Thomas Ashley & Unknown

Sally’s 8 -great Grandparents:

Thomas Ashley ca 1650 – ca 1720 | his parents
& | her parents
of near Edenton, Chowan Co North Carolina
and of Salmon Creek, Bertie Co North Carolina


This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!


Children of Thomas Ashley ca 1657
1. Thomas Ashley ca 1690 – bef 1769 Bertie Co NC
married Ann Plowman
2. William A Ashley ca 1699 Chowan Co NC – SC
married Elizabeth Duckenfield

on Feb 13 1739/40 Thomas Ashley, aged 50, . . . deposed that William West possessed land in the fork of Casshoke Creek since 1718 until his decease; left by will to Robert West, son of Col. Robert West. signed by Cullen Pollock
NCGSJ xii -162 abstract by William Doub Bennett from Land Grant Record Book 9

This implies to me another Thomas Ashley was the father of this one & the William Ashley who married a Duckenfield was this Thomas’s brother rather than a son.

Grandchildren of Thomas Ashley ca 1657

Children of Thomas Ashley & Ann Plowman:
1. Thomas Ashley ca 1710-1790
married Ann Hicks
2. John Plowman Ashley bef 1721- will 1759
married 1740 Mary Gordon
3. Prudence Ashley ca 1735 –
married bef 17 Apr 1769 John Lawrence Jr ca 1745 –

Children of William A Ashley & Elizabeth Duckenfield:
1. ?Jeremiah Ashley died 1801
2. Nathaniel Ashley 1730 – 1800
3. Charles Ashley 1726 NC – Edgefield Co SC
married ?Felisha Norfleet
? a. William Ashley 1750 Orange Co NC – 1806 Barnwell Co SC
married Collins
? b. Nathaniel Ashley 1765 Orange Co NC – 1813 Barnwell Co SC
married 1885 Elizabeth Williams
? i. James Ashley 1788 Barnwell Co SC – 1860 TN
married Phoebe ?
??c. James Ashley 1776 – 1801 Barren Co KY – Glasgow

e-mail from wes:
i located a grave stone that contained the name of James Ashley. Born
1776, died 1801. The grave is located in Barren County, KY – Glasgow.
There are about 6-12 head stones on this small lakefront lot. . . .

1677 – from the VA Northumbria Collection which includes Lancaster County portion of VA Colonial Abstracts – Thomas Ashley witnessed a deed from Smith to White on 20 March 1677/78.

1708 – Chowan Prect Deed Book #1 page 83: William Williams of Chowan Prect. with the consent of Susannah my wife to Thomas Ashley of ye aforesd. Prect., Blacksmith. 6 Apr. 1708 100 acres more or less as by a survey Wit: Henry Lisle, Thomas Ward Hofmann

1710 – Grimes Abstracts of Wills -Chowan Precinct, NC Thomas Ashley, Col Robert West & others wit. will of Peter Anelyn on 14 March 1710 with Thomas Pollock named Executor.

1713 – 10 Dec – witness to conveyance of William Duckenfield, Esquire of Chowan Prect. to Henry King of Albemarle Co. of 600 acres called ye Logg house. Hofmann

1715 – Thomas Ashley witness to letter of attorney of Lewis Davis of Albemarle Co. to John Hardy of same Co. 7 June 1715. Hofmann

1715 – 19 July Court for Chowan Prect. Thomas Ashley appointed an appraiser of ye Estate of Francis Parrott. Hofmann

1716 – Colonial Records of NC – Thomas Ashley Junior presents petition to Council at Little River 29 March 1716 stating a certain tract of land containing 120 acres granted to Thomas Ashley Senior is lapsed for want of being settled and prays that the same may be granted to him. So done.

1717 – Chowan Tax List. Ashley, Thomas – 120 acres – 1 taxable person

1718 Р15 Apr Рordered that Thomas Ashley be paid 8£ 4 pense for his attendance at suit of John Crombie. Hofmann

1718 – 15 July – upon motion of Thomas Henman, Attorney of William Stuckey, ordered will of George Molbey be recorded and the 2 depositions of Thomas and Ann Ashley evidences thereto be also Recorded. Hofmann

1719 – 23 Aug – NC Patent Book I – Thomas Ashley, Junior 120 acres joining Cashoke Creek branch and Thomas West. Hofmann

1719 – NC Archives -Chowan County papers – A list of tithables between Salmon Creek and Cathy (Cashie) River . . . Jun ye 9: 1719 Taken pr me Philip Walston, Consabel” Thomas Ashley on list as one unit.

1719 – Chowan Prect. Thos’ Ashley a member of Grand Jury for General Ct at Queen Anne’s Creek 29 Oct 1719. (Edenton)

1720 – 17 Nov William Duckefield 27 Feb 1721 before Charles Eden. Wit: Thomas Ashley, Jno. Powell, Benja. soacs, John Cheryholme, John Duckenfield, E. Moseley.

1721 – 1 July John Plowman, gen. Chowan Precinct 4 Aug 1721 before Charles Eden. John Plowman White infant son of Mary White-land called Horse Meadow where I now live, land called Cambridge with reversion to John Plowman Ashely.

1722 – 18 Oct – Thomas Ashley 120 acres in Chowan precinct joining a branch of Cushoke Creek and Thomas West. Pat Book III Hofmann

1723 Court – Read the petition of Thomas Yates Executor of the Will of Thomas Bell praying proper persons may be appointed to appraise and divide the Estate of the said Thomas Bell according to his Will Ordered that Mr John Holbrook, Mich King, Joseph Hudson,and Thomas Ashley or any three of them being first Sworn do forthwith appraise the said Estate and make division thereof and deliver the same . .to the person to whom it belongs per Bell’s Will and return Copy into the Secretary’s Office…

1732 will of David Hick, Chowan County, dated 9 Sept 1732, proved 23 Dec 1732 before Gov. Burrington. “weak of body” Son-in-law Thomas Ashley Jr – certain livestock. Rest of my children “not yet disposed of” -certain livestock; 200 acres each, excepting a 200 acre plantation which I give to my daughter Lucretia “or to that child that is most dutiful & helpful to her Mother.” Ex. wife, Elizabeth Hick. Wit: Mart. Fred. Rasor, Thomas Ashley, Lamb Hardy abstracted by Dr. Stephen E Bradley Jr.

1733 3 Feb Samuel Ratlif in will proved Jul Ct 1733 named Nathaniel Hill and Thomas Ashley Executors.

1734 14 May – Bertie Co Court Minutes – Ordd. That Thos Ashley adm and Ann Byrd Adm adm. in right of his wife Ann of Thos. Williamson decd. be Sumd. to appear at ye next Court to Shew Cause why they have not returned an Inventory of ye Est. of Thos. Williamson decd.

1734 Acct. of sale Sept 2, by Thomas Ashley, admr. of Thos. Williamson. Buyers: James Castelaw, John Bird, Wm. Ashley, Thos Ashley, Senr., Edwr Bird, and Wm. Bird.

1735 E 14 Bertie Co — 1 May . Thomas Ryan & wife Martha to Jacob Parrot 200 , for 200 A. in Ducking Run “joining on Mr Duckingfield’s land,” John Hardy, Thomas Ashley Jr, “to Lucrite Hick land” at Troublesome Branch. Wit: Edward Razer, William Ashley, John Padgett. August Ct, 1736 John Wynns DC/C

1735 Deeds from George Phenney and wife Penelope to Thomas Jones of Norfolk, Co VA Wit: Thomas Ashley, jurat John Ashley. proved May Ct 1736 before John Wynns DC/C

1736 9 April Executive Council Papers: Nathaniel Duckenfield had suit against Edward Moseley, Thomas Ashley, Anthony Booth to bring to account and obtain satisfaction for all abuses, embezzlements, etc. He authorized George Roberts to act in his stead to enter upon his plantation and houses and land called Salmon Creek on the River Albemarle to manaage it for him. Mr. Duckenfield was still in England where this charge was filed.

1736 23 June George Phenny LGB 4/82 before W. Smith Surveyor Generall of his Majesties Customs Southern District on the Continent of America. Witnesses: Saml Solly, Thomas Ashley, Thomas Butler.

1736 9 Nov – Thos Ashley overseer from Merry Hill to Sandy Point for 3 months & to have Mr. Duckinfields hands in Wm Hardy’s stead.

1738 Feb – Thos Ashley Sr. is appd overseer [of the road] of Salmon Creek in the room of . . Thos Ryan.

1739 F 12 Bertie Co- Thomas Ashley, blacksmith, & wife Ann to Edward Howkett (Hocutt), sen. 30 Aug 60, for 340 A on Rawquiss Swamp. Tract granted to James Castellaw by patent. Adj. Philip Walston, Jonathan Stanly, Coll. Cullen Pollock. Wit: Michael Slaughter, David Ambros. NC Court Aug 3 1739. W Smith C J

1740 29 Apr Thomas Ashley wit. to John Hollbrook Will -May Ct 1740

1740 1 Aug Power of Attorney making void the Authority of Anthony Booth and Jno. Ashley. Nathaniel Duckenfield appointed Samuel Orms of London, Apothecary, to act as his attorney and to ask, demand sue for recovery whatever was due him and to settle all accounts in any Court or Courts whatsoever. Rec. Jan 1, 1741.

1742 F 371 Bertie Co – Thomas Ashley Sen to Thomas Ashley Jun. 10 August . 100 , for 120 A On Cashoke Creek adj. Henry Van Luven. Wit: John Hill, William Ashey. Aug Court 1742.

1744 Aug. Both Thos. Ashley Jr & Thos. Ashley Sr were buyers at John Hollbrook’s estate sale. Thos. Ashley was paid money from estate of John Holbrook.

1762 10 May – William Ashley inventory taken by Elizabeth Asheley, excrx. Attested 29 July 1762 before Jas. Sitteson.

1769 L-2-177 John Lawrence Jr & his wife Prudence of Bertie Co to Abial Perry of same. 17 Apr 50 acres (messuage) which had been willed to sd Prudence by Thos. Ashley dec’d joining John Ashley, George Ryan. Wit: John Brogdon, Barbre Brogdon, Abraham Perry. Jun Ct 1769.

e-mail from Kevin J Ashley –

I have some secondhand information that gives the following lineage:

  • William Ashley b.1600 in Lincolnshire Parrish, England
  • William Ashley b.1620 in Lancaster, Gloucestershire, England (brother to John who married Lady Jane Cooper)
  • Charles Ashley b.1650, d.1736
    In 1663, William and Charles emigrated to Accomack Co., VA and in 1685 moved to Chowan Precinct, NC
  • Thomas Ashley b.1680, d.~1740, m.~1701 to Ann Mary Duckenfield
  • William Joseph Ashley b.1700-1710, m.~1730 to Sarah Barrow
  • William Ashley b.1730-1740, d.1790-1800, m. April 19, 1758 to Hannah Penrice

I know that the last William who married Hannah Penrice is my g-g-g-g-g-grandfather but tying the rest of the line backwards is being quite a chore and I have taken none of these dates or persons as definite as of yet. I am wondering if there might not have been some confusion about the Thomas in this line having married a Duckenfield. To me it would make things clearer if it had been a William who was also the son of Charles.

 

I have two transfer deeds from the Edenton County Courthouse that mention William Ashley in 1738 and 1742. The first is notable in that it is a purchase of 120 acres of land from Samuel Padgett and I notice the reference in your page that William Ashley and John Padgett both witnessed the transfer deed of land from Thomas Ryan to Jacob Parrot, and that the land in question abutted on land owned by Thomas Ashley Jr. The second is notable in that it explicitly states that the land being sold by William Ashley at that time was inherited by him from his father who was also named William Ashley.

 

I think the these two deed transfers identify a William (married Sarah Barrow) and a Thomas (married Elizabeth Hicks) who were cousins and whose fathers were William (married a Duckenfield?) and Thomas (married Ann Plowman) respectively and also brothers. The first set would have been born around 1700-1710 and the fathers would have been born around 1680-1690. This would certainly plug some holes and explain some discrepancies in my research if it were true.

 

Also, can you tell me where Duckenfield plantation was/is located? I understand that it is now in Bertie County but I am not sure where. One of the things that has confused the matter is that Bertie County did not come into existence until 1722 so references before that would be to Chowan Precinct or Albemarle County.

 

One thought on “Thomas Ashley & Unknown”

  1. William Duckenfield first lived on the Little River in Pasquotank Precinct. The first known prison in NC called the logg house was built on his property. It was originally built during Culpeper’s Rebellion, but was used again after the rebellion.

    The Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. I, 1662 to 1712, p 299, 300

    The Affidavit of Peter Brockwell aged 28 years or thereabouts Saith That in 8br 1677 he came into Albemarles in Carolina where ye deponent knew Mr Thomas Miller owned as President and Commandr in Cheif of ye County undr ye Govr for ye Lds Proprietrs of the sd Province and was so obeyed by all in generall there & till the arrivall of Capt. Zachariah Gilliam in December that yeare upon whose Arrivall a great disturbance or Rebellion (as ye deponent humbly conceives) broke out wherein ye Deponent was forcibly concerned and taken out of his bed to go with a party of men in arms to seize ye publique records of ye County in the first place and then ye next day after that the said party of men seized the sd President and other of the Lords Proptrs deputyes prisoners and so kept them under a strong guard for about 14 or 15 dayes at one Wm. Crafords home …. and sent ye said Miller prisoner in Irons as hee was to ye uppr end of Pasquotanck River at one old Wm. Jennings his house under a strong guard to whome none was admitted to speake except publiquely and a little while after ye Deponent saw ye sd Mr Miller enclosed in a Logghouse about 10 or 11 foot square purposely built for him wherein he was kept from all accesse of friends or humane converse debarred from pen inck and paper and ye other Lds Deptys that would not joyn in ye sd action comitted also prisonrs apart from one another & some of ym sent far from their homes And further the Deponent saith that one John Culpeper was ther cheif Scribe Councellor & Collector and George Durant their Attorney Generall and one of yr Agents and one Mr John Willoughby anothr of yr Agents, many things besides that were in those tymes done & acted by ye forementioned Partyes and yr Confederates ye Deponent by reason he was then sickly cannot positively remember therefore at present farther saith not
    Peter Brockwell
    Jurat 16 die Februarii
    Ano Dmi 1679 coram
    W Gregory

    The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol 3, Hathaway, p 47
    Albemarle. –
    Edward Smithwick Aged thirty three yeares or thereabts Deposeth Saith. That on the 30th day of June 1680 Mr Robert Holden Caused ye Depot to be brought before him ye sd Holden with a writ. under his owne hand in his owne name to ye house of Anthony Slocumb Esqr. where your Depot was much abused by ye sd Holden calling ye Depot Rascall & Incorrigible Rogue & Severall other Such like words On ye 1st July 1680 Yor Depot was remitted a Prisoner without bayle or mainprize in ye Face Chowan precinct Court by ye sd Holden to ye Custody of Capt Wollard On Second of July ye yeare 1680 Yor Depot was arrested in prison in an accon of Ditteny by ye sd Holden or at ye Suite of ye sd Holden on Sixth of July yor Depot had bayle aforded him yor Depot putting bond to answer to what ye sd Holden had to alledge agt yor Depot. On or about ye Twelfth of September Capt. Wollard Seized yor Depot as his Prisoner he not showing yor Depot any warnt or mittamus For ye Same yor Depot being kept under ye sd Wollards Custory till October ye 20th or thereabouts from thence ye Depot was Fetcht away by Mr Holden order by two Men in Armes on board of a boat where ye sd Holdon was Carryed to ye house of Anthony Slocumb Esq where ye sd Holden Caused yor Depot to be pinioned with a lyne & so Caryed yor Depot to Coll Jenkins then Governr where ye Depot was putt into Custody of Charles Jones then Deputy Marshall to be conveyed to ye Logg house in Pequimans precinct where yor Depot was Kept three weeks or thereabouts not having ye Liberty to walk without ye prison doore with ye Keeper to Refresh himself butt was forced to Eat drink lye & relieve Nature under one Roofe till yor Depot with Severall others Mr Wilkerson John Kinsey & ye wooman accused for withcraft were almost poysoned with ye noysome sent of the prison from thence yor Depot was brought to the house of Mr George Durant and there kept in a close Roome under guard not daring Not haveing ye Liberty of any friend to discourse with yor Depot excepting your Depots wife nor have the Liberty to get out upon any occasion with a man or two in Armes to guard yor Depot Notwithstanding yor Depot was Indicted butt by whome yor Depot knows not but Inquiry was made by the Grand Jury wch Jury brought their Verdict in Ignoramus And further yor Depot saith not. Sworne in Court.
    Edward Smithwick.

    Duckenfield later lived on Salmon Creek on the west side of the Chowan River. Another logg house was built on land that he sold to Henry King.

    Chowan Precinct, North Carolina Genealogical Abstracts of Deed Books 1696 to 1723
    p 95 (Deed Book B #1)
    #749 pg. 168 I, William Duckenfield, Esquire of Chowan Prect. am held and firmly bound unto Henry King of Albemarle Co. 10 Dec. 1713 in ye full sum of 500 £ sterling the condition of this obligation is that the sd. Duckenfield doth make a good deed for 600 acres as by Patent to the sd. Duckenfield and called ye Logg house. Wit.: John King, William Drury, John Plowman, John Duckenfield, Thomas Ashley A his mark Acknowledged ye 2 June 1715 Reg. 10 7ber 1715

    Chowan Precinct, North Carolina Genealogical Abstracts of Deed Books 1696 to 1723
    p 108 (Deed Book B #1)
    #867 pg. 322 Daniel Halsey of Chowan Pret. and Mary Halsey to Thomas West of the same Prect. 29 July 1716 10 £ sterling 200 acres on ye River side, joining the Logg house Tract that was formerly William Duckenfield’s, Francis Parrott decd., ye mouth of a branch and the River Wit.: Thomas Averitt V his mark, Christopher Dudley Ack. 31 July 1716 before me C. Gale Ch. Just. Reg. 3 Aug. 1716

    You’ll find a plat map of the Duckenfield land at Salmon Creek at https://files.nc.gov/dncr-arch/PDF/Salmon-Creek-Report.pdf
    Duckenfield had sold off some of his land from the original grant near the Cashoke Creek previously. Not all of the deeds can be found. I know some was sold to Thomas Jones and Jabez Alford by 1701.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *