Who is Anderson Pettypool?

James F Poole

First Appearance

To date, the first record found of Anderson Pettypool is a summary of a 1789 Dinwiddie county Virginia court case, originally published in the William and Mary Colonial Quarterly, XIV, 139[1]

Edward Pegram, Jun., assignee of Vines Collier, plt. agt. Stephen Pettypool & Anderson Pettypool defts., in Debt. 1789.

Census

The 1800 US Census includes an Anderson Pettipool residing in Hallifax, Northampton, North Carolina[2].  The family is enumerated as:

Free White Persons – Males – Under 10: 2
Free White Persons – Males -10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44: 1
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 2
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 5
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 7

Assuming that this is the same individual as the 1789 Court case, Anderson would appear to have been born between 1756 and 1774.  Assuming again that he was 20 years of age or older in 1789 to have been involved in a legal dispute, the range probably narrows to between 1756 and 1769.

The 1810 US Census includes an Anderson Pettypool residing in Greensville, Virginia[3].  The family is enumerated as:

Free White Persons – Males – 26 thru 44 : 1
Free White Persons – Females – Under 10: 2
Free White Persons – Females – 10 thru 15: 1
Free White Persons – Females – 26 thru 44: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 3
Number of Household Members Over 25: 2
Number of Household Members: 5

It is difficult to determine if this is the same individual as the 1800 Census.  All the male children are missing, and one female child as well from 1800.  There are an additional two females.  Depending upon their actual ages in 1800, this could represent forming marriages and independent households for the children of 1800.  Alternately, this could be a younger Anderson Pettypool establishing a household in Greensville county, Virginia.

Marriage

On 27 July 1809, Anderson P Pool married Polley Mitchell in Greensville county, Virginia[4].  Is this a second marriage for the Anderson of the 1800 Census, or the first marriage of the Anderson of the 1810 Census?  Or perhaps this is entirely another individual- the “P Pool” was a common shortening of “Pettypool”, but not a certain indication.

Associates

Vines Collier

Vines Collier may have assigned his 1789 case to Edward Pegram because he had already left Virginia.  His name is included on a memorial to Congress, referred 21 Nov 1814, by citizens of Wilkinson County, Mississippi Territory, residing west of the “eighteen mile line” seeking that the land they have settled on and improved may be offered for sale.  The document records Vines Collier as a resident in 1810.[5]

Edward Pegram

The 1786 Census of North Carolina includes an “Edward Pegrom” residing in Warren county North Carolina[6].  The 1790 Federal Census records “Edwd Pegram” residing in Warren North Carolina[7].  So perhaps neither Vines nor Edward were resident in Virginia when the 1789 case was heard.

Stephen Pettypool

There are multiple candidates for the Stephen Pettypool of the 1789 court case.

Stephen, son of John Pettypool (1725 VA – 1803 NC) and Sarah.  Stephen was granted land in Granville county NC in 1805[8].

Stephen Pettypool, son of William Pettypool (1747- 1813) and Sarah.

Stephen P Pool Jr is enumerated in the 1830 Federal Census as a 60-69 year old in Dinwiddie county, Virginia[9].

[1] Judith McGhan, “Virginia Will Records” (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2008). Section: Records of Dinwiddie County –Abstracts 1789, 1790. Ancestry.com, Provo, UT, USA. Web: www.ancestry.com.

[2] Images reproduced by FamilySearch, “1810 United States Federal Census” (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010). Year: 1800; Census Place: Hallifax, Northampton, North Carolina; Series: M32; Roll: 34; Page: 469; Image: 115; Family History Library Film: 337910: family of Anderson Pettipool.

[3] Images reproduced by FamilySearch, “1810 United States Federal Census” (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010). Year: 1810; Census Place: Greensville, Virginia; Roll: 68; Page: 454; Image: 00868; Family History Library Film: 0181428:  family of Anderson Pettypool.

[4] “Virginia Marriages, 1785-1940” (Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City 17 March 2020).
Family Search Website. Web: familysearch.org.

[5] Ancestry.com. U.S. Census Reconstructed Records, 1660-1820 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011; Territorial Papers of the US; Volume Number: Vol 6; Page Number: 467; Family Number: 10.

[6] Ancestry.com. North Carolina, Compiled Census and Census Substitutes Index, 1790-1890 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999;  Jackson, Ron V., Accelerated Indexing Systems, comp.. North Carolina Census, 1790-1890. Compiled and digitized by Mr. Jackson and AIS from microfilmed schedules of the U.S. Federal Decennial Census, territorial/state censuses, and/or census substitutes.

[7] Ancestry.com. 1790 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010. Images reproduced by FamilySearch; Year: 1790; Census Place: Warren, North Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 7; Page: 78; Image: 56; Family History Library Film: 0568147.

[8] Ancestry.com, Provo, UT, USA.  Web: www.ancestry.com. “North Carolina, Land Grant Files, 1693-1960” (Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2016).  No. 1609 Stephen Petty Pool.

[9] Ancestry.com. 1830 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2010; 1830; Census Place: Dinwiddie, Dinwiddie, Virginia; Series: M19; Roll: 196; Page: 389; Family History Library Film: 0029675.

This Indenture…Between John Howell of St. Paul’s Parish and Province of Georgia … and Peter Patty Pool of Tryon County and Province of North Carolina

James F Poole

Some years ago, when Carolyn Hartsough was researching her paper on Peter Pettypool, I managed to track down a very poor quality film of this particular land transaction. Carolyn was able to decipher the almost illegible script and made the transcription below. My thanks to Larry Hartsough for retrieving this copy.  You can read more about Peter at http://www.pettypool.com/America/Peter/Peter.html

It is worth noting that this property was in South Carolina, not Tryon county, North Carolina as described. At this time, the border between North and South Carolina was in a state of flux, and Tryon county North Carolina covered much of north western South Carolina on North Carolina maps. Continue reading “This Indenture…Between John Howell of St. Paul’s Parish and Province of Georgia … and Peter Patty Pool of Tryon County and Province of North Carolina” →

How to Research Your Pettypool Ancestry Using DNA

James F Poole

The Pettypool Y DNA Project

If you are male, or a female with access to a male relative’s DNA, you can select a 37 marker Y DNA test at Family Tree DNA (FTDNA).  This test is relatively inexpensive but sufficiently precise to determine if you are likely to be positive for known Pettypool DNA Short Tandem Repeat (STR) patterns, or not.  You can find an explanation of STR tests at the FTDNA website Learning Center.  When you receive the results of your test, FTDNA will notify members of the Pettypool project that your result matches theirs, and one of the administrators will contact you with an invitation to join the Pettypool project.

The 37 marker STR test is an inexpensive basic test to verify potential Pettypool ancestry.  However, much more extensive tests are available that will more precisely place you in the Pettypool family tree.  The project administrators or other members can help you select any additional tests.  In addition, you will have access to other project members, with the possibility that you can learn more about your family or help other members with your knowledge.  There is a private discussion group on Facebook which has valuable discussion about Pettypool family DNA.  An administrator will issue you an invitation to join the Facebook group when you join the FTDNA project.

What if I Don’t have Male DNA?

The Pettypool Project was begun as a Y DNA project, and that is still the primary focus.  But we have members who are descended from female Pettypools, and some of them have Maternal Lineage mtDNA results to share.  You can find out more about this DNA test at the FTDNA’s website Learning Center.

And almost all members have also done a Family Finder test or have transferred the equivalent test from Ancestry.com or other DNA test organization.  Working with other Project member’s FF results can advance your research without a Y chromosome test result.  You can find out more about Family Finder testing at FTDNA’s Learning Center.

The Paper Trail

The ultimate purpose of the Pettypool Project is to verify, correct, and expand the genealogy of the Pettypool family.  The most current record of the family’s history as derived from historical records is at the Pettypool Family One-Name Study website.  We are a member of the world-wide surname research organization the Guild of One-Name Studies as well.

The Big Picture- the Human Family Tree

If you have a Pettypool Y chromosome result, then you should consider joining these two DNA projects as well: R SRY2627/Z198/L176 and R DF27 and Subclades.  These projects are researching the ancient relationship of Pettypools with many other surname groups.

Ellen Steele P. Pool: How Her “FAN Club” and a Little Bird Told Me Who Her Parents Were

Carolyn Hartsough

I recently wrote about Nancy Malinda (Pool) Napier (1872-1945), daughter of Stephen P. Pool of Christian County, Kentucky. Her experience as a Gold Star Mother provided a window onto events with more general societal implications than is usual in stories about our ancestors. Here, I return to an account with more strictly genealogical research implications. The story of my efforts to locate the birth family of Nancy Malinda’s mother, Ellen, shows how evidence based on the “FAN Club” approach and repetition of an unusual forename brought closure to the search for Ellen’s origins.[1]

Stephen P. Pool was born in Halifax County Virginia about 1819, the son of Seth(5) Pettypool, whose estate was probated in Trigg County Kentucky on September 22, 1835.[2] Seth was one of the pioneer settlers in this part of Kentucky. He and his descendants were, however, only one of a large group of Pettypool men who came west from Virginia to Kentucky in waves of post-Revolutionary migration. Continue reading “Ellen Steele P. Pool: How Her “FAN Club” and a Little Bird Told Me Who Her Parents Were” →

My Travails with Charley: How the Brother of Charles W. Poole of 19th Century Georgia Led to Their Pettypool Ancestor

Carolyn Hartsough

My role as administrator of the Pettypool DNA Project inevitably often directs my energies as a Pettypool family genealogist. Occasionally a descendant carrying the name “Pool” or “Poole” will join the DNA Project with a hunch or even evidence that he has Pettypool heritage but hasn’t been able to trace it to one of the early progenitors from the Colonial or immediate post-Revolutionary era.

As has been documented, William, the sole Pettypool immigrant to America (Virginia in the 17th century), had only one known son, also a William, who in turn left two sons, William (3) and Seth (3), also residents of Virginia.1

These two grandsons of the immigrant left behind large families, each including several sons. Although most of these fourth and fifth generation men began life in Virginia, many eventually migrated in the post-Revolutionary period either west to Kentucky and Tennessee or south to the Carolinas (or some combination of both). Although an exact accounting of the sons of William and Seth of this third generation is not totally resolved, all current descendants should, in theory, be able to trace their ancestry in a straight line back to William (3) or Seth (3). Continue reading “My Travails with Charley: How the Brother of Charles W. Poole of 19th Century Georgia Led to Their Pettypool Ancestor” →

Pettypool Y-DNA Project Update 2017

Carolyn Hartsough

Since our Pettypool Y-DNA Project hasn’t been discussed in a long while, I decided that a review and update of where we stand currently would be in order.  The results so far continue to reveal mutation patterns that show promise for identifying subtle branch-specific genetic markers.

Several members have also joined the Project when genetic tests detected unsuspected Pettypool ancestry.  The details of these findings, interpretive analyses, and another plea for participation can be downloaded here:

http://www.pettypool.com/America/Documents/YDNA-2017-06-17.pdf.

If you would like to participate in the Pettypool DNA project, contribute material to the Pettypool One-Name Study or have comments or questions, please contact us through the website http://www.pettypool.com/.

Carolyn Hartsough

June 17, 2017

Nancy Malinda Pool Napier: An Original Gold Star Mother

Carolyn Hartsough

“No, that’s probably not my Nancy M. Napier!” was my initial thought at an unlikely Ancestry.com “hit” that had popped up on the screen when first I searched her name. The name was the same but why would a 59-year-old Missouri widow be on a passenger list departing from Cherbourg, France for New York City in the middle of the Great Depression?1

Even though I eventually confirmed that the passenger list showed the correct Nancy M. (Pool) Napier, I believed from the outset that her 1932 voyage was unlikely to have been a vacation for pleasure — few people in my Pool family of origin could afford or be tempted by such an extravagance. Nancy Malinda was my grandfather’s first cousin once removed, and her father, Stephen P. Pool of Christian County Kentucky, has proved to be yet another member of this sprawling Kentucky clan whose final fate has been difficult to pin down.

I did know that Stephen and his much younger wife, Ellen Steele, had left Kentucky in the late 19th century, moving westward and settling in Hamilton County, Illinois although leaving behind few traces in their new Illinois home.2 Apparently without their parents, Stephen’s five children, including Nancy Malinda, the eldest, had migrated south from Illinois before 1900 and landed in Pemiscot County, Missouri, not far from where my own mother’s Pool family spent a portion of the early 20th century.

On the surface, Nancy Malinda’s life was not easy. She had married (and presumably been widowed) three times by 1909 when she entered into her fourth and final marriage to Robert Reeves Napier at the age of 37.3 Napier was some 23 years her senior. She had at least one child by each of her four husbands, including Alva Levi Mead, the son of her first husband, Oscar F. Mead. Continue reading “Nancy Malinda Pool Napier: An Original Gold Star Mother” →

Mattie Bobo Poole (1900- 1924)

James F Poole

Mattie Bobo Poole was born Saturday 17 March 1900 to Thomas Pitts Poole and Jemmie Elizabeth Alexander. She was the eighth, and final, surviving child born to Thomas and Jemmie.1

The 14 April 1915 edition of the Laurens Advertiser reported on the “successful individual contestants in several departments of the county fair Friday”. Listed in the School Work category was “Booklet- Mattie Bobo Poole Sandy Spring.”2

The 8 November 1916 edition of the Laurens Advertiser reported that they were “sorry to learn that Miss Mattie Bobo Poole is sick with pneumonia”. She had recovered fully by summer, and when the 25 July 1917 edition of the Laurens Advertiser reported the activities of a “Sabbath School Convention” to which the local churches sent delegates, Mattie and her eldest brother Martin were the two delegates from Langston Baptist church. In addition, at the close of the convention, Mattie was selected as the “superintendent of elementary work in the district” for the coming year.3 Continue reading “Mattie Bobo Poole (1900- 1924)” →

Colwell Pettypool, son of William(4) and Mary Caldwell of Lunenburg County, Virginia

Carolyn Hartsough

William(4) and Mary (Caldwell) Pettypool of Lunenburg County, Virginia are known to have produced at least five sons.1   The eldest of the group, Colwell (presumably named for his maternal grandfather), was the only one to have lived out his life in Virginia, likely in part because of his favored status as the first-borne male.  He was to reap the benefits of primogeniture, or the inheritance rights of the oldest male child to the exclusion of any female and male younger siblings.

Edward Caldwell, Mary’s father, had designated both of his grandchildren, “Colwell Petepool and William Petepool,” as recipients of land he had deeded for “life use” to William(4) and Mary in 1748.2  However, when the property was divided as part of a series of transactions on 25 June 1773, Colwell received 320 acres of a 420-acre plot and William Jr. only 100 acres (which Colwell immediately proceeded to buy for 100 pounds.)3
Continue reading “Colwell Pettypool, son of William(4) and Mary Caldwell of Lunenburg County, Virginia” →