| Notes |
- John Freeman of Norfolk County, Virginia: His descendants in North Carolina and Virginia and other colonial North Carolina Freeman families by Merrill Hill Mosher (Paperback - 1994)
There is a birth record in the John Freeman book that references Samuel Freeman's children found in Revolutionary War Pension file of Jeremiah Early R3191. p 0068. There is actually a photocopy of that record in the above named book. His birthdate comes from a Revolutionary War Pension file of Jeremiah Early. Aaron's father was in Shocco Creek, Granville, Co., NC in 1752.
Here are the other notes related to Aaron as a son of Samuel (page 93-95 in the book):
Aaron Freeman is the ancestor of most of the present day Freeman families of Surry County. He was the only one of the sons of Samuel Freeman who remained in North Carolina. He was born 11 September 1751 probably in Bertie County, and moved with his family the next year to Shocco Creek in Granville County. (Granville Co. Tax lists show Samuel Freeman as a resident in 1752.)
He married, probably about 1776, to Nancy. Her surname is traditionally given as Hawkins. Tradition of the Surry County descendants of this couple give the place of marriage as Hillsborough. (Letter, 22 February 1922 Robert Alexander Hawkins to Anna Kirk Faulkner, original in possession of Merrill Hill Mosher and copy in my possession.)
Surry Tax List, 1777 Aaron Freeman 0-0-1-150-3-43-8-24-6:0:0-0-0
Surry Co., NC 1782 Tax list form the transcription Surry Co., NC taxpayers from 1701-1786 Taxed in 1782 with 200 acres, one slave named Tobe, 2 horses and 7 cows. (Surry Co., NC Tax Lists, NC State Archives, C. R. 092.)
Surry Co., NC Abstracts Deed Books A, B, and C 1770-1788 abstracted by Mrs. W. O. Absher, G.R.S: page 91 from Book C: 310 on 15 Oct 1783 Power of Atty: John Garret, Chowan Co., NC to "trusty friend" William Freeman to collect all monies, rents, etc. due sd. Garret. Witnesses-Aaron Freeman and John (X) Legett. Easley Co, SC: Southern Historical Press, 1981): 91.) This is the only reference found to him in Surry deed books of 1770-1797.
1786 Taxables, Captain Atkins District, Surry Co., NC (Located in southern region of present-day Surry along the Yadkin River)
NAME ACREAGE POLLS
Aaron Freeman no acres listed 1 white, 1 black
Other Freemans 1786:
Samuel Freeman 387 acres, 1 white poll, 2 black polls
James Freeman 300 acres, 1 white poll, 3 black polls
Joshua Freeman 400 acres, 1 white poll, 4 black polls
Josiah Freeman 333
Jacob Freeman 200
Surry County, NC Census of 1790:
Aaron Freeman (indexed as Fruman)
1-Free white males 16 and up
4-Free white males under 16
4-Free white females including head of house
0-All other free persons
2-Slaves
1790 Surry Co., NC Census also:
William Freeman, Jacob Freeman, Samuel Freeman, and Joshua Freeman
Aaron is on the tax list for that year for 1790, Surry Co., NC on the list of Capt. Edward with 300 acres and 2 poles.
Other Freemans: Jacob, Samuel, Joshua, William, Noah
Aaron Freeman in Surry Co., NC Tax list, 1790, 1791, 1792, 1793, 1794 with 2 white polls and 300 acres.
Surry County NC Court Minutes 1790-1795: 11 Aug 1791 Aaron Freeman appointed to serve on jury.
In 1795, 1796 Surry Co., NC Tax list he now has 500 acres of land.
In 1797-Aaron now has 3 polls with his 500 acres. In 1798, he is back to 300 acres with only 2 polls.
Surry Co., NC Deed Abstracts-Volume G, 1795-1797 DB G, p 166: 12 Apr 1798 State of NC to Gottlieb Shober. 8809 acres No 1808 near Aaron Freeman's
Surry Co., NC Deed Abstracts-Volume H, 1797-1800 DB H, p 73, 16 May 1798 Aaron Freeman's Acknowledgement & Certificate. I Aaron Freeman acknowledge some person in my employ did cut down a tree which was claimed by James Rainwater as his beginning and corner tree. In the place of which there planted a locust post in presence of Nathaniel Cooper which is meant to perpetrate the sd corner. Aaron Freeman (seal) Duly acknowledged in Surry Co., Court May Term 1798 by sd Freeman & ordered to be registered. Test Jo Williams, C C. This is also recorded in the Surry Co., NC Court Minutes 1796-1800, Volume II Compiled by Agnes M. Wells and Iris M. Harvey, Wed. 16th May 1798, pg 106 records "An instrument of writing purporting an acknowledgment of Aaron Freeman was duly ack'd in open court by the said Aaron and ordered to be registered. 6/paid."
16 May 1798 Aaron Freeman appointed overseer of road from Darby Ryans to haystacks & Matthew Davis. Surry County, NC
In 1799, he has 550 acres and 2 polls.
Surry Co., Salisbury, NC Census 1800 with
2 males under 10
2 males 10-15
1 male 16-25
1 male over 45
1 female under 10 (1 born btw 1791-1800)
1 female 10-15 (1 already married?, 1 born about -1785-1790
1 female 26-44
2 slaves
In the 1800 Surry Co., NC Tax list-Aaron Freeman has 500 acres of land and 3 white polls.
Also 1800, Salisbury, Surry County, NC 1800
Joshua Freeman, Salisbury, Surry County, NC 1800
Elizabeth Freemon, Salisbury, Surry County, NC 1800
Robert Freemon, Salisbury, Surry County, NC 1800
William Freemon, Salisbury, Surry County, NC 1800
There does not appear to be any tax lists extant in Surry Co., NC until 1813, 1815-1826
Surry County NC Court Minutes 1801-1804: 13 May 1803 Aaron Freeman appointed to serve on jury.
On 16 Apr 1809, Aaron made an agreement with his son-in-law William Cunningham to maintain Aaron and his wife Nancy in a comfortable decent manner of living for their natural life. In consideration Aaron Freeman gave unto William Cunningham a negro man called Tobias & one negro woman called Patty, 2 mairs, cattle, hogs, and furniture. Cunningham was to deliver 2 good cowes, to Aaron or whomever he shall name. Freeman is to give to Cunningham a title in fee simple to 100 acres of land out of a tract whereon he now lives off the lower end of the said tract. (Surry Co., NC DB M:185) This is also recorded in the Surry Co., NC Court Minutes 1805-1809, pg 200, Volume V Compiled by Agnes M. Wells and Iris M. Harvey "An article of Agreement between Aaron Freeman & William Cunningham was duly proved in open court by the oath of Jesse Franklin and ordered to be registered. 6/paid."
Aaron is not found on the 1810 Surry Co., NC Census.
Tuesday, 13 Feb 1810: Surry Co., NC Court Minutes 1810-1814: A Power of Attorney from Aaron Freeman to John Ryan was proved in court.
Surry County, NC Court Minutes 1810-1814: A deed from Joshua Freeman to William Cunningham was duly proved in open court by the oath of Aaron Freeman & ordered to be registered. 6/pd.
Feb term 1814 Surry County, NC Court Minutes 1810-1814: Ordered by the court that Abner Freeman & others be appointed Patrollers in Capt Witchers District. The last two (one of which is Abner) on Fishers River & that they qualify before some Justice of the Peace.
Surry Co., NC 1815 Alexander Freeman to Wm. Cunningham, 28 pg. 133 from http://rod.surryinfo.net/surryncnwpub/application.asp?resize=true (Surry Co., NC online register of deeds)
Friday, 17 Nov 1820, Aaron Freeman vs Aaron Wright and Robert Holbrooks. Robert Bartley a witness for the plantiff proves 4 days and 56 mile. (That is all this is transcribed from Surry Co., NC Court Minutes 1820-1823, pg 39)
Sarah Lester vs John Campbell-No 18- (I didn't copy the date) This is recorded in the Surry Co., NC Court Minutes 1820-1823, Volume VII Compiled by Agnes M. Wells and Iris M. Harvey "Nancy Freeman witness for deft do 4 do & 30 do.
Surry Co., NC Will abstracts, Vols 1-3, 1771-1827 abstracted and compiled by Jo White Linn:
The Will of William Cunningham executed March 10, 1826 in Surry County, North Carolina wherein he requests that "all my just debts shall be punctually paid and that my Boddy shall be decently buried but in a a plain maner." He then gives:
"Unto the heirs of my Beloved son John, Deceased: $100.00. Unto my Beloved Son Samuel: $100.00; Unto my Beloved Son William; daughter Susannah, Unto the heirs of my Beloved Daughter Sarah Ree; Unto my Beloved Daughter Dorcas, two dollars for reason she has received her portion in property in consequence of a bill of sale I gave her before she married...as I never received any thing in consideration thereof; Unto my Beloved Daughter Rebecca; Unto my Beloved Daughter Ann; Unto Margaret Bartley, an orphan girl I have raised, one bed and furniture and one cow...I hereby appoint my son William, Stephen Early, and William Hays, and Joel Underwood my hole and sole Executors.
Surry Co., NC Will Abstracts, Book 4, pg 5: "4:20. Will of William Cuningham Beloved wife Polly all my estate both real and personal to raise and educate children and maintain her father and mother (not named) if she can to give his children as they leave her as much as I have given daughter, Dorcas. After wife's death remaining property to be divided amoong all children equally. (children not named.). Low of health, wishes to be buried beside his little son. Wife to sell sufficient property to pay debts. Beloved wife, Polly Cuningha, and brother-in-law, Alexander Freeman, etc.
On April 6, 1829 William executed a subsequent will, "revoking all others" requests that he be "interred...by the side of my little son." Since John died only after marrying and leaving issue, and Samuel was alive and listed on his will of 1826, and William was named as executor on this and his previous Will, there must have been another son whose name we do not know and who probably died at an early age. In this Will of 1829 he requests "that my beloved wife...have and enjoy all my estate...and if she has it in her power to give my children as they leave her much property as has been advanced by me to my daughter Dorcas." He appoints "my beloved wife Polly Cunningham and my brother-in-law Alexander Freeman, Executrix and Executor of this my last will and testament. " This Will was probated in May term 1829 of Surry County, N.C. court. So he died between April 6, 1829 and May term of court 1829.
Stephen J. Early and William Hayes, two of the executors named in the Will dated 1826 were sons-in-law of William Cunningham. Stephen Early married Rebecca Cunningham and William Hayes married Ann Cunningham.
Surry Co., NC Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1829-1832, Vol IX, Compiled by Iris M. Harvey and Agnes M. Wells , 11 May 1829: pg. 16, "The last will and testament of Wm Cunningham dec'd was duly proven in open court by the oath of Stephen J. Easley, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Alexander Freeman & Polly Cunningham (Widow) the executrix therin named qualified agreeable to law. 8/pd."
10 Nov 1829, Tuesday, Surry Co., NC Court Minutes 1829-1832: Aaron & Nancy Freeman vs James Fitzgerald, No 5-The jury finds the bond…assess the plaintiffs damage to $15.67, of which six dollars is principal. Also Freeman vs Fitzgerald Jury finds same and assess the plaintiffs damage to $9.30, of which $1.75 is principal.
Monday, May 10, 1830: Administration on the estate of Aaron Freeman dec’d is granted unto Nicholas Freeman who entered into bond in the sum of $400 with Stephen J. Easley & Alexander Freeman. The administrator qualified agreeable to law. Order of sale to issue. (Surry Co., NC Court Minutes 1829-1832 by Harvey & Wells)
Surry Co., NC Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1829-1832, Vol IX, Compiled by Iris M. Harvey and Agnes M. Wells, 9 Aug 1830, pg 62: "The amount of the sales of the estate of Aaron Freeman dec'd was retuned by Nicholas Freeman admr & ordered to be recorded. Fee pd."
Surry Co., NC Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1829-1832, Vol IX, Compiled by Iris M. Harvey and Agnes M. Wells, 17 Feb 1831:pg 86 "The admr of Aron & Nancy Freeman made return of the amt of sales & c & o.r. Fee pd."
Aaron left no will.
ROBERT A. FREEMAN, Attorney-At-Law Dobson, NC Feb 22 1922 to Mrs. W. S. Faulkner, Alameda, Calf.
Dear Madam: The will of William Freeman is recorded in Book of Wills No 3 page 48 records of Surry County, probated May session 1802. In this will he names his wife Sarah and daughters Polly and Penelope Haines. This daughter Polly was the one certainly who married Jeremiah King 1804. I surmise that the Penelope Haines was the wife of the Haines who was the iron manufacturer to whom the order for iron signed by “R Grant” was sent.
The will of Samuel Freeman is recorded in the Book No 3 page 19, records of Surry Co., NC, probated May session 1796, Made March 8 1796, naming his wife Elizabeth, daughters Rachel Early, Nancy Huett, Nanny Badgett, and sons Joshua, James, and Aaron (my great grandfather).
I have found no other records of importance to aid you, though I keep my “eyes skinned” when was I for occasion to run out over early records, which is frequent.
I will give you a brief sketch of my father’s notes as far as they can affect you:
“Samuel Freeman, and his brother William and another brother, Edward, I think came from England. Wm settled in what is now Stokes Co., NC then a part of Surry Co. and was an iron manufacturer. I do not know where Edward settled. Samuel settled at
Siloam, NC. He married Elizabeth Alexander of Charlotte, Mecklenburg Co., NC. He owned a great deal of land on the Yadkin granted by the Earle of Granville, was a member of the committee of safety of Surry Co., represented the county in the legislature
and constitutional convention. He had six children: Elizabeth [Rachel] who married Jeremiah Early of Va, Nannie who married James Badgett and moved to Tennessee, Nancy who married a Huett of Mecklenburg Co., NC and moved back there (?), James who went South, perhaps, and became a cotton manufacturer [deed shows he first went to Tenn], Joshua went to KY. And became very wealthy, Aaron who married a Hawkins of Hillsboro, Orange County, the first state capital. It is probable that Aaron went with his
father to Hillsboro and met her there and that she came up to Surry to camp meetings as Samuel Freeman was a leading Methodist in the section and took great part in supporting the camp meetings.
Aaron Freeman and Nancy Hawkins, my grandparents, had the following children: John who went to Tenn; Abner who also went to Tenn; Richard who went to St. Louis, Mo.; James; Elizabeth; Rachel who married John Ryan and went to Adair, Ky. And had three children. Dr.Thos Jefferson, James and Nicholas Hawkins, Polly; Nicholas and Alexander my father. Alexander Freeman, my father, married Sally Mosley, and had the following children: West, Hawkins, Henry who moved to MO., Abner, Edward, Nicholas and
Alexander [my father], Rebecca, Nancy, Mary and Sally.”
I do not know what value these notes can be to you but as you say you might get a clue from them. I wish I could be of real value to you in your search.
I am sure Reuben Grant made no will. There is no administration that I can locate, and early probate records are without index, but I have spent some time in turning thru to see if I could happen on something for you. Be assured that if I would run across anything I shall be delighted to send it to you.
With best wishes for you, I always remain Faithfully yours Robt. Alexander Freeman
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1751 - Abt 1830 (78 years)
