Argent O'Steen

Argent married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Belinda Stafford was born in 1815 in Wayne, Georgia, USA; died in 1868 in Homerville, Clinch, Georgia, USA.
2. Edmund Stafford was born in 1816 in Wayne, Georgia, USA; died in 1883 in Union, Florida, USA; was buried in Swift Creek (Mount Zion) Cemetery, Lake Butler, Union, Florida, USA.
3. Eliza Stafford was born in 1818.

Argent married Living [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Wiley Walker was born in 1825.
2. John Walker was born in 1826.

Argent married John Newbern on 11 Jan 1827. John (son of Living) was born on 4 Apr 1801 in Montgomery, Georgia, USA; died on 18 Nov 1863 in Clinch, Georgia, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Matilda Newbern was born on 27 Jan 1826.
2. Vicy Newbern was born on 21 Dec 1837.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 1779, Carteret, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1790, Carteret, North Carolina, USA
• Residence: 1820, Appling, Georgia, USA
• Residence: 1830, Alligator Settlement, Alachua, Florida, USA
• Residence: 1 Jun 1840, Columbia, Florida Territory, USA

Notes:

John D. O'Steen arrived in Columbia County, Florida, in 1823 or 1824. He was one of the first settlers in what was to become Columbia County. "A History of Columbia County Florida", Edward F. Keuchel 1996, Hunter The Printing Co., Lake City, Columbia, Florida page 23

Osteen, John A. (~1760 - 1840) - male
b. ABT. 1760 in Carteret Co., North Carolina, USA
d. 15 FEB 1840 in Columbia Co., Florida
father: Osteen, William R. R.S. (*1753 - ~1832)
mother: Davis, Elizabeth (1751 - )
[Alaucha2.FTW]

Info from: Judy Crabb Roberts-Oxford, Florida
Jim Strickland lists John's birth date as abt 1772? and his date of death as abt 1840.

From Pioneers of Wiregrass, Georgia: by Huxford John O'Steen was born in North Carolina in 1772, a son of William and Elizabeth (Davis) O'Steen. The family moved to Effingham County, Georgia about 1791, then to Liberty County, then to Tattnall County. John O'Steen's wife was Ada Weeks.

More children have been found since this book was printed. There were 13 children in all, including Ada's illegitimate daughter, Phoebe, born in 1785.

John O'Steen and family moved to Wayne County in its early days, 1810 or before, and also lived awhile in Camden County. Record is found in Camden of his service as an Indian spy in the Camden County militia under Major William Bailey in 1817. When Appling County was created, he became one of its first settlers in the 451st militia district which in those days embraced the whole of the present counties of Ware and Atkinson, Clinch and Pierce Counties. He was first Lieutenant of the militia in that district,

1821-1822, he and his family were cut out of Appling into the new County of Ware, and when the new 586th district was formed out of the 451st it included the O'Steen home in present Clinch County. He was 2nd Lieut., of the militia in that district, 1830-1832. Mr. O'Steen was one of the Justices of Ware Inferior Court, 1829-1833.

John O'Steen died in Ware, now Clinch County, Feb. 15th, 1840, in his 69th year. Census References: 1820 Appling; 1830, Ware

From 'Families Remembered' by John Albert Burnett John O'Steen and family moved to Wayne County in its early days, 1810 or before, and also lived awhile in Camden County. Record is found in Camden of his service as an Indian spy in the Camden County militia under Major William Bailey in 1817. When Appling County was created, he became one of its first settlers in the 451st militia district which in those days embraced the whole of the present counties of Ware and Atkinson, Clinch and Pierce Counties. He was first Lieutenant of the militia in that district, 1821-1822, he and his family were cut out of Appling into the new County of Ware, and when the new 586th district was formed out of the 451st it included the O'Steen home in present Clinch County. He was 2nd Lieut., of the militia in that district, 1830-1832. Mr. O'Steen was one of the Justices of Ware Inferior Court, 1829-1833.

Mrs. Ada (Weeks) O'Steen was a charter member of the High Bluff BaptistChurch in present Brantley (then Wayne) County, when it was formed on June 30, 1819. Mr. O'Steen was baptized into the same church May 11,1823, and on November 8, 1823 they were dismissed by letter to join in organizing the Kettle Creek Baptist Church in what was then Appling County, Georgia (But which became Ware County in 1825). Due to the loss of the latter church's records their subsequent church membership cannot be traced.

John O'Steen, late in life made a move with his family to Columbia County, Florida. He is shown in the 1840 census of Columbia County. John O'Steen died in Columbia County on Feb. 15 , 1841. Ada (Weeks) O'Steen after the death of her husband moved in with her daughter, Mrs . Robinson who lived in Camden County, Georgia. Ada (Weeks) O'Steen is shown living with her in the 1850 Camden County census. She is thought to have died between 1850-1860. John O'Steen, and Ada (Weeks) O'Steen exact places of burial are not known.

There has been some controversy for several years over Phoebe O'Steen's birth being before John and Ada's marriage. During the colonial period it was very common for couples to live together and even have some children before their actual marriage. Such couples were recognized as man and wife who later marries when a minister was around. Ealier researchers upset over this birth incident before marriage have concocted several stories about Phoebe O'Steen. One was that she was a half sister of Ada Weeks-this is not true. Another is that she was a relative living with the family-also not true. Illegitimacy was a sticky issue in the colonial period. A bastardy bond would have to had been posted for any illegitimate child. Carteret County, North Carolina records are quite extensive and no such bond exists for Phoebe O'Steen. She was the daughter of John O'Steen and Ada (Weeks) O'Steen that they had prior to their marriage.

Notes
[NI1775] John O'Steen was born in North Carolina in 1772, a son of William and Elizabeth (Davis) O'Steen. The family moved to Effingham Co., Ga, about 1791, then to Liberty Co, thence to Tattnall Co. John O'Steen's wife was Ada Weeks, sister of Theophilus Weeks, R.S. and was born in Carteret Co., N.C. They had the following children: Reubin; Ezekiel; Leonard; Bartholomew; Nancy; Argent; Cassandra; and Easter.

The old bible record of these births also include that of Phoebe Weeks, born Feb 22, 1785, she being a half sister of Ada Weeks. She married John Roberts. Reubin, the oldest child was born in N.C. From there the family moved to Beaufort Dist., S.C., where the remainder of the children were born, except Easter, who was born after the family moved to Georgia.

John O'Steen and family moved to Wayne Co. in its early days, 1810 or before, and also lived awhile in Camden Co. Record is found in Camden of his service as an Indian spy in the Camden Co. militia under Maj. William Bailey in 1817. When Appling Co. was created, he became one of it first settlers in the 451st militia district which in those days embraced the whole of present counties of Ware, Atkinson, Clinch and Pierce. He was first Lt. of the militia in that district, 1821-22. In 1825, he and his family were cut out of Appling into the new Co. of Ware, and when the new 586th district was formed out of the 451st it included the O'Steen home in present Clinch Co. He was 2nd Lt of the militia in that district, 1830-32. Mr O'Steen was one of the Justices of Ware Inferior Court, 1829-1833. He was postmaster of Waresboro 1830-1832.

Mrs O'Steen was a charter member of High Bluff Baptist Church in present Brantley (then Wayne) Co., when it was formed June 30, 1819. Mr O'Steen was baptized into the same church May 11, 1823, and on Nov 8, 1823, they were dismissed by letter to join in organizing the Kettle Creek Baptist Church in Appling (now Ware) Co. Due to loss of the latter church's records their subsequent church membership cannot be traced.

John and Ada moved to Columbia Co., Florida, where he is shown in the 1840 census, age 70-80 years. He died there the next year, Feb 15, 1841. His wife survived him a few years. She spent her last years with her daughter, Mrs. Robinson, and was living with them in 1850 when the Camden Co. Census was taken. The census shows her 85 years old in 1850.

O'STEEN, JOHN - VOL.lll: (1) John and his wife, Ada Weeks, were received by letters into membership in Providence Baptist Church on February 8, 1834. This is one of the oldest Baptist Churches in Florida and is located on Olustee Creek, near the little town of Providence. This area was then in Columbia County, later becoming part of New River, then Bradford and finally in 1921 part of Union County. (2) The date of John's death in the sketch is in error. He died in Columbia (now Union) County. The Providence Church minutes contain the following entry, "On motion agreed to record the death of our beloved brother, John O'Steen, who departed this life on January 23, 1842."

John married Ada Weeks about 1787 in Carteret, North Carolina, USA. Ada (daughter of Silas Weeks and Zillar Hunter) was born on 25 Oct 1763 in Carteret, North Carolina, USA; died in 1852 in Camden, Georgia or Columbia, Florida; was buried in Price Creek Cemetery, Lake City, Columbia, Florida, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Ada O'Steen
• Residence: 1850, Camden, Georgia, USA; District 9

Notes:

Weeks, Ada (~1765 - 1852) - female
b. ABT. 1765 in Carteret County, North Carolina
d. 1852 in Camden Co., Ga
father: Weeks, Silas (*1730 - 1778)
mother: Hunter, Zillar (*1734 - )
[Alaucha2.FTW]

Type: Baptised
Info from: Judy Crabb Roberts-Oxford, Florida
From: 'Families Remembered' by John Albert Burnett
Mrs. Ada (Weeks)O'Steen was a charter member of the High Bluff Baptist Church in present Brantley (then Wayne) County, when it was formed on June 30, 1819. Mr.O'Steen was baptized into the same church May 11, 1823, and on November 8, 1823 they were dismissed by letter to join in organizing the Kettle Creek Baptist Church in what was then Appling County, Georgia (But which became WareCounty in 1825). Due to the loss of the latter church's records their subsequent church membership cannot be traced.

John O'Steen, late in life made a move with his family to Columbia County, Florida. He is shown in the 1840 census of Columbia County. John O'Steen died in Columbia County on Feb. 15 , 1841. Ada (Weeks) O'Steen after the death of her husband moved in with her daughter, Easter Robinson, who lived in Camden County, Georgia. Ada (Weeks) O'Steen is shown living with her in the 1850 Camden County census. She is thought to have died between 1850-1860. John O'Steen, and Ada (Weeks) O'Steen exact places of burial are not known.
There has been some controversy for several years over Phoebe O'Steen's birth being before John and Ada's marriage. During the colonial period it was very common for couples to live together and even has some children before their actual marriage. Such couples were recognized as man and wife who later marry when a minister was around. Ealier researchers upset over this birth incident before marriage have concocted several stories about Phoebe O'Steen . One was that she was a half sister of Ada Weeks-this is not true. Another is that she was a relative living with the family-also not true. Illegitimacy was a sticky issue in the colonial period. A bastardy bond would have to had been posted for any illegitimate child. Carteret County, North Carolina records are quite extensive and no such bond exists for Phoebe O'Steen. She was the daughter of John O'Steen and Ada (Weeks) O'Steen that they had prior to their marriage.
There has been some controversy as to who are the parents of Phoebe. She is shown as other family member living in the household of Theophilus Weeks and Ann O'Steen when Theophilus applied for his Revolutionary War pension.
It has been said that Phoebe O'Steen Weeks is really the daughter of John O'Steen and Ada Weeks (sister to Theophilus). and that Ada died young and Theophilus took Phoebe into his house hold to finish raising, which would explain her name being Phoebe O'Steen Weeks. It could be that she was adopted. Nothing has been proven!!
Ada Weeks was the daughter of Silas Weeks and Zillar Hunter. She was baptized Jan 30, 1819 in the High Bluff Primitive Baptist Church.

Ada's brother Theophilus is buried at the Old Providence Baptist Church, Lake City, Columbia, Florida. OLD PROVIDENCE BAPTIST CHURCH, 904-755-1648, HIGHWAY 245, LAKE CITY, FL 32055

Living + Living. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Robison.FTW]

[jer261.ged]

Died while in service during the Revolutionary War.

Silas Weeks
Son of Theopilus Weeks
Silas Weeks was the son of Theophlius Weeks and Grace Green Weeks. He was born in North Carolina.

Silas was a soldier in the America Revolution and died in service on May 22, 1778. A Military Land Warrant # 1533. in the name of Silas Weeks was sold by his heirs on February 22, 1785. From this land sale by the heirs three children are known , Theophilus, James and Ada Weeks. The signature of Theophilus is identical with that found on Military Land Warrant Nr 1806, issued in the name of Tehophilus Weeks and sold by him on 23 May, 1785..

Silas Weeks is the proven son of Theophilus Weeks Sr .of Carteret Co. by land deeds.

Zillar Hunter the wife of Silas Weeks, was the daughter of Nicholas and Rebecca Hunter. Zillar was listed as one of twelve children listed in the will of her father Nicholas who died in 1750 in Carteret Co.

Only three children are known born to Silas and Zillar:

1. James Weeks, believed to be the oldest
2. Theophilus Weeks
3. Ada Weeks who married John O'Steen brother to Ann and Esther O'Steen.

Silas married Zillar Hunter about 1757 in North Carolina, USA. Zillar (daughter of Nicholas Hunter and Rebecca Lnu) was born in 1737 in Onslow, North Carolina, USA; died before 1784 in Carteret, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Death: Abt 1787, North Carolina, USA
• Probate: 1787, Onslow, North Carolina, USA

Notes:

Theophilus Weeks
Son of Benjamin Weeks.
Theophilus Weeks Sr. was born in Falmouth, Barnstable Co. MA. Bay Colony in 1708. He removed to North Carolina with his family about 1730 and settled in Carteret County and then moved to Onslow Co. by 1735. Theophilus married Mrs. Grace Green the widow of Jonathan Green. Grace the widow was deceased by August 1792 as evidence by minutes of the August 1792 Court in Carteret Co. which concerned a lawsuit against the estate of Grace Weeks.

Theophilus laid out and established the Town of Swanboro, North Carolina., in 1770. He surveyed forty-eight lots which are still part of the town.

Theophilus was inspector for the port, which was called Weeks Landing, Week's Whard, The Whard, Weeks Pint, Bogue, New Town and Swansboro. His house was just up from the wharf so he could see the ships as they came in.

Grace had one son by Jonathan Green and four sons for Theophilus Weeks. If they had daughters they are unknown.

1. Jonathan Green Jr. born before 1735 and died 7 February, 1777
2. Benjamin Weeks
3. Silas Weeks, died 22 May, 1778 Rev. Soldier
4. Silvanneus Weeks, Rev. Soldier as swore in open Court by Edward Marey on July 10, 1792.
5. Archelus Weeks married Abigail Edwards, widow of Thomas Edwards.

A Sketch of the Life of Theophilus Weeks
Founder of the Town of Swansboro

Theophilus Weeks, son of Benjamin and Mary Chase Weeks, was born at Falmouth, Massachusetts, in 1708. Sometime in 1730 Benjamin Weeks moved his family from Falmouth to Carteret County, North Carolina, settling along Hadnot's Creek, a tributary of the White Oak River. Apparently about the same time, another Falmouth family-that of Jonathan Green, Sr.-moved to the White Oak River area and settled on the land where the town of Swansboro eventually began. Very little is known about Jonathan Green, Sr., except that he moved to his new home along with his wife Grace and his older brother, Isaac Green. Jonathan and Grace Green had a son named Jonathan, Jr., but it is not presently known whether Jonathan, Jr., was born in Massachusetts or in North Carolina. In 1730, the two brothers, Isaac and Jonathan Green, jointly bought their new plantation on the White Oak.

Meanwhile, Theophilus Weeks appears to have lived in his father's household until 1735. By that year, Jonathan Green, Sr., had died of some unknown cause at the early age of approximately 35 years old; and Theophilus Weeks had married the widow, Grace Green. Weeks moved to the Onslow County side of the river upon marrying the Widow Green, and they made their home in the house that had earlier been the home of Jonathan Green, Sr. In due time Weeks bought the half interest of Isaac Green, who thereafter returned to Massachusetts. Thus, by purchase from Isaac Green and by intermarriage with Jonathan Green's widow, Theophilus Weeks came into full possession and control of the plantation on the Onslow County side of the mouth of the White Oak River.

Plaque in Swansboro Public Park Honoring Theophilus
In addition to his stepson, Jonathan Green, Jr., Theophilus Weeks's family increased by four sons born to him and his wife Grace. Their four sons were Benjamin Weeks, Silas Weeks, Silvanus Weeks, and Archelaus Weeks, whose name sometimes appears incorrectly as Archibald Weeks. If Jonathan Green, Jr., should ever prove to have been born in Massachusetts before his parents moved to North Carolina, then Theophilus and Grace's son, Benjamin Weeks , would be the first child of European descent ever born on the site of what became the town of Swansboro. Not much is known about the occupation of Theophilus Weeks prior to 1751. In January of 1741 (New Style), Weeks recorded his stock mark, which indicated agricultural interests. In 1747 Weeks mortgaged to Col. John Starkey for slightly over 200 pounds the land he had bought of Isaac Green. There is no indication of the use Weeks made of the borrowed money, but he evidently paid it off by the end of 1748. In 1751 Weeks petitioned the Onslow Court for permission to operate an ordinary (18th century term for tavern or inn)and was licensed to "keep an ordinary at his now dwelling place," which suggests that port activity was thriving at the mouth of the White Oak and that Weeks' plantation was a favorite spot for the seafarers to visit.

PLAQUE COMMEMORATING THEOPHILUS WEEKS - FOUNDER OF SWANSBORO
Three years later in 1754, the Onslow Regiment of Militia was organized in response to the French and Indian War. The regiment was divided into four companies, and Theophilus Weeks was commissioned a sergeant in Capt. Stephen Lee's Company of the Onslow Regiment of Militia. His service as one of the original officers in the regiment indicates a more-than-usual capacity for leadership and public responsibility.
In 1757 Theophilus Weeks was appointed the first inspector of exports for Bogue Inlet. Though the record for some years is incomplete, there is every indication that Weeks held the office of inspector continuously from 1757 until his death in 1772, It is significant that there is no record of any complaint ever having been lodged against him with respect to the administration of his official duties. Nor was he ever involved in any lawsuit or uncomplimentary situation so far as the record reveals. From all indications, Theophilus Weeks was a prime example of the unassuming, hardworking, solid citizen upon whom our great democracy was built.
No record has come to light which reflects the religious affiliation of Theophilus Weeks. However, he is known to have had an eminent Puritan minister in his ancestry, and the fact that other members of the Weeks family in the Hadnot's Creek area were deeply involved in the early Baptist movement suggests the strong possibility that Theophilus was also numbered among them.

While there are additional references to his keeping an ordinary and serving as inspector, the most significant accomplishment of Weeks's life came just about a year before his death. It is not known exactly when Theophilus Weeks decided to start a town on his plantation called "The Wharf." He may have toyed with the idea for years, but it seems certain that he had finalized the plan of a town by sometime early in 1771 or possibly even in 1770. The earliest Swansboro lot for which there is a deed from Theophilus Weeks on record is lot number 6, which Theophilus and Grace Weeks sold to Edward Starkey on May 11, 1771. Strangely enough, that deed refers to an adjoining lot as belonging to a Mr. Lee, though no deed from Weeks to Lee is recorded. The deed from Weeks to Starkey, however, does prove that as early as May of 1771 a plan of the town existed and that the lots in the town had already been assigned their numbers. That the establishment of a town on his property was the idea of Theophilus Weeks is further supported by the deed to Mrs. Mary Pitts for lot number 11. Mrs. Pitts received the deed for what was called "lot number 11 in the plan of a town laid out by Theophilus Weeks.” It is, therefore, clear that the town that became Swansboro was the idea of Theophilus Weeks, who thereby earned the title of "Founder of the Town of Swansboro."

As laid out by Weeks, the new town contained a total of 48 lots and 6 streets. The lots were arranged in three tiers with 16 lots to the tier. Of the 6 streets, 3 streets ran basically north to south and 3 ran basically east to west. Those streets today are known as, Front, Water, Elm, Moore, Main, and Church streets, though 4 of the 6 streets have been greatly extended as the town has grown. All of the original lots measured 60 feet in width and 200 feet in length, except that those lots on the north side of Front Street were intended to extend across the street to the rivershore. Seven of the 48 lots were called "water lots" because in varying amounts a part of each of those 7 water lots lay beneath the water. The 7 water lots were known in the plan of the town as lots number 10 through 16. All of the streets in the town were laid out to be 30 feet wide, except for Front and Broad streets, which were 40 feet wide. The Broad Street shown on the early maps of Swansboro should not be confused with the present-day Broad Street. What Theophilus Weeks called Broad Street is today known as Main Street and was the end of the old county road which ran from Onslow Courthouse (as Jacksonville was formerly called) to Weeks's wharf where he inspected exports leaving the White Oak River area.

The sale of lots in the new town continued slowly, and only a few of the original 48 lots had been sold when Theophilus Weeks died. From the deed records, it is known that the Weeks home stood on the west side of Broad Street (now Main Street) somewhere between Front and Water streets. In the plat of the town, the lot on which Weeks's home sat received the number 7. Because Weeks had a wharf nearby where vessels tied up to have their cargoes inspected, one of the earliest names for the town was Weeks's Wharf. Some called the town Weeks's Point, and still others called it "New Town." In one petition, the town was called "New Town-upon-Bogue." During the Revolutionary War years, the most common name for the town was Bogue. In 1783, when the town was established by law, the General Assembly put an end to the confusion over names by bypassing all the earlier names and officially naming the town Swannsborough, which has since been shortened to Swansboro.

The precise date and cause of Theophilus Weeks's death is unknown, though it appears to have occurred in early January, 1772. On January 1, 1772, Theophilus and Grace Weeks signed a deed to Archibald Gillespie for half an acre of land. That was the last deed Theophilus ever signed. When the Onslow Court met just a few days later, one of the actions taken by the court was to appoint Archibald Gillespie inspector for Bogue Inlet "in the room of Theophilus Weeks, deceased."

While Theophilus Weeks lived and died a subject of the king of England, he was the father of patriots. Of his four sons, two - Silas and Silvanus - died as soldiers in the American Revolution. In his final years, Theophilus Weeks founded a new town and left behind him sons who would help to found a new nation. It is appropriate that the bill legally erecting the town which Weeks had founded was passed by the General Assembly in the same year that Great Britain officially recognized American independence. Tucker R. Littleton

[Note: This biography of Theophilus Weeks was extracted from a guide that was sold to tourists visiting Swansboro. The old buildings of downtown Swansboro have been converted to gift shops, boutiques, restaurants and other tourist-oriented establishments in order to attract the trade of visitors to the North Carolina outerbanks. The author of this guide, Tucker R. Littleton, was probably himself a descendant of Benjamin Weeks.]

Theophilus married Grace Green on 7 Oct 1735 in Swansboro, Onslow, North Carolina, USA. Grace was born in 1708 in Falmouth, Barnstable, Massachusetts, USA; died after 1775 in Onslow, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

[Robison.FTW]

[jer261.ged]

Widow of Jonathan.

Other Events and Attributes:

• Residence: 17 May 1742, Carteret, North Carolina, USA
• Will: 3 Jan 1749, Carteret, North Carolina, USA
• Probate: Mar 1749, Carteret, North Carolina, USA

Nicholas married Rebecca Lnu in 1703 in Nansemond, North Carolina. Rebecca was born in 1683; died in Jun 1785 in Carteret, North Carolina, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Other Events and Attributes:

• Name: Rebecca Hardy