Eleanor (Nelly) Gurkin

Research by Jane Stubbs Bailey

ELEANOR (NELLY) GURKIN; Daughter of Benjamin and Mary Hamilton Gurkin Born circa 1765 Died Circa 1853 Unmarried

First mentioned in the 1800 will of her father Benjamin Gurkin.

1801 June 4. Michael Wollard to Eleanor Gurkin and Benjamin Gurkin and Harmon Gurkin, heirs of Zachariah Gurkin, for Ł7 14s 4d, 100 acres which sd Wollard purchased of Thomas Jackson on road to Edenton...W side Cypress Branch...Cedar Swamp. Wit: Wm Boyd [who had also witnessed the 1800 will of Benjamin Gurkin], and Wm Perkins. 15 acres that Zachariah Gurkin had sold is excepted. September Term 1804 proved by oath of William Boyd. [Bft DB 8, 79]

1804 July 6 deed stating that Benjamin and Zachariah Gurkin are uncles of Harmon Gurkin. [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 on S side Cedar Swamp known as Hambletons old place to Eleanor. Eleanor gives up right to estate of her brother Zachariah dec'd as well also the right Benj. bought of Harmon Gurkin, the other heir. Wit: Wm Boyd, John Moore [Bft DB 8, 95] She gets land known as Hambleton's old place. She must be near land James Hamilton gave his daughter Mary and her husband Benjamin Gurkin in 1758. 75 acres? [Bft 3, 448]

1810 Beaufort County Census. Nelly Girken. age 45 and up. born ca 1765?

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 proved by oath of Henry Waters. [Bft DB 13, 274-5]

1820 Beaufort County Census Nelly Gurkins. age 45 and up. she has one male with her age 26-45 [a nephew?]

1825 Nov 14. Alderson Waters to Charles Ghurkin [son of Benjamin 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 proved by oath of Alderson Waters [Bft DB 17, 135]

1830 Beaufort Census. I don't see Nelly or Eleanor.

1840 Beaufort Census. Bath District Elney Girkin. age 50 to 60. She has a female with her age 40 to 50.

1847 Oct 13. Elender Gherkin to Winfield Waters, both of Beaufort Co. For $6.00, 5 acres of land beg at a pine in Elender Gherkins line in a bottom on the N side of the School House running with the School House line to the Branch then with the Branch to the old line and then with the old line to the beginning. Elender X Gherkin. Wit: Alderson X Waters, Levi Stubbs. Bft Co Probate Ct. Deed from Elender Gherkin to Winfield Waters was 4 April 1869 proved before the undersigned Judge of Probate by oath and exam of Levi Stubbs one of the subscribing witneses thereto. Ordered Registered. G. L. Windley, Probate Judge. [Bft DB 34, 37]

1850 Washington County Census. Bethuel Gurkin family. [He is son of Benjamin of 1830 will and thus the nephew of Eleanor Gurkin.] Besides Bethuel's family, he has living with him Eleanor Gurkin, age 85. [born ca 1765]

1852 April 16. Elender Gherken to Charles Gherken, [her nephew] both of Bft, for $50.00, 50 acres land S side of Cedar Swamp beg on the W side of Cypress Creek at a pine running N 60 W 80 poles to a pine then N 40 E 100 poles to Winfield Waters line thence with sd line to the branch then with sd branch to the beginning. Elender X Gherkin. Wit: James R. Daniel, Bethel Ghirken. Dec Term 1852 by oath of James R. Daniel. [Bft DB 27, (1852-53), 191-92]

Elender or Nelly Gurkin may have died soon after this transaction. She was 85 years of age in the 1850 census.

1869 April 4. A deed from Elender Gherkin to Winfield Waters proved. Deed made in 1847

[Bft DB 34, 37]