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

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

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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.