Ashley married Annie Mary NELSON on 24 Jul 1887 in Dooly County, Georgia. Annie died in in Dooly County, Georgia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ RAIFORD ROYAL:

From T.C. Sutton, as provided by Charles C. Royal, Augusta, Georgia:
"Raiford Royal, son of Young and Edith Royal of Sampson County, N.C., was born ca 1799 NC and died 1865 in Dooly County, Ga. According to a family legend (R.A. Hendricks family record):
'Raiford Royal came to Dooly County, Georgia, in 1815 or 1820. He asked his father in Tarboro, North Carolina, to have a pair of shoes made for him. Size 14. His father told him to roll up his pants and go barefoot and get his feet tough. This made Raiford angry and he did roll up his pants and rode his mule away and came to Georgia, Dooly County. He never wore shoes again.'
My research shows that Raiford's father lived in Sampson County, N.C., and died there before 1820. Raiford was not enumerated in Dooly County census until 1830.
He married first, Nancy Odom, and by 1840 census shows 1 male age 40/0, 1 female age 40/50, 2 mages age 10/15 (unidentified), 1 female age 10/15, 1 male age 5/10 and 1 female age under 5. "
"The old home place of Raiford Royal was occupied after his death by Reason Royal and his family, then by Osborne Royal family. The old log house still remains near Lilly in Dooly County, Georgia."

1830 Census Dooly Co. GA was 21021--- 10001 (1800-1864)

1840 Census Dooly Co. GA was 0120001 1010001

NOTE 2./ 1860 Dooly County Census enumerated on 8-8-1860

Name Home in 1860 Age in 1860 Estimated Birth Year Birthplace Gender
Raiford Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 59 1800 South Carolina Male
Elgine Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 38 1821 North Carolina Female
E J Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 19 1840 Georgia Female
Pealey Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 17 1842 Georgia Male
Jacob Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 15 1844 Georgia Male
Hardy Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 13 1846 Georgia Male
Geo Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 11 1848 Georgia Male
M J Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 9 1850 Georgia Female
Josiah Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 7 1852 Georgia Male
Emma Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 5 1854 Georgia Female
Easter Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 4 1855 Georgia Female
Asleheat Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 3 1856 Georgia Male
Wilson Royal Not Stated, Dooly, GA 9/12 1859 Georgia Male

NOTE 3./
Raiford and then Sabra and Robert Brown also moved to Dooly Co. GA. William had settled there and many Royal descendants in GA descend from this family. Robert Brown was a county official in Sampson but died in 1832, soon after moving to Dooly.

Raiford is said to have left home young and upset at his father over a pair of shoes. If so, This is not indicated in the Will of his father Young Royal. It is clear from the Will, that William 1785 and Wilson 1788 had moved from NC (to GA and FL).

Young Royal Will.

"Tenthly: I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Raiford Royal (1800), all the lands that I now process, except the lands that I bequeathed to my son Rezon Royal, to belong to said Raiford Royal after his mother's death. Also I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Raiford Royal, two Negro boys by the names of Simon and Jonas. Also one bed and furniture and all the plantation tools of
every description, except the blacksmith tools." (1818)
http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/nc/sampson/wills/royal07.txt

In 1845 and near the death of his mother, Raiford returned to Sampson and was upset with Travis Butler that the Will of Young Royal had not been probated. It was 50 years later before the will was probated in 1894 and everyone in the Will was then dead. Travis had married a sister of Raiford and was getting full use of the land of Young Royal that was willed to Raiford Royal. Likely, Raiford never got anything from the estate of Young Royal.

Raiford married Eliza Jane HOUSTON in 1842 in Dooly County, Georgia. Eliza (daughter of Henry HOUSTON and Elenor STOKES) was born about 1820 in Dooly County, Georgia; died before 1880 in Dooly County, Georgia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./
Young Royal was third cousin and contempory of U.S. President Thomas Jefferson and Henry Lee, the father of Robert E. Lee

NOTE 2./
YOUNG ROYAL Will 1818 Sampson Co., NC

In the name of God Amen. I, Young Royal of Sampson County and state of North Carolina being of perfect mind and memory (blessed by God) and calling to mind the mortality of man knowing that it is allotted for all men once to die do write this my last will and testament. But first of all I recommend my soul
into the house of Almighty God who gave it to me and my body to be decently buried at the decision of my Executors but touching of such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bestow me I give and bequeath in the following manner and forever after.

First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Reazin Royal the land that I bought of John McGee known by the name of Phillips Place and all the property which I have given him heretofore.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Sallie Butler, wife of Travis Butler one negro girl named Lynder and the property which I have heretofore given her.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved Sabra Brown, wife of Robert Brown, one negro girl named Hannah and the property which I have heretofore given her.

Fourthly, I have and bequeath unto my beloved son William Royal, one negro boy name Henry, also one bed and furniture.

Fifthly, I have and bequeath unto my beloved son Wilson Royal, one negro boy named Jordon, also one bed and furniture and if either William or Wilson Royal should die and never return to receive said property that the one who shall in turn share both their parts and if it should to happen that neither of them acquire the property that I have left to them to be equally divided amongst the rest of my children.

Sixthly, I bequeath and give unto my beloved daughter Betsy Westbrook one negro girl named Clamenda also, the property, which I have heretofore given her.

Seventhly, I have and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Polly Royal, wife of Hardy Royal, one negro girl named Florow, also the property, which I have heretofore given her.

Eighthly, I have and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Nancy Butler, wife of Robert Butler, one negro girl named Phyllis, also the property which I have heretofore given her.

Ninthly, I have and bequeath unto my beloved son Raiford Royal, all the land that I now posses (except the piece that I bequeath to my son Rezin Royal) to belong to the said Raiford mother's death, also, I have and bequeath unto my beloved son Raiford Royal two negro boys by the names of Quinon and Jonas, also one bed and furniture and all the plantation tools of every description, except the blacksmith tools.

Also, I give and bequeath my beloved wife Edith Royal the remainder of my property, which I have not mentioned or given to my children after paying my just debts during her natural life lived and after her death to be equally divided among my children heretofore mentioned.

William and Wilson Royal are to receive their part of my property when called for by with which I have above allotted.

I hereby make and appoint my son Rezin Royal and my son in law Travis Butler Executors to this my last will and testament disallowing all other wills or bequeaths by me heretofore made this 12th day of July, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen.

Signed, Sealed, and acknowledged before us.

H. Royal his
his Young (X) Royal
Robert (X) Butler mark
mark

North Carolina, In Superior Court, Sampson County, February 15, 1894, before the Clerk Alexander R. Carver being duly sworn says: That there is now on file in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court the last will and testament of Young Royal, made and executed on the 12th day of July, AD 1818: That the subscribing witnesses hereto are H. Royal and Robert Butler: that the said Young Royal is the writer of said will and the said H. Royal and Robert Butler, the said subscribing witnesses are all dead, that he is not aquatinted with the hand writing of the said Young Royal and H. Royal and Robert Butler and he is unable to prove the handwriting of the said Young Royal writer and H. Royal and Robert Butler witnesses. He therefore asks that said will be admitted to probate and ____ ____ ____ ____ A. R. Carver
subscribed and sworn wherefore on February 10, 1894. J.S. Bizzell {seal}

North Carolina Sampson County. It appearing from the foregoing affidavit that Young Royal is the writer of the foregoing will is dead and that the subscribing witnesses H.Royal and Robert utler are also dead and that the handwriting of said Young Royal and the ubscribing witnesses H. Royal and Robert Butler can not be proven. It is ____ and abridged that said will be admitted to probate ______ proof nd the same is hereby admitted and declared will the last will and testament f Young Royal and as such
is _____ to be accepted and filed. This February 5, 1894.J. S. Bizzell Clerk Superior Court
Will Book No. 3, page 546

NOTE 3./ WILLIAM ROYAL OF SAMPSON CO. c1725-1795 by Jerome Tew
<>

On July 12, 1818 Young Royal wrote his last will and testament. He died the next day. His will was not probated until Feb. 15, 1894. Sons William (1786) and Raiford (1800) moved to Georgia. Son William died in Dooly Co. Georgia in 1845. Raiford returned to Sampson County near that time for a visit. his dad's estate had not been properly probated and Raiford was particularly annoyed at Travis Butler, who had married his sister Sarah. Raiford was married twice. His first wife died about 1835. His second wife Ellen was born in Ga. Raiford gave a power-of-attorney to his brother-in-law Eldridge Thornton to help resolve the issues. Apparently that did not hasten the resolution of Young Royal's estate as it was 50 years later before Young's will was probated.

NOTE 4./
Revolutionary War Records Duplin and Sampson Counties,
North Carolina Contributions to Genealogy by Virginia L. Bizzell & Oscar M. Bizzell, page 233

ROYAL, Young, private, N.C. Militia Soldier was born about 1755 in Duplin County, N.C., to William and Mary Royal. Married Edith Blackman on 20 July 1779. Received one pay voucher, listed in Vol. V, Bk 179, # 80 M, recorded in N.C. Army Accounts. Its value was94/13/4 pounds. His and Edith's children were: 1- Reason born 14 Oct 1780 whomarried lst to Elizabeth Sykes and 2nd to Catherine Williamson. 2- Sarah born 12May 1782 who married Travis Butler. 3- Sabra born 23 May 1784 who marriedRobert Brown. 4- William born 26 June 1786. He removed to Ga. in 1830. Died inDooley County in 1845. 5- Wilson born 18 Oct 1788 removed to Jackson County,Fla. 6- Elizabeth born 27 June 1791 who married lst Wm Westbrook and 2nd EldridgeThornton. 7- Mary/polly born 19 June 1793, who married Hardy Royal. 8- Nancyborn in 1795 who married Robert Adam Butler. 9- Rebecca born 4 Feb 1798 anddied young before her father. 10- Raiford born 28 Jan 1800. He went to Ga. butreturned to Sampson county. And 11- Josiah born 13 April 1802 who died 28 Feb1816. v (in newer book)v Soldier (wrote his will on 12 July 1818 and) died 13 July 1818, but his will did not go toprobate court until 15 Feb 1894. son-in-law Travis Butler was the executor. Edith Royal died in 1845.

NOTE 5./ THORNTON - ROYAL FAMILY BIBLE:
Owner of Bible: Miss Vara Lee Thornton (1965), 500 West Edgerton Street, Dunn, North Carolina: Inside Front Cover: Young Royall <>

DEATHS
Josiah Royal, son of Young Royal and Edith Blackmon, his wife, died Feby. 30th Anno Domini 1816
Young Royal died the 12 day of July Anno Dominy 1818
Elizabeth Royal wife of Rozin Royal died October 28th
Penelope Thornton wife of Tyrus Thornton died July 24th 1873- about 8 o'clock in the evening.
Rozin Royal son of Young Royal and
Edith his wife was born October 14th 1780
Sally Royal was born May 12th 1782
William Royal was born June 26th 1786
Sabra Royal was born May 23rd 1784
Wilson Royal was born October 18nth 1788
Grandma Elizabeth Royal was born January 27th 1791
Mary Royal was born June 19th 1793
Nancy Royal was born November 5th 1795
Rebecca Royal was born February 4th 1798
Raiford Royal was born January 26th 1800
Josiah Royal was born April 13th 1802
Emila Royal (daughter of the above page 16)
died October 18th Anno Domini
1832 in the 23rd year of his (her) age.
Mary Royal Daughter of Rozin and Elizabeth Royal died September 4th Anno Domini... aged 18 yrs.
1763 Edith Blackmon Royal died the 2 day of Feb. Anno Domini 1845, aged 82 years.
Reason Royal died October 6th, 1854
Eldridge Thornton died on the 19th day of August A. D. 1849
Elizabeth Thornton died on the 4th day of Dec. A. D. 1862
Anson Thornton died on the 9th day of Oct. 1851
Calvin Thornton on the 26th of Feb. 1852
B. (?) Annie Manly - daughter of Jno. R. Manly and
Margeret A. his wife was born the 23rd of March 1863 (?)
Margaret A. Manly wife of John R. Manly died the 13th of April 1864, About 8 o'clock in the morning.

RS married Edith BLACKMON on 20 Jul 1779 in Duplin County, North Carolina. Edith (daughter of Joseph BLACKMON and Elizabeth LEE) was born in 1763 in Sampson County, North Carolina; died on 02 Feb 1845 in Sampson County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ Jerome Tew is the author of the following article published in the Huckelberry Historian
<>

William Royal family. We know from a Duplin County marriage bond that Young Royal son of William married Edith Blackman on July 20, 1779. Edith was the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth Blackman. Joseph died in 1768 when Edith was five (5) years old. The account of this family was in the June 15, 1993 issue of this publication. Edith was born in 1763.

Since court minutes do not exist in Duplin-Sampson before 1784, we do not know where Edith grew up. She must have spent some time in the eastern part or the Duplin part of old Duplin. As an orphan she likely was listed in the old Duplin court records that are lost.

On Thursday October 12, 1775 Edith attended an estate sale of Mr. Joseph Rhodes of old Duplin. She was then 12 years old and at the age of wanting some things of her own. She bought a pair of black gloves for eight (8) shilling.

Also attending was William Royal. He bought one item for 2 pds 5 shilling and 2 pence. We do not know if his eldest son Young, then about 17 was with him or not. We do know that four (4) years later Edith married Young Royal and became part or that Royal family.

NOTE 2./
Young and Edith Royal had eleven children. Namely: Reason Oct. 14, 1780, Sally May 2, 1782, Sabra May 23, 1784, William Jun. 26, 1786, Wilson Oct. 18, 1788, Elizabeth Jan. 27, 1791, Mary (Polly) Jun. 19, 1793, Nancy Nov. 5, 1795, Rebecca Feb. 4, 1798, Raiford Jan. 26, 1800, and Josiah Royal born Apr. 13, 1802. Josiah died Feb. 30th (sic) 1816.

These dates as listed in the Elizabeth Thornton family Bible are considered as fact in spite of the Feb. 30th date.

NOTE3./
Sampson County Wills (North Carolina)1784-1900 Young Royal 12 July 1818 probate 15 February 1894

Wife Edith Royal.. rem. prop. which I have not mentioned or given to my children, after paying just debts, during NL & after her death to be equally divided among my children. Son.. Rezin( Reason) Royal.. land that I bought from john Morgan known as the Phillips Place & prop. heretofore given to him
Dau... Sally Butler w/o Chavers Butler- negro girl Lynder & prop. already gieven her son.. Wilson Royal- negro boy Jordan; bed & frun if either Willaim or Wilson fail to return to claim their prop. or who shall
return, shall have their part dau... Betsey Westbrook- negro girl Chorinder & prop. already given to her
dau.. Polly Royal w/o Hardy Royal- negro girl Flow& prop. given to her dau .. Nancy Butler w/o Robert- negro girl Phillis & prop already given to her dau.. Rebeckah Royal- negro girls Ciller & Cherry; bed & furn. son.. Raiford Royals- all land that I now possess except the piece given to said Rezin Royal; negro boys Simmons & Jonas; bed & furn.; plantation tools except the blacksmith tools NB: William & Wilson are to record their property when called for be themselves Exec: son Rezin Royal, s-i-l Travis Butler
Wit: H. Royal, Robert Butler ( will was written 12 July 1818 & not probated until 15 February 1894. Yound
Royal died the day after making his Will) Follow Ups:
Re: ROYAL-Burke/Dooly Counties MRS F.D. POWELL 11/26/98 (0)

Notes:

NOTE 1./ Recorded from Jacqueline B. Perrin Information: Notes for Henry Houston:

1/ This Henry Houston was named for his Uncle Henry Houston, brother of Edward Houston, in our ancestry. Records in NC refer to him as "Jr".
2/ This material comes from Sara Bryan Houston's father-in-law's file:
Henry Houston and Elendor Stokes were married in Duplin, NC, in 1816. Three of their sons came to Georgia. Edward J., Henry, and George Houston came to Georgia after 1830. We find Edward J. Houston in Dooly County, there he married Lucy Royal, date not sure. After her death, he married her sister, Eliza Jane, September 11, 1860. They moved to Miller-Early County Line, where he died. He gave the land for the Houston Cemetery. He was a member of the new Hope Baptist Church and served in the Civil War. His brother, George, was living in Dooly County GA., in the 1850 census. Their mother, Eleanor Stokes, (born 1795, NC) was living with George at this time. We do not know where or when Henry, the father, died. We assume in Duplin County, NC.

NOTE 2./ Historical Note: The Year Was 1818

The year was 1818 and the Convention of 1818decided the northern boundary of the United States and the southern boundary of Canada as being the 49th parallel, between the Lake of the Woods in Minnesota and the Rocky Mountains. The land west of the Rockies was under joint control of the U.S. and Britain. That boundary was settled in 1846 with the Oregon Treaty.

South of 49th parallel, Illinois was admitted as the twenty-first state. Initially the northern boundary was set just below the southern end of Lake Michigan, but at a population of around 36,000, Illinois was short of the necessary 60,000 minimum required for statehood. Illinois Congressional delegate, Nathaniel Pope, suggested that it would make better sense to move the boundary northward to include the City of Chicago and the area upon which the I & M Canal would be built, connecting the Great Lakes with the Mississippi River, and from there the Gulf of Mexico.

In the South, the First Seminole War resulted from the escalation of conflicts between the Seminoles and settlers who were moving into Seminole territory. The Seminoles provided a sanctuary for escaped slaves and this provided additional fuel for the fire. Andrew Jackson pursued the Seminoles into Florida, which was then under Spanish control. His victory led to the accession of Florida to the U.S. the following year.

In the Ohio River Valley, an epidemic of what was commonly called "milk sick" broke out and in October it claimed Abraham Lincoln's mother, Nancy Hanks Lincoln. At the time, the illness was attributed to many things, but only a few suspected the real culprit. It wasn't until the early 1900s that it was determined that milk from cows that had eaten snakeroot caused the illness. By then it had claimed many other victims, the majority of them infants.

In literature, a young Mary Shelley's most famous book-- Frankenstein--was published. 1818 also marked the first time the Christmas hymn Silent Night was sung in the small Austrian village of Oberndorf.

Henry married Elenor STOKES on 17 Jan 1816 in Duplin County, North Carolina. Elenor (daughter of Redden STOKES) was born in 1795 in Duplin County, North Carolina; died after 1850 in Dooly County, Georgia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The spelling of her name is difficult to read. It may be spelled Eleanor. The grand daughter is named Eleanor. George's second child.

Notes:

Note 1./ THORNTON - ROYAL FAMILY BIBLE:
Owner of Bible: Miss Vara Lee Thornton (1965), 500 West Edgerton Street, Dunn, North Carolina: Inside Front Cover: Young Royall <>

DEATHS
Josiah Royal, son of Young Royal and Edith Blackmon, his wife, died Feby. 30th Anno Domini 1816
Young Royal died the 12 day of July Anno Dominy 1818
Elizabeth Royal wife of Rozin Royal died October 28th
Penelope Thornton wife of Tyrus Thornton died July 24th 1873- about 8 o'clock in the evening.
Rozin Royal son of Young Royal and
Edith his wife was born October 14th 1780
Sally Royal was born May 12th 1782
William Royal was born June 26th 1786
Sabra Royal was born May 23rd 1784
Wilson Royal was born October 18nth 1788
Grandma Elizabeth Royal was born January 27th 1791
Mary Royal was born June 19th 1793
Nancy Royal was born November 5th 1795
Rebecca Royal was born February 4th 1798
Raiford Royal was born January 26th 1800
Josiah Royal was born April 13th 1802
Emila Royal (daughter of the above page 16)
died October 18th Anno Domini
1832 in the 23rd year of his (her) age.
Mary Royal Daughter of Rozin and Elizabeth Royal died September 4th Anno Domini... aged 18 yrs.
1763 Edith Blackmon Royal died the 2 day of Feb. Anno Domini 1845, aged 82 years.
Reason Royal died October 6th, 1854
Eldridge Thornton died on the 19th day of August A. D. 1849
Elizabeth Thornton died on the 4th day of Dec. A. D. 1862
Anson Thornton died on the 9th day of Oct. 1851
Calvin Thornton on the 26th of Feb. 1852
B. (?) Annie Manly - daughter of Jno. R. Manly and
Margeret A. his wife was born the 23rd of March 1863 (?)
Margaret A. Manly wife of John R. Manly died the 13th of April 1864, About 8 o'clock in the morning.

William married Mary BLAND. Mary was born in 1735. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Joseph married Elizabeth LEE. Elizabeth (daughter of William LEE and Rebecca BURCHETT) was born about 1725 in Chowan Cty, North Carolina; died about 1811 in Duplin County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./
During the Revolutionary War, Edward HOUSTON served in the North Carolina Continental Line from Wilmington District. (Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution, p.219; Audit Vouchers #1334 and #1314, North Carolina Archives.)

From census records of Duplin Co., NC, 1820- Edward HOUSTON, age 45+, has one male living in household, age 26-45 (Edward E. about age 35); 1830- Edward HOUSTON, AGE 40-50 (probably Edward E.); 1840- Edward A. HOUSTON, age 40-50; Edward E. moved to Barbour Co., AL.

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

Exerpts from the DUPLIN COUNTY DEED BOOK IA Page 1: William Houston, Senr. of Duplin Co. to Edward Houston, 13 May 1784, for $1, a tract of 360A on th ES of the Northeast River of Cape Fear, being part of 840A granted to HENRY McCULLOH, ESQR. 3 Mar 1745, & later granted to William Houston, Esqr. May 1780, beg. at a stake on the river Griffeth Houston's lower corner & runs with his line S & N to a water oak & gum in Bridle Branch. William Houston & his wife to have lifetime rights on sd. land. Wit: Charles Ward, Joseph Bray, Sen. July Ct. 1784.

NOTE 2./ The North Carolina State Census,

1784 - 1787, indicates that Edward Houston's household was recorded in Capt Hubbard's Militia District by Samuel Houston in April 1786. The household consisted of 1 White male between the age of 21 AND 60, 2 White males either below the age of 21 OR above the age of 60, 2 White females, 2 Black slaves between the ages of 12 and 50, and 9 Black slaves either below the age of 21 or above the age of 5 0. This indicates that Edward Houston was born
between 1726 and 1765.
Edward's household is recorded on line 46

1790 Edward Houston household has 1 male over 16, 4 males under 16, 1 female, 6 slaves - Edward would have accounted for the Male over 16, His wife Mary the female - 4 sons under 16 Houston household has 1 male over 16, 4 males under 16, 1 female, 6 slaves A second 1790 census shows Edward Houston's household consists of 1 male over 16, 3 males under 16, 1 female, 6 slaves

1800 Census shows Edward Houston's household to consist of 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-15, 2 males 16-25, 1 male over 45, 2 females under 10, 1 female over 45 and 4 slaves. In conclusion Edward and Mary at this point are over 45 and have 5 sons and 2 daughters still living with them.

1810 Census show's Edward Houston's household consisting of 3 males 16-25, 1 male over 45, 2 females 10-15, 1 female over 45 and 3 slaves

1820 Census with his household consisting of 2 males under 10 (James Lafayette 4 & Edward "Ned" 7), 1 male 26-45 (Edward E. age 32), male over 45 (Edward), 1 female under 10 (I do not have a record of this child), 1 female 16-26 (This could be Winneford), 2 females between 26 & 45 (Possibly Rebecca and Hannah). There is a mark for 1 person foreigners not naturalized. This could be a column error and should have been for 1 female over 45 for Mary and 5 slaves. This appears to be a combined household with Edward and Edward E.

Research Notes: During the Revolutionary War, Edward HOUSTON served in the North Carolina Continental Line from Wilmington District. (Roster of Soldiers from North Carolina in the American Revolution, p.219 ; Audit Vouchers #1334 and #1314, North Carolina Archives.)

NOTE 3./ Duplin Co and Sampson Co were formerly a part of New Hanover Co. Duplin was formed in 1749. In 1784, Sampson Co was made from Duplin

NOTE 4./ By Jerome Tew: <> <>

HOUSTON, Edward, Private, NC Militia
Soldier is listed on Pierce's Register and lived in Duplin in 1790 with four males over 16. William Houston sold to (son) Edward Houston 360 acres in Duplin in 1784 for $1. Soldier was born in 1755 to Dr. William Houston and Anna Jones and died December 13, 1834. He married Mary Miller 1755-1818. Issue: 1-Henry Houston born 1795 in Duplin, moved to Dooly after 1830, and died 1841 in Dooly Co. GA. He married Eleanor Stokes. His son Edward Joshua b1818 in Duplin Co. NC married in Dooly Co. GA Lucy Ann Royal and 2nd Eliza Jane Royal, daughters of Raiford Royal born 1800 in Sampson Co. NC.
2-Griffith Houston, 3-Rebecca Houston, 4-Winnifred Houston, 5-James Houston, and 6-Samuel Houston. Henry's widow Eleanor 1795- was living with son George Houston 1850 in Dooly.

NOTE 5./ e-mail 1-12-2005 ; DAR Lookup Request ; Reply by CNelson at Roots Web.com
http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/SM.2ADE/4886.1

The DAR Patriot Index lists the following:

HOUSTON, Edward
Birth: NC Circa 1755
Service: NC
Rank: Sol
Death: NC 13 Dec 1824
Patriot Pensioned: No Widow Pensioned: No
Children Pensioned: No Heirs Pensioned: No
Spouse: (1) Mary Miller

If you would like a copy of the application with the patriot's information, you may request a copy from DAR National Headquarters. Send the above information with a $10.00 check made payable to: Treasurer General NSDAR and mail to: REGISTRAR GENERAL NSDAR; Attn: Record Copy Dept.; 1776 D Street NW; Washington, DC 20006-5303.
Please send only one check and one request per envelope. It may take 6 to 8 weeks to receive your copy as the office is very busy.

The application may contain names, dates, locations, service and reference sources that may be of interest to you. If you or any member of your family is interested in joining the DAR or the SAR, please let me know. I will be happy to put you in touch with someone in your area who will help you with the application process.

NOTE 6./ Historical Note: The Year Was 1789

The year was 1789 and in the U.S. a young government was beginning to take shape. In its first nationwide election, the popular Revolutionary War general, George Washington, became the country's first president and was sworn in at the first capitol of the United States, Federal Hall in New York City.

In France, a rebellion was underway and with the storming of the Bastille prison, the French Revolution began. In its reporting on the subject, The Times of London, England had the following to say of the conflict:

The spirit of liberty which so long lay in a state of death, oppressed by the hand of power, received its first spark of returning animation, by the incautious and impolitic assistance afforded to America. The French soldier on his return from that emancipated continent, told a glorious tale to his countrymen--"That the arms of France had given freedome to thirteen United States, and planted the standard of liberty on the battlements of New York and Philadelphia." The idea of such a noble deed became a general object of admiration, the [facets?] of a similar state were eagerly longed for by all ranks of people, and the vox populi had this force of argument--"If France gave freedom to America, why should she not unchain the arbitrary fetters which bind her own people.

Later that year, the Marquis de Lafayette, with the advice of Thomas Jefferson who was at the time the American ambassador to France, drafted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. It was adopted by France's National Assembly in August and ratified by Louis XVI in October.

There was unrest in other parts of the world as well. Sweden and Russia were at war, and briefly, Norway had joined the conflict, although a peace treaty was signed in July 1789.

In a smaller, but well-known conflict, the mutiny on the H.M.S. Bounty was also in the year 1789. On April 28, part of the crew of the Bounty, led by Fletcher Christian, mutinied and set Captain William Bligh and eighteen crewmembers adrift. Bligh managed to get the boat some 3,600 miles to Timor. Some of the mutineers were captured and prosecuted--three were hanged, while others, including Fletcher Christian ended up on Pitcairn Island, where some of their descendants live to this day.

In 1789, there was an epidemic of influenza in New England, New York, and Nova Scotia, which resulted in many deaths due to secondary cases of pneumonia. The new president was among those who fell ill. He caught a cold while visiting Boston, and later, was affected more seriously with influenza, which was dubbed Washington Influenza.

NOTE 7./ Historical Note: The Year Was 1780

The year was 1780 and the American Revolution wasn't going well for the Americans in the South. British forces captured Charleston and 5,400 American troops garrisoned there. During the siege, South Carolina Governor John Rutledge managed to escape and when word reached the British General Cornwallis, he sent Lt. Col. Banastre Tarleton to chase Rutledge and troops under Colonel Abraham Buford who were escorting him to North Carolina. Tarleton's men caught up with Buford's troops near the Waxhaws District six miles south of the North Carolina state line, as Governor Rutledge continued north. Buford's men put up a brief fight during which Tarleton's horse was shot from under him. As the American troops began to surrender, Tarleton's men, thinking he had been killed began renewed their attack on the surrendering Americans. More than one hundred men were killed outright and perhaps another hundred died of their wounds shortly after.

Up to that point, most thought that the South was going to remain loyal to Britain, but the Waxhaws Massacre became a rallying point for the rebels, with "Tarleton's Quarter" becoming synonymous with "no mercy."

The divisions in the South were apparent in the Battle of King's Mountain, which was fought between two American forces--Tories under the command of Major Patrick Ferguson, and the "Overmountain Men," American frontiersmen from what is now Tennessee and parts of Virginia. The Americans surrounded the Tories and this time it was they who gave "no quarter" to the surrendering Tory troops. Eventually American officers were able to reign in the troops and the battle was over. The defeat was a turning point in the Revolution in the South and forced General Cornwallis to retreat further south.

To the north, a British spy was captured with correspondence revealing that Benedict Arnold, who had recently been given command of West Point, planned to surrender it to the British. When news that the spy had been caught reached Arnold, he fled to the safety of a British ship and became a brigadier-general for the British, siding with them for the remainder of the war.

There was trouble in England as well. In 1778 a Catholic Relief Act had been passed, which reversed some of the Penal Laws of the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. It allowed Roman Catholics to join the armed forces with an oath amenable to Catholics and gave them the ability to hold longer leases on land. It also ended the requirement that a Catholic distribute his lands evenly among his sons upon his death. The Catholic Relief Acts weren't popular with some Protestants though and in 1780 Lord George Gordon established the Protestant Association in 1780. In June of that year an estimated 60,000 people marched on the House of Commons demanding the Relief Acts be repealed. The huge crowd turned violent and a week of rioting left two hundred and ninety people dead, and devasted Roman Catholic churches and related buildings, as well as the homes of prominent Catholics and supporters of the legislation. Troops had to be called in to end the rioting. Twenty-five of the leaders of the riot were hanged, but Gordon was found "not guilty" of treason.

May 19th was a dark day in New England--literally. A low-lying dark cloud that at times had a yellow and at times reddish hue descended on New England and was noted from Maine to as far south as New Jersey. It was darkest around northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire and Maine, where it became so dark that candles needed to be lit to see. The cause is thought to have been a combination of low clouds that mixed with smoke and ash from a forest fire, but at the time it wasn't known and the event caused panic for many.

New England's dark day was a minor event though in comparison to the hurricane season of 1780. Eight storms struck in various parts of America and the Caribbean. British fleets off American shores took heavy hits during several storms. (Hurricanes in the 1780s were the cause of more British Naval losses than battle.) The worst storm struck on October 10th devastating Barbados and the Windward Islands, and claiming an estimated 22,000 lives.

RS married Mary MILLER in 1771 in Duplin Co., North Carolina. Mary (daughter of George MILLER and Margaret MCCULLOH) was born about 1751 in North Carolina; died between 1818 and 1824 in Duplin County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

NOTE 1./ Marriage 1771: (Age 16) Mary Miller <>

This quite possibly was an arranged marriage, which was still common practice in this time with prominent families. Dr. William Houston's uncle was Henry McCulloch. Margaret McCulloch Miller ?(Mary miller's mother)? was probably a sister or daughter to Henry. Mary Miller would have been a 3rd cousin to Edward. The only daughter of Dr. William Houston married Henry McCulloch probably a son or grandson of his Uncle. Further research is necessary to prove this speculation.