| Notes |
Isaac Ferguson was married before 1773 to Elizabeth. Her maiden name is not known. Some researchers claim that she is Elizabeth Edwards, daughter of Isaac Edwards of Northamption County, North Carolina. Support for this theory rests on two main facts: 1) that she died in Northamption County, North Carolina , and 2) that an Isaac Edwards of Northamption County named a daughter Elizabeth Ferguson in his will.
The estate records for Isaac Ferguson in Northamption County state that "Isaac Ferguson left five children at his death." The proven children are Nimrod, William, John & Elizabeth. It is presumed that Jacob and James are also sons of Isaac Ferguson. Jacob is listed in the household of Isaac Ferguson in the 1747 list of tithables for Prince William County. James Ferguson is named in records indicating possible relationship with Isaac Ferguson.
Isaac Ferguson and his wife Elizabeth were present in Virginia as early as 1733 when they sold 195 acres of land in Prince William County on the south side of Bull Run in Hamilton Parish to Joseph Bohannan. Prince William County, Virginia Deeds, Liber B; 132-1735, pp. 161-164. Isaac and Elizabeth continued to live in Prince William Co. until the early 1750s. Isaac Ferguson and his wife later moved to Amelia County, Virginia by 1752 and then to Halifax County, North Carolina by 1759.
On 8 July 1740, Isaac Ferguson of Prince William County was granted 208 acres of land on Licking Branch of Bull Run. Gertrude E Gary, Northern Neck Land Grants, 1694-1742, Vol. 1, p. 129; citing Book E, p. 161.
On 3 June 1745, he was elected to the vestry of Quantico Church, Parish of Dettigen, until 2 Dec 1751.
In 1747, Isaac Farguson is enumerated in the list of tithables for Prince William County. Also listed are Jacob Farguson and Nimrod Farguson. Prince William County Tithables, 1747, Residents of Western Dettingen Parish.
On 22-23 Mar 1749, Isaac Ferguson purchased 100 acres of land in Prince William County from Elizabeth Chaplin. The land was on the north side of Broad Run of Occoquan on a branch known as Crupper's Cabin Branch. The land was part of a 430 acre tract deeded by Col. Carter to John Flowrance in 1725. Prince William County, Virginia Deeds, Liber M; 1749 - 1752; pp. 114-116. Isaac Ferguson, then of Amelia County, sold the same property on 25-27 April 1752 to John Champe of King George County. His wife Elizabeth was privately examined and relinquished her right of dower. Prince William County, Virginia Deeds, Liber M; 1749 - 1752; pp 233-234. These deeds prove that Isaac Ferguson of Prince William County moved to Amelia County by 1752.
On 22 November 1749 George Brett, Mason Bennett and Isaac Ferguson gave bond to Thomas Lee, President of the Council, for George Brett to serve as one of the Inspectors of Tobacco at the Public Warehouse established at Quantico in [Prince William County]. The bond was sealed & delivered in the presence of William Fitzhugh & Abraham Barnes. Colonial Papers - Box 146, Folder 42; Library of Virginia, Call Number 36138, Misc. Reel 611
On 4 May 1750, administration on the estate of Josiah Farguson, deceased, was granted to Isaac Farguson and he entered into bond in the sum of £400 with John Taliaferro, Gent. as his security. Order Book 2, p. 663. At the same court, Isaac Farguson was appointed guardian to Josiah Farguson [Jr.]. [BB#3, page 104]. The inventory of the estate of Josiah Farguson, deceased, was recorded 31 May 1750. Inventories #2, pp. 58-59. Josiah Farguson married in 1748 Emblen (Tutt) Moone, daughter of Richard and Mary (Underwood) Tutt and widow of Samuel Moone (q.v.). Settlement of the estate of Josiah Farguson was made 14 Sept 1752 for the estate by by Isaac Farguson, his administrator. Fiduciary Account Book #3, pp. 50, 78, 79, 84.
On 8 Sept 1750, Isaac Ferguson became the security for Joel Berry, administrator of Henry Berry's estate, in King George County. Henry Berry, Senior died in late 1748, but there was difficulty in the probate of his will. Sarah Berry came into court and refused to accept any legacy bequeathed to her by the will of her late husband, Henry Berry, deceased. King George County Order Book 2, p. 609, 3 Feb 1748/9. The the executors named in the will having refused to act so the administration on the estate of Henry Berry was granted to Joel Berry with Isaac Ferguson as security, . Id. at 674, 8 Sep 1750. Henry Berry owned plantations in the counties of King George and Prince William. Id. at 682. Inventories of his personal property on these plantations were admitted to record 5 Oct 1750 and recorded in I#2, pp. 68-69 for King George Co., and 2 Nov 1752 and recorded in I#2, p. 72 for Prince William Co.
On 2 Dec 1751, Isaac Ferguson purchased 399 acres on Whetstone Creek in Amelia County fro William Dendy. The deed was recorded on 27 February 1752. Isaac Ferguson apparently divided the tract and sold 100 acres to Richard Bush. In a deed dated 20 December 1754, Richard Bush and his wife Sarah conveyed the 100 acres purchased from Isaac Ferguson to Henry Robertson. The land was described as part of a tract patented by William Dandy and conveyed to Isaac Ferguson. Amelia County Deed Book 5, p 41. On 27 June 1759, Isaac Ferguson and Elizabeth of Halifax County, North Carolina sold the remaining portion of the land on Whetstone Creek to James Lamkin of Amelia County. Amelia County Deed Book 4, p. 41. These deeds proved that Isaac Ferguson and his wife moved to North Carolina by December 1752. (Note: Need to check citations in this paragraph)
Note: Halifax County, North Carolina was formed in 1758 from Edgecombe County, North Carolina.
On 29 January 1753, Isaac Ferguson witnessed a deed for 127 acres of land from William Dendy of Halifax County, Virginia to James Claiborne. Amelia County Deed Book 5, p. 21.
On 19 September 1753, Isaac Fergsuon witnessed a deed of gift form John Ellis of Nottoway Parish to Hampton Wade and his wife Jean/Jane. Amelia County Deed Book 5, p. 13.
On 27 September 1753, Isaac Ferguson sold 85 acres of land to Augustine Claiborne, executor of his brother James Claiborne of Surr County Virginia. Amelia County Deed Book 5, p. 16\. The deed was acknowleged in court during the November term 1753. Amelia County Order Book 3, p. 147.
Isaac Ferguson died in Edgecombe County, North Carolina in 1764. His will, proved in Edgecombe County Court on July 1764, names his wife Elizabeth, and minor son, John. Elizabeth's estate was settled in 1789 in Northamton County, North Carolina. These records state that Isaac and Elizabeth had five children. On January 1, 1765 Elizabeth Ferguson gives to son Nimrod property left her by deceased husband, Isaac Ferguson. Edgecombe County, Deed Book C, p. 347. Another son, William, left a will dated Feb 24, 1964 and also proved in July court. It names his wife Jane and his brother Nimrod as executors.
In 1778, the Abraham Motley and others used the heirs of Isaac Ferguson in Chancery Court in Halifax County, Virginia for possession of a negro slave named Jack. Abraham Motley intermarried with one of Isaac Ferguson's daughters. A summons was issued on 5 September 1778 to Nimrod Ferguson to appear and anser the bill of complaint. The bill of complaint alleges that Isaac Fergsuon gave him an dhis wife a parcel of land in Halifax County, Virginia joining the land of Isaac Ferguson. It appears that no deed for the transfer was recorded. The bill of complaint further alleges that Isaac Ferguson later sold the land, planning to move to North Carolina, and promised to give the negro slave Jack to Abraham Motley after the death of Isaac and his wife in exchange for the land previously given to Abraham Motley. Isaac's son Nimrod, as administrator of the estate of Isaac Ferguson, took possession of the slave, which was sold as part of the estate. In his answer to the bill of complaint dated 29 June 1787, Nimrod Ferguson states that he had no knowledge of the entitlement claimed by Abraham Motley. At some point in time after 1778-1779 Abraham Motley died and his son Isaac Motley became administrator of his estate. There is no date on his continuation of his father's bill.
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Prince William County, Virginia Deeds : Liber B; 1732-1735; pp. 161-164. Nov. 20, 1733.
Isaac Furguson of Pr. William Co., planter to Joseph Bohannan of same, planter....for 30 lbs. money....tract of land on south side of Bull Run in Parish of Hamilton 195 a.....deed of lease amd release.
Isaac Furguson
Wit: John Addams, George Byrn.
Rec'd. of within mentioned sum of 30 lbs. and signed Isaac Furguson.
At court Nov. 23, 1733 Isaac Furguson acknowledged this release with receipt endorsed to Joseph Bohannon.
Note: Bull Run is a 32.8-mile-long (52.8 km)free-flowing tributary stream of the Potomac River that originates from a spring in the Bull Run Mountains in Loudoun County, Virginia, and flows south to the Occoquan River. Bull Run serves as the boundary between Loudoun County and Prince William County, and between Fairfax County and Prince William County. Licking Creek is one of the tributaries of the Potomac River.
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Prince William County, Virginia Deeds : Liber M; 1749 - 1752; pp 114-116
THIS INDENTURE made the twenty second and twenty third day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty nine Between ELIZABETH CHAPLIN of the Parish of Bath in the County of PRINCE GEORGE of one part and ISAAC FARGUSON of the Parish of Dittengen & County of Prince William of other part Witnesseth that said ELIZABETH CHAPLIN for the sum of Eight pounds Twelve Shillgs. Curr, doll sell unto the said ISAAC FARGUSON in his actual possession now being by venue of a bargin and sale for one year and by force of the statute for transferring uses into possession his heirs and assigns all that tract of land containing One hundred acres being part of Four hundred and Thirty four acres by a Deed granted by COLLO. CARTER to JOHN FLOWRANCE in ye year 1725 lying in the County of PRINCE WILLIAM on the North side of BROAD RUN of OCCOQUAN and a Branch known by the name of CRUPPERS CABIN BRANCH begining at a marked white Ole on a hill corner to the land of ED. GRAHAM thence NE to a red Oak another Corner of sd ED. GRAHAM & thence NE to a hicry thence SE to two white Oaks thence NE to the beginning Togather with all houses gardens appurtenances whatseover to the sd One hundred acres of land belonging To Have and To Hold unto the said ISAAC FARGUSON his heirs and assigns forever. In Witness whereof the partys have set their hands and seales
in presents of us GREENHAM DODSON, ELIZABETH CHAPLIN
JOHN HIGHTOWER, WM, MAINIRE
ROBERT FARGUSON
At a Court held for the County of Prince William the 26th day of March 1750
This Release and receipt from ELIZABETH CHAPLIN to ISAAC FARGUSON was proved by the oaths of GREENHAM DODSON & JOHN HIGHTOWER two of the witnesses thereto subscribed and was ordered to be Certified and At a Court held for the County aforesaid on the 24th day of September 1750
This Release & Receipt was proved by the oath of ROBERT FARGUSON & admitted to record
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Prince William County, Virginia Deeds : Liber M; 1749 - 1752; pp 211-212
KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that we GEORGE MASON & WILLIAM ASHMORE of Dettengen Parish in Prince Wm. County are held and firmly bound unto THOMAS REDMAN & ISAAC FORGUSON of the sd Parish & County in the sum of Fifteen hundred pounds Currt, money of Virga. this Sixteenth day of May 1751 THE CONDITION of the above obligation is such that if the above bound GEORGE MASON & WILLIAM ASHMORE their heirs will defend the above named THOMAS REDMAN & ISAAC FORGUSON from any suit whatsoever yt may arise concerning the Estate of JAMES WHALEY deced the said THOMAS REDMAN & ISAAC FORGUSON being securities for JOHN PURCEL deced for the Administration of the said WHALEYs Estate so that if the above bound GEORGE MASON & WILLIAM ASHMORE shall keep harmless the above named THOMAS REDMAN & ISAAC FORGUSON from any suit whatsoever that shall heppen concerning the Estate of JAMES WHALEY deced yt then ye above obligation to be void but if otherwise to remain in full power
in presence of H. PEYTON. GEORGE MASON WILLIAM ASHMORE
JOHN PEYTON, JOHN METCALFE 25 day of November 1751
WILLIAM FOSTER JOHN PEYTON & JOHN METCALFE
At a Court held for the County of Prince William the This bond was proved by the oaths of HENRY PEYTON, and admitted to record
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Prince William County, Virginia Deeds : Liber M; 1749 - 1752; pp 233-234
THIS INDENTURE made the twenty fifth and twenty seventh day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Fifty Two Between ISAAC FERGUSON of AMELIA COUNTY of one part and JOHN CHAMPE gent of KING GEORGE COUNTY of other part Witnesseth that said ISAAC FORGUSON for the sume of Twenty one pounds Ten Shillings Currt. money doth grant unto said JOHN CHAMPE in his actual possession now being by Virtue of a Bargain & Sale and by virtue of the statute for transferring uses into possession & to his heirs and assigns a parcel of land containing One hundred acres being part of Four hundred and Thirty four acres by a PATENT from the PROPRIETORS granted to JOHN FLORENCE dated One thousand seven hundred and twenty five, said land being in Prince William County and on the North side of BROAD RUN of OCCOQUAN and on a branch known by the name of CRUPPERS CABIN BRANCH Beginning at a marked white Oak on a hill corner to the land of JOHN DISKIN thence No. W. to a red Oak corner tree to the land of EDWARD GRAHAM thence No. Et. to a red Oak another corner of said GRAHAM thence No. Et. to a Hiccory thence to the begining, the said hundred acres of land being purchased by the said ISAAC FERGUSON of ELIZABETH CHAPLIN by Deeds bearing date the twenty second and twenty third days of March One thousand seven hundred and Forty Nine Together with all houses priviledges and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging To Have and To Hold unto the said ,JOHN CHAMPE his heirs and assignes for ever. In Witness whereof said ISAAC FERGUSON bath set his hand and seal
in presence of JOHN DISKIN, ISAAC FERGUSON
W. BARR, JOHN RANDOLPH
At a Court held for the County of Prince William the 27 day of April 1752
ISAAC FERGUSON acknowledged this Release and Receipt to be his acts and deeds which are admitted to record and ELIZABETH the Wife of said ISAAC being first privately examined relinquished her right of dower to the land and premises conveyed
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Will of Isaac Ferguson
06 March 1764; 03 July 1764
Edgecombe County Wills, 1760-1778, Vol. A, page 138
image 150 of 292 at https://familysearch.org
In the Name of God Amen this Sixth Day of March 1764 I Isaac Ferguson of Edgecombe County in the Province of North Carolina being weak in my Body though in my perfect senses of memory thanks be given to God for it therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and order this my last will and Testament that is to say.
First and principally I give and recommend my soul into the Hand of God that gave it and my Body I recommend to the Earth to be buryed in a Christian like manner at the descretion of my Executrix hereafter named. And as touching such worldly estate wheresowith it hath pleased God to bless me within this life I give and dispose of in the following manner. Viz.
First of all I desire all my lawful debts to be paid.
To my son John Ferguson I give twelve pounds proclamation money to be raised out of my estate which money I will and desire him to have at the age of twenty one years old.
To my well beloved wife Elizabeth Ferguson I do lend my Negro Josh with all the lands of my estate to be for the use of her during the remainder part of her natural life. I liquise constitute make and appoint my wife Elizabeth Ferguson my only sole Executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day of year above mentioned.
S/ Isaac Ferguson (Seal)
Signed and delivered in
The presents of us
S/ Wm. Kerby
S/ Daniel Lessly
Recorded
Edgecombe County 3 July Inferior Court 1764
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Library of Virginia
Halifax County Chancery Court
Abraham Motley Etc. v. Heirs of Isaac Ferguson
This first document is not dated, but believed to have been written prior to 05 September 1778 when Nimrod Ferguson was summoned to court to answer the charges..........
"To the Worshipful Court of Halifax County setting in Chancery Humbly complaining sheweth unto your worship your orator ABRAHAM MOTLEY that in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven hundred and (blank) your orator intermarried with the DAUGHTER of ISAAC FERGUSON, and that after the marriage the said Isaac Ferguson as a portion for his daughter gave your orator a certain tract or parcel of land, joining the land the said Isaac Ferguson lived on containing by estimation (blank) acres. Your orator further sheweth that some years after your orator had the land in possession, the said Isaac wanted to move to the state of North Carolina & proposed to your orator that if your orator would agree that he might sell his land with the said Isaac Ferguson's that he the said Isaac would give your orator in lieu thereof a negro named Jack, that the said Isaac had then as his own property. Your orator further sheweth that it was then and there agreed on by and between your orator and the said Isaac that the said Isaac might sell the land aforesaid and that your orator was to receive in lieu thereof, the aforesaid negro which said negro your orator agreed should remain with the said Isaac Ferguson & wife, securing their lives and at their death the said negro to be the property of your orator. Your orator further sheweth that the said Isaac Ferguson sold the lands aforesaid and converted the money arising from the sale to his own use. Your orator further sheweth that the said Isaac & his wife have since departed this life and that one Nimrod Ferguson who, as heir at law to the said Isaac Ferguson whom your orator prays may be made the defendant to this Bill of Complaint, has taken into his possession the said negro Jack, and refuseth letting your orator have the said negro, altho the said Nimrod Ferguson will knowing the said slave to be the property of your orator. But now so it may please your worship that the said Nimrod Ferguson combining(?) and considerating with seven persons unknown unto your orator when know your orator prays may be made party to this bill of complaint, charging them with contriving and endeavering to ........... and defraud your orator from and keeping him out of his just right."
05 September 1778
Nimrod Ferguson was summoned to appear in Halifax County Court on "the third Thursday of September to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited again him by Abraham Motley"
At some point in time after 1778-1779 Abraham Motley died and his son Isaac Motley became administrator of his estate. There is no date on his continuation of his father's bill.
"To the Worshipful Court of Halifax County setting in Chancery - ISAAC MOTLEY son and heir to ABRAHAM MOTLEYdeceased humbly sheweth unto your worships that his father prosecuted a suit in Chancery in this worshipful court against Nimrod Ferguson for the recovery of a certain slave, as set forth in his bill and that his father has since departed this life and that the management of his estate has fallen to your orator's hands as heir at Law to his said father Abraham Motley, your orator prays this suit may not abate(?) by his father's death, but be revived in his your orator's name, that he may have the benefit of the aforesaid suit and your orator will ever pray and so forth. May it please your worships to grant to your orator a subpoena that the same be ......"
22 January 1787
"The Commonwealth of Virginia to the Sheriff of Halifax County Greeting. We command you that you attach Nimrod Ferguson if he be found within your Bailiwick & him safely keep so that you have his body before the Justices of our said County at the Court House on the third Thursday in March next to answer a Bill in Chancery exhibited gainst him by Abraham Motley. And this he shall in no wise omit & have then there this writ. Witness George Carrington, Clerk of our said Court at the Court House the 22nd day of January 1787 in the Eleventh year of the Commonwealth."
S/ Geo. Carrington
29 June 1787 - Anser to bill of complaint
In the answer of respondent Nimrod Ferguson, he states he had no knowledge of the above entitlement. He also stated:
"That this respondent's parents have separated this life; that after the decease of this respondent's mother which happened in Northampton County, North Carolina and that of this respondent's father in Edgecombe County in said state, this respondent took out administration on the estate of his said father in Northampton County & by an order of the Court of Northampton County made in December 1778, the Sheriff of that County was directed to sell the estate of this respondent's father & which sale accordingly took place in January 1779, when the said negro man slave Jack, the only slave of said estate was sold by the sheriff. That this respondent hath applied to the Clerk of that Court of Northampton State of North Carolina, for a copy of that order of Court as aforesaid, who informed your Orator & hath also given a certificate under his hand which is prayed to be included in this answer. That the office papers of that date were lost or destroyed by the British Army; this respondent further saith that as his father removed from this state & lived some years in said state of North Carolina & there died, where administration was sued out..........and further answereth & saith that the said Isaac Ferguson was administrator to Josiah Ferguson also deceased in the county of King George before this respondent's said father moved to Amelia county......"
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Bef 1712 - Yes, date unknown