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. 

William Stancil and wife Edney Moore

My 4th great grandfather, William STANCIL, was born about 1760 in Cumberland County, NC. He was the first child of William STANCIL and unknown wife. As far as I can tell, he had only one sibling, Peter. 

His wife and my 4th great grandmother, Edney MOORE, was born about 1785 also in Cumberland County, NC. She was the fourth child of Matthew MOORE and wife Prudence. Edney had twelve siblings:  Benjamin, Hardy, Perry, John, Lewis, Britton, Prudence, Matthew, Nancy, Mary, Silas, and Sarah Henrie. 

William STANCIL and Edney MOORE had three children:

• William Young STANCIL was born on 10 May 1803 in Cumberland County, NC. He died in 1880 in Johnston County, NC. He married Elizabeth Sallie MORGAN before 1835 in Johnston County, NC. These were my 3rd great grandparents. I wrote about them here.
• John STANCIL was born about 1805 in Cumberland County and died sometime after 1880 in Harnett County, NC.
• Alexander STANCIL was born about 1807 in Cumberland County and died in 1862 in Granville County, NC. He married Celia BARBER on 20 Jan 1835 in Johnston County, NC.
• Wealthy Jane STANCIL was born and died in Cumberland County, NC. I wrote about her notorious lifestyle here.

I've yet to find proof of who William's father is, but I speculate it may be William Stancil Jr. because he was in Cumberland during the 1770s. William and his brother Peter appear in Cumberland records starting about 1790. 

William and Edney lived in the part of Cumberland County that bordered with Johnston County (at the time) which is where most of their children settled.

Land Grant to William Stancil
July 1797 for 150 acres in
Cumberland County, NC

William was quite active in the Cumberland County real estate market at least between 1805 and 1816. Some of the transactions were between him and his brother-in-law, John Moore and others between William and his brother Peter. William also received several land grants in Cumberland County.

William must have died between 1820–1830 in Cumberland County because he does not appear on the 1830 census. It does not appear that a will or estate record survived. Edney Moore Stancil died sometime after 1850.

Will of Matthew Moore, Cumberland County, NC, 1824

This will can be found online here and was originally submitted by Betty Moore. 

Will dated:  October 1824
Will probated: September 1825

From Cumberland County, North Carolina, Will Book B, p. 138 (in NC State Archives in Raleigh, NC). 

"In the name of God, Amen. I, Matthew Moore, on being weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory, or you may say this consideration of the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, vis: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Prudence Moore, the plantation and house that I formerly occupied, with all the household furniture, stock, hogs, sheep and cattle. When at her decease, what remains over and above shall be equally divided among her children. I do hereby appoint Prudence sole Executrix of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all former wills made by me. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 6th day of October in the year of our Lord, 1824. 

Matthew Moore (mark) (Seal) James Hodges John Moore"

Will was probated September 1825. Will Book B, p 138 - 139, North Carolina Archives. Wife Prudence received the house and plantation. Note:  Heirs (her children) were not named. Executrix was Prudence Moore, witnesses James Hodges and John Moore. There was a paper in the box at the archives dated 15 Feb 1838 and two copies of a petition filed in the courts by Neall Shaw et al vs. Daniel B. Cameron et al, one to be delivered to Malcom Buie and wife Annabella of the county. Not sure if this is related to the probate.

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.