BUNCH FAMILY by
Three mixed race members of the Bunch family were born before 1700. They
were
1 i. Paul1, born say 1680.
ii. John1. born say 1684. He, "a Mulatto," and Sarah Slayden, a
white woman, petitioned the Council of Virginia on 16 August
1705 to allow them to be married because the Minister of
Blisland Parish had refused to marry them [McIlwaine, Executive
Journals of the Council, III:28]. The Council was undecided on
the issue since "the intent of the Law (was) to prevent Negros
and White Persons intermarrying," and John Bunch was a
"Mulatto." The matter was referred to the Court to decide
[Ibid., 31].
2 iii. Henry1, born say 1690.
1. Paul1 Bunch, born perhaps 1680, received a patent for 265 acres in
North Carolina on the south side of the Roanoke River joining Quankey
Pocosin and Gideon Gibson on 1 January 1725, and he bought a further
300 acres joining this land [Halifax DB 8:283]. He may have been the
same Paul Bunch who was listed in the King William County, Virginia,
Rent Roll in 1704.
His Chowan County will was written on 16 November 1726 and probated
on 10 March 1726/7 [SS 876, 3:138-9]. He left his land and eight
slaves to his son, John, and to Fortune Holdbee and her daughters,
Keziah and Jemima. Elizabeth Bunch (no relationship stated) and his
daughter, Russell, received only one shilling each. He did not
mention a wife nor did he mention his relationship to Fortune
Holdbee. She may have been his common-law wife since he gave her one
slave as long as she remained single.
The May 1734 Bertie Court Minutes referred to Keziah as an orphan
Child Entitled to a considerable Estate ... (by the will of Paul
Bunch) bound to Capt. Thos. Bryant till the age of Thirty one
contrary to law ... [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes, I:135], and
the August 1735 Bertie County Court Minutes referred to the estate
of a Mulatto woman, Keziah Holdebee, and three children ...[Ibid.,
154]. Paul1 Bunch had the following children:
3 i. John2, born say 1700.
ii. Russell, a daughter, received one shilling by her father's will.
iii. ?Keziah Holdebee.
iv. ?Jemima Holdebee.
2. Henry1 Bunch Sr., probably born around 1690, may have been a
descendant of William Bunch whose land near Wicacon and Brooks Creeks
in what was then Chowan County was mentioned in a 21 April 1714
Chowan County deed [W-#1: 200]. He was a resident of Chowan County
on 18 December 1727 when he purchased 200 acres in Bertie County on
Reedy Branch [C:21]. On 30 May 1729 he purchased 640 acres in Bertie
on Conaritsat Swamp from Thomas Pollock [C:266]. He was taxed on
himself and two slaves in the 1750 Bertie County summary tax list and
was a "Free Mulatto" taxable with two slaves in John Hill's 1763
Bertie tax list. Henry made a will in Bertie on 21 April 1775, proved
in August 1775. He had already deeded 840 acres of land on Conaritsat
and Mulberry to his grandson Jeremiah, Jr., in 1765, and in his will
left most of the remainder of his land to his grandson Cader Bass.
Henry Sr. named as heirs the following children:
4 i. Jeremiah1, Sr., born around 1715.
ii. Tamerson, married Thomas Bass.
iii. Susannah, married Lazarus Summerlin.
iv. Rachel, married Joseph Collins.
v. Nancy, married Isaac Bass.
5 vi. Embrey, born around 1730/35.
3. John2 Bunch, born say 1700, owned land adjoining Gideon Gibson's
land, and he probably named his son, Gideon, for him. He sold the
land that "my father Paul Bunch bought of James Kelly on Occaneche"
on 28 August 1728 [DB C:288] and purchased 100 acres in Bertie County
on the south side of the Roanoke River near Tuckahoe Marsh on 12 May
1729 [C:21]. He purchased 270 acres in Bertie on the south side of
the river on 8 February 1728/9 [C:146], and another 50 acres on the
south side of the river [C:142], and sold these two plots as one
parcel of 320 acres on 4 November 1732 [Edgecombe DB 1:19]. Like the
Gibsons he moved to Berkeley County, South Carolina, where he
recorded a Plat for 350 acres northeast of the Santee River and lot
177 in Amelia Township on 15 November 1735 [Colonial Plats 13:425].
He recorded a plat for a further 100 acres on the Santee River and
a half acre town lot in Amelia Township a month later on 13 December
1735 [Colonial Plats 2:461]. On 15 December 1755 he and his wife,
Mary, made a deed of gift of half this land to their son, John,
Junior [Charleston DB Q-Q:193-4]. Their children were
6 i. Gideon, born perhaps 1725.
ii. John3, Jr., received half his father's land on 15 December 1755.
iii. ?Jacob, who recorded a plat for 200 acres in St. Matthew's
Parish on 2 June 1772 which was land adjoining Gideon and John
Bunch [Colonial Plats 13:425].
iv. ?James, who lived on land adjoining John Bunch in St. Matthew's
Parish, Berkeley County [Ibid.].
v. ?Naomy, married John Joyner, Junr., 23 December 1754 (both of
Amelia Township) [History of Orangeburg, S.C., 137].
4. Jeremiah1 Bunch, Sr., made a will in Bertie on 8 Mar. 1797, proved a
few days later. It did not identify his wife, who predeceased him,
but named his children:
i. William, probably born around 1740, but did not marry until
middle age, bond 23 December 1785 Mary Bunch, with Frederick
Bunch bondsman. He left a will in Bertie in 1816.
7 ii. Henry2, born perhaps 1743.
iii. Jeremiah2, born around 1745, married, bond 14 January 1765 Judah
Hill, Micajah Bunch bondsman. He died intestate in Bertie in
1809.
iv. Nehemiah, left a will in Bertie County in 1815.
v. Frederick, born about 1745/8, left a will in Bertie County in
1810.
vi. Nanny, married Collins.
5. Embrey Bunch made a will in Bertie on 20 July 1780, proved May 1789.
He left a wife Elizabeth and children:
i. Micajah2 Sr., born circa 1760/65, married bond 8 April 1791
Levinia Holder, with Elisha Holder bondsman, and secondly, bond
17 November 1801 Teletha Smith, with Micajah Bunch Jr. bondsman.
He moved to Christian County, Kentucky about 1803.
ii. Mary, married _____ Williams.
iii. Zadock, born before 1775. Unmarried, made his will 30 January
1801, proved May 1801.
iv. Nanny, married Rigdon Pritchard, 29 February 1792 Bertie County
bond.
v. Milley, unmarried in 1801.
6. Gideon Bunch, born perhaps 1725, was probably John2 Bunch's son since
he sold the land John inherited. He was living in Brunswick County,
Virginia, in 1740 [Orders 1732-41, 253; 1737-44, 41, 64]. He was a
defendant in a June 1747 Lunenburg County, Virginia, Court case
[Orders 1746-48, 209]. He was taxed as "Gibion" Bunch on 2 polls in
the 1750 Granville County, North Carolina, tax list of Samuel
Henderson [CR 44.701.19]. He was taxable on one black poll in 1755
in Orange County, North Carolina:
Bunch, Gideon a Molata 0/1 [T&C Box 1, p.4].
Members of the Gibson family were also taxed as "Molatas" in Orange
County in 1755. He was indebted to Samuel Benton of Orange County for
3 pounds, 11 shillings in June 1756 [Haun, Orange County Court
Minutes, I:171]. He moved to Berkeley County, South Carolina, where
he recorded a plat for 100 acres on the northeast side of Four Hole
Swamp on 5 December 1758 [Colonial Plats, 8:30], and he was listed
with (son?) Ephraim Bunch in the Berkeley County Detachment under
command of Captain Benjamin Elliot, drafted 8 November 1759;
discharged 8 January 1760 [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South,
938]. He and his son, William, were "Black" taxables in Fishing Creek
District, Granville County, in 1761 and in 1762 with the notation,
Refs. to list his wife &c.
On 15 March 1763 while a resident of Berkeley County he sold 565
acres in Halifax County, North Carolina, of which 265 acres had been
patented to Paul Bunch on 1 Jan 1725, the remaining acreage having
been purchased by Paul Bunch from Thomas Wilkins on the south side
of the Roanoke River joining Quankey Pocoson, Sims, and Gideon
Gibson. William and Temperance Bunch were witnesses to the deed
[8:283].
On the following day, 16 March 1763, he bought another 150 acres in
Berkeley County [SC Archives Index 9-3-8-79-01 & 30-2-6-455-01]. He
was the plaintiff in a suit in Granville County, North Carolina, on
11 August 1765 in which he accused William Bowling of trespass, but
Gideon did not appear [Minutes 1754-70, 138]. On 2 March 1773 he
recorded a plat for 200 acres in St. Matthew's Parish, Berkeley
County, South Carolina, on a branch of Four Holes called Target,
adjoining Jacob and John Bunch [Colonial Plats, 13:424]. Perhaps he
was the Gidian Bunch whose 17 March 1804 St. James, Goose Creek,
Charleston County, South Carolina will was proved 7 May the same year
[WB 29:629]. His children living in North Carolina were
i. William, born perhaps 1740, an over 16 year old taxable in his
father's household in the 1762 list for Fishing Creek District:
"Son William." A 7 November 1763 Granville County deed of sale
for land from Henry Fuller to William Chavers refers to land on
the north side of Tar River adjoining Chavis and William Bunch,
and in 1764 he was a "Black" taxable in Henry Fuller's household
in the Granville County list of Samuel Benton. He may have been
the William Bunch who witnessed Gideon Bunch's sale of land in
Halifax County on 15 March 1763 and owned land in St. Matthew's,
Berkeley County, South Carolina, on 2 June 1772 [Colonial Plats,
13:425].
ii. ?Liddy, born before 1743, taxable in the 1754 Granville County
tax list of Gideon Macon with (her brother?) Micajah Bunch in
John Stroud's household.
8 iii. Micajah1, born before 1743.
iv. Fanny, born before 1745-49, a 12-16 year old taxable in the
Fishing Creek District, Granville County household of John
Griffin and his wife Miles Griffin in 1761.
7. Henry2 Bunch, born perhaps 1743, was taxed as a "Free Mulatto" in his
father's Bertie County household in the 1763 list of John Hill. He
married in Bertie, bond 29 February 1764 Eleanor Baysson, with Thomas
Bass bondsman. In 1764 he was taxed on himself in his own household
in Jonathan Standley's list, in 1767 on one slave, and he was taxed
for the last time in Bertie County in 1769 in the household of
Abraham Moses. He moved to Orange County where he was a taxable in
St. Mary's District on 2,179 pounds assessment in 1780 [CR 073.701.1
by NCGSJ XI:155]. He was head of an Orange County household of 3
"other free," one white woman, and 3 slaves in 1800 [NC:550] and 5
"other free" and one slave in 1810 [NC:953]. He may have been the
father of
i. Thomas, head of an Orange County household of 3 "other free" and
1 white woman in 1800 [NC:550].
ii. Eleanor, married John Perry, 2 March 1797, (her brother?) Thomas
Bunch bondsman. She obtained a divorce from the General Assembly
in December 1798. In her petition she claimed that John Perry
took to card playing, wasting his property, and abusing her soon
after they married. She and her child moved to her father's
house [NCGSJ XVII:206].
Gideon's children named in the South Carolina will were
iii. Jeremiah, who purchased land from John Bunch by deed recorded
in Charleston District between 1800 and 1801 [Lucas, Index to
Deeds of South Carolina, D-7:224].
iv. Hester Chern.
v. Mary Chamberlain.
vi. Daniel, head of a white Charleston County household of 10
persons in 1800 [SC:60].
vii. David.
8. Micajah1 Bunch, born before 1743, was taxable in 1754 in the
Granville County list of Gideon Macon in John Stroud's household [CR
44.702.19]. He was called "Micager Bunch Molata" when he was taxed
on 1 "Black" tithe in Orange County in 1755 [T&C Box, p.19]. He may
have been the father of
i. Clement, born perhaps 1770, an orphan boy bound to Anthony
Cozart by the Orange County Court on 25 November 1777. He was
surrendered to the Granville County Court by his bondsman, John
Wilburn, on 1 November 1790 [Minutes 1789-91]. In December 1798
he posted a bastardy bond in Granville County for a child he had
by Mildred Bass [Camin, N.C. Bastardy Bonds, 87].
Others in South Carolina
i. Lovet, head of a South Orangeburg District household of 8 "other
free" in 1790. He lived for a while in Robeson County, North
Carolina, since "Lovec Bunches old field" was mentioned in the
1 March 1811 will of John Hammons [1:125].
ii. Paul2, head of a Union District, South Carolina, household of 6
"other free" in 1800 [SC:241].
iii. Henry3, head of a Newberry District, South Carolina, household
of 2 "other free" in 1800 [SC:66].
iv. Ralph J., Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1950, probably descended
from the South Carolina branch of the family, but this has not
been proved. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, on 7 August 1904,
son of Fred and Olive Bunche. The 1900 and 1910 census for
Detroit lists several members of the Bunch family who were born
in South Carolina, but Fred Bunch was not among them.
COLLINS FAMILY
The Collins and Bunch families were taxable "Molatas" in Orange
County, North Carolina, in 1755 [T&C, box 1]. They were also associated
with the Gibson family. Lucrecy Collins witnessed the 1775 Orange
County, North Carolina, will of George Gibson [A:195]. Some members of
the family moved to Wilkes County with the Gibsons and like the Gibsons,
they were counted there as white in 1790. This part of Wilkes County
became Ashe County in 1799, and both families were counted there as
"other free" in 1800.
1. Catherine McCollins, born perhaps 1687, was a white woman servant of
Elias Edmonds when she confessed in Lancaster County Court on 12
August 1705 that she had a "mulattoe Child born of her body begotten
by a Negroe" [Orders 1702-13, 127]. Her children may have been
i. Catherine Collins, born say 1705, a "free mulatto woman" of
North Farnham Parish presented by the Richmond County, Virginia
Court in November 1725 for having an illegitimate child [Orders
1721-32, 248, 267].
2 ii. Susan, say 1707.
3 iii. Thomas, born say 1708.
2. Susan Collens, born say 1707, was a "Negro" taxable in Digby Semore's
Northampton County, Virginia household in the 1737 list of Hilary
Stringer [L.P. 1737]. Her descendants who remained in Northampton
County were
i. John, married Nany Sabers, 11 August 1790 Northampton County
bond, Peter Warren security; second, Betsy Jeffries, 3 February
1803 Northampton County bond, Samuel Beavans security.
ii. Lighty, married Lear Drighouse, 3 January 1794 Northampton
County bond, Thomas Lewis security.
iii. Ralph, married Tamar Bingham, 20 December 1799 Northampton
County bond, John Simkins security.
iv. Mack, married Betsey Shepherd, 27 November 1809 Northampton
County bond, Abraham Lang security.
v. Nathaniel, married Salley Stockley, 6 October 1807 Northampton
County bond; and second, Molly Sample, 16 August 1810
Northampton County bond, Isaiah Carter security.
3. Thomas1 Collins, born say 1708, was a taxable in the 1750 Granville
County list of John Wade [CR 44.701.23]. This part of Granville
County became Orange County in 1752, and Thomas was a "Molata"
taxable there on 3 "Black" tithes in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.19]. He
owned land on Flat River adjoining George Gibson and Moses Ridley
[Orange County Loose Papers, vol. V, no. 131; vol.VI, no. 579]. He
may have been the father of
4 i. George1, born about 1728.
ii. Thomas2, Junr., born say 1734, an Orange County taxable listed
nearby Thomas Collins in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.19]. He may have
been the Thomas Collins, Sr., who was head of a white Moore
County household of one male over 16, two females, and one slave
in 1790 [NC:44], and there was a Thomas Collins, Jr., head of
a white Moore County household of two males under 16, three over
16, and four females in 1790 [NC:43]. He was head of an Ashe
County household of 7 "other free" in 1800 [NC:74].
iii. John, born say 1736, a "Molata" taxable in Orange County, taxed
on one Black tithe in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.15].
4. George1 Collins, born about 1728, purchased 100 acres in Anson County
on 14 June 1764 [3:268]. This part of Anson County became Richmond
County in 1779, and his land was mentioned in a 2 February 1780
Richmond County land entry [Pruitt, Richmond County Land Entries, 10,
58]. He sold land by deed proved in the March 1783 session of
Richmond County Court [Minutes 1780-95, 33]. In December 1783 he and
Arthur Dees were security for (his sons?) Thomas and George Collins,
Jr. in a Richmond County Court case [Ibid., 47]. The Richmond County
Court excused him from paying poll tax in 1788 because he was sixty
years old. He was head of a Georgetown District, Prince George's
Parish, South Carolina household of 7 "other free" in 1790 [SC:54].
He may have been the father of
i. Thomas3, born perhaps 1760, a defendant in Richmond County Court
in December 1783 [Minutes 1780-95, 47].
ii. Charles, born perhaps 1765, ordered by the January 1787 Richmond
County Court to receive 20 lashes for larceny committed in 1783
[Ibid., 50, 111].
iii. George3, Jr., born perhaps 1767, head of a Richmond County
household of 4 "other free" in 1790 [NC:45]. He entered 50 acres
in Richmond County on Mayners Creek of Hitchcock Creek on 12
June 1794 [Pruitt, Richmond County Land Entries, nos. 169, 1013]
and was taxed on 160 acres in 1795. He purchased 100 acres by
deed proved in the January 1796 session of the Richmond County
Court and sold 50 acres to (his brother?) Elisha Collins by deed
proved in the same session [Minutes 1793-1804, 312-3].
iv. Elisha, born perhaps 1770, one of the freeholders ordered by the
October 1794 session of the Richmond County Court to work on the
road to Catfish Road [Ibid., 282]. He was taxable on 250 acres
in 1795. He purchased 50 acres from (his father?) George Collins
by deed proved in Richmond County in January 1796 [Ibid., 313].
v. David, head of an Anson County household of 4 "other free" in
1800 [NC:203].
5. Samuel Collins, born perhaps 1734, was a "Molata" taxable in Orange
County on 2 Black tithes in 1755 [T&C, box 1, p.19]. He may have been
the Samuel Collins who was head of a Wilkes County household of one
male 21-60 and one female in the 1787 state census.
Wilkes and Ashe County descendants were
i. George2, head of a Wilkes County household of one male 21-60,
three males under 21 or over 60, and three free females for the
1787 state census.
ii. David, head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of three
males over 16, two under 16, and six females in 1790 [NC:123].
iii. Martin, head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of one
male over 16, 3 under 16, and four females in 1790 [NC:123].
iv. Valentine, head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of
one male over 16 and two females in 1790 (abstracted as Vol)
[NC:123] and head of an Ashe County household of 6 "other free"
in 1800 [NC:75].
v. Vadery, perhaps the "Hardy" Collins who was head of a Wilkes
County household of one male over 16, one under 16, and four
females in 1790 [NC:123]. He was called Vadery in 1800, head of
an Ashe County household of 4 "other free" in 1800. The 26
January 1791 Wilkes County Court referred to a road near Sandy
Island Ford and Vardie Collens [Absher, Wilkes County Court
Minutes 1789-97, 20].
vi. Ambrose, head of a Tenth Company, Wilkes County household of one
male over 16, one under 16, and two females in 1790 [NC:123].
He was head of an Ashe County household of 4 "other free" in
1800 [NC:76].
Bertie County
6. Josiah Collins was a "free Molatto" taxable in his own household in
the 1771 list of Jonathan Standley [CR 10.702.1, box 2]. Perhaps he
was the same Josiah Collins who was appointed a Bertie County
constable in February 1777 [Haun, Bertie County Court Minutes,
IV:212]. His family was associated with the Henry Bunch family of
Bertie County. He was probably related to Lucy Collins, head of a
Bertie County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:36].
Hyde County
7. Cate Collings was called an "Indian Woman" servant of William Gibbs
when she was summoned by the March 1765 Hyde County Court [Minutes
II:113]. Perhaps her descendants were
i. Susannah, born before 1776, head of a Hyde County household of
2 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:248].
ii. Charity, born 1794-1806, head of a Hyde County household of 6
"free colored" in 1820 [NC:246].
iii. Horatio, a "free man of color" who had "taken up with" a slave
named Winney, property of Henry Lucas, in Hyde County on 1 April
1843 [CR 053.928.2].
iv. Nancy, a "free woman of color" who had "taken up with" a slave
named Ellick, property of Ananias Sadler, in Hyde County on 1
October 1842 [Ibid.].
South Carolina
Those who were counted as "other free" in South Carolina were
i. Cary, head of a South Orangeburg District, South Carolina
household of 6 "other free" in 1790.
ii. Elias, head of a Winyan County household of 6 "other free" and
68 slaves in 1800 [SC:760] and a Georgetown household of 6
"other free" and 16 slaves in 1810 [SC:219].
iii. Jonathan, head of a St. Dennis, Berkeley household of 1 "other
free" and 2 slaves in 1810 [SC:442].
iv. Reason, head of a Fairfield District household of 5 "other free"
in 1810 [SC:606].
v. Rob, head of a St. Dennis, Berkeley household of 2 "other free"
and 10 slaves in 1810 [SC:442].
Maryland
Those counted as "other free" in Maryland were
i. Sarah, head of an Ann-Arundel County household of 3 "other free"
in 1790.
ii. George "Negro," head of a Kent County household of one "other
free" in 1790.
iii. George (Mulatto), head of a Charles County household of one
"other free" in 1790 and 4 in 1800 [MD:522].
iv. Samuel, Sr., head of a Charles County household of 2 "other
free" in 1800 [MD:562].
v. Samuel, "Mulatto" head of a Charles County household of 12
"other free" with Thomas Proctor in 1790, perhaps the same
Samuel Collins who was head of a Charles County household of 9
"other free" in 1800 [MD:561].
vi. Samuel, Jr., head of a Charles County household of 10 "other
free" in 1800 [MD:562].
vii. Henry, "free Mulatto" head of a Prince George County household
of 4 "other free" in 1800 [MD:263].
viii. Henry, head of a St. Mary's County household of 4 "other free"
in 1800 [MD:411].
ix. Peter, head of a Dorchester County household of 5 "other free"
in 1800 [MD:673].
DEMERY FAMILY
1. Frederick Demmery, born perhaps 1730, was living in Southampton
County, Virginia, on 28 August 1780, when he made his will,
proved 8 November 1781, David Demmery executor [WB 3:348]. He
named the following beneficiaries but did not state his
relationship to them:
i. Richard, born perhaps 1765, a Southampton County taxable
in 1787, his tax charged to David Dimmory [Schreiner-
Yantis, 1787 Census, 1128]. Richard was head of a
Northampton County, North Carolina household of 6 "other
free" in 1800 [NC:435].
ii. Tempy.
iii. Micajah1, born perhaps 1770, a "Black" person 12-50 years
old living alone in Captain Dupree's District of
Northampton County in 1786 for the state census. He called
himself Micajah Young on 30 April 1794 when he married
Elizabeth Evans, Wake County bond. He was head of a Wake
County household of 2 "other free" in 1790 (abstracted as
Micajah Dempsey) [NC:106]. He was head of an Anson County
household of 5 "other free" in 1800, counted as Micajah
Young [NC:203] and counted a second time as Micajah Demery
[NC:207], 7 in 1810 (as Micajah Demery) [NC:44], and 11
"free colored" in 1820, called "Micajah Demery alias
Young" [NC:12].
iv. Day.
v. Collin.
2. John1 Demery, born about 1735, perhaps a brother of Frederick
Demery, purchased 100 acres near Corduroy Swamp in Northampton
County, North Carolina, on 8 January 1757 and another 100 acres
adjoining this on 16 April 1771 [DB 2:345, 5:93]. He may have
been a descendant of John Demaree of Northampton County who was
excused by the 3 May 1758 session of the Assembly from paying
taxes because he was old and disabled [Saunders, Colonial
Records of North Carolina, V:1008]. John Demery voted for Joseph
Sikes in the Northampton County election of 1762 [SS 837 by
NCGSJ XII:170]. He was one of the "Black" members of the undated
colonial muster of Captain James Fason's Northampton County
militia [Troop Returns, 1-3]. He sold his Northampton County
land on 15 February 1778 [DB 6:227], and was taxed on 350 acres
and one Black Poll in Captain Dupree's District of Bladen County
in 1784 [Bladen Co. Historical Soc., 1784 Tax List, Bladen
County, 13]. He was head of a Bladen County household of 9
"other free" in 1790 [NC:188] and a Liberty County, South
Carolina household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [SC:779]. Perhaps
his wife was Derinda, head of a Bladen County household of 3
"other free" in 1800 and 4 "free colored" women in 1820
[NC:132]. His probable children were
i. Allen, born say 1760, head of an Anson County household of
7 "other free" in 1790 [NC:35] and 5 in 1800 [NC:203]. He
enlisted in the 10th North Carolina Regiment [Clark,
Colonial and State Records, 16:1047]. He received an Anson
County grant for land on Savannah Creek on 21 January 1800
and sold this land on 27 August 1806, 20 February 1807,
and 2 April 1807 [DB 12:170, S:167, N&O:142, T:39, 90].
3 ii. John2, born about 1774 in Charleston, South Carolina.
iii. Wiley, born say 1777, head of an Anson County household of
3 "other free" in 1800 [NC:207], and counted a second time
as Wiley Young [NC:203], called William Demery in 1810,
head of a Marion District, South Carolina, household of 3
"other free" in [SC:80].
3. John2 Demery, born about 1774 in Charleston, South Carolina,
married Sarah Robinson in Anson County, North Carolina, in 1801
according to his own recollection [History of Randolph County,
Indiana, 137]. He was head of a Bladen County household of 4
"other free" in 1800, 3 in Marion District, South Carolina in
1810 [SC:80, 84a], and 5 "free colored" in Anson County in 1820
[NC:12]. He was taxed on 300 acres and two free Negroes in Horry
District, South Carolina, in 1824 [Comptroller General, Returns
1824, no.311]. He purchased land in Anson County on Island Creek
that same year on 12 January and sold it three months later on
6 April 1824 [DB V:108, 140]. He was the first African American
to settle in the western part of Randolph County, Indiana. He
came to Randolph County with Lemuel Vestal in 1825 and settled
in Stony Creek. He had 80 acres of land and a house and lot in
Winchester at the time of his death in 1860 [History of Randolph
County, Indiana, 137]. He was a 69 year old head of a Washington
Township, Randolph County, Indiana household with Polly (60
years) and (son) Maston (13 years) in 1850. His children were
i. Mary, married William Weaver.
ii. Irvin.
iii. John4, born perhaps 1805.
iv. Hannah, married James Scott, son of Robert Scott who was
emancipated in 1779 in North Carolina. They came to
Randolph County from Wayne County in 1832. They had 14
children.
v. Robert, who lived in Cabin Creek settlement.
vi. Charles.
vii. Coleman.
viii. William H., born perhaps 1830, told his life story to the
author of the History of Randolph County in 1888 as
follows: He started life at sea in 1845 as servant to
Commodore Perry aboard the James K. Polk which burned at
the Strait of Gibraltar. In 1847 he worked as a steward on
a steamer to Europe, the Middle East, and the West Indies.
In 1852 he worked on several Mississippi steamboats and
later returned to farm life in Randolph County [Ibid.,
137-138].
ix. Zachary.
x. Phebe Ann, married Jacob Felters.
xi. Maston, born about 1837, 13 years old in 1850.
4. Daniel Demery, born about 1740, perhaps a brother of John1, was
head of a household of 7 "Black" persons 12-50 years old and 8
"Black" persons less than 12 or over 50 years old in Captain
Dupree's District in 1786 for the state census for Northampton
County. He was head of a Northampton County household of 10
"other free" in 1790 [NC:74]. The administration of his
Northampton County estate was granted to Edward Lawry on 1 June
1795 on security of 100 pounds [Minutes 1772-96, 172]. His
children were probably:
i. Shadrack, born perhaps 1775, married Charlotte Hicks, 8
February 1794 Southampton County, Virginia, bond, Aaron
Heathcock (Haithcock) surety. He was head of a Northampton
County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [NC:718].
5 ii. Wright, born perhaps 1777.
iii. James, head of a Halifax County household of 11 "other
free" in 1810. Perhaps his widow was Winny, born before
1776, head of a Halifax County household of 4 "free
colored" females in 1820 [NC:145].
iv. John3, born about 1783, married Rebecca Stewart, 10
February 1806 Greensville County, Virginia bond, Frederick
Shelton surety. He registered in Greensville County on 9
May 1807: Born free as appears from a Certificate of
Norfolk County, aged twenty four years ... five feet five
Inches & 3/4 high [Register, no.10]. He and his wife,
Rebecca, sold land in Greensville County to Henry Stewart
about 1808, Ben Gowing witness [DB 1806-10].
v. Beehy, head of a Greensville County household of 3 "free
colored" in 1820 [VA:261].
5. Wright Demery, born perhaps 1777, was head of a Northampton
County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:718]. Perhaps his
widow was Lucy, head of a Northampton County household of 4
"free colored" in 1820 [NC:226]. His children may have been
i. William, born perhaps 1798, married Tamer Wilkins, 31
January 1816 Northampton County marriage bond with Wright
Demery bondsman. William and Tamer were found dead six
years later on 5 March 1822 when a coroner's jury was
appointed by the Northampton County Court to determine the
cause of death [Minutes 1821-25, 84].
ii. Micajah2, born 1814, married Nancy Roberts, 20 August 1833
Northampton County bond, and were counted in the 1850
Logan County, Ohio, census in Jefferson Township
[Household no.231].