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I (Marty Grant) am a 1st cousin, 10 times removed of George Roberts, assuming that various weak connections can be proven.
Special thanks to Dr. Merrit E. Roberts of Lompoc, CA for information shared on this family in his book "Roberts-Allen Families", 1985. He has data in his book on George Roberts, that I won't repeat here, except what I can find myself in the various records. Although I think his book was excellent, and a worthwhile addition to my library, I did find much in it that was based on various assumptions, some of which I totally disagree with, so I'm probably going to contradict much of what he wrote on the early Roberts families. I do this with no disrespect towards Dr. Roberts, but only for the sake of presenting evidence that he may not have had access to, or in presenting my own alternate interpretations of certain data. When possible (and practical) I'll present our cases side by side if they differ significantly, so the reader can decide which is more likely, or possibly come up with a third point of view.
George Roberts was born before ca 1699, presumably in Craven Precinct, NC. I base this birth date on his first found record which was dated 1737 when he witnessed several deeds and had his own deeds in 1738. Assuming he was at least 21 then, he would have to be born ca 1716 or prior. It is possible he was much older than this, and that the 1737 records were not his first, just the first in this county. He had a married daughter in 1741, so assuming she was at least 21 then, she would be born ca 1720 or earlier, and that can push George's estimated birth date back to ca 1699 or earlier.
Dr. Merrit E. Roberts lists George as a son of John Roberts, son of Andrew Roberts Sr. I'm not sure what he based that on, and I haven't been able to find anything to support it, so far.
George Roberts was married to Joanna --- sometime prior to 1741.
I have several deed references for George Roberts in Craven Co, NC. I got these from the book Craven Co, NC Deed Abstracts Deed Book 1 and 5 1707-1775 Book 1 by Weynette Parks Haun. I plan to verify each of these in the original deed records, or the microfilm copies of same. They will provide much more information. It is known thought, that he owned land well up the Neuse River into modern Wayne County, though he seemed to reside in New Bern, in Craven Co, NC.
On 23 Sep 1737 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 83).
On 20 Dec 1737 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 82).
On 22 Dec 1737 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 80).
On 17 Nov 1738 George Roberts purchased land in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 97).
On --- 1738 George Roberts purchased land in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 99).
On 7 May 1740, George Roberts sold land in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 307).
On 18 Jun 1740 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 303).
On 19 Jun 1740 George Roberts sold land in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 309).
On 16 Sep 1740 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 328).
On 17 Sep 1740 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 411).
On 18 Sep 1740 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 325).
On 18 Sep 1740 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 409).
On 2 Mar 1741 George Roberts of "Richmond, Craven Co, NC" gave property to Edward Carter and wife Elizabeth Carter of New Bern, daughter of late wife of said George Roberts, in memory of his wife Joanah. This was for Lot 27 in in New Bern, being 1/2 acre. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 424).
On 21 Apr 1741 George Roberts witnessed a deed in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 427).
On 4 Sep 1741 George Roberts sold land in Craven Co, NC. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 333).
On 17 Nov 1741 George Roberts made his Will in Craven Co, NC. He only mentioned his daughter Alice Whitehead. The Will was proven on 15 Dec 1741, meaning he died between November 17th and December 15th, 1741.
Though George Roberts died in December 1741, he was mentioned in various records all the way up into the 1780's. At the time of his death, he owned a lot of property all the way west into what is now Wayne County, NC.
On 23 Sep 1743 George Roberts, deceased, was mentioned in a Craven Co, NC Deed. (Craven Co, NC Deed Book 1 page 553).
On 21 Feb 1743/1744 William Kennedy Sr entered 150 acres of land on the south side of the Neuse River adjoining "George Roberts, deceased". This land was apparently in modern Lenoir County. (Dobbs Co, NC Entries & Warrants 1741-1757 pg 28)
On 25 Sep 1745 Benoni Loftin entered 50 acres in Craven County on the south side of the Neuse River, and both sides of Salisbury Swamp "between George Roberts and Henry Eaton". This land was apparently in modern Lenoir Co, NC. (Dobbs Co, NC Entries & Warrants 1741-1757 pg 140)
On 16 Jun 1746 John Herrin entered 200 acres in Craven county, on the south side of the Neuse "below George Roberts at Saponey". This also bordered William Faris and Christo. Harrison. Apparently this was in modern Wayne County. (Dobbs Co, NC Entries & Warrants 1741-1757 pg 156)
On 15 Mar 1747/1748 William Teague entered 100 acres in Johnston County on the south side of the Neuse between George Roberts and Robert Hinds. This was apparently in modern Lenoir County. (Dobbs Co, NC Entries & Warrants 1741-1757 pg 175)
On 29 Sep 1747 Joshua Sarsnutt entered 100 acres in Johnston Co, NC between his own line and "Colo. Roberts, deceased". This would indicate that George Roberts was a Colonel, if it is referring to him, and I think it is. This land was also apparently in Lenoir Co, NC. (Dobbs Co, NC Entries & Warrants 1741-1757 pg 203).
On 27 Sep 1748 Moses Tilman entered 500 acres in Johnston Co, NC on "Colo Roberts corner". Modern Lenoir. (Dobbs Co, NC Entries & Warrants 1741-1757 pg 252).
There may be other references, but I didn't find anymore until the 1780s.
On 3 Jan 1786 a deed was filed in Wayne County by Richard Caswell (former Governor) and John Herritage, who were Executors of the Last will and Testament of William Herritage, late of Craven County, Deceased, who, in turn, was executor for the Will of George Roberts, late of Craven County. They sold 200 acres in Wayne County, NC to Martin Caswell of Dobbs Co, NC. The land was on the North Side of the Neuse River being a patent to George Roberts, Esquire from King George II dated 3 Mar 1738. Also transferred was a 1000 acre patent to George Roberts dated 5 Jun 1739. George Roberts had been dead over 40 years when this land was sold. The deed mentioned his Will dated 7 Nov 1741 and that this land was "formerly in Craven County, but now in Wayne". (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 3 page 105).
On the same date, 3 Jan 1786, Richard Caswell, of Dobbs Co, NC sold to Solomon Pope of Wayne Co, NC, 300 acres in Wayne County, on the North Side of the Neuse River in the North Roundabout, being the same land above sold back to Richard Caswell from Martin Caswell, being part of George Roberts lands. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 3 page 115).
The Will of George Roberts dated 17 Nov 1741 names one daughter. A deed dated 2 Mar 1741 names another. If he had any sons, I'm not aware of them.
Elizabeth Roberts was named in a deed from her father George Roberts to her and her husband Edward Carter dated 2 Mar 1741. The wording of the deed refered to her as a daughter of his late wife, and he deeded her land in memory of his late wife. This could indicate that she was not his daughter, but step-daughter instead, and that her mother had died, so he gave her something, or it could just as easily mean she was his daughter. She was not named in his Will just a few months later, but possibly only because he had already given her some property.
Since she was married already by 1741, we can assume she was at least 21 (more or less), so born ca 1720 or earlier, perhaps alot earlier.
There was an Edward Carter in Dobbs and Duplin Counties associated with the Roberts there for many years. I don't know if it is the same person though.
Alice Roberts was named in her father George Roberts' Will dated 17 Nov 1741 as his daughter "Alice Whitehead" indicating she was already married by then. With no additional reference as to how long she had been married, we can assume she was at least 21 then, so born ca 1720 or before, though perhaps alot earlier than that.
She married an unknown Mr. Whitehead before 17 Nov 1741, presumably in Craven Co, NC. Nothing else is known of this family at present.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
1. George1 Roberts , born bef 1699; died abt Dec 1741 in Craven Co, NC He married in Craven Co, NC Joanna (---) , died bef 2 Mar 1741 in Craven Co, NC.
Children of George Roberts and Joanna (---) were as follows:
3 ii Alice2 Roberts , born in Craven Co, NC. She married bef 17 Nov 1741 in Craven Co, NC (---) Whitehead.
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