Chapter II
John Scarfe (Scalf)
The oldest
Scalf in America that can be positively identified as the first ancestor of
today's Scalfs is John Scarfe (Scalf). He was living in the Albemarle region of
North Carolina in 1719 for in that year the records show he purchased a tract
of land from John Smithson on the Southwest side of the Pasquotank River for 24
pounds. This was many years before the Revolutionary War therefore the currency
in use at the time was British.
When John
Scarfe (Scalf) purchased this 100 acre parcel of land in 1719 the area was very
sparsely populated. North Carolina as we know it today was not even recognized
at that time as being separate from Virginia. This particular region of
northeastern North Carolina was referred to simply as the Albemarle region of
Carolina. It was not until 1735 that a surveying party established what was
later to be the boundary line separating Virginia from North Carolina.
In the 1650's
people began moving down from Virginia into North Carolina in significant
numbers. Of course a few settlers had arrived earlier. By 1662 Virginia had
recognized the people living in Carolina and had sent Samuel Stephens there to
be the commander of the Southern Plantation. It was after 1663 that Charles II
granted the Carolina lands to eight proprietors. Not too many years later in
1719 John,Scarfe (Scalf) settled along the southwest side of the Pasquotank
River. The tract of land that he purchased in 1719 was part of the original
land grant given to Thomas Abbington earlier. This land had changed hands four
times before John Scarfe (Scalf) purchased it in 1719.
The previous
owners of this parcel of land included: Thomas Abbington, Richard Marden and
Alex Lafear, Jonathan Jacobs, and John Smithson.
Further
research into the history of this tract of land purchased by John Scarfe in
1719 for 24 pounds has left the author with mixed feelings. At the time of John
Scarfe's death in 175 1, he devised this piece of land to, his son, John, in
his will. Not long after John Scarfe's death, his son made the decision to sell
the land he had inherited. The Pasquotank County, North Carolina records
indicate in Will Book FG, Page 60, that on May 24, 1756, John Scarfe sold 50
acres of land to Thomas Taylor. This was part of the 100 acres John Scarfe had
bought in 1719. Thomas Taylor was the Pasquotank County Clerk from 1741 until
1768, and perhaps Mr. Taylor was a man of vision and knew the strategic
importance of the location of this land. As history records Mr. Taylor was the
grandfather of one Elizabeth Tooley of Pasquotank County. Elizabeth Tooley
eventually sold the same piece of land she inherited from her grandfather,
Thomas Taylor, to, the town commissioners of the town of Redding. The name was
later changed to Elizabeth City in honor of Elizabeth Tooley and this same
Elizabeth City is today not only the county seat of Pasquotank County but also
one of the most progressive cities in eastern North Carolina. This author on a
recent visit (198 1) to Pasquotank County, North Carolina in search of the
place where his great, great, great, great, great, great, Grandfather, John
Scarfe, lived was astonished to find that while walking along the beautiful
streets of Elizabeth City he had found that place.
This was not
the only land acquired by John Scarfe (Scalf). On the fourth day of November in
the year 1727 John received a land grant containing 140 acres lying on the
south side of the Pasquotank River. This land adjoined the land of Jeremiah
Everton. The grant was made to John Scarfe (Scalf) by Richard Everard, Governor,
and the other Carolina councellors who, signed the indenture contingent upon
John Scarfe (Scalf) paying yearly the fee of one shilling for every 50 acres
and for the importation of one person for every 50 acres. The State Records of
North Carolina indicate that in 1735 John Scarfe (Scalf) owed quit rent taxes
on this property and that he paid one-half of the sum he owed for the period
Septemb6r 29, 1729 to March, 1732. Payment was made June 12, 1735.
John Scarfe
(Scalf) left a will when he died and it is from this will made in 17 51 that we
gain some insight as to, his character. From the language used in his will, it
is apparent that John was a Christian and a family man. In his will John left a
sizeable estate to his wife and children. To indicate the thoughtful kind of
person he was, he also left something for three of his grandchildren. In
summary, John left his plantation to his wife, Mary. His son, James, received
50 acres of land. Following the death of his wife, his son, John, was to
receive the manor plantation. Edward received 40 acres of land. Jonothan and
Israel received goods and chatels belonging to the estate after the death of
his wife. John's daughter, Anne, received one yew and one lamb and his other
daughter, Mary, received a chest and a looking glass. Jonothan also received a
saddle and a bridle. Grandson, James, received a heifer and the other two
grandsons, William and John, each received a yew and a lamb. Mary, his wife,
and James, his son, were appointed as executors of his will. The will was
probated May 25, 1753 and signed by Thomas Taylor, Clerk.
Children of
John Scarfe (Scalf) and wife Mary Greves
James J. Scarfe
(Scalf) married Sarah
John Scarfe
(Scalf) married Sarah
Edward Scarfe
(Scalf)
Jonothan Scarfe
(Scalf)
Israel Scarfe
(Scalf) married Dinah Purdy
Betsy Dukes
Anne Scarfe
(Scalf) married Benjamin Richardson
Mary Scarfe
(Scalf) married Isaac Jones (son of Nathaniel Jones)
James Scarfe (Scalf)
James Scarfe
(Scalf) was the oldest son of John Scarfe (Scalf). His use of the symbol
for signing his "mark" has made it possible to identify him as either
the grantor or grantee on several documents. James was a landholder as was his
father, John. On February 3, 1755, James Scarfe (Scalf) sold 50 acres of land
to William Ward in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. This tract of land was
located on the southwest side of the Pasquotank River and was property that had
been willed to James by his father, John Scarfe (Scalf) in 1751. In 1758, James
sold 50 acres of land in Pasquotank County to Edward Halstead. James used the
symbol as
his "mark" in signing both deeds.
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MAP A
Area around
South Mills, North Carolina where Scarfe (Scalf)
families lived
in 1700's.
James Scarfe
(Scalf) was married to Sarah, however, her maiden name has not been learned.
Three readily identifiable children of James and his wife, Sarah, are John,
James and Lewis.
In 1754-1755,
James Scarfe (Scalf) served as a sergeant in the North Carolina State Militia.
This militia group was a company of 50 men organized under the command of
Captain William Abercombie. The company had been formed in Pasquotank County to
quell an Indian uprising that was taking place in North Carolina at that time.
As early as
1736, James had surely reached a mature age for in that year he witnessed the
will of Jeremiah Everton in Pasquotank County. The exact date was January 3,
1736. This record can be found in Grimes's Abstracts of North Carolina
Wills.
James was a supplier
of food, horses, etc. to the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War. He
sold the supplies on credit. At the end of the war, James received payment of
the 243 dollars owed to him by the government. The settlement was made at
Warrenton in the year 1785 and was passed upon by the Commissioner of the Army
Accounts. Although the record states that James never did appear on any muster
roll, it was indicated that he was paid for his services beginning in January,
1777 and ending in January, 1780.
The author is
of the opinion that James Scarfe (Scalf) had a son named James in addition to
the known sons, John and Lewis. It is the belief of this writer that John
Scarfe (Scalf), son of James Scarfe (Scalf) died in action during the Revolutionary
War. The basis for this opinion is a record on file at the Camden County
Courthouse in Camden County, North Carolina. The record being referred to is a
deed made in 1798 listing James Scarfe (Scalf) as the grantor and Joshua
Campbell as the grantee. This indenture shows the sale of a tract of land in
Tennessee containing 297 acres to Joshua Campbell. James clearly states in this
deed that he had rightfully inherited this property as the heir of his brother,
John Scarfe (Scalf), who had died in the Revolutionary War. It is further
mentioned in this deed that James was at the time a resident of lower Norfolk
County, Virginia. The author feels certain that this is the same James C. S
calf who left a will in Norfolk County, Virginia in 1825 devising to his
sisters, Nancy Scalf and Elizabeth Scalf. This James C. Scalf, son of James
Scarfe (Scalf), had married earlier to Sarah Brite, daughter of Hezikiah Brite.
James C. Scalf left a large estate to his sisters at the time of his death in
1826. The estate included a manor plantation complete with eight slaves.
This would make
it seem likely that James Scarfe (Scalf) had at least five children: John,
James, Lewis, Nancy and Elizabeth. There may have been others. Additional
research in Norfolk County, Virginia may help to clarify the complete family of
James Scarfe (Scalf).
Accepting the
premise that James C. Scalf was the son of James Scarfe (Scalf) could identify
the James Scarfe who served as a private in a regiment from Pasquotank County,
North Carolina in 1766 commanded by Jarvis Jones. This private was in all
probability James C. Scalf. After the Revolutionary War it is a matter of
record that Scarfe had changed to Scalf. The author is of the opinion that the
family name was Scarfe earlier but changed to Scalf for possible political or
religious reasons. It had been Scarfe for a number years.
Children of
James Scarfe (Scalf) and his wife, Sarah:
John Scarfe
(Scalf) died in the Revolutionary War
James C. Scalf
married Sarah Brite
Lewis Scalf
married (1) ________ (2) Elizabeth Blackbum
Elizabeth Scalf
Nancy Scalf
John Searfe (Scalf)
John Scarfe
(Scalf) was the second son of John Scarfe (Scalf) who left his will in 1751 in
Pasquotank County, North Carolina. This John, son of John, also left a will
when he too died in Pasquotank County. The year of his death was 1780. In the
will that John Scarfe (Scalf) left in 1780 he gave to his son, James, his
cooper's tools. To his son, John, he gave a barrel of com. To his daughters,
Elizabeth Harris and Susannah Scarfe, he also left com. To his other daughter,
Ann Smith, he left the remainder of his estate. His son, James, and his
daughter, Ann, acted as executors of the will. An addition to the will was made
to include John's son, Joseph, who also received a barrel of corn.
John Scarfe
(Scalf) who left his will in 1780 was also married to a Sarah, however, her
maiden name is not known.
John owned land
that he had inherited from his father in 1751. In a deed recorded in Pasquotank
County in 1757 John and his wife, Sarah, sold a parcel of land to Robert Murden
for 30 pounds. This was land John had purchased himself, however, from one
Aaron Jackson and was not the land he inherited from his father.
In addition to
the land sold to Robert Murden John also sold a tract of land to Rebeeca
Thurber in 1756. This was a 30 acre parcel of land. The sale was recorded at
the Pasquotank County Courthouse
September, 1756. Thomas Taylor signed as Clerk.
Previous to
this 1756 transaction, John had sold 50 acres of land to Thomas Taylor in 1755.
The deed indicates that this was the land John had inherited from his father.
This 50 acre parcel of land was located on the southwest side of the Pasquotank
River and joined the land of James Greves and the Deep Branch. This deed was
registered May 24, 1756.
Unlike his
brothers, John did not see action in the Pasquotank Militia action of
1754-1755. This could mean that John may have had a physical handicap which
prevented his performing military service. It could also help explain why John
practiced the cooper's trade rather than farming.
One Joseph
Scalf, probable son of John Scarfe (Scalf), served as a private in the
Revolutionary War. Joseph Scalf began his military service in North Carolina,
however, he was later transferred to a South Carolina regiment. In 1789 Joseph
Scalf married Lydia Stewart in Norfolk County, Virginia. There are records
indicating that Joseph Scalf received land grants in South Carolina and in
Georgia.
Before 1777
Pasquotank County, North Carolina included the area on both sides of the
Pasquotank River. In 1777 Camden County was formed from the area on the North
side of the river. Since crossing the river was at times quite difficult, it
was natural that Camden County should be formed to accommodate persons having
business to take care of at the county courthouse. Several Scalf families lived
in both Pasquotank County and in Camden County. Near the Great Dismal Swamp
just below the Virginia border was the location where several Scalf families
lived in the late 17 00's and early 1800's.
It is possible
that John Scalf, son of John Scarfe (Scalf) who left his will in 1780, migrated
south to Darlington County, South Carolina after the Revolutionary War. One
John Scalf died there in 1846 and left a will.
As pointed out
above, Joseph Scalf went to Norfolk Virginia to marry Lydia Stewart in 1789.
After careful examination of all available information the author has arrived
at several probable conclusions concerning Joseph Scalf It seems apparent,
that, Joseph remained in Virginia for a few years before returning to Halifax
County, North Carolina. By 1800, Joseph is listed in the Halifax County, North
Carolina Census as Joseph Scaff. In 1810 he is listed as Joseph Scalf. However,
in 1820, the only Scalf or Scaff mentioned in the Halifax Census is a Mrs.
Scalf, believed to be the widow of Joseph Scalf. Evidently at least one son was
born to Joseph Scalf while he lived in Virginia. That would be his son John
Scalf. The author believes this is the John Scaff or Scalf who married
Temperance Willey on December 21, 1814 in Halifax County, North Carolina. A
probable son of John and Temperance was Jonas Scalf who married Elizabeth
Willey.
This writer
believes that, James Scarfe (Scalf) oldest son of John Scarfe (Scalf) II may
also have moved to Virginia. It seems likely that one son born to James was
Frederick Scalf who evidently died about 1815 or 1816 leaving an orphan son,
James Scalf. This younger James Scalf was born 1799. When his father, Frederick
Scalf, died young James Scalf was bound out to John Whaley to learn the art of
blacksmith. This was ordered by the overseers of the Elizabeth River Parish.
While there
remains a lack of proof this writer believes another son of John Scalf and
Temperance Willey was James Scalf. This James Scalf born 1821 in North Carolina
married Catherine Beard and raised a family in Davidson County, Tennessee. This
James Scalf named his first daughter Lydia, perhaps in honor of his grandmother,
Lydia (Stewart) Scalf.
Children of
John Scarfe (Scalf) and his wife, Sarah:
James Scarfe
(Scalf)
John Scarfe
(Scalf)
Joseph Scarfe
(Scalf)
Elizabeth
Scarfe (Scalf) married - Harris
Ann Scarfe
(Scalf) married - Smith
Susannah Scarfe
(Scalf)
Children of
James Scalf and Catherine Beard
Lydia Scalf (B.
1851)
John H. Scalf
(B. 1854)
James Scalf (B.
1856)
Mary E. Scalf
(B. 1858)
Edward Scarfe (Scalf)
Edward Scarfe
(Scalf) was a son of John Scarfe (Scalf) who left his will in 1751 in
Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Edward had at least one son, William. Edward
Scarfe (Scalf) like three of his brothers served in the Pasquotank County,
North Carolina Militia Campaign in 1754-1755.
Edward
inherited land from his father, John, when his father died in 1751. Edward sold
the land shortly thereafter in 1755. In November of 1755 the records show that
he sold a 40 acre parcel of land lying on the southwest side of the Pasquotank
River to Thomas Taylor for 16 pounds. This was the land Edward had inherited
from his father.
Edward Scarfe
(Scalf) left Pasquotank County, North Carolina not long after he sold his
property to Thomas Taylor. In 1766 he entered 200 acres along the Waccamaw
River in Brunswick County, North Carolina. Although this land was surveyed it
was never picked up. Edward continued to move south. He next appeared along the
South Carolina coast. Edward was in the Georgetown District in 1790 and in
Williamsburg County in 1800.
It is not known
for certain who Edward married although his wife may have been named Martha.
Edward's son, William, married Rhoda and migrated south as did his father. In
1804 William and Rhoda sold a tract of land along the Black River in
Williamsburg County, South Carolina to Timothy Hickson.
Children of
Edward Scarfe (Scalf):
William Scarfe
(Scalf) married Rhoda _______
Jonothan Scarfe (Scalf)
Jonothan Scarfe
(Scalf) was the fourth son of John Scarfe (Scalf) and his wife, Mary. Jonothan
served with three of his brothers in the 1754-1755 Pasquotank County, North
Carolina Militia campaign against the Indians. After this, Jonothan disappeared
from all available records. He may have died in the late 1750's. The author has
recently come across some evidence that indicates Jonothan may have gone to
Maryland after his father died. Other Scarfes are known to have gone there many
years earlier.
Israel Scarfe (Scalf)
Israel Scarfe
(Scalf) was the fifth son of John Scarfe (Scalf) who left his will in 1751 in
Pasquotank County, North Carolina. Israel served in the Pasquotank County,
North Carolina Militia Company formed in 1754-1755 to suppress an Indian
uprising. The company was under the command of Captain William Abercombie.
Israel did not
inherit any land from his father, John, although the records show that he did
possess property. There is a deed on record to verify this.
Israel's first
wife, Dinah Purdy, was deeded a tract of land by her father. In 1793 while
Israel and Dinah were living in Craven County, North Carolina they sold this
piece of land to Benjamin Capps. Israel's wife,.Dinah, was very ill at this
time as indicated in the deed. This probably accounts for Israel marrying a
second time since Dinah must have died not long after the 1793 deed was signed.
Israel married his second wife, Betsy Dukes, in Cartaret County, North Carolina
in 1804. Israel appears in the 1800 Cartaret County Census. His was one of only
nine families living on Bogue Banks, a beautiful offshore island.