Benjamin Tutt (1784/94) and Elizabeth Moore of Buncombe Co, NC

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I (Marty Grant) am a 5th Great Grandson of Benjamin Tutt and Elizabeth Moore.

Special thanks to Betty Hayes and others for data shared on this family.

Benjamin Tutt was born ca 1784/94 (per census analysis) either in Virginia or South Carolina. No direct evidence has been found yet to suggest which state he was born in. I chose these two as prime possibilities as that is where most of the American Tutts resided at the time of his birth. Benjamin's children who were still alive as of the 1880 census reported contradictory data about where their father was born. Most said North Carolina, yet one listed South Carolina. (None listed Virginia). This makes me reasonably sure that Benjamin is from the Edgefield District South Carolina Tutts.

I do not know who Benjamins parents were, but it is very likely that he is related to the Tutt family of Culpeper County, Virginia and Edgefield District, South Carolina. The name "Benjamin" was widely used in that family, and as far as I know they were the progenitors of most of the American Tutts.

Benjamin would have been less than 6 years old by the 1790 census, assuming he was actually born before 1790. Assuming he was born already, he should have been home with his parents for the 1790 census. The 1790 census is lost for Virginia, but there were several living there at that time. There were three Tutts listed in South Carolina for the 1790 census. In Edgefield I find that Barbara Tutt and Richard Tutt were listed, and James Tutt was in York District. Richard Tutt (1749-1807) was son of James Tutt and Ann Hansford of Culpeper Co, VA. Im not sure who Barbara Tutt was, unless she is Barbara Stallnaker Tutt, wife of Major Benjamin Tutt (1739-1799). If so, why was she head of household and not her husband? He was still living at the time. I do not who James Tutt of York District is.

All three of the South Carolina Tutts of 1790 had apparent sons in the "under 16" age group (born ca 1774-1790), so all could be considered suspects to be Benjamins parents. This is assuming he was from South Carolina and not from Virginia.

For the 1800 census, Benjamin would have been between 6 and 16 years old, so he could be enumerated in either the "under 10" age group (born ca 1790/1800) or in the 10-15 age group (born ca 1784/90), or possibly even in the 16-25 age group (born ca 1774/84). It all depends on his actual birth date. As in 1790, the 1800 census is lost for Virginia, so I can not do any census analysis. However, in 1800 South Carolina there was Richard and James Tutt in Edgefield District, and there was James and John Tutt in Lancaster District. All four of these households included apparent sons under age 10 (born 1790/1800), and all but James of Lancaster had additional sons in the 10-15 age group. This doesnt really help to narrow down the suspects much.

Benjamin Tutt moved to Buncombe County, North Carolina before 1810, for around that year (or just before) he married Elizabeth "Betsy" Moore in Buncombe County. Elizabeth was born ca 1788/89 (per 1860 census) in Burke (now Buncombe) Co, NC. Elizabeth is a daughter of Captain William H. Moore and Margaret Patton.

I dont know what drew Benjamin to Buncombe County, for he was the only Tutt there (as far as I know), though it is possible he had relatives there.

They were listed on the 1810 census in Buncombe County. They were listed between Robert Rogers and Samuel Cole. No known relatives were nearby.

1810 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1810 Buncombe Co, NC pg 74 Benjamin Tutt 00100-00100
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 16-25       (1784-1794)	Benjamin TUTT (1784/94) 
1 Female(s) 16-25     (1784-1794)	Elizabeth MOORE Tutt (1788/89) wife

On 10 Apr 1812 Benjamin Tutt sold 100 acres of land to Bazel B. Edmundson, being land on Millers Creek. I did not find where Benjamin acquired this land. The history of the land was given as being the same granted on 3 Jan 1803 to David Jay, but did not state how it progressed from Jay to Tutt. Witnesses were Samuel Byers and Ninian Edmundson. Benjamin Tutt signed with a mark (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book H page 337, transcript shared by Betty Hayes).

On 2 Jan 1816, Benjamin Tutt sold some land to Joseph Young, being land on William Moore Jrs Creek.  No acreage was listed. I wonder if this is land inherited from his Moore in-laws, as both had just died shortly before this. The deed mentioned that this is where Benjamin Tutt currently lived. Witnesses were James Bridges and Jo. Hayes. (Buncombe Co, NC Deed Book 12 page 197, transcript by Betty Hayes)

Benjamin Tutt was listed on the 1820 census in Buncombe County. He was just a few houses away from future relatives (by marriage) Jacob Stewart (1775) and John Stewart (1730/40). Benjamin's daughter Ruth Tutt would marry John Stewart's grandson John Stewart (c1807) about 10 years later.

1820 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1820 Buncombe Co, NC pg 68 Benjamin Tutt 200010-20110
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 26-44       (1775-1794)	Benjamin TUTT (1784/94)
2 Male(s) 0-9         (1810-1820)	Benjamin TUTT (1810/15) son
					Son? (1815/20)
1 Female(s) 26-44     (1775-1794)	Elizabeth MOORE Tutt (1788/89) wife
1 Female(s) 16-25     (1794-1804)	Daughter? Sister? (1794/1804) * Not in 1810
2 Female(s) 0-9       (1810-1820)	Margaret TUTT (1811/12) daughter
					Ruth TUTT (1812/13) daughter  

Benjamin may have died in the 1820-1830 timeframe. A "Benjamin Tutt" was listed on the 1830 census in Buncombe County, but the oldest male listed in the household was in the age 15-19 category (born ca 1810/15). This leads me to believe that this was a younger Benjamin (son of old Benjamin) who was now considered head of household after his fathers decease. The rest of the household seems to consist of widow Elizabeth and her other children.

Another explanation for the 1830 census entry is that Benjamin (Sr) was still living, but the enumerations were just wrong (which is a common census error).

1830 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1830 Buncombe Co, NC pg 245 Benja Tutt 0011000000000-2003001000000
Analysis:
1 Male(s) 15-19        (1810-1815)	Benjamin TUTT (1810/15) s/o Benjamin & Elizabeth
1 Male(s) 10-14        (1815-1820)	Brother? (1815/20)
1 Female(s) 40-49      (1780-1790)	Elizabeth MOORE Tutt (1788/89) mother
3 Female(s) 15-19      (1810-1815)	Margaret TUTT (1811/12) daughter
					Ruth TUTT (1812/13) daughter
					Celia Elvina TUTT (1822) daughter
2 Female(s) 0-4        (1825-1830)	Rachel Evaline TUTT (1824/25) daughter
					Mary Caroline Moore TUTT (c1828) daughter

Elizabeth Tutt was listed as head of household for the 1840 census, and still in Buncombe County. There were several strike-outs in the male columns. On a closer examination it is obvious that the census taker recorded all the female entries in the male column by mistake, then went back and marked them out.

1840 census analysis (based on available evidence): (Explanation of this census)

1840 Buncombe Co, NC pg 142 Betsy Tutt 0000000000000-0022100100000
Analysis:
1 Female(s) 50-59      (1780-1790)	Elizabeth MOORE Tutt (1788/89) wd/o Benjamin
1 Female(s) 20-29      (1810-1820)	Margaret TUTT (1811/12) daughter
2 Female(s) 15-19      (1820-1825)	Celia Elvina TUTT (1822) daughter
					Altha May TUTT (1824/25) gr-dau
2 Female(s) 10-14      (1825-1830)	Rachel Evaline TUTT (1824/25) daughter
					Mary Caroline Moore TUTT (c1828) daughter

Ive searched several times, and yet I have not been able to locate Elizabeth Tutt nor most of her children on the 1850 census. She should have been living in Buncombe County at the time. Daughter Ruth was in Union Co, GA in 1850, and daughters Rachel and Celia were listed in Buncombe in 1850 with their husbands. The other children were not found in 1850, and were probably wherever their mother was.

Elizabeth "Betsy" Moore Tutt died in May 1860 in Buncombe County as proven by the 1860 Census Mortality Schedule. She was listed as "Elizabeth Tutt" age 71, female, white, widowed, born in North Carolina, died in May (1860). Occupation was "Farming", and the cause of death was "Consumption" and that she had been sick for 4 years prior to her death.


Children

Benjamin and Elizabeth (Moore) Tutt had seven children per the 1810 through 1840 census entries. I have not seen any direct evidence proving any of the children that I have listed, but I'm fairly confident that all of these belong here, as they were all from Buncombe County, and Benjamin was the only Tutt in the county. Special thanks to Kathi Bobb, Pauline Stewart, Pat Scroggins, Candice Stassi and Betty O. Hayes for sharing their research with me pertaining to these various children.

Benjamin Tutt (Jr) (1810/15)

Margaret "Peggy" Tutt (c1812)

Ruth Tutt (c1813)

Unknown Son (1815/20)

Celia Elvina Tutt (1822)

Rachel Evaline Tutt (c1825)

Mary Caroline Moore Tutt (c1828)


Benjamin Tutt (1810/15). I am not at all positive that Benjamin and Elizabeth had a son named "Benjamin", but I base this on the 1830 census entry for the family which shows "Benjamin Tutt" as head of household, and the oldest male listed was born ca 1810/15. I drew the conclusion that it meant that Benjamin Sr had died before then, and Benjamin Jr had assumed head of household responsibilities. So, you can see why I have assumed there is a "Benjamin" Jr in this family. An alternate explanation for the 1830 census entry is that widow Elizabeth Tutt was listed as "Mrs. Benjamin Tutt", but the census taker forgot to write "Mrs.".

In either event, Benjamin and Elizabeth did have an apparent son born ca 1810/15. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1830, or even listed as head of household that year (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15). He was not home with widow Elizabeth for the 1840 census, nor did I find any other Tutts listed in Buncombe County that year.

This son, whether or not named "Benjamin", either died, or left the area in the 1830's. The 1840 census shows two Benjamins (a "Sr" and a "Jr") in Lincoln Co, GA, but neither of them is this Benjamin (both were still there in 1850, and both born in SC, and one was too old, the other too young).


Margaret "Peggy" Tutt was born ca 1811/12 (per 1860 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. I've seen no direct proof that she is a child of Benjamin Tutt, but it seems to be the only possible origin for her. Margaret was also known as "Peggy" which is a common nickname for "Margaret". Margaret was apparently with her parents for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and apparently home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15), and with her widowed mother in 1840 (age 20-29, born ca 1810/20).

Margaret appears to have had a child out of wedlock ca 1825. I don't know who the father of the child is. Margaret appears never to have married. It occurs to me that it is possible that Margaret was not a Tutt by birth, but had married one of Benjamin's sons who died shortly after their marriage. This is just a guess. It is also possible that the child (Altha Tutt ca 1825) was not Margaret's at all, but a widowed sister-in-law, having been married to one of Margaret's brothers who died. The only thing connecting her to Margaret is that she was living with her in 1860. Since there are other cases of out of wedlock children in the family, it is not hard to imagine that Altha is indeed Margaret's child.

I was unable to locate Margaret on the 1850 census, but she should have been in Buncombe County that year.

In 1860 she was listed as head of household in Buncombe. Her daughter Altha was with her, as was a grand daughter. They were just a few houses from sister Rachel Tutt Ledford and sister Mary Tutt Parker.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1860 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 297   House/Family #  460/ 448 --  Twp  SULFUR SPRINGS P.O.

TUTT MARGARET         48 F W FARMER                   550 NC                   1811/1812
TUTT ALLY             35 F W FARMER                       NC                   1824/1825
TUTT MARY              8 F W                              NC                   1851/1852

I did not find Margaret Tutt on the 1870 census.

Margaret was with her sister Mary Tutt Parker for the 1880 census in Buncombe County.


Ruth Tutt was born ca 1812/13 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. I've seen no direct proof that she is a child of Benjamin Tutt, but it seems to be the only possible origin for her. Family tradition in our family (she is my ancestor) gave her maiden name as "Tutt" but had no mention of her parents or siblings.

Ruth was apparently with her parents for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and apparently home in 1830 (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15).

Ruth married John Stewart ca 1830-31 in Buncombe Co, NC. They lived in Buncombe until ca 1841 when they moved to Union Co, GA. See their own page for additional information.


Unknown Son (1815/20). Benjamin and Elizabeth had an apparent son this age. He was apparently home with his parents for the 1820 census (age "under 10", born ca 1810/20), and still home in 1830, (age 10-14, born ca 1815/20). He was not home with widow Elizabeth for the 1840 census, nor did I find any other Tutts listed in Buncombe County that year.

Anyone have a male Tutt born ca 1815/20 in North Carolina? If so it could be this unknown son of Benjamin Tutt and Elizabeth Moore.


Celia Elvina Tutt was born ca 1821/22 (per 1850 census) or 4 Mar 1822 (per Betty Hayes) in Buncombe Co, NC. I've seen no direct proof that she is a child of Benjamin Tutt, but it seems to be the only possible origin for her.

Celia was apparently with her parents for the 1830 census (age 15-19, born ca 1810/15, which is way off), and with her widowed mother in 1840 (age 15-19, born ca 1820/25).

According to shared research, Celia E. Tutt married Levi Hampton sometime prior to ca 1846 in Buncombe County.

They were listed on the 1850 census in Buncombe County. They were just two houses from Dillard Stewart who was a brother to John Stewart who married Celia's sister Ruth Tutt.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(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 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 240   House/Family #  603/ 603  -  Twp

HAMPTON LEVI          30 M W LABORER                    NC                   1819/1820
HAMPTON CELIA         28 F W                            NC                   1821/1822
HAMPTON ERASTUS R      4 M W                            NC                   1845/1846
HAMPTON CHARLES M      2 M W                            NC                   1847/1848
HAMPTON THOMAS H       0 M W 3/12                       NC                   1849/1850

Levi and family were still in Buncombe for the 1860 census, but for some reason this page is missing from the online version of the census. **

They were in Buncombe County in Lime Stone Township for the 1870 census.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 189   House/Family #   53/  55--LIMESTONE Twp

HAMPTON LEVI          50 M W FARMER                 600   150 NC              1819/1820
HAMPTON LEVANA?       48 F W                                  NC              1821/1822
HAMPTON CHARLES       21 M W FARM LABORER                     NC              1848/1849
HAMPTON THOMAS        19 M W FARM LABORER                     NC              1850/1851
HAMPTON MATILDA       14 F W                                  NC              1855/1856
HAMPTON JAMES         16 M W FARM LABORER                     NC              1853/1854
HAMPTON ADELED?       12 M W                                  NC              1857/1858
HAMPTON ROSE          10 M W                                  NC              1859/1860
HAMPTON HATTIE         8 F W                                  NC              1861/1862

Levi Hampton made his Will in March 1872, naming his wife "Celia E. Hampton" and "our children" (names not given). It was proven on 18 May 1872. (Buncombe Co, NC Will Book B page 52).

Levi Hampton died 5 Apr 1872 (per Betty Hayes) in Buncombe Co, NC.

Celia was listed as head of household on the 1880 census in Buncombe County. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

I don't have the 1900 census entry yet.

Celia died on 12 Oct 1905 (per Betty Hayes) in Buncombe County. According to Betty, both Levi and Celia are buried at the Henry Cemetery in Asheville.


Rachel Evaline Tutt was born ca 1824/25 (per 1850 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. I've seen no direct proof that she is a child of Benjamin Tutt, but it seems to be the only possible origin for her.

Rachel was apparently with her parents for the 1830 census (age "under 5",, born ca 1825/30), and with her widowed mother in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30).

According to shared research, Rachel married Daniel Ledford sometime before ca 1843 in Buncombe County.

They were listed on the 1850 census in Buncombe County.

1850 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(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 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 254   House/Family #  811/ 807  -  Twp

LEDFORD DANIEL        32 M W LABORER                    NC                   1817/1818
LEDFORD RACHEL E      25 F W                            NC                   1824/1825
LEDFORD JAMES J        7 M W                            NC                   1842/1843
LEDFORD WILLIAM H      3 M W                            NC                   1846/1847

They were listed on the 1860 census near sister Margaret Tutt and sister Mary Tutt Parker.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1860 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 297   House/Family #  466/ 454 --  Twp  SULPHUR SPRINGS P.O.

LEDFORD DANIEL        43 M W FARMING                   75 NC                   1816/1817
LEDFORD RACHEL        33 F W                              NC                   1826/1827
LEDFORD JAMES         17 M W                              NC                   1842/1843
LEDFORD WILLIAM       13 M W                              NC                   1846/1847
LEDFORD ELIZABETH      9 F W                              NC                   1850/1851
LEDFORD MARGARET       5 F W                              NC                   1854/1855
LEDFORD BENJAMIN       3 M W                              NC                   1856/1857

Daniel and Rachel were listed in Sulphur Springs for the 1870 census.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 201   House/Family #   89/  91--SULPHUR SPRINGS Twp

LEDFORD DANIEL        51 M W FARM LABORER            40    45 NC              1818/1819
LEDFORD AVILINE       48 F W KEEPING HOUSE                    NC              1821/1822
LEDFORD BETTY         20 F W HOUSE KEEPER                     NC              1849/1850
LEDFORD MARGARET      14 F W                                  NC              1855/1856
LEDFORD BENJAMIN      13 M W                                  NC              1856/1857
LEDFORD RUTHY         11 F W                                  NC              1858/1859
LEDFORD MARY           7 F W                                  NC              1862/1863
LEDFORD DELIA?         4 F W                                  NC              1865/1866

Daniel Ledford died in the 1870-1880 timeframe.

Rachel and children were listed on the 1880 census in Buncombe County. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.


Mary Caroline Moore Tutt was born ca 1828/29 (per 1860 census) in Buncombe Co, NC. I've seen no direct proof that she is a child of Benjamin Tutt, but it seems to be the only possible origin for her.

Mary was apparently with her parents for the 1830 census (age "under 5", born ca 1825/30), and with her widowed mother in 1840 (age 10-14, born ca 1825/30).

I did not find Mary on the 1850 census. She was probably with her mother then, who was also missing that year.

On 12 Sep 1853 Thomas Parker obtained a marriage bond in Buncombe County to marry Mary C. M. Tutt.  Thomas was born ca 1826/27 (per 1850 census) in North Carolina (per 1850 census) or in South Carolina (per 1860 census). He was listed on the 1850 census (as a Lawyer) with George W. Candler who was associated with the Tutt family.

They were listed on the 1860 census near sister Margaret Tutt and sister Rachel Tutt Ledford.

1860 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1860 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 296   House/Family #  449/ 437 --  Twp  SULPHUR SPRINGS P.O.

PARKER THOMAS         31 M W FARMING                  120 SC                   1828/1829
PARKER MARY           31 F W                              NC                   1828/1829
PARKER CHARLES         5 M W                              NC                   1854/1855
PARKER WILLIAM         3 M W                              NC                   1856/1857
PARKER JAMES           2 M W                              NC                   1857/1858
PARKER JOHN            0 M W 5/12                         NC                   1859/1860

According to shared research, Thomas Parker died at Murfreesboro, Tennessee in December 1862 as a result of the Civil War.

Widow Mary Tutt Parker was listed on the 1870 census in Sulphur Springs Township.

1870 census abstract: (Explanation of this census)
(Note: The dates at the end of each line are not part of the original census, but are approximate birth years based on age)
1870 BUNCOMBE CO, NC Page 209   House/Family #  207/ 209--SULPHUR SPRINGS Twp

PARKER MARY           38 F W KEEPING HOUSE                 80 NC              1831/1832
PARKER CHARLES        16 M W FARM LABORER                     NC              1853/1854
PARKER WILLIAM        14 M W ATTENDING SCHOOL                 NC              1855/1856
PARKER JAMES          12 M W ATTENDING SCHOOL                 NC              1857/1858
PARKER JOHN            9 M W                                  NC              1860/1861
PARKER GEORGE          8 M W                                  NC              1861/1862

Mary was listed on the 1880 census in Buncombe, with several children and grand-children. Sister Margaret Tutt was with her also. ** I don't have this entry typed up yet.

Mary C. Parker married Moses Cochran on 1 Jun 1884 in Buncombe County.


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See: Benjamin Tutt and Elizabeth Moore


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