Curtis Presnell

Curtis married Mrs. Rachel about 1800. was born in May 1785 in Randolph, North Carolina, USA; died in 1862 in Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Elisabeth Presnell was born about 1817 in North Carolina, USA.
2. Sarah Jane Presnell was born about 1835.
3. William Presnell was born in 1823 in Ashboro, Randolph, North Carolina, USA; died on 22 Apr 1872 in Clay, Indiana, USA.
4. Harvey Presnell was born after 1820; died after 1850 in Randolph, North Carolina, USA.
5. James Madison Presnell was born on 27 May 1828 in Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, USA; died on 31 Jul 1863 in Gettyburg, PA; Buried - Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, USA.
6. John Presnell was born in 1826 in Little River, Alexander, North Carolina, USA; died in 1889; was buried in Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, USA.
7. Rhody Presnell was born in 1809 in North Carolina.
8. Nathan Presnell was born about 1805 in Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, USA; died in 1866 in Asheboro, Randolph, North Carolina, USA.
9. Madison Presnell was born after 1820 in Randolph, North Carolina, USA; died after 1850 in Randolph, North Carolina, USA.
10. Arpha Presnell was born in 1822 in North Carolina, USA; died in 1900 in Randolph County, North Carolina, USA.
11. Martha Ann Presnell was born after 1826.
12. Rebecca Presnell was born on 26 Jun 1823 in Randolph, North Carolina, USA.
13. Agnes Presnell was born in 1824 in North Carolina, USA.
14. Caroline Presnell was born about 1837.
15. Dennis Presnell was born in 1844.

William married Mary Curtis. Mary was born about 1760; died in 1831 in Randolph, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

"At the convention to consider ratifications of the Federal Constitution, held in Hillsborough (Twp, Randolph Co) in August 1788, NC voted against the new Constitution. As a result of the pro-ratification campaign which followed, the General Assembly, meeting in Fayetteville on November 17, 1788, received many petitions urging the call of a new convention to reconsider the Constitution.

The manuscript Dept of Perkins Library at Duke University holds petitions from 19 counties in its collection "NC State Papers, 1788-1789." Among these petitions is one drown up by the militia companies of Randolph County. This is a valuable roster of the county's citizens in late 1788, and the Journal is pleased to publish it, with kind permission of the Manuscript Dept.

As those who have puzzled over and deciphered eighteenth century manuscripts know all too well, this material can be hard to read, especially lists of proper names. Fortunately in this instance company leaders signed for all of the men in the group and there is thus some uniformity of handwriting. With the help of Mrs Carolyn Hager and other researchers in the Genealogical Society, the rosters have been carefully deciphered and compared to those of contemporary documents for the county. It is likely that some inaccuracies have gotten through, however. If you note ways the list can be made more accurate, we will be more than pleased to hear from you." Joe C Rees, Duke University Library.

Undated document: Probably prepared between Sept & October, 1788.

To the honorable the General Assembly of NC now siitting at Fayetteville
greeting
The petition of sundry inhabitants within the county of Randolph humbly
sheweth - -
That our minds are deeply impress'd with the truth of that maxim by which
was brought about our glorious revolution to wit
"By Union we stand by Disunion we fall" and we think that union is as
necessary at this time, as any period during the war, for the preservation of
our Independent Republican form of government as well as for the preservation
of our lives, libertys, and propertys- - -
That we have a just sense of the Miserable State we must shortly be
reduced to should we separate from our Sister States with whom we have
fought, bled, and nobly conquered - - and who to shew their great
willingness to continue in union with us have given up one of their greatest
local benefits for the general good to wit their Imposts a sum sufficient for
the present to pay off our part of the Interest of the Foreign debt and which
may in future by the increase of commerce be also sufficient to pay the
principal - -
That we believe in our concienses the future hapiness & prosperity of
this State depends on our firm Union with our Sister States and the speedy
ratification of the Federal Constitution what ever the opposers of it may,
from ill grounded fears, prejudices, or self interested motives, say to the
contrary - -
Not doubting but that the Congress when organiz'd will in a
Constitutional manner make any amendment which may be thought necessary for
the general good of the Union
Under this firm belief we pray that your Honourable body will call a new
Convention to reconsider the federal Constitution & Ratify the same on the
part of this State that we may, in Union, haave ashare in common with the
other States in framing the Federal Laws, Choosing the great officers of
government, and making all the necessary amendments to the Constitution - -
and your petitions as in duty bound will ever pray.
(2nd group to sign:)
Capt. KNIGHT Company, mannering BROOKSHEAR (BROOKSHIRE) L(ieutenat)t (?)
(includes)
W(illia)m PESSNELL (PRESNELL) (this would be William, Sr, son of James and Ann Daniel
Absalom PRESNEL
=========================================

William married Mary Cabeness about 1755 in Amelia, Virginia, USA. Mary was born about 1739; died in in Newberry, South Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

There is considerable difference in opinion as to the children of James Presnell and Ann Daniel.

Experienced genealogists have varying opinions on the early Presnell families in the new world because records are very scarce.

It is believed that James Presnell grew up on the family farm in the rural area of Dragon Swamp (present day Urbana Virginia) on the shores of the Rhappahannock River

On 14 May 1732 James Presnell was married to Ann Daniel, daughter of Captain William Daniel and Mary Moseley. Her father William was a Captain of Huguenot forces. It was not long after being married, that James, Ann and their children moved from King and Queen County (Dragon Swamp) to Amelia County Virginia (most likely to the area which is present day Prince Edward County, southeast of Green Bay, Virginia).

In March of 1743 James purchased 400 acres of land on Snail Creek and Nottoway River, Amelia County, Virginia. On 10 September 1750 James sold this 400 acres of land to Andrew Harrison of King and Queen County Virginia. Andrew's brother Benjamin Harrison, who lived in Charles County, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence, who was also the father of the ninth U.S. President, William Henry Harrison.

On 27 February 1752 James again purchased 400 acres of land in Nottoway Parish, Amelia County Virginia, located on both sides of Deep Creek and Head of a Branch on the Lazaritti River. On 27 November 1755 he sold 150 acres of that land to William Parnell. Records show that Ann Daniel died by 1755 because in the land records it shows that "Relinquist Rights on Land for Anne Daniels."
On 15 October 1766 James sold the remaining 250 acres of land to a Thomas Paine- some claim it was the American Patriot, and politician ( I no longer believe this claim, as Thomas Paine, the author of Common Sense did not arrive the colonies until 1774. Was there another Thomas Paine?). On this transaction it shows that "Relinquist Rights on Land for Ruth." This record would lead us to believe that James married a second time to "Ruth." In the 1756 Tithe (Tax) list is shows; James, James, and a slave Jane.
On 2 September 1768, James again purchased 210 acres of land on the south side of the Dan River in Rowan County, North Carolina which is now Rockingham County, North Carolina. He sold this 210 acres of land to William Asten on 18 ovember 1777. It is assumed that at this late age of 69 years that James Presnell moved in with his son at this time on Little River, Randolph County, orth Carolina. A few genealogies show that James Presnell died in 1792.


Buried:
Near Asheboro on his original land

James married Ann Daniel on 14 May 1732 in Christ Chruch Parish, Middlesex, Virginia, USA. Ann (daughter of William Daniel, Sr. and Mary Mosley) was born on 12 Oct 1716 in Christ Church, Middlesex Co., Virginia; died about 1753 in Notttoway, Amelia, Virginia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Married:
Parish Register of Christ Church, by Reverand Barthalomew Yates