Revells in the Sampson County Court Minutes
Although the Sampson County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions doesn't indicate the race, I believe the following persons mentioned in the 1784 to 1830 court minutes were Indian Revells:NATHANIEL (1784, 1785, 1786, 1803, & 1807), ELISHA/ELIJAH (1797 & 1810), STEPHEN (1799), MICAJAH (1806 & 1810), RAIFORD (1810), LEMUEL (1824), and SAMUEL (1826).
The primary evidence that they were Indian is that although they were often ordered by the court to work on building the roads, or clearing the river, their names never appear as jurors (jury duty being reserved for whites only).Additionally, they often appear as road work or river work hands, alongside other road and river work hands with known Indian names.
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Tuesday, 6-22-1784;
Ordered that ... NATHANIEL REVILL, ... clear South River from New Hanover county line up as far as the Tar Landing above the mouth of Black branch....
Monday, 9-19-1785;
Ordered that ... NATHANIEL REVEL, ... work on the highway from the fork of Charles Butler's road....
Tuesday, 5-9-1786;
It appearing by the oath of Daniel Coor, Collector, that the following persons are insolvent in his district: ... NATHANIEL REVIL, whereupon ordered that the sheriff allow the same in his settlement for the taxes by the said Daniel, collected for the last year.
Wednesday, 2-15-1797;
Ordered that the following persons and their hands work on the road leading from the court house, over Drew's Ford and leading to Benjamin Harris': ... Thomas Hardan, ... John Manuel, ... John Manuel, ... ELISHA RIVEL, ... Benjamin Harden, ... Larry Manuel, ... Sion Harden, ... Isaac Manor, Ben Manor, ... Josiah Ammonds, ... and that Isom Ryal be overseer of the hands on the east side of Cohary [ River/Creek ] and Young Ryan be overseer on the west sideof Cohary [ River/Creek ].
Wednesday, 2-13-1799;
Deeds: ... from Dempsey Odom to STEPHEN REVEL for 200 acres was proved by John Stevens ....
Wednesday, 2-9-1803;
Deeds: ... from attorney John Dickson to NATHANIEL REVELL for 100 acres was proved by Alexander McPhail ....
Wednesday, 5-14-1806;
State vs MICAJAH REVEL: The defendant was found guilty of larceny.Sentenced to be whipped at the public whipping post with 39 lashes on his bare back, and to be committed until payment of all court costs are made.
Wednesday, 2-11-1807;
Deeds: ... from Robert Williams to NATHANIEL REVEL for 100 acres was acknowledged ....
Tuesday, 5-12-1807;
Robert Howell vs RAVELS & Porter:Constable John Crumpler returned into court an execution levied on the lands of the said RAVELS. Ordered the clerk issue an order of sale.
Crumpler vs RAVELS: [ same wording as above ]
Monday, 8-20-1810;
Ordered John Williams be overseer of Little Coharie River from Jemimah Coore's to Lott Scott's Bridge and that ... ELIJAH RAVEL, MICAJAH RAVEL, RAIFORD RAVEL, Jesse Manuel,... and Jesse Mainor work under him.
Saturday, 8-21-1824;
Ordered that Cornelius Culbreth be appointed overseer of that part of the public road leading from the run of the Big Swamp to the end at Gabriel Holmes' Mill, and that the following hands work under him, ... LEMUEL REVEL, ....
Monday, 5-15-1826;
Ordered Sherroll Lewis be overseer of that part of the road leading from the run of the Big Swamp to the end at Gabriel Holmes' mill dam, and the following hands work under him, viz: ... SAMUEL REVEL, ....