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I (Marty Grant) am a 5th Great grandson of Henry Roberts and his first wife, Miss Nixon (though my connection to them is still unproven).
Henry Roberts was born ca 1775/80 in Wayne Co, NC, somewhere in the Walnut Creek vicinity. He is a proven son of John Roberts and Nancy (---) of Wayne Co, NC. Henry might have been named for the elder Henry Roberts who might be his Uncle.
Henry Roberts apparently married a Miss Nixon ca 1790 in Wayne Co, NC. She was a daughter of John Nixon of Wayne Co, NC. I haven't found any record of her given name, nor when they married, but if they are the parents of my ancestor Richard Roberts (which I believe), then they were married before 1790.
Henry Roberts was apparently home with his parents for the 1790 census, even though I believe he was married at that time. His father John Roberts' did have an apparent "extra" female with him on the 1790 census, who is otherwise unaccounted for, so it could easily be Henry's wife, though "1790" is kind of early for Henry to have married, if his birth date was ca 1775 (but that could be off slightly).
On 15 Oct 1799 John Roberts gave 162 acres to his son Henry Roberts for "natural love and affection to my son". The land was on Reedy Branch on the North Side of the Neuse River. Witnesses were Caleb Howell and John Pickering Jr. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 7 page 39).
Henry Roberts was listed on the 1800 census in Wayne Co, NC. He was listed next to Michael Grant and near other known Walnut Creek residents. His grandfather Benjamin Smith Sr was not many houses away, and his father John Roberts just a few more beyond that.
1800 census analysis (based on available evidence):
1800 Wayne Co, NC pg 843 Henry Roberts 01100-10100 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 16-25 (1774-1784) Henry ROBERTS (1775/80) s/o John 1 Male(s) 10-15 (1784-1790) Richard ROBERTS (1789/90) son 1 Female(s) 16-25 (1774-1784) ___ NIXON Roberts (1774/84), wife 1 Female(s) 0-9 (1790-1800) Daughter? (1790/1800) --> gone by 1810
John Roberts Sr died circa February 1803 in Wayne Co, NC. His estate records were numerous, and Henry Roberts (and his brother Isaac Roberts) were named administrators.
In July 1803, John Roberts Sr's heirs petition the New Bern District Court (which was the State court covering several counties, including Wayne) for a division of the estate of John Roberts. Henry Roberts was named in this record. The following is an almost complete transcript of that record:
Isaac Roberts, Stephen Grant and his wife Patience, Anne Roberts, Owen Roberts, Bright Roberts, Polly Roberts, (the latter 4 minors) by their next friend Isaac Roberts, complain that John Roberts of Wayne County, died intestate owning 1000 or 1500 acres in Wayne County, 600 acres in Lenoir County, 600 in Johnston County, and 975 acres in Duplin County. that he left a widow Nancy Roberts and 9 children: Charite Roberts married to Spyers Ham, Henry Roberts, John Roberts & the above said petitioners. The petitioners state that after Charite Roberts married Spyers Ham, John Roberts gave a deed to Spyers Ham for 110 3/4 acres in Wayne County on Ready Swamp on the prong of Stony Creek, William Ham the father of Spyers paying to said John Roberts 75L. that said John Roberts gave to his son Henry Roberts, 200 acres joining the same, and to his son John Roberts 975 acres in Duplin County, but no allotment to the rest of his children. the widow had received dower of 509 acres in Wayne Co. Petition for division. Commissioners: Richard Croom, Benjamin Smith (Taylor), John Gaylord, William Smith, Barney McKinney. 1 Oct 1803 Division of the lands of John Roberts, decd. Isaac Roberts drew the Hall & Johnston land of x00 acres. Anne Roberts drew the Trent land in Lenoir County of 670 acres. Patience Grant drew 422 acres. Owen Roberts drew 66 acres and the Walnut Pocoson called the Jernigan land of 200 acres. Bright Roberts drew 200 acres. Mary Roberts drew 227 acres. Plat shown.
The above record shows that Henry Roberts didn't inherit any additional property, since he had already been given "200" acres prior to John Sr's death. (The actual deed in 1799 said "162" acres).
On 23 Nov 1803 Henry Roberts obtained a guardian bond (with himself, Sampson Smith and John Carraway as bondsmen) to be guardian to Ann Roberts, Owen Roberts, Bright Roberts and Polly Roberts, minor orphans. These were his siblings, all under 21 years of age. Their mother was still living, but under the law (then) you were considered an orphan if your father died, and you were under 21 years of age, even if your mother was still living. (From John Roberts Loose Estate File).
On 10 Mar 1804 a document showed Henry Roberts as guardian to Bright Roberts. (From John Roberts Loose Estate File).
On 24 Nov 1804 John Nixon made a deed of gift to his "son in law Henry Roberts". The deed was for sundry property (no land). (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 8 page 184).
Henry's wife, Miss Nixon, died around this time. My impression with the above deed from John Nixon to Henry Roberts was that it was made to benefit his (Nixon's) grandchildren, since his daughter had already died. The deed doesn't say this, I am just inferring it from the fact that his daughter wasn't mentioned in the deed at all.
On 10 Sep 1805 the remaining estate of John Roberts, deceased, was split into 9 shares, including 1 share to Henry Roberts. (From John Roberts Loose Estate File).
John Nixon (Henry's father-in-law) died in 1806 in Wayne Co, NC, and Henry Roberts was mentioned in the estate papers in the accounts. (From John Nixon Loose Estate File).
Henry Roberts married Zilpha Carraway ca 1805 in Wayne Co, NC. She was a daughter of Adam Carraway (d 1807) and Susannah Oates (1756-1835).
On 27 Nov 1807 Henry Roberts and Willis Hines (his brother-in-law) were named administrators of the estate of Adam Carraway (their father-in-law). (Wayne Co, NC Estate Book 1 page 68).
On 7 Sep 1808 Henry Roberts received a state land grant for 45 acres on Dawsons Branch. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 6 page 643).
In November 1808 Adam Carraway's estate was divided among his heirs. Among them were named "daughter Zilpha Roberts, wife of Henry Roberts". (Wayne Co, NC Estates Book 1 page 159).
On 18 Mar 1809 Henry Roberts sold 84 acres to James Johnston. The land was on the west side of Walnut Creek. Witnesses were M. Uzzelle and Jacob Herring. I'm not sure where Henry got this land. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 155).
On 19 Apr 1809 Henry Roberts sold 214 acres to William Smith. This land was on the North side of the Neuse River on head of Dawsons Branch, being part of a patent to Benjamin Smith dated 6 Feb 1768. Witnesses were Giles Smith and Theophilus Smith. I'm not sure where Henry got this land, but Benjamin Smith was his grandfather. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 191).
On 5 Sep 1809 John Davis sold 300 acres to Henry Roberts, on both sides of Reedy Swamp. Witnesses were Cuzzy Cofley and Major Davis. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 188).
In Feb 1810, Henry Roberts was listed in the estate books as guardian of several orphans: Bright Roberts, Owen Roberts, James Carraway, Miss Nancy Carraway and Polly Roberts. These were his three siblings, and his wife's two siblings. (Wayne Co, NC Estate Book 1 page 236 and 237).
Henry Roberts was listed on the 1810 census in Wayne Co, NC. His brother-in-law Spias Ham was next door. His brother Isaac Roberts was just a few houses away. This census showed Henry Roberts with 9 slaves (he had none in 1800, but apparently inherited some from his father and from Zilpha's father). Although he was guardian to 5 minors, none of them were actually residing with him. The two Carraway children were with their widowed mother Susanna in 1810, and three Roberts children were apparently residing with their brother John Roberts. Henry Roberts did have one "extra" person with him in 1810, an older woman, who is most likely his mother Nancy (---) Roberts. It isn't Zilpha's mother, as she was listed as head of household herself on this census.
1810 census analysis (based on available evidence):
1810 Wayne Co, NC pg 834 Henry Roberts 10110-20011-0-9 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Henry ROBERTS (1775/80) s/o John 1 Male(s) 16-25 (1784-1794) Richard ROBERTS (1789/90) son 1 Male(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Son? (1804/10) 1 Female(s) 45 & up (before 1765) Nancy (---) Roberts (bef 1755) Mother 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1765-1784) Zilpha CARRAWAY Roberts (1780/84), wife2 2 Female(s) 0-9 (1800-1810) Daughter? (1800/04) Elizabeth ROBERTS (1806) daughter
On 3 Apr 1810 Charles S. West (signed "Charles Smith") of Greene Co, NC sold 57 acres to Henry Roberts, on Piney Mill Pocoson. Witnesses were John B. Thacker and John Peacock. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 290).
On 2 Oct 1810 James Handley Sr sold 121 acres to Henry Roberts on the East side of Reedy Branch. Witnesses were John Davis and John Ammons. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 9 page 305).
On 30 Nov 1810 Henry Roberts received a state land grant for 40 acres. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 6 page 445).
On 5 Apr 1813 Henry Roberts received a state land grant for 15 acres on Long Branch. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 6 page 531).
Henry Roberts was mentioned in a Petition dated circa 1814 (in his father's estate file) regarding issues related to a property conflict.
On 13 Feb 1815 Daniel Evans sold 175 acres to Henry Roberts south side of North Prong of Exums Mill Marsh. Witnesses were Alex Carter and Richard Smith. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 10 page 195).
On 19 Feb 1816 Henry Roberts sold 113 1/2 acres to Hardy Pope on south side of Slough Swamp. Witnesses were Joseph Edwards and Willis Garner. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 375).
On 21 Aug 1818 Henry Roberts sold (blank) acres to Spias Ward on south side of North Prong Exums Mill Marsh. Witnesses were Aron Lancaster and Joseph Fulghum. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 519).
Henry Roberts was listed on the 1820 census in Wayne Co, NC. Unfortunately this census was alphabetical, so we can't tell who his neighbors were. Henry was listed with 17 slaves.
1820 census analysis (based on available evidence):
1820 Wayne Co, NC pg 480 Henry Roberts 210010-21110 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Henry ROBERTS (1775/80) s/o John 1 Male(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Son? (1804/10) Son --> gone by 1830 2 Male(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) James ROBERTS (1816/17) son Henry ROBERTS (1819/20) son 1 Female(s) 26-44 (1775-1794) Zilpha CARRAWAY Roberts (1780/84), wife 1 Female(s) 16-25 (1794-1804) Daughter? (1800/04) 1 Female(s) 10-15 (1804-1810) Elizabeth ROBERTS (1806) daughter 2 Female(s) 0-9 (1810-1820) Daughter? (1810/20) Daughter? (1810/20)
On 27 Mar 1820 Henry Roberts witnessed a deed between Joseph Edwards to Jethro Thompson for land on Reedy Creek. Jesse Thompson was the other witness. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 161).
On 11 May 1820 Waitman Frazer sold (blank) acres to Henry Roberts on Reedy Branch. Witnesses were Joseph Fulghum and Bryon Thompson. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 32).
On 20 Nov 1820 Dicy Ham made her Will and named Henry Roberts as her executor. (Wayne Co, NC Wills)
On 19 Nov 1822 Henry Roberts deeded 337 acres to Needham Whitley, on the north side of Neuse River. Described as having been purchased from William Raiford, Sheriff on 26 Oct 1821. Witnesses were Cr. Blackman and William McKinne. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 386).
On 24 Jan 1823 Henry Roberts sold 175 acres to Daniel Vinson, on the North side Stony Creek. Witnesses were Benjamin Vinson and Joseph Edwards. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 502).
On 15 Jul 1824 Joseph Edwards sold land on Reedy Creek to Henry Roberts. Witnesses were Bright Roberts and John Dunn. (I don't know if this was Bright Roberts, brother of Henry or someone else). (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 270).
On 4 Aug 1824 William Raiford, Sheriff of Wayne County sold Henry Roberts land belonging to Washington Hooks. Witnesses were C.R. Blackman and William McKinne. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 395).
On 5 Jan 1825 Henry Roberts sold 204 acres to Bryan Thompson, on east side of Reedy Swamp. Witnesses were Joseph Edwards and Needham Worrell. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 13 page 39).
On 5 Aug 1825 Henry Roberts sold 240 acres to Needham Worrell, on east side of Reedy Swamp. Witnesses were Isaac Thompson and Nelson Edwards. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 575).
Sometime ca 1825-1827, Henry Roberts and wife and several children moved to Franklin Co, AL.
On 2 Jun 1827 Henry Roberts of Franklin Co, AL sold 121 acres in Wayne Co, NC to Willoby Gardner, on east side of Reedy Swamp. Witnesses were Joseph Edwards and Josiah Gardner. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 13 page 403).
On the same date, 2 Jun 1827, Henry Roberts of Franklin Co, AL sold Josiah Gardner 300 acres on the east side of Reedy Swamp. Witnesses were Joseph Edwards and W.H. Gardner. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 13 page 403).
On 4 Jun 1827 Henry Roberts of Franklin Co, AL sold Josiah Gardner 45 acres on the east side of Reedy Swamp. Same witnesses as 2 Jun 1827 deed to him. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 18 page 71).
Henry Roberts was listed on the 1830 census in Franklin Co, AL. He was listed with 35 slaves.
1830 census analysis (based on available evidence):
1830 Franklin Co, AL pg 66 Henry Roberts 0020000100000-0000001000000 Analysis: 1 Male(s) 50-59 (1770-1780) Henry ROBERTS (1775/80) s/o John & Nancy 2 Male(s) 10-14 (1815-1820) James ROBERTS (1816/17) son Henry ROBERTS (1819/20) son 1 Female(s) 40-49 (1780-1790) Zilpha CARRAWAY Roberts (1780/84) wife
Henry Roberts was killed by one of his slaves in 1831. I don't know what happened, nor the circumstances, nor even the original source of this story (Wayne B. Roberts told me about it).
I don't know when Zilpha Carraway Roberts died, but she was named in her mother's Will dated 10 Feb 1835 in Wayne Co, NC as her "daughter Zilpha Roberts". (Wayne Co, NC Wills).
I think that Zilpha died between 1835 and 1840 in Franklin Co, AL. She wasn't residing with her sons who were listed on the 1840 census in Franklin Co, AL, though she could have been residing with another child somewhere.
Since Henry was such a large land owner in Wayne Co, NC, it seems that he probably would have owned alot of land in Franklin Co, AL as well, especially considering he had 35 slaves in 1830. Unfortunately, Franklin County, Alabama is a "Burned Courthouse County" and many of the early records are lost, so we aren't likely to find too much on Henry Roberts there.
Henry Roberts was married twice, and apparently had several children by each wife, however, to my knowledge, not a single one of his children is proven. However, circumstantial evidence has helped to identify at least four likely children.
Richard Roberts was born ca 1789/90 in Wayne Co, NC. He is not a proven son of Henry Roberts, but family tradition among some of his descendants say his father was named Henry. This is the only Henry around at the time, and he did have a son this age with him in 1800 and 1810 census. Henry and wife were fairly young when Richard was born, younger than normal (if Richard's 1790 birth date is correct), but that doesn't preclude them from being his parents.
Richard Roberts married Rebecca Hobson ca 1825 in Wayne Co, NC. Though his father Henry moved to Franklin Co, AL just after this, Richard remained in Wayne Co, NC.
See his own page for additional information on him.
Unknown Daughter born ca 1790/1800. A daughter this age was with Henry Roberts for the 1800 census, but gone by 1810, so probably had married or died by then. I currently have no clues who this daughter could be.
Unknown Daughter was born ca 1800/04 in Wayne Co, NC. This child is probably a child of Henry's first wife, Miss Nixon. She was home with Henry for the 1810 and 1820 census, but gone by 1830. She probably had married or died by then.
Elizabeth Roberts was born 10 Feb 1806 in Wayne Co, NC (date per Mary Elizabeth Hooks Jackson, deceased). I've seen no proof that Elizabeth was a daughter of Henry Roberts, nor that she was a Roberts. I was given this name by Wayne B. Roberts who had been in touch with Mary Elizabeth Hooks Jackson, a descendant. I wrote Mrs. Jackson in 1995, and she shared some info with me on this family. Unfortunately, Mrs. Hooks died just after our first contact. However, I'll take it on faith that there is some evidence that Elizabeth's maiden name was Roberts.
Henry Roberts did have a daughter this age with him in 1810 (born ca 1800/10) and in 1820 (born ca 1804/10). This child was not with Henry in 1830, so that fits with the ca 1822 marriage date for Elizabeth Roberts and Warren Hooks in Wayne Co, NC.
Due to her birth date of 1806, it seems most likely that Elizabeth is a child of Henry's second wife Zilpha Carraway.
The Hooks family moved to Franklin Co, AL before 1825. Perhaps they made it sound good down there, so Henry Roberts followed just a few years later.
On 27 Jan 1825 Warren Hooks of Franklin Co, AL sold land in Wayne Co, NC to Robert Hooks. Witness was Cullen Hooks. (Wayne Co, NC Deed Book 13 page 7).
Apparently Warren and Elizabeth were in Franklin Co, AL until the late 1840's when they moved to Bowie Co, TX.
I have a little data on Warren and Elizabeth's family, all via Mary Elizabeth Hooks Jackson, deceased.
Unknown Son born ca 1804/10 in Wayne Co, NC. This child was with Henry Roberts in 1810 and 1820, but not with him in 1830. I have a suspicion that this child was named Bright Roberts (after Henry's brother), but I could be wrong about that.
A Bright Roberts witnessed one of Henry Roberts deeds in 1825 Wayne Co, NC (at a time when Henry's brother Bright Roberts was supposed to be in either Moore Co, NC or Marshall Co, TN). I've long felt this could be Henry's son.
Henry's 1830 census record (Franklin Co, AL) showed no son this age with him, so Bright (or whoever he was) probably had married or died by then, or at least had moved away from home. There were no other Roberts listed on the 1830 Franklin Co, AL census. It is possible that this son didn't go to Alabama with his father, but only Richard Roberts was found in 1830 Wayne Co, NC census.
Unknown Daughter was born ca 1810/20 in Wayne Co, NC. This child was with Henry for the 1820 census, but gone by 1830, so probably had married or died by then.
Unknown Daughter was born ca 1810/20 in Wayne Co, NC. This child was with Henry for the 1820 census, but gone by 1830, so probably had married or died by then.
James Roberts was born ca 1816/17 in Wayne Co, NC. I don't have direct proof that James is a son of Henry Roberts, but I feel 99% sure that he is. Henry had a child this age with him in 1820 and 1830 census.
James Roberts married Lucretia --- ca 1835 in Franklin Co, AL. They were listed on the 1840 census in Franklin Co, AL, and it appears that James' brother Henry could have been residing with them. They had 17 slaves (probably inherited from Henry Roberts).
1840 census analysis (based on available evidence):
1840 Franklin Co, AL pg 229 James Roberts 0000200000000-1001000000000 Analysis: 2 Male(s) 20-29 (1810-1820) James ROBERTS (1816/17) s/o Henry & Zilpha Henry ROBERTS (1819/20) brother 1 Female(s) 15-19 (1820-1825) Lucretia ___ Roberts (1821/22) wife 1 Female(s) 0-4 (1835-1840) Mary ROBERTS (1835/36) daughter
James and Lucretia were listed on the 1850 census in Franklin Co, AL. He had $7500 worth of real property, so he had land.
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1850 FRANKLIN CO, AL Page 141B House/Family # 560/ 560 - DISTRICT # 5 ROBERTS JAMES 33 M W PLANTER 7500 NC 1816/1817 ROBERTS LUCRECIA 28 F W AL 1821/1822 ROBERTS MARY 14 F W AL 1835/1836 ROBERTS SARAH 13 F W AL 1836/1837 ROBERTS MATILDA 12 F W AL 1837/1838 ROBERTS CHARLEY 9 M W AL 1840/1841 ROBERTS REUBEN 6 M W AL 1843/1844 ROBERTS EDWIN 0 M W 3/12 AL 1849/1850
I haven't followed up on this family in more recent records.
Henry Roberts was born ca 1819/20 in Wayne Co, NC. I don't have direct proof that Henry is a son of Henry Roberts, but I feel 99% sure that he is. Henry had a child this age with him in 1820 and 1830 census.
Henry Roberts (Jr) may have been with his suspected brother James Roberts for the 1840 census, as he had an extra person with him the right age to be Henry.
Henry Roberts married Anna --- ca 1842 in Franklin Co, AL. They were listed on the 1850 census there.
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1850 FRANKLIN CO, AL Page 135B House/Family # 483/ 483 - DISTRICT # 5 ROBERTS HENRY 30 M W PLANTER NC 1819/1820 ROBERTS ANA 23 F W NC 1826/1827 ROBERTS GEO. ANN 8 F W AL 1841/1842 ROBERTS ROSALTHA 6 F W AL 1843/1844 ROBERTS CHARLES 2 M W AL 1847/1848
I haven't followed up on this family in more recent records.
Persons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
Henry Roberts of Wayne.pdf - Click the link to view, or right-click to download
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