My Notes:
This Thomas Cotten/Cotton has long been attributed to be the son of Thomas Cotton and Patience Bridgers. This is another one of the 'facts' created by the fake journalist , Matlock, which has become to be accepted as fact. However, he was not named in the will of 'the' Thomas Cotten/Cotten whose Will was proven Aug Term 1787 of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions of Hertford Co., NC. It is thought by some researchers that he was the illegitimate son, Thomas Moore, of Thomas Cotton and Anne Moore (See Deeds of gift and Abstract of Wills below for years 1757 & 1758) and he later took the surname of Cotten/Cotton. Perhaps, this would explain why Thomas Jr. was not listed in the will of his father alongside his legitimate siblings. Michael Cotten, a descendant of this Thomas Cotten, gives Priscilla Jane Knight's parents as William Knight and Katherine Carter. Michael also gives a major hint that: "Thomas and Priscilla (Knight) Cotten named their eldest son Moore Carter Cotten. "If the name Moore is not suggestive enough in itself, there is the fact that Priscilla's mother's maiden name was Carter. Therefore it would seem logical that Moore might have been the name of Thomas' mother"
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Abstract of North Carolina Wills, 1690-1760, Surnames, M - N, Page 251
MOORE, EPAPHRODITUS. Bertie County.
June 11, 1757. October Court, 1757. Son: JOHN ( all the lands of testator). Grandsons: ELISHA WILLSON, THOMAS MOORE (one plantation each, both plantations lying on Fort Branch). Daughters: JUDATH HURST, REBECKAH CAIN, CHARITY WALSTON, RACHEL WALSTON, MARY MOORE, ANN MOORE, RACHEL STANELY, GRACE MOORE, PENELOPE HARE, CHRISTIAN MOORE. Son-in-law: JAMES HOWARD. Wife: not named. Executors: MARY and ANN MOORE. Witnesses: Charles Horn, Demcy Holland, Lewis Perry. Clerk of the Court: Benjamin Wynns.

Genealogical Records: Early North Carolina Settlers, 1700s-1900s
Historical and Genealogical Register, Vol. I, Page 341
MOORE, EPAPHRODITUS, Bertie, June 11th, 1757. Oct. Court 1757
Daughters MARY, ANN and GRACE, Wife, son JOHN, grand-son ELISHA MOORE, THOMAS MOORE son of daughter ANN, daughter JUDAH HURST, son-in-law JAMES HOWARD, daughter REBECCA CAIN, grand-daughter RACHEL WALSTONE, daughters MARY MOORE, ANN MOORE, RACHEL STANDLEY, CHRISTIAN MOORE, GRACE MOORE and PENELOPE HARE. Test, Chas. Horner, Demcy Holland, Lewis Perry.
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Bertie Co, Deed Book I, page 340.
16 Nov 1758
THOMAS COTTEN of Northampton Co. to his son THOMAS MOORE. Deed of gift. 25 pound sterling VA when he shall become 21 years of age, with reversion to the estate should he die before then or have no lawful issue.
16 Nov 1758
ANNE MOORE of Bertie Co to her son THOMAS MOORE. Deed of gift. Negro boy Bob that my father EPAPHRODITUS MOORE willed, when my son comes of age with reversion to the estate should he die before that age or have no lawful issue. Wit (to both deeds) John Brown, Josiah Brown, Abram Jones July Court 1759 CC: Benjn Wynns.
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