Person:Susannah Lycan (1)

There is a difference of opinion on Lycans of Wilkes Co. NC. First how many Hans? There is solid documentation for Hans, b l727. He is the son of Peter, the grandson of another Hans.Without question he was married to Rachel Halsey (the only documented wife we have found.) Rachel signed a deed with her husband Hans. Rachel Halsey was the daughter of Daniel Halsey. Daniel Halsey and family were killed in l759 by Indians. (except Rachel who had married Hans two years earlier.and was not living in Halsey home. Hans Lycan, son in law of Daniel Halsey, was appointed administator of his estate. Hans Lycan deeded land to his beloved daughter Susannah Matthews wife of William Matthews. This in l79l. We earlier find marriage record for Susannah Lycan in l782 marrying Ambrose Ray. They had a son named Joseph Ray.We find will of William Matthews in l830's that named among others Joseph Ray, stepson to receive an equal share. Ambose Ray had died before l790 so Joseph Ray went to Wm Matthews home when quite young. Record is found for Hans Lycan in Rowan Co. in l750's. He never moved but wound up in Wilkes Co. when it was formed in abt l778. That may be one reason why some think there were two Hans Lycans.There is another Hans Lycan not in direct line , son of a brother in one generation. But there is no record this Hans ever went to NC. Excellent researchers descended from Jacob Gooding Lycan say he is the son of Hans Lycan and that Jacob Gooding Lycan is a brother of Susannah Lycan. These are the only children of Hans that I have seen serious documentation for. Now Hans Lycan father of Sussanah, did have a brother Jacob Lycan Who moved from Va to Rowan-Wilkes Co. NC with Hans. We have to be very careful to not confuse Jacob Lycan, with his nephew Jacob Gooding Lycan. There are many land records for both.

A word about the name Matthews, it was used interchangeably with Mathis. This found in Thomas Mathis signing Nancy's marriage bond Thom Mathis, Thomas Matthews was appointed Executor of William Matthews will and I think there is no doubt it is the same man. Similar examples can be found in other Matthews-Mathis people of Wilkes County The same is true of the Wray-Ray name. Usually but not always it was Ambrose Wray, His son Joseph Ray.