Relating Moses, son of James Phelps, Chowan Co, to sons  James and Enock

Compiled by M David Phelps

Summary of research and conclusion…

 To date no definite concrete proof has been documented that Moses Phelps/Felps is the father of Enoch and James or that Enoch and James were brothers. However, there is a good bit of circumstantial evidence. DNA testing of this group could at least firm up the case for latter conjecture.

So far, Moses Phelps was the only Phelps in the Edgefield, SC area in the 1790 census. To date, no records have been identified for him after the sale of his Edgefield, SC land on 7 Oct 1794.

Both Moses and Enoch were in the area of Johnston, Edgefield Dist., SC. Moses had land on Dry and Mine Creek. Enoch had land on Little Turkey Creek. Early maps of Edgefield district shows these are close to each other.

In 1800 Enoch Phelps is in the Edgefield, SC census as Enoch Felps. James Phelps has not been found in the 1800 census and is either missing or his name is misspelled.

As for marriage records for Enoch or James, none have been found. Marriage dates and locations are based on birth dates and locations for children.

In 1810 in Edgefield, SC, James Phelps (age 26-44) and Enoch Phelps (age 26-44)

James S. Phelps served from Edgefield, SC in War of 1812. If Enoch served I have so far found no records for him.

In 1820 in Edgefield, SC, James Phelps (age 26-44) and Enoch Phelps (age 45+)

Between 1820 and 1823 Enoch moved to Dallas Co. AL and in 1823 and 1825 he buys a total of 240 acres in Lowndes Co., AL while claiming residence in Dallas Co., AL.

Enoch Phelps named a son James Stewart Phelps, who was b. 1824 in Dallas Co., AL

In the 1830 census James Phelps (age 60-70) is enumerated in Dallas Co., AL.  Enoch Phelps (age 50-60) is enumerated in Lowndes Co., AL but an 1830 land purchase in Lowndes Co. by Enoch cites his residence as Dallas Co., AL. In 1834 and 1835, James S Phelps buys 160 acres in Lowndes Co., AL.

James Stewart Phelps’ (b. 1770) son George Washington Terrell Phelps (b. 1811) named a son William Enoch Phelps who was b. 1841 in Butler Co., AL.

In 1840 Enoch Phelps (age 60-70) is in Newton Co., MS, and James Phelps (age 60-70) is in Butler Co., MS.

M. David Phelps

New England Phelps Group Administrator

Additional comments 5/1/2008

Presumed son(s) of James Felps/Phelps and the case for Moses Phelps...

Currently we have attributed our Moses Phelps of Edgefield, SC with a birth estimated at before 1755. I believe this originates with the 1790 Edgefield, SC census where Moses is head of household in 1790 with 2 son's (one over the age of 16). Add and assumed minimum age of 19 for having a first child and this would place Moses Phelps' birth before 1755.

IF Moses Phelps is the father of James S Phelps who's birth is concluded to be 1770, then we would need to push Moses' age back to before 1751, making him at least 17 years old in 1768 (when James Felps' will was signed), 19+ years of age when his son James Stewart Phelps was born in 1770, and 30+ years of age when Moses enlisted in the Militia 1781.

Supporting this earlier birth date for Moses Phelps is his marriage to Miriam Davis which occurred before Oct of 1770 as documented in the 1770 land transaction paraphrased below. The actual marriage date may be several years earlier. I would think it a rare event for a 19 year old to be able to procure land for himself and his new wife.

On 1 Oct 1770 an entry in the Chowan Co, NC Deed Book H, no 137, describes a land transaction which I think can be summarized "chronologically" as follows:
1 Apr 1695, 888 acres in Perq.[uimans] was granted in Virginia to John Harris & John Larcum. This property descended to Rachel Redding who married John Davis. John and Rachel (Redding) Davis sold 56 (of the 888) acres in Perq. to Joshua Small, of Perq.. On 1 Oct 1770 Joshua Small of Perq. sold 1/5 part of 56 acres in Perq. to Moses and Miriam Phelps. Miriam is stated as being the daughter of John Davis, & his wife Rachel.   See "History of Perquimans County", the abstract of the deed is on page 223 of this book, but the actual deed is for Perquimans County deed book H, No.137.

We have a summary of the will for a James Felps/Phelps of Chowan, NC that had a son named Moses but have no proof they are the same Moses.
The Will of James Felps of Chowan, SC, signed 1768 cite the following relationships;
Son Thomas Felps
Dau Ann Felps
Son Aaron Felps
Son Moses Felps
Son William Felps (Inherited the plantation so it is possible he is
the eldest son)
Son Abraham Felps
Son Noah Felps
Wife Mary Felps

It appears that three of James Felp' sons; Noah, Abraham and Moses, are cited in the South Carolina Roster as having served during the Revolutionary War. Noah Phelps first enlisted in 1779, Abraham Phelps in 1780 and Moses Phelpes (sic) enlisted in 1781. The Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783. Could it be conjectured that they were minors when the war broke out and enlisted as they came of age? Or is it more likely that specific campaigns and the heightened level of activity in the Savannah, GA / Charleston, SC area in 1779 stimulated more enlistments?

Sincerely,

M. David Phelps