This information is contributed by Margarette Stout

BENJAMIN ASKEW – 1747 – 1831

James Henry Askew wrote in Waldo, Arkansas, November 11, 1926:

“My great grandfather Benjamin Askew was born in Jones County, North 
Carolina in 1747. This is as far back as I have any knowledge of the 
Askew family, and this was told me by my father.  He remembered his 
grandfather, Benjamin Askew quite well and frequently told me he was a 
Dutchman. Askew is English, but you can’t tell a man’s nationality by his 
name. My great grandfather, Benjamin, was a Revolutionary soldier and 
served part of his service under General Anthony Wayne. He was at one 
time during his service as a soldier placed as a picket with others on the 
opposite side of a river from where the American Army was camped, with 
orders that if the red coats came in sight to fire on them, throw their 
guns in the river, and swim to the American side. Before they swam to the 
other side bullets of the enemy were striking the water near them as they 
swam, but none were killed. On another occasion Benjamin was with American 
troops who captured a British camp and a good lot of supplies, among which 
was a good supply of good old Jamacia rum. My great grandfather Benjamin 
Askew died in Jones County, North Carolina, in 1831. My grand-father, Jo-- 
and my father James Edward Askew and my uncle Benjamin Franklin Askew were 
at his house when he died, at the age of 84. It is a remarkable fact that 
B. F. Askew, who could not have been more than six years old at this time 
knew that his grandfather’s estate would have to be divided and made 
suggestions. Later B. F. Askew became an outstanding lawyer and Judge in 
Columbia County, Arkansas.

“Alice Ann (Mrs. Richard) Askew researched to find Benjamin Askew was born 
in 1747 in Bertie County, North Carolina, the son of John Askew, born ca. 
1710 in the Isle of Wight, Virginia, and died in Bertie County, North 
Carolina, in 1751. John Askew’s wife was Margaret (Boone?). John Askew is 
thought to be the son of Nicholas and Sarah Oglethrop Askew of Isle of 
Wight, Virginia.

“Benjamin Askew was born in 1747 in Bertie County, North Carolina because 
Jones County was not formed until 1778 and Lenoir County in 1791. 
Benjamin’s father, John Askew, was in Bertie County at the time of 
Benjamin’s birth in 1747. Deeds and Probate of his estate establish John 
Askew in Bertie County when John died by May 1751. Benjamin was four years 
old.  We do not know when he went to Jones County, but a first cousin, 
Thomas Askew, went to Jones County, North Carolina area in 1780 and 
Benjamin and Thomas were neighbors. In 1783 at age 36, Benjamin was yet in 
the forces of the Revolution. (For membership in Daughters of the American 
Revolution Corinne Price and niece Helen Aldridge used the voucher issued 
Benjamin Askew for Payment for service in the Revolution dated August, 
1783.) “His son, John Askew, was born 16 August, 1789. John Askew (1789) 
was said to be the younger of the seven children so when Benjamin married 
Susannah, we do not know. The 1790 census of Jones County, Newbern 
District, North Carolina pp 144 lists Benjamin Asque -	
1 male over 16
4 males under 16
3 females.

Benjamin was 43 years old and the male over 16.  Josiah, Zadoch, Nathan 
and John were the four males under 16. The three were wife Susannah and 
daughters of Susannah, Elizabeth and Peggy. One of the children was born 
after 1790.

“Thomas Asque was listed – 1790 census – male over 16, 2 males under 16 
and 7 females. Benjamin and Thomas were evidently neighbors. The next 
information on Benjamin Askew was his will of 1811, made son John and 
beloved wife Susannah Askew Executors of his last Will and Testament. He 
left son John 100 acres of land north of Cabin Branch, son Josiah Askew 
100 acres on South side of Cabin Branch where Benjamin lived and 100 acres 
of North side of Harriies Branch. John and Josiah were told when they took 
possession of land to each pay Zadich Askew 100 dollars. Benjamin left 
daughter Susannah Askew one cow and calf, and one two year old heifer, and 
one feather bed and furniture, and to Elizabeth Hawkins and Pegy Tilmon to 
have one three-year old heifer each and to my son Nathan, if ever he 
should come, to have one dollar. Nathan must have taken his part when he 
left home. Benjamin wrote his will in 1811 when he recorded being weak in 
body, lived until 1831 so he recovered of a weakening illness. In 1830 
census Benjamin was 83 years old. In his household 1 male listed 70-80 
years old, 2 female slaves under 10, 1 female slave 30-40 years of age. 
This showed Benjamin Askew living alone and being taken care of by a 
slave. James Henry Askew recorded in 1926 that his great grandfather owned 
slaves as did his grandfather John Askew and his father James Edward 
Askew. The slaves always had the same kind of housing and living 
conditions as their masters. The slaves had the same medical care as 
masters and slaves always were treated in a humane and kindly way.

“Benjamin Askew died in 1831 and with him when he died was son John Askew 
with sons James Edward and Benjamin Franklin Askew, who must have lived 
near. After John settled the estate of his father he sold out in North 
Caroina and moved with his family to Troupe County, Georgia in 1834 and 
in 1835 to Russell County, Alabama.”





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