Independence Day

I can't let Independence Day come and go without pausing a moment to brag. Not brag so much as to recognize my Patriot ancestors who personally had a hand (or gave a life) to help create a new nation:

1. CYRUS DAVIS of Granville County, NC served in Donoho's Company from April 1776 to September 1778. 

2. JONES FULLER of Granville County, NC served with the Granville Militia in Cept. Solomon Alston's Company. 

3. MESHAK FULLER served from Granville County, NC.

4. JOEL JOHNSON served from Johnston County, NC.

5. JOHN JOHNSON of Johnston County, NC was a Pvt. with the 2nd North Carolina Batt. He served under Capt. Manlore Tarrant and Col. John Patten.  

6. BENJAMIN MATTHEWS served from Bladen County, NC. He received 207 pounds 5 shillings in 1783 for some unspecified participation.

7. MATTHEW MOORE of Cumberland County, NC served with his father, WILLIAM MOORE. 

8. WILLIAM MOORE of Cumberland County, NC served in Lt. Col's Company enlisting July 20, 1778.

9. GODFREY STANCIL of Tyrrell County, NC served on the Pitt County Safety Committee during the war.

10. JOHN STANCIL of Wake County, NC served in Capt. Polk's Regiment 1776 - 1784.

11. PETER STANCIL of Tyrrell County, NC gave his life in service. He was in the 10th Reg., Capt. Bradley's Company. In his service file found at the NC Archives is this one statement:  

"I hereby certify that Peter Stancil served as a continental soldier in the North Carolina Line and dec'd in the service thereof. Given under my hand this 23rd fay of December, 1796. John Mecleara"

For his service and death, Peter's heirs were entitled to a land bounty given after the war by the State of North Carolina. The land was in Tennessee.

I am sure there are many other patriot ancestors I have not yet identified. 

It makes me quite proud that my family - both paternal and maternal - helped step us toward democracy. 

Somewhere between your first burger and your last hotdog tomorrow, be sure to pause a moment to remember why you have the day off. If not for the Peter Stancil's of the world who gave their lives in service, we would not be enjoying a beautiful celebration in the land of the free. 

Will of Ralph Matthews, 1687

Nuncupative (oral) Will of RALPH MATTHEWS

Isle of Wight County, Virginia Will and Deed Book 2, p. 269. 
Registered August 13, 1687.

An account of what RALPH MATTHEWS gave his three children before his departure to each: one bed and bedstead, to each six pewter dishes, to each one [an] Iron pot, to each one [a] frying pan, to each one a dozen of spoons, to each two por-ringers?, to one a skinner, to the next a flesh fork, and the other a ladle, and that had the lade to give her one salt tiller to equalize the skinner and flesh fork, and this he did desire. Should be at his wife's disposing till they come of age to ____ it themselves, furthermore he did desire that Col. Smith or his sonne Arthur Smith to take some care that this which he gave his children may not be imbezled and for the children be defrauded of it, and furthermore that his wife should have the remainder herself paying his debts out of it. This RALPH MATTHEWS desired as we have set our hands and hereunto to take notice of as to be his Will. Col Smith being present at that time, it being some two days before his death. Attested by Boaz Gwin, Robert Brock. Proved in open court held for the Isle of Wight County, August ye 13th 1687 by the oaths of Boaz Gwin and Robert Brock.

Test. John Pitt Ct. Clerk 
Isle of Wight County, Virginia Administrations and Probates, p. 61. 
[Abstract]

RALPH MATTHEWS by will appointed his relict, ALICE MATTHEWS, Executrix, August 13, 1687. Registered October 21, 1687

Source:  "Nimrod and Amanda Johnson Stephenson of Pleasant Grove Township, Johnston County, North Carolina:  Their Ancestors and Descendants". 1991 by James Mark Valsame, Raleigh, NC.

Will of Hugh Matthews, 1747

Will of HUGH MATTHEWS

Southampton County, Virginia Will Book 1, pp. 55-57
Devised November 7, 1747, Registered September 12, 1751

In the Name of God Amen, I HUGH MATTHEWS of the County of Southampton in Nottoway parish do make this writing my last will and testament in form and manner as followeth. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson JONAS MATTHEWS son of JOHN MATTHEWS deceased 200 acres of land lying on the East side of Angelica Swamp being part of a tract of land formerly taken up by Captain William West and now possessed by Edward Drew I say I give the said tract of land to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson RALPH MATTHEWS son of RALPH MATTHEWS a certain tract or parcel of Land lying on the East side of Angelica Swamp a survey lately made by Major James Baker the Contents not known at present I say I give the said land to him and his heirs. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my Grandson SOLOMON STEPHENSON a certain tract or parcel of land lying on James Branch bounded by Edward Drew's line and my own line the contents unknown at present I give the said Land to him and his heirs. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my two sons EDWARD MATTHEWS and WILLIAM MATTHEWS a new survey of Land lately made by me lying on James Branch and bounded by the Indians line and the branch commonly called the Indian Branch I say I give the said land to my said sons to be equally divided between them according to quantity and quality to them and their Heirs.

Item. I give and bequeath to my loving wife ANN MATTHEWS the plantation I now live on during her widowhood and afterwards I bequeath the same to my son JOSEPH MATTHEWS likewise my desire that my son JOSEPH MATTHEWS my build him a house that which he hath on part of the said Land and my desire that he may live where he is on that part of the land that was laid off to him and on the manor plantation without any molestation the time of her widowhood, I say I give the said plantation to him and his son JACOB MATTHEWS and their heirs. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my son JOSEPH MATTHEWS my still and all conveniences thereunto belonging likewise I bequeath the third part of the liquor, both Cider and Brandy, made on the Plantation to my wife ANN MATTHEWS during her widowhood and my Will and Desire is that my three sons EDWARD and WILLIAM may have the liberty of stilling the Cider in the said Still as long as she lasts on free cost. 

Item. I bequeath to my loving wife ANN MATTHEWS my Negro fellow called Jack during her widowhood and after to have his freedom and my desire is that my wife ANN MATTHEWS may not take any body to Crop? it with her except her own son. 

Item. My will and desire is that all my Household stuff and goods of all kinds may be equally divided between my loving wife ANN MATTHEWS and my three sons EDWARD, WILLIAM, and JOSEPH except my wife ANN MATTHEWS should have a mind to leave the plantation then my will and desire is that she may have two cows and calves or year olds and my black riding horse, saddle and bridle, or otherwise if she continues after her Decd. to be equally divided among them likewise my desire is that my wife ANN MATTHEWS may have one feather bed and furniture. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter SARAH MAC KENNY one shilling and my fine duffell coat. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter MARTHA NEWSOM one shilling.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son BENJAMIN MATTHEWS one shilling.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter HESTER JOHNSON one shilling.

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson AARON MATTHEWS one bed and furniture, one beaver hat, broad cloth coat, and one two year heiffer. 

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter PATIENCE JOHNSON one shilling. Item. My will and desire is that if the stock of cattle increased on the plantation and either of my sons stands in need of cattle either of them may have a cow and calf to give them milk. 

Item. My desire is that my loving wife ANN MATTHEWS and my son JOSEPH MATTHEWS may be executors of this my last will and testament revoking all other wills by me made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seals the 7th day of November 1747. 

Wit. Dan. Sebree, 
Thomas Pursell, 
HUGH (HM) MATTHEWS 
George (+) Stephens

Will of Joseph Matthews, January 1791

Will of Joseph Matthews

Jan. 1791

NC State Archives

Cumberland County, N Carolina

  

In the name of God, amen I Joseph Matthews of Cumberland County and state of North Carolina being very sick but of sound mind and good memory and knowing it is appointed for all men to die I do make and ordain this as my last will and testament revoking all other wills heretofore by me maid.

Item my will and desire is for all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid and discharged.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Jacob Matthews five shillings to him and his hers for Ever.

Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Martha Smith five shillings to her and to herrs for Ever.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Matthews five shillings to him and to his herrs for Ever.

Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Hester Johnson five shillings to her and to herrs for Ever.

Item I give and bequeath to my son Hardy Matthews the whole of my carpenter tools and likewise the brandy that he is owing of me to pay my just debts out of  and what remains to be for his own use to him and to his hirss for Ever.

Item I give and bequeath unto Daughter Pleasant Thomas five shillings to her and to her hers for Ever.

Item I give and bequeath unto Matthew Jinks one filley and to his and to his hers for Ever.

Carried over

Item I give and bequeath to my Dear and well beloved wife Ann Matthews one bed and furniture thirteen head of hogs, six head of cattle, five head of sheep, one chest, and churn, one saddle and bridle, and one pr. of sheep shears, one hundred and fifty acres of land lying and being in the county of Cumberland and adjoining Solomon Parke's line and Simon Johnston and the line formerly called Hart's line, all the aforesaid articl above mentioned

I give unto my wife during her natural life or widowhood and after her death or marriage, then to be equally divided between her four sons, Joseph Jinks, Matthew Jinks, Burrell Jinks, and John Jinks to them and to their heirs forever.

Solomon Parck (+) Joseph (HM) Matthews

Henry Knight (seal)

Francis (+) Dorton

Joseph Matthews' Will

January 1791

Land Grants in Cumberland County before 1748

Take a look at this very cool map showing families who received land grants in early Cumberland County, NC (previously part of Bladen County). 

Naturally, most lands were on the banks of the Cape Fear River. The map largely covers the Rockfish Creek area.

There are several very early DAVIS and LOWERY families shown on the map, but I don't think these are my lines. 

There are a few other interesting names, such as CAMPBELL (today's Campbell University is nearby) and BUIES (Campbell Univ is located in Buies Creek, NC). Just speculating and day-dreaming here. There may not be any connection at all.

My MATTHEWS and MOORE families were in this area at this time. 

By the way, Cumberland County has a great US GebWeb page.