15 July 1778 (3rd year of Independence). Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 6 p.120: 
Joseph Dickson to Solomon Beazley (Beazly).  30 pounds “Current money of 
North Carolina” for 50 acres “Beginning at… the third Corner of the said land that 
the said Solomon Beazly Bought from William Rigby Being the place Where the 
said Beazley now lives.” Deed mentions James Heath. Land was part of a tract 
of 400 acres “On the North side of Maxwell Swamp” granted to the said Joseph 
Dickson by patent dated 4 March 1775. 
Wit.: Thomas James and Alexander Dickson. 

23 July 1779 Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 7 p.355: Owen Kenan (Esquire, of 
New Hanover County) to James Kenan.  600 pounds “Current money of this state” 
for two tracts of land. The first tract consisted of 236 acres being “all that…parcell 
of land… which said Owen Kenan purchased from Henry Eustace McCulloh 
Esquire in Turkey Swamp and horse pen Branch.” Deed mentions the mouth of 
Horse Pen Branch (in Turkey Branch). The second tract consisted of 200 acres “
granted By pattent to said Owen Kenan On both sides of the Horse pen branch…
Patent Bearing date” 9 April 1779. Deed mentions James Kenan. The second tract 
joined the first tract. 
Wit.: Thomas James and John Molton. 

Jan.24, 1781 Duplin Co, NC Land Entry p.223 1457 (30). Thomas James enters 
100 ac; border: his own line.

Jan.24, 1782  Duplin Co, NC Land Entry p.223 1458 (31). Thomas James enters 
50 ac; border: his own line.

19 October 1782 (7th year of Amer. Ind.) Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 7 p.414: 
John Baptist Shepherd and Mourning Shepherd, his wife, to Thomas James 350 
pounds specia for two tracts of land. The first tract consisted of 326 acres “On 
both sides of Stewarts Creek Beginning…in the fork of a small branch.” Deed 
mentions the fork of Stewarts Swamp and Buck Hall. Land was “the Contents 
of a pattent Granted to James Williams” 15 November 1753. The second tract 
consisted of 50 acres “Beginning at the Run of Stewarts Creek at the mouth of 
Jumping Run thence up said Branch…to the South west prong and up the So. 
west prong to…the head thereof,” etc. Land was part of 100 acres “granted to 
Brice Williams by Pattent Bearing date” 22 July 1774. 
Wit.: Joseph Dickson, Isaac Hunter, and John Molton. 

Feb.17, 1785  Duplin Co, NC Land Entry p.245 1596 (169). Benjn Ezzell enters 
100 ac; border: Thomas James, John Johnson, & near Charles Merrit.

7 Dec 1785 Duplin Co, NC Deed Book 1A p.219 Abraham Glisson to David 
Cannon, both of Duplin Co. for 40 pds.200A on the ES of the Northeast Branch 
of Cape Fear River opposite the mouth of Rockfish Creek, incl. a survey formerly 
made for Joab Herrington, the 200A being the contents of a patent granted to 
Thomas Cummings 27 July 1774. 
Wit: Thomas James, Sarah Molten. Jan. Ct. 1786.

7 January 1786 Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 8 p.250: Robert Merritt, Sr., to 
Thomas James (of Duplin County). 32 pounds 10 shillings “Current money of the 
state” for 320 acres “On both sides of Cew whiffle marsh being one half of a tract 
of land of (640) acres of land granted to the said Robert Merritt the (sic) Being 
that side of the said tract that lies next to the six Runs or Black River Beginning 
at…the second Corner of the said patent On the Edge of the percimmon (sic) 
branch.” 
Wit.:Kadar Bryan and William Cook. 

13 Mar 1786 Duplin Co, NC Deed Book 1A p.298 Charles (M) Merrit to Benjamin 
Ezzell, both of Duplin Co. for 12 pds. current money of N.C. 50A on the ES of 
Stewart’s Creek, being part of the sd. Merrit’s old survey of 150A whereon he now 
lives & part of a new survey of sd. Merrit’s of 100A granted 9 Nov 1784, beg. at a 
poplar in Merrit’s Branch at the mouth of the first branch below sd. Merrit’s little 
field, being sd. Ezzell’s corner of a deed of 100A purchased from sd. Merrit & Co., 
adj. Thomas James’ line. 
Wit: Austin Beesley, Thomas Carlton. Oct. Ct. 1786.

10 February 1790 (14th year of Amer.Ind.) Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 8 p.400: 
Robert Merritt to Kedar Bryan (of Duplin County). 55 pounds “Current money of the
 State” for 540 acres “in Duplin County and Sampson County Beginning at a Gum 
in Horsepen branch a drain of Rockfish William Merritts Corner.” Deed mentions a 
branch, Jeremiah Hand, and Nathaniel Merritt (29 October 1782) for… 640 acres 
All of which Causes (sic) and pattent the said Robert Merritt doth hereby Warrant 
and forever defend… forever Except One hundred acres of land So pattent which 
has been previous by Conveyed by deed from the said Merritt to Elias Sutton by 
Certain Marks and lines.” 
Wit.: Jo Dickson, Rigdon Bryan, and Thomas James. 

13 February 1790 (14th year of Amer. Ind.) Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 8 p.407: 
Robert Merritt to Kedar Bryan (of Duplin County). 769 pounds 4 shillings 4 pence 
“Currency” for 625 acres of land in five tracts “On the East side of the six Runs and 
South Side of Stewart Creek.” The first tract consisted of 160 acres “pattented By 
Richard James On the East side of the six Runs Beginning… near said River.” The 
second tract consisted of 130 acres “Joining the above Including the place whereon 
the said Robert Merritt Now lives On.” Deed mentions James” corner and Stewarts 
Creek Swamp. Land was “the Contents of a Pattent granted to William Stevens” 3 
March 1759. The third tract  consisted of 135 acres which was “part of a Pattent 
granted to William Stephens (10 September 1759) for (164) acres.” Deed mentions 
Holly’s Branch,” the lower corner of the Pattent and a Corner of a survey of Fifty acres,” 
and a pocosin. The fourth tract consisted of 150 acres which was “part of (300) acres 
of land granted to the said Robert Merritt by a Pattent granted” 15 December 1778. 
Deed mentions the swamp, “said Merritts Own line.” Michael Merritt, and the head of 
a branch. The line ran “Near Samuel Sellers’s line.” [The total acreage of the first four
 tracts is given as 575 acres.] The fifth tract consisted of 50 acres and was “the 
Contents of a pattent granted to the said Robert Merritt” 29 October 1782. This tract 
lay “on the East side of the six Runs.” Deed mentions Samuel Sellers, Holly Branch, 
”Holly and Sellers Branch,” Robert Merritt’s line, a pond, Six Runs, and the mouth 
of Samuel Sellers’ Branch (in Six Runs). 
Wit.: Joseph Dickson, Rigdon Bryan, and Thomas James. 

6 February 1793. Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 10 p.491. Deed of Gift: Robert Merritt,
 Sr., to Frederick Merritt (his son). Frederick Merritt was given 150 acres “on the East 
side of the Six runs and Between the heads of Hobbys branch and the head of the 
marsh prong of Cew Whiffle… Beginning at James Clearys (Clurys?) line… Running 
West along the Old Tarkill path to the Old Road thence the old Road to Thomas 
James’s line,” etc. Deed mentions “the given line of the Old survey.” Land was “part 
of a pattent granted to said Robert Merritt Senior Bearing Date 1774.” 
Wit.: Kadar Bryan and John Bryan. 

25 Nov 1793 Duplin Co, NC Deed Book 3A p.203: Kedar Bryan of Sampson Co. to 
Thomas James of Duplin Co. for 30 pds. specie 600A on the NS of Stewart’s Creek 
& ES of the run of Buck Hall Swamp, beg. at the run of Buck Hall at Rivenbark’s 
Ford upon a large sweet gum & white oak in sd. James’ corner, adj. James Gillespie, 
James Williams & being the contents of a parent of 500A granted to Benjamin 
Williams (date not given) & part of the contents of a patent of 200A granted to the 
afsd. Williams on 17 Oct 1782 for 100A. 
Wit: Henry Cannon, John Bryan. Apr. Ct. 1797.

16 January 1794 Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 9 p.363: Jesse Peacock (of Cumberland 
County) to John Treadwell, Sr. 120 pounds specia for 150 acres “in the fork of great 
Coharee and six Runs it Being (150) acres of land which Charles Gavin made over by 
a deed of sale to Richard Keeton it Being part of (1,000) acres of land Pattented by 
said Charles Gavin and Benjaman Blazton Bearing date (5 October 1751)… Beginning 
at  Oke Edward Rollings Corner.” Deed mentions Lassiter’s line. Line ran “to the six 
Runs thence down the six Runs to Cohara thence up the Cohara to the town Corner of 
Lisbon thence along the line of Lisburn to where it Strikes Cohara again thence up the 
River to the first Station and all the land in the Bent of the River Between the town of 
Lisbon and Treadwells Bridge Beginning at the bent of the River the lower line near 
Thomas Jameses lott thence up the Various Courses of the River to Where it Strikes 
the town line again thence along said line to the Beginning Concluding the Two pieces 
to be (150) acres of land.” 
Wit.: Will Robinson and John Treadwell, Jr. 

18 Mar 1795 Duplin Co, NC Deed Book 3A p.56 Thos. (Thomas) James (co.not given) 
to Auston Beesley of Duplin Co. for $300- a negro man slave named Lance (?) about 
28 yrs.of age. 
Wit: Abram Molten. No probate date.

19 Sep 1795 Duplin Co, NC Deed Book 3A p.205 A.(Abraham) Molten Senr.to Thomas 
James, Esqr., both of Duplin Co. for 250 pds. current money of N.C.1160A on the WS 
of Stewart’s Creek & BS of Buck Branch, being part of the land that was bequeathed 
by the LW & T of Abraham Molten dec’d to his sons Abraham & Michael Molten, beg.
at a gum in Buck Branch, an old corner of Thomas Johnston’s & Abraham Glisson’s & 
along sd. Glisson’s old line, it being now Edward Dickson’s line, to Brumley’s old line, 
Molten’s patent line, to Michael Molten’s corner, formerly James Kenan’s corner, to 
James Joiner’s & Thomas Johnston’s corner. 
Wit:Steven (X) Vann, Mary (X) Vann, Apr.Ct.1797.

15 May 1798 Sampson Co, NC Deed Book 10 p.528: John Treadwell, Sr., to John Treadwell, 
Jr. L50 specia for 150 acres “in the fork of great Cohara and six Runs it being (150) acres of 
land which Charles Gaven made Over by deed of sale to Richard Tatum it Being part of… 
1000 acres pattented by said Charles Gaven and Benjaman Blagbun Bearing date (1 
October 1751)… Beginning at…Edward Rollings Corner.” Deed mentions Lasiter’s corner. 
The line ran “Eastwardly to the six Runs tence down the six Runs to Cohara thence up 
Cohara to the lower Corner of Lisburn thence along the line of Lisburn to Where it Strikes 
Cohara again thence up the River to the first Station…and all the land in the Bent of the 
River Between the Town of Lisburn and Treadwells Bridge Beginning at the Bent of the River 
On the town line Near Thomas James lott thence up the Various Courses of the River to 
Where it Strikes the town line again thence along said line to the Beginning includeing or 
Concludeing Two pieces to be (150) acres.” 
Wit.: Will Robinson and G. Devane. (1q,2,4,9c)

Census
Duplin County List of Capt.Stallin’s District taken by Danl Teachy & returned April 1786. 
Pg.4 140. Thomas James 2 WM 21-60, 3 WM < 21, > 60, 5 WF, 9 B 12-50, 8 B < 12,> 50

1790 Duplin NC
Thomas James, Esq. 3 WM >= 16, 1 WM < 16, 5 WF, 21 slaves





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