

JOHN ASHWORTH OF NORTH CAROLINA WAS NOT THE SON OF JONATHAN ASHWORTH OF VIRGINIA.
This longtime error is apparently due to someone simply finding a John Ashworth named in Jonathan Ashworth's Will. They obviously did not research Jonathan Ashworth to prove their case. I sincerely hope the following documentation will be helpful in clearing up this error.
Note that the surname ASHWORTH is known to have been pronounced ASHER, well into the 1900's in both Virginia & West Virginia. This is proven by Jonathan's grandson, Harrison Ashworth's American Revolution Pension Record W 5648, which states:
"The name is spelt A-S-H-W-O-R-T-H, but pronounced ASHER, and might be so spelt on the rolls."
We first find Jonathan Ashworth in New Kent Co., VA in 1702, and in Hanover Co., VA in 1720, when it was formed from New Kent.
John Ashworth, son of Jonathan, CANNOT be the John Ashworth of North Carolina, who was born 25 Feb 1735, died 29 Apr 1805, Buncombe Co., NC. The following record finds Jonathan Ashworth’s son, John, making purchases at the Partridge Store in 1738 — John of NC would have been three (3) years old in 1738.
26 Apr 1738, Partridge Store Accounts, Hanover Co., VA: MR JOHN ASHWORTH. 1738 Apr. 26 (1 dozen Mettle buttons); May 2; Jun. 15 (pd Wm Lewis; Jul. 22; Aug. 2; Oct. 10; Dec. 11 (1 Spelling Book); Apr. 2 (PD YR FATHER JOHNATHON ASHWORTH, Pd Edward Murfil); 1740 Jul. 16 (PD YOR FATHER JOHNATHON ASHWORTH, payd Richard Henderson In ye yeare 1736 Levy 45 Tob.). Credits: 1739 Jun. 22 (yr accot B, 290, By Mr John Snelson for Edward Murfeld, By an accot Proovd before Capt Peter Garland, By Tobo pd Mr Robt. Wathen last yeare). (Partridge Store Accounts, Magazine of Virginia Genealogy, Vol. 24, #1-34)
28 Jun 1744, Brunswick Co., VA: JOHN ASHWORTH patented land in Brunswick Co., VA 1744, as proven by the following deed. Patent not found.
Charlotte Co., VA DB 6-58: Matt Jouett Williams to James Callicott, of Amelia Co., for 12,750 pounds of inspected tobacco, 255 acres of land in Charlotte Co., bounded by ___ Barnes, James Callicott, being part of a greater tract of LAND GRANTED UNTO JOHN ASHWORTH BY PATENT JUNE 28, 1744. Wit: John McGuire, Henry Ford, Moses Harrison, Miles Bottom. (John of NC would have been 9 years old in 1744.)
Jonathan Ashworth received 2,000 acres in Brunswick Co., VA in 1744. In 1746, this land fell into the newly formed Lunenburg Co., VA.
Sep 1758, Lunenburg Co., VA Militia: Privates: JOHN ASHWORTH, Samuel Ashworth, Isaac Ashworth.
(Virginia Colonial Militia, Crozier, p 74)
06 Nov 1759, Lunenburg Co., VA, WB 1-282, Jonathan, himself recorded his Will naming sons JOHN, Samuel & Isaac, grandson Jonathan Abbett, and granddaughter Elizabeth Bruce. This Will did not go to probate.
06 Apr 1763, Lunenburg Co., VA DB 9-204, Jonathan made a Deed of Gift, again naming sons JOHN, Samuel & Isaac, grandson Jonathan Abbott (after the decease of his father Samuel Abbott), and grandson John Anglin. Recorded 11 Aug 1763.
1764 — The Parish of Cornwall in Lunenburg Co., VA, became Charlotte Co., VA. So, again, his land became part of a new county.
29 Jan 1767 : 02 Feb 1767, Charlotte, DB 1-115: Jonathan Ashworth of Charlotte Co., to William Bumpass of Bedford Co., VA, £16, 110 acres located on Sandy Creek, bounded by John & Isaac Ashworth. Wit: Christopher Loving, Thomas Williams & Samuel Ashworth. (His last known record. No date of death.)
Conclusion: JONATHAN ASHWORTH’S SON, JOHN, probably born in New Kent Co., VA, died before 16 Mar 1788, Pittsylvania Co., VA. He married Jean/Jane Morefield, who apparently had two sons named John & Nathan Ashworth alias Morefield, and vice versa, and a daughter Dorcas Taliaferro. Sometime before Sep 1771: John & Jane Ashworth sold their property in Charlotte Co., and moved to Pittsylvania Co., VA — not North Carolina.
If you have questions, or need further documentation, please ask.
Respectfully submitted, Gay Edens Carrigan
Author of Ashworth of Virginia & West Virginia — The Isaac Line, 1997
(Available in several large libraries.)