Descendants of WILLIAM SKINNERof Nansemond County, Virginia

William Skinner1 | William Skinner Jr2 | Benjamin Skinner3 | Edward Skinner4 | Asa Skinner5 | Ariss Skinner6 | Asa Hunter Skinner7

First Generation: William Skinner (c1704-1747)Compiled by Bob Skinner

William Skinner was born around 1704, probably in Virginia, and died around 1747 in Chowan Co, NC. He married Ann who died after 1756. Some researchers think that Ann's maiden name may have been Harrell but I don't know the basis for that assertion. (There was a Rebecca Cain Harrell who married [John?] Skinner by April 1764 in Edgecombe County, NC.) William’s wife was not Ann Neaps as is sometimes stated (2).

John Skinner and Mary Smith of Elizabeth City County, Virginia are often proposed as the parents of William. This is unproved. What we do know is that John and Mary had a son named William and probably did not live in Elizabeth City County for long as an adult. (I have found no records in Elizabeth City that can be assigned to this William except as a beneficiary in John's 1737 will.) We also know that William had a brother Henry who lived in the adjoining Nansemond County, VA where our William also lived before purchasing land in North Carolina. We know that one of John’s other sons was Nicholas and there is a Nicholas Skinner in Chowan County where William also lived. While Nicholas Skinner is a rare name in early Virginia and North Carolina, a Nicholas Skinner does appear in the Elizabeth City County records beginning in 1768 and so it cannot be ruled out that the Virginia rather than the North Carolina Nicholas is the son of John and Mary. Moreover, there aren’t any records identified so far that link either Nicholas with any other member of this family.

Before moving to North Carolina, William, Ann and their children were of Upper Parish Nansemond County, Virginia. Unfortunately, Nansemond is one of Virginia’s “burned counties” and no records of a William Skinner have survived. We know though that by 1733 William and his family had moved from Nansemond County, Virginia to Chowan County, North Carolina because he bought 367 acres on Cypress Swamp in that year from Henry Baker. "Move" is almost too strong a word. The boundary between North Carolina and Virginia was fluid for much of the 18th century. When the line between the two states was re-drawn in 1729, some land that was originally in Nansemond, including at least part of Henry Baker's holdings, became part of Chowan. (Three decades after William's death, this land became part of Gates County when it was formed in 1779.)

Over the next decade, William more than doubled his Chowan County land holdings beyond his initial purchase.

In 1738, a James Long was apprenticed to William who was to train him in the “art or mistry” of a cooper.

In 1742, William began selling some of this land. A deed from 1745 that transfers 100 acres from William to his son William Skinner, Jr. is an important document in proving the lineage.

William was a reader “at three Severall places,” from 1738 apparently until his death; at least, a successor was not appointed at Knotty Pine Chapel until 20 Apr 1747. There was no clergyman in this parish for most of that time and it was men like William Skinner who kept the work of the Church going.

He was a vestryman and a processioner on multiple occasions. “As the public authority most immediate to the people, the vestry’s concerns were substantial and diverse: selection, support, and supervision of a minister, a parish clerk, readers, and sextons; construction, maintenance, and renovation of churches and chapels as well as the parson’s glebe; equipping clergy and churches with items essential to worship; caring for parishioners in need; presenting persons whose conduct was offensive or disruptive; overseeing processioning; recruiting parishioners for work delegated to the parish by county and provincial authorities; and, of course, determining yearly the parish tax.” Processioners were required by “An Act for Settling the Titles and Bounds of Land” enacted 23 November 1723 by the Lord Proprietors of North Carolina. The act required processioning all land every three years: that is, walking the boundary lines of

every property. “In the presence of the landowners, the inspectors confirmed existing tree blazes and other boundary marks and established new ones if the old had been destroyed or moved.”

William was a young man probably still in his forties when he died around 1747. Cynthia Rummel believes that his wife Ann, their son Samuel and his family subsequently moved to Edgecombe County, N.C.

William and Ann had the following children (based on relationships specified in deeds):

i. John Skinnerii. William Skinner Jr.iii. Samuel Skinneriv. Elizabeth Skinner. She may have married Jacob Barnes Sr.

Notes:

Much of this information is from either Cynthia Rummel (SKU 14:4) or Mrs. W. R. Eckhardt of Houston Texas as copied by the late Howard Skinner, Medford, Oregon. Other references include: UN-166 in Skinner Kinsmen Archives, SKU 11(3):47 and SKU 14(4):115-118.

(1) Cynthia Rummel estimates birth as about 1700 based on son John's birth before 1719. Presumably the latest possible date is 1712 since William would have had to be 21 to buy land in North Carolina in 1733. I’ve kept his birth circa 1704 which is a legacy calculation based on his position in the will of his possible father, John Skinner of Elizabeth City County, VA.

(2) The William Skinner who married Ann Neaps 30 August 1767, twenty years after our William's death, lived in Stafford Virginia.

Sources:

[D] 1733, 22 March. Chowan Co., NC (NC Reg.) Henry Baker to William Skinner of Nansemond Co, VA. L55 "Spanish Silver Money." 367 acres on Cypress Swamp, near the Banks of Italy. Originally patented by Baker 1 May 1728. Test James Trotter, T. Robinson. Proven 1 Apr 1735 (W-1 p 283; NC Register 1, page 109, 3-128/9). This deed states that William was of “Upper Parish, Nansemond County, Virginia.”

[L] 1737 Jan. Petition of Wm. Skinner continued. Chowan County Court Minutes 1730-1745, p. 86-449.[?] 1738, 23 April. Chowan County. [I’ve misplace this reference.][L] 1738 July, The petition of Esbell Parker again read and on a full hearing is ordered that ye James Long

be hereby bonded to William Skinner till he arrives at the age of 21, he teaching him to read and write and the art or mistry of a cooper, he giving security in the sum of 600 [?] pounds for the performance of the same. Chowan County Court Minutes 1735-1738, p. 105.

[D] 1738-39, 13 March. Chowan Co., NC (NC Reg.) John Porter to Callum Ross. 50 acres east side of Cabin Creek, adjoining the land of William Hunter. Test William Skinner, Robert Thomas. (3, page 133).

[D] 1738-39, 13 March. Chowan Co., NC (NC Reg.) John Porter Jr to Robert Thomas, 108 1/2 acres on Cabin Branch, a branch of the Chowan River. Test Kallum Ross, William Skinner. (3-133, from DB C-2; see also 2-433, 1-11).

[X] 1738 or 9 Jul. William Skinner to continue reading divine service at rate of 15 pounds year according to former orders. Vestry records.

[D] 1739, 6 September Chowan Co., NC deed from Henry Baker to William Skinner, both of Chowan, 20 barrels Tar, 100 acres in Chowan, part of grant to Baker for 640 acres 28 Jul 1730, adj Cypress Swamp, Henry Baker, Jno. Alston, Jno. Denby's corner, Thos Prices, Elias Stallians, the head of the Miery branch. Wit: Kallum X Ross, Robert X Thomas. Proved 7 Apr 1740 (Book C-2, page 53; see also NC Reg 3-133).

[D] 1739, 26 Sep. Henry Baker to Callum Ross - 100 acres, another part of tract sold to William Skinner 6 Sep 1739. Wit: William Skinner, Robert Thomas. (C-2 p53).

[L] 1740 Jan. At a court held on that date, William Skinner recognized for his appearance. Chowan County Court Minutes 1730-1745, p. 86.

[D] 1740, 11 March. Chowan Co., NC (NC Reg.) Grant to William Skinner, 600 acres, joining upon lines of Ephr(a)im Hunters, Robert Rogers, and Hares. "Yielding & paying 4 sh proclamation Money for every hundred acres yearly, & cultivating 3 acres for every hundred within 3 years, & entering these letters with the Auditor General in 6 months. Chowan Co. (NC Register 1, page 18; #619 - Book 4 , pg 4; repeated as #640 - Book 5 p47).

[L] 1740, 7 Apr. The Freemen of Chowan County did meet at the Court House and choose Benjamin Talbot, as Clark for taking the pole for Vestrymen, and their and then did elect and choose for Vestrymen the following person to-wit, vizt: John Blount, Jacob Butler, John Sumner, William Skinner, Demsey Sumner, Issac Hunter, Richard Parker, William Speight, Thomas Walton, Edw'd Hare, John Benbury, Richard Bond. All met except Richard Bond at the Court House in Edenton and qualified by taking the public oaths.

[X] 1740 Apr 7. Church wardens ordered to pay William Skinner 15 pounds for reading divine service from 23 April 1739 to 23 April 1740. Vestry records.

[X] 1740 Apr 7. William Skinner present at Vestry. Vestry records. [X] 1740 Oct 2. William Skinner present at Vestry. Vestry records.[X] 1740 Nov 28. William Skinner present at Vestry. Vestry records.[X] 1741 Mar 30. William Skinner present at Vestry. Vestry records.[L] 1742 Apr 15. At a court held on that date in Edenton, William Skinner. Order for Sums. Contd.

Discharged (ref to April Court 1742). Fees paid 1.0.0. Chowan County Court Minutes 1730-1745, p. 116, #20. p. 122 #13.

[L] 1742, 19 April. William Skinner's term on the Vestry ends. (Edenton NC Vestry Records) [D] 1742, 27 August. Chowan Co, NC 100 acres. Deed from William Skinner to Thomas Harrell for six

pounds and thirteen shillings. 100 acres in Chowan adj Richard Green, Rogers Pocosin, Richard Rogers line (Book A-1, page 186) Ann Skinner the wife of the said William Skinner doth by this freely give up and surrenders all he rights of dowry and power of it. Signed by name. Wit Henry King, Jurah (?) King. Proven October Court 1742. (Reg. 22 Aug 1743)

[L] 1742 Oct. William and John Skinner among signers of petition for the sundry inhabitants of Sarum Scratch Hall and places adjacent for a road. Other signers: Edwd. Vann, Jr., John Lewis, Edwd. Warren, Calum Ross, John Odom, William Langston, William Langston, Jr. Chowan County Court Minutes 1730-1745, p. 207.

[D] 1742, Nov 12. William Taylor and John Taylor each bought 77 acres in Chowan County on 12 Nov 1742 from Jacob Odom, with similar land descriptions, including the Gum Swamp. William Skinner and Jacob Odom witnessed. Taylor is listed on several deeds as "of Nansemond County in Virginia Planter."

[L] 1742/3, 12 March. William Skinner appointed one of the two processioners from Bennett's Creek Bridge to Knotty Pine. He was appointed again 30 April 1743.

[D] 1743 Apr 21. A deed of sale of land from Jacob Adam to Wm. Taylor was proved by oath of William Skinner. Chowan County Court Minutes 1730-1745, p. 142-3.

[D] 1745, 3 Feb. Chowan Co, NC . Deed from William Skinner [Sr] to his son William Skinner [Jr.], both Williams being of Chowan County NC. 100 acres, Plantation on the south side of the main Cyprus Swamp, Langtones line, to a Pocosum(?) called the Hoop Pen, to a Branch which said land is part of a patent granted to Henry Baker in 1728. Wit: Thomas Harrell, Epaphroditus X Jones. Signed by name. Shows that William Skinner Jr. was son of William Skinner, Sr. Proved 31 Mar 1746. Reg 24 Apr 1746 (E-1 p89)

[D] 1746/7, 17 Jan. John SKINNER of Chowan to "my brother Samuel SKINNER" of same- love etc- 290 acres in Chowan, part of a Patent granted to Henry Baker for 367 acres 1 Jul 1728, adj the main Cypress Swamp at the mouth of a little branch, Langstons line, Wm Butlers, Denbys, to the head of the Miery branch. Wit: Thomas HARRELL, William SKINNER, Henry BUTLER. E-l p203-

[W] 1747. Ann Skinner is listed as William Skinner’s widow in North Carolina Administrations, 1680-1778. (Need to look at this record to see if it contains any further information.)

[W] 1747, 11 July. Will proved, Chowan County, NC. Ann Skinner, Adminx. His children were John, William, Samuel, and Elizabeth (who married a Barnes--is she listed with that surname in the will?). Cynthia Rummel believes he probably died between 3 Feb 1745 (E-1 p89) and 17 Jan 1746/7 (E-1 p203). Rummel says it appears that John Skinner became head of the family after William's death.

[W] 1747, Jul 11. Inventory for William Skinner proven in Chowan Co before Jno. Alston. Ann [her mark] Skinner, adminx. (Item 797 in Bradley’s Record of Loose Papers 1712-1798 in NC Archives.) (Does the actual inventory still exist?)

[D] 1747? John Skinner presumably inherits land from estate of William Skinner Sr.-[D] 1754, John Skinner sells 540 acres by deed to Robert Knight and William Jones of the land granted to

William Skinner, the 11th day of March 1740 (Book G, page 253)"[D] 1754 October 18. Ann Skinner of Chowan and Samuel Skinner in Edgecombe County to Thomas

Sparkman of Chowan. L35 – 290 acres. Signed: Ann (a) Skinner, Samuel Skinner. Witnesses: Thomas Harrell, John Fabun, Thomas Harrell, Jr.

[D] 1756, 22 April. Deed between Ann Skinner of Chowan County and Samuel Skinner of Edgecombe County for the sum of 35£ sold to Thomas Sparkman (Book H1, page 261).

1759 Bertie County list of Taxables taken by Thomas Pugh lists Ann Harrell with 2 taxables. John Skinner listed some names down the list. Cynthia Rummell cites the following as proof that the Rebecca that married John Skinner was the widow of Thomas Harrell: Edgecombe NC Court Minutes January 1764. Orphan Elva Harrel chose John Skinner as guardian.—At the April 1764 Court, Rebecca Skinner late widow of Thomas Harrel appointed guardian to Simon, Edmund & Celia Harrel, orphans of Thomas Harel Apr Court 1764. William Bryant and JONATHAN CANE qualified as executors of the will of Thomas Harrell. Will of Thomas Harrel proved by Thomas Belcher. Widow Rebecca qualified. Edgecombe NC Court Minutes Oct 1763

References:HGS 000, 006, 0012.Rummel SKUNelson, John K. A Blessed Company: Parishes, Parsons, and Parishioners in Anglican Virginia, 1690-1776, pp. 15, 33-34.

Last updated 12/2009.

© Robert Skinner and Sherry Noden. This document may be linked to and cited but not duplicated in any fashion without our written consent.