ROBERT RHODES [d: abt 1808, Bertie Co.] was the father of EPHRAIM RHODES, who likely was the father of ROBERT WILEY RHODES in Trigg Co., KY. I would like to determine the parents of Robert. To help in that venture, here is a time line of information, presumably about this same Robert Rhodes in early Bertie Co.:

==1759 [17 Jan] Robert Rhodes purchased 470 acres of land in Bertie Co. from DANIEL MURPHY [Deed Book I, p. 347].
"Daniel Murphree of Bertie County conveys to Robert Roads of Bertie County in consideration of 15 pounds Proclamation money, 470 acres joining Connantsit [Connaritsa] Swamp. Wit:  Nathan (X) Miers, HENRY ROADS, Nathaniel Cooper.  Proved in July Ct. 1759." 
Note: Daniel Murphree likely was from Nansemond Co., VA.  His wife was Sarah [Dempsey?]. He appears 1743 in Bertie Co., moved to Orange Co. by 1765, and died in Chatham Co. [the section cut from Orange Co.] by 1771 when his 1769 will was proved.

==1761 Robert Rhodes purchased land in Bertie Co. from THOMAS PEIRCE [Deed Book K, p. 62].

==1768 Robert Rhodes appears on a list of taxpayers in Bertie Co.
-Thomas Rhodes [1 free white]
-Henry Rhodes [1 free white, 1 white servant, 1 negro male/16+up, 1 negro female]
-Jacob Rhodes [1 free white]
-James Rhodes [1 free white, 1 free mulatto]
-John Rhodes [1 free white, 1 white servant, 1 negro male/16+up]
-Robert Rhodes [1 free white]
-Thomas Rhodes [1 free white, 2 white servants, 1 negro male/16+up, 1 negro female]

==1771 in September, JOHN RHODES Bertie Co. will lists the following names: Thomas Rhodes, Henry Rhodes, William Rhodes, Charles Rhodes, John Rhodes.

==1776 Minutes of the Sandy Run Baptist Church indicate that the church was meeting in the home of Robert Rhodes [Sandy Run Baptist Church, Record Book 1773-1804, West Chowan Association].

==1781 Robert Rhodes appears on a list of taxpayers in Bertie Co. The following Rhodes taxpayers also appear on this list: Elisha, Henry, Henry Jr., Henry Sr, Isaac, James, John Sr. John Jr., Penelope, Thomas.

==1790 Bertie Co. Census lists the following of some 25 Rhodes households enumerated:
-Robert Rhodes [1 male 16+up, 4 males under 16, 3 females]
-Robert Rhodes [1 male 16+up]
-Ephraim Rhodes [1 male 16+up, 1 male under 16, 2 females, 1 slave]

==1793 in November, HENRY RHODES Bertie Co. will lists the following names: Alice, Henry, Mary, Clary Rhodes.

==1795 Robert Rhodes gives land in Bertie Co. to [son] ROBERT RHODES Jr. [Deed Book Q, p. 243].
==1795 Robert Rhodes gives land in Bertie Co. to [son] WILLIAM RHODES. [Deed Book Q, p. 246].

==1795 in November, JOHN RHODES Bertie Co. Will lists:
James Rhodes, John Rhodes, Alice Perry.

==1796 in February, THOMAS RHODES Bertie Co. Will lists:
Elisha Rhodes, James Rhodes, Eliz. Rhodes, Wm. Rhodes children, Elizabeth Tayloe, Margarett Legett, Thomas Rhodes, Jonathan Rhodes, Margaret Rhodes.

==1797 JOEL COOK et Ux grants two parcels of land to EPHRAIM RHODES [Deed Book R, p. 443, 444].

==1800 Bertie Co. Census lists the following:
-Robert Rhodes Sr.
[Males: 1 (45and+), 3 (10-16); Females: 1 (45and+), 1 (26-45), 1 (16-26); Slaves: 1]
-Robert Rhodes Jr.
[Males: 1 (26-45), 1 (under 10); Females: 1 (26-45), 1 (under 10); Slaves: 5]
-Ephraim Rhodes
[Males: 1 (26-45), 2 (under 10); Females: 1 (26-45), 1 (10-16), 1 (under 10); Slaves: 36]

==1800 in November, JAMES RHODES Bertie Co. Will lists:
Unborn child, Anne Rhodes [apparently he married ANNE OUTLAW 23 Oct 1797 in Bertie Co.].

==1805 in August, JOSHUA RHODES Bertie Co. Will lists:
Mary Rhodes, Wm. P. King.

==1803 in August, SARHA RHODES Bertie Co. Will lists:
Theophilus Rhodes, Children of William Edwards, Polly Oliver.

==1808 [Feb] The Will of ROBERT RHODES SR. is proved in the court of Bertie Co., NC
[SEE A TRANSCRIPTION OF THE WILL BELOW]
The Will lists: wife, Martha; slave, [Phebe?], and children, [Euridice?] Howard, Abraham Rhodes, Isaac Rhodes, Jacob Rhodes, Ephraim Rhodes, Elizabeth
Glis[t]on, Henry Rhodes, Elisha Rhodes, Robert Rhodes, William Rhodes.

[p. 82]
In the name of God, Amen. I ROBERT RHODES SR. in the State North Carolina & County of Bertie do this 30th day of October One Thousand Eight hundred & seven make and publish my last will & testament in the following manner to wit:

First I tend to [feles?] my beloved wife MARTHA RHODES one feather Bead Sted & cord and two sheets & three blankets two pewter basons and one dish two plates six spoons two knives & forks one cow & calf one horse bridle & saddle one chest four [sellens?] chears one sow & pigs and as much of my kitchen furniture and one negro woman named [PHEBE?] and plantation utensils as my Executors shall think she needs . All the above I tend to her during her life not for her to sell lend or dispose of any part of the same without the consent of my Executors. I likewise give her one good beef & cow 1 pork & fodder sufficient to support her one year.

2ndly, I tend to my Daughter [EURIDICE?] HOWARD the use of one hundred & forty five dollars during her life and should she have child or children then my will is that the money be divided amongst them and their heirs.

3dly I give and bequeath to my Sons & daughters as followith to wit to my son ABRAHAM the sum of one hundred & forty five dollars to ISAAC, to JACOB, TO EPHRAIM TO ELISABETH GLISTON to my sons ELISHA & HENRY RHODES to each of them the sum of one hundred & forty five dollars each--

4thly my will & desire is that after all my just debts is paid that the remainder of my be Equally divided amongst all my children, to wit, ABRAHAM, ISAAC, JACOB, EPHRAIM, ELIZABETH GLISON, HENRY & ELISHA RHODES [p. 83] & ROBERT & WILLIAM RHODES--

Lastly I do constitute & appoint my son ROBERT RHODES & SOLOMON CHERRY [Junr?] [sole/Job?] Executors of this my last will Testament In testimony of which I have set my hand & affixed my seal the day & date above written [?]

SAMUEL SHARROCK              ROBERT  RHODES [+ his Mark]
JOHN  PARKE [+ his Mark]

State of North Carolina } Feby Term 1808
Bertie County Court     }
This last will & Testament of Robert Rhodes decd was proved in open Court & by the Oath of SAMUEL SHARRACK one of the subscribing witnesses thereto--ordered to be recorded.
JOB CHERRY [Jnr?] CLK