Pemberton's Branch & the Broadkill River

I've been working on my Patterson book again, here of late (while job hunting, of course). This book is the "big saga" book I've always wanted to write, documenting my Patterson family, and also providing a little "spice" along the way (not just names and dates).

The book is about Robert Patterson, who was born circa 1711. I don't know an exact year he was born, but he bought his first tract of land in 1732, in Sussex Co., Delaware. He was a yeoman, and the custom of that area in those days was one had to be 21 to buy land, at least from what I've read concerning the Harrison family of NY and DE. It seems a safe bet that Robert was 21 when he bought the DE land in 1732. Perhaps more evidence will show up to confirm this at some point.

With that in mind, it sure would be nice to have this book done in time to publish it in 2011, the 300th anniversary of Robert's birth.

The DE tract he bought in 1732 was on the south side of Pemberton's Branch, one of the source branches of the Broadkill River. This land was located just west of Milton, DE, along Burton Rd best I can tell.

G7-030. 7 November 1732 Matthew Ozbon Jr. of Sussex County, Delaware to Robert Patterson yeoman, of same for 50 pounds, 106 acres on the South side of Pemberton’s Branch, one of the branches that runs into the Broadkill Creek below the county road. Tract was taken up and surveyed for Matthew Ozbon by commissioners warrant granted to Robert Lodge, carpenter of Sussex by proprietors in Philadelphia on 8 December 1718. Robert Lodge sold to Matthew Ozbon dated 2nd day 10th month of 1719. Land was surveyed by Matthew Ozbon and found to contain 212 acres of which half is sold to Robert Patterson. Bounded by Pemberton’s Branch, by a small branch below the county road. Witnesses: Phil. Russel, Robt. Shankland. Acknowledged: 7 February 1733
G7-287. 7 March 1738 Robert Patterson, yeoman of Sussex County and his wife, Sarah, spinster to John Isaac and Jonathan Dunton, late of Summerset County, now of Sussex for 40 pounds, 106 acres on the South side of Pembertons Branch below the County Road and was taken up and surveyed for Matthew Ozburn Jr. by commissioners warrant granted to Robert Lodge, carpenter of Sussex by proprietors in Philadelphia on 8 December 1718. Robert Lodge sold to Matthew Ozburn dated 2nd day 10th month of 1719. Land was surveyed by Matthew Ozburn and found to contain 212 acres of which half is sold to Robert Patterson. Land is bounded by Pembertons Branch below the road, and by the dividing line. Signed: Robart Patterson (his "R" mark), Sarah Patterson (her "S" mark). Witnesses: Jeremiah Claypoole, James Smith. Acknowledged: 6 March 1738

Last night I sent an email query to two men from the DE state DOT regarding the history of that area, in an attempt to locate this land more definitively. Here is the message I sent:

Mr. Kent and/or Mr. Smith,

My name is Wes Patterson and I have an historical question for you. I am trying to locate a particular road that was referenced as the "County Road" - in 1732. This was a Sussex Co DE deed, and the tract contained 212 acres, "South side of Pemberton's Branch... below the county road."

Now I know for a fact that this Pemberton's branch runs west to east, starting around Thicket Rd, and runs east towart Milton, crossing Gravel Hill Rd - all the while running south of and parallel to, Saw Mill Rd. I'm assuming that the tract in question, being on the south side of the branch, was therefore located along parts of Thicket and/or Burton Rd.

Nonetheless, my assumption is that the Milton Ellendale Hwy was not constructed until much later, therefore the old "county road" in this vicinity was most likely what is now called Saw Mill Rd.

Is there anyway this can be verified? Thank you for your time.

Wes Patterson
Winston-Salem, NC

John & Margaret Patterson cemetery

Last Revised: 27 December 2018

After my latest trip to north GA I have become 99% certain that my gggg-grandparents are buried at Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery in Lower Young Cane, GA, just west of Blairsville (Union Co).

Bethlehem Cemetery, south of Ivylog, west of Blairsville, GA

I will never be able to prove it, for certain. But a considerable amount of evidence has come to light in regards to the locations of their children's farms during the 1830's and 40's, and where John and Margaret lived in relation to them during that time.

John and Margaret (J&M) did not own their own farm, by the way. So that effectively removes a family cemetery from the equation.

In 1840, the last census on which John was recorded, they were living next to Isabella Price. But Isabella wasn't even buried in a family cemetery, as she was later buried at Bethlehem Cemetery also. All of these family lots (Amos, George, Joseph, plus Isabella) in Lower Young Cane were within a mile or two of Bethlehem, and a couple were within a half mile. In fact, the lot which was the furthest away was Isabella's lot, but she was later buried at Bethlehem. Isabella was not a daughter of John and Margaret, but she was apparently close to them.

My g-gf was Elijah Patterson (1871-1957). He is buried at Bethlehem Cemetery (BC).

His parents were Bill and Betty Patterson (Wm H. Patterson, 1832-1883, and Elizabeth Akins Patterson, 1836-1914). Both Bill and Betty are buried at BC - next to Isabella Price.

Bill's father was George Patterson (1800-1860)... I now know that George died in 1860 sometime between July when the census was taken, and December when his widow Sophia wrote a letter to her family regarding his death. He was buried a couple miles north next to his wife Rebecca Chastain Patterson, who had died during the mid to late 1840's when they lived on a lot in Ivy Log. George later lived very close to BC, and I found out this week via telephone that George attended Bethlehem Church. Logically, he chose to be buried next to his wife, and therefore he is not at BC.

My gggg-gf was John Patterson (1762/65-1840's), father of George. John and his wife Margaret, are the first generation of Pattersons whom I do NOT know where they are buried. Bethlehem Church was established in 1848. Usually, churches were established by like-minded people in a growing locale, and quite often established near a cemetery already in use by the community or one of the families. I now know that John could have been born as early as 1762 and no later than 1765. I believe it was around 1762/63 time frame.

BC has at least 30 unmarked graves (field stones with no markings on them) in the heart of the cemetery. And the main Patterson (and Price and Gray) rows are located all around these unmarked graves at the entrance to the cemetery. White folk began moving into the area in the late 1820's and early 1830's, so none of these graves would likely pre-date 1830.

Where were John and Margaret Patterson buried? Where was their oldest son Joseph B. Patterson (1789-1860) buried? Where was Joseph's daughter, Peggy, and her husband, Gravet E. Foster, buried?

Job Search

Most weeks, my spare time is partially consumed by genealogical and historical searches, and various related pursuits.

Since April 30 of this year, however, my searches have been for employment. My employer of the last 2 and a half years chose to go in another direction and no longer needed my skill set. It was a business decision, and one they have a right to make. In spite of the fact that I respect their decision, it was difficult to take, nonetheless. I will certainly miss everyone at MICA Information Systems. God speed.

So, as I stated previously, my time since then has been consumed with my current need for suitable employment. Thus the reason for my lack of blog posts over the last month. In time, my genealogical pursuits will re-emerge. That doesn't mean I have ignored my research interests of late - because I haven't completely - but the time devoted to them has been dramatically impacted - understandably.

At this time, my goal is to be in a new job by July 1st. Lord willing, things will be worked out by then. But His timing is best, and this too shall pass. So far, I have applied to over 25 jobs - and counting. I have to do my part also, and I am doing just that. But I depend on my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and His guidance and provision. All good things come from above.

And, just this evening, my wife and I were discussing the possibility of traveling to north Ga in a couple weeks for an overnight trip - the 3 of us. My purpose in going however will be to research deeds in Union Co Ga - something I've been needing and wanting to do for several months. Now is a good time to do this without worrying about taking vacation time. I spend 5 to 8 hours everyday working on my job search. I have no problem taking 2 weekdays in the near future to get away and have some fun.

So, while I'm neck deep in the job hunt, I'm still perculating on the family hunt. It's good balance, I suppose.

Later...