Of Cornelius Forehand’s sons, beyond the early disappearance of Richard and with the possible exception of Cornelius Forehand (junior), John Forehand remains one of the more mysterious of the lot.  I have long thought John and Cornelius Jr. held the “keys” to a vast, undiscovered lineage of Forehand ancestors.  I have always cast a bit of interest toward Cornelius’ oldest son since I believe he holds the key to my personal link back to Cornelius Forehand.

There is little actually known about John Forehand (son of Cornelius Forehand) other than being listed in his father Cornelius’ will. In his will, Cornelius leaves his oldest son John his gun (spelled gon) and his cow (spelled cowe) named Ring.  The fact that John was listed first in the will seems to indicate he is the oldest son.  However, at this point, that assumption is purely speculative.

A 1727 Pasquotank Precinct court document lists John Forehand as a petite juryman and was to receive five shillings for each day service.  It is interesting to note John served along with notable names such as John Jones and John Thackray.  It is also interesting to note a male must be at least 21 years of age according to Colonial law to serve on a jury of any sort.  Since John would have to have been at least 21 years of age in 1727, we can safely assume he must have been born circa 1704.  Now, we could argue John could’ve been born earlier, but if he had been born before 1704, he would’ve been present on the 1719 tithables list for Pasquotank County.

Worthy of thought is the fact John Forehand did not receive any property in his father’s will.  While this may seem strange during first consideration, it may actually make sense.  When you examine Cornelius’ children and the property they received, you will quickly notice 100 acres of Cornelius’ original property is unaccounted for.  It is very likely, though unproven, John Forehand was already an owner of some of his father’s property in modern Camden County, North Carolina at the time of his father’s death since John would have been at least 21 years of age during that time.  In fact, it is my estimation that John was tending the 100 acres of land that lies adjacent to modern McBride’s Church while Thomas and James were tending the remaining 100 acres willed to them within the “Forkes”.

Other than the 1727 jury listing, the earliest record we have is a 1735 tithable listing for Pasquotank County (figure JF1-1).  The tithable listing was recorded as reported by Benjamin Burnham on June 12^th,1735.  In this particular listing, you can see John Forehand and his brother James Forehand must have arrived to report their tithables at the same point in time since they are listed so close together.  It would make sense that brothers would possibly travel together to report tithables.  One interesting thing to note is the name Elizabeth Colluilo (or whatever the spelling is) listed just under John and James Forehand.  Could this be Elizabeth Forehand the mother of John and James after remarrying?  This is strictly speculation and a huge leap but interesting to ponder nonetheless.

It is also interesting to note that the 1735 tax list was a list of tithables from the “upper district of the northeast parish” of Pasquotank County.  This location means John and James were located near or on their father’s land in what is now modern Camden County near the town of South Mills.  Another interesting observation is the fact there were no male children in either household 16 years old or older.  This means neither James nor John had fathered any male children before 1721 and that both men were obviously born before 1714 (which we have previously proven).

The next record of John Forehand are the 1739 and 1740 tithable listings for Pasquotank County, North Carolina.  In both of these listings, John Forehand is listed as the only male tithable.  This interesting fact means John did not father any male children 1726 or before.  These tithable listing also show John living within the same geographical area as he did in 1735 and before along with such residents as John Thackery, Timothy Nixon,  John Scarborough, John McBride, John Jones, etc.  Another interesting fact is beginning in 1739, John’s brother, Thomas Forehand, appears.  Since he was not listed in 1735 but appeared in 1739, we can assume Thomas was born between 1715 and 1718.

John Forehand is also present in North Carolina State Archives microfilm C.075.60042 records for cattle marks or brands circa 1740 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina as follows: 54- (torn) __hn Forehand’s Mark a swall__ (torn) ___ & ___litt & a slope, in the underside of the left ear.

The final mentions of John Forehand in tithable records are for the years of 1742 and 1744.  In 1742, John is listed as the only tithable male and unfortunately, the 1744 tithable list does not display the number of tithables.  However, both lists indicate John was still living in the same geographical location as he always had living around many of the same residents as in pervious years.

Unfortunately, I have not been able to locate any tithable listings for Pasquotank County between the years 1744 and 1750.  In the 1750 tithable listing for Pasquotank County, the only Forehand listed was Susannah Forehand.  It is interesting to note that Susannah was the only Forehand present in the 1750 tithable listing as living in the same geographical location as John Forehand with such neighbors and John Jones, John Thackery, Timothy Nixon, John McBride, etc.  At this point, we simply do not know her relation, if any, to John.

The next appearance of John Forehand was during April 1752. Pasquotank Court records describe two court cases involving William Ward senior versus John Forehand (figure JF1-2).  The case explains John Forehand was accused of slander.  The outcome of the case required payment of a fine by both parties.  It is at this point that John Forehand disappears from Pasquotank County, North Carolina records.  I often wonder why John was not listed during the 1750 tithable listing but was obviously living in Pasquotank County in 1752.  Did John go visit his brother James in Edgecombe County and leave his wife and children behind?

At this point, I come to a “crossroads” of a sort.  Part of me believes John Forehand passed away in Pasquotank County circa 1752.  However, we know there was a John Forehand present in Edgecombe County, North Carolina as early as 1754 since his son David Forehand testified while applying for a Revolutionary War pension that he was born in Edgecombe County in the year 1754.  In addition, the only “Forehand” present in Pasquotank county during the 1754 tax list was brother Thomas Forehand.  We also must also note John Forehand was not present during the 1755 militia listing.  We also know a Joseph (or Josiah) Forehand was present in Edgecombe County during 1754 as a chainbearer and a James Forehand was present in Edgecombe County during 1757 and as early as 1745.  It seems very compelling that John Forehand disappeared from the Pasquotank area circa 1752 but reappeared in Edgecombe County in 1754.  Is this John Forehand the son of Cornelius?

The one piece of this complicated puzzle that leads me to believe “this” John Forehand may be the son of Cornelius is the birth of his son, Solomon Forehand.  We know Solomon Forehand was married to Rachel Hale on September 24, 1763.  If Solomon was at least twenty one years old when married, he would have to been born no later than 1742.  If Solomon was born circa 1742, his father would’ve been born no later than 1720.  If a son of Cornelius was the grandfather of this John Forehand rather than the father, it means the grandfather of this John would have to been born circa 1700, much too early.  In fact, we have just shown based on the tithable listing that neither John nor James Forehand had any male children before 1726.  This is a strong case making “this” John Forehand the son of Cornelius Forehand.

Therefore, we can conclude with near certainty the John Forehand present in the 1727 jury list, the 1740 cattle mark document, the 1752 court case, the early Pasquotank tithable listings, and later Edgecombe county deeds was the son of Cornelius Forehand.  However, the facts that puzzle me and make me question this John Forehand as being the son of Cornelius is the fathering of children well into his 40s and he did not dispose of any property in Pasquotank County before moving to Edgecombe as did brother James.  While these circumstances are not impossible, they certainly make me question John as being the son of Cornelius.  However, the facts concerning Solomon and the disappearance of John Forehand in Pasquotank County in 1752 and reappearance in Edgecombe in 1754 are compelling when considering John as the son of Cornelius.  Maybe more clues will become available over time, but for now, I will allow you to draw your own conclusions.

On April 5, 1762 (listed as MDCCLXII), a deed between Robert Wright and John Forehand, both of Edgecombe County, North Carolina was recorded.  For one pound two shillings and six pence Virginia money paid by John Forehand, Robert Wright sold a small tract of land lying on the south side of Town Creek (figure JF1-2) in Edgecombe County consisting of twenty one acres beginning at a maple and marked by several trees before return to the first station.  The deed was witnessed by what appears to be Henry Tanton and Owen Grandy.

On April 5, 1762 (listed as MDCCLXII), another deed between Robert Wright and John Forehand of Edgecombe County, North Carolina was recorded. For fifteen pounds paid by John Forehand, Robert Wright sold two hundred acres on the south side of the Town Creek.  Once again, as with the first, this deed also included all houses and buildings on the property and was marked by the creek and several trees.  The deed was again witnessed by Henry Tanton and Owen Grandy.

On July 19, 1762, Thomas Palmer received a grant for seven hundred acres of vacant land from the Right Honorable John Earl Granville lying in Edgecombe County on Little Swamp between the lines of Jacob Evins, Robert Wright, and John Forehand.

On March 4, 1768, a deed was recorded in Edgecombe County, North Carolina between John Forehand and Solomon Forehand.  The deed begins, “To all Christian people to whom these presents shall come…” and states “for consideration of the love good will and affection I have and do bear for my loving son Solomon Forehand of Edgecombe County”.  John Forehand gives his son Solomon a certain parcel of land lying on the south side of Town Creek bordering David Scarborough’s corner and runs along the creek and several trees containing one hundred acres.  This particular tract of land appears to be half of the two hundred acres John Forehand purchased from Robert Wright in 1762.  The deed was witnessed by John Harrod and proved in open court during a May 1768 court session.

On March 7, 1781, John Forehand records a deed of gift to Samuel Hanbary.  Both men were listed as residents of Edgecombe County, North Carolina.  The deed of gift from John Forehand leaves one tract of land on the south side of Town Creek containing one hundred twenty one acres, eight head of cattle, twenty nine head of hogs, and one house “after my life and all the other things after my life” to Samuel Hanbary for maintaining of me my life. The land was the remainder of the land John Forehand purchased from Robert Wright during 1762 after giving his son Solomon one hundred acres of his original purchase. This deed of gift was proved in open court by Edward Hall during November 1781 session.  This deed of gift appears to be a will of sorts showing John Forehand deposing of his remain properties to Samuel Hanbary.

How do we know the John Forehand listed in the early 1760 deeds is the same John Forehand listed in the 1781 deed?  If you compare his “mark” in the two deeds, you will see them to be identical (figure JF1-4).  It is also interesting to note John’s mark is nearly identical to the mark James Forehand leaves in Edgecombe county deeds.  Could the similar marks mean they are brothers? I am not completely familiar with any standards associated with these marks, but it would seem possible that brothers could share similar marks though strictly assumption on my part.

When did John Forehand pass away?  At this point, it is not known.  However, the fact his “deed of gift” to Samuel Hanbary was proven in court during a November 1781 session leads me to believe John Forehand passed shortly before that date.  Edgecombe County records do not contain any further mention of John Forehand.  Again, as most things concerning John Forehand, this is strictly my speculation.

Before we conclude this section, we must stop and try to determine the children and spouse of John Forehand.  As predictable, determining all of John Forehand’s children is nearly impossible.  Since John was born circa 1704 and using the tithable listings, we can speculate he began to start a family of his own circa 1730.  The only records during this period are land deeds, court records, tax lists, militia rosters, wills, and other assorted documents.  Scanning these available records does not yield much information that is helpful.  There are some that believe the “Foran’s” listed in Ratcliff’s 1701-1786 tax payers for Pasquotank County, North Carolina are actually “Forehands”.  However, I have viewed the original tax documents for 1754 and 1769 for Pasquotank County and have concluded the name is “Forbes” rather than “Foran”.

We do know, however, that John Forehand was the father of at least two male children: David Forehand and Solomon Forehand.  As mentioned earlier, David Forehand mentions in a Revolutionary War pension application that he had always been told by his parents that he was born during 1754 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.  We also know from the same document as well as the previous “deed of gift” from 1768, that Solomon Forehand was also a son of John Forehand (David Forehand was listed as a “substitute” for brother Solomon’s war service).  At this point, we do not know with certainty the year Solomon was born though his marriage in 1763 seems to place his birth year circa 1740.  Since John Forehand was present in Pasquotank Count, North Carolina until at least 1752, we must assume Solomon Forehand was born in Pasquotank County.

One document that seems to lend a small clue to the identity of possible children of John Forehand is the 1755 militia listing (figure JF1-6) for Pasquotank County.  During the 1755 militia listing, a Josiah Forehand is listed as a member of Nehemiah Jones’ Third Regiment along with a Cornelius Forehand. This regiment was “bounded on the Fork Creek on the North Side of the Pasquotank River and bounded on the upper of said County”.  The Fork Creek is Joy’s Creek and the North Side of the Pasquotank River is the location of Cornelius Forehand’s original farm purchased from William Joy in the early part of the eighteenth century.  Since Josiah is listed in the 1755 militia listing, he would have to have been at least sixteen years old at the time placing is maximum birth year at 1739.  However, since Josiah Forehand is not listed in the 1769 Pasquotank tax listing, we can probably speculate Josiah was older than sixteen in 1754 and possibly passed away or moved prior to 1769.  We also see a Joseph Forehand (Joseph was often shortened to Josiah) mentioned as a “chainbearer” along with a John Griffis during a June 7, 1754 land survey for Edgecombe County, North Carolina for John Elkins (figure JF1-4).  It is interesting to note 1754 is the year John Forehand appeared in Edgecombe County with the birth of his son David Forehand. Is this proof of Josiah being a child of John Forehand?  Absolutely not.  In fact, this Joseph Forehand may not be the “Josiah Forehand” listed in the militia returns or could even be the child of James Forehand. However, it is interesting to speculate such.

I have also long speculated John Forehand had a male child named Anthony Forehand.  Since my particular Forehand “line” is derived from Anthony, I spent many (MANY) hours trying to prove or disprove his origin.  Long-time Forehand researcher and close relative, W.W. Forehand, concluded Anthony Forehand to be the son of John Forehand (son of Cornelius).  I once thought Anthony to be the son of Cornelius (son of Cornelius) but slowly came back to John Forehand as the evidence (though scarce) seemed to point in his direction.  Rather than expand on Anthony here, I have included my evidence (or lack thereof) in a later section.

You may question at this point who was the wife of John Forehand?  I have purposely waited until the end of this section to make a bold assumption so please keep an open mind.  Most Forehand research assumes Sarah Everton to be the wife of John’s brother, Thomas Forehand.  However, I have yet to bring a single piece of evidence to support that assumption.  While clues are sparse, I tend to assume Sarah Everton to be the wife of John Forehand or even his brother, James.

While I will be repeating information, let’s pause a moment to consider Sarah Everton.  Sarah Everton was the daughter of Jeremiah Everton and a woman named Hannah.  Jeremiah and Hannah were married on March 21, 1702 in All Hollows Parish, Anne Arundel County, Maryland.  At this point, we know Jeremiah and Hannah had at least two male children named Solomon and James and a daughter named Sarah.  Interestingly enough, Sarah and her brother Solomon are mentioned in the December 17, 1725 will of William Joy (whom sold Cornelius his original property) as receiving two hundred acres of land in Pasquotank Precinct while the will was witnessed by their parents, Jeremiah and Hannah Everton.  In the will, Sarah is known as “Sarah Everton”.  In comparison, Sarah Everton is known as “Sarah Forehand” during her father’s January 3, 1736 will.  Therefore, we can assume two things.  First, we know Sarah Everton was born on April 30, 1704.  Second, Sarah must have been married between 1725 and 1736 after the age of 21.

The above dates and ages, along with the curious fact that John Forehand named a son Solomon Forehand (after Sarah’s brother Solomon?) seem to give us at least a small thought that Sarah Everton could’ve been the wife of John Forehand.  It is also interesting to note a Jeremiah Forehand is present later as a child of Solomon’s children.  Could this child have been named after Jeremiah Everton?  Possible.  Please keep in mind the entire discussion of Sarah Everton as John Forehand’s wife is purely my assumption and speculation.  However, there is even less evidence to support the claim of Sarah Everton as the wife of Thomas Forehand.  But what of Susannah Forehand in the 1750 tithable listing?  Perhaps we will never know.

As you can see, complications are abound in determining which John Forehand is which and who his children and spouse were.  However, based on current evidence, we can safely determine John Forehand (son of Cornelius) either passed away in Pasquotank County circa 1752 or moved to the area of his brother, James Forehand, Edgecombe County circa 1754.  It seems rather unlikely at this point that history will produce enough facts to solidify either position and keep this branch of the Forehand “tree” an uncertainty.