James
Poe
Following is an examination
of records pertaining to men named James Poe who are mentioned in various
First is the man called “Major James
Poe.” He is believed to be the James Poe listed in government
records as a Revolutionary War patriot.
Second is James Poe,
married to Sarah, who died in
We know from the 1793 will
of Simon Poe
SR that he had a son named James Poe.
We also know from various
records that, Stephen
Poe, another son of Simon Poe SR, died in 1773 leaving an orphan son
named James Poe. This James Poe was raised in the home of William Howard
who also took in Hastin and Larkin, also orphans of Stephen
Poe. The sons under guardianship of William Howard appear still to be minors
(under 21) in 1785. The relationship of William Howard to the Poe family is not
known.
Tradition assigns the identify of James Poe, son of Simon Poe SR to the James Poe who
married a woman named Mary. It is said this James Poe moved to
A 1790 Deed shows James Poe “of
Anson Co.” selling land next to the Simon Poe, SR sons and daughters’ families.
This land seems to be part of a parcel granted to James some years earlier. The
deed does not mention a wife so presumably she died before 1790s.
There seems also to be other
men named James Poe in the vicinity of
Hopefully, this examination
will shed some light on which James Poe is associated with the various records.
Records from:
http://poegen.net/NC/PoeNorthCarolina.htm
http://poegen.net/NC/PoeNorthCarolinaAnsonCo.htm
http://poegen.net/NC/PoeNorthCarolinaCaswellCo.htm
PART I
1761 - 1782
James Poe born before 1740 and who appears to be the son of Simon Poe SR (1707 – 1793).
NOTE:
The first mention of a James Poe is one that indicates a man born before 1740
and who is associated with two known sons of Simon Poe SR. Tradition holds that
the man buried in
The
original of this record should be examined to see if this “James Poe” should be
“Roe” of if the other man should be “Cornelius Poe”. The order transcribed puts
Simon, Stephen and James together.
August 1761
Ordered that Argulus Henderson,
Simon Fooshe, Thomas Shields, John Stuart and
his tythables, William Marsh Junr. Simon Poe Junr. Stephen Poe, James Poe, Joseph Fooshe, Cornelius
Roe, William
Tucker, Elathan
Davis, Charles Clanton, Benjamin Clanton, Robert Colley, Samuel Marsh,
William McDaniel? (sic) and his Tythables, Zachariah Martin Junr.
Robert Martin, Thomas North, John Books, John Crow, John Cullis,
John Webster and Charles Webster do work
on the road from
NOTE:
Mary, daughter of Simon Poe, SR married a
23 November
1772
Nimrod Burk (Burc) to Prettyman Berry - 20 pds.
100 a. on the East side of Beaver
Dam Creek - joins Peter Sullinger
Wit: James Poe Nimrod
(X) Burc
John
Hand Sarah
(X) Burc
NOTE: The James Poe in the next record was well enough established to be “appointed
Constable.” If he was born in 1840 and is the man of the 1761 record above, he
would be in his thirties, which seems more appropriate for this position that
if he were 23 or 24 as tradition makes the age of the James Poe of Anson Co, NC
/
It is important to note that these “associations” can be
misleading as Zachariah Harman was a county official at various points, and we
see James Poe was appointed constable the day before this estate record. Any
administrator would have given bond to Harman and Poe if they were both
officials on this day.
It is possible these records represent more than one James Poe,
but doubtful to my reading. They seem to identify James Poe, son of Simon Poe
SR and brother of Stephen Poe and Simon Poe JR.
10 May 1774
Page
5
James Poe appointed Constable he having given Benjamin
Watts Security.
11
May 1774
Administration on the Estate of Thomas Watts, dec'd., granted to Benjamin
Watts., he having given bond with Zachariah
Harman & James Poe in 500
pounds.
page
10:
Will
of Stephen Poe, dec'd
proved by James Poe. NC, Chatham Co.
Executors: Hannah Poe, William Howard &
Robert Rutherford,.
NOTE: this record is included to show that John Berry
was a close neighbor to the Simon Poe SR family and perhaps married to Simon
Poe SR’s daughter (Mary Poe did marry a
1775
p.39
Order'd that the following hands be added to work the road
whereof Richard Straughn* is overseer Viz: Hannah Poe, John Berry,
Pretteman Berry, John Morton, Joseph
Stewart, Simon Fooshe, Charles Morgan, Benjamin Watts, William Sanders & William
Dillard.
James
Poe who lives on Harland’s Creek
NOTE: This man lives in a different
area of
1775
John Poe Sr be appt overseer of the road from Harlands Creek to Evan's Mill & that the following
hands work thereon, Viz: his own hands, James Poe's, Thomas Griffin's, John Griffens,
William Haley's, Richard Haley's, Benj. Harris', Aaron Evan's, the hands living on Henry Bagley's plantation, &
Charles Harrington's.
Simon
Poe again seeming to be the son of Simon Poe, SR
17th July,
1777
Chatham County Court Records in
To all People to Whome the
presents shall come, know ye that Stephen Herndon and Sophia Herndon my wife and administratricks
to the Estate of Simon Poe Deceased of Chatham County for and in
consideration of the Sum of Two Hundred Pounds Current Money to us in hand paid
by Richd. Kennon of the
Test. James Poe
Stephen Herndon (his mark)
Prettyman
Sophia Herndon
James
Poe (born around 1770) son of Stephen Poe (d. 1773)
Feb., 1778
pg. 132 -
WILLIAM HOWARD appointed Guardian to HASTIN POE, LARKIN POE and JAMES POE, he
giving bond with ROB'T RUTHERFORD, Esq. in the amount of 1000 pounds each.
16 February
1778
William Howard, “gaudn” of James Poe orphan of Stephen Poe decd, enters 450 ac; border: Berry’s line on Haw
R., runs up the river to the mouth of Brooks
Cr, up the “break” opposite James Herndon’s line, up his line W to Poe’s line,
along Poe’s line to Berry’s line
& along Berry’s line to the beginning; James William caveated;
proceedings returned to May Court; discontinued by “ J W” ; warrant issued to
“W H” Jul. 25.
Simon
Poe again seeming to be the son of Simon Poe, SR. James Massey was married to daughter of Simon
Poe, SR. We also saw William Petty in the 1761 record above. Another daughter
of Simon Poe SR was married to a George.
May 14, 1778
p.
105
William
Petty enters 640 ac on Green Br, Meadow
Br, & Petty's Br; border: Jer. George's corner, runs along said George's
line to Jas Stewart's corner, along Stewart's lIne to
Petty's
corner, along Petty's line to Meadow Br, up said
branch to the foot of "the" pine hill to (James Poe) Jas Poe's Br, to
"his" line formerly Mullis's, N to the corner of said line, W to
"the" road, & joins (James Massey) Jas Massey and then down [blank] to beginning; warrant issued Aug. 15;
grant delivered.
This
must be Simon Poe SR, and James his son. The December record mentions William
Poe, another son of Simon Poe SR mentioned in the 1793 will.
page
31
Jul.
13, 1778 James
Poe enters 50 ac on Crooked Cr; border: Simon Poe, Charles Stewart,
& Alexr Clark; warrant issued Oct. 19; grant
delivered.
December 29, 1778
James Massey enters 600 ac on W side of
Haw R; border: James
Poe's corner, runs "round by" Chas Stewart, Geo Dismuck (George Dismukes),
Richard Kennon, & Wm Poe; (William Poe); Wm Howard (William
Howard) caveated; Alexander Clark caveated;
proceedIngs returned to May Court: verdict in favor
of Clark; no warrant issued money returned to Massey
p. 186 –
Registered 1 November 1779 – State of North Carolina
to James Poe – 50 sh.
for every 100 a. – 25 a. on the Crooked
Branch – joins Simon Poe’s
line, Clarks corner and Stewarts line.
James
Poe, son of Stephen Poe, son of Simon Poe, SR could
not be born too long before 1773 when Stephen Poe died..
p. 20
30 March 1780
State of
State of
This
must be James Poe, son of Simon SR
David Poe is the son of Simon Poe JR who died in
1773. David must be over 21 in this record. William Poe JR is probably the son
of the William Poe SR mentioned, and he must be James Poe’s brother, sons of
Simon Poe SR. Hannah Poe is of course
the widow of Stephen Poe (d. 1773). “Road Orders” were normally issued in
regard to people who lived adjacent to each other so all sections of the road
cold be maintained. All these families were already, or will soon, marry a Poe
(not sure about Gilliam and Thomas).
26 May 1782
Pg. 14A. The
Following hands appointed to work on the Road under Richard Strawn
(Viz.) Prettyman Berry, David Poe, John Gilliam, John Thomas,
PART II
1783 - 1800
James
Poe (SR) born c. 1740, son of Simon Poe, SR
James
Poe (JR) his son, born c. 1761
If James Poe was born in 1740 (as the 1761 records
implies), then he could have this grown son, James Poe JR, who would just now
be starting a family. This may be the nature of the following set of
transactions -- to provide James Poe JR a parcel of land. The relationship of
Benjamin Watts to the Poe and
A bit later the names James Poe and John Berry appear
in
12 November
1783
Pg.
51A
A
Deed from John Stewart to James Williams proved by the Oath of James Massey.
A Deed from Benjamin Watts and Wife to James Poe Jr. proved by the Oath of John Berry, Jr.
A
Deed from the Same to the Same
proved by the Oath of the Same.
Deed
from Benjamin Watts to John.
Pg.
51B - Deed from James
Poe to John Berry ack'd.
James Poe of
Few records identify this James Poe.
10 May 1784
–
Cornaless
(later spelled Carneless) Boyel,
Yeoman to William Toode, Tanar
– 30 pds. – 150 a. on the Waters of Rocky
River (Rockey) on the East side – joins James
McCarroll – it being a tract of land granted to Corneleas Boyel by this present
Authority bearing date the 31st March 1780.
Wit.
Sol.
Stuart Corneles (c) Boyel
James Poe Mary (o) Boyel
James Poe, son of Simon Poe SR
NOTE:
The connection to Benjamin Watts and the Cashatts
Creek lands seems to confirm this.
11 August 1784
Pg.
81A
James Poe appointed
Overseer of the road from Cashatts Creek to Luttrell’s Branch
James Poe son of Simon Poe SR (or
possibly his son James)
We
saw Straughan and Neal as well as Dismukes
above in connection to this James Poe.
30
November 1784
Account
of Sales of Estate of Younger Neal
includes:
Christopher
Straughn - 2 hides leather
James Poe - 2 sides
leather
Zach.
Harman - 1 bed
Richard
Staughn 2 head of hoggs
George
Dismukes - 1 -------
James
Poe of the Simon Poe SR family (either James Poe SR or James Poe JR. )
16
February 1785
Pg.
100B
In
the Suit Nathan Bryant against Nicholas Nall
the following Jury Sworn Viz – William Moody, William Poe, Vincent Self, Richard Straughan (Strawan), Joel Patterson,
Richard Straughan (Strawan),
Thomas Stone, Thomas Lassiter,
Parish Self, Robert Thompson, James Poe
and James Willitt.
James Poe who signed by MARK.
This man is in the area of other Simon Poe SR family. There can
be little doubt these are “of” the Simon Poe SR family. The fact
that this James Poe signs by mark is what stands out, this and the mention of
Robert Poe who is not mentioned in very many records. He does however seem to
be of the Simon Poe Sr family (but maybe nephews). But he may be a grandson or
even a son of the younger Samuel Poe of
p. 23
6
August 1785 – Lewis Braswell to Robert Poe
– 30 pds. Specie 100 a. on Wilkinsons Creek – joins Peter Bray, Gideon
Kirksey** and Robert Poes own corner.
Wit
David Williams Lewis
Brassell
James Poe (X) Rebecker (X) Brassell
James Poe son of Stephen Poe == although this record
(or transcription) is confused.
One presumes this means all the
children, so James Poe must be a minor still.
23
September 1785 – State of North Carolina to George Dismukes – 50 sh. for every 100 a. – 39 a. on the Waters of Haw River –
joins a Branch in his Own line and a conditional line with William Howard Guardian to James Poes* children,
crosses Morgans Creek.
W.
Williams Sec Rd.
Caswell
This is the moment when the historical
record raises a huge question about the identity of this James
Poe.
James Poe with wife name Mary
Part of the problem here is identifying the location of “Cain
Creek” or as it is spelled a few times, “Cane Creek.” The old map I scanned at the link below shows
that “Cain Creek” was on the Haw River near
http://poegen.net/NC/Images/CaneCreekChathamCo.jpg
In
Note these Caswell County, NC records before reading on.
Perhaps, the Culpeper and Caroline County Poe
families met up at this point either by chance or design.
Cain Creek mentioned in
16 July 1784
Archibald Murphy of CC to Reubin
Taylor of same, for 50 lbs, 150 A on Cain & Wynn Creeks adj John Warren, Reubin Taylor,
James Hamlett (Hamblett). 16 July 1784.
Wit: Litt Stokes, Will Williams, James Hamlett
Country Line Creek is
on the far north of
Deed Book L
p. 303
10 March 1786.
Rebecca Berry of CC to
son John Berry, for love & affection, 211 A on
Toms Cr and Country Line Cr adj Hart old line, being part of tract
granted to her. Wit: Robert Mitchell, James Poe
Thomas SIMMONS 1794 page 97
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nc/caswell/wills/indexc-e.txt
Book C. Acct. estate of Thomas Simmons, decd.
Accounts paid to . . . . James Poe. ..
NOTE: This is the first time we see the name Mary Poe in
association. Since “JR” is not used here, it probably refers to James Poe, son
of Simon Poe SR, but that is open to question. It could be James Poe JUNIOR.
However, it appears that James is divesting of his
James Poe to Christopher Hornaday – 6 pd. Specie (no a.
given) on the Head of the South fork of
Cain Creek – being a tract of land granted to the sd.
James Poe
by this present authority dated 3 September 1787
Wit:
John Beray (
John
(X) Dowdey Mary (X) Poe
P.
417
3
September 1787
James Poe, Planter to
Christopher Hornaday,
Planter – 50 pds. Specie - `175 a. on the South side
of Cain Creek – joins his own line and James Poe’s other land – it being a tract of land
granted to the sd. James Poe by this present
authority dated 3 September 1787
Wit:
John
(X) Dowdy Mary (X) Poe
Note
that the 1790 census for
1790
Only
one James Poe mentioned. --- probably the son of James
Poe son of Simon Poe SR. His identity noted above.
James
Poe (6) 1m>16, 1m<16, 4 f
This
seems to be the James Poe who signs by Mark. Again, Wilkersons
Creek. None of these “neighbors” can easily be associated with the Simon Poe SR
family.
November 1790William Kirkcey appointed overseer of the Road from Morgans old Mill to Wilkersons Creek and the following Hands work under him, To Wit, James Powell, Wm. Powell, Roling Man, Thomas Ledbetter, Ephraim Ledbetter, Gidion Kirkcey, James Poe, David Williams, John Pearson. Absolam Smith, John Edwards, John Trip, Wm. Brewer. Oliver Brewer, Wm. Edwards, John Kirkcey. Geo. Blalock. Sam Hurns, Geo. Mosley. Back to James Poe, son of James Poe, son of Simon Poe SR This deed shows that James Poe was a resident of Anson County , NC
4 February 1790 Image
of this Deed
D-639
This indenture made this Eight day of February in the year of Our Lord on
Thousand Seven hundred and Ninety Between James Poe of the County
of (crossed ouf Chatham) Anson of State of North
Carolina of the one part and Robert
Thompson of the County of Chatham of State aforesaid of the this part Witnesseth [ ] in
consideration of the sum of Twenty pounds in hand paid by the said Robert Thompson the receipt whereof I
do hereby acknowledge have Bargained Lots assigned of confirm unto him the said
Robert Thomson his heirs all that
Tracts or Parcel of Land Situation by [
] in the aforesaid County of Chatham (formerly part of the County of
Orange) containing Twenty-four acres
more or less Beginning at a post oak formerly
by Simon Poe's line but how Robert
Thompson's running West fort two pole to a post oad
in Elijah Foshee's line. Thence South said Foshee's line ninety two and half poles to a post and oak
said Foshee's Corner thence NOrth
along said Simon
Poe's late line to the place of Beginning Together with all woods
[ ] Mines [ ] appeurtenances
and reversions remainder of ... thereunto beloinging
to the Esate right Title in Trust property claims
domain whatsoerv the said James Poe
To
have to hold the said Trand or pacel
of land with every apurtenance thereunto beloning unto him the said Robert Thompson his heirs
assigns forever of the said James Poe have hereunto set my hand and Seal
the day of year above Written
Signed
sealed and delivered
in the
presence of
Richard Staughan (his mark James Poe
(signature)
the written
deed was duly proved in Open Count by the Oath of Richard Straughan
on Motion ordered to be Registered
test:
John Ramsey C.C.
Since this James Poe lives in the Simon Poe SR family area, and older James already is in Anson Co, this probably is his son identified earlier. 14 February 1791 session
(Red Field
Ford was on the
p. 69
James Poe
appointed overseer of the Road in the Room of James Gunter from the Red
field foard on
February 1792 Mr. Thomas Patterson
vs James Poe - Tresspass.
The following Jury Sworn, to wit, James Patterson, John Petty, Spencer Stewart, William Hackney. John Minter, Mathew Ramsey. Charles Mash. James Scurlock. John
Pike, Charles Morgan. Thomas Stone,
Edward Bray, Who say they find for
the Defendant. Pltf, moves for a new trial.
May 1792
p. 167
Hosea Heathcock appointed
overseer of the Road in Room of James Poe from the Red field foard on
August 1792
p. 191
No. 5 - Thomas Patterson vs James Poe Tresspass - plea Gen'l issue
justification.
Estate Sale August 1793 Top of the list
Robert
Thompson bought a negro woman
"Fan" and 5 hogsheads