...Rev. Moses Freeman who married Mary Fannie Ball and they had a daughter named...
......Mary Jane Freeman who married Rev. William Rees and they had a son named...
.........Green Hill Reese who married Tabitha Jane Freeman and they had a son named...
............William Hanes Reese who married Nancy Rebecca Lunsford and they had a son named...
...............Bailey Bright Reese who married Lillian Vianna Conner and they had a son named...
..................William Wilford Reese who married Geneva Margaret Lamb and they had a daughter named...
.....................Eleanor Elaine Reese who married William Avery Huneycutt and they had ME!
Aaron Freeman was born about 1745 in Chowan County, originally Chowan Precinct of Albemarle County (which eventually dissolved with precincts becoming counties), NC to John Freeman and Sarah or Elizabeth (or Sarah Elizabeth?). He is listed as a son of John Freeman in John Freeman's will (Bertie County Original Wills, CR .010.801.5). He and his brother, John, moved to NC in 1763 possibly traveling Bishop August Gottlieb Spangenberg's Trail. Aaron and John were pioneers in the truest sense of the word as they were among the first settlers to move to the Piedmont and eastern slopes of the Southern Appalachians. They did so at a time when the area was still controlled by the Catawba and Cherokee Indian Tribes, and indeed, the French and Indian War was still raging. In NC. this war was known as the Cherokee War and it was a dark and bloody time in the Western Piedmont.
Aaron is believed to have remained with John through the Summer of 1763, helping his brother clear the new land and then returned to his father's plantation. Aaron later returned and it appears that he joined his brother, John, in trading with the Cherokee and Catawba Indians in Georgia. Aaron was living with John when he met and married Mary Bentley on 17 Dec 1769 in Bertie County, NC.
Mary Bentley was born about 1749 in Rowan County, NC to Thomas Bentley, Jr. and Hannah Thomas.
Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, NC, Record #08501139, Bond #000124905, Rowan County, NC, 17 December 1769 .
NC Marriage Collection, 1741-2004
Name: Aaron Freeman
Spouse: Mary Bently
Marriage Date: 17 Dec 1769
Marriage County: Rowan
Marriage State: North Carolina
Source Vendor: County Court Records - FHL # 0317002 and 0500949 - 0500957
Source: Family History Library, Salt Lake City, UT
On 12/17/1769 Thomas Bentley wrote a letter requesting that his son be permitted to sign the Rowan County marriage bond, issued by Thomas Frohock, allowing Aaron Freeman to marry his daughter, Mary Bentley, as follows:
"Sr [Sir] if you please to let Aaron Freeman have licence for my daughter Marry Bentley [sic] I am Sattisfied so far let my son sign the licence bond I hope you are in better health then when I saw you last No more at present but your humb servt [humble servant]
December ye 17th day 1769 [signed] Thos Bentley
Wits [Witnesses] present
Benjamin Bentley (his mark)
James Freeman (his mark)"
Aaron had a tavern or trading house, and he evidently traded with the Catawbas, Cherokees, Creeks, and, maybe, the Saponi Indians. On 3 May 1774 Aaron was issued a tavern's license. He was living in the forks of the Yadkin River, Davie County (formed from Rowan County), NC near "Trading Ford," which was located on a trace, roadway, or path known at that time as the "Old Spartanburg Trail" in Rowan County, NC.
Aaron and Mary Freeman had 8 children:
1) Joshua Freeman (DOB: Abt 1770 in NC; DOD: Abt 1855) married Patsy Caldwell.
2) Jesse Freeman (DOB: Abt 1772 in NC; DOD: Abt 1845) married Fanny Price.
3) Rev. Moses Freeman (DOB: 9/14/1774 in Wilkes County, NC; DOD: 1/18/1859 in Madison County, NC) married Mary Fannie Ball.
4) Thomas Freeman (DOB: Abt 1777 in NC; DOD: Abt 1865) married Mary Elizabeth Ball.
5) Isaac Freeman (DOB: Abt 1787 in Iredell County, NC; DOD: Abt 1855 in Craven County, NC) married Spicey Thomasson.
6) Aaron Posey Freeman (DOB: Abt 1782 in Iredell County, NC; DOD: 11/3/1861 in Topaz, Douglas County, MO) married Elsie Ball.
7) James Freeman (DOB: Abt 1785 in Iredell County, NC; DOD: ? ) married Jane Patterson.
8) John Freeman (DOB: Abt 1793 in Iredell County, NC; DOD: Abt 1870) married Rebecca Hopson .
According the the Wilkes County, NC Deed Books, Aaron purchased 200 acres on 28 Oct 1782 on Little River, Beaver Dam Branch, North Side Forks of Yadkin, Wilkes County, NC.
1787 NC Colony Census
Name: Aaron Freeman
State: NC
County: Bertie County
Township: Freemans District
Year: 1787
Record Type: State or colonial census
Page: 003
Database: NC Early Census Index
1790 U.S. Census of Bertie County, North Carolina; Roll: M637_7; Page: 354; Image: 209; Family History Library Film: 0568147, "Aaron Freeman"
Name: Aaron Freeman
Number of Free White Males Under 16: 1
Number of Free White Males 16 and Over: 1
Number of Free White Females: 3
Number of All Other Free Persons: 2
Number of Slaves : 2
Number of Household Members: 5
1800 U.S. Census of Salisbury, Iredell County, North Carolina; Roll: 29; Page: 630; Image: 308; Family History Library Film: 337905, "Aaron Freeman"
Name: Aaron Freeman
Township: Salisbury
County: Iredell
State: North Carolina
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 10 to 15: 2
Free White Males 16 to 25: 1
Free White Males 45 and Over : 1
Free White Females Under 10 : 1
Free White Females 10 to 15 : 1
Free White Females 16 to 25 : 1
Free White Females 45 and Over : 1
Number of Household Members Under 16 : 5
Number of Household Members Over 25 : 2
Number of Household Members: 9
In the 1800 U.S. Land Tax for Wilkes County, NC, Aaron Freeman is listed as having two houses, a barn and a "still house" on 150 acres.
Deed from Joshua Freeman (son) to Aaron Freeman (father)
From Deed Book 9, pgs 48-49, Buncombe County, NC Archives
Made: October 18, 1803, Recorded: 1/1804
"Know all men by these presents that I, Joshua Freeman of Buncombe County & State of N. Carolina, for and in consideration of the sum of sixty dollars to me paid in hand by Aaron Freeman of the county and state aforesaid at and before the sealing and signing of these presents, the receipt and payment whereof I do hereby acknowledge, for myself and my heirs I do hereby bargain, sell, confirm unto him, the said Aaron Freeman, his heirs & assigns forever a certain piece or parcel of land in the county of Buncombe & State of N. Carolina containing seventy-five acres on the main ridge between Sandy Mush and Turkey Creek.
"Beginning on a beech standing on the south side of a branch called the Big Branch entering into Turkey Creek & runs north one hundred and ten poles to a white oak; thence wet one hundred and fifty poles to a white oak; thence south one hundred & ten poles to a stake and pointer; thence ninety poles to the beginning as entered the third of May, 1794.
"Which sd. piece or parcel of land with all ways, woods, waters, & every other appurtenance thereto belonging or appertaining I have hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, and administrator sold, set over, conveyed, released, and confirmed in open market to the sd. Aaron Freeman & his heirs & assigns forever. And I do hereby for myself, my heirs, executors, administrators, or assigns that I and my heirs, executors, and administrators shall and will warrant & forever defend the sd. piece or parcel of land with all and every of its members and appurtenances free from all lawful claims of any person or persons whatsoever unto the sd. Aaron Freeman. In witness whereof I have set my hand & seal 18th of October one thousand eight hundred and three."
Signed, sealed, & delivered in presence of: Abraham Davis
Joshua Freeman
January Session, 1804
"The within deed was acknowledged in open court and ordered to be registered."
Certificed: D.Vance. Clk
From 1804-1820 he was an Indian Agent in Buncombe County, NC. He finally settled in Buncombe Co. N.C., and acted as a trader and Indian agent. There is a land transaction between Aaron Freeman and Creek Samuel Lowe around 1812/1814 for land on Turkey Creek in Buncombe Co. N.C. A number of Indian families lived on Turkey Creek in Buncombe Co. N.C. in the early 1800's because it was a sort of inter-tribal community for the Indians.
In 1807 Aaron and Mary were listed as members of Newfound Baptist Church in Buncombe County, NC.
"113 NAMES LISTED AS MEMBERS OF NEWFOUND BAPTIST CHURCH (ca. 1807)
Thomas Snelson Daniel Ponder John Longmire
James Roberson William Grantham John Paterson
Isaac Miller Aaron Freeman Joshway Huckkerby
James Davis Thomas Ingram Jacob Caler
Reuben Black John Plemons Thomas Plemons
Peter Plemons Jonas Spivey Sanna Burnett
David Miller Jacob Miller Thomas Able
Jesse Freeman Benjamin Robards David Cole
Peter Mason Thomas Chadwick Ritchard Willson
Joseph Willson John Stuard Beevi Swim
Matthew Black Jos. Paterson Thomas Cook
William Neighbors Seth Sievas Wiliam Triplet
Wiley Gergaines William Robards Eddard Doyle
David Clayton Rhoday Grantham Elizabeth Ponder
Anna Hamten Debrah Wilson Mary Miller
Jededah Miller Mary Freeman Nancy Gunter
Elizabeth Addington Margret Paterson Marthey Gadyer
Sarah Black Mrs. Longmire Jan Huckkerby
Elizabeth Plemons Prissilla Davis Sarah Marton
Mary Willson Elizabeth Plemons Jain Ingram
Susannah Roberds Marthy Roberds Jane Dunkin
Mary Thompson Elizabeth Garmen Sarah Miller
Jemim Roberds Mary Merrou Margret Pipenger
Rachel Willson Margret Willson Sarah Black
Nancy Swim Mrs. Jo Cogdale Mrs. Mason
Rebeca Davis Catharin Miller Frankie Cornet
Mary Stured Elizabeth Shadwick Olley Cox
Susanna Prater Elizabeth Abel Rachel Snelson
Rachel Cole Sary Blacke Berry Huckaby
(one lost) Delila Addington Jane Plamons
Fanny Freeman Sary Miller Fanny Miller
Moses Ball Elly Dover Patsy Dover
Susannah Rich Susannah Neighbors Elizabeth Lewis
Elizabeth Rogers Jane Ford Elizabeth Lewis
Margaret Perry Hannah Triplet Permelia Gergaines
Margaret Roland Anna Dayly Mariah Crosbey
Christiana Wells Nancey Brown Alley Freemon
Aaron Freemon James Blacke Thomas Triplet"
1810 Census of Buncombe County, North Carolina; Roll 39; Page: 248; Family History Number: 0337912; Image: 00139, "Aaron Freeman"
Name: Aaron Freeman
Free White Males Under 10: 1
Free White Males 10 to 15: 1
Free White Males 45 and Over: 1
Free White Females 10 to 15: 1
Free White Females 45 and Over: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 3
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 5
1820 U S Census: Buncombe, North Carolina, Page: 72; NARA Roll: M33_80; Image: 77, "Fruman, Aaron" sic, should be Aaron Freeman, Enumeration Date: August 7, 1820 (Ancestry.com had the numbers messed up, not at all like the original document shows)
Name: Aaron Fruman [Aaron Freeman]
Free White Males - 45 + : 1
Free White Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Free White Females - 45 + : 1
Foreigners not naturalized: 1
Number of Persons - Engaged in Commerce: 1
Free White Persons - Under 16: 1
Total Free White Persons: 2
Total All Persons - White, Slaves, Colored, Other: 2
Aaron Freeman died 18 Jan 1825 in Buncombe County, NC and is buried at Freeman Gap Cemetery which was in Buncombe County, NC at the time but is now in Madison County, NC (Madison County was formed in 1851). Mary Bentley Freeman died between 1830-1833 in Buncombe County, NC and is also buried at Freeman Gap Cemetery.
It's possible that Mary Freeman was living with her son, Rev. Moses Freeman, in Buncombe County, NC for the 1830 U.S. Census because there is a female living with him that is between the ages of 60-69. On the other hand, Moses' wife, Fannie, would have been about 52 yrs old but there are no other females listed in the household. Is this female Mary Bentley Freeman or did the census taker make a mistake and put Fannie Ball Freeman in the wrong age column? I think it's the latter.
1830 U.S. Census of Buncombe, North Carolina, Page: 263; NARA Roll: M19-118; Family History Film: 0018084, "Freeman, Moses, Sr."
Name: Moses Freeman Senior
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 50 thru 59: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 60 thru 69: 1
Slaves - Males - 24 thru 35: 1
Slaves - Females - Under 10: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 3
Total Free White Persons: 5
Total Slaves: 2
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 7
I believe Mary was living with her son Aaron Posey Freeman in 1830.
1830 U.S. Census of Buncombe, North Carolina, Page: 260; NARA Roll: M19-118; Family History Film: 0018084, "Aaron Freeman"
Name: Aaron Freeman
[Aaron Fruman]
Home in 1830: , Buncombe, North Carolina
Free White Persons - Males - Under 5: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 5 thru 9: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Males - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - Under 5: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 10 thru 14: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 15 thru 19: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 40 thru 49: 1
Free White Persons - Females - 80 thru 89: 1
Free White Persons - Under 20: 10
Free White Persons - 20 thru 49: 4
Total Free White Persons: 15
Total - All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 15
Appalachian Aristocracy
*Note* Rowan County was formed in 1753 from the northern part of Anson County. It was named for Matthew Rowan, acting governor of North Carolina from 1753 to 1754.
Originally, Rowan County was a vast territory with an indefinite western boundary. Reductions in its extent began in 1770, when the eastern part of it was combined with the western part of Orange County to become Guilford County, North Carolina. In 1771 the northeastern part of what remained of Rowan County became Surry County. In 1777 the western part of Rowan County became Burke County. In 1788 the western part of the now much smaller Rowan County became Iredell County. In 1822 the eastern part of the still shrinking county became Davidson County. Finally, in 1836 the part of Rowan County north of the South Yadkin River became Davie County.
Rowan County's current county seat is Salisbury, NC.
For more information on Rev. Moses Freeman, see my post at Rev. Moses Freeman
If you have any corrections, comments or further information, please contact me at Mom25dogs@gmail.com
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