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An American Family History

John Humphreys Family

 
Washington County, Tennessee (was Virginia)
-part became Carter County
 

The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783) was between the Kingdom of Great Britain and the 13 colonies which became the newly formed United States.

The American folk hero, David "Davy" Crockett (1786 – 1836), grew up in East Tennessee.

Carter County, Tennessee was organized from Washington County on April 9, 1796. Elizabethton is the county seat.

John Humphreys was born about 1720.

William Humphreys was born about 1745.

David Humphreys was born in about 1745.

William and David were born in Ireland. The younger children were born in Virginia.

Richard Humphreys was born about 1746.

Moses Humphreys was born on December 03, 1749.

Mary Humphreys Tullis was born in 1756.

Jesse Humphreys was born about 17??.

Elizabeth Humphreys Greenway was born on December 26, 1761.

Elisha Humphreys was born on March 12, 1763.

George Humphreys was born January 20, 1769.

On August 29, 1757, a Corporal John Humphreys was on the roll of Major Andrew Lewis's Company. The roll described him as 23 years old, five foot, 9 inches tall. He had a dark complexion, large well made limbs and brown hair. He was a farmer who enlisted at Yorktown.

In 1774, a Lieutenant John Humphrys was on Captain Daniel Morgan's roll.

On May 29, 1774 "John Umphries, Mitchel Clay, others, were on a report to Colonel William Preston by Michael Woods, proving their service in Dunmore's War."

In 1774, a John Humphreys had a survey of 295 acres on Second Creek adjoining Isaac Nichols, Andrew Ralston, and Elizabeth Alison in what is now Botetourt County, Virginia

Richard, David, and William served during the American Revolution. In 1776, David enlisted on the Pennsylvania line with a company from Huntingdon County, Pennsylvania. William enlisted in 1778 or 1779 with Virginia troops.

from Tennessee Early Land Registers
State of No Carolina Washington County March 11th day 1780.
To the Surveyor of said County Greeting
you are hereby reqd to measure and lay off according to law for John Humphreys
One hundred acres on Wataugah run
joining Jeremiah Dungans Entry
below where the waggon road leaves the creek and turns up through the gap and extending down the run for Compliment Given at offt
the 9th day of Augt 1783
Landon Carter for John Carter

100 acres surveyed for John Humprhrys "ag" George Vincent ot the 8th September 1783

Elizabeth married William Greenway about 1777 in Washington County, Tennessee.

On October 26, 1786 John Humphreys was granted 100 acres in Washington County on the Watauga River adjacent to Hays and Jeremiah Dungan.

On December 28, 1793, Moses was the bondsman for the marriage of, Elizabeth Humphreys, and Edward Weston in Washington County. Elizabeth was Richard's daughter.

In 1794 John was on Captain Carrigers list. They were close neighbors of Thomas and Samuel Tipton, and George Emmert, and Philamon Lacy.

In 1796 after Carter County was formed, the Humphreys' land was in both Washington and Carter counties.

In 1796 Jesse and Elisha were in Carter County Tennessee.

In 1797 Moses Humphreys was on the tax list of Sullivan County.

In 1798 Jesse and Elisha were in Carter County.

John and Susannah died in Washington County, Tennessee in 1798. Moses and his brother, Jesse, served as administrators of their father's estate

According to The Alabama Genealogical Record by Betty Wood Thomas

The family Bible of John Humphreys who died in Washington County, Tennessee in 1798 passed to his son, Moses Humphreys, from Moses to his son, John J. Humphreys, who moved from Monroe County, Tennesee to DeKalb County.

In August, 1801 the estate inventory of John Humphreys was recorded in Washington County, Tennessee. The administrators were Jesse and Moses Humphreys.

October 26, 1807, a deed for 100 acres on the Watauga River in Washington County from Susannah Humphreys, widow of John Humphreys, to John Houston was recorded.

October 27, 1807 a deed to the above 100 acres was signed by the sons and son-in-law of John Humphreys; Moses, Richard, Jesse, George, Elisha, and Jehue (Joshua) Humphreys and William Greenway.

According to Godspeed's History of Carter County, a John Humphreys opened an ordinary in Carter County in 1807. This was probably a son or grandson since John Humphreys had died in 1798.

The first house in the town was doubtless erected by William Matlocit, who in April, 1797, applied for a license to keep an ordinary ... Similar houses were opened by John Greer in 1803, and John Humphreys, in 1807.

 

According to the 1814 tax list, David, Lesley, Moses, and William Humphreys were in Washington County, Tennessee.

In 1819 it was George, John, Lesley, and Moses in Washington County.

On November 14, 1820, Moses petitioned the Carter County court to declare his brother, Jesse, a lunatic.

Washington County, Tennessee,was established in 1777 as Washington County, North Carolina. From 1784 to 1788,it was part of the State of Franklin.

The State of Franklin was an unrecognized, independent state in what is now eastern Tennessee. It was created in 1784 with the intent of becoming the fourteenth state. Its first capital was Jonesborough. It existed for about four and a half years and then North Carolina re-assumed control.

An early American tavern (or ordinary) was an important meeting place and they were strictly supervised. Innkeepers were respectable members of the community. Taverns offered food and drink. An inn also offered accommodation.

Tennessee was admitted to the Union on June 1, 1796. It was initially part of North Carolina.

Watauga Pioneer Neighbors
map
 
 

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The rod or perch or pole is a surveyor's tool equal to 5 1⁄2 yards.

1807, Novr. (Bk. 10. pg. 210).

Deed
Henry Marsingaile to John Houston for 216 3/4 acres and eight poles
#1000.00.
Tract on Watagua rivr,
100 acres owned by John Humphreys, deceased,
and 116 3/4 acres and eight poles in other tract.
Signed Henry Masengile

 
 
map
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©Roberta Tuller 2023
tuller.roberta@gmail.com
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