Before we discuss the “first generation” Forehands, we must discuss some notable settlers of the region of Northeastern North Carolina, Cornelius Forehand’s ultimate location. This region now includes the modern counties of Pasquotank and Camden. However, during the early part of the 18^th century, the region that now consists of these counties was simply Pasquotank county or precinct. It was not until 1777 that the county of Camden was carved out from Pasquotank and formed. To distinguish between the two areas in early land deeds, modern Pasquotank was referred to as the “southwest of the head of Pasquotank River” while modern Camden was referred to as the “northeast of the head of the Pasquotank River”.

The region of what is now Camden County that was selected by Cornelius Forehand as “home” consisted of 200 acres near the modern town of South Mills. If you review the 1733 Moseley Map (figure CD-1), the region I am speaking of shows the location of Joys Fork. Within this Fork lived Gabriel Burnham, William Joy, and Cornelius Forehand. Just to the left of Joys Fork lies modern Pasquotank County and the area known as “Newland” (which is often mentioned in 18^th century Forehand land transactions).

Figure CD-1 -1733 Moseley Map of Pasquotank County North Carolina

We must first discuss William Joy (ca 1670 – 1725) since he is the man that sold Cornelius Forehand his original land holdings. William Joy had acquired a patent for two hundred sixteen acres before 1700. Since William Joy failed “to seat” it properly or build a home or clear enough of the acreage, the title to the property lapsed. However, he apparently cleared enough of the land on another tract of three hundred sixty four acres he called “The Poplar Tables” and soon sold it to Joseph Monck. Thereafter, in 1716, he received grants for approximately one thousand acres “lying within a fork between a creek and the upper reaches of the Pasquotank River”.

William Joy became blind by 1717 and was even listed as such in the 1719 Pasquotank tithables listing. William Joy recorded a will and died in December,1725. In his will, he leaves property to children of Jeremiah and Hannah Everton, Sarah and Solomon. It is interesting to note Sarah Everton was 23 years old at the time and would soon marry a member of the Forehand family. William Joy’s will was witnessed by Jeremiah and Hannah Everton. At this point, it is not certain if any relationship existed between the two families.

The only remaining item to mentioned regarding William Joy is his wife Margery. After William’s death, Margery Joy disposed of her remaining properties. In 1733, Margery made a deed of gift to Gabriel Burnham (whom proved William’s will in court) consisting of 200 acres “near James Forehand”. Having moved to Virginia, Margery authorized an attorney, John Linton, to sell all remaining possessions.

To help us validate the location of William Joy and neighbors, a 1715 tithables listing for Pasquotank County gives the information we need. The first five names were as follows: Joseph Monck, Richard Overton, William Joy, Cornelius Forehand, and Gabriel Burnham. When used with the Moseley Map and land deeds, we can certainly see that Cornelius Forehand was living within the “Forke” within close proximity of William Joy and Gabriel Burnham. To find this location today, one needs to drive northward on highway 343 in Camden County and take a right onto Bunker Hill road just before entering the same town of South Mills. Just as you make the turn, the location of William Joy, Cornelius Forehand, and Gabriel Burnham’s properties and homesteads will be on your left.

The next early settler of the northeastern section of what is now Camden County worthy of mention is Gabriel Burnham (b. ca 1690 – d. ca 1740). As stated by Jesse F. Pugh in his book, “Burnham must have made a favorable impression in his neighborhood from the time of his arrival in Joy’s Fork shortly before 1715. In that year by legislative enactment the northeast side of the river became the Parish of St. Peter, and he was named one of the vestrymen. For the next ten years the journals of the House of Commons have been lost, but when the records begin in 1725 we find him to be one of the representatives from Pasquotank in the Provincial Assembly, an office to which he continued to be elected through 1735. He served at least two years as treasurer of Pasoquotank, was a member of the precinct court, and “the landing of Mr. Gabriel Burnham” was designated as a place for the collection of quitrents.”

Pugh also states, “For some unknown reason he failed to introduce a measure very much desired by his constituents. As recorded in the proceedings of the House of Commons for November 12, 1733, this body heard the petition of “the inhabitants of Pasquotank that the N. E. Parish be erected into a separate Precinct”; and Charles Sawyer and Gabriel Burnham were named as a committee to prepare a bill accordingly. They did not then submit any proposal nor when the Assembly convened again in 1735, and as a consequence the measure was introduced by two other Pasquotank lawmakers, Caleb and Daniel Sawyer. Although Governor Gabriel Johnston killed the ensuing enactment with a veto, one suspects the attitude of Burnham and Charles Sawyer in this matter explains why they were not elected thereafter to the Assembly.”

Figure CD-2 – Jeremiah Everton marriage to Hannah Irish March 21, 1702

One last, important note regarding Gabriel Burnham is he was often referred to as “Captain” Gabriel Burnham because he operated a trading vessel along with other commercial enterprises. Among his property holdings, Burnham also received from Elizabeth Gambling a sizable tract “to my brother-in-law”. The fact that Burnham operated a trading vessel is very interesting as it could lend clues to the relocation of Forehands to port towns such as CharlesTown (Charleston, SC). Though there is not proof surrounding this somewhat wild claim, it does lend a possibility.

The final mention is that of Jeremiah Everton. Much fiction has swirled around the Everton family in relation to the Forehand family. However, let’s proceed with the facts which we are aware. First, we know from early records that Jeremiah Everton married Hannah Irish (document is of poor quality) in on March 21, 1701/2 in All Hallows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland (figure CD-2). Anne Arundel County was founded during the winter of 1650 and is located just south of Baltimore and contains the city of Annapolis and bordering the colonial travel way, the Chesapeake Bay. The Parish of All Hallows was Anglican as was Jeremiah and Hannah.

Jeremiah and Hannah Everton purchased 400 acres of land from William Joy on July 20, 1708. It appears this is when the Everton’s arrived in the northeastern portion North Carolina in upper Pasquotank County. The mention of this original purchase is noted in a deed of sale of 200 acres from Jeremiah and Hannah to Grifith Jones. A later deed of sale of a portion of inherited land in 1739 between Jeremiah and Hannah’s son Solomon to Gabriel Burnham also mention the land “butted and bounded” by the land of James Forehand.

Most Forehand researchers like to attach Jeremiah and Hannah Everton’s daughter, Sarah, as the wife of Thomas Forehand (son of Cornelius). While this is certainly possible, it is unlikely. However, we do know that Sarah was born and baptized much earlier than most Forehand researchers are aware. Anne Arundel County Maryland records of All Hallows Parish indicate Sarah was baptized there 30 April 1704. We also know that Sarah and her brother Solomon Everton were mentioned in William Joy’s will (1725). Since her last name was Everton at this time, obviously she was not married by age 21. However, in contrast, Jeremiah Everton’s will in 1736 lists her as Sarah Forehand meaning she was obviously married at this time to a member of the Forehand family. Rather than speculate here, I will save that discussion for later sections.

As mentioned, Jeremiah Everton left a will on January 3^rd 1736 leaving his “dwelling plantation” located near or on seventy five acres belonging to John Chamberlain to his loving wife, Hannah. He also left items to his sons James and Solomon as well as his daughters Rachel Everton, Sarah Forehand, and Katherine Chamberlain. The will was proved in open court on October 2nd 1740 by his son James Everton.

After Jeremiah’s death, Hannah married Captain William Abercrombie. We know they were married by April 1741 as they appear in Pasquotank County court against John Daily. William Abercrombie was a Captain of the North Carolina Militia and was in charge of the Seventh regiment of Pasquotank County “bounded on Nobs Crook Creek from thence binding Pasquotank River to the Head of the same; containing 50 men”. Interestingly enough, the 1755 militia listing describes Abercrombie as “deceased” and even contains Thomas Forehand (corporal), Cornelius Forehand, and William Ward (among others).

Evidently from the militia listing, we can assume with strong confidence that William Abercrombie passed away in or before 1755. Oddly enough, Hannah Everton Abercrombie also passed away in this time period. Hannah recorded her will on August 12, 1754. In her will, she mentions her daughters; Catherine Chamberlin, Grandchildren: Lucy and Jeremiah Chamberlain (spelled both ways in this record), Daniel Everton, William, Hannah, and James Everton, Courtney and Abby Chamberlain. The executrix of her will was her daughter, Catherine Chamberlin. The will was proved in January 1755 court.

One odd item from Hannah’s will is the fact her daughter, Sarah Everton Forehand, was not mentioned. In addition, none of her Forehand grandchildren were mentioned either. If Sarah were married to Thomas Forehand, it seems likely they would’ve been mentioned considering Thomas’ children, Jarvis and Daniel, would’ve been very young at this time. At this point, I can not explain why Sarah was not mentioned as neither were any Forehand grandchildren. Did Sarah die before this time? Move away? Perhaps further research will yield answers to these questions though examination of land transactions and estate sales have not.