Matthew Patterson (c1749) of Tryon, Rutherford, Buncombe, Henderson, and Transylvania Co, NC

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Contents: Children | Researcher List | Register Report

Revision History:

21 Oct 2009 - Reformatted a little bit.
30 Aug 2008 - Reformatted by Marty Grant.

The author (Marty Grant) is a 6^th Great Grandson of Matthew Patterson, providing that several unproven connections are correct.

Matthew Patterson was born before 1755 per the 1800 census. He was a chain bearer for a survey done in 1770 for his father, so if he was 21 then, he was born ca 1749 or earlier, but you didn't have to be 21 to be a chain carrier, but I'll use ca 1749 as an approximate date.

Matthew Patterson was probably born in Pennsylvania or Virginia, or perhaps even in Scotland or Northern Ireland. We have no solid evidence on that subject so far.

Matthew Patterson is probably a son of the elder Matthew Patterson for whom he was Chain Bearer in 1770. When a survey was done, the Chain Bearers were almost always close relatives of the person who was getting the survey in order to ensure everything was done in a fair way.

The survey was dated 8 May 1770 and recorded with a land grant dated 24 Dec 1770 for 300 acres of land on the North side of Broad River in Tryon County, North Carolina for Matthew Patterson. Matthew Patterson Jr and John Patterson were the Chain Bearers. This was recorded in Patent Book 20 page 624 as shared by Valeska Vicars.

I don’t know where the above land was located. Broad River flows through present Rutherford and Cleveland County before going into South Carolina. In 1770 this entire region was still part of Tryon County, including some of South Carolina (until the state line was resolved). Matthew (Jr) later lived on Puzzle Creek which was on the north side of Broad River, though several miles north in present Rutherford County.

Matthew Patterson married someone in old Tryon County ca 1770's. I have found no record of his wife’s name. Census records show that she was born before 1755.

In 1778-1779, Tryon County was dissolved, and the section where they lived became Rutherford County.

Matthew Patterson was listed on a 1782 tax list in Rutherford County.

Matthew was listed on a 1785 tax list in Rutherford County, and taxed for 1 poll (himself), and 300 acres of land. I have not found where he obtained this land, but it seems likely it is the same 300 acres his father got in 1770 on the "north side of Broad River". Puzzle Creek was technically on the north side of Broad River, but several miles north. If this is the same land, then he inherited it between 1772 and 1785.

Matthew Patterson was named in Rutherford County Court dated "Saturday 14^th 1786" (no month given) as a juror.

On 9 Aug 1787, Mathew Patterson received a State Land Grant of 100 acres on Puzzle Creek. The land was Entered on 9 Nov 1779. The Revolutionary War must have delayed the granting of this land. The Chain Bearers were Thomas Price and Samuel Patterson. I found this Grant on the card index at the State Archives and it referenced Book 65 page 304. Now the Chain Bearer Samuel Patterson is likely related. I’m reasonably sure that Samuel is Matthew’s son, but I don’t know who Thomas Price was, perhaps a son-in-law or nephew, if related at all. He was just three houses from Matthew on the 1790 census.

Puzzle Creek was a tributary of the Second Broad River and is about 6 miles long, and is just a mile or so east of Forest City. They apparently lived on Puzzle Creek until the 1790's.

Matthew Patterson was listed on the 1790 census in Rutherford County. He was in the 7^th Company listed between Micajah Morris (1759) and William Baker. Thomas Price was three houses away. Joseph Patterson and Robert Patterson were also in the 7^th Company (six houses from each other, but several houses from Matthew). Another one, Hugh Patterson was also in Rutherford that year, but in a different company.

1790 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1790 Rutherford Co, NC pg 117 Matthew Patterson 2-0-3-0-0

Analysis:

2 Male(s) 16 and Up (before 1774)     Matthew PATTERSON (bef 1755)

                                      Samuel Patterson (1765/74) --> hd 1800

3 Female(s) any age (before 1790)     Wife? (bef 1755)

                                      Daughter? (Bef 1790) --> gone by 1800

                                      Daughter? (Bef 1790) --> gone by 1800

In 1791, Buncombe County was formed from the western part of Rutherford and Burke Counties. Apparently Matthew Patterson moved there almost immediately, but held onto his Puzzle Creek land for awhile, and his son Samuel remained in Rutherford for about 10 more years.

I don’t know precisely where Matthew settled at first, but an October 1792 Court record gives us a clue. The Court Record shows that Matthew Patterson (and others) were assigned to a road jury to lay off a road from the Ford of Benjamin Davidson’s Creek across the mountain to the Head of Saluda. (Buncombe Co, NC Court Minutes, Apr 1792 - Apr 1796 and Jan 1798 - Jan 1804 - Book 1, p. 18).

The North Saluda River headwaters were in the vicinity of the current tri-county border region where Henderson and Polk Counties, North Carolina join with Greenville County, South Carolina. Now the "head of Saluda" must mean the head of Saluda River, and the head of the North Saluda River is actually in present Greenville Co, SC, but it lies less than a mile from the present state line with the border of Polk and Henderson County (all of which was Buncombe County at that time). The present community of Saluda is situated on the Polk - Henderson border, and the Saluda Mountains are the North Carolina - South Carolina border.

The South Saluda River headwaters are the border between Oconee and Greenville County, South Carolina and the very head of the river is on the state line bordering Transylvania County, North Carolina. This may be the more likely location of Matthew Patterson, for he did later live in what became Transylvania County, but not so close to the state line. I have not identified Benjamin Davidson’s Creek, but there is a Davidsons River that flows into the French Broad River above Brevard, and it was between that River and the South Saluda that Matthew Patterson later lived, so that seems to help narrow him down to already living in the Transylvania County area.

Matthew Patterson received a State Land Grant in 1797 for 100 acres on "Stewards Creek", which was Entered with Entry # 6425 on 13 Jan 1797. There was no Grant Number or actual date for the Grant. I found this on the Card Index at the State Archives on Card # 356.

I have not located Stewards Creek, but I once theorized that it was the creek that is now called Patterson Creek which is about 3 miles long, and a tributary of the French Broad River just about 5 miles south of Brevard in present Transylvania County, North Carolina. Donna Patterson Stover informed me that Patterson Creek is where her ancestors lived (Rev. Hampton William Patterson and family), and was once called Stamey Creek. Therefore it is probably named for Rev. H. W. Patterson and not for Matthew Patterson. She pointed out that there is a Stuart's Creek that begins in north western Henderson County (which was part of Buncombe in 1797) and flows into the North Fork of Mills River. This is in present day Henderson County just north of Etowah. I don't know if that is where Matthew's land was or not, but it is certainly possible.

On 23 Oct 1799, Matthew Patterson of "Buncomb" County, North Carolina sold his 100 acres on Puzzle Creek in Rutherford County to David Medlow of Rutherford. The land was described as joining John Kirkornal (Kuykendal?) and Langham including William McGaughy’s improvement, granted to Matthew Patterson on 9 Aug 1787. (Rutherford Co, NC Deed Book 16 page 179).

Matthew Patterson was listed on the 1800 census in Buncombe County. Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so I can’t tell who his neighbors were, nor determine exactly where he was living. There were five other Pattersons in Buncombe in 1800, but no way to tell if any of them lived near Matthew.

1800 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1800 Buncombe Co, NC pg 185 Matthew Patterson 00001-00001-0-0

Analysis:

1 Male(s) 45 & up   (before 1755)     Matthew PATTERSON (bef 1755)

1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1755)     Wife? (bef 1755)

I mentioned earlier that the state line in this region was not well defined, and for some reason the Federal Government said that the Headwaters of the French Broad River were in Georgia, and shortly after that, Walton County, Georgia was formed in 1803. The boundaries for Walton are difficult, but it clearly covered a large portion of present day Transylvania County, which was then claimed by Buncombe County, North Carolina. This caused many disputes, and even some bloodshed, and was not resolved until 1813. So in the period between 1803 and 1813 residents of this area were considered residents of Buncombe Co, NC and also residents of Walton Co, GA.

A census of Walton County, Georgia was made in 1804. The Western District commanded by Captain Fane included a listing for Matthew Patterson with 2 whites. This agrees with his 1800 census entry which just showed Matthew and wife in their household. Neighbors in 1804 were Will Raxter and Charles McClure. Alexander Patterson was also listed in that district. I don’t know if he is related to Matthew or not.

In the book "Wayfarers in Walton" (which is a history of the current Walton County, Georgia), the original Walton was mentioned, and "Mathew Petterson" was mentioned several times. I’m confident this was our Matthew Patterson. The first mention of him was that he and others were appointed to watch the roads into Walton and examine any travelers going into their territory. This was an effort to cut down on horse stealing and other troublemakers. No date was given to this record.

Matthew Patterson was listed on the 1810 census for Buncombe County. I would bet he was also listed on the 1810 census for Walton County, Georgia, except that most of the 1810 Georgia census was lost. There were lots of other Pattersons in Buncombe in 1810, but none listed near Matthew. His 1810 neighbors were George C. Neal and George Hefner. Walter Hogshead was just a few houses away, as were many other names that intermarried into the Patterson family including several Glazners and Nicholsons and Erwins and Owens. Matthew’s son Samuel Patterson had moved to Buncombe by then, but was listed several pages away, though had many of the same surnames as neighbors, so obviously in the same general area.

1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1810 Buncombe Co, NC pg 269 Mathew Patterson 00001-00001

Analysis:

1 Male(s) 45 and up    (bef 1765)     Matthew PATTERSON (bef 1755)

1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1765)     Wife? (bef 1755)

In 1813, residents of "Walton County, Georgia" signed a petition requesting that they be put back in North Carolina or that a new county be formed in North Carolina for them. Matthew Patterson signed this petition. Walton was abolished in 1813, and a new Walton County was formed in 1818 well within the proper bounds of Georgia.

The 1813 petition is the last record I have for Matthew Patterson. He must have died after that, but before 1820 for he did not appear on the 1820 census (a much younger Matthew did show up in 1820, but he was a grandson of old Matthew). Mrs. Patterson probably died before 1820 as well.

I have found no record of the disposition of the Buncombe County land that Matthew Patterson owned. The area where they lived became Henderson County in 1838, and finally Transylvania County in 1861. I’m reasonably sure that Patterson Creek (just south of Brevard) was named for old Matthew Patterson.

Children of Matthew Patterson. Matthew Patterson and wife probably had several children, but none are proven. I am quite confident that Samuel Patterson is their son for he was a chain bearer for a 1779 survey for his father, and they owned land bordering each other on Puzzle Creek in Rutherford County, and Samuel followed Matthew to Buncombe County. The 1790 census entry for Matthew showed him with three females, one being Mrs. Patterson and the other two are probably daughters, but nothing else is known of them.

1. Unknown Daughter (bef 1790)

2. Unknown Daughter (bef 1790)

3. Samuel Patterson (1765/74)

Unknown Daughter (bef 1790). Matthew Patterson had three females with him in 1790. One of these was probably his wife, and the other two were probably daughters. No age categories were given for females in 1790. This daughter was not with Matthew in 1800, so she probably had married or died by then.

Samuel Patterson was born ca 1765/74. He is not a proven son of Matthew, but it seems highly likely that he is a son for he was a neighbor to Matthew and clearly associated, and Samuel did name his oldest son "Matthew".

Samuel married Elizabeth — ca 1790 in Rutherford County.

See their own page for additional information.

Researcher List

See the Matthew Patterson Researcher List

Register Report

First Generation

1. Matthew Patterson was born before 1749. He died in 1813/1820 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC).

Matthew married ? before 1774 in Tryon Co, NC (now Rutherford Co, NC). ? was born before 1755. She died in 1810/1820 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC).

They had the following children.

+ 2 M i. Samuel Patterson was born in 1765/1774. He died in 1820/1825.

Second Generation

2. Samuel Patterson (Matthew) was born in 1765/1774 in Tryon Co, NC (now Rutherford Co, NC). He died in 1820/1825 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC).

Samuel married Elizabeth in 1790/1800 in Rutherford Co, NC. Elizabeth was born in 1770/1774 in Tryon Co, NC (now Rutherford Co, NC). She died in 1840/1850 in Union Co, GA.

They had the following children.

3 M i. Capt Matthew Patterson was born in 1789/1790 in Rutherford Co, NC. He died on 20 Sep 1855 in Tippah Co, MS.

Matthew married Nancy in 1810/1815 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). Nancy was born in 1789/1790 in NC. She died on 22 Aug 1855 in Tippah Co, MS.

4 M ii. William Patterson was born in 1795 in Rutherford Co, NC. He died in Oct 1837 in Hiwassee, Cherokee Co, NC or Union Co, GA.

William married Mary Glazner in 1820/1821 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). Mary was born in 1801/1802 in Buncombe Co, NC. She died on 22 Nov 1889 in Grand Junction, Mesa Co, CO. She was buried in Orchard Mesa Cemetery, Mesa Co, CO.

5 F iii. Mary Patterson was born on 19 Jul 1800 in Rutherford Co, NC. She died on 4 Jan 1887 in Laveta, Huerfano Co, CO.

Mary married Thomas Erwin, son of James Erwin, on 29 Jan 1824 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). Thomas was born on 11 Jul 1798 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). He died on 11 Apr 1878 in Laveta, Huerfano Co, CO.

6 M iv. Capt Samuel Patterson was born on 18 Mar 1805 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). He died on 13 Sep 1879 in Laveta, Huerfano Co, CO. He was buried in Ga Colony Cem, Huerfano Co, CO.

Samuel married Jane Moore, daughter of Joseph Moore and Rebecca, on 8 Mar 1830 in Macon Co, NC. Jane was born in 1814/1815 in TN. She died on 20 Jan 1867 in Cherokee Co, GA.

Samuel also married Margaret "Peggy" Anderson, daughter of Moses Anderson and Elizabeth Moore, on 8 Sep 1870 in Union Co, GA. Margaret was born on 24 Dec 1824 in Rabun Co, GA. She died on 26 Jul 1909 in Union Co, GA.

7 M v. Nathan Patterson was born about 1810 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). He died in 1846/1850 in Hall Co, GA.

Nathan married Abigail Malissa McAdams, daughter of Daniel McAdams and Juda, on 27 Jul 1837 in Hall Co, GA. Abigail was born in 1813/1814 in SC. She died in 1855/1859 in Hall Co, GA.

8 F vi. Sarah Patterson was born in 1810/1811 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). She died after 1870 in Towns Co, GA.

Sarah married William Carroll, son of Carroll and Edith, on 31 Dec 1838 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). William was born in 1806/1807 in NC. He died in 1850/1860 in Towns Co, GA.

9 M vii. James M Patterson was born on 29 Mar 1812 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). He died on 26 Jun 1887 in Fannin Co, GA.

James married Easter M Nicholson, daughter of Walter Nicholson and Dorcas Hogshead, on 25 Dec 1843 in Union Co, GA (now Towns Co, GA). Easter was born on 8 Jul 1822 in Buncombe Co, NC. She died on 8 Jun 1889 in Fannin Co, GA.

10 M viii. John Patterson was born on 15 Jul 1815 in Buncombe Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). He died on 11 Apr 1900 in Floyd Co, GA.

John married Mary Ann Mince, daughter of James Mince and Ruth, on 7 Jan 1844 in Habersham Co, GA (now White Co, GA). Mary was born in 1820/1830. She died in 1847 in Habersham Co, GA (now White Co, GA).

John also married Maven Satterfield, daughter of James Satterfield and Ruth, on 29 Nov 1849 in Union Co, GA. Maven was born on 18 Aug 1825 in SC. She died on 13 Feb 1903 in Cherokee Co, GA.