Allen Edwards
of Alleghany County, NC

Allen Edwards, son of Young EDWARDS, Sr., was born Apr. 13, 1796, in Wilkes (Ashe) Co., NC, and died June 4, 1880, in Alleghany Co., NC. He married (1) Sarah (last name unk.) or Nancy Landreth, June 16, 1822, in Grayson Co., VA. She was born abt. 1804, and died 1864 in Alleghany Co., NC. He married (2) Martha Andrews, Apr. 9, 1865, in Alleghany Co., NC. She was born between 1825-1838, and died after 1880 in Alleghany Co., NC.

Children of Allen Edwards & Sarah or Nancy Landreth:

  1. Irene Edwards, b. Mar. 22, 1826, Ashe Co., NC; d. Mar. 5, 1904, Henry Co., MO; m. Bryant HIGGINS (HAGINS), son of Linville HIGGINS & Judea KIRBY, abt. 1843 (b. Nov. 14, 1820; d. May 22, 1895; bur. Round Prairie Cemetery, Milford, Barton Co., MO).
  2. David J. Edwards, b. Apr. 8, 1827, Ashe Co., NC; d. June 21, 1911, Alleghany Co., NC; m. his 1st cousin, Mary Margaret EDWARDS, daughter of Young EDWARDS, Jr., & Catherine COX, abt. 1850 (b. Oct. 19, 1829; d. Apr. 10, 1919); bur. Glade Creek Church, Hooker, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: Rush Floyd Edwards (1851), Leander "Lee" Edwards (c.1854), Garland A. Edwards (1855), Fleming C. Edwards (1857).
  3. +Nancy Edwards, b. Mar. 10, 1829, Ashe Co., NC; d. Mar. 8, 1905; m. Warren RECTOR, son of Bennett RECTOR & Susannah AUSTIN, abt. 1848 (b. Feb. 17, 1823; d. Feb. 4, 1897); bur. Warren Rector Cemetery, near New River Baptist Church, Alleghany Co., NC.
  4. Granville Edwards, b. abt. 1833, Ashe Co., NC; d. May-June 1864, 2nd Battle of Cold Harbor, VA (Civil War).
  5. Matilda Edwards, b. July 8, 1836, Ashe Co., NC; d. June 13, 1907, Alleghany Co., NC; m. John M. TOLIVER, son of Charles H. TOLIVER & Patience JONES, Apr. 4, 1856, Ashe Co., NC (b. Mar. 3, 1831; d. Apr. 13, 1917); bur. Zion Primitive Baptist Church, Alleghany Co., NC.

Children of Allen Edwards & Martha Andrews: none.

Notes

Allen Edwards (1796) was a son of Young EDWARDS, Sr., of Ashe (Alleghany) County, NC.  This is proven by a deed dated Oct. 17, 1843, from the heirs of Young EDWARDS to Starling TOLIVER.  (Alleghany DB 1, p.380.)  Allen Edwards is one of the heirs listed in the deed.  Allen Edwards owned several hundred acres of land on Glade Creek, Brush Creek, and the Little River in the northeastern section of Ashe (Alleghany) County.  In 1866, however, soon after his second marriage, he sold his animals, farming tools and household furniture to his son-in-law Warren Rector and moved to Gap Civil Township, where he is found in the 1870 and 1880 census.  Allen Edwards (1796) should not be confused with Allen Young "Boss Al" Edwards (1833-1908) who was a son of Richard "Dickie" Edwards.

Allen Edwards (1796) married twice.  There is some confusion about his wives.  He may be the Allen Edwards who married Nancy LANDRETH on June 16, 1822, in Grayson County, VA.  However, in the 1850 and 1860 census, his wife's name is Sarah, not Nancy.  Many researches believe that Nancy Landreth actually married a different Allen Edwards who is listed in the 1830 census of Grayson Co., VA (age 20-29).

Sarah reportedly died in 1864 and Allen Edwards married Martha ANDREWS on Apr. 9, 1865, in Alleghany County, NC.  According to G.H. Latham, Alleghany County Marriages (Heritage Books, 1996), she was the daughter of John & Cynthia Andrews.  However, I'm not sure this is correct because a deed recorded in Alleghany DB 3:123 indicates that Martha Andrews, the daughter of John & Cynthia Andrews, was married to Reed HOLLOWAY.  Also, John & Cynthia Andrews' daughter Martha was born in about 1849 (she was a year old in the 1850 census), but Allen Edwards' wife Martha was born in between 1825-1838 (her age is given as 32 in the 1860 census and 55 in the 1870 census).  Therefore, Allen Edwards probably married a different Martha Andrews.

Allen Edwards' estate was probated in Alleghany Co., NC, in 1880 (NC Archives Box No. CR.004.508.8.)  His place of burial is not listed in the book Alleghany County Cemeteries Through 1986.

June 16, 1822. Allen EDWARDS m. Nancy LANDRETH in Grayson Co., VA.

1830 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p.30: ALLEN EDWARDS
1 w/m under 5 2 w/f under 5
1 w/m 30-39 1 w/f 20-29

1840 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p.10: ALLEN EDWARDS
1 w/m 5-9 1 w/f under 5
1 w/m 10-14 1 w/f 5-9
1 w/m 40-49 1 w/f 10-15
  1 w/f 30-39

1850 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p.242 (HH#60):
ALLEN EDWARDS, 54, farmer, NC
-- Sarah, 44, NC
-- David, 23, NC
-- Granville, 17, NC
-- Matilda, 15, NC
1860 Census, Alleghany Co., NC, Glade Creek Twp., p.423 (HH#573):
ALLEN EDWARDS, 64, farmer, $2000, $1000, NC
-- Sarah, 56, NC
-- Granville, 24, laborer, NC
DUNCAN, Lafayette, 12, NC
DUNCAN, Gideon, 8, NC

1860 Census, Slave Schedule, Alleghany Co., NC, p.2: ALLEN EDWARDS, 1 slave

1860 Census, Agricultural Schedule, Alleghany Co., NC: ALLEN EDWARDS, 100 acres improved land, 200 acres unimproved land, value of farm $2,000, value of farm implements $100, 4 horses, 0 asses/mules, 3 milch cows, 4 working oxen, 5 other cattle, 15 sheep, 20 swine, value of livestock $540. (Source: New River Notes)

Apr. 9, 1865. Allen EDWARDS & Martha ANDREWS were married in Alleghany Co., NC. (G.H. Latham, Alleghany County Marriages (Heritage Books, 1996).

1870 census, Alleghany Co., NC, Gap Civil Twp (HH#112):
ALLEN EDWARDS, 74, farmer, NC
-- Martha, 32, NC
-- Charlotte, 45, domestic servant
SMITH, Asberry, 25, farm laborer
1880 Census, Alleghany Co., NC, Gap Civil Twp (HH#20):
ALLEN EDWARDS, 84, farmer, NC NC NC
-- Martha A., 55, wife, housekeeping, NC NC NC
HICKS, Susan, 14, servant, NC NC NC
EDWARDS, Charlotte, 55, servant, NC NC NC

Deed Abstracts

Dec. 20, 1833. State of NC to Allen EDWARDS, 60 acres in Ashe County on north side of Glade Creek beg. on his own corner. Entered Mar. 19, 1821. (NC Archives Land Warrants & Plats, File No. 1935, Folder No. 12.14.28.1943, Grant No. 1833, Book No. 141:91.)

Sept. 16, 1837. State of NC to Allen EDWARDS, 45 acres in Ashe County on Glade Creek on waters of Little River. Entered Sept. 21, 1829. (NC Archives Land Warrants & Plats, File No. 2371, Folder No. 12.14.28.2380, Grant No. 2248, Book No. 144:387.)

Dec. 20, 1838. State of NC to Allen EDWARDS, 100 acres in Ashe County on Glade Creek. Entered Oct. 2, 1837. (NC Archives Land Warrants & Plats, File No. 2495, Folder No. 12.14.28.2503, Grant No. 2433, Book No. 145:225.)

Dec. 29, 1840. State of NC to Allen EDWARDS, 100 acres in Ashe County on Brush Creek. Entered Jan. 31, 1838. (NC Archives Land Warrants & Plats, File No. 2911, Folder No. 12.14.28.2921, Grant No. 2811, Book No. 147:74.)

Dec. 20, 1842. State of NC to Allen EDWARDS, 100 acres in Ashe County on Little River beg. in Wm. CROWS [CROUSE] line on north side of Turkey Cock Mountain. Entered May 26, 1840. (NC Archives Land Warrants & Plats, File No. 3068, Folder No. 12.14.28.3078, Grant No. 2970, Book No. 148:195.)

Oct. 17, 1843. Heirs of Young EDWARDS, Sr., dec'd, to Starlin TOLIVER, 100 acres on top of the Little Mountain adj. Jesse TOLIVER. Signed: Young (X) EDWARDS, Allen (X) EDWARDS, Richard (X) EDWARDS, & David (X) BURTON (attorney-in-fact for Richard BURTON, heirs of Samuel SCAT [SCOTT?], heirs of Edward EDWARDS & John EDWARDS dec'd.) Wits: Thomas C. DOUGLAS, Richard CHOATE. Proved Sept. 28, 1869, by T.C. DOUGLAS. (Alleghany DB 1:380.)

Dec. 29, 1844. State of NC to Allen EDWARDS, 100 acres in Ashe County on Brush Creek at mouth of Lorrell [Laurel] Creek. Entered Feb. 28, 1842. (NC Archives Land Warrants & Plats, File No. 3226, Folder No. 12.14.28.3238, Grant No. 4028, Book No. 150:93.)

Dec. 15, 1846. State of NC to Allen EDWARDS, 100 acres in Ashe County on Brushy Fork adj. his south corner. Entered Apr. 9, 1844. (NC Archives Land Warrants & Plats, File No. 3466, Folder No. 12.14.28.3479, Grant No. 4280, Book No. 151:367.)

Oct. 6, 1849. Allen EDWARDS to Starlin TOLIVER, 100 acres on Glade Creek adj. TOLIVER & Morgan BRYAN, for $25. Signed: Allen (X) EDWARDS. Wits: Andrew CARSON, William CROWSE [CROUSE]. Proved Sept. 28, 1869, by Morgan BRYAN from A. CARSON's handwriting. (Alleghany DB 1:381.)

Apr. 25, 1861. Allen EDWARDS of Alleghany Co., NC, to Joseph COCKERHAM of Surry Co., NC, 332 acres in Alleghany Co. on Glade & Brush Creeks adj. Richard EDWARDS & the old line, for $1,800. Signed: Allen (X) EDWARDS. Wits: C.H. DOUGHTON, John M. TOLIVER. Proved Aug. 25, 1913, by Jno. M. TOLIVER. Reg. Aug. 26, 1913. (Alleghany DB 26:588.)

May 3, 1861. Hugh TOLIVER to Allen EDWARDS, 280 acres adj. a branch, for $1,818. Signed: Hugh TOLIVER. Wits: C.H. DOUGHTON, C.H. TOLIVER. (Alleghany DB 1:105.)

Jan. 25, 1864. Allen EDWARDS, Aaron COCKERHAM, & A.J. WOODRUFF posted a $4,000 performance bond for Aaron COCKERHAM, constable of Glade Creek Distrct. Wit: R. GAMBILL. (Alleghany DB 1:149.)

Aug. 8, 1865. Allen EDWARDS, James C. JONES, Daniel C. JONES, David STURGILL, David COLDWELL, Nathan WEAVER, John A. JONES, & S.S. STAMPER posted a $10,000 performance bond for J.C. JONES, Alleghany County Sheriff. (Alleghany DB 1:183.)

July 17, 1866. Allen EDWARDS to Warren RECTOR, 2 horses for $100 each; 5 head of cattle for $57; 12 hogs for $5 each; 7 head of sheep for $1.50 each; all my household furniture for $100; all my farming tools, blacksmith tools, still & hogsheads including my interest in the present crop for $200. Signed: Allen (X) EDWARDS. Wits: Morgan BRYAN, M.T. NORMAN. Proved Oct. term 1866 by Morgan BRYAN. (Alleghany DB 1:214.)

May 18, 1870. Allen EDWARDS & wife Martha Ann, & Warren RECTOR & wife Nancy, to David J. EDWARDS, for affection of a father to a son, 71 acres where said D.J. EDWARDS now lives, adj. Melvin B. TOLIVER. Signed: Allen (X) EDWARDS, Martha Ann (X) EDWARDS, Warren RECTOR, Nancy (X) RECTOR. Wits: C.H. DOUGHTON, Wm. A.J. FOWLKES, M.B. TOLIVER. Proved Dec. 29, 1885, by Wm. A.J. FOWLKES. (Alleghany DB 7:253.)

June 10, 1880. Martha Ann EDWARDS, relict of Allen EDWARDS, dec'd, to the heirs of Allen EDWARDS (Matilda TOLIVER wife of John M. TOLIVER, Nancy RECTOR wife of Warren RECTOR, D.J. EDWARDS, and Irene HIGGINS wife of Bryant HIGGINS), for the sum of [illegible], all right, title, interest, & claim of dower against the estate of Allen EDWARDS, dec'd. Signed: Martha Ann (X) EDWARDS. Wits: W.E. HARDIN, W.C. FIELDS. (Alleghany DB Alleghany DB 4:409.)

Jan. 10, 1881. Warren RECTOR & wife Nancy & John M. TOLIVER & wife Matilda of Alleghany Co., NC, to Bryant HIGGINS of Dade Co., MO, the heirs of Allen EDWARDS, dec'd, for and in consideration of the interest of Bryant HIGGINS & wife Reeny in the lands of Allen EDWARDS, dec'd, as their distributive share of said lands, 73 acres adj. Matilda TOLIVER, David EDWARDS, the old line, a ridge, & a branch, being a portion of the lands where Allen EDWARDS lived. Also one other tract joining the 1st tract & Jesse TOLIVER [no acreage stated]. Signed: John M. TOLIVER, Matilda (X) TOLIVER, Warren RECTOR, Nancy (X) RECTOR. Wits: C.H. DOUGHTON. Proved Jan. 27, 1881. Reg. Mar. 2, 1881. (Alleghany DB Alleghany DB 2:554.)

Jan. 13, 1881. John M. TOLIVER & wife Matilda of Alleghany Co., NC, & Bryant HIGGINS & wife Reeny of Missouri, to Nancy RECTOR wife of Warren RECTOR, heirs at law of Allen EDWARDS, dec'd, as her equal share in the lands of the said Allen EDWARDS, dec'd, 90 acres where the said Nancy RECTOR now lives on Peach Bottom Mountain adj. David EDWARDS, Bryant HIGGINS, & the old line. Signed: Bryant HAGINS, Irena HAGINS by Bryant HAGINS attorney-in-fact, John M. TOLIVER, Matilda (X) TOLIVER. Wit: C.H. DOUGHTON. Proved Jan. 27, 1881. Reg. Mar. 31, 1881. (Alleghany DB 4:474.)

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