Mastin Cheek
of Orange County, NC
Mastin (Masting, Martin) Cheek, son of Robert CHEEK & Ann COCKE, was born bet. 1760-1765 in Brunswick Co., VA, or Bute Co., NC, and died bet. 1841-1847 in Orange Co., NC. His wife's name is unknown.
Children of Mastin Cheek:
- +Eli Cheek, b. 1790-1795, Orange Co., NC; d. 1840-1850, Chatham Co., NC; m. (1) Nancy DURHAM, daughter of Thomas DURHAM & Susannah CATES, Apr. 10, 1820, Orange Co., NC (b. abt. 1800; d. abt. 1822), (2) Mary "Polly" GEAN, Apr. 23, 1822, Orange Co., NC (b. abt. 1807; d. aft. 1860).
- Nancy Cheek, b. abt. 1793, Orange Co., NC; d. aft. 1880, Orange Co., NC; m. Isaac MORRIS, Jan. 8, 1812, Orange Co., NC (b. abt. 1788; d. aft. 1850), bondsman Henry BAILEY. Children: Fielden (Fielding) Morris (c.1816), Margaret Morris (c.1817), Mary Morris (c.1818), Richard Morris (c.1820).
- Unknown son, b. abt. 1800; d. bef. 1841.
- Sarah Cheek, b. 1800-1810, Orange Co., NC; d. unk; m. Baxter (Benton) MORRIS, Sept. 30, 1830, Orange Co., NC (b. 1800-1810; d. unk.), bondsman Stephen POE. Children: Sina Morris (c.1833), Margaret Morris (c.1834), Sarah Morris (c.1836), Richard Morris (c.1838), Nancy Morris (c.1840), Martha Morris (c.1842), Biddy Morris (c.1845).
- Margaret Cheek, b. 1800-1810, Orange Co., NC; probably d. 1841-1847. The will of Mastin Cheek dated Mar. 26, 1841, names 3 unmarried daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Polly. However, they are not mentioned in the estate records concerning the distribution of Mastin's estate, so it is assumed they died between 1841-1847.
- Elizabeth Cheek, b. 1800-1810, Orange Co., NC; probably d. 1841-1847. See note under Margaret, above.
- Mary "Polly" Cheek, b. 1800-1810, Orange Co., NC; probably d. 1841-1847. See note under Margaret, above.
- Maybe another unknown son, b. abt. 1810; d. bef. 1841.
- Barbara M. Cheek, b. July 5, 1810, Orange Co., NC; d. Feb. 13, 1874, Holmes Co., MS; m. David L. DURHAM, son of Lysias DURHAM & Sarah REEVES, Nov. 2, 1824, Orange Co., NC (b. abt. 1800; d. Feb. 13, 1874, Holmes Co., MS); bur. Durham Cemetery, Owen Wells, Holmes Co., MS. Children: Sarah Ellenina Durham (c.1826), William H. Durham (1833), Catherine Durham (c.1838), Mary Durham (c.1841).
- Catherine Cheek, b. abt. 1820, Orange Co., NC; d. aft. 1880, Holmes Co., MS; m. Tarleton DURHAM, son of Lysias DURHAM & Sarah REEVES, Sept. 3, 1839, Orange Co., NC (b. abt. 1811; d. 1874, Holmes Co., MS), bondsmen David L. DURHAM & C.M. LATIMER. Moved to Lauderdale Co., TN, in 1839 and were in Holmes Co., MS, by the Civil War. Children: Sarah Ann Durham (c.1841), Dudley D. Durham (c.1846), William C. Durham (1848), J.F. Durham (male) (c.1861).
Notes
astin Cheek (a.k.a. Masting, Mashon, or Martin Cheek) was born between 1760 and 1765 in Brunswick County, VA. The name of Mastin's wife is unknown. He lived in Orange County, NC, for most of his life, except for a period in the 1790's when he was in neighboring Chatham County. He was probably in his 80's when he passed away in 1847. His will identifies seven daughters and one son.
- 1786 Tax List. Orange Co., NC, St. Thomas's Dist.
- • Robert CHEEK (300 acres, 1 poll)
• James CHEEK (1 poll)
• Maston CHEEK (1 poll)
- 1787 Tax List. Orange Co., NC, St. Thomas's Dist.
- • Robert CHEEK (300 acres, 1 poll)
• James CHEEK (1 poll)
• Mastin CHEEK (1 poll)
- 1788 Tax List. Orange Co., NC, St. Thomas's Dist.
- • Robert CHEEK (200 acres, 1 poll)
• James CHEEK (100 acres, 1 poll)
• Mastin CHEEK (1 poll)
Nov. 30, 1789. Orange Co., NC. Mastin CHEEK witnessed a deed from Lewis KIRK to Archibald CAMPBELL for land on Straight Branch of Caterpillar Creek in Orange Co., NC.
- 1790 Tax List, Orange Co., NC, St. Thomas's Dist.:
- • Robt. CHEEK (200 acres, no polls)*
- • James CHEEK (100 acres, 1 white poll)
- • Mastin CHEEK (1 white poll)
Nov. 1792 (or 1793). Chatham Co., NC. A deed from Thomas BROWN to "Marting" CHEEK was proven by oath of Thomas SEAPRET in the Chatham County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, p.205. See also Chatham DB F, p.181.
May 13, 1799. Chatham Co., NC. Masting CHEEK executed a deed to Thomas SNIPES, 37 acres on Tyrels Creek of Haw River, a tract of land purchased of Hartwell CHEEK adj. Anthony PILKINGTON, Thomas BROWN, FEARINGTON's lnie. Proved by Francis WILLIS.(Chatham DB K, p.229.)
Oct. 23, 1800. Chatham Co., NC. "MASTING CHEEK of Chatham County" to William PILKINGTON, 110 acres in Chatham County on Tyrrell Creek adj. SNIPES, for £82, 10s. Wits: Thomas SNIPES, Sarah SNIPES. (Chatham DB N, p.44).
1800 Census, Orange Co., NC, p.554: MARTIN CHEEK
| Data | Analysis |
| 2 w/m under 10 | b.1790-1800 = Eli (1790-95) + unknown son |
| 1 w/m 26-45 | b.1755-1774 = Mastin |
| 1 w/f under 10 | b.1790-1800 = Nancy (c.1793) |
| 1 w/f 26-45 | b.1755-1774 = Wife |
| no slaves |
Sept. 5, 1801. Orange Co., NC. James RICHARD to Mastin CHEEK, 110 acres on both sides of Wild Cat Branch of Collins Creek, part of a tract granted Benjamin DAVIS, adj. EDWARDS line, formerly HARDIN's now DURHAM's corner. Wits: James KIRK, Goodwin KIRKE. (Orange DB 9, p.358). [This land was located near Chapel Hill.]
Oct. 22, 1805. Orange Co., NC. Mastings CHEEK & Merrett ROBERSON were bondsmen for the marriage of Merritt ROBERSON & Sarah BAILEY. (Orange Co. Marriage Bonds)
1810 Census, Orange Co., NC, p.112: MASTIN CHEEK
| Data | Analysis |
| 1 w/m under 10 | b.1800-1810 = unknown son |
| 1 w/m 10-15 | b.1795-1800 = Eli |
| 1 w/m over 45 | b. bef. 1765 = Mastin |
| 3 w/f under 10 | b.1800-1810 = Elizabeth, Margaret, & Mary |
| 1 w/f 10-15 | b. 1795-1800 = Sarah (c.1800) |
| 1 w/f 16-25 | b.1785-1794 = Nancy (c.1793) |
| 1 w/f 26-45 | b.1765-1784 = Wife |
| no slaves |
Dec. 18, 1812. Orange Co., NC. Nancy WOODS & Reuben SMITH, adm'rs of WOOD's estate, to Masting CHEEK, a tract of land on Wild Cat Branch of Collins Creek adj. HASTINGS & John DURHAM. Wits: Nathaniel DURHAM, Wilson BALL. Proved Feb. 1813. (Orange DB 14, p.397.)
1816 Tax List, Orange Co., NC: Mastry CHEEK, Collins Creek, 152 acres, $304. (NCGSJ, 5:117, May 1979.)
1820 Census, Orange Co., NC, p.382: MASTON CHEEK
| Data | Analysis | ||
| 1 w/m 10-15 | b.1805-1810 = unknown son | ||
| 1 w/m 18-25 | b.1795-1802 = Eli | ||
| 1 w/m over 45 | b. bef. 1775 = Mastin | ||
| 4 w/f under 10 | b.1810-1820 | } | 1 unk, Barbara (c.1810),
Catherine
(c.1820), & 5 others (b. 1800-1810): Sarah, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary, & Eli's wife Nancy |
| 1 w/f 10-15 | b.1805-1810 | ||
| 3 w/f 16-25 | b.1795-1804 | ||
| 1 w/f 26-45 | b.1775-1794 = Wife | ||
| 2 slaves | |||
1830 Census, Orange Co., NC, p.287: MARTIN CHEEK
| Data | Analysis | ||
| 1 w/m 15-19 | b.1790-1800 = unknown son | ||
| 1 w/m 60-69 | b.1760-1770 = Mastin | ||
| 1 w/f 10-14 | b.1815-1820 = Catherine (c.1820) | ||
| 1 w/f 15-19 | b.1810-1815 | } | Sarah, Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary |
| 3 w/f 20-29 | b.1800-1810 | ||
| 1 w/f 30-39 | b.1790-1800 = unknown female | ||
| 1 w/f 50-59 | b.1770-1780 = Wife | ||
Aug. 23, 1830. Orange Co., NC. Mastin CHEEK, Allen EDWARDS, and Thomas LLOYD were ordered to visit the farm of John DURHAM, deceased, to lay out one year's allowance for his widow, Jane (HATCH) DURHAM. The three reported that they had duly allotted Mrs. DURHAM "all the old corn on hand supposed to be three bushels, 100 of bacon and all the lard on hand 15 bushels of wheat 19 bushels corn and $50 in cash . . . and the use of one cow for one year." The estate file also contains a survey of John DURHAM's land, dated Sept. 21, 1831, which refers to Collins Creek and to lands belonging to Mastin CHEEK, Bryant STROUD, Standford LINDSEY, Caleb LINDSEY, Attanataious [Athanatious] LINDSEY, Mark DURHAM, "MOORE" (no first name given), Stephen LINDSEY, and Capt. William DURHAM.
1840 Census, Orange Co., NC, So. Div., p.256: MASTIN
CHEEK
| Data | Analysis | ||
| 1 w/m 70-79 | 1760-1770 = Mastin | ||
| 1 w/f 20-29 | b.1810-1820 | } | Elizabeth, Margaret, Mary |
| 2 w/f 30-39 | b.1800-1810 | ||
March 26, 1841. Orange Co., NC. Mastin's will dated March 26, 1841, proved Feb. 1847, names 8 children: Nancy MORRIS, Eli CHEEK, Barbara DURHAM, Sarah MORRIS, Catty DURHAM, and three unmarried daughters, Margaret, Elizabeth, and Polly.
March 4, 1847. Orange Co., NC. David L. DURHAM filed a report of sale of farm implements and livestock. Two tracts of land were sold to Fielden MORRIS on April 8, 1847, and Feb. 22, 1848. (Orange DB 33, p.441). In Nov. 1849, David L. DURHAM filed a report of debts paid and requests distributed, and he filed a supplementary report in Feb. 1850. (Orange Co. Estate Papers). (Info courtesy of Donald J. Cheeks.)
In the name of God Amen. I MASTIN CHEEK of Orange County and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound and despising mind and memory Blessed am God. Knowing that it is appointed unto man once to die do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.
First and principally I do command my immortal spirit to my blessed redeemer. Who gave it to me and my mortal body to dust from whence it came to be buried. In a Christian like manner at this desecration of my executor hereafter to be named.
Item, my will and desire is that all my just debts be first paid.
I give and bequeath to my Daughter NANCY MORRIS the sum of Five Dollars Currant Money to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my son ELI CHEEK the sum of Five Dollars Currant Money to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter BARBARA DURHAM the sum of five Dollars Currant money to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter SARAH MORRIS the sum of five Dollars Currant money to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my three daughters, am now living with me all household and kitchen furniture of whatsoever kind that is to say to be equally Divided between my daughter MARGARET, my daughter ELIZABETH and my daughter POLLY share and share alike and moreover. I lend to my three daughters last Mentioned (to wit) MARGARET CHEEK, ELIZABETH CHEEK, and POLLY CHEEK the entire Use of my horse, all my cattle, hogs, sheep and geese and my Plantation Utensils. Of every kind so long and during whatever times those my three last mentioned daughters may or any two of them may think proper or choose to keep house together and at the expiration of the time of that continuing to keep house together. My executor is to sell my land, my plantation, and all my stock. Cattle, horses, hogs, and sheep are to be sold by my Executor herein named at public sale. Credit twelve months and all of the proceeds of the money arising from such sale my said Executor is to pay and discharge to the four first named legates the five Dollars to each of them as is above described and next after such sale. Is made my Said Executor is to pay over to my daughter CATTY DURHAM who now resides In The Western County her lawful representation the sum of thirty dollars And if any Surplus should remain in the hands of my Executor of said sale after discharging. The foregoing Item, it is my will that such surplus be equally divided between my daughter MARGARET CHEEK, my daughter ELIZABETH CHEEK, my daughter POLLY CHEEK and my daughter CATTY DURHAM.
And lastly I constitute and appoint my worthy friend DAVID L. DURHAM Executor of this my Last will and Testament, revoking all other Wills by me heretofore made.
In Testimony whereunto sit my hand and affix my seal this 26th day of March 1841.
Signed Sealed & Published
MASSING CHEEK
In the presence of
B. STORED [STROUD?]
H. STORED [STROUD?]