Ruth Jane Headen Jones 1829-after 1880

The Girl They Left Behind

Levon Helm – The Girl I Left Behind – Bing video

Ruth Jane Headen was born around 1829 in Chatham County, North Carolina.    Her father was Pim John Headen and her mother was Margaret Brooks Headen.  The Headen family had been in Chatham County since before the Revolution and owned land on Rocky River.  The Brooks family had been in Chatham County as long or longer and owned land on Tick Creek which is a tributary of Rocky River.

Ruth Jane Headen first appears in the 1830 census with her father Pim John Headen, her mother Margaret Brooks Headen, and an unidentified brother.[1]  The news article appeared in 1828 shortly before she was born.  Mary Branson is looking for her stolen horse in the Rocky River area where Ruth was born.[2]

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[1] Ancestry.Com. Year: 1830; Census Place: Pittsboro, Chatham, North Carolina; Series: M19; Roll: 119; Page: 392; Family History Library Film: 0018085.

[2] Newspapers.com – The Greensboro Patriot – 17 Jan 1829 – Page 4.

Ruth gained two brothers and a sister in the period between the 1830 and the 1840 census:  William Penn born around 1832, Atlas Andrew born around 1834, Pulaski Headen born around 1836, and Martha Ann Headen born around 1840.[1] 

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[1]Ancestry.Com. Year: 1840; Census Place: Chatham, North Carolina; Roll: 357; Page: 154; Family History Library Film: 0018093.

In 1833, Pim John Headen purchased 81 acres of land on the Rocky River from his father, William Headen for consideration of $200.[1]  In 1840, Pim John Headen purchased 100 acres of land on the Rocky River from his father William Headen for consideration of $50.[2]

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[1] Chatham County, North Carolina Register of Deeds Book A-C1, Page 402.

[2] Chatham County North Carolina Register of Deeds Book A-E, Page 525.

In 1837, Pim John Headen’s father-in-law, Larkin Brooks passed away.  Nothing of value was named in the will specifically to go to Margaret “Peggy” Headen.[1]

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[1] Ancestry.Com. Wills, 1770-1931; Author: North Carolina. Probate Court (Chatham County); Probate Place: Chatham, North Carolina.

North Carolina Chatham County 15th August 1837

I Larkin Brooks being sick and weak in body, do make

this my last will and Testament viz I give the

tract of land wheron I now live to my three sons

Thomas, John M. Brooks and Larkin and desire it

to be divided so as to make them equal in value, 

including the land I had give to my son Thomas

before, so that share may be as mutch of the track

and added to what he owns to make them of equal 

value.  J.M. Brooks is to have where I now live and

Larkin where he lives, if they cannot divide it between 

themselves I desire they may get two or three of

the neighbors free holders and do it for them. It is my

desire that these three boys, Thomas, John M and Larkin

shall pay over to their brother Joab Brooks  one hundred

dollars a piece, say Thomas Brooks pay one hundred

dollars, John M. Brooks is pay one hundred dollars,

Larkin Brooks is to pay one hundred dollars.  Item I leve

to my wife Catherine Brooks the mantion house  and all the

outhouses that she may need and as mutch land as she 

may be able to cultivate, and I leave to her two negroes say

Elijah and Morgan, one hors one cow and calf, two feather beds

and furniture, my sideboard, desk and cupboard  with it generally

contains and all the kitchen furniture to have the said 

property her lifetime and at her death to be divided as the

rest of my surplus estate.  Item I give to my daughter Passy

T. Culberson one negro girl by the name of Signet.  I give to my

daughter Citty B. Mcintosh one negro girl named  Mariah and a

hors worth sixty dollars and a cow and calf making all my 

daughters equal viz, it is my desire that all the rest of my estate be

equally divided between all my children say Thomas Brooks and Parker Brooks,

Joab Brooks, John M Brooks, and Larkin Brooks, and Polly Culberson,

Peggy Headen, and Patsy T Culberson and Citty B Mcintosh, all but my son Parker 

Brooks and he must pay to his brother Joab Brooks one hundred dollars 

out of his part of the surplus of my estate, it is my desire that 

Thomas Brooks and John M Brooks be hole executors of this my last will 

and Testament signed sealed in the presence of

William D Page

Mark

W.D. Page                                                                             Larkin Brooks

 Mark

Chatham County.  This certifies that the foregoing last will 

and Testament of Larkin Brooks was proved in 

open court by the oaths of William Page and W. D. Page,

the subscribing witnesses thereto, and ordered to be

recorded wherefore Thomas Brooks and John M Brooks

the Executors thereever named appeared in open court

and were duly qualified

                                                                                              Teste N.A. Stedman CCC

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[1] Ancestry.Com. Wills, 1770-1931; Author: North Carolina. Probate Court (Chatham County); Probate Place: Chatham, North Carolina.

In November of 1841, Pim John Headen appointed power of attorney to John Dark his brother in law and brother, William Headen, Jr.[1]  In December of 1841, his appointed attorneys sold his two land parcels (81 acres and 100 acres) back to his father William for $600.  By this time, Pim John Headen has immigrated to Missouri, leaving his children and wife behind.[2] 

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[1] Chatham County North Carolina Register of Deeds Book A-F, page 162.

[2] Chatham County North Carolina Register of Deeds Book A-F, page 271.

North Carolina Chatham County

County Court August Term 1842

To the Worshipful Justice of said Court

The Petition of Isaac Headen Wife Temperance John Dark wife Patsey David Patterson wife Sally Samuel Crutchfield wife Ruth and William Headen Jr humbly shews that Wm Headen Sen died in the month of             last intestate leaving your petitioners and Pim J Headen his distributees that at the present Term of this Court John Dark & Aaron D Headen obtained letters of Adm on his estate that said Intestate owed very little & that the perishable estate in the hands of said adm is more than enough to satisfy the same.  That he owned and had in possession at the time of his death the following negroes viz Gilliam, Hannibal, Jacob, Washington, Alford, John, Aaron, Dick, Sam, Richmonds, Anthony, Anderson, Harriett, Lucy, Betsey, Soply, Katy, Peggy, May (19) and that your petitioners are entitled to said slaves as tenants in common.  Your petitioners admit that they all have been partially advanced by their father the said intestate in his lifetime in negroes and other property a schedule of which each of your petitioners is ready and willing to exhibit a file when thereto required and they allege that Pim J Headen has also been so advanced.  Your petitioners pray your worships to appoint Comm according to act of Assembly to divide these negroes among your Petitioners share and share alike according to their value and the advancements heretofore rec’d by each of your petitioners and that they make repost under their hands and seals to next court.  Your petitioners show that Pim J. Headen is not an inhabitant of this state and your petitioners pray that he be made a party defendant to this petition according to the rules and practices of this court.

 Chas Manly

 November Sessions 1842

Ordered by the Court that Wm H Bridges, Young Sellars, John Hackney, Danl Hackney and Wm Hackney be appointed commissioners to divide the within described slaves agreeable to the directions and specifications of this petition and report to next court

Test N A Stedman CCC

Isaac Headen and wife and others vs Pim J Headen

Pet for division of Wm H Headen, Sen

Copy of Pet & ____ to Commissioners

North Carolina August Term 1842 Ch Court

Chatham County 

to the worshipful Justices of said court

The petition of Isaac Headen and wife Temperance John Dark and wife Patsy David Patterson and wife Sally and Samuel Crutchfield and wife Ruth humbly shows that Wm Headen departed this life in the month of     last intestate leaving your Petitioners Temperance Patsy Sally & Ruth & also William Headen Jr and Pim J Headen his Heirs at Law and that the said intestate was at the time of his death seized and possessed of a tract of Land in said County on Rocky River where on the said Intestate lived at the time of his death adjoining Young Sellers and others and containing about 400 acres – Your petitioners shew that said Intestate in his lifetime made large advancements to his two sons Wm Headen and Pim J Headen in lands and that by the laws of this state they are entitled to an share in the division of their said Father’s real estate unless they bring their said advancements into _____.

Your Pet show that Pim J Headen is not an inhabitant of this state and they pray that he and the said Wm Headen may be made parties defendants to this petition according to the rules and practices of this court and that Commr may be appointed who shall with the aid of the County Surveyor make petition of said lands into four equal lots assigning your petitioners and that they make repost under their hands and seals to next court.  

Chas Manly for Petrs.

Isaac Headen and wife vs Wm Headen Jr and Pim Headen

Pet for division of Land of William Headen 

Copy of Pet & inst to Commissioners to divide 

November Term 1842

Ordered by the Court that Young Sellars Jno Hackney Carl Hackney Wm Hackney and Wm H Bridges be appointed Commissioners to divide the within described lands agreeable to the directions of the petitions and report to next court

Test N A Stedman CCC

North Carolina August Term 1842  Chatham County Cty Crt

To the worshippful Justices said four the Petitioners of Isaac Headen and his wife Temperance John Dark and wife Patsy, David Patterson and wife Sally and Sam’l Crutchfield and wife Ruth humbly show that Wm Headen Sen departed this life in the month of _____ last intestate and leaving your Petitioners Temperance, Patsy, Sally and Ruth and also William Headen Jr and Pim J Headen his heirs in law.  That the said Intestate was at the time of his death seized and possessed of a tract of land in said County on Rocky River where the said Intestate resided at the time of his death adjoining Young Sellars and others containing 400 acres.  Your petitioners show that the said Intestate in his lifetime made large advancements to his sons Wm Headen and Pim J Headen in lands and that by the laws of this state they are entitled to no share in the division of their said father’s real estate unless they bring their said advancements into Hotchpor??.  Your Pet show that Pim J. Headen is not an inhabitant of this state.  They pray that he and the said Wm Headen may be made parties defendants to this petition according to the rules and practices of this Court and that four Comm may be appointed who shall with and of the county surveyor make petition of the said land into four equal lots among your Petitioners and that they make repost and their hands and seals to next court.

                                         Chas Manley for Pets.

North Carolina County Court

Chatham County August Term 1842

To the worshipful Justices of said Court Your Petitioners of Isaac Headen and wife Temeperance, John Dark and wife Patsy, David Patterson and wife Sally, Sam’l Crutchfield and wife Ruth, William Headen Jr, Pim J Headen humbly  shews that Wm Headen Sr died in the month of ____ last intestate leaving your Petrs his distributees; that at the present term of this court, John Dark and Aaron D Headen obtained ___ of commisoners of on his estate:  that said Interstate owed very little and that the perishable estate in the hands of said adm is more than enough to satisfy the same.  that he owned in his possessiona  at the time of his death the following negroes viz:  Gillian, Hannibal, Jacob, Washington, Alfred, John, Aaron, Dick, Sam, Richmond, Anthony, Anderson, Harriet, Lucy, Betsy, Sophy, Katy, Peggy, Mary (19) and that your Petitioners are entitled to said slaves as Tenants in common, Your petitioners admit that they have been partially advanced by their father the said intestate in his life term in negros and other property a schedule of which each of your petitioners is ready willing to exhibit if  when ___ required.  Your Petitioners pray you worshipful appoint Comm according to __ by which to divide these negros among your petitioners share and share alike according to the value and the advances already  heretofore rec’d by each of your Petitioners and that they make repost of on their honor and seals to next court.  Your petitioners show that Pim J Headen is not an inhabitant of this state and your Pet pray that he is made a party defendant to this petition according to the rules and practices of this court. 

                                                                                     Chas Manley

                                                                                    CM

Isaac Headen and wife and others vs Pim J Headen

Petitions for division Negroes of Wm Headen 

Wm H. Bridges

Young Sellars

John Hackney

Dan Hackney

Wm Hackney

Advertise or to Pim J Headen

CM

Pursuant to an order to us directed from Nov Term 1842 to divide the slaves belong to the Estate of William Headen Sen. Deceased among the legatos of said William Sen Deceased according to the Petition we met on the premises on the 23rd Nov 1842 and proceeded to divide as follows (viz)

To John Dark and wife Martha Negro Washington $550, Harriet 50, Sam 200, Anthony 200

Advancements made to John Dark and wife Martha by William Headen Sen Dec’d in his life time 860

The ratable proportion of Each legato is $2,207.33 1/3.  John Dark and wife Martha receiving from Sam’l Crutchfield   $239.66 2/3 from William Headen 107.66 2/3

Ratable proportion $2,207.33 1/3

To Samuel Crutchfield & wife Ruth Alfred $475, Peggy 350, Lucy 75

Advancement to Saml Crutchfield and Wife Ruth made by Wm Headen Sen Decd in his lifetime $1,547 total 2,447

Deduct amount paid John Dark and wife $239.66 2/3

Ratable Proportion $2,207.33 1/3

To Isaac Headen and wife Temperance John 450, Sophia 400, Gilbert 125

Advancements by Wm Headen in his lifetime

To Isaac Headen and wife Temperance  1,173 total 2,148

Received from William Headen                                    59.33 

Ratable proportion  $2,207.33 1/3                            

 To Pim John Headen Negroes Oren $500, Betsy 325, Anderson 125

Advancement by Wm Headen in his lifetime to Pim J Headen 992 total 1942

Receiving from William Headen 245.66 2/3

From David Patterson and wife Sally 19.66 2/3

Ratable proportion $2,207.33 1/3

To William Headen Jun Negroes Dick, 500, Mary 325, Jacob 200

Advancements to William Headen made by his father in his lifetime $1,595 Total 2,620

Deduct from Amount paid John Dark 107.66 2/3, for amount paid Isaac Headen 59.33 1/3, for amount paid Pim J Headen 245.66 2/3 Total 412.66 2/3

Ratable proportion $2,207.33 1/3

To David Patterson and wife Sally Negroes Richmond $475, Koby 400, Hannibal 150 

Advancements to David Patterson and wife $1,202 Total 2,227

Deduct $19.66 2/3 amount paid Pim J Headen 19.66 2/3

Ratable proportion $2,207.33 1/3

All of which is respectfully submitted given under our hands and seals Nov 23 AD 1842

Daniel Hackney Seal

William Hackney Seal

Young Sellars Seal

JJ Hackney Seal

WH Bridges Seal

Comms.

Report of Comms to divide the Negroes Wm Headens Estate to Feb Term 1842

Com Charges each $2

Court of Pleas and Quarters Session August Term AD 1844

To the Worshipful the Justices of said Court

The Petition of Isaac Headen wife Temperance, David Patterson wife Sarah, Samuel Crutchfield wife Ruth, William Headen and David Patterson (des) John Dark and Aaron D Headen administrators of William Headen Sen des and Margaret Headen administrix of Pim Headen Des.d.  Your petitioners humbly complaining respectfully shew that into your worship that William Headen Sen departed this life sometime during the year eighteen hundred and forty two that letters of administration upon the Estate of said dec’d were duly granted to John Dark and Aaron D Headen.  that the time limited by law to settle intestates Estate has passed.  That Pim Headen one of the next of kin to said dec’d departed his life during the year eighteen forty three having conveyed his interested in said Estate to David Patterson one of the Complainants, that Letters of Administration upon the estate of said Dec’d were granted to Margaret Headen.  Your Petitioners further shew that they (viz) Isaac Headen and wife Temperance, David Patterson and wife Sarah, Samuel Crutchfield and wife Ruth and William Headen are next of kin to said William Headen Decd and entitled to one sixth part of said Estate and that David Patterson as assignee of Pim Headen is entitled to one sixth part of said Estate.  Your petitioners further shew that John Dark and Aaron D Headen Administrator and  Margaret Headen Adm have refused to come to an account settlement with said complainants although often requested so to do believing that they would not be safe in so doing unless under a decree of this Court.  Your petitioners therefore pray your worships that said Adm and Adm be compelled to come to an account settlement with each and every said complainants individually and severally before auditors appointed by said Court with such further relief as upon the premises the nature of their case may seem to require as your petitioners will ever pray.

J H. Headen Atts for Pltff

I John Harmon, Sheriff of Chatham County do hereby authorize and deputize G W Goldston to hence a copy of this petition to Margaret Headen and return this ___ as the law directs.

Given under my hands 1st Oct 1844

John Harmon Shff

A copy was handed to Margaret Headen 19th Oct 1844 by GW Golston for John Harmon Shf

Isaac Headen and wife and others

John Dark and A D Headen Admn and Margaret Headen

Petition of Account Settlement

Sheriff will return on this

To Have 27th Sept 1844

John Harmon Shff

Twelve Hundred Seventy Eight 2/100 Dollars ($1,278,02).  I further report that having been satisfied that the said Administrators have not been able to realize any profits on the estate remaining in their hands I have allowed no interest on either side of the above account.  All which I respectfully submit to your worships

                                                                                N A Stedman, Com

I further report that the above sum of $1,278.02 is subject to distributions into six shares according to Petition share and share alike

                                                                                N A Stedman CCC

In May of 1843, Pim John Headen appeared to have married a woman in Missouri named Mary Ann Gardner from Ohio.[1]  She had two children named Haden or Headen:  Ermina Elizabeth Headen born March 23, 1842 in Johnson, Franklin, Missouri and Nelson Penn Headen born February 29, 1844 in Johnson, Franklin, Missouri.  There is no evidence that Pim John Headen ever divorced his wife, Margaret Brooks Headen who remained in Chatham County when he left the county.

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[1] Ancestry.com. Missouri State Archives; Jefferson City, MO, USA; Missouri Marriage Records [Microfilm].

In September of 1843, Pim John Headen passed away in Missouri.  He was around forty years of age.   Margaret Brooks Headen was appointed administratix of his estate. [1]

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[1] Ancestry.com. Wills, 1770-1931; Author: North Carolina. Probate Court (Chatham County); Probate Place: Chatham, North Carolina.

State of North Carolina Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions Chatham County February sessions AD 1843

To the worshipful the Justices of the Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions for said County

The petition of Margaret Headen widow of Pim J Headen deceased humbly complaining sheweth unto your worships that sometime during the year AD 1843 her husband Pim J Headen of the County and state aforesaid departed this life intestate leaving your Petitioner his widow and four children under age leaving her surviving him and that at the present time of this Court your Petitioner has obtained letters of administration on his estate and has qualified as his administratix, that the said Pim J. Headen had deserted her without cause and had at the time of  his death littile if any  perishable property and your Petitioner being advised that she is entitled to have one year’s support set apart and allotted to her out of his perishable estate, prays your worship to appoint one Justice of the Peace and three freeholders as conveyances whose duty it be to carry to lay off and allot to your petitioner a year’s support out of the stock crop and provisions of her intestate if any there be, and if there be no stock crop or provisions or not a sufficient quantity thereof to afford her year’s provisions that there said conveyances proceed to estimate the value of one year’s provisions for her and her family to be paid out of the assets of her Intestate by said Administrix (to wit in mary) and that said Justice and freeholders set apart and allow her one bed and its necessary furniture a wheel and a pass of cards if such articles and by the goods and chattels of said Intestate and that they report their proceedings  in the provisions under their hands and seals to the next court and lay off her year’s support according to the actors of assembly in such cases made __________ and your petitioner prays for such other and further relief as the nature of her case requires

                                                                              Geo W Haywood for Petitioner

Margaret Headen Widow 

to the Court

Petition for year’s support

February sessions 1844

Coms

Geo W Gee Esq

James Crutchfield

Aaron Emerson

Benj Crutchfield

North Carolina Chatham County

We the undersigned having been appointed commissioners at February Term 1844 to Lay off to Margaret Headen Widow of Pim J. Headen one year’s provisions for herself and family we accordingly met at her house on the 10th day of May ___ and after taking into consideration the number of her family and her previous manner of living in the life time of her husband we report that there is no crops, stocks, nor provisions on hand belonging to the estate and for the worth of which we allow her one hundred and eighty five dollars to purchase a years provisions all of which is respectfully submitted given under our hands and sealed May 10th A. D. 1844

G W Gee Esq Seal

Aaron Emersours Seal

James Cruthchfield Seal

Benj Crutchfield Seal

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[1] Ancestry.com. Wills, 1770-1931; Author: North Carolina. Probate Court (Chatham County); Probate Place: Chatham, North Carolina.

Margaret Headen’s Administration Bond

State of North Carolina Chatham County

In pursuance of an order of the County Court appointing the undersign to audit and settle the account of Margaret Headen, Admst of Pim J Headen decd

I report that I have taken said account and that there went into her hands as Adm aforesaid the sum of $1,335.09, she produced vouchers to the amount of $841.20 to which add her commissions of $108.31 to which making the sum of $949.51/100 which deducted from the amount went her hands as Adm leaves a balance in her hands due the distributors of $385.58/100 which is to be distributed as follows to wit –

to William Headen the sum of $64.26

to Pulaski Headen the sum of $64.26

To Martha Headen the sum of $64.26

To Ruth Jones wife of Wiley Jones $64.26

To Jackson Headen the sum of $64.26

The adm produced a recpt from Wiley Jones in full of his distributed share in sight of his wife, and she retains the sum of $64.26/100 as her distributive share.  The being the widows and entitled to a child’s part – I have calculated interest to the 20th Janry 1849.

Ruth Jane Headen married Wiley Jones sometime before the estate distribution was reported on February 5, 1849 as Wiley received her part of the distribution of her father’s estate ($64.26). 

Ruth Jane Headen Jones’s family seems a paradox.  Although she came from fairly wealthy prominent families of Chatham County, North Carolina, she never seemed to have had much in the way of worldly goods.  Both her Headen and her Brooks roots trace back to England.  Her father, Pim John Headen left his family behind in Chatham, County and started a new family in Missouri, never returning.  She married George Wiley Jones when she was a minor and had five boys.  The Jones family never owned any property.  George Wiley was a farmer and a Cooper which is  maker of barrels.  According to descendants,  he left his family behind and went to Texas.  Two Ruth’s children were unaccounted for.  Whether they left or died in Chatham County is unknown.  One of these (William) may have died in the Civil War. Sons Alexander (A L) and John became involved in the retail whisky business.  Business problems and a messy divorce for AL  sent the brothers/partners to Virginia.  A L Jones came back to Ramseur, North Carolina where his brothers Pulaski and Thomas lived but John stayed in Virginia.  John’s descendants are mainly around Baltimore Maryland where they went after their father died.  A L Jones’ oldest son Brantley also is unaccounted. For.

Many of the descendants of  the Jones boys are centered around Randolph and Guilford County.  The Jones boy’s families are hard to trace because of the tendency for them  to have multiple partners and to adopt other men’s children.   

Ruth Jane Headen Jones’ final resting place has not been identified but her body awaits the great reunion day.

“Until the day breaks and shadows flee away, we will wait for our change.”

 Ruth Jane Headen Jones would be proud of the boys she raised and the men they became and the families they produced.

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