Use “Back” for previous page or click: HOME
Simon
Poe (1708 – 1793)
This page is an attempt to bring together references
to Simon Poe in
Nothing in the historical records seems to indicate
where Simon Poe was born. He first appears in the court records of
The Poe family in
So far, no record has been uncovered that mentions
the name of Simon Poe’s wife (or wives), the mother of his children. He married
Rhoda Marsh, a widow, in 1792, one year
prior to his death. The marriage was announced in the local newspaper for
Nottinghamshire:
- Register of Marriages, 1562-1812
"Marriges P[er] Licenes in 1725."--
Marriages at St. Nicholas's,
Volume 1.
County: Nottinghamshire
Country:
Simon Poe & Issabel Cooke 04 Jul
1626
Marriages.
Marriages at St. Mary's,
Vol. 4.
County: Nottinghamshire
Country:
Robt. Marson of Peeters p'ish & Isabell Poe daug: to Simon Poe of
this p'ish publ. 12 Feb
1653 & 19 Feb 1653 & 26 Feb 1653 married 28 Mar 1654 by Ald: Huthwit Witnesse
Mr. Richard Grante & Samuel Barkston.
Sarah 11 July 1654 Edward / Mary
Samuel 26 June 1659 Edward / Mary
An 15 July 1666 Parents Simon
/ Ann
Sarah 30 November 1685 Edward. (margin note says Baptised when she was about 14 yrs of age)*
Hannah 7 January 1691 Edward / Hannah
John 20 August 1691 Joseph/Susan (see Sheriffs)
Mary 9 December 1693 Joseph / Susannah
Edwd 12 April 1696 Joseph / Suzannah
Samuel 18 April 1699 Joseph (see Sheriffs)
Jane 12 November 1700 Joseph / Suzannah
* a researcher in
In this first mention of Simon Poe (1708-1793), it appears he
is a landowner, already challenging the authorities over his right to plant
tobacco as he sees fit. The Herndon family served as constables and minor
officials in the county. Simon is often seen opposing them.
Simon Poe, plaintiff
p. 450 [9 Sept. 1737]
Action of trespass. Simon
Poe agt. Philip Herndon. The defendant not appearing
an attachment is awarded agt. His estate for what
shall appear due.
p. 457 [12 Nov. 1737]
Action of trespass. Simon
Poe agt. Philip Herndon. Dismissed, being agreed.
As mentioned, Simon Poe
lived in
Simon Po
(Poe)
4 October 1738
At the motion of Simon Po,
he is allowed for four days attendance & for twenty five miles coming &
going four times having sworn to the time as an evidence for James White agst Joseph Brock Gent, it is therefore ordered that the sd White pay the sd
Benjamin Wood also
compensated for testimony & travel of 23 miles coming and going four times.
Two
years after the first complaint against Philip Herndon, we see another one.
Among the names here, Burck (Burc),
Clark and Bradley appear later in associated with the Simon Poe family in
Simon Poe, plaintiff
p. 526 [9 March 1739]
Action of trespass. Simon
Poe agt. Philip Herndon. Jury, Wm. Southworth, Francis Bearding, Timo.
Clearly, Simon Poe is
willing to confront the authorities in order to be successful in growing
tobacco. He also has considerable land holdings in order to produce the amounts
he is forced to pay. There are no existing records indicating that Simon
purchase lands. One assumes he inherited part of the 905 acres along the Peumensend which had belonged to Samuel Poe who died in
1725.
Order Book page 228 [9 September 1743]
Here is the entire page:
It is ordered Peter Williams
pay Simon
Poe 50 pounds of tobacco for two days’ attendance … Sarah Poe
25 pounds of tobacco for one day’s attendance … John Hoomes
50 pounds of tobacco for two days’ attendance ads. Pitman
[Note: This is the only record anyone has
found associating Simon Poe (SR) with the name of a woman who could be his
wife. This record does not at all make it clear that Sarah is Simon’s wife. She
could very well be a widow of another Poe man who had something to offer in the
case against Peter Williams. This record is cited as proof that Sarah was
Simon’s wife by McDonald Poe, deceased, of Waldron, Arkansas, in his
self-published book of 1975 entitled, Biographical Studies: Samuel Poe of
Essex County, Virginia, Family Lineage in United States of America 1704-1975.
On page 92 of this book, the author claims that a 1743
10 Nov. 1749
Upon the information of Wm.
Herndon, constable, agt. Simon Poe for tending
seconds, it is ordered that Zacha. Lewis Gent, King's
attorney, prosecutes him.
9 December 1749
Simon Poe confessed judgment
unto our sovereign Lord the King on an information for 2000 pounds.
11 July 1751
Action of debt. Coleman's
executors agt. Simon Poe, the defendant not appearing
judgment is granted agt the defendant and James
Taylor Gent. Sheriff for pounds 4.12. - unless he answer the suit.
9 November 1752
p. 334
On the information of
William Herndon, constable, it's ordered the King's attorney prosecute Simon
Poe, John Smith, Thomas Pitman, Mordica Abraham,
William Deshaza, James Masters & Titus Stevens
for tending seconds.
The following record
pertaining to Samuel Poe is offered to indicate a contrast of wealth between he
and Simon. While Simon is fined, and apparently pays, thousands of pounds of
tobacco in fines, Samuel Poe struggles to come up with 105 shillings. This sort
of contrast also exist when comparing Robert Poe who died in Essex County, VA
in 1722 leaving a minimal estate with Samuel Poe who died in 1725 intestate
with 905 acres of prime tobacco growing land.
Note: No record found to
date mentions a name for Simon’s wife, the mother of his children. McDonald
Poe, deceased, of
Samuel Poe
13 September 1753
p. 422
Suit on Attachment. Roger
Madison agt. the estate of John Wright. The plaintiff
proving his account. judgment is granted him for pounds 7.12.11 current money.
The Sheriff served the attachment in the names of James Jemson
and Samuel Poe. Poe declared he had 105 shillings which he ordered to pay the
plaintiff. Jemison declared he has a hogshead of uninspected
tobacco which when inspected he is ordered to deliver to the Sheriff to sell.
The following is almost
certainly is the “my son William” mentioned in the 1793 will of Simon
Poe.
William Poe
15 June 1754
p. 179
Matthew Boyle agt. Thomas Pannel. on an
attachment. Judgment is granted the plaintiff for pounds 13.15.8 current money.
It's considered by the court that the plaintiff recover the money and his cost.
The Sheriff made return that he attached in the hands of William Poe and
William Poe being sworn as garnishee declares that he has in his hands of the
defendant's estate pounds 9. It's ordered that the garnishee deliver the same
to the Plaintiff and he be discharged.
Samuel Poe is now a debtor
Samuel Poe, debtor
p. 36 [14 Feb 1755]
Suit on attachment. Peter
Copland
While
Simon Poe is doing well
8 April 1756
Upon the complaint of
Jeremiah Pearce against John Herndon, its ordered William Bullard, Simon Poe,
Samuel Chapman, Robt. Robertson, John Bohannon,
Francis Hoomes, Jas. Herndon and Mary Dismukes be
summoned to next court.
p. 163 Court 13 May 1756
Samuel Haws jr is appointed overseer of the road in the room of William
Bowler and to have Bowler’s home house people, John Hart, James Coleman, Simon
Poe, Richd. Curd and John
Dawson’s people to assist him in keeping the road in repair.
Here we learn of other
sons of Simon Poe besides William Poe, namely Simon Poe, Jr. and Stephen Poe
(both of whom die in 1773) leaving orphans.
Simon Poe, Jr.
Stephen Poe
Rachel
Bradford,
Elizabeth
Bradford,
Saphiah Poe*
*
"Sophia" Poe, wife of Simon Poe, JR, whose brother Captain Stephen
Poe is married to her sister Hannah.
(This may have
been one of the major divestitures of the land originally acquired by Samuel
Poe who died in 1725. The land mentioned here presumably would be Simon Poe,
Sr.'s share. Only 105 acres of the original 905 was in Poe hands by 1778)
9 Nov. 1758
p. 395
Rachel Bradford, Elizabeth Bradford, Stephen Poe, Hana Poe, Simon Poe Junr, Saphiah Poe, Rachel, Eliza., Hanah and Saphiah being first privately examined, acknowledge their deed of release indented to John Thilman. Sarah Bradford* acknowledged her deed of release indented to John Thilman.
* Without
evidence that I have seen, many researchers claim that Sarah, wife of Simon
Poe, SR was a
11 May 1759
Eusebius Stone Gent is
appointed overseer of the road from John Baylor, Esqr.
to the fork of the road by the Ivy Church and to have the following hands.
Colo. Baylor's home house and mill quarter, Jno. Bowin, Ben Gatewood, Jos.
Ballard, John Walden's quarter, Willm. Ballard,
Armistead's quarter, John Eubank, Abram Wood and William Poe*, to assist him in keeping the road in repair.
Sarah Herndon*
William Herndon
13 September 1759
Sarah Herndon, relict of William
Herndon declar'd she would not take or received the
legacy to her given by the last will of William Herndon.
Mary Herndon returned an
account against Joseph Herndon estate.
* Sarah Poe,
daughter of Simon Poe, SR
14 September 1759
p. 76
Ordered Ben: Walden pay Saml. Poe 100 pounds of tobacco for four days' attendance
as an evidence for him against Stone..
10 April 1760
p. 99
Suit in Chancery Adam Byrd agt . Stephen Poe Dismissed.
* the next
year, Stephen can be found in
It is unclear
whether the following record pertains to William Poe, son of Simon Poe, or the
William Poe who remains in
William Poe
13 June 1761
p. 227
Action of Debt. Wm. Spiller agt. William Bullard, James Bullard, Frederick Fortson and
Wm. Poe. The defendants not appearing the judgment of last court is confirmed
against Frederick Fortson and James Bullard and George Peay
security for Jone for pounds 32.12.2 1/2 current
money. To be discharged in the defendant's paying pounds 11.5.7 farthing with
interest from 8 May 1760
Feb. 1764
p. 43
On the motion of William Poe
and Thomas Reynolds, securities of Elizabeth Charles for the administration of
the goods and chattels, rights and credits that were of Oliver Charles. [She
to] be summoned to next court to give them counter security.
10 March 1764
p. 76
On the Petition of William
Poe and Thomas Rennolds for Elizabeth Charles giving
counter security and she failing to comply with the order, its ordered she
deliver up the whole estate of Oliver Charles, deceased, to William Poe and
Thos. Rennolds.
William Poe
12 May 1764
p. 145
William Johnston agt. William Poe. Tresspass on
the case. Judgment is granted the plaintiff for his costs.
12 May 1764
p. 158
Jacob King agt. William Poe. Case. Upon the defendant's acknowledging
that he does not remember that ever he called the plaintiff a mullato or that he knows that he is one and on the
defendant paying cost, this suit is dismissed. (see suit in 1773 between these
parties)
Nearly all the records seem
to refer to Simon Poe, Jr. The only record after the death of Simon Poe, Jr that may indicate Simon Poe Sr’s
residence is the following. All the Simon Poe sons appear to have acquired
lands around New Hope Creek off the Haw River, not far from the city of
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.
p. 318
1 July 1779
State of North Carolina to
Joseph Readinour - 50 sh.
for every 100 a. -- 200 a. on the Redfield Road on Simon
Poe's line - joins Charles Stewart, James Massey* on the Red
Hill Branch
J. Glasgow Sec. Rd. Caswell
* David Poe, orphan of Stephen Poe, chooses
James Massey his guardian in record below. James Massey was married to Jane
Poe, daughter of Simon Poe, JR.
31 March 1780
State of
Wm. Sheppard Sec. Rd. Caswell
p. 416 (bottom)
13
February 1781 – Alexander Clark and Pheby his Wife to James Howard
– 4700 pds. – 350 a. – all that tract or parcel of
land whereon Simon Poe formerly lived
– joins Mrs. Hannah Poe, William Poe, Junr.
and the land formerly belonging to Morton (Morten)
and Richard Kennon and the land whereon Younger Neal
(Neil) now lives.
Wit:
John Auld Alexander
Clark
Jacob
Dardin Pheby
Clark (x)
pg. 629
states: Simon Poe (Sr)
to Reuben Poe, 2-8-1790. Land was in
5 January 1791
James Stewart for 50 pds to
Sarah Neill, land on waters of Robertson's Creek beginning at a hickory
at the Redfield road in Simon Poe's
line running W 163 poles to his corner a red oak thence S 36 1/2 poles to
Charles Stewart's corner in Massey's corner thence along Massey's line S
12 1/2 poles to a post oak
James Stewart
Wit: Phil Meroney
It is this announcement that lets us
know when Simon Poe was born.
Simon Poe - In North
Carolina, Mr. S. P. aged 84 to Miss Rhoda Marsh, aged 58. The bridegroom has
now living 186 children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Wednesday
October 3, 1792.
Transcript of Simon’s will at Rootsweb’s
USgenWeb
------------------------------------------------------------
*
This has to refer to Simon Poe (so-called the third). Simon Poe, JR died in
1773. His son Simon was bound to Simon Poe, SR. This explains why Stephen was
singled out for a child’s part among others. I think that William Poe who
received a child’s part is the son of Stephen Poe – the son of Captain Stephen
Poe, who is believed to have been a son
of Simon Poe, SR. Both Capt. Stephen and Simon Poe, JR died in 1773.
Estate
Record of Estates
1782-1788, Chatham Co., NC
Inventory of Simon
Poe deceased, dated
Aug. 9, 1793
1 negro woman "Fan", and 3 negro children.
3 heads of horses, 14 head of cows, 21 head of Hogs,
11 head of Sheep, 3 beds of furniture, 3 bedsteads,
6 sides of leather, & 6 forks, 1 pair of cart wheels, 1 grinding stone, 4
casks 1 Runlet, 2 bridles, 2 pair of harnes, 3 bels 1 loom, a quanty? off wheat
in the sheef, 1 parcel of flax, not dresed, 1 tumbler, 1 pair of stillards,
6 pieces of crockery ware, 2 mugs, 2 piggins, 4 Tins,
1 washing tub, small parcel of leather, 2 augers, 1 handsaw, 1 gouge, 1 froe, 4
jugs, a small parcel of Ba... ? 1 parcel of sope, 1 note of hand on John Foshee
to the amount of 2 pounds 2 shillings, a small parcel of Corn , cash 2 pounds
13 shillings, 8 pence, 4 3/4 (skeins ?) of spun yarn, 2 iron wedges, a small
parcel of oats, 1 iron ladle, 1 pair of flesh forks, 1 brush, a crop of corn
and tobacco now a growing.
Signed
Robert Thompson,
James Massey,
R. Straughan
John Ramsey,
CC Pg. 146b, 147a,b, 148a-
Record of Estates 1782-1799, Chatham Co., NC
Account of the
forever to transcribe word for word, so will give the shortened version)
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
George Truas bought a bay horse
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.
Henry Ward bought 2 cows, calves and bells
James Brownlow, Cthouse [
probably meant where he lived] bought 1 cow, calf and bell 2 hogs, 3 small
hogs,
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)
Joseph Burchet bought 3 small Hoggs
John Foshee a potato patch, 1 grindstone, 2 pewter
dishes, 3 pewter plates, 1 Dutch Oven
Col. Thomas Brown (marked "paid") bought 1
Ewe and 2 Lambs, 3 sheep
Thomas Brinkley bought 2 Rams
Harris George bought 1 Wheel, 2 Tables, 3 bushells of
corn, 1 Brush, 1 Sifter and 1 fatt tub.
George Dismukes bought 2 plow hoes, 2 weeding hoes, 5 hogsheads,
James Bullard bought 2 grubbing hoes, 4 Pins
Richard Straughan, Jr. bought 1 hammer hand saw 2 augers, 4 pewter basons, 1 Jugg,
Richard Straughan, Sr. bought 1 Saddle and Bridle, 1
pair of artwheels, 2 casks, 2 pair padded harness, 3
bushels wheat, 1 cow hide, 1 plow hoe, 2 piggins, small
lott of leather, 1 Froe, 1 Jugg,
3 bushels of corn, 1 Lott of Oats, 2 lotts of corn
and 1 Bagg.
Richard Straughan ( no Jr. or Sr. after his name) bought 3 bushels of wheat, 1
Lott of Corn
Rhoda Poe
Tamsen Straughan bought 1 Loom, 4 3/4 of Yarn,
John Petty furniture
William Foshee bought 1 Beadstead
William Hammock ( this may be William Wommack, as I
haven't see a Hammock before) bought 2 sides of
leather
Josiah Copeland Jr. bought 1 side of leather
Hosea Straughan bought 1 side of leather
Burwell Williams bought 1 tea kettle, 1 Lott of Crockery, 1 Bedstead
Solomon Smith bought 1 large Bible
Peter Moyer bought 1 Iron Pott
and hooks
William Crain bought 1 Iron Pott and hooks
John Bull bought 1 Skillet
William Poe Sr. bought 1 Frying Pann
Robert Poe bought 1 Lott of Brandy
Phillip Meroney bought 1 pair of Stillards
William Poe (gentleman) bought 1 Washing Tub,
Joseph Harman bought 1 pair of Iron Wedges, 1
ladle and flesh forks