Individual Details
James McCulloh
(Bef 1746 - Feb 1816)
Copies of original deeds address James McCulloh as planter or gentleman; not Esq. The term Esquire is a term of art more than anything else. It was used interchangeably with Gentleman or Gent or Gentl. The basic issue is land ownership. If you owned land you were not a laborer. A land owner of any “reasonable size” was a planter, a planter owned land and therefore was a gentleman, a gentleman was entitled to use the title Esquire. Esquire would indicate a slightly lower land owner than So and So OF Somewhere, because being “of” a place indicated that you held title to the property by charter from some “royal dude” or other.
James was mentioned in the will of his daughter, Henrietta McCulloh, on 27 Feb 1846 at Davie County, North Carolina. (Jo White Linn, Davie County North Carolina Will & Deed Abstracts Wills 1836-1900 Deeds 1836-1850 (n.p.: n. pub., 1973) page 11.) In 1887, John Lawrence (the husband of Amy M.) wrote, 'James McCulloh, a native of England, came to America before the Revolution and settled on the Yadkin River, in what was formerly Rowan County, NC. He was a descendant of the royal family of England, was a graduate of Oxford, and was admitted to the bar, but never practiced. He was an informed man of his day, and very wealthy, taking part in public affairs. As an excellent surveyor, he assisted in establishing the boundaries of many counties in NC. He was very liberal and benevolent.'
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(p. 19, Lord Granville to: (Miscellaneous Land Office Papers - NC State Archives))
189 James McCulloch, warrant dated 3 April 1752 to Francis MacKilwean to survey 600 acres in Anson County on the N side of the Cataba River and on the W side of McCullock's own place and on the W side of George Davieson Jr - including the Meadow Branch entered at Anson 11 January 1752 /s/ Fras Corbin Back of document reads: "Grant 10 January 1761"
190 James McCollaugh, plat dated 12 February 1753 640 acres in Anson county on the North Side of Dabisons Creek, joining Georg Davison and John McConnal cc: George Davison, Humpherey Coningham Jas Carter Dep Sur
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December 12, 1754 Old Henry wrote a letter to the King's Receiver of Quit Rents to pay money to James McCulloh which was due to his father. NC Colonial Records Vol. 5 page 617.
The Sampson County Deed Records (Deed Book 6, p. 183) has a deed dated January 28, 1773 in which William Taylor of Duplin gave four slaves, Dinah, Hanna, Peggy and Peter to his son-in-law James McCulloh and wife Mary, for the benefit of their children.
Crossing Green Branch (runs into Goshen) a grant of 593 acres was granted to Henry CANNON in 1773, and 320 acres was granted in 1776 to James MCCULLOH. This land was later owned by the RHODES, SHINE, and HILL families. (Moore, 1991)
..... Kenan wrote Henry Eustace McCulloh back on January 12, 1774 .... Kenan closed his letter with a social note: "Mr. James McCulloh and Family is well He has got a daughter born."
April 4, 1775, Henry McCulloh, late of N.C., but now of Middlesex in Kingdom of Great Britain, Esq., for 5 shillings and good causes and considerations, to James McCulloh, now of Duplin co., Gent., negro slaves now in Duplin or elsewhere: Simon & wife Lucy & all their children: 3 sons, London, Arthur & Allways; & 2 daug., Kate & Jude, which family of negroes for sometime past as have been living on a plantation belonging to said James McCulloh and E. Green (Sampson D.B. 6, p. 247)
Excerpts from - Book 1A, Duplin Deeds
(p 49)
p. 533 Thomas (TI) Johnston to Benjamin Johnston, planter, both of Duplin Co., 12 June 1775, for 40 pds. proc. 299A on Stewart's Creek, branch of Black River, beg. at a pine in Felix Kenan's line, MR. McCULLOCH'S line. Wit: John Armstrong, Francis Johnston. Jan. Ct. 1788.
On July 2, 1775, Henry Eustace McCulloh, Esq. sold 320 acres of land near Goshen Swamp at the lower corner of Henry Cannon's land to James McCulloh, planter for 100 pounds.
15 Sep 1778. Deed of Gift: James McCulloh to his children, Penelope, Catherine, and Henry McCulloh (the five [?] of my Beloved wife Mary McCulloh"). The children were given "Negro Slaves (?) to wit Dinah Hannah Peggy and Peter and all and Singular their issue and increase Now Begotten or hereafter to Be Begotten." (Sampson D.B. 6, p. 220)
October 13, 1779 transferred more negro slaves to his children Penelope, Catherine and Henry.
The Duplin County Ct. Minutes for October, 1789 ordered a committee to divide 9 negroes now in possession of Catherine Taylor formerly property of James McCulloh among Penelope, Catharine and Henry, children of James equally. Then again in Jan, 1790 the Court ordered one part to Penelope and gave Mrs. Taylor the right of service of one negro for life. (Minutes 1784-91, Pt. II, p. 32 & 36)
(Note - by 1794 James McCulloch is known to have been residing in Rowan Co. NC, see birth of Alfred)
Excerpts from - Duplin Deeds, Book 3A
(p 54)
p. 9 Wm. (William) Dickson of Duplin Co. to his son William Dickson Junr. (co. not given), 1 Aug 1793, for "natural love & affection", 146A on SS of Goshen Swamp on BS of the Poley Bridge Branch & on BS of the main road, beg. at a pine on the ES of a pond & WS of the main road & runs S to McCULLOCH'S lines,crossing Poley Branch, & adj. Stephen Herring, being the contents of a patent granted to Frederick Bell 4 Mar 1775 & from him conveyed to William Dickson, who deeded to his son William Dickson, Junr., excepting 4A laid off & divided by sd. William Dickson to certain trustees as at lot for the purpose of building a meeting house for holding & performing divine worship. Wit: FREDK. BARFIELD, James Dickson, Junr. July Ct. 1794.
(p 61)
p. 64 Arthur Herring of the State afsd. to William Alberson (co. not given), 15 Oct 1794, for 200 pds. good & lawful money 115A in 2 tracts to wit: (1) 65A in the fork of the Northeast & Goshen Swamp, being part of 200A granted by patent to Samuel Ratliff in 1755; (2) 50A in the fork of the Northeast & Goshen Swamp & in the fork of McCULLOCH'S or Benjamin Herring's Branch, to William Kornegay's line. Wit: Saml. Alberson, Owen O'Daniel, Henry Graddy. Oct. Ct. 1794.
(p 87)
p. 288 James Thompson of Sampson Co. to William Underhill of Duplin Co., 6 Feb 1797, for 250 pds. current money of N.C. 448A on the WS of Buck Hall in 3 tracts to wit: (1) 300A being the contents of a patent granted to Robert Hicks, beg. at a water oak in a drain on McCULLAR'S line, to Hancock Hatcher's line, up Spring Branch, to a pine by the Mill Branch, to a pine Esther Williams' old corner, deeded to sd. Thompson from Robert Hicks 2 Dec. 1780; (2) 123A being .......
July Ct. 1797.
p. 291 William Ward to Jedidiah Blanchard, both of Duplin Co., ___ Jan 1795, for 225 pds. current money of N.C. 300A in Duplin & Sampson Cos. in 2 tracts to wit: (1) 150A beg. at a water oak, to McCULLOCH'S line & up the Spring Branch to Buck Hall Swamp to the mouth of the Mirey Branch; (2) 150A on BS of the main rd. on the drains of Buck Hall, beg. at a white oak, with Hatcher's line, along Robert Hicks' line, to Boon's corner with D. Hicks' line. Wit: Ur. Blanchard, Uriah Hinton Blanchard. (Deed also signed by Mary (X) Ward. Apr. Ct. 1795.
Excerpts from - Duplin Deeds, Book 4A
(p 174)
p. 461 Edward Pearsall, Patent No. 1854, 19 Dec 1805, for 130A on the NS of Grove Swamp, beg. at a pine & gum where McCULLOCH'S maple corner formerly stood, below the bridge, to Kenan's old corner. Entered 22 Nov 1804. Alex. Martin, Sp. Sur. during the inability of the Gov.
(p.156)
p. 311 George F. (Fisher) Kornegay to Isaac Kornegay, both of Duplin co., 10 Mar 1808, for $270, 100A in the fork of the Northeast & Goshen Swamp, beg. at a hickory on the NES & running S65W to the main road, up the road to a small pond on the SS of the road to where Isaac Kornegay's line crosses the sd. road, adj. McCULLOCH, William Kornegay Junr. & William Kornegay Senr. Wit: William Kornegay Jr., Lewis Glisson. Apr. Ct. 1811.
Events
Families
Spouse | Mary Taylor (1754 - 1779) |
Child | Penelope McCulloh (1773 - 1791) |
Child | Catherine McCulloh (1775 - 1852) |
Child | Henry Eustace McCulloh (1777 - 1801) |
Spouse | Elizabeth George (1765 - 1833) |
Child | Charles McCulloh (1786 - 1833) |
Child | Alfred McCulloh (1794 - 1865) |
Child | Penelope McCulloh (1795 - 1846) |
Child | Elizabeth "Betsy" McCulloh (1795 - 1853) |
Child | Amy McCulloh (1800 - 1871) |
Child | Henrietta McCulloh (1802 - 1846) |
Child | Rebecca McCulloh (1802 - 1871) |
Child | Henry Eustace McCulloh (1806 - 1886) |
Father | James McCulloh (1726 - 1749) |
Notes
Birth
His father died in 1750, and Pauline's memoirs says "He was left an orphan in his infancy."It is possible that he was about 16 - 18 years old in 1754, when he would have "come of age" and could own property, due to the fact that Henry McCulloch wrote a letter December 12, 1754 to the King's Receiver of Quit Rents to pay money to James McCulloh which was due to his father. (NC Colonial Records 5:617)
Marriage
date estimated from birth of child Penelope, 16 Sep 1773.Military
A James McCullock is listed as a private in the American Revolution for North Carolina."984. McCullock, James, Privt."
He was in the Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge. The Battle of Moore's Creek Bridge was fought near Wilmington, North Carolina on February 27, 1776, between North Carolina patriots and Scottish Loyalists. The American victory helped spur sentiment for the revolution and increased recruitment of additional soldiers into their forces.
Marriage
Said to have married in Pennsylvania (an out of meeting ceremony (The George's were Quakers).Census (family)
Page 305James McCulloch 11201
1 free white male 16+ (James 44)
1 free white male <16 (Charles 4)
2 free white females (Elizabeth
1 slave
Page: 323
James McCulloch 3260
3 free white males 16+
2 free white males <16
6 females
Census (family)
James McCulloh 10101 31010 028 people:
1 boy under 10, Alfred (6)
1 man 16-26, Charles (16)
1 man 45+, James (54)
3 girls under 10, Penelope & Elizabeth (5) Amy (9)
1 girl 10-16, ?
1 woman 26-45, wife Elizabeth
Another James McCulloh is in Rowan Co, NC, pg 344, as follows:
4 people:
James McCulloch 01101 01100
I currently don't know who this is.
Census (family)
James McCulloch 00201 00110 02 males 16-26
1 male 45+
1 female 16-26
1 female 26-45
Samuel McCulloch 10010 10010
1 boy under 10
1 male 26-45
1 girl under 10
1 female 26-45
Will
The Will of James McCulloh is recorded in the FEB SESSION, BOOK G, P. 410 of Duplin County, N.C. It provides in part "beloved daughter Catharine Barfield $10; beloved son Charles McCulloh ...$60 ; beloved wife Elizabeth all my estate both real and personal until my son Henry Eustace McCulloh arrives at age 21 - - 25 June 1827-- If he dies before age 21, then estate to be divided between wife Elizabeth and children Betsy McCulloh, Penelope Minola, Alfred McCulloh, Amy McCulloh, Henrietta McCulloh, Rebecca McCulloh. And if child reaches 21, he is entitled to a child's part of all my estate, real and personal. Wife Elizabeth, Executor. Henry Clement, John Clement, Godfrey Clement, witnesses. 1 June 1814 signed and sealed ..."Death
An inventory of the personal property of James McCulloh Deceased whch came to the hands ofElizabeth McCulloh his Executrix -
One Negro woman named Nancy 48 years of age
one " " name Caty 18 years of age
three head of horses
Five head of Cattle
three sows and pigs
ten head of hogs
three head of sheep
twenty geese
two barshear plows
one coulter plow
Four weeding hows
one mattock
two axes
two broad axes
one pitch fork
one Dung fork
one shovel
two -undlets
six tight casks
four tubs
three water pails
one churn
four iron pots
two Dutch ovens
two skillets
one gril iron
two pot tramels
eight pewter plates
two pewter dishes
one dozen earthen plates
one dozen spoons
on dozen tea cups & saucers
one half doz tea spoons
one coffee pot
three beds bedsteads & furniture
two beds
one commote
two walnut dining tables
six chairs
one pair of steelyards
two chests
one oald hand saw
one food adds
one shot gun
one cutting box & knive
three plain stocks
two augers
one slate
two waytere
two spinning wheels
one Geel
two side saddles
one Flux brake
one pair of smoothen irons
Elizabeth McCulloh
Lcate of North Carolina Rowan County
Court of Pleas agua tu sepious August 1833
The petition of Alfred McCulloch against Elizabeth McCullock, Betsy McCullock, Penelope Minola, John Laurence and wife Amy, Henrietta McCulloch, John Pate & wife Rebecca and Henry E. McCulloch
The petitioner respectfully shown, that some time in the year 1816. his fathter, James McCullock, did having duly made and published his last will and testment which was admitted to pro bate in said county, that among other divises in the will contained there is the following { - " after all my debts are paid I -- my beloved wife Elizabeth McCullock all my estate both real and personal until my beloved son Henry Eustace McCullock may -- the age of twenty one years, Which will be on the 23d June 1827, but should my son Henry E McCulloch die before the expiration of his full age of twenty one years, then it is my will that all my estate both real and personal should be equallly divided between my beloved wife Elizabeth McCullock, and my beloved children, viz Betsy McCullock, Penelope Minola, Alfred McCullock, Amy McCullock, Henrietta McCullcoch, Rebecca McCullock, but should it please god, to spare my beloved son Henry Eustace McCullock to atttain his full age of twenty one years, in that case it is my will that my said son Henry Eustace McCullock shall be entitled to a childs part of all my estate both real and personal -
The petitioner further shows that Henry E McCullock is alive and of full age and that under the provisions of the will of said James McCulloch above set forth, the petitioner and the defendants are in prossession of the home place containing upward of three hundred acres, and eight Negro slaves, as tenants in common, viz the Negroes Nance, Katy, Henderson Jackson Pinkston Mary, Rowan, Hauphi--
The petitioner further shows that Amy has intermarried with John Laurence and Rebecca with John Pate, and have moved out of the state and at this time reside in the state of Tennessee - he prays that the above property so held in common may be divided, and as the defendants have not agreed to make the division he prays that a copy of this petition be served upon all the defendants except John Laurence and wife Amy and John Pate and wife Rebecca and that as to there publication be made
Richard M Pea---
Att for petitioner
Endnotes
1. Family research of Barfield, Taylor, McCulloh. (Judge Fletcher Freeman, June 1999 (<jffreeman@frontiernet.net>).
2. Hughes, Pauline Craig (1826-1910), Family History on Barfield, Craig, Hughes, Mathews, McCulloh, Steveson, Taylor, written in 1908 (copy held by Jeff Prouty, CA, prouty@sonic.net).
3. Cole, Sandra, "McCulloh genealogy," e-mail message from
4. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1790 > NORTH CAROLINA > ROWAN > SALISBURY DIST Series: M637 Roll: 7 Page: 305.
5. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1800 > NORTH CAROLINA > ROWAN > NO TWP LISTED Series: M32 Roll: 33 Page: 427.
6. U.S. Census images. Heritage Quest Online. Subscription database through the Sonoma County Public Library. (ProQuest LLC, 2009.), 1810 > NORTH CAROLINA > ROWAN > NO TWP LISTED Series: M252 Roll: 43 Page: 84.
7. Family research of Barfield, Taylor, McCulloh. (Judge Fletcher Freeman, June 1999 (<jffreeman@frontiernet.net>).
8. Cole, Sandra, "McCulloh genealogy," e-mail message from
9. "North Carolina, Estate Files, 1663-1979," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org: accessed 18 August 2012), McCulloh, James (1816).