Research by Jane Stubbs Bailey
BENJAMIN GERKIN; PERHAPS YOUNGEST SON OF ZACHARIAH AND HANNAH GERKIN BORN CIRCA 1728 DIED CIRCA 1800 MARRIED BY DECEMBER 1758 MARY HAMILTON DAUGHTER OF JAMES HAMILTON MARY DIED BEFORE 1800
CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN AND MARY HAMILTON GERKIN
CHARLES, HANNAH [MARRIED GEORGE DIXSON], ZACHARIAH, BENJAMIN, NELLEY [ELEANOR] UNMARRIED
Benjamin is the father of many of the Beaufort, Martin and Washington County Gurkin families.
Benjamin Girken. Private. Muster Roll of Captain Evan Jones' Company of Soldiers from Tyrrel County, North Carolina, for the district between the Bark Poplar Swamp and Welches Creek, Jan 17, 1747. [page 648, Clark, Colonial Soldiers of the South.]
1758 Dec. 28. James Hamilton of Beaufort County, planter, to my daughter Mary Girkin and Benjamin Girkin, 75 acres land S side Gum Branch and containing half the neck lying on Pampteco Road in Beaufort County. Signed James Hamilton. Witnesses are John Hamilton and Hannah Hamilton. Bft Co March Court 1760 deed ack and ordered reg. Test: Alexander Stewart, CC [Bft DB 3, 448]
1759 April 12. Granville Grant to Benjamin Girkin. 250 acres in St. Andrew Parish joining Great Swamp, Dismal beginning at a gum in the Great Swamp...to a pine on the Dismal. Wit: Thomas Jones, John Blount. Also signed by Josh Coley Reg. 27 July 1780. [Tyr DB 9, 124] [Hofmann, Granville District of NC 1748-1763, vol 2, says that witnesses are Wm Hardison, John Hardison. surveyed 28 August 1752. SCC: Mathew Adams, Armit Hollis, Samuel Durrance Deputy Surveyor.] SCC equals sworn chain carrier.
1760 July 29. Benjamin Gerking planter of Beaufort Co. for £20 proclamation money to John Hardison planter of Tyrrell County. 250 acres joining the Great Swamp and the Dismal. Benjamin Gerkin. Wit: James Cooper, Benj Hardison, Tassner Sutton. Reg 22 Aug 1761 by Fr Ward Reg. [Tyrrell Deed Book 4, part 1, pages 73-75]
1760 December Court. A deed of sale of land from Benjamin Girkin to John Hardison was duly proved by the oath of Benjamin Hardison a subscribing witness and on motion ordered registered. [Burr, Tyr Ct Min, Bk 2, #181]
In April 1780 Tyrrell County Court Benjamin Gurkin's 1759 250 acre Granville Grant was exhibited and ordered registered. [C.096.30002, Tyr Ct Min 1778-1782, page 136] Since Benjamin Gurkin sold the patent to John Hardison in 1760 and the sale was proved in Tyrrell County court, I do not understand the late registration of the patent itself.
It would seem from the above that Benjamin Gurkin and his wife Mary moved to Beaufort County.
1780 June 1. Thomas Sennett to Laben Kelly. For £200, 75 acres beginning at sweet gum at Thomas Sennet's Old Line, Jacock's line, Wolf Pit Branch. Wit: John Moore, Benjamin Gurkin. March Term 1792 by John Moore. Ald. Ellison, clerk. [Bft DB 6, 1786- 1793, p 436-7]
1790 Census Beaufort County
Name
males over 16 males under 16
females
Benjamin Girkin
3
0
2
Charles Girkin
1
2
2
Jeremiah Girkin
2
1
3
Mary Jerken
1
2
3
1793/94. Entered 18th March 1793. Warrant issued 22 April 1794. Benjamin Gerkin Sr. 25 acres Beaufort N side Pamplico River Joining the lines of Hambleton's Patent so as to include the plantation and improvements whereon he now lives. [Haun, Bft Land Entries 1778-1795, 208(710)]
1800 Census Beaufort County
Name
males males
males females
16-26 26-45 45
up under 10 16-26 26-45 45
up
Jeremiah Ghurkins
2
1
1
1
males males
females females
under 10 26-45 under 10 16-26
Benj. Ghurkins Jr
1
2
1
2
males females
over 45 26-45
Benj Ghurkins Sr
1
1
1800 March 29. Will of Benjamin Gurkin. No Probate. [See Wills] Son-in-law
George Dixson Married daughter Hannah Gurkin, ewe & ram [wife of George
Dixson]
Son Zachariah
Son Benjamin
Daughter Nelley Gurkin
Exec: Son Benjamin Gurkin
Wit: Wm Boyd, Custus ( ) Celley [Kelley] mark
Son Charles had died in 1794
CHILDREN OF BENJAMIN GURKIN OF THE 1800 WILL
CHARLES [DIED BY APRIL 1794]
ZACHARIAH [DIED BY JUNE 1801]
HANNAH [WIFE OF GEORGE DIXON]
NELLY OR ELEANOR [DIED BY 1860?]
BENJAMIN [DIED BY FEBRUARY 1831]
Two of Benjamin Gurkin's sons died by 1801. Son Charles left a will in 1793 asking that his brothers Zachariah and Benjamin be his executors and take care of his children. By 1801 Zachariah had also died and Benjamin Gurkin's daughter Nelly or Eleanor, son Benjamin and grandson Harmon worked out a division of lands.
The 1793 will of Charles Gurkin may seem to indicate that he was son of Zachariah and Hannah Gurkin. The age of his children makes him too young for this while subsequent deeds in Tyrrell and Beaufort counties show that his son Harmon, though written as Hermon in Charles' will, is relating to the children of Benjamin Gurkin of the 1800 will as his uncle and aunt.
Again I believe the variation in spellings which clerks used in writing wills and deeds explains the change in the letter e and a in the name Hermon/Harmon. Harmon was a name used in that period. The Harrison family, early relatives of the Gurkins, had sons named Harmon and Elisha.
The convincing proof for me, however, lies in the deeds.
Below is a chronology dealing with the early history of Benjamin's family.
1758. James Hamilton gave Benjamin Gurkin and wife Mary Hamilton Gurkin 75 acres of land in Beaufort County.
1781/86. Recorded 6 Feb 1781. Order to be surveyed 14 March 1786. Charles Gerkin. 100 acres Bft, N side Pamplico River and S side Rossey Swamp Joining Jaycoxes line to the sd Swamp [Haun, Bft Land Entries 1778-1795, 139 (365)] [near John Waters]
1790 Census Beaufort County
Name
males over 16 males under 16 females
Benjamin Girkin
3
0
2
Charles Girkin
1
2
2
Jeremiah Girkin
2
1
3
Mary Jerken
1
2
3
1792/93. Entered 2 Feb 1792. Ordered to be surveyed 12 Feb 1793. Zachariah Girkin [son of Benjamin of 1800 will]. 100 acres Bft, N side Pamplico River and on NW side Cedar Swamp joining the lines of Benjamin Girkin and Eliazer Jackson. [Haun, Bft Land Entries 1778-1795, 192 (631)]
Entered 1 Feb 1792. Ordered to be surveyed 12 Feb 1793. Zachariah Girkin. 25 acres Bft, N Side Pamplico River joining lines of Benjamin Girkin. [Haun, Bft Land Entries, 192 (632)]
1793/94. Entered 18th March 1793. Warrant issued 22 April 1794. Benjamin Gerkin Sr. 25 acres Beaufort N side Pamplico River Joining the lines of Hambleton's Patent so as to include the plantation and improvements whereon he now lives. [Haun, Bft Land Entries 1778-1795, 208(710)]
September 30, 1793. Will of Charles Gerkin. Probate April 1794
Though listed in Beaufort County in the 1790 census, Charles calls himself of Tyrrell County in his will and the probate was carried out in Tyrrell County Court.
Below is a partial abstract. [See Wills for complete will] I give and bequeath unto my son Elisha Girkin one brinded heafer I give and bequeath unto my son Herman Girkins one black and white Frisia heafer I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Girkin one cow and calf I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Sarah one cow and calf My will and desire is that all the rest and remainder of my Estate not yet given to be for the Schooling of my Children and the support of my wife & children at the discretion of my brother Zachariah Girkins Executors are my brothers Zachriah Girkins & Benjamin Girkins Witnesses were Francis Ward and John Middleton.
The provision for schooling indicates that this is a young family.
1800 Census Beaufort County
Name
males males
males females
16-26 26-45 45 up
under 10 16-26 26-45 45 up
Jeremiah Ghurkins
2
1
1
1
males males
females females
under 10 26-45 under 10 16-26
Benj. Ghurkins Jr
1
2
1
2
males females
over 45 26-45
Benj Ghurkins Sr
1
1
1800 Census Washington County [formerly Tyrrell]
John Gurkin
Zachariah Girkin 1 male
10-16, 1 male 26-45
2 females 26-45
1 female 16-26
1 female 10-16
In June 1801 the death of Zachariah Gurkin becomes apparent. His nephew Harmon interacts with his uncle Benjamin and his aunt Eleanor/Nelly. Elisha is not involved. Is Elisha alive and covered as the older son in his father's family? Or is Harmon Gurkin the only survivor of the Charles Gurkin family?
1801 June 8. Michael Wollard to Eleanor Gurkin and Benjamin Gurkin and Harmon Gurkin, heirs of Zachariah Gurkin, for £7 14 sh 4d, 100 acres which sd Wollard purchased of Thomas Jackson on Road to Edenton...W side Cypress Branch...Cedar Swamp. I agree that 15 acres sold by Zachariah Gurkin should be excepted. Wit: Wm Boyd [witness to 1800 will of Benj. Gurkin] Wm Perkins. Sept Term 1804, William Boyd. [Bft DB 8, 79]
1804 June 6. Michael Wollard Jr was highest bidder at sheriff's sale for the land mentioned in the June 8, 1801 deed. Wit: Thomas Blount, Wm Boyd. [Bft DB 8, 91]
1804 July 6. Harmon Gurkin to Benjamin Gurkin, uncle of sd Harmon. For a horse named Stewart that I gave at the vendue of my uncle Zachariah all right to land left me by the death of my uncle Zachariah. Wit: Wm Boyd Sarah Boyd Sept Term 1804 by oath of Wm Boyd. [Bft DB 8, 81]
1804 August 18. Benjamin Gurkin and Eleanor Gurkin heirs of Zachariah Gurkin dec'd agree that Benjamin is to give up tract S side Cedar Swamp known as Templetons old place to Eleanor. Eleanor gives up right to estate of her Brother Zachariah Dec'd as well also the right he bought of Harmon Gurkin the other heir. Wit: Wm Boyd, John Moore [Bft DB 8, 95]
1810 Census Beaufort County
Richard Gurken 1 male under 10, 1 16-26, 1 45 and
over
2 females under 10, 1 16-26, 1 26-45, 1 45 and up
Nelly Girken 1
female 45 and over
Frederick Gurkin 2 males under 10, 1 male 10-16, 1 26-45
1 female 16-26.
Benjamin Gurkin. 2 males under 10, 2 males 26-45 1
female under 10,
1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45
Some deeds & census data concerning Benjamin Gurkins' family follow:
1815 List of Taxable Property Long Acre District
Nelly Gurkin 100 acres
Benjamin Gurkin 300 acres
[transcribed by John Oden III, Pinetown, NC]
1816 July 8. Alderson Waters to Benjamin Gurkin. £22 10 sh. 50 acres at corner of Benjamin Gurkin, NE side of pocosin, Island swamp. Wit: Wm Boyd, John X Waters. Sept Term 1816 by oath of Wm Boyd. [Bft DB 11, 436]
1812 Oct 9. a grant to Alderson Waters of 50 acres near Benjamin Gurkin, Letty Gardner line, edge of island swamp, Cedar Swamp. Reg. 18 Aug. 1817. [Bft DB 12, 3]
1817 Feb 25. Letty X Gardner to Benjamin Gurkin. 100 acres N side Cedar Swamp on Edenton Road, Island Swamp, county road, main road, Benjamin Gurkins line. Includes deed from John Moore Jr to George Dixon [Dixon is Benjamin's Brother-in-law] also another deed from sd Moor to James Hampleton for 25 acres. Wit: Wm Boyd, Sam Hawkins. March Term 1817 by oath of Wm Boyd. [Bft DB 12, 37]
1819 Nov 19. Phineas Waters to Alderson Waters, $45, ? acres, Thomas Jackson patent near Elendor [Eleanor?] Gurkin line. Wit: Hosea Gaylord Henry X Waters. John Waters gave up his rights. Aug Term 1823 by oath of Henry Waters [Bft DB 13, 274-5]
1820 Beaufort County Census. This information from John T. Gurkin's research. [Total population 9850, population of town of Washington was 1034]
1) Nancy Gurkins. 1 male under 10, 1 female over 45
2) Benjamin Gurkins. head of household. 2 males under 10, 1 male between 10 and 16, 1 male between 16 and 18 years, 2 males between 18 and 26 years, 1 male between 26 and 45, 2 males over 45 years, 1 female between 10 and 16, 1 female between 26 and 45. 3 of family engaged in farming.
3) Nelly Gurkins. Head. 1 male between 16 and 25, 1 female over 45. 1 of family engaged in farming. She may be the daughter Nelly mentioned in Benjamin Gurkin's 1800 Will 4) Mary Gurkins. Head. 1 male between 26 and 45, 1 female over 45.
5) Richard Gurkins 1 male 45 and up, 1 male under 10, 1 male 10- 16, 2 females under 10, 1 female 10-16, 1 female 26-45
1822 March 2. Will of Lettisha Gardner. Probate May Term 1824 Sister: Rachel Stephens of Chesterfield District, SC, all my lands and possessions at time of death Nephew: Henry Stephens, Chesterfield District, SC, one Desk Negro Woman Bella and her 3 children their freedom at my death and to be protected by executors and guardians Exec: Henry Stephens, nephew Signed by mark Wit: Richard H. Bonner, Jeremiah Cherry
1823 Nov. 22. Benjamin Gherkin was a purchaser at Estate sale of John Holland, dec'd. [Camin, Bft Orphans, A, 174]
1824 Sept 16. Bethuel and Charles Gurkin [sons of Benjamin Gurkin of 1830 will] at Charles Oden Estate Sale. [Camin, Bft Orphans, A, 179]
1825 Nov 14. Alderson Waters to Charles Ghurkin. [son of Benjamin Gurkin of 1830 will] for $50. 30 acres...Thomas Jackson's patent S side of Round Pond near Elendor [Eleanor?] Gurkin's land Wit: James Daniels Allen B. Welsh Nov Term 1831 by Alderson Waters [Bft DB 17, 135]
1816 July 8. Benjamin Ghurkin to Alderson Waters, 90 acres...Laben Kellys line...land grant to Thomas Jackson 27 June 1793 [Bft DB 17, 121]
1828 March 7. Charles Gherkin and Bethuel Gherkin were purchasers at estate sale of John Satchwell, dec'd. [Camin, Bft Orphans A, 196]
1828 June 21. Beth'l Gurkin purchaser at estate sale of John H. Boyd, dec'd [Camin, Bft Orphans, A, 203]
1829 Nov 10. Bethuel and Charles Gerkins [sons of Benjamin of 1830 will] were purchasers at Ann Latham Estate sale. [Camin Bft Orphans, B, 15]
1829 Dec 14. Charles and Bethuel Gerkins purchasers at sale of property and land of Jesse Rowland, dec'd. [Camin, Bft Orphans, B, 27]
1830 December 8. Benjamin Gurkin's Will. In the Name of God Amen. I Benjamin Gurkins of County of Beaufort being in sound & perfect mind & memory blessed be God do this eighty day of December in Year of our Lord 1830 make & publish this my last Testament in manner following, that is to say, Item. I give unto my beloved wife Sarah Gurken all my land whereon I now live from a little Ditch between my house & Isaac Jacksons leading into the swamp near my own house straight across to the west line of the patent including all the land from the aforesaid mentioned line towards Cedar Swamp in the said patent where I now live during her natural life & after her death to my son Zachariah Gurken to him & his heirs forever. Item. Give unto my son Charles Gurken 25 acres of land lying in Cedar Swamp & if he should die without a lawful heir my will and desire is that it should be equally divided between the rest of my children. Item. I give unto my son Bethuel Girkin 33 acres of land where on he now lives & also 15 acres on the north side of Cedar Swamp known by the name of the new patented land & if he should die without a lawful heir my will & desire is that it should be equally divided between the rest of my children. Item. I give unto my daughter Love Davis 50 acres of land called & known by the name of the Charles Moore land during her life and at her death if she has no children living my will and desire is that it should be Equally divided between the rest of my children. Item. I give unto my son Zachariah Gurkin 75 acres of land called & known by the name of the Jackson Islands and if he should die without a lawful heir my will & desire is that it should be divided between my sons Bethuel and Reading Gurkin Item. I give unto my son Reading Gurkin 100 acres of land called & known by the name of Sinnets Point and if he should die without a lawful heir my will & desire is that it should be equally divided between my 2 sons Bethuel and Reading Gurkin Item. my will & desire is that after my Just debts are paid I give unto my beloved wife Sarah Gurkin [furniture, some that he bought of Riley Padget] & at her death my will & desire is that my son Reading Shall have the Table. All the perishable property that I have given to my wife my will and desire is that at her death it should be equally divided between Bethuel, Lovve Zachariah Reading Table excepted Item. I give unto my son Charles Girkin 3 cows and calves to him and his heirs forever Item. I give unto my son Zachariah the table I bought at the Webb Vendue also my horse colt and one years work of the mother of the colt. My will & desire is after one years work to him that my son Reading should have the mare and her increase My will & desire is that all the residue of my estate not already Willed away should be equally divided between my wife, Bethuel, Lovve, Zachariah Reading and at the death of my wife my will that her part should be equally divided between the before mentioned children. And Lastly I hereby make and ordain my worthy friends George Boyd and Fredrich Boyd Executors to this my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal Wit: Zachariah Boyd Benjamin X Gurkin Levi Jackson Bft Co Court of pleas & Quarter Sessions Feb Term 1831 the will was exhibited and proved by oath of Zachariah Boyd. Wm Ellison, clerk. [Camin, Bft Orphans, B, p34]
1831 May Term. Sale of Benjamin Gurkin's property. Purchasers included Sarah Gerkin, Zachariah Gurkin, Harmond Girkin, Bethuel Girkin, Reading Gurkin, William Girkin, Charles Gurkin. [Camin, Bft Orphans, B, 40-41]
1836 Dec 16. Zachariah Gurkins [son of Benjamin of 1830 will] for $500 to Levy Stubbs, land beginning at a little ditch between the house formerly owned by my father Benjamin Gherkin and Isaac Jackson leading into the swamp near the house of sd Benjamin straight across the W line of the patent...Cedar Swamp. Also another tract beginning at a ditch near house of Father Benjamin Gerkin to the run of Gum Swamp. Another tract of 75 acres called and known by the name of Jackson Island. The above described lands being devised to me by my father Benjamin Gherkin in his last Will and Testament 8 Dec 1830. Zachariah Ghurkin Wit: Arnet Waters James Daniel March Term 1837 by oath of Arnet Waters. [Bft DB 19, 60]
1837 June 8. Wm Kelly to Frederick Waters, $65, 25 acres beginning at a pine John Barrows corner running N to the Swamp...out of Forked Swamp,...across the main road. Wit: Will Eborn E Gerham [Gerkin?] Sept Term 1837 by William Kelly [Bft DB 19, 170]
1885. Marcellus Stubbs, [a son of Amariah and Frances Woolard Stubbs], sold 50 acres of land in Bft to Levi Stubbs Jr. The land was formerly owned by Benjamin Gurkin and was willed to his daughter Lovee Davis during her life and known and described as the Charles Moore land adjoining the lines of Amariah Stubbs. [Bft DB 60, p 295]
See Gurkin Land for more complete coverage of the family.
Copyright 1998-2004. Jane Stubbs Bailey. All Rights Reserved.