Bucklesberry: Early Beginnings: Summary
Early Beginnings: Summary
Dr. Joe Sutton
According to a 1924 news story published in The News and Observer of Raleigh, Bucklesberry was purportedly opened to colonization in the early nineteenth century. This article claimed settlement commenced in 1825 by brothers John Sutton (ca. 1779-1848) and Hardy Sutton (1803-1861).
An extensive study of digitally archived land documents, however, definitively proves a much earlier colonization. Settlers actually began migrating to Bucklesberry fully a century before 1825. Further, Bucklesberry was not singularly opened by brothers John and Hardy Sutton. Rather, historical records indicate their grandfather, John Sutton, Sr. (1720/30-bef. 1773), was one of many proven early settlers of Bucklesberry.
Over time, two leading families–the Herrings and the Suttons–who migrated from Bertie County, N.C., became the largest landowners in the Bucklesberry area, amassing thousands of acres of land. Some of their descendants continue to own much of the land in Bucklesberry today.
Colonization of Bucklesberry did not begin with, nor rest solely on, the Herrings and the Suttons, though. Far from just a few early settlers, a total of 131 archived patents and surveys dated 1729 to 1759 described tracts of land in the greater Bucklesberry area issued to 92 landowners representing 64 surnames. Bucklesberry was explicitly named in eleven of the land records held by the following men: John Williams–1738, John Giles–1748, Abraham Boyd–1748, John Rouse–1754, Simon Herring–1754, John Croason–1755, Thomas Uzzell, Jr.–1756, Caleb Hughes–1756, John Herring, Jr.–1757, William Jordan–1757, and John Sutton–1757. Although Bucklesberry is not named per se in the remaining land records, they nonetheless describe geographic features directly associated with Bucklesberry, including the Neuse River, Bear Creek, Falling Creek, and other landmarks.
Probably not all 92 landowners migrated to Bucklesberry during the thirty-year period from 1729 to 1759. It stands to reason, however, that most did. According to Dr. Creston S. Long, III, PhD, many colonists were simply looking for greater opportunities for themselves and their families. With regard to the colonists' motivation to migrate inland, Dr. Long concluded in his extensive research on the backcountry that "perceived better opportunity to advance themselves socially and economically" (p. 147 ) was the chief incentive.
Many, if not most, of the 92 early settlers were likely living in greater Bucklesberry by the mid-1750s. Contemporary historical documents prove they were residents of then-Johnston County. For example, 17 of the 92 (18%) landowners are named on the 1750 Johnston County Quit Rent list. Considerably more (39 of 92, or 42%) were among the foot soldiers and officers listed on 1755 Johnston County Militia roster, proving they were residents in the area by that year. Early settlers not named on either of these two listings were omitted possibly because they had sold their land, moved elsewhere, or were deceased.
The 1769 Dobbs County Taxables (Tithables) list also provides confirmation of Bucklesberry early settlers. The 92 early Bucklesberry landowners were cross-referenced with the 947 taxed residents named on this list, and 50 of the 92 (54%) were included. As for the remaining 42 of 92 (46%) not named, it is reasonable to surmise that some or most were deceased, may have sold their land, or possibly could have moved elsewhere by 1769.
Had all 92 early Bucklesberry area settlers been named among the 947 Dobbs County residents, they would have represented only about 10% of those taxed. This begs the question–where were the remaining 90% of taxed individuals residing, if not in greater Bucklesberry? The explanation has to do with the geographically expansive boundaries of Dobbs County. In 1769, it encompassed all or part of four present-day counties: Greene County (formed 1791), Lenoir County (formed 1791), Wayne County (formed 1779), and the southern tip of Wilson County (formed 1855). Thus, the remaining 855 of 947 of the taxed residents were living in other sections of these four future counties of old Dobbs County.
Next month's article will continue the summary of information shared in this series on the early beginnings of Bucklesberry. Interested readers may enjoy reading a previously published Bucklesberry article titled "Country Stores" and available at https://t.ly/V_-W0.
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