Marty and Karla Grant
[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]
Matthew Patterson (Sr) (c1720-aft 1771) of Tryon and Rutherford Co., NC
[Patterson Home] - [Table of Contents] - Matthew Patterson (Sr)
Jump to Children’s section | Jump to Family Group Sheet
The author (Marty Grant) is a 7th Great Grandson of Matthew Patterson, providing that several unproven connections are correct.
Special thanks to Valeska Vicars (1929-2009) for data shared on this family.
Important note: There clearly was a Matthew Sr. and a Jr. as both names appear on the same survey in 1770. However, it is entirely possible that I have mixed up the two men after 1770 working on the assumption that the records found in the 1780's and later are for the younger Matthew. I could be entirely wrong about that.
Matthew Patterson's birth date is unknown, we don't even have a good approximation. His probable son Matthew Jr. was born before 1755, so that would put Matthew Sr.'s birth at ca 1737 or earlier. More evidence is needed before we can be more specific. I’ve arbitrarily chosen ca 1720, though that might be off by a decade or more.
Matthew's birth place is unknown. He was in western North Carolina in the 1770's but he was probably not born there. Family tradition among our family says that our Pattersons came from Scotland originally.
If Matthew followed the most common migration path, then he probably immigrated to America with his parents or with some siblings, and settled first in Pennsylvania or Maryland, then moved into the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, finally coming to Western North Carolina. This is a supposition based on what many of the other Pattersons did.
I have noticed several Matthew Pattersons in Augusta Co, VA records and in that area. There were also one or more men of that name in Lancaster Co., PA in the 1700's. More research is needed to determine which, if any of them is our Matthew. Gary Carson believes that our Matthew is the same one named in the Will of Samuel Patterson who died ca June 1777 in Lancaster Co., PA. Samuel named his wife Rebecca, sons Matthew, Samuel, John (deceased), and William, and daughter Janet wife of Archibald Tweed and John's widow (not named) and children Sarah and Samuel. This certainly could be our Matthew. There is much about it that fits. Samuel (Jr) married Martha Ramsey in 1763 and moved to Mecklenburg Co., NC for awhile before going to Wilson Co., TN where he died ca 1815. More research is needed to be certain this is our Matthew, but it looks promising.
Matthew Patterson probably married by the 1740's, either in Virginia or Pennsylvania. I’ve found no record of his wife’s name so far.
Ken McCracken shared this interesting tidbit:
Hi. Wanted you to know that I came across a Pennsylvania Gazette newspaper notice of a Matthew Patterson owing land tract taxes in both Newbury and Manahan Townships, York Co, PA going back to 1764 & 1765 respectively. The notice states that if the taxes are not paid within 90 days the land tracts will be sold.
In both townships, Matthew Patterson is listed with a ? McCracken & a James McCracken. Since both Matthew Patterson and a James McCracken are on the 1782 Rutherford Co., NC tax list perhaps there is a connection. The PA Gazette is dated May 28, 1783. So it appears 20 years elapsed before the State took action.
On 20 Oct 1767 Matthew Patterson and John Patterson were chain bears for a survey in Tryon Co., NC for Thomas Mitchell, 100 acres on the north side of Broad River (from North Carolina Land Grants in South Carolina, Volume I: Tryon County 1768-1773, by Brent Holcomb, 1975, p. 67, Shared by Doris Johnston).
Matthew Patterson received a North Carolina Land Grant in Tryon County on 24 Dec 1770. The land was surveyed on 8 May 1770 with Matthew Patterson Jr and John Patterson acting as Chain Bearers. The land was described as being 300 acres on north side of Broad River. Chain Bearers were almost always family members or close friends, and in this case the two were probably Matthew’s sons. 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 (which included part of present day South Carolina until the state line was resolved). Matthew Jr later lived on Puzzle Creek which was on the north side of Broad River (several miles north) in present Rutherford County.
The above is the one and only certain record we have for Matthew Patterson Sr.
Matthew Patterson received a land grant on 18 Apr 1771. This is reported in a deed dated 26 Apr 1773 where some land was sold that once belonged to Matthew. I have not found the original record of Matthew acquiring or selling this land, but the aforementioned deed gives some valuable information. On that date (26 Apr 1773) Michael Engl (Ingle) and wife Barbary of Tryon County sold 250 acres to Lemuel Saunders. The deed said the land was originally granted to Mathew Patterson on 18 Apr 1771, and sold by him to Engle on 25 Jun 1772. The land was described as being on the south side of Catawba River on waters of Killions Creek adjoining Philip Erehort (Earhart?). Witnesses to the 1773 deed were John Ridisiel and Michel Rudisili. (Lincoln Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 776).
Killian Creek is in present day Lincoln and Gaston Counties, which was all part of Tryon in the early 1770's. It is on the eastern side of the county very close to what is now Lake Norman.
Gary Carson points out that this is actually “Mathias Peterson” and not our Matthew Patterson though the names are similar. This is proven by the court records below which refer to these same land transactions.
In Tryon County Court, July 1772 a deed of sale from Mathias Paterson to Michael Ingle dated 25 Jun 1772 was acknowledged in court. This is the deed referred to above on Killians Creek.
Also in July 1772 Court, a deed of sale from Adam Dick to George Dick dated 19 Jun 1772 was acknowledged by Mathias Patterson. This is probably also Mathias Peterson and not our Matthew.
I found no further records for Matthew Patterson. There are some in from the 1780's in Rutherford County, but I’m reasonably sure those are all for Matthew Jr. Therefore the last sure record is the 1770 land grant.
Matthew Patterson and wife probably had several children, but I have no proof for any of them. There is a Matthew Patterson Jr and a John Patterson who were Chain Bearers for a 1770 land survey for him, so I strongly suspect those are his sons. There is also Samuel Patterson (d 1813) and his apparent sisters. Samuel left a Will in 1813 naming his “brother’s son” Samuel Patterson as one of the executors. This was in Haywood Co., NC and there was only one Samuel Patterson near enough to be the one, and that is Samuel of Buncombe who is a grandson of old Matthew. That seems to put the older Samuel as Matthew's son.
1. Matthew Patterson (bef 1755)
4. Catherine Patterson (1755/65)
5. Sarah "Sally" Patterson (1777)
Matthew Patterson (Jr) was born before 1755. He was a chain carrier for a 1770 survey for Matthew Sr, which establishes they were related. It doesn’t prove they were father and son, but I’ll just assume they were. See his own page for more information.
John Patterson was born ca 1756 or before, assuming he was at least 14 when he was a chain carrier for a 1770 survey for Matthew Sr. That survey establishes they were related. It doesn’t prove they were father and son, but I’ll just assume they were.
Unfortunately, the land survey is the only record I currently have for John Patterson.
Phoebe Patterson was born 1755/65 (per census analysis). I don’t have proof that she is Matthew’s daughter, but she was named in Samuel Patterson’s 1813 Will, but with no relationship stated. She was listed as “Febe Dunn.”
I believe she was married to Simeon Dunn, but I don’t have solid proof of that. If correct though, they would have married before ca 1792, somewhere in North Carolina.
They are on the 1800 census in Buncombe Co., NC. The ages and number of children listed with them suggests they were married before ca 1784.
Page |
Name |
M0-9
|
M10-15
|
M16-25
|
M26-44
|
M45+
|
F0-9
|
F10-15
|
F16-25
|
F26-44
|
F45+
|
FPC
|
Slaves
|
167 |
Simeon Dun |
3 |
2 |
1 |
1 |
~ |
1 |
~ |
1 |
1 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
My analysis (who each person *might* be)
1m 26-44 (1755/1774) Simeon Dunn
1m 16-25 (1774/1784) Son?
2m 10-15 (1784/1790) 1. Son?
2. Son?
3m 0-9 (1790/1800) 1. Son? Possibly Joseph A. Dunn (c1793)
2. Son?
3. Son?
1f 26-44 (1755/1774) Phoebe Patterson Dunn (1755/65) wife
1f 16-25 (1774/1784) Daughter?
1f 0-9 (1790/1800) Daughter?
Simeon Dunn appears to have died prior to 1804 because Phoebe was listed as head of household on a “census” taken that year for Walton Co., GA, Eastern District, Capt. Clayton’s District as “Phoebe Dunn” with 8 whites.
Though listed in Walton Co., GA, they were actually in Buncombe Co., NC. Refer to the Walton War for more on this subject.
Phoebe was listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe Co., NC between Walter Clayton and John Heath.
Page |
Name |
M0-9
|
M10-15
|
M16-25
|
M26-44
|
M45+
|
F0-9
|
F10-15
|
F16-25
|
F26-44
|
F45+
|
FPC
|
Slaves
|
170 |
Phebe Dunn |
~ |
2 |
~ |
~ |
~ |
~ |
1 |
1 |
~ |
1 |
~ |
~ |
My analysis (who each person *might* be)
2m 10-15 (1794/1800) 1. Son?
2. Son?
1f 45+ (before 1765) Phoebe Patterson Dunn (1755/65)
1f 16-25 (1784/1794) Daughter?
1f 10-15 (1794/1800) Daughter?
Samuel Patterson made his Will on 31 May 1813 in Haywood Co., NC naming, among others, “Febe Dunn” to whom he left “one pot.” No relationship was stated, but my presumption is that she was his sister.
That, unfortunately, is the last record we have for her.
According to the 1800, 1804 and 1810 census entries, Simeon and Phoebe had a large family. I haven’t positively identified any of their children. There is a Joseph A. Dunn (c1793) who is almost certainly theirs. He was on the 1820 census next to Walter Clayton who had been Phoebe’s next door neighbor back in 1810. Furthermore, he named one of his sons Simon.
The section of Buncombe they lived in later became Henderson County (in 1838), and finally, Transylvania County in 1861.
Catherine Patterson was born ca 1755/65 per census analysis. She isn't a proven Patterson but her husband David Carson was named in the 1813 Will of Samuel Patterson, no relationship stated. David's wife was named Catherine (per Gary Carson). Gary also thinks Catherine was a Patterson and part of this family.
I found no David Carson in 1790 in the area. He was probably in Tennessee based on daughter Jane who was born there ca 1797. The 1790 census for Tennessee is lost. Gary mentioned that David was in Washington Co., TN in the 1790's. Gary relayed this:
The evidence is overwhelming that his parents were Robert Carson and Margaret Woods from Lancaster Co PA (they married there 1755). ... Both couples and some other Carson families moved from PA to NC to TN together. Robert Carson born c1730 was in Orange NC (present Caswell) 1760-1766, then Guilford NC 1779, then Surry 1779 (lived on the county border between Guilford/Surry). David Carson and John Carson show up there 1783. All then move to Washington/Greene TN.
David Carson purchased 58 acres in Washington Co., TN in 1793 from Robert Carson (per Gary Carson). He sold that same land in 1798 to John Webb. (Thanks to Gary Carson for this information).
In 1800 there was a David Carson in Buncombe Co, NC. His 1800 census entry showed him born ca 1755/74 with a wife in the same age category. The 1800 census was alphabetical, so I can’t tell if he lived near the Pattersons.
In 1810, David was still in Buncombe County though not close to any of the Pattersons. He was age 45+ (born before 1765), and his wife was the same age. I can’t be entirely sure, but based on their neighbors, they were living in the same general area as the Pattersons, somewhere in the area that later became Henderson County, but I can’t narrow it down any better than that.
David Carson moved to neighboring Haywood County by 1812 for on 17 Nov 1812 he acted as bondsman for the marriage of Benjamin Chastain and Nancy Hooper (daughter of Absalom Hooper).
David Cason was named in the 1813 Will of Samuel Patterson in Haywood County.
An 1819 Haywood County marriage bond for James Chastain and Jane Carson shows that Jane was a daughter of David Carson.
David Carson was listed on the 1820 census in Haywood County. Both he and wife were listed as age 45+ (born bef 1775). This census was alphabetical, so I can’t tell where they were living or who their neighbors were. There was a Matthew Carson also listed. Coincidence? Or was he named for grandpa Matthew Patterson?
David Carson did not appear on the 1830 census in Haywood County, though Matthew and several other Carsons were listed. I didn’t find David elsewhere that year either. A "David M. Carson" was in Buncombe, but he was much too young, and I think that was actually David McCarson who had been there in previous census records.
I didn’t find them in 1840 either, so it looks like both David and Mrs. Carson died between 1820 and 1830 in Haywood County, or else moved away during that same period.
I have found no additional data so far on David Carson, so I don’t know for sure if his wife was a sister to Samuel Patterson or not, but that is my current theory. Their daughter Jane Carson (1797) married James Chastain and moved to Union Co, GA in the late 1830's. I think they are also the parents of Matthew Carson, and that is another tidbit of evidence tying them to the Matthew Patterson line. Gary Carson provide a list of children for David and Catherine that he thinks are theirs. They are not all proven: Matthew, Catherine, Jane (proven), Ambrose, William and Samuel.
Sarah Patterson was named in Samuel Patterson's 1813 Will as "Salley Owen" but no relationship was given. It is assumed she was a sister, but could be a niece or something else instead. Samuel also mentioned Jesse Owens and Samuel Patterson Owens in the Will. An Elijah Owens was one of the witnesses. How do they all relate to each other and to the Matthew Patterson family? First of all note that "Sally" is a common nickname for "Sarah." The two names are often used interchangeably.
Gary Carson found and shared this about Elijah Owens:
I found Owen Owens and Elijah Owens in Washington/Greene county TN 1780s with some land grants....near my Carsons. Later, in 1813, my David Carson in Haywood NC proved a Haywood deed for Owen Owens (land on the Pigeon River) that was written in 1800 by David (as noted in the record). A Samuel Patterson appears briefly in those TN counties c1806. As you discovered, Elijah Owens is witness to the Samuel Patterson will administered 1815 Haywood NC. Our David Carson ended up administering the estate.
Juanita Martinez shared records about her ancestor Jesse Owens and wife Sarah "Sally" of St. Clair Co., AL, and NC before that. It seems 100% certain that this is the same Jesse Owens named in Samuel Patterson's Will. If so, is his wife Sarah the same Sarah named in the Will? Jesse Owens was born ca 1774/80 per census analysis (1800, 1810, 1830 and 1840 census), and his wife was born ca 1777 per the 1850 census, which agrees with her entries in her husband's households of 1800, 1810 and 1830. In 1840 she was shown a little younger than that, but that is a common census problem.
If Sarah was born ca 1777, that probably makes her the youngest child of Matthew Patterson, or perhaps even a grandchild instead.
Jesse Owens was listed on the 1800 census in Buncombe Co., NC: 1 male 16-25 (ca 1774/84), 1 female 16-25 (ca 1774/84) and 1 female under 10 (ca 1790/1800).
He was in neighboring Haywood Co., NC for the 1810 census. Haywood was created from Buncombe in 1808 so he may not have moved: 1 male age 26-44 (ca 1765/84), 1 male 16-25 (ca 1784/94), 2 males under 10 (ca 1800/10), 1 female 26-44 (ca 1765/84), 1 female 10-15 (ca 1794/1800) and 1 female under 10 (ca 1800/10).
Jesse and Salley were named in the 1813 Will of Samuel Patterson in Haywood Co., NC, though he didn't say where they lived or how they were related to him.
They moved to St. Clair Co., AL before 1820 for Jesse was listed there that year on a tax list (or state census). Levi Watson (also a witness to Samuel Patterson's 1813 Will) was listed a few houses away. Juanita Martinez noted that Levi was a son-in-law of Jesse Owens. John Dun and William Patterson were listed also, but not quite as close. Jesse's enumerations: 1 white male over 21; 5 white males under 21; 1 white female over 21; 1 white female under 21; 8 total whites; no free people of color; no slaves; 8 persons total.
Juanita Martinez found a Haywood Co., NC deed dated 9 Nov 1821 where "Jessie" Owen of St. Clair Co., AL sold 100 acres to Lewis Smith for $100. The land was on a branch of Jonathan's Creek in Haywood Co., NC. (Haywood Co., NC Deed Book A-C p. 143). This deed proves that Jesse of St. Clair Co., AL is the same one formerly of Haywood Co., NC.
Jesse Owens is listed on the 1830 census in St. Clair Co., AL: 1 male age 50-59 (ca 1770/80); 1 male 15-19 (ca 1810/15); 2 males 10-14 (1815/20); 1 female 50-59 (ca 1770/80).
They are still in St. Clair for the 1840 census: 1 male age 60-69 (ca 1770/80); 2 males 20-29 (ca 1810/20); 1 male under 5 (ca 1835/40); 1 female age 50-59 (ca 1780/90); 1 female 20-29 (ca 1810/20); 1 female under 5 (ca 1835/40).
I didn't find Jesse Owens on the 1850 census. I found his widow Sarah with their son Samuel P. Owens in neighboring Cherokee Co., AL that year: # 317/317 Saml P. Owens 38, Agr, NC; Rosannah 35 NC; Benjamin 15 AL; Sarah 12; Jesse 10; Saml 8; James 2; Sarah 73 SC; Jason 35 NC.
I understand that Jesse Owen left a Will naming his heirs, but I haven't seen it yet.
Samuel P. Owens (c1811/12) is certainly old enough (barely) to be the "Samuel Patterson Owens" named in the 1813 Will of Samuel Patterson. It was very common in those days for a person to mention their namesakes in a Will but leave out other children (when not their own children). Juanita points out that some descendants refer to this Samuel P. Owens as Samuel Pinkney Owens, and of course that could be the case. If so, then he either got a name change after uncle Samuel Patterson died, or it isn't the same person named in the Will.
The above information raises some questions. First it is certain that this family is connected, but how exactly? Here are some possibilities:
∙ Sarah (c1777) wife of Jesse Owens is Samuel Patterson's sister. Possible, but she seems too young to be a child of Matthew Patterson Sr who may have been dead by 1777.
∙ Sarah (c1777) wife of Jesse Owens is Samuel Patterson's niece. If so who are her parents? Samuel's only known brother was Matthew Patterson (Jr). His family is mostly unidentified so Sarah could easily be his child.
∙ Jesse Owens (c1774/80) is the nephew of Samuel Patterson and the Sarah Owens named in the Will is his mother, not his wife (who just coincidentally has the same name). After all Sarah (c1777) was reported as born in South Carolina on the 1850 census which doesn't line up with what we know about the Pattersons, though still possible.
More research may provide the answer.
Samuel Patterson's birth date is unknown. He appears to be a son of Matthew Patterson but I have no direct evidence. Three pieces of circumstantial evidence point to it. First, they lived in the same area so that makes it feasible that they are related. Second the name "Samuel" runs in Matthew's family. That isn't proof but is helpful. Third, and this is the strongest bit, when Samuel made his Will in 1813 he named his nephew Samuel Patterson as one of the Executors. There was only one Samuel Patterson within the entire region and that is the grandson of old Matthew, so that fits perfectly. Samuel (the nephew) was in Buncombe at the time the older Samuel made his Will, so that isn't far away at all. There were no other Samuel's within many miles as far as I'm aware.
Since Samuel died without a wife or children it can be assumed that he never married, or if he did, but his wife and children all died before he did, leaving no heirs.
If Samuel was as old as his possible brother Matthew (Jr), then he ought to have appeared on the 1790, 1800 and 1810 census somewhere. He was not listed in the same area as Matthew (c1749) those years. There is the problem of Samuel’s bachelorhood. Since he was unmarried, then it is very likely that he spent much of his adult life living with other relatives, and therefore would never be listed as a head of household on the census.
In 1790 the only Samuel Patterson in western North Carolina was one in Mecklenburg County. I’m fairly sure that is not this Samuel Patterson. There were three Samuel’s in Abbeville District, South Carolina, but that is not really all that close to North Carolina.
In 1800 there was only one Samuel Patterson listed in Western North Carolina, in Rutherford County, Samuel Patterson (1765/74) who is (I believe) the nephew of this older Samuel as named in his 1813 Will. In western South Carolina, there was only one Samuel, and he was in Abbeville District.
For the 1810 census, my Samuel Patterson (1765/74) was listed in Buncombe Co, NC. He was the only Samuel listed in western North Carolina. In western South Carolina there was Samuel in Abbeville District, and no others.
The only explanation for Samuel’s absence from all these census records is that he probably lived with a married sibling all those years.
On 17 Oct 1810, Samuel Patterson made a land entry (Entry # 213) for 150 acres in Haywood County, North Carolina. The land was described as being on the waters of Tuckaseege (River) about half a mile north of the Indian road leading to Tillinoah.
I don’t know exactly where the above parcel of land is located for the Tuckasegee River is very long. It rises in present Jackson County (then part of Haywood) right on the Transylvania County border just about 10 miles from where the Matthew and Samuel Patterson families lived. It flows north westerly all the way across Jackson County into Swain County. I have not located "Tillinoah", which is probably an Indian Village. If I could find that, I could probably narrow down where Samuel Patterson’s land was. If he was near the headwaters of Tuckasegee River, then he was very close to the Matthew Patterson family.
Samuel didn’t get to enjoy his Haywood County land for very long, for on 31 May 1813 he made his Will. Thanks to Kenneth Patterson for sending me a copy of the original Will. Here is a transcript I have made from the original retaining original spelling and punctuation (or lack of punctuation):
In the Name of god amen I Samuel Patterson of Haywood County and State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be god do this 31 first day of may AD 1813 make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following – that is to say after my funeral charge is paid and just debts satisfied.
First I give and bequeath a saddle and sadle bags unto Samuel Patterson my brothers son
I give and Bequeath unto Salley Owen one bed and furniture and a chest
I give and Bequeath unto David Cason two pair of britches
I give and Bequeath unto Feby Dunn one pot
I give and Bequeath unto Jessey Owen all my money due to me on notes of hand. The mount on the hole different notes 76 dollars and 75 cents also 15 dollars and fifty cents.
I give and Bequeath unto Samuel Patterson Owen one silver watch
and I hearby make and ordain my worthy friends Jessey Owen and Samuel Patterson Executors of this my last will and testament in wittness whereof I the said Samuel Patterson have to this my last will and testament set my hand and Seal the day and year above written. Samuel (his mark) Patterson
Signed Sealed published and Declared by the said Samuel Patterson the testator as his last will and testament in the presents of us who ware present at the time of signing and sealing these presents
Elijah Owen
George Williams
Levy (his mark ) (Watson? last name illegible)
Elijah Owens was offered to prove but on his Oath could not say that he ever heard the deceased make or endorse it his will or make a mark
Note: Samuel Patterson’s mark was a poorly written "S. Patterson" that was almost unrecognizable, perhaps due to his health. I also wonder why Elijah Owens signed as a witness, but when it came time to prove the Will he said he never saw Samuel sign the Will. Click here for a copy of the original will (in PDF format).
He was dead by 21 Mar 1815, for that was the date given for an Inventory made by Jesse Owens, Administrator. In the same file, an Administration bond dated 18 Sep 1815 showed David Carson and James McKee as Administrators of Samuel Patterson, deceased. I don't know if this means Jesse Owens excused himself, or was removed or died. (Haywood County, North Carolina Loose Estates, North Carolina Archives)
It should also be noted that he did not mention his 150 acres of land in this Will. It was apparently never granted to him. Sometimes land claims were denied because of a prior claim or other reasons.
For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Matthew Patterson (Sr).
Revised: January 14, 2025
Copyright © 1996-2025 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
[Home] [What’s New?] [Books for Sale] [Christian] [Genealogy] [Search] [Support] [About] [Contact]