Our Many Branches

Noah Moses Tyson was born June 12, 1728 in what is now Beaufort County, North Carolina. He was the son of Edmond Tyson and grandson of Mathias Tyson. He and wife Naomi Lowe were blessed with nine (9) children: Tamar (1745); Enoch (1747); Mary 1749); Rachel (1751); Timma (1753); Naomi (1754); Moses Robert (1755); Ester (1756).

Moses Tyson, Jr. is found listed in the 1762 Pitt County tax list as having one taxable white pole. In the Pitt County Census, taken by order of the Continental and Provincial Congresses August 25, 1775, Moses Tyson appears to have been one in Capt. Henry Ellis Company, whose household included 2 white males 16-50, 2 white males under 16, 1 white woman, 5 white female children and 1 black slave. Moses Tyson is also listed in 1775 as a member of the Pitt County Committee of Safety, along with his son Noah.

On April 6, 1785 Moses Tyson was names as co-executor of the estate of Jehu Lowe deceased and Naomi Lowe, the widow was named as executrix. Naomi Lowe soon after married Moses Tyson and since it is known that Moses' children were born before this marriage then Moses had a previous wife whose name is unknown.

On August 14, 1797 Moses, 'Planter of Pitt County' gave his son 5Noah Tyson, 'Planter of Pitt County' 12 acres on the south side of the Tar River 'being part of the land I now live on.' the land was on the north side of Hardees Run and the east side of Reedy Branch, running with the various courses of Reedy Branch to the main swamp. This acreage on Reedy Branch was part of 240 acres which Moses Tyson bought from Richard Barrow March 8, 1755, who received the land as a grant January 31, 1755 from Francis Corbin Esq., agent for the Earl of Granville.

The stream known as Hardees Run in the 1700's appears to be the stream that runs northward through Greenville and runs beside the Tyson/Forbes Cemetery on the grounds of the Greenville Country Club.

Moses Tyson died May 15, 1803 without making a Will. On November 9, 1803 his heirs, 'all being of full age to act for themselves' authorized 5Noah Tyson (their brother) to administer the estate and make sales of the property so that each heir may receive an equal division of the estate. The authorization was signed by each of the children.

Moses’ daughters Tamar and Naomi married brothers James (1760) and Jonathan (1775) Mears in 1798, all lived in Bladen County, North Carolina.

The parents of James and Jonathan were Mark Mears (1710) and Elizabeth Van Pelt (1735). Mark was born in Accomack County, Virginia and Elizabeth, in Dobbs County, North Carolina.

I’m not certain if the Mears knew the family or not when they lived in Accomack County, but this is some coincidence. Another interesting fact is that the Tamar and Naomi’s maiden names were listed as (Van Tice).

James and Naomi Mears had two known children: Levin (1801); and Bethaniel Mears (1803). Jonathan was married twice. His first wife was Leah Hyslop. The children of Jonathan and Tamar include: John (1803); Russell (1810); and Eleanor, who were all born in Bladen County, North Carolina.

On May 3, 1819 Naomi Mears sold 100 acres in Bladen County to her son, Bethaniel Mears. Bethel Mears and his wife Margaret Ann had the following known children: Obeda Lini Mears, Bethel Mark Mears and Daniel Pelt Mears.