Week 48: 52 Ancestor 52 Week Blog: Rebecca Ann Mapp (1899-1906)

Week 48: November 29, 2014

Rebecca Ann Mapp (1889 – 1906)

Rebecca Ann Mapp was born on April 15, 1889 in Georgia to parents Robert Howson Mapp, (born South Carolina 1772-1855) and Martha Barnes (1785-1850). Rebecca was the youngest of six children, two being half-brothers; she died on April 02, 1906 in Greene County, Georgia.

My mother has the middle name of Rebecca and I’ve always wondered from where it came. Upon discovering that my grandmother had a sister named Rebecca I thought she was named for her, but now I’ve discovered that my grandmother’s sister was so named for her grandmother, so it leads me to believe that my mother’s name of Rebecca actually came from her great grandmother, Rebecca Ann Mapp Hilsman.

Rebecca must have been a loving woman for her daughter Margarette (Maggie) Hilsman Askew to name her own daughter Rebecca, after her mother and sister. But we still haven’t figured out how my grandmother came to name my mother’s first name of Helen. But it seems she liked it more than Rebecca, putting it first – another mystery.

My earliest Mapp in the United States is Rebecca’s Great Great Grandfather, John Mapp.

Let me backtrack to the beginning Mapp!

By 1618 Virginia had adopted the headright, which gave fifty acres of land for each settler brought to Virginia; most of Virginia’s white immigrants came as either indentured servants or convicts. England’s unskilled and unemployed laborers had no money to pay the ship’s passage; it was paid for them if they signed an indenture or contract to become a servant for four to seven years. The fifty acres went to the sponser who actually paid their passage, not to the immigrants themselves. They, themselves, came with few possessions, were examined like livestock, and worked under grueling conditions. Was this how my John Mapp arrived in VA?

John Mapp Sr. was born circa 1625 in Shropeshire, England and died circa 1671/72 in Northampton County, VA. He married Mary (Union?) born 1620 Kent, England, and married abt. 1643 – we believe in Wilsonia Neck, Virginia. Mary died abt. 1663 Northampton Co., VA. (I found a researcher listing Robins as a possible middle name for John Mapp Sr.  John Mapp II later named a daughter Robins Mapp, so this is a strong possibility of where the name came from)

John Mapp shown on ship manafest

John Mapp arrived 1654, passage paid by Richard Allen and he in return received land in Northampton Co., Va. for payment of passage. (Early Virginia Immigrants, 1623-1666 (from book published 1912 by George Cabell Greer, now copyright-free)

John Mapp shown on land deed

Son of John Mapp Sr.: John Mapp II was born in February 1667 at Northampton Co, VA., son of John Mapp Sr. and Mary (Union). He was named an heir in the father’s will on March 7, 1681 at Northampton Co, VA. Also named was wife Mary, son’s Bartholomew Mapp, John Mapp and daughter Elizabeth Mapp in this will. John Mapp II married Esther Matthews, born circa 1675 in Northampton Co., VA. and d. Jan. 1733 in Northampton Co., VA. (Ester’s parents are Henry Walter Mathews b. 1640 England and Sarah Custis 1645-1720 in Netherlands). They were married circa 1695 and speculated to have lived in the Wilsonia Neck, Northampton County, VA. area.

On Feb. 28, 1687/8 the court was petitioned by John Mapp II., with consent of his mother Mary – it was the judgment of the court that as he is of age to now enjoy the benefits of his labor and also to receive such estate as she shall make justly appear to belong to him. (He seems to evidently now be of age 21.) On this same day John Mapp Jr. petitioned the court for a hand mill and what belongs to it, to be delivered by his mother; it apparently was by her acknowledgment and the attention of Capt. Stringer that he heard Thomas Collins in his lifetime declare that the said mill was given him by his deceased father John Mapp Sr.: This might imply that Thomas Collins to be the husband of John’s sister Ann Mapp.)

Northampton County, VA.

John witnessed a will on 16 September 1691 at Northampton Co, VA. It was on this date that John Map & Benjamin Nottingham witnessed the will of Charles Price, who also named friends John Mapp and Benjamin Nottingham to oversee his wife Mary as extrx. John was living in 1692 at Northampton Co, VA. It was in this year that John Mapp II was living in Old Town Neck on the south-side of Mattawaman Creek. He owned part of the land where he lived and part was leased. In 1712 he bought the leased land.

John Mapp’s (II) wife Esther Mathews, daughter of Walter and Sarah Mathews was named in Co. William Kendall’s will; who married Ester’s mother Sarah Mathews after Walter died. Ester was left 700 acres in Accomack Co. along with siblings, Mary and Elizabeth Mathews. In 1703 John (II) and Esther Mapp sold the entire 700 acres to Samuel Taylor.

John Mapp purchased 300 acres of land in Northhampton Co., where he was shown as “John Mapp, Planter.” In 1724 he deeded 150 acres of the original 300 acres to son Samuel Mapp.

John Mapp (II) lived in Wilsonia Neck, west of Machipongo, on a 100 acre farm, which he leased first and then in 1712 bought from the heirs of Col. Argoll Yeardley. In 1721 Mapp bought 150 acres nearby from John West.

John II Mapp made his will on October 27, 1725 at Northampton Co, VA. To my son Howsen (under 21) horse bought of Jacob Ginder [sic] and 3,000 pounds of tobacco to build him a house and 20 shillings to buy him a ring. To my son John. To son Samuel. To my daughter Mary Mapp Negro man Harry. To my son John the 100 acres I now live on, but for want of his heirs to my daughter Mary Mapp. My loving wife Esther residual legatee and extr. Witt: Argoll Yardly West, Thorogood [X] West & Samuel Benard. He signed his will John (an unknown value) Mapp, with his “M” mark.. John died in November 1725 at age 58. John’s will was probated on December 14, 1725 at Northampton Co, VA.

Virginia County Records, IX – Northampton County Wills. John Mapp II. 27 October, 1725, proven: 14 December, 1725: Sons Howson , John III, and Samuel ; daughters Mary and Robins Mapp . Extx. wife Esther (Matthews?), Wit: Argoll Yardley West, Thorogood West , Samuel Bernard.

Children of John Mapp (II) and Esther Matthews
* John Mapp (III) b. c 1696, d. Mar 1737
* Samuel Mapp b. c 1698, d. Mar 1744
* Howson Mapp (I) b. c 1700, d. Nov 1757
* Mary Mapp b. c 1702
* Robins Mapp b. c 1704

Son of John Mapp II: Howson Mapp born circa 1707 Northampton, died Sept. 26, 1757 in Northhampton, Virginia and married Leah Nottingham (1713-1786). Howson’s will, made Sept. 26, 1757, proved Dec. 13, 1757, named wife Leah and son Littleton – pg. 316. (Will of a Robert Nottingham, Jan. 27, 1744, proven April 9, 1745 names daughter Leah Mapp.) Source: James Handley Marshall, Abstracts of the Wills and Administrations of Northampton Co., Va., 1632–1802 (Camden, Maine: Picton Press, 1994)

Son of Howson Mapp: Littleton Mapp, born 1733, Northampton, VA. married first Elizabeth (Unk 1737-1777) on March 1757 in Northampton, Virginia. He married second, circa 1780 Mary (Foster posb. last name), who was named in his will. Littleton had moved to Granville Co., N.C. where he lived in 1774 and 1775; he then moved to South Carolina during the Rev. War. and served in the militia in 1782; serving in the 96th District 6.

Littleton Mapp Will

Source of Mary Foster: Zae Hargett Gwynn, Abstracts of the Wills & Estate Records of Granville Co., N.C., 1746–1808 (Rocky Mount, N.C., 1973), pg. 43, 52., July 30, 1774, Isham Caudle & Littleton Mapp witnessed gift from Richard Foster to his dau., Mary Foster. 4 Feb. 1777)

Littleton Mapp is shown witnessing a deed in Union County, S.C. on Oct. 27, 1785. Littleton Mapp and wife Mary sold land in Spartanburg Co., S.C. to William Lipscomb on Dec. 27, 1791 – 326 acres on both sides of Thickety Creek. They they moved from Spartanburg Co., S.C. to Greene Co., Ga. in 1792.

In Greene County, November 13, 1792, a John Swepson sold to Littleton Mapp, both of Greene County, 300 acres near the head of South Fork of Powell’s Creek on head of Jackson’s Fork of Shoulderbone Creek, adjoining northwest by Wall, northeast by Cain, southeast by Williamson. This land was put into Hancock County, Georgia, when it was created in 1793.

Littleton Mapp made his will 20 January 1803, Hancock County, Georgia: Weak in body but of sound mind. To wife Mary (Foster) Mapp plantation where I live and negroes James, Jill, Dick, Bristol, Will, Tawny, Jack (bought from estate of William Mapp, decd.), Randol, Tom, Ransom, Lucy, Jinny, Big James, Hannah, Violet, Fanny, Lillie, Tamer, Sarah, and Doll during her life or widowhood. After her death or marriage the property to be disposed of as follows. To son Jeremiah Mapp slaves. To son James Mapp land where I now live and three negroes Tom, Jack, & Doll, feather bed, corner cupboard, walnut oval table, 6 chairs, chest, looking glass, saddle and bridle, and foal. If son James dies without lawful issue then plantation to be given to my son Jeremiah and balance of his portion to be equally divided among my sons and daughters. To my daughter Nancy Mapp, negroes Jack and Sarah, bed, colt named Mark. If she dies without issue to be divided among rest of my children. The plantation where I now live to be kept in good repair until my son James arrives to age of 21 years. To my beloved daughter Elizabeth Smith a negro girl Fanny. To my daughter Polly Smith a negro Bristol. To daughter Susannah Asten, a negro girl Young Tamer. To daughter Sarah Jackson a negro woman Violet. After death or marriage of my wife Mary negroes not already willed to be equally divided among my sons John Mapp, Littleton Mapp Jr., and Robert Howson Mapp with stock. Money equally divided among my children John Mapp, Littleton Mapp, Robert H. Mapp, Jeremiah Mapp, James Mapp, Elizabeth Smith, Polly Smith, Susannah Asten, Sarah Jackson, and Nancy Mapp. Executors: wife Mary and sons John Mapp and Robert H. Mapp.
(signed) Littleton Mapp, Senr. The will was proved 15 December 1804.

Children of LIttleton Mapp from will: Jeremiah Mapp, James Mapp, Nancy Mapp, Elizabeth Mapp Smith, Polly Mapp Smith, Susannah Mapp Asten, Sarah Mapp Jackson, John Mapp, Littleton Mapp Jr., Robert Howson Mapp.

Son of Littleton Mapp: (Rebecca’s father) Robert Howson Mapp (born N.C.) first married Hannah Jackson (1768-1814) on September 27, 1794 in Greene Co., Ga. They had two boys, Isaac Jackson Mapp (1795-1828) and Moore Mapp (1800-1860). Hannah died in 1814 and Robert quickly remarried the following year on September 25, 1815 to Martha Barnes in Hancock Co., Georgia, daughter of Lemon Barnes. Makes you wonder what kind of marriage the first one was for Robert to remarry so quickly, the following year?

Robert and Martha (Barnes) Mapp began their family of four children three years later.
Robert Howson Mapp Jr. (1818-1862)
Elizabeth Mapp (1824-1863)
William Jasper Mapp (1827-1870)
Rebecca Ann Mapp (1829-1906)

Rebecca Ann Mapp married twice; she first married her 1st cousin William L. Mapp at age 15! Wow! I can’t imagine marrying at that age, but my grandmother also married around that same age, but marrying your first cousin – I’m wondering why? Rebecca and William were married on December 12, 1844 in Hancock Co., Georgia, but by the time the 1850 census was taken they had moved to Taliaferro County, Georgia.

William L. Mapp was the son of James and Clara (Wooten) Mapp. James was born circa 1786 and married Clara in Hancock County, Georgia on October 30, 1817. William’s father, James Mapp (husband of Clara Wooten) died 1849 in Greene Co., Ga.  Rebecca’s husband William L. Mapp died in 1851 in Taliaferro County, Georgia. (James Mapp’s death found on the U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedule 1850-1885).

On May 3, 1852 in Taliaferro County, Mary Mapp and Green Moore, administrators of James Mapp, deceased of Greene Co., sold land to Rebecca A. Mapp of Taliaferro County, Ga. (I have not verified exactly who the Mary Mapp and Green Moore are yet; James had one daughter named Mary but she died in 1839.) I have not found wife Clara Mapp, so I’m assuming she previously died. Why did Rebecca buy her father-in-law’s land? Was she living on land next to him when he died and was adding more surrounding property to her own land; by the time of this land purchase she had not remarried. There were no children in her first marriage.

Rebecca remarried on February 17, 1853 in Hancock Co., Georgia to Jasper L. B. Hilsman. (I often find the spelling as Hilsman on older documents) Jasper was born on April 20, 1828 in Hancock Co., Georgia and died August 31, 1888 in Greene County, Georgia. By year 1860 they were in Taliafarro County, Georgia.

Rebecca A. Mapp to Jasper L. B. Hilsman

Rebecca and Jasper L. B. Hilsman had nine children, all girls except for the last child – finally a boy: Mildred and Minerva Hilsman were twins and all the girls names began with the letter “M” – how odd; now why didn’t the son have a “M” name?

By 1860 Jasper and Rebecca were in Taliaferro County and seemed to be quite well off. I find him on the Slave Schedule of 1860 owning twenty eight slaves, from the ages of two to eighty; several children are listed. The value of his real estate was $3,085 dollars with personal estate value at $21,504. Was this really to be 21,504? Many surrounding families also had high personal estate values that year. There were now five children by 1860 in this family. (I have not found a schedule showing what crops he grew; if he had all these slaves, how big was his plantation?)

1860 Taliaferro Co. Ga. Census

The 1870 Crawfordville, Taliaferro County, Ga census finds them with a family of eight children. The value of his real estate was now only 1400 dollars and the value of his personal estate was 370 dollars. This was a large difference of real estate and personal value from 1860 – was this due to the Civil War?)

The 1880 Taliaferro County, Ga. census finds Rebecca and Jasper living there with a family of eight; Jasper was listed as the enumerator on the census. Being he was the enumerator I didn’t expect to find any name or incorrect dates on his family. No real estate or personal value was given.

My line continues with their eighth daughter, Margarette (Margaret/Maggie) Hilsman (Hillsman) who married Samuel S. Askew (born. Sept. 1863 – died April 1919). I searched both Greene and Hancock for their marriage record and came up empty, but in trying Taliaferro County, GA. I found an E. S. Askew marrying Maggie Hillsman Feb. 25, 1885. Those three counties seem to be the ones all the families travelled around to – or either the county lines changed and made it seem that way. I haven’t seen my Samuel Askew use an initial before but? Their first child was born in 1889 in Hancock Co., Ga. (I believe the middle initial of S. I had been given years ago was incorrect, I do believe the marriage record of E. S. Askew is correct)

E. S. Askew to Maggie Hillsman Marriage Record

See Week. No. 7 on Margaret Hilsman Askew: https://jinsalacoblog.wordpress.com/2014/02/15/the-shoe-hits-the-wall-week-7-feb-15-2014/

Marriage record of Samuel Askew and Margaret (Maggie) Hillsman
(Marriage record found at Familysearch.org)

Children of  E. Samuel Askew and Margaret (Maggie) Hillsman

My Mapp line continues on with my grandmother Ola Askew McKinley who I wrote about in Week. no. 1 https://jinsalacoblog.wordpress.com/2014/01/13/week-1-january-4-2014/

It took me years to begin researching my Grandmother Ola’s parents of Maggie Hilsman and Samuel Askew; I recently pursued it again in looking for a clue to my mother’s middle name of Rebecca – and it led me to discover her great grandmother – Rebecca Ann Mapp.

Advertisement