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a.
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Note: John Jr's age is estimated by the fact his is 21 at least in 1784 but has no land yet per the poll tax paid in Johnston County but no acreage. The 1784-1787 state census of Johnston shows that He has (assuming a living wife) only two children by that point. John Sr. and Sarah Oliver deed him land in 1785. The 1790 census shows him with two sons born after 1774 (probably a bit after 1774). The 1800 census shows that he has two sons born after 1790, one 1784-1790, and one in or before 1784 but after 1774. Since majority of the children are after 1784, any indicated before then (one boy, one girl) would probably be as little before 1784 as possible given birth patterns of couples. 1781 and 1783 would be the best bet. There is nothing indicating John Jr. was born much before 1761, probably 1759 or 1760. Since he was the only son to be deeded land before the will, he is likely the oldest. This gives a string of children for John Sr (and Sarah if only one wife) ranging from John Jr (if there isn't an older sister) of 1760 to 1781 (Mitchell being the youngest and having a proven birth year close to 1781). This a very standard range for a couple. (Assuming John didn't have more than one wife over the span - see notes on the 1783 marriage bond)
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