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Note: The below is predicated on that at least for the 1800's, Polly was as common or more nickname for Mary as Bob for Robert and Bill for William, likewise, Sallie or Sally for Sarah, the two forms often appear interchangeably in references to women bearing the name. The July 3rd 1912 death of daughter Sallie (sarah) Elizabeth Bryant at age 84 is the most recent mention of Polly (Mary) Williamson in official records. This is the name listed as mother's maiden name for Sally: "Polly Williamson", father is listed as unknown. At face value this is immediately a statement of the maiden name of the 5 sisters born between 1775 and 1795 (unless by chance some of them are half sisters), but given the sometimes almost as low as 50% accuracy of maden name for mother in the first few years of death certificates, corrobarating evidence is needed. Since ths is also (as will be shown) Sallie's maiden name as well, it could point to Polly as an unwed mother.
Before this she was heir to her sister's will and named as sister:
Will of Susan Hamilton Wayne Co NC Will Book 11 page 338
(Microfilm C.103.80006 NC State Archives)
In the name of God amen,
I Susan Hambleton of the County of Wayne and State of north Carolina being of weak body but of a sound disposing mind and memory (blessed be God) do this 6th day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty nine make this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz- For the love and affection I have for my sister Mary Williamson I will and devise to her the whole of my lands where I now live containing three hundred acres to her and her heirs and assigns forever.
2nd It is my will and desire that all my just debts be paid.
3rd I give and bequeath to my sister Mary Williamson all the remainder of my property consisting of stock of all descriptions, household and kitchen furniture of every description, farming tools, all notes and moneys that may be due me to have and to hold to her heirs and assigns forever.
her Susan X Hambleton
mark Signed, Sealed, published and declared }
By the said Susan Hambleton in the }
Presence of us }
John V. Sherard
Elizabeth Sherard
Wayne County Aug. Term 1853
This was the above will of Susan Hamilton produced in open court offered for probate & was duly proved by the oath of John V. Sherard, a subscribing witness thereof. Let it be recorded. At the same time Wm Bryan came into court & qualified as administrator with the will amended, there being no executor named in said will.
Before this she can be seen at her sister's estate settlement, in which her daughter Sallie was an heir, Polly (Mary) was not at the sale but called as witness to court proceedings surrounding another of Tabitha's heirs, Polly and Tabitha's nephew, Henry Flowers.
Tabitha Jones Estate Settlement C.R.103.508.94
H Flowers by his next friend Matthew Hooks
vs. James Hooks
S. for Defendant
Simon Hooks
Matilda Flowers
Mary Williamson
For Aug. Co. 1851
Executed O. Coor Sheriff
To the Sheriff of Wayne county Greeting: You are hereby commanded to summon Simon Hooks, Matilda Flowers & Mary Williamson personally to be and appear before the Justices of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, to be held for the County of Wayne at the Court House in Goldsboro on the third Monday in Aug. next, then and there to testify, and the truth to say, in behalf of James Hooks, Exr in a certain matter of controversy, in said Court depending, and then and there to be tried; wherein Matthew Hooks is Plaintiff, and James Hooks Exr Defendant. And this you shall in no wise omit, under the penalty of the law.
Witness, John A. Green, Clerk of the said Court, at Office, the third Monday of May in the 75 year of American Independence, A.D. 1851
Jno. A Green Clerk.
Before this Mary (named logged incorrectly in the census), can be seen living with her sister, and newly married daughter Sallie (Sarah) Bryan(t)
NC Wayne CO 1850 Census p 190b
Dwelling 668 family 668
Susan Hamilton 72 female prop val. $500.00 birth Va reads
Mary Williams 65 female birth Va reads
William Bryan 22 male Saddler birth NC reads
Sarah Bryan 22 female birth NC
So far the 1912 death certificate, 1853 will of S. Hamilton and the 1850 census show that Mary Williamson and Susannah Hamilton are sisters, born in Virginia. Backing up to the 1900 census, the length of marriage of Sallie Bryant and William Bryant is given as 50 years so mentions of Sallie before 1850 should be under her maiden name.
Wayne County NC 1900 Census page 243a Fremont
Dwelling 339 family 244
in home of Wyatt M. Barnes
Bryant, William Father-in-law white male July 1827 age 72 married 50 yrs
Bryant Sallie Mother-in-law whitle female Sept. 1827 age 72 married 50
So the 1850 census listing of William and Sarah together is just after marriage and any earlier mentions of Sarah (Sallie) will be under her maiden name. There is such a mention in 1847 that helps establish the relationship between Mary (Polly) and Tabitha.
Will of Tabitha Jones, Wayne Co. NC, Will Book 10 page 479 (excerpts)
(Microfilm C.103.80006 NC State Archives)
I, Tabitha Jones of the County of Wayne and State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory but considering the shortness of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
Item: I give and bequeath unto my niece Sally Williamson, one bed, bedstead and furniture her choice, One loom and gear, one chest and table which sits in the big house, all my pewter unto her and her heirs forever. etc...
And it is my will and desire that the residue of my property not above given off in this my last will to be sold and together with any notes, accounts and money after paying my just debts to be divided in three parts. One of which I give unto my niece Sally Williamson to her and her heirs forever etc...
So Tabitha is an Aunt (or possibly other female older relative if "niece" is used in a general way) of Sallie, opening the high chance of relationship between Tabitha and Sallie's mother, especially since the 1850 census shows that Tabitha, like Polly (Mary) and Susannah, proven sisters, is also born in Virginia.
Wayne County NC Census page 190a North Side of the Neuse (this includes all of Wayne that fits that description)
Dwelling 664 Family 664
Tabitha Jones 73 female white $1,000 birth: Virginia reads
Henry Flowers 17 male white farm hand birth: NC
(these are the only two individuals in this home, her husband had died in 1839, she had no children)
80 years earlier if there had been a census taken in 1770, much more one that stated place of birth, Virginia would not have meant a lot as very many area residents would have been born there, but by 1850 is was becoming rare. A check of the 1860 Wayne Index shows about an incidence of 1.5% of the primary listings (usually) heads of household of Wayne County being stated as born in Virginia. Even factoring out the younger heads of homes does not change this percentage, so "born in Virginia" holds some meaning in the context of researching these sisters, whenever any other evidence points to a relationship. Being that Susannah and Tabitha are in the same age range and both born in Virginia and can be proven to have a common niece, their being sister is a safe conclusion. So three sisters are now established, Mary, Susannah and Tabitha. Henry Flowers and Polly Flowers being named in the same will of Tabitha as nephew and niece, and the calling of Sarah (Sally) Flowers (who appeared at Tabitha's sale) as Henry's next of friend, and the 1860 statement that Sally Flowers also was born in Virginia, adds Sally Flowers making 4 sisters.
Wayne County NC Census page 416b Nahunta District
Dwelling 14 family 16 (6 dwellings down from Julia Dickinson, close to Daniel Howell's widow and Joshua Ellis)
Sally Flowers 67 female white birth: Virginia (See note below about Sally being nickname for Sarah)
Polly 34 female white birth: NC (See note below about Polly being nickname for Mary)
Penny 25 female white birth: NC (nickname for Penelope)
Barbary 11 female white birth: NC
- more grandchildren since 1850, covered in section on Sarah/Sally. Note that Polly is the apparent daughter of Sally.
Will of Tabitha Jones, Wayne Co. NC, Will Book 10 page 479
(Microfilm C.103.80006 NC State Archives)
I, Tabitha Jones of the County of Wayne and State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory but considering the shortness of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following: etc....
Item: I give and bequeath unto my niece Polly Flowers one bed, bedstead and furniture unto her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my nephew Henry Flowers one horse quarter his choice unto him and his heirs forever. And it is my will and desire that the residue of my property not above given off in this my last will to be sold and together with any notes, accounts and money after paying my just debts to be divided in three parts. One of which I give unto my niece Sally Williamson to her and her heirs forever. One other part I give unto my nephew Henry Flowers to him and his heirs forever. etc...
Tabitha Jones Sale and Inventory recorded May Court 1851 C.R.103.508.94
(Partial List)
Item Buyer
1 lot of gourds Sally Flowers
1 coffee ? Sally Flowers
1 mug Sally Flowers
1 set cups/saucers Sally Flowers
1 lot of Lard Sally Flowers
1 set knives/forks Sally Flowers
1 lot blue cotton Sally Flowers
1 ax Henry Flowers
1 Saddle & Bridle Henry Flowers
Henry Flowers by his next friend Sarah Flowers
vs. James Hooks, Exr of Tabitha Jones
Case Wayne County Court May Term 1851
To the Sheriff of Wayne County Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon James Hooks executor of the last will and testament of Tabitha Jones if found in your county so that he be before the Justice of our County of Pleas and Quarter Sessions to be held for the County of Wayne at the Court House in Goldsboro on the third Monday in May next, then and there to answer Henry Flowers (an infant under the age of twenty one years) who sues by his next friend (Sarah Flowers marked out) Matthew Hooks (inserted) of a plea of trespass on the case to the damage of said Henry Flowers Five hundred dollars. Herein fail not and have you then and there this Writ.
Sally Flowers by Matthew Hooks
vs. James Hooks Exr. of Tabitha Jones, Report
State of North Carolina Wayne County
Matthew Hooks agent of Sally Flowers
vs.
James Hooks Executor of Tabitha Jones Dec'd
The above named parties have appeared before us this day with their witness and after hearing the same have given as our verdict that the defendant pay to the plaintiff fifty three dollars and seventy five & costs given under our hands and seals Oct. 6 1851
Wm. Lewis
W. Thompson
Jno. Coley
H Flowers by his next friend Matthew Hooks
vs. James Hooks
S. for Defendant
Simon Hooks
Matilda Flowers
Mary Williamson
For Aug. Co. 1851
Executed O. Coor Sheriff
To the Sheriff of Wayne county Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon Simon Hooks, Matilda Flowers & Mary Williamson personally to be and appear before the Justices of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, to be held for the County of Wayne at the Court House in Goldsboro on the third Monday in Aug. next, then and there to testify, and the truth to say, in behalf of James Hooks, Exr in a certain matter of controversy, in said Court depending, and then and there to be tried; wherein Matthew Hooks is Plaintiff, and James Hooks Exr Defendant. And this you shall in no wise omit, under the penalty of the law.
Witness, John A. Green, Clerk of the said Court, at Office, the third Monday of May in the 75 year of American Independence, A.D. 1851
Jno. A Green Clerk.
H Flowers by his next friend Matthew Hooks
vs. James Hooks Exr of Tabitha Jones
S. for Plaintiff
Sarah Flowers
Simon Hooks
Benjamin Aycock
For Aug. Co. 1851
Executed O. Coor Sheriff
To the Sheriff of Wayne county Greeting:
You are hereby commanded to summon Sarah Flowers, Simon Hooks, Benja. Aycock personally to be and appear before the Justices of the County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, to be held for the County of Wayne at the Court House in Goldsboro on the third Monday in Aug. next, then and there to testify, and the truth to say, in behalf of Plaintiff in a certain matter of controversy, in said Court depending, and then and there to be tried; wherein Henry Flowers by his next friend Matthew Hooks is Plaintiff, and James Hooks Exr. of Tabitha Jones is Defendant. And this you shall in no wise omit, under the penalty of the law.
Witness, John A. Green, Clerk of the said Court, at Office, the third Monday of May in the 75 year of American Independence, A.D. 1851
Jno. A Green Clerk.
Wayne County NC 1850 Census page 184b North Side of the Neuse
Dwelling 579 family 579 (4 dwellings from Julia Dickinson)
Also shows Sarah Flowers as being born in Virginia and
that Matilda FLowers is her daughter.
Wayne County NC Census page 184b North Side of the Neuse
Dwelling 579 family 579 (4 dwellings from Julia Dickinson and unrelated Daniel Howell and Joshua Ellis)
Sarah Flowers 58 Female white birth: Virginia reads
Mary 44 Female white birth: NC (I believe this age was recorded wrong, should be 24)
Matilda 22 Female white birth: NC
Penelope 15 Female white birth: NC
Barbara 1 Female white birth: NC (obviously a grandchild)
Tabitha's will, and the 1850 census of Wayne County, and and 1826 General Assembly Act help add Julia Dickinson in as the fifth in a set of five sisters to which Polly Williamson belonged.
Wayne County, NC Judith Williamson & Narcissa Killingsworth -
Act to Legitimate, 1826
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
An Act to alter the names of the person therein mentioned, and to legitimate them Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of North Carolina, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the name of Judith Williamson, the illegitimate daughter of William Dickenson and Julia Dickenson, of the county of Wayne, be altered to that of Judith Dickenson; and that the name of Narcissa Killingsworth, of said county, the illegitimate daughter of Blake Hooks and Peggy Hooks, be altered to that of Narcissa Hooks. And be it further enacted, That the said Judith and Narcissa, be, and they are hereby declared to be legitimated, and forever shall be capable to possess, inherit and enjoy, by descent or otherwise, any estate either real or personal, to all intents and purposes, as if they had been born in lawful wedlock.
Source:
NC Archives
Public and Private Laws of North Carolina
1826
Chapter LXXVIII
Page 47-48
Copyright. All rights reserved.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/copyright.htm
The above establishes Julia's maiden name as Williamson, since the child she produced out of wedlock carried that surname until the above act years later.
The 1850 census establishes Julia's birthplace as Virginia:
1850 NC Wayne Census page 184b North S. Neuse (around half the county)
all in Dwelling and family number 583
Julia Dickinson 68 female white $1,500 birth Va reads
Penelope " 37 female white birth NC reads
Leonard " 13 male white birth NC school
William " 4 male white birth NC
Henry " 4 male white birth NC
Susan " 1 female white birth NC
Another excerpt from Tabitha Jones Will, establishes grandchildren of Julia as people Tabitha had an interest in naming as heirs (Judith established in above act, see will and sale of William Dickinson to establish Henry). The lack of explicitly stated relationship in the Dickinson heirs can probably be explained by the fact that the purpose wasn't to establish a family tree but to sufficiently qualify the heir, nephews and nieces, being enough for that order of relationship, for these grandnieces and nephews, simply naming whose children they were was evidently deemed enough.
Will of Tabitha Jones, Wayne Co. NC, Will Book 10 page 479
(Microfilm C.103.80006 NC State Archives)
I, Tabitha Jones of the County of Wayne and State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory but considering the shortness of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following: etc...
And it is my will and desire that the residue of my property not above given off in this my last will to be sold and together with any notes, accounts and money after paying my just debts to be divided in three parts. One of which I give (etc.)
The other part to be equally divided between Leonard Dickinson son of Judith Hoskins alias Judith Dickinson and Elizabeth Dickinson daughter of Henry Dickinson unto them and their heirs forever.
(evidently Elizabeth died before the 1850 census, or had a double name)
Picking back up with Mary (Polly) Williamson. For easy reference here is the 1850 living arrangement of Susan Hamilton and Mary Willaims(on) again:
NC Wayne CO 1850 Census p 190b
Dwelling 668 family 668
Susan Hamilton 72 female prop val. $500.00 birth Va reads
Mary Williams 65 female birth Va reads
William Bryan 22 male Saddler birth NC reads
Sarah Bryan 22 female birth NC
There are no Williamson households in Wayne for the 1840 or 1830 census, but some evidence that the same set up existed in both these years as in 1850.
NC Wayne Co 1840 Census p 244a
Susan Hamilton
1 female age 60-70 (Susan?)
1 female age 50-60 (Polly/Mary Williamson?)
1 female 30-40 (Judith Dickinson? living here with her Aunt after having Leonard)
1 female 10-15 (Sarah/Sally Williamson - b. 1827)
1 male 0-5 (Leonard Dickinson? with his mother Judith?, both are obviously absent from William and Julia's home in 1840)
1830 NC Wayne Co Census page 540a
Hamilton Susan 50-60 female
also a 30-40 female (Mary Williamson? age is a tad low)
female under 5 (Sally Williamson? would have been 2 years old)
The first mention of Mary (Polly) Williamson is at the estate sale of her sister's deceased husband, Barnaba Hamilton in 1830, she is the only Williamson.
1830 Mary Williamson at sale of Barna Hamilton
C.R.103.508.70 Barnaba Hamilton
Susanna Hamilton petition for year's provision:
To the worshipful justices of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of the County of Wayne:
The Petition of Susanna Hamilton respectully sheweth that Baranabas Hamilton late husband of your petitioner died since the last term of this court leaving your petitioner his wodow .. she is entitled to her year's provision and other allowances out of the personal estate of her said late husband ...
Inventory and account of sale the property of Barnaba Hamilton May 28th 1830 six months credit
(abbreviated)
Two hoes William Dickinson
1 ax "
" " 1 coffe pot widow
1 pewter basin Jacob Privett
6 pewter plates Jacob Privett
1 stone pitcher Jacob Privett
1 jug "
" " 1 tub Jacob Privett
wooden bowl widow
1 pot Jacob Privett
1 kettle widow
1 Griddle & ___ widow
Lot lumber widow
two chairs widow
basket widow
bed gum Jacob Privett
chickens Mary Williamson
5 hogs Cor. Flowers
5 hogs Mary Williamson
table widow
benches Jacob Privett
note that Sally Flowers is not present but husband Cornelius, even to buy 5 hogs, while not the law concerning items such as hogs possibly (definitely for land and slaves), if Mary had a husband in 1830 (when her child Sally was 2) he probably would have been here instead, he isn't and the 1830 census shows no Williamson homes. This coupled with the statement on her daughter's death certificate that Mary was a Williamson by birth, and that obvious sister Julia was a Williamson as well leaves little doubt, that Mary (Polly) was simply a Williamson from start to finish even though she had a child.
It becomes a tad questionable to back up in further in time, but at the 1822 estate sale of William Dickinson Senior, there was no Mary Williamson, but the only Williamson present was Henry Williamson, Cornelius Flowers was again the only Flowers.
North Carolina State Archives
C.R.103.508.48
Account of Sale of the property of William Dickinson Dec�d sold on the
18th of January 1822
(Abbreviated)
Articles Names
1 whool wheel Cornelius Flowers
1 basket Cornelius Flowers
1 Basket Henry Williamson
The 1820 census shows two Williamson households, Henry being one, due to the alphabetic order instead or enumeration order and the fact that many of the sisters would be married by 1820 (Julia for sure, possibly Tabitha at least by 1822 and Sally by some time in the 1820's, Susan sometime in the 1820's) not much can be determined, the heads of household names are given here: (this doesn't mean they lived close)
1820 NC Wayne Co Census page 484a
Edmund Williamson
Henry Williamson
The 1810 census is a tad more revealing as it is in enumeration order, the only Williamson in the county is Henry Williamson, with many females in the home and close neighbors to the names listed:
NC Wayne 1810 Census p 243
Barnaby Hamilton
Henry Willimson (sic) 2 males ten - sixteen, 1 twenty six - forty five, 2 females ten - sixteen, 3 sixteen - twenty six, 1 twenty six - forty five
Bryan Bass
John Jones (lives alone a male twenty six - forty five)
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