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     Lazarus Flora was the son of (?) Lazarus? It becomes apparent to anyone studying early Flory or Flora families in the South that there were additional early Flory lines in the Southern states that were not a part of any existing group, including that of the A Line of Thomas Flora. These lines all appear to be of English rather than German or Swiss ancestry. The Southern line that has been researched the most thoroughly is that of the "Tidewater" Florys, whose Virginia ancestor appears to have emigrated from Currituck Co., North Carolina.  Previosuly, the earliest known member of this family is a LAZARUS (LARSUS) FLORA, who died in 1778 in Currituck Co., North Carolina.  His wife's name was Elener, and he had four known children, Lazarus, Richard, William, and Elizabeth.  Who his father was is speculative at this point, but based on local records, Donna O'Malley suggests that it was an earlier LAZARUS FLOWER, possible son of a JOHN FLOWER, who perhaps was an immigrant from England or a migrant from either Maryland or some other part of Virginia .

John FLORA/FLOWER/FLORY
?     The earliest record of a FLORA in Currituck Co., North Carolina is for a John FLORA having one tithable in 1719. According to the Laws of 1715, Chapter LI reads: "All Males not being slaves in this Government shall by Tythable at the Age of Sixteen Years And All Slaves Male or Female, either Imported or born in this Country, shall BE tythable at the Age of Twelve Years." Further records for a John FLOWERY (1720), Jno FLUERY (1721) and Jno FLOREY (1722) -- note the range of spellings -- continue to show only a single "tithable." Based on this information, it can be deduced that John had no male children over the age of 16 living with him between the years of 1719 and 1722. In addition, John was either born in 1703, or was born prior to 1703 and moved to Currituck Co. in 1719. The next record for a John FLORY in the county is a deed dated 1735. Then, in 1738, Humphrey Vince wills some property to both John FLOWER and Lazarus FLOWER. We assume that John FLOWER is the John FLORY/FLORA mentioned above because the Tythable Lists include Humphrey Vince and John FLORY/FLORA. The question then is "What is Lazarus' relationship to John?" ??Lazarus FLOWER (Lazarus FLORA I)
?     The earliest record for Lazarus FLOWER is his inclusion in the 1738 Vince will cited above. There is no mention of Lazarus' "coming of age" or any other indication that he might have been a minor. Therefore, we can assume that he was born prior to 1717. However, no Lazarus FLOWER was included on any of the Tithable Lists along with John above. This would indicate that he was born after 1706. If John were born in 1703, then he and Lazarus would most likely have been brothers. However, were he born prior to 1703 and moved to Currituck Co. in 1719, then it is possible that John was Lazarus' father. We have the Tithable Lists for the county between 1714 and 1718 and neither John nor any other FLORY/FLORA/FLOWER is listed. This would lend credence to the idea that John moved to Currituck in 1719 and would support our hypothesis that John may be Lazarus' father.  Now, the plot thickens. What is Lazarus FLOWER's relationship to the Lazarus FLORA, whom we have nominated as the "patriarch" of our line? If the two are the same individual, Lazarus FLOWER waited a long time to have children. Based on the information presented above, he would most likely have been born between 1706 and 1717. Since Lazarus FLORA did not have children until the mid-1750s, this Lazarus would have to have been in his late 30s to late 40s. This would not have been outside the realm of biological feasibility. However, Helen Leary in her North Carolina Research: Genealogy and Local History, Second Ed., says rough estimates for birth dates can be made using the following rules of thumb: marriage age for males 18-25; allow 1-2 years between the marriage and the birth of the first child. We do not exclude that this might have been a second marriage for Lazarus FLOWER, or that he could have been a "late starter." However, we believe that it is improbable that this Lazarus would have waited so long Now, let's assume that Lazarus FLOWER is the father of Lazarus FLORA. Based on the Tithable Lists, Lazarus FLOWER's birth year is after 1706, assuming that he was in Currituck County. We believe that Lazarus FLORA was born prior to 1728 since he was a witness to Nehemiah Heath's will in 1749/50. This would mean that Lazarus FLOWER was 22 or younger when Lazarus FLORA was born. This hypothesis is neither impossible, nor (in our view) improbable. Though there is no conclusive documentary evidence at present, our view is that Lazarus FLORA (whom we will now refer to as Lazarus FLORA (II), was the son of Lazarus FLOWER (I), who was the son of John FLORA/FLOWERY/FLUERY/FLORY. We are eager to uncover additional evidence to support this theory, but this is a tall order to fill. Almost all of the early records of Currituck County have been lost at the county level. In addition, the Sixty-Four-Thousand-Dollar Question remains. Was John an immigrant from England, or did he "wander" down from Maryland or Virginia???Lazarus FLORA (II)
?     The earliest FLORA for whom we have more extensive documentary information is Lazarus FLORA, whom we have dubbed "II" and consider to be the patriarch of our line. We are uncertain of his birthplace (most probably in Virginia or North Carolina), but it is likely he was born prior to 1728 because he is mentioned in Nehemiah Heath's 1749/50 will in Currituck Co., North Carolina. He shows up in the tax records of Currituck Co. as Lazarous FLOREY in 1751, as Lazarous FLOREY in 1752, and Lazarus FLORAH in 1756, and he (or his son) as Lazarus FLORAH in 1773. He is also listed on the "1750 Muster Roll" of Maj. Wm. Shergold's Regiment in Capt. Jacob Caron's Company as Lazarus FLURRY. (Currituck County Eighteenth Century Tax and Militia Records, William Doub Bennet, 1993.) Again, note the variations of the surname's spelling. Larsus FLORA (II)'s will is recorded in the Currituck Co., North Carolina Will Book No. 1, for 1778, p. 134. He had married an Eleanor (Elener), with whom he had had at least four children: Lazarus (III), Richard, William, and Elizabeth.  Lazarus Flora married (?) Elener. Lazarus Flora died in 1778 at Currituck Co., NC, USA.

     (?) Elener married Lazarus Flora, son of (?) Lazarus?.

     Lazarus Flora was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Elener. We are uncertain of his birth date, but it was likely prior to 1757, since he was not indicated as a minor in his father's will. The next recorded information on Lazarus FLORA (III) is his listing on the "Currituck Co., North Carolina Tax and Militia Lists of 1773." He is next found (along with Richard, his brother) as a private in the North Carolina Continental Line, 10th Regiment, Col. Abraham Shepard, in Jarvis' Company. The record is dated Sept. 4, 1777. Another source places him (and Richard) in the same regiment, but in Lytle's Company. After the Revolutionary War, Lazarus (III) apparently returned home to Currituck Co., NC. On August 26, 1783, he sold land to Josiah Stack for 50 pounds (Currituck Co., North Carolina Deed Book, No. 4, p. 181.) According to the "Army Accounts of the North Carolina Line in Halifax," on May 21, 1784, Lazarus (III), along with Richard, was granted 274 acres of land in the state of Cumberland (Tennessee) for his 36 months of service with the Continental Army.  In October 1784, Lazarus FLORA (III) married Winnefred (last name unknown) at her father's house in Currituck. They were married by Justice of the Peace Jesse Simmons. While there is no recorded evidence at the time of marriage, the date was cited by Winnefred in her pension request. Sometime between 1784 and 1790, Lazarus and Winney moved to Edgecombe Co., NC, about 80 miles west of Currituck Co. The reason for the move is unknown. Lazarus is listed in the 1790 census in Edgecombe Co. along with two other free white males (presumed to be sons Jesse and William) and four white females, which we assume to be Winnie and three unknown daughters. A look at all of the records for this family indicate that Jesse was most likely born early in the marriage, probably around 1785. Then the three daughters may have been born between 1785 and 1790. It appears that they moved out of the area (or died?), as they are not mentioned in his will.  Lazarus FLORA (III) passed away in 1799, leaving several young children in the care of his wife Winney, including an infant. Lazarus' will lists his children as Jessee, William, Richard, Ephraim, Benjamin, Mary and Enoch. The 1800 census record for Winnifred lists her, one free white male aged 10-16 (assumed to be William), five free white males under 10 (assumed to be Richard, Ephraim, Benjamin, Enoch, and an unknown male child) and one free white female under ten (assumed to be Mary). Jesse was no longer living at home at that date. Lazarus Flora married (?) Winnifred in October 1784 at Currituck Co., NC, USA. Lazarus Flora died in 1799 at Edgecomb Co., NC, USA.

     Richard Flora was born between 1755 and 1776, based on 1800 census data, but it is most likely he was born circa 1757 due to his service in the Revolutionary War. As noted above, he and Lazarus (III) served together in the 10th Regiment, North Carolina Continental Line. On July 25, 1783, he is listed with the North Carolina Continental Line in Halifax, Halifax Co., about 80 miles west of Currituck Co. He and his brother Lazarus, as noted above, were awarded land in Tennessee for their service. Richard does not appear as head of household in the 1790 Currituck Co. census, but does show up in 1800. His household consists of himself (26-45), his wife (26-45), a free white male (age 10-16) and one under 10, two free white females (10-16), and one under the age of 10.               
     Our examination of various documents leads us to believe the following: Richard's wife was Mabel; his oldest son was Dennis, and his youngest son was Richard Bell. We also know that Richard (Sr.) died sometime in late 1802, because the Currituck County Court Minutes for March 1, 1803, gave Mabel FLORO right of administration of the estate of Richard FLORA, deceased. 
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      Richard Flora was born circa 1775 at Currituck Co., NC, USA. He was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Elener.

     William Flora was born between 1755 and 1776, based on 1800 census data. As there is no record of his service in the Revolutionary War with his brothers, it would appear he was born later, circa 1765. The first documentation is his listing in the Currituck Co., NC List of Taxables 1779, as having property worth 821 pounds. He is not, however, reflected as head of household in the 1790 census.  He married Luraney prior to 1800, since she is listed with him in the 1800 and 1810 Currituck County census records. On February 3, 1804, William bought land worth $94.25. (Currituck Co. Deed Book, No. 3, p. 468.) The next available record is his will dated May 27, 1811, found in the Currituck County Will Book, No. 2, p.9. His wife Luraney was listed, as were his sons John, William, Aaron, and Lazarus. His daughters were Jean, Mary, Frankey, Charlotte, and Julia. He lists each child by his or her full name, but Jean and Mary have the last name Fulford. At the end of the will, he leaves the remainder of the property for the use of his wife until her death. At that time, he states that the property should be divided among his seven children. He lists them by name, excluding Jean and Mary. Could Jean and Mary have been adopted or taken in by the family, or had they both married Fulfords and established their own households? A Dennis FLORY witnessed William's will and appears to be related to him. Dennis was possibly a son of William's brother Richard. William Flora was born after 1755. He was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Elener. William Flora died in 1811. He married (?) Luraney on 18 August 1858.

     Elizabeth Flora was the daughter of Lazarus Flora and (?) Elener.

     (?) Winnifred married Lazarus Flora, son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Elener, in October 1784 at Currituck Co., NC, USA.

     Jesse Flora was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Winnifred. Jesse Flora died circa 1834.

     William Flora was born after 1784. He was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Winnifred. William Flora died in 1817.

     Richard Flora was born after 1790. He was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Winnifred. Richard Flora died circa 1801 at Currituck Co., NC, USA.

     Benjamin Flora was born after 1795. He was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Winnifred. Benjamin Flora died circa 1819.

     Mary Flora was born after 1795. She was the daughter of Lazarus Flora and (?) Winnifred. Mary Flora married Tully Dozier on 10 May 1823.

     He was buried in the Floore Family Cemetery in Kemper Co., Mississippi. Ephraim Flora was born on 20 July 1796. He was the son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Winnifred. Ephraim Flora died on 24 October 1876 at Noxubee Co., MS, USA, at age 80.

     Susannah Flora was the daughter of Richard Flora.

     Elender Flora was the daughter of Richard Flora.

     Margaret Flora was the child of Richard Flora.

     Isaac Flora was the son of Richard Flora.

     Richard Bell Flora was born in 1795. He was the son of Richard Flora. Richard Bell Flora died in 1898.

     (?) Luraney married William Flora, son of Lazarus Flora and (?) Elener, on 18 August 1858.

     Aran Flora was born after 1795. He was the son of William Flora and (?) Luraney. Aran Flora died circa 1814 at Currituck Co., NC, USA.

     Lazarus Flora was born after 1795. He was the son of William Flora and (?) Luraney. Lazarus Flora died before 1850 at Currituck Co., NC, USA.

     John Flora was the son of William Flora and (?) Luraney. John Flora died at Currituck Co., NC, USA.

     William Flora was the son of William Flora and (?) Luraney.

     Jean Flora was the daughter of William Flora and (?) Luraney.

     Frankey Flora was the son of William Flora and (?) Luraney.