John Wooten, Jr., was born 1762-63 in Pitt County. He was a private in the NC Militia, Captain John Hodges’ Company of Pitt Volunteers, commanded by Colonel Benjamin Seawell in 1780. John Wooten, Jr., married Sarah Hewes, a Quaker, circa 1785. She is described by a grandson: “My grandmother had on a white cap, which was the fashion in that day for old ladies. Her face is round, fat and plump, indicating good health and there is a kind, benevolent, motherly, expression to her countenance. I would like to have been a little boy when she was living for I know I would have been petted.” John Wooten Jr., was a hatter by trade. He made hats out of wool and raccoon fur, and he would take them to the courts of Wayne, Lenoir, and Green counties to sell them.
Sometimes he would sell the hat off his head and put a red bandanna handkerchief on in its place. John Wooten Jr., served in the House of Commons for Lenoir County in 1807, 1808, and 1809. He was a member of St. John’s Lodge (Masons) at New Bern, NC. He was a member of the Sandy Bottom Primitive Baptist Church (Croom Meeting House), Lenoir County. From the church records we find the following: April 15,. 1809; (Third Sunday) Brother John Wooten, for drinking too much spirituous liquors, came forward and acknowledged his transgression and was restored to fellowship. February 15, 182: (Quarterly Meeting) The Welfare of the Church inquired into and found all in peace, except Brother John Wooten who was excommunicated for joining the Masonic Lodge which he acknowledged he had done. His wife, Sarah Hewes Wooten, was disowned by the Contentnea Monthly Meeting (Quaker) because she married out of unity (a Baptist) in 1785. She was reinstated upon the recommendation of her Contentnea Friends in 1795.
John Wooten Jr., owned land in Lenoir, Greene, and Wayne counties, on both sides of Bear Creek. This was originally Dobbs County, and when the counties were divided the land was in three counties. His family of six sons and three daughters grew up on this land. The children were John Hewes Wooten (1786 - ) not named I the will and a nephew stated that he died of a kidney ailment or bladder trouble in Philadelphia from the effects of an operation); Peter Bond Wooten (1788-1826) married Esher Aldridge (1789-1844); William Wooten (1790-1834) married Nancy Wooten (1789-1845); Nancy Wooten (1792-1873) married Elijah Bizzell (1787-1858); Thomas Wooten (1795-1844) married Nancy Best (1792-1871); Mary Wooten (1797-1854) married Thomas Dawson Jr (1786-1854); Shadrach Wooten (1799-1860 married Aberilla Edwards (1809-1850); Charity Wooten 1801-no further record): Council Wooten (1804-1872) married Eliza Isler (1804-1869).
The John Wooten Jr., Will dated 16 September 1835 is found in the Wayne County records. John Wooten, Jr., and his wife, Sarah Hewes, are buried in the Wooten Cemetery on the plantation in Lenoir County between LaGrange and Jason. The graves are bricked up and marked with marble slabs as follows: This monument is erected to the memory of John Wooten who died on the 26th of September, 1835, in the 72 year of his age by the gratitude of his youngest son. He was benevolent, as a member of society, kind and provident as a husband and father, is a Christian, humble and confiding in the mercies of his Redeemer. Mrs Sarah, wife of John Wooten, died August 1, 1836 in the 71 year of her age. She lived in reciprocal affection with her husband for 51 years and reared 9 children. Her youngest son from a sentiment of filial duty dedicated this stone to her memory.
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