James Fruit (abt. 1715 - bef. 1800)

Born about 1715 in Scotland

Descendants

Died before 1800 before about age 85 in Orange, North Carolina

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Biography

Early Life

James Fruit migrated from Scotland to United States.

James Fruit was born about 1715 in Scotland, son of Unknown Fruit (~1675–~1755). James Fruit is NOT the son of a John Fruit and Elizabeth (Forsyth) Fruit, his parents are UNKNOWN.

From Find A Grave: Memorial #202698090^[1]

Many family trees have inaccurately recorded information regarding James Fruit's parents and go on to assume that they did come to America and inaccurately recorded their given names as, John Fruit for the father and E.F. or Elizabeth F. or Forsyth, for his mother, this is not correct! This mythical naming of James' parents was because of an inaccurate reading of James Fruit's grandson John Fruit Jr. and John Fruit Jr's mother Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit's (E.F.) headstone.

Again, there is no record, no document, no clue of any kind, to indicate that the parents of James Pugh who came to America.

This is only a possible arrival record, it is highly theoretical and far from proven: James might have arrived in 1725 in Maryland^[2]

Marriage & Children

James married Girzel Walker (born about 1716 in Scotland). Their children were:

1. John Fruit (1738–1824); b. Somerset, New Jersey
2. Nancy Fruit (~1741–>1794); b. Montgomery, Pennsylvania
3. Jennett Fruit (~1741–1794); b. Montgomery, Pennsylvania
4. Andrew Fruit (1744–<1794); b. Montgomery, Pennsylvania
5. Alexander Fruit (1744–<1794); b. Montgomery, Pennsylvania
6. Elinor Fruit (~1748–>1820); b. Montgomery, Pennsylvania
7. Mary Fruit (~1756–1818); b. North Carolina

Birth places of their children show a progression of movement over time. As do tax records.

In 1755 James Fruit was recorded on a tax record in Orange County North Carolina with himself and a son^[3][4]:

1755 Randolph County Tax List

He was also on the Randolph County Tax list of 1779, with 150 acres^[5][6].

American Revolution

James Fruit performed Patriotic Service in the American Revolution.

He was in a North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Voucher on 22 Aug 1782 in Hillsborough, Orange, North Carolina, United States having received six pounds and six shillings.^[7]

And another on 29 Oct 1782 in Orange, North Carolina, United States for two bushels of wheat for three Spanish Milled dollars.^[8]

Post War

In the 1790 census James was in Greenville Township, Pitt, North Carolina, United States.^[9]

James was in a land grant record for 30 acres on 28 Nov 1792 in Randolph, North Carolina, United States.^[10]

Will

James's will passed probate in 1800 in Orange, North Carolina, United States.^[11]

"In the name of God amen I James Fruit being weak of body but of sound mind And memory and knowing that [those?] apointed for all Men Once to die do make and Ordain this any last Will and testement in the manner following
First I give and bequeath my soul to god who gave it and my body to the dust from whence it was taken
Item: I bequeath that all my just debts be paid and the remaminder of my estate to be divided in the manner following.
Item: I give and bequeath unto Girzel my dear and loving Wife the plantation where I now live with all my shareable Property during her natural life and at her death I give and bequeath the Plantation to my son John.
Item: "I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elenor the sum of five shillings specie
Item: I give and bequeath unto my duaghter Jennett the sum of five shillings specie
Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hanna the sum of five shillings specie
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary all my moveable property at the death of my wife
Item: I appoint John Fruit sole Executor to this my last will and testament in Witness where of I have set my hand Turn Over
and affixed my seal this twenty fifith day of January in the year of our lord one Thousand nine hundred and ninety four. Signed, Sealed, in presesense his James Fruit (SEAL) (MARK)"

"State of Tennessee Agreeable to a [comsore?] from from the Worship full Court of [Pleasand?] quarter Sessions for the County of Orange, to me directed I have caused Moses Crawford and Samuel Crawford subscribing witness to the last will and Testament of James Fruit late of Orange County deceased to come before me Andrew Jackson one of the Judges of the Superior Courts of law and Equity from the State aforesaid, on this Twenty ninth day of September eighteen hundred, Who being Sworn [de poseth?] and Earth, that they were present, and saw James Fruit, sign, seal, publish and declare, the will now produced and shown to them and to which they are subscribing witnesses and which is hereunto annexed with witnesses to be his last will and testament, and that the said James Fruit, at the time of his Signing, sealing, Publish and declaring, the above annotated will to be his last will and testament was of sound mind, memory, and understanding and that they the signed [depaonants?] at his request, and in his presence subscribed the same as witnesses and [fuethes?] these [de ponants savth?] not sworn to and surrounded in the town of Knoxville on this 29th day of September on eighteen hundred before me Andrew Jackson one of the Judges of the Superior Court of Law Equity for the State of Tennessee. //Signed Andrew Jackson//"

Burial

There have been many documented Cemetery Surveys done over the years regarding this Cemetery, each confirms the other. Regarding this Cemetery "The Old Campbell, Pugh Cemetery" the first recorded census was done in the 1930's, by the Welborn's when the headstones could still be read fairly easy and confirmed a few years later by M. Marshal Curtis, then later by Mr. & Mrs. F.J. Wrenn, & Francine Swain, and another done in 1979 and again in 1980 & last by W. Ham in 2014, the records are stored at the Randolph Genealogical Society.

There is a very old cemetery, it is located at 4087 Bunton Swaim Rd, on the farm owned by Gilmore Plant and Bulb Company, in Liberty, Randolph County, North Carolina. At one time this Cemetery was referred to as the Old Henry Moon Cemetery (because he owned the land) and before that, it was referred to as The Old Campbell, Pugh Cemetery. These two families owned land that bordered each other and they set aside land at that border to use as a cemetery, a burial spot for thier family members, the original owner on the Pugh side was Thomas Pugh, the father of Elizabeth Pugh who married John Fruit Sr. who was the son of James and Girzel Fruit. This is the land Thomas Pugh purchased from his son-in-law Herman Husband in 1764, (172-1/2 acres). This was land Herman Husband had purchased on 15 March, 1755 (640 acres on the head of a branch of Sandy Creek)

There are 12 readable headstones and many rocks or markers with no inscription on them located in this cemetery, the headstones that have names and dates on them belong to the Campbel, the Pugh and the Fruit families, the earliest inscription being that of Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit, death 1783 (daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh and wife of John Fruit Sr.) the next is Laughlin Campbell death 1791.

This is a list of the headstones that have names and dates as recorded from the 2014 census survey which again confirms the oder surveys:

Campbell, Clark M (b. 15 Feb 1822 - d. 7 May 1823) Resting In Hope Of A Glorious Resurrection.

Campbell, David (b. 1787 - d. 1862) Husband of Elizabeth Flinton Campbell.

Campbell, Elizabeth Flinton (b. 1797 - d. 23 May 1850) Wife of David Campbell.

Campbell, John (b. 1753 - d. 16 Oct 1825) To Live By Gods Law Is to Gain Heaven.

Campbell, Laughlin (b. 1711 - d. 9 Jan 1791) The Lord Gives Us Courage.

(E.F.) Fruit, Elizabeth Pugh (b. Unknown - d. 1783) Daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh, wife of John Fruit. * (This headstone (E.F.) was mistakenly assumed to be the mother of James Fruit Sr. from Scotland.)

Fruit, John (b. 1738 - d. 12 May 1824) Son of James and Girzel Fruit, husband of Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit.

Fruit, John (b. Unknown - d. 5 Dec 1798) Son of John and Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit. (This death year on this headstone was misread as 1728 and was mistakenly assumed to be the father of James Fruit Sr. from Scotland.)

Pugh, Elizabeth (b. 1709 - d. 2 Nov 1794) Wife of Thomas Pugh.

Pugh, James (b. 1747 - d. 1810) Son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh, Husband of Jane Patterson Pugh.

Pugh, Jane Paterson-Ward (b. 23 Apr 1754 - d. 19 Aug 1830) Wife of 1st Thomas Ward and 2nd James Pugh.

Pugh, Thomas (b. 1705 - d. 30 Nov 1797) Son of James and Joan Price Pugh, husband of Elizabeth Pugh.

FindAGrave

James was mentioned on a memorial with a death date of 1800.^[12]

James Fruit From Find A Grave: Memorial #202698090^[1]

James Fruit was very probably born in Scotland, although there are many myths as to who his parents might be, they are UNKNOWN, it is also unknown as to whether his parents came with him from Scotland to America; however, there is no evidence that they did.

New research seems to indicates that James did have at least one sister who did travel with him to America; her name is unknown but she was the wife of Samuel Walker who died on December of 1782, also this Samuel Walker is believed to be the brother of James' wife Girzel. James Fruit married a woman by the first name of Girzel, and for many years her maiden name was unknown, new research seems to indicate that her full name is Girzel Walker, sister of Samuel Walker (named above).

It is not known whether James Fruit and Girzel Walker were married in Scotland or after they came to America, the couple first lived in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania where most of their children were born except Mary who was born in North Carolina.

Circa 1752/4 James, Girzel and family made the move from Montgomery, Pennsylvania to Orange North Carolina. In circa 1755 a survey shows James Fruit's land, on Mill Creek, 200 acres near the waters of Mill Creek a branch of Haw River.

Records in North Carolina show that the Fruit, Pugh, Walker, Husband, Ward, Swift and Patterson families were all bound together by strong relationships and common interests and many of their children intermarried, many were regulators and signed the Regulator Advertisement No. 9 including James and Girzel's son John Fruit and their son-in-law John Pugh.

In February of 1765 the Fruit family takes in Hannah Beverly she first stayd with James' son John and later with James who named her in his will, she was the daughter of John and Margaret Beverly who died leaving orphan children "Hannah Beverly, born Oct 17, 1750 and wants to stay with John Fruit and his wife until she is 16 Years old and they agree to find her Sufficient Meat drink and Apparel & Teach her to sew." Hannah Beverly's brother John Beverly was taken in by Herman Husband (the leader of the regulators).

It is also worth mentioning that James and Girzel's granddaughter Sibilla Fruit married John Husband who was the eldest son of Herman Husband and his first wife Else Phoebe Cox-Husband.

In 1768 James signs a petition to William Tyron Governor of NC for debt relief.

In 1779 James Fruit is found in the NC Early Census.

On 3 July 1779 James Fruit purchases 200 acres on Waller's Mill Creek in Orange, North Carolina.

On 29 October 1782 James Fruit receives a pay voucher for supplying two bushels of wheat to the Revolutionary War soldiers.

On 16 March 1791 James Fruit, Randolph County, sells John Overly, 1 negro, Lundy. Witnesses: Sam Milliken, Will Dix.

25 January 1794 James Fruit make out his last Will and names his son John Fruit as executor.

James and Girzel are the parents of seven known children and one adopted child, Hannah Beverly as named in James Fruit's will.

1. John Fruit baptism 18 November 1738, who married Elizabeth Pugh, the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh.
2. Nancy Fruit baptism 30 Jul 1741
3. Jennett Fruit
4. Elinor Fruit who married John Pugh son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh
5. Mary Fruit m William Patterson the son of John and Margaret Patterson
6. Andrew Fruit (twin) baptism 20 May 1744
7. Alexander Fruit (twin) baptism 20 May 1744
8. Hannah Beverly adopted (daughter of John Beverly and Margaret Williams)

James Fruit died in the year 1800, his will is turned over to probate the witnesses, Moses Crawford & Samuel Crawford testified (29 September 1800) deceased was of sound mind and they saw James Fruit sign and seal the Will. James and wife Girzel are probably buried on their family farm in Orange North Carolina.

The Myth begins

In 1969 more than 52 years ago a book was written regarding this family, it was called "The Fruit Family of French Huguenot Origin" for it's time, this book was a breakthrough and contained plenty of factual, documented, information such as census records, marriage records, tax records, wills, land deeds, family bibles etc. this book also included hypothesis from those researching this family, and stories past down from one generation to another most probably exaggerated, from one generation to another, and also errors and mistakes, the author herself admitted that some of her information could be wrong. In 1969 there was no access to the internet and some of the information regarding this family had not been discovered yet and all of the information in the book had to be gathered from footwork, traveling or writing to courthouses and looking up the information.

• This book includes inaccurate information in regard to the headstones and the names and dates inscripted on these headstones.

Quote from the book: "There is a John Fruit buried in the Old Henry Moon Cemetery (AKA The Old Campbell Pugh Cemetery) the inscription is John Fruit, death December 5, 1728, which could be a later date as we are not sure, he is buried along side our ancestor John Fruit's (Sr.) grave (1738-1824) there is another headstone, it reads E.F. 1783, this could be his wife.

It was incorrectly assumed that a John Fruit who died in 1728 was married to an E.F. and they were the parents of the John Fruit who died in 1824. This information has been copied over and over again in family trees and it is wrong!

The actual inscription as referenced above in Cemetery Surveys, is John Fruit death December 5, 1798 (not 1728), this would be John Fruit Jr. the son of John Fruit Sr. (1738-1824) and E.F. d. 1783 who was assumed to be the wife of this fictitious John Fruit d. 1728 is actually Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit (E.F.) death 1783 the daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh, the wife of John Fruit Sr. (1738-1824) and the mother of John Fruit Jr. who died on 5 December, 1798, NOT 1728.

Remember this land was not purchased until 1755 by Herman Husband and then sold to Thomas Pugh, the person who owned and sete aside the area for family burials until 1756.

This Fruit family line starts with James & Girzel Fruit who are the parents of John Fruit Sr. (d, 1824) who married Elizabeth Pugh (d. 1783) and had a son named John Fruit Jr. who died in 1798.

Family Stories

"James Fruit landed in America about 1735 and resided in Pensylvania. He may have fled Britian to escape Huguenot persecution in France. James later moved to North Carolina in or about 1755.

Note: By the end of the 17th century and into the 18th century, roughly 500,000 Huguenots had fled France during a series of religious persecutions. They relocated to Protestant nations, such as England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, Switzerland, several of the English colonies of North America and other nations that were willing to accept them." -- HappyJackMom originally shared this on 08 Aug 2014 on Ancestry.com

""A sampling of evidence collected on the origins of the Fruit family in PA and NC beginning in the early 18th century (later moved to OH) Much of this info is from the research of others. SURNAME FRUIT The Surname "Fruit" Scotland Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics. The name Fruit could have evolved from the name Fruid. The sure name Fruid is territorial from the lands of Fruid/Frude in Peebles Scotland. These lands were once held by the Frazier clan who owned and were Lairds of these lands, one of the first being James Frazier, Laird of Fruid. The name Fruid was later taken as a sure name by those who lived, owned and farmed these lands. * Ironically, the Scottish name Frasier means "Strawberry" (a fruit), it comes from the word 'fraise' which means strawberry. France Other recorded in the spellings of Fruss, Fruish, Fruche, Fruchon, Fruchard, Frugier, and Fruitier, this is a surname of medieval French origins. It is usually considered to be occupational, and to describe a seller of fruit, however occasionally it may be locational from residence by a fruit orchard. The name when found in English speaking countries is almost certainly of Huguenot protestant emigrant origins, and probably 17th century, although the date is open to some conjecture. Certainly the name is well recorded in London church registers from the 18th century. The first known recording is that of Marie Jeanne Fruict, who marrried Pierre Cordeau at the city of Lille, France, on July 24th 1668. Read more: http://www.surnamedb.com/Surname/Fruish#ixzz1FuLYHo1h PICARDY HUGENOT ORIGIN (Thus, a colony of weavers from Picardy, in France, began the manufacture of linen in a suburb of Edinburgh near the head of Leith Walk, long after known as "Little Picardy", -) "JAMES b 1695, immigrant tax list of 1755. (on supposed Fruit Huguenot ancestors) One interesting thing you mention is the fact they were weavers of cloth. Many Huguenots were well-known for being in the cloth trade - makers of fine linen, fancy tapestries, etc. Many also created items out of gold, silver, stone, glass, wool, etc. They often had many family members who owned mills. Confirmed Hugenots in Picardy region (from Huguenot genealogy sites, lists): Fera, Jean x5 around 1700 Feret Faret Ferot Fieret Forter Fortin De Fretin Friant Fruchard, Jacques and Jeanne (1608-1683) Fruchart FRUIT: all 1800s, Jean Baptiste, Julien, etc. cotton weavers. Frichet Frochot Fouret Ferret Faret Freint? Friant Fruits in Upper Normandy region 17th and 18th centuries (given names James/Jacque and John/Jean) Jacques FRUIT Children b 1697-1714 marcq-en-barouel (near picardy) Jean-Jacques FRUIT Birth 10 SEP 1663 in Willems,,(near picardy) Father Jean Fruit Jacques FRUIT Children b 1606-1612, willems Willems 25 minutes from Lille (first recorded “Fruit” variant) Also from Marcq-en-Barouel. 2 hoiurs from center of Picardy in Upper Normandy region. FRUITS IN WILLEMS FRANCE 17th –18th centuries Wedding contracts; Tab 8136.67 of 15 November 1708 Willems JONVILLE Philip, son of the late Jacques, widower of Marie-Francoise FRUIT, Willems, assisted by Jacqueline VANNIEN (= Wanin) his mother, Jean FRUIT his stepfather and his uncle Maximilian FRUIT, x DUBAR Marie-Elisabeth Willems, assisted by her sister Mary DUBAR and Jean DELERUE his master. ab 5 September 1723 of 6622.21 Lannoy JONVILLE Jacques, son of the late Philip Camphin, x FRUIT Marie Joseph, daughter of the late Nicolas, Baisieux, assisted by his uncle Maximilian FRUIT ab 6186.11 of 30 May 1676 Hem JACQUART Francis, son of the late Louis and Adrienne ALLIGART deceased, residing in Hem, assisted by Pierre THIEFFRIES his brother, and his sister Antoinette JACQUART, x Mary Anne Agache, assisted by his father Denis, Jacques AGACHE his brother, and Simon FRUIT his uncle residing in Forest ally. List of qualified Huguenot ancestors: Feret (Christophe)"

--the Origins of the Fruit Family in PA/NC 18th and 19th centuries. Posted 07 Mar 2011 by egramarye on Ancestry.com

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/202698090/james-fruit: accessed 22 December 2022), memorial page for James Fruit (1715–1800), Find A Grave: Memorial #202698090; Burial Details Unknown, It is probable that James Fruit and his wife Girzel Fruit are buried on the land they owned.; Maintained by Always Searching (contributor 47332759). No burial or gravestone
2. ↑ Passenger List: "U.S. and Canada, Passenger and Immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s"
   Place: Maryland; Year: 1725; Page Number: 53
   Ancestry Record 7486 #4488494 (accessed 14 January 2024)
   Name: James Fruid; Arrival Year: 1725; Arrival Place: Maryland; Primary Immigrant: Fruid, James; Source Publication Code: 1640.4; Annotation: Date and place of mention in New World. Occupation, names of relatives, place of origin in Scotland may also be provided.; Source Bibliography: DOBSON, DAVID. Directory of Scottish Settlers in North America, 1625-1825. Volume IV. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1985.;
   Household Members (Name):
   James Fruid.
3. ↑ Tax Lists, Orange County, 1755
   https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/tax-lists-orange-county-1755/352668
4. ↑ 1755 Census: "North Carolina, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890"
   Original data: Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. North Carolina Census, 1790-1890. Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes
   Ancestry Record 3566 #17066627 (accessed 14 January 2024)
   James Fruit in Orange, North Carolina.
5. ↑ Tax Lists, Randolph County, 1779
   https://digital.ncdcr.gov/Documents/Detail/tax-lists-randolph-county-1779/352198?item=352211
6. ↑ 1779 Census: "North Carolina, U.S., Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890"
   Original data: Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. North Carolina Census, 1790-1890. Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes
   Ancestry Record 3566 #17046892 (accessed 14 January 2024)
   James Fruit in Orange, North Carolina.
7. ↑ Military: "North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 004321771; Image number: 675
   FamilySearch Record: Q2WT-G48H (accessed 14 January 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9W8-N379
   Name: James Fruit; Military Service Date: 22 Aug 1782; Military Service Place: Hillsborough, Orange, North Carolina, United States; System Of Record: SLS.
8. ↑ Military: "North Carolina Revolutionary Pay Vouchers, 1779-1782"
   citing Digital film/folder number: 004321771; Image number: 677
   FamilySearch Record: Q2WT-58V6 (accessed 14 January 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3QS7-L9W8-N3QB
   Name: James Fruit; Military Service Date: 29 Oct 1782; Military Service Place: Orange, North Carolina, United States; System Of Record: SLS.
9. ↑ 1790 Census: "United States Census, 1790"
   citing Page: 283,284; Affiliate Name: The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Affiliate Publication Number: M637; Line: 24561; Digital film/folder number: 005157139; FHL microfilm: 0568147; Image number: 167
   FamilySearch Record: XHKB-1XT (accessed 14 January 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 33SQ-GYY8-34GB
   James Fruit in Greenville Township, Pitt, North Carolina, United States.
10. ↑ Land Grant: "North Carolina, U.S., Land Grant Files, 1693-1960"
    Original data: North Carolina Land Grants. Microfilm publication, 770 rolls. North Carolina State Archives, Raleigh, North Carolina
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 60621 #201711 (accessed 14 January 2024)
    Name: James Fruit; Issue Date: 28 Nov 1792; Residence Place: Randolph, North Carolina, USA; Certificate Number Range: 954-873; Description: Randolph 954-873.
11. ↑ Will: "North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998"
    Wills, 1663-1978, Estate Papers, 1754-1944 (Orange County); Author: North Carolina. Division of Archives and History; Probate Place: Orange, North Carolina
    Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry Record 9061 #2502364 (accessed 14 January 2024)
    Will of James Fruit of Orange County, North Carolina, granted probate in 1800.
12. ↑ Memorial: Find a Grave (has image)
    Find A Grave: Memorial #202698090 (accessed 14 January 2024)
    Memorial page for James Fruit (1715-1800); Maintained by Always Searching (contributor 47332759).

See Also:

• FamilySearch Person: LYBD-517

• U.S., Presbyterian Church Records, 1701-1970

North Carolina Land Grant Entry Book - Orange County - Vol 1 By Stewart Dunaway Index to the colonial and state records of North Carolina covering volumes i-xxv

• https://www.familysearch.org/library/books/records/item/373363-the-fruit-family-of-french-huguenot-origin-vol-01?offset=2

Logan Family Search Library Fruit family John Fruit who died 5 Dec. 1728 in Liberty, North Carolina

• https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9061/images/007665370_00873?indiv=try&h&_phsrc=iLh6&db

Citation "North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665." Ancestry https://www.ancestry.com/imageviewer/collections/9061/images/007665370_00873?indiv=try&h&_phsrc=iLh6&db. Accessed 7 Oct. 2021.