Caleb Musgrave, Sr.

Caleb Musgrave was the son of John Musgrave, Sr. He was born c.1728 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. He appears on the 1751 tax rolls for Strasburg Township, Lancaster County.

On December 12, 1755, he is listed as one of three co-signers for a mortgage indenture for his cousin Solomon Ferree in Lancaster County. The others were Thomas Musgrave and James Webb. When the mortgage was released in 1759, Thomas was already dead and Caleb did not sign. It is generally believed that he was no longer in Pennsylvania in 1759, having moved to North Carolina.

According to his will (copied below), Caleb's wife was named Elizabeth. The family researchers believe that she was Elizabeth Cox, daughter of Thomas Cox and wife Sarah Buzby, and the sister of Hannah Cox who married James Musgrave. The two brothers married two sisters.

Caleb first appears in North Carolina records when he purchased land from Charles Pace. The deed no longer exists, but the first purchase in mentioned in the descriptions of later purchases and land transactions. He received two grants from North Carolina, for 186 acres and 155 acres, which adjoined his original purchase. Using the descriptions of these two later acquisition, it can be determined that his land was on the lower side of Upper Falling Creek in the southwestern part of Dobbs County.

Caleb died probably in early 1791. His will, written in 1788, was probated in April 1791 in Wayne County, North Carolina.

Children of Caleb Musgrave, Sr. and wife Elizabeth:

• Christina Musgrave, born in early 1760's in Wayne Co., North Carolina and died October 31, 1800 in Wayne County. She married Aaron Overman on March 23, 1780, in the home of Richard Cox, Wayne County, North Carolina.
• Joel Musgrave, born early 1760's in Wayne County, North Carolina and died February 12, 1792 in Wayne County. Married Rebecka Edgerton on February 12, 1785 at Contentnea MM, Wayne County North Carolina.
• Caleb Musgrave, Jr.
• Sarah Musgrave, born January 3, 1770 in Wayne County, North Carolina. Married Thomas Morris on November 19, 1;789 at Contentnea MM, Wayne County, North Carolina.
• John Musgrave, probably born in early 1770's in Wayne County, North Carolina but moved on to South Carolina some time after 1790. Married (1) Sarah Edgerton on March 18, 1790 at Contentnea MM, Wayne Co., North Carolina; (2) Rebecca Boswell; (3)Charity Cox.
• Elizabeth Musgrave
• Richard Musgrave, died 1826. Married his cousin Anna, daughter of James Musgrave and wife Hannah Cox.
• Catherine Musgrave

Links to additional material:

• http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~coxwhipple/cox2th...
• http://myweb.cableone.net/mpbeall/MUSGRAVE-ROBINSON

Will of Caleb Musgrave, Sr.

Will of Caleb Musgrave

Wayne County 1791

The Twentieth Day of October One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Eight. I Caleb Musgrave of the County of Wayne in the State of North Carolina Being in my senses in sound and perfect memory but being weak and remembering the mortality of my Body do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in Manner and form following:

Imprimis in the first place my just debts to be paid

• Item- I lend to my beloved wife Elizabeth my Mannor Plantation convey to me by deed of sale from Charles Pace during her natural life
• Item- I give to my son Joel and his heirs forever all my land on the south side of the Stringer Meadow with the course of said meadow to the headline
• Item- I give to my son John and his heirs forever my Mill Plantation convey to me by Deed of Sale from Joseph Everitt also all my land on the North side of Tarr Heln Branch being part of a parcel I purchased of Edward Bass
• Item- I give to my son Caleb and his heirs forever all my lands lying between the Mill Branch and Stringer Meadow
• Item- I give to my sons Joel and Caleb and their heirs forever a tract of land joining Moses Musgraves lines to be equally divided between them
• Item- I give to my son Richard and his heirs forever my Mannor Plantation also the land in the fork of Mill Branch being part of land I purchased of Edward Bass
• Item- I give to my Daughters Christiana, Elizabeth, Sarah & Catherine Each ten Pounds current money
• Item- I lend to my beloved wife Elizabeth my Moveable or personal estate During her Natural Life after her decease the same I give to my aforesaid Daughters to be equally divided amongst them

Lastly I do nominate constitute and ordain my son Joel and my brother in law John Herring Executors to this my Will

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and affixed my seal the day and the year within written

                                        Caleb Musgrave

Signed Sealed and Acknowledged in presence of:

• Josiah Cox
• Joseph James
• Jordan Wiggs