Found in Cumberland Co., N.C. Deed Book 1, page 241, JAMES MUSE, SR. named “Liddy Ceal” as his daughter in his will dated 30 NOV 1758 and he also named “Charles Ceal” as one of his executors. However, the records of Prince William Co., VIR, Orange Co., N.C., and Cumberland Co., N.C. clearly show that Charles SEALE was connected to James Muse’s family long before 1758. I estimate that their marriage occurred between 1748 and 1752. Found in Fairfield County, S.C. Deed Book K, p. 74-75, on 18 NOV 1792, SOPHIA MORRISON, the widow of James Muse, Sr., deeded two slaves to “Lidda SEALE” of Fairfield Co., S.C. Thomas, Joshua and Daniel SEALE, proven sons of Charles SEALE, witnessed the deeds. These records verify that Lydia Muse was the wife of Charles SEALE in 1758 and that she was still alive in 1792. Mr. Robert Muse, historian of the Muse Family Association, visited a cemetery in Fairfield Co. S.C. in the early 1980’s, before its destruction by a logging company. He found graves marked by “C.S. – 1798” and “L.S. – 1799”. Since we know that Charles SEALE died in 1798, it would appear that these were the graves of Charles and Lydia Muse SEALE. This is the only indication for when Lydia died. 172

Added by jjoysmith on 21 Jul 2007

Charles SEALE was shown in the list of tithables in Stafford Co., Virginia in 1747 in the household of his father. In 1752 Charles SEALE was involved in several lawsuits in Price William Co., VIR. His father was at that time a Justice on the county Court. Anthony served as Charles’ security in several instances in these suits. (Incidentally, one suit involved financial problems of his father-in-law James Muse; Charles sued Muse in 1752/1753.) These financial problems caused Muse and SEALE to leave Virginia and move to N.C. in mid-1753.) The SEALES were some of the earliest white families to settle in Orange/ Cumberland Co., arriving about mid-1753-1754. Charles was on the 1755 Tax List of Cumberland Co., N.C. Charles’ father-in-law, James Muse, died in Cumberland Co. about 1758. Charles was one of the Executors of Muse’s will in 1758. Son Thomas was born in 1759, probably in Cumberland County, N.C. Charles was granted land in Cumberland Co. by Governor William Tryon the last time on 22 DEC 1768, less than two months before son, James’ birth. Muse relatives moved to Craven Co., S.C. in the early 1760’s. When Charles and Lydia moved from Cumberland Co., N.C. to S.C. in 1769/1770, they left behind many relatives. Lydia’s brother, James Muse, Jr. remained and sided with the Tories during the Revolution, while her brothers Thomas and Daniel fought as patriots. Charles’ brother William and sister Dorothy SEALE Stribling remained in Cumberland Co. The portion of Cumberland County in which the SEALES and Muses lived was cut off into Moore County in 1784. Land was surveyed for Charles SEALE in Craven County, S.C. on Sawney’s Branch of the Wateree River in the fall of 1769, and this land was granted to him 24 JAN 1770. Thus, presumably the family moved to S.C. at this time. Following the death of Anthony SEALE, Jr. in Prince William County, Virginia in 1781 and the end of the American Revolutionary War, there was a general movement of the SEALE family into Wilkes County, GEO. Four of Anthony’s children moved there about 1783 or 1784. The State of Georgia granted Charles SEALE land in October 1785, but he sold it in NOV 1785. Charles had left Wilkes County by 1786, presumably returning to S.C. The 1785 Tax List indicates that Charles, Enoch, Thomas and Jarvis SEALE were neighbors in Wilkes County. Also listed near them were many PEAVY families. As late as 1794, all of Charles and Lydia’s children, except of Nancy, lived in Fairfield County, S.C. Cumberland County, N.C. and Craven Co., S.C. between 1754 and 1780 were considered western “frontier”. There were probably no organized schools in these locations. Who educated the children? Could Lydia write? According to the deed of Charles SEALE’s heirs in 1798, 6 of their 7 sons had enough education to sign their own names (only the eldest son, Anthony, made his mark to the deed) yet none of the daughters could write. Thomas, son of Charles, was paid a small share of the estate of Anthony SEALE 2nd in Prince William Co., VIR. He had probably collected this for his father. Charles was listed in the 1790 Fairfield County, S.C. Census with 1 male 16 years or older, 2 male under 16 years, and 2 females. In 1797 he bought 100 acres on Swaney’s Creek from John Wilson. Found in Fairfield Co., S.C. Deed Book M, p. 162-163, on 11 SEP 1798 Charles sold 50 acres of land in Fairfield County, S.C. to his son-in-law Elias Jones, husband of daughter Charity. This was land SEALE had purchased in 1787 from John Wilson. Charles’ son James witnessed the signing of this deed. This proves that Charles was alive on 11 SEP 1798. Charles died later that fall and his heirs sold the remaining land (50 acres) to Daniel SEALE, youngest son of Charles and Lydia. Found in Fairfield Co., S.C. Deed Book M, pp. 162-163 – a deed of the heirs of Charles SEALE to their brother Daniel SEAL. This proved that Joshua, Daniel and Thomas were brothers. The name of Charles SEALE Jr., does not appear in the deed or as an heir; therefore, there was never a son named Charles Jr. or he died before 1798. Some have suggested that since Charles lived in N.C. he was excused from signing the deed. However, Nancy SEALE Dickinson lived in Moore Co., N.C. in the 1790’s when her father died, and she was named among his heirs. After Charles’ children living in S.C. signed the deed, it was mailed to Moore Co., N.C. to be signed by Nancy and her husband there, and it then sent to Hancock Co., GEO for the signatures of Charles’ children living there. By 1818, son James was the only SEALE left, and he departed the state in 1820 or 1821. 168

Will of Charles Bristow Seale
Added by jjoysmith on 21 Jul 2007

Transcription of Fairfield Co SC Deed Book M, p. 162-163. This deed gives the heirs of Charles SEALE. Notice that there is no mention of a "Charles SEALE, Jr." in this deed, as is claimed in many SEALE family works. Also, the order of Charles' sons matches their order of births as determined by census records.

"…whereas Charles SEAL late of the County and State aforesaid planter deceased was at the time of his death seized…of…a Certain plantation or tract of Land Containing fifty acres being the undivided Maiety (?) or full half part of a tract of one hundred acres of Land situate in the County aforesaid on Sauney's Creek, bounded SW on Hardy Tree Johnstons Land the other sides on vacant Land when surveyed originally Granted to John Willson 31st August 1774 and by him sold Conveyed to Charles SEAL which said fifty acres is situate on the north side of Sauney's Creek… and whereas the said Charles SEAL Lately died intestate within the County and state aforesaid whereby the aforesaid fifty acres of Land Came decended [to] Anthony SEAL , Thomas SEAL , Enoch SEAL , James SEAL , Elijah SEAL , Joshuah SEAL , Robert Dickinson on Nancy his wife, Elias Jones and Charity his wife, Abraham Peevy and Lydia his wife, and Daniel SEAL the Children and Coheirs of the said Charles SEAL deceased and Whereas it was the dying request of the said Charles SEAL that his son Daniel SEAL should have and enjoy the whole of the aforesaid tract of fifty acres of Land without th_?_let [word or words extend into the binding and cannot be read] hindrance or Molestation of the remainder of his said Children or any of those. Now know ye that we the said Anthony SEAL , Thomas SEAL , Enoch SEAL , James SEAL , Elijah SEAL , Joshuah SEAL , Robert Dickinson on Nancy his wife, Elias Jones and Charity his wife, Abraham Peevy and Lydia his wife for and in Consideration of the dying request of the said Charles SEAL as well as the sum of ten dollars to us paid by the said Daniel SEAL all our right title claim or interest which we or any or within of us may have in Law or equity of in or to the aforesaid fifty acres of Land… To have and to hold all and singular the premises before mentioned unto the said Daniel SEAL …Witness our hands and seal this [blank] day of [blank] in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight and XXIII Year of American Independence.
signed by:
Anthony X Seales [made his mark]
Thomas SEALE
Enoch SEALE
James SEALE
Elijah SEALE
Joshua SEALE
Robert X Dickinson [made his mark]
Nancy X Dickinson [made her mark]
Elias X Jones [made his mark]
Charity X Jones [made her mark]
Abraham X Peevey [made his mark]
Lydia X Peevey [made her mark]
Fairfield County; Shadrick Griges Maketh oath that he was present when the within named Anthony SEAL , Thomas SEAL , Enoch SEAL , James SEAL , Elijah SEAL , Joshua SEAL , Robert Dickinson, Nancy Dickinson, Elias Jones, Charity Jones, Abraham Peevy, lidia Peevy sign seal and Deliver the within as the act and deed for the use and purpose therein mentioned….Sworn to before me this 9th January 1800. [signed] Charles Puckett, Esq., Shadrch Griges.

State of Georgia, Hancock County; We do hereby Certify that Thomas SEAL & Abraham Peevy did assign the within Indenture as their act & deed for the purpose therein Contained also James Mase (? Mitchel) made oath before us that he saw Lidy Peevy, wife of Abraham Peevy, sign seal & deliver the within Indenture as act & deed of purpose therein Contained. Certified this 19th day of October 1799. [signed ] John Mitchel, Jas. Mitchel

State of No. Carolina, Moore County; John Mathis & Corneluis Doud Came Before me Justice for said County & Made oath that the said Robert & Nancy Dickson signed the within Conveyance sworn to this 22nd Oct 1798. [justice signature illegible]
Recorded 18th January 1800

**Notes** The extant records show that Charles and Lydia Muse SEALE did NOT have a son by the name of CHARLES who survived to adulthood. Charles SEALE of Moore Co. N.C. was the son of Charles brother, William SEALE. Found 1790 Moore Co., N.C. Census page 150, line 20 as Charles SEALE with 1 free white male 16 years and over, with 3 free males under 16 years, with 3 free white females. This cousin was also probably the Revolutionary War soldier. William SEALE remained in Cumberland/Moore County after his sibling left for S.C. and GEO and his sons William Jr., Charles and Anthony SELAE lived there until around 1800. Charles probably married Annie Thompson.168