The Phillip Lynch Connection

I don't know where exactly Phillip Lynch came from. My guess would be Warren and Granville Counties of NC, at least for awhile. 

He ended up in Montgomery County, North Carolina, and later in Anson County, living upon the southwestern banks of the Rocky River. There, he became part of my genealogical FAN Club. FAN is an acronym for "Friends, Associates and Neighbors", which means the study of those persons around that elusive ancestor in their everyday life to find out more about them. You can't go straight up that ol' tree. You just can't. Many a brick wall has been broken down using the fan method. Communities were small, families were tight, people clustered together by origins, by religion and by blood. Every name in a deed could be a clue. People who lived in conjoining properties could be a relative, or marry into the family, and those branches could have carried down information that other branches did not. It works. Neighbors married neighbors more often than not. Families even married within their own ranks. I've seen it many times. 

Phillip Lynch was interesting because he was a neighbor to my ancestors and relatives, Winfields, Davis's, Nash, Avetts, and Howells. He purchased land that bordered what was part of the Winfield Plantation in the early decades after the Revolutionary War. Before that, he had settled on the other side of the river, in Montgomery County, in the part that is now Stanly. He had property on Long Creek, which I live near, and on Mountain Creek, near one of my children. Yes, we are still here.

At some point, Phillip Lynch had chosen to move his family of a wife, six children, and about a dozen or more slaves, across the Rocky River and purchased some Riverfront Property for its agricultural value. At that point, he had neighbors of Ropers, Hogans and a man named Joshua Davis. About the time Joshua Davis disappers, my ancestor Job Davis appears. He was born in April of 1773 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. This much I know. At the age of 19, he arrived on the Rocky River with Josiah and Mary Tillman Floyd. Josiah was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. Mary was the daughter of a younger Roger Tillman and Rebecca Ann Davis. Roger and Rebecca would have a son, Henry and two daughters, before Roger died a young man. Rebecca would then marry James Taylor and have five or six more children. Rebecca was the oldest daughter of Henry Davis and Mary Marriott Davis. When Henry died, not all of his children were adults. James Taylor, Rebecca's second husband, became guardian to a few of them and Joshua Winfield, of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, became guardian to others. Joshua Winfield was the brother of Peter Winfield, who had came to the Rocky River in the 1780's, with the Robertsons, Freemans, Marshalls, and other associated families. The Floyds had arrived with Tillmans. Ledbetters, Laniers, and several other families were among this flow of families from Southside Virginia to this part of North Carolina. Peter's daughter, Sarah Winfield had also been born in Mecklenburg County, Virginia in 1773, but in June, with Job in April. I can only imagine that they played as children. 

This Davis family, from whom I am sure Job sprang, lived along Taylors Creek and Flat Creek in Mecklenburg County, in the upper east corner of the county, near the Brunswick County line. So did the Winfields. The Floyds had started in Brunswick and drifted across the border into Mecklenburg. 

Sarah married Richard Howell first. He was probably also a Virginian and believed to have been related to the Howell's of New Jersey and to Redman Howell, the teacher who first came to Anson and then settled on the border of Chatham and Randolph Counties, and also to Varina Howell Davis, the beautiful wife of Jefferson. Sarah and Richard had 4 children; Peter, named for her father; Jordan, a name that came from the Howell side, as Richard had a brother named Jordan; John W. and Charlotte, the name of Sarah's mother, Charlotte Freeman Winfield. Sarah would marry Job Davis after the death of Richard in 1803. They named their first son Henry, their second, James M., their third Edward Winfield, the name of Sarah's grandfather, and the last Marriott Freeman. Freeman was the maiden name of Sarah's mother. It would just make sense that Henry was named for Henry Davis who married Mary Marriott and James for either that Henry's father, or James Marshall, Peter Winfeilds best friend and Marriott Freeman Daivs for the maiden names of Mary Marriott and Charlotte Freeman. As a note, Josiah Floyd and Mary Tillman Floyd also had sons named Henry and Marriott. It just makes sense. Yet, in all these years of exploration, I can't put a finger on the names of Job's parents. 

So, I am looking at Joshua. He, too, came from Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He married Hannah, daugter of William Hogan. There are no Joshua's or Hannah's in the heirs of Job Davis. 

The first I find of Phillip Lynch is in 1778 in Anson County, the year before the piece of land her bought became Montgomery. 

Warrant 689: Phillip Lynch bought 100 acres in Anson County (later Montgomery, later Stanly) from David Love on Cedar Fork of 'Davy's Creek. It joined a Mr. Cheek and began at 'the Sedars" (Cedars). Surveyed in 1779 by Col. George Davidson, "in Anson, now Montgomery on the south west side of Cedar Fork of Davies Creek ". William Van hoss and Elisha Ham were chain carriers. Grant 20 issued October 23, 1782.

This is the same area in my post on Calvin Lee. Cedar Fork of David's Creek, both run just north of the town of Norwood in Stanly County.  So Cedar Fork was obviously named for a grove of Cedars that grew on its banks in the Revolutionary Era and could David Love have been the David the creek was named for?

December 23, 1778, Anson County Warrant 727, David Love to Phillip Lynch, 200 acres on the SW side of the Pee Dee River, on the head of Camp Branch and includes James Johnson's improvement.

On the back it said, "Phillip Lynch before Will White swears he paid purchase money". Signed by Phillip and a note, "too old date to ascertain if entry fees paid" signed J. Craven. Surveyed in 1795 by J. Adkins, ...on head of Camp Branch, included James Johnson's improvement, Jacob Shankle and John Hagler were the chain carriers. 

In October of 1795, Phillip Lynch sold this property to James Johnson, Sr. This is about the time he crossed the Rocky.

Camp Branch is in the South West corner of Stanly County near Stanfield, and flows into the Rocky River while David's Creek flows into the Pee Dee. 

Another interesting record was from Warrant 440 issued October 5, 1778 by David Love to William Denman for 250 acres on on Mountain Creek of the PeeDee above Lynches entry. Surveyed by George Davidson, again, in 1779 in Anson, now Montgomery. Gilbert Simpson and James Russell were chain carriers.

Now, Phillip Lynch willed property on Mountain Creek to his children in his Will. However, the deed, or grant for it, I haven't seen. How long was Philip Lynch actually here before his deeds were recorded?  And in the James Johnson one, it said the date was "too old to ascertain". He appears to have been one of the earliest settlers in what is now Stanly County.

Also from December 23, 1778 (This seems to be the date it was all made legal, David Love to Phillip Lynch 100 acres on both sides of the Cedar Fork of David's Creek. This one was warrant # 728, the similar one was warrant # 689. 

It joined the property of John Cheek "he thinks to the East". In Anson, now Montgomery, Valentine Vanhoss and Elisha Ham, chain carriers, Grant issued October 13, 1782. 

By now, we see Phillip owned property in Center Township, Furr Township and Harris Townships in Stanly County, different parts of the County that did not connect.

Also in Warrant 725 to William Griffin Hogan, David Love sold 100 acres on David's Creek that joined his own line. It also was survey by Col. Davidson and was ' in Anson, now Montgomery. Was the connection to the Hogans formed here, as neighbors, or did it exist prior to this transaction?

Speaking of Hogans, in October of 1784, in Anson County, James Hogan, Jr. of Camden District, South Carolia, sold to Henry Player (maybe Plyler), of Montgomery County, land in Anson that had been granted to him in 1782. Witnesses were James Hogan Sr., James Marshall and Elijah Hogan, names that will come up again.

1779 - PhillipLynch was still busy acquiring land. He purchased 75 acres in Warrant 115 on December 2 from Benjamin Baird (asa Beard). The tract was on a fork of Bear Creek on the West side of the Yadkin River.  Surveyed by William Johnson  in 1782, "both sides of Little Creek, a fork of Big Bear Creek, begins at a beach on the bank of Little. Hosea 'Roling' (Rowland) and Daniel Culpepper were chain carriers.

Same date,  next Warrant # 116 Benjaim Baird to Phillip Lynch, Phillip Lynch's name was lined out and Daniel Culpepper's name was written in, so I assume it was a mistake on part of the registrar. The land description was nearly identical, same 75 acres, but was for Big branches on Bear Creek. Also surveyed by Mr. Johnson , but began at a black oak on top of a ridge. Phillip Lynch and Hosea Rowland were chain carriers. It looks like the three men, Phillip, Hosea and Daniel, were taking turns helping each other out with their surveys.

Phillip also served as a chain carrier in a transaction between the self-same David Love and John Hardy in 1778, probably the eponym of Hardy's Creek, when David sold Hardy 100 acres on Ugly Creek Mountain at the old road and Mecklenburg Road, bordering Ugly Creek. This area was not far from his Cedar Fork holdings.

 Chain Carriers were normally teens and young men.  Phillip Lynch's age was imprecise and indeterminate. He had to have been at least 21 at the purchase of these deeds in 1778, but as it was made clear that there were significantly older tracts of land he mained. I believe 1750 to be a pretty close speculation, as it would still have him a young enough man to drag chains.

Name	Tirey Robinson
Gender	M (Male)
State	North Carolina
County	Anson County
Residence Year	1780
Household Remarks	Name on a petition, 19 April 1777, to the Senate, etc., from the “inhabitants of the Upper End of the County of Anson” asking that the county be divided since the county has “grown popolous” and the c

I want to interject mention of another deed involving David Love and a 'Tercy' or "Tirsy' Robinson, another neighbor of Phillip Lynch. Tiry appears in a 1763 tax listing for Anson County and on the above mentioned petition for 'inhabitants of the upper end of Anson', which had 'grown populous'. Phillip Lynch is not in these lists. This deed was for 100 acres on Timothy's Creek of Long Creek 'about a mile above Peter Hamblet', in Anson, ' now Montgomery' near William Yearby's Camp. Mark Allen, my ancestor who lived in Allenton, and Randolph Cheek, before mentioned,were chain carriers. There seems to have been a nyaline connection between the Robinson family and the Lynch family. Could Toddy and Tirey have been related? Quite probable. Could Phillip have been a relative? Possibly. Some family trees have his wife Elizabeth as a 'Condor', but I've not seen any proof or connection to that name in any source or way. It seems a  viable theory that she could have been a Robinson. Elizabeth was much younger than Phillip, that is clear, and based on the ages of their children, they probably were married in the late 1780's, several years after Phillips arrival to the area. 

Name	Philip Lynch
Home in 1790 (City, County, State)	Anson, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over	1
Free White Persons - Females	2
Number of Household Members	3

Phillip appears in the 1790 census in both Montgomery and Anson Counties, and owned land in both. In both, there was himself and two females, one most likely Elizabeth, one possibly oldest daughter Sarah, but maybe another woman, a mother or mother-in-law? We'll never know.

In August of 1794, a daedalian transaction occured. A partnership, or company consisting of an alliance between Thomas Carson and William Moore, who would become known as 'Proprietors' or "Land Barons". This is just after the confetti had fallen from the fire of the Revolutionary War. Captain Thomas Carson had been with the Rowan County Regiment.Within his ranks had been William Moore. Thomas Carson died in 1804, having willed great swaths of land to his son, John K. Carson and much of the proof of such had been destroyed one of multiple Courthouse fires in Montgomery County. A Mr. Martin, in an NC  Supreme Court Case, swore that he was the Clerk of Court in Montgomery Couty in 1824. My ancestor, 'the Honorable John Culpepper then a member of Congress" and acting as an agent of a Miss Thornton, to whose father Carson and Moore had sold properties to, had a deed to the knowledge of Mr. Martin, proved in court of the transfter of land from a man named Carson to Doctor Thornton.He could not recall which Carson or the boundaries of the land, but that it contained several large tracts in what is now Stanly County, including along the areas of Long Creek, Bear Creek, Mountain Creek, Ugly Creek and the Rocky River. These dealing affected many early Stanly County residents, and several of my various ancestors. 

Warrant 1107 issued on August 28, 1794 by John Crump to Thomas Carson and William Moore, a total of 17, 920 acres. It was broken down in 640 acres divisions, one on the Rocky River including the 'Medicinal Springs' aka Rocky River Springs, one adjoining a 'former entry', one surveyed by John Christian, etc., until it gets to the exceptions, or legal tracts recorded to a long list of individuals, first named was an unknown Randle, Phillip 'Linch' 100 acres, Tircy Robinson, 400 acres,  William Lee 150 acres (whom I am also researching as a possible ancestor in my quest for the parentage of Calvin Lee). Others of note mentioned are Edward Almond,  Payton Randle and Benjamin Hathcock, all ancestors of mine, and Robert Taylor, a possible relative, as I descend from two female Taylors of this generation, parents unproven. 

Name	Wright Lynch[Wright Lynck]
Home in 1790 (City, County, State)	St Thomas, Cheraws District, South Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - 16 and over	1
Free White Persons - Females	3
Number of Household Members	4

It is about this time we turn to Anson County and a few new Lynches (aka Linches) pop up. October 1792, a Wright Linch of Anson county sells 50 acres on the south side ot the Pee Dee river to Charles Campwell. It was on Savannah Creek and joined Abraham Lefaver. John Newton and Charles Birmingham were witnesses, found in Book C2 Page 129 of Anson County Deeds. This was located in an entirely different section of Anson County than where Phillip would live, from 'Upper Anson' to Lower Anson.

Who was Wright Lynch? The 1790 census reveals that there were two men of that name who were Heads of Household, one in Cheraw, SC and one in Edgecomb, NC. Due to the proximity of Cheraw to Anson County, he was most likely the one from South Carolina, who would move north across the state line just a pinch, by 1792.

In December of 1797, there was a transaction between Anson County Sheriff John Jennings and Solomon McCall, where McCall purchased the following people named Prince, Lucy, Cealy, Hannah, Rose, Abram and Tom, who had belonged to as slaves of William Potter deceased and sold due to a writ of fieri facias, (which gives a Sheriff or other person of authority, the control to sell property to satisfy a debt) from Granville County court, where John Lynch is plaintiff and executors of William Potter,  deceased, are defendants. 

As this gentleman was from far away Granville County, there is no hint of a connection. He just happens to show up in the Anson records, but as Potter evidentally had relocated, or had heirs who relocated to Anson, anything is possible.

As many Anson youngsters seemed to absquatulate in the 1820's, many southern Virginia and eastern Carolina residents did in the years after the Revolution from there into Anson, Montgomery and surrounding counties. 

In Upper Anson, enter Joshua Davis. Book B2, Page 199 and Page 200, Robert Seago of Greenville, SC sells property to Joshua Davis of Anson. The year is 1789 and the first tract is 30 acres on Muddy Branch, bordering Robert Seago and a Grant from ' The King ' to John Seago, joining March banks. Witnesses were William Marshall Jr., Larken Ryle and James Ryle. The second was 100 acres was also on Muddy Branch of Ready Prong of Jones Creek, John Seagos survey and Marchbanks.

This leads up to January 6, 1794 Book C2 Page 222, John Ryle to James Ryle, in Anson County, where three men, Dublin, Jude and Harry, are being divided among Ryle siblings after the death of their father. The siblings were John, James, Larkin and Sarah Ryle. Phillip Lynch witnessed this transaction.

In July of 1788, James Hogan Jr. of South Carolina sold to Joshua Davis of Anson for right of his wife Hannah Hogan Davis, a third of the estate of William Hogan, deceased, to "which she was entitled by law". This tract was in the north of the County, on Rocky River, while Jones Creek lie some miles south. It was signed by Edmund Lilly, Jr , William Marshall, and  James Marshall. 

Two months later, in July, Joshua Davis and wife Hannah Davis sold this same tract to James Marshall. It began at the upper corner of the plantation near a small branch. Witnesses were Virginian transplants, connected to the Winfields, Drury and Nathaniel Robertson, and Richard Ramsey.  My ancestor Stark Ramsey is also found in this area. I don't know the connection to Richard Ramsey, but there could be one, same area of the County, same surname.

It was 1789 when Isaac Abercrombe shows up, a name consistent name in later records of both my Davis/Winfield family and Phillip Lynch. That August, he purchased 200 acres from James Hogan that bordered James Hogan, Jr., John Ryles and Indian Camp Branch. Witnesses were Elijah Hogan, David Hogan and John Ryle.

Book D Page 176 brings Phillip Lynch square into the old community of Wharf. A Planter named Stephen Hyde of Anson  sold 250 acres to Phillip Lynch on the "ridge between Buffalo Creek and Little Creek" on the south side of the Rocky River. It began at Hugh Ross' corner hickory and joined 'Hetcher', except for an entry made by John McInvale that "now belongs to" Griffin Nash and 'should be the oldest'. Signed Stephen Hyde, witnessed by Larken Ryle and Zedehiah Ledbetter. 

The neighborhood is assembling when in 1789, James Hogon, son of William Griffin Hogan deceased, of Fairfield South Carolina, sells to Joshua Davis of Anson, 200 acres on the Southsided of the Rocky River bordering James Marshall, John Ryle and the River. And this is one of the things that always made me skip over Joshua Davis, it was witnessed by John Lillly, Charles Pistole and Abraham Davis, and was  proved by the oath of the same in January of 1790, Book 2 page 212. Joshua Davis was the wrong set of Davis's, so I never considered him as a possible relation.

Two more interesting deeds in this time period involving my family must be included. In Book B2, page 430 and 431, Gov. Alexander Martin of Fayetteville, NC grants to Peter Winfield in Grants 916 and 904, the first of 200 acres beginning at the partnership of Spencer & Ross's corner on the southside of the river meeting the property of Preslar, Peter's 'home line' and Hugh Ross. The second was a smaller tract of 50 acres also joining Spencer & Ross, Griffith Hogan, Joseph Waters and the Rocky River. 

In January of 1792, James Hogan, of Fairfield County, South Carolina and Joshua Davis,of Anson County, NC, sell to Phillip Lynch, of Anson, 100 acres on the Southside of the Rocky River. This by happenstance, made Phillip a neighbor of the Hogan's and of Joshua Davis, their Inlaw. The land was situated on the Rocky River and William Griffin Hogan's third line and joined John Ryles first line. It was signed by Joshua Davis and James Hogan and witnessed by James Ryle and Elijah Hogan.Book C2 Page 58.

The next year, January 26, 1793, Joshua Davis of Anson to Phillip Lynch of the same, 100 acres south of the Rocky River, beginning at a same Hickory in James Marshall's line on the river bank near the mouth of Spring Branch, joined William Griffin Hogan's old line and a new survey dated May of 1772. Signed by Joshua Davis and witnessed by Larkin Ingram and Jeremiah Smith, two new names in the mix.C2 162.

About the same time, James McInvail of Anson sold to Peter Winfield, 100 acres south of the Rocky, at Spencer and Ross' corner, joining Griffin Hogan, Joseph Watters and Taylor. Witnesses were Richard Howell and Griffin Nash, sons-in-law of Peter. 

Worth mentioning was a large document located in Anson County Deed Book D, beginning on page 96. It was more or less concerning heirs of Samuel Phillips, who died Intestate. It included the names of Marchbanks and mentioned multiple transactions of the Seagos, including those involving Joshua Davis and Phillip Linch. Witnesses were Isham Davis and Henry Marshall. Now the Marshalls, William, Henry and James, are mentioned in many of these deeds, and I know exactly who they were, Virginians connected to the Winfields. Henry Davis of whom I believe was the patriarch of my branch of Davis's did indeed have a son named Isham. I have found that Isham as down as Chatham. Had he arrived in Anson? Or was there an Isham Davis within the other branch of Davis's who had settled very early in Anson County, the descendants of Christopher? 

That whole document and its contents picks up again in Book D, page 184, mentioning the same peoples and properties, but focuses more on James Phillips while the former concerned mainly his brother George, again mentioning Joshua Davis and Phillip Lynch. 

Enter the 19th Century. Phillilp Lynch had written a Will in 1807. He had names his wife Elizabeth and nominated her as Executrix.He named his 6 children, sons Green and John W. Lynch and daughters Sallly (Sarah), Elizabeth (Betsy), Catey (Catherine) and Nancy. 

In Book R, page 44, the Govenor Nathaniel Alexander granted #1807 to Solomon Cahoon, 100 acres on th eRocky River that joined Morris, Phillip Lynch and Ramsey. Dec 16, 1806.

In Book N Page 123, The Govenor David Stone granted #2033 to Peter Howell (son of Richard Howell, grandson of Peter Winfield) 100 acres on the Rocky River beginning at JobDavis's fence, joins Griffin Nash, runs along Job Davis's line, meets Phillip Lynches line and runs with that. Dated December 17, 1808. Note, Peter Howell was born in 1794. He was not an adult, he was 14 years old. Phillip Lynches is not noted as 'deceased'. He's still alive. 

Book R Page 272, February 22, 1816. Solomon Cahoon sold three tracts to Godfrey Burnett. One joined Morrison (husband of Ancena Winfield), Phillip Lynch, a branch and Ramsey (either Richard Ramsey or my ancestor Stark Ramsey), and began at Edward Winfield's  corner to the red oak in Ramsey's line and McClendon. Witnesses were Edward Winfield and John Forrest. Forrest was from Stanly County. Edward held land on both sides, the Anson and the Montgomery/Stanly side of the Rocky River. 

Book U, Page 242, March 12, 1822, John Watson of Marlboro County, South Carolina sold to Burwell Braswell of Anson (new names) 100 acres on the east side of Little Creek, beginning at John Ramsey's corner post (Stark Ramsey's Grant would border that of John Ramsey), joins Abercrombe, and Lynch (Isaac and Phillip), except the exclusive right of the Watson family using water out of a certain spring on said land. Witnessed by Armstead Lilly and John Grace. Arthur Freeman, a grandson of patriarch Arthur Freeman and nephew of Charlotte Freeman Winfield, sells a man named Mike to Henry Pritchard witnessed by Frederick Randle. The Robley-Walkers and the Stancills are off to Georgia. The Meanleys and some of the children of Phillip Lynch, Threadgills, Coppedge and Cawthorns, are off to Tennessee. Arthur Freeman Winfield and later, John, sons of Edward Winfield and grandsons of Peter, are off to Alabama, along with John W. Lynch and the Robinson group. 

I will attempt to follow the trail of the children of Phillip Lynch. As far as Joshua Davis and Hannah Hogan Davis, I still believe it was just a coincidence that just as Joshua disappears from records, Job Davis shows up, both as neighbors of Phillip Lynch. Joshua was probably a descendant of Christopher who married Hannah Hogan and ended up a neighbor of the extended Winfield family and Phillip Lynch. Job Davis didn't arrive until about 1794, and became a neighbor due to his marriage into the Winfield family. 

Time has passed. The old guard of the Revolutionary Years are passing. Nathaniel Booth Robertston and his stepmother Amy Robertson are busy dividing the estate of her deceased husband, Drury Robertson. His other children, including Drury Jr. and James Roberston who married Mary and Martha Winfield, nieces of Peter Winfield,Joel and John Terrell Winfield, nephews,  Robertson Carloss and Charles Booth, relatives, have left Anson for Marlboro County, South Carolina. A new generation sets out to explore new lands and tame the West.