by Wiley Julian Holland¹⁵³  wholland15@verizon.net   Copyright 2003-2013 - published here September 10, 2012

I, Diana Holland Faust, get almost as many inquiries about Hollands in Virginia, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee who belong to a different Holland family from my own, as I do about my own Jimmie Holland family line.  Of course, those making the inquiries do not know which line they descend from -- that's why they inquire.  For that reason, and to help those who seek, I am publishing here all the information I have on that other major Holland family in the same region.  It is meticulously researched by Wiley Julian Holland and provided to this website for the purpose of disseminating actual, factual, researched genealogy, as opposed to making assumptions and guesses and propagating it online as truth.  

 

DEDICATION

This narrative on my family is dedicated to my wife, Wini Southerland Holland, who departed this life on August 28^th, 1994. She shared my life for 32 years, 8 months, 27 days, 4 hours and 28 minutes. Wini gave me five wonderful children who in turn have given me 14 beautiful grandchildren; all part of my HOLLAND legacy.

PREFACE

My objective in writing this narrative on my family history was to hopefully instill in my children and grandchildren the love of history and family I inherited from my father. This list of ancestors is by no means complete and I want my children to experience the exhilaration of locating an ancestor and breathing life into him, if only for a fleeting moment.

I want them to experience the discomfort while searching through waist-high weeds attempting to find ancestor’s graves, only to find those discomforts quickly forgotten when a headstone, reflecting the afternoon sun, slowly emerges from the underbrush.

For the benefit of my grandchildren I write in great detail about their direct line, but I want them to know who their other family ancestors were. Not only were they eyewitnesses to historical events in this nation’s history but active participants as well. Finally, I want them to realize “they won’t know where they are going till they know where they have been.”

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND EXPLANATORY NOTES

In 1950, my father, Wiley Julian Holland Senior, wrote his family memoirs based on some individual research but primarily utilizing family bible records and oral history told to him by his grandmother, Carrie Tatum Holland, his father, Wiley Pinkney Holland and his grandmother, Allie Blanche Bell Holland. Carrie Holland was born in 1840 and lived the last twenty years of her life with my father and grandfather, dying in 1922 at the age of 82.

Wiley Pinkney Holland, my grandfather was born during the Civil War in 1863 and died 1945 at the age of 82. His wife Allie Blanch Bell Holland was born in 1867 and died at the age of 77 in 1944. Wiley Pinkney’s son, Wiley Julian Holland Senior, my father, was born in 1903 and died in 1982. Because my grandfather, Wiley P. was an only child, my father said his grandmother, Carrie, felt a strong obligation to pass on as much family history as possible to her son and grandson, which she did.

In writing this narrative I attempted to make it as easy and interesting as possible to follow; however, like most family pedigree charts, it has many of the same characteristics as a strong sedative. Following the death in 1798 of my gggg grandfather, Jacob Holland, in Edgecombe County North Carolina, I divide the Holland family into three sections; the Tennessee line, the North Carolina line and the Georgia

None of this narrative would have been possible without the able assistance I received from cousins who graciously shared their documented family research. Let me thank and acknowledge the following people.1-Ruth Holland, Camp Fulton, Ohio 2-Terry Holland Brooks, Ashley County, Arkansas.3-Terry Holland, Jacksonville, Florida.4-Grace Clark, Perry, Florida. 5-Deedee Perry, Bossier City, Louisiana. 6- Becky Scott, Perry, Fla.7-Sallie Holland Freeman, Woodstock, Georgia.8-Linda Perkins, Fayetteville, Georgia.9- Lou Bassett, Bartow, Fla. 10-Jean Holland DuPre, Thomasville, Georgia.11-Jack Shirah, Gainesville, Florida.12- Deborah Holland Dunford, Tulsa, Oklahoma 13-Tammy Williams, Somerville, Tennessee –14 Bunny Teasley, Houston, Texas-15 Tim Holland, Gregg County, Texas-16-LeeAnn Helmick, Bartow, Fla. 17- Mary Jo Cancelmo, Winter Haven, Fla.18- Jerry Hughes, Cleveland, Ohio.19- Shirley Kersey, Sacramento, California, Linda Stockdale, Benton County, Tn.     and finally my father, Wiley Julian Holland Senior, whose writings 65 years ago on our family were a guiding light as I began my journey into the distant past.

INTRODUCTION

For forty years I diligently researched my Holland family pedigree. It is documented that my great great great great grandfather, Jacob Holland was born about 1748 -1750. His date of birth was approximated using the date of birth of his oldest child, Barsheba, November 21, 1772. Jacob’s parents have never been determined but for various reasons I believe he is the grandson or great grandson of John Holland who arrived in Nansemond County, Virginia from England in 1664 as an indentured servant.

There has been much speculation and writings that the English Holland name can be traced to the Norman Conquest in 1066, but I never saw documentation to verify those claims. The earliest documented evidence I found was a deed transaction in Upholland, Lancashire County, England in 1203.

On November 5, 1203 the deed was written and stated," Uhetred de Chyrche releases his right in fourteen oxgangs of land in Upholland to Matthew de Holland". By 1600 Holland families had spread from the Lancashire area and were living throughout England. 

In 1841, Great Britain conducted it's first comprehensive census. At that time England was comprised of 56 counties. There were Holland families living in 52.  The three counties with the most people named Holland were: Lancashire, 2329; Middlesex, 1229 and Cheshire, 1174. These numbers do not reflect households but rather individuals with the surname Holland.

Chapter 1:  England to Virginia

Around 1600, England was becoming increasingly concerned with the inroads Spain and France had made in the new world of America. France was reaping huge profits from the fish and fur industries in Canada and Spain was filing its treasury with gold and silver from South America. England did not have a single permanent outpost in the new land prior to 1607.

In an effort to compete with France and Spain, England’s King James 1 granted a charter to a group of London entrepreneurs in June of 1606, which created the London Company. A subsidiary, the Virginia Company, was located in Virginia and was active until 1624 when King Charles revoked the company charter. From then until the Revolutionary War, Virginia was a Crown Colony

The Company’s directive, as given by King James, was “to establish a satellite English settlement in the Chesapeake region of North America, find gold and a water route to the Orient.” The London Company was a stock company and shareholders were called adventurers (hence the modern name venture capitalist). Some of the stockholders traveled to Jamestown but most remained in England.

Samuel Holland was listed as one of the original stockholders in 1607 and a William and Thomas Holland were investors in the 1615/20 stock reports. William bought 12 pounds, 6 shillings in stock. There is no record of any of these Holland men migrating to America. On October 30^th, 1609, Thomas Holland of London wrote a letter to the Marquess of Salisbury, Hatfield House, Hatfield, England detailing the recent voyage of Henry Hudson into the Chesapeake Bay.

On May 13^th, 1607 Admiral Christopher Newport, Commanding the Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery landed on Jamestown Island, making it the first permanent English settlement in America. It was a total disaster from the beginning. Of the 140 passengers who left England, 35 died on the voyage.

Three other ships had sailed for America before 1610, but due to sickness, Indian massacres and starvation, only 60 gaunt settlers still survived by May of 1610. In 1612, plans were made to abandon Jamestown until John Rolfe, who later married Pocahontas, convinced the King and remaining settlers to forget gold and grow tobacco.

This was the turning point for the colony and proved such a success that tobacco was actually grown on the streets of Jamestown. By 1619 plans were made to populate areas beyond Jamestown. These settlements were called plantations or in old English, “plantacons”

In 1618 a group of local Gloucestshire, England merchants and Gentlemen formed the Berkeley Company. Their goal was to exploit the immense resources of the New World. The principal backers of the enterprise were: John Smyth of Nibley, agent and historian of the Berkeley Company, Richard Berkeley, George Thorpe of Wanxwell Court, Sir William Throckmorton and Sir George Yeardley, Governor of the new territory of Virginia.

The Berkeley Company negotiated a grant of land on the James River containing some 8000 acres with the London Company on which to build a private colony to be named the Berkeley Hundred.

The London Company actively solicited young single men in England to migrate to Berkeley to help develop the plantation and make it productive.

The first ship sent to Berkeley was the “Margaret” The ship arrived at Berkeley December 4, 1619 carrying 36 indentured workers.

John Smyth of Nibley, historian for the Berkeley Group, recorded the status of the passengers. For those who died of natural causes he wrote “dead”. For those who had been killed by Indians, he wrote “Slayne”.

Of the 36 passengers arriving on the ship Margaret, twenty one died of natural causes following their arrival, one returned to England, one drowned and two were “Slayned” in the 1622 Indian massacre.

The second ship sent by the Berkeley Group from England to the Berkeley 100 was the ship “Supply”. The ship arrived at Berkeley January 29, 1621 and the Governor certified the arrival, February 8. 1621 stating it was carrying 50 passengers. The authorization to sail in England listed 58 passengers but several passengers did not sail because of overcrowding.

Two of the passengers were Gabriel and Richard Holland, possibly brothers, and like the others passengers were indentured workers

They signed an agreement with the Berkeley Group, as other male enlistees requiring them to work for three years to six years.

For the first year they would be provided “food, lodging, cattle, clothes, weapons, tools and other equipment.”  After the first year they would receive "50% of the profits from their endeavors.” At the end of their 3-year obligation, they would be “granted 50 acres of land."

They sailed from Bristol, England with 47 other passengers on the ship Supply September 18^th, 1620, and the ship arrived in Virginia 8 weeks later. Seven passengers on the initial manifest stayed in England and did not make the voyage, leaving a ship’s compliment of 49 passengers including the Captain and his wife.

Gabriel and Richard were among 15 of the passengers who died of natural cause shortly after their arrival at the Berkeley 100 settlement in 1621. This Gabriel Holland has been the subject of much misinformation written in 1963 and 1988. My essay titled, “The Truth About Gabriel Holland” rebuts the erroneous information written by Davis Kirk Holland and Jeannette Holland Austin.

As early as 1621, the London Company realized the need to furnish women of marrying age to Virginia to “lifte ye morale” of the men. In November 1621 the ship “Tyger” arrived in James City from England. The ship manifest stated the following: “Fifty more maids and yong woemen for marriage, with testimonies to their characters, passage to be paid after arrival at not less than 150 pounds of the best leaf tobacco, and proportionately more if any died on the way over.” Ann Holland, age 19, arrived on a similar ship August 10, 1635 with 20 other women. Martha Holland, age 24, arrived on the ship “Paul” in 1635 with 14 other women.

By 1622 the population of Jamestown and the surrounding plantations was estimated to be about 1300. In a final effort to drive the English from Virginia, the Algonquian Indians planned an all out attack and on Good Friday, March 22^nd, 1622, 347 men, women and children in the outlying plantations were slaughtered by the Indians. Because the settlers in Jamestown received a warning of the impending disaster from a converted Christian Indian boy, they were prepared and drove off the attack.

Following the 1622 massacre, the London Company conducted a survey to determine the settlers who were killed “so their lawful heirs may take speedy order for the inheritance of their lands and estates there” Listed at the Falling Creek iron work as being killed was Thomas Holland. Another Thomas Holland, private servant, was listed on the Edward Bennett Plantation roles as being killed also. The Thomas Holland killed at the Bennett Plantation had arrived from England one month earlier on the ship “Sea Flower”

In 1620/21, the ship John and Francis arrived in Jamestown and among the passengers was another Gabriel Holland and his wife Rebecca.  Gabriel was a member of Virginia House of Burgesses for the 1623/24 terms. His first wife, Rebecca died about 1623 and Gabriel married Mary Pinke. On August 17, 1624, a land transaction has Mary Holland, wife of Gabriel, receiving a 12-acre patent of land adjoining the property of Nathaniel Hutt and Thomas Passmore.

There are no records of this Gabriel after 1628 and there is no record of Gabriel having children by either of his two wives, Rebecca and Mary.

The conditions in England during the 1600s were such that many people looked for ways to escape the deprivations in England. The British economy was in shambles, the Civil War was tearing families apart and the plague was ravishing the urban population. Many young people, with no families, were living on the streets in London and the officials began a policy of shipping these young people to Barbadoes and Virginia as servants. The following Hollands were part of that group:

1.  In 1634 Robert Holland, age 19, John Holland, age 15 and Ann Holland age 19, were youngsters rounded up in the streets of London and sent to Barbados.

2.  On November 20, 1635, Abra Holland, age 19, was part of the youths rounded up in the streets of London. She was transported to Barbados on the ship John and Frances .

3.  On February 27, 1619, Frances Holland of Bishopgate was one of the youngsters rounded up from the streets of London to be transported to Virginia.

4.  On September 28, 1628, Elizabeth Holland, 16, was among the several people released from detention and delivered to the Reverend Lewis Hughes so they could be sent to Virginia.

5.  On September 26, 1628, officials in Bridewell noted that James Holland, a youth who had been born on Bishopgate Street and brought in from Rede Lane would be detained with other children rounded up from the London streets until they could be sent to Virginia. 

6.  In September 1620, Richard Holland left Bristol, England with Edward Grindonon on the ship James which set sail from England July 31, 1622.  If he survived, he probably went to Grindon's property on the eastern end of Jamestown Island or to Grindon's plantation on the lower side of the James River.

There are no further records of the above Hollands.

In addition to the Hollands listed above, the following were Hollands who arrived in Virginia from England during the 17th century, the greater majority as indentured servants. During the 17th century, 70 to 80 percent of all persons arriving in Virginia from England were indentured servants.

Most died within the first year of arrival. For a long time, indentured servants were thought of as the dregs of society in England. Most historians now agree servants came predominantly from the ’middling class,’ farmers and skilled workers, the productive group in England’s working population.”

1.  Henry Holland was one of 34 persons transported to Charles City County by William Stone. June 4, 1635

2,  Edward Holland-One of three persons transported to Henrico County by Mary Box July12, 1637

3. Francis Holland-One of four persons transported to Warwick County by Frances Rice August 29, 1643

4. Fra. Holland- One of 10 persons transported to Northumberland County March 26, 1651

5. George Holland-One of 8 persons transported top Lancaster County by William Wroughton September 18, 1665

6. Mary Holland-One of 10 servants transported to Surry County by Samuel Huby and John Carter, January 25, 1655

7. Samuel Holland-One of 60 persons transported to Northumberland County by Captain Augustine Warner

8. Thomas Holland-One of 34 persons transported to York County by Mr. Arthur Price May 6, 1651

9. Wat Holland, one of 20 persons transported to Surry County by Mr. Arthur Allen August 24, 1665

10. Elizabeth Holland- 1691. Bearing an illegitimate child-Westmoreland County.

11. Francis Holland-1662- Accomack County, Virginia

12. Hannah Holland- 1692- Accomack County

13. John Holland- 1677- Lancaster County.

14. John Holland 1688- Accomack County.

15. Phillip Holland- 1671- Lancaster County

16. Simon Holland- 1698- Northumberland County.

17. Peter Holland- 1698 Essex County, bound to William Neilson for an indenture of six years.

18. Francis Holland-1666 Surry County. Bouind to George Watkins

19. Richard Holland- 1661-Accomack County

20. Thomas Holland-1668 no county listed

21. Thomas Holland-1682, no county listed

Adam Holland, a large land owner, was living in Gloucester County June 4, 1653. His name appeared in patent book 5 as the adjacent land owner to a grant made to John Maddison. There are no records of Adam arriving in Virginia as an indentured servant.

Daniel Holland and his wife, Joyce, were living in Northumberland County in December 1656. His name was listed as the buyer of land from Richard Gible who had been granted the land earlier. There are records of Daniel arriving in Virginia as an indentured servant.

Finally,  John Holland, who I believe is my original ancestor to arrive in Virginia.  Seventy five percent of all migrants arriving in Virginia from England in the 17th century were indentured servants which, in my opinion, included John Holland. He was one of 50 persons transported from England to Virginia by Lt. Colonel John Blake and Edward Isom.

Blake and Isom were granted 2500 acres in Nansemond County February 20, 1664 under the headright system. Under this system, the individual who paid the transportation costs of indentured servants was granted 50 acres per person.

Under the headright system, John Holland would have signed an indenture with Colonel Blake and Edward Isom  requiring him to work for a period of time from 4-7 years. In exchange for his service, John, would receive his passage paid from England and food, clothing and shelter once he arrived in Nansemond County. During his indenture, John was not allowed to marry, have children. or leave the plantation where he lived.

When John’s indenture was fulfilled he would have been paid “freedom dues” and allowed to leave the plantation. His freedom dues consisted of corn, tools and clothing. Studies of indentured servants who sailed from Bristol, England to Virginia between the years 1654-1686 made the following findings: An overwhelming majority were young, 15-25 and single. While indentures averaged between 4-7 years, most were for seven.

Using an average age of 20, John would have been born circa 1644 in England. Using a 7 year time for his indenture, John would have completed his indenture circa 1671 at the age of 27.  Nansemond County records were destroyed by fire three times. The last known record of John was his November 2, 1705 land grant so his death would have occurred after that date

During the eleven years between the end of John’s indenture and his first grant of land, he probably worked as sharecropper or laborer as many did.  He obtained the following land patents:

1.  On April 20, 1682, he patented 760 acres in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County at the miles end of Walter Bagely.

2.  On April 16,1683 he patented 200 acres in the Upper Parish of Nansemond County at a place called Kingsale.

3.  On April 20, 1694 he patented 500 acres on the east side of Captain John's swamp.

4.  On November 2, 1705, he patented 147 acres.

John had patented 1460 acres before the 1704 Quit Rent Rolls.  Some have posted John was the son of Gabriel Holland and was born in Jamestown, Virginia in 1628. John was NOT the son of Gabriel Holland and was NOT born in Jamestown 1628.  That information is covered extensively in my research paper titled The Truth About Gabriel Holland.

Because the Nansemond county public records were destroyed it is impossible to document the name of John Holland’s wife or their children. In 1955 John Bennett Boddie, a historian wrote a series of books on “Southside Virginia Families” One book included a chapter titled “ Holland of Nansemond.”

Because of the lack of records in Nansemond, Boddie studied records, primarily land transactions in the adjoining county of Isle of Wight. Several Nansemond County Holland families owned land adjacent to the IOW boundary and deed records were registered in both counties. 

In 1769 several of these Holland families became residents of Isle of Wight County following the clarification of the boundary lines. Those Holland families play a critical part of my unfinished research paper titled, “John Holland of Nansemond, a Burnt Virginia County.”

Following his research Boddie wrote “In my opinion, based on circumstantial evidence John Holland had the following sons: Henry, James, Joseph and John Jr.

Most internet postings on John Holland originated from information written by Jeannette Holland Austin in 1988. She had access to Boddies information but chose to ignore his quote “based on circumstantial evidence” and wrote emphatically Henry, James, Joseph and John Jr. were the sons of the immigrant John Holland. That was only one example of the many instances where Ms. Austin took liberties with the truth in her writings. She never provided sources to verify the validity of her information.

Because the Nansemond County public records wee destroyed, it is virtually impossible to document the Holland families who remained in Nansemond following the arrival of the immigrant, John Holland. I address those families in my book, John Holland of Nansemond, a Burnt Virginia County.

In addition to the Holland families whose residences were relocated into Isle of Wight, Virginia in 1769, several either moved or became residents of Bertie County, North Carolina following the 1728 boundary clarification. Bertie County, North Carolina bordered Nansemond County, Virginia until 1751

Chapter 2:  Nansemond to Bertie and Edgecombe

To follow the migration of my Holland family from Nansemond County, Virginia in the Tidewater section of Southeastern Virginia, to North Carolina, it is necessary to understand the formation of the Counties in Carolina. Until 1664, the area in present-day northeastern North Carolina was part of Virginia.

In 1664, that area became Albemarle County, North Carolina and in 1668 Chowan was formed from sections of Albemarle. In 1722, Bertie County was formed from the Southwestern section of Chowan. Even though Bertie County, North Carolina was officially formed in 1722, the boundary line between Bertie and Nansemond County, Virginia was not clarified until 1728.

In 1732, Edgecombe County was formed from parts of Bertie even though it was not officially confirmed as a county until 1741. During those nine years it was known simply as the Edgecombe precinct of Bertie. In 1746 parts of Edgecombe became Granville County and in 1758, Halifax was formed from sections of western Edgecombe. Finally in 1777, Nash County was formed from part of Edgecombe.

The Holland men listed below were either born in Nansemond County, Virginia, Bertie County, North Carolina or Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Unless otherwise noted the relationships of these Holland are at the most, fathers, siblings or cousins.

1. RICHARD HOLLAND.  Born about 1700 in Nansemond County, Virginia and died after December 11, 1771 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Richard married Mary Cotton, the daughter of John Cotton, May1728. On March 26, 1723 Richard purchased 575 aces on the west side of the Chowan River in Bertie County. On the same day, he purchased 460 acres on the West side of the Chowan River and on the west side of Miery Meadow. The note on this land held by Robert Carr had lapsed.. On August 8, 1723, Richard paid 12 pounds to his future father in law John Cotton for 250 acres on Roanoke River and Broad Meadow in Bertie County. Richard recorded two cattle markings in 1729 to identify his cattle. By 1743 Richard's property was located in Edgecombe County. Richard was listed on the Edgecombe 1743 tax list.

On February 27, 1769 “Richard Holland, of Edgecombe County, planter, to his son, Thomas Holland, for love and affection and 5 pounds , a tract of 200 acres lying on both sides of Peachtree Creek, including a grist mill built thereon”. Witnessing that transaction was James Woodward. On December 11, 1771 Richard gave to his son, Richard Holland, alias Richard Rogers, all my lands, goods and chattels. Apparently this was an illegitimate son of Richard 

Son of Richard and Mary Cotton Holland:

1a. THOMAS HOLLAND was probably born about 1739 in Bertie County and died in Edgecombe County, North Carolina 1777, leaving five young orphans. Thomas married Mary Ross May 7, 1764 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Mary was the daughter of Andrew Ross and his wife Sarah, maiden name unknown. Andrew Ross was born about 1710 in Nansemond County, Virginia and died April 14, 1761 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

The October 1764 Edgecombe Court recorded the purchase by Thomas Holland from Henry Kent of 525 acres, joining the south side of Lewis’ branch. One of the witnesses to this sale was James Tucker, Thomas’s brother in law who had married Mary’s sister, Sarah. In 1769 Thomas witnessed the 10 pound purchase by John Whitehouse of property ( no acres listed) on the north side of the Tar River from Arthur Goodson. John Whitehouse was Thomas’ brother in law, husband of his sister, Lucy. Following the death of Thomas, and inventory of his estate was taken by his wife and administrator, Mary Holland, and was recorded in the April 1777 Edgecombe Court. The May 1778 Court recorded that Thomas’s estate account was current as stipulated by the administrator, Mary Holland Gandy.

Mary had married Brittain Gandy before May 1778 following the death of her first husband, Thomas Holland in 1777. In 1778, Brittain posted bond and became guardian of Mary’s five sons, Daniel, Hardy, Richard, Thomas and Wiley Holland. Brittain died in 1780 and Benjamin O’Neal became guardian of Daniel. Benjamin was the husband of Mary Ross Holland Gandy’s sister, Elizabeth Ross. Henry Bunn became the guardian of Hardy in 1780. Henry was the husband of Mary Ross Holland’s sister, Ann Ross. Thomas’ new guardian in 1780 became John Whitehouse, the husband of Lucy Holland, sister of the deceased Thomas Holland. In an inventory conducted by Mary Gandy on January 4, 1780, Thomas’s estate left 127 pounds, 5 shillings and 4 pence to each of his five orphan boys and in addition, the oldest, Daniel, was given 725 acres of land and a still. When the oldest son, Daniel Holland became of age, he assumed guardianship of his younger brothers that included his youngest sibling, Wiley.

Following the death of Brittain Gandy, Mary Ross Holland Gandy was living with her son, Daniel, on adjoining property to John Whitehouse, her brother in law, on the north side of Sapony Creek. Before Brittain Gandy died, he and Mary had one child, a son named John Gandy, born in 1780. John was the same age as his cousin, my great great great grandfather, Jacob Holland Jr. and John migrated to Georgia about 1802, the same time as Jacob Jr. He married Cloah Mullins in Hancock County, Georgia in 1802 and they had a son, Thomas Holland Gandy, born December 9, 1807 in Hancock. My great great grandfather,

 The status of Mary Ross and Thomas Holland’s orphaned children are as follows:

Daniel Holland - Died 1801 in Robertson County, Tennessee. He married Elizabeth and they had four children; Wiley, Cordy, Garrett and Daniel

Hardy Holland - No records found

Richard Holland - Married Mourning Manning October 24, 1792 in Nash County and died 1823 in Nash. He and Mourning had 5 children; Jackson, Elizabeth, Charity, Lucy and Mary.

Thomas Holland -No records found

Wiley Holland - Married Bathsheba Skinner. He moved to Robertson County, Tennessee and eventually into Trigg County, Kentucky where he died in 1837. Wiley and Bathsheba had the following children; Wiley, Daniel, Richard, Obedience, Bryant, Thomas and Bennett. Wiley, the oldest child, was a veteran of The War of 1812, serving in Captain Benson’s Company. He was married twice to two Drane sisters and received a pension for his War of 1812 service.

2. JAMES HOLLAND.  Probably born in Nansemond County, Virginia and died 1757 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. On May 12, 1726, James was a witness to the sale of 450 acres by Beale and Sarah Brown to James Howard in Bertie County. On May 14, 1734, He was a witness to the sale of two tracts of land by James Wood to James Homes. He witnessed the sale of land by James Boon January 1, 1739 On August 1, 1748, James witnessed the sale of 900 acres of land by John Woodward to Henry Hedgepeth. John Woodward was an older brother of Sarah Woodward Holland who married James Holland, son of James’s brother, Richard. James' property became part of Edgecombe after it was taken from Bertie.  Following James’ death in 1757 the administrator of his estate, George Gardner, was ordered by the court on February 22, 1758 to sell on the second Tuesday in March a horse that had recently been acquired by James Holland’s estate

3. THOMAS HOLLAND.   He was probably born in Nansemond County. I believe he might have been a son of John Holland, the immigrant. On November 11, 1730 James Milliken on behalf of sundry poor people  complained to the Court that Thomas, former deputy  Marshall had [(not readable) but the essence is that Thomas took advantage of the poor people while collecting taxes when he was serving as Deputy Marshall. Milliken asked that a warrant be served on Holland.  The Court ordered Miliken to file a formal complaint with the court and that Holland's attorney should respond to the complaint. There are no further records on Thomas in Bertie County. 

4. WILLIAM HOLLAND,  William was probably born in Nansemond County Virginia and died in Bertie County, North Carolina 1758. Because the Nansemond County. Virginia public records were destroyed on three occasions it is impossible to determine the parents of William. He was listed on the Bertie County 1757 tax list. William's estate was probated October 1, 1761.His son, Theophilus, and his wife, Grace, were named as administrators of William’s estate. Witnesses were Joseph Holland and Lott Harrell, brother of William’s wife, Grace. Grace was the daughter of Abraham  Harrell and Mary (possibly Guinn). Abraham Harrell wrote his will May 5, 1755. He lists son, Lott, wife Mary and daughter, Grace who was to receive a mare. 

On November 12, 1753, the Bertie Court recorded a deed of gift from William,” to my beloved son, Theophilus Holland, to him and his heirs, after my and my wife’s decease, land on Casey Swamp, land I bought from James and William Rutland.”

The May 1754 Bertie Court recorded the following deed of gift from William. “To my beloved son, Sewell Holland, to him and his heirs forever after my and my wife’s decease, land on Casey Swamp near Watton Meadow, it being the plantation I now live and part of the land I bought of James and William Rutland.

Children of William and Grace Holland:

A. Theophilus Holland. Born about 1735 and died in late 1761. That date is based on the fact Theophilus served as the Account  Administrator of an estate from October 1759 through July 1761.

He was listed on the 1757 and 1759 tax rolls and the 1759 rolls showed him owning one slave.  On December 1, 1759, Theophilus sold 125 acres of the land in Bertie County he had been given by his father to his uncle, Dempsey Holland for 10 pounds, Virginia money. One of the witnesses was Theophilus’ brother Sewell

Theophilus married Mary Harrell. Mary was declared a widow in 1761. Mary would have died before 1774 which was the legal age for her child, Theophilus. William Adams was appointed guardian to her two children.
Theophilus and Mary had two children before his death.

(1.) Theophilus Holland Jr. He was born about 1756. I could find no further records on Theophilus Jr.     

(2.)  Henry Holland. Henry was born March 1, 1757 in Bertie County and died in Tattnall County, Georgia June 2, 1852. Before the Revolutionary war he moved to Duplin County, North Carolina and served in the war as a member of the 1^st North Carolina line.  In 1781, Marmaduke Ryals, a large land owner in Duplin County, “Gave Henry Holland 100 acres of land in Duplin County for serving in the North Carolina line with him.” The land given to him was located in that section of Duplin County that became part of Sampson County in 1784.

Henry married Sarah Clay September 2, 1783, in Duplin County. The Sampson County, North Carolina 1784 and 1786 state census list Henry as a resident The 1790 Sampson County Federal census lists Henry Holland with : himself as head of household, two males under 16 and three females including his wife, Sarah..

Miscellaneous Sampson County Court Records 1794-1800, “ A deed from Henry Holland to William Hobbs for 100 acres proved in open court and ordered registered.” This was probably the 100 acres given to Henry in 1781 by Marmaduke Ryals. 

Henry is listed on the 1800 Sampson County census but not on the 1810. Henry and his family apparently moved to Georgia about1802. This was the same year my ggg Grandfather, Jacob Holland, migrated from Edgecombe County, North Carolina to Georgia.  According to the book, “Once Upon a Time in Tattnall County, Henry and Sarah Holland had the following children: I am using the dates of birth from the above named book. If the dates are correct the place of birth as listed for those children, in my opinion are incorrect. Those dates of birth coincide with where Henry was living in Duplin and Sampson Counties, North Carolina. I do not vouch for the dates of birth.

a.  David (Dave) Holland - Born 1784 in either Duplin or Sampson County, North Carolina

b.  John Holland- Born 1785 in Sampson County, North Carolina

c.  Dempsey Holland-Born 1791 in Sampson County, North Carolina

d.  William “Buck” Holland-Born 1793 in Sampson County, Carolina

e.  Frederick Holland-Born 1794 in Sampson County, N.C.

f.  Elizabeth Holland-Born 1797 in Sampson County, NC.

g.  Mary Holland-Born 1798 in Sampson County, NC.

h.  Sarah Holland-Born 1803 in Georgia.

i. James Holland-Born 1805 in Tattnall County, Georgia.

I am not carrying the lines of the children of Henry and Sarah Holland any further than above.

 

B.  Sewell Holland.  Born about 1735 and died between 1790 and 1800 in Bertie County. Sewell was listed on the 1759 tax list. In  1798 Sewell  paid taxes on 305 acres. On November 8, 1763 Sewell bought 90 acres for 100 pounds from Dempsey Holland. The land had been part of the land William Holland, Sewell’s father, had bought from James and William Rutland. Witnesses were Joseph Holland and John Higgs.

In 1780 Sewell and John Holland witnessed the will of Joshua Harrell. On March 29, 1790 Sewell was witness to a sale of land from Henry Peele of Pitt County to John Mason of Bertie. The 1790 Bertie County census showed Sewell’s household with 1 male under 16 and 9 females.  On October 19, 1795 Sewell was the witness to the marriage of Rachel Holland and Francis Parker. Rachel was Joseph Holland’s granddaughter.

5.  DEMPSEY HOLLAND.  Probably born in Nansemond County, Virginia and died after 1764 in Bertie County, North Carolina. He was listed on the 1757 Bertie tax list. Dempsey witnessed several land sales land sales. On June 11, 1757 Dempsey witnessed the will of Ephradatis Moore. Ephradatis Moore had a daughter named Ann who married Joseph Holland’s son, William.

On December 1, 1759, Dempsey Holland purchased 125 acres of land in Bertie from his nephew, Theophilus. On June 8, 1762, “Dempsey Holland, planter of Bertie County to Arthur Brown, planter, 150 acres, 10 pound proclamation.”A witness was Dempsey’s son, Abraham Holland. On July 30, 1761, Dempsey sold 50 acres of land to John Rhoads for 3 pounds, six shilling, eight pence. On November 8, 1763, Dempsey sold to Sewell Holland, his cousin,  30 acres, part of 685 acres grant Dempsey had received .

Dempsey Holland had a son John who married Sarah Higgs February 10, 1784 and a son Abraham Holland.

6.  JOSEPH HOLLAND.  Probably born in Nansemond County, Virginia and died in Bertie County, N.C. between November 1790 when his will was written and February 1791 when the will was probated. The will mentions his son, Joel, his wife Mary, his daughter Sarah Thomas and a granddaughter Rachel Holland.

Following the death of Henry Holland in 1758, Joseph was appointed guardian to Henry's son, Frederick. Joseph was listed on the 1757, 1759 and 1764 tax list. In 1764 he served as Constable responsible for collecting the taxes from the people in his district. In 1773, Joseph and his son, William Holland witnessed the will of William Sholar. William could not write and made his mark. On June 17, 1775 Joseph served as the administrator of the will of Ann Standly. In 1763 Joseph witnessed the sale of land by Thomas Roads. Joseph was listed on the 1763 tax list along with his sons William and Josiah.

Children of Joseph and his wife Mary:

(1).  William Holland. William was not mentioned in Joseph's

will but was named as his son in the 1763 tax list.  On May 19, 1768 William married Ann Moore, the daughter of Ephraditus Moore. Dempsey Holland was a witness to Ephraditus’ will. William was listed on the 1769 Bertie tax lists. There are no further records of William in Bertie.  

(2.)  Josiah Holland. He was not listed in Joseph’s will but was shown as his son in the 1769 Bertie Tax lists son. He married Ann Robinson in Bertie County February 10, 1784. I could find no further records on Josiah.

(3.) Joel Holland.  Date of birth unknown. In 1777 he took the oath of allegiance when the Revolutionary War began. He married a Callum, first name not known but she was the daughter of Hezikiah Callum whose will Joel had witnessed April 8, 1793. The 1790 census shows Joel with two sons under 16 and three females. He owned ten slaves

(4.) Sarah Thomas.  Born about 1756. She married Ezekiel Thomas. Sarah was Ezekiel’s second wife and they had two children: Luke Thomas born February 25, 1790 and Ezekiel Thomas Jr. born about 1792. By 1812, Luke and his brother, Ezekiel were living in Trigg County, Kentucky.

A granddaughter, Rachel Holland was also listed in Joseph’s will. She married Francis Parker October 19, 1795, and Sewell Holland was the witness.

7.  HENRY HOLLAND.  Probably born in Bertie County and died about 1758 in Bertie County. He married Mary Harrell, Henry and Mary had one child, Frederick. Following the death of Henry, his wife, Mary, married Edward Toole September 26, 1764. Following Mary's remarriage, Joseph Holland was appointed guardian over Frederick. Frederick was born 1758, the year his father Henry died.

 Frederick married Grace Cole January 9, 1792 in Bertie. In 1781 Frederick witnessed the sale of land by Joseph Harrell, shoemaker, to George Williams.. On May 27, 1791 Frederick bought 8 geese and one gander from the estate of the deceased Jonathan Harrell. The 1790 Bertie County census shows Frederick as being single with one son under 16.

Apparently he was married and lost his wife in childbirth before 1790. He also had seven slaves in 1790. Between 1790 and before 1800 Frederick with many other Bertie County residents migrated to Christian County, Kentucky. Frederick had a son, Whitmill Holland, born in Bertie County, 1794 and died in Missouri 1868 Whitmill married Jane Alexander December 29, 1817 in Christian County, Kentucky.

8.  JAMES HOLLAND Sr.  Born about 1730 in either Nansemond County, Virginia or Bertie County. He died testate in Wake County, North Carolina 1798. His will was dated November 22, 1797 and was probated May 2, 1798. James’s younger brother, Richard, was co-executor of his will and James’ son, Benjamin, was the other executor. A witness to James’ will was Burwell Utley. Burwell’s wife was Sarah Lashley, the sister of Lewis Lashley who married James Holland’s daughter, Mary. James’ wife’s name was Sarah Woodward but was shown as Sarey in the will. Sarah was the last of six children born to John and Mary Woodward of Nansemond County, Virginia. John Woodward died February 11, 1765 and is buried in the Parish of Saint Mary, Edgecombe County, North Carolina.

James Holland Sr. moved from Edgecombe County, and settled in the Utley Creek area of Wake County, North Carolina about 1778. On December 29, 1778 he signed an oath of allegiance and a purchase of 250 acres in Wake County joining the property of Henry Ghent was entered in the Court records. I am listing James and Sarah Woodward children here rather than in the next generation for purposes of clarity.

A. Sampson Holland.  Born about 1758 in either Nansemond County, Virginia or Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He died, testate, between January 15, 1830 and May 1837 in Chatham County, North Carolina. His wife, name unknown, died before Sampson because she is not listed in his will. Sampson was conscripted for service in the Revolutionary War but paid a substitute to serve his time. He was living with his son, Wiley, when he died. Apparently, Sampson apparently had some kind of problem with six of his seven children. His will was very short and read in part, “First, that all my debts be paid; 2^nd, I give unto my son, Elijah Holland, ten cents, 3^rd, I give to my son, Briton Holland, ten cents, 4^th, I give to my son Needham Holland, ten cents, 5^th I give to the heirs of my daughter, Gensy Goodwin, 10 cents, 6^th, I give to my daughter Milley Kellum, 10 cents, 7^th, I give to my son, Levy Holland, 10 cents, 8^th, I give and bequeath to my son, Wiley Holland, all the residue of my estate, both real and personal to him, his heirs or assigns forever, 9^th and lastly, I do constitute, appoint and ordain my trusty son, Wiley Holland, executor to this my last will and testament and do hereby annul and revoke all wills heretofore by me made.”

B.  Millie Holland.  Born about 1760, probably in Edgecombe County. Date of death is unknown. She married a Hood.

C.  Sarah Holland.  Born about 1762, probably in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, date of death unknown. She married Jonathan Thomas April 16, 1781 in Wake County.

D.  Benjamin Holland.  Born about 1765, probably in Edgecombe County and died 1853 in Benton County, Tennessee. He married Rhoda Key, the daughter of John Key and Agnes Witt of who had migrated to Wake County from Goochland County, Virginia. Rhoda was born about 1773 and died in Benton County, Tennessee, 1862. Benjamin’s grave marker is a single stone that says only “Ben Holland” with no dates. Rhoda is probably buried next to him, but because she died during the height and turbulence of the Civil War, she was apparently buried with no grave marker.

Benjamin was still living in Wake County in 1800 but before 1810, he had moved to Dickson County, Tennessee. In 1818, he moved his family to Humphreys County and was one of the first settlers in the Cypress Creek section of the county. Arriving in Humphreys County at the same time was Burwell Utley and his two brothers. Burwell had married Sarah Lashley, the daughter of Benjamin’s sister, Mary Holland and Lewis Lashley. They probably all made the move together.

Also arriving in Humphreys County in 1818 were Benjamin’s first cousins, James, Richard and Hardy Holland. They were sons of Jacob and Pegga Holland, my gggg grandparents, and had migrated from Edgecombe County, North Carolina, settling in the Sulphur and Harmon Creek area. Benjamin and Rhoda had five sons and two daughters that I am not listing here, but I have them in my database.  

E.  Mary Holland.  Born about 1762 in Edgecombe County, date of death unknown. She married Lewis Lashley in Wake County and they had nine children that I am not listing. One daughter, Sarah Lashly, married Burwell Utley and they migrated to Benton County, Tennessee with two of Burwell’s brothers.

F.  Thomas Holland.  Born about 1763 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. I could find no documentation on Thomas; however, there was a Thomas Holland listed on the 1812 Humphreys County, Tax Rolls.

G.  Nancy (Nannie) Holland.  Born about 1765 In Edgecombe Count, date of death, unknown. She married Samuel Rowland March 7, 1785 in Wake County. I could find no other records.

9.  RICHARD HOLLAND.  Born about 1740/50 in Bertie or Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and died between November 22, 1797 and 1800 in Wake County, North Carolina. About 1770/72 he married Mary Edwards of Southampton County, Virginia and they lived on his share of the property inherited from his father, Richard, who died in 1776 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. In 1777, the property on which Richard and his wife Mary lived became part of Nash County when it was formed from Edgecombe. In analyzing the 1790 census, it appears that Richard had two daughters and a son before he enlisted in the Revolutionary War.

He served in a North Carolina line company composed of men from Edgecombe, Nash and Halifax Counties. Richard’s war service was verified by Brigadier General Allen Jones in 1781 at Halifax, North Carolina. Page 1324 of the 1782 Nash County Tax rolls shows Richard as a tax payer. On February 12, 1785 Richard, while living in Nash County, purchased two tracts of land, 200 acres each, on the north side of Holley Springs branch in Wake County for 70 pounds.

The land was adjacent to his nephew, Sampson Holland’s property. On September 16, 1788, Richard sold his 250 acres of land in Nash County to his cousin, Daniel. Whether Richard had moved to Wake County earlier when he purchased property in Wake or remained in Nash until he sold his property to his cousin is not known. Nonetheless, he was living in Wake County by 1790, following his apparent relative, James Holland, who had moved from Edgecombe County earlier with his family.

On November 22, 1797 he was named co-executor to the will of James Holland in Wake County. The other executor was James’ son, Benjamin. According to the 1790 census, Richard and Mary had seven children, four boys and three girls, names not listed, living with him in 1790. He also had one slave. According to information recorded at the National DAR office in Washington, Richard had another son, Edmund, born in 1791.

The DAR information states that two daughters, unnamed, married Hare brothers and moved west (at that time, west usually meant Tennessee) and one daughter never married. I could only verify two sons, Colonel David Henry and Edmund Holland. Richard’s descendants comprise my North Carolina Holland line, a thirty page addendum to this book. Most of Richard’s descendants remained in North Carolina.

10.  ELIZABETH “BETSY” HOLLAND.  Born about 1751 in Edgecombe County and died June 27, 1842 in Greene County, Alabama. She married Amos Gandy, the brother of Brittain Gandy who married Mary Ross Holland. Amos and two of his brothers, signed the petition in 1777 which established Nash County from Edgecombe. He was a Revolutionary War veteran and served as Sheriff of Nash County from 1802 through 1808 when he was elected to the North Carolina legislature. 

After serving two terms in the legislature, he was again elected Sheriff of Nash County. About 1815, Amos and Betsy migrated to Georgia eventually settling in Greene County, Alabama where he died in 1840. He and Betsy are buried at Pleasant Hill Cemetery in Greene County joining his cousin Thomas Holland Gandy. He and Betsy had several children that I am not listing with the exception of John Henderson Gandy, who had a son, Wiley Thomas Gandy born in Greene County, Alabama.

11.  LUCY HOLLAND.  Born about 1754 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and died after 1790 in Nash County, North Carolina. She married John Whitehouse about 1775. John Whitehouse was the bondsman for the marriage of his brother in law, Thomas Holland and Mary Ross and he also posted the bond for the guardianship on his brother in law’s orphaned son, Thomas in 1782. On April 10, 1769, John purchased property on the north side of Sapony Creek in Edgecombe for 10 pounds as witnessed by his brother in law, Thomas Holland. In 1788, John was living on property adjacent to his sister in law Mary Holland Gandy. The 1790 Nash County census shows John and his wife with no children. Not finding any records of children elsewhere, I assume they had none.

12.  ANTHONY HOLLAND.  Born about 1730 in Nansemond or Bertie County, and died about 1780, possibly in Buncombe North Carolina. On July10, 1764, Anthony sold 100 acres of his property in Edgecombe County, North Carolina to Adam Collins for 10 pounds. The 100 acres was part of a grant to Anthony from Lord Granville on November 3, 1761. One of the witnesses was James Woodward, the brother of Sarah Woodward who married Anthony’s cousin, James Holland Sr. 

On October 6, 1766, Anthony sold his remaining 500 acres to William Boddie for 30 pounds and James Woodward was again a witness to the sale. There are no more records of him after the last sale of his property so I assume he moved from the Edgecombe area. The only other Anthony I could find living in North Carolina between 1766 and 1790 was the Anthony in Buncombe County, North Carolina but I cannot verify they are the same.  

13.  DANIEL HOLLAND.  Born in Nansemond County, Virginia about 1750 and died before December 11, 1804 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. His place of birth was determined by his daughter, Parma’s information on the 1850 census showing her age at 80 years and her place of birth Virginia. He married Margaret (Millie) Carr, daughter of Matthew Carr and Elizabeth Wilkinson of Hertford County, North Carolina. Matthew Carr had died testate in 1796. In a deed transaction dated January 2, 1797 Daniel Holland and Millie appointed an attorney to “to demand their proportionate part of the estate of their deceased father and father in law, Matthew Carr.” Following the death of Daniel Holland, an estate sale was held December 11, 1804 and the buyers were Millie, Daniel’s wife, and the following children, James, Exum L. and Rachel Holland. (James Holland, the son of Daniel; and a buyer at his estate sale did not leave a will but William Horn was the administrator of James’ estate and an estate sale was held August 20, 1824. The buyers were Henry (Henry married Nancy Horn), Elijah and Ann Holland who I presume to be James’ children.)

Exum L. Holland was the administrator of his father’s estate. Ten pounds from the estate was reserved for Elias Holland, heir of Esther Holland, deceased. In 1850 Exum was living in Sumter County, Alabama and was listed as age 72 which means he was born in 1778. His place of birth was listed as Virginia. David Sumner Holland was also a child of Daniel but had moved to Georgia by the time Daniel died. 

Between 1828 and 1830, Exum L. Holland, his sister, Parma, and  brother-in-law, William Horn, moved to Sumter County, Alabama. William Horn married Exum Holland’s sister Nancy on February 26, 1800, in Edgecombe. Following the death of Nancy in North Carolina, William married Mary Holland Skyes, a widow and sister of William’s first wife, Nancy. Parma Holland, sister of Exum moved to Sumter County, Alabama with Exum. She never married and was listed in the 1850 census as 80 years old and born in Virginia.

On March 2, 1795, James Holland and David Sumner Holland (sons of Daniel) of Edgecombe County to our sister, Esther Holland for natural love and affection and five shillings, a certain Negro boy named Sounder which is now in the possession of Esther and William Felton and which was given to said Esther Holland, now the wife of Wm. Felton and Hishe Holland, now dead without issue. Signed: James Holland, David Sumner Holland. Witness, Peter Hines Jr. and Amos Johnston. 

14.  Henry Holland.  There were several people named Henry Holland in Bertie but the earliest record of the Henry Holland living in Edgecombe I could locate was November 22, 1786 when he was recorded as witnessing the sale of land from William Schaffer to Hezekiah Cartwright. On April 26.1793 Henry witnessed the sale of a slave from Holland Johnston of Pitt County to Robert Whyte of Edgecombe County.

In November 1796, Henry posted $100 bond for Exum Lewis to assume guardianship of his brothers Bartholomew and Green

March 11, 1797, Henry witnessed the sale of a one-month old negro girl from John Cartwright of Edgecombe to Parma Holland for five shillings. Parma Holland was born in 1770, never married and was living in Choctaw County, Alabama in 1850, aged 80.

August 15, 1797, Henry served as commissioner to settle the dispute of six acres between John Eason and Gilead Thigpen.

November 1798, Henry was appointed one of five commissioners to divide the estate of John Dowden.

On October 8, 1799, Henry witnessed the sale of 100 acres from Phillip Causey. Sr. of Edgecombe County to Amos Johnson for $130 in silver. February 1801, Henry was appointed one of four commissioners to supervise the division of 660 acres of land owned by Samuel Taylor, deceased.

In 1802 Henry was appointed to serve on committee to divide land of Henry Gay, deceased.

 

March 5, 1803 Edward and Martha Goings sold 109 acres to Henry Holland on south side of Tar River for $20. The deed was witnessed by Elijah Holland. grandson of Daniel. November 30, 1807 Jethro Reddick of Edgecombe sold 425 acres to Henry Holland for $109. Witness Exum L. Holland. (Exum L. Holland was the son of Daniel Holland who I believe was the brother of Henry) November 30, 1807 was the last record I could locate on Henry. 

15.   DAVID HOLLAND.  David’s date of birth or the names of his parents are unknown but he died November 16, 1848, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He married Martha Patsy Fort, the daughter of George Fort. She was born 1796 and died in Edgecombe March 20, 1851.

On December19, 1839, David appraised the estate Lucy Taylor. The appraisal was witnessed by Elijah Holland, the son of James Holland and the grandson of Daniel Holland.

David’s will was probated in the 1848 May Court in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and he gave his wife “for her life the house and all the land for her support; furniture, cow and calf, $25.00 cash, loom, gear, 400pds pork, 10bbls corn, 50 lbs sugar and 1000lbs fodder” He gave his son, Epinetus Holland $100.00 cash and bound him to take care of his mother for the remainder of her life. He also allowed Epenitus to “use his brandy still, worm, his orchard, apple mill, still shelter and acre of land whereon it stands”

At the death of Patsy all property reverted to Epinetus and his brother John Holland and that they both pay their sister Martha Ann Holland Stallings, wife of James Stallings, $75.00 each. Martha Ann had married James Stallings August 13, 1846. Epinetus Holland the son of David Holland married Amarilla Pittman in Halifax County January 20, 1852 and had three children, Sarah, Norah and Carey A. Holland

NOTE: Before proceeding to my Edgecombe County ancestor, Jacob Holland, there were two Holland adults listed below I could not definitively link to any of the above families but based on dates, they might be brothers of David Holland, who married Patsy Fort.

a.  May 10, 1810.  Daniel Redman sold a Negro woman named Fanny and her child named Marcella, to John Holland of Edgecombe County, North Carolina for $350.

b.  May19, 1810.  Daniel Redman sold a Negro girl named Penny, 18 years old for $350 to Jesse Holland of Edgecombe County. On August 27, 1813, Redman sold to Jesse Holland for $300 a Negro girl, 15 years old, named Polly.

16.  JACOB HOLLAND. (my gggg grandfather) Jacob was born about 1748/1750 in either Bertie or Edgecombe County, North Carolina, and died testate in late 1798 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Jacob married Margaret (Peggy) about 1770 in Nansemond County. Jacob’s will was written May 15, 1798, and probated in the February 1799 court session. This means he probably died in the fall of 1798. I obtained a copy of his original will from the State Archives in Raleigh, North Carolina, several years ago and it is extremely long, detailed and redundant. For that reason, I am not including the text.

The earliest record I located placed Jacob in Edgecombe County, North Carolina by 1779 as he is shown on a land deed as owning property adjoining the buyers. I have never located the date he purchased the land. On October 5, 1779 the will of William Proctor of Edgecombe contains the following language, “Daughter Lucy Proctor 3 head of cattle and all their increase, likewise 3 ewes and their increase that Jacob Holland has upon stocks”

Jacob purchased 278 acres prior to 1779 but the date of purchase is unknown. On October 28, 1782, he purchased another 252 acres on the south side of Tyan Cokey Swamp. On February 1, 1786 and January 3, 1789, Jacob and Aaron Proctor witnessed land sales in Edgecombe.

On December18, 1811 Jacob’s wife, Margaret, sold to Nathan Brake, her son in law for $100, “a tract of land containing 242 acres, being the land passed by will of Jacob Holland, deceased husband of Margaret Holland. Signed Margaret Holland, witness E. Bulloch and Norfleet Curl. The deed was recorded in the August 1812 Edgecombe court.”

On the same day, December 18, 1811, the following land purchase was made. “ David Holland, Edgecombe County to Nathan Brake, of Edgecombe, for $25 a tract on the north side of Tyan Cokey Swamp, it being 1/8 part of a tract of land conveyed to Margaret Holland, mother of said David Holland by his father, Jacob Holland, deceased, supposed to be 31 ½ acres. Signed David Holland.” The two people who witnessed the sale of land from Margaret to Nathan Brake were the witness for this sale.

I want to acknowledge and thank Linda Stockdale of Benton County, Tennessee, for her research and information concerning the migration of Margaret (Pegga) Holland to Montgomery County, Tennessee between 1812 and 1820.

She is listed on both the 1820 and 1830 Montgomery County census. She wrote her will April 7, 1823 and gave her daughters Barsheba Brake and Sarah Armstrong each $1.00 She also gave Jacob Holland Jr. (my ggg grandfather $1.00. The balance of her estate was to be divided between her sons, James, Richard, David, Hardy and William Holland. David was named as the executor. It is not known when Peggy died but it would have been after 1830 which would place her at about eighty years old.

Jacob and Peggy had eight boys and three girls listed in the next generation. In his will, Jacob stipulated that all three girls be given a feather bed and furniture from his estate. At the time Jacob wrote his will, h is oldest child, Barsheba was already married and had received her bed and furniture.

His will directed that all his land on the “plantation that he lived be LENT to his “beloved” wife Peggy and that at her death the real and personal property be divided among his sons by lottery. Peggy was apparently pregnant when Jacob made his will because he made provisions for that possibility in his will. Two of the witnesses to Jacob’s will were Aaron Proctor and Unity Hargrove. Both their spouses were dead and they would marry in 1801.The two oldest sons of Jacob, James and Richard Holland married daughters of Unity Hargrove and her first husband, Aaron Hargrove, a hatter, who had died in 1787.

I could find no record of Jacob serving in the Revolutionary War even though citizens of Edgecombe County actively supported the war according to “The History of Edgecombe County”. It was possible he could have hired a substitute or furnished beef for the Continental soldiers, as many did. By 1820 the only living member of Jacob’s family still living in North Carolina was Barsheba Brake, his oldest child. Jacob’s wife, Peggy, and seven children had migrated to Tennessee and two to Georgia.

Children of Jacob Holland Sr. and Peggy:

1.  BARSHEBA HOLLAND. Born November 21, 1772, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died in Edgecombe County, North Carolina before April 26, 1826, the date her husband remarried. She married Nathan Brake Jr. about 1789 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. Following the death of Barsheba, Nathan married Phoebe Luper April 20, 1826. Nathan died two years later on April 1, 1828. Nathan’s father, Nathan Brake Jr. was a Revolutionary War veteran and Nathan’s grandfather, Jacob Brake Sr. had emigrated from Germany via Scotland about 1720.

Barsheba was given a feather bed and furniture from her father’s estate and $1.00 from her mother’s will. It appears from a legal petition filed by the heirs of Nathan that he and Barsheba had the following children: Doris Brake, Wesley Brake, Peggy Brake, Barbara Brake, Polly Brake, Barsheba Brake, Martha Brake, Emaline Brake, Matilda Brake, Abra Brake and Mary Ann Brake. Did not research this line further.

2.  JAMES HOLLAND.  Born October 5, 1774 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died before 1837 in Benton County, Tennessee. He married Anna (Nancy) Hargrove about 1797 in Edgecombe. Anna was the daughter of Aaron and Unity Hargrove who had been witnesses to James’s fathers will in 1798. In 1801, James ‘s wife Anna Hargrove’s mother, Unity Hargrove, married Aaron Proctor, thus relinquishing her dower rights on her former husband’s property. This enabled her children to inherit their portion and James and Anna s old their part to Anna’s brother Etheldred Hargrove, December 29, 1801. James and his brother, Richard begin the Tennessee line of my Holland family.

It appears that James and his brothers Richard and Hardy moved to Robertson County, Tennessee before 1809. On November 15, 1814, James along with his brothers, Richard and Hardy sold their portions of their inherited property from their father Jacob. They were living in Robertson Count y, Tennessee at the time and appointed Aaron Battle of Edgecombe County as their agent to sell the property. Between 1814-1817, he moved to Humphrey County, Tennessee with his brothers Richard and Hardy, settling in the Sulphur and Harmon Creek area of Humphreys County. James and Anna Hargrove had nine children which are listed in he Tennessee line

3.  RICHARD HOLLAND.  Richard was born June 8, 1777 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died 1839 in Benton County, Tennessee. On July3, 1800, he married Sarah Elizabeth (Sally) Hargrove, the sister to Nancy Hargrove who had married Richard’s brother, James. Richard and his wife sold the  portion on her inheritance from her father Aaron Hargrove to her brother Etheldred Hargrove at the same time his brother sold his. He also sold his portion of his father’s estate at the same time his brother James s old his. While living in Robertson County, Tennessee. Richard witnessed a deed for his brother in law Etheldred Hargrove in 1809. Richard and his family migrated to Humphreys County, Tennessee with his brothers, James and Hardy between 1814-1817. After his wife, Sarah died, he marred Elizabeth Farmer.  Richard and his brother James constitute the Tennessee Holland line.

4.  ABRAHANA (Abra) HOLLAND. Abra was born September 10, 1779 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died about 1808 in Wilkinson County, Georgia. Abra married Drury Clark October 8, 1799, in Edgecombe County. Her brother, James, was the bondsman and her sister Sarah was the witness. Abra and her husband, Drury, migrated to Georgia with her brother Jacob Holland Jr. in 1802, settling first in Hancock County.

Abra and Drury had two sons before Abra’s death, probably in childbirth, in 1807 at the age of 28.  Drury remarried Suzzanah Hammond August 4, 1808. Drury moved through Wilkinson and on into Muscogee County, Georgia. Abra’s father, Jacob Sr., stipulated in his will that she be given one feather bed and furniture. Apparently Abra and her brother Jacob Holland Jr. were close because Jacob named his daughter, who was born about the same time his sister died, Abra, after his sister. 

CHILDREN OF ABRAHANA (Abra) HOLLAND AND DRURY CLARK:

1.  RICHARD CLARK.  Born about 1801/02 either in Edgecombe County, N.C or Hancock County, Georgia and died after 1850, in Muscogee County, Georgia. He married Eliza Simpson in Wilkinson County, Georgia March 29, 1828, Jeremiah Bell officiating. Did not research this line further.

2.  WILLIAM CULLEN CLARK.  Born about 1804 in Hancock County, Georgia and died after 1870 in Taylor County, Florida. He married Mellison”Millie” Meazles October 6, 1825, in Wilkinson County, Georgia, Jeremiah Bell officiating. Cullen moved from Wilkinson County to Muscogee County about 1830 with his brother, Richard and his half brothers. Before 1860 he moved to Lafayette County, Florida and then to Taylor County. He sold his father‘s, property in Randolph County, Georgia in 1841. William and Millie had five children listed in the next generation.

NOTE ON ABRA AND DRURY CLARK:  After Abra Holland Clark died about 1807, Drury married Susannah Hammond May 4, 1808 in Baldwin County, Georgia which is adjacent to Wilkinson. They had four sons, Eli, William, Drury and Jacob Clark all born in Wilkinson County. They all eventually moved to Muscogee County, Georgia before 1840. After the death of Susannah, Drury married Hawley Shepherd. They had no children.

CHILDREN OF WILLIAM CULLEN CLARK AND MILLIE MEAZLES:

1.  SUSAN ANN CLARK.  Born December 25,1832 in Muscogee County, Georgia and d ied November 27, 1912 in Lafayette County, Florida. On September 17, 185 7, she married Abraham Bell in Madison, Florida. Abraham as born August 1 5, 1830 and died March 29, 1900.He had served in D Company, 5th Florida Infantry CSA. In 1867 he was the Coroner in Lafayette County, Florida. Abraham’s father, Duncan Bell, served with the East Florida Mounted Volunteers  in the Seminole Wars in 1838. Duncan was a Justice of the Peace and Election Supervisor in Madison County, Florida in 1852. Both Susan and Abraham are buried in Rogers Cemetery, Lafayette County, Florida.

2.  GEORGE WASHINGTON CLARK.  Born July 4, 1834 in Muscogee County, Georgia and died September 8, 1915 in Suwannee County, Florida. He married Charlotte Snipes April 1870 in Mayo, Florida. During the Civil War George served in D Company, 5th Florida Infantry. He was captured at Gettysburg July 3,1863 and was released from Point Lookout Maryland prison June 8, 186 5. He received a pension for his Confederate service. He and Charlotte a re buried at Orange Baptist Church in Suwannee County, Florida.

3.  JOHN TAYLOR CLARK.  Born 1843 in Muscogee County Georgia and died 19 28 in Suwannee County, Florida. In 1872 he married Victoria Anderson and they are both buried at Orange Baptist Church Cemetery in Suwannee County, Florida.

4.  JAMES MADISON CLARK.  Born March 8, 1845 in Muscogee County, Georgia and died January 22, 1934 in Lafayette County, Florida. He married Mary A. Snipes, sister of Charlotte Snipes who married James’ brother, George Washington Clark. Both James Madison and Mary are buried in Rogers Cemetery, Lafayette County, Florida.

5.  LAMON HOLLAND.  Born October 17, 1780 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina. He was listed as an heir in his father’s will in 1798 but his name does not appear in any family records after his father’s death and he was not listed as an heir in his Mother, Peggy's will in 1823 so I presume he died young without marrying.

6. JACOB HOLLAND JR. (my ggg grandfather) Born February 11^th 1782 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died October 20th, 1837 in Stewart County, Georgia. He married Temperance (Tempy) Johnson of Southampton, Virginia February 15^th, 1800. Jacob and Tempy had two children, Wiley Thomas Holland, born 1804 in Hancock County, Georgia and Abra, born 1808 in Hancock. My family oral history indicates that Tempy died giving birth to her daughter, Abra, in 1808. The fact they had no more children leads me to believe the family oral history is correct. Jacob never remarried but did have two illegitimate children.

Jacob Jr. arrived in Georgia around 1802-03 and lived in Hancock County for about five years. After the Indian treaty of 1803 opened the lands west of the Oconee River for settlement, he moved to Wilkinson County in 1809 and lived there until 1824. Jacob was appointed Captain of militia district 369 in 1812. He apparently also owned a still, as many people did, because a miscellaneous tax record in the Wilkinson County Courthouse shows where he sold 12 gallons of whiskey to a Doctor Montgomery in 1817 for $3.50 plus 75 cents for the box. 

After the Indian treaty of 1817 opened the lands west of the Ocmulgee River for settlement, he moved to Houston County, Georgia in 1823 and lived there until about 1832. He then moved to Stewart County, Georgia around 1833 after the Creek Indians had been pushed west of the Chattahoochee River into Alabama, where he died in 1837.

As recorded in Edgecombe County, N.C. deed books dated November 1812, " Jacob Holland of Wilkinson County, Georgia appointed Williamson Barnes, of Edgecombe County as his attorney to represent his interest in any land transactions.

In 1820 Jacob owned one male slave aged 26/45 and one female slave aged 14/26 whose name was Sylvia. Sylvia remained with him until his death and was named in his will. Jacob made a noncubative(death bed oral) will before he died in 1837 which requested that his friend and deathbed witness Henry Jernigan, dispose of his estate in Stewart County and the proceeds be used to support his two illegitimate children, a boy named William Green Whittington and a girl, name unknown, that he had fathered with Miss Tabitha Whittington.

He also requested in the will that Jernigan petition the Georgia legislature to legally change the name of these two children to Holland. This petition was approved by the Georgia legislature and William Green Holland became a reality. Lastly, he “enjoined Jernigan to take charge of his slave housekeeper, Sylvia, and treat her as a servant and not to abuse her”. Jacob also owned property in Houston County where he had lived and the disposition of this estate was administered by his son-in-law David Olin Smith who had married Jacob’s daughter Abra.

7.  HARDY HOLLAND.  Born February 25, 1784, in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died in Tennessee. On November 15, 1814, he along with his brothers, James and Richard, sold his part of his father’s property he had inherited to his brother. He moved to Tennessee with his two older brothers and eventually settled in Montgomery County, Tennessee with his mother and younger brothers. This is from the Montgomery County Court Minutes, 1816, “ On motion ordered that Hardy Holland be appointed Constable for Captain Carney’s Company” The date of Hardy’s death and the name of his wife and children are not known, but he was listed as an heir in his mother ’s will in 1823.

8.  SARAH HOLLAND-Sarah was born September 5, 1786 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died between 1850 and 1851 in Sumner County, Tennessee. She was listed on the 1850 Sumner County census but was not named in her husband’s will dated June 23 1851. She married Matthew Armstrong about 1803 in Edgecombe County. North Carolina. Matthew was the son of Robert Armstrong and Mary Newsome of Edgecombe. Sarah and Matthew had the following children:

A.  Elizabeth Armstrong- born June 9, 1804 and died June 1890. She married Joseph Harris Wise 23 March, 1819. They had fourteen children.

B.  Charlotte “Lottie” Armstrong- Born 1808 and died June 1859 in Todd County, Kentucky. She married William Kidd Marquess 9 January 1828. They had 9 children.

C.  Robert T. Armstrong-Born 27 October 1812 in Sumner County, Tn. and died 7 Feb. 1891 in Marion County, Illinois. He married Melinda Strother 1 February 1837 in Sumner County, Tennessee. They had 8 children. Robert married second Lucy Jane Walker 17 May, 1882 in Marion County, Illinois. They had one child.

D.  Mary Ann “Polly” Armstrong- Born about 1812 in Sumner County, Tn and died before 1848 in Gallatin Tennessee. She married John Bascomb 23 October 1827 in Sumner County, Tn. John was born in Ireland, 1797. They had 6 children.

E.  Susan Armstrong-Born about 1813 in Sumner County, Tn. and died 1859 in Sumner. She married Henry Thompson Baldridge 13 July 1833 in Sumner County and was divorced 16 September 1857. They had 8 children.

F.  Matthew Armstrong-Born about 1818 in Sumner County, Tn and died 1846. He married Nancy Marquess 2 November 1837 in Sumner County. They had one child, John Armstrong , who moved and married in Trigg County, Kentucky

G.  Joseph Gray Armstrong-Born 13 June 1824 in Sumner County Tn. and died 3 June, 1902. He is buried at Gallatin Cemetery in Sumner County, Tn. He married Sarah Moore in Stewart County, Tn. 29 April 1847 and they had four children.

9.  DAVID HOLLAND. David was born March 2, 1788 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died after 1840, possibly in Robertson County, Tennessee. There are no known records of David after the 1840 census. In 1811, David sold his inheritance from the land owned by Jacob Holland and moved to Montgomery County, Tennessee with his Mother, Margaret.

According to Linda Stockdale, David married Charlotte. They probably had at least three children. This is based on a deed of gift dated February 5, 1838 from David to “Leroy Holland who was not of age including a provision in case of Leroy’s death before he came of lawful age or made a will, that his sisters, Polly Holland and Sarah Ann Holland were to share equally the hogs, cows, horses, oxen, etc”. David was named as the executor of his mother’s will and received ten dollars from her estate.

10.  DIOLACAN HOLLAND.  Born March 22, 1790 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina and died before 1823 in Montgomery County, Tennessee. He moved with his mother from Edgecombe County, North Carolina to Tennessee about 1814. There is no record of him having a wife or children. He is not listed in his mother’s will, date 1823, so I assume he died young.

11.  WILLIAM HOLLAND.  Margaret was pregnant when Jacob wrote his will in May 1798 because Jacob made provisions for that possibility in his will. The child, William, was born Oct 7, 1798 in Edgecombe County and moved to Montgomery County, Tennessee with his mother about 1814. There is no record of his marriage or children,. He was given $10.00 in his mother’s will dated 1823 and there is no record of his death.

Following the death of Jacob Holland Sr. in 1798 in Edgecombe County, North Carolina, his children began migrating from North Carolina. The migration to Georgia began around 1802 with Jacob Holland Jr. who migrated with many families from the Edgecombe, Nash, and Halifax county areas of North Carolina.  Jacob’s sister, Abra Holland, and her husband, Drury Clark  were on the trip. The journey lasted over "forty days taking time to rest and forage the animals" The Tennessee migration began before 1809 with Jacob's brothers, Richard, Hardy and James. They  eventually settled in Humphrey and Benton, Counties in Northwest Tennessee.

There were many factors, which led to the migrations; the foremost being the desire for cheap land, which became available after treaties with the Indians, opened the lands east and eventually west (which became Benton County) of the Tennessee River in Tennessee and west of the Oconee River in Georgia. The Edgecombe County area was becoming densely populated by 1800 and the yearly growing of tobacco on the same land had greatly depleted the fertility of the soil.

The migration routes to Georgia were all overland. The migration to Tennessee was overland through the Cumberland Gap and some families placed their goods and families on barges, which traveled on the Cumberland River until they reached the Nashville area. From there they traveled overland until they reached Humphreys and Benton County.

While we think today that travel at that time was crude and backbreaking, our Holland ancestors were using the finest technology of that day and knew no difference. The Conestoga wagon had been developed and it provided the best overland means of transportation of the time. A method was developed which allowed wagons to be located if they were separated from the group or if the wagon train was traveling at night. Bells were attached to the animals pulling the wagon and the ringing would immediately locate the owner.

The men would either walk alongside the wagon, controlling the pulling oxen or if horses were used, ride one of the horses. A lazy boy seat was positioned on each side of the wagon for the men who were walking to periodically rest. The rest of the men would ride horses while the young children and women would ride in the wagons. When the caravan camped at night the women and children would sleep in the wagon while the men would sleep in bed rolls around the fires which were kept burning all night in order to expedite breakfast the following morning.

While our Holland ancestors did not know if they would ever see their cousins again, they knew they could communicate by mail. The Post Office, which had been created during the Washington Administration, had made tremendous strides in the delivery of mail and had developed the delivery systems to such an extent that one could expect a letter to be delivered at a local mercantile store in the unheard of time of 30-50 days. Thus, my Holland ancestors began their journeys from North Carolina to Tennessee and Georgia.

 

Other articles you may be interested in:

The spread of misinformation on the internet
The Truth About Gabriel Holland of Virginia by Wiley Julian Holland
Gabriel, John and Richard Holland of Virginia
Virginia Hollands by Wiley Julian Holland
Michael Holland of Virginia
Wiley Julian Holland on Jasper Land Holland formerly known as Gabe Holland and also known as Jasper Holland
Wiley Julian Holland on Jeanette Holland Austin
Letham trunk in Jimmie Holland's family: What is it and where did it come from?
Writings of Wiley Julian Holland