possibly Thomas CHEVERS

   Other names for possibly were Thomas CHAVIS, Thomas CHEEVERS, Thomas CHIVERS, Thomas SHEEVER and Thomas SHIVERS.

  Noted events in his life were:

• Biography. CHAVIS FAMILY

The Chavis family probably originated in Virginia before 1650 since there were free, mixed-raced members of the family in Amelia, Brunswick, Charles City, Henrico, James City, Prince George, and Surry counties, Virginia, as well as Edgecombe, Granville and Bladen counties, North Carolina, before 1750. And there were several Chavis households in South Carolina in the 1750s. The earliest recorded mixed-race ancestor was probably Elizabeth Chavis who petitioned the General Court of Virginia on 28 March 1672 to release her son Gibson Gibson from an unlawful indenture. No race is indicated in the court record, but Gibson's descendants were mixed-race.

1. Thomas¹ Chivers, born say 1627, was appointed to a jury of twelve men in Isle of Wight County on 28 July 1658 to determine whether 900 acres belonged to Major Nicholas Hill or to John Snollock [VMHB V:406]. He purchased 1,100 acres of land at the head of Sunken Marsh near Chipoakes Creek in Surry County, Virginia, on 20 May 1659 for two cows, payment of 4,000 pounds of tobacco in October that year, and payment of 4,000 pounds of tobacco in October 1660. He died sometime before 13 April 1664 when his daughter Elizabeth was bound out until she came of age [DW 1:151; Haun, Surry County Court Records, I:149; II:232]. His children were

i. Elizabeth¹, born say 1648, bound apprentice to Robert Cartwright on 13 April 1664. Cartwright agreed to pay the securities for the indenture, Thomas Flood and Ben Harrison, one three-year-old mare at the conclusion of the apprenticeship. She was probably the ancestor of the Gibson family. She was called Elizabeth Chavis on 28 March 1672 when she made a successful petition to the General Court of Virginia to release her son Gibson Gibson who had been unlawfully bound by Berr. Mercer to Thomas Barber who had gone to England leaving the boy with Samuel Austin [Minutes of the Council 1670-76, 106, Virginia Historical Society Mss 4V81935a2; McIlwaine, Minutes of the Council, 302-3]. She died before 6 August 1681 according to the Surry County deed by which her brother sold land which descended to them by their father's will [DW 2:297].

ii. _____, born say 1650, another sister of William who was said to have died before 6 August 1681 when William sold land descended to them by their father's will [DW 2:297].

2 iii. William¹, born say 1654.



2. William¹ Chivers (Thomas¹), born say 1654, was called "orphan of Thomas Chivers" on 14 July 1672 when he chose William Carpenter for his guardian in the Surry County court [Haun, Surry County Court Records, III:127]. Sometime in 1675 or 1676 the executor of the estate of Robert Cartwright, deceased, paid William Carpenter 600 pounds of tobacco to discharge the claims of the "Chivers" orphans against the estate. In 1677 he was a tithable in William Carpenter's household in the upper end of Southwarke Parish [DW 2:222, 264], and in 1679 and 1680 he was listed as a tithable in Carpenter's Sunken Marsh household:

Wm Carpenter Wm Knot Wm Shivers Saml Pawlett & Eliz Blyth 5

and by 1681 he was taxable in his own household [DW 2:346, 416, 453]. He was called William Shivers, planter, on 6 August 1681 when he sold 200 acres in Surry County, explaining in the deed that the land descended to him and his sisters by his father's will, that his sisters had since died and that he was living on a plantation of 400 acres. Between 1682 and 1691 he sold the remainder of the 1,100 acres he had inherited by his father's 8 February 1663 will (which has not survived). He had married Elizabeth by 5 September 1682 when she released her dower rights to the land which was located in Southwarke Parish about a mile from James River on Sunken Marsh [DW 2:297, 310-2, 330, 342-3; 3:29; 4:254; Haun, Surry County Court Records, III:383; IV:412, 425, 485]. Elizabeth may have been Elizabeth Blyth, a taxable in Carpenter's 1679 household. William was a head of household in Sunken Marsh District of Surry County, taxable on one tithe in 1689 [Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol. 23, no.3, 54]. He was reported to have left the county by 8 August 1690 when William Norwood was required to deliver what he had of his estate to the sheriff to pay William's debts [Haun, Surry County Court Records IV:766, 767]. On 26 August 1690 Benjamin Harrison complained that William Chivers was indebted to him [D&W 4:153]. William was called William Shivers of Southwarke Parish (Surry County) on 6 October 1691 when he sold Benjamin Harrison the last 60 acres of the land willed to him by his father [D&W 4:254, 309]. He may have been the father of

3 i. Thomas² Shivers, born say 1682.

4 ii. ?Bartholomew¹, born say 1685.

iii. ?___, born say 1700, mother of John Chavis Walden whose estate inventory was presented in Brunswick County, Virginia, on 2 September 1761 [WB 4:265]. See the Walden history.



3. Thomas² Shivers (William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1682, was a taxable in John Griffin's Surry County household in the upper precinct of Southwarke Parish from 1700 to 1702 [Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol.24, no.2, 81, no.3, 68, 74]. He may have been the father or grandfather of

5 i. William³, born say 1709.

6 ii. Amy, born say 1710.

7 iii. Thomason, born say 1720.

8 iv. Frances¹, born say 1720.

9 v. Rebecca¹, born say 1721.

10 vi. George¹, born say 1728.

11 vii. Menoah, born say 1730.

12 viii. Sarah, born say 1732.

13 ix. Catherine, born say 1734.

14 x. Henry¹, born say 1735.

xi. Gilbert, born say 1738, "a mulatto bastard boy," no parent named when he was bound apprentice to John Simmons in Prince George County on 9 May 1738 [Orders 1737-40, 105]. He was taxable in Prince George County from 1799 to 1802, called Gibb Chavis a "dark man" in 1800 and a "Mulatto" in 1801 and 1802 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1811, frames 485, 507, 530, 551].



4. Bartholomew¹ Chavis (William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1685, was living in Henrico County on 1 March 1707 when he recorded his cattle mark in court. On 2 September 1708 he sued Francis Scott for trespass, and on 1 October 1708 Thomas Evans sued him for a 6 pound debt. He had left the county by 1 November 1708 when Evans attached his estate which consisted of a stallion branded "BC," a bed blanket and some corn in the field [Orders 1707-9, 28, 74, 92]. He was sued for trespass by Ruth Parker in Surry County, Virginia court on 15 October 1712. The suit was dismissed when neither party appeared at the next session on 29 November 1712, and on the same day a suit against him for debt by Robert Rogers was dismissed when neither party appeared [Orders 1701-13, 405-6, 408]. And neither party appeared again in 1714 when he was sued for debt in Surry County court by Arthur Kavanaugh [Orders 1713-18, 32]. He was in North Carolina on 1 March 1719/20 when he received a patent for 300 acres on the north side of the Roanoke River near Urahaw Swamp in what was then Chowan County but became Bertie County in 1722 and Northampton County in 1741 [Hoffman, Province of North Carolina Land Patents, 281]. On 1 September 1721 he bought another tract of land adjacent to his own between Wheeler's Mill and Urahaw Swamp. This land was near the Bass and Gibson families. He and his wife Martha sold 100 acres of their land near Urahaw Swamp on 30 March 1722/3 [DB C-1:1482]. By 30 July 1726 he had accumulated over one thousand acres on the north side of the Roanoke and another 630 acres on the south side in what later became Halifax County.

In 1727 he made a deed of gift of land on the south side of the Roanoke to his son William [Bertie DB B:289]. He was one of the "Gentlemen of Edgecombe Precinct" who signed a petition to alter the seat of government from Edenton to present-day Raleigh [Saunders, Colonial Records of North Carolina, VII:298-9]. He was still living in Northampton County in 1743 when a deed mentioned land adjoining Bat Chavers [DB 1:127]. He died before 25 February 1750 when his son William sold his 630 acres on Quankey Pocosin, "a grant to Barth Chavers late of Albemarle County" [Edgecombe DB 3:36]. His children were

15 i. William², born say 1706.

16 ii. ?Jacob¹ Shives, born say 1710.

17 iii. ?John¹, born say 1712.

iv. ?Matthew¹, born say 1715, applied for a warrant for 300 acres in South Carolina in 1752 explaining that he was a "free negro" and had been in the province for twelve years [JNH V:74].

18 v. ?Thomas³, born say 1718.

19 vi. ?Richard, born say 1724.

20 vii. ?Joseph¹ Cheavers, born say 1726.

21 viii. ?Bartholomew², born say 1730.

ix. ?Gideon¹, born say 1732, "a free Negroe Man Called Gideon" who was sentenced to receive thirty-nine lashes at the whipping post in Chowan County in July court 1753 for assaulting Constable John Ross "in the Execution of his office." He was called Gideon Chavers in January and April 1754 in his Chowan County court suit against John Perry [Haun, Chowan County Court Minutes, III:207, 232, 243]. He died before September court, 1769 when Jane Marshall was granted administration on his Chowan County estate. He was probably related to a seven-year-old "base born Mulatoe" named Betty Chavers who was bound out by the court to William Halsey on 19 March 1772 [Minutes 1766-72, 476-7, 488, 508, 655]. And he may have been the father of Drury Chavers who enlisted as a soldier in Bailey's Company of the North Carolina Line in Edenton on 25 May 1781 and left the service on 25 May 1782 [N.C. DAR, Roster of Soldiers from N.C. in the Revolution, 115-6].



5. William³ Chavis (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1709, was a "Free Mulatto," who still had two years of service to complete his indenture on 15 July 1728 when he was listed in the inventory of the Surry County estate of Nathaniel Harrison [DW 7:850]. (His father?) Thomas Shivers was a neighbor of Nathaniel Harrison in the list of tithables for the upper precincts of Surry County in 1701 [Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, vol.24, 3:68]. He may have been the William Chaver who married Rebecca Gillet on 8 July 1730 in Christ Church Parish, Middlesex County [NSCDA, Parish Register of Christ Church, 167]. And he may have been the William Chavis who was a plaintiff in a 22 July 1758 suit in Sussex County court for a 50 shillings debt [Orders 1757-61, 188]. He owned some property in Brunswick County, Virginia, on 27 May 1760 when it was attached to pay a debt he owed Gray Briggs [Orders 1760-84, 42, 43]. He may have been the father of

22 i. John³, born say 1740.



6. Amy Chavis (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1710, was presented by the Surry County court on 21 May 1729 for having a bastard child. She was living in Southwarke Parish, Surry County, between 16 May 1749 and 20 June 1749 when she was fined 50 shillings and given twenty-five lashes for having a bastard child [DW 1715-30, 928; Orders 1744-49, 543, 559]. She may have been the same Amy Chavers who was subpoenaed for the plaintiff in the suit of the King vs. John McWilliams in the January 1766 Halifax County, North Carolina court [Gammon, Record of Estates II:2]. And she may have been the mother of

i. Benjamin¹, born say 1729, owed Richard Vick a debt of 3 pounds due by account in Southampton County on 14 March 1755 [Orders 1754-9, 68], listed in the Edgecombe County, North Carolina muster of militia in the 1750s [North Carolina Archives Troop Returns, box 1, folder 12, last page], taxable with his wife Jane in the 1757 Granville County list of Robert Harris and an insolvent taxpayer that year.

ii. William⁴, born say 1739, ran away from his master Thomas Burgess and was ordered by the Southampton County court to serve him an additional sixteen weeks on 11 December 1755 [Orders 1754-9, 166].

23 iii. Mary, born say 1745.

iv. Winny, born say 1755, mother of Milly Chavis who sued for her freedom in February 1828 claiming that she was stolen from her mother in Brunswick County about forty or fifty years before when she was six or seven years old [Catterall, Judicial Cases Concerning American Slavery, I:151]. James Arthur released Milly and her daughter Nancy from slavery in Pittsylvania County on 16 January 1829 [Griffith, Pittsylvania County Register, 246].



7. Frances¹ Chavis (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1720, was living in Charles City County on 5 February 1755 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Westover Parish to bind out her son William. She may also have been the mother of ___ Chavis who William Hudson petitioned the churchwardens to bind apprentice to him in June 1742 [Orders 1737-51, 217; 1751-7, 178]. Her children were

24 i. ?Jacob², born about 1736.

25 ii. ?Susannah¹, born about 1740.

26 iii. ?Margaret, born say 1742.

iv. William⁶, born say 1747, bound apprentice in Charles City County in February 1755.



8. Thomason¹ Chavis (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1720, was living in Lunenburg County, Virginia, in June 1752 when the churchwardens of Cumberland Parish were ordered to bind out her "Base born children" Elizabeth, Abraham, James, and Peter [Orders 1752-3, 56]. Her children were

i. ?Isaac¹, born say 1737, sued John Ashwell for a 2 pound debt in Lunenburg County in July 1764 [Orders 1764-5, 103].

ii. ?Findwell, born say 1739, mother of Nancy Chavis who was bound to Samuel Manning by the churchwardens of St. James Parish in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, on 18 September 1766 [Orders 1765-8, 212]. She may have been the Nancy Chavous who married Charles Voluntine (Valentine), 28 November 1785 Mecklenburg County bond, Thomas Maclin security.

27 iii. ?Susannah², born say 1740.

28 iv. Elizabeth², born say 1742.

v. Abraham, born say 1743.

29 vi. James¹, born say 1745.

vii. Peter¹, born say 1750.



9. Rebecca¹ Chaves (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1721, was a resident of Bristol Parish, Prince George County, on 11 November 1734 (no race or parent indicated) when she was bound out to John West and (her sister?) Sarah Chaves was bound to William Macewen [Chamberlayne, Register of Bristol Parish, 71]. Amelia County was formed in 1734 from the part of Prince George County where John West and William Macewen were living, and John West, Sr., was a tithable there in the list of tithables below Deep Creek adjacent to John West, Sr., in 1736 [Tax List, Amelia County Courthouse]. In 1740 she was tithable in West's household, called Beck Chivers [1736 and 1740 Tax List, Amelia County Courthouse], and on 19 September 1740 the churchwardens of Raleigh Parish, Amelia County, were ordered to bind out her son Adam Chaves (no race mentioned). On 26 August 1756 the Amelia County court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind out her children Betty and Pat; on 22 March 1759 the court ordered the churchwardens to bind out her unnamed children, and on 28 August 1760 she was called a "Free Negro" when the court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind out her children James, Ned, Patt, and Rebecca [Orders 1735-46, 125; 1754-8, n.p.; 1757-60, 195; 1760-3, 44]. A few months later in December 1760 the Lunenburg County court ordered the churchwardens of Cumberland Parish to bind out her son Ned [Orders 1759-60, 211]. The Amelia County court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind out her children Cain and Sherred on 24 March 1763, ordered her children Patt, Beck, and Molly bound out in 1764, and ordered her unnamed children bound out on 29 April 1768 [Orders 1763, 30; 1764-5, 87, 289, 325; 1766-9, 149]. Her children were

i. Adam, born say 1738, "Child of Rebecca Chavis," ordered bound out by the Amelia County court on 19 September 1740, ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish on 26 July 1754, no parent named, and ordered bound to Richard Rogers on 27 November 1755 [Orders 1735-46, 125; 1751-5, 185; 1754-8, n.p.].

ii. ?Lydia¹, born say 1739, ordered bound out in Amelia County on 19 March 1741 (no parent named). She was living in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County, on 24 March 1763 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind out her son David [Orders 1735-46, 96; 1763, 30]. The Mecklenburg County court ordered the churchwardens of St. James Parish to bind David (no parent named) to John M. Luce on 10 October 1768 [Orders 1768-71, 129].

iii. Kate, born say 1746, daughter of Rebecca Chaves (no race indicated), ordered bound apprentice by the churchwardens of Raleigh Parish, Amelia County, in January 1746/7 on the motion of David Ellington. She was called "Cate Chavis a poor child" on 28 July 1763 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind her out [Orders 1746-51, 29; 1763, fol. 102].

iv. Lucy, born before November 1747, "Daughter of Rebecca Chavis" (no race indicated), bound apprentice in Amelia County in November 1747. She was called "Lucy Chavis a Free Negro" on 26 June 1760 when the Amelia County court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to remove her from her former master David Ellington and bind her instead to William Hilsman [Orders 1746-51, 57; 1760-3, 16].

30 v. James², born say 1749.

vi. Edward¹/ Ned, born before January 1749/50, bound by the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish, Amelia County, in January 1749/50 (no parent or race indicated). On 24 November 1757 the Amelia County court summoned David Ellington to answer the complaint of Ned and Lucy Chavis, "poor orphans" who were bound to him, and on 22 December 1757 he was called "Ned Chavis a free Negro Boy" when the court bound him instead to William Hardy. He was called the child of Rebecca Chavis on 28 August 1760 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Amelia County to bind him out [Orders 1746-51, 192; 1757-60, 36, 45; 1760-3, 44]. A few months later in December 1760, he was living in adjoining Lunenburg County when he was ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Cumberland Parish [Orders 1759-60, 211]. He was bound out again on 13 December 1764 to Michael McKie (no parent named) [Orders 1764-65, 199]. He served in the Revolution [Eckenrode, List of the Revolutionary Soldiers of Virginia, 324]. He was tithable in Charlotte County in 1783 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1813, frame 20] and tithable in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, from 1786 to 1799 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 122, 368, 611, 634].

31 vii. Elizabeth³, born say 1751.

viii. Pat, born say 1754, a child of Rebecca Chavis, ordered bound out on in Amelia County on 28 August 1760, called a "free Negro" on 23 March 1764 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind her out [Orders 1760-3, 44; 1764-5, 87].

ix. Rebecca², born say 1756, a child of Rebecca Chavis, ordered bound out in Amelia County on 28 August 1760, called a "free Negro" on 23 March 1764 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind her out, and called an orphan of Beck Chavis on 22 November 1764 when the court ordered her bound to Henry Clay [Orders 1760-3, 44; 1764-5, 87, 289, 325]. She may have been the Rebecca Chavis who sued John Naish for trespass, assault, and battery in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, on 14 March 1786 [Orders 1784-87, 496, 699].

x. Molly, born say 1758, called an orphan of Beck Chavis on 22 November 1764 when the Amelia County court ordered her bound to Henry Clay [Orders 1764-5, 289, 325].

xi. ?Tammy, born say 1760, living in Amelia County on 28 August 1760 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind her to John Clark [Orders 1760-3, 55].

xii. Cain, born say 1761, son of Beck Chavis ordered bound by the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish in Amelia County on 24 March 1763 [Orders 1763, 30].

xiii. Sherwood, born say 1763, son of Beck Chavis ordered bound by the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish in Amelia County on 24 March 1763 [Orders 1763, 30]. No parent was named when he was ordered bound out by the churchwardens of St. James Parish to John M. Luce in Mecklenburg County on 10 October 1768 [Orders 1768-71, 129].



10. George¹ Chavers (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1728, was a taxable in the 1752 Lunenburg County list of Field Jefferson in his own household adjoining Robert Hudson [Tax List 1748-52, Virginia State Library Accession no.20094, p.2] and taxable in Ephraim Drew's household in the 1775 list [Bell, Sunlight on the Southside, 353]. He was one of the freeholders of Lunenburg County who were ordered to clear and maintain a road in their area in September 1756 [Orders 1755-57, 187]. He and George Carter received a patent for 354 acres in Brunswick County on 20 August 1760 [Patents 34:698]. The 1 November 1766 session of the Brunswick County, Virginia court recorded payment to him of 150 pounds of tobacco from the public levy for providing 75 ells of cloth [Orders 1765-8, 190]. While a resident of Mecklenburg County on 22 December 1781 he sold 100 acres in "the upper end" of Brunswick County, Virginia, on Jeryes Creek [Brunswick WB 2:228]. He was taxable in Mecklenburg County on 8 cattle in 1784, taxable on a horse and 9 cattle in 1787 and 1788. His estate was taxable on 2 horses in 1789 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 90, 95, 189, 235, 285]. His children may have been

i. Milden, born say 1751, purchased 50 acres adjoining James Bowen in Mecklenburg County on 14 June 1779 and sold this land for 50 pounds on 25 March 1785 [DB 5:451; 6:503]. He was sued for a debt of 1,000 pounds of tobacco in Mecklenburg County court on 16 March 1787 [Orders 1784-87, 703]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 7 persons in 1782 [VA:34], taxable in Mecklenburg County on 2 horses from 1783 to 1794 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 45, 95, 398, 498]. The attachment of Henry Chavis against Milden abated on 12 November 1798 by Henry's death [Orders 1798-1801, 61].

32 ii. John⁵, born say 1755.

33 iii. Anthony, born say 1757.

iv. ____, a sister of John Chavis, married Charles Watts according to the testimony of Thomas Evans [Mecklenburg County Legislative Petitions of 14 December 1820 and 19 January 1836, LVA]. Charles registered in Petersburg on 16 August 1794: a light Mulatto man, forty five years old, five feet seven inches high, born free in the county of Prince George [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 7]. He was taxable in Petersburg on two slaves and three horses in 1799 [1799 Personal Property Tax List, B p.12]. He was probably related to Daniel Watts, head of a Norfolk County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [VA:814].

v. Thomas⁵, born say 1765, married Nancy Thaxton, 27 January 1786 Charlotte County bond, William Dabbs surety, 3 February marriage by Rev. Thomas Johnston [Minister's Returns, 90]. He was taxable in Charlotte County from 1787 to 1795 and from 1801 to 1813: taxable on a horse in 1789, listed as a "fn" planter in 1805 and 1806 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1813, frames 93, 126, 159, 190, 216, 240, 264, 288, 327, 516, 550, 586, 621, 648, 654, 682, 756, 788, 821, 852, 895]. He was taxable in the northern district of Halifax County, Virginia, in 1798 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-1799, frame 769] and a "Free Negro" head of a Charlotte County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:68]. His wife Nancy was probably the Nancy Chavous who registered in Charlotte County on 2 August 1824: Bright complexion, aged 60, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 489].



11. Menoah/ Noah Chavis (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1730, was taxable in Henry County from 1783 to 1788 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1830, frames 30, 77, 147, 265, 279]. In his 19 January 1789 Henry County will, proved 30 November 1789, he mentioned David Going and left 100 acres to his children [WB 1:180]:

i. Patty Earl, perhaps the Martha Chavers who was taxable on a horse in Henry County in 1790 [Personal Property Tax Lists, 1782-1830, frame 338]

ii. Nancy Bigers Earl.



12. Sarah Chaves (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1732, was bound to William Macewen of Prince George County in November 1734 [Chamberlayne, Register of Bristol Parish, 71]. She may have been identical to Sarah Chavers who was head of a Charlotte County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [VA:46]. She was called Sally Chavus in her 17 May 1811 Charlotte County will, proved 3 December 1811, by which she left furniture, a flax wheel and a spinning wheel to her granddaughter Betsey Chavus, a dutch oven to her son Bartlett Chavus's unnamed wife, and the remainder to her friends John Fennell and Thomas Friend. She asked that Fennell and Friend let "her old man and husband" Simon enjoy his liberty as a free man and allow him to keep together all the remainder of her estate. At Simon's death, the remainder was to be sold with one-third to go to Simon's daughter Amy and two-thirds to her son Bartlett "or his children if he be dead" [WB 3:184]. She was the mother of

i. Bartlett², one of two Bartlett Chavuses taxable in Halifax County, Virginia, from 1800 to 1806, perhaps the one who married Betsy Talbot, 11 July 1803 Halifax County bond.



13. Catherine Chavis (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1734, was a "Mullatto Girl" bound apprentice in Henrico County, Virginia, in July 1740 (no parent named) [Orders 1737-46, 113]. She was probably the same Catherine Chavis who was living in Lunenburg County in October 1756 when the churchwardens of Cumberland Perish were ordered to bind out her children Sam, Lucy, and Ann Chavus. In November 1757 the churchwardens of Cornwall Parish were ordered to bind her children Nan and Lucy to Philip Jones [Orders 1755-57, 223; 1757-9, 3]. Her children were

i. Samuel, born say 1751, a "Melatto boy" (no parent named) bound apprentice to Philip Jones by the churchwardens of Cumberland Parish in Lunenburg County in April 1751 [Orders 1748-52, 396]. On 13 October 1783 the Mecklenburg County, Virginia court ordered his male laboring tithables to work on a road [Orders 1779-84, 437]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 7 white (free) persons in 1782 [VA:34] and taxable in Mecklenburg County in 1788 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frame 211]. On 20 May 1788 he was tried in the Mecklenburg County court for entering the smoke house of David Ross at night and taking a quantity of bacon valued at 10 shillings but found not guilty [Orders 1787-92, 232-6]. In 1789 he was taxable in the Dinwiddie County household of Matthew Stewart and taxable in his own Dinwiddie County household in 1790, 1800, a "free Negro" taxable who followed "cropping" and lived near David Browder in 1801 and a "free" taxable in 1802 [Personal Property Tax List, 1790 A, p.3; 1790 A, p.3; 1801 B, p.25; 1802 A, p.4]. He was taxable in Lunenburg County in 1798 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1806] and counted in the "list of free Negroes and Mulattoes" in Mecklenburg County from 1813 to 1815 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, frames 307, 417, 435].

ii. Lucy, born say 1753, married Robert Cole, "both black persons," according to the deposition of Mary Belcher of Charlotte County, Virginia, taken on 27 April 1808. Belcher testified on Lucy's behalf when she challenged the nuncupative Wake County will of her nephew John Jackson Chavis, son of her sister Betty Chavis [N.C. Stack File C.R. 099.928.11 by NCGSJ III:21]. Lucy was living in Mecklenburg County when she gave power of attorney to "friend and relation" John Chavis of Raleigh to challenge the will. She challenged the will herself in Wake County court in May 1808. Frederick Ivey and Peter Chavis also testified on her behalf [Haun, Wake County Court Minutes VII:67-8, 151]. Lucy proved the account of his Wake County estate in February 1809 [N.C. Stack File C.R. 099.928.11 by NCGSJ III:21].

iii. Ann, born say 1755.

34 iv. ?Elizabeth⁴, born say 1757.



14. Henry¹ Chavers (Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1735, was a Lunenburg County taxable in the list of Hugh Lawson in 1752 (called Henry Cheffers) [Tax List 1748-52, 2] and taxable in 1764 adjacent to Jacob Chavis [Bell, Sunlight on the Southside, 248]. He was sued for debt by Richard Hanson in Lunenburg County court on 9 June 1768, but the suit was dismissed because he was not living in the county [Orders 1766-69, 151]. And he was sued in Brunswick County, Virginia court on 29 September 1772, but the suit was dismissed for the same reason [Orders 1772-74, 117]. He mortgaged eight head of cattle, eleven pigs, a mare, and his furniture for 25 pounds he owed to Dinwiddie Crawford, & Co., merchants of Glasgow, in Mecklenburg County on 9 April 1774 [DB 4:319; Orders 1774-9, 191]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 8 persons in 1782 [VA:33] and was taxable there on 2 horses and 3-5 head of cattle from 1782 to 1798 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 14, 45, 95, 236, 288, 341, 570, 681]. His 25 May 1798 will was proved 10 September 1798. He lent 50 acres to his wife Elender and their daughter Rebecca, to revert to his son Boling at their deaths and left the remainder of his land to his son Henry [WB 4:40]. Elender, Boling, and (Boling's wife) Susan Chavous mortgaged this 50 acres to Thomas Organ on 10 January 1804 for a 29 pound debt they owed Benjamin Lewis [DB 12:181]. Elender was a "mulatto," taxable on a horse in Mecklenburg County in 1810 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, frames ]. Henry¹'s children were

i. Henry³, Jr., born say 1766, taxable in Mecklenburg County from 1786 to 1803: taxable on his son Burton in 1803 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 136, 189, 399, 479, 570, 681, 942]. His daughter Sine was mentioned in her grandfather's will. She married Buckner Valentine, 21 December 1802 Mecklenburg County bond, Boling Chavous security. Henry received the balance of his father's land. On 21 November 1799 he brought a suit in chancery to enjoin Ellender, Rebecca and Boling Chavis from cutting down any more of the lands or committing waste on the land they received by Henry, Sr.'s will [Orders 1798-1801, 269]. Henry, Jr.'s own 5 January 1806 Mecklenburg County will, proved 8 September the same year, lent his land and property to his wife Luviecie and then to her son Wyatt Singleton [WB 5:443]. A deed from Lucretia Chavers, Wyatt Singleton and Anne Chisman(?) his wife was proved in Mecklenburg County court on 17 June 1811 [Orders 1809-11, 469].

ii. Rebecca⁵.

35 iii. Boling, born say 1772.

iv. Susannah/Suckee, born say 1773, married Frederick Goen, 9 March 1789 Mecklenburg County bond with a note from her father Henry Chavers, Sr., Belar (Boling) Chavous, and Robert Singleton witnesses.



15. William² Chavis (Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1706, received a deed of gift from his father in 1727 for land in Bertie County on the south side of the Roanoke River near the Quankey Pocosin in what became Edgecombe County in 1741 and Halifax County in 1758 [DB B:289]. He proved his rights for 15 "Blacks" in Edgecombe County in February 1742 [SS 906 by N.C. Genealogy XIII:1825] and received a patent for 400 acres near Nutbush Creek in Edgecombe County on 3 March 1743 [Hoffman, Land Patents, I:223]. In 1746 this part of Edgecombe became Granville County where he accumulated more than twelve hundred acres of land by 14 May 1751. On 29 November 1748 he was granted a license to keep an ordinary at his dwelling house in Granville County. He was mentioned in the 30 May 1753 Granville County court case of Rex vs. Samuel Harden. Complainant Henry Webb stated that Chavis, the owner of a lodging house, kept part of Webb's money in his desk for safe keeping, but Samuel Harden stole the remainder of his money from him. When Webb asked Chavers to help search Harden for the money, Chavers told him

I am a Black man & don't care to undertake such a thing [Owen, Granville County Notes, vols. I, III].

In 1753 William was taxable in Granville County on himself, his 2 children, and 7 slaves in the list of John Brantly, and in 1754 he was taxable on 13 persons including his wife Frances in the list of Edward Moore:

Wm. Chavis Francis Gibeon William Jur. Lettis Geiser

Francis Sons & Wife and Daughters Negroes Gordin Peter

Nune Frank Alice mol 13 [CR 44.701.19].

In March 1754 he brought the theft of Amy Hawley's son Busby to the attention of the Orange County, North Carolina court. The child was stolen from South Carolina and recovered in Orange County. The court ordered Thomas Chavis to return him to his mother [Haun, Orange County Court Minutes, I:70-71]. He was called "William Chavers, Negro" in the 8 October 1754 Muster Roll of the Granville County Regiment of Colonel William Eaton [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 716]. His wife Frances was probably light skinned since in the same list his sons were called "William Chavers, jun., Mulatto," and "Gilbert Chavers, Mulatto."

On 4 February 1755 William purchased 320 acres in Orange County and sold this on 27 August 1768 [DB 1:40; 2:549]. By 7 November 1763 he had acquired over 2,900 acres in Granville, Orange, and Edgecombe Counties.

On 10 May 1770 he appeared in court in Bute County complaining that he was afraid Asa Tyner planned to do him some bodily harm or damage his estate. This was the start of a series of court cases between him and Tyner. Asa Tyner also appeared as a witness against him in a case for John Smith [Minutes 1767-79, 128, 239]. Asa was William Chavis' son-in-law who married his daughter Keziah about 1765. She was taxable in her father's household in 1764 but not in 1766. Asa and "Cuzzah" Tyner sold 700 acres adjoining William Chavis, deceased, on the Granville-Bute County line on 11 August 1777 [Warren County DB 6:198]. Asa Tyner was a buyer at the sale of William's estate.

The inventory of William Chavis's estate was settled by his son Philip on 5 February 1778 in Granville County and included 11 slaves, 39 cattle, 6 horses, and 21 head of sheep [WB 1:164]. His wife Frances was taxable on a 2,551 pounds assessment in 1780 in Epping Forest District, and her estate was settled in May court 1781 by John Smith, her son by her first marriage. He claimed his right to six slaves which were due him from his father after his mother's death. Frances' estate, which included a bible and slaves, was sold for 6,350 pounds [WB 1:303]. Frances was apparently the daughter of Gibby Gibson who left his daughter Frances Smith a girl slave named Verity by his 3 March 1726/7 Charles City County will [DW 1724-31, 161-2]. William's children were

36 i. Philip¹, born say 1726.

ii. Sarah Harris, born before 1735, taxable in 1750 in the Granville County household of her husband Edward Harris. On 6 September 1756 her father William made a deed of gift to her and her husband of 340 acres on the north side of Tabbs Creek [DB C:73].

37 iii. Gideon²/ Gibeon, born say 1737.

iv. William⁵, Jr., born say 1741, taxable in 1753 in his father's Granville County household in the list of Edward Moore. In 1761 he was head of his own household with "Slave Gorden" in Fishing Creek. He purchased 170 acres on the north side of the Tarr River on 7 November 1763 and sold this land as William Chavers, Junr., on 19 October 1767 to Edward Silvey [DB F:507; L:327]. In 1764-67 he was in the list of Stephen Jett with wife Ellender, but was taxed on only himself in the 1769 summary list. In 1771 he was a "Black" tithable overseer of slave, Gordin, in Major Evans' Bute County household in the list of Philemon Hawkins [CR.015.70001, p.12 of pamphlet]. He was charged with assault in February 1769 and felony in February 1773 in Granville County court [Dockets 1773-83]. He may have been the "William Chavous Clark Commonly Called Boson Chavers" who was one of the "free Negors and Mulattus ... Raitously Assembled together in Bladen Countey October 13 1773" [G.A. 1773, Box 7]. Bosen Cheves owned land near Gum Swamp and Long Branch in Richmond County, North Carolina, before 24 January 1780 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Richmond Co., 3, 12]. As William Chavis he was taxable on 150 acres in Bladen County in 1784 with (his older brother?) Philip. A deed of sale for debt of his land in Robeson County on the east side of Parsimon Branch joining the state line was proved in the April 1797 Robeson County court [DB G:47].

v. Lettice, born about 1742, taxable in her father's household in the 1754 list of Edward Moore. She most likely married Aquilla Snelling.

vi. Keziah, born about 1742, called "Geiser" when she was taxable in her father's household in the 1754 list of Edward Moore, and called Keziah when she was taxable in her father's Epping Forest District household in 1761. She was taxable in her father's household in 1764 but not in 1766, about the time she married Asa Tyner.

vii. Fanny, born before 1750, taxable in her father's Epping Forest District household in 1761.



16. Jacob¹ Chavis (Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1710, was granted a patent for 100 acres in Bladen Precinct "joining the river down to a Creek ...commonly Called Ichebe" on 15 May 1735 [Hoffman, Land Patents, I:347]. This was east of present-day Fayetteville in Cumberland County near Locks Creek and the Cape Fear River. He was called John Jacob Shives when he received a Bladen County land warrant for 220 acres on the southwest side of the Northwest River and the upper side of his own land about 3 miles above Rock Fish Creek on 13 September 1737. He was no longer on this land on 26 February 1753 when Samuel Baker entered land adjoining a line "formerly called John Jacob Shieves Survey" [Philbeck, Bladen County Land Entries, nos. 200, 845]. Perhaps he was deceased by 1755 when (his son?) John Chavis was head of a Cumberland County household of 6 "mulatto" taxables in 1755 with (Jacob's widow?) Misses Chavis:

Chivis, Jno ffredk Jo: Jac^b Miss[es] Chavis & Richd do 0/6 [T&C, Box 1].

Jacob's descendants may have been

i. John², born say 1730, taxable in Cumberland County in 1755. He was taxable with his unnamed wife in Bladen County in 1776 ("Molatoes") and taxable on 150 acres in 1789 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, II:64, 75, 200].

ii. Joel Chivers, born say 1740, perhaps the "Jo:" taxable in John Chavis' 1755 Cumberland County household. He was taxed in the Anson County household of Edward Black in 1763. On 26 October 1767 he patented 50 acres in Anson County on Lanes Creek [Hoffman, Land Patents, II:423]. Administration on his Anson County estate was granted to (his wife?) Sarah Chivers who gave bond of 150 pounds on 11 October 1775 [Minutes 1771-7, 166]. Perhaps his son was Joseph Chavis, head of a Rowan County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 [NC:399], called Joel Shavers in 1810, head of a Rowan County household of 4 "other free" [NC:320].

iii. John⁷ Chavers, born say 1760, sold land by deed proved in Cumberland County on 24 October 1787 [Minutes 1787-91; the deed has not survived]. He was head of a Richmond County, North Carolina household of 7 "other free" in 1790 [NC:46]. Duncan McFarland sued him in the April 1795 Richmond County court. The jury found for McFarland for 20 pounds, but the court arrested judgment and found for the defendant because the action was grounded on an attachment with no bond or affidavit as required by law. He was called Jonathan Chavis when he was charged by the July 1797 Richmond County court with begetting a bastard child by Poll Pettis who was probably white. Thomas Pettis, "child of Colour," ordered bound out by the June 1802 Richmond County court, was probably their son. Jonathan Chavis was one of the freeholders of Richmond County ordered by the July 1800 court to work on the road from Rockingham to Hitchcock Creek [Minutes 1793-1804, 291-3, 346, 520, 560].

iv. Richard² Chavers, taxable in Cumberland County in 1755, head of a Richmond County household of 5 "other free" in 1790 [NC:46] and as "Bud" Chavers, a taxable "Molato" in Archibald McKissak's Bladen County household in 1776 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, II:68], head of an Anson County household of 8 "other free" in 1800 [NC:224].

v. Thomas Chivers, patented 200 acres in Anson County on Lanes Creek on 18 April 1771 [Hoffman, Land Patents, II]. He and Joel Chivers were on an Anson County jury to lay out a road from the Province line to the new road that ran from the Cheraws on 10 September 1771 [Minutes 1771-7, 61].

vi. Susanna⁴ Chavers, head of a Richmond County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:46].

vii. Richmond, born about 1771, released from his indenture in New Hanover County court on 25 February 1793 after faithful service to Joseph Gautier [Minutes 1792-98, 42]. He was head of a Brunswick County, North Carolina household of 8 "other free" in 1800 [NC:13] and was probably the R. Chavius who was head of a Brunswick County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:232].



17. John¹ Chavis (Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1712, was tithable in the earliest Granville County, North Carolina list of Jonathan White, circa 1748 [CR 44.701.1] but not taxed again in Granville County. In 1751 he was in South Carolina where he was called "John Chevis a free negro carpenter from Virginia" when he applied for rights to land for himself, wife, nine children and a foundling infant, saying he had begun improvements on Stevens Creek [JNH V:74]. He sold 600 acres in Granville County, South Carolina, to John Scott by deed proved in 1753 [DB N-N:446]. He was called "John Cheves (Free Black)" on 18 July 1764 when Henry Brazile recorded a memorial for 200 acres on Long Cane Creek near the Savannah River adjoining his land [South Carolina Archives series S111001, 6:289]. He may have been the father of

i. Major, born say 1734, recorded a plat for 300 acres on the Savannah River in Granville County, South Carolina, on 21 July 1766 [South Carolina Archives series S213184, 16:286].

ii. Ann, born say 1737, recorded a grant for 50 acres in Granville County on 8 May 1758 [South Carolina Archives series S213019, 8:273]. She may have been the Anes Chavos who was head of a Barnwell District household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [SC:54].

iii. Frederick, recorded a plat for 100 acres in Colleton County on Goodland Swamp near the Edisto River on 30 January 1770 [South Carolina Archives series S213184, 15:258]. He may have been the ancestor of Frederick Chavis who petitioned the South Carolina Legislature with Lewis Chavis, Durany Chavis, James Jones, Bartley Jones, Mary Jones, Jonathan Williams and Polly Dunn on 9 December 1859 inquiring if persons of Indian descent were considered to be free persons of color and liable to pay the poll tax [South Carolina Archives series S165015, year 1859, item 12].

iv. John, born say 1748, recorded a memorial for 100 acres on Neds Branch and Steel Creek near the Savannah River in Granville County, South Carolina, on 3 January 1771 [South Carolina Archives series S111001, 10:294]. He may have been the John Chavis, "a free black" who petitioned the South Carolina Legislature for a pension in 1823 based on the wounds he had received in the Revolutionary War [South Carolina Archives series S108092, reel 22, frames 125, 128].

v. Hannah, head of a 96 District, Edgefield County household of 6 "other free" in 1790 and 10 "other free" in Barnwell District in 1800 [SC:58].

vi. Lazarus, born about 1756, enlisted with Captain Moon in South Carolina for fourteen months in 1778 under General Andrew Williamson. He was in the battles of Stono and Savannah. He applied for and received a pension in Orangeburg on 4 March 1835. A lawyer contacted the pension office in Washington on 12 November 1859 stating that it was highly important to prove that Lazarus Chavis received a pension [M805, reel 180, frame 153]. He was head of an Orangeburg District household of 6 "other free" in 1790 [SC:100]. He owned land in the fork of the Edisto River near Rockey Swamp in Orangeburg District on 13 July 1802 [South Carolina Archives series S213192 39:6].

vii. Elijah, recorded a plat for 50 acres on Dunn Swamp, Colleton County, in 1784 based on a survey of 1 June 1775 [South Carolina Archives series S213190, 2:198]. He was head of an Orangeburg District, South Carolina household of 8 "other free" in 1790 [SC:100].

viii. Lettice, head of a South Orangeburg District household of 6 "other free" in 1790 [SC:100].

ix. Joseph, taxable on 90 acres in Winton, South Carolina, in 1800 [S.C. Tax Returns 1783-1800, frame 304].

x. Richard, recorded a plat for 100 acres on Crackers Neck near Rocky Branch and the Savannah River in Orangeburg District on 25 August 1784 [South Carolina Archives series S213190, 2:129].

xi. Mary, recorded a plat for 84 acres on Tinkers Creek in Orangeburgh District on 15 March 1786 [South Carolina Archives series 213190 3:233].



18. Thomas³ Cheaves (Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1718, was appointed by the Orange County, North Carolina court to return Amy Hawley's child to her in Berkeley County, South Carolina, on 12 March 1754 [Haun, Orange County Court Minutes, I:70-71]. He may have been the father of

38 i. Thomas⁴, born say 1742.



19. Richard¹ Chavis (Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1724, was head of a household of two taxables in Jonathan White's 1750 Granville County list. In 1753 he was in the list of Robert Harris: Richard Chavers negro 1 "white" tithe. On 12 August 1760 he and his wife Luraina were charged with trespass by William Chavers. They were found guilty and paid 39 shillings [Minutes 1754-70, 57]. In 1762 he was listed with his wife and children in the "Bare Swamp" District of Granville County:

Richard Chavers & wife Lucrese & son John &

Daughter Mille 4 free blacks

Richard was an insolvent taxpayer in 1763. On 8 November 1763 he and his wife charged Philip Chavis in the Granville County court with trespass and assault and battery. Philip was found guilty and paid a 2 pound fine. On 13 November 1765 he won a judgment for trespass against William Eaves for 5 pounds [Minutes 1754-70, 87, 108-9]. He probably died about this time for in 1766 his wife "Luraner" was listed as a head of household with 3 taxables in the summary list [CR 44.701.20]. Several of their children probably moved to Sumter District, South Carolina, before 1810. Their children were

i. John⁴, born say 1747, taxable in his father's Bear Swamp District household in 1762, perhaps the John Chavers who was head of a Marlboro County, South Carolina household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [SC:59] and a Sumter District household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [SC:220].

ii. Milly, born say 1749, taxable in her father's Bear Swamp District household in 1762. She may have married Edward Silver.

iii. Lurany, born about 1751, taxable in her father's Bear Swamp District household in 1763.

iv. Suffiah, born about 1751, taxable in her father's Bear Swamp District household in 1763.

v. Robert, born about 1755, taxable in his mother's household in the 1767 list of Stephen Jett, head of a Sumter District, South Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [SC:220a].

vi. Charity, born about 1755, taxable in her mother's household in the 1767 list of Stephen Jett.



20. Joseph¹ Cheavers (Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1726, was listed in the undated 1750's Edgecombe County muster of Captain William Haywood, the last person on the list after Cannon Cumber (Cumbo) and John Sweet (Sweat) [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 677]. He was probably living in the part of Edgecombe County which became Halifax County in 1758. Administration on his Halifax County estate was granted to Nicholas Long on 24 February 1785 on 500 pounds security [Minutes 1784-87, 49]. His children may have been

39 i. Isham¹, born say 1746.

ii. Caesar, born say 1750, received pay for his services in the Revolution [Haun, Revolutionary Army Accounts, vol.II, Book 2:280], head of a Bertie County household of 7 "other free" in 1790 (Cezar Chevat) [NC:12].

iii. John⁶, born say 1757, indentured servant of James Milner mentioned in his 1773 Halifax County inventory. He was one of the buyers in the account of the sale of the Halifax County estate of Francis Morelan which was recorded in February 1778 [Gammon, Record of Estates II:30]. He was taxable on one free poll in District 9 of Halifax County in 1782. John's land adjoining Hazelnut Branch in Halifax County was mentioned in an 8 April 1786 deed [DB 16:171], and he was taxable on 575 acres in District 12 of Halifax County in 1790. He wrote his name as John Chavous on 6 July 1803 when he bound himself to marry Betsy Carsey (Kersey) in Warren County, Hutchings Mayo bondsman (also signing). Administration on his Halifax County estate was granted to Elizabeth Chavis on 18 November 1824 on $1,000 security [Minutes 1822-24].

iv. Penny Cavus, head of a Halifax County household of 3 "other free" in 1800 [NC:300].

v. Sarah, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:12].

vi. Martha, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:12].



21. Bartholomew² Chavis (Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1730, was taxable in Jonathan White's 1749 tax list for Granville County [CR 44.701.19]. He and Aaron Haithcock sold their household goods to John Walden in Northampton County, North Carolina, on 1 January 1796 [DB 11:42], and he was a buyer at the sale of John Walden's Northampton County estate between August 1797 and June 1800 [Gammon, Record of Estates, Northampton County, I:112]. He was head of a Northampton County household of 6 "other free" and 2 slaves in 1800 [NC:431]. William Bell of Northampton County allowed him to remain in possession of the place where he was living for six years by his 22 January 1801 will [WB 2:488]. He was one of the heirs of Jackson Hull, a Continental soldier who died at Valley Forge [NCGSJ I:160]. In 1803 Bartholomew was issued a grant of 640 acres for his services [N.C. Genealogy IX:1127]. He was a witness to the 6 November 1806 Northampton County will of Mike Walden [WB 2:330]. In 1810 he was head of a Halifax County household of 13 "other free" [NC:13]. His descendants may have been

40 i. Isham², born say 1758.

ii. Henry², born say 1760, taxable on 170 acres and one poll in Hertford County in Nathan Harrel's List for 1784 [LP 64.1]. He was a soldier who served in the Revolution from November 1778 to August 1779. His widow Peggy made a deposition in Hertford County on 14 July 1792 to obtain his pay. William Manly attested to her statement [NCGSJ VIII:214].

iii. Uriah, head of a Halifax County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:13].

iv. Solomon, born say 1761, taxable on one free poll in Halifax County in 1782 and head of a Halifax County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [NC:13]. He received Continental Army pay [Clark, State Records of North Carolina, XVII:198].

v. Robert, head of a Halifax County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [NC:13].

vi. Matthew², head of a Halifax County household of 1 "other free" in 1810 [NC:13].



22. John³ Chavis (William³, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1740, was sued by Henry Westbrooke for debt in Southampton County on 12 May 1763 [Orders 1759-63, 309]. He was called John Cheaves and was of full age on 15 October 1763 when he signed a deposition in the Southampton County chancery suit of Drury Lundy against Isham Lundy [Chancery Court Papers 1750-70, frame 0472]. He was called John Chavis when he was paid 5 shillings by James Stewart for making a coffin for Robert Hancock of Brunswick County, Virginia, in September 1765 [DB 3:435-6]. He was granted an attachment against the estate of John Gholson in Brunswick County, Virginia court for a 1 pound, 12 shilling debt in April 1771. On 9 November 1772 he was tried at a court of Oyer and Terminer in Brunswick County for killing John Anderson. Moody Harris testified that Anderson was drunk when he came to the storehouse of Daniel Call & Company, challenged Chavis to wrestle him, and then became abusive when Chavis refused. Anderson then attacked Chavis striking him twice, and Chavis countered by hitting Anderson on the side of his head with a four inch square piece of timber. Anderson fell to the ground and died three days later. The Brunswick County court ordered that Chavis be tried in Williamsburg where he was acquitted of manslaughter [Orders 1768-72, 339; 1772-4, 151, 152; Virginia Gazette, Rind edition, p.2, col. 3]. On February 1786 he sold a wagon and five horses for ten pounds by Brunswick County, Virginia deed. He signed the deed, making his mark, and acknowledged the deed as his in court as John Chavus on 27 March 1786, but he was called "I the said John Chavus Walden" in the deed when he defended the buyer from any claims [DB 14:183-4].On 24 May 1784 the Brunswick County court presented him for retailing liquor without a license, but the case was dismissed on 20 June 1784. He was sued in court for debt on 26 April 1785, on 27 June 1785 (for 5 pounds), 25 July 1785, 28 February 1786 (for 35 pounds), 28 August 1786 (for 42 pounds), 28 March 1787 (5 pounds), 28 August 1787 (4 pounds), and 28 July 1788 (3 pounds). He sued William Crook on 28 February 1786 and sued Joseph Hill on 25 November 1788 [Orders 1760-84, 405, 434; 1784-8, 113, 138, 181, 237, 295, 310, 319, 453, 472, 563; 1788-92, 39, 95]. He may have been the common-law husband of Elizabeth Brooks whose son John Chavos was mentioned in the 5 February 1798 Southampton County will of her father James Brooks [WB 5:58]. John may have been the father of

i. John, born say 1762, taxable in Moses Foster's St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County household in 1790, taxable in his own household from 1807 to 1811, living on Ch. Westbrook's land in 1817 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frame 760; 1807-21, frames 47, 70, 189, 576]. He was called John Shivers on 16 November 1818 when he made a declaration in Southampton County court setting forth that he was a soldier in the Revolutionary War by voluntary enlistment [Minutes 1816-9, unpaged]. He was called Jack Chavis in 1810 when he was head of a Southampton County household of 3 "other free" [VA:77].



23. Mary Chavis (Amy, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1745, was called Moll Chavis when her illegitimate child Lucretia Chavis was ordered bound out by the Southampton County court on 11 November 1773. She purchased 10 acres In Southampton County on the north side of Three Creeks adjoining Joseph Markes for 5 pounds on 9 August 1782 [Orders 1772-8, 283; DB 6:59]. She was taxable in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, on a horse from 1794 to 1807: taxable on a free male tithable in 1801 and 1802, called a "Mulatto" in 1804, charged with John Chavis's tithe in 1805, taxable on a free male tithable and a horse in 1806 and 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 76, 158, 185, 264, 314, 375, 409, 511, 549, 618, 686, 802, 838; 1807-21, frame 47]. She was the ancestor of

41 i. ?Frances²/Fanny, born say 1765.

ii. ?Edward²/ Ned, born about 1767, registered in Southampton County on 12 May 1794: a free man born in Sussex of free parents, a yellowish black complexion, 27 years of age lives in Southampton County & works at the trade of wheelwright [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 30]. He married Mary Cannady, 21 December 1799 Sussex County bond. He was a "Mulatto" taxable in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, on a horse from 1795 to 1804: taxable on 2 free male tithables and a horse in 1802 and 1804 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 157, 185, 263, 313, 375, 409, 511, 618, 686]. Perhaps his widow was Molly Chavis, a "f.n." taxable in Southampton County on a horse and James Cannada's tithe in 1805, taxable on a free male tithable and a horse in 1806 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 803, 839].

iii. Lucretia, bound out in Southampton County on 11 November 1773 [Orders 1772-8, 283], married John Cannady, 9 December 1806 Sussex County marriage.

iv. Benjamin, born about 1785, taxable on a horse in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, from 1807 to 1811 [PPTL 1807-21, frames 48, 70, 167, 189]. He registered in Southampton County on 27 March 1816: age 31, Blk, 5'6", free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 1003]. He left a 27 June 1817 Sussex County will, proved 4 September 1817, naming his sister Lucretia Canaday, brother-in-law John Canaday, and nephew Sam Chavers [WB H:398].

v. ?Milly, born about 1774, registered in Sussex County on 16 October 1812: light Complexion, 5 feet 4-1/2 inches, age 38, free born [Certificates Granted to Free Negroes & Mulattoes 1800-50, no. 188].

v. ?Jacob, born say 1775, a poor child bound out by the Southampton County court on 10 June 1784 [Orders 1778-84, 444]. He was taxable in Moses Foster's St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County household in 1791 and 1792 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frame 815, 874].

vi. ?Samuel, born about 1777, a poor child bound out by the Southampton County court on 10 June 1784 [Orders 1778-84, 444]. He was taxable in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, in Moses Foster's household from 1791 to 1795, a "Mulatto" taxable in his own household on a slave aged 12-16 and a horse in 1802, taxable on a horse in 1803 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-92, frame 815, 874; 1792-1806, frames 52, 79, 160, 550, 619]. He registered in Southampton County in December 1804: age 27, blk., 5 feet 9 inches high, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 316].

vii. ?Betsy, born about 1777, registered in Southampton County on 11 July 1810: age 33, Mulatto, 5 feet 5 inches, born free [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 582].

viii. ?Henry, born about 1779, registered in Southampton County in August 1801: age 22, Black, 5 feet 11-1/8, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 217]. He was taxable in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, in 1798, a "Mulatto" taxable in 1804 and 1805 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frames 313, 375, 688, 803].

ix. ?Mary, taxable in Southampton County on a free male tithable and a horse in 1807 [Personal Property Tax List 1807-21, frame 47].

x. ?Lucretia, born about 1786, registered in Sussex County on 1 December 1831: free born, light complexion, 5'4-5/8", aged 45 [Certificates Granted to Free Negroes & Mulattoes 1800-50, no. 531].

xi. ?John, born about 1788, registered in Southampton County on 22 April 1809: age 22, Mulatto, 5 feet 9 inches, free born. He registered again on 16 March 1816 [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 844, 1000].



24. Jacob² Chavis (Frances, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born about 1736, purchased 100 acres in Lunenburg County on the south side of Little Bluestone Creek adjoining Hudson on 6 October 1761 [DB 6:475]. The Lunenburg County court ordered the churchwardens to bind James Chavis to him in June 1762 [Orders 1761-62, 32], and he was taxable with James Chavis on 100 acres in the Lunenburg County list of Edmund Taylor in 1764 [Bell, Sunlight on the Southside, 248]. On 13 May 1763 he was among seven residents of Lunenburg County who were sued for minor debts by Starling, Thornton, and Company, and the same day Hugh McVay's suit against him was dismissed on the recommendation of David Christopher and Matthew Marable, Gentlemen, who investigated the matter and reported to the court. On 10 May 1764 he was one of six residents of St. James Parish, Lunenburg County, who were presented for unlawful gaming (gambling) at David Christopher's ordinary [Orders 1763-4, 42, 59; 1764-5, fol. 2]. On 10 May 1764 he provided security for Henry Chavis' Lunenburg County court case, and on 11 May 1764 his suit against John Ragsdale was dismissed by the Lunenburg County court. On 13 July 1764 the court ordered the churchwardens of St. James Parish to remove Thomas Brandon from Hutchings Burton and bind him instead to Jacob [Orders 1764-5, fol.5, pp.11, 108]. By 14 February 1774 he owned over 1,000 acres of land in the part of Lunenburg County which became Mecklenburg County in 1765. He received a patent for 287 acres in Mecklenburg County at the head of Reedy Branch on 15 June 1773 [Patent Book 41:315], purchased 148 acres on 18 May 1772 from the executors of Thomas Hawkins, deceased, for 5 shillings, and purchased 200 acres on the head branches of Little Creek adjoining Stith from William Donathan on 16 July 1773. Chaves Creek, located between Stiths Creek and Stony Creek in the northwest corner of Mecklenburg County, was probably named for him [DB 3:417; 4:144; Ludwig Bucholtz Map, Virginia State Archives]. He purchased 340 acres on Middle Bluestone Creek on 14 February 1774, and purchased 150 acres adjoining John Hudson and Benjamin Pulliam on 4 March 1779 [DB 4:243; 5:398-9]. On 9 December 1777 the Mecklenburg County court allowed the sheriff, Jacob, and two white men 3 pounds each for taking prisoner Thomas Green to Williamsburg to be tried for murder, and the court allowed Jacob 6 pounds for "bringing up the Laws" (probably transporting a copy of the law books from Williamsburg) [Orders 1773-9, 350, 387; 1779-84, 6]. He was taxable in the upper district of Mecklenburg County on 712 acres from 1782 to 1787, taxable on 430 acres from 1793 to 1798 and taxable on 330 acres until 1809 [Land Tax List 1782-1811A, A lists]. He assigned his right to a grant of 362 acres on Sandy Creek in Mecklenburg County, based on a survey of 17 May 1783, to Thomas Stewart of Dinwiddie County [Land Grants L:614]. He was arrested for counterfeiting by order of the Governor on 4 December 1778 but found not guilty by the York County court on 2 January 1779 [McIlwaine, Journals of the Council of the State of Virginia, II:229, 246; York County Orders 1774-84, 199]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 13 "whites" (free persons) and 2 slaves adjoining William Hudson in 1782 [VA:34], taxable on 2 slaves (Cork and Bess), 24 cattle, and 8 horses in 1782, on slaves Cork and Bess, 18 cattle and 8 horses in 1783 and on a slave, 17 cattle, and 7 horses in 1787 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 4, 24]. He sold 200 acres in Mecklenburg County on the head branches of Little Creek to William Stewart on 8 March 1779 [DB 5:399]. On 29 July 1797 he mortgaged 430 acres where he was then living on Bluestone Creek adjoining Thomas Brandom and mortgaged his slave Cork, 3 horses, 8 cattle, 6 featherbeds and other household effects to James Hester, Thomas Vaughan, and David Stokes for an execution against his estate in the suit of George Purdie, and on 14 September 1787 he mortgaged two tracts of land, one of 142 acres called cabin point and the other of 182 acres on Sandy Creek for a debt of 198 pounds he owed Field & Murray, Merchants. On 8 June 1789 and 26 August 1789 he and his wife Elizabeth sold these two tracts near the ferry road on Little Bluestone Creek for 500 pounds [DB 7:187, 362, 505-6, 589; 8:123]. He sued Thomas Evans and William Stewart in Mecklenburg County on 13 Feb 1786 [Orders 1784-87, 461]. On 13 September 1790 Henry Chavis, Sr., Henry Chavis, Jr., and James Stewart testified in Mecklenburg County court that they were indebted to William Stewart and could help pay his debt to Jacob Chavis [Orders 1787-92, 536]. He sold his slave Cork, 5 cattle, a mare and 5 feather beds on 11 February 1792 (making his mark J.C.) for a debt of 100 pounds he owed Robert Smith [DB 8:123]. He was sued for debt in Dinwiddie County in November 1789 [Orders 1789-91, 129]. A group of Glasgow merchants won a suit against him for a 136 pound debt in Mecklenburg County court on 16 May 1798 [Orders 1795-8, 458]. In December 1799 James Hester, Thomas Vaughan and David Stokes released him from the bond they held on the property he mortgaged in 1788 [DB 10:46-7]. On 13 November 1800 his assignee Jacob Shelor sued Thomas Epps Hobson and William Epps in Lunenburg County court for a debt of 7 pounds [Orders 1799-1801, 112]. He registered in Mecklenburg County on 15 March 1803:

On the application of Jacob Chavous It is ordered that the said Jacob aged sixty seven, born free, Black, stature about six feet high, be registered as a free man and that a certificate of the same be granted him [Orders 1801-3, 388].

On 11 July 1806 in Mecklenburg County he gave power of attorney to (his son?) John Chavis of North Carolina to recover a debt from William Stewart of North Carolina [DB 13:1-2]. His 26 April 1805 Mecklenburg County will, proved 11 July 1808, lent his lands and personal estate to his unnamed wife, after her death gave 5 shillings apiece to his unnamed sons and divided the land among his unnamed daughters [WB 6:104]. His widow Elizabeth gave permission for her daughter Elizabeth to marry Arvy Scott by 9 January 1809 Mecklenburg County bond. Elizabeth (Sr.) apparently died before 16 May 1814 when her brother Thomas Evans brought a Mecklenburg County chancery suit against the heirs of (their father) Thomas Evans, deceased. He named Elizabeth's children then living: John, Isaac, Jacob, William, Susannah, Elizabeth, Patsey (wife of Arva Scott), Sarah (wife of Thomas Brandom), and Peter Chavous [Orders 1813-15, 187, 210]. He also stated in his suit that (his father) Thomas Evans died in 1787 and that his land passed to his widow who held possession "about thirteen years until her Death, after which Jacob Chaves who married one of the daughters of said Thomas Evans ... rented the land to Elizabeth Naish and put her in possession" [LVA chancery file 1819-006]. Jacob and Elizabeth's children were

42 i. John⁸, born say 1764.

ii. Isaac², born say 1766, over sixteen years of age in 1788 when he was counted in the Mecklenburg County property tax list tax of his father Jacob Chavous [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frame 211]. He married Elizabeth Evans, 6 September 1800 Granville County, North Carolina bond, Peter Chavis bondsman. He was taxable on one poll in Abrams Plains District of Granville County in 1791 and on two "black" polls in Napp of Reed District in 1796, taxable on one free poll and one slave poll in Abrams Plains in 1799, and one poll and 100 acres in 1800 [Tax List 1796-1802, 25, 187, 244]. He purchased 150 acres in Granville County on Island Creek on 5 February 1802 [DB O:522]. He was head of a Granville County household of 3 "other free" in 1800, 3 "other free" and one white woman in 1810 [NC:858], and 1 "free colored" in Mecklenburg County in 1820. He died intestate "without having any children or the issue of such but having a widow Elizabeth Chavus & several Brothers and Sisters of whom John Chavus is one" according to a Granville County quit claim deed which John Chavis made to Isaac's widow Elizabeth Chavis on 8 July 1831, relinquishing any part of his estate [DB 7:253]. He was a "free man of color of Charlotte County" who enlisted in the 14th Virginia Regiment in March 1777 according to his heirs Jacob Chavos, William Chavos, Sally Brandom, and Patsy Scott who applied for a land grant on 1 May 1837 for his services in the Revolution [Hopkins, Virginia Revolutionary War Land Grant Claims, 48].

43 iii. Jacob³, Jr., born say 1772.

iv. William⁹, born 22 February 1776, the son of Jacob Chavis, married Priscilla Drew in January 1806, and died in Virginia in January 1848 according to the biography of his son James M. Chavis [Buck Township, Ohio, Biographical Sketches, 1038-9]. William was also identified as Jacob's son in 1796 when he was taxable in his father's Mecklenburg County household and taxable in his own household in 1797 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frame 610, 634]. He may have been the William Chavis who was taxable in Dinwiddie County in 1804: Chavis, Wm (free) school master [Personal Property Tax List 1800-1809, 1804 List of Braddock Goodwyn, p.4]. According to the Mecklenburg County marriage bonds, William Chavous married Priscilla Drew, 29 ___ 1806 bond, Benjamin Lewis and Richard Russell securities. He was also identified as the son of Jacob when he and a female over the age of sixteen (probably his wife) were counted in the list of free Negroes and Mulattos for Mecklenburg County in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List 1806-28, frame 307]. Priscilla was listed as a seventy-year-old "Mulatto" in Mecklenburg County in the 1850 census with Martha, Polly, Betsy, Susan and Emily Chavious [VA:141b].

v. Susannah, perhaps the Susannah Chavis, a "fn" weaver, who was taxable on a horse in Charlotte County from 1810 to 1812 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1813, frames 773, 783, 804, 814, 846].

vi. Elizabeth⁹, born say 1791, married Arva Scott, 9 January 1809 Mecklenburg County bond, with a note from Elizabeth Chavis "mother of Elizabeth," Frederick Ivy security. She did not marry Arva; her sister Martha did. She may have been the Betty Chavus who was listed as a weaver in Charlotte County with a male child in her household in 1809 and 1810, listed with John Cousins and his children in 1811 and 1812 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1813, frames 751, 783, 814, 846].

vii. Martha/ Patsy, married Arva Scott. He and his wife Martha Scott released their rights to land due to her from the estate of her father Jacob Chavis, Sr., to her brother Jacob Chavis, Jr., of Charlotte County by deed proved in Mecklenburg County on 10 July 1809 [DB 14-107, 308].

viii. Peter², born about 1775, a sixteen-year-old taxable in his father's Mecklenburg County household in 1791 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frame 369]. He purchased 100 acres in Granville County on Island Creek on 1 February 1798 and sold this land on 2 August 1813 [DB Q:230; W:119]. He married Rachel Locklear, 29 April 1807 Wake County bond, Irby Philips bondsman. He was taxable on 27 acres in Houses Creek District of Wake County from 1809 to 1813 and sold land to Curtis Snelling in 1814. He died in 1819 when his widow Rachel petitioned the Wake County court to assign her his perishable estate [N.C. Archives CR 099.508.66].

ix. Sarah, married Thomas Brandom.



25. Susannah¹ Chavis (Frances, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born about 1740, a "free Negro," had a daughter Elizabeth whose 19 November 1764 birth was registered in Bruton Parish, James City County [Bruton Parish Register, 28]. She registered in Petersburg on 14 August 1800: Sucky Chavis, a brown Mulatto woman, five feet three inches high, thin made about sixty years old, born free & raised in the City of Williamsburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 169]. She was the mother of

i. Elizabeth⁵, born 19 November 1764, "Daughter of Sukey Chavis a free Negro" [Bruton Parish Register, 28].

ii. ?Thomason², born about 1765, registered in Petersburg on 18 August 1794: a dark brown, well made Mulatto woman, five feet two inches high, about twenty nine years old, born of a free woman in the City of Williamsburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 21]

44 iii. Susannah³, born 21 June 1767.

iv. ?Elizabeth⁶, born about 1775, registered in Petersburg on 15 August 1800: a light brown Mulatto woman, five feet five inches high, twenty five years old, with short bushy hair, born free & raised in the City of Williamsburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 173].



26. Margaret Chaves (Frances, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1742, was a "Mullatto Girl" living in Charles City County on 1 August 1750 when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind her to Richard Hailes. On 1 July 1761 the court ordered the churchwardens of Westover Parish to bind out her son George, and on 2 September 1761 the court bound out her daughter Rebecca [Orders 1737-51, 574; 1758-62, 302, 313]. Her children were

i. George², born say 1759.

ii. Rebecca⁴, born say 1760, orphan of Margaret Chavis, bound out by the Charles City County court in September 1761.



27. Susannah² Chavis (Thomason¹, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1740, was living in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind out her son John Chavis to Jacob Chavis. She may have been the mother of Nanny Chavous, "orphan of Frederick Chavous," who the court ordered bound to Samuel Manning on 8 September 1766 [Orders 1765-8, 170, 212]. The churchwardens of St. James Parish sued her for debt in August 1768, perhaps for having a bastard child. On 13 September 1768 the court allowed her to take the deposition of the wife of Samuel Manning, and on 9 July 1771 the churchwardens discontinued their suit and were ordered to pay Susannah her costs. She and her son Yarborough sued Benjamin Pennington, Jr., perhaps the master he was apprenticed to, in Mecklenburg County on 8 September 1783. James King obtained an attachment on her estate for a 40 pound debt due by note of hand for arrears of rent. On 15 March 1787 the sheriff reported that he had attached six head of cattle, a colt, a basket, two spinning wheels, three water pails, three basins, a box, a candlestick, a pot and a cow hide [Orders 1768-71, 38-9, 91, 126; 1771-73, 54; 1779-84, 425, 485; 1784-7, 701]. She probably had a child by a member of the Manning family since was called the mother of Polly Manning when she sent a note approving Polly's 9 December 1794 Mecklenburg County marriage. She was the mother of

i. John, born say 1764.

ii. ?Ann/ Nanny, called "orphan of Frederick Chavous" when the court ordered the churchwardens to bind her to Samuel Manning on 8 September 1766 [Orders 1765-8, 212].

iii. Yarborough, born say 1769. He and "Susannah Chavous his Mother & next friend" sued Benjamin Pennington, Jr., in Mecklenburg County on 8 September 1783 [Orders 1779-84, 425, 485]. He was a 16-21 year old taxable in Mecklenburg County in 1787, called Earby Chavious in 1799 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 190, 756]. He was called Earby Chavis when he married Fanny McLin, 9 March 1797 Mecklenburg County bond, Thomas McLin surety.

iv. ?Benjamin Manning, born say 1774, married Fanny Guy, 5 May 1796 Mecklenburg County bond, Earbe (Yarborough) Chavis security.

v. Polly Manning, born say 1776, married John Ginnet Stewart, 9 December 1794 Mecklenburg County bond, Earbe Chavis security, "with a note from Susanna Chavous, mother of Polly."



28. Elizabeth² Chavis (Thomason¹, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1740, was called "Betty Chavis a Malato" on 23 April 1752 when the Amelia County court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind her out as an apprentice [Orders 1751-5, 37]. She was living in Lunenburg County in October 1759 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Cumberland Parish to bind her to French Haggard. On 11 May 1769 the court ordered her children Rebecca and Benjamin also bound to Haggard. She complained to the court on 11 April 1771 that Pleasant Meredith was holding them in servitude, and the court ordered them bound out to someone else on 10 December 1772 [Orders 1767-69, 214; 1769-77, 112, 183, 267]. However, they were all in Cumberland County five months later on 24 May 1773 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Littleton Parish to bind out her "mulattoe" children Beck and Ben Chavers to Pleasant Meredith [Orders 1772-4, 216]. She was the mother of

i. Rebecca³, born say 1767, perhaps the Rebecca Chavers who registered in Bedford County on March 1812: aged 45, Black Colour, 5 feet 6-3/4" inches high, Born free [Register of Free Negroes 1820-60, p.16]. Beck was called a free Mulatto woman when the Cumberland County court bound her son Jesse to John Wright on 26 October 1789. He may have been the Jesse Chavis who was called the son of Betty Chavis on 22 December 1800 when the Cumberland County court ordered him bound to John Jackson instead of his former master William Meredith [Orders 1788-92, 174; 1792-7, 209; 1797-1801, 432].

ii. Benjamin², born say 1769, a "free Mulatto" charged in Cumberland County on 17 July 1797 with burning down the jail, sent to the district court in Prince Edward County for trial. William Maxey's suit against him was dismissed by the Cumberland County court on 28 November 1797 [Orders 1792-7, 657; 1797-101, 29].

iii. ?James³, born about 1775, a farmer and shoemaker living on Zachariah Davis' land in the lower district of Lunenburg County in 1814 when he was counted with his wife Lucy, members of the Kelly family and Becky Chavers in the "List of Free Negroes and Mulattoes" [Magazine of Virginia Genealogy 33:266]. He registered in Lunenburg County on 14 November 1837: about 62 years of age, black complexion, His eyes rather Red, His hair a little grey [WB 5, after page 89, no. 87].



29. James¹ Chaves (Thomason¹, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1744, was one of the children of Thomason Chavis who was ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Cumberland Parish in Lunenburg County, Virginia, in June 1752 [Orders 1752-53, 56]. He was ordered bound out by the churchwardens of Mecklenburg County to Jacob Chavis in June 1762 [Orders 1761-62, 32] and was a taxable in Jacob Chaves' household in the Lunenburg County list of Edmund Taylor in 1764 [Bell, Sunlight on the Southside, 248]. He purchased 100 acres in Mecklenburg County adjoining Christopher Hudson on 9 November 1767 and sold this land to John Hudson on 13 July 1772 [DB 1:521; 3:426]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 3 in 1782, listed adjacent to Henry Chavous [VA:33]. He and his wife Jane Evans were mentioned in the 22 May 1787 Mecklenburg County will of her father Thomas Evans [WB 2:250]. He was probably the James Chavis who was head of a Granville County household of 5 free males and 3 free females in 1786 for the state census. He was taxable in Granville on 2 polls in 1788 and 4 polls in 1789 [Tax List, 1786-91]. In May 1791 he mortgaged 12 head of cattle, 2 bulls, 40 hogs, and other items in Granville County [WB 1:241]. On 6 August 1794 he sold 220 acres on Grassy Creek in Granville County to (his brother-in-law) Thomas Evans of Mecklenburg County, and on 8 November 1796 he purchased another 200 acres in Granville County on Grassy Creek [DB P:90; Q:37]. He married, second, Betsey Smith, 4 July 1799 Granville County bond, Thomas Wilson bondsman. He was head of a Granville County household of 3 "other free" in 1800. He was taxable on 183 acres and no polls (over fifty years old) in Country Line District in 1804 [Tax List 1803-09, 62]. His children were

i. ?Kinchen, born say 1760, a Mecklenburg County taxable from 1787 to 1804 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 189, 236, 287, 498, 795, 916, 1021]. He married Milly Chavous, 22 December 1788 Mecklenburg County bond, and he was bondsman for the 6 April 1804 Mecklenburg County marriage of John Walden. Kinchen was head of an Orange County, North Carolina household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:818] and 5 "free colored" in 1820 [Book A:410].

ii. Evans, born say 1770, called the son of James and Jane Chavis in Thomas Evans' 1787 Mecklenburg County will. He was a "free Negro" taxable in the 1798 tax list for Country Line District, Granville County, and taxable on one free poll and one slave in Abrams Plains in 1799 [Tax List 1796-1802, 139, 187]. He married Lucy Smith, 21 April 1802 Granville County bond, Charles Chavis bondsman; and second, Ciller Smith, 29 July 1805 Granville County bond, H. Hutchings bondsman. On 25 December 1821 he mortgaged his land and household goods in Granville County for a $62 debt he owed [DB I:109]. He was head of a Granville County household of 4 "free colored" males and 3 female slaves in Country Line District in 1820 [NC:35]. He was taxable in Country Line District in 1818 but was exempt from poll tax by 1823 when he was taxable on 30 acres. He was not named in the chancery case in Mecklenburg County in 1819.



30. James² Chavis (Rebecca¹, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1749, was ordered bound out by the churchwardens in Amelia County on 12 March 1753 (no parent named) and called son of "Rebecca Chavis a Free Negro" when he was bound out in Amelia County on 28 August 1760 [Orders 1751-5, 149; 1760-3, 44]. He was taxable in Mecklenburg County from 1782 to 1820: taxable on a horse and 2 cattle in 1782, a "Mulatto" taxable with his unnamed wife in 1813, over the age of forty-five when he was taxable in 1815 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 14, 45, 141, 234, 478, 681, 1021, 1051; 1806-28, frames 160, 232, 257, 333, 386, 502, 702]. On 14 May 1800 the Mecklenburg County court ordered Frederick Gowen to pay James and his wife Fanny Chavous $1.06 as witnesses for him in the suit of John George [Orders 1798-1801, 367, 424]. He purchased land in Mecklenburg County by deed recorded on 25 January 1817 and sold land by deed recorded 5 April 1823 [DB 16:401; 20:285]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 10 "free colored" in 1820. His estate was settled in Mecklenburg County in 1824 [WB 10:85]. A chancery suit in Mecklenburg County in 1832 named his children [LVA chancery file 1832-026]. They were

i. James⁴, born say 1777, taxable in Mecklenburg County on a horse in 1798, 1800, 1804 and 1805 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 682, 795, 1021, 1051], perhaps the James Chavous who married Luvina Nash, 24 February 1829 Mecklenburg County bond, Edward Brandon security.

ii. Lydia², born say 1780, married Jeremiah Harris, 13 November 1797 Mecklenburg County bond, James Chavis security.

iii. Jincy, born say 1788, married Archer Stewart, 14 August 1809 Mecklenburg County bond, Edward Brandon security. Archer, born 1775-1794, was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 8 "free colored" in 1820. The chancery suit named their children Fanny, Nancy, Dabney, Pettus and William who was administrator of his father's estate.

iv. William¹⁰, born say 1789, a "Mulattoe" taxable in Mecklenburg County from 1812 to 1814, called "son of Js." [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, 285, 307, 417]. He married Elizabeth Ivy, 6 March 1819 Mecklenburg County bond, Edward Brandon surety.

v. Thomas⁶, born say 1791, a "Mulattoe" taxable over the age of sixteen in Mecklenburg County in 1815 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, 502].

vi. Ann, wife of Drury Wilson.

vii. Pleasant, born about 1795, married Dicey Singleton, 28 December 1821 Mecklenburg County bond, Henry Stewart security. He was a fifty-five-year-old shoemaker counted in Mecklenburg County with his wife Harriet in 1850 [VA:128].

viii. Henry⁴, born about 1798, a "Mulattoe" taxable over the age of sixteen in Mecklenburg County in 1815 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, 502], a fifty-two-year-old counted in the 1850 census with his wife Betsy [VA:88b].

ix. Ellison, bought land by deed proved in Mecklenburg County on 21 June 1824. He and Susan Chavous sold land by deeds proved on 22 May and 6 August 1827 [DB 21:37; 22:416; 476].

x. Elizabeth⁶, married Edward Brandon, 10 March 1806 Mecklenburg County bond, Frederick Ivey security. Her husband was called Nathaniel Brandon in the chancery suit.



31. Elizabeth³ Chavis (Rebecca¹, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1751, was called the daughter of Rebecca Chavis on 26 August 1756 when the Amelia County court ordered the churchwardens of Nottoway Parish to bind her out [Orders 1754-8, n.p]. She was living in Lunenburg County in September 1760 when she successfully sued Hutchings Burton for her freedom dues [Orders 1759-61, 32, 159, 170]. She may have been the Betty Chavus who was head of a Halifax County, Virginia household of 2 persons in 1782 [VA:24]. She was called Liza Chavers on 17 June 1784 when the Halifax County court ordered her to show cause why her illegitimate son Barltett should not be bound out [Pleas 1783-6, 78]. She was the mother of

i. Jesse, born say 1766, "child of Elizabeth Chavious," bound out by the churchwardens of St. James Parish, Mecklenburg County, on 13 November 1769 [Orders 1768-71, 278]. He was taxable in Granville County in the undated (perhaps 1787) list of John Dickerson for Fishing Creek in Hugh Snelling's household and in his own household in 1790. Benjamin and Absalom Bass were his securities in August 1794 Granville County court when he was charged with having an illegitimate child by Nelly Bass [Minutes 1792-95, 197-8]. He was called Jesse Chavers of Petersburg on 8 April 1798 when he sold 8 head of cattle in Granville County for 20 pounds [WB 5:276] and was taxable on 140 acres in Oxford District in 1802 [Tax List 1796-1802, 337]. He was head of a Granville County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 [NC:912] and 9 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:9]. He married Nancy Mitchell, 2 May 1812 Granville County bond, Darling Bass bondsman.

ii. Bartlett¹, born about 1776, bound by the Pittsylvania County as apprentice to John Southerland on 21 March 1780 [Orders 1777-83, 292], bound apprentice in adjoining Halifax County, Virginia, on 17 March 1785 to John Nobles and bound out to John Hughes on 18 October 1787 [Pleas 11:253; 12:270]. He registered as a "free Negro" in Halifax County on 11 October 1802: Bartlet Chavus (Batteau) aged about twenty six years, five feet five and half Inches high, between a Black and a yellow Colour [Register, no. 22]. He married Elizabeth Mathis (Matthews), 10 February 1803 Halifax County bond. He was taxable in the southern district of Halifax County in 1798 and 1800, and there were two Bartlett Chavuses who were "Mulatto" taxables in Halifax County from 1801 to 1806: one called "Batteau" in 1803 who may also have been the one called "Sr." in 1801 and 1805. Both were counted as planters in the list of "free Negroes & Mulattoes" in 1801: one living on "P.C." (P. Creek) and the other on "UR" (the Upper Road) [PPTL, 1782-99, frame 810; 1800-12, frames 50, 158, 178, 308, 363, 508, 615].

iii. Sally, bound by the Pittsylvania County as apprentice to John Southerland on 21 March 1780 [Orders 1777-83, 292].



32. John⁵ Chavis (George, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹) born say 1755, enlisted in the Fifth Virginia Regiment in December 1778 and served for three years. Captain Mayo Carrington, in a bounty warrant written in March 1783, certified that Chavis had "faithfully fulfilled [his duties] and is thereby entitled to all immunities granted to three year soldiers" [Mecklenburg County Legislative Petition of 14 December 1820]. He and Anthony Chavis brought a suit against Robert Taylor which was dismissed by the Henrico County court on agreement of the parties on 13 March 1784 [Orders 1781-4, 477]. He was taxable in Mecklenburg County on his own tithe in 1785 and a tithe and 3 horses in 1786 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 99, 127, 211]. He was deceased by 11 June 1787 when the Mecklenburg County court ordered the overseers of the poor to bind out his orphans Charles, John, Mary and Randol Chavous [Orders 1787-92, 32]. On 20 April 1818 his sons John, Charles, and Randolph Chavis of Mecklenburg County gave their power of attorney to Melchizedek Roffe to collect money due to them from the State Treasurer for their father's service in the Revolution [Virginia Genealogist, p.153; Mecklenburg County DB 17:218-9]. William O. Goode, former member of the General Assembly from Mecklenburg County, wrote a letter on 12 January 1836 in support of the petition to the Legislature made by his son Randall. Goode stated that John and his brother Anthony Chavis were wagoners in the Revolution who were issued certificates of public debt at the end of the war, about 21 pounds for Anthony (signed by Captain Young) and 89 pounds for John (signed by Captain Carrington). These certificates were burnt in a fire in the Petersburg home of Charles Watts who was John Chavers' brother-in-law according to the testimony of Thomas Evans who had been a resident of Petersburg at the time of the fire [Mecklenburg County Legislative Petitions of 14 December 1820 and 19 January 1836, LVA]. John's children were

i. John¹⁰, born say 1780, married Sally Blair, 27 July 1801 Mecklenburg County bond, Thomas Cypress security. He may have been the John Chavis who was head of a Petersburg Town household of 8 "other free" in 1810 [VA:122a].

ii. Charles², a "Hireling" living in the lower district of Lunenburg County on Hounds Creek in 1802 when he was counted in a "List of free Negroes & Mulattoes" [LVA, Lunenburg County, Free Negro & Slave Records, 1802-1803]. He married Lucy Chapman, 20 December 1810 Lunenburg County bond. He was a "Mulatto" taxable in Mecklenburg County in 1813 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, 333].

iii. Mary.

iv. Randolph/ Randol, say 1785, registered in Mecklenburg County on 21 March 1815: Randill Chavis a free man of yellowish Complection, about twenty four years old, about five feet six inches high. He was called Randolph Chavis when he registered again in February court 1818 and on 18 August 1823 when his date of birth was estimated as 1785 [Free Person of Color, pp.6, 10, 17]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820. He made a deed of release in Mecklenburg County which was proved in November 1832 [DB 25:246].



33. Anthony Chavis (George, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1757, was identified as a brother of John Chavis in the Mecklenburg County, Virginia petition of John's son, Randal Chavis [Mecklenburg Petition of 19 January 1836, LVA]. He bought 101 acres in Mecklenburg County from William Avery for 3,000 pounds of tobacco on 11 November 1780 and sold this land adjoining Henry Avery and Thomas Stewart for 20 pounds on 10 March 1792 [DB 6:103; 8:220]. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 3 persons in 1782 [VA:33]. He and John Chavis brought a suit against Robert Taylor which was dismissed by the Henrico County court on agreement of the parties on 13 March 1784 [Orders 1781-4, 477]. He was taxable on a tithe, 2 horses, and 2 cattle in Mecklenburg County in 1786 and a tithe in 1791 [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frames 122, 368]. He married Rebecca Stewart, 10 September 1792 Mecklenburg County bond. He was a taxable "Blackman" in Island Creek District, Granville County in 1803 [Tax List 1803-09, 42]. In 1810 he was head of a Granville County household of 7 "other free" [NC:858]. He died in Granville County in May 1831 according to the survivor's pension application of his son Peter [M805, reel 180, frame 145]. His children were

i. Peter³, born about 1778, married Maron Bird, 4 November 1800 Granville County bond, Charles Evans bondsman. He was bondsman for the 29 December 1812 Chatham County marriage of James Chavis and Nancy Bird. He was one of the freeholders of Chatham County who were ordered by the court to work on the road from New Hope Bridge to William Goodwin's in February 1814 [Minutes 1811-18, 147]. He was head of a Chatham County household of 6 "other free" in 1810 (adjacent to Charles Evans and Jacob Bird) [NC:193], living in Chatham County on 13 January 1840 when he applied for his father's pension [M805-180, frame 145].

ii. ?Miles, head of a Chatham County household of 5 "other free" in 1800.

iii. ?Washington, head of a Chatham County household of 7 "other free" in 1810 [NC:208].

iv. ?Garrison, born say 1785, an insolvent taxpayer in Chatham County in Captain Marsh's district in 1806 [Minutes 1805-10, 158] and taxable on one free poll in Captain B. Jones' 1815 list for Chatham County. He was head of a Moore County household of 5 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:312].

v. ?James⁵, born say 1786, married Nancy Bird, 29 December 1812 Chatham County bond, Peter Chavis bondsman. He and John Chavis were among the freeholders of Chatham County ordered by the court to work on the road from White Oak Bridge to Polly Leavin's in November 1814 and from New Hope to the big falls in Cape Fear in February 1818 [Minutes 1811-18, 180; 1816-22, 101]. There is no record of his purchasing land in Chatham County, but he was taxable on 75 acres and one free poll in the 1815 list of Ed Farrar.

45 vi. ?Elizabeth⁸, born say 1789.

vii. ?Banister, born 1776-94, one of the freeholders of Chatham County who were ordered by the court to work on the road from New Hope Bridge to William Goodwin's (with Peter Chavous) in February 1814 [Minutes 1811-18, 147]. He married Milly Walden, 29 December 1819 Mecklenburg County, Virginia bond, John Stewart surety, married by Minister Alexander M. Cowan. He was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [VA:148b].



34. Elizabeth⁴ Chavis (Catherine, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1757, was living in Lunenburg County in May 1761 when the court ordered the churchwardens of Cornwall Parish to bind her as an apprentice to Philip Jones [Orders 1761-2, 17]. She may have been the Elizabeth Chavis whose son John Jackson Chavis was bound as an apprentice to William Stewart in Mecklenburg County. Stewart moved to Wake County, North Carolina, about 1790, and John Jackson went with him and died there about 1808 when Stewart tried to prove his nuncupative Wake County will. Elizabeth's sister Lucy, wife of Robert Cole, challenged the will by presenting a deposition taken from Mary Belcher of Charlotte County, Virginia, on 27 April 1808 that John Jackson Chavis was christened in her home and that Lucy was his only living relative [N.C. Stack File C.R. 099.928.11 by NCGSJ III:21; Haun, Wake County Court Minutes VII:67-8, 151]. Elizabeth was the mother of

i. John Jackson, bound as an apprentice blacksmith to William Stewart in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, died in Wake County about 1808.



35. Bolling Chavis (Henry¹, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1772, was taxable in the Mecklenburg County household of (his father) Henry Chavis from 1790 to 1793 and taxable in Mecklenburg County in 1800 and 1803 [PPTL 1782-1805, frames 341, 423, 479, 794, 943]. He first married Nancy Thomerson, 14 June 1793 Warren County bond with Eaton Walden security; and second, Suckey Thomason, "daughter of Amy Thomason," 25 January 1798 Mecklenburg County, Virginia bond, Banister Thomason surety. Suckey may have been identical to Suckey Chavus who purchased her daughter Sally Chavus from Thomas Read, Jr., for 40 pounds and emancipated her by 31 January 1791 Charlotte County deed [DB 8:150-1]. Bolling, his mother Ellender and his sister Rebecca brought suit in Mecklenburg County against his brother Henry over a dividing line in their land on the Meherrin River which they received by their father's will. Boling died before 24 March 1804 when Henry and the others reached agreement [Mecklenburg County unrecorded deed 1804, LVA]. On 12 March 1806 the Mecklenburg County court ordered the sheriff to dispose of his estate since no one would administer it and appointed Jabez Northington as guardian of Bolling's orphan Edwin Chavous [Orders 1805-6, 124]. Bolling was the father of

i. Edwin, born say 1794, perhaps the Edward Chavous who was a "Mulatto" taxable in Mecklenburg County from 1815 to 1819 [Personal Property Tax List, 1806-28, frames 500, 534, 652].



36. Philip¹ Chavis (William², Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1726, bought 100 acres of land in Northampton County, North Carolina, on 25 February 1752 and purchased another 108 acres a few days later on 4 March 1752 from Edith Booth "for a valuable consideration" [DB 2:62, 68]. This was land adjacent to his own land in the northeast corner of Northampton County near the Meherrin River, part of an island on the "old county line." His father gave him 300 acres in Granville County on the north side of the Tar River at the mouth of Collins Creek on 4 March 1752 [DB B:47], and he was taxable on one tithe in Granville County in the list of Lemuel Lanier adjacent to his father in 1753. On 27 May 1756 he and wife Selah sold the 108 acres in Northampton County [DB 2:267]. In 1757 he had three persons in his household in the list of Samuel Henderson adjacent to his father, and in the 1758-9 undated list of Phil. Hawkins he was listed with wife Selah and slave "Jordin" [CR 044.701.19]. By 29 July 1761 he had accumulated 1,350 acres of land, most of it on Buffalo Creek in Granville County [DB B:47; E:43, 178; Northampton DB 2:62]. His land in Craven County, South Carolina, near Wassoo Creek was mentioned in an estate sale advertised in the 26 July to 2 August 1760 South Carolina Gazette [Warren, South Carolina Newspapers, 34]. In 1761 he was taxable on 2 "free black" tithes for himself and his wife "Celea" and black tithes for 2 female slaves, "Peg and Parrott," in Granville County. He had two illegitimate children by Hannah Francis of Johnston County about 1760 [Haun, Johnston County Court Minutes, I:86, 89].

He was called "Free negroe Planter" on 12 August 1763 when he sold the 300 acres in Granville County which his father gave him on 4 March 1752 [DB G:209]. On 13 August 1764 he sold an unstated number of acres of his land in Bute County on the north side of the Tar River to his father [Warren DB 1:102]. He was sued in Granville County court by William Hamilton & Company in November 1765 for a ten pound debt which John Williams, Jr., confessed to by power of attorney [Minutes 1754-70, 123]. The sheriff sold 700 acres of Philip's land in Granville County to pay this debt on 5 August 1766 [DB H:172]. He was a resident of South Carolina on 3 December 1766 when he sold his father 400 acres in Bute County on both sides of Buffalo Creek adjoining his father's Granville County land [DB 1:266]. He also resided in Bladen County, North Carolina, where he bought land on the east side of Wilkinson's Swamp, which is in present-day Robeson County on the South Carolina border. This was land formerly owned by Robert Sweat. Philip and his wife "Sele" sold this land on 21 November 1768 [DB 23:104].

He was a resident of Craven County, South Carolina, on 15 June 1772 when he sold 100 acres of his land in Northampton County [DB 5:246]. On 22 July 1772 he repurchased the same 100 acres he had sold in Bladen County in 1768 [DB 23:424].

On 5 February 1778 he was back in Granville County where he settled the inventory of the estate of his father in Granville court. According to the account of sales Philip bought 2 slaves, 39 head of cattle, 22 sheep, and many other items [WB 1:164-5]. He was called Philip Cheaves of South Carolina on 3 March 1778 when he sold a tract of land of unstated acreage in the part of Bute County which became Franklin County in 1769 [DB 1:9]. About a month later on 7 May 1778 he entered 100 acres on the Franklin County border with Granville County "near the Buffuloe Race paths" joining his deceased father's land [DB O:85]. He was residing in Georgetown District, South Carolina, on 20 November 1778 when he sold land in Granville County to Hugh Snelling [DB O:3]. The 2 November 1779 Granville County, North Carolina court called him "Phillip Chavers an Inhabitant of another State" when it subjected him to fourfold tax because his property was not inventoried. He was called Philip Chavis of Bladen County on 16 February 1780 when he sold his 100 acres in Granville County "near the Buffuloe Race paths" and another 500 acres on the Franklin-Granville County lines south of the Tar River to Major Evans for 3,000 pounds [Franklin DB 1:140]. In 1780 he was assessed tax on 4,260 pounds property in Granville County's Fishing Creek District in the list of Col. Dickerson, and was taxable in Granville County on 1,060 acres, 4 slaves, and 8 cattle in 1782. He was charged with felony in Granville County in 1782, but there is no record of a trial taking place or its outcome [Minutes 1773-83, November 1782 Dockets]. He and his wife Celia sold land in Granville County on 28 December 1782 [DB O:236].

On 8 March 1783 he purchased 200 acres in Bladen County, 160 acres of which was the land he had sold in 1768 [DB 1:95], and in 1784 he was taxable in Bladen County tax on 750 acres, 3 free polls, and a slave. He was called "Philip Chaves, Senr." on 2 September 1785 when he sold two tracts of land of about 200 acres each in what was by then Robeson County. On 25 June 1786 he sold a tract of 100 acres on Shoe Heel Swamp in Robeson and as "Philip Chavers" (no Senior) he sold 300 acres on both sides of the Lower Ashpole on 8 December 1793 [DB A:83; B:160; D:227]. His children were

46 i. ?Ishmael, born say 1747.

ii. Philip², born say 1758, "alias Philip Frances," was Philip¹'s illegitimate son who was bound an apprentice by the Johnston County court in January 1762 shortly after the death of his mother Hannah Francis [Haun, Johnston County Court Minutes, I:89]. Perhaps his will is the one written by "Philip Shaver" in Little River, Camden District, South Carolina, on 18 July 1793 and proved on 9 September 1793 [WB 2:95]. He lent his wife "Maria Margaret Shaver" plantations of 250 acres and 450 acres as well as 5 slaves, which at her death were to go to his daughters Maria Margaret Polick and Mary Scott.

iii. ?Charles¹, born in October 1760, three years old in October 1763, "son of Hannah Chavis," bound as an apprentice shoemaker by the May 1763 session of the Orange County, North Carolina court [Haun, Orange County Court Minutes, II:586]. Perhaps Hannah Chavis was identical to Hannah Francis whose son Philip was bound apprentice in Johnston County court in 1762. Charles was taxable on one poll in Abrams Plains District of Granville County in 1788. He married Nancy Taborn, 4 November 1795 Granville County bond with Benjamin Bass bondsman and was head of a Granville County household of 4 "other free" in 1800 and 11 in 1810 [NC:858].

47 iv. ?Erasmus, born say 1768.



37. Gibeon² Chavis (William², Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1737, was taxable in 1753 in his father's household in the Granville County list of Robert Harris. He and Gideon¹ Bunch were probably named for Gideon Gibson who was living on the south side of the Roanoke in the same area as Gibeon's father in 1727. He married Ann Priddy who was the "daughter Anne, wife of Gibby Chavers," mentioned in the 2 July 1759 Granville County will of her father Robert Priddy, proved December 1759 [Owen, Granville County Notes, vol.I]. Robert Priddy was a white Granville County farmer. On 1 June 1755 Gibeon's father made a deed of gift to him for 400 acres on Little Creek on the north side of Tar River [DB C:73], and in 1757 he was taxable on one tithe in his own household in the list of John Martin. By 1761 he had married and was listed in Fishing Creek taxable on himself and his wife Nanny [CR 44.701.19]. He was charged with trespass, assault, and battery by John Babtist Marr in Granville County court on 11 August 1765 but was found not guilty [Minutes 1754-70, 147]. In 1769 he was taxable on 3 persons, and in 1771 he had 6 taxables in his household. He left a 4 January 1777 Granville County will (signing), proved in May 1777, which mentioned only his wife and son William. Aquilla Snelling (signing) and Elender Chavis (making her mark) were witnesses. His estate inventory listed 5 horses, 17 cattle, and 53 hogs [WB 1:158]. Part of his land was sold and 150 acres assigned to his wife Ann by her right of dower [WB 1:143, 166]. She was assessed 2,000 pounds property tax in Fishing Creek in Colonel Dickerson's District in 1780. Their children were

i. Patience, born say 1755, called "daughter of Anne Priddy, daughter of testator," in Robert Priddy's will. She married John Jackson, a white man, and was living with him in Rowan County on 16 September 1771 when they sold the land she inherited from her grandfather [Granville DB I:309].

ii. Susanna², born say 1756, called "daughter of Anne Priddy, daughter of testator" in Robert Priddy's will. She married Andrew Ingram, a white man, and was living with him in Cumberland County, North Carolina, on 1 December 1772 when they sold the land she inherited from her grandfather [Granville DB K:202].

iii. William⁷, born about 1757, probably the third person taxed in his father's 1769 household. His father left him his land and plantation. In 1780 he was still under the care of a guardian, his uncle George Priddy, who paid his tax on an assessment of 2,362 pounds in Fort Creek. On 13 March 1785 he sold 400 acres on both sides of Little Creek in Granville County on the north side of the Tar River for 543 pounds, purchased land in Granville County on 13 October 1786 and sold 20 acres adjoining his own land and Snelling on 10 February 1788 [DB O:376, 575, 585]. He may have been the William Chavis who married Sarah Kersey, 13 March 1790 Granville County bond. He was head of a Wake County household of 6 "other free" in 1800 [NC:757].



38. Thomas⁴ Cheaves (Thomas³, Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1742, may have been the Thomas Chevas who was listed as a deserter from the Cherokee Expedition, Captain John Hitchcock's Company of the South Carolina Militia on 15 November 1759 [Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South, 930]. In 1763 he was in Granville County, taxable in William Eaves' Bare Swamp District household. This part of Granville County became Bute County in 1764 and Thomas was a "black" taxable in William Mackbie's household in the 1771 Bute County list of Philimon Hawkins [CR.015.70001, p.5 of pamphlet]. He may have been the Thomas Chavis who was head of a Granville County household of 10 "other free" and one slave in 1810 [NC:866], and he may have been the father of

i. Jordan², born say 1775, purchased 25 acres in Wake County on the east side of Mine Creek adjoining Hugh Snelling on 21 June 1800 and sold this land to John Chavis on 25 July 1805 [DB Q:429; U:433]. He married (his second cousin?) the daughter of Aquilla and Lettice Snelling (nee Chavis) and was mentioned in Lettice's 2 April 1814 Wake County will. He was head of a Wake County household of 2 "other free" and 4 slaves in 1800 [NC:756]. His Wake County tax was paid by Reuben Evans in 1820 [CR 99.252]. He purchased 300 acres on lower Long Branch, north of the Yadkin River and on the waters of Mulberry Creek, in Wilkes County in 1813 and purchased another 100 acres adjoining this in 1814. He was head of a Wilkes County household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:519]. In 1829 he sold 85 acres of his land to (his mother-in-law) Mary Mitchell [DB GH:469, 505; M:206]. He had married Lucy Harris, daughter of Molly Mitchell, sometime before he was mentioned in her 20 August 1833 Wilkes County will.



39. Isam/ Isham¹ Chavis (Joseph¹, Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1746, was sued by Abner Nash in Halifax County, North Carolina court in November 1768 [Gammon, Record of Estates II:12]. He was head of a Cumberland County, North Carolina household of 8 "other free" in 1790 [NC:38]. He entered 110 acres bordering his own land and John Walker's in Cumberland County on 16 May 1786 [Pruitt, Land Entries: Cumberland County, 60]. He was a carpenter who was granted 200 acres in Cumberland on the south side of Campbell's Creek on 21 December 1787. He and his wife Rachel sold this land on 27 February 1794, and he sold 400 acres in Cumberland on Jones' Creek and Upper Little River on 16 July 1795 [DB 14:168; 16:49]. He died before 14 April 1796 when (his son?) William Chavis was granted administration on his estate on 100 pounds security [Minutes 1791-97, Thursday, 14 April 1796]. Later that year William sold land which Isham was granted in 1789 [DB 16:372]. His children were probably

i. William⁸, born say 1775. On 8 July 1796 he sold 100 acres in Cumberland County on Upper Little River and the next day sold 170 acres in Cumberland County on MacDougald's Branch which was granted to Isham Chavis on 16 March 1789 [DB 16:372; 18:196]. He was head of a Cumberland County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:584].

ii. Azekiel(?), head of a Cumberland County household of 4 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:191].



40. Isham² Chavis (Bartholomew², Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1758, was taxable in Dinwiddie County from 1782 to 1804: called Isham Walding in 1782 and 1784, called Isham Chavis in 1787 and 1788, called Isham Walden from 1789 to 1800 and in 1801 when he was counted as a "free Negro" and called "free" Isham Chavis when he taxable in 1804 [Personal Property Tax List, 1782-90 (1782 A, p.18), (1784, p.25), (1787 B, p.2) (1788 B, p.5), (1789 A, p.21); 1791-9, (1791 A, pp. 4, 20), (1795 B, p.21), (1797 B, p.20), (1798 A, p.18), (1799 A, p.19); 1800-9, (1800 B, p.23), (1801 B, p.25), (1804 a, p.4)]. He may have been the member of the Chavis family who married Milly Stewart. Milly, born about 1762, registered in Petersburg on 24 December 1808: Milly Chavis, formerly Stewart, a light brown Mulatto woman, forty six years old, born free & raised in the County of Prince George p. certificate of Registry from Clk. of Dinwiddie County. Reentered 2 March 1820 tho not a light brown ditto [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 433]. She was the mother of

i. ?Stephen, born about 1778, registered in Petersburg on 15 August 1799: a dark brown Mulatto man, five feet eight inches high, with short bushy hair, twenty one years old in March last, born free & raised by Wm Scott in the County of Dinwiddie [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 149]. He was probably identical to Stephen Walden Chaves, "a free Black man," charged in Petersburg on 23 February 1798 with stealing tobacco out of Blanford Warehouse. He was sent for trial at the district court [Hustings Court Minute Book 1797-1800, n.p.].

ii. Ezekiel, born about 1789, registered in Petersburg on 24 December 1808: a light brown Mulatto man, five feet seven inches high, nineteen years old, born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg. Registered by desire of his mother Milly Chavis. Reentered 13 June 1810 by name Ezekiel Stewart (by desire) [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 432]. Ezekiel Chaves was taxable on Vinet Claiborne's land in Chesterfield County with his unnamed wife in 1811 [Personal Property Tax List, 1786-1811, frame 824].

iii. Caty, born about 1798, registered in Petersburg on 7 August 1811: Caty Steward, a brown Mulatto girl, thirteen years old 26 November last, daughter of Milly Chavis [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 667].

iv. Polly, born about 1802, registered in Petersburg on 7 August 1811: Polly Steward, a dark brown Mulatto girl, four feet eleven inches high, nine years old 9 April last. born free & raised in the Town of Petersburg, daughter of Milly Chavis [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 668].



41. Frances²/ Fanny Chavis (Mary, Amy, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1765, was head of a Southampton County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 [VA:71]. She was a "f.n." taxable in Southampton County from 1801 to 1820: taxable on a free male tithable and a horse from 1801 to 1804, taxable on Benjamin Chavis's tithe and a horse in 1805, taxable on a horse in 1806 and 1807, taxable on 2 slaves and a free male tithable from 1809 to 1812, listed with her son Ellick and daughters Polly and Milly in 1813, living on her own land in 1820 [Personal Property Tax List 1792-1806, frame 512, 549, 802; 1807-21, frames 47, 70, 166, 189, 288, 316, 415, 576, 661, 689, 786]. On 17 March 1817 the Southampton court exempted her from paying taxes on her slave Toney because he was aged and infirm [Minutes 1816-9, unpaged]. She was the mother of

i. ?Mason, born about 1784, a witness against Sam Rand (Rann), a "Mullatto boy" accused in Southampton County court on 20 January 1806 of stealing $5 from a boy slave named Burwell belonging to James Crichlow [Minutes 1799-1803, 85]. Mason registered in Southampton County on 30 August 1811: Mason Shavers, age 27, Blk., 5 feet 4-1/2 inches high, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 595].

ii. ?Temperance, born about 1786, registered in Southampton County on 31 July 1810, 20 May 1817 and again on 3 March 1821: age 35, black woman who has daughter named Ann Eliza aged 15 Martha Ann aged 12 years & Frances aged 8 years 5 feet 1/2 inch high, free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, nos. 792, 1089, 1259].

iii. ?Isaac, born about 1789, ordered bound apprentice in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, on 11 December 1795 [Minutes 1793-9, 163], taxable in St. Luke's Parish in 1811 [Personal Property Tax List 1807-21, frame 189]. He registered in Southampton County 28 January 1811; age 22, Blk., free born, 6 feet high [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 585].

iv. Polly, born about 1789, registered in Southampton County on 1 April 1814: age 25, mulatto, 5'5-1/2", free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 832].

v. Alexander, born about 1794, registered in Southampton County on 29 July 1815: age 21, 5'10-3/4", free born, yellow complection [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, nos. 970, 1491, 2004].

vi. Milly, born about 1796, registered in Southampton County on 1 April 1814: age 18, Mulatto, 5'5-1/4", free born [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1832, no. 833].

vii. ?James, ordered bound apprentice in St. Luke's Parish, Southampton County, on 11 December 1795 [Minutes 1793-9, 163].



42. John⁸ Chavis (Jacob², Frances, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1764, was called John Chavis, Junior, in 1786 when he was taxable on one tithe and a horse in Mecklenburg County, Virginia [Personal Property Tax List 1782-1805, frame 122]. He was a grandson of Thomas Evans who named him in his 22 May 1787 Mecklenburg County, Virginia will [WB 2:250] and was one of the heirs of Jacob Chavis who were named in a Mecklenburg County chancery case in 1819. He attended Washington Academy which later became Washington and Lee University [North Carolina Historical Review, VII:333]. He was introduced to the Presbytery of Lexington, Virginia, at their meeting from 15 to 19 October 1799. According to the minutes of the meeting he was personally known to most of the members. The following year the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of the United States in Philadelphia ruled that

John Chavis, a black man of prudence and piety, who has been educated and licensed to preach by the Presbytery of Lexington in Virginia, be employed as a missionary among people of his own colour

On 9 June 1801 he delivered a discourse to the Lexington Presbytery at Rocky Springs Meetinghouse, and the Presbytery agreed to his request to join the Hanover Presbytery, recommending him as

a man of exemplary piety, & possessed of many qualifications which merit their respectful attention [Acts and Proceedings, 15, by NCHR., VII:331, 333].

On 6 April 1802 he recorded his free papers in Rockbridge County:

Rev. John Chavis, a black man ... has been known to the court for several years past ... has been a student at Washington Acadmy where they believe he went through a regular course of Academical Studies [Orders 6:10].

He moved to Chatham County where he purchased 100 acres on Weaver's Creek on 9 November 1804 [DB O:70]. His conversation with an educated African American woman in Chatham County was reported in The Association Missionary Magazine of Evangelical Intelligence [vol. I (August, 1805), 49 by JNH, 142-155]. On 15 May 1806 he was residing in Wake County when he purchased 233 acres adjoining Mine Creek and Haw Branch in Wake County for $700 from Joshua Eastland of Chatham County [DB T:268]. (His father?) Jacob Chavis of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, gave him power of attorney to recover a debt from William Stewart of North Carolina on 11 July 1806 [Mecklenburg DB 13:1-2]. He had established a school before 26 August 1808 when he announced in the Raleigh Register that

the present quarter of his school will end the 15th of September, and the next will commence on the 19th. He will, at the same time, open an evening school for the purpose of instructing children of colour, as he intends, for the accommodation of some of his employers, to exclude all children of colour from his day school [NCHR, 339].

He was said to have joined the Orange Presbytery in 1809 and preached in Granville, Orange, and Wake Counties for the next twenty years or so [NCHR, 335]. He purchased another 100 acres on Weaver's Creek in Chatham County on 23 July 1811 and sold this second tract of 100 acres for 100 pounds on the 28 April 1817 and the remaining 100 acres for $650 on 7 March 1818 (signing both deeds) [DB T:237; V:106; X:343]. In the November 1814 session of the Chatham County court, he and Cary Chavis were found guilty of an unnamed offense, but were granted an appeal [Minutes 1811-18, 183]. On 28 June 1815 he was living in Wake County when he purchased 111 acres on the south side of the Neuse River on Laurel Creek [DB 3:336]. He was head of a Chatham County household of 5 "other free" in 1810 (adjacent to Charles Evans and Peter Chavers) [NC:193] and 9 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:211]. Senator Willie P. Magnum and his brother Priestly Magnum, Governor Charles Manly, and Congressman Abraham Rencher were probably his students since he referred to each of them as "my son" in his letters to the senator [NCHR, 326, 341, 345]. On 13 December 1827 he wrote to his friend Senator Mangum about a deed of trust for land adjoining Tignal Jones and Job Rogers in Wake County which was given to him and his wife Frances during their lifetimes. And three days later on 18 December 1827 he wrote to the senator inviting him to attend the next examination at his school in Wake County at Revises Crossroads [State Department of Archives and History, The Mangum Papers, 316-318]. On 22 April 1830 Joseph Gales, editor of the Raleigh Register, reported that he had recently attended an examination "of the free children of color" at the school and "seldom received more gratification from any exhibition of a similar character" [NCHR, 340]. He made a quit claim deed in Granville County on 8 July 1831 relinquishing any right to the estate of his brother Isaac Chavis [DB 7:253]. In a letter to Mangum on 10 March 1832 he wrote, "If I am Black, I am free born American and a revolutionary soldier." However, there is no record that he ever served in the Revolution. Reverend John Chavis died 15 June 1838 [Watchman of the South, Obituary Notice by Virginia Genealogical Society Quarterly 19:123]. He may have been the father of

i. Thomas⁷, born say 1801, an insolvent taxpayer for the year 1822, reported in the Wednesday, August 1823 session of the Chatham County court. He was one of the freeholders of Chatham County who were ordered to work on the road from the Randolph County line to the branch below Rebecca Evans in the Monday, November 1827 session of the court.

ii. William¹², born say 1805, one of the freeholders of Chatham County who were ordered to work on the road from William Ragland's to John Dorsett's by the Monday, February 1836 session of the court.



43. Jacob³ Chavis, born say 1772, was over sixteen years of age in 1788 when he was counted in the Mecklenburg County property tax list tax of his father Jacob Chavous [PPTL 1782-1805, frame 211]. He married Phoebe Scott, daughter of Betsey Scott, 24 December 1800 Charlotte County bond and 8 December 1800 Mecklenburg County bond, Thomas A. Jones & James Wilson security, with a note from James Wayne. He was called a wheelwright when the Mecklenburg County court bound Willie and Archibald / Nash to him on 12 October 1807 and 12 September 1808 [Orders 1807-9, 239, 467]. He was a "free negroe" taxable in Charlotte County from 1795 to 1813: taxable on a slave in 1796; taxable on 2 free males in 1801; listed as a "free negroe" wheelwright with his wife Pheby and son Martin in 1802; taxable on 2 free males, 3 slaves, 2 horses, and 2 cart wheels in 1806; taxable on 2 free males and 2 slaves in 1807; taxable on 3 free males and a slave in 1810; and a "fn" wheelwright listed with 5 males (two of whom were tithable) and 3 females in list of free Negroes and Mulattoes in 1813 [PPTL 1782-1813, frames 314, 339, 367, 398, 433, 465, 502, 534, 542, 671, 707, 717, 751, 773, 814, 886]. (His brother-in-law and sister) Arvy and Martha Scott released their right to land which was due to her from the estate of her father Jacob Chavis, Sr., to Jacob by deed proved in Mecklenburg County on 10 July 1809 [DB 14:107, 308]. He was a "Free Negro" head of a Charlotte County household of 10 "other free" in 1810 [VA:45]. Jacob's widow Phoebe was one of the buyers at the sale of his 15 December 1842 Charlotte County estate [WB 10:23-4]. She registered in Charlotte County on 21 October 1848: daughter of Betsey Scott, Mulatto, age 64 years, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, no.618]. Jacob and Phebe were the parents of

i. Abraham Martin, born about 1802, registered in Charlotte County on 7 May 1827: son of Jacob Chavous and Phoebe his wife, Yellow complexion, aged 25, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 487].

ii. Mack, born about 1803, registered in Charlotte County on 4 April 1831: son of Jacob and Phobe Chavous, free persons, Bright complexion, aged 28 [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 488].

iii. William, born about 1805, registered in Charlotte County on 1 october 1827: son of Jacob Chavous and Phoebe his wife, free people of Colour, Yellow complexion, aged 21, born free [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 487].

iv. Mary, born about 1809, registered in Charlotte County on 3 October 1836: daughter of Jacob Chavous & Phoebe his wife, Dark brown complexion, aged 27 [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 491].

v. Jacob, born about 1816, registered in Charlotte County on 4 December 1837: son of Jacob Chavous and Phoebe his wife, free persons, Dark Mulatto, aged 21 [Ailsworth, Charlotte County--Rich Indeed, 491].



44. Susannah³ Chavis, born 21 June 1767, was the daughter of Sucky Chavis, "a free mulatto" of Bruton Parish, James City County [Bruton Parish Register, 31]. She registered in Petersburg on 30 December 1808: Sucky Chavis, a yellowish brown free negro woman, five feet seven and a half inches high, forty [overwritten] years old, born free & raised in Wmsburg [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 441]. She was the mother of

i. ?Edward³, born about 1783, registered in York County on 15 August 1808: a slim blk fellow, 25 yrs of age, 5 feet 10-1/2 inches high with fine short curly hair...born of free parents in Bruton Parish, York County [Free Negro Register 1798-1831, no. 34]. He registered in Petersburg on 28 December 1808: a dark brown, near black man, five feet ten and a half inches high, straight & spare made, twenty five years old, born free & raised in York County [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 436].

ii. John¹⁴, born about 1789, registered in Petersburg on 30 December 1808: a dark brown free Negro man, five feet eight and a half inches high, nineteen years old, son of Sucky Chavis a free woman [Register of Free Negroes 1794-1819, no. 440].

iii. William¹¹, born say 1792, "bastard of Susannah Chavous," bound by the Overseers of the Poor of Mecklenburg County to Samuel Holmes, Jr., on 18 January 1800 [Orders 1798-1801, 289].

iv. ?Jeronias(?), born say 1794, bound by the Overseers of the Poor of Mecklenburg County to William Puryear on 14 June 1802 (no parent named) [Orders 1801-3, 251].

v. ?Sarah, born say 1796, bound by the Overseers of the Poor of Mecklenburg County to William Puryear on 14 June 1802 (no parent named) [Orders 1801-3, 251].



45. Elizabeth⁸ Chavis (Anthony, George, Thomas², William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1789, "a woman of Colour," was ordered brought before the Monday, February 1821 session of the Chatham County court so that her children could be bound out as apprentices [Minutes 1816-22]. She was listed as a sixty-year-old "Mulatto" woman in Chatham County in 1850 [NC:370 A&B]. She may have been the daughter of Anthony Chavis who was living in Mecklenburg County about 1858 when she and other descendants of Thomas Stewart filed a chancery suit [LVA Chancery file 1872-008]. Her children were

i. Nancy, "a Girl of Colour," born 25 December 1807, bound apprentice to Brooks Brantly by the Monday, May 1821 session of the Chatham County court and bound instead to Hezekiah Dorsett in the Wednesday session.

ii. Polly, born about 1811, "a Girl of Colour" bound apprentice to George Rogers to read, write, and cypher by the Monday, May 1821 session of the Chatham County court.

iii. William¹³, born 10 December 1814, bound to John Dorsett as an apprentice farmer and to be taught to read and write by the Monday May 1821 session of the court.

iv. ?Caty, born about 1819, bound apprentice to David Justice by the Tuesday, May 1826 session of the court, no parent named [Minutes 1822-27].

v. ?Elizabeth¹⁰, born about 1819, a nine-year-old "Coloured Girl" bound apprentice to Hezekiah Dorsett by the Tuesday, May 1828 session of the court, no parent named [Minutes 1828-33].

vi. ?Clary, born about 1825, an eleven-year-old "Coloured girl" bound apprentice to Daniel Marsh by the Monday, 8 February 1836 session of the court, no parent named.



46. Ishmael Chavis (Philip¹, William², Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1747, was taxable in Bladen County with his unnamed wife ("Mulatoes") from 1768 to 1774 [Byrd, Bladen County Tax Lists, I:5, 14, 44, 60, 82, 95, 124, 134]. He patented 100 acres in Bladen County on the lower side of Long Swamp, northeast of Drowning Creek, on 14 May 1772 [Hoffman, Land Patents, II:265]. He and his wife Reigel sold this land on 20 December 1774 [DB 23:501]. He was taxable in Bladen County on 100 acres and one poll in Captain Cades' District in 1784. He sold another 100 acres on the south side of Long Swamp on 22 January 1788 in what was then Robeson County and sold 100 ares on the west side of Drowning Creek on 26 December 1795. He bought 100 acres on the north side of Back Swamp in 1796 and sold it eight years later to Thomas Lowry on 17 May 1804 [DB A:189; E:402; F:93; O:163]. He was head of a Robeson County household of 10 "other free" in 1790 [NC:48], and 8 in 1800 [NC:371]. Perhaps his children were

i. John⁹, born say 1774, head of a Robeson County household of 6 "other free" and one white woman in 1800 [NC:370] and 5 "other free" in 1810 [NC:222].

ii. Albert, head of a Robeson County household of 5 "other free" in 1800 [NC:370].

iii. Joseph³, born say 1785, head of a Robeson County household of 4 "other free" in 1810 [NC:218].



47. Erasmus Chavis (Philip¹, William², Bartholomew¹, William¹, Thomas¹), born say 1768, was head of a Bladen County household of 3 "other free" in 1790 [NC:188], 9 in 1800, 14 in 1810 [NC:195], and 12 "free colored" in 1820 [NC:136]. He was the father of

i. Rachel Carter, who on 25 May 1839 appointed (her brother?) Eliah Chavis of Robeson County her attorney to sell her share of her father's land [DB X:224].

ii. Eliah.

iii. ?Stephen, born about 1777, a "Mulatto Boy" who was stolen in Bladen County and returned to his mother Elizabeth Cheaves in Surry County, North Carolina, on 17 February 1782 [Absher, Surry County, North Carolina, Court Minutes, 40].



48. Henry⁵ Chavers, born say 1832, emigrated to Liberia on 3 July 1857 [American Colonization Society Papers, microfilm, reel 314, by Bell I. Wiley]. He dictated a letter from Liberia to Dr. Ellis Malone of Louisburg in Franklin County, North Carolina, on 2 August 1857 describing his great pleasure in being in the: Land of Freedom ... a nation of free and happy Children of a hitherto downcast and oppresed Race ... Tell them I now begin to enjoy life as a man should do ... did my Coloured Friends only know or could they have seen what I already have seen they would not hesitate a moment to come to this Glorious Country. He asked Dr. Malone to give his respects to: All my relations at Dunsans up Tar River (and to) tell Hilray Dunsans to come and bring all his tools [Wiley, Slaves No More, 272-3].



Other members of the Chavis family living were

i. James, died before 8 November 1790 when the Louisa County, Virginia court granted Duncan Holmes administration on his estate [Orders 1790-3, 180].

ii. Jordan¹, "Mulatoe" head of a Cheraw District, South Carolina household of an "other free" male over the age of 16 and 4 "other free" females in 1790 [SC:358].

iii. Elizabeth⁷, head of a Richland District, South Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [SC:177a].

iii. John¹³, born say 1788, head of a Richland District, South Carolina household of 3 "other free" in 1810 [SC:175a].

iv. John¹² Chavers, born say 1785, head of a St. Landry Parish, Louisiana household of 6 "free colored" in 1820 [LA:108] and 10 "free colored" in 1840, probably the ancestor of John Chavis, constable for St. Landry's Parish on 27 July 1868 [Bonds Book 4:164].

v. Zedekiah Chavers, born about 1775 in South Carolina, a "free colored" man living alone in Barnwell District, South Carolina in 1830 [SC:190], a seventy-five-year-old "Black" man living alone in Washington Parish, Louisiana, in 1850 [LA:456].

vi. Joseph² Chavers, born about 1784, head of a Washington Parish, Louisiana household of a "free colored" man and 3 white females in 1830 [LA:20], listed as a white man born in South Carolina in the household of a white woman named Mary Hoffman in Washington Parish, Louisiana, in 1850 [LA:456].

vii. William¹⁴, a constable in Alabama who tried to arrest a white man named Heath. In June 1859 Heath convinced the court that William Chavis could not be a witness against him by showing that "the great grandfather and great grandmother of .. Chavis were .. each .. the progeny of a full-blooded negro and a white person." Some of the witnesses testified that his great grandparents "claimed to be of Indian, and not of negro blood," but the court ruled in Heath's favor [Catterall, Judicial Cases Concerning American Slavery, III:232].



Endnotes:

1. Bartholomew Chavis's grantee deeds:

1 Mar 1719 300 acres north of Roanoke.

9 Sep 1722 540 acres north of Roanoke [Hoffman, Province of N.C. Land Patents, 281, 180].

1 Sep 1721 north of Roanoke [Chowan DB C-1:154].

1 Sep 1721 640 acres north of Roanoke [DB C-1:1383].

30 Jul 1726 630 acres south of Roanoke [mentioned in Bertie DB B:289].

grantor deeds:

4 Nov 1726 430 acres south of Roanoke [Bertie DB B:312].

1727 200 acres south of Roanoke [Bertie DB:289].

30 Mar 1722 100 acres north of Roanoke [Chowan DB C-1:1482].

10 May 1728 100 acres north of Roanoke [Bertie DB B:423].

1 Nov 1730 200 acres north of Roanoke [Bertie DB C:293].


2. Mecklenburg was formed from Lunenburg County in 1765.

3. William Chavis' grantee deeds:

Aug 1727 200 acres South of Roanoke [Bertie DB B:289]

8 Mar 1743 400 acres Nutbush Creek [Hoffman, Land Patents, I:233]

15 Aug 1748 300 acres North of Tar River [Granville DB A:82]

14 May 1751 640 acres Sides of Tabbs Cr. [Granville DB B:409]

9 Nov 1751 335 acres West of Tabbs Cr. [Granville DB B:408]

4 Feb 1755 320 acres South of Flat R. [Orange DB 1:40]

9 May 1755 449 acres South Tabbs Creek [Granville]

24 Oct 1761 270 acres Sides of Collins Cr. [Granville DB E:396]

12 Nov 1761 276 acres North of Tar River [Granville DB E:329]

12 May 1762 647 acres Sides of Buffalo Cr [Granville DB E:323]

12 Aug 1762 700 acres South of Tar River [Granville DB E:401]

7 Nov 1762 170 acres North of Tar River [Granville DB F:507]


grantor deeds:

8 Feb 1745 400 acres Nutbush Creek [Edgecombe 5:452]

29 Nov 1748 200 acres North of Tabbs Cr [Granville DB A:66]

4 Mar 1752 300 acres North of Tar River [Granville DB B:47]

6 Sep 1756 340 acres North of Tabbs Cr. [Granville DB C:73]

20 Feb 1760 449 acres South of Tabbs Cr. [Granville DB D:25,26]

13 May 1762 237 acres North of Tar River [Granville DB E:322]

27 Aug 1768 320 acres South of Flat R. [Orange DB 2:549]

25 Oct 1770 300 acres east side of Buffulo Cr. [Warren DB 3:203]

30 Mar 1774 347 acres Sides of Buffalo Cr. [Warren DB 5:183]



4. Bute County was formed from Granville County in 1764.

5. The marriage of Asa Tyner and Keziah Chavis was further confirmed by a 3 September 1767 letter from Anthony Armistead of Northampton County to Col. Samuel Benton, Clerk of Granville County. Armistead wrote, "Mathew Ran ... is got with old William Chavers, or one Asa Tiner that Married his daughter... Whether old Chavers Lives in Granville or Bute County, I can't tell... [CR 44.928.8 by NCGSJ XI:35].

6. John Smith was probably identical to the John Smith who was found guilty of having a bastard child by Rachel Chavis in Edgecombe County in August 1756 [Haun, Edgecombe County Court Minutes, I:131-2].

7. Jackson Hull was probably related to Judith Hull who died before 8 September 1756 when her "Mulatto natural daughter" Anne Hull was apprenticed to Robert Jones in Granville County [Owens, Granville County Notes, vol. I].

8. Thomas Wilson was head of a Granville County household of 2 "other free" in 1810 [NC:861].

9. The marriage date of James M. Chavis and his wife Nancy Stewart (daughter of Archer and Jane Stewart), stated in his biography (15 December 1835), was the same as the date recorded in the Mecklenburg County marriage bonds.

10. George Chavis was a taxable in Ephraim Drew's Lunenburg County household in 1775 [Bell, Sunlight on the Southside, 353].

11. William Thomison/ Thompson, born 1776-1794, was head of a Mecklenburg County household of 10 "free colored" in 1820.

12. Philip Chavis' 15 June 1772 Northampton County deed was signed "John Chavis" without a dower release.

13. According to the editor of The Princeton Alumni Weekly of 29 March 1935, "it is almost certain" that John Chavis attended Princeton University under Dr. Witherspoon. He further reported that the Princeton trustees' minutes for 26 September 1792 state: Mr. John Todd Henry of Virginia and John Chavis a free Black Man of that State was recommended by the Revd. John B. Smith to be received into this fund (the Leslie Fund for the education of poor and pious youths with a view to the ministry of the Gospel in the Presbyterian Church.)

16. See further the Dunstan history. The Ellis Malone Papers are at the William R. Perkins Library at Duke University [NUCMC, 21-H].

http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Chavis_family.htm

• Legal: will of Thomas Crowder, 1654, Lancaster County, VA. "These are to certify to all those whom these presents may come that we whose names are hereunder written are and at all times to testify upon oath the truth of this last order desire and will of Mr. Tho: Crowder who departed this life ye 28th of January 1653 Viz that about two o'clock of the morning ye sd Tho: Crowder being very sick and weak desired Capt John Whittey comandr of the ship Rich & Benjamin in which ship ye sd Crowder then was to come unto him with ye sd John Whittey & presently did & then & there in the presence of us Tho: Chetwood Mercht Tho: Chewers Chirurgeon Robt Osborne Carpenter & Wm Moulte planter in Virginia ye sd Th Crowder did will and order ye sd John Whittey to be pleased to oversee and dispose of all ye goods whatsoever belonging unto him aboard ye ship Rich & Benja & otherwise gave him power to receive all debts oweing unto him in ye country of Virginia & to manage all his affairs there & to return & ansr thereof to his excrs in England ye sd Crowder willing that what goods were returned to England should be equally divided amongst his brother's & sister's children. For witness whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 29th of January 1653.
Tho: Chetwood
Tho: Chivers
The mark of Robt RO Osborne
William Moult"
Jurant coram me ye dec Martes 1653
Teste me Jo: Carter
Recordat 26 March 1654



LANCASTER COUNTY COURT RECORDS Book 2, 1652-1657, f. 87.

• Immigration: ship RICHARD AND BENJAMIN arriving at the James River in Virginia, 1654, Lancaster County, VA. Crowder died on the ship that we think Thomas was on. The ship is identified in the minutes of the court proceedings for the court in Lancaster County held on March 7, 1653/54:
"Whereas Tho: Crowder, Marcht, passenger aboard Capt. Whittey's Ship died & in his last Will & Testament willed yt Capt. John Whittey Comander of ye Ship Richard & Benjamin of London should dispose of & return for England to his kindred mentioned in his Will his estate on boarde ye sd Ship & alsoe all debts due to him in Virginia And Whereas Capt Jno. Whittey doth peticon this court yt: comission of Administration may be granted to him on ye sd Estate wch: ye Court hath accordingly granted unto him he puttinge in security etc."
"Whereas Syth Hayward Juner aboard ye Richard & Benjamin of London died intestate & whereas Capt. Jno: Whittey Comander of ye sd Ship out of a tender care of his widow & Orphants hath peticoned this Court ye Comm. Of Administracon on ye sd deceds Estate wch: ye Court hath accordingly granted him, he puttine in security &c."
LANCASTER COUNTY COURT RECORDS Book 2, 1652-1657, f. 142

[Thomas appears to have traveled with his wife and at least four children: Thomas, John, Petronella and Elizabeth. A fifth child, William, was born in Virginia]

• Occupation: surgeon: VA. While Thomas Chevers' occupation was listed as chirurgeon [surgeon] on his landing, no record exists of him studying at any of the known medical schools of the day. While an archivist at Trinity College, Dublin, stated that it was likely he studied with a physician rather than in an academic setting¹⁹, there is no record of Thomas practicing as a surgeon in Virginia. By all accounts, he became a landowner and practiced husbandry.

¹⁹ CHEVERS FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE; Nathan A. D. Miller; Letter from Jane Maxwell, Assistant Librarian [College Archives], Manuscripts Department, Trinity College Library, Dublin, Ireland; 26 May 1995.

• Land: forfeiting land in Ireland, 1657, Barony of Bargy, Ireland. Forfeiting Proprietors, In Ireland, Under the Cromwellian Settlement - Commencing A. D. 1657

includes the following members of the Chevers family [under the alternate spelling, Cheevers]: Barony of Forth: John Cheevers, George Cheevers, Esq. [also listed as George Cheevers] ; John Cheevers; Marcus Cheevers, Esq. [also listed as Marcus Cheevers]; Richard Cheevers. Barony of Bargy: John Cheevers, Esq. [also John Cheevers], Maystowne, George Cheevers, Esq. [also George Cheevers] , Thomas Cheevers, Arthur Cheevers. This listing also includes several members of the Whitty family, including Nicholas Whitty, Richard Whitty, Esq., and Richard Whitty, the Younger.

THE IRISH AND ANGLO-IRISH LANDED GENTRY WHEN CROMWELL CAME TO IRELAND; John O'Hart; M. H. Gill & Son; Dublin, Ireland; 1884

• Court: served on a Grand Jury, 1658, Isle of Wight County, VA. We the Subscribers to this Verdict being impannalled as a Jury by Order of the Isle of Wight Court dated the 9th June 1658 in a difference between Major Nicholas Hill Plt and John Snellock Deft to see the Patent for Land which Major Hill bought of Col. Bernard wholy Surveyed, Have in Obedience to the sd Order wth much Care and Pains observed the Surveyor to perfect and compleat the same according to Patent to ye utmost of our Knowledge & Judgments and to Satisfy that the Surveyor Thomas Woodward following the Head Line of the Mile upon the Land on James River formerly belonging to Mr. Justinian Cooper came ypon John Snelllock's Land wthin two Chains or thereabout of ye Northernmost Branch of Pagan Creek which part the sd Snellock's Land and Edward Prince and so along the said Branch as it runs upwards towards Mr. Charles Barocrofts to a Corner Tree of the said Coopers and from thence along ye Swamp to ye marked Tree of Ely and Pantios and to the Mill Dam and so down the Swamp to ye head of Lawnes Creek and so along the Land of Robert Lawrence to ye said Lawrences corner marked Tree joyining upon Coopers Line ye Computation of the whole patent of Col. Bernard's Land according to Mr. Thomas Woodwards Report to Us being Nine Hundred Acres including therein all the Housing & Land as abovesd that the said John Snellock now lives upon which we do find to belong to the said Major Hill according to the Survey made by Us and Mr. Woodward. AS WITNESS our hands this 28th day of July 1658.

Thomas [TL] Lewis Thomas Taberer
St. Mount Wells Robert [R:B] Bird
Edward [E:P] Pryme Francis [FI] Ingland
Peter Bedford Charles Barecroft
Thos: [T: C:] Chivers Edmond Wichins
Robert Kea Edward Bichenoe
Examined & truly Transcribed
Tste Jas: Baker, ClCur


ISLE OF WIGHT DEED BOOK A ff 77-78.

• Land: purchased 1100 acres in Sunken Marsh, 1659, Surry County, VA. For and in consideration of two good Young Cowes to be such as shall be chosen by me Ralph Creed out of ye whole stocke of Tho: Chiffers his cattle upon demand as also for ye payment of ffower Thousand pounds of good Tobacco and Corke payable 10th of October next and foure thousand pounds more of like tobacco and Corke to be paid the 20th day of October thence next comeing which shall be in ye year 1660 I the said Ralph Creed have bargained and sold unto Tho: Chiffers. His heires and successors for ever Eleven hundred and odd Acres of Land At ye head of Sunken Marsh neare upper Chippoakes in Surry County which was lately in ye Occupation off Richard Hill and sould unto mee [sic] the said Ralph Creed by Geo: Jordan by order of Court and alsoe by ordr of ye Grand Assembly...to be held by ye said Tho: Chivers...ye sd Ralph Creed Doe further ingoiyn my Selfe to Deliver unto ye sd Tho: Chivers or his assigns A pattent for ye said Tract of land in his and there owne names upon reasonable demand And a witnesse of ye truth hereof as also to binde me...to ye true and faithful performance hereof I the said Ralph Creed for my Selfe and them have hereunto Sett my hand and seale ye 20th of May 1659. Sealed Signed and Delvd in ye psence of Ralph Creed his black wax marke R Tho: fflood Christ CL Lewis, Acknowledged in Court by Ralph Creed et uxor.

• Will: missing, 8 Feb 1664, Surry County, VA. His son William stated that he had received the Ralph Creed land in his father's will dated 8 February 1663/4.³² The will is missing, but probably provided for all of the children, now scattered:

SURRY COUNTY [VA] DEEDS AND WILLS, Liber 4, 1687-1694; f. 254 op. Cit.

• Note: "free mulatto." http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~palsgaard/shivers/THOMAS%20CHEVERS%20.htm
Studies by one Kenny Shavers indicate further activities, and an interesting speculation:
have not found any solid evidence that Bartholomew Chavis was the son of William Shivers (son of Thomas Chevers of Monkstown Ireland and Surry Co. Virginia) but I have found some evidence that suggests that my Chavis and your Chivers (Chevers) may have been related. My Chavis (Chavers) ancestors were listed in records as "free mulatto". I think they were tri-racial (black, Indian, & white). I know the Chivers(Chevers) were Irish and English but they may have had some mulatto descendants that went by the names Chavis and Chavers. If the two families are connected it's possible that the Chivers did not want to be associated with mulatto relatives.(maybe?).This is what I have found:
1. There was a William Chavis "free mulatto" listed in the 1728 sale of the Surry co. estate of Nathaniel Harrison. Thomas Shivers (son of William Shivers, grandson of Thomas Chevers/Chivers)⁹⁶ was a neighbor of Nathaniel Harrison in the list of titheables for the upper precincts of Surry co. in 1701.
2. On the website The Shivers: A Work In Progress, there is a Bartholomew Chivers in 1770 Cravin Co. South Carolina court records and a Bartholomew Chivers/Shivers in the Revolution Troops Petition For Pay # 3767. Perhaps he was a Chivers named after Bartholomew Chavis(Chavers).
3. This is the best evidence that I have found. Elizabeth Chivers (daughter of Thomas Chevers/Chivers) had two sons named Gibson (Gibby) Gibson and Hubbard Gibson. Some Gibson researchers think that Gibby Gibson was the father of Gideon Gibson. Gideon Gibson was said to be of mixed race and lived in what was then (1720s) Chowan Co. North Carolina. In the same part of Chowan Co.(north of the Roanoke River) lived my Chavis ancestors. There was a Hubbard Gibson (Gideon Gibsons uncle?) that lived in the same area of Chowan Co. NC in 1721. I think this was Elizabeth Chivers other son. This area later became part of Bertie Co. and then Northampton Co. NC. This Gibson family and some of my Chavis ancestors moved to the Pee Dee River area of South Carolina.
4. Thomas Chevers purchased 1,100 acres of land at the head of Sunken Marsh near Chippoakes in Surry Co. Virginia. In 1682, there was a William Sweat who was taxable in Thomas Binn's household in lower Chippoakes in Surry Co. Virginia. He was an ancestor of the tri-racial Sweats that married into my Chavis and Evans. Again, this is nothing solid but it is worth looking into and I will continue to do so. It is possible that my ancestors were Indians or mulattos that took the name of a white family.

• Notes: THE ANGOLAN FOUNDING FAMILIES OF MELUNGIA. The Angolan who became known as John Gowen of Virginia,
was born about 1615. Before 1775, his descendants had
married into the Angolan and mixed families of Ailstock,
Bass, Chavis, Corn, Cumbo, Dungill, Findley, Hill, Jones,
Locklear, Lucas, Matthews, Mason, Miner, Mills, Patter-
son, Pompey, Stewart, Simmons, Singleton, Tyre, Webb and
Wilson; most of whom can also be traced to the 17th cen-
tury.
Thomas Chivers/Chavis was born in 1630. Before 1775 his
Angolan descendants had married into the families of
Bass, Gowen, Locklear, Singleton, Stewart, Cumbo, Mat-
Thews, and Wilson along with descendants of John Gowen.
In addition the Chivers/Chavis group intermarried with
Bird, Blair, Blythe, Brandon, Bunch, Cannady, Carter,
Cypress, Drew, Earl, Evans, Francis, Gibson, Gillet,
Haithcock, Harris, Hawley, Hull, Kersey, Lowry, Manly,
Manning, Mitchell, McLin, Scott, Silvey, Smith, Snell-
ing, Silver, Sweat, Thaxton, Tyner, Thomerson, Taborn,
Valentine, Watts and Walden; many of whom were 17th cen-
tury Africans in the British-American colonies.
The family of Eleanor Evans, born 1660, shares with the
Gowen and Chavis families the following names: Bird,
Brandon, Chavis, Dunghill, Harris, Kersey, McLinn, Mit-
chell, Snelling, Scott, Stewart, Sweat, Taborn and Wal-
den. In adition the Evans were early related to the
families of Anderson, Boyd, Bee, Blundon, Doyal, Green,
Hudnall, Hunt, Jeffries, Jones, Lantern, Ledbetter, Penn,
Pettiford, Redcross, Richardson, Rowe, Sorrell, Spriddle,
Tate, Thomas, Toney and Young.
The Gibson/Gipson family descended from Elizabeth Chavis,
born in 1672, also shares with 17th century African-Amer-
icans Gowen, Chavis, and Evans, the surnames of Bass,
Bunch, Chavis, Cumbo, and Sweat. They add Driggers,
Deas, Collins and Ridley.

[http://bz.llano.net/gowen/electronic_newsletter/elnl200102.htm]

• See also. http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~palsgaard/shivers/THOMAS%20CHEVERS%20.htm
http://thommont.com/wst_page4.html
http://www.cheevers.org/history/thomas_chevers.html
http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/s/h/i/Shelton-R-Shivers-WA/WEBSITE-0001/UHP-0813.html
http://www.freeafricanamericans.com/Chavis_family.htm

http://bz.llano.net/gowen/electronic_newsletter/elnl200102.htm

possibly married.