York Family History, Richard York Descendants

york Coat of Arms

Our York Line - English

Generation One

Richard YORK was born abt 1617 in Old North Hampshire, England (see map on left). He married Mary? December 28, 1642, Old N. Hampshire, England.

Child of Richard YORK and Mary ? is:

i	Richard York, II, b. 17 Nov 1650 Old N. Hampshire, buried 6 March 1695/6, Olney Parish, Buckingham, England.
ii	William York, christened 10 July 1653, Old N. Hampshire
iii	Ann York, christened April 1654, Old N. Hampshire
iv	John b. 1721 Olney Parish, Buckingham, England m. Anne ? Children: i. Suzanne ch 17 Dec 1670 (all Olney) ii. George ch 25 Mar 1681 bu 28 Aug 1688 m. Mary ? Children: a. George ch 18 Jan 1703/4 bu 2 Jul 1705 b. Mary ch 8 Nov 1707 iii. John ch 25 Mar 1681 bu 28 Aug 1688 iv. Elizabeth ch 9 Nov 1684 bu 23 Feb 1687/8 v. Thomas ch 24 Aug 1686 bu 2 Jan 1739 m. Ann Chater 3 Jun 1718 Olney - Ann bu 2 Feb 1743/4 Children: a. John ch 24 Feb 1719/20 bu 21 Nov 1723 b. Thomas ch 20 Feb 1720/21 bu 21 Nov 1723 c. Unknown bu 17 Jan 1727 vi. Anne ch 25 Mar 1681 m. 19 Jul 1696 Hugh Smith

How did Olney Get its Name?

First mentioned in 876AD in the treaty of Wedmore. This was between King Alfred and Guthrum the Dane. The boundary was the river, with Olney under Danish rule and the other side under the rule of King Alfred.

A few theories (From "Cowper Country" by Gordon Osborn)

1. May be Anglo-Saxon. In a charter dated 979 (yes 979 !) a passage says "These are the boundaries of the ten hydes of land at Ollanege". "ege" is pronounced "e" or "ey" from the Anglo-Saxon "ig".......said to mean an island or land nearly surrounded by water. This suggests the name to be "Ola's Island"; Ola possibly being the name of some Saxon who owned the land.

2. The name may be derived from Aln-ey, an island of alder trees.

3. In 1835 the post mark was "Oulney", thought to mean Ousen Eye, a wet place near the river Ouse. (The river Ouse winds its way picturesquely around Olney). In the Domesday book the spelling is Olnei, and in Civil War Tracts it is spelt Oulny. Other spellings are Wolney and Olneye.

Olney - Maryland (USA) (our line migrated to Maryland; so obviously they named their new home for their old one in England. (St. Peter's Parish in Olney, Maryland on left)

Olney in Maryland was named after Olney England - Maryland, one of the eastern states of the United States. Maryland is bordered by Pennsylvania on the north, Delaware and the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Virginia on the south, and West Virginia on the southwest and west. Washington, D.C., the national capital, is an enclave along the Virginia border. Olney is in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Milestones in Olney (Maryland) History

1720 Original land grant of 2,550 acres from King George III
1760 Area named Fair Hill after construction of first residence
1800 Olney House built and named after Olney, England

Generation Two

Richard II (Richard I) Christened 17 Nov 1650 buried 6 Mar 1695/6, married 14 Nov 1682 Anne Seymour b. abt 1660.

Children:

i	Jeremiah York, Christened 9 Sep 1683 d. bef 1782
ii	Mary York, Christened 1 Sep 1684 bu 20 Mar 1700
iii	Richard ork, III Christened 2 May 1686
iv	Ann York, Christened 13 Jan 1688/9
v	Elizabeth York, Christened 20 Apr 1693 married John Glove

Third Generation

Jeremiah York, m. Sarah ? bet 1725/6 probably Chester County, Pa. (Dennis and Jim say that there is no proof he married a Seymour and in fact they state reasons that he did not).

Children:

i	Semore b. abt 1725 Chester County, Pa d. 8 Feb 1783
ii	Thomas b. abt 1729 Chester County, Pa d. 7 Aug 1790
iii	Jeremiah II b. 1730 Chester County, Pa. d. 26 Jun 1794
iv	John b. abt 1730 Carroll County, Md d. 1795
v	Henry b. 6 Aug 1732 Carroll County, Md. d. Feb 1817
vi	Joseph b. 1734 Old Frederick County, Va. d. 8 Oct 1809
vii	Sarah b. abt 1735 (rest born in VA.)
viii	Elizabeth Ann 'Betty' b. 1735 d. aft 1800
ix	Aaron (possible) b. abt 1738 d. aft 1790
x	William (possible) b. 1740
x	Dennis has instead of Aaron and William 9. Bartholomew d. Battle of Brandywine 10. Davis

From Diane:

Who is right and who is wrong... I have NO idea... but never ran across a Davis... but believe you will find documents for Aaron and a William. The only document for our William is the 'Stinking Quarter' document... in my belief since he signs with 'his mark X' and does not use a 'seal' as do most of the other men named William who are illiterate.

Jeremiah did not migrate to Md until AFTER 1730 - he is still on the tax lists, which you should have in Chester County, Pa. until then..

Fourth Generation

Jeremiah York. Born in 1701 in Yorkshire, England. Jeremiah died in Randolph Co., NC on 11 Oct 1784, he was 83. In 1719 when Jeremiah was 18, he first married Ann Unknown. In 1724 when Jeremiah was 23, he second married Sarah Seymore, in Yorkshire, England. Born in 1700 in Olney, Buckingham, England. Sarah died in Randolph Co., NC in 1770, she was 70. Jeremiah York migrated from England with his family to the Chester Co, Pennsylvania area, and then into the Pipe Creek settlement of Maryland between Baltimore and Philadelphia in the 1730s. By 1750 Jeremiah York and his three (four?) my Thomas should have been with them) sons Henry, John and Semore had migrated into Granville Co., NC, in what is now Randolph Co., NC. Christening & marriage records in England show THIS Jeremiah YORK was born in 1701 in Olney, Buckingham, England; was married in Yorkshire, England to Sarah SEYMOUR; his father was also named Jeremiah, and that he had a second wife named Anne ___. Listed Jeremiah's (b. 1701) siblings (also their spouses) as Mary, Richard, Ann & Elizabeth.

From Douglas Colbert, York Researcher: "Events in Jeremiah York's Lifetime": Jeremiah York, who lived from the late 1600s to the 1760s made his home in both northern and southern colonies. Life and beliefs were far different than a few years later. Below are a few of the significant historical events and social happenings during the years he lived:

1681 - The Pennsylvania Colony, where Jeremiah York is thought to have lived as a young man, was granted to William Penn by King Charles II of England in payment of a debt to Penn's father.
1690 - Uprisings and battles in Britain, such as the Battle of Boyne in Ireland in which William III, King of England, defeated former King James II, resulted in many English, Irish, Welch and Scots immigrating to America, a new nation of opportunity. This may have been within the time-frame Jeremiah York came to America.
1690 - Privacy in the colonies was impossible given the number of people who lived in the same small house and worked together. Privacy was viewed as a threat to society and spying on each other was considered a civic obligation. Lashing at the Public Whipping Post was a common punishment for some crimes. Adultery was a crime for women, but not for husbands, and punishment including whippings and rebuke on the steps of a church.
1692 - Superstitious beliefs were common in the colonies, resulting in the hanging of a 67 year old widow accused of being a witch during the Salem, Massachusetts Witchcraft trials were 19 were executed and 150 were jailed.
1699 - Williamsburg, VA replaced Jamestown as the capital of colonial Virginia which extended westward to the Mississippi River, northward to the Great Lakes, and covered 8 of the present states. It was 160 miles south of Pipe Creek Settlement where Jeremiah York relocated after leaving Pennsylvania. It remained the capital until moved to Richmond in 1780.
1700 - The population of the 12 Colonies was 250,888. Georgia became the 13th and last colony in 1733.
1704 - The new colonists, mainly farmers, lived in the wilderness and faced Indian massacres from the north to the south, such as Deerfield, Conn in 1704 and Natchez, Mississippi in 1729.
1712 - North Carolina and South Carolina became separate colonies. The vast area south of Virginia had been parceled out in 1663 to 8 Englishmen by King Charles II and was named Carolina in his honor.
1726 - The first white settler built a cabin in present West Virginia, ten years before Jeremiah York arrived in the area about 1736 from the Pipe Creek Settlement, Maryland.
1755 - The Indiana wars and attacks on the settlement at Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia frightened the Julian, Pugh and other families into fleeing south on the Wagon Road to Randolph County, North Carolina.
1756 - The French and Indian "7 Years War" began. IN 1763 the war ended when France, Spain, Russia and Austria were defeated by Britain and Prussia. France lost her claims in American Colonies and Spain ceded Florida to Britain.
1763 - Britain issued a Royal edict limiting the colonists from expanding westward beyond the Appalachian Mountains ranging from western borders of New York and Pennsylvania to the Carolinas and Georgia.

The notes below in the next section were contributed by Sheron Sheppard, see her web site here.

Jeremiah York(e) [Sr.] appears on the tax records of West Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA between the years 1718-1729. This suggests he was born no later than 1700 and more probably in the last quarter of the 17th century. It was during the period, specifically in 1722, that Jeremiah was devised personal property in the will of John Wilson of Cecil County, MD. Cecil County borders West Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA.

The border between these two states was in much dispute until settled by the Mason-Dixon survey. It appears that Jeremiah and his family moved from Chester County to the Pipe Creek area of Prince Georges County, MD (later Frederick County, MD) in about 1729 or 1730. Pipe Creek is a tributary of the Monocacy River. In a book on old southern bible records by Memory Aldridge Lester, there is a record, which states that Jeremiah's son, Henry Yorke, was born on Pipe Creek on 6 Aug 1732. This Pipe Creek area would have likely fallen in Monocacy Hundred of Prince Georges County, MD for which a 1733 tax list exists. However, Jeremiah Yorke is not listed on this tax list suggesting he had moved on by this date to an area that is today in Jefferson County, W VA, but was then part of "old" Frederick County, VA.

Jeremiah was certainly living in "old" Frederick County, on part of a 1,200 acre tract of land called "Terrapin Neck," by 25 Oct. 1736. The "Terrapin Neck" tract had been purchased by John Browning from Jost Hite who had James Wood make a survey on 10 Nov. 1735. Hite, one of the Palatine Germans, had moved into this area of "old" Frederick County, VA sometime between 21 Oct 1731 and 28 Nov 1732 and acquired large tracts on condition that he induces settlers to come and take up land there. It is not unlikely that Yorke was one such settler. Most probably, Jeremiah Yorke moved into this area in late 1732 or early 1733. After the death of Browning, this 1,200 acre tract was cut into three parts and conveyed to the following men--Jeremiah Yorke Sr., Vachel Medcalfe, and Van Swearingen.

Later, Jeremiah Yorke received a Fairfax grant for 323 acres of the NE-most part of the Browning tract. This was on 7 Jun 1751. Called "Jeremiah Yorke Sr." he sold this 323 acres to William Chapline on 4 Jul 1753. The chain carriers on the survey were THOMAS YORKE and DAVIS YORKE who were almost certainly Jeremiah's sons. The name JOHN YORKE also appears in the records of "old" Frederick County, VA when he and Thomas Yorke were chain carriers in a survey of a tract on Opeckon Creek made in 1763. His son Jeremiah Yorke Jr. was living on an adjacent tract on 13 Jul 1773 when Joseph Mitchell received a Fairfax grant "on Great Cacepehon" which is a river in what is now Hampshire County, W VA. It is possible that Jeremiah Sr. moved to NC about the time he sold his land to William Chapline, or he may have moved in with one of his sons. It is possible Jeremiah Sr. was in his 60s, possibly older, when he sold his land.

It is known that the York(e) and Al(l)red families were connected later on in NC. In this regard, it is interesting to note that a SOLOMON ALRED appears on the same West Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA tax lists as does Jeremiah Yorke for the years 1724 and 1730. Another fact of note is that Joseph Chapline, brother of William who purchased Jeremiah Yorke's "Terrapin Neck" tract, was the administrator of the estate of a Samuel Finley who also appears on the West Nottingham Township tax list during the period Yorke and Alred were listed. Finley left his entire estate to a minor named JOHN ALDRED. Of further interest is the fact that a WILLIAM ALRED owned three tracts of land in Frederick County, MD which he sold in 1752 to one Charles Higginbotham. The deed was recorded 14 Sep 1752. The tracts were "Alred's Purchase," "Bedlam Green," and a resurvey of part of a tract called "Pile's Delight." Land records indicate that at least one of these tracts, resurvey of part of "Pile's Delight," was located along the Potomac River opposite Jeremiah Yorke's "Terrapin Neck" tract. Also living in this same area of Frederick County, MD was WILLIAM TROGDON, probably the son of THOMAS TROGDON and wife Mary, whose birth is recorded in the records of All Hallow's Parish, Anne Arundel County, MD as taking place on 20 Aug 1695.

This information on Semore York was provided by Dennis R. York, Jr. with sources from him given as "Ten Sons of Oliver pp 113-127 by Solon P. Crain and Marguerite Starr Crain; A History of North Carolina Baptists 1727-1932 by M.A. Huggins; History of North Carolina Baptists by George Washington Paschal; York Families of Randolph County North Carolina by Dennis York; Genealogical files of Dennis York; Randolph County will books and tax lists, and U.S. Census record; North Carolina Colonial Records.

Semore York pp 529 Randolph County History Book item 643.

Semore York (ca 1727-1783) was a loyal British subject, born in England about 1727 along with his brothers Henry, John, and perhaps Thomas York. Semore is also recorded in the Colonial North Carolina records as Seymore, Seymoure, and Cemore York. Their father Jeremiah York had emigrated from England with his family into the Pipe Creek settlement of Maryland between Baltimore and Philadelphia in the early 1700's. By 1750 Jeremiah York and his three sons Henry, John, and Semore had migrated into Granville County, NC, in what is now Randolph County, NC. Thomas York had also migrated into Granville County, NC.

Randolph County Location Map

The great awaking or Great Revival began about 1726 in New England. Mr. Shubal Stearns, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, was bred a Presbyterian, but embraced the Baptist principles in Tolland, Connecticut. He was ordained March 20, 1751, by elders of Stonington and New London, Conn., as a Separatists Baptist minister. The Philadelphia Association appointed in 1755 two ministers to visit North Carolina "in the interest of evangelism." Rev. Shubal Stearns and Rev. Daniel Marshall with a few families came to Orange County, North Carolina, from Cacapon near Winchester in Hampshire County, Virginia, in the fall following General Braddock's defeat in November 1755. The Stearns and the York's all settled in the Sandy Creek and Mount Pleasant Creek region of what is now northeast Randolph County. Rev. Shubal Stearns established the Sandy Creek Baptist Church in 1756 on land donated by Semore York.

As soon as they arrived, a little meetinghouse was built in 1756 with sixteen members. This was followed by the organization of the Sandy Creek Association in 1758. Then a house of 30 feet by 26 feet was built in 1762 with about 40 families. One of their exhorters was Tidence Lane.

"It was the mother church, nay the grandmother church, and a great grand mother to 42 churches from which sprang 125 ministers. All the separate Baptists sprang hence; not only eastward toward the sea, but westward to Tennessee, not only towards the great river Mississippi, but northward to Virginia and southward to South Carolina and Georgia" according to Morgan Edwards' 1772 notebook.

Some of the Baptists were involved in the Regulator movement that later resulted in the Battle of Alamance on May 16, 1776. Rev. Shubal Stearns and the Sandy Creek Association threatened to excommunicate members who disturbed the peace as Regulators. But feelings for freedom from oppression ran very deep. The Sandy Creek Church reduced from 616 to fourteen souls following the defeat at the Battle of Alamance and persecution of the Regulators by Governor Tryon.

Morgan Edwards wrote, "It is said that 1500 families departed since the Battle of Alamance and a great many more are waiting to follow. "It is from this historical event and origin that the Southern Baptist and Primitive Baptist formed their beginnings and had their greatest missionary growth throughout the South.

Soon after the Battle of Alamance, Rev. Shubal Sterns died 20 November 1771 and was buried in the Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. There is a rough, stone grave marker nearby in the same cemetery for Semore York. It reads "S Y, 8 Feb 1783" and is only a few feet northeast from the original church building site. The will of Semore York was probated in Randolph County in March 1783.

The North Carolina Colonial Records indicate Semore York was very active in the Revolutionary War activities and events leading up to our Independence. On January 10, 1776, Governor Josiah Martin, last royal governor of North Carolina, issued the order: To William Fields, James Hunter, Robert Fields, Jeremiah Fields, and Seymoure York, Esquires of the County of Guilford; Greetings: I hereby grant to you power and authority to form the forces you shall so raise, into companies of fifty men each, and to appoint one Captain, …and I do hereby give you full power and authority to seize and take whatsoever may be necessary of arms, ammunition, provisions, horses, and carriage for the subsistence and accommodation of His Majesty's faithful subjects"

Semore York was a loyalist Tory, and served a British Captain. He led a company of 34 men into the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge near Wilmington, North Carolina, on February 27, 1776. The battle lasted three minutes. Thirty of the Tories were killed or mortally wounded and between 20 and 30 taken prisoners, among whom was his Excellency General Donald Macdonald, the aged Highlander and sick leader of the Tories.

The Engagement at the Bridge

When Lillington arrived at the bridge on the 25th, he quickly saw the position's defensive advantages. The creek, a dark, sluggish, stream about 35 feet wide, wound through swampy terrain and could be crossed in the vicinity of only over this bridge. To dominate the crossing, Lillington built a low earthwork on a slight rise overlooking the bridge and its approach from the east. Joining Lillington the next day, Caswell sent his men across the bridge to throw up earthworks there. Thus by the evening on February 26, the patriots straddled the bridge. Lillington with 150 men waited on the east side of the creek, and Caswell with 850 men were camped on the west. MacDonald's loyalists, 1,600 strong but with arms for less than half that many, camped 6 miles away. MacDonald had lost the race to the bridge and now had to decide whether to avoid fighting once more or to cut through their opponents. At a council of war the younger leader carried the debate, and eventually all agreed that the enemy should be attacked. An element in the decision was the report by a scout that Caswell's position lay on their side of the river and was thus vulnerable.

At 1 a.m. on the 27th the loyalists set out on their march to the attack, with a party of 75 picked broadswordsmen under Capt. John Campbell in the lead. By now MacDonald had fallen ill, and Donald McLeod was in command. The going was slow, for the route lay through thickets and swampy ground. During the night Caswell abandoned the camp and withdrew across the creek. Once on the other side, Caswell's men removed the planks and greased the girders. Posting artillery to cover the bridge, they waited in darkness for the advancing Scots.

An hour before dawn the loyalists came upon Caswell's deserted camp and found the fires burning low. Moving on to nearby woods, McLeod regrouped his men and passed the rallying cry - "King George and Broad Swords" - along the line. There they waited for daybreak. Suddenly gunfire sounded near the bridge. Though it was not yet light, McLeod couldn't wait any longer. Three cheers rang out - the signal for the attack - and the loyalists rushed the partly demolished bridge with broadswords out and bagpipes skirling. Picking their way over the bridge and onto the opposite bank, they got within 30 paces of the patriot earthworks before they were met by a withering fire of musketry and artillery. Nearly all the advance party were cut down, and the whole force soon retreated. It was all over in a few minutes. Pursuit turned the repulse into a rout. The loyalists lost some 30 killed and 40 wounded. Only one patriot died.

Within weeks the patriots had captured "all suspected person" and disarmed "all Highlanders and ex-Regulators that were ... in the late battle." The spoils included 1,500 rifles, 350 "guns and shot-bags," 150 swords and dirks, and £15,000 sterling. Some 850 "common Soldiers" and most of the loyalists were captured. The leaders were imprisoned or banished from the colony. The soldiers were paroled to their homes.

Though the battle was a small one, the implications were large. The victory demonstrated the surprising patriot strength in the countryside, discouraged the growth of loyalist sentiment in the Carolinas, and spurred revolutionary feeling throughout the colonies. The British seaborne force , which finally arrived in May, moved on to Sullivan's Island off Charleston, S.C. In late June patriot militia repulsed Sir Peter Parker's land and naval attack, ending the British hopes of squashing rebellion in the South for two years. "Had the South been conquered in the first half of 1776," the historian Edward Channing concluded, "it is entirely conceivable that rebellion would never have turned into revolution ... At Moore's Creek and Sullivan's Island the Carolinas turned aside the one combination of circumstances that might have made British conquest possible."

The British Royal government in North Carolina came to an end on the dark, twisting, swampy waters of Moore's Creek. During this battle Capt. Semore York was taken prisoner and removed to Halifax, North Carolina, for several months. On April 1776 a list of prisoners in the Halifax Jail include Semore York's name. On October 12, 1776, his wife, Sylvania Aldridge York, petitioned the Council of Safety, sitting at Halifax, North Carolina, seeking his release in order to provide for his family. Semore committed the worst possible act when he lead the king's troops against the patriots at Moore's Creek in 1776, yet he was eventually released from prison, retained his property and received his citizenship. This indicates he was able to atone for his loyalty to the crown during the early months of the war. It also indicates he possessed that rare ability of being able to stand firm in his convictions without losing the respect of his opponents and his children, who were patriots.

Semore York and his wife Slvania Aldridge had ten children:

Jeremiah York (ca 1752-1818) m. Sara Allred (ca 1760-1810);
John York (ca1754-1805);
Sarah York (1755-1816) m. John Welborn (ca 1750-1805);
Dorcas York (ca 1757-)
Shubal York (ca1760-1816);
Semore York, Jr. (ca 1763-1818) m. 1) Elizabeth (I think Bray) 2) Ann Wood;
Tabatha York (1756-1860) m. Solomon Trogdon (1760-1826);
Isaac York (ca 1768-1806) m. Ellinor Allridge;
Jabez York (ca1770-1853) m. Elizabeth White;
Martha York (1772-1860) m. Edmund Hays (1760-1836)

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF SEMORE YORK

In the name of God amen, I Semore York of Randolph county in the state of North Carolina being sick and in a low state of health but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for it. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men due to die do make constitute ordain and confirm this my laste will and testamente by me made Declaring this only to be my laste will and Testament revoking and canceling all other wills and testaments by me made Declaring the Only to be my laste will and testament and in the firste place I recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my body to be buried in a decent Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors never doubting but I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God--and as touching such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I Despose thereof in the following manner after all my just debts and funeral charge be paid.

I bequeath to my well beloved wife her feather bed and furniture and all the reste of my household furniture Excepte such as I appoint too my children in this will.

Item -- I bequeath to my well beloved wife one negroe girl named Nan with free privalidge to live on my plantation until my youngest child comes of age.

Item -- I bequeath to my Eldeste son Jeremiah all the land and improvements now in his possession.

Item -- I bequeath to my daughter Sarah her bed and table all the rest of her household goods she received after she was married. I also bequeath to my Daughter Sarah the sum of five shillings starting to be paid oute of my Estate.

Item -- I bequeath to my Daughter Dorcas her bed and mattress and all the reste of the household goods and other things which she received before and after she was married. I also bequeath to my said Daughter Dorcas the sum of five shillings to be paid out of my Estate.

Item -- I bequeath to my son Shubal the land whereon he now lives with all the improvements thereon containing about one hundred and seventy acres more or less to be divided from John Wilburns land. Likewise I bequeath to him my said son Shubal his horse and saddle and bridle and all the rest of the things he received from me before he was married Also I bequeath to him my said son Shubal the sum of five shillings starting to be paid out of my Estate.

Item -- I bequeath to my son Semore one half of the land whereon I now live that is to say that part which lies adjoining to the plantation whereon William Allred Sr. now lives. I likewise bequeath to him my said son Semore one mare to be worth twenty five pounds and a saddle and bridle and likewise a good suit of clothes when he comes of age.

Item -- I bequeath to my sons Isaac and John the sum of two hundred pounds in hard monty rates to be raised oute of my Estate and to be paid out in hand at the Discretion of my Executors and likewise a horse and saddle and bridle and a suite of clothes for both when they come of age at the Discretion of my executors.

Item -- I bequeath to my son Jabez one half of the land whereon I now live that is to say that parte whereon the house and other improvements is likewise one horse and saddle and bridle and a suit of clothes when he comes of age at the Discretion of my executors.

Item - I bequeath to my Daughters Martha and Tabitha each a feather bed and furniture and each a bedstead and likewise a cow and calf and a saddle for Each of the aforesaid girls Martha and Tabitha when they come of age at the Discretion of my Executors.

Likewise I bequeath thate the remainder of my lands and negroes note particularly mentioned in this will shall be sold at the discretion of my Executors and the money arising there from to be equally divided between my six youngest children excepting two hundred pounds in hard money rates which is bequeathed to Isaac and John as aforesaid land. It is my will that my Executors make a deed for one hundred and twenty acres of land to my son-in-law John Wilburn the land that my father formerly lived on and likewise a claim of land containing about eighty acres adjoining aforesaid land.

It is further my will that the stock and all the impliments belonging to the plantation be left thereon towards raising and maintaining the children and schooling them Except any parte thereof that shall appear superfluous to the Executors and then to be sold and the money to be converted to any necessary expense that may occure and I do appoint my wife and my son Semore Executors to this my last will and testament and in case my wife should remarry or die before my son Semore comes of age it is my will that my son Jeremiah shall be executor in her place. Duly executed according to the true Intent and Meaning thereof.

Semore York    (Seal)
Salvania York    (Seal)
Signed Sealed and Pronounced       Randolph County March Court 1783
in the presents of those names       The last will and testament of
underwritten this twenty-                  Semore York was proved in open court
eighth day of January 1782.            by the oath of Nathan Allridge one of
Enoch Davis                                     the subscribing witnesses thereto and
Nathan X Allridge                            ordered to be recorded.
William X Swaford                             William Bell CC

WILL OF SEAMORE YORK, JR.

In the Name of God Amen.

I Semore York of the County of Grainger in the State of Tennessee being sick and like to die but of perfect Mind and Memory knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die Do make constitute and ordain this my Last Will and Testament and first of all I give and Commend my Soul into the hands of God that give it and my Body to be buryed in a desent and Christian Burial nothing doubting but I shall receive the same again in Judgment of the great day by the mighty power of God. And as it related to the good things of this life with which it hath pleased God to bless me with in this world I give and bequeath in the following manner and form

Item 1st – It is my will that Uriah York my son, Rachel McEver May, Daughter, Sylvania Wood my Daughter, Enoch York My Son, Polly Deaton, Marthy Johnson My Daughters, and John York My Son have in addition to what they have already received one Dollar each.

Item 2nd – it is my will that my wife Ann live on my plantation and have all the profits there of for the use of raising and schooling my children while she all remain my widow.

Item 3rd – It is my will that my wife have the benefit and increase of all my live stock and all my house hold furniture and farming utentials During her widowhood for the use of Raising and shoolling my said children as above named.

Item 4th – It is my will that my Daughter Sary and Elijah (Elizabeth?) each of them have a cow & calf and a good suit of Sunday clouths also a feather bed and bed furniture for each of them when ever they become eighteen years of age.

Item 5th – It is my will that my sons Riley and Harrison each of them have a good sute of Sunday clothes a horse Bridle and Saddle when ever they become twenty one years of age.

Item 6th – It is my will that should my wife Ann marry after my death, then all my personal goods and chattels be sold and equally divided between her & the four children here in after named that is to say Sarah Elizabeth Riley & Harrison but not till my youngest child becomes of age.

Item 7th – It is my will that at the marriage or death of my said wife then my land be equally divided between (page break.....second page...97) my sons Riley & Harrison all but four acres which I have sold and layd off to John Wood adjoining his field near the mountain.

Item 8th – It is my will that my grandson Pleasant the son of my Daughter Rachel should he stay and remain with my wife till he be twenty one years of age that he have good shooling a good horse Saddle & Bridle and a good suit of Sunday Clothes out of my Said Estate.

Item 9th – I appoint my beloved Wife Ann and John Wood the excoutors & Executrix of this my last Will and Testament, revoking all others retifying and confirming this my last Will & Testament and no other in testimony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this Seventh day of February 1819.

His His His

Seamore X York (Seal)

mark

Signed and sealed & delivered In presents of Josiah Smith (his mark) proven Andrew Phillips (his mark)proven May Term 1819.

State of Tennessee)

Grainger County ) August Term 1819.

I John Cooke Clerk of the Court of Pleas and quarter Session for Said County do certify that the execution of the foregoing last Will and Testament of Seamore York was proven in part at last Term by the oath of Andrew Philips one subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be filed for further probate and that it was proven in full at this term by the Oaths of Josiah Smith and Robert Huddleston the two other subscribing witnesses there to who swore that the said Seamore York at the time of executing this will was of sound mind and disposing memory.

John Cooke Clerk

The York's Settle in Randolph County, North Carolina

The York pioneers were among the first settlers to the North Carolina colony. They came to the Piedmont area with other families: Adridges, Allreds, Julians, Lindermans, Pughs, Trogdons, Whites and others. They walked south in the wilderness on the Wagon Road for weeks or months, following their possessions loaded on the wagon and horse. They brought with them animals to stock their new farms. The North Carolina Piedmont area offered safety from Indian attacks, a mild climate, and cheap farm land or land grants to those arriving and seeking a better living for their families. those who came as farmers, blacksmiths, carpenters, and tradesmen were self-reliant, independent, and hardworking.

Their route will be traced south on the Great Wagon Road as they migrated from Pennsylvania, some stopping in Virginia for a while, then forced to flee the Indian massacres and wars to North Carolina. The numerous families of Englishmen, Irishmen, Scotsmen and Germans intermarried. The language barrier was overcome, but they were divided mainly into two groups that had clashing beliefs which led to the Revolutionary war: The Patriots, many of whom were Scotch Irish and favored independence from Great Britain and the Crown; the Loyalists, many of whom were Scotch Highlanders and were loyal to England.

Jeremiah York's sons had settled as early as 1750 on land at Sandy Creek, North Carolina in an area of Orange County that was later split into Randolph County. Jeremiah arrived later, perhaps as early as 1753. Many families of Yorks' descended from this man. Some sons and grandchildren of Jeremiah lived and died in North Carolina while others crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains into Tennessee and Kentucky and others migrated to Illinois and Indiana. Jeremiah, the progenitor of the York line in Randolph County, North Carolina died there after having lived in Pennsylvania, Maryland and west Virginia. Newly uncovered information that he was in West Virginia was found in the well documented book, PIONEERS OF OLD FREDERICK County, VIRGINIA (1995). That confirmed the theory that Jeremiah, after living in Pennsylvania and Maryland, was in Great Cacapon, Virginia (now West Virginia) before moving to North Carolina where he lived and died on his son Semore's plantation."

Here is some more data shared by Becky from N. Idaho:

Jeremiah York(e) [Sr.] appears on the tax records of West Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA between the years 1718-1729. This suggests he was born no later than 1700 and more probably in the last quarter of the 17th century. It was during the period, specifically in 1722, that Jeremiah was devised personal property in the will of John Wilson of Cecil County, MD. Cecil County borders West Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA. The border between these two states was in much dispute until settled by the Mason-Dixon survey. It appears that Jeremiah and his family moved from Chester County to the Pipe Creek area of Prince Georges County, MD (later Frederick County, MD) in about 1729 or 1730. Pipe Creek is a tributary of the Monocacy River. In a book on old southern bible records by Memory Aldridge Lester, there is a record, that states that Jeremiah's son, Henry Yorke, was born on Pipe Creek on 6 Aug 1732. This Pipe Creek area would have likely fallen in Monocacy Hundred of Prince Georges County, MD for which a 1733 tax list exists. However, Jeremiah Yorke is not listed on this tax list suggesting he had moved on by this date to an area that is today in Jefferson County, W VA, but was then part of "old" Frederick County, VA.

Jeremiah was certainly living in "old" Frederick County, on part of a 1,200 acre tract of land called "Terrapin Neck," by 25 Oct 1736. The "Terrapin Neck" tract had been purchased by John Browning from Jost Hite who had James Wood make a survey on 10 Nov 1735. Hite, one of the Palatine Germans, had moved into this area of "old" Frederick County, VA sometime between 21 Oct 1731 and 28 Nov 1732 and acquired large tracts on condition that he induce settlers to come and take up land there. It is not unlikely that Yorke was one such settler. Most probably, Jeremiah Yorke moved into this area in late 1732 or early 1733. After the death of Browning, this 1,200 acre tract was cut into three parts and conveyed to the following men--Jeremiah Yorke Sr., Vachel Medcalfe, and Van Swearingen.

Later, Jeremiah Yorke received a Fairfax grant for 323 acres of the NE-most part of the Browning tract. This was on 7 Jun 1751. Called "Jeremiah Yorke Sr." he sold this 323 acres to William Chapline on 4 Jul 1753. The chain carriers on the survey were THOMAS YORKE and DAVIS YORKE who were almost certainly Jeremiah's sons. The name JOHN YORKE also appears in the records of "old" Frederick County, VA when he and Thomas Yorke were chain carriers in a survey of a tract on Opeckon Creek made in 1763. His son Jeremiah Yorke Jr. was living on an adjacent tract on 13 Jul 1773 when Joseph Mitchell received a Fairfax grant "on Great Cacepehon" which is a river in what is now Hampshire County, W VA. It is possible that Jeremiah Sr. moved to NC about the time he sold his land to William Chapline, or he may have moved in with one of his sons. It is possible Jeremiah Sr. was in his 60s, possibly older, when he sold his land.

It is known that the York(e) and Al(l)red families were connected later on in NC. In this regard, it is interesting to note that a SOLOMON ALRED appears on the same West Nottingham Township, Chester County, PA tax lists as does Jeremiah Yorke for the years 1724 and 1730. Another fact of note is that Joseph Chapline, brother of William who purchased Jeremiah Yorke's "Terrapin Neck" tract, was the administrator of the estate of a Samuel Finley who also appears on the West Notting Township tax list during the period Yorke and Alred were listed. Finley left his entire estate to a minor named JOHN ALDRED. Of further interest is the fact that a WILLIAM ALRED owned three tracts of land in Frederick County, MD which he sold in 1752 to one Charles Higginbotham. The deed was recorded 14 Sep 1752. The tracts were "Alred's Purchase," "Bedlam Green," and a resurvey of part of a tract called "Pile's Delight." Land records indicate that at least one of these tracts, resurvey of part of "Pile's Delight," was located along the Potomac River opposite Jeremiah Yorke's "Terrapin Neck" tract. Also living in this same area of Frederick County, MD was WILLIAM TROGDON, probably the son of THOMAS TROGDON and wife Mary, whose birth is recorded in the records of All Hallow's Parish, Anne Arundel County, MD as taking place on 20 Aug 1695.

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Becky
north Idaho
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My personal genealogy site
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~ouryorks
A YORK resource site for all YORK lines:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~allyorks

I have three "pamphlets/booklets" by Douglas A. Colbert from which I obtained some of the information on the YORK line, especially the North Carolina line and their descendants. Mr. Colbert's address is 196 Esmeyer Drive, San Rafael, California 94903. Please contact him regarding his books.

Jeremiah York and Sarah Semore had the following children:

Seymor Sr York - (1727-1783) - Seymor Sr York. Born in 1727 in England. Seymor Sr died in Randolph Co., NC on 8 Feb 1783, he was 56. In 1749 when Seymor Sr was 22, he married Sylvania L Aldridge, in Randolph Co., NC. -

They had the following children: i. Jeremiah (1749-1835), ii. Sarah (1755-1816), iii. Dorcus. Born on 5 Feb 1758 in NC. In 1802 when Dorcus was 43, she married Isaac Beck, iv. Shubel I. Born in 1760 in Randolph Co., NC. Shubel I died in Posey Co., Indiana in 1816, he was 56. On 26 Nov 1805 when Shubel I was 45, he married Mary Grimes, in NC., v. Seymore Jr (1762-1818), vi. Isaac. Born on 5 Feb 1768 in Randolph Co., NC. Isaac died in 1806, he was 37. Isaac married Eleanor Alldredge, vii. John (1772-1859), viii. Martha. Born on 10 Jul 1773 in Randolph Co., NC. Martha died in 1861, she was 87. Martha married Edmond Hayes, ix. Tabitha (1773-1860), x. Jabez. Born on 19 Apr 1776 in Randolph Co., NC. Jabez died in 1855, he was 78. Jabez first married Sally Julian. Jabez second married Elizabeth White. Born on 29 Oct 1800. On 29 Oct 1800 when Jabez was 24, he third married Elizabeth White, in Randolph Co., NC. Born in 1779. Born on 15 May 1779.

There is no conflict about Dorcas YORK daughter of Semore York just errors that have been widely published on the internet. About 20 years ago I published an article in the first volume of the Randolph County Heritage that stated that Dorcas York had married William Fields. That is in error. I started this error based upon an incorrect assumption of the Fields and York's being neighbors and apparently good friends. I have published this correction many times; nevertheless it still floats all over the Internet in error. I was contacted many years ago by the Fields family researches and told to please correct his error regarding William Fields.

Nancy Dorcas York (b 15 may 1756 - d 15 May 1815), daughter of Semore York (1727 - 1783) married her first cousin John York (b. 1752 - d 1827), son of Thomas York (1729-1790) at about age 18 in 1773.

Secondly, the granddaughter of Semore York was Dorcas York, daughter of Jeremiah York, son of Semore York. Dorcas York (b 1783 Randolph County, NC -ym
From Bruce York:

Dennis: Could you comment on your theory as to Semore York's daughter Dorcas York marrying John York, son of Thomas York?

Comments by Dennis York on Nancy Dorcas York (1756/58-1815):

1. John York died 1 Feb 1816, age 15 years (born 1801) (Son of Nathaniel York, grandson of John York)

2. Nancy York, died 15 May 1815, age 59? (or 57 Years) (born 15 May 1756/58) (wife of John York)

3. Rock, unreadable (presumed grave of John York) (b ca 1752 - d. 1827) (Son)

4. Elinor (York) McCollum, born 29 May 1762 - death date not legible (daughter)

5. Hannah McCollum apparently a sister-in-law (10 Apr 1769 - Oct 1842, 72 years 4 months 4 days)

Grave 1: The son of John York (b ca 1752 - d. 1827) was Nathaniel York (1774-1837). In Nathaniel York's Bible it lists his third son as John York, born 1801. There is no trace of this John York born 1801 after the 1810 U.S. Census. Therefore this John York born 1801 was most likely a favorite grandson, named after his grandfather and is buried adjacent to his grandparents in the Old McMasters cemetery. Nathaniel York inherited land from his father John York and perhaps lived nearby in his early married years on Mount Pleasant or Buffalo Creek, Randolph Co., NC. This grandson John York no doubt played or visited at his grand parents most often, which explains why he is buried by his grandparents over 15 miles from where the rest of the Nathaniel York family was later buried. The Nathaniel York family moved lower in Randolph County to Reed Creek area near present day Ramseur, NC.

Grave 2: This very old soapstone marker has been damaged and is lying flat on the ground, but readable and crumbling. I believe this is Nancy Dorcas York daughter of Semore York, born 15 May 1756/58, who married her first cousin and nearby neighbor John York (ca 1751NC- 1827NC), son of Thomas York(ca1729PA - 7 Aug 1790NC). John and Nancy Dorcas York's first or second child was Nathaniel York (1774-1837). Nancy Dorcas would have been the typical age of a new bride and mother, 18/20 at that time. The more convincing fact is when they have their first daughter they name her, Silvania (Sylvania) York, presumably after Nancy Dorcas York's mother Sylvania Aldridge. Nancy Dorcas York and John York had several grandchildren and great grandchildren named Semore York and Sylvania York. The age of this proposed Nancy Dorcas York of 15 May 1756/58 matches correctly to be the daughter of Semore York and Sylvania Aldridge. The close proximity of these two cemeteries and their farm lands on Sandy Creek and Mount Pleasant as well as the nearby Sandy Creek Baptist Church where both these families attended is most convincing as the location for their courtship and marriage about 1773 in colonial Guilford Co., NC (now Randolph Co., NC). We know that Dorcas York was named in her father, Semore York's 28 Jan 1782 will as having already been married for some time. So these dates match to demonstrate that Nancy Dorcas York is most likely to be the daughter of Semore York and Sylvania L. Aldridge. These dates further indicate Dorcas did not marry a William Fields later in 1782.

Grave 3: Rock, unreadable (presumed grave of John York) (b ca 1752 - d. 1827) (Son)

Grave 4: Elener or Elinor (York) McCollum born 29 May 1762 - death date not legible is the daughter of Thomas York and his wife Elinor Fruit (or Aldridge). Elener or Elinor York is the seventh and youngest child of Thomas York and his wife, Elinor Fruit (or Aldridge). About 1780 Elinor York married Jonathan McCollum, son of Duncan McCollum.

Grave 5: Also buried nearby is a Hannah McCollum apparently a sister-in-law (10 Apr 1769 - Oct 1842, 72 years 4 months 4 days)
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Comments follow by Dennis York regarding Dorcas York (Aunt) and Dorcus York (Niece) that has much confusion and errors in many websites.

The following is incorrect:

"iii. Dorcus York - Born on 5 Feb 1758 in NC. In 1782 when Dorcus was 23, she first married William Fields. In 1802 when Dorcus was 43, she second married Isaac Beck."

Comments by Dennis York on Dorcus York daughter of Jeremiah York:

Dorcus York (1780/1783NC - 18??GA) is a niece of Dorcas York (1756/58-1815). It is correct that the Dorcus York who married Isaac/Isaiah Beck was the daughter of Jeremiah York Senior (son of Semore York & Sylvania Aldridge) and Sarah Allred. Checkout the marriage bond dates and the US Census and websites for Beck's. Dorcus York daughter of Jeremiah York of Semore York was born about 1780/1783 in Randolph Co., NC
and married Isaiah Beck on 15 November 1804 in Randolph Co, NC before migrating with the Beck and York families to Pendleton County, SC and then Rabun County, GA.

Their children were:

Isaiah Beck b. 1803
Dorcus Beck b. 1809
Mary Beck b. 1812

Comments by Dennis York on William Fields error:

Over 20 years ago I published the descendants of Semore York (ca1727PA- 8 Feb 1783NC). That publication was printed in the Randolph County, NC Heritage Book Vol. I with the error I made by connecting William Fields to Dorcas due to the witnesses in Semore York's will and land deeds. Since writing that article, the Field family researches in Guilford County, NC contacted me and have informed me that I was very much in error. Although the Fields were neighbors to the York's there was no marriage between William Fields and Dorcas York. I have tried to correct this error many times. If one researches the archives of the York List several years ago,
you will find this same correction in detail.

This is a prime example of incorrect genealogical information that has been proliferated on the Internet due to copying from my old research
notes from the 1970's. Again I deeply regret having introduced this error many years ago. Please accept my apologies and correct your files and websites to remove these two errors.
--
Have a GREAT DAY!

With Best Regards,
Dennis R. York
15926 Windy Meadow Drive
Dallas, Texas 75248-2919
(972)661-2561
Email: dryork2@airmail.net
Alternate Email: dryork2@hotmail.com

Semore York pp 529 Randolph County History Book item 643.

Semore York (ca 1727-1783) was a loyal British subject, born in England about 1727 along with his brothers Henry, John, and perhaps Thomas York. Semore is also recorded in the Colonial North Carolina records as Seymore, Seymoure, and Cemore York.

Their father Jeremiah York had emigrated from England with his family into the Pipe Creek settlement of Maryland between Baltimore and Philadelphia in the early 1700's. By 1750 Jeremiah York and his three sons Henry, John, and Semore had migrated into Granville County, NC, in what is now Randolph County, NC. Thomas York had also migrated into Granville County, NC.

The great awaking or Great Revival began about 1726 in New England. Mr. Shubal Stearns, a native of Boston, Massachusetts, was bred a Presbyterian, but embraced the Baptist principles in Tolland, Connecticut. He was ordained March 20, 1751, by elders of Stonington and New London, Conn., as a Separatists Baptist minister. The Philadelphia Association appointed in 1755 two ministers to visit North Carolina "in the interest of evangelism." Rev. Shubal Stearns and Rev. Daniel Marshall with a few families came to Orange County, North Carolina, from Cacapon near Winchester in Hampshire County, Virginia, in the fall following General Braddock's defeat in November 1755. The Stearns and the Yorks all settled in the Sandy Creek and Mount Pleasant Creek region of what is now northeast Randolph County. Rev. Shubal Stearns established the Sandy Creek Baptist Church in 1756 on land donated by Semore York.

As soon as they arrived, a little meetinghouse was built in 1756 with sixteen members. This was followed by the organization of the Sandy Creek Association in 1758. Then a house of 30 feet by 26 feet was built in 1762 with about 40 families. One of their exhorters was Tidence Lane.

"It was the mother church, nay the grandmother church, and a great grand mother to 42 churches from which sprang 125 ministers. All the separate Baptists sprang hence; not only eastward toward the sea, but westward to Tennessee, towards the great river Mississippi, but northward to Virginia and southward to South Carolina and Georgia" according to Morgan Edwards' 1772 notebook.

Some of the Baptists were involved in the Regulator movement that later resulted in the Battle of Alamance on May 16, 1776. Rev. Shubal Stearns and the Sandy Creek Association threatened to excommunicate members who disturbed the peace as Regulators. But feelings for freedom from oppression ran very deep. The Sandy Creek Church reduced from 616 to fourteen souls following the defeat at the Battle of Alamance and percussion of the Regulators by Governor Tryon.

Morgan Edwards wrote, "It is said that 1500 families departed since the Battle of Alamance and a great many more are waiting…to follow." It is from this historical event and origin that the Southern Baptist and Primitive Baptist formed their beginnings and had their greatest missionary growth throughout the South.

Soon after the Battle of Alamance, Rev. Shubal Sterns died 20 November 1771 and was buried in the Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. There is a rough, stone gravemarker nearby in the same cemetery for Semore York. It reads "S Y, 8 Feb 1783" and is only a few feet northeast from the original church building site. The will of Semore York was probated in Randolph County in March 1783.

The North Carolina Colonial Records indicate Semore York was very active in the Revolutionary War activities and events leading up to our Independence. On January 10, 1776, Governor Josiah Martin, last royal governor of North Carolina, issued the order: To…William Fields, James Hunter, Robert Fields, Jeremiah Fields, and Seymoure York, Esquires of the County of Guilford; Greetings: I hereby grant to you power and authority to form the forces you shall so raise, into companies of fifty men each, and to appoint
one Captain, …and I do hereby give you…full power and authority to seize and take whatsoever may be necessary of arms, ammunition, provisions, horses, and carriage for the subsistence and accommodation of His Majesty's faithful subjects…"

Semore York was a loyalist Tory, served a British Captain, who led 34 men into the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge near Wilmington, North Carolina, on February 27, 1776. The battle lasted three minutes. Thirty of the Tories were killed or mortally wounded and between 20 and 30 taken prisoners, among whom was his Excellency General Donald Macdonald, the aged Highlander and sick leader of the Tories.

The British Royal government in North Carolina came to an end on the dark, twisting, swampy waters of Moore's Creek. During this battle Capt. Semore York was taken prisoner and removed to Halifax, North Carolina, for several months. On April 1776 a list of prisoners in the Halifax Goad include Semore York's name. On October 12, 1776, his wife Sylvania Aldridge York, petitioned the Council of Safety, setting at Halifax, North Carolina, seeking his release in order to provide for his family. Semore committed the worst possible act when he lead the king's troops against the patriots at Moore's Creek in 1776, yet he was eventually released from prison, retained his property and received his citizenship. This indicates he was able to atone for his loyalty to the crown during the early months of the war. It also indicates he possessed that rare ability of being able to stand firm in his convictions without losing the respect of his opponents and his children, who were patriots.

Semore York and his wife Slvania Aldridge had ten children: Jeremiah York (ca 1752-1818) m. Sara Allred (ca 1760-1810); John York (ca1754-1805); Sarah York (1755-1816) m. John Welborn (ca 1750-1805); Dorcas York (ca 1757-) m. William Fields; Shubal York (ca1760-1816); Semore York, Jr. (ca 1763-1818) m. 1) Elizabeth (I think Bray) 2) Ann Wood; Tabatha York (1756-1860_ m. Solomon Trogdon (1760-1826); Isaac York (ca 1768-1806) m Ellinor Allridge; Jabez York (ca1770-1853) m. Elizabeth White; and Martha York (1772-1860) m. Edmund Hays (1760-1836)

SEYMORE YORK b. abt 1727 mar. Sylvanius Aldridge abt. 1752 and had: Jeremiah YORK b. abt 1753 who mar. Sarah ALLRED abt 1775. Jeremiah YORK and Sarah ALLRED had DORCAS YORK b. 1780 NC who marr. Isaiah BECK abt. 1804 NC (she was 2nd wife), and went to SC, then settled in Georgia by 1830. Their children: Isaiah BECK Jr. b. 1803> Mary b. 1812 and my GG grandmother DORCAS b. 1809 SC who mar. John HOLLOWAY 1823 in Hall Co. Ga.

1790 Randolph County, North Carolina Census:

202 York Henry 1 1 3 . .
203 York William 1 1 3 . .
204 York Samuel 1 . 5 . .
205 York Silvana 2 1 2 . 1
206 York Semore 1 2 4 . .
348 York John 1 4 4 . .
349 York Edmond 1 3 2 . .
350 York Joseph 3 4 4 . .
351 York Aaron 1 3 4 . .
352 York John 2 2 5 . .
353 York Subell 1 1 4 . .
362 York Elliner . . 1 . .

Henry B York - (1732-1817) - Henry B York. Born on 6 Aug 1732 in Pipe Creek Settlement, Carroll County, Maryland. Henry B died in Welks Co., NC in 1817, he was 84. Henry B first married Name Unknown. They had the following children: i. Edmond (1755-), ii. Samuel (1755-1868) iii. Mollie. Born in 1757. Mollie died in Randolph Co., NC on 23 Sep 1823, she was 66. Mollie married Jacob Routh, iv. William. Born in 1760. William first married Elie Unknown. William second married Barbara Alred, 14 v. Eli (1771-1853), vi. Elizabeth. Born bef 1790. In 1814 when Elizabeth was 24, she married Daniel Thornburg, in Welks co., NC, 15 vii. Eve Dorothy (1792-1858) On 15 Jan 1789 when Henry B was 56, he second married Margaret Lenderman, in Randolph Co., NC.

Henry York Will 8 March 1817:

In The Name of God Amen Henry York of the county of Wilkes and the state of North Carolina being very weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God calling unto mind the morality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain tis my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all give and renounce my soul into the hands of the Almighty God that gave it and my body. Remand to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian burial at the discretion of my exseutive nothing doubting at the general resurrection. Shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such world by estate where with it has pleased God to help me in this life. Give? and dispose of the same in the following manner of form. First I ordain my beloved wife Market to be executive of my estate the during of her ? and if she should marry again she is to have but a child's part. To my son Henry I give one hundred acres of land on the south side of the tract and to my son Leonard I five the old tract were I now live and after to death of beloved wife all my estate shall be equally divided amongst my daughters that is to say the daughters of my last wife Market but if she is to marry than all my estate is to be sold by my executors George Wheatly and Daniel McDaniel and for my children of the first wife as I think I have given them more than the younger children will get so I bequeath unto each one dollar and I do hereby utterly disblame revoke all and every testament and wills in ?? whereof I have here unto got my hand and seal this 8th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eighth hundred and seventeen. Signed sealed on his last will and testament in the presence of us:
David Thronbergh
Henry Lenderman
Dan McDaniel
Henry York
(his mark)

iii

Joseph York - (1734-1809) - Joseph York b. 1734 Old Frederick County, Va. d. 8 Oct 1809 Madison District, Mississippi Territory, Alabama.

m. 1. ? (HE DID NOT marry Martha Spinks - on the marriage list you will find that a woman by that name married A Joseph York 100 yrs. AFTER the date commonly found for this Joseph... we do not know the name of his 1st wife, mother of his '11 oldest children'

Children:

1. John D. b. 1751 N.C. d. 2 Nov 1792 Randolph County, N.C.
married 29 Mar 1792 New Castle, Delaware Catherine Dunn b. 1751 Sussex, Mildford, Delaware d. 15 Jul 1832 Iredell County, N.C. - 9 children (if you want these, let me know...)
2. Mary b. abt 1752 N.C.
3. Martha Jane b. abt 1753 N.C. married William Goode
4. Rebecca b. abt 1754 N.C.
5. Aaron b. abt 1755 N.C.
6. Taylor b. abt 1756 N.C.
7. William Rev soldier b. 1758 Orange County, N.C. d. 29 Jun 1830 Carroll County, Ga. married 1. ? - 9 children (this is my line so I have extensive descendants...) married 2. 30 Oct 1723 Hall County, Ga. Nancy Pitman (widow) no children
8. Jesse b. abt 1759 Orange County, N.C. d. Aug 1830 m. Lucy Ann Burrows b. abt 1764 N.C. - 6 children
9. Synthia b. bet 1760 and 1761 Orange County, N.C.
10. Nathaniel b. abt 1762 Orange County, N.C.
11. Joseph II b. abt 1764 Orange County, N.C.

Joseph married 2nd abt 1787 N.C. Jemima Burrow b. 20 Nov 1754 Albemarle Parish, Sussex County, Va. d. aft 1809 Alabama.

Children:

1. Uriah b. abt 1788 Randolph County, N.C. d. 1835 Lauderdale County, Alabama married 29 May 1813 Rebecca Voiley (1795/7 Tenn - 1871 Alabama)
2. Gideon b. abt 1790 Randolph County, N.C. d. 1835 Alabama married Rachel York (no further info)
3. Jemima b. abt 1791 Randolph County, N.C.
4. Solomon b. abt 1792 Randolph County, N.C.
5. John b. abt 1795 N.C. m. 18 Mar 1823 Mary Gray

Children:
I. Abigail
II. Edward
III. William
6. Susannah b. abt 1800

Thomas York - our line, more below

Randolph County, NC, Petitions 1785 and 1788

The following two petitions dating from the late 1780s and listing many male residents of Randolph County, NC, in the late 1780s have been of great value to genealogists in identifying not only many heads of households living in the new county, but also many unmarried males, some of whom I believe had not reached their majority when they signed the petitions. The petitions followed within 10 years the formation in 1779 of Randolph County, which before being formed consisted of the southern third of Guilford County, Guilford in turn having been stricken off Orange County in 1771.

The two petitions to the North Carolina State Assembly ensued from dissatisfaction by the county residents signing the first petition, about 1785, with the location of the county courthouse and other county government activities in the northeastern part of the new county. Location of the seat of government at such a great distance from residents in the south part required them to spend more than a day reaching the seat of government, attempting to conduct their business there during daytime hours, and returning home. This petition, containing 331 names, asked that the courthouse, jail, stocks (punishment and confinement devices), and other governmental operations be moved to the center of the county. On the other hand, most of those living in or near the area where court and other county business was transacted preferred that the seat of government remain where it was in the northeastern location, and they, in turn presented a second petition in 1788 with 360 names to the State Assembly urging that the courthouse not be moved.

After consideration for several years amidst political maneuvering by both factions, the State Assembly finally acted to relocate the courthouse to a site near the center of the county, where the new court held its first session on Wednesday, 12 June 1793. The new site was named Asheborough -- now Asheboro -- after Samuel Ashe, North Carolina governor from 1795 to 1798. The two petitions were found among the papers of the State Assembly in the 1970s, and an excellent article appeared in the Journal of the Randolph County Genealogical Society in the fall of 1978-79 under the authorship of Mac Whatley (Lowell McKay) Jr., of Asheboro, describing the background of and the political considerations that attended the actions which ended with the relocation of the county seat.

Two matters about the petitions are of concern to genealogy. The first is that there are a number of duplicate names, most resulting from the actions of two militia commanders signing the names of the members of their company to the second petition “by consent,” a number of these 155 residents having already signed the first petition. The second is that the names of several members of a family sometimes appear to be in the same handwriting, and includes household members who are known from placing their “marks” on deeds and other sworn documents to have been unable to sign their own names; but their names nevertheless attest to their presence in Randolph County at the time.

1788 Petition

To the Honourable the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina

The Petition of Sundry Inhabitants of Randolph Couny humbly Sheweth that a good Court House Prison Pillory & Stocks have been lately Erected at the Cross Roads, in, and for the use of, the said County; That Some people however Seem to be dissatisfied therewith & perhaps may send a petition to the Assembly, to get the Said Publick Buildings removed, or in other words, to Cause a new Set to be Erected at some other place; We Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that the may be continued at the Cross Roades; and we
further pray that an Act of Assembly be passed to lay of & Establish a Town at the said Cross Roades, and Your Petitioners as in Duty Bound Shall ever pray etc.

Robert BRATTAN Joseph JACKSON John LOWE Joseph SMITH John MURDOCK Christ. NATION Phillip RODY Joseph CURTIS James DUNBAR Bartho. GROGAN Benjamin MEANS Amor DAVIS Isac ROBINS Sen. Christopher NATION Mathew McFETRIDGE Jacob HOOVER Abram NATION Daniel FERREE Edw. BEESON Daniel HOOVER Saml. ALEXANDER James SMITH Isaac RIGHT Abram. ELIOTT Stepn. ALEXANDER Wm. ALEXANDER George MOORE John HUSBANDS George YOUNT Isrel ELIOTT John SMITH Subal YORK James BAIN John THOMPSON Simor YORK Wm. ELIOTT George ALEXANDER Wm. RIDGE Joseph CLARK Wm. ALEXANDER Wm. ROBINS Wm. COLTRAINJohn JOHNSON Dan MERREL Nathl. KERR John McDAID Jos. ELIOTT Saml. ELIOTT Silas WORTH Wm. WILSON John LOVE Ser. Frank. DOLLERHIDE Jacob VARNOR Elija MOLLEY Joseph LAIN Jacob KEEVIT John WHITE, Insign Wm. MATHEWS Solomon EVINS John SWIFT Malcom CAMMEL Francis FRAZUR James Fruit John EAMICK Hugh BLARE Evin HARRIS Wm. WILSON Henry JOHNSON George WRIGHT James ROUTH Eli BURGESS John ALLREAD George BLACK John HUSBAND Elias SWIFT John ALDREG William GRAY John DUNCAN Wm. BURGESS John SPENCER Charles DUNCAN John FRAISURE Samuel Clark Wm. YORK Saml. STOUT Moses Robines Semor YORK Antheny RAINS Robert GRAY Jesse STROUD John WALKER Joseph JOHNSTON John STROUD Eli LOLLAR James CURTES Stiphen LEWIS Robert WILKERSON Thomas WHITE Thos. GARNOR Jacob ROUTH Andrew MEANS Wm. BARKER James FRAZURE Andrew McPHEETERS Hugh GAVIN John CAMPBELL John HILL Wm. SMITH Solomon MOFFETT Nathan LOW Isaac LAIN Ezekiel ALLDREDGE Saml. McFETRIDGE John CRABTREE Absalom McDANIEL David COLTRAIN Wm. SWAFORD John Burgess Joshua CURTIS Raney JULIN Peter KEEVIT Joseph ROBINS Solomon LONG Edmond YORK William BRATTAIN Semor YORK Edmnond HAYS James YORKE Junr. Isaac YORK John LOLLAR Wm. MILLIKAN Shubel JULIN Jacob STEALY Edward GRAY Thos BENSON Jas. MOFFETT Thomas SHARP Isaac ODEL John LINEBURY Pephere? BRYAN Amos COX Dobson BURROW (Petter?) Archebel HOPPER Michael BEECK Isaac SNOW Jas. BOTSFORD Jeffre BECK Ebenezer SNOW John ALLREAD son of John Adam BROWER Conaway STONE William ALLREAD Jur. Jacob WATSON Isaac ELDERS Solomon TROGDON Jones BURROW John ELDERS John TROGDON Abraham LANE John STILES Robert WALKER Wm. DAVIS Abner LOE Samuel WALKER of Wm. Peter STOUT William BAILEY Wm. COOD Wm. WILLIAMS Thomas HILL Tobias MOSER Henry GARNER William FAGAN Samuel Walker son of Sol. Wm. COX Clement WOOD Ezekiel WELBURN John BARKER William THORNBERY Joseph McLAIN Abraham McDANIEL Edward CLARK John WILBORN David CHAPLAN William SWIGERT John JONES Alexander CAMPBEL Phinehas HUNT Joh- HUTSON Evin LOLLAR Marmaduke VICKERY Jas. PUGH Wm. Mc GOUNE John DENNIS Wm. HUSBANDS Balaam BURROW Enos BLEAIR John HUSBANDS John CLAP R. McLAIN, Capt. James McCOLLUM John MILLAR Thos. SWIFT, Liut. John GRIMES Isaac McDANIEL Cristen MORRICE John DAFREN John AVERY John CHANEY John CHAMBERS
Stephen JONES John WHITE Junr.

Signed by the Consent of My Company by Me, R. McLEAN, Capt.

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Who is Crabtree York b. 1780-85 who married Elizabeth Kivet, Jan. 1807?

Randolph was formed in 1779 from Guilford. It was named in honor of Peyton Randolph of Virginia, who was president of the Continental Congress. It is in the central section of the State and is bounded by Chatham, Moore, Montgomery, Davidson, Guilford and Alamance counties. Its present land area is 787.26 square miles and its population in 1990 was 106,546. The act establishing the county authorized the first court and all subsequent courts to be held at the home of Abraham Reese unless otherwise decided upon by the justices of the peace until a courthouse could be built. Commissioners were named in 1783 to select a site for the county seat. This act directed that court be held at the home of William Bell until the courthouse was completed. In 1785 an act was passed removing the court from the house of William Bell and allowing the justices at each court to decide where the next court would meet until the courthouse was completed. In 1788 a town was established at the courthouse on the land of Thomas Dauggan. This town, was named Johnstonville in honor of Samuel Johnston. In 1791 an act was passed authorizing the construction of a prison at the courthouse. In 1792 an act was passed authorizing commissioners to select a site in the center of the county and have a new courthouse erected, as the old courthouse was not in the center of the county. In 1796 Asheborough was established as the county seat on the land of Jesse Henley. In 1819 a new courthouse was authorized to be built in Asheborough. Asheboro is the county seat.

Fifth Generation

Thomas York. Born about 1734, probably in Maryland. Thomas Married Eleanor Aldridge. The Philadelphia Association appointed in 1755 two ministers to visit NC "in the interest of evangelism" Rev. Shubal Sterns and Rev. Daniel Marshall with a few families came to Orange Co., NC, from Cacapon near Winchester in Hampshire Co., VA, in the fall following General Braddock's defeat in Nov. 1755. The Sterns and the Yorks all settled in Sandy Creek and Mount Pleasant Creek region of what is now northeast Randolph Co. Rev. Shubal Sterns established the Sandy Creek Baptist Church in 1756 on land donated by Semore York.

As soon as they arrived, a little meeting house was built in 1756 with 16 members. This was followed by the organization of the Sandy Creek Association in 1758. Then a house of 30 feet by 26 feet was built in 1762 with about 40 families. One of their exhorters was Tidence Lane. It was the mother church, nay the grandmother church, and a great grand mother to 42 churches from which sprang 125 ministers. All the separate Baptists sprang hence; not only eastward toward the sea, but westward to Tennessee toward the great river Mississippi, but northward to VA and southward to SC and Georgia "according to Morgan Edward's 1772 notebook.

Some of the Baptists were involved in the Regulator movement that later resulted in the Battle of Alamance on May 16, 1776. Rev. Shubal Sterns and the Sandy Creek Association threatens to excommunicate members who disturbed the peace as Regulators. But feelings for freedom from oppression ran very deep. The Sandy Creek Church reduced from 616 to 14 souls following the defeat at the Battle of Alamance and percussion of the Regulators by Govenor Tryon. Soon after the Battle of Alamance, Rev. Shubal Sterns died Nov 20, 1771 and was buried in the Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. There is a rough stone grave marker nearby in the same cemetery for Semore York. It reads "S Y 8 FEB 1783" and is only a few feet northeast from the original church building site.

From Douglas Colbert's booklet: "Thomas, believed to have been born in Pipe Creek Settlement, Carroll County, Maryland, is another possible son of Jeremiah York. He wrote a will dated 11 October 1784, witnessed by Nathan and William Alldredge. The will is probated in Randolph County, N.C. in September 1790. Thomas and Ellinor identified the following children in their wills (below).

There are several documents that link the family of Thomas with the other York's in Randolph County. Semore York and Jeremiah York (the latter probably is the son of Semore), witnessed a deed in 1771 transferring land in Guilford County (now Randolph) from John Crabtree, Sr. to his son, John Jr. The senior John was the husband of Lyde York, daughter of Thomas York. In May 1795, Jeremiah York proved a deed transferring 170 acres from William and John York, sons of Thomas and Elinor, to Adam White. According to the deed, this land was part of a grant to Thomas on 2 November 1785 and later willed to his wife, Elinor. In 1779, Thomas York appeared on the Randolph Tax List with property valued at 332 English pounds, including 230 acres, 10 cattle, 2 horses and 12 pounds, 10 shillings in cash. Thomas wrote a will dated 11 Oct 1784, witnessed by Nathan and William Alldredge. The will, identifying 7 children and 2 grandchildren was probated in Randolph County in September 1790. Thomas and James Jr., minor sons of James Sr., are listed in their Grandpa Thomas York's will.

It appears that James Sr., as well as his wife, died before 1790 and that their two children were being raised by the grandparents. A James York, probably the son of Thomas, appeared on the 1779 Randolph Tax List, therefore his death would have been between 1779 and 1790. Thomas bequeathed 100 acres of land, part of the parcel where he then lived, to his two grandsons. To each of his named children, he gave the sum of 10 shillings and the remainder of his estate was inherited by his wife, Elinor.

Elinor left a will signed on 22 November 1790, and probated in 1795. She named Henry York and Jonathan McCollum to be executors of her will. Like her husband, she also gave 10 shillings to each of the above surviving children and divided the remaining estate equally. In addition, she gave 5 shillings to her granddaughter, Elizabeth, the daughter of her deceased son, James. She did not mention her grandsons, Thomas and James, Jr., who had been given 100 acres in their grandpa's will five years earlier.

Some children of Thomas and Elinor York moved out of Randolph county. They moved to several locations including Rutherford County of western N. C., Tennessee, Kentucky and Posey County, Indiana."

1790 Randolph County Census:

351 York Aaron 1 3 4 . .
349 York Edmond 1 3 2 . .
230 York Eli 1 . 1 . .
362 York Elliner . . 1 . .
202 York Henry 1 1 3 . .
215 York Jeremiah 1 4 5 . .
348 York John 1 4 4 . .
352 York John 2 2 5 . .
350 York Joseph 3 4 4 . .
204 York Samuel 1 . 5 . .
206 York Semore 1 2 4 . .
205 York Silvana 2 1 2 . 1
353 York Subell 1 1 4 . .
203 York William 1 1 3 . .

Will of Thomas York, father of Lydia York above. Note: The blanks were
unreadable words.

In the name of God, Amen. I, Thomas York, of the county of Randolph, the eleventh day of October, one thousand seven hundred and eighty four, being weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, blessed by God for it and knowing that his appointed for all men once to die do make this my last will and testament. First of all, I will to bequeath my soul to God who gave it and my body I remind to the earth to be buried in a Christian liked decent manner. Nothing doubting but I shall by the Almighty power of God receive the same again at the general resurrection as touching such worldly good where with God hath blest. He within this life gives. It is my will in the first place that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid. ______I give and bequeath unto my son John York the sum of ten shillings and his heirs. ________I give unto my son William York the sum of ten shillings and to his heirs. ______I give and bequeath unto my daughter Susannah, wife of John Pain the sum of ten shillings and to her heirs. _____I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lettesch?, wife of Joab Jackson the sum of ten shillings and her heirs. ________I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lydithe, wife of John Crabtree the sum of ten shillings and to her heirs. ________I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Elinor, wife of Jonathan McCollum the sum of ten shillings and to her heirs._______I give and bequeath to my grandchildren, the sons of James York (dec’d), Thomas and James one hundred acres of land, part of the tract or parcel of land whereon I now dwell beginning at Aadalnot my most northernmost westernmost ________ _________ on John Welborn’s most southernmost line thence running south so far as to lay the before mentioned hundred acres of land to the others and if they should both die before they come to the age of twenty one years. I order that the deed of the said hundred acres of land be made by my hereafter executors be made to my well beloved wife, Elinor, and her heir and if either of the said sons, both of the said children, should come to the age of twenty one years that my executors do make a deed of conveyance to the before mentioned Thomas and James York and to their heirs. _________and the remainder of my estate both real and personal I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife Elinor and to her heirs and that my hereafter executors do in one year after my death make a deed to the remainder of all my land unto my well beloved wife and deliver the remainder of my personal estate after paying the before mentioned ledgers and I do hereby ordain and appoint and constitute my son in laws John Pain and Jonathan McCollum to be the executors of this my last will and testament and utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all and every other former will and testament legacies and executors at any time before this time names. Ratifying and confirming this and no other I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Thomas York as his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers. Isaac McCollum, Nathan Alldredge, William Alldredge John died abt 1798 in Randolph Co., NC.

Note: The copy was very hard to read, so I'm sure there are some minor mistakes in this transcription, but the names of the children are accurate.

Will of Elinor Aldridge, wife of Thomas York, mother of Lydia our line, below. In the name of God, Amen, this twenty second day of November one thousand seven hundred and ninety, Elinor York of Randolph County (NC) being weak of body but in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God for it and knowing that it is appointed for all mankind that I do make this my last will and testament and first I will and bequeath my soul should go to God who gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner nothing doubting but I shall by the mighty power of God receive the same again at the general resurrection. As directing such worldly goods where with God hath blessed in this life imprimis it is my will that in the first place that all my just debts and funeral charges be paid. Item 1 give and bequeath to my son John York and to his heirs the sum of ten shillings. Item 1 give and bequeath unto my son William York or to his heirs the sum of ten shillings, Item 1 give to my daughter Susannah and to her heirs the sum of ten shillings, Item 1 give and bequeath to my daughter Letishe the sum of ten shillings, Item 1 give and bequeath to my daughter Lyde the sum of ten shillings, Item 1 give to my grand daughter Elizabeth of my son James York the sum of five pounds current lawful money as here fore the remainder of the estate I order that it be equally divided amongst my children. Viz John, William, Susannah, Lishi, Lydy and Ellnor and that one year after my death and to Elizabeth York at the age of eighteen and I do herby ordain appoint constitute Jonathan Mcollum and Henry York to be the Executors of this my last will and testament and I do utterly disallow revoke and disannul any and every and former will testaments legacies Executors at any time before this time named. Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament in witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal day and year above written signed sealed published pronounce and declared by the said Elinor York as the last will and testament in the presence of us the subscriber. Isacc McCullom Allen Langley Silas Allred Elinor York, her mark November 1792 .

Thomas York and Elinor Aldridge had the following children:

i	Susanna York - born circa 1748, married John Pain.
ii	Letitshe York - born circa 1750, married Jobe Jackson.
iii	Lydia York - born circa 1752, married John Crabtree. Notes: A John Crabtree deeded 100 acres on Sandy Creek in Randolph County to John Crabtree, JR., in 1771, witnessed by Semore York, which may be a link to the wife of William.
iv	James York, Sr. - b. Abt. 1756; d. 1784.
v	John York - b. 1752; d. Aug 1827, Randolph County, NC; m. NANCY McDaniels.
vi	William York - b. Abt. 1765; d. 1832, Burke County, NC, first married Mary Ann Deal. William second married Catherine Smith.
vii	Elinor York - born circa 1768, married Jonathan McCollum.

Also from Doug Colbert's book:

"The York's join in the Move West - Since migration is part of our heritage, there is tremendous interest about where we came from and why. Encounters with unfriendly Indians forced many settlers to move south to North Carolina. Semore York was perhaps the first York in Randolph County, arriving prior to 1755. Semore, Henry and John York were listed on the 1755 Orange County (in present day Randolph) tax list. Other York's came shortly thereafter, as well as other families.

About 1758, the Julians and others came from or near Winchester, Virginia. According to the "Julian Ancestry," Indian uprisings starting in 1756 at Winchester forced many families to leave and the Julian's relocated to the Sandy Creek area of Randolph. Isaac Julian's niece and nephew were captured by the Indians and the niece was exchanged by a treaty several years later, but the nephew (four years old when captured) remained with the Indians.

Henry York is presumed to have arrived in Randolph in the mid 1750's from the Pipe Creek Settlement in Maryland. He stayed about 35 yrs at Sandy Creek, then Henry decided, perhaps because of over population, to move westward to the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Wilkes County. Wilkes became a jumping-off place for many families who continued their migration westward to Tennessee, the Ohio Valley, and southward to the Mississippi Territory. Most of the children from Henry's second family moved, probably through Cumberland Gap to Indiana Territory.

The abundance of game, rich soil, and cheap land enticed many to move westward. Often they traveled to new locations in large family groups, including brothers, cousins, or neighbors. Three of Semore York's children and their families, Jeremiah, Semore Jr., Tabitha, and Jabez migrated to Granger County, Tennessee. The family of Joseph York a brother or relative of Semore York, Sr., crossed the Blue Ridge Mountains and moved through Tennessee to the Mississippi Territory, settling in what is now Limestone, Alabama.

Another reason that many of our ancestors were on the move to new land was the problem of overpopulation. Large families were common and a dozen or more children in a single household was not uncommon. There was a limit to the division of family farms once the children reached adulthood and started their own large families. Migration did solve the problem of overpopulation, as well as the hardships from droughts and worn out soil and erosion.

Last, some settlers moved on because of their desire to explore or be adventurous, while many simply were unsettled no matter where thy lived. One York who saw as much of the country as anyone was Andrew Jackson York, son of Pleasant York and the great-grandson of Semore York, Sr. IN 1854, Andrew and his brother Eli moved across the western plains from Illinois working as drovers on a cattle drive. Andrew worked in a gold mine in Nevada County, California, then went to Napa County (where Eli settled) working as a miner and farmer. Andrew returned to Illinois, then moved to a farm at St. Joseph in Missouri. In 1856, he again started for California but the Indiana Wars caused him to stop in Nebraska City, South of Omaha, Nebraska. Next, he went to the Cherokee Nation at Baster, did some farming in Fanning County, Texas and later in Newton County, Texas. Then he headed for California again. IN 1874, Andrew settled in San Luis Obispo county, California and grew grapes. He started the York Winery, which is sill operation on York Mountain Road off State Highway 46, West of US 101."

Lydia York, daughter of Thomas York married John Crabtree

From here see my Crabtree line.