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I descend from the line of Fosters who settled in Rowan/Davie County, NC in the early 1700 area, e.g., James Foster (1760-1830); his son, Benjamin Foster (1796-1836); and his grandson, Coleman Foster (1822-1903) who was my maternal great-grandfather.

Here is some info on James Foster that may be of interest to you or others who are searching this line of Fosters:

1. James Foster paid ten (10) shillings for a marriage license (circa 1784) in Rowan County, NC, presumably to marry Elsie (Elsey) Smith. They were married December 28, 1785. It is not known if this was his first marriage. The marriage was performed in Rowan CO, NC-Bondsman: Peter Coleman; Witness: William W. Erwin (Record# 01 135; Bond# 000124836)

2. James received (1787) NC land grant #1722 of 640 acres (@ 50 shillings per 100 acres) on the Yadkin River, at mouth of Dutchman's Creek above the Rock Ford, near Bucknors Mill in Rowan Co., NC. Grant was adjacent to land owned by Thomas Fauster(Foster ?), Jacob Bucknor and William Copeland in the southeastern corner of Rowan County (see 1976 Lagle map and Hughes maps). Transaction is cited in the Rowan/Davie County land records as Number 854, pg. 688. 11 July, 1788

Note: The above property, owned (in May, 1998) by Milburn Stevens and his wife, is approximately four and one-half miles from Highway 64 on Highway 801 in the Fork Community, Davie County, NC. There is a cemetery on the property containing at least twenty-five graves, possibly more. To reach the burial site, turn left on Dillon Road,then down to the second utility box. The cemetery is in the woods on the south side of the road. The site overlooks the Yadkin River.

3. James received 200 acres (1786), part of a subdivision of a state grant to William Morris.

4. James received 130 acres (1792) from Jacob Crouse, no wife signs, on Dutchman's Creek, Rowan Co., NC (now part of Davie Co., NC) for 145 Lbs.(NC State money). Witness: Wm. Bailey and Robt. Foster. 1792 Jan. Book 13, pg 205, Salisbury NC Court House (proven May Court, 1793).

Note: It is believed that Wm. (William) Bailey, a witness to the above transaction, was the son-in-law of Thomas Foster (b before 1743) and Lucy Ellis. William married their daughter, Lucy Foster, a sister of Robert Foster, their son, who was the other witness to the above transaction.

5. James made and signed a will ( December 30, 1810). It was probated/proved in Rowan County, NC, May 1811, Will Book G, pg 195). Will to be executed by his wife, Elsie Smith Foster and Robert Foster, friend. Witness: David Craig and Thomas Foster, Jr. Rowan County records, dated July 1835, indicate that Benjamin Foster, a son of James and Elsie, later served as Administrator of James' estate.

James left all his property to wife Elsie during her lifetime--then to be sold and divided between his six sons( James, Jr., John, George, Thomas, Samuel and Benjamin). He left to his daughter, Elsie, the large family Bible and household needs.

Note: It is believed that Robert Foster, one of the executors named in James' Will, was the son of Thomas Foster (b before 1743) and Lucy Ellis. David Craig, a witness to James' Will, was the brother-in -law of said Robert Foster. David Craig married Mary (Molly) Foster, a sister of Thomas Foster, Jr. who was the other witness to the Will. Thomas also was a son of Rober Foster and Lucy Ellis.

The participation in the above transactions by Robert Foster (who is listed as a "friend") and Thomas Foster, Jr., who are believed to be the sons of Thomas Foster, Sr., coupled with the participation of William Bailey and David Craig(e) who were the sons-in law of Thomas, Sr. raises a question-- Was James a cousin of Thomas Foster, Sr. (they were both born in the same time frame) ?

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