• Richard C. Edwards
  • Mary Fender

Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr.
& Mary "Polly" Fender

Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr., son of David EDWARDS, Jr. & Elizabeth ANDREWS, was born Dec. 31, 1794, in Orange or Wilkes Co., NC, and died Oct. 6, 1875, in Yancey or Alleghany Co., NC. He married Mary "Polly" Fender, daughter of Nimrod FENDER & Sarah SUMERS, abt. 1815. She was born May 18, 1796, in Wilkes Co., NC, and died Mar. 14, 1870, in Yancey Co., NC. They are said to be buried on their land at the end of Old Orchard Road, Alleghany Co., NC, but no stones are present.

Children of Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr., & Mary "Polly" Fender:

  1. David Edwards, b. Nov. 25, 1816, Ashe Co., NC; d. Feb. 1, 1911, Benton Co., AR; m. Jane ANDREWS, daughter of Starling ANDREWS, Dec. 10, 1835, Ashe Co., NC (b. Jan. 15, 1813; d. Nov. 4, 1898); bur. Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, Benton Co., AR.
  2. Sarah Edwards, b. Sept. 4, 1818, Ashe Co., NC; d. Apr. 5, 1897, Fremont Co., Iowa; m. Lewis TAYLOR, July 7, 1838, Grayson Co., VA (b. May 16, 1819; d. Feb. 21, 1895); bur. Hamburg Cemetery, Fremont Co., IA.
  3. +Mary Elizabeth Edwards, b. May 8, 1821, Ashe Co., NC; d. Dec. 22, 1900, Alleghany Co., NC; m. George W. NICHOLS, Sr., abt. 1844 (b. Mar. 12, 1818; d. May 19, 1885); bur. Nichols Cemetery, Rd. 1121, Alleghany Co., NC.
  4. Nancy Edwards, b. abt. 1823, Ashe Co., NC; m. John SOUTH. Children: Stephen South (c.1844), Sarah South (1850).
  5. Mahala Edwards, b. Apr. 24, 1826, Ashe Co., NC; d. June 10, 1911, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Abraham EVANS, abt. 1846 (b. 1823; d. Feb. 2, 1912); bur. Crab Creek Primitive Baptist Church, Ennice, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: William Evans (1847), Barnabas "Barney" Evans (1848), Mazie Evans (1850), Richard Evans (1852), Mary Jane Evans (1853), Martin Evans (1857), Joseph Evans (1860), Abraham B. Evans (1862) m. Fanny BAUGUS; Nancy Caroline Evans (1864), Sarah Catherine Evans (1866), Berry Smith Evans (1868), Martha Evans (1872).
  6. Nathaniel Edwards, b. abt. 1828, Ashe Co., NC.
  7. John Edwards, b. abt. 1829, Ashe Co., NC; probably died bet. 1860-1870, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Nancy HODGE, daughter of William & Betsy HODGE. John suffered a head injury in a farm accident and became an invalid. He is listed with his parents in 1860, then no further records. Nancy married (2nd) Columbus DICKENS in 1881. Children: Belzey EDWARDS (1850).
  8. Richard Clifford Edwards, Jr., b. Feb. 1, 1830, Ashe Co., NC; d. Dec. 29, 1874, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Susannah Anne "Susan" CROUSE, daughter of William S. CROUSE & Jane FENDER, Jan. 31, 1858, Ashe Co., NC (b. June 8, 1843; d. aft. 1920); bur. Crab Creek Primitive Baptish Church, Ennice, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: Martha Edwards (1859), Elias or Ellis Edwards (c.1861), David Reed Edwards (1863), Rush Floyd Edwards (1865), Richard P. Edwards (c.1866), William Smith Edwards (1867), Mary Ann Edwards m. Richard Allen CHOATE, Mollie Edwards (c.1872).
  9. Berry Franklin Edwards, b. Feb. 25, 1831, Ashe Co., NC; d. Apr. 7, 1917, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Mahala Emeline AUSTIN, daughter of Franklin AUSTIN, Sept. 25, 1853, Ashe Co, NC (b. Feb. 2, 1837; d. Mar. 23, 1914); bur. Andrew Weaver Cemetery, Weaver Road, Peden, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: Richard Franklin Edwards (1855), Sarah Edwards (c.1857), Candis Cordelia Edwards (1859), Elbert Jefferson Edwards (1867).
  10. Samuel Edwards, b. Apr. 23, 1832, Ashe Co., NC; d. June 28, 1925, Alleghany Co., NC; m. (1) Selia TODD, Dec. 22, 1855, Ashe Co., NC (b. abt. 1840; d. 1880-1890); m. (2) Nancy C. WAGONER, daughter of Jacob WAGONER & Margaret ANDREWS, Nov. 5, 1890, Alleghany Co., NC (b. Dec. 1, 1844; d. May 15, 1935); bur. Saddle Mountain Cemetery, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: B. Fleming Edwards (c.1859), Lucinda "Sina" Edwards (1862), Cynthia Caroline Edwards (1862).
  11. Hiram Edwards, b. abt. 1834, Ashe Co., NC; d. 1860-1870, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Mary Ann DICKSON (DICKENS), Feb. 15, 1855, Ashe Co., NC; bur. Hiram Edwards Cemetery, Rd. 1461, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: +Nancy Adeline Edwards (c.1860) m. Green B. TODD; Hiram P. Edwards (1864).
  12. Vincent Edwards, b. Sept. 1, 1836, Ashe Co., NC; d. Feb. 1, 1923, Alleghany Co., NC; m. Martha A. CARSON, daughter of John CARSON & Celia JENNINGS, Feb. 19, 1857, Ashe Co., NC (b. Dec. 25, 1840; d. July 16, 1911); bur. Vincent Edwards Cemetery, Rd. 1411, Alleghany Co., NC. Children: Sarah Jane Edwards (1861), Elizabeth C. Edwards (c.1865), Margaret "Peggy" Edwards (c.1869), Amanda Edwards (1869) m. Wiley T. RECTOR; Susan A. Edwards (c.1875), Margaret E. Edwards (1879).

Notes

Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr. (1794-1875), a son of David Edwards, Jr., and Elizabeth Andrews, lived in Glade Creek Township in northeastern Alleghany County around the town of Edwards Crossroads.  His name is sometimes given as Richard "Clifton" Edwards instead of Clifford.  He was a neighbor of Chesley Cheek, among others, and owned land on the Little River, Crab Creek, and Moccasin Creek.  It is very easy to confuse Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr., with his second cousin, Richard "Dickie" Edwards (1798-1890), who was almost the same age.  Richard "Dickie" Edwards lived a few miles south of Richard Clifford Edwards in Cherry Lane Township, on Glade Creek and Brush Creek (also known as Brushy Fork) of the Little River.  In other words, Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr., lived in Glade Creek Township; Richard "Dickie" Edwards had land on Glade Creek but in Cherry Lane Township.

Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr., died Oct. 6, 1875, either in Alleghany County or Yancey County, NC (sources conflict).  His will was filed in Alleghany County.  The will is dated 1857 but was not recorded until Oct. 16, 1875.  It names his wife Polly, seven sons Richard, Berry F., Samuel, Vincent, John, Hiram, and David, four daughters (not identified by name), and a granddaughter, Belzy, daughter of son John; refers to land on Moccasin Creek. (Alleghany WB A, pp.29-30.)

Records

1820 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p.6: RICHARD EDWARDS
1 w/m under 10 1 w/f 16-25
1 w/m 16-25  

Oct. 9. 1822. Richard EDWARDS purchased land from John DOUGLAS. (Ashe Co., NC, DB S, p.141.)

1830 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p.31: RICHARD EDWARDS, SR.
1 w/m under 5 1 w/f under 5
1 w/m 10-14 2 w/f 5-9
1 w/m 20-29 1 w/f 10-14
1 w/m 30-39 1 w/f 30-39

1840 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p. 29: RICHARD EDWARDS, SR.
1 w/m under 5 1 w/f 10-14
3 w/m 5-9 2 w/f 15-19
2 w/m 10-14 1 w/f 40-49
1 w/m 40-49  

1850 Census, Ashe Co., NC, p.247 (HH#139):
RICHD EDWARDS, age 56, farmer, $600, NC
-- Mary, 55, NC
-- Richd, 20, NC
-- Berry, 19, NC
-- Saml, 18, NC
-- Hiram, 16, NC
-- Vincent, 14, NC
SOUTH, Nancy, 26, NC
-- Stephen, 6, NC
-- Sarah, 5 mos., NC
1860 Census, Alleghany Co., NC, Glade Creek P.O., p.421 (HH#562):
RICHD EDWARDS, 66, farmer, $--, $500, NC
-- Polly, 64, NC
-- Nancy, 36, NC
-- John, 32, NC, "idiotic"
-- Stephen, 14, NC
-- Sallie, 10, NC

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

1860 Census, Agricultural Schedule, Alleghany Co., NC: RICHARD EDWARDS, no land, 1 horse, 5 milch cows, 6 other cattle, 10 sheep, 35 swine, value of livestock $275. (Source: New River Notes)

1870 Census, Alleghany Co., NC, Glade Creek Twp. (HH#21):
VINCENT EDWARDS, 36, farmer, NC
-- Martha, 30, NC
-- Sarah, 9, NC
-- Peggy, 8 mos., NC
-- Richard, 73, NC
Will of Richard Clifford Edwards, Sr.

Alleghany Co., NC, Will Book A, pp.29-30
NC Archives Box No. CR.004.508.9
Dated 1857, recorded Oct. 16, 1875

I, RICHARD EDWARDS, SR., being in perfect sound mind and memory, blessed to get to this day, make and publish this, my last will and testament in the way and manner to wit, first, my will is that just debts be paid out of my ready money if any, or sale of so much of my personal property that will be of value sufficient to pay all just debts.

2nd. My will is that my son RICHARD have a portion of my land bounded as follows: To Commence at the fork of Moccasin Creek in the wagon road runing up the South prong of said creek til it comes South of a crop fence, then with said fence and nearly North to a branch and then down said branch to a line of a hundred and fifty acres tract then East with said line to the corner of said tract in the fork of the creek, then South with said line to the beginning.

I will my son BERRY a part of a tract know as the DOUGLAS old place to begin at the fork of the creek in the wagon road and running up the creek with RICHARD Line to a Maple on the bank of said creek, then near South with a marked line to the South line of said tract then East with my line to the corner then North with said line to the beginning.

I will my son SAMUEL the boundary as follows to wit: Beginning at a Maple the corner of BERRY'S land on the branch and running with his line near south to the South line of said tract, then West with said line to my corner, then North with said line to a Chestnut oak corner, then West to a Locust corner then North to a marked line then East with said line to the courses of the fence and with said fence to the branch and with the branch to the beginning.

I will my son VINCENT the land as follows including a part of the home tract to commence at SAMUEL'S North West corner, running North with my line to a Spanish Oak corner then East with said line to a gum, then East with line to COX's corner, then South with said line to a chestnut corner, then East to the Branch and up the Branch to the corner of the fence and then near South with the fence to the corner of said fence, then South with RICHARD'S line to the Branch and then with SAMUEL'S line to the Beginning.

Now the reason that I have not given a portion of my land to my two sons, JOHN & HIRAM, is that I Have given them heretofor and they have sold the same and the reason I did not give my son DAVID is that I have given him his portion in money and property. My will is that my son JOHN be provided for out of my personal property or money by my wife, POLLY, and the Executors heretofor appointed as they may think fit, My will is that my Grand Daughter BELZEY daughter of my son JOHN have five dollars to be applied for the use of schooling, My will is that my wife, POLLY, Have all the property not named in this will during her life or widowhood and at her death the said remaining of the Estate to be sold or equally divided between my four daughters and at my death, my wife POLLY, is to take such part of the stock as she may think proper and the balance to be sold on a credit of twelve months. And I do appoint my sons VINCENT and BERRY F. EDWARDS my executors to this will given under my hand and seal the 10th day of [??] 1857.

RICHARD (X) EDWARDS (his mark)

Witnesses: Wm. EDWARDS, Wm. E. HUDSON
Proved Oct. 16, 1875.

 

Deed Abstracts

Sept. 6, 1855. John R. COX to Richard EDWARDS, 13 acres on Little River adj. Arch. EDWARDS old corner, a creek, & the old line, for $65. Signed: John R. COX. Wits: Wm. H. JOINES, T.C. DOUGLAS. Proved July 10, 1869, by J.R. COX. (Alleghany DB 1:319.)

Apr. 14, 1858. John R. COX to George M. REEVES, $100 bond, to be void if COX makes a good lawful right & title to a certain boundary of land adj. the road near Richard EDWARDS' Still House [no acreage stated], when said REEVES makes the payment according to contract for said lands. Signed: John R. COX. Wit: Jno. GAMBILL, Jurat. (Alleghany DB 1:2.)

Dec. 22, 1858. Richard EDWARDS, Sr., to his son Berry EDWARDS, 82 acres where the said EDWARDS now lives, adj. Richard EDWARDS, for $250. Berry EDWARDS not to convey said land during the lifetime of said Richard EDWARDS without his consent. Signed: Richard (X) EDWARDS. Wits: T.C. DOUGLAS, John R. COX. (Alleghany DB 1:179.)

Dec. 22, 1858. Richard EDWARDS, Sr., to his son Samuel EDWARDS, 117 acres where the said Samuel EDWARDS now lives, for $300. Samuel EDWARDS not to sell or convey said land during the lifetime of said Richard EDWARDS without consent. Signed: Richard (X) EDWARDS. Wits: T.C. DOUGLAS, John R. COX. (Alleghany DB 1:93.)

Dec. 22, 1859. Richard EDWARDS, Sr., to Richard EDWARDS, Jr., 334 acres where Richard EDWARDS, Sr., now lives, adj. a branch, for $900. Richard EDWARDS, Jr., not to convey said land during the natural life of Richard EDWARDS, Sr., without consent. Signed: Richard (X) EDWARDS. Wits: T.C. DOUGLAS, John R. COX. (Alleghany DB 1:164.)

Feb. 10, 1862. Samuel COX of Grayson Co., VA, to Richard EDWARDS of Alleghany Co., NC, 32 acres on Maqueson [Moccasin] Creek adj. Chesley CHEEK, John R. COX, & the wagon road, for $103.75. Signed: Samuel COX. Wits: Thornton JENNINGS, Levi WILLEY. Proved: July 10, 1869, by J.R. COX from Samuel COX's handwriting. (Alleghany DB 1:319.)

Apr. 15, 1863. Jacob TOLIVER to Richard EDWARDS, 60 acres on Little River adj. DOUGLAS, EDWARDS, RICHARDSON, for $300. Signed: Jacob TOLIVER. Wits: Wm. H. JOINES, Martin JENNINGS. (Alleghany DB 1:159.)

Dec. 12, 1864. William BILLINGS to Richard EDWARDS, 125 acres on Crab Creek adj. the Virginia line, RICHARDSON, TOLIVER, CHEEK, an old path, & agreed line between Samuel COX & Richard CHEEK, Sr, for $750. Signed: William (X) BILLINGS. Wits: Haywood COX, John BLEVINS. Proved Sept. 10, 1869, by John BLEVINS. (Alleghany DB 1:320.)

Feb. ?, 1869. State of NC to Richard EDWARDS, 51 ½ acres adj. said EDWARDS, J.R. COX, & G.R. COX. Entered Jan. 30, 1869. (Alleghany Land Grant No. 32; Alleghany DB 1:318.)

Feb. 22, 1871. Solomon FENDER & wife Charity to Richard EDWARDS, 100 acres on Little River adj. Samuel WILLEY, a road, a branch, a graveyard, & WAGGONER's Gap, for $400. Signed: Solomon FENDER, Charity FENDER. Wit: C.H. DOUGHTON. Proved Feb. 2, 1874 (ack'd). (Alleghany DB 2:240.)

Dec. 27, 1872. Morgan EDWARDS & wife Elisabeth P. to Richard EDWARDS & Wm. CROUSE, [mortgage deed], 60 acres on Little River adj. bank of Mockeson [Moccasin] Creek, a little swamp, a branch, the old field, a hollow, the old orchard, the sandy ford, Chesley CHEEK, Morgan EDWARDS, for $300. To be void if Richard EDWARDS & Wm. CROUSE have no trouble or damage as a result of being security for Morgan EDWARDS to Abraham BRYAN in the sum of $300. Signed: Morgan EDWARDS, E.P. EDWARDS. [No wits.] Proved June 25, 1873 (ack'd). (Alleghany DB 2:33.)

Mar. 14, 1873. Solomon FENDER & wife Charity to Richard EDWARDS, [mortgage deed], 100 acres on Peach Bottom Mountain adj. Richard EDWARDS & I.L. JONES; to secure debt owed by Solomon FENDER to Charles CROUSE for which Richard EDWARDS is security. To secure $119.40 debt. Signed: Solomon FENDER, Charity FENDER. Proved Mar. 14, 1873 (ack'd); W.P. HOLBROOK, D.C. [Deputy Clerk]. (Alleghany DB 2:35.)

Sept. 15, 1873. J.R. WYATT, Sheriff, to Richard EDWARDS, Sr., 6 tracts of land on Fish River known as Samuel EDWARDS land, for $25. 1st tract: 100 acres on south side of Roaring Gap Creek at a bluff of large rocks. 2nd tract: 100 acres adj. the 1st tract. 3rd tract: 10 acres on the fork of said Creek including a mill seat & mill yard, adj. EDWARDS. 4th tract: 20 acres adj. his old line, David EDWARDS, crossing the River. 5th tract: 40 acres adj. the Locus [Locust?] Knob branch & the top of the knob. 6th tract: [no acreage stated] adj. David EDWARDS. Signed: John R. WYATT, Sheriff. Wits: S.H. THOMPSON, S. LUNSFORD. Proved Apr. 6, 1874 (ack'd). (Alleghany DB 2:105.)

Oct. 27, 1874. Richard EDWARDS to E.H. BILLINGS, a tract of land which Richard EDWARDS heretofore conveyed to Andrew WILLEY on Mar. 9, 1841, now in possession of E.H. BILLINGS. The parties wish to settle any doubts as to the title. Signed: Richard (X) EDWARDS. Wit: J.F. CROUSE. Proved Oct. 25, 1875, by J.F. CROUSE. Reg. Nov. 25, 1875. (Alleghany DB 3:104.)

Sept. 11, 1875. Richard EDWARDS & Vincent EDWARDS of Alleghany Co., NC, to Adam WAGGONER of Grayson Co., VA, 200 acres in Alleghany Co. beg. at the mouth of WILLIAMS' Spring Branch, up said branch to the fork, then with Mary EDWARDS' Spring Branch, for $600. Signed: Richard (X) EDWARDS, Vincent EDWARDS. Wits: B.F. EDWARDS, Samuel EDWARDS. Proved Mar. 15, 1883, by B.F. EDWARDS & Samuel EDWARDS. Reg. Jan. 14, 1885. (Alleghany DB 5:445.)

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