Featherbed Branch drains from a hill in southern Anson County. It flows paralell, in a manner of speaking as a stream can, to the Chesterfield Road on its west and Jarman Road on its right. It crosses Bethel Road and just before hitting Gulledge, becomes a tribuatary of to the South Fork of Jones Creek.
To its east, another stream found in these early deeds of the Faulkner and associated families is Mill Creek, that crosses Teal Hall Road before also flowing into the South Fork of Jones Creek. In these lands lived the early Falkners, and others who bear the same surnames as these roads, Gulledges, Teals and Jarmans.
Nathan Faulkner first shows up as a taxable in Bute County, NC in 1771. Just a few years later, other Faulkners show up, his brothers, his father, his cousins. Asa, Emanuel, Benjamin, mulitiple Francis's, Elijah, and others begin to purchase land near and around Nathan. Why did he come and why did they follow? I don't know, but the answers might be found in the areas they came from, which I will explore at a later date.
I had noted some pertinent deeds in my previous post, The Faulkners of Featherbed Branch, that you can find at the following link.
The Faulkners of Featherbed Branch
The post was getting unwieldly, so I broke it in two. I had covered the deeds involving Nathan and some of his kin, from 1777 to about 1790, a period of 13 years.
In the only mention of Emanuel Falkner, in Book C2, Page 124, dated August 10, 1792, Sheriff Thomas Wade executed a sale of property to William May Carpenter (I believe this was a reference to his occupation, and not his name, to differentiate him from another William May, as I have seen it before.), 150 acreson SW side of Pee Dee River, beginning at a second corner stake of a 200 acre grant to William May on the middle prong of Jones Creek, joined Melton (Nathan Melton) and crossed the branch, sold on August 10, 1786 to William May, Jr. by his friend, William May, Carpenter due to an execution from Anson County Court against Emanuel Falkner for 7.19 l, and cost due to suit by William May carpenter, land sold because no goods or chattels found. Both William Mays were mentioned as grantees of the deed.Thomas Wade, sheriff.
There was an earlier court record with problems between the Mays and Francis Falkner. This may be a tract inherited by Emanuel after the death of Francis.
I will pick back up with some deeds involving the Stanfields, sometimes seen as 'Stanfill', a connected family who had migrated with the Falkners from Cumberland County, NC, to Anson, and I believe were intermarried with at some point and manner.
On March 3, 1789, a Jonathan Jackson of Anson County sold 320 acres on both sides of Thomason Creek, that had been granted to Benjamin Jackson in 1749. This deed was found in Book B2, P 390, and witnessed by Thomas Shaw, John Jackson , & John White.
Book B2 p 387 dated Nov. 16, 1790, Govenor Alexander Martin had granted to John Standfield Grant 4915 of 150 acres that bordered the property of Benjamin Jackson and 'where John "Stanfull" now lives. It bordered a Booth, crossed Meltons Branch (a Nathan Melton keeps coming up) and "Stanfulls" old line. Signed by the Govenor Martin and Secretary J. Glasglow.
Book B2 P 388, the very next deed, dated April 16, 1791, James Falkner shows up, witnessing a deed between John West and Charles West, ancestors of my husband Btw.
James was a son of Francis Jr, who died about 1794 in Anson County, who ended up migrating with several (most) of his siblings, and a few of the younger Stanfields, to the part of Knox County, Kentucky, that would become Whitley County in 1818.
Book C2, p 350, High Sheriff William May sold to Richard Wallace, two tracts on Mill Creek and Wilkes Mill Creek that bordered John Stanfield property, 'where he lived', meanting John Stanfield was living in the same general area as the Faulkners, although he later bought or inherited through his wife, land on Thompson Creek. This action was due to execution in Anson County court against William May, Sr. and another from Hillsbourough Superior Court and the Govenor, for taxes that were in arrears. I think many early settlers made the migrations to start anew and avoid debts from other counties.
In Book D, P 68, dated Jan. 29, 1795, John Stanfield witnessed a deed between Thomas Shaw and Samuel Jackson.
No, not that Samuel Jackson. This one was related to the afore mentioned Jacksons, and to the other witness, Isaac Jackson, who lived on the North fork of Thompsons Creek.
The next year, on July 19, 1796, Isaac Jackson and John Stanfield, the two witnesses, are seen as executors to the estate of John Jackson, deceased, and sold that property to Thomas Shaw. It was described as " all but a third of said land Mrs. Jackson is to have her life in and after the death to Thomas Shaw". It was again, on Thompson's Creek and signed by Isaac Jackson and John Stanfield.
In Book C2 p 436 dated April 24, 1795 James and Joseph Falkner sold to William Johnson, 180 acres that began at a hickory on William Fieldings 350 acre survey, crossed Crawley's line, joined Murphy's great branch. Joseph signed with an "O" and James signed with an "X". Witness was William Bennett.
James and Joseph are seen together, and despite being related, are not seen in deeds with the other Falkners. I believe this to be a sale of property after the death of Francis Jr., after which they removed in a group to Blount County, Tennessee and would eventually relocate to Kentucky. The known children of Francis Jr, brother of Nathan Falkner were: Joseph , Francis III , James, Edith (Price) and Prudence (Fox).
In January of 1795, there's another deed involving the Estate of Colonel John Jackson naming John Stanfield "Yeoman" and Isaac Jackson "Yeoman" as executors. The Will of Col. John Jackson, following, shows that John Stanfield was married to his daughter, Sarah.This Deed is found in Book C2 P 392.
Anson Co., North Carolina Will Book A, Pg 32, Last Will and Testament of John Jackson
In the name of God Amen. The twenty eight day of March and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety four I John Jackson of Anson County and in the State of North Carolina, being weak in body tho of a perfect mind and memory, thanks be unto almighty God, therefore call unto mind the mortality of my body knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is princibly and first of all I give my Soul to God that give it and for my body I recommend to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian Manner at the Discretion of my Executors, nothing Doubting but I shall Receive The same again at the general resurrection by the mighty power of God and as Touching Such things as it has pleased God to bless me with in this Life.
I Give Devise and Dispose in the following manner: first for My Lawfull Debts to be paid out of my Estate by my Executors and then I give to my Dearly Beloved Wife a childs part of my Estate, I give to my daughter SARAH Stanfill five pounds and to my son JONATHAN Jackson one hundred and thirty pounds upon ISAAC Jackson account and to my son SAMUEL Jackson five Shillings and to my Daughter HULDA Hill five Shillings and to my Daughter PHEBE Shaw five Shillings and to my Daughter MARY White five Shillings and to my Daughter ELIZABETH White thirty pounds and to my Daughter REBECCA Jackson forty pounds paid by my Executors at the time of her being eighteen years of age and My will and Desire is that all my Estate Should Be sold by my Executors and after the above Legices is paid Remainder to be Devided Equally amongst all my children. Lastly I constitute and make and ordain Isaac Jackson and John Stanfill my sole Executors of this my last will and Testament and Do Disalow and Revoke all other wills and testament, Ratifying and confirming no other but this my last will and testament in witness where of I have hereunto Set my Hand and affixed my Seal the Day and Year first above written. John Jackson (Seal)
Signed in the presence of William Gulledge and Elias Haney, October Court 1794
So John Stanfield married Sarah Jackson and James Stanfield married Mary Cox. I also know that Sampson Stanfield was married first to a lady named Easter, probably Easter Faulkner and second to Nancy Thomas.
The New Era
At the turn of the century, 1700's to 1800's, the Faulkners seemed more rooted, just before they were to pull up roots.
November 21, 1798 John Turner sold to Jeremiah Gaddy 2 tracts of land on the Morris Branch of Jones Creek. The second tract mentioned in this transaction bordered "Fieldings Old Survey", which was mentioned in a prior deed involving Asa Faulkner and having had mentioned a Birmingham Rudd. This deed names instead a George Loundsdell Rudd's line, 'joins mouth of Morris's Branch, Falkner's Mill Seat, a row of trees marked by Asa Falkner & James Farr, Bexley John Lambden & William Fielding". Signed John Turner and witnessed by Ph May & H. Marshall. Book G P. 137
Book G P 134 Dated March 23, 1800 certified that Martha Weaver was 'invested with full power' to sell and recieve pay for a "tract on the main road where John Weaver was killed and all other property." The quotes in this transcation seem to be from the words of Nathan Falkner, as it states that "Martha Weaver, wife of John Weaver, saw cause to sell & John Weaver said he was well satisfied with her trading" Signed Nathan Falkner and witnessed by Noah Rushing.
I wondered what the relationship was between Martha and John Weaver and Nathan Falkner, as I have yet to find one.
The mention of Noah Rushing was interesting, however. Noah Rushing was a Colonel in the Revolutionary War. He was born about1758 and was married to Chloe Huntley. Some trees have Nathan's wife, Sarah, as a Rushing. I've not yet found evidence of that.
There's nothing to be found on John and Martha Weaver at that time in Anson County, making me wonder who they were, exactly. There's a John in 1830 and again in 1850, cropper, in Morven. In 1794, in Book C2 P 279 Martha Weaver had sold to James Moultrie on Cedar Creek of Thompsons Creek, 300 acres that met Fords line, Abram Allquise's line, Dills line and John Mitchells line. The tract had been surveyed for John Granade in August of 1772. Testator was Phillip Gathings.
This leads me to believe that the Weavers were tied to the following individuals in the following 3 transactions in Book C2, pages 78, 80, and 81. Dated 1792, Page 80 was a transfer of property from Elizabeth Forehand to John Weaver of land on Cedar Creek and joined Dill's old line and Nehemiah Forehand sold by Hugh Johnson to James Forehand and was witnessed by Nathan Faulkner and Stephen Jackson.
Page 78 was again involving Elizabeth Forehand and John Weaver, part of a 450 acre tract that had been granted May 1, 1769 to Phillip Dill, and by 'diverse converyances' had ended up in the hands of Elizabeth Forehand, which she had became vested in a power of attorney to dispose of the land. and was connected to a deed from 1789 between John Johnson and James Forehand. Witnesses were Nathan Falkner and Samuel Jackson.
Page 81 was a transaction between Daniel McRae and John Weaver that originated with John Granade, and bordered the property of Abram Allguire and Ford on ' Thomsons' Creek. Testators were Nathan Falkner and John Brooks.
Also related was July 1792 deed Book C2 p 85 between James Forehand and Nehemiah Forehand, land on Cedar Creek, Witnessed by William Rushing and James McDuffie.
The Wisdoms were another family that were neighbors and associates of the Faulkners in Anson County.
There's a 1790 deed in Book B2 Page 194 between Bartholemew Chunning of Anson and George Chunning of Darlington County, South Carolina. It was witnessed by William Wisdom and Thomas Wisdom.
April 1792, Nathan witnessed a transaction between John Lowry, Anson planter of Benjamin Buchanon, Sr. of Chatham, concerning Charles' Booths land
April 16, 1792 A transcation between Thomas Vining and John Cason of Richmond County on the South Fork of Jones Creek. Neighboring properties mentioned were that of Jason Meadors, James Knotts and Lewis Lowery. Witnessed by Nathan Faulkner and James Boggan. Proved by Nathan Faulkner April 1793. Book C2 P 158.
July 15, 1792 Francis Van Landingham sold to Richard Odom, 100 acres on a Fork Creek and witnessed by Nathan Falkner and Lucy Shumaker.
Sept. 1793, Nathan Faulkner witnessed a transcation between Burilingham Rudd and Robert Wallace, planters of Anson County. Lowry's Branch, Millers and the 'Dry Prong mentioned, along with Thomas Dickson, William Vaughn, Odom and Meadors. Book D P 219.
Oct 3, 1793 Ricard Farr Jr. and wife Lucy of Anson to John Turney, also of Anson, 2 tracts, one on Morris's Branch of Jones Creek, joined William Owens, William Johnson, George Reed, Crawley and included William Fieldings survey, granted by the King to William Fielding on Nov. 22,1771 and sold by him to William Owens who sold it to George Loudsdell Rudd in 1783. Second tract was on Jones Creek, ran along Rudd's line, to the mouth of Morris's Branch where "Acey" Faulkner's mill seat was, met James Farr, Bexly John Lamdan and William Fieldings beginning. Witnesses were Richard Farr and James Farr. Book C2 P187.
Nov 13, 1794 Isaac Jackson and John 'Stanfill', executors of John Jackson, deceased, estate to Thomas Shaw. On Thomasons Creek, bordering Benjamin Jackson. Witnessed by Thomas Gulledge and Nathan Falkner. Book D P 61.
September 16, 1794, William May, high sheriff to Richard Wallace land on the Great Branch of Mill Creek, on the side of a hill, joins Wilkies Mill Creek, John Stanfields home line of land where he lives, William May's home, where he formerly lived, land sold for arrarages in taxes.C2, P 350.
Book E Page 40 concerns a property sold by Stephen Pace, Esquire to Thomas Lewis. William May and Isaac Stanfield mentioned. Oct 22, 1795
Book E Page 450, May 1796 Asa Faulkner of Anson to John Crawford of the same sold 50 acres on Jones Creek, bordering George L. Rudd, Thomas Jones, Bexley Lamden, Asa Faulkner, and John Crawford, including Asa's Mill Seat. Witnessed by Benjamin Duckworth and Richard F. Crawford.
Sept 3, 1796, Richard Odom sold property to William Rushing on Rushing's Creek, bordering Richard Worthen and 'Blunder' Curtis. Witnessed by Nathan Falkner and Eli Rogers.
This next deed I consider one of the most important, so I will show it word for word.
Book H2 P 250 Anson County deeds, Dated December 2 1800
"Know All Men by these Presents that I, Nathan Faukner of the State of North Carolina in the County of Anson hath this day sold and made over unto Jonathan and Warren Faulkner of the same place all my stock of cattle and hogs, three feather beds and Furniture and all my other household furniture and my crib of corn for the consideration of one hundred and sixty Spanish milled dollars and that I the said Nathan Falkner doth furthermore and hereby warrant and defend the said premises from any claim right or title by or from any person or persons as witness my hand and seal this second day of December 1800.
Signed Nathan Faulkner (Seal)
Testators : Noah Rushing & Wm Rushing
Anson Court, Jany 1802, ordered to be sealed.
Nathan is ridding himself of his stock, furniture and produce. This sounds like a man about to be on the move, or either, close to death. Herein is the mention of Johnathan and Warren Faulkner. I believe them to be sons of Nathan.
1800
The Faulkners that show up in the 1800 census were Nathan, Jonathan, Job, Francis and Asa.
On this page, Jonathan Falkner and Nathan Faulkner are very close, with Betsy Franklin between. Daniel and Stephen Jackson, seen in some Falkner involved deeds, are nearby, as is John Cason. Job Faulkner is just up a few spaces.
Asa is found living near the Rushings and the Stanfields. Thomas Wisdom and James Chiles, mentioned in a number of deeds involving both Nathan and Asa. Asa in sandwiched between Rowlin (or Rowland) and Jason Rushing and near both Isaac and John Stanfield.
And Francis is living next to David and Nancy Hildreth, who I know lived several miles south of Wadesboro.Sampson Stanfiled, who would migrate with this Francis, son of Francis, who died about 1794, to Knox/Whitley County, Kentucky via Blount County, TN, is living nearby. The Mays, who are mentioned in several deeds along with Faulkners, are in a grouping just above.
The Very next deed after H2 Page 250, wherein Nathan Faulkner sells personal property to Jonathan and Warren Falkner, page 251, involves Francis 'Falkner', and his brother, Joseph Faulkner, although dated January 20, 1795, the year after Francis the elder (Francis Jr, in actuality) supposedly died.
Jan 20 1795, Joseph Falkner of Anson to John May, 38 acres on Wilkeys Mill Creek, bordering Robert Edwards, John May & Francis Falkner, sold to 'Me" (Joseph) by Robert Hall. signed by Joseph and witnessed by Ezra Bostick.
Featherbed Branch off of Teal Hall Road
In 1799, Asa Faulkner gave oath on a transaction witnessed by himself, his brother, Nathan Faulkner and William Wisdom, that had beed granted to Robert Jarman and transferred to Marianne Jarman.
In 1796, an interesting deed involving Featherbed Branch of Jones Creek, was when Attorneys Lanier and Johnson , for John and Hugh Waddell transferred to John Cason 185 acres on the branch. Book F, P 163.This may have been the property were the cemetery is located now.
In 1795, John Stanfill witnessed a transcation from John White, blacksmith, to Archelus Blake, Planter, that crossed the road to "New Town", being a remnant of 300 acres of property once owned by John Jackson, Esquire, and sold by his executors, of which John Stanfill (Stanfield) was one. Two of John Jackson's daughters had married Whites, per his Will, so John White must have been his son-in-law, as was John Stanfill. Book F. P 164.
December 6, 1799 The Govenor granted to James Chiles, 1555,100 acres and 200 acres at Richard Wallaces, and Thomas Wisdoms corner, on the East side of Gun Branch, joined Francis Wisdom, crossed Camden Road, joined the heads of Featherbed Branch, witnessed by B. Williams and Will White.Book G p 14.
A few days later, James Chiles recieved another Grant from the Govenor, # 1593, for 200 acres beginning at Benjamin "Duck's" corner Book G P 14, as well.
In November of 1804 James and Lydia Liles sold to James Miller Tindle, their share of the estate of Elizabeth Chiles at Grassy Islands, 'being land that fell to us from John Chiles estate', found in Book M, p 356, meaning they were heirs of John and Elizabeth, probably Lydia being a daughter and James, her husband.
In December of 1798, James Chiles witnessed a transaction between Elisha Brealer of Winton County, South Carolina and Thomas Jones, of Anson, concerning land on the South Prong of Jones Creek, joining Robert Jarmen, and a grant to Elisha Brealer, and a tract he had bought of Emory Jerman. Book E P 323
Elisha Brealer and Emory Jerman may have further tales to tell.
Land records weave together to form a story, which in the beginning seems nothing more than a puzzle, but you can see people moving in and around, transferring property before they take off to other lands, or just ridding themselves of inheritances they are not going to use. Some fall ill in their later years and can no longer tend to large properties, and thus transfer it to those they are close to, in exchange for being cared for in their older years. The lands speak, if one will listen.
Next, what happens when the century turns?
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