Peter MALLARD was born circa 1688 in England or France. His name at birth may have been Pierre MAILLARD. The MALLARD's in Jones County, North Carolina believes that Peter MALLARD was one of three children of a Jean MAILLARD. Pierre is the French form of Peter. A Peter MALLARD is listed among several French Refugees in Virginia that were naturalized as English citizens in 1705. The Vestry Book of King William County Parish, Virginia for 1707, lists a Pierre MALLARD who paid one tithe and 1 1/2 bushels of wheat. The earliest record for Peter MALLARD found so far in North Carolina is dated February 16, 1729. The Record is for Craven Precinct of Bath County. The record reads, "John Kinsey to Peter Mallard; 20L for 100 acres of land on Salem Creek in Craven." In the North Carolina Colonial Land Patent Book three that a Peter MALLARD was granted land. Governor Gabriel JOHNSTON of the Royal Colony of North Carolina (Term 1734 - 1752) issued the Crown's grant of 160 acres on February 22, 1738 to Peter MALLARD. The 160 acres is described as in Craven County, being on the south side of the Trent river, joining a hill by the riverside.
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 MALLARD and George MALLARD. The following is an abstract of Peter's will, "I, Peter Mallard, being sick and weak do make this my last will and testament. Body to be buried at wife's discretion. To my wife, Rachel during her natural life, 100 acres, including the plantion I now live upon on Craven County... To my son, George 100 acres, being part of the tract whereon I now live with equal child's share or part of all my estate... To my son, John 100 acres, being part of the tract whereon I now live... My will and desire is that whereas my wife having several small children to maintain.." In Book II, Page 289 of the Craven County Court minutes dated June 16, 1741 the following is written, "John Richards: Exhibited ye will of Peter Mallard decd which was proved by the oath of Nathaniel Parrot one of the subscribing evidences thereto and prays it to be recorded. Granted. John Richards came into court and took the oath of an Executor to the Last Will and Testament of Peter Mallard. Ordered Mr. Secretary to have notice thereof." On page 17 of the December 1747 Craven County Court Minutes, a Francis BLOUNT motioned that appraisers are appointed to divide the estate of Peter MALLARD the deceased. The court ordered that Vinson AMIET and Thomas BRADSHAW be appointed to appraise inventory of the estate. Peter MALLARD's wife is listed as Rachel NORMAN in The History and Genealogy of Jones County, North Carolina. From early court and deed records I believe that he also had sons named Daniel MALLARD and Peter MALLARD, Jr.