John Worke Sr. (abt. 1743 - 1792)

Born about 1743 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania

Descendants

Died 1792 at about age 49 in Iredell County, North Carolina, United States

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Biography

Captain John Worke Sr. served with Salisbury District Minutemen, North Carolina State Troops during the American Revolution.

John Worke was born in about 1743 in Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania. He died in 1792 in Iredell County, North Carolina. John Worke is believed to be buried in an unmarked grave atCentre Presbyterian Church Cemetery near Mooresville, NC. ^[1]

About 1763, Alexander Worke Sr of Lancaster, PA, sent his eldest son, John Worke, to North Carolina to buy land. John purchased 693 acres in Rowan County, the part which later became Iredell County in 1788, from John McConnell, in 1763. Shortly thereafter, Alexander with his wife and most of the rest of the family, moved to Rowan County and settled on their property.^[2]

John Worke continued to buy considerable acreage of properties and titled some of them in both his and his father's names, though no strict division of the property was made during Alexander Sr.'s lifetime. In the mid 1770's, John's brother, Alexander Work, Jr., pressed to have some of the jointly held land put into his name as well, and that was agreed to by Alexander Sr., but no division was made before the death of Alexander Sr. In his Will, written 26 Sep 1777, Alexander Sr., left all of his lands and goods to Alexander Jr., and only 10 shillings each to each of his other children.^[2]

The brothers, John and Alexander Jr., were never able to make an acceptable division of the property and it resulted in years of increasingly hostile legal actions. A final division of the original lands was not made until many years after the death of John Work. As his young children did not have the resources or experience to defend their claims to the property, most of it went to their Uncle Alexander Worke (after John's death in 1792, John's brother was often referred to as Alexander Worke, Senr. to differentiate him from the son of John Worke, who was referred to as Alexander Worke, Junr.) John's brother, Alexander, died in 1806, unmarried. He left thousands of acres of lands to an illigitimate son and the sons and daughters of his brother and sisters, so, John's heirs did eventually get a share in the property. HUndreds of documents in the Estate files of John Worke relate to the disputes and land divisions^[2]

John Worke was a Captain in the North Carolina Militia from Rowan County during the American Revolution. He died before he was eliigible to file for a pension, but some idea of his service is found from other soldiers who testified in order to get their pensions. He was in "the Snow Campaign" of Nov-Dec 1775 when NC Militia went unto South Carolina in pursuit of British sypathizers. He was also in the Battle at Beattie's/Cowan's Ford 1 Feb 1781 when British troops under Cornwallis crossed the Catawba River. He was probably part of other engagements around the Mecklenburg County area as well. He was probably responsible for raising his own company of men to fight. He made a trip to Pennsylvania in 1774 to purchase rifles. See notes below.

Spouse & Children

Hannah Cresswell / Criswell (1740–). John and Hannah were married about 1772, possibly in Pennsylvania.

-Robert Worke (1772–1826) m. Mary Guy (1785-1853)

-Joseph Creswell Worke (1777–)

-Alexander Worke (1779–1832)

-John Work (-aft Jul 1800)

Family Squabbles

Lincoln Co., Court, Sept Term 1795 -

Judgement against Hannah Work, widow of John Work deceased and Adam Brevard Esq, Admins of the Estate of John Work and the Heirs of John Work - Robert Work, Alexander Work, John Work and Joseph Creswell Work in favor of Alexander Work and order to pay Alexander Work fourteen hundred and fifty three pounds one shilling and eleven pence.

Lincoln County Deed Book 19 page 564:

1322. Jan 28, 1800 - Robert WORKE & Alexander Worke jr (Iredell County), two of sons & heirs of John Worke sr desc (same), to Alexander Worke sr, esq (same); due to following decree and for 10s each sold 2400 ac; decree is from Equity Court Salisbury Dist Alexr Worke sr, complainant, and late John Worke & James Wilson "by original bill" and said Robert Worke, Alexander Worke jr, John Worke jr, & Joseph CRESWELL WORK "by Bill of Rivision" were Defendants; "among other things" it was decreed that Robert Worke should immediately and Alexander Worke jr, John Worke jr, & Joseph Creswell Worke "then infants"; should upon becoming 21 years old, execute one or more deeds to Alexander Worke sr for a fourth [each of 4 boys has a fourth] of "among other tracts" 2400 ac on waters of & both sides of Mountain Cr "taken by the King's patent"; Alexander Worke jr is now 21 years old; all the 2400 ac is sold [not just Robert & Alexander's shares]; Border: William & Benjamin Perkins; includes improvement John Worke sr bought from Henry Williams; land is in five parts: (1) 500 ac; Border: Benjamin Perkins; (2) 500 ac; Border: Perkins; (3) 500 ac; Border Joseph Cronkleton; (4) 500 ac; Border: Benjamin Perkins on head of Beaverdam Br of Mountain Cr. and on E side of "said" Worke's "other" survey; & (5) 400 ac; Border: Benjn Perkins, John Work's "other" survey, & crosses "the" creek. Signed R. Worke & Alexr Worke Witness. William Beatty, Thos Beatty, & Rebecca McCorkle. Rec Jul 1800. Book 19 page 564

Rowan Co. Estate Files - "John Work, 1777" (Excerpts)^[2]
After the death of John Work in 1792, the Court stepped in to settle the division of land between Alexander Work and the heirs of John Worke.

1787 Testimony by Isabella Worke

In 1787, during the equity suit between Alexander Work Jr and John Work, their mother, Isabella Work, testified that John Work worked in partnership with Alexander Work Senr to obtain property in North Carolina. She testified that John later tried to keep the land, denying that he had worked with his father for the benefit of the whole family. Later testimony by the Defennse -John Work's- tried to show that Isabella was coerced by Alexander Jr. to take his side of the argument during her testimony.

28 May 1787 - Testimony of David Byars (witness to the Willl of Alexander Worke)

David Byars of Wilkes Co., Georgia, formerly of Iredell/Rowan Co., NC testified in Wilkes County that he lived in the household with the Work family and that it was always his understanding that the land was to be split between the two sons, but the division could not be agreed to and the differences got more adamant and John Work finally decided that he wouldn't give his brother any right or title to the land at all.

The following transcript is the final summary of much Court testimony:

25 Mar 1797

State of North Carolina, Salisbury District

In the Court of Equity Friday 25th of March 1797 and in the 21st year of the Independence of the United States between Alexander Work complainent and John Work's Heirs Defendents

This cause coming yesterday, as also on this present day, to be heard and debated before the Honorable John Haywood and David Stone Esquires Judges of our said Court of Equity, and in the presence of counsel learned on both sides the substance of the plaintiffs bill appeared to be that the Defendant John Work in his lifetime was employed by his father Alexander Work the older who then resided in the State of Pennsylvania to come to the State of No Carolina to procure a settlement of land for him the said Alexander the Elder and his family, that he the said John did come into this state pursuant to the said agreement with his father the said Alexander and did purchase a tract of six hundred and ninety three acres of land in the County of Iredell where the late John Work the Defendant and the Complainant now resides, that he purchased the same and the payment was made by Alexander the father and the title was made to the said John and his father the said Alexander, but as they lived together no division was made and the Bill states that he Alexander the younger was intitled to the father's part of said land _ The Bill further states that Alexander the father agreed to have his estate in common with the said John, that the said John should trade thereon and otherwise manage the same for the joint interest of his the said John and his said father until the said Alexander the father should require a division when (it was agreed) every thing the said John and his said father should possess should be equally divided, that the said John should have one half for himself and his father should take the other half, that in the year 1775 the said John had acquired by trading on the stock aforesaid two hundred and thirty eight acres of Land situate at that time in Rowan County now Iredell which he purchased of John McConnell Jr and Andrew McConnell, also four hundred acres situate on Second Broad River in Rutherford County purchased of Francis McCorkle & John Brown, two lots of land in trade steet in Charlotte Mecklenburg County two hundred acres in Rowan now Iredell County lying between the first mentioned tract of 693 acres, and the lands of Gilbert Dunlap and also one undivided fourth part of 2400 acres on the waters of Mountain Creek in Lincoln County for all which tracts of land except the two pieces last mentioned the said John had obtained titles in fee in his own name_ Therefore that the said John may be compelled to convey to the Complainant in fee one half of all the real property which the said John hath titles to in his own name and that the right title and interest which the said John hath whether in law or equity in and to one half of the Real property which the said John had at the time of the division aforesaid or account for the profits thereof if he has sold any of them, and to be relieved in the scope of the plaintiffs Bill whereto the Counsel for the Defendent alledged that he by answer admits that sometime in the year one thousand seven hundred and sixty two he the defendant came from Pennsylvania with an intention of setling in No Carolina but that this Defendant came on his own account and not set by Alexander Work the father nor no other person and puchased a tract of land of six hundred and ninety three acres, being that tract of land on part of which the Complainant now lives and on the other part he the Defendant resides and denies that he was ever employed by his said father to purchase the said tract or any other lands or that he was furnished with money or any other property to purchase lands for his said father or in partnership with this defendant or that this defendant was under any obligation agreement contract promise or otherwise bound or required to purchase land for his said father in partnership with this Defendant tho true it is that Deed of conveyance for the said tract of 693 acres was made to this defendant and his father the said Alexander Work the elder but only on his consideration that the Defendants said father has removed himself and family from Pennsylvania when old and in very moderate circumstances, had a desire of living with this Defendant this Defendant out of filial regard for his said father and wishing that he and his mother should live in comfortable circumstances, this Defendant had the title of said tract of land made in the name of his said father as well as his own and upon no other consideration whatever, and true it is the Defendant had acquired titles for the lands set forth in the Complainants said Bill of Complaints by Defendants own industry and with his own money or other property and not by any joint stock of his father as charged in Complainants said Bill of Complaint. The Defendant further states in his answer that Complainant was very uneasy and much disatisfied that he the Defendant should have so much property whilst he possessed so little and threatened the Defendant with very harsh expressions such as that he would burn or destroy his property Viz unless he would give him up one half thereof _ This defendant therefore in order to procure fr(?) and quietness and in order that his father and mother might have a comfortable support and that he the said Complainant for whom he the Defendant had an intire fraternal regard and afection might have some thing to begin the world with did on or about the 24th day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy six enter into an agreement in writing together with his father Alexander the elder and his brother Alexander Work Jun whereon he the Defendant and the said Alexander Work the elder bind and oblige them selves to make good and sufficient title in fee simple to the said Complainat for the one half the tract of 693 acres of land aforesaid as likewise to make alike sufficient title to one half of two hundred and thirty eight acres that they purchased from John McConnell Jur and further that he the Defendant and the said Alexander the elder would make a good and sufficient deed for one half of four hundred acres of land lying on Second Broad river to the said Complainat which last mentioned tract they purchased from Francis McCorkle and John brown, and further that he the said Alexander the elder and the said Defendant should also convey to Complt by a deed in fee simple the one half of the two lotts in the town of Charlotte in the County of Mecklenburg County, as also to convey the Deed in fee to the Complainant the one half of a piece of land taken by the Kings patent lying between the first mentioned tract of 693 acres and the land of Gilbvert Delap. They also agree to convey in fee to the Complainant the fourth part of twenty four hundred acres on the waters of Mountain Creek taken up by the Kings patent and the said agreement states that if the said two tract held by the Kings patents should not enure to them or that the said patents should prove insufficient to hold the said land by, that they the Defendant nor he the said Alex should not be bound by the said agreement to make Complainant a title to the sames. And the Defendant denied all unlawful Combination and Confederacy, and concluded his answer with the general traverse, as by the said _ and answer, remaining as of record in this Honorable Court more fully (?). The Defendants the Heirs at Law of the said John Work deceased having been duly served with process to shew cause (if any they _ why this suit and the proceedings herein should not be revivied against them, and the said Heirs not appearing or shewing any cause it _ is ordered that this suit and all the proceedings herein be revivied against the said Heirs at law, and the Bill answer and other proceedings in this cause being read it is further ordered and Decreed that the Defendant Robert Work one of the Heirs at law of John Work deceased do immediately, and the Defendants Alexander Work, John Work, and Joseph Criswell Work the infants do upon their arriving at the age of twenty one years execute one or more Deeds of Conveyance to the Complainant Alexander Work and his heirs with warranty against them the said John Works Heirs and their Heirs and all claiming under them or any of them or all of them of all that part and share of the six hundred and ninety three acres in Iredell County (formerly Rowan) in the pleadings mentioned in this cause according to the Division made between the Complainant and the said John deceased in his lifetime and also of one undivided moiety of and in the following tracts (Viz) two hundred and thirty eight acres purchased from John McConnell Jun and Andrew McConnell, four hundred acres on Second Broad River in Rutherfor County purchased from Francis McCorkle and John Brown two lotts of land in Trade Street Charlotte Town in Mecklenburg County a piece of land taken by the late King's patent lying between the said six hundred ninty three acres and the land of one Gilbert Dunlap, and also of one undivided fourth part of two thousand four hundred acres on the waters of Mountain Creek in Lincoln County and that the master do settle the conveyances in case the parties differ about the same, and until such conveyance or conveyances shall be made the the Complainant and his heirs be put in to and quieted in possession of the premises so to be conveyed by the Injunction of this Court: Provided always that this Decree is to be binding on the said Infants unless on being served with process to show cause against the same, they shall within six months after they shall severally attain to the age of twenty years show unto this Court good cause to the Contrary.

And provided also that this Decree is to be binding on the said Robert Work the Heir of full age unless being served with process he shall at the next Court show cause to the contrary.

Revolutionary War Service

Regiment(s) Associated With^[3]:

1. 1st Rowan County Regiment, 1775 & 1776-1777
2. 1st Salisbury District Minutemen, 1775-1776
3. Rowan County Regiment, 1777-1779
4. Lincoln County Regiment, 1779-1781

26 Aug 1788 - Lancaster Co., PA^[2] -

John Miller & Andrew Keller, both of Borough of Lancaster, Lancaster Co., PA testified. John Miller swore that in the latter end of 1774, he obtained bond or obligation from John Work of North Carolina for 28 pounds lawful money of Pennsylvania for a number of rifle guns, sold and delivered to John Work. In 1777, John Miller sent Andrew Keller to North Carolina to collect on the Bond, which he did. Andrew Keller testified that in the Spring on 1777 at the house of George Suts deceased, in Lincoln Co., NC, he presented the Bond to Alexander Work, the brother of John Work, who paid him the principal & interest due - abt 33 pounds.

Samuel Bryson, Rev Pension S.1644

Wilson Co., TN - 10 May 1833- Samuel Bryson, resident of said County, abt 79 years old. Entered service as follows: Was a citizen of Rowan Co., NC to which he had moved from Lancaster Co., PA in his 13th year of age. He was drafted as a militiaman under Capt. John Work, Col. Dixon's Reg, under Gen Rutherford. Was in the "Snow Campaign". Crossed S fork of the Catawba into Georgia in pursuit of a band of Tories led by Col. Fletcher. Another Regiment had already engaged the Tories and captured Flecther. They turned back, went home and were discharged.

Phillip & Mary Ann Sailors, Rev Pension R.9143

Rutherford Co., NC - 6 Mar 1839- Mary Ann Sailors, aged 91, resident of Rutherford Co., NC - She was widow of Phillip Sailors. He was in at least nine tours, sometimes in Company of John Work. Was in the Battle at Beatties Ford under Capt. Work.

John & Rebecca Poston Rev. Pension W.26923

Buncombe Co., NC - 30 Dec 1851 - Charles McFee, resident of Buncombe Co., NC testified that John Poston was in a company commanded by Capt. Work. John Poston married Rebecca Baldridge. John Poston died in Buncombe Co., NC 22 Aug 1619

Sources

1. ↑ #ICGS, #Estate, #C1790
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Rowan Co. Estate Files - "John Work, 1777". Rowan Co., NC boxed estate records, North Carolina. Division of Archives and History, Jones St., Raleigh, NC. Archived at Ancestry.com.
3. ↑ #RevWar, #DAR

• Iredell County Genealogical Society, NC Revolutionary Soldiers’ Graves – Iredell, Davie & Alexander Co., Iredell County Tracks, fall 2006.
• Revolutionary War Service for Capt John Work
• "North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979," database with images, FamilySearch (Link: 21 November 2016), John Worke, 1792; citing Iredell, North Carolina, United States, State Archives, Raleigh; FHL microfilm.
• "United States Census, 1790," database with images, FamilySearch (Link: accessed 15 December 2017), John Work, Iredell, North Carolina, United States; citing p. 388, NARA microfilm publication M637, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 7; FHL microfilm 568,147.
• Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed Dec 15, 2017), "Record of John Works", Ancestor # A130461.
• Iredell County Genealogical Society, NC Revolutionary Soldiers’ Graves – Iredell, Davie & Alexander Co., Iredell County Tracks, fall 2006.
• See also Space:Iredell County Revolutionary Soldiers for a comprehensive list of Iredell Revolutionary War Veterans.