Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - An Ancestor Who Had A Life Event on Halloween

 From Randy (my cousin) over at Genea-Musings:

it's Saturday Night - 

time for more Genealogy Fun!!!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1)  Find an ancestor who has a life event (birth, baptism, marriage, death, or burial) on Halloween (31 October).

2) Tell us about him or her -- who were his or her parents, spouses, children, occupation, residences, etc.

3) Please share your selected ancestor, the historical life event, and your description of your ancestor as a comment on this post, on social media or in your own blog post! Please leave a comment with a link on this post so others can check it out.

NOTE:  No luck? How about a relative? Or a famous person?

Here's mine:  

I ran a custom report in Family Tree Maker 24 (FTM24), and it provided a 10 page report with 141 individuals from my family tree that had an event on 31 October.  

The only direct ancestor who had a life event on 31 October is my 6th great-grandfather, Thomas Avent (1712-1757).

Thomas was born 01 Dec 1712 in Sussex, Sussex County, Virginia, USA. He married Ursula Claiborne (1712-1756) in January 1725 in Virginia. They had 7 known children:  Sarah (1725-1781), Ursula (1729-?), Elizabeth (1733-1790), Mary (1735-1790) (my 5th great-grandmother),  Amy (1736-1762), Winniford (1738-1810), and Milly (1740-1820).  Some time between 1725-1733, after the birth of his first child, he and his family moved to Northampton County, North Carolina. 

He is listed on a Sussex County, Virginia County Militia List as a Colonel. 

Thomas died on 31 October 1757 in Northampton County, North Carolina.  

Amanuensis Monday

What in the world is "Amanuensis"??? 

An amanuensis is a person employed to write what someone else dictates, or to copy what has been written. Essentially, it refers to a secretary, scribe, or literary assistant.

Here are a couple of details about the term:

• Etymology: The word comes from the Latin phrase servus amanuensis (a slave whose duty is to write), derived from a manu (meaning "at hand" or "of the hand").

• Historical Context: Historically, authors, composers, politicians, or individuals who were unable to write themselves (or had too much correspondence to handle alone) would use an amanuensis to take dictation, draft letters, or transcribe manuscripts.

So that is what I have been doing on Mondays.  Transcribing and sharing really old documents pertaining to my family that I have been fortunate enough to find. 

The following is a deed from Hosea Tapley to John Short.

North Carolina Archives, Northampton County Register of Deeds,
Record of Deeds Vol 2, 1751-1758

    Tapley to Short

North Carolina } This Indenture made the nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty three between Hosea Tapley of Orange County in the said Province of the one Party and John Short of Northampton County of the other party witnesseth that the said Hosea Tapley for and inconsideration that John Short did marry my Daughter Anna Tapley within four weeks from the Date hereof, then I shall Acknowledge my self fully paid of the said consideration, and do freely give grant, convey and confirm unto the said John Short his heirs and Assigns ? a certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing three hundred and twenty Acres be the same more or less lying in the county of Northampton and bounded by ? to Arthur Kavanaugh & given by the said Arthur Kavanaugh to Arthur Harris and by the said Harris conveyed to the said Tapley; beginning at a white Oak and a Mulberry on the River bank ? ? line then along the said Tract line to a Red Oak in the Patent line then along the Patent ?? to a black oak & corner tree then S. 45 W. ?20 pole to the River and the winding ? ? ? River to ge ? ? is being part of a Patent granted to Arthur Kavanaugh for 640 acres of Land with all woods waters profits commodities and Appurtenances to the said Land belonging or in safe use Appertaining with the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders rents ?? and Profits thereof said of every Part and Parcel thereof To have and to hold the said three hundred and twenty Acres of Land and Premises hereby given and granted to the only sole use benefit and behoof of him the said John Short his heirs and Assigns forever and the said Hosea Tapley for my self my heirs Ex and Adm covenant & agree to and with the said John Short his heirs and Assigns that the said Hosea Tapley at the time of the execution hereof am Lawfully ? of all and singular the Premises hereby granted as an absolute Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple having in my self full Power and lawful authority to give and dispose of the same in manner as aforesaid and that the said Land and Premises with all and every of the Appurtenances is free and clear from all other gifts grants bargains sales leases mortgages & all other Incumbrances whatsoever and further that I the said Hosea Tapley my heirs ? the said Land and Premises unto the said John Short his heirs and Assigns shall and will Warrant and forever Defend by these Presents against the claims and Demands of and every Person or Persons whosoever and shall and will at any time or times hereafter on Demand give and ? ? further and other conveyance for the better securing the within granted Premises unto the said John Short his heirs and Assigns as by the said John Short his heirs or Assigns or his or their councel {sic} Learned in the Law can be reasonably Devised advised or Required. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand & seal the Day and year above written) 

Sealed Signed and Delivered in Presence of us 

Hilbert Thomas Short____________ Northampton county ss) May Court 1753 

The above written Deed was proved in open Court by the Oath of both the subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion was ordered to be Registered.     

Test Edwards ?

Transcription by Google Gemini with a lot of proofing, reading and correcting by me.  This was a bad copy off the microfilm and difficult to transcribe. There are a lot of words in this one that AI nor I could make out, even after looking over it three times.  

The good news is John Short did marry Anne Tapley in 1753. 

Saturday Night Genealogy Fun - Your Oldest Confirmed Record

 From Randy (my cousin) over at Genea-Musings:

it's Saturday Night - 

time for more Genealogy Fun!!!

Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to:

1)  What is your oldest confirmed record? What is one of the oldest documents you've personally found for any ancestor?

2)  Share your oldest confirmed record: what it is, where it came from, and what it revealed.

2)  Please share your answers or information as a comment, on social media or in your own blog post!

Here's mine:

By far, the oldest documents I have are deeds I have obtained from the North Carolina Archives.  I have been slowly transcribing them and sharing here on my blog.  

Searching my blog found the oldest being from 1743 between Thomas Avent (1712-1757), the seller and Hosea Tapley (1691-1778), the buyer.  Thomas was my 6th great grandfather; his daughter married Joel Tapley (~1720-~1790) who was the son of Hosea Tapley, 5th and 6th great grandfathers respectively.  

The deed involved 200 acres of land in Northampton County, North Carolina which Hosea purchased for "500 pounds Rock Money." 

North Carolina Archives, Deeds and Mortgages - Northampton County, N.C.,
Book 1, p. 76-77, May 1743

This record revealed to me that the families lived near each other when they were in North Carolina and at that time, they were affluent enough to own that much land.

Thanks to Linda Stufflebean for this topic.        

Amanuensis Monday

 

This is a copy of a deed that I printed off microfilm at the North Carolina Archives in Raleigh, North Carolina several years ago. There are several of these in a folder so I am trying to get them organized and transcribed to share and have in my records. Most of them pertain to Hosea Tapley (1691-1778), my 6th great grandfather.  However, this one refers to my 5th great grandfather, Joel Tapley (abt 1720-1790/91), the son of Hosea.  New Tapley (abt 1736-?) is my 6th great uncle, the brother of Joel, and also the son of Hosea.  Mary (1735-1790) and Elizabeth (1733-1790), their wives, were sisters; the daughters of Thomas (1712-1757) and Ursula Claiborne  (1712-1756) Avent.

The following is an indenture dated 1758 concerning 200 acres located on the south side of Beaver Pond, Northampton County, North Carolina.

Tapley, Joel, Northampton County (North Carolina), Indenture dated January 26, 1758 for 200 acres
located on the south side of Bearer Swamp, Northampton County Register of Deeds, Record of Deeds,
Volume 2, Years 1751-1758,  pages 517-518, North Carolina Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina.

"Tapley & others to Jordan

 

This Indenture made the 26 day of January 1758 between Joel 

Tapley and Mary his wife and New Tapley & Elizabeth his wife of the one parte 

and Frederick Jordan of the other parte, witnesseth that for and

in consideration of the Sum of fourteen pounds proclamation money 

to Them in hand paid at and before the ensealing of these presents 

the receipt whereof they do hereby Acknowledge and thereof 

and every part thereof do acquit and Discharge the sd Frederick 

Jordan and his heirs and administrators forever hath bargained

sold align and confirmed and by these presents doth bargain sell align 

and offered confirm unto him the sd Frederick Jordan his heirs and all their 

proper  right and Estate to two fifths of a Tract of Land lying and being in Northampton County  on the south side of Beaver pond back Containing two hundred Acres more or less together with all houses orchards gardens woods underwoods ways and waters with all other proffits [sic] and priviledges [sic] whatsoever belonging or in any wise ????? Laying to the sd Two hundred 

Acres ??? with the Reversion and Remainders, thereof to have the sd Jordan, To have and to hold the sd Two fifths 

of the sd Land & premises to the only proper use and behoof of the sd 

Frederick Jordan his heirs and Assigns forever; and the sd Joel Tapley 

and Mary his wife and New Tapley and Elizabeth his wife do promise and 

agree to and with the sd Frederick Jordan his heirs and that at the time of 

the ensealing hereof they have in themselves good right full power and 

lawful authority to sell and convey the same two fifths of the sd 

two hundred Acres of Land & premeses [sic] by virtue of the Last Will 

and Testament of Thomas Avent Deceased reference ???? thereto may large- 

ly appear unto the sd Joel Tapley & Mary his wife & New Tapley and 

Elizabeth his wife do further agree to and with the sd Frederick Jordan 

his heirs and that the sd Two fifths is free and clear from all former 

and other gifts grants bargains sales and all manner of Incumbrances

whatsoever and that the sd Frederick Jordan his heirs or assigns may 

at all times forever hereafter enter unto and upon the aforegranted premeses [sic] To have and hold use occupy and enjoy the same without the 

??? suit trouble of them the sd Joel Tapley and Mary his wife New 

Tapley and Elizabeth his wife and that against themselves their heirs and ????? 

or any other person or persons whatsoever Lawfully claiming or pretending 

to claim, any right title or interest in or to the above granted premeses [sic] 

and shall and will forever Warrant & Defend by these presents 

In Witness whereof they have hereunto set their hands and seals the day 

and year above written. 

                                                        Joel Tapley                         Mary Tapley 

                                                                      New Tapley                        Elizabeth Tapley

In Presence of Robert Sturt

Chars Gee   Penelope  Sturt

                    Northampton County ss/ October Court 1758 

The preceding deed was proved in open Court on the Oath of 

Charles Gee, one of the witnesses thereto & on motion was ordered 

to be Registered.                 ???? Edwards Clerk???

Transcription by Google Gemini and me.

I apologize for the formatting; Blogger has a mind of its own when it comes to that.

Amanuensis Monday

 This Monday, I have had transcribed a North Carolina deed dated May 22, 1750 between my 6th great-grandfather, Hosea Tapley (1691-1778) and William Short.

Tapley to Short

"North Carolina /

 

This Indenture made the twenty second day of May in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and Fifty Between Hosea Tapley of Northampton County in the said province _____

of the one Part and William Short of the said County _____ of the other Part Witnesseth that the said Hosea Tapley for and in consideration of the sum of Fifty Pounds current money of Virginia to me 

in hand paid by the said William Short before the sealing and delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do  hereby Acknowledge and myself contented and paid have given Granted bargained Sold conveyed and Confirmed and do by these present fully freely and absolutely give grant bargain sell _____ convey Confirm unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns forever a Certain Parcel of land containing two hundred and twenty Acres being known by the name of great Island and little Island Alias 

Miller Island and Barks Island Situate in Marratoke River above the falls within the County of North ampton which land was granted to Rowland Williams by Patent bearing date the 18th day of June 

1741 and by the said Rowland Williams conveyed to me by a Deed proved upon record in the said County and was conveyed by me to the said Short by Deed and _____ of James McMancey 

and upon record in the said County bearing date the 13th day of December 1748 with all _____ _____ Commodities and Appurtenances to the said Islands belonging or Appertaining with the Reversion and Reversions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits thereof of every part and parcel thereof 

To Have and to Hold the said two hundred and twenty Acres of land and Premises hereby granted 

to the only sole proper use benefit and behoof of him the said William Short his heirs and Assigns  forever And I the said Hosea Tapley for myself my heirs Ers and Administrators do covenant and agree to said worth the said William Short his heirs and Assigns that the said Hosea Tapley at the time of the execution hereby and Lawfully possessed of all and every where the Premises hereby granted as an absolute Estate of Inheritance in fee Simple having in myself full Power and authority to sell and dispose of the same 

in manner as aforesaid and that the said Land and Premises is free and clear from all other Gifts 

grants bargains sales leases Mortgages and all manner of incumbrances whatsoever further the said Hosea Tapley my heirs Ers and Administrators the said land and premises with all  & every the Appurtenances unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns will warrant and forever Defend by these presents against the lawful claims and demands of all & every person or persons whatsoever and shall and will at any time hereafter on demand give and execute such further and other conveyance or assurances for the better _____ the _____ granted premises unto the said William Short his heirs Erd and Assigns as by the said William Short his heirs or Assigns or their Council Learned in the Law 

can be reasonably _____ advised or required. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Seal the Day and Year above written.

Signed sealed and Delivered in presence of  
Robert Stuart, Chad Edwards Junior}

                                                                                                                Hosea Tapley and a seal

Northampton County ss / May Court 1750

The above written Deed from Hosea Tapley to William Short was acknowledged in open court in 
due form of Law and Sarah the wife of the said Hosea Tapley being privately examined & 
Voluntarily relinquished her right of Dower to the Land contained Herein which was ordered to be registered.

Seal J. Edwards Clerk"

Transcription by Gemini Google.  Even with AI's help and my proofreading, there are a few words that neither of us could make out.  If you can, please let me know!

"An amanuensis is a person employed to write what another dictates, or to copy what has been written. The term comes from the Latin phrase servus a manuensis (a slave belonging to the handwriting department or a secretary).

Historically, an amanuensis served several important roles:

• Dictation Secretary: Writing down letters, books, or legal documents as an author, official, or landowner dictated them aloud.

• Copyist: Meticulously handwriting or reproducing manuscripts, deeds, and historical records before the widespread use of typewriters and photocopying.

• Literary Assistant: Helping scholars, poets, or politicians manage their correspondence and preserve their works—historically common when authors had poor eyesight, hand injuries, or simply massive volumes of letters to send." - Google Gemini

Amanuensis Monday: Last Will and Testament of Thomas Avent

This is a throw back to the days of using a prompt every day of the week for a blog post.  It is a good way to get ideas flowing.  

"In the Name of God, Amen; I, Thomas Avent, of Northampton County, North Carolina Being in a very weak Condition and Knowing it is appointed for all mon [sic] once to Die Do make and ordain this my Last will and testament in manner and form following Viz.:

First I recommend my Soul to almighty God the giver and as for my worldly goods I give and bequeath as followeth -------------------------

Item: I give and bequeath to my Brother William Avent an Island of Land Joyning [sic] on his own Dwelling plantation Containing by Estimation fifty acres to him and his heirs for ever.

Item: I Lend to my Loving wife Uslea [sic] Avent all my Estate without exception During the time she shall continue my widow and on her Death or marriage to be Equally divided amongst my Children and I do hereby Revoke all others made heretofore Either by word or writing and I hereby appoint John Moore & William my executors to this my Last Will and Testament as witness my hand this fifteenth Day of April, 1751.

               his
Thomas   X     Avent
              mark

Test: 

Richard Moore [illegible]

[illegible name]

           his
John    X       Davis [illegible]

          mark"

"Northampton County
February Court 1752

The within written Will was Exhibited into court and proven by the oath of Richard Moore one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and at the same time John Moore and William Avent were qualify'd Executors thereof; which on motion was ordered to be Certify'd. 

Test JEdwards  Cler Cur"

Outside of folded Will:

"Thomas Avent's

Will

[illegible] the 28th March

1752"

Source:  "North Carolina Original Wills, 1663-1790", State Agency Records, Secretary of State, filmed by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History, June 2000.

Thomas Avent was my 6th great-grandfather.  His daughter, Mary, married Joel Tapley, son of Hosea Tapley and Sarah Moore.  Sarah's father, John Moore, is probably the John Moore listed as an Executor in Thomas Avent's will.  

Amanuensis Monday: Tapley to Short Deed

"Tapley
to
Short

North Carolina

This Indenture made the thirteenth Day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred & forty eight between Hosea Tapley of Northampton County in the said Provence of the one Part and William Short of the said County of NC of the other part Witnesseth {?} the said Hosea Tapley for and In consideration of the Sum of Twenty Five pounds Current Money of Virginia to me in hand paid by the said Wm Short before the ensealing and Delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do hereby Acknowledge and myself Contended and paid have given granted bargained Sold Conveyed and Confirmed and do by these Presents fully Timely and Absolutely give grant bargain Sell Convey and Confirm unto the said William Short his heirs and assigns forever a Certain Tract or parcell of Land Containing Two Hundred acres Lying in the County afd bounded as followeth beginning at a red Oak in Joshua {?} Line thence along the said Line to a pine a Corner of John Richards's Land thence along his Line to a pine a Corner of Arthur Harris's Land thence along his Line to a pine another of his Corner thence along a Line of marked Trees to the first Station being part of a Parcel granted to Thomas Avent for four hundred acres of Land with all woods waters profits {?} and Appendences to the said Land belonging or {?} {?} {?} with the Reversion and Reversions remainder and Remainders {?} {?} and profits thereof & of every part and parcell thereof.  To have and to hold the said Two hundred Acres of Land & Premises hereby granted to the only Sole use bought and behoof of him the said William Short his heirs and assigns forever and The said Hosea Tapley for myself my heirs Excs & admrs do Covenant and agree to and with the said William Short his heirs and assigns that The said Hosea Tapley at the time of the execution hereof and {?} Lawfully {?} of all said Singular the Premises hereby granted as an absolute Estate of {?} {?} {?} fee Simple having {?} full Power and Authority to sell and Dispose of the same as in manner as afd and that the sd Land and Premises is free and Clear of all other Gifts grants bargains Sales Leases Mortgages and all other manner of Incumbrances whatsoever and Further that I the said Hosea Tapley my heirs Ecrs and Administrators the said Land & Premises with all and every the Appurtenances unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns with warrants and forever Defend by these Presents against the Lawfull Claims and manner of all every person or persons whosoever and shall & will at any time hereafter on demand give and account such further and other Conveyance for the better Securing the within granted Premises unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns as {?} the said William Short his heirs or Assigns or his or their Councel Learned in the Law can be reasonably {?} advised or required.  In Winess whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Seal the day and Year above written.

Signed Sealed in presence of us}
{?} Edwards Thos Barret Wm Hurst}

Hosea Tapley and a Seal
Northampton County {?} February Court {?}

The above written Deed from Hosea Tapley to William Short was proved in open Court by the Oath of Thomas Barret one of the Subscribing Witnesses therto which one Station was ordered to be Registered.

{?} Edwards Clerk{?}"

Northampton County (NC) Real Estate Conveyances, 1741-1758, Vols. 1, 2, Microfilm #C.071.40001, p. 364-365.

Amanuensis Monday: Hosea Tapley to Arthur Harris Deed

"Tapley
to
Harris

This Indenture made the tenth Day of April 1743 Between Hosea Tapley of Northampton County in N. Carolina of the one Part & Arthur Harris of the sd County of the other Part Witnesseth that the sd Hosea Tapley for & In consideration of the Sum of Two Thousand Pound Current Money to him in Hand paid by the sd Arthur Harris before the ensealing & Delivery of these Presents the receipt whereof he the sd Hosea Tapley doth hereby Acknowledge thereof & of every Part thereof doth full clearly absolutely acquit & discharge the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs by these Presents & for [?] other good Causes & Considerations him thereunto moving hath granted bargain solo Aliened enfeoffed & confirmed unto the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs Adm or assigns & Doth by these Presents bargain sell enfeoff & confirm unto the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs & [?] A Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing five Hundred acres Lying in Roanoak River in the County afd bounded as followeth [?] Beginning at a Birch in Hicory Island yn to Wyches line, along the sd Line to a Hicory a corner in the Patent yn along the sd Line to a Hicory a fore & afs Tree of the Patent Line a corner of Edward Jacksons at the side of a branch, yn Down the Wares Course of the sd branch to a Sycamore n along a Line of marked Trees to a Creek of the River y up & across the Creek to a Poplar in Gillams Island another corner of Jacksons Lands yn along his line to the Patent Line the other corner of Jacksons Land yn along the Patent Line to the River, to another Oak & Mulberry standing on the Bank of the sd S River yn up the various windings of the River to the Beginning it being Part of a Greater Dividend of Land granted to Hinshe Gillum for six Hundred acres of Land with all wood waters Reversion & Reversions Remainder & Remainders yn of every part thereof & all the Estate right & Title thereunto To have & to hold the sd five Hundred acres of Land be the same more or Less it being all ye Land the sd Hosea Tapley holds in the afd Tract or Part & all singular other the Premises herein before Mentioned & entered to be hereby Granted with his & every of his appurtenances unto the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs & Assigns forever & the sd Hosea Tapley for himself his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs doth covenant & grant to & with the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs that he the sd Hosea Tapley at & before the ensealing &  Delivery of these Presents is & Stands Lawfully seized of & in the above Demised Premises of a pure & perfect Estate of Inheritance on fee simple & hath good right & full power & Lawful Authority to grant sell & convey the same & that the sd Land & Premises is free & clear from all other gifts grants Titles Dowers Rents & from all Manner of Incumbrances whatsoever that hath or may Claim any rights or title [?] unto the sd Hosea Tapley doth further oblige himself his Heirs & [?] [?] to the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs [?] [?] the sd Hosea Tapley [?] [?] any other Deed or Instrument [?] Writing for the better surety of the above [?] Premises.  As by the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs or Assigns or his or their council Learned in the Law shall be Reasonably Devised Avised or Required.  In Witness whereof the sd Hosea Tapley hath hereunto set his hand & seal, the Day & Year above written.
Signed, Sealed & Delivered in Presence of us}
Ben: Smyth Walter Clark Adam Tapley}
Northhampton County JC  May Court 1743
The Preceding Deed from Hosea Tapley to Arthur Harris was Acknowledged in open Court in Due form of Law & on Motion was ord. to be Registered.
{?} {?}Edwards Clerk"

Northampton County (NC) Real Estate Conveyances, 1741-1758, Vols. 1, 2, Microfilm #C.071.40001, p. 75-76.