These are my own abstracts culled from original sources except where noted
with comments and interpretations in blue italic
(I have made an effort to spell the name as it appears in each record)

REFERENCE MAPS:

• The 1733 Mosely Map of North Carolina shows Chowan and Perquimans precincts in relation to Nansemond County and the Great Dismal Swamp.  It also illustrates how deserted most of North Carolina was when Mosely surveyed the colony in 1731-32.
• the 1769 Collett Map of North Carolina shows the relative locations of Cypress Creek in Nansemond County and Catherine Creek and Bennets Creek in Chowan County.
• An 1864 map of Isle of Wight and part of Nansemond that shows two plantations labelled “Rountree” in the approximate location of the 1686 grant about six miles above the North Carolina border.

4 November 1685   Land Patent:  Charles Rowntree, 350 acres of land “lying and being in the upper parish of Nansemond County beginning at Michael Brinkly his corner white oake by the Sypresse Swamp… for the transportation of seven p’sons into this Colony…  Willm. Hunter, Nich’o Hunter, Joane Hunter, Rebecka Hunter, Charles Rowntree, Robert Rowntree, John Sayor.” [Virginia Patent Book 7, p487.]

Charles and  Robert had been in Nansemond for at least a few years, probably 5-10 years;  my study of late 17^th century patents in nearby Surry County concluded that patents lagged headright certificates by about 5 years on average.  And the headright certificates themselves were issued, by law if not always in practice, only after the imported persons had survived in Virginia for three years.

This land was within about five miles of North Carolina.  Michael Brinckley’s patent on Cypress Swamp also bordered Mossy Swamp which, according to an 1834 map of Nansemond, was only about 2-3 miles above the Virginia-North Carolina border on the edge of the Great Dismal Swamp.  .

If the Hunters were related, this might be a clue to English origins — thoough it is possible that Charles Rountree was not the importer and had merely purchased the Hunter headrights.  No mention of Francis Rountree but Charles may have possessed a certificate for more than the seven headrights needed for this patent.

27 April 1686   Land Patent: George Spivey, 800 acres in Nansemond County. “Beginning at a gum corner tree to Mr. James Petters his land now in the possession of Robert and Francis Roundtree… “ [Virginia Patent Book 7, p501.]

Robert & Francis Rountree have claimed an abandoned 1678 patent by James Peters, but exactly when they did so is unknowable — though considering the steps involved in the patenting process, they must have done so at least 2 years earlier.  See the patent issued to the Rountrees a few months later. See below.

 30 October 1686      Patent:  Robert and Francis Roundtree, “490 acres of land lying and being in the upper parish of Nansemond County, beginning at at a Cypress with a Hollow top standing by ye Run of the Cypress Swamp and Runs WNW 224 poles to a line thence S36W 326 poles to a pine in a pocoson thence ESE 224 poles to a Cypress standing by ye maine Run of ye Cypress Swamp…  400 acres of ye sd. land being formerly granted unto Mr. James Peters by pattent bearing date 10 November 1678 and in now in ye possession of ye said Roundtrees, the other 90 acres being swamp and sundry ground added and is due by and for the transportation of two persons into this Colony… Thomas Roundtree & Elizabeth Roundtree“ [Virginia Patent Book 7, p527.]

It’s possible that these two headrights were not needed by Charles Rountree and were used here.   James Peters continued to receive patents in Nansemond and Lower Norfolk, so it seems that the Rountrees had purchased the land from Peters, and were now consolidating their title to the two parcels.How these Rountrees were related to one another is unknown, although it does seem nearly certain that Robert and Francis were brothers.  Thomas may have been another brother or a cousin..

Thomas Rountree’s wife was Elizabeth i40-odd years later, but whether she was the same person as this Elizabeth in this record is unlikely, as Thomas’s children were born many years after this.  Was Elizabeth the wife of Charles?  Or the wife of one of the others? It seems extremely unlikely at his time and place that the family would bring a single woman into Virginia.  

20 October 1689   Land Patent: Robert Lassiter, 440 acres at the white march in the upper parish of Nansemond… crossing Mattapocoon pocoson… “a pine a corner tree to the land of Robt. & Fra. Roundtree… ESE 136p on their line…”  [Virginia Patent Book 8, p12.] 

26 April 1698   Patent:  Robt. Rountree & Fra. Rountree, 400 acres in ye upper parish of Nansemond County “beginning at a marked pine standing by a great swamp side called Cypress Swamp and near a reedy white marsh and running WNW 200 poles to a marked pine thence S36W 326poles to a marked pine standing in a poquoson thence ESE 200 poles to a marked gum by the aforesaid Cypress Swamp… being formerly granted to James Peters by patent dated the 10 November 1678 and by him deserted and since granted unto the said Robt, and Fra. Rountree by order of the Gen’l Court dated the 15 October 1697 and is further due by and for the transportation of 8 persons into this Colony…  Murry, Tony, Kate, Cis, Jacob Jupiter, Vulcan, Scipio” [Virginia Patent Book 9, p142.]

This is the same 400 acres already patented twelve years earlier in 1686.  It isn’t clear why the Rountrees had to perfect the title with a new patent, as there is no surviving record in the minutes of the executive council of the General Court.   (A possibility is a caveat or competing claim from someone else that required the intervention of the General Court.)  Cypress Swamp lies in the southern part of Nansemond (now Suffolk) County and is mostly just less than ten miles north of Chowan (now Gates) County, North Carolina where the Rountrees appear two years later. The inported persons were clearly slaves, the headright perhaps purchased by the Rountrees.

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Record Loss:  Nansemond County (Now Suffolk County) records are nonexistent due to a succession of courthouse fires in 1734, 1779 and 1866 that destroyed all recpords of the first 200 years.   There are no deeds, probate records, tax lists, marriage licenses, or other colonial-era records that might help us determine family structures of the Rountrees living in Nansemond.   

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19 October 1700   Deed:  John Odom to Nich’s Stallings… “all my rights title & Interest in (torn…) mentioned (blurred) Patten…” Witness: Will. Hunter, Henry Hill, Robt. Roundtree.  [Chowan County, North Carolina Deed Book W1, page not numbered but 15th folio.].
19 October 1700   POA from John Odom? to effect the same witnessed by Henry Hill and Robert Rowntree [NC Archives Call No. CCR 195]

This is the land that Stallings then sold part of to Robert Roundtree.  This page is torn and so faded as to be almost unreadable.  Note that almost all early grants in this part of Chowan were made by Virginia, because the border between the two colonies was uncertain. Most people thought this area was Nansemond County.  The above witness William Hunter, for instance had a Virginia patent for land on Bennet’s Creek that called it Nansemond County.

30 October 1700   Deed:  “A Conveyance of land passed from Nick’s Stallings unto Rob’t Roundtree ordered to be Regis’d October 30, 1700. Know all Men by these presents that Nich’s Stallings  (torn…) County of Nangsamond have for a Valuable Consideration in hand (torn..) and Sold & forever made over from me my Heirs or assign(torn…) Roundtree of Nangsamond (sic) County… Track of Land (blank) being upon Bennets Cr(torn)”  [Chowan County, North Carolina, Deed Book W1, page number missing but physically 14th folio]

The entire bottom of the page is missing. Bennett’s Creek is shown on the 1671 Ogilby map and on the 1733 Mosely map — beginning nine or so miles south of the Virginia border and running roughly southward into the Chowan River in the part of Chowan Precinct that today is Gates County.

Note:  Chowan County deeds are a bit of a mess.  Loose deeds were seemingly copied into deed books in near-random order many decades later, and some may have been missed.  There are sewveral boxes of loose deeds in the NC Archives that may or may not have been copied into a deed book.  The condition of many deeds makes them unreadable.  In addition, many court records were destroyed by an acting clerk in 1848.  

25 April 1701   Patent:  John Lassiter, 330 acres on Hawkins hole branch on the west side of Cypress Swamp in the upper parish of Nansemond County… corner pine of the Roundtrees…then S36W 320p… George Spivy’s line… [Virginia Patent Book 9, p300.]

I would note that these lands were still being processioned 70-odd years later by descendants of John Lassiter and the Rountrees.

28 March 1702   Petition: To the Honourable President & Councill… The petition of Benjamin Blanchard, John Campbell, Thomas Spivey, Erancis Rountree, Robert Laciter, George Laciter and Nicholas Stallings in all humility, Complaineth, Whereas every of yor Honrs petitionrs hath a lawfull right in and to considerable tracts of land lying and being within this Province and bounding upon Bennett’s Creyke and a Creyke now Known by the name of Garrett’s Creyke as by yor Honours petition’rs patents under the Seale of this Province and other grants and Conveyances more at large doth and may appeare. And forasmuch as the Chowan Indians having their hunteing quarters upon some of ye petition’rs lands aforesaid, therefore doe pretend the said lands to be theirs notwithstanding the patents and grants aforesaid: in Marceing and threatening yor Hon’rs pet’rs by destroying their Stocks burning their houses and other hostilities under pretence they are under yor Hon’rs protection and no Englishman ought to Seate within four miles of their Towne…    Signed: Benjamin Blanchard, John Campbell Thomas (x) Spivey Francis Rountree, Robert Rountree,  Robert Laciter, George Laciter ,Nicholas Stallings. [Records of the Executive Council, 1664-1724, page 389]

The boundary between Virginia and North Carolina was disputed by Virginia, which had issued numerous land grants inside Chowan precinct.  In particular, the area between Catherine’s (now Gannett’s) Creek and Bennett’s Creek where the Rountrees settled, was disputed — and may hav eencroached on the 11,000 acres on which the Chowan Indians lived. Attempts to survey the border failed until 1728 when William Byrd’s survey established the boundary where it lies today.

This petition was addressed to the Virginia Governor and Council, yet another sign of the uncertainty of exactly where the Virginia-Carolina border lay.   (See note below.)  Note also that both Rountrees apparently signed their names, indicating some degree of education.

 28 October 1702   Patent: Richard Sumner, 330 acres in the upper parish of Nansemond County on the northwest side of the Mossy Swamp… in the Roundtrees line… on Brinkley’s land… pine by the edge of the Desert… [Virginia Patent Book 9, p475.]

The metes and bounds help to locate the patent to Robert and Francis Rountree, just north of what was eventually the Virginia-North Caroline border. The “Desert” was the early name of the Great Dismal Swamp which places these grants right on its edge.

8 January 1702/3.   Letter: Mr. Snoden: Sr: Frans Roundtree and George Laseter informes me they spoke t p you for warrants for them selves and sum other persons and yo promised them to contrive them to me but as yet they are not com to my hand…. I much want the people of this prec’t we lives of ye borders of Virginia when proved theire rights knowse not how to get their warrants….Thos. Luten.  [The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 3, No. 2, p269.]

Thomas Luten was Deputy Surveyor Chowan Precinct. Thomas Snowden was Secretary of the Colony of North Carolina.

12 October 1703.      Request from  Francis Rowntree to Mr. Chevin  “by the bearer Robeart Rowntree” requesting a warrant for 640 acres “… There was six rits(sic) that I bought of Edward Stanley ____ proved and seaven rites that I proved myself…”   [North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 15, No. 1, p5.]

Nathaniel Chevin was the Court Clerk.  As in Virginia, one headright was worth fifty acres.  And, as in Virginia, there was no restriction on place of origin, so importing someone across the border from Virginia to North Carolina qualified a a headright.

1704   Virginia Quit Rents
Nansemond County
Robert Roundtree     245 acres
Thomas Roundtree   350 acres
John Roundtree        475 acres
New Kent County
William Roundtree   100 acres
[Annie Laurie Wright Smith, The Quit Rents of Virginia 1794 (Genealogical Publishing Co., 1975), p77.]

These are the only Rountrees listed in Virginia. Robert Rountree is listed with half the 490 acres he and Francis Rountree patented.  The other half was devised in Francis Rountree’s will to his son John, and is probably included in John’s 475 acres.  

Thomas Rountree’s 350 acres may be the same as the 350 acres that Charles Rountree patented in 1686.   

William Rountree is covered in a separate webpage.  There is no evidence that he was related in any way to the Rountrees of Nansemond County and Chowan Precinct.

27 March 1713    Land Grant: Michael Brinckly, 175 acres in Chowan precinct beginning at a red oak in Tho. Rountree’s line (and) running along his line…  a poplar Francis Rountree’s corner tree then along his back line… [NC Land Patent Book 8, p305.]

This almost certainly refers to the lands Thomas and Francis have claimed but have not yet been granted. See grants below.  

1 April 1713    Land Grant: William Thompson, 100 acres in Chowan precinct corner tree between (Tho.) Garrett and Rountree running along Rountree’s back line…  [NC Land Patent Book 8, p305.]

4 September 1714    Land Grant: Fra. Roundtree, 132 acres on Catherine Creek in Chowan precinct “beginning at a Hiccory by ye Swamp side Thos. Spivey’s corner…  [NC Land Patent Book 8, p222.]

Catherine Creek is shown on the Collet Map. It empties into the Chowan River about 2-3 miles south of the mouth of Bennett’s Creek.

29 March 1716    Land Grant: Thomas Roundtree, 320 acres “on the south side of Roterin(?) Creek in Chowan precinct beginning at a marked poplar by the Creek swamp side and running thence…” (no neighbors mentioned).  [North Carolina Land Patent Book 8, p285.]

12 April 1716    Deed: Nicholas Stallings and Ann his wife of the upper parish of Nansemond County, to Joseph Wright of the lower parish of Nansemond, boatwright, 50 acres at the head of Bennett’s Creek, part of 350 acres granted to John Odom? on 17 April 1697 and by the said Odom assigned to sd. Stallings 19 October 1700… the 50 acres lying between William Roundtree and John Hinton.  [Chowan County Deed Book B1, p255.]

This appears to refer to the land purchased by Robert Rountree in 1700.  Nicholas Stallings, who bought John Odom’s 350-acre pattent at the head of Bennett’s creek, sold it off to Robert Rountree, John Hinton, Joseph Wright , There’s no deed to William Rountree so he must have inherited it from Robert Rountree.  Robert Rountree lived in Nansemond, so there’s no way to know for sure.

1716     Albemarle County Tax List (all precincts)
Fra. Roundtree — 312 acres, no tithables
Tho. Roundtree — 320 acres, 1 tithable

All the Rountrees are still living in Nansemond county, Virginia except Thomas who has moved to Chowan precinct of Albemarle County. Robert Rountree is missing although we know he owns land in Chowan.

15 July 1717    Deed:   Thomas Spivey Sr. & Mary his wife to James Griffin, 200 acres north side of Catherin Creek joining Fras. Roundtree…. part of a 429-acre patent dated 16 August 1716…[Chowan County Deed Book B1, p469.]

16 July 1717    At Chowan court:  Francis and Thos. Rountree petition to build a water mill on Katherine Creek Swamp.  Granted. Surveyor General to lay out the land.
Same Court:   Thomas Rountree proved Rights for the importation of James Griffin, Sr., James Griffin Jr., Sarah Griffin Sr., Sarah Griffin Jr., John, Joseph, Susanah (sic) and Moses Griffin.
Same Court: Petition of Francis Roundtree, Thomas Rountree and John Outlaw for payment as witnesses… [The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol1, No.1, p151.]

This court record supposed to be in Deed Book B1 but I could not locate the original.  North Carolina had a headright system similar to Virginia’s.  The persons brought into the colony were frequently merely people coming south from Virginia.

16 July 1717    At Chowan court:  Thomas Rountree proves rights for the importation of Frances, Ann, William, Joan, Susannah, Moses, John, Sarah, Elizabeth, Jethro and Christian Rountree.  [The North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. 1, No. 1, p152.]

These are the wife and children of Francis Rountree, omitting only Jesse and Rebecca who may have been born in North Carolina. (Francis Rountree’s will notes that Jesse was under 21 in 1730.).  The others were presumably imported into North Carolina from Virginia — there was no requirement that the persons be imported from abroad, only that they enter North Carolina with intent to.inhabit.  North Carolina required only that the person claiming the headrights have been in North Carolina for at least two years, and after 1697 North Carolina followed the Virginia practice of awarding fifty acres per headright.  Thomas Rountree would prove these rights in order to obtain a warrant in pursuit of a land grant.  The 430-acre grant to Francis Rountree may have been based on this.

8 April 1718.     Deed: Timothy Clare and his wife Hannah of Perquimans Precinct of Albemarle County, to Thomas Rowntree of Chowan Precinct of Albemarle County, for £15 sterling money of Great Britain, paid to William (Moore?) for the account of Timothy Clare, 101 acres on the north east side of Perquimans River beginning at the mouth of a Swamp that floweth out of the afsd. River being commonly known by the name of the Cypress Swamp… up the river… part of a patent of 200 aces to Timothy Clare 4 September 1714… Signed: Timothy Clare, Hannah (x) Clare. Witness: J. Jessop, Jacob Hill, Luke Hollowell.  [Perquimans County Deed Book B, Item 38.]

Cypress Swamp in Perquimans precinct of Albemarle County is shown on the 1733 Mosely map of North Carolina — it is just over the hills to the west of the Catherine’s Creek/Bennett’s Creek area. It isn’t at all clear why Thomas Rountree would want land there, unless it was for access to the Perquimans river.  Clare sold the other half of the tract to Luke Hollowell.

Note: Perquimans was at the time a precinct of Albemarle County east of and adjacent to Chowan precinct.  The Perquimans River runs about 30 miles roughly southward just east of the Chowan County line and empties into the Albemarle Sound.

8 April 1718.     Deed: Thomas Rowntree and Elizabeth his wife to Frances Rowntree Senr., all of Chowan percent of Albemarel County, for £7:10 sterling, 50 acres (half of the 101 acres purchased the same day).   Signed: Thomas Rowntree, Elizabeth (her E mark) Rowntree.  Witness: James (x) Griffin, Will’m Hill, Luke Hollowell. [Perquimans County Deed Book B, Item 49.  Repeated again as Item 264 in conjunction with the deed at 10 October 1727.]

1718  & 1719       Perquimans Precinct Tax List
Thos. Roundtree – 100 acres, no tithables

13 July 1719    Witness: Thomas Rountree a witness to deed from Richard Skinner Sr. of Perquimans precinct to Abraham Hill of Nansemond County.  [Chowan County Deed Book W1, page 189.]

22 July 1719     Ordered that Thomas Roudtree be overseer of the Highway in the room of Abraham Spivey.

30 July 1719    At a General Court held for the sd Province at the Court House at Queen Annes Creek in Chowan Precinct… Thos: Rountree sworn as a grand juror.  [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 2, p358.]

29 August 1719    Appointment as JP:  Governor Charles Eden declaration appointing John Hardy, William Charlton, John Holbrook, John Cotton, Thomas Betterley, Samuel Pagett, Thomas Rountree, John Bryan son of Lewis Bryan, John Parker and Luke Meazell esquires… Justices of the Peace for the Prect. of Chowan in the Co. of Albemarle… [Chowan County Deed Book F1, page 21.]

1 March 1719/20    Land Grant: NC Grant to Fra. Rountree, 430 acres in Chowan precinct Beginning at a Hiccory on Cath: Creek Tho. Spyves corner N35E 60p to ye centre of a Hiccory and two red oaks Thos. Spivys corner on ye Crooked Branch … [North Carolina Land Patent Book 8, p214.]

31 March 1720    At a Genll Court of Oyer & Terminer held for the sd Province at the Genll Court House at Queen Ann’s Creek in Chowan Precinct the 31st March 1720 & continued by adjournmt to the 2d day of April following… The Grand Jury empaneled… Thos: Betterly fforeman, Thos: Rountree… (17 more names). [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 2, p398.]

2 April 1720    Ditto on 2 April:  Thomas Rountree Informeth the Grand Jury that upon the 10th day of ffebry last past Jams ffleming did very much approach the sd Thos Rountree of Injustice the sd Thos Rountree being then a Justice of the Peace for the Precinct of Chowan the sd Jams ffleming did say that the sd Thomas Rountree would give Judgmt any way yt he the sd Rountree had the most mind it should go lett it be right or wrong & did very much threaten and abuse the sd Rountree & did severall times Ride agst the sd Rountree as he was riding upon the Road to beat him the sd Rountree out of the Road & would not lett him the said Rountree pass quietly about his business.  [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 2, p400.]

18 April 1720    Witness: Thomas Rountree a witness to POA from Mary Hill, widow of Henry Hill of Nansemond, to Thomas Henman of Chowan, to collect debts in Chowan precinct.  [Chowan County Deed Book F1, page 8.]

20 April 1720    Power of Attorney:  Abraham Hill to Mr. Thomas Rountree “to “prosecute or defend any cause in North Carolina against or at the suit of John Watson.”   [Chowan County Deed Book F1, page 14.]

Abraham Hill was the son of Henry Hill, a neighbor. Thomas Rountree had witnessed a deed to him for 200 acres in 1719.

9 July 1720    Witness: Thomas Rountree a witness to deed of gift by William Thompson… [Chowan County Deed Book F1, page 67.]

28 July 1720    Att a Genll Court of Oyer & Terminer continued and held for the sd Province at the Genll Court House in Chowan Precinct the 28 July 1720… James Fleming being calld to answer a Presentmt of the Grand Jury for abusing Thos Rountree Esqr a Justice of the Peace for Chowan Precinct fail’d to appear Upon motion of the Attorney Genll order, yt further process do issue agst him to appear at the next Court and be of his good behaviour in the mean time… [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 2, p405.]

There are two other entries at the same court regarding Thomas Rountree’s normal activities in his role as justice of the county court.

10 August 1720.    Land Patent:  Thomas Rountree of Chowan precinct, 250 acres in Perquimans precinct on th esouthwest side of the head of Perqquimns River…  [not in NC Patent Books, but mentioned in two deeds below.]

1 October 1720    Appointment as JP: [Similar to item at 29 August 1719] Governor Charles Eden commissions Justices for Chowan Precinct. …William Charlton, John Holbrook, John Cotton Thomas Betterley and Thomas Rountree were instructed to hold court four times a year… they were also empowered ot administer the path of office to justices in Beaufort and Hyde Precincts. [Chowan County Deed Book F1, page 80-81.]

1 November 1720    Thomas Rountree was again a grand juror at the General Court of North Carolina.  John Fleming (see above) again failed to appear but was excused for sickness. [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 2, p408, p409, p412.]

6 December 1720    Land Grant: NC Grant to Robert Rountree Junr., 304 acres in Chowan precinct beginning at ye Watry Swamp… Adams line… along Bennet’s Creek swamp and ye Watry Swamp…  [North Carolina Land Patent Book 3, p57.]

Robert Rountree has been absent from Chowan records since 1702.   Did he die or return to Nansemond County?  However, the fact that this man is addressed as “Junior” implies that there is a “Senior” in the area — not necessarily his father, but a Robert older than he is.  One possibility is that both Robert and Francis had sons named Robert, the younger of whom would properly by “Junior”. 

1 February 1720/21.  “Land List of Chowan Precinct” presented to Thomas West, Treasurer of Chowan Precint.
Fra. Roundtree:
430 acres Catherine Creek, by patent
50 acres Perquimans River (in Perqimans pct) by deed
Thomas Rountree:
320 acres Catherine Creek by Patent
120 acres Middle Swamp by deed
250 acres Perquimans River (in Perqimans pct) by deed
50 acres north east side Perqimans River (in Perqimans pct) by deed
[North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal., Vol. 33, No. 1, p8-9.]

Some pages are torn, so there may have been other Rountrees in the document.  Robert Rountree is missing from this list, [erhaps because no one is living on that land? And Robert Rountree Jr’s 1720 patent is also missing.

30 March 1721    Land Grant: Robt. Lassiter, 530 acres “lying on ye So. Side of Bennett’s Creek in ye prec’t of Chowan… begin’g at a pine on ye side of Bennet’s Creek Mary Rountree’s corner along her lines various courses to a pine in ye Indian line her corner yn. along ye Indian line… [North Carolina Land Patent Book 3, p61]

Mary Rountree is presumably a widow.  This may be the land formerly of RObert Rountree; if so, Mary may have been the widow of either Robert or of William who seems to be on that land in 1716,   When Robert Lassiter sold this grant in 1727 it was still being occupied by Mary Rountree.

30 March 1721    Att a Genll Court of Oyer & Terminer continued & held for the sd Province at the Genll Court house at Queen Ann’s Creek in Chowan Precinct… Thos: Rountree sworn as grand juror.  [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 2, p433.]

He was also a member of the grand jury at subsequent court sessions of July 1721 [p442] and March 1726 [p646], October 1726 [p666], and March 1729 [Vol. 3, p53]

10 July 1721    POA: Thomas Burkett & Mary his wife of Chowan Precinct of Albemarle County, empower Thomas Rountree to acknowledge their deed to Edward Wingagte.  [Chowan County Deed Book F1, p180.]

15 July 1721    Witness: Thomas Rountree acknwledges deed of land on Catherine Creek from Thomas Burkett & wife Mary to Edward Wingate. [Chowan County Deed Book F1, p181.]

I have omitted several other instances when Thomas Rountree served as a witness or justice unless the record appears to have potential genealogical value. 

1721       Albemarle County Tax List
Thos. Roundtree – 740 ares
Fran. Roundtree – 480 acres

Robert Rountree is still missing.  If he is already deceased, perhaps she is in arrears?

14 October 1723    Deed: Michael Brinkley and wife Mary to Thomas Rountree, 175 acres on Warrick Swamp adjoining Francis Rountree.  Witness: Walter Draughn, Thos. Hobbs. Thos. Wallis.  [ Deed Book C1, in NC Historical & Genealogical Register Vol. 2 No 2, p287]

This is a poor abstract — See the actual deed below…

23 November 1723    “A List of Jurymen in Chowan Precinct: …  Tho: Rountree… Fran: Rountree… (142 total names) [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 25, p185-186.]

18 January 1724/5    Deed: Francis Rountree to Thomas Rountree, both of Chowan precinct of Albemarle County, for £12:17:4. silver money of Virginia and 7 barrels of tar, all his rights in a water mill now standing being upon the tract of land that he the sd. Thos. Rountree now lives upon… Signed: Francis Rountree. Witness: Wm. Hill, Aaron Blanchard.  [Chowan County Deed Book C1, p469.]

10 October 1724    Deed:  Michael Brinkley and Mary his wife of Nansemond County, Virginia to Thomas Rountree of Albemarle County, North Carolina, for £12, 175 acres in Chowan precinct in Warreck(?)  Neck… beginning at a red oak in the line of the land whereon the sd Rountree now dwells, running along sd line N21E 100 pole to a white oak, a corner tree by a branch & then to a poplar Francis Rountree’s corner…  Signed: Michael Brinkley.  Witness: Walt’r Draughn, Thos (x) Hobbs, Thos. (x) Wallis.  Acknowledged October Court 1724.  [Chowan County Deed Book C1, p481.]

This is an example of the hot mess that are Chowan County deeds. This deed is clearly a copy read into the deed book many years after the fact.  The date of this deed is given a year earlier, as 14 October 1723, in the abstract in the NC Historical & Genealogical Register Vol. 2 No 2, p287 which was based (I think) on the original deed which was stored as one of many loose papers.  Note also that the abstract omits quite a bit of significant information. 

10  January 1725/6.       Deed: Joseph Jessop, Gentleman, and Margaret his wife, of Perquimans precinct, to Thomas Roundtree of Chowan precinct, for £10 sterling, 200 acres on the northeast side of the head of Perquimans River Swamp beginning at a pine standing nigh by the River Pocosin being a corner tree of Timothy Clear’s (Clare’s) but now belonging to Luke Hollowell’s land that he the said Hollowell now lives on, running thence up the river… being part of a laps patent granted to Luke Hollowell for the quantity of 400 acres bearing date 4 August 1723…  Signed: Joseph Jessop, Margaret (her M mark) Jessop.  Witness: John White, William (x) Moore.  [Perquimans County Deed Book B, Item 237.]

10 October 1727.     Deed:   Francis Rowntree of Chowan precinct assigns the deed (from Thomas Rountree) dated 8 April 1718 to James Field of Perquimans precinct, for £7:10 sterling,  Signed: Francis Rowntree.  Witness: Jon. Brassier, J. Jessop.  [Perquimans County Deed Book B, Item 265.]

(1) He was Francis Rowntree Senr. when he bought the land 1718.  (2) There is no wife relinquishing dower. 

31 October 1727    Deed: Robert Lassiter of Nansemond County, Virginia to Francis Rountree of the same Parish, for £25, 153 acres in Chowan precinct on the south side of Bennett’s Creek… beginning at a marked pine on the south side of Bennett’s Creek & running thence SE by the course of the patent yn running along the patent line and bounded by the same 126 poles to a corner pine Mary Rountree’s corner tree.in the Indians line…   .. Witness: Thos Rountree, Rich’d Taylor, James Brown. [Chowan County Deed Book C1, p581.]

This is the same language as used in the 1721 grant, so Mary Rountree may not still be there.

8 January 1727/8.   Deed: Thomas Blitchenden and wife Mary of Perquimans precinct, to Moses Rowntree of Chowasn precinct, for £20 current money of NC, 182 acres on the southwest side of the head of Perquimans River…beginning at a red oak standing by the river… James Field’s line…Thomas Rowntree’s corner.. Thomas Rowntree‘s line…  a patent of 182 acres to Thomas Blitchenden bearing date 18 November 1727.   Signed: Thomas Blitchenden, Mary Blitchenden. Witness:  James Page, Rebecca Philips.   [Perquimans County Deed Book B, Item 272.]

28 August 1728    Power of Attorney: Nicholas Hunter and wife Rebecca of Carteret precinct in Bath County, appoint our trusty good friend Thomas Rountree of Chowan precinctall the lands to us belonging in the afsd county…. Signed: Nich’s Hunter, Rebecca (x) Hunter. Witness: Thomas Hiller, Thos. (x) Huston, Wm Maroney. [Chowan County Deed Book C1, p602.]

Thomas Rountree subsequently conveyed two parcels, one to William Huner and the other to Isaac Hunter to which Charles Rountree was a witness.  See p599 and p600 in the deed book.

20 January 1728/9.   Deed: Thomas Blitchenden of Perquimans precinct, to Moses Rowntree of Chowasn precinct, for £10, a certain messuage or part of a tract of land lying on the northwest side of Perquimans River it being the remaining part of a tract of land which I sold to Thomas Hobbs 50 acres more or less and is in contents 60 acres more or less… a patent of 6 December 1728…  Signed: Thomas Blitchenden   Witness:  Edward Howcott?, Thos. Weeks.   [Perquimans County Deed Book B, Item 323.]

19 April 1729.   Deed: Joseph Gilson pf Perquimans precinct, to William Rowntree (residence not given), for £10 specie,  100 acres…   a moiety of a tract… a pine tree standing in the west line of of Joseph Gilson’s land running across the said land with a No. line… tract belonging to John White the said line being a dividing line between Joseph Gilson and William Rowntree of a tract of 269 acres according to patent and the said William Rowntree is to have all the land that is on the north side of the said line for 100 acres more or less…  Signed: Joseph Gilson.  Witness: Christopher Arrington?, Gilbert Scott. [Perquimans County Deed Book C, Item 7.]

His son will sell this land in 1750.

28 July 1729.       Deed:  Thomas Rowntree of Chowan precinct and Elizabeth his wife, to Robert Chapple of same, “for the natural love, good will, and affection that we bear to our trusty friend Robert Chapple” give 84 acres (87 acres later in deed) on the southwest side near the head of Perquimans River… part of a patent granted to him the said Thomas Rowntree for 250 acres bearing date 10 August 1720…   Signed: Thos. Rowntree, Elizabeth (her “E” mark) Rountree.  Witness: John (x) Freeman Senr., George (x) White Junr.  [Perquimans County Deed Book B, Item 317.]

Was Robert Chapple a relative — a son-in-law or some relative of Elizabeth Rountree? Chappel and his wife Elizabeth sold the land in 1736.for £10.

There is no NC (or Virginia) grant to Thomas Rountree of 250 acres in 1720  or any other time — perhaps a grant to someone else that was assigned to Thomas Rountree?  

20 July 1730.        Deed: John White of Perquimans precinct and his wife Sarah, to Robert Rowntree of Nansemond County in Virginia, for £20 silver money, 100 acres of land lying in perquimans precinct on the west side of the River beginning on Daniel Snooks his line now in the possession of William Kitchen… along the back line to Dennis his swamp…down the run of the said swamp to the River swamp thence down the River swamp to the first station… which land was patented by Timothy Clare and given to us by his last will   Signed: John White. Sarah (x) white. Witness: John Wimberly, William White.  [Perquimans County Deed Book C, Item 48.]

Thomas Rountree and Francis Rountree owned adjacent tracts bought from Timothy Clare in 1718 — this tract must be nearby.

30 September 1730    Will of Francis Rountree of Chowan County.  (Heavily edited) “… to my loving wife (not named) my mannour plantation… during her natural life and after her decease to my son Francis Rowntree… unto my son William Rowntree the plantation on which he did formerly live… sons Jesse Rowntree & Moses Rowntree and Jethro Rowntree to have all the remaining part of my land… unto my son John Rowntree the plantation & land thereunto belonging containing by estimation 245 acres in the upper parish of Nansemond where I did formerly live… I nominate my well beloved wife to be my hole & sole executor… It is my desire that my son Jesse to have three cows & calves when he comes to the age of one & twenty… rest of my estate to be equally divided amongst the rest of my children only one cow & calf to every one of my gourles (sic) Jane, Rebeca, Susanna, Sarah, Elisabeth, & Christian… Signed: Francis Rowntree. Witness: Thomas, Tayler(?), Thomas Hobbs, Isaac Dickinson.   Proved 27 June 1734. [Original in NC Archives Call No. SS839.]

This confirms that he is the same Francis Rountree who patented land in 1686. The clerk who copied this spelled the name “Rowntree”.  His wife was not named in the will but a later record gives her name as “Ann”.

16 July 1733.        Deed:  James Stallings to William Rowntree, both of Perquimans precinct, for £13:10 silver money,  190 acres & 50 acres more joining to it…  (the first parcel) bounded with a red oak standing on the east side of New Begun Creek laid off for Joseph Jessop… (the second parcel) part of a Creek of land taken up by Thomas Jessop… of 100 acres with the line drawn & agreed between them…  Signed: James (x) Stallings.  Witness: Daniel (x) Rogerson, Gilbert Scott. [Perquimans County Deed Book C, Item 118.]

This is apparently the son of Francis Rountree who first appeared in Chowan records in 1716 and who bought land in Perquimans in 1729.  James Stallings sold the rest of Jessop’s patent to Francis Rountree a year later.  

The land is a distance east of Chowan in present-day Pasquotank County south of Elizabeth City.  New Begun Creek, which appears on the Collett map of 1770, rises in southern Pasquotank County and runs into the Pasquotank River just a few miles above Albemarle Sound.  This would probably be a natural migration for residents of Nansemond who lived in or next to the Great Dismal Swamp, and it places these Rountrees close to ocean-going waters.

27 January 1734   Deed: Thomas Hoyter, King, and other Indians chief men of the tribe of Chowan Indians, to James Brown, 100 acres adjoining Rountree and Hill.  (This was one of a number of deeds by the Indians dated this day.). [North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol 1, No 1, p?.]

17 April 1734   Deed: Michael Ward and wife Ann to Charles Rountree, all of Chowan precinct, for £22, 250 acres between the head of Catherine Creek Swamp & the head of Warreck Swamp, beginning at a pine standing near the east side of the Drinking Spring pocoson in the line of a tract of Thomas Hobbs… (rest of deed is missing) [Chowan County Seed Book W1, p236.]

21 June 1734        Deed:  James Stallings of Perquimans precinct to Francis Rowntree of Nansemond County in Virginia, for £30 silver money of Virginia, part of 100 acres, a tract patented by Joseph Jessop… on  the New Begun Creek… beginning on John White’s land at the lower end & on Thomas Jessop’s land at the upper end but now in the possession of William Rowntree… dividing line between the said William Rowntree & Francis Rowntree by reason of some small part of the said 100 acres being sold to the said William Rowntree by the said James Stallings…  Signed: James (x) Stallings.  Witness: Thomas Rowntree, Benj’n Perry. [Perquimans County Deed Book C, Item 150.]

This seems to be Francis Rountree, son of Francis, buying land adjacent to his brother William Rountree.  Thomas Rountree is evidently either their uncle or his son.

2 October 1734   Deed: William Rountree and Rachel his wife, of Perquimans precinct, to Thomas Hobbs of Chowan precinct, for £20, 50 acres on the south side of Catherine Creek Swamp… part of a patent granted to Francis Rountree of 430 acres… and by his last will descended to his son William Rountree…  Signed: William Rountree. Witness: Samuel (his “S” mark) Perry, Thos. Rounttre.  [Chowan County Deed Book C1, p709.]

11 January 1734/5   POA: Edward Wood appoints Thos. Rountree to acknowledge a deed. [Chowan County Deed Book C1, p708.].

15 January 1734/5   Assignment: Thomas Rountree and wife Elizabeth of Chowan precinct to Samuel Perry of Perquimans precinct, for £16, all their right, title, and interest in the within mentioned patent….  Signed: Thomas Rountree, Elizabeth Rountree. Witness: Jonathan (his “I” mark) Clift,

15 January 1734/5   Assignment: Thomas Rountree and wife Elizabeth of Chowan precinct to Samuel Perry of Perquimans precinct, for £16, all their right, title, and interest in the within mentioned patent….  Signed: Thomas Rountree, Elizabeth Rountree. Witness: Jonathan (his “I” mark) Clift, Charles Rountree.  [Chowan County Deed Book C1, p712.].

The patent to which this was attached is missing.  Possibly it was the 1716 patent to Thomas Rountree for 320 acres on Roterin Creek, which he never seems to have sold.

20 May 1735   Deed: Robert Rountree of the upper parish of Nansemond County, Virginia to Gabriel Lassiter of the same, for £17:10:0, a tract of 175 acres on the south side of Bennett’s Creek…. beginning at a marked gum tree standing on the side of ye sd Creek… being part of a greater tract formerly taken up & patented by John Odiom (?) dated 17 April 1697… the one half of which was Nicholas Stallings…. conveyed unto Robert Rountree the father of the said Robt. Rountree … by a conveyance dated 3o October 1700….  Signed: Rob’t. Rountree.  Witness: Thos. Rountree, Rob’t Rountree, Jno. Rountree, Elias Stallings.  [Chowan County Deed Book W1, p266..]

This proves that Robert Rountree is dead and his son Robert has inherited the land.  This seems to be the same tract that was called Mary Rountree’s back in 1721, apparently the widow of Robert Rountree Sr. or perhaps of William Rountree  Who is the second Robert Rountree who witnessed this deed? Or is that a copying error on the part of the clerk?

12 June 1735. Arrears of Quit Rents – Account of the Receipt of one-half of the arrears of His Majesty’s Quit Rents for Albemarle County (vizt) from 29 September 1729, to march 1732, Computed at the difference of Seven for one pound Sterling in the currency of this Provisce—12 June, 1735.
Perquimans Precinct 
William Rountree      200 acre
Francis Rountree        80 acres
Thomas Rountree     250 acres
Chowan Precinct:
Ann Rountree             172 acres
Thomas Rountree     617 acres
Moses Rountree        318 acres
Jethrro Rountree        86 acres
Francis Rountree      153 acres
[Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 22, p254 and p257.]

This is not a tax list but rather a record of the collection of back rents.  Thus, for example, the Perquimans precinct holdings don’t match the deeds detailed above. Charles Rountree is missing as is Moses Rountree..

19 July 1737        Deed:  James Stallings for £8 assigns a deed to Francis Rountree…  Signed:  James Stallings. Witness: Lemuel Reddick, Thomas White.  [Perquimans County Deed Book C, Item 110.]. (The deed assigned is from Thomas Jessop to Richard Stalllings — which I did not read.)

25 February 1739/40    At a Meeting of NC House: “Resolved that the following list of jurymen… be added to the former list, vizt… For Chowan County…Thos. Roundtree Senr… Charles Roundtree… Moses Roundtree…”  [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 4, p516, 517.]
“Bertie & Edgecombe (County) List of Jurymen…  Wm. Roundtree”  [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 4, p516, 517.]

These are the only jurymen listed in the entire colony.  The jury lists were essentially all landowners (freemen) in good standing.

1740. Perquimans County Tax List
No Rountrees

(Blank) 1741        Deed:  Francis Rountree of Virginia, Planter, to John Smith of Perquimans, for £25 Virginia currency, near upon 100 acres… bounded by New Begun Creek on the south side and land formerly John White’s on another side, and land formerly Joseph Jessop’s on the other side… (a branch) being the bounds between the said land and William Roundtree’s land by reason of a small part of the said 100 acres that lay on the other side the branch and was sold to William Roundtree.  Signed: Francis Roundtree. Witness: Thomas White, John White, Jacob (x) Elliott.  Acknowledged by Francis Roundtree April Court 1740. [Pequimans County Deed Book D, Item 33.]

He was “:of Nansemond County” when he bought this land in 1734 and he is still “of Virginia” — did he ever live on this land in Perquimons?  Did he buy it for a son?

20 February 1741/2    Deed: Jethro Rountree of Chowan County to George Eason of Perquimans County, for £20, 86 acres on the south side of Catherine Creek Swamp… part of a patent granted to Francis Rountree of 430 acres bearing date the 4 of April 1720…Signed: Jethro Rountree. Witness: Rich’d McClure, James (Craven?) , Wm. Vason, Christian (her X mark)Rountree.  [Chowan County Deed Book A, p59.]

30 March 1742    Deed: Ann Rountree widow of Francis Rountree late of the County of Chowan province of North Carolina deceased, and Francis Rountree son of the afores’d Francis Rountree and Ann his wife afores’d but both now of the county of Bertie, to Guy Hillof the County of Chowan… the said Ann Rountree and Francis Rountree son of  the said Francis Rountree and Ann his wife… for £30 silver money of Virginia…  86 acres on the north side of Catherine Creek Swamp… being part of a patent granted to Francis Rountree for 430 acres bearing date 4 ApriThomas Spivey’s corner… 1720 (sic)… tract given by the will of Francis Rountree to his wife Ann for life then to her son Francis Rountree… Signed: Ann (her “A” mark) Rountree, Francis Rountree.  Witness: Thos. Rountree Senr?Charles Rountree, Thos. (x) Hobbs Senr. Thos. Rountree. [Chowan County Deed Book A, p146.]

This casts doubt on whether the Francis Rountree who died 1748 in Edgecombe County was the same person as Francis, son of Francis.   (1) This deed was signed, as were several Bertie deeds, but the will in Edgecombe was signed by an “F” mark.   

17 January 1742/3        Deed: Robert Roundtree of Nansemond County in Virginia, to Benjamin Perry of Perquimans precinct in NC, for £29 current money of Virginia,  on the waters of Perquimans River beginning on Daniel Snook’s line now in the possession of John Riddick…patented by Timothy Clare and given to Sarah White his daughter and sold by John White and Sarah his wife to me the said Roundtree…  20 July 1730… Signed: Robert Roundtree, Elizabeth (her “A” mark) Roundtree.  Witness: Jacob Perry, Thomas White.  [Perquimans County Deed Book D, Item 89.]

It may be that Elizabeth’s maiden name began with the letter “A”.

9 August 1743    Deed: Moses Rountree, planter, to Francis Roundtree, planter, (residence not identified) for £100, 320 acres “beginning at a pine in the old line… to the head of a branch that which leads out of Guys Hall Swamp…north to Jesse Roundtree’s corner…   Signed: Moses Roundtree. Witness: Thos. Rountree Senr, Moses Hill, Jesse Roundtree, [Bertie County Deed Book F, p504.]

30 November 1743.   At a Vestry held at Suffolk Town in the Up’r P’sh of Nansemond… Ord’d that Jno. Rountree and Abra. Lassiter in the p’sence of the inhabitants p’cession all the bounds of land from Nuby’s Rode down Barbeque & the Siprus Swamp to the Desert, down the Desert to the pocoson, up the pocoson to the head of Fran. Coplands Branch…  [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p9.]

The “Desert” was an alternate name for the Great Dismal Swamp.  This district is just a few miles above the North Carolina border and borders the Great Dismal Swamp.

2 February 1743/4.   Processioners Report by  James Sprivy and Robert Rountree: …a line between John Lacitor Sen’r and Robert Roundtree, a line between John Roundtree and John Lacitor Sen’r, a line between John Roundtree and Robert Roundtree, John Roundtree present, a line between John Waterridge and John Roundtree, John Rountree John Waterridge and John Rountree present, a line between Abraham Lacitor son of Robt and Robert Roundtree…  [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p40.]

Robert Rountree and John Rountree own adjoining land — presumably the old patent that was jointly owned by Francis Rountree (father of John) and Robert Rountree (father of Robert). It isn’t clear whether there were two John Rountrees present for the processioning or whether this was a clerical error.

2 March 1743/4.   Two Land Entries: Francis Rountree enters 100 acres in Edgecombe County on Contentnea Creek and 100 acres on the south side of Contentnea Creek.  Neither claim resulted in a land grant — no record of a grant in North Carolina Land Grant Books [NC Archives, File #20 and #21, MARS ID 12.14.59.2647]

20 April 1745.   Land Grants:  two grants to Abraham Sheppard in Craven County on south side of Contentnea Creek adjacent Francis Rountree… The warrant dated 19 November 1744 specifies “joining on Rowantree’s line & the creek”…. [NC Land Patent Book 10, p155.]

See 2 March 1743/44.  

10 October 1745    Deed: Thomas Hobbs to his son John Hobbs, 165 acres south side of Catherine Creek, part of a 1720 grant of 430 acres to Francis Rountree.  Witness: Moses Rountree, Thos. Rountree. [Chowan County Deed Book ?].

30 November 1745.      Deed: Moses Roundtree of Chowan County, planter, to Simon Stallings of Perquimans County, for £5 current money of Virginia,  232 acres  …beginning at a dividing line between Thomas Hobbs & ye said Moses Roundtree… to James Field’s line & along ye said Field’s line to a pine Thomas Roundtree‘s corner tree thence along ye said Roundtree’s line to a pine a corner tree standing by the River pocosin… 50 acres of the aforementioned land being pat of a patent to Thomas Blitchenden of 6 December 1728 & the other 182 acres a patent to said Blitchenden 18 November 1727…  Signed Moses Roundtree.  Witness: Nicholas Stallings Junr. William Price Junr.  [Perquimans County Deed Book E, Item 61.]

This is the 182 acres that Moses Rountree bought in 1728 and the 50 acres he bought in 1729.  It adjoined the land Thomas Rountree bought in 1726 and the parcel sold to Thomas Rountree by Francis Rountree in 1727 , as well as the assignment from Francis Rountree to James fields.  

15 January 1745/6    Deed:  Charles Rountree to Thomas Hobbs, both of Chowan, for £5:5:0, 150 acres between the heads of two swamps, one being known as Catherine Creek Swamp and the other known by the name of Warreck Swamp.,, sold to Charles Rountree by Michael Ward on 17 April 1734……   [Chowan County Deed Book E, p68.]

9 April 1747.    Deed of Gift:  Thomas Rountree of Chowan County for the love, good will. and affection that I bear towards my well beloved grandson William Wallis of the county of Perquimans,,,  the plantation and land belonging to it whereon he now lives… in Perquimans County containing 50 acres… that I ye said Thomas Rountree had of Timothy Clare late of Perquimans County dec’d provided that William Wallis & his heirs do not sell ease or let any part or parcel of ye said plantation or land without ye consent of my two sons Charles & Thomas Rountree or their or either of their heirs…etdc. etc.  Signed: Thomas Rountree.  Witness: Elias Stallings Junr. John (x) Lilly Senr.  [Chowan C country Deed Book O, p52_]

31 August 1747    At a Vestry held for the upper parish of Nansemond County  in Suffolk Town… Meeting: Ordered that Robert Rowntree & James Spivy procession all the land in the bounds No. 23 according to law…  Their report on p40 implies that the lands of Robert Rountree and John Rountree bordered each other and the land of John Lassiter.  [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p20.]

District 23 was n southeastern Virginia, separated from the Great Dismal Swamp by District 24.  This is presumably the son of Robert Rountree of the 1686 patent.  See February 1743/4 below.

1748    Deed: John Blitchenden to Moses Rountree — much too much bleed-through, almost completely unreadable.  [Chowan County Deed Book E, p281.]

What happened to this purchase?

1 April 1748    Deed: George Eason of Perquimans County to Thomas Rountree of Chowan County, for £30 (?). 86 acres on the south side of a swamp commonly known as Catherine (unreadable) in Chowan County…. (unreadable) … by Francis Rountree deceased to his son Jethro Rountree as by ye sd will…  [Chowan County Deed Book E, p327.]

This is the land that Jethro Rountree had inherited and sold a few years earlier. There is so much bleeding through the page that the deed is nearly unreadable.

4 August 1748    Deed: Moses Rountree of Chowan County to William Wallis of Perquimans County, for £40, 86 acres on Catherine Creek Swamp adjoining Thomas Rountree and John Hobbs…  Signed: Moses Rountree. Witness: Devenport Gooding, Guy Hill, (Luk Naznere?). – top of deed is recorded on p7 but bottom of deed with signatures is recorded on p142 of the deed book. [Chowan County Deed Book C2, p7 and p142.]

4 August 1748    Deed: William Wallis of Perquimans County to Moses Rountree of Chowan County, for £30,  110 acres in Perquimans County near the head of Perquimans River & joining upon James Fields beginning at a gum standing at ye mouth of ye Reedy branch…  Signed: William Wallis.  Witness: Davenport Gooding, Jan

1 December 1748    Will of Thomas Rountree of Chowan County (Heavily edited)
… unto my Well Beloved son Charles Rountree the plantation and Lands where he now lives beginning at the mouth of a small branch that issues out of Catheran Creek Swamp between the plantation where my son Charles Rountree now Lives and the plantation where my son Thomas Rountree now lives…
…to my aforesd son Charles Rountree fifty acres of land in Perquimmons County out of a deed of two hundred acres purchased of Joseph Jessup late deseased… unto my well Beloved son Thomas Rountree all the remainder or part of my Land that I have in Chowan County with the plantation where I now live after the change of my well beloved wife Elizabeth Rountrees condition either by death or maridge… also give my aforesd son Thomas Rountree fifty acres of Land out of the deed before mentioned purchased of Joseph Jessop…
…unto my well beloved Grandson William Wallis the plantation and Land where he now Lives in Pequimmons County and all the stock of cattle that belongs to sd plantation after the change of my well beloved wife Elizabeth Rountree’s condition either by death or maridge… and I further give my afore sd grandson William Wallis fifty acres of land out of the a fore mentioned land purchased of Joseph Jessop…
… unto my well beloved granson Thomas Rountree son of Charles Rountree and Judeth his wife the plantation where my Negro man called Jack now Lives in Pequimmons County with fifty acres of land adjoyning to it on the Eastward side of the river Swamp…  provided he do not sell the land without consent of my heirs aforesd… unto my well beloved son in law Elias Stallings one hundred and sixty six acres of Land with the plantation whereon he doth now live and in regards my well beloved daughter Elizabeth Stallings now deceas’d hath had and received her full parts of my personall Estate in horses cattle sheep and hoogs and bedding potts putter and other houshould goods and a Loom and all weavers tackling belonging to it the loom and tackling being of the value of five pound sterling money my will and pleasure is that the personall Estate before mentioned be Eaqually devided Amongst her Children (to witt) Jacob and Elias and John and Elizabeth Stallings… I leave my well beloved wife Elizabeth Rountree the use of the plantation and land where I now Live and all my Neagroes and personall estate in Chowan and Pequimmons Countys during the time of her widdowhood and at the change of her condition either by death or maridge… I nominate appoint and ordaine my two well beloved sons Charles and Thomas Rountree to be my whole and soule exedcutors…  Signed: Thos. Rountree Senr. Witness: Thos: Walton, John Freeman.[NC Archives]

Regarding Elizabeth Stallings deceased:  Elias Stallings (Sr.) wrote a will in 1778 listing three of the four above children (Elias, John and Elizabeth Web) among his many children, most of whom must have been via a later wife than Elizabeth Rountree.   

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 WilliamRountree in 1729.

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.]

1754. Perquimans County Taxables
Moses Rountree — 3 polls
Thomas Rountree  — 2 polls
[NC Archives Digital Collections, also in NCGSJ, Vol.. 17, No. 3, p137.]

1754   Perquimans County Militia Roll
Moses Roundtree (Capt. Joseph Riddick’s Company)

Thomas Rountree apparently maintained slaves in Perquimans, but did not live there himself.  He was on the Chowan County militia list.

25 November 1754     Chowan County Militia List: “A List of Men lately Commanded by Captain James Farlee. Deceased, taken the 25th Day of Novr., 1754… Charles Rountree,…  William Wallace, Thomas Rountree Senr., Thomas Rountree Junr….  (the last three listed consecutively).  [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 22, p357.]

All the other adult Rountree men have left Chowan by now. Charles and Thomas remain in Chowan and Perqimans.  Unclear whether Thomas R ountree Jr. is the son of Charles mentioned in his fathr’s will or the son of Thomas.

 5 December 1754    Land Patent: Charles Rountree, 120 acres in Chowan County between Rountree’s land and James Summer.  Surveyed 3 December 1753 with chain carriers Thomas Rountree and Richard Walton.  [NC Land Patent Book 11, p104.]

12 July 1755       Deed: George Spivey of Chowan County to Moses Rountree of Perquimans County, for £7:15 proclamation money,  128 acres …beginning at a maple standing in the River Swamp on the east side of the stream thence N45E along Lemuel Powell’s line… down the side of the River Swamp… it being a grant to George Eason Senr. 28 June  in the 22nd year of George II… Signed: George (x) Spivey. Witness: Nicholas Stallings, Abraham Hill.  [Perquimans County Deed Book F, item 177.]

15 July 1755.    Will of Moses Rountree of Perquimans County.  … unto my son Moses Rountree the plantation whereon I now dwell with all the land thereto belonging… not debaring his mother from the third part of my plantation during her widowhood… unto my said son two negro girls Nancy and Rachell but the labour of Nancy to his mother during her widowhood… (also one still, various furniture)… unto my daughter Sary Hollowell one negro girl named Rose and two cows and calves… unto my daughter Hanah Rountree one negro girl named Bety and two cows and calves… unto my daughter Ledy Rountree two cows and calves… one negro girl named Luse and two cows and calves…  unto my daughter Ann Rountree one negro girl named Fillis and two cows and calves…  unto my loving wife Sarah Rountree one feather bed and furniture, th echoers in my house, and one small iron pott and hooks, and two cows and calves., and one riding horse, bridal and sadel…  I leave my two negroes Mingo and Zenor to be sold at public auction (the money plus all other estate to be equally divided) “between my wife and all my children”. Appoint my loving wife Sary Rountree and Nicholas Stalling and my son Moses Rountree to be my hole and soul executors…Signed: Moses Rountree. Witness: Joshua White, John White, Abra’m Hill.    Proved October Court 1755.   [NC Archives, original wills filed with the Secretary of State, Call No. SS839. Perquimans County Will Book F, p37.]

Grimes abstracts the will of Hannah Rountree (dated 12 September 1758 and proved at January Court 1759) as naming sisters Sarah Hollowell, Lidy and Ann Rountree, brother Moses Rountree, and mother Sarah “Lelly”.  (Ibid,. p321.)

13 September 1755    At a Vestry held at the courthouse in Suffolk Town… the following persons are appointed to procession the bounds of land in this parish… District #24: John Rowntree, William Rown Tree (sic) …  [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p102.]

District #24 was in southwestern Nansemond County bordering the Great Dismal Swamp.  A road called the Orapeak Road ran through it and across the North Carolina border.

5 February 1756.   Processed the lands of Charles Roundtree, Thomas Watton, Christen Ward, Thomas Roundtree, Amos Hobbs, William Wallis, John Hobbs, Guy Hobbs.  [Chowan County Pricessioners Record 1756, p14, in FHL Film #004780059.]]

4 April 1757.    Division of Estate of Moses Rountree of Perquimans County, deceased,  between Sarah Lilly (evidently the widow, since remarried), Sarah, Moses, Hannah, Lidey, and Ann.  Each received goods valued at £8:7:9.  The distributable personal property totaled £50:6:6 divided into six equal parts. [Perquimans County Loose Estate Records, FHL Film 007383979, image 1125 etc.]

19 May 1757    Virginia Patent: John Rountree, 50 acres of swamp land in Nansemond County in the Great Dismal Swamp… corner of Michael Brinckly …  [Virginia Patent Book 33, p357.]

Is this the same John Rountree or is it a son or nephew?

9 August 1757    Deed: Charles Rountree of Chowan County to John Hobbs of same, for £6:10:0, 100 acres part of a patent to John Arline for 500 acres dated 17 November 1723…  Signed: Chas. Rountree.  Witness: Thos. Rountree, Hardy Stallings.  [Chowan County Deed Book H, p233.]

16 December 1757    Deed: Guy Hill  to Thomas Roundtree, both of Chowan County, for £3 current money of Virginia, 50 acres on the northeast side of Perquimans River beginning at a maple standing in Elias Stallings his line… being part of a 400 acre patent to Thomas Winslow 11 November 1718.  Signed: Guy Hill. Witness: Thomas Acore?, Jacob (x) Spive. [Perquimans County Deed Book F, Item 272.]

1 January 1758.    Deed: Thomas Roundtree Senr. of Chowan County to Jacob Spive(y) of same, for £20 proclamation money, on the northeast side of Perquimans River 50 aces upon a ridge commonly  known by the name of Hickory Ridge it is part of a deed for 200 acres of land purchased by Thomas Roundtree deceased of Joseph Jesop and left by will to the aforesaid Thomas Roundtree…  Signed: Thomas Roundtree.  Witness: Thomas Acore?, Guy Hill.  [Perquimans County Deed Book F, Item 266.]

5 October 1759.   Deed: Joseph Lilley and Sarah Lilley (his wife) to Nicholas Stallings, for £1:10, “our right of dowery in the plantation whereon Moses Rountree late deceased of this province last dwelt…” [Perquimans County Deed Book F, Item 346.]

Sarah has remarried to Josph Lilley/Lilly.

10 March 1760   At a Vestry held at Suffolk Town on 8 April 1760 for the Upper Parish  of Nansemond County… processioner’s report by George Spivy & John Watridge received… their district from the pocoson up the Dessart to the Cyprus Swamp, up the Cupris to the Barbecue and to Newbie’s Road and down to Coplands Branch…  (lines between) Widdow Harrill & Wm. Roundtree, Roundtree & Abraham Lassater… between Lassater & Robt Roundtree,  Robt & John Roundtree, Rountree & John Watridge & James Spivy… [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p146.]

7 October 1760    Will of Charles Rountree of Chowan County … I give and bequeath unto my eldest son Thomas Rountree the plantation and land on which he now lives… also two negroes…  unto my son Charles Rountree my plantation and houses whereon I now live…also 50 acres of land in Perquimans County on the northeast side of Perquimans River also two negroes..”  Negroes bequeathed to my daughter Christen “now in her possession” and to my daughter Rachel “now in her possession”..  Slaves also bequeathed to grandson Cador Hunter and Grandson Charles Freeman… the lifetime use of slaves to “my well beloved wife Judith Rountree”.  Other property “rest & residue of my estate of what nature or kind soever not before given be equally divided between my four children Thomas, Charles, Christen & Rachel…  Thomas and Charles appointed executors.  Signed: Charles Rountree (very shaky) Witness: James Summer, Thos. Rowntree, Amos (x) Hobs.  [Loose wills of Chowan County, FHL Film 47544667, image 427-428. Noted as Book G, pp100 but apparently in Book A.]

The inventory was taken by the son Thomas Rountree on 23 April 1763

24 March 1762.    Deed Robert Campen? to Francis Roundtree of the county of Pitt, planter, for £18 Proc. money, 100 acres on the south side of Campbells Creek and on the E. side of Smiths Creek beginning at a pine at the mouth of Smiths Creek running down Campbills Creek… Signed: Robert Campen. Witness: Henry Everett, James Spivy. [Beaufort County Deed Book 3, p529.]

8 June 1762.   Deed: Francis Roundtree of Pitt County, planter, to James Latham of same, wheelwright, for 25 shillings, 25 acres in th effort of Town Creek at an oak on the swamp on Lord Graville’s line… being part of a 350-acre tract granted to me 20 August 1761…  Signed: Francis Roundtree.  Witness: Phineas Latham, Daniel Stuart.  [Beaugort County Deed Book 3, p536.]

30 March 1763.   Deed: Francis Roundtree of Pitt County to Brickell, mariner, of Beaufort County, for £30 Proc. money, 325 acres in the fork of Town Creek… patented by Francis Roundtree bearing date 20 August 1761.   Signed: Francis Roundtree.  Witness: Jonathan Perkins, Absalom Wieland.  [Beafort County Deed Book 4, p25.]

23 May 1763    Virginia Patent: Jacob Price, 69a in Nansemond County … oak in William Roundtree’s line thence S20W 56p on Rountree’s line… [Virginia Patent Book 35, p193.]

From patents to neighbors, this appears to be in the Great Dismal very close to, if not bordering, the above patent to John Rountree.

25 October 1763.   At a Vestry held it Suffolk Town… for appointing processioners for the different district in the Upper Parish of Nansemond…   Order’d that Will’m, Roundtree & Dan’l Lassiter procession  all the bounds of lands No. 24 according to law.  [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p173.]

There doesn’t seem to be a report for District @4, or for several other districts

15 December 1764.    Deed: William Wallace of Chowan County to Thomas Rountree the son of Charles Rountree dec’d of the same county, for £8 proclamation money, 50 acres… a certain tract of land on the northeast side of Perquimans River it is part of a deed for 200 acres purchased by Thomas Rountree dec’d of Joseph Jessop and left by will to the aforesaid William Wallace.  Signed: William (his “W” mark) Wallace.  Witness: Aaron Hill, Charles Rountree. [Pequimans County Deed Book G, item 152.]

27 July 1765    Deed: Moses Rountree of Perquimans County to Abner Eason of Chowan County, for £10, 50 acres… being part of a patent to Thomas Blickenden Sale(?)…  Signed: Moses Rountree. Witness: Thomas Trotman, John Bond.  [Chowan County Deed Book N1, p52.]

19 October 1765.       Deed: Joshua White of Berkeley parish, Perquimans County, to Moses Rountree of the same place, for £7 proclamation money,  42 acres… part of a tract of swampish low land on the east side of Perquimans River…beginning at a maple Moses Rountree‘s corner… along the River… gum in the mouth of Reedy Creek it being a corner tree between Joshua White and Moses Rountree… Signed: Joshua White.  Witness: Nicholas Stallings, Isaac (x) Lilly, Joseph (x) Lilly. [Perquimans County Deed Book G, item 180.]

30 December 1767.   At a Vestry held in Suffolk Town for the Upper Parish of Nansemond… Ordered that Robt. Roundtree and John Wateridge procession all the bounds of land No. 24 according to law. [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p198.]

14 March 1768.      Processioners Report (for District 24) by Robert Roundtree and John Wateridge… Daniel Lassiters land & he present, John Rountree’s land & he present, John Spriveys land & he present… Josiah RIddick land & Wm, Roundtree present., Abraham Lassiter land & he present, Robt. Roundtree land & he present… [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p205.]

1768   Chowan County Tax List
Charles Roundtree.    1 white poll + 1 male & 5 female slaves
Thomas Roundtree.   1 white poll + 2 male & 2 female slaves
Thomas Roundtree Senr’ & his son Thos.     2 white polls + 3 male & 2 female slaves
{FHL Film 007834320]

10 March 1769.   Deed: William Wallis of the province of North Carolina (no County mentioned), planter, to Thomas Roundtree of Chowan County, for £28:5, 62 acres ….on the south side of Catherine Creek at John Hobb’s line then along said line to Thomas Rountree’s (?word?) line then along said Rountree’s line to the Creek… Signed: William (his “W” mark) Wallis.  Witness: Thos. Hunter, Sarah (x) Drawn. Proved at March Court 1769.  [Chowan County Deed Book O, p53.]

The word is not clear, possibly “Son” or “Sen” but uncertain.

16 May 1769.   Deed: Isaac Lilly of Perquimans County to Charles Rountree of Chowan County, for £25 proclamation money, .232 acre …beginning at a dividing line between Thos. Hobbs and Simon Stallings so running along the said linnet a pine Thomas Rountree‘s corner tree then along Rountree’s line to a pine a corner tree standing bye the River pocosin so along the various course   Signed: Isaac (x) Lilly. Witness: Thos. Newby, Joseph Perry, Elisha Hunter. Proved July Court 1769. [Perquimans County Deed Book H, Item 75.]

1769 .    Chowan County Tax List. — Capt. James Summers Company
Thomas Rountree Senr.
Charles Rountree
Thomas Rountree son of Charles
[FHL Film 007834320]

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..

13 February 1770.    Deed: Thomas Rountree of Chowan County in NC, yeoman, to John White son of Thomas White of the county of Perquimans, for £3:15 Car’a money, , 50 acres on the northeast side of Perquimans River … beginning at a maple standing in Elias Stallings line and running his line to the corner & thence along the back patent line to the aforesaid John White’s line,,,  part of a tract of 400 acres granted to Thomas Winslow 11 November 1719…  Signed: Thomas Rountree. Witness: Moses Rountree, Thomas (his “T” mark) Rountree.  Proved May Court 1770.   [Perquimans County Deed Book H, Item 111.]

6 April 1770    Deed: Thomas Rountree to Charles Rountree, both of Chowan County, for £6, 20 acres on “Caterin” Creek Swamp adjoining sd. Charles Rountree… down the run of the said Swamp to the mouth of a deep branch the division between the abovenamed parties… Signed: Thomas Rountree. Witness: William (his “W” mark) Walles, Thomas (his “T” mark) Rountree Junr.  [Chowan County Deed Book O, p244.]

1770    Chowan County Tax List, list of James Sumner
Thomas Rountree son of Charles – 1 white poll5 slaves Harde, Manuel, Joshua,Patt & Hager
Thomas Rountree & son Thomas, 2 polls, 5 slaves Seaasor, Tone, Jimme, Hanner & Churrie
Charles Rountree – q 1m white poll, 4 slaves Peter, Jude, Diner and Jude

Thomas, son of Thomas has evidently just turned 21.

8 November 1770.   Deed: Samuel & Ann Perry to Zachariah Lilley, 50 acres on northeast side of Perquimans River upon Hickory Ridge…part of 200 acres purchased by Thomas Rountree dec’d of Joseph Jessop and left by his will to his son Thomas…

This better identifies the tract. It was also called Hickory Ridge when part of it was sold by Zachariah & Jane Lilly who bought it from Jacob Spivey.

1771.    Among the vestry expenses for 1771:  Elizabeth Rountree £4:0:0.  [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p224.]

23 December 1771    Vestry: William Rowntree & Daniel Lassater to procession all the bounds (district) 24.   [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p227.].  Report by William Rountree and Daniel Lasseter included lands in District 24 owned by William Rountree, Robert Rountree, and John Rountree. [Ibid., p230.]

William Rountree continued to be appointed a processioner through at least 1785.

1771        Perquimans County Tax List
Moses Rountree — no white polls, 2 female slaves
Charles Rountree, Chowan Cty. Moll — no white polls, 1 female slave
[NC Archives Digital Collections and NCGSJ Vol. 17, No. 3, p141]

1772       Chowan County Tax List, taken by William Boyd
Charles Roundtree & 5 slaves – 6 polls
Thomas Roundtree & 5 slavs – 6 polls
Thomas Roundtree Sr., Thomas  Roundtree Jr. & 4 slaves – 6 polls

___ ___ 1772      Nansemond County Processioners Report.  Wm. Rowntree and Daniel Lasator report processing of lands in District 24… landowners included Lassiter,  Harrell, Spivy, Riddick, Wm. Rowntree, John Rountree and Robert Rountree,   [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p230 and 227.]

10 April 1773    Petition from inhabitants of Chowan County concerning the Chowan/Perquimans County boundary…. Thomas Rountree… Charles Rountree… [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 4, p633-635.]

27 July 1773.   Deed: Charles Rountree of Chowan County to Jarvis Forehand of Perquimans County, for £50, 50 acres …known by the name of the Grass Tree ridge being part of a patent to Luke Hollowell 27 July 1772 and by Hollowell sold to Joseph Jessop and by Jessop sold to Thos. Rountree and by the said Thomas Rountree in his last will and testament willed and bequeathed  the said land to his son Charles Rountree….  Signed: Charles Rountree.  Witness: Moses Rountree, Abner Hollowell, Luke Stallings.  [Perquimans County Deed Book G, Item 265.]

24 January 1774    Estate Sale, estate of Thomas Rountree by executor Aaron Hill. Buyers included Mary, Ruth, Charles and Rachel Rountree. [FHL Film 4973708, image 341.]

21 June 1774.   Guardian Bond of Aaron Hill for Christian Rountree, orphan of Thomas Rountree dec’d.  Accountings filed through 1779..  [FHL Film 4973708, image 197 to 201.]

She was apparently the daughter of Thomas Rountree and Mary Freeman, according to the will of Richard Freeman.

16 August 1774.  Deed: Robert Lassiter to Charles Rountree, both of Chowan County, for £40, 100 acres on Watry Swamp adjacent Jacob Spivey… Signed: Robert Lassiter. Witness: Job Riddick, Eli’t Nicholes, Jonathan Lassiter, Thos. Hunter. [Chowan County Deed Book Q, p116.]

This appears to be the last deed of the 18700s in Chowan.  What became of this land?

1775         Chowan County Tax List of William Boyd
Charles Rountree – 1 white poll, 5 black polls
Thomas Rountree – 1 white poll, 6 black polls (same slaves as son of Charles)
Judy Rountree — no whites, slave Jude
Mary Rountree – no whites, slave Tony

30 March 1776.     Deed” Jarvis Forehand to Simon Stallings, 50 acres in Perquimans County… pat of a patent to Luke Hollowell sold by him to Joseph Jessop who sold to Thomas Rountree who bequeathed it to his son Charles who in like manner bequeathed it to his son Charles… [Perquimans County Deed Book I, Item 122.]

__ August 1776.   Pricessioner’s Report (District #24):  …between William Roundtree & Thos. Newby Wim Rountree present, between Aramas Duke & Newby Roundtree & Duke present, Zaccheus Lassetor & Duke present,… between Wm. Roundtree & David Gwin & Noshar(?) present… between Wm. Rountree & John Harrell, Wm. Roundtree present… between John Roundtree & Daniel Lassiter & Abraham Lassitor John Roundtree present, between John Roundtree & Widow  Roundtree ditto present, bewteen Abram Lassetor Senr & WIdow Roundtree, Robt. Lassetor present…   between Wm. Roundtree & Jacob Price Roundtree present…  [The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p256.]

It appears that Robert. Rountree is dead, so “Widdow Roundtree” is likely hi swife.  Where Newby Rountree fits is unknown, but one of the Rountrees must have married. a Newby.

15 October 1776    Minutes of the Chowan County Committee of Safety… Present: Thomas Rountree, James Summer, Charles Rountree… [Colonial and State Records of North Carolina, Vol. 10, p847.]

1777   Land Tax Assessments, Chowan County
Judith Rountree – £386:10:1
Thomas Rountree – £2569:7
Charles Rountree – £2014:9

__ January 1778.    Deed:  Charles Rountree of Chowan County to Luke Stallings of Perquimans County, for £30,  232 acres …beginning at a dividing line between Thos. Hobbs and Simon Stallings so running along the said line to James Fields line and along his line to a pine Thos. Rountree’s corner tree then along Roundtree’s (sic) line to a pine a corner tree standing by the River pocosin…  Signed: Charles Rountree. Witness: Elias Stallings, Jesse Stallings, Amos (x) Hobs  Proved January Court 1778 [Perquimans County Deed Book I, Item 34.]

March 1778     Court: Ordered that Henry Cannon, Joseph Jackson and Joseph Allen be appointed to divide the estate of Jesse Rountree deceased agreeable to the the last will and testament of the said deceased… [Chowan County Court Minutes]

1779.  Gates County formed from the northern parts of Chowan, Perquimans and Hertford counties — all the land between the Virginia border south to Katherine Creek and Warwick Creek.

30 December 1779.   At a Vestry held in atSuffolk… Ordered that (processioner assignments). Wm. Roundtree & Thos .Duke No. 24…[The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p265.]

5 August 1780.      Deed: Nathaniel Spivey to Charles Rountree, for £120, __ acres at the mouth of Catrin(sic)  Creek… Signed: Nathaniel Spivey. Witness: Jacob Bagley, James _____. [Gates County Deed Book 1, p56.]

29 September 1780.   Marriage Bond: Elias Harrell & Christian Rountree, bondsman Job Harrell Sr. [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

Thomas Hurdle, guardian of Christian Rountree, presented his accounting of her estate in May 1780. and again in November 1787, so not the same Christian Rountree.  

18 April 1781.   Will of Thomas Rountree of Gates County… unto my son Seth Rountree all my lands that I am possessed of… all my tools of every kind except my axes and hoes.  also three Negroes named Toney, Morning and Jacob…  to my daughter Christan Rountree two negroes Tom and Little Rose also one feather bed and furniture… to my daughter Leah Rountree Great Rose and Zange also one feather bed and furniture… unto my four daughters after named, that is to say, my daughter Lavina Rountree, my daughter Rachel Rountree, my daughter Prisilah Rountree & my daughter Peniah Rountree ten negroes and their increase heareafter named….to bne equally divided to and among my four daughters above named… [other property equally divided, as children marry or reach maturity they have option to receive their share.)  Nominate my brother Charles Rountree and my friends Thos. Hunter and James Fry to see this my last will and testament accomplished…  Signed: Thomas Rountree. Witness: Luke Stallings, John Barrett, James Outlaw, Luke Sumner.  Proved at court on 25 May 1781.  [Gates County Wills 1762-18095, Vol. 2, image 124.  A copy made in Will Book 1, p16.]

The inventory was preented the same day that the will was proved, so Thomas probably died very shortly after signing the will. Was his wife the daughter of Seth Stallings?

Though not repeated in my abstract, the names of the slaves are the same as those taxed to Thomas Rountree, son of Charles Rountree.]. 

12 April 1783.  Deed: Elisha Hunter to Demsey Bond, for £5, 20 acres at the mouth of Muddy Creek… land is undivided, being two-thirds Elisha Hunter’s and one-third Thomas Rountree’s… Hunter is selling his portion of about 20 acres…Signed: elisha Hunter. Witness: WIll Wilkings, Banjamin Saunders.  [Gares County Deed Book 1, p68.]

17 May 1783.    Deed: John Robbarts to Charles Rountree, for £40, 90 acres on the southeast side of Warwick Swamp… Signed: John (x) Robards. Witness: Nathaniel Spivey, John Rountree. [Gates County Deed Book 1 (The Isaac Hunter Book) p52.]

1783.   Nansemond County Land Tax
William Rountree – 437 acres
John Rountree – 140 acres
Nansemond County Land Book, 1983 at FHL Film #008189568.]

17 November 1783    Charles Rountree applies to build a water Grist Mill across Katherine Creek… [Gates County Court Minutes Vol. 1779-1784.]

4 August 1784.   At a Vestry held in the town of Suffolk for the upper parish of Nansemond… Ordered that (processioner assignments). William Roundtree & Thomas Duke No. 24…[The Vestry Book of the Upper Parish of Nansemond County 1743-1793, p274.]

No report by the processioners is recorded.

1784.    Gates County tax List, Capt Jonathan Roberts Company
Charles Rountree – 486 acres, 1 white poll. 7 black polls
Christian Rountree 334, no white polls, 10 black polls

1784       Nansemond County State Census
William Rountree – 8 whites, 2 dwellings, 2 other buildings
John Rountree – 10 whites, 1 dwelling, 1 other buildi

By now these Rountrees are still in Nansemond but the great majority of them are located in at least eight North Carolina Counties all over the central and eastern part of the state. I wouldn’t be surprised to find descendants in multiple states by 1800 or so.  But they are not related to William Rountree of New Kent and Goochland.

1785.    Gates County tax List, Capt Jonathan Roberts Company
Charles Rountree – 391 acres, 1. white poll. 8 black polls
Christian Rountree 334 acres in Gates, 100 acres in Perquimans, no white polls, 10 black polls

15 August 1785.    Court: Seth Rountree & Lavinia Rountree, minor orphans of Thomas Rountree dec’d, came into court and made choice of Charles Rountree as their guardian.   Charles Rountree appointed guardian to Rachel Rountree, Priscilla Rountree, and Penny Rountree, His bond for £2,000 with George Outlaw and James Freeman securities. [Gates County Court Minutes Vol. 1784-1789, p29.]

Seth and Lavinia are at least 14 (the age at which they had to right to choose their own guardian) but under 21. Charles was ordered to divide the estate in November 1785.

31 August 1785.  Marriage Bond: James Knight and Christian Rountree. James Jones, bondsman. [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

This is either the widow of Thomas Rountree, or his eldest child, as Christian Rountree disappears from tax records after 1785.

1784-1787     North Carolina State Census
No Rountrees in Chowan or Perquimans County — the enumerations may be incomplete.

1786       North Carolina State Census
Gates County
Seth Rountree – no whie males, 2 white females, 5 blacks
Charles Rountree — 1 whie male between 21-60, 3 other white males, 4 white females, 15 blacks
Chowan & Perquimand Counties
No Rountrees

The Seth Rountree family is his widowed mother and probably a sister.  Chaarles Rountree’s family probably includes his nephew and nieces for whom he was guardian. That would explain the absence of males in Seth’s family.

10 February 1786.   Deed: Charles Rountree to Jacob Eason, both of Gates County, for £50, 90 acres… beginning at a pine standing on the southeast side of Warwick Swamp… being part of a parcel of land formerly belonging to Thomas Eason and by him given to his son James Eason deceased and to Jacob Eason heir to the sd. James Eason and by him conveyed to me th esd. John Roberts (sic!) …  Signed: Charles Rountree. Witness: __eavy (x) Eason, John Rountree. [Gates County Deed Book 1, p335.]

The deed was clearly garbled in the copying — it is the same land he bough tin 1783.

1786.    Gates County tax List, Capt Jonathan Roberts Company
Charles Rountree – 340 acres, 1. white poll. 8 black polls
Ditto for Levina Rountree – 2 black polls
Ditto for Rachel Rountree – 1 black poll
Ditto for Priscilla Rountree – 1 black poll
Ditto for Penina Rountree  – 2 black polls

Christian Rountree is no longer taxed. Either she was the widow or the eldest child of Thomas Rountree, not clear which.

8 March 1787. Marriage Bond: Seth Rountree & Selah Outlaw, [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

1 August 1787.   Deed: Demsey Trotman to Charles Rountree of Gates County, for £20, 30 acres on the Main Road… Signed: Demsey Trotman. Witness: John Rountree, (obscured)___th (x) Rountree. [Gates County Deed Book 1, p289.]

1787.   Nansemond County Land Tax
William Rountree – 437 acres
John Rountree – 140 acres
[Nansemond County Land Book, at FHL Film #008189568.]

1787.    Gates County tax List, Capt Jonathan Roberts Company
Charles Rountree – 380 acres, 2. white polls 9 black polls
Levina Rountree – 2 black polls
Rachel Rountree – 1 black poll
Priscilla Rountree – 1 black poll
Penina Rountree  – 2 black polls
Seth Rountree – 300 acres, no white polls, 3 black polls

19 November 1787.    (same court) Mary Rountree, John Rountree, and James Norfleet applied for administration of estate of Charles Rountree, dec’d, to give bond in amount of £4,000.   Inventory of estate of Charles Rountree presented by Mary Rountree, John Rountree, and James Norfleet. [Gates County Court Minutes Vol. 1784-1789, p95.]

19 November 1787     Court: Ordered that Seth Rountree be appointed guardian to Rachel Rountree, Priscilla Rountree, Penina Rountree & Lavinia Rountree, orphans of Thomas Rountree dec;d.  Bond of £2,000 with securities Thomas Trotman and James Bagley…   Jacob Bagley appointed oversee of the road instead of Charles Rountree dec’d…[Gates County Court Minutes Vol. 1784-1789, p95.]

Seth is now 21 or over, so born about 1765 or 1766. Lavinia is either married, over 21, or dead as she is missing. Charles Rountree is dead — he returned an accounting of the orphans estates in May 1787 but has died in the interim.

26 February 1788.   Deed:  Philup Perry to Jesse Rountree, both of Perquimans County, for £10 in silver dollars, at 8 shillings each, 10 acres… on the east side of Perquimans River… beginning at the said River run in the line between Phillup Perry and Jesse Rountree… Signed: Phillup Perry. Witness: Benj’n Perry, Ezekiel Hollowell.  Proved July Court 1788. [Perquimans County Deed Book I (2nd volume), Item 764.]

Where does Jesse Rountree belong in this family?

1788 through 1799.   Nansemond County Land Tax
William Roun(d)tree – 437 acres
Ditto of Cole   300 acres
John Roun(d)tree – 140 acres
[Nansemond County Land Book, FHL Film #008189568.]

The land tax is the same for each year through 1796 except the John Rountree becomes “Senior” in 1796.

23 October 1788.     Marriage Bond: John Rountree & Polly Trotman, John Hoffler bondsman. [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

This is the John Rountree, son of Charles, who died in 1792 leaving minor sons John and Charles. His widow remarried to Wiliam Freeman in 1793 and had one son James T. Freeman.  An 1803 court suit disclosed that the son John had inherited land from both his deceased father and deceased mother (from her father Thomas Trotman) , whihc Charles’ guardian Miles rountree had kept for Charles.  WIlliam Freeman, on behalf of his son, sued for half the inheritance since his son was half-brother of the deceased child John.

21 January 1789.    Marriage Bond: Simeon Brinkley & Lavina Rountree, James Knight, bondsman. [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

1790    Census of Virginia — Nansemond County’s census is lost- See Land Tax (above for a substittute)

1790  Census of North Carolina
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.

16 February 1791.  Chowan County Marriage Bond: Thomas White and Sarah Rountree, Jesse Rountree bondsman.{The North Carolina Historical & Genealogical Register, Vol. 3, No. 3, p420.]

Elizabeth Rountree’s 1810 will (proved 1813) left legacies to daughters Sally White, and Christian Koen, and to grandchildren Moses Rountree, John Rountree, Nicholas Rountree, and Polly Rountree.  It named William Riddick and Moses Ro entree executors and was witnessed by Elizabeth Rountree Jr. [Ibid., p348.]

8 January 1793.     Marriage Bond: Seth Lassiter & Christian Rountree, MIles Lassiter, bondsman. [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

5 May 1793.   Marriage: Abner Rountree and Sarah Spivey

19 October 1793.   Marriage bond: William Freeman & Mary Rountree, James Brown, bondsman. [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

According to a chancery case, This couple had a son named John T. Freeman before Mary passed away.  The same cased tells us that Mary Rountree was a widow who had two sons named John Rountree and Charles Rountree

14 December 1793.   Deed: Seth Rountree to Luke Stallings.  100 acres on the north side of the head of Perquimans River purchased by Joseph Jessop dec’d and by him conveyed by will to William Wallis dec’d to have and to hold unto Thomas Rountree dec’d and by will to the said Seth Rountree…   Signed: Seth Rountree. Witness: Jesse Stallings, Lewis Jones, Reuben Stallings.  Proved February Court 1794. [Perquimans County Deed Book K, Item 255.]

25 June 1794.   Deed:  Abner Roundtree and Sarah Roundtree his wife  and Priscilla Spivey, to Lawrence Baker and John Baker, for £25, all their right, title, claim and demand in 650 acres on the east sid of Chowan river beginning at the mouth of Larum Creek.. down the river to waters landing… up Bennetts Creek,,, “from the will fo Moses Spivey dec’d.”  Signed: Abner (x) Roundtree, Sarah (x) Roundtree, Priscilla (x) Spivey. Witness: Willikam (x) Parker, Samuel (x) Brown. [Gates County Deed Book 3, p188.]

Abner Rountree left a will in Gates County, dated 18 October 1816 and proved the following month, giving the land whereon he lived to son Simeon Rountree and legacies to son Solomon Rountree, daughter Nancy Rountree  and his son-in-law Robert Rountree (who was married to daughter Nancy).

1794     Gates County Tax List
Isaac Hunter’s Company
Miles Rountree. 100 acres, 1 white poll, 1 black poll
ditto for Jos. Rountree orphan — 175 acres, 1 black poll
ditto for orphans of H. Harrell – 127 acres, 1 black poll
Wm Harris’s Company
Abner Rountree – 440 acres, 1 shite poll, 1 black poll
Jonathan Roberts Company
Seth Rountree – 300 acres, 1 white poll, 5 black polls
ditto for Penelope Rountree – 3 black polls
ditto for Rachel Rountree – 2 black polls
[Gates County Tax Lists, FHL FIl, #008673882]

27 November 1794.   Deed: Charles Smith to Seth Rountree, both of Gates County, for £61:10,  50 acres in the INdian Neck beginning at a gum standing in a swamp by the name of Horse Pen Swamp… Josiah Parker’s line…. Signed: Charles Smith.  Witness: Thos. Hunter, James Freeman.  [Gates County Deed Book 3, p238.]

23 December 1794.   Petition for Road in Perquimans County signed by Jesse Rountree.  [North Carolina Genealogical Society Journal, Vol. 45, No. 4, p324.]:

19 May 1795.   Marriage Bond:  MIlls Hurdle & Rachel Rountree, James Baker bondsman. [Gates County Marriage Bonds]

7 January 1797.  Mortgage: Jesse Rountree to Obadiah Bosworth, both of Perquimans County, for £173:16:4  due to be repaid 27 January next, mortgages the plantation and lands whereon I the said Jesse Rountree now lives bounded by the lands of Phillip Perry’s, th elands of Jacob Riddick, the land of Jacob Whites and the River run… Signed; Jesse Rountree. Witness” Benjamin Perry, John Sanders. [Perquimans County Deed Book L, Item 196.]
Released as paid by Obadiah Bosworth on 29 July 1798  [Perquimans County Deed Book M, Item 104.]

24 July 1797.  Deed: Jesse. Rountree to Willis Riddick, both of Perquimans County, for $100 Spanish milled dollars,  128 acre …which my father bought of George Spivey… was patented 28 June 1748… Signed: Jesse Rountree.  Witness: Obadiah Bosworth, John Barrow Junr.  Proved August Court 1798.  [Perquimans County Deed Book M, Item 94.]

11 August 1797.    Deed: Myles Walton to Myles Rountree (counties not identified) for £30, 20 acres on the west side of the Main Road beginning on the Main Road in Daniel Stallings line =where it crosses the same running thence along the road N25E 10 chains to a persimmon tree… Signed: Miles Walton. Witness: Ja. Riddick, Abraham (x) Spivey.  [Gates County Deed Book 4, p180.]

The deed includes a drawing of the plot.

11 January 1798.   Deed; Jacob Thomas to Seth Rountree, both of Gates County, for 350 silver dollars, 37 1/2 acres beginning at a beach (sic) on Fox Branch Thomas White’s corner in Richard Mitchell’s line… Signed: Jacob (x) Thomas. Witness: Ja. Riddick, Riddick Trotman.  [Gates County Deed Book 4, p190.]

1799     Gates County Tax List:
Josiah Rountree – 175 acres, 1 white, 3 black
Seth Rountree – 387 acres, 1 white, 6 black
ditto for Penny Rountree – 3 black
Miles Rountree – 240 acres, 1 whie, 5 black
ditto orphans of Jno Rountree – 165 acres
John Rountree – 1 white

1800.   Nansemond County Land Tax
William Roundtree – 300 acres
Harrison Roundtree – 363 acres
John Roundtree Sr. – 140 acres
[Nansemond County Land Book, FHL Film #008189568.]

This substitutes for the missing 1800 census.  The tax listing is the same for 1801, 1702 and 1803 except that a Robert Rountree shows up with 20 acres in 1802 and 1803.

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I stopped collecting North Carolina records after the year 1799