It’s Family Time~The Family of Christopher Dry

 Christopher Dry was the 4th child and son of George Dry and his wife Mary “Polly” Sides of Cabarrus County, North Carolina.  He was born the 27th March 1831. At the time of his birth he had 3 older brothers. Thirteen years later, he had 5 brothers and 3 sisters.  His father was a farmer.

Unbeknown to him in his youth; but, his birth in 1831 would make him one of the “most wanted” when the Civil War erupted in January 1861. Sadly, it would also take his life.

Christopher, at the age of 21, married Martha Ann Littleton on 2 February 1853. A day of celebration with a bright future ahead. By the outbreak of the Civil War, Christopher and Martha Ann had four children two daughters and two sons. A final daughter would be borne to the family in 1862 bringing the total to five children.

Christopher, a farmer, enlisted on 28 March 1862 for a total of three years. He would be a member of Company I, 52nd Regiment, North Carolina Infantry also known as the “Stanly Rebels”. After organizing at Camp Mangum, near Raleigh, NC, the unit  fought at Goldsboro, NC and them moved north into Virginia joining the Army of Northern Virginia where they were engaged at Gettysburg, Pa on 1, 2, 3 July 1863. Christopher Dry was killed during the ensuing battle. His military record contained this comment:

 “I am satisfied that he was killed or died from wounds rec’d at Gettysburg while in enemy’s hands.” 

In “North Carolina Troops, 1861-1865: A Roster”, Volume 8, page 440, we find the following entry:

DRY, CHRISTOPHER, Private
Born in Stanly County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in Stanly County at age 31, March 25, 1862. Killed at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, July 3, 1863.  [Volume 8. Page 440]

Christopher Dry and Martha Ann Littleton had the following children:

i. Mary Elizabeth Dry was born about 1854 in Stanly County, North Carolina. 

ii. John M. Dry was born about 1857 in Stanly County, North Carolina. 

iii. James Arnold Dry was born about 1858 in Stanly County, North Carolina.

iv. Eliza Dry was born about 1859 in Stanly County, North Carolina.

v. Josephine Dry was born about 1862 in Stanly County, North Carolina.

Martha Ann (Littleton) Dry died on 4 March 1910 and was buried in Palestine, Stanly County, North Carolina. Her grave is unmarked.

Christopher Dry is my 1st Cousin 4X Removed.

__________________________________

1. Bostian Frank K. and Cruse B. W. (Bernard W.), Dutch Buffalo Creek Meeting House, 1745-1806 (Mount Pleasant, N.C.: Bethel Bear Creek United Church of Christ, 1974), page 63.

2. 1850 Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Harris, Stanly County, North Carolina, Page: 19A(stamped); Line 20, Dwelling 273, Family 274, Household of George DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 10 February 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, Roll 645.

3. 1860 U. S. Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Stanly, North Carolina, Page: 82(stamped); Line 10, Dwelling 1165, Family 1181, Household of Christopher DRY; online database, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 February 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm Publication M653, Roll 914.

4. Ancestry, "Civil War Service Records" database, Military Service Records (https://www.fold3.com/ : accessed 14 February 2020), entry for Christopher DRY, Private; 52nd Infantry; Confederate.

5. "Index to North Carolina Marriage Bonds, 1741-2011," database, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 February 2020), Marriage: Christopher DRY & Martha Ann LITTLETON; North Carolina Division of Archives and History, 1977; Marriage Date: 2 Feb 1853.

6. 1870 U S Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina, Page 16 (Stamped), Line 1, Dwelling 249, Family 249, Household of Martha DRY; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 February 2020); citing National Archive Microfilm M593, Roll 1160.

7. 1900 US Census, Stanly County, North Carolina, population schedule, Albemarle, Stanly, North Carolina, enumeration district (ED) 0121, Page: 27/174 (stamped); Line 84, Dwelling 395, Family 440, Household of Martha DRY; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : viewed 14 February 2020); citing National Archives Microfilm T623, Roll 1218.

Amanuensis Monday~The Last Will and Testament of Elijah Hunnicutt

 Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.

His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is The Last Will and Testament of Elijah Hunnicutt.

Elijah Hunnicutt was borne abt 1776, a son of Hartwell Hunnicutt and his wife Mary Steward. I have found no evidence that Elijah , also known as Eli, was ever married. I think that his Will and the execution of Land Deeds of his Property to his father and brothers clearly suggests that he was a “single” man. 

On 3 June 1817, Elijah “Eli” Hunnicutt executed his Last Will and Testament leaving to his Brother William Hunnicutt all my Personal and real estate to him and his heirs forever. William Hunnicutt was also named the  Executor of his Will. His Brother, Caufield Hunnicutt and Abram Williams provided securities in the sum of five hundred dollars.

Transcription of last Will and Testament

Elijah Hunnicutt Last Will & Testament
In the name of God amen. I, Elijah Hunnicutt of Surry County being weak in body, but of sound mind and memory and considering the uncertainty of this mortal life, and being of sound memory blefsed be almighty God for the same do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) I give to my Brother Wm. Hunnicutt all my Personal (pg 311) and real estate to him and his heirs forever.I hereby appoint my brother Wm. Hunnicutt executor of this my last Will and Testament; hereby revoking all former wills by me made. In witnefs whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty third day of June in the year of our Lord, one thousand eight hundred and seventeen.
Signed,sealed published declare by the above}
named Elijah Hunnicutt to be his last Will}                                       Elijah Hunnicutt
 and Testament, in the presence of us, who have}
hereunto subscribed our names as witnefses in}
the presence of the Testator.}
William H. Ripley
William X Wright
William E.Wright
At a Court held for Surry County August the 24th 1818
          The within written last Will and testament of Elijah Hunnicutt deceased was presented into Court by William Hunnicutt the executor therein named the same being proved by the oaths of William H. Ripley and William E. Wright two of the subscribing witnefses thereto is by the Court ordered to be recorded. And on motion of the said executor who made oath and gave bond with Abram Williams and Caufield Hunnicutt his securities in the sum of five hundred dollars, conditioned as the law directs, Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form.                                                                                                              Teste,

I have found no obituary, tombstone, death notice are death date for the death of Elijah Hunnicutt. But, if you look at the last paragraph after his will above it inferred he died before 24 August 1818...

At a Court held for Surry County August the 24th 1818
          The within written last Will and testament of Elijah Hunnicutt deceased was presented into Court

_____________________________

[1] https://www.ancestry.com/discoveryui-content/view/593280:62347?tid=&pid=&queryId=df0450202d34aaaff62be089bcf3b7f7&_phsrc=XLy408&_phstart=successSource