A Break from the Riddicks, on to the Hurdles!

Well, I decided to take a break from the confusing Riddick line and start taking a look at the just-as-confusing Hurdle line. They're also on my dad's side, Riddick is my paternal grandfather and Hurdle is my paternal grandmother.

The person that I've been focusing on this last week is John William Hurdle. He's an interesting fellow. First of all, we aren't even sure that William is his middle name, that's just a suggestion from records passed down orally. Until this last summer, about July of 2013, we didn't even know for certain that he was the father of my fifth-great-grandmother Julia Ann Hurdle. However, we were able to locate his will - from 1827 - wherein Julia Ann was listed (last) as one of his daughters.

Excerpt from John Hurdle's Will, the names of his children are visible here.

Here's an excerpt from the Will. Easily readable is "my children William(,) John, Armisa, Josiah, and Julia Ann Hurdle."

Since that confirmation that he is my sixth-great-grandfather, I've been trying to find out what I can about him and his family. In so far, I haven't had a great deal of luck placing major dates in his life. I hope for that to change soon, I'm combing through the census records and tax lists in Perquimans and Gates counties for that time period and before. There's a general assumption that he was born sometime around 1780 in Perquimans county to William Hurdle Jr. and his wife Elizabeth.  I've found mention of wills for several William Hurdle's and we'll see if any of those belonged to him. I have been able to find the rolls for militia called in 1821 and 1826 in reaction to slave rebellions. John Hurdle is listed on both of them. While it doesn't narrow anything down datewise, it is pretty stinking cool!

1821 Perquimans Militia Roll

1826 Perquimans Militia Roll

First is a portion of the 1821 Militia Roll, where John Hurdle served under Captain Joel Stallings. His name is at the bottom of the list.

Second is a portion of the 1826 Militia Roll, where John Hurdle served under Captain John B(H?)ogue. His name is the third from the bottom.

Moving on to his family. John Hurdle's will mentions wife Milicent; sons William, John, and Josiah; and daughters Armisa and Julia. Milicent appears on the 1830 census - John died in 1828 - and then a marriage certificate appears in 1831 for her - or another Milicent Hurdle - and she subsequently disappears from the historical record. 

I've been able to find marriage and census records for people named William, John, and Armisa Hurdle but their ages seem a bit high for Milicent Stanton to have been their mother. Without a confirmed marriage date, there doesn't seem to be much that I can do here.

At least not yet! I've got more to go through, and, as trudging as this work can be, there are undeniable blessings that come as you do it. There really is help that comes to you from both sides of the veil.