Oliver Woodward, Sr., of Virginia

 

 

The ancestry of Oliver Woodward, Sr., of Isle of Wight has not been proven, but there are some indications that he may have been a brother or other kin to the Woodwards of Chowan County, NC. The records left by Oliver Woodward, Sr., and his sons reveal possible connections to the Nicholas Tyner family who had owned land near Samuel Woodward II and III of Chowan County Oliver Woodward's family also had close ties to the William Johnston family. William Johnston was the father of a child, Jane, born to Philarite Woodward, daughter of Thomas Woodward, prior to Philarite's marriage to John Giles. William Johnston and His Descendants by Hugh B. Johnston and Coy K. Johnston traces this family of Johnstons and would be of help to anyone interested in following up on the Woodward/Johnston connection. There were also connections between Oliver Woodward's family and the John Beal family the Smelly family. The Smelly family connected with the Giles family which connected with Thomas Woodward. More about the Johnstons, Giles, Smellys, and Tyners can be found in other sections.

 

Some of Oliver Woodward's descendants have been traced. History of the Woodard Family of Johnston County by William T. Woodard traces the ancestry of Benjamin Woodard who moved to Johnston County back through his father, Joseph Woodard/Woodward, to Oliver Woodward, Sr.

 

 

The will of Oliver Woodward of Isle of Wight Co, VA was written Feb. 23, 1740 and proved in Isle of Wight on May 25, 1741. He made no privision for his wife, so she probably predeceased him. No deeds or other records have been found that reveal her name. He named as heirs his sons and daughters:

 

 

eldest son Roger "I have given him already what I do think fitt";

Oliver half of a tract of land that he now lives on;

Samuel the plantation and land he now lives on and 40 acres more;

Richard various household items (no land mentioned);

John half of the tract that his brother Oliver now lives on;

Joseph the plantation and land I now live on, "if he should dye in his noneage" then to my son Samuel;

Patience one negro called __, "if she should dye in nonage" then to my son John;

Mary one negro boy called Pompey, "if she should dye in nonage" then to her brother Samuel.

The "use of my mill" was to be shared between sons Samuel and Joseph. The remainder was to be equally divided between Joseph, Pacience, and Mary after the payment of debts. Son Samuel Woodward was the sole executor.

 

 

The witnesses were George Washington, Thomas Alling (Allen), and Jacob Flowers. Since Oliver Woodward mentioned a son for whom he had already provided, it seems unlikely that there might have been other sons who were not mentioned.

 

The names of the witnesses are almost as important as the names of the children. In 1727, the Isle of Wight estate of Henry Flowers was appraised by George Washington, Oliver Woodward, and Benjamin Johnston. The name Flowers appeared again and again in records associated with the Woodward, Johnston, and Barnes families.

 

 

There are no records to establish an exact date of birth for Oliver Woodward; however, there are some records which are of help in making an estimate. When Oliver Woodward, Sr., died in 1741, at least three of his sons, Roger and Samuel and Oliver, were of age. Since there was no mention of "nonage" in respect to Richard or John, they probably were of age too. Joseph, Patience, and Mary were still minors.

 

 

Mary Woodward, orphan of Oliver Woodward, appeared in the Guardian Accounts records of Isle of Wight in 1747 and 1749. Both records named her guardian as John Westray. In an odd turnaround, the 1763 guardian accounts stated that William Woodward was the guardian of Fulgham Westray, orphan of Edward Westray. I cannot place this William Woodward as part of Oliver Woodward's family; neither can I place John Westray as kin to Fulgham Westray or Edward Westray.

 

Oliver Woodward was an executor of the estate of John Gent in 1727. In the same year, he helped appraise the estate of Henry Flowers mentioned earlier. These are the earliest records I have found for him. In 1730, Oliver Woodward, Roger Woodward, and Nicholas Gurley witnessed a deed from John Braswell and wife Alice to James Turner for 100 acres adjoining Doctors Branch and Joseph West. Three months later in 1730, John Braswell and wife Alice deeded to Roger Woodward 245 acres adjoining Doctors Branch. This deed was witnessed by James Turner, Oliver Woodward, and Nicholas Gurley.

 

 

Oliver Woodward must have been close to 40 or even older by 1730 since his son, Roger, called the eldest son in his will, was certainly of age. Assuming Roger was at least 20 in 1730, he would have been born by 1710. If his father was at least age 20 when Roger was born, Oliver must have been born no later than 1690, and perhaps a number of years earlier. This means Oliver Woodward, Sr., was at least age 51, perhaps older, at his death in 1741. I would guess he was probably born during the 1670's or 1680's.

 

 

From other Isle of Wight deeds, we can pick up on a network of families who were associated with Oliver Woodward. In 1743, Kezzia Turner sold to Joseph Cobb 100 acres in Nottoway Parish being the manor plantation given her by ther father James Turner dec'd. adjoining Doctors Branch, Roger Woodward, William West, and Joseph West. The witnesses were William Hatfield, John Gurley, and George Sellers. Also in 1743, William Sellers and wife Providence Sellers sold to Joseph Cobb 235 acres in Nottoway Parish adjoining Dr. Samuel Brown, Oliver Woodward, and John Braswell being a patent dated May 20, 1742. This deed was witnessed by Richard Kirby, Jr, Thomas Price, and George Sellers. In 1748, Samuel Willis and wife Martha Willis deeded to Roger Woodward both of Nottoway Parish 200 acres in Nottoway Parish adjoining Dr. Jesse Brown, Joseph West, Joseph Cobb, and Roger Woodward, witnessed by Joseph Cobb, Jr., Ralph Carter, and Thomas Creshaw (Crenshaw?)

 

 

On Oct. 17, 1744, Joseph Woodward deeded to Samuel Woodward 230 acres "excepting the burying place" on the north side of Nottoway River, being part of a patent for 850 acres granted Mr. Richard Washington on 16 Dec. 1714, adjoining Nottoway Swamp and Capt. Richard Exum. Since Joseph had been left the home plantation and this land included the "burying place", surely this was Oliver Woodward's homeplace and Joseph had just recently come of age. Part of this 230 acres may have been purchased from Richard Braswell. On Aug. 22, 1720, Richard Bracewell deeded to Oliver Woodard 150 acres on the north side of Nottoway River being part of a patent for 850 acres granted Mr. Richard Washington on Dec. 16, 1714 and bounded by a branch of Nottoway Swamp and Richard Exum.

 

Richard Exum was the brother of Mary Exum, wife of Barnaby McKinnie. Two of Barnaby McKinnie's daughters married into the Lane and Pope families. There was later a close connection between William Utley, Sr., and the Lanes and Popes. (See p. 198.) Another McKinnie daughter married William Hurst, from whom a Richard Woodward of Nansemond County purchased land in Granville County. (See p. 285.) Barnabie McKinnie was a near neighbor to both the Oliver Woodward family and the John Barnes family in Isle of Wight. (See p. 286)

 

The time frame for Oliver's estimated date of birth is in line with what might be expected for the children of Samuel Woodward II and/or brothers of William, Edward, or Samuel Woodward III of Chowan County Nathaniel Woodward, a proven son of Samuel Woodward II, remained in Boston where he married in 1710. Surely he was born before 1790. Oliver Woodward, Sr., could easily have been his brother, probably a younger brother since Nathaniel inherited the lands of Samuel Woodward II. One of Oliver Woodward, Sr.'s sons was named Samuel, perhaps for his grandfather. Although there are indications of a kinship between Samuel Woodward III of Chowan County and Oliver Woodward, Sr., of Isle of Wight, there still is no solid proof that either was the son of Samuel Woodward II or that they were brothers to each other. All we have is circumstantial evidence that points in that direction.

 

There are other records relating to Oliver Woodward, Sr., which might tend to point to a connection with the Thomas Woodward family in a round-about way through the William Johnston family and the Giles and Smelly families.

 

 

The Southampton County, VA will of Jesse Browne of St. Luke Parish was dated Nov. 29, 1770 and recorded Dec. 13, 1770. Among other legacies, he left to his grandson, Jesse Browne, his land in Hertford County, NC and land (no location given) bought of Joseph Strickling which was patented by Oliver Woodward. The original grant to Oliver Woodward, Sr., was for 240 acres in Isle of Wight on the South side of the Nottoway River adjoining Dr. Samuel Brown. The grant was dated Aug. 25, 1731. This part of Isle of Wight later became part of Southampton County with the creation of new county. Through some unknown transfers, this property that had been granted to Oliver Woodward in 1731 passed into the possession of Joseph Strickling who sold it to Dr. Jesse Browne, son of Dr. Samuel Brown. Dr. Samuel Brown's Isle of Wight will written in 1739 named among others son Jesse Browne (of the 1770 will) to whom he left land on Indian Branch in NC. This was probably the land in Hertford County that Jesse Browne left to his grandson. (The spelling varied between "Browne" and "Brown".)

 

 

The same Dr. Samuel Brown/Browne had also once owned land in Nansemond County according to A Record of Farms and their Owners in Lower Parish of Nansemond County, Virginia by William Turner Jordan, M.D. (1835-1922):

 

 

This finds us at the supposed head of Bennett's Pasture. Bennett was a very prominent man (a strong Quaker), and a member of the House of Burgesses during Governor Berkeley's reign as Governor of Colonial Virginia, and no doubt secured a grant from the English Crown of this land between the Nansemond River and Bennett's Creek.

 

 

The farm east and across the main road from the Doughtie and Lawrence place was no doubt bought from Bennett's Estate by Dr. Samuel Browne, who sold to Ezekial Powell, who gave to his daughter, Sarah Jane, who married Bob Smith of Somerton, who was murdered by Hunter Hill in Suffolk. Smith left two boys, Henning (Pomp) and Robt. now living. The farm was sold for a division and was bought by W. J. Wright and W. B. Warrington. W. J. Wright sold his half to Jno. Ames, Sr., who gave to his son. R. B. Ames.

 

 

This Ezekial Powell appeared in the Nansemond County index to the Clerk's Fee Books, one of the only courthouse records that was not destroyed by fire. Ezekial Powell appeared in association with a John Woodward who was involved in the settling of the estate of Richard Woodward who died about 1794 in Nansemond County This John Woodward may have been Richard's brother or father. Surely he was not a son since the Bible records of Richard Woodward and wife Jamymay (Jemima) state that a son John Woodward was born Octr. 27th, 1793. (See Nansemond County Woodwards chapter.)

 

 

This is an interesting sideline that may become useful in the future, but at this point it only proves that Oliver Woodward's neighbor, Dr. Samuel Browne, had once owned land in Nansemond County in the same vicinity where a Richard Woodward later lived. It does not prove that the John or Richard Woodward in these Nansemond County records was the same as John or Richard Woodward named a sons in Oliver Woodward's will. It also does not prove that this Richard Woodward and/or Oliver's son were the same as the Richard Woodward who lived in Nansemond County in 1762 and owned lands in Granville County (See p. 384) It only provides us with the possibility for a connection if further records can be found to firmly establish a link.

 

 

The Guardian Accounts of Isle of Wight included several records for a John Woodward, orphan of John Woodward. The earliest was in 1757 when James Bridger was listed as the guardian. In 1765, Samuel Bridger was named as the guardian, but in 1766, the latest record I found, James Bridges was the guardian. Perhaps this should have been Bridger too rather than Bridges or the writing was misinterpreted. Lela Vee Hunt Peterson states she too found records for this orphan which I haven't found, but the records she found were dated 1759, 1761, and 1763, the deceased father was named as Dr. John Woodward, and the guardian was James Bridger. The John Woodward who was deceased by 1757 has not been solidly proven, but it seems almost certain that he was the son of Oliver Woodward, Sr., He was probably the same John Woodward for whom an inventory and appraisement of his estate was ordered in Isle of Wight on Dec. 7, 1752. The estate was appraised by Edmund Westray, John Westray, and John Sellaway and signed by Daniel Herring and recorded Jan. 3, 1754. If this John Woodward was in fact a doctor, could he have learned his skills from Dr. Samuel Browne or Dr. Jesse Browne who owned land adjoining Oliver Woodward? According to the will of Oliver Woodward, Sr., his son John inherited land that was almost certainly in Isle of Wight and near the Browne family.

 

 

Since John, the orphan of John Woodward, required a guardian for at least nine years, and there were no records for any siblings who also required a guardian, it would seem that this orphan might have been the only child of a relatively young father. The father could easily have been the son of Oliver Woodward. Oliver Woodward's will made no reference to "nonage" concerning his son John, so he was probably of age in 1741 when the will was written. There are records of a John Woodward in association with Oliver Woodward, Jr., in Northampton County, NC. These Northampton County records must certainly be for two of the sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., since another brother, Joseph Woodward, also owned property in the same vicinity. I have not been able to find any Northampton records for John Woodward later than Jan., 1752 when he and Oliver Woodward, Jr., witnessed a deed from Joseph and Susannah Cobb to John Austin Finnie. His name appeared on a Feb., 1753 deed, but only in relation to land that Arthur Stevenson was selling that adjoined the land of John Woodward. I found no further deeds in which he bought or sold land or witnessed deeds. So no doubt the estate records and the orphan accounts in Isle of Wight do refer to the son of Oliver Woodward, Sr., who had inherited some of his father's land in Isle of Wight and held additional lands in Northampton County

 

 

The 1730 Isle of Wight will of William Bridger named son William Bridger, grandson Joseph Bridger, and son James Bridger who was to receive the plantation on which Jonathan Jones now lives, the land which belonged to his deceased brother Joseph Bridger at Round Hill. Although this is clumsily worded, surely this means that Joseph Bridger was the brother of James Bridger and, therefore, another son of William Bridger. Arthur Smith was designated in William Bridger's will to become the guardian of James Bridger. William Dixon was also named as an heir, as was Thomas Bray to whom was left the cane which was his father's. Arthur Smith, Jr., was named executor. The witnesses were William Crumpler and William Crumpler, Jr., The 1704 will of Ann Jones, widow of John Jones and mother of Ann Jones who married John Barnes, named a Capt. Arthur Smith as one of the overseers of her estate. I have not determined whether or not John Jones, son of John and Ann Jones, or perhaps his son who was also named John Jones, was the same as Jonathan Jones mentioned in the Bridger will.

 

 

A Joseph Bridger must have held lands near Thomas Giles and his wife Eleanor, widow of William Smelley, according to the following deed:

 

 

Thomas Swann of Nansemond County to Thomas Brewer of Isle of Wight County 678 acres (being all of the land Maj. Thomas Swann, decd., father of the said Thomas Swann bought from Thomas Giles, Joseph Bridger and Smellies and the plantation where John Clother now lives...being willed by Maj. Thomas Swann to his son). Wit. John Sawyer, Robert Marshall. Feb. 6, 1723. Isle of Wight.

 

 

In 1723, William Johnston, Jr., son of William Johnston and Sarah Griffeth, patented 165 acres adjoining Bartholmew Andrews and Round Hill Swamp which he later sold in 1733 to John Ingram of Isle of Wight. Surely this was somewhere near the Bridger land at Round Hill. William Johnston, Jr., had previously patented 480 acres in Chowan Precinct, NC in 1716, and by 1729 was living in Bertie Precinct when he deeded part of a 1702 grant made to his father in Isle of Wight south of Blackwater to Anthony Lewis, Jr., In 1755, William Johnston III (son of William Johnston, Jr.) sold to Thomas Barnes 320 acres on Kehukee Swamp in Edgecombe County witnessed by Isaac Edwards and John Whitaker.

 

 

The name Thomas Bray appeared frequently in association with Samuel Woodward of Chowan County Bray also purchased of Thomas Giles, grandson of Thomas Woodward, Sr., 2000 acres of the Mt. Pleasant lands originally granted to Thomas Woodward in what is now called Hertford County in 1714. (See p. 309) It would seem that William Bridger was in some way associated with the Bray family.

 

The 1761 Southampton County will of William Crumpler named, among others, wife Elizabeth, son William, and daughter Elizabeth Woodard. Elizabeth Woodard's husband has not been determined. In 1700, a William Crumpler and wife Elizabeth (probably an earlier one unless both lived to be very old) deeded land to William Carver on the south of Blackwater Swamp in the Lower Parish, witnessed by William Johnson and William Williams. In 1701, William Crumpler and William Williams were witnesses when William and Sarah (Griffeth) Johnson of the Lower Parish of Isle of Wight sold 100 acres of the Pierce purchase land to John Bardin of the Upper Parish.

 

 

In 1764, Holoday Revel and wife Grace (daughter of William Jones) of Northampton County sold to Moses Johnson of Isle of Wight 100 acres in Southampton County adjoining Thomas Jones, William Jones, Arthur Smith, and Seacock Swamp. In 1770, Moses and Mary Johnson of Nottoway Parish sold to John Johnson of Nottoway Parish 100 acres adjoining Thomas Jones, William Jones, Arthur Smith, and Seacock Swamp. Surely the Arthur Smith and/or Arthur Smith, Jr., whose names appeared in the William Bridger will were either the same as or related to the Arthur Smith who owned land adjoining Thomas and William Jones.

 

 

Since the name Arthur Smith was associated with the family of Thomas and William Jones and also associated with Ann Jones, widow of John Jones, there may have been some connection between these two Jones families. However, I have not yet found records to establish this.

 

 

Daniel Herring signed the appraisal of the estate of John Woodward (probably the son of Oliver Woodward) in 1753. The will of Daniel Herring, Sr., was recorded in 1785 in Isle of Wight. He named son Elias who was left land in Southampton County, son Daniel, son Jesse, son Mills, and daughter Martha Batten. The witnesses were William Woodard, Peter Woodward, and John George Woodward. In 1791, William Woodward, John Jones, John Woodward, Hardy Chapman, and William Woodward, Jr., witnessed the will of Mills Herring who mentioned his brothers Elias, Daniel, and Jesse Herring. Francis Young and William Bridger were the securities.

 

 

On Oct. 10, 1765, James and Sarah Bridger of Isle of Wight sold to Moses Johnson of Southampton County 95 acres in Nottoway Parish south of Seacock Swamp adjoining William Jones and Roundabout Branch, a grant to said Bridger of June 27, 1764. Moses Johnson was the son of John Johnston, both residents of Nottoway Parish in Southampton County John Johnston was the son of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., and the brother of Lydia Johnston (who married John Beal), Benjamin Johnston, Jr., and Henry Johnston, all of whom were closely associated with the Oliver Woodward family. According to William Johnston and His Descendants by Coy K. Johnston and Hugh B. Johnston:

 

On February 10, 1768, David and Selah Johnson and Sarah Jones, widow of William Jones, sold Moses Johnson for L40.0.0 current money 100 acres in Nottoway Parish adjoining Thomas Jones, Jr., Thomas Jones, Sr., Moses Johnson, and Main Seacock Swamp (land devised by William Jones to Albridgton Jones, which fell to Sarah [Selah] before she married David Johnson).......On February 10, 1757, the will of William Jones had been recorded, naming daughter Sely, wife Sarah Jones, and others.

 

 

David Johnston was the son of John Johnston, son of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., The will of William Jones mentioned above was recorded in Southampton County Also named as heirs were son and executor Britten Jones, daughter Grace Revel, and granddaughter Elizabeth Jones. The witnesses were Thomas Jones, Mary Benet, and John Bowen. On Feb. 9, 1764, Holoday Revel and wife Grace of Northampton County sold to Moses Johnson of Isle of Wight 100 acres in Southampton County adjoining Thomas Jones, William Jones, Arthur Smith, and Seacock Swamp. Holliday Revil was named as brother in the 1779 Southampton County will of Sampson Revil witnessed by Samuel Woodard and Nathan Barnes. Moses Johnston was the brother of David Johnston, both sons of John Johnston, grandsons of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., and great-grandsons of William Johnston who was the father of an illegitimate daughter, Jane, born to Philarite Woodward, daughter of Thomas Woodward, Sr.

 

Britten Jones may have been the Albridgton Jones whose land had descended to Selah, although some Jones families left records that indicate separate and distinct sons in the same family named Britain and Albridgton. (The 1727/28 will of Matthew Jones whose wife was Elizabeth Day named a son Albridgton and also a son Britton.) So Britten may not have been a shortened version of the name Albridgton after all. There is a record of an appraisal of the estate of Britain Jones by Richard Jones in Isle of Wight ordered April 5, 1759 and recorded May 3, 1759. Although the name and time frame agrees, there is nothing further in the record of help. The name Albridgton points to descent from Matthew Jones and Elizabeth Albridgton. This family of William Jones may descend in some way from Matthew Jones whose Isle of Wight will was recorded in 1728. He and his wife, Elizabeth Day, had owned land in the part of Isle of Wight that later became Southampton County very near the land held by Oliver Woodward, the Beals, Brownes, Johnstons, etc.

 

 

William Jones was named as a son in the Nov. 15, 1748 will of Thomas Jones of Newport Parish, recorded in Isle of Wight on Mar. 1, 1749. Also named were son Thomas, daughter Mary Inglish, daughter Ann Johnson (the estate which I have brought to my son-in-law Abraham Johnson), daughter Catherine Griffin, daughter Sarah Johnson, daughter Martha Johnson, son and executor Philip Jones. The witnesses were John Darden, James Johnson, Jr., and Henry Hedgepath. Philip Jones signed the appraisal which was recorded July 5, 1750. Catherine Jones was the wife of Matthew Griffin, and Martha Jones was the wife of Robert Johnson. William Johnston and his Descendants states that Abraham Johnston (son of Benjamin Johnston who was son of William Johnston, Jr., who was son of William Johnston, Sr.) lived in Halifax County, NC where he left his will dated 1789 which named "present wife" Susannah and various children by an earlier unidentified wife. Apparently the unknown first wife was Ann Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones. William Johnston and his Descendants states that Abraham Johnston had a brother named Robert Johnston who moved to Halifax County, NC and later Chatham County, NC. His wife was Tabitha Harrington, niece of Drewry Harrington of Halifax County Neither the date of his marriage to Tabitha nor even an estimated date was given. The Robert Johnson who married Martha Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones, may have married Martha Jones by 1748 and later Tabitha Harrington. Since Abraham Johnston who married Martha's sister, Ann Jones, is known to have had a brother named Robert Johnston, it is very possible that the Robert Johnson who married Martha Jones was the same as the brother of Abraham Johnston. It was not at all unusual for two brothers from one family to marry two sisters from another family.

 

Matthew Griffin whose wife was Catherine Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones and sister of Martha Jones Johnson and Ann Jones Johnson, was a witness along with Joseph Jones and Robert Carr to a 1748/49 deed by John Johnson, Sr., and John Johnson, Jr., of Isle of Wight to James Fowler for 150 acres on the Blackwater at the mouth of Deep Branch adjoining James Peden, John Johnson, Sr., the patent line, and Blackwater Swamp, from a patent of 428 acres to William Johnson of October 28, 1702. This John Johnston, Sr., was the son of William Johnston, Sr., and Sarah Griffeth; therefore, he was the half-brother of Jane Woodward, daughter of William Johnston and Philarite Woodward. John Johnston, Jr., was the son of John Johnston, Sr., He in turn was the father of a daughter, Mary Johnson Bridger, whose husband may have been a descendant of the William Bridger family.

 

The same John Johnson, son of William Johnston, Sr., and Sarah Griffeth and half-brother to Jane Woodward, purchased a tract of 75 acres in Northampton County south of Kirby's Creek on Mandue's Branch from Thomas Davis on Feb. 22, 1748. The witnesses to the deed were Joseph Johnson, Oliver Woodard (Jr.), and John Woodard.

 

I have not investigated Joseph Cobb of Northampton County to determine if he was the same as Joseph Cobb, Sr., or Joseph Cobb, Jr., who appeared in the earlier Southampton County records. I suspect there was a connection.

 

 

There is another twist to this. Dr. Jesse Browne's will was written in 1770 when, according to the 1770 map (see map section), Hertford County not only included land on the west side of the Chowan River, but also land on the east side that would now be part of Gates County and at one time had been considered part of Nansemond County before the NC/VA line was drawn in 1728. Bennett's Creek can also be found on this map rising near Somerton at the NC/VA line and emptying into the xChowan River a few miles above White's Ferry and Rockahock. From the writings of Dr. William Turner Jordan concerning lands in Nansemond County, it would seem that Dr. Samuel Browne had owned land somewhere in this vicinity which he later sold to Ezekial Powell. Since this is so near Rockahock, the John and Richard Woodward who appeared in the later Nansemond County records in association with Ezekial Powell could also be descendants of one of the Woodwards of Chowan County.

 

 

Also on the 1770 map can be found on the south side of the Nottoway River in what is now Southampton County a place labeled "Brown's Bridge". I don't know that Brown's Bridge took its name from some member of Samuel Browne's family, but the location would seem to agree. Oliver Woodward's grant was described as south of the Nottoway River. Southampton County was created from Isle of Wight County in 1749. Since the Browne land was included in the part that became Southampton County, certainly the Oliver Woodward grant that adjoined the Browne land would have also been included. There were several roads from Brown's Bridge into Northampton County where some of Oliver Woodward's descendants later lived.

 

 

The 1769 Southampton County will of John Beel (Beal) named son John Beel, son Joshua Beel, daughter Patience Beel, daughter Lydia Beel, daughter Abigail Beel, daughter Temperance Woodard, son-in-law William Fowler, and son-in-law Richard Beel. (The term "son-in-law" may or may not have referred to a daughter's husband. Sometimes the term was used to describe a step-son or adopted son.)

 

The following Isle of Wight deed seems to be referring to the same John Beal:

 

 

July 20, 1745. John Beal, Yeoman, and wife, Patience Beal, to James Fowler, Yeoman. 100 acres in the lower parish on the north side of Beaver Dam Swamp adjoining Joseph Vick, William Edwards, and John May (being part of a patent for 366 acres granted to William May on 16 Apr. 1683 who left this part to his daughter, Patience May, the now wife of John Beal. Wit. William Eley, Benjamin (x) Bradshaw, William Powell.

 

 

The 1777 Southampton County will of John Beal left to son Drury Beal land adjoining Dr. Browne and Howell Whittington, and also named son Burwell Beal, son John Beal, and wife Liddia. The executor was Joseph Johnson. John Beal of the 1777 will was the son named in the 1769 will of John Beel.

 

John Beal's wife, Liddia, was Lydia Johnston, daughter of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., Joseph Johnston was Lydia Johnston Beal's brother. Their father, Benjamin Johnston, Sr., was the son of William Johnston of Isle of Wight. Therefore, Benjamin Johnston, Sr., was a younger half-brother to Jane, Philarite Woodward's illegitimate daughter by William Johnston. Joseph Johnston and sister Lydia Johnston Beal were Jane's niece and nephew. No marriage record has been found for Jane, and it's not known if she was closely associated with her Johnston relatives or not.

 

 

The 1773 account of the estate of John Beal paid to, among others, Samuel Woodward for his wife Lydia. This must have been the daughter Lydia Beel named in the 1769 will of John Beel, and the marriage must have occurred some time between the 1769 will and the 1773 estate record. However, it is apparent from the will of John Beel of 1769 that another daughter, Temperance Beel, was the wife of another unknown Woodard. These records establish two Woodard/Woodward marriages and one Johnston marriage into the family of John Beel. Since the son John Beal who married Lydia Johnston owned land adjoining Dr. Jesse Browne who purchased the land that had been granted to Oliver Woodward, Sr., it is apparent that the Beals and Johnstons had lived near the Oliver Woodward family. Surely Temperance Beel and Lydia Beel had married descendants of Oliver Woodward.

 

 

Samuel Woodward who married Lydia Beal, daughter of John Beal and Lydia Johnston, between 1769 and 1773 was possibly the son of another Samuel Woodward and wife Martha -?- and the grandson of Oliver Woodward, Sr., The Southampton County will of Samuel Woodward dated Mar. 25, 1752 and recorded May, 1752 named sons Ruben Woodward, Charles Woodward, and wife Martha. The will also left to Henry Johnson the 120 acre plantation on which he now lives if he pays the estate 35 pounds. Wife Martha and Henry Johnson were named as executors with Daniel Johnson and Jacob Johnson as witnesses. (The records varied between "Johnson" and "Johnston.")

 

 

Again in this record we see the curious connection between Oliver Woodward's family and the Johnson/Johnston family. Henry Johnson and Jacob Johnson were also sons of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., and grandsons of William Johnston. They were brothers to Lydia Johnston Beal and Joseph Johnston of the above Beel/Beal records. George Washington, Oliver Woodward, Sr., and Benjamin Johnston, Sr., had together appraised the estate of Henry Flowers in 1727 as mentioned on p. 326.

Samuel Woodward of the 1752 Southampton County will was undoubtedly the son of Oliver Woodward, Sr., At least one additional son of this Samuel Woodward can be proven who was not named in his will. Charles Woodard of Southampton County wrote his will Oct. 28, 1780. It was proved June 1, 1781 in Southampton County He named his wife Elizabeth Woodard and sons Jesse Woodard and William Woodard. He appointed his two brothers, Josiah Vick and Samuel Woodard as executors. Therefore, Samuel Woodard who left the 1752 Southampton County was also the father of Samuel Woodard named as brother in Charles Woodard's will. Martha, the widow of Samuel Woodward who died in 1752 and mother of Charles, Samuel, and Ruben Woodward, married Richard Vick in Southampton County May 9, 1754. Josiah Vick may have been Martha's son by her Vick marriage, but the will of Richard Vick written July 23, 1757 named far more children than could have been born in the three years they were married prior to the writing of the will. Josiah Vick may have been only the stepbrother to Samuel Woodard, Charles Woodard, and Ruben Woodard. Probably the Samuel Woodard named as brother in the will of Charles Woodard was the husband of Lydia Beal. The Richard Vick will named friend Jesse Brown as one of the executors. I couldn't help but wonder if Jesse Woodard, son of Charles Woodard, might have been named for Dr. Jesse Browne.

 

The will of Richard Vick of Nottoway Parish was written July 23, 1757 and recorded Aug. 10, 1758. He named wife Martha, son Josiah, daughter Patty, son Arthur, son Jacob, son Richard, son William, and son Joshua. The executors were friends Jesse Brown and Albridgton Jones. The witnesses were Joseph Newsum, Henry Johnson, and George Gurley, Jr., An account of Richard Vick's estate examined by R. Kello and D. Fisher, signed by Albridgton Jones, extr., and recorded Aug. 14, 1766 stated that the same amount was paid to Alice, Jesse, and Thomas Edwards, and that the widow, Martha Vick, was paid her part of the estate.

 

 

According to William Johnston and His Descendants, Henry Johnson/Johnston who was left land and named as an executor in Samuel Woodward's Southampton County will was a son of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., and a grandson of William Johnston, Sr., The book states that Joseph Johnston (brother of Henry Johnston who was named in the will of Samuel Woodward) was the father of children including Martha "Patty" Johnston (untraced) and Olive Johnston. Henry Johnson was a witness to the will of Richard Vick whose wife was Martha (previously the wife of Samuel Woodward). Josiah Vick was named as a son, but may have been born by an earlier marriage rather than by Martha. Olive Johnston married Richard Doyel in 1786 in Southampton County with the permission of her guardian, Josiah Vick. It had occurred to me that Martha Johnston might have been the wife of Samuel Woodward and later the wife of Richard Vick. But the span of years make this difficult to believe. Martha's first marriage to Samuel Woodward was probably in the 1740's. Unless Olive was only a half-sister, it would be impossible for Martha to have had a sister who still required a guardian in 1786. Benjamin Johnston, Jr., another brother of Henry Johnston and Joseph Johnston, also had a daughter named Martha who is untraced. That Martha's brother, Joshua Johnston, moved to Northampton County where he was associated with other sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., (see p. 336), and later to Wake County where he left a deed selling land in Southampton County on the Nottoway Swamp to Albridgton Jones in 1784. Since Henry Johnston was prominent in the wills of both of Martha's husbands (Samuel Woodward and Richard Vick), I suspect Martha was probably a Johnston, possibly an unknown daughter, sister, or niece of Henry Johnston.

 

A Richard Vick had owned land in Isle of Wight County as early as 1731 when John Howell of NC deeded to John Underwood of Isle of Wight land on Popes Branch adjoining Joseph Lane, the Nottoway Indians, and Richard Vick. The deed was witnessed by Thomas Williams and Thomas Jarrell.

 

 

Three other sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., Joseph Woodward, John Woodward, and Oliver Woodward, Jr., also left records in Northampton Co, NC involving the same Johnston family. (The second "W" in these Woodwards was occasionally used and eventually dropped. The "T" in Johnston similarly appeared and disappeared in the various records.) In 1746, Joseph Woodard sold 150 acres on the southeast side of Kirby's Creek to Joseph Johnson. On Jan. 13, 1747/48, Samuel Strickland sold 75 acres south of Kirby's Creek from a 1723 grant to Thomas Mandue to Joseph Johnston of Northampton County The deed was witnessed by Joseph Woodard, Oliver Woodard (Jr.), and John Dew. In 1748, John Johnson of Isle of Wight purchased 75 acres on the south side of Kirbey's Creek from Thomas Davies (or Davis) adjoining the head of a small branch, Mandue's branch. The witnesses to this deed were Oliver Woodard (Jr.), John Woodard, and Joseph Johnson. In 1751, Peter Johnson of Northampton County sold to Joseph Woodard 160 acres adjoining a small branch of Kerbey Creek. The deed was witnessed by Benjamin Cobb, Arthur Stevens, and Oliver Woodard (Jr.). Joseph Woodard and Joshua Johnson witnessed the 1757 deed from Thomas Liles, Sr., to Johnson Corbitt. In 1773, Joseph Woodard and wife Elizabeth sold 200 acres adjoining Joshua Johnson and Johnson Corbitt to Thomas Penny. In 1780, Joseph Johnston, Sr., planter, of Northampton County, sold 75 acres south on Kirby's Creek to Joseph Johnston, Jr., witnessed by Micajah Woodard and Benjamin Woodard. The 1788 Northampton County will of Joseph Johnston, Sr., was witnessed by Joseph Woodard. There were numerous other Woodard/Woodward deeds in Northampton County, but these demonstrate the Johnston connection.

 

 

Benjamin Woodard was named as a son in the 1787 Northampton County will of Joseph Woodard. Benjamin left records in Bladen County and eventually moved to Johnston County where he left his will. Although Joseph Woodard's will named several other sons and daughters, Micajah Woodard was not mentioned although he was a witness to the will. One of the daughters named in Joseph Woodard's will was Elizabeth Morgan. In 1785, Joseph Woodard, Timothy Morgan, and Solomon Smith witnessed a deed from John Gay, Sr., planter, of Northampton County, to Micajah Woodard for 200 acres on the north side of Kerby's Creek. The 1784-87 census listed Micajah Woodward's household as consisting of 1M over 21, 2M under 21, and 4F. Micajah Woodard later moved to Davidson County, TN where he left his will dated July 20, 1808. A group sheet at Archives gives his name as Micajah Woodward and states his wife was Mary -?-, and his children were Elizabeth (married Jeremiah Grizzard), Jeremiah, Polly (married Mr. Rutherford), Lewis, Micajah, Joseph, Sally (married Mr. Fly), and Ann who died before Aug. 22, 1808. His father has not been proven, but it appears likely that he was a grandson of Oliver Woodward, Sr., and probably a nephew or unproven son of Joseph Woodard. (He was not the same as Micajah Woodard who appeared later in Johnston County records; that Micajah was referred to in one record as the orphan of Elisha Woodard.) Certainly the sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., were closely associated with the Johnstons, and there is evidence that this association may trace back to earlier generations.

 

 

Joseph Woodard wrote his will on Feb. 19, 1787; it was recorded in Sept., 1791 in Northampton County He named sons Joseph Woodard, Jr., (executor) and Benjamin Woodard, and daughters Mary Farrow, Elizabeth Morgan, Ann Griffin, Sally Woodard, and Cherry Woodard. Each of his children were left one shilling except Joseph who was left 75 acres, livestock, tools, and various household items. No provision was made for his wife, so she was probably deceased. Micajah Woodard and Matthew Inman were the witnesses.

 

 

The compiler of the group sheet at Archives for the family of Micajah Woodard stated that Micajah is believed to have been a son of Joseph Woodard. Although he did live nearby and was a witness to Joseph's will, I doubt that he was a son. Joseph named each of his children in his will, although all but one were left only one shilling. This was often done so that no child could protest the will by claiming that he or she had been accidentally forgotten. If Joseph went through the formality of naming each of the other children although he really wasn't leaving them anything, why would he have left out a son, especially with Micajah right there witnessing the will? Joseph's brothers, Oliver and John, also left records in Northampton County I personally believe that Micajah was more likely the son of one of them, probably Oliver since John seems to have died about 1752 leaving only one son also named John Woodward. (See p. 329) The 1884-87 Northampton County census listed an Oliver Woodward whose household consisted on 1M over 21, 1M under 21, 1F, and 5 slaves. In 1800, he was again listed in Northampton County This time the family consisted of 1M over 45, 1M 10 to 16, 1M under 10, 1F 26 to 45, 1F 16-26, 3F under 10, and 4 slaves. I'm not sure if this was the son of Oliver Woodward, Sr., or a grandson. I have found no records that reflect the death of Oliver Woodward, Jr., in Northampton County, so I have no way of knowing if he was still living as late as 1790 or not.

 

 

In 1761, Simon Woodward, Mary Woodward, and Elizabeth Gurley witnessed the will of James Wright in Southampton County, VA. Simon Woodard witnessed the 1784 Northampton County, NC will of William Jones. The 1784-87 census listed Simon Woodward in Northampton County His household consisted of 1male over 21 and 2 females. It seems very possible that he was another descendant of Oliver Woodward, Sr., since he appeared in not one, but two counties associated with that family.

 

 

In 1727, George Washington, Oliver Woodward, and Benjamin Johnston appraised the estate of Henry Flowers. George Washington witnessed the 1740 will of Oliver Woodward, Sr., George Washington witnessed the will of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., in 1764 and was one of three men who inventoried his estate in 1767. Similarly, George Washington witnessed the 1773 will of Job Johnston, son of Benjamin Johnston, Sr., Another witness to Oliver Woodward, Sr.'s will was Thomas Alling (Allen). In 1741, Benjamin Johnston, Sr., Thomas Drake, Sr., and George Washington appraised the estate of Thomas Allen. Since these records involving George Washington cover a span of 46 years, there may be two different men by the same name involved, but probably they were of the same family.

 

In 1754, Richard Vick married Martha, widow of Samuel Woodward of the 1752 Southampton County, VA will, the son of Oliver Woodward, Sr., Richard Vick of Nottoway Parish left his 1757 will naming wife Martha, sons Josiah Vick, Richard Vick, and other children. One of the witnesses was Henry Johnston who had been named as executor and heir in the 1752 will of Samuel Woodward. In 1774, John Johnston, son of Henry Johnson/Johnston, and his wife, Celea, sold 210 acres adjoining Duke, Horsepen Swamp, Richard Vick, Stephen Johnson, and Richard Ricks. In 1785, John and Celah Johnston of Nottoway Parish sold to Hardy Pope 320 acres on the south side of the Nottoway River including a 120 acre tract which was left to his father by Samuel Woodward. A part of this 320 acres included land which had been deeded to Thomas Jarrell by Samuel Woodward. In 1769, John Johnston of Southampton County sold to Richard Ricks "all my part of the neck well known by the name of Cockes neck" on Nottoway River and "a peace of land chiefly cleared & tended by the said Richard Ricks about two years past" for "a fishing place being the place known by the name of the great oak formerly the property of Colo. Thomas Jarrell". The deed was witnessed by William Taylor, James Moore, and William Spivey.

 

Thomas Jarrell was named as brother-in-law in the 1735 will of Matthew Kinchen whose sister was Elizabeth Kinchen, mother of William Jones and wife of first Joseph Jones, second Joseph Exum, and third another Joseph Jones. Mathew Kinchen's will also proved that his sister, Patience Kinchen, was the wife of Etheldred Taylor and the mother of William Taylor. Dr. Jesse Browne's daughter, Ridley Browne, married Kinchen Taylor. Jesse Browne's 1779 will also mentioned slaves he had bought of William Taylor. In 1728, William Kinchen, either the father or brother of Matthew Kinchen, sold land on the Meherrin River and Kirby Creek to John Farror. Descendants of Oliver Woodward were later associated with the John Farror/John Farrow land in the same location in Northampton County The 1749 Edgecombe County will of William Pope named a grandson, William Taylor, but I have no information how or if he relates to William Taylor, son of Etheldred Taylor and Patience Kinchen. The 1779 Southampton County will of John Johnston, Sr., (probated 1794) mentioned William Pope as his son-in-law. One of the witnesses was Sally Jarrell. This William Pope's estate was appraised in 1783.

 

 

In 1774, Joseph Woodard, Arthur Edwards, and Benjamin Johnson, Jr., witnessed the Isle of Wight will of Richard Braswell. Joseph Woodard, Joshua Johnston, brother of Benjamin Johnston, Jr., witnessed a Northampton County deed in 1757 from Thomas Liles, Sr., to Johnson Corbit. In 1781, Joshua Johnston sold Moses Johnston 150 acres south of Black Creek above Pindars ford in Johnston County In 1778, Joshua Johnston entered 550 acres in Wake County on the south side of Walnut Creek on the Fall Branch adjoining Christopher Curtis, James Hendon, James Brackin, and Silas Green. In 1788, he sold 480 acres in Wake County south of Walnut Creek with the same four neighbors to William Ridley. In 1784, Joshua Johnston and Sarah Johnston of Wake County sold Albridgeton Jones 137 acres in Southampton County which had been left by his father, Benjamin Johnston, to Jesse Johnston, and at Jesse's death, had descended to his brother, Joshua. In 1790, he was listed on the Johnston County census. Albridgeton Jones was the son of Matthew Jones and Elizabeth Day, widow of Nathaniel Ridley. Albridgeton's father, Matthew Jones, owned land adjoining Dr. Samuel Browne which he left to his daughter, Margaret. Dr. Jesse Browne's wife was a daughter of Nathaniel Ridley and Elizabeth Day, therefore the stepdaughter of Matthew Jones. The Walnut Creek land was not far from Christopher Wodward's lands. Silas Green was the uncle of Needham Green who married Pleasants Woodward's daughter, China Woodward. I have never found any records which mentioned Joshua Johnston in association with Christopher Woodward or any of his children.

 

 

The records concerning Oliver Woodward, Sr.'s family and Nicholas Tyner's family (some records were spelled Tiner) lead to some interesting deeds involving families that lived in Chowan and Bertie Counties and other families that later lived in Wake County and were close neighbors to Christopher Woodward.

 

 

Chowan County originally included land on both the east and west sides of the Chowan River. Later Bertie County was formed from the land on the western side, and still later Edgecombe and Northampton Counties were formed from parts of Bertie County.

 

The Mar. 1, 1719/20 Chowan County patents to William Woodward and Samuel Woodward for 640 acres each were described as adjoining Edward Woodward, Caleb Stevens, John Wyate, David Ambrose, and Edward Patchet (or Patchitt or Padgett). Although I have never found a record for a patent to Edward Woodward, I have found records that indicate his land adjoined the same neighbors. The Woodward patents were located in the area called Rockahock Neck on the east side of the Chowan River at the head of Gaulberry Pocosin and at the mouth of Cedar Swamp and west of Edenton along the Rockahock Creek. Luke White's ferry crossing was located a few miles north of these patents with Indian Town Creek a little north of White's Ferry

 

On Apr. 12, 1716, only three years before the patents were issued, Nicholas Tiner of Isle of Wight, VA sold 150 acres in Chowan Precinct between Rockahock Creek and the Indian road to David Ambross (Ambrose) of Chowan Precinct. Samuel Woodward II had been present in Chowan County since at least 1713 and probably earlier. It seems likely that his lands were probably near the land that was patented in 1719/20 to Samuel and Edward Woodward and adjoined Edward Woodward's land and David Ambrose's land. Since Nicholas Tyner owned the land that later belonged to David Ambrose and adjoined the Woodward patents, surely the family of Samuel Woodward II was acquainted with Nicholas Tyner. A 1715 deed from Nicholas Tiner of --- Co, VA to John Nairn of Albemarle County was a letter of attorney "to recover debts for me". Witnesses included Edward Padgett who also owned land that adjoined the 1719 Woodward patents. (In 1716 this same John Nairn presented a letter of attorney from Sarah Sturdivant which may have been an indication of the death of Samuel Woodward II. This record is discussed under Samuel Woodward.) Although I could not find land labeled Woodward or Tyner on any of the early maps I have seen, it is interesting that on present maps there is a town in Chowan County named Tynor located a few miles northeast of the present town of Rockahock. I have no idea if the town was named for the Tyner family or not.

 

Nicholas Tyner left his will dated 1752 in Northampton County At that time, Northampton County included land west of the Chowan River as well as land east of the Chowan River which later became Gates County Prior to 1728, this land known as St. Paul's Parish was considered part of Nansemond County Perhaps Nicholas Tyner's home was just north of Rockahock in St. Paul's Parish. If so, at the time of the 1715 deed to John Nairn, Nicholas Tyner would have been a resident of Nansemond County, VA.

 

Nicholas Tyner also appeared on several deeds in Bertie County purchasing and selling land on Little Swamp near the land held by James Sanders. (See p. 279.)

 

An Isle of Wight deed is very interesting from several aspects:

 

 

Dec. 2, 1747. James McCleney of Edgecombe County in NC to John Darden of Newport Parish in Isle of Wight. 100 acres (being a part of a patent for 400 acres granted to John Watkins, dec'd. on Apr. 23, 1681 and sold by Nicholas Tiner to Thomas Powell who sold it to said McCleney. This land also part of patents of both William Powell and John Powell) on the S. side of Bows and Arrows Swamp and adjoining John Watkins, John Powell, Col. Bridger, and Browning Branch. Wit. John Watkins, Hardy Darden, John (x) Nelms.

 

A John Watkins was the father of an illegitimate child by Sally Woodward, daughter of Joseph Woodward of Northampton County There are indications of a Clenney/McClenney connection to the family of Jordan Woodward. John Darden deeded to Hardy Darden 2000 acres on the north side of Currawaugh Swamp and Reedy Branch in 1775. John Darden's wife was a daughter of Hugh Giles who was a son of John Giles and Philarite Woodward. John Darden's sister or half- sister had married Thomas Giles, either the brother or son of John Giles. Jacob Darden's 1719 Isle of Wight will mentions my daughter's child, Thomas Giles' child, but does not name the daughter who was apparently deceased. Neither the child's name or sex was mentioned. Jacob Darden also named, among others, a son John Darden.

 

 

In 1699, a Nicholas Tiner sold land to James Curlee on the southwest side of the Chowan River. In 1724, William Curlee and wife Martha sold 400 acres on the south side of Ahotskey Swamp in Bertie County to Thomas Bird. In 1728, James Sanders sold 300 acres on Horse Swamp adjoining Jacob Lewis at Howard's Swamp to Robert Warren. William Curlee was a witness. Another later deed referring to the same 300 acres was more specific:

 

 

Bertie Co, NC deed. James Sanders of Edgecombe Prct. to Peleg Rodgers. 300 acres all interest in said land to Rogers on Horse Swamp adjoining Jacob Lewis, Edward Howard, Robert Lanier. In consideration of apparent error in deed from Sanders to Robert Warren dated Feb. 13, 1728. Deed of same land to Sanders dated Feb. 7, 1725 from John Howard. Wit. John Crickett, Edward Outlaw. Aug. 11, 1734

 

 

Horse Swamp seems to have had several variant names. I have found a number of other deeds which referred to land on Ahorskey Swamp, Horskey Swamp, Ahotsky Swamp, and several other similar variations. Some of the deeds I have found for land on Ahotsky Swamp mentioned the same families that lived on Horse Swamp. Since Ahotsky Swamp was sometimes referred to as Ahorskey or Horskey Swamp, it would seem that Horse Swamp was another variation. If Ahotskey Swamp and Horse Swamp were not the same, the two swamps (creeks) were certainly in the same general area. This will be important in determining families that lived within near proximity to each other. According to the 1770 map, Ahotskey Swamp was located east of the Roanoke River and west of the Chowan River between the Weccanuse Creek (also called the Wicocon Creek) and the Cashie River. The present town of Ahoskie is located in the area, and I would assume the name came from the swamp.

 

 

Compare the following deeds to the 1734 deed for James Sanders given previously:

 

 

Bertie Co, NC deed. Richard Williams and wife Martha to James Howard. 6 lbs. for 200 acres betwixt Ahotsky & Catawhitskey Swamps adjoining Joseph Jones, Edward Howard. Patent dated Apr. 6, 1722. Wit. John Sutton, James Sauders (Sanders?), Joseph Howard. Nov. 13, 1723

 

Bertie Co, NC deed. James Howard and wife Sarah to Alexander Brayson. 440 acres timber on branch adjoining Robert Lanier, Edward Howard, Joseph Jones, John Jones, Jr, John Jones, Sr., Wit. William Cranford, James Moore, James Sanders. Nov. 12, 1723 (Another abstract for this same deed gives "on Timber Br", Alexander Brayson "of North Britain")

 

 

According to the first deed, Ahotsky Swamp (Horse Swamp) was near Catawhitskey Swamp. On a 1733 map, I found Catawisky Creek branching off to the northwest from the Meherrin Creek just north of the 1733 location of the Bertie County Courthouse. If the swamp took its name for the creek, then Catawisky Swamp would have been north of Ahotsky Swamp, both in Bertie Precinct between the Roanoke River and the Chowan River.

 

 

Although the following deed does not seem to be the same land that James Sanders purchased from John Howard in 1725, it is certainly referring to nearby land.

 

 

Bertie Co, NC deed. James Howard and wife Sarah to James Sanders. 300 acres on Horse Swamp at Lewis corner adjoining Edward Howard, Robert Lanier. Wit. Richard Oldner(?), Thomas Betterly. May 11, 1725

 

 

The Tiner/Tyner family had held land in the Chowan County and Bertie County area for many years. Part of that land seems to have adjoined the Rockahock land on the east side of the Chowan River that was patented by the Woodwards in 1719 - the land Nicholas Tyner sold to David Ambrose. Tyner land on the west side of the Chowan River was sold to the Curlee family. Later deeds prove that a William Curlee lived on Ahotsky/Horse Swamp. Since William Curlee was a witness for James Sanders who also owned land on Ahotsky/Horse Swamp, it's probable that the Tyner land that was sold to James Curlee in 1699 was in the same general vicinity. I have not traced the Curlee family to try to determine if the land that William Curlee owned was inherited from James Curlee. The name Curlee is rather unusual, and it certainly seems a reasonable assumption that James Curlee and William Curlee were kin and lived near each other.

 

 

William Cranford appeared as witness on several records involving James Sanders. His name seems to have been transcribed in the abstracts sometimes as Cranford and sometimes as Crawford. I'm not sure which is correct, but I believe William Cranford and William Crawford were probably the same man. The next three deeds are good examples. Also notice the repitition of the name John Williams.

 

Chowan Precinct, NC deed. Samuel Woodward and wife Elizabeth to Isaac Lelender. Land on SW side of Stoping Creek, lower part of tract surveyed by John White, Sr., and sold to Francis Cambridge. Aug. 4, 1713. Wit. William Cranford

(Note: I have seen other abstracts which used the name Zehender instead of Lelender.)

 

 

Chowan Precinct, NC deed. John Howcott and wife Mary to Samuel Woodward. 50 acres joining a Pocosin and a swamp. Wit. John Williams, William Crawford. Apr. 5, 1718

 

 

Chowan Precinct, NC deed. Luke White of Chowan County to John Williams. 250 acres on Chowan River between where Luke White now lives and Thomas Crank. Wit. William Crawford, John Williams. July 15, 1718

 

 

John Williams to Samuel Woodward. Williams assigned land bought of Luke White July 15, 1718 to Samuel Woodward. Wit. John Smith, Robert Hicks. Aug. 13, 1718

 

 

In 1720, Samuel Woodward received a land grant at Horse Landing on the Chowan River. Luke White had received a land grant at Horse Landing on the Chowan River in 1718.

 

 

Was Horse Landing in some way connected with Horse Swamp? I have not had any luck finding other references to Horse Landing. Was Horse Swamp on the west side of the river with Horse Landing the location of the ferry landing on the east side? Luke White ran the ferry at Rockahock. On the 1733 map, White's Ferry is located south of Indian Town Creek (also called Catharine's Creek) and north of the Rockahock Creek. This map also shows a road running northwest from Edenton to White's Ferry. The road crossed Rockahock Creek where the creek branched into two forks. One of the deeds for Samuel Woodward's land described his land as being located at Rick Neck at the fork in the Rockahock Creek. This road must have run through or very near Samuel Woodward's land. On the west side of the Chowan River directly across from White's Ferry, the road continued in a west-north-west direction, crossing the Weccanuse Creek and continuing on past the location of the Bertie Courthouse. At the courthouse it then curved and continued west-south-west toward the Roanoke River where it curved again and ran northwest following the river. Travel between Rockahock Neck in Chowan County and Ahotsky Swamp in Bertie County should not have been difficult with such a road connecting the two locations.

 

 

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

 

 

Samuel Woodward and wife Elizabeth to Isaac Lelender. Land on SW side of Stoping Creek, lower part of tract surveyed by John White, Sr., and sold to Francis Cambridge. Aug. 4, 1713. Wit. William Cranford

 

 

Since wife Elizabeth is given here, this was certainly Samuel Woodward II and wife Elizabeth Hudson. Both Samuel Woodward II and William Williams had owned and sold land that traced back to John White. Although I don't know the exact relationship, John White was no doubt of some kin to Luke White. The names John and Luke repeated frequently in the White family of Chowan County, and members of the White family appeared on many records involving the Woodwards of Chowan County

 

 

At least part of John White's holdings, the part he sold to William Williams, came from a patent by Lewis Williams. Possibly the land sold by Samuel Woodward did too since it also traced back to John White, but that deed did not state if the land was part of the same property that John White had obtained from Lewis Williams. Prior to Lewis Williams, the land traces back to Thomas Woodward, Sr., of Isle of Wight.

 

 

Although I could not find an exact date for this entry in the Executive Council minutes, I would estimate it to be aout 1699-1700:

 

Petition to President & Council NC ss to the Honorable President & Council - Lewis Williams humbly sheweth that Thomas Woodard died seized of certain lands on W side of Chowan River in the government and did not dispose of same in his life time and hath no heir whereby the land escheats to the Lords proprietor the petitioner prays that a warrant may be directed to the escheator to inquire into the same & that it may be granted to the petitioner.

 

W Glover Clerk Council

 

 

Thomas Woodward, Sr.'s will left land to his son Thomas Woodward, Jr., and daughter Philarite Woodward (later the wife of John Giles) with the stipulation that "if it fortune that my Sonn die without Issue, then his land to descend to his Sister Phillaritte." That is apparently what happened. Thomas Woodward, Sr., had a number of other children who survived him and were to receive "the rest of my estate", but he seems to have left them no land except for daughter Katherine who was left a parcel of land adjoining John Fulgham in Isle of Wight. A later deed refers to Philarite as "only heir", probably because she eventually came into possession of all of Thomas Woodward, Sr.'s lands excepting Katherine's part. At any rate, according to the next deed, Lewis Williams did obtain at least part of the Thomas Woodward lands.

 

 

John Giles and wife Phillawta of Isle of Wight County, VA deeded to Lewis Williams 500 acres granted to Thomas Woodward on Sept. 16, 1663. Apr. 9, 1701.

 

 

Lewis Williams and Mary Williams his wife to John White. Assign and make over our whole right and title to this Pattin. Wit. Denis Macklendin, John Smith, Thomas Marke. Sept. 6, 1700

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

 

 

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 Bellamee, Jane Broune. Dec. 7, 1703

 

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(?) Dec. 13, 1703

 

 

According to a 1770 map, Sandy Run was on the west side of Ahotsky Swamp and flowed southwest into the Roanoke River.

 

 

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. Dec. 21, 1714. Acknowledged at Court Jan. 18, 1714 by Edward Bryan, attorney for Thomas Giles.

 

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

 

Thomas Bray appeared on a number of records with Samuel Woodward. Bray married Martha Pollock, daughter of Thomas Pollock and Martha Cullen. He was quite a bit older than Martha and may have been married previously. I have no records for a possible earlier wife. According to Burke's, he was the Boundary Commissioner. Some records state he was from Isle of Wight; however, in 1719 in Chowan Prct., Thomas Bray of James City County gave power of attorney "to act for me from court to court" to Thomas Henman. One of the witnesses was John Pursell.

 

 

Does the last deed from Samuel Woodward to Mary Williams refer to the land purchased by Lewis Williams that was originally Thomas Woodward's land? What a shame "this sale" wasn't explained. Could Samuel Woodward have held some claim to the Thomas Woodward lands? Or was this referring to something else?

 

 

Refer back to the 1703 deed from Lewis Williams and wife Mary to Denis Macklenden. This land at Mt. Pleasant was also described as being at the mouth of Cabin Branch.

 

 

On Aug. 24, 1703 Jonathan Robinson patented 200 acres in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County, VA "on head of a br. of Chowan River, commonly called the Cabbin Branch." Samuel Woodward was one of the headrights. Could this have been the same Samuel Woodward who later owned land in Chowan County?

 

 

On Apr. 17, 1667 Thomas Woodward, Jr., was granted a patent for 1100 acres upon the Blackwater in Isle of Wight or Nansemond County toward the head of the Chawonock River including the old Indian feild called Mountsack. On Apr. 20, 1682 John Giles was granted a patent for this same land in Isle of Wight or Nansemond County including the Indian Feild called Mountsack, granted to Thomas Woodward, Jr., on Apr. 17, 1667 and deserted. It again was described in this patent as toward the head of the Chawanock River.

 

 

On Apr. 24, 1682, John Perry was granted a patent for 320 acres near Humphry Griffin in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County for transporting seven persons including Rowland Williams and Samuel Woodward.

 

 

According to Vestry Minutes of St. Paul's Parish, Chowan County, NC 1701-1776 by Raymond Parker Fouts, St. Paul's Parish adjoined the Upper Parish of Nansemond County After the NC/VA boundary was drawn in 1728, Chowan County acquired the former Nansemond County lands now lying in Gates County, NC.

 

 

This means that deeds for these lands in present Gates County located just north of Chowan County would have been recorded in Nansemond County prior to 1728. The Nansemond County records were destroyed by fire. Because of the loss of the Nansemond County records, it's impossible to prove if Samuel Woodward who left the records there was the same as Samuel Woodward II who owned land in Chowan County by 1713. However, because of the references to Cabin Branch, it certainly appears possible.

 

Thomas Giles of ye County 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). Dec. 12, 1714

 

 

The above deed indicates that Samuel Woodward (Jr., or III?) was involved as a witness to the transfer of land that had originally been granted to Thomas Woodward Sr., of Isle of Wight, and was acquainted with Thomas Giles, the grandson of Thomas Woodward, Sr., Samuel Woodward III later owned land on the west side of the Chowan River, and it's possible that some of the land he owned had previously been part of the land that was granted to Thomas Woodward, Sr., Sorting out this land is quite a tangle.

 

 

According to the Jonathan Robinson patent, Cabin Branch was in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County The Lewis Williams deed also referred to the Thomas Woodward lands called Mt. Pleasant as being located at the mouth of Cabin Branch. A 1754 Granville grant to William Kinchen, Sr., of Northampton County Esq. was described as on the N side of Swift Creek on Gideon's Branch joining Thomas Floyd, Great Meadow, and Cabin Branch. (The Granville grants included several counties. The county in which this land was located wasn't stated, but it may have been in early Edgecombe County) Were all of these the same Cabin Branch or were there several Cabin Branches? I suppose any stream with a cabin built on it could have picked up that name.

 

 

Mt. Pleasant, Wixes Folly, Poplar Branch, Cabin Branch, Long Branch, Wicocon Creek, Damsel Branch, Woodward's Creek, and Sandy Run were all names of locations associated with the Thomas Woodward lands. Several of these locations were mentioned on other deeds.

 

 

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

 

 

Notice the references here to Horse Swamp, Long Branch, and Woodward's Creek. Compare this deed to the 1703 Denis Macklenden deeds on p. ***. The Macklenden deeds clearly trace back to Thomas Woodward, Sr., Many of the previously mentioned families owned land on or near Horse or Ahotsky Swamp. The Aaron Oliver deed above indicates that Woodward's Creek and Long Branch which were mentioned in the descriptions of Thomas Woodward's land were located on or near Horse Swamp/Ahotsky Swamp. To add a little more interest, consider these deeds that place the Utley, Lane, and Pope families in the same vicinity on Long Branch as well. At the time of these deeds, Edgecombe County and Northampton County had been formed from Bertie County

 

 

Edgecombe County, NC deed. William Carter son of George Carter decd. of Edgecombe County to Joseph Lane of Edgecombe Co Esq. 16 pounds current money of VA. 200 acres at the mouth of Scots branch on the S side of Beech Swamp as by patent to George Carter Nov. 20, 1739. Wit. Henry Pope, William Utley. 8/22/1749. Reg. Edgecombe County Nov. Ct., 1749.

 

 

Edgecombe County, NC deed. Thomas Moy of Edgecombe County to Henry Pope of Edgecombe County 45 pounds of current money of VA. 104 acres in the fork of Long Branch on the S side of Beech Swamp joining Wm. Murphey's former land, the branch & the swamp, all houses, orchards etc. as by patent to Wm. Murphy Nov. 6, 1730. Wit. Joseph Lane, Wm. Utley. Aug. 5, 1751. Reg. Edgecombe County Aug. Ct., 1751.

 

 

Edgecombe County, NC deed. Wm. Utley of Edgecombe County, planter, to John Turbufield of Edgecombe County 18 pounds current money of VA. 188 acres joining Murphey, Long Branch and Impassable swamp, all houses, orchards etc, a grant to said Utley. Wit. Henry Pope, Thomas Lane. Apr. 28, 1753. Reg. Edgecombe County May Ct., 175

Edgecombe County, NC deed. Joseph Turbefield of Edgecombe County, planter, to Walter Turbefield of Edgecombe Co, planter. 15 pounds current money of VA. 100 acres in Murphey's pocosin, all houses, orchards etc., a Granville grant to William Utley Apr. 27, 1753. Wit. John Gunter, Bryant O'Quin. Aug. 15, 1754. Reg. Edgecombe County Aug. Ct., 1754

 

According to the Richard Williams deed of 1723 to James Howard given on p. 340, Catawhitskey Swamp was near Ahotsky/Horse Swamp. On Jan. 31, 1743/4, Oliver Woodward (Jr.) of Isle of Wight deeded to James Tiner of Northampton County land at Catawisca Meadow. On the same date James Tyner of Northampton County deeded to Oliver Woodward (Jr.) land which traced back to Thomas Mandew and John Farrow patents on Corriroy Swamp in Northampton County A few months later James Tyner of Craven County (he must have recently left Northampton County) deeded to Joseph Woodward of Isle of Wight land on Corriroy Swamp which also traced back to Mandew and Farrow patents. It was apparently on this land that Oliver Woodward, Jr., John Woodward, and Joseph Woodward settled since later deeds referred to their land on Corriroy Swamp. All were sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., Surely Catawisca Meadow took its name from the swamp. Since Catawiska Swamp was near Horse/Ahotskey Swamp, it seems that although Oliver Woodward, Jr., was living in Isle of Wight in 1743/4, he owned land relatively near Horse/Ahotskey Swamp.

 

An earlier deed would seem to reflect the same land that James Tyner sold to Joseph Woodward in 1744. William Kinchen sold to John Farror 100 acres in Bertie County on the Meherrin River and Kirbey's Creek adjoining Thomas Mandew in 1728. The deed was witnessed by Needham Bryan and Andrew Ireland. Needham Bryan's second wife, Sarah, is said to have been Sarah Woodward whom he married in 1753. She may have been Sarah, the widow of -?- Pursell and Samuel Woodward III of Chowan County who died in 1752.

 

These same lands that were once held by Thomas Mandew and John Farrow/Farror have an interesting history that involves the Giles and Smelly families, a William Woodward, and the sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., John and Robert Smelly descended from Thomas Giles, believed to be either the brother or son of John Giles, husband of Philarite Woodward. John Smelly's daughter, Jean Smelly, married a William Woodward before 1764. (See p. 353) Northampton County was formed in 1741 from Bertie County, so the deeds appear under both counties.

 

 

Benjamin Joyner to John Smelley. 100 acres on the north side of Kirbey's Creek, part of a 200 acre patent dated Apr. 1, 1723 adjoining Robert Smelly and John Farrow. Wit. Robert Smelly, William Smelly, George Bunten. Dated Nov. 6, 1734. Bertie County

 

 

John Farrow to John Smelley. 50 acres on the south side of Meherrin River and Kirby Creek, part of a 200 acre patent to John Farrow dated Apr. 1, 1723. Wit. Robert Smelley, Benjamin Joyner, George Bunten. Dated Aug. 9, 1736. Recorded Aug., 1736. Bertie County

 

 

Robert Smelly and Elizabeth Smelly of Northampton County to John Jones. 150 acres on the north side of Kirbey Creek joining William Phillips, part of a patent to me for 520 acres. Wit. Oliver Woodard, Robert Monger, John Smelly. Dated Aug. 26, 1751. Northampton County

 

 

Robert Smelly of Northampton County to Arthur Stevenson. 300 acres on Corriroy Swamp adjoining John Woodard and John Smelly, part of 160 acres granted to said Smelly in 1749. Wit. John Smelly. Dated Oct. 17, 1752. Northampton County

 

 

Arthur Stevenson of Northampton County to Jno. Austin Finnie. 100 acres on Corroroy Swamp part of a 150 acre purchase of Oliver Woodard. Dated Feb. 28, 1753. Northampton County

 

Arthur Stevenson of Northampton County to Jno. Austin Finnie. 300 acres on Corriroy Swamp adjoining John Woodard and John Smelly, part of a deed to Smelly dated 1749. Dated Feb. 28, 1753. Northampton County

 

 

Because of the close association between John Smelly and the sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., in Northampton County, I suspect that the William Woodward who married John Smelly's daughter, Jean, was probably a son of one of these Northampton County Woodwards. Oliver Woodard, Jr., would be the most likely candidate.

 

 

It appears that through the years, the land near Horse Swamp and Long Branch and Catawiska Swamp had been associated with Thomas Woodward, John Giles and wife Philarite Woodward and son Thomas Giles, Lewis Williams, Dennis Macklendon (or McLenden), Samuel Woodward II, Nicholas Tyner and son James Tyner, John and Edward Howcutt, John White and possibly Luke White, James Sanders, William Utley, Joseph Lane, Oliver Woodward, Jr., and probably Samuel Woodward III. The only missing ingredient is Christopher Woodward. Where was he?

 

 

Some of the Lewis Williams land came down another way as proven by the Bertie County deeds. In 1738, John Patchett of Craven Prct. deeded 100 acres on the N side of the W fork of Poplar Run to William Perry. The land formerly belonged to Lewis Jones bequeathed to him by his grandfather Lewis Williams, dec'd. Also in 1738, James Barfield deeded 100 acres to William Perry on the N side of the W fork of Poplar Branch near Catewitskey Marsh, the land again formerly belonging to Lewis Jones bequeathed to him by his grandfather Lewis Williams, dec'd.

 

 

Nicholas Tyner sold land in Rockahock to David Ambrose in 1716, and in 1719 David Ambrose's land was described as adjoining the patents of Samuel Woodward, Edward Woodward, and William Woodward in Rockahock. Nicholas Tyner also owned land on the west side of the Chowan River which he sold to James Curlee in 1699. By 1725 he held lands on Little Swamp in Bertie County near the Athotsky Swamp. A member of the Curlee family, William Curlee, was still living in the area in 1724 when he sold the land described as on Ahotsky (Horse) Swamp.

 

 

Two sons of Nicholas Tyner, James Tyner and William Tyner, appeared frequently in deeds involving sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., A daughter of Nicholas Tyner, Sarah Tyner, was the wife of a Woodward in 1752 when Nicholas Tyner made his will.

 

 

The will of Nicholas Tyner written Dec. 12, 1752 and probated Nov. 1753 in Northampton County named wife Elizabeth, son William (extr.), grandson James (father not given), Nicholas and John the children of James Tyner dec'd., Sarah Woodward, Elizabeth Johnson, and Ann Corbett. A Bertie County deed dated Dec. 7, 1737 was a deed of gift from Nicholas Tyner, Sr., to son Nicholas Tyner, Jr., for 400 acres on the southwest side of Little Swamp adjoining Thomas Barnes. Nicholas Tyner, Jr., probably died before his father made his will. (I have not yet determined if this Thomas Barnes was connected with Thomas Barnes who was the grandfather of America Barnes.) Another Bertie County deed dated Feb. 7, 1739 was a deed of gift from Nicholas Tyner and wife Elizabeth to son William Tyner for 300 acres on the S side of the Maherrin River and S side of Little Swamp. (Both of these deeds were recorded on the same date; therefore, they may have been written on the same date and the year for one or the other was miscopied when the abstracts were published.) The Chowan County court records of Jan., 1735 listed the case Luke White vs William Tyner. Luke White ran the ferry at Rockahock and appeared on many records involving the Samuel Woodward family. There was nothing that explained what the case concerned.

 

The son James Tyner who was deceased by 1752 appeared on several records involving the sons of Oliver Woodward, Sr., A Bertie County deed from Thomas Mandew to James Tiner dated Aug. 7, 1735 transferred 620 acres on the S side of Kerbey Creek formerly granted to Thomas Mandew on Apr. 1, 1723. A Northampton County deed dated Jan. 31, 1743 from James Tiner of Northampton County to Oliver Woodward (Jr.) of Isle of Wight transferred 150 acres on the S side of Corriroy Swamp of lapsed patents granted to Thomas Mandue Apr. 1, 1723 and John Farrow Nov. 8, 1728. William Tyner was a witness. On the same date, Jan. 31, 1743/4, in Northampton County Oliver Woodward (Jr.) of Isle of Wight deeded to James Tiner of Northampton County land at Catawisca Meadow. (See deed mentioning land at Ahotsky and Catawhitsky Swamp witnessed by James Sanders in 1723 on p. 340 and deed for the sale of Richard Williams' land on Ahotsky and Catawhitsky Swamp which was sold to James Howard in 1722 on p. 278, 340.) James Tyner must have moved to Craven County shortly after this deed. On Sept. 3, 1744, James Tyner of Craven County deeded to Joseph Woodward of Isle of Wight 370 acres in Northampton County, 320 acres part of a patent granted to Thomas Mandue Apr. 1, 1723, and 50 acres of a patent to John Farrow. William Tyner again was the witness. Another Northampton County deed dated Dec. 21, 1751 was from Oliver Woodward (Jr.) of Northampton County and wife Anne to Arthur Stevenson for 150 acres on the S side of Corriroy Swamp, 100 acres being a lapsed patent of John Farrow dated Nov. 5, 1728. On Feb. 28, 1753 Joseph Woodward of Northampton County sold to John Austin Finnie 220 acres, 150 acres part of a patent to Thomas Mandue dated 1723, and 50 acres part of a patent to John Farrow.

 

Clearly Nicholas Tyner's daughter Sarah Tyner was the wife of one of the Woodwards in the Oliver Woodward family. Oliver Woodward, Sr.'s will of 1740 did not mention a wife and she is assumed to have died prior to his will, so Sarah Tyner must not have been his wife. Since Sarah was still livng in 1752 when Nicholas Tyner made his will, she would not seem to be the wife of Oliver Woodward, Jr., whose wife in 1751 was named as Anne. Therefore, Sarah must have been the wife of one of the other sons, Roger Woodward, Samuel Woodward, Joseph Woodward, John Woodward, or Richard Woodward - or Samuel Woodward III who died in 1752 and who was possibly the brother of Oliver Woodward, Sr.

 

 

Although the records are sparse and incomplete, I think the most likely candidate for Sarah's husband is Joseph Woodward. Nicholas Tyner's will named daughters Elizabeth Johnson and Ann Corbett. Several of the Northampton County deeds for Joseph Woodward reflect names that may relate to these sisters' families. In 1746, Joseph Woodward sold 150 acres SE on Kirby's Creek to Joseph Johnson of Isle of Wight. In 1748, Oliver Woodward, John Woodward, and Joseph Johnson witnessed a deed from Thomas Davies (or Davis) to John Johnson of Isle of Wight. In 1751, Peter Johnson of Northampton County sold 160 acres adjoining a small branch of Kerbey Creek to Joseph Woodard. Oliver Woodard was one of the witnesses. In 1757, Joseph Woodard and Joshua Johnson witnessed a deed from Thomas Liles, Sr., to Johnson Corbitt, both of Northampton County In 1773, Joseph Woodard and wife Elizabeth sold 200 acres adjoining Joshua Johnson and Johnson Corbitt to Thomas Penny. I have not researched the Johnson and Corbett or Corbitt families to prove a possible connection here. I'll leave that to some researcher descended from the Oliver Woodward line. If Sarah Tyner was the wife of Joseph Woodward, she must have died prior to the 1773 deed that named wife Elizabeth. It would be interesting to see if Elizabeth was Elizabeth Tyner Johnson, sister to Sarah Tyner. Since the deed involving Elizabeth also involved the sale of land that adjoined two Johnsons, it looks quite possible that she was.

 

Ruben Woodward, named as a son in the 1752 Southampton County will of Samuel Woodward, another son of Oliver Woodward, Sr., was in Edgecombe County in 1765 when he and John Corbit witnessed a deed from Samuel Swearingen, Jr., of Edgecombe County to Thomas Wallis of Pitt County The land was on Hurley's Branch adjoining "Jno. Corbutt and Sam'l Williams".

 

 

The children of Joseph Woodward/Woodard are of interest. His daughter Mary had married a Farrow by 1787 when Joseph made his will. The Northampton County deeds of Joseph Woodard referred to land granted to John Farrow. Joseph's daughter Sally Woodard seems to have produced an illegitimate child by John Watkins named Samuel Woodard mentioned in Watkin's 1800 Northampton County will. Sally's son Samuel was under twelve at the time of Watkin's will. Joseph's son Benjamin Woodard moved to Johnston County where his daughter Sally married John Tiner - another Tiner connection. Since Sally was a common nickname for Sarah, it's possible that both Joseph's daughter and Benjamin's daughter were named to honor Sarah Tyner.

 

 

In 1762, a Richard Tyner of Johnston County sold lands on either side of the Little River to James Jordin and Edward Hocutt witnessed by Harris Tyner. (See p. 370) Their relationship to the Nicholas Tyner family is unknown.

 

 

Benjamin Woodard married his second wife, Polly Davis, in Johnston County in 1798. Jacob Edwards was the bondsman and R. Sanders was the witness. (Reuben Sanders, son of Hardy Sanders and Lucy Utley - he was Clerk of Court for Johnston County) Benjamin's son Joseph Woodard also married in Johnston County in 1813 to Patience Daughtry. The bondsmen were R. Sanders and John Pearce, and the witness was John Sanders, Jr., (Son of Hardy's brother, John Sanders, Sr., Hardy Sanders and John Sanders, Sr., were sons of James Sanders who owned land in Middle Creek and who seems to be the same James Sanders who lived on Horse or Ahotsky Swamp in Bertie County That James Sanders had been left land in Nansemond County, VA by his father, Richard Sanders. See Sanders chapter.)

 

The fact that James Tyner's father, Nicholas Tyner, Sr., owned the land that was sold to David Ambrose and adjoined the 1719 Woodward patents would tend to suggest that Oliver Woodward, Sr., was another son of Samuel Woodward II and Elizabeth Hudson and brother to Samuel Woodward III of Chowan County But there is no proof of this. There are also suggestions of kinship to the Thomas Woodward family.

 

Oliver Woodward's sons were also of the right age frame for one of them possibly to have been Christopher Woodward's father. As much as I'd like to find a connection, I've had no luck with this family. Oliver Woodward's grandson (son of Joseph), Benjamin Woodard (his line also dropped the last "W"), who had been living in Northampton County was granted several tracts of land in Bladen County in the 1780's. He sold these tracts a few years later. Christopher Woodward also purchased a tract in Bladen County on the Cape Fear River in 1784, but the descriptions of the land Benjamin held did not mention the Cape Fear River. I have found nothing that indicates the lands of these two Woodwards adjoined each other. I'm not sure if Benjamin Woodard ever lived in Bladen County or simply owned land there but continued to live in Northampton County He eventually settled in Johnston County, but neither he nor any of his family ever appeared on records with any of Christopher Woodward's family who lived relatively nearby in the next county. If Christopher were also a grandson of Oliver Woodward, then Benjamin and Christopher would have been first cousins. Because there was no contact between their families, I doubt this was the case. It is interesting though that Benjamin Woodard and his son Joseph Woodard both left records involving the Sanders family. Just coincidence?

 

If Christopher Woodward did descend from Oliver Woodward, it's not likely that his father was Samuel, Roger, or Oliver since these names were never used in the descendants of Christopher Woodward. The name Joseph was used, but Oliver's son Joseph has been traced, and Christopher Woodward does not seem to be his son. Joseph was still a minor in 1740, and was surely born to late to have been Christopher's father. That leaves John and Richard. John Woodward lived in Northampton County and left a few records there, but none that indicate he might have been Christopher's father. He seems to have died relatively young leaving only one orphan named John Woodward who appeared in the Isle of Wight records. There was a John Woodward who lived in Nansemond County whose wife was a Miss Lanier (a name also associated with James Sanders), but I don't know that he was descended from Oliver Woodward. I have had no luck tracing that Richard. I don't know if he died or if he moved to a county in which the records were destroyed. There is no trail to follow in Isle of Wight. There was a Richard Woodward who lived in Nansemond County, but again we have no way of determining if he was a descendant of Oliver Woodward. (See Nansemond County Woodwards) There was also a Richard Woodward who owned lands in Granville County but at least for a while was a resident of Nansemond County (See p. 383) His records offer some interesting family connections and he shows the most promise as a possible father for Christopher Woodward, but there is not enough information yet to prove him as either Christopher's father or as Oliver's son.

 

 

Much information is available on Oliver Woodward and his descendants in the book History of the Woodard Family of Johnston County published by William T. "Bill" Woodard of Raleigh, NC. I have corresponded with him several times during the past few years, relaying on to him the information I have found that seems pertinent to his line. Although he is unable to do further research himself, he has certainly been most encouraging. Since very few people can understand or appreciate the endless hours and years of research, frustration, and disappointment that a project like this involves, his kind words and praise have been cherished far more than he will ever know.