(This paper was originally written to research any possibility that a Phelps from this area was the father of James Phelps d 1786 Caswell Co, NC. Hopefully other researchers will find information helpful to them.)
Now not a candidate as a father of James Phelps of Caswell Co.. The Phelps lines in the early days of northeastern NC are very confusing, but two or three really fine papers are available to unravel some of the mysteries. My effort has not been to personally document all those Phelps but just to find the mention of a James Phelps during the time of James Phelps of Caswell Co.
Another line of northeastern NC Phelps started with James Phelps Sr, origin unknown. A 1995 fully documented study of this James (b bef 1740 d.1794) and his son, James Phelps Jr. of NC (b.bef. 1740 - d. 1794)", and descendants was written by Susah Elise Heinbuch (now Phelps), Ph.D. Based on an email from her which I saw, she abandoned her research for personal reasons and did not save her source material. However several of her documented papers are available in the family stacks in the Raleigh, NC archives. I have most of it. Her research shows that James Phelps Sr. had property transactions as early as 1767 and is listed as a taxpayer in 1753 - both events in Chowan Co in northeastern NC. Heinbuch makes a convincing argument to conclude that James was born in the area which became Hertford County (northeastern NC) in 1759 that later became Gates Co in 1779 and died there in 1794. She lists property transactions in 1767, 1772, 1792 and 1794. With so much evidence it seems clear that this James was not the James of Caswell Co since that James died in 1785/86.
James had 10 children including James Jr (b bef 1780). James Jr. of Gates Co married Christian Phelps (yes, Phelps) per a 1795 bond and died in 1832/34. Clearly this James Jr could not have been our James of Caswell Co since our James died much earlier.
Keep in
mind that present counties Chowan, Gates, Hertford and Tyrell are very near
Perquimans Co (where so many of the Batemans lived - at least some marrying
Phelps). Other nearby counties where Phelps may be found include Bertie,
Northhampton and Tyrrell. By the way, all are far removed from Caswell
Co which is to the west by 200 miles or so. Phelps is still a common
name in many of these eastern NC counties. A very large lake in
the area is named Phelps Lake, reported to have been discovered by a Phelps.
I am not aware of anyone showing a documented early connection of any of those
Phelps with those of Caswell Co or further west.
Gates Co
(1779) was formerly Hertford Co (1759), formerly Chowan.
Will of James Phelps Sr.
[of Gates County, NC]
(made 20 April 1794)
Transcription of Original by
Susan Heinbuch (likely)
In the name of God I JAMES
PHELPS SEN of Gates County and State of North Carolina being of sound and
perfect mind end memory blessed be God do this twenty first day of April In
the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & ninety four make and publish
this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say
First I give and bequeath unto
my beloved wife ROUTHY PHELPS after my decease one feather bed & furniture, my
mare & colt, saddle & bridle, Two cows and calves, four yeows two sows and
twelve sholes one desk three puter dishes & six puter plates one iron pot end
frying pan, one linen whee1 and two stocks of bees to her and her heirs and
assigns forever.
Item I give unto my son JAMES
PHELPS the land purchased from RICHARD BAKER lying on the nor west branch and
one feather bed end furniture that Is called his to him his heirs and assigns
forever.
Item I lend unto my beloved wife
during her natural life the plantation I now live on and after her decease I
give the said plantation to my son LUTEN KING PHELPS to him & his heirs or
assigns forever
Item I give unto my son KINCHEN
PHELPS forty pounds Virginia Currency to him his heirs an assigns forever.
Item it Is my desire that if
either of my two sons LUTEN KING PHELPS or KINCHEN PHELPS- should die leaving
no lawfull begotten Heirs of their bodies that their part of my estate above
mentioned the surviving one should have It to him or his heirs or assigns
forever.
Item I give to my sons HENRY
PHELPS, MICAJAH PHELPS_, WILLIAM PHELPS end JESSE PHELPS each of them ten
shillings Virginia currency e piece to them or their heirs or assigns forever.
Item I give to my three
daughters LEASH BRIGGS, SALLY COFFEL & ELIZABETH BUTLER each of them ten
shillings Virginia currency a piece to them or their heirs or assign forever.
Item after my decease I leave
the remainder of my estate to be sold and all my Just debts to be paid the
balance of my estate I live In my executors hands to be for the use of my two
sons LUTEN KING PHELPS and KINCHEN PHELPS to pay for the schooling & other
necessarys as my executors should think they stand In need of to them their
heirs or assigns forever end I hereby make and ordain my two friends HUMPHEY
HUDGINS & JAMES PRUDŁN executors of this my lost will and Testament. In
witness where of I the said JAMES PHELPS SENR have to this my lost will &
testament set my hand and seal the day & year above written. Signed seal
publish & delared by the sald JAMES PHELPS SENR the testator as his last will
& testament In the presence of us who were present et the time of signing &
seal thereof LODOWICK PRUDEN (Jurat), JACOB PRUDEN, WILLIAM (his X mark)
GWIN.
JAMES (his X mark) Phelps (seal)
August Court 1794: Exhibited by HUMPHREY HUDGINS and JAMES PRUDEN executors; proved by LODOWICK PRUDEN
conclude tllat "Routhy" should
be "Renthy," "Leash" should be "Leah," "Coffel" should be "Coffield" and "Humphey"
should be "Humphrey,"