Andrew Roberts and Ann (---) of Craven Co, NC

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        14 Oct 2008 Reformatted and updated by Marty Grant. Added a better abstract of Andrews Will, son James wasn't known before.

Andrew Roberts was probably born in the mid or late 1600s though probably no later than ca 1696. He may have been born in Virginia or North Carolina, or perhaps he was an immigrant from Wales, England or Scotland. If you consider where he lived (New Bern), and the way he signed his Will (Andre Robert) then perhaps he was from France of Switzerland instead. He could have been one of the Huguenot settlers who came with Baron Christopher de Graffenried.

Andrew Roberts came to the Neuse and Trent River area that is now New Bern, NC (Craven County) early on, while that area was still part of Bath County (formed in 1696). In 1705 this region (while still Bath County) was further subdivided by "precincts". The area around New Bern became Archdale Precinct in 1705. In 1712 Archdale Precinct was renamed Craven Precinct. In 1741 Bath County was abolished, and all the former Precincts were renamed to counties, so Craven Precinct became Craven County in 1741.

Andrew Roberts married Ann (---) before 1723, probably well before then. I have found no evidence of her maiden name, though it is possible she is a Sowbridge (or Sewbridge) since Andrew Roberts was named in the Will of Casper Sewbridge (1713), but no relationship was stated.

On the 28 December 1713, Casper Sewbridge of Bath County, Craven Precinct, NC (the area around and near New Bern) left a Will. He left Andrew Roberts "ye piece of brown searge and great kittle". He also left items to his children "Susan, Jane and Petter." His Will was witnessed by William Brice, Lewis Thomas and William Webb. Joseph Collio was named Executor. (Craven Co, NC Court Minutes Volume I, 1712-1715 page 47 and Transcripts of Provincial North Carolina Wills 1663-1729/30 Vol Two L-Z, John A. Brayton (Which I found at the Wilson Library, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC))

The relationship between Casper Sowbridge and Andrew Roberts was not listed, but he might be a son-in-law. There was a widow "Susan Roberts" found in Craven County in this same timeframe, but she may be the widow of someone else, currently unknown.

On 12 Apr 1717 Andrew Roberts received a Land Patent from the Province of North Carolina for 250 acres on the North Side of the Trent River in the Fork of North Creek. I believe this is in the area of the town of New Bern (modern). (Province of North Carolina 1663-1729 Abstract of Land Patents Book 2 page 339)

On 23 Jan 1722/23 Andrew Roberts made his Will in Craven Precinct. He left his sun Jimmy land on the Fork of North Creek. He left his eldest sun John his choice of land when he came of age. He also mentioned son Andrew and daughters Elezebeth and Ann and his wife Ann. He named his Wife Ann and Adam More as Executors. Witnesses were William Willson and Nathanill Bavan. The Will was signed by Andre Robert which appears to be a French form of Andrew Roberts. The Will was proven in court in June 1723, so Andrew was dead by then. (From Transcripts of Provincial North Carolina Wills 1663-1729/30 Vol Two L-Z, John A. Brayton (Wilson Library, UNC, Chapel Hill, NC))

I found no additional records for Ann (---) Roberts, wife of Andrew.

1.      John Roberts

2.      Andrew Roberts

3.      James Roberts

4.      Elizabeth Roberts

5.      Ann Roberts

Unfortunately, there were at least two John Roberts' in this area about that time, so it is really difficult to say which of them was this John Roberts, son of Andrew.

Possible suspects for this John are: John "R" Roberts of Carteret Co, NC and John "E" Roberts of Carteret Co, NC. There may be other suspects as well.  

Other than his reference in the Will, I have seen no records for this Andrew Roberts Jr, at least not in Craven Co, NC nor any other eastern NC counties.

Dr. Merritt E. Roberts suggested, in his book, that this Andrew Roberts Jr was married to a daughter of John Shackleford who named two Roberts grandchildren in his Will (1734), but I've seen no proof of that connection, so I'm hesitant to assume it is correct. What is known for sure, is that John Shackleford named John and William Roberts as grandchildren in 1734. Who they were is hard to say. He didn't say which daughter was married to a Roberts, nor who the Roberts son-in-law was. Dr. Roberts and others list Hannah Shackleford as the daughter who married a Roberts, but I've seen nothing to back that up so far either.

Since he also stated that John was the oldest, and under 16, it would seem that James must also be under 16, so born between ca 1707 and 23 Jan 1723.

I have no additional data on James Roberts.

I have no additional data on this Elizabeth Roberts.

I have no additional data on this Ann Roberts.

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        Marty Grant, relationship unknown, but very interested.

First Generation

1.     Andrew Roberts died about Jun 1723 in Craven Co, NC.

Andrew married Ann in Craven Co, NC. Ann died after 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC.

They had the following children.

                2    M         i.    John Roberts was born in 1707/1723 in Craven Co, NC. He died after 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC.

                3    M        ii.    Andrew Roberts was born in 1707/1723 in Craven Co, NC. He died after 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC.

                4    M       iii.    James Roberts was born before 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC. He died after 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC.

                5    F         iv.    Ann Roberts was born before 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC. She died after 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC.

                6    F          v.    Elizabeth Roberts was born before 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC. She died after 23 Jan 1722/1723 in Craven Co, NC.