The Sawyers of River Bridge
Pharoah and Joel Sawyer have been a part of my Camden County, NC research for years. They were adjoining landowners to my ancestor William Bass and they ultimately bought all of his land. I followed the stories of William Bass’ descendants; however, I failed to recognize the importance of including Pharoah and Joel Sawyer’s descendants in my research until recently.
On 10 April 1801, William Bass bought 125 acres of land (formerly owned by Thomas Gordon) from John Sikes (Deed Book I, Page 148). This land was located on the east side of the Pasquotank River, directly opposite of Richardson’s Landing, and was bounded by the land of Pharoah Sawyer, David Hall, and Joel Sawyer. This was William Bass’ first and only land purchase in Camden County, NC. He ultimately sold all of this land as follows:
- 22 October 1804 – Sold 15.5 acres to Pharoah Sawyer (Deed Book K, Page 326)
- 5 January 1806 – Sold 50 Acres to Pharoah Sawyer (Deed Book K, Page 483)
- 26 April 1816 – Sold 60 Acres to Joel Sawyer (Deed Book R, Page 112)
Despite William Bass’ sale of all his land, there is no evidence that his family bought additional land or moved. When an ancestor sells all of their land before death and their immediate family did not independently acquire land, it is imperative to find where survivors went. In this article, I will outline the families of Pharoah and Joel Sawyer to provide insight into where William Bass’ immediate family may have lived after his death.
Pharoah (Farrow) Sawyer (b. <1765)
The first documentation of Pharoah Sawyer in Camden County, NC is from 12 March 1779 in the Return of militia divisions commanded by Colonel Isaac Gregory. He was part of Captain Thomas Terry’s (?) Company in the Third Division along with Thomas Overton, Samuel Rhodes, John Abbott, William Sawyer, Darius Bright, Jabez Cartwright, Mack Perkins, William Linton, Jesse Winberry, John Jones, and Benjamin Jones.
- On 10 January 1786, Pharoah Sawyer (of Camden County, NC) sold John Taylor (of Camden County, NC) 50 acres adjoining Tull Sawyer, Isaac Riggs, David Hall, and Jabez Cartwright and the deed was witnessed by Willoby Nickols and Noah Riggs (Deed Book D, Page 54).
- On 12 May 1788, Pharoah Sawyer (of Camden County, NC) sold Mack Perkins (of Camden County, NC) 30 acres adjoining Willis Sawyer, Isaac Riggs, Jabez Cartwright, and Robert Gray and the deed was witnessed by Jabez Cartwright and Nehemiah Riggs (Deed Book D, Page 426).
- On 7 November 1788, Pharoah Sawyer (of Camden County, NC) sold David Hall (of Camden County, NC) a tract of land adjoining Isaac Riggs, Benjamin Jones, John Jones, and Jabez Cartwright and the deed was witnessed by Leaven Rhodes and Noah Riggs (Deed Book D, Page 339).
It is unclear when they married, but by the 1790 Federal Census Pharoah Sawyer was married to his wife, Dorothy “Dolly” Riggs, and they appeared to have had children born in or before 1774. Dorothy Riggs was the daughter of Isaac Riggs and Ruth Durant1 who were documented as Pharoah’s neighbors for many years.
1790 Federal Census
- Free White Males Under 16: 1 (1 Young Son Born After 1774?)
- Free White Males 16 and Over: 2 (Pharoah and 1 Older Son Born Before 1774?)
- Free White Females: 4 (Dorothy and 3 Daughters?)
- Number of Household Members: 7
In the 1790 Tax List, Pharoah was taxed on 0 acres and 1 poll, in 1791 he was taxed on 0 acres and 1 poll, and in 1792 he was taxed on 100 acres and 1 poll2. It is unclear what land Pharoah was taxed on because his first land purchase was not recorded until 15 November 1793 when Joseph Jones, Sr. (merchant of Camden County, NC) sold Pharoah Sawyer (planter of Camden County, NC) 30 acres. The land was adjoining Robert Gray, Joel Sawyer, River Swamp, Butter Weed Swamp, David Burnham, and William Shirlock and the deed was witnessed by Isaac Murden and James Ferrill (Deed Book F, Page 217).
In the 1795 Tax List Pharoah was taxed on these 30 acres and 1 white poll then on 1 August 1799 he sold 30 acres to Arthur Old. The land was at the head of the Pasquotank River adjoining Robert Gray, Joel Sawyer, Joseph Jones, Sr., and Thomas Gordon and the deed was witnessed by Newton Edney and James Butt (Deed Book H, Page 428). By the next census year, Pharoah’s household increased by 1.
1800 Federal Census
- Free White Males Under 10: 3 (3 Young Sons Born After 1790?)
- Free White Males 26 – 44: 1 (Pharoah Born 1756-1774?)
- Free White Females Under 10: 1 (1 Young Daughter Born After 1790?)
- Free White Females 10 – 15: 2 (2 Older Daughters Born 1775-1790?)
- Free White Females 26 – 44: 1 (Dorothy Born 1756-1774?)
- Number of Household Members: 8
On 20 January 1801, Pharoah Sawyer bought 125 acres (formerly owned by Thomas Gordon) from John Sikes (Deed Book I, Page 157). Less than three months later, William Bass bought an adjoining 125 acres on the north side of Pharoah Sawyer’s land (Deed Book I, Page 148). Evidence indicates that Pharoah and William were neighbors before they bought equal portions of Thomas Gordon’s former land from John Sikes (i.e., adjoining landowners, like David Hall, and witnesses were the same for these purchases as previous deeds).
Pharoah Sawyer’s father-in-law, Isaac Riggs, died in early 1804 and his land was divided between his heirs. On 22 October 1804, Pharoah and Dorothy Sawyer sold her land inheritance (5.5 acres) to John Wilkins (Deed Book K, Page 315). On the same day, Pharoah bought 15.5 acres from William Bass adjoining his own land (Deed Book K, Page 326). A little over a year later, on 5 January 1806, Pharoah bought another 50 acres from William Bass (Deed Book K, Page 483).
1810 Federal Census
- Free White Males 45 and Over: 1 (Pharoah Born Before 1765?)
- Free White Females Under 10: 2 (2 Young Daughters Born After 1800?)
- Free White Females 10 – 15: 1 (1 Older Daughter Born 1795-1800?)
- Free White Females 26 – 44: 1 (Dorothy Born 1766-1784?)
- Number of Household Members: 5
Pharoah Sawyer appears to have died the following year based on his widow’s actions. On 21 February 1811, Dolly Sawyer (of Camden County, NC) leased land from Robert Gray (of Pasquotank County, NC) near River Bridge adjoining Arthur Old and Joel Sawyer’s (Deceased) lands except the orchard with permission to clear as much land she like for 7 years. The lease was witnessed by Joseph Spence (Deed Book N, Page 183-184).
Dolly Sawyer was documented in the 1820 Federal Census with a household of 4 (1 white female over 45, 1 white male 16-25, 1 white female 16-25, and 1 white male under 10). She was then documented in the 1830 Federal Census with a household of 4 (1 white female 70-79, 1 white female 40-49, 1 white male 10-14, and 1 white female under 5) still living in River Bridge next to Thomas Sawyer, Edmund Sawyer, William Sawyer, and Alex D. Sawyer.
Joel Sawyer, Sr. (b.<1755)
It remains unclear how Pharoah and Joel may have been related, but Joel appears to have been in Camden County, NC as early as the 1780s. Willoby Nickols swore that he served as a substitute for Joel Sawyer in Captain Rufus Williams Company in March 1781.
In the 1782 Tax List, Joel Sawyer was taxed on 50 acres, 2 horses, and 9 cattle. It is unclear when they married but by the 1790 Federal Census, Joel was married to his wife, Elizabeth “Betsy” Riggs (sister of Dorothy Riggs), and appeared to have had several children born before 1774.
1790 Federal Census
- Free White Males Under 16: 1 (1 Young Son Born After 1774?)
- Free White Males 16 and Over: 4 (Joel and 3 Older Sons Born Before 1774?)
- Free White Females: 5 (Elizabeth and 4 Daughters?)
- Number of Household Members: 10
In the 1790 Tax List Joel Sawyer was taxed on 100 acres and 1 poll, in 1791 on 100 acres and 1 poll, in 1792 100 acres and 1 poll, and in 1795 on 100 acres and 2 white polls.
1800 Federal Census
- Free White Males Under 10: 2 (2 Young Sons and/or Grandsons Born After 1790?)
- Free White Males 10 – 15: 1 (1 Older Son Born 1785-1790?)
- Free White Males 45 and Over: 1 (Joel Born Before 1755?)
- Free White Females Under 10: 1 (1 Young Daughter or Granddaughter Born After 1790?)
- Free White Females 10 – 15: 1 (1 Older Daughter Born 1785-1790?)
- Free White Females 16 – 25: 1 (1 Young Adult Daughter Born 1775-1784?)
- Free White Females 26 – 44: 1 (Elizabeth Born 1756-1774?)
- Number of Household Members: 8
On 3 February 1806, Joel Sawyer, Sr. made a deed of gift to his son Joel Sawyer, Jr. for 50 acres he bought from William, John, and Willis Sawyer. The land was adjoining David Hall’s swamp, Robert Gray’s land, Joel Sawyer’s swamp, and Pharoah Sawyer’s road, and the deed was witnessed by William Sawyer and John Wilkins (Deed Book L, Page 47). Based on the land description, it is possible that Joel Sawyer bought this land from the heirs of another Sawyer (deceased before 1806).
Joel Sawyer, Jr. (b. 1776-1784)
It appears that Joel Sawyer, Sr. may have died around this time (note that he was referred to as Joel Sawyer (Deceased) in Dolly Sawyer’s 1811 lease with Robert Gray). Joel Sawyer, Jr. remained on the land his father gave him and built his own family.
1810 Federal Census
- Free White Males Under 10: 2 (2 Young Sons Born After 1800?)
- Free White Males 10 – 15: 1 (1 Older Son Born 1795-1800?)
- Free White Males 26 – 44 : 1 (Joel Jr. Born 1766-1784?)
- Free White Females Under 10: 2 (2 Young Daughters Born After 1800?)
- Free White Females 10 – 15: 1 (1 Older Daughter Born 1795-1800?)
- Free White Females 16 – 25: 1 (Joel Jr.’s Wife Born 1785-1794?)
- Numbers of Slaves: 2 (Where did they come from?)
- Number of Household Members: 10
There was no deed for Joel Sawyer, Jr.’s purchase of the slaves recorded in his household so he may have acquired them through marriage. In the 1815 Tax List, Joel Sawyer was taxed on 50 acres, 1 free poll, and 1 black poll.
- On 26 April 1816, Joel Sawyer sold William Sawyer 50 acres of land adjoining David Hall’s swamp, Robert Gray’s land, Joel Sawyer’s swamp, and Pharoah Sawyer’s road and the deed was witnessed by George Ferebee and Malachi Williams (Deed Book P, Page 112). This land sale matches the description of land that Joel Sawyer, Sr. gifted to Joel Sawyer, Jr. in 1806.
- On 28 February 1818, Joel Sawyer sold William Sawyer 60 acres of land (that William Bass bought of John Sikes) on the Camden side of the Pasquotank River adjoining Joel Sawyer’s land, Pharoah Sawyer’s swamp, and David Hall’s land and the deed was witnessed by George Ferebee and Miles Cartwright (Deed Book Q, Page 132).
On 4 November 1818, Joel Sawyer bought 81 acres from Joseph Riggs located in the upper part of Camden County, and the deed was witnessed by Hollowell Old and Joshua Williams (Deed Book Q, Page 146). Joel’s wife (?) may have died before 1820 because there were no adult females in his household in the following census year.
1820 Federal Census
- Free White Males Under 10: 2 (2 Young Sons Born After 1810?)
- Free White Males 10 – 15: 3 (3 Older Sons Born 1805-1810?)
- Free White Males 26 – 44: 1 (Joel Jr. Born 1776-1794?)
- Total Free White Persons: 6
On 26 November 1822, Nicolas Sawyer (of Pasquotank County, NC) sold William Sawyer (of Camden County, NC) one undivided fourth of one half of a 50-acre tract of land near River Bridge which formerly belonged to Joel Sawyer. The land adjoined Grandy Sawyer, River Swamp, William Sawyer, and Robert Gray, and the deed was witnessed by George Ferebee (Deed Book S, Page 220).
On 14 January 1823, Frederick Sawyer (of Pasquotank County, NC) sold William Sawyer (of Camden County, NC) one undivided half of a 50-acre tract of land near River Bridge which formerly belonged to Joel Sawyer. The land adjoined Grandy Sawyer, River Swamp, William Sawyer, and Robert Gray and the deed was witnessed by Malachi Williams (Deed Book T, Page 87).
These two land sales indicate that a Joel Sawyer was deceased by 1822 and that his estate was being divided between his heirs. They also demonstrate that Frederick was more closely related to this Joel Sawyer (possibly a son) than Nicolas (possibly a grandson).
Elizabeth Sawyer (the sister of Dorothy Sawyer, widow of Joel Sawyer, Sr.), was documented in the 1820 Federal Census with a household of 2 (1 white female 26-44 and 1 white male under 10). She was then documented in the 1830 Federal Census with a household of 6 (1 white female 50-59, 1 white male 10-14, 2 white females 10-14, 1 white male 5-9, and 1 white female 5-9) living next to Evan Riggs, Abner Lamb, George Ferebee, Thomas Linton, David Hall, William Sawyer, Sr., Gardner Trafton, John Trafton, Jabez Sawyer, and Isaac Sawyer.
On 4 February 1825, Joel Sawyer and Noah Riggs sold Zebedee Williams 41 acres of land located near the old Burnt Mill Tract, and the deed was witnessed by Joshua Long and William Mills (Deed Book S, Page 253). This deed indicates that Joel and Noah co-owned this land (which may have been inherited from a common ancestor).
A number of questions remain about the structure of the Sawyer family of River Bridge, but I have been able to draw one clear conclusion—William Sawyer came to own all of the land that was formerly owned by William Bass.
Later census records reveal that both the Basses and the Sawyers repeated family names so it is important to document each generation and differentiate fathers from sons and grandsons.
In my next article, I will provide additional insight about William Sawyer and the people who lived with and around him.
Footnotes
1I have not located a primary source for this yet but I have chosen to include it so that I can return to it in the future. Several researchers have referred to Ruth Durant as a woman of Yeopim Indian ancestry.
2Camden County Extant Tax Records 1782-1890 By Sharon Rea Gable
Descendants of the Great Dismal 
Nikki- Your blog is first rate! Thanks for sharing your research! I am told I might descend from John Bass or his wife, daughter of the Nansemond chief, named Keziah Tucker. I joined the Bass DNA group on Facebook. Please PM me on FB regarding descendants, including Kesiah’s second? son, William Bass.. Again thanks for your very professionally done blog!
Jack D. Ruple, Sr., JD
descendant of Hosea Bass of Wayne Co., NC
PS. My DNA in the Bass Group is consistent with Native American Ancestry thru Keziah Tucker, wife of John Bass, and son William Bass of Norfolk Co., VA.?
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thank you for you write up. My name Paul Maurice Sawyer son of George Washington Sawyer Jr. son of George Washington Sr. son of John Prichard Sawyer son of George Washington Sawyer Sr (again) son of John Sawyer born 1811. that’s where I stop. we had many relatives that live on the other side of what we call the George Washington Canal, that being the other side from Hwy #17 headed towards VA. We are clearly from Elizabeth City (Body Road) South mills and Camden. Salem Two, Nixsonton, Weeksville and maybe Tyrrell County. I spent much of my youth running the swamp. ended up living at the intersection of Kempsville Rd and centerville Turnpike on the VA side. any help you may have I would love to have. Looking for the last John Sawyer Born around 1811 and may have died as early as 1856 or as late as 1874. Not sure you do this kind of help, but in any case love you work. thanks Paul Sawyer
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My 2nd great grandfather (Marshall Pritchett or Pritchard) was a slave who was owned by David Leary Pritchard. I also believe that his parents were Peter and Sally Sawyer. Any information that you may have would be helpful in tracing my ancestry.
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Nikki, I’m researching the Sawyer’s of Tyrrell, Pasquotank and Camden County’s. I would like to share info on Joel Sawyer.
Ebenezer Sawyer 1803 Pasquotank will:
Son: Frederick Sawyer
……son Joel Sawyer married Nancy Williams d/o Owen Williams, references: Pasquotank 1832 deed AA-400, 1839 deed DD-152
Son: Joel Sawyer married #1 Jean Gray d/o Nathaniel Gray, #2 Elizabeth “Betsey” Riggs d/o Isaac Riggs, references: 1777 Nathaniel Gray Pasquotank estate, Pasquotank 1804 deed K-253/254, deed M-141, Pasquotank Division Book A-119 dated 1814
…….son Joel Sawyer jr married #1 Rebecca Bick (Bix, Beck) d/o Jonathan Bick, #2 Nancy Stockley d/o Joseph Stockley, references: Pasquotank 1804 deed Q-241/242/243, 1818 deed V-158, 1826 deed X-407/408
Have more information on this Sawyer line but to long to post.
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