Martha Lewis was born after 1737 in Spotsylvania County, Colony of Virginia, daughter of Henry Lewis II and Martha (Kendall) Lewis.
Martha (~20) married Thomas Wisdom (~27) on 18 Sep 1757 in Hico River, Person, North Carolina. Their children were:
Her second marriage was to James Jay.
Martha died before 1824 in Caswell county, North Carolina, United States aged ~87.
A deed recorded in Person county, NC. This was recorded in the March,1799 Term of the court. Executed by James Jay, Martha's second husband. "Know all men by the presents that I, James Jay, of the county of Person and state of North Carolina, For and in consideration of the goodwill and affection I bear to Elizabeth Turner, Frances Fuller, Sarah Wisdom, John Wisdom, James Wisdom, Martha Wisdom, L...ss Wisdom and Delphia Holsonback, children of my wife, Martha Jay, and for the further sum of five shillings to me in hand,paid by the said......." ( no mention of Abner or Larkin) This document actually insures that the children of Thomas and Martha inherit the possessions that Martha brought to the marriage. The law at that time was that at the time of their marriage, all of Martha's possessions legally belonged to James Jay. It enumerates the specific items and establishes the condition that the children do not receive title to this property until after Martha's death. Specifies that the property may be sold to satisfy debts acquired by Martha and her former husband but not for debts acquired by her position as wife of James Jay. Note that the document specifically mentions daughters ("Children of my wife") Elizabeth (had married a Turner), Frances (married to a Fuller), Sarah (still has name Wisdom), and Delphia (married to a Holsonback). Mentions sons John and James but not Abner. That name that I can't read appears to start with either a "T" or an "L" and appears to end with a "SS". June 5, 1798, James Jay and his wife Martha and Larkin Wisdom grant to Lewis Wisdom. (sale of Martha's property?)
1780: Martha Lewis Wisdom was appointed by the courts (State of NC, Caswell Co; 18 Dec 1780) as Adm. of Thomas Wisdom's estate because Thomas did not leave a will. Martha was allowed to keep the land and home until the youngest was 21 yrs which would have been about 1798 but in 1787 (Caswell County, NC October Court 1787) Martha was forced to sell all the household goods. A Court ordered sale (inventory) shows how Martha disposed of things to satisfy the debts created by Thomas in his last two years of life on this new frontier. She evidently had some money from cash crops or perhaps from her father-in-law. Or enjoyed life, 1971, page 296. Book Location: Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.) sow, 1 mare, etc. her bedding was hers by law. Larkin was at home and could help the family. He purched only 1 shotbag and horn for 7 shillings and 12 pence. He was able to help Martha. She was finally able to pay off her debts for the satisfaction of the courts. (SOURCE: page 20, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1781: Martha Wisdom was listed as a buyer during the sales of the estate of Thomas Wisdom. Other Buyers: Thomas Yates, Baze Newman, David Culbertson, Larken Wisdom. (SOURCE: Caswell County, NC Will Abstracts, 1780-1781 Book A., p. 126.)
October 3, 1781 - Isaac Reeve of Randolph Co., N.C. to Matha Wisdom of Caswell Co. for 1000 Lbs, 150 Acres on N. Hico Adj Bankston, Joseph Boring to line of old Mr. Graves now possessed by James Bain, Motherland (Sic)...Wit. Thomas Douglas, Benj. Debow., Jennet Douglass ... Caswell Co., N.C. Deed Book A, Page 569
State of Carolina Caswell County (No. 49) This may certify that in commission for the County aforesaid, I have purchased of Martha Wisdom Ten Pounds of Bacon and eighty six weight of fodder, for the use of the-------Army, amount being in the whole to 10 pds, 10 shillings species. John Williams This document was not dated and is the entire basis for the DAR record of Nanan Elrod of Baton Rouge, LA. >From the North Carolinian, A Quarterly Journal of Genealogy and History Volume VII, No. 3, Number 27, September, 1961 (research of Nanan Elrod) Index of Vouchers for North Carolina with details about the vouchers and instructions for ordering copy. Wisdom Benjamin Pitt Co. Martha Caswell Co. Osten Wayne Co. Thomas Salisbury District (I can only identify Martha. How about ID-ing the rest?)
Caswell County, North Carolina Will Abstracts, 1777-1814 Book B (1788), p. 228. Estimate of debts paid for estate of. Thomas Wisdom. Paid to James Watkins, William McCraw, Thomas Carson (Halifax census), James Turner, Marmaduke Stanfield (Halifax census), Isaac Reaves, David Blair. By Martha Wisdom, adm. Payments to John Graves, William Shelton. see Claiborn Holt on 1790 Caswell census
WISDOM-L Archives
From: Jane Fagan
Subject: [WISDOM-L] Thomas & Martha Lewis Wisdom Notes
Date: Sun, 14 Feb 1999 18:53:24
For those of you who are researching the Thomas Wisdom & Martha Lewis line, the data that I have collected is below. Hope it helps someone! Jane Fagan
Notes for Thomas Wisdom:
1788: Estimate of debts paid for the estate of Thomas Wisdom paid to James Watkins, William McCraw, Thomas Carson, James Turner, Marmaduke Stanfield, Isaac Reaves, David Blair. Martha Wisdom was the administrator. Payments to John Graves, & William Shelton. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1777-1814, Book B, page 288.)
1781: Sales of the estate of Thomas Wisdom. Buyers: Thomas Yates, Martha Wisdom, Baze Newman, David Culbertson, Larken Wisdom. (SOURCE: Caswell county, NC Will Abstracts, 1780-1781 Book A., p. 126.)
14 Nov 1776: The Militia of Spotsylvania Co., VA as evidenced by Petitions on 14 Nov. 1776: To the Honorable President and Gentlemen of the Convention, Fredericksburg, VA: The petitions of Sundry Freeholders and other inhabitants of Spotsylvania Co. humbly shweth that your petitioners labor under a great hardship in being obliged to travel some twenty miles, and others thirty miles to attend General Musters, which are constantly appointed at the Courthouse in Fredericksburg situated on one side of the County. We pray that an ordiance may pass directing that General Musters for the future to be appointed at or near the center of the Co. . .Approximately 40 members of Capt. Craig's Company signed this petition. Some of those signing the petition were: Joseph Herndon, John Craig, Francis Wisdom, Benjamin Quinn, Jonathan Collins, Thomas Gaines, and Thomas Wisdom. (SOURCE: page 16, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1772: Wisdom, Thomas: Dec. 5, 1772. James Ware and Agnes, his wife, of Caroline Co. to John Knight of Spts. Co. 15 pounds sterling currency for 100 acres in Spts. Co. Nathal Holloway, Thomas Wisdom. Mar. 18, 1773. (SOURCE: Deed book H 1771-1774, Spotsylvania County Records. Book: VA County Records, Vol. 1, Spotsylvania county, 1721-1800, by William A. Crozier, Published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1971, page 296. Book Location: Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.)
Notes for Martha Lewis:
1788: Martha Wisdom was the administrator of Thomas Wisdom's estate when estimate of debts were paid for the estate of Thomas Wisdom paid to James Watkins, William McCraw, Thomas Carson, James Turner, Marmaduke Stanfield, Isaac Reaves, David Blair. Payments to John Graves, & William Shelton. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1777-1814, Book B, page 288.)
1786: Martha Wisdom was on the Taxpayers list for Caswell Co., NC. (SOURCE: page 226, N C Taxpayers, 1679-1790, V 2, compiled by Clarence E. Ratcliff, published by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, Baltimore, 1987. This book is at the Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.)
1784: Martha Wisdom was on the Taxpayers list for Caswell Co., NC. (SOURCE: page 226, N C Taxpayers, 1679-1790, V 2, compiled by Clarence E. Ratcliff, published by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, Baltimore, 1987. This book is at the Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.)
1784-87: Martha Wisdom is listed on the Caswell Co., NC State Census page 3, with 4 white males under 20 & above 60, 5 white females all ages, 1 black ages 12-50. (SOURCE: page 22 , State Census of NC 178401787, Second Edition Revised, Transcribed and Indexed by Mrs. Alvaretta Kenan Register, published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1978. This book is at the Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.)
1780: Martha Lewis Wisdom was appointed by the courts (State of NC, Caswell Co; 18 Dec 1780) as Adm. of Thomas Wisdom's estate because Thomas did not leave a will. Martha was allowed to keep the land and home until the youngest was 21 yrs which would have been about 1798 but in 1787 (Caswell County, NC October Court 1787) Martha was forced to sell all the household goods. A Court ordered sale (inventory) shows how Martha disposed of things to satisfy the debts created by Thomas in his last two years of life on this new frontier. She evidently had some money from cash crops or perhaps from her father-in-law. Or enjoyed life , 1971, page 296. Book Location: Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.) sow, 1 mare, etc. her bedding was hers by law. Larkin was at home and could help the family. He purched only 1 shotbag and horn for 7 shillings and 12 pence. He was able to help Martha. She was finally able to pay off her debts for the satisfaction of the courts. (SOURCE: page 20, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1781: Martha Wisdom was listed as a buy during the sales of the estate of Thomas Wisdom. Other Buyers: Thomas Yates, Baze Newman, David Culbertson, Larken Wisdom. (SOURCE: Caswell County, NC Will Abstracts, 1780-1781 Book A., p. 126.)
A deed recorded in Person county, NC.This was recorded in the March,1799 Term of the court. Executed by James Jay, Martha's second husband. "Know all men by the presents that I, James Jay,of the county of Person and state of North Carolina, For and in consideration of the goodwill and affection I bear to Elizabeth Turner, Frances Fuller, Sarah Wisdom, John Wisdom, James Wisdom, Martha Wisdom, L...ss Wisdom and Delphia Holsonback, children of my wife, Martha Jay, and for the further sum of five shillings to me in hand,paid by the said......." ( no mention of Abner or Larkin)
This document actually insures that the children of Thomas and Martha inherit the possessions that Martha brought to the marriage. The law at that time was that at the time of their marriage, all of Martha's possessions legally belonged to James Jay. It enumerates the specific items and establishes the condition that the children do not receive title to this property until after Martha's death. Specifies that the property may be sold to satisfy debts acquired by Martha and her former husband but not for debts acquired by her position as wife of James Jay. Note that the document specifically mentions daughters ("Children of my wife") Elizabeth (had married a Turner), Frances (married to a Fuller), Sarah (still has name Wisdom), and Delphia (married to a Holsonback). Mentions sons John and James but not Abner. That name that I can't read appears to start with either a "T" or an "L" and appears to end with a "SS" June 5, 1798, James Jay and his wife Martha and Larkin Wisdom grant to Lewis Wisdom. (sale of Martha's property?)
Notes John Wisdom: 1805: John Wisdom was among the Insolvents for 1805. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1805, Book E, page 287.)
Jan 1799: John Wisdom was a witness for the will of George Farly on 30 Nov. 1798. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1798-1799, Book C, page 355.)
1794: NC ceeded John Wisdom's land in Davidson Dist. NC to become the new state of TN. (SOURCE: page 24, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1786: John Wisdom was granted 640 acres for 84 months of service, under Major Tatum, and his grant number was 3191. His land was at this time considered to be in NC, Davidson District. (SOURCE: page 24, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1779-1786: John was a Rev. War Soldier. (SOURCE: page 20, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
Notes for Larkin Wisdom:
1807: Larkin Wisdom bought property of Mordecai Burgess estate. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1808, Book E, page 384.)
Aug 1804: Larkin Wisdom was among the buyers of the accounts of property and sale of estate of Thomas Langley taken on 18 Aug. 1803. Other buyers: James Wisdom & Lewis Wisdom. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1804, Book E, page 160.)
1798: Larkin Wisdom was a buyer on the settlement of the estate of Buckner Wall. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1777-1814, Book C, page 327.)
Oct 1797: Larkin Wisdom's ear mark for his stock 'A carap and underkeel in each ear'. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1777-1814, Book C, page 248.)
1797: Larkin Wisdom was a buyer on the settlement of the estate of James Smith by O. Dickie, administrator. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1777-1814, Book C.)
26 Jan 1795: In Caswell Co., NC; Letter of Attorney: Sarah Wisdom and Martha Wisdom, to brother Larkin Wisdom to recover from estate of Francis Wisdom their deceased grandfather of Pittsylvania Co., VA such property now in the hands of Dr. Crawford Williams. Attested by and Related Families. Personal collection of Jane Fagan.)
26 Jan 1795: In Caswell Co., NC; Letter of Attorney: Sarah Wisdom and Martha Wisdom, to brother Larkin Wisdom to recover from estate of Francis Wisdom their deceased grandfather of Pittsylvania Co., VA such property now in the hands of Dr. Crawford Williams. Attested by James Robinson. (SOURCE: page 26, Billy Wisdom's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal collection of Jane Fagan.)
1797: Larkin Wisdom was a buyer on the settlement of the estate of John Crisp. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1777-1814, Book C, page 104.)
1794: NC ceeded Larkin's land in Washington Territory, NC to become a part of the new state of TN. (SOURCE: page 24, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
abt 1786: Larkin Wisdom received Survey No. 871 in Washington Territory, NC for 300 acres located on Harmony Creek on the South side of the Holstein River. (SOURCE: page 24, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1786: Larkin Wisdom was on the Caswell Co., NC Taxpayers List. (SOURCE: page 226, N C Taxpayers, 1679-1790, V 2, compiled by Clarence E. Ratcliff, published by the Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, Baltimore, 1987. This book is at the Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.)
1784: Larkin Wisdom is shown in the Tax list of 1784 as a land owner paying taxes. In the same year Larkin m. Elizabeth Phelps, dau of Thomas Phelps of Caswell Co., NC who was a neighbor of the Wisdom's in the 1800 census. (SOURCE: page 20, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1784-87: Larkin Wisdom is listed on the Caswell Co., NC State Census, page 5 with 1 white male ages under 21 and over 60 yrs, 4 white females all ages. (SOURCE: page 23 , State Census of NC 178401787, Second Edition Revised, Transcribed and Indexed by Mrs. Alvaretta Kenan Register, published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc., Baltimore, 1978. This book is at the Little Rock Public Library, 100 Rock St., Little Rock, AR.)
1782: Larkin purchased only 1 shotbag and horn for 7 shillings and 12 pence when his mother was forced to sell their estate to pay off her debts for the satisfaction of the courts. (SOURCE: page 20, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
1781: Larken Wisdom was listed as a buyer in the sales of the estate of Thomas Wisdom. Other Buyers: Thomas Yates, Martha Wisdom, Baze Newman, David Culbertson. (SOURCE: Caswell County, NC Will Abstracts, 1780-1781 Book A., p. 126.)
1779-81: Larkin Wisdom was a Rev. War Soldier. (SOURCE: page 20, Billy Smith's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal Collection of Jane Fagan.)
Notes for Abner Wisdom:
1813: Abner Wisdom was among the buyers for the sale of the estate of Phebe Lipscomb taken on 4 Nov 1813. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1813, Book F, page 404.)
1813: Abner Wisdom was among the buyers for the estate of John Hightower, deceased, sold 5 Nov 1812. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1813, Book F, page 335.)
1809-1810: Abner Wisdom was among the buyers of the estate of William Terry. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1809-1810, Book E, page 99.)
Jul 1807: Abner Wisdom was a witnessed the will of Mordecai Burgess on 10 Jun 1807. Jul court 1807. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1807, Book E, page 342.)
Jul. 1803: Abner Wisdom was on the allotment list for one year to widow and family of Thomas Langley. Cmmrs. Gabriel Lea, James Nelson, Abner Wisdom, Joseph Dameron. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1803, Book E, page 8.)
Feb. 1803: Abner Wisdom had accounts due to Thomas Langley, deceased, taken on 3 Feb 1803 by Mary Langley, adm, in the Inventory of the Estate of Thomas Langley. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1803, Book D, page 160.)
Notes for Sarah Wisdom:
26 Jan 1795: In Caswell Co., NC; Letter of Attorney: Sarah Wisdom and Martha Wisdom, to brother Larkin Wisdom to recover from estate of Francis Wisdom their deceased grandfather of Pittsylvania Co., VA such property now in the hands of Dr. Crawford Williams. Attested by James Robinson. (SOURCE: page 26, Billy Wisdom's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal collection of Jane Fagan.)
Notes for Martha Wisdom:
26 Jan 1795: In Caswell Co., NC; Letter of Attorney: Sarah Wisdom and Martha Wisdom, to brother Larkin Wisdom to recover from estate of Francis Wisdom their deceased grandfather of Pittsylvania Co., VA such property now in the hands of Dr. Crawford Williams. Attested by James Robinson. (SOURCE: page 26, Billy Wisdom's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal collection of Jane Fagan.)
Notes for James Wisdom:
1805: James Wisdom was among the buyers for the second sale of John Lea's estate on 16 Nov. 1803. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1804, Book E, page 71.)
Aug 1804: James Wisdom was among the buyers of the accounts of property and sale of estate of Thomas Langley taken on 18 Aug. 1803. Other buyers: Larkin Wisdom & Lewis Wisdom. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1804, Book E, page 160.)
1803: James Wisdom had accounts due to Thomas Langley, deceased, taken on 3 Feb 1803 by Mary Langley, adm, in the Inventory of the Estate of Thomas Langley. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1803, Book D, page 160.)
1802-1803: James Wisdom was a among the buyers for the estate of Thomas Simmons deceased, after the death of Priscilla Simmons. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1802-1803, Book D, page 135.)
6 Jan 1795: In Raleigh, NC; Letter of Attorney: James Wisdom appoints his brother Larkin Wisdom to recover estate due from his grandfather, Francis Wisdom, deceased of Pittsylvania Co., VA. Attested by Wm Rainey, JP and John McMillan. (SOURCE: page 26, Billy Wisdom's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal collection of Jane Fagan.)
Notes for Ann Wisdom: Nothing!
Notes for Lewis Wisdom:
Aug 1804: Lewis Wisdom was among the buyers of the accounts of property and sale of estate of Thomas Langley taken on 18 Aug. 1803. Other buyers: Larkin Wisdom & James Wisdom. (SOURCE: Caswell Co., NC Will Abstracts, 1804, Book E, page 160.)
1794: Lewis Wisdom, son of Thomas Wisdom was to receive 25 lbs extra money out of his grandfather's estate, Francis Torrence Wisdom, whose will was written on 3 Sep 1794 and probated 15 Sept 1794 in Pittsylvania Co., VA. (SOURCE: page 25 of Billy Wisdom's Wisdom and Related Families. Personal collection of Jane Fagan.)
Henry [Lewis] registered to pay taxes in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia, 1782. He made a will in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia, 15 Nov 1786. Estate listed heirs: Henry Lewis, Jr., Joseph Holloday, Alexander Johnson, Thomas Cason, Joseph Pulliam, and Martha Wisdom. Estate settlement returned to Court on this date.
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L > Lewis | J > Jay > Martha (Lewis) Jay
Categories: Virginia Colonists
Lewis-50021 (L) and Lewis-5525 (R)
Lewis-50021 (L) and Lewis-5525 (R)