I've been collecting and putting together information about
the Carsons before 1790 in NC based exclusively on records
and documents. This begins a series of emails about Carsons
in Orange Ct. NC - it would make the email too long to include everyone in
one email.
If you've got any records that I haven't included, please email
me.
ORANGE CT. NC CARSONS
Orange Ct. NC was established in 1752. Part of it became Guilford Ct. in
1770, Caswell Ct. 1777, then Caswell was split into two parts, the eastern
part becoming Person Ct. In 1791 with Chatham Ct. formed in part from
Orange Ct. 1771. While a variety of alternate spellings are used on
deeds, modern names are Eno River and Hyco River.
I. Alexander Carson
There are actually two Alexander Carsons in Orange Ct. NC early on, one
established by a will which was not probated and the other by a will which
was probated (see details below). Entirely circumstantial evidence
suggests that one was located in the upper area of Orange Ct. while the
other was on the Eno River near Hillsborough NC. In the case of the one
in the upper district, the names mentioned in his will appear in later
census information (1830s) as living in the "northern district" of Orange
Ct. plus the Richard Parsons from whom he bought land appears to have
resided in Surry Ct. NC. Additionally, there is an Alexander H. Carson
who appears on the census of 1830 for Person Ct. NC.
Alexander Carson (Orange Ct. NC - Hillsborough District)
b. 1734? (entered land NC 1755; 21 years old at least)
d. 1791 Aug 1 (will probated) 1789 Apr 8 (will written)
m. Margaret ?
o will of Alexander dated 8 Apr 1789 says wife (unnamed) is
alive and identifies children.
Will of Margaret Carson written 11 Oct 1796 and probated
Feb 1802 indicates she
is the widow of Alexander and names all five children
(including Robert) plus
granddaughter Margaret Clenny and son in law William Clenny.
o witness to will of Margaret Carson is transcribed as
"Rancher"; executor of will
of Alexander is transcribed as "Rinenus". No surname
even close in 1790/1800
Census records for Orange Ct. NC. Another NC transcriber
of wills said it was Rencher
There is an Abraham Rencher listed in Rowan Ct. NC on tax
lists of 1762 and 1766.
Possibility that this is last name of Margaret.
o Alexander Carson on 1779 tax list Hillsborough District
and on the Hillsborough NC
1790 census; census sheet which lists others in household
and ages not available
No Alexander Carson appears on earlier surviving tax lists
Orange Ct. NC
o Alexander enters land 10 Dec 1755, warrant 3 Feb 1756,
survey 6 Sep 1756 and deed 15
Jul 1760 for 108 acres/ 93 acres
(two Granville grants,
contiguous land about five miles
east of Hillsborough NC) both sides of Eno River (St.
Matthews Parish)
- Orange County NC deed Jan 3 1814 from
Alexander
Carson Jr to Samuel Carson for
land on Eno River two feet below where Samuel
Carson's Mill dam is now running
for 1/12 acre. The Alexander Jr. is probably
grandson of Alexander A. died 1795 and
the Samuel is probably the uncle of Alexander Jr.
CDR: 1. Robert Carson
b.
d. (will of father
written 1789 says deceased, will of mother written
1796
names him as a son)
m.
CDR: 1. Alexander
Carson (named in will of grandfather)
b.
d.
m.
2. Samuel Carson
b.
d.
m. Mary Spires 4 Mar
1793 (marriage record Orange Ct.; not certain that
this is the right
Samuel; the other Alexander had a son Samuel.
o Samuel Carson
lost his land on the Eno River at a Sheriff's sale to
John and William
Cabe in 1808. Continued to run a Mill until 1819
when he sold it
to Gilbert Strayhorn. Sometime later he moved to the
foot of Edwards
Mt. in Chatham County. Attended Dodds House
(forerunner of
Lystra Baptist Church)
3. Elizabeth Carson
b.
d.
m. Allen Barber 17
Dec 1797 (some list as Barbee but it is Barber)
UNVERIFIED: Allen
Barber b. 1774
moved to Grayson Ct. VA
Allen Barber remarried 1811 Grayson Ct. VA
CDR: Margaret b. 21 Apr 1799
Susannah b. 18 Mar 1802
Stephen
Elizabeth
CDR:
4. Mary Carson
b.
d.
m. James Atkins 8 Feb
1790 (marriage record Orange Ct.; no other Mary
Carsons there)
UNVERIFIED: moved to
Grayson Ct. VA
CDR: Alexander
Ambross b. 13 May 1809
Daniel b. 22 Aug 1799
5. Alice Carson
b.
d.
m. William
Clenny/Clenney (some researchers insist name is Cherry but
in will of
mother of Alice last name is Clenny; there area listing
for Clenney in
census/tax records 1779-1810 but no Cherry in Orange
Ct. NC)
CDR: (named in
will of Margaret Carson)
1. Margaret Clenny
Alexander Carson
b.
d. 1775? (will written Oct 28, 1775; no probate record)
m Easter
o will was found in the Manuscript Dept of the University
of NC at Chapel Hill library
o will says it is being written because of the "shortness of
my time by my present
indisposition". Names wife who is pregnant at the time
as Easter and children listed
below
o will cites land purchased from Richard Parsons
plus another tract of land. Also mentions
Barnabus Grimes and "Kiah" Whitt. Barny Grimes is
listed on the tax list of 1779 in
Orange Ct. NC and 1800 as Barnabus. There is an
Hezekiah Whitt around at this time
but no Orange Ct. records for him.
o there is reference in the will to son James having land
when 21 and daughters given the
right to live in the house until they reach age of
maturity. Alexander and Samuel are not
to "command" their land until the children are
grown. This suggests that all except John
are minors.
o there is an Alexander H. Carson listed in the 1830
census
of Person Ct. NC. No Carsons
before this in Person.
CDR: 1. John Carson (oldest)
2. James Carson (second son)
3. Alexander Carson
4. Samuel Carson
5. Jane Carson
6. Ester Carson