On June 29, 1844, Polly Wiggans of Craven County sold James Roach for twenty-five dollars all her interest in the land on the north side of Swift Creek (the north side of the main run) that came to her at the death of her father, Arthur Butler, deceased. The land adjoined James Roach’s own land. No acreage or courses are given, and Roach is the only neighbor named.
The witnesses were William Gaskins and David S. Roach. Polly signed by her mark. David S. Roach proved the deed at the September Term 1848 (J. G. Stanly, clerk), and it was registered in Book 59, folio 146 (Steph. B. Forbes, register). The writer’s own words are kept as written below.
Deed from Polly Wiggins to James Roach, her share of her father Arthur Butler’s land on the north side of Swift Creek – Craven County, 1844
Transcription notes: spelling, capitalization and punctuation follow the original. Words in [square brackets] are editorial notes; [?] marks an uncertain reading and [illegible] marks words that could not be read.
State of North Carolina Craven
County this indenture made this twenty
nineth day of June in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred
and forty four betwen Polly Wiggans
of the County of Craven and State of
North Carolina of the one part and
James Roach of the same State and
County of the other part witneseth
that I the said Polly Wiggans for and
inconcideration of the sum of twenty five
dollars to me in hand paid have given
granted bargained and sold and by these
presants doth give grant bargain and
Sell unto the said James Roach his
heirs and assigns for ever all my rite
title claim and interest in all the
land lying on the North side of swift
Creek which fell to me by the death of
my father Arthur Butler Decd or in other
words all my interest on the North side
of the Main run of swift Creek and
a joining said Roaches land to him
the said James Roach his heirs and assigns
for ever and I the said Polly Wiggains
for my part do promise to warant and
and defend against the lawful claim of
of all and every person whatsoever in
witness whereof I have hearunto set my
hand and seal in presants of us who was
presant the day and year above writen
test William Gaskins
David S Roach
her
Polly X Wiggans (Seal)
mark
pd 91 —
[On the back:]
Craven County Court
September Term A D 1848
Then was the execution of the foregoing
deed proven in open court and in due form
by the oath of David S Roach
subscribing witness thereto.
Ordered that said deed be
Registered. Attest
J. G. Stanly C.C.
Registered in the Records of Craven County
Book No. 59 folio 146.
Steph. B. Forbes Reg.
Polly Wiggans
Deed
to
James Roach
About the original
The deed is written on one side of a folded sheet. The ink has bled through, so the writing on the back shows in reverse behind the court note and docket.
Her surname is spelled Wiggans, Wiggains and Wiggans in the deed. A word in “all my interest” has an extra letter written over it. “pd 91” at the foot of the front is a later note, perhaps a page or fee note.
The deed was signed in 1844 but was not proved in court until September 1848.
Source: Deed, Polly Wiggans to James Roach, 29 June 1844. Roach Family Papers (#346), East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, Box 1, Folder c (Land Records, 1728–1886). Collection guide. Digitized folder: ECU Digital Collections, 0346-b1-fc.
Images courtesy of East Carolina Manuscript Collection, J. Y. Joyner Library, East Carolina University. View this item in ECU Digital Collections.
Part of the Roach Family Papers collection on East Carolina Roots.
