What’s New

Henderson County Deed Book #1 additions

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I have added page 86 – 110 of deed book #1 to the deeds page.  For the present time it will be located at the end of the “Deed Book #1”  page, after the school district deed, and in order by page number, not alphabetically.  In about 2 weeks I will incorporate these new transcriptions into the alphabetical list.  This will allow you to just review the new ones without hunting through those you may have already seen.  This is a slow process but I am determined to abstract all of book #1 eventually.  There are over 300 pages so it might take a while.

We need contributions for this site.  If you have a favorite site and would like to have a link on the Henderson County page please email it to me and I will enter it into the “Resources” page.

Jones, John (Sr) (1854)

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Partial documentation.  More will be added.ESTATE OF JOHN JONES SR.  1859 DOCUMENT #1State of North CarolinaHenderson County                          In Equity

To the honorable the judge of said court.  This bill of complaint of Joseph Stepp and wife Elizabeth Stepp, Thomas Jones, Robert Kilpatrick, Merrel Kilpatrick, William Kilpatrick, John Kilpatrick, Benjamin Kilpatrick, Ebenezer Kilpatrick, Benjamin Foster and wife Mary, Fanny Kilpatrick, Jane Kilpatrick, Elizabeth Kilpatrick, Nancy Kilpatrick, Marshall Prince and wife anne, Laura Kilpatrick, John Morris and wife Nancy, Martha Kilpatrick, Andrew Jones, William Jones, Hiram Jones, John King, J. U. King, Samuel King, Robert King, B. K. King, James Stepp and wife Leodicea, James Lanning and wife Leah, Jonathan Maxwell, Isaiah Laughter and wife Matilda, Dallas King a minor who sues by his next friend Hiram King, George W. Brown and wife Fanny, John Stepp and wife Elizabeth, Thomas King a minor who sues by his next friend Hiram King, John Jones, Thomas K. Jones, J. W. Jones, Eliza J. Jones and Sarah Ann Jones, minors who sue by their next friend Andrew Maxwell, Robert Jones, John Justice and wife Mary, Menil Kilpatrick, James Stepp and wife Anna, and John Brown and wife Mary

Sheweth unto your honor that John Jones Sr recently died in the County of Henderson seized and possessed of a tract of land bound as follows  Viz:  Beginning on a large pine on the west side of Blue Ridge in William Millers line, W 100 poles across Lyda’s branch passing a PO mark as a line 10 poles to a stake, N 110 poles to line W. O.  E 100 poles to a stake then S 110 poles to the beginning.  Another tract beginning at a SO in the said line of the above mentioned tract W 65 poles to a stake  Davidson’s line N 98 poles to a PO  Then East with said line 44 poles to a white oak his corner N 70 poles to a Red Oak E 180 poles to a chestnut oak 12 poles to a WO S 21 W 100 poles to a hickory grub and pointer, W 30 poles to a stake, N 74 poles to a stake West 100 poles S 146 to the beginning.  One other tract of six and a quarter and joining the  other two and granted to John Brown beginning on a   with his line W 55 poles to a stake 118 poles to a stake E 55 poles to a stake and North to the beginning.  Petitioners further show that they and the defendant Mary Brown are the heirs at law of said John Jones and as  they are entitled to own undivided interest in said tract of land.

They further shew unto your honor that the said tracts of land are poor mountain land and that owning to the great number of the claimants the said tract which from each other and may be as a whole cannot be advanced without manifest injury to all parties concerned and that a sale of the same is absolutely necessary to meet the end of justice.  In consideration of this premise may it please your honor to order the state writ of subpoena to be issued to the defendants commanding them to appear at the next session of this court on the first Monday after the fourth Monday in March and answer the said matters and things herein set forth and may it please your honor to order, adjudge, and sale of the premises above described upon such terms as to your honor may seem just and proper and grant such other relief as maybe necessary and proper and your petitioners will ever pray for.

DOCUMENT #2

State of North Carolina                In Equity Spring Term 1861

Henderson County

To the Honorable the judge of the Court of Equity for Henderson County.  The separate answer of John Brown and wife Mary to the Bill of complaint of  Joseph Stepp and wife and others in this court against themselves, as to so much and such part thereof spoken is advised is material for them to answer reserving all manner of exception as to us that it is true John Jones late of Henderson County died intestate, leaving the plaintiffs and the defendant Mary his heir at law and it is believed true that he died seized of the legal title to the land mentioned in the plaintiffs petitions but not in possession of any part thereof.  The fact is the defendant John Brown was seized and possessed of all the said land up to the fall of the year 1859 when he became embarrassed in his pecuniary matters and the said land was levied upon by the sheriff, with several executions and the intestate John Jones father-in-law of the defendant John (Brown) and father of the defendant Mary, being in easy circumstances and able to assist defendant, the defendant John (Brown) applied to him for assistance and the said intestate agreed to advance the sum of eight hundred dollars in payment of the debt of the defendant and take the said land as security therefore and let the defendant keep the possession and resident (of) the land where he got understanding the defendant John (Brown) conveyed all the said land to the said John Jones in fee simple and the said intestate advanced the said sum of eight hundred dollars as aforesaid.  The defendant kept the possession of the land and have had possession ever since.  That the said intestate died shortly after this transaction and the defendant John (Brown) has been as yet unable to return the said sum and interest and secure the said land. That although the said conveyance is absolute upon it fact it was intended by the parties to be but a security for repayment of said sum and interest and which fact it well known to many of the plaintiffs and several of them have agreed to surrender their interest in the said land to the defendant John (Brown).  That in as much as the defendant John (Brown) is still unable to repay the said sum, so seemed, without a sale of said lands.  The defendant submits to and thereof under an order of this court and insist that the proceeds there of be appropriated to the payment of the said debt and interest and that any balance of said proceeds of sale should be accrued be paid to the defendant John (Brown) and such other cost as may be evident to this proceeding.  The defendant having answered prays to be dismissed.

S. B. Gaston, Sol for Dfnds

State of North Carolina

Henderson County                John Brown swears that the matters of fact set forth is his answer as of his own knowledge are true and that not of his own knowledge he believes to be true.

DOCUMENT # 3

State of North Carolina                                                Joseph Step and wife et al

Henderson County                     vs            John Brown and wife

Report of Sale to Fall Term 1862

In obedience to an order of this honorable Court made at Fall Term 1862 and as directed for forty days I proceeded to sell at the Court House door in the town of Hendersonville the land in the pleading for and at which time and place John Brown became the purchaser his being the highest and last bid at the sum of one thousand and two dollars and has executed his with James S. Brown and Isaac Arledge as security payable twelve months after date with interest from day of sale which amount in the opinion of the Master is the full market value of said land and of which is respectfully submitted.

Henry Farmer

CME

I can find you the equity records, no report of sale nor any notes on file on that date of sale.  I also find:

1.                   By affixant of John Brown on file tract of land sale was made about 1862 and that John Brown became the purchaser at the same and gave his note to 6 months for $1002.00

2.                   That there were 8 shares in the estate

3.                   That John Brown and wife Polly were entitled to 1/8      $125.25

4.                   That I believe & exhibites to interest                         473.63

Principal                      $598.92

That by report May 20, 1863                                          300.00

That by report July 18, 1864                                        211.00

What ___ does not appear          $411.00

DOCUMENT #4

State of North Carolina   Henderson County

Heirs of John Jones Exparte.  John Brown make oath before me that real estate of John Jones was sold by C.M. of Henderson County about or during the year 1862.  That at said sale he became the last and highest bidder at the sum of $1002.00 for which amount he gave his note to CME.  Sworn to rememberance before me this 6 March 1873  CM Pace   John Brown (his mark)

Final as follows:

Real Estate sold                                    1003.00

There were 8 original heirs, each entitled to  $125.35

Robert Jones                                         125.35

Joseph Stepp & wife                              125.35

Thomas Jones                                       125.35

John Brown                                           125.35

Isiah Latter and wife 1 /4 of 1/8                  8.75

S. M. King and wife  1 /4 of 1/8                   8.75

G. W. Brown and wife 1 /4 of 1/8                 8.75

B. K. King 1 /4 of 1/8                                 8.75

Joseph U. King  1 /4 of 1/8                         8.75

Robert J. King  1/ 4 of 1/8                          8.75

A. W. Kilpatrick 1/ 4 of 1/8                        10.42

J. W. Lanning & wife  1 /4 of 1/8                 8.75

King  1/ 4 of 1/8                           8.75

J.   ?  & wife  1 /4 of 1/8                           8.75

John Brown exhibits                    $598.92

Receipt of CME  20 May 1863        300.00

Receipt of CME 13 July 1864          211.00

Brown entitled to 1/8 being the interest of Robert Jones conveyed to Joseph S. Brown by Joseph S. Brown to defendant John Brown

Brown and wife interest to 1/8

Conveyed to Joseph S. Brown & by Joseph S. Brown

Conveyed to defendant John  Brown 1/8

Brown entitled to James Stepp and wife Fanny  =  1/8

Brown entitled to John Jusstice & wife Polly  + 1 /4 of 1/8

Brown entitled to N. M. Kilpatrick  1/12 of 1/8

Brown entitled to Joseph U. King  1/14 of 1/8

Brown entitled to B. K. King  1/14 of 1/8

Brown entitled to R. J. King 1/14 of 1/8

Brown entitled to J. J. King  1/14 of 1/8

Brown entitled to G. W. Brown and wife Fanny  1/14 of 1/8

Brown entitled to Isaiah Laughter  1/14 of 1/8

Brown entitled to Samuel King  1/14 of 1/8

Brown entitled to J. W. Lanning & wife Leah 1/14 of 1/8

 

Stepp, James (1821)

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ESTATE OF JAMES STEPPDOCUMENT #1 – Petition of heirs – 1857State of North Carolina

Henderson County—In Equity

To the Honorable The Judge of the Court of Equity for the county of Henderson in the state of North Carolina

The petition of William Stepp, James Case, William Case, Jesse Case, Toliver Lewis, wife Elizabeth, Christopher Summary and wife Mary, Sarah Case, James Stepp, Abraham Stepp, Robert Stepp William Harrel & wife Mary, James Laughter, Bird Laughter, Isaih Paine and wife Martha, John Case and wife Mourning, John Stepp, James Stepp, Shadrack Lewellen and wife Elizabeth, Tonsil, ( Stepp) & wife Leah,  James Stepp, Ruebin Stepp, Isaac Lyda & wife Mary , David Lyda and wife Elvira, John Brock and wife Catherine,  Felix Freeman & wife Agnes, William Stepp and Mary Stepp, plaintiffs against Joseph Stepp and Ruebin Stepp  of Henderson county–defendants.

Humbly complaining, your petitioners showeth  unto your Honor that one James Stepp of the said county died some years since in the said county, intestate. Seized and possessed of the following tract of land situated and being on Hungary Creek granted to Thomas Hall, No. 661.Beginning at a white oak, then south 10 degrees east 180 poles to a stake, then south 80 degrees west 90 poles to a stake, then south 10 degrees west 180 poles to a stake, then to the beginning, containing one hundred acres more or less.Your petitioners further showeth  unto your Honor that the said James Stepp left heirs surviving him the following children who were his heirs at law, to wit:William Stepp, Elizabeth married to Thomas Case, John Stepp, Mourning married to John Laughter, James Stepp, Joseph Stepp, Ruebin Stepp, and Mary Stepp upon whom his real estate descended as tenants in common. That Elizabeth Case and Thomas Case are dead, leaving your petitioners James, William, Jesse and Sarah Case. , and Elizabeth Lewis wife of Toliver, and Mary Summary, wife of Christopher, their heirs at law. That John Stepp (this is the John Stepp who was husband of Rebecca Kuykendall – contributors note) died intestate, leaving James, Abraham, and Robert Stepp, and Mary Harrel wife of William, his heirs at law. That Mourning Laughter died intestate, leaving James Laughter and Bird Laughter, and Martha Paine wife of Isiah and Mourning Case wife of John, her heirs at law. That James Case died intestate  leaving Elizabeth Lewellen wife of Shadrack, John Stepp, James Stepp, Jane Stepp wife of Tonsil, James Stepp, Ruebin Stepp, Mary Lyda wife of Isaac, Elvira Lyda wife of David, Catherine wife of John Brock, Agnes wife of Felix Freeman and William Stepp, his heirs at law. That Joseph, Ruebin and Mary are still living and each entitled to one share in said ____.Your petitioners further showeth unto your Honor that they and the respondents, Joseph and Ruebin Stepp are tenants in common in the said lands, and that the respondents are and have been in the possession and & in the enjoyment of the profits of the same and that from the great number of the owners and the small quantity of land that actual partition cannot be made without destroying the interest of all, and therefore prays your Honor to cause and order a sale of said land for the purpose of partition  upon such terms as may be ____ must to your Honor and such other & further relief as the ___requires and will justify. And may it please your Honor to grant unto your petitioners the  states right of subpoena to be executed to the defendants Joseph Stepp and Ruebin Stepp , commanding them to  appear and answer this petition at the next term of this court. As in __ __ will we pray.

B. S. _____  ____ ______

Typed as spelled in the actual record. _____This denotes words I can’t decipher.

Comments in (  ) are mine.   The date of this was 1857.

Submitted by Rita Stepp Ficht

DOCUMENT # 2 – Answer to petition 1857

State of North Carolina—In Equity Sale

Henderson County——-Term 1857

To the Honorable the Judge of the court of Equity of said county.

The joint answer of Ruebin Stepp & Joseph Stepp to the petition of William Stepp & others or ______ much as they are advised it material for them to and were_____& resolved to themselves the  benefit of exception to the many errors & inaccuracies , misstatements & false allegations in sd ( said) petition contained for answer sayeth.

That the Father of your respondents, James Stepp, deceased departed this life in the year 1821- leaving the following children — William Stepp, Elizabeth Case, Joseph Stepp, Ruebin Stepp,Mary Stepp, heirs of Mourning Laughter & heirs of John Stepp. John Stepp and Mourning Laughter being long ago deceased.

Your respondents further state that one of them to wit Joseph Stepp purchased of the sd ( said) James, his father in his lifetime fifty acres of land & for which he took a deed bearing date 4th day of September 1814 which is marked A & prayed to be taken as part of their answer, Sd (said) deed has been regularly registered and recorded & for which your respondents paid a full & adequate considerations.Your respondents further state that soon after the death of the sd(said) James Stepp that the other fifty acres of land of which the sd (said) James died seised in full was sold & conveyed to the heirs & next of kin of the sd(said) James who were entitled to the same by decent to wit Ruebin Stepp and Joseph Stepp, your respondents. Also by Thomas Case & wife Elizabeth & James Stepp deceased to their sister Mary Stepp in consideration that they should support & maintain their mother Mary Stepp, widow of sd (said) James during her life sd (said) deed was bonifide & witnessed by one James Case & delivered to the sd (said) Mary & she was then in possession of  said tract of land & to continue supporting their aged mother Mary to the date of her death. After which to wit in the year said Mary for valuable consideration conveyed the said fifty acres to her brother Ruebin Stepp one of your respondents.& one James Case who thereupon took immediate posession of said land under the deed aforesaid., which has been regularly registered & recorded Marked B and prayed to be taken as part of this answer. Your respondents further answering state that they & those of whom they respectively  purchased & those claiming under them  have had the uninterupted continued & adverse posession of the two 50 acre tracts of land ever since the death of said James Stepp deceased to wit in the year 1821.& that their title to said lands & tenant have been long ago perfected not only by purchase & regularly excuted deed of conveyance but have referred into absolute title by the operation of the statute of limitations said adverse posession having continued over thirty years continuously from year to year under colour of title & under & ____ ____  & visable boundried and marked line.

Your respondents further answering alledge & expressly charge that said petitioners fonded in fraud & that the petitioners prayer would go unheeded by this Honorable court upon the grounds that they have exhibited  no evidences of title to sd (said) premises or any part there of that they have not shown themselves entitled to any undivided interest in said land & that if they or any ___ were entitled as heirs at law or next of kin of the said James Stepp deceased by descent or otherwise that they should have established their respective rights at laws before this Honorable court could entitle jurisdiction of a petition praying for the sale of land claimed by descent  or other wiseYour respondents further alledge & expressly charge that the two deeds herein before referred to executed to Joseph Stepp & to Ruebin Stepp & James Case embraces the entire tract of lands lying on Hungary Creek containing one hundred acres originally granted to one Thomas Hall  & afterward transferred to the said James Stepp deceased father of your respondents.& is the identical land described in the petition filed in this Honorable Court. The title to which being  in vested in fee in ____ the petitioners. Your respondents pray this Honorable Court to order and decree that said petition be dismissed & your respondents having answered fully and in detail all the motional allegations in said petition contained. pray to be ____ dismised with their reasonable costs, sd (said)unjustly, appended in his behalf.

___ M Edney

The rest of it except for Joseph and Ruebin Stepp’s signatures is illegible. _____ This denotes word I could not decipher,

Transcribed  as written as to punctuation and spelling  and submitted

Submitted by Rita Stepp Ficht

DOCUMENT #3  James Stepp to Joseph Stepp 4 Sept 1814

ORIGINAL DEED LOCATED IN ESTATE RECORDS OF JAMES STEPP, NC STATE ARCHIVES, RALEIGH, NC

Know all men by these present that James Stepp of the State of North Carolina Buncombe County of the one part and Joseph Stepp of the other part witnesseth that the said James Stepp for in consideration of the sum of fifty dollars to him in hand paid by the said Joseph Stepp the receipt whereof I do acknowledge my self fully satisfied have bargined sold and conveyed a certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the County of Buncombe and state of North Carolina on Hungary Creek of Green River unto the said Joseph Stepp his heirs and assigns for ever. Beginning on a white oak and runs thence south then East eighty poles to a chestnut a conditional corner and thece along the conditional line to the creek and thence with the creek forty? poles thence on the south side of a small branch up to the line thence with the line north ten west one hundred eighty poles from a stake at the lower end of the same line thence to beginning containing fifty acres more or less with all the privelages and improvements to have and to hold all the above land and property? to him the said Joseph Stepp his heirs and assigns forever._____further that said James Stepp for my self my heirs and executors , administrators do convey, _____ and ____ to and the land to Joseph Stepp his heirs and assigns that I shall have and hold all the above land and premises free from me my heirs and assigns forever and further to —-and forever defend all the above land and premises free and clear from all lawful claims whatever unto the said Joseph Stepp his heirs and assigns. In witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this 4th Day of September 1814 in the presents of

Witnesses: his

Reuben Stepp,   James “X” Stepp

John Spann mark

State of North Carolina} Clerks office in _______

Henderson County } October the 3rd AD 1857

The —– execution of the within deed was duly proven before me by the oath of Reuben Stepp one of the subscribing witnesses thence recorded and ordered to be registered

Witness R. W. Allen CCC

State of North Carolina} Registers office 5th day of October 1857

Submitted by:  Kathy Summers

 

DOCUMENT #4  Deed from Mary Stapp to Reuben Stepp and James Case

Know all men by these present that I Mary Stapp of the State of North Carolina nd County of Buncombe of the one part and Reuben Stapp and James Case of the State and County aforesid of the other part witnesseth that the said Mary for & in consideration of the sum of forty dollars to her in hand paid by the said Stapp and Case, the receipt whereof I do acknowledge my self fully satisfied and ____whereof I the said Mary Stapp hath bargined, sold and conveyed a certain tract or parcel of land being and lying in the state and county aforesaid on Hungry Creek granted unto the said Reuben Stapp and Case their heirs and assigns beginning at a stone and stake the South corner of a tract of land formerly belonging to James Stapp dec. and being a part of a tract and parcel South eighty West ninety poles to a stake thence North ten West to a conditional line made between Joseph Stapp and his father James Stapp thence with the conditional to the first line of said old tract thence south ten East to the beginning with its advantages, mines, and minerals and herrediments and apertainences thereunto belonging.  I bind myself my heirs, assigns and administrators to warrent and forever defend said land from all lawful claims whatever unto the said Reuben Stapp and said James Case their heirs assigns and administrators forever where as I have set my hand and seal in the presents of our____ this fourteenth day of April AD 1834.

Mary (her mark)X Stapp

Witnesses:  Thomas Leverette

Batshaba Leverett (X her mark)

Recorded Henderson Co NC Deed Book 6 Page 342)

Submitted by:  Kathy Summers

(There are additional documents in this file.)

Hill, Charles (1830)

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Will of Charles HillsIn the name of God, Amen. I Charles Hills of the State of North Carolina and County of Rutherford do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following: Vis: I resign my soul unto the hands of Almighty God, hoping and believing in a resission? Of my soul by the merit and mediation of Jesus Christ. And my ____ I commit to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereinafter named – any my worldly state I give and devise as follows:Vis: I give and devise to my son in law Hiram Dunkin all my land two hundred acres lying and being in the State and County aforesaid on Mountain Creek, to have and to hold with all that appertained thereunto to my son in law Hiram Dunkin his heirs and assigns forever because he has agreed to be at all trouble and expense with me and my wife as long as we live which he is to do in a decent and right manner. Also, I give and devise fifty dollars in trade to my daughter Rachel Hills, and all the remainder of my estate of every kind after paying my just debts, I do give and devise and equally paid to all four of my children viz Susannah Gregory, Olive Dunkin, William Hills and Rachel Hills. And I do hereby appoint Hiram Dunkin and William Hills executor of this my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 3 day of May 1830. Charles Hill – SealSigned, sealed, published and declared by the said testor as and for his last will and testament in presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereunto.Signed Isaac Rohm?, William Hall and John Hall

Mills, William (d. 1834)

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MILLS, WILLIAM  Died November 10, 1834.
Obituary of William Mills, published in a contemporary Hendersonville NC newspaper:
"WILLIAM MILLS son of Ambrose and Mourning Mills, immigrants to the U.S. from England,' born on James River,
Virginia, November 10, 1746, moved to Wateree, S.C., where in 1763 he married Elleanor Morriss;
later moved to Green River, Rutherford County; a participant at King's Mountain, Cowpens,
and Ninety-Six; the first white man to cross the Blue Ridge into what is now Henderson County;
moved to Buncombe County in 1788; died November 10, 1834.
"Buried in LUCIAN EDNEY CEMETERY, HENDERSON, NC, (Now called the WILLIAM MILLS FAMILY CEMETERY,
(Contributed by Edwin E. Peeler)