Elizabeth (Gentry) Speer (abt. 1762 - aft. 1840)

Born about 1762 in Lunenburg, Lunenburg, Virginia

Ancestors

Wife of Shadrack Speer — married about 1788 in Surry, North Carolina, United States [uncertain]

Descendants

Died after 1840 after about age 78 in Jackson, Tennessee, United States

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Jim Crigger [send private message] and Mitch Harden [send private message]

Biography

Elizabeth Gentry was born about 1762 in Lunenburg or Louisa County, Virginia, daughter of Joseph Gentry and Agnes (Shelton) Gentry.^[1]

Goodbye Virginia, Hello North Carolina

Elizabeth and her family left Lunenburg County, Virginia in the summer of 1766 for the rapidly-settling foothills of Rowan County, North Carolina and a fresh start. Elizabeth's father had experienced years of civil and criminal issues in the Lunenburg County, Virginia county court.

They are joined by her uncle Nicholas and her cousin, Hezekiah, who were recorded in tax lists that are believed to be dated 1768 in Rowan County, a county that encompassed most of the northwest quarter of the state of North Carolina. Another cousin named Samuel was included in a tax list that was dated between 1768 and 1770.^[1] Elizabeth's family first settled at a location in present-day Yadkin County on the Yadkin River where Old US Highway 421 crosses the river.^[1] Today, this is a rural area west of suburban Winston-Salem, North Carolina. in 1772, her father gained a license to operate a public ferry at his landing on the Yadkin River so Elizabeth had an opportunity to be exposed to many travellers using the ferry. Six months later, the county built a road west from her father's ferry to Fox Knobbs, connecting on to Allen Iron Works, and east to the Moravian settlement of Salem.^[2]

Revolution

As a young adult, Elizabeth lived through the American Revolution. The Revolutionary War began in 1776, but after the The Battle of Moores Creek Bridge in Feb 1776, North Carolina was relatively peaceful for several years.^[3] North Carolinians joined the Continental Army, but there is no indication that Elizabeth's family became involved during this period. Through 1780, North Carolina forces took heavy losses, participated in a few victories, and suffered numerous defeats. Back home in Surry County and the surrounding area, there were local skirmishes between colonists with opposing loyalists,^[4] but nothing big. All that was about to change, and at some point Elizabeth's father and brother Samuel became engaged in the war for the revolutionaries in the Revolutionary War.^[5]

Her brother Samuel, lived just six miles upriver from a strategic ford crossing the Yadkin called Shallow Ford. Her father's ferry was probably the first crossing point upriver from Shallow Ford, but it was Shallow Ford that encouraged earlier settlers. By the time the Elizabeth arrived in Surry County in 1766, Isaac Ferree was operating a ferry near Shallow Ford and Edward Hughes had opened a tavern nearby.^[4] The Moravians^[6] had cut a road from Bethabara (in present day Winston-Salem) to Shallow Ford. By 1780, roads extended south to Salibury and west to Mulberry Fields (present day North Wilksboro).^[4] Shallow Ford became a gathering place for travelers. There was much activity in the Shallow Ford area throughout the Revolutionary War. The existence of a muster ground in the area is indicated by references to soldiers being mustered into and out of the service there, being paid there, and being ordered to report or march to the Shallow Ford.^[4].

On 14 Oct 1780 about 300 colonists engaged a similar number of loyalists who were attempting to reinforce Cornwall in Charlotte. About half the colonial force were local militiamen. The battle ranged over several hours from a mile west of the river (five miles southwest of her brother's home) east to present-day Huntsville. Fifteen loyalists and a single colonist were killed. The colonists were victorious and loyalists never regrouped in the area.^[7][4][8]

A few months after the Battle of Shallow Ford, the British arrived in Joseph's neighborhood in force. General Charles Cornwallis crossed Shallow Ford on 7-8 February 1781 with an army of 2500 to 3000 Redcoats. while pursuing General Nathanael Greene and his forces. The two armies met at the Battle of Guilford Courthouse five weeks later and 40 miles east of the ford. The battle lasted only ninety minutes. The British were outnumbered more than two to one, yet defeated the American force. In doing so, however, they lost over a quarter of their men.^[7] Just seven months later, on 19 October 1781, General Cornwallis surrendered in Yorktown, Virginia and the war was effectively over.^[9] Momentous events that turned the tide of the war occurred only a few miles from where Elizabeth lived.

Marriage and Family

Elizabeth married Shadrack Speer (or Andrew Speer) in 1788, probably in Surry County, North Carolina, United States. The couple had at least nine children over the next eighteen years, including.

1. Samuel Speer
2. Elizabeth Spears
3. Dorman Spears
4. Levi Spear Jr
5. Bennett Spier
6. Holloway Speer
7. Frances (Spear) Head

Elizabeth's father died in 1813 and she is mentioned in his will, inheriting a "negro girl named Hannah" (making Elizabeth a slaveowner) and a share of his estate.^[1][10]

Elizabeth died after 1840 in Jackson County, Tennessee. Nothing is known of her burial.

Slaves

Elizabeth inherited ownership of a "negro girl named Hannah" in 1813, taking receipt of Hannah on 19 Aug 1813^[11] from her father.

Research Notes

Disambiguation

See "Marriage: Andrew or Shadrack?" section below for new developments that will impact Disambiguation assertions.

Conflicting claims exist regarding the marriage of Elizabeth Gentry to either Andrew Speer or Shadrack Speer. For example, Elizabeth Gentry was at least 30 years older than this Elizabeth Gentry. This Elizabeth Gentry Speer was the daughter of Joseph Gentry and Agnes Shelton.^[1] Sources and analysis regarding this disambiguation are sparse; further research and sourcing is needed.

Conflicting claims are made regarding whether Elizabeth's husband was Andrew Speer or Shadrack Speer. Andrew Speer is known to be closely associated with the family of Joseph Gentry and Agnes (Shelton) Gentry. When Joseph Gentry and Samuel Gentry sold 110 acres on the south side of Yadkin River to Joseph's son-in-law John Ridings, the deed was witnessed by Andrew Speer, Samuel's father-in-law Matthew Brooks, and Samuel's wife Sarah.^[1] If Andrew Speers is not married to Elizabeth, he is the only person outside the family involved in this transaction. In addition, Andrew Speer is mentioned in Joseph Gentry's will along with all of his daughters and all of his other son-in-laws. Shadrack Speer is not mentioned.^[1] If Shadrack Speer is Elizabeth's husband, he is the only one of Joseph's son-in-laws not mentioned in his will, and Andrew Speer's mention is very much out of place. Similar sources supporting the claim that Shadrack Speer is Elizabeth's husband are need to support that claim.

• Andrew Speer and Joseph Gentry both resided in Surry County, North Carolina in 1790.^[12]
• Shadrack Speer and Joseph Gentry both resided in Surry County, North Carolina in 1790.^[13]
• Andrew Speer and Joseph Gentry both resided in Surry County, North Carolina in 1800. The the oldest woman in the household was over 43, which does not match Elizabeth's age of 38 and there was no 38 year old woman in the household.^[14]
• Shadrack Speer and Joseph Gentry both resided in Surry County, North Carolina in 1800. The oldest woman in the household was between the ages of 26 and 45. Elizabeth was 38 years old, matching this range. ^[15]

These census records appear to support the conclusion that Shadrack Speer is Elizabeth's husband rather than Andrew EXCEPT that the birth order and precise ages of Joseph and Agnes's daughters are uncertain and inferred.^[1] If Elizabeth and Andrew are married and the census record is accurate, Elizabeth must be at least seven year older, born no later than 1755 to match the 1800 census of Andrew Speer's household.^[14] Analysis of the census alone based on Elizabeth's age is insufficient to rule out the marriage. Further analysis is needed to determine is there is some other fact that would rule out the possibility that Elizabeth was born in 1755 or earlier.

Related to Elizabeth's age, there is an unsourced claim that the assertion in "THE SONS OF SAMUEL-II GENTRY Part 2. Joseph Gentry and Family", Journal of Gentry Genealogy, Volume 2 Issue 7, July 2002.^[1] is incorrect and, instead, that Elizabeth Gentry was a generation older, born about 1735. (source needed)

Marriage: Andrew or Shadrack?

The question of Andrew or Shadrack has been definitively answered by the probate files for the estate of Joseph Gentry.^[11] An image of the document is attached to the profile.

Transcription:

Recvd of Agnes Gentry Executrix and Shelton Gentry Executor of the last will and testament of Joseph Gentry deceased a certain negro girl named Hannah the property of the ?? Joseph & willed by him to his daughter Elizabeth Speer my wife I say recvd by me this Augt 19th 1813.

Witnessed by James Jarvis, Nancy Gentry

Andrew Speer his mark X^[11]

This removes all doubt that Andrew Speer is the husband of Elizabeth Gentry, daughter of Joseph Gentry and Agnes (Shelton) Gentry

The marriage of Andrew Speer and Elizabeth Gentry circa 1788 is assumed to have been in Surry County, North Carolina, but no marriage record has been found. The marriage is inferred from Joseph Gentry's will.^[1] and confirmed by the receipt for the "negro girl Hannah".^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9} Gentry, Willard. "THE SONS OF SAMUEL-II GENTRY Part 2. Joseph Gentry and Family", Journal of Gentry Genealogy, Volume 2 Issue 7, July 2002. Revised May 2018. (http://www.gentryjournal.org/archives/jgg0207.htm). Accessed on 12 Jan 2019.
2. ↑ Surry County Court. "Surry County Court Order Minutes Book 4, p.8. 4 February 1773. Surry County, North Carolina.
3. ↑ Howard, Josh. "North Carolina in the US Revolution" NCpedia.org (https://www.ncpedia.org/history/usrevolution/overview) Accessed on 15 Jan 2019.
4. ↑ ^{4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4} Brownlee, Ann. "Shallow Ford on the Yadkin". (http://www.shallow-ford.net/). December 1996. Revised August 2011.
5. ↑ "North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2WT-G7LT : accessed 15 January 2019), Samuel Gentry, 31 Jul 1782; citing Salisbury, Rowan, North Carolina, United States, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh.
6. ↑ City of Winston-Salem. "The Moravian Story", (http://www.cityofws.org/Departments/Recreation-Parks/Historic-Bethabara/About-Bethabara/The-Moravian-Story) Accessed on 15 Jan 2019.
7. ↑ ^{7.0 7.1} Hill, Michael. "Shallow Ford" NCpedia.org, 2006. (https://www.ncpedia.org/shallow-ford) Accessed on 15 Jan 2019.
8. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Huntsville, North Carolina," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Huntsville,_North_Carolina&oldid=852194557 (accessed January 15, 2019).
9. ↑ Wikipedia contributors, "Siege of Yorktown," Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Siege_of_Yorktown&oldid=877879010 (accessed January 15, 2019).
10. ↑ Surry County Court, "Surry County Probate and Estate Records". May Court Will Book 3, p. 107. Surry County, North Carolina.
11. ↑ ^{11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3} "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:Q2Z7-3KNW : 17 March 2018), Joseph Gentry in entry for Agnes Gentry, 1813-1827; citing Surry, North Carolina, United States, State Archives, Raleigh; FHL microfilm .
12. ↑ "United States Census, 1790", Andrew Spur, https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHK1-HT7
13. ↑ "United States Census, 1790", Shadrack Spur, https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHK1-HY5
14. ↑ ^{14.0 14.1} "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRD-4Q4 : accessed 3 June 2022), Andrew Speer, Salisbury, Surry, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 692, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 32; FHL microfilm 337,908.
15. ↑ "United States Census, 1800," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHRD-44T : accessed 3 June 2022), Shaderick Speer, Salisbury, Surry, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 688, NARA microfilm publication M32, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 32; FHL microfilm 337,908.

• Source: S-1901864375 Repository: #R-1902215077 Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: This information comes from 1 or more individual Ancestry Family Tree files. This source citation points you to a current version of those files. Note: The owners of these tree files may have removed or changed information since this source citation was created. Page: Ancestry Family Trees Note: Data: Text: [1]
• Title: Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Note: #N3291 Page: Ancestry Family Trees Data: Text: http://trees.ancestry.com/pt/AMTCitationRedir.aspx?tid=37123074&pid=178

Acknowledgements

Willard M. Gentry - editor, Journal of Gentry Genealogy (http://www.gentryjournal.org/index.htm)

James Crigger - contributing content to the Gentry-450 profile.

Wesley Ogden - created Elizabeth Gentry-450 through the import of My Family Tree.ged on Jul 17, 2011.

Mitch Harden - created Gentry-1035 on 29 Dec 2013.