James Edwards1

M, #43, b. c 1778, d. 11 Nov 1823 or 11 Nov 1825
Last Edited25 Apr 2015
FatherJohn Edwards1 b. Sep 1750, d. 17 Oct 1833
MotherRuth Crabtree1 b. c 1752, d. 16 Nov 1845
Birth*circa 1778James Edwards was born circa 1778 in Bedford County, Virginia.1 
Marriage*before 1800He married first Elizabeth (?) before 1800 in Buncombe County, North Carolina.2 
Widowed23 January 1818 According to the Edwards Family Bible, Elizabeth died in 1818. The bible entry reads: Elizabeth Edwards her decease was January 23rd 1818.3 
Marriage*16 June 1817 or 16 June 1818James Edwards married second Sophia Deyton in North Carolina. Note the discrepancy regarding their date of marriage:
  • The death of Elizabeth Edwards, first wife of James Edwards, was recorded as 23 Jan 1818 in the Edwards Family Bible.3
  • The marriage of James Edwards and his second wife Sophia Deyton was not recorded in the Edwards Family Bible.3
  • In the pension claim of Sophia Edwards, for the service of James Edwards, Sophia submitted this affidavit: " . . . there is no record evidence of her marriage in existence either, family, Bible or Public. That the Justice who married her is dead and that the best evidence she can furnish is that of the witnesses who were present and witnessed her marriage and know that she and her husband lived together as man and wife for many years." [Stamped by Department of the Interior, Pension Office: 15 Feb 1879]4
  • Affidavit of James McCourry Sr. and Elizabeth Deyton, respectively 83 and 90 years of age, for the pension claim of Sophia Edwards: " . . . that they were present & witnessed the marriage of James Edwards & Sophia Deyton June 16'' 1817" [Back of affidavit stamped by Department of the Interior, Pension Office: 15 Feb 1879]5
  • This researcher has found no evidence of a divorce for James Edwards and his first wife Elizabeth Wilson.
  • Elizabeth Edwards' date of death 23 Jan 1818 appears to be recorded near the time of the event in the Edwards Family Bible.3
  • The marriage date of 16 Jun 1817, in the pension claim of Sophia Edwards, was recorded 61-62 years after the marriage event by witnesses respectively 83 and 90 years of age.5
Thus, at this time, this researcher concludes that the marriage date of 16 Jun 1818 is the more probable date for the marriage of James Edwards and Sophia Deyton.6 
Death*11 November 1823 or 11 November 1825 Note the discrepancy regarding date of death:
  • The death of James Edwards was recorded as 11 Nov 1825 in the Edwards Family Bible.3
  • The death of James Edwards was recorded as 11 Nov 1823 in the pension claim of Sophia Edwards.7
However, this researcher has found no specific record in the pension file which supports his date of death as recorded on the pension application summary. Perhaps analysis of additional records will provide information regarding the date of his death.6 

Family 1

 Elizabeth (?) b. 1780, d. 23 Jan 1818
Child 1.George W. Edwards+8,3 b. c 1812, d. 11 Dec 1876

Family 2

 Sophia Deyton b. c 1793, d. a 1880
Child 1.Obadiah Edwards+1,3 b. 19 Apr 1819, d. a 1880

Copyright Notice


Citations

  1. [S199] Membership application, Anita Byrd Calfee, National no. 927374, on John Edwards (1750-1833, Virginia), approved 07 Dec 2013; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Office of the Registrar General, Washington, D.C.
  2. [S199] Membership application, Anita Byrd Calfee, National no. 927374, on John Edwards (1750-1833, Virginia), approved 07 Dec 2013; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Office of the Registrar General, Washington, D.C. "James' first wife proven from Bible Recs: Elizabeth X."
  3. [S293] Edwards family bible in documentation file supporting Membership Application of Anita Byrd Calfee (National no. 927374) on John Edwards (1750-1833, Virginia), approved 07 December 2013; National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Office of the Registrar General, Washington, D.C.
  4. [S294] "War of 1812 Pension Files," database and images, Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com/image/247/310515111/ : accessed 15 November 2014); Widow Sophia Edwards pension claim no. 17571, service of James Edwards (Capt. James Lowery or Levi Bailey's Co., N.C. Militia, War of 1812); citing "War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, compiled ca. 1871-1900, documenting the period 1812-ca.1900, Record Group 15, National Archives, Washington, D.C. General affidavit, http://www.fold3.com/image/247/310515133/
  5. [S294] "War of 1812 Pension Files," database and images, Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com/image/247/310515111/ : accessed 15 November 2014); Widow Sophia Edwards pension claim no. 17571, service of James Edwards (Capt. James Lowery or Levi Bailey's Co., N.C. Militia, War of 1812); citing "War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, compiled ca. 1871-1900, documenting the period 1812-ca.1900, Record Group 15, National Archives, Washington, D.C. General affidavit, http://www.fold3.com/image/247/310515165/
  6. [S16] Analysis by Wanda Hunter Day, http://www.heritagehunter.info.
  7. [S294] "War of 1812 Pension Files," database and images, Fold3 (http://www.fold3.com/image/247/310515111/ : accessed 15 November 2014); Widow Sophia Edwards pension claim no. 17571, service of James Edwards (Capt. James Lowery or Levi Bailey's Co., N.C. Militia, War of 1812); citing "War of 1812 Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, compiled ca. 1871-1900, documenting the period 1812-ca.1900, Record Group 15, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Pension application summary: http://www.fold3.com/image/247/310515114/
  8. [S4] Wallace Edwards, "Edwards Family History." Copy held by Wanda Hunter Day.