Hi Deb, [I've got to send this now - having probs w/my word editor]
This issue/theory is very near the center of the rationale which caused me to
to start half of my 15 RootsWeb Lists (and take on the Carruthers-L List) - that
is, the best way to progress on 'my' surname (W'ton) is to also work on
'associated' surnames, in this case Carruthers, but also including, For ex.-
Dare, Easterling, Fitchett, the six major spellings of W'ton, King, Hodges,
Smith, Rice, (Abiah Bangs etc., Hooper, etc
Traditional Gen (to which I have subscribed) has Rocksolannah Carruthers
first md to John Martin, then to John Witherington, and eventually living on lot
# 98 catty-cornered to the Tryon Palace in New Bern NC, the latter fact of which
is established as solidly as can anything be based on Gen research, including
the Prayer Book/Bible, one image of which I 'attached' 2 days ago to interested
Carruthers-L List members. See both wills below.
Your theory of two Rocksolannahs (I believe this has been proposed on other
occasions, but not yet pursued to its logical end) is interesting. Probably its
largest obstacle is the belief that the independent use of such an unusual name
would be unlikely. A search of just first names at
rootsweb.com, specifically of
just Rocksolannah as a first name (
FamilySearch.org won't allow such a search of
only first/given names), comes up with references to only 'our' Rock Carruthers,
and no refs to a Rocksolannah Martin or any other 'Rock' Ref.
Still, we just completed a year long deep investigation into the connection
of Carruthers to the well-researched and quite seminal US surname 'Bangs,' which
helped establish, to a high degree (but not yet fully accepted by all), the
connection between the New England surname of Bangs (Edwd Bangs arrived on the
Anne to Plymouth in 1623) and that of Carruthers, namely that John Carruthers
(f/o Rocksolannah)'s wife Content is a Bangs, leading to a cornicopia of new
potential relationships. For ex. a direct descendant of Edwd Bangs, Jonathan,
accompanied John Carruthers to NC and purchased adjoining properties in NC
(discovered by Christine, one of the best pure Gen researchers on the web
today], on which each apparently lived, perhaps while pursuing a seafaring life
out of New Bern [recall Rocksolannah as neighbor to the Tryon Palace in New
Bern), a development of which was a revelation to the Bangs-L List) copied on
this message.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Deborah" <cricket1(a)door.net>
To: <CARRUTHERS-L(a)rootsweb.com>
Sent: Saturday, December 28, 2002 11:07 AM
Subject: [Carruthers] Carothers family
Barry
and all
I have gotten land deed records from North Carolina, and the
Crruthers are all over the place. So I'm running this by. I do believe here were
two Rochlannah one the daughter of William and Joanne arruthers and the other
the daughter of John and Content Carruthers beuse March 20 1738 it states that
William Carruthers brother of
Rochlannah gave his sister Widow of John Martin a tract of 200
acres on north side of lower Broad Creek near the mouth of Neuse
River where she lives now Near green creek. this was witness by Sarah
Martin and Jacob Hoover. Now William and Joanne also had a son
name William. So could it be that The First Rochlannah was married
to John Martin and the Second Rochlannah was married to John
Witherington . And Dec 13 1730 I have John Martin of Bay River
sells to Benjamin Rice 235 Acres ofn the south side of Bay River on the
west side Trent Creek, patented by Martin March 1 1722. Witness by
John Carruthers, John Witherton and Francis Delamare. Now Ive link
that this Carruthers branch is mine. I have a lot more if you would like
tem.
Deb
[[Note some editing probs just above]]
===================
JOHN CARRUTHERS WILL (1751), Craven Co.,NC
In the name of God Amen. I, John Carruthers, of the County of Craven, and
Province of North Carolina, merchant, being of perfect mind and memory and
calling to mind and Duly Considering the unsertainty of human life, Do make this
my last will and testamant. First and Principally, I commit my Soul into the
hands of my blessed maker, trusting in his mercy and in the merits of my Dear
Redeemer for the remission of my sins; and my body I commit to the Earth to be
Interred in such Decent and Christianlike manner as to my Executors may seem
meet, in hopes of the Glorious Resurrection of the last great Day; and as for
such worldly goods that Providence has blessed me with, after my just Debts and
necessary Expenses are Contented, Discharged and payed by my Executors, Which I
will shall first be honorably done, then the remainder I bequeath in the
following manner:
Imprimis. I Give and Bequeath unto my Daughter, Rocksolannah Witherinton, one
lott of Land lying in Newbern town, and joining Pollocks Street and Eding
Street, and known by the plan of sd. town, by number 98, together with all my
houses and appurtenances to the same belonging, and my Desk, unto her, the said
Rocksolannah Witherinton, her Heirs and Assigns forever.
Item. I Give and Bequeath to my daughter, Frances Hodges, one Negro girl cald
Carolina, and one feather Bed and one Boulster, 2 pillows, one Blanket, two
Steats, and one Countarpen, it being the Bed that I commonly lodge on, and all
the Cattal that I have yhousing at the Francis Hodges Cow Pen, unto her, the sd.
Frances Hodges, her Heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my son, John Carruthers, my Riding Sadal and
Bridal, and gun, and one pr. large money Seals, and my silver Shubuckles and
knee Buckles, to him, his Heirs and Assigns for Ever.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my Son, Joseph Carruthers, Six large Silver tea
Spuns, and one Silver tea tongs, and Silver Straner, and fore large Silver Spuns
for table use, to him and his heirs and assigns for Ever.
Item. I Give and Bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Rice, my gould buttons I wear in
my Sleeves, and one Brase Warming Pan with a wooden handal to it, to her and her
Heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my two Sons in law, Francis Hodges and John
Witherinton, all my wearing close of all sorts, except the Buckles and Buttons
before menchand, to be Equaly Devided between them.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Wife, Content Carruthers, the
Labor and Sarvis of one Negro man, cald Hannabal, Dewring the time of her natril
Life or the time of her Widowhood, and at the time of her death, or the day of
her marrage, my Will and desire is that my Executors, hereafter Menchand, may
take the Foresd. Negro, Hannabal, into their Care and Pertection, and my Will is
that they may set him up at Publick Vander to be sould to the highest bedar for
redy money, and the money arising by the sale of the foresd. Negro to be Equaly
devided amung my Childring, that may or shall be then Liveing, and my will and
desire is that the above menchand Hannabal, may not be carried out of Craven
County without the Leve or Consent of my Executors.
Item. I give unto my well beloved Wife, Content Carruthers, the Labar or Sarvis
of one Negro woman cald Enow, dewring the time of her, ye sd. Content
Carruthers, her Natril life, and at her Decese I Give and Bequeath the fore sd.
Negro woman cald Enow, to Rebekah McCarthy, to her and her Heirs for Even.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my well beloved wife, Content Carruthers, one
Negro Woman, cald Baranton, and all my Horses and all my Cattal that yhouses on
Trent, or anyways Belongs to my Cow Pen at my home House, and all my Hoggs and
Sheep and my Cart and Plows, and axes and hows, belonging to the Plantation
work, and all my Househould goods of all Sorts, Except them before given to my
Children, unto her, the foresd. Content Carruthers, her Heirs and assigns for
Ever.
Item. My will and Desire is that my Executors hearafter menchand may and Shall
sell all my Lands, and all my Lotts and Houses, and appurtenances thearunto
belonging in New Bern town, and all my trading Stock of goods of all Sorts, to
be Sould at Publick vander to the highest biders, alowing three months Credit,
the Purchasers giveing good security for the Payment of the Moneys. My Will and
Desire is that Evry Lott should be set up Singal, Except them two whear the Long
house stands, and with the money arising by the fore menchand Sales, and what
Redey money I may have by me, and what may be receved of my outstanding debts,
and my will and desire is that my Executors may pay all my Just Debts and my
fewnarl Expences, and what is Remaning of the above menchand money when my debts
are payed, my will and desire is that the Remandar of money may be Equaly
devided between my three Sons, William Carruthers, John Carruthers, and Joseph
Carruthers, and my daughter, Sarah Rice, and if my son William Carruthers shuld
not be at the devision of the money, I desire his Part of the money may continue
in the hands of my Executors till he, the foresd. William Carruthers, cums for
it.
Lastly, I do nominate, constitute, and appoint my two sons, John Carruthers and
Joseph Carruthers, Executors of this my last Will and testament, and do hereby
utterly Revoke, disallow, and disannul all former Bequests, Wills and Legacies,
by me heretofore made, Ratifying and Confirming this, and no other, to be my
last will and testament.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, the Twentieth day of
September, the year of our Lord, one Thousand, seven Hundred, and fifty one (and
my desk interlined before Assigned in the lowr line of the first side).
John Carruthers (Seal) Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared, by the within
named testator, John Carruthers, to be his last will and testament, in presence
of us the Subscribers
Sarah Betsworth (signed with her mark) Abiah Bangs Sol. Rew Craven County, NC
February Court, 1752
These are to certify, that the within will of John Carruthers, deceased, being
Exhibited into Court, was proved by the oath of Soloman Rew, one of the
subscribing evidences to the same, who swore that he saw the testator sign,
seal, and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament, and to the best of
his knowledge was of sound Mind and Disposing Memory. And that he also saw Sarah
Betsworth and Abiah Bangs, the other subscribing evidences, sign as such in the
presence of the Testator. At the same time John Carruthers, one of the Esecutors
therein mentiond, appeared in court and qaualified according to Law.
Phil Smith, Current Clerk
==================
Translation of the Robert Widdringtone Will of 1722, Calvert County, MD.
Maryland State Archives Probate Records, Calvert Co, Liber 18, Folio 27. Will
written August 20, 1722, probated Nov. 10, 1722. Inventory made Nov. 26, 1722.
Translated by Michael Smolek, 2/20/99 [Bold emphasis added for readability.]
I Robert Widdringtone of Christ Church Parish in Calvert County planter being
dangerously ill in Body but of perfect and Sound Memory, God be praised for the
same? have thoughtful to publish and declare and do hereby publish and declare
this to be my last Will and Testament that is to say Imprv? I commend my soul to
God who gave it Hoping for mercy through the alone? Merritts of my Blessed ?
Redeemer Jesus Christ.
Item I give my body to the ground in hopes of a Joyful Resurrection to Eternal
Life.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Loving son, Solomon Widderingtone three cows
and Three Calves to be delivered & paid to him when he shall attain the age of
nineteen years.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son John three Cows and Three Calves, to be
delivered and paid unto him when he shall attain the age of nineteen years. And
do appoint Henry Easterling Gurardian to my said two sons Solomon & John until
they attain the age of nineteen years respectively and then to be free & at
their own disposal upon condition that Henry Easterling to pay for two years
Schooling for each of my said two sons, Solomons & John without any reduction
from their Legacies above mentioned.
Item I do appoint Mr. Walter Smith of St. Leonards guardian of my Daughter
Dorcas Widderingtone until she attains the age of sixteen years and then to be
free and at her own disposal.
Item I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Dorcas one packing mare branded
with an "O?" uppon the rear buttock.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Widdringtone one cow and calf and
do appoint her Aunt Mrs. Mary Dare to be Guardian of her untill she attains the
age of Sixteen years and then she to be free and at her own disposall and the
said cow & calf then to be delivered to her.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son John above mentioned one horsesucking colt.
Item I give unto Benjn Rice my Cyder Casks.
Item I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth Easterling wife of Henry Easterling all
my household goods not otherwise disposed off all the rest and residue of my
personall Estate whatsoever I give and bequeath unto Henry Easterling whom I
constitute and appoint sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament. In
Witness thereof, I have hereunto set my mark and seal this twentieth day of
August in the year of Our Lord God- One thousand seven hundred twenty two
Robert "his mark" Widdringtone Seal
Signed Sealed published and declared to be his last Will and Testament in
presence of others who at? the Lastatus?? Required have hereunto set our hand as
Witnesses, John Dickinson, William Rutledge, Henry Constable
November 10, 1722 Came? John Dickinson, Wm Rutledge and Henry Constable
subscribing witnesses to the ??? Will disposeth on the Holy Evangelists of God
that they and every of them saw and hearst? Robt Widdringtone sign seal publish
and Declare this same to be his last Will and Testament and that at the time of
his so doing he was sound in mind and of perfect Knowledge to the best of their
and Every? of their Knowledge and apprehension
I wrote? ??? me W. Smith Dept Com?? Calvert County
==================
EXCERPTS of the Robert Widdringtone Will of 1722, Calvert Co MD Maryland State
Archives Probate Records, Calvert Co, Liber 18, Folio 27.
I Robert WIDDRINGTONE of Christ Church Parish in Calvert County (MD) planter
-Item I give and bequeath unto my Loving son, Solomon WIDDERINGTONE
-Item I give and bequeath unto my son John ... and do appoint Henry EASTERLING
Gurardian to my said two sons Solomon & John
-Item I do appoint Mr. Walter SMITH of St. Leonards guardian of my Daughter
Dorcas WIDDERINGTONE
-Item I give and bequeath unto my said Daughter Dorcas
-Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary WIDDRINGTONE ... and do
appoint her Aunt Mrs. Mary Dare to be Guardian
-Item I give unto Benjn RICE my Cyder Casks.
-Item I give unto my Daughter Elizabeth EASTERLING wife of Henry Easterling
all my household goods not otherwise disposed off all the rest and residue of my
personall Estate whatsoever I give and bequeath unto Henry Easterling whom I
constitute and appoint sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament. In
Witness thereof, I have hereunto set my mark and seal this twentieth day of
August in the year of Our Lord God- One thousand seven hundred twenty two