James Webb (1752-1825) is my direct-line 5th great-grandfather. He is also my biggest genealogy brick wall. Based on many of those other family trees in Ancestry he is their’s too. For all that has been printed and shared about James Webb of Wilkes Co, North Carolina, I actually know so little about him. The number of so called facts and stories that comes from so many family trees, are deeply intertwined with other James Webb’s who lived in the same region at pretty much the same time. It makes the research that much harder. James Webb was a very common name.
What do I know about James Webb of Wilkes Co, NC? This is the verifiable documentation that I have uncovered that identifies him.
24 Sep 1779: in 1778, James Webb deeded 100 acres of land on Harris(es) Creek, E side of Harris(es) Mountain, Roaring River, Wilkes Co, NC. (Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book A-1, pg 74)
24 Sep 1779: In 1778, James Webb deeded 140 acres of land located on Harris(es) Creek, waters Roaring River. (Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book A-1, pg 98)
25 Mar 1780: Emanuel Rose deeded 440 ac. Middle Fork Roaring River…line between Widow Alexander & Rose…Larkland Cleveland’s line…Benjamin Morgan’s corner…James Webb’s line. (Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book A-1, pg 515)
1782: Wilkes Co Tax Lists identifies James Webb, of Capt Morgan’s District, as owning 100 acres of land, 2 horses/mules, and 1 cow. (1782 Wilkes County Tax List)
1784: Wilkes Co Tax lists identifies James Webb, of Capt Morgan’s District, as owning 100 acres of land (1784 Wilkes County Tax List)
1784-1787: North Carolina State Census lists James Webb of Wilkes Co and shows a census count of 8: himself, 4 males under 21 or over 60, and 3 females of all ages. (The State Census of North Carolina, 1784-1787, transcribed)
8 Feb 1789: James Webb served as witness to the sale of 290 Acres of land on both side Middle Fork, Roaring River between Emanuel Rose and Edmond Boaz for 166 pounds. (Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book B-1, pg 234)
10 Feb 1789: Emanuel Rose sells 150 ac of land on both side of Middle Fork Roaring River for 50 pounds to James Webb (Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book B-1, pg 235)
1790: 1st US National Census lists James Webb of Wilkes Co NC and shows a census count as 6: himself, 3 males and 2 females. This suggest that the 3 males are his sons, Benjamin, James Jr and probably William, and the 2 females are his daughters, Mary and Sarah. The 3rd female listed in the 1784-1787 State census, who might have been James’ wife might have died before 1790. I have no ideal what could have happened to the 4th male. Did a son die? Did a son leave? Was this an elderly family resident? Or was the State Census wrong? Research is on-going. His top/bottom neighbors are difficult to read but appear to be Edmond Boaz and Charity Hausly(?). (1790 United States Census for Wilkes Co, North Carolina)
5 Jan 1793: James Webb sold 140 acres of land on Harris(es) Creek, Roaring River, near the road, to Stephen Caudill for 100 pounds (Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book D, pg 101)
26 Jan 1795: Edmond Boaz sold 290 acres of land on both sides of the Middle Fork, Roaring River to Spencer Adams for 200 pounds. Said land sits on a line between Edmond Boaz, James Webb, and Wm Hamons.(Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book D, pg 230)
15 Oct 1797: Spencer Adams sold 290 acres of land on both sides of the Middle Fork, Roaring River to Joseph Woolfolk for 200 pounds. Said land sits on a line between Edmond Boaz, James Webb, and William Hammons.(Wilkes Co., N.C. Deeds, Book D, pg 305)
1800: US National Census lists James Webb of Wilkes Co and shows a census count of 5: himself, 2 males between the ages of 10-15, one male between the ages of 16 and 25, and 1 female over 45. (1800 United States Census for Wilkes Co, North Carolina)
28 Jan 1806: James Webb sells 100 acres of land on Harris(es) Creek to Susannah Fugit for 50 pounds. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book G-H, pg 269)
17 March 1808: James Webb served as witness to the sale of 100 acres of land on both sides of Harris(es) between Archibald Craft (now of Floyd Co, KY) and Thomas Jones (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book H, pg 29)
21 May 1808: James Webb served as a witness to the sale of 100 acres of land on one fork of the Roaring River between William Caudill and Joel Stamper. (Wilkes Co, NC Deed Book H, pg 52)
8 Dec 1809: James Webb sold 150 acres of land both sides of the Middle Folk Roaring River to Stephen Caudill for 150 dollars. (Wilkes Co,NC Deed Book H, pg 192). Note: This was the last track of land in Wilkes Co, NC known to be owned by James.
1810: US National Census lists James Webb of Wilkes Co with a census count of 1. This is the last time we see James Webb’s name on a census. (1810 United States Census for Wilkes Co, North Carolina)
1820: US National Census of Floyd County, Kentucky, lists Matthew Caudill, husband of James’ daughter Sarah Webb Caudill. Census data includes 2 males over 45. Could that second older male be James? It seems to make sense but it cannot be proven. (1820 United States Census for Floyd Co, Kentucky North)
Past 1820: No more verifiable data on James Webb is found.
If anyone has any more documented information on James Webb (1752-1825) Wilkes Co, NC, please let me know. I am specifically
looking for information on James in his earlier years; before his land
purchase in 1778. Thank you!
