Figure 14 - Clark’s Fork runs from north to south as it flows into Bullocks Creek
Biographical
Sketch of Robert Patterson of Craven Co., SC
© 2003, Charles Wesley (Wes) Patterson, Sr.
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What factors were involved in so many families leaving the LC area? The constantly changing frontier provided for continual, new opportunities for young families to strike out on their own, whether for the first time, or as in many cases, a fresh start was in order. Many of the families of Augusta moved further south and west, some even northwest, into the newly opened lands.
Following the French and Indian War, land patents became available in the Carolinas which offered more safety and peace for many families. Thousands of frontier families moved south to the Carolinas during the 1760’s and ‘70’s. The migration south had begun in the 1750’s, but it drastically increased in the ‘60’s. A large percentage of the LC families began their trek in the mid 1760’s. Other families had previously left for Rowan Co., NC in the north central part of the state, such as the Samuel Stewart family, and the Linvilles, and many others. Those who had remained at LC until the 1760’s were now heading for Mecklenburg Co., NC – the part that later became Tryon Co., NC – and then York Co., SC just before the Revolutionary War when the state boundary issue was settled once and for all. The families in question were moving to Clark’s Fork of Bullocks Creek (CFBC).14
By 1765, the families of Linville Creek in Augusta Co., VA had begun making prospecting trips to the CFBC region of Mecklenburg Co., NC. There were many families who moved to that part of the country, and from more places than just LC. However, the number of families that left LC and moved to CFBC in the mid 1760’s is extraordinary. Robert Patterson of LC received a tract of land that was surveyed for entrance into the Mecklenburg Co., NC records in 1767. He may have already owned this land under the Craven Co., SC records, but this writer cannot verify that at this time. The case was the same for most of these families who made the move during the mid 1760’s.
Some of the Blacks and Harrisons were actually the first to have their land surveyed on CFBC as far as the families from LC are concerned. This took place at the end of August, 1765. In order to clear up relationships from the beginning, here is how some of these families were made up.
Mathew and Mary ____ Black were the parents of Robert, Gawin, Janet, and Joseph Black. This writer also believes there were sons John and Thomas, and perhaps others as well. The children of Mathew and Mary Black were all born from ca. 1729 – ca. 1745. Robert Black married Madge Cravens, who was a first cousin to Nathaniel and Thomas Harrison who also moved to CFBC. Janet (Jane) Black married William McElwee. Joseph Black married Sarah Patterson, daughter of Robert and Sarah Patterson of LC. There was a John Black of the right age to be a son of Mathew Black, or at least a nephew. He may have been the same John Black who married Lydia Patterson, another daughter of Robert and Sarah Patterson of LC.
Nathaniel and Thomas Harrison are presumed to have been the sons of Isaiah Harrison, Jr. This same Nathaniel Harrison was one of the testators of Robert Patterson’s 1775 Will in York Co., SC.
Robert Patterson, Jr. and Thomas Patterson were sons of Robert and Sarah Patterson of LC. There was a James Patterson that showed up on a couple of Deeds as well. He may have been another son of Robert and Sarah of LC, but this writer doesn’t have enough information about him to know for sure. He was not named in Robert’s 1775 Will.
As for the Cravens, Robert and William Cravens were brothers of Madge Cravens Black, and sons of Robert and Mary Harrison Cravens. This Robert Cravens who owned land on CFBC was the same Robert Cravens Jr. who married Esther Harrison, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth Patterson Harrison. This writer is still unsure who William Cravens married at this time, although her name MAY have been Jane ____, but that is unconfirmed.
Although Robert Cravens owned land (as you’ll see further down) on CFBC he never actually lived there. It is this writer’s opinion that this land is where his brother William Cravens lived for the seven years that he lived on CFBC before he returned to Augusta Co., VA in or around 1773. There were still other families who came from the Augusta Co. region to this part of Mecklenburg Co. but these are the main ones that this writer is focusing on in terms of linking these families to the Linville Creek families.
The following land grants were entered into the Mecklenburg Co., NC records for lands that these people owned in Craven Co., SC that Mecklenburg Co., NC was now claiming. This particular selection is a small set of grants involving Clarks Fork of Bullocks Creek from 1765 – 1768.15
Figure 14 - Clark’s Fork runs from north to south as it flows into
Bullocks Creek
This writer doesn’t believe that all of these individuals had owned land there for years, but perhaps some of them had. More research needs to be done in the Land Grant books of Mecklenburg Co., NC to look for clues, plus the SC archives need to be checked also for Craven Co., SC land grants. Notice the Plat dates on most of them. This date will give a clue regarding the date of survey. This list is sorted by Plat Date. “CB” stands for Chain Bearer(s). “Sur” or “surv” stands for Surveyor.
BLACK, ROBERT - File #1305(578); Gr. #308; Bk. 18, p. 227 (17, 250)
Plat: August 27, 1765, Survey’d for Robert Black, 250 A on Clarks fork Bullocks Creek… P William Sims, Sur.
Joseph Black, William Wilson, CB
Iss. 30 Oct 1765HARRISON, NATHANIEL - File #2216; Gr. #371; Bk. 23, p. 150
Plat: 28 Aug 1765, Surveyed for Nathaniel Harrison 140 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… Blacks line… W Sims, Sur.
Thos Harrisson, Robert Black, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767BLACK, MATTHEW - File #696 (1434); Gr. #167; Bk. 17, p. 305 (18, 277)
Plat: Aug 29, 1765, Surveyed for Matthew Black, 100 A on both sides of Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims, Sur.
Thomas Harrison, Robt. Black, CB
Iss. 26 Sept 1766WILSON, WILLIAM - File #1992; Gr. #416; Bk. 23, p. 32
Plat: Aug 29, 1765, Surveyed for William Wilson, 300 A on both sides Clarks fork Bullocks Creek… Wm Sims, Surv.
Thomas Black, Matthew Black, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767
PATTERSON, THOMAS - File #820(1541); Gr. #20; Bk. 17, p. 380(18, 347)
60 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek adj. Robert Blacks, Harrisons…
22 Apr 1767 - Wm TryonPATTERSON, ROBERT - File #821(1542); Gr. #21; Bk. 17, p. 380(18, 347)
Plat: 22 Mar 1766, Surveyed for Robert Patterson, 200 A on Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek adj. Robert Blacks… Wm Sims, Surv.
Mathew Black, Robert Cravins, CB
Iss. 22 Apr 1767POTTS, JOHN - File #1970; Gr. #322; Bk. 23, p. 15
Plat: March 22, 1766, Surveyed for John Potts, 250 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims…
Robert Cravens, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767BLACK, JOSEPH - File #1945; Gr. #297; Bk. 23, p. 12
Plat: 24 Mar 1766, Surveyed for Joseph Black, 200 A on both sides of Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims, Sur.
Mathew Black, Robert Black, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767POTTS, JONATHAN - File #1982; Gr. #334; Bk. 23, p. 17
Plat: March 25, 1766, Surveyed for Jonathan Potts, 300 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims-
Julius Webb, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767BLACK, GOWIN - File #2368: Gr. #128; Bk. 23, p. 207
Plat: Jan. 14, 1767, Surveyed for Gowen Black, 200 A on both sides of Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… Wilsons line… Mclewees line… Zach Bullock, Surv.
James Wilson, Wm Mackelwe, CB
Iss. 28 Apr 1768McLEEWEE, WILLIAM - File #0256; Entry #680 and also File #1329(602); Gr. #352; Bk. 18, p. 235(17, 259) – two identical plats.
Warrant: unto William Mclewee 100 A on both sides Clark fork of Bullocks Creek adj. his own upper line… 23 Sept 1766 Wm Tryon
Two identical plats: Jan 14, 1767, Surveyed for William Mclewee 100 A on both sides Clark fork of Bullocks Creek… Zach Bullock, Surv.
Gowen Black, James Wilson, CBCRAVANS, ROBERT - File #2251; Gr. #438; Bk. 23, p. 163
Plat: Jan. 17, 1767, Surveyed for Robert Cravens, 150 A on Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… adj. Robert Patterson line… Zach Bullock, Sur.
James Petterson, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767PATTERSON, ROBERT - File #2220; Gr. #375; Bk. 23, p. 151
Plat: Surveyed for Robert Patterson Junr, 150 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims, Surv.
Wm Cravens, Thos Petterson, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767SCOTT, JAMES - File #2005; Gr. #430; Bk. 23, p. 35
Plat: Feb 4, 1767, Surveyed for James Scott, 200 A on both sides a branch of Bullocks Creek, southward of Robert Pettersons… Wm Sims, Surv.
Robt Black, Joseph Black, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767
The land grants listed above show the activity that was taking place along CFBC from 1765 - 1768. The spellings of the names vary quite extensively, such as Harrison and Harrisson, or Patterson and Petterson, or McEelwee and Mcllwees, or Cravens and Cravins, etc.
You will notice that the first four listed (repeated below) are within three days of each other (plat dates). They were Robert (and Madge Cravens) Black, Nathaniel (and Rachel) Harrison, Mathew (and Mary) Black, and William Wilson. Their plat dates were in late August, 1765.
BLACK, ROBERT - File #1305(578); Gr. #308; Bk. 18, p. 227 (17, 250)
Plat: August 27, 1765, Survey’d for Robert Black, 250 A on Clarks fork Bullocks Creek… P William Sims, Sur.
Joseph Black, William Wilson, CB
Iss. 30 Oct 1765HARRISON, NATHANIEL - File #2216; Gr. #371; Bk. 23, p. 150
Plat: 28 Aug 1765, Surveyed for Nathaniel Harrison 140 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… Blacks line… W Sims, Sur.
Thos Harrisson, Robert Black, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767BLACK, MATTHEW - File #696 (1434); Gr. #167; Bk. 17, p. 305 (18, 277)
Plat: Aug 29, 1765, Surveyed for Matthew Black, 100 A on both sides of Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims, Sur.
Thomas Harrison, Robt. Black, CB
Iss. 26 Sept 1766WILSON, WILLIAM - File #1992; Gr. #416; Bk. 23, p. 32
Plat: Aug 29, 1765, Surveyed for William Wilson, 300 A on both sides Clarks fork Bullocks Creek… Wm Sims, Surv.
Thomas Black, Matthew Black, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767
Notice how the first is Robert Black’s survey. Then the second is Nathaniel Harrison’s and is on Black’s line. Then the third is Mathew Black’s, and members from the first two families are chain bearers for this third survey. Then, William Wilson is the fourth, and the owner of the third tract is a chain bearer for him. The trend implies that the first was at one end of the fork, and the rest worked their way down (or up) the fork from the first one.
The next spring, from March 22 – March 25, 1766, there were apparently five surveys which took place on CFBC involving additional members of these and other families from the LC area of Augusta Co., VA. The first three were on March 22, starting with Thomas Patterson’s 60 acres next to Robert Black and Nathaniel Harrison. This Thomas Patterson was the son of Robert and Sarah Patterson of LC.
PATTERSON, THOMAS - File #820(1541); Gr. #20; Bk. 17, p. 380(18, 347)
60 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek adj. Robert Blacks, Harrisons…
22 Apr 1767 - Wm Tryon
The same day Robert Patterson of LC had 200 acres surveyed on CFBC adjacent to Robert Black. Mathew Black and Robert Cravens were the chain bearers. This was the first time that any of the Cravens family had shown up in the Deeds along CFBC. Remember that Robert Cravens married Esther Harrison, the niece of Robert Patterson of LC.
PATTERSON, ROBERT - File #821(1542); Gr. #21; Bk. 17, p. 380(18, 347)
Plat: 22 Mar 1766, Surveyed for Robert Patterson, 200 A on Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek adj. Robert Blacks… Wm Sims, Surv.
Mathew Black, Robert Cravins, CB
Iss. 22 Apr 1767
Also the same day John (Jonathan) Potts had 250 acres surveyed on both sides of CFBC. His chain bearers were Robert Cravens and Newberry Stockton. Potts had another survey three days later, as well.
POTTS, JOHN - File #1970; Gr. #322; Bk. 23, p. 15
Plat: March 22, 1766, Surveyed for John Potts, 250 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims…
Robert Cravens, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767POTTS, JONATHAN - File #1982; Gr. #334; Bk. 23, p. 17
Plat: March 25, 1766, Surveyed for Jonathan Potts, 300 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims-
Julius Webb, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767
On March 24, 1766 the other of these five surveys during that March took place, this time for Joseph Black, who by all accounts appears to have been the son of Mathew and Mary Black. Joseph Black was probably already married by this time (most likely by 1760 – 1762). He married Sarah Patterson, daughter of Robert and Sarah Patterson of LC. Joseph’s survey was for 200 acres on both sides of CFBC. His father and brother were his chain bearers, Mathew and Robert Black.
BLACK, JOSEPH - File #1945; Gr. #297; Bk. 23, p. 12
Plat: 24 Mar 1766, Surveyed for Joseph Black, 200 A on both sides of Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims, Sur.
Mathew Black, Robert Black, CB
Iss. 25 Apr 1767
Also notice that Robert Cravens and Robert Patterson Jr. (son of Robert Patterson of LC) also had surveys, as well, theirs being the next year, early in 1767.
CRAVANS, ROBERT - File #2251; Gr. #438; Bk. 23, p. 163
Plat: Jan. 17, 1767, Surveyed for Robert Cravens, 150 A on Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… adj. Robert Patterson line… Zach Bullock, Sur.
James Petterson, Newberry Stockton, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767PATTERSON, ROBERT - File #2220; Gr. #375; Bk. 23, p. 151
Plat: Surveyed for Robert Patterson Junr, 150 A on both sides Clarks fork of Bullocks Creek… W Sims, Surv.
Wm Cravens, Thos Petterson, CB
Iss. 26 Oct 1767
This writer is unsure who the James Patterson was who served as a chain bearer for Cravens. He may have been another son of Robert of LC, but he was not named as such on Robert’s 1775 Will. Cravens’ property was on Robert Patterson’s (of LC) line. Notice the chain bearers for Robert Patterson Jr. They were William Cravens and Thomas Patterson.
An interesting side note here is that Thomas Patterson’s oldest grandson was named Joseph Black Patterson, born 1789 in Pendleton District, SC. That grandson of Thomas named his own son (second son) that was born in 1813 William Cravens Patterson. Was that coincidence? This writer doesn’t think so.
It was here on CFBC that Robert Patterson, formerly of LC, was residing in 1770 when he wrote his Disclaimer of Rights to the LC property he stood to inherit from his mother, Margaret Adams. From 1768/69 until the mid 1770’s this section of SC was known as Tryon Co., NC. During the latter half of the 1770’s folks were slowly accepting the fact that it really was in SC. The residents of the CFBC region alternated their reference to it from Craven Co., SC to York Co., SC. The latter was in fact the new official county that had jurisdiction over the residents, as it is today.
Biographical
Sketch of Robert Patterson of Craven Co., SC
© 2003, Charles Wesley (Wes) Patterson, Sr.
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Notes