Son of Penina Benton and Isaac W Skipper Jr


Lawson Kennar (sometimes Kennar) Skipper was born December 24, 1829, in Brunswick County, North Carolina. His father is Isaac, Jr., and his mother is unnamed although it is certain from this document, the census records, and the age differences that she was not the mother of Isaac's two older sons, Needham Benton Skipper and James Wesley Skipper. This document is undated but Isaac died about 1832, so it must have been written soon thereafter when Lawson was too young to make the petition himself. Riviera (sometimes Riven) Quincy Skipper, presumed to be Lawson's full brother was twelve years older, still not of majority, but it seems curious that he is mentioned almost as an afterthought. To my knowledge the decision of the court has not been found, but the petition must have been successful as later deeds indicate that both Lawson and Riviera sold lands in Brunswick County originally belonging to Isaac.

Lawson married Catherine Ann Hinson and left many descendants, including another Isaac William Skipper who, as a sheriff, was infamously murdered during his attempt to arrest James Tomoney on the Fourth of July, 1914. Newspaper clippings of this event are available on request. [email protected]

Riviera married Elisa Ann (unknown) and moved to Leon County, Florida after 1846. They had ten children. Riviera died in Savannah of disease at General Hospital #2, during the Civil War. He is buried at Laurel Grove Cemetery, lot 882, grave 4 under the name R.A Skipper. Apparently no one could get his name right.

On the 1830 census Isaac Skipper, Jr. is living on Oak Island at the extreme southern end of Brunswick County, somewhat removed from the Northwest District where his property was located. Francis N. Waddell, who wrote the petition, is also found on Oak Island at that time.

Bio provided by Owen Saling