Contributed by: Billy Mayo
Colonel Nathan Mayo 1742-1811 From the “History of the Kehukee Baptist Association” published and printed by George Howard, Office of the Tarborough North Carolina Free Press in 1834. It was compiled by Joseph Biggs. Colonel Nathan Mayo was born 22 September 1742 in Halifax County North Carolina. Many of the occurrences of his life have not been handed down to us, but some are known from personal acquaintance. When the time arrived that “tried men’s souls” in the revolutionary struggle, he took an active part in contending for the rights of the colonies. He became an object of some solicitude to several of those favoring the oppressions of the day, and a plan was in agitation to remove him out of the way by putting an end to his existence. He was apprised by some of his religious friends of the secret schemes of his enemies, and thereby their plans were frustrated. He was often called on and readily obeyed in administering the laws of his state, and collecting its feeble defense against the enemies of his country. He judiciously served the people as a magistrate in the administration of justice, and afterwards as the representative of his county in the General Assembly of the State In a military capacity he served as a captain, major, and the commanding colonel of his county. He was not much or often out of his native county, in publicly defending the rights of himself and his fellow men, but was sufficient to prove with what alacrity he was willing to encounter danger for them. About the beginning of the revolutionary struggle he embraced religion, not from the sinister view, but from honest dictates of his judgement, and attached himself to the Baptist Church of Tosoit, in Edgecombe County, which church then had a branch at Flat Swamp, in Pitt County. That branch increasing somewhat, they petition the church for a dismission to form a constitution, which was granted. He was one of the constituent members. He took an active part to attending to her interests and was a very correct disciplinarian, and was often called on to officiate as moderator in the Kehukee Association. When the church at Cross Roads was constituted, he took a letter of dismission and became a member there., as it was more convenient to him. He served much in each church as a deacon, and as long as his mental faculties were retained. The subject of religion was his song. Although he did not often from the pulpit or stage address his fellow men on all the important subject of a preparation for a future state, yet at all times he would perform this disinterested act of love in a feeling manner. At last through age and infirmity he had to give over these public pursuits, and on the 14 March 1811, he departed this life beloved by many and his death regretted by all his numerous relatives and friends, and he no doubt has taken up his abode “where wicked cease from troubling and the weary are at rest”. (Reference: History of the Kehukee Association, pages 191 thru 193). Many descendants have joined the Daughters of the American Revolution under Col. Nathan Mayo as well as Ensign Joseph Pippin, His daughter Nancy married Micajah Mayo, Nathan’s oldest son. Col. Mayo mentions his sister Delilah then living under his roof. She never married and had a life estate on his plantation after his death. Nathan had a brother James Mayo that lived in Martin County also. His will was probated in 1780. His children were James J., Mary, Charlotte, Elizabeth, and Frances. Frances married Elder William Hyman, born 1773, died 31 Oct. 1861, minister of the Primitive Baptist Church of the Kehubee Association, in Martin County. Ms. Agnes Hyman Parrish of Baltimore, descends from daughter Frances and Elder Hyman. She has many records on both the Mayo and Hyman families. By his first wife, Julia Williams, b. 1747, d. 24 Mar. 1777, Nathan Mayo had four children, as follows: Micajah Mayo, b. 25 Aug. 1768, d. 2 Apr. 1821. Married first, Bithia Sherrod, daughter of John and Mary Sherrod. Married second, Nancy Pippin, daughter of Ensign Joseph Pippin and wife Lucretia C. Knight. Talitha Mayo, b. 28 Mar. 1770, d. 29 Sep. 1855, Married William Grimes, 19 Mar. 1795. William was the Grandson of John William Llewellyn. John Williams Mayo, b. 13 Apr. 1772, d. 3 Feb. 1825. Married first wife Catherine Sherrod, daughter of John and Mary Sherrod. In July 1812 he married second wife Nancy S.S.D. Coakley, b. 24 June 1790, d. 18 June 1865. Frederick Mayo, b 1774, d. 27 Dec. 1802. Married Susannah (Llewellyn) Mooring, (widow) b. 18 Jan. 1774, d. 24 Sep. 1815. For his second wife, Nathan Mayo married Elizabeth (Barden) Hyman (widow) in 1778. b. 1735, d. unknown. They had one child as follows: Nathan Mayo Junior. b. 1780, d. 27 Jan 1827. Married the widow of his brother Frederick; Susannah ( Llewellyn, Mooring,) Mayo, she was the daughter of Captain John William Llewellyn and his wife Mary Ball. According to some deeds in Edgecombe County N.C., Nathan Jr. seems to have lost or sold all the lands he inherited from his father. In the September term of court in 1824, “the lands of Nathan Mayo deceased were duly advertised for sale, this land being sold at public auction at the courthouse in Tarboro, where John Llewellyn Mayo was the highest bidder” Ref. DB 18-365. Nathan Mayo’s Services to his State and Country The first record we have of Nathan Mayo our ancestor, was his appointment as Justice of Peace for Martin County, NC., on 11 Jan. 1777 (see Vol. 15, page 693 and Vo. 23, page 996, NC State Records). During most of the time during the American Revolution War he was a member of the General Assembly of NC, representing Martin County. He was a member of the General Assembly held at New Bern, 14 Apr. 1778 (see Vol. 12, pages 549 and 656, NC State Records), and of the General Assembly held at Halifax, 19 Jan. 1779 (see Vol. 13, page 626, NC State Records). During the latter session he was on the committee to consider ways and means to supply the state with arms. (see Vol. 13, page 699, NC State Records), and also chairman of the committee to burn the old proclamation money (see Vol. 13, pages 705 and 729, NC State Records). In several of the volumes of North Carolina State Records will be found a record of his membership in the General Assembly, his votes, and committee assignments. Attention is called to the fact that he always upheld the Federal Government and Colonists. He was a member of the Convention held at Hillsborough, 25 July 1788, representing Martin County (see Vol. 22, pages 2 and 6 NC State Records). A record of his vote in favor of the National Constitution can be found in Vol. 22, page 25, NC State Records. He was also a member of the convention held at Fayetteville on the 3rd Monday of November, 1789. He was appointed Lieutenant Colonel Commander of the Revolutionary Forces, (see Vol. 22, page 272, NC State Records). He was a member of the Boundary Commission, (see Vol. 24, page 647, NC State Records). As further evidence of his loyalty and assistance to the Colonists in their struggle for independence, I cite a record in the Revolutionary Army Accounts of NC (see Vol. 14 page 93-1) which shows that in June 1778 he himself furnished guns for the use of the army. Also, in the same records will be found where he paid for numerous supplies furnished to the army. (see Vol. 7, pages 25-1, 44-4; Vol. 9, page 71-2; Vol. 11, page 94-1). Will of Col. Nathan Mayo This will was signed by him on 2 Dec. 1808, and probated in the May Term of Court in 1811. Ref. Edgecombe Co. Wills, Vol. VII, page 29. In the name of God Amen: I Nathan Mayo of the County of Edgecombe and State of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory and in good health (Blessed the Lord) do make and ordain, publish and declare this and no other to be my last will and testament, in manner and form as following (Viz). Whereas my son Frederick Mayo deceased, without will, leaving a widow and two children by his wife and a natural son by the name of Asa Johnston, my will and desire is that the name of the said Asa Johnston should be altered to and be known by the name of Asa Mayo, and that by the name Asa Mayo, he should be considered as coheirs with and among the children of my son Frederick Mayo, deceased, and be entitled to share and share alike in my property, that may fall to the heirs of my said son Frederick Mayo, deceased. (Viz). John Llewellyn Mayo, Susannah Mayo, and Asa Mayo, in as ample manner to all intent and purposes as if the said Asa Mayo had been born to him said Frederick in lawful marriage. It is my will and desire that my tract of land and plantation in the Island of Coneto whereon my Negro man Arthur and others now live should be equally divided between the children I had by my first wife or their lawful representatives (Viz), Micajah Mayo, Tabitha Grimes, John William Mayo, and the heirs of Frederick Mayo, deceased, in such a manner as shall be to them or a majority of them most agreeable. I give and bequeath to Micajah Mayo my son a small tract and dividend of land comprehended between his own line and the line (a branch of the land I gave to my son Frederick Mayo, deceased, and one half the land I own on that side of the swamp), to be equally divided between him and the heirs of Frederick Mayo, deceased, to him and his heirs forever. The other half of my land on the East side of the swamp, I give and bequeath to the heirs of my son Frederick Mayo, deceased, (Viz), John Llewellyn Mayo, Susannah Mayo, and Asa Mayo. (By me so named for the same purpose to them and to their heirs forever). It is further my desire that if they cannot agree in the division of the above mentioned lands, that they should call on a few of their neighbors to assist them in that business. I give and bequeath unto Talitha Grimes my daughter, a small tract of dividend of land comprehended between a line beginning at Barfield and my corner tree from thence to the head of the muddy branch by way of Wolf Pit and William Grimes line all on one other tract comprehended between said Grimes line and a line beginning on the side of the mill pond and at the mouth of the first branch below the Barnes field, thence up that branch to its head, thence along a ditch to a pond, from thence down a little bottom through the Raines field and course continued to the run of the swamp, to her and her heirs forever. I give unto John Williams Mayo my son, that tract of land and plantation which I leased to Issac Cushing, deceased, comprehending all the lands between his comprehending the lands I purchased of Hearn and one half my new survey joining the said tract land Hyman, Howell, and Barfield & Co. I give and bequeath unto Nathan Mayo my son the tract of lands and plantation whereon I now live, together with one half of all lands I bought of Hearn and my new survey joining that of Howell, Barfield, John W. Mayo & Co., with the exception here after made, to him and his heirs forever. It is further my will and desire that my sister Delilah Mayo should find a home in the house wherein I now live for and during the term of her natural life, unless better provided for. I give and bequeath to my son Nathan Mayo all my fork land from the line which I have given to my daughter Talitha Grimes so as to include the whole of the land to my line on both swamps. I give and bequeath to William Hyman, son of my wife, three hundred dollars or a Negro of that value, either out of my home stock or purchased for that purpose as may best suit for conveniences. I lend unto Elizabeth Mayo, my wife, one third part of the house lands and plantation whereon I now live and a child’s part in all the rest of my property for and during the term of her natural life. It is my further will and desire that any of my stock of Negroes which I hereto lent to any of my children or may hereafter lend, at my death should be considered in the stock as if I had kept them in my own possession. It is further my will and desire that the lands which I purchased of Col. Arthur Staton and Zadok Staton be kept for the use of the mill. The rest of my property not already or otherwise disposed of , it is my will and pleasure, should be equally divided between all my children (Viz): Micajah Mayo, Talitha Grimes, John W. Mayo, the heirs of Frederick Mayo, deceased, and Nathan Mayo, or their representatives and I do further ordain, constitute, and appoint my sons Micajah Mayo, John W. Mayo, and Nathan Mayo, executors, to my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this second day of December One Thousand Eight Hundred and Eight. Signed: Nathan Mayo Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us. John Llewellyn (X) Solomon Stallings (X) Edgecombe County, North Carolina-May Court 1811 The within last will and testament of Nathan Mayo, deceased, was exhibited into court for probate and was duly proven by oath of John Llewellyn and Solomon Stallings the two witnesses thereto. And the executors named in the said will were at the same time qualified thereto in due form of law. Ordered that the same be certified and the will recorded. Test: E. Hall, County Clerk <
