Our Chilcutt Family Story
Dedicated to Nancy Eliza Perline Chilcutt, who persevered through
good times and bad.
The wife of Isaac Newton Moody, Sr.; she was
the great grandmother of my husband, Robert F. Moody
An Introduction
Chilcutt in England: The Chilcutt family in England centered in Devon in towns such as Taunton, Milverton, and Tiverton. Although there are many church records available, I was not able to determine any ancestor of Anthony Chilcutt.
Chilcutt in Early America: The first record of our Chilcutt family is found in Maryland in 1689 with an unbroken trail of wills, deeds, and Bible records leading to the pioneer, George Chilcutt of Henry County, Tennessee, and to his children. George's brother, Joshua, also came to Henry County, TN.
There are some persons with the Chilcot name on record in Virginia prior to 1689, but with no known connection to our family at this time. We don't claim kin to the many Chilcote who came to Baltimore in 1727, nor do they trace to us.
Maryland was chartered in April 1632. The first settlers arrived in March, 1634 and then founded the settlement of St. Mary's on the western side of the Chesapeake Bay. St. Mary's was the first capital of Maryland.
Part One
The Story of Anthony Chilcutt and His Children
Anthony Chilcutt
It was at St. Mary's in colonial Maryland, that Anthony Chilcutt recorded his patent for 300 acres in Dorchester County in the "Manner (Manor) of Nanticoke." It was located on the east side of Chesapeake Bay and on up the West Fork of the Nanticoke River. Anthony called it "World's End" and it may well have seemed like it was the end of the world. At this time Anthony was about 33 years of age and the year was 1689.
Anthony seems to have come from England with enough money to purchase the land in Maryland. There is no record of him being an indentured servant. He could sign his own name, so had an education of some sort. With the purchase of his first land his occupation became that of Planter. He was the only Chilcutt to come to Dorchester County.
Anthony purchased another 150 acres called "Chilcutts Folly" which was surveyed on 10 April 1703. It, too, was on the Northwest Fork of the Nanticoke River. He sold or gave this tract to his son, John, in 1726.
Margret was the first wife of Anthony Chilcutt. She witnessed a land transfer in 1696 by Anne Pearce, the widow of John Pearce of Dorchester County. Could she be related to Pearce? I don't know and didn't find anything more on Margret. I placed her as the mother of three of Anthony's children, but he could have had another wife besides Cathern.
Cathern was the second known wife of Anthony Chilcutt. While he did not mention his wife Cathern in his will, she did survive him. After Anthony died she married again to a man by the name of Johnson. Cathern Johnson in her Dorchester Co. will of 1765, stated that she was the mother of George Chilcutt.
Between the years 1693 and 1737 Anthony was a witness or gave depositions regarding lands in Dorchester County. He became known as "Old Anthony" – he was believed to be over 80 in 1734 and 1737, so he lived a long life. It was in 1737 that Anthony gave his son, George, his personal property except for that already given to his daughter, Mary Chilcutt.
In his will of 19 Dec 1739, Anthony Chilcutt of Dorchester County, Maryland named his son George his executor and divided "World's End" as follows:
- To John Layton (married to daughter Mary Chilcutt) 50 acres.
- To son Anthony, 125 acres.
- To son George, remainder of land.
He had already provided property for his sons John and Anthony Jr. prior to his death. The son, John, preceded him in death.
Children of Anthony Chilcutt
John Chilcutt
The first record of John Chilcutt, son of Anthony, is the transfer of the 150-acre "Chilcutt's Folly" from Anthony to John between 1726 and 1728. John soon sold this property to Daniel Sullivane and purchased 125 acres of the 400-acre "Griffiths Purchase" in 1729. That same year John witnessed a deed of nearby property.
John died between 1729 and the year 1735, when Mary, administratrix of John's estate, files an account. She is then the wife of Thomas Griffith. Thomas Griffith was one of the witnesses to Anthony Chilcutt's will of 1739.
On the 12th of Nov. 1743, there is apparently the need to prove that Daniel Sullivane had paid for "Chilcutts Folly" with five thousand pounds of tobacco!
John's birth year can be estimated from the "Chilcutts Folly" transactions. Many years after John's death a valuation of the 125 acres of "Griffiths Purchase" took place for John's orphan, Thomas.
Anthony Chilcutt Jr.
Anthony Jr was born between 1705 and 1708 according to depositions he made regarding land in Dorchester County. Very little is known about him. I found no record of a marriage or of children. Anthony Chilcutt (Jr.) was a witness to the will of George Chilcutt on 11 Nov. 1745.
He apparently lived quietly upon the 125 acres of the "World's End" property until the 28th of October 1765 when he and Anderton Eaton exchanged property of 52 ½ acres – with both properties lying on the Newport Branch of the NW Fork Nanticoke River.
Anthony Chilcutt Jr made a deposition 9 Aug 1768, and his age is said to be about 60. Anthony, of Caroline Co., disposed of his property 3rd of February, 1777 to Thomas Eaton, consisting of 2 parcels – the balance of the land willed to him by his father, Anthony, and the land he had of Anderton Eaton, which was known by "Eatons Discovery." Anthony Chilcutt Jr would have been about the age of 69 or 70 at this time.
Mary Chilcutt Layton
Mary could have been the daughter of either Margret and Anthony Chilcutt or Cathern and Anthony. Mary received "personality" from her father before April 1737, perhaps when she married John Layton. She married before 1739 when her father, Anthony, willed 50 acres of "World's End" to John Layton. (Accepted practice at the time of not directly giving property to daughters.)
John Layton was a witness to the will of George Chilcutt on 11 November 1745. (Gelene Morris and I looked for further records of John or Mary Layton, but there were so many Laytons in Dorchester Co. that we couldn't determine anything. dm)
Very little is known about Anthony Chilcutt's son, our ancestor George Chilcutt. He was executor of his father's will. George Chilcutt's wife was Sarah, and they lived on his 125 acres of "World's End" in Dorchester County, Maryland, where he was a Planter.
Based on the age of their son, John, George and Sarah would have married by 1738. They had at least 3 children, who were very young when he died.
His will of 11 Nov 1745 was recorded 21 Mar 1745-46, so George died in late 1745 or early 1746. The witnesses were John Layton, Anthony Chilcutt (Jr), and Benjamin Faulconer. The widow, Sarah, was to be executrix. He left his property as follows:
- To son John, the Plantation containing 60 acres.
- To son Joshua, the other part of my land containing 65 acres. All the land being part of a tract of land called the Worlds End.
- To daughter Jamason, One Cow and two yearlings, one bull yearling and a stear yearling and one colt.
I found nothing further on Jamason, the daughter. And I found no clue as to what happened to the widow, Sarah, but she could have married again. The sons, John and Joshua, grew up in Dorchester County and married there.
Part Two
Continuation of the Maryland Chilcutt Families
Thomas Chilcutt, Sr, son of John Chilcutt of Dorchester County and the grandson of Anthony Chilcutt, the original settler in Dorchester County, Maryland
Thomas Chilcutt's father had died sometime between 1729 and 1735. His mother, Mary, had married Thomas Griffith before 1735. The Griffith family had a plantation next to that of Anthony Chilcutt's "World's End."
Thomas was heir to the 125 acres of the 400-acre "Griffiths Purchase," which would be his upon his reaching the age of 21, since his mother had remarried. Thomas Chilcutt would have lived with his mother and stepfather until he set out on his own, and his stepfather was his guardian.
In 1759 Thomas Chilcutt secured a patent on the 117-acre "Devonshire," which he sold in 2 separate parcels in 1762.
In the summer of 1760 Thomas was on the list of subscribers from "St. Mary's White Chaple Parish" to aid sufferers of the Boston fire.
Thomas continued to build up his land holdings in Dorchester County by buying several parcels from Alexander Griffith and wife, including more of "Griffiths Purchase."
The land that was Anthony Chilcutt's "World's End" had the bounds set by a commission between 1761 and 1762. And in 1769 a valuation was made of the 125 acres of "Griffiths Purchase" that belonged to John Chilcutt, for his orphan, Thomas.
His land fell into Caroline County when it was cut off from Dorchester County. At the time of the Revolution, Thomas is listed in the 14th Battalion of Caroline County militia. Both Thomas and Thomas Jr. are listed in a 1778 special census.
Thomas Chilcutt Sr did marry, perhaps twice. He names 9 children and wife Ann, in his will. Perhaps Ann was a young wife, because he cautions her to "behave herself as she should." And she can live on the property given to the son, Peter, as long as she does behave herself, but isn't to sell timber. Thomas Sr doesn't seem to trust her very much.
Thomas Chilcutt Sr had three sons, John, Peter, and Thomas Jr, who was married and head of a household in 1790, with children. Thomas Sr. is also on the 1790 Census with 2 other males (John and Peter) and 6 females.
Thomas Sr's will was dated the 5th of January, 1787, but was not proved until the 9th of September, 1797. If the first date was copied correctly upon the proving of the will, then perhaps he made the will at that time to divide his property between his sons, John and Peter. After his death in 1797, his sons John, Peter aka Peter Sr., and Thomas lived in Caroline County, Maryland.
Joshua Chilcutt, son of George and brother of our John
Joshua Chilcutt, born about 1740, was the only brother of the John Chilcutt who moved to North Carolina, and they shared much of the same family history. Joshua married Esther ____ about 1763 in Dorchester County, Maryland and they lived on their land, part of "World's End," until 1772 when he and Esther sold it and bought 2 parcels of 100 acres each and moved. He renegotiated a tenant's lease the same year. His new property became part of Caroline County when it was cut off from Dorchester.
What is most interesting about Joshua and Esther Chilcutt is their religion. Joshua was one of the 14 men and 3 women who signed the decision to organize the Nicholite Society on 5th day 12th month Anno Domy 1774. The Nicholites based their religion on the teachings of Joseph Nichols, who had died almost 4 years before. Stricter than the Quakers, their beliefs were somewhat the same, and when they came to court they did not make an oath upon the Bible, but solemnly affirmed what they had to say. In court records they were called "New Quakers." Like the Quakers, they kept excellent records, and all of Joshua and Esther's children are recorded with their birth dates, and daughter Cloe's marriage to Stanton, though not her death.
Because of his pacifist beliefs, Joshua Chilcutt is probably not the Joshua Chilent of the 28th Battalion of Caroline County militia in August of 1777, but it remains a possibility.
Joshua remained active in the Nicholite Society until his death in 1794. He made his will on 22nd of 12 mo. 1792 and it was probated June 3, 1794. He left his property and/or warrant and money for same to his two sons, Peter and John. He also named his 6 surviving daughters, two of whom were married, and spoke lovingly of his wife, Esther.
Esther was one of the Nicholites who were admitted into membership in the Society of Friends, New Haven Monthly Meeting in 1798. She is probably the female over 45 living with Peter on the 1800 Census of Caroline County, MD.
Son Peter, aka on the census as Peter Jr, became head of the family. The history of his brother, John, is not as clear. Because Thomas Sr also had sons named Peter and John, it will take a further search of the land records in Caroline County to determine which was which!
Later Records of Chilcutt in Caroline County, MD: Yes, there were members of this family living in Caroline County and Dorchester County, Maryland for many years after Thomas Sr, Joshua, and our John Chilcutt were deceased.
Part Three
Son of George and grandson of Anthony
John & Rebeckah Chilcutt of Maryland and North Carolina
John Chilcutt was born 9 Sep 1739, so was about 6 years old when his father, George, died. John married Rebeckah Dean about 1766, based on her age and the birthday of her eldest child. She was born 30 Mar 1746, and her father was Francis Dean. (See Dean page.) She had one brother, Elijah Dean, and sisters Ruth Eaton, Mary Nicols, and Ann Nicols.(JFA Note: I don't have Donna's Dean pages.)
John and his brother, Joshua Chilcutt, continued to live at "World's End" until 1772 or 1773, when they each sold their portion of "World's End" and moved apart.
After John and Rebeckah left "World's End" they moved to an area on a branch of the Choptank River in Bridgetown Hundred and bought 200 acres that was originally part of the large "Edmondsons Reserve." This land was soon transferred from Dorchester County to the newly formed Caroline County, Maryland.
During the American Revolution, John served in the 14th Battalion of Caroline County militia on 13 Aug 1777. Others in the 14th Battalion were Thomas Chilcutt, his cousin, and Joshua Dean, who moved to N. Carolina and secured a state grant next to John Chilcutt. Also in the 14th Battalion is Anderton Eaton, perhaps the same man who married John's daughter, Mary, later in Guilford County, NC.
At the time John Chilcutt served in the Caroline County militia, he and Rebeckah had 6 children, but their son Joseph died 22 Nov. 1777 when he was only 7 years old.
John purchased a North Carolina state grant on Benajah Creek in 1780. He probably moved to Guilford County, North Carolina, between 1778 and 1780. Can you imagine moving your family during the Revolutionary War?
Many from Dorchester or Caroline County secured adjoining land grants in Guilford County, including neighbors Joseph Maxwell, Smith Rumbley, Levin Grey, Jeremiah Tindale, and Joshua Dean. John purchased a second North Carolina grant in 1783, adjoining his first land, and he sold the 2nd grant to James Maxwell in 1786.
By the time of the 1790 Census, John and Rebeckah were definitely living in Guilford County, North Carolina, with nine living children. Little Tamsey had died before she was a year old in 1785. Their son, Joshua, was born in 1790 and their youngest son, Elijah (Elizah) came along 5 years later.
On 5 October 1790, John Chilcutt of Guilford County, NC, signed with his brother, Joshua, an indenture correcting the bounds of the original deed given by Joshua and his wife, Esther, when they sold their part of "World's End." John and Joshua signed before JP's of Caroline County, MD, so perhaps John Chilcutt had returned for a visit. This document was recorded 3 Nov. 1790.
In 1796 John Chilcutt was home in North Carolina preparing for the coming planting season when he became seriously ill and died on May 27th. Though he had a doctor in attendance and took a potion of Peruvian bark (quinine) he could not pull through.
John had few debts. He owed Aaron Bishop, a blacksmith, charges from March 15 for shoeing and through April 27 for sharpening tools. Dr. Johnson VanStory's bill came to 2 &₤, 0 shillings, 6 pence in "hard money." The widow Rebeckah paid bills promptly. After the sale of John Chilcutt's personal property, the administrators had remaining on 27th January 1798 the amount of 140 £ 15 shillings and nine pence.
In the meantime, on 7th of April, 1797, the four oldest of John and Rebeckah's daughters, Selah Stokes, Esther Rumbley, Ann and Mary Chilcutt and Selah's husband, Edward Stokes and Esther's husband, Levin Rumbley, signed a deed assigning and releasing their part in the undivided part of the estate of John Chilcutt, dec'd to Rebeckah Chilcutt for the sum of 150 pounds. "To have and to hold to the sd Rebeckah Chilcutt & the male heirs."
Rebeckah suffered another loss in 1797 when her father died in Maryland. She must have been a courageous and resourceful woman for she kept her family together and they continued living on the original place. Page 657, Guilford County NC 1800 Census: Rebecah Skillcut; one male under 10; one 10-16; two 16-26; four females 10-16, one 16-26; one over 45.
Her son, John, was deceased or had left home by the time of the 1800 Census. Her son, George, (our ancestor) who was only 15 when his father died, was expected to do a man's work about the farm. Her daughter and son-in-law, Selah and Edward Stokes, lived close by. Edward had the role of eldest in the family when he was bondsman to the wedding of Mary Chilcutt and Anderton Eaton that same year.
In 1806, after Rebeckah, the daughter, turned 18 years old, Rebeckah Sr and Rebeckah Jr deeded the John Chilcutt place to the 4 sons, George, James, Joshua, and Elijah, for 51 £. It was not divided into 4 parts until after the mother, Rebeckah, died the 22nd of January, 1816. She was 69 years of age.
George Chilcutt of North Carolina and Tennessee
It was just a matter of time before George headed west from Guilford County, North Carolina. The Jackson Purchase soon opened up for settlement the land west of the dividing ridge between the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers.In 1819 George purchased brother Joshua's inherited land (Lot 4) for $500 and Joshua Chilcutt, his wife, Elizabeth, and children headed west, made it to Stewart County, Tennessee by 1820 and ended up in Henry County, Tennessee. Sister Rebecca, her husband, Jabez Guerin, and children headed west to Stewart County, Tennessee in about 1820.
George Chilcutt, his brothers, James and Elijah, and brother-in-law Edward Stokes are listed on the Guilford County 1820 Census. They were all married and had families.
George and his wife, Sarah Burney, were married between 1810 and 1812 in North Carolina; they had six children who were born in Guilford County, but they lost one of them, a little boy. The three youngest were born in Henry County, Tennessee.
In August, 1824, George Chilcutt and John Burney sold for $340.00 to Daniel Donnell 200 acres of land that had belonged to William Burney on Sugartree Creek. (Sarah's inheritance?) How George disposed of his own 200 acres, more or less, isn't clear because there is no recorded entry in either Guilford or Rockingham County. He might have sold it to a Thomas Webb, for Webb in his will of 1829 bequeaths a plantation he purchased of George Chilcutt.
News from brother Joshua in West Tennessee must have been encouraging. Sometime between 1824 and 1827 George and Sarah moved to Henry County, Tennessee. In 1827 George purchased a 15-acre tract of land from Thomas Trout, who had secured it by a West Tennessee Land Grant of 1822.
The only tax record I looked at for George Chilcutt was the year 1836, when he paid tax on only 15 acres, paid no poll tax and owned no slaves. His son, John M. Chilcutt only paid poll tax, as did brother Joshua. They all lived in District 15.
George went about adding additional acreage for himself, but mostly helping family members secure their own places. His 15 acres grew to 200 acres by the filing of an "occupant" claim with the state to purchase the land surrounding the original 15 acres. This was the same method used throughout the county. The George Chilcutt "occupant" #205 was surveyed and had neighbors Henry Smith, Andrew Gould, and William B. Weldon. Early records are extremely sketchy.
George continued prospering. He was a constable, owned a few slaves and even loaned money to others. Most of his daughters had married and left home, as did his son, George P. Chilcutt.
George, the father, was aware that he would soon die when he made his will on 28th November 1843, naming his wife, Sarah, and son, John M. Chilcutt, his executors. When George Chilcutt died, the only two children still at home were Nancy Eliza Perline and Andrew Jackson.
Sarah and her son Andrew are on the 1850 Census together, with John M. Chilcutt and his family next door. But Nancy Chilcutt had married when she was not quite 16 years old to William Wyatt Weldon, son of the William B. Weldon who had adjoining property.
The mother, Sarah Chilcutt, was living alone in 1860, but her son, George P. Chilcutt, and his family lived next door. Two of her sons and three of her grandsons died in the Civil War. I hope she never knew. She died about 1867-1869 when she was about 77 or 79 years of age.
Nancy Eliza Perline Chilcutt
She was born April, 1830, in Henry County, Tennessee, the youngest daughter of George and Sarah Chilcutt.
She was probably the "apple of her daddy's eye." He died when she was 13 years old. He willed her one bed and furniture, had already given her a heifer. If the negro woman, Mary, was to have another child, then Nancy E. was to get it. She was also to be paid $100 by George P. Lee when she reached the age of 18.
She didn't wait until she was 18 to marry William Wyatt Weldon. She was not yet 16 years old when she married on 3rd February 1846. (I will check the date again on the microfilm, because if she was the mother of Andrew J. Weldon she would have married even younger.) Nancy had children and buried many of them before the census year of 1860. But her husband was doing very well, with over $3000 valuation on real property.
W. Wyatt Weldon died the 13th of May 1861. He was buried in the old Moody-Chilcutt cemetery on the E. D. "Jack" Moody property. Wyatt had sold his property, carrying a note on it, but his executor was never able to collect the balance owed, leaving his heirs with nothing.
Mrs. Nancy Weldon married Isaac Newton Moody, Sr on 22nd August 1862 when she was still a young woman, just 32 years old. (Please see the Moody Story.)
