The Family › Temple–Catchings › Spears
Elizabeth Spears
✦ direct ancestor — Owen's 6×-great-grandmother · Carpenter line
Parents
Marriage & children
Life as they lived it
Not the dates — the person. What the records happen to show of work, habits, possessions and the odd episode. Each line says where it comes from.
1785 Widowed in early 1785 and named one of her husband's executors, she married Ezra Morrison by 1793; when she died, her Carpenter and Morrison children were her heirs together.
episode · Lincoln County will of John Carpenter (1785), and Lincoln and Casey County deeds of 1793 and 1843, read on the image
Records behind this page
Casey County, Kentucky, deed book: John Bright and wife, Lindsey Powell and wife Margaret, Polly Patton and others, heirs at law of Elizabeth Morrison, widow of John Carpenter, to George Carpenter, deed of 14 Jul 1843 (Kentucky deeds; image via FamilySearch)
p. 620 (continued on the next page); FamilySearch image ark 3:1:3Q9M-CSTP-WWW9-6
read the transcript
[Read on the image 3 Nov 2026 (register K1615): p. 620 from the opening to 'One Dollar in hand'.] This Indenture of Bargain sale and Conveyance made and entered into this 14th day of July 1843 between John Bright and Elizabeth his wife late Elizabeth Morrison, Lindsey Powell & Margaret his wife late Margaret Carpenter, Polly Patton, William P. Tate & Eliza his wife late Eliza Morrison, William Morrison & Harriet his wife, Tilman Hocker & Sarah W. his wife late Sarah W Morrison, Logan Morrison & Harriett Morrison the heirs at law of John Morrison deceased and Ezra Morrison heir at law of William Morrison deceased all of the County of Lincoln State of Kentucky except Lindsey Powell & Margaret his wife, who are of the County of Casey State aforesaid parties of the first part and George Carpenter of the County of Lincoln and State of Kentucky of the other part. Witnesseth. Whereas Ezra Morrison and wife during her life Conveyed by Deed to said George Carpenter a certain tract or parcel of land, containing four hundred acres be the same more or less Pattented in the name of John Carpenter who devised the same to his wife Elizabeth Carpenter who afterwards intermarried with Ezra Morrison. and whereas it is found said Conveyance is deffective and does not pass to said George Carpenter the fee simple legal title to said tract of four hundred acres of land - And Whereas the parties of the first part being the heirs at law & legal representatives of the said Elizabeth Morrison who was the widow of said John Carpenter dec'd being willing to release quit Claim and convey to the said George Carpenter all right title interest and Claim which they have or are entitled to in and to said tract of four hundred acres of land: Now in consideration of the premises and the further consideration of One Dollar in hand ...
Lincoln County, Kentucky, deed book: Conrad Carpenter, executor, and Ezra Morrison, who married Elizabeth Carpenter, executrix of John Carpenter deceased, to Adam Carpenter, deed of 10 Aug 1793 (Kentucky deeds; image via FamilySearch)
pp. 212-213; FamilySearch collection 3155869, image ark 3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-W3GC-X
read the transcript
[Read on the image 3 Nov 2026 (register K1611): the opening and the testimonium; the bounds from the machine transcript.] This Indenture made this tenth day of August One Thousand seven hundred and ninety three by and Between Conrod Carpenter Executor and Ezra Morrison who Married Elizabeth Carpenter Executrix of John Carpenter Deceased of Lincoln County & State of Kentucky of the one part and Adam Carpenter of the County and State aforesaid of the other part ... two hundred acres being part of the said John Carpenter Decd Preemption ... the South West corner of John Carpenters Settlement ... In Witness Whereof the said Conrod Carpenter Executor and the said Ezra Morris who married Elizabeth Carpenter Executrix of John Carpenter Decd have hereunto set their hands ...
Lincoln County, Kentucky, deed book: John Bright and wife and other heirs of Elizabeth Morrison to George Carpenter, deed of 14 Jul 1843 (Kentucky deeds; image via FamilySearch)
pp. 195-196; FamilySearch image ark 3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-4QXV-K
read the transcript
[Read on the image 3 Nov 2026 (register K1616): p. 195, the grantors and the recital.] This Indenture of bargain sale and Conveyance made and entered into this 14th day of July 1843 Between John Bright & Elizabeth his wife & William P. Tate & Eliza his wife late Eliza Morrison & William Morrison & Harriet his wife two of the heirs at law of John Morrison dec'd and Ezra Morrison heir at law of William Morrison dec'd all of the County of Lincoln and State of Kentucky of the one part and George Carpenter ... of the other part Witnesseth Whereas Elizabeth Morrison, Mary Patton & Margaret Powell by deed dated 24th day of June 1819 conveyed to George Carpenter all their right title interest and claim in and to a tract of Two hundred and thirty one acres ... and also ... Two hundred and Sixty acres ... on Carpenters Creek ... and whereas it is feared that said deeds of Conveyance ... on the part of Elizabeth Morrison is defective and that her Right title & claim to said tracts of land did not pass by said Conveyances And the said parties of the first part [interlined: a part] of the heirs at law of said Elizabeth Morrison who is now dead being willing to release relinquish & quit claim to the said George Carpenter ...
Lincoln County, Kentucky, deed book: release by the legal heirs of Christina and George Spears to Elizabeth (Spears) Holliday of the girl Fanny, 5 May 1818 (Kentucky deeds; image via FamilySearch)
pp. 117-118; FamilySearch film 008141351, image 125, ark 3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-WQZW-H
read the transcript
[Read on the image 3 Nov 2026 (register K1619): in full.] Know all men by these presents that whereas Christean Spears widow & relict of George Spears Deceased did in her life time bestow & give to her Grand daughter Elizabeth Spears now Elizabeth Holliday a certain negro Girl by the name of Fanny now this therefore Certifies that we the under signed being legal heirs of the aforsaid Christianna & George Spears Deceased do hereby freely relinquish all claim to the aforsaid Girl Fanny in favour of the said Elizabeth Spears now Elizabeth Holliday & to her heirs forever freely resigning & confirming all right & title due us as heirs aforsaid from ourselves & our heirs or any other person or persons Claiming by or through us to the said Elizabeth Holliday & her legal heirs forever in Witness whereof we hereunto set our our hands & seals this fifth day of May 1818. [Witnesses] John Morrison, David Newman, Ambrose Lee. [Signed] John Spears, Johnathan Newman, Elizabeth (her mark) Morrison, David [his mark?] Spears, George Spears, Jacob Spears jun, John Spears, George L Carter. I do Certify that at a County Court holden for Lincoln County on the day of July 1818 the foregoing bill of sale was proven to be the act & deed of John Spears Johnathan Newman Elizabeth Morrison David [S]pears George Spears Jacob Spears John Spears & George L Carter by the oaths of John Morrison & on the 14th day of September 1818 the same was also proven to be their act & Deed by the oath of Ambrose Lee ...
Lincoln County, Kentucky, Will Book A: will of John Carpenter, dated 19 Nov 1784, proved 15 Feb 1785 (Kentucky, Probate Records, 1727-1990; images via FamilySearch)
Will Book A pp. 83-87; Lincoln, 'Will records, Index, 1781-1791, Vol. A'; image arks 3:1:33SQ-GP3V-7VQ, 3:1:33SQ-GP3V-7XT, 3:1:33SQ-GP3V-7X4
read the transcript
[Read on the image 3 Nov 2026 (register K1614): pp. 83-87 in full except the metes and bounds.] I John Carpenter of Lincoln County being in a low state of bodily health, but of a sound disposed Mind and Memory ... First I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Elizabeth Carpenter all that Tract ... I also give and bequeath to my son George Carpenter four hundred Acres of Land ... my Settlement Tract whereon I now live ... I also give and Bequeath to my Daughter Margaret Carpenter four hundred and thirty five Acres being a part of my Preemption, laying South and South Eastwardly of my Settlement ... I also give and Bequeath to my daughter Mary Carpenter Two hundred and sixty five Acres ... until my son George Carpenter shall arrive at the Age of Twenty One Years ... equally divided between my wife Elizabeth Carpenter and my Three Children Vizt, my two daughters Margaret & Mary Carpenter and my son George Carpenter. I give and bequeath to my Brother George Carpenter the sum of Ten pounds to be paid by my Executors for the purposes of Educating & Schooling his Children - I also give and bequeath to my Brother Adam Carpenter an Entry or Location which I have of One hundred Acres ... I do hereby appoint my beloved wife Elizabeth Carpenter, Conrad Carpenter and Adam Carpenter to be my Executors ... this 19th day of November 1784. John Carpenter (LS). At a Court held for Lincoln County the 15th day of February 1785 this Will was proved by the Oaths of Isaac Shelby, James Cophedge & John Litter[?] Witnesses thereto ... on the Motion of Elizabeth Carpenter, Conrad Carpenter & Adam Carpenter the Executrix and Executors therein named, Certificate is granted them ...
Rockingham County, Virginia, Will book 1803-1862 (typescript): will of George Spears, dated 14 Oct 1796, proved November Court 1803 (Virginia, Wills and Deeds; image via FamilySearch)
typed p. 3; FamilySearch film 007646062, image 33 of 213, ark 3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-LSFN-2
read the transcript
[Read on the image 3 Nov 2026 (register K1620): the bequests, the legacy to two daughters, the executors, the date and the probate. A TYPED COPY of a damaged original; the typist's dashes mark words not read.] ... the money arising from the Sale of said land One third thereof to be paid unto my beloved wife Christenah and the Other two thirds to Equally divided amongst my children that is to say my daughter Elizabeth wife of Aeher Morrison ------- on Jacob Speers, my daughter -------George Speer's my daughter hannah wife ------- Newman my son John Speer's my Son David S----- and to my daughter Sarah wife of John Ra---- The said third part to be paid to my said wife at the several payments ... I further will and bequeathe unto my named daughters Catherine Carpenter a-- Mary Rife Thirty Pounds each in eash--- be paid them by my Executors exclusive o- their equal Lagacy provided they do no- Obtain the lands now in Law in Kentu--- ... my beloved wife Christenah Spears my Beloved firend John Rader & my beloved Son David Spears to be my lawful Executrix and Executors of this my last will and testament ... This 14th day of October One Thousand Seven hundred and ninety six. George Speers (Seal). [Witnesses] Jno. Barnett, Christian S Sites (his mark), Elizabeth X Sites (her mark). Rockingham November Court 1803. The last will and Testament of George Spears and was Presented in Court and Proven by the Oaths of Christian Sites and Elizabeth Sites two witnesses Thereto and Ordered to be recorded and on the motion ----- John Rader and Christenah Spears Executor ... a bo-- in the sum of forty thousand dollars
Research notes
Working notes from the research, kept verbatim — what was read, what it proved, what stays open. Many open with a line grading the parentage; what the grades mean.
Research note · 3 Nov 2026
PROOF CLASS: FATHER = DIRECT (Owen, 3 Nov 2026) - George Spears's 1796 will names 'my daughter Elizabeth wife of Aeher [Ezra] Morrison' (K1620); his heirs' release of 1818 is signed by Elizabeth Morrison (K1619).
PROOF CLASS: MOTHER = ARGUMENT (Owen, 3 Nov 2026) - in 1818 she signs as one of the 'legal heirs of the aforsaid Christianna & George Spears Deceased' (K1619); a stepchild was no heir of a stepmother.
FATHER AND MOTHER: GEORGE SPEARS of Rockingham County, Virginia (dead by November 1803), and his wife CHRISTINA (Christenah), dead by May 1818. George's will, dated 14 Oct 1796 and proved at the Rockingham November Court 1803, survives as a typed copy of a damaged original (Will book 1803-1862, p. 3; K1620, read on the image). It divides two thirds of his land money 'amongst my children that is to say my daughter Elizabeth wife of Aeher Morrison', Jacob, George, Hannah 'wife ------- Newman', John, David and 'Sarah wife of John Ra----', and leaves thirty pounds each to 'my named daughters Catherine Carpenter a-- Mary Rife'. 'Aeher' is the typist's reading; no Asher Morrison is known, and this Elizabeth had married Ezra Morrison by 1793 (K1611). IDENTITY: on 5 May 1818 'the under signed being legal heirs of the aforsaid Christianna & George Spears Deceased' released to a granddaughter a girl, Fanny, whom Christina had given her; the signers are John, David, George and Jacob Spears, Johnathan Newman, George L Carter and 'Elizabeth (her mark) Morrison', and John Morrison is a witness (Lincoln County deed book pp. 117-118; K1619, read on the image). In Lincoln County in 1818 the Elizabeth Morrison who was a Spears heir can only be the daughter the will names: Ezra's own daughter Elizabeth (b. 1797) was no heir of the Spearses while her mother lived, and her mother was alive in June 1819 (K1617). MOTHER, BY ARGUMENT: the will calls Christenah only 'my beloved wife'; the children sign as heirs of 'Christianna & George' together, and a stepchild could not inherit from a stepmother. Christina's own surname is unknown (the family papers say Hardwin, another compiled history Timmerman). A compiled Bright family history says the same as the will and is not relied on (K1621).
AUDITED 3 Nov 2026 - ELIZABETH (SPEARS), wife of John Carpenter [3148] of Carpenter's Station, Lincoln County, Kentucky, and after his death wife of Ezra Morrison. BORN ELIZABETH SPEARS, daughter of George and Christina Spears (above) and sister of [734] Catherine, who married Adam Carpenter. She signed by mark (K1619). WIFE OF JOHN CARPENTER: his will of 19 Nov 1784 gives land 'to my beloved Wife Elizabeth Carpenter' and appoints 'my beloved wife Elizabeth Carpenter, Conrad Carpenter and Adam Carpenter to be my Executors'; it was proved 15 Feb 1785 on the motion of 'Elizabeth Carpenter, Conrad Carpenter & Adam Carpenter the Executrix and Executors' (K1614). WIFE OF EZRA MORRISON BY 10 AUG 1793: a deed of that day is made by 'Ezra Morrison who Married Elizabeth Carpenter Executrix of John Carpenter Deceased' (K1611), and on 29 May 1819 Ezra Morrison and his wife Elizabeth join John Carpenter's heirs in a Lincoln deed (K1608). DEAD BY 14 JUL 1843: deeds of that day speak of 'said Elizabeth Morrison who is now dead' (K1616) and of 'the heirs at law & legal representatives of the said Elizabeth Morrison who was the widow of said John Carpenter dec'd' (K1615). MOTHER of [3541] Margaret (Mrs Lindsey Powell), by argument - see Margaret's note. Her Morrison heirs are not in this tree; the 1843 deeds name the Brights, Tates, Hockers and Morrisons without saying which are children and which grandchildren.
Elsewhere
This person on Ancestry (sign-in required)