Beaufort Kennedys

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EARLY KENNEDYS IN BEAUFORT AND PITT COUNTIES

John Kennedy arrived in Beaufort County North Carolina from Virginia sometime prior to 1750 as indicated by the article about his home Creekmere. Other early references to John Kennedy occurred in the 1751 will of William Adams which named John’s sister as Ann Adams, Williams’s wife. John is also listed in the 1755 list of North Carolina Taxpayers in Beaufort County, in 1762 and 1764 in Pitt County, 1779, 1782, 1786 in Beaufort County, and 1786 in Pitt County.(10) Additional early records in 1760 are of "John Kennedy Jr. the son of John Kennedy and Elizabeth his wife" mentioned in the will of Ann Adams listed in old wills of Beaufort Co. p.75. Ann Adams Death is recorded in the 1763 Kennedy Family Bible.

John Kennedy is listed in many Land transactions as early as 2 March 1761 and many others (see land transactions listed in this document). John Kennedy Sr., member of an ancient Scottish family, was an influential person in the community as indicated by his representing Beaufort County in the House of Commons in 1779 and in the State Senate in 1791. He also serves as High Sheriff of Beaufort County from 1788 - 1796. (11) A further break down of dates indicates that he serves as High Sheriff from 1788 – 1791, 1792 - 1793 and 1795 - 1796. (12) John Kennedy Jr. served in the North Carolina General Assembly Lower House for the years 1796, 1800, and 1801.(11) The ownership of land and slaves was an indication of a man's wealth and usually his social, as well as economic position. The first United States Census, taken in 1790, gave the total population of Beaufort County as 5,462. Of these, 1,632 were slaves. Over half the taxpayers of the county owned two hundred or more acres of land. The percentage of those owning one thousand acres or more was 8.4%. The largest landowner had more than twenty thousand acres. Ten wealthy men owned twenty-five percent of the total number of slaves in the county. Thomas Respess owned 76; John Gray Blount 74; James Bonner Sr. 51; William Armstead 33; John Anthony 32; John Kennedy 30; Alley Ellison 30; Frederic Grist 29; John Burns 29 and Cader Barnes 26.(13) John Kennedy's sons, John Kennedy Jr., William Kennedy, and Warren Kennedy, were large landholders and also prominent men in the community. John Kennedy Jr. and William Kennedy were leaders in the community in establishment of the school system in Washington.(13)

William Kennedy a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania in 1782 returned to North Carolina and was admitted to the bar, and began to practice law in Pitt County. William Kennedy was the first to represent the First Congressional District in 1803-1805, again in 1809-1811, and in 1812-1815. William Kennedy retired to his estate in Beaufort County. He owned large tracts in the Broad Creek District, on Bear Creek and Pamlico River, as well maintaining his principal seat on a plantation above the town of Washington. He also owned Mills. He made his will on September 20, 1833 leaving a large estate in land, personal property, and over 30 slaves to his three children Frances, Sophrorisba, and William L. Kennedy (William L. Kennedy served in the N.C. Assembly Lower House in 1833.)(14)(16). He Died on October 11, 1834 and was buried in the Kennedy Burying Ground near Washington. William Kennedy was a gentleman of integrity, charter, and forceful presence in the political arena of Beaufort County and in the United States Congress. His Congressional record speaks well for his abilities and his responsibility to the citizens of Beaufort County.(14)

Warren E. Kennedy migrated to the Green County area in Alabama and became a large land owner and influential man in the Green and Perry County area.

Creekmere

Creekmere, on Tranters Creek about two miles from Washington, was built by Colonel Kennedy in 1750. This home was the social center of refined hospitality. The ends of the house are of brick while the front and back are of wood. The interior was very elegant in its day and though marred by abuse and time, the living room is a fine example of the panel work and wainscoting of that period. In the bedrooms upstairs there are little corner fireplaces not larger than 12 inches wide. Allen Grist bought this place from Kennedy and lived there during the winter months and ran a large fishery. His main dwelling was on the top of the hill about a mile away, where S.M. Lee now lives. Creekmere is now owned by Mrs. Mary Hackett, a daughter of General Grimes, who purchased it after the war. (15 )

Endnotes

11. WASHINGTON AND THE PAMLICO Ursula F. Loy and Pauline M. Worthy Editors.

Washington - Beaufort County Bicentennial Commission. p401

12. BEAUFORT COUNTY TWO CENTRIES OF ITS HISTORY. C. Wingate Reed; p 168

13. BEAUFORT COUNTY TWO CENTRIES OF ITS HISTORY. C. Wingate Reed; p 224

14. WASHINGTON AND THE PAMLICO Ursula F. Loy and Pauline M. Worthy Editors.

Washington - Beaufort County Bicentennial Commission. p402

15. "Interesting Old Places Near Washington Include Mill Creek Plantation, Others"

Washington Daily News; August 17, 1951 p.2

16. BEAUFORT COUNTY TWO CENTRIES OF ITS HISTORY. C. Wingate Reed; p 216 & 219