3/14/2022, Stacey Harrell
Gay, thank you so much for sharing your research and that of your Laura Crumpler. You both certainly come highly qualified to speak on the subject of the Ashworth family.
I will say though that as someone who oversees three DNA accounts of Ashworth descendants, my own included, and I have access to two others, there is a reason why we are seeing so many people connect Jonathan of the Jonathan/Nancy Woods marriage to Jonathan of Lunenburg--the DNA is making a strong case for a connection.
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I have taken both the My Heritage & 23amdME DNA Tests
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Incidentally, I don't believe you will find JOHN ASHWORTH of NC called JONATHAN. I have five pages of data on that family, and never is he shown as Jonathan. Those were two distinct given names.
I have no doubt that there is a DNA relationship with all the early Ashworths at some point in time; it is not a common name — but John of NC was NOT the son of JONATHAN ASHWORTH OF LUNENBURG CO., VA. All of Jonathan's sons, including, John, can be proven beyond doubt. The daughters are mostly a mystery.
Unfortunately, new searchers often think if it appears in an Ancestry, My Heritage, Family Search, etc. family tree, it's gospel. We both know that is a fallacy!
We can prove JONATHAN ASHWORTH back to 1702, when both JOHN & JONATHAN ASHER are listed as soldiers in the Colonial Militia of New Kent County. Then it becomes more difficult with them having lived in counties in which the records were burned.
We believe, but cannot document, that JONATHAN's FATHER, was the JOHN ASHWORTH OF YORK CO., VA, who served on a 1658 York Co. Jury. This is based on the common pattern of migration from York and James City Co. into Hanover Co., used by many colonial families. (per Laura Ashworth Crumpler)
We also believe it was he, as JOHN ASHER, who patented land in New Kent Co. in 1682.
Note that JOHN ASHER’s land adjoined that of DAVID CRAFFORD & JOHN DICKESON in the following 1682 & 1685 land patents:
20 Apr 1682, New Kent, Patent Book 7-132: JOHN ASHER, 226 acres, in New Kent Co., 20 Apr 1682. Beginning at DAVID CRAFFORD upon North branches of Chickahominy Swamp, to JOHN DICKESON, to Capt. Underhill, by run of Powhitt Swamp. Transportation of five persons: William Alsop, Richd. Darall, Edwad. Broxam, Jon. Shepheard, George Binks (or Birks). (Cavaliers & Pioneers II-231)
20 Apr 1685, New Kent, Patent Bk 7-456: Christopher Berriman, 1,250 acres in New Kent County on south side of Yorke River, between branches of Mattedequin Creek and CHICHAHOMINY SWAMP. Adj Mr. Watson and Mr. Landye’s [Lindsey?], crossing Pickanockey Path to branch of sd SWAMP CALLED POWHITT SW., ADJOINING JOHN ASHER and William Owen. (Cavaliers & Pioneers II-289)
JOHN MERFIELD [MOREFIELD] is listed in the 1704 New Kent Co. Quit Rent List, with 210 acres. Later, his daughter married JOHN ASHWORTH, son of JONATHAN.
Returns made 24 Sep 1708/09. New Kent Co.:. The lands of George Lovel, JONATHAN ASHWORTH & Henry Wood, lying adjacent to each other, being made one precinct of which the said George Lovel and Henry Wood were appointed Overseers they made this return on the back of the order (viz.) (The Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish, Hanover Co., VA, 1706-1786, C. G. Chamberlayne, 1940, p 219)
JONATHAN ASHWORTH is shown to be in New Kent from May 1711/12 thru Nov 1715/16.
The 1719, New Kent Co. processioning mentions the lands of JOHN ASHWORTH, and the land that was JONATHAN ASHWORTH’s John Kent hath it.
(That John can't be Jonathan's son, he was too young.)
1720 — Hanover Co., VA formed from New Kent Co.
In 1721 &1724, Hanover Co., Jonathan appears as JONATHAN ASHUR, along with the Crawfords.
17 Aug 1725, Hanover Co., VA, Patent Book 12-230: JONATHAN ASHWORTH, 378 acres, New Land, in St. Paul's Parish, joining to Falling Creek and lines of Mr. George Alves and John English. (Cavaliers & Pioneers III-284)
In 1735, we find DAVID CRAWFORD, the DICKESONS & JONATHAN ASHWORTH living in Hanover County.
JONATHAN ASHWORTH last appears on the 1744 Hanover County processioning record.
He failed to show.
01 Nov 1744, Brunswick Co., VA: At a Council held 1 Nov 1744 ... To JONATHAN ASHWORTH 2,000 acres beginning upon Aaron Williams upon the north side of Staunton River, up the river to Charles Allen's line at the MOUTH OF SANDY CREEK, Thence along this line to Henry Runnels UP THE RIVER THENCE UP THE CREEK ON BOTH SIDES, TAKING IN SEVERAL ENTRIES BELONGING TO HIM AND THE ADJACENT LAND CONTAINING TWO THOUSAND ACRES IN BRUNSWICK.
(Executive Journal of the Council of Colonial Virginia, 1 Nov 1739 - 7 May 1754, Vol. 5)
1745 — Lunenburg Co., VA formed from Brunswick Co..
So Jonathan's new land now falls into Lunenburg County..
13 May 1751 : 03 Oct 1751, Lunenburg Co., VA WB 1-244
JOHN MOREFIELD WILL
Daughter: Jane Morefield
Grandson: John Morefield ... Leaves to daughter Jane Morefield and grandson John Morefield, "the land I now live on."
Daughter: Elizabeth Morefield
To daughters Jane & Elizabeth Morefield "all of my livestock and furniture."
Exors: Daughters Jane & Elizabeth Morefield
Wit: Thomas Blanks, Elleckzander Strainge
Executors named qualified with JOHN ASHWORTH and Thomas Blanks their securities.
(Early Wills 1746-1766, Lunenburg Co., VA, by Katherine B. Elliott)
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"While Wills are great in establishing family ties that were legally acknowledged, they can't rule out offspring that may have come about due to extramarital relations."
That's true, but neither should we try to insert a man into a family who is living in a different state.
John of NC was apparently living in Rutherford or Burke Co., NC when his daughter, Nancy married James Bridges, 04 Sep 1788, Burke Co., NC.
A JOSEPH & JOHN ASHWORTH show up on the 1790 Rutherford Co., NC Census, both born before 1773. Has anyone checked the Burke & Rutherford Co., NC records?
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"As to the leap that John Asher/Jonathan Asher are the first records found in this line based on known mispronunciation. As of now, no DNA evidence in our lines, or that of our 190+ confirmed Ashworth DNA cousins, supports this statement. DNA cousins with the surname Asher come from a distinctly different line."
Of course, they do, I have never inferred that they were one and the same. Asher was simply the way Ashworth was pronounced at that time, and the county clerk wrote it down just as he heard it. We are NOT tracing the Asher family.
Laura (Ashworth) Crumpler's own FATHER told her that the name was pronounced Asher in his day. As a matter of fact, I have found several known WV Ashworths recorded as Asher in U.S. census records. We've been very careful not to "leap" into the Asher family. Dates, places, neighbors, etc., enter largely into the search.
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JOHN of NC (not JONATHAN) was NOT the SON of Jonathan Ashworth of VA,
They were likely cousins of some sort.
I get the impression that you base your opinion strictly on DNA, but one must also do the research to prove the line. Everything I've written, is based on court records, not hearsay. Laura Ashworth, my 4th cousin, was an accredited, professional genealogist, and Executive Secretary of the Virginia Genealogy Society before her death — not just a family genealogist.
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Finally, if you accept that John Morefield Ashworth is the son of Jonathan Ashworth/Alice R. and that Jonathan Ashworth and John Morefield moved to New Kent from the Eastern Shore, as our line of research supports, the picture coming together could very well explain why our Ashworth DNA, as well as that of our 190+ Ashworth DNA cousins, shows a connection to not only Jonathan of Lunenburg, Jonathan of Buncombe County, but also the Texas Ashworth line.
WHAT I DO NOT ACCEPT IS THAT JOHN MOREFIELD ASHWORTH WAS THE SON OF A JONATHAN & ALICE R.
(1) There is no known record of Jonathan Ashworth's wife's name — coming from New Kent & Hanover Co., VA, both burned record counties. No dower release, nothing. It appears she was deceased before they were in Brunswick and Lunenburg Counties.
It was traditional to name children for grandparents, and those given names continued for generations, but there is not a single known Alice in our early Ashworth line.
(2) The dates don't fit .
(3) "JOHN MOREFIELD ASHWORTH" is proven to be the son of John & Jean/Jane Ashworth of Lunenburg to Pittsylvania Co., VA.
(4) John Ashworth of Pittsylvania, was the son of Jonathan Ashworth of Lunenburg; proven by Jonathan Ashworth's Will and Deed of Gift.
A quote from John Ashworth's 1788, Pittsylvania Co., VA Will:
"my three children of the following names to witt: NATHAN MOORFIELD ALIAS ASHWORTH, DORCAS TALIAFERRO and JOHN MOORFIELD ALIAS ASHWORTH to them and their heirs forever. And I do hereby constitute and appoint MY BELOVED WIFE JEAN ASHWORTH, NATHAN ASHWORTH ALIAS MOORFIELD and JOHN ASHWORTH ALIAS MOORFIELD whole and sole executors to this my last will and testament".
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PRINCE WILLIAM-FAUQUIER CO., VA:
ALICE ASHWORTH's will was presented in court by Elias Edmonds the executor therein named who made oath thereto according to law and being proved by the oaths of William Wright and Simon Morgan, two of the witnesses, is admitted to record.
1753, Prince William Co., VA Index to Probate Records, 1731-1951: ALICE ASHWORTH, Type P. [Probate of Estate] Source: CCN3:46. https://eservice.pwcgov.org/library/digitallibrary/PDF/PWC%20Probat...
The 1753 will book in which contained Alice Ashworth's Will is missing.
Prince William Co. is located in northern Virginia, and was formed from King George & Stafford counties.
In 1759, Prince William was divided into two counties — a part retaining the name Prince William, and the remaining area became the new Fauquier County.
22 Sep 1760 : 28 July 1763, Fauquier Co., VA DB 2-9: JOSEPH ASHWORTH OF LITTLE LEVER NEAR BOLTON, GREAT BRITAIN, WEAVER, APPOINTS SON JOHN ASHWORTH of or near York River in KING WILLIAM CO. or New Kent Co., province of Virginia, LINEN WEAVER, true and lawful attorney to dispose of all lands in North America, late the estate of MY MOTHER ALICE ASHWORTH, WIDOW, DEC’D, which come to me by will or descent. Signed Joseph Ashworth.
Wit: James Cock, John McCormick, James Cock at LiverPoole, in the Co. of Lancaster, Mariner, made oath to above.
Sworn to in Liverpoole before Lawrence Spincer, Mayor of Liverpoole.
Recorded 28 July 1763, with cert. of execution, on motion of John Ashworth.
(John K. Gott, Fauquier County, Virginia Deeds 1759-1778, 1988, p 33)
27 July 1763 : 28 July 1763, Fauquier Co., VA DB 2-14: JOHN ASHWORTH OF FAUQUIER CO., LATE OF LANCASTERSHIRE, GREAT BRITAIN, sold to William Barker for £55, 197 acres beginning at a large oak marked TB standing at the foot of the Pignut Ridge, corner to Waugh Darnall, corner to Macquire, hence with McGuire’s line, near a branch of Broad Run, same granted by Proprietor to William Bailey, by him conveyed to Jacob Holtzclaw and by him CONVEYED TO ALICE ASHWORTH, AND BY HER DEVISED TO JOSEPH ASHWORTH. SIGNED JOHN ASHWORTH.
(John K. Gott, Fauquier County, Virginia Deeds 1759-1778, 1988, p 33-34)
John Ashworth apparently left Fauquier Co. after the above 1763 deed.
There are no known extant records in which Jonathan Ashworth of VA, was referred to as John, nor is he ever identified as a weaver.
It is important to note that this John Ashworth is in Fauquier Co., VA in 1763, while Jonathan Ashworth has lived in Lunenburg Co., VA from the time of its formation in 1746. There is no evidence that Jonathan was ever referred to as John, nor is he ever identified as a weaver.
I hope these records will clarify a few things. Good luck in your search.
Gay Edens Carrigan
gaedcar@centurylink.net
