I am a decendant of William H. Durham and wife, Phoebe (Phebe) Lawson found in the 1850 Census for Surry County, NC. William H. Durham's age in 1850 is an error though. The 1900 Census for Tazewell County, Virginia lists his birth as Jan 1814. William H. Durham and wife, Phoebe (spelled Phebe in several censuses), appears in 1860 (Surry County, NC), Grayson County, VA in 1870, and Tazewell County, VA in the 1880 and 1900 Census. I decend from William H. Durham's son, Thomas Jackson Durham, b. 1862 Virginia, through his son, John Everett Durham, and then through my father, James Calvin Durham.
Almost ALL the DURHAMs listed in the vicinity of William H. Durham, appear to be decendants of Gregory Durham and Elizabeth Shelton. Gregory Durham moved from Henry County, VA (1800/1810 Tax Lists) to Stokes County, North Carolina around 1814. I believe Gregory Durham died around 1814, since his wife, Elizabeth (Shelton) Durham appears in the 1815 Tax Lists for Stokes, and the 1820 Census for Stokes. Elizabeth Durham is taxed on 487 acres in 1815 and sells 487 acres in December 1816 Stokes County, NC and is listed as "widowed". It is possible that my William H. Durham is one of the children listed in the household of Elizabeth Durham in the 1820 Census for Stokes Co., NC.
My question is: Does anyone have any information that would help me connect my William H. Durham to Gregory Durham?
One of the DURHAMs also living in the 1850 Census for Surry County, NC is a "Sally Durham", age 64 (b. ca 1786) who could possibly be a daughter of Gregory Durham or perhaps a widowed wife, of one of Gregory Durham's sons. So far Sally Durham is my best bet as being the MOTHER of my William H. Durham. There is also a daughter, Sally Durham, listed on the DEED of 1816 where Elizabeth (Shelton) Durham is selling the 487 acres.
If anyone has information that can help - it would be much appreciated. Thanks.
Byron K. Durham
www.durhamheritage.com
