I'm not sure who was the father of Levi, but he appears first in an area
called North Cove which is near Linnville, now county of McDowell. He was
first surveyor of Mitchell County when formed in 1861. Appearance in North
Cove, and trained as Surveyor lead me to believe he might be a son of the
John Chandler of Burke Co, who was to view a road in progress in that same.
Here are some data I have picked up on Levi:
1850 census shows he is a farmer, age 48 in Yancey Co, and in 1860 Census he
is shown as Surveyor. On 6/30/1861 he was elected first County Surveyor for
Mitchell County (it being formed that year).
1870 census of Mitchell Co, (Mitchell formed in the 1860s from parts of
Yancey and Burke) show Levi again, with additional children.
Burke Co Index Sales of Estates 1832-1838 shows Levi Purchased land in Apr
1832 (page 6).
Levi may be the son or grandson of John (Jno) Chandler, who, according to
Burke County records of 8 Jul 1797 was appointed to view the road from head
of upper creek to found and mark from head of upper creek below Beck's Mill.
This sounds like the work associated with a surveyor. This same John
Chandler, in Jan 1799 (Burke County records), received a petition from the
inhabitants of North Cove regarding road work. John Chandler was mentioned
as the Sheriff in a deed recorded in Burke County for William Morrison to
David McCracken, January 28, 1796. In April 1813 John Chandler witnessed
probate for IsaacCox.
Levi also had property on Ponder's Branch in the 1830's, in vacinity of
Larkin and Joseph T. Chandler, was Buncombe Co, now Madison County.
Also possibly related, are references to a Robert Chandler, who according to
Burke County records, received a Subpoena in Apr 1779 in behalf of Adonijah
Harbour in case of William Murrah vs Adonijah Harbour. There was a Robert
Chandler that was a surveyor in the Halifax/Henry Co region along the VA
border in the 1770s, and several of Sarah Sams close relatives were hired to
work with him as Chain Carriers.
Other mentions:
Surry County, NC Quaker records show Willis, Jacob, John, and Levi
Chandler, son of Joseph. The date is 8/10/1822 (not necessarily a birth
date).
Washington County, TN Marriages, Adolphus Chandler to Priscilla Thornburg,
Nov 12, 1846. Levi had grandson named Adolphus also, but born in 1864, so
this Adolphus may be a brother or uncle of Levi.