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John Ashley (abt. 1700 - aft. 1759)

John Ashley
Born about [location unknown]
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married about 1721 [location unknown]
Descendants descendants
Father of , , , , and
Died after after about age 59 in Anson County, Province of North Carolinamap
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Profile last modified | Created 31 Oct 2010
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Note: This is the profile for John Ashley of Anson County, North Carolina. It is not the profile for John Ashley of Bertie County, North Carolina, who was the son of Thomas Ashley of Chowan/Bertie County, and was b. about 1690 and d. about 1761.

Contents

Biography

Disputed Origins

E.W. Dehuff in her "The Ashley Family," and many Ashley family trees, show that John Ashley of Anson County, North Carolina was the John Plowman Ashley mentioned in John Plowman's 1721 will and that he moved from Bertie County to Anson County sometime in 1742-6. Two arguments for this proposition have been offered: one based on a gap or change in the records for John Ashley in Bertie County, and one based on the marriage of John Ashley of Anson's daughter Mary Ann.

Argument Based on Bertie Records

All known Bertie County records for a John Ashley are listed under "Records" in the profile for John Ashley of Bertie (except for a few from 1768-70 relating to John, the nephew of John Ashley of Bertie and listed under "Records" in his profile). The records begin with the 1721 will of John Plowman of Chowan County, which contains a bequest to "John Plowman Ashley," and continue up to 1775. Dehuff acknowledged that the records after 1742 relate to John Ashley of Bertie and could not relate to John Ashley of Anson since John of Anson died in 1759 and in any event was in Anson starting about 1746. Dehuff asserted, however, that the John Ashley referenced in Bertie records up to and including 1742 was a different John Ashley than the one referenced in the later Bertie records. She based this assertion on (i) a 22-year gap in the records for John Ashley of Chowan/Bertie and (ii) different "marks" being used for John Ashley on the records before the gap and after the gap.

Regarding the 22-year gap, it appears that Dehuff did not have the records for John Ashley of Bertie in 1759 and 1761, which show that the gap was only 17 years rather than 22 years. Moveover, the existence of such a gap is not too surprising. There are a total of only 5 records for John Ashley in Bertie from 1721-1759 and, besides the 17-year gap from 1742-1759, there is an earlier 14-year gap from 1721 to 1735.

Regarding different "marks" used by John Ashley on records before and after the gap, Dehuff states that John Ashley signed with a "JA" on a 1742 deed and with an "A" on deeds in 1764 and 1765 and suggests that this means that they were signed by two different John Ashleys.[1] This seems like a weak argument, however, given the 22-year gap between 1742 and 1764, during which someone might have had any number of reasons to decide to change their signature, including the fact that John's father died in 1761.[2] More importantly, John of Anson's mark on Anson County deeds and on his will is a zigzag that looks something like a "2", an "N" or a "Z", not "JA".[3][4][5] Therefore, the evidence based on marks suggests that John of Anson was not the same person as John (Plowman) Ashley of Bertie.

There are several additional reasons to question whether the records for John Ashley in Bertie up to 1742 relate to a different John Ashley than the records in Bertie after 1742. First, the 1764 record is for a deed by John Ashley to James Demsey of land joining Patience Dempsey "(a piece of land she bought of John Ashley)." The "piece of land that she bought of John Ashley was no doubt the land that he sold her in the 1742 transaction. There is no suggestion in the abstract of the record that the two references to John Ashley are to different people. Second, since the John Ashley who is referenced in the records from 1759 and later was almost certainly the son of Thomas Ashley, Jr. and his wife Ann, who were married about 1708, he was probably born sometime in 1711-1731.[6] It would therefore have been odd if there are no records for him before 1759.

Argument Based on Mary Ann Franks

Dehuff asserted that (i) John (Plowman) Ashley of Bertie had a daughter named Mary Ann who married Edward Franck, the son of Martin Franck, and (ii) John Ashley of Anson County's will refers to a daughter named Mary Ann Franks, who must be the same Mary Ann Franck. There seem, however, to be a number of evidentiary problems with that assertion.

First, no evidence has been found that supports the proposition that John (Plowman) Ashley of Bertie had a daughter named Mary Ann or Mary who married a man named Franck. Dehuff cited two sources for that proposition: "Miller Family," for which no further information was provided and which has not been found, and Craven Co., Deed Bk. 7, p.3, which is available online at the Craven County Register of Deeds. The cited Craven County deed book page shows 1750 indenture by Edward Franck and his wife Mary. It does not refer to her as Mary Ann and nothing indicates that he maiden name was Ashley.

Second, it seems more likely than not that John of Anson's daughter Mary Ann did not marry a Franck. Dehuff cited Grimes Abstracts[7] for the assertion that John Ashley of Anson County's will refers to daughter named Mary Ann Franks.[8] However, the abstract of his will contained in Holcomb's "Anson County Deed and Will Abstracts" states that the name in the will was "Mary Ann Frances"[9] and a close examination of the script of the full will suggests that the name was "Mary Ann Fransis" (see "Transcription of Last Will & Testament" below). Researches of the Franck family have also come to the conclusion that there is no evidence the John of Anson's daughter Mary Ann married a Franck.[10]

Summation

In sum, while the proposition that John Ashley of Anson was the same person as John (Plowman) Ashley of Bertie has not been disproven, the arguments in its favor appear to be either weak or not supported by evidence. John Ashley of Anson's origin is thus uncertain.

Parentage; Place of Birth

Since, as discussed above in "Disputed Origins" it is uncertain whether John Ashley of Anson was John (Plowman) Ashley from Bertie County, his parentage and place of birth are also uncertain. If he was John (Plowman) Ashley from Bertie, he was probably the brother of Thomas Ashley of Chowan/Bertie County, b. about 1690 and d. about 1761 ("Thomas Ashley II") and the son of a Thomas Ashley. As discussed in the profile for Thomas Ashley II, however, his parentage and place of birth are uncertain and he may have been the son of Thomas Ashley of Northumberland, Virginia or Thomas Ashley of Boston, Massachusetts, or perhaps of neither.

Date of Birth

The date of birth of this profile's John Ashley is uncertain. Based on the fact that John named 8 children in his 1759 will[5] and assuming a 2-gap between births with perhaps a bigger gap for later births, it is likely that John's children were born over a span of 16-20 years. Since John's presumed youngest child (Jordan) was probably born about 1743,[11] that suggests that John's eldest child (presumably John Jr.) was probably born sometime in 1723-1727. (A date of birth for John Jr. is also consistent with his purchase of land in 1749,[12] when he was no doubt at least 21.) A date range for the birth of his eldest child of 1723-1727 in turn suggests that John was probably born sometime in 1695-1706, with about 1700 being a reasonable round-number estimate.

Known as "John Plowman Ashley"?

The name "John Plowman Ashley" appears in records only once: in the 1721 will of John Plowman. If John Ashley of Anson County did not originate in Chowan/Bertie, he was clearly not the person referenced in John Plowman's will and thus not "John Plowman Ashley." Even if he did originate in Chowan/Bertie, as discussed in John Plowman's profile, it is is perhaps most likely that the "John Plowman Ashley" referenced in John Plowman's will was not the then-21 or so John Ashley who later moved to Anson, but the infant or child John Ashley of Bertie, whose parents agreed to add "Plowman" to his name in return for his serving as back-up heir to the infant "John Plowman White." In any event, it is odd to refer to any of the John Ashleys as "John Plowman Ashley," since the name has not been found in any record except for John Plowman's will, and thus appears to have not been used by any of the John Ashleys.

Marriage

Based on references in John's will to his "well beloved wife Mary," John married a woman whose first name was Mary. Some family trees state that her maiden name was Mary Ann Gordon. However, no reliable evidence has been found to support the proposition that her first name was Mary Ann or that her maiden name was Gordon.

Based on the fact that their son John was born before 1729, John and Mary were almost certainly born before that date. Based on the estimate above under "Date of Birth" that their first-born child was probably born before 1722, they were probably married before that date.

Since there is no evidence that they were in Anson County before 1746 and John's origin before then is uncertain, their place of marriage is uncertain.

Children

John and Mary had the following children:

Death

As shown in the transcription below, John made his will on February 19, 1759. There is no record of when he died. No record has been found of when his will was probated or of any estate records.

Transcription of Last Will & Testament

I John Ashley of the County of Anson and province of North Carolina being in a [loo] state of bodlly health but in my perfect will and memory in the presence of God amen. I make this my Last Will and Testament, after my sole to the Lord that gave it, and my body to the earth from whence it came I dispose of all my worldly good as viz: I will and bequeath to my son John Ashley one shilling current money. Item To my son Francis Ashley I give one shilling current money. Item To my daughter Mary Ann Fransis I give one shilling curt money. Item To my daughter Eilener Sutton I give one shilling curt money. Item. To my daughter Rose Touchstone I give one shilling current money. Item To my son William Ashley I give and bequeath the land I now live on being one hundred acres more or less and one hundred acres of land being part of a tract on Bare Creek this part including the plantation to himself and his heirs for ever. Item To my daughter Sarah Ashley I give one hundred acres of land the remaines of William Ashley's on Bare Creek to her and her heirs for ever. Item to the above said William Ashley I give my negro man named Gingo after his mother's decease. Item To my son Jurdon Ashley I give my young [Blak tailed] mare and all her increes. And all the rest of my worldly good I give my my well beloved wife Mary Ashley [during] her life and after to be equally divided between Jurden and William Ashley. And I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife Mary Ashley to be and solely Executrix of this my last Will and Testament to [guen to sid or] my hand this 19th day of February in the year of our Lord 1759.

John [his mark] Ashley

Signed and sealed in the presence of us: Richard [jurbrene], [unreadable], Christopher Touchstone[5]

Records

  • 1746. Grant by George the Second to John Ashley a tract of land containing 500 acres in Bladen Co. on the North Side of Great P. D., paying 4 shillings proclamation yearly for every 100 acres, clearing and cultivating 3 acres for every hundred acres within 3 years. November 22, 1746[13]
  • 1749. Deed dated March 28, 1749 by John Ashley of Anson Co., planter, to Samuel Arnell of same, planter, for 15 pds money of Va., . . . A on N side of Great Pee Dee at the mouth of Little River . . . granted to sd. Ashley at Newbern 174-. John Ashley (2) Witt: J.D. Phillip, Thos Jones[3]
  • 1749. Deed dated September 26, 1749 by James Jewers of Anson Co. to John Ashley Junr of same for 10 pds proc. money . . . 200 A, part of 400 A granted to Jewers 7 Apr 1749 on N side of Great Pee Dee, known by the name of Buffaloe. Wit: William Phillips, John Gambrill[12]
  • 1750. Deed dated November 19, 1750 by John Stone of Anson Co., planter, to Charles Robinson of same, Gent., for 20 pds Va. money . . . land on W side of Little River of Great Pee Dee, 100 A granted to Charles Robinson November 22, 1746 . . . conveyed to sd. Stone March 2 1746/7. Wit: John Ashley Senr (Z), Towncan Robinson, Charles Robinson[4]
  • 1751. Deed dated April 15, 1751 by James Stewart of Anson, planter, to Burlingham Rudd of same, planter, for 20 pds proc. money . . . 300 A on S side of Great Pee Dee. Wit: Benj. Jackson, John Asheley (A), Caleb Howell[14]
  • 1751. Deed dated December 2, 1751 by John Ashley, Jur. of Anson Co., planter, to Thomas Ward of same, planter, for 12 pds proc. money . . . part of a grant of 400 A to James Terrers, April 7, 1749, conveyed to sd. Ashley September 26, 1749 by deed . . . N side Great Pee Dee, on a branch of Little River, Bafilo Bog, 200 A . Wit: John Ashley (N), Charles Robinson Jur[15]
  • 1759. Will of John Ashley of Anson County signed February 1, 1759. No probate date given.
  • 1759. Deed dated February 20, 1759 by John Ashley of Anson Co., to Francis Ashley of same, for 50 pds . . . 300 A on N side of Little River, adj. Robinsons line, James Denson, Jurden Ashleys. Wit: Andrew Preslar, Richard Yarbrough, Frederick Touchstone[16]
  • 1760. Grant to John Ashley of 100 Acres on the NE side of PeeDee River.[17]
  • 1760. Grant to John Ashley of 100 Acres on the NE side of PeeDee River. December 5, 1760.[18]
  • 1761. Deed dated January 23, 1761 by Francis Ashley & wf Rachel of Anson, planter, to James Long, house carpenter, for 20 pds . . . part of a grant to John Ashley & conveyed to Francis Ashley on the W branch of little River, adj. Jordan Ashley . . . 100 A . . . Francis Ashley, Rachel Ashley. Wit: Ann Hover, Charles Robinson.[19]
  • 1761. Deed dated October 3, 1761 by Thomas Harrington of Anson, planter to John Ashley of same for 10 pds proc. money . . . land on N side of Pee Dee, on Cheeks Creek, 100 A granted to Samuel McBee March 1756, and conveyed to Thomas Harrington. Wit: Charles Robinson.[20]
  • 1761. Deed dated October 3, 1761 by William Pellam, Jur. of Anson, planter, to Dennis Nollanof same, for 5 pds proc. money . . . land on NE side of Little River, adj John Ashley . . . granted to Georg Helms October 11, 1749, 25 A. Wit: Charles Robinson, William McDaniel[21]
  • 1761. Deed dated November 20, 1761 by Francis Ashley, planter, of Anson, to James Long, carpenter of same, for 20 pds proc. money . . . land on W side Little River of Pee Dee . . . adj. Jordan Ashley . . . 100 A part of a grant to John Ashley & conveyed to sd. Francis. Wit: Henry Touchstone, Christopher Touchstone[22]
  • 1762. Deed dated March 30, 1762 by Francis Ashley of Anson, to John Cartrite of same, for 30 pds proc. money . . . land on N side of Pee Dee, adj. "Longs intended line" . . . 100 A, part of a grant to John Ashley. Wit: Jame Hunter, Shadrach Denson, James Shepard[23]
  • 1762. Deed dated May 4, 1762 by John Ashley of Anson, planter, to Tilmon Helms of same, planter for 10 pds . . . land on NE side of Pee Dee, on a fork of Buffelow Cr., 100 A granted to Ashley, December 5, 1760. Wit: Chas. Robinson, Robt. Harris, Jur.[24]
  • 1763. Anson County List of Taxables for the year 1763 includes John Ashley and Robert Ashley[25]
  • 1763. Deed dated September 24, 1763 by John Ashly of Anson to John Edwards of same, for 20 pds. proc. money . . . 100 A on N side of Chicks Cr., granted to Saml Nialbic March 17, 1756 & conveyed to Ashley. Wit: Thos Helms, John Dicks, Sary Whiteville Ashley[26]
  • 1764. Deed dated July 3, 1764 by John Edwards of Anson to John Ashly of same, for 30 pds . . . 100 A on N side of Pee Dee, Cheeks Cr. Wit: J Pickett, Samuel Ray[27]
  • 1764. Deed dated October 25, 1764 by John Cartrite of Anson, to James Shepard of same, for 40 pds proc. money . . . 100 A on N side of Pee Dee, adj. Denson, Jordan Ashley . . . granted to John Ashley, conveyed to his son Francis, then to sd. Cartrite. Wit: Jacob Womock, Edward Almonds.[28]
  • 1765. Deed dated January 1, 1765 by James Shepard of Anson, planter, to William Mask of same, planter, for 300 pds Va. money . . . 3 tracts granted to James Denson November 22, 1746, & one tract granted to John Ashly November 27, 1746, conveyed to Francis Ashley, then to John Cartrite, then sold to Shephard, adj. Jame Long, Jordan Ashley. Wit: Dennis Nollen, Chas. Robinson.[29]
  • 1765. Deed dated January 1, 1765 by James Long of Anson, carpenter, to William Mask for 110 pds part of a grant to John Ashley November 27, 1746, adj. Jordan Ashly, 200 A on Little River. Wit: Dennis Nollen, Chas. Robinson.[30]

Sources

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 E.W. DeHuff, "The Ashley Family," 1962, p 14
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 See profile for Thomas Ashley of Chowan/Bertie County.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 1
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 23
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 North Carolina, Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 for John Ashley
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 See profile for John Ashley of Bertie County.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 J. Bryan Grimes, "Abstract of North Carolina Wills," 1910 p 12
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 E.W. DeHuff, "The Ashley Family," 1962, p 10
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 148
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "Jacob Miller Franks," geni.com
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 See the profile for Jurden Ashley.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 6
  13. ↑ 13.0 13.1 NC Patent Book 10 p 13
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 8
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 24
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 80
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 NC Patent Book 13 p 251
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 NC Patent Book 15 p 325
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 64
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 66
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 99
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 75
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 98
  24. ↑ 24.0 24.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 100
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 120
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 101
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 107
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 108
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 109
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Holcomb, Brent H, "Anson County, North Carolina Deed Abstracts, 1749-1766, Abstracts of Wills & Estates, 1749-1795," Genealogical Publishing Co., 1980, p 110




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It may be possible to confirm family relationships with John by comparing test results with other carriers of his Y-chromosome or his mother's mitochondrial DNA. However, there are no known yDNA or mtDNA test-takers in his direct paternal or maternal line. It is likely that these autosomal DNA test-takers will share some percentage of DNA with John:

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Comments: 2

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Jason F.
John Ashley of Anson County is probably a son of Joseph Ashley of Chowan/Perquimans. I have some new analysis on the Ashleys here, including both DNA and document analysis: https://genealogical-gleanings.blogspot.com/2024/02/the-ashleys-of-albemarle-county-north.html
posted by Jason F.
Ashley-1950 Chase Ashley
Ashley-3445 and Ashley-273 appear to represent the same person because: clear duplicate
posted by Chase Ashley

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