George MALLARD (Peter1) was born about 1723 in most likely what was then called Craven Precinct, Bath County, North Carolina now Jones County. We believe George is the son of Peter and Rachel Norman MALLARD of Craven County, North Carolina. In the Craven County probate records a will dated May 03, 1741 is recorded for a Peter MALLARD. There are three names mentioned in the will. Those mentioned by name are his wife Rachel and two sons' John and George. In Craven County Deed Book C, page 8 is recorded, "February 01, 1777 George Mallard of Craven County, North Carolina to John Mallard of same place, for 10 pounds, 60 acres in Craven County on the south side of Trent River, being part of a tract patented by Peter Mallard, deceased and willed to George Mallard by his father." The before mentioned John MALLARD cannot be the son of Daniel MALLARD (George's brother) because his son John was born in 1778.
We believe that Peter's son George, was also the George MALLARD of Duplin (pronounced dew-plin) County married to a Comfort WOODSTOCK. In the probate records of Duplin County, North Carolina dated August 14, 1798 a settlement of George's estate is recorded. That record lists his wife and children's names. The name of his wife was Comfort and his children's names are as follows: John MALLARD, Catharine STOKES, Joseph MALLARD, Daniel MALLARD, Elijah MALLARD, Mary MALLARD, Sarah LIPSEY, Elizabeth MIDDLETON, and Rachel SOUTHERLAND. The above is the order in which they are listed in the record. The record states that John, Catherine, Joseph, Daniel and Elijah had received their inheritance during their father's lifetime. It stated that Mary had received part of her inheritance during her father's lifetime. It stated that the estate would be divided among Sarah, Elizabeth and Rachel. If Sarah LIPSEY is the seventh child then the six older children must be born before 1754. In the Friday, July 17, 1835 issue of the New Bern Spectator is the following "Died in Jones County near Trenton on Monday, Mrs. Sarah Lipsey in her 81st year of age."
George inherited 60 acres from his father in 1741 in Craven County, North Carolina. He received the patent of 100 acres on November 26, 1757 in Craven County. On December 24, 1770 he was granted another patent 30 acres in Craven County. On January 30, 1773 he was granted yet another patent in Craven County of 100 acres. The land patented by Peter and George Mallard was part of the land that became Jones County in 1778. In Duplin County Deed Book 5 page 434 is a record of George buying land there. On January 18, 1778 "William Southerland, Sr., to George Mallard 40 Pounds for 100 acres on the west side of the NE River on Turkey Pen Branch. Land was by pattent surveyed to Lewis Skibbow in the year 1760. Witness: Robert Twilly, Dorithy Mier and Phillip Southerland." It would appear from these transactions that George moved to Duplin County in 1777 or 1778.
It appears by 1787 Geoge disposed of all his land in Jones County. In Jones County Deed Book D, pages 8-10 is recorded, "February 16, 1784 George Mallard, Farmer of Duplin County, North Carolina, to James Pollock of Jones County for 27 Pounds; 100 acres, which was granted to George Mallard on January 30, 1773, being on the Royal Oak Branch at the thoroughfare of Little Pocoson to Nathan Parson's line." In Jones County Deed Book D, pages 215-217 is recorded, "January 1787 George Mallard of Duplin County, North Carolina to Arthur Stokes of same County for 130 Pounds; 50 acres being part of 640 acres granted to Lemuel Hatch, June 30, 1758, at George Mallard's line, John Saulsbury's corner line. Also a tract of 100 acres on the south side of Crooked Run on Mallard's line granted to George Mallard, November 26, 1757. Also 30 acres granted to George Mallard, 1770, at Lipsey's patent line. Witness: Rosco Lipsey and Phill Southerland." There is no doubt from the above mentioned properties that George MALLARD of Duplin County once lived in Craven (now Jones) County at least as far back as 1757.
North Carolina's State Census of Duplin County in 1786 gives his age as over 60 years old (at least 1725). A George MILLARD is listed in the Duplin County 1790 census. This may be our George no other record is listed in 1790. Duplin County Probate records, record a statement from George's son-in-law, Phil SOUTHERLAND, regarding the date of his death. Those records state he died about ten o'clock, the morning of Tuesday, March 27, 1798. Nuncupative Will dated March 27, 1798 "Phill Southerland made oath that George Mallard caled said Southerland last night to write his will; he appeared in a very low state but in his proper senses to the best of his knowledge; to daughter Mary land; at which time the cough took him of a sudden and never appeared to be capeble of making any further Will and died about Teen aclock or som earlyer this day; Sworn before: Robert Southerland." Comfort may have died shortly after George did. A Comfort MALLARD is listed in the 1800 census, but none of the females are old enough to be her. This household may be Comfort's estate.