lots, houses, slaves,
money at interest, stock in trade, horses, and cattle. It provided that assets were to be listed within one month
after the first court following the first of July. Assessors appointed by the court were to value the assets. For
those men with little or no estate, it was further provided that "every freeman in this State (other than soldiers
in the service of the Continent) who does not possess an estate of one hundred pounds value shall pay a poll tax
of four shillings to the public in lieu of assessment on property . . . " Those with property in two or more
counties were to list everything in their county of residence. Failure to list property was subject to double
taxation. Out-of-state property owners had two years to pay their taxes before the property could be levied
upon.65
The reason so many of the tax lists for the Revolutionary War period have survived is because the act provided
that certified copies of the assessments be forwarded to the General Assembly.
The General Assembly also took cognizance of the fact that the counties needed permission to tax the
inhabitants to meet the county expenses. Chapter XXXVI of the Laws of 1777 provided for a county tax not to
exceed one shilling per hundred pounds value of taxable property. This act also provided for a one shilling poll
tax on all those with assets less than one hundred pounds.66
The Laws of 1778 further defined what was to be considered taxable property. Paragraph II of Chapter III
lists taxable property as "all Lotts and Lands with their Improvements, Slaves under the age of Sixty Years,
Horses, all Cattle from one year old and upward. Money, Money at Interest, and Stocks in Trade of every kind
64William K. Boyd, ed., Some Eighteenth Century Tracts Concerning North Carolina (Raleigh, NC: Edwards and Broughton, 1927),
passim.
65Persons living out of the state who owned property within the state were to have their prope:-ty assessed by the county assessors who
would make a separate list of land owned by out-of-state residents. Those property owners had two years in which to pay the tax that
was levied. This was in contrast to the situation of the local resident, who was required to pay the tax not later than 1 January of the
following year. dark, State Records, XXIV:6-9.
66Clark, State Records, XXIV: 146, 147.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 12
wherever the same may be, all Bonds, Notes and other obligations, which bear or include Interest, . . . " Under
"Stock in Trade" the act eliminated tax on materials on hand for carrying on such trade or manufacture. In
answer to the question of land which had been entered and no grant issued, the act considered land entered, for
which no caveat had been filed, as taxable land. The act further defined the values of certain property. Cattle
over one year old were valued at ten pounds, slaves under five or between fifty and sixty were valued at one
hundred and fifty pounds, slaves five and under ten and between forty and fifty were valued at four hundred
pounds, and slaves aged ten to forty were valued at seven hundred pounds. Slaves disabled by infirmities or void
of reason were not taxed. Taxes were to be listed at the first court after the first of April each year. Failure to
list property resulted in a four-fold tax. The minimum assets for a single man was raised to four hundred pounds
or a poll tax equivalent to the tax on four hundred pounds. Married men were charged only for a minimum estate
of one hundred pounds. The time allowed for out-of-state property owners to pay their tax was reduced to one
year.
This act, for the first time, took cognizance of conscientious objectors. Paragraph XXI provided, "That the
Moravians, Quakers, Minonists, and Dunkers shall pay a three fold tax and all others who shall refuse to take
an oath of Allegiance as the Law directs, shall pay a three fold tax, . . ."67 Failure to list taxes by the above
resulted in a four-fold tax. Chapter XIII provided that the tax for the coming year, 1779, would be three pence
per pound value of assets.68
By 1779 it was found that the county tax of one shilling per hundred pounds was insufficient. Chapter III of
the Laws that year raised the county tax to not more than five shillings per hundred pounds of assets. The same
minimum estates were kept for single and married men and provided for a poll tax not to exceed one pound for
single men and five shillings for married men. Previously, the overseers of the poor had been allowed a
maximum tax of six pence per hundred pounds; in 1779 this was raised to one shilling six pence. This year a
change was made concerning the tax paid by certain Quakers, Moravians, Dunkards, and Menonists. Chapter
XI eliminated the three-fold penalty for orphans under sixteen, widows, and those over fifty years of age.69
Chapter III of the Laws of 1780 provided for a state tax that year of six pence per hundred pounds of assets.
Quakers, Moravians, etc., were to pay an additional one shilling per hundred pounds. Overseers of the poor
were allowed to raise their tax to a maximum of five shillings per hundred pounds of assets.70
When the General Assembly met in September 1780, they instituted a new tax. Chapter I provided that:
. . . a specific provision tax be levied on all the inhabitants . . . each and every inhabitant. . . shall for every
hundred pounds value of his or her taxable property, contribute . . . one peck of Indian corn, or half peck of
wheat, or five pounds of good flour, or one and one fourth pecks of clean oats, or three fourths of a peck of
rye, oir one peck of rough rice, or one third do. clean rice, merchantable, or three pounds of good pork, or
two pounds of fatted do., or four and a half pounds of good beef, . . . the inhabitants of Carteret county may
deliver one gallon of salt in lieu of any one of the enumerated articles . . . Quakers, Moravians, Menonists,
Dunkards, taxable polls and non-jurors, shall be taxed . . . in the same proportion as by the pecuniary tax law
. . . no person shall be considered a non-juror, except such who, having been lawfully called on, have refused
to take the oath of allegiance to this State.
The act further provided for the rent, hire, or even seizure of storage facilities for the specific tax. It also
provided for commissioners to purchase these items at the following rates: beef, five and half dollars per hundred;
fresh pork well fatted, seven dollars per nett hundred weight; fatted pork per barrel, twenty dollars; fatted beef,
67Clark, State Records, XXIV:200-204.
68Clark, State Records, XXIV:221.
69Clark, State Records, XXIV:281, 282.
70Clark, State Records, XXIV;318.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 13
seventeen and a half dollars per barrel; flour, four and a half dollars per each 112 pounds; good wheat, one dollar
and a half per bushel; Indian corn, three fourths of a dollar per bushel; and oats, half a dollar per bushel. To
prevent hoarding, the act further provided that if an inhabitant refused to sell, the commissioners could forcibly
take one half of the stock over and above what was needed for the family's own use. The commissioners could
forcibly enter buildings to seize the produce. In addition, the commissioners could hire or impress horses,
wagons, carts, and boats needed to transport the produce.71
Chapter II of the Laws of 1780 lamented that "supporting a large body of troops, absolutely necessary for
defending this State from the ravages of the British army, hath already, at the present high prices of all necessary
articles, called out of the treasury the greatest part of the currency lately emitted, and it being found by
experience that emitting further sums would have a tendency to increase the prices of necessaries, and be greatly
injurious to the public." It was decided to enact an additional tax of twic'i the tax already levied on the
populace.72
When the General Assembly met in 1781, the financial situation was desperate. Chapter III of the Laws of
1781 provided for a tax of four shillings per pound of assets. There was also a tax of four pence per pound on
all monies within the State. Continental and North Carolina loan office certificates and money at interest
belonging to widows and orphans was exempted from this tax. Money and money at interest belonging to
Quakers, Moravians, Menonists, and Dunkards was taxed at twelve pence per pound. Single men whose estates
were less than one thousand pounds were taxed one hundred and fifty pounds. Conscientious objectors were still
taxed a three-fold tax. The specific provisions tax was also repeated for the coming year.73
Chapter VII of the Laws of 1782 redefined taxable property. There were few changes from the 1778 act.
One new item was added: carriage wheels. The act provided that all assets be appraised according to their value
in gold or silver. The act likewise provided a specific form for listing each person's property. The following
values were placed on certain assets: cattle one year old and upwards, twenty shillings per head; slaves under
seven and between fifty and sixty, twenty pounds; slaves seven and under sixteen and forty to fifty, forty pounds;
slaves sixteen and under forty, eighty pounds; and every wheel affixed to any coach, chariot, phaeton, stage
wagon, or other carriage of pleasure, five shillings per wheel. New carriages in the hands of the maker were
exempt from this law, as were slaves with bodily infirmities and void of reason. Single men, other than soldiers,
with assets less than one hundred pounds were assessed a poll tax equal to ths tax on one hundred pounds of
assets. During the colonial period, there are numerous references in county court minutes of individuals being
recommended to the General Assembly for relief from poll tax because of age and infirmities. This statute, for
the first time, provided in the General Statutes of the State a provision for such relief. Paragraph VIII states:
"[T]hat the several county courts are hereby authorized to exempt all such aged or infirm persons within their
counties, as they may think proper objects, from the payment of a poll tax."74
The Laws of 1782 again provided for a specific provisions tax. This tax consisted of one bushel of corn, or
three pecks of wheat, or one bushel of rough rice, or one and an half pecks of clean ditto, or five pecks of oats,
or three pecks of rye, or ten pounds of good fresh pork, or six pounds of salted ditto, or twelve and an half
pounds of fresh beef, or twelve pounds of dry salt, or fifteen pounds of flour per hundred pound value of their
assets. The provision tax could also be satisfied with payment of forage at the rate of seventy-five pounds of hay,
or fifty-six pounds of blades, or fifty-six pounds of sheaf oats as equal to a bushel of Indian corn. Those refusing
to pay a specific tax could have their property levied upon for an amount equal TO twice the highest current price
71Clark, State Records, XXIV:344, 345.
72Clark, State Records, XXIV:347.
73Clark, State Records, XXIV:390-394.
74Clark, State Records, XXIV:432.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 14
charged for the produce. While the act provided that the counties should maintain a book listing all payments
of specific taxes, none seem to have survived. For those who wished to satisfy their specific provisions tax in
cash, they could pay at the rate of two shillings and six pence for every hundred pounds worth of assets.
Chapter X of the Laws of 1782 provided for the pecuniary tax for the year. The tax was established at one
penny per pound of assets. Single men with assets less than one hundred pounds were charged a poll tax of eight
shillings four pence. "In consideration of the scarcity of gold and silver in this State," the citizens were allowed
to pay up to three-fourths of their taxes in one or more of the following: tobacco at twenty-four shillings per
hundred pounds, good hemp at forty-five shillings per hundred, deer skins Indian dressed at three shillings per
pound, bees wax one shilling six pence, tallow nine pence, indigo six shillings per pound, good flour eighteen
shillings per hundred, cleaned rice twenty shillings per hundred, good pork seventy-five shillings per barrel, linen
yard wide five hundred slay two shillings and eight pence, six hundred slay three shillings and four pence, seven
hundred slay four shillings, eight hundred slay four shillings eight pence, nine hundred slay five shillings four
pence, and one thousand slay ditto shillings per yard.
There was one further provision in the tax act of 1782 which reads:
. . . whereas there is in this State a number of persons possessing considerable property who by law are
exempt from doing or performing any military duty, or from aiding in raising and keeping up the Continental
line of this State; and whereas it is reasonable that such persons should pay as an equivalent for military
services, an additional pecuniary tax on their property; Be it . . . enacted . . . That all free men in this State
who possess taxable property of greater value than two hundred pounds, and who are by the laws of this State
exempt from drafts in the militia or Continental service, shall pay an additional tax of four shillings in every
hundred pounds of his taxable property, . . . Provided, That no man who hath been wounded and disabled
in the public service, has two sons liable to do service under twenty one years of age, nor Quakers,
Moravians, Dunkards, or Menonists, who now pay by law a three or four fold tax, shall be considered as
included in this clause.75
The Laws of 1783 raised the tax to three pence on every hundred pounds of taxable property.76 With the
end of the Revolutionary War in that year, the State of North Carolina concluded a hundred and twenty years
of changing tax laws.
75Clark, State Records, XXIV:438, 439.
76Clark, State Records, XXIV:477.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 15
1718 TAX LIST OF PASQUOTANK CO., N. C.
by Raymond A. Winslow., Jr.
In 1718 Pasquotank County,1 North Carolina, encompassed the territory between Little River and North
River, extending northward to the bounds of Virginia and southward across Albemarle Sound through the
Alligator Creek region.2 According to the tax list for that year, Pasquotank in 1718 had some three hundred fifty
taxpayers, ten of whom were women. There were five hundred eighty-eight tithables, but only twenty taxpayers
listed five or more tithables apiece. The twenty largest households were those of Robt. Lowry, Edmd. Gale, Levi
Markham, Richd. Stamp, Wenyfrit [Winnifred] Boyd, Antho. Hatch, James Tooks, John Jennings, Wm. Haige,
Joseph Gloster, John Palin, John Wade, Caleb Bundy, Joseph Jordan, Jonath. Jaycocks, Benj. West, Thos.
Sawyer, Sr., Wm. Ross, John Hawkins, and Wm. Evergin. Twenty taxpayers listed a thousand or more acres
apiece: John Armer, Edmd. Gale, Wenyfrit Boyd, Antho. Hatch, James Tooks, Emanl. Low, Robt. Palmer, Wm.
Waymouth, Caleb Bundy, Edmd. Chancey, Benj. West, John Salley, Edwd. Carter, Thos. Gregory, Sr., Danl.
Richardson, Chris. Gale, Lewis Devall, Manner Lands, Corns. Fitzpatrick, and Thos. Stanton. (The "Manner
Lands" were the manor of John Danson, a Lord Proprietor.) Ninety taxpayers listed tithables but no land.
Presence in the tax list is no absolute proof of residence in Pasquotank, however. Danson, for example, was an
absentee landowner, and the list mentions Boston, Chowan, Coshoke, Currituck, and Virginia.
The 1718 Pasquotank County tax list is transcribed below. For publication, monetary amounts have been
rendered in a standard form (pounds, shillings, pence) and negative marks (periods and dashes) have been
standardized or omitted. The tax rate (fifteen shillings per tithable, two shillings six pence per hundred acres)
gave the list's unidentified preparer some problems in calculation, and some of the figures are inaccurate. The
original manuscript may be seen in "Tax Lists-Pasquotank-No dates, 1712-1713, 1718-1719, 172?, 1720, 1747-
1748," Colonial Court Records, Taxes & Accounts, 1679-1754, stack file number CCR. 190, North Carolina State
Archives, Raleigh, NC.
1. Created circa 1668, it was called Pasquotank Precinct until 1739.
2. Today these lands fall in Pasquotank, Camden, and Tyrrell counties.
3. Edmund Gale may have been responsible for the list.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 16
Samll: NORTHY - — — 166 0.4. 1 1/2 —
Widow CAUSEWELL - — — 150 0.3.9
3.13.11 1/2
no 9. 17.5.0 11.12.3 1 / 2
no 1. 63.15.0 14.14.7 1/4
no 2. 85.10.0 23.18.11
no 3. 48.0.0 13.4.7 1 / 2
no 4. 51.0.0 11.13.0
no 5. 30.15.0 [9.4.8]
no 6. 40.10.0 11.8.1
no 7. 49.10.0 13.8.3 1 / 2
no 8. 39.0.0 24.1.9
£425.5.0 £133.6.23/4
425.5.0
£558.11.23/4
[The last page contains a few miscellaneous calculations and a notation of "Mr: GALEs Accots. 1717" of
£532.12.2.]
Pasquotank Precinct as shown on
Edward Moseley's 1733 Map
(Plate VI ofW. P. Cumming,
North Carolina in Maps
[Raleigh, NC: State Department
of Archives and History, 1966])
NCGSJ - Feb 93 25
PETITION OF THE PRESBYTERIANS
OF WILMINGTON, N. C., 1785
submitted by Grace W. Turner
600 Lynnwood Ave., Wilson, NC 27893
[Editor's Introduction: Wilmington, North Carolina, was a major entrance point
for Scots settling the Cape Fear River basin and a port city with numerous Scottish
mercantile connections. Thus, it might be expected to have a sizable number of
Presbyterians in its population. Soon after the American Revolution, steps were
taken to organize the town's Presbyterians, perhaps encouraged by the preaching
of the Rev. William Bingham. In 1785 a petition of some 131 persons was laid
before the North Carolina General Assembly, seeking the incorporation of a
Presbyterian Church in Wilmington. That petition is transcribed below, from the
manuscript in General Assembly Session Records of North Carolina, Nov.-Dec.
1785, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.
"A Bill for incorporating the protestant Presbyterian Church of Wilmington1 was introduced into the North
Carolina General Assembly in December 1785. It noted the substance of the petition, adding that "the
encouragement of religion and virtue will tend to make men good citizens which it is the duty of the Government
to effect by every means in there power." It provided that the petitioners "and all those who shall hereafter be
admitted into the said society according to the rules orders and constitutions of the said Society" should be
incorporated as "the Protestant Presbyterian Church of Wilmington." Wm. Campbell, James Geekie, Wm.
Evans, Alexander Hostler, Thomas McLaine, Robert Wells, Henry Toomer, and John Fergus were appointed as
Trustees of the Church, with powers to act in behalf of the corporate body. The Trustees would be permitted
to receive charitable donations of "any estate or estates real or personal of what kind or nature soever not
exceeding in the whole 500 pounds per annum above reprizes." The corporation was empowered to make "by-laws
rules and ordinances . . . for the better regulating governing, well-ordering and directing the said
corporation . . . Provided always that the same shall be reasonable and not contrary or repugnant to the
fundamental constitutions and laws of the State." Power was also given the body to elect and choose trustees,
clergymen, clerks, and others. The Act was not to "be construed or taken so as to form any religious
establishment . . . nor to compel any person or persons to contribute to the Support of any clergyman or any
form of worship contrary to his own consent personally to be given." The bill passed the House and Senate on
first reading 8 December, the House passed an amended version on second reading 17 December, and the Senate
rejected the bill on 19 December. (General Assembly Session Records of North Carolina, Nov.-Dec. 1785,
North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC.)
Another bill of more limited extent was passed on 29 December 1785, becoming Chapter XXV of the Laws
of 1785. John Hill, Thomas Wright, John Huske, Thomas Maclaine, Robert Wells, John Bradley, and James
Reed were designated as trustees in this "Act to Impower Certain Persons Therein Named to Receive, Sue for
and Recover all Such Bequests, Donations, Benefactions and Other Things as Have Heretofore Been Bequeathed,
Given or Made by Any Person or Persons Whatsoever, for the Use of the Congregation or Society of the
Presbyterian Communion at Wilmington." (Walter dark, ed.. The State Records of North Carolina [Winston
and Goldsboro, NC: State of North Carolina, 16 vols., numbered XI-XXVI, 1895-1907], XXIV:757, 758.)]
To The Honorable the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina
The Petition of divers of the inhabitants of Wilmington, members of the protestant Presbyterian Church—
NCGSJ - Feb 93 26
Humbly Sheweth
That your petitioners are desirous of erecting a church, and procuring Clergymen for the performance of
divine Worship, Which cannot be Effected in a permanent manner by occasional or periodical Subscriptions.
That at different times there have been donations and bequests made, and monies raised by Subscriptions by
the County of many pious and will disposed persons, for purchasing ground, and erecting of [illegible] Church,
but for want of a legal mode of Calling to account the persons in whose hands the Several benefactions have been
intrusted, they are in danger of being diverted to different purposes than what was intended
your petitioners humbly pray That they, and Such Others as may hereafter be admitted into their Society, may
be incorporated by the name of The protestant presbyterian Church of Wilmington with Such powers privileges
and immunites as may enable them to put the Said Church upon a permanent and respectable footing by
Collecting the Several benefactions already given and Subscribed for that purpose and reciving Such as may
hereafter be made
and your petitioners as in duty Bound &c
Wilmington 10th November 1785
James TATE
A. MACLAINE
Dan McNEILL
Jean DUBOIS
Lewis McPHERSON
William MOSELEY
Jas. GECKIE
Charles JEWKES
George JACOB x his mark
John MURPHEY
Joseph BLAND
Margaret RANALDSON
Mary BLYTH
Richard RUNDLE
John SIMPSON
A. HARPER
Wm. CAMPBELL
Marmaduke JONES
Caleb GRAINGER
John MACLELLAN
William EWANS [EVANS?]
John McEACHARN
Ge. LOGAN
David FLOWERS
John [BRADLEY?]
P. MALLETT
D. MALLETT
James WALKER
John [ALLAN?]
Micheal KEENAN
Oswell SILL
Jams BLAND
John BLEAKLEY
F. BRICE
Tho. MURLEY
Robt. SCOTT
Jasper M. JACKSON
H. T.[?] DAYTON
Thomas YOUNGER
John PEABODY
Isabella SLINGSBY
John NUTT
Alexander HOSTLER
Jonathan D. TOMKINS
Mary PLAYER
Joshua POTTS
Fredk. HARD
Elizb. GAILLARD [GAILLAND?]
Danield [Donald?] McLEODE [McLEOOD?]
Marshall R. WILLKINGS
Mary MANSFIELD
John WILKINSON
Tho. MACLAINE
William PRINCE
John LIVINGSTON
A. MACNAUGHTON
Esther QUIGLY
James EVENETT [EVERETT?]
Donald McKENNON
Richard [Robert?] WILKINSON
Malcom McLEOD
Richard WILLIAMS
Isabel COOK
Thomas ESSON [ELSON?]
Abll [?/Dell/Nell/Neil?] LEAICH
Jonathan JENNINGS
Wm. MARTIN
Benjamin CRESSY
NCGSJ - Feb 93 27
Peter MAXWELLE
Hen. [Wm.?] PURVIANCE
Robt. G. BURDHAN [BURCHAN?]
Jas. BUTLER
George BLYTH
Jams STEPHENS
Sudgick [Seedgick?] SPRINGE
Philip JONES
Peter HARRIS
Phited. [?] RANALDSON
Robt. WELLS
William LAING
Andw. THOMSON
Margaret STEWART
John WILSON
Alexr. CARMICHAELL
Desire LAMBERTOZ [?]
Margaret KIRKWOOD
H. E. LUTTERLOH
Thos. HARROCKS
Thomas BROWN
James S. MORAN
Hiram [J.?] RICHARDS
Henry HALSEY
Anthy. TOOMER
Jonn. ROBESON
W. CLAYPOOLE
Petr. BACOT
Henry TOOMER
John HOWELL
Henry URQUHART
James LORD
Abigail GREGORY
Ann ROGERS
Ann FOWKES
Thos. WRIGHT
Jacob BRIANT [?]
Henry HOSKINS
Sarah ROBISON
Hugh CAMPBELL
Geo. MELLECK [MEDLECK?]
Robt. MACKIE
Henry GAMOLIN
William GORDON
Jas. FLEEMING
Geo. REID
Thos. FITZGERALD
Benjamin BOLITHO
John COLMAN
Henry ROOKS
[Matw.?] [illegible]
Thomas PARKER
Jams. VANCE
Margt. HILL
George MEEK
L. A. DORSEY
John MACKENZIE
Mildred LYON
Ann SMITH
Jno. HILL
Jno. WALKER
James READ
Ann QUINCE
JOHNSON, AND JOHNSON, AND JOHNSON
" . . . MARRIED - On the 21st of Dec., by Rev. Jeremiah JOHNSON, Mr. Wm. JOHNSON, formerly of
Johnston County to Miss Milly JOHNSON youngest daughter of Jas. JOHNSON, If a JOHNSON from Johnston
is wedded to a JOHNSON by a JOHNSON, what can be expected but a great many little JOHNSONs. -
JOHNSTON..."
(From: American Eagle [Louisburg (Franklin Co.), NC], Saturday, 23 January 1858. Submitted by Timothy
Kearney, 411 Gardner St., Raleigh, NC 27607)
NCGSJ - Feb 93 28
EQUITY BOND DOCKET, 1789-1817, HILLSBOROUGH DISTRIC1
AND ORANGE COUNTY, N. C.
by Grace H. Wight
1006 Askham Drive, Cary, NC 27511-4737
Part 3
(Continued from NCGSJ, May '92, p. 116)
Number Names of Parties Place of Abode Date of Bond Names of Securities Place of Abode
139. Stokely DONELSON Western Territory 26 Wm. NORWOOD Orange N. C.
vs. Feby Augustin BENTON
Joseph BROWN South Carolina 1797 James GRANT
140. Benjamin SEAWELL Wake 6th William SEAWELL Wake
vs. March
Thomas TURNER Newbern 1797
141. James ANDREW Orange 15th Wm. DUFFEY Orange
vs. March
Thomas ONEILL 1797
142. David MITCHELL's Granville 13 E. MITCHELL Granville
Executor March
vs. 1797
LONG & BOYD Warren L. HENDERSON
143. Elizabeth STROWD et al. Orange llth Anderson STROWD Orange
Infants by Next Friend April William FORSYTH
vs.
Peter WILLIS & al Chatham Isham THRIFT
Number
144.
145.
146.
147.
148.
149.
150.
151.
Names of Parties
Isaac TEAGUE
vs.
John ARGO & al
John TAYLOR
vs.
Alexander MEBANE's
Executor
Nicholas FOX
vs.
Robt. STINSON, John
JOHNSON, & Isaac
JOHNSON
Gerald BURROW
vs.
Dobson BURROW
Hugh MULHOLLAN
vs.
Thomas BIRD
James PATTERSON
vs.
William POLK & al
Robert BOWMAN
vs.
David ALLEN
William KIRKLAND
vs.
James GREGORIE et al
Place of Abode
Chatham
Orange
Chatham
Chatham
Guilford County
Randolph Cty
Orange
Orange
Caswell
Halifax Virga.
Orange
Charleston &
Orange
Date of Bond
llth
April
1797
13th
April
1797
6th
Augt
96
19th
April
1797
2nd
May
1797
17th
June
1797
19th
July
1797
27th
July
1797
Names of Securities
James Minge BURTO]
William TERRELL
William COMMYNR
Reuben SMITH
Levi JOHNSON }
William VESTAL }
Freeman BURROW
Jeremiah KIMBROW
Hugh MULHOLLAN,
Francis DUNN
Thomas H. PERKINS
Andrew GIBSON
James CHRISTMAS
Samuel CLENNEY
William KIRKLAND
James PHILLIPS
Place of Abode
N Granville
Orange
[?]
Orange
Chatham
Guilford County
Senr. Orange County
Orange
Orange
Orange
Number
152.
153.
154.
155.
156.
157.
158.
159.
Names of Parties
Hugh DOBBINS
vs.
John CAMPBELL
Peter MALLETT "»
vs. )X Bill
Thomas HART )
Zachariah HARMAN
vs.
Heirs of SCHURLOCK
deceased
William BLOUNT
vs.
Thomas PERSON
William DONOHO
vs.
Adam MITCHELL
Wm. LITTLEJOHN
& ALSTON
vs.
CRITCHERs Exr
& Others
Wm. LITTLEJOHN
& ALSTON
vs.
Thomas CRITCHER Exr
Wm. GWIN
vs.
Alexander & Jas. GWIN
Place of Abode
Caswell
Person
Wilmmgton
Chatham
Chatham
Warren
Caswell
Tennessee
Granville-Edenton
Maryland &c
Granville & Edenton
Maryland &c
Orange
Tennessee
Sumner County
Date of Bond
14th
August
97
llth
Septr
97
9th
Octr
97
10th
Octr
97
10
Octr
97
10th
Octr
97
llth
Octr
97
29th
Novr.
97
Names of Securities
George ESKRIDGE
Absalom TATOM
Peter MALLETT
Jno. WINSLOW
Zachariah HARMAN
J. M. BURTON, Esqi
W. R. DAVIE Esqr.
William DONOHO )
Wm. ROBINSON )
John Rust EATON
James HAMILTON
John Rust EATON
James HAMILTON
Abner JAMES )
)
George STREEDER)
Place of Abode
Person
Orange
Wilmington
Chatham
Granville
Halifax
Caswell
) Granville
)
)
) Granville
)
)
)
Orange
Number
160.
161.
162.
163.
164.
165.
166.
167.
168.
[To be Continued]
Names of Parties
James COMBS
vs.
John TAYLOR
SHEPPARD
vs.
BROOKS, Administrator
of ARMSTRONG, Deceased
Burwell BARNES
vs.
Richard WOODWARD
Benjamin WILLIAMS
vs.
Exrs.of J. W. STANLEY
NASH & Others
vs.
TAYLOR & Others
Geo. BRADLEY
vs.
Thomas AMMONIDE [?]
Robert FREEMAN
vs.
Mary DOUGHERTY et al.
John STREATER )
vs. )
Nathaniel JONES )
Samuel HOLLADAY
vs.
Elizabeth TUTTERLOH
Place of Abode
Orange
Montgomery
Orange
Surry
Randolph
Wake
Wake
Newbern
Caswell
Orange & Franklin
Wake
S. Carolina
Warren
Orange
Wake
Chatham
Ditto
Date of Bond
20
Jany
98
26 Jany
98
1st
Feby
98
16th
Feby
98
17th
March
1798
10th
April
1798
17th
April
1798
18th
May
1798
July
29th
98
Names of Securities
John COMBES )
)
Ralph FAUCETT )
John UMSTEAD
Jacob BLEDSOE
S. POTTER
Wm. NASH
Samuel BENTON
Minge BURTON
John R. EATON )
)
Alexr. FALCONER )
Thomas McCRACKEN
Place of Abode
Orange
Orange
Wake
Wake
Caswell
Orange
Granville
Granville
Esqrs.
Franklin
Orange
Reed. this bond
DISMUKES
Place
Stamp
Here
Place
Stamp
Here
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N AME________.___. ________________
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CITY STATE ZIP
SIGNED
NAME OF MEMBER
AN INVITATION TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE
NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY
As a member I want to invite you to join the North Carolina Genealogical Society. Please complete this card
and mail along with your check for dues to NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY, P. 0. BOX
1492, RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA 27602.
BENEFITS ARE:
THE NORTH CAROLINA GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY JOURNAL, mailed quarterly,
NCGS NEWS (NEWSLETTER) mailed bi-monthly.
ANNUAL MEETING (includes a workshop) held in Raleigh, NC, last Saturday in October.
AUDIO CASSETTE TAPES for sale from workshops held across the state.
Write for Brochure
Dues are: ___ $25.00 Annual Membership
___ $27.00 Family Membership
___ $22.00 Institutional Membership
___ $350.00 Individual Life Membership
___ $400.00 Family Life Membership
NAME_______, __ ___
ADDRESS ____ _____ ________COUNTY_
CITY STATE ZIP
SIGNED
NAME OF MEMBER
NORTH CAROLINA APPRENTICE INDENTURES
THROUGH 1850
by Raymond A. Winslow, Jr.
Part 12
(Continued from NCGSJ, Aug. 1991, p. 153)
These abstracts are drawn from apprentice indentures, those documents
which formally place a child under a master's tutelage and obligate the
master to answer to local authority. Omitted are all other types of
apprentice records, such as bonds not to remove a black apprentice from
a given jurisdiction, complaints by master and apprentice, and the many
apprentice matters entered in court minutes. Only indentures made in or
before 1850 are here included. Abstracts are arranged first by county in
alphabetical order, then by the stack file numbers used in the North
Carolina State Archives (where all these records are to be found), and
lastly by the order in which they appear in the source. Abstracts appear
under the following format: Date of indenture; Name of apprentice, with
any data on status, race, or age; Name of master; Trade or occupation; Names of signatories, usually the master
and the Chairman of the County Court or some other magistrate; Name of witness, usually the Clerk of the
County Court.
BRUNSWICK COUNTY (Apprentice Bonds and Records, 1810-1907, stack file no. C.R.012.101.1)
(The abstracts below were made from the loose papers contained in folders marked "Apprentice Records 1830-
1839," "Apprentice Records 1840-1849," and "Apprentice Records 1850-1859." Papers other than actual
indentures were not abstracted. [Folders marked "Apprentice Records 1810-1819" and "Apprentice Records
1821" had no indentures. ])
Apprentice Records 1830-1839
3 December 1836. Gaberal FREEMAN, a negroe boy. bound to Joseph J. BRYAN. Farming and the art of
Industry. Signers: Joseph J. BRYAN, Sam(ue)l POTTER. Witness: none.
6 June 1837. Brittan EDY, a free boy of colour, bound to William L. HALL. art of Industry. Signers: Francis
MORSE, Wm. L. HALL. Witness: none.
7 March 1837. Samuel FREEMAN, free boy of colour aged 15. bound to Samuel R. LOCKE. art of Industry.
Signers: Sam(ue)l POTTER, S. R. LOCK. Witness: Nathl. POTTER, Clk.
5 September 1837. Susan Ann DAVIS, free Girl of Colour, bound to Alexander VINES, art of Industry.
Signers: none. Witness: none.
8 March 1836. Rebecca MAULPUS, female orphan child age 6 years, bound to John PRICE, (bound until age
18). art of Industry. Signers: Sam(ue)l POTTER, John PRICE. Witness: none.
8 March 1836. Samuel FREEMAN, free boy of colour 12 years of age. bound to Thomas P. HALL. Farming
and the art of Industry. Signers: Sam(ue)l POTTER, Thos. P. HALL. Witness: Nathl. POTTER, Clk.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 33
6 December 1836. Porington FREEMAN, free boy of Colour, bound to William L. HALL. farming and the
art of Industry. Signers: Wm. L. HALL, Sam(ue)l POTTER. Witness: Nathl. POTTER, Clk.
Apprentice Records 1840-1849
21 May 1838. Jackson (called "his boy" by John ROBINSON Snr.). bound to Steward P. IVEY. black smith.
Signers: Steward P. IVEY, John ROBINSON. Witnesses: Samuel ROBINSON, Lewis ROBINSON, William
HOLDEN.
3 September 1849. Benjamin LEHU, an Orphan, age 15 years, bound to William JONES. Farmer. Signers:
Danl. L. RUSSELL, William (x) JONES. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk,
5 March 1849. James REYNOLDS, Orphan age 18 years, bound to George MONTGOMERY. Farmer.
Signers: Danl. L. RUSSELL, Geo. (x) MONTGOMERY. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
5 June 1849. Sarah PATRICK, free colored Orphan age 12 years, bound to James H. PRITCHETT. Servant.
Signers: Danl. L. RUSSELL, Jas. H. PRITCHETT. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
5 March 1849. Isham REYNOLDS, Orphan age 13 years, bound to Absalom WARD. Farmer. Signers: Danl.
L. RUSSELL, A. WARD. Witness: none.
5 March 1849. Saml. REYNOLDS, Orphan age 15 years, bound to G. W. POTTER. Farmer. Signers: Danl.
L. RUSSELL, G. W. POTTER. Witness: none.
5 June 1849. Betsey WEBB, Orphan age 12 years, bound to Benjamin GRIST, servant. Signers: Danl. L.
RUSSELL, Bnj. GRIST. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
5 June 1849. Alexander PATRICK, free colored Orphan age 6 years, bound to Joseph GREEN. Servant.
Signers: Danl. L. RUSSELL, Joseph GREEN. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
5 June 1849. Betsey PATRICK, Orphan age 10 years, bound to Joseph GREEN. Servant. Signers: Dan(ie)l
L. RUSSELL, Joseph GREEN. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
6 December 1841. Francis Marion CLEMMONS, Orphan boy now age about 12 years, bound to Joseph
SWAIN. Farming. Signers: Joseph (x) SWAIN, Sam(ue)l POTTER. Witness: Nathl. POTTER, Clk.
8 Deer. 1840. Samuel LUHEW [?], orphan age about 10 years, bound to Absolum WARD. Industry &
farming. Signers: Sam(ue)l POTTER, Absalom WARD. Witness: none.
7 Deer. 1841. Ben MOORE, Free boy of color age about 7 years, bound to Edward WILLS. Farming.
Signers: Edward (x) WILLS, Sam(ue)l POTTER. Witness: Nathl. POTTER, Clk.
1 June 1840. Maurice Washington FREEMAN 10 years old & Jeremiah FREEMAN age 14 years, orphans.
bound to Benjamin B. ROWELL. Farming. Signers: Sam(ue)l POTTER, Bn. ROWELL. Witness: none.
3 March 1840. a colourd boy age about 9 years, bound to John W. WELLS. Farming. Signers: Sam(ue)l
POTTER, John WELLS. Witness: none.
3 March 1840. Edmond 12 years, Bettey Ann 9 years, Elizabeth Calledone 6 yrs. & Anna 3 years, [named
CHIRRUS] children of William CHIRVUS. bound to Jesse FREEMAN. Farming. Signers: Sam(ue)l POTTER,
Jesse FREEMAN. Witness: Nathl. POTTER, elk.
4 December 1848. Emma FREEMAN, Orphan age 14 years, bound to William R. HALL. Servant. Signers:
Danl. L. RUSSELL, Wm. R. HALL. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
4 December 1848. George W. FREEMAN, free child of Color age 8 years, bound to W. R. HALL. no trade
or occupation listed. Signers: Danl. L. RUSSELL, Wm. R. HALL. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
7 June 1847. Frances [SMITH1, an Orphan, Cold., age 3 years, bound to Joseph GREEN. Servant. Signers:
Danl. L. RUSSELL, Joseph GREEN. Witness: Saml. LANGDON.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 34
6 December 1847. Thomas JORDAN, Orphan age 10 years, bound to Edward VERNON. Farmer. Signers:
Danl. L. RUSSELL, Edward VERNON. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clk.
5 June 1848. Benjamin LEHU, Orphan age 15 years, bound to John BRANTON. Carpenter. Signers: Danl.
L. RUSSELL, John (x) BRANTON. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clk.
4 December 1848. Josaphine FREEMAN, free colored orphan age 5 years, bound to William R. HALL. no
trade or occupation listed. Signers: Danl. L. RUSSELL, Wm. R. HALL. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
Apprentice Records 1850-1859
5 March 1850. Susanna FREEMAN, Orphan age 11 years, bound to William R. HALL. Servant. Signers:
Danl. L. RUSSELL, Wm. R. HALL. Witness: Saml. LANGDON, Clerk.
* End of Brunswick County Indentures through 1850 *
* Series to be Continued *
TEMPERANCE CHAVERS PETITION FOR BILLY AND ELICK, 1810
"To the worshipful Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Brunswick County
"The Petition of Temperance CHAVERS humbly Sheweth that she has raised two Boys Billy and Elick from
their birth to the present time with much difficulty trouble & expence and that just as they are Beginning to
remunerate her by plowing & other services She is threatened with their being bound out which She thinks a
Great hardship but if the law of the State required! She humbly beseeches that they may be bound to Geni:
SMITH in whose justice to raise them properly and have them taught useful trades She can Confide - Your
worships granting this will be an alleviation to her Distress & She as in duty bound will ever pray &ca:
Jan: 27th: 1810 Temperance her CHAVERS
+
Witness mark
Ben. B. SMITH"
(From: Apprentice Records 1810-1819, Brunswick County, North Carolina, Apprentice Bonds and Records,
1810-1907, stack file number C.R.012.101.1, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC)
NCGSJ - Feb 93 35
Revolutionary War Pension
Applications at the NC Archives
by Betty J. Camin
(Continued from NCGSJ, Aug. 1991,
p. 161; 17th in a series)
[Note: The author holds the copyright on this series
of articles, all rights reserved. Her address: 1904
N. Main St., Mourt Airy, NC 27030. Permission
has been granted by the author for the NCGS to
publish this paper in either full or abstract form.
The editor of this periodical has chosen to abstract
the author's work and is solely responsible for such
abstracting.
Mrs. Camin emphasizes that only those Revolution-ary
War pension records found in the North Caroli-na
State Archives were used in the preparation of this paper. The sources of these records include minutes of
the county Inferior Courts of Pleas and Quarter Sessions (cited below as Court ofP & QS), minutes of the county
Superior Courts, and county Miscellaneous Records. Some few entries are not pension applications per se, but
do have some connection with pensions. For the convenience of researchers, the North Carolina State Archives
has grouped together photocopies of the original records from which this series is drawn.]
427. WILLIAM UNDERWOOD. (Minutes of Haywood Co., NC, Superior Court, October Term 1824.)
William WEDGBARE alias William UNDERWOOD, aged 65 years, made a declaration on oath in open court
"for the purpose of Obtaining a pension as a Soldier of the Revolutionary Army being unable to Support himself
any Longer by bodily Infirmity; That he enlisted in the Virginia Continental Establishment for the war on the 19th
of March or (hereabouts 1780 for the war in the County of Culpeper, that he was Marched to Cumberland Court
house & there Inspected & received by Barron STUBEN; That he continued to Serve faithfully in the army on
Continental Establishment Serving faithfully as a Soldier in Various Skirmishes under the Command of Barron
STEUBEN in the first Rigement of Virginia Regulars on Continental Establishment Commanded by Colonel
POSEY Majr. FREELEY, Captain SHELTON Company always in Service, was at the Seige of Yorktown when
Lord CORNWALLACE Surrendered after wich he fell under the command of General WAYNE & was Marched
South & was at the time of the [blank] of Charlestown before that City & also at Savanna that he then continued
in Service untill discharged as appears from the Certificate annexed, . . . " He has always been a resident citizen
of the United States and "has lived in the County of Haywood for Near Nine years . . . " He "is infirm having
met with the Misfortune to have his back & Loins injured so that he cannot obtain a Comfortable Subsistence
from his bodily Labor, That he has no other property of any kind or Claims either in Law or Equity by which
he expects to gain any benefit except that contained in the following Schedule . . . "
Schedule: "One nag about $40;" two cows and calves $20; two beds and furniture $15; kitchen and table
furniture $7; some pottery $.50; working tools $7; total: $89.50. "That he contracted for a Tract of Land of 50
acres at 75 Dollars & paid only $9.75 & no more Money to pay the balance & that the state will not give him
the land untill paid for That he lives on the States land without any Title & he has a wife 55 old infirm & in a
Consumptive habit & three Children now with him a son nearly of full age a Daughter about 13 & a Little son
NCGSJ - Feb 93 36
about 10 years of age and no way of Support but his trade of a farmer which he is not able to do never at" /s/
WILLIAM W) WEDGEBANE [WEDGEBARN ?] [Test.:] JOHN B. LOVE Clk.
John B. LOVE, Clerk of Haywood County Superior Court, certifies at October Term 1824 that Judge George
E. BADGER has ordered it to be certified that the property is worth not exceeding $89.50. Signed 7 October
1824.
428. LAURANCE UNGER (deceased). (Minutes of Burke Co., NC, Superior Court, April 1844.)
"It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Laurance UNGER late a pensioner of the United States at
the rates of $59.45 Cents a year a resident of the County of Burke died at his residence in said County on the
15th day of February 1840 leaving Anna UNGER his lawful widow and the said Anna UNGER having exhibited
her declaration for a pension to the Court whereupon it was examined and approved by the Court and ordered
to be certified to the department of War."
429. STEPHEN VAUGHN. (Wake Co., NC, Miscellaneous Records.)
On 21 August 1832 Stephen VAUGN, resident in Wake County, aged 68 years, made a declaration on oath
before John BABB Esq., Justice of the Peace, to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832. He
"entered the service of the united states as a substitute for Benjamine TUCKER . . . he was born in Edgecomb
County and state aforesaid on the 18th day of July 1765, . . . he served in the Revolution war as a commissioned
soldier one tour for fifteen months Under Capt. KID of Halifax County and state aforesaid Commanded by Majr.
HOG to the best of his recollection which tour he performed and stationed at Halifax town as a guard that he had
a discharge given by Capt. KIDD but the said discharge has been lost or mislaid so that it cannot at this time be
found and there is no witnesses that can testify as to his service and resided in Nash County from the close of
the war until 1810 Thence removed to Wake County . . . and . . . resided in . . . (Wake) ever since . . . " His
name is not on the pension roll of any state, /s/ STEVEN (x) VAUGHN
On 21 August 1832 John CROCKER and Zachariah WIMBERLY, both of Wake County, certify their
acquaintance with Steven VAUGHN. /s/ JOHN CROCKER, ZACHERIAH WIMBERLY [Test.:] JOHN BABB
JP
Certified by John BABB, who says VAUGHN "cant from Bodily infirmity attend the court for the purpose
of making this declaration or for any other purpose and he cant produce the attendance of witnesses without much
inconvinience and expense"
Benjamin S. KING, Clerk of Wake Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, certifies the foregoing.
430. PETER VENDRICK. (Minutes of Craven Co., NC, Superior Court, October Term 1832, pages 144-149.)
On 17 October 1832 Peter VENDRICK of Craven County, aged 72 years, made a declaration on oath before
Judge Joseph J. DANIEL to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832. He declared "he entered
the service of the United States, about the middle of the war, but at what precise time this affiant is unable to
state, but it was in the month of June, after Charleston was taken; that he was drafted in the second regiment out
of Capt. James PERKINS militia company, and put under the Command of Captain David ROACH, and marched
from Newbern, to Cross Creek (now Fayetteville), where they met other companies assembled from various
counties. At Cross Creek, Genl. CASWELL, took the command, and Benjamin AXUM, or EXUM was Colonel
to the second regiment, to which this affiant belonged. After remaining there for some time, he marched under
Genl. CASWELL, to the Western part of North Carolina; and was there joined by Genl. GATES, who had under
his command, about fifteen hundred regular troops, and seventy light horsemen; Genl. GATES then took the
command of all the troops, and under him this declarant marched, to within twelve miles above Camden, where
COR\VALLIS a British officer lay encamped, at which place the American forces were joined by the Virginia
militia. The night after the morning of the arrival, of the Virginia Militia, the Americans were ordered to fall
in, without drum or fife, and an engagement took place, between the outposts of the British, and American
NCGSJ - Feb 93 37
armies, but this declarants regiment, lay all that night, upon their arms. In the morning, the British under
CORNWALLIS, hove in sight, and commenced an attack upon the American lines, a general engagement was
brought on, and militia belonging to this declarants regiment, retreated and surrendered the woods, to
CORNWALLIS. After Genl. GATES was thus defeated, this declarant in company with seven others, in the
confusion of the retreat, became detached, from the main body of the army, and commenced their journey to
North Carolina. This declarant being intimate with Mr. JAMES, who drove Genl. CASWELL's baggage
waggon, was in the habit of putting his knapsack, containing his clothes, in said waggon for safe keeping, all of
which he lost in the Confusion, incident to the battle, and never heard of JAMES, the wagon or his clothes
afterwards. This declarant journied on from South Carolina, to Kinston in No. Carolina, where the scattered
remnants of the militia, were ordered to rendezvous, by Genl. CASWELL, After they were organised this
declarant, marched under the command of Colonel Benjamin AXUM, to Hillsborough, and thence to the Yadkin
River, below Salisbury, where they encamped. After they had remained in camp for some time, Col. AXUM
or EXUM, marched from the Yadkin, for Hillsboro, and before they reached Hillsboro, they were discharged
by Colonel AXUM. This declarant does not recollect the day, and month of his discharge, neither has he
preserved the same, but he well remembers that he served five months, viz three months in South Carolina, and
two months in No. Carolina. Captain ROACH, was missing after the battle with CORNWALLIS, and has never
since been heard of. Francis DELAMAR, acted as Lieutenant under Captain ROACH, Cristopher BESLY
[BEXLY ?] as Ensign, and one BOLD, or BOWLS as commissary. This declarant has no documentary evidence,
in his possession to substantiate his claim." His name is not on the pension roll of any state. "Before this
declarant was drafted out of Captain James PERKIN's Company, about six months, he was drafted by Col. John
TILGHMAN, to guard the jail in Newbern, in which were confined many Tories, and British and upon this duty
this declarant served three months, under the command of Captain Council BRYAN, who was at that time high
Sheriff of Craven County." /s/PETER (P) VENDRICK [Test.:] EDW PAULS
"Interrogatories.
"1st. Where and in what year, were you born?
"Answer; In Craven County No. Ca. on Beards creek, on the 10th day of September A.D. 1760
"2nd. Have you any record, of your age, and if so where is it?
"Ans. Yes. it is contained in, my fathers family bible, which said bible now belongs to my brother, Jesse
VENDRICK, who resides in Craven County, and who now has it in possession.
3rd. Where were you living when called into service, where have you lived since the revolutionary war and
where do you now live?
"Ans. In Craven County N. Ca. on Beards creek, I have lived there ever since the revolutionary war, and
still continue to reside there.
"4th. How were you called into service; were you drafted, did you volunteer, or were you a substitute. And
if a substitute for whom?
"Ans. A requisition was made, upon Captain James PERKIN's Company, of militia, and I was drafted, to
serve in the army, and to guard the jail in Newbern
"5th. State the names of some of the regular officers, who were with the troops, where you served; such
continental and militia regiments, as you can recollect, and the general circumstances of your service.
"Ans. Genl. GATES, Genl. CASWELL, Col. AXUM, Capt. David ROACH; The second regiment I
belonged to: General GATES had some troops, whom I supposed belonged to the continental line, but I do not
know to what regiments; my tour of duty was very laborious, marching through the whole extent of No. Carolina,
and into the interior of So. Carolina, besides being stripped of everything in the engagement with Lord
CORNWALLIS; after which I was ordered to rendezvous, at Kinston in Lenoir County No. Carolina, which
necessarily compelled me, again to traverse the whole extent of North Carolina, whereupon I was ordered to the
NCGSJ - Feb 93 38
encampment, on the Yadkin river, below Salisbury, where I remained for some time, after which I was
discharged, before we reached Hillsboro: No. Carolina, on our march from the said encampment.
"6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the service, and if so by whom was it given, and what has
become of it?
"Ans. I did receive a discharge from the service, on our march from the encampment on the Yadkin River
to Hillsboro: and it was given to me, by Colonel Benjamin AXUM, or EXUM, (his name was pronounced
AXUM) but not thinking that it would ever be of any value to me, I did not preserve it and it is now lost.
"7th. State the names of persons, to whom you are known in your present neighborhood, and who can testify,
as to your character for veracity, and their belief of your services, as a soldier of the revolution?
"Ans. William B. PERKINS, John BRINSON, Shadrack HOOVER, and William SPIGHT." /s/ PETER (P.
V.) VENDRICK
John BRINSON and Will B. PERKINS, "neighbours of Pvt. [?] Peter VENDRICK," testify on oath that they
have known him "for a long number of years." They heard he served in the Revolution "many years, before
there was, the least expectation, of his ever being entitled to a pension, and we have often heard him recount the
disasters of his campaign, . . . " [Test.:] EDW. PAULS
William B. MASTERS, a clergyman, of Craven County, certifies his acquaintance with Peter VENDRICK,
and his belief that VENDRICK is 72 years of age and reputed to have been a soldier of the Revolution.
The Court certify their opinion that the applicant was a revolutionary soldier and that William B. PERKINS,
John BRINSON, Shadrack HOOVER, and William SPIGHT are residents of Craven County entitled to credit.
/s/ J. J. DANIEL J. S. L. E. [Judge Superior Court of Law and Equity]
431. WILLIAM VINSON (deceased). (Northampton Co., NC, Miscellaneous Records.)
"The papers to entitle Rebecca VINSON to a pension on account of the services of her husband William
VINSON in the Revolutionary War are presented to the Court and the said application being sustained by the
affidavits of Benjamin STEVENSON and Redman VINSON - taken before Silas EDWARDS a Justice of the
peace in this county; It is ordered and adjudged by the Court that the procedings had before the said Silas
EDWARDS Esq. be and are hereby sanctioned and approved . . . ordered that the said papers . . . be certified
to the Department of the Interior of the United States." [1851]
432. NATHANIEL WALKER. (Minutes of New Hanover Co., NC, Court of P & QS, August Term 1821,
pages 129, 130.)
On 13 August 1821 Nathaniel WALKER, aged 57 years, resident in New Hanover County, NC, made a
declaration on oath in open court that "he entered into the land service 1st June 1782, in the 3rd Regiment of
North Carolina Continental Troops, commanded by Col. Archd LITTLE, and in Capt Benjn. CARTERS company
of said regiment, and served to the end of the War, That his original declaration was made some time in the
month of October 1818, the number of the pension certificate is [blank]" He was a resident citizen of the United
States on 18 March 1818. His property is three axes ($5.00), one plough ($2.00), two hoes ($1.50), one pine
table ($1.00), two iron pots ($3.00), five chairs ($2.00), a few carpenter's tools ($25.00), one small chest
($2.00), one cotton spinning wheel ($2.00), one pair cotton cards ($1.00), no stock of any kind. /s/
NATHANIEL WALKER
He stated: ". . . I am a carpenter, by trade, but from infirmities, I am not able to follow the business. That
my family consist of the following members; My Wife who is infirm - One Son John about 19 years of age, much
afflicted at times, with pains, by which he is not able to work - One son Levin about 13 years of age - one
daughter. Nancy about 14 years of age - . . ."
NCGSJ - Feb 93 39
433. JOEL WALL (deceased). (Minutes of Beaufort Co., NC, Court of P & QS, November Term 1845.)
Reading GRIST, aged 82 years, made oath in open court "that he was well acquainted with Joel WALL of
Beaufort County who was a near neighbour of this affiant that said Joel enlisted at the beginning of the
Revolutionary war and served for twelve months first that afterwards he enlisted during the war, that the said Joel
was absent several years and returned home lame, having spent several winters in New Jersey, that this affiant
remembers him well, and that the said Joel used Crutches in walking for several years the said Joel died about
1815. the said Joel left a widow and several children and the widow is still alive and in very needy
circumstances, his sons were four James, Joel, Robt & William, and one daughter Rachael. affiant further states
that he knows the said Joel was maried previous to the year 1784." /s/ READING GRIST
434. JOHN WALL. (Minutes of New Hanover Co., NC, Superior Court, October Term 1832.)
On 31 October 1832 John WALL, "aged seventy four years the 20th of June 1832", made a declaration on
oath before Judge Robert STRANGE to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832. He declared
that "he enlisted in the army of the United States in the year 1780 with whom this applicant cannot now recollect,
neither does he know what No. the regiment was of that he served in, but he served in the Virginia line under
the following named officers. Gen. Geo. WASHINGTON, Col. James BARR, Major TILLINGTON, Captain
Thomas HOPKINS, that he was afterwards under the command of Gen. GREEN in North Carolina, that he left
the service he thinks, about the 1st of December 1781. that he enlisted for three years and served something over
eighteen months, but is content to claim for that time, that when he entered the service he resided in Dinwiddie
County in . . . Virginia, that he was in the battle fought at Guilford Court House in March 1781 and at the siege
of York Town where Cornwallis surrendered, that he rendezvoused at Dinwiddi.e Court House and marched from
thence to Charlotte County where he joined in with the Virginia troop destined to co-operate with Gen. GREEN'S
army in North Carolina, that from thence he marched on for Gen. GREEN'S army and joined it the day before
the battle (at Guilford Court House, that from Guilford Court House, . . . he marched on in pursuit of the enemy
as far as Ramsey's Mills on Deep River, that from thence he marched to near Taylor's ferry on Roanoke where
he encamped awhile and from thence to the vicinity of York Town and besieged that place till it was surrendered,
and after the surrender of York Town he guarded some prisoners to Winchester." His name is not on the pension
roll of any state, /s/ JOHN (x) WALL
The Court declared the applicant was a Revolutionary soldier.
435. RICHARD WALL. (Minutes of Columbus Co., NC, Court of P & QS, November Term 1825.)
On 14 November 1825 Richard WALL, resident in Columbus County, aged about 70 years, made a
declaration on oath in open court to obtain the provision of the acts of Congress of 18 March 1818 and 1 May
1820. He "Enlisted for the Term of 12 months the year & month not recollected in . . . North Carolina in the
Company Commanded by Capt. James MILLS in the ridgement G. J. McREA was Majaior in the . . . North
Carolina Continential establishment... he Continued to Serve in Said Corps for the above period of 12 months
and untill he was furlowed for furthur orders at Wilmington North Carolina & that after the date of Said furlow
he Recd now furthur orders . . . he was in no Battles & . . . has no other evidence now in his power of his Said
Servises Excep that of Joseph CARTRETT and Robert ELLIS . . . " He was a resident citizen of the United
States on 18 March 1818. His property is thirteen head of cattle, twelve head of hogs "all small except tow or
three tolerable Sise," two beds and furniture, six plates, three knives and forks, six "puter" spoons, one hand
mill, two pots, one kettle, one spinning wheel, six cups and saucers, and "Life Estate in two hundred Acres of
land." /s/RICHARD (x) WALL Sworn before Moore LENNON, Chairman.
Joseph CARTRETT and Robert ELLIS swore and deposed that "they served with Richard WALL during the
revolutionary War for the Term of Twelve months in the Company Command by Capt. James MILLS in the
Reigment of which G. J. McREA was Major . . . and that the facts Set fourt in the declaration of the Said
Richard WALL as to his Servises and to his being furlowed at wilmington North Carolina are true—" /s/
ROBERT (x) ELLIS, JOSEPH (x) CARTRETT Attest: MOORE LENNON, Chairman
NCGSJ - Feb 93 40
Charles BALDWIN, Clerk of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions for Columbus County certified the
Court's satisfaction that Richard WALL "did Serve in the revolutionary war . . . the four going oath of Richard
WALL and of Robert ELLIS & Joseph CARTRETT . . . are truly Coppied from the records of Said County
. . . the total amount in value of the property . . . is one hundred & nine dollars & Seventy Five Cents." 14
November 1825 /s/ Ch. BALDWIN Clk.
436. THOMAS WALLACE. (Minutes of Burke Co., NC, Court of P & QS, January Session 1823.)
Thomas WALLACE deposed on oath in open court "that he enlisted by taking the place of a Soldier of the
Captain HUGHES Company in the 5th Troop of the Virginia line in Continental establishment in the winter of
the year 1781 at Petersburg in Virginia for the Term of the war that he Served under General GREEN in . . .
North Carolina and South Carolina [torn] peace was made, that he was discharged at a place called New Markett
on the Engaree [?] river by Colonel WHITE after the close of the war. that he is now in a Suffering Condition
old & infirm & able to do but little work, and has a wife old and infirm and two daughters about 16 and 14 years
old and no other person to work for them and no property but what is contained in the annexed Schedule that he
has lost his discharge and no other means of proving his Services but his own oath and that he has no other means
of getting his living but thro public charity . . . " /s/ THOMAS WALLACE Sworn 1 January 1823 /s/ J. E.
[illegible] Clk.
Property Schedule: one cow and heifer ($18.00), bedding ($10.00), table furniture and kitchen furniture
($5.00). Total $33.00. Sworn 1 February 1823 /s/ J. E. [illegible] Clk.
437. CARHART WALLING. (Minutes of Rowan Co., NC, Court of P & QS, August Term 1818 and
November Term 1820.)
On 22 August 1818 Carhart WALLING, aged 65 years, resident in Rowan County, made a declaration on oath
in open court to obtain the provision of the late Act of Congress. He "enlisted in . . . New Jersey Monmoth
County in the Company Commanded by Captain LONGSTREET of the second Jersey Regiment sometime in
. . . November 1775; . . . he continued to serve in the Said Company in the Service of the United States untill
sometime about the month of November 1776 when he was discharged from Service at Ticonderago in . . . New
York, after the British army retired into winter quarters in Canada; . . . he was in eminent danger of losing his
life and sustaining bodily injury from the fire of the enemy on Lake Champlain, and . . . was much exposed to
cold, hunger, fatigue and other great damage and hard-ships - . . . in the year 1777 he was in the Militia Service
of the united States, and . . . on or about the 4th day of October in the year aforesaid he was in eminent danger
of loosing his life at the attack made by General WASHINGTON upon the royal army at Germantown where he
was exposed to the fire of the enemy during the engagement;- . . . from and after the Battle of Germantown . . .
he continued in the Militia Service for and during the continuance of the war wherever his country's ned required
his Services:- and . . . he is in reduced circumstances and stands in need of the assistance of his Country for
Support, . . . he has no other evidence now in his power of his said services, than what this declaration Contains:
and John McKEE being duly sworn deposeth . . . he is well acquainted with the Deponent Carhart WALLING
On 25 November 1820 Cohart WALLING, aged 75 years, resident of Rowan County, made a declaration on
oath in open court that he served in the Revolutionary War and "that a pension certificate No. [blank] was granted
to him . . . " He was a resident citizen of the United States on 18 March 1818. His Property is 190 bushels corn
($38.00), 29 2/12 dozen "sheave oats" ($4.37), rye ($1.50), plough and gears ($3.00), axe ($1.25), one cow
($8.00), small quantity fodder ($3.00), household furniture ($17.00), small quantity cotton ($8.00), two mares
and colt ($75.00), and amount of accounts $50.00. Total $209.12, minus $183.50 "Amount owing by said
WALLING" leaves $25.62.
WALLING further declared he is a farmer, but is unable to pursue his trade because of age and infirmities.
438. TILMAN WALTON. (Burke Co., NC, Miscellaneous Records; Minutes of Burke Co., NC, Court of P
NCGSJ - Feb 93 41
& QS, July Session 1843.)
On 26 July 1821 Tilman WALTON, aged about 61 years, made a declaration on oath in open court "that he
enlisted as a private Soldier under Capt. James FRANKLIN, into the Serviice of the Virginian Continental
Establishment, During the Term of Three years. On or about the 26 Day of November 1776, in the 10th Virginia
Regiment, Commanded by Colo. Edward STEVENS, and that on the Reduction of the Virginia Regiments, he
was placed under Capt. Clough SHELTON, in his Company, as an Orderly Sarjeant, in the 6th Virginia
Regiment, Commanded by Colo. John GREEN, . . . during Three years, in the Revolutionary War, and that after
he was Dischard from the Continental Army, he Servd. nearly Two Yrs. in the State Service, in the Capacity of
First, a Lieut. & Then a Capt. untill the Capture of Ld. CORNWALLIS, that he Fought for his Country in the
said War, was in the Battles of Brandy Wine, Germantown, Monmouth, and many Skirmishes, during the Wars
and that he enlisted at Amherst Court House, in State of Virginia, and after Serving Faithfully Three Years, the
Term of his enlistment, he was Honourably Dischargd, on the 6th Day of December A. D. 1779 - at Morris
Town in . . . New Jersey, by Colo. N. GIST, Col. Commandant of the 2d Virginia Brigade, as his Discharge
here unto annext will Certify, . . . " He is now a resident of Burke County and "has ever been a Citizen of the
United States," and was a resident citizen on 18 March 1818. He has no income "other than Wareing Apparrel,
one Feather Bed, & Furniture his Working Tools, . . . he is by Trade a Carpenter & Mill[wrigjht, but Old and
infirm, and unable to earn a Comfortable existance, . . . he has an Old, infirm Wife 51 Years Old [una]bl to
Labour much, to support herself & Family, and [thalt he has 2 Sons under him, not yet Free, one about 15, and
other about 12 years of Age, and . . . he is in such indigent circumstances, as to be unable to Support himself
and Family without the Assistance of his Country or Charity." /s/ TILMAN WALTON Test: J. E. [illegiblel
elk
At Burke County Court July Session 1843 the "declaration of Judith WALTON widow and relect of Tilmon
WALTON decd. late a Pensioner of the United States from the County of Burke for a pension being examined
by the Court . . . said widow from bodily infirmity is unable to attend Court and verify her said application and
that the said had been done at her own residence before a Justice of the Peace . . . ordered . . . that said
declaration be certified to the department of War." "It appearing to the satisfaction of the Court that Tilmon
WALTON late a Pensioner of the United States at the rates of $96 a year a resident of the County of Burke died
at his residence in said County on the 3d day of February 1831, leaving Judith WALTON his lawful widow and
that the original certificate of Pension of the said Tilmon is lost, It was thereupon ordered that the same be
certified to the department of war."
439. RACHEL WARD (deceased). (Stokes Co., NC, Miscellaneous Records.)
On 13 March 1845 William WARD Esqr. made oath in open court "that Rachel WARD who was a Pensioner
of the United States at the rates of Sixty three dollars & fifty four cents per annum died on the 28th day of
September 1844 leaving an arrear of Pension due for twenty four days as per the pension Certificate . . . " /s/
WM WARD [Test.:] JNO. HILL ccc.
440. WILLIAM WARD. (Minutes of Sampson Co., NC, Court of P & QS, August Term 1832.)
On 21 August 1832 William WARD of Sampson County, aged 78 years, made a declaration on oath before
William KIRBY, Archibald MONK, Burrel DAWSON, Ben PHILLIPS, Henry GODWIN, and David DAWSON,
Justices, to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress of 7 June 1832. He declared that "he entered the Service
a minute man under the command of Captain James LOVE, David CANNON Lieutenant John McKANN Ensign
that he does not recollect the day but it was in the year 1775 thinks it was in the month of September, that he
thinks this Term of Service expired in the month of March 1776 that he rendezvoused first at a place called
Duplin old Court House, that when he entered the Service he was residing in Duplin County North Carolina, on
Goshin; that he engaged in his first Term of Service for Six months, that from Duplin old court House he
marched to upper Rockfish Creek in Cumberland County N. C. about eight miles below where Fayetteville now
is, then called Cross Creek, that Soon after his arrival at this place the Duplin militia came about 250 or 300 in
NCGSJ - Feb 93 42
number, whose officers he does not recollect except Thomas HOOKS who he thinks was Lieutenant, that he
Served with a Company of regulars at Rockfish, commanded by Captain Henry DICKSON, Tilman DICKSON
Lieutenant, about 300 in number; that there was a company of Volunteers there also, commanded by ASHE &
called ASHE's Volunteers, that from thence he marched to Elizabeth Town, Bladen County N. C that at Elizabeth
Town there was a company of minute men commanded by Thomas BLUDWORTH as captain and Thomas
DEVANE Lietenant; that the company in which he was, took boating at Elizabeth Town, went down Cape Fear,
to its junction with Black River, thence up Black River to the mouth of Moores creek, thence up Moores creek
to Moores creek bridge, where he landed three or four days before the battle at that place, that from thence he
marched to Long creek bridge, that while at Long creek bridge, an express came from Gem. CASWELL to
march back to Moores creek bridge and make intrenchments, that he then marched back to Moores creek bridge,
and had made a Short piece of intrenchment near the bridge when another express came, to make up to Corbetts
ferry on Black River, that he then marched on towards Corbetts ferry, and got as far as Colvin's creek, when
another express arrived ordering us back to Moores Creek bridge, to make intrenchments, for, the tories had
crossed Black River; that he then marched back to Moores Creek bridge; that he arrived there the day before the
battle; that a company of minute men Commanded by Captain Richard CLINTON, Patrick STEWART
Lieutenant, met us there; that they then commenced making intrenchments a little farther off than the first they
had made; that that evening Genl. CASWELL with his army arrived, (having a few pieces of Artillery) on the
West Side of Moores Creek Bridge, that curiosity had attracted him to go over the creek to See the artillery as
he had never Seen any, that While Viewing the artillery, a flag was brought to Genl. CASWELL from the tories
by a Mr. HABURN bearing a paper; that a Captain VANCE asked Genl. CASWELL if he might Kill the bearer
of the flag, and Genl. CASWELL Shook his head; that then Genl. CASWELL and his army crossed over the
bridge and encamped on the East Side of the creek; that after Genl. CASWELL & his army Crossed over the
bridge was partly taken up; that the artillery was fixed that night and pointed to the bridge; that by break of day
next morning, the enemy Were firing at us across the creek, that they attempted to Cross Some Sounding the
bottom of the creek to ascertain as was thought if they Could ford it & Some to pass over the bridge, in which
latter, four men Succeeded, & among them Col. McLEOD and Capt. CAMPBELL who were killed, and the
enemy defeated; that the American officers at that place he recollects were Genl. CASWELL, Genl.
LILLINGTON, Captain LOVE, CLINTON, BLUDWORTH, INGRAM and captain VANCE of the artillery, that
he knew but of the officers belonging to Gen. CASWELL's army; that the tories were commanded by Genl.
McDONALD & Col. McLEOD; that after the battle at Moores creek bridge, he marched to Wilmington N. C.;
that Soon after a Company of minute men Commanded by a Captain FRENCH from New River in Onslow
County arrived there, that he remained in Wilmington a Short time; and from thence marched to Lockharts or
Lockwoods folly, a creek in Brunswick county N. C. that it was Said there was a body of tories Stationed there
that when he arrived at Lockharts folly, there Were no tories there; that four Companies marched from
Wilmington to Lockharts folly With him. Viz Captain LOVE'S, CLINTON'S, FRENCH'S & BLUDWORTH's,
that from thence he returned to Wilmington; that on his return march to Wilmington this term of Service expired,
that after he arrived at Wilmington, which was about the first of April, he was discharged; that he was a
Volunteer in this tour of Service; and that he thinks he can prove this term of Service by William TAYLOR now
residing in the County of Duplin, N. C. That he entered a Second term of Service under Captain Daniel
WILLIAMS, who had been a regular officer, John ARMSTRONG Lieutenant, in the year 1776; that he does not
recollect the day of the month, or the month, but thinks it was in the fall of the year, that he was a Volunteer
lighthorseman, that he embodied at Duplin old Court House; that he engaged to Serve, this tour, for three
months; that from thence he marched towards Wilmington; that in his march to Wilmington either in this tour,
or his next one, he fell in With part of Captain John MOULTEN's company that the British, then, had possession
of Wilmington, the infantry under Major CRAIG & the cavalry under captain GORDEN; that during this tour
he was traversing and Scouting the country round about Wilmington, that a galley, laden with the enemy, was
decoyed ashore, & four of them killed, besides one badly wounded who died next day, that at the end of this
Service, he was discharged by his Capt. Daniel WILLIAMS, at he thinks, Duplin old Court House, Where he
first rendezvoused. That he entered a third term of Service under the Command again of Captain Daniel
WILLIAMS John ARMSTRONG, Lieutenant, that he does not recollect the day month, or Year, nor does he
NCGSJ - Feb 93 43
remember when he left this tour of Service, that he rendezvoused, again, at Duplin old Court House, that from
thence, he marched again to the Vicinity of Wilmington; that he traversed the country round about Wilmington;
that the enemy Still occupied that place; that he thinks he remained about Wilmington till this term of Service
was expired when he was discharged by his Capt. Daniel WILLIAMS, and that he engaged for three months as
a Volunteer light horseman.
"That he entered a fourth tour of Service under Captain Daniel WILLIAMS, Thomas JAMES Lieutenant, that
he does not recollect the day month or Year; that he embodied at Duplin old Court House, that he marched from
thence on towards Wilmington, the enemy Still having possession of that place, that in his march he fell in With
a Company of light horsemen commanded by captain Thomas WEIGHT at, he believes. Some place above the
Big Bridge, that two or three days before he got to the Big Bridge a Skirmish had happened at that place, between
the New Hanover militia and the enemy in which the former retreated as he understood, that a Col. YOUNG took
command of the Companies, after they arrived in the Vicinity of Wilmington, that he was with others, forty two
in number, employed for about twelve days & nights, almost constantly, upon the enemy's lines reconnoitering
them; that in this time, two British dragoons were captured, that Col. YOUNG ordered captain WILLIAMS to
Send a guard with them, who would take care of them; that Captain WILLIAMS detached two others and this
applicant to guard the prisoners to captain McCLAMMY's about fourteen miles from Wilmington on the Sound;
that the next day after the twelve days Service was out, Col. YOUNG told him that he must go with him (Col.
YOUNG) again upon the British lines that he (Col. YOUNG) wouldn't give him (this applicant) and a fellow
Soldier named John WARD for ten men he didn't know; that this applicant was then very much fatigued, and
his horse much wearied very poor and had a very Sore back, and didn't think ii; Safe to go upon the British lines
in that condition, and told Col. YOUNG that if he did go, he Col. YOUNG) must furnish him (this applicant)
with a fresh horse to which Col. YOUNG replied, that could not be done, that he this applicant then Said that
if he went, he would go confined, unless he had a fresh horse; that Col. YOUNG then Said, he would put him
(this applicant) under guard that he this applicant) upon this became Vexed, & went to Captain William
DICKSON Commander of a Company of Duplin militia, and asked him if he (this applicant) couldnt Send his
horse home & enter the Service of the infantry, to which Capt. DICKSON Said "I could" that he this applicant,
was then erolled in the infantry under Captain DICKSON, and Served out this term of three months and was
discharged by Captain DICKSON that he was a Volunteer in this tour also, and a lighorseman, that he does not
recollect the day month or Year, When he left this Service, and that about the time the twelve days Service upon
the enemys lines above Spoken of Was ended, captain Daniel WILLIAMS was promoted to brigade major and
Thomas JAMES appointed captain of the lighthorse company That he entered a fifth term of Service under
Captain Daniel WILLIAMS, he thinks David BUNTING Lieutenant & Daniel CLARK, Cornet or Ensign, that
he does not recollect the day month or Year, that he engaged for three months as a lighthorseman; that he does
not recollect the time when he left this period of Service; that the Company rendezvoused at Duplin old Court
House; that when the Company Started on their march he Was indisposed that he was unable to go with them;
that as Soon as he recovered he followed on and Overtook them in South Carolina at a place called the Four
Holes, that when he came up with them, they had captured twenty tories & Six British; that this he thinks late
in the fall of that Year, because pumpkins were ripe, that he, with David BUNTING Who he thinks was
Lieutenant, Samuel OATES & others about ten in number. Was detached with the prisioners to Newbern N. C;
that this term of Service being So near expired When this detachment left the Company Capt WILLIAMS told
them it Would be unecessary to return to him; that therefore from Newbern he returned to Duplin & that he was
again a Volunteer.
"That he entered a Sixth term of Service under Captain William HOOKS, of the Duplin militia that he does
not recollect the day month or Year neither does he recollect when he embodied that he engaged for two months,
that he was employed during this tour, in traversing Duplin County and part of Wayne, Sometimes, in pursuit
of a Company of tories on Neuse River Commanded by DICKINS [DINKINS?] & HINES; that this Company
Killed two respectable Young men on Neuse Viz BLACKSHEAR & FRANKS; that their principal object in this
tour. Was to protect the inhabitants from the cruelties and depredations of the tories, that he Was a Volunteer
lighthorseman, that he does not recollect when this tour ended; that he Served it out and was discharged by his
NCGSJ - Feb 93 44
Captain. That he entered a Seventh term of Service under Captain Michael Johnson KENAN, that he does not
recollect the day month, or year neither does he recollect When he left, that he engaged for two months that he
was employed during this term, in traversing Duplin County in quest of tories & in protecting the inhabitants
from their ravages & depredations; that he was again a Volunteer lighthorseman; that he Served out this period
and was discharged by his Captain.
"That he entered an eighth term of Service under Col. Thomas RUTLEDGE, the captain of his company being
Thomas HOOKS that he does not recollect the day, month or Year, that he rendezvoused at Duplin old court
House; that he was then drafted for three months, that the Whole Company did not Serve out this term because
danger had Subsided, and they were dismissed as he thinks, but that he Was not; that he thinks a part of the
Company Served a little better than two months, that from Duplin old Court House he marched to Jumping Run,
about two miles below Wilmington, that While there he assisted in throwing up intrenchments; that there two
Frenchmen, who were regular officers Viz Col. MALMADY and Major DeBARON Selected Seventy men and
this applicant among them to go with their mounted infantry Seventy in number and Seventy mounted men called
Knockem down men, armed with pistols and white Oak Staffs; that from Jumping Run he marched with them
to Harrison's Creek which runs into the North East, that while at Harrison's Creek he heard that Lord
CORNWALLIS & Colonel TARLTON, With their forces, were in Wilmington, that this Was in the Spring of
the Year, before Lord CORNWALLIS Surrendered in the fall; that While at Harrison's creek a detachment under
the Command of Major DeBARON, marched down to Wilmington to reconnointre the enemy, that from
Harrison's Creek he marched to Rutherford's Mills across Holly Shelter Creek which runs into the North East,
that he remained there three days making intrenchment, expecting Lord CORNWALLIS and Col. TARLTON
with their army along that Way; that here two Frenchmen fell in With them, one an Officer Capt. FARROW-GAD
[?] who took Command of the Artillery, there being two pieces found there when we arrived, that this
was not long after the battle at Guilford, and that he understood that these frenchmen had been in that battle; that
at this place he thinks there Was a company or part of a Company of militia from Duplin when he arrived; that
from thence he marched to Limestone bridge which is a cross the North East; that he remained there two or three
days, that he had been promised to be discharged there, as the three months for which he had been drafted were
about to expire, but was not, the Officers Saying they would discharge the companies after they had marched
them to Kingston in Lenoir County N. C that from thence he marched to Kingston and was discharged on the
29th of April of that Year, that Soon after his return from Kingston CORNWALLIS and his army passed through
Duplin; that about fifteen days after his return aforesaid, hearing that a body of tories consisting of one hundred
& fifty two foot Soldiers, and thirteen lighthorsemen, were in Cohara about two miles from Sampson Court
House, he rode all night Collecting a Company to go against them; that Seven^two lighthorsemen Collected and
embodied at Sampson Court House or rather Where Sampson Court House now is & Were Commanded by
Daniel WILLIAMS, & David DOOD, that Genl. KENAN Major Abraham MOULTIN and Curtis IVEY who
had been an officer in the regular army were in the Company; that from thence he marched to Michan's Bridge
on Cohara where he Came upon the trail of the tories, pursued them and fell in With them at Portivints race
paths, where there was a Skirmish in which We had two wounded, they retreated we pursued them and overtook
them at Robinsons Swamp where there Was another Skirmish, that they retreated, and we pursued them on across
Black River just below where Newkirks bridge now is, where they escaped from us; that this Service was for
about five or Six days, that he was a Volunteer
"Interrogatories propounded to William WARD an applicant for a pension on account of revolutionary Services
as a Volunteer and in the militia of North Carolina
"Question 1st. When & in what Year were you born?
"Answer I was born in Pitt County . . . North Carolina, between Tar River and the Roanoke on the 20th
December 1753.
"Question 2nd. Have You any record of Your age; and if So, Where is it?
"Answer I have a record of my age at home in a large bible.
NCGSJ - Feb 93 45
"Question 3rd. Where were You living when called into Service; where have You lived Since the
revolutionary War and where do You now live?
"Answer When called into Service, I was living in Duplin County on Goshen Since the revolutionary War
I lived on Goshen; & near Duplin old Court House, not far from the line now dividing Duplin from Sampson
at which places I lived till about thirty years ago. When I removed to Where I now live which is Sampson County
N. C, not far from the Duplin line.
"Question 4th. How were You called into Service Were You drafted did You Volunteer or Were You a
Substitute; and if a Substitute for whom?
"Answer I volunteered every term except the last, when I was drafted; I never Served as a Substitute.
"Question 5th. State the names of Some of the regular Officers who were With the troops where You Served,
Such continental and militia regiments as You can recollect, and the General circumstances of Your Service.
"Answer The regular officers as I understood who were with the troops where I Served Were captain Henry
DICKSON Lietenant Tilman DICKSON, Col. MALMADY & Major DeBARON I recollect the North Carolina
continental regiment that marched as I understood to Philadelphia and were inoculated with the Small pox fought
at the battle of Brandywine and were commanded by Genl. Francis NASH; Genl. CASWELL commanded as I
understood Six hundred men; and Genl. LILLINGTON three hundred, that I recollect, of the militia, whether
they Were regiments or not I dont know. The continental regiment above alluded to Was called the first regiment
of north Carolina the general circumstances of my Service are detailed in the preceding declaration.
"Question 6th. Did you ever receive a discharge from the Service; if So by whom Was it given, and what
has become of it?
"Answer I dont recollect of ever having received Written discharge and if I ever did I took no care of them
I have examined among my papers and can find none; we generally got a ticket for our Services.
"Question 7th. State the names of persons to Whom You are known in Your present neighbourhood, and who
can testify as to Your character for veracity, and their belief of Your Services as a Soldier of revolution?
"Answer John BRYAN, William ROBINSON Esqr. Dickson SLOAN, Major James MATTHIS, David
RODGERS, Robert MARLEY and others I could mention of Sampson County and the Rev. William WELLS
Rev. Samuel STANFORD, Rev. Peter CARLTON, William STOKES, Gibson SLOAN, Robert SLOAN, John
LINTON & others I Could mention of Duplin County."
His name is not on the pension roll of any state, /s/ WILLIAM WARD
David ROGERS (a clergyman) and William ROBINSON, both of Sampson County, certify they "are well
acquainted with William WARD . . . we believe him to be Seventy eight Years of age, that he is reputed and
believed . . . to have been a Soldier of the revolution . . ." /s/ DAVID ROGERS, W. ROBINSON
The Court declared their opinion the applicant was a revolutionary soldier, /s/ W. KIRBY Chr., BURREL
DAWSON, HENRY GODWIN, BEN. PHILLIPS, D. DAWSON
441. WILLIAM WARREN. (Minutes of Craven Co., NC, Court of P & QS, June Term 1821.)
On 13 June 1821 William WARREN, aged 68 years, resident in Craven County, made a declaration on oath
in open court that "he enlisted in Martin County . . . North Carolina in May 1776, in the fifth regiment of the
Continental troops of the United States during the Revolutionary war commanded by Col. Edward BUNCOMB
that he was in service two years and was in the battles of Brandywine & Germantown, . . . " He was a resident
citizen of the United States on 18 March 1818.
Property: fifty acres of land, one mare, thirteen head of cattle, twenty-eight hogs, seventeen pigs, six sheep,
fifty stock of bees, one cotton gin, [illegible], a hand gin, two old carts, one handmill, one grindstone, one gun,
NCGSJ - Feb 93 46
two ploughs, and three hoes, old [illegible] iron, and a small quantity of crockery. His "family consists of his
wife aged 58 years, four daughters, viz Betsey aged 22 - Anna aged 20 - Polly aged 18, Louisa [Levisa?] aged
16 - a son viz William aged 14 - all of whom occasionally contribute to their own support & all of whom but the
son may leave him at their pleasure." /s/ WM WARREN
The opinion of the Court is that the fifty acres of land are worth but $12.50 and the total amount of the other
property is $158.50.
442. MOSES WATERS. (Minutes of Rutherford Co., NC, Court of P & QS, December Term 1832.)
"The declaration of Moses WATERS aged 71 years was Sworn to by him in open Court & Certified on oath
by Revd. David L. BALLEW & John MILLS - and the opinion of the Court as to his services as a soldier of the
Revolution annexed, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions of the Act of Congress passed on the 7th of
June 1832 - and the whole certified under the Seal of the Court etc.-"
443. WILLIAM WATSON. (Minutes of Rutherford Co., NC, Court of P & QS, October Court 1833, page
205.)
"The declaration of William WATSON Senr. aged 74 years made in order to obtain the benefit of the
provisions of the Act of Congress passed on the 7th June 1832 for relief of soldiers of the revolution was sworn
to by him in open Court; and the usual accompanying certificate of belief of age & neighborhood report &
opinion as to his services was made & sworn to in open Court by Revd. John PADGET & by Jno. [do.?]
CARSON & the whole certified.-"
SOME DROWNINGS IN 1887
"Alamance Gleaner: A young man named Haywood PAYNE, aged about 19 years, son of Laban PAYNE, was
drowned near Cedar Cliff, in this county [Alamance], about the middle of Tuesday afternoon. He and his brother
George were in a boat looking after some dip nets they had been setting. The boat sprung a leak and sunk. . ."
(Person County Courier [Roxboro, NC], 7 April 1887)
"Lum BROWN, a colored man, was drowned in Womack's mill pond Tuesday. He was managing one end of
a seine and got hung to a snag or something in deep water and could not extricate himself. [Caswell News."
(Person County Courier [Roxboro, NC], 12 May 1887)
"A distressing ac