Researching one’s Forehand ancestry always leads to Cornelius Forehand and his children.  From Cornelius Forehand’s April 19, 1714 transaction with William Joy, we know Cornelius purchased a 100 acre tract of land from William Joy that resided “eastward” of William’s plantation.  On October 18, 1718, Cornelius purchased an additional 100 acres from Joy that was part of a larger tract of land William Joy had been granted by patent on October 16, 1716.  It is the first 100 acre purchase with the “Forkes” that Cornelius would reside along side William Joy and Gabriel Burnham raising his family.

 1737 Map Showing “Joys Fork”

Before I post more of my personal research, I thought it a good idea to author a post with brief summaries regarding each of his children to help fellow researchers.

John Forehand (b. circa 1704 d. circa 1781) – John Forehand was the oldest of Cornelius and Elizabeth Forehand’s sons.  In Cornelius’ 1728 will, John receives his father’s gun and a cow named “Ring”.  It is curious why John did not receive any property though it is possible John had already received the 100 acres of land Cornelius purchased from William Joy in 1716.  After his father’s death, John is mentioned in various documents in Pasquotank County documents including a 1727 jury listing, tithable listings (1739, 1740,1742, and 1744),  and a 1752 court document.  John is not listed in the 1750 tax list though a Cornelius Forehand and a Susannah Forehand are listed.  It is possible John had moved away during this period while returning for the 1752 court case where he was accused of “slander” by William Ward.  There are two possibilities concerning the ultimate destination of John Forehand.  First, John Forehand could have passed away circa 1752 in Pasquotank County since he is no longer mentioned in Pasquotank documents beyond the 1752 court case.  Second, evidence shows John Forehand may have migrated westward with his brother, James, to Edgecombe County, North Carolina passing away circa 1781.

Cornelius Forehand (b. ca 1708 d. ca 1755) – Cornelius Forehand (Jr) was the second oldest of Cornelius and Elizabeth’s sons.  Cornelius received 50 acres of his father’s original 100 acres purchased from William Joy in 1714.  Cornelius (Jr) then sold the tract of land on October 30, 1750 to Caleb Burnham.  At this point, I havent researched Cornelius to an extent where I am comfortable.  However, I can say Cornelius remaining the Pasquotank and Perquimans area for his entire life.

James Forehand (b. ca. 1710 d. ca 1788) – James Forehand received  his father’s “dwelling plantation”, the remaining 50 acres of land from the 1714 purchase from William Joy,  and a cow named “Trumpet” from his father’s will.  James remains in Pasquotank county in the “Forke” and is mentioned in several tax documents and land transactions until he sells the 50 acres he inherited from his father to Richard Fothergale in 1739 (Richard Fothergale later sells the 50 acres he purchased from James to Benjamin Burnham).  James is not mentioned in any Pasquotank documentation beyond that date.  However, James Forehand reappears in Edgecombe County, North Carolina in 1757 as a witness of a deed between John Hinson and Samuel DeLoatch.  In addition, a revolutionary war pension application from a James Forehand states he was born in Edgecombe County in 1745.  The only Forehand not accounted for during that time is James so we can safely assume James Forehand (son of Cornelius) had moved to Edgecombe County, North Carolina some time after selling the 50 acres he inherited from his father.  James remained in the Edgecombe/Dobbs/Wayne county area for the remainder of his life.

Thomas Forehand (b. ca 1716 d.1769) –  Thomas Forehand received two cows from his father’s will.  From that point forward, there are many land transactions, tax lists, court documents, etc. documenting Thomas.  With all the supporting documentation (including an estate listing), we know Thomas Forehand died in Pasquotank County during the later part of 1769.

Richard Forehand (b. ca 1718 d. before 1740) – Richard Forehand was Cornelius and Elizabeth Forehand’s youngest son.  In Cornelius’ will, Richard received one cow.  After the mention in his father’s will, there is not further mention of Richard.  With the documentation we have, Richard must have passed away before 1740 in Pasquotank County.

Elizabeth Forehand (b. ca 1714 d. ???) – Elizabeth Forehand (named after her mother) received one cow from her father’s will.  Unfortunately, beyond this mention, there is no further documentation of Elizabeth Forehand.

Mary Forehand (b. ca 1720 – d. ???) – Beyond a mention in her father’s will, unfortunately, there is no documentation of Mary Forehand.