Samuel Sumner and His Descendants

Samuel Sumner [86], son of Joseph John Sumner [89], was born about 1794 and died in 1824 in , Buncombe Co, NC about age 30.

Samuel married someone.  He had seven children: 

Jesse Sumner  (1814 - 1878)

Cinthia Sumner  (c1815 - aft 1885)

Nancy Sumner (1817 - bef 1885)

Margaret Sumner (1818 - 1889)

Joel Sumner (aft 1820 -   ?   ).

Neomi Sumner (aft 1821 - bef 1885)

Richard Sumner (abt 1824 - ?    ).


Jesse Sumner  (1814 - 1878).

Jesse Sumner [4940], son of Samuel Sumner [86], was born on 21 Mar 1814 in , Buncombe Co, NC, died on 3 Aug 1878 at age 64, and was buried in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Overlook Road, Arden, NC.

General Notes: Jesse and Rozilla acquired and disposed of several properties along the French Broad River and in the Big Ivey section of Buncombe County from 1840 - 1973.  Jesse was a farmer.

At Jesse's death Rozilla gave up all claim to the estate in favor of her son John B. Sumner.  She lived in his household in Limestone Township until her death. - Thelma Swanson

Jesse was elected Sheriff of Buncombe County in the general election held Apr 21 and 22, 1868.  Richard, his younger brother was one of the persons signing the bond.  The Asheville News and Farmer (Jul 1, 1869) in an article about the Buncombe Superior Court reported "The Criminal Docket is now being taken up in regular order.  It contains several capital felonies, but defendants are not on hand.  They broke jail - vamoosed - departed for fresh fields and green pastures.  It is not certain , as yet, whether the Sheriff and jailor will be indicted for permitting their escape."  On September 5, 1870, the County Commissioners refused to accept Jesse's bond.  Bonds were posted annually.  The commissioners appointed James M. Young, Sheriff.  Jesse tried again at the October meeting to be reinstated but was not.  He then took his case to court in State of North Carolina and Jesse Sumner vs James M. Young.  On January 9, 1871, a North Carolina Supreme Court ordered the Buncombe County Coroner to arrest James M. Young and bring him to trial.  Young tried to prevent the case from going to a jury trial, but the motion was denied.

Young claimed Jesse did not regularly post bond and account for tax monies collected. He also claimed that on or about the latter part of april or May 1, 1871, Jesse left North Carolina and did not intend to return.  Young also claimed that another general election was held and Jesse lost and forfieted his right to complete the original four year term.  It is not clear how the case was resolved.  The case was appealed to the North Carolina Supreme Court which charged each party with the cost of the court.  Apparently Young continued as sheriff.  Jesse did leave the state.  He was in Nebraska on Feb 5, 1873.

Jesse died August 3, 1878, without a will.   Elizabeth gave up all claim to the estate in favor of her son John B. Sumner.

Death did not stop litigation concerning Jesse Sumner.  In J.B. Sumner, Administrator vs Thomas J. Candler claimed Jesse accepted a horse, saddle, bridle, and suit of clothes in payment of the dept.  John claimed Candler was shifting ownership of property to his wife to avoid payment of th debt.  A compromise was reached.  Candler paid $700 in court costs, not already paid, on Feburary 11, 1887.

The value of Jesse's estate was nothing over the widow's year allowance.  Outstanding debts were $1,000.  A track of land acquired under the homestead laws of North Carolina was sold at auction on the courthouse steps.  Fifty acres, east of the French Broad River adjoining lands of J. Rice, R. Sumner, and J.E. Reed were sold to the highest bidder.  On November 4, 1878, C.M. McCloud paid $150.00 for the land.

Elizabeth lived with her son on his farm in Limestone Township, Buncombe County, until her death on July 30, 1901.

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The above information came form Fred W. Willams, Joyce Justus Paris, interviews with family members, CRESWELL HISTORY AND GENEALOGY by J.O. Creswell, estate records, census records, wills, and other information in the North Carolina State Archives.

Researched and written by Mark Sumner, Jr., 1978, Revised Febuary 1985.  Additional information and/or comments concerning errors are solitcited.

Jesse married Elizabeth "Rosilla" Sorrells [4941] [MRIN: 1781], daughter of John A. Sorrells [4942] and Priscilla Debord [4943]. Elizabeth was born on 20 Mar 1824, died on 30 Jul 1901 in , Buncombe Co, NC at age 77, and was buried in Mt. Zion Baptist Church, Overlook Road, Arden, NC. They had eight children: Mary Emaline, Marcus L., Laura C., Jesse H., Julius M., John Bascombe, Pink Ella, and Jane.

Mary Emaline Sumner [818] was born on 28 Aug 1841, died on 13 Nov 1910 at age 69, and was buried in New Salem Cem. Skyland, Limestone Township, TN.

Mary married John Andrew "Darb" Lance [817] [MRIN: 405], son of Joseph Lance [816] and Elizabeth Hunter [815], on 28 Aug 1841. John was born on 13 Aug 1837, died on 11 Dec 1905 at age 68, and was buried in New Salem, Skyland, Limestone Township, TN. They had 11 children: Jane, Julia Ann, James "Jim Henry," William Pinkney, Josephine "Jossie," Mary, John Andrew "Andy," Melvin H., Fidelia A., Infant, and J.H..

Jane Lance [821] was born on 21 Jun 1861, died on 1 Jan 1927 in Asheville, Buncombe Co, NC at age 65, and was buried in Avery's Creek Christian Church Cem.

Jane married William P. Pinner [822] [MRIN: 407] on 25 Dec 1891. William was born about 1863 and died on 4 Jan 1930 in Arden, , NC about age 67.

Julia Ann Lance [823] was born on 7 Nov 1864, died on 6 Apr 1925 at age 60, and was buried in Mt. Zion, Skyland, NC.

Noted events in her life were:

•  Her residence was Black Mountain, NC.

Julia married Jim Hampton [824] [MRIN: 408] on 14 Apr 1883. Jim was buried in Mt. Zion, Skyland, NC.

James "Jim Henry" Lance [825] was born on 10 Dec 1866, died on 29 Jul 1932 at age 65, and was buried in New Salem, Skyland, Limestone Township, TN.

General Notes: Jim Henry died as a result of a gunshot wound in the head and stomach.  The shooting occurred at the Lance home after an argument.  Ralph Jackson, Elizabeth Lance (Ralph's aunt) and Vernon Youngblood (Jim Henry's brother-in-law) went to Jim Henry's home to get some furniture that apparently to belonged to Elizabeth.  Jim refused to let Ralph in, but agreed t let Vernon get the furniture.  Jim was shot after he hit Ralph with a stick.  Ralph turned himself in to the sheriff and was released on $75,000 bond. 

Jim Henry and Sallie had three daughters.  One married Webb Bailey, another married John Laughlin, and one died prior to 1932.

Noted events in his life were:

•  He lived at the Lance Place Near French Broad River.

James married Sallie Cook [826] [MRIN: 409].

James next married Lorrena Lance [827] [MRIN: 410].

William Pinkney Lance [828] was born in 1869 and died in 1944 at age 75.

William married Esther Case [829] [MRIN: 411] on 21 May 1882.

William next married Nanny West [830] [MRIN: 412].

Josephine "Jossie" Lance [831] was born in 1871 and died on 23 Jul 1939 in Jackson, , LA at age 68.

Josephine married H.F. Tilson [832] [MRIN: 413] on 12 Aug 1888.

Mary Lance [833] was born in 1873 and died on an unknown date.

Mary married Fleet C. Watkins [834] [MRIN: 414] on 8 Nov 1889.

Marriage Notes: Fleet, Mary and their son Mack moved to New Smryna, Fla.

John Andrew "Andy" Lance [835] was born on 24 Oct 1875 in Jr and died on 25 Jul 1939 at age 63.

John married Maggie Byrd [836] [MRIN: 415]. Maggie died on 18 Aug 1903.

John next married Lydia Emmaline "Emma" Whitaker [837] [MRIN: 416] on 14 Jul 1910. Lydia was born on 8 Feb 1881, died on 8 May 1966 at age 85, and was buried in Mountain View Memorial Park, Black Mountain, NC.

Marriage Notes: Andy and Emma lived in Black Mountain, NC

Noted events in her life were:

•  Children:7

Melvin H. Lance [838] was born on 29 Nov 1877, died in Aug 1954 at age 76, and was buried in Calvery Episcopal Church, Fletcher, NC.

Melvin married Maggie Jones [839] [MRIN: 417]. Maggie was buried in Calvery Episcopal Church, Fletcher, NC.

Marriage Notes: They lived on Haywood Estate in Arden and then bought a home in Arden.

Fidelia A. Lance [840] was born on 6 Apr 1880 and died on an unknown date.

Noted events in her life were:

•  Residence:  Long Beach, CA

Infant Lance [841] was born on 6 Apr 1880 and died on 6 Apr 1880.

J.H. Lance [842] was born on an unknown date and died in 1963 in St Louis, , MO.

Marcus L. Sumner [34424] was born on 19 Jan 1845 and died on 24 Mar 1899 at age 54.

Laura C. Sumner [34425] was born on 13 Aug 1848 and died on 29 Apr 1928 at age 79.

Jesse H. Sumner [34426] was born on 1 Feb 1851 and died on 23 Oct 1919 at age 68.

Julius M. Sumner [34427] was born on 30 May 1853 and died on 30 Oct 1876 at age 23.

John Bascombe Sumner [34428] was born on 27 Mar 1856 and died on 19 May 1918 at age 62.

Pink Ella Sumner [34429] was born in 1862 and died in 1941 at age 79.

Jane Sumner [34430] was born about 1866 and died before 1880.

Cinthia Sumner  (c1815 - aft 1885) 

1-Cinthia Sumner [4944], daughter of Samuel Sumner [86], was born before 1815 in , Buncombe Co, NC, died after 24 Nov 1885, and was buried in Williams Cemetery, Bat Cave, NC.

General Notes: The following is a letter Cynthia wrote to her sister.

                                        Batcave

                                        Henderson County, N.C.

                                        November 24, 1885

Mrs. Margaret Williams

My dear and only sister,

Your kind and more than welcome letter came to hand  in due time and found all as we11 as usual.  As for myself; I am never well.  I do not know what it is to feel well  one  day I am troubled with heart disease  all  the  time  and  seldom clear of headaches.  I can neither knit nor sew.  It gives me a such a headache.  I have not cooked a meal of  victuals  in over five years.  I seldom go out of the house unless  it  is very Pleasant weather.  I have my meals carried to me in cold weather/ and you are able to do your own work.  What a difference.  If I was that stout; I  would  visit  you  right away.  As it is; I can't visit my children.  I have not  been to see Martha in over a year.  She lives in Rutherford.   The rest all live near enough to visit them occasionally.  I have not walked a mile in over five years.  The children  are  all tolerably stout but Martha.  She is weak but hardly  able  to do her work and has six children.  And the oldest one is down now with his leg broken.  Lou. has but one child.. and  she  is grown.  Mark is living with me.  He has  five  children..  the rudest ever was.  Two of the first  wife  and  three  of  the last.   We  are  getting  along  tolerably  well  considering everything.  His wife lost her right hand four years ago.. but she can do a good deal of work yet.  She can do most anything but sew by hand.  Can sew on the machine.  Mark  is  gone  to Asheville with a load of tobacco.  This is the first  tobacco farming that has been done in this vicinity.  There  will  be more  raised  another  year.   There  has  been  considerable improvement since you. left here. The country is becoming very thickly settled.  There is a small town at  the  bridge;  two stores and  a  Post  office/  a  merchant  mill  and a  carding factory.  Bill R. Conner is  badly  deranged.   He  wants  to Preach all the time and  says  the  People  won't  hear  him. Brother Jesse and Uncle Dempsey have  been  dead  some  time. Perhaps you heard it.  Mat Ledbetter's oldest daughter  Sarah Ann also Katy Lyda's daughter Rachel Ann.. They were taken  to be confined and died.  They both left little children.   Katy lives with her son-in-law and takes  care  of  the  children, Mat comes over  occasionally  to  see  us.   He  is  quite  a different man to what he use  to  be.  He  is  a  very  moral fellow.  Joshua Whitaker is in  very  Poor  health.   He  has almost come to Poverty.

John Casey is dead and Peggy is  married  again.   Jesse Nilliams married David Halker^s widow of Rutherford..  a  very respectable old lady.  I seldom see Lizzie.  I suppose she is getting along very  well.   She  is  married  and  has  three children.

A similar circumstance recently occured in this country. A girl by the name of Bradley was taken to  be  confined  and went to the woods and laid her  baby  between  two  logs  and broke a few weeds and laid over it and left it there to  die. Next day it was found dead.  She is now  in  Asheville Jail. She is a grand-daughter of Michael Sumner.

We get letters from Mary Annn sometimes.  Why is  it  she always writes so sad?  Hoping you are well.  I will close for the Present. Write soon and let me hear from you all.

Your affectionate sister until death;

Cynthia Williams

P.S. Please excuse my left hand writing.

Cinthia married David Williams [4945] [MRIN: 1783], son of John Williams [4946] and Mary/Polly Ashworth [4947]. David was born on 11 May 1807, died about 1880 about age 73, and was buried in Williams Cemetery, Bat Cave, NC.

Margaret Sumner (1818 - 1889)  NEXT