This John Caudle has been assigned the moniker of ‘John of Chatham’ solely to distinguish him from amongst the multitude of John Caudle’s from this era.

Abt. 1764

John Caudle [14522] was likely born before 1764.  In 1785, at a time when he’s acquiring fee simple ownership of real property in Chatham Co., NC, we presume him to be at least twenty-one years of age, his birth therefore occurring before 1764, thereabouts.  At that time, in November of 1785, John is reportedly from neighboring Cumberland Co., NC, suggesting that he was perhaps relocating to Chatham Co. in 1785.  Isham Caudle [113], was granted property in 1780 on Little Beaver Creek, a mere five miles south of the property John purchased on New Hope Creek from Isham Rodgers in 1785.  While there’s been no evidence unearthed proving that Isham Caudle and John of Chatham were kin, their constant proximity to one another within Chatham Co. certainly lends itself to reasonable supposition.

1779-1784

A Mr. James Willis [15078] was granted three substantial tracts of land on the waters of New Hope Creek in the period beginning 1779 and ending 1784.  First was a 358 acre tract described as ‘east side of New Hope river'⁽¹⁾Chatham County Register of Deeds, Book B, p.359, 1779.⁽²⁾State Archives of North Carolina, NORTH CAROLINA LAND GRANT IMAGES AND DATA. Grant no.: 77; Issued: July 01, 1779; Book: 30 p.77; Entered: Sept. 15, 1778; Entry no.: 125; File no.: 78.  A second tract of 400 acres was granted to James Willis in 1780 and described as being ‘On Weavers Creek on the waters of New Hope'⁽³⁾Chatham County Register of Deeds, Book C, p.82, 1780.⁽⁴⁾State Archives of North Carolina, NORTH CAROLINA LAND GRANT IMAGES AND DATA. Grant no.: 246; Issued: Mar. 31, 1780; Book: 36 p. 425; Entered: Dec. 19, 1778; Entry no.: 272; File no.: 468.  In 1784, a third grant of 200 acres was granted ⁽⁵⁾Chatham County Register of Deeds, Book D, p.291, 1784.⁽⁶⁾State Archives of North Carolina, NORTH CAROLINA LAND GRANT IMAGES AND DATA. Grant no.: 626, Issued: Nov. 01, 1784; Book: 55 p. 68; Entered: (no date); File no.: 710. and that property is described as ‘Beginning on Willis black oak corner’, evidencing its adjacency to the 400 acre tract.

Weavers Creek is about one and one half miles south of Isham Caudle’s property on Little Beaver Creek.  In 1788, thereabouts, John Caudle married James Willis’ daughter Rebecca Willis [14523].  {Did he marry the neighbor’s daughter?}

November 21, 1785

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book D, pp. 261-262.

Indenture made November 21, 1785 between Isom Rodgers of Chatham Co. and John CAUDELL of Cumberland Co. In consideration of sixty-five pounds, Isom Rodgers conveys to John Caudell a 540 acre tract on the east side of Newhope Creek beginning at a corner the dividing line between John Hatley, Sr. and William Wilson.
Commentary:
1. John was from the southern neighboring county of Cumberland, not Chatham. Seemingly, John is relocating in November of 1785;
2. Jas. Christian, witness. James Christian appears as a sergeant within the muster roll of Capt. John Birdsong’s Company, Sept. 23, 1772;
3. Jacob Rodgers, witness;
4. Isom Rogers appears on the muster roll of Captain Elisha Cain’s Company in 1772;
5. CHATHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA COURT OF PLEAS AND QUARTER SESSIONS (1774‑1779) p. 179: “The order of the Court be renewed for laying out a road from Orange County line … crossing the North East branch of new Hope above the mouth … and that any twelve of the following Persons be a Jury to lay off the same … James Christian … Isom Rogers …”

Documents:

Book D, p.261 CAUDLE.John

Book D, p.262 CAUDLE.John

Figure 14522-1: Southeast corner of Chatham County.  Little Beaver Creek, now mostly submerged beneath Lake Jordan, ran through the upper half of the superimposed circle and is represented by a light blue line.  Isham Caudle’s property was immediately north of Little Beaver Creek.  Weaver Creek can be seen in the lower left corner of the superimposed circle.  The circle has a radius of one mile, therefore, a diameter of two miles.

---

FAMILY GROUP SHEET

Table 14522-1: Children of John Caudle and Rebecca Willis Caudle:

No.	Name	ID No.	Birth	Death
1	Cynthia Caudle	[14524]	Abt. 1802 Chatham Co., NC	Apr. 27, 1887 Surry Co., NC
2	Rebecca Caudle	[12353]	Apr. 6, 1809 Chatham Co., NC	May 30, 1891 Morgan Co., MO
3	John Caudle	[14525]	Bet. 1805-1810
4	Jane Winslow Caudle	[14526]	20 June 1812 Chatham Co., NC	July 14, 1871 Brown Co., KS

Between August 2, 1790 and May 2, 1791

First Census of the United States, Chatham County, NC

Table 14522-2: Partial

County	Given Name	Surname	Page No.	Free White Persons Males < 16	Free White Persons Males > 16	Free White Persons Females	Number of Household Members	Comments
Chatham	Beckner (sic. Buckner)	Caudle	p.216	3	1	1	5	(1)
Chatham	Bleaker	Caudle	p.228	1	—	2	3	(2)
Chatham	Isham	Caudle	p.228	5	1	3	9	(3)
Chatham	Jesse	Caudle	p.232	1	1	2	4	(4)
Chatham	Benjamin	Cuddle (sic. Caudle)	p.234	3	1	2	6
Chatham	John	Caudle	p.234	—	1	4	5

Comments:

1. Benjamin and John appear near one another is this the first census implying a familial relationship.  Benjamin Caudle, Sr., [112], died abt. 1777 and it’s not possible to positively identify this Benjamin at this time;

1794

Chatham County, Court of Pleas & Quarter Session Minutes, 1794.

p.59: A Power of Attorney Jacob Jinkins to John Caudle & John Jinkins;

p.84: Joshua Caudle served on the jury of State -v- Richard Brown;

p.85: John Caudle served on the jury of State -v- Jacob McDaniel;

May 1794

ORPHAN’S INDENTURES & GUARDIANSHIP RECORDS IN COURT MINUTES
Taken from Chatham Co. Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions- 1774-1800
NC State Archives film # C.022.30001
Updated Sept 2, 2009 Copyright 2000 – Sue Ashby

Pg. 348 – May, 1794
MARRY LITTLE, orphan of JOHN LITTLE, fifteen years & three months old be bound to JOHN CAUDLE _____ (unreadable) until she arrives to lawfull age which said Caudle is to learn her to read & write etc., who hath given bond agreeable to law.

February 1796

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book H, p. 130.

John Caudle to Thomas Thompson.

Documents:

November 1796

John Caudle’s marriage to Rebecca Willis [14523] was firmly documented in 1796 by her father’s will⁽⁷⁾Chatham Co., NC, Record of Estates, Vol. 2, pg. 98. Will of James Willis – Made Aug. 1, 1795, Proved Nov., 1796,   NC State Archives film # C.022.50001 – 1782-1799.  Rebecca Willis was born about 1774 the daughter of James Willis and Elizabeth Wilson Willis [15079].  {Be attentive heretofore of the multitude of intersections between the families Caudle, Willis, and Wilson.}

“… Now, hear I make an observation, all the part of my Estate following (falling?) to my Daughter Rebeccah Caudle, my son Larkin Willis is to take and keep in possession and keep untill her husband John Caudle doth make a good and Lawfull Deed to the sd Lands I give to my son Larkin Willis then the said Larkin is to give up the said part Belonging to sd Rebeccah to be the said Rebeccah’s with the Heirs of Her own Body only forever …”

August 1806

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book O, p. 224.

John Caudle to Prince & Lightfoot.

Documents:

1809

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book P, p. 303.
John Caudle to Ransford Mitchell.

Documents:

August 6, 1810

1810 Third Census of the United States, Chatham County, NC

John Caudle

Table 14522-3: Partial

Free White Persons – Males – Under 10:	1
Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over:	1
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10:	4
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15:	1
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25:	3
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44:	1
Numbers of Slaves:	1
Number of Household Members Under 16:	6
Number of Household Members Over 25:	2
Number of Household Members:	12

Josiah Cottle []

Table 14522-4: Excerpt of Third Census of the United States, 1810, Chatham Co., NC.⁽⁸⁾1810 Third Census of the United States; Census Place: Chatham Co., NC; p.199.Josiah Cottle, Head of Household.

Question	Enumerations
Free White Persons – Males – Under 10:	1
Free White Persons – Males – 10 THRU 15:	1
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44 :	1
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10:	3
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15:	1
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44:	1
Number of Household Members Under 16:	6
Number of Household Members Over 25:	2
Number of Household Members:	8

April 19, 1815

Wilson Willis was John’s brother-in-law.  By 1820, Wilson Willis has relocated to Mississippi and he appears within the Territorial Census of that place ⁽⁹⁾Mississippi, State and Territorial Census Collection, 1792-1866.  Name: Wilson Willis; Census Date: 1820; Wilkinson Co.; Line 25; Roll v229_3

Abstract:
230 acres of land from Willis Wilson [15083] to John Caudle.
On the waters of Deep and Rocky Rivers. Begin at Amos Harley’s POST OAK then with Harley’s line (150 poles) to a STAKE at Bryan’s corner; thence, N (250 poles) to a STAKE; thence, W (30 poles) to a DEAD PINE in the head of the DRAIN(?); thence, down the DRAIN to the mouth; thence, down the BRANCH to a SPANISH OAK in Patty’s(?) line; thence, E with Bryan’s line (140 poles) to a RED OAK; thence, S (260 poles) to the P.O.B.
{35°36’46.04″N 79° 9’37.35″W}
Commentary:
1. Willis Wilson [15083], was John’s brother-in-law, Rebecca’s younger brother. After selling this property to John and Rebecca, he departed for Mississippi where he lived the remainder of his years;
2. This deed has references Bryan’s line. Reddis Bryan administered John’s estate after his death in 1821. Curious to know if Reddis was his neighbor too.

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book T, p. 224.
Wilson Willis to John Caudle.

 

 

 

 

Documents:

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book T, p. 224.

1815

Captain Alston’s District, List of the Taxable Property in Chatham Co.⁽¹⁰⁾http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/alstontx.html for the year 1815 as per return of the Justices Appointed to Receive them.

John Caudle, waters of Deep River, 230 acres, $400.

August 1819

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book W, p. 121.

John Caudle to John Morgan.

August 7, 1820

Table 14522-5: Excerpt of Fourth Census of the United States, 1820, Chatham Co., NC.⁽¹¹⁾1820 Fourth Census of the United States; Census Place: Chatham Co., NC; p.179.  John Caudle, Head of Household. 

Question	Enumerations	ID No.	Name
Free White Persons – Males – 10 thru 15:	1	[14525]	John Caudle, Jr.
Free White Persons – Males – 45 and over:	1	[14522]	John Caudle
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10:	1	[14526]	Jane Winslow Caudle
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15:	2	[12353] [?????]	Rebecca Caudle ?????
Free White Persons – Females – 16 thru 25:	1	[14524]	Cynthia Caudle
Free White Persons – Females – 45 and over :	1	[14523]	Rebecca Willis Caudle
Total All Persons – White, Slaves, Colored, Other:	7

 

 

January 20, 1821

John Caudle died intestate January 20, 1821.⁽¹²⁾This date appears on the documents at the time his estate was administered.  It’s difficult to read if the month was January or perhaps July.  At that time, his wife Rebecca Caudle is still alive and his estate is administered by Reddin Bryan.

“North Carolina Estate Files, 1663-1979” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V659-MC9 : 20 November 2015), John Caudle, 1821; citing Chatham, North Carolina, United States, State Archives, Raleigh; FHL microfilm 1,728,844.

Documents:

Probate of John Caudle’s estate.  The estate was administered by Reddin Bryan, a Justice of the County Court.

Documents:
Estate File, p.2
Estate File, p.3
Estate File, p.4
Estate File, p.5

May 1821

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book X, p. 282.

John Caudle to Holleman Jr.

Documents:

February 1822

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book Y, p. 8.

John Caudle (by Shf.) to Joseph May.

John’s land, 150 acres, sold by Horace D. Bridges, Esq., Shf., to satisfy debt to Joshua Johnston.  Joseph May was the highest bidder paying $30.25.

Documents:

May 1825

Chatham County Register of Deeds. Book Z, p. 379.

John Caudle to Joseph Hawkins.

Documents:

June 1, 1830

Rebecca Caudle is enumerated next to Reddin Bryan as Head of Household in Chatham Co. There’s one male in the household between 20 and 29 years of age; one female in the household between 20 and 29 years of age; and, one female in the household between 50 and 59 years of age.

1830; Census Place: Pittsboro, Chatham, North Carolina; Series: M19; Roll: 119; Page: 406; Family History Library Film: 0018085.

1830; Census Place: Pittsboro, Chatham, North Carolina; Series: M19; Roll: 119; Page: 433; Family History Library Film: 0018085.

Free White Persons – Males – 5 thru 9: 1
Free White Persons – Females – Under 5: 1
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 14: 1
Free White Persons – Females – 20 thru 29: 1
Free White Persons – Under 20: 3
Free White Persons – 20 thru 49: 1
Total Free White Persons: 4
Total – All Persons (Free White, Slaves, Free Colored): 4

1840

Enumerated as CANDLE. v

Year: 1840; Census Place: Chatham, North Carolina; Roll: 357; Page: 196; Family History Library Film: 0018093