Biography
Edwin Howell, born circa 1818, is the 3rd son of David Howell and Susanna March.[1] Edwin’s father was enumerated as head of household in 1820 in Nansemond County, VA;[2] thus Edwin’s birthplace is assumed to be there, although the federal censuses for 1850 and 1860 report it to be “NC”.[3],[4]
Edwin had 5 siblings: Anthony March, Robert S., Lemuel J., Ann Mariah and Mary Ann.[5] Their parents moved to Southampton County, VA, in 1840, when his father bought 120 acres on the Blackwater River, near the P & R Railroad warehouse.[6] It is assumed that Edwin and his brother Lemuel came with them; there were 2 males in their father’s household that were in the right age group to be them.[7]
Almost five years later, in the same county, Edwin married Nancy E. Britt, the daughter of John Britt and Mary Liles, on December 23, 1844.[8] Nancy was married previously to Lewis Gatling, and they had 4 children together, living on land in Hertford County in the area that is now Maney’s Neck Township. All were under 10 years of age in 1840 when their widowed mother was listed as head of household next to the census entry for her father.[9] Nancy and Edwin had 6 children, all boys, raising them in the homeplace that Nancy had established with Lewis. Four of the sons were given somewhat unique names: Euclid, Roscius, Urius, Cyrus. The youngest were Charles and Joseph.[10],[11] All are known to have become adults except perhaps Urius. Because the family was probably missed by the census taker in 1870,[12] it is not known for certain what happened to Urius.
Edwin came to own a couple of tracts of land. One (187 acres) was in Reynoldson Township in Gates County, and may have been purchased at the sale of his late father’s lands on Somerton Creek.[13],[14] In 1846 a deed of sale from Brittain Moore to Edwin Howell was registered in Hertford County.[15] If this is the 93 acre ‘Howell tract’ that is mentioned in later deeds, then it was close to where he and Nancy lived.[16],[17] In the 1850 census, he also listed 7 slaves in Gates County (as well as 1 female slave in Hertford County).[18],[19] [No record has been found yet for the assumed sale of the Gates County land; however, his name was listed on the Gates tax list only once.]
The Lewis and Nancy Gatling homeplace, near the now-vanquished village of Bartonsville[20] became known as the ‘Edwin Howell’ place; however its 45 or so acres were inherited by Gatling’s children. ‘Nancy Gatling’ was on the 1845 Hertford County tax list, with 45 acres (value of $130); no Howells were listed in the township.[21] In 1873, daughter Nancy, wife of Robert S. Howell, sold her interest in the farm to her sister Molly, wife of Baker P. Joyner.[22] Eight years later in 1881, Molly and Baker sold both interests, to her half brother, Cyrus W. Howell.[23] At some point, their mother relinquished her dower rights and Cyrus became full owner. Whether Edwin and Nancy had called the farm "Egypt" or not, the name stuck, as ownership went from Cyrus to his surviving child Jake, who sold it in 1904.[24]
During the 1860’s, life must have become hard for Edwin; by 1863 he had sold the only land that he owned to John Taylor (a neighbor and the husband of Nancy’s first cousin).[25] Edwin died only six years after the conclusion of the Civil War at the age of 51.[26] His wife Nancy (born November 9, 1815), lived some 23 years more, dying on June 1, 1894.[27] She outlived not only her husband, but sons Cyrus and Charles, a grandson (Cyrus’s son Richard) and most likely her son Urius. She, their son Cyrus W., and their son Charles’s oldest son Edwin Thomas Howell, are buried in marked graves on the back row of a small cemetery on the John Taylor and Elizabeth Britt farm in Como, N.C. [28] There is a good chance that one of the unmarked graves on that row belongs to Edwin.
[1] Robert G Edwards vs Antony M Howel etc, Southampton County, VA, Chancery Records, Library of Virginia, Richmond, VA (index # 1848-037, microfilm 441-766-726).
[2] David Howell household (population schedule, 1820 census, Nansemond County, VA, page 254, line 24)
[3] Edwin Howel household (population schedule, 1850 U.S. census, Hertford County, NC, Northern District, dwelling/family 324)
[4] Edwin Howell household (population schedule, 1860 U.S. census, Hertford County, NC, Northern District, dwelling 311, family 362)
[5] Robert G Edwards vs Antony M Howel etc.
[6] Anthony Howell and wife Emma to David Howell, Southampton County Deed Book 24, page 525, Clerk of Court, Southampton County Courthouse, Courtland, VA.
[7] David Howell household (population schedule, 1840 census, Southampton County, VA, page 75, line 8)
[8] Marriage Register 1750-1853, Ministers Returns, page 542, Clerk of Court, Southampton County Courthouse, Courtland, VA.
[9] Nancy Gatling household (population schedule, 1840 U.S. census, Hertford County, NC, page 25, line 3)
[10] Edwin Howel household, 1850.
[11] Edwin Howel household, 1860.
[12] A thorough page by page search by the author of the microfilmed copy of the 1870 census for Hertford and Southampton counties did not revealed the family.
[13] Robert S Howell to William P Moore, Trustee. Gates County Deed Book 19, page 24, Register of Deeds, Gates County Courthouse, Gates, NC.
[14] Gates County List of Taxables, 1842-1851, page 287, County Records Collection, North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, NC (C.R.041.701.2),
[15] David Powell, Court Minutes of Hertford County (1845-1849), (Liberty Shield Press, Winton, NC, 2000), page 27.
[16] John Taylor to Bracky T Spiers. Hertford County Deed Book A, page 18, Register of Deeds, Hertford County Courthouse, Winton, NC
[17] Tyrone Spiers to B B Winborne. Hertford County Deed Book G, page 386.
[18] Edwin Howell, slave owner (1850 slave schedule, U.S. census, Gates County, NC, page 31).
[19] E Howell, slave owner (1850 slave schedule, U.S. census, Hertford County, NC, page 391).
[20] Bartonsville was a sawmill village established by Stephen Barton around 1856 on the Chowan River, close to where the Meherrin river flows into it. It’s existence ceased near the end of the Civil War when Union forces came up the Chowan and burned its warehouses and wharfs. [T. C. Parramore, “The Bartons of Bartonsville”, N.C. Historical Review, Vol 51 (Jan. 1974)].
[21] Powell, Court Minutes, page 222 in the appendix.
[22] Robert S Howell and wife Nancy to Baker Joyner. Hertford County Deed Book B, page 384.
[23] Baker Joyner and wife Mary to Cyrus Howell. Hertford County Deed Book I, page 319.
[24] Jake L Howell to John D Babb. Hertford County Deed Book 27, page 338.
[26] Notes taken from the original Buckhorn Church Minute and Roll Books, by L.H. Glover, 1972.
[27] tombstone of Nancy E Howell, Britt-Taylor-Howell Cemetery.
[28] Britt-Taylor-Howell Cemetery, Parkers Ferry Road, Como, NC.
Marriage Records
Married Nancy E. Britt, the daughter of John Britt and Mary Liles on December 23, 1844
Records of Nancy Britt
SHC Deed Book
DEED OF TRUST
DEED BOOK __ PAGE ___ & ___
SOUTHAMPTON COUNTY COURTHOUSE
COURTLAND, VIRGINIA
This Indenture made this 12th day of August in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty three. Between Benjamin Whitfield of the first part Willis Whitfield Trustee of the second part and Nancy Britt of the third part all of the County of Southampton and State of Virginia. Whereas James Britt is in insolvent circumstances and his wife the daughter of said Benjamin Whitfield is likely to suffer necessities of life and her Father being extremely anxious to secure to a Trustee for her sole Benefit some property.
Now this Indenture Witnesseth: That for and in consideration of the natural love and affection which said Benjamin Whitfield bears to his said daughter the Nancy the wife of James Britt as well as the further consideration of one dollar to him in hand paid by the said Willis Whitfield trustee before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged: the said Benjamin Whitfield has given granted sold and conveyed and by these presents doth give grant sell and convey unto him the said Willis Whitfield Trustee his heirs and assigns forever the following property (to wit) one feather Bed Bed slid and furniture one chest one looking glass and two trunks: To have and to hold the said property to him the said Willis Whitfield and his heirs forever: Upon trust Nevertheless for the following purposes that is to say that the said Willis Whitfield trustee shall hold the said property for the sale and separate use of Nancy Britt wife of James Britt and permit her to enjoy the same free from the claims and demands and control of said James Britt and to be in no way or manner subject to any debt or demand which the said James Britt now owes or which he may hereafter contract and at the death of said Nancy Britt: the said Willis Whitfield Trustee shall convey the said property to her children if any - but if she should die leaving no child or children the said Willis Whitfield Trustee shall convey the said property to the living children of said Benjamin Whitfield. In testimony whereof the said Benjamin Whitfield and Willis Whitfield have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Signed Sealed and delivered
In presence of } Benjamin Whitfield (SEAL)
Thos B. Worrell } Willis Whitfield (SEAL)
Setelpage Anderson }
John E. Beale }
Southampton County in the Clerks office the 16 day of October 1843.
This Deed of Gift from Benjamin Whitfield To Willis Whitfield Trustee for the benefit of Nancy Britt was acknowledged by said Benjamin Whitfield to be his act and deed and admitted to record.
Teste L R Edwards C C
Tombstone
Nancy Howell - Taylor Cemetery Parkers Ferry Rd. Como, NC
Deeds of Trust
SHC Deed Book A Page 303-305
Download PDF file of Scanned Document
DEED OF TRUST
DEED BOOK A - PAGE 303, 304 and 305
HERTFORD COUNTY COURTHOUSE
WINTON, NORTH CAROLINA
State of North Carolina
Hertford County
This Indenture entered into this twenty second day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty eight between Edward J. Chambers and Margaret J his wife party of the first part and William J Majett party of the second part.
Witnesseth That the said Edward J Chambers and wife Margaret for and in consideration of the sum of five thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars (5750) to them in hand paid the party of the second part and the receipt whereof they hereby acknowledge and him thereupon acquit and release have bargained sold conveyed assigned and released and do hereby bargain sell assign convey and release unto him the said William J Majett his heirs and assigns a certain tract and parcel of land except one square acre whereon is the family burying ground and whereof a mulberry tree standing thereon is the center within the right of way thereto lying and being in Hertford County aforesaid on which the late Waddell resided and by whom the said lands was devised o his daughter the said Margaret and more particularly described defined and bounded according to a survey and plot made by Thomas B. Worrell in December 1853 as follows
Beginning at a poplar standing in the Horse pasture branch a corner for B T Spiers in the late James Gatlings lines thence along said Spiers line North 66 degrees East one hundred twenty eight (128) poles to a dead post oak thence North sixty two and a half 62 ½ degrees East, eighty and a half 80 ½ poles to a holly, thence along twenty nine and one forth 29 ¼ degrees East thirty (30) poles to a cedar on the road, thence along said roads South fifty two and a half 52 ½ degrees West seventy five (75) and a half poles to a lane, thence along said lane South twenty nine (29) degrees East eighty two poles to a post, thence South fifty five (55) degrees East eleven (11) poles to a post oak; thence South forty five (45) degrees east ten and a half 10 ½) poles to a poplar, thence South thirty one and a half (31 ½) degrees East seven (7) poles to a black gum, thence South sixty two (62) degrees West 6 poles to “Haw branch, thence down said branch its run and the various courses of said run to a pine standing in a small branch or drain which empties into the said run of How branch a corner of Edwin Howells land; thence up said drain or branch twenty four poles to a sweet gum standing on the “Old fish road, thence South eighty six and a half (86 ½) degrees West, one hundred forty eight (148) poles to a large sweet gum a corner in said Howells land; thence along said Howells line, South twenty six (26) degrees West three (3) poles to the run of a small branch; thence down the run of said branch to a corner in B T Spiers land; thence along said Spiers line South eighty six (86) degrees West, thirty eight poles (38) to a hickory; thence South eighty seven and a half (87 ½) degrees West forty two and a half (42 ½) poles to a large red oak near a gate thence same course one hundred and twenty five (125) poles to the center of the two post oaks and a red oak a corner for said Spiers and the Newsom tract of land thence along the line of the tract of land last mentioned North sixty (60) degrees West eighteen (18) poles to two white oaks; thence North sixty four (64) degrees West nine (9) poles to a white oak; thence North sixty seven (67) degrees West thirty four (34) poles to a red oak; thence North sixty two (62) degrees West twelve (12) poles to a port oak; thence North fifty five (55) degrees West fifteen poles to a red oak; thence North fifty two and a half (52 ½) degrees West twenty one (21) poles to the public road;
thence along said road North thirty six and a half (36 ½) East twenty five (25) poles; thence North forty two and a half 42 ½ degrees East twenty eight 28 poles; thence North thirty five (35) East twenty five (25) poles; thence North thirty nine and a half (39 ½) degrees East fifty five (35) poles to the avenue eight and a half (8 ½) poles from the center of the public road thence along said avenue the line of the late James Gatlings land North twenty eight and a half (28 ½) degrees West one hundred twenty three and a half (123 ½) poles to a red oak thence North nine and a half (9 ½) degrees West eight (8) poles to the before mentioned horse pasture branch thence up the run of said branch into the first station – the foresaid tract of land containing as estimated six hundred and two (602) acres more or less and adjoining the lands of B T Spiers Tilman Vann Edwin Howell and others
To have and to hold the said tract of land the (one acre aforesaid and right of ingress to and egress from the same excepted) to him the said William J Majett his heirs and assigns, to and for his and their own and only proper use and behoof.
And the said Edward J Chambers and wife Margaret do moreover for themselves their heirs execution and administration covenant to and with said William J Majett his heirs and assigns the aforesaid tract of land except the one acre reserved as aforesaid and the right of way thereto and therefore as aforesaid to him and them forever warrant and defend against the claims and demands of all persons whatsoever.
In testimony whereof the said Edward J Chambers and wife Margaret hereto subscribe their names and affix their seals
signed sealed and
delivered in presence of E J Chambers (SEAL)
David H Barnes
Julian H Picot M J Chambers (SEAL)
State of North Carolina} Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions November Term AD 1858
Hertford County} Edward J Chambers and Margaret J his wife bargain
As in the within deed appeared in open Court and personally acknowledged the due execution by them of said deed for land in this County to William J Majett dated November 22 1858 And thereupon Lemuel R Jernigan Esq a member of the Court is appointed to take the private examination of the said Margaret J and the said Lemuel R Jernigan after having privately examined the said Margaret J separate and apart from her said husband touching her free consent in the execution of the said deed of conveyance reports to the Court that she acknowledges before him when examined that she has freely of her own will and accord and without any force or fear or undue influence of her said husband or any other person and did voluntarily assent thereto all of which on motion is ordered to be recorded it is further ordered that the deed itself and the record of the above be registered.
S. S. Harrell Clk
The State of North Carolina} May 12 1869
Hertford County} In the Probate Court
} It appearing to the satisfaction of the undersigned Judge of Probate for the said County that the foregoing and attached deed of conveyance from Edward J Chambers and wife Margaret J to William J Majett was admitted to Probate and registered in said County during the year 1858 and that from the burning of the records of said County since said date 1858 there is no public record of the same. Therefore let said deed with this certificate be registered.
S. S. Harrell P Judge
Court Order Book
SHC Court Order Book 1843-1849 Page 578
20 December 1847
Court Order Book 1843-1849
Page 578 -ABSTRACTS-
At a Court of Monthly Sessions held for the County of Southampton of The Commonwealth of Virginia on the 20th day of December 1847
Presents Alexander Myrick Nathaniel Francis Peter J. Holmes} Gentlemen
James E. Peters & Howell Harris? }
The Clerk this day returned a list of deeds admitted to record in his Office since the last proceeding from which list having here inspected by the Court is ordered to be inserted among the minutes of the proceedings of the day and is as follows.
Deed of bargain and Sale from Lemuel J. Britt & wife, Lemuel J. Howell, Edwin Howell and wife and Robert Howell & wife to John B. Jenkins conveying land was returned and together with the certificate annexed of the acknowledgements before two Justices of the Peace admitted to record.
Court Minute Book
SHC Court Minute Book 1842-1848 page 445
At a Court of Monthly Sessions for the County of Southampton at this Courthouse thereof on the 20th day of December 1847
Present Alexander Myrick Nash Frances
Peter J. Holmes Jas Peters & Howell Harris
The Clerk this day returned a list of Deeds admitted to recors in his Office since the last proceeding term in which list having been inspected by the court is ordered to be inserted in the minutes of the proceedings of the day and is as follows:
{EXCERPT}
Deed of Bargain and Sale from Lemuel J. Britt and wife Lemuel J. Howell Edwin Howell and wife and Robert Howell and wife to John B. Jenkins was Returned and together with the certificate of the acknowledgement of said Britt and wife Lemuel J. Edwin Howell and wife Robert Howell and wife before two justices of the peace admitted to record.
NOTE: Lemuel J. Britt should have been Lemuel G. Britt.
Census
Census Manneys Neck Township, NC 1850
CENSUS
Manneys Neck Township
Murfreesboro, N. C.
Sept. 2, 1850
Age
Edwin Howell 32 Farmer
Nancy Howell 35 Wife
Euclid Howell 4 Son
Roscius Howell 6 mo. Son
Mary Gatling 14
Henry Beal 22 Labor
Robert Howell 37 Farmer
Lemuel Howell 28
Bryant Howell 11
Susan Howell 63
Census Manneys Neck Township, NC 1860
CENSUS
Manneys Neck Township
Murfreesboro, N. C.
June 20, 1860
Age
Edwin Howell 39 Farmer
Nancy Howell 41 Wife
Euclid Howell 14 Son
Roscius Howell 10 Son
Urius Howell 3 Son
Cyrus Howell 2 Son
Elizabeth Desson 22 Domestic W/F
J. W. Britt 38 Day Labor
Margaret Britt 18
CENSUS - HERTFORD COUNTY, N. C.
Murfreesboro, N. C.
June 20, 1860
Age Race Occ. RE Per Birth
Val. Val.
Edwin Howell 39 M Farmer 405 487 Hert. Co.
Nancy Howell 41 F Wife "
Euclid Howell 14 M Son "
Roscius Howell 10 M Son "
Urius Howell 3 M Son "
Cyrus Howell 2 M Son "
Elizabeth Desson 22 F Domestic "
J. W. Britt 38 M Day Labor "
Margaret Britt 18 F "
