Correct Name for Wife of Stephen Swilley (©1726-1756), NC
In the will of Stephen Swille/Swilley, written in Craven Co., NC, 7 January 1756, and Proved May 1756 term of Court, Stephen Swille/Swilley's wife was listed as "Hanaple."Extensive research has been conducted to find such a person, but the name, "Hanaple," has never been found, except in that will.
By a sheer stroke of luck or guidance from some genealogy angel, the correct name of Stephen's wife has been found!It was ANNABELLA!This is the abstract of a deed, which she signed, using her real name:
Craven Co., NC Deed Book 6, 1753 - 1755
page 80
February 19, 1753 — John (H) Hudler, Craven Co. Planter to John Stanley (Stanaland), same, Planter, for 25 pounds, 400 acres on Jumping Runn Branch on the North side of Trent River...........Witnesses: STEPHEN SWILLEY, John Taylor, ANNABELLA (x) SWILLEY.August Court 1753Solomon Rew, Clk. Cur.
Source: "Craven County, North Carolina Deed Books: 3, 4, 6, 71744-1755Volume III" by Weynette Parks Haun; pages 88 & 89.
I do have a photocopy of the actual handwritten deed, found in the North Carolina Archives on microfilm.
This is fantastic news for all of us Swilley descendants! All of us can now put her correct name in our records!
Janice Newton Thurmond, Marietta, GA