#1 Edward Kirksey
On 21 Aug 1751 a land entry for 300 acres in Bladen Co., NC was registered for Edward Kirksey. The deed was entered in Orange County. Earl of Granville Edward 300 acs. 3/8/1757 Wm. Churton p. 7 (Register of Orange County, North Carolina Deeds 1752-1768, and 1793 Transcribed by Eve B. Weeks, published by Heritage Papers 1984 Orange County, NC, Parish of St. Matthew Register of deeds 1752-1768 & 1793)
Edward Kirksey appears in Chatham Co. in 1755 on a tax record – three adult males. (North Carolina Taxpayers (Ratcliff), 1701-1786 p.116). This record does not say Edward and two sons, only 3 males. Over the years, some researchers looked at this record and said the name was David Kirksey but if you look closely you realize it is Edward.
It has been handed down that Edward Kirksey is the father of Christopher, Gideon, Isaac, and Sarah. Therefore, I assume the two adults with Edward on this list are Christopher and Gideon. Isaac was younger. Isaac purchased Edward’s property around 1768. (2 May 1768 Orange Co. NC Book 3 pages 446-447 deed from Edward Kirksey to Isaac Kirksey 300 ac. N. side of Haw River on Pokeberry Creek). There was no acknowledgment of the sale and dower rights by Edward’s wife. Was he married or widowed? Edward disappears from the records at this time.
At this time there are no records for Edward that have his wife’s name or his children’s names recorded. Long time Kirksey researchers prior to 1969 stated that Rebecca was Edward’s wife. From where did he come before settling in NC? Was he a Quaker? What a mystery!
#52ancestors
Family History Revisited 