Ambrose "Little Ambrose" Ownbey

Notes:

Buried in "Koon Family" Cemetery.

"I, Ambrose Ownbey, being somewhat unwell but sound mind and memory Thanks be
to God for his Blessings do make this my last will and Test. revoking all
others. I Will my soul to God that gave it and my body to be decently buried.

First, of all my just debts to be paid and all the rest of my property I will
to my beloved wife, Margaret Ownbey during the term of her natural life or
widowhood. I will my lands, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, farming tools,
household and kitchen furniture all to be disposed of as she may think proper
during her life time or widowhood.

At the expiration of her life or Widowhood, I will the property be equally
distributed among my children. Only my daughter Zelly Murphy for the wrongs and
insults done to me during my lifetime by her husband A. B. Murphy, I will her
$1 for her part of my estate.

Signed this day and date above written. I ordain Margaret Ownbey and Robert H.
Ownbey my Exrs of this my last Will and Test.

Ambrose Ownbey

Probated Fall term 1864.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 5, 16.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", 1983, Donald B. Reagan, p 66.

Ambrose married Margarette "Peggy" Hodge Abt 4 Mar 1816. Margarette (daughter of Robert Hodge and Susanna Koon) was born 10 Jul 1802, North Carolina; died 7 Feb 1884, Henderson County, North Carolina; was buried Jones Family Cemetery, Henderson County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

1. Kate Ownbey was born 1817, McDowell County, North Carolina.
2. Zillah Ownbey was born 11 Jul 1818; died 9 Jun 1911; was buried Ledbetter Cemetery, Buncombe County, North Carolina.
3. Susanna Ownbey was born 19 Mar 1820, , Rutherford, North Carolina; died 1897, , Henderson, North Carolina.
4. Cynthia Ownbey was born Abt 1823, North Carolina.
5. Joanna Ownbey was born Abt 1825, North Carolina.
6. Rebecca Ownbey was born Abt 1825, North Carolina.
7. Eliza Ann Ownbey was born Abt 1829, North Carolina.
8. Caroline "Mattie" Ownbey was born 25 Sep 1822, Henderson County, North Carolina; died 19 Jan 1897, Henderson County, North Carolina; was buried Shaw Creek Cemetery.
9. Sophia Ownbey was born Abt 1830/1839; died Abt 1910.
10. Clarice Ownbey
11. Mary Ownbey was born 16 Jun 1843, Henderson County, North Carolina; died 16 Feb 1914, Henderson County, North Carolina; was buried Mount Moriah Baptist Church Cemetery.

Notes:

James was seventeen years old when he entered the Revolutionary War. He fought
in the Battle at King's Mountain on 1 November 1778 as a Private in Captain
George Taylor's company. He carried water in his hat. He served until 1783.

James lived in Tryon County, North Carolina until he removed to Buncombe county
in 1824. He resided in McDowell county in 1845, but lived most of his life in
Rutherford County, North Carolina. He owned the farm on Bald Mountain. The
original cabin has about fallen down, but a part is still standing, according
to Mrs. Carrie Lee Nanney. She claims that James is buried there in the "Old
Field's Cemetery".

D.A.R states he is buried in Koone family cemetery Route 1, Union Mills, North
Carolina. Moved with parents to Tryon County (now Rutherford), North Carolina
while still a boy and lived on Green River. Moved with wife about 1824 to
Buncombe County and was in McDowell County in 1845. Moved back to Rutherford
County with wife in 1846.

Entered the service of his county at age 17. Fought at age 19 as a substitute
in Battle of Kings Mountains in Colonel John Sevier's Regiment of "Overmountain
Men".

1. Entered service first part of November 1778 as a substitute for Henry Kelly,
in Captain George Taylor's Company in Colonel Hugh Brevard's North Carolina
Regiment in Brigade of General Griffith Rutherford. Discharged 10 April 1779.

2. Entered as draftee October 1779 in Captain Robert Gilkeys' command in
Colonel Andrew Hampton's North Carolina Regiment. Discharged 24 March 1780.

3. Entered service July 1780 as a volunteer in Captain Robert Gilkey's command.
In Colonel Charles McDowell's regiment with General Lillington in General
command. Discharged three months later.

4. Entered service last part of September or first part of October 1780 as a
substitute for Micajah Mayfield in Captain Samuel Williams' command
Colonel John Sevier's Regiment of "Overmountain Men". Fought at Kings Mountain
10 October 1780. Discharged one month after entry.

5. Entered early part of June 1781 or 1782, as a volunteer in Captain John
McClain's Company in Colonel Andrew Hampton's and Porter's North Carolina
Regiment. This term of duty was for the purpose of "ranging the line between
the whites and the Cherokee Indians". Discharged fourteen months later.

6. Entered service in spring 1782 or 1783 as a substitute for Thomas Haslip in
Captain Hugh Beaty's Company, in Colonel Robert Porter's North Carolina
Regiment. This tour of duty was guard and patrol at "Russells Station" at
mouth of Cove Creek in Rutherford County. Discharged three months later and
returned to his home on Green River.

Married by Jonathan Hampton and is buried beside his wife.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 4, 5.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 64, 65.

James married Joanna Sims 4 Mar 1785, Tryon County, North Carolina. Joanna (daughter of Captain William Sims and Annister Step) was born 24 Mar 1761, Albermarle County, Virginia; died 1 Apr 1852; was buried Koon Family Cemetery, Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Joanna Sims Ownby was born at Aspen Grove Plantation on Priddy's Creek. She was allowed a pension on her application executed on 13 March 1851 while resident of Rutherford County, North Carolina. She was buried in the Koon family cemetery near Union Mills beside her husband.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 5.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 64.

Notes:

Following the path of migration to the West in Virginia, John Ownby came with his parents, sometime before 1760, to Albermarle County, Virginia (later Amherst County).

There are records of several land transactions for John Ownby in Amherst County, Virginia:
(1) On 27 April 1764, John Ownby bought from Charles Parkes, 359 acres, lying on the north branches of the Buffalo River and the north side of Fluvanna. This land ran with the lines of Ambrose Porter.
(2) On 5 September 1768, John Ownby sold to Martin Trap, 111 acres, lying on north branches of Buffalo River.
(3) On 5 February 1769, John Ownby sold to David Blitz for nine pounds, twelve shillings, 70 acres, situated on the branches of Buffalo River, being a part of a large tract belonging to the said John Ownby. Also John Ownby's wife relinquished her dower rights at that time.
(4) On 25 February 1769, John Ownby sold to William Mays, 178 acres, situated on the branches of Buffalo River starting with James Williamson's corner and running with the lines of David Blitz, being a part of a large tract belonging to the said John Ownby.

In the early 1770's, John Ownby and his family migrated to Pittsylvania County, Virginia where Ambrose Porter died leaving a will in 1773. In Ambrose Porter's will, he mentioned his daughter Ann and her five youngest children, namely, John, Milly, Susanna, Ambrose, and Arthur. Each of Ann's five youngest children was willed "one cow of heifer each to be delivered to them as they come to the age of nine or then years old."

In the late 1770's, John Ownby and his family moved again to Tryon County, North Carolina (later Rutherford County). Here he began to buy lands and remained until his death. They lived in the area of Colonel Hampton's Mill near Cove Road in Rutherford County, North Carolina.

They were listed in the 1790 through 1820 Federal Census of Ruterford County, North Carolina.

John Ownby was buried in the "Old Field Cemetery" which is located five miles north of Bat Cave just off North Carolina Highway #9.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 78.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 63-64.
IGI, Batch 8712005, Sheet 25, Source Call Number 1396341, Film.

John married Nancy Ann "Nannie" Porter Abt 1760, Albermarle County, Virginia. Nancy (daughter of Ambrose Porter and Jemima) was born 1743, Orange County, Virginia; died 1818, Rutherford County, North Carolina; was buried Old Broad River Cemetery, Rutherford County, North Carolina. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Buried in Mountain Creek Church Cemetery.
----------
Reference:
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 63-64.

Notes:

Birth place may be Albermarle County, Virginia.
----------
References:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 1.
"The Stepp/Stapp Families of America - A Source Book", Henry P. Scalf & Rudolph B. Stepp, 1973, p ?.

William married Annister Step 6 Aug 1751, Orange County, Virginia. Annister (daughter of Joshua Stapp and Martha "Patsy" Coffey) was born Abt 1731, Orange County, Virginia; died Abt 1759; was buried Brockman-Mitchell Cemetery, Albmarle County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: RSTZ-Z1

Notes:

First name may be Annister and surname may be Stapp.
----------
References:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 1.
"The Stepp/Stapp Families of America - A Source Book", Henry P. Scalf &
Rudolph B. Stepp, 1973, p ?.

Notes:

From "Scottish Highland's"

Wills No. 6, 1735-1743 (Reel 42)
p. 60-61. Adms. bond rec. 18 May 1737.
p. 70. Inv. & appr. rec 21 June 1737.
p. 111-112. Accounts rec. 17 Jan. 1737.
----------
Reference:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina"
IGI, Batch 8712005, Sheet 26, Source Call Number 1396341, Film.

Arthur — Barbara Hill. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

----------
Reference:
Karen Owenby Parker, kop@icu2.net, 7 March 1999.

Other Events:

• AFN: JW6B-J5

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Ownby-Watson Family History", Percival David Park, May 1985, p 2.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 63.

Ambrose — Jemima. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

----------
Reference:
"Ownby-Watson Family History", Percival David Park, May 1985, p 2.
"Smoky Mountain Clans, Volume 3", Donald B. Reagan, 1983, p 63.

Other Events:

• AFN: 3MXH-ZC

Notes:

----------
Reference:
Roger Sims, rsims@tpb.fwi.com, 3 September 1998.

Richard — Joanna. Joanna was born Abt 1678, Of, Isle of Wight, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: 3MXJ-0H

Other Events:

• AFN: CB17-L7

Notes:

Under the provisions of the will of his father, Joshua Stapp was devised "The lower part" of the plantation bordering on "Mr. Robert Brooke." This was probably one of the choicest legacies of the estate. The land was still in the possession of Joshua in 1718.

On 8 December 1719, William and Joshua Stapp executed a power of attorney to John Wridings to acknowlege a deed to John Foster Sr. In 1734 Joshua Stapp is in Caroline County, whether by a change in county lines or by removal we do not know but we are inclined to think by the formar since Caroline County was formed in 1734 from Essex.

Joshua and his wife Martha had entered into a contract with Thomas and Martha Foy on some lands. On 14 February 1734 the four formally executed deeds of "cease and release." The Caroline court records note, too, that an action against Joshua, brought by "John Aylet, Gentleman," was dismissed 8 August 1735. In 1743 Joshua Stapp is in Orange County Virginia for at a sale of the estate of James Thurston where it was noted that he was indebted to the estate in the sum of two pounds eight shillings for a grindstone.

Three years later, 27 August 1746, Joshua Stapp, his daughter Eve and her husband Anthred Salmon lease 150 acres of land from the executors of the estate of Alexander Spotswood. The lessees bound themselves to plant fruit trees within four years, not to remove timber or waste it but were permitted to search for minerals. The land, located in St. Mark's Parish and on the River Rapadan, was leased for 800 pounds of tobacco annually.

Joshua Stapp and Martha (Coffey) Stapp had a large family of children by 1755 for a list of titheables in John Williams' precinct shows nine. However, earlier (the exact date confusing) Joshua had been awarded the children of John Stapp to raise. John, son of Joshua, had died in 1751.
Joshua Stapp was by this time wealthy in land and slaves, of the number we are uncertain but at one time he owned seventeen. One of them was referred to as "My Man" by Joshua. There were also, BeBett Jr, Narick, Frank, James, Winn, Bacus, Lett, Lewis Moses, Abraham, Kate, Abraham Jr, Jack, Ben, and Cate.

Growing old by the seventies, Joshua began to deed slaves and land to his children and grandchildren. He gave the slaves Narick and Frank to his son Joshua Jr., To Thomas and his wife Ann he gave the slaves James and Winn, To James he deeded "1 negro man named Abraham and one negro female named Bett and one negro boy named Abraham." On 28 September 1775 he deeded his son Joseph 214 acres of land "being the same land which the said Joshua Stapp and Joseph his son now liveth." In addition, in the same instrument he gave Joseph four negroes named Bacus, Bett, Lewis and Moses. In order to provide his children and grand children with slaves he purchased from Thomas Porter 25 September 1776, two slaves Kate and Jack. He immediately, on the same day, deeded the slave Ben to his granddaughter Elizabeth Simms. Other instruments alienated practically all the remaining properties.

Having provided for his children and grandchildren, Joshua Stapp executed his Will, 19 December 1782. The first item was a manumission of two slaves, "my negro man" and "negro woman Betty" husband and wife. If there was to be any charge attached to the manumission it was to be paid out of his estate. The "negro woman Cate" was bequeathed to Achilles Stapp, his grandson. The residue of his estate was to be divided between his grandson Achilles, his granddaughters, Lucy Willhoit, Sarah Creel and Martha Hubbard. Achilles was named executor. Witnesses were John Payne, John Wyat, and William Wyat. At a court held in Orange County, 27 March 1783, Achilles came in to court and exhibited the instrument which was proven by the last named two witnesses.
----------
References:
"Kinfolk, Ownbey Family Lines of the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina", p 1.
Dianne, AZDEE@aol.com, 26 November 1998.
"The Stepp/Stapp Families of America - A Source Book", Henry P. Scalf &
Rudolph B. Stepp, 1973, p ?.

Joshua married Martha "Patsy" Coffey Abt 1723, Essex County, Virginia. Martha (daughter of Edward Coffey and Ann Powell) was born Abt 1690, Essex County, Virginia; died Abt 1772, Orange County, Virginia; was buried 1772, Essex County, Virginia. [Group Sheet]

Other Events:

• AFN: FW8N-NB

Notes:

IGI