Turner Bobbitt

Documents relative to the estate of Turner Bobbitt and his widow, Elizabeth Bowdon Bobbitt are found in Franklin Co. NC records from 1821 to 1833. Widow's support was given to the widow of Turner Bobbitt dec'd 19 April 1821.

June Court 1821. Inventory & sale of estate of Turner Bobbitt dec'd. Buyers were Harbert Hight, Luke Solomon, William Jenkins, Nathan Perry, John Bryan, Willie Gupton, Lewis Rives, Johnathan Stone, William Ingram, Phil. Hodges, Aths. Thomas, Wm Davis, Elizabeth Bobbitt, John Young, John B. Hayes, Cliff Finch, Sally Bobbitt, Willie Jones, Gideon Glenn, Wm. Solomon, Clevis Duke, Nathl. Hunt, Wm. Moore, Edwd. Steagall Wm. Hough, Littleton Edwards, Wm. Place, John D. Hawkins, Edmonds Turner, George Floyed, Saml. Dowden, Ransom Brogdon, Saml. Thomas, Wm. D. Jones. Signed by Elizabeth Bobbitt (x) admr.

December Court 1822. Elizabeth Bobbitt widow of Turner Bobbitt dec'd petitions for dower. She indicated that Turner Bobbitt died intestate in 1820 & that she was apppointed admrx, that he owned theJeremiah Hill tract of 186 acres joining Kings & B....? Neck; also the Edmund House tract of 122 acres; also the Joseph Spruill tract of 185 acres; also 30 acres conveyed by Nimrod Ragsdale to sd Turner Bobbitt; also Willey's & Talley's lots of 92 acres; also the Taylor tract of 742 acres conveyed by William P. Taylor to the sd Turner dec'd. [Note: 1,357 acres total]

Plat shown of land of Turner Bobbitt dec'd 1327 acres joining Reedy Branch, Nathan Perry, Baily's Creek, Buffalow Creek, Ownby, Kings Creek, Smith. G. Glenn surveyor. Widow's dower to Elizabeth Bobbitt widow of Turner Bobbett. Dower 441 3/4 acres. 16 May 1823.

12 November 1824. Jordan Denton, William (x) Bobbitt, (with Green Bobbitt security), summoned to answer William Lancaster, James strother & others . Matter heard at September 1825 court.

Various dates in 1825. Summonses to Stephen K. Sneed, Benjamin Hicks, Williams Johnson Jr. to appear in Charneck Rust & wife vs Elizabeth Bobbitt admrx & Jordan Denson.

Fall Court 1827. Noted that is Hiram Stone (Martha Stone admrx?) vs Elizabeth Bobbitt admrx, that James Richards the security had "absconded" Also noted was William Bobbitt.

Account for estate of Turner Bobbitt by Elizabeth Bobbitt admrx. Names mentioned include Jno. B. Bobbitt, P.C. Person... Two slaves were left in the hands of Jno. B. Bobbitt for a debt due him.... 15 slaves named in entry. Slaves were hired by Allen Bibbitt, Jno. B. Bobbitt, William Solomon, Eliza Bobbitt. Sept Ct 1831 Franklin County, NC.

In 1816 John B. Bobbitt, a graduate of the University in 1809, became principal of the Franklin Academy for a short while. At the same time Miss Harriet Partridge took charge of the Female Academy.

Turner Bobbitt, Benja. Williams, Richard Hight were among those purchasing at the estate sale of John Smith dec'd. 1788 Franklin Co.

Turner Bobbitt purchased at the estate sale of John Smith 19 June 1788.

Turner Bobbitt, Benja. Williams, Richard Hight, were purchasers at estate sale of John Smith 1788. Franklin Co.

Turner Bobbitt along with Solomon Bobbitt was listed as a buyer at the estate sale of John Hight. 11 February 1796.

Turner Bobbett witnessed the codicil to the will of Benj. Eaves. Franklin Co. NC August 20, 1800.

Turner Bobbitt, Mary Hight, Devereaux Jarratt, and Anna Onbey were buyers at the estate sale of Thomas Ownsby 27 March 1802.

William Bobbitt, with Turner Bobbitt & Jordan Denson securities, appointed guardian to Avarilla, Macon, Hyram Stone of James Stone dec'd 8 December 1806.

9 August and 5 September 1811. Turner Bobbitt, Green Bobbitt, and Allen Bobbitt were buyers at the sale of Vines Turner property by Anna Turner admrx. This estate also held notes on Wm Bobbitt, Turner Bobbet, Brittain Bobbitt, and Jno Bobbitt.

14 March 1816 Turner Bobbitt, with Gidion Glenn & James Maxwell securities appointed administrators of William Blacknall. Buyers at the estate sale conducted 15 April 1816 included John B. Bobbitt, Turner Bobbitt, Green Bobbitt, and John Bobbitt

Summons to Turner Bobbitt to appear in William Johnson vs Isaac Howze 21 September 1818. Deposition of Wm(x) Jeffreys stated he knew the land called Beck's Old Field when "old Thos Howze" owned it, that said Jeffreys had purchased it from Thos Howze "About two years before Gates's defeat" & that the sd land joining Tharrington, that Genl Person claimed it but sd Howze disputed it & sd Jeffreys considered that he was poor & could not sue took back his money from sd Howze; that George Pearce came after he left as tenant of either Thos or Isaac Howze. (Note: is this Pearce a source of the name which Henry and Delia Steagall gave to their son?)

Turner Bobbitt was the administrator of William Blacknell. Buyers at the estate sale 15 April 1816 included Green Bobbet, John Bobbet, John B. Bobbet, Mrs. Patsy Blacknett, Turner Bobbet. The finalaccount was given June 1818.

Turner Bobbitt and Edward Steagall joint bill of sale, December 14, 1819. (Turner Bobbitt was the father-in-law of Edward Steagall) Franklin Co. NC Deed Book 27, p.187

31 January 1820. Turner Bobbitt was a buyer at the estate of James Johnson.

31 May 1820. bond of Patty Taylor, Robert H. Wynne & Gideon Glenn to Turner Bobbitt in an injunction about a purchase of land in 1818 or 1819 from William Penn Taylor the son of sd Patty. [Note: Turner Bobbitt died shortly after this]

From the book "The Bobbitt Family in America":

The first mention of Turner Bobbitt in the records was in a deed recorded in Franklin County, Book 6, page 133, dated September 4, 1787: "From James Deabord of Franklin County to Turner Bobbitt of Warren County. For 61 pounds and six shillings, 75 acres of land on the Great Branch, in Persons line, Witnesses: Roger Jones, and William Bobbitt."

The William Bobbitt who was a Witness to this transaction was the father of Turner Bobbitt. The deed was the first one to be recorded for a member of the Bobbitt family since Franklin County was formed in 1779. The land was located near the border of Franklin and Granville counties. After the purchase of this land Turner Bobbitt and his family moved to Franklin County.

In the 1790 census of Franklin County, Turner Bobbitt was listed.

• Turner Bobbitt
• 1 male over 16
• 1 male under 16
• 2 females
• 2 slaves

The male under 16 was John B. Bobbitt who was born in 1787. The daughter was Patsy Bobbitt, born in 1784.

In the 1800 census Turner Bobbitt was listed as:

• Turner Bobbitt:
• 1 males 10 - 16 (1784-1790)
• 3 females under 10 (1790-1800)
• 1 male 26 - 45 (1755-1774)
• 1 female 10 - 16 (1784-1790)
• 1 female 26 - 45 (1755-1774)
• 5 slaves

In the 1790 census of Franklin County

• Bobbit, William...................................1-4-2-0-1
• Bobbit, W'm.......................................1-1-2-0-0
• Bobbit, Turner.....................................1-1-2-0-2
• Bobbit, John.......................................2-1-1-0-12
• Bowden, Elias....................................1-1-4-0-0
• Bowden, John....................................1-3-4-0-0

1790 census North Carolina, Halifax County, Halifax District

• free white males 16 year upwards and head of families
• free white males under 16 years
• free white females and head of families
• all other free persons
• slaves

In the 1810 Census of Franklin County he was listed as;

• Turner Bobbitt:
• 2 males 16 - 26 (1784-1794)
• 1 female 16 - 26 (1784-1794)
• 1 male 45 & over ( -1765)
• 1 female 45 & over ( -1765)

The family of Turner and Elizabeth Bobbitt had two sons and five daughters. All the children married and lived in Franklin County, North Carolina, Turner Bobbitt died in 1823 and Elizabeth died in 1848.

Turner Bobbitt married in Warren County in 1783. His wife was Elizabeth Mangum. We do not know her relationship to Willie P. Mangum, with whom Turner Bobbitt had many dealings.

Turner Bobbitt purchased and sold land in Granville and Franklin Counties. There are numerous deeds recorded between Turner Bobbitt and his close relatives. Many of these deeds give an insight into the Bobbitt families of Franklin County.

February 7, l789: "William Smith of Franklin County to William Bobbitt of Granville County, for 100 pounds 150 acres of land, with all houses and orchards, Witnesses; John Hight Sr. and Roger Hight."

The William Bobbitt in this deed was the brother of Turner Bobbitt. The land purchased was near the plantation of Turner Bobbitt.

November 8, 1800: "Nimrod Ragsdale to Turner Bobbitt for 21 pounds, 12 shillings, 4 pence, for 46 acres of land on the west side of King Creek, near the mouth, being part of the land Nathaniel Jarrett owned, now deceased. Witnesses: Claiborn Bobbitt, Sally Choley."

Claiborn Bobbitt was a son of John Bobbitt and a grandson of John Richard Bobbitt. One of the daughters of Turner Bobbitt married into the Ragsdale family.

Thru numerous land transactions made Turner Bobbitt a wealthy man. The 1820 census records for Franklin County are missing, but the tax lists show the members of the Bobbitt family.

• John B. Bobbitt 1 taxable, 2 slaves
• Lewis C. Bobbitt 1 taxable, 81 acres, 2 slaves
• Turner Bobbitt 2 taxable, 1,327 acres, 9 slaves
• Allen Bobbitt 2 taxable, 100 acres
• Solomon Bobbitt 1 taxable, 61 acres

Franklin CO., NC Minutes Minutes of December Court 1800 Isaac Alford, Enos Perry, William Ferrell, Wright Taylor, Henry Poarch, & Robert Melton.

Ordered the following persons be appointed Jurors for March Court next viz. [Triars?], Jeremiah Perry (Ridge), Nathan McMullins, William Ransom, Jno. Perry (Shickel), Joel Terrell, William Fawn, John Hayes, Richard Jones, Jno. Carson, Allow Jones, Jno. Peace, Jubil Upchurch, Benja. Upchurch, Young Goodwin, Jacob BaSs, Benja. Perry, Benja. Bell, Benja. Tharp, Turner Bobbitt, Jno. Bobbitt, Moses Winston, Jno. House, Jno. Nicholson, Benja. Morgan, Jno. Perry (Speckle), Absolum Rush, James Baker, James Murphrey, Cyrus HarriSs, James Bird, Michael Ely, "William Andrews Senr." John Mitchel, William Mitchel, Benjamin Mayfield, George Tunstall, Henry Arrington,[Extract of Franklin Co. Court Minutes, years 1791-1800] [Film/Rolls 744/C.039.30001-7 NC State Archives]

There are other land deeds between 1803 and 1820 which show the section of the country the family lived in and the close relationship they had to the other Bobbitt families of the area.

The records are interchangable between Franklin and Granville Counties, The land was near the border of the two counties. In almost every deed recorded, Turner Bobbitt is mentioned, either as buyer, seller, or witness.

November 23, 1805: Granville County: "From Turner Bobbitt of Franklin County to John Finch of the same County. 100 acres for $ 400.00, land in Cranville County on Smith's Creak, joining Fletcher, Smith and the Creek. Witnesses: Height Finch, Britton Bobbitt. Book 5/244

November 23, 1805: Granville County: "From Turner Bobbitt of Franklin County to Britton Bobbitt of Granville County, for $350.00, 100 acres in Granville County, on Smith's Creek, joining John Smith, Russ, and the Creek. Witnesses: Height Finch, John Bobbitt. Book 5/246

December 27, 1809: Granville County: "From Britton Bobbitt of Granville, County, to John Bobbitt of the same county, for $ 350.00, 100 acres of land in Granville County, joining Lawrence, Nuttall, Fletcher, and the Creek. Witnesses: Turner Bobbitt, John Bobbitt. Book T."

August 28, 1809: Granville County: "From Joseph Gill of Granville County to Turner Bobbitt of Franklin County, for $ 1,400,00, 535 acres of land on Beaver Dam Creak, joining Nutall, the mouth of the branch, Brodie, the road, the said creek, and Fletcher. Witnesses: John Bobbitt, Cliff Finch. Book v/102"

August 10, 1810: Granville County: "From Jesse Harris of Granville County to Turner Bobbitt of Franklin County, for $ 200.00, 252 acres of land in Granville County, joining a creek, Witnesses: Cliff Finch, John Bobbitt. book v/28."

January 7, 1820: Franklin County: "From William Bobbitt Senior of Franklin County to Allen Bobbitt of the same county, for $ 350.00, 100 acres of land located between said Bobbitt and Ingram, joining Major Stone, Mrs. Taylor, and Mrs. Turner. witnesses: John Person, Turner Bobbitt." Book 19/65.

Turner Bobbitt died in 1821 without a will. John B. Bobbitt, his eldest son, managed many of the family affairs for his mother.

Turner Bobbitt not only owned land in North Carolina but he had land holdings in Illinois. According to the papers of Willie P. Mangum, the property in Illinois was to be sold for delinquent taxes.The land was redeemed In 1837.

John B. Bobbitt made arrangements to sell a portion of the Turner Bobbitt estate and divided the proceeds amongst the heirs. The deed was recorded in Franklin County and dated December 24, 1835.

"From John B. Bobbitt, Martha Stegal, Cynthia Bobbitt, William Bobbitt of Franklin County, William Grissom and Polly his wife, formerly Polly Bobbitt of Granville County, and Isiah Hight, and Eliza his wife, formerly Eliza Bobbitt, of Orange County, and all of the state of North Carolina...to Levin Perry, of Franklin county, for $ 5,000.00 sell 742 acres of land in Franklin County, known as the White House Tract on Baileys Creek, join-ing Nathan Perry, deceased, and the Reedy Branch. Witnesses: Allen Bobbitt, William A. Bobbitt."

This deed and the will of Elizabeth Bobbitt completely name all the children and who the daughters married, with the exception of Cynthia.

The children of Turner and Elizabeth Bobbitt were:

• Polly Bobbitt born 1784 married William Grissom
• Sally Bobbitt born 1786 married Nimrod Ragsdale
• John B. Bobbitt born 1787 married Hariet B. Balridge
• Eliza Bobbitt born 1789 married Isiah Hight
• William T. Bobbitt born 1790
• Cynthia Bobbitt born 1792 married Isiah S. Hight (1837)
• Patsy Bobbitt born 1795 married Edward Steagal, mother of Thomas and Henry