These are my own abstracts culled from original sources except where noted with comments and interpretations in blue italic.   Court records have generally NOT been searched.
Note that I have made an effort to spell the surname as it appears in each record.

This is a continuation of the page of records for the “Nansemond Rountrees”  — these records are from eastern North Carolina counties other than Chowan (Gates) and Perquimans.

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1722       Bertie County carved out of Chowan.

25 January 1726/7  Deed:  Thomas Rountree and Charles Rountree (his “CR” mark) witnesses to a deed from John Bains and wife Catherine to Thomas Wallis, all of Chowan precinct, for 310 acres in Bertie precinct.   [Bertie County Deed Book B, p335.]

Could Thomas Wallis be the father of William Wallis, and perhaps married to a Rountree?  Bertie precinct had been Bertie County since 1722.

16 May 1732.       Governor Burrington created Edgecombe Precinct, the predecessor of Edgecombe County, south of the Roanoke River (then called the Moratock River).

18 June 1734.    At a court held at New Bern [Craven precinct]… on the petition of John Morris praying [for] Letters of Administration on ye estate of John RoundTree deceased, he being ye greatest Cred’r same granted… [Craven County Court Minutes, Vol. 1 (1730-1744) p44.

Not at all clear who this was.

25 September 1738.  Inventory of John Roundtree “late of Craven precinct deceased” presented by John Morris.  It consisted of five cattle, six hogs, 2 spinning wheels, 1 gun, two old axes, one old hoe, one old saw, one old frying pan, one wooden bowl, a half dozen spoons, and a few similar items but no crops, farm equipment or furniture.  It did include £15 in cash.  An estate accounting presented on the same date listed £43 in expenses. [Craven County Inventories 1737-1744, p143 (also marked as p122).]

The estate accounting listed a £5 payment on account to Thomas Blitchenden, who had sold land in Perquimans precinct to Moses Rountree (a possible son of Robert Rountree) ten years earlier.  The administrator paid himself for “attendance at two courts” and paid “Mr. Lovettt for his trouble in the whole affair” which probably refers to Richard Lovett, who was later the clerk of the General Assembly

12 July 1739. Deed: Robert Butler of Edgecombe [precinct] in the County of Bertie to William Taler (Taylor) of Bertie County, 200 acres in Bertie on the south side of Morattuck River “Beginning at a marked cypress standing on the river pocoson Francis Rountree‘s lower corner tree so along his line…” to John Ballard’s corner… [Bertie County Deed Book E, p533.]

Examination of deeds to and from Robert Butler, William Taylor and John Ballard (Bullard)  shows that this land was on Conetoe Creek in eastern Edgecombe County, almost certainly in present-day Greene County.  Francis Rountree’s land refers to his grant on Conetoe Creek..

19 January 1739/40.      Deed: John Wood to William Rountree, both of Edgecombe County, for £60, 326 acres on the south side of Morratock River [later called the Roanoke River] at a place commonly called & known by the name of Cypress Swamp… part of a larger tract of land granted to John Wood 1 March 1721… beginning at a red oak standing by the side of the Cypress Swamp so along the dividing line of Benj. Wood’s land… Signed:  John Wood.  Witness:  R’t. Butler, John Lee, Thos. Wiggins. Proved May Court 1740. [Halifax County Deed Book 1, p333. Also known as Edgecombe County Deed Book 1732-1741, p333.]

William, son of Francis, has moved considerably west into present-day Halifax County.  This and the later deed are filed in Halifax County because when Halifax was carved out of Edgecombe County the Edgecombe courthouse fell into the new county.  Could not find the referenced grant to John Wood.

14 February 1739/40    At a Council held at Newbern the 14th February Anno Dom 1739/40… Read Sundry Petitions for Patents…Frans. Roundtree 200 (acres) Edgecombe (precinct)… Frans. Roundtree 400 (acres) Edgecombe (precinct)…  [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 4, p440 and p441.]

14 February 1739/40    Land Grant: Francis Rountree, 400 acres in Edgecombe County “upon a branch of Conetto… (read “Conetoe”Creek)… Beginning at an Oak running S 253 poles to a pine thence W 253 poles,…  (Metes and bounds show a square plot with no neighbors mentioned.)  [North Carolina Land Patent Book 8, p40 and in Book 9, p304.]

This was entered twice with identical metes and bounds so appears to have been entered twice in the land patent books.  Conetoe Creek rises in present-day Edgecombe, then forms a part of the Edgecombe-Pitt County line, and empties into the Tar River in Pitt County.  

1741    Edgecombe County officially formed from Edgecombe precinct of Bertie County.

Edgecombe County spun off Granville County (1746) Halifax County (1758), Nash County (1777) and parts of others, 

30 March 1741.     Land Entry: Francis Rountree enters 200 acres in Edgecombe County on south side of Great Contentnea Creek and 100 acres on the south side of Contentnea Creek.   [NC Archives, File #21 and #21 & 22, MARS ID 12.14.59.2647]

There is no record in North Carolina files that grants were ever issued for these two claims.  However, it is possible that the grants were overlooked and never entered into a patent book.

30 March 1741.     Land Entry: Francis Rountree enters 400 acres in Edgecombe County on the south side of Great Contentnea Creek…  If this claim resulted in a land grant the record of it is lost — there is no record of a grant in North Carolina Land Grant Books [NC Archives, File #19, MARS ID 12.14.59.2647]

There is no record in North Carolina files that grants were ever issued for these two claims.  However, it is possible that the grants were overlooked and never entered into a patent book. Note that he did in fact own land on Great Contentnea.

In 1775 William Gulley sold 100 acres described as a grant to Francis Rountree beginning at Contentnea Creek at the mouth of Mill Creek. [Edgecombe County Deed Book 3, p322.]

22 May 1741.    Land Grant: William Roundtree, 200 acres on the south side of Neuse River in Craven County beginning at a red oak Theophilus William’s corner and runs S40E 178 poles to a red oak thence N50E 178p …    [NC Land Patent Book 5, p376  and in Book 10, p227.]

This was entered twice with identical metes and bounds so is a duplicate entry.that was recorded twice. (Although the first entry may have been a warrant.) Given the timeframe, the part of the Neuse River being settled at this time was most likely in what became Johnston County in 1748 and Dobbs County in 1756.  Not clear which William Rountree this was — the one who died 1742? 

25 September 1741    At a Council held at Wilmington 25 day of September 1741… Read Sundry petitions for patents for Land as follows Vizt… Moses Rountree 640 (acres) Edgecombe…   [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 4, 601.]

25 September 1741    Land Grant: Moses Roundtree, 640 acres in Bertie County on the branches of Guys Hall and Bacon Hill… beginning at the center of a black oak, a pine and a lightwood stump running thence across Bacon Hill S25W 224p…(etc.). [North Carolina Land Patent Book 4, p92 and recorded again in Book 5, p72.]

Over the next twelve months he will sell all of this land in three parcels to Moses Hill, Jesse Rountree and Francis Rountree.

Guys Hall Swamp is today known as Whiteoak Swamp.  It rises in central present-day Bertie County near the town of Askewville and runs roughly southest into the Cashie River. It is about 20-30 miles west of the Chowan River.  

15 February 1741/2    Deed: John Collins Senr. of Bertie County, planter, to Jethro Rountree of Bertie County, planter, for £100, 400 acres on the southwest side of Guys Hall Swamp… Signed: John Collins. Witness: Robert West, Henry Delon, Clerk of Court.  [Bertie County Deed Book F, p507-8.]

This must have been close to the Moses Rountree grant above.  Bertie at this time covered almost everything west of Chowan. 

18 May 1742       Inventory of William Rowntree taken by his widow Rachel Rowntree, administratrix. Signed Rachell (X) Roundtree.  [Edgecombe County Record of Estates, Vol. 1730-1747, p82.]

The inventory spans two pages and is very faded.  It listed one negro man, 35 head of cattle, 7 sheep, 8 geese, 2 horses, “a parcel of hoggs”, carpenter’s tools, shoemaker’s tools, 5 guns and a long list of household items.

The surname is spelled three different ways in the same document.

16 August 1742        “We the Dividers of the Estate of William Rowntree Dece’d do find the Estate that is Produced to us to Amount in Virginia Currency after the debts(?) paid to be £105:6:9.    The widows part to be £35:2:3.  William Rowntree his part: 1 Gray Horse, 1 well fixed Gun, 2 Cows & Calves, 1 Saddle & Bridle & Halter [valued at £8:15:6]. Abraham Rowntree: a Sett of Blacksmith Tools, 2 Cows & Calves, 1 well fixed Gun, 1 Saddle & Bridle & Halter & Cash [valued at £8:15:6]  Jobe Rowntree his part: a parcel of Carpenters Tools & 1 well fixed Gun, 1 Large Iron Pott & 2 Cows & Calves,, 1 Small Iron Pott & Iron Kettle, 1 p. of Spoon Mettle & Cash [valued at £8:15:6] Soloman Rowntree his part: Three year old Heiffer & 3 Barrand Cows, 1 Iron Pott & ____ Pewter, 1 well fixed Gun & Cash [valued at £8:15:6] Mary Rowntree her part: 1 Feather Bed & 1 P. of Sheets, 1 Rugg, 1 Blankett, 1 Bedstead & ___ of Pewter, 1 Iron Pott & 3 sheep & 3 Barrand Cows, in Cash [valued at £8:15:6] Alis Rowntree his(sic) part: __ Yearling Cattle, 1 Feather Bed & 10 lb of Pewter, 1 New Dutch Linen wheel & Cash [valued at £8:15:6] Ann Rowntree her part: 1 New Dutch Linen wheel, 1 Iron Pott and a Bed Stead, 1 Feather Bed & 1 P. of Sheets, 1 Rugg , 1 Blank’t, 1 Box Iron & 1 Hater(?) & 1 bible, 1 Chest & 1 Lock, 1 p. of Hand mill stone, in Cash [valued at £8:15:6] Sarah Rowntree her part: 13lb of new Pewter & Two year old Cattle, 1 Iron Pott & 1 Bible, 1 Chest & Lock, 6 sheep, 1 3 year old Steer & Cash. valued at £8:15:6]   Signed: Robert Hilliard, Thomas (x) Drew. [Edgecombe County, NC Record of Estates 1730-1747, p34-35.]

The children may be listed in birth order, as we know from later records that William was the eldest because he inherited his father’s lands in both Edgecombe and Perquimans counties. 

__ September 1742    Deed: Moses Rountree, planter, to Moses Hill, planter, (residence not identified) for £100, 160 acres “beginning at the head of a branch that empties into Guys Hall Swamp… along the old line to Francis Rountree’s corner then along his line to the first station.”  Signed: Moses Roundtree. Witness: Thos. Rountree Senr, Jesse Roundtree, Francis Roundtree, [Bertie County Deed Book F, p503.]

__ September 1742    Deed: Moses Rountree, planter, to Jesse Roundtree, planter, (residence not identified) for £100, 160 acres adjoining “beginning at a pine in the old line Francis Rountree’s corner from thence a southwest course along Francis Roundtree’s line…. Signed: Moses Roundtree.  Witness: Thos. Rountree Senr, Francis Roundtree, Moses Hill  [Bertie County Deed Book F, p505-6.]

15 September 1742.   Francis Rountree purchaser of deerskins at estate sale of Jeremiah Hilliard. [Edgecombe County Inventories, Etc. 1733-1753, p109.]

9 October 1742.    Deed: John Wood to William Roundtree, both of Edgecombe County, for £60, 320 acres more or less on the south side of the Morratock River at a place commonly called and known by the name of Cypress Swamp bounded as follows (same as deed above)… part of a patent to John Wood of 1 March 1721 and was sold by John Wood aforesd. to William Roundtree deceased as will appear by a lease dated the 19^th of January 1739/40 and proved May Court 1740 which said lease was not allowed to be a sufficient title to the abovementioned land for which reason  I the sd. John Wood hath given and granted  unto the said William Roundtree son of Will’m Rountree deceased and heir to the aforementioned land for the better confirming of the afs’d title have given him this deed…  Signed: John Wood. Witness: Thos. Blount, Rich’d Frasier, Henry Audrey(?).  [Halifax County Deed Book 5, p111.]

William Rountree Jr., who would have inherited his father’s lands as the eldest son, is perfecting his title by correcting an improperly formed deed of this land to his father (see above).  There was more than one Cypress Swamp, but this likely refers to the Cypress Swamp located in southeastern Halifax County that runs roughly south and empties into the Roanoke River.  It was still in Edgecombe County at that time.   

4 December 1742    Deed: Jesse Rountree of the County of Bertie, to Thomas Hobbs, for £17, assigned 80 acres of land on the south side of Catherine Creek Swamp… a corner tree to divide this land from a tract or parcel that was formerly in the possession of William Rountree but now in the tenure and occupation of Thomas Hobbs… adjacent to Moses Rountree…  part of a patent of 430 acres to Francis Rountree…Signed: Jesse Rountree. Witness: Thos. Rountree, Charles Rountree, Guy Hill.  [Chowan County Deed Book A, p145.]

This is Jesse of Francis selling his inherited land back in Chowan County.

Note that Guy HIll was also a witness when Francis Rountree sold his inherited land back in Chowan County in 1742.  That is yet another confirmation that it was the Francis Rountree who was living here (see below), and not the Francis Rountree who died in Edgecombe County in 1748, who was the son of Francis Rountree of Chowan County.

9 August 1743      Deed: Moses Roundtree, planter, to Francis Roundtree, planter, for £100 current money of this province, 320 acres in Bertie County… the head of a branch that leads out of Guys Hall Swamp… north to Jesse Rountree‘s corner…  Signed: Moses Roundtree. Witness: Thos. Roundtree, Moses Hill, Jesse Roundtree.  Proved at August Court 1743 by oath of Jesse Roundtree.  [Bertie County Deed Book F, p504.]

This is  Francis Rountree, son of Francis,  obtaining land from his brother.

2 March 1743/4    Land Entry:  Francis Rountree enters a claim for 200 acres on south side of Great Contentnea Creek…. Resulting Warrant was for 100 acres (sic) in Edgecombe County on Contentnea Creek on the north side of the mouth of a run called Mill Creek and about five miles north of teh Great Swamp.  [NC Archives, File #20, MARS ID 12.14.59.2647]

The resulting patent is not recorded in the North Carolina patent books.     

Great Contentnea Creek rises in southern Wilson County and runs all the way through Greene County, then forms a small part of the Lenoir-Pitt bornder before emptying into the Neuse River.  All of this would have been in Johnston County when it was formed in 1746 and much of it in Dobbs County in 1758.

20 April 1745.  Warrant: Abraham Shepard 200 acres in Craven County on south side Contentnea Creek between Francis Rountree & his own (lines.). [Craven County Land Warrants, FHL Film 007164727, image 159.]

See above.

1746.       Granville County formed from Edgecombe County.

27 April 1747.  Deed:  Francis Roundtree of Edgecombe County in the province of North Carolina, planter, to Moses Coleman, planter, of the county and province aforesaid, for £13 current money of Virginia, 300 acres …in Edgecombe County,,, on the north side of the great swamp and on the north side of Contentne (sic) beginning at an oak on the sd swamp thence S85E 219 pole to a red oak then N5E 219 pole…… being granted to the said Francis Roundtree by patent bearing date 20 April 1745… Signed: Francis Roundtree.  Witness: Cornelius Jordan, William Coleman, William Hess?.  [Halifax County Deed Book 3, p119.]

There is no record of this above mentioned patent, perhaps never actually recorded in a grant book.  It may reflect the land entries listed above in 1741 and 1743 that did not result in a recorded grant.  There are no other Rountree deed records in Edgecombe County for at least the next 100 years, reflecting that they lived in counties spun off from Edgecombe..

It isn’t clear whether Francis Rountree signed by mark or not.  The deed was copied in such a way that makes it uncertain.  This is a square tract, probably located in present-day Wilson County.

15 July 1748.   Will of Francis Rountree “being very sick and weak”… I give and bequeath unto my son Kader the land and plantation whereon I live… I give and bequeath unto my son Francis the Indian field? with all the land on the same side of the branch…I give and bequeath unto my son William the remaining part of the land on the upper side of the branch… I give and bequeath unto my son Moses the plantation whereon I first lived in Johnston County with all the land belonging to the same…It is my will and desire that all the rest of my estate of all kinds goods and chattle may be eakurly divided amonght all my children ____.  ____. well beloved wife Mary and Moses Coleman houl (sic)  and soul  executors… Signed: Francis (his “F” mark) Rountree. Witness: Theophilus Coleman, John (x) Barefoot, Tarlow (x) Oquinca   (Very faded and partly torn).  Proved Johnston County September Court 1748. [Original will in Secretary of State files, NC Archives. Call No. SS 839 etc.]

The 1761 deed by Kader Rountree (see below) tells us that Francis Rountree was living on his missing 1745 land grant, possibly  in the upper reaches of Contentnea in what is today Wilson County but was then still Edgecombe County.   Johnston County was formed from the western part of Craven County in 1746, so “the plantation whereon I first lived in Johnston County” must refer to the land he bought on Contentnea Creek in 1744, which was in Craven at the time, then in Johnston, and later in Dobbs.

Is there significance to his signing with a mark rather than a signature?   It is possible that he was simply too weak to sign, but the other Francis Rountree signed his own name, in 1742 whwn he sold the tract he inherited from his father Francis Rountree’s will.  Note also that his wife in 1742 was Ann, not Mary.

All records of Johnston County prior to 1758 were destroyed when the courthouse burned so there is a gap between 1746 and 1758.  When Dobbs County was carved from Johnston in 1758, the courthouse and its records fell into Dobbs — that courthouse burned in 1878  and the records of Johnston County prior to 1758 were destroyed.

27 December 1749.   Jethro Rountree, Moses HIll witnesses to will of John Collins of Bertie County.  BOth proved in court on 18 March 1752/3.  [North Carolina Secretary of State Wills, FHL Film 007640346,  image 1118.]

22 March 1750/51    Deed: Francis Rountree of Bertie County to Isaac Hill of same, for £10, 320 acres being one half of a patent to Moses Rountree of 640 acres on the branches of Guys Hall and Bacon Hill… Signed: Francis Rountree. Witness: Jos. Wimberly, Elizabeth (x) Coward.  [Bertie County Deed Book G, p374-5.]

Clearly he is not the same Francis Rountree who died in 1748 — and he must be the same Francis Rountree who bought the land in 1744.   He is probably the same Francis Rountree who was granted land in adjacent Edgecombe County in 1749 so presumably he is moving there.  This is the land he bought just 8 years earlier, so he didn’t stay long in Bertie County.  Note the very low price.

20 June 1747.   Deed: John Freeman of Chowan County, for love and affection toward my well beloved brother Samuel Freeman now of the County of Bertie, and to fulfill the last will of father William Freeman…brother Aaron Freeman now being dead…150 acres west side Cypress Swampt adjacent Col. William Mauls…  Witness: Thomas Walton, Thos. Rountree Jr, Thos. Rountree Senr.  [Bertie County Deed Book G, p65.]

3 December 1750       Deed: William Rountree of Edgecombe County, NC to Joseph Riddick of Perq’s County, NC, for £25,  bounded with… the west line of Jos. Gibson… a line of marked trees to John White’s line, the same being a dividing line between Jos. Gibson & Wm. Rountree & ye  sd. Wm. Rountree is to have all the land on the north side to Jas. Field’s line for 100 acres.. Signed: William (x) Rountree, Rachall (x) Turner.  Witness: Jos. Perry, Jesse Eason, Robt. Riddick & Jas. Pierce.  [Perquimans County Deed Book F, item 15.]

This is clearly the son of the William Rountree who died in Edgecombe County in 1742.   Rachel is evidently the widow of his father, who has apparently remarried to a Turner.  She is signing the deed because she retained a dower right in the land.  The land was bought by William Rountree in 1729.

2 February 1750/1.  Deed: Samuel Tarver of Northampton County to Jethro Rountree of Bertie County, for £35 Virginia money, 300 acres beginning at a branch called Peter Hills branch running out of Shocco Creek on the south side… to two birch trees on Shocco Creek thence down the creek… part of a grant to John Ward of 20 April 1745… Signed: Samuel Tarver.  Witness: Samuel Freeman, John Richards, W. Sharp.  Proved by Freeman at June Ct. 1751.  [Granville County Deed Book A, p524.]

This was located in what is now southern Warren County (that is, subsequent sales of this land are recorded in the Warren County deed books).  It was part of a 500-acre grant to John Wade, one of several he had in the area,  Samuel Tarver had bought 300 acres of it in 1748 but had never moved to Granville County himself. 

12 February 1750/51.  Deed:  William Roundtree of Edecombe County to John Winslow of Perquimans County, for £18. 100 acres on the north side of New Begun Creek beginning at a cypress in the mouth of a branch… Signed: William (x) Roundtree.  Witness: .Nicholas Stallings, Thos. Riddick, John Filan? [Perquimans County Deed Book F, Item 34.]

28 June 1751    Deed: Jethro Rountree to Michael Collins, both of Bertie, for £35, 400 acres on the south side of Guys Hall Swamp…  Signed: Jethro Rountree. Witness: Jno. Springe?, Demsey Collins.  [Bertie County Deed Book G, p417-8.]

1 May 1753.    Two Warrants: Jethro Roundtree, 640 acres in Johnston County , Black Walnut Creek. Also 640 acres in Johnston County, Briar Creek & Crabtree Creek.  [North Carolina ArchivesSR.12.8.3.032]

The second warrant is for land in what is today Wake County.  Neither of these resulted in a grant and there are no deeds from any Roundtrees in Johnston County until the late 1800s. 

29 November 1753.      Summons:  Sheriff of Bertie County to summon Jethro Rountree and Isaiah Powell to give testimony… in the case of the King vs. Moses Bonner.  [Bertie County Civil Action Papers, FHL Film 005033967, image 732.]

He was probably long gone from Bertie by this time.

7 March 1755    Deed: Jesse Rountree to Henry Valentine, both of Bertie, for £5, “beginning at a pine in the old line, Moses Hill’s corner from thence a southwest course along the said Moses Hill’s line…” (acreage not give, but metes and bounds match his 160-acre purchase of  1742).  Signed: Jesse Rountree. Witness: Moses Hill, Francis Rountree, James Reid. [Bertie County Deed Book H, p224.]

1755.   Tax List Granville County
Jethro Rountree – 1 white, 3 blacks

1755.     Tax List Beaufort County
Francis Roundtree — 1 white poll, 1 black
Jesse Roundtree — 1 white poll
[Pitt County Genealogical Quarterly, Vol 13. No. 3 (August 2006), p11

At this time Beaufortt included almost all of what became Pitt County

ca1756.     Lost deed of Dobbs (Johnston) County from William Rountree to Robert (Richard) Lee, recorded in 1756/7. [Dobbs County Grantor Indexer  Book 4, 1756-`757, p76.]

This is probably the son of Francis Rountree selling the land he inherited..  When Dobbs was formed from Johnston County in 1758, it inherited the Johnston County Courthouse and its records. Although the courthouse and its deed and court records perished, the grantor index was saved.  So this deed was actually executed in Johnston County for land in Johnston County. Note that there are no deeds to or from Rountrees in this index prior to this date.

3 May 1756.   Land Grant to Moses Horns, 603 acres in Edgecombe County on north side Cohuca Swamp Joining William Roundtree, Thomas Atkison, Thomas Drew, George Bell, John Benbow & said swamp.  Chain Carriers: William Roundtree, Edmund Atkison. [North Carolina Patent Book 1, p202.]

Not clear where this was.  The only swamp with a similar name is Cahooque, which is in the extreme southeast part of modern-day Craven County, nowhere near Edgecombe County.  

11 March 1757.     Deed: Joseph Bryan and his wife Sarah of Craven County to Francis Roundtree of Beaufort County, for £50 Ster., 500 acres more or less …on the N. side of Tranters Creek in the County afsd. beginning at a pine in the fork of Tranters Creek running up the branch of the creek to beaver dam creek… being part of  1000 acre patent for Patrick Maul of 20 August 1726.  Signed: Joseph Bryan, Sarah Bryan.  Witness: Thos. Roundtree Junr. Alex’r Stuart.  [Beaufort County Deed Book 3. p287.]

Tranters Creek formed a large part of the border between Pitt County and Beaufort County when Pitt was carved out of Beaufort on 1 January 1761.

7 February 1758.       Deed: Francis Roundtree of Beaufort County, NC to Jesse Roundtree (no residence given) for £22:5 Proc. money, 170 acres more or less.. on the east side of Tranters Creek & N. of the ford Swamp beginning at a white oak in the fork of a branch between the plantation of the said Francis & the plantation of Jesse near a N. E. corner to a branch… west to a branch of tractors creek… Signed: Francis Roundtree.  Witness: Alexander Stuart, John Knois?, John Simpson.  Acknowledged in March 1758 court by Francis Roundtree.  [Beaufort County Deed Book 3, p363.]

Tranters Creek forms the Pitt-Beaufort County border during part of its run.

14 March 1758.       Deed: Francis Roundtree of Beaufort County, NC to Caleb Spivey (no residence given) for £22:5 Proc. money, 170 acres more or less… on the east side of Tranters Creek & on the N. of the Ford Swamp beginning at a gum near the dismal branch that divides  the said Rountree’s plantation from that of Caleb Spivey now lives (sic)…    Signed: Francis Roundtree.  Witness: Alex’r Stuart, Jesse Roundtree.  [Beaufort County Deed Book 3, p368.]

Tranters Creek was the border between Pitt and Belfort counties when Pitt was created in 1761.  Tranters Creek appears on the 1733 Mosely map of North Carolina.  It rises in Martin County, flows SE on the Pitt-Martin line, then S on the Pitt-Beaufort line into the Tar River near the town of Washington.

1 September 1760    Deed: James Thomas to Jesse Rountree, both of Bertie County, for £2:6:8, 10 (?) acres “on the Swamp” (very poor description). Signed: James Thomas. Witness: Jas. Reed, John Burnes. [Bertie County Deed Book K, p370-1.]

18 November 1760.  Jethro Rountree, William Gant, Joshua Nelms witnessed to deed by Benjamin Ward. [Granville County Deed Book D, p245.]

He witnessed at least one othe rdeed, in 1762 by David Vinson. He signed with his name each time.

8 December 1760.     Deed: Richard Grist to Jesse Roundtree, both of Beaufort County, for £7:10,  150 acres on the upper horsemen branch in Maul’s Creek beginning at a pine Hilary Algood’s corner… being half a 300-acre patent of 30 April 1745 and willed by Richard Grist to the Grantor.  Signed: Richard Grist.  Witness: Wm. Shields, Fran’s Roundtree. [Beaufort County Deed Book 3, p487.]

This is either just over the line in present-day northern Craven County or very close to it

1 January 1761      Pitt County formed from Beaufort County

10 February  1761.  Warrant for Francis Roundtree, 400 acres in the fork of Bath Town Creek, Beaufort County. [Beaufort County Land Warrants.]

20 August 1761    Land Grant: Francis Roundtree of Beaufort County, planter,  320 acres in Beaufort County on the fork of Town Creek.   Chain Carriers: Phinahas Latham, James Latham. Survey is undated.  [Recorded twice — in Beaufort County Deed Book 4, p236 and in NC Land Patent Book 11, p63 and associated papers.].

There are a LOT of Town Creeks in North Carolina, but none currently in Beaufort County or Pitt County.  

15 October 1761.    Land Grant: Cadar Roundtree, 181 acres in Dobbs County on the south side of Great Contentnea Creek, joining his own line beginning at two white oaks his corner running south 220 poles to a pine treen then east 260 poles to two live oaks on Contentnea Creek thence up the creek to the beginning…  Associated warrant dated 24 November 1760.  [NC Land Patent Book 11, p111.]

17 October 1761.    Deed: Kader Rountree of Dobbs County, planter, to John Faulk Junr. of Edgecombe County, for £10 current money of Virginia, 100 acres in Edgeconmbe County… on the north side of Contentnea Creek at the mouth of the run called Mill Creek about five miles above the great swamp, beginning at a red oak then S40E 126 poles… being a tract of land formerly granted by patent to Francis Rountree 20 April 1745.   Signed: Kader (his “K” mark) Rountree. Witness: James Grice, Thomas Sanders, Coleman Nichols. [Edgecombe County Deed Book 1, p169.]

This land appears to be in present-day Wilson County just north of present-day Wayne County. 

20 March 1762.  Deed: Robert Campen to Francis Roundtree of Pitt County, for £18, 100 acres on the south side of Campbell’s Creek and east side of Smith’s Creek… Signed: Robert Campen. Witness: Henry Everitt, James Spivey. [Beaufort County Deed Book  3, p529.]

May 1762. Daniel Underwood & Jethro Rowntree exhibited division of estate of Thomas Harris [Granville County Probate Estate Files, FHL Film 007641289, image 9.]

8 May 1762.  In the suit on the attachment obtained by William Tabb agt, the estate of Jethro Rountree a jury being empanelled & sworn… say that they find for the plt. seven pounds one shilling & __ pence damages wherefore it is considered that the plt. recover agt. the Deft the damages aforesd with costs.  [Granville County Court Minute Book 1754-1764,, p94.]

In this context, “estate” means “belongings”.  William Tabb was a merchant who regularly sued several men, presumably customer, for similar sums.

1762       Pitt County Taxables (very faded)
Francis Rountree, Obed. Rountree, David Perkins — 3 white polls, 1 slave
Jesse Rountree, Micager Heart, Abraham Hill — 3 white polls
[FHL Film 007856619]

1762.    Taxables, Granville County, Shock (Shocco) District
Jethro Roundtree – 5 polls – 1 white plus Robert Stewart (white) and slaves Peter, Dyner and Merrick.  [North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 13, No. 2, p70. Original at FHL Film 008132487, image 729.]

1763       Pitt County Taxables
Francis Rountree, Obed Rountree, Moab Rountree – 3 white polls
Jesse Rountree, Micager Hart – 2 white polls
{NC Archives Digital Collections, MARS ID 12.97]

17 March 1763.   Deed: Jethro Rountree of Granville County to Jesse Hunter of Chowan County, for £130 Virginia, 300 acres on Shocco Creek (same description as the land he bought in 1751).  Signed: Jethro Rountree. Witness: Mathew Thomas, Edward Carlile. [Granville County Deed Book F, p384.].

Surely he is the same Jethro Rountree who was granted land in what became Burke County, Georgia two years later.  

__ April 1764.  Deed: Ephraim Allen to Caleb Spivey, 640 acres in Pitt Coun ty.  Witness: Francis Roundtree, Christian (x) Roundtree.  [Pitt County Deed Book C,  p48.]

7 December 1764    Deed:  William Rountree of Halifax County to Marmaduke Norfleet Senr. of Perquimans County, for £235:1:0 current money of Virginia, 320 acres more or less situated on the south side of Moratock River now called Roanoke and on the south sude of Cypress Swamp.. part of a patent granted to John Wood 1 March 1721…   Signed: William Rountree (his mark).  Witness: John Colten, Michael Smalley, Jacob WIlliams.    Proved April Court 1765 by Michael Smalley.  [Halifax County Deed Book 9, p203.].

1764       Pitt County Taxables
Francis Rountree, Obed Rountree, Moab Rountree – 3 white polls and 1 slave
Jesse Rountree, Joseph Benton?, Micager Hart – 3 white polls
{NC Archives Digital Collections, MARS ID 12.97]

ca1769         Lost deed from Keader (Kader) Roundtree to Stephen Cobb.  [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 7 1765-1769, p76.]

This was mis-transcribed as “Reader” Roundtree in the printed versions of the Grantor/Grantee indexes.  The name is “Keader”, one of two occations when a clerk spelled his name with the “e” inserted.  Luckily this deed was recorded again in Wayne County years later. Seee 29 December 1769 below.

11 February 1769.  Deed: Henry Vanpelt of Craven County to Jesse Roundtree of Pitt County, for £70 Proc. money, 196 acres in two tracts… 100 acres in Craven County on the south side of Little Contentney Creek beginning at a red oak on the creek and runs S70W126 poles to a pine then N12W…as baby patent granted to John Bradley dared 2 October 1750…  Also one other treat of land containing 96 acres on the south side of Little Contentney Creek Bounds or opposite his landing and Vanpelts marsh… Signed: Henry Vanpelt.   Witness: Alex’r Stewart, John Knowles, John Knowles Junr.  [Craven County Deed Book 16, p53.]

13 February 1769.     Deed: John Blackston of Pitt County to Francis Roundtree, for £40, 100 acres being part in Pitt County and part in Craven County on the west side of Little Contentney Creek including the place where he now lives… beginning at a water oak in the side of the creek swamp above said Blackston’s house… Signed: John (x) Blackston. Witness: Fillinggem, Moses Manning.  [Pitt County Deed Book D, p85.]

14 March 1769    Deed: Jesse Rountree of Pitt County to George Spivey of Bertie County, for £2 (“20” written over this) 2 acres on Cashie Swamp… James Thomas line…  Signed: Jesse Rountree. Witness: Moab (Noah?) Rountree, Obed. Rountree, France (sic) Rountree.  [Bertie County Deed Book K, p370.]

All the Rountrees have apparently left Bertie County for other parts. There are no Rountrees on the 1769 Bertie Tax List

10? July 1769.  Deed: Henry Vanpelt of Craven County to Jesse Roundtree of Pitt County, for £10 Proc. money, 85 acres  in Craven County on the south side of Little Contentney Creek beginning at a white oak near Parkers Marsh about 30 poles below the Babtist (sic)  Meeting House… granted to me 20 April 1760… Signed: Henry Vanpelt.   Witness: James Crawford, Alex’r Stewart,. [Craven County Deed Book 16, p53.]

1769.    Craven County Tax List
No Rountrees on list – may be incomplete
[FHL Film 007856619]

1769.    Dobbs County Tax List
John Barefoot, William Rountree, Moses Rountree & Negroes Jack, Jemima, Tom, fillis, & Peg – 3 whites, 5 slaves
Cader Rountree — 1 white male over 16, 1 slave, negro Ceasor
[North Carolina Digital Archives MARS ID 12.97.  Also in North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 15, No. 2, p79.]

Dobbs records are lost. It was carved out of Johnston County in 1758 and part of Craven was added to it in 1764.  It was later divided into Wayne, Lenoir, Greene and part of Jones.

7 November 1769.    Deed: Cader Rountree of Dobbs County in NC to John White of Perquimans County,  50 acres …beginning at John Winslows line on New Begun Creek Swamp running up th said Swamp to the fork , up th fork of said Swamp until it contains fifty acres and no more… Signed” Cader (his “K” mark) Rountree. Witness: John (x) New, Silas White.   [Perquimans County Deed Book H, Item 95.]

This was probably part of the land bought by either Francis Rountree or William Rountree..

12 December 1769.   Deed: Cader Roundtree  to Strephen Cobb, both of Dobbs County, for £74, 100 acres on the south side of Great Contentney(sic) Creek it being a tract of land that was taken up by his father Francis Roundtree where the plantation and the upper hundred acres is which is already granted to him by patent bearing date 20th April 1744 and it being a tract of land given the said Cader Roundtree by will of his father Francis Roundtree deceased… beginning at two white oaks on the creek… and also part of a new survey… taken up and deeded to himself, 50 acres adjacent… beginning at the same two white oaks… th eline between him and Jacob Duck… also the improvements whereon James Carhoon lived and made.  Signed: Cader (“K”mark) Roundtree.  Witness: John (x) Faulk, Daniel Gwin, Daniel Powell. [Wayne County Deed Book 1, p140. Labelled as Deed No. 118.]

All of these lands ended up in Wayne County, thanks to Stephen Cobb recording this deed ten years later.

ca1770         Lost deed from Cader Rountree to Jacob Duck.  [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 8 1769-1771, p279.]

He has not bought any land so must be selling all or part of his 1761 grant.

9 April 1770.    Land Grant: Jesse Roundtree, 50 acres in Craven County on the west side of Little Contentney Creek beginning at a red oak Vanpelt’s corner the side of the marsh…  Blackslin’s line… Blount’s ford… the meanders of the creek… [NC Land Patent Book 20, p560.]

9 April 1770.    Land Grant: Jesse Roundtree, 500 acres in Craven County on the west side of Little Contentney Creek beginning at a pine near Abel Deal’s corner on the creek running S75W 230 poles to a red oak in Lewis Coward’s line…  Thomas Mannings line… [NC Land Patent Book 20, p560.]

(blank date) 1770.     Deed: Abel Dail Senr. and wife Mary to Francis Roundtree, both of Dobbs County, for £11 Proc. money, 150 acres in Craven County on the south side of Little Contentney Creek near the fork … beginning at a hickory standing on the said creek… Dails line to a branch called the Great Branch.. being 100 acres of a patent to Dail 15 March 1756 and 50 acres of another patent to Dail (no date mentioned)  Signed Abell Dail.  Witness: Jesse Roundtree, Moab  Roundtree.  [Craven County Deed Book 18, p260.]

11 May 1771.    Deed: Francis Hinnant of Johnston County to Sary Roundtree (no county specified), for £40, 211 acres in Johnston County on the south side of Contentney Creek beginning at a Spanish oak (and) running South 154 poles to a pine then East 220 poles to a pine then North 154 poles thence a right line to th ebeginning… (no particular details included)  Signed; Francis Hinnant. Witness: William Hinnant, William (x) Row. [Johnsgton County Deed Book “Transcripts 1”, p307.]

Who is she?   John HInnant sold this same tract to a William Pugh in 1774.   Could Hinnant have married Sary Rountree?  Johnston County deeds 1746-1758 are lost.

11 February 1771   Marriage Bond: Obed Rountree – Pherbey Harrell, bondsman Jethro Kitrell. [Bertie County Marriage Bonds]

She was the daughter of Jesse Harrell, whose Bertie County will in 1786 left money to his granddaughter Judath Rountree and a slave to his grandson Joab Rountree, children of “my daughter Phereby Rountree”.  The estate of her brother Jonathan Harrell of Bertie County in 1793 was divided among legatees including the “orphans of Obed Rountree.’

August 1772.   John Smith appointed administrator of estate of Cader Rountree.  [Johnston County Court Minutes — need ot check Haun’s abstract]

13 January 1773.  Land Grant: Obed Roundtree, 300 acres in Pitt County on the east side of Little Contentney including the vacant land between Wm. Smith and John Stanwicks lines.  [Pitt County Land Warrants, FHL Film 007166055, image 422.]

(undated) 1774?     Deed: Francis Rountree to William Davis , for £60,  160 acres in Pitt County on the north side of tantus (sic) creek beginning below the old Tar Landing,,, part of a tract of 1000 acres granted to Patric (sic) bearing date ye 2 August 1726 and by Sd. Patrick Mauls bequeathed by his last will to his daughter Sarah Maule and by sd, Sarah & her husband Joseph Bryant conveyed to me sd. Francis Roundtree…  Signed: Francis Rountree. Witness: Edmund William, Zachariah Pinket.  Proved October Court 1774.  [Pitt County Deed Book F, p69.]

This is the land he bought back in 1757 when it was then in Beaufort County.

25 October 1774.      Deed: Jesse Rountree of Pitt County to Thomas Williams of same, for £7:10, 150 acres… upon the upper Horsepen branch in Maul Neck… beginning at a pine Hillory Elliggood’s corner tree… being moiety or half of 300 acres granted to Richard Grist 20 April 1745 and willed by the sd. Richard Grist to the grantor…  Signed: Jesse Rountree. Witness: William Whitfield, John (x) Frizzle.  [Pitt County Deed Book F, p81.]

This was sold, not willed, by Richard Grist to Jesse Rountree in 1760.   

29 February 1775.   Land Grant to Obed Roundtree, 300 acres in Pitt County on the east side of Little Contentney Creek…  Entered 13 January 1773    [NC Patent Book 27, p87.]

14 March 1775.    Land Grant: Francis Roundtree, 150 acres in Craven County on the north side of Neuse River including an island in the head of Cabbin ranch… [[NC Land Patent Book 25, p357.]

He sells this almost immediately.

14 March 1775.    Land Grant: Francis Roundtree, 300 acres in Craven County in the fork of Contentney beginning at a set gum on the bank of Little Contentney Creek and runs N63W 31 poles to a red oak Edward Coward’s corner… a pine in Deal’s line… down the carious courses of the creek ..       [[NC Land Patent Book 25, p328. Duplicated in Book 27, p202.]

22 March 1775.   Deed: Francis Roundtree of Pitt County to Jacob Johnston and John Nelson of Craven County, for £5 proclamation money,  150 acres  … on the north side of Neuse River including an island __ head of Cabbin Branch… which land was patent by the said Francis Roundtree…  Signed: Francis Roundtree. Witness: Jesse Rountree, John Gray Blount.  [Craven County Deed Book 29, p130.]

25 August 1775     Census of Pitt County, Capt. Cannon’s District
Moab Rountree — 1 male>21, 1 Male<21, 1femal>21, 1 female<21
(2 names intervene)
Francis Rountree — 4 males >21, 2 malees<21, 2 females>21, 1 female <21 + 1 slave
[North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 7, No. 4, p195.]

ca1775         Lost deed from Reuben Powell & wife to Jesse Rountree.  [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 10 1773-1775, p419.]

Is this a possible son of Cader or William Rountree, or someone new?

1 April 1776.    Deed: Thomas Manning of Dobbs County, planter, to Jesse Rountree of Craven County, for £20 proclamation money, 351 acres in Craven County on the West side of Little Contentnea Creek, on both sides of the Watering Branch… including one acre of Bentley’s side of the branch joining Roundtree’s Dam… part of a grant to Manning… Signed: Thos. Manning. Witness: Moses Manning, Moses Spivey, William Rountree. [Craven County Deed Book 23, p45.]

This land is either in norther Pitt County between Little Contentnea and Contentnea Creeks.  This part of Craven County was annexed to Pitt County in 1787.

7 August 1776.   Deed: Jesse Rountree and wife Rachel Rountree of Craven County to Randol McDonald of Pitt County alias Beaufort, for £70, 170 acres …on the east side of Trantors Creek & north of the ford swamp… beginning at a white oak in the fork of a branch between the plantation of William Davis & the plantation where sd. Randol McDonald now resides… being part of a tract of land that formerly belonged to Francis Rountree…  Signed: Jesse Rountree, Rachel (x) Rountree. Witness: William Lanier Junr., William Whitfield, Reuben Rountree.  [Pitt County Deed Book F, p203.]

30 September 1776.    Deed: Obed Rountree of Bertie County to William Whitfield of Pitt County, for £20, 300 acres in Pitt County on the east side of Little Contentney Creek… beginning at a pine the sd. Wm. Whitfields & Sampson (Powell’s) corner… it being a patent granted to sd. Obed Rountree 4 March 1775.  Signed: Obed Rountree.  Witness: Moab Rountree, Isaac Blount, Reuben Rountree. Feribah Rountree relainqi]uished dower.  [Poitt County Deed Book H, p31.].

22 October 1776      Deed: Francis Rountree and his wife Sarah Rountree, of Pitt County, to John Fillingim of same place, for £20, 150 acres on the south side of Little Contentney Creek (the same description as the 150 acres bought in 1770 from Abel Dail).   Signed: Francis Rountree, Sarah (x) Rountree. Witness: Jarvis Fillingim, Moses Rountree. [Craven County Deed Book 22, p472.]

ca1777        Lost deed from James Powell to Jesse Roundtree.  [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 11 1777-1779, p49.]

25 July 1777.      Deed: William Smith to Moab Rountree, both of Pitt County, for £15, 200 acres… beginning at a stake the dividing line between the said Rountree & Joseph Smith running N79E 233 poles to a stake on or near Oquins line…it being part of a patent granted to the said William Smith for 300 acres dated 1763…  Signed: William (x) Smith. Witness: Rich’d Moye, Sampson Powell.  [Pitt County Deed Book F, p316.]

How did Moab Rountree acquire the land referred to by this deed?

3 October 1777.    Deed – partially torn — : George Moye Senior to Francis Roundtree, both of Pitt County, for £20, 100 acres lying on the north side of Sandy Run it being (a) branch of Little Contentney the said land being part of a tract granted to Daniel Equine for 640 acres bearing date 1755… Signed: George Moye. Witness: John Sirman, ____ Johnson. [Pitt County Deed Book F, p306.]

3 October 1777     Deed – partially torn — Francis Rountree to John Sirman, both of Pitt County, for £10, 50 acres on Sandy Run being part of 100 acres bought by Francis Roundtree of George Moye Senr. .. dividing line between the sd. Roundtree & Sirman… Signed: Francis Rountree.  Witness: George Moye., (torn)  Johnson. [Pitt County Deed Book F, p310.]

7 October 1777      Deed – partially torn — John Sirman to Francis Rountree, both of Pitt County, for £10, 50 acres … (torn) part of a patent to Daniel Oquin…dividingn line of marked trees between Francis Roundtree and John Sirman… agreeable to the line of the deed given by the said Roundtree to the said Sirman… Signed: John Sirman. Witness: George Moye, (torn) Johnson. [Pitt County Deed Book F, p278.]

17 October 1777    Will of Jesse Rountree of Craven County… (Abstracted) I Jessey Rountree… to beloved wife 133 acres of land with my dwelling house (I now live in?) during her life and then to my son Jessey Roiuntree with the remaining part containing 400 acres in the hole(sic).  I give to my wife (list of furnishings and livestock) during her life and then to be divided among all my children…. to my wife one negro girl name Hager during her life or widowhood, and then to my son Jesse and her first child, the second child to my daughter Mary and the third to my daughter Elizabeth… to son John Rountree one plantation forming the old meeting house place containing 200 acres… on the side of Parkers marsh… to my son William Rountree 300 acres joining that of John Rountree… to my son John a negro boy Jack after my wife’s decease…to my son William one negro buy Frank after my wife’s decease.. to son John Rountree 600 acres below the mouth of Wartere? branch… to my son William Rountree all my blacksmith tools, my half of the still. All the rest of my personal estate to be equally divided among all my children after my decease & my part of the two mills to be left to my three sons John, William and Jesse and not to be sold out of the family… John Rountree and John Frisel executors…  Signed: Jesse Rountree. Witness: Thos. Coleman, Moab Rountree, Edward Fitspatrick.  Proved 21 November 1777.   [NC Archives Digital Collections, and Archives Call No. SS839.]

The executors returned an inventory in December 1777,

30 October 1777     Deed – partially torn — George Moye Senr. to Francis Rountree, both of Pitt County, for £100, 540 acres on  the east side of Little Contentney on T______ Branch beginning at a sweet gum one a S____… at William Smith line…___dy Run Branch… being a patent to Geo. Moye in 1775.  Signed: genre Moye. Witness (toen) Sirman, (torn) Johnson.  [Pitt County Deed Book F, p276.]

December 1777
Inventory of Jesse Roundtree (sic) returned to Craven County Court.  Signed by John Rountree , John (x) Frissel and John Rountree (a second one)  [[Craven County Mixed Probate Records, Wills Volume O-Y, images starting at 324 of FHL Film 004778685.]

__? March 1778       Deed;  Francis Roundtree, planter, to John Hardenson, both of Pitt County, for £180, 240 acres on the east side of Little Contentney Creek on Sandy Run Branch it being a parcel of land George Moye Senr. obtained a patent for in the year 1775…beginning at a sweet gum on a small branch at Wm. Smith’s line…  Signed: Francis Roundtree.  Witness: Moab Roundtree, John Roundtree.   [Pitt County Deed Book F, p477.]

__? March 1778       Deed;  Francis Roundtree, planter, to Joshua Hardenson, planter, both of Pitt County, for £40, 100 acres on the east side of Little Contentney Creek on Sandy Run Branch… it being part of a patent of 640 acres to Daniel Equine… and purchased by Francis Roundtree of George Moye Senr.& John Airman in the year 1777… Signed: Francis Roundtree.  Witness: Moab Roundtree, John Roundtree.   [Pitt County Deed Book F, p484.]

21 July 1778     Deed: Benjamin Blount to Jesse Rountree, both of Pitt County, for £2,  1 acre on the creek… north side of Little Contentney where the sd. Rountree’s mill stands…Signed: Benjamin (x) Blount, Penelope (x) Blount. Witness: Wm. Rountree, Francis Burk. [Pitt County Deed Book F, p474.]

10 October 1778.    Deed: Jeremiah Warren of Craven County to Obed Roundtree of Bartie (sic) County, for £500, 200 acres …on the south side of Swifts Creek joining the Bay Bush Pocoson and said Creek including Charltons improvements… Signed: Jeremiah Warren  Witness: Reuben Rountree, Isaac Gardner, Moab Rountree.  [Craven County Deed Book 25, p101.]

28 October 1778     Deed: Elijah Kirkman, planter, to Francis Rountree, planter, both of Craven County, for £120, 150 acres beginning at a small red oak on the Bay Bush Pocoson,… John Gaynor’s line…to a stake on or near Crumtons line on the Bay Bush… Signed” Elijah (x) KirkWitness: Jeremiah Warren, Soloman Olaver.  [Craven County Deed Book 23, p273.]

ca1778        Lost deed  William Roundtree to Ste\ven Cobb. [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 11 1777-1779, p259.]

ca1778        Lost deed  Moses Roundtree to Thomas Horn. [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 11 1777-1779, p295.]

14 December 1778.  Deed: Edward Rose to Francis Rountree, both of Craven County, for £200, 150 acres… a plantation… Coopers line… Hickmans line…(no watercourse mentioned) Signed: Edward (x) Rose.  Witness: Isaac Gardner, Moses Chance, Moses Rountree.  [Craven County Deed Book 23, p268.]

14 December 1778. Deed: Edward Rose to Francis Rountree, both of Craven County, for £100, 150 acres on the west side of Swifts Branch…  Signed: Edward (x) Rose.  Witness: Isaac Gardner, Moses Chance, Moses Rountree.  [Craven County Deed Book 23, p269.]

Not clear whether these two parcels are adjoining or not.

25 December? 1778.     Deed – very torn & in pieces — Obed Rountree and Ferebe his wife to John Vinson, all of Craven County, for £1__3:6:8, 90? acres beginning ___ island? on the north side of Little Contentney Creek running 105 pole to a stake in John St_____ line…  being part of a ___ ___ bearing date 15th ____ ___ ___ to Absalom Kittrell to said Obed Rountree….  Signed: Obed Rountree, Fereby (x) Rountree.  Witness: Benj. (x) Wimberly, Josh Vinson, Wm. Whitfield.  [Pitt County Deed Book F, p512.]

22 February 1779.   Land Entry:  Francis Roundtree, 150 acres Crraven County on the south side of Swift Creek on the west side of Crane branch joining his own line, Isaac Gardner’s and causeeway’s.   [Craven County Land Entries Book 1 (1778-1795), p224.]

Swift Creek runs from central Pitt County roughly southeast into Craven County., where it empties into the Neuse River.  It appears on the 1733 Moseley map.

15 April 1779.    Deed: Francis Rountree of Craven County, to Jethro Kittrell, for £300, 100 acres part in Pitt County and part in Craven County on the west side of Little Contentney Creek beginning at a marked water oak on the side of the creek (a perfect square 127 poles on a side)  Signed: Francis Rountree. Witness: Thomas Kinggold, Moab  Rountree. [Pitt County Deed Book H, p25.]

October 1779
Revolutionary Voucher:  Thomas Roundtree, £___ for one ax (sic), Halifax District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

The Halifax District encompassed Edecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Martin, Nash, Northampton and Warren Counties.  This is attributed to a Thomas Rountree of Pitt County, but a Pitt voucher would have been issued by the New Bern District. The amount is obscured.

1779.     Obed Roundtree mentioned as Captain of Northampton Regiment [Pension Files of William Brown (R1349), Joseph Wade (S7826), David Kennedy (S8782) and others.]

1779 Tax List, Craven County
Capt. Charles Roach’s Company:
Francis Roundtree
Capt. Allen’s Company”
Rachel Rountree
John Rountree

The lists lack detail other than names and amounts.  Roach’s district was evidently the general area of Swift Creek that became part of Pitt County.

25 October 1779.       Deed: John Frizel to William Rountree, both of Pitt County, for £250, 50 acres b;eginning at the said Frizel’ line at a post oak… it being a part of the land granted to John Lambers” conveyed from him to Stanciel? and from him to sd. Frizel…  Signed: John (x) Frizzle, Mary (x) Frizzle.  . Witness: John Vinson, Joshua Hardison.  [Pitt County Deed Book H, p54.]

Mary Frizel is thought to have been the daughter of Jesse Rountree. 

25 October 1779.       Deed: John Frizel to William Rountree, both of Pitt County, for £250, 290 acres on the north side of Little Contentney Creek beginning at a corner on Glohorns march…. which land granted to Absalom Kitttrell 24 May 177_.    Signed: John (x) Frizzle, Mary (x) Frizzle.  . Witness: John Vinson, Joshua Hardison.  [Pitt County Deed Book H, p55.]

5 January 1780.   Deed: Benjamin Warner to William Rountree, both of Pitt County, for one cow and calf, 200 acres patented by Benj. Warner in 1775. Signed: Benjamin Warner. Witness: Wm Whitfield, Geo. Granberry. [Pitt County Deed Book H, p118/].

1780.   Dobbs County Tax List
No Rountrees

Wayne County was carved out of Dobbs in 1779.  The Rountrees formerly in Dobbs County are now in Wayne County.

ca1781        Lost deed  Jesse Roundtree to Thomas Manning. [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 12 1779-1784, p141.]

3 March 1781
Note: We jointly and severably do proise to pay George Bryan or order Exec’rs of Joseph Bryan deceased sixteen barrels of corn to be delivered at Swift Creek or at Joseph Bryan’s on Nuse (sic).. (Signed:) Obed Rountree, Francis (“X”) Rountree.   Endorsement 5 March 1784:  I delivered my right of this note to John Bryan. (Signed:) George Bryan.  Endorsement 26 January 1795: I deliver my rights of the within note to Lewis Bryan. (Signed:) John Bryan.

This unpaid note was the subject of a lawsuit against the estate of Francis Rountree — see below.

28 September 1781
Revolutionary Voucher:  Elizabeth Rountree, £250, Edenton District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

This is for some service to the troops, probably horses for cows. The Edenton District covered Bertie, Camden, Chowan, Currituck, Gates, Hertford, Pasquotank, Perquimans, and Tyrell Counties.

12 December 1781
Revolutionary Voucher:  Thomas Rountree, claim for £2:6:3, Hillsborough District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

This is an Orange County Rountree.

29 January 1782.      Revolutionary Voucher:  Obadiah Roundtree “of Craven County for Militia Duty as per Capt. Jno. Allen’s Pay Roll”, approved for £9:15, Newbern District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

7 February 1782   .   Revolutionary Voucher:  John Roundtree, claim approved for £15:15, Halifax District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

Apparently for some service or supplies furnished ot the troops.The Halifax District encompassed Edecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Martin, Nash, Northampton and Warren Counties.

1782.   Jesse Rountree, private in 4th NC Regt.,  A Private under Capt. Thomas Evans for 18 months. [https://www.carolana.com/NC/Revolution/nc_patriot_military_privates_r.html.]

12 July 1782.     Deed: John Barefoot of Wayne County to Moses Roundtree of Edgecombe County, for £100 specie, 218 acres… on the north side of Contentney Creek beginning at a white oak on the bank of said creek and running agreed line between said John Barefoot and said Moses Roundtree… thence to the mouth of Hominy Swamp to a pine in t he old patent line…being part of a tract of land patented by Tarlor Equine and conveyed to sd Barefoot from John Faulk 13 October 1750….Signed: John Barefoot. Witness: Cha. Coleman, Simon Stuckey.  [Edgecombe County Deed Book E, p246.]

This land is in present-day Wilson County just south of the town of Wilson where Hominy Swamp empties into Contentnea Creek.

24 October 1782.     Land Grant: Francis Roundtree, 60 acres in Craven County on north side of Neuse River and south side of Swift Creek beginning at a gum in Swift Creek and west side of the Cane branch and runs up the Cane branch… Rountree’s corner… Causway’s line…down the Creek…  Entered 2 August 1779.  [NC Land Patent Book 48, p300.]

22 November 1782.    Deed — partially torn — William Rountree, planter, of Pitt County to Joshua Kittrell, for £15, 50 acres .. it being part of a tract of land patented by A____ Kittrell…   Signed: William Rountree. Martha (x) Rountree.  Witness: Arthur Dew, James (x) Braxton. [Pitt County Deed Book I, p104.]

15 December 1782.   Survey: Obed Roundtree, 100 acres Craven County on north side Neuse River and south side Swift Creek, by virtue of a warrant granted to Moses Chance dated 24 June 1780 and transferred to Obed. Roundtree… Roundtree’s lines… Henry Canpelts line… [North Carolina Warrants, Surveys et. , FHL Film 007164732, image 602.]

This is located in northern Craven County not far from the Pitt County line.

26 May 1783     Leave of Absence Certificate “agreeable to a resolution of Congress” granted to  Jesse Roundtree of 1st NC Regt.. Signed by Arch. Lytle [North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol 15, No. 4, p40.]

ca1783        Lost deed  William Roundtree to Godfrey Stansill. [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 12 1779-1784, p467.]

1 August 1783
Revolutionary Vouchers:  Reuben Roundtree Lieut., £23 pay for his service in the continental line in July 1780, and £50 plus interest for pay and subsistence to July 1780.  Both issued in Halifax District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

The Halifax District encompassed Edecombe, Franklin, Halifax, Martin, Nash, Northampton and Warren Counties.  This is attributed to Reuben Rountree of Pitt County, but a Pitt voucher would have been issued by the New Bern District.

26 August 1783
Revolutionary Voucher:  Thomas Roundtree, claim for £2:13:4, Edenton District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

7 September 1783.    Deed: John Rountree to Briskco Davis, both of Craven County, for £300, 300 acres on the west side of Little Contentney Creekbeginning a the creek on Abel Deals upper corner now Moses Spivey’s… being part of.a tract of land granted unto Jesse Rountree as by patent bearing date 9 April 1770…. Signed: John Rountree.  Witness: Thos. Coleman, William Moore. [Craven County Deed Book 24, p203.]

September 1783 [assumed]. Land Entry: #34, William Roundtree, 205 acres Craven County on the south side of Little Contentnea Creek joining of (sic) John Roundtree line and Jesse Rountree lines and Christopher Neal’s lines so as to include the vacant land within the above lines.   September _______. [Craven County Land Entries Book 1 (1778-1795), p4.]

13 October 1783.     Land Grant: William Rountree, 74 acres in Pitt County on north side of Little Contentney Creek adjoining his own lines and Joshua Hardison.  Entered 20 October 1781.   [NC Land Patent Book %4, p174 and also entered into Pitt County Deed Book K, p36.]

27 November 1783.    Deed: Obed Rountree of Craven County, farmer, to William Jarrell of same, farmer, for £100,  50 acres …on the north side of Neuse River and south side of Swifts Creek… Warrens corner… the side of the Baybush…Kirkmans corner… Reuben Rountrees line… Signed: Obed Rountree.   Witness: Luis (x) Garrale, Sabra (x) Garrale. [Craven County Deed Book 25, p205.]

27 November 1783.    Deed: William Jarrell (Garrell) to Obed Rountree, for £250, 200 acre.  …on the north side of Neuse River called Beasleys Island… Signed: William Garrell. Witness: Lewis (x) Garrall, Sabra (x) Garrall. [Craven County Deed Book 26, p141.]

8 May 1784.     Deed — partially torn — Francis Rountree, of Pitt County to John Sirman, for £20, one hundred ____ and being in Beaufort County on the ____ ____ Campbells Creek…  and on the east ____  Signed: Francis Rountree. .  Witness: Moses Rountree, Reuben Rountree. [Pitt County Deed Book I, p305.]

27 October 1784.   Land Grant: Obed Rountree, 100 acres in Craven County on north side of Neuse River and south of Swifts Creek.  {NC Land Patent Book 55, p301.]

13 December 1784
Revolutionary Voucher:  Moses Roundtree, “of Craven County is allowed, in Specia, the sum of £3_,” Newbern District. [NC Archives, Revolutionary Pay Vouchers.]

The second digit of the sum is obscured.

13 April 1785.    Deed: Moses Chance to Obed Rountree, both of Craven County, for £200 specie, 100 acres on north side of Neuse River beginning on the east side of Spring Branch John Douherty and Willliam Joiners corner…. patent to Moses Chance 27 October 1784. Signed: Moses Chance. Witness: Frederick Laine, John Versey. [Craven County Deed Book 26, p84.]

June 1785.  Petition of Obed Rountree praying leave to build a public water grist mill across Jameses branch where he owns land on both sides the stream, which ws granted… [Craven County Court Minutes, from Pitt County Genealogical Quarterly, Vol. 16, No. 2, p6.]

6 December 1785   Deed: John Rountree of Dobbs County to William Rountree of Craven County, for £180  specie, 200 acres …situate part in Craven County and part in Dobbs County on the west side of Little Contentney Creek being part of the land bequeathed to John Rountree by his father…. Signed: John Rountree.  Witness:  John Dew, (two names obscured) [Craven County Deed Book 28, p425.]

Formerly the land of Jesse Rountree.

3 April 1786.     Deed: Francis Rountree of Dobbs County, planter, to John Rountree of Craven County, for £40 , 150 acres …a plantation of land n Craven County beginning at a lightwood post standing near the house… Coopers line…Hickmans line… Signed: Francis Rountree. Witness: Reuben Rountree, Moses Rountree.  [Craven County Deed Book 27, p184.]

This is the land he bought in 1778.

1786. Pitt County Tax List
On page 6, John & Moses consecutive:
John Rountree – 200 acres, 1 white poll, 1 black poll
Moses Rountree – 150 acres, 1 white poll
Rueben Rountree – 150 acres, 1 white poll (Written as “Rheuben” in list)
On page 7:
Wm. Rountree – 701 acres, 1 white poll
[NC Archives Digital Collections, MARS ID 66.30.5]

John Kennedy, husband of Cherry Rountree, was on this tax list 10 names above John Rountree, listed as a landless single white poll.

1786 Wayne County Tex List
No Rountrees

9 August 1786.  Land Grant: William Roundtree, 180 acres in Craven County on the west side fo Little Contentnea Creek beginning at a pine on the creek side a corner of Manning’s patent…Vanpelts new patent…Neal’s line… [NC Land Patent Book 61, p 41.]

13 December 1786.    Sheriff’s Sale:  John Council Bryan, Sheriff of Craven County, whereas writ returned 12 September 1786…. re judgement for Thomas Davis debt owed by Obed Rountree “late of Craven County” of  £133:10:9…  Sheriff seized a certain tract of land called Beasleys Island… of 200 acres…land sold at public auction to John Allen, high bidder at £28:10…[Craven County Deed Book 28, p123.]

Where has Obed Rountree gone?

21 December 1786.    Deed:  Francis Rountree to John Gwaltney, both planters of Craven County, for £120, 50 acres (or 150 acres?). beginning at a small red oak on the Bay Bush Pocoson… Signed: Francis Rountree.  Witness: Moses Rountree, Benjamin (x) Gwaltney. [Craven County Deed Book 28, p278.]

The deed reads “containing and fifty aces”. with “one hundred” perhaps omitted in the copying.

(blank) 1787.    Sheriff’s Sale: John Council Bryan, Sheriff of Craven County, whereas writ returned 12 September 1786…. re judgement for Thomas Davis debt owed by Obed Rountree “late of Craven County” of  £133:10:9…  Sheriff seized a certain tract of land (the tract Obed Rountree bought on 13 April 1785)   of 100 acres…land sold at public auction to Nelson Alcock, high bidder at £30…  Proved December Court 1787. [Craven County Deed Book 28, p411.]

8 September 1787.    Deed (faded): Jesse Rountree of Pitt County to William Rountree of Craven County, for £200 specie, 400 acres …situate part in Craven County and part in Pitt County on the west side of Little Contentney Creek being part of the land bequeathed unto the said Jesse Rountree  by his father…… beginning at a white oak on the side of Parkers Marsh then running a direct line to where the road crosses the watery branch…THomas Mannings corner… Jesse Rountrees line… Signed: Jesse Rountree. Witness: Reddin Blount, John Dew. [Craven County Deed Book 28, p420.]

Formerly the land of Jesse Rountree.

10(?) December 1787.  Deed William Rountree to Francis Rountree, both of Craven County, for £10,  50 acres   …on the west side of Little Contentney Creek being part of the land bequesthed to William Rountree by his father… beginning at the mouth of the watering branch… Signed: William Rountree. Witness: John Dew, (witness omitted). [Craven County Deed Book 28, p424.]

Formerly the land of Jesse Rountree.

19 October 1787.   Deed: John Barefoot of Wayne County to Moses Roundtree, planter,  of Edgecombe County , for £100, 354 acres  … on the north side of Hominy Swamp bed]ginning at a water oak on the said swamp a the mouth of the Poley branch…  part of a tract granted to John Broadstreet in 1782… Signed: John Barefoot. Witness: William White Senr., George Blackwell.  [Edgecombe County Deed Book 4, p589.]

This is in present-day Wilson County.  Hominy Swamp rises in central Wilson County and flows southeasterly into Contentnea Creek just below the town of Wilson.

ca1787        Lost deed  William Roundtree to Frederick Harrison. [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 13 1784-1789, p341.]

This also appears on p341 in the transcribed index of Book 14 — not clear which is correct.

2 March 1788.    Deed  John Dew of Pitt County to William Rountree & John Sears of Craven County, for £8, 2 acres in Pitt County on the north side of Little Contentney Creek (on the creek)   Signed: John Dew. Witness: Wm. Sears.  [Pitt County Deed Book M, p43.]

29 February 1788.   Deed: Charles Hatch of Jones County to Needham Whitfield of Wayne County, for £120, negro girl Peg and her increase… “for the natural love good will & affection which I bear unto my two nephews Lemuel Roundtree & Allen Roundtree, sons of Obed Roundtree” to be employed for their benefit and to be delivered to them as they come of age.  Signed: Charles Hatch. Witness:  Wm. Whitfield, Jesse Smith. [Jones County Deed Book F (aka No. 6), p48.]

21 August 1788.  Deed: Francis Rountree to John Rountree, both of Craven County, for £20,  50 acres …part of a tract of land commonly called Hickmans at a branch between Rountree and John Rountree…    Signed: Francis Rountree. Witness: Moses Rountree, William Rountree.  [Craven County Deed Book 27, p183.]

28 August 1788.    Deed: William Rountree to Frederick Hardison, both of Craven County, for £75, 100 acres  … lying and being part in the county of Craven and part in the county of Dobbs… beginning at a pine tree the road joining Frederick Hardison corner running thence about south to Anthony Vanpelts corner… Parkers marsh… Signed: William Rountree. Witness: John Sears, Isaac(x) Clark.  [Craven County Deed Book 27, p224.]

6 January 1789. Deed: James Newman of Pitt County to Cader Roundtreee of Beaufort County for £130 specie, 106 acres. … north side of Pamplico(sic) River and west side of Bonners mill swamp… Signed: James Newman. Witness: Simon Floyd, James Conaway.  [Beaufort County Deed Book 6, p117.]

30 October 1789.   Deed: William Rountree of Craven County to Jesse Rountree of Pitt County, for £200, 364 acres…. beginning on the low grounds of Little Contentney Creekthe running along a line of marked trees agreed on by William Rountree and Joshua Hardison to William Rountree new patent land run with said Rountrees line to Absalom Kittrell corner pine including all the land the said William Rountree holds in his new patent… John Frizzle line… Signed: William Rountree. Witness: Joshua Hardiman, Wm. Sears.  [Pitt County Deed Book M, p463.]

1790  Census of North C arolina
Craven County:
Moses Rountdree.             1 3 2 — 1
William Roundtree.          1 3 2 — 1
Francis Roundtree Senr. 2 0 1 — 1
Francis Roundtree Junr.  1 0 0 — 0
Pitt County
Jesse Roundtree.         1 0 2 —  2
Wayne County
Francis Rountree.        1 0 0 — 0
Edgecombe County
John  Roundtree           1 0 2 — 2
Francis Roundtree.      1 0 0 — 0
Moses Roundtree         1 2 4 — 0
Beaufort County
Cader Roundtree.        2 0 1 — 0
Gates County (formerly Chowan)
John Rountree.         1 1 2 — 9
Mary Rountree.        0 1 2 — 7
Miles Rountree.      1 0 0 — 4
Seth Rountree.         1 1 3 — 12
Perquimans County
Jesse Rountree.         1 0 3 — 5

–>The Rountrees in Orange County, North Carolina are treated separately in this file.The 1790, 1800 and 1810 censuses for Nansemond County are lost.

21 January 1790.   Deed: James Cobb of Wayne County to Francis Roundtree of Edgecombe County, for £95, 73 acres in Wayne County on the south side of Contentnea Creek … being two thirds of the land that John Grimes died seized and possessed of … joining the lines of William Tomlinson, Isaac Daniel, and and the lines of the land that John Barefoot purchased of Elias Coleman… Signed Jas. Cobb. Witness: Edmund (x) Love, James (x) Whitehead. [Wayne County Deed Book 5, p54.]

12 February 1790.   Deed: Francis Rountree, farmer, to Moses Rountree, farmer, both of Craven County, for £30, 150 acres on the north side of Neuse River and south side of Swifts Creek (no adjacent landowners mentioned).  Signed: Francis Rountree. Witness: Isaac Gardner, John Gwaltney.  [Craven County Deed Book 27, p182.]

8 March 1790.   Deed: Moses Rountree of Craven County to Isaac Gardner of Pitt County, for £5, 20 acres    …part of a tract surveyed for Francis Rountree Sr. in Craven County lying on the west side of Swift Creek joining my own land … Gardners line… Signed: Moses Rountree. Witness: Benjamin Ventress, Philip (x) Causey. [Craven County Deed Book 27, p198.]

16 March 1790.   Caveat: John Rountree enters a caveat against Moses Chance obtaining a warrant of survey for 100 acres on the north side Neuse River and south side Swift Creek adjoining Rountree’s lines, Causway’s lines and Isaac Gardner’s lines… This caveat is dismissed.[Craven County Land Entries Book 1 (1778-1795), p90.]

16 March 1790.      Deed: Philip Causey to John Rountree, both of Craven County, for £150, 150 acres… part of a tract surveyed for Philip Causey in Pitt County on the north side of Neuse River and the south side of Swifts Creek… Signed: Philip (x) Causey.   Witness: Moses Rountree, Moses Chance. [Pitt County Deed Book M. p497.]

13 April 1790    Deed: William Rountree to William Sears, both of Craven County, for £120,  169 acres …beginning at a maple in the watery branch which was the beginning tree mentioned in a patent granted to Thomas Manning…Frederick Harrison’s line… Signed: William Rountree. Witness: John Sears, Jon. Dew.  [Craven County Deed Book 32, p56.]

15 January 1791.   Deed: William Rountree and Jonathan Frisel to John Sears, all of Craven County, for £788,  one half the saw & grist mill that now stands across the creek of Little Contentney with three oxen and a carriage for hauling timber, one new saw and one old one and every other kind of tools belonging to her… Signed William Rountree and Jonathan Frisel. Witness Wm. Sears. [Craven County Deed Book 32, p657.]

19 January 1791.  Deed: Francis Roundtree of Craven County, planter, to William Tuten of Pitt County, for £120,    …on the west side of Little Contentney Creek being part of the land bequeathed unto William Roundtree by his father and conveyed by the said William Rountree to me… Signed: Francis (x) Roundtree. Witness: John Dew, Arthur Dew. [Craven County Deed Book 32, p360.]

8 April 1791.   Land Entry: #711, Moses Rountree 100 acres Craven County joining Isaac Gardner’s , Col. John Allen’s, Walter Dunn’s, Moses Chance’s and his own lines [Craven County Land Entries Book 1 (1778-1795), p101.]

1 September 1791.   Deed: William Rountree to Jonathan Frisel, both of Craven County, for £255, 375 acres …beginning at a sweet gum below William Rountree’s plantation, between that and the mill that now stands across the creek… Sears line… Frederick Harrison’s corner… Henry Vanpelts corner…Daniel D Moss line… Jesse Rountree’s patent line along the Creek… Signed: William Rountree. Witness: John Sears, Wm Sears. [Craven County Deed Book 32, p379.]

26 September 1791.   Land Entry: #758, William Roundtree 75 acres Craven County, the cacant land between Wm. Roundtree joining , Dempsey Moss, Frederick Hardison and Daniel Lane.  [Craven County Land Entries Book 1 (1778-1795), p112.]

5 December 1791.  Will of William Rountree of Craven County: …I also request my executors to give my children (not named) such education as they may think proper… loving wife Martha all my property real and personal during her widowhood… for the support of herself and children… my fourth part of the mill now standing across Little Continea Creek…unto Jonathan Frisel a parcel of land… Jesse Rountree of Pitt County and John Sears of Craven County to be executors…  Signed: William Rountree.  Witness: John Dew, Wm. Sears, Brisco Davis. Proved December Court 1791.   [Craven County Will Book A, p259.. Also in FHL Film #004778685, image 327 etc.]

An inventory was recorded 10 March 1792 [FHL Film 005123387, image 1112 etc.]including 300 acres “taken from different patents” and 100 acres purchased from Anthony Vanpelt.  The estate accounting included the purchase of a hat for Arthur Rountree, presumably a son.

20 January 1792.    Deed: Daniel Dickenson of Wayne County to Keader (Cader) Rountree of Beaufort County, for £200, 350 acres in Wayne County on the north side of Black Creek… beginning at a black gum on the bank of said Creek William Hood’s corner and runs with his line… Edwards Hood’s line…up the creek… Signed: Daniel Dickenson. Witness: Hardy Robertson, Mathew Turner, Chas. Coleman. [Wayne County Deed Book 5, p415.]

6 February 1792.  Deed: Cader Roundtree of Beaufort County to Luton Bonner of Pitt County, for £130 specie, 106 acres. … 105 acres (same description as 1789 purchase).  Signed: Cader Roundtree.  Witness: John Bonner, Ethelred Warren. [Beaufort County Deed Book 6, p470.]

10 March 1792
Inventory: Estate of WIlliam Rountree – “three hundred acres of land more or less taken from different patents, one hundred acres purchased of Anthony Vanpelt, one fourth part of the saw & grist mill now now standing across Little Contentnea Creek… and two acres of land joining said mill in Pitt County…“, negro man named Frank, £25 note from Jonathan Frisel, horse and riding chair, three feather beds,..  [Craven County Mixed Probate Records, Wills Volume O-Y, image 332. ]

The inventory suggests several children.  An estate accounting in the Archives mentions a purchase of a hat for Arthur Rountree but no other children are mentioned.

21 March 1792.     Deed: John Rountree to John Allen, both of Pitt County, for £100, 150 acres … on the north side of Neuse river and south side of Swift Creek… by patent to John Casway(sic) for 200 acres granted 4 March 1775… Signed: John Rountree. Witness: William Browning, Hillary Stocks?, John (x) Causeway?  [Pitt County Deed Book M, p528.]

29 December 1792.     Will of Francis Rountree of Craven County:  …to my son Moses Rountree one bed and furniture, one chest, four chairs, .three head of sheep and all my working tools and also my pewter(?) that is at his house and all remaining part of my goods that is at my son Moses Rountree’s I give to him and and also I give to my son Moses Rountree William Rountree’s note of hand and also the two first notes of hand that is on demand that I have of WIlliam Tuten’s…   I also give and bequeath to my wife Ann Rountree all the remaining part of my estate that was at Thomas Oglesby’s where I moved from also my Mare named Pleasure and also three head of sheep. I also give to her the two last notes of hand that is on demand (Tht) I have of William Tuten’s…  I also give and bequeath the remaining part of my estate to be equally divided between all the remaining part of my children to their heirs and assigns forever. I also nominate and appoint my son Moses Rountree to be my whole and sole executor…  Signed: Francis (x) Rountree.  Witness: Joel Willis, John Gwaltney.   Proved at March Court 1793.  [Craven County Will Book A, p276. Also preserved among the loose estate papers.].

There are two copies of this will in different handwritings with slight but immaterial differences.   The original will appears to be filed among Craven County’s loose estate files.  

William Tuten was taxed in Craven County in 1779.  But in 1793 he was evidently living in what became Barnwell District, South Carolina.  He was enumerated in the 1790 census of Orangeburgh District (Winton County), South Carolina in 1790 and the 1800/1810 censuses of Barnwell District, South Carolina.  His 1817 will named a wife Mary, son Richard and several grandchildren.  The notes from Tuten were a substantial portion of Francis Rountree’s estate.  Was he a relative of Francis Rountree?  Too old to be a son-in-law but possibly a brother-in-law or the husband of a sister?  Is it coincidental that he was living in Barnwell where several Rountrees had also settled?

8 March 1793
Inventory of Francis Rountree deceased:   One note for £63, three notes for £25, one note for £15 (no parties identified), £28 in cash, “a note of hand five silver dollars”, 1 mair(sic) with bridle and saddle, two feather beds, household furniture and miscellany , a variety of carpentry tools, 6 sheep  [Craven County Loose Estate Papers, FHL Film 005123387, image 1039]]

This is interesting in that there was no farming equipment or livestock (other than sheep) in the inventory.

29 March 1793.   Marriage Bond: Elijah Adams & Judith Rountree, bondsman Henry Churchwall. [Bertie County Marriage Bonds]

22 May 1793.    Deed: John Sears of Craven County and Jesse Rountree of Pitt County, executors of the estate of William Rountree deceased, to Ambrose Jones of Pitt County, for £400, one fourth part of the saw and grist mill that now stands across the creek of Little Contentnea… Signed: John Sears, Jesse Rountree. Witness: Wm. Sears, Henry Taylor, Jesse Moye. [Craven County Deed Book 30, p179.]

18 December 1794.  Land Grant: Moses Roundtree, 100 acres in Craven County on the north side of Neuse River and south side of Swift Creek beginning at a lightwood post in Francis Roundtree’s line 24 poles from the beginning…  [NC Land Patent Book 86, p255.]

7 March 1795.    Deed: Reuben Powell to Jesse Rountree, both of Pitt County, for £250, … on the north side of Contentney Creek and on both sides of the No. prong of the Hencoop, viz. beginning at the mouth of the Myrtle Branch… Signed: Reuben Powell. Witness: Charles Jenkins, Sampson Powell.  [Pitt County Deed Book N, p309.]

22 March 1795.     POA:  John Mason of the State of Massachusetts appoints my trusty & loving friend Jesse Roundtree” of Pitt County to collect debts…. Signed: John Mason. Witness An(sic) Jones, Charles Jenkins.  [Pitt County Deed Book O, p266.]

20 May 1795.    Deed: Charles Coleman and Moses Rountree, executors of the last will of Hardy Robertson dec’d of Edgecombe County, to John C. Pender, 35 acres,in Wayne County joining the lines of John Barefoot, Wm. Tomlinson, Isaac Daniel and Francis Roundtree lying on the south side of Contentnea Creek and is part of a tract of land whereon John Grimes late of Wayne County dec’d (lived) …  (the land sold in August 1795 below)  Signed: Charles Coleman, Moses Roundtree.  Witness: Stephen Cobb, John Morris, William (x) Row

18 August 1795.    Deed: John C. Pender to Francis Roundtree, both of Wayne County, for £40 specie, 35 acres in Wayne County joining the lines of John Barefoot, Wm. Tomlinson, Isaac Daniel and Francis Roundtree lying on the south side of Contentnea Creek and is part of a tract of land whereon John Grimes late of Wayne County dec’d (lived) … the part of the tract that was laid off for Phrase Grimes widow of John Grimes…  Signed: John C. Pender. Witness: John Howell, John (x) Barefoot.  [Wayne County Deed Book 5E, p288.]

21 November 1795     Deed: Anne Rountree of Pitt County to Benjamin Patrick, 9 half-acre lots in Town of Greensville, numbered 100, 123, 136, 144, 153, 154, 155, 165…. Signed: Anna Rountree. Witness: J H Simpson, Wm. Schoolfield.  [Pitt County Deed Book N, p458.]

21 November 1795     Deed: Anne Roundtree of Pitt County to William Schoolfield, for £12:10, one half-acre lot in the Town of Greenville numbered 134…. Signed: Anna Rountree. Witness: J H Simpson, Benj. Partick.  [Pitt County Deed Book O, p218.]

30 November 1795.   Cader Roundtree appointed administrator of estate of John Roundtree, posted $1,000 bond with Charles Coleman security. [Edgecombe County Court Minutes, FHL Film 008152253, image 413.]

John Rountree’s slaves and other property were later divided among his widow Susannah Rountree and three daughters named Sarah, Mary and Penelope. Buyers at his estate sale included Francis and Cader Rountree. [Edgecombe County Inventories Etc., Vol. 1794-1797, p75, p108 and p200, and Vol. 1798-1800, p19.]

June 1795 to 1798
In June 1795  in Craven County, George Bryan successfully sued Moses Rountree as executor of Francis Rountree apparently for breach of promise — see the item at 3 March 1781.  Moses Rountree appealed the decision to the Superior Court, posting bond with securities James Reel and Edmund Perkins,   Summons were issued in 1797 and 1798 to James McCafferty, Moses Chance and John Gooding. [NC Archives Digital Collections, SR.398.6.6 & original images at FHL Film #007640543 beginning at image 1801.]

This was evidently a disputeover the unpaid note from Obed Rountree and Francis Rountree dated 3 March 1781.  I did not look into court records for details.

1796.    John Medearis, Captain in the 3rd Regt, Wake Co. (Raleigh) jointly certifies that John Roundtree served as a war soldier and died in service. [West Salem, Forsyth, Military Records 1665-1970, FHL Film 009068877, image 3613 and also at image 5795.]

John Medearis was in the 3rd NC Regt. centered around Wake County, but pay rolls do not seem to exist.  Unable to determine more detail. See 9 December 1797 entry. 

22 April 1796.    Deed: John Vinson to Jesse Rountree, for £200, 90 acres… beginning at a pine standing on the north side of Little COntentney Creek… to Abraham Kitrell and from him to Obed Rountree & from him to John Vinson by deed 26 February 1778… Signed: John Vinson.  Witness: John (x) Frisel, Charles Jenkins, Freeman (x) Williams. [Pitt County Deed Book N, p350.]

10 September 1796.  Deed: Moses Rountree to Joel Willis, both of Craven County, for £180, two plantations or tracts of land… one patented by Francis Rountree of 60 acres on the north side of Neuse and south side of Swifts Creek, beginning at a gum in Swifts Creek and west side of the Crane Branch…  also a tract of land patented by Moses Rountree containing 100 acres … on the north side of Neuse River and south side of Swifts Creek beginning at a lightwood post in Francis Rountree’s line 24 poles from the beginning ..  Signed: Moses Rountree. Witness: Francis Willis, John Gwaltney. [Craven County Deed Book 32, p766.]

ca1797        Lost deed  Moses Roundtree to Charles Tull. [Dobbs County Grantor Index Book 14 1796-1798, p458.]

1797.     Taxables, Chowan County, Capt. Cullens District
Seth Roundtree — 50 acres
[North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol.16, No.4, p230.]

7 June 1799.    Land Grant: William Roundtree in Craven County on the north side of Neuse River and west side of Little Contentnea Creek beginning at the second corner of a patent issued to John Beadly 100 acres dated Feby 1750 and runs with his second line N12W 100 poles to another patent (of) his….  [NC Land Patent Book 104, p43.]

9 December 1797.  North Carolina Land Warrant: No. 5137, The heirs of John Rountree, a private in the line of this state , 640 acres. [North Carolina Revolutionary War Land Warrants 1784-1806, p480.]

See 1796 above.

2 December 1799.       Sheriff’s Sale:  Stephen Harris, Sheriff of Craven County to Benjamin Gwaltney… 100 acres being a patent to Obediah Rountree of 27 October 1784… said tract was not listed for tax in 1798 and on 1 April 1799 became due and payable…as of 1 September 1799 was in arrears “and there being no visible property of said Rountree within said county”… the tract was sold at public auction of 12 September 1799 to Benjamin Gwaltney for £2:6:4…  [Craven County Deed Book 34, p70.]

8 September 1803
Inventory of Joab Rountree deceased, by David Kennedy. [Craven County loose probate files.]

Very little in inventory: a horse and clothing. Obviously a single man.

13 September 1803
Administration Bond: David Kennedy, £100 bond as administration of the estate of Joab Rountree. Securities: Moses Rountree, Thomas Armstrong, [Craven County loose probate files.]