Who was Janet Mumford?

Who was Janet Mumford?

The first I heard of her was from this mention in the 1824 Fayetteville Observer, from Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina.

October 14, 1824

Died on Tuesday last, at the summer residence of Dr. William Maffet near this town, Mrs. Janet Mumford

It seemed natural that she would just have been a patient that Dr. Mumford was treating, but could not save. However, her name came up again. 

In an inquiry to an out-of-town resource and the reply of a very kind librarian:

 I was only able to find a William Maffet and James Maffet as executor and witness (respectively) to a will for Janet 

Mumford in 1824 in Cumberland County. 

I have this document on order, wherein both Maffets are seen together again, as witness and executor, for this ladies will. 

She was evidently an important person in their lives. In an effort to definitely establish the relationship between both Dr William H. Moffett/Maffett and Dr. James Moffett/Maffet, whom I believe were brothers, due to the closeness of relationship and age, but of which relationship, I have no exact proof, I've decided to find out a little bit about Janet Mumford. Was she just a friend of these two gentlemen? Or was she something more?

James Mumford
Gender:	Male
Spouse:	Jannett Adam
Spouse Gender:	Female
Bond Date:	23 Jul 1807
Bond #:	000034322
Level Info:	North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
ImageNum:	000055
County:	Cumberland
Record #:	02 223
Bondsman:	Robinson Mumfor; Stephen Gilmore

Name:	Robinson Mumford Jr
Gender:	Male
Spouse:	Susanah Wingate
Spouse Gender:	Female
Bond Date:	14 Jun 1816
Bond #:	000034323
Level Info:	North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868
ImageNum:	008820
County:	Cumberland
Record #:	02 223
Bondsman:	Jas. Mumford

Name:	Jannett Mumford
Home in 1820 (City, County, State):	Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina
Enumeration Date:	August 7, 1820
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 18:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 26 thru 44:	2
Free White Persons - Males - 45 and over:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 26 thru 44:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 45 and over :	1
Free Colored Persons - Males - Under 14:	1
Slaves - Males - Under 14:	1
Slaves - Males - 14 thru 25:	5
Slaves - Males - 45 and over:	3
Slaves - Females - Under 14:	2
Slaves - Females - 14 thru 25:	2
Slaves - Females - 26 thru 44:	1
Slaves - Females - 45 and over:	3
Number of Persons - Engaged in Agriculture:	6
Number of Persons - Engaged in Manufactures:	1
Free White Persons - Under 16:	1
Free White Persons - Over 25:	5
Total Free White Persons:	8
Total Slaves:	17
Total Free Colored Persons:	1
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other:	26

Name:	Robeson Mumford [Roberon Mumford]
Home in 1790 (City, County, State):	Fayetteville, Cumberland, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 16:	1
Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over:	1
Free White Persons - Females:	4
Number of Slaves :	6
Number of Household Members:	12

NAME: Polly Mumford EdwardsSPOUSE: William BurtOTHER: Mumford RobinsoOTHER: 7 Dec 1819 - Cumberland, North Carolina, USA


From the 1815 Taxable List of Fayetteville, Cumberland County:

Adam, John R.  1 free poll; 6 slaves, 1 unimproved 1/4 acre lot; 1 same on Maiden Lane - 40

for Mumford, Jannett  12 slaves, 1 dwelling house - 1200
 7 acres on Maiden lane Coopers Shop - 400

Adam, Robert estate  1 lot corner of Green & Old Street - 1500
   store warehouse & barber shop
 1 lot Hay Street occupied by N. Branson - 1200
 1 same by P.J. Tillinghast - 1700
 1 same by Hugh McGuire - 2000
 1 same by James Coleman - 1000
 1 same by Edmund Blake - 1000
 1 same by Compting House - 400

Mumford, Jannett see Adam, John R.
Mumford, Robinson 12 slaves, 12 slaves in town, 1 dwelling house - 1000
 about 120 acres of land within the city limits of town - 300
 1 lot Mumford Street occupied by George the Barter - 40
 1 Person Street tobacco warehouse - 300
for Robinson Mumford Sr. 1 lot Mumford Street - 800
Mumford, Robinson, Sr. see Mumford, Robinson

In the deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, a paper trail has been left to trace the origins of Mrs. Jannett Mumford. Book 23, p 129

James Mumford and Jannet Adam

Know all men by these presents that whereas a marriage is intended to be shortly had and solemnized between Jannette Adams, widow and relict of the late Robert Adams of the town of Fayetteville, Merchant and James Mumford, now of the same.

The document continues and is a marriage contract between James Mumford, son of Robinson Mumford, a prominent counsel in Fayetteville, and Jannett, a widow of considerable property by this point.

Jannett Adams
Spouse:	James Mumford
Marriage Date:	23 Jul 1807
Marriage County:	Cumberland
Marriage State:	North Carolina
Source:	County Court Records at Fayetteville, NC & Family

So who was Robert Adams, the deceased husband of Jannett Adams Mumford?

Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry Company
Organized August 23, 1793
"He That Hath No Stomach To This Fight Let Him Depart"

There was soon talk of war with England and the Fayetteville Independent Light Infantry was organized as the European was situation threatened to involve the United States. It was organized on August 23, 1793 and Robert Adam was elected Captain, John Winslow was elected Lieutenant and Robert Cochran was elected Ensign. Throughout its' history the F.I.L.I. has always remained a "corps of gentlemen."

In this area, there was a strong, successful merchant class consisting of prominent figures such as Andrew Broadfoot, Robert Adam, James Hogg and Robert Donaldson. 
from the Fayetteville Visitors Center site.





Recorded: August 6, 1801

                  EXECUTOR'S NOTICE
   Notice is hereby given, that the Subscribers, at the July term of 
Cumberland County Court,  qualified as Executors, of the Estate of ROBERT 
ADAM, ESQ,deceased, merchant of Fayetteville and Wilmington,  those indebted 
to said estate are requested to make payment immediately, and those having 
claims against said estate are notified to present them duly authenticated 
within the time prescribed by law or this notice will be plead in bar of their 
recovery.
Fayetteville,      DUNCAN M'LERAN
July 17            JOHN WINSLOW
                   SAM GOODWIN
                   JOHN ECCLES
                   JOHN HOGG, Executors   





From UNC Libraries Collections:





Tombstone of Robert Adam

John Hogg (1765-1826) was a merchant of Hillsborough and Wilmington, N.C. The collection consists of account books of mercantile businesses in Hillsborough, Raleigh, Fayetteville, and Wilmington, N.C., in which John Hogg was associated at various times with Andrew Adie, Robert Adam, William Meng, Robert Halliday, and his brother James Hogg. These volumes give only a partial record of Hogg's operations, but from them it appears that Hogg and Company was the chief exporter and importer of the group, with the other firms primarily engaged in local business in general merchandise. There are two letter books: one for Hogg and Company, 1799-1803, and another for Hogg and Meng, 1803-1806.

Creator

Hogg, John, 1765-1826.

Robert Adam(s) was born in Greenock, Scotland and is buried at Cross Creek Cemetery Number One in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
Stone reads:
Robert Adam 
a native of Greenock in Scotland
for many years a merchant of Fayetteville and Wilmington, N.C. who departed this life 11th of June 1801, aged 42
"kind husband and affectionate parent"
(died at Wrightsville Beach,NC)

From:

Biographical History of North Carolina from Colonial Times to the ..., Volume 4

 By Samuel A'Court Ashe

"Robert Adam was the first captain of the Fayetteville Light Infantry, which was organized on the 23rd of August, 1793. He was a Fayetteville merchant, characterized by the thrift and steadfastness of his nationality; but the old records represent him as a man of liberal views and public spirit, and especially devoted to his command,never begrudging his time or the contents of his purse in the promotion of its interests on imposing occasions - parades, celebrations, etc. 

It sounds like Jannett married well. Robert was a successful merchant in Fayetteville for sometime, but shortly before his death, he moved to Wilmington and set up shop there, enjoying a country home on Wrightsville Beach. He died in the prime of his life, at age 42, on June 11, 1801. Originally, he was buried at Wilmington, but eventually, his remains were exhumed and he was replanted in the famed Cross Creek Cemetery of Fayetteville. 

Robert Adam and Jannett had 3 young children: John R Adam, Eliza Ann Adam and Margaret Jane Adam. And therein is the connection to Dr. William H Maffett. Margaret Jane was his wife. 

The old book tells the poetic, original epitah of Robert Adam:

"Beneath this stone are deposited the mortal remains of Robert Adam, a native of Greenock, Scotland, and for many years a merchant of Fayetteville and Wilmington, who departed this life June 11, 1801, aged 42 years. He was universally beloved and regretted. In his conduct and deportment through life was combined all that should adorn the Christian character and constitute the honorable man, the kind husband and affectionate parent. 

               "Stranger welcome to the scene

                 The last in Natures Course

                 The first in Wisdoms' thought"

Further deeds tell the story: 

Robert Adams Dec, A Divison to John R Adam + Others

Book 39 page 24

to Partion the real estate of Robert Adam, decsd among his heirs at law...John R Adam...intersection of Burges and Old Street...running with Hay St.....to William H Moffitt in right of his wife Margaret....Lot of Land situated on Hay Street in the said town of Fayetteville, now occupied  by Charles and P Mallet, Joshua W Cochran and P + S W Tillinghast (there's that Tillinghast name again..see posts on Jordan Howell). ....to John A Cameron + Mary, his daughter. 

Note: Eliza Ann Adam had married the much older John A Cameron to her dismay. Records of her attempted suicide by taking an overdose of landulum, exist in her school records at Mordecai Female Academy in Warrenton, North Carolina. She survived, and the marriage took place, followed by the arrival of daughter Mary Elizabeth Cameron in 1815. The birth of the child did not lift her spirits, she died during a visit to Greenock, Scotland at the home of a relative, still only 19 years old. 

But, what was Janet's maiden name? When she married James Mumford, she was a widow. 

There also exists a deed from John R Adams trustees to Margaret Adams Guardians. Duncan McLeran and John Winslow were appointed guardians of the minor Margaret Jane Adams when her father died. Jannett was not guardian of her own child. 

There is a deed from 1807 where the property of Jannett Adams is assigned an Inventory, this deed was signed by John Hay, Robinson Mumford and Samuel Goodwin, all important people in the life of Jannett. 

In the July term of court, 1790, is another marriage contract. This one between Robert Adam and Jannet Burgis:

"Know all men by these presents that whereas a marriage is intended to be shortly had and solemnized between Jannet Burges, relict of James Burgess, Esquire, deceased and Robert Adam, merchant, both of Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland and the state of North Carolina"

Wait a minute, ...relict...deceased...so Jannett was a widow, also when she married Robert Adam? So, what was her maiden name? How many times was this chick, the mother-in-law of Dr. William H Moffitt, married?

There are many deeds and sells of land involving the deceased James Burges(s). Several of the later ones involve a young lady named Jane. Sometimes her name is seen as Janet or Jessie . The deeds proclaim her as the daughter of James Burges and Jannett. 

Cumberland  NC  Deed Book  26-336
16 Jan 1811  Samuel Goodwin of Raliegh, Wake co. to JOHN SMITH, mcht of
Fayetteville, land in Fayetteville.  s/ S Goodwin.  w/ R Raeford, John
McLenan, James Boyle.

Cumberland  NC  Deed Book  26-337
16 Jan 1811  Samuel Goodwin of Raliegh, Wake co. to JOHN SMITH, mcht of
Fayetteville, land in Fayetteville.  s/ S Goodwin.  w/ R Raeford, John
McLenan, James Boyle.

The 1801 will of Robert Adam mentions his step-daughter, Jessi Goodwin, wife of 

Samuel Goodwin. 

The 1824 will of Jannett Mumford mentions Grandsons Robert Goodwin and William 

Goodwin. 

This explains the connection to the Goodwins. There were several instances wherein Goodwins are involved in the deeds and witnesses to marriages of the rest of the family. 

And then, it took me a while, but I found several deeds of a James Hogg to Janet Burgis.

In the book 

Directory of Scots in the Carolinas

 By David Dobson

James Burges  Born in Scotland. Married Janet Hogg. Father of Jane.

Merchant in Cumberland County, North Carolina.

Further research revealed that James was also a merchant in Edinburgh, Scotland and emigrated from Greenock, Renfrewshire to North Carolina aboard the Ulysess. His first wife was a Margaret Hogg. Probably a sister to Jannett. 

John Hogg, Merchant of Fayetteville

Which brings us to another member of the Merchant class of Cumberland County, John Hogg, another Scott and father of Jannett.

So who was Jannett Mumford? 

Daughter of John Hogg, Merchant

Wife of James Burgess, Merchant and mother  of Jane Jessie Burgess Goodwin.

Wife of Robert Adam, Merchant and Patriot and mother of John R Adam, Eliza Ann Adam Cameron and Margaret Jane Adam Maffett.

Wife of James Mumford, son of Robinson Mumford.

And mother-in-law of Dr. William H. Maffett. 

The Players Continued: William H Moffett

Old Wagon in Fayetteville, North Carolina

I have been fortunate in my Family Search to find the most delectable bits of information concerning certain individuals in my family tree. The entire family that contributed to my DNA did not leave as deep of footprints as the Davis and Winfield lines and associated families did. Job Davis and his in-laws were movers and shakers. The more I search, the more I discover. Most of what I know of Dr. William H Moffatt, or Moffett, or Moffitt, or Maffett, as whomever at the time spelled it, I have discovered from the journals of his nephew, John Newland Maffett, a naval officer during the Civil War, of some renown, whom the good doctor adopted.  
The Doctor Maffett was so beloved and trusted, that Mariah Booth Winfield, when marrying his brother, Dr. James Maffett, wished William to be the trustee of her substantial estate, and to safeguard her interests, as she lost all rights when she married.
http://www.jobschildren.com/2013/03/imagining-mariah.html


John Newland Maffett revealed that his Uncle, Dr. William H. Maffett lived at Ellerslie. Dr. Maffett's daughter, Eliza, would marry Thomas L Hybart, from Canada. Roads named for the estates that were there show the approximate location of where the Maffet's and the Hybarts resided.

Ellerslie, Cumberland County, North Carolina , Photos of Ellerslie Courtesy of North Carolina State University

Interior Fireplace, Ellerslie

The Fayetteville Observer gave small glimpses into this small Fayetteville family.

October 14, 1824

Died on Tuesday last, at the summer residence of Dr. William Maffet near this town, Mrs. Janet Mumford

August 9, 1826

In this vicinity, on Monday last, John Adam Maffitt, infant of Dr. William H Maffitt.

Thursday 16 Aug 1827

At the residence of Dr. William H Maffitt, in the vicinity of this place, on Tuesday morning last, Jane Henrietta Goodwin, aged 14 months infant daughter of  Robert T. Goodwin. (Robert T Goodwin was a relative of John Goodwin whom Dr. James Maffitt and Mariah hired to build their home. The individuals dying at Dr. William H. Maffitt's home were likely patients). 

March 29, 1828

Died in this vicinity on Monday, Mrs. Margaret Maffitt, wife of Dr. William H. Maffitt.

December 11, 1839

Died in this vicinity yesterday morning, Dr. William H. Maffitt.

February 22, 1843

Married in this town, Thursday last, Thomas L. Hybart, Attorney-at-law, to Eliza Maffitt, only daughter of the late Dr. William H. Maffitt

January 5, 1847

In this vicinity, Friday last, Thomas L. Hybart, more than 20 Years a member of the Bar of this place, recently County Solicitor, former member of the legislature.

Wed., August 18, 1852 

Married: In Charleston on the 3rd August at St. Paul's Church by Dr. Hanckell, Lieut. John N. Maffit, of the US Navy to Mrs. Caroline Laurens Read. 

Mon. March 21, 1859

Died on March 3rd, Caroline Laurens, wife of Lieut. John N Maffit, of the US Navy, and daughter of the late Hon. John Laurens, of Charleston, SC. 

This family suffered a great deal of loss and short marriages due to death. 

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Carolyn Shank Carolynshank@msn.com December 7, 2007, 9:41 am

Wed. May  2 ,   1827 North Carolina Journal April 11, 1827
                       TRUST SALE
   By virtue, and in pursuance of a Deed of Trust, to us executed by DR. 
WILLIAM H. MAFFITT, dated 3rd March, 1827, and Registered in the Registrar's 
office of the County of Cumberland, we shall upon the 4th day of May next, at 
the Town House, in Fayetteville, proceed to sell the interest which the said 
WILLIAM H. MAFFITT had, and has for certain purposes conveyed in the following 
property, to wit:
   The life estate of the said WILLIAM MAFFITT, in that parcel or tract of 
land, known as the "Beaver Creek Mills" situate about five miles from Town, 
and containing 179 acres adjoining, for and during the above, with the 
privilege of cutting saw-mill timber on three other tracts. Also adjoining, 
for and during the natural life of the said WILLIAM H. MAFFITT -- also his 
life estate in a tract or parcel of land containing 187-1/2 acres being that 
tracy of land upon which he now lives -- also, the like interest in two other 
lots adjoining the last mentioned, the one containing 120-1/2, the other 54-
1/2, known by the name of WILLIAMS Tract. Also, his life estate on three 
tenements or stores on the North side of Hay-street, now in the occupancy of 
C. & P. MALLETT, JOSEPH AREY, C. P. & S. W. TILLINGHAST, subject, however, to 
an unexpired lease in the aforesaid tenants, for the term of one year from the 
1st day of Sept. 1826 -- also his interest, being an absolute estate, in a 
negro man named DUBLIN, about 30 years of age, one wagon and team, and all the 
stock and farming utensils on the sand hill plantation, which are too numerous 
to particularize. Terms made known on day of sale.
                          ROBERT T. GOODWIN
                          WM. F. STRANGE, Trustees
                          L. FITZHARRIS, Auctioneer
Fayetteville, April 11, 1827

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/cumberland/newspapers/trustsal391nw.txt

Old Bluff Presbyterian Church, Cumberland County, North Carolina

The Maffits were from Scotland and were Presbyterians. 

The following excerpts are from: 

Collection Number: 01761 

Collection Title: John Newland Maffitt Papers, 1833-1911, 1976

John Newland Maffitt (1819-1886) was a United States Navy officer, Confederate Navy officer, blockade runner, and author. Maffitt was born in Connecticut; grew up in Fayetteville, N.C.; and retired to Wilmington, N.C. The collection includes family, personal, business and official correspondence of John Newland Maffitt concerning his early career in the U.S. Navy; his Confederate service (for which there is also a journal) on both combat and blockade running vessels, particularly the C.S.S. Florida; service as captain of a British vessel after the war; retirement to Wilmington, N.C., and literary activities; and the controversy over the alleged negligence of Commander George Henry Preble, U.S.N., for allowing the C.S.S. Florida to enter Mobile Bay in 1862. Also included are papers of Maffitt's daughter, Florie, and his third wife, Emma Martin Maffitt, who published a book on her husband in 1906; scrapbooks; genealogical materials; photographs, including a snapshot of Amelia Earhart; and a manuscript novel and speeches by Maffitt.

John Newland Maffitt (1819-1886) was the son of Ann Carnic and the Reverend John Newland Maffitt, a Methodist minister. Young Maffitt lived in Connecticut until, at age five, he was adopted by his uncle, Dr. William Maffitt of Ellerslie near Fayetteville, N.C. In 1832, at the age of 13, Maffitt was commissioned a midshipman in the United States Navy. Following a cruise on the sloop-of-war St. Louis, he spent three years in the Mediterranean aboard the Constitution, a frigate, about which he later wrote a novel, Nautilus; or, Cruising under Canvas (1871). In 1838, Maffitt was promoted to passed midshipman, and, three years later, he became acting master of the frigate Macedonian.

Mirabeau Buonaparte Lamar Statue

The Reverend John Newland Maffitt was another brother of James and William H. Dr. James Maffett is recorded as providing the escort for the Marquis Du Lafayette on his 1825 tour of the South from his namesake town of Fayetteville, North Carolina, to Cheraw, in South Carolina, where he attended a ball. . James would marry Mariah the next year in 1826. Perhaps it was at this ball that the young  Physician would meet the beguiling Mariah Booth Winfield, and begin a courtship that would lead to marriage and a daughter.





Link to Information on William Newland Moffett/Maffitt, father of the Maffett brothers


The following excerpt from "Naval Officers, Their heredity and development" by  Charles Benedict Davenport, mentions William H. Maffett and a few of his siblings, nieces and nephews. 

Maffitt was highly intelligent, as evinced by his employment on the coast 
survey. In blockade-running he was full of resources, devices, and deceptions to 
escape capture. He came of intellectual stock, especially on the paternal side. 
His father, Rev. John Newland Maffitt (born at Dublin in 1794; died at Mobile, 
Alabama, in 1850), was a graduate of Trinity College, Dublin, of wealthy parents, 
and a "born preacher"; he traveled in Ireland as a missionary, and occupied the 
highest place in popular esteem. Coming to New England, he was an itinerant 
Methodist preacher there (1822-1830); he then went to Nashville, Tennessee, 
and issued there the first number of the Western Methodist, now the Christian 
Advocate. In 1841 he was elected chaplain to the lower house of Congress. 

His father's sister Emily had a mind that sparkled with wit and intelligence; 
she married into the nobility of England. """Her brother William was a physician, 
who also came to the United States. """"

Of Maffitt's sibs, Eliza was celebrated for her intellectuality as well as for her 
beauty; living in Texas, she was called the "Belle of the Brazos." Another sister, 
Matilda, married a Texas judge and is reputed to have written some of her hus- 
band's speeches. A third sister, Henrietta, married General Mirabeau Lamar, 
the second president of Texas. 
FAMILY HISTORY OF JOHN N. MAFFITT. 
Dr. William Maffitt, who came to Fayetteville, North Carolina. 

Mary Florence Maffitt Wright

Mary Florence, shown above was the daughter of Lieut. John N. Maffitt and niece of Dr. William H. Maffitt and Dr. James Maffitt, husband of Mariah.


The following is from "Dressed in Sunlight" Eleanor Wright Beane as told to Susan Taylor Brock.


Mary Florence Maffitt Wright, Eleanor Beane's grandmother, was born in 1842. She was the daughter of Confederate Naval Captain John Newland Maffitt. Florie, who ran the blockade with her father, in 1862, was “reckoned among the rare beauties of her day. I saw her for the last time in Wilmington, in March 1883,” wrote author Henry E. Shepherd. She died in September 1883, at the age of 41. (Wright-Beane Collection)

Lieut. John Newland Maffitt, Jr. 

Henrietta Maffit Lamar


The above is the Burgwin-Wright House and Henrietta Maffit Lamar.

The daughters and sisters of the Maffitt brothers were known for their charm and natural beauty.











John N Maffitt in later days.

There are so many interesting things to discover concerning this family, that I am sure my research and fascination will continue a long time. 

Imagining Mariah

A Southern Belle


In imaging Mariah Booth Winfield Moffett Booth, I envision her as a bit of Scarlet O'Hara, the quintessential Southern Belle. She was an heiress, mentioned not only in her father, Joel Winfield's will in Marlborough County, South Carolina, but also her grandfather, Joshua Wingfield in Mecklenburg County, Virginia.

Her little brother, Joel Jr., did not live to grow up and had passed by the time their grandfather did in 1818, Making Mariah sole heiress to her father's estate and his share of her grandfather's estate.

Mariah married twice. First to James Moffett/Moffit/Maffet of Scottish decent and of most prior to the marriage, Fayetteville, North Carolina, where her cousins Jordan and John W. Howell resided.

James Moffett was a Physician and brother of William H. Moffett and the Rev. John Newland Moffett or Maffet.

Moffat in Dumfriesshire



Mariah's second marriage in 1836, was to another Physician and her first cousin, Dr. George Washington Booth. Both were grandchildren of Thomas Booth of Mecklenburg County, Virginia. Mariah was the daughter of oldest sister Mary Marler Booth, known as Polly and Washington was the son of Harper Booth, who would move from Virginia, first to Halifax County, Virginia and  then later to Lawrence and Franklin Counties in Alabama. He and most of his sons would later remove to Mississippi, living in Itawamba, Tishomingo and Lee Counties.






 Mariah Booth Winfield Moffett Booth, I believe, did not live to be an old woman. I find her second husband alone in 1850 and some documents involving her in 1838 and 1840 in Lawrence County, Alabama, that I have not yet been able to  examine. She was born circa 1802, as her parents were married in Virginia in 1801, although her father had been active in Marlboro County, South Carolina for over a decade.  





Mariah was well educated. She attended a well known female academy and was sent to Boston for awhile to finish her education. This may explain her inclination for doctors.


At the time of her first marriage, in 1826, Mariah was not a desperate teenager, as many of the country girls who married as quickly as possible. She was an astute, educated and possibly a bit spoiled Southern lady of a comfortable 24 years old.

Name:	James Moffit
Home in 1830 (City, County, State):	Marlboro, South Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 30 thru 39:	2
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5:	1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29:	1
Slaves - Males - Under 10:	5
Slaves - Males - 10 thru 23:	4
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35:	4
Slaves - Males - 55 thru 99:	1
Slaves - Females - Under 10:	5
Slaves - Females - 10 thru 23:	4
Slaves - Females - 24 thru 35:	4
Free White Persons - Under 20:	1
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49:	3
Total Free White Persons:	4
Total Slaves:	27
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored):	31

The 1830 census of Marlboro County, North Carolina, shows her husband, Dr. James Moffett as Head of Household, with one white female between the age of 20 and 29, obviously Mariah and another young female under 5 years old. This shows that they possibly had a daughter. If this child survived to adulthood, I have not found her yet. I am in hopes that the papers from Alabama may shed a light on this mystery.

The census also shows that the Moffetts had 27 slaves in their household. Most Physicians in those days did not require the assistance of a number of slaves, perhaps one or two at the most as drivers or nursing assistance. This shows that the good doctor had likely moved onto Level Green, the plantation of Joel Winfield. 

James Moffit

Marlboro, South Carolina

2

1

1

5

4

4

1

5

4

4

1

3

4

27

31

Moffat Loop Road

This beautiful scene is the area of Scotland where the Moffats (Moffett, Moffit) hailed from.

In 1828, Dr. James and Mrs Mariah Moffett contracted in Marlboro, South Carolina with a Mr. John Goodwin to build a house at Level Green, formerly known as Winfieldville. 

A Southern Piazza

The following is an excerpt from the Indenture dated October 17, 1828:

"build at the place called Level Green in Marlborough District a dwelling house of the dimensions and according to the specifications following to wit the said house to be forty-eight feet long and forty two feet wide and to be one story high, ten and a half feet wide in the clear, the width including a piazza in front ten feet wide to have four rooms on the ground floor and two rooms in the garret, a  papage (passage?) twelve feet wide, a portico in the rear sixteen feet long and eight feet wide and a stair case in the papage, to have a door and four windows in the front, the same in the rear and two windows in each end, to have four dormant windows  in the roof, viz three in front and one in the year and two windows in each gable end, the windows below to have eighteen lights and those above to have twelve lights each all of eight by ten glass, the House to be set on Brick pillars, three and a half feet high to have two chimneys with a fire place in each room: and to be finished with closets in the usual manner and the said John Goodwin is to furnish at his own cost the following materials and none others for the work hereby contracted to be done, to wit, Bricks and lime for the chimneys and pillars, all the glass, nails, hinges, locks, and fastenings-the said house to be erected, including all the mason work, and carpenter work above specified and to be done in a plain, substantial and workmanlike manner- And the said James Moffett and Mariah B. Moffett do hereby for themselves, their heirs, executor and administrators, .....the rest is legalese dealing with the contract. 

A Portico

Link to Mordecai Institute: Margaret Jane Adam Moffett

The above link is to a blog by Penny L Richards describing students at the academy. Margaret Jane Adam married Dr. William H Moffett in 1821. He was the brother of Mariah's first husband, James. 

They were not ordinary people.

Mariah had appointed her brother-in-law as trustee over her estate when she married James in 1826. When she married her cousin, Dr. Washington Booth in 1836, Dr. William H. Moffett was released as trustee. I do not know why she did not assign her first husband, Dr. James Moffett as trustee. Perhaps she did not 'trust' him. Married women had no legal control over their finances in those days. Mariah Booth Winfield had more control than most. 

12 Apr 1826, issue
72. Married in Cheraw on the evenning last, by Rew George W. Hathaway, Coct. James Moffett of Fayetteville to Miss Maria Winfield of Marlboro Co. SC.

Her Father: Joel Winfield  from 

Book Title: A History Of Marlboro County

CLERKS OF COURT.

                               Time
                                of
                              Service.
1 John Wilson                  1785
2 Joel Winfield                1787
3 William Fields               1788
4 Drury Robertson              1789
5 Joel Winfield                1790
6 Jno. Winfield                1804

Joel Winfield held the office of Clerk of Court in 1787 and then again in 1790. His younger brother John Thrower Winfield held the office after his death in 1803. Her uncle Drury Robertson, husband of the Winfield brothers sister Mary, held the office in 1789.

ORDINARIES OF MARLBORO.

Joel Winfield, clerk, served as ordinary till 1803.
William Easterling served from 1803 till his death, 1835.
Lewis E. Stubbs elected in 1835.

The early records of Marlboro are filled with Joel Winfields signature performing marriages and witnessing deeds. Marlboro County, SC Post Offices - 1785 to 1971

Winfield

Marlboro

-

Joel Winfield

1/1/1801

-
aka Marlboro C.H.

Joel was the Postmaster of his own town in the early years. The following excerpt is from 

  A History of Carlisle, South Carolina

n 1785, the new county of Marlboro was created within the overarching Cheraws District at the northeastern corner of South Carolina. The District Court was held at Long Bluff, and the lower County Court House ofMarlboro County was established a few miles north of Long Bluff along the Great Pee Dee River near Gardner's Bluff. It was simply called Marlboro Court House and only lasted a few years.

The town of Carlisle had begun in 1785 and was soon thriving, so the local populace requested that it become the new County Seat. The exact date is currently unkown. However, it was located on the north bank of Crooked Creek where it crossed the old River Road.

Carlisle soon became called Winnfieldville, which was shortened to Winfield by 1801. Winfield remained the county seat until 1822 - the result of an 1819 Act of Legislation moving the county seat to a more-central location.

As Winfield, the town was granted a U.S. Post Office on January 1, 1801, with Mr. Joel Winfield as the first Postmaster. It remained in operation until April 5, 1822, when the new town called Marlboro C.H. was granted its Post Office.

In 1826, the town of Marlboro C.H. was renamed to Bennettsville, and it has been the county seat ever since. The town of Carlisle/Winfield no longer exists, but a granite monument stands where the courthouse was located.

Drury Robertson.

The Drury Robertson who served Marlboro as Clerk of Court and later as a Representative was Drury Robertson, Jr. and a Revolutionary War Major. He

married the sister of Joel Winfield, Mary and aunt of Mariah. The Winfields, Meanly's, Robertsons and Freemans migrated from Mecklenburg and Brunswick Counties in Virginia, first to Anson County, North Carolina. Drury Sr. died in Anson. Some of the younger generation then migrated either to Tennessee or Marlboro, South Carolina.

The following clipping is from:

The following article was transcribed from microfilm of the Pee Dee Advocate newspaper, and contributed by Mary Lewis, 2004.

Among the early representatives of the county a name prominent in early affairs, is that of Maj. Drury Robertson, a representative man in every respect. He married a Miss Winfield of Virginia. He was an extensive land owner, his large estates covering thousands of acres of land, beginning above Goodwin’s mill and going to Pee Dee river. He built the house at Easterling’s mill (now McLaurin’s mill), and this is one of the oldest houses in the county, being built one hundred and thirty years ago. Lafayette spent the night here on his way to Georgetown and here Gen. Winfield Scott read law while visiting his relatives, the Robertsons. Maj. Robertson left two daughters; one married a Hearsey and moved West. George Hearsey of Blenheim is her grandson. The other daughter married first an Ellerbe, the father of Col. W. T. Ellerbe.

After his death she married a Prince, and had one son. There are no living descendants. Mrs Prince, as a widow, lived at the "Old Prince Place", which was a part of Drury Robertson’s estate, with her son, Col. Wl T. Ellerbe, a man of noble character and broad culture. He represented his country many years in the legislature. This magnificent home was surrounded by an old Colonial garden, the only one of the kind in Marlboro. It covered several acres of ground and was fashioned and laid out much in the style of the garden at Mt. Vernon.

The flower beds and borders were hedged with box wood and in this plot bloomed and boloosmed from common hollyhocks, sweat alyssum, and every ready growing flower to the rare exotics that with care and attention could be made to live in this clime. Mrs Prince was an invalid from a fall, and Col. Ellerbe designed this garden for her pleasure and here with her companion, Mrs. Black, much of her time was spent. The pleasure circle was a circular plot lmade of cedars planted in a circle, their tops tied together wen young. They were kept pruned and the doors and windows were shaped. Around the roots of the cedars jasmine and woodbine trailed, and when in bloom the contrasting colors lent charm to the vision. On the inside of the circle easy chairs and tables were placed for loungers. The last vestige of house and garden were destroyed by Maxwell, a Negro senator, during the Reconstruction period. He got possession of the property by paying the taxes. The finest library in the county at that time was owned by Col. Ellerbe. He and his mother rest in Robertson’s burying grounds just back of Easterling’s mill, and a stately magnolia marks his grave. Mrs. Black after Mrs. Prince’s death became a nurse in the Florence hospital dudring the war between the states. Capt. Henry Easterling a----------- Drury Robertson’s estate including the house, and lived here until his death. John L. McLaurin lately purchased part of the property.

I imagine Moriah fashioning her garden much after her Aunt Mary Robertson's with exotic blooms and interesting walks. 

I earlier research, I found a description of her wedding to Dr. George Washington Booth at her home in Bennettsville online in an old newspaper. I have not yet been able to discover that article again, but will post it when I do. It described a beautiful porch drapped in flowers and tents set up in luxury for the many guests of the bridal couple, arriving from all over the country. It must have been an event. They had to arrive by cart and buggy in 1836, as no railway yet passed that way. 

These were not ordinary people. 

John Newland Maffitt, Jr. 

The above link is concerning Mariah's nephew, son of the brother of her first husband James, the Rev. John Newland Maffitt/Moffett/Mofit, Sr., a Methodist Episcopal minister. In doing research the other day in Fayetteville, I discovered her cousin Jordan Howell was also a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Fayetteville. 

These were not ordinary people. 

The following clip is from "Hybart Family History". This is concerning the daughter of William H. Moffett and Mariah's niece.

16 THOMAS LEWIS HYBART born about 1803 in Canada died 1 January 1847 buried Cross Creek Cemetery, Fayetteville
     (spelling of name taken from tombstone), married (marriage bond 16 February 1843 Cumberland County, North
Carolina) to Eliza Moffitt born 1823 died after 1880.

          Thomas L. Hybart was a lawyer, newspaper publisher, and representative from Fayetteville in 1835 to the North
     Carolina House of Commons who was said to have "a ready tongue and a trenchant pen". He was a strong supporter
of General Andrew Jackson. He was one of the managers of a subscription ball in 1829, indicating that he was active
in the social life of the area. When a fire destroyed a great part of Fayetteville in 1831, the house of T. L. Hybart,
Esq., located at the intersection of Union and Mason streets, was saved only by great effort.
          Children: 1. William M. Hybart; 2. Thomas Lewis Hybart, Jr.


Another article on John Newland Moffett/Maffit


Article on Margaret Adam Moffett's sister, Eliza Ann Adam



The Booths:


Guntown and John Fletcher Booth

Court Case of John Fletcher Booth, Jr. 



FACTS


Charley Stanford stole a topcoat out of a car and called John Fletcher Booth (defendant), telling Booth that he had the coat Booth wanted and Booth could have it for $20. Stanford set up a meeting with Booth, but was soon after arrested when he was spotted wearing the coat. Stanford agreed to assist the police in apprehending Booth by not telling Booth about the arrest and meeting him in Stanford’s house as planned. The police hid in Stanford’s closet when Booth came over and after Stanford informed Booth that the coat was stolen, Booth said that that was fine and bought the coat. Soon after, the police arrested Booth and charged him with receipt of stolen property. The District Court of Oklahoma County found Booth not guilty of receipt of stolen property because where stolen goods have been recovered by the owner or police, they are no longer considered stolen. Therefore, when they are brought to a defendant with the intent of entrapping him, the defendant cannot be guilty of receipt of stolen goods. However, the District Court of Oklahoma County did find Booth guilty of attempted receipt of stolen property. Booth appealed.

Wills
12 Apr 1803 Will of Thomas Booth

In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Booth of Mecklenburg County and State of Virginia being sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and Testament in manner and form as following: 

Imprimis my desire is that all the perishable part of my estate shall be sold by my Executors in discharge of my Just Debts (except what's hereafter devised) 

Item I give and bequeath unto my loving Daughter, Mary M Winkfield the following Negroes she has now possession, to wit, Hannah, Daniel, Henry, Evelina, Jacob, Junney, also two beds and furniture and one Set of China & Silver Tea Spoons which she has now in her possession to her and her heirs 
forever. 

Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Rebecca Booth the following Negroes, to wit, one Negro woman by the name of Milly and Girl the name of Mariah, also one by the name of Clary, and one boy by the name of Joshua, also two boys by the name of Heartwell & Woodlief, also two beds and furniture, one set of China and half Dozen Silver Tea Spoons to her and her heirs forever. 

Item I give and bequeath to my son, Harper Booth the land & plantation whereon he now lives, also three Negroes, to wit, Jack, Lissie and Tom, one Sorrell mare, four head of Cattle, one bed and furniture which he has now in possession to him and his heirs forever. 

Item I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Booth three negroes to wit, Joe, Stephen and Betty, one bed and furniture, four head of Cattle, one dark bay mare which property he has now is possession except Negro Betty to him and his heirs forever. 

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Judith Booth, six Negroes to wit, Pattey, a woman, also Wilson and Nelson her Children, Edy, Gooding and Billy, two beds and furniture, one Set of China ware, 1/2 dozen Silver tea Spoons to her and her heirs forever. 

Item I give and bequeath to my son Reuben Booth three Negroes to wit, Sam, Allen and Nancy black one sorrell horse, also the lands and plantation whereon he now lives to take possession of the land at the death of my beloved wife, Saving and reserving one half of my dwelling House to my three daughters, Rebecca, Judith and Salley Booth until they shall marry, also one bed and furniture, two Cows &Calves two Sows and pigs, pott & Oven, one set Caininau? Cups & Saucers, one set Knives & forks, one Set Caininau? Table Spoons to him and his heirs forever. 

Item I give and bequeath to my daughter, Massey? Jones six Negroes to wit, Amy, Cressy, Bob, Jinsey, Emmanuel, Metilda, two beds and furniture, yoke of Steers, one Set China ware, half dozen Silver Tea Spoons which she has now in possession to her and her heirs forever. 

Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Salley Booth six Negroes, to wit, Celar, Jane, Ned, Edmund, Peterson, and Amy, two beds and furniture, one Set China ware, half dozen Silver tea Spoons to her and her heirs forever. 

Item I lend to my beloved wife the land & plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and all the rest of my estate both real and personal not before devised, and at her death, my desire is that my two granddaughters, Betsy W Harper and Judith GILLIAM Harper shall divide equally with my legatees of all the Negroes and other perishable estate above lent. I do Constitute and appoint my son Reuben Booth and Harper Booth and Charles Cordle my lawfull Executors to this my last will and Testament. 
In Witness whereof I have heretofore set my hand and affixed my seal this twelveth day of April one thousand eight hundred and three. 
Sig: Thomas Booth Senr (LS) 

Signed, sealed in the 
presence of 
Wit: Martha Jones Malone, Isaac Williams, Thomas C Singleton 

At a court held for Mecklenburg County the 12th day of September 1803 
This will was proved by the Oaths of Isaac Williams and Thomas C. Singleton, Witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded and On the motion of Reuben Booth one of the executors therein named who made oath there and together with Joshua Winckfield, Thomas C. Singleton and William Darnwright his securities entered into and acknowledged their hand in the penalty of fifty thousand dollars Conditioned as the law directs. Certificate was granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form-liberty being reserved for the other executors therein named to join in the probate when they shall think fit. 
Teste: William Baskerville CC 


The book "Charlotte County ... Rich Indeed" Published Charlotte County Board of
Supervisors (1979)
states Henry F. Farley was a deputy sheriff from 1811-1813 and  an Ordinary .

 Henry Forrest Farley   married Nancy Ellen White Nov 2, 1814 Mecklenburg County
VA.

Henry and Nancy Ellen had four daughters, two of which died in infancy. The two
surviving daughters were Mary Ann Jane Farley (1818-Feb 1854 Tx) and Elmira
Susan "Myra" (July 15, 1820-Aug 19, 1889 Tx)

They must have both had adventurous spirits as they began their trek Westward to
unsettled lands. Several other Virginia families probably moved along with them.

Alabama was just being settled at that time. Alabama was first included in the
Territory of Mississippi 1798, Territory of Alabama 1817 and  achieved statehood
in 1819.

After leaving Virginia,  they lived in Lawrence County Al and both daughters
were born there.

After living in AL for about 13 years, the call for settlement of Texas and the
availability of land caused them to head to Texas around 1831.

The story is that they left their eldest daughter, Mary Ann to attend school
perhaps with relatives or friends. She would have been about 13. They took their
younger daughter, Elmira (age 11 years old) with them.

Henry applied for a Texas Land Grant (1 league and 1 labor for families) in
1832, but died in 1834 before he could receive the title. 

Mary Ann Jane Farley  "eloped" with  Thomas Harper Booth around 1833 (probably
in Lawrence Co. AL). Thomas had previously been married to 
This couple moved around quite a bit, living in Itawamba County, MS (about 60
miles west of Lawrence, AL), and even in Texas, Austin Co. for short periods of
time.

Family story, "Mary Ann cried for a whole year because they had no slaves to do
the work in Texas."

Mary Ann and Thomas Harper had six sons and  two daughters.

Elmira Susan married Frederick Miller Grimes of Washington Co. Tx on Jan 29,
1838, probably at the home of her mother, Nancy living in nearby Austin County.
 They settled on their farm on the county line of Washington/Austin.

Nancy Ellen White Farley, remarried around 1838 to Henry ? /Obadiah?/Josh
Hudson.  The court records show that Nancy appointed Isaac M. Pennington to
pursue her husband's Texas Land Grant.  The courts ruled in favor of the
daughters, and Frederick M. Grimes proceeded with the land claim.

Family story: When Nancy Ellen died (aft 1838) her daughter Elmira Susan
couldn't attend the funeral because of the high creeks due to heavy rains.

As "heirs of Henry Farley" the daughters received land in what is now Coryell
County  In 1850 when Fort Gates (later Gatesville) was set-up with soldiers to
protect the settlers, Elmira and Frederick moved there.

In 1852 they sold this land to their son, Samuel, and moved to land in the
southeast corner of Coryell County.

Several deeds are made with the joint signatures of Elmira and Mary Jane and
their respective husbands.




http://www.usgwarchives.net/tx/austin/austoc.htm






I can imagine Mariah being as spoiled as her sister-in-law Mary Jane Farley Booth.