Revised 8/17/2017. Copyright @2017; The following Documentary Timeline has been compiled and created by Paul Rhetts. It may be copied for research purposes; but it may not be reproduced for inclusion in any printed or electronic distribution of any kind without the express written permission of the author. Any requests to use this information should be sent to Paul Rhetts, LPDPress@q.com.
Robert SUMNER (1716-1779) m. Phoebe BEALS (1725-1805)
s/o James SUMNER (1690-1750) and Mary BLANCHARD (1694-1731)
d/o John BEALS (1684-1745) and Sarah BOWATER (1688-1777)
p/o Hannah SUMNER (1734-1775)
Children:
1. Hannah (1734-1775) m. John Peter Wolfensbarger, 1751
2. William (1747-1801) m. Eleanor Edwards
3. Bowater (1749-1829) m. Rebeckah Burris
4. Caleb Sr (1751-1831) m. widow Mary (Cook) Carson (Ballard)
5. Joshua (1753-c1858) m. Sarah "Sally" Cox
6. Phebe Ann (1755-1811) m. Welcome John Garrett
7. Thomas (1757-1838) m1. Hannah Hiatt, m2. Widow Martha (Rich) Williams
8. Prudence Beals (1760-1835) m. Garrett Gibson Sr.
9. Abigail (1762-1854) m. John B Carson
10. Sarah Jane (c1765-1857) m. (1)Nimrod Fender; (2) Archelous GIBSON (bro of Garrett)
11. Robert Jr (1767-1777)
1716 Robert SUMNER born [In 1742 Fairfax Co VA was formed from the northern part of Prince William Co VA. In 1757, the northwestern two-thirds of Fairfax Co became known as Loudoun Co VA. Do not yet know which exact area of VA Robert was born, but it seems to be Prince William Co] [one source says Stokes Co, NC]
1725 Phoebe BEALS born at Chester, PA [one source says abt 1720]
1734 dau Hannah SUMNER born (one source says birth was 20 Sep 1739) (said to have been born in Shenandoah, VA); died 1 Dec 1775 at Woodstock, Shenandoah, VA; married John Peter Wolfensbarger in 1751 at Shenandoah. {SOMETHING IS WRONG: father Robert would have been 18 years old but Phoebe would have been 9 years old; Phebe’s father’s will was not proven until 1745 when he died and will refers to her maiden name; plus, distance from Woodstock to either Prince George’s MD or Loudoun Co, VA was at least 68 miles or as much as 115 miles. It is possible ROBERT and Phoebe are not her parents]
1740 Phoebe BEALS married Charles CANADAY at Prince George County, Maryland. They had two sons, Charles (married Abigail FOSTER) and John Canaday (married Margaret THORNBURGH). Charles Canaday, Sr., was killed by Indians in 1745 in Virginia. [Quaker birth register list them both (doc))
12 Dec 1745 father John Jacob BEALS died at Prince Georges MD. His will named Phebe: Will of John Beals
I John Beals of Nottingham In ye County of Chester being sick & weak of body but of sound & Disposing mind & Memory do make this my last will & Testament revoking all other wills that have heretofore been made or done by me.
First My will is that my just Debts & Funeral Charge be Defrayed as soon as possible after my Death., and also that my body be decently buried.
Secondly I give and bequeath Unto my Eldest Son John Beals my bed & all ye furniture there unto belonging & five pounds he paying unto his 5 children Sarah, John, Thomas, Ann & Phebe to each of them Tenn Shillings when they come of age.
Thirdly I give unto my son William Beals Eight pound he paying to each of his 3 children; Lydia, Mary & Ruth Tenn Shillings when of age.
Fourthly I give unto my daughter Mary Harrold, Eight poud shee paying to each of her children; Rachell, Jonathan & Richard Tenn Shillings when they come of age.
Fifthly I give unto my son Jacob Beals Twelve pound he paying to his 4 children; John, Jacob, Mary & William to each of them Tenn Shillings when of age.
Sixthly I give unto my daughter Patience Jones ye Eight pound fifteen shillings that is due from her husband by Bond & Five pound more to be paid by my Executors willing Shee or husband to pay unto their 4 children; Judith, Mary,Sarah & Charity to Each Tenn Shillings all of ye afore said Legacys to be paid Unto ye grand Children when they are deemed by law to be of age.
Sevently I give unto my daughter Mary Harrold & Patience Jones my warming pan & Spice box; Also I give Unto James Wright fourty shillings.
Eightly I give unto my Kinswoman Mary Davis of Philadelphia Twenty Schillings. Also my will is that my son William Shall be paid his Legacy first my Daughter Mary Harrold Next & Patience her five pound next as ye Money that is out upon Bond becomes due.
Lastly I ordaine and Constitute My Two Sons John & Jacob Beals Sole Executors of this my Last Will & testament witness my hand & seall dated in Nottingham ye 11 of ye 8th mo: 1726
John Beals
hisXmark
Sealed & Delivered
In ye presence of:
Ja McMillan VIth 10 mo 1726 - McMillen Jurist and ye others aforesaid
his
William House X
mark
Sep 1746 Robert SUMNER and Phoebe BEALS (widow Canaday) married at Loudoun Co VA; at the time of their marriage, Robert was not a Quaker and the marriage was considered "out of unity." Phebe was disowned from the church. In 1749 Robert became a Quaker and the family was received into the church and Phebe was restored to membership at the Fairfax MM, Loudon Co VA. [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
29 Sep 1746 Phebe was disowned for her marriage out of unity.
13 Nov 1747 son William Sumner born at New Garden MM, Guilford, NC (one source says 29 Sep 1747); died 1801; married Eleanor Edwards [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] William Sumner married Eleanor Edwards, daughter of Hanuel Edwards 3/20/1771 at New Garden Monthly Meeting, Guilford County, North Carolina. The Hanuel Edwards family descendants had connection with Woodward family descendants in the mid-1800's in Missouri. William Sumner died 10/2/1801 and Eleanor Edwards Sumner married (2) Mordecai Mendenhall, Jr., son of Mordecai and Charity Beeson Mendenhall on 26 Oct 1803 at Lost Creek Monthly Meeting in Jefferson County, Tennessee. [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
26 Jun 1749 Robert Sumner became a member of the Quaker faith in 1749 and the family was received and restored to Fairfax Monthly Meeting, Fairfax, Virginia. There is no mention of a Sumner in Quaker records before 1749, so Phebe was likely responsible for Robert's conversion. In 1751, the family moved to Council in Bladen County, North Carolina. They became members of the Carver's Creek Monthly Meeting in February 1751.
20 Oct 1749 son Bowater Sumner born at Waterford, Fairfax, Virginia (one source says 8 Aug 1749 at New Garden Mn, Guilford Co, NC); died 1 Mar 1829; married Rebeckah Burris at Rainsboro, Highland, OH (one source says December 10, 1777 in New Garden Quaker Meeting Surry, NC. [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] [served in Rev War (SAR #60622)] [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
14 May 1750 father James Sumner and Mary Blanchard, will probated Perquimans Co., NC
Feb 1751 Robert SUMNER moved to Council, Bladen Co., NC (became New Hanover County after 1729). Robert and Phebe became members of the Carver's Creek MM in Bladen Co NC in Feb 1751
Jul 1752 Robert SUMNER moved to Cane Creek (became Snow Creek), Orange Co., where they were received by the Friends Meeting.
1754 Robert SUMNER moved to New Garden, Anson Co., (later Rowan County and later Guilford County.
3 Jul 1751 son Caleb Sumner Sr born at Carvers Creek, Bladen, North Carolina (one source says 22 May at New Garden Mn, Guilford Co, NC); died 12 Oct 1831 at Hendricks, Indiana; married Widow Mary (Cook) Carson October 09, 1782 in New Garden Mn, Guilford Co, NC. [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
7 Oct 1751 Robert and Phebe presented certificates at the opening session of Cane Creek Monthly Meeting. Since Cane Creek covered such a vast geographic area at that time it is not known exactly where they settled. Their children are listed at New Garden Monthly Meeting that was set up in 1754 in Rowan County, North Carolina. It is presumed they lived in that area. They remained there the rest of their lives. In 1751, Robert moved his young family from VA to NC. Robert and Phebe became members of the Carver's Creek MM in Bladen Co NC in Feb 1751and the Cane Creek MM in Orange Co NC in Jul 1751. Finally settling near Rowan Co (now Guilford Co) NC, they were received into the New Garden MM in 1754.
2 Nov 1753 son Joshua Sumner born at New Garden Mn, Guilford Co, NC; died abt 1858; married Sarah "Sally" Cox [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] Joshua Sumner married Sarah Cox 31 Dec 1774 in Guilford Co, NC. They had two daughters Amy and Sarah Sumner. Amy Sumner married Robert Canaday, son of John and Margaret Thornbrough Canaday as his first wife and after her death Robert married Amy's sister Sarah. [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
18 May 1755 dau Phebe Ann Sumner born at New Garden, Guilford, North Carolina; died 1811 (one source says 8 Mar 1802) at Westfield, Surry, North Carolina; married Welcome John Garrett [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
20 Dec 1757 son Thomas Sumner born at New Garden, Guilford, North Carolina; died 30 May 1838 at Highland, Ohio; married 1: Hannah Hiatt (October 12, 1777 in New Garden Mn, Guilford Co., NC), m2: Widow Martha (Rich) Williams [From the American Quaker Genealogy, Volume 1: "1777, 10, 8. Thomas, Surry Co., s[on of] Robert, m Hannah Hiatt." "Thomas Sumner, Surry Co, son of Robert, deceased, m. Hannah Hiattdt. Joseph, same place, 8-10-1777 [Oct 8, 1777] at Tom's Creek. Wit: David Ballard, John Jackson, William Beales, John Hiatt, Thos. Beales, Isaac Jones, Ann Hiatt, Ruth Jackson, Mary Carson, Sarah Beales, John Burras, Phebe Beales" [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC]
10 Mar 1760 dau Prudence Beals Sumner born at Surry, North Carolina; died 28 Sep 1835 at Delaware, Indiana; married Garrett Gibson Sr. abt 1779 at Surry Co, NC [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
11 Mar 1762 dau Abigail Sumner born at Waterford, Louden, Virginia; died 20 Apr 1854 at Morgan, Indiana; married John B Carson [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
8 Aug 1765 dau Sarah Jane Sumner born; died 1857; married Nimrod Fender (one source says Abner ROSE bef 1786 at Surry, NC) [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
20 Nov 1767 son Robert Sumner Jr born at New Garden Mn, Guilford Co, NC; died 26 Apr 1777 [Encyclopedia of American Quaker Genealogy, 1936, Vol 1, Pg 10, NC] [Quaker birth register list him (doc))
1771 Robert SUMNER moved to Tom's Creek (later became Westfield) in Stokes Co., NC.
31 Oct 1775 Robert SUMNER’s will shows SUMMERS
4 Apr 1776 Robert SUMNER elected as member of Provincial Congress from Hertford County, NC and served until 1 Dec 1779; was a Quaker and therefore excluded from serving in the military, but he did serve in several local official positions that makes him eligible for Patriotic Service. (SAR #60622)
6 Apr 1776 Robert SUMNER appointed member of committee to settle civil accounts of the Province
12 Nov 1776 Robert SUMNER elected to represent Hertford County
13 Nov 1776 Robert SUMNER appointed member of Committee of Inquiry
10 Nov 1776 Robert SUMNER appointed to settle civil accounts for district of Edenton
7 Dec 1776 Robert SUMNER voted yea regarding Bounty money for soldiers
1779 Robert SUMNER died (age 63) at Guilford Co, NC [Robert died sometime before Oct 1777, when his son Thomas married Hannah Hiatt] [several dates of death for Robert: April 26, 1777, January 12, 1779, or December 1, 1779. Burial: Friends Burying Ground, Jamestown, Guilford County, North Carolina [Find A Grave Memorial# 56355414]
1790 Federal Census for Onslow, North Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 7; Page: 2; Image: 352; Family History Library Film: 0568147 lists Phebe SUMNER with no males and 2 females (doc)
19 Aug 1805 Phoebe BEALS died (age 79) at Guilford Co, NC