JESSEE-L Archives

From: "Jim Jessee" <>
Subject: [JESSEE] Which James Lea was in Old Granville County in 1746
Date: Mon, 8 Oct 2007 21:20:52 -0700

Friends and Family,

Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde, a Lea family researcher, has shared very much Lea
family research with us over the years, helping us to trace the Frankey Lea
ancestry and related Lea family in Caswell Co., NC. Frankey Lea married
John Jessee, and moved to Russell Co, VA about 1790, and there raised 15
children.

Please see this dialogue below. You can look up James Lea, and his son
Gabriel, among others referred to in the database at www.jessee.org.

The text to which she refers is at the bottom.


From: REV C FORDE [mailto:]
Sent: Monday, October 08, 2007 8:27 PM
To: Jim Jessee
Subject: Re: More Questions...

HI Jim,

The only thing I am looking for - is to determine which James Lea was in Old
Granville County in 1746. If you can post this deposition on line or
wherever - and ask that question - perhaps we will all be the wiser and also
have discovered Lawrence's daughter, wife of James Lea/Lee.

Feel free to share the depostion giving credit to Bess Antes for discovery
and me for the transcription..

Blessings, Cynthia


On 10/8/07, Jim Jessee <> wrote:
Once again I thank you for sharing your research and analysis. I wish I
could do more in return. Your analysis seems solid to me, and I sure enjoy
reading all that direct testimony of the various parties, piecing together
all these relationships. How lucky you are to have such good friends and
fellow researchers to share all this "pick and shovel" work of genealogy. I
am humbled.

May I share this with the Jessee List and in the next Newsletter?

I will be glad to update my records based upon your research, analysis and
conclusions, or at least to well include these notes as may be appropriate
for other researchers to discover, too. I will wait for you to let me know
what needs to be fixed or done to help.

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: REV C FORDE [mailto:
<mailto:> ]
Sent: Saturday, October 06, 2007 11:00 AM
To:
Subject: More Questions...

Hi JIm,

I continue to re-examine my thoughts about the men named James Lea of
Caswell County, NC that could have been married for 40 years in the
year 1793... and this I have learned:

There were three men about that age ca. 1790 Caswell County US Federal
Census.

One was James CL Lea (my ancestor) who married Anne Herndon. To my
best knowledge he did not arrive in VA until about 1752 (I have his
will and estate settlement). He died in March of 1792 - deceased by
the time of the depositions.

Another was James of Cobb's Creek - who was your ancestor (presumably)
but not born until about 1743 - and would have been too young to
marry about 1746 or 1747.

The third was the one that seemed the most promising - James of
Kilgore's Branch - because the deposition was given in the home of
Gabriel Lea "because I am too old and infirm to travel." (James
Lee/Lea).

Now I am learning that James of Kilgore's Branch did not move to VA
until well after 1752 and had already married in Virginia. BUMMER.
He may have been deceased by 1792 - but the stuff online is not
documented.

And I am having to once again re-think this situation. The James
Lea/Lea who gave the attached depositions in 1793, 1794 and 1797 is
the same James Lee/Lea who was appointed constable in Old Granville
County in 1746 - and he is the same one who signed the petition
against a new road in Old Granville County in 1747 - the signatures
are identical to the deposition signatures. Yet, he was still living
as late as 1797.

Before you change anything on your website - can you offer any
direction? I show the tax lists for 1747 - James Lee located near to
Lawrence Bankston.

I need some insight into this old James Lee/Lea who was in old
Granville County in 1746-1757 living near Lawrence Bankston and who
said on the attached depositions: "I married a daughter of said
Lawrence Bankston."

Will you read the attached depositions, description of land location
etc. and let me know what you think?

The Rev. Dr. Cynthia Forde
25487 Old Howth Road
Hempstead, Texas 77445


NC State Archives
State Records A
Bankson, Laurance. Orange County

Group: Secretary of "State , Office of Granville Proprietary Land Office
Secretary, Office of the ..

Call No. S.108.270--S.108.283
Location MFR
Mars Id: 12.12.69.5 (folder)

Author: Bess Antes Date: 6 Mar 2005 2:40 PM GMT
Surnames: Bankston, Lee

Originally North Carolina was divided into eight sections, Lord Granville of
the Granville Grant being one of the eight people who owned bits of the
original state. At some point the King decided to buy back the rights and
Lord Granville refused to do so as he owned the upper half of the state.
Well, he (Granville) dallied before getting everything surveyed and in his
doing so he created a vacuum in land ownership. For example: Lawrance
Bankston applied for land in Edgecombe County in 1844 but the Edgecombe
Courts could not decide whether or not they had the right to give out
Granville's land. Consequently, after a long conversation with Mr. Bridges,
I feel that the court probably denied Lawrance Bankstons 1744 claim for land
in Edgecombe County. Then, when he did get a legal grant from Granville,
Lawrance moved to what is now present day Caswell County. Also, most people
apparently filed for a grant the moment they entered the state so Lawrance
Bankston probably moved to NC in 1744.

Then, after the Revolutionary War, every time land came into dispute (you
will read more about that later) people would try to discredit a person by
saying that they were Tory Sympathizers and as such had no right to any land
they owned prior to the Revolutionary War. (Tory land was seized after the
War.) While I could find no proof today that Andrew Bankston was a Tory keep
in mind that his father held the rank of Cap't for the King's government and
stood to loose a lot of his land if Britain lost the War. Also, Robert Lee,
Andrew's father-in-law's name (Robert Lee ) does appear on a list of British
Loyalty Claims. These claims were made to the British Government for
restitution of losses incurred during the war.

Happy Reading,
Bess in NC


29 day of August 1796
Deposition of Henry Williamson
Question put by the defendant:"Was you acquainted with the family of Andrew
Bankston any time in your life time?
Answer: I was.
Question: Do you know what name the eldest son of said Andrew went by?
Answer: Daniel
3rd: Do you know, or did you ever know whether or whether not, is was ever
disputed by the neighbors of said Andrew Bankston that his eldest son was
not of the name of Dan'l?
Answer: I did not ever hear of it disputed.
4th: Did you never hear a flying hearsay that those person's were dead?
Answer: I did hear it, I hear that the said Andrew Bankston and his son
Daniel were dead.
Question 5th; You say you heard it but do you know of it of your own
knowledge?
Answer: No
6th: Was it not a general report among the people who knew the said Andrew
Bankston that he went to the British within their lines?
Answer: I was away from where I was acquainted with him before I hear'd such
news, but after I left that I'd hear'd such a report.
7th: How long since you first hear the report of the death of the said
Andrew Bankston?
Answer: Almost thirteen or fourteen years ago, or there about.
8th: Can you give any account of how old the said Daniel Bankston, son of
Andrew, was when you knew him?
Answer:I suppose he was about nineteen or twenty years old.
9th: How near did you live to the family of the said Andrew when you knew
him afores'd Daniel Bankston
Answer: Part of the time about two miles or thereabouts and part of the time
about a mile and a half.
Questions on behalf of the plaintiff:
Question 1st: Do you know whether or not the said Andrew Bankston was ever
an inhabitant of the waters of Hico Creek?
Answer: I always understood it so.
Question 2nd: Did you hear of the said Andrew Bankston say that he held any
rights to the piece or parcel of land now is dispute between the plaintiff
and the defendant? Answer: I don't recollect that ever I did
Question 3: Do you know of the next eldest son of Andrew Bankston to Daniel?
Answer: James, I always understood to be the next eldest to Daniel
Question 4th Have you reason to believe that said Andrew and Dan'l are dead?

Answer: I have heard it different times and never hear'd it disputed.
Question 5th: How long since you were first acquainted with the said Dan'l
Bankston?
Answer: I suppose about seventeen or eighteen years.
Question 6th: Did you ever hear that the property of said Andrew was
confiscated after you hear'd he went to the British?
Answer: No
Question: Anything further the Deponant sayeth
Answer: Not
------------------------------
Deposition of Sulliam Williamson 27 August 1796
Question 1st: Was you any time in your lifetime acquainted with Andrew
Bankston?
Answer:Yes
Question 2: Which of his sons did you understand was the oldest?
Answer: Daniel
Question 3rd: Did you hear that the said Andrew and Daniel his son were
dead?
Answer: Yes, I heard so.
Question 4th: Did you know it of your own knowledge?
Answer: No
Question 5th: Was not the general Corector that these two men Torries?
Answer: I have heard them supposed to be Torries
Question 6th: Did you not apprehend that they were apprehended for suc?
Answer: No
Questions asked by the Plaintiff 1st These questions did you ever give them
in as heresay or of your own knowledge?
Answer: By information of others
Question 2nd Which was the next oldest son to Daniel
Answer: I understood James
Question 3rd Do you know anything of the said land that is now is dispute
between the plaintiff and the defendant?
Answer: I do not know anything about the right of the (can't read word).
Question 4th Did you ever hear or know of anything of these said Bankston's
having any right to this said disputed land in their lifetimes?
Answer: No
Question asked by the defendant, How long do you think is it since you heard
of the said Andrew & Daniel's death?
Answer: I suppose it has been thirteen or fourteen years or more.
And further this defendant sayeth? Not.


Deposition of James Lee 21 January 1797
---------------------------------------------------------------
State of North Carolina
Caswell County - In obedience to a writ to us directed from the Honorable
the Superiour Court of Hillsborough we have caused James Lea to come before
us in the House of Nickolas Dilone at Caswell Old Courthouse; on the 21st
Day of January 1797 and he being first sworn on the Holy Evangelist of
Almighty God Deposeth and Sayeth -

Question 1st: Was you ever acquainted with the family of Lawrance Bankson?
Answer: Yes, for I married a wife out of the family of said Bankson my
(Bossom?) friend.
Question 2nd: Who by name was the oldest son of him, the said Lawrance
Bankson and heir? Answer: Andrew Bankson was the oldest son and heir of the
said Lawrance, deceased.
Question 3rd: Was the said Andrew Bankson some time an inhabitant of Hico?
Answer: Yes, he lived on Lynches Creek.
Question 4th: Did he not move to the south?
Answer: yes, I understand so.
Question 5th: Do you know what the name his oldest son was called by?
Answer: I do not know whether Daniel or James.
Question 6th: Do you know anything of your own knowledge of the death of
said Daniel Bankson, son of Andrew Bankson or James?
Answer: I do not.
Question 7th: How long do you suppose it to be since the death of the
aforesaid Lawrance Bankson?
Answer: He died before the war. Question 8th: Do you know any will the said
Lawrance Bankson ever made of any of his property? Answer: No, for I do
believe that he never made any
Question 9th: Was not Jacob Bankston the youngest son of the family of the
said Lawrance Bankson?
Answer: yes, for Andrew the oldest son (unreadable word), the next Daniel,
the next Lawrance Jnr, and Jacob Bankson was the youngest son of Lawrance
Bankson, deceased.
Question 10th: Did you believe that you are capable of attending the
Superior Court?
Answer: No, I believe that I am not by the infirmity of old age.
Sworn before us the day and year above written, witnessed our hand and seal:
Samuel Johnston, Gabriel Lea (Le) James Lee.
--------------------------------------------

Deposition of James Gray and Andrew Bankson
To James Gray: Do you know the length of your memory that James and Jacob
Bankson borne to you with a deed?
Answer: yes
Question 2nd: Do you know whether James or Jacob Bankson did take away a
deed from your house without any witnesses?
Answer: I do (unreadable word) that James Bankson and Jacob Bankson either
brought a deed or come to get one wrote and he also said he believes that
James Bankson did asighn said deed but who the deed was too he nows not and
the defendant further (cant read word) not.

Then the deponant Andrew Bankson sayeth after being sworn in:
Question: Do you remember that Jacob Bankson and James was at your house
with a deed and wanted and you to go and witness to it?
Answer: I do not. I remember hearing my family say that Jacob Bankson and
James Bankson was at my house, and they also said that they were going to
James Gray's house to get a deed in or June (can't read word) after they
brought a deed to my house and left it there for some time. And the said
Depd. Said that he has reason to believe that it was the same deed that
James Gray spoke of and he further sayeth that he remembers that Jacob
Bankson told him to get James Bankson to acknowledge said deed and for him
to become a witness and he also sayeth that he did give the deed to John
W/M??? (can't
read) in the year 1792 and the said S??? inquired the way to James Bankson
and I put him on the way. I understand that then S??? was a going to James
Bankson to get him to acknowledge the ??? (can't read). Questions for the
Plaintiff (Bankson): The Depondant saith that he believed that this grant
survey by Wm Churlton July 1754 for Capt. Lawrance Bankson lying on both
sides of North Hico .... Is the same grant and that he also sayeth that he
believes that the Cap't Lawrance Bankson is dead and he has been dead
upwards of 20 years and he also sayeth that he rather (??can't read word)
that he never made any will . Also that Andrew Bankson, son of said Lawrance
was his eldest, and that Daniel Bankson was the oldest son of Andrew
Bankson. I believe that the said Andrew Bankson son of Lawrance is dead and
I have been credible informed that Daniel is dead also, and also he also
sayeth that he thinks that the said Andrew bankson has been dead 13 or 14
years and that he also sayeth that he heard the said Daniel Bankson died
shortly after. And he also said that James Bankson was the next eldest son
to the said Daniel and he also sayeth that he believes the said James
Bankson is the heir-at-law.
Question by the Defendant to the Dep. Bankson: What was you when you heard
that the Said Daniel Bankson was dead?
Answer: Montgomery County and I fully understand that the sd in (???can't
read word??)
Question by the plaintiff to Bankson: Do you believe that this deed of James
Bankson to Jacob dated the first day of January 1788
Answer: I believe that she said James Bankson (can't read might be
aforesaid) the said deed but was n
present and the (???can't read word??) (???can't read word??) not.. Signed
James Gray and Andrew Bankson


State of North Carolina
Caswell County

In obedience to a Dismus ??? Potestatism?
>From the Honorable Superior Court of Hillsborough found in October 1793
directed to take the deposition of James Lea. We have accordingly caused
the said James Lea to come before us in ?? form? The being of Lawfully sworn
on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God. Deposeth and saith,

That about forty years ago he married in the family of Laurence Bankston
Sen. And that he was as well acquainted with the proceedings of the family
as one might be in that case. This deponent further sayeth that he often
heard Laurence Bankston Sen. Say that he held a claim of land lying on the
south side of a larger tract of land wheron he then lived. Lying on the
waters of Panther Creek now in Caswell County, bu the deponent further
sayeth that he don't know that ever the said Banckston obtained any right to
the said land. The deponent further saith that the said Banckston he
believed died in Anson County before the war, and further saith that he
never knew of any will that the said Bankston made. And this deponent
further sayeth that Andrew Bankston was the Eldest son of said Laurence, he
believes and heir=at law and that Peter Bankston was the second son of said
Laurence and Laurance Bankston was the third son of said Laurence Sen. That
Daniel Bankston was the fourth son of said Laurance and that Jacob Bankston
was the fifth son of said Laurance and the youngest of his sons.

The plaintiff Ann Greer asks the deponent the following questions to wit:
Question First: Do you believe that Andrew Bankston is the eldest son of
Laurance Bankston ser? The deponent answered "that I believe he is to the
best of my knowledge. The plaintiff asks the second question: Did you ever
know of anybody laying claim to any part of parcel of the said tract of
land. Answered by the deponent, No other person but Laurence Bankston Sen.
And from him to the best of my knowledge.to his son Jacob Bankston and
further sayeth he don't know that there was any Right made from Laurance
Bankston Sen. To his son Jacob.
Question the 3rd: by the Plaintiff: Do you believe that this Andrew
Bankston the Eldest son of Laurance Bankston Sen is deceased? Answered by
the Deponent: by reliable information I am informed he is, and I believe he
is.

Signed: James Lea
Given under our hands and seals and swon to and subscribed this 17 day of
March 1794
Sam Johnston JP
Gabriel Lea JP


27 September 1794:
Deposition of James Lea
State of North Carolina, Caswell County.
Directed from the Honourable Superiour Court for the District of
Hillsborough, we Gabriel Lea and William Risney justice for said county have
caused James Lea Sr. to appear before us at the dwelling house of said
Gabriel Lea and him the said James Lea being first sworn on the Holy
Evangelist of Almighty God deposeth and sayeth as follows:
The plaintiff for Ann Greer puts the first question -
"Do you believe that this deed from the Earl of Granville to Laurence
Bankston bearing date the 28 Day of January 1761 and beginning at a red oak.
The west side of Hico Creek thence running n orth 76 chanins to a pine
thence cropping north Hico of Painters Creek 85 chains to a white oak then ?
70 chains cropping a fork of Painter's Creek to a black oak then (?)
cropping the forks and north Hico 85 chains to the first station, covers the
land of plantation whereon the aforesaid Laurance Bankston lived about
thirty years ago.
This deponent answers: I do believe it does.
Question 2: How long ago do you think the said Laurence Bankston died?
To this question the deponeth answers: he believes about five or six and
twenty years ago.
Question 3: Do you believe the said Bankston died without a will?
Answer: I never heard that he had one.
Question 4th: Which of the said Laurance Bankstons sons was the eldest?
Answer: Andrew Bankston was the eldest
Question 5th:Do you believe the said Andrew is dead or not?
Answer: I believe he died several years ago.
Question 6th: Was you not very well acquainted with the said family of
Bankstons?
Answer: I was, I married Said Laurence Bankston's daughter.

Signed James Lea

Third Page - Same Date

Question first: By Mr. Henry Fuller (??)
Do you know if the lines of the tract of land you have been questioned about
pouirs? The Land in dispute between me and Mrs. Greer---
Answer: no
Question 2: Do you know of your own knowledge that the aforesaid Andrew
Bankston is dead ---
Answer: I do be believe he is by Report further this deponant saith not year
-
We Gabriel Lea and William Rainey aforesaid hearby certify that this
deposition was taken on the 27th day of September in the year 1794 at the
dwelling house of Gabriel Lea in witness of the aforesaid deposition the
aforesaid James Lea has hearunto set his hand:
James Lea
Test.
William Rainey JP
Gabriel Lea JP



------------------------------------------------
Notes from Bess:

New BANKSTON and LEE/LEA info from Raleigh Archives Library
Author: Bess Antes Date: 27 Feb 2005 7:24 PM GMT
Surnames: Bankston Bankson Lea Lee
Classification: Query

Well, I finally made it to the Raleigh Library for a couple of hours, and
through the help of a three fabulous genealogy angels I found the following:
The Spelling of BANKSTON is found as: BANKSTON BANKSON BANKSONE BANCHSON...
This is the most IMPORTANT bit, was found through the kind help of a
researcher for the LEA family. When I spoke with her she was familiar with
the Bankstons and the Lea/Lee's in spite of having done research nearly
fifteen years earlier. Unable to remember the name of a particular record,
she was gracious enough to go home and check her papers. This is what she
emailed me:

"I have just found the record that tells that James Lea married one of
Lawrence Bankston's daughters. James Lea said that Lawrence had land on the
south side of a larger tract of land whereon he then lived. Panther Creek.
He believes that said Bankston died in Anson Co. before the war. Oldest son
was Andrew Bankston, then Peter, then Lawrence then Daniel, then Jacob.
In the Lea records, I found one Robert. I will have to do that later. Not
much there on him."

You cannot imagine how excited I am about finding this record. I do know
exactly which very reputable document it is and am going to get a copy when
I return to the Library, and do my best NOT to kiss it... LOL! I will send
more on it when I have a copy in my hands.

On to what else I found:
I was also told by another researcher that some of the records for Orange
County were buried during the Revolutionary War and when dug up six years
later had not fared too well - sigh. I did check all of the remaining
originals for Orange and Caswell County (in some sort of box) for will,
estates etc. and found nothing on the Bankston Line. When I say originals -
I mean originals nothing but spidery handwriting and crumbling papers.

Back to Lawrence Bankston, I located where his property would be on a
current map and it is in CASWELL COUNTY. First, look at the lower right hand
corner of Caswell County. Slightly above and to the right, Corbett Ridge
Road runs north between Hyco/Hico Creek and Panther Creek. (Lawrence's
Property) To make finding it easier the property is slightly above where the
top right hand side of Alamance County meets the top left hand of Orange
County, which are directly below Caswell County.

Now, there was some discussion about this particular land deed by another
researcher, who said he had NEVER seen any other deed where the owner was
also the chain carrier for his own property, and he felt that there were 2
Lawrences involved when it comes to the Hico Creek Property. Considering the
email I received this morning, I am inclined to think that Lawrence owned
the property and his SON was one of the chain carriers based on the fact
that Lawrence Bankston Sr. boys all carried chain.

More on Lawrence Bankston Senior:
In the COURT MINUTES OF GRANVILLE COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 1746-1820 by Zae
Hargett Gwynn
Page 42: September Term of Court 1755 LAWRENCE BANKSON vrs JOHN BRANTLY and
RICHARD HARRIS, church wardens of St. John's parish; jury finds for the
defendants and plaintiff pays cost. Page 45: September Term of Court 1755
SAMUEL WATT vrs LAWRENCE BANKSON, Def. Defendant did not appear. Plaintiff
collects debts and cost of suit.

I will check and see what the originals say when I return to the Library.
>From what I understand, St. John's, in Vance County, was part of the
Colonial Highway and also, where Daniel Boone was able to fund his famous
trip.

On to Revolutionary War Records on microfilm - which I was told there are no
copies of: (The question marks mean I can not read a word or one of the two
giant punched holes, used to indicated payment had been made, make it
impossible
to decipher what a particular word was.)

No 1116 State of North Carolina Auditors of ? Salisbury District Lower Board
September 19, 1783. This may ? that Thomas Bankston billed the claim ? was
allowed ? pounds ,
ten shillings and six pence ? Signed Stephen Miller, John Auld and Tho.
Chiles Auditors. (There is another line but I cannot decipher it.)

No 957 State of North Carolina Auditors Salisbury District Auditors Office
Lower Board October 25, 1782. This may certify that Thos Bankston exhibited
his ? and was ? nineteen Pounds and seven shillings. Signed Stephen Miller,
John Auld and Tho. Chiles Auditors.
No 933 State of North Carolina Salisbury District Auditors Office Lower
Banks October 24th ? This may certify that Abner Bankston exhibited his
claim was allowed eight pounds two shillings. Signed Stephen Miller, John
Auld and Tho. Chiles Auditors.

.State of North Carolina, Salisbury District No 905 Agreeable to an act of
the General Assembly papers In Wake County this 14th of July 1782 James
Bankson was allowed three pounds twelve shillings ? for
Military Service by the Board of Auditors July ? 1782. By order of Richard
Trotter, David Wilson and Witt Cathey auditor.

No 956 State of North Carolina Salisbury District Auditors Office Lower
Board 25th October 1782 this may certify that James Bankston exhibited his
claim and was allowed nineteen ?? Shillings ? Signed Stephen Miller, John
Auld and Tho. Chiles Auditors.

On a side note, I was also told that a lot of people who owned land in
Orange County were neutral during the Revolutionary War, fearful of loosing
their property if they were on the losing side. While Lawrence Bankston did
obtain his property legally from Lord Granville there were a lot of
squatters on the land as Granville did not take the time to survey it until
the 1760's. Remember that Granville's Grant covered the top half of the
State of NC.

This thread:

• [JESSEE] Which James Lea was in Old Granville County in 1746 by "Jim Jessee" <>