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The
LOFTIN
Family
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Philip
Daniel
Loftin

(1978 - 20??)

Curtis
Dean
Loftin

(1953 - 20??)

Sam
William
Loftin

(1918 - 1979)

Alonzo
Lester
Loftin

(1876 - 1937)

William Alexander
Loftin

(1851 - 1939)

James
Franklin
Loftin

(1827 - 1864)

Thomas
Loftin

(1798 - 185?)

James
Loftin

(1768 - 1836)

John
Loftin

(1740 - 1793)

Cornelius
Loftin III

(1714 - 1785)

Cornelius
Loftin II

(1675 - 1735)

Cornelius
Loftin I

(1648 - 1735)

Leonard
"Laughton"
Loftin

(1610 - 1678)
_______

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James Loftin

 

Born: Abt. 1768, Lincoln County, NC
Died:  07 Oct 1836, Lincoln County, NC

 
 
James Loftin was born about 1768.  He was the son of John Loftin and Martha Lanier.
 

James Loftin arrived in the Mountain Creek section of then Lincoln (now Catawba) County about 1788-89.  He was part of the migration of Virginia Methodists of predominately English descent, who left the drought stricken tobacco fields of the Southside for the more fertile farmland of the Catawba River Valley. (John H. Smith)

 

At the time of the first United States census in 1790, when the region was still Lincoln County, he was listed as a single male over sixteen years of age.

 
James married Susannah Sherrill on/or about 27 Dec 1796.  Susannah was the daughter of Adam Sherrill (b.1731) and Sina Corzine and was born about 1780. James was 28 at the time of his marriage and she was about 16.
 
James took out a marriage bond with Samuel Ash in the sum of 500 pounds for his marriage to Susannah Sherrill.
 

Marriage Bond for James Loftin & Susannah Sherrill

We acknowledge our selves indebted to Samuel Ash Esq./Esquire, Gov./Governor & in the sum of five hundred pounds currency of North Carolina for which payment well and truly to be made we bind our selves our heirs & to be void on condition that nothing in future shall appear to obstruct the marriage of James Lofton & Susanah Sherrill.  Witness our hands and seals this 27th  of December 1796. 

James Loftin (Seal)
Nicolas Sherrill (Seal)

 

 

North Carolina marriage bonds (1741-1868) were statements of intent for couples who planned to wed. The prospective groom took out a bond from the clerk of the court in the county where the bride had her usual residence as surety that there was no legal obstacle to the proposed marriage - such as him already being married. One or more bondsmen signed the bond with the groom to guarantee the bond fee should the marriage prove illegal.

 
 

This log home at Hart's Square in Hickory, NC, is similar to one that James & Susannah Loftin
would have lived in the Mountain Creek section of Lincoln (later Catawba) County, NC.

 
 
Date  

Documented Fact Concerning the Life of James Loftin

Born about 1768  

Federal Census data 1790 - 1830 places his birth in 1765 - 1770 time frame; Greensville Co., Virginia personal property tax list of 1788 - 90 backdates his birth to about 1768.  James was the son of John & Martha Loftin of Greensville Co, VA.

1790  

Lincoln County, NC Federal Census.

03 Jul
1790
 

William Allen deed of sale to James Loftin for 21 acres in Lincoln Co. (proved July 1790 court).

27 Jul
 1791
 

Rolley Harwell deed of sale to James Lofton for 100 acres in Lincoln Co (proved January 1799 court).

14 Jul
1795
 

Francis Harwell deed of sale to Daniel Asbury for 55 1/4 acres in Lincoln Co.; James Loftin as one of three witnesses. (proved October 1797 court).

Married 1796  

Lincoln County, NC marriage bond dated 27 December 1796 intends union between James Loftin and Susannah Sherrill.

08 Mar 1797  

John Stiles deed of sale to James Loftin for 283 acres in Lincoln Co. (proved April 180? court).

1800  

Lincoln County, NC federal census

04 Jan
 1802
 

Elias White deed of sale to James Loftin for 200 acres in Lincoln Co. (Deed ack. January 1803 court).

29 May 1802  

James Loftin deed of sale to John Fisher of 100 acres in Lincoln Co.: William & Richard Fisher witnessed. (proved Octoer 1803 court).

12 January 1803  

James Loftin deed of sale of 39 acres in Lincoln Co. to Cornelius Conner. (proved October 1821 court).

05 May
 1804
 

Jas./James Loftin signs notice to the court that two horses strayed from his land in June 1797; has found them in the possession of _______ Davis.

1810  

Lincoln County, NC Federal Census

Jan
 1811
 

At Lincoln Co. session of court, James Lofton is named one of jurors to view the road from "Sheerels"/Sherrills Ford to Lincolnton Court House.

03 Apr 1811  

James Loftin signs petition for a road "at Sherrell/Sherrills Ford on the Cuttoba/Catawba River ... from David Clark's Esq. & James Loftin..."

(Undated)  

James Loftin voted for (NC) Senate & Commons.  (His son Thomas Loftin also voted, so list is probably after 1818)

1820  

Lincoln County, NC Federal Census

02 Aug 1820  

James Loftin witness to Last Will & Testament of Harbart Abernathy. (Probated July 1821)

09 Aug 1821  

James Laufton/Loftin voted at John J. Shuford's in (NC) Senate & Commons Elections.

23 Jun 1823  

John D. Abernathy deed of sale to James Loftin for 200 acres in Lincoln Co. (proved January 1824).

1828  

James Loftin voted for (NC) Commons (not Senate)

1830  

Lincoln County, NC Federal Censua

09 Aug
1832
 

James Loftin voted at John J. Shuford's

29 Aug
1832
 

James Loftin listed on tax list with 688 acres in Capt. Long's Co. (No white or black polls)

05 Apr
 1833
 

James Loftin writes his Last Will & Testament

23 Dec
1835
 

James Loftin charges for sugar, coffee, cheese, molasses, pepper, a wool hat, etc. at John J. Shuford's store. (Estate Record)

29 Aug
1836
 

James Loftin purchases two bushels of corn from Adam Sherrill. (Estate Record)

07 Oct
1836
 

Dr. Houston visits James Loftin.  Diagnosis is congestive fever in collapsed stage thereof" & consults with Dr. S. Abernathy. (Estate Record)

08 Oct
1836
 

"Srouding Lining Tax Etc" purchased at Shuford's & charged to James Loftin account. (Estate Record)

08 Oct
1836
 

"1 yd. cmbrick" purchased from Wm. Long; one gallon of brandy purchased 12 August 1836; one gallon brandy & "one phial Catmons Drops" purchased 19 Sep 1836 from Long. (Estate Record)  From above 3 entries, death date for James Loftin probably 7th or 8th October 1836.

17 Dec
1836
 

John J. Shuford files statement "against James Loftin Decd./Deceased Estate". (Estate Record)

Jan
1837
 

James Loftin's Last Will & Testament entered for probate at Lincoln County Court.

 
 
 
The 1800 Census shows James Loftin living in the upper part of Lincoln County, NC. That part of Lincoln County would become Catawba County in 1842. James would have been 32 at the time of this Census and Susannah about 20. None of the "actual" dates of the birth of James' children have ever been found so there is no indication which 3 children this would have been. This Census also shows that James had 4 slaves. Two of these (Dileey and Fanny) would have been inherited at the death of his father, John, in 1793 but there is no indication where the other 2 came from. They were more than likely purchased. Deeds indicate that James had at least 400 acres of land in the upper part of Lincoln County. Slaves would have been been beneficial in working the land.
 
1800 Lincoln County Census
 
 
Name Free White Males Free White Females Slaves
<10 10-15 16-25 26-44 45+ 10-15 16-25 26-44
James Loftin 2 -- -- 1 -- 1 1 -- 4
 
 
 
James and Susannah Sherrill Loftin had at least seven children.
 
Children of James Loftin and Susannah Sherrill
Name Birth Death Spouse
Henderson Loftin About 1797   Catherine Edwards
Thomas Loftin  About 1798 Bef. 1860 (1) Sally Lavinia Beatty
(2) Margaret (Unknown)
Edmund Loftin Between 1799   (1) Dovey Newman
(2) Mary Reynolds
John Loftin Between 1799 - 1810   Polly Edwards
Elizabeth Loftin Between 1800 - 1810   (1) (Unknown) Johnson
(2) James Edwards
Nancy Loftin Between 1800 - 1810   Elam A. Sherrill
Mary E. Loftin 12 Aug 1803 20 Jun 1883 John Edwards
 

Four of James & Susannah's children married into the Edwards family.

 
 
 
The 1810 Census shows James and Susanna Loftin still living in Lincoln County, NC.  James' last name was incorrectly spelled "Loften" on the Census. All seven of their children would have been born by 1810. James also had 11 slaves at this time with about 476 acres.
 
1810 Lincoln County Census

 

 
Name Free White Males Free White Females Slaves
<10 10- 15 16-25 26-44 45+ <10 10-15 16-25 26-44
James Loften 2 2   1   3     1 11
  Edmund
John
Henderson
Thomas
  James   Elizabeth
Nancy
Mary
    Susannah  
 
 
 
The 1820 Census shows James and Susanna still living in the upper part of Lincoln County, NC. Only 6 of their children were still living at home and 3 of them were actively involved in agriculture (or working on the farm). By this time, James only had 5 slaves - a boy less than 14, two girls less than 14, a female less than 26 and a female less than 45.
 
1820 Lincoln County Census

 

 
Name Free White Males Free White Females Slaves
Male Female
  <10 10-16 16-18 18-26 26-44 45+ <10 10-16 16-25 45+ <14 <14 <26 <45
James Loftin 1 1   1   1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1
 
 
 
The 1830 Census shows James and Susanna still living in the upper part of Lincoln County, NC. James would have been about 62 and Susanna 50. Only their two youngest children still live on the family farm. James had increased his number of slaves from five in 1820 to eight in 1830. The slave data does not appear on the Census below but was also listed at the time of my research.
 
1830 Lincoln County Census

 
Name Males Females Slaves
Male Female
  15-30 60-70 15-30 50-60 <10 10-23 10-23 24-36 36-54
James Loftin 1 1 1 1 1 1 2 1 1
 
James died 07 Oct 1836 of congestive fever, in Lincoln County, NC.
 
 
The will of James Loftin is on record at the State Archives in Raleigh.
 
 

The Last Will & Testament of James Loftin

In the name of God, Amen.  I, James Loftin, of the County Lincoln, State of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory, do this day of April the fifth in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and thirty three (1833), do make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in the following manner; that is to say,  

First, I give and bequeath unto my wife, Susannah Loftin, the whole of all my land whereon I now live, with all the buildings and improvement there belonging to it.  I do give unto her, the said Susannah Loftin, my wife, another tract of land lying in the aforesaid County of Lincoln, State of North Carolina, on Balls Creek with all the improvements belonging to the said land.  I do give unto Susannah Loftin, my wife, the whole of all the above mentioned lands as long as she lives.

Then after her decease, I do give the whole of the above mentioned land with every part thereof in the following manner.

First, I do give unto Edmund Loftin, my son, whereon I do now live a certain piece or part of the aforesaid land, containing two hundred acres, taken in my building and brokered it being marked by bound of unto him.

Seconly, I do give unto James Franklin Loftin, the son of Thomas Loftin, a certain piece of land whereas the Thomas Loftin my son now lives, joining of Edmund Loftin land containing one hundred thirty three acres.

Thirdly, I do give unto John Loftin, a certain piece or parcel of land where on the said John Loftin now lives, joining of Edmund Loftin land containing seventy acres more or less it being marked and bound of unto him.

Fourthly,  (marked out) joining of Edmund Loftin land, it being marked and bound of to him the said (marked out).  I do give unto Ebba Carolina Loftin and Betsy Surlina Loftin the daughters of Thomas Loftin, a certain piece of land containing two hundred acres lying on Balls Creek as above mentioned to be divided equally between them.

I do give unto Thomas Loftin, my son, two dollars.

I do give unto Henderson Loftin, my son, two dollars.

I do give unto Susanna Loftin, my wife, the whole of my Nigroes, the first by the name of Fan, second by the name of Gin, third by the name of Cass, fourth by the name Andrew, fifth by name of Epps, sixth by the name Washington, seventh by name Hammilton, as long as she lives - then after her decease, I do give to John Loftin, my son, a Nigroe woman by the name of Fan, her name being above mentioned.  I do give unto Edmund Loftin a Nigroe woman by the name of Gin and also a Nigroe boy by the name of Hammilton, there names being above mentioned.  I do give to Mary Edwards, my daughter the wife of John Edwards, a Nigroe girl by the name of Epps, her name above mentioned.  I do give unto Elizabeth Johnson Edwards Elle, daughter by wife of James Edwards, a Nigroe boy by the name of Washington, his name above mentioned.  I do give unto Nancey Loftin, my daughter, a Niegro girl by the name of Cass and a Niegro my/by the name of Andrew, both of there names above mentioned. 

I do herby again give unto my wife Susannah Loftin all my houses and stock of every kind and also my household furniture of every kind and farming essentials of every kind.

Lastly I do make and constitute my worthy friends Adam Sherrill and Nathaneil Edwards Executors of this my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof  I the said James Loftin have to this my Last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year first _______ written.  Seigned/signed sealed published and declared by the said James Loftin, the Testator as his Last Will and Testament acknoledg/acknowledged in the present/presence of.

Tests Jep Sherrill, Jurat                                                                                            James Loftin (Seale)

 

 
 
 

James Loftin's Signature

 
 
 
All the slaves, land, livestock, etc. which he owned he left to Susannah until her death - then passes on to their children and grandchildren. Thomas and Henderson were the only two children who did NOT inherit slaves.
 
Will of Susannah Loftin of Lincoln Co., NC


Executor: Adam Sherril
Witnesses: Miles Sherri; Enos Sherril, jurat
Signed: Susanah Loftin (seal)
Dated: 6 May 1842
Recorded: December Term 1843

 
After Susannah's death, the family estate was given to the children and grandchildren.
 

All seven of James' children were left bequests in the will of James Loftin.  Edmund Loftin was given two hundred acres of his father's estate.  John Loftin was left seventy acres.  Thomas and Henderson Loftin were bequeathed two dollars apiece.  James Franklin Loftin, the son of Thomas Loftin, was given 133 acres of his grandfather's land. (John H. Smith)

 
 
 

Inheritance from James & Susannah Loftin

   
  Edmund Loftin:  200 acres; A negro woman named "Gin" and a boy named "Hamilton"
  John Loftin:  70 acres; a negro woman named "Fan"
  Mary Loftin Edwards:  A negro girl named "Effie"
  Elizabeth Loftin Johnson Edwards:  A negro boy named "Washington"
  Nancy Loftin:  A negro girl named "Cass"; A negro boy named "Andrew"
  Henderson Loftin:  $2.00
  Thomas Loftin:  $2.00; His son James Franklin Loftin 133 acres
 
 
 
 
 
Sources:
 
Thanks to Alisha Story for the log home photo at Hart's Square
 
 
 
If you have additional information or photos of James Loftin or his family please contact Curtis D. Loftin