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Index & Info below Submitted and © by: Robert Daniel 840 German Club Rd DeFuniak Springs FL 32433 rdaniel@gdsys.net Posted 04/04/2000 Download this gedcom file, drury2.exe, as a self-extracting executable.
The DRURY Family of Camden County, Georgia 1750s-1880s Prepared by Mills Nevil (Nevill, Nevel) Drury was born prior to 1759 in either Edgecombe County or Halifax County, North Carolina or Nansemond County, Virginia. His father, Charles Drury of Halifax County, North Carolina, made a will 12 Sept. 1759, probated June Ct. 1760, Will #3, page 2, which was printed in "Genealogical Abstracts of Wills 1758 through 1824 of Halifax County, North Carolina, book 975.648 S2h, found in the Family History Center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The abstract of the will is as follows: Will #4, pg. 3 CHARLES
DRURY 12 Sept. 1759 June Ct. 1760 WIT.; AMEY MARSHALL x her mark; WILLIAM RIMES (?) WR his mark Extrs. Wife MARTHA and friend Alexander MCCULLOCK Based upon this will, Mills Drury, was the son of Charles Drury, and his wife, Martha. Martha's maiden name is not known at the present time. However, her maiden name may have been Nevil or Nevill because this was the Mills Drury's middle name which he gave to the Catholic priest when his son Charles Nevel Drury was baptized in 1790. This same middle name of "Nevills" was given as the middle name of Mills Drury's son, Charles and his daughter, Margaret. The surname "Nevels, Neville, etc. " is also in Halifax County, North Carolina. Charles Drury of Nansemond County, Virginia bought land in Edgecombe County, North Carolina from Robert Cade Jr. and Obedience Cade 12 May 1748 for 80 pounds. He obtained 400 acres in Edgecomb County, North Carolina 2 Jan. 1751 and 640 acres in Edgecomb County, North Carolina in 1752. Edgecomb County was divided and the land Charles Drury owned later became Halifax County, North Carolina. Charles Drury, sr. Sold 60 acres to Alexander McCulloch, 11 Sept. 1759 for 10 pounds. (Deed Book 7, #80 – (78) which was part of land Charles Drury had acquired from Benjamin Nevell on Elk Marsh (swamp) joining McCulloch, Drury, Marshal, John Park, Richard Richards. After Charles Drury, Sr. died and his sons became of age, they sold most of the land they had inherited from their father. Deed Book 10 of Halifax
County shows the following deeds: Fletcher 29 Oct. 1753, on west side of Quankey Creek, joining John Hubbard, Wm. Fletcher, Charles Drury (x). Wit: John Dinkins, Sarah S. Drewry. 10 Nov. 1768. R. Richd. Henderson 1343 -(176) Charles Drewry of Halifax Co. To John Dinkins "taylor" of same. 24 Oct. 1767. 50 pounds proclamation money. 520 acres joining his own. Fletcher, Hubbard, Eelbeck, Worley. Charles Drewry (x). Wit: Wm. Hendrie, Charles Sanders. May Ct. 1768. CC: Jos. Montfort. Deed Book 14 of Halifax County shows the following deeds: 790-(274) HENRY DREWRY of Bute Co. To Benjamin McCulloch of Halifax Co. 23 Dec. 1777. 133 pounds 6 shillings 8 pence proclamation money. 250 acres which sd. Henry Drewry was bequeathed by his father Charles Drury decd., on east side of Elk Marsh, joining Alexander McCulloch, Benjamin McCulloch, John Marshall, Henry Drewry (x) Wit. Alex. McCulloch, Adam Hamill, William Frohock. Nov. Ct. 1779. CC: Ben McCulloch 791- (276) MILLS DREWRY of Halifax Co. To Benjamin McCulloch of same. 2 Oct. 1775. 50 pounds Virginia money. 137 acres which Charles Drewry decd. had willed to his son sd Mills Drewry, on east side of Little Swamp, joining Alex. McCulloch, Charles Drewry. Mills Drewry (signed). Wit. S. Stokes, Alex. McCulloch. Nov. Ct. 1779, CC Ben McCulloch. (The above deeds are found in "The Deeds of Halifax County, North Carolina 1771-1786" US/Can 975.648 R2b v. 2 located in the Family History Library in Salt Lake City, Utah) Mills Drury married Delilah Duke, the daughter of Joseph and Mary Duke, of Bute County, North Carolina, before 1778, He is listed in the will of Joseph Duke as the husband of his daughter, Delilah Duke. This will is dated 11 Jan. 1778. It reads as follows: WILL OF JOSEPH DUKE "In the name of God Amen I Joseph Duke of Bute County in the state of North Carolina being in perfect health and sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. Item I give and bequeath to my son Major Duke one hundred acres of land it being the same whereon he now lives to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Item: I give to my daughter Mary Whatley wife of Wilson Whatley one shilling proc money, being all I intend she shall receive of my estate. Item: I give to my daughter Alice Jackson wife of James Jackson ten pounds proc money to be paid by my Executors out of my estate. Item: I give to my daughter Delilah Drury wife of Mills Drury fifteen pounds proclamation money to be paid by my Executors out of my Estate. Item: I give and bequeath to my sons William and Buckner Duke and to each of them one shilling proclamation money to be paid each of them by my Executors out of my Estate lying in Bute County, North Carolina as I am going to Travel into the state of Georgia to purchase lands for my said sons William Duke and Buckner Duke, but if it please God that I should die before making such purchase, then my will and desire is that instead of one shilling proclamation money given to each, that they possess each of them a proportionable part of my Estate already given in this my will. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Duke fifteen pounds proclamation money and one bed and furniture being the same she lies on to her and paid by my Executors when she attain to lawful age or day of her marriage. Item: I leave the remainder of my Estate not already bequeathed both real and personal to my loving wife Mary Duke during her natural life or widowhood and whenever death or marriage happen to my said wife, then my will and desire is that my land whereon I now live be sold by my Executors and the money arising from such sale be equally divided between my four sons Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke, Hardy Duke and Ransom Duke, and if either should die before they attain lawful age, first then the survivors to enjoy the same, then their heirs or assigns forever, Item: I give and bequeath to my son Ransom Duke my negro boy Daniel, to him and his heirs forever. Item: My will and desire is that at the death or remarriage of my wife Mary Duke whichever happens first, that all of my stock of what nature or kind soever together with all my household goods and utensils of trade and plantation tools be sold and that the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my five sons Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke, Hardy Duke, Repps Duke and Ransom Duke, and if either of my sons die before they attain lawful age or day of marriage that the same be equally divided among the survivors of them. Lastly, I appoint my loving wife Mary Duke my son Isham Duke and my friend Matthew Duke Exet. and Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of January Anno Domi 1778. Joseph Duke (seal) (Warren Co. N.C. Will Bk. 3, page 15) The will of Joseph Duke, written in Bute County, was proved at the August Court of Warren County in 1779. This was the year Bute County was discontinued and the Counties of Warren and Franklin were created from Bute. It is not known as to whether or not Joseph Duke returned safely from his trip to Georgia. That he did get there and did purchase land for William and Buckner Duke does seem probable. Both men were living on 100 acres of land in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1785. They were later joined by their younger brothers. Most of the sons of Joseph Duke served their country during the Revolution although some of the younger ones were mere boys. Sherrod Duke lost his life in the conflict while still unmarried. He made his will on May 3, 1781, leaving his estate to his mother, his brothers and his sisters. (Warren Co. N.C. Will Bk 3, p. 142) On May 15, 1782, Mary Duke (mother of Sherrod) was appointed Administrator of the Estate of Sherrod Duke and posted bond of five hundred pounds with Matthew Duke as her security, (Warren Co., N.C. Will Bk.3, page 140). WILL OF MARY DUKE In the name of God amen. I Mary Duke of Warren County being weak and low and disposing of mind thanks be to God for it. Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved son Isham Duke all that part of my land that lies on the east side of the Spring branch including his improvements up to Kicker's line and my negro Suvis. Item: I give and bequeath to my son Hardy Duke all that part of my land that lys on the upper side of Opossom Quarter Creek to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my son Ransom Duke all the land I now live on including my plantation except the part to his brother, Isham also my negro man named Daniel to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved son Eppey (Repps) Duke all that tract of land I own in the piney woods also my Negro girl Fanny and my old negro Ned to him and his heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Pattey (Martha) my negro woman Luckey and her future increase to her and her heirs forever. And my further will and desire is that all the rest of my Estate that I die possessed of be equally divided between my three children viz: Pattey, Eppey, & Ransom they first paying my debts and funeral expenses – And lastly I do revoke all former wills by me made and I do appoint my beloved sons Isham & Eppey Duke to be my Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 20" day of February 1789. Signed and pronounced in
presence of Will Johnson, Ben E. Brewer This last will of Mary Duke was presented at the August Court of Warren County in 1789, proved by the oaths of the witnesses (Warren Co., N.C. Will Bk. 5, p. 100) The children of Joseph and Mary Duke were Major Duke who went to South Carolina before 1780 (It has been said that Major Duke married Elizabeth Drury although no proof of it has been found), Mary Duke who married Wilson Whatley, Delilah Duke who married Mills Drury, Alice Duke who married James Jackson and later went to Georgia, William Duke, Hardy (Hardyman) Duke, Buckner Duke, Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke and Martha Duke, the youngest child. All the sons of Joseph Duke, except Major Duke, went to Georgia. William and Buckner Duke were there by 1785. Isham, Hardy, Ransom and Epps were there by 1806. Martha Duke married Joshua Bobbitt of Warren County, North Carolina. There was a case in Warren County wherein Martha Bobbitt was awarded separate maintenance from her husband, Joshua Bobbitt and Matthew Duke was appointed "trustee for the sd. Martha." The agreement was signed by Matthew Duke and the marks of Joshua and Martha Duke, Witnessed by Robert Jones and entered at the November Court, 1806 (Warren Co., N.C. Will Bk. 13, p. 340). This was the time of the American Revolution when the colonies rebelled against English rule and many families were divided in their loyalty. The Drury family was also divided. Henry Drury fought for the Americans against the English. Mills Drury favored English rule and became a loyalist. Pay abstracts found in the book: "Loyalists in the Southern Campaign, dating from 1780 through December of 1782, show that Mills Drury was a private in Major Daniel Plummer's Regiment, Fair Forest Militia, Ninety-Sixth Brigade in 1780. Pay Abstract #134, Col. Thomas Pearson's Regiment, Little River Militia, for the period of 60 days service from 7 March -5 May 1782, shows that a Lieutenant Robert Taylor was reduced in rank and left the regiment. Mills Drury was promoted from private to lieutenant and took Robert Taylor's place in the regiment. Mills Drury served bravely but England lost the war and Pay Abstract #167, Colonel Thomas Pearson's Regiment, Little River Militia, Ninety-Sixth Brigade, Charlestown, South Carolina. 148 days pay, 6 August -31 Dec. 1782 shows Mills Drury there in Charleston, South Carolina when the war ended. Because of his military involvement and because he was a loyalist, he and his wife and two children were forced to leave the United States. He chose to go to East Florida which was then under English rule. As a result, he and his family were placed on an English ship and brought to East Florida. The 1783 census of East Florida states that Mills Drury had a wife and two children and lived on the St. Johns River. He is listed together with his wife and two children as a South Carolina refuge, "South Carolina Refugees in East Florida, A Return of Refugees with their families and Negroes, Who Came to the Province of East Florida on the Evacuation of the Province of South Carolina, received from Gen. Leslie, 15 July 1783; micro filmed from the original in the East Florida Papers, British Public Records Office by the University of Florida. This information was found in the Georgia Genealogy Magazine, Vol. 34, no. 1-2 (131-132), page 146 (975.8 B2gg). In 1783, Florida was again returned to Spanish rule under the Treaty of Paris. Again, these settlers were faced with the decision of whether to stay and begin a new way of life or to leave and begin over in a new location. If they chose to stay, the settlers had to show their loyalty to Spain by "availing of Spanish protection" or retire (leave). Mills Drury chose to stay. As a result, two of his children were baptized into the Catholic faith. Parish records at the Cathedral in St. Augustine show that on 11 May 1790, Mills Drury and his wife had a son and a daughter baptized into the Catholic faith: Carlos Nevel Drury, son of Mills Nevel Drury and Patty Drury of North America, now residents of the Nassau River of this province. His age was 5 years. Margarita Nevel Drury, two years old, daughter of Mills Nevel Drury and Patty Drury of North America, now residents of the Nassau River of this province. We do not know why Mills Drury's wife was listed by the nick name of "Patty" since we know that her given name was "Delilah" based upon the will of Delilah Duke's father, Joseph Duke. Delilah Duke did have a younger sister named "Martha" who was called "Martha" in Joseph Duke's will and called "Patty" in the will of their mother, Mary Duke. This Martha "Patty" Duke was still single and a minor in North Carolina when Mary Duke made her will in Feb. 1789 which was recorded in Warren County, North Carolina. Martha (Patty) Duke married Joshua Bobbitt. Matthew Duke was a first cousin of Martha Duke. The Bobbitts, Matthew Duke and the Joseph Duke family were adjoining neighbors. Matthew had no sister or daughter by the name of Martha and he was the "fiend" appointed by Joseph Duke to be an executor of his estate. On several occasions Matthew Duke acted in behalf of Joseph Duke after the death of their father in 1779. Charles Nevel Drury who was called "Carlos Nevel Drury" in his baptismal record was five years old in 1790. Thus he would have been born about 1785 after his parents arrived in East Florida. His sister, Margaret who was called "Margarita Nevel Drury" in her baptismal record was 2 years old in 1790. So Margaret was born about 1788 in East Florida. Since Martha (Patty) Duke, the sister of Delilah Duke was still single in 1789 and married in 1806, she could not have been the parents of the Charles Nevel Drury and Margaret Nevel Drury. It is possible that Delilah Duke was also nicknamed "Patty". The 1784 census, #28, shows that Mills Drury came to East Florida from South Carolina and that he had a wife and two children at that time. He lived on the St. Johns River in the mouth of Tomkins Inlet. The confirmed claims of East Florida indicate that 7 April 1792, Mills Drury had a certified plat of 9 caballeros, given to Mills Drury, sr. His family consisted of himself and a wife and three children. The three children were Charles and Margaret and possibly the third child was Mills Drury, junior. Most records show that Mills Drury, junior, was born in 1794 but he could possibly have been born in 1793 or earlier. Sometime before 1800, Mills Drury and his family crossed the St. Marys River and moved to Camden County, Georgia. Mills Drury is listed as a registered voter in Camden County on 3 Oct. 1803. Spanish land grant records show Mills Drury, Jr. claiming the 300 acres at Drury on the Nassau River about four miles from its head as heir of Mills Drury, Sr. The survey and plat by Pedro Marrott is dated 7 April 1792. Mills, Jr. apparently went back to Florida from Camden and claimed this early land of his father's. Three hundred acres of land was surveyed for Mills Drury on 10 February 1817 in Camden County, Georgia. The land was on a branch of the Satilla River and Post Road runs through the property. This would put it in the vicinity of Owens Ferry today. (Land Plats Book F, 1816, 1837, Page 2) 25 January 1835, Charles N. Drury, Daniel Atkinson, John Taylor and Henry Miller, the heirs of Mills Drury, Sr. sold to Hugh Brown land lying on the north side of the Satilla River containing 300 acres, originally granted to Mills Drury for $350.00 (Book M, p. 233). Mills Drury died in Camden County, Georgia about 1819 because the confirmed deed to the East Florida grant was confirmed 19 Nov. 1819 (Con. D23; DG V67) to Mills Drury, Jr. for himself and others, heirs of Mills Drury, Sr. shows that Mills Drury, Sr. was dead at that time. Delilah Duke, the wife of Mills Drury probably also died in Camden County, Georgia but when she died has not been established. Mills Drury and Delilah Duke had the following children: 1. Charles Nevel Drury, Born 21 June 1784 in East Florida; died 3 Sept. 1842 in Camden County, Georgia Married Elizabeth Rachel
Mills (daughter of Joseph Mills and Elizabeth Lane) 2. Margaret Nevel Drury,
Born 1788 in East Florida; 3. Mills Drury, Jr. born about 1794 said to have married Martha Edwards 4. Mary Drury. Born 1798
in East Florida or Camden County, Georgia; 5. Delilah Drury, born
1804 in Camden County, Georgia; 6. Priscilla Drury, born
1806, Camden County, Georgia; There is a deed gift record in Camden Book G, page 399 from Mills Drury to his children: Charles Nevel Drury, Delilah Drury, Mills Drury Jr., Mary Drury, Priscilla Drury and John Fleming, gift of cattle dated 12 May 1808. This tends to indicate that Margaret Nevel Drury, born 1788, and not mentioned was married to John Fleming at that time. Mills Drury and his wife Delilah Duke have many descendants living today in Georgia and Florida and have spread throughout the United States from one coast to the other. They can all be proud of this distinguished man who lost his father at an early age. A man who learned to read and write during a time when few had the advantage of an education. He was a man who fiercely believed in defending his beliefs. His bravery and leadership abilities were recognized by his military leaders and because of this he was promoted from private to lieutenant during the American Revolution, He struggled and persevered and together with his wife, Delilah, established a loving family in south Georgia measuring in the thousands today. Charles Nevel Drury, also known as Charles Nevels (Nevils, Nevills) Drury was born 21 June 1784 in East Florida. He was the son of Mills Nevel Drury and Delilah Duke who came to East Florida as Loyalists after the American Revolution. His parents were born in North Carolina but were in Charleston, South Carolina when the war ended and thus came from Charleston to East Florida. Charles Nevel Drury married Elizabeth Rachel Mills, born in January 1790, in East Florida, a daughter of Joseph Mills and Elizabeth Lane. Charles Nevel Drury and Elizabeth Rachel Mills were married 17 October 1809 in Camden County, Georgia. Charles Nevel Drury died 3 Sept. 1842 and Elizabeth Rachel Mills Drury, his wife, died in 1888. Both of them died and were buried in Camden County, Georgia. They are buried in the extreme southwest corner of the Burnt Fort Cemetery in unmarked graves according to information from descendants. They were the parents of 10 children: 1. Charles Nevel, Jr. Born 3
March 1811 m. Eliza Harris 13 July 1837 2. George Thomas Born 15 May
1813 m. Sarah Ann Taylor about 1849 3. Samuel Mills Born 21
April 1815 m. Sarah Ann Harrell 1 July 1842 4. Rachel Born 1817 m. Jeff
Nobles 1842 5. Joseph Lemuel Born 9
March 1819 m. Sarah Sykes 1847 6. Easter Jane Born 5 Oct.
1821 m. Israel Fleming 20 Sept. 1849 7. Julia Ann Born 1827 m.
Cader Clark 1852 8. David Alexander Born 1827
m. Susan Sykes 26 June 1851 9. William Joshlyn Born 5
Dec. 1830 m. Lavinne Townsend 1865 10. Elizabeth (Betty) Born
10 May 1832; Prepared by Gedcom Submitted and © by: Download this gedcom file, drury2.exe, as a self-extracting executable. , Martha ( 1710- 1780) |