Rutherford County, North Carolina was formed in 1779 from Tyron County.
Tyron was formed in 1768 from Mecklenburg.
Mecklenberg was formed in 1763 from Anson.
Anson was formed in 1750 from Bladen.
Bladen was formed in 1734 from New Hanover.
In 1791 parts of Rutherford and Burke were combined to form Buncombe.
In 1841 parts of Rutherford and Lincolnwere combined to form Cleveland.
In 1842 additional parts of Rutherford and Burke were combined to form McDowell.
In 1855 parts of Rutherford and Henderson were combined to form Polk.
Northumberland County, Virginia was created in 1648 . It was originally known as the Indian district Chickacoan. Of the 172 counties that have existed in Virginia, Northumberland was "ancestor" to 116 of these.
The Battle of Kings Mountain was a decisive battle of the American Revoluton. It took place on October 7, 1780, nine miles south of the present-day town of Kings Mountain, North Carolina. The Patriot militia defeated the Loyalist militia commanded by British Major Patrick Ferguson.
North Carolina was one of the thirteen original Colonies. It was first settled by small farmers and grew quickly in the mid 18th century.
Graves Eaves was born about 1724 in Northumberland County, Virginia. By 1727 his family had moved to Brunswick County, Virginia. His father was Graves Eaves.
On November 24, 1747, Graves and his brother, Thomas, sold their father's 100 acre plantation on the north side of the Meherrin River to John Freeman for £30. Witnesses included James Clack and Peter Tatum. Leanna (or Eleanor), wife of Thomas, and Sarah, wife of Graves. Both wives relinquished their dower rights to this land.
He may have married Martha (or Nancy) Yancy (or Yancey) about 1750 in Rutherford County, North Carolina. Martha was the daughter of Elizabeth Ann Thornton and Captain James Yancy, She was born about 1735 in Hanover County, Virginia.
Graves' children may have included:
William S. Eaves (1752, married Susannah Hampton),
Burwell (Burrell) Eaves (1754, married Izza Malone),
Nancy Eaves (1756, married John Baynes),
Elizabeth Eaves (1757, married Jacob Willis),
Graves Eaves (1758),
Jesse Eaves (1759),
Jonathan Eaves (1761),
Buckner Eaves (1763, married Mary Meredith), Bartlett Yancey Eaves (1765), and
David Davis Eaves (1767).
On November 8, 1751 St. Andrews Parish records show
Ordered that James Speed Richard Branscomb & John Eaves do procession all the lands from the Mouth of Douglass Run up Meherrin River to the western Road thence along the said Road to the Fort Road then down the fort Road to the said Run from thence down the Run to the Beginning.
In 1775, Eaves received a patent for 109 acres in a part of Tryon County which became Rutherford County. The land was on the east side of Second Broad River and included the improvements.
In 1778, Burrell married Izza Malone in Tryon County. Graves and William Eaves were sureties, and Jonathan Hampton was a witness.
In December 1797, he bought 100 acres from North Carolina. The land was next to his own land and that of James Baber.
His son, William, participated in the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. His grandson, Noah Hampton Eaves wrote
My grandfather, William Eaves, was a soldier in the Revolution, was in the Battle of Kings Mountain. He lived to be nearly one hundred years old. He married into the Hampton family of South Carolina. I always thought he was the nicest old man I ever knew. He was dressed always in the best. He was born in Virginia. He had two brothers, Bartlett and Burrell, one sister who died from a snake bite when about 18 years old. (from The Heritage of Rutherford County, North Carolina, 1893)
In 1781 Graves provided supplies for the American army in North Carolina, including 90 pounds of pork.
In the 1782 tax list Graves was in Robert Rankin's company.
In December, 1785, he sold his 109 acres to Abel Lewis.
In 1790, Graves appeared in the North Carolina census in the Morgan District with the 10th Company militia, which patrolled the area between Main Broad River and Second Broad River.
In 1793 Graves paid 80£ for an enslaved girl named Matilda.
In 1796, Burrell Eaves bought 100 acres in Rutherford County from the state of North Carolina adjacent to his father's land and "crossing Puzzle Creek."
In 1800 the household was still in Rutherford County.
Brunswick County, Virginia was established in 1720 from Prince George County. In 1732 the county received more land from parts of Surry and Isle of Wight counties. Brunswick County extended to the Blue Ridge until 1745, when new counties were formed and the current western border established.
A Dower is a provision for a wife's support should her husband die before her. Her dower right was the use of ⅓ of her husband's estate. The dower was settled on the bride at the time of the wedding.
A militia is a military unit composed of citizens who are called up in time of need.
