The following information was assembled from numerous sources and cannot be used directly as proof of Qualifying Service or Lineage.
It is considered a research aid and is intended to assist in locating sources that can be used as proof.
State of Service: NC
Qualifying Service: Civil Service
James Badgett was born between 1750 and 1755 in Granville County, North Carolina, the son of Roger and Elizabeth [maiden name unknown] Badgett. He was most likely descended from English settlers of Virginia.
He married Nanny Freeman in about 1775. Nanny Freeman would have been 16 at the time. A DAR application reported a marriage date of 1781 without any supporting documentation. This DAR application also estimated James’s birth year to be 1760. A further investigation by the DAR revealed that the 1781 suggested marriage date was based on the suggested birthdate. However, the 1800 census of Surry County, North Carolina, clearly showed that James was born before 1755. The 1830 census of Blount County, Tennessee, showed that James was born between 1750 and 1760. Combining the two, one can see that he was born between 1750 and 1755, which allows for an earlier marriage date. This is significant because James’ daughter, Lucy, married Edward Lovell on 29 December 1794. The best estimate of Lucy’s birth year is between 1775 and 1780.
The family moved to Surry County, North Carolina, during the mid-1770s.
A DAR applicant claimed that Nanny (Freeman) Badgett died in about 1811 in Surry County, North Carolina. DAR staff genealogists modified this to show that she died before 1822, probably in Surry County, North Carolina. On 2 October 1822, he married Fanny Williams in Knox County, Tennessee. James died before Apr. 1835 in Knox County, Tennessee [date Will was proven in court]. On 19 May 1835, Fanny (Williams) Badgett married John W. Singleton in Knox County, Tennessee.
James Badgett’s Revolutionary War involvement was comprised of Public Service. He served as overseer of a road that was being built [and maintained] in Surry County, North Carolina, on 14 May 1779. Although not cited in DAR applications, the records of Surry County, North Carolina, also show jury duty for James.
He was a Lieutenant in the Surry County, North Carolina Militia in 1774. This was too early to be recognized as military service by the SAR or DAR. This strengthens the case that James was born in the early 1750s rather than in about 1760.
Family: (Generation 9) The 1790 census of Surry County, North Carolina (p. 183) showed the James Badgett family as 1-3-3. This household contained one male born before 1774, three males born 1774-90, and three females. He owned seven enslaved people. The count of his children is a bit off. James Badgett had two sons and three daughters living in 1790, so one of the daughters must have been counted in the male under 16 category.
The 1800 census of Surry County, North Carolina (p. 675) showed the Badgett family as 30201-01010- This household contained one male born before 1755, one female born 1755-74, two males born 1774-84, one female born 1784-90, and three males born 1790-1800.
The 1810 census of Surry County, North Carolina of Surry County, North Carolina (p. 170) showed the Badgett family as 01201-00001. This household contained one male born before 1765, one female born before 1765, two males born 1784-94, and one male born 1794-1800. He owned 17 enslaved people. This proves that Nanny (Freeman) Badgett was still living in 1810.
Since he was not enumerated in the 1820 census of Surry County, North Carolina, we can conclude that James left Surry County, North Carolina, before that time [or was skipped]. His whereabouts when the 1820 census was taken have not been determined. He was probably living in either Knox County, Tennessee, or Blount County, Tennessee. The 1820 census for these counties no longer exists. By 1822, he was in Knox County, Tennessee, where he married his second wife, Fanny Williams.
The 1830 census of Blount County, Tennessee (p. 275) showed the Badget family as 1000000001-01001- This household consisted of one male born 1750-60, one female born 1800-10, one female born 1820-25; and one male born 1825-30.
The will of James Badgett (Knox County, Tennessee Will Book 5, p. 356-357), dated Nov. 15, 1833, and entered into probate in April 1835, stated:
“Secondly, I have heretofore given to my children, Abraham Badgett, Samuel Badgett, James Badgett Jr., Lucy Lovell dec and late wife of Edward Lovell, Elizabeth Pryor wife of William Pryor, Ransom Badgett, and Rebecca Horn, wife of Nicholas Horn their portions and shares of my estate and therefore now give and bequeath to each of them or their heirs one dollar.”
The balance of the estate went to his widow. His executor was his widow, Fanny Badgett. James Badgett owned seven enslaved people in 1833. Some Badgett genealogists have added two more children: William Badgett and Burrell Freeman Badgett. The 1800 census suggested that there was an additional son, but if so, he must have been either deceased or disinherited by 1833. The 1830 census suggested that James and Fanny (Williams) Badgett may have had two children, not named in the will. This is possible since they would have been minors, and the whole estate was left to their mother.
James and Nanny (Freeman) Badgett had the following known children [Note: Estimated birth years derived from internet data have been added to the following list.]:
Lucy was born about 1777 and married Edward Lovell.
Ransom was born in 1780 and married Nancy Carloss.
Elizabeth was born about 1782 and married 1) Robert Cole Don Carlos and 2) William Pryor.
William was born about 1784 and died after 1850), Since William was not named in the Will of James Badgett (d 1835), one cannot rule out the possibility that he was the son of someone else. A man named William Badgett married on 14 August 1809 in Blount County, Tennessee to Phebe Braze. He may have been placed in this family by some genealogists because he lived in the same vicinity as James Badgett (d 1835). [age 0-16 in 1790 with father, age 16-26 in 1800 with father, if the son of James, gone in 1810]
Rebecca was born in about 1785 and married Nicholas Horn.
Samuel was born after 1790, some suggest about 1788, but this doesn’t match the 1800 census.
Abraham was born after 1790 (some suggest about 1789, but this doesn’t match the census) and married Meakey Holder.
Burrell was born about 1791 and married Lucy Forkner. Since Burrell Freeman Badgett was NOT named in the will of James Badgett (d 1835), one can not rule out the possibility that he was the son of someone else. He may have been placed in this family by some genealogists because he lived in the same vicinity as James Badgett (d 1835) and supposedly had the middle name of Freeman. [not in 1800 or 1810 census with James].
James Jr. was born in 1795 and married Susan Harris.
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