VA Duke Reassessment -- Part E

Dukes of Virginia, a Reassessment by Lynn Teague
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Duke Reassessment

John Dukes appears on the 1780 taxlist of Dobbs Co NC (Dobbs/Lenoir/Greene County NC - Taxlist - Dobbs 1780 Taxlist) with 400 acres of land.¹

John Dukes is on the list "Military Men over Age in Dobbs Co, NC, in 1781." Joseph and Robert Taylor are also listed.

The 1788 voting list of Lenoir Co NC includes William and John Taylor, another William Taylor and John Taylor, as well as a John DUKES.

John Dukes appears in the 1790 census of Dobbs Co NC, along with members of the Freeman (John, Francis L.), Goodman (Henry, James, Timothy, William), Ruffin (Ethelred), Hardy, Harrison, Wade, and Jones families and many Taylors.

John Dukes (James) sold land to Elizabeth Lewis in about 1800 (Johnston/ Dobbs/ Lenoir Counties Grantor Index - Book 19 - Lenoir County 1799, 1800, 1801, p. 167).

An 1868 petition for a public road near Aldridge and Byrd properties in Lenoir Co. was signed by J. J. Dukes, among others (Brothers Collection, Donated by Warren Brothers, & Mrs. Henry Brothers of Institute, Lenoir County, N.C. Transcribed by Sloan Mason. J. M. Patrick, F. A. Brothers and Others to The Court Petition for Public Road, filed Jany. Term 1868. State of North Carolina.)

An 1867 Lenoir Co NC deed places J. J. Dukes' land adjacent that of T.P. Hardy, and near Brothers and Wilson (Brothers Collection Donated by Warren Brothers, & Mrs. Henry Brothers of Institute, Lenoir County, N.C. Transcribed by Sloan Mason Alexander Wilson (deed of land) to F. A. Brothers -1867).

Ethelred Ruffin, who appears in the 1790 census of Dobbs County, NC, was the son of William Ruffin and Faith Gray, and the grandson of Robert Ruffin of Surry Co VA. Ethelred and Samuel Ruffin were sons of William Ruffin Sr. (a son of Robert Ruffin.). William's sister Elizabeth married William Kinchen. Elizabeth Ruffin, Elizabeth Kinchen, daughter of Robert Ruffin Jr. and Elizabeth, married first Richard Cocke IV and second Matthew Kinchen, son of William Kinchen Sr. and Elizabeth Joyner.

William Kinchen was the brother of Patience Kinchen, who married Ethelred Taylor II of Southampton Co. VA. Ethelred's mother was Elizabeth Duke.

2. 25 July 1827 - The following jurors have laid off to Elizabeth Aldridge, widow of William Aldridge, dec the following land for her dower - beginning in stake in DREW ALDRIDGE'S land, adj John ALDRIDGE, dec being old Ard patent line then with JAMES ARD patent line as owned by William ALDRIDGE, dec - 212 acres signed by HENRY BEST, JNO EDMUNDSON, THOS. EDWARDS, William HENSON, Kinchen TAYLOR, WM. B. TAYLOR, MARK HEATH, H. P. BARROW, STEPHEN HOLMES, KINDRED SAULS, CULLEN EDWARDS, E. MITCHELL

We know that in the early 1800's William Ayler (presumably Jr.) had land next to William Aldridge:

Extent: Tracts of 150 acres, 200 acres, 40 acres, 77 acres, 77 acres, 27 and one-half acres, 40 acres, and 100 acres. Included is "the mill and plantation formerly owned by Paul Hartsfield, decd." In consideration of: 5,600 dollars

Mentioned in description of bounds: Simon Lovick and Barwick lands, Joshua Barwick, and William Ayler's corner. Witnesses: William Herring, John Sugg Aldridge

William Boykin is also recorded in the area (Old Dobbs County Book 2 - April 1750 - April 1754, p. 168). A William Boykin inventoried the Southampton Co VA estate of Richard Hazelwood.

William Kinchen sold land in Dobbs Co to John Moring (Old Dobbs County Book 4, 1756-57, p. 334.) William W. Kinchen sold land to Blake Baker (Old Dobbs County Book 22 - 1746-CA-1810, p. 428), and William Kinchen sold land to George Cole (Old Dobbs County Book 5, Apr 1757-1758 p. 287).

Ayler

Thomas Duke went to the Neuse River area to visit relatives and met his wife Ann Ayler. The only Ayler family on the Neuse at the right time period was in Dobbs Co. NC.

William Ayler sold land in Dobbs Co NC to Obediah Smith as early as 1757/58 (Old Dobbs Co VA Deed Book 5 - April 1757 - April 1758 p. 190). Not much later William Ayler sold land to Thomas Thompson in Dobbs Co. (Old Dobbs Co NC Deed Book 6, Apr 1758-1765, p. 563) and during the same period Thomas Williamson sold land to William Ayler (Old Dobbs Co NC Deed Book 6, Apr 1758-1765, p. 260). William Ayler or Aylor purchased several parcels of land from William Barwick in 1771-3 (Old Dobbs Co NC Deed Book 9, Apr 1771-Apr 1773, pp. 272, 275, 294). An additional deed represents a land sale from William Ayler to Shadrick Hartsfield (Old Dobbs Co NC Deed Book 13, Apr 1784 to Apr 1789, p. 16) and from John Hartsfield to William Aylor (Old Dobbs Co NC Deed Book 13, Apr 1784 to Apr 1789, p. 308). William Ayler sold land to Benjamin Lewis (Old Dobbs Co NC Deed Book 18, 1798-1799, p. 95).

William Ayler was a taxpayer in Dobbs County (now Lenoir County), North Carolina, in 1769.² This William Ayler is the only individual found after years of searching who fits the description of Ann Ayler's father. The family tradition tells us that his home was also home to other relatives of the Dukes family, the object of Thomas Dukes' visit. Richard Hazelwood, father of Thomas Hazelwood of Union County SC and contemporary of Abraham Hazelwood of Orangeburgh County SC, was granted land in Dobbs County in 1762.

Deed of sale for 100 acres of Land - name BENJA CREECH with no further information - beginning at a pine on ES of branch adj William AYLOR, patent line - part of larger survey patented to WM. B. - torn

2. Grantee - Thomas WilliamSON - Grantor to John BARRS ? 200 acres - Jan Court on oath of William AYLOR - Enrolled Dobbs Co - CHARLES YOUNG, Regt

3. SAMUEL Thomas - patent and deed - (this documents is in a lot of small pieces) - 1745 - 20 April - this appears to be the patent date - NS Neuse

A Thomas Williamson was married to a daughter of Josiah John Holliman of Southampton Co VA; her sister married John Clayton (Southampton Co VA Will Book 2, p. 136).

There is also, from Abstracts of Pre-1880 Lenoir county and Dobbs county deeds, Surveys, Land Grants, and Miscellaneous Documents in the Collection of Paul Arendell Hodges and Alma Dawson Hodges - North Carolina Archives:

NOTE: A small map of the land surveyed is drawn in the upper right corner of the document.

said Creech by his father..." Mentioned in description of bounds: line of patten granted Benjamin Creech, Joshua Barwick, Paul Hartsfield's line, all House's orchards

In 1772 William Ayler was security, with Gershom Wiggins, for the estate of John Ratcliff, administered by Joseph Ratcliff (An Account of Letters of Administration Granted for Dobbs County in the Year 1772).

William Ayler is on the 1780 tax list for Lenoir Co NC, District #1, from Kinston west, north of the Neuse River along with Benjamin Bird, Reuben Freeman, William and John Aldridge.

William Ayler was later joined by William Ayler Jr. in the 1788 voting rolls for Dobbs Co (Annals of Progress, the Story of Lenoir County and Kinston, North Carolina, by William S. Powell).

Elinder Aylor later appears in the same area. Abiel Smith sold land to Elenor Ayler (Old Dobbs Co NC Deed Book 10, Apr 1773 to Apr 1775, p. 49). She later sold that land.

This Indenture made this Third day of December and in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Ninety five between Elinder Aylor of the State of North Carolina & County of Lenoir of the One part & Hardee Croom of the same place of the Other part - sum of Thirty Three pounds to her in hand paid by said Hardee Croom - sell a persel of Land on NW side of Gum Swamp beginning in Ready Branch - fifty acres

Enrolled in the Registers Office of Lenoir County in Liber K pages 393 & 394 the 4th day of February Amo Dom 1796

William Ayler appears in the list of those drafted for the militia 26 Jul 1777 in Dobbs Co for Capt. Kennedy's company, along with Jesse Aldridge, Robert Bird, Thomas Bird, William Aldridge, John Fontaine, Reuben Freeman, John Aldridge, Francis Freeman.

In that group he was accompanied by other individuals from Dobbs (Lenoir) County, NC, all with later Orangeburgh County, SC, residence. These included Benjamin Risher, who went on to found the Risher family of the Colleton/Orangeburg county area. John Fontaine, apparently the brother of Mary Fontaine who married Benjamin Risher before they moved to Orangeburgh, was also a member. (Francis Fontaine, her grandfather, was in 1721/22 minister of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent and James City Counties, Virginia, home of some of the Duke family and many other families mentioned here.³) Thomas and Benjamin Byrd are listed, and are probably brothers of the Nathaniel Bird of Lenoir County, NC, who founded the Orangeburgh/Colleton Byrd or Bird family. Nathaniel Bird appears on deeds with William Ayler.

Hazelwood

On 22 Oct 1762 Richard Hazelwood was granted 200 acres in Dobbs County on the North side of the Little River (a tributary of the Neuse), joining the South side of Bucks Swamp.⁴

Robert Fellows sold land to Richard Hazelwood. Johnston/Dobbs/Lenoir Counties Grantor Index, Book 6, April 1758-April 1765.. Page 584.

Richard Hazelwood sold land to William Warters. Johnston County, NC - . Johnston/Dobbs/Lenoir Counties Grantor Index, Book 22 - 1746-CA-1810, Page 91.

Richard Hazlewood sold land to William Alford, Old Dobbs county Book 8, April 1769-April 1771. page 215.

Goodman

A Thomas Goodman, possible source of the name Thomas Goodman Duke in South Carolina, is found in the records of Surry Co. VA. Land records place the probable home of this family near Pigeon Creek, where Elizabeth Taylor Duke inherited land from her father John Taylor.

In 1690 William Goodman purchased land in Southwark Parish on Pigeon Creek from William Newsum and his wife (Surry Co VA Deed Book 4 p193). George Blow sold nearby land to Goodman in the same year (Surry Co VA Deed Book 4 p191).

The estate of Thomas Goodman was inventoried 20 Dec 1748 by Peter Warren, John Watkins, and John Colleck; the estate was administered by his wife Elizabeth (Surry Co Wills and Administrations Book 9, p. 596).⁵

Thomas Warren was involved in a land grant adjacent to the property of John Watkins on Smith's Fort Creek in 1648 (VPB 2 p146-147). Another reference placing Warren land near that of the Watkins family is found in a deed from William Francis to William Smith, adjacent John Warren, with Robert Watkins a witness (Surry Deed and Will Book #7, 1715-1730 Part 3 p897-899). Allen Warren owned land on Cypress Swamp adjacent the main Blackwater Swamp and just east of Pigeon Swamp(VPB 7 p159), as did Thomas Warren (VPB 6 p263). This land was adjacent John Collins, the probable correct spelling of "John Collect" who inventoried the Goodman estate (VPB 7 p511). Collier's grant was at Pigeon Swamp (Surry Co VA Deed & Will Book 3 p83), where John Taylor, father of Elizabeth Taylor Duke, held land that he left to his daughters.

Samuel Suther

Samuel Suther's wife was a baptismal sponsor for one of Joseph and Margaret Hazelwood Duke's children in Orangeburgh District SC, as reported in Rev. Giessendanner's parish register. Samuel Suter is said to have been from Virginia. Salley incorrectly equates him with Rev. Samuel Suther of Cabarrus Co NC.

The only place in Virginia where a family of this name achieved any numbers appears to be Southampton Co VA. In 1755 John Suter witnessed a deed for land on Horsepen Branch, Southampton Co, VA (Southampton County VA Deed Book 2 p. 69-70). William Suter mentions his sister Rebecca, brother Henry, brother John, brother Arthur, and Nathaniel Edwards in his 1795 will witnessed by Aaron Smith, Jeremiah Inman, Nathaniel Edwards (Southampton Co VA Will Book IV page 698). This Nathaniel Edwards was the son or grandson of the brother of William Edwards, third and last husband of Elizabeth Duke Mason Taylor Edwards.

John Suter's daughter Elizabeth married a deBerry in Northampton Co NC, just over the state lines. The DeBerry family appears in Isle of Wight Co in the 1704 quit rent list. One of the deBerry couple's daughters married an Ethelred Taylor and another married a Boykin. Elizabeth Suter DeBerry's will was witnessed by Ethelred Taylor (a descendant of the earlier Ethelred Taylors) and left a bequest to her granddaughter Elizabeth Taylor.⁶ The DeBerry family owned land near the Ruffin family in Brunswick Co VA in the area between Three Creeks and Reedy Creek (VPB 36:961-2). An Ethelred Taylor of Northampton Co NC was born 1722 to Samuel Taylor and Celia Wall. Another was born about 1742 to Henry Taylor and Sarah Boykin. Another was born about 1760 to Henry Taylor and Temperance Peterson in Southampton Co VA. Another was born about 1737 to Ethelred Taylor II and Patience Kinchen.

In 1805 there was a land grant to John Suter south of the Nottoway River in Saint Luke Parish, Southampton Co, near Edmund Turner, William Grizzard, and John Jones (CGB 55 p324-325).

1The Duke family of Dobbs Co. should not be confused with the Ducks. In 1769 the Dobbs Co NC tax list includes Jacob Duck and John Barefoot Duck. These are descendants of the Duck/Duche family of Isle of Wight Co VA. The JohnSTON/Dobbs/Lenoir Counties Grantor Index - Book 4 - 1756 - 1757 p. 527 includes a deed of land to Robert Duck. Cader Roundtree sold land to Jacob Duck (Old Dobbs County Book 8 - April 1769 - April 1771, p. 279).

2Ratcliff, Clarence E. 1984. North Carolina Taxpayers 1701-1786. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co. Page 8.

3Chamberlayne, C. G. 1937. The Vestry Book and Register of St. Peter's Parish, New Kent and James City Counties, Virginia. 1684-1786. Richmond: The Library Board. Pages 181-182,

4Hofman, Margaret M. 1982. Colony of North Carolina 1735-1764 Abstracts of Land Patents. Vol. I: 442.

5Davis, Eliza Timberlake, ed. 1980. Wills and Administrations of Surry County, Virginia 1671-1750. Baltimore: Clearfield. P. 58.

6Northampton Co NC Wills 1792-1808. Will 534 pg, 270