Woodard Family Tree - Chowan County

A large amount of land on either side of the Chowan River had originally been granted to Thomas Woodward, Sr., wife Katherine Woodward, son Thomas Woodward, Jr., and daughter Philarite Woodward. (See Thomas Woodward chapter.) Of course, there were others who were granted land along the Chowan River, so the Woodwards certainly did not hold all of it, but they did hold a sizable chunk. Thomas Woodward, Sr.'s will directed that if his son, Thomas, Jr., were to die without heirs, his share was to revert to his sister, Philarite. Philarite had also been left land in her father's will. Before it was all over, Philarite ended up with most or all of the inherited Woodward lands. One deed by her son, Thomas Giles, referred to Philarite as the "only heir" of Thomas Woodward. Some of the land originally granted to Thomas Woodward is recognizable in the later Giles deeds and other deeds in NC.

Thomas Giles was Philarite's son by her husband, John Giles. Hugh Giles is believed to have been another son since he named a daughter Philarite Giles. But Philarite Woodward also had an older illegitimate daughter named Jane who has not been traced. Jane's father was William Johnston, Sr. of Isle of Wight. Since Philarite never married William Johnston, it's assumed that Jane used the last name Woodward, but her last name was not included in any record that mentioned her.

The Carolina lands were first referred to as Albemarle. In 1670, Albemarle was divided into precincts with Chowan Precinct including the lands on either side of the Chowan River. Later the lands in Chowan Precinct on the west side of the river became Bertie Co. Northampton Co. and Edgecombe Co. were later formed from Bertie Co.; Hertford Co., Halifax Co., Granville Co., Nash Co., etc. were formed from these counties still later. Today Hertford Co. lies entirely on the west side of the Chowan River, but according to the 1770 map, Hertford Co. also included some of the land on the east side of the river. A map found in Old Albemarle and its Absentee Landlords indicates that the land between Bennett's Creek and the Chowan River (now Gates Co.) was part of Northampton Co. from 1741 until 1759 when Hertford Co. was created. The land became part of Hertford Co. at that time, but became part of Gates Co. at its creation in 1778. Therefore, to find courthouse records for the families that lived in Gates Co., Chowan Co., Northampton Co., and Hertford Co. records must also be checked since the land once belonged to those counties.

St. Paul's Parish also contained part of the lands that were later acquired by Chowan Co. in 1728 when the NC/VA boundary was drawn. Gates Co. now contains this land. St. Paul's Parish had previously been considered part of Nansemond Co., VA. I'm not sure how far south the land involved extended, but the southern boundary of present Gates Co. is now only about eight or nine miles north of Rockahock. Therefore, records for the families who lived even just a few miles north of Rockahock prior to 1728 were probably lost when the Nansemond Co. courthouse burned.

It has been established that Samuel Woodward II, grandson of the immigrant Christopher Woodward, was present in Chowan Co. in 1713 when he and his wife Elizabeth sold land to Isaac Lelender (or Zehenden) which had originally been surveyed by John White, Sr. and sold to Francis Cambridge. The land was on Stoping or Stopping Creek which lay on the east side of the Chowan River not far from Catharine's Creek (also called Indian Town Creek and Old Town Creek) just north of Rockahock. The land was apparently sold by Cambridge to Samuel Woodward II, but that deed has not been found. Samuel Woodward II died in New England before 1722 and possibly between 1713 and 1716. He had previously lived in Charles City Co., VA and Boston, was a mariner, and had dealings with merchants in Albemarle in 1693-94. It also appears very likely that he was the same Samuel Woodward who appeared on a few Nansemond Co. records. (See Christopher Woodward of Virginia chapter.)

Shortly before 1700, Lewis Williams petitioned the President and Council requesting a grant for lands on the west side of the Chowan River formerly held by Thomas Woodward who he claimed had left no heirs. Which Thomas Woodward this was (Sr. or Jr.) isn't clear nor is the exact date. Perhaps Lewis Williams was not aware of Philarite Woodward Giles. Or perhaps the land in question had been held by Thomas Woodward, Jr. who died intestate. His estate was administered by his mother and distributed among his brothers and sisters with the lands inherited from his father going to his sister, Philarite Woodward Giles, as stipulated in Thomas Woodward, Sr's will.

Whether Lewis Williams was granted the land in the petition or not isn't clear, but shortly thereafter Williams did obtain lands that had formerly belonged to the Thomas Woodward family.

According to The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register by Hathaway, John Giles and wife Philanta (Philarite) of Isle of Wight Co, VA deeded to Lewis Williams on Apr. 9, 1701 500 acres granted to Thomas Woodward dated Sept. 16, 1663. There were several patents in 1663, but none that I have found for that exact date. I did find a record of a deed in Chowan Precinct also dated Apr. 9, 1701 in which John Giles and wife Philanta of Isle of Wight deeded to Lewis Williams 500 acres granted to Thomas Woodward, Jr. on Sept. 30, 1663. I am not sure if there were two deeds for 500 acres or only one, but regardless, Lewis Williams did acquire lands that had previously belonged to the Thomas Woodward family. It is not known if his petition for a grant was denied because an heir was found, or if he received that grant and then obtained more of the land from John Giles and Philarite.

Lewis Williams and Mary Williams his wife made a deed to John White to "assign and make over our whole right and title to this Pattin". There was no description of the land involved. The deed was witnessed by Denis Macklendin, John Smith, and Thomas Marke. It was dated Sept. 6, 1700 and recorded Oct. 1, 1700 in Chowan Precinct. This establishes that John White acquired land which may have been part of the holdings of Thomas Woodward. It could not have been the land deeded to Williams in 1701 since the deed to John White was dated 1700. But if Williams was granted the Woodward lands on the west side of the Chowan River mentioned in his petition, the land sold to John White may trace back to Thomas Woodward in that way. Or at some unknown time, Williams may have obtained Woodward lands that lay on the east side of the river. That may very well have happened according to the next records:

William Williams of ye lower parish of ye Isle of Wight Co. with ye free consent of Susannah Williams to Peter Parker of ye upper parish of Nancymond. 240 acres E side Chowan River joining river, part of a patent for 640 acres to Lewis Williams. May, 1697 patent now in possession of John White, Sr. and by a conveyance secured to me from ye sd. White Mar. 1, 1700. Wit. John Parker, Robert Scott, Humphrey Marshall. 25 9ber 1706. Chowan Co.

Lewis Williams of Chowan Prct. to James & Elizabeth Rutland. For affection to my son & daughter-in-law. 100 acres joining my land whereon I now live at ye Poynt of High Land on Katherine Creek for their lives & then to fall to the first child begotten...Wit. Richard Lewis, John Bayes. Apr. 6, 1708. Chowan Co.

The 1733 map indicates that a Parker owned land adjoining the Chowan River on the east side just north of Indian Town Creek and south of Bennett Creek. According to Old Albemarle and its Absentee Landlords, Indian Town Creek was also known as Catharine's Creek which can be found on the 1770 map in the same location. (See map section.) This area was probably not more than a mile or two north of White's Ferry at Rockahock. The land that was later sold by Samuel Woodward II and wife Elizabeth in 1713 must have been nearby.

Lewis Williams had petitioned for land on the west side of the river, and these deeds are for land on the east side of the river, so this must not be the land referred to in the petition. Thomas Woodward's grants included land on both sides of the river. Some of Thomas Woodward's grants referred to lands in Isle of Wight or Nansemond Co., and it is known that St. Paul's Parish which included lands in present Gates Co. was considered part of Nansemond Co. prior to 1728.

These records establish the nearness of the Nansemond Co. boundary prior to 1728 to the Rockahock area of Chowan Co. and that the land that John White purchased of Lewis Williams was in fact on the east side of the river just above White's Ferry and the land that later belonged to Luke White.

On Dec. 7, 1703, Lewis Williams and wife Mary deeded to Dennis Macklenden a tract called Mt. Pleasant on Wicocon Creek. This land is now located in present Hertford Co. The witness was Richard Ballance according to Hathaway. The Wicocon Creek or Wicacon River has also been referred to as the Weccanuse (variant spellings). Obviously from the reference to Mt. Pleasant, this was part of the Thomas Woodward lands located on the west side of the Chowan River.

Two abstracts by Margaret Hofmann in Chowan Precinct, NC 1696-1723 General Abstracts of Deed Books give a better description of the land and trace it further, but disagree as to the interpretation of the witness's name:

Lewis Williams of Chowan Prct. with consent of my wife Mary Williams to Denis Macklenden. A deed of gift, -- acres at a place called Mt. Pleasant upon Wickacon Cr. joining Poplar Branch, Long Branch, the hed of Damsel branch and ye mouth of ye Cabin branch. Wit. Richard Bellame. Dated Dec. 7, 1703, Recorded Jan., 1703/4

Denis Macklenden of Chowan Prct to Jane Broune of Chowan Prct. 100 acres upon head of Woodard's crick belonging to a track of land known as Wixes folly, joining the mouth of Sandy Run and Clarke Ganen. Wit. Richard Bellamee, Charles Gavin? Dated Dec. 13, 1703, Recorded Jan., 1703/4

Sandy Run branches off of the Roanoke River and runs north and east near the present town of Roxobel and near the boundary lines for present Hertford, Bertie, and Northampton Counties. (See map section) This creek begins at Ahotskey Swamp. "Woodard's Crick" was apparently one of the small creeks which branched off of the Weccaunes (Weccanuse) or Wicocon Creek. Woodward's Creek was also mentioned in the Hocutt deeds in which it was stated that the creek was otherwise known as Mill Creek. A 1750/51 Bertie Co. deed by Aaron Oliver and wife Ann to William Lasetor involved land on Long Branch on Horse Swamp to Woodward's Creek near the mill path. A 1742 Bertie Co. deed from William Downing to Ephraim Hunter involved land on the east side of Woodward's Creek including part of Hunter's Milldam. I have not been able to locate Woodward's Creek or Mill Creek on the old maps, but present maps show two adjacent parallel creeks in the southwestern section of Hertford Co., each called Mill Branch, that flow north and empty into the Ahoskie Creek near the Northampton Co. line. The 1770 map is labeled "Hunters" near the Ahotskey Swamp at the west end of the Weccaunes (Weccanuse) Creek, also known as the Wicocon Creek.

The name Jane Broune/Brown here haunts me. Philarite Woodward is known to have had a daughter named Jane, and Oliver Woodward patented land adjoining Dr. Samuel Browne. The Brownes and Beals lived near the descendants of William Johnston, Jane's father. I don't know that there is any connection between Jane Broune/Brown and Philarite's daughter, but it's certainly a possible angle to investigate.

Hathaway referred to a deed from Dennis Macklenden to Charles Gavin for 100 acres at Mt. Pleasant on the E side of Woodward Creek. No date was given, but it would seem to be the same as the following Hofmann abstracts:

Denis Macklenden of Chowan Prct. to Charles Gavin of Chowan Prct. Land at Mt. Pleasant upon E side of Woodard's crick joining ye mouth of ye branch. Wit. Richard Bellammee, Jane Broune. Dated Dec. 7, 1703 Recorded Jan., 1703

Francis McLendon of Chowan Prct and Dennis McLendon to William Sharp of Weccanuse in Chowan Prct. Francis eldest son of Dennis McLendon dec'd. of Albemarle Co. and Dennis second son. 380 acres S side Wecanuse Cr. adjoining Mt. Pleasant and Thomas Pollock. Recorded Jan. 24, 1717

There must have been a considerable amount of land that was called Mt. Pleasant. Well after these earlier deeds for land at Mt. Pleasant, more land was sold by the grandson of Thomas Woodward, Sr.

Thomas Giles of the Colony of Va., Gentleman son of John Giles and Philarrette his wife who was ye daughter and only heir of Thomas Woodward decd. to Thomas Bray of NC. 50 L - acres ye plantation in a place called by ye name of Mt. Pleasant as by patent ye 25 Sept. 1663 given under the hand of Sir William Berkeley ye Governor of Va. and commonly called Woodward lands. Wit. James Lisle, Alice Munday, James Farlow. Dated Dec. 21, 1714 Recorded Jan. 24, 1714 Chowan Co. (Acknowledged at Court Jan. 18, 1714 by Edward Bryan, attorney for Thomas Giles)

Thomas Giles of ye Co. of Isle of Wight, Va., Gentleman to James Farlow and Lewis Bryan. Letter of attorney to acknowledge sale of 2000 acres of land on Chowan River in NC to Thomas Bray. Wit. Samuel Woodward (X his mark), Francis Pridgeon (FP his mark), James Lisle (his mark). Dated Dec. 22, 1714. No date of recording. Chowan Co. (These two deeds followed each other in the deed book.)

This was only one of many records that established a close association between Samuel Woodward and Thomas Bray. In 1721 Thomas Bray married Martha Pollock, daughter of Col. Thomas Pollock and Martha Cullen. This was probably a second (or later) marriage for Bray since he was well up in years at that time. Col. Thomas Pollock's name had appeared on a much earlier record in 1694 involving Samuel Woodward II. Although this record could easily be for the same Samuel Woodward II, he was deceased by 1722 and possibly as early as 1716, but a Samuel Woodward continued to be closely associated with Bray through at least 1719. This would either indicate that Samuel Woodward II did not die until 1719-1722, or some of the Bray/Woodward records after 1716 were Samuel Woodward III.

Years later in Wake Co., a direct descendant of Col. Thomas Pollock, Thomas Pollock Devereux, took Samantha Ann Smith, orphaned granddaughter of Pleasants Woodward, into his home. Samantha referred to the Devereux family as "strangers". I have traced the Pollock family looking for later Woodward connections and found nothing. I'm sure neither the Devereux family nor Samantha had any idea that a Devereux ancestor had once been close to another Woodward over a hundred years earlier.

Old Albemarle Co., NC Miscellaneous Records 1678-ca 1737 by Weynette Parks Haun includes the 1716 tax list of Old Albemarle Co.:

Jon. White, Sr. 250 acres, 2 po

Jno. White, Jr. 300 acres, 2 po

Luke White 350 acres, 2 po

Thomas Bray 4040 acres, 6 po

Sam Woodward -- acres, 1 po

Tho. Mandew 320 acres, --

Thomas Pollock 30,964 acres, 31 po

The 1721 tax list from the same source gives:

George White 510 acres

Luke White 777 acres

Samll. Woodward 2050 acres

Capt. Bray 2677 acres

Col. Wm. Maule 9000 acres

The Hon. Col. Pollock 50,000 acres

As I see it, this means one of two things. Either Samuel Woodward II was still living and no longer held any land in Albemarle in 1716, or he had died and Samuel Woodward III had recently come of age or recently arrived in Albemarle and had not yet accumulated any land. In only five years his acreage increased dramatically, assuming he began amassing his land in 1716, however it may have actually been later. There were not two Samuel Woodwards listed in 1721, so I think this either indicates that Samuel Woodward II had died or had returned to New England. We know he was deceased by 1722. We also know that Samuel Woodward III held land in Chowan Co. at this time, so he must be the one reflected on the 1721 tax list. However, William Woodward was granted land in 1719, and Edward Woodward held land in 1719 which adjoined William Woodward's grant, and neither of them were listed. I have found no deeds reflecting the sale of their lands. However, in 1722 Thomas Harvey was granted land adjoining Edward Woodward, and in 1723 Adam Cockburn was granted land adjoining William Woodward. In 1729 Thomas Harvey bequeathed to his son Miles Harvey land bought of Samuel Woodard on the Chowan River in Rockahock Neck.

State Records of NC by Walter Clark lists the arrears for quit rents in Albemarle Co. from Sept. 29, 1729 to Mar., 1732, dated June 12, 1735:

Bertie Precinct: Samuel Woodward - 415 acres, currency at seven to one 7.4.4

Chowan Precinct: Samuel Woodward - 1563 acres, currency at seven to one 27.7.8

Samuel Woodward - 400 acres, quit rent res'd 6, currency at seven to one 1.15.0

Were there two adult Samuel Woodwards in Chowan Co. at this time, father and son, or was this the same man listed twice?

It is especially important that Samuel Woodward witnessed the deed for the sale of Thomas Woodward lands. However, it seems to me that the choice of witnesses would be more important to the buyer than to the seller. Since Samuel Woodward was known to have been closely associated with Thomas Bray, perhaps he was acting as Bray's witness rather than Thomas Giles'.

There are other links between Samuel Woodward and the descendants of Thomas Woodward or the land that belonged to Thomas Woodward.

Samuel Woodward to Mary Williams of ye same precinct, widow. Relinquish my right and title to this sale. Wit. not given. Dated Apr. 20, 1714 Recorded July 20, 1714. Chowan Prct.

Unfortunately, whatever it was that Samuel Woodward was relinquishing his rights to was not stated. Perhaps he had held a mortgage. Perhaps he and Mary Williams were kin and Samuel was relinquishing his share of inherited property. There are any number of possibilities. We can't even be sure that the record refers to land. But Mary Williams was the widow of Lewis Williams who had acquired lands held by the Thomas Woodward family.

On Aug. 24, 1703 Jonathan Robinson patented 200 acres in the Upper Parish of Nansemond Co., VA "on head of a br. of Chowan River, commonly called the Cabbin Branch." Samuel Woodward was one of the headrights.

Lewis Williams of Chowan Prct. with consent of my wife Mary Williams to Denis Macklenden. A deed of gift, -- acres at a place called Mt. Pleasant upon Wickacon Cr. joining Poplar Branch, Long Branch, the hed of Damsel branch and ye mouth of ye Cabin branch. Wit. Richard Bellame. Dec. 7, 1703 Chowan Co.

Lewis Williams had purchased 500 acres previously granted to Thomas Woodward from John Giles and wife Philarite Woodward Giles, daughter and heir of Thomas Woodward. It appears possible that Williams also acquired other lands that traced back to the Thomas Woodward lands. Notice that Cabin Branch is mentioned in the last two deeds, but in one record the land was described as lying in the Upper Parish of Nansemond Co. and in the other record land at the mouth of Cabin Branch was described as lying in Chowan Co. Certainly Cabin Branch must have been near the boundary as it was before the NC/VA line was drawn in 1728.

The last Chowan Co. record we can feel sure was Samuel Woodward II was an Aug. 4, 1713 deed which included his wife Elizabeth. There were a number of records for Samuel Woodward between 1713 and 1722, but none except this one included Elizabeth, so some or all of the later records could have been Samuel Woodward III. Although Samuel Woodward II seems to have left records in Nansemond Co. and later in Chowan Co., he must have returned to New England either temporarily or permanently since that is where he died. It is not known where in New England he died. It has been established that he was a mariner, and it appears probable that he was either a merchant himself or transported goods for other merchants. He may have frequently sailed up and down the eastern coast between Boston and NC, possibly going farther south on occasion. Samuel Woodward II is known to have had contact with Col. Thomas Pollock of NC, merchant, as early as 1694, and may have visited NC a number of times before he purchased land in Chowan Co. It is not known when he first purchased land in Chowan Co., but it was some time prior to the 1713 sale of that land.

The Records of the Executive Council (undated but after Oct. 28, 1719) include a petition by Samuel Woodward in which he stated that "William Duckinfield Esqr. Obtained patents for Two Tracts of Land lying on Rockhock and Chowan River Containing each -- acres of Land neither of Which have been Seated and Planted as the Lawe directs the petitioner therefore Prays that Lapse Patents may be granted to him for the Tracts of Land Aforesaid". The Council ordered that the patents be issued. (This probably refers to grants made by William Dukenfield in 1705 on Rockahock Creek.)

And so the patents were granted, but both were not issued to Samuel Woodward. On Mar. 1, 1719/20 Samuel Woodward was granted a patent for 640 acres in Rockahock Neck in Chowan Co. by Gov. Gabriel Johnston adjoining William Woodward, David Ambrose, John Wyate, Col. Moseley, John Robeson, and Danl. Harrison. (By the old calendar, the year did not change until March 15, so this actually was after the petition.) On the same date, William Woodward was also granted a patent for 640 acres in Rockahock Neck described as adjoining Edward Woodward, David Ambrose, Caleb Stevens, John Wyate, and Edwd. Patchet. There is no record of a patent for Edward Woodward issued at this time, and I have never found an earlier record of a patent by him, but he obviously held land at the time of this 1719 patent. The petition for the patents referred to only two tracts of land, so it would seem that Edward Woodward had obtained his land prior to two these patents.

Since these three Woodwards owned land adjoining each other, it's very likely that they were brothers, possibly younger sons of Samuel Woodward II and Elizabeth Hudson. However, there are no records to prove that these new Woodwards in Chowan Co. were in fact sons of Samuel Woodward II. It is possible that they may have come from some other Woodward family and just happened to turn up in Chowan Co. at about the same time that Samuel Woodward II died. To avoid confusion, I will refer to the Samuel Woodward of Chowan Co. who appeared at about the same time that Samuel Woodward II of Boston died as Samuel Woodward III, but that should not be interpreted to mean that one was the son of the other. It is interesting that a William Duckenfeild signed a 1694 document involving Samuel Woodward II. (See p. 297)

Each of the two Woodward patents of 1719 was described as adjoining David Ambrose's land. Deeds prove that David Ambrose had recently purchased land in Rockahock in 1716 from Nicholas Tiner/Tyner. This was only 3 years before the Woodward patents. Samuel Woodward II had owned land that had been surveyed by John White, Sr. and a later sale of the same land was witnessed by Luke White. The Whites were associated with land at Rockahock, so there is a strong likelihood that the land owned by Samuel Woodward II was also located in the Rockahock vicinity. We already know that Samuel Woodward II owned land on Stoping or Stopping Creek near Catharine's Creek (or Old Town Creek or Indian Town Creek) which was just north of Rockahock. Since Nicholas Tyner owned land in Rockahock in 1716, Samuel Woodward II owned land just north of Rockahock in 1713, and Samuel Woodward III, Edward Woodward, and William Woodward (possibly sons of Samuel Woodward II) owned land in Rockahock in 1719, certainly Nicholas Tyner was well-known to all of these Woodwards.

Nicholas Tyner left his will in Northampton Co. dated Dec. 12, 1752. He named wife Elizabeth, grandson James Tyner, Nicholas and John Tyner sons of James Tyner dec'd, William Tyner, Sarah Woodward, Elizabeth Johnson, and Ann Corbett. Son William Tyner and wife Elizabeth were named executors. Witnesses were J. Dew and William Corbett. The will was probated Nov. Court, 1753. In 1752, Northampton Co. included the lands that later became Gates Co. east of the Chowan River but west of Bennett's Creek as well as lands west of the Chowan River.

Oliver Woodward, Jr. and Joseph Woodward, sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr. of Isle of Wight, lived in Northampton Co., NC where they left deeds which involved Nicholas Tyner's sons, William Tyner and James Tyner. There was undoubtedly some connection between the Oliver Woodward family and the Tyner family. Since Nicholas Tyner owned the land which later adjoined the Woodward patents of 1719, it's possible that Oliver Woodward, Sr. was another brother to the Woodwards of Chowan Co. Most likely one of Oliver Woodward's sons was Sarah Tyner's husband. Joseph Woodward seems to be the most likely although the wife named in his will was Elizabeth. Joseph Woodward left several Northampton Co. deeds involving a Johnson family. Sarah Tyner Woodward's sister, Elizabeth Tyner, had married a Johnson by 1752. If Sarah Tyner was the wife of Joseph Woodward, it is very possible that Elizabeth named as wife in Joseph Woodward's will was her sister.

Samuel Woodward III lived near Luke White who ran the ferry at Rockahock. There were many White/Woodward records. The Jan., 1735 Chowan Co. court minutes mentioned a case of interest:

Luke White vs William Tyner

Certainly William Tyner, named as son in Nicholas Tyner's will, was acquainted with Luke White of Rockahock. Luke White was closer to Samuel Woodward III than any other person in Chowan Co. Luke White was the bondsman for Samuel Woodward III's later marriage, bondsman for one of his sons, and executor of his estate. Certainly Samuel Woodward III would have been very aware of whatever this case involved.

Samuel Woodward III left the first useful Chowan Co. will written Mar. 13, 1752 and recorded Apr., 1752. He named his wife, Sarah, his son Samuel to whom he left 250 acres, and his sons Edward and Richard and daughter Elizabeth White to whom he left Negroes. 118 barrels of tar was also left to his sons. Executors were son Samuel Woodward (IV) and Luke White. Charles Roberts and Richard Woodward were the witnesses. This was a surprisingly small amount of land considering the many acres he had owned several years previously. But he seems to have "gone into retirement" a number of years before his death and the deed books and court records seldom recorded his name. The reason for this is not known. He was so active for so many years, and then his records trickled down to almost nothing. It seemed he must have left the county, and it was easy to pick up on the records of Capt. Samuel Woodward whose records began appearing at about the same time that Samuel Woodward II's ceased and assume they were the same person in another location. However, they were not the same person.

Certainly the wife named in Samuel Woodward III's will was the widow Sarah Pursell whom he had married only a few years earlier with Luke White as his bondsman. It would be easy to assume that Luke White, an executor, was the husband of Elizabeth Woodward, but there is reason to doubt that. Samuel Woodward had appeared frequently on records in association with Luke White for many years. They were near neighbors to each other and obviously quite close. During the same time frame that the will was written I have found records of a John White and wife Elizabeth, and, although I don't have proof that these records reflect Elizabeth Woodward, the records do establish that she could have been John White's wife rather than Luke White's wife. Since the earliest White records in Chowan Co. were for a John White, Sr., I suspect Luke White was a son of John White, Sr. and he in turn named a son for his father. With no more than this to go on, I believe Elizabeth Woodward's husband was more likely Luke White's son.

An article published in the "Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography", vol. IV, edited by Lyon Gardiner Tyler is somewhat confused, but may have something of value to offer too. This article stated that Samuel Woodward, son of Samuel Woodward and Sarah Hallom (therefore Samuel Woodward II), died on March 13, 1752. This is impossible since Samuel Woodward II was deceased by 1722. The date the will was written is usually prior to the death. As far as I know, there are no records for his actual date of death. The article also states that Samuel Woodward was the powder receiver at Brunswick Co. The powder receiver has been proven to be Capt. Samuel Woodward whose family was from Ireland. The article went on to state that Samuel Woodward's second wife was Sarah Cannon, daughter of Edward Cannon. That seems to be incorrect too, although Edward Cannon's will did name a daughter Sarah Woodard. However, the article also said that son Richard Woodward married in 1752 Abigail White, then removed to Portsmouth, VA and left sons Francis, John, and Richard. I have not verified this, and considering the number of errors, it certainly should be verified, but the name Abigail White sounds believeable.

The marriage bond for Samuel Woodward and Mrs. Sarah Pursell in Chowan Co. was dated Aug. 2, 1750. Luke White was the bondsman. Sarah Pursell may have been the widow of John Pursell. If not his widow, then possibly she was the widow of a brother or one of his sons. The following record establishes that John Pursell lived near Samuel Woodward:

Laurence Mague of Chowan Prct. to Thomas Bray of Chowan Prct. gentleman. Nov. 30, 1718. 22L land on W shore said Bray purchased of Robert Evans. 640 acres mouth of old Indian Town Cr. joining Bray. Wit. John Pursell (his mark), Sarah Pursell (her mark). Recorded Apr. 23, 1719. Chowan Prct.

Richard Sowell of Chowan Prct. and Margaret my wife to Charles Sowell. July 18, 1719. For love and affection I bear my son, 400 acres at mouth of a branch butting upon the Old Town Cr. swamp joining John Jordan, John Pursell, Ballard and ye said creek swamp. Wit. John Jordan, John White, Jr. Chowan Prct.

Indian Town Creek (also called Catharine's Creek) was just north of Rockahock and White's Ferry on the east side of the Chowan River. At this time it must have been almost on the boundary of Nansemond Co. (See map p. ***.) There were later records of a Richard Sowell on the west side of the Chowan River.

Aaron Oliver and wife Ann to William Lasetor. 400 acres on Long Branch on Horse Swamp to Woodward's Creek near the mill path. Wit. Simon Daniel, Eleaz Quinby. Jan. 5, 1750/51. Bertie Co.

This was certainly near the lands of Dennis McLenden and Jane Broune and establishes that Horse Swamp was a variant name for Ahotskey Swamp. (See deeds p. 300, 316 and p.316)

Aaron Lasetor to William Lasetor. 100 acres at mouth of Chinkapin Branch at Miss Cr. adjoining Richard Sowell. Wit. James Hinton, Thomas Morris, Robert Hill. Jan. 5, 1751 Bertie Co.

Chinkapin Creek was on the south side of Weccanuse Creek and flowed north to empty into the Weccanuse about two or three miles west of the Chowan River. This was very near the Col. William Maule land and was part of the land called Mt. Pleasant.

$$$$

Sarah Pursell certainly could not have been the mother of the Woodward children named in the will of Samuel Woodward since his children were obviously grown, and her marriage to Samuel Woodward in 1750 was far too late to have produced them. Samuel Woodward's first wife and the mother of these children is unknown.

The 1719 Charles Sowell deed is interesting in another respect. It also establishes that a John Jordan lived in the same vicinity since his land also adjoined the Sowell land on Old Town Creek Swamp.

I have found other references to a John Jordan, Jr. a few years later, but these references involved land on the west side of the Chowan River. The following land transactions between Samuel Woodward and John Jordan, Jr. should be verified as I have not yet found further mention of them in the abstracts of the deed books. The references to these deeds came from Ray's Index and Digest to Hathaway's NC Historical and Genealogical Register. The court record from Records of the Executive Council by Robert J. Cain 1984 verifies that Samuel Woodward and John Jordan, Jr. did have some kind of dealings with each other.

John Jordan, Jr. sold land to Samuel Woodwar (sic) 1728. (Ray's)

Samuel Woodward bought land from Job Meader next to John Jordan and Isaac Williams in 1728. (Ray's)

Samuel Woodward vs Jon. Jordan, Jr. Debt returned cepi corpus and agreed. July, 1728 (place not given) (REC)

Not long before these records, Samuel Woodward had again appeared on a record with John Jordan, Jr.

Job Meador of Chowan Prct. to Samuel Woodard. 640 acres S side Chindapen (Chinkapin) at mouth of Reedy Branch. Wit. John Jordan, Jr. and William Badham. Oct. 25, 1726. Bertie Co.

This piece of land traces back to Jno. Evans. The description would place it in the same vicinity as the Thomas Woodward grant known as Mt. Pleasant. Chinkapin Creek flowed north to join the Weccanuse Creek two or three miles west of the Chowan River. (See map p. ***)

Jno. Evans of Chowan Prct. to Job Meader. 640 acres SW side Chinkapen Swamp at mouth of Reedy Branch. Wit. John Jordan, Jane Jordan. Jan. 17, 1725 Bertie Co.

I couldn't help but notice a Wake Co. will years later written Jan. 2, 1798 and recorded on Oct. 16, 1799 in which John Jordan named as his heirs his wife Sarah Jordan and John Jordan, Jr., son of Jonathan Jordan my son. I don't know that one is a descendant of the other. John Jordan was probably a very common name.

There is reason to believe that Samuel Woodward III's land was near the land that belonged to James Sanders of Bertie Co. who seems to be the father of the Sanders who later lived in Wake Co. This will be discussed in more detail in the Sanders chapter.

The deeds involving the land in Chowan Co. and Bertie Co. are quite involved, but it's apparent that Samuel Woodward III of Chowan Co. had purchased lands that once had belonged to Thomas Woodward. There are no records that indicate that any of the land was inherited by Samuel Woodward III. But there are indications that there may have been connections between Samuel Woodward III's family and Thomas Woodward's family. It is suspected that Christopher Woodward, Sr. and Thomas Woodward, Sr., both immigrants, were brothers. If so, then Samuel Woodward II of Charles City Co., Boston, Nansemond Co., and Chowan Co., grandson of Christopher Woodward, Sr., was first-cousin-once-removed to Philarite Woodward Giles who was the daughter of Thomas Woodward, Sr. The fact that Samuel Woodward witnessed a deed in which Thomas Woodward lands were sold to Thomas Bray may or may not indicate a prior connection between the Giles and Samuel Woodward.

For a long time, I was under the impression that the records for Capt. Samuel Woodward in Bladen, Craven, and New Hanover Cos. were a continuation of the records for this same Samuel Woodward III. I worked myself to death tracing this Capt. Samuel Woodward and had even found that an associate of his, Nathaniel Rice, had left land in Bladen Co. to his son John Rice. This was the land that Christopher Woodward of Wake Co. purchased shortly before his death. However, I found information in the deed books of Craven Co. that helped to prove that Capt. Samuel Woodward was not the same as Samuel Woodward III of Chowan Co. Instead, he came from a line of Woodwards who held land in Ireland. John Gary Woodward was good enough to send me some information he had collected on these Irish Woodwards which I will be glad to share with anyone who would like it. Capt. Samuel Woodward left his land in New Bern to his nephew Benjamin Woodward of Ireland, eldest son of his deceased brother, Charles Woodward. Benjamin deeded it to his brother Joseph Woodward of Ireland who came to NC long enough to sell the land. There are no further records for that Joseph Woodward in NC, so it's assumed he returned to Ireland. For anyone who has an interest in reading up on Woodwards, this Capt. Samuel Woodward has a fascinating history, was instrumental in the colonization of NC, and was one of the first commissioners when the town of Wilmington was established. But he does not seem to relate to Christopher Woodward of Wake Co. or to the Samuel Woodwards of Chowan Co. Perhaps this will save someone else "a wild goose chase".

I am not altogether convinced that Samuel Woodward III was the son of Samuel Woodward II although in many ways the families do seem connected. Certainly Samuel Woodward III was not the father of Christopher Woodward. William Woodward and Edward Woodward whose 1719 patents adjoined Samuel Woodward III did not appear in later records in Chowan Co. It is not known if they died or if they removed to some county where the records were lost or their records simply have not been recognized.

In several ways I can see the stage set here for Christopher Woodward of Wake Co. These Woodwards lived a stone's throw from Nansemond Co. and very near the John Jordan family. The Sanders and Corbell families lived nearby in Nansemond Co. Samuel Woodward II seems to have left records in Nansemond Co. There was a record for a Christopher Woodward in Nansemond Co. shortly before Christopher Woodward appeared in Wake Co. Some of the land that belonged to Samuel Woodward seems to have been part of the Thomas Woodward land known as Mt. Pleasant. Thomas Woodward was the first Surveyor General of NC. Samuel Woodward II traces back to Christopher Woodward, the immigrant who landed at Jamestown and may have been brother to Thomas Woodward. Christopher remained in VA while Thomas developed lands in NC. I am not sure that Samuel Woodward III, William Woodward, and Edward Woodward were the sons of Samuel Woodward II. They may have been sons or grandsons of Christopher Woodward, Jr. But in either case, the connections would be the same. Time, place, names, and background all seem to fit, but still it's only circumstantial evidence and not proof. With the Nansemond Co. records destroyed, it may be as close as we'll ever come.

Samuel Woodward's widow, Sarah -?- Pursell Woodward, may be of interest too. There are several submissions to the Latter Day's Saints records that give Needham Bryan's second wife as Sarah Woodward. His will did name his wife as Sarah. I have never been able to learn the source for the name Woodward though. Perhaps it was Bible records as an exact date was given for their marriage in 1753, and their marriage cannot be found in courthouse records. I have searched every record I have for Sarahs, whether a Woodward by birth or by marriage. The only Sarah that could work was the widow of Samuel Woodward. Of course, there may have been a Sarah Woodward that I have never found records for, and Samuel Woodward's widow is not the right one at all.

However, there are some other interesting twists involving Needham Bryan. In 1723, Needham Bryan and his first wife, Anne Rombeau, sold to John Hart 640 acres on the northeast side of the Morratucky River adjoining Henry Jones and Samuel Meriet. This was the same Henry Jones who was the grandfather of Capt. Etheldred Jones of Wake Co. and possibly the ancestor of Lewis Jones and William Jones of Wake Co. The Morratucky River was another name for the Roanoke River.

Needham Bryan left his will in Bertie Co. dated Sept. 23, 1767. He named his wife Sarah; son William; grandson William who now lives with me, son of William; son Needham; four grandsons, Ezekial Williams, Lewis Gardner, Joseph Garnigham, my daughter's son William, her first born; son-in-law William Whitfield; my three children Needham, William, and Rachel. The executors were Needham Bryan and William Bryan. The witnesses were William Turner, James Turner, and Joseph Turner.

Three years later in 1770, William Turner, Sr. made his will also in Bertie Co. He did not mention a wife, but named son Simon; son William to inherit the pasture I bought of William Williams; daughter Jennet House; daughter Elizabeth Brown; daughter Sarah Smith; and granddaughter Elizabeth Turner, daughter of Etheldread Turner. The executors were Thomas House and sons William Turner and James Turner. The witnesses were Robert Cake, William Harrell, and William Bryan. William Turner had witnessed Needham Bryan's will, and now Needham Bryan's son was witnessing William Turner's will.

Needham Bryan also witnessed the 1733 Northampton Co. will of Henry Jones, grandfather of Capt. Etheldred Jones. Other witnesses were George Smith and John Eless. In 1720, George Smith sold land in Bertie Co. to Henry Pope. The Pope, Bradford, and Lane records will be discussed in another chapter.

Simon Turner, son of William Turner, married Nancy "Ann" Smith and moved to Wake Co. His daughter, Edith Turner, married Hardy Sanders, Jr., son of Hardy Sanders, Sr. and Lucy Utley. Lucy Utley's mother was Elizabeth Turner, suspected to be of some kin to the William Turner family. Needham Bryan, Jr. and William Bryan moved to Johnston Co.

Needham Bryan, Jr. married Sarah Hinton, daughter of John Hinton and wife Grizelle Kimbrough. Needham Bryan, Jr. left his will in Wake Co. dated 1784. Joel Lane's wives were Mary Hinton and Martha Hinton, sisters of Sarah Hinton Bryan. There also seems to have been a Kimbrough connection to the family of Nathaniel Jones, Jr. of Crabtree who married Grizeal Kimbrough. Nathaniel Jones, Jr. received a share from the division of the estate of Nathaniel Kimbrough. Theophilus Hunter, John Hinton, Jr., James Hinton, and J. Abernethie were subscribers to this division.

In 1728, William Kinchen sold 100 acres in Bertie Co. on the Meherrin River at Kirbey's Creek adjoining Thomas Mandew to John Farror. The deed was witnessed by Needham Bryan and Andrew Ireland. This is obviously in the same location and possibly some of the same land that was sold in 1744 by James Tyner to Joseph Woodward. However, later deeds referred to John Farror as John Farrow.

I have read that Farror and Farrow are variations for the name Farrar. This is interesting since the immigrant Christopher Woodward was the neighbor of William Farrar, Christopher Woodward of Wake Co. was the neighbor of John Farrar, and the Woodwards of Northampton Co. owned lands that had once belonged to a John Farrow. I haven't been able to do anything with this though.