ROBERT POWELL CARVER'S

GENEALOGY RECORDS COLLECTION
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This SAMUEL TARVER was most probably the brother of BENJAMIN TARVER  (d. 1821) who was the father of the SILAS TARVER, witness to SAMUEL's will, and the father of ELIZABETH ASBURY TARVER who married JOHN POWELL and was my gt-gt-gt-grandmother. This SAMUEL TARVER could have been a first cousin, also.

It is my contention that BENJAMIN and SAMUEL were among the several sons of SAMUEL TARVER and his wife, MARY. This older SAMUEL made his will May 23, 1778 and it was proved at the December Court 1778 in Northampton County, NC. He mentions:
(1) son, JOHN TARVER
(2) son, SAMUEL TARVER
(3) son, BENJAMIN TARVER
(4) daughter, PENNY
(5) daughter, MARY BANKS
(6) daughter, SARAH JORDAN
(7) daughter, ELE(ANOR) TARVER
(8) daughter, HANNAH TARVER
(9) all my children, names not given
(10) executors were ANDREW TARVER and THOMAS PARKER

witnesses were JOHN MADER, BENJAMIN TARVER and ANTHONY MOORE

A TARVER researcher in TX believes the father of SAMUEL and BENJAMIN to have been ANDREW TARVER, whose will is not dated, but was proved at the March Court 1780, Northampton County, NC. He mentioned:
(1) daughter, MARY TARVER, and her husband, JACOB TARVER
(2) daughter, ELIZABETH HARRIS, and her husband, ABSALOM HARRIS
(3) daughter, LINDA LOW, and her husband, JOHN LOW
(4) daughter, PATIENCE TARVER
(5) daughter, PRUE TARVER
(6) wife, ELIZABETH
(7) son, JOHN TARVER
(8) son, JOHN, to receive residue for support of the brothers until the youngest son comes of age and then divided equally among my four sons
(9) executor, son, JOHN TARVER

witnesses were SAMUEL TARVER and BENJAMIN TARVER

The third possible parent for my BENJAMIN, but not for SAMUEL, was JAMES TARVER, who made his will September 22, 1775 and it was proved at the March Court 1777, Northampton County, NC. He mentions:

(1) son, HARMON TARVER
(2) daughter, MARTHA LEWIS
(3) daughter, NANCY VASDON
(4) daughter, SARAH ANN VASDON
(5) daughter, LUCY ROWELL
(6) son, BILLISON TARVER
(7) son, JAMES TARVER
(8) son, BENJAMIN TARVER
(9) son, MICAJAH TARVER
(10) son, THOMAS TARVER
(11) daughters, CHARLOTTE T. TARVER
(12) daughter, SILVIAH TARVER
(13) daughter, BETSEY TARVER
(14) wife, LUCY TARVER
(15) executors, BILLISON TARVER and JAMES TARVER
witnesses were JOSHUA WHITE and MARY (x) WHITE

JAMES TARVER, SR., married LUCY SEAT, daughter of BILLISON SEAT whose will is dated February 12, 1784 and proved at December Court, 1786.

None of the wills coincide with information contained in extant biographies of members of the TARVER family. The one for Judge BENJAMIN J. TARVER of Wilson County, TN, (son of SILAS TARVER and his wife, NANCY HARRIS), states that his grandfather, BENJAMIN TARVER, fought at the battle of King's Mountain with his five brothers. This would seem to conclude that JAMES and LUCY were the parents....however,

BENJAMIN TARVER, JR., son of the King's Mountain soldier, wrote an Autobiographical Sketch in the 1870s and he states that his father had an older brother named JOHN who converted to Methodism and became a Circuit Rider.
Also that BEN Sr.'s father died around the "close" of the Revolutionary War (which could mean almost anything, since there was relatively no action between 1781 and 1783 when the treaty was signed). As BEN Jr. was not born until 1804, his memory about the exact time his grandfather died could well be erroneous. The memory of JOHN, the uncle, however, was a significant one because this conversion was responsible for BEN Sr, and family becoming Methodists, too.

Further, BEN Jr. states that at the grandfather's death, the care of the widowed mother and several unmarried sisters fell to his own father, BEN Sr.

Since JAMES and LUCY had no sons named JOHN and SAMUEL, and the home plantation was left equally to sons THOMAS and MICAJAH, it is my theory that they must be discounted as parents of my BENJAMIN and, thus, SAMUEL the younger.

Since ANDREW and MARY did have at least four sons (or five sons, if one reads the entry "my four sons" to mean the four left in the care of eldest son, JOHN), perhaps these four included sons named SAMUEL and BENJAMIN. However, my BENJAMIN was born in 1760/1, which would have made him 20-21 years old at the time ANDREW's will was probated...and thus of legal age. And the home plantation was willed to JOHN. So this would discount ANDREW as father.

Which leaves SAMUEL and MARY TARVER. This SAMUEL willed the home plantation to son, BENJAMIN, which agrees with the Autobiographical Sketch; there were at least three sons, all with the "right names" JOHN, SAMUEL and BENJAMIN, and there were "several" unmarried sisters left to be cared for by BEN, Sr. So I lean to SAMUEL and the father.  

A final circumstantial piece is that BENJAMIN TARVER, SR., and his wife, HANNAH SMITH, named no son ANDREW or JAMES. Neither did their daughter, ELIZABETH ASBURY TARVER, who married JOHN POWELL. They had a host of sons, WILLIAM, JOHN G., EDWARD SMITH, BENJAMIN, SAMUEL, GERMAN SILAS, and ALEXANDER...but no ANDREW or JAMES.

Judge BENJAMIN J(AMES) TARVER (above mentioned) was named for his two grandfathers, BENJAMIN TARVER (father of SILAS) and JAMES HARRIS (father of NANCY).

FANNY TARVER, widow of SAMUEL TARVER, (d. 1833) was the widow of JONAS T. HAIL, who made his nuncupative will which was proved at the June Court, 1804, Northampton County, NC. It mentions:
(1) son, WILLIAM HAIL
(2) son, JONAS
(3) wife, FANNY HAIL
(4) daughter, REBECCA HAIL
witnesses were LEMUEL LONG, ROBERT ELLIS, H. WEBB.
"The above nuncupative will of JONAS HAIL, was brought into Court by SAMUEL SUMMERILLE for probate. FANNY HAIL, came into court and entered a Caveat...the following Jury: WILLIAM LASHLEY, WILLIAM JOSEY, T...H...., BENJAMIN ROOK, JOHN BURK, SAMUEL WILLIAMS, DAVID LAURENCE, JOHN PEELE, WILLIAM FAISON, J... BOON, FRED JONES and ABSALOM GRANT being sworn...say upon their Oaths the Paper purporting to be as Nuncupative Will of JONAS HAIL, decd, is the Will of sd. JONAS HAIL." [Hofmann, Northampton Co., NC Wills, p. 120]

What do you think?

Bob

Susan,

According to my abstracts of the Wilson County records, I read the name as STILES, not STITES.

JESSE ADAMSON made his will October 18, 1825, proved December 21, 1825 in Wilson Co,TN [W&I, 1824-1827, p. 257f]. He mentions:
(1) wife, MARY ADAMSON
(2) daughter, CHARITY HUFF
(3) son, JOHN ADAMSON
(4) daughter, MARGARET PUGH
(5) son, JOSEPH ADAMSON
(6) son, WILLIAM ADAMSON
(7) son, SIMON ADAMSON
(8) son, WILLS ADAMSON
(9) son, JESSE ADAMSON
(10) daughter, MARY HOPKINS
(11) son, ELIJAH ADAMSON
(12) daughter, ELIZABETH WILLIAMS
(13) executors, son, SIMON ADAMSON, and GEORGE PUGH
witnesses: LEONARD FITE and ENOCH STILES

WILLS ADAMSON of Smith Co., TN, to SIMON ADAMSON for 84 acres on Pirtle's Creek for $182. [WCT DB P, January 7, 1833, p. 169]

SIMON ADAMSON to my son, WILLIAM ADAMSON, for 125 acres in the 15th Civil District. [Ibid., DB Z, 1852, p. 24]

SIMON ADAMSON married SUSANNAH HOPKINS. February 22, 1809, WCT, with STEPHEN HOPKINS, bondsman

POLLY ADAMSON married STEPHEN HOPKINS, October 21, 1806, WCT, with GEORGE PUGH, bondsman

* * * *
WILLIAM ADAMSON was dead by Decembe 10, 1811 when JAMES McADOO was aptd admr. [QCR, 1802-1814, p. 276]

WILLIAM ADAMSON married DEMORRIS BLEDSOE, June 7, 1808, WCT, with GEORGE PUGH, bondsman

JOHN McMULLEN aptd guardian of JOHN and ELIZABETH ADAMSON, minor heirs of WILLIAM ADAMSON, deceased. Securities URIAH CROSS and WILLIAM R. CROSS. [QCR, 1822-1824, September 22, 1823, p. 303.]

* * * * *
ELIJAH ADAMSON made his will October 11, 1826, proved February 12, 1827 [W&I, 1824-1827, p. 376] He mentions:
(1) wife, SUSANNAH ADAMSON
(2) my two sons: JESSE ADAMSON and JOSEPH ADAMSON
(3) my mother, MARY ADAMSON
(4) executors, SIMON ADAMSON and GEORGE PUGH
withesses were SIMEON HATHEWAY and GEORGE R. PUGH

ELIJAH ADAMSON married SUSANNAH HATHAWAY, April 24, 1822, WCT, with JESSE PUGH, bondsman

WILLIS ADAMSON aptd guardian of JESSE and JOSEPH ADAMSON, minor heirs of ELIJAH ADAMNSON, decd, with security, GEORGE R. PUGH. [QCR, 1828-1836, January 2, 1831, p. 470]

Cmsrs report allotment of yrs provisions to SUSANNAH ADAMSON, widow. [QCR, 1826-1828, March 26, 1827, p. 45]

In Partlow's two volumes of Deeds of Wilson Co., I find no STILES or STITES listed in the indexes.

Bob

Nell, I wonder why your POWELLs went to Nashville to board the train? There was one (Tennessee Central) which ran right close to the POWELL lands, connecting Lebanon (and points east) with Nashville (and points west).

My gt-grandfather's uncles and his one son (JOHN HENRY POWELL) who went west, to TX and CA, left before the McKinley assassination.  
Bob

BUCHANAN JAMES, JR., was dead by February 3, 1851, when BUCHANAN JAMES, SR., was aptd admr with securities JAMES BAIRD and MICAJAH STONE. Bond $500. [QCR, 1848-1856, p. 312]

Cmsrs HIRAM S. WROE, SUMNER C. HAMILTON, and WILLIAM NEELY aptd to allot yrs provisions to widow and family of BUCHANAN JAMES, JR., decd. [Ibid., p. 311]

On application, BUCHANAN JAMES, SR., is aptd guardian of BUCHANAN JAMES the Third, a minor orphan of BUCHANAN JAMES, decd, with securities T. M. ALLISON, and JOHN W. MARSHALL. Bond $100. [QCR, 1852-1856, March 7, 1853, p. 61] New bond posted with E. H. JAMES and J. F. PUCKETT, securities. Bond $100. [Ibid., 1852-1856, April 2, 1855, p. 448]

SAMUEL S. AYRES aptd guardian of THOMAS BUCHANAN JAMES, a minor heir of BUCHANAN JAMES, JR., decd, and an heir of BUCHANAN JAMES, SR., decd, with securities A. S. YOUNG and M. T. AYRES. Bond $1000. [QCR, 1856-1858, April 5, 1858, p. 318]

* * * * *

BUCHANAN JAMES, SR., was dead by March 1, 1858 when DANIEL JAMES was aptd admr with securities CARROLL LEWIS and ALEXANDER HAYS. Bond $1500.[QCR, 1856-1858, p. 295]

Cmsrs BIRD SMITH, H. S. WROE and CARROLL LEWIS aptd to allot yrs provisions to widow and family of BUCHANAN JAMES, SR., decd. [Ibid., p. 297]

DANIEL JAMES aptd guardian of RUFUS JAMES, a minor heir of BUCHANAN JAMES, decd, with securities W.A. JENNINGS, W. G. COUCH, and T. H. KNIGHT. Bond $600. [Ibid., April5, 1858, p. 317]

WILLIAM A. JENNINGS aptd guardian of JAMES M.,JOHN S., DANIEL B., MONROE W., MARGARET A., and ALONZO JENNINGS, his minor children and heirs of BUCHANAN JAMES, decd, with securities JAMES F. PUCKETT and T. H. KNIGHT and W. C. COUCH. Bond $600. [Ibid., p. 319]

DANIEL JAMES et al - Petition to sell land and slaves - BUCHANAN JAMES died intestate in 1858 leaving real and personal property. Real estate 55 acres adjoining the town of Statesville in Civil District 15, three lots in said town, also 5 slaves. Clerk to take proof of need to sell. [Ibid., April 6, 1858, p. 325]

DANIEL JAMES et al - Petition to sell land and slaves - B. W. SMITH and A. S. YOUNG testify. Land and slaves should be sold. [Ibid.]

DANIEL JAMES et al - Petition to sell land and slaves - Sold land and slaves belonging to the heirs of BUCHANAN JAMES, decd, except youngest negro child which had died. Land bought by T. C. WORD and MARION RAGLAND. JAMES MEASLES bought the mansion house and lot; E. A. KENNEDY bought the other two parts of lots. MRS. MARGARET C. JAMES bought the woman POLLY; WILLIAM ADAMS bought the youngest girl AMANDA FRANCES; THOMAS H. KNIGHT bought the youngest girl named NANCY, about 9 ears old and diseased;, $410; and J. KNIGHT bought the oldest of the children, BETTY, for $1350. [Ibid., May 3, 1858, p. 314f]

ENOCH H. JAMES aptd guardian of RUFUS JAMES, JR., in place of DANIEL JAMES.
Securitites DANIEL JAMES and ALEXANDER A. YOUNG. Bond $600.
[QCR, 1858-1862, August 1, 1859, p. 113]

Settlement with SAMUEL S. AYRES, guardian of BUCHANAN JAMES the 3rd reported.
[Ibid., September 2, 1861, p. 508]

Land purchased by HARDIN RAGLAND {note above called MARION}. [Ibid., November
3, 1862, p. 581]

L.N. THOMAS v DANIEL JAMES et al - Final Decree - Deft did not appear. Compl
entitled to relief sought; the judgment against compl should be deducted from his share of the estate of intestate JAMES and no further steps should be taken by defts to collect. [CCR, 1857-1860, October 11, 1860, p. 539]

ALVA JAMES married LAVISE L. THOMAS, January 17, 1848

CATHERINE JAMES married WILLIAM A. JENNINGS, April 2/4, 1839

DAVID [DANIEL?] JAMES married MALINDA JENNINGS, August 10, 1843

ELIZABETH ANN JAMES married SAMPSON KNIGHT, October 19/31, 1833

ENOCH JAMES married ELLEN S. THOMAS, September 21, 1843

REAL (sic) JAMES married MARY COOK, June 22/25, 1822

WILLLIAM H. JAMES married CATHERINE W. ALEXANDER, September 5, 1843

WILLIAM R. [H.?] JAMES married ISABEL WILLARD, February 12, 1834

* * * * *

MARGARET JAMES died by January 3, 1859, when CARROLL LEWIS was aptd admr with securities DANIEL JAMES and W. A. JENNINGS. Bond $1500. [QCR, 1858-1862, p. 10]

CARROLL LEWIS, admr et al - Petition to sell slaves - It appearing that MRS. M. C. JAMES died intestate leaving the petitioners her only heirs and representatives, that she was possessed of a small estate, consisting of a negro woman, a horse and some household and kitchen furniture, estate is so endebted that sale of negro is necessary. So ordered. W. A. JENNINGS, regular guardian of his minor children named as petitioners; that DANIEL JAMES was regular guardian of RUFUS JAMES, also named as a petitioner; and that SAMUEL AYRES was regular guardian of BUCHANAN JAMES, named as petitioner. [Ibid., January 4, 1858, p. 14]

CARROLL LEWIS et al - Petition to sell slave - Witnesses B. W. SMITH, E. S. SMITH and S. C. HAMILTON all agree negro girl should be sold. [Ibid., January 5, 1858, p. 15]

Clerk reports he sold the woman to WILLIAM A. JENNINGS for $925. [Ibid., March 8, 1859, p. 54]

* * * * *

RACHEL J. JAMES was dead by April 6, 1859, when SAMUEL AYRES was aptd admr of her estate. [QCR, 1852-1856, p. 354] Securiites were MILES AYRES and W. L. THOMPSON. Bond $300.

BUCHANAN JAMES [Jr.] married RACHEL JANE AYRES, January 18, 1849.

* * * * *

SAMUEL JAMES was dead by February 5, 1855 when ENOCH JAMES was aptd admr, with securities DANIEL R. FAKES and C. P. PARTLOW. Bond $5000. [QCR, 1852-1856, p. 420]

ENOCH H. JAMES, heretofore aptd admr of SAMUEL JAMES, decd, permitted to resign. T.M. ALLISON aptd admr de bonis non with securities B. W. SMITH and J. F. PUCKETT. Bond $5000. {Ibid., April 2, 1855, p. 447]

* * * * *
THOMAS R. [B?} JAMES was dead by December 4, 1854 when ELIZABETH JAMES was aptd admrx with securites THOMAS C. WROE. [QCR, 1852-1857, p. 379.]  

This is all I have on JAMES.

Bob

My own gt-grandfather, JOHN MICHAEL POWELL (b. 1841) in his Confederate pension paper stated that his own great-grandfather came to this country from England. I think that this is most probably incorrect as his great-grandfather was WILLIAM POWELL who died in Franklin County, NC, by 1785, as shown in the probate records of that county. What appears is a POWELL tradition in my line, at least, to name the eldest son after the paternal grandfather...son WILLIAM (d. 1785) was father of JOHN (b. 1782) who was father of WILLIAM TAYLOR POWELL (b. 1813) who was father of JOHN MICHAEL (b. 1841) who was father of WILLIAM BABB POWELL. There were JOHN POWELLS alive prior to 1785 in NC and VA who could well be the father of the first mentioned WILLIAM (d. 1785)

Second, if the other POWELL families in Wilson County are related to mine, they are either descended from brothers or uncles of the above WILLIAM (d. 1785), as he had only one son, JOHN, and one daughter, MARY.
So the verdict is still out about just who founded the POWELL family(ies) from whom I descend.

The WILLIAM C. POWELL mentioned in the post on BRIDGES-POWELL is not in my particular family line. The only WILLIAM POWELL I find getting married in Wilson County between 1845-1864 was the WILLIAM POWELL who married MARTHA JANE DONNELL, August 8/9, 1849, by JESSE A. VOWELL, JP.

Bob