This is the first reunion as such of the descendants of John Henry and Sarah May Barwick. For some this reunion will be a trek back into the past to revisit a time when life was both happy and sad, simple but also complex, slow moving while yet an era so fast in transition that it only seems like yesterday that Mama and Granddaddy were celebrating their Golden wedding anniversary (around 1941). Some can still see Mama sitting on the “veranda” in the corner where there was always a breeze blowing and it was never too hot; where in her gentle way she would redirect the mischievous ways of her children and grandchildren without a harsh word; where she would fret over Mr. John's ways and shortcomings without his ever knowing it; and where she would silently grieve his death that preceded her's by fifteen years - which at times seemed like an eternity to her in her longing to be with him in his final resting place. Others, have come to the reunion to remember the times of special joy when all the family came together to celebrate Christmas, birthdays, anniversaries, and even final farewells. Many still remember their Golden Wedding Anniversary where Miss May and John were at the pinnacle of their life. That picture of Joe Debnam and Becky Keel in the swing on the front porch has always stuck in many of our memories; the times when John Moore took charge and installed running water and moved the out house inside - something for which we would all be eternally thankful. There were too many happy times to count, and there were also an ample number of sad times. We can still remember Mama tell about her sister Cassie that died in the front room of this old house after having her arm cut off in the cotton gin that was out front - how grandpa Coward came running in the house with the child in his arms and blood all over his white shirt and how she died from lack of medical attention. Mama was ten at the time (1879); can you imagine the impression this must have left in her heart. Then there was the trying time when Mr. John had a paralyzing stroke while he was in his early fifties, just after he and Sam had formed a partnership to revive the Coward Farm from bankruptcy. I'm sure this was a test of Mama's faith to see her husband struck down in his prime. Of course, we all know that his determination and the use of home remedies for several years resulted in his great recovery. His residual paralysis was only a minor hindrance to him till his death in 1948. For those of us that can remember, we have an obligation to pass the legacy on to our posterity in our own ways.

One reason many have come today is to see where it all started and to meet strangers that we have heard about, but never met. For some it will be the establishment of first-time and hopefully lasting family ties and for the rest it will be one more opportunity to reminisce and have fun with those that have not seen each other for years.

In keeping with the hope and spirit of kindling renewed and lasting ties, a brief history and genealogy of the Barwick and Coward families is presented in this document. The author encourages you to read carefully and offer corrections, criticisms, new births, marriages, and deaths in order that periodic updates can be made to the family histroy data base and this report.

Most of our ancestors came from one of North Carolina's "lost" counties, Dobbs County. Not only does the county no longer exist, most of the records pertaining to the county and its people have been destroyed in several disastrous courthouse fires. These fires were a great tragedy to the area because these records which dated from as early as 1730 pertained to the present counties of Greene, Wayne, Lenoir and Jones with a great number of records concerning land and people in Pitt, Wilson, Craven and Johnston Counties. Thus, those of us doing research into the history and genealogy of this area are faced with a great vacuum which unless one discovers some of these records in some lost courthouse file or musty attic trunk, we have to do a lot of inferential work based usually on secondary sources to establish solid relationships between our family lines.

During my research for the Barwick Family of Dobbs County, I also accumulated data on the family of Sarah May Coward Barwick, my father's (Samuel Coward Barwick) mother. My visits to the North Carolina Department of Archives and History have uncovered a number of sources of information on the Coward families. Most of these books or publications trace the migration of the Coward(t) families into the South and states west of North Carolina with a good number of these families having their origins from the Dobbs County Cowards of the early to mid 1700's. Joseph A. Cowart [1972], Eleazer P. Scarborough [1984], Kyser Cowart Ptomey [1984], Dr. Samuel Omar Barwick [1906], Robert D. Barwick [1993] and Gladys Barwick Weeks [1988] [1] represent published sources of Coward and/or Barwick genealogies. The sources of much of the data came from unpublished reports, files, etc. include: Mrs. Anne Coward Salter, Martha Scarborough Brooks, and Jesse Vaughan - all listed in the Bibliography. In developing my own lines, I have relied heavily on these publications in filling the gaps caused by the courthouse fires.

I am indebted to many relatives and friends for help and the North Carolina Department of Archives and History for providing data, records and other documents essential to the development of this document.

OUR ENGLISH ROOTS AND COLONIAL ANCESTORS

The Barwicks and Cowards have strong ancestorial ties to England. In Figure 1 the early generations are displayed for the direct family lines to John Henry Barwick and Sarah May Coward. A brief discussion of our English and Colonial roots follows.

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Barwicks

The following account comes from Robert D. Barwick's 1993 manuscript of the Barwick's of Florida and the Southeastern U.S. Figure 1 shows the line of nine Barwick generations from John Barwick I (1696-1712) to John Henry Barwick. Robert's account follows:

"The first mention of any person named Barwick other than John occurs in Maryland records in the very early eighteenth century. Rebecca, believed to be John's daughter, married Thomas Olridge in Maryland in 1702. Of even more interest is a witness on a power of attorney of William Coursey in Talbot County in 1701. A man named Edward "Bonwicke" is reported to have witnessed the document. William Coursey was the brother of Henry Coursey, the man to whom John was a servant from 1664 until 1671. It is likely that Edward Bonwicke was Edward Barwick and that a transcriber misread the script and mistook on "ar" for "on"--an easy mistake in old handwriting.

John Barwick I died in 1712. His son John II is known to have engaged in land transactions after his death. John Barwick II sold 157 acres of Normanton in 1717. The land in this case was a portion of the property on the Wye River purchased by John I and William Hatfield in 1679. Later records show John, Edward, and William as related. By examination of recorded events in Maryland several writers have concluded that John Barwick I had at least four children, John II, William, Edward, and Rebecca. Rebecca probably married and gave up the Barwick name thus making the task of tracing her activities very difficult.

John Barwick II married a woman named Sarah and remained in Maryland. Little is known of his life except that he continued to engage in land transactions indicating that he was likely a "planter". His will dated in April, 1736 in Talbot County, left his property to his wife, Sarah, and his sons, James and John. The will was recorded in June of the same year indicating that John died between April and June, 1736. James received the bulk of the estate and was said to be the youngest son. John was left a paltry and likely sarcastic one shilling. Evidently John III had not stood well in his father's eyes.

John Barwick III remained in Talbot County and died there in 1755 or 1756. he married Rebecca Oldfield, the daughter of Harry Oldfield and Sarah Barber Oldfield. An inventory, identifying his wife as Rebecca Barnett (by then remarried) was conducted on 20 February 1756. A final distribution of the estate was made later in 1756. The latter document identifies John's children as William, Mary, Rebecca, Ann, and John. William, here, is William Barwick Sr.. who migrated to North Carolina and became our ancestor."

William Sr., Joshua (John), Isaac, Craven Tull and John Henry Barwick are all discussed in a latter section.

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Cowards

The Coward families in America are of English ancestry. The name is spelled three different ways by different branches of the family: Cowhered, Coward, and Cowart. Ptomey [1984] [1984] indicates in the Preface of his book, that: " . . . the Coward name appears in early English records and is thought by many a derivative of the name Cowherd, which designated the occupation of the family. The will of one William Coward, Sergeant-at-Law, of the city of Wells, in the county of Somersett, England, dated March 5, 1704, is recorded in the Records Office, Taunton (Somersett) England. William was survived by his widow Lady Mohun and sons William and James. Record books at the Local History Library in Taunton Castle, Taunton, England, contain much information about numerous Coward Families in the sixteenth century and earlier who were wealthy and held English Titles."

Eleazer P. Scarborough [1984] and Joe A. Cowart [1972] both establish 1600 England ties. The line shown in Figure 1 from Robert Cowart (171) to William Coward II (3250) comes from Joe A. Cowart. (The number in the parenthesis is the "reference identification number" or RIN number use frequently throughout this report.) Scarborough's account differs only slightly from Joe A. Cowart's.

As Kathi Cowart [no date] indicates: " . . . the research of Joe A. Cowart reveals that over 95% of all the present Cowherd-Coward-Cowart families now in the Southern United States originate from three - apparently unrelated - men:

1. James (2607) of Rappahannock County, Virginia, through his son William III (2503). This is the oldest, largest and most widespread Coward family lines in the U.S. which is located primarily in eastern N.C., all of S.C., Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, and Arkansas.

2. James of Rutherford County, N. C. - the second main southern family line commences before 1785 in Rutherford County, N. C. and spreads in southwestern N. C. (Buncombe, Haywood, Jackson and Clay counties) and over into northwestern Georgia (Murray, Gilmer, Pickens, Cherokee, Rabun, Towns, and Milton (now Fulton) counties).

3. John Coward, Revolutionary soldier, who was born in New Jersey but settled in Jefferson County Georgia after the Revolutionary War.

The several Northern U.S. lines originate with Richard Coward in Talbot County, Md. , and James Coward of Dorchester County, Md., and with Hugh Coward of Monmouth County, N.J. of which county John Coward of Jefferson County, Georgia, is a descendant. The northern lines, and the Rutherford County, N.C., southern line, tend to retain the original name Coward while the other southern lines generally changed to Cowart soon after the Revolutionary War. The Virginia and Kentucky lines of 1. James used the older for m of the same name - Cowherd."

Was the first James mentioned above the first to come to North Carolina? Using an unknown source provided to me by Anne Coward Salter [1993-94], of Marshallburg, North Carolina, who received this from her cousin, I have formed a slightly different conclusion as to whom the line of Eastern North Carolina or Dobbs County Cowards emminate. My argument follows.

Even though the date and authorship of this source isn’t known, it appears to be a later version of the Joe Cowart work published in 1972, perhaps done by his daughter, Kathi Cowart. I have added RIN numbers to each name to help keep the individuals with the same first name from being confused. The account with my commentary follows:

"Robert Cowart (171) of Winterbourne Gunner, lived in Yorkshire and had one son named John.

John Coward (3242) was in Yorkshire in 1540. He married Catherine Leigh of Wells. It is thought that this is when the Coward family went to Wells, England.

Thomas Coward (3245) is the son of John Coward (3242) of Wells. He married Mary Watkins.

William Coward I (3247) is son of Thomas born 1601 who died in Wells. William married Catherine___.

William Coward II (3250) was called Sir William of Lincoln's Inn. He was born in 1634 and died April 8, 1705. He married Bridget daughter of Sir Thomas Hall of Bradford in Wiltshire. Sir William (3250) represented Wells in the English Parliment. He was a merchant and had interest in America. Bridget Coward died March 22, 1662 and Sir William II (3250) married as his second wife Phillipa, daughter of Auther Anneslsey, Earl of Anglesey. William Coward III (2503) was a child by his first wife, other children if any not known."

Joe Cowart's 1972 study indicates that William III (2503) was the son of James (2607) (b aft 1662) and Mary Collidge. E. P. Scarborough agrees, but indicates that William II's (3250) first wife was Bridgett Hall (d. 1662) and they had several children prior to her death, one being William III (b. bfr 1662). The estimated years of birth of James (2607) and William III (2503) were too close together for James to be the father of William III. Thus I assume[2] that this James (2607) and William III (1503) were step brothers-contrary to the Cowart and Scarborough accounts.

Cowart and Scarborough further indicate that William III (2503),"son of James (2607)", had two sons- John (b. c. 1690) (2497) and James (b. c. 1700 - d. c. 1742)(2505). Since James (2607) was born after 1662 it’s hard to perceive that he was the father of William III (2503) who was the father of John (2497). Therefore, it is assumed that William III (2503), John's (2497) father, was not the son of James (2607), but rather, his step brother.

The account of our unknown author continues:

"William Coward III, born --- died 1792 (I assume this to be 1729). William was a Colonel in the British Army and also was a member of Parliament representing the city of Wells. William III had 2 children (known) one John Coward (2497) whose wife was Elizabeth and one named James (2505).

John Coward (2497), born --- died 1737 left will leaving his property to 4 children and his wife Elizabeth. Children were John (2500), William IV (2517), Edward I (2462) and Benjamin (2501).

James Coward (2505), born -- died 1780-90, his wife unknown, had one child, John Coward who moved to Williamsburg District of South Carolina. John Coward's will is in the Archieves Building at the University of South Carolina."

This author goes on to indicate -- " . . . that John Coward (2497) came to America with his father, William III (2503). William III was granted a large tract of land in the Albermarle Sound area of North Carolina, but which in the latter 1600's was considered a part of the Colony of Virginia. The property became a part of Chowan County, NC then in 1722 in Bertie County, NC, when it was formed out of Chowan. The large plantation there was operated by Sir William III (2503) until his death April 5, 1705. John (2497) was about seven years old when the family emigrated from England . . . "

"John Coward's (2497) will written in 1733, was filed for probate in Chowan County March 28, 1737, and was probated August term of court, 1737. He bequeathed his plantation to " . . . my sons William (2517) and John (2500)" subject to his wife's use for her lifetime; and gave the remainder of the estate to his wife Elizabeth, son Edward I (2462) and the child his wife was then pregnant with, which child after birth was named Benjamin . . . "

Cowart, Scarborough, and Ptomey generally agree that from John (2497) came most of the Cowards of Eastern North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. The Cowards of Dobbs County issued from Edward I (2462), Edward II (2461), Edward III (2085), Samuel H. Coward (46), and Albert G. Coward (19). (See Figure 1 for a descendancy chart of the male members of the Coward and Barwick families. )

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Figure 1: J H Barwick & Sarah M. Coward Ancestors

BARWICK/COWARD PEDIGREE

Genealogies would be incomplete without pedigree charts. Webster's Dictionary gives synonyms such as progeny, brood, family, lineage, breed, etc. for the word "pedigree". True "blue-blood" pedigrees trace family lines to very important people, and it’s generally a source of much pride for such families. The Barwick/Coward pedigree has its very important people; too many to call to attention here other than the subjects of this report; i.e., John Henry Barwick and Sarah May Coward.

The pedigree chart to follow starts with the children of John and Sarah and lists all known parents that are in the direct family line. There are a total of 14 generations identified from these children to the oldest ancestor, Robert Cowart. The number scheme beside each ancestor is part of the nomenclature used in such charts; e.g. starting with John as 2, his father, Craven Tull, is 4; Craven's father is 8 and so on. The number following the person's name is the reference identification number used in the genealogy data base and has no particular signifance other than providing an unique identifier for each person. Other information includes birth and death dates, dates of marriage, places of birth and death where available. This chart contains a wealth of information and should be studied very carefully.

1st GENERATION

1 Children of John H. Barwick and Sarah May Coward

2nd GENERATION

2 John Henry BARWICK-1: b 9 October 1869 Edwards Bridge Community, Lenoir County,N.C.; m 23 Dec 1891 Lenoir County,N.C.; d 14 Aug 1948 Kinston, N.C.

3 Sarah May COWARD-2: b 1 Aug 1869 Tick Bite, Lenoir County, N.C.; d 28 Feb 1963

Kinston, N.C.

3rd GENERATION

4 Craven TULL BARWICK-10: b 7 Jul 1833 Lenoir County, N.C.; m 1868; d 12 Nov

1885 Barwick Farm, Edwards Bridge Community, Lenoir County, N.C.

5 Nancy Ann BROOKS-11: b 14 May 1843; d 13 May 1919 Kinston, N.C.

6 Albert Galletin COWARD-19: b 31 May 1848 Coward Place,Tick Bite, N.C.; m 23 Dec 1866 Coward Place, Tick Bite, N.C.; d 7 Oct 1928 Kinston, N.C.

7 Nancy Wright STANLY-20: b 19 Apr 1848 Jones County; d 23 May 1934 Kinston, N.C.

4th GENERATION

8 ISAAC BARWICK-32: b 11 Aug 1789 Lenoir County, N.C.; m 17 Jan 1811; d 28

Sep 1854

9 Sally Sarah TULL-150: b 18 May 1793; d 24 Mar 1845

10 Edmon BROOKS-183: b 1812; m 1838; d 15 Nov 1880 Lenoir County, N.C.

11 Mary A. PITTMAN-184: b 1816

12 Samuel Hart COWARD-46: b 20 Jan 1815 Greene County, N.C.; m 29 Oct 1835

Edwards Bridge, Lenoir County; d 25 Jul 1851 Greene County, N.C.

13 Lucretia EDWARDS-47: b 5 Apr 1815; d Jul 1865 Greene County, N.C.

14 Wright STANLY-52: b 21 Mar 1800 Jones County, N.C.; m 1829; d 4 Aug 1856

Jones County, N.C.

15 Sarah Penelope BECTON-53: b 17 Oct 1814; d Abt 1850 Jones County, N.C.

5th GENERATION

16 Joshua (John) BARWICK-227: b 1753 Maryland

17 Mary XX-156

18 Charles TULL-139: b 2 Dec 1753; m 6 Feb 1777; d 9 Oct 1836

19 Sarah HARDY-140: b 21 Oct 1761; d 12 Feb 1803

20 James BROOKS-252: b Abt 1783

21 unknown -191

22 Elijah Vail PITTMAN-614: b Abt 1787; m 1807

23 Nancy BROOKS-615: b Abt 1788;

24 Edward COWARD III-2085: b 9 Nov 1785; d 19 Jul 1863 Greene County, N.C.

25 Liewcasica (Lucassie) HART-2276: b 29 Feb 1792; d 25 Dec 1854 Greene County, N.C.

26 Charles EDWARDS-2292: b 1784; d 1859

27 Frances ROGERS-2466: b Abt 1784

28 John STANLY-491: b 30 Mar 1766 Jones County, N.C.; m 20 Dec 1797; d 12 Oct

1837 Jones County, N.C.

29 Mary Polly FORDHAM-492: b 8 Mar 1773; d 1 Dec 1816

30 John Blackman BECTON-235: b 1777; m 3 Mar 1806; d 1836

31 Clarissa WADSWORTH-236: b 13 Jan 1787; d 16 Sep 1818

6th GENERATION

32 William BARWICK Sr.-226: b Abt 1730 Maryland; d Aft 1790 South Carolina

36 ISAAC TULL-138: b 16 Dec 1718; m 24 Feb 1743; d 1784

37 Winifred CALDWELL-216: b 23 Oct 1720 Baltimore, Md.; d 18 May 1806

38 Lemuel HARDY-224

39 Sarah SUTTON-225: b Pitt County, N.C.

40 James BROOKS Sr.-247: b Abt 1740

41 Ruth UNKNOWN-249

48 Edward COWARD II-2461: b Bef 1742 Johnston/Dobbs, N.C.; d Aft 1820

49 May UNKNOWN-3302

50 Robert HART-2623: b 1756; m 1788; d 7 Apr 1811

51 Hannah HOLLIDAY-2624: b 1768; d 17 Oct 1833 Greene County, N.C.

52 Newitt EDWARDS-2471: b Abt 1750 Southampton County,Va.

53 Mary DREW-2472

56 James STANLY-489: b 1 Feb 1725 Jones County, N.C. ; m 1754; d 19 Apr 1793 Jones County, N.C.

57 Winifred UNKNOWN-490: b 1725; d 14 Jun 1800 Jones County N. C.

58 Benjamin FORDHAM Jr.-2482: b 27 Nov 1743 Craven County N. C.; d Aft 1791

59 Mary BLACKSHEAR-2483: b 1745; d Aft 1785

60 Michael BECTON-147: b 1745; d 1799

61 Mary BLACKMAN-155: b Abt 1745; d 1802

62 Ignatius WADSWORTH-2638

63 Sara MORRIS-2639

7th GENERATION

64 John BARWICK-1106: b Abt 1710; m 1743/1744; d 1756 Talbot County, Md.

65 Rebecca OLDFIELD-2257: b Abt 1720

80 John BROOKS Sr.-244

81 Mrs. John UNKNOWN-245

96 Edward COWARD I-2462: b Abt 1719 Bertie County, N.C.; d 1780/1790 Dobbs County, N.C.

97 ROBERTS-2502

102 Samuel HOLLIDAY-2625: m 14 Nov 1763

103 Elizabeth Mary DUGGAN-2626

104 John EDWARDS-2473: b Abt 1720; d 1789 Soham, Va.

105 Anne UNKNOWN-2474

116 Benjamin FORDHAM Sr.-2484: b Abt 1725; d Aft 1786

117 Martha LAPIERRE-2485: b Bef 1740; d Aft 1754

118 Alexander BLACKSHEAR-2613: b Abt 1708 Kent County,Delaware; m Abt

1730/1735; d 1786 Jones County, N.C.

119 Agness STOUT?-2614: b Delaware; d 1793 Jones County, N.C.

120 John BECTON-215: b Abt 1718; m 1737; d 1753

121 Ann Curtis METTS-148: b 1718; d 1763

122 Arthur BLACKMAN-2601: b Abt 1718; m Abt 1745; d 1768 Craven County, N.C.

123 Elizabeth HAND-2602: d Abt 1769 Craven County, N.C.

8th GENERATION

128 John BARWICK-1102: b 1679/1680 Md.; m Abt 1690; d 1735/1736

129 Sarah (UNKNOWN) -1105

192 John COWARD-2497: b Abt 1693 Bertie County, N.C. m Abt 1717 Bertie County, N.C.; d 1737 Bertie County, N.C.

193 Elizabeth GRIFFIN-2498: b Abt 1700; d Aft 1750 Bertie County, N.C.

194 James ROBERTS-2628

204 William H HOLLIDAY-2633: d 1754 Tyrell County, N.C.

205 Elizabeth-2634

208 William EDWARDS-2477: b Abt 1700; d 1750

209 Elizabeth GURLEY-2478: d 1762

234 John DE LAPIERRE-2603: b 1679 Languedoc,France; d 3 Jul 1763 S. C.

235 SUSANNA-2604

236 Robert BLACKSHAW-2615: b 24 Aug 1677 Piscataway, N.J.

242 George METZ-2629: b Germany

244 John BLACKMAN-2609: b Abt 1670; m Abt 1700; d 19 Nov 1736 Bertie County, N.C.

245 Elizabeth GOODE-2610: b Abt 1680; d Aft 1723

246 Peter HAND-2630

247 Ann COLLIER-2631

9th GENERATION

256 John BARWICK-1100: b Abt 1650 England; d 1711/1712

384 William COWARD III-2503: b Bef 1662; d 1728 Bertie County, N.C.

385 Mary-2504

416 Thomas EDWARDS-2479: b Abt 1680; d 1703 Surry County Va.

417 Elizabeth NEWITT-2480

468 Charles DE LAPIERRE-2605

472 Thomas BLACKSHAW-2616: c 25 Sep 1631 Piscataway,N.J.; d N.J.

473 ELEANOR-2617: b Piscataway,N.J.

488 William BLACKMAN-2611: b Abt 1641; d Abt 1697 Henrico County,Va.

489 Dorothy-2612: d Abt 1704 Henrico County,Va.

494 Joseph COLLIER-2632

10th GENERATION

768 William COWARD II-3250: b 1634; d 8 Apr 1705

769 Bridgett HALL-3254: b Bradford,Wiltshire, England.; d 22 Mar 1662

944 John BLACKSHAW-2618

945 Maude BARLOW-2619

11th GENERATION

1536 William COWARD I-3247: b 1601 Wells, England

1537 Catherine-3248

1888 Thomas BLACKSHAW-2620

1889 Sara DAVENPORT-2621

12th GENERATION

3072 Thomas COWARD-3245

3073 Mary WATKINS-3246

13th GENERATION

6144 John COWARD-3243: b Bef 1540 Wells England

6145 Catherine LEIGH-3244

14th GENERATION

12288 Robert COWART-171: b Bef 1540 Yorkshire England

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THE BARWICKS AND COWARDS OF DOBBS COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

The intent of this section is to give basic information pertaining to the Barwick and Coward lines that migrated to Dobbs County in the late 1600's and early 1700's. For example, the first Barwick thought to have come to Dobbs County was William Sr., while the first Coward to locate here was William Coward III. An account of each of these ancestors is given up through and including John H. Barwick and Sarah M. Coward. In reading this section, the reader will find it useful to refer to Figure 1 and the pedigree chart in the prior chapter.

The section following this one gives some interesting history of the locality where the Barwick-Cowards located; i.e. Contentnea Neck Township of Lenoir (Dobbs) County, North Carolina and the Grifton, Bethel, and Tick Bite areas.

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William Barwick Sr. (1730-1790) & Joshua (John) Barwick (b. 1753 - After 1800)

Information for William Barwick Sr., Joshua Barwick. and his immediate descendants comes primarily from Lenoir County Heritage Foundation Publication [c. 1977, p145]. The remaining descendants come from a combination of sources including The Tull/Barwick Family Bible (currently in the possession of Allen J Barwick), and various decenial Census (1790 through 1880).

Interesting quotations from page 145 of the Heritage Foundation publication on Lenoir County gives information fundamental to the establishment of William Barwick Sr. as probably the first Barwick in Lenoir County in the mid to late 1700's. These quotations by Gladys B. Weeks [1988] follow:

"William Barwick came from Caroline County, Maryland and took up a patent of land for 168 acres on the north side of the Neuse River and the west side of Falling Creek and lying on the said Creek in Dobbs County, N.C.

In the Old Grantee Index found in the N.C. Archives in Raleigh, William Barwick bought from William Aylor land on Falling Creek in 1769. This land had been patented to William Aylor in 1768, (An earlier deed in The North Carolina Archives, not referenced here, but copy in the possession of Allen J. Barwick, indicates that William Barwick purchased 90 acres of land from John Cotton in 1766. A transcript of this deed follows on another page.)

In the 1769 Tax List for Dobbs County, N.C., we find William Barwick and son Joshua; and in 1776, William Barwick deeded land to William Barwick Jr. and to John Barwick of Dobbs County N.C.

In the 1782 Tax List for Dobbs County we find William Barwick Sr. , Joshua Barwick and Menoah Barwick. William Barwick Sr. does not appear in the 1800 Census for Lenoir County, but Joshua and Menoah are listed as living in the County at that time.[3]

Captain Kennedy's Company of Militia of Dobbs County lists William Barwick Jr., Joshua Barwick, William Barwick and John Barwick (Joshua?). The 1790 Census for Dobbs County does not list William Barwick Sr., but does show a John Barwick and a Margaret Barwick.

Joshua, son of William Barwick, died in Lenoir County after 1800. He was shown in the 1800 Census with six in family. He was born in Maryland about 1753 and came to Dobbs County, North Carolina with his father in 1768.

It is not known whom Joshua married, but according to the Tull-Barwick Bible, Joshua had among other children, Isaac Barwick born about 1789 and Joshua Barwick Jr. born about 1787.

Joshua Jr. son of Joshua (John) Barwick, was born 1787 in Lenoir County and died 17 April 1855. He married, about 1810 or 1811, Sarah Winifred Sutton, born about 1787 and died 11 July 1871 in Lenoir County .”

An account of Isaac Barwick follows the transcript of the William Barwick to John Cotton deed transfer.

1766

The below has been transcribed from a copy of the original deed found in the Lovit Hines Collection in the N.C. Department of Archives and History

Allen J. Barwick

February 24, 1989

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Dobbs County July Inferior Court 1767

Present his Majesties Justices then was the within Deed of Sale duly acknowledged in open court by the ??. John Cotten and ordered to the registered

Test. W. Caswell, Clerk

Dobbs County -- Enrolled in the Registers Office Inliber M-c No. 2.a Pages 10 & 11 this 16th March 1768

W. Caswell Reg.

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Deed Transfering Ninety Acres of Land in Dobbs County from John Cotton to William Barwick. November 25, 1766.

This indenture made this twenty fifth day of November in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Six between John Cotton of Dobbs county and Province of North Carolina of the one part and William Barwick of Craven county and Province a foresaid of the other part. Witnesseth the said John Cotton for and in consideration of the sum of six ?? pounds proclamation money to me in hand paid at and before the ensealing and delivery hereof. The receipt here of I do acknowledge myself therewith fully satisfied, contented and paid and of every part thereof have bargained for, and conveyed unto the said William Barwick his heirs executors administrators or assigns a certain tract or parcel of land situate lying and being in Dobbs County formerly Johnston County and on the north Side of the Nuce River on the lower side of Falling Creek and on the upper side of White Marsh beginning at a pine on the upper side of White Mash running N 29 E 32 poles to a light wood stake on (Bassess??) line then with that line down to White Mash then up White Mash Bassess upper line then with this line to a scrub oak acorn tree of Williamson's patent then N5 E 120 poles to a red oak thence S 34? W 120 poles to a pine near the mash of Falling creek thence down the same.

To the beginning for and containing ninety acres be the same more or less being a survey of land taken up by Thomas Williams. To have and to hold the said bargain...?? them used unto the said William Barwick his heirs...

To their proper use and behold forever, and I the said John Cotten for myself my heirs e??? & administrators do covenant, grant, promise and agree to and with the said William Barwick this heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and all times hereafter peaceably and quietly have, hold, use, occupy, possess, and enjoy the pre bargained premises and all its appurtenances and every part and parcel thereof free and clear of and from all and all manner of former or other gifts, grants, bargains, sale? joiners?, dowers, entails, reversions...? executors, ??, and all other charges and encumbrances whatsoever. The annual rents now growing due ..??.. always excepted and that the said John Cotton and my heirs, ??..& admin. the pre bargained promises & promises & appurtenances unto him the said William Barwick his heirs executors?admin. & assigns against all and all manner of persons whatsoever claiming by from or under me?? by any other means ways, or protance?? whatsoever. Shall & ?? warrant & forever defend by these prevents.

In witness whereof the said John Cotten have hereunto set as my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Signed sealed and delivered in presence of Philip Stone., William Barwick and Austin?? Stone

Willaim Barwick mark John Cotten Mark

Seal

Copied by Allen J. BarwickFebruary 24, 1989

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Isaac Barwick (32) (1789-1854)

Isaac Barwick, the second male son in the family of Joshua (John) Barwick (b. 1753) was born in 1789, a few years after the Revolutionary War was over. His older brother, Joshua Barwick Jr. (b. 1787), was the ancestor of many of the Barwicks of Wayne and Duplin Counties, and his genealogy has been compiled by Gladys Barwick Weeks [1988]of Goldsboro in her 1988 Genealogical History of the Family Of Barwick. Isaac 's first wife was Sally Sarah Tull (b. 1789). There were ten children - the youngest being Craven Tull Barwick (b. 1833). After Sarah's death in 1845 he married Louisa Baker (b. 1825). There were at least three children by this second marriage; i.e. William Manoah (b. 1846), Sally A. (b. 1848), and Julia (b. 1850).

According to the 1810 Census of Lenoir County, Isaac Barwick lived in the vicinity of Charles Tull, his father in law. His wife, Sally, was the eighth of eleven children born to Charles and Sarah Hardy Tull. Charles Tull's will, dated May 11, 1837, lists Isaac Barwick as executor indicating a "favored son" relationship between Charles and Isaac. The Charles Tull home was "between the Neuse River and Briary Branch", near what is now the vicinity of Lenoir Memorial Hospital in Kinston. Apparently, Isaac was still living in the same area in the 1830’s and 1840's since the Census for these two decades show some of his neighbors as J. Kilpatrick, W. Lovick, R. Moore, Parrot, Walter Dunn, J. Rouse, M. Lofton, and C. Tull. By 1850, however, Isaac must have moved to the Edwards Bridge area since the 1850 Census shows him living in the Contentnea Neck Township where some of his neighbors included: Lewis Kilpatrick, Eliza Jones, Wilson Tilghman[4], Elijah Pittman, Edmond Brooks[5] and Samuel Coward (who lived in Tick Bite).

Isaac died in 1854 at the age of 65 leaving his wife Lousia and 4 children living in the household. Lousia Baker Barwick later married William Dupree sometime before 1860 since the 1860 Census shows her living in the Kinston Township with bonded children Menoah Barwick (age 14) Sarah A. Barwick (age 12), Julia Barwick (age 8) and Malvina Barwick (age 5). (See the Isaac Barwick Descendancy Chart)

Craven Tull Barwick (10) (1833-1885)

The Tull-Barwick Bible shows that Craven Tull Barwick was born July 7, 1833 and died November 12, 1885. He was the 10th child of Isaac and Sally Barwick and the father of John Henry Barwick (b. 1869). Craven Tull married twice; his first wife was Ann Tilghman who was born in 1840 and died May 30, 1864. As we will see later, Craven Tull was a prisoner of war in the federal prison camp at Point Lookout, Maryland from October, 1863 till February, 1865. Thus, we see that his first wife died while he was still captured. We know not the circumstances of her death, but can only imagine the heartbreak involved during this tragic time in their lives.

Craven Tull Barwick married his second wife, Nancy Ann Brooks (1843-1919), in 1868. She was the daughter of Edmon Brooks (b. 1812) and Mary A. Pittman (b. 1816) (the daughter of Elijah Vail Pittman). An interesting aside is that Craven Tull Barwick and Edward Jones Brooks (b. 1843) were in Point Lookout at the same time and returned home about the same time. In 1869, Edward J. Brooks married Martha (Patty) Brooks his third cousin (kissing cousins), Nancy Ann Brook's younger sister. Both Craven Tull and Edward J. Brooks had neighboring farms in the Edwards Bridge Community of Contentnea Neck Township. Eugene Clyde Brooks (1871-1948) was the second child born to Edward and Martha Brooks, and was the first cousin of John Henry Barwick. Eugene Clyde Brooks was the President of North Carolina State College from 1923 to 1934.

Craven Tull's death in 1885 at age 52 was somewhat premature, and one can only speculate as to whether his 2-year stay in Point Lookout shortened his life. In June of 1885 he issued his will and later made a codicil to it in October, 1885 to allow Nancy to sell the Barney Phillips land if needed to cover his debts. This will and codicil was probated November 26, 1885 and accompanies this report. He was buried on the old Barwick Farm in the Edwards Bridge community now owned by Mr. Luther Pittman - a descendant of E. J. Pittman.

Another interesting account of an important time span in Craven Tull Barwick's life is the Civil War Diary that follows his last will and testament.

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Craven Tull Barwick Will

Sworn and subscribed before me this 26th day of November, 1885: W.W. Dunn

Will State of North Carolina, Lenoir County

I Craven T. Barwick, of Lenoir County, State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of an earthly existence, do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say --

First that my Executrix (hereinafter named) shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relatives and friends, and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the moneys that may first come into her hands as a part and parcel of my estate.

Item 1st. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy A. Barwick, all of my real estate, together with all my personal property, during her natural life, unless she should again marry, and at the expiration of her natural life, or at the expiration of her widowhood, as the case may be, it is my wish and desire that all of my property both real and personal shall be equally divided between my surviving children, and it is my will and desire that my beloved wife shall have the right to cut down and clear as much land for farming purposes as she may desire, and the further right to cut such timber off of said lands as she may wish for the benefit of the family.

And, lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my true and trusty wife, Nancy A. Barwick my lawful Executrix to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament, according to the true intent and meaning of the same, and I do hereby resolve and declare utterly void all other wills heretofore made by me.

In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this June 26th, 1885.

Craven T. Barwick (seal)

signed, sealed, published and declared by Craven T. Barwick to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witness thereto..

E. J. Brooks

J.E. F. Harper

CODICIL

Whereas, I C.T. Barwick, have made my last will and testament in writing bearing date on the 26th day of June, 1885, and have thereby made sundry devises and bequest according to the intent existing circumstances of my estate, but which circumstances having been materially changed, I do, by this which I declare to be a codicil to my said will, to be taken and construed as part thereof, will and direct that my said wife, Nancy A. Barwick, who I have made Executrix in my said will shall have the right, and I hereby empower her as Executrix to my said will shall have the right, and I hereby y empower her as Executrix to my said will to sell the track of land known as the Barney Phillips land, or so much of it as will be necessary to pay the debts that have been created by myself during my lifetime, provided , however, that it said debts can be settled out of my personal property, or the proceeds from the same, then such sale is not to be made, but my will bearing date June 26th, 1885, to be executed in full to all intents and purposes; that the object of this codicil is to give my said wife the right to make such sale, if she should think best.

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal the 31st day of October, 1885.

C. T. Barwick (seal)

Signed, sealed, published and

declared by the said C.T. Barwick

to be a codicil or part of his last\

will and testament in presence of us, who, at his request, and in his presence, and the presence of each other,

do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.

E.J. Brooks

J.E.H. Harper

North Carolina, Lenoir County

Superior Court

November 26, 1885

The foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of C.T. Barwick, and a codicil thereto, are exhibited for probate, before me the undersigned, Clerk of said Court by Nancy A. Barwick, the Executrix therein named, and the due execution thereof by the said C.T. Barwick is proved by the oath and examination of E.J. Brooks and J.E.F. Harper the subscribing witnesses to each of said papers writing. It is, therefore, considered and adjudged by the Court that the said papers writing, and every part and clause thereof are the last will and testament, and codicil thereto, of the said C.T. Barwick, and the same, as such, are ordered to be recorded and filed. And, therefore, the said Nancy A. Barwick, Executrix, as aforesaid, duly qualifies as such by taking the oath required, whereupon letters, testamentary, with copies of said will and codicil are issued to her.

W.W. Dunn C.C.C.

W. W. N. Hunter D.C.

Enrolled in the office of the Clerk of the Superior Court of Lenoir Count the 26th day of November, 1885.

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Craven Tull Barwick’s Civil War History[6]

Corporal Craven Tull Barwick Company B, 63 Regiment N.C.Troops (5th Regiment N.C. Cavalry) Confederate Cavalry Division, Maj. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart’s Division.

Summary: Enlisted at age 28 on May 15, 1862. Promoted from Private to Corporal November 10, 1862. Captured at Catletts Station, Va. October 14, 1863 and imprisoned at Point Lookout, Maryland, a Federal prisoner of war camp. Paroled and exchanged at Coxes Landing, James River, Va. Feb. 14-15, 1865.

Chronological Listing Of Significant Actions Taken By The Various Cavalry Units That C. T. Barwick Served:

May 1862 Through December 1862

· May 15, Enlisted at Kinston or Hookerton, N.C.

· July 9, Wilmington -- mustered into Confederate States Service under Captain Stephen B. Evans, Company of Partisan Rangers, N.C. Volunteers.

· Sept. 11, Goldsboro, N.C.

· Sept. 12, Kinston, N.C. Joined Major Peter G. Evans’ Battalion.

· Sept. 15-25, Picket duty south of Tar River, N.C.

· Oct. 1-3, Core Creek above New Bern, N.C. to observe Fed. activity.

· Oct 9, Malboro - Tarboro, N.C. area.

· Oct. 12, Halifax, N.C.

· Oct 13, Garysburg, Northampton County, N.C. Camp Long. Joined 63rd Regiment according to Special Order No. 216, Paragraph 2. Headquarters, District of N.C. Petersburg Va. Dated Sept 39, 1862.

· Nov. 10, C.T. Barwick promoted from Private to Corporal.

· Nov. Companies drilled under General B.H. Robertson and joined with 59th Regiment, N.C. Troops.

· Dec. 14, Join General N.G. Evans at Goldsboro to combat General John G. Fosters' advance on Goldsboro, N. C.

· Dec. 17, Foster destroys railroad bridge south of Goldsboro, N. C. near White Hall (Seven Springs). Marched to Thompson’s Bridge on the Neuse river.

· Dec. 18-24, Marched to Goldsboro and stayed.

· Dec. 24, Marched to Wise Forks, near Kinston, on south side of Neuse River.

January 1863 Through October 14, 1863

· Jan 2, Camped at Snow Hill, N.C. several weeks.

· March 13-15, Took part in General D.H. Hills attack on New Bern. Expedition was uncessful.

· May, Ordered to Richmond to join Army of Northern Va.

· June 8, Grand Review in Richmond.

· June 9, 63rd Regiment ordered to report to General J.E.B. Stuart.

· June 9, Kelly's Ford against Gen. David Greggs' Division of Federals. Battle of Brandy Station - Act as a reserve and protected right flank of the troops engaged in front of Rappahannoah Station, Va.

· June 10, or so Support Gen. Wade Hampton's Brigade. General Robertson notes: "Although in sight of the enemy for many hours, and exposed to the fire of his artillery, my command was not at any time actively engaged."

· June 16, Cross Rappahannoak River to screen Gen R.E. Lee's movement to the Shenandoah Valley.

· June 17, Drive Federals out of Middleburg, Va. with mounted charge.

· June 18, With W.H.F. Lee's Brigade, hold a Federal advance in check just west of town.

· June 21, At Upperville, Va. moving toward mountain. Brigade repulsed enemy attack on the column.

· June 22, Federals fall back, cavalry reestablishes screen east of mountains.

· June 24, Remain as a screen until moved up to protect the left and rear of the army. Three of Stuart’s brigades begin march between the enemy and Washington, D.C. Robertson’s Brigade, along with General W. E. Jones’ Brigade was left to observe the enemy with orders to rejoin Longstreet on his move north.

· July 1, Cross Potomac at Williamsport, Md. and pass through Hagerstown.

· July 1, Night camp near Greenscastle, Pa.

· July 2, Enter Chambersburg, Pa. and remain until late at night then began moving toward Carlisle, Pa. and abruptly turned right and hurried to Gettysburg.

· July 3, Morning, arrive at Gettysburg and proceed to defend flank and rear of army. At Fairfield went to assistance of Jones' Brigade and drove the enemy out of the town with a mounted charge.

· July 4, Guard wagon trains moving through Jack Mountain passes toward Williamsport. Considerable fighting - proceeded to Hagerstown.

· July 7, Army concentrates around Hagerstown assigned to north front of Hagerstown. Stayed in this area skirmishing with enemy in area.

· July 14, Cross back into Va.

· July 24, Chester Gap to Warrenton. With General James Longstreet. Establish pickets on south bank of Rappahannoak at Kellys Ford.

· July 24,-Sept. Two armies watch each other using cavalry to probe for indications of movement or weakness.

· Sept 9, Cavalry reorganized commanded by Gen. L.S. Baker.

· Sept 22, Active battle at Jack’s Shop, Va.

· Sept 28, Col. James B. Gordon promoted to Brigadier General. This group assigned to General Hampton's Division under J.E.B. Stuart.

· Oct 9-20, Bristoe Campaign. Cavalry protects flanks of infantry and engaged the Federal Cavalry on numerous occasions.

· Oct 10, Gordon's Brigade was engaged at Russells Ford and James City.

· Oct 14 At Auburn Mills/Catletts Station. Corporal Craven Tull Barwick captured this day by Federal Troops. Imprisoned at Point Lookout, Md.

October 15, 1863 Through February 15, 1865

· October 15, 1863 to February 15, 1864 Imprisoned at Point Lookout, Md.

· Feb. 14-15,'65 Corporal Barwick was paroled and exchanged at Coxes Landing,James River Va.

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John Henry Barwick (1) (1869-1948)

The 1906 Industrial Edition of the Kinston Free Press describes John as: “One of the leading citizens of the county is J. H. Barwick, of Contentnea Neck. He was born in that township one mile south of his present home, October 9, 1869. (This was in the vicinity of the current Craven Brooks and Luther Pittman farms.) His parents were Craven Tull Barwick and Nancy Ann, daughter of Edward[7] and Mary Brooks. Mr. Barwick's father [8]was a Master Mason and was Worshipful Master of Bethel lodge at the time of his death in 1885.

John Henry Barwick attended Bethel Academy and was preparing to go to college at the time of his father's death. Circumstances then compelled a change of plans. He went to farming and has been a farmer all his life with the exception of one year, which he spent in the sawmill business. He now owns 617 acres of land with 250 cleared and under cultivation. He has an excellent range for hogs and raises abut 150 or 200 for market each year.

Mr. Barwick has always been a staunch Democrat, and received a large vote for Register of Deeds at the last primary. (He was elected Register of Deeds for Lenoir County in 1907, the approximate time the Barwick family moved to Kinston.) He is a Mason, a member of the Christian Church, and a member of the township school committee, of which he is secretary. He is enthusiastic in his support of schools, considering them essential to the healthy material and social development of any community.

Mr. Barwick's brothers are Joseph R., a merchant of Ayden, and Allen J., superintendent of schools of Albany, Ga. His sisters are Mrs. Fred (Mary Ada) Brooks, of Kinston, Mrs. Susan (Susan Winifred) Griffin of Goldsboro, Miss Jennie (Jennie Brooks Harper) a teacher in the public schools, Miss Nancy (Nancy Louise), stenographer and typewriter for Einstein Bros. Kinston, and Miss Maggie (Magnolia Willis), who attends the State Normal and Industrial at Greensboro. Mr. Barwick married Miss May, daughter of A.G. and Nancy Stanley Coward. The children are Ruth, Mary Ethel, Sam, Rodney, Rachel, and Susan Winifred (and Eugene Tull born 7 September 1906).”

John Barwick was a proud and determined man. He was very enterprising as illustrated by his diverse farming and business practices. He farmed a variety of crops on the Tick Bite farm including tobacco, corn, cotton, and truck crops such as watermelons, strawberries, etc. John Davis, granddaddy’s protégé and confidant, summarized all of these traits in his interview with me in 1988: “Mr. Barwick took me in when I was just a boy (around 1919 when John Davis was about 10 years old) and offered to give me work any time I needed it. He taught me to farm just about any crop you can imagine as well as how to butcher and cut beef. We butchered billy goat and sold it for prime cuts of beef during the depression days. Most of the folks were glad to get it and couldn’t tell the difference.” Minnie Bell Davis, John Davis’ wife, tells a different story, however: “I let the cat out of the bag one Sunday at church when cousin Bessie said that she had some of the best beef stew she had ever had that John and Mr. Barwick had sold her yesterday. When I told her it was billy goat, she nearly threw up.”

In addition to truck farming and selling “prime cuts of beef”, Granddady was also an innovative “medicine-man.” Mr. J. D. Hood, a Kinston pharmacists, patented a medication used to fight strep-type infections, acne, etc. The primary ingredient for this salve came from the altar tree, commonly found in the low ground areas of eastern North Carolina. Granddaddy, Sam, my father, and John Davis were the only people that knew the recipe for cooking and extracting alter tea from the leaves and tags that grew on these trees, and they had a contract with Mr. Hood to provide him with the essental element of his patented medicine. This arrangement was passed down from father to son until father, son and Mr. Hood all passed away. Often, Sam would mix up a brew for family consumption without going through Mr. Hood to get it. Alter tea was second only to cod-liver oil as one of the worst remedies I have ever had to suffer through. I don’t know which was worse, the affliction or the alter tea cure. But, who was I to challenge years of wisdom and success in the home remedy business!

John Henry’ determination allowed him to overcome the series of strokes he had that started in 1928. While the strokes ultimately resulted in partial paralysis, his persistent self rehabilitation and home remedies kept him from being completely bed-ridden. John Davis relayed the following humorous account to me: “Mr. Barwick was a very proud and determined man that was dead set on getting over his strokes by his own will power and persistence. One of his routines was to be buried up to his chin in the warm sand in front of the house in the pecan orchard near the mail box. Each day I would dig the hole and help him get in it and then cover him up to stay there in the cool of the day. One day I went down to the low grounds to cut some wood and forgot Mr. John. Well, when I came back, Mr. Barwick was as red as a beet and fit to be tied. It wasn’t too long afterwards that he was able to get around quite well without my help.”

Rachel Keel[9] also tells an interesting account of John Henry’s pride. “When your uncle Gene (Eugene Tull Barwick, born 1906) finally graduated from N.C. State College in the early 1930’s, the President of the College, Dr. Eugene Clyde Brooks, (Granddaddy’s cousin and next door neighbor during their childhood days), wrote John expressing as how he should be very proud of his son (even though it did take 5-6 years for him to graduate) for accomplishing this great milestone in his career, and reminded him that they expected him to be present on graduation day. Well, Father found time to go to Gene’s graduation. But, to all of our horrors, Father came back as mad as a wet stetting hen! Being that he was on a first-name basis with Dr. Brooks and, after all, it was his son that was graduating, he automatically assumed that this was his golden opportunity to sit on the stage on this grand occasion. Of course, Father had to sit in the audience with the rest of the parents, thus, the reason for his great consternation.”

John died August 14, 1948. The announcement in the Kinston Daily Free Press Page 1, August 16, 1948 and burial announcement in the "Sectional News" section of the Kinston Daily Free Press, p10 August 18, 1948 follow:

"BARWICK RITES AT 4 O'CLOCK MONDAY (AUGUST 16, 1948): The funeral of John Henry Barwick, 78, prominent Lenoir County farmer of the Grifton section, died in a local hospital at 2 p.m. Saturday after a long illness. The funeral will be from Edwards' Funeral Home at 4 p.m. Monday, with intenment in Maplewood Cemetery here. Rev. E.W. Downum, Methodist of Grifton, will officiate. Nephews will be pall bearers. The family requested that no flowers be sent.

Surviving are his widow, three sons, S.C. Barwick of Griton, R. E. of New York and E. T. Barwick of Argentina; four daughters, Mrs. E.A. Moore of Ocean View, Va., Mrs. H.H. Walthall of Ocean View, Va., Mrs H.S. Keel of Bethel, and Mrs. D.W. Debnam of Roanoke Rapids; 12 grand children, and two sisters, Mrs. W. F. Harper and Mrs. L. B. Robinson of Washington, D.C., Mr. Barwick served six years as Register of Deeds in Lenoir County several years ago.."

Others attending the funeral as reported in the August 18, 1948 Sectional News included: Mrs. Sara Griffith, John Moore, Lucinda Walthall of Ocean View, Va., Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Degnam, Miss Sara Lou Debnam of Roanoke Rapids, Mr. an Mrs Howard Keel, Rebekah and Sam Gray Keel of Bethel, Mrs. R. E. Pittman, Miss Louise Delle Pittman of Durham, Mrs. Alton Fields of Swansboro, Mrs Luke Roberson and Mrs. W.F. Harper of Washington, D.C.

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William Coward III (2503) (1670 - 1728)

Analyses of several sources indicate that William Coward III lived in Chowan Precinct which later became Bertie County, N.C. He was a land owner, bought and sold land, served on juries, and witnessed numerous documents. The evidence indicates he was prominent in the community. The inventory of his estate included coopers tools, (a cooper was one who made or repaired wooden casks or tubs). William III had a trade and in addition was probably a farmer. He died in 1728 leaving no will. We do not have an authentic list of the children of William and Mary Coward. But, we do know that he had a son named John (2497) and one named James (2505). He could have had a daughter named Martha also. (See Ptomey [1984], p. 11, and Scarborough [1984] for numerous references to deed transfers, wills, etc.)

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John Coward (2497) (c. 1693-1737)

The will of John Coward, dated March 28, 1737, is listed in the Will Book, NC Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC. The will names his wife Elizabeth, three sons, William IV (2517), John (2500), and Edward (2462), and one unborn child (Benjamin (2501)). According to Ptomey, p. 6, 13,

"The will proved in the August term of the Bertie Court, 1737, named Joseph Wimberly executor of the estate. (photocopy of the will sent to Ptomey by Margaret Cowart, Huntsville, Alabama). On the date of this will, March 28, 1737, John also executed a deed for 250 acres of land to Joseph Wimberly. Deed Book E. p. 160, Register of Deeds, Bertie County."

See Ptomey [1984] (p. 3-6) for extensive list of other land transactions, etc. related to John Coward (2497).

There is some confusion as to whether John's wife was Elizabeth Griffin or Elizabeth Wimberly. Documentation in favor of Griffin includes:

Will of Martin Griffin, dated June 3, 1718, probated October 3, 1718. Sons Edward, John, and William, son Martin, daughters Sarah and Elizabeth: wife Elizabeth, executrix. Hathaway, The NC Register, Vol. II. No. 1. p. 46.

Arguments in favor of Wimberly:

On March 22, 1750/51, Joseph Wimberly and Elizabeth Coward witnessed a deed in Bertie County which confirms the long association of Elizabeth Coward and John Wimberly. Deed Book C, p. 374. Register of Deeds, Bertie County (Ptomey, p. 14)

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Edward Coward I (2462) (1719-1780)

Edward Coward I (2462) is important to this research because he was a patriarch for most of Eastern North Carolina Cowards and many of the other lines in the Southern United States. Both Kyser Ptomey and Joe A. Coward(t) have done considerable research to establish the Edward I lines. Ptomey and Joe Cowart are descendants of Ezekiel (2669), one of nine of Edward's I children, and have both established Edward's relation to William III (2503) as grandson, to John (2497) as father, and brother to William IV (2517), John (2500) and Benjamin (2501). Some of Ptomey's extensive notes are repeated here to help further document and establish his ties with eastern North Carolina and Dobbs County and his relationship to so many Coward lines. The Ptomey notes follow:

"The will of John Coward, dated March 28, 1737, names his wife Elizabeth, three sons, William, John, and Edward, and one unborn child (Benjamin) and was proved in the August term of the Bertie Court, 1737." (p. 13)

From other data and John Coward's will in 1737, Ptomey concludes that Edward I was born c. 1719. Additionally, he feels that the deed, James Roberts to Edward Coward, 1754 (property in Johnston County became Dobbs County in 1758) implies that James Roberts may have been the father-in-law of Edward I. (p. 37, 39)

". . . nine sons of Edward I; i.e. Edward II, Ezekiel, James, Needham, Zachariah, Nathaniel, Ephraim, Lewis, and Cullen. . . From the 1790 U.S. Census of NC and 1790 U.S. Census of SC, I found Edward I had five sons married: Edward II, James, Needham, Ezekiel, and Lewis and total of thirty three [grand] children." (p. 44)

"On April 2, 1764, Edward Coward I was given authority for a patent of 200 acres of land in Dobbs County a little below the Great Meadow on Polecat Branch in Dobbs County, NC. Edward Coward, Jr., was a chainbearer. The record does not state whether or not Edward I perfected this patent, but it does establish Edward's residency in Dobbs County in 1764. Dobbs County was discontinued in 1791 and became part of Glasgow County, and in 1799 was divided and changed to Greene and Lenoir County." (p. 38)

"Edward I lived in Dobbs County and is on the 1780 Tax list. The 1780 Dobbs County Tax list shows Edward Coward, Sr. (Edward I) with valuation of $507. He was not on the 1790 US Census, and I think he died in Dobbs County between 1780 and 1790. I found no evidence that he moved to SC with his sons and the other Cowards." (p. 42)

Joe A. Cowart found the 1769 Dobbs County Tax list to be of value as follows:

"The 1769 Tax list of Dobbs County NC has 7 lines in 2 groupings relating to Cowards. The first grouping of 4 lines shows (1) Nathaniel, (2) 'Edward I and son Needham', (3) 'James and son Edward Coward Jun', (4) Ezekiel. The second grouping shows (5) William V and his Negro Hercules, (6) Elisha and (7) John. . . " (p. 6)

Joe uses the Tax list to confirm other sources that Edward I was the father of Nathaniel, Needham, and James. The statement “James and son Edward Coward Jun” is not mentioned by Cowart. He goes on further to give additional information from the Dobbs Grantee Index Books:

"When the courthouse in Dobbs County opened in January 1777, after being closed since May 1775 because of the Revolutionary War, Edward I and wife recorded three deeds of distribution, one (Grantee Index Book C Page 58- Deed Book 9, Page 47) was to Ezekiel, the second (Grantee Index Book C page 58 - Deed Book 9, page 41) was to Edward Jr., and the third (Grantee Index Book C page 58 - Deed Book 9, page 48) was to Needham." (pp. 6-7)

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Edward Coward II (2461) (Before 1742- after 1820)

Ptomey lists the following transactions concerning Edward Coward II (2461):

"The 1780 Dobbs County Tax list, District No. 6 - Greene County - North of Great Contentnea Creek from Hookerton, Maury vicinity and west to near Snow Hill shows Edward, Sr. The total valuation of his property was listed as $507. A second Edward Coward, assumed to be Edward Coward II, Edward, Sr. I's son is shown to have holdings worth 902. . . . Edward Coward, Jr. was granted land grant number 2469 on the north side of Contentnea Creek, August 26, 1766." (p. 42)

"On April 2, 1764 Edward I was given authority for a patent of 200 acres a little below the Great Meadow on Polecat Branch in Dobbs County." Edward, Jr. II was a chainbearer. This is currently in Greene County. (p. 38)

"On September 26, 1766 Edward II was issued patent for 200 acres of land on the north side of Contentnea Creek below the place of James Coward in Craven County. This land was probably on the Dobbs County line. James Coward and Nathaniel Coward were chainbearers. This is Edward II who would have been about 24 in 1766. James and Nathaniel were his brothers." (p. 39)

"On July 21, 1774 Edward Coward was issued patent for 150 acres of land in Dobbs County on the north side of Great Contentnea between James and Edward Coward's line. Needham and James Coward were chainbearers. This probably is Edward II." (p. 39)

"Edward II is on the 1790 Census of Dobbs County In his household - two males over 16 years (himself and one son), two males under 16 years old, and four females (his wife and three daughters)." (p. 42)

"Edward II does not show up in the 1810 Census, but does in 1820 in Greene County. He is shown as Edward Coward, Sr., over 45 years old, wife over 45 years, and one daughter of at least 16 but under 26 years. (Edward II would have been around 78.) On the same Census there is Edward, Jr., age at least 26 but under 45 years old. It appears from this that after the death of Edward I, Edward, Jr. II became Edward, Sr, and the Edward, Jr. (Edward III) on this Census was grandson of Edward I." (p. 44)

"On January 2, 1780, Needham Coward was issued patent for 50 acres of land in Dobbs County, NC on the south side of Great Contentnea Creek, joining William Miller, Edward Coward's and John Brinkley's line. Chainbearers were Edward Coward and James Coward." (p. 40)

"On November 1, 1792, Edward Coward was issued patent for 550 acres of land on the north side of Contentnea Creek, joining James Coward, William McCoy, and his own lines near the Craven County line in Glasgow County. Chainbearers, Cullen Coward (Edward II's son) and Timothy Pirse." (p. 40) (I assume this is Edward II, b.1742).

"On March 11, 1795, John Coward (2932), Esquire, was issued 50 acres by patent on the south side of Great Contentnea Creek joining Conners Basse's and his own lines. Chainbearers, Wills Granger, Shadrack Coward (John's son). This John was son of William Coward V (and brother to Frederick and Elisha). He apparently acquired this land on the opposite side of Contentnea Creek from Needham, Edward, and James." (p. 40)

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Arthur Coward (2973) (1782-1849)

Arthur was the oldest son of Edward Coward II. The Arthur Coward Family birth and death dates given in the descendancy chart of the next chapter came from the Coward/Dixon Bible. The Coward and Dixon families lived on the north side of Contentnea Creek in Greene County. Both Families lived along the Brick Kitchen Road where the Willis Dixon House and cemetery are still located. This Bible is currently in the possession of Anne Vunelson of Greenville, NC.

The 1850 Greene County Census shows Mary Coward, age 64, head of household living in the Olds District in dwelling no. 27. Others living in the household included Courtney Moore, age 33, Arthur Moore, age 10 and Ollon, age 7. Mary is apparently Arthur's wife.

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Edward Coward III (2085) (1785-1863)

The 1820 Census of Greene County has an Edward, Jr., age at least 26 but under 45 years old. It appears from this Census that after the death of Edward I, Edward, Jr., II became Edward, Sr. and the Edward, Jr., on this Census was grandson of Edward I. Edward III was 35 in the 1820 Census.

The 1850 Census of Greene County indicates that Edward III's neighbors were Richard Phillips (22nd house), Barny Phillips (31st house), William McKay (27th house), William Chase (50th house), Charles Edwards (58th house).

In 1860 Edward lived in Greene County in the Olds District, dwelling 45, p. 674 of the Census. He was listed as a farmer with real property worth $4000 and personal property worth $12,000. His age was 74 in 1860 (b. in 1785).

Also in the 1860 Census, William Coward, age 29, lived next door to Edward in dwelling no. 416. His wife, age 20, was Carolinet, b. January 15, 1840 and died January 3, 1862.

Allen J. Barwick has in his possession an abstract of a deed that was transferred from Edward III to Samuel H. Coward as a warranty deed of gift on December 15, 1839. The deed did not mention that Edward had a wife. (However, her tombstone indicates she died in 1854.) Edward III's death date of 1863 is based on the death date on Edward's tombstone in the Coward graveyard in Greene County.

From the tombstone record, we know that Edward died in 1863.

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