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James Pugh

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James Pugh

Birth
Chester County, Pennsylvania, USA
Death
1810 (aged 60–61)
Randolph County, North Carolina, USA
Burial
Liberty, Randolph County, North Carolina, USA Add to Map
Memorial ID
View Source
Regarding the Regulator Rebelion, If the man (sharpshooter) hung in 1771 who was quoted in saying his flowery death speech was indeed named James Pugh then he was NOT the brother-in-law of Herman Husband there is much documentation including the Quaker marriage record of Herman Husband that proves this.

* Please refer to the comments from the Randolph County Genealogy Newsletterfound lower in this memorial along with other documentation.

~*~

James Pugh was born in Chester Pennsylvania circa 1749 and he is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh.

James' Will is dated 14 February 1810, it was probated in May of 1810, so James Pugh died between February 14 and May of 1810.

James Pugh later moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina circa 1755 with his parents and the rest of his siblings.

James Pugh had seven siblings:

1. John Pugh (married Elinor Fruit)
2. Jesse Pugh (married Elizabeth Stewart)
3. Enoch Pugh (married Esther Worthington)
4. Thomas Pugh (married Eva Barbara Amick)
5. Mary Pugh-Husband (married Herman Husband)
6. Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit (married John Fruit)
7. Peninah Pugh-Walker (married William Walker)

In May of 1768 the Regulator Advertisement No. 9 goes into circulation, James Pugh, his father Thomas Pugh and brothers Jesse, Enoch and John Pugh, his brothers-in-law William Walker and John Fruit all sign it. James, his brothers and father were all involved in the regulator rebellion.

On May 16, 1771 the rebellion came to a head with the Battle of Alamance, in the after math of the battle there were casualties on both sides, and James Pugh has been mistakenly named as one of the men hanged, but documentation and sources show otherwise. If the man hanged in 1771 was indeed named James Pugh then it most certainly was not this James Pugh, ironically James' brother Enoch Pugh did die in 1771, probably on 16 May 1771 in the battle. Enoch's father Thomas Pugh turned in the estate papers, Enoch's estate was probated in February term of 1772.

Approximately five years after the Battle of Alamance, James Pugh is living in Randolph North Carolina and marries Jane "Jenny" Patterson-Ward circa 1776. Jane is the widow of Thomas Ward, her parents were Nathaniel and Isabella Patterson.

James and Jane "Jenny" had two children

1. Jane "Jenny" Pugh, born 29 April 1797, married Joel McDaniel
2. Jesse Enoch Pugh, born 25 May 1802, married Nancy Reece

On 2 November 1794 James' mother Elizabeth Pugh passes away.

James' father Thomas Pugh made his will 10 August 1794, Thomas dies on 30 November 1797 and his will is probated February Term of 1798 NC, James along with his living siblings, brothers John and Thomas Pugh and his sister Peninah Pugh-Walker are all named in this will, and James is named executor.

Will
James Pugh made his own will on 14 February 1810. In this will James names his wife Jane and his two children Jane (Jenny) and Jesse and also his brothers, Thomas Pugh, John Pugh, and sister Peninah Pugh-Walker he also mentions his wife's deceased husband and her son William Ward "Further be observed that out of my personal estate there is to be taken an estate of Thomas Ward Dec'd the children constituting which will be found in an inventory dated September the third one thousand eight hundred and eight, signed with my own hand countersigned by my wife tested by William Ward." James makes his wife Jane and his "trusty friend" Jacob Pugh (who is also his nephew) as executors of his will. James three step sons were witness M Ward, W Ward and J Ward (Minus, William, James)

James Pugh is buried next to his wife Jane Patterson-Pugh. Also, buried in the next row is James' father, Thomas Pugh and his mother Elizabeth Pugh. James' sister Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit is buried in the same row, along with her husband, John Fruit and their son John Fruit Jr.

* Documentation for the time line of James Pugh's life prove that he is indeed the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh and that he is NOT the person hanged in 1771.

1. James Pugh is found listed on the 1779 tax list for Randolph North Carolina
2. James Pugh served as road overseer 1780 Randolph North Carolina
3. James Pugh is found listed on the 1785 tax list for Randolph North Carolina
4. James Pugh is listed head of family in the 1790 census for Randolph North Carolina
5. James Pugh's father Thomas Pugh makes his will in 1794 naming his son James Pugh which is 23 years after 1771.
6. James Pugh married Jane Patterson-Ward circa 1796 Randolph North Carolina
7. James Pugh's daughter Jane "Jenny" Pugh was born in 1797, which was 26 years after 1771.
8. James Pugh's son Jesse Pugh is born in 1802 which is 31 years after 1771.
9. James Pugh is named as executor in his father Thomas Pugh's will of 1794
10. James Pugh received the 221 acre property and his father's farm from 1798 probate his father Thomas had left to him in his 1794 Will.
11. James Pugh is listed in the 1800 North Carolina Census as head of household
12. On 1 April 1800 James Pugh pays marriage bond for Thomas Ward and Elizabeth Pugh. Thomas Ward is James Pugh's step son and Elizabeth Pugh is James Pugh's niece.
13. On 26 Oct 1802 James Pugh pays bond for marriage of James Ward and Martha McDaniel. James Ward is James Pugh's step son.
14. On 18 May 1806 James Pugh pays bond for Jacob Pugh and Dorcas Glascow's marriage. Jacob Pugh was James Pugh's nephew.
15. James Pugh makes his own will in 1810 which is 39 years after 1771.
16. James Pugh passes away sometime between 14 February 1810 when he makes his will and May of 1810 when his will is proven.

James Pugh Will
February 1810- Randolph, North Carolina Wills;

In the name of god amen I James Pugh being very in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God therefor calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament - that is to say: I mindfully and first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I resign it to the earth, to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my exit not dwelling but that of great and general resurrection I shall be ____ it again by the love of almighty God.

And as having such worldly estate where with it hath pleased god to ____me in the life I give, divine and ______ of in the following manner. ____

First I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife, Jane Pugh all my Estate both real and personal during her life of widowhood to be to her use and the maintenance of my children: I further will that when my beloved daughter Jenny Pugh shall marry on arrive to the age of eighteen and then shall be given to her as a marriage fraction one likely have a mare saddle and bridle two cows two ewes, one good bed and furniture and other household furniture at the discretion of my estate.

I further will that may either conceive there is any property which is necessaryto be attached to the estate for the maintenance of my beloved wife and children that they may _____ _____ the same to sale to the best advantage and the net proceeds to be placed in the hands of a guardian to the only use and behalf of my beloved daughter Jenny. I further will that at my wife's death all my personal estate save the reservation hereafter be made sale of to the best advantage and the net proceeds also to be put in the hands of the guardian of my beloved daughter Jenny to her only and sole use.

I further will and bequeath to my well and beloved son Jesse E. Pugh all of my real estate and choices in certain to him for him and ____ forever.

Also so one Negro boy shall be subject to the maintenance of my beloved wife during her life of widowhood.
I further will that my beloved son Jesse shall have privilege to ___ from the stock in ___ two colts, two calves, two sows. If both my children should die without I love (?) and before they come of age, I will that all my estate both real and personal be ___ to sell and the one half of the net proceeds to be given to my well beloved brother Thomas Pugh and the other half to be equally divided between my well beloved brother John Pugh and sister Peninah Walker.
Further be observed that out of my personal estate there is to be taken an estate of Thomas Ward Dec'd the children constituting which will be found in an inventory dated September the third one thousand eight hundred and eight, signed with my own hand countersigned by my wife tested by William Ward.

I make constitute ordain and appoint my well beloved wife Jane Pugh and my trusty friend Jacob Pugh my only and sole estate of their my last will and testament, and I do hereby willingly disallow revoke and dis-annul all and every other former will and testamentwhat so ever satisfy and confirming this is and no other to be my last will and testament in writing where of I have here unto set my hand and affirmed my seal this day of

Feb 1810 - James Pugh (Seal)
Signed in the presence of;

W. Ward
John Ward
M. Ward



~*~ Out of respect to the actual person Pugh or not, who was hanged in 1771 and showed such bravery during the regulator resistance and, out of respect to the rightful descendants of James Pugh the actual son of Thomas Pugh, don't you think we owe it to them to get the research and the facts correct?

****From the Randolph County Genealogy Newsletter Vol XIII--

Quote: "Despite the claims in various published sources, James Pugh was NOT among the men hanged by Tyron. He appears in the 1779 and 1780 Randolph County tax list and the 1790 census, served as road overseer in 1780, had children born after 1771, and he left a will in 1810, that bequeathed the same 221 acres that he inherited from his father Thomas Pugh.

Probably originating from the unscholarly "Sketches of North Carolina" written by Rev William Henry Foote published in 1846 and still in circulation, the unsubstantiated claim is that James Pugh was and expert sharpshooter and gunsmith that shot 15 of Tyron's men and delivered a pretty piece of oratory on the hangman's platform. The bronze plaque probably got the martyr's name from Foote. The authoritative modern study of the battle mentions neighbors Husband, Hunter and Field but does not mention James Pugh. Furthermore a gunsmith was an unlikely trade for the son of a Quaker family, and 15 men killed in wrong for Tyron's total loss of nine. "


~~~~~
1. Death date 1810. Cemetery records of Randolph Co., NC, from book at Salt Lake City Family History Library, 10 July 2003.
2. Census reading of the "Old Campbell Cemetery" graveyard done in 1979, for Randolph County Cemetery Records, IV.
3. Randolph County Genealogical Journal, Vol. 4, No. 5, 12-13, 1934.
4. 1779 Tax list for Randolph County NC
5. Serves as Road overseer in 1780 NC archive records
6. The US Census records for Randolph North Carolina heads of Family 1790 & 1800
7. Randolph North Carolina Tax List of 1785
8. Received the 221 acre property and his father's farm from 1798 probate his father Thomas had left to him in his 1794 Will. NC Land Deed records Guilford County, North Carolina (Deed Book One)
9. North Carolina marriage bonds 1741-1868
10. Book: James Pugh, Regulator Sharpshooter: A Conundrum Unfolded, by Stephen C. Compton. E. W. Caruthers
11. North Carolina Wills and Probate records 1665-1998
12. DAR Record # A106132

About the Cemetery

The Pugh/Fruit/Campbell Cemetery (Old Campbell Cemetery) is a small family cemetery located in the area of Liberty, NC. The cemetery was put on the adjoining corners of the land owned by the Pugh, Fruit, and Campbell families. Today, this land is owned by the Gilmore Plant & Bulb Company. Their address is 9154 Old 421 Road, Julian, North Carolina 27283. Stop in their office and they will direct you to the cemetery. It is located in a wooded section of land, near the back of the farm.
Regarding the Regulator Rebelion, If the man (sharpshooter) hung in 1771 who was quoted in saying his flowery death speech was indeed named James Pugh then he was NOT the brother-in-law of Herman Husband there is much documentation including the Quaker marriage record of Herman Husband that proves this.

* Please refer to the comments from the Randolph County Genealogy Newsletterfound lower in this memorial along with other documentation.

~*~

James Pugh was born in Chester Pennsylvania circa 1749 and he is the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh.

James' Will is dated 14 February 1810, it was probated in May of 1810, so James Pugh died between February 14 and May of 1810.

James Pugh later moved from Pennsylvania to North Carolina circa 1755 with his parents and the rest of his siblings.

James Pugh had seven siblings:

1. John Pugh (married Elinor Fruit)
2. Jesse Pugh (married Elizabeth Stewart)
3. Enoch Pugh (married Esther Worthington)
4. Thomas Pugh (married Eva Barbara Amick)
5. Mary Pugh-Husband (married Herman Husband)
6. Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit (married John Fruit)
7. Peninah Pugh-Walker (married William Walker)

In May of 1768 the Regulator Advertisement No. 9 goes into circulation, James Pugh, his father Thomas Pugh and brothers Jesse, Enoch and John Pugh, his brothers-in-law William Walker and John Fruit all sign it. James, his brothers and father were all involved in the regulator rebellion.

On May 16, 1771 the rebellion came to a head with the Battle of Alamance, in the after math of the battle there were casualties on both sides, and James Pugh has been mistakenly named as one of the men hanged, but documentation and sources show otherwise. If the man hanged in 1771 was indeed named James Pugh then it most certainly was not this James Pugh, ironically James' brother Enoch Pugh did die in 1771, probably on 16 May 1771 in the battle. Enoch's father Thomas Pugh turned in the estate papers, Enoch's estate was probated in February term of 1772.

Approximately five years after the Battle of Alamance, James Pugh is living in Randolph North Carolina and marries Jane "Jenny" Patterson-Ward circa 1776. Jane is the widow of Thomas Ward, her parents were Nathaniel and Isabella Patterson.

James and Jane "Jenny" had two children

1. Jane "Jenny" Pugh, born 29 April 1797, married Joel McDaniel
2. Jesse Enoch Pugh, born 25 May 1802, married Nancy Reece

On 2 November 1794 James' mother Elizabeth Pugh passes away.

James' father Thomas Pugh made his will 10 August 1794, Thomas dies on 30 November 1797 and his will is probated February Term of 1798 NC, James along with his living siblings, brothers John and Thomas Pugh and his sister Peninah Pugh-Walker are all named in this will, and James is named executor.

Will
James Pugh made his own will on 14 February 1810. In this will James names his wife Jane and his two children Jane (Jenny) and Jesse and also his brothers, Thomas Pugh, John Pugh, and sister Peninah Pugh-Walker he also mentions his wife's deceased husband and her son William Ward "Further be observed that out of my personal estate there is to be taken an estate of Thomas Ward Dec'd the children constituting which will be found in an inventory dated September the third one thousand eight hundred and eight, signed with my own hand countersigned by my wife tested by William Ward." James makes his wife Jane and his "trusty friend" Jacob Pugh (who is also his nephew) as executors of his will. James three step sons were witness M Ward, W Ward and J Ward (Minus, William, James)

James Pugh is buried next to his wife Jane Patterson-Pugh. Also, buried in the next row is James' father, Thomas Pugh and his mother Elizabeth Pugh. James' sister Elizabeth Pugh-Fruit is buried in the same row, along with her husband, John Fruit and their son John Fruit Jr.

* Documentation for the time line of James Pugh's life prove that he is indeed the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Pugh and that he is NOT the person hanged in 1771.

1. James Pugh is found listed on the 1779 tax list for Randolph North Carolina
2. James Pugh served as road overseer 1780 Randolph North Carolina
3. James Pugh is found listed on the 1785 tax list for Randolph North Carolina
4. James Pugh is listed head of family in the 1790 census for Randolph North Carolina
5. James Pugh's father Thomas Pugh makes his will in 1794 naming his son James Pugh which is 23 years after 1771.
6. James Pugh married Jane Patterson-Ward circa 1796 Randolph North Carolina
7. James Pugh's daughter Jane "Jenny" Pugh was born in 1797, which was 26 years after 1771.
8. James Pugh's son Jesse Pugh is born in 1802 which is 31 years after 1771.
9. James Pugh is named as executor in his father Thomas Pugh's will of 1794
10. James Pugh received the 221 acre property and his father's farm from 1798 probate his father Thomas had left to him in his 1794 Will.
11. James Pugh is listed in the 1800 North Carolina Census as head of household
12. On 1 April 1800 James Pugh pays marriage bond for Thomas Ward and Elizabeth Pugh. Thomas Ward is James Pugh's step son and Elizabeth Pugh is James Pugh's niece.
13. On 26 Oct 1802 James Pugh pays bond for marriage of James Ward and Martha McDaniel. James Ward is James Pugh's step son.
14. On 18 May 1806 James Pugh pays bond for Jacob Pugh and Dorcas Glascow's marriage. Jacob Pugh was James Pugh's nephew.
15. James Pugh makes his own will in 1810 which is 39 years after 1771.
16. James Pugh passes away sometime between 14 February 1810 when he makes his will and May of 1810 when his will is proven.

James Pugh Will
February 1810- Randolph, North Carolina Wills;

In the name of god amen I James Pugh being very in body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God therefor calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament - that is to say: I mindfully and first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I resign it to the earth, to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my exit not dwelling but that of great and general resurrection I shall be ____ it again by the love of almighty God.

And as having such worldly estate where with it hath pleased god to ____me in the life I give, divine and ______ of in the following manner. ____

First I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife, Jane Pugh all my Estate both real and personal during her life of widowhood to be to her use and the maintenance of my children: I further will that when my beloved daughter Jenny Pugh shall marry on arrive to the age of eighteen and then shall be given to her as a marriage fraction one likely have a mare saddle and bridle two cows two ewes, one good bed and furniture and other household furniture at the discretion of my estate.

I further will that may either conceive there is any property which is necessaryto be attached to the estate for the maintenance of my beloved wife and children that they may _____ _____ the same to sale to the best advantage and the net proceeds to be placed in the hands of a guardian to the only use and behalf of my beloved daughter Jenny. I further will that at my wife's death all my personal estate save the reservation hereafter be made sale of to the best advantage and the net proceeds also to be put in the hands of the guardian of my beloved daughter Jenny to her only and sole use.

I further will and bequeath to my well and beloved son Jesse E. Pugh all of my real estate and choices in certain to him for him and ____ forever.

Also so one Negro boy shall be subject to the maintenance of my beloved wife during her life of widowhood.
I further will that my beloved son Jesse shall have privilege to ___ from the stock in ___ two colts, two calves, two sows. If both my children should die without I love (?) and before they come of age, I will that all my estate both real and personal be ___ to sell and the one half of the net proceeds to be given to my well beloved brother Thomas Pugh and the other half to be equally divided between my well beloved brother John Pugh and sister Peninah Walker.
Further be observed that out of my personal estate there is to be taken an estate of Thomas Ward Dec'd the children constituting which will be found in an inventory dated September the third one thousand eight hundred and eight, signed with my own hand countersigned by my wife tested by William Ward.

I make constitute ordain and appoint my well beloved wife Jane Pugh and my trusty friend Jacob Pugh my only and sole estate of their my last will and testament, and I do hereby willingly disallow revoke and dis-annul all and every other former will and testamentwhat so ever satisfy and confirming this is and no other to be my last will and testament in writing where of I have here unto set my hand and affirmed my seal this day of

Feb 1810 - James Pugh (Seal)
Signed in the presence of;

W. Ward
John Ward
M. Ward



~*~ Out of respect to the actual person Pugh or not, who was hanged in 1771 and showed such bravery during the regulator resistance and, out of respect to the rightful descendants of James Pugh the actual son of Thomas Pugh, don't you think we owe it to them to get the research and the facts correct?

****From the Randolph County Genealogy Newsletter Vol XIII--

Quote: "Despite the claims in various published sources, James Pugh was NOT among the men hanged by Tyron. He appears in the 1779 and 1780 Randolph County tax list and the 1790 census, served as road overseer in 1780, had children born after 1771, and he left a will in 1810, that bequeathed the same 221 acres that he inherited from his father Thomas Pugh.

Probably originating from the unscholarly "Sketches of North Carolina" written by Rev William Henry Foote published in 1846 and still in circulation, the unsubstantiated claim is that James Pugh was and expert sharpshooter and gunsmith that shot 15 of Tyron's men and delivered a pretty piece of oratory on the hangman's platform. The bronze plaque probably got the martyr's name from Foote. The authoritative modern study of the battle mentions neighbors Husband, Hunter and Field but does not mention James Pugh. Furthermore a gunsmith was an unlikely trade for the son of a Quaker family, and 15 men killed in wrong for Tyron's total loss of nine. "


~~~~~
1. Death date 1810. Cemetery records of Randolph Co., NC, from book at Salt Lake City Family History Library, 10 July 2003.
2. Census reading of the "Old Campbell Cemetery" graveyard done in 1979, for Randolph County Cemetery Records, IV.
3. Randolph County Genealogical Journal, Vol. 4, No. 5, 12-13, 1934.
4. 1779 Tax list for Randolph County NC
5. Serves as Road overseer in 1780 NC archive records
6. The US Census records for Randolph North Carolina heads of Family 1790 & 1800
7. Randolph North Carolina Tax List of 1785
8. Received the 221 acre property and his father's farm from 1798 probate his father Thomas had left to him in his 1794 Will. NC Land Deed records Guilford County, North Carolina (Deed Book One)
9. North Carolina marriage bonds 1741-1868
10. Book: James Pugh, Regulator Sharpshooter: A Conundrum Unfolded, by Stephen C. Compton. E. W. Caruthers
11. North Carolina Wills and Probate records 1665-1998
12. DAR Record # A106132

About the Cemetery

The Pugh/Fruit/Campbell Cemetery (Old Campbell Cemetery) is a small family cemetery located in the area of Liberty, NC. The cemetery was put on the adjoining corners of the land owned by the Pugh, Fruit, and Campbell families. Today, this land is owned by the Gilmore Plant & Bulb Company. Their address is 9154 Old 421 Road, Julian, North Carolina 27283. Stop in their office and they will direct you to the cemetery. It is located in a wooded section of land, near the back of the farm.


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