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I (Marty Grant) am a 5th Great Grand Nephew of James Edwards.
James Edwards was born ca 1770/74 based on census analysis. In 1830 he was age 50-59, or born ca 1770/80. In 1820 he was age 45+ or born before 1775. These two records narrow down his birth to ca 1770-1775. However, extrapolating his probably entry with his parents in 1790 and 1800 it would seem he was age 16+ in 1790, or born before 1774, and in 1800 he was age 26-44, or born 1755/1774. All these entries combine to an approximate birth date of ca 1770/74.
James Edwards a proven child of John Edwards, and was named in his father's Will of 1810.
James was apparently home with his parents for the 1790 census, listed in the "16 and up" age group (born before 1774).
On 30 Jul 1796 James Edwards and Sampson Edwards (his brother) witnessed a deed from David McKinne to David Edwards (James' brother). (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 289).
On 1 Dec 1796 James Edwards witnessed a deed from David Slocumb of Sampson Co, NC to Sampson Edwards (his brother). (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 7 page 33).
On 8 Mar 1797, John Edwards (James' father) deeded property to James. Witnesses were Sampson Edwards (brother) and David McKinny. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 5E page 441).
On 11 Feb 1799 James Edwards witnessed a deed from Joseph and Abba Gennett to John Edwards (his father). (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 7 page 79).
James Edwards seems to have been home with John Edwards for the 1800 census, aged 26-44 (born ca 1775/74).
James Edwards married Rachel --- in the 1800-1810 period. I don't know her maiden name. It is possible that she is his second wife for his 1810 census entry shows his apparent wife aged 26-44, or born ca 1765/84. However, his 1820 entry shows his apparent wife born ca 1775/94 which is compatible with 1810, but the 1830 entry shows the apparent wife aged 30-39, or born ca 1790/1800. This is compatible with the 1820 entry, but not the 1810 entry. One of these could be in error, or perhaps Rachel was not the first wife.
On 20 Feb 1804, John Edwards (his father) deeded property to James Edwards. Witnesses were Richard Edwards (brother) and William Bennett. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 189).
On 4 Oct 1809 James Edwards and Britton Hood witnessed a deed from John Edwards (his father) to John Cox. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 10 page 277).
James Edwards was listed on the 1810 census in Wayne County. He was listed in the midst of several Edwards, namely his brothers Sampson Edwards, David Edwards, Isham Edwards and Ambrose Edwards, and nephew Stephen Edwards. He was listed between Sampson and Isham.
1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1810 Wayne Co, NC pg 808 James Edwards 30010-20010-0-0 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) James EDWARDS (1770/74) s/o John 3 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Son? (1800/10) --> gone by 1820 Son? (1804/10) Son? (1804/10) 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Rachel — Edwards (1775/84), wife 2 Female(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Daughter? (1800/10) --> gone by 1820 Daughter? (1800/10) --> gone by 1820
James' father John Edwards made his Will on 1 Aug 1810 in Wayne County, and named "my sun James Edwards" and left him Fifty dollars.
On 26 Feb 1812 James Edwards deeded property to John Cox. Witnesses were Britton Hood and John Bass. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 10 page 111).
On 10 Jan 1817 James Edwards deeded property to John Cox. Witnesses were John Overman and Henry Sumerlin. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 11 page 10).
On 3 Feb 1817 William and Elizabeth Jones deeded property to James Edwards. Witnesses were Britton Hood and Asher Flowers. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 10 page 251).
James Edwards was listed on the 1820 census in Wayne County. Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell where he was living or who his neighbors were.
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1820 Wayne Co, NC pg 463 James Edwards 120001-30010 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 45 & up (before 1775) James EDWARDS (1770/74) s/o John 2 Male(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Son? (1804/10) --> gone by 1830 Son? (1804/10) --> gone by 1830 1 Male(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Son? (1810/20) --> gone by 1830 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Rachel — Edwards (1775/84), wife 3 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Daughter? (1810/20) --> gone by 1830 Daughter? (1810/20) --> gone by 1830 Alsy EDWARDS (1810/11) daughter --> gone by 1830
James Edwards was listed on the 1830 census in Wayne County. Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so I can't tell where he was living or who his neighbors were.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)
1830 Wayne Co, NC pg 523 James Edwards 0100000100000-1200010000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 50-59 (1770-1780) James EDWARDS (1770/74) s/o John 1 Male(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Isham EDWARDS (1820/25), son 1 Female(s) 30-39 (1790-1800) Rachel — Edwards (1775/84), wife 2 Female(s) 5-9 (1820-1825) Charity EDWARDS (1820/25), daughter Ann EDWARDS (1820/25), daughter 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1825-1830) Sally EDWARDS (1825/30), daughter
James Edwards died sometime between 1830 and 28 Nov 1837 for on that date an Inventory of his estate was made in Wayne County, North Carolina. His estate records are found in two places, the Wayne County Loose Estates at the North Carolina Archives contain a file for James Edwards, and some of the data is also recorded in the Wayne County Wills and Miscellaneous Records. Some material is duplicated in both places.
On 28 Nov 1837, an Inventory of James' estate was returned. (Wayne Co, NC Wills and Miscellaneous Records Book 7 page 341).
An Estate sale was held on 12 Dec 1837. (Wayne Co, NC Wills and Miscellaneous Records Book 7 page 341).
Another Estate sale was held on 13 Dec 1837. Among the purchasers were Rachel Edwards (his widow), Joseph Edwards (no known relationship) and Charity Edwards (daughter). (Wayne Co, NC Loose Estates - James Edwards, North Carolina Archives).
On 24 Mar 1838, Dowry lands were laid off for Rachel Edwards, the widow. (Wayne Co, NC Wills and Miscellaneous Records Book 7 page 399).
In an undated petition (probably before November 1839), John Barfield petitioned the court for a division of the estate of James Edwards among his heirs: Isham Edwards, Charity Edwards, Anny Edwards, Sally Edwards, James Edwards, Avy? Edwards, the last three being infants (under 21) without guardians. And also William James Edwards, a grandchild, also an infant without guardian. (Wayne Co, NC Loose Estates - James Edwards, North Carolina Archives).
In November 1839, a division of James Edwards' estate was made among his heirs (see the deed below for details). (Wayne Co, NC Wills and Miscellaneous Records Book 8 page 25).
The above Estate division (Nov 1839) was recorded in the deed books and showed the estate divided in this way: Lot # 1 to Isham Edwards; Lot # 2, 3 and 4 to Charity Edwards, Ann Edwards and Sally Edwards. Lot # 5 to James Edwards, Lot # 6 to Rachel Edwards, Lot # 7 to Lewis Edwards and Lot # 8 to Ailes Edwards. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 20 page 75).
Note that this last record shows a Lewis Edwards as an heir, but he was not mentioned in the petition. Also, grandson William James Edwards was named in the petition, but not the deed.
A division was also recorded on 7 Feb 1840. (Wayne Co, NC Land Divisions Book 8 page 248).
Widow Rachel --- Edwards was still living as of 1838, but I did not find her mentioned in the estate division of 1839. Normally the widow would get 1/3 of the land. Perhaps the 1838 Dowry was her getting 1/3rd of the land due to her.
I did not find Rachel or any of their children listed on the 1840 census. They could have been living with another relative that year, or quite possibly had moved away after the estate was settled. Her daughter Alsy Edwards was in Montgomery Co, AL in 1841 when she married. Normally an unmarried girl wouldn't travel somewhere that far away alone, so other relatives must have went there also, perhaps Rachel went. The 1840 census shows several Edwards in that county, but no familiar names.
I did not find Rachel nor most of her children on the 1850 census. Her daughter Alsy and grandson William James Edwards were together in Montgomery Co, AL in 1850.
James Edwards and Rachel had seven children as named in his estate divisions. The census records seem to indicate more children, perhaps some of whom died young. Since I've not found any of their children after the estate division, I don't know which ones match up with each census record, so I'll list both those proven children, and those from the census, though this makes it appear they had many more children.
Lewis Edwards is problematic, for he was not named in the undated petition (ca 1838-39) naming James Edwards' heirs, but he was named in the November 1839 division of his lands. I'm not sure how to reconcile this except that he may have been left out of the one record by mistake. The record he was left out of named a grandson as an heir named William James Edwards, and the other record that included Lewis did not name the grandson. All said, I'm sure Lewis was James' son. Read on for an analysis:
It is possible that Lewis was a son-in-law, and not a son, and was married to one of the daughters of James Edwards, for that would explain some of the apparent difficulties here, but I don't think that is the case. Further proof (or to confuse matters more), William J. Edwards (named as a grandson of James Edwards in one record) sold Lot # 7 of James' estate in 1860, being the same drawn by Lewis Edwards in the estate division. How did William J. Edwards get it from Lewis, unless he was his son, though named as an orphan in the estate.
I think the explanation here is actually simple. the Estate division (Nov 1839) and the Petition (no date) are in reverse order, with Lewis Edwards being a son of James, but he must have died between the two records, leaving only his son William James Edwards as an heir. This would explain some things.
Here are the facts as I know them about Lewis Edwards. He married Sarah Jernigan on 13 Dec 1828 in Wayne County, she was a daughter of Page Jernigan and Sarah Edwards (daughter of Sampson Edwards). This marriage was recorded in the newspaper I think (can't find my reference for it). William James Edwards was born ca 1829/30 (per 1850 census) in North Carolina, presumably Wayne County.
I did not find Lewis Edwards on the 1830 census, nor on the 1840 or 1850 census.
His probable son William James Edwards was in Montgomery Co, AL in 1850 living with another family. I know this is him for he made a deed in 1860 in Wayne Co, NC where he lists Montgomery Co, AL as his place of residence. He was with the William and Alsy (Edwards) Wilson family. Is Alsy his aunt "Alice" Edwards? This Alsy Wilson was aged 39 or born ca 1811, and born in NC. That is a rough fit age-wise, but it must be the same person. There was a John Edwards age 46 (born ca 1804 in NC) next door. This fits with the oldest unknown sons of James Edwards. This is all quite interesting, I think. John was living with Joel Blakely (c1815 AL) and wife Jane Blakely (c1824 AL) and their children.
1850 MONTGOMERY CO, AL Page 107 House/Family # 609/ 621 - DISTRICT 1 Twp WILSON WILLIAM H 55 M W FARMER 300 SC 1794/1795 WILSON ALSY 39 F W NC 1810/1811 EDWARDS WILLIAM J 20 M W NONE NC 1829/1830 FALKNER LEITHY 23 F W SC 1826/1827
William married before 1854, presumably in Montgomery County.
William was on the 1860 census in Montgomery Co, AL next door to Alsy Wilson, now widowed. They were just two houses from George W. Grant, no known relationship.
1860 MONTGOMERY CO, AL Page 49 House/Family # 386/ 343 -- 2 DISTRICT Twp RAMAH P.O. EDWARDS W J 27 M W FARMER AL 1832/1833 EDWARDS HARRIET 23 F W AL 1836/1837 EDWARDS ELISABETH 6 F W AL 1853/1854 EDWARDS ELLA 4 F W AL 1855/1856 EDWARDS MADISON 2 M W AL 1857/1858 EDWARDS NORMON 0 M W 6/12 AL 1859/1860
There are two deeds in 1860 from William J. Edwards of Alabama. The first one is dated 20 Apr 1860 where William J. Edwards of Montgomery Co, AL appoints Gard Thompson (son-in-law of Sampson Edwards) of Wayne Co, NC as his Attorney to dispose of lands allotted to Lewis Edwards, heir of James Edwards, deceased, or rather Lewis Edwards heirs, "I being the only lawful heir of the estate". (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 27 page 265).
ON 29 Nov 1860, William J. Edwards of Montgomery Co, AL, sold by his Attorney Gard Thompson, Lot # 7 of the James Edwards estate as drawn by Lewis Edwards, to Whitman Price of Wayne Co, NC. Witnessed by S. H. Denmark. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 27 page 123).
Isham Edwards is a proven child of James Edwards. The only sure records I have for him is in his father's estate records (1837-1840) where he is not listed as a minor, so that means he was over 21 then, or born before ca 1819.
Charity Edwards is a proven child of James Edwards. The only sure records I have for her is in her father's estate records (1837-1840) where she is not listed as a minor, so that means she was over 21 then, or born before ca 1819.
Ann Edwards is a proven child of James Edwards. The only sure records I have for her is in her father's estate records (1837-1840) where she is not listed as a minor, so that means she was over 21 then, or born before ca 1819.
Sally Edwards is a proven child of James Edwards. The only sure records I have for her is in her father's estate records (1837-1840) where she is listed as a minor, or under age 21, so that narrows down her birth date somewhat.
James Edwards is a proven child of James Edwards. The only sure records I have for him is in his father's estate records (1837-1840) where he is listed as a minor, or under age 21, so that narrows down his birth date somewhat to ca 1816-1837 or in that general time frame.
Alsy Edwards was born ca 1810/11 (per 1850 census) or ca 1814/15 (per 1860 census). She is a proven child of James Edwards. I'm not sure if she was actually named "Alice", for the two records I've found give different names, one looks like "Avy", the other like "Ailes". Ailes could be "Alice", but "Alsy" seems most likely.
She was named in her father's estate records (1837-1840) where she is listed as a minor, or under age 21, so that narrows down her birth date somewhat, and that does not quite match her 1850 or 1860 census ages, but that is not unusual.
In 1820, Alsy was probably home with her parents, aged "under 10" or born ca 1810/20).
She did not seem to be home in 1830 for some reason. She may have been living with other relatives that year.
I have one strong possible (and very likely) match for this person. There is an Alsy Edwards Wilson in Montgomery Co, AL who could be this same person. The reason I think so is that William James Edwards, the orphaned grandson of James Edwards, was living with her in 1850, and next door to her in 1860. Alsy was born ca 1811 per the 1850 census, and ca 1815 per the 1860 census. Neither of these work with her being a minor in 1837-1840, but one of these sources could be off slightly.
Alsy Edwards married William H. Wilson on 27 Feb 1841 in Montgomery Co, AL. I guess this means that Alsy moved to that county for some reason by 1841. Perhaps her mother was there also.
They were listed there on the 1850 census. Nephew William James Edwards was with them in 1850, as was a Faulkner, relationship unknown.
1850 MONTGOMERY CO, AL Page 107 House/Family # 609/ 621 - DISTRICT 1 Twp WILSON WILLIAM H 55 M W FARMER 300 SC 1794/1795 WILSON ALSY 39 F W NC 1810/1811 EDWARDS WILLIAM J 20 M W NONE NC 1829/1830 FALKNER LEITHY 23 F W SC 1826/1827
In 1860, Alsy was apparently widowed, and listed next to William James Edwards.
1860 MONTGOMERY CO, AL Page 49 House/Family # 385/ 342 -- 2 DISTRICT Twp RAMAH P.O. WILSON A 45 F W FARMER 1500 2100 AL 1814/1815 WILSON WILLIAM J 27 M W FARMER AL 1832/1833
Unknown Son (1800/10). James Edwards had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1810 (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10). He was gone by 1820. This could be Lewis or Isham Edwards. There is a John Edwards (c1804 NC) who was next door to William James Edwards (son of Lewis) in 1850 Montgomery Co, AL. He fits here perfectly, but John was not named in the estate division of James Edwards.
Unknown Daughter (1800/10). James Edwards had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1810 (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10). She was gone by 1820.
Unknown Daughter (1800/10). James Edwards had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1810 (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10). She was gone by 1820.
Unknown Son (1804/10). James Edwards had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1810 (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10). He was still home in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10), but gone by 1830. This could be Lewis or Isham Edwards.
Unknown Son (1804/10). James Edwards had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1810 (age "under 10", born ca 1800/10). He was still home in 1820 (age 10-15, born ca 1804/10), but gone by 1830. This could be Lewis or Isham Edwards.
Unknown Son (1810/20). James Edwards had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20). He was gone by 1830. This could be Lewis or Isham Edwards.
Unknown Daughter (1810/20). James Edwards had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20). She was gone by 1830. This could be Charity or Ann Edwards.
Unknown Daughter (1810/20). James Edwards had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1820 (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20). She was gone by 1830. This could be Charity or Ann Edwards.
Unknown Son (1820/25). James Edwards had an apparent son this age. He was home with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25). This could be James Edwards who was referred to as a minor in an undated (ca 1839) petition, so he would fit in this age group.
Unknown Daughter (1820/25). James Edwards had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25). This could be either Sally or Alice Edwards who were referred to as minors in an undated (ca 1839) petition, so they both would fit in this age group.
Unknown Daughter (1820/25). James Edwards had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1830 (age 5-9, born ca 1820/25). This could be either Sally or Alice Edwards who were referred to as minors in an undated (ca 1839) petition, so they both would fit in this age group.
Unknown Daughter (1825/30). James Edwards had an apparent daughter this age. She was home with him in 1830 (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30). This could be either Sally or Alice Edwards who were referred to as minors in an undated (ca 1839) petition, so they both would fit in this age group.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. James1 Edwards, born 1770/74 in Dobbs Co, NC (now Lenoir Co, NC); died bef 4 Oct 1837 in Wayne Co, NC, son of John Edwards and (---) ?. He married in 1800/10 in Wayne Co, NC Rachel (---), born 1775/84 in Wayne Co, NC.
Children of James Edwards and Rachel (---) were as follows:
+ 2 i Lewis2 Edwards, born in Wayne Co, NC; died bef 1860 in Montgomery Co, AL. He married Sarah Jernigan.
3 ii Isham2 Edwards, born in Wayne Co, NC.
4 iii Charity2 Edwards, born in Wayne Co, NC.
5 iv Ann2 Edwards, born in Wayne Co, NC.
6 v Sally2 Edwards, born 1818/39 in Wayne Co, NC.
7 vi James2 Edwards, born 1818/39 in Wayne Co, NC.
8 vii Alsy2 Edwards, born 1810/11 in Wayne Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Montgomery Co, AL. She married on 27 Feb 1841 in Montgomery Co, AL William H Wilson, born 1794/95 in SC; died 1850/60 in Montgomery Co, AL.
Generation 2
2. Lewis2 Edwards (James1), born in Wayne Co, NC; died bef 1860 in Montgomery Co, AL. He married on 13 Dec 1828 in Wayne Co, NC Sarah Jernigan, born 1810/20 in Wayne Co, NC, daughter of Page Jernigan and Sarah "Sally" Edwards.
Children of Lewis Edwards and Sarah Jernigan were as follows:
+ 9 i William James3 Edwards, born 1829/30 in Wayne Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Montgomery Co, AL. He married Harriett (---).
Generation 3
9. William James3 Edwards (Lewis2, James1), born 1829/30 in Wayne Co, NC; died aft 1860 in Montgomery Co, AL. He married in 1850/54 in Montgomery Co, AL Harriett (---), born 1836/37 in AL.
Children of William James Edwards and Harriett (---) were as follows:
10 i Elizabeth4 Edwards, born 1853/54 in Montgomery Co, AL.
11 ii Ella4 Edwards, born 1855/56 in Montgomery Co, AL.
12 iii Madison4 Edwards, born 1857/58 in Montgomery Co, AL.
13 iv Normon4 Edwards, born 1859/60 in Montgomery Co, AL.
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