McKeithan update

A Collection of Records

Associated with the Descendants of
Dougald McKeithan of Craven Co, SC
and
Donald McKeithan of New Hanover Co, NC
and Bladen Co, NC


This work is dedicated to Dorothy Alice Mason who passed away on March 6, 2003.
A descendant of Donald McKeithan through his son James McKethan, she was
a dedicated and meticulous researcher and a wonderful friend. Her work can
still be found on the web at http://mason.math.tntech.edu/amason.htm


15 Sept 1704
Mary Murrell was born 15 Sept 1704, place not stated, from the Moses Milliken Bible records. Most likely she was born near the Wando River east of Charleston where many other Murrells were living at that time. She was definitely not Mary, daughter of Robert Murrell and Sarah who came to the Seawee area from Salem, Mass. in 1697. For more on Murrell/Morrall research, see Mary Murrell, wife of Moses Milliken, as she relates to the earliest Murrell records of South Carolina.

9 Sept 1721
Moses Milliken married Mary Murrell, St Thomas/St Denis Parish, SC

St Thomas/St Denis was on the NE side of Charleston, on the north side of the Wando River that separated Christ Church Parish from St Thomas/St Denis Parish. A number of Murrell records appeared in the St Thomas/St Denis records although most of the Murrell records were in Christ Church.

28 April, 1724
Prince Fredrick’s Parish, Craven Co, SC
John Thompson was married to Martha Duprea April ye 28, 1724

23 March 1726/27
Prince Fredrick’s Parish, Craven Co, SC
Thompson, John and Anna Wigfall were Married ye 23 of March 1726/7

3 Jan 1724/5
Prince Fredrick’s Parish, Craven Co, SC
Thompson, Deborah  the Daughter of John Thompson and of Martha his Wife was Born ye 3rd of Janury 1724/5
(Another daughter Margaret Thompson was b 15 Sept 1726 )

1725
From Rambles in the Pee Dee Basin, South Carolina by H. T. Cook, p13:
Alexander French [sic], agent of John Bayly, disposed of tracts to Thomas Peacock, John White on the Black, Dougal McKichen near Black Mingo, Richard Wigg, and J. P. Summerhoff.

This seems to be an estimated date. From a combination of records, the date would seem to be somewhere between 1722 and 1726. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

Undated plat record, original at SC Archives:

A Record of the Shapes marked trees and bounds of five hundred acres of land in Craven County on the North side of Black Mingo River and is part of 48,000 acres of land granted to John Bayley Esq of the Kingdom of Ireland by the Right Hon John Earl of Bath and the rest of the Proprietors of Carolina by pattent dated the 16th day of August 1698 and accordingly laid out unto Mr John Bayley son and heir of the aforesaid John Bayley and duly certified and delievered. This 500 acres of land belonging to Dugal for Dugal Makeithen.
Makeken was surveyed by Isaac LeGrand(?), deputy (surveyor?).

Above the drawing are the words "Part of William Morris Land". Below the drawing are the words "Part of John Nesmiths land". There are no neighbors labeled on the left or right. But at the bottom, you'll see the label "North". This map was drawn upside-down. John Nesmith's land was north of Dougald McKeithan's land, while William Morris's land was south of Dougald McKeithan's land. John Nesmith's plat drawn at the same time shows his land adjoining the Black Mingo and Dougald McKeithan's land on the oppopsite side. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

The description contains an error. The land was actually on the South side of the Black Mingo. For explanation, see Black/Black Mingo land records
 
 

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This plat record was followed by a lease/release for the land from John Bailey dated 22 Jan 1726 and a 1733 memorial tracing the land back to John Bailey and referring to the lease/release dated (unreadable day) Jan 1726. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

John White and brother Anthony White acquired similar tracts from John Bailey's land very near the McKeithans. There are no records of plats for their tracts, but there are lease/release records and memorials that prove that they acquired their tracts from the Bailey land at about the same time. (See Black/Black Mingo land records) Some research claims that John White and Anthony White were sons of William White and Susannah Murrell of Christ Church Parish, Berkeley Co. This is incorrect. John White and Anthony White who settled near the McKeithans were the sons of John White and Hannah originally from Bermuda.  See  Early White Families of South Carolina. A sister, Hannah White, married James Brown as her first husband. (William Swinton was her second husband.) On 14 Dec 1726, Alexander Trench signed a Lease and Release to James Brown for 2000 acres bounding on the NE on N Branch of Black River [another name for the Balck Mingo] & running a NW W course 175 1/2 ch, beginning at an Indian Old Field formerly claimed by Mr Miller at a beech tree; NW on vacant land claimed by John Nismith & Dugald McKeggan, running SW 124 1/2 ch; SW on vacant land 168 ch SE by S; & SE on vacant land running 124 1/2 ch N NE to the Indian Old Field. Susannah Murrell was the daughter of Robert Murrell and Sarah who left the Salem, Mass. area and moved to Seawee Bay just east of Charleston in 1697. Susannah Murrell's second husband was John Huggins whose son Joseph Huggins, or perhaps his brother Joseph Huggins, later appeared on a record with Thomas McKeithan.

From History of Williamsburg by William Willis Boddie, p24, 25:
    These people settled along Black River from the point where it turns abruptly Northward, just after entering Georgetown County from Williamsburg County, and along the present Williamsburg-Georgetown County line to the Pee Dee River. This settlement was called Winyaw, and this was the first part of the present County of Williamsburg that was inhabited by white people. Some of these people lived there in 1710. They organized Prince Frederick's Church in 1713.
     Reverend William Screven and his Congregation of Dissenters from the Church of England were the first permanent settlers in the Winyaw section. They were granted a large part of the territory on both sides of that section of Black River flowing through ancient Winyaw. While Mr. Screven was a militant Antipaedo-Baptist, many of the Dissenters who came with him were of the Presbyterian faith.
     The names of some of these Baptist and Presbyterian Dissenters who settled in Winyaw along Black River and Black Mingo from 1700 to 1736 were: Reverend William Screven and his sons, Elisha, Robert, and William; John Peter Somerhoeff, Dugal MacKeithan, John Nesmith, William Brockington, John Godfrey, Jonah Collins, Sabrine Burnett, Alexander McGuinness, David Fulton, Dr. Thomas Potts, William Shepard, Dr. James King, John Hendlin, Samuel Commander, Joseph Commander, John Commander, Joshua Green, Samuel Vareen, Thomas Wood, Jeremiah Vareen, Jonathan Westberry, Nathaniel Pygott, John McNally, Joseph Chandler, James Armstrong, Isaac Brunson, Thomas Boone, James Hoole, Joshua Jolly, John Wallace, Thomas North, Dr. John A. Fincke, William Davis, Sr., Francis Futhy, William McFarland, Ebenezer Jones, James Cunningham, Samuel Jenkins, Charles Baxter, William Fraser, George Powell, Dr. John Cantzor, David McIver, Abraham Giles, Daniel Myers, and William Daniel.

In 1732, a plat was recorded for Dougald McKichan for 390 acres. His neighbors were Eveleigh, John Henlin, James Campbell, and John Nesmith. The land adjoined some of McKeithan's own land.
 
 

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In 1733, a plat was recorded for Mrs Elizabeth Handlen which included the names Dougle MccKichin, William Thompson, and Edward Handlen. This also establishes William Thompson as a near neighbor to Dougald McKeithan. William Thompson's 1774 will states that part of his land adjoined Dougald McKeithan's land. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

William Swinton held land near Dougald McKeithan, John White, Anthony White, John Thomson, and William Brockington, as early as 1733. His wife was Hannah White, sister of John White and Anthony White and widow of James Brown. (See Black/Black Mingo land records and Probable Ancestry of John White and Anthony White and Hannah White (Brown)(Swinton) of Berkeley Co and Craven Co, SC)

In 1734, a plat was recorded for Moses Milliken near the Black River, Craven Co, SC which included the names William Swinton and Benjamin Roberts. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

In 1735, a plat was recorded in Craven Co, SC for Samuel Stone which included the names Gibbs, Brockington, and McKickin. In 1740-41, the Stone land was sold to James Aiken who was mentioned later as a neighbor of Dougald McKeithan. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

10 May and 17 May 1735
South Carolina Gazette.
Notice is given to the following that there are grants of land recorded for them in the Secretary’s Ofice of this Province, (several having lain there for two years, since signing) if the grantees do not apply in 30 days the fees due will be sued upon: [names included] Eliz. Hendlin, Hugh Campell, Dugald McKickan 2, Ezekial Cox.

In 1735, a plat was recorded in Craven Co, SC for John Moore that included the names Edward Handlen, Elizabeth Handlen, Dougald McKichan, Sumerhoff, and William Thompson. All but Moore were previously known to hold land adjoining Dougald McKeithan. In 1763, there was a judgement roll record for William Coachman, administrator of John Moore vs Moses Milliken. It is not known if this is the same John Moore. Will of John Coachman of Craven Co 19 December 1749, pr March 1750 mentioned sons William Coachman and James Coachman, brother Benjamin Coachman, sister Margaret Sanders. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

LDS film, "South Carolina Royal Grants, 1732 - 1735, book AA?
p. 388 Dugald McKichan, recorded 25 April 1735. 94 ac in Craven Co. - butting & bonding: SW Mr. Eveleigh's; SE Mr. Somerhoif's; NE Mr. Nesmith's; NW Dugald McKichan.
P. 458 Dugald McKeechan, recorded 22 May 1735, 316 ac in Craven Co., SE of Mr. Somerhoff.
p.269 Dugall McKeckan, 200ac, recorded 10 April 1736, Craven Co, NE & NW John Summerhoef; SW Elizabeth Handlin; SE & part NE John White.

I do not have a copies of the 200 acre or 316 acre tracts, but both appear in the SC Archives database. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

A 390 acre tract and a 94 acre tract, both  recorded 1 April 1732, are shown below. According to a 1747 advertisement in the South Carolina Gazette (image and transcription below), all of these tracts adjoined each other as well as the original 500 acre tract. There should be another tract for 100 acres, but I haven't found a record for it.
 
 

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4 April 1737
Minnikin, Moses, Son of Moses Minnikin & of Mary his Wife Born April 4th Baptized Decembr 25th 1737.
Prince Frederick's Parish.

In 1739, William Brockington and wife Sarah sold land in Craven Co, SC to John McCants. The land bounded NW on Mr. Hunter; NE on John Thomson; SE on Capt. Brockington; SW on James Cambell. Thus John McCants became a neighbor to Dougald McKeithan. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

In 1739, Anthony White sold land in Craven Co, SC to William Fleming. Thus William Fleming became a neighbor to Dougald McKeithan. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

[Meeting of the 5 April 1739]
Read the Petition of Duggle McKeithon praying a Warrant for five hundred and fifty acres of Land having Sworn to his family Right. Ordered that the prayer of the Petition be Granted.
Petitions for Land from South Carolina Council Journals, vol I: 1734/5-1748, Brent H Holcomb, p 129.

1739
Donald McKeithan and four unnamed family members arrived in Cape Fear, NC on the Thistle of Saltcoats with the Argyll Colony. They were transported by Dougald McNeil. Donald failed to pay McNeil which resulted in Colonial Court Record 120. Donald's family certainly included far more than a total of five, but it's possible that his married children (probably including son Duncan) paid their own way for their families.

The following came from a webpage that has since been taken down, but the information given firmly connects Dougald McNeil with the ship Thistle of Saltcoats and the 1739 Argyll Colony.

http://www.iforshaw.ndtilda.co.uk/Mag15/page2.html

                  THE NORTH CAROLINA SETTLEMENT OF 1739
                                        A.I.B. Stewart

     The first entry in the Books of the Customs House at Campbeltown is dated 6th June 1739 and notes the presence in the port of the ship "Thistle" of Saltcoats, (Robert Brown, Master) to take aboard emigrants for Cape Fair in America (1).

     This reference marks the first organised emigration from Kintyre to North America and the first trickle in what eventually became a torrent of Highland emigration to North Carolina. ...........

Amongst the banished was the Rev. David Simson of Killean and Southend who was exiled to New Jersey where he died in 1695 "steadfast in the faith" (3). It is interesting to note that his son David, Minister of Kilchoman in Islay and also of Southend, married Isabel, sister of Hector Macneal of Losset who was father of Dugald Macneal and father in law of Coll McAllister two of the 1739 leaders while his grandson Rev. Neil Simpson of Gigha married Mary daughter of Malcolm McNeill in Skeroblin - a family well represented among early settlers, (and who were differentiated in North Carolina by the title of the Scribblin McNeills). ........

The first indication of the identity of the leaders of the 1739 venture is given in a petition presented by Dugald Macneal and Coll McAllister to the General Assembly of North Carolina in 1740 seeking financial assistance for certain "Scotch Gentlemen and several poor people brought into this province". Tax remissions were given for ten years and the Upper House proposed that "£1000 be given to Duncan Campbell, Dugald McNeal, Daniel McNeal, Coll McAllister and Neal McNeal, Esqrs to be by them distributed among the several families". The Lower House deferred payment but in June 1740 grants of land were given to these 5 and some 17 others out of some 80 or so heads of families in the 350 emigrants. The leaders appear to have claimed and been given large plots on the basis of the number of followers they had brought. Duncan Campbell for instance was given a total of 2643 acres.
 
 

More information about the Thistle of Saltcoats and the Argyll Colony can be found at  http://www.clanmcalister.org/tarbert.html and http://mason.math.tntech.edu/mason/d0005/g0000049.htm
 

Colonial Court Record 120

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27 Sept 1740
Assignment of  640a patent in Bladen Co, NC from James Innes to Donald and Duncan McKieham and William McFarline.
(This was Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant to NC, and son Duncan.)

26 Jan 1740 (6 Jan 1741 new style)
New Hanover Co. deed book AB pp. 452, 453
Donald McKichan, taylor, and William McFarline, smith, of Bladen Co. sold 426 2/3 acres in Bladen Co. for 7 lbs., 13 shillings, 4 pence to Archibald McKisacks of Bladen Co. The land was described as lying on the North West Branch of the Cape Fear River, on the south west side, beg. at Hugh Campbell's and includes 2/3 of the front of a tract granted to James Innes on Dec. 10, 1735. It was signed by Donald McKichan and witnessed by Mich. Higgins and James Smallwood. There was no mention of William McFarline signing. The following entry was signed by Duncan McKichan and witnessed by Nicholas Fox and James Smallwood. "Be it known that Duncan McKichan, taylor of Bladen Co., one of the above parties to whom the 640 acres was assigned by James Innes, do agree to sell 2/3 of the above tract."
(Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant to NC)

Will of William MCFARLAND blacksmith ... my dear fiends Jn. MCCAUSIEN, Danl MCRICHANE, Fras. VEALE to be my Executors...my dear father be sole heir of all my estate whatsoever.
Wit: Will. WIGGINS, Morgan MORGAN, Alexr. MCRICKAN.
Proved June 26, 1744 P.20 New Hanover Co. Deed Book C
(Probably John McCauslin, Daniel/Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant to NC, and son Alexander McKeithan. Would like to see original. Notice that a William McFarland was also listed by Boddie in History of Williamsburg as an early resident of the Black/Black Mingo area of Craven Co, SC)

1740 Dugal McKithen appeared on a juror list for Prince Frederick’s Parish, SC.

By 1740, John McIver held land in Craven Co, SC near William Brockington, George Hunter, and John Baxter. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

In 1740, Samuel Stone sold 648 acres in Craven Co, SC adjoining Dougald McKeithan to James Aiken. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

Donald McKeithan was a taylor in Old Brunswick, New Hanover Co, NC for a year or two after his arrival in Cape Fear, then left Old Brunswick for Wilmington. About 1746 he joined his son Duncan McKeithan in the Brown Marsh Swamp area of Bladen Co, NC.

JUNE 10, 1741. William DRY JR of Brunswick, New Hanover Co. merchant to Donald MCKICHAN of same, taylor. 5 shillings. 1/4 A or 1/2 lott on Cape Fear River Lot #120...Wm. DRY JR whom my father Wm. DRY dec'd purchased by deed May 6, 1735. Wit: Jno. MARSHALL, Richard HILLIER New Hanover NC DBK A/B P. 439-440

25 Sept 1741 at Council held at Wilmington  ...proved land rights Daniel McKichin New Hanover 9 White ... Duncan McKichin New Hanover 4 White
Records of the Executive Council Minutes by Robert J Cain: vol VIII 1735-1754

5Oct 1741
Millikin, Rachel, Daughter of Moses Millikin and of Mary his Wife Born October 5th 1741 Baptized January 3d 1741
Prince Frederick Parish, SC.

Abstracts of Wills of SC, 1740-1760 by Caroline T. Moore page 119
William Fleming, George Town, merchant.  Wife: Elizabeth, my plantation on both sides Black River during her widowhood.  Unborn child: all real estate.  Brother and sister John and Christian Fleming. Mentions: if child or children should die before 21 years, then all estate to wife.  Exors: wife; brothers Mr. John Baxter and Thomas Lynch; Andrew Johnston; James Michie.  Wit: Thos. McKeithen, Edd. Robinson, Willm. Hughes
D: 16 July 1742 P: 25 Aug. 1750 R: nd. p. 316
[Thomas McKeithan died before this will was proven. Widow Elizabeth Fleming remarried James Crokatt.]

JAN 19, 1743. James SMALLWOOD of Wilmington, Gent to Donal MCKICHEN of Brunswick, taylor. 325 lbs. Part of a lot in Town of Wilmington #3 in town plan containing 65' front on Market St bounded to the westward by James PURRINGTON & Eastwardly by Dr. Benj. BURLEIGH running back 66' to Mr. NORTON line which sd lot was purchased by Mary GALLANT from Michl. HIGGINS & reg. in New Hanover Co. Book A folio 302 and by sd Jas. SMALLWOOD from sd Mary GALLANT & also in Bk B folio 276..Wit: John GOODALE, John STOCKLEY New Hanover NC DBK C P.17

24 & 25 Nov 1742 Craven Co, SC
Book Y, p. 470 L & R by Mortgage  ROBERT MINORS, shipwright, of Craven Co., to JOSEPH HUGGINS, planter, as security on bond of even date in penal sum of L850 for payment of L425 currency on 24 Nov. 1744; lot #116
1/2 a.) in Georgetown, Craven Co., bounding NE on High Street; SE on Queen Street; SW on lot #92; NW on lot #115. Date of redemption 25 Nov, 1744. Witnesses: JOHN SKRINE, THOMAS MCKEITHEN, WILLIAM BUCHANAN. Before THOMAS BLYTHE, J.P. JAMES MICKIE, D.P.R.

JAN 19, 1743. James SMALLWOOD of Wilmington, Gent to Donal MCKICHEN of Brunswick, taylor. 325 lbs. Part of a lot in Town of Wilmington #3 in town plan containing 65' front on Market St bounded to the westward by James PURRINGTON & Eastwardly by Dr. Benj. BURLEIGH running back 66' to Mr. NORTON line which sd lot was purchased by Mary GALLANT from Michl. HIGGINS & reg. in New Hanover Co. Book A folio 302 and by sd Jas. SMALLWOOD from sd Mary GALLANT & also in Bk B folio 276..Wit: John GOODALE, John STOCKLEY New Hanover NC DBK C P.17

1743 Moses Milliken received a grant for 350 acres in Craven Co, SC (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

1743 John White deeded 500 acres in Craven Co, SC to Sabina Lynch, widow of Thomas Lynch. The land adjoined Dougald McKeithan. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

2 April 1743 at Council held at Edenton  ...His Excellency the Governour being moved in behalf of
Daniel McKikin That his Fine imposed upon him last Court of Assize at Cape Fear for certain
misdemeanors might be remitted in Consideration of several Circumstances of Mitigation that
were urged in his favor His Excellency was pleased to ask the Opinion of the Council who advised
His Excellency to grant the same And His Excellency ordered the said Fine to be remitted
accordingly.

The name Donald was sometimes recorded as Daniel. Could this have been concerning Donald's failure to pay Dougald McNeil for his passage?

Nov 1743
Bertie Co. NC Deed Book F, p 545: Deed of gift to Winnefred Whitmell & Mary Whitmell (underage) signed by Robert Hunter, Elizabeth Hunter, Thomas Whitmell, Thomas Blount, Elizabeth Blount, John Hill, Martha Hill, He. Hunter, Sarah Hunter. Wit. Moses Hunter, James McKichan, Thomas Collins. Nov. Ct. 1743.
This was James McKeithan, son of Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant.

1744
Dougald McKithin listed as a juror for Prince Frederick’s Parish, SC.  No month or day were given. This is the last record we have that proves Dougald McKeithan was still living.

23 April 1744
Bertie Co. NC Deed Book F, p 535: April 23, 1744 George Cockburn to Dugold McKichan. 320 pds for 440 acres on N sd Roquiss Swamp adjoining Thomas Whittmell. Wit Thomas Whitmell, John Hill. May Ct. 1744
The 1750 Bladen Co will of Dougald McKeithan directed that his land at Roquiss Swamp be sold. This was Dougald McKeithan, son of Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant.

25 May 1745
On the 25th day of May, 1745, Thomas McKeithen, John McIver, David Allen, Nathaniel Drew, and John McCants were appointed commissioners for cutting and clearing the lakes and water courses in the swamp at the head of Black Mingo Creek from the plantation of Colonel Anthony White to the mouth of Heathley's run and to make the stream navigable for flats and canoes....
(Craven Co, SC)
From History of Williamsburg by William Willis Boddie, p 62
This is the last record we have that proves Thomas McKeithan was still living.

7 March 1745 (7 March 1746 new style. The year changed on March 25 with the old calendar.)
Four slaves were convicted for the murder of Dougald McKeithan, thereby proving that Dougald McKeithan died before this date. (See records below.) From these records, it would also appear that Dougald’s son Thomas McKeithan may have died at the same time or even before him as later records do not mention Dougald’s estate passing to his son Thomas and then to Thomas’s widow Deborah. Instead, Deborah [Thomson/McKeithan] McRee was referred to as the administratrix of Dougald McKeithan’s estate with no mention of Thomas’s estate.]

27 Sept 1745 Donald McKikin 320 acres "joing his own lands"
Bladen Precinct/County Surviving Land Warrants and Surveys 1735-1749 by Miles S Philbeck
    

7 March 1745/46
The slaves that had killed Dougald McKeithan were convicted. This establishes Dougald's death date as after 1744 but before 7 March 1745/46.

Colonial Records of S.C., Series I, Journal of the Commons House of Assembly.
Saturday the 10th day of February, 1749/50.
...that on the seventh Day of March, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and forty-five, four Negro Men belonging to the Estate of the said Dougle McKerthen were tried and convicted of the Murder of their Master, the said Dougle Mack Kerthen, for which Offence the were sentenced to Death..... That by the Act of Assembly of this Prince to prevent the further spreading of the infectious Distemper among Cattle &c. and for the amending the Negro Act, passed on the twenty-second Day of March, one thousand seven hundred and forty-five, it is provided, among other Things therein contained, that in case any Slaves shall hereafter be put to Death for any Crime one of the Justices and two of the Freeholders, before Execution awarded, may appraise the said Slaves so to be put to Death, at a Sum not exceeding forty Pounds Proclamation Money, who are directed to certify such Appraisment to the Pulbic Treasurer, who is required to pay the same, one Moiety to the Owner and the other Moiety to the Person injured by the Offence. That the Petitioner's late Husband Deborah [Thomas] being the only Child of the said Dougle McKerthen, and she, as Administratrix, the said Petitioner is therefore the only Person injured by the Offence, and after the Death of the said Dougle McKerthen, her said Husband's Father, she was the Owner of the said Slaves. That though the Trial of the Slaves was antecedent to the passing of the said Act last mentioned, yet the Execution was subsequent thereto, and would intitile the Petitioners to a Satisfaction for the said Negroes had their Value been certified....

Wednesday the 25 day of April 1750 A. M.
.... Report, That the Committee have, pursuant to the Order of the House, examined the Matter of the said Petition, and find that the four Negroes therein mentioned were condemned the seventh Day of March one thousand seven hundred and forty five but that two of the said Negroes broke out of George-town Goal, and were taken and executed some Days after the passing of the Act under which the Petitioners beg relief.
The Committee beg leave to observe that an Appraisment was not made of the said Negroes till some time after they were executed vidt. on the twelfth Day of January one thousand seven hundred and fory nine.
The Committee on perusing the Act of Assembly intitiled "an Act [for continuing and amending an Act intitled 'an Act] to prevent the further spreading the infections Distemper among Cattle' &c." passed the twenty second Day of March one thousand seven hundred and forty five [/forty six] find that it makes a provision for all Slaves hereafter to be put to death .....

March 1, 1750.
...other Slaves in this Province and that whereas in and by one other Act, passed on the twenty-second Day of March, in the Year of our Lord, one thousand seven hundred and forty five/six, intitled and Act for the continuing and amending of an Act entitled an Act to prevent the further spreading of the infectious Distemper amongst the Cattle in this Province.....

Commons Journal, 23 April 1750 - 31 May 1750
To James McRee for two Slaves executed three hundred pounds 300.00.00
   

1746
Bladen Co, NC deed 31 Jan 1823. Griffith J White Sheriff of Bladen Co to Archibald McMillan by virtue of an execution John McKeithan against Angus Lemmon, gdn of the minors of John McKay...execution was directed to Wm Streety now dead Sheriff for $124 7/100 320a being part of a tract granted to Daniel McKeithan in the year 1746 lying on the W sd of the Brown Marsh Swamp near the Brown Marsh Bridge joining lands of James Swindell's containing 160a. Archibald McMillan became the last & highest bidder.

2 May 1746. Donald MCKICHIAN of Bladen taylor to Alex. MCKICHAN taylor both of New Hanover Co. 5 lb.s 1/4 A of land with good dwelling house kitchen & garden beside...in Brunswick on Cape Fear River...dist. in Plan of sd Town of Brunswick being # 120 which I first purchased by Edward JONES from Co. Maurice MOORE Jan 13, 1730 and by Edward JONES sold to Richd. RICE bricklayer from whom Capt. William DRY dec'd purchased 6 ___ 1735 and sd land after deceased of sd. Capt. William DRY falling to his son William DRY merchant of Brunswick from whom sd land again was purchased by aforesd Donald June 10, 1741 Book B folio 305..Wit: John CAMPBELL, Duncan MCCOALSKEY New Hanover Co NC DBK C P.121

3 Dec 1746
Dec. 21, 1798, J. S. Purdie, Clerk, deeded to John McKay 160 acres on the Brown Marsh Swamp being part of a 320 acre tract granted to Daniel McKeithan on Dec. 3, 1746 and conveyed from Daniel McKeithan to Duncan McKeithan and from him to Robert Wier to James Bailey then "to which land I convey to John McKay". On Sept. 1, 1799, John McKoy (McKay) sold to Robert Ivey 30 acres on the S side of the Brown Marsh Swamp adjoining lands of Daniel McKeithan.

3 Dec 1746
Bladen Co, NC  Donald McKeithen 320a in Bladen Co on the W sd of the Brown Marsh ...?...joining his own land.

27 Mar 1747
John Thomson, Sr., Craven County, planter. Sons: Samuel, 10s upon demand as full share of my estate; John, plantation where I now live purchased of Samuel Miller; William. Daus: Deborah McKeithan; Margaret, under 15 years. Mentions: plantation in said county next to Col. Anthony White and land now in possession of John Baxter to son William and dau. Deborah McKeithan; son William to be educated and put at a trade by my executors; child or children by my second marriage.
Exors: William Fleming; John McIver; son John.
Wit: Alex. Davidson, John Cains, George Bruce.
D: 27 Mar. 1747  P: 16 Apr. 1750  R: nd.  p. 278.
Abstracts of Wills of SC, 1740-1760 by Caroline T. Moore, page 113

The following advertisement was published twice, once on 5 Oct 1747 and again on 12 Oct 1747 in the South Carolina Gazette:

To be sold at pulick Venue, in Charles-Town, in Thursday the 22d Instant October, the following valuable Tracts of Land belonging to Donald M.Keithen, the plats whereof may be seen at the sale, viz.
500 Acres in the Parish of Prince Fredericks within 18 Miles of George-Town, on which there is a well-finished House, new Weather-boarded and in good Repair, one Story High, 28 Feet long and 18 Feet broad, having 6 rooms, 2 Brick Chimneys with 5 Fire Places, and a Pea-atch Front, the whole length of the House and all convenient Out Houses, 100 acres of [??] , most of which is Swamp and good Rice Land, having 6 Dams capable of reserving great Quantities of Water, and the whole Tract is extraordinary good Corn, Indigo, and Rice Land, and is situated convenient to convey the Produce to George-Town by Water, it pays but [One?] Shilling Sterling per Hundred Acres Quit-Rent and has a good Landing within half a mile of the Dwelling-House.
[216?/316?] Acres of Land, joining the above Tract, [not?] for the aforesaid Produce, unimproved.
200 Acres joining the  same Land, not improved, whereon is a great Quantity of Lightwood, and a parcel of fine Trees for Tar-[??].
[9-?-] Acres joining the said Lands. No Terpentine has [ever/even?] yet …..?……  made on either of the said Tracts. To the great ..??.. his …??…    David [Crawford?], J.M.

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Although the ad states that the lands belonged to Donald McKeithan, a comparison of the acreages agrees perfectly with tracts that belonged to Dougald McKeithan who had been killed by his slaves some time between 1744 when he appeared on a Prince Frederick’s Parish juror list and 7 March 1745/6 when the slaves were convicted. The ad mentions 500 acres, 100 acres, 216/316? (unreadable) acres, and 200 acres, and 9? (unreadable) acres. The records for Dougald McKeithan's land include the original 500 acre tract, and later tracts for 200, 316, 390, and 94 acre tracts. I could not find a record for the 100 acre tract mentioned in the ad. 394 acres (200 + 100 + 94) were mentioned in the 1750 will of Donald McKeithan's son Dougald McKeithan of Bladen Co, NC (a different Dougald McKeithan). I have not found the 316 acre tract. The 500 acre tract was mentioned numerous times in later records and does not seem to have been sold. Dougald McKeithan also held a 390 acre tract that was not mentioned in this ad but seems to have been sold at some time to James Aiken (records below).

5 August 1747
Will of Philip David, carpenter, Wilmington, New Hanover Co, NC 8/5/1747-Dec Ct 1747
Son David land where he now lives on North East River, livestock, 1/2 my land on Market St,
house where John Campbell now dwells & the house in back, carpenter's tools, with reversion to
my daughter Mary McKeithen. Dau Mary McKeithen 2 houses adjacent to those given to son
David & 1/2 the land as above mentioned, also a lot in Wilmington which I bought from James
Wimble. Extr son David David, friend James Smallwood of Wilmington. Wit Wm Harrison,
Charlotte Smallwood, Joseph Jones
This proves Mary David as the wife of Alexander McKeithan, son of Donald McKeithan 1739 immigrant.

6 Nov 1748
Will of : John HILLIARD of Northampton, North Carolina
Dated: 6 November 1748
Family mentioned: wife Mary, sons: Robert (not yet 18 years old), John, and daughter Sarah HILLIARD.
Others mentioned: John HARRELL and William AMBROSS (purchased property from).
Witnessed by: John MOREAN, William LIVINGSTON and John NOLTAN
Will Proven at November Court 1748.
Wife Mary and "son-in-law" Robert Hilliard, son of John Hilliard, were named in the 1750 Bladen Co, NC will of Dougald McKeithan, thereby proving that Dougald McKeithan had married the widow of John Hilliard. Dougald McKeithan did NOT have a daughter who married Robert Hilliard as has been claimed by some sources. Robert Hilliard was Dougald McKeithan's stepson.

1748
Joseph Dubourdieu as extr of estate of Anthony White sold land in Craven Co, SC to Francis Futhy & Robert Futhy and Daniel Laroche & William Fleming. The land adjoined William Swinton and John Thompson. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

5 April 1749
Bladen Co, NC deed 4/5/1749. Edmond Roke 300a in Bladen Co on the Brown Marsh Swamp joining Thomas Bryan & Donald McKeithan.

Oct 1749
Records of the Executive Council Minutes by Robert J Cain: vol VIII 1735-1754:
10/7/1749 Council held at New Bern   ...petitions for grants Videlicet...Alexander McKiken 640 Bladen
10/11/1749 Council held at New Bern   ...petitions for warrants of land Videlicet...Alexander McKiken 640 Bladen

Oct 1749
Bladen Precinct/County Surviving Land Warrants and Surveys 1735-1749 by Miles S Philbeck:
10/9/1749 Alexr McKikin 640 acres on the NE side of the NW Branch of the Cape Fear River below Leonard Lockes Creek known by the name of "Lewis LeFavours place"
10/17/1749 Alexander McKikin 640 acres "on the N side of the NW River beginning at a Red Oak upper side of the So fork of Cross Creek. Warrant dated 10 Oct 1749. Certified 17 Oct 1749.

7 Oct 1749
Bladen Co 10/7/1749. Alexander McKeithen 200a in Bladen Co, NC near the E side of the main branch of Wahamaw joining Edmond Kurk(?)

21 January 1750/51
Dougald McKeithan of Bladen Co, NC, son of Donald McKeithan 1739 immigrant to Cape Fear, wrote his will. This will proves Dougald's father as Donald McKeithan, and also names brothers and sisters, and many nieces and nephews (called "cousins"), his wife Mary, and "son-in-law" Robert Hilliard, son of John Hilliard. It is with this will that we can reconstruct the family of Donald McKeithan. Gilbert McKeithan was not mentioned at all. But Dougald did direct that that 394 acres in SC be sold as well as a plantation on Roquiss Swamp. See transcript and scans of this will at Will of Dugald McKiechan of Bladen Co., NC.

Shortly after this 1750 will, Cumberland Co was formed, and the land where Dougald McKeithan and brother James McKeithan lived fell into the new county. Careful examination of the Cumberland Co land records will reveal that Dougald's land in Bladen Co was in the same location as his brother James McKeithan's land. Dougald's will stipulated that his wife Mary must continue to reside on the land until the unborn child came of age - or she would not only lose the land, she would also lose the child to brother James McKeithan!  "...which Child & Intrest I leave to the Care of my Wife Mary aforeSd while She remaineth on the aforeSd Land, if She removes of the Sd land the Child with the AboveSd esteate to be left wt my Dearly beloved Broyr James McKiechan if living at the time." Mary appeared occasionally in the Cumberland Co records until about the time that the child would have turned 21. Then she returned to Northampton Co, NC and appeared as Mary McKiechan as a witness to Ann Hilliard's 1771 will. Son Robert Hilliard was also a witness. The relationship between Mary and her McKeithan in-laws may have been somewhat strained. At one point, she brought suit against her brother-in-law James.
July 19, 1758 Mary McKeithen vs James McKeithan (Abstracts of Minutes of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions by William C. Fields).

Because of a misinterpretation of the experession "son-in-law" in Dougald McKeithan's will, some people have recorded that Robert Hilliard married Mary, daughter of Dougald McKeithan. This is virtually impossible. Even if Dougald's unborn child was a daughter, she certainly wouldn't have married her half-brother. Dougald's child has never been identified, but the child probably survived because Mary didn't return to Northampton Co until after the child would have come of age. It is possible that Robert Hilliard was the only Hilliard child born to Mary. John Hilliard seems to have provided for son John and daughter Sarah in a 1746 Northampton Co deed. Perhaps Mary was John Hilliard's second wife, and Robert was the only child born to them. Robert was the only one of the Hilliard children that Dougald McKeithan mentioned in his will.

JOHN HILLIARD of Northampton Co., planter to JOHN and SARAH HILLIARD my lawfull children 16 July 1746 my substance and estate in the following manner: to son JOHN, the plantation whereon I now live with the house and houses and all and everything thereunto belonging, also 5 negroes, 25 pounds lawfull and current money of Va., the cows and calves with 5 heifers, a horse bridle and saddle, a new bed and furniture etc. to my daughter SARAH, that plantation I purchased of JAMES SKIPPER, 5 negroes, 25 pounds lawful money of Va. etc. Wit: EBEN VINE, ROBERT HILLIARD, ANN FRAZIER X her mark Reg. Northampton Co. Aug. Ct. 1746 Robert Forster C. Ct.

For a transcription of the 1750 Bladen Co will of Dougald McKeithan and a scan of the original, see http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~fcharper/dmckwill.html

I will not try to provide the records for James McKeithan's family of Cumberland Co, NC, as this descending line has already been very well documented by Alice Mason. I worked with her in collecting and interpreting the records, and I KNOW this is based on solid research. See http://mason.math.tntech.edu/alice.htm

30 Mar 1751
Will of William McRee, Goshen Settlement, Duplin County, NC   30 Mar 1751, 02 Apr 1751
Sons: John, James, William, Robert, Samuel.
Daughters: Sarah Smith, Alice Williams, Susannah McRee.
Executors: John Smith and William McRee. Witnesses: William Kennan, Sarah McAlexander, Elizabeth Chambers.
Clerk of the Court: John Dickson.

William McRee Sr had previously left records in New Hanover Co, NC. Son James McRee and wife Deborah Thomson, widow of Thomas McKeithan, were in Craven Co, SC. Son William McRee Jr was in Bladen Co, NC appearing occasionally on McKeithan records there. Samuel McRee was also in Bladen Co. The only one of these sons that I have found in the Craven Co, SC records was James McRee. However, there were other McRees living nearby that I suspect were cousins.

4 Oct 1751
Records of the Executive Council Minutes by Robert J Cain: vol VIII 1735-1754:
10/4/1751 Council held at New Bern   ...petitions for patents of land Videlicet...Alexander McKiken 640 Bladen

1751
Francis Futhy sold his half of the lands purchased from Anthony White's estate in Craven Co, SC to Robert Futhy. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

1752
James McRee petitioned for 500 acres of land between the Black Mingo and Pedee stating that he had a wife and two children. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

1752
Unrecorded plat for 500 acres in Craven Co, SC not granted to James McRee adjoining Robert Futhy. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

MARCH 20, 1752 Caleb GRAINGER Esq. Sheriff of New Hanover Co. to Alexr. MCKEITHAN of Town of Wilmington, taylor..60 lbs... for a debt in hands of James COSTIDELL in Town of Brunswick, New Hanover Co which Alexr. MCKEITHAN lateley recovered...Wit: John JONES, Isaac FARIES P.19-22   New Hanover Co Deed Book D

MAY 13, 1752 Donald MCKEITHAN of Bladen Co. & Alexr. MCKEITHAN of Wilmington, New Hanover Co., planter. 44 lbs...part of a lot of land in Town of Wilmington cont.66' front on Market St. bounded to the W by part of sd lott in possession of Mary PURINGTON & to the E by part of sd lott from the property of Dr. Benj. BURLEIGH & running back 66' to Mr. NORTON'S line which sd lott was purchased by Mary GALLET from Michael HIGGINS & is reg in New Hanover Co BK A folio 3_2 & by James SMALLWOOD from sd Mary GALLANS and is reg. in BK B 276 folio and by Donald MCKEITHAN from sd SMALLWOOD & is reg. in BK C folio 114..Wit: Hugh MCBRIDE, Joseph JONES New Hanover NC DBK D P. 17

1753
Bladen Co Precinct/County NC Surviving Land Warrants & Surveys 1735-1749 and Surviving
Land Entries 1743-1761:
3/27/1753 Alexander Mackeithan 200a on the NE side of the Northwest River bounded by the Presedents upper line now the Petrs. and Edward Jones lower line.
11/14/1753 Peter Colbreth 100a on the NE side of the Northwest River between the upper line of Alexr McKeithen's tract & the lower line of Hugh Campbell's.

2 Oct 1753
New Hanover Co Deeds, Vol D: OCT 2, 1753 William NORTON & Jacob NORTON both of Bladen Co planters to Alexander MCKEITHAN of Town of Wilmington, taylor..40 lbs..in Town of Wilmington on E side of Second St bounding on Mary PUDDINGTONS lot on S side of Market St N 13 bet Market St & Dock St...Wit: Gilbert MCKEITHAN, Jno X MCLAREN P.330

1753
John Thomson deeded 900 acres in Craven Co, SC to James McRee and Deborah McRee. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

1753
21 Dec 1799  Wm Bennett of Wayne Co NC to JOHN SMITH of Cumberland, $700, 340a in Cumberland, orig patented to Alexr McKeithan 1753, on N side of Cape Fear River adj Canada, Colbreath. s/ Wm Bennett.  w/ Uriah B_______, John L Colvin.  Cumberland Co, NC  Deed Book  26-494

1753
Bladen Co Precinct/County NC Surviving Land Warrants & Surveys 1753-1749 and Surviving
Land Entries 1743-1761:
3/15/1753 John Rutherford 30a between the Plantation called Cranstoun & Donald MacKeithin's land.
9/26/1753 Alexander McKeithen 145a in Bladen Co on the NE sd of the NW River of Cape Fear including the place where Daniel McKeithen now lives below Cranston plantation joining the river below the improvements.
[White Lake was once known as Cranston's Lake.]

2 Oct 1753
New Hanover Co Deeds, Vol D: OCT 2, 1753 William NORTON & Jacob NORTON both of Bladen Co planters to Alexander MCKEITHAN of Town of Wilmington, taylor..40 lbs..in Town of Wilmington on E side of Second St bounding on Mary PUDDINGTONS lot on S side of Market St N 13 bet Market St & Dock St...Wit: Gilbert MCKEITHAN, Jno X MCLAREN P.330

8 April 1755
APRIL 8, 1755 Alexr. MACKEITHAN of Bladen Co. planter to Alexr. MACKDENGALL of Wilmington merchant..whereas David DAVID did by his bonds or obligation bear date March 25, 1753 does stand bound to Alexr. MACKEITHAN in the penal sum of 210 lbs. 9 shillings 2 pence..Wit: Richard HELLIER, John ROE P.174 New Hanover Co Deed Book D

28 March 1756
Donald McKeithan, Duncan McKeithan, Daniel McFattar, William McRee (William McRee Jr, brother of James McRee) and others signed a Bladen Co, NC inquisition into the death of Hector McAllister who drowned in a pond between Mr Turnbull's mill and Mr McKethan's mill.

scan of document

1 June 1756
Rev Mr John Baxter & James McKee of Prince Frederick’s Parish in Craven Co, only acting extrs of will of Robert Futhy planter of same parish to Henry Futhy planter of same parish 1320a on Black Mingo Swamp in said Parish bounding SE on Robert Futhy, SW on John Brockington & James Akin, NW on William Thomson Jr, NE on vacant land. Whereas Robert Futhy by his will ordered his real estate (except 500a on which he lived) sold by his extrs & extrx (appointing John McIver, James McKee, & the Rev Mr John Baxter his extrs); & Baxter & McKee on 21 March 1754 offered 1320a for sale at auction, now they convey the land to Henry Futhy, the highest bidder. Wit Henry O’Neil, Anthony White.
[This is from an abstract, not from the original. James McRee held land adjoining Robert Futhy. Rev. John Baxter was in possession of some of John Thomson Sr’s land. I have never found any McKee records in this area. So I feel sure the name James McKee in this abstract should have been James McRee.]

28 Jan 1757
Bladen Co 1/28/1757. Edward David to Thomas Owen. Wit Alex'r. McKeithan.

Feb. 22, 1757
John Lyon and wife Mildred of New Hanover Co. sold 640 acres in Bladen Co. on the SW side of the Northwest River adjoining Lee's Bluff to William McRee. The deed was witnessed by Alexander McAlister and Alexander McKeithan. This William McRee was the brother of James McRee who married Deborah McKeithan, widow of Thomas McKeithan of SC. Alexander McKeithan of this record was the son of Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant to Cape Fear.

8 March 1757
Inventory of the Goods Chattels Rights & Credits belonging to the Estate of Deborah McRee Deceased appraised by Alexr. Davidson, William Thomson, and Samuel Nesmith. The total value was L2479: - :5. Included were household items, livestock, furniture, and nine Negroes named Edinburgh, Cesar, Will, Promery(?), Nell, Kate, nanney & two children Mindo & Dandie.
A proportion of five Negroes on a Crop of Indico imagined to be Worth L253:15. I found no later record of an estate sale.

8 March 1757
Inventory of Goods Chattels Rights and Credits belonging to the Estate of Captain James McRee deceased appraised by Alexr Davidson, William Thompson, and Saml Nesmith. The total value was L3198:3:10. Included were the usual household items, furniture, livestock, and nine Negroes named Sparper(?), Pate, Sawney, Carolina, Rose, woman nanny & two children, and a boy Bason.
Capt McRee's Proportion for seven negroes work on a Crop of Indigo imagined to be worth L355: - : -
The Amount of Credits Solvent & Insolvent L647: - : 11
A proportion of five Negros on a Crop of Indico imagined to be Worth L 253:15

31 March 1757
Acct of Sales of the Estate of Captain James McKrea. Buyers: Dr Andrew Burnett, Thos. Conn, Capt Anthony White, Thos. Wright, Anthony Mart. White, Alex. McRee, R. Jno. Baxter, Alex. Davisson, Mrs McKeaver, Margt. Wells

25 June 1757
Cumberland Co, NC 8/22/1766 Deed of William Wilkinson & Alexander Moore to William Carver all of Bladen states that the land had been sold on 6/25/1757 by Alexander McKeithan, sheriff of Bladen Co.

10 Jan 1758
Inventory of estate of John Thomson Senior dec’d appraised by Jno. White, Henry Futhy, Jno. Commander, Alexr. Davidson. Included negroes Prince & Joe, 3 head sheep, 1 old bed & bolster and “A copy of a Settlement to us produced betwixt John McIver Executor of the estate of John Thomson Senr. & James McRee Guardian to William Thomson Terhor(?) amounting to 2197.10” (John McIver had d by 1755 and James McRee had d by 1757. See 1747 will of John Thomson Sr.)

7/19/1758
Mary McKeithen vs James McKeithan (Cumb Co Ct of Pleas & Qtr Sessions)
This was the widow of Dougald McKeithan d 1750 Bladen Co and his brother James McKeithan.

15 August 1758
Donald McKeithan and others signed an inquisition into the death of John Campbell who on the fourteenth day of this instant August was washing himself in ye No Wt Branch of Cape Fear River and by the moveing of the sand & currant taken out of his depth and drowned

scan of document




2 Jan 1759
Craven Co, SC. An inventory and appraisement of the Estate of Deborah McRee Deceased by John White, Andw. Burnet(?), Daniel Dupre.This listed only a bond & notes and Negroes worth a total of L2136:14. Edinburgh, Cesar, Will, Primus(?), wench & three children, Nell, and Kate.

MARCH 14, 1760 Alexr. MCKEITHAN of Bladen planter to Alexr. MCALLISTER of Cumberland Co. Esq. 40 lbs..Town of Wilmington on E side of Second St bound on PURRINGTONS lot on S side of Market St..Wit: Feguard CAMPBELL, Duncan MCNEILL. P.431

June 7, 1760
Benjamin Milliken married as his second wife Elizabeth “Betsy” Hargrove, probably in the Little River area of what is now known as Horry Co, SC. She was possibly a sister of Samuel Hargrove Sr whose widow Lydia and son Samuel Jr were later found in Brunswick Co, NC. By an earlier marriage, a son John Milliken had been born. A later Moses Milliken b ca 1748 left Revolutionary War records and resided in Horry Co, SC. He was no doubt a grandson of Moses Milliken and Mary Murrell, perhaps an unproven son by Benjamin Milliken's first marriage. For more about the Hargrove family, see Mary Murrell, wife of Moses Milliken, as she relates to the earliest Murrell records of South Carolina.

1761
Sarah McIver admix of John McIver vs John Baxter admor of James McRee, judgement roll.
(SC Archives has the name indexed as James McKee.)

1761
Alexander McKeithan, son of Donald McKeithan, was still living. His last records indicated he was a resident of Bladen Co, NC. No estate records have been found for him and it's not known if he died or left Bladen Co.
May 5, 1799. John Burgwin of New Hanover Co. to Hugh Waddell. 850 acres, plantation formerly belonging to Roger Adams (long since dec'd.) being known by the name of Hale Park Plantation which were sold on or about Oct. 19, 1785 at public sale by Sheriff of Bladen Co. Alexander McKeithan was highest bidder on Aug. 25, 1761. Judgement obtained against Alexander McKeithan by Richard Rabon and Robert Johnson, Esq. then Sheriff of Bladen. Did levy and sell lands to John Burgwin.

1763 Moses Milliken was still living in1763 when William Coachman as administrator of John Moore was trying to recover money that Moore had loaned to Milliken. One of the documents in this folder dated 18 Nov 1763 "did implead Moses Miliken in an Action of a plea of Trespass on the ??? & so forth to which said Action the Defendant ??? Default, and thereupon the Court gave Judgment for the said William." Another document from that set of records contains the original promissory note dated 25 April 1744 - complete with Moses Miliken's signature. A John Moore was a member of the vestry of St Thomas Parish in 1727 and 1728. In 1735, a plat was recorded for John Moore (More) whose land adjoined Dougald McKeithan's land. It is not known if these are all the same John Moore. (See Black/Black Mingo land records)

Date: 1763
Description: COACHMAN, WILLIAM, ADMOR. OF JOHN MOORE VS MOSES MILIKEN, JUDGMENT ROLL.
Names Indexed: COACHMAN, WILLIAM//MOORE, JOHN//MILIKEN, MOSES/
Locations: //
Series Number: S136002 Box:  058A Item: 0088A ignore: 00

1763 Bladen Co, NC tax list included:
 Daniel McKeithan: 2 white polls, 2 black males, 1 black female, total 5
 Duncan McKeithan & son: 2 white polls, 1 black male, 0 black females, total 3
(The name Donald was sometimes recorded as Daniel)

11 June 1763
Bladen Co deed. Samuel Swann of New Hanover Co only brother and heir at law of the Hon. John Swann late of N. Han. to Duncan McKeithan (planter). Whereas John Swann in his lifetime on or about the month of Feb 1757 for 100 lbs proc money paid him by William Dry Esq of N Han Co...a tract of land on the N sd of the NW Branch of the Cape Fear River about 3/4 mile below Walker's Bluff...1000 acres which patent was delivered by John Swann to William Dry. (Patent by John Swann on 22 Sept 1728) William Dry on Aug 25, 1757 for 150 lbs sterling paid by Alexander McKeithan late of Bladen Co...did by assignment on back of original patent transfer land to Alexander McKeithan and Alexander McKeithan conveyed 333 acres of said land to David Lock planter and on 29 Feb 1760 conveyed to Duncan McKeithan planter the remaining part of the 1000 acre tract (667 acres about 3/4 mile below Walker's Bluff). Wit Frederick Jones, Neill McNaughton, Solomon Canady, George Brown, Neill McCoulsky. May Ct 1771.
This was Duncan McKeithan Sr, son of Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant. "Alexander McKeithan late of Bladen Co" does not necessarily mean that Alexander had died. It could mean that he had only moved away from Bladen Co. It is possible he may have moved to St. Simons Island, Georgia and was the Alexander McKeithen associated with Fort Frederica and the Battle of Bloody Marsh. This has not been carefully researched, so any possible connection is still unproven.

11 Nov 1763
Gilbert McKeithan married Sarah Milliken, daughter of Moses Milliken and Mary Murrell and sister of Benjamin Milliken, Prince Frederick’s Parish, SC.

8 February 1766
Donald McKeithan, John McFater, Archibald McFatter, and others signed an inquisition into the death of  Effey McKeithan who died on the seventh day of this instant between the house of D--?-- McKeithan and Allen McDougall where she was washing clothes. She was subject to "convultion fifts" and fell into the water. Parish of St Martians, Bladen Co, NC, William McRee Coroner.
(This was William McRee Jr, brother of James McRee.)

scan of document



Ca 1766-1769
Alexander McKeithan born based on records below:
1790 16+, so b before 1774
1800 1M 26-44, so b 1756-1774
1810 1M 26-44, so b 1766-1784
1820 none of family listed,
1830 widow Isabella McKeithan listed as head of household
Alexander appears to have been one of the oldest children, so was probably born relatively soon after his parents’ 1763 marriage. He married about 1788/89, so was probably born by 1768/69.

26 May 1767
Abstracts of Wills of SC, 1760-1784 by Caroline T. Moore
Rees Perkins, Prince Frederick's Parish, Craven County. Wife: Elizabeth, land purchased of Col. Rothmahler and plantation where I now live above Great Road by Charles Dewit to land of my son David. Sons: James, Samuel and Lewis, all land below Great Road; David. Mentions: residue of estate to wife and "amongst my Seven Children" when son James comes of age.
Exors: wife; George and Samuel Chandler.
Wit: Gabriel Mckeithen; John Coleman, his mark; Hector Alison.
D: 26 May 1767.    P: 1 Sept. 1767.     R: nd     p.114

I tried to obtain a copy of the original will, but the original no longer exists. I did see the clerk’s copy in will book and the name is clearly Gabriel. This may have been a clerical error. Or perhaps the signature was abbreviated as “Gbrt” but looked like “Gbrl” and was interpreted as Gabriel. No other records for a Gabriel McKeithan have been found.

Monday, September 26, 1768
..........George Smith, Junior, James Akin and Thomas Akin will sell tracts of land belonging to the late James Akin's estate, 300 acres bounding E on Waccamaw River, W on Elias Foissine, deceased, NE on Joseph La Bruce, 3 miles from George-Town.
500 acres on S side of Waccamaw River opposite the above land, granted 1735.
1850 acres in three tracts in Kingston Township on Waccamaw River joining Mr Nesbitt, Mr. Thomas Blyth,
647 acres in Craven County bounding W on land formerly Capt. Brockingtons, E on Mr Nesmith's, N on Mr. Gibbs, S on Mr. McKicken
1450 in Craven County on Sampitt River near George-Town 550 acres in St. Thomas Parish, Berkley County, bounded by lands of late Gov. Sir Nathaniel Johnson, N on land of late Capt. Thomas Akin.
100 acres within Williamsburg Township bounded by land of James Akin.
490 acres in Black Mingo Swamp joining Mr McKeithan, Capt. Brockington, Mr Nesmith, Mr Futhy.
Inauire [Inquire?] of Mr. Josiah Smith, Junior, merchant in Charles Town of the above in St. Thomas' Parish.
From Citizens and Immigrants - South Carolina, 1768 by Mary Bondurant Warren

The 647 acres mentioned here was surely the same as the 648 acres of the 1735 Samuel Stone plat record, land that adjoined Dougald McKeithan. Stone sold 648 acres to James Aiken in 1740. (Records above)

This record seems to be naming present landholders, not the original landholders. Note the reference to "formerly Capt. Brockingtons". This would indicate that an unnamed Mr McKeithan still held land near Brockington, Gibbs, Nesmith, and Futhy more than 20 years after the death of Dougald McKeithan.

The 490 acres is very interesting as it also adjoins McKeithan land. The 1 April 1732 plat record for Dougald McKeithan described 390 acres that adjoined some of McKeithan's other land. The neighbors mentioned in the plat were Hamlin, Nesmith, Eveleigh, and Campbell. That 390 acre tract was not mentioned in the 1747 SC Gazette advertisement as part of the lands for sale. Perhaps it had already been sold. The ad stated that the five tracts for sale adjoined each other, and the original 500 acre tract was included as one of the tracts for sale. One of the adjoining tracts advertised contained 100 acres. We know from the plat record that the 390 acre tract also adjoined McKeithan's other land. The 390 acre tract and the 100 acre tract together would make 490 acres. The 500 acre tract that was still referred to as the land of Dougald McKeithan as late as the 1774 William Thompson does not seem to have been sold. That tract must have still belonged to the heir/heirs of Dougald McKeithan and was certainly the adjoining land referred to in the Aiken record above. The 490 acres and the location work perfectly. I have not found any record of James Aiken purchasing this property, but I did not realize that Aiken might have bought some of  the McKeithan property until just recently, so I have not searched the Aiken deeds. Aiken may have purchased these tracts separately as we know the 100 acre tract was in the possession of Donald McKeithan's son Dougald McKeithan when he wrote his Bladen Co, NC will in 1750. The will directed that his 394 acres in SC be sold. This would have included the 100 acre tract, the 200 acre tract, and the 94 acre tract, but not the 390 acre tract, the 316 acre tract, or the 500 acre tract. Perhaps Aiken purchased the 390 acre tract prior to the 1747 SC Gazette advertisement that didn't mention it, then later purchased the adjoining 100 acres after Dougald McKeithan's death in 1750.

We also have this record that associates James Aiken with the same neighbors as early as 1756.

1 June 1756
Rev Mr John Baxter & James McKee [McRee] of Prince Frederick’s Parish in Craven Co, only acting extrs of will of Robert Futhy planter of same parish to Henry Futhy planter of same parish 1320a on Black Mingo Swamp in said Parish bounding SE on Robert Futhy, SW on John Brockington & James Akin, NW on William Thomson Jr, NE on vacant land. Whereas Robert Futhy by his will ordered his real estate (except 500a on which he lived) sold by his extrs & extrx (appointing John McIver, James McKee [McRee], & the Rev Mr John Baxter his extrs); & Baxter & McKee [McRee] on 21 March 1754 offered 1320a for sale at auction, now they convey the land to Henry Futhy, the highest bidder. Wit Henry O’Neil, Anthony White.   

Probate Records of South Carolina vol 3 Journal of the Court of Ordinary 1764-1771 Brent H Holcomb
p 42
Citation Granted to Wm Hull of Prince George Parish to administer on the Estate & Effects of Mons [sic] Milligan, as Greatest Creditor, of said Parish, to be Published & Returned Certify'd. 21st July 1767.

[This record proves the death of Moses Milliken probably earlier in 1767. The executors of William Hull later sued Benjamin Milliken, survivor of Moses Milliken, for money Moses Milliken owed William Hull.]

Apr. 15, 1772
Duncan McKeithan of Bladen Co, NC sold to Peter Broades of same 137 acres on the NE side of the Northwest River adjoining Allen McDugald 3/4 of a mile below Walkers Bluff. The deed was signed by Duncan McKeithan and Isabel McKeithan. It was witnessed by William McRee, Stephen White, Donald McKeithan, and John Brown.
This Duncan McKeithan whose wife was Isabel was Duncan, Jr., the grandson of Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant. I am not sure which Donald McKeithan this was who witnessed the deed.

4 July 1772
Cumberland Co DB6:258 4 July 1772. George Moore of New Hanover to Peter Willson for   L20 NC 640a in Cumberland on west side of Cape Fear River opposite plantation of Mrs. McKithin, patent to William Forbs, Esq. Wit Peter Perkins, Ann Moore, Mary Parsly. Proved by Peter Perkins Oct 1774.
The Forbes patent can be associated with Dougald McKeithan d 1750 Bladen Co, so this was Dougald's widow Mary.

12 Nov 1773
Moses McKeithan born according to the Moses Milliken Bible records, son of Gilbert McKeithan and Sarah Milliken. In 1850, Moses was age 76 b NC. This is the first indication that Gilbert had moved to NC. Although census records often contain innacuate information, this seems reasonable as Gilbert witnessed a record in Bladen Co in 1774.

DEC 25, 1773
Robert McRee & Jane of Bladen Co to Richard Salter of same. 130 lbs. NE side of NW River..320 A..Wit: Wm. Salter, Thos. Owins P.476-7 Bladen Co, NC

DEC 23, 1773
Benj Fitzrandolph to Robert McRee. 50 lbs 5 shill..320 A..Beg Dennis Collums upper line..Wit: Elizabeth Fitzrandolph, Mary
Fitzrandolph P.477-8 Bladen Co, NC

1774
Moses Milliken had died. Benjamin Milliken named here was his son. From SC Archives index.
Date: 1774
Description: EVANS, GEORGE, JAMES COACHMAN, JOHN POSTELL, JAMES CALHOUN, EXORS. OF WILLIAM HULL VS BENJAMIN MILLIGEN, SURVIVOR OF MOSES MILLIGEN, JUDGMENT ROLL.
Names Indexed: EVANS, GEORGE//COACHMAN, JAMES/POSTELL, JOHN/CALHOUN, JAMES//HULL, WILLIAM/MILLIGEN, BENJAMIN/MILLIGEN, MOSES/
Locations: //
Type: JUDGMENT-ROLL//

In 1774, George Evans, James Coachman, John Postell, and James Calhoun, the executors of William Hull, were granted a judgment against "Benjamin Milligen, survivor of Moses Milligen."  An undated document in this folder states:

Benjamin Milligen who hath survived one Moses Milligen deceased otherwise lately & in his Lifetime called Moses Milligen & Benjamin Milligen of Craven County South Carolina planters was summoned to answer to George Evans, James Coachman, John Postell & James Calhoun Executors of the last will & testament of William Hull....

Another document in the folder dated 4 Jan 1774 states:

South Carolina.
George the Third, by the Grace of God, of Great-Britain, France and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith and so forth; To all and singular the Sheriffs of Our Province of South-Carolina Greeting :  We command you, and each of you, without Delay, to attach the Body of Benjamin Milligen who hath survived one Moses Milligen deceased otherwise lately & in his Lifetime called Moses Milligen & Benjamin Milligen of Craven County South Carolina planters..... [an order to appear in court concerning the Hull debt]

William Hull had loaned 295 pounds18 shillings on 19 Sept 1760 "in the District & Province aforesaid" [Craven Co] to Moses Milligen and Benjamin Milligen.
So it appears that Moses Milliken must have died between 1763 and 1774. No records have been found to place Mary Murrell Milliken's death, but the birth of her last child Breton or Barton Milliken was recorded in Prince Fredrick's Parish on Feb 8, 1749/50. Mary would have been about 45 at this time. It's not surprising that no more children were born to her.

4 Jan 1774
Abstracts of Wills of SC, 1760-1784 by Caroline T. Moore
William Thomson, Sr., Prince Frederick's Parish, Craven County, "being well stricken in Years."
Wife: Margaret, to live on my plantation during her life. Sons: William, John and Samuel, plantation where I now live on S side of Black Mingo Creek, N on Samuel Nesmith, S on Susannah Burnet or Dr. Andrew Burnet, S on Col. John Summerhof and Dougal McKeithan and N on William Thomson. Daus: Sarah White, deceased; Margaret Potts; Mary Johnston; Rebecca Handlen; Jean Burton; Martha. Grandchildren: Sarah and Margaret White, under age and unmarried, daus. of my dau. Sarah White, deceased; Sarah and Mary Thomson Johnston, under age and unmarried, daus. of my dau. Mary alias Fulton, alias Johnston; Thomas and William Potts, under age, sons of my dau. Margaret Potts. Sons-in-law: Anthony Martin White; Thomas Johnston, deceased; Thomas Potts.
Exors: wife; sons William and John; Anthony Martin White; Samuel Nesmith.
Wit: Daniel Ferguson, David Campbell, William Gamble.
D: 4 Jan. 1774  P: nd.  R: nd.  p. 67.
(He married Margaret Nesmith 27 Oct 1737, daughter of John Nesmith)

Feb 7, 1774 Bladen Co, NC  Dougald McDuffee of Bladen Co to Dougald Blue of same. Land on Brown Marsh Swamp, 306 acres, 18 or 20 already assigned to Duncan McKeithan excepted, part of 612 acres granted to James Walton/Wathan?, conveyed to Richard Quince,  to John McCauslin, to Daniel McKeithan, to Hugh Rae and from Hugh Rae to Dougald McDuffee. Wit Wm McNutt/McNull, Alexander Shaw, Gilbr. McKeithan.

Duncan McKeithan of this record could have been either the son of Donald McKeithan (AKA Daniel McKeithan, 1739 immigrant) named Duncan (Sr) or his son Duncan (Jr). See Jn. McCausien witness to 1744 will of William McFarland.

Although this record does not establish that Gilbert was actually a resident of Bladen Co, Gilbert’s son Moses McKeithan was born 12 Nov 1773. Moses’ 1850 census indicated he was born in NC.

23 Sept 1774
Bladen Co, NC will: Duncan McKeithan 9/23/1774, no probate date:
Wife & extx Elizabeth, son Duncan, daus Margaret McFatter, Elizabeth McDaniel. Extr Iver McKoy. Wit Mary Smith, John Smith, Samuel Smith.
This was Duncan McKeithan Sr, son of Donald McKeithan, 1739 immigrant.

1776
British attacked and burned the town of Old Brunswick. However, many of the residents had left Brunswick some years prior to the British attack. A pamphlet by Division of Archives and History about history of Brunswick Town states that the reasons for the decline of Brunswick were the new port of Wilmington, the high humidity, the malaria-carrying mosquitoes, and hurricanes. Only the "last remaining residents" fled before the British burned the town in 1776.

11 March 1778
Bladen Co, NC  Samuel MCREE. 100 A E side of Branch called the Middle Swamp that runs into the Horseshoe joining John BINTER'S line #130

May, 1778
List of orders for Letters of Administration granted by the Court of Bladen for the Year 1778, May Term - Duncan McKeithan, dec'd, Isabella McKeithan & Iver McKay extrs.
The Descendants of Iver McKay & Ann Miller of Bladen Co NC and Allied Families by V Mayo Bundy & Norma Melvin Bundy
The Bundys believed wife Isabella was a sister of Iver McKay. This was Duncan McKeithan Jr.

24 Sept 1778
Bladen Co, NC  Duncan MCKEITHAN. 100 A NE side of Double branch & both sides of the ricefield bay & on S side of where Daniel FATTER now lives #520

20 Dec 1778
Isabel MCKEITHAN 150 A on the Flat Branch join. John BROWNS line on the west side #731. Bladen Co, NC
Isabel was the widow of Duncan McKeithan Jr.

2 Sept 1779
Gilbert McKeithan signed petition to Gov Martin from citizens of Bladen Co, NC pleading that 18 yr old Reynold McDougald not be hanged for murder of Joseph Atkinson "because of his youth." Also signing were Duncan McKeithan, Archibald McKeithan, Angus Campbell, Daniel Campbell, John Campbell, Archibald McCoulskey, James McCoulskey, Charles McNaughton.

18 Oct 1779
Gilbert McKeithan entered land in Bladen Co "beginning on Samuel Bozman's lower line and Christopher Sutton's upper line, and Stephen Scarborough's Line. (See warrant dated Mar, 1780 which identifies it as 100 acres suveyed 27th Day of June 1782. This same piece of land was later sold by Alexander McKeithan in 1789, but in 1788 Gilbert McKeithan paid tax on 400 acres in Bladen Co which must have included this 100 acres plus the 300 acres below. 1788/89 coincides with the estimated marriage date for Alexander McKeithan whose 1790 census listed only himself and one female but no children. So this land may have been a wedding gift from Gilbert to Alexander. We know the land was transferred at some time before 1789 when Alexander sold the land, but there is no record of the actual transfer.)

18 Oct 1779
Gilbert McKeithan entered 300 acres in Bladen Co "on the North side of Cypress Creek beginning above a Branch known by Briges branch and Northward for Complement and Down".

Juniper Branch empties into Waccamaw River on the east side of Lake Waccamaw. Cypress Creek must have been nearby according to following grant:
Feb 15, 1779 Eleazer Russ 100 acres on Cypress Cr & Juniper Branch. #927

March, 1780
Bladen Co Gilbert McKeithan warrant dated Mar, 1780 orders survey of 100 acres in Bladen County "Binding on Samuel Bozman's Lower Line & Christerfor Suttons uper Line & Stephen Scarborough”. A survey and map were returned "This plott Represents 100 acres of Land Lying in Bladen County on the North side of Cypress Creek Beginning at a Pine in Saml Bozman's line and Running South Thirty Dg. East thirteen Chains to a pine Scarbor's Corner; then North Sixty Degrees East Forty Chains to a Small Cypress in the Edge of the River Swamp then North thirty Degrees West Thirty seven Chains then South Twenty eight Degrees West Forty seven Chains to the Beginning Surveyd for Gilbert McKeithen the 27th Day of June 1782. Entered October the 18th, 1779."

Sept 10, 1784
Sampson Co Court Minutes: Gilbert McKethen proved a deed from James Sampson to Benjamin Williamson

Sept 10, 1784
Sampson Co Court Minutes: Gilbert McKethen proved a deed from James Sampson to Arthur Hargrove

Arthur Hargraves was in Craven, SC 1775 when he witnessed a deed for Henry Lindsey. He later appeared in the Sampson Co tax records of 1784, and again in Sampson Co 1784 when Gilbert McKeithan witnessed a deed for him. Arthur Hargroves left his will in Sampson Co, NC dated 23d of Jan 1815 naming his heirs as daughters Feriby Drew, Abs M ? Williams, and Charity Carr and grandson Benjamen Hargroves. Jas Frederick and Aron Hargroves were the extrs. Jas Frederick and Jonathan Cary were the witnesses.

10 Jul 1786
James Samuel Purdie, Esq., Sheriff of Bladen County to John Huske of Wilmington, Merchant...a writ of feere facis issued out of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County of New Hanover and returnable to said court on first Monday in April 1786 directed and delivered to William McRee, Jr., Esq., the Sheriff of the aforesaid County of Bladen commanding him that of the goods etc.of Christopher Goodwins in the hands and possession of Alexander Shaw and Samuel Ressell, his Administrator he should cause to be made the sum of 139 lbs. 19 shillings which lately before at the same court was had and recorded.....

Interesting that William McRee Jr, the brother of James McRee, became the sheriff of Bladen Co not many years after Alexander McKeithan, son of Donald McKeithan, had been the sheriff there. 1789 will of William McRee named wife Margaret, Griffith J, James and John, and grandson William Singletary. His wife was Margaret Jones, daughter of Griffith Jones.

Feb. 27, 1789
Deed from Alexander McKeithan to Drew Smith 100 acres on the N side of Cypress Creek in Bladen Co adjoining the lands of Samuel Boozman. The deed states that the land had been patented by Alexander McKeithan, date not given. The witnesses were John McMillan and Alexander Hendry (Henry?). However, the land was in fact patented by Gilbert McKeithan. The description of the land in the 1789 deed was word for word the same as the description in Gilbert McKeithan's March, 1780 warrant. Since Gilbert was still living in 1789, Alexander could not have inherited this land. Gilbert must have deeded or assigned this land to Alexander between 1788 when Gilbert was still paying tax on it and 1789 when Alexander sold it, but no record can be found for that transfer.
 
 

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1790 Brunswick Co census:
Gillard McKethern 1M 16+, 1M 16-, 2F
Alexander McKeather 1M 16+, 1F
Moses was not listed on this census. He might have been the M 16- in Gilbert's household. Moses was born 12 Nov 1773.

Gilbert's son Daniel also was not listed in Brunswick Co. He was born Jan 17, 1769. The 1790 Bladen Co census did list
McKethen, Daniel   2 M 16+, 1  M 16-,  4 F
But there were a number of McKeithan families in Bladen Co at this time, and I can't be sure this Daniel was Gilbert's son. Since Daniel's 1800 census reflects 4 children born after 1790, I doubt this Bladen Co census is the correct one. Daniel would have been 21 in 1790, so it's not likely he was the M 16- on Gilbert's census. Daniel seems to have been missed on the 1790 census unless he was living with another non-McKeithan family.
Links to the 1790 NC censuses can be found at http://www.census-online.com/links/NC/1790.html

Apr 13, 1795
Gilbert Markethen enters 75 acres Brunswick Co on the E side of Waccamaw River. Border: his lower line & Russ's upper corner

Apr. 11, 1796
Alexander McKeithan was excused from serving as a juror at this term having made oath that he was not a free holder. Brunswick Co
(This means Alexander did not own any land at this time.)

Aug 19, 1796
Gilbert McCkeithen enters 75 acres Brunswick Co on E side of Waggamaw River. Border: his own upper corner, up "the" River Swamp and "back".

An email to me from Bob Edwards: “The second document is regarding land laid out for Gilbert McKeithan dated Nov 1797 which refers to a warrant no 39 entered August 1796.  It looks like it is witnessed by Alexander and Moses McKeithan.  It looks like land bordered Lake Waccamaw.”
(See Aug 19, 1796 record above. I do not have a copy of the record Bob Edwards was referring to.)

6 Sept 1797
Bladen Co, NC deed. 9/6/1797. John McVicker to Duncan McKeithan. 66a, 50a of which were patented by Isabele McKeithan (dec'd) lying between Duncan McKeithan & Duncan Blue. Wit Alexander Ballentine, Daniel McKeithan.
Isabele McKeithan was the wife of Duncan McKeithan Jr.

Oct 17, 1798
Brunswick Co Gilbert McKeithan gave "in consideration for the natural love & affection which he hath to bequeth unto the sd James Gilbert McKeithan, his grandson,...150 acres of land lying & being...on the east side of Waccamaw River." (James Gilbert McKeithan was son of Moses McKeithan.)

Oct 28, 1799
Gilbert McKeithen enters 100 acres Brunswick Co on W side of Waccamaw River. Border: below John Russ's landing at a bluff on the river "brink" and runs up the river

Oct 28, 1799
Gilbert McKeithen enters 100 acres Brunswick Co in the fork of Pinchgut and Ram head (creeks). Border: Baker, Gear, Swain, and Saml Cox.

Oct 28, 1799
Gilbert McKeithen enters 50 acres in Brunswick Co. Border: a juniper tree, runs S to a pine and E

Oct. 29, 1799
Alexander McKeithen enters 100 acres Brunswick Co, border marked by a cypruss on the S side of Juniper Creek, running out to Powers Branch and down the branch. (See records for Gilbert McKeithan’s land on Juniper Creek.)

1800 Brunswick Co:
Moses McKithen: 4 - - 1 1 / - - 1 - 1    1M 45+, 4M 0-9, 1F 45+, 1F 26-44
Alex McKithen:  2 - - 1 - / 2 - - 1 -    1M 26-44, 2M 0-9, 2F 0-9, 1F 26-44
(Alex was listed directly after Moses)
Danl McKithan  2 - - 1 - / 2 - - 1 -    1M 26-44, 2M 0-9, 1F 26-44, 2F 0-9
Daniel was another of Gilbert's sons, born Jan 17, 1769 according to the Moses Milliken Bible records.
I could not find Gilbert McKeithan on this census, but some of the pages are badly faded. Perhaps Gilbert and Sarah are the older male and female listed in Moses' household. Moses was born Nov 12, 1773, so he would have been the M 26-45. Links to images of the pages of 1800 NC censuses including the Brunswick Co census can be found at http://www.census-online.com/links/NC/1800.html

Mar 12, 1801
Brunswick Co deed. Gilbert McKeithan "for and in consideration of the natural love & affection which he hath...unto his son Moses McKeithan...that the said Gilbert McKeithan during his lifetime may use..."

Jan 24, 1803
Gilbert McKeithen enters 54 acres on W side Ramhead (creek). Border: Moses McKeithen and Saml Cox

Mar 12, 1804
"Gilbert McKeithen, Schoolmaster" sold Alex McKeithen 75 acres of land, east side of Waccamaw.  Mar 12, 1804 Brunswick Co Bk E p.129.
This is the last record we have that proves Gilbert was still living.

May 5, 1804
Alexander McKeithen enters 150 acres Brunswick Co on the S side of Juniper Creek between Powers Branch, Ready Creek, and Shingle Branch.

Oct. 11, 1804
Alexander McKeithen enters 200 acres Brunswick Co on the E side of Junipper Creek and on both sides of Power's Branch, bordering his own land and Benjamin Millican.

1800-1815
A daughter was born to Alexander McKeithan and his first wife. The daughter's name is unknown, but she became the wife of William Mitchell about 1820/21. William Mitchell's 1820 census lists him living alone in Wilmington, but a daughter Clara Clarissa Mitchell was born to this marriage on 29 Dec 1821, so the marriage must have occurred shortly after the census. This marriage can be proven by a 25 Dec 1834 Brunswick Co deed (not proved until Dec 1842) involving the estate lands of Alexander McKeithan. William Mitchell was one of the heirs named in the deed. Alexander McKeithan's heirs proven by this deed were Tillman McKeithan, Writman McKeithan, Simon Milliken and wife Isabella, Samuel McKeithan, William Mitchell, Moses McKeithan, Hargrove McKeithan, Zachariah Russ and his wife Sarah, Daniel McKeithan, and Alexander McKeithan. No wife was named with William Mitchell as his McKeithan wife had died before Oct 26, 1827 when William Mitchell remarried.
 
 

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Unknown date prior to1826, perhaps many years prior:
Alexander McKeithan’s unknown first wife died and was buried at St Philip’s Church in Old Brunswick Town. Other ancestors were also buried there. It’s not known if they were her own ancestors or McKeithan ancestors. Her daughter, an unknown Miss McKeithan, married William Mitchell about 1820. Their daughter Clara Clarissa Mitchell was born 29 Dec 1821 according to her father’s records, but 29 Dec 1825 according to her own records. 1821 must have been correct. Clara’s mother died before 26 Oct 1827 when William Mitchell remarried. But Clara was old enough to remember her mother taking her to St Philip’s to show her the graves of her own mother and other ancestors who were buried there, so the 1825 birth date would be impossible. Years later, Clara Clarissa Mitchell Woodward went with some of her own grandchildren to St Philip’s to see these graves. Two of  Clara’s granddaughters, Emma and Nellie, my great-aunts, recorded what they remembered:

A Goodly Heritage by Emma Marie Woodward (MacMillan), p 26:
“My Grandmother Woodward came to see us often. Then my father always carried her to old Brunswick and I went with them. There was a long wooden wharf extending out into the river and the boat would be tied up there. We would walk to St. Phillips Church. Grandmother [Clara Clarissa Mitchell Woodward] would show us the graves of her ancestors and tell us how the inhabitants of this town left and her family went into South Carolina. Today those slabs are all gone, taken away by vandals.”

This agrees with the history of Old Brunswick - that the inhabitants left the town, many moving to Wilmington. Donald McKeithan was one of them. It also agrees with what we know of Gilbert McKeithan - that he was in Wilmington witnessing a deed for Alexander McKeithan in 1753, but then moved to SC where he married and lived until about 1773.

Cornelia Alice Woodward (Rose) letter to niece Rebecca Fletcher Bowen (Cullom), dated 2 March 1959:
“I know next to nothing about where they (Clara’s family) lived, only that once Grandma (Papa's mother) came down to visit once with Papa & Mama and Aunt Alice (I believe) went down to old Saint Philip's church in Brunswick to visit her grandmother's grave. When she was very young her mother (I don't even know her name) showed her the grave & the tombstone. When Grandma found no traces of stone or the grave she was overcome and wept. ‘The only time I ever saw your grandmother weep’ Mama told us (at the time). That was before Emma was born - I was about ten I guess. Of course the church was in ruins, even before the Civil War - and the ‘Damn Yankees’ did much to make it worse.... Somehow I got the idea that Grandma's people lived in Southport or SC, but I don't know.”

Undated Cornelia Alice Woodward (Rose) writing found in the papers of her niece, Rebecca Fletcher Bowen (Cullom):
“All I know about Papa’s Mother, her father was named ??? Mitchell, her mother died when she was young; her step-mother was not kind to her, she never said anything to me about her childhood. When lost in memory she was sad...
Again about Grandma, she came to visit very rarely, it may have been in ninty two or three. It was one of those pic-nic times to go down on a steamer to old Brunswick. I do not remember who went with them, I am sure I didn’t. But I know Grandma and Aunt Alice (may be) Papa and Isabelle went with them. Grandma wanted to see her Grandmother's grave. Her own mother showed it to her when she was a small girl. My grand-mother adored her mother, just as her mother had adored her own mother. The Civil War had come and gone, Brunswick and St. Philips had taken much punish-ment. Grandma could not find her grandmother’s grave. The stone was no longer there close to the entrance as she remembered it. She burst into tears, something my Mother said she had never seen her do before. She said it would have hurt her mother so. That is how I know that Papa’s Great Grandmother was buried there in Saint Philips graveyard.”

Below is another note made by Nellie on an article about Old Brunswick that she had saved. 1815 was only Nellie's guess as to Clara's birthdate. Nellie and Emma's father was William Joseph Woodward, son of Andrew Jackson Woodward and Clara Clarissa Mitchell. This was also found in the papers of Rebecca Fletcher Bowen (Cullom), daughter of Nellie and Emma's sister, Isabelle Carew Woodward (Bowen).

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1830
Brunswick Co, NC census
Isabella McKeithan: 1M 15-20, 1M 10-15, 1F 50-60, 1F 15-20, 1F 10-15 [Alexander’s second wife and widow]
 

I recently stumbled across a fascinating set of records which could perhaps reflect Donald and Dougald McKeithan in Scotland prior to their separate emigrations. At this time, there is not enough information to prove the link though. No source was given with these records.

http://www.easmith.bigpondhosting.com/1212.htm

John McKECHAN

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John married Margaret SPENCE, daughter of David SPENCE and Joanit SMALL, on 26 Feb 1692 in Rothesay, , Bute, Scotland. (Margaret SPENCE was christened on 4 Sep 1670 in Wemyss, , Fife, Scotland.)

Children:

Hector McKECHAN

Dougald McKECHAN

Sarah McKECHAN

Donald McKECHAN

John McKECHAN

  • Born: 5 Jan 1703, Rothesay, , Bute, Scotland
  • Christened: 10 Jan 1703, Rothesay, , Bute, Scotland

Margaret McKECHAN

  • Born: 21 May 1705, Rothesay, , Bute, Scotland
  • Christened: 27 May 1705, Rothesay, , Bute, Scotland
  • Marriage: William SKAKEL on 13 Oct 1719 in Keith, , Banff, Scotland
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Margaret married William SKAKEL on 13 Oct 1719 in Keith, , Banff, Scotland.


The parents of John McKechan chr 1666 were given as

Adame McKECHAN

  • Marriage: Jonat RICHART on 21 Aug 1661 in Muirkirk, , Ayr, Scotland
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Adame married Jonat RICHART on 21 Aug 1661 in Muirkirk, , Ayr, Scotland.



My own conclusions based on these records
 
 

Please send additions, corrections, or comments to Frances "Cookie" Harper

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It is free for anyone to use. I only ask that you remember to credit the source.