Nancy Elizabeth Betsy (Harris) Tilley (abt.1775-abt.1860)

Nancy Elizabeth Betsy Tilley formerly Harris

Born about 1775 in North Carolina

Daughter of David Harris and Mary (Davis) Harris

Sister of Robert D. Harris

Wife of Joel Aaron Tilley Sr — married about 1803 in North Carolina, United States

[uncertain]

Descendants

Mother of Thomas Jefferson Tilley, Nancy R. (Tilley) Francis, Aaron Burr Tilley, Moses Tilley, Maria Eleanor (Tilley) Tuttle and Francis (Tilley) Tucker

Died about 1860 at about age 85 in Patrick, Virginia, United States

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Profile last modified 29 Dec 2023 | Created 10 Feb 2016

This page has been accessed 604 times.

1 Biography
2 research
- 2.1 External Files
3 Sources

Biography

Nancy was born about 1780. Nancy "Betsey" Harris married Joel about 1803. She and Joel lived in Surry County NC. Her husband left her part of the estate in 1847. She was supposed to be of Indian descent. Her grandson applied for restitution from the Cherokee Indian act of early 1900's.

research

I reviewed the Cherokee claims that were made by grandson Joel Aaron Tilley and her nephew Robert Harris of Mt. Airy NC. I traveled to Cherokee NC to view these records. Robert said his father told him Indians would stop at their home in Surry County NC on their way to South carolina. From this I believe her family not be Cherokee but left over members of the Saura tribe that migrated to Cheraw SC and eventually combined with the Catawba Indians. Her father was William Harris. Strangely a recent Catawba chief was also named William Harris.

Died 1861 Patrick, Virginia, United States. ^[1] ^[2] abt 1850. Patrick, Virginia, United States. Found multiple copies of death date. Using 1861

File @O825@. @O829@. @O619@. @O1276@. @O421@. @O2062@.

Note: Grandson Joel Aaron Tilley and Nephew Robert Harris filed papers to the Cherokee Indian Act in early 1900s. Robert stated in his application that Indians stayed at his father's home on way to South Carolina. WikiTree profile: Nancy Tilley. harris

William Tilley stated in his Eastern Cherokee application (#38065) that his father was Joel A.Tilley, his grandfather was Aaron Tilley, his great-grandmother was Elizabeth Tilley (born Harris) and her father was named William Harris, who was the brother of Nancy Harris..All the applications for members of this family were rejected. Commissioner Guion Miller wrote "Claimant together with his parents and grandparents was born in Stokes Co., N.C. far removed from the Cherokee domain. There is nothing to establish Cherokee association, affiliation, or recognition between claimants immediate ancestors at 1855-56 or since. Claimants parents and grandparents were never enrolled as Cherokees." Miller carefully checked Cherokee censuses and rolls back to 1835 before making his decisions.

About 90,000 people were named in Eastern Cherokee applications but only 30,000 turned out to actually be Cherokee. Lawyers advertised that they could get people a share of the $4 million dollar settlement and made lots of money by charging people for filling out the forms and for writing letters on their behalf. In the end each person's share was only $133.00. answered Sep 13, 2018 by Kathie Forbes G2G6 Pilot (214k points). selected Sep 13, 2018 by Pip Sheppard.

External Files

File O1276 File: Format: jpg. image MTYPE document. STYPE jpeg. SIZE 211441. WDTH 830. HGHT 974. 1851 Joel Tilley 1765-1847 & Betsey Harris, children-estate matters. RIN 71745657-623f-420a-a06c-6453a3337163 4 Feb 1851 META <metadataxml><transcription><transcription><metadataxml> CREA 2018-07-26 01:42:17.320 USER zhddwIrG4BOSqWXOoYMGTlg0D9Fz5UP2FH1CkKjEGKV+eM/IYqGqMZVRv6ymU7uq4kz8KhXaQzCu88QQnH3qUg== ENCR 1. CLON TID 63907590. PID 30164997195. OID 14397258-0859-4ec9-8867-71d8d241510c. USER aVAPMWrdU2VNMyOWRoxMsTbAtVSLzuPvj+Jb5ijZ1TpUlQ0G8rOSulmgg7tegjKfqfdSK3oazANdqELadoxA==. ENCR 1. 2018-05-07 16:40:53.000. Origin: u ATL N

File O2062 File: Format: story MTYPE story. STYPE x-inline. SIZE 60350. Lazarus Tilley Last Will and Testament. RIN b8a90589-c5a9-4768-a112-f5aec91bde09 1814 Shelby County, Kentucky, USA Physical Description: This is the Will and distribution of property for Lazarus Tilley (b: abt 1843). He was born in Surry (later Stokes County), North Carolina and then moved to Shelby County, Kentucky. This will and deed distribution shows who all of his children are. META <metadataxml><content><line></line><line></line><line>LAZARUS TILLEY OF SHELBY COUNTY, KENTUCKY </line><line>     </line><line>Last Will and Testament of Lazarus Tilley - April 1814</line><line> </line><line>Shelby County, Kentucky Will Book 3, page 124,125</line><line> </line><line>Transcribed by Valerie J. Thompson May 11, 2013</line><line> </line><line>Page 124</line><line> </line><line>In the name of God, Amen, I, Lazarus Tilly, of Shelby County and State of Kentucky, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God for all His mercy’s, calling to mind the mortality of my body, and that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say, principally, and first of all I give and recommend my soul unto the hands of the Almighty God who gave it, and my body to the earth to be buried in a descent Christian burial at the discretion of my exec’rs, nothing doubting, but I shall at the general resurrection receive the same by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate where with it has pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. </line><line> </line><line>Page 125</line><line> </line><line>(first) After all my just debts are paid, I give a certain negro woman, Milley, her freedom so far as this the said negro woman has [chosen] my son-in-law, Richard Graves, and his wife, Nelly Graves where with the said negro Milly is to work, and be well treated as long as she lives. It will be understood that, if the negro woman should be afflicted, or unable to work the said Graves and his wife shall ….   her so long as she lives without any …   To the rest of my children all the balance of my real estate such as land, negroes, … is to be equally divided between all of my children. My son Henry has undertaken to make a crop for me this present year. He is to continue peaceably to finish his crop with all that was put on for the benefit of making the crop. The balance of my negroes, except what is put in the crop is to be dealt with as the law directs. Likewise, all of the balance of my estate, except what is engaged in the crop is to be dealt accordingly. It is my wish that Sam’l Tinsley, Esqr., and John Martin shall be my exec’rs of this my last will and testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto caused my hand and seal to be set this 2nd day of April 1814. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of </line><line> </line><line>Richard Rogers</line><line> </line><line>George Hawkins                                                                                           Lazarus Tilley {Seal}</line><line> </line><line> </line><line> </line><line> Shelby County                       April County Court 1814</line><line> </line><line>     This last will & testament of Lazarus Tilly, deceased was this day produced in court and proved by the oaths of Richard Rogers & George Hawkins, two subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded which is done accordingly.                        At: James Craig, Clk.</line><line> </line><line> </line><line> </line><line>Shelby County Court Order Book 4, page 126A</line><line> </line><line>The last will and testament of Lazarus Tilley deceased was produced into court & proved by the oaths of Rich’d Rogers and Geo. Hawkins, Witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded. </line><line> </line><line>Shelby County Deed Book V1, page 74 Lazarus Tilley’s heirs to Henry Tilley</line><line>Transcribed by Valerie J. Thompson May 11, 2013</line><line>This Indenture made this 21st day of September in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, Between Joel Tilley and Betsey his wife, and Jesse Simmons and Nancy Simmons of the County Stokes County and State of North Carolina of the one part, also Aaron Tilley and Nancy his wife, Lazarous Tilley and Caty Tilley his wife, Moses Tilley and Betsey his wife, Richard Graves and Nelly Graves his wife, and James Richardson and Anna Richardson his wife, and Woody Burge and Betsey Burge his wife, Henry Lisby and Polly Lisby his wife, Aggatha Mitchell of the County of Shelby and State of Kentucky of the one part and Henry Tilley of the County of Shelby and State of Kentucky of the other part, Witnesseth that the above persons being heirs and devisees of Lazarus Tilley dec’d, for inconsideration of the sum of five hundred and sixty three dollars & 46 cents to them in hand paid, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged hath granted, bargained, and sold unto Henry Tilley a certain tract of land lying in the said County of Shelby on the waters of Beech creek and bounded as follows, to wit, Beginning at a Stone, a corner of Aaron Tilley’s running N 20 E 140 poles to a beech & sugar tree, thence N790 W10 poles to a beech and Stake, thence N15 E20 poles to a beech and ash, thence N44 E48 poles to a 2 beeches, thence N45 W68 poles to 2 beeches on the bank of Beech Creek, thence down said Creek N85 W58 poles to a beech and buckeye, thence S20W260 poles to 2 Beeches on the road, thence S70E18 poles to a stone, thence S20 E61 poles to a beech and sugar tree in Scotts line, thence with the same N20 E50 poles to a sugar tree, thence to the Beginning containing 182 acres & 84 poles, To have & to hold the said tract of land as above described and every part and parcel thereof with all the appurtenances thereunto in any way belonging to him the said Henry Tilley and his heirs forever against the claim of all persons whatsoever setting up or holding any right or title thereto they, the said Joel Tilly & Betsey his wife, Jesse Simmons & Nancy Simmons of North Carolina and Aaron Tilly & Nancy his wife, Lazarus Tilley & Caty his wife, Moses Tilley & Betsey his wife, Richard Graves & Nelly his wife, James Richardson & Anna his wife, Woody Burge & Betsy his wife, Henry Lisby & Polly his wife, Aggatha Mitchell all being heirs and devisees of Lazarus Tilly dec’d, Shall and will warrant and forever defend by these presents. It is also to be remembered that if the foregoing tract of land should be lost in law or equity that the above named heirs and devisees are to pay the purchase money back jointly without interest. In Testimony whereof they, the said legatees, hath hereunto set their hands and affixed their seals this day and year first above written, </line><line> </line><line>Test:                                        Joel Tilley                                            James Richardson</line><line>Sam’l Tinsley                         Elizabeth Tilley                                   Ann Richardson </line><line>William Tilley                        Aaron Tilley                                         Henry Lisby</line><line>Jno G. Robertson                  Nancy Tilley                                        Mary Ann Lisby</line><line>                                                Lazarus Tilley                                       Agatha Mitchell (her mark)</line><line>                                                Caty Tilley                                             Moses Tilley</line><line>                                                 Woody Burge (his mark)                   Elizabeth Tilley</line><line>                                                 Betsey Burge                                       Jesse Simmons</line><line>                                                 Richard Graves                                    Nancy Simmons</line><line>                                                 Nelly Graves                                        By me, R. D. Tilley, Attorney in fact</line><line> </line><line>Shelby County Court Office </line><line>     This deed was proven before me in my office on the 21st day of October 1816 to be the acts and deeds of Joel Tilley & Elizabeth his wife, Aaron Tilley & Nancy his wife, Lazarus Tilley and Caty his wife, Woody Burge and Betsy his wife Richard Graves & Nelly his wife, James Richardson & Anna his wife, Henry Lisby and Mary Ann his wife, and Agatha Mitchell by the oath of Sam’l Tinsley a subscribing witness thereto & on the 21st day of November 1817 said deed was</line><line>Page 76</line><line>Further proven to be the acts and deeds of the aforesaid parties by the oath of William Tilley another subscribing witness thereto. On the 17th day of January 1818 said deed was acknowledged by Moses Tilley to be his act and deed, and on the 7th day of March following deed was acknowledged by Elizabeth Tilley. wife of said Moses Tilley, to be her act and deed, and the said Elizabeth having been examined separate and apart from her said husband has relinquished her dower in and to the lands in said deed mentioned, and on the 19th day of May 1826 said deed was acknowledged by R. D. Tilley attorney in fact for Jesse Simmons & Nancy his wife to be his act and deed, and thereupon the same was truly recorded. </line><line>                                                                                                          Ja S Whitaker, Clk</line><line>Lazarus Tilley, born about 1749, first appeared on the 1797 Tax List of Shelby County, Kentucky with his son, Aaron. He sold his land in Stokes County, North Carolina to his son Joel Tilley, who remained there. He appears on the 1810 Census of Shelby County, Kentucky with his sons, Aaron and Henry. Lazarus was a Revolutionary War soldier from North Carolina, whose DAR Ancestor number is A202507. His service source records include Hann, North Carolina Revolutionary Army Accounts Journal A 1775-1776, page 166; Absher, Surry County Court Minutes 1768-1789, pages 21,22, & 30. He served under Captain Joseph Phillips, was a juror, and overseer of roads. (www.dar.org)</line><line> </line><line>All transcription work was completed by Valerie J. Thompson May 11, 2013. The link to the website where the original transcription can be found is:</line><line>http://vjthompson.blogspot.com/2013/05/lazarus-tilley-of-shelby-county-kentucky.html</line><line> </line></content><metadataxml> CREA 2018-01-08 22:45:08.596 USER 1X4dJ1HTy285QPPZa3tXD+ef9r3xhfL48eCtT8EWlacjqjllECgGllljC6zZRfHs2/7gWavO3xP49ZHy49dwyg== ENCR 1. CLON TID 32305018. PID 28048791784. OID a9b9a526-4a77-4d22-9026-7debb37f39d2. 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File O421 File: Format: story MTYPE story. STYPE x-inline. SIZE 4498. life story, wives, children. RIN 267768f7-7525-43d5-9095-57051f0c90dc Physical Description: Learn about sponsoring this memorial..

Birth: Jan. 9, 1840. Caldwell County. North Carolina, USA. Death: Jul. 23, 1932. Marion McDowell County. North Carolina, USA. William A. Gragg was born January 9, 1840 according to his death certificate. He was the son of Isom Gragg and Elizabeth Harris. He was married to Mary L. Simmons who died in 1905. He then married Mary Cuthbertson on March 5, 1906. William was a soldier in the War of Northern Aggression (Civil War). He was the father of Eliza Jane Gragg Loftis and Mary Louise Gragg Robinson, Minyard, John, James Dempsey, Garfield, Isabella, Dora, Dorcus and Lonnie Gragg. Family links: Spouses: Mary L Simmons Gragg (1846 - 1905). Mary Cuthbertson Gragg (1859 - 1946). Children: M. Woodfin Gragg (1868 - 1948)*. Eliza Gragg Loftis (1885 - 1968)*. *Calculated relationship.

Burial: Simmons Cemetery.

META <metadataxml><content><line ><line><tbody></line><line><tr></line><line><td class="grAdBar" colspan="2" align="CENTER" valign="TOP"><a href="https://secure.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=ra&RAid=90737820">Learn about sponsoring this memorial...</a></td></line><line></tr></line><line><tr></line><line><td class="gr" align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#dcd0cf" width="315"></line><line><table width="315" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="1"></line><line><tbody></line><line><tr></line><line><td align="center" valign="top" bgcolor="#cbc0bf"></line><line><table width="315" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="2"></line><line><tbody></line><line><tr></line><line><td align="left" valign="top" bgcolor="#dcd0cf"></line><line><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"></line><line><tbody></line><line><tr></line><line><td valign="top">Birth: </td></line><line><td align="left" valign="top">Jan. 9, 1840 Caldwell County North Carolina, USA</td></line><line></tr></line><line><tr></line><line><td valign="top">Death: </td></line><line><td align="left" valign="top">Jul. 23, 1932 Marion McDowell County North Carolina, USA</td></line><line></tr></line><line><tr></line><line><td colspan="2" valign="top"> William A. Gragg was born January 9, 1840 according to his death certificate. He was the son of Isom Gragg and Elizabeth Harris. He was married to Mary L. Simmons who died in 1905. He then married Mary Cuthbertson on March 5, 1906. William was a soldier in the War of Northern Aggression (Civil War). He was the father of Eliza Jane Gragg Loftis and Mary Louise Gragg Robinson, Minyard, John, James Dempsey, Garfield, Isabella, Dora, Dorcus and Lonnie Gragg.    Family links:   Spouses:   <a class="NoUnderline12point" href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=90737185">Mary L Simmons Gragg (1846 - 1905)</a>   <a class="NoUnderline12point" href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=82962666">Mary Cuthbertson Gragg (1859 - 1946)</a>    Children:   <a class="NoUnderline12point" href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=63258113">M. Woodfin Gragg (1868 - 1948)</a>*   <a class="NoUnderline12point" href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=90739494">Eliza Gragg Loftis (1885 - 1968)</a>*   *Calculated relationship</td></line><line></tr></line><line><tr></line><line><td colspan="2"> </td></line><line></tr></line><line><tr></line><line><td colspan="2" valign="top">Burial: <a href="http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=cr&GRid=90737820&CRid=2450374&">Simmons Cemetery</a></td></line><line></tr></line><line></tbody></line><line></table></line><line></td></line><line></tr></line><line></tbody></line><line></table></line><line></td></line><line></tr></line><line></tbody></line><line></table></line><line></td></line><line></tr></line><line></tbody></line><line /><line> </line></content><metadataxml> CREA 2018-01-08 22:45:16.792 USER kBb5NK0LuzHTpt3atpvV+7cqJfjmNvYHfOOe5Z6j+/HXGSUr2zFPwrirY2Bc0yAth1DOFrDCp+IDbRQtzdJg== ENCR 1. CLON TID 54045084. PID 26663451843. OID 5c5821f9-1020-4798-b849-ee30350be79d. USER lWVvdTtGfiYrUfjIbvV/n2HwaQUEQballHEFjneyQpA5yDMKtXsUF0jUFnylFDaFAO1hmg03v4WKEnJBjZ+X6A==. ENCR 1. 2015-03-14 23:30:51.000. Origin: u ATL N

File O619 File: Format: pdf. story MTYPE story. STYPE pdf. SIZE 11714497. Guion Miller Application - Joel A Tilley 1907. RIN 3465cc59-1cca-4175-9ad9-0a9429a7fb41 21 Aug 1907 Physical Description: names spouses and children of Joel A Tilley, parents and siblings of parents, and gparents CREA 2020-08-30 22:18:36.000 USER BW7AJbxHR7BRqsEedueu7xQiUBaIhT1umfaTeqK/Gg88xMEfeBUGp7ksMLXYMfq+dJKUBWkE7gs5ffuo+iuGLg== ENCR 1. CLON TID 65977393. PID 36149582514. OID cdb0576d-0c17-458f-b64a-29f9e6cc0bdb. USER UoEJ3KS4wg33nxCZoLuhdwVt09pziuvdqjUDtyrpau2jusXTtCWf0RV++eWneI5JOX8XCwTxXf7DphM7ZvGLHQ==. ENCR 1. 2014-01-25 21:01:10.000. Origin: u ATL N

File O825 File: Format: jpg. image MTYPE portrait. STYPE jpeg. SIZE 4990. WDTH 96. HGHT 86. Direct Ancestor. RIN 497c13a7-8685-4dad-b33f-9bce3224c0c4 META <metadataxml><cemetery ><transcription /><metadataxml> CREA 2017-11-01 01:54:55.084 USER nhmnW9jSgiB1vM6mGPXBBWepNoOUT4aYSL5AaC+bpHAOTrOb8GBizx18UdtwTNQtIIOmGCS1p1FkawC7CHr4Tw== ENCR 1. CLON TID 27638290. PID 5109121984. OID 6e8455dc-3df5-40d0-9f83-b32a1fde500b. USER MbX9LFP3MI083A83erQ7GixxeSmR80HZOr8DrSw9xuIkBCvFrMO2Q2ZFxIygZqXwcR59B739PozdFJMBZeYA==. ENCR 1. 2015-06-16 01:39:39.000. Origin: u ATL N

File O829 File: Format: story MTYPE story. STYPE x-inline. SIZE 1162. Elizabeth Harris grandson Joel A Tilley Applied to Guion Miller. RIN 49ca7b6c-aeec-4b18-a4b8-a8feb9a50c8b Physical Description: Claim rejected META <metadataxml><content><line>A grandson, Joel A. Tilley (b. 28 Feb 1831) applied to the Guion Miller Commission in an attempt to claim funds appropriated by Act of Congress approved June 30, 1906 in favor of the Eastern Cherokees (Guion Miller Application No. 40846). </line><line> </line><line> </line><line>Joel A. Tilley said his grandmother Elizabeth Harris was a daughter of William Harris who he said was thought to be 1/2 Cherokee Indian. The Guion Miller Commission rejected the claim, however.</line></content><metadataxml> CREA 2023-01-16 17:47:04.052 USER INSbJZihYEqAse4qkzxtjdK0TMUdxOxRgh0JbpgtIhGa8WW6Cf0LfngKwY5ebNsCrQxIkPdZD92pN1w1ksKH6g== ENCR 1. CLON TID 21953963. PID 20314987820. OID 43b3026c-7626-46b8-a8f9-7479371e0ff3. USER 7e+oPXfCxMz49VsKdvplx+sLrgznMvsrpZ8b0ZS/CJsMODxiLAkvYCp3L9R9y9NRpA6FXVxhY77J431n+gRg==. ENCR 1. 2013-01-14 00:32:14.000. Origin: u MSER LKID 43b3026c-7626-46b8-a8f9-7479371e0ff3. ATL N

Sources

↑ Source: S1465443054 Ancestry Record 60541 #6087791
↑ Source: S1540267911 Web Address: https://gw.geneanet.org/ctfussell?n=harris&oc=&p=nancy+elizabeth Ancestry Record 62476 #4604361652

Pedigree Resource File," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3CKX-7BX : accessed 22 March 2019), entry for Joel /TILLEY/; "They Came to Virginia" file (2:2:2:MMDP-HMK), submitted 13 April 2016 by DEBORAHWOOD2 [identity withheld for privacy].

Cherokee act Application

From Joels will in Stokes County NC

Book, The Heritage of Stokes County North Carolina, vol. 2, 1990 Notes Published information: Family genealogies: birth-name: Nancy Elizabeth Harris Published information: Family genealogies: female Published information: Family genealogies: birth: about 1783; Stokes, North Carolina, United States

https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/collection/1030/tree/112374721/person/390147601255/media/2e994fb7-fb19-4e1d-a3cd-5799b23b2124?_phsrc=FXY65&usePUBJs=true

Source: S1461178374 Ancestry Family Trees Publication: Online publication - Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com. Original data: Family Tree files submitted by Ancestry members. Record Collection 1030Ancestry Family Tree APID 5109121984:1030:27638290 APID 30164997195:1030:63907590 APID 210028016841:1030:52391563 APID 280079919041:1030:77573296

Source: S1465443054 Global, Find A Grave Index for Burials at Sea and other Select Burial Locations, 1300s-Current Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2012 Provo, UT, USA Record Collection 60541

Source: S1540267911 Geneanet Community Trees Index Ancestry.com Publication: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc. 2022 Lehi, UT, USA Record Collection 62476 Note: Geneanet Community Trees Index

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Nancy Elizabeth Betsy (Harris) Tilley (abt. 1775 - abt. 1860)

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