ANALYSIS OF “DID SAMUEL JAMES COME FROM SURRY COUNTY”?

There is a great quote that Tim James sent me “Genealogy without documentation is mythology”. In trying to separate the fact from the myth regarding Samuel James and figure out who his Father is, I have relied mainly on the legal documents that were available at the time: land records, tax records and census records. My conclusions about the data are at the end of each section and at the end of the document.

County Formation

To understand who Samuel James’ Father is, it is helpful to understand the formation of the Counties in Northern North Carolina.

From like 1752 until 1771 all of the area in northern North Carolina was Rowan County. Then in 1771 Surry County was formed. Surry County encompassed present day Stokes, Wilkes, Ashe and Yadkin Counties. Then in 1769 Stokes County was formed and in 1777 Wilkes County was formed. I see no proof that the Henry “Buck” Scalf story “Mountain Kinsman Ride” is incorrect and that Samuel James and his family moved from Massachusetts to North Carolina when he was a small child in the late 1770’s. At this time there were a maximum of four counties in this area: Rowan, Surry, Stokes, and Wilkes.

Land and Tax Record Analysis

Rowan County Jameses

In the Rowan County Deed Records we find in 1756 – WILLIAM JAMES, 444 acres; Lick Ford of Reedy Creek of Haw [Yadkin] River, Rowan County [Davidson County – South of Winston-Salem). William Churton; Nicholas Robinson, John Robinson. This was an original land deed from the Earl of Granville. The Reedy Creek comes off of the Yadkin River, is due south of Winston Salem and is just west of Welcome in present day Davidson County. In 1756 this area was part of Rowan County. This is the first James in the area and is far earlier than when the Samuel James’ family immigrated from MA in the late 1770’s. Also, this is quite a distance from Surry County. (There are four **** in the lower center of the map where Reedy Creek is).

From the Tax list of Rowan, Surry and Stokes County 1759 – 1800 the only Jameses from the area south of Winston Sales which at that time is Rowan County are:

William James 1759 Rowan County

John James 1768 Morgan Bryan – Davie Co.

John James 1782 Mosley District 3 1

Nicholas James 1799 Williams (Reedy Cr.)

In looking at the land records for the rest of the Jameses in the Surry/Stokes County area I have labeled on the map where they occur. I will then go through each area individually.

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Stokes County Jameses off of the Dan River

There was also a group of Jameses who lived in Stokes County where the major River in the area was the

Dan River. William James appears to be the head of this family. Since they moved to the area in the late 1770’s there may be some connection to Samuel. This was about the time Samuel’s family moved from MA to North Carolina. I think the data will show that William was not Samuel’s Father. Maybe William was his uncle. However, we have no proof of a connection.

Looking at the area of Surry County which is in present day Stokes County first (is in the upper right hand corner of the map). You may note this is north Winston-Salem and Bethania and is on the Virginia boarder.

The earliest land record of a James we find in the area of Surry County which later became Stokes County is by William James in 1778. All of the activity surrounding this William James is in the Old Field – Town Fork area. The only other James in this area is David James who first appears in 1785.

It should be noted that Town Fork and Oldfield Creek area is not in the Yadkin Valley it is a tributary off the Dan River, not the Yadkin River.

692. William Waggoner enters 200 acres of land in Surry Co. on both sides of Old Field Creek adjoining Augustin Blackburn’s deeded land and WILLIAM JAMES’S claim including my improvement for complement – Sept 10, 1778. [Warrant granted]

1141. WILLIAM JAMES enters 300 acres of land in Surry Co. on Old Field Creek adjoining Wm. Waggoners’ line including my improvement for complement – December 29, 1778.

1263. John Cooley enters 100 acres of land in Surry County on a branch of Old Field Creek adjoining WILLIAM JAMES including Henry King’s improvement for quantity – January 2, 1779 [March 29, 1779 – caveated by Nathaniel McCarrell, returned to court and jury found for Cooley, Warrant granted per order of court.]

Ord. following attend next county court 2nd Monday August (1779) as Jurors: John Roberson, Stephen Clayton, Wm. Carmichall, WM. JAMES, Barnabas Fair, Gabriel Waggoner, Henry Cook, John Colvard, George Detherage, James Brown, James Baggett, Abraham Martin, Daniel Chandler, John Joiner, Simon Hadley, John Thomson, James Doak, Elijah Smallwood, Doke Hannah, Joseph Banner, Abrham Pecock, Samuel Cunningham, Philip Shouse, Younger Blackburn, Richard Childress, John Hutchins, Benjamin Burk, Thomas Briggs, John Boles, John Harvey.

Richmond – 2nd Monday 9 August 1779

Grand Jury: WILLIAM JAMES, Barnabas Fair, James Brown, James Padget, James Doak, Jos. Banner, Abel Pecock, Philip Shouse, John Hutchins, John Bowls, Samuel Cunningham, Stephen Clayton, Gabriel Waggoner.

and

Ord. following appear to serve as Jurors next county court: Gideon Wright, Job Martin, Matthew Brooks, Amrous Blackbourn, WILLIAM JAMES, Richard Lawrence, James Doak, Samuel Mosby, Junr., Philip Howard, George Lash, Adam Woolf, Henry Shores, James Gambell, John Hannah, Andrew Speer, William Rutledge, Thomas Clanton, William Freeman, James Badget, Reubin Shore, John Burch, Abial Cobb, Richard Murphey, Reubin Dodson, Richard Cos, William Hickman, William Shelton, Almon Guinn, Matthew Warnock, Malcum Curry.

November 15, 1780

Ord. following appt. Jurors to serve next court: Job Martin, Ambrous Blackburn, WILLIAM JAMES, Richard Lawrence, Samuel Mosby, Junr., Phil Howard, George Lash, James Gambell, John Hannah, Andrew Speer, Thomas Clanton, William Freeman, James Badget, Reubin Shores, John Burch, Abial Cobb, Raubin Dodson, Richard Cox, William Hickman, William Shelton, Almond Guinn, Matthew Warnock, John Smith, Robert Forbis, Thomas Woodrough, Benjamin Johnson, James Shepperd

May 16, 1783

Nicholas Horn overseer road in room of William Freeman. Ord. Colo. James Martin, Henry Wadkins, Philip Wilson, John Smith, John McAnally, Ambrose Blackburn, Robert Hill, Joseph Winston, WILLIAM JAMES, Gray Bynum, Jos. Banner, Ephriam Banner, Benjamin Banner, James McKein, William Cambell, Alexander Moore, James Martin, George Hauser, Michael Hauser, Abraham Martin, William Waggoner, Henry Shore, Charles McAnally, Jacob Bloom, Samuel Clark, John Hall, Samuel Waggoner view road from Reuben Georges’ to Salem Road near where it leaves Walkers old road . . .

169. 3 Nov 1784 N.C. Grant to William Waggoner. .200 ac both sides Oldfield Ck. .Blackburn and Winstons corners. WM. JAMES line. .

171. 3 Nov 1784 N.C. Grant to WILLIAM JAMES. .300 ac both sides Oldfields Ck. .McKoins line. .Waggoners line.

February 10, 1785 WILLIAM JAMES SR enters 50 ac in Surry Co on waters of Old Field Cr; border: James McKown and myself.

February 16, 1785

Ord. John Bransom, William Gibson, John Wells, Stephen Fountain, Thomas Reaper, Isaac Garrison, John Cooley, William Davis, William Waggoner, WILLIAM JAMES, Edward Cooley, Exekiel Young, Thomas Davis, David Davis, & Joseph Winston view road from School House Branch to Cape Fear Road…

August 7, 1785

Ord. Following be appt. Jurors attend county Ct. Richmond August next: John Hurt, Peter Downy, Joseph Porter, Isaac Southard, David Humphris, John Dunlap, Matthew Warnock, Gray Byum, WILLIAM JAMES, SENR., Hardy Reddick, Younger Blackburn, Richard Linvill, William Gibson, senr., Malcum Curry, Edward Lovell, Windle Krouse, Charles Clayton, John Allin (Honey John), Samuel Greenwood, John B. Colvard, John Thompson (Deep Ck) John Ridins, John Coe, John Johnson (Forbis OK)…

57. 15 Sept 1785 James McKoin to DAVID JAMES 106 pds 111 ½ ac waters Oldfield Ck adj sd McKoin part tract gr him 3 Nov 1784

Andrew Robinson Hugh Endsley /s/ James McKoin

February 15, 1787

Deed from James McKein to DAVID JAMES; oath Andrew Robinson

November 15, 1787

William Waggoner & wf vs Absalom Bostick; also Wm. Waggoner & wf vs WILLIAM JAMES. It is agreed William James, Senr. surrender negro girl named Phebee to William Waggoner & sd JAMES retains boy named Bob & the Negro wench Nan to be sold & equally divided bet sd WM. JAMES and Wm. Waggoner.

May 11, 1788

Ord. Joseph Nelson, Henry Hampton, Constant Ladd, esq, John Hutchings, Aaron Linvill, William Gibson, Patrick McGibbony, John Cooley, William Waggoner, William Hinman, WILLIAM JAMES, Andrew Robinson, Charles Angle, Charles Davis, Isaac Garrison, Richard Linvill & Joseph Winston, Esqr. Appt road jury from Joseph Winston Mill to Rockingham County Court House & Joseph Nelson appt overseer.

February 15, 1798

Page 98

Ordered by the Court that Micajah Oglesby, Philip Kerby, James Stout, Stephen Low, Richard Isbell, John Underwood, Stephen Penn, Wm Cunningham, Jno Cunningham, Joseph Ramey, Sam’l Riddle, Josiah Gallion, Jacob Gallion Jun, WM JAMES, Nicholas Bryan, and John Scollion, be app’t a jury to view the road leading to Fishers Gap, beginning near Zachary Simmons Mill and make such alterations as they may think will tend to the improvement of said road, respect being had to the course and distance, and that they make report to the next court of such alterations as they deem necessary if any.

374. W. issd. Nov. 14, 1789 William Waggoner enters 100 ac in Surry Co on water of Town fork; border: WILLIAM JAMES SR., Joseph Winston & himself; includes the “Same”.

DB G, p. 198 13 Nov 1797 Jacob Gallion, Planter, of Surry to Jacob Gallion, Junr, Planter, of Surry. 50 pounds lawful money of North Carolina 75 acres on waters of Fisher River on the north fork; part of my tract I live on.

WILLIAM JAMES Jacob Gallion (seal) Samuel Gallion

William Cunningham Proved in Surry Co Court Nov Term 1797 by William Cunningham & ordered to be registered. Test Jo Williams, C. C.

Below are the Tax Records for Rowan, Surry and Stokes Counties 1759 to 1800 for the area of Stokes County.

William James 1774 Gray Bynums List – Surry 2 Himself & Negro Wench Nann

William James 1782 Hill (Oldfield Creek) 300 4 16

Surry County (Yadkin County) Jameses off of the Yadkin River

The Samuel James Family stories are that Samuel James was John Dean’s neighbor in Surry County. We know from the land records that John Dean’s property was on the Mitchell River and that he was in Captain Edward’s tax district. This is the area that would eventually stay Surry County.

Looking at which Jameses lived in the Yadkin Valley (in the area which would eventually become Yadkin County in 1850) are the following land records. The first James on record here is John James on Turners Creek in 1779 which happens to fit with when Samuel James’ family would have moved to North Carolina from MA and had time to live on the land for awhile.

:160 Acct. of Sales of Samuel Cunningham’s Est.….SCDB A:307 shows Peter Eddleman on 20 Sept. 1779 rec NC grant for 350 A on Turners Creek adj JOHN JAMES and Benj. Speer.]

175. 14 Mar. 1782 Bet. Aaron Speer and Thomas Williams. .70 pounds. .100 ac S fork Forbis Creek. JAMES’ line.

83 20 Feb 1784 180 ac S side Deep Ck adj Peter Sprinkles line. .

Thomas X Clanton, John X Gwaltnew Valentine Reese, JOHN JAMES

November 16, 1785

Bill of Sale from JOHN JAMES to John Reavis: oath Henry Revis

Assume it is November 1785 based on the previous entry. JOHN JAMES enters 640 acres on the head of Harmons Creek and on the branches of Dutchmans Creek beginning near the fork of the Shallowford Road and Chinkerpin Road, including Henry Reavise’s Cabin and improvements – (no date given). [Warrant granted to R.L.]

August 16, 1787

Sanders Dist – (no collector) 1786: George Bills 1 poll 400 Ac, John Lankaster 1 poll 400 ac, Thomas Jinkins 1 poll 125 ac, Isaac Mize 1 poll 200 ac, John Game 1 poll 260 ac, JOHN JAMES 1 poll 340 AC, Bazwell Pinkston 1 poll 180 ac.

231 May 1789 Thomas Jacks to EDWARD JAMES 50 pds 100 ac head waters Deep Cr adj Collins being part 250 ac tract

Thomas Wright

Airs Hudspeth Thomas X Jacks

767. W issd. Dec 12, 1794 William Day enters 125 ac in Surry Co on waters of Deep Cr; border: himself, NEDDY JAMES, & Zachariah Spurling; includes his improvement.

John James 1787 Pearson

John James 1789 Pearson

DB H, p 119 26 Jan 1798 Henry Speer of Surry Co, NC to Benjamin Cornell of Rowan Co, NC. 46 pounds 10 shillings current money 93 acres on waters of Turners Creek south side of the Yadkin River adjoining corner of 100 acres sd Cornell purchased of Leonard Richards. Also adjoins Charles Hunt, James Steelman, and William Hagins.

SAMUEL JAMES H Speer (seal)

Morris Jones Proved in Surry Co court Feb Term 1799 by Moses Jones & ordered to be registered. Test Jo Williams, C. C.

February 15, 1798

Ordered by the court that the following persons (to wit), Thomas Donolley, Jacob Speer, James Speer, William Speer, Benjamin Speer, Wm Howard, SAM’L JAMES, Joseph Rutledge, James Donolley, Edward Scott, Edward Sweat, Elias Turner, William Hagans, Henry Young, Charles Hunt, Isham Young, John Rutledge, and James Steelman or any twelve of them to be a jury to lay off and mark a new road from Huntsville by William Howards, Thomas Donolleys and Joseph Rutledges into the old road where Andrew Hunts Road turns out of the said old road, the best way that can be got, as above mentioned, and make report to the next court.

Here we have John James having land records on Turners Creek and Dutchmans Creek. Both of these creeks are in the Yadkin Valley and tributaries of the Yadkin River.

In addition to John James living in this area there is a Neddy James in 1794, Edward James in 1789 and Samuel James in 1798 when he is a witness to a transaction on Turners Creek (which is where John James lived) and he is ordered to be part of a jury to mark off a new road to Huntsville which is in the immediate area of Turners Creek.

Looking at the Tax Records for Rowan, Surry and Stokes Counties 1759 to 1800 for the area of Surry County that would become Yadkin County. Samuel James appears in 1800 in Captain Kimbrough’s district.

Edward James 1768

John Ford (This is in the northwestern part of the state)

John James 1782 Waters (Deep Creek) 1 2

John James 1782 3 1

John James 1787 Pearson

John James 1789 Pearson

Edward James 1790 Hudspeths 100 1

Edward James 1791 Hudspeths 100 1

Edward James 1792 Hudspeths 100 1

Edward James 1793 Hudspeths 100 1

Edward James 1794 Hudspeths 100 1

Edward James 1795 Hudspeths 100 1

Samuel James 1800 Kimbroughs 190 1

Conclusion

Although I know there is only mythology without documentation, I think there is sufficient circumstantial evidence through documentation that John James was Samuel James’ Father. He appears to be the head of the James family on the Yadkin River. Samuel appears in legal documents in the same area. It fits with the family stories that the Jameses came from the Yadkin River. However, the problem it is the wrong Samuel James. It is not my Samuel James.

Surry County Jameses on the Fish River

Living up on Fish River close to John Dean were Abraham James and William James. We also know from earlier records that there is a William James Sr. so therefore a William James Jr. Are William and Abraham connected with the Surry County Jameses or the Yadkin County Jameses?

November 13, 1787

Sheba Hawley by Dice Hawley, her next Friend vs Frederick Miller – Jury: John Hine, Lemul Harvey, Wm. Freeman, ABRAHAM JAMES, Adonijah Harbour, Thomas East, Charles Dudley, Michael Frey, Thomas McCarrell, Jesse Horn, Thomas Glenn, John Bowles.

May 15, 1788

William Burch & wf vs Samuel Calloway – ABRAHAM JAMES wit for pltf 300 mi 11 days.

November, 1797

DB G, p 263

Jacob (X) Gallion John Underwood (seal)

Abner Greenwood

ABRAHAM JAMES Proved in Surry Co Court Nov Term 1798 by Jacob Gallion & ordered to be registered. Test Jo Williams, C.C.

WILLIAM JAMES Jacob Gallion (seal) Samuel Gallion

William Cunningham Proved in Surry Co Court Nov Term 1797 by William Cunningham & ordered to be registered. Test Jo Williams, C. C.

Abraham James 1793 Taliaferros 350 2

Abraham James 1794 Taliaferros 150 2

William James 1793 Taliaferros 50 1

William James 1794 Taliaferros 50 1

William James 1796 Taliaferros 50 1

William James 1797 Taliaferros 50 1

William James 1798 Taliaferros 200 1

William James 1799 Taliaferros 100 1

William James 1795 Taliaferros 50 1

William James 1800 Taliaferros 100 1

I decided to look at the census data to see if it confirms or conflicts with the land and tax record data.

Census Analysis

I worked off the Ancestry.com index of James in North Carolina.

1790 Census

The North Carolina 1790 Census shows David, Ebenezer, John, William, and William in Stokes County and no Jameses in Surry County. In 1800 Samuel James (1774 – 1836) would have been 15 or 16 depending on when they took the census. I am going to include Rowan County Jameses in the analysis because much of the information on the internet and in the Historical Societies and on the Eric James website have Samuel as the same person as the Rowan County Samuel James

Name County Census Page

James James Not Stated, Rowan, NC

Males >16-2,Females-2

Nicholas James Not Stated, Rowan, NC

Males >16–1, Males <16-3, Females-3

Peter James Not Stated, Rowan, NC

Males >16-3, Males <16-1, Females-4

David James Not Stated, Stokes, NC

Males >16-1, Males <16-2, Females-6,

Ebenezer James Not Stated, Stokes, NC

Males >16-2, Males <16-3, Females-3, Slaves-1

John James Not Stated, Stokes, NC

Males >16-3, Males <16-3, Females-3, Slaves-6

William James Not Stated, Stokes, NC

Males >16-2. Females-2, Slaves-3

Wm James Not Stated, Stokes, NC

Males >16-1, Females-4

Abram James Not Stated, Wilkes, NC

Males >16-3, Males <16-4, Females-6

Wm James Not Stated, Wilkes, NC

Males >16-1, Males <16-1, Females-1

I don’t know there are any great conclusions to draw from the 1790 census. It would be possible for Samuel at 16 to be related to Ebenezer, John, and William of Stokes County, Abraham and William of Wilkes County and Nicholas and James of Rowan County. Or, the other way of looking at this is we can exclude Nicholas of Rowan, David and Wm of Stokes County and Wm of Wilkes County because they only have one males over 16. Or, to totally complicate matters we don’t know because Samuel was 16 that year so depending on when they took the census he could have been 16 or 15 and could belong to anyone other than Wm of Stokes County.

1800 Census

Ashe County was formed in 1799. The North Carolina 1800 Census shows no Jameses in Ashe County and it shows only John in Stokes County and D., David, Joseph and Mills in Surry County. I suspect there is some confusion between 1790 and 1800 as to who lives in Surry vs. Stokes County. Here they show all the James in Rowan, Stokes and Surry Counties being in the Salisbury District. In 1800 Samuel James (1774 – 1836) would have been 25 or 26 depending on when they took the census. Of the Jameses in Stokes and Surry Counties Samuel could have been in the family of John James or Mills James.

Name County Age Other Males Females Page

Nicholas James Salisbury, Rowan, NC 16-25

Real James Salisbury, Rowan, NC

Thomas James Salisbury, Rowan, NC 16-25

John James Salisbury, Stokes, NC Over 45

Adams James Salisbury, Surry, NC

Anthony James Salisbury, Surry, NC

D James Salisbury, Surry, NC

David James Salisbury, Surry, NC

Joseph James Salisbury, Surry, NC

Mills James Salisbury, Surry, NC

I think Real James is really Beal Ijames Jr. There is a family named Ijames in North Carolina.

In looking at the Census records I question if Adams James is really James Adams. Look at how the names are listed – they are last, first.

The same holds true for Anthony James. I think it is James Anthony.

So I will exclude them from the analysis.

Conclusion

It appears from all the records the Jameses who lived on the Yadkin River were the John James Family. This is also where Samuel James appears in the legal records about 1800. I was all set to say that this was our Samuel James and John James was his Father. There are two facts that have made me procrastinate about posting this information. [thank god I did because I have later proved that this is not my Samuel, he was over in Orange County. Again this is a case of bad resesarch by the resesarcher Frederick James hired .] In 1806 Samuel James was appointed Road Surveyor in Surry County. In 1806 our Samuel James was living in Ashe County on the other side of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There is no convenient way to get from Ashe to Surry County. Are there two Samuel Jameses. Does one belong to the Surry County Jameses that is not my Samuel James.

In addition Boyce Bryan who is a descendant of our Isaac James contacted me after I did a posting about Samuel James in Surry County and asked if I had considered I was looking in the wrong county and that maybe Samuel lived in Orange County with Michael Charles. For example

Orange Co., NC Deed Book 9, pp256, 11 Aug. 1801 Samuel James of Orange to… Abner James of same…

Orange Co., NC Deed Book 8, pp79, 26 Oct. 1796 Samuel James of Orange to George Charles of same, eighty pounds, 300 acres, on waters of Dry Cr. & Little Alamance.

Samuel also involved in deeds: 8:79. 8:217, 8:339:, 9:256, 9:270, 9:296 Orange Co., NC Deed Book 8, pp79, 26 Oct. 1796.

Samuel James of Orange to George Charles of same, eighty pounds, 300 acres, on waters of Dry Cr. & Little Alamance

He has an excellent point. Consequently, I feel another trip to North Carolina to look at Orange County and Alamance Counties. I want to make sure I am going down the right road.

Since I did this analysis I have learned that the Samuel James here is not my Samuel and he did in fact live in Orange County.

I think Samuel moved to Ashe County before 1804 and his wife Sarah Charles either died in Ashe County before he moved to Floyd County in 1810 or died on the move from Ashe County to Floyd County.