RS married Susan FITZRANDOLPH on 22 Sep 1796 in Bladen County, North Carolina. Susan (daughter of Benjamin FITZRANDOLPH and Mary JONES) was born on 12 Aug 1773 in Bladen County, North Carolina; died on 28 Apr 1799 in Bladen County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./

William Kemp was still a Columbus County justice on Sept. 29, 1834.(94) William Kemp wrote his will on 6 May 1833. He left his wife Lucy all his land adjoining White Marsh, lots in Whiteville, stock, household furniture, slaves Fanny, Rachel, Flora & Fillis; his well-known horses and the plantation where he was living. At her death the land was to be divided between his nephews, Joseph4 and Richard4 Singletary. Richard W. Singletary was to have 150 acres, "including the plantation formerly owned by Robert Carlisle and now in possession of myself and all my lands on West side of big Branch including the plantation where I now live . . ." Joseph K. Singletary was to have all the lands on the east side of Big Branch. Slaves Dorcas, Peggan, Jim & Mariah were to be divided among the heirs of Elizabeth3 (Kemp) Salter, Joseph3 Kemp, Jr. (deceased) and Mary3 (Kemp)(Pointer) Ellis (deceased). Nephew Benjamin4 FitzRandolph (born Kemp) was to have a riding Sulkey and all wearing apparel. Hannah Williams, daughter of Joseph Williams, was to have 100 acres on Sowles Swamp that William3 Kemp had purchased of John Summerset. Executor was Luke R. Simmons, and witnesses were W.D. Gore and Richard W. Singletary. A codicil dated 15 Aug. 1833 changed the recipient of property willed to Richard W. Singletary to the heirs of Joseph Kemp, Jr. (deceased), Mary Ellis and Elizabeth Salter. A second codicil, dated 16 Nov. 1834 revoked the part of the will dealing with Joseph K. Singletary. It gave a life estate in the land to his wife Lucy Kemp, and was to go to Benjamin FitzRandolph at her death. The will was proved in Feb. 1837, when David Smith and James Smith were appointed executors, the former executor having moved away.(95) On 2 May 1837 David Lewis was appointed administrator of the estates of John Kemp, decd. and David W. Kemp, decd. In each case, Absalom Powell provided security on a $3,000 bond.(96) These administrations seem to refer to the two brothers of William3 Kemp who settled in Wayne Co., GA.

NOTE 2./

Joseph Kemp married Jane White before 4 April 1756, as on that date her parents gave her a four-year old slave girl named Bess, and they gave Joseph Kemp 203 ½ acres on the NE side of the North West Branch of the Cape Fear River, adjoining lands of Evan Ellis and John White. The deeds, which call Joseph Kemp a cooper, were witnessed by Robert Edwards and James White.(44) It seems likely that these were wedding gifts, since their daughter Mary3 Kemp was born about six months later.

NOTE 3./

Joseph2 Kemp, Sr. (William1) was born, say, 1730/33, possibly in SC;(37) died about 21 Feb. 1805 in Bladen Co., NC. He married before 4 April 1759 Jane White, the daughter of John White and Mary Jones of Bladen Co., NC.(38) She was born, say, 1735/40, probably in Bladen Co.

Joseph2 Kemp was a planter and a cooper, a person who makes and repairs barrels and casks. His coopering activities may have been in connection with North Carolina's well-known trade in naval stores.(39) By far the most important products produced in the Cape Fear area were tar, pitch and turpentine. Turpentine and tar barrels were lashed together to make huge rafts and floated down the Cape Fear River to Wilmington for transfer to ocean-going vessels.

In his youth Joseph2 Kemp, Sr. may also have been associated with his brother Stephen's pack horse ventures. Joseph2 Kemp lived in Anson Co. until his marriage, after which he settled in Bladen Co., where he appears to have amassed a comfortable estate. Like his father, he was a small slaveholder. He signed his earlier deeds with a mark, but may have learned to write later in life.

On 5 Nov. 1754 Joseph Kemp of Anson Co. sold to William Haley of VA for 75 pounds 213 acres in Bladen Co. on the east side of the Great Pee Dee River, part of a 600-acre tract laid out for Solomon Hughes and granted 22 May 1741. Joseph Kemp signed the deed with his mark. Witnesses were Joseph Hall, John Webb and Thomas Moorman.(40)

The State of North Carolina granted Joseph Kemp 100 acres on Raft Swamp in Cumberland County, "joining the sd. swamp" on 31 March 1755.(41)

He witnessed a deed from Edward Elerbee to Alexander Gordon on 24 Jan. 1757.(42)

He witnessed a deed from William Hicks of Anson to John Hicks, Jr., of land on the north side of the Pee Dee River, on 27 July 1757. The other witnesses were Alexander Gordon and John Bidingfield.(43)

Joseph Kemp married Jane White before 4 April 1756, as on that date her parents gave her a four-year old slave girl named Bess, and they gave Joseph Kemp 203 ½ acres on the NE side of the North West Branch of the Cape Fear River, adjoining lands of Evan Ellis and John White. The deeds, which call Joseph Kemp a cooper, were witnessed by Robert Edwards and James White.(44) It seems likely that these were wedding gifts, since their daughter Mary3 Kemp was born about six months later.

At the time of his wedding (if not before) Joseph Kemp moved permanently to Bladen Co., apparently settling on the land his father-in-law had given him. The 1763 tax list of Bladen Co. shows "Kemp, Jos. Spaight, McCoulskey & Porter" with four white polls.(45)

Joseph2 Kemp had land transactions in Anson Co. with his brother Stephen2 in 1763 and 1764. According to an abstract, in the 1763 deed both Stephen2 and Joseph2 Kemp are described as "of Augusta".(46) Possibly this means Joseph2 Kemp was affiliated in the business of his brother, a "pack horse man".

A deed from Griffith J. White to Isaac Wright of sundry pieces of land included one tract granted to Joseph Kemp in the year 1766 adjoining lands of Matthew and William White and Evan Ellis.(47)

John and Mary White granted to their son-in-law Alexander Harvey land in Bladen Co. adjoining Joseph Kemp on the NE side of the NW branch of the Cape Fear River on 3 May 1768.(48)

On 14 Nov. 1769 James White, Esq., High Sheriff of Bladen Co. auctioned publicly 100 acres belonging to John Huffman on the south side of Drowning Creek and east of Ashpole or Saddle Tree Swamp. Perhaps the land was seized for tax arrears. The winning bidder, at 6 pounds 6 shillings 4 pence was Joseph Kemp (cooper).(49)

Joseph2 Kemp, Senr., was granted 250 acres in Anson Co. on 18 April 1771. He gave that tract to his son David White3 Kemp in 1796.(50)

The will of William White of Cumberland Co., NC, dated May 5, 1774, named Joseph2 Kemp as an executor. Joseph2 Kemp may have been William White's brother-in-law.(51)

Joseph Kemp appears in the 1781 Bladen Co., tax list.(52) He appears twice in the 1784 Bladen Co. tax list: once in Capt. Irvin's district with 1,403 ½ acres, 2 white polls and 1 black poll, and once in Elizabeth Town with two unimproved lots, Nos. 43 and 52.(53)

Joseph Kemp witnessed a power-of-attorney granted 10 April 1784 by his son-in-law Argulus Poynter, blacksmith, to Isaac Jones "to sue for any amounts due me and collect for same."(54)

On 6 Nov. 1786 Bartholomew Weston of Nansemond County, VA sold to Joseph Kemp for 25 pounds 500 acres on the SW side of Jones Creek, on Panther Branch, adjoining lands of John White and Davis White, which land was patented by Weston on 4 May 1769. Witnesses were James White and William White.(55)

On 9 Sept. 1799 James L. White of Chatham Co., NC sold to Richard Salter 500 acres adjoining lands of Dennis Collums, John White and David White, excluding 32 acres patent entered by Joseph Kemp 19 May 1787. The witnesses were Thomas Richardson and Amos Richardson.(56)

In the 1788 Bladen Co. tax list Joseph Kemp Senr. appeared in Capt. Ervin's Dist. with 1,536 acres, 1 town lot, 1 white poll and 3 black polls.(57)

The 1790 U.S. census of Bladen Co. shows Joseph Kemp with 3 males over 16, 1 male younger than 16, 2 females, and 3 slaves.(58)

The State of North Carolina granted Joseph Kemp 32 acres on Johnson's Lake on 20 Dec. 1791.(59) On the same day he was also granted 100 acres on Panther Branch.(60)

On 18 Aug. 1796 Joseph Kemp, Senr. gave to David Kemp, "my son" for "love, good will and affection which I have & bear to my son" 250 acres in Anson Co. on both sides of Browns Creek adjoining lands of Robert White and the land lately occupied by James White, Senr., being the land granted to Joseph Kemp Senr. on 18 April 1771. Witnesses were Robert Harvey and Thomas C. Shaw.(61)

Joseph Kemp bought rights to a land grant for Revolutionary War service from James Faison, a private in the Continental Line who showed "signal bravery & persevering Zeal". Consequently, Joseph Kemp received Grant No. 3192 for 274 acres "lying & being in our County of Tennessee on the South side of Cumberland river & on the largest west fork of yellow Creek above Chickasaw trace" on 14 Sept. 1797.(62)

Joseph Kemp, Senr. was granted 100 acres on the NE side of Johnston Lake by Grant No. 2269 on 6 Dec. 1799.(63)

On 22 Feb. 1803 "Joseph Kemp Senr. . . . for love good will and affection" granted to his granddaughter Anne Jane3 Poynter Lot No. 32 in Elizabeth, Bladen Co., containing ½ acre. Witnesses were J. Ellis (probably John Ellis, Esq., second husband of Mary3 (Kemp)(Pointer) Ellis, and step-father of Anne Jane3 Pointer) and Mary Poynter (probably Mary Turvil3 Pointer, Anne Jane3 Pointer's sister).(64)

Joseph2 Kemp died in Bladen Co., shortly after making his will, dated 21 Feb. 1805. It names sons David White, William and John, daughters Elizabeth Salter and Mary Ellis wife of John Ellis, grandsons Joseph Richard Kemp and Joseph Salter son of William Salter, and brother John Kemp. It names as executors William Robeson and James Morehead, and was witnessed by Robert Lytle and J. Kemp.(65)

NOTE 4./
Joseph Kemp died in Bladen Co., shortly after making his will, dated 21 Feb. 1805. It names sons David White, William and John, daughters Elizabeth Salter and Mary Ellis wife of John Ellis, grandsons Joseph Richard Kemp and Joseph Salter son of William Salter, and brother John Kemp. It names as executors William Robeson and James Morehead, and was witnessed by Robert Lytle and J. Kemp.

Joseph married Jane WHITE before 04 Apr 1759 in Bladen County, North Carolina. Jane (daughter of John WHITE and Mary JONES) was born in 1735 in Bladen County, North Carolina; died after 1805 in Bladen County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Benjamin married Mary JONES. Mary (daughter of Squire Griffith JONES and Margaret MCREE) was born in 1725 in Bladen County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ Kemp of Williamsburgh, Craven Co., SC, Bladen and Anson Cos., NC and Wayne Co., GA compiled by Worth Shipley Anderson July 19, 1997:
William Kemp's origins are unknown. He appears to have been a small yeoman farmer, albeit a slaveholder. He signed all of his deeds with a mark, indicating he was illiterate, as was his wife.

William Kemp's first known appearance is at the 1736 christening of his daughter Sarah in Prince Frederick Parish, Winyaw, Craven Co. (modern Williamsburg Co.), SC.(1) He served as a petit juror in Prince Frederick Parish in 1737.(2)

On 25 Sept. 1738 William Kemp, planter, of Williamsburgh Twp., Craven Co., promised to deliver to Francis Goddard two tracts of land in Williamsburgh Twp.: one of 300 acres "lately surveyed" and in the possession of William Kemp and one of 150 acres "lately surveyed" and granted to Francis Turbeville. In return Goddard was to give Kemp three slaves. The agreement was witnessed by William Trewin and Samuel Fley

By early 1746 William1 Kemp had moved to what was then Bladen Co., NC, near Cape Fear. On 13 March 1745/6 William Kemp of Bladen Co. was "admitted to prove his rights", presumably headrights to a land grant for bringing 8 whites into the colony. Also proving their rights from Bladen Co. were John McCoy, with 5 whites and 3 blacks, "Jno. McCoy for Wm McCoy", with 3 whites, and John Hornbeck, with 4 whites.(6) The previous day, on 12 March 1745/6 William Kemp had petitioned for a 640-acre warrant in Bladen County.(7) On 21 June 1746 he received a patent for 640 acres on the south side of the Great Pee Dee River, "joining the River and a point below Canew [?] Landing."(8) As discussed below, this entire tract, which lay near an Indian grave, was sold in pieces by William Kemp's heirs to Benjamin Clark of Louisa Co., VA.

William Kemp witnessed a deed of land on the south side of the Great Pee Dee from John Giles of Johnston Co., NC, to Henry Walker of Bladen Co. on 24 Oct. 1748.(9)

On 5 April 1749 he petitioned for a warrant of 400 acres in Anson Co., NC,(10) which was cut off from Bladen Co. in 1750. The patent was granted on 14 April 1749 for 400 acres in Anson Co., on the S side of the Great Pee Dee River and on both sides of Mill Creek.(11) He evidently leased part of this tract to Andrew Cox, as on 26 Sept. 1749 William Kemp sold 150 acres of the 400-acre grant, "including the plantation Andrew Cox now lives on", to Cox for 8 pounds. The deed was witnessed by William's son, John2 Kemp, and John Conaway.(12

On 6 April 1750 William Kemp was granted 300 acres in Bladen Co., on the S side of the Great Pee Dee River and joining his other lands and the River.(14)

A few days after receiving this grant, on 20 April 1750, he made his will. In it he left his wife Elizabeth one gray horse and one strawberry roan horse, and named her executrix. William1 Kemp's will names his five sons, John, William, Thomas, Joseph and Stephen, his daughter Sarah, and an orphan committed to his care, Sarah Walbrook. The will disposes of two tracts of land in Craven Co., SC, on Black Mingo Creek, and land over the River bought of John Stafford. It also bequeaths the 213 acres on the Pee Dee bought from Solomon Hughes and adjoining Andrew Moreman to William2 Kemp, Jr. The will was witnessed by Andrew Moreman, Jno. Stafford and Anthony Hutchins, and proved 3 Oct. 1750.(15)

The two tracts of land on Black Mingo Creek in SC comprised 300 acres.(16) Their eventual dispositions, and the disposition of the 300 acres in Bladen Co. received in the 1750 land grant are not known.

Elizabeth (--?--) Kemp survived her husband by a few years. John2 Kemp sold his mother 200 acres adjoining where she lived, one gray mare with young colt and two cows and calves, in order to clear a debt of 30 pounds, on 22 June 1751. The deed was witnessed by George King and Joseph2 Kemp, who made his mark.(17)

Elizabeth Kemp, widow of William Kemp, sold Thomas Tomkins 100 acres on the south side of the Great Pee Dee River on 20 Dec. 1752, signing with her mark. Witnesses were Ambrose Steele and Andrew Cox.(18)

On 2 June 1754 Elizabeth Kemp joined John2 Kemp in giving Thomas2 Kemp a power-of-attorney to dispose of land. However, the Elizabeth referred to may have been John2 Kemp's wife, rather than his mother.

The children of William and Elizabeth (--?--) Kemp were (birth order largely uncertain; "born before" dates based on the assumption the individual was of legal age (at least 21 years old) at the time of his earliest known land transaction):

i. John Kemp, born before 1729; died after 1805. He may have married Elizabeth --?--. On 23 Oct. 1750 John2 Kemp witnessed a deed from John Williams of Craven Co., SC, to William Rodes, a minor of same, of 300 acres. The deed also mentions Rodes' sisters, Martha, Anne, Hannah and Elizabeth. Anthony Hutchins was the other witness.(19) On 30 Nov. 1751 240 acres of William1 Kemp's 640-acre land grant was sold by John2 Kemp, who had inherited it, to Christopher and Benjamin Clark of Louisa Co., VA, for 60 pounds. The deed from John2 Kemp was witnessed by Andrew Moorman, and Andrew Moorman, Jr.(20) On 2 June 1754 John and Elizabeth Kemp granted a power-of-attorney to Thomas2 Kemp.(21) This may indicate that John2 Kemp was moving away from Bladen Co. but, prior to moving, had been unable to find a buyer for his property in Bladen Co. Because John2 would not be physically available to sign a deed in Bladen Co. when a buyer was found, a power-of-attorney allowing somebody else to sign the deed would have been necessary to dispose of the land.(22) John2 Kemp may have settled on his father's land in Craven Co., SC. John Kemp, son of John and Elizabeth Kemp, was born or christened 24 June 1756 in Prince Frederick Parish, Winyaw, Craven Co.(23) Presumably John2 Kemp was still alive in 1805, when he is mentioned in the will of his brother Joseph2 Kemp.(24)

ii. William Kemp, born before 1731; died after 1752. On 21 April 1752 William Kemp, planter, sold to Francis Clark of VA, for 46 pounds 6 shillings, the 213 acres on the south side of the Great Pee Dee he had inherited from his father. Witnesses were Henry Downs and M. Brown.(25) A 1 Nov. 1754 deed from Jas. MacManus to John Campbell of land on the south side of the Pee Dee mentions "William Kemps corner."(26)

iii. Thomas Kemp, born before 1731; died after 1761. On 20 Sept. 1752 Thomas2 Kempt, planter, sold to Benjamin Clark for 30 pounds 200 acres on the south side of the Great Pee Dee River, adjoining the widow Kemp's corn field and Benjamin & Christopher Clark's corner, which they had bought from John2 Kemp. Thomas2 Kemp signed his mark. Witnesses were William2 Kemp, Arthor Skipper and Benjamin Menrs.(27) On 2 June 1754 Elizabeth & John2 Kemp granted a power-of-attorney to Thomas2 Kemp regarding 150 acres on the west side of the Great Pee Dee River, on both sides of Mill Creek, adjoining Thomas Tompkins and Thomas Coil.(28) On 5 Jan. 1756 Thomas2 Kemp "now or lately of Anson Co." sold this land to John Persons for 15 pounds, signing the deed with his mark. Witnesses were Hez. Russ and John Acfie.(29) Thomas2 Kemp witnessed a deed from Edmund Cartledge of Anson Co. to Tillotson Keble on 23 Jan. 1758. The other witness was Laurence O'Bryan.(30) On 18 Oct. 1758 Thomas Kemp witnessed a deed from Edmund Cartledge to Tillotson Keble. The other witnesses were Samuel O'Bryan and Sarah Walker.(31) Thomas2 Kemp witnessed a deed from Joseph Nobbs "late of Anson" to William Cox, of Anson Co., on 24 Nov. 1761. The other witness was Isaac Brunson.(32)

+2. iv. Joseph2 Kemp, born, say, 1730/3.

v. Sarah Kemp, born or christened. 22 Sept. 1736 in Prince Frederick Parish, Winyaw, Craven Co., SC.(33)

v. Stephen Kemp, born or christened 26 July 1741 in Prince Frederick Parish, Winyaw, Craven Co., SC.(34) He moved to Augusta, GA, where he was a "Pack horse man". On 10 Dec. 1763 he sold to Joseph Kemp "of Augusta, his brother" land on the south side of the Pee Dee River adjoining Benjamin Clark. He signed the deed with his mark. Witnesses were Thos. Waters, Thomas2 Kemp and Zac. Moorman.(35) The following year, on 17 Sept. 1764, Joseph2 & Stephen2 Kemp "of Craven Co., SC, planter" sold to Benjamin Clark land inherited from their father.(36) Witnesses were Henry Snead, Zachariah Moorman and Archelous Moorman.

William married Elizabeth UNKNOWN. Elizabeth died after 1752. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Mary JONES. Mary was born in in Bladen County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Squire married Margaret MCREE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Sources: Text: DUPREE, Garland Monna Crowe, PEOPLE OF PURPOSE, VOLUME TWO, Walker Printing, 1990.