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I (Marty Grant) am a 4th Great Grandson of Barnabas Edwards and Catherine (---), assuming that they are indeed the parents of William Edwards (my ancestor) which is not completely proven.
Barnabas Edwards was born ca 1805/06 (per 1850 and 1860 census). Barnabas was born in Wayne County, North Carolina somewhere in the vicinity of Yellow Marsh Branch, west of present day Goldsboro, NC.
Barnabas Edwards is a proven child of David and Lydia (---) Edwards, and was named in his father's Will of 1838.
Barnabas was probably home with his parents for the 1810 census, aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10).
Barnabas was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 census, age 10-15 (born ca 1804/10).
In 1829 (through 1831), Barnabas's mother Lydia filed for divorce from David Edwards. Barnabas was never mentioned in the records, but based on certain things, it seems to me that he took his mother's side in the case, for she apparently lived out the remainder of her life with Barnabas. I can't read too much into this, but combine this with the fact that David only left Barnabas One dollar in his Will, it gives me the impression there were some hard feelings. I could be way off base with this, but call it a gut feeling.
Barnabas Edwards married Catherine --- sometime in the 1820's, presumably in Wayne County. Catherine was born ca 1805/06. I don't know her maiden name. Catherine may have been from Duplin County instead, for the apparently lived there after marriage.
As I mentioned, they moved into neighboring Duplin County before 1830. I'm not sure where they lived exactly, but I'm fairly sure they lived in or near the present town of Mount Olive, and this is based on their neighbors in the 1830 census.
Barnabas was listed on the 1830 census in Duplin County. There were quite a few other Edwards in Duplin, but none were nearby. They are all part of the Matthew Edwards family, and don't seem to be related to the Wayne County bunch. Barnabas was listed next to John Kornegay (1790/1800) and John Carr. He was just four houses from Benjamin Oliver, one of the founders of Mount Olive. This is what leads me to believe they lived in Mount Olive or what later became Mount Olive. A check of Duplin and Wayne County deed records for their neighbors may help narrow down their location. I'll check on these when I have a chance: Matthew Norris, Susan Simmons, William Underhill, John Rigby, Bennett Jones, Solomon Waters, John Kornegay, John Carr, Stephen Watkins, Sarah Oliver, Benjamin Oliver, Elizabeth Ray (or Ross), Nancy Lewis, Nancy Henderson and Elizabeth Millard. These were the nearest neighbors to Barnabas in 1830. Barnabas had an older woman with him in 1830, who must be his mother Lydia. Also of note is that he had 14 slaves, and 5 "Free colored" persons living with him. David Edwards had 14 slaves (as of 1829), and perhaps these are the same ones listed here because of Lydia's presence with Barnabas. The ages and sexes of the slaves in both households are almost a perfect match, with David's: 530100-011300, and Barnabas: 630100-202000. That may not mean they are the same group of slaves, but that could be the case.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Duplin Co, NC pg 152 Barney Edwards 1000100000000-1000100010000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Barnabas EDWARDS (1804/05) s/o David 1 Male(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) William EDWARDS (1825/26) son? --> gone by 1840 1 Female(s) 60-69 (1760-1770) Lydia — Edwards (1760/65) mother 1 Female(s) 20-29 (1800-1810) Catherine — Edwards (1805/06) wife 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30)
Barnabas and family moved to west Tennessee between ca 1834 and ca 1838, settling in Madison County. I don't know what drew them out there. I once speculated that perhaps Barnabas's father David had given (or sold) him his Revolutionary War Bounty Land, for I did find a record showing a David Edwards of NC getting some in West TN. I don't know where that land was though, nor if it was the same David Edwards. If it was the same David, he could have deeded it to son Barnabas, but I've not found a record of that yet. There were other Edwards in Madison Co, TN, but I don't know if any of them are related.
Barnabas's father David Edwards made his Will on 13 Dec 1838 in Wayne Co, NC and stated: " Item I also give and bequeath to my son Barnabas Edwards the lawful sum of one dollar from the share of William Edwards, the son of the above stated.". The first time I read this I thought he was naming "William" as Barnabas's son, but a careful read makes it clear he is referring to Stephen Edwards' son William whom he mentioned in the Will just before Barnabas. I've always thought it strange that David gave 1/3 of his estate to Stephen Edwards' son William L. Edwards (1815), and 2/3rds to John Edwards' son Gabriel Edwards (c1817), but only gave One Dollar to Barnabas. Barnabas was David's only surviving child, and he got practically nothing. This is what led me to think there were some hard feelings, or that David had already given something to Barnabas, for which I've found no record yet.
Barnabas Edwards was listed on the 1840 census in Madison County, Tennessee. He was just a few houses from Justin L. Edwards (c1793), probably no relation, but of interest anyway, because in 1850 they were next door to each other. Julius was born in Connecticut. Barnabas's neighbors in 1840 were Joseph Watkins, and Leonard Moore. Some of the neighbors nearby bore the same surnames of Barnabas's 1830 neighbors, but I don't know if they are also from NC: Watkins, McDuffy, Henderson, Oliver and others. Barnabas had five slaves in 1840, and it also appears that his mother Lydia was still with him. The enumerations for Barnabas's children in 1840 do match up well with his 1850 household, nor back with his 1830 household.
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1840 Madison Co, TN pg 117 Barnabas Edwards 0300010000000-1010010001000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Barnabas EDWARDS (1804/05) s/o David & Lydia 3 Male(s) 5-9 (1830-1835) Son? (1830/35) --> gone by 1850 Son? (1830/35) --> gone by 1850 Barnabas EDWARDS (1833/34) son 1 Female(s) 70-79 (1760-1770) Lydia — Edwards (1760/65) mother 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1800-1810) Catherine — Edwards (1805/06) wife 1 Female(s) 10-14 (1825-1830) Daughter? (1825/30) --> gone by 1850 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Catherine EDWARDS (1837/38) daughter
Barnabas and family were listed on the 1850 census in Madison County. They were next door to Justin L. Edwards (1797 CT), probably no relation, though it is interesting that they are side by side. Barnabas had $1000 of real property, so their should be deed records in Madison County showing how he acquired this land. I have not looked for these records yet. There were also several other Edwards families in the county in 1850, relationship unknown. None of them were very nearby.
1850 MADISON CO, TN Page 293 House/Family # 76/ 76 - Twp EDWARDS BARNABUS 44 M W FARMER 1000 NC 1805/1806 EDWARDS CATHARINE 44 F W NC 1805/1806 EDWARDS BARNEY 16 M W FARMER TN 1833/1834 EDWARDS CATHERINE 12 F W TN 1837/1838 EDWARDS SAMUEL 10 M W TN 1839/1840 EDWARDS THOMAS 2 M W TN 1847/1848
Catherine --- Edwards died sometime between 1850 and 9 Nov 1853, for on that date, Barnabas Edwards obtained a marriage bond in Gibson County, Tennessee (Gibson borders Madison on the north side) to marry Mary J. Tigret. Mary was born ca 1819/20 in Tennessee. I believe she was a widow, and that Tigret was not her maiden name. She had a couple of children already when she married. Either she was widowed from a Mr. Tigret, or a single mother.
They married in Gibson County, but I don't know if they lived there long (or at all), for they were soon in neighboring Dyer County, Tennessee, or at least they were by 1860.
They were listed on the 1860 census in Dyer County, Tennessee. Their children do not match up well with their 1850 entry, so I'm not sure which listing is more accurate. They were next door to a W. C. Edwards (c1825 TN), who could be a son of Barnabas, but was not with him in 1850. The Tennessee birth place for W. C. would actually eliminate him as a son of Barnabas, since Barnabas was still in NC until the mid 1830's. That means either W. C. is not his son, or his birth place is listed incorrectly. Just for the sake of observation, I'll include his listing below as well.
1860 DYER CO, TN Page 383 House/Family # 22/ 23 -- 10th Civil District Twp DYERSBURG P.O. EDWARDS B 54 M W FARMER 1284 1945 NC 1805/1806 EDWARDS M J 40 F W TN 1819/1820 EDWARDS L J 18 M W FARMING TN 1841/1842 EDWARDS E 15 F W TN 1844/1845 EDWARDS THOMAS 12 M W TN 1847/1848 EDWARDS M 7 M W TN 1852/1853 EDWARDS MARY 4 F W TN 1855/1856 EDWARDS MOSE 2 M W TN 1857/1858 TYGET A B 16 M W FARMING TN 1843/1844 TYGET S R 11 M W TN 1848/1849 Page 383 House/Family # 23/ 24 -- 10th Civil District Twp DYERSBURG P.O. EDWARDS W C 35 M W FARMER 300 256 TN 1824/1825 EDWARDS JANE 34 F W TN 1825/1826 EDWARDS S 10 F W TN 1849/1850 EDWARDS A 8 F W TN 1851/1852 EDWARDS TENNESSEE 5 F W TN 1854/1855 EDWARDS P 1 F W TN 1858/1859
I was unable to locate Barnabas and family on the 1870 census. I had no index to use, but I manually read all of the 9th and 10th Districts for them, and did not locate them.
It would seem that both Barnabas and Mary Jane were dead by 1880, for I did not find them that year, but did find several of their children living together (both Tigrets and Edwards), in District 9 of Dyer County, Tennessee.
Barnabas Edwards and Catherine had several children per the 1830, 1840 and 1850 census, not all identified. Barnabas and Mary Jane had at least three children together, in addition to two that Mary Jane had from her previous marriage.
Unknown Son (1825/30). Barnabas had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), but was gone by the 1840 census so probably married or dead by then. That would have been too young for a boy to have married, so he probably wasn't married.
A likely scenario is that this child had died, but I have a feeling this is my ancestor William Edwards (c1826). I have four good reasons why William could be Barnabas's son, and one good reason why he couldn't be.
First of all, William named his oldest son "Barnabas". It was a common practice (in some families) to name the oldest son after the child's paternal grandfather.
Secondly, he named his next son "Gabriel" probably after his 1st cousin, Gabriel, son of John Edwards, Barnabas's brother. Gabriel Edwards (the elder) also lived fairly near William Edwards, but they weren't next door neighbors.
Third, William Edwards lived in Mount Olive, exactly where Barnabas had lived before he moved to Tennessee. None of the other Edwards lived in that specific area.
Fourth, Barnabas Edwards did have a son William's age, per the 1830 census, who is otherwise unidentified.
Those are the good reasons to include William as a probable child of Barnabas. Now, the only bad reason is a big one, why did Barnabas move to Tennessee and leave William behind? William couldn't have been more than 10, 11 or 12 when Barnabas left the area. What reason would they have left them behind? It is entirely possible that he was left in the care of his grandfather David Edwards or perhaps his maternal grandparents. It is also just as possible that he wasn't left behind, but went to Tennessee with the family but came back when he was old enough.
See William's page for more on him. I feel strongly that he is Barnabas's son, but I have no concrete proof, but I think the circumstantial evidence is compelling and supports including him in this family.
Unknown Daughter (1825/30). Barnabas had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), and still apparently home in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30), but was gone by the 1850 census so probably married or dead by then. If she married, it would probably have been in Madison County, Tennessee in the 1840's.
Unknown Son (1830/35). Barnabas had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35), but was gone by the 1850 census so probably married or dead by then.
Unknown Son (1830/35). Barnabas had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35), but was gone by the 1850 census so probably married or dead by then.
Barnabas Edwards was born ca 1833/34 (per 1850 census) in North Carolina, probably Duplin County (or possibly Wayne County). He was apparently home with his parents for the 1840 census (age 5-9, born ca 1830/35). He was home for the 1850 census ("Barney" age 16, born NC). He was not home in 1860, so probably married or dead by then.
Catherine Edwards was born ca 1837/38 (per 1850 census) in Madison County, Tennessee. She was apparently home with her parents for the 1840 census (age "under 5", born ca 1835/40). She was home for the 1850 census ("Catherine" age 12, born TN). She was not home in 1860, so probably married or dead by then.
Samuel Edwards was born ca 1839/40 (per 1850 census) in Madison County, Tennessee. He was apparently not born yet by the time of the 1840 census, for Barnabas had no sons in his age group. He was home for the 1850 census ("Samuel" age 10, born TN). He was not home in 1860, unless he was "L. J. Edwards" age 18 (See below). I have no additional data on him.
L. J. Edwards was born ca 1841/42 (per 1860 census) presumably in Madison County, Tennessee. He was not with his parents for the 1850 census, but was listed with them for the 1860 census ("L. J." age 18). I don't have any data on him after that. I have not yet found what his name was, though "Leonard" or "Luke" are possibilities.
This could be the same person as Samuel Edwards (c1840), for "L and "S" are often hard to distinguish, and Samuel was home in 1850, but not 1860, and L. J. was not home in 1850, but was home in 1860, and their ages are a close match.
E. Edwards was born ca 1844/45 (per 1860 census) presumably in Madison County, Tennessee. She was not with her parents for the 1850 census, but was listed with them for the 1860 census ("E." age 15). I don't have any data on her after that. I have not yet found what her name was, though "Elizabeth" or "Eliza" are possibilities.
Thomas Edwards was born ca 1847/48 (per 1850 census) in Madison County, Tennessee. He was with his parents for the 1850 census ("Thomas" age 2), and with them in 1860 ("Thomas" age 12) . I don't have any data on him after that.
M. Edwards was born ca 1852/53 (per 1860 census) in Madison County, Tennessee. She was with her parents for the 1860 census. I don't have any data on her after that. I have not yet found what her name was, though "Martha" or "Margaret" are possibilities.
Mary Edwards was born ca 1855/56 (per 1860 census) in Dyer County, Tennessee (or possibly Gibson or Madison).
She was with her parents for the 1860 census. I don't have any data on her after that.
Moses A. Edwards was born ca 1857/58 (per 1860 census) in Dyer County, Tennessee (or possibly Gibson or Madison).
He was with his parents for the 1860 census. I don't have him on the 1870 census yet.
I think he was living with his half brother A. B. Tigret in 1880 Dyer Co, TN, listed as "M.A. Edwards" age 24, listed as his "Half Brother".
I have no further information on him.
Anna Edwards was born ca 1863/64 in Dyer County, Tennessee. I don't have her on the 1870 census yet.
She was living with her half brother A. B. Tigret in 1880 Dyer Co, TN. I have no further information.
A. B. Tigret was born ca 1843/44 in Tennessee, possibly Dyer County. He is a son of Mary Jane (---) Tigret. He was living with his mother and step-father (Barnabas Edwards) in 1860.
I don't have him in 1870, but in 1880 he was listed in Dyer County with wife and children, and two of his Edwards half-siblings living with him. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.
S. R. Tigret was born ca 1848/49 in Tennessee, possibly Dyer County. He is a son of Mary Jane (---) Tigret. He was living with his mother and step-father (Barnabas Edwards) in 1860. I have no further record of him.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. Barnabas1 Edwards, born 1805/06 in Wayne Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Dyer Co, TN, son of David Edwards Pvt and Lydia (---). He married (1) in 1820/26 in Wayne Co, NC Catherine (---), born 1805/06 in Wayne Co, NC; died 1850/53 in Madison Co, TN; (2) on 9 Nov 1853 in Gibson Co, TN Mary J (---), born 1819/20 in TN; died bef 1880 in Dyer Co, TN.
Children of Barnabas Edwards and Catherine (---) were as follows:
+ 2 i William2 Edwards, born 1825/26 in Wayne Co, NC; died 1897/1900 in Florence Co, SC. He married (1) Rachel Roberts; (2) Martha E Parker.
3 ii Barnabas2 Edwards, born 1833/34 in Madison Co, TN; died aft 1850 in Madison Co, TN.
4 iii Catherine2 Edwards, born 1837/38 in Madison Co, TN; died aft 1850 in Madison Co, TN.
5 iv Samuel2 Edwards, born 1839/40 in Madison Co, TN.
6 v L J2 Edwards, born 1841/42 in Madison Co, TN.
7 vi E2 Edwards, born 1844/45 in Madison Co, TN.
8 vii Thomas2 Edwards, born 1847/48 in Madison Co, TN.
9 viii M2 Edwards, born 1852/53 in Madison Co, TN.
Children of Barnabas Edwards and Mary J (---) were as follows:
10 i Mary2 Edwards, born 1855/56 in Dyer Co, TN.
11 ii Moses A2 Edwards, born 1857/58 in Dyer Co, TN.
12 iii Anna2 Edwards, born 1863/64 in Dyer Co, TN.
Generation 2
2. William2 Edwards (Barnabas1), born 1825/26 in Wayne Co, NC; died 1897/1900 in Florence Co, SC. He married (1) in 1840/48 in Wayne Co, NC Rachel Roberts, born 1830/31 in Wayne Co, NC; died 1870/74 in Horry Co, SC, daughter of Richard Roberts and Rebecca Hobson; (2) in 1873/74 in Marion Co, SC (now Florence Co, SC) Martha E Parker, born 7 Sep 1840 in Marion Dist, SC; died 28 Jan 1914 in Florence Co, SC; buried in Salem Cem, Florence Co, SC, daughter of John Parker and Ann (---).
Children of William Edwards and Rachel Roberts were as follows:
+ 13 i Barnabas3 Edwards, born 1847/48 in Wayne Co, NC. He married Susan Ann M Kirton.
+ 14 ii Gabriel E3 Edwards, born Dec 1849 in Wayne Co, NC; died 15 Mar 1938 in Horry Co, SC; buried in Zion Cem, Horry Co, SC. He married (1) Louisa Floyd; (2) Celia Caroline Johnson.
+ 15 iii William M3 Edwards, born Oct 1850 in Wayne Co, NC; died 14 Jun 1932 in Horry Co, SC. He married (1) Cornelia L Kirton; (2) Maggie (---).
+ 16 iv John3 Edwards, born 17 Jun 1853 in Wayne Co, NC. He married Charity Matilda Granger.
+ 17 v Doctor F3 Edwards, born 1853/54 in Wayne Co, NC. He married Sarah (---).
+ 18 vi James W3 Edwards, born 8 Apr 1855 in Wayne Co, NC. He married Ellen Louise Johnson.
+ 19 vii Henry C3 Edwards, born 22 Jun 1859 in Horry Dist, SC; died 4 Nov 1944 in Florence Co, SC; buried in Salem Cem, Florence Co, SC. He married Jane P (---).
20 viii Mary3 Edwards, born 1860/61 in Horry Dist, SC.
21 ix Martha M3 Edwards, born 1862/63 in Horry Dist, SC.
+ 22 x Rachel R3 Edwards, born 9 May 1864/65 in Horry Dist, SC; died 18 Jan 1943 in Horry Co, SC. She married (1) William Isaac Graham; (2) Henry M Timmons.
23 xi John R3 Edwards, born 1870/71 in Horry Dist, SC.
24 xii Eliza Jane3 Edwards, born 1871/72 in Horry Dist, SC.
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