Carrell Ancestors Of Va., Tenn., and N.C.

Carrell Ancestors of the descendants of Elijah Owen and his wife, Mary Carrell Owen

By Claudia Kay Johnson copyright 2013

Owen Linage Through Carrell Family William Carrell Ca. 1715 - 1782 Spencer Carrell Ca, 1758- after 1823 James Carrell 1787-1856 Mary Carrell Owen Ca 1824 (married to Elijah Owen) William Lafayette Owen Ca, 1845– 1921 Milton Aaron Owen 1882-1935

“Firm in faith and war.”

The surname “Carrell” families descend from the Gaelic (Old French) O'Cearbhaill septs. The heaviest distribution of the name has always been in Leinster, Ireland. The original purpose of the coat of arms was to distinguish one combatant from another when clad in armor. In addition to being displayed on shields, armorial designs were frequently enameled on the breastplate and embroidered on the medieval surcoat or greatcoat. This is where the expression “coat of arms” originated – the term “arms” being an abbreviation for “armorial bearings.”

Shields were designed to be easily described in Norman French, the original language of Heraldry, to be duly noted in the record rolls of the heralds. The technical term for such a verbal description is “blazon” from the Latin “blasana” meaning “shield.”

The coat of arms of the Carrell family is as follows:

Blazon: A black shield with two gold, rampant lions with red claws and tongues facing each other about a point up sword with a gold pommel and hilt.

The black denotes constancy and sometimes, although more rarely, grief. The lions signify – according to old heraldic works – bravery, ferocity and liberality.

An leoman do-bheir an chraobh, meaning “The lion’s warrior who sweeps the prize.”

The word “leomhan” was the Gaelic term for a great warrior or chieftain as well as for a lion.

The sword is the true emblem of military honor and should incite the bearer to a just and generous pursuit of honor and virtue in warlike deeds. It signifies government and justice.

Crest: The oak tree stump, acorn and oak leaves signify antiquity and strength. The oak (dair) was, according to the brehon laws, one of the chieftain trees. The hawk (seabhac) signifies keen eye-sight.

Motto: “Firm in faith and war.”

Source: http://www.houseofnames.com/ carrell-family-crest

“William Carrell ...

was of English descent.”

– Profile of Capt. John G. Carrell, descendant of William Carrell through son Jesse, Goodspeed's History of Fulton Co., AR, 1889, pp. 273-74

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Ther was Iri he

What’s in the spelling of a name?

Though a Goodspeed’s profile of a William Carrell descendant stated that William was of English descent, the spelling of “Carrell” in the Irish fashion throughout the generations beginning with the first records of William in Fairfax, Va., through Spencer and his brothers in Granville, N.C., on to James and family in Williamson and Giles in Tennessee indicates that “Carrell” was the traditional spelling for this family. It is noted that the lawsuits and estate settlements use both spellings. Of course, these documents were created by attorneys, not written by the Carrells themselves. According to the 1850 Census, Nancy and the Carrell children could read and write, but James could not. All households associated with James’ family, including his married sons, used “Carrell” as the surname spelling in 1850. James’ family spelled his name “Carrell” on his tombstone in 1856. Nancy spelled her last name “Carrell” on an application for a War of 1812 widow’s pension in 1879.

If Carrell is the original spelling of the family name, then searching for William’s birth records or Catholic baptism records in Ireland could possibly produce additional information about earlier generations.

William Carrell (ca. 1715-1782) William Carrell was born bet. 1710 – 1720, possibly in Ireland, Maryland or Virginia. It is not certain yet who his parents were, despite speculation of other researchers. However, this continues to be explored.

Throughout his life and the lives of his descendants, the family name was spelled Carroll, Caroll, Carrill and Carrell.

These variations appear for the same individual in Census records, wills, deeds, tax records, sometimes being spelled two different ways within the same record. William Carrell/Carrell himself signed with an “X” on his legal documents. His descendant, James Carrell, who was born in 1787 and moved to Tennessee as a young man with his father Spencer, provided his name as “Carrell,” which the family used in having his tombstone engraved after his death in Giles County, Tenn., on April 2, 1856. The estate settlements and lawsuits surrounding his death gave the family members’ last names as Carrell. As late as 1921, when his direct descendant William Layette Owen died in Giles County, Tenn., the maiden name of the mother, Mary, was spelled “Carrel” by the survivor who provided information on the death certificate.

Carrell Family in Virginia In 1649, King Charles II of England had granted all of the land between the Rappahannock and Potomac Rivers to a group of seven Englishmen. In 1719, this land came into the possession of Thomas, sixth Lord Fairfax, after whom Fairfax County was named. By 1732 there were attempts to form the land into a county, but it was not until 1741 that the Virginia Assembly meeting in Williamsburg created Fairfax County.

William Carrell (I) is first found in historic documents in 1743 when he leased land in Fairfax County, Va. One hundred acres were leased from Robert Bates and an additional 200 from Thomas Going. The three-year lease was paid with 630 pounds of tobacco and set to begin Nov. 4, 1743. The scarcity of hard money caused both Virginia and North Carolina to use tobacco as currency throughout most of the colonial period. In 1619, the Virginia legislature rated high-quality tobacco at three shillings, and in 1642, made it legal tender. In 1743 when William Carrell took the land leases, 1,890 shillings – the value of 630 pounds of tobacco – had the same buying power as $16,826.76 current dollars. Tobacco was used as money in Virginia for more than 200 years, twice as long as the Gold Standard. At the time of these leases, William Carrell’s daughters, Anne and Elizabeth, are mentioned, but there are no sons yet.

William Carrell’s wife, Elizabeth, is mentioned in the leases. It is possible but not proven that her maiden name was Spencer and that she was the daughter or other relative of Carrell’s neighbors in the region, William and Elizabeth Spencer, who are mentioned in numerous public records. Many researchers have accepted this as fact, but no evidence has been provided by any researcher. Around 1758 William and Elizabeth Carrell had a son named Spencer (not their first son), and the name Spencer is carried on into other generations. Spencer was the name of the first son of a descendant of James Carrell, who moved to Tennessee in the early 1800s. Use of the name Spencer throughout the generations is the sole reasoning provided by other researchers for assuming William’s wife was a Spencer by birth.

Numerous public records from the 1730s-1750s mention William and Elizabeth Spencer, but none indicate they had any children. Further, a Spencer family had been in the vicinity since the 1600s and was very powerful and influential due to their association with Lord Fairfax. It is not unusual for couples to honor persons they may admire but with whom they have no kinship by naming children for them.

Tobacco was used in Virginia for more than 200 years. It was shipped around the globe as well.

T h o m a s G o i n g w a s i n v o l v e d w i t h b o t h Virginia deeds, and later he witnessed a deed for William Carrell in Franklin County, N. C. The Going family lived near the C a r r e l l s i n G r a n v i l l e County, N.C. Historic records indicate that often friends, relatives and neighbors moved as a group.

Indenture xvth (15) day of February 1743 between Robert Bates of Fairfax County, planter, and Thomas Going of same county, for consideration of rents, farm left one message he now dwells containing 100 acres. Being part of a greater tract of land granted Robert Bates, at the Rattlesnake den to Fitzhugh’s line along Soloman’s tract to Harrison’s line, for natural lives of Thomas Going, Elizabeth Carrell, daughter of William, and Henry Bates, son of said Robert Bates, and the longest liver of them, 4th day of November pay six hundred and thirty pounds of tobacco.

Indenture xvth (15) day of February 1743 between Robert Bates of Fairfax County, planter and William Carrell of same county, in consideration whereon he now dwells containing 100 acres, being part of greater tract granted Robert Bates, by deed from proprietor's office dated seventh, December, 1742 along Fitzhugh's line, main run of Hunting Creek, Harrison's line, land of another tract formerly granted by proprietor's office to said Robert Bates. For natural lives of said William Carrell, Elizabeth, his wife, and Ann, their daughter, and longest liver of them, paying 4th of November six hundred and thirty pounds of tobacco...the first three years excepted.

Signed by Robert X Bates, Thomas X Going In presence of Margaret Terrett, William X Carrell, William Henry Terrett

Signed Robert X Bates and William X Carrell.

In presence of Margaret Terrett, Thomas X Going.

William Henry Terrett, William X Carrell, Elizabeth, his wife, and daughter Ann, the longest liver of them.

– February 1743, Deed Book A, pp. 101-103

– Fairfax County, Va., Deed Book A, pp. 106-108

Carrell Property Identified on Mid-18th Century Map of Virginiaʼs Northern Neck

Fairfax County is adjacent to present day Washington D.C. George Washington’s home, Mt. Vernon, is in this county.

Great Falls of the Potomac, Va., near the Carrellʼs home in Northern Virginia in the mid 1700s.

Virginiaʼs Northern Neck Mapped in Decade Prior to William Carrellʼs Land Lease Agreements

Tithables The noun "tithable" when it appears in the 17th and 18th century records of Virginia refers to a person who paid, or for whom someone else paid, one of the taxes that the General Assembly imposed for the support of the civil government in the colony.

The terms "tithe" and "tithable" had ancient roots in English law and referred to the tax of the tenth portion of the livestock and certain other agricultural products for the support of the church. The term "tithable" developed a different and restricted meaning in 17th century Virginia, where it came to apply to persons on whom the colony's tax laws assessed a poll tax or capitation tax, literally a tax on each "head."

By 1658, when the assembly passed a law defining "What Persons are Tithable," a "tithable" was a member of the potentially productive labor force: free Caucasian males age 16 or older plus "all negroes imported whether male or female, and Indian servants male or female however procured, being 16 years of age" (Hening, Statutes at Large, 1:454-455). Subsequent laws made the immigrants' descendants tithable, too. Slaves and servants did not pay their own taxes; their owners or masters were therefore "tithable" for themselves and for the taxes on their servants and slaves.

Lists of tithables for a county or a household, then, do not enumerate anyone under the age of 16 or any adult white woman unless they were heads of households.

Carrell Family Identified as Catholic In 1749, the Reverend Charles Green, an Anglican minister, compiled a list of tithables that included all persons by law in his charge within the area that is now Fairfax and Loudoun Counties in Virginia. In 1757, Loudoun County was established from the western part of Fairfax. The Rev. Green's "Remarks" included religious affiliation or position within the community. Green spoke of William Carrell, commenting, “Papist, Lower Parish, comes to Church often.”

The two Churches in the Lower Parish included the Falls Church & Pohic Church, “about 120 Constant Communicants,” according to Green’s report.

“Papist” is a disparaging, anti-Catholic slur referring to members of the Roman Catholic Church. The reverend also lists a Dempsey Carrell as being a regular attendee. William is noted as having one slave, while Dempsey had three. Green reported that “the Country born Negros are chiefly Baptized.”

Carrell Family in North Carolina William Carrell’s family lived in Fairfax at least until 1752. His son William, a Revolutionary War veteran, stated in his pension application that he was born in Fairfax County, Va., around 1752. He also stated that the family later lived on the Tar River in North Carolina, which is where they appeared in public records a decade later.

Granville County was formed in 1746 from Edgecome County. Bute County was formed in 1764 from Granville County but was discontinued in 1779 when the county was divided between Franklin and Warren counties.

In 1762, a William Carrell is listed in the Taxables for the Bare (Bear) Swamp District in Granville County, N. C., with his brother Daniel in the household. In another nearby household is a pair of brothers, John, single head of household, and a Delany Carrell. A person named James Carrell is listed as head of household in yet another Taxable entry.

On Oct. 18, 1780, William Carrell Sr. sold Alexius Mador Foster 200 acres of land in Franklin County, N.C., for the sum of 2,500 pounds currency. The sale of the land was witnessed by John Carrell and Thomas Going, likely the same Thomas Going who witnessed the leases in Virginia in 1743. At that time, 2,500 pounds equaled the buying power of $353,235.26 today.

This land was lying on the south side of the Tar River. William Carrell originally purchased it from William Chavous, who had bought it from Samuel Benton, Esquire. On May 7, 1778, William and Thomas Carrell are recorded as having attended the estate sale of William Chavous.

In 1780 when William Carrell bought 240 acres of land from Thomas Bridges, Bear Swamp was part of Franklin County.

The land purchase was recorded in the November 1780 session of Granville County.

The Granville County land was located on both sides of Beaverdam Creek with a purchase price of 2,000 pound, which in 1780 had the same buying power as $282,668.22 current dollars.

Carrell Family Bought Land Along the Tar River Region of What Eventually Became Granville County, N.C.

Deed

William Carrell Senior of Franklin County, sold to Alexius Mador Foster of same County, This indenture made this the eighteenth day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty between William Carrell Senior of the County of Franklin of the one part and Alexius Mador Foster of the same county of the other part, witnessed that the said William Carrell for the consideration of the sum of two thousand five hundred pounds current money of the state aforesaid to me in hand paid by Alexius Mador Foster the receipt whereof I do hereby acknowledge and myself to be fully satisfied contented and paid have bargained and sold aliened conveyed and confirmed and by those presents doth fully freely and absolutely give grant bargain sell alien convey and confirm unto him the said Alexius Mador Foster, his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract or parcel of land situated lying and being in the County of Franklin in the State aforesaid on the south side of Tar River containing by estimation two hundred acres be the same more or less beginning at a white oak south 184 poles to a red oak east 160 poles to a white oak then north 184 to a white oak then west 174 poles to a white oak in Hefford’s line it being part of tract of land granted to William Chavous by a deed from Samuel Benton, Esquire, and conveyed by William Chavous to said William Carrell.

To have and to hold the same the said bargained premise with all the appurtenances privileges and commodities to the same belonging or in any way appertaining to him the Alexius Mador Foster his heirs and assigns forever, To his and their only proper use benefit and behalf forever, and I the said William Carrell for myself my heirs and do promise covenant and grant to Alexius Mador Foster his heirs and assigns that before the ensealing hereof, I am true sole and lawful owner of the above bargained premise and am fully seized and possessed of the same in my own proper right as a good and absolute estate of inheritance in fee simple and have in myself good right and full power and lawful authority to grant bargain, sell, convey and confirm the said bargained premise in manner aforesaid and that the said Alexius Mador Foster his heirs and assigns shall and may from time to time and at all times hereafter by force of these presence lawfully peaceably and quietly have hold use occupy possession and enjoy the said bargained premise with their appurtenances and truly acquitted and discharges of and from all and all manner of former and other gifts grants bargains sales mortgages leases wills entails jointures dowers judgments executions and encumbrances whatsoever.

In witness whereof, I, the said William Carrell, Senior, have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Signed Sealed and Delivered in the presence of Thomas X Going and John X Carrell, Signed William X Carrell December Court 1780 This deed from William Carrell to Alexius Mador Foster was proved by the oath of Thomas Going, a witness thereto and on motion was ordered to be registered.

This deed is truly registered I Robinson, County Clerk, Test Lord (or Ford) Hill – Franklin County, State of North Carolina, Deed Book 1, 1772-1778, p. 148

What Was Granville Like During the 50 Years the Carrell’s Lived There?

Settlement Like most early counties on the eastern side of the early North Carolina colony, Granville was site of the Tuscarora uprising. Once the natives were defeated after the Tuscarora War (1711-15), Virginia farmers and their families settled the area that was to become Granville County, focusing on tobacco production. The availability of land in North Carolina drew thousands of settlers from Virginia, Pennsylvania and Maryland during the mid-to-late 1700s. Until Colonel William Byrd of Westover surveyed the northern border of North Carolina, Virginia sometimes granted to its citizens land that belonged to North Carolina.

The Granville District, an area that encompassed the upper half of present-day North Carolina, was created and partially surveyed in 1744 for John Carteret, second Earl Granville. Unlike the early proprietors, Granville owned all unsettled lands but had no right to govern the area. Earl Granville never visited North Carolina, but he appointed agents there as representatives to grant land, collect rents and conduct his business. The Granville land office opened in 1748, some 14 years before the Carrell family is first found in Granville.

The process of patenting land in North Carolina was not complex. Anyone wanting to patent land submitted an application (also called a land entry) to a land office.

The land officer then issued a warrant. Land officers included the secretary of state (1669–1776), the agents of Earl Granville (1748–76) or the county entry taker (1778–present). The warrant was taken to a surveyor who surveyed the land and sketched a plat (map) of the claim.

The plat was then filed in the land office or, after 1777, recorded by the county register of deeds, and a patent for the land was issued and recorded.

After the Revolutionary War, the state of North Carolina granted land formerly owned by the Crown and Earl Granville. A settler could claim as much as 640 acres of unsettled land for himself and an additional 100 acres for his wife and each minor child for a fee of two pounds 10 shillings per 100 acres. If the amount of land claimed exceeded the above allotment, the additional land cost five pounds per 100 acres.

Tar River, Granville County, N.C., where the Carrells lived during the American Revolution

Religion Methodism, a religious movement of the Anglican Church, was introduced into Granville County by Devereux Jarratt. He rode circuit through a broad territory in Virginia and North Carolina. From his initial visit to Granville in 1776 until 1783, he conducted services in the county with some regularity. As the result, the principles of Methodism were firmly grounded in Granville by 1780. In the Beaver Dam neighborhood in the southeastern Granville, Captain John Pope had constructed "a preaching house". John Pope took the census for Beaver Dam District in 1786.

In 1780 Bishop Francis Asbury, the founder, organizer and apostle of the Methodist Church in the United States, made one of his first trips to Granville. He said he had never encountered "so many difficulties as he had met with” in Tar River Circuit. However, when he returned in 1784, he rejoiced to find that his hope was being fulfilled.

“I have had great times in Tar River Circuit,” he wrote. “The congregations have been large and living, more so than in any circuit I have passed through since I crossed the Potomac.”

Since many members of the Carrell family lived on the Tar River, it is likely that they were some of those that Bishop Asbury was talking about.

William Carrell had been Catholic while living in Virginia. His descendants who settled in Williamson County, Tenn., in the early 1800s were Methodists.

The importance of tobacco in the financial security of the Carrell family in North Carolina cannot be underestimated.

Deed Thomas Bridges to William Carrell This indenture made this 27 day of May 1780 between Thomas Bridges of the first part in the State of North Carolina and County of Granville and William Carrell of Franklin County and State of aforesaid of the other part, witness that this Thomas Bridges forever in consideration of the sum of two thousand pounds, money to him.

Thomas Bridges by present William Carrell in him paid before here of the receipt hereof this Thomas Bridges doth hereby of doth against and discharge of this William Carrell his heirs and administration hath given, bargained and sold and by these presents doth grant bargain sell confirm unto this William Carrell his heirs and assigns forever one certain tract or parcel of land and principal lying and being in the County of Granville and State aforesaid both sides of the Beaverdam District containing by estimation two hundred and forty acres be the same more or less and bounded as follows. to wit: Beginning on a hickory on James Weathers line turning west to a pine then turning South to a black jack then turning west to a black jack then turning North to the beginning being part of a larger tract by deed to Richard Bradford by deed from John Husky, deceased to John Husky, Junior.

From John Husky Junior to Thomas Bridges and from this Thomas Bridges now by deed to William Carrell his heirs and administration or assigns and profits thereof with the appurtenances to have and to hold this tract, of land and unto this William Carrell his heirs and assigns to this behalf of this William Carrell, his heirs and assigns forever. This Thomas Bridges, his heirs and administration plantation tract or parcel of land and appurtenances unto him this William Carrell, his heirs and assigns will forever warrant and forever defend by those presents the claim and demand of him this William Carrell, his heirs and assigns forever or any other person or persons whatsoever and this Thomas Bridges, for himself his heirs Estate, Administration doth covenant promise and William Carrell his heirs Estate, Administration and assigns to warrant and forever will aforesaid bargained land and to this William Carrell, his heirs Estate Administration or assigns. In witness to my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Signed Thomas Bridges Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presents of John Pope-Jurat John Whitfield, Granville County, November Court 1780, this deed was duly proved by the oath of John Pope and ordered to be registered.

Test Ruben Searcy, County Clerk – Granville County Deeds, Deed Book H, p. 99

Jesse Carrell sold this property in February 1788 to John Dickerson for only 180 pounds. This has the same buying power as $24,570 in 2013 dollars. His father had paid 2,000 pounds only eight years earlier, which at that time had the buying power of $287,269. He does not again appear in North Carolina tax records. However, a Williamson County, Tenn., will indicates he may have been in Tennessee in 1820.

Last Will and Testament of William Carrell To wife Elizabeth for lifetime or widowhood, my whole and personal estate, except that hereafter given my children; to my wife also the land I bought of Thomas Bridges, for her life or widowhood and after that the land whereon I now live, I leave to my son Jesse Carrell and when he is 21 years old, a horse and saddle, feather bed and furniture; to my youngest Mary, when 18 years old or married, a feather bed and furniture; daughter Jenny, the same; daughter Keziah Harper, five pounds cash; also I give to my son Thomas Carrell, five pounds cash; Jenny one feather bed and furniture; and after my beloved wife's decease or marries I give an equal part of my estate to be equally divided between my children. John Carrell, I also give five pounds cash to William Carrell. I also give to Spencer Carrell an equal part. I also give to my daughter Elizabeth Zarrard an equal part. I also give to my daughter Jenny Carrell an equal part. I also give to my daughter Mary Carrell, an equal part. Also, I give to my son Jesse Carrell an equal part.

To they and their heirs forever. Also, I give to my daughter, Anne Champion, five pounds cash and her heirs forever. If in case the estate should not hold out to be equally proportioned amongst my children heretofore named, I do hereby appoint my well beloved wife Elizabeth Carrell and my son, John Carrell, whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament, and I do hereby utterly, disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other will or wills but this my last will and testament. Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

Signed by mark: William Carrell

Witnesses: John Pope, William Carrell Jr.

William and Elizabeth Carrell had at least nine children – the number given in his will dated Oct. 26, 1781.

Anne born before 1743, married Charles Champion Elizabeth, born before 1743, married to a Zarrard Thomas, born ca 1745 Casich, born about 1751, married a Harper William II, born about 1752, married to Keziah, possibly a Champion, died Dec. 28, 1835 John, born about 1755, married Rebecca Huskey Spencer born about 1758, married Sarah Huskey Jenny, born about 1761 Jesse, born between 1762-1765 Mary, born about 1765

William Carrell Sr. died before November 1782, as his will was recorded in the November 1782 session of Granville County, N.C. The will is in Book 1, 1772-1787, pages 355, 6 & 7 Granville County, N.C.

Oct. 26, 1781

Taxables In 1715 North Carolina began collecting taxes from the head of the household for all free males aged 16 or over and all slaves aged 12 or over.

In 1835 the ages were changed to 21 to 45 for free males and 12 to 50 for slaves.

Some early lists name each taxable person, so there may be a listing for a father and his sons.

Later lists generally give only the name of the head of a household and the number of additional taxable persons in the home. Property tax did not become common until 1777.

North Carolina conducted a survey of those taxable in 1785 wherein Elizabeth Carrell was listed as a head of household. Jesse is not listed, indicating that he may not have been of age at that time and was living with his mother. Also, listed in separate households as head of household were William, Spencer and Thomas Carrell.

During the 1784-1787 Census, taken by Rev. John Pope in 1786, Elizabeth Carrell is still living in the Beaver Dam District, Granville County, N.C. She was living with two other females, probably Jenny and Mary, who were unmarried at the time of their father’s will. Two houses away is son William II, and a short distance from her is Jesse, another son. Also on the list are Spencer, Thomas and John Carrell. An error occurred when the 1784-1787 Census was put together in the printed book, which placed Beaver Dam District in Tyrell County, N.C., instead of Granville County.

Spencer, Thomas and John, along with William, are listed 1787 as well, but the only one who has land is John with 240 acres. Thomas pays taxes at Fort Creek, Granville County, N.C., in 1780, 1782, 1785, 1786 and 1787. He only paid taxes on 190 acres in the year 1780 shown on the census as Fishing Creek but shown as Fort Creek on the tax list.

On Oct. 5, 1787, Jesse sold the 240 acres of land he had inherited in Beaverdam District to John Dickson. The sale is recorded in the February Court 1788 of Granville County, N.C. Jesse’s father, William, had paid 2,000 pounds cash at the time he bought it in 1780. Seven years later Jesse sold it for 180 pounds. In 1782, the Revolutionary War was still raging. Selling the land at all was probably difficult. He appears to have left North Carolina shortly after February 1788.

Spencer Carrell (ca. 1758- aft. 1823) Spencer Carrell was born around 1758 in Fairfax County, Va. He is listed in the 1786 Census as a resident of Granville County, N.C. Spencer Carrell married Sarah Huskey on April 28, 1785, according to an entry in the Marriage Book of Granville County, N.C.

Spencer Carrell Married Sarah Husky

The children of Spencer and Sarah Carrell are believed to be (not April 28, 1785 all proven): Granville County, Female Carrell, b. 1785 - 1790, Granville County, N.C. N.C. James S. Carrell, b. 1787, Granville County, N.C.; d.

April 2, 1856, Giles County, Tenn.

Patsy Carrell (Bradford), b. 1789, Granville County, N.C.; d. Williamson County, Tenn.

Nathaniel Carrell, b. Bet. 1790 - 1796, Granville County, N.C. Female Carrell, b. 1791 - 1800, Granville County, N.C. It was common in the William Carrell, b. 1810 - 1820; d. 1876, Williamson County, Tenn.

18th century for someone's ear to be cut off as punishment for dishonesty.

Spencer must have taken it upon himself to administer justice, but he paid for it financially, even if he did not have to go to jail.

On April 20, 1786, Spencer was taken to court in Granville County, N.C., because he bit off the lower part of John Rogers’ ear. His statement to the court was, “These are to certify that yesterday I happened unfortunately to bite off the lower end of John Rogers’ ear for which I have given my obligation to him for satisfaction when paid in the present [sic] of James Blackwell, Captain, Joseph McGucher, William Gowing and John Pope, Esq. Signed April 20, 1786, by Spencer Carrell."

Spencer was paying taxes 1785, 1786, 1787 then 1790, 1791 without land. In 1796, 1797, 1798 he paid taxes for 240, 250 and 100 acres respectively. He also paid taxes in 1799, 1800 and 1801 without land. His brother John was listed there in 1789, 1792 and again in 1800.

Some of the tax lists are missing, but the family does not appear to be there during the larger portion of the 1790s.

It is interesting that Spencer paid taxes on 250 acres of land in Granville County in 1797, but a sell of that property did not show up, and he did not pay taxes on land in the future.

1800 U.S. Federal Census, Granville County, N.C. Spencer was in Granville County, North Carolina at the time of the 1800 census. He was there with one male born between 1756-1774 (this is Spencer himself) one male born 1785-1790 (this is most likely James), two females born 1785-1790 (one of these females would be Patsy, who married Kearney Bradford in 1807, one female born 1791-1800 and one female born 1756-1774 (Sarah, Spencer’s wife).

Spencer Carrell paid taxes in Granville County in 1801 for the last time recorded. Spencer’s daughter, Patsy, who married Kearney Bradford, moved to Williamson County, Tenn., about 1806, Spencer Carrellʼs family and Spencer apparently moved, too.

The Carrell Family Settled in this Vicinity of Williamson County, Tenn., after 1806

Lick Creek

Spencer and his daughter, Patsy Bradford, and their families are listed as living on Lick Creek, Williamson County, Tenn., in the 1820 Census near the Montgomery Cemetery (see map on left). His neighbors are listed as Thomas Younger, John Bears, Stephen Morton, Wally Harris, William McGee, Daniel White, Cornelius Brown and James Potts.

In his household are two males born 1810-1820, one male born before 1775 (Spencer), three females born 1775-1794, one female before 1775 (Sarah). There is no way to know who these children are at this time because only the head of household was named in the census.

1820 U.S. Federal Census, Williamson County, Tenn.

Campbellsville

Area of Giles County Where Carrells Settled After 1820 – Between Pulaski and Campbellsville

On page 981-983 of the 1971 book Southern Kirk and Carrell Families by Mrs. Arch Bruce Marshall, the appendix of Carrells mentions that Spencer Carrell has 50 acres on Lick Creek, 0 white polls and 0 slaves. He also paid taxes on the same 50 acres in 1822 and 1823, 0 white polls and 0 slaves. No more record of him has been found after 1823.

Mrs. Marshall observed, “It would be nice to know when he got the 50 acres that he paid taxes on and what happened to it after he died. It is probable that Spencer died in 1823-24 after the poll tax was taken. ”

Williamson County was created in 1799 with the county seat situated at Franklin. In 1801 the Natchez Trace was opened, bringing many settlers to the area. Cotton, corn, wheat and tobacco were produced in abundance. The rich black loam of the Williamson County supported large scale agricultural methods based on slave labor throughout most of the county.

The western section of the county, where Spencer Carrell settled, was the last area to be extensively populated due to its steep, hilly terrain and poor soil. However, Lick Creek of Duck River was one of the first streams of Middle Tennessee to receive a name. Here buffaloes, deer and other wild animals congregated in large numbers. Such places as this were called, in the pioneer days, "licks." The old Chickasaw Trail runs along a portion of Lick Creek.

– Goodspeed’s History, 1886

A Nathaniel Carrell was living in Giles County, Tenn., by the 1820 Census. In the household are a man between 26 and 45 and a female between 16 and 26. A Nathaniel Carrell applied for a license to marry Ann Robertson on Jan. 24, 1815, in Davidson County, Tenn. The only other Nathaniel Carrell (sometimes spelled Carroll) was found in Alabama after 1820. It is only supposition at this point that these Nathaniel Carrells are one and the same or that any of them is the son of Spencer and should not be accepted as fact merely by the mention of it in this document.

1820 U.S. Federal Census for Giles County Marriage license (1815) never returned or was never added to the marriage book.

James Carrell (1787-1856) War of 1812 James Carrell was born in Granville County, N. C., around 1787. His birthdate is estimated from information contained in the 1850 Census of Giles County, Tenn. In later years his daughter, Mary Carrell Owen, answered the 1880 Census for Giles County that her father was born in North Carolina.

On March 14, 1813, in Williamson County, Tenn., a James Carrell was brought before the court because he beat and wounded John Roberts. Robert Sammons helped him.

James put up bail, but Sammons spent 52 days in jail and was ordered to pay a $13.50 fine.

On Sept. 26, 1813, James Carrell enlisted for service in the War of 1812. His affidavit for 160 acres of Bounty Land stated that he was a substitute for William J. Mayberry, mustering out at Fayetteville, Tenn. He was a member of 2nd Regiment Tennessee Volunteer Infantry, serving under the command of Col. William Pillow. His captain was C.E. McEwen, who later swore upon affidavit that Carrell served under his command.

The regiment to which Carrell belonged was composed of about 400 men who participated in Jackson's first campaign into Creek territory along with the regiment under Col. Bradley. Both these regiments fought at the Battle of Talladega on Nov. 9, 1813, where Col. Pillow was wounded. An anecdote concerning Pillow at Talladega claimed that Jackson ordered the colonel to fall back once the Creeks attacked, but Pillow refused on the grounds that he would not let his wounded men be "scalped by the demons." Lt. Col. William Martin, who took over the regiment after Pillow was wounded at Talladega, was later at the center of a dispute with Andrew Jackson over the enlistment terms of the regiment. Basil Berry, who served with Carrell, swore in an affidavit that Carrell was at the Battle of Talladega with him, after which time Carrell was promoted to Major, though there is no official record of this promotion.

The line of march would have taken these men from Fayetteville to Huntsville and on to Fort Strother, where the regiment was stationed after the Battle of Talladega.

Less than 15 miles from Fort Strother lay the Creek village of Tallushatchee, where a large body of Red Sticks had assembled.

Jackson ordered Gen. John Coffee, along with a thousand mounted men, to destroy the town. On the morning of Nov. 3, 1813, Coffee approached the village and divided his detachment into two columns: the right composed of cavalry under Col. John Alcorn and the left under the command of Col. Newton Cannon.

The columns encircled the town and the companies of Capt. Eli Hammond and Lt. James Patterson went inside the circle to draw the Creeks into the open.

The ruse worked. The Creek warriors charged the right column of Coffee’s brigade, only to retreat to their village where they were forced to make a desperate stand. Coffee’s army overpowered the Creeks and quickly eliminated them. Coffee commented that "the enemy fought with savage fury, and met death with all its horrors, without shrinking or complaining: no one asked to be spared, but fought as long as they could stand or sit." One of the Tennessee soldiers, the legendary David Crockett, simply said: "We shot them like dogs." The carnage ended in about thirty minutes. At least 200 Creek warriors (and some women) lay dead, and nearly 100 prisoners, mostly women and children, were taken. American losses amounted to five killed and about 40 wounded.

Shortly after Coffee’s detachment returned to Fort Strother, Jackson received a plea for help from a tribe of allied Creeks at Talladega, who were besieged by a contingency of Red Sticks. Jackson responded to the call by mobilizing an army of 1,200 infantry and 800 cavalry and set out for the Creek fort at Talladega, arriving there in the early morning of Nov. 9. Using the same tactics that had worked at Tallushatchee, Jackson surrounded the town with a brigade of militia under General Isaac Roberts on the left and a brigade of volunteers led by General William Hall on the right. A cavalry detachment, under Colonel Robert Dyer, was held in reserve and an advance unit, led by Colonel William Carroll, was sent in to lure the Red Sticks out into the open. When the Creeks attacked the section of the line held by Roberts’ brigade, the militia retreated allowing hundreds of warriors to escape. The gap was quickly filled by Dyer’s reserves and Roberts’ men soon regained their position. Within 15 minutes the battle was over. At least 300 Creeks perished on the battlefield while American losses amounted to 15 killed and 86 wounded. Jackson marched his troops back to Fort Strother to attend to his wounded and obtain desperately needed supplies.

Prior to the Battle of Talladega, Jackson had expected to rendezvous with an army from East Tennessee under the command of Major Gen. John Cocke. However, jealousy and rivalry between the two divisions of the state prevented the hoped-for junction of the two forces. Cocke, in need of supplies for his own army, felt that joining Jackson would only make the supply situation worse (supply problems plagued the Tennesseans throughout the Creek War). Cocke insisted that his army seek its own "glories in the field."

James was honorably discharged on Jan. 15, 1814, at Franklin, Tenn.

War of 1812, continued.

The term “bounty land” is somewhat self-explanatory. Tracts of land were given outright by the states and later by the federal government as partial compensation (or "bounty") for service in times of military conflict.

On May 6, 1812, an act of Congress was passed (2 Stat. 729) which set aside bounty lands as payment to volunteer soldiers for the War against the British (War of 1812). The land was set aside in western territories that became part of the present states of Arkansas, Michigan and Illinois. The tract was surveyed in 1815–1816 and opened to settlement. Then warrants for land were issued by the government.

Soldiers of the War of 1812, who received 160 acres each, were required to locate their warrants by lottery.

Most soldiers or their heirs decided, however, against moving great distances to take up their claims. Instead, they sold their warrants to speculators. One company alone acquired 900,000 acres. Such large-scale land holdings aroused frontier hostility against absentee speculators. Squatters settled upon the lands, ignoring titles and rights. Many speculators were unable to realize a quick profit and, faced with ever-increasing taxation, lost their titles or sold their lands at a loss of money.

James Carrell originally applied for the Bounty Land he was due under the act of Sept. 26, 1830, but the claim was denied because he could not produce copies of his military papers. The claim number was 57.807-160-55.

Some four decades after his military service, he applied for a pension on April 5, 1855, but the application was halted when he died April 2, 1856. Throughout 1856 attorneys for the Carrells continued to gather James Carrell proof that James had served. Several affidavits were filed, a formal request was Married made to reexamine the evidence and Carrell’s commanding officer, McEwen, swore by affidavit as to the service Carrell Sept. 10, 1815 had rendered.

Williamson County, Tenn.

All these documents and additional affidavits were produced when his wife, Nancy, applied for a widow’s pension after his death under the Act of March 9, 1878.

Elayes Hardeman, Minister Affidavits sworn by various neighbors during the spring Nancy stated that her and summer of 1879 state that Nancy is infirm and almost completely deaf and husband was between blind. She is residing in the Wales community, presumably on the land where she 6’3” and 6’5” and was and James had lived in the home of her daughter, Nancy Carrell Campbell.

William Sanders testified that he was present at the party given in honor of raw-boned, fairNancy and James the day after their wedding in Williamson County, Tenn., in skinned, red-headed September of 1815, stating that is was held at the home of “old man” Carrell. and black-eyed.

John Phelps, J.C. Sanders, Robert Sanders and J.H. Morris also made statements in support of Nancy’s application. On June 18, 1879, she was finally awarded $8 per month retroactive to March 9, 1878.

She is absent from the 1880 Census. There is no marker for Nancy beside her husband, though there does appear to be a burial there. This will be explored in Spring 2013. If a marker is found, this book will be revised.

Nancy Luty

James and Nancy Luty Carrell James Carrell married Nancy Luty in Williamson County, Tenn., on Sept 10, 1815. In the 1820 Census for Williamson County, James Carrell’s household included two adults and one male under age 5. This would be Spencer Carrell, the oldest son, who was named after James’ father. The neighbors of James Carrell were Tabitha Fitts, E. A. Carson, John Bremen, Samuel Sterns, William Bradford, John Fuller, John Pillow, James Craig, Biddle Smith, Montgomery Alexander, Thomas L. Moore and David Craig, who signed for James Carrell and Nancy Luty's marriage.

In 1823, James Carrell bought 133 acres of land from Tyree Rhodes in Giles County, Tenn., for $390, which is $8,415.62 today. In February 1849, he sold it to Robert Rhodes, the son of early Giles County commissioner Tyree Rhodes, for $1,300, or $38,026.13 today. In 1830 James Carrell had 144 acres surveyed in Giles County and is listed in the 1830 census of Giles County, Tenn. He had three sons and three daughters: Spencer, born in 1819; Jesse, born in 1820; Mary, born 1822; James, born in 1827; Nancy, born 1828; and Patsy, born in 1829. The Carrell family lives next door to the Rosenbaum family. In the 1840 Census of Giles County, Tenn., James Carrell is listed as having five sons and three daughters. This included Granville, born 1830; William, born 1832; Louisa born 1839; and Jane, born 1841. There are 10 members of his household.

In the 1850 Census of 13th District of Giles County, Tenn., there are three children left at the James and Nancy Carrell household: William, 18, Louisa, 12, and Jane, 9. A farmer, James’ property was valued at $1,700, which is $48,645.47 today.

His property is located near the Wilkerson Place, which still stands along Miller Branch and Big Creek. His sons Jesse and Granville lived in their own homes beside James and Nancy but had no reported property values. Both died before their father. Neighbors were Sanders, Craig, Phelps, Wilkerson and Morris.

James’ son, Spencer, was enumerated in a separate household in the 4th Civil District. His property is valued at $4,300, which in 1850 had the same buying power as $123,044.43 dollars in 2012. Spencer is a neighbor to James McCallum, an attorney who wrote the history of early Giles County, Tenn. Also nearby was Copeland Whitfield’s home. Cope Whitfield lived about three miles south of Pulaski on what is now U.S. Highway 31 South. The Whitfield home still stands.

In 1851, James Carrell bought 195 acres of land in Giles County, Tenn. He also sold 200 acres to Thomas M. Campbell around the same time. Thomas M. Campbell married Nancy Bradford Carrell, the daughter of James Carrell.

James Carrell died intestate (without a will) in Giles County in April 1856, according to a lawsuit filed on Jan. 18, 1868, in the Chancery Court for Giles County, Tenn. His wife was still living at the time of the lawsuit. On Oct. 10, 1856, a petition was filed in the Chancery Court for Giles County, Tenn., asking that one-third James’s property on which he and Nancy had resided be laid off as dower for her residence and use. The property described was located on “Richland Creek in the 13th Civil District of Giles County. It was bordered by John Ruff, Jonathan Ford and a 640-acre tract granted to Fountain Lester and others containing 195 acres as deeded to James Carrell by John Marks.”

The 1856 filing asked that the property that remained after the dower was laid off be sold and the proceeds be equally divided between the living children, Spencer, William, Mary, Patsy, Louisa, Nancy and Jane and one part each divided among the Family of Nancy Luty, wife of James Carroll children of their deceased brothers, Jesse of Lawrence County and James Carroll married a Nancy Luty in Williamson County, Tenn. This name has Granville of Giles County. Joshua Morris and John Marks testified in often been misspelled as “Lutz” in other research, but the name appears in the 1820 a deposition that to divide the land would harm the interests of the Census of Williamson County, Tenn., with an Elizabeth Luty listed as head of married daughters and the minor children. In November 1856 the household, with four sons and two daughters at home. dower was laid off, and the map showing that 63 acres awarded to On Feb. 20, 1820, a Martha Luty is listed in the Williamson County, Tenn., Marriage Nancy exists in the court file, which includes a full legal description.

Book as having married Alexander Rosenbaum. Martha, also called “Patsy,” a 19th Oddly, Nancy Carrell shows up as a “domestic” in the home of Century nickname for Martha, is listed in the both the 1840 and 1850 Census of Giles Thomas M. and Nancy Campbell (her daughter’s home) in the 1860 County, Tenn., with her husband, Alexander. They are neighbors of James and Nancy Census for Giles County, and she is in the same home at age 70 in the Carrell. In 1860 Patsy Rosenbaum is listed as living in Ozan, Hempstead County, Ark. According to Marie Rosenbaum Harvey, a descendant of Patsy and Alexander, 1870 Census. She was also living in that home at Wales, Tenn., Alexander was born around 1785 and was the son of Mathais and Polly Morgan between Campbellsville and Pulaski, when she applied for her Rosenbaum. He died in 1859 in Hempstead County, Ark. Patsy’s death date is husband’s War of 1812 service pension in 1879. Her application is at unknown to Marie Harvey, but from Census records one can deduce she was born the end of this book. about 1796. Patsy answered Census records that she was born in Kentucky. This A separate document is a Platt of the Survey of 167 acres of land family is important to research on James and Nancy Carrell because it ties the two for the Heirs of James Carrell. The Clerk of the Court at the time, Luty brides to one another over a period of decades.

Amos R. Richardson, who served from 1855-1864, sold the property Mrs. Harvey’s research lists the following children for Patsy and Alexander: for $2,212.74 on Oct. 5, 1857, to John C. Pullen, making three notes Jesse Rosenbaum, b. 1827, Tenn., d. July 17, 1859, Hempstead Co., Ark. for $757.58 each to be paid out over three years, each with J.C. Alfred Rosenbaum, b. May 1827, Giles Co., Tenn., d. date unknown, Saratoga, Sanders as its security.

Hempstead Co., Ark. On May 15, 1858, Elijah and Mary Carrell Owen sold their interest John Rosenbaum, b. 1821, d. date unknown. in the 167 acres to the husbands of Louisa and Nancy, both married Henry Rosenbaum, b. 1829, d. 1880, Ar.. to Campbells, taking $200 cash, which had the buying power of William M. Rosenbaum, b. Dec. 1, 1829, d. date unknown. $5,228.78 in today’s dollars, and relinquishing any further claim on Narcissa E. Rosenbaum, b. July 6, 1832, Tenn., d. date unknown. that portion of the estate. They did not convey their interest in the Martha Rosenbaum, b. 1838, Tenn., d. 1880, Hempstead Co., Ark. George Rosenbaum, b. 1840, Tenn., d. date unknown. widow Nancy’s dower. Mary signed and Elijah placed his mark.

Alexander Rosenbaum, b. 1833, Tenn., d. Dec. 9, 1862, Little Rock, Pulaski Co., Ark. Richardson filed with the deed conveying their portion of the land an affidavit that he knew both Mary and her husband, Elijah Owen.

A lawsuit filed in 1868 addressed issues with the sale of James Carrell’s land that had been ordered after his death and with disbursement of the proceeds. In it the living children are named. They are Spencer Carrell, a citizen of Arkansas; Patsy Butterworth (husband Stephen H.), citizens of Missouri; Mary Owen (husband Elijah), Louisa Campbell (husband William B.); Nancy Campbell (husband Thomas M.) and Jane Carter (wife of John), citizens of Giles County, Tenn.

On Feb. 13, 1872, Richardson swore to the court that after paying all costs associated with the case, over time he had made disbursements to Spencer, William, Mary, Jane, Nancy and Louisa. He produced receipts for those payments. He stated that the payments were never returned to Patsy Butterworth nor to the heirs of Jesse and Granville, who were minors at the time and under the legal guardianship of James C. Sanders and Thomas M. Gordon respectively.

In his testimony, Richardson explained that both guardians pressed him to collect from Pullen the portion of the money that had not been paid. By 1862 Gordon was a Confederate soldier, Giles County was occupied by Union forces, and Pullen was in fear of his cotton crop being burned by Union soldiers. Pullen spoke to Richardson about this, asking the Clerk’s advice as to whether to sell it for 7 or 8 cents per pound to J. P. May and take a possible lower price or to risk it being burned. Richardson advised that he should sell the cotton and pay his debts, which he did. Richardson disbursed funds, using Confederate money, from this final debt installment to those he could find, but he did not see Gordon until after the close of the war. Regarding Saunders, Richardson said he did not see him until after the fall of Ft. Donaldson, and Saunders told him to keep the money for Jesse’s children. Richardson said that Patsy Butterworth never called on him for her portion.

Richardson swore that he had always been willing to pay the shares, but that because it was collected in Confederate currency, which was not longer viable, he could settle with the current equivalent.

On March 23, 1872, James R. Carrell, son of Jesse, filed a power of attorney authorizing N. Smithson to act on his behalf in collecting his portion of the money. His sisters Parnetta A. Bryant (husband Henry) and Amanda Ellis (husband H.T.) sold their interests to N. Smithson.

In 1875 these children of Jesse asked that $50 be paid to Carrell Hamby, husband of their recently deceased sister, Susan Virginia Hamby, of Lawrence County. Tenn. That same year the court determined there was not enough evidence to prove the relationship of Granville Carrell’s minor children to James Carrell.

On March 5, 1877, in a deposition of Seaborne Tyler, aged 57 years and the brother of Granville’s wife, Vina, it is stated that Granville and his wife died within one day of one another before the death of Granville’s father, James. His three children were James T., born 1850, William Gilbert, born 1852, and Aurelius G., born 1855. At the time of the deposition James lived in Arkansas, William in Cotton Plant, Mo. or Arkansas, and Aurelius, the youngest, near Seaborne in Giles County.

James Buried Here

James Carrell is buried in this area outside the fence of the Phelps Cemetery near the Giles County community of Wales, Tenn. His is the only grave marked as a Carrell. However, two of his sons predeceased him, and two of his daughters remained in the community. His wife lived out her life on property less than 1/2 mile from the cemetery. Efforts will be made to discover other tombstones and confirm additional burials.

Campbellsville

Carrells lived here James Buried Here Nancy Carrell lived there with her daughter

Clifton Place

Wales Depot

Giles County, D.G. Beers

Wilkerson Place

Documents from Estate Settlement of James Carrell, Giles County, Tenn., and Subsequent Lawsuit Filed by Heirs

Dower Laid Off for Nancy Luty Carrell After Death of Husband, James

What is “Dower�?

Dower was the share of a deceased husband's real estate to which his widow was entitled after his death.

After the widow's death, the real estate was then inherited as designated in her deceased husband's will.

She had no rights to sell or bequeath the property independently. She did have rights to income from the dower during her lifetime, including rents and including income from crops grown on the land. One-third was the share of her late husband's real property to which dower rights entitled her; the husband could increase the share beyond one-third in his will. Where a mortgage or other debts offset the value of real estate and other property at the husband's death, dower rights meant that the estate could not be settled and the property could not be sold until the widow's death. In the 18th and 19th centuries, increasingly dower rights were ignored in order to settle estates more quickly, especially when mortgages or debts were involved.

Dower was abolished in America in 1945.

Elijah and Mary Carrell Owen Sell Mary’s Inheritance to Mary’s Sisters who Married Campbells

Receipts and Proof of Payments in James’s Estate Settlement for Elijah and Mary Carrell

Owen

$280 in 1862 had the same buying power as $6,327.71 current dollars.

This is the share that each child derived from the estate.

The star indicates places in the legal documents where Elijah Owen signed on behalf of his wife, Mary Carrell Owen. Women were not entitled to handle their own business...even if it was their inheritance.

1858 Affidavit that Elijah and Mary Appeared Before the Court and Accepted Settlement of James Carrell’s Estate Voluntarily

Plat and Description of James Carrell’s Land Assigned to Heirs on Nov. 24, 1856

Proof that Mary Carrell is the Wife of Elijah Owen

War of 1812 Bounty Land And Pension Documents for James Carrell And His Widow, Nancy Luty Carrell

James Carrell’s Original Statement for War of 1812 Benefits

ments u c o D s Variou it of James’s u in Purs 12 Benefits 18 War of

The James Carrell War of 1812 file at the National Archives holds 20 pages of documents spread over a quarter century.

Nancy Carrell’s Statement for James’s War of 1812 Pension

Affidavits by Sanders Neighbors at Wales

Attorney Nathan Adams Pursued James’s Case for Nancy & Represented Other Widows As Well

The 1871 clipping from the Pulaski Citizen, right, reports that Nathan Adams was having difficulty obtaining widow’s pensions for Giles County women who had made applications. Proving their marriage to the deceased War of 1812 solider was the issue, since marriages were not required to be recorded in Tennessee until after the War of 1812.

James Carrell’s War of 1812 Commanding Officer’s Statement

Statements in Support of James Carrell’s War of 1812 Service

Nancy’s Original Statement in November 1856 after James Died

Phelps and Sanders Affidavits

Early Tennessee Marriages

In Tennessee, three documents were created at the time of a marriage.

1.

The first was the marriage bond.

2.

The second was the license, wherein the court authorized the marriage, and the official signed the back to show that it had been performed.

3.

The ledger where the clerk copied some information from these two sources is known as the official marriage record, and is often the only surviving part of the record.

Assurances • The groom had to assure the State that he was able to be legally married (was not already married to someone else, under age, or ineligible because of close blood relationship, etc.)

• This assurance was given in the form of a bond for a certain amount of money. The friend or relative signed as the groom's security on the bond, commonly known as becoming a bondsman.

• If indeed the groom had been sued for violating the marriage contract, the bondsman would have had to pay any legal damages if the groom defaulted.

• No money actually changed hands at the time the bond was issued.

• This bonding procedure was used across Tennessee and in other southern states in the 19th century.

Despite all the testimony on Nancy Luty Carrellʼs pension application, which sought to prove that she had married James Carrell in Williamson County, Tenn., on Sept. 10, 1815, the only official entry in the Williamson County Marriage Book for this union was Jan. 5, 1818. It is possible that the marriage took place in 1815 as she recalled, but the marriage was not registered until 1818. Spencer, their son, was born in 1819.

Williamson County Marriage Book

This book is dedicated to the memory and complied in honor of James Carrell, 1787-1856.

It also commemorates 200th anniversary of service in the War 1812 from Sept.-Dec.

the his of 1813.

Carrell Ancestors and the descendants of Elijah Owen and his wife, Mary Carrell Owen is an original work by Claudia Kay Johnson, a direct descendant of the Carrell-Owen family chronicled herein. It is intended for educational purposes only. Permission to copy any part of this document may be obtained by contacting the author at dejavu159@gmail.com or 931.309.0923.