Notes:

This occurred in Kent Co., Maryland between 1701 and 1702 according to the Maryland Archives and the fact that John Sr. is still alive. It involves his sons, John and Richard also.

Peter Mersey and Thomas Mounsier in their prper prsons and Phillip Duff by John Ponder his Surety, Are bound to Appear As Evidences here next Court In the Sume of ten pds Sterg ~ John Ponder Junr. and Richard Ponder are bound in twenty pounds Sterg. And John Ponder Senr. and Tho: Ford are bound in ten pounds Sterg Each to be levy'd as is abovesd. in Case the Sd. Jno. Ponder Junr. and Richd. Ponder do not Make their Appearance at the next Court He resided in Sussex, Delaware in 1717. The Commissioners of Sussex signed a land warrant to John Ponder on 13 Nov 1717 for 200 acres in the Forest of Sussex. He was listed as "of Cedar Creek Hundred" in the membership role of St. Matthews Church in 1717.

He died in 1719 in Sussex County, Delaware. His will names eldest daughter Mary; eldest son, John "plantation where I now live and land in Maryland including Shepherd's Field"; sons James and Daniel, daughters Sarah, Margaret and Rosanna. He gave his plantation in Queen Ann's County, Maryland to his wife, Mary. The will was probated on 15 Apr 1719. Liber A, folios 107-109. There is a debate about whether or not John is the son of John Ponder and a wife Margaret supposedly mentioned as his wife in a 1680 deed where he cancels his headrights. We have not been able to find the document supporting this.

This John also was the husband of Mary, d. of Ann Norris. Some believe Mary was the mother of all but one of his children. DNA seems to be supporting this 2nd theory. I checked my mother's DNA who was born in 1916 against 17 of Ann Norris' father, Thomas Edward Norris' descendants. About 1/4 of them had chromosome segments in common with my mother from 3.2 to 6.7 cM's. For this far back in time that is amazing.

John married Mary TURNER before 1700. Mary (daughter of John TURNER and Margaret) was born in 1676 in , , Maryland; was christened on 27 Jun 1704 in , Anne Arundel, MD; died on 1 Jul 1721 in , Sussex, Delaware. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Sarah WARREN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1725, he sold 150 acres of land to Thomas Groves in Sussex Co., Delaware as per deed records for that county. He signs the deed as John J. Ponder. Below the signature is the word Mark, so the J in the middle of his name could be his mark for John. Luke Watson and Mary Woodward delivered the deed. No wife is mentioned at the time. We have proof that his wife was Alice Gum from a March 1735 will made by Alice's father in law, Griffith Jones. It refers to John Ponder (yeoman) and his wife Alse Gum d. of John Gum as the daughter in law of Griffith Jones.

On Nov. 6, 1767 in Sussex, Delaware, John Ponder deeded land that named his deceased wife as the daughter of John Gum. It also lists John Gum's children as Sarah married to Jacon Shelton. The deed gives John's Ponders' children as Mary married to William Tharp, Sarah married to William Mitten and John Ponder Jr. In the will index, it says his wife was the daughter of John Gum. His will was written on Aug. 15, 1786.Primary Name: John Ponder, Yeoman Will Location: Broadkiln Hd. Heirs: wife Elisabeth Ponder; son James Ponder; daus. Kezia Allee, Levina Dogman, Alice Hand, Elizabeth Hand and Sarah Mitten; granddau. Alice Mitten Executor Name: son James Ponder Witness Names: John W. Dean, Rhoda Mason, Sarah Mason Will Probate Date:20 Jul 1787 It does not name his children John or Mary as they had been given land previously. He obviously was married more than once. This info was forwarded from Ancestry UK: Revolutionary Patriots of Delaware 1775-1783 Henry C. Peden, Jr. M.A. Family Line Publications, Westminster, MD 1996, Ponder, John. Private, Capt. David Hall's Company, Continental Troups. enlisted on Feb. 7, 1776, and in barracks at Lewistown on April 11, 1776 (Ref: A-43, C-1157). "John Ponder, yeoman" died testate in Broadkiln Hundred in Sussex County in 1787, naming wife Elizabeth, son James, and daughters Kezia Allee, Levina Dogman, Alice Hand, Elizabeth Hand, and Sarah Mitten (/ref: J-187)-------------------------------------------

Land Records of Sussex County Delaware 1763-1769 by Mary Marshall Brewer, p.113-114(Also in Joseph Brown Turner Collection, microfiche #405 Milwarde-Monett (Mitten))3 Nov 1767. Deed. JOHN PONDER Senr, JACOB SHELTMAN and SARAH his wife, WILLIAM THARP & MARY his wife, WILLIAM MITTEN and SARAH his wife sold to JACOB GUM ... a tr of land, whereas a certain JOHN GUM of Suss Co father to the afsd JOHN PONDER's former (wife) and the afsd JACOB SHELTMAN's present wife died intestate seized with a tr of land whereon the present JACOB GUM party to these presents now dweleth, grandson to the afsd JOHN GUM, the afsd JOHN PONDER haveing issue by his former wife dau to JOHN GUM the afsd MARY w/o WM THARP, SARAH w/o WILLIAM MITTEN and JOHN PONDER Junr who is not a party to these presents, and whereas the afsd JOHN PONDER Senr did suppose that his former wife & JACOB SHELTMAN's wife had right in the lands of JOHN GUM afsd no equal distribution thereof to his knowledge being made, therefore he the said JOHN did purch of JACOB SHELTMAN and SARAH his wife, WILLIAM THARP and MARY his wife, WILLIAM MITTON and SARAH his wife, after which purch the said JOHN with said JACOB GUM did, the matter afsd being in dispute, leave to JOHN HEVELO, BOAZ MANLOVE, PARKER ROBINSON, NEHEMIAH DAVIS Junr & DAVID STUARD referrees to award a final end to make of the matter then in dispute which majority of the referrees, viz JOHN HEVERLO, PARKER ROBINSON, NEHEMIAH DAVIS Junr & DAVID STUART did by their award bearing date 9 Oct 1767 order the afsd JOHN PONDER Senr to make over to the afsd JACOB GUM all right that he the said JOHN hath that JACOB SHELTMAN & SARAH his wife, WILLIAM THARP and MARY his wife, WILLIAM MITTON and SARAH his wife hath to the lands and in consideration of 2 receipts to them appearing from under the hands of the said JOHN PONDER and wife, and JACOB SHELTMAN and his wife formerly signd by them to a certain ABRAHAM GUM father to this present JACOB GUM ... the grantors hereby appoint RHOADS SHANKLAND esqr to ackn this deed in open court. SARAH SHELTON, MARY THARP andSARAH MITTEN ackn their free & volantary consent in the perfecting the within deed before WILLIAM CONWELL justice of the peace. Ackn 4 Nov 1767. (K:pg 294) -----------------------------

Land Records of Sussex County Delaware, 1782-1789 Deed Book N No. 13; Elaine Hastings Mason & F. Edward Wright; Gc 975.101 SU 8m;p.88486. 22 Feb 1788. Deed. John Rowland from James Ponder and others. Whereas THOMAS HAND, WILLIAM HAND, JOHN HAND AND THOMAS SKIDMORE on 22 Nov. 1782 conveyed unto JOHN PONDER a parcel of land in Broadkiln Hund on w side of Round Pole Branch near road leading from upper Road to town of Lewes to lower Road leading to said town... 17 1/4 ac whereas JOHN PONDER in his will dated 15 Aug. 1786 devised to his son JAMES PONDER above described parcel of land, reserving to his dau KEZIAH ALLEE 1 ac contiguous to the dwelling house, shop and well. Now this indenture made between JAMES PONDER and ELEANOR his wife, ISAAC ALLEE and KEZIAH his wife on the one part and JOHN ROWLAND of Sussex Co., tanner, of the other part, for 60 pounds paid by JOHN ROWLAND. Wit: JOHN CLOWES, JOHN W. DEAN (McDEAN?). Ackn 8 Feb. 1788.------------------------------Land records of Sussex County Delaware 1722-1731 Deed Book F No.6 by Johnita MaloneACPL Gc975.101 Su8map.57p.215-216. Deed 29 Jan 1725. from John Ponder Of Sussex Co., DE toThomas Groves. Fro 10 pounds 151 acres.---------------------- Calendar of Sussex County Delaware Probate Records 1680-1800Compiled by Leon deValenger, Jr. State archivist; Published by the Public Archives Commission State of Delaware Dover, 1964.Ponder, John. Yeoman. Broadkiln Hd. Will. Made Aug. 15, 1786. Heirs: wife Elisabeth Ponder; son James Ponder; daus. Kezia Allee, Levina Dogman, Alice Hand, Elisabeth Hand and Sarah Mitten; granddau. Alice Mitten. Exec'r, son James Ponder. Wits., John W. Dean, Rhoda Mason, Sarah Mason. Prob. July 20, 1787. Arch. vol. A93, page 181. Reg. of wills, Liber D, folies 152-153----------------------------Copy of Probate from the Delaware Archives (5 pages)

John married Alice GUM before 1726. Alice (daughter of John GUM and Frances POTTER) was born in 1706 in Sussex Co., Delaware; died in 1744 in Sussex Co., Delaware. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

John married Elizabeth TURNER about 1745. Elizabeth was born on 22 Jun 1705 in Scituate, Plymouth, MA; died after Aug 1786 in of Sussex, Delaware, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Margaret married Stephen BENNETT before 1724 in , Sussex, Delaware. Stephen was born in 1699; died in 1753. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

He is not listed in his father's will dated 1719.

Family/Spouse: Margaret. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Her name might be Sevenah instead in her father's will.

Family/Spouse: Peter DEGMAN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: Elizabeth. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

A handmade booklet on this generation of Tharps says that Mary was declared by jury as insane in 1815. This would have been the term used at the time for dementia. Son, Zadock, was named her guardian. (CL-317a) She died shortly after as her son Zadock was the administrator for her estate which he filed on May 28, 1816. The estate papers administered on May 28, 1816 lists her and William's children as William, Joseph, Zedic, Isaac, Esther, Armelia Calhoon, Unica, Kezziah, and Ann. It names one grandson Jesse who was being cared for by Isaac (Zaus).

She is listed in her father's deed transaction in Sussex, Delaware in 1767 under her married name proving that she is a Ponder instead of a Harris as is oft printed.

Mary married William THARP about 1764 in Murderkill Hundred, Kent, DE. William (son of William THARP and Jane (OISTONE) AUSTIN) was born about 1729 in Tuckahoe Hundred, Talbot, MD; died on 29 Apr 1807 in , Iredell, NC, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: William MITTEN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She is probably the niece of William Westly Turner who left a will in 1771 indicating a lot of family that did not include a wife or children. She was left a chest by him under the name of Alse Ponder, his niece.

Family/Spouse: HAND. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: ALLEE. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Family/Spouse: HAND. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1785, Joseph and his father, William, witnessed a land purchase when John Heath bought 150 acres M. Cannon on Troublesome Creek. Heath and Cannon were both from Guilford, North Carolina previous to this purchase.

In 1790, Joseph lived in Guilford Co., North Carolina. (CL-429, p. 152) On Jan. 20, 1792 he purchased 200 acres of land that was partially in Guilford and partially in Rockingham Co., North Carolina. In 1793 he purchased 50 acres from his father-in-law, James Calhoun in Guilford. On Nov. 24, 1796, Joseph Tharp of Rowan Co. sold this 200 acres on Little Hogan Creek that was then Rockingham.

By 1800, he is listed in the Rowan Co. census. That census lists him with the following household members: 40010-22010-00. Joseph has not been found with certainty in any census record after that point. It is possible that he is the Joseph Tharp living in Fairfield Co., OH in their 1807 tax lists though not enough info on his has been found to verify this. It is likely that he is the Joseph Tharp in Tippacanoe Co., IN in the 1830, and Clinton Co., IN in the 1850 census due to the alignment of his age, his birth place and his migration pattern. In the 1830 census for instance, he is living next door to sons William, Able and Isaac. Dana Norton found that in the 1850 Clinton Co., IN census, he was 87 years old, born in Delaware. He is listed with Elsey (his wife?), age 84, born in NC and his son, Abel's family. Abel was born in NC about 1795. Next to their household lived Elsey Tharp Bush (age 26, b. Oh) and her husband Adonijah Bush. This is obviously a daughter of Joseph and Elsey. This pattern of migration and birth places would fit - as our Mary did marry in Ohio. The last census he and Elsey are in, is the 1850 Clinton Co., Indiana census. There is a possibility that his wife Elcy died shortly after 1850 and he is the Joseph Tharp who married an Elizabeth Uhler on Feb 28, 1854 in Boone Co., IN. (CL-317h, 419, 425, 547, 599, 600)

Four of his children's birth dates come from a single sheet of paper of unknown origin that recorded their births and is now housed in a folder in the North Carolina University Library, Historical Records Collection, Chapel Hill, North Carolina. He had at least one more daughter in the 1800 census records who was under age 10, who was not on this sheet. We can tell from this paper and from a birth date calculation on our Mary Tharp's cemetery stone that this Joseph is the father of our Mary. (CL-317)

There were two other Josephs in North Carolina that could be confused with our Joseph. A Joseph Tharp who was younger than ours, purchased land with Samuel Owens on 12/24/1780 on the Haw River. A slightly younger Joseph Tharp, b. abt. 1772, died in 1839 in Iredell Co., North Carolina. This is likely the Joseph whose estate was probated there in Feb.1840 and who was in the 1830 Iredell Co., NC census. The 1830 Iredell Co., NC Joseph was supposedly born between 1760 and 1770. He was living adjacent to a Hannah H. Tharpe, William Tharpe Sr. and Jr. and Peter Tharpe. I actually believe this to be the Joseph who was b. abt. 1772 and had a son named Peter, but it still could be our Joseph Tharp instead. (CL-427) Joseph, b. abt. 1772, married Mary Harris on Nov. 10, 1791 in Guilford Co., NC according to Bob Tharp who provided all this researched data. There is also a Joseph in Monroe Twp., Darke Co., Ohio in 1840 that needs to be checked.

Joseph married Elsey (Elserman) CALHOUN on 10 Nov 1791 in , Guilford, NC. Elsey (daughter of James CALHOON and Jean \ Jinette JOHNSTON) was born about 1766 in , , VA or NC; died after 1850 in , Clinton, IN. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Armilla and her husband were having children in Iredell Co., NC from 1786-1805. (CL-489)

Armeila married Robert CALHOON about 1785 in , Guilford, NC. Robert (son of James CALHOON and Jean \ Jinette JOHNSTON) was born in 1765 in Va Or Nc; died in 1820 in Of Gallia, OH, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

In 1815, Zadoc was named guardian for his mother who was in a "state of lunacy". In 1825, Wm. Cash who was the administrator of Zadock's will, sold 50 acres of Zadoc's land to sister, Esther Tharpe. His estate records were submitted on June 1, 1821 administered by William Cash. His wife, Lurna outlived him.

Zadoc married Leurany PARKER on 18 Aug 1800 in , Rowan, NC. Leurany was born about 1776; died after 1 Jun 1821. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

She was not listed in her mother's 1816 estate administration.

Notes:

He was not listed in his mother's 1816 administration.

Notes:

He was given his father's plantation in William's will probated 1807. Isaac lived in Tennessee in 1818 when he sold 190 acres in Iredell Co., NC to Samuel Hayes. He is listed as the guardian of Jesse Tharp, grandson to his parents in his mother's 1816 administration in Iredell Co., North Carolina. (CL-317)

Notes:

Esther was in Will Book I, Iredell Co., North Carolina. She is listed in her will probated 1859 as giving 50 acres to Littleton Hudson for use of his 2 children. If this second hand information in interpreted correctly, it suggests that she never married. She was definitely not married when she purchased 50 acres of her brother, Zadoc's land from his estate disbursement in 1825.