Life Sketch Abraham Newton

Abraham Newton was b. 5 Aug 1780 in New Hanover Co., NC (See Rev. War Pension Application). He m. Sarah Singleton and raised a large family in Duplin Co. NC. Some time after 4 Nov 1817 he left Duplin Co. (NC Duplin Deed Book U.364-2) and moved to Muhlenberg, Co. KY by 6 Jun 1818 (KY Muhlenberg Deed Book 05.090).

In 29 Aug 1823 he bought land in Henry Co., TN (See TN Henry Deed Book A.150). He moved there sometime after paying his taxes in Muhlenberg Co. in 1824, but before the 1825 taxes were collected. He must have planned on returning to Muhlenberg Co. as he never sold his land in Muhlenberg Co. after moving to Tennessee.

By 24 May 1837 he was back in Muhlenberg Co. (TN Henry Deed Book F.034). He paid taxes in Henry Co, through 1835 (after which there is a gap in the tax records for several years). He died in Muhlenberg Co. sometime shortly before 28 Oct 1844 when his will was offered for probate. The will was set aside on account he lacked mental capacity to make a will (See KY Muhlenberg Order Book 05.121 and 05.126.

He had at least two sons (Hillery and John) and a daughter (Martha Christianna) by a second wife Dicey (maiden name unknown). Dicey Newton died in 1850 and left $1.00 to John and the rest of her estate to Hillery. Martha had died before 1850.

When Abraham Newton left NC for KY it looks like that his only son that moved with him was Abraham Newton, Jr. who settled in a nearby county. Later, Abraham, Jr. joined him for a few years in Henry Co., TN (See 1827 to 1835 taxes). It is unknown if he thereafter died or moved on.

Also, Abraham’s son William from his first marriage arrived in Henry Co. at about the time Abraham, Sr. moved back to KY. William planned to file a lawsuit about the ownership of 5 slaves after the death of his half sister Martha C. Thomas, which he apparently never did. He last appeared in 1843 tax digest of Henry Co.

Now for a little mystery. William Carroll Newton b. 1828 m. Mary Ann Carroll 14 Aug 1851 in Henry Co. He is missing from the 1850 census. However, yDNA links him back to the Duplin Co., NC branch of the Newton Family. The 1830 Census is consistent with William C. Newton being a son of Abraham, Jr. Also, Sarah Jane Newton m. James H. Shaw 7 Oct 1848 in Henry Co., TN. They named their second child Daniel Singleton Shaw which is a dead giveaway that she is a granddau. of Abraham Newton, Sr. William Newton had a batch of daughters which is consistent with her being a daughter of William. However, there is no estate record for either Abraham of William in Henry Co.