You may recall my email of the other day, subject:
Rbt Widdrington b <1699 New Bern Craven NC
I copied Victor Jones as a courtesy, in case anyone called the library.
Victor responded w/this very topical reply, which also works into the recent
activities of Allen Humphrey.
There is much, and fun, research awaiting those who would be curious.
Look into the land records of W'tons, and related Easterlings, Carruthers,
Vines, Dares, Rices, etc (Parrot, Parker, Lewis, etc). Find the older Quaker
records (great genealogical value), get the plat history for Lot 98, on
which Rocksolannah Carruthers/Wetherington lived for many years, check out
the plats for the 4 W'tons abutting property on the (Bachelor) river,
connect the W'tons mentioned in the 5 W'ton books contained in Victor Jones
Gen research room, call and visit every W'ton listed in the phone books from
New Bern NW to Smithfield, where Wm W'ton md Elizabeth Lewis, before the
older knowledgeable W'tons pass. Walk old smaller cemeteries. Read the
minutes of early towns, villages, etc.
Talk to your parents & Gparents now, & video them. Ask them questions
about their early life, and about stories their ancestors told them. Ask
about the great depression, WW1, thre Civil War, first car trip, vacation,
house, car, etc. Ask how the town has changed, the railroad, hurricanes,
jobs, fires, or what interests you.
Ask if you can search their attics for old newspapers, letters, photos,
etc. - anything of historic interest. Search in the morgues of the local
newspapers, looking for old stories of interest to you, particularly names
of interest. (The older adds are always fascinating, as are stories that
accompany a family event). Older phone books, & other directories, meeting
minutes, voter registrations,
I want to get this off, so will stop here, long short of all interesting
things you can look at and discover.
Barry
Dear Barry,
The earliest Robert Witherington I can find in Craven County was
purchasing items in the estate sale of William Witherington around 1762.
This William was the son of Solomon Witherington, per the Craven County
Court Records of October 1762, "Solomon Witherington came into Court and
Prayed to have Administration on William Witherington his sons estate."
(Weynette Haun, "Craven County Court Minutes", vol. 5, p. 121) Robert was
purchasing items at this estate, and appears to be the son of Solomon, per
the 1766 will of Solomon. William's estate sale is recorded in Stephen
Bradley's "Craven County North Carolina Deeds, Wills, and Inventories", v.
1, p. 83. Other buyers at the sale were William Easterling, Elizabeth
Witherington, Sollomon Witherington, and Thomas Witherington.
The Robert Widderington mentioned in the Family Search record that you
linked to was NOT born in Craven County. According to the "Easterling Family
History" by Les Easterling and others, Robert Widdrington [Jr] who married
Elizabeth Easterling was the son of Robert Widdrington who died between
August and November 1722 in Calvert County, Maryland. According to the
Easterling Book, Robert Jr. was mentioned in Robert Sr.'s Will as recorded
in Jane Baldwin's "Maryland Calendar of Wills" (vol 5, p. 124). Our library
has that set of books and Robert Jr. is not mentioned in the will; however,
Solomon and John Widdrington are mentioned as sons of Robert under 19 years
old, Dorcas (under the care of Walter Smith) and Mary (in care of her Aunt
Mary Dare) are daughters under 16, and Elizabeth is a daughter married to
Henry Easterling. A Benjamin Rice is also mentioned in the will. Solomon and
John are to be cared for by Henry Easterling. This Henry appears to be the
one who moved to Craven County in the early 1730s. In March 1733/4, Solomon
Withrington purchased lands from William Carruthers on the South Side of
Bear River in Bath County (present day Pamlico County) [Beaufort County Deed
Book 2, page 129]. If this is the same Solomon (son of Robert), he was born
between 1703 (as he was under 19 in 1722) and 1715 (as he was at least 19 in
1734 to have purchased land). A witness to the deed in March 1733/4 was a
Benjamin Rice (unsure if this is the same Benjamin mentioned in the will of
Robert). There are also records of land transactions mentioned in the Court
records of the December 1739 Term of Craven Court between John Carruthers
and John Witherinton (proved by Solomon) and between John Carruthers and
Solomon Witherinton (proved by John). Unfortunately neither of these land
transactions are recorded in the deed books. [Haun, "Craven Court Minutes"
v. 2, p. 93]
John Witherington seems to have married Rocksolanah, daughter of John
Carruthers as recorded in his will [Haun, Craven County Deed Abstracts, p.
152-153]. Hope this helps some. Best wishes, Victor --- Victor T. Jones, Jr.
Local History and Genealogy Librarian New Bern-Craven County Public Library
400 Johnson Street New Bern, NC 28560-4098 Phone: (252) 638-7808 Fax: (252)
638-7817 E-mail: 1. vjones(a)ncsl.dcr.state.nc.us Web:
http://www4.coastalnet.com/community_orgs/cpclibrary/ Opinions expressed in
this communication are mine and do not necessarily represent the opinions of
the library. -----
2. Original Message----- From: Barry Wetherington
[mailto:cbarrywether@hotmail.com] Sent: Sunday, July 07, 2002 7:57 PM To:
wetherington-L(a)rootsweb.com; widdrington-L(a)rootsweb.com;
Witherington-L(a)rootsweb.com Cc: cbarrywether(a)hotmail.com; cbarry(a)attbi.com
3. Subject: Rbt Widdrington b <1699 New Bern Craven NC Hi W'tons,
4. Why can't we find out more about this Rbt Widdrington b <1699 New Bern
Craven NC, in the New Bern court &/or library records? Has anyone in New
Bern been able to spend some time on this? A couple years ago, I spent a few
days at the Kellenberger Wing to the New Bern library, a great facility, at
that time curator Victor Jones. (Craven Kellenberger Wing New Bern-Craven
County Public Library 400 Johnson Street New Bern, NC 28560 252-638-7808
Victor Jones Curator vjones(a)ncsl.dcr.state.nc.us
<vjones(a)ncsl.dcr.state.nc.us>) from which I posted many pages, but have been
unable to return for further time in this fabulous Kellenberger Wing.
5. It's difficult to believe there are NO records of this relationship,
considerinng also that involved are at least 2 other prominent surnames
involved: Henry EASTERLING B1658 Calvert Maryland & Elizabeth VINES B <1675
Maryland He's quite likely to be Sol's ancestor. Hopefully, we have 1 or 2
curious W'ton genealogists in the New Bern area that might like to spend a
productive day researching.
6. The staff is very helpful - pls call upon them. You'll need abt $10 in
coins to photocopy the impor findings, and make some notes so you can get
back to where you found the best stuff! Call ahead for hrs, etc (phone #
above). It would be nice to find something for the Sep 15 Sol Reunion. Best,
Barry
7. PS: I'll post the pages you find to the WringtonAncestors website at:
http://groups.msn.com/WringtonAncestors/welcome.msnw Any W'ton not a member
can join there - FREE. We have over 100 members now, many from the New Bern
area.
8. Robert WIDDRINGTON B: < 1699 <New Bern, Craven, North Carolina>
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/pedigree_view.asp?recid=420758
87&familyid=11035797
http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/AF/pedigree_view.asp?recid=420758
87&familyid=11035797
9. 2 Henry EASTERLING B1658 , Calvert, Maryland D1708 M: Abt 1658 1
Elizabeth EASTERLING B: 3 Jan 1703 Port Republic, Calvert Co., Maryland
10. Family Robert WIDDRINGTON B: < 1699 <New Bern, Craven, North Carolina> 3
Family Elizabeth VINES B: < 1675 , , Maryland
D:\AllData\032902\Genealog\Widringt\VicJnsltr.wpd July 12, 2002 (2:04pm)
Friday, July 12, 2002
_________________________________________________________________
Chat with friends online, try MSN Messenger:
http://messenger.msn.com