Orange County was formed in 1752 from the upper parts of Granville, Johnston and Bladen Counties. It covered a huge part of central North Carolina from the Virginia border southward. It covered seven current counties:
Part was added back to Johnston in 1761
Chatham County was carved out in 1770
Wake & Guilford Counties were formed partly from Orange in 1770
Caswell County was carved out in 1777. (Person County was formed from Caswell in 1791)
Alamance was carved out in 1841
Durham was formed from Orange and Wake in 1881
1753 Orange County tax list: No Rountrees
1755 Orange County tax list: No Rountrees.
1752-1766 No mention of Rountrees in court records [Ruth Herdon Shields, Abstracts of the Minutes…Orange County… September 1752 through August 1766, (Self-published, 1965)]
1767- May 1777 Orange County Court records are missing from November 1767 to May 1777. Some deeds are also missing for this general period.
10 December 1776 Election: Freeholders of Orange County voting for representatives to Continental Congress. Thos. Rountree. [North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 10, No. 2, p102.]
This is the earliest record of Thomas Rountree in Orange County. According to Joseph Rountree’s 1867 statement, he must have arrived in North Carolina sometime in the mid 1760s (after the births of three children)
29 August 1777. Road Order: Ordered that Thomas Roundtree be appointed Overseer of road leading by Joseph Allison’s from Caswell County line to the So. fork of Little River. [FHL Film #7837456, page unnumbered, images 27-28.].]
The location fits with the location of his land in the northeastern part of present-day Orange County.
14 August 1778 Warrant: Thomas Rutherford 300 acres “on Lick branch a branch of Flat River bounded on the north by land of Robert Berry & Thomas Roundtree running for complement.” Survey dated 11 June 1779 shows a rectangular tract on the eastern side of a creek, no adjacent landowners. Grant issued 13 March 1780 for 247 acres. Not recorded in Orange County deed books. [North Carolina Land Patent Book 32, p415 and loose papers associated with File #863.]
10 December 1778. Warrant: Daniel McMahon 200 acres “on both sides Mill Creek a water of Flat River bounded on the east by land of Michael Robinson & Thomas Roundtree…” Survey dated 11 June 1779 shows a rectangular plot, no adjacent lands identified. Grant issued for 200 aces on 15 March 1780. [North Carolina Land Patent Book 32, p415 and loose papers associated with File #839.]
Both of these two tracts are in Northeastern Orange County almost on the border with present-day Person County (then Caswell County.). Lick Creek crosses the county line to empty into the Flat River in Person County. I can’t locate Mill Creek, probably a very small branch. There are no grants to Thomas Rountree and no deeds – but quite a few early Orange County deeds are lost or otherwise unrecorded.
1779 Tax List: “A list of the taxable persons in the County of Orange with the Amt. of their taxable property, vizt for the year 1779”. Thomas Roundtree — 1240. [Original tax list submitted to the General Assembly, at NC Archives, p40 of 58.]
Thomas Rountree appears to have arrived sometime in the 1760s or perhaps 1770s. I could find no trace of him in Pennsylvania. The 1780 tax list tells us that he was deeded 130 acres, but the deed is among the many missing deeds of Orange County. The property that was valued for taxes included “Lands, lots, houses, slaves, money, money at interest, stock in trade, horses and cattle” according to the 1777 law that enabled the tax.
May 1780. Juror: Thomas Rountree among those to be summoned for jury duty at the next court. [Alma Cheek Redden, Abstracts of the Minutes of the Inferior Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions of Orange County, NC 1777-1788(Artistic Letter Shop, 1966), Part I, p49.]
1 April 1780. Orange County Tax List, Hillsborough District:
Thos. Roundtree 130 acres deeded 4 horses, 20 cattle value $1,210
[North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 11, No. 4, p232.]
24 November 1780 Will: William Wilson: wife Mary, daughter Mary, sons Samuel and Gregory… “I desire my trusty friends Richard Holeman & Thomas Roundtree to be my sole executors and trustees to manage and dispose of my estate…” [Orange County Will Book A, p229.]
Richard Holeman was taxed in Person County in 1777-1780, apparently lived on Flat River not far above where it crosses through a little corner of Orange County
12 December 1781 Revolutionary Claim: Hillsborough District: This may certify that Thos. Rountree exhibited his claim and was allowed £2:6:3. [NC Revolutionary Pay Vouchers 1779-1782.]
This doesn’t mean that he was a soldier, though it certainly qualifies him as a DAR Patriot. These are claims for goods or services provided for the troops.
November 1782 Juror: Thomas Rountree among those sworn as jurors and as grand jurors. [Redden, Part II, p6 and p8.]
29 October 1784 NC General Assembly: Resolved, That Alexander Mebane be allowed the sum of forty-six pounds sixteen shillings, for services performed as a member of the Board of Auditors for the District of Hillsborough. Britain Sanders Sixteen pounds nineteen shillings, Josiah Watts Seven pounds four shillings and William Rountree nineteen pounds four shillings for services performed as clerks of the said Board. [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 19, p734.]
The District of Hillsborough encompassed the counties of Orange, Granville, Wake, Chatham, and Caswell. The Board of Auditors inspected and paid Revolutionary War claims. Whether this was the same William Rountree of not is not certain, but he surely lived in one of those counties.
20 December 1784 Will: John Hall… I allow my father-in-law William Deal to live on the place where he now lives during his pleasure for one shilling rent… unto my daughter Rebecca Hall one cow… to Jean Hall my beloved wife the third of my real and personal estate… remainder of my estate real and persona to be equally divided between the remainder of my children William Hall, Robert Hall, Mary Hall, Sarah Hall, John Hall, Thomas Hall & Rachel Hall. …”I appoint & Constitute Thomas Rountree & William Rountree my executors., both of Orange County.” Signed: John (x) Hall. Witness: Wm. Buchanon, Wm. McKie. Proved February Court 1785. [Orange County Will Book A, p319.]
John & Jean Hall, along with her father William Deal, were among the founders of the Little River Presbyterian Church in 1761. The church was (and still is) located in northeastern Orange County about a mile southwest of the town of Caldwell. What happened to William Rountree? He was apparently he eldest son of Thomas Rountree.
1785-1787. NC State Census: Orange County’s census is lost. Caswell County’s census was taken in 1787 but no Rountrees were enumerated in Caswell.
15 November1786 Warrant: to Charles Rountree for 50 acres on waters of Little River adjoining Robert Berry. Entered 5 April 1787. Eventually Surveyed 7 May 1793 with chain carriers Samuel Wilson and John Berry. Grant issued 2 June 1800. [NC Land Grants Loose Images in Grant File #2473.]
25 February 1790 Bill of Sale: Vincent Peter Williamson of Orange County and town of Hillsborough to Charles Holeman of Caswell County, Lots 70, 71, 89, 90 in the town of. Hillsborough with a dwelling house, one negro woman named Philis aged 45, two horses… Witness: Wm. Cumming, Will. Rountree. [Orange County Will Book B, p84.]
Is this the same William Rountree? Where is he living? He’s not on the 1790 tax list.
1790 Tax List, Hillsboro District, Orange County, p93:
Thos. Rountree 1 white poll, 130 acres
(several names intervene)
John Rountree 1 white poll
Charles Rountree 1 white poll
The 1790 Federal Census no longer exists for Orange County so this substitutes.. The Hillsborough District, for tax purposes, encompassed the northern half of present-day Orange County.
10 September 1791. Will: Jean Hall (widow of John Hall) appoints executors Thos. Roundtree and Robert Hall. Witness: Charles Roundtree, Lydia Roundtree. [Orange County Will Book B, p174.]
1791. Gravestone: T.(?) Rountree (died) 1791 —- 30 — (unreadable) [Gravestone in Little River Presbyterian Church Cemetery, reported at https://cemeterycensus.com/nc/orng/cem039.htm along with photo at findagrave.]
Not clear if this is a man or woman. Photo of gravestone is unreadable beyond the name. “30” might be the age – memorializing someone who lived 1761-1791. Whoever it was, they were not on the 1790 tax list. This would certainly fit as the gravestone of William Rountree, who must have been born before 1762. This graveyard, with several Rountree graves, is located in northeastern present-day Orange County, about a mile southwest of the center of the town of Caldwell.
23 February 1793. Marriage Bond: Jno. Rountree and Jealsey(?) Thompson. Bondsman John Thompson. [Orange County Marriage Bonds]
In the original bond, the first two letters of her name are not clear.
17 April 1793 Deed: William Lockhart of Ornge County to John Roundtree of Person County, for £180, 200 acres in Person County on Flat River… beginning at a sapling on the south bank of the river on John Cates new line and thence with his line N 55 chains crossing the river… Signed: William Lockhart, Sarah (x) Lockhart. Witness: James Baldrige, Thomas Rountree. [Person County Deed Book A, p143.]
20 January 1794 Deed: John Wilson & his mother Elizabeth Wilson, planter, to Charles Rountree, blacksmith, all of Orange County, for £250 current money, 246 3/4 acres on the waters of Flat River Quearl Creek beginning at a red oak running S58E 23 chains to a stake then E 20 chains… (no neighbors mentioned). Signed: John Wilson, Rachel Wilson, Elizabeth (x) Wilson. Witness: Thos. Rountree, Sam’l Wilson. [Orange County Deed Book 10, p209.]
27 March 1794 Marriage Bond: Charles Rountree and Nancy Robinson. Bondsman: Nath. Farmer. [Orange County Marriage Bonds]
6 March 1797 Warrant: To Charles Rountree for 87 acres adjoining his own land. Survey 8 March 1797 with chain carriers Samuel Wilson and John Berry. [NC Land Grants Loose Images in Grant File #2146.]
5 April 1797 Land Grant: State of North Carolina to Charles Roundtree “a tract of land containing 87 acres lying and being in our county of Orange on the waters of Little River adjoining his own land Beginning at a stake his corner on Robert Berry’s line, running south thusly 8 chains… to a pine Samuel Wilson’s corner… said Rountree‘s corner… [NC Land Patent Book 90, p271. Recorded in Orange County Deed Book 5, p734.]
“His own land” refers to the 50 acres he had surveyed but was not yet granted.
5 March 1799 Marriage Bond: Andrew Rountree and Polly Robertson, Jno. Rountree bondsman. [Person County Marriage Bonds]
20 August 1799 Deed: Michael Robinson to Thos. Rountree Jr., both of Orange County, for $400 Spanish milled dollars, 174 acres on the waters of Lick Creek & Birds Creek & the waters of Flat River & bounded as followeth (viz) beginning at a Locust tree near said Robinson’s barn thence running south 17 chains to a stake thence east 63 chains to a stake… (no other neighbors mentioned.) Signed: Michael Robinson. Witness: Wm. Cock, Sa. Wilson.
Byrds Creek and Lick Creek flow roughly northeast – about 2-3 miles apart – into the Flat River in Person County. About half the creeks are in Person and half in Orange.
10 April 1800 Bill of Sale: Alexander Gray Senr. and Junr and John Gray, to Charles Rountree of Orange County, negro Boy named George. [Person County Deed Book C, p409.]
2 June 1800 Land Grant: Charles Rountree, 50 acres on the waters of Little River adjoining the land of Robert Berry… Entered 5 April 1787. [NC Land Patent Book 108, p48 as File #2473.]
The three parcels of Charles Rountree were nearly adjacent to his father’s tract.
1800 Census
Orange County, page 844:
Charles Roundtree 1 0 0 1 0 – 3 0 1 0 0 + 1 slave
Thomas Roundtree 0 1 1 0 1 – 1 0 0 1 1
Person County, page 217
John Roundtree 2 0 1 1 0 – 2 0 0 1 0
Neither Thomas Rountree Jr. nor Charles Rountree the younger are heads of household. Thomas Jr., who is 24, would probably be the male 16-26 in his father’s household. Charles Rountree therefore would evidently be the male 16-26 in John Rountree’s household.
13 September 1803 Will: Thomas Rountree of Orange County… unto my son Joseph Rountree my estate of land upon condition of him maintaining his mother during my widow (sic) with the household furniture to her. I do appoint what cash is at my death to be kept at interest and the interest given to her yearly… I likewise allow my son Joseph and my wife the stock and crops, stock of horses and cows. I will unto my son John Rountree and Charles Rountree and Andrew Rountree, Thomas Rountree, Lydia Cate, Rachel Jacobs five shillings each. I do allow what money is left of my estate at my wife’s decease or marriage to be divided into eight shares, Andrew and Thomas is to have two shares each, John one share, Charles one share, Lydia one share, Joseph one share. Two years from this time I allow Rachel one cow… unto my granddaughter Elizabeth Hannah one cow (and Joseph to raise a horse for her) …appoint my sons John Rountree and Charles Rountree my executors… Signed: Thos. Rountree. Witness: Thompson McKissack, Wm. McKissack. [Orange County Loose Wills, FHL Film #4770549, image 476 of 686.]
Thompson and William McKissack were neighbors – see the 1807 deed below.
4 September 1804 Marriage Bond: Thomas Rountree and Victoria Robertson, bondsman Joseph Rountree. [Orange County Marriage Bonds]
The bondsman’s name is Rountree in. the original but erroneously rendered as “Robertson” in some abstracts.
23 March 1805 Gravestone: Thomas Rountree. “T. Rountree Died March the 23 1805 Aged 72 year” [Gravestone in Little River Presbyterian Church Cemetery, reported at https://cemeterycensus.com/nc/orng/cem039.htm along with photo at findagrave.com]
A modern plaque was added that reads: ” Thomas Rountree born in Ireland 1733. Emigrated to U.S.A. 1752. Died in N. Carolina 1805. Has many descendents (sic).”
The modern plaque is based on Joseph Rountree’s 1867 statement.
20 September 1806. Deed: Michael Robinson to Thomas Rountree, both of Orange County, for $738 Spanish milled dollars, 192 acres on the waters of Lick Creek & Bird Creek the waters of Flat River. Beginning at an ash on the bank of Lick Creek Robinson & Cock’s corner in the county line, thence west 57 1/2 chains along the county line to a black jack John Reeves corner then S31W 10 chains to a black jack, then south 3 1/2 chains to a pine Thomas Rountree‘s corner, thence east 73 1/2 chains to a stump in the great road… S5E 3 1/2 chains to a white oak in Joseph Rountree‘s line…thence east on Robinson & Rountree‘s line 15 chains to a sassafras on the bank of Lick Creek… Signed: Michael (x) Robinson. Witness: John Ray, Joseph Rountree. [Orange County Deed Book 12, p367.]
This is significant. This land on the “county line” adjoined the tract that Thomas Rountree (Junior) had purchased in 1799, giving him 366 acres (more or less) – the 1833 petition to sell this land described it as 360 acres on Lick Creek mostly in Orange County with a small portion in Person County. That is, spanning the county line.
Note that this tract adjoined Joseph Rountree, whose land must have been the tract he inherited from his father. Therefore the land of Thomas Rountree Senior must have been on or near Lick Creek close to the Orange-Person border.
17 November 1806 Marriage Bond: Joseph Rountree and Nancy Nichols, Willis Nichols bondsman. [Person County Marriage Bonds]
31 January 1807 Deed: Thompson McKissack of Caswell County to William McKissack & William Cock of Person County, for £225, two tracts, the first 40½ acres on waters of Flat Creek adjoining the land of Thomas Rountreebeginning at a black oak Daniel Mackins corner running North 8¼ chains to a stake on said Rountree’s line thence East 49¼ chains on said Rountree’s line thence South 8¼ chains to a stake on said Rountree’s line… the second 200 acres adjoining, (no neighbors identified)… [Orange County Deed Book 12, p322.]
Thompson McKissack and William McKissack were witnesses to the 1803 will of Thomas Rountree. It isn’t clear to me whether this description refers to the land of Thomas Rountree Senior or Junior, as those tracts adjoined. The 40.5 acre plot had been sold to McKissack by Michael Robinson, who had earlier sold to Thomas Rountree Junior. But Daniel “Mackin” refers to the 1780 grant to Daniel McMahan that bordered the land of Thomas Rountree Senior.
1810 Census
Orange County, page 936:
Joseph Roundtree 1 1 0 1 0 – 0 0 1 0 0
Thomas Roundtree 0 0 0 2 0 – 0 0 0 1 0 + 1 slave
(6 names intervene)
Charles Rountree 1 1 0 1 0 – 4 2 0 1 0 + 5 slaves
Orange County, page 951:
Cha’s Rountree 0 0 0 1 0 – 1 0 0 1 0
Person County, p143:
John Rountree 1 2 0 0 1 – 3 1 1 1 0 + 15 slaves
11 February 1811
Deed: Joshua Cate Junr. Of Person County to Charles Rountree of Orange County, for £250, 221 ½ acres on waters of Flat River… beginning at an ash on the bank of Quarrel Creek & running thence W 30 chains & 35 links on Wm. Daniels line… Hardin Pain’s line… Pains & Charles Holeman’s line… Witness: James Williamson, Jno. Rountree. [Person County Deed Book D, p312.]
This is the second Charles Rountree of the 1810 Orange County census. He must have been over 21 so is apparently a son of John Rountree by some earlier marriage. He is the Charles Rountree who died in December 1816.
1 November 1814. Marriage Bond: Charles Rountree & Mary Ann Bowers, Jesse Evans bondsman. [Person County Marriage Bonds]
25 January 1815 Mortgage: Charles Rountree of Person County to Thomas Sneed of same… whereas Charles Rountree is justly indebted to Jesse Evan for $450 by two bonds, one due 25 December 1816 for $100 and the other due in the year 1823 for $250… bonds to Mathias Nichols for which Jesse Evans was security… mortgages 300 (sic) acres (as described in the 1811 deed). Signed: Charles Rountree. Witness: Jo. Rountree. [Person County Deed Book D, p427.]
29 December 1815 Will: Charles Rountree of Orange County… to my beloved wife Nancy one negro man named Jo, one mare named Harlot, two cows & calves, one half of my stock of sheep (etc.)… all my negroes except the above willd Jo shall be sold and the money… be equally divided among my children as they come of age… (land and household goods left to Nancy and to be sold at her death or marriage with the proceeds divided among the children… livestock ditto) … my still and smith tools shall be sold and the money arising from the sale of them to be equally divided among my children… I hereby make and ordain my brothers Thomas Rountree and Joseph Rountree executors of this my last will and testament. Signed: Charles Rountree. Witness: Jno. Rountree. Proved at February 1816 court by oath of Jno. Rountree. [Orange County Loose Wills, FHL Film #4770549, image 468 of 686. A copy made by the clerk is recorded in Will Book D, p467.]
Note that the will does not name any children. Only Thomas Rountree qualified as executor.
3 January 1816 Gravestone: “Charles Rountree BORN Sep 25 1769 DIED Jan 3 1816 Ag’d 46 Y’s 3 M’s 8 D’s” [Gravestone in Little River Presbyterian Church Cemetery, reported at https://cemeterycensus.com/nc/orng/cem039.htm along with photo at findagrave.com
1816. Federal Direct Tax List, Orange County: (Name – Residence – Acreage – Value)
Thomas Roundtree Little River 366 acres valued at $1,215
Charles Rountree Little River 382 1/4 acres valued at $1,264
Joseph Rountree Little River 130 acres valued at $560
Joseph Rountree is credited with the 130 acres he inherited from his father.
February 1817 Petition for one year’s provisions: Mary Anne Rountree, widow and Relict of Charles Rountree dec’d… Charles Rountree her late husband departed this life intestate in the month of December last leaving your Petitioner his relict and widow, tho leaving no crop nor stock of provisions… Jesse Evans has taken out letters of administration… [Person County Loose Estate Files]
In the same file is an estate account current later copied into a will book, dated 10 April 1819 showing small judgments against Joseph Rountree, James Daniel, Nicholas Thompson, Henry Hobbs, William McKissack and others. The estate was valued at roughly $354. [Person County Wills, Inventories Etc. Book 1818-1820, p248.]
Jesse Evans was security for the bonds that Charles Rountree mortgaged the land to secure.
20 February 1817 Inventory: Estate of Charles Rountree taken by Jesse Evans Administrator – two horses, three cows, 3,500 shingles… two beds, two tables, six chairs,.. note on Hugh Woods for $72.83, an account on William Hannah for $6. Filed at May Court 1817 along with an account of the estate sale, which yielded $278.62. [Person County Wills, Inventories, etc. Book 1815-1817, p299.]
This is the younger Charles Rountree – both men named Charles Rountree died at about the same time.
23 July 1817 Deed: John Rountree of Person County to Sam’l Evans of Wilson County, Tennessee, for $1,200, 200 acres on the Flat River (same description as the tract bought in 1793). Signed: John Rountree. Witness: Thos. Rountree, Thos. Evans, Jesse Evans. [Person County Deed Book E, p32.]
John Rountree selling out the land he bought in 1793 in order to move to Maury County, Tennessee.
1817-1818 Missing Deed: I did not find a deed by Joseph Rountree selling the land (presumably 130 acres) that he inherited from his father’s will. There are no deeds at all from Joseph Rountree in the grantee index.
18 November 1818 Deed: Thomas Roundtree, the executor to the will of Charles Roundtree dec’d to Richard Holeman, for $2,100, three tracts of land: the first a tract of 246 3/4 acres… Beginning at a red oak running 58E (sic) 23 chains to a stake…(the same parcel purchased of John Wilson in 1794) it being the place whereon the aforementioned Charles Roundtree lived & died on the waters of Flat River and Quarrel Creek… the second tract of 50 acres on the waters of Little River adjoining the land of Robert (sic) and perhaps now owned by Rankin McKee… the third tract of 87 acres beginning at a stake the corner of the first mentioned tract of land on Robert Berry & now Henry Berry line running south 38 chains to a stake on said line…(these two were his grants from the State of North Carolina.) Signed: Thomas Roundtree. Witness: James Gooch, L. V. Hargis. [Orange County Deed Book 12, p367.]
February 1820 Accountings of estate of Charles Rountree filed. Estate valued at roughly $3,118. Legacies of $350.86 paid to Sally (Rountree) Robinson, Betsy Rountree, David Rountree, Rebekah Rountree, Franky Rountree (a female), Jane Rountree, Harvey Rountree, and Polly Rountree. [Orange County Estate Papers, FHL Film #7384121, images 92 etc. of 1828.]]
Read through these papers quickly. Descendants might want to study them more carefully. NOTE: Papers regarding the estates of Charles Rountree and Thomas Rountree are intermixed throughout both files.
1820 Census
Orange County, p402:
Victor Rountree 1 1 0 0 0 0 – 0 0 2 2 0 + 4 slaves (Victory, widow of Thomas Rountree)
Person County, p456:
Jesse Evans
Richard Holeman
(2 names intervene)
Charles Rountree 3 0 0 0 1 0 – 1 1 0 1 0
The census is undated but must have been taken in August or later if Thomas Rountree, who died in late July, was already dead. John Rountree and Andrew Rountree are in Maury County, Tennessee.
28 July 1820 Will: Thomas Rountree… to my beloved wife Victory all my property except one rifle gun, also it is my will that my executors sets my foure negroes free at thirty years of age. I give and bequeath my rifle gun to Newl Cate… beloved wife Victory Rountree my sole executor… Signed: Thos. Rountree. Witness: Wm. Armstrong. [Orange County Wills Vol. 11, FHL Film #4770549, image 478. A copy of the will was made in Will Book D, p148.]]
The will did not have the required two witnesses. It appears to have been written in his own hand, with strikeouts in the original, probably was written on his deathbed. The omission of a second witness resulted in the petition to lay off dower and the Court of Equity petition to sell the land 13 years later.
August 1820 Court Record: Victory Rountree renounced the executorship in August 1820 and William Armstrong was appointed administrator with the will annexed of Thomas Rountree. [paper in 1832 court case at FHL Film #7384121, image 133 of 1828.]
Thomas Rountree died almost immediately after writing his will. According to the referenced court case, which was filed in 1822, Victory remarried to William Lipscomb who sued William Armstrong to force a settlement of the remaining estate of Thomas Rountree.
2 September 1820 Administration Bond: William Armstrong bond as administrator with the will annexed of the estate of Thomas Rountree. Securities: John Young, William Bowls. [FHL Film #7384121, image 138 of 1828.]
The widow Victory renounced the executorship [See paper in court record of 1832 at FHL Film #7384121, image 133 of 1828.]. A court-appointed replacement to an executor named in a will is referred to as administrator with the will annexed
2 September 1820 Administration Bond: William Bowls bond as administrator with the will annexed of the estate of Charles Rountree. Securities: David Allen, William Armstrong, William Hannah. [FHL Film #7384121, image 138 of 1828.]
Thomas Rountree died before settling the estate of Charles Rountree. William Bowles, who married the widow Nancy Rountree, succeeded him both as guardian of the minor children of Charles Rountree and as administrator of Charles Rountree’s estate.
November 1820 Initial inventory of Thomas Rountree estate, undated but filed in November Court 1820. [Orange County Estate Files, FHL Film #7384121, images 259 etc. of 1828.]
August 1820 Petition to lay off dower: Victory Rountree widow & relict of her late husband Thomas Rountree deceased, John Rountree, Joseph Rountree, Andrew Rountree, William Jacobs and Rachel his wife, Alexander Robinson and Saly (sic) his wife, Polly Rountree & of Lawrence V. Hargis guardian of the infant & minor children of Lydia Cates deceased, two wit: Susan Cates, Rufus Cates, Jack Cates, Newel Cates, & Jenet Cates & Louisa Cates – against – Betsey Rountree, David Rountree, Rebecca Rountree, Frances Rountree, Jenet Rountree, & Harvey Rountree minor children & heirs at law of Charles Rountreedeceased.
Sheweth that the aforesaid Thomas Rountree late of Orange County deceased departed this life in the month of July last leaving a last will & testament, but which for want of two subscribing witnesses thereto is insufficient to pass his real estate. That the aforementioned Victory Rountree is the widow him surviving & that she and her late husband have no children now living. That your petitioners John Rountree, Joseph Rountree, Andrew Rountree, Rachel intermarried with William Jacobs, the brothers and sister him surviving. That Lydia another sister intermarried with (blank) Cates died some years ago leaving her children the aforementioned infants Susanna Cates, Sally Cates, Rufus Cates, Newel Cates, Jenet Cates & Luisa Cates who now survive the aforesaid deceased Thomas Rountree, and that Charles Rountree another brother of the aforesaid Thomas Rountree died some years past leaving the aforesaid petitioners & defendants his children & heirs at law who now survives the said Thomas Rountree deceased, to wit: Polly Rountree & Sallywho intermarried with your petitioner Alexander Robinson, who are of lawful age, and Betsy Rountree, David Rountree, Rebecca Rountree, Frankey Rountree, Jenet Rountree & Harvey Rountree infants and minors under the age of twenty one years… (declare that they are heirs of the land that) Thomas Rountree died seized & possessed of, a tract of land whereon he lived containing between three and four hundred acres on Lick Creek in the county aforesaid and bounded by the lands of Thomas Evans, Henry Berry and Nancy Armstrong, James Armstrong and James Cocke. (Petitioners pray that dower be laid off for Victory Rountree. Filed at August Court 1820)
[Orange County Estate Files, FHL Film #7384121, images 269-271 of 1828.]
The dower land was apparently laid off. Victory was alive as late as 1832 (see below) but must have died in 1833. Since her dower land was for her lifetime only, the heirs of Thomas Rountree petitioned in September 1833 for the tract to be sold and the proceeds divided among them.
1 December 1832 Bond: William Armstrong, administrator of Thomas Rountree, bond for $275.71 to William Lipscomb & his wife Victory Lipscomb. [FHL Film #7384121, image 205 of 1828.]
Victory Rountree remarried to William Lipscomb by bond dated 7 March 1823, and Lipscomb sued William Armstrong to settle the estate..
September 1833 Court of Equity Petition to Sell Land: Rufus Cates, Jesse Anthony & Susannah his wife, Alfred L. Moore & Sarah his wife, Newell Cates, John Rountree, John Roy & Polly his wife, Aly Robinson & Sally his wife, David Roundtree, Charles Wilson & Elizabeth his wife, Rebecca Miller, John Wilson & Jennet his wife, Adny Fouchee & Franky his wife, Harvey Roundtree, Andrew Roundtree, Joseph Roundtree, William Jourdan & his wife Elizabeth – against — Thomas Pool & his wife Jane, William Hannah, ____ Jacobs & Sarah his wife, Jesse Jacobs, Joseph Jacobs:
“Humbly complaining sheweth your Honor that Thomas Roundtree died in the year 1820 intestate as to his land leaving behind no children or the issue of such, but a widow of the name of Victory, & the following brothers & sisters, to wit: John Roundtree, Charles Roundtree, Andrew Roundtree, Joseph Roundtree, Rachel Jacobs & Lydia Cates upon whom descended the real estate of said Thomas Roundtree — That Charles Roundtree is dead without (sic) will & leaving behind him the following children, to wit: Polly married to John Roy, Sally to Alex Robinson, David, Elizabeth married to Charles Wilson, & Franky to (Adny?) Fouchee & Harvey Roundtree – that Rachel Jacobs is dead as well as well (sic) her husband leaving behind her five children by two different husbands, to wit: William Hannah, & Elizabeth the wife of William Jordan & Sarah the wife of (first name blank) Jacobs, Jesse Jacobs and Joseph Jacobs all of whom are made Defendants & reside without the limits of this State – they further show that Lydia Cates & her husband are both dead leaving behind them the following children, to wit: Susannah married to Jesse Anthony, Sarah to Alfred L Moore, Jane to Thomas Pool, Rufus Cates & Newell Cates – all of which children represent their respective parents & are entitled to the share or interest in the real estate of the said Thos. Roundtree which their said parents if alive would be entitled to – they further show that the widow Victory Roundtree is dead & that the said Thos. Roundtree died seized & possessed of a certain tract or parcel of land situate & being partly in the County of Orange & partly in Person, a very small portion lying in the latter County – the said tract being the one on which said Thos. lived & containing by estimation three hundred & sixty acres & is bounded by the lands of Wm. Armstrong, William Lipscomb, David Rountree & Henry Berry – and compl’s show that they are desirous to enjoy in severalty their respective interests in said land but that owing to the smallness of the tract & the number of those interested the same can not be divided without manifest injury to all concerned… [Orange County Estate Files, FHL Film #7384121, images 172 etc. of 1828.]
The handwriting is not the easiest to interpret.
The Court agreed and ordered [image 203 in the file] that the clerk and master of the court (James Webb) sell the land on two years credit at auction in Hillsborough.
8 September 1834. Included in above a sworn statement by Rufus Cates that the land cannot be divided equitably.
29 August 1837 POA: “I Joseph Rountree of Greene County and state of Missouri” appoints David R. Rountree of Person County, NC his attorney to collect from the estate of Thomas Rountree “of which I am a lawful heir being brother to the deceased”… [Paper in the Chancery Case file, FHL Film #7384121, image 178 of 1828.]
24 May 1836. POA: … whereas Thomas Rountree late of the county of Orange State of North Carolina dec’d by his last will did bequeath (sic!) unto me John Rountree and others his estate to be divided in the way by said will directed which said estate is now in the hands & possession of the clerk & master of the Court of Equity in the County of Orange… I the said John Rountree of the County of Maury in the State of Tennessee” appoints Newel Cates his attorney to collect “one sixth part of the monies arising from the estate of Thomas Rountreedec’d.” [Paper in the Chancery Case file, FHL Film #7384121, image 182 of 1828.]
31 May 1836 POA: “I Andrew Rountree one of the legal heirs and representatives of the said Thomas Rountree dec’d is lawfully entitled to one sixth part thereof, now know ye that I the said Andrew Rountree of the County of Maury in the State of Tennessee” appoints Newell Cates his attorney to collect… [Paper in the Chancery Case file, FHL Film #7384121, image 186 of 1828.]
4 October 1837 POA: William Hannah of Maury County, Tennessee appoints Harley Pitts to collect “moneys that may be due me as an heir at law from the estate of Thomas Roundtree.” Paper in the Chancery Case file, FHL Film #7384121, image 200 of 1828.]
14 December 1838 Letter from Joseph R. Jacobs of Williamson County, Tennessee to James Webb: …Brother Jesse lives in the State of Missouri & Sister Sarah lives in. Hickman Co, Tenn. near Vernon… Sister Sarah is marryed (sic) to a man by the name of Jarrod Cirl (?).. Paper in the Chancery Case file, FHL Film #7384121, image 197 of 1828.]
5 April 1840 Will of Samuel Wilson mentions “my daughter Sally Rountree”. [Orange County Will Book F, p63.]