QUAKER COMMUNITIES IN ALBEMARLE by Anne L. McCarthy

QUAKER COMMUNITIES IN ALBEMARLE

From The Hill Family of Chowan County North Carolina

By Anne L. McCarthy 

The land configurations of Albemarle made the area attractive and accessible. Laced with small streams, creeks, and deep rivers, the easy access by water into the untamed region offered ports for ocean-going ships able to take the settlers’ products directly to Caribbean ports and to the other colonies. Abundance of water also aided the farmers with their crops and for their homes. The Chowan, Perquimans, Pasquotank, and Little Rivers were linked with the smaller streams making a veritable water highway throughout the area. The source of these rivers was the Great Dismal Swamp, where the color of the water was a deep red, caused by the waters passing through the roots of the cypress trees. The water, however, was perfectly clear, tasted by no means unpleasant, and was quite wholesome. It had a diuretic effect on those who drank it, and prevented agues and fevers, or so it was claimed. Filled with the perils of virgin forests, native Indians, wild animals, insects, snakes, and reptiles, this area south of the Great Dismal Swamp was also more isolated from the English authorities.

Following the first landowners who settled along the main rivers and shores of Albemarle Sound, new arrivals were finding homesites father up near the heads of the four main rivers. When the word spread that this was a place where people were able to worship in freedom and that the Virginia government had less influence in the region, the Quakers in southern Virginia came to Albemarle in increasing numbers. They were an industrious, plain, sober, and hardy people who had already endured much hardship and privation. They were soon joined by other Quakers from the New England colonies who had heard that new Quaker settlements were being started in the south. One of these couples who came in the 1660’s was Henry and Hannah (Baskel) Phelps from Salem, Massachusetts. Among those who came from the Charlestown settlement in southern Carolina were Patrick Henley, John Culpeper, and Edward Mayo who had come originally from Barbados in the Caribbean.

On February 6, 1665, the first group of six freeholders met beneath a giant oak tree on the banks of Hall’s (Hill’s ?) Creek in Pasquotank Precinct1 to organize community affairs. William Drummond, one of those present at that meeting, had been appointed the first Governor of Albemarle in 1664 by Gov. Berkeley, acting on orders of the Lord Proprietors. George Catchmaid of Perquimans was chosen Assembly Speaker.2 Samuel Pricklove and George Durant were probably also among the original six at the meeting. Both served as local officials and were the first two settlers of the area. The isolation of Albemarle and the independent nature of it’s people were factors contributing to unstable government in the young colony in its first years of existence.

In 1676 Drummond returned to Virginia where he became actively involved in Bacon’s Rebellion. He was an ardent supporter of Nathaniel Bacon and thereby angered Governor Berkeley. When the rebellion was put down after Bacon’s death from illness, the Governor made Drummond the first of the rebels to pay the price for their disloyalty to his authority. Drummond was sentenced to be hanged. Mrs. Drummond and the children were put out of their home and were left wandering in the swamps near starvation. 

The Lord Proprietors next named Samuel Stephens as Governor of Albemarle. He served from 1667-1669. Stephens was born in Jamestown in 1629 and was the first governor of any colony to be born in America. He was married to Frances Culpeper, the sister of Lord John Culpeper. When Stephens died in1669, she married Governor William Berkeley. After Berkeley’s death in 1677, she married thirdly Phillip Ludwell, Governor of Charlestown, in ‘south’ Carolina. Stephens had owned a tract of 4,000 acres of land in Albemarle which was sold upon his death to John Hill of York County. In 1693 this same tract of land was sold by John Hill’s son, Samuel Hill of Warwick Co. and his wife, Mary, to Governor Seth Sothel (Southwell).

Bacon’s Rebellion in Virginia had reverberations in Albemarle. Some of Albemarle’s residents had been active in the Virginia revolt, and they returned to Albemarle to continue stirring up discontent there. John Culpeper, who had come to Pasquotank in 1675 from the Charlestown settlement where he had been accused of inciting the people against their government, was one of these. He left Pasquotank in 1676 to become Nathaniel Bacon’s lieutenant during the rebellion in Virginia. When the revolt was put down, he escaped to Albemarle, where he continued to sow seeds of discontent.

Disagreement between the early settlers who bought their lands from the Indians and those who had received land patents from the Lord Proprietors was an underlying cause of dispute. In addition, conflict between Quakers and non-Quakers, while government attempts to restrict export of tobacco (the money crop) also resulted in discontent. Nine Friends were fined and imprisoned in 1680 for refusing to bear arms. Samuel Hill of Warwick was one of these men.

When unrest in Albemarle broke out in Culpeper’s Rebellion, in 1677, Thomas Miller, an apothecary from Pasquotank, was serving as Deputy Governor in place of Thomas Eastchurch. The rebels, led by John Culpeper, arrested Gov. Miller and Customs Collector, Timothy Biggs, and took over the government. In Pasquotank County, Culpeper is proudly claimed as America’s first governor of a free people in this country and Albemarle as the first independent colony in the new world. Culpeper’s widow, Sarah Mayo, daughter of Edward Mayo, again married in 1693 to Patrick Henley, the earliest Henley ancestor of the family that later became closely associated with the Hills.

Bacon’s and Culpeper’s Rebellions came perilously close to the members of the Hill family. As Quakers they did not take active roles in the insurrection, but they were closely associated with the officials who did. 

For the first thirty years Albemarle was governed by independent men, and Quakers served in all levels of political office. While there was a steady conflict for governmental control in Albemarle between members of the established church and the Quaker faction, the Quakers dominated in early Pasquotank. John Archdale followed Culpeper as Governor from 1694-1696. He was a Quaker and a Lord Proprietor, having purchased John Berkeley’s share. When a law was passed requiring officeholders to take an oath to serve the English crown, the Quakers, who believed oaths should be made only to God, met opposition and were prohibited from holding public office. From that time on their influence waned.

In this new setting life was a constant challenge for survival. Families were more isolated and vied with the Indians for sustenance off the land. Living on lands bought from the Indians meant they were living among the natives. Early on the Quakers learned how to treat the Indians with respect and to coexist with them. In the process their children acquired the Indian skills of living with nature. In the next generation these were skills that enabled the young men to lead their people into newer untouched lands to the west. 

In Albemarle life spans were short. With little medical resources other than the remedies handed down from generation to generation and surrounded by accidental risks, fevers, poisonous snakes and wild animals, men and women often were suddenly widowed and left with small children to care for without a home-maker or protector-provider. The widowed remarried quickly and often, some having three or four wives or husbands in their lifetimes. New marriage partners often came from within the small circle of neighboring families. These families came to be linked by intermarriage many times over. Marriage occurred at a young age for girls in particular. They learned the skills of home-making as a necessity to assist their mothers. Providing food, clothing, and health care for a family in the wilderness was no easy task and required the help of every hand at an early age. Without a pair of hardworking parents, a family could not survive. Families were large and children learned early to contribute to the work.

SAMUEL PRICKLOVE: AGITATOR

Samuel Pricklove was one of the first residents of Perquimans Precinct, arriving even before settler George Durant, in 1662. Pricklove was the first known purchaser of Indian lands in Albemarle and held a grant from Governor Berkeley of Virginia for a large tract on the Perquimans River near Durant, where the two men became life-long friends. Pricklove had moved from Nansemond County in Virginia with his wife, Rachel Lawrence, whose brother, Thomas Lawrence, was one of Nathaniel Bacon’s supporters in Bacon’s Rebellion. Pricklove held the offices of Registrar of deeds and Clerk of the Inferior Court under the administrations of two early Quaker Governors of Carolina in the 1650’s: Governor William Drummond (executed by Governor Berkeley in Bacon’s Rebellion) and Governor Archdale. Both Pricklove and Durant took part in the Culpepper Rebellion of 1677 and assisted in “leading the rabble” to depose the Deputy Governor Thomas Miller. For this crime of activism, Pricklove was sentenced to have his right ear amputated and be banished from the colony. The sentence was never carried out because Miller was deposed. Samuel Pricklove died in Perquimans County in 1692. He and his wife left two sons, Samuel and John. John Pritloe and his wife, Elizabeth, had six daughters, all of whom married men of substance and influence in Albemarle:

• Priscilla married John Sanders

• Judeth married Abram Sanders, son of John Sanders of Virginia

• Rachel married Robert Wilson, son of a Virginia Burgess

• Elizabeth married William Elliott

• Rebecca married Zacariah Chancy

• Leah married Joseph Smith. Leah and Joseph Smith were the grandparents of Mary Smith, wife of William Hill. John Smith, brother of Mary Hill, was one of the founders of Richmond, Indiana. Basil Sanders, who left 860 acres of land in Chowan County to a William Hill of Antigua in 1721, was likely the son of one of the above Sanders couples. 

The early Quaker communities were models of life based on their Christian beliefs. The Quaker believed that God speaks directly to the human heart, and that no ministers or priests are needed to receive the blessings of God, which are available to every man and woman. They believed in the equality of men and women. They used no hymns or outward manifestations in their worship, keeping silent until a person felt moved by God to share a message. The Quakers tithed. They refused to take an oath of any kind, as they owed their allegiance only to God. They believed in simplicity which strips away the accretions of the centuries and used the term Thee because Jesus used Thee to His Friends. The appellation, Quaker, came from their enemies who accused them of Quaking in the presence of God, which they did.

The Quaker dissenters in England had been prohibited from attending the public schools there, leading the Friends to establish their own schools to provide their young people with the education and religious precepts of their faith. A high priority was placed on having the best teachers and schools possible in order to preserve their sect.

The Quaker Meeting House had two sides separated by partitions which could be removed for general meetings. The men had their meetings on one side and conducted their affairs with their own appointed committees. The women, treated as equals, had their own meetings and committees to deal with their own particular concerns. Each group assigned overseers to monitor the conduct of their members, arrange for disputes between members to be settled in a peaceful and fair manner, and to “look into and approve or disapprove” of the appropriateness of the intention of members to marry. The poor and orphaned children were provided for by funds set aside in each meeting from tithes for that purpose, and new homes were arranged for the orphans where they would be clothed, fed, and taught a trade.

In the frontier communities the safety and welfare of the people depended on the cooperation of all and a commitment to the good of the community. Because they lived in primitive circumstances and close proximity to the Indians from whom they had bought their land, the Quakers took care to treat the Indians fairly and to learn their ways of survival off the land. They set up schools for the native children to help them come to understand the ways of the white man. The earliest religious meetings in Albemarle were held in the homes of their leaders. 

While the Quaker communities continued to grow in North Carolina and in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia, there remained a lingering unease over the tight control of the mother country affecting both the settler’s religious and economic lives. Young men were being conscripted into the militia to fight Indians on the western borders of Virginia and North Carolina and brought home with them news of the beautiful, undeveloped lands in the western parts of those states. The Quakers were assessing their local problems and the possibility of starting new settlements in the west.

The early Quaker communities were models of life based on their Christian beliefs. The Quaker believed that God speaks directly to the human heart, and that no ministers or priests are needed to receive the blessings of God, which are available to every man and woman. They believed in the equality of men and women. They used no hymns or outward manifestations in their worship, keeping silent until a person felt moved by God to share a message. The Quakers tithed. They refused to take an oath of any kind, as they owed their allegiance only to God. They believed in simplicity which strips away the accretions of the centuries and used the term Thee because Jesus used Thee to His Friends. The appellation, Quaker, came from their enemies who accused them of Quaking in the presence of God, which they did. 

The Quaker dissenters in England had been prohibited from attending the public schools there, leading the Friends to establish their own schools to provide their young people with the education and religious precepts of their faith. A high priority was placed on having the best teachers and schools possible in order to preserve their sect.

The Quaker Meeting House had two sides separated by partitions which could be removed for general meetings. The men had their meetings on one side and conducted their affairs with their own appointed committees. The women, treated as equals, had their own meetings and committees to deal with their own particular concerns. Each group assigned overseers to monitor the conduct of their members, arrange for disputes between members to be settled in a peaceful and fair manner, and to “look into and approve or disapprove” of the appropriateness of the intention of members to marry. The poor and orphaned children were provided for by funds set aside in each meeting from tithes for that purpose, and new homes were arranged for the orphans where they would be clothed, fed, and taught a trade.

In the frontier communities the safety and welfare of the people depended on the cooperation of all and a commitment to the good of the community. Because they lived in primitive circumstances and close proximity to the Indians from whom they had bought their land, the Quakers took care to treat the Indians fairly and to learn their ways of survival off the land. They set up schools for the native children to help them come to understand the ways of the white man. The earliest religious meetings in Albemarle were held in the homes of their leaders.

While the Quaker communities continued to grow in North Carolina and in Isle of Wight Co., Virginia, there remained a lingering unease over the tight control of the mother country affecting both the settler’s religious and economic lives. Young men were being conscripted into the militia to fight Indians on the western borders of Virginia and North Carolina and brought home with them news of the beautiful, undeveloped lands in the western parts of those states. The Quakers were assessing their local problems and the possibility of starting new settlements in the west. 

Concerned with the question of slavery, they knew they could not operate their farms without slave help. They preferred living in frontier areas where they were free of the social pressures of concentrated population. Albemarle was becoming quite populated.

HENRY WHITE

One of the earliest Quakers in Pasquotank County was Henry White who had come from Isle of Wight County, Virginia, around 1670. He had purchased lands at the head of Little River where a preparatory meeting had been established as early as 1663. White served as Registrar for Little River Meeting and for the Pasquotank Monthly Meeting which included four other meetings besides Little River. He served on the North Carolina Higher court and for short periods of time on the Precinct County Court.

White gave land for the building of a school alongside the meeting house which was the first school built in North Carolina, and he taught in that school. A poem White wrote in 1698 as a teaching tool for his students came to light at Guilford College in Greensboro, NC. This long poem is said to be the oldest extant work of poetry from the southern states. It apparently was used as a form of communication with other Quaker meetings in various regions and to instruct his pupils with a religious message of the Quaker faith at the same time.

As a young man White had attended school in Isle of Wight County, where his father made a living as a cooper and served as Justice of the Peace. His grandfather, Henry White, had lived on Queen’s Creek in York County, north of Williamsburg.

In 1631 Governor John Harvey determined to secure the area between the James and York Rivers by building a palisade across the peninsula between Archer’s Hope (College Creek) and Queen’s Creek. Incentives were offered to any settler who would relocate to that area to defend and protect the development of the area. Fifty acres were offered to each man who would relocate there for the first year, twenty-five acres for a second year. This may have been the incentive for families like the Whites and the Hills to spend a short period at Queen’s Creek in York county, later returning to the counties south of the James River.


 

WINSLOW

For the convenience of those not acquainted with the record, and where the ones needed are to be found, the following is here printed, taken from Winslow Memorial, Vol I, Chart V.

  • John Winslow, m Agnes (d of John Thogmorton Esq) of Kemsey 1400-20, was father of Kenelm above, issue: Edward, of Kempsey, & Droitwich, Co Worcester, England, b Oct 18, 1575, d May 8, 1655, in Parish of St Andrews, who had issue by 2d wife Magdaline Olliver: 1 Edward, b Oct 19, 1595 (1st Gov of Mass) 2 John, b April 16, 1597, d 1674, age 78, m Oct 12, 1624 Mary Chilton (d of James, who came over in the Mayflower). Her will July 24, 1676.
  • John Winslow came to New England in the “Fortune” Nov 3, 1621, settled in Plymouth, Mass, and moved to Boston 1656. He was a prominent merchant, and large ship-builder. He had by wife Mary (Chilton), 1 Elizabeth, 2 John, who died 1731, m Abigail Atkinson (d of Theodore) June 18, 1689, issue: 1 Elizabeth, b April 23, 1692—2 John, b Dec 31, 1693, m Sarah Pierce Sept 21, 1721, died Oct 15, 1731—3 Judith, 4 Joseph (age not given) m Sarah Lawrence (d of Major Thomas Lawrence of New Town L. I.) Living in Perq Co N. C. 1677-79, where he served as “foreman of the Petit Jury” when acting Gov Thomas Miller was tried for treason, between the said dates. He is called in the Col Records of N. C. “another New England Traider.” The question naturally arises in the mind of any thinking person; would it not be the usual custom for a man of John Winslow’s wealth, a merchant and ship-builder, to fit out one of his own ships, with his own goods, and put his son Joseph in command as Captain? Certainly the ship he commanded “Traded” between the Ports of New England, and the ports of Carolina, or he would not have been designated as a “New Eng Traider.” This is, however, a moot point, for which no one has been able to find a satisfactory solution. Joseph Winslow, son of John, & Mary (Chilton) had two children whose ages are given in Savages Dictionary, prior to this date, and may we not, with some foundation, come to the conclusion that Thomas Winslow of Perq, who was of age in 1702, may have been his youngest son, probably born after his death, for Joseph Winslow died in New England 1679. In the absence of proof, we will leave that unsettled question to future generations for solving. No one could serve on a jury, in the Province of N. C. without being a resident of the colony, and having in their possession at least 100a of land, therefore we know he was living in the County, between 1677-79, and it is supposed he would naturally have his family here with him. He probably died in New England on one of his Trading trips. However this may be, we pass on to Thomas Winslow, first in Perq according to records still extant. John Winslow had a grant for land in New Kent Co Va 1669. As the records of New Kent have been destroyed by fire, no further mention of said John is made, but it is probable that he was ancestor of the Spotsylvania Winslows, and also the ones found in Essex Co Va, where a Thomas Winslow, with wife Ann, made a deed 1694. Although the writer has made diligent search in Virginia, for some connection between these Winslows, & the family who moved to Perq, no results have rewarded her efforts. The theory still clings that Joseph of New Eng, was the progenitor of the N. C. Winslows, and it seems the most plausible conclusion, in face of all the facts.
  • Thomas Winslow of Perq, proved his freedom “from Timothy Clare” in 1702. He was either an apprentice to said Timothy, or had been imported by him to the Province of N. C., for which he had to serve for a certain length of time. From the fact that he soon after this date m Elizabeth Clare (d of Timothy, & wife Mary (Bundy) we are led to believe he came of age at that time. The date of marriage can not be found. For some reason unknown to the writer the Winslows did not have their early marriages recorded, although there was an old record book kept by the Reg of Deeds in Perq, no Winslows appear therein. Therefore no dates can be furnished for them, until they became Quakers, which was not until said Thomas m Elizabeth Clare. The Winslows of New England were Episcopalians, and the supposition is that Thomas adhered to the same faith, & changed on arrival in Perq, from association with his wife’s family.
  • The will of Thomas Winslow, p in Perq, Jan 1745. Sons: Thomas, Timothy, John, Job, to whom he left “a plan’ in Pasq Co, near Newbegun Creek,” dau’s Elizabeth, & Miriam.
  • According to legal papers in Perq, Thomas Winslow was m to Elizabeth Clear (who was b Feb 21, 1686,) before 1705.
  • Winslow, Thomas (1) did not have a son Joseph, according to “Grimes,” but in N. C. Historical and Genealogical Reg, a variance is noted, which gives said Thomas, a son by that name, and the deeds in Perq make plain the fact that Joseph (1) was his son. There is also a difference in the dau’s mentioned in these two books, Grimes giving the dau’s as: Elizabeth, & Miriam, and Hathaway as: Elizabeth, & Christian. The writer is not up on the daughters, but she is morally certain that Thomas Winslow (1) had a son by the name of Joseph. A Thomas Winslow m Leah Smith (widow of Joseph), 1734. (See deeds Perq Co.) She was his widow soon after. Who this Thomas was, and where he stood in the line of the family, is an unsolved question.
  • (1) Winslow, Joseph (thought to be eldest son of Thomas, & Mary (Bundy)) m Pleasant Toms, b 1710 (d of Francis, & Margaret (Bogue)) 22, 6mo 1729, she died 4, 1mo 1785. They had issue according to his will, p in Perq, Jan 1750; Sons: Joseph, to whom he left “land on Core Neck,” dau Lydia, “land at the head of Little River,” dau’s Miriam, & Mary, “land called Grassy Ridge,” wife Pleasant. (See deeds in this book for more information about this family.) Joseph Winslow, had a grt for land in Perq, 225a, granted at a Council in Edenton, Mar 11, 1740. He was living in Balahack, Jan 3, 1745-6 and bought of Samuel Newby 250a, adj “his own line” on that date.
  • (a) Winslow, Joseph (2) Joseph (1) Thomas (1) m Mary White, (d of Thomas, & Rachel Jordan who were m in Isle of Wight Co 1719; Rachel Jordon d of Joshua, & Elizabeth Sanbourne, d of Daniel Sanbourne, & wife Sarah, of Isle of Wight Co Va, whose will was p in said Co, 16, 12mo 1711.) (See White record.) Joseph (2) will Perq p Oct 1766, Sons: Thomas, John, Joseph, dau’s Betty, Pleasant, & Rachel, wife Mary. Exrs John, & Benjamin White (brothers-in-law).
  • (b) Winslow, Lydia m John White, (s of Thomas, & Rachel (Jordan)) brother of Mary, who m Joseph (2), so that their children were double first cousins. In turn their dau Pleasant crossed over the border again, & m William Winslow, a little further down the line. (See Jacob Winslow line.)
  • (II) Winslow, Thomas (2) Thomas (1) m Sarah Nixon. His will Perq, p April 1747, Sons: Jesse, Thomas, dau Elizabeth, wife Sarah (née Nixon).
  • (III) Winslow, Timothy (1) Thomas (1) m Rachel Wilson, d of Robert & wife Rachel (Pricklove, d of John Pricklove, & wife Elizabeth) 9 1mo 1730. His will p in Perq gives his children in the following order: 1 Jacob, 2 Timothy (2), 3 Obed, 4 Caleb, 5 Mary, wife Rachel. His will p July 1752. Test’ John, & Mary Winslow (brother, & sister-in-law). Rachel (Wilson) Winslow m 2d Wm Townsend, by whom she had four children, m 3d John Williams. She is named in her fathers will, 1758, as “dau Rachel Townsend,” and in her son Obeds will as “mother Rachel Williams.” Her will p in Perq, July 1777, is an interesting document, and clears up many puzzles.
  • (IV) Winslow, John, m Mary Pearson (d of Peter, & wife Rachel) 20, 7mo 1740, issue: 1 Josiah, 28, 7mo 1741—2 Miriam, b 9, 10mo 1743—3 Thomas, b 8. 1mo 1745/6—4 Samuel, b 10, 4mo 1748—5 Ruth, b 23, 7mo 1750/6—6 John, b 2, 9mo 1754. His will, p in Perq, names sons: Josiah, Thomas, Samuel, & dau Miriam, wife Mary.
  • Winslow, Mary, m 2d Joshua Moore, “at Symons Creek Pasq Co,” 1, 5mo 1755.
  • Winslow (a) Josiah, m Elizabeth — issue: 1 Jonathan, b 28, 7 mo 1768—2 Ezra, b 2, 1mo 1771—3 Josiah, b 10, 9mo 1772—4 Sarah, b 17, 9mo 1774—5 James, b 17, 10mo 177-, and John Woolman, no birth date. (The two last moved to Randolph Co.)
  • Winslow (b) Miriam, m Bennoni Pritchard, at Symons Creek, 7, 1mo 1762.
  • Winslow (c) Thomas, (3) John (1) Thomas (1) moved to Randolph Co N. C. where he m 13, 1mo 1768, Elizabeth Phelps, issue: Miriam, b 14, 9mo 1768—2 Henry, b 25, 8mo 1771—3 Eleazer, who died in said county 1843. Married, & had son Nathan, b in Randolph Co, May 23, 1821, d July 30, 1890, issue: Abner Thomas Winslow, who moved to Indiana; ancestor of Mr J. E. Winslow of Greenville, Pitt Co, N. C.
  • Winslow (d) Samuel, m Ruth Fletcher 13, 3mo 1771, issue: Mary, b 4, 1mo 1772. He probably left the county, as no will appears in Perq made by him. Nothing further can be found on the Perq records, relative to this branch.
  • Winslow, Henry (1) Thomas (3) John (1) Thomas (1) b 1771, d 29, 1mo 1849, in Randolph Co N. C., m Elizabeth Needham, of Back Creek Mo Meeting, issue: 1 John, b 22, 1mo 1800, d 12 3mo 1830, m Elizabeth Henley (d of Jesse, & Miriam née Bundy) 14, 6mo 1821, issue: 1 Jesse Henley Winslow, b 21 5mo 1822, d 2, 7mo 1875, m Susannah Johnson (d of John Johnson, & Lydia née Falkner) 23, 8mo 1849. They moved to Iowa, where they prospered, and reared a family. From them sprang Mr. E. H. Haskell of Washington, D. C.

TIMOTHY WINSLOW LINE

  • Winslow, Jacob (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1), m Elizabeth —? The ages of his children have not been found, although the Quaker records may hold them. A thorough search of these records, kept in the vault at Guilford College, might reveal much valuable data on the Winslow family, if they were open to the public, and one had plenty of time to examine them. However we have Jacob Winslows Will, which was p in Perq, Jan 1771, with his sons named as follows: William, Jacob (2) Obed, and dau’s: Mary, Millicent, Wife Elizabeth.
  • Nathaniel Welch in his will Perq, p 1789, names “daughter Elizabeth Winslaw, but as several Elizabeth Winslows appear in Perquimans county, it is not positive proof that this indicates the wife of Jacob. Besides, Jacob Winslows wife Elizabeth, died before this date, and it was not customary for a person to be named in a will, after death. Her will p in Perq, Jan 1785, names dau Mary Saunders, & Millicent Lamb (wife of Restore), sons: William, & Jacob, dau Betty. Benjamin Saunders, & Restore Lamb Exrs. Jacob Winslow lived in “Piney Woods” district, near the Chowan line, and his home, a quaint old residence with many wings, & cubby rooms, was still in use a few years ago, having descended through several generations to Mrs. Elisha Copeland, d of Francis, & Rachel Winslow (s of William Winslow, & wife Pleasant née White). The old rambling house after her death was demolished, and a new and more modern residence arose on the same site.
  • Winslow (a) William (1) Jacob (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) m Pleasant White (d of John, & Lydia, née Winslow (d of Joseph, & Pleasant (née Toms) Winslow) 7, 3mo 1787, issue: Francis, m Rachel Newby (d of William, & Lydia —) and had issue: Francis (2) m Mary Tatum Jordan (d of Hezekiah, & Mary T. Cook (Jordan) ) of Nansemond Co Va, who moved to Gates county, where Mary Jordan resided at the time of her marriage to F. E. Winslow solemnized Nov 19, 1855, issue: 1 Edward Daniel, b Aug 27, 1856, d unmarried May —, 1926—2 Tudor Frith, b Nov 28, 1857, d April 29, 1929, m Mary Wood (d of Charles, & Mary née Skinner) 3 Watson, b July 1, 1859, d Jan 10, 1921, m Ellen Goode Rawlings (d of Walter M. Rawlings, & Marie S. Hughart, of Charlotte Co Va) 4 Caleb Cook, b Mar 19, 1861, d Nov 9, 1909, m Martha Leigh (d of Edward Leigh, & wife Grizzelle Jacocks, of Perq Co.)
  • Winslow (b) Jacob (2) Jacob (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) m Millicent Perry. His will Perq probated May 1807. Sons: Jacob (3), William, & Jesse, Dau’s: Sarah, Millicent, & Mary. Wife Millicent.
  • Winslow (c) Obed, of whom nothing is known. d. s. p.
  • (V) Winslow, Tudor Frith, (1) Francis (2) Francis (1) William (1) Jacob (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) and wife Mary née Wood had issue: 1 Mae Wood (unmarried)—2 Kate, m William Hudson, issue Mary Tudor Hudson—3 Francis Edwards, m Nemmie Parris of Rocky Mount, N. C., issue four children—4 Elizabeth Blount, m Thomas Wilcocks of Norfolk Va, issue three children.
  • (V) Winslow, Watson, m Ellen Goode Rawlings, b Jan 30, 1869, m Jan 16, 1889, issue Francis Watson, b Feb 7, 1890, d Aug 23, 1891—2 Edward Valentine, b April 11, 1892, d Mar 6, 1907—3 Hillary Goode, b Oct 23, 1895 (Clerk of Perquimans) m Emma G. Pemberton (d of E. L. Pemberton, of Fayetteville, N. C., and wife Katherine Murchison) Dec 2, 1918, issue two children—4 Herman Rawlings, b April 13, 1898, m Ruth Spivey (d of Robert, & Lavinia née Mathews) issue: Watson, & Ruth—5 Walter Frith, b Jan 3, 1903, m Ruth Ayres (d of Wm Ayres, & wife Fanny (Dixon) June 4, 1902, issue: Fanny Lou.
  • (V) Winslow, Caleb Cook, m Martha Leigh, issue: 1 Ellen Terry, b—m Clyde McCallum, no issue—2 E. Leigh, b — m Maureen McManus, issue two sons, Leigh, & John. 3 Julian Emmett, b — m Mary Clark (d of —) issue: dau Betty, b —.
  • William Winslow made his will in Chowan Co, p June 1806. Wife Pleasant, sons: Obed, Jacob, Francis, William, John, Josiah, dau’s: Liddy, Mary, & Elizabeth. Exrs, Caleb Winslow, Restore Lamb, Jacob Winslow, & Joseph Copeland. He lived on the edge of Perquimans, and his grand-son Francis (2) made his home in early married life at a place called “Snow Hill” just across the line in Perquimans. Here were born the four little boys, Edward, Tudor, Watson, & Cook, who took an active part in later life in the public affairs of said county. The Winslows are too numerous to trace out all the various family connections, in their many ramifications, and also there is not sufficient data, to make them clear, but this much is certain, both and all branches of this wonderful family, trace back to either Thomas (1) son of Joseph, or John (1) who is supposed to have been brother of said Thomas. Any one wishing to find the data relative to his or her own particular branch, should find no difficulty in tracing them on the splendid records in Perq, where every known Winslow figures at some time or other.

Excursus. Cannon: John Cannon came to New England in “Fortune” with John Winslow 1620. Such records prove that the two families were known to each other before migrating to Perq Precinct. “Robert Cannon of New England died at Mr Durants, Jan 1, 1690.” Wm Townsend m Rachel Winslow (widow of Timothy) 4, 4mo 1753, and had dau Betty, who m Joseph Cannon. The last made his will in Chowan Co, p 1785. Wife Betty, brother Jacob, his father Jeremiah Cannon, will in Chowan, 3, 3mo 1779, wife Rachel, her former husband John Smith of Perq Co, d Sarah Arnold (wife of Benjamin), sons: Joseph, & Jacob. Jacob Cannon, m Jemima Newby (d of Robert) is named in his will 1789. Joseph Cannon, Orphan of Jacob, in account with his Guar Josiah Townsend, Feb 1806. Jacob Cannon will, Perq Co, p May 1832, names wife Ann, sons: James, Joseph, and dau: Sally Ann, brother Joseph. Exrs Nathan Winslow, & Allen Saunders. Joseph Cannon was a Lawyer of good repute, and owned “Woodlawn” near Hertford, which was acquired by Mr Charles Wood, and a few years ago met with the misfortune of being burned to the ground. On the place is the old Cannon burying ground, with tombstones, and here was buried Joseph Cannon.

  • Carleton Cannon, m Martha Winslow (d of Francis, & Rachel (Newby) ).
  • Elisha Copeland, m Mary Jane Winslow (d of Francis, & Rachel).
  • Jonathan White, m Louise Winslow (d of Francis, & Rachel).
  • Caleb Winslow (s of Francis, & Rachel) m Sally Cox, & had 1 Hugh Winslow, m Maggie Evans (d of Benjamin) issue Clarrissa. 2 Inez Winslow, m Hugh Pendleton, no issue.
  • (3) Winslow, Timothy (2) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) untraced.
  • (3) Winslow, Obed (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) d. s. p. Will Perq, p Jan 1775, names brother Caleb Winslow, sister Mary Wilson (wife of Reuben) cousin Sylvanus Wilson, cousin Jesse Winslow (s of Thomas (2) and his brother Jacob Winslows children: Mary, Millicent, William, Jacob, & Elizabeth, sister Rachel White, brother Wm Townsend (half brother), sister Betty Cannon (half-sister) mother Rachel Williams (her last husband).
  • Winslow, Timothy (father of above sons) will Perq, p July 1752; names sons: Jacob, Timothy, Obed, & Caleb, to whom he bequeathed land “on Little River.” Daughter Mary, wife Rachel. They were m Sept 5, 1730.

CALEB WINSLOW LINE

  • Winslow, Caleb (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) b Dec 12, 1749, d Mar 3, 1811, m 1st Ann Perry, (d of Jacob) Oct 18, 1769, b Dec 12, 1755, d Feb 4, 1796, age 40 years; he m 2d 1797, Jemmimah Cannon, 3 Jan 29, 1806 Peggy Scott, by whom he had no issue. She d 1822. Caleb Winslow will Perq, p May 1811, names wife Peggy, son Nathan, dau Rachel White (wife of Jonathan) gr-son John Copeland. The ages of his children as given me by Dr Caleb Winslow, son of Dr Randolph Winslow of Baltimore, Md: 1 Rachel, b Nov 9, 1770—2 Jacob, b Apl 9, 1773, d Apl 1775—3 Betsey, b Aug 8, 1775, d July 1775?—4 Timothy, b Aug 4, 1778, d Sept 1783—5 Caleb, b Aug 24, 1780, d 1806, m June 2, 1802, Mary Parker—6 Sarah, b Dec 1782, d Dec 1782—7 Josiah, b Dec 20, 1783, d 1784—8 Esther, b Feb 21, 1786, m — Copeland, issue: John—9 Peninah, b Nov 11, 1790, d Sept 1791—10 Obed, b June 7, 1792, d Aug 1793—11 Nathan, b Jan 4, 1795, d Aug 29, 1873, buried in Friends Cemetery, Harford Rd, Baltimore Md.
  • Winslow (a) Rachel, m Jonathan White. (See White family.)
  • Winslow (b) Nathan (1) Caleb (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) son of Caleb, & Ann Perry, m Dec 29, 1819, Margaret Fitz Randolph (d of Jacob, & Elizabeth (Pretlow) of Nansemond Co Va, b about 1781, d July 3, 1848, age 67 years, issue: 1 John Randolph, b Nov 8, 1820, d Feb 13, 1866, M. D. (unmarried) buried beside his father in Baltimore—2 Rufus Kinsey, b Jan 22, 1822, d 1843 (drowned when only 19 years of age)—3 Caleb, b Jan 24, 1824, M. D., d June 13 1895, buried beside his father, m Jan 14, 1852, Jane Paxon Parry, b July 23, 1829, d Feb 14, 1910 (d of Oliver Parry, & Rachel Randolph, of New Hope Penn)—4 Margaret Kinsey, b Oct 16, 1826, d 1830, buried on plantation in Perquimans Co, N. C., with her mother.
  • Winslow, Caleb (2) Nathan (1) Caleb (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) m Jane Paxon Parry, issue: 1 Randolph, M. D. b in Hertford N. C. Oct 23, 1852 (resides in Baltimore)—2 Oliver Parry, b Jan 1, 1855, d Apl 18, 1860—3 John Randolph, b June 15, 1856, d, April 20, 1860—4 Nathan, b Dec 4, 1857, killed by a slave, Aug 25, 1858—5 Edward R. Parry, b Oct 18, 1859, d July 9, 1862—6 Julianna Randolph, b in Hertford, Perq Co, May 15, 1861, d Aug 13, 1928 (unmarried)—7 Margaret, Fitz Randolph, b April 1, 1863, d May 8, 1863—8 John Randolph (2d by name) b in Baltimore Md, June 1, 1866, M. D. (residence Baltimore), m Elizabeth Lewis Reed, Feb 6, 1894 (d of Dr Thomas B. Reed, & Mary Campbell, of Philadelphia), no issue.
  • Winslow, Randolph (1) Caleb (2) Nathan (1) Caleb (1) Timothy (1) Thomas (1) m Rebecca Fayssoux Leiper, b May 29, 1856 (d of John Chew Leiper, & Mary Lewis Fayssoux) m Dec 12, 1877, at Creekside, Ridley Penn, issue: 1 Nathan, b Nov 17, 1878, m Oct 5, 1904, Margaret Kable Massey, b July 29, 1875 (d of J. Llewellyn Massey, of Charlottesville, Va, & Emily Thomas, of Sandy Spring Md) no issue. (Dr Nathan Winslow, residence Baltimore Md.)—2 John Leiper, L.L. B., b Mar 7, 1880, m June 27, 1906, Anne Stewart Tonge, of Bainbridge Ga, b Nov 6, 1877 (d of Wm G. D. Tonge, & Laura E. (Taylor)) issue: 1 Virginia Stewart (d young)—2 John Leiper, b Feb 12, 1911—3 Rebecca Fayssoux, b Nov 5, 1915.) 3 Fitz Randolph, M. D. b July 2, 1881, of Hayden Ariz, m Oct 31, 1913, Florence Isabel Reese, no issue—4 Edward Fayssoux, D Phar, b Nov 23, 1883, m June 6, 1905, Emma White, Garrigues, b Mar 24, 1883 (d of Sam’l M. Garrigues, & Sallie F. (White) issue, 1 Randolph, b Oct 14, 1906—2 Frances G., b Aug 10, 1910 (died same day)—3 Sarah G., b July 22, 1911—4 George Leiper, b Oct 25, 1915 (dead)—5 Mary Fayssoux, b July 7, 1885, in Baltimore, m Sept 11, 1911, James M. Shellman, b Oct 28, 1888 (s of Harvey Jones Shellman, & Josephine Keith, of Westminster Md) Issue: 1 Josephine Keith, b Mar 4, 1916—2 Randolph, b July 26, 1920.
  • Winslow, Jane Parry, (6th child of Randolph, & Rebecca (Leiper) Winslow) b Nov 7, 1886, m Nov 23, 1910 Herbert F. Carroll of Raleigh, N. C. issue: Herbert F. Carroll Jr, b Sept 16, 1911.
  • Winslow, Caleb (7th child) b July 1, 1889, m June 21, 1916, Lena Rebecca Gary, b Jan 28, 1888, (d of Col Robert J. Gary, & Vashti Saulsbury) issue: 1 Caleb, b Mar 30, 1918—2 Robert Gary, b Nov 9, 1919—3 Vashti Louise, b May 2, 1922—4 Elizabeth Reed, b Dec 3, 1928.
  • Winslow, Eliza Leiper (8 child) b Feb 10, 1891, m Oct 23, 1915 John S. B. Woolford, M. D. b Oct 11, 1871 issue: 1 Eliza Leiper, b July 21, 1916—2 Helen Randolph, b Jan 7, 1918. Reside in Roswell, New Mexico.
  • Winslow, George Leiper, B. S. (9 child) b Mar 4, 1893, m May 5, 1917 Dorothy H. Massey, b Sept 12, 1891 (d of George Massey, & Harriet L. Starr of Philadelphia Penn) no issue.
  • Winslow, Oliver Leiper (10) b Feb 9, 1895, B. S. m July 19, 1919 Harriet A. Christian, b Oct 22, 1892 (d of Harrison Christian, & Virginia Diamond, of Meridian Miss) issue: 1 Oliver Parry, b Mar 28, 1922—2 Nathan, b June 11, 1926.
  • Winslow, Richard R. P. Lieut U. S. Army, b May 8, 1897, m April 24, 1919 Anne C. Sherlock of Augusta Ga.
  • Winslow, St Clair Spruill (12) b April 13, 1899, d Aug 18, 1899.
  • Winslow (13) Callender Fayssoux, M. S., b Dec 12, 1901, m Dec 14, 1927., Lucy G. Buchanan, b Aug 1, 1905 (d of Herbert Buchanan, & Sarah MacDougal of Norwich, Conn) issue: Luck Gray, b Jan, 1929.

JOHN WINSLOW LINE

  • John Winslow (1) contemporary of Thomas (1) is thought to be his brother, but there is no actual proof of the fact. This John m Esther Snelling (d of Israel, & Hannah, née “Larance.” d of William Lawrence, & “Rachell Welsh”) Hannah Snelling m 2d Timothy Clare, his 3d and last wife, by whom she had one dau Hannah. From this we see that John Winslow m the step-sister of Elizabeth Clare, who was the wife of Thomas Winslow. (See wills of Timothy Clare, 1724, and his last wife Hannah, 1726 (Grimes). John Winslow (brother of Thomas) will p in Perq, Jan 25, 1753, names sons: Benjamin, Israel, John, & Joseph, dau’s: Elizabeth, Hannah, & Esther, wife Esther.
  • The 2d John, whom it seems certain was nephew of John (1), made his will also in Perq Co, p July 1754, naming sons: Josiah, Thomas, & Samuel, dau Miriam, and wife Mary (d of Peter Pearson) therefore we make this distinction, so there will be no confusion of the two Johns, who come so close together. He has been classed as John Winslow (2) to distinguish him from his uncle, by the same name.?
  • Winslow, Benjamin (1) John (1) m Rachel White (d of Thomas, & Rachel née Jordan) and had issue according to his will: (Nov 1794) Sons: Joseph, John, Jordan, and Benjamin (2) dau’s: Sarah, & Rachel. His wife is not named in his will, but she is mentioned in the will of her mother, whose will was located behind an old looking glass, by an antique dealer in Suffolk Va, a few years past. This will is very interesting, but unfortunately is not dated, or signed, positive proof however can be found in the fact that she names the identical children in her will, that her husband Thomas White does in his 1762, p in Perq. (See Perq records.) Mr. Alonza Winslow of Winfall N. C. is a direct descendant of this line of the Winslow family, but the writer has not the data to trace his line.
  • Winslow, Joseph, was grt 225a in Perq, Mar 6, 1740/1. (Col Rec, Vol 4, p 588.)
  • Winslow, Timothy, was grt 540a in Perq, Nov 17, 1743. His wife Rachel née Wilson, m 2d William Townsend, and 3d John Williams. (See Townsend, & Wilson.)
  • Winslow, Henry, came to Perq Co, from London about 1740/1. He made petition to the Court Mar 11, 1740/1 for possession of 3333a of land in Perq, called “Birkswear” formerly grt George Catchmaid, & conveyed to sd Winslow. He had no descendants in Perq apparently.

Source: History of Perquimans County by Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow, (1931).

 

TOMS

After much careful work on this family, in N. C. and Virginia, the writer has arrived at the conclusion, that the Toms emigrant, to N. C., was living in Charles City Co Va, where he sold land in sd County, to Francis Gray, Feb 17, 1656. Only mention of him, so far found, but that is not strange, considering the fact, that nothing remains of the records in that Co, except one book. Gabriel Toms appears on the records in Essex Co Va, but no connection between the two, can be made. However, there may have been, some relationship. It is thought, but not proven, that the Francis who settled in Perq, is the identical one, who is named in sd record, as the dates would bear me out, in that opinion. From Edmundson’s Journal, we are led to believe, that he did not embrace Quakerism, until the time of Edmundson’s first journey to N. C. 1672. At which time, he & his wife, Mary (d of John Nicholson, sister of William) went over to the new cult. Mary being his 3d wife, by whom he had no issue. Her will p in Perq, 1717, does not name a single one of his children. She was probably a widow before m Francis Toms, as she names in her will, Vesty Lewis, who was wife of Edward Lewis, & probably her daughter.

Francis Toms, m before coming to Perq, Pershillah — by whom he had issue: Penelope, b Jan 27, 1670—Francis (2), b Sept 19, 1672—Pershillah, b Mch 19, 1674/5—Joseph, b Nov 16, 1677, died June 6, 1679—Caleb, & Joshua (twins), b Nov 25, 1679.

Toms, Francis, m 2d Abigail Lury (widow of John) Jan 6, 1683, by whom one d Abigail, b Dec 10, 1684. Abigail Toms, Wife of Francis, died Mar 17, 1687.†

Toms, Francis, m 3d Mary Nicholson, who survived him.

Toms, Francis Sr, lived near “Lower Pond, on Reedy Branch, at the head of Vosses Creek.” His land adj John Flowers, on western side of “Long Reach” in the “Narrows” of Perq River. The land on Vosses Creek, where his dwelling was erected, adj William Morgan. He had a stretch of land, running from Vosses Creek, to “Middle Swamp” called “Frog Hall.” This place still retains its original name, to this day. Francis Toms Jr owned land on S. W. side of Perq River, on “Bull Branch, adj land sold to Henry Grace, June 24, 1714. His land also joined land of William Jones. Francis Toms Sr, made a deed of gift, to Thomas Pierce, Wm Bogue, Isaac Wilson, & Gabriel Newby, 1a of land, “for the Society of Protestant Desenters, Vulgarly called Quakers, whereon a Church is now built,” in Perq Precinct, 11mo called Jan, 1705/6. This house of Worship, is supposed to have been Vosses Creek Meeting house, on said Creek, the exact location, being lost and uncertain. He was a member of the Council, for many years (see deeds). Clerk of Pasq Precinct Aug 8, 1692 (see will of John Nixon). Dept’ to Lord Amey, & his name appears on many grants given by the Lords Pro’r. His oath before the Gov Council, is of interest, to all historians, in its quaint wording, he promised “to Keepe ye Secrett of ye Council, to ye best of my advice, according to my Understanding.” This oath was administered in 1706. He had been a member of the Council, since Feb 6, 1683/4. Francis Toms “Collector of Customs” (no date).

On 15, 7mo 1696, he left Perq, on a two months journey (probably to London) but his business is not stated, maybe in the interests of the Quaker Church. Before leaving, he deputized “Wm Glover, his Lov’ Friend, to get timber for a big Mill, or a little one, & left it wholely to him, which thee thinks most benificall for me.” This was probably the beginning of Toms Mill, on Suttons Creek, in fact if his land ran to Middle Swamp, as before stated, & sd place was called even then, “Frog Hall” we are certain the “Mill” here mentioned, was built on this property. He made a deed, Feb 9, 1688, with consent of wife Abigail, for 300a at the head of Yeopim Creek, “called John Lasy’s Plan’,” land pat by Wm Charles, June 6, 1683. Another deed Jan 5, 1689/90, with the signature of his last wife Mary. In a deed Mar 24, 1687, he gives the information, that he had been grt 587a in Perq Precinct. (See deeds.)

The Hon’ble Francis Toms, had a grt, in Perq Pr’ct, 640a, adj Capt Ralph Fletcher, & James Morgan, to corner of Wm Voss, & along his line to the River (Perquimans). May 1, 1695. Francis Toms Esq, another grt, in Perq Pre’ct 375a on North side of Perq River, by beaver dam Swamp. Feb 26, 1696.

†Note: John Lacey (Lurey) 2d husband of Abigail Balie, in his Will Perq Precinct, Dec 1, 1682, names wife Abigail, & d Sarah. This may be the same Sarah, for whom Foster Toms put in a claim, for her Estate, in 1754. It is thought she m Christopher Denman, but no absolute proof is forthcoming.

  • Toms, Francis Sr, will Perq, 6, 10mo 1709. Names wife Mary, sons: Francis, Joshua, d Mary Newby (wife of Gabriel) gr-son Francis Newby, father-in-law
  • John Nicholson, makes bequest to “d Priscilla Kinsey,” late wife of John Nicholson.*
  • Priscilla Toms, had previously m John Nicholson, by whom she had, the children named in their father-in-laws will. He is named in Francis Toms will, also. (See Francis Toms will, & deeds in Perq Co.)
  • Mary Toms, will p Jan 15, 1717/18, made bequest to Vesty Lewis, & Rachel Laurence, & Elizabeth (d of my brother Wm Nicholson) Joseph Glaister (a Quaker preacher), & wife Mary were made Exrs.
  • Toms, (2) Francis Jr, (s of Francis & Pershillah) m Margaret Lawrence (widow of Wm, née Bogue) June 8, 1696, “at a meeting at said Lawrence’s house,” issue: 1 Mary, b 20 — 1696/7—2 Elizabeth, b Nov 20, 169- —3 Penelope, b Nov 19, 1702—4 Margaret, b Dec 5, 1707. (Wm Lawrence 1st husband of Margaret Bogue, died Aug 13, 1694.) Francis Toms Jr died 2, 7mo 1729.
  • Toms, Francis, will Perq p Oct 6, 1729, names: son Francis (3) d Mary Newby, & her husband, Nathan Newby, gr-son Francis Newby, d Elizabeth Phelps, d Priscilla Jones, d Margaret Toms, d Pleasant Winslow, wife Rebecca.
  • Rebecca, 2d wife of Francis Toms Jr, is thought to be d of Mary Simmons, whose will was p 1724, but no absolute proof exists. She was a d of John Pierce, & wife Mary Scott (d of Joseph) b Aug 9, 1680. (Mary Pierce, m 2d Wm Bundy, 3d Nicholas Simmons.) Rebecca 2d wife of Francis Toms, must have been mother of his son Francis (3), & d Pleasant, who m Joseph (2) Winslow s of Thomas (1) & wife Elizabeth Clare. The age of neither of these two can be found in Berkeley Parish Reg, Perq Co, where the others are recorded.
  • Toms, Francis (3), m Rebecca Nixon (d of Zachariah, & wife Elizabeth Symons, who lived at that time in Pasq Co, at Nixonton). (See Pasq Co Deeds.)
  • Toms, Francis, & Rebecca (Nixon) had issue: 1 Zachariah, b Apl 10, 1741—2 Rebecca, b Sept 26, 1743—m Caleb White, of Thomas, & Rachel (Jordan)—3 Mary, b Jany 8, 1745/6—4 Caleb, b Feby 3, 1747/8—5 Elizabeth, b May 25, 1750, m Samuel Phelps, & 2d Zachariah Nixon (2) her cousin.
  • (3) Toms, Francis, (3) will Perq, p July 1771. Sons: Zachariah, Caleb, dau’s Rebecca White, Elizabeth Toms, son-in-law Jos McAdams, & Caleb White.
  • (4) Toms, Zachariah (1), will Perq, p April 1774, names wife Margaret, sons: Francis, William, dau’s Rebecca, & Margaret Tow, bro-in-law Joseph, & Caleb White.
  • (2) Toms, Joshua, (1) (s of Francis, & Pershillah) m Sarah Gosby (d of John, & Hannah, née Nicholson) b Nov 12, 1687. (See Berkeley Par Reg.) Issue: 1 Sarah, b Mch 5, 1703/4—2 Hannah, b June 6, 1706, m Ezekiel Maudlin (2). Joshua Toms m 2d Rebecca Sutton (widow of Joseph, who was dec’d 1724, née Jones, d of Peter Jones Sr, will 1752). She m 1st Joseph Sutton, 2d Joshua Toms, & 3d 1737 Charles Denman, Clerk of Perq. Joshua Toms had by Rebecca one d Sarah, b July 4, 1727.

*Note: John Kinse (s of John, & Catherine) was b 6, 10mo 1692, in Nansemond Co Va. He m in Perq Co N. C. Pershillah Toms, (d of Francis Sr, & wife Pershillah). John Kinseys will, Perq April 14, 1717, names d Elizabeth, dau-in-law Mary Nicholson, son-in-law Samuel Nicholson, wife Preshillah.

  • (2) Toms, Joshua, Will Perq, p April 1732, names son, Foster, dau’s Sarah, Hannah Maudlin, & Miriam Sutton, son-in-law Christopher Sutton, gr-sons William, & Joshua Sherro (Sherwood). Wife Rebeckah. (Clerk of Court Charles Denman.) The two Sherro children, are thought to be step-gr-children, as Rebecca had a sister, who m Sherwood. (See divisions.)
  • (5) Toms, Foster, (1) made pet’ to the court, Oct 1754, for Est of Sarah Toms, “out of the hands of Charles Moor, Admix of Christopher Denman dec’d.”
  • (5) Toms, Foster, will Perq, p April 1, 1779, Sons: Joshua, John, Gosby, & Foster (2), d Martha.
  • (5) Toms, Martha, will Perq, p Feby 1794, names sons: John, & Foster, gr-son John (s of Joshua) gr-son Francis Newby (s of Francis) gr-son Zachariah (s of Gosby) gr-son Joshua (s of Gosby). Test’ Zachariah Nixon.
  • (6) Toms, Foster, (2) will Perq, p May 1794. Sons: Joseph, & Samuel, wife Elizabeth. Brothers, John, & Gosby, cousins: Francis Newby, and John Toms Jr.
  • (7) Toms, John, will Perq, p Nov 1808, names wife Mary, sons: Benjamin, Anderson & John A. Toms, gr-son John White, d Miriam White and her husband Francis, s Foster, dau’s Sarah, & Mary.
  • Francis Toms (2) had land grt him Nov 25, 1714, 200a—which he sold, July 12, 1726, to Thomas Winslow.
  • Toms, Zachariah (1) s of Francis (3), m Margaret White, (d of William, & Margaret). See his will 1774.
  • Toms, Zachariah, deed to s Caleb, with consent of wife Margaret. 1775.
  • Toms, Margaret, made a deed to son Francis, a negro, — 29, 1775. The same to dau’s Rebecca, & Elizabeth, April 29, 1775. Elizabeth Toms, (d of Zachariah, & Margaret, m — Tow).
  • Toms, Foster, & wife Mary, were Admix of Malachi Jones, (who died without issue) July 1777. Malachi Jones in his will, names niece Mary Jones (d of Thomas).
  • Toms, Foster, (s of John, & Mary) died 14, 12, 1807. He had no issue. Names in his will, p 1808, Brother Benjamin, sister Nancy Toms, cousin Foster Nixon, and sisters Miriam White (wife of Francis) Martha Nixon, & Sarah Elliott, Exrs brothers: John A. & Anderson Toms. It seems clear that John Toms, father of Foster (above) m Mary Anderson, d of John Anderson. John Anderson, will p in Perq, 1808, names d Mary Toms, & her sons Anderson & John A. Toms.
  • Toms, Anderson, (s of John dec’d) m Mary Bagley (d of Nathan) “at Suttons Creek Perq Co” 15, 12, 1808. Nathan Bagley in his will, Perq Co, 9, 11mo 1815, names d Mary Toms, & gr-children Mary, & Foster Toms, son-in-law Anderson Toms.
  • Toms, John Anderson, m Phariby Bagley, (d of Nathan, of Perq) “at Suttons Creek 1, 12mo 1805, issue: 7 Mary, b 24, 11mo 1806—2 Foster, b 5, 3mo 1809.
  • Toms, Benjamin, (s of John) m Martha Wilson (d of Christopher, & Pheribe) of Perq, “at Suttons Creek” 16, 9mo 1813. He seems to have died intestate. Christopher Willson, will Perq, p Feby 1824, names d Martha Toms, son-in-law Benjamin Toms, wife Pheribe.
  • Toms, Foster, (1) will 1779, m Martha — who for some reason is not named in his will, but she survived him, making a will, which was p 1794. (Her will already given.) Heirs of Martha Toms dec’d Jan 3, 1798. (Division.) Orphans of Gosby Toms dec’d, John Clary, (in right of his wife Penelope) Samuel Nixon, (wifes part) Jesse Copeland, part—Henry Copeland (wifes part) Isaac Barber, (wifes part) Willis Newby part, Nathan Newby part, Francis, Leah, Zach’ry, & Joshua Toms prt, Mary Clary part. (Auditors account.)
  • Another Audit, Aug 4, 1797, gives to John Toms Sr £58 s14, Foster Toms, Representatives, (same) Francis Newby Jr, (same).
  • Toms, Leah, account with her Gar, John Clary. Jan 27, 1805.
  • Toms, Mary (d of Benjamin, & Martha (Wilson) Toms) is buried in the Episcopal Cemetery, in Hertford. She died Sept 1855, age 25 years and 6 months.
  • Toms, Joshua, (s of Foster, & Martha) m Millicent Newby, —, 8mo 1779. (Welles.)
  • Toms, Benjamin, in a deed, names d Phereby Blount.
  • Toms, Zachariah, in a deed to Zach Nixon, 13, 11mo 1804, conveyed “all my part of a Grist Mill, on Suttons Creek, called Toms Mill.” In another deed, to Joshua Toms, 14, 5mo 1805, he sold land, “formerly belonging to our father Gosby Toms dec’d.”
  • Toms, Margaret, m Thomas Jones, 5, mo 1775.

Source: History of Perquimans County by Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow, (1931).

PRITLOW—PRICKLOVE

  • Samuel Pricklove a resident of Perq Precinct, prior to the coming of George Durant 1661, whose land was adj said grant to Durant from the Indian Chief, had his own grant directly from Sir Wm Berkeley. No mention of a grant to Samuel Pricklove can be found in Perq, but the records make mention of the fact that he had a grant from before stated source. Samuel Pricklove is supposed to have come to Perq from Nansemond Co Va, where that family was strongly entrenched. This family was united with the Quaker faith, but Samuel strayed far from the fold, “by taking up arms” and following the rebellion with the redoubtable Durant, at the time Thomas Miller was deposed from the Government 1677-79. For his part in this insurrection, he suffered the disgrace of being in the “Pillory,” and had his right ear amputated, and was sentenced to banishment from the Colony. The records do not show whether this drastic punishment was really carried out, but we do know his descendants remained in Perquimans. He was dec’d Apl 20, 1692, without a will, so no definite means can be found to establish his issue; except for one son whose age is given in the Berkeley Par Reg: His wife was Rachel, née Larance, m June 1, 1668, by whom he had son: Samuel b Dec 24, 1674, and it is thought another son (John) born before this date, of whom there is no birth date.
  • John Pricklove (1) m Elizabeth — issue: 1 Leah, b Mch 4, 1695, m Joseph Smith, and had several children, m 2d Thomas Winslow, (see Deeds)—2 Judith, b Dec 2, 1697, m Abraham Sanders—3 Elizabeth, b April 25, 1699, m William Elliott, & had son Pritlow Elliott—4 Rebecca, b Dec 10, 1705, m Zachery Chancey.
  • John Pricklove, Will p in Perq, May 1, 1728, names Dau’s: Rachel Wilson (wife of Robert) Judith Sanders, Elizabeth Eliot, gr-son John Smith, wife Elizabeth.
  • Pricklove, Elizabeth, will p in Perq July 23, 1728, names Dau’s: Leah Smith, Rachel Wilson, Priscilla Sanders, Rebecca Chancey, gr-children: John Smith, Silvanus Willson, Judith, & Priscilla Sanders. As a dau Priscilla is named in her will & not in his, Elizabeth may have been a widow when she m John Pritlow.
  • Pricklove, John, had a grant for land in Perq, 400a on Perq River, “at the mouth of Wolf pitt branch,” adj Jonathan Phelps. Jan 1, 1694. As Jonathan Phelps land lay on the mouth of same branch, up Castletons Creek, we may infer that John Pricklove lived near Hertford.
  • Pricklove, Samuel, b 1674, m Purina Penrice (d of Francis, & Elizabeth) Mar 25, 1696, issue: 1 Samuel (3) b Nov 6, 1698—2 Francis, b Mch 25, 1702.
  • His will (no County given, but Perq) p Jan 20, 1702-3, Sons: Samuel, & Francis, wife Peninah.
  • Pricklove, Samuel, had grant for land in Perq, 400a “at the mouth of a small Creek issuing out of Lillys Creek.” Mar 30, 1704.
  • Pricklove, Francis, had grant for land, 165a “in Perq pre’cs adj Jonathan Bateman. Mar 30, 1704. Both of these grants were in Durants Neck, and were probably taken up by their mother, as they were too young to be taking up land. The Perq records show that this was often done.
  • Pricklove, Samuel, (probably gr-son of Samuel (2) m Keziah Nixon, née Pierce, widow of Francis Nixon) 7, 6mo 1780.
  • Pricklove, Kesiah, was wife of Nathan Newby, Oct 1756, at the proving of her fathers will on that date. Her husband Nathan (2) Newby, succeeded his father at the Ferry, “on Nathans Point” and was one of the first Directors of the town of Hertford 1759, when it was incorporated. He was dead 1765 when Seth Sumner was made a Director in his place. Keziah his wife m 2d Francis Nixon, who died before Jan 1773, when his will was probated in Perq, whose will makes mention of the fact that Nathan Newby was “former husband” of Keziah. Francis Nixon, & wife Keziah made complaint to the Court 1765, agst Simon Perisho, for debt. Keziah Pritlow was allowed £13-13-1 “for keeping the Ferry, from her point to Hertford on public days.” Jan 1784. There can be no doubt that Nathan Newby inherited the Ferry House, & appurtenances on the point opposite to Phelps Point, and that Samuel Pritlow continued the same after he m Keziah.
  • Pricklove, Rebecca, m Zachary Chancey, who proved rights Apl 20, 1742.

Source: History of Perquimans County by Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow, (1931).

PERRY

  • Phillip Perry emigrated to Va, and settled in Isle of Wight Co, where he acquired large land holdings. He was uncle of Micajah Perry, London Merchant; who died 1721. The will of Phillip Perry was p in Isle of Wight Co Va, Oct 9, 1669, at which time he gave his age as 70 years. His will names sons: Phillip, & John, “under age” wife Grace. John son of Phillip Perry, conveyed a place called “Whitemarsh” to Col Joseph Bridger, 1673 (Isle of Wight Records). John Perry of “Upper pish of Nansemun Co Vir” for 5000 lbs of Tob, pd by Col Nathaniel Bacon, sold 70a in Lower pish of Isle of Wight Co” May 26, 1675. June 7, 1675, Elizabeth Perry acknowledged her dower to sd land. Phillip Perry had other sons, than Phillip, & John. These sons: James, Jacob, & Joseph, all moved to N. C. James to Chowan, where he made a deed to his brother John Perry of Nansemond Co Va, with consent of wife Patience, land on “Middle Swamp.” As Middle Swamp is in what is now Gates Co, then a part of Chowan, it seems certain that this conveyance was in the last named county. Jacob Perry witnessed this deed. The will of Timothy Clare is authority for the fact that said Jacob Perry, m Hepzibath dau of said Clare (step-daughter) and it is thought, but not proven that she was a dau of his 2d wife Elizabeth—(maiden name unknown). All of the children of Timothy Clare are placed without doubt, but Hepzibeth, and she is not named in the last clause of his will. His children were by the first wife Mary Bundy, & the last one Hannah, by Hannah née Larance (widow of Israel Snelling). Therefore it seems evident that Hepzibeth Perry was not his blood child.
  • Among emigrants to Va in “Bonaventure” Jan 1634, are found Thomas Perry, age 34, Dorothy Perry age 36, Ben Perry age 4. (Hotten.)
  • Benjamin Perry Sr, died Mch 11, 1788. Hannah Perry, widow of Benjamin, died Nov —, 1791.
  • Benjamin Perry Jr (s of Benjamin, & Susan) died Jan 10, 1784. The elder Benjamin Perry was a brother of Micajah, wealthy commission merchant of London. Both Benjamin and Phillip’s descendants migrated to Perq Co, at quite an early date. The Tithe, and Tax List in this county show where they lived, and in some cases how much land they owned. Micajah Lowe in his will, 1703, mentions his uncle Micajah Perry of London, who in his will 1721 names “sister Elizabeth Evens,” dau Sarah Perry, with her two sons (not named). The Elizabeth Evens here named may have been, wife of Richard Eivens of Perq, who died 1693, naming wife Elizabeth.
  • Judith, & Thomas Perry are named in the will of Francis West of Nansemond Co, Va, 1715. She m Abram Hill of said County, and they moved to N. C. They sold to John Perry of Bertie Co, 100a, 1756, and to Josiah Granbery land in same Co, which is now situated in Hertford Co. Several of the children of Phillip Perry moved to Perq, as did also some of his brothers. His gr-son Phillip died in Perq 1751, and names in his will, sons: Jesse, & Phillip, brothers John, Joseph & Jacob. He left to son Jesse “land on Little River” and to Phillip “plantation whereon I now live.” dau’s: Sarah, Mary, Rachel, Jude, Elizabeth, and Miriam. Jacob (son of Jacob) is made Exor. Witnessed by Benjamin, & Elizabeth Perry.
  • Jacob Perry Sr (s of Benjamin, & Susan) was brother of Benjamin Perry II. Died 1790, will probated July of said year. He names wife Mary, sons: Miles, Lawrence and Benjamin, Dau’s: Hepsebeth, Sarah, & Mary Perry, Maria Bunch, and gr-dau Priscilla Perry (d of Leah). Test’ Jacob, & Jos. Riddick, Benj Perry.
  • Perry, Benjamin (3) m Millicent Riddick, Dec 13, 1785, issue: 1 Mary, b Oct 26, 1786—2 Thomas, b Jan 27, 1789—3 James, b Aug 13, 1792—4 Joseph, b Aug 20, 1796—5 Christian, b Dec 20, 1798.
  • Perry, Israel (s of John & wife Mary, gr-son of Phillip Sr), died in Perq county 1779, will p May 27, 1779. Sons: Josiah, Israel, John Cader, & Jacob, Dau’s: Millicent, Ruth, Rachel, & Ann Perry, dau Priscilla Twine. Wife (not named). His brother Phillip, & Thomas Twine were Exrs. Of these children; Ruth, m Micajah Hill of Perq, May 12, 1763. Rachel, m Richard Skinner, Dec 11, 1770. Priscilla, m Thomas Twine.
  • Perry, Jacob (s of John, & Mary, brother of Israel, & Phillip) will Perq, p Oct 1777. Sons: Jacob, Israel, & Reuben, dau Priscilla Welch (wife of Dempsey) dau Hepzibah Stallings (wife of Hardy) dau Ann Winslow (wife of Caleb) sons Dempsey, and John, gr-son Isaac Wilson (s of Isaac) wife Ann.
  • Joseph Perry of Perq died 1801. Jesse Perry the same year.
  • Perry, Jesse (s of Israel) m Elizabeth Linder. His will Perq p Nov 1801, names sons: Benjamin, John, Josiah, William, & Robert, dau’s: Margaret, Christian, Martha, Sally, Asenith, wife Elizabeth, Leg: Mary, Elizabeth, & Millicent Nicholson. Of these children: Sally m 1790 Lemuel Weeks, & had John, James, Hugh, Polly (who m Cornelius Raper) another dau m — Benton. Nancy, James, & Hugh died unmarried.

MARRIAGES

  • Perry, Mary, m William Hollowell, July 6, 1778. (From Judge Benj B. Winbourne’s book, on the Perry family.)
  • Perry, Reuben, m Elizabeth Pearson, Jan 18, 1780.
  • Perry, Amos, m his cousin, Elizabeth Perry, Feb 10, 1783.
  • Perry, Elizabeth, m Thomas Stanton, Aug 28, 1784.
  • Perry, Israel Jr, m Miriam Hollowell, Apl 4, 1785.
  • Perry, Seth, m Mary Riddick, Dec 29, 1785.
  • Perry, Susannah, m Moses Howard, June 2, 1790.
  • Perry, Sarah, m Leverne Garriss, Dec 27, 1791 (d of Jacob Sr).
  • Perry, Jacob, m Ruth Chappell, Jan 11, 1791.
  • Perry, Josiah (s of Israel Sr, & wife Priscilla) b in Perq Co, Nov 19, 1741, m Elizabeth Twine (d of John, & Pleasant) lived in Pasq county, and was a lawyer of note, moving from that county to Bertie, where he m 2d — Freeman. Marriage bonds Perq Co.
  • Perry, Reuben, m Dorcas Chappell, Jan 11, 1791. (2d marriage.)
  • Perry, William, m Ferebe White, Apl 21, 1791.

Source: History of Perquimans County by Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow, (1931).

LAWRENCE

The supposition seems very plausible, that the family by this name in Perq, came as so many others had done, from Nansemond Co Va, where John Lawrence, was living very early, according to the records of Isle of Wight Co. These records show that Ann Exum of Isle of Wight, wife of Jeremiah, appears to be a daughter of said John Lawrence. No proofs are to be found, but he probably came south with the immigration from New England, where he married Elizabeth Adkinson, 8, 12mo 1653. (Records of Boston.) The Lawrence family appeared in Perq Co, N. C. simultaneously with the Clare’s, and others, about 1680-85. The land of John Lawrence adj that of Timothy Clare, July 30, 1701, and said Timothy married for his last, & third wife, Hannah (widow of Israel Snelling, née Larance) before 1705.

  • Lawrence, William, m Rachel Welsh, issue: 1 Elizabeth, b Dec 24, 1655—2 Will Larance, b July 20, 1661—3 Rachell, b Apl 16, 1665—4 John, b Mar 14, 1667—5 Hannah, b Dec 1, 1669, m 1st Israel Snelling, July 30, 1687, issue: 1 Rachell, b Aug 17, 1690—2 Ester, b Sept 20, 1699, m John Winslow. (See Hannah Clares will, Grimes.) Hannah Lawrence, m 2d Timothy Clare, & had dau Hannah, who m Benjamin Bundy, before Aug 26, 1726.
  • Lawrence (2) William (William 1) m Margaret Bogue Jany 7, 1689. He died Aug 13, 1694, when Margaret m 2d Francis Toms Jr, son of Francis Sr.
  • Lawrence (2) John (William 1) m Hannah Bundy, “at a quarterly meeting at Francis Toms ys” 22, — 1692, issue: 1 William, b Jan 3, 1693—2 Elizabeth, b Jan 12, 1695/6, m Thomas Meriday. (See Deed book A, No 325.) John Lawrence died, Oct 28, 1700.
  • William Lawrence, son of John, & Hannah, died Aug 27, 1697.
  • William Lawrence (2) will p in Albemarle (Perq) Aug 1694, names dau’s: Jane and Rachell, wife Margaret; Cousin’s: Rachel Snelling (sister) and William Lawrence. Exrs: Israel Snelling, & John Lawrence.

Source: History of Perquimans County by Ellen Goode Rawlings Winslow, (1931).