My grandfather, pictured to the right, was born in Sampson County, NC in 1874. He practiced law until he was almost 100 years of age. In fact, in his most senior year, he was the oldest member of the North Carolina Bar. He was a stickler for adhering to the facts. I have his handwritten note in which he states that his ancestor, Thomas HOWARD, was born in Wales. How he came to this conclusion, I do not know. To date, this writer has found no proof of where and when this Thomas was born. My ship passenger records state the sources are from English records and that Wales and Ireland maintained separate records. Perhaps a viewer of this site kindly will furnish such information.

Recent research has confirmed the closeness of three families in Elizabeth City County, Virginia in the late 1600s and early 1700s: HOWARD, BROUGH and MINSON.

 From my studies, Thomas HOWARD, born about 1682, had a son of the same name who purchased land in 1753 in an area of Craven County, North Carolina that  became Wayne County in 1779. This page chronicles my studies of the descendants of this THOMAS HOWARD who left Elizabeth City County and settled in North Carolina.
 

Claudius Cooper Howard & Berta Herring
married 1905

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1. Thomas HOWARD (c1682-1735) married Elizabeth BROUGH, one of four children of Coleman BROUGH and his wife, Eleanor CORPREW, daughter of John CORPREW, all of Elizabeth City County, VA. Thomas and Elizabeth Brough HOWARD had the following issue (3), all born in Elizabeth City County:

1. Thomas HOWARD (Thomas ), b bef 1718, d bet 1790 and 1800 in Wayne County, NC; believed to have married Elizabeth MINSON, dau of William MINSON ( b c1700, d 17 Dec 1773) and his wife Mary of Elizabeth City County, VA. In addition to Elizabeth, William and Mary MINSON had 3 sons. Thomas and Elizabeth HOWARD had the following issue (3), all born in NC:
   1. Minson Brough HOWARD, (Thomas². Thomas) b 15 Jan 1764 Chowan Co., NC; d 20 Dec, 1829 in Sampson Co.; m 1st Ann WILLIAMS, b 1767 Sampson Co.; d 1798 Sampson Co. She was the daughter of Capt. John C. WILLIAMS. and his wife, the former Katherine "Katie" CAROUTH. Minson & Ann had the following issue (4):
      1. John HOWARD, (Minson, Thomas². Thomas) b 13 Jan 1791 believed to have married a FISHER.
      2. Thomas Allen HOWARD, (Minson, Thomas². Thomas) b 15 Jan 1792, d 7 Mar 1875 Sampson Co.; m Mar 1817 Penelope COOPER, dau of Fleet and Sarah "Sallie" Scott COOPER, Jr. Their issue (5), all born in Sampson County:
         1. Aholibah E. HOWARD (Thomas A., Minson, Thomas), b 2 Jan 1818; d 13 Jan 1888 near Lisbon, Sampson Co.; m 19 Nov 1844 Owen Hawes JOHNSON, (Rev?), s/o Samuel JOHNSON & Ann WILLIAMSON. Their issue: 3 daus & 3 sons.
         2. Jacob Cooper HOWARD (Thomas A., Minson, Thomas), b 1 Jun 1819; d 4 Feb 1914 Salemburg, NC; m 27 Nov 1845 Elizabeth "Betsy" WILLIAMS, b 15 Jul 1828; d 18 Dec 1914 in Salemburg; dau of John Carouth WILLIAMS and his wife, the former Sarah Jane BUTLER. John Carouth WILLIAMS was the son of Robert WILLIAMS and the grandson of Capt. John C. WILLIAMS. Jacob & Betsy HOWARD had the following issue (8), all born in Sampson Co.:
            1. Robert Williams HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 9 Oct 1846; d 26 Sep 1928 Sampson Co.; m 9 Nov 1871 Mary "Mollie" SMITH, b 16 Dec 1851, d 23 Jun 1900, the daughter of Henry E. SMITH & his wife, Priscilla CARROLL, believed to be a daughter of Jesse & Margaret "Peggy" Merritt CARROLL, JR, of Sampson County, NC. Jesse was a son of Jesse & Mary Rachel Gavin CARROLL, SR. Robert & Mollie had the following issue (8), all born in Sampson County:
               1. Irene HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 1872; m John BLANCHARD, b 22 Jun 1866, d 30 Nov 1928 in Warsaw, NC.
               2. Claudius Cooper HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 25 Apr 1874 in Salemburg, NC; d 18 Jun 1973 Fayetteville, NC; m 1^st 27 Jul 1905 Berta Robena HERRING, b 27 Jul 1878; d 3 Aug 1917 in Fayetteville, NC. They had the following issue:
                  1. Ruth Herring HOWARD, b 23 Jul, 1906 Sampson Co. d 1995 VA; buried in Erwin, TN where she spent most of her adult life; m 1937 Linville H. ALLRED and they had one son:
                     1. James Claiborne ALLRED, II, b 25 Oct 1946, d 7 Mar 2007, m 1^st Linda KOGER: 1 son; m 2^nd Mary M., 2 dau.
                  2. Berta Robena HOWARD, b 20 Sep 1908 Sampson Co; d 1 Nov 1962 Fayetteville, NC; m John Troy Smith, b 31 Jan 1907 NC, d 6 Jan 1954 NYC on business, bur Lafayette Cem, Fayetteville, NC; they had three sons, currently living.
                  3. Mary Dalice HOWARD, b 26 Jun 1910 Roseboro, NC; d 5 Nov 1989 in Burnesville, NC; buried Lafayette Cemetery, Fayetteville, NC; m 1 Nov 1930 John Henry CROOM Jr, b 15 Sep 1908 Fayetteville, d 9 Dec 1986 in Fayetteville; buried in Lafayette Cemetery, Fayetteville, NC. They had four sons of whom 3 currently are living.
                     1. Richard Dallas CROOM, b 5 Nov 1937, d Mars Hill, NC, 1 Mar 2003; survived by wife, a son & 2 daughters.

                   Claudius Cooper HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas) married a second time, 14 Sep 1918, Ruby Agnes CULLOM, b 18 Jun 1894, d  15 Jan 1983, Fayetteville, NC. They had 3 sons and 3 daughters of whom a daughter currently is living:

                  4. Claudius Cooper HOWARD, Jr., b 30 Jul 1919, d 24 Nov 1919, Fayetteville, NC.
                  5. Robert Ambrose HOWARD, b 22 Jul 1921, d 6 Sep 1921, Fayetteville, NC.
                  6. Claudia Agnes HOWARD, b 29 Mar 1923, d 2 Dec 2006; m Daniel Jesse DUDLEY, b 6 Apr 1621, d 15 Feb 1999 in Fayetteville, NC; survived by 2 sons & 1 dau.
                  7. Claude Cullom HOWARD, b 31 Mar 1928, d 17 Apr 2008 Bolivia, Brunswick Co, NC; survived by his widow, a son & a dau.
                  8. A dau, b 1930, living as of 8 Oct 2008.
                  9. Dora Duke HOWARD, b 5 Jul 1932, d 28 Dec 2002 Fayetteville, NC; m Thomas M. SIEVERS;  survived by husband, 2 sons & 2 daughters.
               3. Thomas A. HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 8 Mar 1876; d 29 Oct 1876.
               4. James Carson HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 28 Jun 1878; d 7 Mar 1960.
               5. Emma HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 7 Mar 1881; d 14 Oct 1882.
               6. Betty Smith HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 23 Nov 1882; d 19 Nov 1938; m Leonard Garland BROCK, b 23 Jan 1878, d 21 Sep 1955 in SC; issue: 3 daus & 2 sons; m 2nd James FOX.
               7. Robert Carouth HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 12 Oct 1890; d Feb 1987 Autryville, NC; m 3 Jul 1897 Lillian Melvina WILLIAMS, b 1897 near Autryville, d aft 1982. They had 4 sons & 2 daus.
               8. Henry L. HOWARD (Robert, Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 26 Sep 1893; d 24 Jun, 1894.
            2. Margaret Arabela "Bell" HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 11 Jan 1848, d 13 Jun 1931 Sampson Co; m Whitney ROYAL, b 29 Dec 1836, Sampson Co, d 7 Sep 1914 Sampson Co. A dau, Vada, m 25 Feb 1912 James Autiway BROWN.
            3. Thomas Evander HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 1 Jun 1851; d 7 May, 1912; m Laura PARKER; 4 sons & 4 daughters.
            4. John Edward HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 31 Dec 1853; d 7 Oct 1926; m Varena D. WHITE.
            5. Jennette HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 6 Apr 1856; d 8 Oct 1932; m Nathan Albert WILLIAMS.
            6. Isaac Clarence HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 6 Oct 1859; d 7 Aug 1937; m Maria Stephens FISHER.
            7. Alexander Franklin HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 26 Mar 1861; d 20 Mar 1914; m Lilly TURLINGTON, b 2 Aug 1873, d 13 Apr 1947.
            8. Henry Bizzell HOWARD (Jacob C., Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 27 Oct 1869; d 22 Oct 1908; m Bettie A. COOPER, b 1 Mar 1873, d 24 Jul, 1906. Their issue (6), all born in Sampson County:
               1. John Stewart HOWARD, b 20 Nov 1893, d Nov 1978 Salemburg, m 1^st Pauline ROYAL; m 2^nd Mary Lillie COX. Issue of 2^nd marriage: 4 daughters.
               2. Henry Cooper HOWARD, b 22 Aug 1895, d 11 Feb 1896
               3. Thomas Landon HOWARD, b 19 Oct 1989, d 15 Sep 1948; m Marie DICK
               4. Charles Barrett HOWARD, b 2 Dec 1900, d 27 Feb 1988 Harnett Co, NC; m Alma DARK
               5. Lela Belle HOWARD, b 8 Oct 1902, d 3 May 1988 Salemburg, NC; never married
               6. Romelia Margaret HOWARD, b 1 Nov 1905, d 20 Jan 1906 Sampson Co, NC
         3. Jennette HOWARD (Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 1821; d 1833 Sampson Co.
         4. Thomas Allen HOWARD, Jr (Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 1826; d 1868 Sampson Co.; m Isabella WILLIAMS, dau of John Carouth WILLIAMS and his wife, the former Sarah Jane BUTLER. John Carouth WILLIAMS was the son of Robert WILLIAMS and the grandson of Capt. John C. WILLIAMS.
         5. Penelope Elizabeth HOWARD (Thomas A., Minson, Thomas², Thomas), b 1834; d 1893; m 1851 Rev. A. Biggs ALDERMAN.
      3. Martin HOWARD, (Minson, Thomas². Thomas) b 15 May 1793, d Feb 1845 Salemburg, NC; m 1822 Dicey COOPER, b 1798, d 1879 in Salemburg. She was a sister of Penelope COOPER. Martin and Dicey Cooper HOWARD had the following issue (7), all born in Salemburg, NC:
         1. James Adolphus R. HOWARD
         2. Sally Anne HOWARD
         3. Thomas Martin HOWARD, b 1829; d. 1863 in CSA.
         4. Rebecca HOWARD, m J. R. MAXWELL
         5. John Oliver HOWARD
         6. Fleet H. HOWARD
         7. Mary Elizabeth HOWARD
      4. Mary "Polly" HOWARD, (Minson, Thomas². Thomas) b 11 Nov 1796, d Jun 1874, m 18 Apr 1826 Sampson Co., Thomas PARKER, Jr. 2 daus.

      After Ann's death, Minson married Dorcas (LNU), b abt 1770, d late 1850 Sampson Co., NC. She was the widow of James WHITE. Minson & Dorcas had the following issue (7), all born in Sampson County:

      5. Dorcas HOWARD (MinsonThomas². Thomas), b 13 Jan 1800, d bet 1870 & 1880 in White Co, AR; m Archibald FLEMING
      6. Minson B. HOWARD, Jr (Minson, Thomas². Thomas), b 7 Jan 1801, d 1889, m Mary "Polly" McLAMB who d aft 1850. Dau, Spicey, b 1843.
      7. Nancy HOWARD (Minson, Thomas². Thomas), b 26 May 1803, m a PORTER.
      8. Charles HOWARD (Minson, Thomas². Thomas), b 7 Aug 1804, d aft 1880, most likely in Sampson County; m 1846 Penelope J. UNDERWOOD who was born abt 1823 in NC, d aft 1880. Their issue, all born in Sampson County, NC:
         1. Caroline HOWARD, b abt 1850, d aft 1885; m 1885 a Mr. CRUMPLER
         2. Mary E HOWARD, b abt 1853,
         3. Minson HOWARD, b abt 1855; d aft 1880 (living in Sampson Co., NC); m Mary A Lnu
      9. Elizabeth HOWARD (Minson, Thomas². Thomas), b 15 Aug 1806, d 10 Oct 1871 Shelby Co, TN; m John H. FLEMING, b NC 23 Mar 1806.
      10. Sarah "Sally" HOWARD (Minson, Thomas². Thomas), 13 Feb 1810, aft 1870 (living in Sampson Co.)
      11. Henry HOWARD (Minson, Thomas². Thomas), b abt 1815, d bef 1842, unmarried.
   2. Thomas M. HOWARD (Thomas². Thomas), b aft 1770
   3. James HOWARD (Thomas². Thomas): d aft August 1795 per Sampson Co Court Minutes, 1784-1800, 193.

2. Agnes HOWARD (Thomas), b
3. Ann HOWARD
(Thomas), d