Descendants of Thomas Russell of Fresh Ponds
& Mary Walstone
A Theory
A Theory
Thomas Russell first appears in the Will of Matthew Brinson, dated 12 Jun 1681. In this will Thomas is referred to as Thomas Russell of Fresh Ponds in Linhaven Parish. In the late 1600s two Thomas Russells appear in Norfolk County, VA. To avoid confusion I will refer to Thomas Russell (d. c1684) as Thomas Russell of Fresh Ponds. (The other Thomas Russell is often referred to as Capt. Thomas Russell which is how I will refer to him. Capt. Thomas Russell was from Kenton, Devonshire, England and had at least two children: Otho and Daniel.)
Thomas Russell of Fresh Ponds' wife was Mary Walstone, the sister of William Walstone. Some Brinson Family researchers believe that Matthew Brinson's wife, Elizabeth, was the sister of Mary Walstone. After Thomas's death Mary married William Hillyard, this was sometime before 1692 when they both appear in Princess Anne County records.
William Hillyard died in 1694 and left his remaining land to his wife Mary. He stipulated that if she remarried the estate was to be divided into three parts with one part given to his wife, one part to his son-in-law William Russell, and one part to his daughter-in-law Anne Russell. After William Hillyard's death Mary married Thomas Grandy and the land was therefore divided three ways. In 1703 the plantation was sold by William Russell and William Bell, husband of Anne Russell. It appears all of the land was sold so it appears Mary Walstone Russell Hillyard Grandy had died by 1703.
2. Thomas Russell Jr. died in Currituck County, NC in 1713. His widow, name unknown, later married John Whitby/Widbee
3. Mary Russell
4. William Russell, (m1) Margrett Bell, (m2) Sarah _____. He died in Currituck County, NC in 1717.
5. Anne Russell, married William Bell abt 1700; William died in Currituck County, NC in 1721
William Russell first appears in the Will of his step-father William Hillyard in 1694. William is identified as a planter living in Princess Anne County, VA. In 1703 William, along with William Bell (the husband of his sister Ann) sold 250 acres of land inherited from William Hillyard. Both William Russell and William Bell are identified as being residents of North Carolina.
William appears in various records in Currituck County, NC from 1708 to 1716. The 1706 Will of John Bell identifies a daughter Margrett Russell. A 1711 Deed in Currituck identifies William Russell and his wife Margrett. My guess is that William Russell's first wife was Margrett Bell. I also feel that she is the mother of most, if not all, of William's children. When William dies in 1717 his widow is listed as Sarah who was appointed administrix to his estate.
6. William Russell, born c1700 and died in Carteret County, NC in 1744, he married Lydia.
7. Mary Russell, she married Moses Prescott who died in Carteret County, NC in 1751
8. Habakkuk Russell born c1710 and died in Carteret County, NC in 1754, he married Ann
William Russell is believed to be the same William Russell who appears in a 1726 deed in Princess Anne County, VA in which he is identified as the son of William Russell who was the son-in-law of William Hillyard. William Russell appears on tax lists in Currituck County in 1721 and a land patent dated 1725 shows he obtained land in Bath (later Carteret County) on Ware Creek. When this land was sold by him in 1733 the deed was witnessed by Habakkuk Russell.
William Russell appears in various deeds and court records from 1725 until his death in 1744. His wife Lydia remarried after his death to Thomas Austin Sr.
9. Joseph Russell, born abt 1730 and died in Feb 1762 in Carteret County, NC
10. Benjamin Russell born abt 1735 and died in 1766 in Carteret County, NC, m. Sarah ______
11. Martha Russell born abt 1738, married Henry Hatchell
12. Habakkuk Russell Jr born abt 1740 and died 1788 in Carteret County, NC
It is thought that Mary, the wife of Moses Prescott (d. 1751) was Mary Russell the sister of Habakkuk Russell. Moses Prescott is found in Currituck County in 1716 and it is thought he was the second tithable on the 1715 tax list under Aaron Prescott's name. Moses was therefore born about 1699. From discussions with Prescott researchers it appears Moses and Mary moved first to Beaufort County, NC and then to Carteret County in the 1740s.
13. William Prescott, married Amy Brinson daughter of Cason Brinson
14. Willis Prescott, married Martha Austin daughter of Thomas Austin Sr.
15. Moses Prescott
16. Thomas Prescott, married Mary Williams daughter of Weston Williams
17. Russell Prescott
18. Mary Prescott, married Benjamin Prescott
19. Sarah Prescott, married John Purdue
Habakkuk Russell first appears in a land deed dated 1732 in which he purchased land in Carteret County, NC from Joseph Wicker. Habakkuk appears to have lived his entire adult life in western Carteret County and is found in various court records and land deeds. His known children are listed in his will as is his wife Ann.
20. Anna Sophia Russell who married Jonathan Hibbs
21. Rebecca Russell
22. Sarah Russell who married Nathaniel Wilder
23. David Russell who died 1813 in Carteret County, NC; married (1) Anna Read, married (2) Tabitha Hill
24. Abigail Russell
25. Abraham Russell
Benjamin Russell appears in Carteret County Court in the 1760s. He requested and was named administrator on the estate of Joseph Russell in 1762. Although I cannot document the children of William Russell and Lydia it is likely that Benjamin Russell was their son. Benjamin's son Habakkuk (c1760-1820) owned land that was still held by William Russell when he died. Benjamin's widow Sarah was named administrix on Benjamin's estate in 1766. In 1800 Sarah died and her estate was administered by Habakkuk Russell (d. 1820).
26. Habakkuk Russell, born c1760 and died c1820, m. Nancy Dudley
27. William Russell, this may be the same William Russell who moved to Posey County, IN in the early 1800s.
For the Russell Family
Lower Norfolk & Princess Anne Counties, VA,
and Currituck & Carteret Counties, NC
Norfolk County, VA Wills, p. 78 & 79
Will of Mathew Brinson of ye parish of Linhaven in ye County of Lower Norfolk, VA:
"bequeath unto Thomas Russell Jr. ye Sone of Thomas Russell of ye fresh ponds in ye parish of Linhaven... after myne and my wifes decease... my plantation whereon I now live being a divedent of one hundred acres... in case ye sd Thomas Russell should dye before me... then unto his sister Mary Russell ye daughter of Thomas Russell Sr."
Codicil (14 Jun 1681): "unto my beloved brother Jno. Brinson... one hundred acres of land..."
Princess Anne County, VA (DB1, p. 84)
I Wm. Hillyard of Princess Anne County in Virginia, Marriner... considering the frailty of all mankind doe make ordain this present instrument...
"I doe give & bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Mary Hillyard during the time of her widowhood... my plantation... containing by estimation two hundred acres... but if it should soe happen that my said wife should intermarry... then it is my will that my sd. Plantation... be equally to be devided in three equal parts (viz) the one third part to my sd. Wife... and the other parts to my son & daughter in law William Russell and Anne Russell."
Executors: Capt. Abraham Oyfield and Mr. Thomas Beard of the Island of Barbados; Mr. Henry Woodhouse and Mr. Lemuell Phillips of Princess Anne County.
Princess Anne County, VA
An Inventory of Thomas Russells Estate Appraised the last of this instant May 1684. Several items listed, signed by William Cornick and Richard Gooding.
Princess Anne County, VA
Be it known unto all men by these presents that I William Hillyard of the County of Princess Anne mariner have with the free & voluntary consent of Mary Hillyard my wife... given, granted & by this present Deed of Gift do give grant confirm & assign unto Thomas Franklin & Sarah Franklin his wife... fifty acres of woodland ground situate lying & being in Princess Anne County...
Signed by: William Hillyard and Mary Hillyard
Witnessed by: Mary Russell, William Moore and William Heslett
Princess Anne Orders and Minutes
At an Orphans Court held for Princess Anne County 4th May 1693
Upon the petition of Mary Russell it is ordered that William Hillyard pay and deliver to her what is due belonging to her from the Estate of her father Thomas Russell decd.
Princess Anne County, VA (DB1, p. 125)
Whereas William Hillyard late of this Colony dying in Barbados & by his will did give & bequeath his estate unto his wife Mary Hillyard and two of her children William Russell & Anne Russell... and whereas Thomas Grandy who intermaried with the above sd. Mary Hillyard his relect... hath made humbe suite... the administration is granted unto the said Thomas Grandy, in right of his sd. Wife...
Signed: William Cornick (seal)
Princess Anne County, VA (DB1, p. 105)
Numerous items listed.
Signed: Mary M. Grandy
Sworn to be a true Inventory by Mary Grandy now the wife of Thomas Grandy late widow & relict of Wm. Hillyard decd.
Princess Anne County, VA
Thomas Franklin and Sarah his wife vs. Otho Russell and Mary his wife in an action for words... The jury found for the plaintiff with damages of five hundred pounds of tobacco. The verdict was appealed to the General Court.
Evidences vs Russell: John Nellson, Joseph Purvine, Giles Cowish, Mary Provine, Judith Clark
Princess Anne County, VA (DB1, p. 408)
Wm. Russell & Willm. Bell both of ye Government of North Carolina planter... sold unto Thomas Bodnam of ye County of Princess Anne... one parcel of land containing by estimation two hundred and fifty acres... it being a parcel of land ye Mr. Willm. Hillyard bought of Joel Martin & by ye sd Hillyard given to me ye sd William Russell & my sister Ann now ye wife of ye abovesd. Willim. Bell as by ye last will & Testament of ye sd. Hillyard may more at large appear...
Signed: Willm. W. Russell and Will Bell
Witnessed by: John Richason and John Meidon
Acknowledged in open Court by Wm. Russell ye 5th 8ber 1704 & ordered to be recorded.
Currituck Precinct, Chowan County Miscellaneous Papers
In the Name of God amen... I John Bell of the Precinct of Corahtuck in North Carolina... Sick and Weak in body...
I Give and bequeath to Margrett My Dearly beloved wife...all my personal estate...to be by her used...at her free will...during her naturall life...except half to my children hereafter named.
Son William Bell: one third of estate remaining after wife's decease...one Ewe with all her increase.
Daughter Margrett Russell: the other third part...one Ewe and all her increase.
Executrix: wife Margrett
Witnesses: William Parker, Jane (her mark) Wicker, Edwd. Taylor
NC Higher Court Records, Vol IV, p. 370
Mrs. Margaret McBride against Wm. Reed, Wm. Bray, and Wm. Russell for assault and insolence which occurred in Pasquotank Precinct.
Deed Book 3, p. 93
William Russell of Currituck County to William Lurry for 15 pounds.
Witnesses: Edwd. Taylor, Joseph Sanderson
Signed: William X Russell
Deed Book 3, p. 106
Wm. Russell of Albemarle, precinct of Currituck, and wife Margaret to Richd. Smith for 25 pounds, 300 acres near Powell's Poynt adj. Albermarle Sound, marked trees (N28E320P, E36S157P, S28W320P).
Witnessed by: James Douge, Thos. Albretton
Signed: William X Russell
North Carolina Records
Know all Men by these present that we Jno. Whitby & John Brd do acknowledge ourselves bound unto the Lords Proprietors... for Letters of Administration on the Estate of Thos. Russell decd...
Signed: John Whidbe and Jno. Byrd
Sealed and Delivered in presence of: Gate, T. Knight
Record of Executive Council Minutes, 1713, pp. 43-44
Upon Petition of Jno. Whitby showing that his wife who was the Widow and Relict of Thos. Russell Decd. Obtained Orders for Letters of Administration... It is ordered by this Board that the said John Whitby have Letters of Administration in right of his said Wife on the aforesaid Thos. Russells Estate and that the Deputy Marshall of Corratuck precinct return all the Goods, Chatles and Catle that he took...
Province of North Carolina 1663-1729, Patent Book One, p. 57, #632
William Russell of Carratuck precinct 431 acres on Cape Hatterass Island, joining ye sound and Col. William Reed.
Signed: Tho. Pollock, Tho. Boy, N. Chevin, W. Reed, T. Knight
Currituck County
William Russell appears on Currituck County Tax and Militia Lists in 1714, 1715, and 1716. (Wm. Bell and Wm. Reed also appear on these lists.)
Abstract of Norfolk County Wills, p. 45-46
Will of Samuell Paine, Late of North Carolina... Mentions "horse which I bought of William Russell"
Currituck County
Then received James Browne three pounds thirteen shillings and six pence by order of John Whedbee it being due for thirty six days service and a cow and a quarter of beef received pr me. William Russell
The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 1, p. 71
William Russell, dead without a will; his widow Sarah Russell Administratrix; Dec. 28, 1717.
Secretary of State Original Wills NC 1663-1789
Mr. William Bell Late of Currituck Precinct before he died being in good sense & Memory made a Verbal will as follows:
Imprimis: He did give unto his son William Bell one negro man named York and one negro woman named Doll.
Item: that all the rest of his worldly Estate should be equally divided between his Wife and Children and if any of his Children should die before they come of age then their part to be equally divided between the Rest of the Children.
Witnesses: Thomasin O'Neal, Mary O'Neal, Deborah Pell, Sarah Walker
Sworn to August 31, 1721 before Tho: Taylor, John Woodhouse
Province of North Carolina, Patent Book Nine, p. 208, #3405
William Russell 375 acres in Bath Co. joining Lodowick Martin, Ware Creek, the Savanna, John Ingoe, Mr. Davis, Doctor Keelling and William Winlye, which land was formerly surveyed for Richard Batchelor.
Witnesses: Richard Everard, E. Moseley, R. Sanderson, E. Gale, Thomas Havey, Thomas Pollock, F. Forster
Princess Anne County, VA (DB4, p. 89)
This Indenture made between William Russell of North Carolina, son of Willm. Russell ye son in law of William Hillyard of ye one part & Thomas Haynes of ye Parish of Linhaven in ye County of Princess Ann in Virginia of the other part...
For the sum of thirty five pounds current money... one hundred & twenty five acres of Land situate & lying on the Eastward side of Linhaven River in Princess Ann County... it being a parcel of land that Mr. William Hillyard bought of Joel Martin & by said William Hillyard given to William Russell father of the above said William Russell & ye heirs of his body lawfully begotten as by the said will it may appear...
Carteret County Court Records
Wm. Russell appears as Juror in Carteret County, NC in September 1727 and March 1727/8.
NC Higher Court Records, Vol VI, p. 610
Wm. Russell vs. John Rhodes of Bath County Planter. Russell accuses Rhodes of coming onto his land and cutting and tending trees to obtain turpentine. The land is described as: Plantation and parcel of land lying and being in Carteret precinct containing four hundred and seventy acres (470) more or less. Bounded northerly by lands formerly in possession of William Stone and southward by the land heretofore Enoch Wards.
Carteret County Deeds
Joseph Wicker deed to Habakkuk Russell 320 acres lying on Newport Sound in Carteret County, NC.
Deed Book 3, p. 61
Mary Russell to Thos. Gray. 90 pounds for 147 acres, a tract of land which Wm. Russell bought of Edward Jelfe containing 447 acres, adj. where Thos. Russell formerly dwelled on the Sound Side.
Witnessed by: Jacob Farrow and Samuel Williams
Signed: Mary X Russell
Carteret County Deeds & Court Records
Sep 1737: Habakkuk Russell to William Wilkins 320 acres in Carteret County, NC
Mar 1737/8: Cullen Pollock to Habakkuk Russell 360 acres on Bogue Sound
This court hath appointed Mr. Charles Cogdell and Mr. James Yates to be commissioners for the roads on the west side of Newport River to White Oak River in the rooms of Mr. David Shepard and Mr. Habakuk Russell.
Carteret County Deeds
Christian Reed to Habakkuk Russell 518 acres on the south side of the Newport River.
Carteret County Court Records
Habakkuk Russell appointed constable for west side of Newport River.
Carteret County Deeds
Richard Whedbee (Whitby) and Hannah his wife to Hab Russell, 500 acres on North side of Bogue Sound and West side of Goose Creek.
Carteret County Court Minutes
William Russell came into open court and made oath that he hath in his family seven white persons.
Capt. Cary Godbe, Thomas Cummin, Joseph Smith Sr., Benjamin Weeks, William Russell being fined the last court, hath appeared and made lawful excuse and the fine is remitted.
William Russell appears as Juror in Carteret County, NC.
George Neithercott appointed constable for the south side of Newport River in the room of Habakkuk Russell and that he be forthwith qualified.
Carteret County Court Records
William Russell acknowledged deed to Thomas Hicks for 100 acres of land on Bogue Sound.
Habakkuk Russell appears as Juror in Carteret County, NC.
Carteret County Court Records
William Russell acknowledged deed to Samuel Chadwick for 430 acres of land on Bogue Sound.
Carteret County Court Records & Deeds
Lydia Russell, widow of William Russell, decd. Prayed for Administration on the estate of her husband.
Habakkuk Russell to Moses Prescott 250 acres on Bogue Sound.
Carteret County Court Records
Lydia Russell exhibited to court an inventory of the estate of her late husband William Russell.
Habakkuk Russell made oath that he hath in his family five white persons.
Carteret County Records
William Russell - Sale by Lydia Austin (late widow of Wm. Russell), Probate Dec 3, 1746.
Carteret County Court Minutes
Whereas execution issued against John Nelson, Planter, at the suit of Thomas Austin and Lydia his wife, for the sum of 58 pounds 15 shillings with costs, and the Sheriff hath executed the goods of the said John and called contrary to law, this court hath ordered that said execution be void, and that another execution issue.
Will Records of Carteret County, NC - Secretary of State Papers
Will of Habakkuk Russell of Carteret County, NC. Mentions wife Ann, sons David and Abraham, daughters Ann Sophie, Rebecca, Sarah, and Abigail.
Carteret County Court Minutes
Upon the prayer of Joseph Russell, it is ordered that he have the caring of his brother Habakuk Russell's cattle, the said Joseph having none of the increase nor be liable for any casual accident.
Carteret County Court Minutes
Benjamin Russell appears as Juror in Carteret County, NC.
Benjamin Russell came into court and prayed letters of administration on the estate of Joseph Russell, decd, which was granted, he giving security in the sum of three hundred pounds proc money with Thomas Bell and Isaac Roberts securities.
Carteret County Court Records
Benjamin Russell appears as Juror in Carteret County, NC in February 1763, February 1764, May 1764, and September 1765.
Carteret County Court Minutes
Mar 1766: Petition of Sarah Russell, widow of Benjamin Russell, decd, praying for Letters of Administration, continued to next court.
Jun 1766: Sarah Russell, widow of Benjamin Russell, decd returned into court the inventory of the estate and prayed for letters testamentary.
Mar 1767: Sarah Russell prayed and order for letters of administration on the estate of Benjamin Russell, decd. Widow and relict of said decd.