John Cotton, Jr., of Bertie County

Not the son of Sir-John-Cotton-Knight-and-3rd-Barronet-of-Connington

From http://www.southern-style.com/Cotton.htm

JOHN (BERTIE) COTTON

17. JOHN (BERTIE)17 COTTON (JOHN16, THOMAS15, ROBERT BRUCE14, THOMAS13, THOMAS12, THOMAS11, THOMAS10, THOMAS9, WILLIAM8 DE COTTEN, RICHARD7, JOHN6, WILLIAM5, EDMUND4, WILLIAM3 DE COTUN, SIMON2, WILLIAM1)

• was born April 22, 1658 in Queens Creek, Isle of Wight County, V, and
• died 1728 in in Bertie County, North Carolina..
• He married MARTHA GODWIN 1701, daughter of WILLIAM GODWIN and ELIZABETH WRIGHT.

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Grandchildren of John Cotten & Anne:

Children of John Cotten (from will 1728 Bertie Co) and Martha Godwin:

• 1. John Cotten ca 1701-2 Feb 1741 (N. Hampton, NC), married bef 13 May 1723 1st Judith died aft 12 Nov 1726, married 2nd Anne Jones dau of John
• 2. Patience Cotten 1703-30 Nov 1725, married Capt John Spears 1693-1764
• 3. Martha Cotten ca 1704-, married ca 1721 1st Francis Benton he had died prior May 1728, she married 2nd aft May 1728 Capt John Spears (Spier) 1693-1764, widower of sister Patience
• 4. William Cotten ca 1705 -before 1753, married Sarah Dew (widow of Wm. Bridgers 1729)
• 5. Anne Cotten ca1706-aft1746, married John Thomas
• 6. Mary Cotten ca 1707- ?, married ______ Holland
• 7. Samuel Cotten ca 1708-1774 appt guardian to Arthur Feb 1734, married 1st Elizabeth ?, (who sold land with Sam 5 Sept 1750), married 2nd Lydia Ewell (widow of Solomon)
• 8. Joseph Cotten ca 1710-1772, married Elizabeth Ervin
• 9. Alexander Cotten ca 1711-ca Dec 1764 appt guardian to James Feb 1734, Depos. of Alexander Cotten, age 48 of Bertie Co Apr Ct 1759 DB I-273, Will proved Jan 1765 Hertford Co Ct by Thomas Cotten, James Powell &William Cotten, SS Stat e papers Raleigh, (NCGSJ May 88 page 104), married 1st Ann Foster died 1746 dau of Richard died 1746, married 2nd Elizabeth West dau of Peter died 1751
• 10. Susanna Cotten ca 1713- ?, married Esau Blount
• 11. Arthur Cotten 9 Sept 1716-20 May 1789, married Mary Elizabeth Rutland dau of James
• 12. James Cotten ca 1718-1758, married ca 1745 Sarah Bridgers dau of Wm & wife Sarah Dew
• 13. Thomas Cotten ca 1720-1787, married ca 1747 Patience Bridgers 1729- sister of Sarah
• 14. Priscilla Cotten ca 1721, married ca 1739 Francis Leeonard [alias Lee]

JOHN COTTON'S WILL. In the name of God Amen. I, John Cotten, of Bartie Precinct, in North Carolina, Gent., being sick in body but of perfect Sence & Sound memory, blessed by God, doe mak and ordaine this to be my last will and Testament, in manner and forme folowing, Viz: first,

• Item. I gaive to my son John Cotten, three hundred and twenty acors of land, be it more or less, whar he now lives, on the west sid of Ahorskey Marsh, to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son William Cotten one hundred and fifty acors land be it more or less, lying in the oserow (?) Meadows whar he now lives, beginning at a marked hickory at my uppermost line, so runing down a line of marked trees to the lower most line, to him and his heairs fo r ever.
• Item. I give to my son Samell Cotten, a Neack of land whar he now lives,be the saime mor or less, and parte of a survay that I bought of Charles Stevenson, being a hund. acors mor or less to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten, all the remainder of my land bought of Charles Stevenson , it is northerdly of William Cotten and containes three hund and forty acors being a neck call ed the Green pond neck to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my sons Arthur Cotten and James Cotten my lowermost survay land on fishing creek to eaqualey devided betwixt ym, to them and their heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten, to hundred acors land and to betaken oute of my uper survay on fishing creek, to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Alexandr Cotten, one hundred acors land out of my uper survay of fishing creek to him and his heairs forever and the other three hundred acors to be equaley devided betwen my sons John Cotten, William Cotten, and Samll. Cotten, to them and their heirs for ever.
• Item. I give to my son Arthur Cotten, one Neagerow man naimed Meingo, butt except the labour and sarvice of the sd. Neagerow to be preformed and don for my loveing wife Martha Cotten deuring her widowhood, and my sd son Arthur Cotten to be and goe for himself when he shall arrive at the age of 18 years.
• Item. I give to my son James Cotten, one Neagerow boye naimed Peter to him and his heairs for ever and that my son James Cotten may goe and for himself when he shall arrive att the age of eighteen years.
• Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten one Neagroe gerlle naimed Rose to him and his heairs for ever but except the labour and sarverce of the sd Neagrow geirll to be for and with my loving wife Martha Cotten deuring her widowhood, and that my son Thos. Cotten be free and goe for him self when the sd Thos. arrive at the age of eighteen years.
• Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten one Neagerow boy naimed Toney to him and his heairs for ever.
• Item. I give unto my daughter Presseler Cotten on Neagerow woman named Mooll to her and her heairs forever, butt except the youse and labour of the sd Neagrerow to be for my loving wife Martha Cotten dewering her widowhood.
• Item. I give to my son Alexander Cotten one Neagerow man named Guge, butt except the sd Neagerows labour and survice to be for my loveing wife Martha Cotten during hur widowhood.
• Item. I give to my son William Cotten one new feather bead and a woosted sett ruge and one large fine blanket and a sheate, to pewter bassons, and to pewter dishes, three cows and calves , to yearlings, and one three year ould heifer, and eight soues with their increese, and one baye Gelding horse, and one large barow or spayed sow, and a pateran of fine druged for a sute of close, coate, bretches and jacket and triming answreable and fifty bushalls of oyster shells. And all that parsell of plank that wase sawed for the meill work to euqualie devided betwene my sd son William Cotten and my son Samll. Cotten.
• Item. I give to my son Samll. Cotten, a p'terne of fine druged to make him a sute of close and trimings answrable which cloth and triming is to be answare and euqualey devided betwix my sons William and Samll. Cotten.
• Item. To my son Samll. Cotten, I give one feather bead known by the naime of the Trundle bead and a blew wostde sett rugg and one blanket and sheate and one square fraimed warnut table , and three cows and calves,and an in broke hors of to years ould, to puter bassons, and to puter dishes, and fifty bushells of oyster shells and to each of my sons Samll. and Wm Cotten , a large steare, to purches ym nails to buld them a howse, each &.
• Item. I give to my son Alexander Cotten, eight sowes with their increase and three cows, one heifer yearling, and one to year ould steare and one three year ould steare.
• Item. I give to my son John Cotten all the stock of both hoggs and catte that is now in his persession of my marke and fifty bushalls of oystershells.
• Item. I give to my daughter Susannah Cotten, the feather bead whar on shelyes with all its furniture.
• Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten, one sute of new courteins of a blew couller, one large fine bead tick, one wosted sett rugg, and one large fine blankett.
• I give and bequeath to my loveing wife Martha Cotten, my bead whar on Ilye with all its furniture, courtens, rugg, blankets, sheates, pelowes,and one large new fine blanket and quelt, be sides and bead stead corde and matt. and,
• Item I give to my son Alexander Cotten as much dewroys which is now by meas will make him a suite of clothes.
• Item. I give to my sons Alexander and Samll. Cotten as much striped holan, as will make each of ym a jeacket and bretches and trimeing to it.
• And I give and bequeath to my loveing wife my riding horse, calling his name Blaise, and a sid sadle.
• Item. I give to my son in law, John Tomas, one puter dish.
• Item. I give to my son in law, Capt. John Spears, one puter dish.
• Item. I give to my daughter Mary Holand, one puter dish, and the use of the above neagreroes is left to my sd wife for hur own and my sd fower youngest childrens maintaneance during her widowhood.
• Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten, three wethers and a ramm, to yewes and a lam.
• Item. I give to my daughter, Martha Benton, late widow of Frances Benton,decesed, three ewes with their increase.
• Item. I give to my sons Wm and Samll. Cotten, 20 pounds of feathers to beequaly devided inlargen their beads. My will is furder that my mill stones, spindle, jaks, and peecks to be sold for silver money and that to be equaley devided betweixt my fower small children, Arthur, Pesseller, James, an d Thos. Cotten and all there md of my estate both within and with oute dores I leave to my and fower small children above named to be equaley devided.
• Item. I give to my daughter, Susanah, as much fine silk stufe as will mak hur a sute of clothe s, and my will is that my mair that runes in Tormenteing nack, the first coult she brings may be for my son, Arthur Cotten, and if the sd mair lives to bring aney more coultes may be for my son, James and Thos. Cotten and,
• Lastly, I doe apoint my loveing wife to be exetrs. of this my last will and testment, butt nomonate and appoint my loveing friend, Thos. Bryant, and Wm Benetto be over Sears, and have power, in case my wife should again marey and hur covetor prove unhappy to hur and my fower small children, to remove and secure them and their estate att their desc.
• In witness war of asigne this to be my Last will and testement.
• John Cotten. (Seal)
• Test. Thos. Bryant, Jurat; Thomas Strange; hur marke, Marey M Parkers.Jurat.

Bertie Sc May Court 1728, The above will was exhibited by Martha Cotten,Widow and sole execut rix of John Cotten, deced. and was proved by theOaths of Capt. Thomas Bryant, and Mary Parker , in open court in due form of law, who were evidences thereto. And then the sd. Martha too k the Exrs: oath in Open Court. Test. Rt. Forster, Cler, Cur. Office of thesec. of state.--Gr imes. also S.S. archives

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John Cotten and Martha Godwin were married in Isle of Wight County, VA, probably just prior to 1701 (D.B. 2 p.69 & G. B. 2 p 52.) In 1704 he was a resident of Isle of Wight Co, VA, then is listed in Nansemond Co, VA, [John Cotten lived at South Quay, VA on the Blackwater.]

Possible father of the John Cotten who died in Bertie in 1728 from Dr Barry Hayes: John Cotton appears to have moved to Isle of Wight where he died by 169 3 after marrying undoubtedly his second wife, the widow of Thomas Abington. [That John Penn y was "looking after the estate of John Colter (Cotten), dec'd" suggests to me, Sally, that his son John Cotten may have still been underage. but was of age by Jan 1698/99 when he was ap pointed an appraisor in the estate of James Gardner. In otherwords John Cotten was born betwe en 1671 and 1677. let us say ca 1674.]

John Cotten/on who died in Bertie Precinct, NC in 1728 appears to be the son of this John Cotton who had died in Isle of Wight by 1693.

From Bruce Cotten's The Cotten Family of North Carolina -- We have record of John Cotten as early as 1701 residing in South Quay on the Blackwater river in Virginia. This place is about four miles South of the present town of Franklin and about four mile north of the North Carolina line. Its on the Nansemond side of the river and appears on a map made in 1695. John Cotten is thought to have conducted a trading post here for many years in conjunction with hi s plantations. The Blackwater, Nottoway and Chowan Rivers were the highways of travel and commerce between Virginia and the fringe of settlers who had planted themselves along the shore s of Albemarle Sound. Canoes and flat boats traversed these streams <swamps2.htm> almost to the James, and in this way we find that Mrs. Hyde widow of the late Governor of North Carolina elected to return to Virginia in 1713, stopping at John Cotten's at South Quay, and that Gov. Spotswood took advantage of these canoes to forward four barrels of gun power to Gov. Pollock of North Carolina.

In 1719 John Cotten moved his family to North Carolina.--about 15 miles or so down the river to what is now known as the Potecase Creek. and became a neighbor of Frederick Jones.

Our ancestor John Cotten died in 1728 in Bertie Co, NC.Contrary to claims of other "genealogists" I think this John Cotten married only Martha Godwin of Isle of Wight and all his children were by her. [His wife certainly was NOT Martha the daughter of Frederick Jones, the chief justice of NC. She was still unmarried and underage at the time of her father's death in 1722.]

Martha Godwin, daughter of William Godwin and his wife Elizabeth Wright, was born ca 1683 in Isle of Wight, VA. Martha married second time before Nov 1731 William Green whose first wife was named Elizabeth. May Ct. Records 1732 Bertie County.

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26 Jan, 1698-9--John Cotten appointed as appraiser of the estate of James Gardner. Isle of Wight Co, Va: Bk A-415 Isle of Wight rent rolls 1704--John Cotten--200 A.

John Cotton in 1711 was living in Nansemond near the junction of the boundaries of that count y with Isle of Wight and North Carolina. Philip Ludwell, one of the commissioners for the "setting the bounds" between N.C. and VA stated, July 28, 1711, that it was agreed next that we meet at John Cotton's house at South Key. Also, from "Nansemond Indian Town" August 1, 1711 , John Lawson, one of Comrs. for N.C. wrote to Benj. Harrison a commissioner for Va. "I desire your appointment at John Cotton's and hope it will be by the last of this month"(5 V. 21).Bodie Vol III p 82

1711--John Cotton sued out a patent on southside of Cedar Swamp and assigned it to David Lewi s deceased and his son David Lewis now possesses it. Reel 87 C.O. 412/25 16 Dec 1738-- ENGLISH DUPLICATES OF LOST VIRGINIA RECORDSNansemond county--13 Nov, 1713--91 A granted to J no. Cotton;13 Nov, 1713--158 A granted to Jno. Cotton.Surry county--23 March, 1715--75 A gr anted to John Cotton.

Hofmann's Abstracts Chowan Precinct NC 1696-1723: p 277 832 John Cotten 9 June 1719 640 A S W side of Ahotsky meadow.

Hofmann's Abstracts Chowan Precinct NC 1696-1723: #442 pg 21 Charles Eden, Esquire, Governor to John Hardy, William Charlton, John Holbrook, John Cotton, Thomas Betterley, Samuel Paget t, Thomas Rountree, John Bryan son of Lewis Bryan, John Parker, Luke Meazell esquires By virtue of a commission from the Lord Proprietors appointing me Governor, Captain General and Admiral of the Province of N.C. with full powere and authority to Commissionate and appoint all officers and Magistrates-military and civil - I therefore, being appraised of the Loyalty, Prudence, and Integrity of you and each of you do hereby assign and appoint you Justices of th e Peace for the Prect. of Chowan in the Co. of Albemarle to keep his Majesties Peace within t he Prect. and John Hardy, William Charlton, John Holbrook, and John Cotton shall keep a Court four times every year, Vizt. on the 3rd Tuesday, in the months of Jan, Apr, July, and Oct . This Commission to continue during my Pleasure given under the seal of this Colony 29 Aug A D 1719 /s/ Charles Eden.

1. 443 pg 22 CHARLES EDEN, esquire, to JOHN HARDY, WILLIAM CHARLTON, JOHN HOLBROOK and JOHN COTTON By a Commission bearing the date 29 Aug 1719 power to administer the Oaths to be taken, as well as the Oaths of a Justice of the Peace to your associates Given under my hand and seal at Ann(sic) the Day and Year afrsd.
2. 526 pg 116 THE HONORABLE FREDERICK JONES, Esquire of Chowan Prect. to JOHN COTTON, Gentleman and MARTHA his wife and ALEXANDER COTTON son ot the sd JOHN all of the sd Prect. 18 Apr 172 05 shillings lawful money of this Province a lease for one year of 800 acres whereon the sd JOHN COTTON now dwells on Meherring Creek, joining the sd JONES, Cat Tail Branch and Hoskey Path all houses, gardens, orchards etc. and is part of a larger tract belonging to the sd JONES Wit.: THOMAS HARVEY, J. LOVICK Reg Chowan Ct Apr 1721 Test: THOMAS HENMAN, Clerk.
3. 527 pg 117 FREDERICK JONES, Esquire of Chowan Prect to JOHN COTTON, Gentleman, and MARTHA his wife and ALEXANDER COTTON son of the sd JOHN 19 Apr 1720 for 40 L and the love and affectio n I bear toward my grandson (the "experts" say this was a copying error on the part of the cl erk, that the word was God son) the sd ALEXANDER the 800 acres whereon the sd JOHN now live s Wit: THOMAS HARVEY, JOHN LOVICK Reg Chowan Ct Apr 1721 Test: THOMAS HENMAN, Clerk.

JW Moore V1 p49-- Superior Ct held at Edenton 1723--John Cotten, Esq., had sued John Grey, of Bertie precinct, gentleman. On appeal from a precinct ct. held at the house of James Howard at "Ahotsky," on 14 May, 1723. JOHN COTTON'S WILL. In the name of God Amen. I, John Cotten, of Bartie Precinct, in North Carolina, Gent., being sick in body but of perfect Sence & Sound memory, blessed by God, doe mak and ordaine this to be my last will and Testament, in manner and forme following,

• Viz: first ,Item. I gaive to my son John Cotten, three hundred and twenty acors of land, be it more or less, whar he now lives, on the west sid of Ahorskey Marsh, to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son William Cotten one hundred and fifty acors land be it more or less, lying in the oserow (?) Meadows whar he now lives, beginning at a marked hickory at my uppermost line, so runing down a line of marked trees to the lower most line, to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Samell Cotten, a Neack of land whar he now lives, be the saime mor or less, and parte of a survay that I bought of Charles Stevenson, being a hund. acors mor or less to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten, all the remainder of my land bought of Charles Stevenson, it is northerdly of William Cotten and containes three hund and forty acors being a neck called the Green pond neck to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my sons Arthur Cotten and James Cotten my lowermost survay land on fishing creek to eaqualey devided betwixt ym, to them and their heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten, to hundred acors land and to be taken oute of my uper survay on fishing creek, to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Alexandr Cotten, one hun dred acors land out of my uper survay of fishing creek to him and his heairs forever and the other three hundred acors to be equaley devided betwen my sons John Cotten, William Cotten , and Samll. Cotten, to them and their heirs forever.
• Item. I give to my son Arthur Cotten , one Neagerow man naimed Meingo, butt except the labour and sarvice of the sd. Neagerow to be preformed and don for my loveing wife Martha Cotten deuring her widowhood, and my sd son Arthur Cotten to be and goe for himself when he shall arrive at the age of 18 years.
• Item. I give to my son James Cotten, one Neagerow boye naimed Peter to him and his heairs for ever an d that my son James Cotten may goe and for himself when he shall arrive att the age of eighteen years.
• Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten one Neagroe gerlle naimed Rose to him and his heairs for ever but except the labour and sarverce of the sd Neagrow geirll to be for and with my loving wife Martha Cotten deuring her widowhood, and that my son Thos. Cotten be free and goe for himself when the sd Thos. arrive at the age of eighteen years.Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten one Neagerow boy naimed Toney to him and his heairs forever.
• Item. I give unto my daughter Presseler Cotten on Neagerow woman named Mooll to her and her heairs for ever, butt except the youse and labour of the sd Neagrerow to be for my loving wife Martha Cot ten dewering her widowhood.
• Item. I give to my son Alexander Cotten one Neagerow man named Guge, butt except the sd Neagerows labour and survice to be for my loveing wife Martha Cotten during hur widowhood.
• Item. I give to my son William Cotten one new feather bead and a woos ted sett ruge and one large fine blanket and a sheate, to pewter bassons, and to pewter dishes, three cows and calves, to yearlings, and one three year ould heifer, and eight soues with their in creese, and one baye Gelding horse, and one large barow or spayed sow, and a pater an of fine druged for a sute of close, coate, bretches and jacket and triming answreable and fifty bushalls of oyster shells. And all that parsell of plank that wase sawed for the meil l work to euqualie devided betwene my sd son William Cotten and my son Samll. Cotten.
• Item . I give to my son Samll. Cotten, a p'terne of fine druged to make him a sute of close and trimings answrable which cloth and triming is to be answare and euqualey devided betwix my sons William and Samll. Cotten.
• Item. To my son Samll. Cotten, I give one feather bead known by the naime of the Trundle bead and a blew wostde sett rugg and one blanket and sheate and one square fraimed warnut table, and three cows and calves, and an in broke hors of to years ould, to puter bassons, and to puter dishes, and fifty bushells of oyster shells and to each of my sons Samll. and Wm Cotten, a large steare, to purches ym nails to buld them a howse, each &.
• Item. I give to my son Alexander Cotten, eight sowes with their increase and three cows , one heifer yearling, and one to year ould steare and one three year ould steare.
• Item. I give to my son John Cotten all the stock of both hoggs and catte that is now in his persession of my marke and fifty bushalls of oyster shells.
• Item. I give to my daughter Susannah Cotten, the feather bead whar on she lyes with all its furniture.
• Item. I give to my son Thos. Cot ten, one sute of new courteins of a blew couller, one large fine bead tick, one wosted sett r ugg, and one large fine blankett.I give and bequeath to my loveing wife Martha Cotten, my bead whar on I lye with all its furniture, courtens, rugg, blankets, sheates, pelowes, and one large new fine blanket and quelt, besides and bead stead corde and matt. and,
• Item I give to my son Alexander Cotten as much dewroys which is now by me as will make him a suite of clothes.
• Item. I give to my sons Alexander and Samll. Cotten as much striped holan, as will make each of ym a jeacket and bretches and trimeing to it.
• And I give and bequeath to my loveing wife my riding horse, calling his name Blaise, and a sid sadle.
• Item. I give to my son in law, John Tomas, one puter dish.Item. I give to my son in law, Capt. John Spears, one puter dish.
• Item. I give to my daughter Mary Holand, one puter dish,and the use of the above neagreroes is left to my sd wife for hur own and my sd fower youngest childrens maintaneance during her widowhood.Item.
• I give to my son Joseph Cotten, three wethers and a ramm, to yewes and a lam.
• Item. I give to my daughter, Martha Benton, late widow of Frances Benton, decesed, three ewes with their increase.
• Item. I give to my sons Wm and Samll. Cotten, 20 pounds of feathers to be equaly devided inlargen their beads.
• My will is furder that my mill stones, spindle, jaks, and peecks to be sold for silver money and that to be equaley devided betweixt my fower small children, Arthur, Pesseller, James, and Thos. Cotten and all the remd of my estate both within and with oute dores I leave to my and fower small children above named to be equaley devided.
• Item. I give to my daughter, Susanah, as much fine silk stufe as will mak hur a sute of clothes and my will is that my mair that runes in Tormenteing nack, the first coult she brings may be for my son, Arthur Cotten, and if the sd mair lives to bring aney more coultes may be for my son, James and Thos. Cotten
• and,Lastly, I doe apoint my loveing wife to be exetrs. of this my last will and testment, butt nomonate and appoint my loveing friend , Thos. Bryant, and Wm Benet to be over Sears, and have power, in case my wife should again marey and hur covetor prove unhappy to hur and my fower small children, to remove and secure them and their estate att their desc.
• In witness war of asigne this to be my Last will and testement. John Cotten. (Seal) Test. Thos. Bryant, Jurat; Thomas Strange; hur marke, Marey M Parkers. Jurat. Bertie Sc May Court 1728, The above will was exhibited by Martha Cotten, Widow and sole executrix of John Cotten, deced. and was proved by the Oaths of Capt. Thomas Bryant, and Mary Parker, in open court in due form of law, who were evidences thereto. And then the sd. Martha took the Exrs: oath in Open Court. Test. Rt. Forster, Cler, Cur. Office of the sec. of state.--Grimes. also S.S. archives of NC

Note: I see no mention of JOHN, the eldest son, Patience's widower John Speir, Anne Thomas, Mary Holland or JOSEPH in the following divisions. Had they received their shares previously?

JOHN COTTEN Division of estate among

• (1) William Cotten,
• (2) Samuel Cotten,
• (3) Elexander Cotten,
• (4) John Cotten as gdn. of Susanah Cotten,
• (5) the widow Martha Benton with the residue undivided for the four small children, Mar. 12, 1728. Record signed by Simon Jeffreys, John Dew, James Moor and R. Brasswel JOHN COTTEN Division of estate at the home of Martha Green by James Moor, Titus Moor, John Jones, Senr. and Samuel Williams, Nov. 25, 1731.
• (1) A Negro was put in the hands of Thomas Bryant and William Bennet for the use of Priscilla Cotten.
• (2) Clothing was allotted to Thomas Cotten.
• (3) A Negro was allotted to Martha Cotten.
• (4 ) A Negro was allotted to James Cotten.
• (5) A Negro was allotted to Thomas Cotten. Millstones , etc. were divided among the four small children
• (6) Arthur Cotten, Priscilla Cotten, James Cotten, and Thomas Cotten. Of the residue of the estate, one-fifth was allotted to Martha Green and the other four-fifths divided among the four children.

At a court held at the Court House on Timber Branch on Tuesday 9th of May 1732 And Thomas Jones Attny for Wm. Green that intermarryed with Marth Cotten Relict Widow of the sd. John Cotten Prays an appeal from the above Judgement. [follows] JOHN COTTEN Completion of division of estate at the home of Mrs Martha Green, June 5, 1732. The farm animals were put into the hands of Capt Thos Bryant and William Bennet for the use of the four small children. Signed by James Moor, Saml. Williams and Jno. Jones. Gammon, Records of Estates Bertie Co, NC Vol1172 8-1744

Va Historical Mag 35-273: 1 Nov, 1729-On reading at this Board the petition of Samll. Pugh Gent & late Sherrif of Seventeen Shillings Current Money and four Hundred fourty five pounds of Tobacco or the current price thereof out of his Majesties Revenue of two Shillings p Hogshe ad it being for one half of the costs and Charges expended by the petitioner in Defending a Suit brought against him for Seizing Six Hogsheads of Tobacco on one John Cotton deceased pursuant to an Act of Assembly the one halfe of the said Seizure having long since paid by the petitioner to his Majestys use. Ex'd p Wil Roberson Cls Con.

Notes for MARTHA GODWIN:

John Cotten and Martha Godwin were married in Isle of Wight County, VA, probably just prior to 1701 (D.B. 2 p.69 & G. B. 2 p52.) In 1704 he was a resident of Isle of Wight Co, VA, then is listed in Nansemond Co, VA, [John Cotten lived at South Quay, VA on the Blackwater.]

Children of JOHN COTTON and MARTHA GODWIN are:

• i. PATIENCE18 COTTON.
• ii. SUSANNAH COTTON.
• iii. JOSEPH COTTON.
• iv. THOMAS COTTON.
• v. JAMES COTTON.
• vi. PRISCILLA COTTON.
• vii. ARTHUR COTTON.
• viii. SAMUEL COTTON.
• ix. ANN COTTON.
• 18. x. ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD COTTON, b. December 21, 1700, in South Quay, Nansemond County; d. 1769, in "Barfield"Bertie County, North Carolina.

--   http://home.comcast.net/~mcotten/ JOHN COTTEN, born about 1660, Virginia, died 1728, Bertie Precinct, NC

• + Mary ---
  • children:
    • 1. JOHN COTTEN JR., born 1693, Isle of Wight County, VA, died Feb. 2, 1741, Northampton County, NC
    • 2. MARY COTTEN, born 1695, Isle of Wight County, VA, married Richard Holland
    • 3. JOSEPH COTTEN, born 1697, Isle of Wight County, VA, died 1772, Halifax County, NC
• + Martha Godwin (married 1699), daughter of William and Elizabeth (Wright) Godwin
  • children:
    • 4. WILLIAM COTTEN, born 1700, Isle of Wight County, VA, died 1748, Northampton County, NC
    • 5. MARTHA COTTEN, born 1702, Isle of Wight County, VA, married Francis Benton
    • 6. ANN COTTEN, born 1703, Isle of Wight County, VA, died 1727, Bertie Precinct, NC, married Capt. John Thomas
    • 7. PATIENCE COTTEN, born 1706, Isle of Wight County, VA, died Nov. 11, 1725, Bertie Precinct, NC, married John Spier
    • 8. SAMUEL COTTEN, born 1708, Nansemond County, VA, died 1774, Northampton County, NC
    • 9. ALEXANDER SPOTSWOOD COTTEN, born 1710, Nansemond County, VA, died 1764, Hertford County, NC
    • 10. SUSANNAH COTTEN, born 1712, Nansemond County, VA, married James Brogdon
    • 11. ARTHUR COTTEN, born 1716, Nansemond County, VA, died May 20, 1789, Hertford County, NC
    • 12. PRISCILLA COTTEN, born 1718, Nansemond County, VA, married Francis Leonard
    • 13. JAMES COTTEN, born 1720, Chowan Precinct, NC, died 1758, Bertie County, NC
    • 14. THOMAS COTTEN, born 1722, Chowan Precinct, NC, died 1787, Hertford County, NC

Pages with a blue background show those lines which have been proven by DNA testing; pages with a gray background show lines with a paper trail only. See "family 7" at the Cotten DNA project.

http://www.palmspringsbum.org/genealogy/getperson.php?personID=I715...

John Cotton, Senior[1, 2, 3, 4]

• Male 1658 - 1728

Personal Information

• Suffix Senior
• Birth 22 Apr 1658 Isle of Wight County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location [1, 3]
• Gender Male
• AFN 4KHK-8GG
• Alt. Birth Between 1660 and 1670 Bertie County, North Carolina [4]
• Occupation 1701 South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA F [5] trader & planter

From Bruce Cotten's The Cotten Family of North Carolina -- We have record of John Cotten as early as 1701 residing in South Quay on the Blackwater river in Virginia. This place is about four miles South of the present town of Franklin and about four mile north of the North Carolina line. Its on the Nansemond side of the river and appears on a map made in 1695. John Cotten is thought to have conducted a trading post here for many years in conjunction with his plantations. The Blackwater, Nottoway and Chowan Rivers were the highways of travel and commerce between Virginia and the fringe of settlers who had planted themselves along the shores of Albemarle Sound. Canoes and flat boats traversed these streams almost to the James, and in this way we find that Mrs. Hyde widow of the late Governor of North Carolina elected to return to Virginia in 1713, stopping at John Cotten's at South Quay, and that Gov. Spotswood took advantage of these canoes to forward four barrels of gun power to Gov. Pollock of North Carolina.

• Alt. Death 1708 Bertie County, North Carolina [5]
• Land Grant 13 Nov 1713 Nansemond County, Virginia [5] 91 acres and 158 acre
• Land Grant 23 Mar 1714/15 Surry County, Virginia [5] 75 acres
• Land Acquisition 9 Jun 1719 Ahoskie, Hertford, North Carolina, USA [5] 640 acres
• Political 29 Aug 1719 Chowan, Chowan, North Carolina, USA [5] appointed Justice of the Peace

--

Hofmann's Abstracts Chowan Precinct NC 1696-1723: #442 pg 21

Charles Eden, Esquire, Governor to John Hardy, William Charlton, John Holbrook, John Cotton, Thomas Betterley, Samuel Pagett, Thomas Rountree, John Bryan son of Lewis Bryan, John Parker, Luke Meazell esquires By virtue of a commission from the Lord Proprietors appointing me Governor, Captain General and Admiral of the Province of N.C. with full powere and authority to Commissionate and appoint all officers and Magistrates-military and civil - I therefore, being appraised of the Loyalty, Prudence, and Integrity of you and each of you do hereby assign and appoint you Justices of the Peace for the Prect. of Chowan in the Co. of Albemarle to keep his Majesties Peace within the Prect. and John Hardy, William Charlton, John Holbrook, and John Cotton shall keep a Court four times every year, Vizt. on the 3rd Tuesday, in the months of Jan, Apr, July, and Oct. This Commission to continue during my Pleasure given under the seal of this Colony 29 Aug AD 1719 /s/ Charles Eden.

• Court 25 Jul 1725 Edenton, Chowan, North Carolina, USA [5] marrying a mulatto man to a white woman

At a Generall Court of Oyer and Terminer and Gaol Delivery held at the Courthouse in Edenton -- The Grand Jury presented a Bill of Indictment against John Cotton for marryn a Molatto Man to a White woman.

John Cotton didn't show up for the first hearing so he was summoned for the next court where he did appear and it was decided it had been so long since this marriage happened that there was no remedy so the case was dismissed.

• Name John Cotten [5, 6]
• Will Y [5]

       In the name of God Amen. I, John Cotten, of Bartie Precinct, in North Carolina, Gent., being sick in body but of perfect Sence & Sound memory, blessed by God, doe mak and ordaine this to be my last will and Testament, in manner and forme folowing, Viz: first,

       Item. I gaive to my son John Cotten, three hundred and twenty acors of land, be it more or less, whar he now lives, on the west sid of Ahorskey Marsh, to him and his heairs for ever.

       Item. I give to my son William Cotten one hundred and fifty acors land be it more or less, lying in the oserow (?) Meadows whar he now lives, beginning at a marked hickory at my uppermost line, so runing down a line of marked trees to the lower most line, to him and his heairs for ever.

       Item. I give to my son Samell Cotten, a Neack of land whar he now lives, be the saime mor or less, and parte of a survay that I bought of Charles Stevenson, being a hund. acors mor or less to him and his heairs for ever.

       Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten, all the remainder of my land bought of Charles Stevenson, it is northerdly of William Cotten and containes three hund and forty acors beinga neck called the Green pond neck to him and his heairs for ever.

       Item. I give to my sons Arthur Cotten and James Cotten my lowermost survay land on fishing creek to eaqualey devided betwixt ym, to them and their heairs for ever.

       Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten, to hundred acors land and to be taken oute of my uper survay on fishing creek, to him and his heairs for ever.

       Item. I give to my son Alexandr Cotten, one hundred acors land out of my uper survay of fishing creek to him and his heairs for ever and the other three hundred acors to be equaley devided be twen my sons John Cotten, William Cotten, and Samll. Cotten, to them and their heirs for ever.

       Item. I give to my son Arthur Cotten, one Neagerow man naimed Meingo, butt except the labour and sarvice of the sd. Neagerow to be preformed and don for my loveing wife Martha Cotten deuring her widowhood, and my sd son Arthur Cotten to be and goe for himself when he shall arrive at the age of 18 years.

       Item. I give to my son James Cotten, one Neagerow boye naimed Peter to him and his heairs for ever and that my son James Cotten may goe and for himself when he shall arrive att the age of eighteen years.

       Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten one Neagroe gerlle naimed Rose to him and his heairs for ever but except the labour and sarverce of the sd Neagrow geirll to be for and with my loving wife Martha Cotten deuring her widowhood, and that my son Thos. Cotten be free and goe for him self when the sd Thos. arrive at the age of eighteen years.

       Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten one Neagerow boy naimed Toney to him and his heairs for ever.

       Item. I give unto my daughter Presseler Cotten on Neagerow woman named Mooll to her and her heairs for ever, butt except the youse and labour of the sd Neagrerow to be for my loving wife Martha Cotten dewering her widowhood. Item. I give to my son Alexander Cotten one Neagerow man named Guge, butt except the sd Neagerows labour and survice to be for my loveing wife Martha Cotten during hur widowhood.

       Item. I give to my son William Cotten one new feather bead and a woosted sett ruge and one large fine blanket and a sheate, to pewter bassons, and to pewter dishes, three cows and calves, to yearlings, and one three year ould heifer, and eight soues with their in creese, and one baye Gelding horse, and one large barow or spayed sow, and a pateran of fine druged for a sute of close, coate, bretches and jacket and triming answreable and fifty bushalls of oyster shells. And all that parsell of plank that wase sawed for the meill work to euqualie devided betwene my sd son William Cotten and my son Samll. Cotten.

       Item. I give to my son Samll. Cotten, a p'terne of fine druged to make him a sute of close and trimings answrable which cloth and triming is to be answare and euqualey devided betwix my sons William and Samll. Cotten.

       Item. To my son Samll. Cotten, I give one feather bead known by the naime of the Trundle bead and a blew wostde sett rugg and one blanket and sheate and one square fraimed warnut table, and three cows and calves, and an in broke hors of to years ould, to puter bassons, and to puter dishes, and fifty bushells of oyster shells and to each of my sons Samll. and Wm Cotten, a large steare, to purches ym nails to buld them a howse, each &.

       Item. I give to my son Alexander Cotten, eight sowes with their increase and three cows, one heifer yearling, and one to year ould steare and one three year ould steare.

       Item. I give to my son John Cotten all the stock of both hoggs and catte that is now in his persession of my marke and fifty bushalls of oyster shells.

       Item. I give to my daughter Susannah Cotten, the feather bead whar on she lyes with all its furniture.

       Item. I give to my son Thos. Cotten, one sute of new courteins of a blew couller, one large fine bead tick, one wosted sett rugg, and one large fine blankett. I give and bequeath to my loveing wife Martha Cotten, my bead whar on I lye with all its furniture, courtens, rugg, blankets, sheates, pelowes, and one large new fine blanket and quelt, besides and bead stead corde and matt. and, Item I give to my son Alexander Cotten as much dewroys which is now by me as will make him a suite of clothes.

       Item. I give to my sons Alexander and Samll. Cotten as much striped holan, as will make each of ym a jeacket and bretches and trimeing to it.

       And I give and bequeath to my loveing wife my riding horse, calling his name Blaise, and a sid sadle.

       Item. I give to my son in law, John Tomas, one puter dish.

       Item. I give to my son in law, Capt. John Spears, one puter dish.

       Item. I give to my daughter Mary Holand, one puter dish, and the use of the above neagreroes is left to my sd wife for hur own and my sd fower youngest childrens maintaneance during her widowhood.

       Item. I give to my son Joseph Cotten, three wethers and a ramm, to yewes and a lam.

       Item. I give to my daughter, Martha Benton, late widow of Frances Benton, decesed, three ewes with their increase.

       Item. I give to my sons Wm and Samll. Cotten, 20 pounds of feathers to be equaly devided inlargen their beads.

       My will is furder that my mill stones, spindle, jaks, and peecks to be sold for silver money and that to be equaley devided betweixt my fower small children, Arthur, Pesseller, James, and Thos. Cotten and all the remd of my estate both within and with oute dores I leave to my and fower small children above named to be equaley devided.

       Item. I give to my daughter, Susanah, as much fine silk stufe as will mak hur a sute of clothes and my will is that my mair that runes in Tormenteing nack, the first coult she brings may be for my son, Arthur Cotten, and if the sd mair lives to bring aney more coultes may be for my son, James and Thos. Cotten and, Lastly, I doe apoint my loveing wife to be exetrs. of this my last will and testment,

       butt nomonate and appoint my loveing friend, Thos. Bryant, and Wm Benet to be over Sears, and have power, in case my wife should again marey and hur covetor prove unhappy to hur and my fower small children, to remove and secure them and their estate att their desc.

       In witness war off asigne this to be my Last will and testement. John Cotten. (Seal)

       Test. Thos. Bryant, Jurat; Thomas Strange; hur marke, Marey M Parkers. Jurat.

   Died  	May 1728  	Bertie County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 3] 

   Person ID  	I71538  	If the Legends Are True...

   Last Modified  	26 Apr 2012 

   Father  	John Bertie Cotton,   b. 1625, England Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1693, Isle of Wight County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 

   Mother  	Anne Hutcheson Harrison,   b. Abt 1640, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 

   Married  	Bef 1658  	Nansemond County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 

   Family ID  	F25817  	Group Sheet

   Family 1  	Mary,   d. Yes, date unknown 

   Last Modified  	26 Apr 2012 

   Family ID  	F35605  	Group Sheet

   Family 2  	Martha Godwin,   b. Abt 1683, Isle of Wight County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Abt 1701, Isle of Wight County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 

   Alt. Marriage  	Abt 1700  [1] 

   Married  	Bef 1701  	Isle of Wight County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 

   Move  	Aft 1704  	South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 

       At the time this was in Nansemond County.

   Move  	1719  	Potecasi Creek, Northampton County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location  [5] 

   Children  	

    	1. John Cotton,   b. Abt 1701, Northampton County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 2 Feb 1740/41, Northampton County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location

    	2. Patience Cotten,   b. 1703, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 Nov 1725

    	3. Martha Cotten,   b. Abt 1704, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef 1761

   >	4. William Cotton,   b. 1700, Isle of Wight County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1748, Northampton County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location

    	5. Anne Cotton,   b. Abt 1706, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Aft 1746

    	6. Mary Cotten,   b. Abt 1707, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown

   >	7. Samuel Cotton,   b. Abt 1708, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef May 1774, Northampton County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location

   >	8. Joseph Cotton,   b. Abt 1710, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Apr 1765

   >	9. Alexander Spotswood Cotton,   b. Aug 1711, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1764, Hertford County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location

    	10. Susanna Cotton,   b. Abt 1713, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown

    	11. Arthur Cotton,   b. 9 Sep 1716, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 20 May 1789

   >	12. James Cotton,   b. Abt 1718, South Quay, Suffolk (city), Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Bef Apr 1758, Bertie County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location

   >	13. Thomas Cotton,   b. 1722, Bertie County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 1787, Hertford County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location

    	14. Priscilla Cotton,   b. Abt 1721, Potecasi Creek, Northampton County, North Carolina Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. Yes, date unknown

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