Lemuel Forehand was the son of Thomas Forehand and oldest brother of Jarvis, Daniel, and David.  While Lemuel’s exact birth date and year is not known, we can estimate his birth year to be circa 1740.  Though Lemuel Forehand has three brothers, we can safely assume he was the oldest based by the fact he was named as the executor of his father’s estate.  During his lifetime, Lemuel fathered at least one male child and up to three female children.  Lemuel died on the 7^th of February, 1808.  During the time of his passing, we learn through his will he did not have any surviving children living in the area and left his estate to his granddaughter, Nancy Forehand.

Stepping back, Lemuel Forehand was born the son of Thomas Forehand circa 1740 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina.  At the time, Thomas was living close to the area of upper Pasquotank County on the southwest side of the head of the Pasquotank River called “the New Land”.   Like his father and grandfather, Lemuel was apparently a planter and lived among the large tracts of land in the area.

The earliest reference to Lemuel Forehand was made during a 1764 Pasquotank tithable listing.  Lemuel was listed along with his father Thomas, brother David, and cousin (or brother) James Forehand. In 1765 his “mark” was recorded.  Marks were generally described as the mark used to brand cattle. Lemuel Forehand recorded a Mark as follows: a Crop and an upper Keel in the left Ear and an under square in the Right Ear and was recorded the 24th day of May 1765.  His father, Thomas, and brother, Jarvis both also record Marks that same day.

The earliest detailed mention of Lemuel Forehand was his listing as a Corporal in the North Carolina Militia during 1766 (Figure LF-1).  At the time, he was serving in Colonel Thomas Taylor’s regiment under the command of Captain Jarvis Jones.  Since males must be at least 16 years old to serve in the NC Militia, we can assume with confidence Lemuel was born no later than 1750 (1748 if you take into account the 1769 poll tax listing).  During this time, his brother David Forehand, cousin James Forehand, and brother Jarvis Forehand were also serving with him in the same regiment.

Since Lemuel was not listed in the 1755 Pasquotank, North Carolina militia listing, he would have to have been born after 1739 but no later than 1748.

During 1769, Lemuel was listed during a Pasquotank County, North Carolina tax listing (figure LF-2).  At the time, it is apparent he was old enough to be listed separately and living away from his father Thomas Forehand and his brothers David, Jarvis, and Daniel.  It is also interesting to note he was the only male in his household over the age of 21 or even 16.

On September 9, 1769, Lemuel’s father, Thomas, sold him a tract of land for 20 pounds containing 60 acres on the southwest side of the head of the Pasquotank River.  The tract of land was part of a 443 acre tract of land bearing a patent date of 1756 and called “the New Land”.  The tract was outlined and marked by ancient landmarks consisting of a “pine”, a “chestnut oak”, a “poplar” and following the “old line”.  The land deed was witnessed by Lemuel’s brother David Forehand and Joseph Spence.  The deed was later proved in court under oath by David Forehand.

Later that year on December 15, 1769, Lemuel was listed as the executor (figure LF – 3) of Thomas Forehand’s estate.  It was the responsibility of Lemuel Forehand, Issac Sawyer, and Ebenizer Sawyer being held and firmly bound unto William ??? the Province Governor and Commander for the sum of 800 pounds to repay Thomas Forehand’s debt.  The purpose of the sale of Thomas’ estate was the repayment of that debt.

On the 23^rd day of October 1773, Lemuel Forehand sold a tract of land to his younger brother, Daniel Forehand.  For the sum of one hundred pounds, it appears Lemuel sells a tract of five hundred acres to Daniel that were once part of a tract of land of 535 acres patented by Thomas Forehand binding the lands of Benjamin Cooper, Joseph Temple, and Robert Cocran on the southwest side of the head of the Pasquotank River located in the “New Land”.   The deed was witnessed by Issac Sawyer and Elijah Forehand (figure LF-4).

Who was Eleijah Forehand? Elijah Forehand is not mentioned in any other documentation and until now was an “unknown” Forehand.  Since he is listed as witnessing a deed originated by Lemuel, it is very likely Elijah was a son of Lemuel or a son of Daniel.  The required age of Elijah would have to have been at least 14 years old to witness this transaction placing his birth year circa 1759.  Since Daniel Forehand married a daughter of Elias Stallings, it seems likely Elijah was likely Daniel’s son.  Where did Elijah go after this?  It is not really clear and remains a mystery.

During a 1774 Pasquotank Tax listing,  Lemuel is shown living with Thomas Sawyer “son of William Sawyer”. However, during a 1778 Pasquotank tax listing, Lemuel is shown to be living onhis own.  At the time Lemuel owned 150 acres of land and houses valued at 250. 1 mare 70. 1 horse 20. 1 mare and colt 25. 1 cow and yearlings 11. money 2 and 8.

During a 1779 poll tax listing (figure LF-5), Lemuel Forehand is listed.  Again, to be listed in a poll tax list, one must have been at least 21 years of age at the time the poll tax list was developed.  During 1779, the poll tax listing shows Lemuel as owning 150 acres of land with a value of 940 pounds.  The only other Forehands present during this tax list was Lemuel’s brother, David Forehand, and cousin James Forehand.

On the 20^th day of August 1783, Lemuel Forehand sells a tract of land to John Walmsley of Pasquotank County North Carolina.  At this point, John Walmsley had already purchased a large tract of land containing 150 acres from Ezekiel Hollowell of Perquimans county North Carolina.  Ezekiel Hollowell was the executor of the last will and testament of Daniel Forehand, brother of Lemuel, whom passed away in 1783.  The land John Walmsley had purchased from Ezekiel Hollowell was part of the 500 acres Lemuel had originally sold to Daniel, his brother.  During the current transaction, Lemuel  appears to sell 150 acres more to John Walmsley that were previously part of the 535 acre tract once granted to Thomas Forehand though the deed is difficult to read.

On the 31^st of March 1786, Lemuel Forehand sells a tract of land to Smith Jones of Pasquotank County North Carolina.  For the sum of 400 dollars, Lemuel sells Smith Jones 50 acres of land along the border of the road, along side of the “new ground field”, along the back line to equally divide the “woodland” while binding Thornton Gray’s land.  The deed was witnessed by Lodwick Williams, Frederick Sawyer, and Henry Roberson.

During a November 3, 1784 North Carolina General Assembly session, a House bill was introduced to establish a “causeway” road from Pasquotank County to Perquimans County.  The Bill (call number 3A.464) would allow the construction of a road from Lemuel Forehand’s (or Caleb Cooper’s) estate in Pasquotank County to the property of the Widow White in Perquimans County by Benjamin Jones.  Benjamin Jones was willing to build the road if allowed the toll rights. The Bill would also appoint a committee to inspect the bridge to make sure it is built correctly.  A review of the original document presents the reader with petition listing the residents of this time.  With the location of Lemuel Forehand’s estate, it is apparent this bill was the ground work for the construction of the “Turn Pike” road.  In modern-day NewLand, the Turnpike Road causeway still exists as a link between Pasquotank and Perquimans counties.

During a March 17, 1786 Pasquotank County North Carolina test census, Lemuel Forehand was still listed as a resident of Pasquotank County North Carolina district number 6.  The household consisted of 1 male 21-60 years of age, 1 male under 21 or above 60 years of age, and two females.  At this point, we can safely assume the 1 male between 21-60 years of age was Lemuel while the male under 21 was his son Joseph Forehand.  Armed with this information, we can place Joseph Forehand’s birth year circa 1768.  It is also interesting to note James Forehand lives in close proximity to Lemuel Forehand.  Though it is possible for James to be an older son of Lemuel Forehand, it is not likely as James Forehand was also listed during the 1766 militia roster placing James Forehand’s birth year circa 1740-1750, much too old to be placed as a child of Lemuel Forehand.

It is interesting that most accounts list Lemuel as having only one son, Joseph.  However, the 1790 Federal census tells a much different story. During the 1790 Federal census of Pasquotank County North Carolina, Lemuel Forehand is listed with his family (figure LF-4).  The household consisted of 2 white males above the age of 16, 1 white male under the age of 16, 4 white females, and 1 slave. Since Lemuel’s son Joseph Forehand is listed in a separate household living by himself, we can see Lemuel was living with 1 son or male relative above the age of 16, 1 son or male relative under the age of 16, and 3 females other than his wife.  It is not known at this time whom these female children were though using Lemuel’s will as a reference we can determine one of his daughters married a Williams and one a Temple.

Is the 1790 census information (figure LF-7) proof that Lemuel had at least two male children other than his son Joseph?  As the census details, one male would’ve been born after 1774 (but before 1790) and one born before 1774 in addition to Joseph.  I once thought these children to be Lemuel’s.  However, these children are not present in the 1786 test census.  Therefore, it is highly doubtful these male children are sons of Lemuel but more likely relatives.  I have long thought these male children to be the sons of Lemuel’s brother, Daniel Forehand, whom passed away in 1783.  Do I have proof?  Absolutely not.

On November 26, 1791, Lemuel Forehand witnessed the last will and testament of Thomas Temple along with Ebenezer Sawyer and Lydia Harrison.  The will lists Thomas Temple’s son James Temple, granddaughter Mary Stokley, daughter  Susannah Koen, daughter Peggy Sawyer, son Thomas Temple, daughter Fanny Temple, son-in-law John Koen and James Temple were the executors of the will.  As an aside, since we know one of Lemuel
’s daughters married a Temple man, it is highly probable she married James or Thomas Temple.  It is also interesting that Lemuel Forehand recorded a later land transaction with John Koen, son-in-law of Thomas Temple.

On July 11, 1795, Lemuel Forehand of Pasquotank county sold a tract of land containing 49 acres to Benjamin Perry of the county of Perquimans for a sum of 75 pounds.  The interesting part of this deed clearly outlines some major locations in regard to Lemuel’s residence.  The deed describes a tract of land lying in Pasquotank county “near the turn pike road” beginning at a “corner poplar” then along the line “formerly of John Jones” to a maple then along several directions listing chain markings for distance.  Lemuel then goes on to explain the 49 acres being sold to Benjamin Perry was “all the land I bought of Issac Sawyer”.  The transaction was witnessed by Seth Riddick and Berry White.

During a 1795 Pasquotank County tax list, Joseph Forehand is listed along with a Daniel Forehand as living in district number 6.  At this time, Joseph did not own any acres of land while Daniel owned 50 acres of land.  Lemuel Forehand is not listed.  However, it would be interesting to view the original document as it would be possible (and VERY likely) to mistranscribe the name Lemuel as Daniel.  Just a guess on my part.

On February 9, 1796, Lemuel Forehand sold a parcel of land consisting 150 acres to Benjamin Jones of Camden county for 950 “real Spanish dollars”.  The tract of land was situated in the county of Pasquotank at a place called the “New land”.  The boundaries of the land began at a chestnut oak on the McDaniel’s line standing “near the causeway that leads to the said Forehand’s house” and then southwardly along the McDaniel’s line to the back line of the Thomas Forehand patent.  The deed continues to outline the fact this mentioned Thomas Forehand patent and its lines were drawn by Thomas Forehand and his sons Lemuel and Daniel.  This mention is a remarkable find as it explicitly lists Lemuel as the son of Thomas Forehand and seems to suggest Lemuel and Daniel to be the two oldest sons of Thomas.  The deed continues to mention boundaries with the lands of Samuel Cooper, Joseph Campbell, and the heirs of the deceased John Jones of Camden county.  The final part of the description of the land states “being all the land and swamp whereon the said Forehand now lives and holds a title to adjacent”.

Some period between early 1796 and 1799, Lemuel Forehand and his son, Joseph Forehand, moved to Hertford County, North Carolina.  The 1800 Federal census for Hertford County(figure LF-8), North Carolina shows Lemuel Forehand (1 male 45 and over) living with his wife (1 female 45 and over) and one daughter (age 10-15) while Joseph Forehand (1 male 26 to 44) was living with his wife, Keziah (26 to 44), and 3 daughters.  Since all documents in Hertford county North Carolina prior to 1860 were destroyed during the Civil War, it is nimpossible to determine what brought Lemuel and Joseph to that area.  However, it is interesting to note Lemuel’s brother David was also in Hertford County, North Carolina during that time as proven by a land deed (see the section concerning David Forehand).

It is apparent Lemuel Forehand remained in Hertford County North Carolina until at least until February of 1801.  During February of 1801,  Robert Cartwright of Camden county North Carolina sold Lemuel Forehand of Hertford county a parcel of “land and swamp” in Camden county containing 150 acres for the sum of 850 dollars.  The parcel of land was situated in an area called the “Newfound Land” in Camden county bound by the “juniper swamp” and the land of Benjamin Prichard.  The tract also bound the “port bridge”, the river and swamp, Willy Right’s line and Mathias Sawyer’s line.  The deed was witnessed by Smith Jones and Mark Spence.  As a note, an 1830 map of Camden county clearly shows NewFoundland as part of the northern section of Camden county close to the boundary with Pasquotank county surrounded by the Great Dismal Swamp.

At this point, Lemuel Forehand moved to the “Newfoundland” section of Camden county.  On July 25, 1802, a transaction occurred between Lemuel Forehand and John Koen, both of Camden county.  For the sum of 125 pounds, John Koen purchased a young slave boy, about 7 years old, named Harry from Lemuel “Fourhand”.  The sale was witnessed by Joseph Sexton and Lemuel’s son, Joseph Fourhand.

On August 18, 1804, Lemuel Forehand of Camden county sold Joseph Burnham (also of Camden) a tract of land consisting of 190 acres for the sum of 801 dollars.  The tract of land was the parcel of land Lemuel had purchased from Robert Cartwright three years earlier in the section of Camden county known as the “Newfound Land”.  The boundaries were described as binding such land marks as the “juniper swamp”, land belonging to the heirs of Edward Spence, the “river swamp”, the “foot bridge”, across the “foot bridge” to the line of Willie Kite’s land, and along the “old Lebanon line”.  The deed was witnessed by James Sawyer and Issac McDaniels.  It is not known at this time where the additional 40 acres in excess of the original 150 acres came though the boundaries do seem to have expanded from the original sale between Robert Cartwright and Lemuel.

On February 7, 1807, Lemuel Forehand now of Pasquotank County sold a tract of land to Joseph Wood of the same county consisting of 57 acres for the sum of 325 dollars.  The tract of land was situated in the “upper part” of Pasquotank County and was once land owned by what appears to be John Koen though the deed is very difficult to read.  The deed appears to have been witnessed by Mark and Bethany Spence.  This is the last known land transaction by Lemuel Forehand.

On September 2, 1807, Joseph Forehand (son of Lemuel) of Pasquotank County sold a tract of land consisting of 50 acres for the sum of 400 dollars to Adam Forbes of Camden County.  The tract of land was situated in the northern part of Pasquotank county and was situated close to a parcel of land Lemuel sold to Smith Jones in 1786.

On November 23, 1807, Lemuel Forehand witnessed and was named as executor of the last will and testament of his son, Joseph Forehand.  Apparently Joseph was very ill and recorded the following last will and testament:

Joseph’s will explicitly names Nancy as his daughter, Keziah as his wife, and Lemuel as his father.  It is apparent the 400 dollars owed to Joseph for the sale of his land to Adam Forbes on September 2, 1807 had not yet been paid.  Once the 400 dollars owed was paid, the money was to go to Joseph’s daughter Nancy.  The will was probated in December 1807 and recorded in February 1808.

Lemuel Forehand was growing older.  On January 31, 1808 just months after the death of his son, Lemuel Forehand recorded his last will and testament as follows:

From this document, it is apparent Lemuel Forehand was probably not survived by his wife or any male children living in the area.  It is also apparent his surviving daughters had married into the Temple and Williams families of the area.  His granddaughter, Nancy Forehand, was the daughter of his late son Joseph and wife Keziah.  The will was witnessed by William Stanley and Suzanna Cartwright.

On or about February 7, 1808, Lemuel Forehand passed away. I have often wondered why so many Forehands in this area of Pasquotank passed away around this time.  Between November 1807 and April 1808, Lemuel Forehand, Joseph Forehand, and Anthony Forehand all passed away.  Though I can not remember the source, I recall reading of a fierce influenza epidemic during the fall and winter of 1807-1808.  I can only wonder if these Forehand relatives were killed by this epidemic.

During the December term of 1810, the Pasquotank county court ordered William S. Hinton, Griffith Sawyer, and Issac Griffin be appointed to audit and settle the accounts of Nancy Forehand, the orphan of the deceased son of Lemuel Forehand, Joseph, with Joseph’s wife Keziah executrix.  The petition (figure LF-13) was signed by William T. Muse whom was later responsible of the sale of the “Forehand Tract” of land in 1813.

Though it is not known exactly where the residence of Lemuel Forehand was at this point, we can determine it was generally located in the vicinity of his prior properties and the properties of his father Thomas Forehand in the northern section of Pasquotank county in a section called the “new land”.  Today, Newland is a community located just east of Perquimans county in Pasquotank county.  When you take the left turn off US Highway 17 on Hastings corner, a short drive will soon carry you to the ancient Turnpike Road connecting the estate of Lemuel Forehand in Pasquotank to the land of “Widow White” in Perquimans County.  It is here Lemuel Forehand once lived and owned property.  The vast farm lands and even an old home of the approximate age to place it during a period of Lemuel’s lifetime still exist (figure LF-12).  It is safe to assume this is the land Lemuel once cultivated and now rests.