Mary and Levi lived in Moore County, North Carolina, on Wet Creek in the vicinity of Bensalem and Big Oak churches. The Deaton’s had a large and prosperous farm, as evidenced by the size of Levi’s estate. A 1815 tax listing shows Levi as the owner of three parcels totalling 350 acres valued at $610.

Levi and Mary had at least six children:
    Amanda Deaton Monroe, born 1804, died 1831, who married Francis Monroe.
    Mary Deaton Monroe, born 1808, died 1896, who married Francis’ brother, John Monroe
    Isaac Deaton, born 1815, whose spouse is listed in the 1850 Census as Misery Deaton
    Levi Deaton, born 1825, who married Nancy Sowell Deaton, niece of Upshur Furr.
    Rebecca Deaton Furr, married to Upshur Furr.
    And, presumably, one other daughter, married to Nathan Spencer.

All the childrens’ families are listed in the 1850 Moore County census, except for the Spencers. Mary Deaton, lives nearby, age 76. A number of other Deaton families are also listed in the census, but their relationship is unknown.

Under North Carolina law, Mary was named administrix of the estate (as opposed to executrix) because Levi died in testate, or without a will. In that situation, the estate was divided among the spouse, children and any surviving parents. According to the ledger, shares of the estate were distributed to Mary, Isaac, and Levi Deaton; John Monroe (as husband of the daughter, Mary), Francis Munroe (as guardian of Amanda’s children, she died in 1831), Upsher Furr (as Rebecca’s husband) and Nathan Spencer, who was presumably married to a fourth daughter.

The original records include each item purchased, the price paid, and the total for each individual.  As this information is primarily for genealogical research, detailed data is included only for the December 22 sale -- including the sale of Deaton's ten slaves.  If you would like a complete copy of the estate records, please e-mail me.

Throughout these records a variety of notes were made apparently by William Talmage Monroe, son of John C. Monroe and grandson of John and Mary Deaton Monroe. Most of these entries were made circa 1902 and are included at the end of  the estate records.

The contribution to this project by Betty Monroe Bailey is gratefully acknowledged. Mrs. Bailey, a great-granddaughter of of John and Mary D. Monroe, kept and preserved these records for many years as did her father, Mr. Claude C. Monroe.

Source: Private Collection.  Microfilm of originals are available in the North Carolina State Archives, Moore County Records, Deaton-Monroe Family Papers.

An account of the sale of property belonging to the estate of Levi Deaton decd. made by Mary Deaton his admx on the 14th September 1842 Viz-----

Daniel McNiell            
Bradley Bradey
Levi Wright
George Hunsucker (Constable)                                
Upsher Furr (Levi Deaton's son-in-law)
Nathan Spencer (son-in-law)
Martin Hunsucker
Isaac Deaton (Levi Deaton's son)
Avington Britt
William Deaton
Arch'd Hunsucker
Sarah Smith
William Wallis
John Munroe (son-in-law)
Sampson Brewer
Ryland R. Miller
David R. Cochran
John McDuffie
Baley Walliamson
Francis Munroe (son-in-law)
Alexr. McDonald
Edmond Holland
Mary Parish
Nathan Brown
Plesant Simmons
George Hunsucker (Sr.)
Alexr. McIntosh
Malcom McNeill
Isham Cagle
Isaac Deaton (son)

Amount of Sept. Sale                                   $524 27 1/2

An account of the sale of property belonging to the Estate of Levi Deaton decd. made by Mary Deaton Admx on the 10th November 1842. Viz

Mary Deaton  (widow)
William Deaton
Archd. Hunsucker
Upsher Furr
Martin Hunsucker
Daniel McInzie
Nathan Spencer
Hugh McDonalds
Isaac Deaton
Mattew Williams
Arch'd Munroe
Norman MLeod
Anderson S Moody
John C Buie
John Munroe
Arch'd Campbell
Levi Deaton (Jr)
John McInzie
Lauchlin B Curry

Amount of Nov. Sale          $205 21 1/2

An account of the Sale of property belonging to the estate of Levi Deaton decd. made by Mary Deaton admx on the 22nd of December 1842 Viz

Anderson S Moody
To 5 Bushels of wheat     4 25
" 5       Do          Do          4 25
" 4 1/2 Do         Do          3 37 1/2
                                    $11 87 1/2

John C Buie
To 5 Barrels of corn     $12 05

William Deaton
To 19 Bushels of corn    8 47
" 1 Smothering iron           38
" 1 Log chain                  1 26
                                    $10 11

Avington Britt
To 1 Stack oats                       4 00
" 1 Negro girl (Ann)            300 00
" 1 Negro boy (Richard)      180 00
                                          $484 00

Burrel Deaton
To 1 Stack oats                  $4 00

Issac Deaton (Moore Cty)
To 1 Stack of oats              $2 80

Issac Sanders
To 1 Stack fodder               2 60
" 1 Do Do                           2 60
                                         $5 20

John Duffie
To 1 Stack of fodder         2 05
" 1 Do Do                         2 45
                                       $5 10

William Barret
To Negro man (Lewis)     $ 565 00

John Munroe
To Negro man (Simon)     $600 00

Samuel Garret
To Negro boy (Reuben)   $500 00

Nathan Spencer
To Negro boy (Phillip)     $405 00

Upsher Furr
To Negro girl (Sally)          300 00
" Negro boy (Tom)            221 00
                                        $521 00

Martin Hunsucker
To 1 Mattock                          $27 1/2

Mary Deaton
To Negro woman (Haness & child (Crcey)      501 00
" claim of hogs                                                        75
" Lot of wearing aparel                                            25
" Pair truck wheels                                                  10  
                                                                         501 80

Amount of Dec Sale          $3638 21

Distributions

Mary Deaton admx Dr to Isaac Deaton
To amount of distribution I have in the estate that came into her hands as admx               472 04
To amount recived over distribution I have of advancements by estimation                      288 38
                                                                                                                                  $760 42

Mary Deaton admx Dr to F. Monroe (gard)
To amount of distribution share in the estate that came into her hands as admx                $ 472 04
To amt recd less than distribution share of advancements as seen by his schedule                 61 92
                                                                                                                                    $ 533 96

Mary Deaton admx Dr to John Munroe
To amount of distribution share in the estate that came into her hands as admx                   472.04
To amount recd. less than distribution I have in advancements as seen by his schedule          40.17
                                                                                                                                     $512.21

Mary Deaton admx Dr to Nathan Spencer
To amount of Distribution share in the estate that came into her hands as admx                  472.04
To amt recd less than distributive share of advancements as seen by his schedule                 15.96
                                                                                                                                     $488.00

Mary Deaton admx Dr to Upsher Furr
To amt of distribution share in the estate that came into her hands as admx                        472.04
To amt recd less than distribution share of advancements as seen by his schedule                17.82
                                                                                                                                    $489.86

Mary Deaton admx Dr to Mary Deaton widow
To amount of distributive share in the estate that came into her hands as admx                    472.04
To amount of distribution share of advancements                                                                 86.82
To Cash in my years alowance as by report                                                                        10.00
To 60 lbs of sugar @ 1/--                                                                                                     6.00
To 40 Do of Coffee @ 13 3/4 /--                                                                                         5.50
for feeding and clothing negros as by Recp                                                                          12.50
                                                                                                                                      $592.86

We acknowledge ourselves indedted to the State of North Carolina in the sum of one hundred do on or before the first day of December next.

In the end, Levi was able to avoid neither death nor taxes!

Mrs Annie I. Allen Died March 12, 1905