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Narrative Family History
Descendants of Whitaker Redd

By Samuel Garbett, co-authored Jan Garbett

Who thinks the Mormon Pioneers didn’t come with lots of baggage? They may not have brought it with them as they crossed the plains but as we try to unravel their histories and reconstruct the past we are up against quite a task. Especially in the South where tidal waves washed away courthouses and offspring from polygamous unions double the number of well-intentioned posterity who have added their four generation black bag to the already overloaded airport carousel.

From dirt roads to invisible highways of online sources I jump onto the bandwagon.

Recent extractions available from US Genweb helped confirm stories with actual marriage bonds such as that between William Redd and Seale Brinson. 1 Family tradition held that the Redds were not church going people although they were God-fearing. This seems to be born out in the discovery that William and Seale’s son Kincey unites with the Baptist faith, but not until his later years.2

Each clue becomes invaluable when church and civil records are lost. The contribution of deeds that detail land and property transactions must be painstakingly reviewed to find clues that make up for the loss of birth, marriage a death records. Finding Kincey in 1817 in New Hanover receiving 520 acres from his father is one such example with the tale tale clue that his brother is still prominently involved in community affairs back home.3

But the furthest back progenitor of the family that first enters North Carolina will be the focus of this report. What family members refer to as the black bible (because of the color of the cover) represents the reverence given to the 400 page volume, The Utah Redds and Their Progenitors, by Lura Redd. The genealogical database that I had access to from the Redd Family Organization was void of sources but had notes referring to Lura’s book or temple ordinance work.

This paper focuses on when Whitaker Redd first enters North Carolina. It is a bit hazy whether he or his son William was the first to move from Nansemond County, Virginia into North Carolina. In 1763 land is processioned in Virginia in which Whitaker and William Redd are mentioned. The next we read of this patriarch is at his death in 1789 “William Readd, evidently the oldest son, was granted letters of administration on the estate of his father, Whitaker Readd, on a bond of 500 pound.” On April 27, 1789 an inventory sale is held for the estate of “Whitaker Read desest.” 4

Whitaker Redd
b. abt 1737, , Nansemond Co., Virginia
d. 13 Apr 1789, Onslow, North Carolina, age: 52
& UNNAMED
b. abt 1737, , Onslow Co., North Carolina
m. abt 1757, , Nansemond, Virginia
| Henry Redd
| b. abt 1756, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. bef 1789, age: 33
His death is assumed before 1789 since there is no mention of him in the administration of Whitaker Redd’s estate in 1789. 4

Lura writes “Whitaker held land in Onslow County . At his death he left Hall’s point Plantation to his son, Whitaker. Later it was divided into six parts, one part of each of Whitaker Jr’s children

Lemuel Hardison Redd was baptized as proxy for Henry 2 Feb 1877 in the St. George Temple according to his own record which is in the possession of Jan Garbett and which I was able to see.

| William Redd*
| b. abt 1758, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. 31 Oct 1833, age: 75
In Onslow Register : records of Onslow and Jones County citizens and related families it records
231> William Red (Reed) of Onslow County served 12 months as a soldier under the command of Major Gen. Greene, Capt. Dotherty’s Company. But on a reform of the Regiment, he was placed in Capt. Armstrong’s Company. 2

A marriage bond verifies a union of William and his first wife Seale or Celah Brinson Readd, William (x), and Seale Brinson. Dec. 16, 1780. William Stoakes (bd) and W. Cray (wt). 3

In 1781 William appears in Onslow County Tax Lists valued at 400.

| & Celah Brinson
| b. abt 1760, Of Onslow Co, NC
| d. abt 1787, , age: 27
| m. 16 Dec 1780, of Nansemond, VA1
| | Kincey Redd
| | b. abt 1781, Onslow, North Carolina
| | d. 25 Jun 1856, Onslow, North Carolina, age: 752
| | & Lucy
It was interesting to find the death of Kinsey Redd. It explained he was about 75 years old and had been a member of the Baptisit Church for 25 years.
| | Sigley Redd
| | b. 6 Dec 1785, Onslow, North Carolina
| | d. 11 Jun 1867, Stump Sound, Onslow Co., North Carolina, age: 81
| | & Lennie Fields
Sigley show up on many transactions. It appears he becomes quite a significant landowner and slaveholder in Onslow County from the many entries where he appears selling, purchasing and gifting to his children. 3

| William Redd*
| b. abt 1758, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. 31 Oct 1833, age: 75
| & Margaret Everett
| b. abt 1768
| d. bef 1807, age: 39
| m. aft 1785
| | Eleanora Redd
| | & Thompson
| | Mary Redd
| | Sarah Redd
| | & Harrell
| | Nelly Redd
| | & Russell
| | m. bef 1817, Onslow, North Carolina
| William Redd*
| b. abt 1758, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. 31 Oct 1833, age: 75
| & Sarah Barlow
| b. abt 1762, Nansemond, VA
| m. aft 1807
Based on the following deed it doesn’t sound like Sarah is married to William Redd in 1807: Deed bk 2#61 Sarah Barlow to William Redd for 75 pounds all her part in Mill and lands willed her by her father deceased. Tests: Jno. E. Spicer, James Ballard. 3

But by 1822 Sarah is identified as William’s third wife with his youngest children.
Will Book B #144 & 145 Redd, William. Aug. 10, 1822. To youngest children William and James; to other children Sigley, Kincy, Nelly, Mary, Sarah; to wife Sarah. Exr: Bazel R. Smith. Tests: Jno. Spicer, Elijah Russell3

| | William B Redd
| | & Catherine Redd
Catherine is the daughter of William B Redd’s uncle, Whitaker Redd and his wife Lurany Wilkins.
| | James B Redd
| Nancy Redd
| b. abt 1762, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. bef 1789, age: 27

The following will establishes Nancy’s relationship as aunt to William B. Redd and Catherine Redd: Release Claim to Nancy Pearson Estate, 3 Mar 1845
Record of Wills, Book A 1800-1825? Onslow County, North Carolina
For and in consideration of the sum of thirty dollars to us in hand paid good and lawful money to us in hand paid by the said John Wilkins before the sealing and delivering of those present have sold and conveyed by these presents all my right title and interest in the estate of my Aunt Nancy Pearson estate of her decease in negro land if any and all the personal estate to the said John Wilkins all that may fall to us hereafter which we receipt to us as one partition be the land more or less to him his heirs and assigns forever, be it from us his heirs and assigns to have and hold forever, whereof we have set our hand and seal the 3rd day of March 1845. Catharine (her X mark) Redd William B.1
| & John Pierson
| b. abt 1771, Nansemond, VA
| d. abt 1829, Onslow, North Carolina, age: 583
| m. abt 1787, Onslow, NC
Will Book B may be possible proof of this marriage that Lura Redd alludes to. 35-Pierson, Joh. Jan. 11, 1828-Feb., 829. To wife Nancy all she had when I married her and 10 dollars cash: to daughter Drucyelly and other children; namely, William, Margaret, John, Jr., and Amans. 3
| Alexander Redd
| b. abt 1764, , Nansemond, VA
| d. bef 1789, age: 25
Lura Redd’s book talks about him and assumes he died before 1789 since there is no mention of him in the administration of Whitaker Redd’s estate in 1789. Lemuel Hardison Redd was baptized as proxy for Alexander 21 Feb 1877 in the St. George Temple.
| Whitaker Redd*
| b. abt 1767, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. 2 Mar 1825, , Onslow, North Carolina, age: 58
| occ. Plantation owner.3

The North Carolina, State Census, 1784-1787 – lists Whitaker Red household consisting of 1 white male 21-60 years, 2 white males under 21 and above 60, 1 white female all ages.

| & Nancy Cary
| b. Carteret, North Carolina
| d. 13 Mar 1794
| m. abt 1791, Onslow, North Carolina
| | Mary Redd
| | b. 27 Sep 1792, Snead’s Ferry, Stump Sound, Onslow, North Carolina
| | d. 18 Nov 1875, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, age: 83
| Whitaker Redd*
| b. abt 1767, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. 2 Mar 1825, , Onslow, North Carolina, age: 58
|
| & Elizabeth Hardison
| b. abt 1774, Sneeds Ferry, Onslow, North Carolina
| d. abt 1800, age: 26
| m. abt 1798, Snead’s Ferry, Stump Sound, Onslow, North Carolina
| | John Hardison Redd
| | b. 27 Dec 1799, Sneads Ferry, Onslow, North Carolina
| | d. 15 Jun 1858, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, age: 58
| | & Elizabeth Hancock
| | b. 25 Jan 1798, Sneeds Ferry, Onslow, North Carolina
| | d. 28 Nov 1853, Spanish Fork, Utah, Utah, age: 55
| | m. 2 Mar 1826, Snead’s Ferry, Stump Sound, Onslow, North Carolina
John Hardison Redd moves his family to Tennessee following his sister Mary Redd and her husband John Holt. Here they join the Church. They migrate to Nauvoo and then join with the Saints to cross the plains and help settle Spanish Fork and New Harmony. 4

| Whitaker Redd*
| b. abt 1767, , Nansemond, Virginia
| d. 2 Mar 1825, , Onslow, North Carolina, age: 58
|
| & Lurany Wilkins
| b. abt 1790, Onslow, North Carolina
| d. bef 1836, Onslow Co., NC, age: 463

| m. abt 1824, Onslow, North Carolina

This home of Lurany contained 38 acres. (ef entry 4 in Deed book 22)
In 1836 “Wm. W. Redd sold to Alexander Redd for 150 dollars, my 1/4th part of the plantation where my mother, Lurany Redd, lived and died. Test: Jarvis Marble, N.T. Ennett. 3
William Barlow Redd marries his cousin Cahterine Redd and we find a transaction of them selling land to her brother William W. Redd in 1836 deed book 22 for 100 dollars land that is 1/4th part of that whereon Lurany Redd their mother formerly lived. 3

| | Alexander Redd
Alexander Redd sold to Samuel Hardison for 75 dollars land commonly called the Halls Point Plantation where Nathan Green now lives, being the 1/6th part inherited from my father, Whitaker Redd. Dec. 22, 1834. Tests: Wm. B. Redd, Jas. Marble. 3

| | Catherine Redd
| | William W Redd
| | Nancy Redd
| | d. 25 Sep 1865, Sneads Ferry, Onslow, North Carolina
| | & Howard.

Sources

1. North Carolina. Federal, State and County Records. USGenWeb Archives. http://usgwarchives.net/

2. Kammerer, Roger E. (1988), Onslow Register: records of Onslow and Jones County citizens and related families. Salt Lake City: Filmed by the Genealogical Society of Utah, 1992. Salt Lake City: Family History Library 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

3. North Carolina. County Court (Onslow County), & Gwynn, Zae Hargett (1961). Abstracts of the records of Onslow County, North Carolina, 1734- 1850. Salt Lake City: Family History Library 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

4. Redd, Lura (2001) The Utah Redds and their progenitors.
Salt Lake City, Utah: Amasa Jay Redd, 2001. Salt Lake City: Family History Library 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101