Friday, January 2, 2009

John Gunter Sr., Jones County research


John GUNTER was born 19 Oct 1722 in Bristol Parish, Prince George County, VA. He died in 1784 in Jones Co., North Carolina.

We don't know who his first wife was, but assume that they were married abt 1735. He was married a second time to Lucy Koonce in Jones Couty, NC abt 1771.

Will written June 27, 1781. GUNTER, John Sr. - Pg 26 - wife Lucy; three young children: Charles, Wiley, and Nancy Gunter; to John Gunter, Lucy Duncan, Isham Gunter, Thomas Gunter, Mary Duncan, Joshua Gunter my children; Exr: son John Gunter, William Busick; Wts: William Busick Jr, Benjamin Wilcocks, Jean Mackee.

Lucy (Lucinda) KOONCE was born in Jones County, NC abt 1741. She died May 28, 1797 in Jones County, NC. She was the daughter of George Koonce. The Koonce family originated in the Palatine region along the upper Rhine River in southern Germany which supplied a large portion of the Swiss and German colonists who founded the town of New Bern in 1710 under the leadership of Baron Christopher DeGraffenried. The immediate founder of the family in North Carolina was John Koonce/Cunitz, who was born in 1675 and who died in Sept. 23, 1711 during the Tuscarora Indian War at Core Creek, NC.

Apparently only one member of John Koonce's family, a son, George Koonce, born April 6, 1704--survived the Indian massacre. In the early family record, he is said to have been the "sole surviving child of John Cunitz"; and in the minutes of the Craven Precinct Court for January 21, 1712/13,he along with George Kornegay, another surviving Palatine, is listed as one of the two orphans placed under the guardianship of Captain Jacob Miller, a Palatine colonist who served as one of the earliest magistrates and presiding justices of the Craven County Court.

George Koonce in 1725 owned an estate of over 20,000 acres known as Chinquapin Plantation. GEORGE KOONCE married abt 1724, MARY L'EARGE, daughter of JACOB L'EARGE, Sr. They lived on the plantation on the north side of the Trent river and the east side of Chinquapin Creek and raised seven sons.

As Admstrx for John Sr, Lucy sold 100 a. of estate to Abraham Simmons on 28 Mar 1785 just before she married him. Lucy had one son, Thomas Simmons who sold Lucy & Abraham's lands in 1815 after his father died in 1807.

Lucy married Abraham Busset Simmons 3 APR 1785 in 44th year of her life (b.1741) by Col Hargett, Esq.p.149 # 228-229-May 26,1788.

John Gunter of Chatham CO, NC to BENJAMIN WILCOCKS of Jones Co, NC for 150 pds. 100 acres on S. side of Trent River at Deep Neck being plantation whereon John Gunter formerly lived at dividing line between Hunter and Michael Koonce to old mill.

Children were:

1. John GUNTER Jr was born about 1737 in Virginia. Died 1804 in Moore Co. He married Prisilla Morton and had seven children: Nancy, Sarah, Pennelepy, John, Charnel, Malcom, and Priscilla.

2. Lucy GUNTER was born about 1739 in Virginia. She married John Duncan. When Lucy's brother Samuel dies prior to DEC 1789 in Orangeburg,SC Lucy directs Samuel's estate should go to Sam'ls sisters & brothers. She sold her share to Isham Gunter.

3. Isham GUNTER was born about 1740 in Virginia. He can be confirmed as living in Chatham County, NC for a period of 61 years (4 MAY 1773 until his death on 16 JUN 1834). He was married to Hester (Esther Pilkington) est. 1767 - 1799

4. Joshua GUNTER was born about 1744 in Brunswick Co., Virginia. He left NC & settled along the Edisto River in SC shortly after the American Revolution. He married Keziah Banks who was born abt 1755 in VA. He died ABT 1833, Lexington Co., South Carolina.

5. Charles GUNTER was born about 1748 in Virginia. He married Mary Bell.

6. Richard GUNTER was born about 1749 in Brunswick Co., Va.ABSTRACTED DEEDS IN CHATHAM COUNTY pg. 20, Aug. 5, 1771 REUBIN PETTY and WINNY, his wife, to RICHARD GUNTER, 100 acres of the land that Petty received as a grant from Lord Granville , S. of Haw River. The land included the "plantation that Petty now lives on"pg. 11, Oct. 26, 1774 Richard Gunter and Elizabeth his wife, sell to Robert Patterson, for 110 pds, 100 acres on S. side of Haw River, including the plantation the said Gunter now lives on. Wit: James Patterson, Even (x) Thomas, John (x) Gunter Sr.Fought in the battle of Alamance with the Chatham County, North Carolina: Regimental Return of 23 September 1772 commanded by Capt. Stephen PoeHis will proved in Jones County, NC. GUNTER, Richard - Pg 197 - wife Elizabeth; my five children: William, John, Marting, Francis, Charles Gunter; Exr: John Perry, Michael Koonce; Wts: Thomas Gunter, Isham Gunter.

7. Thomas GUNTER was born about 1755 in Brunswick Co., VA.

8. Mary GUNTER was born about 1765 in North Carolina. She married Robert Duncan.

9. Samuel GUNTER was born prbly aft 1765. Died in Orangeburg, SC abt 1789

10. Nancy GUNTER ?

11. Wiley GUNTER was married to Rezin Simmons on Thursday Jan. 30, 1800 by James Smith, Esq. She was born in April 19, 1772 in New Hanover Co. She died on Sat. Nov. 22, 1800 in New Hanover Co. He died Aug. 2, 1837 in Ramer, Montgomery County, AL.

Thursday, January 1, 2009

Jones County timeline

Jones County NC Timeline

1710 - Jones and Craven Counties were settled by German Palatines and by the Swiss who were led by Baron Christopher de Graffenried. These people suffered many hardships during their first years in the new land. Soon, they were caught in the midst of Cary's Rebellion and the Tuscarora War. Homes were burned, crops were destroyed and people were killed. The Baron returned to Europe a broken man, and the settlements ceased to exist as distinct communities. Settlers were scattered along the Trent River. The river was named after the Trent River in England.

1711 - Tuscorora Indian raid

1713 - Trent Town was settled, later called Trenton

1730 - Michael Koonce born

1740 - Isham Gunter born in Virginia

1741 - Lucy Koonce born

1771 - John Gunter married second wife LUCY KOONCE Abt. 1771 in JONES COUNTY, NC, daughter of George KOONCE.

1772 - Richard Gunter fought in the battle of Alamance with the Chatham County, NC: Regimental Return of September 23 commanded by Capt. Stephen Poe

1773 - Isham Gunter Bill of Sale,recorded Chatham Co, NC Deed Book A, Pg 354 & 355, 4 MAY,
Robert Dunkin (Duncan?) sold several items including "one improvement ofland whereon I now live" (no description of land) to Isham for 30 pounds proclamation money. Proved by Wm Johnston per Pg 19 of Chatham Co, NCMinutes, 9 AUG 1774.

1774 - Richard Gunter and Elizabeth his wife, sell to Robert Patterson, for 110 pds, 100 acres on S. side of Haw River, including the plantation the said Gunter now lives on.

1777 - October 22, Entry Taker John Ramsey to surveyor D.S. Rutherford to survey 100 acres of land for Isham Gunter on South side of Robinson's Creek in Chatham Co, NC. Grant #507

1778 - George Koonce died Jan. 28 at the age of 73.

1778 - July 28, Petition of inhabitants of upper Craven county to form Jones County,signed by George & Michael Koonce, as well as Richard, John Sr., and Samuel Gunter.

1779 - Isham & his brother Thomas witnessed the Will of Richard Gunter, written in Jones County, NC on 17 NOV 1779.

1779 - Trenton became the county seat of Jones County in 1779 and a small brick courthouse was built which was burned during the Civil War by northern troops.

1781 - Isham Gunter Sr. is mentioned in John Gunter Sr's will written 21 JUN 1781 (Jones Co, NC Will Book A, Pg 26 & 27). Children listed in orderas John, Lucy Duncan, Isham, Thomas, Samuel, Mary Duncan, and Joshua. Children listed from father's second marriage were Charles, Wiley &Nancy Gunter. The latter children were born by Isham's step mother LucyKoonce Gunter (of Jones County, NC). Lucy is documented as being bornin 1741.

1781 - On August 17, a Patriot militia, commanded by Brig. Gen. Alexander Lillington, attempted to stop the British advance. At Webber's Bridge, locatedover the Trent River, the militia attacked the British, commanded by Maj. James Craig. The British were managed to be delayed, forcing them to find another route.The militia was ordered not to bring on a major battle, so they did not pursue the British.

1782 - Michael Koonce died. Will probated Sept. 1782.

1785 - As Admstrx for John Sr, Lucy sold 100 acres of estate to Abraham Simmons on March 28, just before she married him.

1785 - Lucy married Abraham Busset Simmons on April 3

1786 - Lucy & Abraham have a son, Thomas Simmons, born on March 29 at midnight

1788 - May 26,1788. John Gunter of Chatham CO, NC sold land to BENJAMIN WILCOCKSof Jones Co, NC for 150 pds. 100 acres on S. side of Trent River at Deep Neck being plantation whereon John Gunter formerly lived at dividing line between Hunter and Michael Koonce to old mill.

1797 - Lucy Koonce Gunter Simmons died on May 28.

1800 - Jan. 30, Wiley Gunter married Rezin Simmons

1825 - Benjamin Wilcox died Jan. 31, willing land brought from John Gunter to his son Thomas Wilcox.