Abraham Padgett (abt. 1730 - aft. 1779)

Born about 1730 in Essex County, Virginia Colony

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth (Unknown) Padgett — married 1753 in Surry, Colony of North Carolina

Descendants

Died after 1779 after about age 49 in Surry County, North Carolina, USA

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Biography

Abraham Padgett was a Virginia colonist.

Abraham was born abt 1730 and died after 1778.

1772 - Surry County, North Carolina Colony - on the taxpayers list ^[1]

"Abraham Padgett was born around 1730 in Essex County, Virginia. He was the son of John Padgett Jr. Abraham’s wife, Elizabeth, was born around 1732. Some believe that Elizabeth’s maiden name was Kirby but that is so far unproven. Abraham and Elizabeth most likely married in the 1750’s. They were born during the beginning of a boom in land ownership in the American Colonies. Land purchase requirements had been eased by the Crown. This lasted in the colonies from 1730 up until the American Revolution. Many forest and coastlines were leveled to allow for farmland. Settlers drove in to settle in the backcountry. During their lifetime, Abraham and Elizabeth witnessed the birth of our great Nation and many other pivotal historical events including the French and Indian War which took place between 1754-1763.

Abraham was living in North Carolina in 1769. Evidence of this is a land grant to William Keneday for 100 acres in Cumberland County which was formed in 1754. It states, “on the west side of North Carolina River and lower side of Little River joining Hestor Mcallister and Abraham Padgett”. Some early North Carolina Tax Records showing Abraham, Elizabeth, and son John in the counties of Rowan and Surry. Surry County was formed from Rowan County in 1771. 1772 Surry County Tax List: Abram Pajet. 1774 Surry County Tax List, Captain Freeman’s District: Abraham Paget and Ephraim Paget, 3 polls each. * Jobe Felton, 1 poll. (The father of Rhoda Felton, future wife of Abraham.) 1778 Rowan County Tax List, Captain Morris’ District: Abram Pagit. 1778 Surry County Tax List: Abram Pagit. 1779 Surry County Court Minutes: Abraham Pa___ as an ordinary of the Court. 1785 Surry County Tax List: Captain Adkins District: Elizabeth Padgett 50 acres. Ephraim Padgett 50 acres. 1786 Surry County Tax List, Captain Adkins District: Elizabeth Padgett 50 acres. Ephraim Padgett 50 acres. John Padgett 200 acres.

• A poll was a tax on males 16 and older. A tithe when it was levied by the church, a tax when by the government.

The above tax records indicate that Abraham probably died after 1779 when he is last seen as the head of household, and 1785 when Elizabeth is first recorded as head of household.

Abraham’s son John states in his Revolutionary War Record that sometime after the war * he and his family moved to Chester County, South Carolina and remained there several years before moving to Rutherford County, North Carolina. * They appear to have still been in Surry County in 1786. The 1790 Chester County, Camden District, South Carolina census list: Paggit, William, Males: 1 under 16, 1 over 16. Females: 3. Paggot, John, Males: 1 over 16. Females: 5, one of whom is likely mother Elizabeth.

In Chester County Deed Book C, November 20, 1790, Ephraim Padget witnesses a deed for Thomas Halsell of Edgefield County to Richard Yarborough of Chester County.

In the Union County, South Carolina Court called on Edmond Padgett to give evidence in the case of the State of North Carolina vs. W. Williams on January 4, 1793.

Abraham’s sons John, William, and Edmund married the Hollifield sisters Celia (John), Minima (William), and Susannah Louraine (Edmund) while in Chester County. They are likely the daughters of one of the William Hollifield’s found on the 1790 Chester census. The Hollifield’s roots are also in North Carolina. Their brother Jacob, a Baptist church elder, and John, a Baptist preacher, are named in numerous church records.

The family had moved back to North Carolina, to Rutherford County, by 1797 when son John purchased some land there. Mother Elizabeth died in Rutherford County in 1831. The North Carolina Spector published her obituary January 29, 1831, which states, “Died In this County on the 16th inst.* Mrs. Elizabeth Padgett in the 99th year of her age. Mrs. Padgett had been confined only 15 days previous to her decease, and until which time she had maintained an uncommon and almost youthful activity.”

• Abbreviation for the Latin Instante mense meaning this month." ^[2]

Sources

1. ↑ North Carolina Taxpayers, 1679-1790. Vol. 2
2. ↑ Craig, April Suzette Oliver Craig (Author), Padgett, Charles Lee (Author), Kilgore, Patricia Padgett (Author), Cook, Melinda Padgett (Author). Our Journey to Edmund of England: Piecing the Padgett Puzzle, pp. 95-96, As shared by April Suzette Craig, Ancestry.com.