His land was on Autry's Creek, also called Otter's Creek in southern Edgecombe Co near the Pitt Co line. Deed Book 6, page 221 December 17, 1791 John Webb from John Brasher 100 acres south of Autry's Creek. Beginning at a gum at the mouth of Hogpen Branch, then up branch to George Vickers line (dec.) corner tree, west to Autry Creek, down various curves of said Creek to first station. Amount paid: 8 silver dollars John Webb's first purchase of land was on January 20, 1791, and although it does not mention the creek by name, it was also on Autry's Creek. Deed Book 6, page 219 January 20, 1791 Begin at a tree standing near Long Pond, then east 363 poles to Arther Lee 's line near Water Branch, down said branch near the creek, up the western prong of the branch to a pine near the new road, then along a new cut l ine to the first station. Amount paid: 120 pounds (John Webb bought most of the land that was a land grant to Simon Lee and much of Simon's father, Arthur Lee's, land. ) John Webb is "not" listed on the 1790 Edgecombe County Census, although Richard Webb and his son, known in Edgecombe County as "Long John" Webb because of his height, are on the 1790 Edgecombe County Census. It is generally believed that Richard Webb and Long John Webb are related to John Webb, Sr. 1763-1842 but there is no documentation to support that. Richard's line "definitely" has Indian heritage and it is said to come from Long John Webb's wife, Martha Annie Lester, who is said to be as much as one-half Indian. Some of their descendants are very dark. Others in John Webb, Sr.'s 1763-1842 line also have been said to have Indian heritage, especially the daughter of John Webb, Jr. whose name was Easter Webb. Easter never married but had 5 children, and she was said to be dark. Some of the later census reports also list some of the Webbs as mulatto. But, the area around Autry's Creek claims many families who say they have Indian blood in their families. According the the laws at that time, I would say that these families settled in the area around Otter's Creek because they were of Indian heritage and settled close together because of this . Early laws said that Indians could not marry whites, but of course, this went on all the time. While it was not uncommon for first cousins to marry each other in those days, these families have what "I" would say is a more than average rate of marrying first cousins, and this practice continued. I have seen Otter's Creek and it still is not a desirable location. The section I saw has cypress knees growing in the water. Not just a few, but a lot. The section I saw was only good for getting water. It will not hold a boat at that place. It is definitely swamp land at that location. Gates County was in the Great Dismal Swamp and bordered Virginia Nansemond Indian lands and many of the Otter Creek families came from Gates County. It is especially noteworthy that the Nansemond Indian lands adjoined the State of North Carolina and Gates County. That part of North Carolina was claimed by Virginia until 1728 when William Byrd and his party of surveyors settled the boundary line dispute and about a 50 mile wide area of land was reclaimed by North Carolina. Not all families coming from Gates County had Indian heritage, but Otter's Creek was apparently was a gathering place for them to settle here in Edgecombe County. Or cheap land. John Webb's wife was Theresa Duke, and while it is said that her father was John Duke, there is no documentation supporting that. However, a Thomas Duke settled in Gates County before 1698 and it is from this Duke line that Theresa Duke most likedly descended. Thomas Duke's land in Gates County (Dismal Swamp) was described as "a Water Oak a Line Tree of Thomas Dukes Land in the main Desart." It is my belief that the word desart, is what it sounds like "desert." A word that describes what is the Great Dismal Swamp. Faye Hays ----- Original Message ----- From: "joe" <res00jqu@gte.net> To: <WEBB-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Monday, June 26, 2006 1:46 AM Subject: Re: [WEBB] John Webb, Gates Co., NC and Edgecombe Co., NC 1763-1842 Faye, question for you, Do you know what area your JOHN WEBB had land in Edgecombe Co., NC? Any river or creek names etc? I am trying to chase down a JOHN WEBB born about 1797 in or around the Lincoln Co., NC area. Thanks Joe Webb jonefa wrote: > John Webb and many who settled early Edgecombe County, North Carolina came from Gates County, North Carolina. > > Gates County lies in the area designated as the Great Dismal Swamp. After checking deeds of people who were known to have come from Gates County and settled near him in Edgecombe County, NC, and various witnesses to wills and deeds, I have determined that John Webb and Teresa Duke came from an area near present day Sunbury, North Carolina. > > Faye Hays > > > > > > > > > ==== WEBB Mailing List ==== > <<Webb Genealogy; History and Family Traditions >> > To change list modes, leave, or contact list admin > http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/surname/w/webb.html > Use < http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/w/e/WEBB/ > > To connect to your list website and post your web links and family pages > To Webb notes see http://www.wvi.com/~wb > > > ==== WEBB Mailing List ==== <<Webb Genealogy; History and Family Traditions >> To change list modes, leave, or contact list admin http://lists.rootsweb.com/index/surname/w/webb.html Use < http://resources.rootsweb.com/surnames/w/e/WEBB/ > To connect to your list website and post your web links and family pages To Webb notes see http://www.wvi.com/~wb -- No virus found in this incoming message. 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