NORTHINGTON Family of America

The best account of the early NORTHINGTON family in America known to this writer is that titled "NORTHINGTON" by B. C. Holtzclaw, appearing on pages 153 to 157 in the book Historical Southern Families, Vol. 3, by John Bennett Boddie, l9S9. In September 1974 Dr. Benjamin C. Holtzclaw, age 80, was living at 11 Ampthill Road, Richmond, VA 23226. Dr. Holtzclaw descends from Samuel(l) Northington through his son Samuel(2) Northington, through his son Nathan(3) Northington (wife 2^;Rebecca Chappell), through their daughter Anne Worthington, born Feb. 5, 1765, who 4:married Joel Newsom about 1781-2. (The first known Northington generation in America is designated (1), the second generation (2), etc.)

A copy of the family history, NORTHINGTON, by B. C. Holtzclaw, is presented beginning below

The name Northington was pronounced and frequently spelled Norrington in the early days. The Virginia family was probably an offshoot of an English family of Norwenton, whose arms were: Argent a saltyre gules.

Other relatives were probably John Norrington who appears

1 Howell, b. Jan.25, 1743/4, chr. Mar. 18, 1743/4; godparents,

• Howell Jones, John Edmunds, Gray Edmunds, Sarah Hines.

2. Archer, b. April 28, 1747, chr. June 7, 1747;

David Jones, John Jones, Amy Chappell.

Mary Edmunds, whose marriage bond to John Dawson was dated April 12, 1770, in Southampton Co., Va., with David Edmunds as security, was a third child of David and Ann Edmunds. They had at least two daughters, Rebecca Dawson, marriage bond to Edmund Turner Nov. 13, 1787 with Will Edmunds as security, and Mary Edmunds Dawson, mentioned in her grandmother's will. Another granddaughter was Sarah Edmunds, whose marriage bond to ------ Simmons was dated Nov. 13, 1790, with the consent of her mother, Kerenhappuch Edmunds. Ann (Northington) Edmunds' will, dated Oct. 31, 1794 and probated in Southampton Co. Aug. 21, 1797, mentions her granddaughter Sally Simmons and her children; granddaughter Jane Edmunds, granddaughter Mary Edmunds Dawson; great-granddaughter, Ann Northington Turner; and makes Edmund Turner her executor.

David Edmunds who married his sister, Anne Northington. Phyllis was still unmarried Oct. 15, 1745, when she was godmother to Susannah, daughter of David and Christian Hines (A.P.R.), to that the marriage occurred late in 1745 or in 1746. Phyllis Edmunds Northington died sometime between 1767,

when her last child was born, and Dec. 3, 1714, when the marriage bond of Samuel Northington to Priscilia Mitchell, widow, Was signed in Sussex Co., Va. She was probably dead by Oct. 4, 1771, when Samuel Northington made a deed of gift of land and slaves to his son, W111lam, and of slaves to his children, Jesse, Sterling, John, Elizabeth and Molly Northington. (Sussex D.B. "D", pp.'-402-8). on March 17, 1774, a short time before his second marriage, Samuel Northington also deeded land to his sons, John, Jesse and William'(D.B. "E", pp. 145-8). Some time after 1774, Samuel Northington, Sr.,

made a move with his sons to Cumberland Co., N.C., where all except William were heads of families in 1790. Apparently Samuel, Sr., had children by his second wife, Priscilla, for two lads under 16 are shown in this family in 1790. Priscilla seems to have been the widow of Henry Mitchell, Jr., and the births of the 7 children of her and her first husband are shown in the Albemarle Parish Register, from. 1742 to l767 (Boddie, "Births and Deaths from A.P.R.", p. 95).

were as follows:

2.Sterlings b. Nov. 7, 1749, chr. March 18, 1750; Ralph Mcgee, Joshua Rolland, Hannah Scott. He died in Sussex Co. in 1773, Samuel Northington, Jr., being his administrator.

3.Samuel, b. Nov. i4, 1751, chr. Mar. 1, 1762; Sylvanus Stokes, Jesse Rowland, Mary Rachel, (wife Mary Jones) moved to Montgomery Co,, Tenn. in 1808.

7. John, b. Aug. 5, 1765, chr. Oct. 6, 1765.

8. William, b. July 20, 1767, chr. Oct. 4, 1767; Thomas Peebles, Benjamin Owen, Rebeckah Rowland. Died 1816 in. Christian Co., Ky.

2. Judith, b. Dec." 26, 1753, chr. Feb. 17, 1754;

James Tomlinson, Sarah Tatum, Sarah Moss. Judith Northinqton married about 1768/9 John Bigbie (Bigbea),

and had the following three children (A.P.R.): (1) George, b. Jan 8, 1770: (2) Nathan, b. Oct. 26, 1772: and (3) Randall, b. Oct. 6, 1773.

3.Elizabeth, b. Aug, 1755, chr. Sept. 28, 1755; Charles Gee, Elizabeth Mason, Amy Tatum. She married before 1776, when her father made his will, William Thomas Pennington.

4.Rebecca, b. April 17, 1757, chr. June 5, 1757; David Moss, Elizabeth Mason, Mary Nun. This child died April 30,1759.

5.Nathan, b. Jan. 15, 1759, chr. Feb. 28, 1759; John Mason,BenJamin Wyche, Elizabeth Harrison, Nathan Northington, for himself and as guardian of his brothers, John, James, and Samuel, sued his brother Jabez, their former guardian, in 1787 in the chancery suit referred to above. Nathan Northington, son of Nathan Northington the Elder, was deeded land by Thomas Dowdy June 1, 1771, when he was only 12 years old (Sussex D.B."D",p. 365). He married in Sussex co. May 1, 1780 Ann,daughter of Richard Stewart.

6. Sarah Northington, b. Feb. 20, 1760, chr. March 1, 1760; George Ezell, Elizabeth Chappell, Rebecca Mason. Sarah Northington married William Grizzard prior to 1778, as she was not under the guardianship of her brother, Jabez, in that year. she and her husband were plaintiffs against Jabez along with the other heirs in 1787.

7. John Northington, b. April 18, 1763, chr. June 19, 1763; Thomas Dowdy, Young Stokes, Lucy Baird. John married Sally Stewart in 1784 in Greenville Co., Va. (bond dated Aug. 26, 1784).

8. Anne Northington, b. Feb. S. 1765, chr. April 21, 1765; Joseph Pennington, Mason Baird, Eliza Hubbard. Anne Northington was under the guardianship of her brother, Jabez, in 1779; she married about 1781-2 Joel Newsom, and she and her husband were plaintiffs in the chancery suit against Jabez Northington in 1787 (for her family, see 48V182-4; for her husband's Newsom ancestry, see 47V265ff).

9. James Northington, b. April 7, 1767, chr. May 17, 1767; Samuel Northington, James Chappell, Jr., Lucretia Chappell. He moved to Georgia with his sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Joel Newsom, and died in i Morgan Co., Ga. in 1843. His first wife's name is unknown, but he married ( 2) in 1814 in Morgan Co., Ga., Sally Haughton (contract, Sept. 26, 1814, Book J. Morgan Co., pp. 228-9). He had a son, John Northington, to whom he made a deed of gift April 20, 1815. (Book "E", p. 285). A deed in 1838 mentions his granddaughter, Martha Jane Northington; his daughter, Elizabeth C. Pearman, widow of Robert Pearman; and her four children, Martha S., James N., Mary N., and Robert Pearman (Book "J.", pp. 239-40). His will, recorded in 1843, mentions his daughter, Elizabeth Douglas (obviously the widow Pearman of 1838), her husband Robert Douglas, and there daughter Ann Elizabeth Douglas (W.B. "C", p. 77).

10. Samuel Northington, b. July 7, 1769, chr. Oct. 29, 1769;~Samuel and Judith Northington, Matthew Davis.

11. Elijah Northington, b. Sept. ?6. 1770, chr. Oct. 28, 1770; Jabez and Elizabeth Northington, Ambrose Grizzard, EliJah d. prior to 1784, when his brother Jabez, as guardian, deeded away his land.

The above Samuel Northington, Jr.(4) moved to Montgomery Co., TN in 1808 where he died in 1843. Many Northington records and Northington descendants are found in Montgomery County. William(4) moved to Christian Co., KY were he died 1816 leaving descendants there. William(4)'s son Andrew J. Northington moved from Christian Co., KY to Texas in lS31. He was the first Northington in Texas.

The following Northingtons are shown as recipients of land grants in Cumberland Co. from the State of North Carolina: Jesse in 1791 and 1792, William in 1799, 1804 and 1815, Samuel in 1813, and Levi in l825. Records refer to the Northington Road, and to the Northington Mill and Ferry on Cape Fear River. These were at the site of the first Northington settlements in Cumberland County. This site is now in Harnett County which was created out of Cumberland in 1855. The Northington settlement is now known as Raven Rock and is on the Cape Fear River a short distance upstream from the town Lillington. The original Northington settlement is now in the Raven Rock State Park. Restoration of the Northington Ferry is planned.

The following Northington marriages are recorded in Cumberland County:

l. Michael Northington to Nancy McKinney, 3 Mar 1803

2. Winney Northington to Joseph McNeil 26 Jan 1808

3. Jesse Northington to Patsey McKinney, 12 June 1809

4. Ann Northington to William Watson 6 Sept 1813

5. Levi Northington to Sally Atkins 8 Oct 1817

6. James Northington to Rebecca Holt 3 Mar 1818

7. Christians Northington to Malcolm McNeil, 2 Nov 1822

8. Phillis Northington to Grey Olive, 10 Mar 1825

9. E1izabeth Northington to John D. Colts 13 Nor 1826

10. Martha Northington to Samue1 P. Norris, 8 Jnn 1827

Marriages nos. 1 and 2 in the above list are children of Samuel(4) Northington. Marriages 3 to 8 and 10 and 11 are children of Jesse(4) Northington. 3 is Jesse E.(5) Northin2ton Who moved to Sandersville, Washington Co., Ga. about 1825. His line is the principal subject of this paper. Marriage no. 9 Is probably the granddaughter Elizabeth mentioned in Jesse(4)'s Will but not otherwise identified. The only child of Jesse(4) Worthington not accounted for in the above list of marriages is his son William. A William Northington (age 40-50), shows in 1830.census for Washington co, GA, married with one son and two daughters all under 10 years of age. As Jesse E~(5) is knower to have been in Washington County at this time this is probably William(5) and his brother. Marriage no.10 Martha Northigton was the second wife of Samuel P. Norris.

A large group of Scottish emigrants settled in the Cumberland County region about 1773. Probably the McKinneys and McNeils came with this group.

named her son Samuel Painter Northington. on 8 Jan 1827 in Cumberland County this Martha (Patsey) Northington married Samuel P. Norris as his second wife. (See DAR National Number 113253 * Watch for errors *

In the name of God, Amen

I Jesse Northington being low in health but of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make and order this my last will and testament and desire it to be received by all as such.

Item 1st. I leav my soul to God and my body to be decently buried and all my debts and funeral expenses to be paid.

Item 3rd. I give unto my son William Two negroes named Lewis and Nell now in his possession, ine bed and furniture also in his possession,

Item 4th. I give to my son Jesse two negroes named Jerry and Lucy already delivered to him and one bed and furniture also in his possession.

Item 5th. I give unto my son James two negroes named Sandy and Selah already delivered to him and one bed and furniture also in his possession.

Item 6th. I give unto my son Levi two negroes named Aaron and Henry now in his possession and one bed and furniture also in his possession.

Item 8th. I give unto my daughter Ann Watson wife of William Watson two negroes named Ephram and Melear and one bed and furniture all in the possession said Watson.

Item 9th. I give untomy daughter Christaney McNeill wife of Malcolm McNeill two negroes named Sue and Jurden and one bed and furniture already in the possession of said McNeill.

Item 10th. I give unto my daughter Martha two negroes named Phoebr abd Cary and one bed and furniture and also unto my grandson Samuel P. The first child the above named Phoebe shall fetch, and also at the death of my sais wife my desire is that my grandson should have one horse bridle and saddle and one bed and furniture before a division takes place among my said heirs.

Item 11th. I give unto my daughter Phillis Olive wife of Grey Olive,two negroes named Cherry and Briant and one bed and furniture in the possession of said Olive.

Item 12th. I give unto my granddaughter Elizabeth one negro named Sillir and one bed and furniture, one horse bridle and saddle already named in a deed of gift which is recorded in the County of Cumberland and futher all the remainder of my estate not mentioned in my above will to be sold after my decease to defray the above named expenses and if there should be any remainder after paying my just debts and funeral expenses the balance to be divided among my above named heirs, I do further revoke all wills heretofore assigned by me and make and ordain this last will and testament, and I appoint my beloved wife Ann and son Levi my executrix and executor to this my last will and testament. Signed, Sealed this 25th day of May 1825.

The following is a letter wrote by Jessie E, Northington to his son Marshall.

Saundersville Ga August 23rd 1857

Dear Marshall

I once more take my pen in hand to write you a few lines which will inform you that we are all well at the present, hoping the same to you and all the family. I have nothing very particular of late date to write you futher than we have great crops in Georgia this year which has stired up every one to liveliness. Such wheat crops was never known in Georgia before ( in quantity). There have been a great number of deaths in this vicinity in the last twelve months. Your brother John departed this life the 13th day of February last after suffering upwards of forty days. He was attacked with dropsical reumatism in the right leg and ranged upward until death. Not 2 minutes before he died he was asked how he was, he replied, no better, and less than a minute he was gone without a struggle or the least dismayd. I want you to write to me emediately how you all are and how you are getting on and whether you have ever seen or heard any tiding about your brother Kinchen. He left here last April 12 months past and went to Penfield Green County and stayed there until last Christmas and then fool like put out for Nicharauga. But from what I learnt from one of the same gane he came back to New Orleans for Lockridges men all returned and the crowd he was in landed in New Orleans. Your brothers James and Allen are getting on bravely, Allen has accumulated good property, say 6 to 10 thousand dollars and making money every day. Henry is with me the most of his time, works at almost any thing and a choise hand, but will indulge rather too much at times, has no enemies. Joan is in good health and lives with me. As to my own part I am like the majority of old people rather stiff in the joints. I was born June 1st 1787 which throwes me in my three score and ten. I have had someright severe attacks, but by the blessing of God=s help I am now in good old mens health. I find I cant weild the pen like I once could. I have wrote more in this letter than I have in two years past, but what you cant read guess at the balance. I was sorry to perceive from your last letter that you were enrolled amongst the Dark Lantern gang (no no things), which in my estimation should be beneath the orgies of the lowest demagouge. For instance behold them and how they now stand in common political stations. Look at Virginia, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas (all) Alabama (all) and Georgia will follow suite in October. It makes me shudder with sorrow to even think I ever had a son that must be ignomeneously sworn to vote by a damning set who aspires to nothing short of a desolation of our union. I beseech you in the name of an old father to abandon the Guy Faux (Fawkes) gang. I say to you again look at the results of all recent elections, and if that wont satisfy I cant, and ------- the dark, dark, dark mystery the whole affair is shrouded in. I suppose you would hardly know Sandersville if you were here now, especially since it was burnt down, and with all strange people their is now one of your acquaintances now living here, save myself, Jernigan, old Goodrun and H Brookins. The rest are all dead and moved away. No retailing liquor in town, a number of noble brick buildings is done and going up, nothing is in no way like it was when you were here. I should be mighty glad to see you and all the rest, but it is out of my reach ever to go to Texas. I am living contented and I think had better end my few days where I am, yet, that not prevent now and then a correspondence between us. I have a fine lot of potatoes and the best garden in Saundersville or vicinity. I want you to write me all about affairs within your sphere. A great many people has left Washington Co for Texas in the course of the last five or six years. A great many murders is committed in Georgia annually, but few are hung. Your brother Allens occupation is keeping a resturant for feeding people, say grocery and confectionary and billiard table, but no spirits. He has five fine looking sons, first is Theodore Marshall, 2nd Sanford, 3rd Edward or Eddy, 4 Charles a fine and noble boy, 5 Sidney all well and sound. Give me the names of all your children when you write. So no more but remember to your wife and children. If I live I will write you again but I say when I hear from you, you must from amongst the stinking know nothings. Your Father ect ect J.E. Northington

1. Anne 26 Aug 1747 died young

2. Sterling 7 Nov 1749 d 1773 Sussex Co. Va

3. Samuel was born November 14, 1751 in Surry Va, and died 1843 in Christian County, Kentucky. He married MARY JONES 1779.

Children of SAMUEL NORTHINGTON and MARY JONES are:

1. Michnel ca 1781 d 4 Aug 1822 Christian Co. Ky Married Nancy McKinney 3 Mar 1803, had 5 children Sarah (Sallie), Martha (Pattie), Samuel Henry, Felix, Eliza Ann and Rebecah. married Temperance Lindsay in Ky 1819. Left will naming heirs in Christian Co. Ky.

2. Henry 10 Sept 1788 d 1877 Married (1)Ann Wright Carney, (2) Mildred Johnson April 1828. No children

3. Mary (Polly) Married Isaac (Ilse) Robinson lived Robertson Co. Tn. No children

4. Samuel b 1792 married Sarah Walton lived in Robertson Co. Tn children

Edward, Atlas, Gus, Mriah, Mary Ann (d 8 yr), Mary Wills (d 10 yr), Samuel, Sadie, and Clarence (d 2 yr)

5. Winifred (Winney) d 25 Oct 1831 married Joseph McNeil Jan 26 1808

6. John married Mary Norfleet lived in Monthomery Co. NC. 5 children Eliza Jane, Sallie Ann, Mary Winifred, Cardell, and Elvin.

7. Nancy d 27 Sept 1821 married Burwell Jackson Fort children 1 known Eliza Ann

8. David married (1) Charlotte Slaughter Carney 5 children Albert, Nichols Lewelling, Hartwell, David, and Egbert. (2) 1850 Ellen Burrus no children lived in Todd Co. Ky.

9. Felix.b 27 Aug 1802 d 13 Apr 1892 married Sally Norfleet lived in Mongomery Co. Tn. 4 sons William, Henry, Thomas Frazier, and Short.

WINNIFRED Named in her father, Samuel Northington's will as.."to my daughter, Winnifred McMilland.."

5 Mary (Molly) b 26 May 1758 married Lewis Atkins 1782 7 children Elizabeth, Nancy, Mary (Polly), Eidth, Grace, Samuel, and Ica.

1.William b 1786 1830 census Washington Co. Ga. married 1 son & 2 daughter

2. Jesse E. b 1 June 1787 d June 1865 married Martha (Patsey) McKinney June 12, 1809 moved to Washington Co. Ga around 1825. had 7 children.(1) James Foster b 12 Nov 1809d 31 jan 1893 Ga. married Amelia (Milly) R. Fisher, 14 May 1834. 10 children James W.C., Martha Elizabeth, Harriet Missouri, Mary Flecher, Martha Elizabeth, Susan Smith, Indiana, James Fisher, Marcellus Addison, and William Capers.(2) Marshall Washington b Nov 1811 d May 1897 Taylor Co. Tx. married Jane M. Chism 9 children Alexander Jesse, Elizabeth Ann, Marshell W. Jr, John Foster, Rebecca Jane, J.O.or D. , Martha Angeline, Kinchen Volentine, and Lela Rowe. (3) John B. 1814 d 13 Feb 1857 unmarried,

(4) Jesse Allen b 1821 d 1870/1 married Eliza Permelia Renfroe April 3 1845 5 children Theodore Marshall, Sanford McKinney, Edgar A., Charles N., Sidney Renfroe, and Robert H. (5) .Joan b 1824 unmarried, (6) .Henry J. b 1826 d 7 May 1866 unmarried, (7)Kinchen J. 1829 d after 1870 was a school teacher in 1870 and was living with his brother Allen.

3. James b 1795 married Rebecca Holt Mar 3 1818 in 1820 census had 1 daughter.

4. Levi b 1780/90 married Sally Atkins Oct 8, 1837 1830 census showes 3 sons and 3 daughters under 10 moved to Marion Co. Al.

7.Christiane b 1800/05 marrird Malcolm McNeill 2 Nov 1822 1830 census 3 sons 1 daughter unter 5

8. Martha b 1805/10 d 1866 Married Samuel P. Norris Jan 8 1827 had child by Samuel Painter named Samuel Painter Northington.

7. John b 4 Aug 1865 listed in 1800 census Moore Co. NC wife of same age 3 sons 1 daughter under 10

8. William b 20 July 1767 d 1816 christian Co. Ky. wife Polly children John, Elizabeth, Mary, Andrew J.,William

Phyllis Edmunds

Father William Edmunds his father Howell Edmunds Mother Elizabeth Blount her father Thomas Blunt mother Phiscilla Brown (Mother Mary Briggs her father Samuel Briggs his father Henry mother Mary her mother Mary Bailey father Edward)

Northington Lock and Dam was one of nineteen dams completed in 1855 to permit steamboat navigation from Fayetteville, NC up the Cape Fear River to Haywood fifty miles upriver. Northington Lock and Dam and sixteen other dams were destroyed in 1858 and the others perished in a storm in 1865. No attempt was made to rebuild the dams due to lack of finances, lack of interest following the Civil War, and then due to the implementation of rail transportation.

The ferry was operated by the Northington family until the late 1820's or early 1830's when it was sold. After the Lillington bridge was built in 1900, use of the ferry declined until its operation was ceased completely in 1920.

The only visible signs of the Northingtons in the park are parts of the old roadbed, the grave marker for Jesse Northington (1827) in the family cemetery, and the name they left (although sometimes that was changed to Norrington).

I believe that Allen is buried in the family cemetery as the will put him in charge of the property. He was to get the property when his mother died or remarried. Around 1835 Ann and Levi sold the Property and nothing on Allen can be found after that.

The section of the river included in the Raven Rock State Park lands proper boasts of three separate sets of low falls, each sporting the name of some long forgotten pioneer to the area. Blaylock's Falls, probably named for Richard Blaylock who settled the area near them in 1761, are located in the river one half mile northwest of the mouth of Campbell's Creek. In these falls can be seen "Buzzard Island", which needs no further explanation! Located at the mouth of Campbell's Creek are Lanier's Falls, named, possibly for Thomas Lanier, a member of one of the area's earlier families. Adjacent to Raven Rock are Douglas's Falls, or as later maps show them, Northington's Falls. Nothing is known of the namesake of Douglas's Falls, but the Northington Family was one of the most numerous and powerful in the area. The main rock ledge in these particular falls was referred to as "Harmon's Rock Ledge" in an 1829 letter regarding work being carried out at the site to improve river navigation. The identity of this "Harmon" remains just as much a mystery as so the names "Jones' Falls" and "Esther's Rock", both mentioned in an 1801 land grand pertaining to this area. Could Raven Rock have once carried the name "Esther's Rock"? If so, who was she, and why was the rock associated with her?

The fish traps at Douglas's (Northington's) Falls appear as jumbles of rock now, but when the Indians first built them they were quite useful in gathering food. After the Indians left the area, the pioneers worked them. As late as the turn of the 2Dth Century, the traps were yielding as much as 30-40 lbs. of fish a day!

From old Cumberland County land Grants, Deeds and Tax Records, the Northingtons, as a group over the period of their entire stay in this area, roughly 1777 to 1838, appear to have held, all totaled, at one time or another, more than 6,000 acres of land! The largest amount held in any one year by the family was 2,128 acres, in 1828, and this was just the land they "claimed" on their taxes.

Over the years the Northingtons either died out or drifted south and west, joining the great migrations that took place from North Carolina in the early l9th Century. By the time of the War Between the States, branches of the Northington Family could be found in Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, and Texas. Though they themselves left the Raven Rock area forever, their named lived on after them.

A map of the area records that a community called "Northington" was in existence about two and a half miles southwest ol the Rock as late 1865. The 1911 Scarborough Map of North Carolina replaces the name "Northington" with

"Norval", an obvious variation of the original. Both of these communities were shown in the same location on what had been the old Northington Road connecting Raleigh and Fayetteville. Even today the name survives. The small community of "Norrington" (a common mispronunciation and misspelling of the name Northington) exists about six miles southwest of Lillington off of Highway 27, again along the route of the old Northington Road.

Built sometime between 1777 and 1792, this road connected the capital in Raleigh with the town of Fayetteville, via the Northington Ferry. In its day it was a major travel and transportation artery. It was said to have been constructed, at least in part, by the Northington's slaves. The road fell into disuse after the ferry ceased operations sometime after the First World War.

Just below the mouth of Campbell's Creek is the site of Northington's Quarry. Stone from here was used in the construction of the Northington Lock and Dam a short distance down river as early as the 1850's, and probably as early as the 1820's.

Careful observers can still make out traces of the two main roads that traversed the park grounds over two hundred years ago. Along the northeastern bank of the Cape Fear River was a narrow sandy path with the pretentious title of the "The King's Highway". This simple wilderness trail, constructed around 1756, stretched from Brunswick near the Cape Fear's mouth to Hillsborough in Orange County. The feet of many an early pioneer followed its course up the river to new lands and the promise of a better life.

The first records of the North Carolina Northington family (frequently spelled Norrington and probably and offshoot of an English family of Norwenton) began in England.

Martha Ann (5) Northington (1/12/1801 - 7/9/1857) was married to unknown which was annulled by her father and she lived with her parents. Other accounts state that she had a child (father - Samuel Painter according to Breeding's work) out of wedlock causing her father's resignation as justice of the peace. Her son Samuel Edward (Painter) was reared as a Northington and when he was seven, she married Col. Samuel Pearson Norris who taught at Holly Springs Academy north of Raleigh. They had several children.

Samuel Edward (6) Northington (10/16/1820 - 5/20/1884) married first Emaline Booker in Raleigh. They had two sons, Hector Clark and Conelius Enoch Battle. Emaline died in 1844 and he married then to Sarah Francis Needham of Greenville, NC. They had ten children, James Edward, John Grant, Samuel Enoch, Jesse, Charlie, Henry, Laura, Emily (Emma), Ella, Martha Ann (Matie). They moved to Taylorville, now Mountain City, Tennessee where he was a merchant and plantation owner. He and Andrew Johnson were partners in a tailor shop and life long friends. Samuel E. Northington was a Captain in the Union Army. He captured Morgan, and President Andrew Johnson gave him Morgan's team of horses. Capt. Northington and his family later moved to Emporia Kansas where he died as a result of an injury he had during the Civil War when his horse tell with him as it jumped a ditch in battle. Both he and his wife are buried in Emporia KS. Sons John and Samuel were dentists in Emporia and James Edward was a building and paving contractor there. At one time, Capt. Northington's sword, sash, Colt revolver, and horse's bit were on display ha the Emporia Kansas Museum.