James Poe
Following is an
examination of records pertaining to men named James Poe who are mentioned in
various
First is the
man called “James
Poe.” He is listed in government records as a Revolutionary War
veteran and referred to as “Major” by the Sons of the American Revolution, a
title they added to his marker
in Fayette County, Alabama.
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
But the
historical record is not clear.
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://www.poegen.net/NC/Anson
http://www.poegen.net/NC/Caswell
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
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 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 North Carolina to William Howard, Guardian for James Poe Orphan of
Stephen Poe - 50 sh. for every 100 a. - 320 a. on Haw River - joins Berrys corner on Haw River, Brookses
Creek and Herndon's line.
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
there 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 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://www.poegen.net/Images/CainCreek1770map.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 Line Cr adj Hart old line, being part of tract granted to her. Wit: Robert
Mitchell, James Poe
Thomas SIMMONS 1794 page 97
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.
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. 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.
James Poe SR or James Poe JR. At this point it could be James
Poe, son of Stephen Poe.
Estate Sale August 1793 Top of the list
Robert
Thompson bought a negro
woman "Fan" and 5 hogsheads
James Massey bought negroes Jesse, and Daniel and a "lot" of corn
William Poe bought negro Moses and a "lot" of flax
Stephen Poe 4 Ceers [ have no idea what these are, possibly meant "shears"], 2 mugs and tumbler, 1 tray, 2 "lots" of corn and 3 "lots" of tobacco.
William Poe, Jr.& bell, Flatt irons, 1 Rundlet, 3 pewter basons
John Morton bought 1 Heiffer, 2 Hogs,
James Poe bought 1 Heiffer
Nathan Stedman 1 fatt shoot (shoat?) bought 4 Hogs, 2 axes, 1 Bell, 2 small books, Sundries, 1 "lott' of sope (soap)
We find a James Poe in Anson County (although
actual entry is undated it is surrounded by 1793)
1505 (78) (no
date) James Poe (Powe)
enters 100 ac on Gum Log Br. of Lanes Cr.
A Benjamin Watts is in Anson County James Poe settled Gums Branch of Lanes Creek South Carolina Anson County (Union County