West Patterson (c1784/90) and Frances --- of Edgefield District, SC and Buncombe, Haywood and Macon County, NC

I (Marty Grant) am not related to West Patterson as far as I know. I think there is a reasonable chance that he is related to my Patterson ancestors, beginning with Matthew Patterson. Matthew's son (Matthew Jr) and Grandson (Samuel) lived in fairly close proximity to West's family at one point in time.

West Patterson was born ca 1784/90 (per census analysis). His age as listed on the 1830 and 1840 census gave him an approximate birth of ca 1780/90, while his 1810 census entry showed ca 1784/94, so combined it equals ca 1784/90. West is possibly short for "Wesley", but they may not be true in his case, for all the records I've found so far show him as "West".

I don't know where West was born, but possibly in Edgefield District, South Carolina where he was living by 1810. I don't know if he was born there, or moved there from somewhere else.

I don't know who West Patterson's parents were. I have no strong suspects so far.

West Patterson would have been 6 years old or less by the time of the 1790 census, so should be enumerated in the "under 16" age group (born ca 1774/90). There was only one Patterson family in Edgefield Dist, SC that year, Alexander Patterson (1755/65), and he had 2 apparent sons in that age group. Since I don't know if West was native to this county or not, I can't just conclude that Alexander was his father. West could have been anywhere in 1790, even in another state.

West would have been roughly 10 to 16 years of age by the time of the 1800 census, so he could be enumerated in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1774/84) or the 10-15 age group (born ca 1784/90) or even in the under 10 age group (born ca 1790/1800). That doesn't help too narrow it down much. Once again there was only one Patterson in Edgefield, Alexander Patterson (1755/65). He had one son under 10, and one 10-15. That certainly could be West Patterson, but there is no way to be sure without other evidence.

West Patterson married Frances --- between 1800 and 1810. She was born ca 1787/88 (per 1850 census) in South Carolina, possibly in Edgefield District. I don't know her maiden name.

West Patterson was listed on the 1810 census in Edgefield District. Two other Pattersons were also listed that year, Alexander Patterson (1755/65), and Joseph Patterson (bef 1765). Neither were listed anywhere near West though. He was listed between the households of Ambrose Sandress and William Williams. Looking at Alexander's household it becomes fairly obvious that Alexander's 2 sons from 1800 were still home in 1810, so that would seem to eliminate him as West's father, though not necessarily.

I have not found West Patterson on the 1820 census. He was not listed on the index in Edgefield, or elsewhere as far as I could find. Based on the birth dates and places of his children, he should be somewhere in South Carolina in 1820. He is probably there, but just improperly indexed and waiting to be found. Alexander (1755/65) and Joseph Patterson (bef 1765) were still there, as was an Alexander Jr (1775/94).

By 1828 West Patterson was in Haywood County, North Carolina (then bordering SC) for he signed a petition requesting the formation of Macon County from the southwestern portion of Haywood (and Macon was formed later in 1828). For the petition he listed his household as containing 1 male over 21, 6 males under 21, and 3 females.

As best as I can tell, West Patterson was probably living in or near the Cane Break or Hogback community where his family was found later on. This area was (at that time) in Haywood County until Macon was formed in 1828, then it was in Macon until 1851 when Jackson was formed, and then in 1861 it became Transylvania County. This area was in the border region with Buncombe County until 1838 when Henderson was formed. (Then until 1861 when Transylvania was formed). West's family was apparently on both sides of the old borders, so that makes him appear in several different counties though probably never far from the same place.

West Patterson was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County. There were lots of other Pattersons in that county, but none nearby. Based upon some of his neighbors, it looks clear that he was somewhere near Hogback or in that general area. This probably put him right on the Macon County border, but within Buncombe County or in an area where the border was not clearly defined.

In July 1834, West Patterson was mentioned in Buncombe County Court as being called as witness but failing to appear in the case of the State versus Jonathan Seynard and Matthew Alexander. He was fined.

In 1838 Henderson County was formed from the section of Buncombe County where West had been living, but I think he was already "across the border" in Macon County by then.

West Patterson was listed on the 1840 census in Macon County just a couple of houses from John Patterson (c1810), a probably son or nephew.

West Patterson apparently died in the 1840's in Macon County, for his apparent widow Frances was listed as head of household on the 1850 census. Her youngest child was born ca 1847, so West must have died ca 1846 to 1850.

Frances and family were listed on the 1850 census in Macon County in Cane Break District.

In 1851, Jackson County was formed from the section of Macon County where the Pattersons were living.

I did not find Frances on the 1860 census in Jackson Co, NC (nor Macon County). I don't know if she died, or moved away somewhere. I think she died, for I found several of her children (and grandchildren?) living together in 1860. I think "D" Patterson could be daughter Delilah, though listed as male on this census. It could be someone else though.

Children

West and Frances (---) Patterson had quite a number of children per the various census records. Five children were still at home in 1850, and other Pattersons were nearby in 1850 who may be their children, or at least somehow closely related. There was an Altha Jane Patterson (c1840) with another family two houses from Frances in 1850. She could be a child also, or even a grandchild.

Unknown Son (1800/10). West Patterson had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1810, aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10). I don't have West's 1820 census entry yet. He was not home in 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

This could be John Patterson (c1810) who was nearby in 1850. If he is not West's son, he is probably at least somehow closely related.

Unknown Daughter (1800/10). West Patterson had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1810, aged "under 10" (born ca 1800/10). I don't have West's 1820 census entry yet. She was no longer home in 1830, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1815/20). West Patterson had an apparent son this age. I don't have West's 1820 census entry yet. He was home in 1830, aged 10-14 (born ca 1815/20), but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

This could be Herren Patterson (c1812), though the age is not a good match with this one census entry. Herren did live near widow Frances in 1850, just a couple of houses away. Herren named one of his sons "West", so all of that makes him clearly related, if not a son.

I don't know who this might have been. There was an Asa Patterson (c1813) who later moved to the same area of NC from SC. He could be a son of West, though the age doesn't match the census entry very well. He does seem to be related somehow.

Unknown Son (1815/20). West Patterson had an apparent son this age. I don't have West's 1820 census entry yet. He was home in 1830, aged 10-14 (born ca 1815/20), but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Daughter (1815/20). West Patterson had an apparent daughter this age. I don't have West's 1820 census entry yet. She was home in 1830, aged 10-14 (born ca 1815/20), and still home in 1840 (age 20-29, born ca 1810/20), but gone by 1850, so probably married or dead by then.

Delilah Patterson was born ca 1819/20 (per 1850 census) in South Carolina (per 1850 census), presumably in Edgefield District. She may have been home in 1820 (don't have that census entry yet). She seems to have been home in 1830, aged 5-9 (born ca 1820/25), and still home in 1840, aged 20-29 (born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1850 ("Delila" age 30, born SC).

Delilah seems to be listed as head of household in 1860, though listed as "male", I think it is her. Her younger siblings (or are they her own children?) were with her.

Unknown Daughter (1820/25). West Patterson had an apparent daughter this age. She was home in 1830, aged 5-9 (born ca 1820/25), but gone by 1840, so probably married or dead by then.

Unknown Son (1825/30). West Patterson had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1830, aged "under 5" (born ca 1825/30), but gone by 1840, so possibly married or dead by then.

I don't know who this might have been. This could be Evan S. Patterson (c1828 SC) who was nearby in 1850, living with Herren Patterson.

Unknown Son (1835/40). West Patterson had an apparent son this age. He was home in 1840, aged "under 5" (born ca 1835/40), but gone by 1850, so possibly married or dead by then.

Hester Ann Patterson was born ca 1837/38 (per 1850 census) in Macon Co, NC (per 1850 census). She was apparently home with her parents for the 1840 census, aged "under 5" (born ca 1835/40), and home in 1850 ("Hester Ann" age 12, born Macon).

Frances J. Patterson was born ca 1842/43 (per 1850 census) in Macon Co, NC (per 1850 census). She was home with her parents for the 1850 census ("Francis J" age 7, born Macon).

Wesley Patterson was born ca 1844/45 (per 1850 census) in Macon Co, NC (per 1850 census). He was home with his parents for the 1850 census ("Wesley" age 5, born Macon).

He may have been home with his sister Delilah in 1860 ("W. J." age 9 born NC), or that might be someone else.

Wesley married Matilda J. Dodgeon on 16 Feb 1866 (source?) in Transylvania Co, NC.

They were listed on the 1870 census in Hogback Township near many other Pattersons.

Pleasant A. Patterson was born ca 1846/47 (per 1850 census) in Macon Co, NC (per 1850 census). He was home with his parents for the 1850 census ("Pleasant A" age 3, born Macon).

Researcher List

Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):

1. West¹ Patterson , born 1784/90; died 1840/50 in Macon Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC). He married in 1800/10 in Edgefield Dist, SC Frances (---) , born 1787/88 in Edgefield Dist, SC; died aft 1850 in Macon Co, NC (now Transylvania Co, NC).

Children of West Patterson and Frances (---) were as follows:

2 i Delila² Patterson , born 1819/20 in Edgefield Dist, SC; died aft 1860 in Jackson Co, NC.

3 ii Hester Ann² Patterson , born 1837/38 in Macon Co, NC.

4 iii Frances J² Patterson , born 1842/43 in Macon Co, NC.

+ 5 iv Wesley J² Patterson , born 1844/45 in Macon Co, NC. He married Matilda A Dodgeon .

6 v Pleasant A² Patterson , born 1846/47 in Macon Co, NC.

Generation 2

5. Wesley J² Patterson (West¹), born 1844/45 in Macon Co, NC. He married on 16 Feb 1866 in Transylvania Co, NC Matilda A Dodgeon , born 1846/47 in NC.

Children of Wesley J Patterson and Matilda A Dodgeon were as follows:

7 i Emily³ Patterson , born 1867/68 in Transylvania Co, NC.