Generation No. 1
1. ALEXANDER1 JOYCE1 was born 1715 in Guilford County North Carolina, and died 05 March 1778 in Guilford Co. NC. , Now Rockingham Co.. He married (1) SARAH AUSTIN Abt. 1739 in North Carolina, daughter of RICHARD AUSTIN. She was born Abt. 1720 in Virginia, and died Bef. May 1758 in Gulford County North Carolina. He married (2) JANE HAMILTON 19 May 1758 in PRINCE EDWARD CO. Virginia, daughter of ALEXANDER HAMILTON and ESTHER. She was born 1740 in Va., and died Bef. 1804 in Guilford Co. NC..
Notes for ALEXANDER JOYCE:
Alexander and Brother Thomas Joyce bought land in Rockingham County N. C. on the Mayo River, many of their descendents moved to Stokes County. Alexander And Thomas both had a son John among others. After their death the land was left to their sons John. Since there were now two John Joyce's living in the same area , in order to differentiate between these two first cousins, we find in the court minutes that one was identified as John Joyce (Coon) and one as John Joyce (Possum). The Joyce Cemetery in Rockingham county is referred to as Possum Joyce Cemetery. One stone has the birth and death dated that correspond with family records of John Joyce, son of Alexander. From this we conclude that John Possum was the son of Alexander.
1790 Stokes County NC. Census shows three Joyce families
1) Alexander with 9 in the family including wife and himself, plus 3 slaves.
2) Isaacs with 4 in the family including wife and himself ,plus 2 slaves.
3) George with 6 in the family including wife and himself , no slaves.
Guilford County, N. C. Will Abstracts
A:0198 - ALEXANDER JOYCE - 3 Mar 1778 - Prb May 1778
Wife Jane - negroes Ned, Sue, & Pegg, 240 ac in NE corner running down the river Son Robert - when 21 land adj. his mother, slaves Harry & Cate, 100 p
Sons Thomas (10 pounds) & Joseph (100 pounds)
Son John - 526 ac in Pittsylvania Co, VA on Sandy River, negroes Dick & Jenny
Son James - negro Bill, pounds in money
Son Elijah - 200 ac on NW corner, negro woman Hagat, my still
Son Alexander - 100 pounds in money, negro Casar
Son Elisha - 100 pounds, tract including the mill, negro Jude
Son Andrew - 200 ac lower tract on both sides of river, negro Sam, 100 pounds in money
Dau Sarah - Negro Nan, two cows, 10 pounds in money
Dau Margarett - negro Amy, horse & saddle, bed & furniture
Dau Esther Joyce - negro Dinah, horse & saddle, bed & furniture
Dau Elizabeth Joyce - negro Dinah, horse & saddle, bed & furniture
Dau Mary Joyce - negroes Jacob & Agness, horse & saddle, etc.
My little children: Elisha, Andrew, Robert, Margarett, Elizabeth, & Mary to be educated
Exrs: Sons James & Elijah Joyce, brother Thomas Joyce
Wits: James Holderness, Charles Gates, James Vernon, Alexander Smith
Notes from another source:
One of the earliest families to settle in what is now Rockingham County, North
Carolina was that of two brothers, Thomas and Alexander Joyce. Alexander Joyce
died in 1778 leaving a will which is recorded in Guilford County, North Carolina
while Thomas Joyce died in 1780 leaving a will recorded in Charlotte County,
Virginia. These two brother first appeared in Lunenburg County, Virginia records
in 1748. Later their lands fell into Charlotte County, Virginia, which was cut
off from Lunenburg in 1765. Along with the will in Charlotte County, Virginia
for Thomas Joyce, there are also two inventories recorded there concerning his
estates in Guilford and Surry Counties, North Carolina.
By the time Rockingham County was cut off from Guilford in 1785, both families
of Joyces were living on or near the Mayo River.
He bought 640 acres of land on Sheperd's Creek on May 6, 1760. This is about
the time that he came to Rockingham County, NC.
Children of ALEXANDER JOYCE and SARAH AUSTIN are:
ALEXANDER2 JOYCE,JR, b. 1741, Gulford Co. N. C.; d. 1827, Georgia.
JOHN JOYCE, b. 1743, NC.; d. 17 October 1827, Rockingham Co. NC..
THOMAS JOYCE, b. 1745, Danbury, Stokes County NC.; d. 1822, Rockingham Co. NC..
JAMES JOYCE,SR., b. 1746, King & Queen County Virginia; d. November 1796, Rockingham Co. NC..
SARAH JOYCE, b. 05 June 1750, NC..
ELIJAH JOYCE2, b. 19 September 1752, Lunenburg County Virginia; d. Bef. November 1804, Rockingham County NC.
Generation No. 2
7. ELIJAH2 JOYCE2 (ALEXANDER1) (Source: Early Families of the North Carolina Counties of Rockinghan and Stokes by James Hunter ch-NSDAAR.) was born 19 September 1752 in Lunenburg County Virginia, and died Bef. November 1804 in Rockingham County NC.. He married ELIZABETH ALLEN3 23 November 1773 in Gulford County North Carolina, daughter of VALENTINE ALLEN and NANCY ARNOLD. She was born 1754 in Virginia, and died 1808 in Rockingham Co. NC..
Notes for ELIJAH JOYCE:
Elijah Joyce assisted in the establishment of America Independence during the war of the revolution by serving as a private in the Guilford, County Militia under captain Alaxander Hunter, Lieut. John Davis, ensign Samuel Hunter in Col James Martin's regiment in the 2nd expedition to Cross Creek, Feb 1776 .
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NC - DEEDS - JOYCE, Elijah Division of Lands
FHL Film #0019708 Rockingham Co, NC Register of Deeds Book M
Pp 530-534 No. 1400 JOYCE, Elijah Division of Lands
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
I hereby certify that I surveyed for the Several Legatees of Elijah JOYCE decd. The outlines of this plat of land, together with the Several Divisions as appear by the form annexed agreeable to the following
courses... To Wit;
No. 1 - beginning on a beach on the bank of the Mayo River from thence West one hundred and six poles to a black oak, South forty two poles to a black oak, West one hundred & ten poles to a post Oak, North
Sixty four poles to pointers on Shepherd Creek, East two hundred and five poles to a double beach on the said River , thence down the river as it meanders to the first Station Containing 57 acres.
No. 2 Beginning on a double beach on the River bank, then West two hundred and five poles crossing Shepherds Creek to pointers on both sides of the creek North forty five poles to a hickory, then East one hundred and ninety two poles to a double burch on said river, then down the river as it meanders to the beginning containing 55 3/4 acres.
No. 3. Beginning on a double burch on the river from thence runing West one hundred and ninety two poles to a hickory, then North forty five poles to a White, Oak, East two hundred poles to a Spanish Oak on the
river, then down the river as it meanders to the first Station. Containing56 acres.
No. 4. Beginning on a White Oak, then West two hundred eighty five poles to a black Oak, South Seventy five poles to a post oak, East two hundred and eighty five poles to pointers on the Road, No. Seventy five poles to the begining. Containing 133 acres & 95 poles.
No. 5. Begining on a double White Oak No. one hundred and Sixty poles to a post oak, West one hundred poles to a White Oak, then South one hundred and Sixty poles to a White Oak and dogwoods on a branch, then East one hundred poles to the first Station. Containing one hundred acres of land.
No. 6. Begining on a black oak bush, then West forty eight poles to a White Oak, North two hundred thirty Six poles to a black Oak, east forty eight poles to a black Oak, then South two hundred and thirty six poles to the first Station. Containing Seventy acres 128 poles.
No. 7. Begining on a black oak bush, East forty eight poles to a Stake North in South two hundred thirty six poles to a black oak bush, East forty eight poles to a Stake, North two hundred poles to a hickory bush, West forty poles to the begining. Containing 70 acres 128 poles.
No. 8. Begining on a hickory bush, east forty eight poles to a black oak bush, South two hundred thirty six poles to a maple, West forty eight poles to a Stake, North two hundred thirty six poles to the
begining. Containing 70 acres 128 poles.
No. 9. Beginning on a Spanish Oak on the river bank, then West forty poles to a maple, North two hundred and thirty six poles to a black oak, east twenty four poles to a Spanish Oak Saplin, South one hundred Sixty two poles to a peach tree, east fifty five poles to a double post oak South seventy poles to a White oak on the bank of the river then down the river as it meanders to the first Station. Containing 60 acres 54 poles.
No. 10. Begining on a White oak on the bank of the river thence then North Seventy poles to a double post Oak, East Seventy poles to a hickory and black oak, South ninety poles to a poplar on the bank of the River then down the river as it meanders to the first Station. Containing 35 acres.
No. 11. Beginning on a poplar on the river then North ninety poles to a hickory and black oak, East fifty nine poles to a mulberry on the river from thence down the river as it meanders to the first Station containing forty acres in the bent of the river.
Ambrose JOYCE John DALTON S.
Peter JOYCE C.C.
In obedience to an order made from the County court of Rockingham to us the Subscribing Commissioners - We have met on the Land of Elijah JOYCE Decd. & have divided & appropriated the same amongst the several Heirs, the Valuations all in Virginia Currency - to wit, from Number one to No. eleven as will more full appear by having reference to the annexed
plan..
No. 1 drawed by Geo. JOYCE 57 acres poles Valued to £102.___
No. 2 drawed by William JOYCE 55 do 120 poles do 55-0
No. 3 do by Ree JOYCE 56 do 56-0
No. 4 do by Peter JOYCE 133 95 poles do 33-5
No. 5 do by Tempy JOYCE 100 do 25-0
No. 6 do by Thos. JOYCE Jr. 70 128 do 42-0
No. 7 do by Elizabeth JOYCE 70 128 do 70-0
No. 8 do by William MEANS 70 128 do 70-0
No. 9 do by Pleasant JOYCE 60 54 do 90-0
No. 10 do by Selah JOYCE 35 do 105-0
No. 11 do by Thos JOYCE Sr. 40 do 120-0
£ S D
No. 1 pays to No. 2 14 17 10
No. 1 pays to No. 3 13 17 10
No. 1 pays to No. 4 3 16 6
No. 7 do 4 2 2
No. 8 do 4 2 2
No. 9 pays to No. 4 20 2 2
No. 10 do 4 12 9 10
No. 10 pays to No. 5 22 12 4
No. 11 do 5 22 5 6
No. 11 pays to No. 6 27 17 10
All of which is submitted to Given under our hands and seals this 21st
day of August 1805. Richd. Sharp (seal)
Joshua SMITH (seal)
William JENNINGS (seal)
B. DEATHERAGE (seal)
John FIELDS (seal)
State of No. Carolina
Rockingham County Augt. Sessions 1808
The Within Division of land among the Legatees of Elijah JOYCE
Deceased was duly recorded in open court.
Ro. GALLAWAY C.
More notes concerning Elijah Joyce and Elizabeth Allen:
Notes for ELIJAH J. JOYCE:
Elijah Joyce assisted in the establishment of America Independence during the
war of the revolution by serving as a private in the Guilford County Militia
under captain Alaxander Hunter, Lieut. John Davis, ensign Samuel Hunter in Col
James Martin's regiment in the 2nd expedition to Cross Creek, Feb 1776 .
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NC - DEEDS - JOYCE, Elijah Division of Lands
FHL Film #0019708 Rockingham Co, NC Register of Deeds Book M Pp 530-534 No.
1400 JOYCE, Elijah Division of Lands
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County
I hereby certify that I surveyed for the Several Legatees of Elijah JOYCE decd.
The outlines of this plat of land, together with the Several Divisions as appear
by the form annexed agreeable to the following
courses... To Wit;
No. 1 - beginning on a beach on the bank of the Mayo River from thence West
one hundred and six poles to a black oak, South forty two poles to a black oak,
West one hundred & ten poles to a post Oak, North
Sixty four poles to pointers on Shepherd Creek, East two hundred and five poles
to a double beach on the said River , thence down the river as it meanders to
the first Station Containing 57 acres.
No. 2 Beginning on a double beach on the River bank, then West two hundred and
five poles crossing Shepherds Creek to pointers on both sides of the creek North
forty five poles to a hickory, then East one hundred and ninety two poles to
a double burch on said river, then down the river as it meanders to the beginning
containing 55 3/4 acres.
No. 3. Beginning on a double burch on the river from thence runing West one
hundred and ninety two poles to a hickory, then North forty five poles to a
White, Oak, East two hundred poles to a Spanish Oak on the
river, then down the river as it meanders to the first Station. Containing56
acres.
No. 4. Beginning on a White Oak, then West two hundred eighty five poles to
a black Oak, South Seventy five poles to a post oak, East two hundred and eighty
five poles to pointers on the Road, No. Seventy five poles to the begining.
Containing 133 acres & 95 poles.
No. 5. Begining on a double White Oak No. one hundred and Sixty poles to a post
oak, West one hundred poles to a White Oak, then South one hundred and Sixty
poles to a White Oak and dogwoods on a branch, then East one hundred poles to
the first Station. Containing one hundred acres of land.
No. 6. Begining on a black oak bush, then West forty eight poles to a White
Oak, North two hundred thirty Six poles to a black Oak, east forty eight poles
to a black Oak, then South two hundred and thirty six poles to the first Station.
Containing Seventy acres 128 poles.
No. 7. Begining on a black oak bush, East forty eight poles to a Stake North
in South two hundred thirty six poles to a black oak bush, East forty eight
poles to a Stake, North two hundred poles to a hickory bush, West forty poles
to the begining. Containing 70 acres 128 poles.
No. 8. Begining on a hickory bush, east forty eight poles to a black oak bush,
South two hundred thirty six poles to a maple, West forty eight poles to a Stake,
North two hundred thirty six poles to the
begining. Containing 70 acres 128 poles.
No. 9. Beginning on a Spanish Oak on the river bank, then West forty poles to
a maple, North two hundred and thirty six poles to a black oak, east twenty
four poles to a Spanish Oak Saplin, South one hundred Sixty two poles to a peach
tree, east fifty five poles to a double post oak South seventy poles to a White
oak on the bank of the river then down the river as it meanders to the first
Station. Containing 60 acres 54 poles.
No. 10. Begining on a White oak on the bank of the river thence then North Seventy
poles to a double post Oak, East Seventy poles to a hickory and black oak, South
ninety poles to a poplar on the bank of the River then down the river as it
meanders to the first Station. Containing 35 acres.
No. 11. Beginning on a poplar on the river then North ninety poles to a hickory
and black oak, East fifty nine poles to a mulberry on the river from thence
down the river as it meanders to the first Station containing forty acres in
the bent of the river.
Ambrose JOYCE John DALTON S.
Peter JOYCE C.C.
In obedience to an order made from the County court of Rockingham to us the
Subscribing Commissioners - We have met on the Land of Elijah JOYCE Decd. &
have divided & appropriated the same amongst the several Heirs, the Valuations
all in Virginia Currency - to wit, from Number one to No. eleven as will more
full appear by having reference to the annexed
plan..
No. 1 drawed by Geo. JOYCE 57 acres poles Valued to £102.___
No. 2 drawed by William JOYCE 55 do 120 poles do 55-0
No. 3 do by Ree JOYCE 56 do 56-0
No. 4 do by Peter JOYCE 133 95 poles do 33-5
No. 5 do by Tempy JOYCE 100 do 25-0
No. 6 do by Thos. JOYCE Jr. 70 128 do 42-0
No. 7 do by Elizabeth JOYCE 70 128 do 70-0
No. 8 do by William MEANS 70 128 do 70-0
No. 9 do by Pleasant JOYCE 60 54 do 90-0
No. 10 do by Selah JOYCE 35 do 105-0
No. 11 do by Thos JOYCE Sr. 40 do 120-0
£ S D
No. 1 pays to No. 2 14 17 10
No. 1 pays to No. 3 13 17 10
No. 1 pays to No. 4 3 16 6
No. 7 do 4 2 2
No. 8 do 4 2 2
No. 9 pays to No. 4 20 2 2
No. 10 do 4 12 9 10
No. 10 pays to No. 5 22 12 4
No. 11 do 5 22 5 6
No. 11 pays to No. 6 27 17 10
All of which is submitted to Given under our hands and seals this 21st
day of August 1805. Richd. Sharp (seal)
Joshua SMITH (seal)
William JENNINGS (seal)
B. DEATHERAGE (seal)
John FIELDS (seal)
State of No. Carolina
Rockingham County Augt. Sessions 1808
The Within Division of land among the Legatees of Elijah JOYCE
Deceased was duly recorded in open court.
Ro. GALLAWAY C.
More About ELIJAH JOYCE and ELIZABETH ALLEN:
Marriage: 23 November 1773, Gulford County North Carolina
Children of ELIJAH JOYCE and ELIZABETH ALLEN are:
NANCY3 JOYCE, b. Abt. 1775, Gulford Co. N. C.; d. 20 November 1849, Rockingham Co. NC..
GEORGE JOYCE, b. Abt. 1776.
WILLIAM COON JOYCE,SR., b. 1778, Guilford Co. N. C. Unity Parrish Township; d. 18 February 1846, Stokes CO. N. C. (Family Bible says April 1846).
PLEASANT JOYCE, b. Abt. 1779, Gulford County, N. C.; d. 16 August 1866, Maury Co. TN..
SUSAN JOYCE3, b. Abt. 1779; d. Abt. 1826; m. WILLIAM MEANS4, Abt. 1797, Rockingham Co. NC.; b. Abt. 1757, Pennsylvania; d. Abt. 1822, Rockingham Co. NC.