Mary Ann Fouracres

Notes:

Family tradition handed down for generations tells the story of Mary Ann Foreacres' near escape with a panther when she was a 12 year old girl. The story reads as follows:

"When Mary Foreacres was about twelve years old, the lady with whom she lived sent her to the nearest neighbor's, a distance of about three miles. The road led through heavy timber and across a creek. As Mary was returning home, she heard the cry of a panther in the direction from which she was coming and seemingly on the road she had just passed over. Recognizing the sharp, shrill scream to be that of the beast she so much feared, she ran as fast as she could. The oft repeated cry, louder, showed that the panther was gaining on her. Seeing that it would be impossible for her to reach home before being overtaken by the animal, when she came to the creek she waded into the water and down the stream some distance to a tree which was near or in the edge of the water. She climbed the tree and sat in the thickest part of the boughs.

Soon she saw the panther come down the road to the creek and cross over. Failing to find her trail on the other side of the creek, he searched in all directions, at the time uttering those fearful, piercing cries. Mary was so situated that she could see his every move. The wind was blowing down the stream and he failed to get the scent. Finally he gave up the search and wandered slowly up the valley, and when his cries were heard of safe distance, Mary climbed down the tree and went home."

Mary Ann Foreacres Trigg-Hatsfield was listed as head of the household in the 1786 State Census of Caswell County, North Carolina. There were three sons and one daughter still at home. What had happened to Thomas Hatsfield is not known.

January 1796 in Caswell District of Caswell County, North Carolina, William Trigg acted as the administrator of his mother's estate.

The location of Mary Ann Foreacres' birth and marriage is not confirmed.
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Reference:
"Joshua Reagan", Lula F. Shelton, 1982, p 1.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 395, 396, 397, 398.

Mary married Clemant Trigg Abt 1757, , Queen Anne, Maryland. Clemant (son of Clement Trigg and Sarah Bullett) was born Abt 1735, , Prince George, Maryland; died Abt 1779, , Caswell, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

1. Margaret Trigg was born Abt 1758, , Prince George, Maryland.
2. Elizabeth Trigg was born 1760, Prince George County, Maryland; died Abt 1825/1830, Sevier County, Tennessee.
3. Jemima Trigg was born Abt 1762, , Prince George, Maryland.
4. William Trigg was born 6 May 1763, , Prince George, Maryland; was christened 3 Jul 1763, , Prince George, Maryland; died 12 Jan 1840.
5. Drucilla Trigg was born Abt 1765, , Prince George, Maryland.
6. Joshua Trigg was born 10 Apr 1768, St. Johns Parish, Prince George, Maryland.
7. Rhoda Trigg was born Abt 1770, , Prince George, Maryland.
8. Simeon Trigg was born 5 Mar 1773, St. Johns Parish, Prince George, Maryland.
9. Sarah Trigg was born Abt 1775, , Prince George, Maryland.
10. Samuel Trigg

Mary married Thomas Hatsfield 10 Mar 1782, , Pittsylvania, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

The name Foreacres/Fouracres is probably of Swedish or Dutch origin. This family originally settled in the State of Delaware.

John Foreacres' place of birth is not confirmed but he lived in Delaware until his marriage.

In May/June 1740, he bought 100 acres of land known as "Tolis Lott" from Darby Ryon in Queen Anne's County, Maryland. From this deed, he was a planter by occupation.

A record shows that John Foreacres was serving as a private in the colonial militia which was commanded by Captin James Brown of Queen Anne's County, Maryland on Thursday, 22 February 1748/1749.

John Foreacres wrote his last Will and Testament on 13 Friday 1756 disposing of his personal and real estate to his wife and children. This last Will and
Testament was proven in open court for Queen Anne's County, Maryland on Thursday, 24 March 1757 by two of the subscribing witnesses, namely, James Lane and John Burk.
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Reference:
"Joshua Reagan", Lula F. Shelton, 1982, p 1.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 397

John married Sarah Eleanor Halts 13 Jul 1735, , Queen Anne, Maryland. Sarah was born Abt 1715/1720, , Queen Anne, Maryland; was buried St. Lukes Parish, Queen Anne, Maryland. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Surname may be Halls. Birth and death place not confirmed.
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Reference:
"Joshua Reagan", Lula F. Shelton, 1982, p 1.
"The Book of Ragan/Reagan", Donald B. Reagan, 1993, p 397