Henry / Hendrys in Colonial N.C.
North Carolina, in the Colonial period of US history, was the new home to many Hendrys who came from the Isle of Arran (and neighboring Kintyre), Scotland to Cape Fear, N.C. Until recently, we believed that the Hendrys came over about 1770, and evidence indicated that a large number did, indeed, come at that time. Now we know that others paved the way, decades before; and already settled there -- to welcome them. This earlier group was known as The Argyle Colony of 1739 which was made up of Scotsmen (and their families) from Arran, Kintyre and neighboring isles.

1729: North Carolina under British control, becoming a royal colony, when all but one of the original eight proprietors sold their interest to King George II. Note: New Hanover Co. formed from Craven County.     AND     1734: Bladen Co. formed from New Hanover and Bath Cos.

One large group sailed aboard The Thistle to NC in 1739 with 350 passengers. They had sailed in July, from Campbeltown, the main port of their home area of Argyll following the recommendation of a committee of leading citizens who had already made at least one advance trip to the Carolinas much earlier -- years, in some cases. They were encouraged by the interest of the Governor, Gabriel Johnston, himself a Scot, who believed that the colony would be enhanced by the addition of Highlanders. To attract such immigration, he offered free land grants and even possible exemption from taxation for a time. Led by Neill Du MacNeill ('Black' Neil of Ardelay), this group of Gaelic speakers included Armstrongs, McAlesters, Clarks, Colvins, Alexanders, McKays, McLaughlins, McLachlans, McNeills, McPhersons, Stevens, Buies, Camerons, McDuffies, McCranies, Pattersons, Campbells, Stewarts, Connors, Wards, McGaws, McDougalds, McGills, Smiths, Smylies, and others.

The following year, the leaders: Duncan Campbell of Kilduskland, Dugald MacNeal, Coll McAlister and Neal McNeal, successfully petitioned for ten years' remission of taxes in order to establish themselves plus a grant of L1,000 for distribution to those in need. There were around ninety families in this first party, of whom twenty-two individuals were given grants of land.

Duncan Campbell, claiming headright on those whom he had brought over, was granted some 2,643 acres. The only other Campbell grant was to Captain James Campbell who received 640 acres, but the 320 acres to an "Archibald Campely' may hide another member of the clan. Over the years, these initial settlers were followed by several thousand people from Kintyre, Knapdale, Islay and Jura, and later by emmigrants from other areas of Argyll and Breadalbane.

No passenger's list exists for this large group, but apparently it did bring a few Henry/Hendrys. Case in point: three (3) Hendrys (Henrys) are found in land records for the Black River area, New Hanover Co., N.C. shortly after their arrival. (New Hanover, after 1743, was split up into several other counties) see County Timeline

From original records, Land Grant Office Archives, Raleigh, NC:

March 1742 - Alexander Colvin ¹ , 300 acres east side Black River above James Henry.

June 17, 1743 - Alexander Henry, 16 acres on White Oak from Charles Henry line to a pine on Alexander Henry's own corner.

March 1743 - Robert Henry, 320 acres east side Black River joining John Warner, Griffin lines.     - DISproved*
March 8, 1743 - James Henry, 320 acres east side Black River joining Capt. Marshall and swamp.     - DISproved*

*Provided by someone without a source; when checked, the dates were almost 100 years off. Error found by Roger and Anna Dobson. We have left the data here - with disclaimer. - rhg

¹ Alexander Colvin is found on a list of passengers from The Argyle Colony 1739 (proven); landing late September 1739. There is no question that the Alexander Colvin who came to America in 1739 was from Campbeltown, Kintyre, Argyll, Scotland - a neighboring peninsula to the Isle of Arran. Alexander's son, Col. John Colvin md. Flora McAllister in 1792 and they had 8 children, among whom is another Alexander Colvin. This Alexander will figure into the Hendry scheme in later times. More on Colvin

At the same time, 1743, we find a Willliam Henry as a taxpayer in Edgecombe Co., N.C. For that group, see Edgecombe / Bertie Hendrys. We return to the Hanover Co NC Henry/Hendrys...

The above indicates that three Henry/Hendrys - James, Charles and Alexander already owned land prior to 1742. Given that landowners would be 21 years of age or older - it's fair to deduce that all three were born in (or prior to) 1721-1722. We have an "abt" birth date for Alexander (md. Flora) as 1710-1720 - no actual birth records known to date. We know Alexander's children but many have unknown birth dates. One son, James was born calc. 1750 (based on tombstone) which would be in line with a father of 30-40 at his birth. But this would mean that Alexander's sons, James and Charles, could not be one of the landowners at that time. Land grants were usually given to males who had the potential of increasing the community -- with children. Certainly, older male Hendrys may well have been there; we just won't find them amongst the grants. Charles and Alexander having adjacent land - a close relationship is likely: brothers? James also was in close proximity. For the time being, we are going to assume that they were peers -- of close range in age. Possibly brothers.

Interesting note here: Alexander Hendry's land mentioned above represents the nucleus of the later formed White Oak Plantation, Ivanhoe, N.C. The others located near Black River - exactly where the Argyle Colony of 1939 settled when they first arrived from Kintyre, Scotland (neighboring peninsula to Arran). Historians agree: The Black River Presbyterian Church, a few miles from Brown Marsh near Ivanhoe NC, was founded by the early Scottish emigrant members of the Argyll Colony shortly after 1740. This is the same church (and area) that is mentioned in the Robert Hendry (and Ann Lee) family history - a Hendry who (allegedly) arrived from Scotland in the 1770s from Arran, Scotland.

The Heritage of Sampson Co, N.C. claims Alexander and his wife, Flora, came to N.C. abt 1720. While it's possible that an older Alexander Hendry did travel there in 1720, it was certainly not the Alexander who married Flora - perhaps it was his father or uncle. Immigrating to the US: The tradition of the time was to send two or three male family members to the new land; other members of the family remaining at home. They didn't just gather up the wife and children and jump into the boat for a new land. The "men folk" would go and scout the area, secure land, etc they (or at least one of them) would have returned to the homeland and prepared the others for the passage. By the time the women and children arrived in the new land - it was ready for them. In some cases, taking care of things in the homeland could have taken some time - even years. Land and holdings had to be sold and/or negotitated with family who were to remain behind. You wouldn't want to burn your bridges... so, it was often that family remained in homeland either permantently or waited, in some cases, for a generation, to join the rest of the family. There were letters back and forth to keep the family abreast of loved ones at either end. This may have been the strategy of future Henry/Hendrys to N.C.

Scottish records show that there were two great waves of Scots who emmigrated to the U.S. during the 1700's. The first in 1737-1740, and then again in 1770-1775. By 1775, the King was so distressed at the numbers leaving Scottish soil and thereby increasing the size of the army of discontents in the Colony (U.S.), he made emmigrating later almost impossible. This coincides with the earlier Hendrys in NC.

1767 New Hanover Co. Taxpayers includes Duncan, James, Richard, and William Hendry. We know that Duncan is a ship's captain from Campbeltown; returned to Scotland and died 1767 or 1768. These four were not far from the Bladen Henrys. For the moment, we'll go backt o Bladen Co.

The next time we see Henry/Hendry records in this area is a land deed for Neil Hendry:

1774 Jul 25 Neil Henry GR 100a Es Black Rv; Turkey Br of Colvins Cr, joining John Colvin. 26-120. Application made 20 May 1772.

This grant is where the original James Henry and Alex. Colvin settled. Interesting that this 1774 grant was issued two full months before Neil arrived on the "Diana" in September of 1774. Or perhaps he had returned in 1774. And, this land is "Turkey Branch." We have a Neil (Cornelius) Hendry of Turkey Branch, born calc. 1747 who we know for sure is the "Turkey Branch" Hendry. To make things even more interesting, we know that his father is a James Hendry Sr. It would seem logical to believe that James Hendry Sr. might well be the James mentioned in the March 1742 land grant for Alex. Colvin. Further land transactions clearly shows that Turkey branch is adjacent to Alexander Colvin's property.

The following year, we find another land transaction:

1775 Dec 29 Wm Sloane to Robert Hendry [son of Alexander Hendry and Flora Sellers] - White Oak Branch H-296. Original patent granted to Allen Sloane [Willliam Sloane's desc. father] 1754; witness: John & Neill Henry     Extract The extract also shows the subsequent transactions of the same land in 1785 and again in 1795. The latter involves all but one brother (Robert) relinquishing all rights to same to their "brother" Charles.

Was this the same Charles found in the early land deeds in the 1740's? No. But one would have to believe that he must have been close kin. The earlier Charles Henry/Hendry has had us puzzled as no records are found, to date. Given the proximity of his land, we still hold the theory that Charles and (original) Alexander were peers - most likely, brothers. We never see anything about the earliest Charles Henry again. Perhaps he returned to Scotland and remained there or the records didn't survive.

1784 Taxpayers for Bladen Co. included Alexander, James and Robert Henry. We know that Alexander had (among others) two sons named Robert and James - and by 1784, all his sons were over 21. Most likely, these Henrys were of the same family.

More to come...