According to a Chatham County, NC deed (Book AI, page 378-379) between Nicholas Copeland and James Stewart in 1854, Tarlton Maddox is the uncle of one Emeline Copeland. Nicholas Copeland sold the land to James Stewart that had been "formerly belonging to Tarlton Maddox, dec'd and drawn by Emeline Copeland, niece of the said dec'd..." See deed book AG, page 262-263 for the division of the property among the heirs of Tarlton Maddox. This occurred in 1844.

Now.....is the "niece" Emeline the same as the daughter of Nicholas Copeland & his unknown 1st wife? This child would have been about a year old at the time of the division of the property....or is this Emeline Copeland the first wife of Nicholas Copeland, whose name at present is unknown? The other heirs of Tarlton Maddox's property appear to be his children. Why is his niece Emeline also an heir? If Emeline is the daughter of Nicholas Copeland, who is her mother and how is she connected with Tarlton Maddox? If Emeline is the first wife of Nicholas Copeland, who are her parents?