James Cheek
of Laurens District, SC

James Cheek, son of Richard CHEEK, Sr., & Jane RANDLE(?), was probably born between 1730 and 1735 in Virginia or North Carolina, and died before 1790 in Laurens Dist., SC. He reportedly married Ann Mayo, daughter of William MAYO & Martha JOHNSON of Beaufort Co., NC.

Children of James Cheek:

1. +William Cheek, b. Sept. 29, 1752, probably Edgecombe Co., NC; d. Apr. 16, 1845, Madison Co., GA; m. (1) Mary "Polly" VINES, June 8, 1773, Laurens Dist., SC; m. (2) Priscilla Ann SARTAIN, Feb. 1792, Laurens Dist., SC; m. (3) Sinthia (Cynthia) COKER, Sept. 13, 1821, Elbert Co., GA; bur. Madison Cemetery, Madison Co., GA.
2. Maybe Shadrach Cheek, b. bef. 1765, Edgecombe or Orange Co., NC; d. after 1810, Christian Co., KY? Little is known about Shadrach Cheek who is found in Christian Co., KY, at the same time as Lewis Cheek & James Cheek. His name appears tax lists in Christian Co., KY, 1804-1817, and the 1810 census. Children may have included Shadrack Cheek (c.1786-1857) of Putnam Co., MO; Joel Cheek (c.1795) of Crawford Co., IL; and Nathan Cheek (c.1795) of Crawford Co., IL.
3. Lewis Cheek, b. 1750-1760, Edgecombe or Orange Co., NC; d. 1830-1840, Lawrence Co., IL. Lewis is listed in the 1800 census of Laurens Dist., SC; 1810 census of Christian Co., IL; 1820 census of Gibson Co., IN; 1830 census of Lawrence Co., IL. He obtained 2 land patents in Lawrence Co., IL (later became Richland Co., IL), 1834 and 1838. Children: Mary Anna Cheek (1784) m. Thomas Lewis WEST; James Cheek (c.1788); William Cheek (c.1795); Lewis Cheek, Jr. (1799).
4. +Ellis Cheek, b. June 26, 1760, Orange Co., NC; d. Sept. 19, 1838, Laurens Dist., SC; m. Elizabeth SMITH, daughter of Drury SMITH & Sarah, last name unk. (b. Apr. 17, 1765; d. Jan. 9, 1838).
5. James Cheek, Jr., b. 1765-1770, Orange Co., NC; d. 1840-1850, Franklin Co., MO; m. (1) Nancy; m. (2) Lydia WILLIAMS, Apr. 24, 1817, Gibson Co., IN (b. abt. 1785; d. aft. 1850). James Cheek appears on the 1800 census of Laurens Dist., SC; 1810 census of Christian Co., KY; 1820 census of Gibson Co., IN; 1830-1840 census of Franklin Co, MO; Received land grants in Christian Co., KY, on east fork of Pond River, in 1799 and 1807. Children: Hannah Cheek (c.1790) m. Solomon KUYKENDALL; Nancy Elizabeth Cheek (c.1815) m. Joseph SPENCE; Celia Ann Cheek (c.1818) m. Pinkey or Finley LARIMORE; James Cheek (c.1822) moved to Johnson Co., AR.
6. +Willis Cheek, b. abt. 1771, Orange Co., NC; d. Jan. 2, 1852, Laurens Dist., SC; m. (1) Jemima SANDERS, abt. 1794 (b. abt. 1775; d. bet. 1820-1830); m. (2) Elizabeth GRAY, daughter of Abram GRAY & Mary PARKS, bef. 1830 (b. Oct. 11, 1798; d. Dec. 9, 1884); bur. Rabun Creek Baptist Church, Laurens Co., SC. Listed in the census of Laurens, SC, 1790-1850. Will dated Nov. 7, 1845, proved 1852. (Laurens Wills Vol. 2, Book A, pp.234-236.)

Notes

ames Cheek was under 14 when his father's will was written in 1743, but he was probably of age by 1755 when he sold property in Edgecombe County, NC.  Therefore, he was most likely born sometime between 1730 and 1735.  According to a 1773 deed, James' wife was named Ann.  The will of William MAYO of Beaufort County, NC, dated Aug. 27, 1759, reportedly refers to a daughter, "Anne Cheek."  (Beaufort Co., NC, WB B, p.67.)  Some researchers believe that she was James Cheek's wife, although other sources say she married Richard Cheek Jr.

James moved to Orange Co., NC, by 1758, and obtained a land grant for 409 acres on both sides of the north fork of the Little River.  He was a Quaker and a member of the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting.  Between 1761 and 1764, he sold all his land in Orange County and relocated to the South Carolina "upcountry".  In 1765, he was granted 550 acres on Beaverdam Creek and the Saluda River in "Old" Berkeley County, SC.  This was probably the Beaverdam Creek which is located in the part of Old Berkeley County that eventually became Newberry District (or county), SC.  In later years, however, James's family all seem to have lived a bit farther up the Saluda River to Laurens District.

The above timeline is confirmed by a Revolutionary War pension application filed by Ellis Cheek, who is believed to be James's son.  Ellis testified that he was born in Orange County, NC; was living in Fair Forest River, SC (now Union or Spartanburg County) when the war began; enlisted in 1780 and again in 1781; and moved to Laurens District, SC, before the conclusion of the war.  In 1781, Ellis was disowned by the Quakers at the Bush River Monthly Meeting in Newberry, SC, for "taking up arms in a warlike manner."  (Ency. of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. 1.)

James died prior to 1790 when his wife Ann CHICKE is listed as a head of household in the census of Laurens District.  His will, if he had one, has not survived.  His children have been identified mainly by their geographic proximity.

North Carolina Records

1743. Beaufort Co., NC. James CHEEK is named in his father Richard CHEEK's will, dated Sept. 29, 1743; recorded in Beaufort Co., NC, Apr. 30, 1745. He received 140 acres "all of Land I hold above the mill Creek between the uper fork and the River". The will indicates that James was then under the age of 14. (Will Bk. N, p.144.)

May 7, 1754. Edgecombe Co., NC. James CHEEK witnessed a deed from John BURNEY & wife Elizabeth to Thomas SHARP, 150 acres on the north side of the Tar River adjoining Cheek's Mill Creek and the dec'd Richard CHEEK's upper limit line. Other wits: Jacob ATKINSON & James HEARN. (Edgecombe DB 1, p.49) [Note: Elizabeth wife of John BURNEY was James CHEEK's sister.]

Sept. 1755. Edgecombe Co., NC. James CHEEK of Edgecombe Co., NC, to William LITTLE of Surry Co., VA, £40 bond for sale of 300 acres on Cheeks Mill Swamp. Wits: Amos ATKINSON, Abraham LITTLE. Recorded Feb. 1756. (Halifax Co., NC, DB 4, p.400).

Sept. 29, 1758. Orange Co., NC. James CHEEK & William YOUNG are chain carriers for Alexander TORINTON [TURRENTINE, TORINGTON], 369 acres on the Little River in Orange Co., surveyed by William CHURTON. (NC Archives, Orange Co. Land Entries, Warrants, and Plats of Survey, Folder No. 12.12.67.26.) Grant issued Feb. 9, 1761. (Land Grant Book 12, p.45.)

Feb. 22, 1759. Orange Co., NC. James CHEEK granted 409 acres in Orange Co. on both sides of the north fork of the Little River. (Land Grant Book 14, p.373.) Grant recorded May 15, 1764. (Source: Eve B. Weeks, Orange County, North Carolina, Deed Register, 1752-1768 and 1793 (Heritage Papers, 1984).)

Mar. 13, 1759. Orange Co., NC. The court clerk records a sale of 100 acres from James CHEEK to John BROWN. (Orange County Deed Register; see Eve B. Weeks, supra.)

Oct. 27, 1760. Orange Co., NC. A survey of land for Samuel TORRINGTON describes 394 acres in Orange Co. on Little River & Buffalo Creek adj. James CHEEK, Margaret BOGGAN, and John BROWN. Chain carriers were Richard HOLEMAN and Alexander TORRINGTON. The land grant issued Jan. 29, 1761. Endorsement on reverse of warrant states land was in dispute with Nathaniel CARY and survey was not to go over Thomas WADE's old line. (NC Archives, Orange Co. Land Entries, Warrants, and Plats of Survey, Folder No. 12.12.67.27 and 12.13.102.42; Land Grant Book 12, p.45.)

1761, 2nd month, 7th day. Orange Co., NC. James CHEEK is received by the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting (Quaker church). (Hinshaw, Ency. of American Quaker Genealogy, Vol. 1, p.379.)

Note: the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting is still an active Quaker congregation. The meeting house is located in the present town of Snow Camp, Alamance Co., NC.

Nov. 10, 1761. Orange Co., NC. The court clerk records a sale of 100 acres from James CHEEK to William BRIMS. Witness: James CLARK. (Orange County Deed Register; see Eve B. Weeks, supra.)

Feb. 7, 1764. Orange Co., NC. James CHEEK appointed overseer of road where William BURNEY was formerly. (Orange Co., NC, Court Minutes.)

May 14, 1765. Orange Co., NC. The court clerk records a sale of 209 acres from James CHEEK to John CLARK. Wit: John DUNNAGAN. (Orange County Deed Register; see Eve B. Weeks, supra.)

Note: the 3 land sales above, recorded Mar. 13, 1759 (100 acres), Nov. 10, 1761 (100 acres), and May 14, 1765 (209 acres), account for the entire 409 acre parcel that James CHEEK obtained by land grant in February 1759.

South Carolina Records

1765. Old Berkeley Co., SC. James CHEEK granted for 550 acres on Beaver Dam Creek and the Saluda River. (South Carolina Archives, Series S213184, Vol. 7:452 [plat dated Jan. 5, 1765]; Series S213019, Vol. 12:330 [land grant dated June 3, 1765]; Series S111001, Vol. 6:477 [memorial dated July 2, 1765].)

1765. Land belonging to James CHEEK is mentioned in a 1765 land grant to John PINDALL for 100 acres on the Broad River, Saluda River, and Beaver Dam Creek. (South Carolina Archives, Series S213184, Vol. 11:149; Series S111001, Vol. 10:72) John PINDALL sold this land to Samuel PEARSON dated Nov. 4, 1772, recorded Feb. 2, 1773. The parcel is described as 100 acres in the fork of Broad and Saluda Rivers at Beaver Dam Branch adj. James CHEEK on the northeast. (DB A-4, pp.434-439.)

1766. James CHEEK's land is mentioned in a 1766 plat obtained by Joshua GRIFFITH for 150 acres on Beaver Dam Branch and the Saluda River. (Id., Series S213184, Vol. 11:315.)

1768. Petition by inhabitants residing in forks of Broad and Saludy Rivers, Bush Creek, Rayburns Creek, and parts adjacent, for road from Orangeburgh to Saludy and Bushes and Rayburns Creek; they ask that James CHEEK and others be appointed as road commissioners. (Citizens and Immigrants: South Carolina 1768 by Mary B. Warren, p.98.)

1772. James CHEEK obtained an additional 100 acres on the Saluda River. (South Carolina Archives, Series S213184, Vol. 14, p.67 [plat dated May 5, 1772]; Series S213019, Vol. 26:525 [land grant dated Sept. 26, 1772]; Series S111001, Vol. 12:449 [memorial dated Nov. 21, 1772].)

Feb. 4, 1773. James CHEEK & wife Ann to Samuel PEARSON, all of (old) Berkeley Co., SC, 421 acres on Beaver Dam Branch on north side of the Saluda River, being part of 550 acres granted to James CHEEK on June 3, 1765, which had been surrounded by vacant land at the time of surveying. Signed: James CHEEK, Ann (X) CHEEK. Wits: Thos. HAMTOM, William CHEEK & George BUCKELEW. Acknowledged by Thos. HAMTON before Robert CUNNINGHAM, JP, on Nov. 5, 1772. (Charlotte Deeds Vol. B-4, pp.255-260.)

Note: the above reference to Berkeley County should not be confused with present-day Berkeley County, which was established in 1882. "Old" Berkeley County was one of the four original "royal counties" of South Carolina. In 1769, the royal counties were divided into several large districts. The northwestern corner of the colony became the "96 District," which got its name from a British fort mistakenly believed to be 96 miles south of the Cherokee village of Keowee. But for many years after the formation of the 96 District, legal documents were still filed in Charleston, the capital of Old Berkeley County, which can be quite confusing when trying to determine exactly where people lived. In 1785, the 96 District was divided into six smaller districts: Spartanburg, Union, Laurens, Newberry, Abbeville, and Edgefield. However, the 96 District still survived as a political entity until around 1798.  (More information)

Beaverdam Creek of the Enoree R. (present-day Laurens Co., SC)	Beaverdam Creek of the Saluda R. (present-day Newberry Co., SC)

The deeds and land grants involving James Cheek from 1765-1773 describe land on Beaverdam Branch or Creek of the Saluda River.  One grant also mentions the fork of the Saluda and Broad Rivers.  There are several different Beaverdam Creeks in South Carolina, but the Cheek family probably lived on Beaverdam Creek in what is now Newberry District.  This area had a large Quaker community centered around Bush River (right-hand map, above).  By the 1780's, however, the family seems to have relocated several miles upriver to the northwest.  The Revolutionary War veteran Ellis Cheek (believed to be a son of James Cheek) states in his pension application that he was living in Fair Forest River (now Union or Spartanburg District) when the war started and moved to Laurens District before the conclusion of the war (i.e., before 1783).  Some of the later Cheeks in Laurens District lived around the town of Gray Court, which is located on a different Beaverdam Creek, a branch of the Enoree River (identified as Beaver Creek on the left hand map, above).  View a topo map

1790 Census, Laurens Dist., SC. James appears to have died before 1790 when Ann CHICKE is listed as a head of household in the census of Laurens Dist., SC, p.446. Her household consisted of no males over age 16, 1 male under age 16, and 6 females. None of James Cheek's daughters have been identified.