Duplin County, NCINTRODUCTION
Duplin County is located in the southeastern section of North Carolina and
was formed in 1750 from New Hanover County. In the year 1800 the County was
bounded by the counties of Jones, Lenoir, New Hanover, Onslow, Sampson and
Wayne. Part of New Hanover was annexed to Duplin in 1751, and in 1777 part of
Duplin was annexed to Johnston County. A major change involved the formation of
Sampson County from Duplin in the year 1784. The county seat of Duplin is^
Kenansville.
The earliest deed books, being eight in number, remain in the Sampson
County Courthouse; however, photo copies of these eight books have in recent years
been acquired by the Duplin County Register of Deeds Office. Dr. Max R. Peterson,
Jr. has published abstracts of the first three of these eight deed books, entitled
Abstracts of Sampson -Duplin Deeds, Book 1-3 ca. 1750 to ca. 1774). /'uor /1J uu
Li 8P.A/_y-- 3X81
The oriai.nal deed books for Duplin County in the courthouse at Kenansville
I�y
begin with Book 1A (1784-178&). This publication includes Book 1A as well as Boo�k
3A (1794-1809) and Book 4A (1804-1813). There is no book known as Book 2A.
Some deeds in Book lA (1784-1788) are dated earlier than 1784, and one is dated
after 1788. These deeds are as follows: 1766(p. 529)9 1771 (p. 264), 1777 (pgs. 58
& 59), 1779 ( pgs. 263, 2749 334 & 355 ), 1803 (p. 267).
The date of each deed is noted in these abstracts as well as the month and
year each was probated. The page numbers listed at the beginning of each deed
abstract refer to the page of the deed book on which the actual deed begins and not
the page number of this manuscript.
Some of the deeds deal with land sold in other counties in N. C. and out-
of-state. These include Onslow Co. (Book 1A 383), Sampson Co. (Book 1A 4679
515; Book 3A 1679 2919 3619 510, 512), Darlington Co., S. C. (Book lA 529),
Davidson Co., Ohio (Book 3A 121 22), Davidson Co., Tenn. (Book 3A 118, 119),
Norfolk Co., Va. (Book 4A 489) and Williamson Co. , Tenn. (Book 4A 521).
Each person's name and every place mentioned in the deeds are included in
these abstracts, as well as the beginning point of each piece of land. Names at the
heading of each deed for the grantor is recorded the way the grantor signed his or
her name; and, where the grantor made his or her mark, this is noted in parenthe-
sis. Additional spellings of names for the grantor or grantee are also listed.
The Index combines the three deed books under each person's name. The
book numbers such as 1A, 3A and 4A are listed only once followed by the pages on
which the name appears.
In the Negro Slave Index the given name of the slaves is listed under both
the grantor and the grantee.
One should search the indexes thoroughly for various spellings of surnames
Count4 Public ►arary _
pa�`� MO&SVIlle, No
C 0 6
P;'*"9Ai24-)BOOK 1A, DUPLIN DEEDS
p. 1 WILLIAM HOUSTON, SENR. of Duplin Co, to EDWARD HOUSTON, 13 May
1784, for $1, a tract of 360A on the ES of the Northeast River of Cape Fear, being
part of 840A granted to HENRY McCULLOH, ESQR. 3 Mar 1745, &later granted to
WILLIAM HOUSTON, ESQR. May 1780, beg, at a stake on the river GRIFFETH
HOUSTON'S lower corner & runs with his line S &.N to a water oak & gum in Bridle
Branch. WILLIAM HOUSTON & his wife to have lifetime rights on sd, land. Wit:
CHARLES WARD, JOSEPH BRAY, SEN. July Ct. 1784,
p. 20 WILLIAM HOUSTON, SEN. of Duplin Co. to WILLIAM HUBBARD, 13 May
1784, for $1 a tract of 325A on the ES of the Northeast River, being part of a tract
of 840A granted to HENRY McCULLOH 3 Mar 1745 &.granted to WILLIAM HOUS=
r TON, ESQR. Ma v 17809 beg, at a gum on the East Branch of the Cape Fear River.
Wit: W. DICKSON, SAML. HOUSTON. _July Ct. 1784.
v
P. 21 WILLIAM HOUSTON, SENR, of Duplin Co.
p to GRIrFETH HOUSTON, 13
May 1784, for $1 a tract of 256A on the ES of the Northeast River of Cape Fear,
being part of &4QA an d_tQ HELI .Mc.QUjJDH,_.,ESQR_ Mar � later grant-
ed to WILLIAM HOUSTON, E R. May1780_,_ beg, at a maple & ash on the branch
of Cape Fear River, WILLIAM HU13BARD1S lower corner. WILLIAM HOUSTON &
wife to have use of wood on sd, land for their planta. Wit: CHARLES WARD,
JOSEPH BRAY, SENR. July Ct. 1784..
._ ._
P. Z 6 S�icJR.
THE COMMISSIONERS of tKe town of Sarecta; namely, CIARLES WARD, JOHN
HILL, DAVID MURDOCK, JAMES OUTLAW, SAMUEL HOUSTON, GEORGE
MILLER, JOHN MATCHET, 15 July 1786, for 160 pds. 100A on the ES of the North-
east River, being_part of 840A granted o HENRY McCUL OL CH, Esqr. 3 Mar 1745
& thence granted to WILLIAM IIOUSTON, Esar. May 1780; & being the same laid
out for a town of Sarecta, beg. at a stake under the hill now the apple orchard, run-
Jr—
un-
J ning down the river. Wit: JAMS. GILLESPIE, J. WALLACE, A. READ. _
July Ct. 1786.
p. 270 RICHARD SINGLETON to FREDERICK WELLS, both of Duplin Co., 16
Dec 1783, for 50 pds. specie 100A on a branch of Rockfish Creek called the North
Branch, beg. on JOSEPH WILLIAMS' line at the run in the head of Mill Pond, to a
pine at JOSEPH JAMES' line, to a water oak at the run of Bear Branch. Wit:
EATHERENT ROCHELS, BENJAMIN WILLIAMS. July Ct. 1786.
X1.
'� Op p- 271 JOHN BECK (SENR.) to STEPHEN BECK, both of Duplin Co.,. 15 July
P41786, for 200 pds. 278A on the SS of Goshen Swam & the SS of Lon; Branch, beg.
T
at a pine & runs north to a white oak standing in Long Branch in sd. JOHN BECK S
planta., to the fork of Long Branch & Body Branch, to HENRY McCULLOCH'S
corner, to a small black oak near the head of Camp Branch. Wit: WILLIAM
WILKINSON, MARY WRIGHT. July Ct. 1786.
0
p. 273. JOHN BECK, planter, to WILLIAM BECK, both of Duplin Co. ; 17 July
1736, for 200 pds. currency of N. C. 86A on the SS of Goshen Swamp & on the
~
i
NS of Loner Branch near Slocunlb's Branch, part of a tract patented by sd. JOHN
v
BECK, beg. at a red oak & white oak sd. JOHN BECK'S corner, to WILLIAM
STEVEN'S lint;. Wit: (none listed) July Ct. 1786.
V
'�
p . 274 JAMES LOVE to JOHN BAPTIST SHEPHERD, both of Duplin Co., 10 Mar
Maple
� �
1779, for 10 pds, current money of N. C. 100A on the head branches of
N (�
Swamp, a branch of Goshen Swamp, joining sd. LOVE'S own land & lands of
PATRICK STEWART, ANDREW WILLSON, MR. McCULLOCH & FELIX KENAN,
herr_ at a hickory his own corner on PATRICK STEWART'S line, being the contents
BOOK 1A, DUPLIN DEEDS 21
P z 0 2.? MW 5x 43l,901t gc,J 40 ax D&.v) 0 r .vii✓JPJ4/�rZ c1Vi 1_/ IFX,
_ WILLIAM TAYLOR, planter of Duplin Co. ; 7 Nov 1784, for 12 pds, specie 500A on
the NS of Goshen Swamp & on the head of Bear MARSH Branch, beg, at 3 pines on
JOHN WHITEHEAD'S line & sd. TAYLOR'S corner, to a bay in the Huckleberry
Pond on WESTEN'S line, to a pine in the head of Bear Marsh Branch, with BURREL
BRANCH'S line, to JESSE BARFIELD'S corner, to a stake on TIIOMAS TAYLOR'S
line, to a pine on JOHN WHITEHEAD'S line. Wit: SAMUEL BOWDEN (BOURDEN),
JAMES STANDLEY. Jan. Ct. 1786.
p. 239 DAVID CANNON to WILLIAM WARD, both of Duplin Co., 16 Jan 1786, for
40 pds, specie 105A on the WS of Bear Swamp, being the back part of a survey of
320A which sd. CANNON purchased at public sale, the prop. of HENRY EUSTACE
McCULLOCH, ESQR. , beg. at a small white oak the corner tree of sd. CANNON'S
land, to JOHN STUCKEY'S line & along SAMUEL WARD'S line. Wit: WILLIAM
SHARPLESS, SAMUEL OATS. Jan. Ct. 1786.
p. 241 JOHN (J) DEVOUR (DEVER) of Duplin Co. , planter, to JACOB KORNEGAY
(co. not given), 4 Jan. 1786, for 10 pds. 100A on the head of Deep Gully Branch, beg.
at a water oak EDMUND DUNCAN'S new corner, to a white oak JACOB KORNEGAY'S
corner. Wit: EDMOND DUNCAN, STEPHEN JONES. Jan. Ct. 1786.
p. 242 AMBROSE ENZOR to JOSHUA BLAKE, both of Duplin Co., 3 Sep 1785, for
12 pds, specie 100A on a branch of Rockfish called Gum Branch, beg. at a pine in
the meadow. Wit: JACOB (4) MATHEWS, WILLIAM KNIGHT, JOHN (1:) COOK.
Jan. Ct. 1786.
p. 243 JOSEPH DICKSON (ESQR.) to LEWIS THOMAS, planter, both of Duplin Co.,
7 Jan 1736, for 60 pds. currency 330A, beg. at a stake in the head of a branch or
pond the last corner of EPHRAIM BOYD'S 100A survey, being a prong of Ashe
Branch, & along ALEXANDER LANE'S former line, but now WILLIAM KENAN'S
line & along JOHN GOAR'S [sic] line, & along the former line of ANDREW GUFFORD
but now JOHN BEST'S, & with ARTHUR BOYD'S line. Wit: ISAAC HUNTER,
NATHEN WALLER. Apr. Ct. 1786.
p. 246 WILLIAM BOYET to LEWIS THOMAS, both planters of Duplin Co., 4- Feb
1786, for 80 pds. current money 400A in 3 tracts: (1) 200A beg. at a pine on the
line formerly called ABRAHAM MOLTEN'S, but now LEWIS THOMAS', formerly
taken up by FELIX KENAN who conveyed the same to sd. BOYET; (2) 100A on the
WS of the Northeast River on the ;SS of Nahunga Swamp patented by sd. BOYET; (3)
100A on a branch of Nahunga Swamp above sd. BOYET'S planta. on BS of the road,
beg. at a pine in a pond his own corner, to STEPHEN POWELL'S line, patented by
sd. BOYET. Wit: JAS. KENAN, LEAVIN WADKINS, WARREN BLOUNT. Apr. Ct.
17 86.
p. 248 JOSEPH GRIMES, millright, to SAMPSON GRIMES, planter, both of Duplin
Co., 18 Jan 1786, for 4 pds, specie money 100A on the NS of Goshen Swamp, beg. at
acypress tree in Goshen Swamp at CHARLES WARD'S line, to a red oak on WES-
TON'S line, to a white oak on OUTLAW'S line, to a stake on SAMPSON GRIMES'
line, patent dated 10 Nov 1784. Wit: SNODON PEARCE, JOHN WHITEHEAD. Apr.
Ct. 1786.
p. 250 JOHN WHITEHEAD to JOHN WINDERS, both of Duplin Co., 1 Mar 1786,
for 80 pds, current money 500A in 3 tracts: (1) 200A beg. at a pine at the head of
30
DUPLIN DEEDS, BOOK 1A i i)`
vl'p. 334 WM. OWILLiAM) TAYLOR of Duplin Co. , planter, to his dau. ELIZABETH
TAYLOR of Duplin Co.. 3 June 1779. for "natural love & affection" all that mes-
suage or tenements, tract or tracts of land, with all houses, out houses, lands & c.
Wit: WILLIAM GOODMAN, JOHN GIBBS, HENRY GOODMAN. Apr. Ct. 1787.
p. 335 WM. (WILLIAM) TAYLOR of Duplin Co, to his dau. ELIZABETH TAYLOR
of Duplin Co., 3 June 1779, the following slaves, goods, & chattels: one negro man
named ARTHUR, one named DARBY, one mulatto girl AMA, one negro girl SILVA,
one named GEANEY, & one half of stock of every kind & one half of household goods
& working tools. Wit: WILLIAM` GOODMAN, JOHN GIBBS, HENRY GOODMAN.
Apr. Ct. 17 87 .
p. 407 JOHN RHODES of Duplin Co. to CATHERINE TAYLOR relict of the late
WILLIAM TAYLOR deed (co. not aiven), 23 Apr 1787, for 1.00 peper corn to be paid
unto sd. RHODES 1 Jan annually, if required, & the sd. RHODES farm lett unto the
sd. CATHERINE TAYLOR, all the lands (acreage not given) on the NS of Goshen
Swamp & on the ES of Bear Marsh, incl, the planta. _ whereon the sd, WILLIAM
TAYLOR. Esor. deed lived which was given by deed of gift by sd. WILLIAM
TAYLOR_to his dau. ELIZABETH, now the wife of the sd. JOIIN RHODES excepting
lA at the end of the Mill Dam & the privileges of the Mill Pond, unto the sd.
CATHERINE TAYLOR during her natural life. Wit: SAMUEL BOWDEN, FRANS.
OLIVER. July Ct. 1787.
✓r . 434 JOHN RHODES to HENRY McCULLOCH PENELOPE McCULLOH &
CATHERINE McCULLOH, all of Duplin Co.. 24 Apr 1787, for 5 shill, specie, a
tract (acreage not given) on the NS of Goshen Swamp & on the ES of Bear Marsh,
cont. all the lands adj. to & incl. the planta, whereon the late WILLIAM TAYLOR,
Esqr, deed lived, which was given by deed of gift by the A. TAYLOR to his dau.
ELIZABETH, now the wife of the sd. RHODES, excepting 1A joining the end of _the
Mill Dam & all the privileges of the Mill Pond, & also excepting a lease of the sd.
land & tenements with every part & parcel thereof to CATHERINE TAYLOR, relict
of the sd. WILLIAM TAYLOR, Esqr. , made by the sd. RHODES bearing date 23
Apr 1787 during his life. Wit: SAMUEL BOWDEN, FIR NS. OLIVER. Oct. Ct.
1787.
p. 435 JAS. KENAN (JAMES), Shff, of Duplin Co. to JOHN WALLER, JUNE. of
Duplin Co., 19 Apr 1786, for 25 pds. 15 shill. 100A on the SS of Limestone Swamp
& on BS of the main road, being the place where BENJAMIN SMITH, planter late of
Duplin Co, deed formerly lived on, beg. at a pine on WALLER'S back line near the
road, by the end of Halls Ave. , which sd. KENAN exposed for sale on 16 Sep 1785 &
JOHN WALLER, JUNE. became the highest bidder at public auction. The Court
awarded 9 pds. 19 shill., plus cost and charges of 3 pds. 9 shill. 3 pence to
STEPHEN WILLIAMS for debt & damages in suit against BENJAMIN SMITH, deed.
Wit: WILLIAM DICKSON, W. LIGHTFOOT. Oct. Ct. 1787.
p. 437 ROBERT MERRIT of Sampson Co. to JAMES BLAND.of Duplin Co., 10
Nov 1786, for 10 pds. 100A on BS of the Iron Mine Branch, beg. at a stake by
a pine, a corner tree of a survey formerly patented by JOHN BLANTON. Wit:
DAVID WILLIAMS, ROBERT ROLINS. Oct. Ct. 1787.
p. 439 JOHN WILLIAMS & CLOE (X) WILLIAMS his wife to AMOS JOHNSTON,
all of Duplin Co., 11 Aug 1787, for 150 pds. current money of Carolina 100A on the
Northeast Prong of Cape Fear incl. the planta. whereon ROBERT HOOKS formerly
lived, became the property of RUTH HOOKS & SUSANNAH HOOKS, which sd. land
by several conveyances became the prop. of sd. WILLIAMS, beg. at a large red
42 DUPLIN DEEDS, BOOK 1A
p. 454 JAMES PATERSON & JANE PATERSON of the Town of Fayetteville to
JAMES GILLESPIE of Duplin Co., 8 Jan 1787, for 120 pds, current money of N. C.
232A on the ES of the Northeast Branch of Cape Fear River, near the mouth of
Limestone on Maple Branch, being part of a larger tract of land granted by GEORGE
II, by letters patent dated 7 May 1754 to JOHN BROCK, which sd. BROCK conveyed
to FRANCIS BRICE who conveyed to DAVID MITCHELL, & sd. MITCHELL deeded
to JOHN BUNTING who conveyed to WILLIAM WARD late husb. of the sd. JANE
PATTERSON. Wit: JOSEPH T. RHODES, JOHN WAHH, DOLPHIN DAVIS. Oct.
Ct. 1787.
P. 456 CHARLES HOOTEN & his wife ANN HOOTEN of Bertie Co. to LEWIS
THOMAS of Duplin Co., 12 Aug 1785, for 200 pds. current money of N. C. 242A on
the head of the Grove Swamp, beg. at an ash on the main run of the sd. swamp.
Wit: JHONATHAN THOMAS, DEBORAH (X) PHIPS. Oct. Ct. 1787.
p. 457 JAMES PEARSALL, Shff. of Duplin Co. to JAMES JAMES of same, 20 Oct
1785, for 150 pds. 100A on the SS of the Grove Swamp & on the Middle Branch of
Frederick Mill Branch, it being the contents of a patent granted to PATRICK
POWELL, but now the lands & tenements of ARCHIBALD PEARCE. The Court
awarded 20 pds. 7 shill 10 pence, plus cost & charges of 3 shill 9 pence to ELISHA
CARROL for debt & damages in suit against sd. PEARCE, owner of sd. 100A9
which was purchased by JAMES JAMES at public auction 22 June 1785. Wit:
DANIEL GLISSON, JAMES WALLACE, JOHN ARMSTRONG. Oct. Ct. 1787.
✓
r. 459 WILLIAM TAYLOR lant BETH TAYLOR both of
Duplin Co. , 14 Jan 1779, for 100 pds, proc. 1, 060A in 3 tracts: (1) 600A on the NS
of Goshen Swamp; (2) 100A on the NS of Gos en Swamp, beg. at a black oak JOHN
ROGERS' corner; (3) 360A NS of Goshen Swamp joining other lines of sd. WM.
TAYLOR, beg. at a white oak on Goshen Swamp near ROGERS' corner, to Bearskin
Branch, to the head of Poley Bridge Branch, with sd. TAYLOR'S other line, to a
pine in the side of Goshen Swamp. Wit: WILLIAM GOODMAN, JOHN GIBBS ,
Oct. Ct. 1787.
(-p 461 ( Note: This page missing on microfilm. See Book 1A in Duplin Co.
Courthouse. )
�p. 462 "Duplin County. Be it remembered that the sd. WILLIAM TAYLOR is to be
ever intrusted with the two deeds of gift from him to his daughter for land and
negroes, goods & chattels & that the intent of the said deeds is to invest a proper
and lawfull right to hur of the land negros good & chattels, at or after his death, no
wise debaring the said WILLIAM TAYLOR of using or altering ye the deed or deeds
at his will and pleasure or selling or giving any part or all of ye premises men-
tioned in the deeds aforesaid, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this "
Wit: WILLM. GOODMAN
JOHN GIBBS ELIZABETH TAYLOR
HENRY GOODMAN
p. 462 (Note: This page missing on microfilm. See Book 1A in Duplin Co.
Courthouse.)
p. 462 W. (WILLIAM) DICKSON to THEOPHILUS WILLIAMS; both of Duplin Co.,
19 July 1788, for 180 pds. current money, 2 negro slaves to wit: LIDIA about 24
yrs. of age, & Country Born, with her child a boy about 18 mos. named HAMLET.
Wit:` THOS. GRAY, W. GRAY. July Ct. 1788.
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