West, Tatum, and McBride Family Papers, PC.2073

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West, Tatum, and McBride Family Papers, PC.2073

Abstract

Several courthouse fires in Bladen County destroyed court and various land records as late as 1893. This collection includes land transfers and court certifications involving the West, Tatom, and McBride families, who had been established in Bladen County by the early 19th century, if not before.
The documents concern the conveyance (through indentures and deed) of land that was located in the area of Turnbull Creek, Bladen County; they include certifications of deeds and authenticity of signatures. On the whole the papers document land owned and purchased by Ollin Tatom [Tatum] and his son, Richard W. Tatom, and show the eventual transfer of land from the West family, through Franklin and Amanda Caroline Cain West to W.R. McBride.

Descriptive Summary

Title
West, Tatum, and McBride Family Papers
Call Number
PC.2073
Creator
West family
Date
1853-1913
Extent
1.00 boxes, 1.00 half-size legal fibredex boxes
Language
English
Repository
State Archives of North Carolina

Series Quick Links

Restrictions on Access & Use

Access Restrictions

Available for research

Use Restrictions

Copyright is retained by the authors of these materials, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law (Title 17 US Code). Individual researchers are responsible for using these materials in conformance with copyright law as well as any donor restrictions accompanying the materials.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item] PC.2073. West, Tatum, and McBride Family Papers, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, N.C., U.S.A.

Collection Overview

Consists of five documents including deeds, and court certifications, and an order, 1853 to 1913, that relate to the Tatom family, but primarily to the West family in land conveyed by James Franklin West and his wife, Amanda Caroline Cain West, to W.R. McBride. The papers concern land that was located in the area of Turnbull Creek, Bladen County, and document the conveyance (through indentures and deed) of land in that area. They include certifications of deeds and authenticity of signatures. On the whole, the papers involve land owned and purchased by Ollin Tatom [Tatum] and his son, Richard W. Tatom, and show the eventual transfer of land from the West family, through Franklin and Amanda Caroline Cain West to W.R. McBride.

Arrangement Note

Chronological.

Biographical/Historical note

West and Cain Family: James Franklin (Frank) West (ca. 1856-1934) was probably a grandson of William West, who died around 1830. In all probability, Frank inherited land previously acquired by William, who had owned several tracts in Bladen County, including acreage on Turnbull and Cypress Creeks. Franklin was married to Amanda Caroline Cain (ca. 1859-1922), a descendant of the Cain family that had settled in Bladen County before the Revolutionary War. [ A microfilmed copy of William's will of 19 February 1830 in the State Archives names heirs including his wife, Hannah, and children Annah, Hannah Jane, and James and grandchildren (not named). It appears that James Franklin was the son of James.] According to the census of 1880 Frank West was working as a laborer on the Bladen County farm of John Henry Tatom (ca. 1828-1899) and his wife Ann Caroline Monroe (1833-1904). The relationship of this Tatom family to Frank West is uncertain. The census records another laborer on this farm, David Cain, born ca. 1863, and Mag Cain (uncertain status), born ca. 1855.The date of the marriage of Frank West and Amanda Cain is uncertain, but it was after 1880 and before 28 July 1884 (See the certification of the same date). Certainly the times were difficult during that era in rural North Carolina, and the young family was undoubtedly lacked the financial resources to hold onto and pay taxes on inherited land. By the U.S. census of 1900 the West family was still living in Bladen County and had several children. By 1910 Franklin and Amanda West had moved to the Beaver Dam community of Cumberland County, along with Amanda's mother, Sarah Cain, a widow who remained with the West family until her death. Many of their family members are buried at Sharon Church, Cedar Creek, Cumberland County. Tatom/Tatum Family: Ollen Tatom (ca. 1808-1893), according to Bible records, was the son of Jesse and Charity Tatom of Sampson and Bladen County. In the latter county the family lived in the Turnbull region. Ollen was married first to Sarah Ann Smith (d. 1846), daughter of Susan McLemore and John Ginny Smith. Of the seven children born to this union Richard W. (b. 1831) was the eldest. Ollen married secondly Catherine McInnis and nine children were born of this marriage. (Source: research of donor.)McBride Family: W. R. McBride was probably William Richardson McBride (1859-1932). According to his death certificate (North Carolina Death Records, 1909-1975), William was a son of Alexander McBride, born in Bladen County and Elizabeth Rackley, born in Sampson County. Various undocumented genealogical accounts indicate that Alexander was a son of Matthew McBride (1804-1880) and Sarah West (b. ca. 1803).

Contents of the Collection

1. Deeds and Court Certifications

Deed,1885, July 27 and 1913, Jan. 14

Scope and Content:

This deed of 14 Jan 1913 includes the indenture between Franklin West and Amanda C. West and W.R. McBride, 27 July 1885. The latter document was witnessed by N.C. Hall. Also, in a certification by Justice of the Peace, H.G. Beard, Cumberland County, Amanda C. West (by then a widow) acknowledged the execution of the deed on the date of 14 Jan 1913. This deed was filed for registration to office of Register of Deeds for Bladen County 21 March 1913.

Indenture/Deed from Baxter Davis to Ollin Tatom,1853, October 7

Scope and Content:

This land was described as located on the "west side of Turnbull and on East side of watery branch bay...running with William Edge's line south..." Baxter Davis may have been a native of Virginia, although married to a North Carolina native, named Virginia. Note that there is statement at the bottom of the document, made at a later date that the handwriting was proven by A. J. Gardner.

Deed, from Wright McLemore and Wife, Elcy to Richard W. Tatom,1883, May 1

Scope and Content:

According to this deed of conveyance, the tract of land adjoined lands of Ollen Tatom and A. H. Cain and others, "bounded as follows, viz: on and in Turnbull it beaing [sic] part of one hudred [sic] acres deeded by Allagood Suggs to Baxter Davis and decended [sic] to Elcy McLemore she being the only lawful heir of Baxter Davis and it Beaing the Turnbull end of said survey..." The deed includes certification by Justice of the Peace, Joseph M. Melvin.

Certification by Justice of the Peace, A. L. Jones,1884, July 28

Scope and Content:

Includes certification signed by Franklin West and Amanda C. West. One side of the document (first third) is illegible because of faded ink, but includes a description of "land from John West corner... to a stake in ... containing one hundred acres it being a part of a two hundred Survey granted to William West: but on this special trust that if I fail to pay said debt and said interest on or before the first day of October A.D. 1884 then he may sell said land or so much thereof as may be necessary by public auction for cash..." Additional notations include: Franklin West and wife (Amanda C. West) to Johnson & Hocutt. Also, there is a statement that "This mortgage was settled by W.R. McBride in Full Oct 10 1885. Johnson & Hocut," and "Let the mortgage with the certificate be registered."

Order signed by Superior Court Clerk, G. F. Melvin,1885, December 31

Scope and Content:

Order states that "This deed was signed by Baxter Davis the grantor, named as a non-resident of the state, and John McLemore. The witness being dead whereupon A. J. Gardner being duly sworn says he is familiar with the handwriting of the said Baxter Davis and affirms this is the signature of Baxter Davis." It is adjudged that the deed was executed by the said Baxter Davis and that "the said deed with this order be registered."

Subject Headings

  • Cain family
  • McBride Family
  • Tatum Family
  • West Family
  • Tatom Family
  • Bladen County (N.C.)
  • Little Turnbull Creek (creek)
  • Turnbull Creek (creek)
  • Deeds
  • Acquisitions Information

    Gift of Jason Bordeaux, Sophia, N.C., August 2013

    Processing Information

  • Processed by Fran Tracy-Walls, ca. 2012, who revised and updated the finding aid, September 2019, for publication in Discover Online Catalog (DOC).