Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
Sarah, You didn't give me much info as far as how you descend from John Alston other than through his son, Joseph John, and HIS son, Willis, so I am giving you what I have on them. If you need anything further down the line let me know.
Ancestors of Lt. Col. William Alston
Generation No. 1
1. Lt. Col. William Alston, born in NC; died Abt. 02 Aug 1789 in Chatham Co., NC. He was the son of 2. Capt. Joseph John Alston and 3. Elizabeth "Betsy" (Chancey) Chauncey. He married (1) Anne Yeargan. She was born in Bute, NC, and died Bet. Dec 1784 - Aug 1789. She was the daughter of Samuel Yeargan and Anne Harris. He married (2) Euphan Wilson. She was born 1725 in Virginia. She was the daughter of Willis Wilson and Mary.
Notes for Lt. Col. William Alston:
"Old Colonel John Alston's sons and grandsons made their mark in the American Revolution, rising to Lt. Colonel and full Colonel. His son, William, omitted the 'Reign of the King' in dating the Court Minutes of Chatham County where he was Clerk. (He had followed William Hooper, 'the Signer' and Joel Lane in this position.) This act of defiance occurred more than seven months prior to the Declaration, thus patriotically removing Chatham County from British control. Alston officially remained in his position until May of 1776. He was then appointed as Lt. Colonel under Colonel Jethro Sumner, Third North Carolina Regiment." [Internet message; Ancestry.com. Billie "Bebe" Johns Fox]
Lt. Colonel William Alston was County Clerk of Chatham Co., from May 1774-Aug 1776. He became Lt. Colonel under Col. Jethro Sumner, 3rd Reg., Continental Lines, which formed at Halifax, NC) who d. in Chatham Co., NC. [papers at the Secretary of State NC Archives. Appointed at Halifax Co., NC, 1776.]
William owned over two thousand acres on Butternut Swamp/Bear Quarter and Great Bear Swamp and Great Creek in Halifax County. He was one of the men selected by Col. Jethro Sumner in 1776 to serve with him. Sumner stated that he wanted as officers "young, hardy, robust men whose birth, family, connections and property bind them to the interest of their country".
According to military records, William Alston served with his regiment at Charleston and Savannah in the south and at the battle at Brandywine on 11 September, 1777, and in October, 1777 at Germantown, in the north, afterwhich he resigned, probably due to health problems.
It has been written that William Alston was the first resident Chatham County Clerk of Court. This, however, appears not to be the case as he is referred to on deeds both in Chatham county and in his home county of Granville as "William Alston of Halifax county". He was, no doubt, living in Chatham before the close of the War. A Halifax deed dated February Court, 1773, mentioned land adjoining William Alston's Bear Swamp property. On 13 March 1773, Alston bought 2,160 acres on "Butternut Swamp also called Bear Quarter". Then on 16 October, 1778, William Alston "of Halifax" sold 900 acres adjoining Great Bear Swamp and Great Creek. There were at least six deeds for Ambrose Ramsey, who played an important role in Chatham County.
On Saturday, 9 September, 1775, William Alston, son of Joseph John Alston, was appointed to serve the Halifax County Militia as Lt. Colonel under Colonel John Bradford. Jethro Sumner, destined to become Colonel of the Third North Carolina Regiment, was to hold the position of Major of the Field officers of the Minute Men of the Halifax District, under Colonel Nicholas Long.
"Apl. ye 16th 77. Agreeable to the Orders of the Day the officer of the 3rd Regt. of N.C. Continental Troops met at Mrs. William Martins inHalifax in order to acertain and settle the Rank of said Regt. which appers to be as follows: 16th Apl. 1776. Jethro Sumner, Col., Wm Alston, Lt. Col., and Saml. Lockhard, Major Comr." [In the Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution, 1932]
Raleigh, December 15th, 1790. An affidavit from Willis Alston which states "I hereby certify that John Joseph Alston, William C. Alston, and Oroondates Davis Alston are the only sons of the within mentioned William Alston".
Raleigh, December 15th, 1790, signed by G. Bradley,Captain. (The same Gee Bradley who was with Alston in the 3rd Regiment.) "I do hereby certify that William Alston dec'd late of Chatham County, was Lieutenant Coln. in the third batallion. He was appointed in March or April in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy-six. He served in that capacity upwards of two years. I saw him commanding to the Northward in the year 1778. Given under my hand this 15th day of December 1790".
William Alston did not rise to the rank of Colonel, it was a "handle" of respect as we find in a directive from Colonel Jethro Sumner to "Colonel" William Alston dated 3 September 1776, and postmarked Savannah, Georgia: "To Colonel William Alston, Sir: I have leave from his Excellency Major General Lee to return to North Carolina, to use my endeavors in providing for the Regim' many indispensible articles which the season of the year now coming on, and the Great Distance and uncertainty..." He further reiterated the "distressed stae of our Regiment" and the oncoming inclement weather. He directed Alston to keep up strict discipline but to temper it with clemency since the troops were young, and to offer them hope of soon returning to North Carolina, although Sumner himself doubted that to be the case, but the prospect of such "will engage the mind and for a time dispence with Inconveniencys".
A letter found the state Executive Letter Book reads "To Brigider Gen. Butler from Maj. Roger Griffith. Chatham Court House, 2nd March, 1782. Sir: "The enclosed I received from Captain Rosser which I would have sent immediately by Express, but as Colonol Alston and Mr. Williams go with a letter from Fanning, perhaps it will answer the same purpose. It seems to be the opinion of the people in general that Fanning is gaining ground fast. A Captain Wlaker that was at Colonel Alston's says that he had got a commission and fresh orders to swear all he can capture to join at a moment's warning; in case of refusal, nothing but instant death. The cruelties that are committed daily of murdering and Robbery and indded they're not satisfied with the lives of men but fall to cutting and barbarously murdering women". Griffith continued that they in Chatham County were down to "a small body of horse (horsemen)" and "destitute of both Arms and ammunition".
By 1782, the War, for all practical purposes, had dwindled to an end and notorious Tory Colonel Edmund Fanning, who had terrorized central North Carolina for a number of months, wanted the state to grant him a pardon. "Colonel" William Alston and Chatham County lawyer James Williams were destined to deliver the letter of request to Brigider General Butler who lived near Hillsborough, probably to the plantation of the same Colonel John Butler "a few miles distant from Hillsborough", as referenced in Rnakin's The NOrth Carolina Continentals. It is doubtful that James Williams would have vouched for the character of Fanning as he had been one of Fanning's unwilling victims in the Colonel's famous capture of Pittsboro on 16 July, 1781.
In the same decade, WIlliam Alston lost his father, father-in-law, wife, and son, Samuel Yeargan Alston. He wrote his own will on 2 August, 1789, which was entered for probate within the month. His children were: eldest son, Joseph John, land on Hickory Mountain, Chatham County, whereon he now lives containing about 300 acres; son William Chancy; son Oroondates, the home plantation on Sellars Creek; daughters Ann, and Mary Ann. Mary Ann could not have been more than two years of age, and probably less, but she received three Negroes-Esther and her child Winney, as well as a mulatto girl who nursed her, named Nanny. Alston remarked on the tender ages and helpless situation of his little girls. He directed that his two daughters be placed in the care of "my dear sister Ann Hunt (Macon), relict of my deceased brother John Alston". Ann was, in fact, his sister-in-law, and of the well known Macon family. Alston named his half-brother, Joseph John Alston, Jr., known as "Chatham Jack" who reportedly owned 40,000 acres of land in that county, and his soon to be illustrious nephew, Harvard educated "Congress Willis" Alston, as executors. Ann Hunt Alston was to use the proceeds from the Samuel Yeargin plantation on the Roanoke River in Warren County which had been left to his daughter Ann, wife of William Alston, to provide upkeep and an education for his daughters. This included the Negroes, house and all stock, etc. When his daughters reached the age of eighteen or were married, the place was to be equally divided among his three sons, who, according to the wording in Alston's will, were still under the age of twenty-one themselves. The Warren County Records of Estates show that at August Court, with Willis Alston, Jr., as guardian, borthers Joseph John, William Chancy, and Orandates Alston petitioned for a division of land, possibly the land which was to be used for the benefit of theri sisters.
He was mentioned in the will of his father-in-law, Samuel Yeargain, dated 24 Dec. 1784 Warren Co., NC, WB2, p. 132.
Other Sources used:
Vestry Minutes, St. Paul's Parish, Chowan, Edenton, 1701-1776.
LIVING DESCENDANTS OF BLOOD ROYAL IN AMERICA, by Count d' Angerville, Vol. 3, published by World Nobility and Peerage, London and Paris.
North Carolina Colonial Records.
CHATHAM COUNTY 1771-1951, Hadley, Horton and Strowd.
THE STATE RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, VOL XVI; Clark.
A question has been raised as to which William Alston was appointed at Halifax on 15 April 1776, as Lt. Col. of the Third Regiment of the North Carolina Continental Troops, to serve under Col. Jethro Sumner (of Warren County). There are a pair of over two hundred year old affidavits, located in the Secretary of State Papers at the N. C. Archives, which clarify his identity. Both papers are dated Raleigh, December 15, 1790. One was written by "Congress Willis" Alston. Willis Alston's contributions to the state are legend; six years in the Legislature, member of Congress, 1803-1831, and Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee during the War of 1812.
Willis, Princeton educated son of William's brother and sister-in-law, John and Anne Hunt (Macon) Alston of Warren County, was named as executor of his uncle, William Alston's 1789 Chatham County will. He became a guardian for his uncle's children and later for the daughter of Samuel Yeargain's younger daughter, Sarah Yancey Yeargain.
Willis wrote in his affidavit;
"Raleigh December 15 1790. I hereby certify that John Joseph Alston, William C. Alston & Oroondates Davis Alston are the only sons of the within mentioned William Alston.," signed W. Alston,
In a beautiful, flourishing hand. Historian/genealogist, George Willcox, has compared the signature to that of executor Willis Alston and has found them to be the same. Willis also arranged for these young men to receive the Warren County Little Stone House Creek plantation which had been left to their mother by her father, Samuel Yeargain.
The second affidavit, written on the back of the paper, by Capt. Gee Bradley, reads;
"I do hereby certify that William Alston, decd, late of Chatham County, was Lieutenant Col. in the third N. Carolina battalion. He was appointed in March or April in the year one thousand seven hundred and seventy six. He served in that capacity upward of two years. I saw him commanding to the North-ward in the year 1778. Given under my hand this 15th day of December 1790. (Signed) G Bradley Capt.".
Bradley was appointed as a lieutenant on the same day as William Alston was appointed as Lieutenant Col., and later rose to Capt. There are a number of affidavits by Bradley at the N. C. Archives.
In addition, a land warrant located at the North Carolina Archives and issued by the State of North Carolina names the sons of "William Alston, Lieut. Col., for service in the Continental Line; Jos. John Alston, Wm. Chy. Alston and Oroon Davis Alston." These same sons were named in their father's 1789 Chatham County will.
The Colonial Records of North Carolina include a letter headed "Savan'h 3rd day September, 1776" to Alston from Sumner in which Sumner instructed Alston to take charge of their troops in Savannah while Sumner returned to N. C. for warm clothing and supplies.
Another interesting letter, found in the state Executive Letter Book, dated 2 March, 1782, Chatham Court House, to Brigider Gen. Butler from Maj. Roger Griffith, tells of Col. Alston and Mr. Williams (Chatham attorney, James Williams) taking a request from the notorious Tory Col. David Fanning to Brigader Gen. Butler in Orange County, that he receive a pardon, the men knowing full well what the answer would and should be.
Prior to the outbreak of the Revolutionary War William Alston made the trip four times per year to newly erected Chatham Co., N. C., as he served as its third Clerk of Court. He followed William Hooper, later signer of the Declaration of Independence, and Joseph Lane who served until December of 1773, on whose land our state capitol stands.
Alston, who held the post until he was appointed Lt. Col. in 1776, had demonstrated his convictions, as well as those of the counties of Halifax and Chatham, by omitting the year of the "Reign of the King" in dating the court minutes beginning in November term, 1775, seven months prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Notes for Anne Yeargan:
Ann died between the time her father wrote his will on 24 December 1784 and the August 1789 will of her husband, William Alston. Little Ann Alston was mentioned in the will of her grandfather, Samuel Yeargain, Mary Ann, as yet unborn at the end of 1784 was not mentioned.
Anne Yeargain Alston, whose life we can only imagine by following the documented deeds and military service of her husband, passed away in 1785. Her son, Samuel Yeargain Alston, died between her father's death and that of her husband. William Alston is said to be buried in Sulfur Springs, Virginia, where he had supposedly traveled in order to regain his health. His children were thus orphaned. The youngest children, four year old Mary Anne Alston and her sister Anne, were to live with their widowed aunt, Anne Hunt (Macon) Alston, sister of the illustrious Nathaniel Macon, in Warren County, as per her father's will. Aunt Anne was directed to use proceeds from plantation products on Little Stone House Creek in Warren to educate and clothe his "helpless" little daughters.
Lacy Alston, descendant of Joseph John "Chatham Jack" Alston, interviewed in the 1950's, reported that Mary Anne actually went to live with her father's half brother, the well to do "Chatham Jack". Jack owned some 40,000 acres between Pittsboro and Siler City. His descent married into the family of North Carolina Gov. Jonathan Worth. The story passed down through Lacy's family that Mary Anne was not fond of one of the elder female members of Jack's family. She, at the tender age of four-teen, announced, "I am not going to put up with this anymore! I am going to the road and marry the first man who comes along!", and flounced out the door. Mary Anne did marry Edwards Rives, born 19 March, 1773, in 1800, when she was just fifteen years of age.
NCWAR-WL2, p. 132, father, Samuel Yeargan, dated 24 Dec. 1784; given land on the south side of the Roanoke River on Little Stone House Creek, and slaves. [This is no doubt the plantation from which Ann Hunt (Macon) Alston would use the proceeds to support little Ann and Mary Ann Alston (see will of William Alston). This land is described elsewhere as in the vicinity of Eaton's Ferry.
Samuel Yeargain left his Negro man Cesar to his daughter Ann Alston, with the direction that he attain his freedom at her death. Ann did not outlive her father by more than a year or two, and it is recorded in the North Carolina Colonial Records that Cesar did indeed achieve freedom.
Generation No. 2
2. Capt. Joseph John Alston, born Abt. 1702 in Chowan Co., NC; died Aft. 05 Jan 1780 in Halifax Co., Co., NC. He was the son of 4. John Alston and 5. Mary. He met 3. Elizabeth "Betsy" (Chancey) Chauncey Abt. 1732.
3. Elizabeth "Betsy" (Chancey) Chauncey, born 02 Oct 1701 in Pasquotank, NC. She was the daughter of 6. William Chauncey, Sr. and 7. Deborah Symonds.
Notes for Capt. Joseph John Alston:
The Records of the Executive Council Minutes of 1732 denote the widespread boundaries of the new county of Edgecombe which stretched from the south side of the Roanoke River down to " Blounts old Town on Tarr River observing the courses of said Line to Neuse River, from thence to the North East Branch into a Precince which is hereby Distinguished by the name of Edgecombe."
Joseph John Alston's first official record is the petition that follows involving his father's land on Bennetts Creek. This is part of a large number of tracts of land in that section which became Edgecombe County, and in 1758, became Halifax County. He settled in what is now the upper part of Halifax County "on the road leading from "Person's Ordinary to Hamilton's store on Marsh swamp, at or near the place called Gretna Green." He died there in 1781, and is buried there in the old family graveyard. [The Allstons and Alstons of North and South Carolina; Joseph A. Groves; The Franklin Printing and Publishing Co., George W. Harrison, Atlanta, GA., 1901; New Material Copyright 1986, Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC, p. 81.]
In April, 1724, Joseph John Alston attended Court to make a petition regarding his father's land on Bennetts Creek. [Some Colonial and Revolutionary Families of North Carolina; Smallwood, Marilu B.; Southern Press Inc. (1964), p. 12.]
On 17 April, 1728, he patented 300 acres Southerly of Morattock River and on the Westerly side of Elk Swamp, joining the side and mouth of Beaverdam Swamp and the Said Elk Swamp. [Province of North Carolina Abstracts of Land Patents; Hofmann, Margaret M.; Copy-it Printing Co. (1979), p. 228.]
On 27 May 1728 he patented 300 acres of high land and Pocoson in Chowan county on the north side of Bennett's Creek, part thereof being an island called Troy, joining the mouth of Troy Swamp, the West End of the said island, and the said Creek. [ Hofmann; (NC land patents); op.cit., p. 228.]
On 10 August 1730 Joseph John Alston sold 480 acres of land on the north side of Elk Swamp between the marsh and where Little Swamp runs into Beaverdam Swamp (part of a patent to Joseph John Alston dated 22 January 1729), to William Wright, Jr. of Nansemond. Witnesses: Edward Poore, Elizabeth Poore and Thomas Moye. [Colonial Bertie County, North Carolina Deeds Volume II; Bell, Mary B.; Colonial Bertie,p. 109.]
Joseph John was appointed as a Justice of the Peace in the new county of Edgecombe. His home plantation, which appears as "Gretna Green" on the map, fell into current Halifax County. Joseph John set about aquiring land as new counties were formed. It is said that at the time of his death in 1781 he was in possession of over 100,000 acres.
Captain Joseph John Alston was appointed Justice of the Peace on 16 May, 1732 in Chowan Co., NC.
[Groves; op.cit., p. 81.]
He is mentioned in the will of Benjamin Rawlings dated 10 December 1738. (Early Records of North Carolina Volume 6, Bradley, Dr. Stephen E., Stephen E. Bradley Publication (1993), (North Carolina wills from 1737 to 1749) , p. 78].
On 8 June 1738 he patents 300 acres of land in Edgecombe County on the Beaver Ponds in the fork of the said pond commonly called "Smith's Neck". [Colony of North Carolina Abstracts of Land Patents Volume 1; Hofmann, Margaret M.; The Roanoke News Company (1982), p. 273.]
On 21 May 1745, he sells land in Edgecombe County to his brother, Phillip. [Edgecombe County, North Carolina County Court Minutes; Haun, Weynette P.; Weynette P. Haun (1985), p.8.]
He was one of the Committee on Grievances in 1745, and petitioned not to tax wives of free negroes. [Groves; op.cit., p. 81].
He is in court on 20 February 1746 to complain of an insult by Giles Driver. [Haun; Edgecombe Court Minutes; op.cit., p. 18.]
He is a member of the Assembly during 1745/6. [Groves; op.cit., p. 85.]
14 May 1748 he sells 500 acres of land on the north side of Fishing Creek at Frank Young's Corner (granted to him on 1 April 1745) to Richard Cheek. Witnesses: John Langston, John Goode, and Abraham T. Odom. [Abstracts of the Early Deeds of Granville County, North Carolina; Gwynn, Zae H. (abstracted) and Watson, Joseph W. (Editor); The Reprint Company (1993), p. 4.]
On this same date he sells 600 acres of land on the south side of Reedy Branch (granted to him on 20 April 1745) to John Langston. Witnesses: John Good, Richard Cheek, and Abraham T. Odom. [Gwynn; op.cit., p. 4.]
On 9 January 1748/9 he purchases 300 acres joining the mouth of Persimmon Branch and Great Creek (as by patent to Phillip Alston on 20 April 1745) from Phillip Alston. Witnesses: Montfort Eelbeck and Solomon Alston. [Abstracts of Deeds Edgecombe Precinct, Edgecombe County, North Carolina; Hofmann, Margaret M.; The Roanoke News Company (1987), p. 105.]
On 21 April 1749 he purchased 680 acres in Granville County, NC at the mouth of Little Shocco on the south west side of Great Shocco from Phillip Alston (from land patented to said Phillip Alston on 20 April 1743). Witnesses: Montfort Eelbeck and Solomon Alston. [ Hofmann; (Edgecombe Deeds); op.cit., p. 125.]
On 21 May 1751, Joseph John Alston sold 150 acres of land on Contentney Creek joining the mouth of a branch and the creek (as by a patent to said Joseph John Alston on 20 April 1745) to Solomon Alston. Witnesses: Edmund Kearney and Thomas Kearney. [Hofmann; (Edgecombe Deeds); op.cit. p. 125.]
He was named in the will of his father, John Alston dated 20 Feb 1755, given his father's land on White Oak River, 250 acres joining James Wilson and Bennett's Creek, and other items. [Early Records of North Carolina Volume 8; Bradley, Dr. Stephen E.; Stephen E. Bradley Publication (1994), p. 2.]
He was a grand juror in Edgecombe County, North Carolina dated 17 August 1757. [Haun; (Edgecombe Co. Court Minutes); op.cit., p. 50.]
He is the administrator of the estate of his sister Mary Seward dated about 1761. [Early Records of North Carolina Volume 1; Bradley, Dr. Stephen E.; Stephen E. Bradley Publication (1992), p. 38.]
On 23 July 1764 he sells 1/6 part of 10,000 acres between Fishing Creek and Shocco Creek (bought from Edward Mosely Jr. on 20 July 1763 and originally granted to Edward Moseley of New Hanover County dated 4 November 1728) to Joseph Montfort of Halifax County. Witnesses: John Deloach and John Walton. [Bute County Record Book A and 2; Kerr, Mary, p. 4.]
On 7 October 1764 Joseph John Alston "of Halifax County" purchases 100 acres on Buffalo Branch adjacent Lilleys Meadow (part of a grant to Francis Young) from Dolling Jones of Halifax County. Witnesses: John Crittenden, Elizabeth Crittenden and Edward Francis. [ Kerr; op.cit., p. 4.]
On 9 October 1766 Joseph John Alston "of Halifax County" sells 680 acres of land on Little Shocco Creek and SWS Great Shocco adjacent to Benjamin Thompson now Pounds (being a grant to Phillip Alston in the 18th year of King George) to Joseph Montfort of Halifax County. Witness: Richard Heywood. [ Abstracts of Land Entries Warren Co. NC; Pruitt, A. B.; A. B. Pruitt (1992), p. 88.]
On 26 February 1768, Joseph John Alston purchased 4,000 acres of land between Fishing Creek and Shocco Creek, on the Barren Lick Fork of the Pidgeon Branch, to Store Branch, adjacent to John Brown, along the line of Joseph Montfort on the Mapole Swamp adjacent to Phillip Alston, to the Long Branch and the Wolf Pit Branch where the road crosses (part of the tract know as Clun Seat granted to Edward Moseley, decd, dated 5 December 1728) from Solomn Alston, Jr. and wife, Sarah. Witnesses: Willis Alston and Francis Bell. [Kerr; op.cit., p. 95.]
On this same date he purchased 2,000 acres of land between Shocco Creek and Papole Swamp adjacent to Joseph Montfort, along Woods Branch where it falls into Shocco Creek, down the Creek and up Mapole Swamp (part of tract known as Clunseat granted Edward Moseley, decd., on 5 December 1728) from Solomon Alston, Jr. and wife, Sarah. Witnesses: Willis Alston and Francis Bell. [Kerr; op.cit. p. 95.]
On 7 October 1771 Joseph John Alston of Halifax County sold 660 acres on the north side of Great Fishing Creek to a place called "the Ruins" down Hals Branch to Gunthers Creek, to Phillip Alston. No witnesses. [Kerr; op.cit. p. 164.]
After his term of serving on the Assembly from 1744-1746, he retired from public life. He was very successful, and gave to his children and grandchildren by will and otherwise, about 150 slaves and over 100,000 acres of land. [ Groves; op.cit. p. 81.]
He provided goods to the cause during the American Revolution and is listed as a patriot with the DAR.
Rank of PS.
Joseph John Alston was justice of the peace of Edgecombe Precinct, member of Assembly, and owner of about 100,000 acres of land in eastern and central North Carolina counties, including 4,000 acres in current Warren, then Bute, purchased from his nephew Soloman Alston and willed to his son Henry.
His will was dated about two years prior to his death. He executed this will in his own handwriting. [WD May 20, 1778], but it was not signed. On Jan 5, 1780 he executed a new will which was probated in Halifax at August Court 1731.. . dated 5 Jan 1780, recorded Aug 1781: EX: Willie Jones, Solomon Williams, William Alston, Witnesses: Robert Green, John Green and Wiley Green. Mentions sons: John Alston, Philip Alston, William Alston, Harry Alston, daughter, Pattie (Alston) Merony, May (Alston) Palmer, grandson, Joseph John Alston, son of John, John Alston, son of Phillip. He also mentions John Cooper, Eupham Wilson Cooper, Wesley Jones and Soloman Williams. [General Abstracts of Wills for Halifax County, North Carolina; Hofmann, Margaret M.; The Roanoke News Company (1970), p. 58.] [Bradley, Vol. 8; op.cit., p. 2.] [Groves; op.cit., pp. 75-83.]
Notes for Elizabeth "Betsy" (Chancey) Chauncey:
Elizabeth Chauncey Alston is an heir in the will of Benjamin Rawlings, dated 10 December 1738. She is given several items. (1)
Sources:
Early Records of North Carolina Volume 6; Bradley, Dr. Stephen E.; Stephen E. Bradley Publication (1993), p. 78.
Generation No. 3
4. John Alston, born 12 May 1670 in Parvenaham, Bedfordshire, England; died 1758 in Chowan Co., NC. Wallis. He married 5. Mary Abt. 1745 in Prob.
5. Mary, born Abt. 1677 in England; died Aft. 1758 in Chowan Co., NC.
It is assumed that this John Alston was the son of John Alston, II, who died in 1704, and his wife, Anne Wallis. This relationship has not been proved.
In researching this family, sources are listed following events that have been proved. If an event is not sourced, it is assumed to be correct, but not proved. The generations of this family prior to this John Alston, born in 1670, are included, but have been gathered from various places, and are purely included as a guide for the researcher who might consider this lineage as an outline or a guide. None of the generations prior to John Alston, born in 1670 have been proven to this researcher.
There were two John Alstons that were contemporaries. One John settled in South Carolina and died in Charleston in 1719. The second John probably settled in Norfolk County, Virginia between 1690 and 1695 partly raising his children before heading south. (THE NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER; Hathaway, J. R. B.; Genealogical Publishing Company ,1979, p. 495. Three volumes of 4 each of various early North Carolina land, court, wills, and marriage and records unindexed.]
There is a John Alston on the IGI who was christened 16 April 1677 in Wethersfield, Essex, England whose family names are strikingly similar to the Virginia John Alston.
Our John Alston COULD have immigrated to America in or close to 1711 and landed at Bennett's Creek near what is now Gatesville, Gates County, North Carolina. He was probably the John Alston born in England about (bapt.) 5 December 1673, was a resident of Chowan (now Gates) Co NC and died in Chowan Co., NC in 1758. (THE ALLSTONS AND ALSTONS OF NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA; Joseph A. Groves; The Franklin Printing and Publishing Co., George W. Harrison, Atlanta, GA., 1901; New Material Copyright 1986, Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC) The first mention on record of John Alston in North Carolina is a grant of 270 acres of land on the northwest side of Bennetts Creek in 1711. This location is in what is now Gates County, formerly Chowan, and was where Gatesville now stands. In 1713 we find land grants in the names of several of his sons. [HISTORY OF THE DIVIDING LINE BETWIXT VIRGINIA AND CAROLINA; Byrd, William; Dover Publications, Inc. (1967); p. 179.] [Census Index: U. S. Selected Counties; Broderbund Bannner Blue Division (about 1995); p. 172.] [NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, VOL. II]
He is first on record as a taxpayer in 1714.
April 20, 1715, (6) He is a juror at court, and the next year a grand juror at a general court of Oyer and Terminer, at the general court house at Queen Ann's Creek in Chowan precinct, March 30, 1721. He was continuously a grand juror until April 9, 1724, (THE COLONIAL RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA; Cain, Robert J. (editor); North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources (1981); p. 283.] [SOME COLONIAL AND REVOLUTIONARY FAMILIES OF NORTH CAROLINA, Smallwood, Marilu B.; Southern Press Inc. (1964); p. 9-10.) when he was commissioned assistant justice of the court of Oyer and Terminer. He was continuously reappointed and so served until after the April Term, 1729.
The Records of the Executive Council show John Alston, Gentleman, was appointed to the Commission of the Peace, in the Chowan Precinct. The Council Minutes of 1725 tell us that Major John Alston was appointed as assistant to the Chief Justice in the place of Cullen Pollock, Esq.
The illustrious William Byrd II of Virginia, who in 1728 was in North Carolina to determine the dividing line between Virginia and North Carolina made two mentions of John Alston in his delightful secret diary. Byrd gave coded nicknames such as "Firebrand" and "Shoebrush" when he made an entry regarding some risque or foolhardy act performed by one of his cohorts. Alston, however, was apparently respected as Byrd referred to him as Major Alston. One of the exerpts reads, "Major Alston and Captain Baker made us a visit and dined with us. My Landlord's Daughter Rachel offer'd her service to wash my Linnen, and regal'd me witgh a Mess of Hominy toss't up with Rank Butter and Glyster Sugar, this I was Forced to Eat, to shew that nothing from so Fair a Hand cou'd be disagreeable." One cannot tell it this was the previously mentioned "dining"! But both observations were made on the 19th day of March. The second reference to Alston occurred on the 24th day as Byrd wrote "This being Sunday the People floc'd from all parts, partly out of curiosity, and partly out of Devotion. Among the Female part of the Congregation, there was not much Beauty, the most fell to Major Alston's daughter, who is said to be no niggard of it. Our Chaplain made some Christians, but cou'd perswade nobody to be marr'd because every County Justice could do that Jobb. Major Alston and Captain Baker dined with us." Then, in the afternoon Byrd equipped his med with "Astolabe and Bootes" and sent them back to the Great Dismal Swamp to continue their survey. The group had had an argument as to where to begin the survey in the first place. They had begun in coastal Currituck County but by the time they reached the more westerly Hyco, the irritated Byrd noted that most of his North Carolina helpers had drunk up all his liquor and gone home!
He was a Captain in the Militia dated 7 April 1722. He was called Captain Alston until 1725, then Major until 1729, and afterwards known as Colonel Alston. (THE ALLSTONS AND ALSONS OF NORTH AND SOUTH CAROLINA; Joseph A. Groves; The Franklin Printing and Publishing Co., George W. Harrison, Atlanta, GA., 1901; New Material Copyright 1986, Southern Historical Press, Easley, SC; pp. 67-70)
He was made Justice of the Peace on 24 Oct. 1724. In 1725 he was appointed revenue collector for the king. He was elected as a Justice for Edgecombe Co., NC, dated 3 April 1738. He was elected Vestryman for the Parish of Chowan 3 April 1738 and served until 1747 or later. Sheriff in Chowan County, July 1745. (THE NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER; Hathaway, J. R. B.; Genealogical Publishing Company (1979); Three volumes of 4 each of various early North Carolina land, court, wills, and marriage and records unindexed, P. 453.)
He was a Court Justice , 11 July, 1747. (THE NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER; Hathaway, J. R. B.; Genealogical Publishing Company (1979); Three volumes of 4 each of various early North Carolina land, court, wills, and marriage and records unindexed, p. 79.] [NORTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER, VOL. III, pp. 215, 256.]
John Alston patented 292 acres in Chowan County on the north side of Bennetts Creek joining Col. Thomas Harvey on 26 March 1723. (RECORDS OF ESTATES OF WARREN CO., NC, VOL III; Gammon, David B.; David B. Gammon (1993), p. 187.]
He patented 200 acres of land in Chowan County at the head of Bennetts Creek joining Pugh, William Wright and White Pot Pocoson on 26 March 1723. (PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA ABSTRACTS OF LAND PATENTS, Hofmann, Margaret M.; Copy-it Printing Co. (1979); p. 187.)
He patented 263 acres on the head of Knotty Pine Pocoson and _?_ joining Henry Baker, George Vaun and the said Knotty Pine Pocoson, on 26 March 1723. (PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA ABSTRACTS OF LAND PATENTS, Hofmann, Margaret M.; Copy-it Printing Co. (1979); p. 188.)
On 11 August 1726, he purchased 124 acres of ES. Ahoskey Swamp adjacent to Peter Parker, and Leonard Langston. This land was granted to George Powell on 1 April 1725. (17)] (On the 18th of February 1736 he sold this same 124 acres on Ahoskey Swamp to Thomas Piland. (18) On 28 June, 1738 he purchased 150 acres in Edgecombe County on the east side of Beaver Ponds, joining Colonel Moseley's corner on the pond. (PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA ABSTRACTS OF LAND PATENTS, VOL. IV, Hofmann, Margaret M.; Copy-it Printing Co. p. 268.)
On 20 November 1739, he patented 500 acres in Edgecombe County on the S.W. side of Coneyway Creek, joining said Creed. (PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA ABSTRACTS OF LAND PATENTS, VOL. IV, Hofmann, Margaret M.; Copy-it Printing Co. p. 283.)
On the 31 of July 1741, he patented 200 acres in Edgecombe County on the N. side of Fishing Creek joining a branch and the creek. (PROVINCE OF NORTH CAROLINA ABSTRACTS OF LAND PATENTS, VOL. IV, Hofmann, Margaret M.; Copy-it Printing Co. pp. 154 AND 159.)
On 22 September 1742, 500 acres of land on the west side of Conway Creek that was patented by John Alston on November 20, 1739 was sold to Edward Young. Witnesses were Joseph John Alston, Phillip Alston and Elizabeth Alston. (ABSTRACTS OF DEEDS EDGECOMBE PRECINCT, EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, Hofmann, Margaret M.; The Roanoke News Company (1987), p. 178.22)
On 12 February 1744, 200 acres of land on the north side of Fishing Creek, patented to John Alston on 31 July 1731, were sold to Henry Ledbetter. Witnesses were Francis (x) Regan and Phillip Alston. (ABSTRACTS OF DEEDS EDGECOMBE PRECINCT, EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, Hofmann, Margaret M.; The Roanoke News Company (1987) p. 199.)
On the 22nd of November, 1748, he issued a new deed to Henry Ledbetter for these same 200 acres of land on the north side of Fishing Creek. The land was originally sold to Henry in 1744, but a better deed is required. Witnesses: Joseph John Alston and John Ledbetter. (ABSTRACTS OF THE EARLY DEEDS OF GRANVILLE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, Gwynn, Zae H. (abstracted) and Watson, Joseph W. (Editor); The Reprint Company (1993), pp. 9-10.)
On the 20th of May, 1752, John Alston "of Chowan County", purchased 300 acres at the mouth of Buffalo Branch and Francis Young's line from John Motley. Witnesses: Joseph John Alston and Lemuel Wilkson. (ABSTRACTS OF DEEDS EDGECOMBE PRECINCT, EDGECOMBE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA, Hofmann, Margaret M.; The Roanoke News Company (1987), p. 35)
John Alston was mentioned in the will of Thomas Holladay, dated 30 August, 1744. Holladay had sold John Alston some land. (EARLY RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA VOLUME 6; Bradley, Dr. Stephen E.; Stephen E. Bradley Publication (1993), p. 44.26)
WILL ABSTRACT: dated 20 February, 1755, recorded 2 December 1758, Chowan Co., NC.
son, Joseph John Alston...son, William Alston...son, Phillip Alston...daughter, Mary Seward...daughter, Elizabeth Williams...daughter, Sarah Kearny...Daughter, Charity Dawson...wife, Mary Alston...John Alston, son of Solomon Alston...Elizabeth Alston, daughter of William Alston...Paty Alston, daughter of Joseph John Alston...William Alston, son of Philip Alston...John Alston, son of James Alston...son, James Alston... dated 20 Feb, 1755, recorded 2 Dec. 1758. Ex: son, James, witnesses: Seasbrook Wilson, Thomas Byrd, and Joseph Parker. (EARLY RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, VOL. 2; Bradley, Dr. Stephen E.; Stephen E. Bradley Publication (1992), p. 2.)
Additional Sources:
LIVING DESCENDANTS OF BLOOD ROYAL, VOL. 1, World Nobility and Peerage, London, England, pp. 768-771.
FAMILY LINES, Adelle Bartlett Harper, Atlanta, GA, 1973.
INDEX OF NORTH CAROLINA ANCESTORS OF THE NATIONAL SOCIETY OF THE COLONIAL DAMES OF AMERICA IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, 1979, p. 5.
Notes for Mary:
Mary was named in the will of her husband, John Alston, dated 20 February 1755; given slaves. (EARLY RECORDS OF NORTH CAROLINA, VOL. 8, Bradley, Dr. Stephen E.; Stephen E. Bradley Publication (1994), p. 2.]
She was supposed to have died at the home of one of her sons.
Notify Administrator about this message?
Followups:
|
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/alston/messages/1099.html | ||
 |
Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|