Martha Jane Senter

Martha married Charles Riley Greever on 18 Jul 1843 in Chilhowie, Smyth Co., Virginia. Charles was born about 1820. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Phil Senter]

Henry's son Aaron married Elizabeth Baker and they moved to Smythe County, Virginia. They had five children between 1818 and 1832 when Andrew was born. Aaron died and Elizabeth married a Robert Cook.

Aaron married Elizabeth Baker on 9 Jun 1818 in Washington Co., Virginia. Elizabeth (daughter of Henry Baker and Mary Marcia Tilson) was born in 1803 in Washington Co., Virginia; died on 13 May 1895 in Smyth Co., Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Jane Fairburn]

Bio from Nelson's book: Elizabeth moved with her family from VA to Tenn and back to VA and then back to Tenn again. In 1829 her mother and family moved to Indiana. Elizabeth's family was in Tennessee so she did not go to Indiana with the others. Elizabeth's husband died and some of her children married. Later Elizabeth married Mr. Cook and settled in Virginia near her old home.
According to Tilson Genealogy, Elizabeth had 4 children with her second husband, Robert Cook.

Notes:

[Phil Senter]

Henry moves to Washington County Virginia, at St. Clair's Bottom about *1793. This was during the westward expansion into open lands west of the Blueridge Mountains, which were becoming more hospitable to pioneer families now that the Indian's were mostly out of the area.

Sometime before March 1804. Henry's son, 18 year old William returns to Fayetteville, Cumberland County North Carolina. To help and care for his aging Grandparents, Stephen Sr. and Mary.

[Betty Carson]

* Henry was on the 1800 Census of Cumberland Co. He was still buying land there in 1807. He was not on the census in Washington Co. Va until 1810[Gregory Family Tree 2.FTW]

[Bakers of Harnett County.FTW]

[Phil Senter]

Henry moves to Washington County Virginia, at St. Clair's Bottom about *1793. This was during the westward expansion into open lands west of the Blueridge Mountains, which were becoming more hospitable to pioneer families now that the Indian's were mostly out of the area.

Sometime before March 1804. Henry's son, 18 year old William returns to Fayetteville, Cumberland County North Carolina. To help and care for his aging Grandparents, Stephen Sr. and Mary.

[Betty Carson]

* Henry was on the 1800 Census of Cumberland Co. He was still buying land there in 1807. He was not on the census in Washington Co. Va until 1810

Henry married Rebecca Avent between 1781 and 1785. Rebecca (daughter of Lt. Peter Avent and Amy Massie) was born in 1764 in Ashe Co., North Carolina; died in 1853 in Carroll Co., Tennessee. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Phil Senter]

National Archives in Washington, D.C.. This is a official claim made by Rebecca for War Widow's pension rights based on Henry's service in the North Carolina Militia during the American Revolutionary War. The record is in quill pen hand script.

On this twenty-sixth day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Carroll, State of Tennessee, Rebecca Senter, aged eighty-eight years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836:
That she is the widow of Henry Senter, who was a private in the militia in the State of North Carolina and served in the Revolutionary War. He was drafted and served two terms. The first for three months, and was stationed at Moore's Bridge in the State of North Carolina. He served the second tour three months and was stationed at Fayetteville, to protect that place from the Tories. She further declares that she was married to the said Henry Senter in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy one; that her husband, the aforesaid Henry Senter, died on the 27th day of February 1832, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will be more fully appeared by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
(This was accompanied by a witnessing affirmation signed: Wm. Senter & Jency Ann Senter)
Her
Rebecca X Senter
Mark

The government with no explanation denied the claim. There are two possible reasons:
Henry was in the State Militia instead of the regular Army. And that may have disqualified him. Or the statement was judged to be false. Why? The statement is dated 1853 and says Rebecca was then 88 years old. That means she was born in 1764 or 1765. But then it says she married Henry in 1771. She would have been 6 or 7 years old. Henry, born in 1760, would have been 11 years old. Furthermore the first child was not born until 1786. Did they wait years to have their first child, then have five at one and two year intervals? It is more than likely they were married between 1781-85, after the war was over, so Rebecca was not a war widow.

[Henry & Rebecca Senter Bible]

info from Rebecca's bible (1827 she was 63 years old)
Their children were (5 boys -doesn't list any others
1. Stephen b 1787 married in Cumberland Co. N.C. 9-22-1805 Anna Blalock, lived and died near Fayetteville on Cape Fear River. dates of deaths unknown
Their Children: Alfred b 1804 d 1884;
Alvin Blalock b 11-12-1806, d 5-17-1870; Gibson Co. Tennessee;
James b 1812 d ca. 1878;
William b ca. 1810
Belle m. James Stewart (no info)
2. William Senter b. 1789 married in Cumberland Co. N.C. 12-17-1805 Jency Butler. they are buried near South Gibson Post office (So. Gibson County, Tennessee)
Their Children:
James C. b 1806 in N.C.
Mary (Polly) m Lemuel Day -8 children;
Morning m Tom Jackson 8 children;
Delaney m Bill Horn no children;
William Butler b 10-4-1812 m. 1 Eleanor 'Ellie" Ann Werr (Wear) m. 2 Isabella Gracy Rhodes;
Matilda D. m W.B.S. Hall, 7 children;
Moses Easter b 9-10-1816 d 1881 m Margaret Jane Elam b 1822 d 1881;
Henry -blacksmith went to Ark died young
Patrick m. 1 Martha Elam m. 2 Jan??
Elizabeth m1 Dan Barcroft m2 a "young man" no name she and Dan had 4 children
Alvin m1 12-7-1851 Nancy Elam ms Nancy's sister??
3. Drury Senter (this is my line) b 9-25-1788, d 1-10-1853 in Washington Co. VA; married Washington Co. VA 6-6-1809 Mary (Polly) McClure,
They had 12 children-- and will give info if requested
4. Aaron Senter b in 1793 d unk m Elizabeth Baker, dau of Henry Baker and Mercy Tilson, lived in Smythe Co. Va, Elizabeth married after Aaron's death to Robert Cook.
Children of Aaron and Elizabeth:
James b 1818 in Chilhowie VA d ca 1857 m Carolina Yandan.
Martha J. b 8-23-1821 d 11-4-1890 m Charles R. Greener 9 children
William Tilson b 5-20-1823 d 6-1-1907 m 11-18-1847 Sarah Rector 9 children
Rebecca b 6-30-1830 d unk m Arthur L. G Stevenson
Andrew b 1832 immigrated to Kentucky married but no record.[Gregory Family Tree 2.FTW]

[Bakers of Harnett County.FTW]

[Phil Senter]

National Archives in Washington, D.C.. This is a official claim made by Rebecca for War Widow's pension rights based on Henry's service in the North Carolina Militia during the American Revolutionary War. The record is in quill pen hand script.

On this twenty-sixth day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and fifty three personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, within and for the County of Carroll, State of Tennessee, Rebecca Senter, aged eighty-eight years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the Act of Congress passed July 4th, 1836:
That she is the widow of Henry Senter, who was a private in the militia in the State of North Carolina and served in the Revolutionary War. He was drafted and served two terms. The first for three months, and was stationed at Moore's Bridge in the State of North Carolina. He served the second tour three months and was stationed at Fayetteville, to protect that place from the Tories. She further declares that she was married to the said Henry Senter in the year Seventeen hundred and seventy one; that her husband, the aforesaid Henry Senter, died on the 27th day of February 1832, and that she has remained a widow ever since that period, as will be more fully appeared by reference to the proof hereto annexed.
(This was accompanied by a witnessing affirmation signed: Wm. Senter & Jency Ann Senter)
Her
Rebecca X Senter
Mark

The government with no explanation denied the claim. There are two possible reasons:
Henry was in the State Militia instead of the regular Army. And that may have disqualified him. Or the statement was judged to be false. Why? The statement is dated 1853 and says Rebecca was then 88 years old. That means she was born in 1764 or 1765. But then it says she married Henry in 1771. She would have been 6 or 7 years old. Henry, born in 1760, would have been 11 years old. Furthermore the first child was not born until 1786. Did they wait years to have their first child, then have five at one and two year intervals? It is more than likely they were married between 1781-85, after the war was over, so Rebecca was not a war widow.

[Henry & Rebecca Senter Bible]

info from Rebecca's bible (1827 she was 63 years old)
Their children were (5 boys -doesn't list any others
1. Stephen b 1787 married in Cumberland Co. N.C. 9-22-1805 Anna Blalock, lived and died near Fayetteville on Cape Fear River. dates of deaths unknown
Their Children: Alfred b 1804 d 1884;
Alvin Blalock b 11-12-1806, d 5-17-1870; Gibson Co. Tennessee;
James b 1812 d ca. 1878;
William b ca. 1810
Belle m. James Stewart (no info)
2. William Senter b. 1789 married in Cumberland Co. N.C. 12-17-1805 Jency Butler. they are buried near South Gibson Post office (So. Gibson County, Tennessee)
Their Children:
James C. b 1806 in N.C.
Mary (Polly) m Lemuel Day -8 children;
Morning m Tom Jackson 8 children;
Delaney m Bill Horn no children;
William Butler b 10-4-1812 m. 1 Eleanor 'Ellie" Ann Werr (Wear) m. 2 Isabella Gracy Rhodes;
Matilda D. m W.B.S. Hall, 7 children;
Moses Easter b 9-10-1816 d 1881 m Margaret Jane Elam b 1822 d 1881;
Henry -blacksmith went to Ark died young
Patrick m. 1 Martha Elam m. 2 Jan??
Elizabeth m1 Dan Barcroft m2 a "young man" no name she and Dan had 4 children
Alvin m1 12-7-1851 Nancy Elam ms Nancy's sister??
3. Drury Senter (this is my line) b 9-25-1788, d 1-10-1853 in Washington Co. VA; married Washington Co. VA 6-6-1809 Mary (Polly) McClure,
They had 12 children-- and will give info if requested
4. Aaron Senter b in 1793 d unk m Elizabeth Baker, dau of Henry Baker and Mercy Tilson, lived in Smythe Co. Va, Elizabeth married after Aaron's death to Robert Cook.
Children of Aaron and Elizabeth:
James b 1818 in Chilhowie VA d ca 1857 m Carolina Yandan.
Martha J. b 8-23-1821 d 11-4-1890 m Charles R. Greener 9 children
William Tilson b 5-20-1823 d 6-1-1907 m 11-18-1847 Sarah Rector 9 children
Rebecca b 6-30-1830 d unk m Arthur L. G Stevenson
Andrew b 1832 immigrated to Kentucky married but no record.

Henry married Mary Marcia Tilson on 6 Sep 1794 in Washington Co., Virginia. Mary (daughter of William Tilson and Mercy Ransom) was born in 1772 in Smyth Co., Virginia; died on 6 Aug 1838 in Knightstown, Indiana. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Douglas E. Jamison]

"...Directly across the street from the (Rollins) mill, in the northwestern corner of Cumberland county, North Carolina, lived elder Stephen Senter, a Methodist preacher, and his wife, Mary.. Stephen Senter owned a plantation of one square mile which contained six hundred and forty acres and was bordered by Chatham county on the west and Wake county on the north. They were the parents of Lucinda Senter who was born in 1782.

[Deed for Stephen Senter, Sr.]

Book 20, page 172, Cumberland Co, NC:
March 3, 1804. I, Stephen Senter, Sr. and Mary Senter his wife do make a deed of gift revoking all other written contracts and agreements...That is to say my land and stock and also my household property which shall remain after death on the condition that said William Senter, my grandson a son of Henry Senter do take... care of me and my wife during of life. I make this decree also that is to say if ... lives with me eight years. I give one cow and calf, feather bed and furniture unto him.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of W. Nathan Prince, William Utery. signed by Stephen Senter (seal) and Mary (her mark) Senter;
State of North Carolina, Cumberland County, April Term 1804.
Then was the execution of this (deed) proved by Nathan Prince and ordered to be ... and registered. Robeson Mumford, CC

[BettyCarson]

"...Concerning the deed in Cumberland Co. March 3, 1804 from Stephen and Mary giving William Senter, son of Henry, all his property if he will take care of them.... on December 29, 1804 William Senter relinquished all rights and claims...the statement that William, son of Henry, went "back to Cumberland Co." to take care of Stephen and Mary. I'm sorry but... I still don't think Henry went to VA until after 1808 when he sold property in Cumberland.
[Gregory Family Tree 2.FTW]

[Bakers of Harnett County.FTW]

[Douglas E. Jamison]

"...Directly across the street from the (Rollins) mill, in the northwestern corner of Cumberland county, North Carolina, lived elder Stephen Senter, a Methodist preacher, and his wife, Mary.. Stephen Senter owned a plantation of one square mile which contained six hundred and forty acres and was bordered by Chatham county on the west and Wake county on the north. They were the parents of Lucinda Senter who was born in 1782.

[Deed for Stephen Senter, Sr.]

Book 20, page 172, Cumberland Co, NC:
March 3, 1804. I, Stephen Senter, Sr. and Mary Senter his wife do make a deed of gift revoking all other written contracts and agreements...That is to say my land and stock and also my household property which shall remain after death on the condition that said William Senter, my grandson a son of Henry Senter do take... care of me and my wife during of life. I make this decree also that is to say if ... lives with me eight years. I give one cow and calf, feather bed and furniture unto him.
Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of W. Nathan Prince, William Utery. signed by Stephen Senter (seal) and Mary (her mark) Senter;
State of North Carolina, Cumberland County, April Term 1804.
Then was the execution of this (deed) proved by Nathan Prince and ordered to be ... and registered. Robeson Mumford, CC

[BettyCarson]

"...Concerning the deed in Cumberland Co. March 3, 1804 from Stephen and Mary giving William Senter, son of Henry, all his property if he will take care of them.... on December 29, 1804 William Senter relinquished all rights and claims...the statement that William, son of Henry, went "back to Cumberland Co." to take care of Stephen and Mary. I'm sorry but... I still don't think Henry went to VA until after 1808 when he sold property in Cumberland.

Stephen married Mary Sims in 1756. Mary (daughter of Joseph Sims and Mary Unknown, daughter of Joseph Sims and Mary Unknown) was born on 5 Apr 1739; died after 1810. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

The will of Peter Avent recorded in Northampton Co, NC Book I, p. 216, proved Sept. Court 1779,
shows Elizabeth Baker daughter of Peter Avent. Peter m. 1st Any Massie; Ch: William, Isham,
Joseph, Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth (Baker), Lucy (Truelove), Rebecca, Mourning (dau.),
Peter m. 2nd. Mary Tomlinson. No CH.

PETER AVENT:
Constable
Removed to North Carolina and married.
ABSTRACT: WILL, NORTHAMPTON CO., NC, 13 MAY 1779, filed: September court, 1779: son, William Avent,...son, Isham Avent...son, Joseph Avent...son, John Avent...son, Thomas Avent...daughter, Sarah Avent... daughter, Eliza Barker...daughter, Lucy Truelove...daughter, Mourning Avent...daughter, Rebecca Avent...wife's daughter, Lucretia Tomlinson...wife, Molly Avent...EX: William Avent and Lucas Tomlinson.

[Gregory Family Tree 2.FTW]

[Bakers of Harnett County.FTW]

The will of Peter Avent recorded in Northampton Co, NC Book I, p. 216, proved Sept. Court 1779,
shows Elizabeth Baker daughter of Peter Avent. Peter m. 1st Any Massie; Ch: William, Isham,
Joseph, Thomas, Sarah, Elizabeth (Baker), Lucy (Truelove), Rebecca, Mourning (dau.),
Peter m. 2nd. Mary Tomlinson. No CH.

PETER AVENT:
Constable
Removed to North Carolina and married.
ABSTRACT: WILL, NORTHAMPTON CO., NC, 13 MAY 1779, filed: September court, 1779: son, William Avent,...son, Isham Avent...son, Joseph Avent...son, John Avent...son, Thomas Avent...daughter, Sarah Avent... daughter, Eliza Barker...daughter, Lucy Truelove...daughter, Mourning Avent...daughter, Rebecca Avent...wife's daughter, Lucretia Tomlinson...wife, Molly Avent...EX: William Avent and Lucas Tomlinson.

Peter married Amy Massie on 3 Jun 1742 in Brunswick Co., Virginia. Amy (daughter of Joseph Massie and Elizabeth Washington Lanier) was born between 1718 and 1720 in Brunswick Co., Virginia; died between 1776 and 1777 in Northampton Co., North Carolina. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Reverend Andrew Baker, born 1749, died Lee County, Virginia, September 24, 1815, married circa 1769 to Avant, born (it is believed) October 12, 1752.

Rev. Andrew Baker was an early Baptist preacher in Virginia and North Carolina. He was a soldier and chaplain in the Revolutionary War (History of Kentucky p. 13); his place of residence during the Revolution was Montgomery County. Semples History of the "Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia", mentions Baker several times, as pastor of St. Clair's Bottom Baptist Church, Smyth County, Virginia. Fox Creek Baptist Church, Grayson County, Virginia, and "History of Carolina Baptists" - Paschall, and "A History of the Ashe County, N.C., and Virginia Baptist Associations" by J. F. Fletcher, name a number of churches Rev. Andrew Baker was pastor or organizer. The following is quoted from "History North Carolina Baptists" - Paschall, Volume II, page 138:

"In 1790 the Yadkin Association became a distinct body. This session was held at Eaton's Meeting House, August 28, 29 and 30 of that year. Rev. Andrew Baker preached the introductory sermon from I Cor. 1:30, 'But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom and righteousness and sanctification and redemption

"Rev. Andrew Baker was the pastor of this new church so long as it was a branch of the Brier Creek, but upon its final organization Elder McNeill was its pastor and moderator. Elder McNeill preached for it from the beginning and before any steps were taken toward an organization, and was moderator of some of its meetings for business. The constitution, however, prepared was proposed by brother Baker.

The Lewis Fork Baptist Church was organized from members from the Brier Creek Church on May 19, 1792, and its Minute Book is full from its beginning. Elder Andrew Baker was its first Moderator

"The actual date of its constitution (Eaton's Church) as shown by the minutes of Eaton's Church was December 16, 1790; the ministers who assisted were Rev. William Petty and REV. ANDREW BAKER, the latter one of the ablest, wisest and most successful ministers in Wilkes County and the adjacent parts of Virginia, and already one of the leaders of the Yadkin Association."

Rev. Baker's last pastorate was "Thompson's Settlement Baptist Church in Lee County, Virginia, the minutes of which show that Rev. Bakers wife, Elizabeth, joined that church by letter on "October third Saturday, Under date April 23, 1815, the minutes of this church read:

"On the Sabbath, the 23rd day of April, A.D. 1815, a remarkable occurrence was transacted [Page 160] by Elder Andrew Baker, who baptized James Gilbert - in the Loan Branch, a tributary of Wallings' Creek. James Gilbert was the last male he baptized in his lifetime."

And another item in said minutes reads:

"Sabbath the 24th day of September, A.D. 1815 was a remarkable day in the memory of several persons, for on this day old Father Andrew Baker expired after some days of sickness, aged 66 years. He lived 22 weeks after he baptized James Gilbert and Matilda Randolph, who is the wife of William Randolph. His remains were buried in the Robert Clark's Cemetery, 7 miles SW from Jonesville, Lee County, Virginia."

Semple's "Rise and Progress of the Baptists in Virginia" states: "Among Elder Baker's last public service was the baptism in 1816 (1815) of Rev. James Gilbert."

Information by Clyde N. Bunch KD4VQD@juno.com and Carol Wyatt ewyatt@wsnet.com.

Children of Rev. Andrew Baker and wife, Elizabeth Avant:

1. Solomon, born April 13, 1770
2. Henry, born August 14, 1774
3. Andrew, born February 18, 1777
4. Joseph, born April 8, 1779
5. James, born January 27, 1782
6. John, born August 15, 1784
7. Nancy, born January 10, 1787
8. Elijah, born May 8, 1789
9. Martha (Patsy) born October 27, 1791, in Wilkes County, N.C.

Summer's "Annals of Southwest Virginia", page 1257, gives a long list of early marriages performed in Washington County, Virginia, by the Rev. Andrew Baker.

From a great deal of research done by Grace Witt Brockman, the following lineage of Elizabeth Avant, wife of Rev. Andrew Baker, is believed to be correct, though not fully documented as yet:

Elizabeth Avant (Avent) born October 12, 1752, was daughter of Peter Avent, born Sussex County, N.C., died Northampton County, N.C., 1779, and his wife, Amy Massey (Joseph) of Brunswick County, Va. Peter Avent was son of Thomas Avent, born 1661, French Huguenot who came to Virginia 1698 and settled in Surrey County, Virginia, died October 31, 1757, married Margaret Elizabeth Gooch, daughter of Claiborne Gooch, son of William Gooch and Ursula Claiborne, daughter of Col. William Claiborne, first Secretary of the Colony of Virginia.

CHRONICLES OF THE Scotch-Irish Settlement IN VIRGINIA EXTRACTED FROM THE ORIGINAL COURT RECORDS OF AUGUSTA COUNTY 1745-1800, CIRCUIT COURT RECORDS, SECTION "I." JUDGMENTS.

page 143
Beavins (Blevins) vs. Newell--O. S. 174; N. S. 62--Bill, 27th September, 1805. In 1765 or 1768 Andrew Baker settled and made an improvement on land under the Loyal Company now in Grayson County. Several years afterwards he sold to Jeremiah Harrison, who also removed to and lived on the land for some time, and sold to James Mulkey, who settled and lived on the land and then sold to James Blevins, father of orator John Blevins, 1772. James then moved to the land, where he resided until his death, in 1801. In 1790 James Newel made an entry on the lands. George Reves deposes that Andrew Baker was the first settler on the land, in 1768. Copy of survey of 1,000 (4,400?) acres (known as the Peach Bottom) surveyed for Peter Jefferson, Thomas and David Meriwether, and Thos. Walker, 16th March, 1753. Many valuable entries, plats and surveys.

Andrew married Elizabeth Avent between 1768 and 1769 in Wilkes Co., North Carolina. Elizabeth (daughter of Lt. Peter Avent and Amy Massie) was born on 12 Sep 1752 in Brunswick Co., Virginia; died in 1844 in Lee Co., Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Pam Lunsford Whalen]

from Baker Family Forum Web site

'Elizabeth Avant Baker was born in Brunswick Co. Virginia, dau. of John Avant. Elizabeth met and married her husband after emigrating with her parents to Chatham Co. North Carolina. She survived her husband for over 29 years, being sightless the last 20 years of her life.
The remains of Rev. Andrew and Elizabeth Baker are in the graveyard of Brother Robert Clark Sr. on Wallings Creek, Lee Co. Virginia. This site being nearly eight miles southwest of Jonesville.'

William married Mercy Ransom on 1 Apr 1762. Mercy was born about 1750 in Virginia. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]