Who were the witnesses to the deeds from Anne Green, Burrell Green and Francis Poythress to Robert Hunnicutt in Surry Co. in 1721?
It is significant to note the witnesses and neighbors involved in the records. The witnesses for Anne Green’s deed, with her husband, Burrell Green, and her half-brother, Francis Poythress, to Robert Hunnicutt in Surry Co., VA, in December, 1721, were neighbors of her grandfather, Dr. John Coggin. Joseph Simmons was the son of Thomas Simmons and the executor of his father’s will in Surry Co. dated 17 February 1725/6 and probated 18 April 1733. Joseph inherited property on Powell’s creek below his brother, Thomas. He was one of Anne’s witnesses.
Margaret Goodrich, the wife and executrix of Edward Goodrich, leased 100 acres to Abraham Odium, February, 1721/2. The land was adjacent to Philip Jane, the late Edward Hill and Richard Pace, the nephew of Richard and Rebecca Pace. Abraham Odium witnessed Anne’s deeds less than two months before he leased land from Anne’s step-cousin, Margaret Wynne Goodrich. Neighbor Philip Jane was Anne’s first cousin.
James Jones, the son of James Jones, a cooper, was born about 1666 in Charles City Co. He was probably one of Anne’s witnesses and was about 55 years old. His father’s land was near Captain David Peebles, Robert Jones, Piney swamp, old Town Bridge and on the line of Richard Tye. Captain Peebles’ daughter, Christian, married John Poythress (1640-1712), brother of Major Francis Poythress. John and Joyce Coggin lived on the deceased Richard Tye’s old plantation.( 1)
Who were the witnesses to Richard Pace, Jr.’s will in 1736/7 in Bertie Co., NC?
Richard Pace, Jr., wrote his will on March 13, 1736/7 and proved February of 1738/9. John Edwards’ (1674-1741) son, John Edwards (1696-1765), was one of the witnesses to Richard Pace’s will. John Edwards’ (1674-1741) uncle, Peter Edwards (1650-1682), in his will dated 1 May 1682 and proved 9 June 1682 in IOW Co., VA, appointed John Coggin, Jr. (~1655-aft. 1702) as overseer of his estate and named John Moore and his wife to raise his daughter, Jeane. At their death, Jeane was to be returned to John Coggin and his wife who was a daughter of John Moore. John Coggin, Jr. (~1655-aft. 1702), was the half-brother of Rebecca Coggin (1660-bef. 1721) and the uncle of Rebecca Poythress (1679-~1744).
John Edwards (1674-1741) moved his family to Chowan precinct in NC in 1714, later Bertie Co., where he died. In 1745, John Edwards (1696-1765) lived in Northampton Co., NC, adjacent to William Boon (1705-1756), the second witness to Richard Pace’s will. William was the son of Nicholas Boon and Mary Foster. Richard Pace’s son, William, signed a bond with John Edwards (1696-1765) in 1763, as surety when John Edwards was appointed Clerk of the Court in Northampton Co., NC. Thomas Pace, another son of Richard Pace, witnessed the bond.
William Duke (1701-1791) married Elizabeth Bartholomew the widow of John Bartholomew (1676-1735). In 1758, William Duke sold his land adjacent to Charles Bartholomew in Granville Co., NC, to Thomas House, Jr. Charles was John and Elizabeth Bartholomew’s son. Benjamin Dukes (1710-1740), the son of John Duke (1661-1719) and Bridget Smith, was the brother of William Duke. Benjamin was the third witness to Richard Pace’s will. Benjamin Dukes died in Bertie Co., NC.
In identifying the witnesses in Richard Pace’s will, a relationship is recognized among John Edwards, John Coggin, Jr., and Richard Pace. There is also a relationship between the brothers, William and Benjamin Duke and Charles and Elizabeth Bartholomew, Thomas House, Jr., Sarah Pace’s brother-in-law, and Richard Pace. John Coggin was Rebecca Poythress’ half-brother. Elizabeth Bartholomew was the widow of John, who was a first cousin to Rebecca Poythress. Sarah Pace was Richard and Rebecca Pace’s daughter and wife of Lawrence House. Benjamin Dukes was a brother-in-law to Elizabeth Bartholomew Duke who married his brother. Richard Pace knew Dr. John Coggin, John Coggin, Jr., and Rebecca Coggin from childhood when he lived on the Pace homestead adjacent to Dr. Coggin. Richard also knew Charles and Frances Bartholomew and their son John.
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