The Shemwell Family

Major John Cheek was born Sept. 6, 1793, according to a family Bible record. This may be a year or two off: his parents married in 1794 according to their marriage bond. "Major" was apparently his first name or a nickname, not a military title. The same Bible also records Major John Cheek's marriage to (1) Maggie (no last name), Aug. 15, 1814, and (2) Marthy STEVENSON, Oct. 17, 1822. Marthy was b. Oct. 26, 1797, according to the same Bible record. (Info kindly provided by Jay Cheek.) There is a John CHEEK who posted a marriage bond in Orange Co., NC, with Polly COX on Apr. 24, 1814; Isaac JONES, bondsman. This may be a different John CHEEK because Major John's first wife was named Maggie according to the Bible record. John CHEEK and his 2nd wife, Patsy STEVENS, posted a marriage bond on Oct. 3, 1822, in Orange Co., NC; James PARTIN, bondsman. 1820 Census, Orange Co., NC, p.330: JOHN CHEEK 1 w/m under 10 1 w/f under 10 1 w/m 26-45 1 w/f 10-15 1 slave 1 w/f 26-45 1830 Census, Orange Co., NC, No. Dist., p.309: MAJ. JOHN CHEEK 3 w/m under 5 2 w/f under 5 1 w/m 5-9 1 w/f 10-14 1 w/m 10-14 1 w/f 20-29 1 w/m 30-39 Nov. 19, 1831. Orange Co., NC. John CHEEK & Alvis CHEEK were bondsmen for the marriage of Robert DANIEL & Kitty PRITCHETT. Feb. 20, 1839. Martha CHEEK and Major John CHEEK of Orange Co., NC, gave statements in support of an application for a Revolutionary War widow's pension filed by Jane STEPHENS, widow of HENRY STEPHENS who had died Feb. 28, 1814. (NARA Pension File No. W6189.) 1840 Census, Orange Co., NC, No. Div., p.176: JOHN CHEEK 1 w/m under 5 2 w/f under 5 1 w/m 5-9 1 w/f 5-9 2 w/m 10-14 1 w/f 10-14 2 w/m 15-19 1 w/f 20-29 1 w/m 20-29 1 w/f 40-49 1 w/m 40-49 Aug. 22, 1842. Orange Co., NC. John CHEEK qualified as administrator of the estate of James CHEEK with Samuel N. TATE and Charles C. SMITH as bondsmen. May 23, 1846. Orange Co., NC. John CHEEK sold to Charles HOWARD his interest in the land on New Hope Creek that was part of his father John CHEEK's estate. (NC Archives, Orange Estate Papers, Box CR.073.508.10.) May 1850. Orange Co., NC. Martha CHEEK, widow of John CHEEK "who departed this life in the month of November last" (i.e., 1849) petitioned for allotment of support for one year. June 21, 1850, Martha allotted a horse, 3 cows, stock and provisions on hand and $164 to be paid by the administrator. Inventory filed June 21, 1850; farm and household goods; various notes owed by Thomas JONES, Samuel N. TATE, C.C. SMITH, Willis CHEEK, William F. JONES, and Robert THOMPSON. Sale of personal estate on July 18, 1850; most items purchased by William S. CHEEK; one mare purchased by Alvis CHEEK. Report of R.M. JONES, inventory of debts received from former Adm'x Martha CHEEK, Aug. 27, 1851, includes note on C.C. SMITH and Parthena CHEEK, and 2 notes on Willis CHEEK. Report of accounts filed May 1853. [No final distribution is found in the estate file, and no list of heirs.] Note: The North Carolina Democrat, Hillsborough, NC, Mar. 7, 1850, reports "Died, in this county [Orange], on the 5th inst., Maj. John CHEEK, one of our best citizens." (NC Gen. Soc. Journal 17:78.) This conflicts with the estate record that indicates Major John Cheek died in November 1849; instead, he may actually have died on March 5, 1850. 1850 Census, Orange Co., NC, 1st Dist., p.282 (HH#37): MARTHA CHEEK, 51, $300, NC -- Cornelia, 23, NC -- Sarah, 19, NC -- Alvis, 18, NC -- Martha, 15, NC -- Parthenia, 13, NC -- Robert, 10, NC