Counts Family Genealogy

   The first member of my Counts line that I have a good deal of information is Nicholas Counts II, born January 12, 1751-2 in Fredericktown, Frederick County, Virginia, to Nicholas Counts I and Elizabeth Sharp.  Nicholas had at least two brothers, John and Michael.  His first name may have been Henry as I have seen other researchers refer to him as such. He appears to have spent much of his early life in Virginia, but at some point the family moved to North Carolina,  Nicholas was married about 1773 in Orange County, North Carolina to Eve Lyde. 

     Nicholas served in the Revolutionary War as a part of the North Carolina Militia, but I know nothing about his service.  Sometime between 1786 and 1790, Nicholas and Eve moved their large family to Bean Station, in what was then Hawkins County, Tennessee.  A short time later, Grainger County was formed and Bean Station became part of the new county.  Nicholas always farmed and from his will written August 17th, 1838; it appears that he had become rather prosperous.  His will reads as follows:

Last will and testament of Nicholas Countz

In the name of God Amen:

I Nicholas Countz do make and publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all other wills by me at any time made.

First I direct that my funeral expenses and all my debts (be paid) as soon as possible, out of any I may die possessed of or may come into the hands of my executors.

Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Eve Countz a good and comfortable support during her natural life to be secure to her from any claim and right in the land on which we know live.  Also two cows and her choice of beds.  Also my servant woman named Aggy to stay with her during her life and at the death of my beloved wife my servant woman shall choose which of my heirs she shall live with and shall live with them during the remainder of her life.  And shall have and keep her bed.  I also will that my beloved wife have and keep for her own use and comfort the greater part of the household furniture that belongs to me.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my daughter< Mary Boen one negro girl named Tener which said negro has been transferred by my daughter Mary to David Noe and is now in his possession.

4thly, I give and bequeath to my son George Countz one negro man named Alexander, which said negro man has been transferred by sale by my son George to my son Henry Countz and is now in his possession.

5thly, I give and bequeath to my son William Countz on negro girl named Ferebe which said negro girl has been transferred by my son William to David Noe and is now in his possession.

6thly, I give and bequeath to the lawful heirs of my son Isaac Countz (Dec'd) one negro girl named Lucy.

7thly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Keith one Negro girl named Nancy.

8thly, I give and bequeath to my son Nicholas Countz one negro boy named Peter, which said negro boy has been transferred by sale by my son Nicholas to my son Henry Countz and is now in his possession.

9thly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Catherine Easley or her lawful heirs one negro girl named Seytha, which said negro girl has been transferred by sale from said heirs to my son Henry Countz and is now in his possession. 

10thly, I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Noe one negro girl named Gemiah.

11thly, I give and bequeath to my son Aaron Countz one negro boy named John and my son Aaron is to have no further claims on my estate.

12thly, I give and bequeath to my son John Countz (dec'd) or his lawful heirs one negro boy named Alfred.

13thly, I give and bequeath to my son David Countz one negro man named Briant which said negro he had received and is now in his possession many years.

14th, I give and bequeath to my son Henry Countz after my death and the death of my beloved wife all my right title and claim in the lands on which we now live and which he is now held by heir and me jointly.  All the hogs and sheep held by us in partnership.

15th, I will that all my personal property I may die possessed of be sold by my executors to the highest bidder on a credit of twelve months and the proceeds of said sale shall be united with whatever monies I may die possessed of or may be collected by my executors as belonging to the estate and the money arising from the sale of my negro boy named Bryant and said money when it is all collected by my executors sahll be by them equallly divided among my heirs.  Aaron Countz excepted as above.

16th, I will that my negro boy Bryant stay two years longer with his mother and that he be sold by my executors and the money disposed of as directed above.

17th, I will that my negro woman named Fereba and her children now in the possession of John Smith of Grainger County shall at the death of said Smith if possible recovered by my executors and them sold after my executors have been paid for the trouble they may have in recovering them and all lawful expenses are paid the remainder of the monies arising from the sale of them shall be divided among my heirs as directed above. 

18th, I nominate my son Henry Countz and my esteemed neighbor and friend William Barton be executors of this my last will and testament.  In witness thereof I do to this my will set my hand and seal this 17th day of August, 1838.
                                                                                               
                                                                    Nics Countz         * SEAL *
                                                                                               

Signed sealed and published in our presense and we have subscribed our names hereto in the presense of the testator this 17th day of August 1838.

                                            William S. Menson, Sr.
                                            George Will, Sr.

Taken from the Jefferson County, Tennessee will book Page 33-34, Volume 3-4-10.

    It appears that Nicholas and Eve were living then in Jefferson County, Tennessee with their youngest son, Henry.  Eve was still iving in the Henry Counts household in the 1840 census in Jefferson County.

     Aaron came back to Grainger County from Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri in 1839 and sold his slave.  It is not known why he was excluded from the remainder of the estate.

     The children of Nicholas Countz II and Eve Lyde Countz were:

          1. John, born 1774 in Orange County, NC, died 1840 in Lawrence County, Tennessee.  he married Rachel Criner.
          2. William, born 1775 in Orange County, NC, died Madison County, Arkansas.  He married Annie Bean.
          3. George, born 1776 in Orange County, North Carolina.  He married Sally Rich.
          4. Mary, born 1778 in Orange County, NC.  She married Henry Bowen, Jr.
          5. Isaac, born 1780 in Orange County, NC, died before 1845 in Madison County, Arkansas.  he married Martha McElhaney.
          6. David, borh 1786 in Orange County, NC, died 1861 in Trigg County, Kentucky.  He married Eliza Howell.
          7. Margaret, born 1786 in Orange County, NC, died 1856 in Bradley County, Tennessee. She married Zachariah Keith.
          8. Catherine "Caty", born 1788-90 in Hawkins County, Tennessee, died 1817 in Grainger County, Tennessee.  She married Worham Easley.
          9. Nicholas III, born 6 October, 1790 in Grainger County, Tennessee, died 15 August, 1842 in Chester, Randolph County, Illinois.  He married Martha Hammers.
         10. Sarah, born 18 March 1794 in Grainger County, Tennessee, died 7 October, 1883 in Hamblen County, Tennessee.  She married David Shields Noe, Sr.
         11. Aaron, born 8 May, 1797 in Grainger County, Tennessee, died 30 November 1878 in Ste. Genevieve County, Missouri.  He married Ruth Hammers.
         12. Henry, born 1800 in Grainger County, Tennessee.

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