Lemons: Buffalo Creek

John Lemons

This family apparently preferred the spelling "Lemons", but I'll still use the spelling appearing in the original records.

When I had sorted through the Lemons/Lemonds families of Rockingham County to determine which was actually my own line, I didn't pursue many of the questions arising regarding those "other" families, such as the Lemons of Buffalo Creek. If any Buffalo Creek Lemons descendants can provide additional information, corrections, or clarification, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com. 

John was apparently born c. 1738.  Mary Jo Johnson claims that he was born only just before 1760 when he moved into Buffalo Beach.  Yet he signed a deed of land from Bartholomew Grogan on 27 Feb 1764 - He must have been 21 at that time.  In addition, his son Alexander was born in 1761 necessitating a birth year before 1744.[1]  According to Bill Wilson, John came to North Carolina from New Jersey.

                There seems to be some confusion over the identity of John's first wife, but his second wife was definitely named Talitha.  Her maiden name may have been Austin.

                20 Dec 1775 - 15 Feb 1776: John served as a drummer under Captain John Leake, taking part in the second expedition to Cross Creek.[2]  Weren't drummers usually younger?  Are two John Lemons being confused?

                He supposedly moved to the area that became Rockingham County as early as 1760.  "He accumulated 666 acres now called Buffalo Beach, between Stoneville and Eden."[3]   He also owned land in Stokes County, and possibly in KY.  This was on Buffalo Island Creek.  For creek locations, see Relevant Water Courses in Rockingham County.

                1765 - 1771: He was Constable of the Dan River [later Spring River] District.  He was reportedly a Constable again as late as 1796.[4]

                27 Feb 1764: John purchased 186 acres on Buffalo Island Creek from Bartholomew Grogan.[5]  He had earlier received three grants totaling 1,225 acres.[6]

                13 Nov 1779: John Lemmon was granted 629 acres on the waters of Buffalo Island Creek in Guilford County [later Rockingham] adjoining John Strong and Tomlin's Fork.[7]  Entered 1779.

1780: John Lemmons received grant #664 for 446 acres on the Dan River.  Entered 1778.[8]

1781: He was Tax Assessor in the Dan River District.

                14 Oct 1783: John Lemmons was granted 200 acres on Buffalo Island Creek in Guildford County.[9]  entered 1778.

                1784 Tax List, Guilford County, NC: 7 whites; 0 dwellings; 3 buildings.

                8 Nov 1784: John Lemon was granted 150 acres in Guilford County on Whitstone, on the waters of the Dan River adjoining John Thomas, Michael Thomas, and Carter.[10]  Entered 1778.

                Feb 1790: Jeremiah Norris proved a deed for 300 acres from John Limmon Senior to John Limmon Junior.[11]

                1790 Census, Rockingham County, NC: John Lemon was enumerated with 3 males over 16, 2 under; 5 females; and 7 slaves.[12]

                4 Feb 1797: Along with Robert and John Strong, John Lemon Senior witnessed a deed from Nathan Okey to John Lemon Junior on Buffalo Creek adjoining the Stokes County line.[13]

                1800 Census, Rockingham County, NC: John Lemon's household consisted of 3 males under 10, 1 16-26, 1 over 45; 1 female under 10, 1 16-26, 1 26-45; 9 or 10 slaves.  They were listed between Benjamin McFarland and John McPeak.[14]

                1 May 1800: John Limon Senior made a deed of gift of 629 acres to [sons] Alexander and John Limon Junior.  This parcel was located on the waters of Buffalo Island Creek adjoining John Strong and crossing Tomlin's Fork.  Witnesses: John Gibson and Sneed Strong. 

1804: John's second wife Talitha was listed as a member of the Matrimony Baptist Church.[15]

                4 Apr 1805: John Limon Senior sold two parcels on Buffalo Island Creek, one of 446 acres and one of 186 acres adjoining Menzies and Weldon, to [sons] John Junior and  James Limon for £1,000.  Witnesses: John Cox, Robert (x) Strong, and John Austin.  Also that same day he sold five slaves (Bes, Isaac, Tom, Bob, Hagar) to James Limon for £500 and 20 head of cattle, 6 horses, 2 feather beds, the house and kitchen furniture, and farming utensils for $570 and five slaves (Cuffs, Phillis, Lewis, Ann, Abram) for £400 to John Limon Junior.  Witnesses: Robert (x) Strong and John Austin.[16]

                27 Mar 1807: John Limon Senior and John Limon Junior and James Limon sold 16 acres on the north side of the Dan River to Sneed Strong for £150.  Witnesses: Joshua Smith, John May, and Jonathan Aldridge.[17]

                12 Feb 1810: John Limon Senior and Joshua Smith sold 150 acres on the waters of Whetstone Creek adjoining Robert Galloway, Michael Thomas, and John Lemon to Michael Thomas for £75.  Witnesses: Thomas Smith, John (x) Thomas, John (x) Limon, and James Limon.[18]

                1810: John died between 12 Feb 1810 and 22 May 1810.  On 26 Mar 1811 660 acres on Buffalo Island Creek were divided among the heirs of John Limon: 1) Sarah Swindle; 2) David Lemon; 3) Nancy Limon; 4) Ester Limon; 5) Elizabeth Austin, deceased; 6) John Limon; 7) William Limon; 8) Peggy Gates; 9) Jane Martin Limon; 10) Catherine Limon; 11) Samuel Limon; 12) Alexander Limon; 13) James Limon; 14) Susanah Oliver; and 15) Jefferson Limon.  The commissioners were Henry Scales, Robert Strong, John Menzies, Thomas Williams, and John May.[19]

1810 Census, Rockingham County, NC: Talitha Lemmon was enumerated with 2 males under 10; 3 females under 10, 1 10-16, 1 over 45.

22 May 1810: John Junior and James Limon made deed of gift to Talitha Limon of the tenement on Buffalow Island Creek formerly belong to John Senior with an adjoining property of 50 acres.  This parcel was bordered by John Menzies, Robert Strong, and Zachariah Strong.  John also made a deed of gift to Talitha of 1 sorrel horse, 2 cows and yearlings, and personal household items.  In return, Talitha relinquished any claim to dower rights in the estate of John Limon Senior.  Witnesses: Alexander Limon and John May.[20]

26 Mar 1811: Talitha Limon released to John Limon Junior of TN and James Limon all rights and claims to the "messuage" adjoining Strong and Menzies conveyed to her on 22 May 1810.  Price: $1.00.  In addition, she re-conveyed to John Junior all livestock and personal property deeded to her by him on 22 May 1810.  This release and re-conveyance were in return for her distributive share of the estate of John Limon Senior, deceased.  This was witnessed by Alexander (x) Sneed and A. Philips.[21]

1815 Tax List, Rockingham County, NC:  Talitha was assessed for 176 acres valued at $117; no polls.  She was listed between Alexander Lemons and Henry Grogan.[22]

Talitha may have moved to Henry County, VA shortly after 1815.  She was not listed on the 1820 Rockingham Census.

Children of John Lemons by his First Wife:

Alexander Lemons (8 Feb 1761 - 20 Oct 1858; m. 1st Sarah Grant 11 Mar 1786, m. 2nd Catherine Arden Somers* 12 Sep 1808; m. 3rd Obedience ______)

Susanna Lemons (1764 - 2 Jan 1856; m. James Oliver 1782)

David Lemons (m. Elizabeth Jolly 1798)

John Lemons (     - 10 Jun 1836; m. Hannah Dancy )

James Lemons (     - 1858; m. Joanna Thomas)

Catherine Lemons

Samuel Lemons (     - May 1849; m. Nancy Miller 1812)

Margaret "Peggy" Lemons (m. 1st George Gates, m. 2nd James Oliver)    James had also been married to Susanna Lemons.

Sarah Lemons (c. 1780 - 14 Mar 1819; m. Solomon Swindle c. 1800)

Elizabeth Lemons (m. John Austin)

Children of John and Talitha Lemons:

Jane Martin Lemons (1802 - 1872; m. John Hopper 30 Jul 1822)

Esther Lemons (1805 -      ; m. ______ Simon)

Nancy "Ann" Lemons (m. Abner Fields)

William Lemons (c. 1798 - 1862; m. Frances McDaniel 1828)

Thomas Jefferson Lemons (11 Oct 1800 - 21 Jan 1864; m. 1st Zerena Barker 9 Apr 1821, m. 2nd Elizabeth Shockley)

If you have material about any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com.  However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone. 

Nancy Denty Breidenthal

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