Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Mertz Genealogy - Person Sheet
Spouses
Marriage31 January 1783, Wayne Co, NC
Parent-Proof notes for Joshua Bass
Joshua was the son of Thomas. It took me some time to gather the evidence to support this assertion (which I first saw in several Internet family trees), but I am now quite sure of it. See the discussion of land records in My Comments about his father.
Relocated notes for Joshua Bass
I believe that Joshua Bass came to Sampson County in 1792. On 20 Mar 1792, a deed was made by Richard Bass Murphy (some kind of cousin no doubt) of Sampson County to Joshua Bass of Wayne County; Joshua bought for 100 pounds about 150 acres on the East side of Marsh branch near Herring's line. Then on 23 Mar 1794, Elisha Terlington of Sampson County sold to Joshua Bass, now of Sampson County, 18 acres of land for 22 pounds 10 shillings. The land is described as part of the original patent of John Herring, it lies on the west side of Six Runs south of Beaverdam Swamp and one line is down the Marsh Branch to Joshua Bass' line.
Census History notes for Joshua Bass
1790. Joshua is listed in New Bern district, Wayne County. There is one younger male and 4 females present.
1800. He has moved to Sampson County. He is 26-44 as is his wife and his five children are all present and accounted for.
1810. He is still in Sampson County. He is age 45+ as is his wife. Both sons, but only one daughter remain at home. The daughter is age 16-25. I believe this is Rebecca who would be 22 and not yet married.
1820. This marks Joshua’s last listing in the Census. He is 45+ as is his wife. Only one younger female lives at home, in this case I do not think it is Rebecca.
1800. He has moved to Sampson County. He is 26-44 as is his wife and his five children are all present and accounted for.
1810. He is still in Sampson County. He is age 45+ as is his wife. Both sons, but only one daughter remain at home. The daughter is age 16-25. I believe this is Rebecca who would be 22 and not yet married.
1820. This marks Joshua’s last listing in the Census. He is 45+ as is his wife. Only one younger female lives at home, in this case I do not think it is Rebecca.
My Comments notes for Joshua Bass
Joshua Bass was born about 1760 in Dobbs County, NC and died 18 Jul 1829 in Sampson County, NC. He married 31 Jan 1783 Priscilla Turner who was born about 1764 in Virginia and died after 1850 in Sampson County.
A book ”Duplin/Sampson Revolutionary Records”, found at NHCL, details information found in pension filings of veterans and/or their widows. After the Revolutionary War, there were several laws enacted to provide these kinds of pensions — but the applicant had to ”prove” their service and this was sometimes hard to do given the scarcity of official record keeping back then.
In 1845, Priscilla Bass applied for a widow’s pension, supported by various affidavits from friends and one from her daughter Rebecca Lamb. The application process carried on over at least a five year period as some of the documents were filed in 1850. These various documents stated that Joshua had served in the War about 12 months as a private in the NC militia and he fought at the Battle of Brier Creek. He also was marched to South Carolina and Georgia from where he had to walk home -- it took 11 days -- after he was discharged from service.
Priscilla (who said her maiden name was Turner) gave a few details about the life of Joshua. She stated she and Joshua had been married 31 Jan 1783 in Wayne County by Andrew Bass, Esquire and that Joshua died in July 1829. Daughter Rebecca’s 1850 affidavit said her father died 20 July 1830 but since his will was proven Aug 1829, I think his date of death was most likely 20 July 1829. Priscilla stated that she and Joshua had five children, only one of whom (Isaac, her youngest) could she actually document and that by a record written by Joel Bass, Joshua’s brother. Priscilla’s application was denied because she really wasn’t able to document her husband’s service.
Joshua wrote his will 19 Sep 1828 and it was probated in the August Court 1829. He mentions his wife Priscilla, son Uriah and daughters Feribee Carr and Rebecca Lamb. He also refers to a grandson Isaac Peterson implying the existence of yet another daughter who apparently has already died, as had his son Isaac. His land goes first to his wife then his son and he gives slaves to all of them and also to his grandchildren. To his granddaughter Eliza Lamb, he gives ”Negro girl Tamer”. John Lamb is an executor. Like his wife’s later will, the relationship of a lot of people is confirmed by this document. Specifically, it confirms that his daughter Rebecca married a Lamb, presumably John, and they had a daughter Eliza — this is Catherine Elizabeth born in 1818, who now by age 11 owned her very own slave.
A book ”Duplin/Sampson Revolutionary Records”, found at NHCL, details information found in pension filings of veterans and/or their widows. After the Revolutionary War, there were several laws enacted to provide these kinds of pensions — but the applicant had to ”prove” their service and this was sometimes hard to do given the scarcity of official record keeping back then.
In 1845, Priscilla Bass applied for a widow’s pension, supported by various affidavits from friends and one from her daughter Rebecca Lamb. The application process carried on over at least a five year period as some of the documents were filed in 1850. These various documents stated that Joshua had served in the War about 12 months as a private in the NC militia and he fought at the Battle of Brier Creek. He also was marched to South Carolina and Georgia from where he had to walk home -- it took 11 days -- after he was discharged from service.
Priscilla (who said her maiden name was Turner) gave a few details about the life of Joshua. She stated she and Joshua had been married 31 Jan 1783 in Wayne County by Andrew Bass, Esquire and that Joshua died in July 1829. Daughter Rebecca’s 1850 affidavit said her father died 20 July 1830 but since his will was proven Aug 1829, I think his date of death was most likely 20 July 1829. Priscilla stated that she and Joshua had five children, only one of whom (Isaac, her youngest) could she actually document and that by a record written by Joel Bass, Joshua’s brother. Priscilla’s application was denied because she really wasn’t able to document her husband’s service.
Joshua wrote his will 19 Sep 1828 and it was probated in the August Court 1829. He mentions his wife Priscilla, son Uriah and daughters Feribee Carr and Rebecca Lamb. He also refers to a grandson Isaac Peterson implying the existence of yet another daughter who apparently has already died, as had his son Isaac. His land goes first to his wife then his son and he gives slaves to all of them and also to his grandchildren. To his granddaughter Eliza Lamb, he gives ”Negro girl Tamer”. John Lamb is an executor. Like his wife’s later will, the relationship of a lot of people is confirmed by this document. Specifically, it confirms that his daughter Rebecca married a Lamb, presumably John, and they had a daughter Eliza — this is Catherine Elizabeth born in 1818, who now by age 11 owned her very own slave.
My Comments notes for Priscilla (Spouse 1)
Her pension application says in one place they were married about 1784, then later says 1/31/1783 in Wayne County. They were married by Andrew Bass, Esq, JP.
In the 1850 Census, she is living with her daughter Rebecca and she is shown as age 90 -- implying born 1760. Her pension filing says she was age 81 in Nov 1845, implying 1764, probably the more reliable date. It also says her maiden name was Turner.
In the 1850 Census, she is living with her daughter Rebecca and she is shown as age 90 -- implying born 1760. Her pension filing says she was age 81 in Nov 1845, implying 1764, probably the more reliable date. It also says her maiden name was Turner.