Orange County Public Library

Orange County Indexed

The Palmer surname

The Palmer name in Orange County Indexed: 308 historical records, 15 people in the chronology and 1 heading in books and archives.

In the records

1775 to 1895 most named in the 1810s

Wills 1775–1840
Tax lists 1779–1790
Court minutes 1779–1818
Deeds 1779–1863
Marriages 1789–1895
Records of enslaved people 1804–1853

In the chronology

1768 to 2025 15 people in 35 entries, most in the 1980s

In books and archives

1 person

Places in its deeds and wills

Hillsborough (20), Eno River (14), Churton Street (7), Haw River (5), Wake Street (5), Mill Creek (4), Margaret Lane (4), Hillsboro (4)

Married into

Bryant 1, Clancy 1, Cleacy 1, Dishon 1, Faucett 1, Gray 1, Harris 1, Hern 1, Huntington 1, Kirkland 1, Lynch 1, Mitchell 1 · the marriages

Often named with

Clancy 11, Thompson 8, Smith 7, Jones 6, Huntington 5, Turner 5, Nelson 5, Collins 5, Allen 4, Hancock 4, Cain 4, Raspberry 4

People with a page here

James M. Palmer, Robert Palmer

Spellings to try

Search beyond these records

Palmer in Ancestry Library Edition (on the library’s public computers; add Orange County, North Carolina as a place)
HeritageQuest, through NC LIVE (anywhere, with your OCPL library card; search Palmer there)
Palmer in Orange County records on FamilySearch (free account)

Drawn from the records below. Families named together, or married to one another, are leads to follow, not proof of kinship. A similar spelling may be another family, and two people of the same name are not necessarily the same person.

In the chronology 15 people

The people of this surname named in the county’s dated events, as the names index lists them. Each printed name is its own heading; names that may be one person are not merged.

In books and archives 1 heading

Subject headings from the library catalogs Orange County Indexed gathers. A family heading collects genealogies and family papers; a person heading, the works about that person.

Palmer, Robert 13 works

In the historical records 308 records

77 deeds, 13 records of enslaved people, 15 marriages, 193 court minutes, 2 tax list entries and 8 wills and papers, oldest first. Every record that names someone of this surname, as the record spells it; choose a collection to narrow the list. Palmer marriages in full · Search the name in every collection

1770s

1775WillsWill of John Burgess
1779DeedsMartin Palmer to Nathaniel Rochester, 16 January 1779
1779Court minutesMartin Palmer was appointed overseer from Hillsborough to the Enoe ford at James Wilkinsons.
1779Tax listsThe 1779 tax list: Palmer Martin

1780s

1780Court minutesEighteen grand jurors were sworn and charged, with Thomas Trice as foreman.
1782Court minutesBruce Collins replaced Martin Palmer as road overseer.
1783Court minutesWm. Armstrong became overseer from Bruce Collins to Hillsborough; the listed inhabitants’ hands were ordered to maintain the road.
1784Court minutesThe court apprenticed John Horton, als. Morise to Martin Palmer until age 21.
1786Court minutesEighteen grand jurors were impanelled and sworn.
1786WillsWill of Catherine Lockhart
1787Court minutesThe jury awarded John Strother £20 in damages plus costs against William Steel.
1787Court minutesA juror was withdrawn in Jackson and Collins’s action against James Curry.
1788Court minutesThe jury convicted Wm Courtney B of assault; a fine recorded as 20 was imposed.
1788Court minutesThe jury convicted James B Horne of petty larceny; the court ordered fifteen lashes at the public whipping post.
1788Court minutesThe court fined Martin Palmer for failing to attend as a talesman.
1788Court minutesThe jury acquitted James Riggs of petty larceny; the court rejected a motion to charge the prosecutor with costs.
1788Court minutesThe jury awarded the Governor tax arrears against sheriff Jesse Gilbert and others, dischargeable through specified money and certificate…
1788Court minutesThe jury returned a one-penny verdict plus costs in Watts and Lytle’s action against Stephen J Kirk.
1789MarriagesMarriage bond: Roswell Huntington and Mary Parmer or Palmer
1789Court minutesA jury was recorded for trustee Walker’s review proceeding against Horne; no verdict appeared.
1789Court minutesA nonsuit was entered in Courtney’s action against Bowls.
1789Court minutesPeelor was nonsuited; on his attorney’s motion, the court granted a new trial, from which Picket obtained permission to appeal.
1789Court minutesOn appeal, the jury awarded Jonah Clifton £14.4.0, one year’s interest, and costs against Wm Lytle.
1789Court minutesThe jury awarded James Bevins twenty-five shillings plus costs against Wm Cumming.

1790s

1790DeedsRobert Thompson to Martin Palmer, 1790
1790Tax listsThe 1790 tax list: Martin Palmer (Hillsborough District)
1795DeedsSamuel Thompson to Martin Palmer, 30 May 1795
1796Court minutesThe court recorded James Clark Jr, Jehu Whithead, Wm Lockard and 27 others for jury service.
1796Court minutesJurors convicted Charles Collier of assault; the court fined him.
1797DeedsMemucan Hunt to William Palmer, 3 May 1797
1799DeedsAmos Phelps to Martin Palmer, 16 August 1799
1799MarriagesMarriage bond: William Palmer and Elizabeth Cleacy
1799Court minutesThe court ordered And’w McBroom, Ralph Faucett, William Woods and 27 others summoned for the upcoming court term.
1799Court minutesDeed, Amos Phelps to Martin Palmer, proved by And’w Murdock.
1799Court minutesJurors acquitted James Comb of breaking into Sherwood Allen’s house but convicted him on the second count.
1799Court minutesJurors convicted Jeremiah Holden of assault; he received leave to appeal with approved securities.
1799Court minutesJurors acquitted Sam’l Hill.
1799Court minutesThe court apprenticed Pleasant Roberts to William Palmer for instruction in joinery.

1800s

1800MarriagesMarriage bond: H Hern and Sarah Palmer
1800Court minutesThe court appointed Martin Palmer as road overseer.
1800Court minutesAdministration of the estate of Robert Thompson granted to Martin Palmer and Rich’d Thompson; sureties Robert Tinnen and John Faddis.
1801Court minutesJames Williams won a balance against Thomas Watts after setoff; the court entered judgment against the unnamed appeal securities.
1801Court minutesJurors convicted John Sutton of petty larceny; the court ordered whipping and continued imprisonment until prosecution costs were paid.
1801Court minutesJurors upheld Augustus Benton’s promise, rejected setoff and awarded John Kirk damages and costs.
1801Court minutesJurors rejected the will attributed to John Edwards in the executors’ caveat against John Edwards.
1802DeedsWilliam Palmer to Samuel Benton, 10 June 1802
1802Court minutesAdministration of the estate of Alex’r Patten granted to John Patten; sureties James Palmer and Robert Dixon.
1803DeedsMartin Palmer to William Palmer, 9 May 1803
1804DeedsBennett Smith to James Palmer, 2 June 1804
1804Records of enslaved peopleDeed (sale or gift not stated): Bennett Smith to James Palmer, 2 June 1804
1804Records of enslaved peopleDeed (sale or gift not stated): Bennet Smith to James Palmer, 2 June 1804
1805DeedsRobert Patton to James Palmer, 23 October 1805
1805Court minutesDeed, Martin Palmer to William Palmer, proved by George Clancy.
1805Court minutesBill of Sale, Bennett Smith to James Palmer, proved by William Stockart.
1805Court minutesJurors rejected payment and awarded James Palmer and company principal and interest against William Kirk.
1806MarriagesMarriage bond: Thomas Clancy and Nancy Palmer
1806Court minutesJurors valued the bond, rejected payment and setoff and awarded Andrew Gardner damages against Dishon and Ellis.
1806Court minutesJurors valued the bond and awarded Wm Guess damages against Ashby Dunnagan.
1806Court minutesMartin Palmer received a percentage allowance on his account as Robert Thompson’s administrator.
1806Court minutesMartin Palmer was ordered to invest Robert Thompson’s estate funds and continue secured bond debts at interest pending appointment of gua…
1807DeedsAlexander Allen to James Palmer, 9 December 1807
1807Court minutesJurors upheld John Boyle’s promise, rejected setoff and awarded Sam’l Turrentine damages.
1807Court minutesJurors rejected payment and setoff and awarded Chizenhall and Curry damages against Leathers and Hunt.
1807Court minutesJurors acquitted Alex’r Lackey of petty larceny.
1807Court minutesJurors acquitted Thomas Patterson of petty larceny.
1807Court minutesJurors rejected payment and setoff and awarded James Palmer principal and damages against Aquilla Jones.
1807Court minutesThe court appointed Sam’l Thompson, George Clancy Sr, John Casey and 26 others for November county-court jury service.
1808MarriagesMarriage bond: Thomas Palmer and Sarah Dishon
1808Court minutesThe jury acquitted Fredrick Fonville; the unnamed prosecutor was ordered to pay costs.
1808Court minutesThe court appointed John Taylor Jr as road overseer.
1809DeedsMartin Palmer to James Palmer, 28 November 1809
1809Court minutesThe jury awarded Sarah Blake nominal damages and costs against Arch’d Reeves.
1809Court minutesThe jury rejected payment and setoff and awarded John Galbraith’s administrator principal, interest and costs.
1809Court minutesThe jury credited payments on the valued bond and awarded damages; Charles Christmas and Hugh Mulhollan secured a stay of execution.

1810s

1810Court minutesThe jury found the executors detained enslaved Adam within three years and awarded Anne Furguson damages and costs.
1810Court minutesThe jury found Arthur Bobbitt promised payment and awarded Isaac Holden damages and costs.
1810Court minutesDeed, Alexander Allen to James Palmer, proved by Samuel Bradford.
1811DeedsMartin Palmer to Samuel Hancock, 18 April 1811
1811Court minutesA jury convicted enslaved Joshua of murdering Abner Tapp; the court ordered him jailed pending execution by hanging on the specified date.
1811Court minutesThe court appointed James Murdock as road overseer.
1811Court minutesDeed, Martin Palmer to Samuel Hancock, proved by Tho Clancy.
1811Court minutesThe jury rejected the document offered as John Riggs’s will and found that it made no devise.
1811Court minutesDeed, George Clancy to Thomas Clancy, proved by William Palmer.
1811Court minutesThe court appointed Thomas Armstrong as road overseer.
1811Court minutesThe court appointed James Palmer as road overseer.
1811Court minutesThe court appointed Rich’d Christmas as road overseer.
1812Court minutesThe jury awarded Hargis and Womack damages and costs against James Child.
1812Court minutesSam was acquitted of burglary but convicted of grand larceny; the court granted clergy, ordered branding and subsequently recorded that t…
1812Court minutesThe jury found Thomas Bradford and Joseph Bradford guilty on the indictment.
1812Court minutesOn objections by Ezekiel Laws and John Guess, the jury rejected the purported will of John Riggs.
1812Court minutesStephen Redding and the other named patrollers received permission for payment.
1812WillsWill of Daniel Cloud
1813Court minutesThe jury valued the bond and its condition, awarding B?????m and Pollock nominal damages and costs against James Palmer.
1813Court minutesThe jury found Epps Hilliard liable and awarded Geo M Palmer nominal damages and costs.
1813WillsWill of George Clancy, Sr.
1814DeedsMartin Palmer to Joseph Ellison Sr, 28 October 1814
1814Records of enslaved peopleDeed (sale or gift not stated): Martin Palmer to Joseph Ellison Sr, 28 October 1814
1814Court minutesThe jury convicted Andrew, enslaved by Jno Arnold; the court ordered seventy-five lashes to be administered immediately.
1814Court minutesJosiah Turner surrendered Epps Hilliard as bail, but the court refused custody because Hilliard was serving in the army.
1814Court minutesThe jury awarded James C Brehon damages and costs against James Patterson.
1814Court minutesThe jury awarded John May damages against John Taylor Jr.
1814Court minutesThomas Murdock became guardian of Nancy Dixon.
1814Court minutesJames Lockhart was convicted and sentenced to two calendar months’ imprisonment, a fine and costs, with further detention pending payment.
1814Court minutesThe jury found David H Harvey guilty on the indictment.
1815DeedsJohn Taylor to Robert Eaton & Martin Palmer, 1 April 1815
1815DeedsMartin Palmer to Martin Huntington, 27 September 1815
1816DeedsThomas Clarke & Sally Clarke to Martin Palmer, 8 April 1816
1816DeedsJonathan Cook to Thomas Palmer, 11 September 1816
1816Court minutesThe sheriff was ordered to summon jurors James Walker, Micajah Thomas, John McCrory and 27 others for the next term.
1816Court minutesThe jury found Henry Trollinger had not promised payment in Matthew Barker’s action.
1816Court minutesDeed, Thomas Clark & Sarah Clark his wife to Martin Palmer, proved by Wm Huntington.
1816Court minutesThe jury awarded Rebecca Wilkinson damages and costs against John Mason.
1816Court minutesThe jury found Samuel McCaddams guilty on the indictment.
1817DeedsThomas Thompson to Martin Palmer, 30 September 1817
1818DeedsJames Palmer to Samuel White, 23 February 1818
1818DeedsWilliam Palmer to William Huntington, 30 January 1818
1818DeedsJames Palmer to Thomas Clancy & William Cain Jr & William Cain Sr, 20 February 1818
1818Records of enslaved peopleDeed of trust: James Palmer to Thomas Clancy, William Cain Jr, William Cain Sr, 20 February 1818
1818Court minutesThe jury awarded Samuel Nevill damages and costs against Isham Brewer.
1818Court minutesDeed, William Palmer to Wm Huntington, acknowledged in court.
1818Court minutesDeed for Trust, James Palmer to William Cain Jr & Thomas Clancy, proved by Stephen Moore.
1818Court minutesThe jury awarded David Ray and Co damages against James Palmer.
1818WillsWill of Stephen White
1819DeedsJames Palmer to George Allen, 23 February 1819

1820s

1820DeedsMartin Palmer to Elizabeth Watters, 1 February 1820
1820MarriagesMarriage bond: Richard Peacock and Elizabeth Palmer
1821DeedsJohn Raspberry & Martin Palmer to Mary C Herring, 2 June 1821
1821DeedsMartin Palmer & John Raspberry to Josiah Turner, 2 June 1821
1821DeedsMartin Palmer to Bitsy Peacock & Richard Peacock, 2 April 1821
1821Records of enslaved peopleAgreement: John Raspberry, Martin Palmer to Mary C Herring, 2 June 1821
1821Records of enslaved peopleDeed (sale or gift not stated): Martin Palmer, John Raspberry to Josiah Turner, 2 June 1821
1821MarriagesMarriage bond: John Faucett and Tempe Palmer
1821MarriagesMarriage bond: Henry Parrish and Agnes Palmer
1824DeedsJacob Garrison to Thomas Palmer, 1 November 1824
1826DeedsSally Grove to Nathaniel J Palmer, 15 September 1826
1826DeedsNathaniel J Palmer to Edmund Strudwick, 7 October 1826
1826MarriagesMarriage bond: Nathaniel Jones Palmer and Lavinia Bryant
1828MarriagesMarriage bond: Lemuel Lynch and Margaret W Palmer
1829DeedsNathaniel J Palmer to John W Norwood trustee, 21 August 1829
1829DeedsNathaniel J Palmer to Thomas D Watts trustee, 3 June 1829
1829Records of enslaved peopleDeed of trust: Nathaniel J Palmer to John W Norwood, 21 August 1829
1829Records of enslaved peopleDeed of trust: Nathaniel J Palmer to Thomas D Watts, 3 June 1829

1830s

1831DeedsNathaniel J Palmer to George M Johnston trustee, 7 February 1831
1834DeedsHerman S Hotchkiss to William E Anderson trustee & James M Palmer, 14 July 1834
1834DeedsAnne Cloud to Nathaniel J Palmer, 26 August 1834
1834DeedsNathaniel J Palmer to James Webb, 18 December 1834
1834DeedsJames M Palmer & Mary A Palmer to Thomas Clancy trustee, 29 November 1834
1834DeedsSamuel Child to Mary A Palmer & James M Palmer, November 1834
1834MarriagesMarriage bond: John C Mitchell and Mary C Palmer
1835DeedsThomas Atkinson by agent to Thomas Palmer, 28 May 1835
1835WillsWill of Martin Palmer
1837MarriagesMarriage notice: William C. Palmer and Amaranth[?] Gray[?]
1837WillsWill of Nancy (x) Cloud
1838DeedsJames M Palmer to Samuel Holeman, 13 November 1838
1839DeedsIsaac Thomas to Thomas Palmer, 28 January 1839

1840s

1850s

1860s

1870s

1878MarriagesMarriage license: Thomas M Thompson and Robena F Palmer

1880s

1880MarriagesMarriage license: Edward Palmer and Anna Harris

1890s

1895MarriagesMarriage license: Adolphus Kirkland and Jennett Palmer

Undated

Other surnames beginning with P · All surnames · People

Two mice reading back to back against a leaf, with the hand-lettered words Friends of the Orange County Public Library — Illustration by Caldecott Medalist Matthew Cordell, gifted to the Friends 2026