William Borden Sr. 1689-1749
William Borden was born in Portsmouth, Newport County, Rhode Island, August 15, 1689. He was the son of Mary Walker Earle and John Borden (1640–1716) and grandson of Richard Borden (1595–1691), the emigrant.
At the Friends Meeting House in Newport, RI, July 7, 1715, William Borden married Alice Tiddeman Hull (1693–1730), daughter of William Hull Esq. of Jamestown, Rhode Island.
In Historical and Genealogical Record of the Descendants, as Far as is Known, of Richard and Joan Borden Who Settled in Portmouth, RI in 1638, published in 1899, Hattie Borden Weld recorded, "William Borden early engaged in the construction of vessels at Newport and procured his lumber and plank from Tiverton, making his home for months together at the house of his brother, Richard, about two and one-half miles south of Fall River. And the tradition in his family is that his son William was born in Tiverton. There is an entry in the old family Bible of this son, made by himself, stating that ‘he was born in Tiverton, Rhode Island.’"
Weld continued, "After some years spent in this employment, feeling more and more the necessity of a constant supply of duck for sails, he turned his attention to this also as a necessary branch of his business, and having collected what information he could on the subject, he concluded that the manufacture of duck in this country was practicable as well as desirable, and determined, if the necessary funds could be procured, to carry on the work, to commence the undertaking. The novelty of the thing itself, the wants of the shipping interest, and the credit of introducing a new branch of domestic industry and thus saving at home large sums which then were sent abroad for duck, all pressed heavily upon his mind and urged him to engage in the enterprise."
In the Colonial Records Project, NC Office of Archives & History, editor Jan-Michael Poff notes in the introduction to An Address to the Inhabitants of North Carolina by William Borden, "Seeing the scarcity of duck cloth, necessary for the manufacture of sails, William Borden became interested in its production, for which the growing of hemp was also essential. The Rhode Island Assembly was invoked for assistance and in 1721 that body enacted the first of a series of statutes designed to stimulate the growing of hemp and flax. In August of the following year Borden was granted a bounty for five years, to the exclusion of all other persons, of 20s. per bolt for every bolt of duck he should manufacture equal in quality to Holland duck; in October the period of the bounty was lengthened to ten years. Nor was this all; in 1724 he applied for and received a loan of £100 for one year to aid in financing his enterprise. In 1725 another loan of £500 for three years was granted, and in 1728 a much larger sum, £3,000, to run ten years, was also granted on condition that 150 bolts of duck be produced annually. In 1731 the exclusive bounty was renewed and the requirement to produce 150 bolts per annum waived, and in 1736 the ten-year loan was extended to 1746.
In the Colonial Records Project, NC Office of Archives & History, editor Jan-Michael Poff notes in the introduction to An Address to the Inhabitants of North Carolina by William Borden, "Seeing the scarcity of duck cloth, necessary for the manufacture of sails, William Borden became interested in its production, for which the growing of hemp was also essential. The Rhode Island Assembly was invoked for assistance and in 1721 that body enacted the first of a series of statutes designed to stimulate the growing of hemp and flax. In August of the following year Borden was granted a bounty for five years, to the exclusion of all other persons, of 20s. per bolt for every bolt of duck he should manufacture equal in quality to Holland duck; in October the period of the bounty was lengthened to ten years. Nor was this all; in 1724 he applied for and received a loan of £100 for one year to aid in financing his enterprise. In 1725 another loan of £500 for three years was granted, and in 1728 a much larger sum, £3,000, to run ten years, was also granted on condition that 150 bolts of duck be produced annually. In 1731 the exclusive bounty was renewed and the requirement to produce 150 bolts per annum waived, and in 1736 the ten-year loan was extended to 1746.
"Between the lines of this legislation one may readily infer that there were difficulties in the manufacture of duck, and such was the case. Skilled labor was scarce and raw materials were not produced in sufficient quantity. The enterprise did not prosper and in 1732 William Borden disposed of his business and removed to North Carolina."
Weld noted, "Mr. Borden settled at Core Sound on a river which he gave the name of Newport River, in remembrance of the town from which he had emigrated. Here at a point near Beaufort he formed a settlement and soon commenced building vessels for his friends and customers at the North. He soon became extensively known, both north and south, as William Borden, the ship builder. He was the pioneer in this business at the south, and employed a large number of men from Rhode Island in the winter season, lumbering and building vessels, year after year, most of them returning before the heat of summer had become oppressive. By patient, persevering industry, Mr. Borden accumulated a sufficiency for himself and family."
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| 1798 NC Survey Map Notes Borden Mill |
William Borden, Sr. actually settled his family on the west side of Harlowe Creek which flows into the north side of Newport River—known as the Mill Creek area—where they built a shipyard and sawmill. Sixteen years later, the list of taxables for the whole county numbered only 320.
The first Quaker meeting in Carteret County was organized on August 1, 1733, at the home of William Borden. The meeting was to be held the first “third day,” or Tuesday, of each month for “time to come” and the Sunday prior to the meeting was set aside as the representative meeting to be held at the home of Henry Stanton. In 1736, Nicolas Briant gave the Quakers some land a few miles north of Beaufort on which they build the Core Sound Meeting House and Friends from Rhode Island sent “60 pounds Rhoadisland money” toward its construction. The Pasquotank Monthly Meeting designated Core Sound as a Monthly Meeting the same year. Henry Stanton donated two adjacent acres for pasture in 1737.
William Borden was a prominent citizen in Carteret County, eventually becoming the largest land owner. He became very active in public affairs and bought a great deal of property including land on Bogue Banks. On North Carolina’s first survey map in 1798, this barrier island was noted as “Borden’s Banks.”
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| 1798 NC Survey Map Notes "Borden's Banks" |
Among the public questions of the day, Borden was keenly interested in the currency. This is the subject of his Address to the People of North Carolina. He also wrote An Address to the Burgesses of North Carolina (1746). These documents are part of The Colonial Records Project, NC Office of Archives & History.
In the introduction to these online documents, Editor Jan-Michael Poff notes, "Whatever criticisms one may make of the soundness of William Borden’s plan for a sound currency, it must be conceded that he had at heart the welfare of North Carolina, that he had no sympathy with existing monetary policies, and that his remedy for the adverse trade balance was ingenious. Finally, in a day and generation when government money was greatly depreciated, the due bills issued by William Borden were widely circulated and were known as ‘Borden’s Scrip.'"
Borden was elected to the Assembly, session of February, 1746/7. When the Assembly organized he declined to take the oath required of members, and requested that his affirmation be accepted. This was refused, and he did not take his seat. He died two years later, leaving a son, William, and four daughters, Alice, Katherine, Sarah and Hannah.
William Borden (1689-1749) -
Abstract of Last Will and Testament
Son: William ("my manner plantation" and also 800 acres of land on Harlor's Creek and Core Creek). Daughters: Alice Stanton, Katherine Borden, Hannah Borden, Sarah Pratt. Nephew: William Borden. Brothers: Thomas Borden, Benjamin Borden. Sister: Amy Chase. Executors: Benjamin Borden, Henry Stanton (son-in-law), Susannah Borden (wife). Witnesses: Samuely Newby, Joseph Newby, Joseph Robinson. Will proven before Gab. Johnston, Governor, at Edenhouse. (Full Last Will and Testament below.)
NOTES: Alice was the first wife of Henry Stanton; they married about 1739. Katherine married Thomas Wright at the Core Sound Meeting House 19 Oct 1749. Hannah married John Mace Jr. Sarah married William Pratt about 1743.
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| 1863 Sketch by Herbert E. Valentine (4) From as early as 1798, Bogue Banks was known as Borden's Banks. |
Selected Court Records, Carteret Precinct
- Ordered that a bridle road be forthwith laid out from the plantation of Mr. Charles Cogdale to White Oak River at Mr. Borden's plantation and that the inhabitants of the south west of Newport River as well as those of White Oak River do give their labour in laying out the same, and that Charles Cogdall be overseer in the laying out of the said road. Register Book C, undated.
- The court appointed the following men to be a jury to lay out a road for the benefit of travel from Beaufort Town court house to the bounds of the Neuse: Capt. Henry Stanton, William Borden, Nicholas Briant, Richard Rustull, Francis Davis, John Shackelford Sr., John Shackelford Jr., Thomas Austin, John Smyth Cooper, James Bell, John Shaw, John Shackelford (Shaw)?, George Howard, Michael Pacquinet and Lon Kinner. March 1733/34 Court
- William Shewbrige came into open court and acknowledged a certain deed of sale to William Borden for land lying upon the north side of Newport River containing 120 acres whose date is the 8th day of December 1731. September 1735 Court
- William Shewbrige came into open court and acknowledged all right and title for two plots of land to William Borden bearing date May 17, 1729, the one lying on Bachelors Creek on the north side of Core Creek containing 300 acres and the other on Flagg Creek containing 490 acres. September 1735 Court
- Gorsham Howland came into open court and acknowledged all his right and title to William Borden of a certain plot of land surveyed by Winright Sept 24 1724, containing 600 acres lying on Core Creek proved and ordered to be registered. September 1735 Court
- Upon complaint of James Stewart, an apprentice to William Borden, that the said James is ill used, this court hath ordered that said Borden be cited to appear before the next court to make answer to said complaint and that the said James remain with Rachel Mugridge, mother of said James until the next court. June 1746 Court
- Henry Stanton exhibited an account as he is executor to William Borden decd. and examined by this court. September 1752
- On the prayer of Henry Stanton and William Borden, George McKean Esq and George Read are appointed to settle the account between the said Stanton and the estate of William Borden decd and in case they should not agree then David Shepard to settle the account and return to next court. December 5 1752 Court
William Borden Jr. 1731-1799
William Borden Jr., born February 6, 1731 in Tiverton, Rhode Island, inherited the “dwelling house and manor plantation” with all the old patent land and 800 acres to be laid out at Harlowe Creek. Borden Sr. left many acres of land on Borden Banks to be divided among his children and grandchildren.
On July 3, 1754, William Borden Jr. (1731–1799) married widow Comfort (Lovett) Small (1731[?]-1809) of Carteret County.
On July 3, 1754, William Borden Jr. (1731–1799) married widow Comfort (Lovett) Small (1731[?]-1809) of Carteret County.
William Jr. followed in his father’s footsteps and became prominent in town, county and colonial affairs. In 1765 records show that “a good Quaker” near Beaufort distilled turpentine and made other naval stores. He also continued the family shipbuilding business—becoming a leader of that industry in Carteret County.
His Front Street Beaufort home, the WILLIAM BORDEN HOUSE circa 1768, originally only one-room deep, could have been built years earlier. According to research by historian Jean Kell, William Borden Jr. purchased lot #24 at the corner of Front and Orange Streets in 1768; this property was “next to lot #23 where my house now stands.”
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Following the writing of the Declaration of Independence, the Fifth Provincial Congress met in Halifax, North Carolina on November 12, 1776. William Borden Jr. was selected as a delegate from Carteret County. Other delegates from Carteret County were Solomon Shepard, Brice Williams, John Easton and Thomas Chadwick. During that season the Bill of Rights was adopted—December 15, 1776.
The Order of the Day being read, the House proceeded to take under further consideration the Form of a Constitution to this State, when the same was read Paragraph by Paragraph, amended, passed, and ordered to be engrossed.
Resolved, That a fair and correct copy of the said Constitution and Bill of Rights, and signed by the President and Secretary, be transmitted to Mr James Davis, Printer of this State, with directions that he do immediately print and distribute a number of copies to each county in this State. (3)
Resolved, That a fair and correct copy of the said Constitution and Bill of Rights, and signed by the President and Secretary, be transmitted to Mr James Davis, Printer of this State, with directions that he do immediately print and distribute a number of copies to each county in this State. (3)
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| NC Archives & History |
WM. BORDEN TO THE COUNCIL & GOV. CASWELL.
[From Executive Letter Book.]
[From Executive Letter Book.]
October 2d, 1777
Respected friends, to Governor and Council, after kind and hearty respects to you all, be pleased to order your Commissioners of the salt works at Core's Sound, to deliver me a little salt for the use of the Company there, as they are obliged to live mostly upon fresh provisions, they cannot do without salt. It has taken considerable to serve them already, and I expect it will take a great deal more, in so doing you will greatly oblige your assured friend.
WILLIAM BORDEN
Please set a price on the salt.
Postscript
If the Governor & Council with the Assembly should think proper to take the salt works when offered to you, as I understand it is intended to be, and shall want a man to undertake to carry it on for the public, I offer myself to serve you, in that case believing myself to be quite capable to carry them on. Living very handy and quite convenient for that purpose. To conclude.
Your assured friend,
WILLIAM BORDEN
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From April 4–17, 1782, Loyalists, with a fleet lurking around Shackelford and Borden’s Banks, “skirmished” in and around the Beaufort area and at one time threatened to destroy the town. During the Loyalist advance, William Borden’s plantation and mill were burned and his slaves taken prisoner. When driven away by the Patriots, Loyalists released whalers and other prisoners but retained Mr. Borden’s slaves.
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Delegates from Carteret County to the NC state convention to ratify the United States Constitution in Hillsborough July 21–August 4, 1788 were: William Borden, Thomas Borden Jr., William Sheppard, Willis Styron and David Wallace.
1790 Census:
William Borden, Carteret County - 4 white males over 16, 3 white females and 43 slaves. Listed on census next to Stantons and Williams.
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William Borden died November 2, 1799, less than two months before the death of General George Washington. He was buried in a cemetery at Core Sound, Carteret County, NC. He left his wife Comfort Lovett (1731[?]-1809) and six children: four sons, John, who died at age 18 years; William* (1762-1843) born on the Harlowe's Creek plantation (north of Newport River), married Ann DeLaney; Benjamin** (1764-1825) married first Nancy Wallace, and second, Rebecca Staunton; and Joseph*** (1769-1825) who married Mrs Esther Wallace Easton; and two daughters, Alice (abt.1771-1843) married Colonel David Ward; and Hope (1774-1850) who married Asa Hatch of Jones County, NC. *William (1 Feb 1762 - 12 Oct 1843) was buried at Borden-Ennett Cemetery in Cedar Point, Carteret County, NC.
1800 census: William Borden, Carteret County - 1 white male and 8 slaves; 9 in household. Noted on "Bogue Sound including the south of Beaufort between ____Creek and Pettifield's Creek."
1820 census, William Borden Esquire was noted on Bogue Sound, Carteret County with 20 in his household, including 15 slaves.
**Weld wrote, "It was this Benjamin to whom his half-free slave 'Hycen' wished to sell back the free half. Hycen was a good deal of a sailor, and hired his time from his old master, Ben, for some years, and ran on his own account a small schooner up the Neuse River as far as New Berne, then the principal town of eastern North Carolina. From the profits of this schooner venture, Hycen bought a half interest in himself, still hiring of his master the other half. Not long after Hycen became half owner of himself, his schooner was caught in a violent squall at the mouth of Neuse River, which is there a wide estuary of the ocean, and he and his assistant (who constituted his crew) came very near going to the bottom. Hycen was profoundly affected, and when he reached port tied up his schooner, and went off to see his old master. After telling of his great peril and narrow escape, he said: 'Marse Ben, I want to sell my half back--nigger property is poor property.'"
1800 census: William Borden, Carteret County - 1 white male and 8 slaves; 9 in household. Noted on "Bogue Sound including the south of Beaufort between ____Creek and Pettifield's Creek."
1820 census, William Borden Esquire was noted on Bogue Sound, Carteret County with 20 in his household, including 15 slaves.
**Weld wrote, "It was this Benjamin to whom his half-free slave 'Hycen' wished to sell back the free half. Hycen was a good deal of a sailor, and hired his time from his old master, Ben, for some years, and ran on his own account a small schooner up the Neuse River as far as New Berne, then the principal town of eastern North Carolina. From the profits of this schooner venture, Hycen bought a half interest in himself, still hiring of his master the other half. Not long after Hycen became half owner of himself, his schooner was caught in a violent squall at the mouth of Neuse River, which is there a wide estuary of the ocean, and he and his assistant (who constituted his crew) came very near going to the bottom. Hycen was profoundly affected, and when he reached port tied up his schooner, and went off to see his old master. After telling of his great peril and narrow escape, he said: 'Marse Ben, I want to sell my half back--nigger property is poor property.'"
*** Weld wrote, "Joseph (1769-1825) was a Quaker, and late in his life set free all of his slaves except such as were entailed to his children. These he felt he had no right to set free. So though he divided a large landed estate to his heirs, he gave them no slaves. He made out his will April 4, 1823, and that will shows the most conscientious effort to divide his property fairly and equally among his children. By said will, he divided his large landed estate to his seven sons for life, specifying the tracts each son was to take--remainder over to the children of each son in equal parts. To his own daughter he gave money and bank stock; but gave her no land.
"Joseph married in 1795 Esther, widow of Capt. John Easton. Her maiden name was Esther Wallace, and she was a daughter of David Wallace and Mary Willis. David Wallace was the son of Robert Wallace and Esther West, whom he married in the Island of Guernsey about 1700. Robert Wallace was the son of a brother of Sir James Wallace, a colonel in the British army, whose estate lay in Argyleshire, Scotland, and was confiscated by the English government on account of his opinions, and his devotion to the Presbyterian side about the reign of Jame II. Robert Wallace was a surveyor and came to Virginia with Sir George Pollock about 1700.
"Joseph was born at the residence of his father on Newport River, May 5, 1769 and married Esther Wallace June 16, 1796. Joseph had been deprived of the advantages of a good education, owing to the disturbed state of the country during the Revolutionary War. He was, however, endowed by nature with good natural abilities, and a discriminating mind, which well qualified him for the performance of the various duties of life; and his diligent attention to business and persevering energy in whatever he undertook supplied in a great measure the deficiency of his early education. He settled upon the estate his father had occupied. But in consequence of the destruction of his father's improvements by the British, he was compelled to begin life with very limited means, and, necessarily, had to endure the hardships and privations incident to a country comparatively new, and then just recovering from the ravages of war.....he died at the old mansion house January 6, 1825 and was interred by the side of his father, near the old Friends' Meeting House."
1) In 1737 John Brickell, writing in his Natural History of North-Carolina, described Beaufort as a town with a pleasant prospect, but it was “small and thinly inhabited.” Even as late as 1748, the year after the town had been captured and occupied for a brief period by a band of Spanish privateers, the list of taxables for the whole county numbered only 320. Approximately one-tenth of these lived in Beaufort which would set the number of taxables at only 32 in that year. (Charles L. Paul, Colonial Beaufort 1965)
3) Minutes of the Provincial Congress of North Carolina, November 12, 1776–December 23, 1776.
4) Herbert E. Valentine Collection, Special Collections Department, Z. Smith Reynolds Library, Wake Forest University, Winston-Salem, North Carolina
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Last Will and Testament - William Borden Sr.
WILLIAM BORDEN, shipwright
Proved at Eden House August 1, 1749, before Gab Johnson, by the oath of Joseph Robinson and Sarah Newby.
I William Borden of Carteret County being indisposed of body, but of perfect mind. I
recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body to the earth to be decently buried.
......I desire that my children pay the arrears in quit rents on the property that I
have possessed them of. I give to my son William Borden 1,000 acres of
land with the plantation house where I now dwell, and should I have
another son by my wife Susannah Borden he is to share equally with my
son William. My wife to have one moiety of my estate with all movable
property during her life time. To my grand children, the children of my daughter Alice, two hundred acres of land on bogue banks. My son-in-law Henry Stanton to be repaid for the improvements he has made on the lands which has been to his use. To my son William Borden and two daughters Katherine and Hannah to receive property. also my grandchildren, children of my daughters Alice and Sarah. To my nephew William Borden, son of Joseph Borden of Rhode Island thirty pounds present money. to the children of my brother Thomas Borden thirty pounds, thirty pounds to paid to the children of my sister Amy Chase. To my Brother Benjamin for services rendered me. daughter Sarah Borden Pratt to have one shilling. Brother Benjamin and son-in-law Henry to be executors along with wife Susannah.
Witnessed: Samuel Newby, Sarah Newby and Joseph Robinson
William Borden
(Carteret County Wills 1700-1880 by Rebecca
Willis Sanders, 1996 revised edition)
Last Will and Testament - William Borden Jr.
WILLIAM BORDEN May 2, 1790 Proved November Court 1799
In the name of God, I William Borden, Senior of Carteret County, having in mind to settle my outward affairs while I am in health and perfect memory...I give to
my beloved wife Comfort Borden four negroes, during her natural life or
widowhood and two feather beds and furniture, twelve setting chairs,
two tables, two iron pots and hooks, two trammels, one copper tea kettle, one dutch oven, one dozen knives and forks, one dozen pewter plates, two platters or dishes, four pewter
cassons, her wriding mare and colt, saddle and bridle with one good
horse two carts, one yoke of oxen, chains and two plows, four steers, six yewes and lambs. the use of land, and her grain to be ground toll free. after the death of my wife, the use of the above mentioned articles are
to go to my two daughters, Alcey Ward and Hopey Hatch equally. The rest
of his property, which was imposing, including shipping vessels, debts owned on cash books, and quite a bit of land to go to the two sons William and Benjamin. his sister
Hannah Mace to have twenty dollars a year during her life time. his son
Joseph to share with the other two sons. sons William and Joseph Borden
to be executors.
Witnessed: Joseph Hill, Isaac Hill and Eaton Padwick
William Borden (seal)
(Carteret County Wills 1700-1880 by Rebecca
Willis Sanders, 1996 revised edition)
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From Heritage of Carteret County Vol. I
Transcribed as written by Mary Warshaw - January 2013
Corrections in red.
Transcribed as written by Mary Warshaw - January 2013
Corrections in red.
The Borden Family
by Francis Borden Mace
Sources: As quoted in article, The Borden Book in Bell House, Beaufort Restoration Grounds; The Mace Book and personal papers. Mr. Salter’s article based upon stories compiled by Mr. F.C. Salisbury; Material from The Borden Book furnished through the courtesy of Dana Borden Lacy of Greensboro.
Richard Borden, baptized in Hedcorn Parish, England on February 22, 1595, removed from the County of Kent, Old England in 1637. His voyage across the Atlantic brought him to the shores of New England. Richard Borden was a founding settler of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where he lived until his death on May 25, 1671. He was married to Joan Fowle, born February 15, 1604, died July 16, 1688, the daughter of Francis and Elis Fowle.
John Borden, son of Richard and Joan Fowle Borden, was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1640, and died there June 4, 1716. The name of John Borden of Quaker Hill, Rhode Island, was widely known. He became owner of large tracts of land in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. From 1680 to 1708, he frequently represented Portsmouth, R.I., in the General Assembly. John Borden married Mary Earle on December 25, 1670.
Richard Borden, baptized in Hedcorn Parish, England on February 22, 1595, removed from the County of Kent, Old England in 1637. His voyage across the Atlantic brought him to the shores of New England. Richard Borden was a founding settler of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, where he lived until his death on May 25, 1671. He was married to Joan Fowle, born February 15, 1604, died July 16, 1688, the daughter of Francis and Elis Fowle.
John Borden, son of Richard and Joan Fowle Borden, was born in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, in 1640, and died there June 4, 1716. The name of John Borden of Quaker Hill, Rhode Island, was widely known. He became owner of large tracts of land in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Delaware. From 1680 to 1708, he frequently represented Portsmouth, R.I., in the General Assembly. John Borden married Mary Earle on December 25, 1670.
William Borden, the son of John and his wife Mary Earle, was born in Portsmouth, R.I., on August 15, 1689 and died in Carteret County, N.C. in the year of 1748. He became known as William Borden the Shipbuilder. He married Alice Hull, daughter of William Hull Esq. of Jamestown, R.I. at the Friends Meeting House in Newport, R.I., July 7, 1715. Ten Bordens and eight Hulls signed the marriage certificate. [NOTE: Carteret Monthly Meeting recorded William Borden Sr. died 1749 "3 mo. 2d."]
Attracted by the excellence and low cost of lumber in the South, William Borden and his wife Alice sailed on a schooner from Tiverton, Rhode Island to North Carolina in 1732 with a group of Quakers who settled on Core Sound on a stream which they named Newport in memory of the Rhode Island town they had left behind. There on the Newport River at a point near Beaufort, they formed a settlement and William Borden was soon building vessels for his friends and customers up North. He was one of the South’s pioneer shipbuilders and employed a large number of men from Rhode Island, who would travel south in the winter season year after year to work as lumbermen and shipbuilders. Most returned north before the heat of North Carolina’s summers became oppressive.
William Borden, as a respected citizen in his adopted state, was elected in 1746 as a member of the North Carolina General Assembly. A Quaker, he declined to be sworn in and his request that his affirmation of office be accepted instead was denied and he was not allowed to take his seat. He died two years later in 1748 [1749], in Carteret County on the banks of the Newport River, leaving a son, William Jr., and four daughters, Alice, Catherine, Hope and Hannah, the last of whom was born in North Carolina. [Sarah was the fourth daughter.] Hannah Borden married John Mace Jr., the son of John Mace, who, when he was twenty years old, sailed in 1635 from England across the Atlantic Ocean aboard the ship America, to the New World. Descendant of this union still reside in Carteret County. [NOTE: Hope was a niece, daughter of William's brother Benjamin - Core Sound Meeting records: 4-12-1750
Henry Stanton son of Henry and Mary his former wife, and Hope Borden
daughter of Benjamin Borden and Ruth his wife, late of, and from Boston
in New England, now of Carteret County, North Carolina, married.
Witnesses—Lydia, Mary, Catherine, Benjamin, Henry and Joseph Stanton and
21 others.]
William Borden’s only son, William Borden Jr., a successful planter, represented Carteret County as a delegate to the first Provincial Congress at Halifax, N.C., 1775, to resolve independence of England. He was elected a member of the General Assembly which met in Hillsborough, N.C., in November 1788, when the Constitution of the State was written and adopted and North Carolina, after insisting on a Bill of Rights, joined the new American nation.
Bryan Salter in an October 3, 1974, article in The News-Times, indicated that while there is the probability that other Dissenters came to Carteret County earlier, “it seems that the Quakers in 1732, were the first organized group of Dissenters to arrive.” In 1733 the Core Sound Monthly Meeting was started. “Several families of Friends being settled on Newport River, N.C., well concerned for truth, thought it their duty to meet together, which was concluded on by us and to meet together on the first day of the week and first day of the eighth month at the house of William Borden.”
According to Mr. Salter, William Borden I, seems to have been the Quaker leader for some ninety families which settled along Newport River. “He was a pious and devout person. Since William Borden I, and later his son William II were chosen as representatives from Carteret, by those with the franchise, it would indicate a degree of religious toleration among the populous.”
According to Mr. Salter, William Borden I, seems to have been the Quaker leader for some ninety families which settled along Newport River. “He was a pious and devout person. Since William Borden I, and later his son William II were chosen as representatives from Carteret, by those with the franchise, it would indicate a degree of religious toleration among the populous.”
William Borden II became a leading “Whig” statesman in Carteret during the Revolution, but his attitude toward other matters would change. Contrary to popular belief, according to Mr. Salter, William Borden II was not a “good” Quaker like his father. It has been said of him that “he became a planter, and being a Friend, as his father before him, he was opposed to Negro slavery and therefore carried on the business of his plantation with hands hired for the purpose.” Borden did hire hands for his shipbuilding industry, but not to work his plantation, unless it was as overseers. He as so many Southerners in the Revolution was caught between contradictory positions: fighting for his “liberty” while denying freedom to others. By 1790, he was the largest slave owner in Carteret, with 43 slaves.
Salter states that the Quaker qualities of hard work, frugality and honesty contributed to their business success and that the Quaker families of Borden and Stanton became very prosperous and the largest landowners in Carteret with the Borden family owning over 21,000 acres.
The Borden family grew in numbers and spread across the state and country with important contingents in North Carolina, settling in Goldsboro, Winston-Salem and Wilson. Three Goldboro Bordens maintain summer homes in Morehead City. Dr. Richard W. Borden, with the name of the first Borden in America, now practices medicine and lives in Morehead City, with is daughter Miriah. From Wilson, Mr. and Mrs. Sydnor J. Borden came to make their permanent home at Gull Harbor.
The Borden family since it first arrived in Carteret County in 1732, as part of the Society of Friends, continues in many occupations with many different religious beliefs as part of the growing community.
From Heritage of Carteret County Vol. I
Transcribed as written by Mary Warshaw - January 2013
(some duplicated from the above)
William Borden Sr. and Alice Hull Borden
By Helen Russell Garner
By Helen Russell Garner
Sources: N.C. History, Vol I, Vol IV; Colonial Records of N.C.; Borden Genealogy; Austin’s General Dictionary of Rhode Island; N.C. History, Vol 18; William’s Marriage Quaker Records; Colonial Records, Newport Historical Society; Rhode Island Monthly Records 1707/8 to 1739; HInshaw, Quaker Records, Carteret County Library, Beaufort, N.C.
Richard Borden came from England c.1635 with his wife and two oldest children. He went to Portsmouth, Rhode Island where he settled shortly after coming to America. He was a surveyor and owned large land grants in Portsmouth, and in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Richard Borden came from England c.1635 with his wife and two oldest children. He went to Portsmouth, Rhode Island where he settled shortly after coming to America. He was a surveyor and owned large land grants in Portsmouth, and in Monmouth County, New Jersey.
Lineage as follows:
· Henry Borden b. circa 1370-80 married Ribergia ______.Thomas died 1469, married Isabella _______. John married Bennett Tornor, William died 1531, married first Joan, second Thomasia. Edmond died 1533, married Margaret. Thomas died 1592. Matthew died 1620, married Joan Reeder.
· Richard Borden (1), son of Matthew and Joan Reeder, bp.February 22, 1595-6 Headkorn County, Kent, England, married August 28, 1625 Joan Fowle born 1604, died 1688, daughter of Anthony and Joan Whitfield, died May 26, 1671 Portsmouth, R.I.
· Children (1) Richard born July 9, 1626 died young. (2) Thomas bp.October 3, 1627, married Mary Harris. (3) Francis bp.December 23, 1628. (4) Mary bp.January 13, 1632-3, married John Cook. (5) Elizabeth bp.May 25, 1634 died young. (6) Matthew born May 1639 married Sarah Clayton. (7) John born September 1640 married Mary Earle. (8) Joseph born July 3, 1643 married Hope. (9) Sarah born May 1644 married Jonathan Holmes. (10) Samuel born July 1645 married Elizabeth Cross. (11) Benjamin born May 1649 married Abigail Grover. (12) Amy born February 1654 married William Richardson.
· John (2) Borden, son of Richard and Joanna Fowle, born September 1640 died June 4, 1716 Portsmouth, R.I., married December 25, 1670 Mary Earle, daughter of William and Mary Walker, born 1655 died June 1734. Children: (1) Richard born October 25, 1671 married Innocent Cornell. (2) John born 1675 married Sarah Earle. (3) Amy born May 30, 1678 married Benjamin Chase. (4) Joseph born December 3, 1680 married Sarah Brownell. (5) Thomas born December 13, 1682 married Mary Briggs. (6) Hope born March 3, 1685 married William Almy Jr. (7) Mary born 1684 married Thomas Potts. (8) William born August 15, 1689 married Alice Hull. (9) Benjamin 1692 married Zerviah Winter.
· Richard Borden (1), son of Matthew and Joan Reeder, bp.February 22, 1595-6 Headkorn County, Kent, England, married August 28, 1625 Joan Fowle born 1604, died 1688, daughter of Anthony and Joan Whitfield, died May 26, 1671 Portsmouth, R.I.
· Children (1) Richard born July 9, 1626 died young. (2) Thomas bp.October 3, 1627, married Mary Harris. (3) Francis bp.December 23, 1628. (4) Mary bp.January 13, 1632-3, married John Cook. (5) Elizabeth bp.May 25, 1634 died young. (6) Matthew born May 1639 married Sarah Clayton. (7) John born September 1640 married Mary Earle. (8) Joseph born July 3, 1643 married Hope. (9) Sarah born May 1644 married Jonathan Holmes. (10) Samuel born July 1645 married Elizabeth Cross. (11) Benjamin born May 1649 married Abigail Grover. (12) Amy born February 1654 married William Richardson.
· John (2) Borden, son of Richard and Joanna Fowle, born September 1640 died June 4, 1716 Portsmouth, R.I., married December 25, 1670 Mary Earle, daughter of William and Mary Walker, born 1655 died June 1734. Children: (1) Richard born October 25, 1671 married Innocent Cornell. (2) John born 1675 married Sarah Earle. (3) Amy born May 30, 1678 married Benjamin Chase. (4) Joseph born December 3, 1680 married Sarah Brownell. (5) Thomas born December 13, 1682 married Mary Briggs. (6) Hope born March 3, 1685 married William Almy Jr. (7) Mary born 1684 married Thomas Potts. (8) William born August 15, 1689 married Alice Hull. (9) Benjamin 1692 married Zerviah Winter.
William Borden in early Quaker records requested a certificate at the monthly meeting held 31st of the 5th month 1733 to settle their family in North Carolina. On 28th January 1738 the certificate was read in the Core Sound Meeting. William Borden and Alice Hull of Jamestown were married July 7, 1715. William Borden was the eighth child of John Borden and Mary Earle, daughter of William and Mary Walker Earle.
In the will of John Borden he left his son William Borden 1000 acres of land in Pennsylvania. William Borden is listed Freeman in 1715.
In the will of John Borden he left his son William Borden 1000 acres of land in Pennsylvania. William Borden is listed Freeman in 1715.
William Borden by petition to the General Assembly Rhode Island requested help in “carrying on of the duck trade is very chargeable, and will be unable to carry on the same unless I have some help from this Colony, and grant some assistance so that trade will not be lost.” The General Assembly gave the sum of £3000 in bills of credit, signed by trustees of the Colony “to let the same out to the sd. William Borden; he giving good and sufficient security, such as the trustees shall accept without interest, and to pay the same at the end of ten years. It is further ordered, the sd. William Borden make or cause to be made, the quantity of One hundred and fifty bolts of good merchantable duck yearly, and every year, during the foresaid term of ten years.”
William Borden and his family settled 1732 on Core Sound, Carteret Precinct. The river from then on was called Newport in honor of the town from whence he had come. Prior to coming to Carteret, he was one of the foremost shipbuilders of the North. It is a matter of history that his shipbuilding operations in Rhode Island were so extensive that the State Legislature, in order to stop the importation of duck cloth for sailing ships from Holland, gave him exclusive privilege for ten years “the making of duck.”
William with his family continued in Carteret County in the shipbuilding industry. Here he found virgin forests yielding the finest quality of timber of oak, cedar and pine. In order to continue as a shipbuilder he brought large numbers of skilled workers from Rhode Island to North Carolina. Until they became acclimated to the heat they were compelled to return north for the summer.
William Borden represented Carteret County in the General Assembly 1745-47 in New Bern, N.C. He was active in all public affairs. He was requested to bring to Core Sound Meeting bounty (money) to help establish meeting in Carteret County.
William Borden Sr. and Henry Stanton were brothers-in-law. Mary Hull, wife of Henry Stanton Sr. and Alice Hull, wife of William Borden were sisters. Their sons and daughters married their cousins creating double first cousins.
William Borden Sr. left thousands of acres of land to his children in Carteret County, some being the Banks—then known as Borden Banks.
William with his family continued in Carteret County in the shipbuilding industry. Here he found virgin forests yielding the finest quality of timber of oak, cedar and pine. In order to continue as a shipbuilder he brought large numbers of skilled workers from Rhode Island to North Carolina. Until they became acclimated to the heat they were compelled to return north for the summer.
William Borden represented Carteret County in the General Assembly 1745-47 in New Bern, N.C. He was active in all public affairs. He was requested to bring to Core Sound Meeting bounty (money) to help establish meeting in Carteret County.
William Borden Sr. and Henry Stanton were brothers-in-law. Mary Hull, wife of Henry Stanton Sr. and Alice Hull, wife of William Borden were sisters. Their sons and daughters married their cousins creating double first cousins.
William Borden Sr. left thousands of acres of land to his children in Carteret County, some being the Banks—then known as Borden Banks.
It is to be regretted that this Quaker, who was conscientious and laboring for what he considered the rights of the people’s best interest, was refused a seat in the Assembly when he refused to swear an oath, but would make an affirmation. He was not allowed to take his seat.
He died 1748 [1749], doubtless dejected that the shortsightedness in the North Carolina Colony caused all his efforts to go for naught.
The Borden Milk Company was established by direct descendants of William and Mary Hull Borden. They are buried without markers at the Core Sound Meeting House Burial Grounds, back of Tuttle Grove’s Methodist Church.
He died 1748 [1749], doubtless dejected that the shortsightedness in the North Carolina Colony caused all his efforts to go for naught.
The Borden Milk Company was established by direct descendants of William and Mary Hull Borden. They are buried without markers at the Core Sound Meeting House Burial Grounds, back of Tuttle Grove’s Methodist Church.
