Descendants of John Middleton of Onslow County, NC

The Three James Middletons of Duplin County, NC

(1764 - 1808)

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Introduction

The Middletons whose ancestries are rooted in Duplin County, North Carolina in the late 18th century likely are all descended from the same John Middleton who died in Onslow County, North Carolina in 1744. A majority also trace their ancestry through "James Middleton" in Duplin County. A problem is immediately apparent, however, when one puruses the 1784-1787 North Carolina Census and the 1790 and 1800 United States Censuses for Duplin County. All three censuses list three James Middletons; none are listed in North Carolina in the 1810 United States Census. A clear understanding of a Middleton ancestry requires that one distinguish among these three individuals. Who were they, and how were they related? When "James Middleton" is listed in old records, which of the three is being referred to?

Making a determination of "which one" is a continuing problem. The name "James Middleton" does not in itself help much. There must be some other identifying reference in a document as well. Examples include title, county of residence, parent, child, landmark near where the individual lived, and ownership of contiguous land. With many old records there are no such references, and determinations as to which one was involved cannot be made. However, with the references and clues that are available, substantial separation is possible, and a reasonably clear picture emerges.

A particulary helpful clue is the use in some documents of "Sr." and "Jr." In interpreting these titles, it is important to realize that "Sr." and "Jr." had different meanings in the eighteenth century than they do now and did not necessarily imply father and son. They were simply convenient designations to distinguish between two people of the same name; the two people did not necessarily have to be related! The titles might mean no more that "the elder" and "the younger." In the case of "James Middleton," the titles "Sr." and "Jr." clearly referred to uncle and nephew, respectively. Other clues which were crucial in separating the James Middletons included the county of residence on deeds and references to watercourses close to where they lived.

In brief, the three James Middletons of late eighteenth century Duplin County, North Carolina were as follows:

James Middleton, Sr: This was Captain James Middleton, an officer in the Revolutionary War in New Hanover County, North Carolina. In Duplin County records he was referred to as "James Middleton," James Middleton, Sr.," and rarely "James Middleton (Grove)." He was born about 1736 in White Oak Township in Onslow County, North Carolina, the son of John Middleton (d. 1744) and his wife Sarah. James' wife was the former Mary Nixon, the daughter of Robert Nixon and Eleanor McClammy of New Hanover County (New Topsail Sound; now part of Pender County). His sons were James, David and Robert. His son James died unmarried in his twenties. David and Robert married, reared families, and lived and died in Duplin County. James' daughters were Sarah (Sallie), Eleanor (Elinor, Nellie), and Catherine (Kittie). His wife and first four children (David, James, Sarah, and Eleanor) probably moved to Duplin County in 1777, but he did not join them until 1781/1782, remaining in New Hanover County until that time. His last two children (Robert and Catherine) were born after he came to Duplin County. He owned land in Duplin County, North Carolina on both sides of Grove Creek (Swamp), roughly centered on Dobson's Branch (which runs parallel to State Road 1904, crosses Highway 50/24, and flows northerly into Shop Branch, which in turn flows northeasterly into Grove Creek). State Road SR 1904 was built in the early 20th century by James' great-grandson Henry Moore Middleton, Sr. and is now named for Henry, Sr. (Henry Middleton Road). Dobsons Branch is about 2 1/2 miles east of the center of Warsaw. James, Sr. was the half uncle of James Middleton, Jr. and the full uncle of James (3). He died in Duplin County in 1805, leaving a will dated 1801. He was a large land and slave owner, listing by name twenty-five slaves in his will.

James Middleton, Jr: He was the half-nephew of James Middleton, Sr. and the son of Samuel Middleton. Samuel was the eldest son of John Middleton of Onslow County and the half-brother of James Middleton, Sr. In Duplin County records, James, Jr. was referred to as "James Middleton," "James Middleton, Jr.," "James Middleton (Long)," and "James Middleton (Miller)." He was apparently close in age to James, Sr. He had two sons: Isaac Middleton by his first wife, Sarah (Hunter?), and John James Middleton by his second wife, Susannah Johnston. John James was a small child when his father died. By his first wife, James, Jr. had eight daughters: Arabellah, Sarah, Martha (Patsy), Susanna (Susan), Sabra, Ruthy, Mary (Polly), and Mary Ann (Nancy). He was in Duplin County at least by 1764. He owned land on both sides of Miller Swamp (also called Middleton Mill's Branch or Marsh Branch) on the east side of Pasture Branch (also known as Widow Evans Branch), approximately 1 1/2 miles west of the center of Kenansville. He also was a slave owner. He died in Duplin County in 1801, leaving a will dated 1793, in which he named his first wife Sarah rather than Susannah and, obviously, made no mention of his son John James Middleton.

James Middleton (3): The relationships of this James Middleton [referred to here as "James (3)" for lack of a better term] to the other two, his ancestors, and his descendents are less certain than for the other two James Middletons. Most assuredly he was the son of James Sr.'s brother John Middleton and probably was born about 1755. He became a landowner in Duplin County by at least 1785. He may have lived in Duplin County as early as 1771 or before, first with his father and then as a head of household in his own right. By 1788 he lived along Horse Branch near Flatt Branch and owned two adjacent tracts of land: one of 200 acres purchased by his father in 1771 and the other of 100 acres purchased by himself in 1788. This land was located about 5 1/2 miles east southeast of Kenansville. According to George Mallard's will dated 1798, he was married to an Elizabeth Mallard, the daughter of George Mallard. He had several children (probably three sons and four daughters, based on census records). Though their names are not known with certainty, it is likely that one son was named "John" and that John went with James to Barnwell District, South Carolina before 1809. James (3) owned no slaves, at least while he was in Duplin County. He was still living after the death of James, Sr. in 1805. He sold all his land along Horse Branch in 1809 to Joseph Mallard of Duplin County. In the deed James and his wife Elizabeth were listed as residents of Barnwell District, South Carolina. He was also listed in Barnwell County, South Carolina in the 1820 and 1830 U. S. Censuses.

Pre-Revolutionary War Period

In understanding the James Middletons of Duplin County, it is necessary to go back to John Middleton (d. 1744) of Onslow County, North Carolina. John had married twice. By an unknown first wife he had one child, a son named Samuel. By his second wife Sarah he had three sons (John, Isaac, and James), and 4 daughters (Sarah, Ann, Susannah, and Sabra). This senior John Middleton received a grant of 640 acres on Whiteoak River near Ashes Creek in 1736. In 1737 he sold 240 acres to a William Webb. In 1740 he deeded 150 acres as a gift to his eldest son Samuel. John Middleton died in 1744, leaving a will in which he left the remainder of his land to his two sons James and John, apparently evenly divided. For unknown reasons he left no land in his will for his son Isaac. In late 1744 and early 1775, Samuel sold his 150 acres in two separate tracts of 100 and 50 acres. In 1747 Samuel Middleton (presumably the same one, since there are no records of other Middletons in Onslow county) received a grant of 100 acres on the NW branch of New River in Onslow County near Half Moon Swamp and Beaverdam. He purchased other land in the same area (references to NW branch of New River and Batchelor's Delight). He died in 1761, leaving 150 acres to his son James.

In 1764 a James Middleton of Duplin County, North Carolina sold 100 acres in the same area. It is a virtual certainty that the James of Duplin County in 1764 was the same James who inherited acreage from his father Samuel in 1761 and that this was James, Jr. According to family records, James (3) would have been only about ten years old at this time and obviously too young to sell land. The James of Duplin County in 1764 certainly was not James, Sr., who lived in New Hanover County until after the War (see to follow). One important fact from this deed, then, seems irrefutable: Captain James Middleton (James, Sr.) was not the first Middleton in Duplin County, North Carolina. It is very likely that he was actually the third Middleton head of household to move to Duplin (first, his half-nephew James, Jr.; second, his brother John).

In 1765 a James Middleton of Duplin County, North Carolina bought 205 acres from an Isaac Hunter. Of note, family tradition holds that the wife of James, Jr., the son of Samuel, was a "Hunter." James, Jr. was the only James Middleton both living in Duplin County at the time and old enough to purchase land; it seems certain that the James here was the same son of Samuel Middleton who sold land in Onslow County the previous year. The land was located on Maxwell Swamp in Duplin County at Hanchey's Ford and westward along and south of Maxwell Swamp. At its western boundary it was adjacent to "Long Branch." Subsequent references in Duplin County records to James Middleton (Long) presumably were referring to this individual and to this tract of land [see to follow for proof that James, Jr. and James (Long) were the same person]. There were fourteen other "Long Branches" in Duplin County, but none of the others were anywhere near land owned by a "James Middleton." This tract of land was sold by James Middleton to Richard (Henry) Chasen in 1778.

In 1773 a James Middleton of Duplin County, N. C. bought 354 acres of land from a Henry McCulloh. The land was located on the south side of Grove Swamp on both sides of Miller's Swamp (more commonly called Marsh Branch) with its western border following the run of Pasture Branch (also known as Widow Evans Branch). The deed noted that the land included the plantation on which John Miller formerly lived, thus possibly explaining the name "Miller Swamp." For the deed to state that James Middleton was "of the County of Duplin" meant that he was already living in Duplin County at the time. It is well documented that this "James" was James, Jr. James, Jr. mentioned a mill in his will for his wife Sarah's use; this same area contained "Middleton's Mill Pond." Marsh Branch was also called Middleton Mill Branch. In his will he also named his uncle James Middleton as an executor; that same will was witnessed by both David Middleton (James, Sr.'s son) and Mary Middleton (James, Sr's wife). In 1789 he deeded 75 acres in this area to his son Isaac. In 1810 a portion of this same land was sold by his daughter, Mary Middleton, (referring to it as the manor plantation on which her father formerly lived) to her brother Isaac, the son mentioned in James, Jr.'s will.

In July, 1774 a James Middleton received a grant of 100 acres in Duplin County on the "headwaters or drains of Maxwell Swamp." Family tradition has long held that this land was a grant to Captain James Middleton (Sr.). Though it is not possible to be absolutely certain, it is far more likely that the James referred to in the grant was James, Jr. The surveyor's description of the land referred to "Sawney Branch." Sawney Branch drains into Maxwell Creek at a point about 4 3/4 miles southeast of Warsaw, well separated from the tracts of land on which any of the three James Middletons lived. So which one of the three received the grant?. Certainly James, Jr. and probably James (3) were already in Duplin County; thus, either of the two was possibly the one referred to. James (3) would have been of legal age by this time. Whichever of the two it was, he did not keep the land for very long. In 1777, six months before James, Sr. bought his first tract of land in Duplin County along Grove Swamp, "James" sold the grant in two 50-acre tracts. The 1777 deeds prove that the owner "James" could not have been James, Sr. The deeds stated that "James Middleton" was "of the County of Duplin;" James, Sr.'s first purchase of land around Grove Swamp six months later noted that the purchaser "James Middleton" was "of New Hanover County." Thus, James, Sr. was still living in New Hanover County and was not "of Duplin County" when the grant on the drains of Maxwell Swamp was sold. The "iffy" bases for speculating that it was James, Jr. rather than James (3) include a) the fact that James, Jr. was buying and selling land during this period, b) the first documentation of James (3) buying was not until 1788, and c) James, Jr. later bought and sold land in the same area on Reedy Meadow Creek (see to follow).

So, what was happening to James, Sr. all this time? When his father died in 1744, James was only eight or nine years old. We lose tract of his mother, Sarah Middleton, about three years later. The last known reference to her is her witnessing the will of her good friend Sarah Mitchell, the widow of Abraham Mitchell, a close friend of John Middleton. Following that document, there are no further references to a Sarah Middleton. What happened? She may have died, leaving James a complete orphan. In that case, who raised him? She could have moved, but there are no records of such. Alternately, she may have remarried, taking on a new surname, but there is no known record of that either. In 1757 James appeared in Onslow County Court and requested an accounting and redistribution of his father's estate held in trust, stating that his brother Isaac and his sister Sabra had died. In 1761 a Benjamin Hicks in New Hanover County left his 640 acre plantation called Frog Hall to James Middleton. Why would he do that? It is apparently this will that is at least in part the basis for family tradition which suggests that Sarah Middleton's maiden name was "Hicks."

Also in 1761, James, Sr. sold the land he had inherited from his father in Onlsow County on Ashes Creek. His brother John had already sold his inheritance in 1753. Thus, by 1761 all the land in the original 640 acre grant had been sold and no longer was in the Middleton family. In 1767 James also sold Frog Hall to Luke McClammy. Where he lived after that (or whether he ever lived at Frog Hall) is not known. He apparently did live somewhere in the Topsail Sound area in New Hanover County (later to be separated off as Pender County) and married Mary Nixon, the daughter of Robert Nixon and Eleanor McClammy of Topsail Sound. He appeared repeatedly in the county court minutes, most frequently as a juror and the executor of estates. References to James Middleton in court minutes began in 1764 and continued until 1780.

Thus, just prior to the start of the Revolutionary War, James Middleton, Sr. was in New Hanover County: a planter, a landholder, and an active participant in the legal activities of his community. James Middleton, Jr. had settled in Duplin County on the south side of Grove Swamp, just to the west of present-day Kenansville, on Miller's Swamp. James Middleton (3) was an adult, presumably living on Horse Branch on the 200 acres purchased by his father. Whether James (3) was still living with his father or had become a head-of- household himself is not known; there is no record of John Middleton after his land purchase in 1771. Then came the War.

The War Years

James, Sr. took an active part in the Revolutionary War. In June 1776 he was made a lieutenant. In July 1776 he was promoted to captain. Apparently, time away from home because of his war activities presented a problem for his family. Tories and "freebooters" would land along the coast and raid the countryside. With James away, this left Mary and the children in greater danger from these attacks.

Maybe it was concern for his family's safety that lead James to purchase land further inland in Duplin County. In July 1777 he purchased 609 acres from Edward Cannon on the branches of Grove Swamp. This land apparently was roughly centered on Indian Spring Branch, which flowed into Grove Swamp. The eastern extent of this tract was relatively close to James, Jr.'s land. How do we know that it was James, Sr. who bought the land? Subsequent deeds in which "James Middleton, Sr." bought further tracts of land stated that the new land was adjacent to his own land. Futhermore, this same land was later inherited by Robert and David Middleton. How do we know that James, Sr. was the James Middleton from New Hanover County? The 1777 deed referred to the buyer as "James Middleton of New Hanover County." Thus, James was still living in New Hanover County at the time that he bought the land. Of note, one of the witnesses to the deed was "James Middleton." Since James, Sr. couldn't have witnessed his own deed, this witness must be one of the other two Jameses. Though it cannot be proved, it seems likely that the witness was James, Jr., his nephew who lived nearby. It is possible that James, Jr. was a go-between for Edward Cannon and James, Sr., assisting in some way in the completion of the transaction. Might he have known that the land was for sale and informed his uncle of the fact? Might James, Sr. have asked him to watch for land-purchase opportunities for him?

It was apparently to this tract of land, presumably with a house on it, that James, Sr. sent his wife and children while he was continuing to participate in the war effort in New Hanover County. And where was he sending them? He was not sending them to a place where they would be alone and on their own. He was not sending them where they would not know anyone. He was sending them to be close to family -- as practically next-door neighbors of his half-nephew's family. This is the same nephew that would later make his uncle the executor of his will and would have that will witnessed by his uncle's wife Mary and older son David.

Though this researcher is unaware of any other records that document his activities in the war, James, Sr. remained in New Hanover County during the war. He continued to appear in the New Hanover County Court Minutes as juror and executor until 1780. After that, he suddenly ceased to appear in the court minutes and was only rarely mentioned again, usually related to the transfer of land. In Duplin County, through most of the war, were James, Jr. and his family, probably James (3), and James, Sr.'s wife and children, all within a radius of a few miles of Kenansville.

Post-War Period in Duplin County

With the end of the war, James Sr. moved to Duplin County to rejoin his family. One wonders why he chose to pull up his roots to start anew in Dulplin County rather than staying in New Hanover and bringing his family back. Could it be that he had no other family in New Hanover and that family in Duplin County was a draw for him? It is likely that we will never know. Whatever his reason, he settled in Duplin County and lived there for the remainder of his life, though he did continue to maintain financial interests in New Hanover County. This is evidenced by land transactions in New Hanover County records. He purchased land in 1786 and, along with his wife Mary and various Nixons, sold land to Nicholas Nixon in 1799. This financial presence in New Hanover continued until his death, as evidenced by the fact that in his will he left his lands in New Hanover County to his son David.

After the war he continued to add to the initial acreage by buying contiguous tracts of land to the south and to the north of Grove Creek and by receiving two grants of land (1789 and 1799) from the state of North Carolina. A portion of his land he sold to his older son, David. As his land holdings grew, so did his number of slaves and apparently his prosperity. At his death, in his will, he referred to 25 slaves by name, left money for his grandsons to be educated away from home, and left an extensive estate of lands in Duplin and New Hanover Counties, turpentine, home furnishings, tools, etc. As he had been active earlier in the affairs of court in New Hanover County, there were also many references to him in Duplin County's Court of Common Pleas as a juror, a member of juries to lay off roads in the county, and administrator of estates.

What were the other two James Middletons doing during this post-war period? There were numerous references to James Middeton, Jr., James Middleton (Miller), and James Middleton (Long) in the records of the Court of Common Pleas throughout the late 1700's. There were many other references simply to "James Middleton" in these court records. For some of them, one can deduce which is referred to by the context of the entry. In the majority, however, there is no clue as to which one of the three is referred to. It is likely that court recorders were not thinking about the problems of future geneologists; they knew perfectly well who they were talking about! In spite of these difficulties, we can still get a reasonably clear picture.

James Middleton, Jr. continued to live on Miller's Swamp and must have, at least temporarily, expanded substantially on his initial purchase of 354 acres. In his will (dated 1793, died 1801), he referred to "all my lands in Duplin County" and to the 1000 acres in the Cumberland Settlement along the Western Waters (where was that?). In 1789 he deeded to his son Isaac 75 acres on Grove and Miller's Swamp. He may well have been the James Middleton who in 1794 made a land transaction in Onslow County and referred to a widow named Sarah Campbell, whom he said he planned to marry. Did he marry her and thus had three wives? If he did not, what happened? He was certainly the James Middleton who bought 450 acres on Maxwell Swamp and Reedy Meadow Branch in 1795 from James Dickson and then sold the same land in 1799 to Richard Norman. It is this latter transaction that is key in documenting that "James, Jr." and "James (Long)" were one and the same person (the deed refers to the seller of the land by both names). Of note, the land on Reedy Meadow Branch is close to the original 100 acre grant on Sawney Branch. Apparently before he died in 1801 he had sold all his land except for that remaining from his 354-acre purchase on Miller Swamp. In 1810 his daughter Mary sold 27 acres to her brother Isaac; the deed stated that this land was her 1/10th share of her father's estate.

James Middleton (3) at some point obtained the 200 acre tract that his father, John, bought in 1771 on Horse Branch near Flatt Branch. The boundary of this land is referred to as James Middleton's line in a land deed between James Evans and George Mallard in 1785. In 1788 James (3) purchased another 100 acres (adjacent to the original 200 acres) from Benjamin Dulaney. There were no other land transactions that appear to involve this James Middleton during this period. While the other two Jameses bought and sold land, this James appeared not to have done so. While the other two accumulated slaves, this James apparently had none. Upon the death of James, Jr., this James apparently purchased nothing during the estate sale. Upon the death of James, Sr., he made only minimal purchases. The unprovable conclusion that one might reasonably reach is that this James may well not have been as well- to-do as the other two.

Some events involving the James Middletons remain unclear as to which of the three was involved. Three events are of particular note:

1) A James Middleton apparently served in the State Legislature in the late 1790's. Which of the three was it? This researcher has not yet seen clear documentable proof to say which one was the legislator. However, circumstantial evidence suggests that James, Sr. was the most likely. First, "James Middleton" served in the legislature with a Peter Frederick; Peter Frederick also witnessed James, Sr.'s will in 1801. Second, based on land holdings and numbers of slaves, James, Sr. would appear to have been the most prosperous of the three and thus possibly may have been the most prestigious in the community.

2) Before and after 1800, references were made periodically in the minutes of the Court of Common Pleas of Duplin County to "Captain James Middleton's District." The term "Captain" in this context had nothing to do with the Revolutionary War but instead was a designation of a leader or "Captain" of a county taxing district. Of note, there was a reference to "Captain James Middleton's District" in court minutes in 1806, after both James, Jr. and James, Sr. were already dead. Does this mean that "Captain James Middleton" was still alive [e.g.,James (3)], or does it mean that the tax district captain was James, Sr. and a new captain had not been named? The latter interpretation seems more likely. It seems highly unlikely that the tax district captain was James, Jr., who had already been dead five years by 1806.

3) In Duplin County Court Minutes for April 1796 is the following: "Whereas Tabitha Flanagan, minor, orphan was bound to James Midleton [sic] - Ordered said Midleton appear at next court and show in what manner he hath complied with the indenture entered into." Then in October 1796 is the following entry: "James Midleton being cited before court to answer the noncompliance with his indenture to Tabitha Flanagan - court of opinion he has not fully complied with indenture - ordered that he pay to her 40 shillings or 8 yrds of good strong homespun cloth before 1st of January, next." Which James Middleton was this? This researcher does not know. Were there other Middletons in Duplin County during this period? The answer is a definite, though sketchy, "yes." A Stephen Middleton was in the 1790 Census for Duplin County and clearly owned land on the north side of Grove Swamp in the area of Ash Branch. He apparently was the son of Samuel Middleton and Martha Green(?). Samuel died (1761) while Stephen was still a minor. Stephen was listed in the 1784-7 North Carolina Census in Onslow County and was included in a listing of insolvent properties in 1788 with a notation "gone to Duplin." He sold his land in Duplin County in 1792 to John Dickson, containing "the plantation where he formerly lived." In the 1800 Census he was no longer listed in Duplin County. It is likely that he was the Stephen Middleton in the 1800 Census in Barnwell District, S. C. He was part of multiple land deeds associated with a Samuel Middleton and a Stephen Sylvester Middleton, probably his sons (two sons listed in the 1790 Census in Duplin County).

An Era Coming to an End

James, Jr. was the first of the three James Middletons to die. He died in 1801, leaving a will that he had written and had witnessed in 1793. Unfortunately, it was never accepted in Court because it was outdated and did not reflect the status quo in 1801. In the will he spoke of his wife Sarah. By 1801, however, Sarah had apparently died, and he had remarried to a Susannah Johnson and had had a child, John James Middleton, by her. Therefore, even though he had a will with James, Sr. as executor, witnessed by Mary and David Middleton, he died intestate. Thus it fell to the court to divide his estate. The records of that division are on file in the North Carolina State Archives. Included are the laying off of the widow's land dower, the setting aside of land in trust to the minor child John James Middleton, the inventory of the estate, and the sell-off of the moveable estate. The estate was considerable. Though the will was not admissible in probate court, it is still a useful document for study. In it he names his (at that time) only son (Isaac), his wife (Sarah), one of his daughters (Polly), and mentions "all my daughters." In the will he mentions the "Mill," as noted previously, and his land in the Cumberland Settlement on the Western Waters.

James, Sr. was the next to die, the year being 1805. He left a valid will dated in 1801. One wonders if the experience of the James, Jr. family moved him to assure the presence of a valid will. The will is quite long and detailed and is an invaluable geneological document as well as an informative source of information about his financial state at his death. In the will he refers to his wife Mary, his two sons David and Robert (his son James had already died unmarried in his 20's), his three daughters (Elinor, Kitty, and Sarah), his son-in-law Stephen Bright Herring, and two grandsons. He left a large estate consisting of land, slaves (25 by name), furniture, other household contents, tools, and a still (turpentine?). His land was divided by a north-south line with Robert receiving the land to the west and David receiving the land to the east; David received all land in New Hanover County.

James Middleton (3) lived beyond the other two. With so little concrete information on this James, how do we know with certainty that he was alive after the deaths of the other two? In fact we do. In the records of the sale of the moveable estate of James, Sr. in July, 1805 (James Jr. had died in 1801), there was a listing of all items, the person who bought each, and the selling price. One enty was "1 barrel of salt, James Middleton, $1.27." Further down the same page was a second entry indicating a purchase by James Middleton for $10.00. Since the other two were already dead, this would have to have been James (3). It appears that between 1805 and 1809 he moved with his family to Barnwell District, South Carolina. In 1809 James Middleton and Elizabeth Middleton of Barnwell District sold the same 300 acres on Horse Branch to Joseph Mallard of Duplin County [James (3)'s wife's maiden name was Mallard]. He was listed in the Census in Barnwell District as late as 1830. When he first appeared in the Barnwell District Census (1820), a generation-younger "John Middleton" also appeared as a head-of-household for the first time. Since this James' sons do not appear in any Duplin County Census, it seems likely that this John Middleton was one of those sons.

Concluding Remarks

The Middleton experience in Duplin County, North Carolina is part of a broader experience for this nation. In the lives of these early Middleton families one can see in a small, focused way the wider migration pattern of families as they settled the southeastern states: from Virginia to North Carolina and then on to Georgia, Alabama, and the other southern states. John Middleton and his wife Sarah, along with other families, moved from Hampton, Virginia to Onslow County, North Carolina. During the lives of his children and grandchildren, the Middleton family (at least the males) moved away from coastal Onslow and New Hanover Counties to more inland Duplin County. There in the late eighteenth century lived brothers James Middleton, Sr. and John Middleton, their nephews James Middleton, Jr. and Stephen Middleton, and John's son (and James, Sr.'s nephew) James Middleton (3). The sons of James Middleton, Sr. (David and Robert) and James Middleton, Jr. (Isaac and John James) stayed in Duplin County for the remainder of their lives and, with the exception of John James Middleton, married and raised families. Others (Stephen Middleton, probably his sons, James (3), and probably at least one of the latter's sons) migrated to Barnwell County, South Carolina. Parts of these families apparently later migrated further into Stewart and Appling Counties, Georgia. Again this migration was not an isolated Middleton event. Other names in subsequent Barwell District records included not only Middletons, but also various Stokes, Lipseys and Mallards. The last three surnames were all associated with George Mallard's family in Duplin County in 1798.

This pattern of southern migration was to continue and to repeat itself in Duplin County in the next generation when David Hinton Middleton, Mary Catherine Middleton, and Thomas James Middleton, all children of Robert Middleton and his first wife Alice James, migrated to Alabama. Descendents of Thomas James Middleton continued that migration on into the more westernly southern states. ??

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