Theophilus Weeks - Early Life

Early Life

Theophilus Weeks was born 1708 in Falmouth, Massachusetts. His parents were Benjamin and Mary Chase Weeks. In 1730, Benjamin Weeks moved the family North Carolina, settling on Hadnots Creek.

At about the same time, another group from Falmouth, Jonathan Green, Sr., his brother Isaac Green, and their families, settled on the other side of the White Oak River, in what is now Onslow County (Onslow was formed from New Hanover and Carteret counties in 1734). The White Oak River forms the boundary between Onslow and Carteret counties.

Jonathan Green, Sr., died about 1735, at the age of about 35 years. On 7 October 1735, Theophilus Weeks married his widow, Grace, and moved into the Green plantation. In time, he bought out Isaac Green’s half interest in the property and the latter returned to Massachusetts. The plantation was located on the Onslow (west) side of the mouth of the White Oak River, and was named “The Wharf.” Theophilus and Grace had at least four children. It is likely that he must have had a daughter or two, although their names are not known. At a court held 5 April 1743, Theophilus proved rights for eight white persons belonging to his family.

The religious affiliation of Theophilus Weeks is not known, however, he is descended from the Reverend John Robinson, pastor of the Pilgrims in Holland. Considering that many other members of the Weeks family in the Hadnots Creek area were deeply involved in the early Baptist movement, it is probable that Theophilus Weeks and his family were among them.

In January 1741 (New Style), he recorded his livestock branding, which indicated agricultural interests. In 1747 he borrowed some £200 from Colonel John Starkey, and used the land he had purchased from Isaac Green as security. Weeks repaid this loan repaid by the end of the next year. Weeks received two land grants in Onslow County on 6 April 1745, for 100 acres (0.40 km2) each. On 10 April 1761, four additional grants totaling 640 acres (2.6 km2), and on 4 May 1769, an additional 31 acres (130,000 m2) were received.

In 1754 the Onslow Regiment of Militia was organized in response to the French and Indian Wars. The regiment was divided into four companies, and Theophilus Weeks became a sergeant in Captain Stephen Lee’s company of Colonel John Starkey’s Onslow Regiment of Militia. He is listed on a unit roster dated 12 March 1754. It was to meet at Jonathan Milton’s residence on New River for a general muster.

In 1751 Weeks petitioned the Onslow Court for permission to operate an ordinary, and he did receive a license to “keep an ordinary at his now dwelling place.” The White Oak River flows into Bogue Inlet, and this suggests that port activity was thriving at the mouth of the river, and that the Weeks’ plantation was a favorite place for seafarers to visit. He was appointed inspector of exports for Bogue Inlet in 1757, and he held that position for the rest of his life.