Potts Papers

The Steele Creek Historical and Genealogical Society
Of the Old Steele Creek Township
Mecklenburg County, North Carolina

The "Potts Papers"

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CONTENTS

THE ORIGIN OF THE "POTTS PAPERS"

One of our members is in possession of old papers that were located in a trunk in an out building behind the old Potts homeplace. These papers were found prior to the house being burned by the fire department several years ago. It was located at York Rd. & John Price Rd. where the little strip shopping center is near Westinghouse Blvd. The old papers are quite numerous and date from approximately 1775 to 1917. They are not Potts family papers as they predate the Potts family. They mostly involve a Neely and Greer family and are original deeds, estate settlement papers, letters, receipts for sales of slaves and numerous receipts for other transactions. Copies have been made as the old papers are deteriorating and should not be handled.

Some of the families named in the papers are: Greer, Neely, Price, McDowell, Reid, Thompson, Barnett, Carrothers, Erwin and others. The papers have come down through the following families: Thomas Neely to son, John Neely; John Neely to son James Neely; James Neely to sister Darcus Neely who married James Grier; to their son James Lee Grier, who died unmarried and to his sister, Martha Isabella Grier who married a Potts and then down through the Potts family.

The papers are very difficult to read and are missing pages and corners, but there is a wealth of Steele Creek information in them. We are so very grateful to our member for realizing how important this information is to the history of Steele Creek community and for allowing us to copy and share them with others.

When future articles appear titled, "From the Potts Papers", the above will be the source of them.

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PARTIAL LIST OF STEELE CREEK MEN OF 1812
From: Gleanings, Vol. 1, No. 2, Apr-Jun 1994

(The following is taken from the old "Potts Papers"
and it was the original found in the papers)

The following list of men is covers only names through the letter "P". It was two pages and the 3^rd page was missing. Many of the names listed were born in the 1780s and were the right age for the War of 1812. There is an "x" by some of the names and it appears tht these were the ones that were actually in the militia of 1812 from Steele Creek. An "x" has been placed by the names that had an "x" on the list. All spellings and words are copied as they appeared on the document.

Page 1:
"List of the Steel (note: a "e’ was not added to Steele Creek until the late 1800s)Creek company. Liable to do duty under Capt. John Harris.

John Harris Junr……………….. Captain
Isaac Price Snr………………… Lieut.
James Neely…………………… Ensign
Wm. B. Taylor………………… 1^st Sergant (sic)
James S. Carothers……………. 2^nd……
Joseph Whiteside……………… 3^rd……
Ephraim Kindrick……………… 4^th Sergant (sic) (Note: a line is drawn through this name)
John Causey………………….. fifer (sic) of John Davis’s Company
Jack Smith …………………… a (illegible - believed to be "musician")
colour….

Page 2 (This column)

Thomas Acock (x)                                         Ezekiel Carothers
Peter Acock (x)                                             Wm Chitten
John Acock (x)                                              James Dinkins (x)
Robert Bigham                                               Fredrick Dinkins
William Barnett                                              Joshua dinkins (x)
Wm. M. Barnett                                            John Darnall (x)
Wm Burton                                                   William Darnall
Robert Bigham Junr.                                      Sleyton Davis (x)
Jacob Bennett (x)                                          Richard Dean (x)
Henry McBride (x)                                       Gideon Freeman (x)
Jason Blan (Blair?)                                        Francis Gallant
Joseph Brewer (x)                                        Hugh Harris
Peter Borough (x)                                         Eleazar Harkeness (x)
James McClary                                             George Harkeness (x)
Robert Connell                                             Jonathon Harkeness
Thomas Connell (x)                                      Thomas Hoover (x)
Thomas Mc Cree (x)                                    David Hoover (x)
David Carothers                                           John H…(corner torn off)
Thomas Carothers                                        James Irwin (x)
(end of page 1)                                             John Johnston

Continue page 2:
Joseph Knox (x)
Thomas Moore (x)                                       Alexander Porter (x)
Alexander Moore                                         Alexander J. Porter
Caleb Miller (x)                                            Reese Price
William M. Neely                                         Richard Peoples (x)
Ezekiel C. Neely                                          Stokes Pinion (x)
                                                                    Benjamin Parish
Hugh Porter                                                 John (T or J) Porter (x)
(end of page 2….balance missing)

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BARNETT’S WIFE MISSING
(From the old Potts Papers)
from "Gleanings", Vol 1, No 2, Apr-June 1994 issue

The below is from a handwritten notice and shown as actually written.
(f = s in some words)

"—(not legible)—of July past Catharine Barnett wife of Robt Barnett of Steel Creek without any lawfull cause or provocation eloped from her hufband the sd Robt Barnett..

Thefe are therefore to warn all perfons whom it may concern not to credit the sd Cathatine Barnett on my account as I will no pay any book debts-(illegible) - or notes of c. or any debts that she may contract or may have contracted since the first day of her elopement given under my hand this 6^th day of October A.D. 1797

Robert Barnett"

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SLAVE PASS
(From the old Potts Papers)
from "Gleanings", Vol 1, No 2, Apr-June 1994 issue

(copied as written. F is used for "S" in some cases)

"Let the bearer York pafs to and return from John Neelies this 15^th of January 1802-

Sir as the above named slave hafs informed me that his is required by you to take my approbation of his intended marriage these are to let you know that I do not object to it provided you will do the part of a good neighbour(sic) and citizan(sic) in exicuting (sic)

the law against him when ever you finde (sic) him on your primesis (sic) without a pafs—

(To) Mr. John Neely
(from) A. Greer

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CERTIFICATE OF MARTHA GRIER
(From the "Potts Papers")

(The following is written on a small piece of folded paper. On the outside is written "Martha Grier Certificate". Parts of the paper are to faded to read or is missing.)

"It is hereby certified that Martha Grier has lived in this congregation since her infancy, has behaved herself properly giving no__?__ grounds of offence to any, has been admitted into full communion in the church, leaves these parts clear of church justice, cain?? Or _?_

thereto, and may be __?_ as herein recommended by christians of every denomination on where God in his providence may order her or bade.

April 15^th 1783 per me..Signed by order of Session

Waichaws (Waxhaws) Robert Finley

(Old James Grier and his wife, Margaret came from Ireland, lived in PA for a time during the Revolutionary War, then settled in the Waxhaws for a time before moving to Steele Creek in Mecklenburg County, NC. He brought with him, his sons, James and Thomas, daughters, Margaret and Mary. A son John remained in Ireland to settle his family affairs and died before joining the rest of the family. Old James and Margaret also brought their grandson, Jimmy Grier, son of John, with them when they migrated. The above Martha is presumed to be the Martha that was married to son James. Daughter, Margaret, had married William Wylie in the Waxhaws and she remained in that area. The rest of the family moved to Steele Creek in 1783. No doubt Martha Grier brought her certificate with her to join a church in this area. The "Potts Papers" begin with James and Martha Greer (Grier) and came down through their descendants. One of their sons, James Jr (actually III), married Dorcas Neely and there are many Neely papers in the Potts Papers also.)

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VARIOUS RECEIPTS OF STEEL CREEK TRANSACTIONS
(From the "Potts Papers")

Receipt of Slave Sale:

"Received of John Neely two thousand pounds currency of the State of North Carolina for one negroe (sic) named WILL which Negroe I warrant and deffend (sic) from all persons laying any rights, title or claims to said Negroe and warrant him clear of convultion (sic) or any fits or any other impedimpediments (sic) known to me given under my hand and seal.

October 26, 1779 John Johnston (Seal) "

Receipt of Slave sale:

"Know all men by these present that I, Alexander Johnston, of the State of North Carolina and County of Macklinburgh (sic) has bargained and dealt with John Neely of the county and state afforesd (sic); for the sum of one hundred pounds a negro wench named ROSE, which I sell as free from any impediment…etc. I do here unto set my hand and seal this fourth day of May 1784.

Witness: Alexander Johnston
Moses Neely
Richard Brown "

Receipt:

"March 13. 1785. Rsed (received) from John Neely his salary in full for 1 year from March 1, 1784 till March 1, 1785. F 1-10-0.

James McRee "
(It appears people did not make much money but this was paid in hard cash…something that was not plentiful in the area at that time.)

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RESOLVES OF STEEL CREEK COMPANY OF MILITIA
(From the "Potts Papers")

The following "Resolves" were found with the partial list of the "Steel Creek Men of 1812". They are undated but appears to have been made at the time the Steel Creek Militia was formed in 1812.

Resolves entered into by the Steel Creek company of Militia.
1^st Resolved that the private musters shall be held at the place appointed or to be appointed by a majority of the company.
2^nd. R. That the roll shall be called on each and every day beginning precisely at 11 o’clock.
3^rd. R. That any person or persons who does not answer to thire (sic) name and is not in the ranks by the time the roll is called shall not be admitted on parade and treated as an absentee—
4^th. R. That the company shall be divided into 4 quarters and the road leading from Charlotte to Mr. Mason’s ferry to be the line from east to west, and from Mr. W. Burton’s to Dr. Hendersons to this place & from this to the river at Mr. Rosses mill shall be the line from south to north and if convenient there shall be a sergeant assigned in each quarter who shall warn all persons to attend muster who shall from time be enrolled in their quarter.

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GALBRAITH’S RECEIPT
(from: "Gleanings", Vol. 1, No. 3, Jul-Sept 1994)

(The following is from the old "Potts Papers". It appears that James Galbraith owed John Neely and Matthew Knox money, and Mr. Neal owed Galbraith money. This is a proposition of allowing Neal to pay Neely and thus pay Gailbrath)

"Mr. John Neely I have had a conference with Matthew Knox since I saw you. He informed me Mr. Neal is willing to let you have (sheep?) to the value of what he owes me the amount of interest you may see stated underneath.

To his subscription for 3 scholars.

6 months at 2 busels of __?

Scholar and 6% cash int. p. bus 1-16-0

The remainder at 6% cash 0-10-0

To cash __?__ son Robert 1- 4-0

Balance if it suits you L(lb) 3-10-0

Matthew Knox plans to take his accounted with you and let him see it if you bargain with him it will do well If you can’t __?__out the value of the above sum—if he gives you to my value of __?_ more I will pay him. You may ? him know if there is any mistake in his account that I am willing to acknowledge it at our meeting. Sir I am

Yours De (?)

James Galbraith

To 23 Jan 1783

Mr. John Neely

(note: payment for scholars..indicates the payments they made for their children to attend school. Several families would go together and pay to hire a teacher for their children. This teacher usually taught in one of the homes and boarded there also.)

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1816 LETTER FROM JOHN HARTT TO JAMES NEELY
(From the Potts Papers)
Gleanings, Vol 1, No. 4, Oct-Dec 1994
(Shown as written)

State of Tennessee Sumner County

July 14 1816

Honored Uncle

With pleasure I embrace the present opportunity of writing to you and inform you that I am in a good state of health (page torn)..and have been ever since I left that country except the mumps which I had shortly after my arrival here which made a little feverish for a few days. I was not as well pleased with this country which I first came as many are, but the longer I stay, the better accustomed to the country I become. Crop here this season was very good only where the insect called the (?) fly destroyed it.

I have been with all the Calhoun friends and about a week since they were all well. And on thing further I would observe that Uncle *Sam’l Calhoun has between thirty and forty grandchildren.

(Note: * - Thomas Neely II had a daughter Mary who, according to the Neely family, had a daughter Nancy who married Sam Calhoun.)

Cousin Issy Neely was married since I came to this country to a Mr. George McDonald (?) being in Madison County about one hundred miles from her mother.

I have heard of more marriages since I have been in this country than I would there in three years. I have been invited to several but never attended and am invited tomorrow and probably attend.

I cannot figure any reason why the people of this country should marry more than there. True the land is much richer but whether that should have an effect upon the human body so as to create love or nourish or strengthen to a greater degree I would not pretend to determine, or whether the girls here are so charmingly beautiful and the virtuous that the young men can not withstand their alluring smiles I would not say but this far I think I may venture to go on to say that neither the beauty, the virtue nor the smiles of any of them have so enamoured me as to enter the conjugal bond of matrimony. But although I have not the least prospect of doing such a praise worthy thing myself I would advise you to think a little of the subject and when thinking, consider that you are now on the decline of life and that if you procrastinate the business, your prospects may be dull. But I am still young and agreeable to the word of the poet "Tis time enough yet".

Excuse me if I write no more on the subject for it is so pleasing it overcomes me. I am teaching school in this place at present and have a very agreeable time. I am boarding at my cousin Jas. Hartts and have the company of two or three young (page torn off) every morning and evening to and from school and you may guess whether my time is agreeable spent or not. Several other applications are made for school which I rather think I will attend to as soon as this one is done. I received my father’s letter dated June 24^th and wrote him an answer on the same day which I hope he has received. It is uncertain when I will return home but probably not for several months yet.

Give my love to Grandmother and to all inquiring friends. I wrote no more at present but subscribe myself your friend and affectionate nephew.

John Hartt

To Jas. Neely

NB. You will please let my brother Josephus see this letter.

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WILLIAM ERWIN AGREEMENT
(From the Old Potts Papers)

Know, men, by these present that I, William Irwin am held and firmly bound until Robert Irwin, Hugh McDowel, John Anderson, John Williamson in the penal sum of four hundred dollars. The condition of the above obligation is such, that if the above bounder, William Irwin does go to the state of Tennessee and superintend a suit; James Moore, one of the executors of Robert Irwin Dec’d., now pending in Saville Supr. Court vs the heirs of said Dec’d To enter such pleas as the nature of the case may admit, to employ council to enable him to better conduct said suit; or to compromise upon the best terms he can, If he cannot procure a compromise to not suit and let him come to Mecklenburg and meet the heirs where the administration took place or to do any thing else that may appear to him for the best.

In witness thereof I have hereunto

set my hand and seal this 3^rd day of December 1812.

William Irwin (seal)

Test: Jamison Neely.

(Note: Possibly the "Saville Supr. Ct may be Sevier Co. TN Ct….)

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JAMES GREER NOTE TO GEN. STOKES
(From the Potts Papers)

The following note was sent to General Stokes in care of John Knox to Salisbury in 1804:

General Stokes

Sir I hope you will send me the following sums I have paid my evidence in the suit between John McDowell and myself before I left Salisbury. I paid:

L S P

James Dinkins 4.-12-0

Daniel Smith 4.-10-8

Elijah Baker 3.-17-4

Alexander Greer 4.- 2-0

In Mecklenburg court

in April I paid William Maxfield 5. -10-0
and sent his ticket to your office by Mr. ---------
Wm Alexander, Attorney. The first four 13-13-4
tickets I delivered to Mr. Cowan your
clerk in the office. I paid five pounds to my
attorney as you may see in his receipt------------------ 5-00-0
The sum coming to me is in all--------------------------27-13-4

By paying the aforesaid sum, this shall be your Discharge from your humb’l serv’t, James Greer Sept 19^th 1804

The above sums paid by Sheriff Beaty. J.G.

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Letter from Barnett to Uncle Walter
(From the Potts Papers)
From: Gleanings, Vol. 2, No. 2, Apr/Jun 1995 issue

21 Sept 1812
(Copied as written)

                                                                                                                        India Hook
                                                                                                                        Sept 21, 1812
Uncle Walter
                                        I will have to ask you to send Eddie & myself some money as Ive are needing some what you have to spare I hate to do this but am needing it as I want to have my teeth fixed and would like ever so much to go to the fair in Columbia if I could make every thing suit. Eddie has been right sick for several days having chills have been trying to get them broken up but this is his chill day again dont kown whether he will have one today or not. I am anxious to have my teeth fixed this fall as I suffer with them so much. Well I will have to close as this is the morning for the mail to go off and the carrier will be here if a short time. Come over soon hope you all havn’t got chills.

                                                                                Your neice,
                                                                                Mamie B Barnett
                                                                                India Hook S. C.
(India Hook was a community near what is now Rock Hill, SC)

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RECEIPT OF 1788
(From the Potts Papers)
Shown as written

"Recd of Jas Grier one pound, eleven shillings and three pence cash and one pound two shillings and three pence indenture, being his tax in full for 1788 -
                                                                                                                                 By Aaron Wilson
Also recd from Thos Grier                                 2-18-7
from John Bigham, Sr.                                      2- 5 -11
    pd by James Bigham
being their Indent due from 1788 from Jas Grier
                                                 by A Wilson

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LETTER TO JOHN NEELY FROM THOMAS & JEAN NEELY
(Copied as written)
February 24th 1798 (1790?)

Dear Father,
An opportunity ofers I gladly embrace to let you know that myself and family are in a reasonable state of health at presant. Thanks be to the giver of all good in his mercies. Hoping these lines may find you all in good health - our two little boys are both well in health though John haves had a __?some foot (trouble?) this four weeks past by reason of a scald he rec'd (part of page torn)---although he is beginning to step a little upon it again. He is nearly as stout a boy of his age as I ever seen. I have not as yet made a purchase of land but I do expect in the course of four or five days now I will buy either joyning (adjoining?) McEvins at the rate of four dollars an acre or on the south side of the Cumberland River 8 miles below Nashville at the rate of two dollars and a helf. The former is - (superior?)- to the latter for land and timber but the latter is (superior?_- for water and house? So that I have not concluded which I will take. But I rather expect to take the peace joyning where I live as it is a peace of first quality land.
I do expect life and health continuing I shall be in Steel Creek next sumer or fall. I have nothing more worth relating I shall now conclude. Give my compliments to brother Joe Hart, Hannah and any other persons who may think worth while to enquire. Ading know more we remain your loving son and daughter
Thos and Jean Neely
John Neely
( Note under Neely family, this Thomas was the son of John Neely, b. 1751, d. 1806, wife Isabella. This was many of the several Neely families that went to Tennessee in the early 1790s. This letter was kept by Dorcas Neely, who married James Grier, II and with other valuable letters and papers came down through that family to the Potts family.)

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Letter from Jane (Jean) Neely to her mother, Isabella Neely
Copied as written

State of Tennessee Rutherford County
September 5th 1816

Dear Mother,
With pleasure I take the present opportunity of addressing a few lines to you by way of letter and inform you that I am my family are enjoying a good state of health at present. Thanks be to God for his unmerited goodness toward us. For health, the exercise of reason, food and raiment and, above all, for the offers of salvation through a Redeemer.
My situation in life if very poor for babble. My daughter Isabella was married about the first of May last to Mr. George McLanato of Madison County, Mississippi Territory, but I think she will move in the neighborhood where I live which would be a satisfaction to me. It would afford me the peace and pleasure to see you once more but I do not expect it. Yet I hope we will both be prepared to meet in the happy climes (?) of belief where we shall part no more in the realms above where pleasure never ends and troubles come no more. Give my compliments to all inquiring friends and I subscribe myself your most affectionate and obedient daughter
Jane Neely
To: Mrs. Isabella Neely - NC-Mecklenburg County- Steele Creek

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HIRING OF SLAVES
(Taken from the Potts Papers)

"Hiring of the Negroes belonging to C. L. Hunter minor by his guardian Jan. 1. 1855.
Article #1 The Negores to be hired until the 25 of Dec next.
Article #2 The highest bidder to be regarded as the hirer and no Negro to be hired out
of this state nor to be rehired without the consent of the Guardian.
Art #3 Each negro to have 3 suits of clothing. 2 for summer and 1 woollen (sic)
suit suitable for winter. 2 prs shoes 1 pr socks 1 blanket and 1 good wool
hat
Art #4 No Negro to be hired to work on a Rail R or Plank road or in a gold mine
Art 5th The hirer will be required to give a note with aproved(sic) security before
taken away
Art 6th No Negro will be received a clothed ? unless they are returned with a good
woollen (sic) suit.
Jan the 1. 1855
Jas. L. Grier, Guardian
J. H. (W) Grier
Auctioneer"

Note: In the 1870 census records of Steele Creek. C. L. Hunter is shown as a mullato living in the household of Jas. L. Grier.

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LETTER FROM TENNESSEE TO STEEL CREEK
(Many parts of this letter was not legible and was to faded to read the old script. The letter has been typed as written, with the lack of punctuation, spelling errors and all)

Addressed to Miss Mary Neely, North Carolina, Mecklenburg County.

"Haywood Tennessee September the 22 1840
My Dear Aunt
I take this opportunity of writting to you that my health is very good and all the ? of the friends this country is generaly healthy. The sore eyes is very bad in this neighborhood but none of us has them yet. We have first rate cociety (society?) you need not think that I keep company with any one that is not respectable for I do not. You may live in hopes that I will try to take care of myself and do the best I can for I know that I have not got you to watch over me now. I think that I can do as well out here as I could at that country - yes I've been to see my relations up in Moderson (Madison?) County they were all well I saw my dear aunt Hannah (?) which I have not seen for many years and aunt Dinah and ?? all the rest. Oh you do not know how glad I was to see them. All it would make me glader to have seen you with them all. Cousin James Alexander said that you wanted to come out here with him but he could not bring you but I do hope that you will have an oportunity (sic) of coming out here if your life is spared. I want to see you very bad you need not think because I do not write to you that I do not care anything about you for I do love you with all my heart and there is not one day goes on but what I think of you and wish you were out here and if the good Lord spares your life and mine till I get a house of my own if you will come and live with me you shall never want for attention while I have hands for I know that you have done so much for me when I was not able to do for myself. If I was with you once more in this world I never would part from you again. I want you to give my love and best respects to Uncle James and Aunt Nancy and all there children and to Uncle John Neely and aunt Cintha and all there children and Counsin (?) James Bigham and cousin Isabella and Mary and Catherine and John and to aunt Dovie and cousin Lee - Oh my dear aunt I have not told you the good news yet but I will tell you the Lord spares my life to finish my letter - glory to my blessed Jesus who lives in the best masion above. I do hope and trust to him that I have my heart prepared to meet him at the first???? Love in peace. I was for on moth?? (month?) before I found pardon for my sines that I did not know what to do for I thought that I would be lost in that dredfull place but glory to god he has I think pardoned my sines and I have had so many happy feelings. I have felt like I wanted to die and to die a shouting. I prayed and eryed ? a hundred times for my sister and brother that ho (torn off) had there heart changed (torn) is the only thing needed in this world and the world to come when I professed I ? not ?? any person in this world the only thing was sweet Jesus when all I see the and dwell with thee above. Aunt I have joined the Baptist church and (torn) buryed in baptism (3 lines torn off) and tell Catharine that she write to me by him and tell me all the news. Tell her that I am very much obliged to her for her respects tell her I want to see very bad but I never expect to see her without she comes out here so my dear aunt I remain your niece until death.
Margery L. Neely

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