Is Jeremiah Green Britta's dad?

The purpose of this post is to examine whether or not Jeremiah Green could be Britta Ann (Brittanna)  Green's father.

Short version: Strong suspicion that yes, he is, in case you want to save yourself some reading. This post  is a theory. No smoking gun yet. 


After many years of doing genealogy, I have determined that these are the facts for Britta's father:

• Born in NC or SC (various censuses)

• In AL by 1834 (Britta's birth)

• Related to and probably the father of Mary Ann (born 1822, NC), Graphen Holt (born 1824, NC), Mahala (born 1826, NC), Nancy Ellen Elizabeth (born 1832, GA).  (DNA matches).

• Part of the Pilgreen family, who were occasionally listed as Green, Pilgreen, Pillgreen, Tilgreen, Pilgrim, Pilgrine (DNA matches to Book Pilgreen)

• Out of the picture from either death (most likely) or movement west (haven't found him in 10 years) by 1850 (Not listed in Al 1850 Census; not on Davidson McGuire's permission note for John L & Britta)

Those are the provable facts.


Continuing with provable facts and indicative suggestions :


Heeding my aunt who said, "Prove it. Prove it. Prove it," here are the facts that I can prove, and the paths that lead me there:

• Graphen Holt Green is closely related to Britta Ann Green (Various DNA matches).

• Graphen Holt Green's Civil War military record states that he was born in Pitt County, SC. There is no Pitt County, SC. The only U.S. Pitt County is in NC. The censuses say that Graphen was born in NC. So I started looking in Pitt County, NC, for Greens and Pilgreens.

https://www.fold3.com/image/237925048?terms=249,green,graphen


• Jeremiah Green was in Pitt County, NC in the 1820 Census. 

This is important because Britta's siblings'  parents had to have been in the area before 1822. NB: Mary Ann born 1822; Graphen 1824; Mahala 1826.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00288/355463?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4433161_00287

• There is a Jeremiah Green in Houston County, GA, in 1830. 

Though I can't account for all the children in that household, they could be the extra boys from 1820. What's important is that there are children whose ages correspond to Mary Ann, Graphen, and Mahala. The oldest male corresponds to Jeremiah's age. Right in place for  the birth of Nancy Elizabeth Ellen Green in 1832. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8058/4410703_00521/1843896?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

Also: There is a Jeremiah Green in Ashe County, NC, but he is too young and the household make-up doesn't include children who match the ages of Mary Ann, Graphen, and Mahala.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8058/4410703_00521/1843896?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

• There were many, many Greens and Pilgreens in Shelby from 1820 on—including Book Pilgreen.


• In 1837 and 1839 Jeremiah Green bought land in Shelby County as evidenced through BLM/GLO records. Jeremiah Pillgreen and Jeremiah W. Green were the same person as evidenced through the 1838 indenture shown here:

https://alroots3.blogspot.com/2019/10/jeremiah-green.html

• In the 1840 US Census for AL, In the 1840 US Census for AL, J Green is living in Shelby County. In the household are one male 0 - 5, one male 5 - 9, one male 10 -14, one male 40 - 49 (J. Green). There are also one female under five, one female 5 - 9, one female 30 - 39. Three persons employed in agriculture, five people under 20, two people 20 - 49, no slaves, total people 7. Neighbors: Musick Mabery, Monk, Prim, Harthent (reads as “Northent” or similar), Horten, McCammock, Layton, Steel, Slane, Oaks, Isbell, S. McClanahan, Morgan, Crawford, Watrous, Nickels, Kelly, B Moare (Moore), Ray, Smith, Goold, R(ichard) Green, E. Green, Brasher, Martin, Roberson. 

More about this entry in another blog.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8057/4411216_00727/1354130?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdbid%3d8057%26gsln%3dgreen*%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrdy_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp%3dshelby%252c%2balabama%252c%2busa%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msrpn%3d2683%26msrpn_x%3d1%26hc%3d50%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26uidh%3dwy5%26redir%3dfalse%26msT%3d1&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults#?imageId=4411216_00727

• Jeremiah's land lots in 1837 and 1839 were situated near Columbiana. Abutters included
Roper, McClanahan, Morgan and Moore. Same abutters in the 1840 Census. In 1850 Mary Ann Green McKinney and Britta were living in Shelby County with the same neighbors or their immediate relatives.

https://alroots3.blogspot.com/2019/10/jeremiah-green.html


• Britta lived in Shelby County in 1850 and she returned to Shelby by 1866 after the death of her first husband John L. McGuire. I always wondered why she returned to Shelby instead of staying in Jefferson County, where she lived with John L. in 1860. Her sister-in-law Sarah, who married Charles McGuire, stayed in Jefferson County. Most of the McGuires stayed in Jefferson County.

The answer to this question may be that Britta went back to live closer to members of family of origin. In her neighborhood of Township 24 Range 12 lived Rachel Pilgreen, J.W. Pilgreen, and Frances Pilgreen Avery, to name but a few.


But for me, here is the killer fact:

• DNA proves that our Britta is related to Graphen Holt Green. Graphen named one son Jeremiah and one daughter Brittanna. 


Now I know that NONE of these items PROVES that Jeremiah Green is Britta's dad. But in the past when I've found four or more indicators that something is true, usually I am right. 

Betcha I am this time, too. 

Jeremiah Green

The purpose of this post is to lay out all the information I have collected on Jeremiah Green. Could he be Britta's father????

• Jeremiah Green's first appearance is in the 1820 Census. In the 1820 US Census for NC, Jerramiah Green is in Captain Mooring’s District in Pitt County. In the household are three males 0 - 5 (born 1815 - 1820), one male 26 - 44 (born 1776 - 1794, Jeremiah), one female 26 - 44 (born 1776 - 1794). Three whites under 16, two over 25, one foreigner not naturalized, five people total. Neighbors: David Congleton, Moses Moore, John Rollings, Britton, Crawford, Barnhill, James, Davis, (next page) Keel, Lolley, Reuben & Robert Goganis (Gurganus), Bullock, Davenport, Smiddick Whitley, Mayo. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00288/355463?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4433161_00287

Most of the neighbors's names were found in the vicinity of Pricilla Pilgreen in 1810 Pitt County. Interesting, no?

• In the 1830 US Census for GA, a Jeremiah Green is living in Houston County. In the household are one male 0 - 5 (born 1825 - 1830), two males 5 - 10 (born 1820 - 1825), two males 10 - 15 (born 1815 - 1820), one male 20 - 30 (born 1800 - 1810), one male 30 - 40 (born 1790 - 1800, Jeremiah). Also in the household are one female under 0 - 5 (born 1825 - 1830), one female 5 - 10 (born 1820 - 1825), and one female 30 - 40 (Born 1790 - 1800). Neighbors: Cobb, Chain, Kent, Gray, Oliver, Mott, McGehee, Duncan, Gobson, Morgan, Rice, Moon, Wellborn. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8058/4410703_00521/1843896?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

Jeremiah must be between 36 and 40 in 1830, assuming the Census takers were accurate. If he were 26 in 1820, he would be at least 36 in 1830. And if the male in the 1830 Census is between 30 and 40, then Jeremiah is between 36 and 40. This gives approximate birth years of 1796 to 1800, plus or minus a year or two, depending on the accuracy of the census taker. The same goes for Mrs. Green.

• In 1837 Jeremiah Green bought 39.88 acres lands in Shelby County, AL: Twp 22, 1 W, Section 5, NW1/4, SW1/4, Certificate #21262. Abutters: Bridges, Dalrymple, Darden, Dumas, Kelly, Blanton Moore, Powell, Joseph Roper, Towns, Osborn Echols.

https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=AL0930__.346&docClass=STA&sid=kgevhbwt.ftx

This land is southwest of Columbiana, Shelby County. 

• In March 2019 I went to the Shelby County, AL, Courthouse, looking for Green and Pilgreen land/estate records. I found this indenture in the Shelby County Deed Book H, Pages 112 and 113. For your sake, I won't transcribe all of it, but the important parts to me were:

1. In the margin indexing "J. W. Green & J. M. McClanahan/H Page 148"


1.  ...This deed of trust between Jeremiah P Green the debtor and John M. McClanahan the trustee and John W, Roper the creditor witnessed that whereas the said J. W. Green is justly indebted to the said J. W. Roper in the sum of one hundred dollars due the 1st day of January next which he is desirous to secure...the said Jeremiah PillGreen...the said Pillgreen has granted and sold to the said McClanahan...a certain bay mare and six head of cattle...this 20 September 1838...Before me Thomas Looney an acting J.P. in and for said county personally appeared before me J. W. Green, John McClanahan, & John W. Roper...

Italics are mine.

This document clearly establishes that  Jeremiah W. Green and Jeremiah Pillgreen/Pilgreen are the same person, and that Jeremiah was known as a Pilgreen.

• In 1839 Jeremiah W. Green bought 39.88 acres lands in Shelby County, AL: Twp 22, 1W, Section 4, NE1/4, NE1/4, Certificate #15224. Abutters: Blair, Dumas, Harris, John Roper, Reinhart, Walker, Osborn Echols. Next to Richard Green. 

https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=AL2630__.461&docClass=STA&sid=u2wtveqx.3d0

This land is also southwest of Columbiana, Shelby County. 

• In the 1840 US Census for AL, J. Green is living in Shelby County. In the 1840 US Census for AL, J Green is living in Shelby County. In the household are one male 0 - 5 (born 1835 - 1840), one male 5 - 9 (born 1831 - 1835), one male 10 -14 (born 1826 - 1830), one male 40 - 49 (born 1790 - 1800, J. Green). There are also one female under five (born 1835 - 1840), one female 5 - 9 (born 1831 - 1835), one female 30 - 39 (born 1801 - 1810). Three persons employed in agriculture, five people under 20, two people 20 - 49, no slaves, total people 7. Neighbors: Musick, Mabery, Monk, Prim, Harthent (reads as “Northent” or similar), Horten, McCammack, Layton, Steel, Slane, Oaks, Isbell, S. McClanahan, Willis Morgan, Crawford, Watrous, Nickels, Kelly, B Moare (Moore), Ray, Smith, Goold, R(ichard) Green, E. Green, Brasher, Martin, Roberson. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8057/4411216_00727/1354130?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdbid%3d8057%26gsln%3dgreen*%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrdy_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp%3dshelby%252c%2balabama%252c%2busa%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msrpn%3d2683%26msrpn_x%3d1%26hc%3d50%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26uidh%3dwy5%26redir%3dfalse%26msT%3d1&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults#?imageId=4411216_00727

Willis Morgan lives a few families away from J.P. & Mary Ann Green McKinney in 1850. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8054/4191539-00659/16778558?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdbid%3d8054%26gsln%3dmorgan%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrdy_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp%3dshelby%252c%2balabama%252c%2busa%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26msrpn%3d2683%26msrpn_x%3d1%26hc%3d50%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26uidh%3dwy5%26redir%3dfalse%26msT%3d1&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults#?imageId=4191539-00659

As does the son of S(amuel) McClanahan. Right next door. And the father of John Roper.

There are no good candidates for Shelby County's Jeremiah Green in the 1850. If you search on "Jer* *Green" born 1790 - 1800, you get four results. Two are female, which eliminates them. The two males are enumerated in New England states—which doesn't necessarily eliminate them, but seems unlikely given the general direction (south and west) of our Jeremiah's migration. If you search using Jer* Green" born 1790 - 1800, you get eight results. Five are female. The males are all in New England. If you search "J. Green" born 1790 - 1800, there is one male candidate in Tennessee. Not impossible, but not likely, either.

It is highly likely that Jeremiah Green died between 180 & 1850. Possibly in Shelby County, AL.

So far that is all I have found out about Jeremiah Green. In the next post, I'll examine where the evidence leads.

Greens & Pilgreens in early Pitt County, NC

Why investigate Greens and Pilgreens in early Pitt County censuses? Because DNA says Britta Ann Green and Graphen Holt Green were probably brother and sister. Because GHG's pension application says he was born in Pitt County, SC. There is no Pitt County SC. There is however a Pitt County, NC. Plus GHG's census entries all say he was born in NC, as do most entries for the parents of Britta Ann Green (my brick wall). 

The more I investigate Greens & Pilgreens in Pitt County, NC, the more I find. And usually there are very few references to these folks anywhere on the internet. The purpose of this entry to is list them all and see if I can find any patterns. To begin:


The 1790 Census

• In the 1790 US Census for NC, William Pilgreen is listed. In the household are three other free whites. Since there are no females listed, they must all be men. Since there are no males of 26 and upwards, and no males of under 16, they must be three free white males 16 - 26 (born 1764 to 1774), with William being the oldest.

Neighbors: Kelly, Jolly, James, Cason, Ward, Harwell, Perkins, Dannels, Page. Nearby but not too close are Mobley, Bullock, William Congleton, Peal, Robeson. All these names are associated in later censuses with surnames that show up in DNA matches.  

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/5058/4440913_00585?pid=189734&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db%3D1790usfedcen%26h%3D189734%26indiv%3Dtry%26o_cvc%3DImage:OtherRecord&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true

• George Green, Pitt County, Neighbors: Whelan, Hall, Wilcox, Moye, Easton, Adams, Noble, Hall, one Bullock & one Robeson. Not too many associated families, so I pay attention to but discount George as an ancestor. 

The 1800 Census

• In the 1800 US Census for NC, George Green is in Greenville, PItt County. In the household are three males under 10, one male 26 - 44, one female 26 - 44, and six slaves. Three people under 16, two over 25, six slaves. Neighbors: Warren, Woodford, Cobb, Atkinson, Alfred, Hearn, Hathaway. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7590/4440904_00299/345826?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

Not much to see here. 

The 1810 Census

• In the 1810 US Census for NC, Presiden (reads as “Presilla”) Pilgreen is living in Pitt County, NC. In the household are two males under 10 (born 1800 - 1810), two males 16 - 25 (born 1785 - 1796), one female 16 - 25 (born 1785 - 1796), 1 female 26 - 44 (Priscilla, born 1766 - 1786); two people under 16, one over 25, six people in the household. Neighbors: Chana (O’hara??), Jolly or Lolly, Legat, Allen Caughton (reads as "Congleton"), Moore, Garganus, Taylor, Borough, Knox, Briton, Handcok, Richard, Smith, Jones, Ward, Andrews, Crawford, Davenport, Rollin.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7613/4433311_00500/395687?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

• In the 1810 US Census for NC, James Pillgreen is living in Pitt County. He is the male 26 - 44 (born 1766 - 1794), only person in household. Neighbors include Moore, Pinckett, Spear, Albriton, Daniel, Jolly, Mobley, James, Congleton, Robert Goganus (Gurganus).

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7613/4433311_00458?pid=395039&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc%3DFiQ9%26_phstart%3DsuccessSource%26usePUBJs%3Dtrue%26indiv%3D1%26dbid%3D7613%26gsfn%3DJames%26gsfn_x%3D1%26gsln_x%3DNS%26msrdy_x%3D1%26msrpn__ftp%3Dpitt,%2520north%2520carolina,%2520usa%26msrpn__ftp_x%3D1%26msrpn%3D2374%26msrpn_x%3D1%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26uidh%3Dwy5%26redir%3Dfalse%26msT%3D1%26gss%3Dangs-d%26pcat%3D35%26fh%3D40%26h%3D395039%26recoff%3D%26ml_rpos%3D41&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&_phsrc=FiQ9&_phstart=successSource&usePUBJs=true&_ga=2.156435762.88277443.1564071291-251312360.1564071291#?imageId=4433311_00458

Oddly he was indexed as "James Pillbsin" at Ancestry, but if you look at the entry, it is clearly "James Pilgreen."

• In the 1810 US Census for NC, George Greene is in Pitt County, In the household are one male under 10, two males 10 - 15, one male 26 - 44, one males 45 and over. There are also two females under 10, one female 26 - 44. 18 slaves. Five people under 16, three people over 25, and 26 in the household. Neighbors: Brooks, Deberry, Armstrong, Jones, Tison, Moye, Taylor, Laughingham, Garnor. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7613/4433311_00503/395740?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return


The 1820 Census

• In the 1820 US Census for NC, Edmond Pilgreen is in Captain Clark's District, Pitt County. In the household are one male 16 - 25 (born 1795 - 1804, Edmond), one female under 10 (born 1810 - 1820), one female 16 - 25 (born 1795 - 1804), one foreigner not naturalized, three total. Neighbors: lots of Mobleys, Patty Pilgreen, Abraham Congleton, Burke, Wicke, Barrow, Quarden, Dudley, Clark, Little, Vanoorden, Lolly, Hugh Pilgreen, Elizabeth Lolley, Linnier (Lanier?).

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00283/355325?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

• In the 1820 US Census for NC, Patty Pilgreen is living in Captain Clark’s District. In the household is one male 10 - 16 years old (born 1804 - 1810) and one female of 45 plus years (born 1775 or before). Neighbors: Edmond Pilgreen, Mobley, Congleton, Buck, Barrow, Wick, Quarden, Linner, Dudley, Clarke, Whitehead, Brinkley, Smith. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00283/355325?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4433161_00283

Could this be Priscilla Pilgreen from 1810 Pitt County census??? Could Edmond be the son of Patty?

• In the 1820 US Census for NC, Hugh Pilgreen is living in Captain Clarke’s District in Pitt County. In the household are one male under 10 (born 1810 - 1820), one male 26 - 44 (born 1776 - 1794), one female under 10 (born 1810 - 1820), one female 26 - 44 (born 1776 - 1794); one foreigner not naturalized; two free white people over 25; two FWP under 16; four total. Neighbors: Kinsall, Moore, Lolley, Dudley, James, Crandal, Jones, Haladay; next page two Pilgreens (Patty and Edmond). 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00283/355325?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4433161_00282

• In the 1820 US Census for NC, Jerramiah Green is in Captain Mooring’s District in Pitt County. If you read all six pages, you'll discover that he's actually in Captain Carney's District. In the household are three males 0 - 5 (born 1815 - 1820), one male 26 - 44 (born 1776 - 1794, Jeremiah), one female 26 - 44 (born 1776 - 1794). Three whites under 16, two over 25 (Jeremiah & wife), one foreigner not naturalized, five people total. Neighbors: David Congleton, Moses Moore, John Rollings, Britton, Crawford, Barnhill, James, Davis, (next page) Keel, Lolley, Reuben & Robert Goganis (Gurganus), Bullock, Davenport, Smiddick, Whitley, Mayo. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00288/355463?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4433161_00287


• In the 1820 US Census for NC, Charles Green in is Captain Wallis's Districr, Pitt County. In the household are one mail 16 - 25, one female 16 -25, two male slaves 26 - 44, one foreigner not naturalized, on person engages in commerce, on person in manufacturing, Total whites: 2. Total slaves, 2. Total all people: 4. Neighbors: Ewell, Wallis, Moye, Bell, Forbs, Ellis, Eason,  Evans, Chearry, Smith.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00302/354700?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4433161_00303


• In the 1820 US Census for NC, Sary Green is in Greenville, Captain Moye's District. In the household are one free white male 16 - 25, two white females under 10, one female 10 - 15, one female over 45, and five slaves. Neighbors: Rix, Robertson, Bell, Johnson, Brooks, Bond, James C. Green, Tison.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00317/354545?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return


• In the 1820 US Census for NC, James C. Green is living in Greenville, Captain Moye's District. In the household is one free white male 16 - 25. One person engaged in manufacturing, one person total. Neighbors: Merril, Brickle, Grines, Buck, Harrison, Brown. James C. is very close to Sary Green. Maybe they are son and mother?

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00317/354545?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4433161_00316

• • As it happens, there's an Isaac Pilgreen and a Peggy Green in neighboring Beaufort County in 1820, but for the moment I am confine my investigation to Pitt County.

By 1830 the only Green or Pilgreen left in Pitt County is Hugh Green, or his wife actually. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8058/4410633_00167/231803?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

What can we learn from this?

From the birthdates of Britta's probable siblings I have pieced together the family's migration. Could be right, could be wrong, but it's the best I can come up with for now. 

The family started in Pitt County, NC, where the three older siblings I can ID were born (Mary Ann, Graphen, Mahala). The family moved to GA sometime between 1826 (Mahala) and 1832 (Nancy Elizabeth Ellen) and were in AL by 1834 (Britta). 

So that eliminates Hugh Green's family. 

Where are the other Green/Pilgreens in 1830? Stay tuned.

Problems with William & Priscilla Pilgreen

Sometimes I have to revise posts based on new evidence. For example, I am having trouble with William Pilgreen in the 1790 Pitt County, NC, Census, being the father of Book Pilgreen. Maybe he is and maybe he isn't. There are three reasons I am having trouble:

Issue #1

The 1790 U.S. Census enumerates under these categories:

• Number of free white males under 16

• Number of free white males 16 and over

• Number of free white females

• Number of other free persons

• Number of slaves

• Total in household

In the 1790 US Census for NC, William Pilgreen is listed in Pitt County. In the household there are three people listed as "other free persons." Total number in the household is three. Neighbors include Hardville, Kelly, Jolly, Highsmith, Barnhill, Knox, Perkins, Dannells, William Congleton, Ward, Albritton, Hubanks (Eubanks), Clemmons. 

According to Archives.gov (italics mine), 

"The Federal Population Schedules, 1790–1840

Only the heads of free households appear in these records. All others, including slaves, are noted statistically under the head of household or reported owner.

Free African Americans in 1790–1840 Censuses: enumerated with the remainder of the free population. Black (B) or Mulatto (M) indicates the race of the head of the household. Other members of the household were listed in age brackets by sex. Censuses for 1790 and 1810 list free nonwhites in a category titled “all other free persons”; there is no distinction made between free blacks and Native Americans not on reservations. The censuses for 1820–1840 listed people of color separately.

Slaves in the 1790–1840 Census: no notation of slave by name, age, sex, or origination appears. The census lists slaves statistically under the owner’s name."

https://www.archives.gov/files/research/census/african-american/census-1790-1930.pdf

What can we learn from this? 

First, one member of the household is William; the others could be male or female. We just don't know. 

Second, William and his household members are free; he was enumerated, while slaves were enumerated under their masters' names.

Third, the members of the household are considered "other free persons," which means they could be free black or free Native Americans. 

Fourth, no ages are given. Household members could be any age. 

The obvious conclusion is that William could be either black or Native American, while Book is always listed as a free white male.

Issue #2 

Arrived today: Special List #34: List of Free Black Heads of Families in the First Census of the United States 1790, complied by Debra L. Newman for the National Archivesand Records Service, General Services Administration, Washington, 1973. 

The pertinent passages are from Page 1 of the Introduction:

"On March 1, 1790, President Washington approved the First Census Act. This act did not directly provide for the enumeration of free black persons, specifying only that all free persons (white or 'other persons') should be listed and all Indians who were not taxed should be excluded."

"...Names of heads of families under 'All Other Free Persons' to which racial designations were not added can be safely assumed to be names of blacks because few Indians living in the United States at that time were taxed..."   


Guess who is listed in North Carolina on Page 146 with three in the family? Yup. William Pilgreen. 

More indications that William Pilgreen could be black or Native American. 


Issue #3


William Pilgreen disappears from the 1800 US Census for NC. Instead we see Priscilla Pilgreen enumerated as a free white female 26 - 44 in Pitt County. Also enumerated are one free white male under 10 and one FWM 10 - 16. Neighbors include Ward, Yarbanks, Jolly, Clemmons, Swain, Bullock, Barnhill, Highsmith, Reuben Gurganus, William Congleton. It's safe to say that this is likely the same family from the 1790 Census—minus William, of course. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7590/4440904_00242/336042?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return#?imageId=4440904_00242

The older white male 10 -16 would be born 1784 to 1790. The young would be born 1790 - 1800. Their birth years do not square well with Book Pilgreen's birth year, which is about 1777. 


Now that's a problem. 

Issue #4

In 1800 Priscilla is the head of household female 26 to 44. The earliest she could have been born is 1766; the latest 1784. She couldn't have been born after Book in 1784 and still be his mother! If she was born in 1766, she'd have been 11 when she gave birth to Book. One scenario is unlikely; the other, impossible. 

Issue # 5

In the 1810 US Census for NC, Presiden (reads as “Presilla”) Pilgreen is living in Pitt County, NC, as a free white head of family. In the household are two males under 10 (born 1800 - 1810), two males 16 - 25 (born 1785 - 1796), one female 16 - 25 (born 1785 - 1796), 1 female 26 - 44 (born 1766 - 1786); Two people under 16, one over 25, six people in the household. Neighbors: Chana (O’hara??), Jolly or Lolly, Legat, Cagleton, Moore, Garganus, Taylor, Borough, Knox, Briton, Handcok, Richard, Smith, Jones, Ward, Andrews, Crawford, Davenport, Rollin.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7613/4433311_00500/395687?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

Again she is listed as free and white, as are her children.

Issues  1 - 5 are glitches, but are they problems?

I don't mean that in the literal sense. Personally I don't care if my relatives are black, Caucasian, Hispanic, Islamic, or what-have-you. My interest is in finding out who they are. 

What I mean is, does William's being either black or Native American disqualify him from being the father of Book Pilgreen, who was listed as "free, white" in every Census?

Not necessarily.

In tracing one line through Georgia, I came across documents for a man I'm convinced is my umpteenth great-grandfather. Even if he's not, the original documents prove my point: though Native American and married to a Native American, he was Christian and carried a Christian name. His wife was always enumerated as white, and their children were always enumerated as white. 

In addition, from Sketches of Pitt County, A Brief History of the County 1704 - 1910, from the East Carolina University Digital Collections:

"At first no one but a minister of the Church of England was allowed to perform the marriage ceremony, but owing to the scarcity of those ministers laws were passed giving others that right also. There were laws against the marriage of Indians and whites and of whites and negroes or mulattoes, yet these latter seem to have been rather frequent, especially between whites and Indians."

https://digital.lib.ecu.edu/16821#?c=0&m=0&s=0&cv=7&xywh=1498%2C1178%2C1859%2C1909

So, yes, there are problems that don't necessarily bar William &  Pricilla from being Book's father—but I tend to think William and Priscilla are not Book's parents. 

Needs more research. When I get it done, I'll let you know. 

Book Pilgreen—Britta's dad?

I honestly don't know. Yet.


What do we know about Britta's father? See my earlier posts. To summarize:

• He was born in either North Carolina or South Carolina.

• He was old enough to father a child.

• He was in the Shelby/Bibb/Jefferson County area by 1834, when Britta was born.

• He was probably out of the area and definitely out of the picture by 1850, when Britta was living in the household of Mary Ann Green and John P. McKinney.


Now let's look at Book.

• Book Pilgreen was born in either Kershaw County, South Carolina (maybe as shown in 1820 U.S. Census) or North Carolina (as shown in the 1850 U.S. Census).

Check.

• Born around 1775, he was old enough to father a child in 1834 (age 60).

Check.

• He was in Shelby County as shown by the 1830 Census and the 1832 deed of sale for son Jesse in the Shelby County Deed Book A - E, Page 503.

Check. 

• He moved from Shelby County to Union Parish, LA, by 1850, as shown by the 1850 U.S. Census.

Check. 

Book checks all the boxes so far.

How about the DNA?

All the DNA kits of the all people I know are descended from/related to Britta go back to Book Pilgreen. Every single one of them,


Book is looking pretty good as a candidate for Britta's dad so far, don't you think?


But there are other possible explanations.

1. Maybe Mary Ann Green was Britta's mom and had the baby out of wedlock.

Mary Ann was born in 1822 in NC. She would have been only 12 when she had Britta, but very young motherhood has happened before. A baby out of wedlock was usually given the mother's surname. That would explain Britta's surname and why Davidson McGuire wrote the permission slip for son John and Britta's wedding. It would also explain why Britta stayed so close to Mary Ann from 1850 - 1870.

2. Mary Ann could have had a different maiden name and married a Green.

The only recorded marriage that fits the requirements is Lewis Tyus Green to Mary C. Cox, St. Clair County, 1832. Lewis and his Mary are in Talledega County in 1850.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8054/4191540-00375/16798951?backurl=https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/81823086/person/42447873560/facts/citation/283086670659/edit/record

It's not possible for Lewis and Mary to be Britta's parents, who were consistently listed as being born in the Carolinas. None of "my" DNA kits lead back to them, or Burrell Green, Lewis' father. All of the DNA kits of people I know are descended from Mary Ann Green McKinney lead back to Book Green.

3. Could Mary Ann be an unknown daughter of Book?

Possible but unlikely. As far as I can tell, Book had two daughters, Rebecca "Rizpha" and Louisa. I have compared all censuses Book is listed in, and all the young females are accounted for.

4. Maybe Book's brother was Britta's father? That would explain why the DNA kits I manage trace back to Book. This theory needs work.

Maybe as I go through the data for Pitt County, NC, I can find more clues to tie Book Pilgreen to Britta. But that's it for now.

New surnames in the search for Britta's parents

New surnames I am sure are connected with Britta's family: Gurganus/Garganus/Ganus and Swain. New surnames that may be connected with Britta's family: Mobley, Jolly, Congleton. How did I find these? A long and crooked path through DNA and records.

Where did I start?

I always record as much as possible about each potential relative. Thus we know that these facts about Britta & her siblings' (see below) parents:

1. Born in either NC or SC (various censuses)

2. Father either dead or absent by 1850; mother may be Nancy Greene but no proof of this (1850 Census)

3. At least one parent's surname was Green, Greene (in case of bastardy)

4. Name could also have been Pilgreen, Pilgrim, Pilgrim (DNA points this way)

5. In Alabama by 1834 (Britta's birth)

6. Maybe associated with Pitt County, NC, or a surrounding county (from Graphen Green's CSA enlistment papers; says he was born in Pitt County, SC, but there is none. There is a Pitt County, NC.)

https://www.fold3.com/image/237925048?xid=1022

___________

Then I look at the DNA.

I manage, collaborate on, or view 18 Ancestry DNA kits. Of those, 15 are descended from the Green/Pilgreen (probable) siblings associated with Britta's family of origin: Mary Ann, Graphen Holt,  Mahala, Nancy, and Britta. Each week I compare dozens of Ancestry DNA kits and family trees looking for connections. 

Sometimes a name is repeated so often that it jumps out at me. Like "Gurganus" and its variations "Garganus," "Garganious," "Ganus," and so on. I then enter the surname in the search field of the kits I have access to. If I see one of these three factors: a common ancestor; matcheswith people I know are descended from the Greens/Pilgreens; the right number of centiMorgans—then more investigation is warranted.

With "Garganus," one of those three "ifs" occurred in every single one of the kits I have access to. Yay!

For example: several common ancestors showed up, like Reuben Gurganus, Annis Garganus, Nicholas Garganus, Mary Swain. Common ancestors: Check. Matches with people I know are descended from our family of origin? Check. The "right" number of centiMorgans for a NDA match to Garganus would be 8 to 30. Check, every time. 
_________

Next I looked at the NC census records for Pilgreen and Garganus from 1790 to 1840. Many, many Gurganuses in counties surrounding Pitt County. A few Pilgreens in counties surrounding Pitt County.  Only one year in which Gurganuses were neighbors of the Pilgreens: 1810. 

Lo and behold!

Reuben Gurganus a few doors away from Priscilla Pilgreen, the mother (supposedly) of Book Pilgreen. Right names, right places.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7613/4433311_00500/395692?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

Neighbors to the Garganii in 1810: Mobley, Jolly, Congleton. Who just happen to be neighbors of Pilgreens in 1820's Pitt County Census:

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433161_00283/355326?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return
___________

So many clues point to the Gurganii as relatives of Britta's parents. Another chink in the Brick Wall of Britta. So much more research to do.

Stay tuned!

The life of Book Pilgreen

The purpose of this entry is to help me reason out if Book Pilgreen could be parent to Britta Ann Green, one of my brick wall ancestors. 

Oh, Lordy! The "facts" about Book are so confusing. Some of them make no logical sense. People have copied them without thinking critically. Yet there seem to be some wheat amongst the chaff.

Let's start with his real name.

Some family trees list him as Booker Warren Pilgreen, and that may actually be his birth name. Or it may just be the name of his grandson, and people assume that it was his name. In all official documents I've seen his first name is always listed as "Book." 

His surname offers issues, too. 

Book's surname is recorded everywhere officially as "Pilgreen." My ancestors' surnames are recorded everywhere as "Green" or "Greene." If you actually check the Shelby, AL, records—and I did in March 2019—you will find occasions where several of Book's known children (John, Jesse, Zerrell, Elias, William H., Silas, and Ransom) are referred to as Pilgreen, Green, Pilgrim, Pillgrine, or even P. Green. All these surnames are interchangeable. 

Of course they are...

From here on I'm going to refer to him as "Book Pilgreen."

Fact #1: Book Pilgreen.


Where did he come from?

Definitely Carolina. Whether North or South is hard to say. 

Some family trees say Book was born in Kershaw County, SC, on December 17, 1777. I have never seen documentary evidence for this. Other trees say he was born in Pitt County, NC. The only US Census in which his data is recorded says he was born in NC in 1775.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8054/4198714_00234?pid=2929698&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db%3D1850usfedcenancestry%26h%3D2929698%26indiv%3Dtry%26o_cvc%3DImage:OtherRecord&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true

Fact #2: Book was born in either NC or SC between 1775 and 1777.


What about his parents?

In Ancestry family trees Book's parents are usually listed as William Pilgreen and Nancy Priscilla Crenshaw. I have seen listings but no proof of this. No marriage bond, no license, no will.

There IS a William Pilgreen in Pitt County, NC, in 1790. Book would have been about 13 - 15. Could this William be Book's father?  Let's look. 

In the 1790 US Census for NC, William Pilgreen is listed in Pitt County. In the household are three "other" free whites. Since there are no females listed, they must all be men. Since there are no males of 26 and upwards, and no males of under 16, they must be three free white males 16 - 26 (born 1764 to 1774), with William being the oldest.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/5058/4440913_00585?pid=189734&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db%3D1790usfedcen%26h%3D189734%26indiv%3Dtry%26o_cvc%3DImage:OtherRecord&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true

How can a man (William) born 1764 sire a son in 1775? Maybe there were two William Pilgreens?

Weird.

There is another listing in Ancestry's American Genealogical Biographical Index. It says that William Pilgreen of NC was born in 1750.

https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?indiv=1&dbid=3599&h=1073786&ssrc=pt&tid=106751356&pid=362064900594&usePUB=true

This person is a much more logical candidate to be Book's father. A man born in 1750 could easily sire a child in 1775 - 1777. But there are no other records I can find anywhere about him. 

I'm not even going to list this as fact but as a possibility: Book's father may have been William Pilgreen born between 1750 and 1764, maybe in Pitt County, NC.

And Book's mother?

Most trees list Nancy Priscilla Baird as the wife of William. It may be true, but can't find proof yada yada yada.

Here is the next documentary evidence about Priscilla:

In the 1810 US Census for NC, Presiden (transcribed as "President," reads as “Presilla”) Pilgreen is living in Pitt County, NC. In the household are two males under 10 (born 1800 - 1810), two males 16 - 25 (born 1785 - 1796), one female 16 - 25 (born 1785 - 1796), 1 female 26 - 44 (born 1766 - 1784; has to be Priscilla); two people under 16, one over 25, six people in the household. Neighbors: Chana (O’hara??), Jolly or Lolly, Legat, Cagleton, Moore, Garganus, Taylor, Borough, Knox, Briton, Handcok, Richard, Smith, Jones, Ward, Andrews, Crawford, Davenport, Rollin.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7613/4433311_00500/395687?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

Assuming Book belongs to this family, he must be out of the house, because there is no male born around 1775 - 1777. 

Even more curious: the oldest female has to be Priscilla, but the oldest she could have been was 44, born in 1766. Book was born 1775 - 1777. How could she then give birth to Book at age nine to 11?

So let's mark William and Priscilla as Book's parents as a "maybe." 

What about Book's wife? 

Most trees list Rebecca Baird as the wife of Book Pilgreen. From the 1850 Census we know that Book moved to Louisiana by 1850 with Rachel/Rebecca. Findagrave.com shows a dual headstone in Wesson, Copiah County, MS, for Rebecca Pilgreen and Rizpha Purtle. 

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29102405/rebecca-pilgreen#view-photo=12334397

This Rebecca Pilgreen died in 1868 at 85, making her birth year 1783. If so, and if she was the mother of John Pilgreen, who was born about 1801, then she would have been 17 - 18 when she married Book. 

As it happens, a number of the Ancestry DNA kits that match kits I manage/collaborate on show a connection to Rizpha Purtle. So I accept that Rizpha was a daughter of Book, and if that's the case, then the Rebecca Pilgreen that Rizpha is buried with is the wife of Book Pilgreen. 

Likely-to-be-true Fact #3: Book Pilgreen was married to Rebecca Baird.  


Next bit of documentary evidence we can find about Mr. Book is the 1820 Census:

In the 1820 US Census of August 20, Book Pilgreen is living in Kershaw County, SC. In the household are three males under 10 (born 1810 - 1820); one male 10 - 15 (born 1805 - 1810); one male 16 - 18 (born 1802 - 1804); two males 16 - 25 (born 1795 - 1804, John, born 1801; one of them the previously identified male 16 - 18); one male 45 and over (Book, born 1775 or before); one female under 10 (born 1810 - 1820; Rebecca/Rizpha, born 1813); one female 10 - 15 (born 1805 - 1810); one female 26 - 44 (born 1776 - 1794; Rebecca, born 1783); four people engaged in agriculture; six people under 16; 10 people total. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/7734/4433160_00314/175477?backurl=https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/36619432/person/19113533464/facts/citation/67831230699/edit/record


Book shows up next in the 1830 Census:

In the 1830 US Census for AL, Book Pilgreen is in Shelby County. In the household are one male under five (born 1825-1830, Ransom?), one male 5 - 9 (Silas, born 1821, born 1820 - 1825), two males 10 - 14 (William H, born 1818, Silas, born 1816 - 1820), one male 15 - 19 (Elias, 1814, born 1811 - 1815), 1 male 50 - 59 (born 1771- 1780, Booker, born 1775). Also in the household are one female 5 - 9 (Louisa, born 1820 - 1825), one female 10 - 14 (Unidentified, born 1816 - 1820), one female 20 - 29 (born 1801 - 1810, Rebecca, born 1808 or 1813), and one female 40 - 49 (born 1781 - 1790, Rebecca, born 1783). Seven people under 20, two 20 - 49 (elder and younger Rebeccas?). Neighbors: Charles Seals, Elisha Green, Abraham Crim, Fereby Runnals, John Armstrong, Prentice, Juilus Roberts, Thomas Davis, George Lucas, John Veasy.

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8058/4410702_00528/1825154?backurl=&ssrc=&backlabel=Return

Documentary evidence I found on my trip to the Shelby County Courthouse in March 2019:

In 1832 (son) Jesse Pilgreen entered in to an agreement with Book Pilgreen about a "certain gray pony" for $52. If I read the transaction correctly, then Jesse bought the pony with Book acting as his security for the $52, with the pony as the asset and collateral. For my purposes, the transaction itself doesn't matter so much—just that "Book Pilgreen" was in Shelby County in 1832.

Shelby County Deed Book A - E, Page 503.

In 1839 Book bought 40 acres in Shelby County: Township 24, Range 13 East. The name on the document reads "Book Pilgreen."

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/1246/RHUSA2007B_AL2600-00170/2138064?backurl=https://www.ancestry.com/family-tree/person/tree/114426166/person/260143460639/facts/citation/820356767547/edit/record

Next:

In the 1840 US Census for AL, B. P. Green is in Shelby County. In the household are one male 10 - 14 (born 1826 - 1830), two males 15 - 19 (born 1821 - 1825; Silas and Ransom), one male 50 - 59 (Book), one female 10 - 14 (born 1826 - 1830; Louisa, born 1827), one female 50 - 59 (born 1771 - 1780; Rebecca, born 1777/1783). Neighbors include Samuel Green, Crim, Seals, Harris, Lawry, Martin, McCashin, Cashhatt, Hutton, Elias P. Green, John P. Green, Armstrong. 

John, Zerrell, Jesse & Elias Pilgreen are out of the house but living close by. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8057/4411216_00701/1353781?backurl=http%3a%2f%2fsearch.ancestry.com%2fcgi-bin%2fsse.dll%3fdb%3d1840usfedcenancestry%26gsln%3dgreen*%26gsfn_x%3d1%26gsln_x%3dNS%26msrdy_x%3d1%26msrpn__ftp%3dalabama%26msrpn__ftp_x%3d1%26hc%3d50%26new%3d1%26rank%3d1%26redir%3dfalse%26uidh%3dwy5&backlabel=ReturnSearchResults#?imageId=4411216_00701

And finally:

In the 1850 US Census for LA, Book Pilgreen is in Union Parish. He is 75, a farmer, born NC, $600. Also in household are Rachael, 66, born SC, Louisa, 23, born AL, Rebecca Milton, 7, born AL, William Pilgreen, 14, born AL. 

Book, 75, would have been born 1775. 

https://www.ancestry.com/interactive/8054/4198714_00234?pid=2929698&backurl=https://search.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?db%3D1850usfedcenancestry%26h%3D2929698%26indiv%3Dtry%26o_cvc%3DImage:OtherRecord&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true&usePUBJs=true

There is some debate as to whether the wife's name should be Rachel or Rebecca. I don't have any trouble believing this is Rebecca Baird Pilgreen for two reasons: the very close birth year (1783 - 1784) and personal experience with a Rebecca often being called Rachel. 

In conclusion, what can we prove about Book Pilgreen?

• Three facts:

• Two documents that refer to him

• Four censuses that list him


So, is he likely to be the father of Britta Ann Green? Stay tuned for the next blog entry.