Marty and Karla Grant
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John Tanner (bef 1755-1811) and Margaret (—) and Mary — Nixon of Mecklenburg and Cabarrus Co., NC and Greene, Wilkes and Oglethorpe Co., GA
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John Tanner and Margaret are my 6 times Great Grand Parents.
John Tanner was born before 1755 per his age on the 1800 census, 45+. He probably wasn’t born much before 1755, perhaps no earlier than ca 1750.
John Tanner was possibly born in Mecklenburg Co., NC, though I don’t know if his parents had gotten to that area yet by the 1750s. They were definitely there in the 1760s. They lived in the part of Mecklenburg that later became Cabarrus County.
John is a proven son of Joseph Tanner and Ann (—) as named in Joseph’s 1779 Will.
John Tanner married someone, name unknown, ca 1770, presumably in Mecklenburg Co., NC. Her name might be Margaret since a woman of that name witnessed a deed with him in 1787. I don’t know for certain that she was his wife thought, but if not, then who was she?
John resided on Coddle Creek in what was then Mecklenburg Co., NC. Coddle Creek rises just east of Mooresville in present Iredell County, near the present Rowan line, and flows generally southeasterly several miles roughly parallel to the aforementioned county lines. It then crosses into Cabarrus County and continues south easterly through Concord until it joins the Rocky River just below Concord. When the Tanners lived here, Cabarrus was still part of Mecklenburg County and Iredell was still part of Rowan, so they lived close to the Mecklenburg / Rowan line of that time. I should note that there was a John Tanner and wife (Anna) Margaret in Rowan records but I don’t think it’s the same John and Margaret because they lived much further north in old Rowan in the area that later became Surry County.
On 25 Nov 1771, a land warrant was issued to John Houston for 150 acres on Hugh Parks Creek of Coddle Creek joining James Templeton, John Snady? and Joseph Tanner. The survey, dated 26 Mar 1774, with Joseph and John Tanner as chain bearers.
On 29 Dec 1773 John McLoney? made a deed to James Kugen? both of Mecklenburg, for 50 acres (no waterways listed). William Carragen and John Tanner witnessed. John Tanner proved it in court January 1775. (Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed Book 10, pp. 182-183.)
On 2 Feb 1778, William Penny made a land entry for 150 acres on both sides of Coddle Creek joining Samuel Templeton, John Penny and his own land. The survey, dated 22 Apr 1779 mentions John Tanner’s corner. David Templeton and Richard Martin were chain bearers.
On 9 Feb 1778, Thomas Findley made a land entry of 200 acres described as on the dividing ridge between Coddle Creek and Rocky River bounded by James Carrigan, Robert Rogers, John Tanner, Thomas Findley, Robert Andrews and Hugh Hambleton deceased. The survey was dated 7 Sep 1783 and included John Tanner and George Findley as Chain Bearers.
Thomas Findley, or another man of the same name, was associated with John Tanner in Georgia in the 1780s meaning they may have migrated there together and perhaps are related.
John’s father, Joseph Tanner, made his will on 30 Oct 1779 naming his heirs, including son John Tanner who he left 100 acres adjoining Samuel Templeton’s land.
In April 1780 court, John Tanner proved the will of his father, Joseph Tanner, in court.
On 1 Mar 1781 Archibald Ramsey and wife Jean of Mecklenburg Co., NC made a deed to John Tanner of the same place, for 60 pounds lawful money, 214 acres on a branch of Coddle Creek, mentions Zebulon Brevard’s line, and a survey for Melony and the “Barony Line.” Signed by Archibald Ramsey and Jean Ramsey (her mark). Witnesses were William Ramsey and Isabella Robeson? (Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed Book 11, pp. 85-87.)
On 6 Jul 1781, John Houston of Mecklenburg made a deed to Archibald Gilmore of the same place for land on a branch of Coddle Creek. Witnesses were John Tanner and Hugh Rodgers. (Mecklenburg Co., NC Deed Book 10, pp. 444-445.)
John Tanner may have been a Revolutionary War soldier. He received what might be a bounty land warrant in Georgia, and there is an 1804 Land lottery list in Oglethorpe Co., GA includes him on a list of Revolutionary War soldiers who drew lots for land there. He got two draws.
In Oct 1783 court, John Houston was appointed overseer of the road from the Rowan County line to Tanner’s Bridge on Coddle Creek to include said bridge where John Tanner’s limits now are as overseer of said bridge ... (Mecklenburg Co., NC Court Minutes 1774-1785.)
John Tanner moved to Wilkes Co., GA by 1787 or perhaps Greene Co., GA as he appears in records in both counties the same year. Oglethorpe County was formed from both of these in 1793, so perhaps he was in the former border region between the parent counties.
On 22 Oct 1787, the Greene County court ordered that Ezekiel Gillam, Robert Park and John Tanner appraise the estate of Joseph Smith, deceased, for whom widow Agnes Smith and Thomas Findley were executors.
On 5 Nov 1787, Thomas Finley and wife Elizabeth made a deed in Wilkes Co., GA to Job Callaway Sr for 420 acres. Witnesses were John Tanner and Margaret Tanner (made her mark). (Wilkes Co., GA Deed Book 2D, p. 104.)
Is the above Margaret John’s wife? She must be, for I don’t know who else she could be.
Is the above the same Thomas Finley who’d been in Mecklenburg Co., NC with them? (See 1778 land entry.) If so, perhaps there is a family connection.
On 31 Oct 1789, John Tanner of Wilkes Co., NC (sic), made a deed to James McCaleb of Mecklenburg for land on a branch of Coddle Creek being 210 acres, being land purchased from Ramsey. John Tanner signed. Witnesses were William Graham, Hugh Hamilton. (Cabarrus Co., NC Deed Book 3? (illegible), pp. 250-252.)
Apparently John Tanner sold the land his father left him to Daniel Bartlett before 2 Feb 1796 when Bartlett sold it to someone else. I didn’t find the deed where Tanner sold it to Bartlett.
On 8 Mar 1790, John Tanner was back home to North Carolina when he obtained a marriage bond in Mecklenburg Co., NC to marry Mary Nickson. Joseph Moore was the bondsman. John Tanner and Joseph Moore both signed. “Nickson” was an alternate spelling for Nixon.
Mary was born ca 1755/1774 per her age on the 1800 census. She was a widow Nixon, her first husband, Francis Nixon, made his Will on 28 Oct 1787 in Mecklenburg, naming her, and his three sons Allen Nixon, John Nixon and Joseph Nixon. The Will was proven in July 1788 court meaning he was dead by then.
I don’t know Mary’s maiden name.
John Tanner returned to Georgia shortly after marriage along with new wife Mary and her three sons.
The 1790 census is lost for Georgia, but they would probably have been listed in Greene County or possibly Wilkes County.
On 9 Feb 1792, John Tanner received a state land grant for 300 acres in Wilkes County bordering Ragland, Bradshaw, Gilham and Finley as well as his own land.
On 2 Apr 1792 the Greene Co., GA court ordered that John Tanner be given a Warrant (Land Warrant) for 287 ½ acres in lieu of an old warrant made out to Isaac Hughes, on Bounty. Bounty land was usually for Revolutionary War (or other military) service.
On 10 Jul 1792 William Rufsaw of Greene Co., GA made a deed to John Tanner of Greene Co., GA for 72 pounds for land on waters of Big Creek joining John Briant and vacant lands. Deed was signed by William Raufsaw and wife Lydia Raufsaw. Witnesses were William George and Bailey George. (Oglethorpe Co., GA Deed Book C, pp. 414-415.)
On 17 Mar 1793, John Tanner sold the 300 acre land grant to John Young and George Young. (Oglethorpe Co., GA Deed Book A, pp. 93-94.)
John Tanner is listed on the 1793 tax list in Greene Co., GA in Cpt Dogherty’s District with two tracts, one of 237 ½ acres on Big Creek and 400 acres on Long Creek. Sherwood Stroud is listed next to him. He was a neighbor and family associate for many years starting around this time. I’m not sure if they are related in some way or not. John’s grandson, John Tanner (c1802) married Susannah Stroud ca 1824, but she is not closely related to Sherwood as far as I can determine, though undoubtedly related in some fashion.
Oglethorpe County was created in 1793 from portions of Wilkes and Greene counties. The Tanners fell into the new county. I should also note that the section of Mecklenburg Co., NC where he’d formerly lived became Cabarrus County in 1792.
I didn’t find John Tanner listed on the 1795 tax list in Oglethorpe though he should have been there. I didn’t find his neighbor Sherwood Stroud either, so perhaps the list for their district got lost.
On 12 Jan 1795, Pleasant Walker of Warren Co., GA made a deed to John Tanner of Oglethorpe for 60 pounds sterling, 250 acres waters of Big Creek of Ocone joining Ballard’s land and Walker’s land and land surveyed for Anglin. The deed was signed by both Pleasant Walker and John Tanner. Witnesses were Alexander Brown, Robert McCord and Thomas G. Black. (Oglethorpe Co., GA Deed Book B, pp. 21-22.)
On 8 Aug 1796 John Tanner purchased land from William Patrick and wife Lucy, being 200 acres on waters of Long and Falling Creek. William and Lucy signed the deed. Witnesses were Jno Lumpkin. (Oglethorpe Co., GA Deed Book B, pp. 2-3.)
John Tanner is listed on the 1796 tax list in Oglethorpe in Cpt. Daughtery’s District with 6 slaves, 300 acres of 2nd rate land and 460 acres of 3rd rate land, adjoining P. Wray. John Tanner Jr is also listed.
John Tanner is listed on the 1797 tax list in Oglethorpe in Cpt. Waters District with 89 ½ acres of 3rd rate land. The second sheets with additional information are all out of order, so I don’t have those details. His sons John Tanner Jr and Joseph Tanner were also in the same district.
John Tanner Senr is listed on the 1798 tax list in Cpt. Waters’ District with 430 acres of 3rd rate land on L.C. (Long Creek) granted to him, adjoining Philip Wray, and also with 293 acres of 3rd rate land on Big Creek originally granted to Hues, adjoining Tindels. His sons John Junr and Archibald are also listed in the district.
John Tanner Senr is listed on the 1799 tax list in Cpt. Joseph Waters’ District with 7 slaves, and with 425 acres of 3rd rate land on L.C. (Long Creek) originally granted to him and Finley, adjoining Philip Wray, and also with 237 ½ acres on Big Creek originally grant to William Rufsaw, adjoining Burrel Pope, and 120 acres of 3rd rate land on Big Creek originally granted to Hues, adjoining Pope. His sons Joseph, John Junr and Archibald are also listed in the district.
On 18 Jun 1799 John Tanner of Oglethorpe Co., GA made a deed to Joseph Tanner of the same place for $500 for land on west side of Big Creek being 140 acres. Mentions Henry Pope’s line and George Martin’s line. It was signed John Tanner. Witnessed by James Walker, John Ramsey and Wm Campbell. (Oglethorpe Co., GA Deed Book C, pp. 518-519.)
It isn’t clear whether the above is John Tanner Sr (Joseph’s father) or John Tanner Jr (his brother), though with the lack of suffix, it’s probably his father.
John’s son John Tanner (Jr) made his Will on 25 Nov 1799 in Oglethorpe Co., GA and named, among others, his father John Tanner Sr.
John Tanner is listed on the 1800 census in Oglethorpe. He is listed next to Sherod Stroud, who was next to James Potts (a Mecklenburg name, no known relation). Son Archibald Tanner was a few houses away.
1800 Census, Oglethorpe Co., GA, Cpt Ellis’s District
Page |
Name |
M0-9
|
M10-15
|
M16-25
|
M26-44
|
M45+
|
F0-9
|
F10-15
|
F16-25
|
F26-44
|
F45+
|
FPC
|
Slaves
|
9 |
John Tanner |
1 |
3 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
2 |
~ |
1 |
1 |
~ |
~ |
7 |
My analysis (who each person *might* be):
1m 45+ (before 1755) John Tanner (bef 1755)
1m 26-44 (1755/1774) Hezekiah Tanner (c1785) son
1m 16-25 (1774/1784) Gideon W. Tanner (c1787) son
3m 10-15 (1784/1790) 1. Joseph Nixon (1780/87) step-son
2. Allen Nixon step-son
3. John Nixon step-son
1m 0-9 (1790/1800) Son? Grandson?
1f 26-44 (1755/1774) Mary (—) Nixon Tanner (1755/74) 2nd wife, m 1790
1f 16-25 (1774/1784) Jane Tanner (1780/84) daughter > m 1804
2f 0-9 (1790/1800) 1. Margaret Tanner (c1788) daughter > m 1807
2. Mary Tanner (1790/1800) daughter
7 Slaves .
For some reason John Tanner isn’t listed on his own for the 1800 tax list. His entry is under James Walker in Cpt. Radford Ellis’s District. Walker was taxed for John Tanner’s 359 ½ acres on “BJC” which is a body of water, but I don’t know which one, adjoining Henry Pope, and 7 slaves, and a tract of 465 acres on Long Creek adjoining James Young. Archibald Tanner was listed in Cpt. Waters District.
John Tanner Senr is on the 1801 Oglethorpe tax list in Cpt. Joseph Waters’ District. His first tract of land is 114 acres of 2nd rate land in “JC” which must mean Jackson County, on “ALR” which is a body of water, and 7 slaves. The land was originally granted to Scurlock and adjoings Hambrick. His 2nd tract was in Oglethorpe, 218 ½ acres of 3rd rate land on Big Creek originally granted to Wm Rufsaw adjoining Alexd. Reid. His 3rd track was 400 acres of 3rd rate land on Long Creek granted to himself & Partrick, adjoining Philip Wray. John Tanner Senr was also responsible for the taxes for his son Joseph Tanner who had 141 acres 3rd rate land on Big Creek originally granted to Wm Rufsaw adjoining Alexander Reed (spelled differently than just two lines above!). Joseph’s entry said “No pole” meaning he himself didn’t live on the land or in the county. He was actually in Burke Co., NC by this time.
On 21 Nov 1801, Joseph Tanner of Burke Co., NC made a deed to John Tanner (his father) of Oglethorpe Co., GA for 140 acres of land in Oglethorpe on Big Creek. Joseph signed the deed. Witnesses were David Patrick and Gideon Tanner (Joseph’s brother). (Oglethorpe Co., GA Deed Book E, pp. 196-197.)
The above deed proves that Joseph of Burke Co., NC is the same one previously in Oglethorpe Co., GA. This is the same land that John Tanner sold him in 1799.
John Tanner is on the 1802 Oglethorpe tax list in Cpt. Ellis’s District. He had 400 acres on Long Creek along with 7 slaves, and 377 ½ acres on Big Creek.
John Tanner is on the 1803 Oglethorpe tax list in Cpt. Charles Moore’s District. He had 400 acres on Long Creek along with 7 slaves, and 371 ½ acres on Big Creek. It’s interesting how this tract of land changes acreage slightly with each new tax list. It was 377 ½ acres in 1802. It is clearly written in each case, so not a case of me misreading the record.
There doesn’t seem to be an 1804 tax list for Oglethorpe, but there are two for 1805, both clearly marked as 1805, perhaps the first was a very late list for 1804. On the first list, John Tanner is in Cpt. Roland Hudson’s Distict with 400 acres on Long Creek and 7 slaves. He also had 357 ½ acres on Big Creek. Note how the acreage changed again, being 377 ½ back in 1802.
The second 1805 tax list has John’s entry identical to his 1803 entry with 400 acres on Long Creek along with 7 slaves, and 371 ½ acres on Big Creek. He was in Cpt. Roland Hudson’s District on this one like the other 1805 list.
Unfortunately, the 1810 census is lost for Georgia.
On 9 Jan 1811, John Tanner made his Will in Oglethorpe. He named:
∙ beloved wife Mary Tanner
∙ her three sons: Allen Nixon, John Nixon and Joseph Nixon ...
∙ my son Joseph Tanner
∙ my son Archibald Tanner
∙ my dau Jenny Brewer
∙ To Archibald's son John
∙ my son Gidion Tanner
∙ my son Hezekiah Tanner
∙ my dau Margaret Young
∙ my dau Polly Tanner
∙ my dau Sally Tanner
∙ Executors: my true friends Alex McElven Esq, David Pattrick and my wife Mary Tanner
He signed as John Tanner. Witnesses were Sherwood Stroud, John Commins and Alex. McElven. The Will was proven on 9 Jul 1811 in court, meaning John Tanner was dead by then.
Mary (—) Nixon Tanner died ca 1817 per her estate papers. She was dead before 3 Nov 1817 for on that date, Joseph Tanner and Archibald Tanner both made deeds selling their interest in the lands their father John had left his wife Mary during her lifetime, explicitly noting she was now dead. (Oglethorpe Co., GA Deed Book J, pp. 212-214.)
John Tanner and his first wife have seven children, six of whom were named in his Will. The oldest, John Jr, had died prior to his father, but his own Will proves that John Sr was his father. John Tanner (Sr) and his 2nd wife Mary had two children, also named in his Will.
Mary had children from her first marriage, whom John also named. They were Allen Nixon, John Nixon and Joseph Nixon. The same three were also named in their father Francis Nixon’s 1787 Will.
1. John Tanner (Jr) might be the oldest child, if so born ca 1770 I would guess. He was born in Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus) Co., NC. He is a proven child of John Tanner by his own 1799 Will. John (Jr) apparently never married. He is listed on several tax lists as a tithable (a male over 21), but never had any land listed. He made his Will on 25 Nov 1799 being “sick and weak of body” and named his brothers and sisters as his heirs: Archiball Tanner, Joseph Tanner, Gideon Tanner, Hezekiah Tanner, Jane Tanner. He named his “loving father John Tanner” and brother Archiball as his Executors. He signed the Will as John Tanner. Witnesses were James Walker and Sharod Stroud. The Will was proven in court on 10 Jul 1800 meaning he was dead by then.
2. Joseph Tanner was born 1765/1774 per census analysis, probably more likely ca 1770/1774. He was born in Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus) Co., NC. He is a proven son of John Tanner by John’s 1811 Will and by John Jr’s 1799 Will. Joseph married someone ca 1799/1800 either in GA or NC. He moved to Burke (now McDowell) Co., NC at that same time where they remained until the 1820s. His first wife died in the early 1820s and he married Elizabeth (—) as a 2nd wife, then they moved to Macon Co., NC where he died ca 1828, and she in the 1840s. Joseph and his first wife are my ancestors. See his page for more information.
3. Archibald Tanner was born ca 1775/76 (per 1850 census). He was born in Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus) Co., NC. He is a proven son of John Tanner by John’s 1811 Will and by John Jr’s 1799 Will. He married Margaret Smith in 1797 in Oglethorpe Co., GA. He’s listed there on the 1800 census. They went to Jackson Co., GA for a time, then to Walton Co., GA where he died after 1850.
4. Jane Tanner was born ca 1780/1790 per census analysis. She was born in Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus) Co., NC. She is a proven child of John Tanner by John’s 1811 Will and by John Jr’s 1799 Will. Jane married William Brewer in 1804 in Oglethorpe Co., GA. They lived there until the 1830s. I found a William Brewer in Clarke Co., GA in 1840 and 1850 who I think is the same one, but am not certain. However, as Clarke is next door to Oglethorpe, it is probably the same person. If so, his wife Jane died in the 1840s.
5. Hezekiah Tanner was born ca 1784/85 (per 1850 census). He was born in Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus) Co., NC. He is a proven son of John Tanner by John’s 1811 Will and by John Jr’s 1799 Will. He served during the War of 1812. He married Elizabeth Austin. They can be found on the 1820 census in Gwinnett, and in Walton Co., GA in 1830, 1840, 1850 and 1860.
6. Gideon W. Tanner was born ca 1786/87 (per 1850 census). He was born in Mecklenburg (now Cabarrus) Co., NC. He is a proven son of John Tanner by John’s 1811 Will and by John Jr’s 1799 Will. He married Sarah Austin in 1806 in Jackson Co., GA. I would assume she’s closely related to Hezekiah’s wife Elizabeth Austin. He served during the War of 1812. They are listed on the 1820 census in Gwinnett Co. GA, and in Butts Co., GA in 1830, 1840 and 1850.
7. Margaret Tanner was born ca 1787/88 (per 1850 census) in Georgia, either in Wilkes or Greene County in the section that later became Oglethorpe County. She is a proven daughter of John Tanner as named in his 1811 Will. However, she wasn’t named in her brother John’s 1799 Will for some reason. He didn’t name his other half siblings, so perhaps she’s a half sibling as well, though her ca 1788 birth date predates John Sr’s marriage to Mary Nixon. Is it possible Mary was his 3rd wife, and not his 2nd? Margaret married Frederick Young in 1807 in Oglethorpe. They are in Butts Co., GA for the 1850 census.
8. Mary Tanner was probably born in the 1790s in Oglethorpe Co., GA. She is a proven child of John as named in his 1811 Will. She wasn’t named in her brother John Jr’s 1799 Will. She married Christopher Hand in 1815. They are on the 1820 census in Oglethorpe. I wasn’t able to find them on later censuses. He was still alive in 1827 when he made a deed in Oglethorpe. There is an apparent widow Mary Hand on the 1830 census in Oglethorpe, aged 30s (1790s) which fits, but is it her?
9. Sarah Tanner was probably born ca 1794/1804 in Oglethorpe Co., GA. She is a proven child of John as named in his 1811 Will. She wasn’t named in her brother John Jr’s 1799 Will. She married Spencer Hand in 1819. They are on the 1820 census in Oglethorpe. He made a deed in Oglethorpe in 1827. I have no record after that.
For Family Group Sheet and other notes see my database pages for John Tanner and Margaret --- and Mary —
Revised: March 12, 2026
Copyright © 1996-2026 Marvin A. Grant, Jr. All Rights Reserved.
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