Where did we come from?
The William Maynor family history begins in 1850 Chatham County, North Carolina with strong connections to Moore County.  We have been unable to trace the family back in time from this date...so far.  We hope that this website will generate information from other Maynor and kindred researchers that will help us find out more about this elusive family!

Most family stories reflect on our Scotch-Irish heritage and others mention the possibility of a connection with the Lumbee Indians of Eastern NC (possibly Sampson County).  We have not been able to prove either. 

We are participants in the Maynor DNA Project at Family Tree DNA, but so far we do not have a perfect match with any other Maynor.  Our DNA kit number is 24872 on the Y-Results page in a grouping labeled William Maynor.  You can see all the Maynor (any spelling) results at www.familytreedna.com/public/maynor.

Our Maynor family has many mysteries and brick walls, including the disappearance of our mother's father, Angus Edgar Maynor, from Greensboro, NC in 1927.  In January 1927, Angus was the manager of the King Cotton Barbar Shop, located in the new King Cotton Hotel in Greensboro.  Family stories say he disappeared sometime around May 1927.  We have never been able to find out what happened to him or locate any family or friends who heard from him after his disappearance....and we have been searching since 1973.  Angus was born 6-22-1877 (or 6-2-1877) in Moore or Chatham County, NC to William Judson and Mary Ann Phillips Maynor and was a barber by trade. He worked at barber shops in Durham, Hendersonville and Greensboro, North Carolina in the early 1900's.  Several of his siblings thought that he probably stayed in North Carolina -- maybe in the Asheville area -- and could have assumed a new name.  We continue to hope that someone will recognize his photo and contact us.

1860 Chatham County NC Federal Census (Goldston PO, page 251)
William Phillips (56, Farmer; RE 100; personal 75); Catherine Phillips (45, spinster, could not read/write); Clara (Clora) Manor (52, spinster, personal 20, could not read/write); Josiah Manor(16, farmer), Wm. Manor (14), Bethena Manor (13).

The Chatham County Tax Lists show that there was a will filed by William Phillips in 1857, leaving his 50 acre farm to his sisters, Clow and Catherine, at his death---should they remain single. Upon the deaths of Clow and Catherine, the land was to go to two nephews, William Phillips, son of Joshua, and William Baxter, son of Crisinbery (known as Berry).  Edward Phillips, a good friend of William's was Executor of the will.  A personal property estate sale was held in March 1863.   See Phillips Connections for a copy of the will and personal property sale.

1870 Chatham County NC Federal Census (Bear Creek Township)
Cloe Manah (age 60)  lived with Thena (age 22) in Chatham County on a farm. Cloe's occupation was "keeping house." The property was valued at 150 pers. @140.  (The census index for 1870 lists Chloe's name as Cleas Manar).  Chloe died sometime after 1870.

The only official records we have found naming William Maynor (Mainard) are the death certificates of his children. The 1917 death certificate of his son Joseph (Josiah) states that William was born in Sampson County, NC.

Research note:  Many spellings of the name "Maynor" have been found in our research including Maynor, Mainord, Maynard, Mainer, Manair, Manor, Mainor, Mainard, Maness, Manah, Maner, Manard, Manus, Maynis, and Maners. Census indexes have transcribed Manr as Mann and Maner as Mauer.  And...we also found different spellings within family groups!