Amanuensis Monday - The Will of Samuel Lewis of Randolph Co., NC

Transylvanian Dutch blog author John Newmark started the Monday blog theme called Amanuensis Monday. According to John, “amanuensis” means:

"A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another."

This week I want to share some records about my LEWIS family from Randolph County, North Carolina that I haven't worked on in several years. I started looking at this family again after connecting with a woman who was a Family Finder autosomal DNA match to one of my matches. Although we were not directly related via ftDNA's Family Finder DNA test, we did find we were related via the STEED family. You will see some STEEDS are mentioned in the will I've presented below. We did not let the lack of shared DNA deter us from exchanging information about our respective Steed family connections. Both of us have yet to find the connection to the other woman that we both match to.

Below you will find scans of the will of Samuel Lewis. He was born sometime before 1759 either in Virginia or North Carolina. It was written 23 August 1823 in Randolph County, North Carolina. Although Samuel does mention all of his children, including the married names of his daughters, he never does mention his wife's name, though he does will to her two acres of land and the house, so we know she is still living. I have not been able to identify her name to date either. I am descended from Samuel's son, John Lewis.

Here is the transcript of the above will: (formatting added by me for emphasis)

In the name of God Amen, I Samuel Lewis of the County
of Randolph and State of North Carolina being of
a  sound mind and disposing Memory and knowing that it
is appointed for all men once to die do make and
ordain this my last will and testament in the following
manner To wit,
1st  I give to loving wife my dwelling House
with two Acres of Land with one cow and calf one
feather bed & furniture, and one Sow and pigs. One pot
during her Widowhood.
2nd  I give to Son John Twenty five cents in cash.
3rd  I give to Son James Twenty five cents in cash.
4th  I give to Son Clayton Steed twenty five cents.
5th  I give to Daughter Polly Wood twenty five cents.
6th  I give to Daughter Peggy Blaylock twenty five cents.
7th  I give to Son William twenty five cents –
also one half of my Land including the
plantation and Land where he now lives
to the South line of my tract.
8th  I give to Daughter Rachel Smithson
twenty five ets.
9th  I give to Son Jesse Twenty five ets
also one half of my Land including my old
plantation Except my dwelling house & two Acres
of land which is giving to my wife unless
She and son Jesse can otherwise agree ---
As to Negro Georo [George?] my - will is that he be sold
and purchased by some of my children if they
can otherwise to sell him where he wishes.
10th  I give to grand daughter Levicy Steed twenty five ets.
11th I give to Grand son Lewis Steed twenty five ets
then the balance of my property to be sold
and Equally divided between my wife
and my children named with my two Grand
children Levicy Steed and Lewis Steed after paying
all my just debts -------
my two Grand children is only to have the part
of one of my children ----------
Also my wife to keep what property she had
when I married her.
Lastly, I nominate and appoint Thomas Thornleigh [or Thornbough]
and Samuel Hill Executors to this my last
will and Testament in witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand of seal 23 day of
August 1823.
Witness
Jesse Shaw Jurat. Samuel His Mark Lewis
H. Nailor

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

State of North Carolina )

Randolph County ) August Term 1826
The execution of this will of Samuel Lewis
was duly proven in open court by Jesse Shaw, one of the
subscribing  witness thereto & order to be recorded.
Jesse Harper

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

According to the will, I was able to glean the following information:

• He willed twenty five cents to each of his 8 children (named) and two Steed grandchildren.
• His wife is not mentioned by name. He willed to her 2 acres and the house.
• He willed half of his land to sons William (lives on it) and Jesse Lewis.
• Eight children named in his will:

                                                               i.      John Lewis

                                                              ii.      James Lewis

                                                            iii.      Clayton Steed

                                                            iv.      Polly Wood

                                                             v.      Peggy Blaylock

                                                            vi.      William Lewis

                                                          vii.      Rachel Smithson

                                                         viii.      Jesse Lewis

• Executors:

                                                               i.      Thomas Thornleigh (or Thornbough)

                                                              ii.      Samuel Hill

§  Witnesses:

                                                               i.      Jesse Shaw (Jurat)

                                                              ii.      H. Nailor

One of the children that is missing is Elizabeth Lewis. She died probably around 1802, prior to the signing of this will. She was married to Clayton Steed, who is listed as "son" in this will. Their two children, Lewis and Levicy Steed are listed as grandchildren in Samuel's will. Clayton Steed was my 6th great-granduncle. His wife Elizabeth Lewis was my 6th great-grandaunt. I was related to both of them through the Lewis and Steed families. Their children, Levicy and Lewis were my 1st cousins 7x removed. We shared two sets of ancestors in common - Nathaniel Steed and wife Susannah Franklin, and Samuel Lewis and his unnamed wife.  

I am descended from Samuel Lewis via the following:

1. Samuel Lewis, d. 1826 Randolph Co., NC
2. John Lewis, d. 1830 Randolph Co., NC; md Lavinia Steed (daughter of Nathaniel Steed and Susannah Franklin and sister of Clayton Steed mentioned in Samuel Lewis' will)
3. Nancy Lewis, b. ca 1809, Randolph Co., NC; md. Elijah Godwin 1826, Randolph Co., NC
4. Agrippa Spinks Godwin, b. 19 Mar 1827, Randolph Co., NC, d. 28 Sept 1864, Ironton, MO in the Civil War; md. Elizabeth Ann Orr (daughter of David Orr and Eliza T. Caldwell)
5. David Orr Godwin, b. 10 May 1854, South Fork, Fulton Co., AR, d. 24 Oct 1928, Mammoth Springs, Fulton Co., AR; md. Zilphia Ann Elizabeth Pulley (daughter of William Henry Pulley and Emily Casinda M Gooden)
6. Alvin Theodore Godwin, b. 27 Jan 1879 Mammoth Springs, Fulton Co., AR, d. 17 Nov 1950, Mammoth Springs, Fulton Co., AR; md. Lou Ella Davis (daughter of William Davis and Dora Nix)
7. Orville Godwin, b. 12 Oct 1905 in Hardy, Sharp Co., AR; d. 10 Sept 1956, Tulsa, Tulsa Co., OK; md. Nova Lee Peters (daughter of William Edward Peters and Dora King)

[1] Will of Samuel Lewis, 1823, Randolph County, North Carolina; Found at the North Carolina State Archives, Series of Original Wills.

A Visit to the Randolph County NC Library

Last weekend I made the 1.5 hour trip from Raleigh to Asheboro (Randolph Co), NC to visit the Randolph Room (genealogy library) of the Asheboro Public Library in search of information on my Godwin ancestors. Their online website has a list of all the family files that can be found in their genealogy collection, one of which is the GODWIN file. My main goal was to peruse the contents of this folder and see if I can find anything interesting.

The directions I had to the library were not accurate, so I had to drive around a bit before I found it. Luckily I had my phone on me which has internet. I was able to type in the address of the house that I turned around at as the starting point and the library's address as the final destination. I got to the library in no time. The Randolph room was a small room situated on the bottom floor of the library. There were three 4-6 person tables scrunched in the room. The family files were situated in tall file cabinets that ran the length of the walls. It did not take long for me to find the Godwin file.

The first thing I noticed about the folder was that "See Lucas file" was written across the front of the folder. Inside, the Godwin folder contained printouts of Charles Lucas' WorldOne Connect file posted on rootsweb.com. Charles Lucas maintains the Lucas Family website and is highly active in using DNA to connect the Lucases of the Carolinas. His printouts contained information on William Godwin, whom he stated was the father of David, Samuel, and Thomas Godwin of Edgecombe Co., NC.

The folder also contained printouts of a court case that Nathan Godwin was involved in against William Burney. Nathan Godwin, the complaintant, testified that he was running a mill on his property and that when William Burney moved to the area, he also started a mill running that prevented Nathan's mill from running properly. The neighbors who testified on William Burney's behalf claimed that Nathan's mill was run down and had not been working for quite some time. The court was in favor of William Burney. This court case was significant in that it indicated that Nathan Godwin owned and operated a mill on his property. However, this information was not new to me as I already had copies of this court suit in my files.

Lastly, the folder contained printouts of another court case that Nathan Godwin was involved in pertaining to his wife's Latham family and the estate of John Latham, Nathan's wife Sarah Latham's father. I also have copies of these court precedings already in my files.

Since I did not find anything new or interesting in the Godwin family folder, I moved on to the Lucas family folder. I found a lot of valuable information on the family of John Lucas who married Elizabeth Milberry Godwin. I believe Elizabeth Godwin was the sister of my supposed ancestor, Nathan Godwin. I printed out almost everything I found in the Lucas folder for further review, however upon first glance, I don't believe that I did ever find any documents that revealed what Elizabeth Lucas' maiden name really was. I think that family lore has had her as a Godwin for many years now. I need to follow up on this lead. Some interesting things I found in this folder were pictures of a log cabin that John Lucas built prior to the Revolutionary War and some articles about its current state of repair and restoration. Also I found many pedigree sheets compiled and submitted by several of Lucas' descendants, many of whom also removed to Indiana in the early 1830s. A local gentleman by the name of Paul Lucas has been slated as the authority on the Lucas family of North Carolina. I might send a note to some of these researchers to see what documentation supports the Godwin name being tied into the Lucas family line. This folder was a wealth of information and had copies of several deeds, wills, and estate files. Surprisingly, however, the folder did NOT contain a copy of John and Milberry's estate files which are housed at the Archives and copies of which are in my own personal collection. They did not leave a will.

Two other folders I briefly examined were the Steed and Lewis family folders. These folders were too thick to photocopy and I had already spent my $20 photocopying the Lucas family folder contents (they charge $0.20 a page). I need to come back to these folders when I have more time, and when these lines are fresher in my mind.

I feel good about my trip, however, I kind of feel like I spent too much time, energy and money on the Lucas family. However it has always been my mantra and secret of success to learn all that I can about not just my own family of interest, but those who lived around them during their lifetimes. It will also be beneficial to have information on the descendants of this Lucas line, as they do share maternal Godwin DNA and they moved around the country as my Godwins did.

Enoch Godwin, Randolph Co., NC (1770s-1860s)

There were two different Enoch Godwin men of North Carolina:

1. Enoch Godwin of Sampson Co., NC, probable son of Jonathan and Mary Godwin, born about 1824; Married (1) Ester Blackwell and (2) Julia Lee
2. Enoch Godwin of Randolph Co., NC, probably son of Jonathan and Rachel (Bullard) Godwin, born  before 1797, possibly moved to Putnam Co., IN

This post focuses on the older Enoch Godwin (#2) of Randolph Co., NC.  The younger Enoch Godwin of Sampson County, North Carolina was previously discussed here.

The Enoch Godwin highlighted in this post was probably the brother of Nathan and Dred Godwin, and therefore, another son of Jonathan and Rachel (Bullard) Godwin. He might have been in Sampson Co., NC along with Nathan and Dred (and possibly Micajah Godwin), however, he cannot be confused with a younger Enoch Godwin born about 1824 also living in Sampson Co., NC Enoch moved from Sampson to Randolph Co., NC just prior to 1800, although he was not found on any original records until 1818. He was also found later in Putnam County, Indiana. This Enoch Godwin was the father of Jonathan Godden who married Sarah Godwin. Enoch Godwin removed with them to Boone County, Iowa about 1852.

The following chronicles the events of Enoch Godwin in Randolph County, North Carolina:

1818

Enoch Godwin purchased brandy and 1 other item from the estate of Margaret Lucas in Randolph Co., NC in 1818 along with Polly Lucas and Leonard Graves. John Lucas was the administrator of the estate.[1]

I believe that Milberry Godwin who married John Lucas, was a sister of Nathan, Dred, and Enoch Godwin.

1820

Enoch Godwin was listed on the 1820 Randolph Co., NC Tax List in Capt. King’s district. Included 1 white poll.[2] He had to be at least 21 years of age to be included in this list, therefore he was born before 1799.

1824

Enoch Godwin was a chain carrier in the survey of 2.5 acres of land on the waters of Little River which joined Johnson Spencer’s land taken for Cumings King’s land entry, October 7th, 1824 in Randolph Co., NC. [3,4]

The following chronicles the events of Enoch Godwin in Putnam County, Indiana and Boone County, Iowa:

1840

Enock Godwin was enumerated on page 330 of the 1840 Jackson Township, Clay County, Indiana Census report [5]. There were 2 males between the ages of 10 and 15 (born between 1825 and 1830), 1 male between the ages of 20 and 30 (born between 1810 and 1820), and 1 male between the ages of 60 and 70 (born between 1770 and 1780). The oldest male was Enoch Godwin and he was born between 1770 and 1780. Two females were also in the household. One female was between the ages of 15 and 20 (born between 1820 and 1825) and one female was between the ages of 60 and 70 (born between 1780 and 1790). The older female was probably Enoch’s wife.

1850

Enoch was probably the “Joh” Godden who was enumerated with Jonathan and Sarah Godden on the 1850 Riley Township, Vigo County, Indiana census report [6]. Jonathan Godden was the head of house and he was born about 1823 in Indiana. His wife Sarah was born about 1825 in North Carolina. Jonathan Godden was probably the son of Enoch Godwin and he was probably born in North Carolina, not Indiana. This might have been a mistake on the census taker’s part.

1850 Riley Township, Vigo Co., IN Census report:
Jonathan Godden, head, age 27 (b. abt 1823), born in IN
Sarah Godden, age 25, (b. abt 1825), born in NC
William Godden, age 3 (or 5?), (b. abt 1847) IN
Newton Godden, age 2/12 (?), born in IN
Joh (John?) Godden, age 73, (b. abt 1777) born in NC
(could this actually be Enoch's first or middle name?)
Roll M432_177, p. 160

1856

In 1856 Enoch Godden was enumerated again with Jonathan and Sarah Godden in Boone County, Iowa. Enoch was listed as a widow, born about 1777 in North Carolina who had been living in Iowa for 4 years. This means that Jonathan and his family, including Enoch, had moved from Indiana to Iowa about 1852. Jonathan and Sarah Godwin sold their 1/7th share of Etheldred Godwin’s land in Putnam County, Indiana in 1852 [7].

1856 Fed Census of Boone Township, Boone Co., IA [8]
Johnathan Godden, 40 yo (b. abt 1816) in IN; 4 yrs in Iowa; farmer; Native Voter, militia; married
Sarah Godden, 33 yo (b. abt 1823) in NC; Married; 4 yrs in Iowa;
George W Godden, 4 yo (b. abt 1852) in IN; 4 yrs in Iowa;
Elia? Godden, 1 yo (b. abt 1855) in IA; 1 yr in Iowa;
Scion Godden, age 23, (b. abt 1833) in IN; 4 yrs in Iowa; Not married; Native voter; militia;
Enoch Godden, age 83, (b. abt 1773) in NC; widowed; 4 yrs in Iowa; Native voter; Non military.

1860

Enoch Godwin was last seen enumerated on the 1860 Boone Co., IA census report. He was living with his son's family and he was 94 years of age.
1860 Census, Boone Co., Iowa [9]
Des Moines Twp, taken 20 June 1860
Series: M653 Roll: 312 Page: 259
Line 15, 205/161
Jonathan Goden, 43 yo (b. abt 1817), Farmer, $1000/500, NC
Sarah Goden, 38 yo (b. abt 1822), NC
George W Goden, 8 yo, (b. abt 1852), IN
Elias Goden, 5 yo (b. abt 1855), IA
Margaret Goden, 2 yo (b. abt 1858), IA
Sarah C Muncie?, 8 yo (b. abt 1852), IN
Enoch Godwin, 94 yo (b. abt 1766), IN

To date, no will or estate records have been located for Enoch Godwin in Boone or Harrison counties, Iowa. A descendant of Enoch Godwin's son, Jonathan Godden (mentioned above), submitted his DNA to the  Godwin/Goodwin DNA project last year.  It was compared to my own family's DNA and that of many other North Carolina Godwin family samples to see how accurate these paper trails have been. The results of this test were posted in the blog post entitled "DNA Results of Jonathan and Sarah Godden of Boone Co., Iowa ARE IN!!"  Feel free to click on this link to view the results in table form and to see a graphical representation of the family tree as I predict it to be.

Sources:
[1] North Carolina State Archives, Randolph County NC Series of Original Loose Documents of Estate Records, 1781 - 1928, Box No. 94, Estate folder of Margaret Lucas, 1818 [Raleigh, N.C.]: North Carolina State Archives
[2] Grigg, B. N., & Hager, C. N. (1978). 1820 tax list, Randolph County, North Carolina. [Asheboro, N.C.]: Randolph County Genealogical Society.
[3] Pruitt, A. B. (2001). Abstracts of land warrants: Randolph County, NC, 1778-1948. [North Carolina?]: A.B. Pruitt.
[4] North Carolina Secretary of State. Randolph County NC Land Warrants, Plats, etc. Microfilm no. S108.984. [Raleigh, N.C.]: North Carolina State Archives.
[5] Ancestry.com. (2004). 1840 United States Federal Census. [Provo, UT, USA]: The Generations Network, Inc. 1840 Jackson Township, Clay County, Indiana Census report, Roll: 76; Page: 330; line 21.
[6] Ancestry.com. (2005). 1850 United States Federal Census. [Provo, UT, USA]: The Generations Network, Inc. 1850 Riley Township, Vigo County, Indiana Census report, Roll M432_177, Page 160.
[7] Putnam County, IN Deeds, vol Q-R, 1852 - 1853, FHL Film no. 1315560 [Book R, 24Sep1852-7Sep1853]
[8] Ancestry.com, Iowa State Census Collection, 1836-1925 (Provo, UT, USA, The Generations Network, Inc., 2007), www.ancestry.com, Database online. 1856. Roll: IA_69; Line: 18; Family Number: 208; Household of Johnathan Godden.
[9] Ancestry.com, 1860 Census Boone Co., IA, Des Moines Twp, taken 20 June 1860; Line 15, 205/161. Series: M653 Roll: 312 Page: 259; Jonathan Goden Household

Genealogy Journal 3/14/09

It's been a pretty slow week for genealogy. I haven't done any genealogy since 3/7/09. Tonight I got in 3.5 hours of genealogy. Yesterday I got in about 3 hours of genealogy while I was at work.

Tonight I compiled a word document about Enoch Godwin (1824-1908) of Sampson County, North Carolina. I also updated the notes and sources of my genealogy program for him. I write word documents that I can take on the go with me and also that I can send via email to other researchers if requested. I also find them easier to work with because I can search and format them. I usually keep all of my source material in the word document itself. I then transfer my notes and my source citations to my genealogy program.

Once I checked that my notes in my genealogy program reflected the notes I had in my newly created word document, I then put a copy right notice on my word document and saved it as a pdf file so that I can send it via email.

I created a genealogy report from my genealogy software on Enoch Godwin and exported it to a pdf file. The genealogy report contained information on Enoch's children and wives, the word document did not. The word document outlined chronologically all of the sources I found Enoch Godwin mentioned in that I located and copied at the NC State Archives.

I sent both of these documents (pdfs) to other interested researchers via email.

----------------------------------

I did the same for Enoch Godwin of Randolph County, North Carolina. There were only 3 records of him in Randolph County, NC. I copied them to a new word document, inserted source citations as footnotes, copyrighted and saved. I made a second document outlining Enoch Godwin/Godden's life after NC - when he moved to Clay County, Indiana about 1830 and then his life in Boone County, Iowa between 1852 and 1860 when he died.

I merged these two files into a 3rd document and printed as a Pdf file which I then sent via email to the descendants of Enoch Godwin (about 5 total researchers).

You are probably wondering if I transferred this information to my genealogy software. The answer is: sort of. I added him as a new person, and updated his notes section but I still have yet to add all of the source citations, children, and export to genealogy report. His family was quite complicated as not much has been proved and TWO sets of cousins married within this family!

----------------------------------

Goals for this month:

To outline the research findings of David Godwin, whom I believe to be a brother of the Enoch Godwin of Sampson Co., NC. Unfortunately there are 2 other David Godwins of Sampson County, although not in the same timeframe, which is good. I would like to get them sorted and connected to other other Sampson County Godwins - Jonathan, Nathan, and John.

Update 3/20/09: I posted my research findings on the 3 David Godwins of Sampson County, North Carolina:
David Godwin, son of Nathan Godwin (d. 1821)
David Godwin (1828-1865), son of Jonathan Godwin
David Godwin (1872-1946), son of John Godwin

HUDSON family census reports, Randolph Co., NC (1790-1840)

At this time, I do not know of a direct connection between my GODWIN family and the HUDSON Family of Randolph County, North Carolina.

However, the family of Nathan Godwin and Lorena Hudson of Lowndes County, Alabama is an exact match to my Godwin Grandfather's Y-DNA on FamilyTreeDNA.

You can view our DNA results here. We are listed under Group 2.

In an effort to determine who the parents of Lorena HUDSON were, I researched as many HUDSON families as I could from Randolph Co., NC, which is where this family is said to have come from.

I researched land grants, deed records, and census reports primarily; there were no Hudson or Hutson wills or estate files recorded in Randolph Co, NC during this time.

Below is a list of Hudson entries in the census reports for Randolph Co., NC from 1790 to 1840. If you have anything to add, please leave a comment below or email me.

For more information about the Nathan Godwin and Lorena Hudson family of Lowndes Co., AL or about the Hudson Family research I have done, see these posts:

Hudson and Godwin Family Research Goals
Hudson Family Research Update 
Nathan Godwin and Lorena Hudson family of Lowndes Co., AL

HUDSON / HUTSON Family Census Reports of Randolph County, North Carolina

from 1790- 1840

1790 Randolph County, North Carolina
-   There were 6 Hudsons enumerated

1790 Randolph Co., NC Roll M637_7, p. 163
Richard Hudson: 2m > 16 [b. bef 1774]
2m < 16 [b. bet 1774-1790] 4 females; (same page as John Hudson)

1790 Randolph Co., NC Roll M637_7, p. 172
 Joseph Hudson: 1m > 16 [b. bef 1774]
4m < 16 [b. bet 1774-1790] 2 females

1790 Randolph Co., NC Roll M637_7, p. 163
John Hudson: 1m > 16 [b. bef 1774]
(same page as Richard Hudson)

1790 Randolph Co., NC
Roll M637_7, p. 180
Lemuel Hudson: 1m > 16 [b. bef 1774]


1790 Randolph Co., NC
Roll M637_7, p. 161
John Hudson: 1m > 16 [b. bef 1774]
3m < 16 [b. bet 1774-1790] 4 females

1790 Randolph Co., NC Roll M637_7, p. 171
Obediah Hudson: 1m > 16 [b. bef 1774]
2m < 16 [b. bet 1774-1790] 2 females

1800

1800 Randolph Co., NC (Hillsboro)
Roll 32, p. 320
Joseph Hudson: 2m < 10, 2m 10-15, 1m 16-25, 1m 45+; 1f 16-25, 1f 45+ [b. bef 1755]

1800 Randolph Co., NC (Hillsboro) Roll 32, p. 318
John Hudson: 1m < 10, 1m 26-44; 2f < 10, 1f 26-44 [b. bet 1756-1774]
Same page as Nathan and Richard Hudson

1800 Randolph Co., NC (Hillsboro) Roll 32, p. 319
Obediah Hudson: 2m < 10, 1m 26-44, 1f < 10, 1f 10-15, 1f 26-44 [b. bet 1756-1774]

1800 Randolph Co., NC (Hillsboro) Roll 32, p. 318
Nathan Hudson: 1m < 10, 1m 16-25, 1f < 10, 1f 16-25 [b. bet 1775-1784]
Same page as Richard and John Hudson

1800 Randolph Co., NC (Hillsboro) Roll 32, p. 318
Richard Hudson: 1m 10-15, 1m 45+, 1f 10-15, 1f 45+ [b. bef 1755]
Same page as Nathan and John Hudson


1810

1810 Randolph Co., NC
Roll 38, p. 166
Joseph Hutson, 5m 16-25, 1m 45+, 2f 16-25, 1f 45+
[b. bef 1765]
This is the only Hudson family found in 1810

1820
Did not survive for Randolph co., NC

1830

1830 Randolph Co., NC (Regiment 1)
Page 45
Peter Hutson, 1m 5-10, 1m 30-40, 2f < 5, 1f 5-10, 1f 10-15, 1f 20-30 [b. bet 1790-1800]
Same page as Joseph Hutson

1830 Randolph Co., NC (Regiment 2) Page 52
John Hutson Esqrs: 1m 60-70, 3f 15-20, 1f 50-60 [b. bet 1760-1770]

1830 Randolph Co., NC (Regiment 1) Page 45
Joseph Hutson: 1m 40-50, 1m 80-90, 1f 40-50 [b. bet 1740-1750]
Same page as Peter Hutson

1840

1840 Randolph Co., South Division, NC
Roll 369, page 68
John Hutson: 1m 50-60 [b. bet 1780-1790]
Same page as Abel and Peter Hutson


1840 Randolph Co., South Division, NC
Roll 369, page 60
John Hutson, 1m < 5, 2m 10-15, 1m 20-30, 1m 30-40; 1f < 5, 2f 5-10, 1f 20-30, 1f 30-40; [b. bet 1800-1810]

1840 Randolph Co., South Division, NC Roll 369, page 68
Abel Hutson, 1m 70-80, 1f 30-40 [b. bet 1760-1770]
Same page as Peter and John Hutson

1840 Randolph Co., Northern Division, NC Roll 369, p. 87
Lane Hutson, 1m < 5, 2m 10-15, 1m 40-50, 1f < 5, 1f 5-10, 1f 10-15, 2f 15-20, 1f 40-50 [b. bet 1790-1800]

1840 Randolph Co., South Division, NC Roll 369, page 68
Peter Hutson, 1m < 5, 1m 5-10, 1m 10-15, 1m 40-50; 2f 10-15, 1f 15-20, 1f 20-30, 1f 30-40 [b. bet 1790-1800]
Same page as John and Abel Hutson

Genealogy Journal - Hudson Family Update

Ok, I believe that I have spent way too much time sorting through and documenting all the Randolph Co., NC Hudson families! I started this project on 2/20/09 and for the past 5 days I have been inputting deed, land, and census information into an excel database and my Family Tree Maker software. Each time I find a new Hudson family member, I look for his or her census reports. Here is my hourly breakdown of time spent on this project (this is more for my own FYI to see how much time I spend/waste on collateral lines)

2/23/09, 7:30-10:30: Went through excel database and entered all Deed records for Hudson families in Randolph Co., NC. These were copied from the Randolph Co., NC deed index list I copied from the grantors index film at the archives. My next goal would be to locate and copy the actual deeds.

2/24/09, 7:30-10:30: Went through excel database and entered all Land grant records into FTM software under corresponding name(s). I entered the records as sources cited for the name records and I copied all record summaries into the notes section of each person involved. I updated the excel spreadsheet with a note that said I had entered the record as a source and as notes in my family tree maker software. I had a deed record for a Wesley Hudson, so I looked for him on the census reports. That is how I found the family of Elizabeth Hudson.

10:30-11:30 pm: Found and started sorting through the Elizabeth Hudson family mentioned above. Started inputting into my FTM software, then I realized that all the children listed in the census reports were not necessarily Elizabeth's children, so I had to undo what I had done. Entered census info into Hudson excel spreadsheet and copied for each name.

2/25/09 - 8:30 - 11:30 am: trying to muddle through the census reports of Elizabeth Hudson in Randolph Co., NC for the years 1850-1880. She had 3 daughters, each listed with the Hudson surname and several grandchildren between them, also listed with the Hudson surname. I have been trying to figure out what child belongs to what daughter so that I can input them into my family tree maker sofware correctly. Then I got caught up in looking at Randolph Co., NC marriage records for the Hudson family to try to get a better understanding of why the Hudson daughters did not use their married names on the census reports. And because I am as particular as I am, I simply had to have ALL of the Hudson marriages documented up to 1900!!! and entered into my excel database and family tree maker software. Marriage information can be found in Ancestry.com's "North Carolina Marriage Collection, 1741-2004." This database is a compilation of 3 original sources - 1) FHL film from the County Court Records at Asheboro, NC, 2) North Carolina County Marriage Indexes from the North Carolina State Archives, and the 3) North Carolina Marriage Index, 1962-2004 from the North Carolina State Center for Health Statistics; The indexes from the Archives in # 2 above for Randolph County, NC include scanned images of the "Indexed Register of Marriages - Woman." The index for brides names beginning with HO in marriage books 1-4 covering years 1860-1888 is scanned page 40; That for marriage book 5 for years 1889-1900 was also on page 40 (a second scanned page). Marriage records for the grooms were found under the brides' surnames. I saved the two scanned images of page 40 and the individual scanned images of the Hudson grooms. For the records from # 1 above (FHL film from Asheboro court house) I compiled the records into a word document. I will sort through them later.

Today I will spend more time entering all of the marriage information I found into my excel database and family tree maker software. I just can't stop myself! I keep finding records and I have to put them into the databases. Oh yeah, in case you are wondering, I use the excel database as a source and name tracker. I input all data like source name, repository, date, person's name and notes as individual cells going across a row. Then I can just filter a column of interest, like a data or a name and I will only see records for that date or person's name. It helps me track what records I found in what source. I usually collect all records of that surname of interest from every source I look at.

I think I will have to stop working on the Hudson family once the marriage records are entered. But it's so hard to stop sometimes!

Nathan and Lorena Hudson Godwin of Lowndes Co., AL

This has been a very busy and probably unproductive week of genealogy research. I decided to revisit the family of Nathan Godwin and Lorena Hudson of Lowndes Co., AL. I entered this family into my family tree database. Nathan Godwin was born about 1807 in NC. Lorena Hudson was born about 1812 in NC. They had several children. most of whom I pulled from census reports as living in Nathan and Lorena Godwin's household in Lowndes Co., AL. Specific birth and death dates provided by a user-submitted family tree, The Kathryn Burns Family Tree by kate_415:

Children of Nathan and Lorena Godwin:
Nathan Godwin 1809-1867
Jonathan Godwin 1832-1834
Fanny Godwin, b. abt 1833
Joel Godwin 1835-1836
Mary Godwin, b. abt. 1837
Henry Godwin, b. abt 1838
Polly Godwin, b. abt 1838
Nancy Godwin, b. abt 1840
Enoch Godwin, 1842-1900
David Godwin, 1843-1926
Nathan Godwin, 1845-1846
Lorena Godwin, 1847-1934
George Godwin, 1850-1880
Elizabeth Godwin, 1854-1934

This family is of interest to me because the DNA of 3 descendants of this line matched my grandfather's DNA 100% on the 37-marker test. We also matched several other Godwin lines from NC.  You can read about these matches in my post: Our Godwin DNA Results.

I thought there was plenty of information on this line already published in message boards and online family trees, however to my surprise, when I did a search I found little information.

I did, however, make some progress. I learned that I could search records in ancestry.com from my Family Tree Maker software much faster than I could in Internet Explorer. I have blogged about some of the advantages of this here.

I collected census report information for all Hudson/Hutson families in Randolph Co., NC between 1790 and 1840 and added them to my tree and wrote a post about them entitled "Hudson Family Census Reports, Randolph Co., NC, 1790-1840."  I ended up with 3 John Hudson men enumerated on different census reports. I was not sure if any of them were one and the same, therefore, I added them as 3 separate individuals in my tree according to their appearances on the census reports. I also added information from my Godwin/ North Carolina excel database's records that mentioned any Hudson/Hutson men of Randolph Co., NC. At this time, I've only collected deed records and a couple of estate records. Sometimes deeds can be just as important as wills and estate records because familial relationships might be mentioned at any time. This is a certainly a move in the right direction. I have been so frustrated with myself for the past few years because I collect tons of materials from the Archives and then I never do anything with them! I'm trying to change that!

My goal is to find the parents of Lorena Hudson who married Nathan Godwin. I believe that this Nathan Godwin and my Nathan Godwin are connected somehow. I also believe that there are close ties between the Godwin and Hudson families of Randolph Co., NC, as well as Sampson Co., where my Godwin family was living in the late 1700s prior to their removal to Randolph Co., NC. DNA already proves there is a genetic connection. Now I just have to find the paper trail!

Hudson/Godwin Research Goals

In and earlier post, I talked about the family of Nathan and Lorena (Hudson) Godwin of Lowndes Co., AL. My grandfather's DNA was a 100% match to this line of Godwins who were originally from North Carolina. My long term goal is to find out what the relationship between the Godwin and Hudson families of Randolph and/or Sampson Co., NC was, and also to determine who were the parents of Lorena Hudson who married Nathan Godwin.

To recap, here are my GOALS for working on this line:

1. Enter all Hudson families listed on census reports for 1790-1840 in FTM and compile in a word document and on printed census forms - UPDATE 2/20/09: added to FTM, Word Doc, and Census forms; printed and saved in Hudson folder on my PC

2. Enter deed, estate, court, land, and will records I've collected from the Archives into a separate Hudson excel database including Sampson and Randolph Counties, NC. Enter these records into FTM software: UPDATE 2/20/09 - 2/24/09: This project has been ongoing. I pulled all the Johnston, Sampson, and Randolph County, NC Hudson family records and put them in a new worksheet in my NC excel file. All Randolph County records have been entered into FTM database as sources and notes. I am not quite sure what to do with my Rockingham, Hyde, Sampson and Johnston Co., NC records yet. I could create new entries for each of them in my FTM software or I can just attach the information as notes to my existing Randolph Co Hudson records. I believe there is severe overlap between Sampson and Randolph Counties. I will need to obtain copies of the original deeds to see if there are any instances mentioned where Nathan Hudson "of Randolph Co" sold land in Sampson Co, indicating Nathan Hudson lived in both Sampson and Randolph Counties during his lifetime, or inherited land from a relative who lived in one or the other of the counties.

3. Contact the descendant of this line who submitted their DNA to get additional information.

4. Contact other researchers of this line.

5. Obtain all wills and estate records for Hudson families of Randolph and Sampson Co., NC and look for mention of Lorena Hudson. UPDATE 2/20/09: there are no wills in Randolph Co., NC with the Hudson/Hutson surname, however there are a few in Sampson Co., NC that I can pull next time I visit the archives.

6. Copy all Randolph Co., NC Hudson deed Grantors and Grantees (see printout of index) to excel database and FTM. - UPDATE 2/20/09, entered into excel worksheet and FTM as sources and notes.

Godwin family Randolph Co., NC Land Grants

This past weekend I went to the NC State Archives. I had two goals: 1) to retrieve and copy some Surry and Lincoln County Wills and estate files for a genealogy colleague and 2) retrieve copies of the ORIGINAL land grants of my Godwin ancestors in Randolph Co., NC.

Abstract books are an invaluable tool in genealogy research. Randolph Co., NC boasts three abstract books based on Land Grant records, compiled by Barbara Grigg and Albert Bruce Pruitt. The Family History Library website has a very good explanation of North Carolina land grants here and the overall land grant process here. I had several references to my Godwin family copied from these 3 abstract books:
Abstracts of land warrants : Randolph County, NC, 1778-1948
Randolph County, NC land entries, 1779, 1780 & 1783-1801
Abstracts of land entries : Randolph Co, NC, 1801-1833

Land “entries” were created when a person chose land that he intended to purchase and settle on. When an entry was created and paid for, the land was then “surveyed” by the surveyor; In NC the surveys were sent to the Secretary of State's office which in turn released a “warrant” for that land. If no one contested the warrant and all the fees were paid, a grant was then delivered to the person who made the entry. The land “entries” for Randolph County, NC were abstracted in two volumes, 1779-1795 and 1801-1833. The land “warrants” were abstracted in one volume, 1778-1948.

My goal last weekend was to retrieve all of the original documents that were referenced in the abstract books. Here is a list of what I was looking for (names and entry nos):

James Goodwin, entry numbers 153 and 296 (two warrants and two entries with no warrants)
Elijah Godwin, entry no. 1764 (1181) (no warrant issued)
Cornelius Latham, entry no. 1427 (843) (Reference to Nathan Godwin)
Cummings King, entry no. 2472 (reference to Enoch Godwin)
Richard Graves, entry no. 434 (reference to Nathan Godwin)

The first thing you do to find land grants at the archives is look in the card catalog of the Secretary of State Land Grants system. It is alphabetized by last name. So I looked for the "G" and then I pulled the drawer that had "G" and "Randolph" County. Under Randolph County section, I look for “Godwin” or “Goodwin.” I did not find any Godwins in the county. I did find the records for James Goodwin, however, they were not the entry numbers that were recorded in the abstract book. I recorded the information listed on the cards anyway. I located two other warrants in the card catalog – those of Cumings King and Richard Graves. Their relationship to my Godwin family is explained below.

The cards list the file number, entry number, entry date, grant number, grant date, book and page and location of the land. The file number is the important part. The file number is used to locate the packet that contains the survey and related documentation to the warrant/grant.
The card catalog represents all of the land “warrants” that were issued. Many land “entries” were taken out, but warrants were not issued for them either because the requestor deemed the land untillable or he moved out of the area. Therefore, some of the land “entries” I copied from the abstract books were not found in the land “warrant” card catalog.

There are two volumes of abstracts for the Randolph Co land “entries” which are divided by date. The first volume represents records recorded between 1779-1795. The introduction in the beginning of the abstract books states that the original records can be found in the NC State Archives microfilm no. S108.225, “State Agency Records, Secretary of State, Land Entry Books, 1778-1795, Randolph-Rockingham counties.” The records from the 2nd Land Entry abstract book can be found the NC State Archives in 2 bound volumes, C.R. 081.404.1 and 2. I was able to find and copy the records from the microfilmed land entries. The second set of entries from the bound volumes were not permitted to be copied, so I took digital pictures of them with my camera.

I found two land entries for James Goodwin in the microfilmed entry books. The first entry (#153) of 1785 was reassigned to John Craven. The warrant was issued to John Craven and was located in the card catalog. This land was on Richland Creek. The second entry of James Goodwin (no. 296) was entered in 1788 and was transferred from William Widdop to James Goodwin. William Widdop made the original entry to the state. This land was located on Richland Creek near John Craven’s line. I found the two warrants that were issued to James Goodwin. The file numbers from the card catalog were 1825 and 1969. Land “warrants” are found in the NC State Archives on microfilm S 108.974-989, “Secretary of State, Land Grant Section, Warrants, Plats, etc., Randolph Co.,” and are organized by file number. File no. 1825 was for grant no. 1783 issued to James Goodwin 20 Aug 1802 for 50 acres on the Deep River waters. This file was found on microfilm no. S108.981. It contained several documents including requests for transfer. This entry had been originally entered by Christian Dunbar Giles, transferred to William Giles, then to James Goodwin. The second file no. 1969 was for grant no. 1998 and was located on microfilm no. S108.982. This grant was issued 29 Nov 1803 for 7 acres on the waters of Deep River.

The entry for Elijah “Godin” was found in volume 2 of the bound entry books. It was a simple record which read: “No. 1181, Elijah Godin enters 200 Acres of land on the waters of Uharre adjoining the lines of Godfrey Luther and ____ For Compt Feb the 5th 1822.” – “Compt” means “compliment.”

I also found the entry for Nathan Godwin (1818): “No. 843, Cornelious Lathom enters 100 acres of land on the waters of Little River, adjoining the lines of Michael Luther and Nathan Goddin. April the 29th 1818.”

No “warrants” were issued for the two “entries” for James Goodwin, one for Elijah Godwin, and the entry for Cornelius Latham that mentioned Nathan Godwin as a neighbor. Elijah Godwin and his family removed to Putnam and Clay Counties, Indiana about 1828, so that is probably why he did not get a land grant. The land he had planned to inhabit probably wasn’t good land for farming or was simply abandoned because they removed to Indiana which might have boasted better farming conditions.

Several other “warrants” were retrieved and photocopied from the microfilms. John Craven’s warrant, contained in file no. 360 was photocopied because it was the land that was originally entered by James Goodwin in 1785. John Craven was issued the final grant in 1787. Richard and John Grave’s grant no. 1757 issued 1802 was also copied because in the file it mentioned Nathan Goddin as a chain carrier when the land was surveyed in 1799. This is important because it puts Nathan Godwin in Randolph Co., NC in 1799. He was last in Sampson County, NC in 1795 and enumerated on the Randolph Co Census in 1800. I pulled the file of Cumings King for a warrant issued 1824 because it mentioned Enoch Godwin as a chain carrier. This is only one of a few records that mention Enoch Godwin in North Carolina.

When I got home, I scanned all of these documents, wrote up a brief summary of each document and organized by source, and added a description of each document and source to my NC Godwin excel database file. It is important to me that I locate the original records of each abstracted record. It is always a good idea to copy the introduction pages of the abstract books for this purpose. Often the introduction will tell you where the original files are located.

When I was at the archives, I could not find the original files of the land entries for the years 1801-1833. I knew they were in a bound book, but the call number I had written down was incorrect. A gentleman offered to assist me with locating the original records. I realized he was Dr. Pruitt, the original author of the abstract books. Together we were able to identify the real call number of the bound volumes. We had to look in the County records card catalog for Randolph County. This card catalogs shows all of the call numbers for all of the records pertaining to that county. I was able to find the correct call number for the bound volumes. All with the help of Dr. Pruitt!!!

Other Elusive Godwins

Speaking of DNA, we are still looking to connect 4 other Godwin lines from the IN-IL-AR area to our own Elijah Godwin (1801 NC-1884AR).

Wilson Ulysses Godwin:

Wilson Ulysses Godwin was born about 1820 in Randolph Co., NC. He married first to Louisa Roper in Clinton Co., IL about 1843. They had a son, Simon, who died in 1844. There is speculation that they lived in or around Perry Co., IL, which is where my Elijah Godwin's family lived about 1830. Wilson Godwin was also found in Lawrence Co., AR in 1850. Elijah Godwin had moved his family to Lawrence Co., AR about 1839. In AR, Wilson married Artimissa Corbett and they had two children: Louisa Godwin and Ulysses Godwin born 1847 and 1849 respectively. During the Civil War, Wilson moved his family back up to Union Co., IL where he served in the Union Army. Other children of Artimissa and Wilson were: Margaret Elizabeth "Meg", Thomas N., Frances P., Campsadellan "Sarah" Della, Wilson McClure, and Laura Belle Godwin.

Update: A descendant of Wilson Godwin took the DNA test. His results are discussed here.

Wilkinson Godwin:

Wilkinson Godwin was born about 1796 and died 1837 in Union Co., IL. In 1809 he married Nancy Beggs in KY, prior to moving to IL in 1810. His descendants, including Finley Thompson Godwin, settled in Hot Springs Co., AR.

Update 4/29/09: A descendant of Wilkinson/Wilkerson Godwin took the DNA test through Ancestry.com. His DNA did NOT match that of my family. However, he was a match to two other DNA Godwin family participants - one of John Godwin and one of Barnaby and Wilkerson Wilkinora Godwin (Edgecombe Co., NC - Hancock/Wilkes Co., GA). The DNA results confirmed our suspicions that Wilkerson was related to Barnaby and Wilkerson Godwin.

Etheldred Godwin:

I am trying to prove that Nathan Godwin (1774-1833) was the father of our Elijah Godwin (1801-1884). I am also trying to prove that Etheldred Godwin was Nathan Godwin's brother. Both men were found in 1795 in Sampson Co., NC with their supposed mother Rachel (Bullard) Godwin, then between 1800-1828 in Randolph Co., NC. Both men moved to Putnam and Clay Counties, Indiana about 1829. Etheldred remained in Putnam Co., IN until his death c 1851; Nathan Godwin moved to Perry Co., IL where he died in 1833. His heirs moved on to AR. Dred's heirs moved on to Iowa.

Nathan Godwin (1760-1823, Sampson Co., NC):

There were two Nathan Godwins born between 1760-1780 living in Sampson Co., NC about 1790. A Nathan Godwin wrote a will in 1821. He was believed to be the son of Jonathan and Rachel (Bullard) Godwin. However, I believe MY Nathan Godwin to be the son of Jonathan and Rachel (Bullard) Godwin. A DNA test would clear this up.

If you or anyone you know is a male Godwin descendant of any of these 4 lines, please let me know asap so we can get them signed up for a DNA test!


Related Posts:

My Godwin DNA results
Godwin / Goodwin DNA surname project
DNA statistics for genealogy
Things to watch out for with DNA testing