Does anyone know of any RICHARDSON, RICHERSON researchers (past or present) in Orange County or Orange County in 1800s? Charles R. Richardson

Hello Angela, I will respond to your message within it in capital letters to distinguish our respective comments: In a message dated 1/1/01 1:58:22 PM, [email protected] writes: << Below is part of my ggg-grandfather's estate papers. I hope this may, in some way, help someone else or may help someone help me! I have several questions about it so I will ask them first. First, could someone explain the process in which an estate settlement is done. It looks as if the widow may get a few things and then the rest is sold. If so, who gets the money from what is sold? AN ESTATE USUALLY WENT TO THE OLDEST MALE HEIR UNLESS DESIGNATED DIFFERENTLY BY THE TESTATOR. THE WIFE WAS TO RECEIVE HER DOWER PORTION, SUFFICIENT TO SUPPORT HER AND ANY UNDERAGED CHILDREN STILL REMAINING WITH HER. THE WIFE USUALLY HAD TO PETITION THE COURT AT INTERVALS TO GRANT HER ENOUGH FUNDS FOR HER SUPPORT AND/OR HER CHILDREN. IF SHE REMARRIED SHE ESSENTIALLY RELINGUISHED ANY FURTHER RIGHTS TO THE ESTATE. THE PUBLIC SALE OF HOUSEHOLD AND OTHER GOODS BROUGHT FORTH FUNDS FOR THE WIFE'S DOWER, AND SUPPORT OF UNDERAGED CHILDREN. THE COURT ADMINISTERED THE DISPENSATION OF SUCH POSSESIONS, SO AS TO PROTECT THE RIGHTS OF THE CHILDREN. WOMEN WERE NOT USUALLY GRANTED THE DECISIONMAKING OF THIS, AS IT WAS THOUGHT THAT THEY WERE PRIME TARGETS FOR FORTUNE SEEKERS WHO MIGHT SEEK TO ADD THE ESTATE OF HER HUSBANDS TO THEIR OWN USE. It has listed that James Stagg, Archibald Nichols, and William Woods as three freeholders. What does the term "freeholders" mean? FREEHOLDERS WERE HEIRS TO THE ESTATE OR OWNERS OF THE ESTATE, WHO WOULD RECEIVE IT OR BE ABLE TO PASS IT OWN TO THEIR OWN HEIRS, AFTER THE DEMISE OF THE WIFE. Also it says that one wheel and one pair of cards to be the absolute property of the petitioner. What is a wheel and cards? A WHEEL REFERED TO A SPINNING WHEEL, AND THE CARDS WERE ESSENTIALLY WIRE BRUSHES WHICH WERE USED TO COMB OUT FIBERS OF COTTON OR WOOL TO PREPARE IT FOR SPINNING. THE WIFE HAD APPARENTLY ASKED FOR THESE ITEMS TO BE HERS FOR HER USE TO PROVIDE THE ABILITY TO MAKE CLOTH FOR HERSELF AND HER FAMILY. On another paper I do not have listed below it shows John C. McCown, William McCown and Frederick C. Green (I think it is Green. The handwriting is difficult to read) as the buyers. Does anyone know anything about or have any information concerning James Stagg, Archibald Nichols, William Woods, John and William McCown and Frederick Green? I may be contacted directly at [email protected] I HOPE THAT THIS HELPS SOME IN YOUR RESEARCH. BEST REGARDS, JOHN FOX WINSTON SALEM, NC NORTH CAROLINA, ORANGE COUNTY. Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, February Term, 1864 Candis Rhodes Exparte Petition for Year's Allowance. This case coming on to be heard, on the reading of the Petition, and the argument and suggestion of the counsel, it is declared by the Court, that the Petitioner, Candis Rhodes is entitled to have a full year's support and maintenance for herself and family out of the personal estate of her deceased husband, Robert Rhodes. It is therefore ordered by the Court, that, William J. Duke Esq. with James Stagg, Archibald Nichols and William Woods three freeholders, be appointed to go on the premises of the deceased, view the same, and out of the stock, crop, and provisions on hand, to allot and lay off to the Petitioner, a full and sufficient quantity for the comfortable support and maintenance of herself and family for one year, and in case their be a deficiency of stock, crop & c. on hand, then to assess a sum of money sufficient to make up said deficiency to complete a whole year's allowance, and in addition thereto, appropriate and lay of to your petitioner one Bed and it necessary Furniture, and one Wheel and one pair of Cards, to be the absolute property of the Petitioner, and put her in possession of the same; and that they report to the next term of this Court, agreeably to an act of Assembly. Witness, George Sauer, Clerk of our said Court, at Office, this fourth Monday of February 1864. Issued the 25th day of February, 1864. Geo Sauer CCC >>

Below is part of my ggg-grandfather's estate papers. I hope this may, in some way, help someone else or may help someone help me! I have several questions about it so I will ask them first. First, could someone explain the process in which an estate settlement is done. It looks as if the widow may get a few things and then the rest is sold. If so, who gets the money from what is sold? It has listed that James Stagg, Archibald Nichols, and William Woods as three freeholders. What does the term "freeholders" mean? Also it says that one wheel and one pair of cards to be the absolute property of the petitioner. What is a wheel and cards? On another paper I do not have listed below it shows John C. McCown, William McCown and Frederick C. Green (I think it is Green. The handwriting is difficult to read) as the buyers. Does anyone know anything about or have any information concerning James Stagg, Archibald Nichols, William Woods, John and William McCown and Frederick Green? I may be contacted directly at [email protected] NORTH CAROLINA, ORANGE COUNTY. Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, February Term, 1864 Candis Rhodes Exparte Petition for Year's Allowance. This case coming on to be heard, on the reading of the Petition, and the argument and suggestion of the counsel, it is declared by the Court, that the Petitioner, Candis Rhodes is entitled to have a full year's support and maintenance for herself and family out of the personal estate of her deceased husband, Robert Rhodes. It is therefore ordered by the Court, that, William J. Duke Esq. with James Stagg, Archibald Nichols and William Woods three freeholders, be appointed to go on the premises of the deceased, view the same, and out of the stock, crop, and provisions on hand, to allot and lay off to the Petitioner, a full and sufficient quantity for the comfortable support and maintenance of herself and family for one year, and in case their be a deficiency of stock, crop & c. on hand, then to assess a sum of money sufficient to make up said deficiency to complete a whole year's allowance, and in addition thereto, appropriate and lay of to your petitioner one Bed and it necessary Furniture, and one Wheel and one pair of Cards, to be the absolute property of the Petitioner, and put her in possession of the same; and that they report to the next term of this Court, agreeably to an act of Assembly. Witness, George Sauer, Clerk of our said Court, at Office, this fourth Monday of February 1864. Issued the 25th day of February, 1864. Geo Sauer CCC

In a message dated 1/1/01 11:17:54 AM, [email protected] writes: << I found a 1810 deed where Abraham Whitaker sold land to Robert Rhodes in Orange County, N.C. but could never find where the land was passed from Robert Rhodes to anyone else. At some point wouldn't it have to be passed to a child or wife or be redeeded to someone after Roberts death or have to be resold somewhere along the way? Any suggestions on how to research this? Chris >> Hello Chris, Unless a will designated otherwise, land normally would go to the eldest son; the other siblings would only share in the moveable estate. There was not deed recorded in these instances, and the land could have been passed from generation to generation without further documentation until the land occasioned to be sold on behalf of the last owner or his heir. You would need to seek through several generations of court records to see if any other occurance might have been recorded with regards to the ownership of the land. Tax records would indicate who was paying taxes on property in those periods where deeds and such were not available. Another source of information would be deeds for land which might surround the property in question, to see against whom the deeded property would abut, which often listed adjacent property by the name of the resident of that property. Hope this helps some, John Fox Winston Salem, NC

Is anyone researching Robbs in Orange Co.?

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In a message dated 1/1/01 11:09:19 AM, [email protected] writes: << If my ggg-grandfather was a sharecropper (as I thought he was) would he have been listed in the census as a farmer or a laborer (as he was). I would have thought a sharecropper would have been listed as a farmer. Can anyone tell me what kind of jobs would have been considered as a laborer in Orange County, N.C. in the 1840-1860's? Chris >> Hi Chris, You would find your ancestor listed as a farmer, if that were his vocation, whether he owned land or not. If he worked solely as a helper on a farm, he would have been listed as a farmhand or laborer. Also anyone who worked for a sawmill would also be listed as a laborer or millhand. One who worked with a miller, would be called a laborer or millhand. A blacksmiths helper or worker could also be referred to has a laborer. There were many forms of laborers or workers to be found in the 1850 or 1860 Censuses. John Fox Winston Salem, NC

To Chris: Concerning the land deed which disappeared, for several years I searched the deed books of Washington co. trying to locate a deed for land willed to Robert Herrald by his father, James Herrald in 1796.. I couln't find it! Later, while looking through some old "unfiled" loose papers, I found a record showing that the land had been sold for taxes in 1810.. It gave the name of the person who bought it.. I went to the deed books and looked under that persons' name in the index and Found The Deed for that tract of land.. Because it had been sold for taxes, the Sheriff and signed the deed.. It seems a lot of land was sold for taxes between 1800 and 1820 in many VA. counties.. Partly due to the fact that people had moved to the west and found better land or could not get back to claim the land of their fathers... In the case of Robert Herrald, he had large land claims in Ky. and was also sick at the time.. I might mention that the 170 acres due Robert was sold for $10.00 and is now worth $200, 000! Maybe this will help...... G. Lee Hearl Authentic Appalachian Storyteller Abingdon, Va..

I found a 1810 deed where Abraham Whitaker sold land to Robert Rhodes in Orange County, N.C. but could never find where the land was passed from Robert Rhodes to anyone else. At some point wouldn't it have to be passed to a child or wife or be redeeded to someone after Roberts death or have to be resold somewhere along the way? Any suggestions on how to research this? Chris

If my ggg-grandfather was a sharecropper (as I thought he was) would he have been listed in the census as a farmer or a laborer (as he was). I would have thought a sharecropper would have been listed as a farmer. Can anyone tell me what kind of jobs would have been considered as a laborer in Orange County, N.C. in the 1840-1860's? Chris

Below is part of a census research I did of Rhodes in Orange Co., NC. They include the census from 1790 - 1850. I would like to hear from anyone who is researching Rhodes in Orange Co., NC. I would also like to hear from anyone who could give any relationships between these Rhodes such as sons, fathers, brothers, etc., especially the Robert Rhodes listed in the 1840 & 1850 censuses. Spelling is as it was on census. I hope this helps someone. I may be contacted directly at [email protected] 1790 census: 1. John Rhodes 2. Richard Rhodes 3. William Rhodes 1800 census: 1. Alexander Rhodes - 22010-1110100 2. Benjamin Rhodes - 10001-0010103 3. John Rhodes - 11201-2121007 4. John Rhodes 21021-1210100 5. William Rhodes 30100-2001003 6. Acquilla Rhodes 00101-2010100 7. Thomas Rhodes 30010-1200101 1810 census: 1. A. Rhodes 2. Aaron Rhodes 3. Benjamin Rhodes 4. Acquilla Rhodes 5. Henry Rhodes 6. Hesekiah Rhodes 7. John Rhodes 8. Major John Rhodes 9. Reuben Rhodes 10. Thomas Rhodes 11. W. Rhodes 1820 census: 1. Acquilla Rhodes 2. Acquilla Rhodes 3. Delilah Rhodes 4. Francis Rhodes 5. George G. Rhodes 6. Thomas Rhodes 7. Thomas Rhodes, Jr. 8. Westley Rhodes 9. William Rhodes 10. Noah Rhodes, Jr. 11. Pleasant Rhodes 1830 census: 1. George Rhoade 2. Anderson Rhodes 3. Acquilla Rhodes 4. D. Rhodes 5. Franklin Rhodes 6. John C. Rhodes 7. Noah Rhodes 8. William Rhodes 9. Zachariah Rhodes 1840 census: (All these in the southern division of Orange Co.) 1. Martha Rhode 2. Anderson Rhodes 3. Francis Rhodes 4. George Rhodes 5. George W. Rhodes 6. James Rhodes, Sr. 7. James Rhodes, Jr. 8. Lucinda Rhodes 9. Martha Rhodes 10. Milley Rhodes 11. Robert Rhodes 12. Thomas Rhodes 13. Wiley Rhodes 14. Zacahariah H. Rhodes 1850 census: (All these in 1st district of Orange Co.and all are said to be born in NC) 1. Household# 1115 Anderson Rhodes Age 49 Male Farmer Dicey Rhodes Age 47 Female Hankins Rhodes Age 11 Male Delilah Rhodes Age 9 Female Etty Rhodes Age 7 Female Martha Rhodes Age 5 Female Elnasore Rhodes Age 3 Female 2. Household # 1114 (this is the household of Washington Dirke) Rhoda Rhodes Age 51 Female 3. Household # 1113 Patsy Rhodes Age 60 Female Janell Rhodes Age 25 Female Elvira Rhodes Age 4 Female Melinda Rhodes Age 1 Female 4. Household # 854 Clandius Rhodes Age 13 Female 5. Household # 1088 George Rhodes Age 52 Male Farmer Clara Rhodes Age 51 Female Minerva Rhodes Age 22 Female Nancy Rhodes Age 19 Female William Rhodes Age 18 Male Farmer Jackson Rhodes Age 14 Male George Rhodes Age 12 Male 6. Household # 1208 James Rhodes Age 55 Male Farmer Becca Rhodes Age 40 Female William Rhodes Age 16 Male Farmer Mary Rhodes Age 4 Female Tilbert Rhodes Age 23 Male Farmer Thomas Rhodes Age 60 Male Farmer Pleasant Rhodes Age 19 Male Farmer 7. Household # 1165 Lucinda Rhodes Age 35 Male William Rhodes Age 8 Male Mildred Rhodes Age 1 Female Teresa Rhodes Age 21 Female 8. Household # 1167 Robert Rhodes Age 38 Male Laborer Candice Rhodes Age 36 Female Francis Rhodes Age 12 Female William Rhodes Age 10 Male Eliza Rhodes Age 8 Female Teresa Rhodes Age 4 Female Alexander Rhodes Age 2 Male 9. Household # 804 (these 3 in the home of David Vickers) Pleasant Rhodes Age 25 Male Farmer Zachary Rhodes Age 20 Male Farmer Dennis Rhodes Age 17 Male Farmer 10. Household # 1232 Sally Rhodes Age 40 Female Louisa Rhodes Age 18 Female Cosby Rhodes Age 16 Male Farmer Jasper Rhodes Age 14 Male Edney Rhodes Age 12 Male Elvira Rhodes Age 10 Female Zachoriah Rhodes Age 8 Male 11. Household # 1236 Wesley Rhodes Age 33 Male Cooper Mary Rhodes Age 25 Female Hankins Perry Age 8 Female 12. Household # 790 Wiley Rhodes Age 28 Male Farmer Kinsey Rhodes Age 26 Female Rutha Rhodes Age 6 Female Adeline Rhodes Age 3 Female

Well, hopefully we have some new list members trying out their new computers Santa brought them and this will be familiar to someone. All locations are Orange County, NC unless otherwise noted. Harrison WOODS born abt 1805 (per census) died bet 1870-1800 in Orange County, NC. Married Patsie CARDEN. Marriage bond filed Sept. 23, 1831 and bond set by Calous MOIZE. Patsie CARDEN born abt 1810, died before 1870. Harrison and Patsie's children: 1. James, born abt 1832 2. Carolina, born abt 1834 3. William Washington, born Feb. 12, 1835, died March 20, 1918. Married Martha L. CLINTON January 14, 1858. A. WILKERSON was bondsman. (Martha's sister, Mary, married Washington DUKE). 4. John H. Woods, born abt 1839 In 1860. a 9-year old Martha SHAMBLEY is living with Harrison and Patsie Woods. Questions and speculations: 1. Is Caroline Woods the same Caroline Woods for whom there was a marriage bond filed with William C. CHAMBLEE in January 1852? The bondsman on this bond was John R. CHAMBLEE. A John Ruffin CHAMBLEE married Alice CLINTON in 1848. I believe, but cannot prove, that Alice CLINTON was a sister of Martha and Mary Clinton. 2. A Bastardy Bond filed in Orange County Court on Feb. 25, 1783 shows that a Phoebe BRITTAIN named Harrison WOODS as the father of her child. (gender not given). How does this Harrison fit into the WOODS line, and who was Phoebe BRITTAIN? 3. A Harris WOODS born abt 1764 married Jemimah FORRESTER in 1800 in Orange County. Jemimah was a daughter of Sarah WOOD and Benjamin FORRESTER. Jemimah's siblings married into the CHISENHALL, LEATHER, DOSSETT families -- all of which names are associated with the WOODS in various ways. In several census, there are DOSSETT and FORRESTER very near Harrison and Patsie WOODS. William and Patsie Woods named one of their sons Jesse HARRISON and another HARRIS. 4. A land deed transfer between MALONE and Stacey CARDIN for land near present day Camden Ave in Durham lists one of the boundaries as next to Buck Woods and Prentis CHISENHALL. One of the census (I think 1840 but need to go back and check my dates) lists Harrison Woods living near Rueben and Stacey CARDIN. Could Patsie be a daughter of Stacey and Rueben? Does anyone have a list of their children? Renee W. Roderiques NC lines: Woods, Carrington, Pickett, Clinton, Vickers, Preddy, Blackley.

In a message dated 12/29/00 1:01:46 PM, [email protected] writes: << Have received reference to a "Buck" Woods in Orange County, NC circa 1840 as a landholder living near Prentis Chisenhall and Anderson Malone. This is a transcription of a land deed (Thanks to Roy Carden) of land sold to Stacey Cardin and son Wesley Cardin). 1. What is "Buck" usually a nickname of? 2. Does anyone know which branch of Orange County Woods this "Buck" belonged to? >> Hi Renee. Buck is often used as a nickname for William(don't ask me why??). Since you mentioned the name of Malone Anderson, you would find his family in the part of Orange County which is now Alamance County, in the area fairly close to the town of Mebane, NC. I hope that this gives you some help in your search. Best regards, John Fox Winston Salem, NC

Thanks, John. This would certainly make sense -- my Woods are overgrown with Williams. (pun wasn't intended, but I rather like it now that it's there!) Also, if this is William, I believe I know now which one it was and he is infamous with me for never, ever signing his full name -- using only W. W. Woods for everything! This particular land deed was for land near present day Camden Ave. in Durham. The transfer was from Anderson Malone to Stacey Cardin, so he probably was in the Mebane area after this sale.

Have received reference to a "Buck" Woods in Orange County, NC circa 1840 as a landholder living near Prentis Chisenhall and Anderson Malone. This is a transcription of a land deed (Thanks to Roy Carden) of land sold to Stacey Cardin and son Wesley Cardin). 1. What is "Buck" usually a nickname of? 2. Does anyone know which branch of Orange County Woods this "Buck" belonged to? Renee W. Roderiques NC lines: Woods, Carrington, Pickett, Clinton, Vickers, Preddy, Blackley.

To Larry Noah You wrote: I am asking for a non-subscriber if anyone knows of a book or books about the DURHAM family that was in Orange County about the time of its formation (1752) or earlier.  Thanks. Larry Noah 157 W. U.S. Highway 24 Independence, MO  64050 Suggestion: Access the online catalog of www.familysearch.org (Family History Library Catalog is on left of 1st screen). Choose Surname. Type in Durham. It seems to me there were 63 listings for family histories concerning Durham (and other folks also, of course.) Another source: I believe there is a book in some genealogical libraries by a person named Crabtree who lists what are called Private Collections in the NC State Archives. Possibly there is something in NC Archives re a Durham family of early NC. An experienced genealogist/author tells me that NC State U is trying to collect much family history of NC. Also, friends of mine have told me that Duke Univ. has wonderful collections of such histories. I have notes someone else (and deposited in a library) made about Duke Univ's holdings on a prominent citizen of early Granville Co., NC--Robert Burton. It had lots of family information in it--including a lawsuit another ancestor of mine made against an estate for which Burton was executor. I suggest the non-subscriber access all the online library catalogs he/she can, including the DAR Library and the Library of Congress, not to mention all the NC Universities. If your acquaintance is familiar with libraries and not uncomfortable in them, he might explore what is called NUCMUCK (many huge volumes) which is held by all large US libraries. It's the National Union Catalog of Manuscript Collections. It is put out frequently by the Library of Congress which tries to catalog where all these manuscripts (unpublished material) is held. Material turns up in some of the darndest places!!! E.W.Wallace who loves to prowl genealogical libraries (and some Univ. libraries when I can find parking)

Anyone know the holiday hours of Wilson Library in Chapel Hill?

In a message dated 12/17/00 6:25:19 PM, [email protected] writes: << I am asking for a non-subscriber if anyone knows of a book or books about the DURHAM family that was in Orange County about the time of its formation (1752) or earlier. Thanks. >> I have two ideas re Durham family, though no knowledge of an entire book. Sorry, but my information is much later than the formation of Orange Co. However, Mathew and Thomas Durham registered their marks in March of 1758 and Isaac Durham first shows in Orange Pleas and Quarter Sessions in 1760. 1. A beautifully written handmade math book is located at Wilson Library, UNC, Chapel Hill, Orange Co. It was written by Bryant Strowd of my line (who changed spelling in his branch from Stroud) for his plantation school. Archibald Durham was his headmaster and husband of Bryant's sister. Archibald used an empty page in this book to record information regarding his wife and their children. This was ca 1870, as I recall. 2. I have the e-mail address of a man who has familial information on the Mr. Durham for whom the city of Durham, Durham Co., NC, was named, if you will contact me directly, Larry. I believe it was a crossroads on which "Durham's P. O." was located, thus the subsequent county name. Mr. Durham was from Orange Co. I hope that this helps. Bebe Fox Winston Salem, NC [email protected]

I'm new to the list. I am a Robbs. My great-great-grandfather's sister (I think she was his sister) was born in NC. I have traced a Robbs family back to Orange Co., NC, 1790 census. Does anyone have information on the Alex Robbs that is listed in that census? This family migrated to TN and some to IL. I believe they could be mine.

I am asking for a non-subscriber if anyone knows of a book or books about the DURHAM family that was in Orange County about the time of its formation (1752) or earlier. Thanks. Larry Noah 157 W. U.S. Highway 24 Independence, MO 64050