Decendents of John Stephenson Sr

17. Arthur Stephenson Sr. (Abraham Sr.³, (William) John Jr.², John Sr.¹) was born in 1718 in Northampton County, North Carolina, USA and died in Dec 1792 in Northampton County, North Carolina, USA at age 74. {FSID: LCX8-NMH}

General Notes: **The following information was taken from Rebecca Leach Ddozier's book, "Twelve Northhampton County, North Carolina Families 1650-1850, published by Gateway Press, INC., Baltimore, MD 2004; page 330:

Arthur ((Abraham(2), John Stephenson(1)), son of Abraham and Ann (mnu) Stephenson, was born in Northampton Co., NC. Prior to 26 Feb. 1754, he married an Elizabeth whose surname is unknown.(35) He received as a "deed of gift" three slaves, George, Sall, and Sedler from his father on 1 Aug. 1762(36). His son Arthur Stephenson, Jr. and his nephew, Abraham Stephenson Jr., son of Abraham, witnessed this "deed of gift." Arthur Stephenson and Joseph Woodard sold 212 acres to Abraham Wall on 15 April 1773(37). Arthur Stephenson, Jr. witnessed this deed. During May of 1778, Arthur gave his daughter Suky Stephenson one Negro boy named Daniel, a bed, and some furniture. He gave his daughter, Bytha Stephenson one Negro girl named Tanner, a bed, and some furniture. Arthur gave to his son Abraham Stephenson all of his land, one copper still cap and worm, a Negro boy named Luke, and a Negro girl named Lucy, on 3 Dec. 1779(38). on the 1786 Northampton County census Arthur was listed as having two males under 21 or over 60 years of age, two females, and two slaves of undetermined ages living in his home. Arthur wrote his will on 26 Oct. 1789, and it was probated during the December Court of 1792(39). In his will, Arthur mentioned his grandson William Stephenson and his daughters Mary Jones, Elizabeth McCone, Martha Vick, Mildrred Smith, Tabitha Stephenson, Lucy clifton, and his son Abraham. He indicated his wife was living, but he didn't give her name. Witnesses to Arthur's will were Winborne Jenkins, John d. Houseman and Jacob Boon. He names his executors as son Abraham Stephenson, and Benjamin Boon and Jacob Boon, Jr. One of Arthur's executors, Jacob boon, owned land that joined Arthur's land(40). Jacob also witnessed several deeds executed by Arthur(41).

(35)Hofmann, Margaret M., Abstracts of Deeds, Northampton co., NC. Public Registry, Deed Book One and Deed Book Two, p. 101, DB 2, p. 150, named an Elizabeth as the wife of Arthur Stephenson.

(36)Bradley, Stephen, The Deeds of Northampton Co., NC 1769-1774, p. 20; DB 3, p. 188.

(37)Bradley, Stephen, The Deeds of Northampton Co., NC 1774-1787, p. 23; DB 6, p. 246.

(38)Northampton, Co., NC, DB 6, pp. 286, 288, 299.

(39)Hofmann, Margaret M., Northampton co., NC 1759-1808, Gen Abstracts of Wills, p. 79; Arthur Stephenson's will.

(40)Bradley, Stephen, The Deeds of Northampton Co., NC 1769-1774, pp. 17, 45, 78; DB 3, p. 162, DB 4, p. 30, DB 5, p. 334.

(41)Ibid.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This information was provided to me by Ed Barnes, about 1999.

Census:
1784-1787 State Census, Northampton County, Capt. Bennett's District, page 15:
Arthur Stevenson - WM under 21 & above 60 (2), WF all ages (2), Blacks (6)
Abraham Stevenson - WM 21-60 Yrs (1), WM under 21 & above 60 (2), WF all ages (2), Blacks (3)
William Stevenson - WM under 21 & above 60 (1), WF all ages (1), Blacks (0)
Note: Arthur, son Abraham and grandson William Stevenson were listed in succession providing strong evidence that they were of the same family.

1790 US Census:
Arthur Stephenson - FWM 16 & upwards (1), FWM under 16 (0), FWF all ages (2), Slaves (6)
Abram Stephenson - FWM 16 & upwards (2), FWM under 16 (4), FWF all ages (3), Slaves (4)
William Stephenson - FWM 16 & upwards (1), FWM under 16 (0), FWF all ages (4), Slaves (0)
Note: Abram and son, Arthur Stephenson, were listed ajoining each other and grandson, William Stephenson, listed in general neighborhood but with 18 households between Arthur and William. In their neighborhood are listed two families of Deberrys and fairly large slave holdings. Could this indicate that they were living between Galacia and Conway around Deberrys Mill?

WIll:
Northampton County Will Book I, Arthur Stephenson, dated October 26, 1792, Probated December Court 1792
In the name of God, Amen, I, Arthur Stephenson of Northampton County and the State of North Ccarolina being at this time of a disposing mind and memory thanks be to god for it therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all flesh once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the followg manner and form:
First: I will that all my just debts be paid.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Grandson William Stephenson five shillings to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Jones five shillings to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth McCone five shillings to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Martha Vick forty pounds current money of the State to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mildred Smith forty pounds current money of the State to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Tabitha Stephenson forty pounds current money of the State to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Lucity Clifton forty pounds current money of the State to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I lend the labour of all my negroes and the lent of the other part of my estate to my wife as long as she lives a widow.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Son Abraham Stephenson all the remainder part of my estate of whatsoever kind it be unto him and his heirs forever.
And I do appoint my son Abraham & my friend Benjamin Boon and Jacob Boon, Junr, Executors of this my last Will and Testament revoking and making void all wills heretofore by me made.
Witness my hand and seal the 26th day of October 1789. Arthur (x) Stephenson
Signed Sealed and Declared in the presence of Winbourne Jenkins, Jno, D. Housemann(?), Jacob Boon, Senr.
Northampton County December Court 1892(?) The will of Arthur Stephenson dec'd was exhibited into Court and proved by the oath of Winbourne Jenkinson one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, at the same time Abraham Stephenson & Benjamin Boone qualified Executors thereof.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________

The following information was provided by Alan C. Stephenson, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, March 25, 2010:

Arthur Sr.'s birth date is estimated based on the assumption that he was at least 21 years old at the date of the 1739 deed from Nicholas boon (deed 1 below).

The father-son relationship of abraham Sr. and Arthur Sr. is assumed based on (1) the deed of three slaves from Abraham Sr. to Arthur Sr. dated August 1, 1762, witnessed by Abraham Jr. and Arthur Jr. (see deed 12 below), although a family relationship among these four men is not stated in the deed; (2) the 1739 deed from Nicholas Boon to Arthur, witnessed by Abraham, described below (deed 1); and (3) the fact that Arthur's November 1761 land grant was originally surveyed for Abraham Stevenson (see items 10 and 10A below). It is likely that the Arthur Stevenson who was a grantor, along with Abraham and his wife Ann, in deed 9 under Virginia Deeds and Land Grants above was Arthur Sr.

The father-son relationship of Arthur Sr. and Arthur Jr. is assumed based on the following facts. Arthur named a grandson William in his will quoted below. Later records for Arthur's only other known son, Abraham, do not show Abraham had a son by the name of William. The deeds marked with an asterick below indicate that there were two Arthurs in Northampton County during the 18th century. The land conveyed in deed 25 was part of the land acquired by an Arthur deed 22. Deed 25 indicates that Arthur Jr. was living in Orange County, North Carolina in January 1774. An Arthur died in Orange County in 1776 and his will named Joshua Johnston (see deed 21 below), John McCone (see deed 26 below) and Abraham Stephens as executors. See Will under notes for Arthur Jr. The Abraham named in the 1776 will was likely the only recorded son of Arthur Sr. John McCone was probably the husband of Elizabeth McCone, daughter of Arthur Sr. See deed 2 under Notes for Abraham (d. Abt 1823). However, it is not clear who the Arthur Jr. in deed 32 below was because the Arthur who left a will in Orange County had died four years earlier.

Deeds and Land Grants:

Several of the following deeds do not involve Arthur Sr. However, all deeds prior to the death of Arthur Sr. that involve an Arthur or an Arthur Sr. or Jr. are listed together for ease of reference.

1. Nicholas Boon (of Bertie Precinct) to Arthur Stevenson dated October 17, 1739, 20 pounds silver money for 125 acres at the time in the possession of Arthur, reference to a patent dated December 3, 1720 [likely the patent to William Boon referred to in the deed from Elias Fort to Abraham; see deed 2 under Deeds and Grants in Notes for Abraham Sr.], on the south side of the Meherrin River adjoining Carolus Anderson, Elias Fort, Joseph Strckland, William Eldridge and the line of marked trees made by Robert Cobb and Arthur Stevenson; witnessed by Joseph Cobb, Robert Cobb [with a mark] and Abraham Stevenson [no mark indicated]. Bertie DB E:525.

2. Nicholas Boon (of Bertie Precinct) to Robert Cobb (of Bertie Precinct) dated October 17, 1739, 20 pounds silver money for 165 acres on the south side of the Meherrin River adjoining John Deberry, Nicholas Boon, William Eldridge and a line of marked trees made by Arthur Stephens and Robert Cobb; witnessed by Joseph Cobb Jr., Charles Anderson [with a mark] and Abraham Stevenson [no mark indicated]. Bertie DB E:553.

3. Arthur Stevenson to Robert Cobb dated December 3, [year illegible; recorded 1746], 25 pounds Va. for 125 acres on the south side of the Meherrin Rover adjoining the river, Carolus Anderson, Elias Ford [Fort?], Joseph Strickland and Wiliam Eldridge; Arthur signed [with a mark]; witnessed by ???? Deberry Benjamin Cobb [with a mak]. NH DB 1:272.

4. Joseph Cobb to Arthur Stevenson dated February 22, 1746/7, 7 pounds 10 shillings Va. for 150 acres on the southeast side of Corroroy Swamp adjoining a branch and the swamp; witnessed by Samuel Carter, Joseph Strickland and John Wade. NH DB 1:311.

5. Oliver Woodard to Arthur Stevenson dated December 21, 1751, 27 pounds Va. for 150 acres on the south side of Corriroy Swamp adjoining the swamp, Mandew's [Mandue's?] branch and a branch; 100 acres part of a lapsed patent granted to John Farrow dated November 5, 1728, and 50 acres part of a patent dated April 1, 1723 to Thomas Mandew [Mandue?]; also signed by wife Anne; witnessed by John Woodard and John Smith. NH DB 2:72.

6. Robert Smelly to Arthur Stevenson dated October 17, 1752, 9 pounds for 300 acres on the fork of Coriroy Swamp and Kirby Creek adjoining the swamp, John Woodard and John Smelly; part of a 1749 grant to Smelly; also signed by Elizabeth Smelly; witnessed by Robert Monger, Benjamin Morrell and John Smelly. NH DB 2:106.

7. Arthur Stevenson to John Austin Finnie (of Prince George Co. Va.) dated February 28, 1753, 10 pounds 6 shillings Va. for 100 acres on the south side of Cororoy Swamp adjoining the swamp and Mandew's [Mandue's?] branch; part of 150 acres purchased from Oliver Woodard; Arthur signed [with a mark]; witnessed by William Baker and William Liles. NH DB 2:105.

8. Arthur Stevenson to James Massingall Sr. dated February 26, 1754, 20 pounds for 150 acres on the south side of Corroroy Swamp adjoining the swamp, Benjamin Cobb, Arthur Stevenson and pine log branch; [Arthur's signature shown as "Arthur A"]; Elizabeth Stevenson also signed [with a mark]; witnessed by Robert Monger, Richard Reynolds and John Smith. NH DB 2:150.

9. Land grant from John Earl Granville to Arthur Stevenson dated March 3, 1761, for 581 acres adjoining Joseph Powell's corner, Nicholas Tyner's corner, Gust [or Great?] Branch, Thomas Liles' corner, Austin Finney, James Masingal, Corriroy swamp and Benjamin Cobb's old patent; surveyed for Arthur Stevenson January 24, 1756; Richard Reynolds and William Reynolds chain carriers. [See deeds 11, 16, 18, and 19 below].

10. Land grant from John earl Granville to Arthur Stevenson dated November 20, 1761 for 698 acres adjoining Thomas Liles' corner, Nicholas Tyner's corner, Joseph Powell and Patty's Delight; surveyed for Abraham Stevenson March 29, 1756; Richard Reynolds and Jacob Boon chain carriers. [It appears that the grant was to have been originally obtained by Abraham; see item 10A below.] [See deeds 14 and 15 below.]

10A. Land grant from John Earl Granville to John Martin dated August 1, 1762, of 675 acres on Patty's Delight adjoining a branch, the mill prong of Patty's Delight, Benjamin Deberry, Abraham Stevenson's corner maple in the head of Patty's Delight and James Holland; surveyed June 20, 1762. [The reference to the land adjoining Abraham rather than Arthur further indicates that the adjoining property may have been originally owned by Abraham or part of the land grant described in item 10 above that was originally surveyed for Abraham.]

11. Arthur Stevenson and wife Elizabeth to Jacob Woodard dated February 1, 1762, 7 pounds Great Britain for 140 acres adjoining Jacob Boon, a branch, Manders [Mandue's?] branch, Austin Fenner [Finnie?] and ???? Boon; part of the March 1761 grant to Arthur; signed by Arthur [with a mark "A"] and by Elizabeth [with a mark "S"]; witnessed by Joseph Woodard and Mary M. Shelly [Smelly?] NH DB 3:162.

*12. Abraham Stevenson, Sr. to Arthur Stevenson dated August 1, 1762, deed of three slaves, George, Salt and Sedler, "for divers good causes and valuable consideration"; signed by Abraham Sr. [with a mark"A"]; witnessed by Abraham Jr. [no indication of a mark] and Arthur [with a mark "A"]. NH DB 3:188. [A family relationship among these four men is not stated in the deed. The 1788 will of Abraham Jr. was signed and signature of the 1789 will of Arthur was signed with a mark. No will of the senior Abraham.has been found.]

13. Arthur Stevenson and John Clifton to Ephraim Justice (of Southampton, Co. Va.) dated April 30, 1763, 20 pounds 10 shillings Va. For 180 acres adjoining Jacob Powell, Arthur Stevenson, Benjamin Clifton, ???? Bryant, the great branch and "the fork"; signed by Arthur [with a mark "A"]; witnessed by John Britte, Benjamin Clifton and ???? Massingall. NH DB 3:250.

14. Arthur Stevenson to George Brewer dated February 6, 1764, 20 pounds Va. for 100 acres adjoining Indian branch, Joseph Woodard, the road to Squire Washington's Ferry, Capt. Williams road and the road to Squire Murfree's Ferry; part of Nov. 1761 grant to Arthur; signed by Arthur [with a mark "A"]; witnessed by William Mabry and Moses Owen. NH DB 3:366.

15. Arthur Stephenson to William Mabry dated February 6, 1764 (but not recorded until Jan. 19, 1778), 50 pounds for 500 acres adjoining Joseph Woodard, the road to Squire Washington's Ferry, Capt. Williams road, the road to Squire Murfree's Ferry, Indian branch, formerly Carolus Anderson's line, William Rix [Ricks?], Joseph Powell and Patty's Delight; part of Arthur's Nov. 1761 grant; signed by Arthur [no indication of a mark]; witnessed by Moses Owen and George Brewer. NH DB 6:201.

16. Arthur Stevenson to John Wilkenson (of Southampton Co. Va.) dated August 7, 1764, 30 pounds Va. for 172 acres on Coryroy Swamp adjoining the swamp, Mirie branch, John Finnie, Manders [Manduc's?] branch and ???? Massengill; 50 acres part of deed from John Austin Finney and 122 acres part of March 1761 grant to Arthur; signed by Arthur [with a mark "X"]; witnessed by Thomas Clifton Jr. NH DB 3:328.

17. Arthur Stevenson to Jacob Powell dated December 6, 1764, [illegible] pounds Va. for 30 acres on Coriroy Swamp adjoining Jacob Powell, gust branch, Great branch and the swamp; signed by Arthur with wife Elizabeth [both with a mark "X"]; witnessed by John Wade and West Woodard. NH DB 3:365.

*18. Jacob Woodard to John McCone dated August 6, 1766, 30 pounds for 140 acres adjoining Jacob Boon, a branch, Manders [Mandue's?] branch and Austin Finnie; part of March 1761 grant to Arthur; witnessed by Arthur Stevenson Jr. [with a mark "X"], David Jones and John McCone. NH DB 4:30.

19. John Wilkinson (of Southampton Co. Va.) to John Bryant dated July 9, 1766, 32 pounds 10 shillings Va. for 172 acres adjoining Coryroy Swamp, Mirie branch, ???? Massengil, Arthur Stevenson's other land and John Finnie; 127 acres part of March 1761 grant and 59 acres part of "patent" from John Austin Finney to Arthur that has since become vested in John Wilkinson; witnessed by Matthew Williamson and Elizabeth Wilkinson. NH DB 3:437.

20. James Massingale to Abraham Massingale dated February 27, 1768, 5 shillings for 150 acres on the south side of Coyroy Swamp adjoining the swamp, Benjamin Cobb, Arthur Stevenson and pine long branch; witnessed by Joshua Johnson and William Fly. NH DB 4:113.

*21. Samuel Edwards and Ann Johnson to Arthur Stevenson Jr. dated August 6, 1768, 30 barrels of merchantable tar for 75 acres on the south side of Kirby Creek adjoining the creek, a small branch and Mander's [Mandue's?] branch; witnessed by William Fly and Joshua Johnson. NH DB 4:211.

22. Abraham Starling to Arthur Stevens dated December 9, 1768, 20 pounds 10 shillings Va. for 435 acres on the south side of Kirby Creek adjoining the "old field", William Liles and the creek; 108 acres whereon is the plantation where Starling now lives; part of grant to Isaac Starling dated October 29, 1753; witnessed by James Williamson, John Wilkinson and John batten. NH DB 3:253.

*23. Robert Bagley to Henry Gay dated March 13, 1770, 11 pounds 15 shillings Va. for 100 acres adjoining Robert Bagley Jr., Moses Adams, a branch, ???? Tyner, formerly Thomas Murril's line and Arthur Stevenson Jr.; witnessed by William Mabry and William Corbit. NH DB 5:173.

*24. Arthur Stephenson Sr. and Joseph Woodard to Abraham Wall dated April 30, 1773, 15 pounds Va. for 212 acres adjoining Great branch, Jacob Boon, Thomas Pency, Arthur Stephenson and Isaac Vick; Arthur signed [with a mark "X"]; witnessed by Jacob Boon Sr., Arthur Stephenson Jr. [no mark indicated] and Jacob Boon. NH DB 6:246.

*25. Arthur Stevenson Jr. (of Orange Co. NC) to William Fly dated January 7, 1774, 30 pounds Va. for 180 acres on the north side of Kirby Creek adjoining Prong branch, Joseph Futrel, a branch near Poplar spring, Adam Starling, Kirby creek and formerly William Liles' line; part of 1753 patent to Isaac Starling and by divers conveyances became vested in said Arthur Stevenson; signed by Arthur [no mark indicated]; witnessed by Jacob Boon and Brittain Garner. NH DB 6:344. [See deed 22; either the Arthur and Arthur Jr. in deed 22 and in this deed were the same person, or part of land in deed 22 may have been conveyed by Arthur, the grantee in that deed, to Arthur Jr., the grantor in this deed.]

*26. Arthur Stephenson Sr. to John McCone Jr. dated September 13, 1774, 20 pounds Va. for 70 acres adjoining Manders [Mandue's?] branch, John McCone Sr., Jacob Boon and John Bryant; Arthur signed [with a mark "X"]; witnessed by Tabitha Stevenson [with a mark "X"], John McCone [with a mark "X"] and Joshua Cone [?]. NH DB 6:28.

27. Arthur Stephenson to Benjamin Farrow dated may 13, 1778, 60 pounds Va. 125 acres adjoining Paties delight, Arthur Stephenson and Moses Owens; Arthur signed [with a mark "X"]; witnessed by William Love, Stephen Williamson and William Peele. NH DB 6:252.

28. Arthur Stevenson to Bytha Stevenson dated 3, 1778; deed of gift to daughter Bytha [probably a nickname for Elizabeth] Stephenson of one slave, girl Tamer, and one feather bed and the furniture; Arthur signed [with a mark]; witnessed by Winborn Jenkins, Jacob Boon and Daniel Johnson. NH DB 6:388.

29. Arthur Stevenson to Sucky Stevenson dated December 3, 1778; deed of gift to daughter Sucky Stevenson of one slave, boy Daniel, and one feather bed and the furniture; Arthur signed [with a mark]; witnessed by Winborn Jenkins, Jacob Boon and Daniel Johnson. NH DB 6:386.

30. Arthur Stevenson to Abraham Stevenson dated December 6, 1778; deed of gift to son Abraham of "my plantation and all the lands I am possessed with one Copper still cap and Worm" and two slaves, boy Luke and girl Lucy; Arthur signed [with a mark]; witnessed by Winborn Jenkins, Jacob Boon and Daniel Johnson. NH DB 6:299.

31. Land grant from the State to Arthur Stevenson dated December 31, 1778, for 250 acres adjoining Arthur Stevenson, Patty's Delight, the road, John martin, ???? Deberry, Arthur Davis, ???? Cobb, gust branch, Great branch and Thomas Liles; surveyed by Howell Edmunds; Abraham Wall and Abraham Stevenson chain carriers.

*32. Arthur Stevenson Jr. (of Northampton Co.) to Joseph Woodard dated March 4, 1780, 7 pounds Va. for 75 acres on the south side of Kirby's Creek adjoining the creek, a small branch and Mander's [Mandue's?] branch; Arthur signed [with no mark indicated]; witnessed by Benjamin Boon, Jacob Boon and Jacob Boon Jr. NH DB 7:40. [It is unclear who this Arthur Jr. was. The only Arthurs in Northampton County known to be alive at this time were Arthur Sr. and Arthur (d. 1823), a grandson of Arthur Sr.]

33. Arthur Stephenson to Elizabeth Vick dated march 8, 1780, 20 pounds specie for 115 acres adjoining the road in Patty's delight, Martin's corner, a branch and Patty's Delight; Arthur signed [with a mark "X"]; witnessed by Etheldred Martin Jr., Jacob Boon, Abraham Stevenson [no indication of a mark] and Richard Clifton. NH DB 8:160.

34. Arthur Stephenson to Abraham Stephenson [no relationship stated] dated March 1, 1788 [not recorded until March 16, 1790], 10 pounds for 200 acres adjoining Arthur Stevenson, the dividing line between Abraham Stevenson and Martha Vick, and Powell's corner; Arthur signed [with a mark]; witnessed by Benjamin Boon Jr., [name torn off] Stevenson and illegible]. NH DB 8:185.

35. Land grant from the State to Arthur Stevenson dated May 26, 1788, for 315 acres adjoining Arthur Stevenson, Mirry branch, Patty's Delight, John Martin and Powell's corner; surveyed by Howell Edmunds; Jacob Boon and Jeremiah Allen chain carriers.

36. Arthur Stephenson and Abraham Stephenson to Jacob Boon dated August 19, 1790, 5 pounds for 18 acres adjoining Jacob boon, a branch and the road; Arthur and Abraham signed [with no indication of a mark]; witnessed by Benjamin Boon and John Stancill. NH DB 10:140.

[In view of the number of land transactions in which Arthur Sr. was a party, he appears to have been a speculator in land. For example, he resold much of the land he received in both of his Granville land grants in 1761 (items 9 and 10 above).]

Will dated October 26, 1789 (proved 1792) (NH WB 2:20):

"In the name of God amen. I Arthur Stevenson of Northampton County and State of North Carolina being at this time of a disposing mind and memory thanks be to God for it. Therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all flesh once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in the following manner and form. First I will that all my actual debts be paid.

Item I give and bequeath unto my grandson William Stevenson five shillings to him and his heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Jones five shillings to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth McCone five shillings to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Vick forty pound current money of this State to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mildred Smith forty pound current money of this State to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Tabitha Stevenson forty pound current money of this State to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Suckey Clifton forty pound current money of this State to her and her heirs forever.

Item I lend the labour of all my negros and the lent of all the other parts of my estate to my wife so long as she lives a widow.

Item I give and bequeath unto my son Abraham Stevenson all the remainding parts of my estate of whatsoever kind it be to him and his heirs forever and I do appoint my son Abraham Stevenson and my friend Benjamin Boon and Jacob boon Junior executors of this my last will and testament, revoking and making void all other wills heretofore by me made as witness my seal the 26 day of October 1789.
Arthur (his mark) Stevenson

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of
Winborn Jenkins
D. Hassmann [?]
Jacob Boon Jr."

Census Records:

1. 1786 census for Northampton County prepared pursuant to an act of the General Assembly, Laws of North Carolina, 1784 (the "1786 NH Census") (page 15 in Capt. Bennet's District): Arthur Stevenson, next to Abraham Stevenson (who is followed by William Stevenson and Martha Vick)-2 white males under 21 or above 60; 2 white females all ages; 1 black 12-50; 1 black under 12 or above 50.

2. 1790 Federal Census (page 579); Arthur Stephenson, next to Abram Stephenson-1 white male 16 and upwards; 2 white females all ages; 6 slaves.

Tax Records:

1. 1780 Tax List for NH Co: Arthur Stevenson, next to Abraham Stevenson (who is two up from Martha Vick)-shown as married with 5 polls and with taxable property value at 1,463 pounds, taxed at 109 pounds.
Note: The wealthiest man listed in the 1780 tax list was Cullen Pollock with taxable property valued at 92,954 pounds, taxed at 6,960 pounds.

History of North Carolina Land Grants:

Originally, Carolina was a proprietary colony as the result of the grant in 1663 by Charles II of ownership and governing rights of the colony to eight Englishmen including Sir George Cataret. In 1729, the proprietors other than Cartaret sold their rights back to the Crown. One-eighth of Carolina was retained by the Cartarets, and in 1742 George II ordered the Cartaret share to be separately identified and surveyed. This area became known as the Granville District after Sir john Cartaret, Earl Granville, the great grandson of George Cartaret. The Granville District was in the northern part of the colony of north Carolina and encompassed a strip 60 miles wide bonded on the north by the border with Virginia. The Granville District, which included present Northampton County, contained about two-thirds of the population of the colony and much of its resources. Until 1776, when the colonies declared their independence from Great Britain, land grants in the Granville District were made by the land office of Lord Granville in Edenton to those with an interest in receiving grants and an ability to pay for the grant. See William S. Powell, North Carolina Through Four Centuries (1989) ("Powell"), p. 93. Accordingly, the grant document will read as a conveyance of ownership rights from John Earl Granville to the grantee. The procedure for obtaining a grant appears to have been similar to the procedure for state grants described below. The potential grant, or patent, was identified, surveyed, fees paid and the grant issued. After the Revolutionary War, the heirs of Earl Granville sought to recover their rights to land in the Granville District confiscated by the State. Their claim was rejected by the United States District Court in Raleigh, and the heirs failed to perfect an appeal to the United States Supreme Court. Powell, p. 94.

Beginning about 1778, the State of North Carolina established a procedure for state grants of vacant land, including land confiscated from the Crown and the Granville heirs. A multi-step procedure was involved. First, the land claim was recorded with the entry Taker for the county where the land was located and a land entry fee was paid. Second, after a waiting period of at least three months, a land warrant was issued by the Entry Taker to the county surveyor. Next, the land was surveyed and a plat made and the survey fee was paid. Then the warrant and two copies of the survey were sent to the Secretary of State. The grant itself was then filled out with a description of the land from the plat and the grant fee was paid. Next, the grant was signed by the Governor and another fee was paid to his secretary for the state seal. Then the grant was recorded by the Secretary of State, who kept the warrant and one copy of the survey. Finally, the grant was returned to the grantee, who had 12 months to record it in the county. State grants read as a conveyance by the Governor on behalf of the State to the grantee. See Land Grant Procedure (1778-1959), provided by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History.
___________________________________________________________________

Some information from Familysearch.org
____________________________________________________________________

Arthur married Elizabeth Unknown. Elizabeth was born in 1718 in Northampton County, North Carolina, USA and died after 1789. {FSID: LCX8-5V1}

General Notes: Information was provided by Alan C. Stephenson, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, March 25, 2010:
_____________________________________________________________________

Some information from Familysearch.org
_____________________________________________________________________

+ 35 M i. Arthur Stephenson Jr. was born before 1745 and died in 1776. {FSID: LCX8-5YF}

+ 36 M ii. Abraham Stephenson was born about 1750 in Northampton County, North Carolina, USA, died about Dec 1823 in Northampton County, North Carolina, USA about age 73, and was buried in Northampton County, North Carolina, USA. {FSID: 9F4N-GMR}

37 F iii. Martha Stephenson was born circa 1752 in Northampton County North Carolina, USA. {FSID: LCX8-R2J}

38 F iv. Tabitha Stephenson was born before 1756 and died in 1802. {FSID: LCX6-9S4}

39 F v. Susannah "Suky" "Lucity" Stephenson was born before 1761. {FSID: LCX8-RCJ}

General Notes: The following information was provided by Alan C. Stephenson, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, March 25, 2010:

Notes for John McCone:

The identity of Elizabeth’s husband is based on the 1786 deed from John McCone to Abraham, also signed by Elizabeth McCone. See deed 2 under Deeds in Notes for Abraham (Abt. 1823)

18. Abraham Stephenson, Jr. (Abraham Sr.³, (William) John Jr.², John Sr.¹) was born Abt 1720 or abt 1725 and died in 1791 about age 71. {FSID: LCX8-FFL}

General Notes: **The following information was taken from Rebecca Leach Ddozier's book, "Twelve Northhampton County, North Carolina Families 1650-1850, published by Gateway Press, INC., Baltimore, MD 2004; page 328-329:

Abraham ((Abraham(2), John Stephenson(1)), son of Abraham and Ann (mnu) Stephenson, was born in Bertie or Northampton co., NC. He married Rebecca whose surname is unknown(28). He was referred to as "Jr." in a 28 Aug 1761 Northampton County deed both when his father gave him 100 acres of land on the sough side of the "Meheron" River joining "Miry" Branch and the old county line and also when his father gave his brother Arthur some slaves in 1762. After 1762, he was not found as "Jr." again in the Northampton County's deed books. Abtaham and Rebecca sold 50 acres to John Fly on 1 Jan 1776, land that joined his border(29). From 1776 until Abraham's death in 1788, it is difficult to determine which Abraham Stephenson was the son of Abraham and Ann Stephenson in the Northampton County's deed books, and which was this Abraham's nephew Abraham, son of his brother Arthur Stephenson. Abraham, son of Abraham and Ann (mnu) Stephenson wrote his will 21 August 1788, and it was probated during the June Court, 1791(30). He mentioned his Daughter Winifred Carr, son-in-law William Darden, son Charles, daughter-in-law Dorcus Stephenson, and his grandchildren, Sarah, Elizabeth, Priscilla, and Abraham Darden, grandson John Stephenson, son of Charles, granddaughter polly Stephenson, daughter of daughter-in-law Dorcus Stephenson, and his grandson Robert Stephesnon Carr, son of William and Winifred Carr. He also mentioned in his 1788 will that Charles had a son and a daughter who were under age. Abraham did not name these two children in his will, but when Charles' estate was ordered settled in 1793, he had two daughters under age, Polly and Darcus. No mention was made of Charles having a son under age by 1793. Charles' wife was named Mary in his 1793 estate(31). Abraham named as his executors his sons-in-law, William Darden and Titus Carr. Abraham's children as named in his will were Winifred S. Carr, Mrs William Darden, and Charles Stephenson. There could have been others, but if so, they are unknown. Titus Carr and William Darden's ancestors resided in Greene Co., NC, and records of both famililes can be found in that county(32). The given name of William Darden's wife was Claodesha Stephenson, and her given name was obtained from original Bible records(33). Claodesha was born 18 April 1775 and died 18 April 1784. After Claodesha's death William married Susanana Speight of Gates Co., NC, on 4 April 1785. William Darden died in green Co., NC on 2 March 1801(34).

(28)Northampton Co., NC, DB 6, p. 110; Dr. Stephen E. Bradley, The Deeds of Northampton Co., NC 1774-1787, p. 6, #72.

(29)Ibid.

(30)Gammon, David B., Records of Estates, Northampton, NC, Vol. II, Estates Found in Court Records, 1792-1816, p. 21.

(31)Ibid.

(32)Carr, Edison, Carr Familly Records, 1894.

(33)William Darden's family Bible owned by Paul "Cliff" Darden III, 504 Deans St. W., Wilson, NC, 27893 (2001).

(34)Copeland, Elizabeth, H., "Chronicles of Pitt Co., NC," 1982, The Pitt County Historical Society, Inc. Greenville, NC.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Abraham Stephenson's Will

Northampton County, Will Book #1, page 427-429, dated 21 Aug 1788, Probated June Court 1791.

In the name of God Amen. I Abraham Stevenson of Northampton County and State of North Carolina, being sick and weak in body but in perfect mind and memory thanks be to almighty God first, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament, principally as follows the first I commend my soul to the hands of God and my body to the ground to be buried in a decent manner at the discertion of my Exors and all my worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give in the following manner and form.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Winifred Carr nine negros known by the name of, Peggy, Jacob, Hannah, Patience, Ned, Betty, Shadrack, Allen, and Phillip to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I leave to my son in law Wm Darden the sum of fifteen negros by the name of Eady, Anarchy, Samuel, Isbel, Lucy, Charlotte, Cherry, Judy, Timfry, Dinah, Peggy, Patience, Bridgett, Deliah, Liviniah, during his natural life and after his decease I give all the said negros and their increase to my grand children, Sarah Darden, Elizabeth Darden, Priscilla and Abraham Darden to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever also I leave to my son in law William Darden the use of one negro known by the name of Fong until his son Abraham Darden comes to the age of twenty one years of age I give the said negro known by the name of Toby to my grand son Abraham Darden to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I leave to my beloved son Charles Stevenson the use of three negros known by the name of Ned, Fred, and Old Hannah during his natural life and after his death I give the said negros to his son John Stevenson to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I leave to my daughter in law Dersas Stevenson the sum of three negros known by the name of Peter, Nan, and Cherry during her natural life and after her death I give the said negros to her daughter Polly Stevenson to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I leave to my son Charles Stevenson to live on my plantation until his death but after his death I give my land and plantation to my grand son John Stevenson to him and his heirs forever and if no heirs I give to my grand son Abraham Darden my land and plantation to him and his heirs forever and if no heir I give the said land and plantation to my grand son Robt Stevenson Carr to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I leave to my son Charles Stevenson two feather beds and furniture the use of them till his son and daughter comes to twenty one years of age then I give the said bed to them and their heirs forever.

Item: I leave to the direction of my Exr to sell as much of my estate as will pay off my Just debts and charges(attest, to sell my large Sorrel horse, my young horse called independence, 1 yoke of steers, two thousand weight of good fat' pork and all the Brandy and cider and all the tobacco.

Item: I give to my Executor Wm Darden twenty five pounds prack all the rest of my Estate whatsoever kind real and personal after my just debts and charges are paid I do give unto my son Charles Stevenson to him and his heirs forever. I do appoint my sons in law Wm Darden and Titus Car my whats and sale Exrs to this last will and testament revoking all other wills by me heretoforemade ratifying this and no other to be my last will and testament In witness whereof I the said Abraham Stevenson have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 21 day of August 1788.

Abraham Stevenson and a seal

Signed sealed and published and declared in the presence of Thos Boon, John Boon, Wm Boon

Northampton County June Court 1791.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

This information was provided to my by Ed Barnes, about 1999.

Children: None

Census:
1786 State: Andrew's District - (believed to be in the Pendleton Area) -
Abraham Stephenson - Males 21 to 60 (1), Females all ages (2), slaves (14)
Charles Stephenson - Males 21 to 60 (1), Females all ages (3), slaves (5)

1790 U.S.
Abraham Stephenson - Males 16 and up (2), females (4), slaves (21)

Real Estate:
Northampton County Deed Book 1, page 146 - Recorded November Court 1761- Abraham Stevenson to son Abraham Stevenson Jr. - Deed of gift - Tract (acres not given) on south side of Meherin River, joining Miry branch and old county line. Signed Abraham Stephenson. Witness - Henry Sharp, Martha Cundal

_______________________________________________________________________________________________

The following information was provided by Alan C. Stephenson, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, March 25, 2010:
Born before 1739; died 1791.

Notes for Abraham Stephenson Jr.:

The father-son relationship of Abraham Sr. and Abraham Jr. is assumed based on (1) the deed of three slaves from Abraham Sr. to Arthur Jr. dated August 1, 1762, witnessed by Abraham Jr. and Arthur Jr. (see introductory note and deed 12 under Deeds and Land Grants in Notes for Arthur Sr.) and (2) the deeds described under Deeds and Land Grants in Notes for Abraham Sr.

The birth date of Abraham Jr. is estimated based on the assumption that he was at least 21 years old at the estimated birth date of his son Charles. See introductory note in the Notes for Charles.

Deeds and Land Records:

1. Abraham Stevenson to John Fly dated December 1, 1776, for 40 pounds Va., of 50 acres adjoining Abraham Stevenson; part of a tract of land formerly granted to William Boon by patent dated October 11, 1723, signed by Abraham [no mark indicated] and Rebecca Stevenson [by a mark]; witnessed by Absalom Cobb and Charles Stevenson. NH DB 6:110.

2. Thomas Boon to Benjamin Liles Arbitration Award dated June 18, 1780; Abraham and Charles Stephenson appear as two arbitrators along with Howell Edmunds, Jesse Williams, William Sherrod, Samuel Davis, Robert Warren, Henry Deberry, John Edmunds and John Tyner. NH DB 7:26.

Will dated August 21, 1788 (proved June Court 1791) (NH DB ):

"In the name of God amen. I Abraham Stevenson of Northampton County of State of North Carolina, being sick and weak in body but in perfect mind and memory thanks be to almighty God for it, do make and ordain this my last will and testament inescapably as [?] the first I recommend my soul to the hands of God and my body to the ground to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Exors and all my worldly estate which it hath pleased God to help me with in this life I give in the following manner and form
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Winifred Carr nine negroes known by the names of Peggy, Jacob, Hannah, Patriner, Ned, Betty, Shaddrak, Allen and Phillip to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I leave to my son in law William Darden the use of fifteen negroes by the names Eady, Ana [?], Samuel, Isbet, Luchy, Charlotte, Chiny, Judy, Timothy, Dinah, Peggy, Patriner, Bridget, Delilah, Susannah during his natural life and after his decease I give all the said negroes and their increase to my grandchildren Sarah Darden, Elizabeth Darden, Priscilla and Abraham Darden to be equally divided between them and their heirs forever. Also leave to my son in law William Darden the use of one negro known by the name of Tony until his son Abraham Darden comes to the age of twenty one years of age I give the said negro known by the name of Tony to my grandson Abraham Darden to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I leave to my beloved son Charles Stevenson the use of three negroes known by the name of Ned, Fred and Hannah during his natural life and after his death I give the said negroes to his son John Stevenson to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I leave to my daughter in law Dorcas Stevenson the use of three negroes known by the names of Peter, Nan and Chinny [?] during her natural life and after her death I give said negroes to her daughter Polly Stevenson to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I give to my grandson John Stevenson four negroes known by the name of David, Peter, Pall and Tabitha to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I give to my granddaughter Polly Stephenson two negroes known by the name of Cager and Ginney to her and her heirs forever.
Item. I leave to my son Charles Stevenson to live in my plantation until his death but after his death I give my land nd plantation to my grandson john Stevenson to him and his heirs forever and if no heirs I give to my grandson Abraham Darden my land and plantation to him and his heirs forever and ilf no heirs I give the said land and plantation to my grandson Robert Stevenson Carr to him and his heirs forever.
Item. I leave to my son Charles Stevenson two feather beds and furniture the use of them until his son and daughter comes to twenty one years of age then I give the said beds to them and their heirs forever.
Item. I leave to the discretion of my Exors to sell as much of my estate as will pay off my just debts and charges [?], to sell my large sorrel horse, my young horse called independence / yoke of stars [?], two thousand weight of good fat pork and all the brandy and cider and all the tobacco.
Item. I give to my executors William Darden twenty five pounds ???? all the rest of my estate whatsoever kind real and personal after my just debts and charges are paid I do give unto my son Charles Stevenson to him and his heirs forever. I do appoint my son in law William Darden and Titus Carr my ???? and sole Exrs to this my last will and testament revoking all other wills by me heretofore made satisfying this and no other to be my last will and testament.

In witness whereof, I the said Abraham Stevenson have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 21 day of August 1788.
Abraham Stevenson
Signed, sealed, ????? and declared in the presence of Thomas Boon, John Boon, William Boon"

Estate and Court Records:

1. An inventory of the estate dated May 6, 1791, by William Darden, executor, included (a) 20 slaves: Old Peter, Fred, Ned, Cudger, Toney, Dread, Shadrack, Little Peter, Allen and Phillip (males), and Hannah, Nann, Bridget, Patt, Cherry, Delilah, Jinny Levinah, Tabitha and Fanny (females); (b) 6 horsed, 25 sheep, 21 cattle and 90 hogs; (c) 4 beds and furniture, 2 looking glasses, 1 desk, 1 chest of drawers, 2 chests, 2 linnen and 2 woolen wheels and 6 leather bottom chairs; (d) 2 hymn books, 1 prayer book, 1 bible, 2 sermon books, 1 spelling book and 7 other small books; (e) 2500 pounds of tobacco and 200 pounds of cotton seed; (f0 various farm implements and tools; and (g) kitchen furniture, plates dishes, glasses, pots, pans and other items.

2. "Benjamin [?]rakley, Jeremiah Daughtry and John Boon or any of them audit and settle the accounts of Martha Cobb Adm'x of John Cobb and that William Darden Exor of Abraham Stephenson and James Vaughan settle their accounts and Martha Cobb Adm'x as aforesaid and make the report to next Court." NH Court Minutes c. 1795.

Minutes of the Wardens of the Poor:

The Wardens of the Poor in Northampton County were responsible for collecting moneys and providing support of the poor. Until 1777, they were members of the vestry of St. George Parish, probably of the Church of England, and were also responsible for approving the salaries of the minister of the parish and other church officials. Beginning in 1777, in each county, the officials responsible for receiving moneys collected to support the poor were elected by the freeholders and were county, rather than church, officials. See North Carolina Research, Genealogy and Local History, Helen F. M. Leary, ed. (2nd ed. 1996). Minutes of their meetings from 1773 until 1814, called "Northampton County, Minutes and Accounts, Wardens of the Poor", are on microfilm in the North Carolina Division of Archives and History in Raleigh, North Carolina, Microfilm No. C.071.90022.

1. In the minutes for a meeting in March 1773, Abraham Stevens was appointed Clerk and Sexton to the Meherrin Chapel at a salary of six pounds. George Berkeley was continued as Clerk and Sexton of the Church, William Gardner was continued as Clerk and Henry Clark, as Sexton of Saint John's Chapel, and Catherine Boddie was continued as Sexton of Bridges Chapel, at their usual salaries.

2. A statement of accounts on October 30, 1773 shows the following payments: 133 pounds to the Reverend Charles Edward Taylor, various amounts for the salaries of the Clerks and Sextons of various chapels, including Abraham Stevens as Clerk and Sexton of St. Paul's Chapel (which appears to have been the official name for Meherrin Chapel), and payments to various persons for the relief or the support of the poor.

3. The minutes for the April 21, 1774 meeting of the vestry of St. George Parish shows that Drury Gee, Hezekiah Hoof, Howell Edmunds, William Bennet, Solomon pace and George Berkeley were present with the Reverend Charles Edward Taylor also present. Abraham Stevens was continued as Clerk and Sexton of St. Paul's Chapel at his usual salary.

4. The minutes for a vestry meeting on April [?] 16, 1776 shows that Abraham Stevens had been elected a member of the vestry and was present. Various payments were authorized, including 6 pounds to Abraham Stevens as Clerk and Sexton of St. Paul's Chapel.

5. The minutes of a meeting on April 20, 1778 state that pursuant to an act of the Assembly, the free holders had elected the following persons: Howell Edmunds, Hezekiah Hoof, Thomas Parker, Richard Veal, George Berkeley, Samuel Cryer [?] and William Pace. Howell Edmunds and Thomas parker were appointed County Wardens for the ensuring year. At the meeting it was ordered that the overseers of the poor make a report to the next Court of Overseers and that the several Collectors of the parish Taxes for the year 1769 "be cited to meet at the next Court of Overseers in order to settle their Accts.with the parish of St. George". Various payments to individuals for "keeping" or "attending" other individuals are authorized, as well as a payment of 8 shillings to Abraham Stevenson for unspecified services. However, with only a few exceptions, payment for church officials are not included at this or any subsequent meeting. In addition, the minutes are headed Northampton County rather than St. George Parish. The wording of these minutes show that by statute the responsibility of supervising relief for the poor had been taken over from the church and had become a governmental function, probably as a result of the Revolutionary War and the declaration of independence of the State of North Carolina from Great Britain. These and subsequent minutes for meetings refer to those present as a Court of Overseers or Wardens, and the term vestry is no longer used. Meetings were usually held at the court house.

6. Minutes for meetings of the Court of Overseers on July 3, 1779, September 23, 1779, April 29, 1780, December 15, 1780, and March 24, 1781, authorize payments to various individuals for "keeping" other individuals, but no mention of Abraham is made.

7. There are no minutes for meetings until August 26, 1784. At this meeting, the meeting is referred to as a Court of Wardens of the Poor, no longer Overseers. Abraham Stevenson is present as one of the five General Wardens along with Howell Edmunds, William Bridgers, Allen James and Dempsy Taylor.

8. At the September 7, 1784 meeting, Abraham is not shown as present. At the March 8, 1785 meeting of a Court of Wardens of the Poor, Abraham Stephenson, Howell Edmunds, James Vaughan and Dempsy Taylor are listed as the General Wardens present. At the meeting, the County Wardens are ordered to make payments to certain individuals for "having kept" or "attending" other individuals. At the June 7, 1785 meeting, Abraham is not listed as present.

9. The minutes for a meeting on March 6, 1786 show William Stephenson, but not Abraham, as a General Warden present. It is possible that this was a mistake by the author of the minutes (see items 10, 11, 12, 13, and 18 below).

10. The minutes for a meeting on June 24, 1786, Abraham Stephenson is listed as one of the General Wardens
present. At this meeting, Abraham is allowed 30 pounds for "having kept" John Franklain for one year and 10 shillings for "corn found American Sherrard".

11. Abraham is one of the General Wardens present for the October 17, 1786 meeting. The minutes also show him present at the meeting on December 4, 1786, but, interestingly, his name was originally written as William Stephenson with William crossed out and Abraham inserted above the crossed out name.

12. The minutes show Abraham Stephenson as present at meetings on March 7, 1787, April 9, 1787 and July 26, 1787. At the April 9 meeting, it is ordered that John Reaves and Abraham Stephenson appoint County Wardens for the ensuing year. Abraham's name is again written as William and then crossed out and Abraham written in. "receive the money of the Collectors and with the same pay the [illegible] orders".

At the July 20, 1787 meeting Abraham Stephenson and John Reaves are present and listed as G. Cty. [probably General County] Wardens and the others are listed as General Wardens. It was ordered that "Abraham Stephenson receive the money due the Parish from the Collectors and not pay any order without leave the said Court." It appears that the author of the minutes had originally written "W" and then crossed it out before Abraham's name.
At the meeting on December 4, 1787, John Reaves and Abraham Stephenson are shown as present and listed as Gen. Couy. Wardens and the others as General Wardens. The minutes state that 38 pounds, 6 shillings, 8 pence appear to be due to the estate of the Rev. Charles Edward Taylor under an order dated June 2, 1778, and Abraham Stephenson acknowledged himself indebted for this sum to the Court of Wardens. It was also ordered that the Collectors collect 3 shillings for each pole and 1 shilling for each hundred acres of land and account with the County Wardens when required. This suggest that the County Wardens who were appointed from the General Wardens were responsible for receiving and verifying the taxes collected by the Collectors.

Abraham Stephenson is shown as present in the minutes for the meetings held on March 3, 1788, September 2, 1788, March 2, 1789, and June 1, 1789, September 7, 1789, March 4, 1790 and April 2, 1790. Various individuals, including Abraham, were allowed sums for keeping other individuals. The minutes for the June 1, 1789 meeting show Henry Peebles, Solomon Pace, Henry Vinson, John Wade and William Burke indebted for collections for the year 1786.
The minutes for May 15, 1790 report that seven individuals, not including Abraham had been elected as Wardens.
The minutes for June 10, 1791 state that it was ordered that Abraham Stephenson be charged with a total of about 168 pounds that he had received from Solomon Pace, Henry Vinson and John Wade for their collections for the year 1786 for which they had produced receipts from Abraham. It appears that Abraham had been responsible for receiving taxes, but had not turned over this money to the Wardens.

The minutes for the September 2, 1791 meeting state that William Darden, executor of Abraham Stephenson, appeared and agreed that the amount of the parish tax for the collections for the year 1786 should be charged to the estate of Abraham as County Warden for that year. Again, William Stephenson had been originally written, crossed out and Abraham written in. A total of about 475 pounds was shown as owed by Abraham for the 1786 collections. These minutes also stated that it was ordered that Howell Edmunds be allowed credit for past payments, including 6 pounds to Abraham for 1778.

At the meeting of a court of Wardens on May 9, 1792, it was ordered that Henry DeBerry have credit for payments to various individuals, including Abraham Stephenson. These minutes suggest that it was the practice for the Wardens and Collectors of poor taxes to retain the collections and make payments out of them, with an accounting to the Wardens often occurring many years later.

Census Records:

1786 NH Census (page 20 in Capt. Andrew's District): Abraham Stephenson-1 white male 21-60; 2 white females all ages; 7 blacks 12-50; 7 blacks under 12 or over 50.
1790 Federal Census (page 588): Abraham Stephenson - 2 white males 16 and upwards; 4 white females all ages; 21 slaves.

More about Abraham Stephenson Jr.:

Will: August 21, 1788, Northampton County, North Carolina

+ 44 F i. Winifred Stephenson was born about 1752 in Virginia, USA and died about 1787 in Greene, North Carolina, USA about age 35. {FSID: LCX8-2X9}

+ 45 F ii. Claodesha Stephenson was born on 18 Apr 1755 and died on 18 Apr 1784 at age 29. {FSID: KDB5-7GZ}

+ 46 M iii. Charles Stephenson was born before 1759 and died in Jan 1793. {FSID: LCX8-VRF}

23. Celah Stephenson (Thomas Sr.⁴, (William) John Jr.², John Sr.¹). {FSID: MPTK-CRZ}

34. Solomon Stephenson Sr. (William Jonathon⁸, (William) John Jr.², John Sr.¹) was born about 1715 in Isle of Wight County, Virginia, USA and died on 25 Aug 1794 in Johnston County, North Carolina, USA about age 79. {FSID: LH21-96J}

General Notes: The following information was provided by Alan C. Stephenson, from Chapel Hill, North Carolina, March 25, 2010:

Solomon's birth date is estimated based on the assumption that he was at least 18 years old at the date of his father John's 1728 will. See Will in the Notes for John (d. 1737).

Deeds and Land Grants:

1. Land grant dated August 20, 1740, to Lewis Burwell of 3,600 acres on the north side of the Main Blackwater Swamp adjoining Ruben Cooke, Abraham Jones, a pocoson, Solomon Stephenson, Samuel Croft, William Camp, the third swamp, the Great Swamp, John Clark, John Blackwell, Francis Williamson, the Indian branch, a small branch, the main road, the Main Blackwater Swamp and Brawler's branch, 1,800 acres being part of a larger tract formerly granted to Dr. Robert Williamson by a patent dated June 6, 1666, and 500 acres being part of a tract granted to Robert Williamson, son of Dr. Williamson, by patent dated October 30, 1686, and such land being conveyed to Lewis Burwell. PB 19:703.

2. Land grant dated July 30, 1742, to Samuel Croft of 300 acres on the north side of the main Blackwater Swamp adjoining William Camp, Samuel Croft, Joseph Hollyman, John Hollyman, Arthur Crocker, Samuel Taylor, Thomas Moore, Rubin Cook and Solomon Stephenson. PB 20:433.

3. Solomon Stephenson to William Copher (both of Newport Parish in Isle of Wight Co.) dated January 27, 1745, 20 pounds for 162 acres granted to John Sojourner by patent dated April 21, 1689, and sold by him to John Doll and by John Doll to the father of Solomon Stephenson [see item 2 under Deeds in the Notes for John (d. 1737); signed by ; [no witnesses shown]. IW DB 7:217.

4. Land grant dated August 16, 1756, to Solomon Stephenson of 145 acres in Southampton County on the east side of Angelica Swamp adjoining Jonas Matthews and Hugh Matthews. PB 33:177.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
The following information came from James Mark Valsame, on March 23, 2011:

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark V <mv66nc@msn.com>
To: jenkjp@aim.com
Sent: Wed, Mar 23, 2011 1:13 pm
Subject: Stephenson

Dear Jenk,

My name is Mark Valsame, and I work as an archivist at the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, NC. I've been a genealogical researcher for 32 years. Rebecca Dozier in her 2004 book based some of her work on my original 1991 publication. I noticed in your online report on "Descendants of John Stephenson" that you cited part of the title of my book incorrectly as "Nimord Stephenson." I think Becky Dozier may have made this error in her work. The correct title is "Nimrod and Amanda (Johnson) Stephenson of Pleasant Grove Township, Johnston County, North Carolina: Their Ancestors and Descendants" by James Mark Valsame, Raleigh, NC, 1991. Nimrod Stephenson was my great-great grandfather. I released a new, expanded edition of my book in early 2010 on CD, although at that time I did not have the benefit of the Lancaster County, VA references, which I was excited to learn about from your posted work. I am currently researching the records of Lancaster and Old Rappahannock Counties further. It is interesting to find the connection, which I suppose only confirms the interconnections between early settlers of Southside Virginia with the Rappahannock area.

Last year, I had a distant cousin of mine DNA tested, so we now have a DNA y-chromosome signature for John Stephenson's line. My line through John (d. 1737; 2md. Katherine Wiggs) has had a few matches with some descendants of Charles Stephenson's descendants. No overseas matches have surfaced yet.

I wanted also to address some dating issues in your report regarding the family of John Stephenson (d. 1737) of Isle of Wight County, VA. Katherine (Wiggs) Stephenson was born October 2, 1681 (2nd day, 8th month, 1681), as shown by the records of the Society of Friends, of which her father Henry Wiggs and his family were members. Katherine was not married in 1711 when her father Henry devised his will, as she is not referred to by her married name. The marriage between John Stephenson and Katherine Wiggs would have taken place after 1711, and thus their children would have been born after that date as well. Peter Hayes left bequests to his grandsons John and Peter Stephenson in 1720, so we can presume that their mother was deceased before then (possibly well before). While John and Katherine's sons William and Solomon (my ancestor) may have been born in the 1710s, it should not be assumed that because they received land in his father's will written in 1728 that they were at least 18. An individual did not have to be of any particular age to receive a bequest of land, only to sell land. I have always approximated my ancestor Solomon's birth as 1715-1720.

Solomon Stephenson was married twice. His first wife was a daughter [first name unknown] of Hugh Matthews (d. 1751) of Southampton County, VA by his first wife, Martha Johnson. The daughter was probably already deceased by 1747, as she is not named in her father Hugh's will written that year. Solomon and his first wife had one son, Solomon Stephenson, Jr., who is mentioned in his grandfather Hugh's will as receiving a bequest of land, although he was a mere child at the time. Solomon's second wife was Sarah, to whom he was married by 1750, as she is named in her mother-in-law Katherine (Wiggs) Stephenson's 1750 will. Circumstantial evidence suggests that she was Sarah (Matthews) McKenny, the daughter of Hugh Matthews and Martha Johnson and widow of Gilbert McKenny. Sarah was called Sarah McKenny in her father's 1747 will, but she was a widow at that time, as her husband Gilbert had died the year previous in 1746. It is thought that Solomon married his first wife's sister. Solomon and second wife Sarah had David, John, Olive, Sarah, Patty, and James. Solomon Stephenson migrated from Southampton County, VA to Johnston County, NC about 1766, settling on Camp Branch on the north side of Black Creek in western Johnston County. He left a will in Johnston County, NC written in 1788, which was probated in 1794.

Also, in your report, you place William Stephenson as a son of John Stephenson (d. 1737) and his first wife, who was the daughter of Peter Hayes (d. 1720). Grandsons John and Peter Stevens are mentioned in Peter Hayes' will. Actually, Katherine (Wiggs) Stephenson's 1750 Southampton County will names William as her son. Only sons John and Peter are omitted, because they were children of John (1737)'s previous marriage. William Stephenson actually died in 1760, as there was a coroner's inquest on his body in Southampton County, VA in that year. His orphans Frederick, Rhoda, and Elizabeth were bound out. John Stephenson and Katherine Wiggs daughters Mary and Elizabeth both married sons of Hugh Matthews (d. 1751) and his first wife Martha Johnson. It is not clear which son of Hugh Matthews that Mary Stephenson married. Elizabeth Stephenson appears to have married Joseph Matthews, and they disposed of some of their land in Southampton County, VA in 1752 and 1753, and were living in Edgecombe (later Nash) County, NC by the early 1760s. By 1771, they had disposed of their land in Edgecombe and migrated to Cumberland (later Harnett) County, NC, settling on Neill's Creek. I am descended from their son Jacob Matthews (md. Meady Johnston), who also settled in Harnett County, NC and lived on Neills Creek and Buies Creek. There are later associations in the records between the families of Solomon Stephenson and Joseph Matthews.

If you should revise your report and web site in the near future, I would appreciate it if you could correct the citations of my 1991 work.

Mark Valsame
Raleigh, NC

My line (I actually have 10 direct lines of descent from Solomon Stephenson, Sr., but will just share the line of my great-grandmother here):

John Stephenson, md. Christian ____
John Stephenson, md. Elizabeth Edwards, d/o Charles Edwards and Mary
John Stephenson, 2md. Katherine Wiggs, d/o Henry Wiggs and Katherine Luke
Solomon Stephenson, Sr., 1md. ____ Matthews, d/o Hugh Matthews and Martha Johnson
Solomon Stephenson, Jr., md. Anna "Nancy" Johnson
David Stephenson, md. Arey Johnson
George Stephenson, 2md. Mary "Polly" Lassiter
Nimrod Stephenson, md. Amanda Johnson
Mittie Catherine "Kittie" Stephenson, md. Grover Cleveland Langdon
Iris Jean Langdon, md. Howard Benjamin Barnes
Dorothy Jean Barnes, md. James Valsame
James Mark Valsame
____________________________________________________________________________

Johnston County, NC - Solomon Stephenson Will

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Contributor's Note: Solomon's father and grandfather (both named John
Stephenson) have wills probated in Isle of Wight Co., Va. - 1737 and 1726.

From NC State Archives, SOLLOMON STEVENSON folder, Will:

In the Name of God Amen. I, SOLLOMON STEVENSON SR of the County of Johnson
being in perfect health of body and perfect Mind and memory thanks be God
for the same Calling into mind the mortality of My body and Knowing that it
is appointed over for all men to dy I do make and ordain this to be my Last
will and Testament that is to Say principal and first of all I Give and
Remind my Soul to the hands of Almighty God that Give it and my Body I
Recommend to the Earth to be burrayed a Desint Chorstian Burrual at the
Dissission (?) of my Executors Nothing Doubtin but at the Jenerall(?)
Riscorutaon (Resurection?) I Shall Receive the Same again by the Mighty Power
of God and as touching Such Worldly Estate Where with it has Pleased God to
bless me with in this Life I give Demise and Dispose Same in the following
manner
first I give and Bequeath to my well beloved wife SARRAH STEVENSON Two (?)
Cows and calves her Lifetime and five head of Hoggs and all my household goods
and furniture and also one mare Bridle and Saddle as Long as She Lives at my
Delling (dwelling) place and after She Leaves that place to be sold and the
money diveid (divided) beteen (between) my Son JAMES STEVENSON and my Daughter
PATTY LANGDON
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter PATTY LANGDON the manner plantation
whereon I now Live with one Hundred and fifty acres of Land also one Cow and
Calf and one Two year old Cattell Rind
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son JAMES STEVENSON all my Carpenter and
wheel writes Tools and one grind stone and one cow and calf and one two year
old Cattell Rind and all my wearing clothes
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son DAVID STEVENSON one Spice morter and
pessell and one Cow and Calf
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son JOHN STEVENSON one shot gun
Item. I give and bequeath unto my gran son SOLLOMON STEVENSON the son of
JAMES STEVENSON one Two year old heiffer
And all the Rest of Estate after my just Debts are paid to be Equally Devid
(devided) Beteen (between) all my Children Eaccept (except) my son JOHN
STEVENSON and also I appoint and Constitute SARRAH STEVENSON my wife and
JAMES STEVENSON Executor and Executrix to this my Last will and Testament
and also Hereby utterly Revoke and Disannull all former wills by me made in
witness where of I have hereunto Set and put my hand and Seal the Day and
year here written November 4 Day Ano Domino 1788
Signed Sealed & published and Delivered
SOLLOMON STEVENSON
In the presents of
William Fish
Denise (?) Carrell
Polley Write
Solomon Stevenson, Will proved Aug 6, 1794, James Stevenson

Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Sandy Mitchell - CdraMitch@aol.com
______________________________________________________________________

Solomon married Sarah Matthews before 1750. Sarah was born in 1715 and died in 1810 at age 95.

General Notes: Information taken from James Mark Valsame, March 23, 2011:

Circumstantial evidence suggests that she was Sarah (Matthews) McKenny, the daughter of Hugh Matthews and Martha Johnson and widow of Gilbert McKenny. Sarah was called Sarah McKenny in her father's 1747 will, but she was a widow at that time, as her husband Gilbert had died the year previous in 1746. It is thought that Solomon married his first wife's sister.
_________________________________________________________________________

From --https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/25360188/person/1648068485/story

Sarah MATTHEWS (McKENNEY) married Solomon Stephenson in Virginia on August 31, 1750, when she was 35 years old.

Married Solomon Stephenson after her first husband, Gilbert Kenney, died and her sister Martha, who was Solomon's first wife, also died.

rstephenson6_1 Marriage to Sarah Matthews (McKenny): SARAH MATTHEWS. She married first GILBERT MAC KENNY, whose estate was appraised by Timothy Thorpe, Henry Rose, and James Jones, and returned by SARAH MAC KENNY on July 10, 1746 [Isle of Wight Co., VA Will Book 5,p.26]. It is highly probable that she married secondly, SOLOMON STEVENSON, Sr. (her deceased sister's husband) prior to August 31, 1750 [Southampton

Co., VA Will Book 1, p. 109].
_______________________________________________________________________

50 F ii. Sarah Sally Stephenson was born in 1751 and died in 1806 at age 55.

+ 51 M iii. John Stephenson was born in 1752 in Virginia, USA and died on 16 Jan 1828 in Johnston County, North Carolina, USA at age 76.

53 M v. James Stephenson was born 1758 or 1760 in Southampton County, Virginia, USA and died on 3 Oct 1847 in Johnston County, North Carolina, USA at age 89.

James married Mary Messer. Mary was born in 1770 in Johnston County, North Carolina, USA and died in 1825 in Johnston County, North Carolina, USA at age 55.

Solomon next married Unknown Matthews, daughter of Hugh Matthews and Martha Johnson. {FSID: LZKR-7T5}

+ 54 M i. Solomon Stephenson Jr. was born in 1747 and died in 1781 at age 34. {FSID: L441-NZW}

Home | Table of Contents | Surnames | Name List

This Website was Created 27 Jun 2020 with Legacy 9.0 from MyHeritage; content copyright and maintained by jenkjp@aim.com

Decendents of John Stephenson Sr

Fourth Generation