Still more on the Huggins situation

  Ok, so you all have me hooked on the Huggins question.  I thought I'd do just a bit more digging before moving back to the Wards. 

   Although some of the following were not filed until a few years after the actual transaction date (not unusual back then),  Jacob Huggins of Onslow Co participates in 5 indexed deeds there.
   He is Grantor in deeds: 1800, 1815, and 1827.
   He is Grantee in deeds: 1791 and 1815.

   One can see how some of the confusion might have come about.  Frankly, there were several researchers who used to think that the Wards in Orange Co must have come from Onslow--such is the size of the Ward concentration over there.  But those Wards have been quite well researched and are a part of the Virginia Ward line. Still, in this case, the first deed on record for Jacob Huggins of Onslow Co is in 1791 from Edward Ward Jr. It must have been very tempting to see a Huggins (by the name of Jacob!) associated with Wards in Onslow...and then just make the 'leap' to assuming this must be the Jacob whose son marries a Ward in Orange Co.  Same surnames--but, sadly, it's a different Ward line.
   I think it will become pretty clear that we can say the same thing about Jacob Huggins of Onslow Co. as well.
   I've chosen to post a couple of the Grantor deeds for the Jacob Huggins from Onslow so you can see them for yourselves--as well as for one other reason I'll get to afterward:
                           
                                    Deed #1 is from Onslow Deed Book B, pp6-7.

   

Deed #2 is from Onslow Deed Book 7, pp157-8:

In addition to the years in question, the main thing to note here in each of these deeds is that Jacob Huggins of Onslow signs his name--he is literate.

    Below is a deed that falls, in the timeline, right between these two documents.  This is Jacob Huggins of Orange Co selling a portion of his land.
                               
                                          Deed is from Orange Co Deed Book 12, p.370

  
Again, the thing to notice here is that this Jacob signs by mark. He is illiterate.


   Thus, the Jacob Huggins out of Onslow Co shows documentary evidence of a quite constant presence in that county from the time of his being exec. of his father's will in 1789.  He is steadily involved in deeds there from 1791 until 1827.  In each instance, he is referred to as "Jacob Huggins of Onslow County."  Further, he is literate and always signs his name.
   The Jacob Huggins in Orange Co is clearly present by 1788 (as shown previously in the Orange Co tax list).   He is dead by 1813 when his will is proved (the Jacob Huggins of Onslow is involved in at least 3 deeds after this time). And, this Jacob is illiterate, signing by mark.

  I would humbly submit these are not the same men.
                                                                                 (Kevin)