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Each record is separated by a gray bar. Their source is the NC Department of Archives and History, unless otherwise noted. Italicized notes in brackets are my notes for clarity. Slashes (/) indicate the end of sentences. Please take time to read this brief article about guardianship law which you will find helpful in your estates records research.

Daniel and Malcolm Patterson Estate Settlement, 1844, Cumberland County, NC

The following two documents are from the Daniel Patterson estate settlement dated 1844 in Cumberland County, NC. Document 1 is the petition of the siblings of Daniel Patterson, Jr. and his brother Malcolm Patterson, both deceased at the time of the settlement. Their siblings are petitioning the court for their fair share of their two deceased brothers' property. Document 2, 3 & 4 contains excerpts from three of the five summons to collect payment for court costs from each sibling. Three of the siblings lived in other states and had to forfeit their share of land to pay court costs. On their three summons, the Sheriff noted that Daniel Patterson, Sr. was "Raft Swamp Daniel Patterson". By reading the 1808 will of the real "Raft Swamp Daniel" Patterson, I know that this is an error on the part of the sheriff. He perhaps meant to write "Daniel Patterson of Beaverdam" because this family was known to be called the 'Beaverdam Pattersons'. (The 1833 will of Daniel Patterson, Sr., their father, exists in Cumberland County records, listing all his children except Daniel, Jr. who died five years earlier in 1827):

Document: 1

State of North Carolina Cumberland County} Court of Pleas and Quarter Sefsions March Term 1847

To the Worshipful the Justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sefsions in and for the County of Cumberland

The Petition of Archibald Patterson and Angus McRae and wife Flora against James Murphy and wife Sarah, Shockley Gibson and wife Elizabeth, John S. Harrell and wife Loveday –

Humbly complaining herewith unto your Worships your Petitioners that Daniel Patteson Jr departed this life sometime in the year eighteen hundred and twenty-seven intestate / that the said Daniel Patterson Jr left situate lying and being in the county of Cumberland about two hundred and twenty five acres of land lying on the Raft Swamp / And your Petitioners further present unto your Worships that Malcolm Patterson died intestate sometime in the year eighteen hundred and thirty eight / And that he left about one hundred and fifty acres of land in the county of Cumberland situate lying and being on the Raft Swamp adjoining the lands of the said Daniel Patterson, Jr. That the said Daniel Patterson Jr and Malcolm Patterson left as their heirs at law your Petitioner their brother Archibald your Petitioner their sister Flora and the defendants their sisters Sarah, Elizabeth and Loveday / And that your Petitioner Flora intermarried with your Petitioner Angus McRae and that the female defendants have severally intermarried with the other defendants / Your Petitoners further show unto your Worships that they together with the defendants are tenants in common of the said lands left by the said Daniel Patterson and Malcolm Patterson and that they are entitled to a partition thereof for which your Petitioners pray so that they may hold their respective shares in severalty – That the defendants Harrell and wife are inhabitants of the State of Mifsifsippi and the other defendants inhabitants of the State of Georgia. To the end therefore that partition may be made of the said lands for which your Petitioners pray by commifsioners appointed according to law / May it please your Worships to order publication to the made that the said defendants appear at the next Term of this court to be held at Fayetteville on the first Monday in June next... [much legalese].

Strange for Petitioners

Document: 2, 3 & 4

"January the 22nd 1848 - There is no goods or chattels to be found belonging to James Murphy and wife, and for wont thereof I have levied on one hundred acres of land on Beaver Dam, it being Lot No. 5 in the division of the land of the late Daniel Patterson Senr (known as Raft Swamp Daniel Patterson." [Wrong. He was known as "Beaverdam Daniel" Patterson, and James Murphy and wife were not known to be associated with, nor was Sarah Patterson Murphy a daughter of, the real "Raft Swamp Daniel" Patterson.] Alexander Johnson, Shff

"January the 22nd 1848 - There is no goods or chattels to be found in my county to pay this Execution belonging to J S Harrold _ and for wont thereof I have levied on one hundred acres in two fifty acre tracts it being Lot No. 1 in the division of Daniel Patterson Senr dec'd known as Raft Swamp Daniel Patterson." [Wrong. He was known as "Beaverdam Daniel" Patterson, and J.S. Harrel and wife were not known to be associated with, nor was Loveday Patterson Harrel a daughter of the real, "Raft Swamp Daniel" Patterson.] Alexander Johnson, Shff

"January the 22nd 1848 - There is no goods or chattels to be found in my county belonging to Shockly Gibson and wife and for wont thereof I have levied on one hundred and eleven acres it being Lot No. 2 in the division of the lands of Daniel Patterson Senr dec'd known as Raft Swamp Daniel Patterson." [Wrong. He was known as "Beaverdam Daniel" Patterson, and Shockley Gibson and wife were not known to be associated with, nor was Elizabeth Patterson Gibson a daughter of, the real "Raft Swamp Daniel" Patterson.] Alexander Johnson, Shff

Malcolm McNeill Estate Papers, 1840, Robeson County, NC (private collection)

The estate document below comes from the private collection of Ruth McArthur of Wilmington, NC (deceased), who found it with several related papers in her McNeill grandmother's trunk, including a slightly earlier version of the 1790 will of Mary McNeill widow of "Shoemaker John" McNeill. The estate paper below does not exist at the NC Department of Archives and History, unless it is part of another collection or related official record. By law, the paper lists surviving children of Neill McNeill, son of "Shoemaker John" McNeill (per his will, but minus "Blind John" McNeill, the oldest son, who probably died by 1840). The surviving children listed were siblings of Malcolm McNeill who died childless and intestate. Robeson County deeds show the outcome of the subsequent division:

NC Robeson County } County Court of Pleas & quarter Sefsions February Sefsions 1840 -

To the Worshipful the Justices of said Court
The Petition of Archd McNeill Wm McNeill and David McNeill & Daniel McNeill by their Guardian William McNeill [William Peterson McNeill was the guardian of both David and Daniel who were incompetents] Respectfully represents that sometime in the year [blank drawn in record, but it was either 1839 or early 1840] Malcolm McNeill died intestate and without isfue seized & pofsefsed of 400 acres of land situate in the County of Robeson on the South West side of McPhauls Mill Swamp, adjoining the lands of John Gilchrist, and others that your Petitioners are the brothers of the Intestate and that, Hector McNeill and Neill McNeill and Rosa now the wife of Richard Gregory, and Mary now the wife of Neill Brown are also the brothers & sisters of the Intestate on whom the said lands & hereditaments descended at the death of Intestate that, Archd McNeill one of your Petitioners purchased of the said Neill McNeill & Rosa the wife now of said Richd Gregory their shares in the said inheritance by Deeds of Conveyance Sufficient to pafs a fee simple Estate therein -
Your Petitioners further represent that tho there is on the premises a very excellent plantation and Convenient houses, yet the inheritance is unprofitable to the heirs by reason of the opposition & interruption interposed by Hector McNeill & Neill Brown above mentioned to any occupancy therein and your Petitioners have no hope of making their Interest in the inheritance productive so long as the same is Held in Common -
To the end therefore that Justice may be done in the premises & that Each tenant, in Common may hold his share Severally Your Petitioners pray that five Commissioners by appointed to allot to Each tenant the share or shares to which he is entitled that is to say to allot to William David Daniel Hector & Mary the wife of Neill Brown each one eight part of the inheritance and to Archd McNeill three eights and that a copy of this petition with the States Writ of Subpoena be served on said Hector McNeill and another copy & Writ be served on Neill Brown and wife Mary requiring them to appear at next Term of this Worshipful Court to be held on the 4th Monday in May next and shew cause by their pleadings wherefore partition be not made in the premises agreeable to the above representation & they as in duty bound will etc.
John Gilchrist attorney for Petitioners
A copy from the original filed in my office given under my hand at office the 8th day of April 1840

Daniel McPhaul, Sr. Estate Settlement, 1841, Robeson County, NC

From the Daniel McPhaul estate settlement dated 1841 in Robeson County, NC, I have found two interesting pieces of information. Document 1 is a deposition by John McAlester of Richmond County concerning McPhaul land around Centre Presbyterian Church wherein he says that John Campbell and Flora Patterson McPhaul were half siblings. Document 2 is the deposition of Catherine McPhaul McArthur with her account of her father Neill McPhaul's death during the Revolution:

Document: 1

Pursuant to a commisfsion to us John C. McLaurin and Daniel D. Morrison two of the Justices of the peace in and for the County of Richmond from the Superior Court of Robeson County empowering us to take the deposition of John McAlester Senr, to be read in a certain matter of controversy pending in the Superior Court of Robeson County between the Heirs of Daniel McPhaul Lefsors of the Plaintiff and John Gilchrist defendant we have caused the said McAlester to appear before us at his own dwelling place in Richmond County on the 1st day of October in the present year [1846]. Who being duly sworn as a witnefs in the said cse deposeth as follows Viz –-

Question 1st. Were you called upon by James McQueen and James Stewart many years ago to survery the one thousand acres of land in Robeson County known as the White-Oak and who were the owners thereof

Ans. Yes I was called on by McQueen and Stewart to survey said tract but do not recollect whether they had bought or were about to purchase

Ques 2nd. Did you have the grant or a copy of the grant and did you run according to the its courses and distances

Ans. Yes I did

Ques 3rd. By reference to said Grant of said tract I perceive that one of the lines runs from the beginning corner of John Campbells 70 acre survey North 52 East with his line 23 chains and 50 links to a stake in McPhauls line and did you run out and measure that line and if you did where did you strike the McPhaul line

Ans. Yes I run out and measured said line but can not particularly describe where I struck McPhauls line, McPhaul was present and showed his line I think 25 links short of the distance of the Grant by our measurement

Ques 4th. What McPhaul was present and showed you his line

Ans. Daniel McPhaul who married John Campbells half sister [referring to Flora (née Patterson) McPhaul, daughter of John Patterson and Catherine McPherson Patterson of Cumberland County. Catherine McPherson Patterson's second husband was (Archibald?) Campbell of Cumberland County who removed to Campbell's Bridge area in Bladen (now Robeson) County sometime before 1785, the year the Campbell family licensed the bridge in their name. Catherine and Archibald Campbell had two children known: John Campbell and Catherine Campbell who married a Wilkinson.]

Ques 5th. After reaching McPhauls line which was did you run next

Ans. with his line North 3 East forty chains to his corner

Ques 6th. Was there any dispute among these parties at that time about the mode you ran these lines

Ans. Not a word all friendly and appeared reconciled

Ques 7th. do you believe that you would be able to go to Lumberton to attend Superior Court next week

Ans. From the state of my health I know I can not

Cross Examined by plaintiff

Ques 1st. Are you certain that McPhaul shewed you his line

Ans. Yes he was present and was the only guide I could have any faith in

Ques 2nd. Did he McPhaul have his Grant along with him

Ans. I do not recollect

Ques 3rd. Was John Campbell present

Ans. I believe he was present

Ques 4th. Was John Campbell and Daniel McPhaul with you at the Beginning and who showed you the Beginning Corner

Ans. I believe John Campbell did but I am not positive whether McPhaul was at the Beginning or not but I am positive McPhaul was present when I reached his line

Ques 5th. Did you strike the White Swamp in Running the line North 3 East 40 chains to his corner

Ans. I do not believe I did yet I might and the reason that I do not think I did is that I made no representation of it on a plot I have now in my pofsefsion

Ques 6th. Could you not go to Robeson in an easy carriage

Ans. My situation is such that I could not undertake it for any thing else but to save my life –-

Document 2:

State of North Carolina
Robeson County. We Hector Currie and Patrick McEachin two of the Justices of said County at this day proceeded to take the Deposition of Catharine McArthur at the instance of Archibald Smith Agent at Law for the heirs of Daniel McPhaul dec'd, to be read in evidence in a case now pending in the Superior Court in the County of Robeson wherein Archibald Smith Agent at Law for the heirs of Daniel McPhaul dec'd is Plaintiff and John Gilchrist Defendant it appearing that due notice has been given to the opposite party –- The parties being present –- the said Catharine McArthur being sworn in due form of law deposeth & saith

By Plaintiff
Question 1st. How long since your father died

Ans. I don't recollect but that he died in Charlestown & my Brother John was with him when he died

Ques 2nd. Was it before or after the Revolutionary War he died

Ans. It was after peace was proclaimed

Ques 3rd. How long was he dead before you were married

Ans. Three years

Ques 4th. How long were you married before your first child was born

Ans. One year & a half

Ques. What year was your oldest child born

Ans. (blank line drawn in record)

Ques 6th Was Daniel McPhaul, your Brother, Neill McPhauls oldest son

Ans. He was the oldest son my father had

Crofs Interrogations
Question 1st. Mrs McArthur do you know what occationed your father's death

Ans. He died with the bowel complaint and lost the use of one side / his head was nearly split open with a sword by Rutherfords men near the Brick House near Wilmington /then he was carried to Wilmington put under charge of a Doctor / having understood they were going to take Wilmington he sailed round to Charlestown [The battle at the Brick House took place 15 November 1781.]

Ques 2nd. Mrs McArthur was he an officer in the war

Ans. He was Capt of the Tories

Certifited under our hands & seals this 7 day July 1845.
P. McEachin J.P.
H. Currie J.P.

Catharine McArthur her X mark

Laughlin McNeill Estate Settlement, 1801, Cumberland County, NC

From the Laughlin McNeill estate settlement; date of administrator's bond is 14 July 1801. Laughlin McNeill was born after 1739; he was stated to be a minor in a Cumberland County deed (James McNeill to Lachlan McNeill ) dated 1755 and thus was under the age of 16 that year. He died between Sept 1800 and July 1801, and was the oldest son of Turquill McNeill of the Argyll Colony. Flora McNeill (Laughlin's widow), Daniel McNeill, and Archibald Graham are named executors in the bond which I did not transcribe. Laughlin's children, Mary, Hector, Elizabeth and Daniel may be minors in the 1805 document below, (In 1784 legal age went from 16 to 21.) although Elizabeth married James Graham in December 1805. The various spellings 'Lauchlin' and 'Laughlin', 'Donald' and 'Daniel' and various other words in this estate document below are frequent (and generally interchangeable) as there was little standard spelling up to this time.

It should be noted here that Edwin Purcell, in his book Lumber River Scots, page 193 (first edition), claims that Mary McNeill ("consort of Archibald Graham") and her sister Elizabeth McNeill Graham Gilchrist both were direct descendants of "Black Neill" McNeill, leader of the Argyll Colony. The transcribed document below proves that their father was Laughlin (or Lachlan) McNeill, and through deeds and wills, we know Laughlin/Lachlan was the son of Turquill McNeill of the Argyll Colony. There is no proof, and it is quite doubtful, that Turquill was a son of Black Neill McNeill. Therefore, was Laughlin's wife, Flora, a descendant of Black Neill McNeill?

The following document is dated 3 May 1805, nearly four years after the administrator's bond, and names Laughlin's wife and children:

State of North Carolina Robeson County. We John MacAlister Alexander Graham, Daniel Smith Duncan Smith and Daniel Patterson, being Summoned and duly qualified as Commifsioners, to lay off and distribute agreeable to law, the Landed property of the late Lauchlin McNeill, among his heirs and legal Representatives, and having duly examined the premises, have unamimously agreed on the following report, (Viz) We find that the deceased in his life time, had given to his son James MacNeill [Nothing is known of this James McNeill. Did he move to Georgia with his brother Turquill, below?], a tract of Land containing one hundred acres, to the value of two hundred dollars, being about one hundred and twenty three dollars, more than his distributive share of the Landed property would amount to, in said County.

We likewise find that he gave to his Son Turquill [The fact that Laughlin gave land to his sons indicates the existence of deeds of gift in County records but none have been found. Cumberland County deeds show that this Turquill and his family moved to Marion District, South Carolina and, per their legal agreement that Turquill care for her for the remainder her life, Turquill's mother Flora moved with them.] 150 acres, worth about 250 dollars, being about 173 dollars more than his distributive share as aforesaid would amount to.

We also find that his Son Duncan [Three months prior to this estate document on 22 February 1805, while living in Columbia County, Georgia, this Duncan McNeill sold 100 acres of his father's estate to Archibald Patterson of Cumberland County. Did he go to live with his father's brother Turquill McNeill who also lived in Columbia County, Georgia?] received from the deceased aforesaid fifty five acres equal to 110 dollars in value, being about thirty three dollars, more than his distributive share of his fathers lands in the county aforesaid would amount to.

We then proceeded to distribute the intestates lands lying in the said county of Cumberland [Does this statement mean that the lands of James, Turquill and Duncan above were in Robeson County?], of which he died seized and pofsefsed of, containing two hundred and three acres, (including the Lands of which Mrs MacNeill, relict of the deceased, had a right of Dowery [At this time a widow of an intestate is allowed by law to one-third of her deceased husband's property, the one-third being called a dowry.], but which she this day in our presence and under her hand & seal did relinquish and give up into her childrens hands hereinafter named) Among ___ four heirs (viz) Mary, Hector, Elizabeth and Donald [Daniel] as follows;

We alotted unto Mary Graham [born 1771 and died 1826 and was buried, grave unmarked, at Philippi Church cemetery] consort of Arch'd Graham fifty acres, including the mill on Buffalow [Buffalo Creek in today's Hoke County], as by Patent No.97 — granted to Arch'd Beaton [or Bethune]. He Archibald Graham, paying to Elizabeth aforesaid, or her proper guardian according to Law the Sum forty three dollars and thirty eight cents —

We have alotted unto Hector MacNeill Son of the Deceased aforesaid [To date, nothing is known of this Hector McNeill.], twenty nine acres lying on the west side of Buffalow, being the remaining part of forty five acres purchased from John Dickson [land speculator in Cumberland County, NC] that was not lost by intersection with older line, likewise forty three acres lying on both sides of Dyers Branch joining Daniel Pattersons lines. Also four dollars and sixty two cents to be paid unto him or guardian by Daniel [the 'Donald' above] his Brother aforesaid or guardian.

We have alotted to Elizabeth [Elizabeth "Betsy" McNeill died 1850 in Alabama. She first married James Graham in December of 1805. Her second marriage was to Angus Gilchrist in 1813, by whom she had three children. They lived in Richmond County, NC.], Daughter of the intestate aforesaid, forty four acres lying on both sides of the Buffalow, including the most part of the Mill pond, as also the said sum of 43 dollars and 38 cents to be paid unto her by the said Archibald Graham, as likewise eleven dollars and 26 cents to be paid to her by Daniel, hereafter named.

We have allotted to Daniel, younger son of the deceased [This Daniel McNeill sold all his lands to "Duncan McNeill Esq.", probably his father's brother, in 1824.], thirty seven acres including the dwelling house and out houses, as also the greater part of the improvements, on the west side of the Mill pond. He by himself or guardian paying to his Brother Hector the sum of four dollars and sixty three cents, and to his sister Elizabeth the sum of eleven dollars and twenty six cents according to Law to them or proper guardians.

Given under our hands the twenty third day of May, one thousand eight hundred and five.

JMacalister
Alexr Graham
Danl Smith
Duncan Smith
Daniel Paterfon [probably "Buffalo Daniel" Patterson]

I Flory MacNeill relict of the late Lauchlin deceased do relinquish and surrender unto my four children Mary Hector Elizabeth and Daniel all my right of Dowry to my Deceased Husbands Lands, and also cheerfully, acqueised in the allottments this day made by the foregoing Commifsioners

Witnefseth my hand and seal the 23rd day of May 1805.

Flory \. MacNeill
her mark

Witness Present
A Gilchrist [probably Angus Gilchrist]

Elizabeth McNeill Estate Settlement, 1814, Cumberland County, NC

Elizabeth McNeill was the widow of James McNeill of Rockfish Creek. Her estate contains no descriptions of land to divide, only household items. But the record does show that her son was Daniel McNeill who signed his name as "Danold McNeill". This particular signature follows him through original records until his death in November of 1828, and separates him, intentionally or otherwise, from other Daniel McNeills in the region at the time. When he applied for administration on his mother's estate in the county court, the clerk not only spelled his name 'Donald' in the record but stated that he was Elizabeth's son:

Daniel Johnson Estate Settlement, 1855, Robeson County, NC

Daniel Johnson estate settlement, dated 1855. While this Daniel Johnson died just before 1800, his property was not settled amongst his children and grandchildren until the mid 1850s. This is NOT the same Johnson family from whom W.D. Johnson, P.P.D. Johnson and Rev. Angus Johnson descend. The following record is from the North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC:

State of North Carolina
Robeson County }

In Equity
To Spring Term 1855

The petition of Henry L. [Lucien] Johnson, Washington S. [Scott] Johnson, Harriet [Jane] Johnson, Gilbert G. [Gilchrist] McPherson and wife Sophia [Sophia Flora Johnson]

against

Joshua James and wife Mary, Mary McEachin, Malcom McIntyre and wife Susan, Anna S. Johnson, Frances Johnson, and John M. Johnson, shew to your honor that Daniel Johnson late of the County of Robeson died many years ago intestate, seized and possessed of a tract of land lying in said county on both sides of the Lumberton Road adjoining the lands of Daniel Smith, Alexander H. Currie, Catherine Brown and Jane Currie, containing about 130 acres [The lands in question border the original lands of Old John McPherson on the Raft Swamp just west of today's McLeod's Crossing.]; leaving surviving him his children _
Archibald who is since deceased leaving surviving him Mary his widow, who has since married Joshua James_
Neill B. Johnson since deceased leaving surviving him your Petitioners Henry L. Johnson, Washington Scott Johnson, Harriet Johnson and Sophia who has since married Gilbert McPherson_
Mary Johnson who married Edward McEachin since deceased, leaving surviving him his said widow Mary_ [Edward and Mary had six children but none are mentioned in this document. It is likely they decided to let their mother have all their interest in this proceeding.]
John B. Johnson since deceased leaving surviving him Susan who married Malcom McIntyre – Anna Sophia and Frances his children_
Alexander Johnson since deceased who left surviving him his son John M. [Johnson]

That Neill B. Johnson in his lifetime purchased of Edward McEachin and his wife Mary and of John B. Johnson and of Alexander Johnson their entire interests in said estate by deed duly executed by the said parties repectfully which said deeds your Petitioners have ready to produce as this Humble Court may direct.

And your Petitioners show that as children and heirs at law of said Neill B. Johnson and by purchases made of said Neill B. Johnson of said Edward McEachin and wife and of said John B. and Alexander they are entitled as tenants in common in four shares. That your Petitioners and all said Defendants are Tenants in common in the share (one fifith) of said Archibald deceased subject to the Dower Estate of said Mary wife of said James Your Petitioners further show that one Neill Brown, late of said county by his last will and testament bequeathed to Isabella the wife of said Daniel Johnson during her lifetime a negro slave named Chaney remander over to the heirs of said Daniel Johnson. That your Petitioners and said Defendants are children and grandchildren of said Daniel as before stated and entitled to the said slave as next of kin under the statute of distribution and remander under said will and tenants in common of said slave.

That Joshua James and wife are citizens of the State of Mississippi_ That Anna S. Johnson is a citizen of Alabama_ That John M. Johnson is a citizen of Florida and said Frances is a ___ resident of this state

Your Petitioners further show that they desire to have partition of said land and slave, but owing to the number of parties in interest, the size of said Tract and there being but one slave that it is improbable that actual partition can be made and further it is to the advantage of all parties that the same shall be seen

The Petitioners pray your Honor to order a sale of the said land and slave upon such terms as your Honor may deem right and proper and the proceeds may be divided according to the respective interest of the parties_ That subpoenas and a copy of this petition issue to Mary McEachin, Malcom McIntyre and wife Susan and that publication according to law be made for John M. Johnson, Anna Sophia Johnson, Joshua James and wife Mary and that your Petitioners may have such other and further relief in the premises as to your Honor may deem correct and your Petitioners will ever pray etc

NA McLean
Solr for Petitioners

A true Copy RS French G&M Esq

Archibald Gilchrist Estate Settlement, 1845, Robeson County, NC

Undated letter of deposition taken of John W. Davis, from the 1845 estate papers of Archibald Gilchrist (born c.1777, and died August 1839, son of John Gilchrist, Sr., and Effie McMillan of Mill Prong in Robeson County, NC); North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC:

[The following letter concerns the orphans, Sarah Ann McPherson and Daniel McPherson, their boarding with their guardian Archibald Gilchrist. The letter is very difficult to read.]

Emen Parker and wife et.al vs John Gil [John Gilchrist] adm. etc

John W. Davis swears -

That he was at Archibald Gilchrist's house at the time Emen Parker married Sarah Ann [McPherson; she married Emen Parker in 1839 at Archibald Gilchrist's home on Drowning Creek in Robeson County.]. That in a conversation had with the said Archd the morning after the wedding, he stated to deponent that he was glad the young Lady was married. That she had been a prudent good girl. That she had lived with him for a number of years; but that he did not intend to charge her for board, as he considered her labour for him equivalent to her board; and that he had heard said Gilchrist say nearly 12 months before the above time, that he did not intend to charge Sarah Ann McPherson any thing for Board, and that her services was with her board.

He [John W. Davis] also says he was present when said Archd sold a Horse to Daniel McPherson [Sarah Ann's brother and only sibling], one of the Petitioners, for seventy five Dollars, which horse he considered not worth more than forty dollars; and which horse the said Gilchrist had offered to him in part payment for work he had done for him at fifty dollars. He further admitted that at that time there was some money due to Daniel, after getting the horse for him but not as much as he owed Sarah Ann.

John W. Davis [signature]

[on back side] Davis further deposes, that the said Daniel went to the western Country about the year 1835 or '36, and that he was absent until after the death of Archd Gilchrist. [This Daniel McPherson who went west in 1835 or '36 returned to Robeson County, NC, in 1841 for further litigation in the division on his grandfather's, father's and uncles' estates. After that date, he disappears. He had a first-cousin named Daniel McPherson who married Mary Ann Munroe in Robeson County about 1842 after which they moved to Alabama. The two Daniels are NOT the same man and should not be confused with one another.]

John W. Davis [signature]

Another document from the 1845 estate papers of Archibald Gilchrist, Robeson County, NC; North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC:

North Carolina
Robeson County
Superior Court of Law
Fall Term 1845
To the Honorable the Judge of Superior Court –
The petition of John Gilchrist, Daniel Gilchrist, Angus Gilchrist, Sir Sidney Gilchrist [Purcell states in Lumber River Scots that Sidney and his wife Catherine were probably related--they were. Sidney married his third-cousin, Catherine McPherson (1819 - c.1851), daughter of John McPherson and Sarah "Sallie" Black McPherson. John McPherson was the son of Alexander McPherson who was son of John McPherson of the Argyll Colony. Sallie Black was the daughter of Archibald and Margaret (nee Black) Black. Sidney Gilcrhist's mother, Mary McPherson Gilchrist was the daughter of Daniel McPherson and Marian McNeill McPherson. Daniel McPherson was the son of John McPherson of the Argyll Colony.], John McKay and wife Flora, Archd & wife Margaret respectfully represent that the four former & the wives of the three latter are the children & Heirs at law of Archd Gilchrist decd

Your Petitioner would show unto your honor that in the year 183– the said Archd Gilchrist died Intestate leaving besides the above named children & Heirs at law two other Heirs viz John Archd McKay a grandson by his daughter Catharine who has since died & John Archibald Rice Henderson another grandson by his daughter Sarah who is also dead both of whom are minors the latter resides in the State of Mifsifsippi & the former in the county of Robeson – Your Petitioners further show that the said Archd Gilchrist died seized & pofsefsed of sundry tracts of land, in the counties of Robeson and Richmond situate on Lumber River and near the Ten Mile Swamp estimated at two thousand one hundred and thirty acres out of which the Widow's dower [Archibald Gilchrist married Mary McPherson in 1802 (Source: Mary McPherson deposition from the Daniel Buie estate, 1824, Robeson County), daughter of Daniel McPherson and Marian McNeill. Daniel McPherson was the son of John McPherson of the Argyll Colony and Marian McNeill is believed to have been the daughter of "Shoemaker John" McNeill of Bladen County, NC.] hath been assigned by known boundaries & now about fourteen hundred and twenty acres remain to be divided between the children and Heirs at law of the said Intestate to whom the said lands descended as tenants in common. Your Petitioners pray that your honor will duly consider the premises & appoint five Commifsioners unconnected with your Petitioner to divide and appropriate the said lands among your Petitioners in severalty, Share & Share alike in equal and equitable dividends Your Petitioners do further pray that a guardian be appointed to the said minors; that a copy of this petition & supeona be served on John Archd McKay & that publication be made for said John Archd Rice Henderson to appear at the next term of this Court to plead etc And your Petitioners do further pray that your honor will from time to time make such other & further orders & decrees & grant such other & further re___ in the premises, as to justice & equity may pertain

Your Petitioners will ever pary

John Gilchrist
Atty for Petitioners

Daniel McPherson Estate Settlement, 1825-41, Robeson County, NC

Gilbert Gilchrist's response to the petition of Catherine McPherson Brown against him in the settlement of her grandfather's, father's and brother's estates. The following document proves the familial relationship of the McPhersons of Cumberland County and the McPhersons of upper Robeson County. It further establishes that Old John McPherson of the Argyll Colony removed from Cumberland County to upper Bladen County. Gilchrist also states that he himself removed to Alabama in 1835. Dated December 1836; from the estate papers of Daniel McPherson, Robeson County, NC; North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC:

The Answer of Gilbert Gilchrist to the Petition of Catharine Brown & Alexr McPherson praying partition in a portion of the lands of which John McPherson [Old John McPherson of the Argyll Colony, who died on his plantation on the Juniper Branch of the Raft Swamp in Robeson County in January 1791], Daniel McPherson [died at the same place on Old John's plantation in December 1803] and Colin McPherson [also died on Old John's plantation, in 1823] the Father, Son & Grandson died seized and pofsefsed.

This defendant saving and reserving to himself now & at all times hereafter all & all manner of benefit & advantage of Exception to the insufficiencies uncertainties & other imperfections & defects of the said petition for answer Thereunto or unto so much thereof as this defendant is advised is any way material or necefsary for him to make This defendant answereth & saith He admits that his wife Nancy [At this time Nancy has been dead about 13 years. Supposedly she died around 1827 or '28, though it is more likely that Nancy died in 1823 at the same time—and in the same household—as her brother Colin McPherson, and both likely died by some common affliction of that time which would decimate a household.] Mrs Flora Buie the widow of Daniel Buie decd Mary Gilchrist the wife of Archd Gilchrist Hugh McPherson decd Colin McPherson decd and the two Petitioners are the children and Heirs of Daniel McPherson decd who was the son of a John McPherson decd but whether the said Nancy Flora etc are the Children and Grandchildren of the Daniel and John McPherson named on the petition remains to be proven in as much as the said descendants have not attained that more than Antedeluvian longevity ascribed to them in the petition / This defendant also admits that the said Flora Nancy Mary Hugh & the two petitioners are the brothers & sisters of Colin McPherson decd who died intestate & without children but denies the time of his death to be correctly stated in the petition / He also admits that Daniel McPherson & Sarah McPherson [married Emen Parker at the home of Archibald Gilchrist in 1839] are the children of Hugh McPherson decd / This defendant also admits that Alexander McPherson [of Cumberland County, died 1801] was the brother of Daniel McPherson the father of Petitioners and that they were the Sons of John McPherson but denies positively that the said Alexr or thro him his son Colin [of Cumberland County, married Nancy Campbell] or daughter Mary Buie [wife of John Buie of Cumberland County] mentioned in petition ever inherited a foot of land from Daniel the brother and uncle for the petitioners Themselves claim to be children of Daniel & capable of inheriting his lands. Neither could the said Alexr nor Thro him his son Colin & daughter Mary Buie have inherited any of the lands of their father & Grandfather John McPherson as this defendant is advised because the said John McPherson some short time preceeding his death duly made & published his last will & Testament in writing & in form to pafs lands which was duly admited to probate in the County Court of Robeson / In that will the Testator devises all his lands, and the only & mighty boon given to Alexr and for which the Petitioners make such a scramble is one Crown Sterling / It is believed it can be established by the declarations of Colin himself that he never claimed any of his Grandfathers or uncles lands / the same may be said of Mary Buie. If therefore the said Colin & Mary Executed any conveyance for lands in Robeson (which has not accompanied the petition tho promised) it must have been to arrest the vexatious Importunity of a Restlefs and Teasing woman [referring to Catharine McPherson Brown] / The claim which is pretended exists in the Children of John [Reference to children of John McPherson, Jr. and Sallie Black of Cumberland County. John, Jr. was son of Alexander McPherson and was the oldest brother of Colin McPherson and Mary Buie wife of John Buie.] has the same baselefs fabrick with the claim thro Colin & is forced upon their Guardian [Martin McPherson of Fayetteville, NC] in spite of his Blushes by a Special Command to the Sheriff of Cumberland / The Clauses in the will of Old John McPherson by which he devises his lands are as follows "3rdly I likewise give and bequeath to my Grandson Neill McPherson one hundred and sixty acres of land on the Juniper & one hundred acres of land lying at the upper end of the Bear pond Joining McBrydes land it being a part of a survey of 200 acres to be his & his heirs forever – 4thly I likewise give & bequeath to my Grand Son Archd McPherson one hundred acres to wit, the plantation I now live upon together with One hundred Acres below me in two surveys & likewise One hundred above me being the Other half of the above 200 Acres likewise fifty Acres lying between the bear pond and the Raft Swamp to be his and his heirs forever" / The said Neill & Archd are the sons of Daniel McPherson as mentioned in another part of said will / The said Devisees died intestate & without children and without having disposed of any part of said lands in their lifetime. Daniel the Father of Petitioners Continued to live on some part or other of the above devised premises untill his death in 1802-3 [December 1803, as is determined in these documents; a division of his estate occurred in March of 1804.] with the exception of some short interval as this defendant is informed & believes / He died seized of Certain Other land in the vicinity of the above as this defendant is informed and believes / And the land which his seven children above mentioned claimed to Inherit at his death thro him & the two Devisees (their brothers) already named was between seven & eight hundred acres / In the fourth day of July 1798 Robert Hailles Conveyed to Hugh McPherson & Colin McPherson 1120 Acres of land in fee lying between and around the above devised premises & perhaps between some other tracts [It is interesting to note here that Hugh and Colin were only five and three years old respectively in 1798, so the 1120 acres must have been purchased by their father Daniel for them and in their names.]. After the death of Hugh the said tenancy in common was divided into moieties between said Colin and Daniel McPherson & sister Sarah heirs of Hugh already mentioned / And in July 1815 Angus Gilchrist conveyed to said Colin 150 acres in fee lying all in the Raft Swamp by a deed dated the 21st day of August 1822 Colin McPherson conveyed to his defendant in fee all that piece and parcel of land that is within the enclosure of McPhersons Old plantation which is estimated to be about 95 acres / This piece was considered as a part of his moiety of the 1120 Acres Conveyed by Robert Hails already mentioned with the exception of the above 95 acres / the said Colin died intestate & without children seized of the balance of his moiety of the 1120 Acres, seized of the 150 Acres purchased of A Gilchrist and the whole of his inheritance of the Seven or Eight hundred Acres above mentioned which descended from his Father and the two Devisees his brothers / In the year 1823 April the 8th this Defendant purchased of Archd Gilchrist and Mary his wife and of Daniel Buie and Flora his wife their claim to 450 acres belonging to the old plantation Also their claim of 100 acres called Goodson land likewise their inheritance in the real estate of Colin McPherson decd their brother / At the time of this purchase it was understood and believed by the contracting parties that the four daughters of Daniel McPherson decd were the sole Coparceners or Tenants in Common of the 450 Acres above mentioned and of the 100 Acres called the Goodson land, and this defendant believed he was purchasing one half thereof, that is one half of 550 Acres. This Opinion was said to be given by some Gentleman of the bar (perhaps Genl Davis) / On this Ground that as the daughters of Daniel McPherson were the only children of his living at the death of the survivor of their two deceased brothers Neill and Archd the devisees named above they were the sole heirefses and the contract was made with this view / How far their deeds of Conveyance which will be Exhibited to this court will be the better judges / this defendant in virtue thereof claims one half as already mentioned / he also claims by virtue of the said purchase the shares which descended to them by the death of their Brother Colin of his inheritance in the seven or eight Hundred Acres aboved stated also their inheritance in the moiety of the 1120 Acres purchased of Hails after taking therefrom the ninety five Acres this defendant purchased as stated above & their shares in the 150 Acres bought of A Gilchrist / This defendant further states that he took pofsefsion of the premises in 1820 and kept pofsefsion uninterruptedly untill March 1835 when he removed to the State of Alabama leaving Alexander Currie (son of Randal Currie and Nelly Johnston) in pofsefsion as his Tenant, who is still living there / All this while he cultivated the Old Clearing & soon after purchasing the claims of Flora & Mary & their respective husbands he Extended the improvements by Clearing woodland / In the years 1825 and 1827 he cleared two pieces together making about forty acres adjoining the old plantation & cultivated them every year afterwards and in the winters of 1831 and 1832 cleared two other pieces together making about forty acres more and put them in cultivation / This defendant further claims in right of his wife Nancy the several shares of the real estate which descended to her by the death of her two Brothers Neill and Archd the devisees above named and by the death of her Father Daniel McPherson / Also her inheritance in the lands which decended to her by the death of Colin her brother. Without that there is any other matter or thing material or necefsary for this defendant to make answer unto & not herein well & sufficently answered unto confefsed or avoided traversed or denied is true all of which matters and things this defendant is ready to verify & prove as this worshipful Court shall direct & humbly prays to be hence defmifsed with his Reasonable Costs and Charges in this behalf most wrongfully sustained
NC
Robeson County
Personally appeard before me Peter McEachin one of the Justices in said County Gilbert Gilchrist who being duly sworn saith that the matters of fact stated in the foregoing answer as of his own knowledge & true & the rest he believes to be true. He also states that he is informed & believes that Old John McPherson the testator above named had three daughters who were married and had children some of whom are at this time living & who he believes have never made any claim to any part of the real estate of said Testator [No proof exists for Gilchrist's claim that Old John McPherson had three daughters and the claim is in error; only two daughters are known through estate records and had there been another daughter with children they would have been included in estate settlement proceedings. However, one of these two daughters, Catherine, was married twice: first to John Paterson around 1753, then to (Archibald?) Campbell around 1770.] and that Catharine Brown the petitioner is subscribing witnefs to the purchase within mentioned made with Flora Buie and Mary Gilchrist and their respective husbands sworn to & subscribed before me this the 12th day of December 1836.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxGilbert Gilchrist
P. McEachin J.P.

Colin McPherson Estate Settlement, 1836, Cumberland County, NC

Documents from the 1836 estate papers of Colin McPherson (1763-1835, son of Alexander McPherson, Sr.), Cumberland County, NC; North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC:

North Carolina
Cumberland County
Court of Equity
Special Term 1857
To the Honorable the Judge of Said Court –
The petition of John McPherson Gilchrist [married Mary Ella McDonald], Mary Gilchrist [married John McDougald II] and Daniel A. Gilchrist [never married] infants of tender years by their father and next friend S Sidney Gilchrist [son of Archibald Gilchrist and Mary McPherson of Robeson County, NC] respectfully sheweth unto your Honor that Colin McPherson late of said county died intestate many years ago seized in fee simple of a tract of land in said County, leaving him surviving a widow, one sister, and four children of a deceased brother his only heirs at law – That the dower of the widow was assigned to her and the rest of the land was divided among his heirs at law, that S Sidney Gilchrist named one of the four children of the deceased brother, Catherine by name and had issue three children your present petitioners – That their mother the said Catherine Gilchrist died in the lifetime of the widow of Colin McPherson – That some time since the said widow died leaving the dower land to be divided among the heirs of her husband Colin McPherson, that your petitioners received one fourth of one half the said land in right of their mother the said Catherine being Lot no. four in the division between the four children of John McPherson the deceased brother– That said Lot consists of one hundred and twenty acres lying in Cumberland Co on the waters of Buckhead adjoining the lands of Owens, Mary McPherson [this Mary McPherson is believed to have been the widow of John McPherson who lived on 280 acres on Blounts Creek and died in the mid-1820s. This John McPherson may have been John, the son of Malcolm McPherson, Sr. and Christian Downie McPherson] and Colin McPherson [This Colin is Catherine Gilchrist's youngest brother who went to Kaufman County, Texas, to live with Catherine's McDougald grandchildren and who died there in 1894]. That no part of it is under cultivation, and is valuable only for the timber and turpentine. That many persons are trespassing upon the land and it having become known that your petitioners would endeavor to have said land sold. The trespassing upon the land has greatly increased and it is likely to become greatly impaired in value – Your petitioners further show that they are now inhabitants of the State of Florida, and their being greatly removed in distance from the land are unable to hold it without great disadvantage. They therefore pray your Honor to order a sale of the land on such terms as your Honor shall deem just and reasonable and that the proceeds of the sale may be placed in the hands of their guardian or disposed of as your Honor shall deem best for their interest. And your petitioners in duty bound will ever pray – BR Huske Solicitor for Petitioners

_________

Letter from the Colin McPherson estate, 1836, Cumberland County, NC.

E.L. Winslow, Esq.
February 25, 1854
Dear Sir;
Your note of the 13th last has been recd in which you request me if I can to put you on the tract to find the land which formally belonged to Malcom Buie. I see from your note that you have been tracking about, but you have never got fairly on the right tract. You were sometimes on the Malcom Buie land and sometimes on the Duncan Buie land. I will give you the best information I can from memory. John Buie Father of Malcom owned a tract of land on Wt Side of Cape Fear imediately opposite the Bluff Church, after his death it was divided among his heirs, Malcom drawing a part, after the death of Colin McPherson Malcom administered on his estate. John McNeill and myself went on his administration Bond. He managed the Estate badly, the heirs complained that he was wasting the property, we the Securities had him brought to a Settlement, the Clerk of the County Court took the account when it was found that he was in arrears to a considerable amt. he was removed as administrator and I was appointed in his place. I obtained a judgement against him for the deficiency. Shff Johnson levied on and sold all his property Real and personal. It was believed that John McNeill and myself would suffer some loss but we determined to run the property and make it pay the debt or bid it in, consequently a considerable amt of the property fell on our hands, the land was bid off by John McNeill, he willed it to his son John. his lands lying in Cumberland was dived [divided] among his heirs last fall, If you will look on a plot made by F. Mason and attacht to the report of the commissioners you will find one lot composed of the Buie land and McLeran land and assigned to John Hodges and wife, there I believe you will have it. You say in your note that it seems that John McNeill and myself were appointed Trustees for Malcom Buie and made sale of the land. No such assignment was ever made. If you will examine you will find that John McNeill got a Sheriffs deed for the land, the land you were trying to feret out and left in the hands of Rev E. McNair belonged to Duncan Buie and was sold by execution I believe in favor J & T. Wadell and fell into the hands of Angus Ray and I think is still claimed by his heirs.
Yours respectfully,
Jas. McKethan

Mary Eliza McPherson Brown Estate Settlement, 1904, Robeson County, NC

Document from the 1905 estate papers of Mary Eliza McPherson Brown (1828-1904), Robeson County, NC; Robeson County Courthouse, Lumberton, NC:

G.G. McPherson Admr of estate of Mrs. Mary Eliza Brown decd [nee McPherson, daughter of Alexander and Nancy Dallas McPherson] –

vs.

I. Sarah McPherson, Martha Jane McPherson, Tillitha McPherson and other heirs of Daniel McPherson [son of Alexander and Nancy Dallas McPherson] unknown to Plaintiff and supposed to reside in the State of Mississippi [they were wrong about the state – it should read Alabama. Also 'Tillitha' should be 'Lalitha.' It is clear that the information provided in this document is inaccurate and probably stated through memory.].
II. Duncan McPherson, Martha McPherson, and other heirs of Hugh McPherson [son of Alexander and Nancy Dallas McPherson], unknown to Plaintiff and supposed to reside in the State of Texas.
III. Mary Ann Lytch, Flora Catherine Lytch, Sarah Margaret Lytch, Neill A. Lytch, Duncan Lytch and Malcom Eliza Lytch, heirs of Mrs. Sarah Lytch [Mrs. Sarah Lytch is the daughter of Alexander and Nancy Dallas McPherson, wife of Malcolm Lytch (or Leach). The heirs listed are probably grandchildren, or children stated through memory.] and supposed to reside in the State of Alabama.
IV. Jefferson D. McPherson, Willie McPherson (residing in Robeson County) John A. McPherson and Hector G. McPherson, residing in the State of Florida, and all heirs of John McPherson [son of Alexander and Nancy Dallas McPherson].
V. Mrs. Annie Jane Buie, residing in Robeson County [daughter of Alexander and Nancy Dallas McPherson and wife of John Buie son of Daniel Buie and Flora McPherson Buie].
VI. Ann Eliza Buie, Duncan Patrick Buie, N.B. McArthur and wife Flora McArthur heirs of Mrs.Catherine Buie decd [daughter of Alexander and Nancy Dallas McPherson and wife of Daniel McPherson Buie son of Daniel Buie and Flora McPherson Buie].

John Baker, Senior Estate Settlement, 1783, Cumberland County, NC

Paper from the John Baker Estate, 1783, Cumberland County, NC Document 1 of 2 [not shown]:

The Subscribers being appointed to settle between the Admrs of John Baker and the orphan John Baker Junr do report that it appears to us and such is our report and award, that there is of the estate of said decd in the hands of Elizabeth McPherson the sum of £11.5.7. and in the hands of Danl Baker the sum of £58.4.6. including the whole of the interest on the principal to this date, which sums the said Elizabeth McPherson & Daniel Baker are liable and accountable to the said John Baker for
Given under our hands and Seals this 9th of Augt 1803 –
P Haden? {seal}xxxxxxxxx John Dickson {seal}
Neill Munroe {seal} xxxxxxJohn Munroe {seal}

Document 2 of 2 [shown at right]:

Fayetteville Octr 29th 1783 This is a just & true Inventory of the estate of my deceased husband, which has come to my knowledge...
Sworn before mexxxxxxxxxxxxxhisxxxxxxxxxxxxxher
Jal Burges JP xxxxxxxxxxDaniel X BakerxxxElizth X Baker
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxmarkxxxxxxxxxxxmark

["Elizth Baker" was Elizabeth Murray Baker, widow of
John Baker of this estate paper. She remarried around 1784-85 to
Alexander McPherson of Jura.]

Hugh McPherson Estate Settlement, 1854, Cumberland County, NC

The following is a sworn statement by Neill McPherson, tailor, of Fayetteville in Cumberland County, NC, hastily recorded by his attorney in 1877 detailing Neill's immediately family structure. In this account, Neill does not name his father, but Cumberland County deeds show definitively that Neill's father was Alexander McPherson of Jura and his mother was the widow Elizabeth (neé Murray) Baker.

Also, Neill's wife was Martha Lumsden. She was from Fayetteville and they married in 1839. I believe from county records and census records that she and Neill were estranged. Neill's brother Martin McPherson [husband of Elizabeth McRacken] was a prominent citizen of Fayetteville in the early to mid 19th century, and it is within Martin's and Elizabeth's son's [Hugh McPherson who died in 1854] 1877 Cumberland Co. estate settlement that Neill's sworn account may be found.

There was another Martin McPherson family in Moore County, and similar given names were used within that family; however, the two Martin McPherson clans do not appear to be closely related, if at all. I have much more information on subsequent generations of this clan. —S. Edgerton

In the Matter of the Administration of the Estate of Hugh McPherson [who died in 1854 and was son of Martin and Elizabeth McRacken McPherson]
In Probate Court
Neill McPherson being duly sworn says

I was the Uncle of Hugh McPherson & that Martin McPherson was my brother / John McPherson, Hugh McPherson Alexander McPherson were also my brothers / Margaret Flora & Mary McPherson were my Sisters / Martin McPherson is dead / his children John & Hugh both who died unmarried. Martin left no daughters — John McPherson is dead. he left Flora Hugh & Isabella — (his children) Flora McPherson is living & the one served with notice. Hugh McPherson John McPhersons son is living about six miles from Fayetteville on M Rail Road. Isabella married Thos Munroe, both of them are living near Manchester in Cumberland Co.[and are both buried at Longstreet Presbyterian Church cemetery in Cumberland Co., NC] Hugh McPherson my brother died in Mifsifsippi long before the war / Alex McPherson my brother is living 5 miles from Fayetteville / My sister Margaret is dead / She married Thomas Rhodes Sr. She lived & died in Moore County some six miles from Carthage [Margaret and some of her children are buried near Carthage in Moore Co., NC] / She left Children — David, Thomas, Martin and William, daughters Nancy, Lucretia Elizabeth. David & Lucretia & Elizabeth live in Moore County about 6 miles from Carthage / Nancy Thomas & William are dead / Martin Rhodes is living near Maysville South Carolina / My sisters Flora & Mary both dead / they never married

I have two children named John Henry & Mary. Mary is married to Dr. J.C. Allred, they live in Florida, they have lived there since 1867 or 1868.

Hugh McPhersons mother [son of Martin and Elizabeth McRacken McPherson] was Elizabeth McRacken [daughter of James, Sr., and Margaret McRacken]. James, Robert, Thomas & John McRacken were brothers of Elizabeth McRacken. She had no sisters / they are all dead, James McRacken he left children — Ann, Robert & William. William McRacken died unmarried, Robert McRacken I believe is living in Columbus County [NC] / Ann McRacken married Dillon Jordan & moved to Florida a number of years ago / they had children, Edward, Dillon, William / I do not know the name of the daughter / they are all nonresidents / all the brothers of Elizabeth McRacken died without issue but James McRacken.

Neill McPherson [signature]
Sworn and subscribed before me this day
Jany 26 1877
A. McPherson Jr., Judge of Probate

[Note: A. McPherson, Jr., Judge of Probate, was the son of John McPherson and Sarah Black McPherson, and no family relationship has been established between that of Martin McPherson of Fayetteville and A. McPherson, Jr.]