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Andrew Roberts of Craven Co, NC[Commentary] [Children] [Researcher List] [Register Report] [A Note about sources] [How to contact me] [Home] I (Marty Grant) am a 10th Great Grandson of Andrew Roberts, assuming that various weak connections can be proven. Special thanks to Dr. Merrit E. Roberts of Lompoc, CA for information shared on this family in his book "Roberts-Allen Families", 1985. He has a great deal of data in the book on Andrew Roberts, that I won't repeat here, except what I can find myself in the various records. Although I think his book was excellent, and a worthwhile addition to my library, I did find much in it that was based on various assumptions, some of which I totally disagree with, so I'm probably going to contradict much of what he wrote on the early Roberts families. I do this with no disrespect towards Dr. Roberts, but only for the sake of presenting evidence that he may not have had access to, or in presenting my own alternate interpretations of certain data. When possible (and practical) I'll present our cases side by side if they differ significantly, so the reader can decide which is more likely, or possibly come up with a third point of view. Andrew Roberts was born sometime in the 1600's, but I don't have any idea about when. He died in 1722 leaving four children of indeterminate ages, so it is hard to say when he was born. The first record I've found for him (so far) is dated 1713, but he was named as a legatee in the Will of Casper Sowbridge, so we can't determine his age from this. He was given a land patent in 1717, so we can probably assume he was at least 21 then (more or less), so he was born at least ca 1696 or before. I think it was probably much earlier than that, but so far this is all I have to go on. I have no idea who Andrew Roberts parents were, nor where he was born. Dr. Merrit Roberts suggested Wales the last time we corresponded. Scotland has also been suggested as a possibility. He may also have been born in VA and migrated to NC from there. Andrew Roberts came to the Neuse and Trent River area that is now New Bern, NC (Craven County) early on, while that area was still part of Bath County (formed in 1696). In 1705 this region (while still Bath County) was further subdivided by "precincts". The area around New Bern became Archdale Precinct in 1705. In 1712 Archdale Precinct was renamed Craven Precinct. In 1741 Bath County was abolished, and all the former Precincts were renamed to counties, so Craven Precinct became Craven County in 1741. I haven't yet found a name for Andrew's wife, but they were probably married before ca 1713. On the 28 December 1713, Casper Sowbridge of Bath County, Craven Precinct, NC (the area around and near New Bern) left a Will. He left Andrew Roberts "ye piece of brown searge and great kittle". He also left items to his son Peter Sowbridge and items to "Susan, Janeten and Peter", which I can only assume where his three children. (Craven Co, NC Court Minutes Volume I, 1712-1715 page 47) The relationship between Casper Sowbridge and Andrew Roberts was not listed, but he might be a son-in-law. There was a widow "Susan Roberts" found in Craven County in this same timeframe, but she may be the widow of someone else, currently unknown. On 12 Apr 1717 Andrew Roberts received a Land Patent from the Province of North Carolina for 250 acres on the North Side of the Trent River in the Fork of North Creek. I believe this is in the area of the town of New Bern (modern). (Province of North Carolina 1663-1729 Abstract of Land Patents Book 2 page 339) On 22 Jan 1722 Andrew Roberts made his Will in Craven Precinct, NC. He named sons John and Andrew, and daughters Ann and Elizabeth. No wife was named, so this probably means his wife died before then. He named Adam More as executor and witnesses were William Willson and Nathaniel Baran. (Craven Co, NC Wills)
ChildrenThe Will of Andrew Roberts dated 22 Jan 1722 names four children, two sons and two daughters. If there were any other children, I haven't seen a source for them.
John Roberts was named in his father Andrew Roberts' Will of 1722 as son "John". Unfortunately, there were at least two John Roberts' in this area about that time, so it is really difficult to say which of them was this John Roberts, son of Andrew. Possible suspects for this John are: John "R" Roberts of Carteret Co, NC and John "E" Roberts of Carteret Co, NC. There may be other suspects as well.
Andrew Roberts was named in his father Andrew Roberts' Will of 1722 as son "Andrew". Other than his reference in the Will, I have seen no records for this Andrew Roberts Jr, at least not in Craven Co, NC nor any other eastern NC counties. Dr. Merrit E. Roberts suggested, in his book, that this Andrew Roberts Jr was married to a daughter of John Shackleford who named two Roberts grandchildren in his Will (1734), but I've seen no proof of that connection, so I'm hesitant to assume it is correct. What is known for sure, is that John Shackleford named John and William Roberts as grandchildren in 1734. Who they were is hard to say. He didn't say which daughter was married to a Roberts, nor who the Roberts son-in-law was. Dr. Roberts and others list Hannah Shackleford as the daughter who married a Roberts, but I've seen nothing to back that up so far.
Ann Roberts was named in her father Andrew Roberts' Will of 1722 as daughter "Ann". Unfortunately he didn't list her surname, so we can't determine if she was single at that time, or if married, to whom. I have no additional data on this Ann Roberts.
Elizabeth Roberts was named in her father Andrew Roberts' Will of 1722 as daughter "Elizabeth". Unfortunately he didn't list her surname, so we can't determine if she was single at that time, or if married, to whom. I have no additional data on this Elizabeth Roberts.
Researcher ListPersons researching this family (click here for data on how to get on or off of this list):
Register Report1. Andrew1 Roberts , died 1722 in Craven Precinct, NC He married bef 22 Jan 1722 in Craven Precinct, NC ? (---) . Children of Andrew Roberts and ? (---) were as follows:
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