Edward Miles Riley (abt. 1758 - bef. 1821)

Born about 23 Sep 1758 in Maryland [uncertain]

Husband of Elizabeth (Whitaker) Riley — married 1779 in Orange, North Carolina, United States

Descendants

Died before 14 Apr 1821 before about age 62 in Orange, Indiana, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Crystal Gonzales [send private message]

Biography

Edward Riley was born c 1758 in Maryland to parents Edward Riley and Eleanor "Nelly" Unknown. It is not known what source provided the 23 Sept 1758 date, nor if it is correct.

Between 1780 and 1783 he married Elizabeth Whitaker, daughter of Abraham Isaac Whitaker and Mary Poteet. That marriage probably took place in Salisbury, Surry Co or Orange County, North Carolina. It has not been found yet.

The couple had at least 12 children, the first seven of which were named for themselves or their parents and grandparents as I will note;

Eleanor "Nelly" b 1783 Georgia (per 1850 census) named for Edward's mother, Eleanor. She married George Wilson c 1809, possibly in Indiana and died after 1860 in Riley twp, Yell County, Arkansas.

Edward JR b c 1784 named for Edward's father, Edward. He married Polly Westbrook on 1 Mar 1810 in Franklin County, Georgia and he died 1854 in Franklin County, Georgia

Abraham Riley b c 1785 in Franklin County, Georgia named for Elizabeth's father Abraham. He married c 1810 to Sarah Ann "Sally" Young and he died Sept 1821 in Orange County, Indiana.

Mary b 1788-1790 in Georgia and married c 1808 to John Hogg. She died after 1821

William N Riley b c 1792 in Franklin Co Georgia OR Orange County, North Carolina, named for Elizabeth's maternal grandfather William. He married to a first wife c 1815 and had son William Jonathan Riley. Second wife was Thirsey Brooks, daughter of Micajah Brooks.

Isaac Whitaker Riley b 1794 Georgia, obviously named for Elizabeth's father. He married c 1813 to Nancy Unknown, possibbly in Indiana and he died 1858 in Hunt County, Texas.

Elizabeth b c 1796 in North Carolina, named for her mother. She married 27 Dec 1814 Harrison County, Indiana to William Rhoades and she died after 1840, possibly in Scott County, Arkansas.

John T Riley b 1796 in Georgia. He married Priscilla Hall on 8 Mar 1820 in Harrison County, Indiana and he died between 1842-1846 in Hunt County, Texas.

Sarah "Sally" b c 1800 in Texas. She married 25 Dec 1817 in Orange County, Indiana to Josiah Houston Hart and she died 1843 possibly in Fannin County, Texas.

James "Jack" W b c 1802 in Franklin County, Georgia. He married Sarah "Sally" Pittman on 4 Jan 1821 in Orange County, INdiana. He died 6 Mar 1844 Red River, Lamar County, Texas. A James Riley is buried in Trimble Cemetery.

Thomas Riley b 1804 in Franklin County, Georgia. He married 22 Feb 1827 in Orange County, Indiana to Esther Moad. He died Jan 1836 in Brazos River, Travis County, Texas.

Jacob b 1808 in Georgia and died after 16 Feb 1829.

In the 1820 census Orange County, Indiana, Edward Riley with a wife and one son aged 16-25 is living next door to his sons, Isaac, William and Abraham. Also near Micajah Brooks.

Edward Riley died before 14 April 1821 based on his probate. His will dated19 Aug 1819, WB 1 page 12, Orange County, Indiana and witnessed by two sons, Isaac and James. It is believed that Elizabeth Whitaker Riley died before 1830 possibly in Orange County, Indiana. No known burials for either.

Discrepancy

This profile had a death date of 20 April 1820 and location of Orange twp, Fayette Co, IN for this Edward Riley. Although the death date may be true, given that the will and probate took place in Orange County, not Orange twp, the previous death date and location were replaced as of Jan 2024.

Research Notes

I will add sources that I have accumulated over the years because there are none associated with this profile. Family trees and imported gedcoms are not considered sources. Also I have different information than what is presented here, so I will add that as well. I have not seen any source that supports MILES as a middle name.

I detached John Riley and Mary Hillhouse (which is found in Robert Shean Riley's book) in my own personal data as Edward's parents in favor of Edward Riley and Eleanor "Nelly " Unknown and I will explain why. I also think it more likely, given these parents of Edward, that his birthplace was Maryland and not North Carolina.

I have matched DNA with other descendants that descend from William Riley as I do, but also with descendants from John Riley, son of Edward and Elizabeth Whitaker. It is my hope more descendants will come forward with verifiable sources to share. (Cindi Bonney, Jan 2023).

Timeline

Taxlist 1779 Orange County, North Carolina has an Edward Riley Senior and Junior.

Jan 1785; Edward Riley is the bondsman in Isaac Whitaker's (brother in law) marriage to Miss Horn in Orange County, North Carolina.

Not sure these are ours 1786 Salisbury Dist, Surry Co, NC has Edward Riley with wife, 1 son and 2 daughters.

1790 Salisbury, Surry Co, NC Edward Riley 1 male under 16, 1 male over 16 and 3 females. 3 slaves.

28 Sep 1801 Residence; Edward Reighley living in Jackson County, Georgia.

John Riely (sic) was taxed in Reed's Dist in Jackson Co, GA in 1803.

1805 Franklin County, Georgia Land Lottery; Edward Riley, BB (meaning no land was won) allowed to draw twice because he has a wife and children. Also shows Edward Ryley (sic) Jr allowed one draw and won land in Wilkinson County.

1802-1806 Residence of Edward Riley was Georgia based on the birthplaces of his sons Jacob, Thomas and Isaac.

Page 21, Franklin Co, GA. Sheriff's deed dated Mar 2, 1803, rec. 10 April 1805, from Hezekiah Terrell, Sheriff of Franklin Co, GA to Edward Riley of aforesaid.

In Cons. of $31, conveys two adj tracts of 146 ac and 28 ac on Hudson River, adj John McEntire, Richard Woods. Said tracts were levied on by John Blackwell, Constable, as the result of judgements obtained by Jacob Strickland and Philip Brown against Sutton Green, and were sold as Green's property August 1802 to Capt John Gilbert, who relinquished his bid to said Edward Riley. Wit: James Collins, Richard Eubanks, M Wilcox, JP.

1810 Census: Franklin County, Georgia Edward Riley 1 male under 5, 1 male 15-20, 2 fem 5-10, 1 fem 10-15, 4 fem 15-20, 1 fem 40-50, page 332, 207th Dist. William Riley next door.

24 Oct 1810 Defaulters tax digest of Franklin County, Georgia shows Edward, John and James Ryley on Capt Brooks' return.

Page 67-68, 15 April 1807, rec. 19 Feb 1812, from Robert Neal and wife Tabbatha to Edward Riley of aforesaid. $160 conveys 46 ac in Franklin Co on waters of Beaverdam Cr, adj C Hanes, John Hutchings. Signed Robert Neal, Tabitha Neal. Wit William Ramsey, Robert Busbey. Sworn to by Busby before Gabriel Martin, JP 8 Feb 1812.

1812 Bedford County, Tennessee taxlist.

1817 Voter's List; Jackson twp, Orange County, Indiana.

Will Dated 19 Aug 1819 Orange County, Indiana WB 1, page 12. Witnessed by two sons, Isaac and James. His will leaves all worldly goods to his wife, Elizabeth Riley and one dollar to each of his 12 children, each one named.

By 1820, all Riley names were removed from Jackson County.

Census 1820 Orange County, Indiana with wife and one son age 16-25, living next door to sons Isaac, William and Abraham. Also near Micajah Brooks.

Probate 14 April 1821 Orange County, IN Probate Bk A; Letter of Admin to William Riley, all goods chattels, rights and credits of Edward Riley, deceased.

Sources

• Taxlist 1779 Orange County, North Carolina has an Edward Riley Senior and Junior.

• Jan 1785; Edward Riley is the bondsman in Isaac Whitaker's (brother in law) marriage to Miss Horn in Orange County, North Carolina

• Not sure these are ours 1786 Salisbury Dist, Surry Co, NC has Edward Riley with wife, 1 son and 2 daughters. 1790 Salisbury, Surry Co, NC Edward Riley 1 male under 16, 1 male over 16 and 3 females. 3 slaves.

• 28 Sep 1801 Residence; Edward Reighley living in Jackson County, Georgia

• 1805 Franklin County, Georgia Land Lottery; Edward Riley, BB (meaning no land was won) allowed to draw twice because he has a wife and children. Also shows Edward Ryley (sic) Jr allowed one draw and won land in Wilkinson County.

• 1802-1806 Residence of Edward Riley was Georgia based on the birthplaces of his sons Jacob, Thomas and Isaac.

• Page 21, Franklin Co, GA. Sheriff's deed dated Mar 2, 1803, rec. 10 April 1805, from Hezekiah Terrell, Sheriff of Franklin Co, GA to Edward Riley of aforesaid. In Cons. of $31, conveys two adj tracts of 146 ac and 28 ac on Hudson River, adj John McEntire, Richard Woods. Said tracts were levied on by John Blackwell, Constable, as the result of judgements obtained by Jacob Strickland and Philip Brown against Sutton Green, and were sold as Green's property August 1802 to Capt John Gilbert, who relinquished his bid to said Edward Riley. Wit: James Collins, Richard Eubanks, M Wilcox, JP.

• Page 67-68, 15 April 1807, rec. 19 Feb 1812, from Robert Neal and wife Tabbatha to Edward Riley of aforesaid. $160 conveys 46 ac in Franklin Co on waters of Beaverdam Cr, adj C Hanes, John Hutchings. Signed Robert Neal, Tabitha Neal. Wit William Ramsey, Robert Busbey. Sworn to by Busby before Gabriel Martin, JP 8 Feb 1812.

• 1810 Census: Franklin County, Georgia Edward Riley 1 male under 5, 1 male 15-20, 2 fem 5-10, 1 fem 10-15, 4 fem 15-20, 1 fem 40-50, page 332, 207th Dist. William Riley next door.

• 24 Oct 1810 Defaulters tax digest of Frankllin County, Georgia shows Edward, John and James Ryley on Capt Brooks' return.

• 1812 Bedford County, Tennessee taxlist.

• 1817 Voter's List; Jackson twp, Orange County, Indiana

• Will Dated 19 Aug 1819 Orange County, INdiana WB 1, page 12. Witnessed by two sons, Isaac and James. His will leaves all worldly goods to his wife, Elizabeth Riley and one dollar to each of his 12 children, each one named.

• Census 1820 Orange County, INdiana with wife and one son age 16-25, living next door to sons Isaac, William and Abraham. Also near Micajah Brooks.

• Probate 14 April 1821 Orange County, IN Probate Bk A; Letter of Admin to William Riley, all goods chattels, rights and credits of Edward Riley, deceased.

• The Colonial Riley Families of the Tidewater Frontier by Robert Shean Riley

• Gone to Georgia Notes, page 307: Edward Reighley was living in Jackson Co, GA Sept 28 1801. John Riely (sic) was taxed in Reed's Dist in Jackson Co, GA in 1803. By 1820, all Riley names were removed from Jackson County.