Estes Genealogies - Stew Estes

1. Martha (Patsy) Estes was born in 1762, married in 1783 James Cheek, and died in 1831.

3. Burroughs⁹ (Burris) Estes, Sr. was born about 1769 in Orange County, North Carolina, married on 26 May 1792, in Orange County, North Carolina, Martha “Patsy” (or Patty) Lloyd, and died in 1829 in Tennessee.

4. Susannah Estes was born in 1770, married in 1794 John Cheek, the brother of her sister Elizabeth’s husband James Cheek, and died on 18 January 1872.

Martha “Patsy” Estes was born in 1762. She married James Cheek in Orange County, North Carolina. The marriage bond was signed by James on 6 September 1783. The bondsman was William McCauley, who had signed the petition to spare the life of Martha's father the year before.) James Cheek was born 16 August 1762, in Brunswick County, Virginia. They had a son named Burroughs and several other children. Martha died in 1831. James died on 4 September 1833, in Orange County, North Carolina.

James served in the military between 1781 and 1783 in Orange County, North Carolina. In the summer of 1781 he served a three month term in the Light Horse Company commanded by Captain Abram Allen, with Joseph Young as Lieutenant; he was engaged in reconnoitering the British in Orange County and fought in the battle of Kirks in Orange County. During the winter of 1782-83 he volunteered again in the Company commanded by Captain Jacob Richards and was engaged in guarding the town of Hillsborough against Tories. He was granted a pension for this service effective March 1833.

Their grandson Jasper Allen Cheek died at Gettysburg. At least two other grandsons fought for the South.

A series of deeds shows that James owned land "on waters of New Hope Creek" North Carolina earlier than 1792.

The 1790 US Census for St. Thomas Parish, Hillsborough District, Orange County, North Carolina shows James Cheek. James is also listed in the Orange County Census for 1800 and 1810.

1. John Cheek, born about 1784, in Orange County, North Carolina, died 24 February 1848, Orange County, North Carolina. He married on 31 October 1818 in Orange County, North Carolina, Jinsey Williams, born 1799-1800 in North Carolina and died 1861 in Orange County, North Carolina, and was buried in Glenn-Cheek Cemetery, Durham County, North Carolina. They had four children, including Lt. Jasper Allen Cheek, who enlisted as a Corporal in Company C, 6th Infantry Regiment North Carolina, CSA on 1 May 1861 at the age of 25, and was killed on 1 July 1863 at Gettysburg.

2. James Cheek, born about 1785, Orange County, North Carolina, married on 15 February 1809, Orange County, North Carolina, Mary Hobbs;

3. Martha Cheek, born about 1790, Orange County, North Carolina; died 1832, Orange County, North Carolina. She married John Carr August 14, 1810 in Orange County, North Carolina, born February 15, 1781 in Loudon County, Virginia and died about 1860 in Orange County, North Carolina. She is buried in John Carr Cemetery, Orange County, North Carolina. She died in childbirth with their sixth child.

4. Abi [Abigail?] Cheek, born 1793, Orange County, North Carolina; died about 1870, Alleghany County, North Carolina. She married on 29 August 1810 in Orange County, North Carolina, William Andrews son of William Andrews and Starling, born about 1789 in Orange Grove, Orange County, North Carolina, and died about 1873. They had six children.

5. Anderson Cheek, born 1795-96, Orange County, North Carolina, died after September 17, 1866, Wake County, North Carolina. He married on August 30, 1819, Orange County, North Carolina, Temperance Williams, born 1800-01 in North Carolina, and died about 1880. They had five children.

6. Robert Cheek, born June 6, 1799, Orange County, North Carolina; died December 23, 1882, Alamance or Chatham County, North Carolina. He married (1) on 24 November 1824, Orange County, North Carolina (1) Martha Ann Sykes, daughter of John Sykes and Fanny Cates, born about 1798 in Orange County, North Carolina, and died about 1840 in Orange County, North Carolina. They had three children. He married (2) on 28 May 1841 in Orange County, North Carolina Rebecca Whitlock, born 3 January 1809 in Orange County, North Carolina, and died 3 February 1889 in Ore Hill, Chatham County, North Carolina. They had four children.

7. Burroughs Cheek, born 9 August 1801, Orange County, North Carolina, died 14 February 1874, Orange County, North Carolina. He married on 22 November 1825, Orange County, North Carolina Sarah Caroline Benton, born 7 October 1807 in Chapel Hill, Orange County, North Carolina, and died January 1892 in Orange County, North Carolina. They had seven children. Burrus Cheek enlisted as a Private on 3 March 1862 at the age of 50, in Company D, 1st Infantry Regiment North Carolina, CSA, and was detailed on 17 July 1862 at Gordonsville, Virginia (as a nurse). Their son John W. Cheek enlisted as a Private on 1 February 1865 at the age of 18 in Company G, 28th Infantry Regiment North Carolina. He surrendered with Company G, on 9 April 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Virginia.

8. Susannah B. Cheek, born about 1805, Orange County, North Carolina; died after 1880, Orange County, North Carolina. She married on 2 January 1824 in Orange County, North Carolina, Richard Sykes son of John Sykes and Fanny Cates, born 1795 in Orange County, North Carolina, and died about 1870 in Alamance County, North Carolina. They had five children.

9. Nancy Cheek, born 1809-10, Orange County, North Carolina, married Frederick Williams September 24, 1828 in Orange County, North Carolina son of David Williams born 1774 in Orange, North Carolina, and Lydia Workman born 1778 in Orange, North Carolina. He was born 1803-08 in Orange County, North Carolina. They had eleven children.

Elizabeth Estes was born in about 1765 in Orange County, North Carolina, and died after 1790. She married on 23 October 1798 in Orange County, North Carolina, Josiah Pitman, son of Thomas Pitman, born 1754-74, and died after 1830.

The 1800 US Census for Orange County, North Carolina shows Josiah Pitman age 26-45 (born 1754-1774), a female 16<26 (1774-1784), and a male <10 (1790-1800). Elizabeth and Josiah were involved in a lawsuit against Burroughs Estes in 1829. See file on Burroughs Estes for details.

Josiah signed the marriage bond 23 October 1790, in Orange County. The bondsman was her brother “Borughs Eastrid” (Burroughs Estes). She is listed as Elizabeth “Eastridge.”²

1. William Pittman, born March 8, 1805, North Carolina; died 2 June 1881, Industry, McDonough County, Illinois. He married (1) Evelina - , born 1823-24 in Kentucky, and married (2) on 23 November 1825 in Todd County, Kentucky, Nancy Wyatt, daughter of John Wyatt. They had thirteen children.

2. Burris Estridge Pittman, born 12 July 1806, Todd County, Kentucky; died 30 December 1879, Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. He married Miranda Jane Guynn 27 September 1844 in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky, born 22 January 1827 in Trigg County, Kentucky, and died 13 October 1903 in Muhlenberg County, Kentucky. They had nine children. He was the Common School Commissioner in Greenville, Kentucky in 1852, and the County Attorney in 1870.

3. Thomas A. Pittman, born on 12 July 1806, Todd County, Kentucky, and died 1870. He married on 23 February 1829 in Todd County, Kentucky Susan Lawson, born 1807-08 in Rockingham County, Virginia.

Burroughs Estes, the only son of Thomas Estes II and Elizabeth Burroughs, was born in 1769 (or 1765) in Orange County, North Carolina, and died in late 1829, in Paris, Henry County, Tennessee. He married on 26 May 1792, in Orange County, North Carolina, Martha “Patsy” (or Patty) Lloyd,⁴ who died after 1829.

His father, Thomas Estes II, likely named his only son Burroughs which became “Burris” and a family name that is still used today. Burroughs and Martha “Patsy” had ten children. Patsy survived him.

Burris’ father Thomas Estes II and Thomas’ younger brother Moses Estes died in the Revolutionary War. Based on his service, Moses had claim to a section (640 acres) of bounty land. Thomas was not exile, as his service was not voluntary, being undertaken to avoid a death sentence for treason. In 1820, Burris applied for this land, as the legal heir of Moses, who left no issue. With father Thomas II dead, and Burris the eldest brother, with three sisters, Burris applied for his uncle's bounty land. (His uncle James and others would later sue him for a piece of this land.) He located his claim in Henry County, Tennessee where he and his family moved from Orange County, North Carolina in about 1821-25. [Henry County was formed in 1821 from Indian lands.]

Burris was deeded 100 acres of land in 1828, shortly before his father’s death the following year. Burroughs was listed on the tax rolls for that year owning 200 acres. In 1827, he was listed with 465 acres. Burroughs died prior to the first part of December, 1829.

Burris died in the fall of 1829 near Paris, Henry County, Tennessee. His will, dated 6 August 1829, names his wife “Martha,” his three sons John, Thomas, and Burris Jr., his daughters, Dicey and Delilah, and one grandson, William Green. Daughter Elizabeth Estes Green (wife of Silas) had probably died, but other “daughters” were mentioned (likely Hannah, Susannah and Martha). Perhaps Burris left more to Dicey and Delilah because they were younger (or older) and not married, or because the others had moved away.

The will was witnessed by James M. Carr, a close friend or relative. Burris Estes, Jr. named one of his sons James Karr Estes, and the Karr name was carried down in several generations.

Based on his service to the State of North Carolina during the Revolution, Burris’ uncle Moses Estes was awarded a bounty land warrant, which was ultimately issued to Burris as his heir. After some litigation by his relatives, Burris executed the warrant on land in western Tennessee, which had previously been a part of the state of North Carolina. The warrant reads:

The deposition supporting the grant explains the relationships of Patriots and brothers Moses and Thomas II, and nephew/son Burris Estes:

I, Burris Estes, of the State and County aforesaid, being in my proper mind and memory, but low in health.

Item. I leave unto my beloved wife Martha Estes during her widow-hood the dwelling house where I now live and ninety acres of land adjoining, household furniture and stock of all kinds, farming tools, and at her death or end of her widowhood my will and desire is that the said ninety acres of land be given to my son John Estes. At the expiration of my wife Martha’s widowhood or death, my will and desire is that all of the stock and moveable property be sold and equally divided amongst my daughters at the death or end of widowhood of my wife, and also the balance of the land on which I now live if any.

I give to my son John Estes one roan colt called Jinnes(?), bridle and saddle.

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson William Green [son of Elizabeth Estes and Silas Green] one sorrell Filly and one years schooling and his mother’s part of my property.

Item. I give to my daughters Dicey & Delila one feather bed and furniture, one cow and calf each more than my other daughters.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Estes his equal share of land by deed heretofore rec’d.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Burris Estes his equal share of land by deed heretofore received.

Item. If the land lying over on big Harpeth River⁷ ever be got in my possession, my will and desire is that it be equally divided amongst all my children.

Item. My will and desire is that the ninety acres of land which my son John is to fall heir to at my wife’s death or expiration of her widowhood be run off as follows:

Beginning at the South West corner of the field which my house is on, running thence east to the Hazle Hollow branch. Thence down the branch to the lower corner of my barn field. Thence north to the north boundary line for the balance of the complement of the ninety acres of land.

Item. My will and desire is that Thomas Estes be my executor and that he should see that my grandson Wm. Green have his years schooling and that my children have their proportion as aforesaid.

This my last will and testament and hereby disanul and revoke all others by me made.

And after his death, Burris' will was contested in court on 7 December 1829, by Joseph Hastings, John Hastings, William Hastings and William Royall who all said it was not the will of Burris Estes. John Hastings was the husband of Burris’ daughter Hannah; and, daughter Susannah married James Hastings. Less than three months later, on 1 March 1830, these four men withdrew their complaint, agreed to pay all costs expended on behalf of their complaint. Burris Estes' will was approved, with Thomas Estes the administrator.

the last will and testament of Burris Estes was this day produced in open court and the probate thereof objected to by Joseph Hastings, John Hastings, William Hastings and William Royall [possibly the husband of daughter Dicey] who say that it is not the will of Burris Estes deceased and pray that the same be enquired of by the County, and the executor named in said will Thomas Estes doth ?the? like whereupon it is considered by the court that a Jury be impaneled at this term of the Court to enquire of the same. Tuesday, December 8, 1829, On motion it is ordered by the court that Thomas Estes be appointed administrator of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of Burris Estes deceased during the pendency of a suit now at issue in Henry County Court, Thomas Estes vs. Joseph Hastings and others who thereupon entered into bond of twelve hundred dollars with Burris Estes and John Carroll as his securities and was qualified according to law.

Thomas Estes, Executor vs. Joseph Hastings, John Hastings, William Hastings & William Royal. This cause by consent of parties is continued until the next term of this court and it is agreed that either party may take the depositions of witnesses to be read as evidence upon the hearing of the cause ?each? giving the other party legal notice of time and place.

Thomas Estes administrator pendente lite of all and singular the goods and chattels rights and credits of [his father] Burris Estes deceased this day returned into open court an Inventory of the property of said deceased which was received and ordered to be recorded.

Thomas Estes, Executor vs. Joseph Hastings, John Hastings, William Hastings & William Royal. This day the defendants in proper person come into court and withdraw their objections to the probate of the will of Burris Estes deceased and agree to pay all the costs. It is therefore considered by the court that the plaintiff recover of the defendant the costs in this behalf expended and that they be in Mercy & C.

Thomas Estes who was appointed executor of the last will and testament of Burris Estes deceased this day appeared in open court and entered into bond of two thousand dollars with John S. Cates and Burris Estes as his securities and was qualified according to law.

Patsy may be the daughter of Frederick Lloyd and Mary Lacey.⁹ We know that a Lloyd family lived in Orange County during this period, and had other connections to the Estes family.

Coincidentally, William Andrews, Sr. born 1748/49, died 1824 in Orange County, is the grandfather of Thomas Estes’ wife Millie Cate. It is believed that his wife was Mary Lloyd. Mary Lloyd is possibly the daughter of John Lloyd, Sr., and Elizabeth Evans. Mary was probably born around 1750-1755 and died before 1824 in Orange County. ¹⁰

Susannah Estes, daughter of Thomas Estes II and Elizabeth Burroughs, was born in 1770 and died in 1872 in North Carolina. She married on 1 April 1794 in Orange County, North Carolina, John Cheek, the brother of her sister Elizabeth’s husband James Cheek, and died on 18 January 1872. John Cheek was born about 1768, in Orange County, and died on 26 July 1827 Orange County, North Carolina.

Susannah and James lived on a 200 acre tract on waters of New Hope Creek, bounded on the north by heirs of Jonathan Hobbs, on the east by Thomas D. Faucette, on the south by Baxter Davis, and on the west by Frederick Williams. John died intestate on 26 July 1827, in Orange County. He possessed this land at the time of his death, but record of its acquisition has not been found. Susan petitioned the court to allot a year's support and inheritance to her and "several small children." This was granted, and reports of the maintenance allotment and of sale of personal property were filed with the Court on 18 October 1827, by the Administrator, William Brown. Of 94 lots in the personal estate sale, 37 lots (kitchen and household items and livestock) were purchased by the widow, Susan Cheek; 29 lots (farming implements) were purchased by son John Cheek, 9 lots by son Stanford Cheek, and one or two lots each by cousins Anderson Cheek, Burroughs Cheek and Morgan Cheek. The land remained undivided until sold by Court order upon petition of the widow and children on 25 May 1846.¹¹

The widow and younger children may have continued to live on the New Hope farm for several years. Susan Cheek was head of a household in the 1840 Census. In 1850, 1860, and 1870, Susan was living with her daughter Susan who married Sanders Cates. She likely lived with one of her children until her death in 1872, at the age of 102.

John he was murdered in 1827 by a knife wound to the groin by David Hobbs, who had some conflict with his oldest son James Cheek. John Cheek and Hobbs, along with John's nephew Willis Cheek and several other men of the community were on their way home from a tax gathering at Brown's Mills in the twilight. All men were intoxicated and a couple of scuffles broke out between Cheek, who was carrying a walking stick, and Hobbs, who drew his knife. The wound must have severed the femoral artery, for John Cheek died within minutes of it being inflicted and Hobbs immediately fled. While Willis Cheek, son of James, referred to John Cheek as his uncle, this does not necessarily prove that John Cheek and James Cheek were brothers because their wives were also sisters -- daughters of Thomas and Elizabeth Estridge.¹²

1. John Cheek, born September 6, 1794, Orange County, North Carolina; died March 4, 1850, Orange County, North Carolina;

2. Ellis Cheek, born about 1795. He is named as a son of John Cheek in a petition to the 1846 Spring Term of the Orange County Court for sale of land on New Hope Creek, part of the estate of John Cheek; all heirs were named. According to family tradition, two of the older brothers "went away to the South" as young men. James has been traced to Laurens District, South Carolina where other Cheek families lived; Ellis might have gone with his brother;

3. James A. Cheek, born 1795-1801; married Deborah Wallis, November 28, 1822; died before November 1835. They had two daughters. He moved to Laurens District, South Carolina. In papers presented to the Orange County Court concerning settlement of the estate of his late wife dated 29 November 1835, March 1837, and 8 December 1837, James Cheek and his daughters were listed as residents of Laurens District. Burroughs Cheek acted as agent of James Cheek, through power of attorney, in liquidation of certain property in Orange County;

4. Stanford Cheek, born 1796-98, Orange County, North Carolina; died about 1880, in Morgan County, Georgia;

5. Ruffin Cheek, born 1814-15, Orange County, North Carolina; died after 1880, in Orange County, North Carolina;

6. Susannah Cheek, born 1817-20, Orange County, North Carolina; died 1900- 10, in Durham County, North Carolina; and,

7. Nash Cheek, born August 29, 1823, Orange County, North Carolina; died November 22, 1904, in Durham, Durham County, North Carolina.

2 North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-1868, Bond No. 000100008, Record No. 02 320; Witness: M Hart.

3 The next several generations can be found on the Estes Yahoo Group website.

4 The bondsman for marriage was James Cheek -- the husband of Burrough’s sister Martha "Patsy" Estes. Marriages of Orange County, North Carolina 1779-1868 (Genealogical Publishing Co. Baltimore, Md 1983), at 99 ("Boroughs Estes & Patty Lloyd - 26 May 1792").

5 1820 Land Warrant No. 16991 (quoted in Harriett Hart Beach, The Ancestors and Descendents of Joseph Harvey and Mary Wiseman Harvey (Mss. 1989: Carlsbad, Cal.)(in possession of Walla Walla Valley Genealogical Society), at 43.

6 Transcribed by Beach, Harvey Family, Note 87, at 44. See also, Edythe Whitley, Henry County Old Time Stuff, Will Abstracts (1968, reprinted 1998), at 23. Wills 1828-1832, page 61 (58), Henry County. Tennessee. North Carolina State Records, Note 80, at 914-15.

7 Coincidentally, Burris’ great-grandson James Madison Estes married Mary Adeline McCord whose great-grandfather David McCord, Jr. had also purchased land on the Big Harpeth River in 1801 and lived there until his death in 1818. See, Note 43, Estes, Bills-Hutchins-Estes Families, Note 43 at pp. 339.

8 Henry County, Tennessee Court Minutes, Book 6, Pages 122-123, 233-235.

9 Estes Family, http://mjgen.com/estes/estes.html. But see, Rootsweb posting of 18 April 1999 http://archiver.rootsweb.ancestry.com/th/read/VA-SOUTHSIDE/1999-04/0924450836 listing the “four known children of Frederick Lloyd and Mary Lacey” as Elizabeth, Frederick, Lacy Henry, and John, all born in Orange County.

11 Orange County, North Carolina Estate Papers, Box C.R./073/508/10, NC Archives.

12 Criminal Action papers for Orange County, North Carolina, at North Carolina State Archives, CR 073.366.27 in the second folder marked "1827.”