Marty and Karla Grant
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Jacob Lewis (c1682-1744) and Mary Keele of Chowan, Bertie and Onslow Co., NC
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Note: This page is a work in progress.
I don’t know how I’m related to Jacob Lewis (c1682), but he might be my ancestor if he is the father of my Jacob Lewis (bef 1730-c1796). Alternately (and more likely), he might be the uncle of my ancestor Jacob, thus my distant uncle.
Jacob Lewis was born ca 1682. This is based on an 11 Jun 1728 deposition he gave wherein he was listed as aged about 46. That works out to a birth of ca 1681/82.
I don’t know who Jacob’s parents are. In J. D. Lewis’s book My Neck of the Woods, the author lists Jacob as a likely son of Edward Lewis (d 1712) and Bridget Lewis Brown. This may be correct, but I don’t know if there is any direct proof for it yet. I do believe there is circumstantial evidence of Jacob Lewis and Isaac Lewis being brothers, and Isaac is a proven son of Bridget, so that helps.
Jacob Lewis was possibly born in Chowan Co., NC perhaps in the section that later became Bertie County and is now Hertford County. In 1682, our area of interest was actually Shaftesbury Precinct, Albemarle County.
It’s helpful to consider the changing county lines of that region. Albemarle County was created in 1664 as one of two original counties (Clarendon being the other, far to the south). At this time Albemarle covered the entire northern and central eastern part of North Carolina. In 1670 Shaftesbury Precinct was formed as part of Albemarle County and covered our area of interest. In 1685 Shaftesbury was renamed to Chowan Precinct. In 1689 Albemarle County ceased to exist as a governmental unit, however, it was still referenced in documents for many years after this. In 1722, Bertie Precinct was formed from Chowan. Our area of interest fell into Bertie. In 1741, all the Precincts became Counties. In 1759 Hertford County was formed from the northern half of Bertie which included the area where Jacob had lived.
Jacob Lewis married Mary Keele probably in Chowan Co., NC in the 1710s or earlier. I don’t know who her parents were. Her surname is spelled alternately as Keele or Keel.
Records show that Jacob Lewis has a sister in law named Deborah Keele per a 1723 deed of gift he made to her in Bertie. John Keele deeded land to Jacob Lewis in 1722, witnessed by Deborah Keele. I don’t know if John is Mary’s brother or father or otherwise related. There is also a deed between Jacob Lewis and Samuel Keele in 1726 Bertie, relationship unknown. Isaac Lewis deeded land to John Keele in 1720 in Chowan. John Keele has a brother named Nathaniel Keele per a 1726 deed of gift in Bertie. There is also a William Keele mentioned in some of the records.
Jacob Lewis signed records with a stylized mark, probably meant to represent a combined J and L for his initials. He used this consistently on deeds though the clerk(s) didn’t always reproduce it exactly the same for the deed books. It was more ornate in early records, but got a tad simpler in later years but kept the same general look. Jacob’s wife Mary made her mark as a typical X.
Unfortunately, every other Jacob Lewis that I’ve found thus far used a nearly identical mark, thus making it impossible to uniquely identify them this way.
On 21 Apr 1714, George Smith and wife Sarah Smith, of Chowan Precinct, Albemarle County, North Carolina, made a deed to Jacob Lewis and Isaac Lewis (together). For 16 pounds, they sold the Lewises 250 acres on the west side of Wicacon Creek, beginning on the first great branch of Brooks Creek. It mentioned Wasers line, Raspberry’s line and the road by James Corlees. George Smith signed. Sarah Smith made her mark. Witnesses were John Smith and William Browne. (Chowan Co., NC Deed Book W1, p. 200.)
The above deed suggests to me that Jacob and Isaac were brothers. There is a 15 Jul 1713 power of attorney from Bridgett Brown to “her son” Isaac Lewis, which proves she is his mother. Thus, if Isaac and Jacob are siblings, then she’s likely his mother too, or step-mother at least.
Wiccacon River (then called Creek) rises in present day Hertford Co., NC at the junction of Ahoskie Creek and Turnpike Branch a little south of the Cofield community. It flows generally eastward until joining the Chowan River. It’s entire run is within Hertford. However, Ahoskie Creek, or what becomes Ahoskie Creek, rises in Bertie and flows northward into Hertford. Brooks Creek rises in northern Hertford very near the Chowan River, but flows south away from the river and flows into the north side of Wiccacon just above where Highway 45 crosses Wiccacon a little north west of Harrellsville community. I should also mention Horse Swamp which will come up on several deeds later. It rises just above Ahoskie (the town) and flows easterly joining Ahoskie Creek very near where Ahoskie becomes Wiccacon.
On 18 Apr 1715, Margaret Lewis gave to John Mayner power of attorney regarding a deed from William Dawson to John Council. Witnesses were John Keele and Jacob Lewis.
I think Margaret above is either Jacob’s sister, or maybe Isaac Lewis’s wife, thus Jacob’s sister-in-law. Sister makes more sense as Isaac’s wife wouldn’t need to give anyone power of attorney without her husband.
On 23 Jan 1717/18, Jacob Lewis and wife Mary, and Isaac Lewis made a bond of 100 pounds to George Smith to make title on land on Brooks Creek. Witnesses were Tredle Keefe, Francis Brown and John Manear. (Chowan Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 602.)
Presumably the above was in regards to the April 1714 deed which perhaps hadn’t been filed yet because George Smith (Sr) died shortly after making it. The George Smith in this bond was a son of the deceased George Smith, I believe.
Jacob Lewis and Richard Lewis (“Rd.” Lewis) are listed on the 1717 tax list in Chowan, the only Lewises listed. Since Jacob is listed, but Isaac is not, it would appear that Jacob was the only one taxed for their jointly owned land. I don’t know if Richard Lewis is related. He died ca 1719 in Chowan.
On 3 Dec 1720, Jacob Lewis received a 640 acre land grant in Chowan Precinct, and also a 360 acre grant the next day. The 640 acres was described as joining Peter West and mentioned Cowhall Pocoson. The 360 acres was in Horse Swamp and mentioned Edward Howard’s corner.
The 1721 tax list for Chowan includes entries for Anthony Lewis, Anthony Lewis Jr, Isaac Lewis and Jacob Lewis. I don’t know if the Anthony Lewises are related to Jacob and Isaac or not, but I suspect they are related somehow. On this tax list, Jacob Lewis had no land listed, but Isaac had 650 acres.
In 1722 Bertie Precinct was formed, thus Jacob and family fell into Bertie, no longer being residents of Chowan.
On 12 Feb 1722, John Keele of Bertie made a deed to Jacob Lewis of the same place for 20 pounds current money. He sold him 50 acres joining Jacob Lewis’s on land. It mentions Dawses Road. John Keele signed. Witnesses were Thomas Bird and Debora Keel (her mark). (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book A, p. 24.)
Deborah Keele, a witness, is Jacob Lewis’s sister-in-law as proven by a later deed. Is John Keele a brother-in-law? Or perhaps a father-in-law? I don’t know yet.
On 21 Oct 1722, Jacob Lewis of Albemarle County, Chowan Precinct, made a deed to Peter West for 10 pounds for 640 acres on Hothouse Pocoson. The description mentions Peter West’s corner. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. His wife Mary, not named in the deed, signed also, with an X. Witnesses were Sarah Smith (x) and Wm W. Moore. Not sure if “W” is a middle initial or his mark. (Chowan Co., NC Deed Book C, p. 310.)
This appears to be his 1723 land grant, not yet received (see below). I don’t know where Hothouse Pocosin was. Considering the dates on the deed, Jacob should have been listed as a resident of Bertie, not Chowan. However, it may have been drafted prior to the county change and not filed until after, a common problem when new counties are just recently formed.
There is an undated land grant to Jacob Lewis ca 1722 for 500 acres between the Horse Swamp and Wiccacon Swamp. It mentions Jeremiah Barnes corner and Charles Jones line, Chinkapin Ridge, corner of George Smith, and John Early’s corner and Aaron Olivers line.
On 14 May 1723, Jacob Lewis of Bertie Precinct, county of Albemarle, “for love good will and affection I bear unto my well beloved sister in law Deborah Keel ...” he gave her 200 acres “nigh” (near) Petty Shore. The description mentions Thomas Wiggins line, William Keel’s line, Abraham Blewlett’s path and Thomas Bird’s line. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Witnesses were Thomas Bird and John Wairne. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book A, p. 74.)
This deed proves that Jacob’s wife was a Keele. William Keele is also mentioned, presumably another close relative.
Pettys Shore is on the Chowan River in Hertford County very near the headwaters of Brooks Creek. I don’t know where or when Jacob Lewis obtained that 200 acres. I would guess it was something inherited via his wife’s family, thus the reason he gave it to her unmarried sister.
On 4 Aug 1723, Jacob Lewis received a 640 acre land grant in Bertie on the Hothouse Pocoson and head of the Horse Swamp. It is marked as transferred to Peter West, which probably refers to the 21 Oct 1722 deed above.
On 10 Feb 1724 Jacob Lewis deeded 260 acres to Jeremiah Barnes in Bertie, described as on Edwards corner, northwest side of Horse Swamp, and mentions Edward Howard’s line. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Witnesses were John Sutton and William Williford who signed with a W W mark, making his name appear as William W W Williford (or perhaps he did have two middle initials.) (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book A, p. 387.)
The above 260 acres must be part of the 360 acre grant Jacob received in 1720.
On 12 May 1724, Jacob Lewis of Bertie Precinct and Mary his wife, made a deed to John Mainer for 32 pounds for 170 acres. The description of the land contains metes and bounds but no landmarks or neighbors. Jacob signed with his usual mark. Mary signed with an X. Witnesses were Joseph Watford, Nicholas Sessums and John Sutton. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book A, p. 255.)
On 11 Aug 1724 Jacob Lewis of Bertie made a deed to Charles Jones for 4 pounds for 200 acres on Horse Swamp. Mentions James Howard’s line, Peter West’s corner, and Cowhall. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Witnesses were John Sutton, James Peeke? and John Raspberry who used a mark identical to Jacob’s. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book A, p. 259.)
The above may be part of Jacob’s 500 acre grant ca 1722/23.
On 10 Feb 1726 Jacob Lewis of Bertie made a deed to Jeremiah Barnes of Perquimans Precinct, Albemarle Co., NC, for 20 pounds, 200 acres in Bertie. Described as beginning at Jeremiah Barnes corner, Charles Jones’ line, George Smith’s line, John Early’s corner. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Witnesses were Richard Chasten and Roger Kenyon. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 205.)
The above may also be part of Jacob’s 500 acre grant ca 1722/23.
On 13 Feb 1726, Jacob Lewis of Bertie and Mary, his wife, made a deed to Samuel Keel of the same place for “sterling money” (no actual amount listed), for 200 acres on “Chinkapine” Ridge, Stephen Williams’ corner, Jacob Lewis’s line, James Howard’s line, John Jones’ corner. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Mary’s signature was not included. Witnesses were Lazarus Thomas and John Williams. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 210.)
Chinkapin Creek rises in Bertie county and flows northwesterly into Hertford where it flows into Wiccacon River. I don’t know where the ridge was.
In May 1726 (no day given), Jacob Lewis of Bertie sold a small parcel of land on the west side of Brooks Creek to Isaac Lewis of the same place (his likely brother) for 5 pounds. No acreage was listed so it might have been under an acre or just a few acres. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Witnesses were Thomas Jones and John Winns. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book B, p. 137.)
On 12 Aug 1729, Jacob Lewis of Bertie and wife Mary made a deed to Isaac Lewis (his likely brother) for 75 pounds for 400 acres. Land described as on the first great branch of Brooks Creek, mentions William Drews’ line, John Rasberry’s corner, John Mayner and William Keel’s lines. A 15 foot square section was excepted “about the grave or burial place,” meaning there was already a grave yard on this land. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark, and Mary with an X. Witnesses were Ed. Mashburn and James Bryant. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book C, p. 128.)
The above may include all of their jointly owned land that was deeded to them in 1714 by George and Sarah Smith.
On (blank) Aug 1729, Jacob Lewis and wife Mary made a deed to Peter West for 10 pounds, being 200 acres. The description mentioned Horse Swamp, Mr. Howard’s line, John Jones line and Cowhall. This time Jacob Lewis’s mark was an X same as his wife Mary’s. (Note, these aren’t original signatures in the deed books, but the clerk copied them often trying to duplicate the original marks, though he didn’t in this instance.) No witnesses. Jacob Lewis himself acknowledged this deed in Aug 1729 court. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book C, p. 148.)
The above 200 acres must be part of the 640 acre grant Jacob received in 1720.
On 14 Jan 1729/30 Jacob Lewis and wife Mary of Bertie made three deeds to Henry Vize, also of Bertie. Each was signed by Jacob Lewis (his usual mark) and Mary Lewis (X). Witnesses were Moses Price and Nicholas Fairless (or Fairloss). The first deed was 14 pounds, 250 acres Horse Swamp “below the house.” The second was 2 pounds for 100 acres mentioning Jeremiah Barnes’s line. The third one was for 4 pounds for 50 acres on the west side of the mouth of Wading Branch, also mentioning Horse Swamp. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book C, pp. 202-204.)
The above three tracts must be the remaining part of the 640 acre grant Jacob received in 1720.
This last few deeds would seem to be them disposing of the last of the land they owned in Bertie Co., NC.
Jacob and Mary vanish from Bertie records after the above three deeds to Henry Vize. This suggests they died or moved away. There is a Jacob Lewis who appears in Onslow Co., NC by 1734 and many believe it’s this same Jacob. It certainly could be. There are several interesting clues that it is the same Jacob, namely in associations in Onslow with some of the same people he’d been associated with in Bertie such as Edward Howard, Edward Mashburn, Jeremiah Barnes and perhaps others. That doesn’t necessarily prove it’s the same Jacob Lewis in both places, but it helps. The Jacob Lewis in Onslow died there ca March 1744. If that is our Jacob of Bertie, he was about 62 years old. I didn’t find any mention of Jacob’s wife Mary in Onslow records so far.
I should note that Anthony Lewis of Bertie and Onslow has a proven son named Jacob Lewis who was still a minor in 1734, but could be the one in the records there instead of Jacob of Bertie, or both Jacobs could be there at the same time, which I think they were, but they never used Senr or Junr to distinguish themselves, suggesting that Anthony’s son was too young to be mixed up with this Jacob (1682). That tracks, because Anthony’s son Jacob was hardly in the records at all.
Before going to the Onslow records, consider the following Bertie records from the early 1750s.
On 27 Sep 1750, John Lewis of Bertie Co., NC, Carpenter, made a deed to Jacob Lewis for ten pounds proclamation money, sold him 96 acres north side of Wiccacon Creek. John Lewis signed with a mark. Witnesses were John Harrell and Joseph Harrell. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book G, p. 372.)
Is this 1750 record the same Jacob Lewis from 1730 and earlier? The 20 year gap in records suggest this is a younger man of the same name.
The land in question might be the same 96 acres that was granted to Isaac Lewis in 1741, though the description is much more vague in this deed than in the Grant but generally conforms to it. If it is that same land, this may prove that John Lewis is a son and heir of Isaac Lewis (who died ca 1743).
On 22 Apr 1752, Jacob Lewis of Bertie Co., NC made a deed to Benjamin Wynns of the same place for 20 pounds sterling, 96 acres north side of Wiccacon Creek to the Creek Pocoson ... mouth of the deep branch ... Signed Jacob Lewis (his mark). Witnessed by Frances Thomas, Harmon Holloman. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book G, pp. 539-540.)
The above 1752 deed is the same land Jacob purchased from John Lewis in 1750. The description of the land in this 1752 deed was slightly different than the 1750 deed but is almost certainly the same piece of land. Jacob Lewis’s mark on the above deed was a simple cross (+), more like a plus sign. This isn’t the same mark the elder Jacob Lewis used.
On 17 Nov 1752, Jacob Lewis of Bertie Co., NC, Planter, made a deed to Henry Maynor, of the same place, for 75 pounds lawful money he sold him 100 acres in Bertie on Brookses Creek between Isaac Lewis and Joseph Harrell, whereon Jacob Lewis formerly lived. And another tract containing 100 acres being half of a 200 acre tract, the other half belonging to Isaac Lewis, yet undivided. Signed by Jacob Lewis (his mark). Witnessed by Nathaniel W. Hargrove, William H. Boon, Wm Wynns. (Bertie Co., NC Deed Book I, pp. 47-48.)
The above land was probably part of the land purchased in 1714 by Jacob (Sr) and Isaac Lewis jointly from George and Sarah Smith, though the original deed estimated it at 250 acres. However, in the intervening years it may have been combined with other tracts, or re-surveyed or split, etc.
The signature mark for the Jacob on this 1752 deed is the same as the one in 1750, but different from that of Jacob (c1682) so that does strongly suggest it’s a different Jacob in these 1750s records. At first I thought since he was apparently selling the elder Jacob’s land in 1752 then he might be a son of the elder Jacob and inherited the land upon the elder Jacob’s death. However, I do believe the younger Jacob came by it a different way.
There is the 1729 deed where Jacob Lewis (the elder) sold 400 acres on Brooks Creek to Isaac Lewis. This 400 acres probably included his half of their joint land, thus meaning this younger Jacob Lewis was an heir of Isaac, not Jacob. I’ve studied the deeds as best as I can, but I’m still not able to prove this conclusively as the descriptions aren’t a perfect match. However, it does seem that Jacob Lewis the elder probably divested of all his Bertie land before 1730 when he moved to Onslow, if that is indeed him in Onslow, thus this land here in the 1752 deed was sold to Isaac who died in 1743, with it then being doled out to his heirs, this younger Jacob being one of them.
Now, on to Onslow. Jacob and Mary were last found in early 1730, thus probably left for New River around that time. It would seem that many other Bertie families also migrated there around this time. This was northwestern New Hanover Precinct at the time, but the large influx of settlers in New River prompted the creation of Onslow Precinct in 1731. In 1741 all Precincts became counties, thus Onslow Precinct became Onslow County.
Unfortunately, in 1744 a court house fire destroyed many early records, and a hurricane in 1752 destroyed more, thus we have practically no records from ca 1731-1734, though some do remain for that period. That does not include early Wills or probate records unfortunately.
How do we know that Jacob of Onslow is the same Jacob formerly of Bertie? We don’t it for certain, but there are some strong clues, one is the timing of Jacob’s disappearance from Bertie and appearance in Onslow. Two, many Bertie residents made this same migration, so Jacob certainly could have as well. Three, they are age compatible, or seem to be, and finally, Jacob of Onslow was associated with some of the very same people Jacob of Bertie had been, most notably Edward Mashburn, Edward Howard and Jeremiah Barnes.
There is the complicating factor of mixing up Jacob formerly of Bertie with Jacob Lewis who was a minor son of Anthony Lewis as named in 22 Apr 1734 record in Onslow wherein his father recorded his son Jacob’s livestock mark in court. This record proves that Jacob was Anthony’s son, and that Jacob was still a minor at the time, or he could have recorded the livestock mark himself.
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Jacob of Onslow had a very similar signature mark to that of Jacob of Bertie as can be seen in the example to the left. However, as I mentioned earlier, many people used this same type of mark, including other Jacob Lewises.
An undated record on page one of deed book A shows “James Megines indebted to Jacob Lewis for turpentine. On page 3 the same two parties are mentioned in what appears to be Megines suing Lewis. This is dated 5 Apr 1735. The very next entry is for Peter Morrisset vs. Jacob Lessins. Is that actually Jacob Lewis and pertains to the 1735 court records in Chowan mentioned below?
On 23 Jan 1734/35, Edward Howard, Jacob Lewis and Edward Morgin witnessed a deed from Anthony Dowdell to Ann Morgan. (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, p. 7.)
You may recall that an Edward Howard was mentioned in a 1724 Bertie deed of Jacob Lewis of that county, thus some evidence this is the same Jacob Lewis formerly of Bertie?
Jacob Lewis is listed as a resident of New River in 1735. Edward Mashburn is also listed there in 1735. That may be the same Ed. Mashburn who witnessed one of Jacob’s deeds in Bertie. The same listing shows William Lewis Jr as a resident there in 1726. (“The Commonwealth of Onslow,” p. 379-380.)
On 23 Jun 1735, a Chowan County court record refers to Jacob Lewis of New River (which is in Onslow). Nicholas Blancher was an evidence (witness) against Dorothy Cross and that she was in the care of Jacob Lewis (see next record for what that means). This seems to be a writ directed to Onslow Precinct, New River. (Chowan Co., NC Court Records 1730-1735.)
On 30 Aug 1735, Jacob Lewis is named in another court record in Chowan Co., NC that is listed next to the above 23 Jun 1735 record. Rich Lawson and Jacob Lewis were to be levied each fifty pounds to settle a court judgement in favor of Peter Morriset, Gunsmith. It appears that Dorothy Cross had escaped from the custody of Jacob Lewis while he was a constable. This record shows that Jacob Lewis was a constable in 1735 for Onslow County and apparently lost his prisoner enroute from Onslow to Chowan (or vice versa). (Chowan Co., NC Court Records 1730-1735.)
On 23 Sep 1741, numerous individuals were admitted to prove their rights before the Governor’s council in order to take up lands. Among those, Jacob Lewis was listed as an Onslow resident with 9 members in his household (not named). (The Colonial Records of North Carolina 1734-1752, p. 598.)
Of those nine, we could assume that he and wife count for two, and the other seven are their children.
On 6 Apr 1743, Jacob Lewis of Onslow made a deed to Benjamin Turner for 30 pounds for 100 acres ... Joseph Howard’s corner ... Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark, but the clerk wrote out his name as Jacob Lewish. Witnesses were Richard Field and James Foyle. (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 135-137.)
On the same date, 6 Apr 1743, Joseph Howard deeded land to Jacob Lewis for 90 pounds, being 500 acres on NE Branch of New River. Joseph Howard signed. Witnesses were William Crawford and James Henderson. (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 139-140.)
Jacob Lewis of Bertie was associated with Howards there.
On 20 Jun 1743, Jacob Lewis of New River, Planter, of Onslow, made a deed to Alexander Cheaplin, Schoolmaster, for 40 pounds, 100 acres on NE branch of New River. Described as beginning on a marked pine in the pocoson dividing it from Benjamin Tewes land ... Signed by Jacob Lewis (his usual mark). Witnesses were Thomas Croford (his mark) and Francis Lewis (mark). (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 175-176.)
I don’t know who Francis Lewis was, perhaps a son? Alternately, could it be a misread Tewes instead? Benjamin Tewes was mentioned in the deed. We have to remember the deed books contain handmade copies of the original deeds, thus a transcription error could have occurred. I was reminded of this when I first read Benjamin Tewes as Benjamin Lewis but quickly realized my mistake. Alternately, this could be someone named Francis Lewis.
On 12 Nov 1743, Jacob Lewis entered 640 acres in Onslow on the west side of Glovers Creek joining Everett’s line. The index card describes the land as on the east side of New River. There was no survey or other documents in the file. It was granted to him on 27 Nov 1744. (State Land Grant Book 10, p. 29, and Onslow Co., NC Record of Land Grants 1712-1800, p. 112.)
The above is duplicated in the records, or else he had two separate 640 acre grants with the same dates. (Onslow Co., NC Land Grants Vol A, p. 59.)
On 6 Jan 1743(/44), Jacob Lewis of Onslow, made a deed to Severus Gold of Onslow for 200 pounds current money, sold him 300 acres. The description mentions neighbor Stephen Filby and Linoth? Creek. Signed by Jacob Lewis (his usual mark). Witnesses were James Foyle and William Crawford. (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 211-212.)
On 19 Dec 1744, Charles Ryal of Onslow made a deed to John Hansley for 100 acres on east side of New River ... Back Landing Creek ... Richard Whitehurst line ... being part of land patented by Richard Groves transferred to Edmond Enet and by him to Charles Royal. Signed by Charles Royal (“R” mark). Witnessed by Jacob Lewis (his usual mark), Job Brooks, Wm Williams. The deed was proven in court on the first Tuesday January 1745 by Jacob Lewis. (Which calculates to 2 Jan 1745.) (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 275-278.)
As an aside, Charles Royall (Ryal) is also my ancestor with no known connection to the Lewises other than this deed as far as I’m aware.
On 28 Dec 1744 Jacob Lewis of Onslow made a deed to James Maginnis for 70 pounds current money, sold him 350 acres on the upper side of Glovers Creek ... James Crawford’s corner ... east side of New River. Signed by Jacob Lewis (his usual mark). Witnessed by John Jones and George (O) Cooper. (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 273-275.)
On the same date, 28 Dec 1744, Jacob Lewis made a deed to John Hansley for 50 pounds for 175 acres beginning at the Oyster Bay, formerly a corner of Richard Groves ... land of James Maginnis. Jacob Lewis signed with his usual mark. Witnesses were Wm Crawford*, John Jones and George (O) Cooper. (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 278-279.)
* Could say Hen. Crawford, as in Henry Crawford.
On 20 Mar 1745, Sonoros Goold made a deed to John Snead of Craven Co., NC for 300 pounds, sold him 300 acres north east branch of New River being the land whereon the said Goold now lives, 200 acres of which was said land was purchased from by the said Goold of Jacob Lewis deceased and 100 acres of Joseph Howard ... Signed by Sonoros Goold. Witnessed by Richard Lovitt and John Dudley.(Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 444-446.)
The above deed shows that Jacob Lewis was dead by 20 Mar 1745 (1744/45 in the old calendar). Thus, Jacob Lewis died between 2 Jan 1745 and 20 Mar 1745 with the last record being the deed of Charles Ryal that he acknowledged in court on 2 Jan 1745 (1744/45 in old calendar).
On 5 Jul 1745 in an estate sale for Himerall Taylor, by John Starkey, administrator, Jacob Lewis purchased a hand saw for 1.10 (1 pound, 10 shillings). This would have to be another Jacob since the above Jacob died a few months earlier, unless the estate sale wasn’t just on a single day but stretched out over a longer period including before our Jacob Lewis died. Barring that, I’d say this record must be for Anthony’s son Jacob who may have come of age by 1745.
On 21 Jan 1746/47, John Hansley of Onslow made a deed to Henry Brown for land on the east side of New River. The description mentions Jacob Lewis’s head line. John Hansley signed with a mark. Witnesses were Jeremiah Barnes, Cornelius Trap (his mark) and Cornelius Forehand (his mark). (Onslow Co., NC Deed Book A, pp. 476-477.)
I mentioned the above deed not only because Jacob Lewis’s land was mentioned, but because Jeremiah Barnes was a witness. Is this the same Jeremiah Barnes that Jacob Lewis had land dealings with back in Bertie County?
I found no mention of Jacob’s wife Mary in any of the Onslow records thus far. Perhaps she died shortly after moving there, or perhaps not, just managing to not appear by name on any surviving record.
Unfortunately there are no surviving Wills, probate or estate records that would prove who Jacob and Mary’s children were.
There was a daughter who married John MacFarrell as proven by an Onslow County Will that refers to John MacFarrell’s son Jacob as a grandson of Jacob Lewis. The daughters name is not given though, the implication is that she was dead by then. The year on the Will was missing, but it was ca early 1740s.
The 1741 record cited earlier showed that Jacob Lewis’s family consisted of 9 persons at that time. He’s one of those, and if his wife was still living then, she’s the 2nd, leaving 7 likely children, most still unidentified.
The Francis Lewis who witnessed one of Jacob’s 1743 deeds might also be a son.
1. Unidentified Daughter married John MacFarrell. John’s Will dated 25 Nov 17-- refers to his son Jacob who was to be “left with his grandfather Jacob Lewis.” Benjamin Turner was named as executor. Witnesses to this Will were William Hunter, Joseph Brampton, Benjamin Turner, John Starkey and William Crawford, several of whom were associated with Jacob Lewis in Onslow. I have found no other record for either John or Jacob “MacFarrell,” however, I think it likely they dropped the “Mac” or “Mc” and began using Farrell or some variation of that. I did find a deed for a John “Farrel” in New Hanover Co., NC in 1762 wherein the name is spelled three different ways, “Farrel” as already noted, “McFarrell” and “Fearell” which supports my theory. There is a deed dated 1777 in Johnston Co., NC from Jesse Matthews to Jacob “Ferrel” of Johnston. The same Jacob “Farrell” witnessed a promissory note dated 1772 between Cornelius “Ferrell” to Nathaniel Cary. In 1787 a land grant was issued to John Rice, Abraham Poston and Elisha Rice, assignees of the heirs of Jacob Ferrell a soldier in the continental line of the state, the land in Davidson Co., NC (now TN). This suggests Jacob was dead by 1787. There was one on the 1790 census in Johnston Co., NC, but he might be a son of the older one. There is also a Cornelius and Nicholas Ferrell near him.
I don’t know if Jacob Ferrell of Johnston Co., NC is the same one who is a grandson of Jacob Lewis, but he certainly could be.
2. Francis Lewis was born before ca 1729 if we assume at least 14 in 1743 when he witnessed one of his father’s deeds. Unfortunately that is the only record I have on him. It is also possible it was a daughter instead, though spelled the masculine way with an I instead of an E. However, it wasn’t uncommon at all in those days to not adhere to that.
For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for Jacob Lewis and Mary Keel(e).
Revised: April 26, 2026
Copyright © 1996-2026 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
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