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Halifax County- Probate Court 1879
1876. State of North Carolina, Halifax County
Be it known to all men that I EDMOND ASHE doth this day make my will and testament this the thirty first day of May Eighteen hundred and Seventy Six I EDMOND
ASH doth will my land and stock and household and kitching furnature to ELIZABETH COLEY and her children at my Deth and if I get a wife and she lives longer
than I do she is to live on the land as long as she lives. This the 31st of May 1876.
EDMON ASH ("X" his mark)
M. A. ADKINS ("X" his mark)
J. W. JOHNSTON
B. W. JOHNSTON
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
In the Probate Court
A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and testament of EDMOND ASH deceased is exhibited for probate in Open Court by ELIZABETH COLEY a legatee
therein named and the due execution thereof by the said EDMOND ASHE is proved by the oath and examination of B. W. JOHNSTON and J. W. JOHNSTON, two of the
subscribing witnesses thereto. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of
the said EDMOND ASH and it is adjudged by the Court that the same is sufficient to pay both real and personal property and the same is ordered to be recorded
and filed. And thereupon the said ELIZABETH COLEY comes and qualifies as administratrix with the will annexed of the said EDMOND ASH, dec'd and Executes her
bond in the sum of twenty dollars with J. W. JOHNSTON and B. W. JOHNSTON as sureties thereto and the said ELIZABETH COLEY qualifies as such by taking and
subscribing the oath as required by law.
This the 19th June A. D. 1879.
JOHN T. GREGORY
Probate Judge =============================================================
Halifax County
In the Probate Court
In the matter of the Administration of the Estate of EDMOND ASHE
Before JOHN T. GREGORY, Probate Judge ELIZABETH COLEY & JOS. W. JOHNSTON being sworn doth say: That
EDMOND ASHE, late of said County is dead, leaving a last Will and Testament; and that there is no Executor therein named. The said ELIZABETH COLEY
therefore applies for Letters of Administration with the Will annexed, on the estate of the said EDMOND ASHE. Further, that the value of the personal
property of said estate, so far as can be ascertained at the date of this application, is about $8.00, and that the decedent left a small tract of land
containing about Eight and one half acres worth about $30.00 and that the said ELIZABETH COLEY of Halifax County in said State and her children JESSIE
COLEY 21 years old, ELIZABETH COLEY 18 years, OCTAVIA COLEY aged 13 years, JAMES COLEY aged 11 years old, ZELL COLEY aged 8 years, WILLEY COLEY 7 years,
ALICE COLEY 2 years old are entitled as heirs and distributees thereof.
ELIZABETH COLEY ("X" her mark)
J. W. JOHNSTON
Sworn and subscribed before me, this 19th day of June 1879.
JOHN T. GREGORY
Probate Judge
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State of North Carolina
Halifax County
I ELIZABETH COLEY do solemnly swear or (affirm) that I believe this writing to be and contain the last Will and Testament of EDMUND ASHE deceased; and
that I will well and truly execute the same by first paying his debts and then his legacies as far as the said estate shall extend, or the law will charge
me; and that I will well and faithfully execute the office of Administrator with the Will annexed agreeable to the trust and confidence reposed in me, and
according to law, so help me God.
Sworn and subscribed before me, this 19th day of June 1879
JOHN T. GREGORY
Probate Judge
ELIZABETH COLEY ("X" her mark)
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ELIZABETH COLEY the Administratrix of EDMOND ASH dec'd- In account final with the Estate of EDMOND ASH
The administratrix returns in the Court that she has rec'd no money in behalf of the estate of his intestate, and that she has made the following payments
in behalf of said estate out of her individual funds, without notary[?] doesn't ??? proper
Contra
June 19, 1879 - By Cash paid probate of Will and for qualification as Administrator - 3.50
Nov. 4, 1879 - By Cash paid C. H. MOORE, Mortage on land - 25.50
Nov. 13, 1879 - By Cash paid S. JOHNSTON - 1.80
Nov. 6, 1879 - By Cash paid E. W. FURGERSON - .60
Nov. 24, 1879 - By Cash paid S. JOHNSTON- 5.05
ELIZABETH COLEY, Admx. of EDMUND ASH and being duly sworn says, that no money has come to the hands as Admx. That she has paid off and settled all the
debts of intestate of which she has received notice or has knowledge & experience submits the foregoing on her final account of a first time exhibit.
ELIZABETH COLEY ("X" her mark)
Sworn to and subscribed before me 29 March 1881
JOHN T. GREGORY
Clerk Supr. Court
& Probate Judge
-------------------------------------
NOTICE
The undersigned having this day qualified before JOHN T. GREGORY, Judge of Probate for Halifax County as Administratrix with the will annexed of EDMOND
ASHE, late of said County, deceased, hereby notifies all persons having claims against said deceased, do present them duly authenticated to the said
Administratrix on or before the 19th day of June 1880, or this Notice will be pleaded in ban of this recovery. And all persons indebted to said estate are
requested to make immediate settlement.
This 19th June 1879.
ELIZABETH COLEY ("X" his mark)
Administratrix with will Annexed of EDMOND ASH, dec'd
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Note: Edmond Ash married Middie Mills with a Marriage Bond filed Nov. 3, 1826 Halifax Co., Bondsman: Robin Cooley; in 1850
Halifax County, Edmund Ash, age 46, was head of household that included Middie Ash, age 45, and Elizabeth Coley, age 11, all mulatto. -------------------------------
Will of JOHN BROWN- 1877
Halifax County Wills 1868-1891
Will Book 9, Page 176-178
I JOHN BROWN of the County of Halifax and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my Earthly existence
do make and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say
First that my Executor herein after named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay all funeral
expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomever owing out of the monies that may first come into his hands as a part or parcel of my
Estate.
Item I loan to my beloved wife JINETT BROWN all my land containing two hundred and twenty five acres lying and being in the County of Halifax and State of
North Carolina adjoining the lands of JAMES MORRS, S. A. J. GLASGOW, WILLIAM E. WEBB and others to have and to hold to her the saidm JINETT BROWN for and
during the term of her natural life.
Item I loan to my beloved wife all my stock of every description household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils and all the crop on hand except what it
will take to pay my funeral expenses and just debts to have and to hold to her the said JINETT BROWN for and during the term of her natural life.
Item. I give and devise to my son THEOPHOLUS BROWN after the death of my said wife fifty acres of land whereon he now lives and allso to include the cross
roads known as Walkers Cross Road and adjoining the lands of D. W. M. PERKINS, S. A. J. GLASGOW and JAMES MORRIS to have and to hold to him and his heirs
in fee simple forever.
Item. I give and devise to my Daughter VIRGINA W. BROWN after the death of my said wife fifty acres of land to include my dwelling house and all out
houses and to adjoin the land I have given to my son THEOPHOLUS BROWN, JAMES MORRIS and S. A. J. GLASGOW allso one cow & calf one bed and furniture
Item. I give and devise to SAMUEL BROWN, JOHN BROWN, CAROLINE HERBERT, MARGARET C. BRADLY and FRANCIS N. BROWNING after the death of my said wife the
remaining one hundred and twenty five acres to be equally divided between them to have and to hold to them and their heirs in fee simple forever
Item My will and desire is that all the stock of every description household and kitchen furniture farming utensils after taking out the devisees above
mentioned shall be sold by my Executor and the proceeds thereof be equally divided between SAMUEL BROWN, THOMAS BROWN, HENRY BROWN, VIRGINIA W. BROWN,
JOHN BROWN JR. THEOPHOLUS BROWN, CAROLINE HERBERT, MARGARET C. BRADLEY and FRANCES N. BROWNING and AMAMDA WALKER to share and share alike which sum with
the advancements allready made at sundry times will make THOMAS BROWN, HENRY BROWN and AMANDA WALKER a fair and equitable portion of my estate according
to the value thereof.
And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son THEOPHOLUS BROWN my lawful Executor to all intents and purposes to Execute this my last will and
Testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and claim thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other Wills
and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof I the said JOHN BROWN do hereunto set my hand and seal this the 24th day of July A.D. 1877.
JOHN BROWN ("X" his mark)
Signed sealed published and declared by the said JOHN BROWN to be his last Will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence
do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto
JOHN A. B. KILPATRICK
CHARLIE F. GLASGOW
Halifax County- In the Probate Court
A paper writing purporting to be the last Will & Testament of JOHN BROWN, deceased, is exhibited before the undersigned Judge of Probate for Halifax
County on this the 9th day of January A.D. 1878, for probate, by THEOPHILUS BROWN, the Executor therein named & the due execution thereof by the said JOHN
BROWN is proved by the oath & examination of JOHN A. B. KILPATRICK & CHARLIE F. GLASGOW the subscribing witnesses thereto. And the said deponents do
further say upon oath, and each for himself does say, that he is a subscribing witness to the said paper writing now shown to him, that the said JOHN
BROWN in the presence of said deponents, subscribed his name at the end of said paperwriting, which bears date the 24th day of July 1877; and the said
deponents further say that the said JOHN BROWN, the testator aforesaid, did, at the time of subscribing his name as aforesaid, declare the said paper
writing to be his last will and testament, and said deponents did thereupon subscribe their names, each for himself, at the end of said will as an
attesting witness thereto, and at the request and in the presence of the said testator. And the said deponents further say, that at the time when said
testator subscribed his name to said will as aforesaid, and at the time of the said deponents subscribing their names as attesting witnesses thereto as
aforesaid, the said JOHN BROWN was of sound mind and memory, of full age to execute a Will, and was not under any restraint to the knowledge, information
or belief of said deponents; and further said deponents say not.
It is thereupon considered by the court, that said paper writing & every part thereof, is the last Will & testament of said JOHN BROWN & same is ordered
to be recorded & filed. And thereupon the said, THEOPHILUS BROWN, Executor as aforesaid, duly qualified as such, by taking the oath required by law.
JOHN T. GREGORY
Clerk Superior Court
& Probate Judge
-------------------------------
Will of JAMES DANIEL - 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 173 In the Name of God, Amen this Ninth day of April in the year of Our Lord Christ
One thousand Seven hundred & Eighty nine. I JAMES DANIEL of Halifax County & State of North Carolina do call to mind the mortality of my body knowing that
it is appointed for all men once to die & touching the Estate which it has pleased God to bless one with in this life, I dispose of the same in the
following manner. Item. I give unto my beloved son WEST DANIEL Two Hundred acres of land lying in Nash County on the waters of Tosneot to him & his
heirs forever. Item. I give unto my beloved daughter PATSEY DANIEL one Negro girl named CHERRY. Also one sorrel filley to her & her Heirs forever.
Item. I lend unto my beloved wife ELIZABETH DANIEL, PHILL & PRISS during her natural life. I also lend unto my beloved wife ELIZABETH, DUKE &
JEFFERY during her life or widowhood. I also lend unto my wife all the rest of my Estate during her life to raise my Children upon & to pay all my
just debts & after the death of my wife my desire is that all the Estate lent unto my wife should be equally divided among my Children. Lastly I do
appoint my wife ELIZABETH, WM. WEST & HOWELL ELLEN Exc'rs to this my last Will & Testament it is utterly to disannull & revoke every other will heretofore
made by me & do ratify & confirm this to be my Last Will & Testament. In witness whereto I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal the day & year
above written.
Signed Sealed & Delivered in presence of us- THO'S CAVENAH, MATTHEW GILBERT & EDWARD CAVENAH.
JAMES DANIEL
Halifax County Sess
August Sessions 1789
Then this Will was exhibited in Open Court and duly proved by the Oath of MATTHEW GILBERT a witness thereto and on motion ordered to be Registered.
Whereupon ELIZABETH DANIEL was qualifed as an Exc'r thereto.
Test
WM WOOTTON CCt
------------------------------
Will of JAMES DAVIS - 1817
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 598-599 I JAMES DAVIS make this my last Will & Testament Viz
All right title & Interest which I have to my wife RINA & any children which she now has or may have, under & by virtue of the Will of MRS. MARY DAVIS, I
give & devise to WILLIAM BURT of Halifax Town in Trust & on this express condition to use all lawfull ways & means to have my said wife & children
liberated & set free, as soon after my death as practicable. And I give to the said WILLIAM in trust for the benefit of my said wife & all my Children
(bond as well as free) all my property of every discription. My wife to keep possession of my houses & lotts & all my other property during her life &
after her death to be sold & the money equally divided among all my children. And I appoint the said WILLIAM BURT my Executor. Witness my hand & Seal this
2d Jany A.D. 1817.
JAMES DAVIS ("X" his mark)
Signed &c before
THO'S BURGESS Jt
E. ANDREWS JT
Halifax County
Feby Sess's 1817
Then this Will was exhibited in open court & duly proven by the oath of THOMAS BURGESS & EDMUND ANDREWS the two subscribing witnesses thereto & on motion
ordered to be recorded. Whereupon WILLIAM BURT the Executor therein named came into & was duly qualified thereto.
Witness
RICHARD EPPES CCt
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Note: James Davis was a former slave of Mary Davis who was previously freed as indicated in her following will. -------------------------------
Will of MARY(BURT) DAVIS - 1809
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 573-575 This is the last Will and Testament of me MARY DAVIS Widow & relict of the
lat GOODORUM DAVIS of the Town of Halifax made this 30th day of June In the year of our Lord 1809.
First as concerning my Estate I give the same in manner & form following that is to say I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my Nephew WILLIAM S.
BURT Son of WILLIAM BURT of the Town of Halifax my tract of land situate lying & being in the County of Northampton and the Ferry therewith with all the
appurtenances to the said tract of land appurtaining as also all flats & boats belonging to the aforesaid Ferry but subject never theless to this express
proviso, that in case the said WILLIAM S. BURT should die before he arrives to the age of twenty one years then my will and express desire is that the
aforesaid tract of land & ferry should be equally divided between my beloved nieces HARRIET D. EPPES wife of RICHARD EPPES and MARIA BURT daughter of the
aforesaid WILLIAM BURT. And further I give and bequeath unto the said WILLIAM S. BURT all my stock of every kind except my three carriage horses which I
reserved for the present as the residue of my Estate. My further will and desire and in persuance of which I hereby give and bequeath and devise unto my
good and trusty friend WILLIAM BURT of the Town of Halifax, in trust only, and for the only use and behoof of my beloved niece HARRIET D. EPPES wife of
RICHARD EPPES the houses and lots which I at present ocupy in the Town of Halifax together with the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in anywise
appertaining as also the adjacent lot which was purchased from the late WILLIAM BARKSDALE dec'd To have and to hold the said last mentioned missuaged
lands & tenements, hereditaments and premises with the appurtenances upon trust as aforesaid unto the proper use and behoof of the said HARRIET D. EPPES,
her heirs and assigns forever subject nevertheless to this restriction and limitation that on my decease the said HARRIET D. EPPES shall have the
immediate use & ocupancy of the aforesaid devised messuaged & lotts & houses to her use & pleasure And the aforesaid WILLIAM BURT shall be liable at all
times to execute the aforesaid trust to the only proper use and behoof of his the aforesaid HARRIET D. EPPES and when thereunto property and of right
requested shall convey the aforesaid houses & lots messuage lands and tenements into the said HARRIET D. EPPES her heirs & assigns in fee simple and all
the furniture belonging to said house &c
I further give unto my beloved niece he said HARRIET D. EPPES the following Negroes (to wit) DICK PETER, JULIA, & her children.
And my Will is and I do hereby give and bequeath unto MARIA BURT daughter of the before mentioned WILLIAM BURT the following Negroes (to wit) ALFRED,
POLLY, RHINA, CHERRY, BETSY & FANNY.
And my will is and I do hereby order & direct that my trusty and well beloved Negro fellow JIM who was manumitted free & liberated by order of the
Worshipful County Court of Halifax for his long and faithful mentioned services should have forever my lot of land in the Town of Halifax known and
described Number (1) and the circumjacent land to him forever with this reservation and restriction that in case the ferry should hereafter be moved from
where it is now kept up to the land already devised to sd JIM or in case the said Negro JIM should before that time wish to sell and dispose of the said
lot and circumjacent land that then and in that case my will and express desire is that a strip of land of one half acre back should be laid off and
appropriated to the use of said ferry and which said piece of land in case either of these contingencies or events should happen and take place, I give
devise and bestow to the aforesaid WILLIAM S. BURT with the like bequests over in case of his death before he arrives to the age of Twenty one. My further
will & desire is that the aforementioned JIM should have a free gift his wife RINA and his two sons JOSEPH & JIM I give to the aforesaid JIM
until they arrive to their respective ages of Twenty one and then and at that tiem it is my Will and desire and do therefore order and direct that the
aforesaid Negro JIM Father to the said Boys JOE & JIM should in convenient time and without delay by proper authority have the said JOE & JIM
emancipated freed and manumitted and should the said JIM fail on this my request, it is my Will and desire that my beloved friend RICHARD EPPES his Exc'rs
or Adm'rs should have this matter and request done for me But let it be understood expressly that the children that the said Negro wench RINA wife
of the oldest JIM should hereafter have it not to be the property of the said JIM but my will and express desire is that they should go and belong to my
beloved niece MARIA BURT.
And my will & desire is and do further order and direct that my nephew WILLIAM S. BURT, to whom I have given the property aforesaid should pay for the
support & maintenance of the said JOE & JIM to their father JIM the sum yearly of Twenty dollars until they the said JOE & JIM should arrive to the
age of Twenty one, and the further sum of Twenty dollars for the support and maintenance of the old Negro wench JULIA every year during her life
and the further sum yearly of Ten dollars for the support and maintenance of little JULIA which I have heretofore given to my niece HARRIET D.
EPPES. And it is my will and desire that my Exc'rs hereinafter to be appointed pay the aforesaid several sums of money as before apointed out until the
aforesaid WILLIAM S. BURT shall arrive to the age of Twenty one out of the rents & property growing and accruing from the Estate already herein devised to
the said WILLIAM S. BURT.
And I do hereby lastly appoint as my Executors to this my last Will and Testament my Trusty and well beloved friends RICHARD EPPES & WILLIAM BURT Esquires
of the Town of Halifax.
In witness whereof I the said MARY Widow & Testatrix, having to this my last will and Testament containing Two sheets of paper set my hand and seal where
said sheet are fixed together the day & year first above written.
MARY DAVIS
The writing contained in this and the preceeding sheet of paper was signed and sealed by the above named MARY DAVIS and by her published and declared as
and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses thereunto in her presence and in the
presence of each other.
WM DREW
ROBERT JOHNSTON
The Codicil
This is a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of me MARY DAVIS of the Town of Halifax which I duly made & published bearing date the 30th day of June
1809 and which will, I do hereby certify and confirm in all respects. Now I do hereby give and bequeath unto my beloved niece MARTHA wife of WILLIAM BURT
my Negro fellow ADAM to her exclusive use and behoof as a gardner.
I do hereby further devise and give unto my well beloved friend RICHARD EPPES of the Town of Halifax & merchant, the residue of my Estate that is all the
property goods & chattles rights and credits which I may die possessed of or in anywise entitled to at the time of my death and not mentioned in the Will
aforesaid.
MARY DAVIS
WM DREW
ROBERT JOHNSTON
Halifax County
August Term 1815
Then this Will was exhibited in open court & duly proven by the oath of WILLIAM DREW & ROBERT JOHNSTON the two subscribing thereto as also to the Codicil
and on motion ordered to be recorded. Whereupon WILLIAM BURT one of the Ex'rs therein named came in and was duly qualified to the same.
Witness
RICHARD EPPES Clk
-------------------------------
Will of OROONDATES DAVIS - 1781
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 21 -22 In the Name of God Amen, I OROONDATES DAVIS of Halifax County & State of North
Carolina, do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following that is to say- First I Will that all my just debts be paid and for
this purpose, I do impower my Extrs (herein after named) to sell and dispose of any part of my Estate which they may deam expedient.
Item. I lend to my Loving Wife MARY DAVIS (during her widowhood, or untill either of my Daughters [to wit] MARY and ELIZABETH ANN DAVIS, should
marry or attain to lawfull age) all my Estate both real and personal be it of what nature, or kind soever for the purpose of raising, Educating and
maintaining my sd. two daughters and provided my sd Wife should marry or either of my said daughters attain to age or marry then my Will and desire is
that the whole of my personal estate including Negroes with their increase & property acquired or accruing untill such time be immediately divided into
three equal parts or portions. I further lend to my Wife during her natural life and the other two parts or portions, I leave and bequeath to my said
daughters equally and to their hers for ever. And after the decease of my sd wife my Will is that the one third part of my personal Estate hereby lend to
her together with the increase & profits acquired be equally divided between my said daughters which I give to them & their heirs forever.
Item. I lend to my said loving Wife during her natural life the houses & lott with all the appurtenances whereon I now live in Halifax Town together
with two vacant lotts in the sd Town by me owned and after her death I give devise and bequeath the said house & lotts to my sd two daughters & their
heirs forever, and further I give & devise all my lands whereon the same may be all the rest of residue of my Estate equally to my sd daughters & their
heirs forever (assuring to my sd Wife the use of sd.) It is my express Will & desire that as part of my perishable Estate be sold except as much as may be
necessary to pay my debts which as to be done by my Extrs a their discretion and Lastly I hereunto constitute and appoint my wife Executrix and my
brothers GOODORUM, DOLPHIN & THOMAS DAVIS Extrs of this my last Will & Testament hereby utterly revoking all others by me made. In witness whereof I have
hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal the 29th day of June Anno Dom. 1780.
O. DAVIS
Sealed published & declared in the presence of us
HENRY MONTFORT
PINKTHMAN EATON, JOHN WATSON
Halifax County SS
August Court 1781
Then this Will was Exh'd in Open Court and duly proved by the oath of JOHN WATSON wh on his oath did say that he saw the Testator sign seal publish and
declare this to be his Last Will and Testament and that at the time of signing the same he was of sound mind and memory whereupon GOODORUM DAVIS qualified
as Extrs and on motion ordered to be recorded.
Test WM. WOOTTON CCt
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Oroondates Davis was the son of Thomas Davis (d. 1764 Halifax) & Hartwell Hodges (d.1796)originally from Isle of Wight, VA.
Hartwell married James Drake after Thomas' death, and both of them left wills in Nash County. -------------------------------
Will of WILLIAM EVANS - 1910
Halifax County Wills 1910-1918
Will Book 9, Pages 61-62 North Carolina
Halifax County
I. WILLIAM EVANS, being of sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby make, publish and declare this my last will and testament hereby revoking any and
all such wills and testaments by me at any time heretofore made.
1st. I give, bequeath, and devise to my beloved wife MARY EVANS, one half of all my personal property, absolutely. I also give and devise to my said wife,
MARY, the dwelling house in which we now reside and one half of the rest of my real estate, not hereinafter specifically disposed of, to have and to hold
for the term of her natural life and at her death one third of same to go to the children of my brother, THOMAS EVANS and two thirds of same to go to the
children now living or which may hereafter be born, of my daughter CARRIE WARD.
2nd. I give, bequeath, and devise to my beloved daughter, CARRIE WARD, one half of all my personal property, absolutely; I also give and devise to my said
daughter CARRIE WARD, my storehouse on Main Street, in Scotland Neck, N.C. and one half of my real estate not hereinbefore specifically disposed of to
have and to hold for the terms of her natural life, and after her death to her children, then living and to the representatives of any child of hers that
may be dead to be divided per stripes(?) and not per capital. It is made a condition of this devise that the said CARRIE WARD should she at any time so
desire, shall have the right and she is hereby authorized and empowered to exchange said storehouse and the lot on which the same is situated, for other
lands which she may consider of equal or greater value and in making such as change she is hereby empowered to convey to the purchasers of said land a
good title in fee simple, unencumbered by any rights or equities of her children or the representatives of such child or children as may be dead the lands
received in exchange, however, to be held in the same manner and title as said storehouse and lot would be if not exchanged.
3rd. I nominate and appoint my brother, THOMAS EVANS, executor of this my last will and testament, and should he be dead or not able to perform said duty,
I appoint his son FRANK A. EVANS, in his stead.
Signed and sealed this the 23rd day of September 1910.
WILLIAM E. EVANS
Witness
JOSEPH H. JOHNSON
ELLA HILL
North Carolina
Halifax County
In the Superior Court
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of WILLIAM EVANS, deceased, is exhibited for probate in open court, before me and the due
execution by the said WILLIAM EVANS is proved by the oath and examination of JOSEPH H. JOHNSON and ELLA HILL the subscribing witnesses thereto. It is
therefore considered and adjudged by the Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said WILLIAM
EVANS, and the same is ordered to be recorded and filed.
This the 31 day of January 1911.
S. M. GARY
Clerk Superior Court -------------------------------
Will of JAMES HOGUN - 1781
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 22 In the Name of God Amen, I JAMES HOGUN of the County of Halifax and Province of
North Carolina being in perfect health and sound memory, do make this my last Will in manner and form following-
Item I give unto my son LEMUEL HOGUN all my land to him an his heirs forever.
Item I lend unto my well beloved wife RUTH HOGUN during her life my Negro man CEASER and boy SAM my Negro woman HANAH and old
BRIDGE with one half of my stock of all kind and houshold furniture, and after her deceased I give the sd Negroes stock and furniture to my well
beloved son LEMUEL HOGUN and his heirs forever.
Item I give all the rest of my Negroes stock and furniture to my son LEMUEL and I do appoint him my said son LEMUEL HOGUN my Executor to this my last Will
and Testament revoking all others by me made in Witness whereof I have set my hand and seal day of __1775.
JAMES HOGUN
Signed Sealed Published and Declared in presents of us
Test ROBERT COTTON, ABSELEN COTTON
Halifax County SS- August Court 1781
Then this Will was Exh'd in open Court by the Extr. and duly proved by the oath of ROBERT COTTON who on his oath did say that he saw the Testator sign
seal publish and declare this to be his Last Will and Testament and that he was of sound mind, at the time signing the same and that he ABSELLA COTTON
signed witness with himself at the Testators request whereupon LIM HOGUN qualified as Ex'r & on motion ordered to be recorded.
Test
WM WOOTTEN CCt -------------------------------
Will of ROBERT HULME - 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781 -1824
Will Book 3, Pages 172-173 In the Name of God Amen I ROBERT HULME of Halifax County and State of of
North Carolina being very sick of body, but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament as follows, Vizt,
Imprimus- I surrender my immortal soul into the hands of that Omnipotent being from whom it originally provided and my body to be committed to its
conatural dust
Item- My desire in that all my just debts be paid and all my contracts complied with
Item- I give and bequeath to my daughter ANN HULM my Negroes DANIEL, VIRGIL, SYLVIA, APPA, AMY, EDITH and DULSEY, but in case of her decease
under twenty one years as without heir the said Negroes to belong to my wife MARY HULME to her and her heirs forever and my desire is that my ????
daughter be <illegible phrase> directly ???
Item- I give and bequeath to my loving wife MARY HULME my Negroes TERY, SAM, ARTHUR and the land I bought of HANCE BOND to her <illegible phrase>
to her during her natural life time but at the decease of said wife said Negroes to revert to my said daughter ANN if then alive, and in case of the
decease of my said daughter then under the age of twenty one years this the said Negroes to belong to my said wife MARY and her heirs forever
Item- My desire is that my ????? hoggs be disposed of & the mony therein arising WILLIAM LITTLEJOHN[?] and JOHN KINCHEN gen'l[?] and the overplus to
devolve on my said wife MARY HULME <illegible phrase> to belong to her and her heirs forever. Lastly I constitute and appoint my loving wife MARY HULME
Executor and my ????? friends JOSIAH GOODWIN, PETER QUALS and HENRY JOYNER ???? Executors to this my last Will and testament. In witness whereof I have
hereto set my hand and affixed my seal this 30th day of January in the year of Our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and eighty eight.
ROBT HULME
Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of JOHN HULME, FRED JONES, SHADRACH BOIT, CHRISTAIN BOYET, JOHN LOWE, JAMES HARWELL
Halifax County Sess
May Sessions 1789
Then this Will was exhibited in Open Court and duly proved by the Oath of JOHN LOWE a witness thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded whereupon PETER
QUALES came in and was duly qualified as an Executor thereto.
Test
WM WOOTTEN CCt
-------------------------------
Will of GIDEON H. MACON - 1869
Halifax County Wills 1868-1891
Will Book 6, Pages 175-176
In the name of God Amen I GIDEON H. MACON being of sound mind & disposing memory do make this my
last Will & testament in manner & form as follows;
1. I leave to my wife all of my property both real & personal during her natural life or widowhood to use as she thinks best for the benefit
of herself & children if she should marry which I do not object to she is then to have a childs part of my estate the remainder to be put in the hands of
some good man not the man she should marry for the benefit of my children.
2. The amount arising from my inshurance on my life I want my wife to invest in lands or property in Warrenton provided said lands & property can be
purchased at a low price & rented at a good per cent on the money as it is very hazidous to loan money to individuals at this time it is always best to
keep property well insured against fire it is my desire that my Aunt F. A. ALSTON shall live with my wife if she should out live me.
3. It is my desire that my children shall all have a good education & such as desire shall have a profession any that they may choose
4th. If there should be any account brought against my estate I want them litigated as I make no act & if there should be any old notes brought up I
wan them pled to as I have against all claims against me.
I leave my wife LOU G. MACON my Executrix and she is not to be required to give bond or security to my will or estate.
In Witness whereof I have this the 4th day of March 1869 set my hand & seal.
GIDEON H. MACON
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
In the Probate Court
A paper writing without subscribing witnesses purporting to be the last Will & testament of GIDEON H. MACON deceased is exhibited for Probate by LOU G.
MACON the executrix therein named. And it is thereupon proved by the oath & nomination of EDWARD P. GREEN and MARY DRAKE that the said Will was found
among the valuable papers and effects of the said GIDEON H. MACON after his decease; and it is further proved by the oath & examination of three credible
witnesses to wit EDWARD P. GREEN, JOSIAH L. PRICE and MARY DRAKE that they are well acquainted with the handwriting of the said GIDEON H. MACON having
often seen him write and verily believe that the name of the said GIDEON H. MACON subscribed to the said Will and every part thereof are in the
handwriting of the said GIDEON H. MACON. And it is further proved by the evidence of EDWARD P. GREEN, JOSIAH PRICE and MARY DRAKE that they said
handwriting is generally known to the acquaintances of the said GIDEON H. MACON. It is therefore considered by the Court that the said paper writing and
every part thereof is the last Will & testament of the said GIDEON H. MACON deceased and the same is orderef to be recorded and filed.
This 13th day of December A.D. 1877.
JOHN T. GREGORY
Clerk Superior Court
& Probate Judge
------------------------------
Will of ELIZA MITCHUM - 1883
Halifax County Wills 1868-1891
Will Book 6, Page 296 Halifax County- Probate Court
In the name of God amen
I ELIZA MITCHUM of the County of Halifax and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding, praise be God for
the same do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
I give and bequeath unto my brother-in-law's children all of my personal property to be equally divided with the exception of one cow and an double barrel
shot gun which I in addition give said cow to BAILEY MITCHUM and the above specified gun to RICHARD MITCHUM wheresoever the same shall be at my death.
And I do nominate, constitute and appoint my niece SALLY AN JONES sole Executrix of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all
other wills at any time heretofore made by me and declare this to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I ELIZA MITCHUM have hereunto set my hand and seals.
ELIZA MITCHUM ("X" her mark)
Witness
N. E. FAUCETT
MARY E. FORBES
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
In Probate Court
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of ELIZA MITCHUM, deceased, is exhibited for probate in open court, by SALLY ANN JONES the
Executrix therein named, and the due execution thereof by the the said ELIZA MITCHUM is proved by the oath and examination of N. E. FAUCETT and MARY E.
FORBES the subscribing witnesses thereto. It is therefore considered by the Court, that the said paper writing and every part thereof, is the last will
and testament of the said ELIZA MITCHUM and that it is sufficient to pass both real and personal property, and the same is ordered to be recorded and
filed.
And thereupon the said SALLY ANN JONES, Executrix as aforesaid, duly qualifies as such by taking and subscribing the oath required by lawn.
This the 2nd May 1883
JOHN T. GREGORY
Clerk Superior Court & Probate Judge
---------------------------- ELIZA MITCHUM,
Deceased
SALLY A. JONES, Executrix - 1883
Halifax County, North Carolina
Appointments of Administrators, Executors and Guardians 1868-1909
Page 517
Halifax County - Probate Court
In the matter of the Will of ELIZA MITCHUM
Before JOHN T. GREGORY, Judge of Probate
SALLY ANN JONES being duly sworn, doth say:
That ELIZA MITCHUM, late of said County, is dead, having first made and
published her last Will and Testament; and that she is the executrix named
therein.
Further that the property of said ELIZA MITCHUM, consisting of one cow, Gun
& bed, and notes vs W.D. FAUCETT is worth about $150 so far as can be
ascertained at the date of this application, and that SALLY ANN JONES, ALLEN
JONES, RICHARD MITCHUM, BAILEY MITCHUM, last three named under twenty one
years old and without guardian, living in Halifax County, are the parties
entitled under said will to the said property.
SALLY A. JONES
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 3rd day of May 1883.
JOHN T. GREGORY
Probate Judge
Appointed May 3, 1883
Therefore the said SALLY A. JONES comes into open court and is appointed
Executrix of said ELIZA MITCHUM, deceased, and duly qualifies as such by
taking and subscribing the oaths prescribed by law, and Letters Testamentary
issue to her accordingly.
This the 3rd day of May 1883.
JOHN T. GREGORY
Clerk Superior Court
Probate Judge ------------------------------
Will of DAVID REYNOLDS SR.- 1883
Halifax County Wills 1868-1891
Will Book 9, Pages 354-355
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
I, DAVID REYNOLDS, SR. being in good understanding, I want JINNY ANN REYNOLDS daughter of J. A. REYNOLDS to have 40 acres of Land equally with the other
heirs and the remainder of my Land and property to stand for my wife LUCY REYNOLDS until her death then to be sold and divided among the heirs equally my
Insurance policy to be divided as follows. To each of my Sons one hundred dollars $100.00 to my daughter HARRIET A. FENNER ninety dollars $90.00 to my
daughter MINERVA JONES to receive ten dollars $10.00 yearly for five years from the mother and the remainder to my wife and if the said JINNY ANN REYNOLDS
dies without heirs her part of land and property to be returned to my Estate again.
This the 25th day of February 1883.
DAVID REYNOLDS ("X" his mark)
Witnesses
J. P. MERRITT
W. B. WILKERSON
--------------------------------
Halifax County - Superior Court
North Carolina
Halifax County
In the Superior Court
Jany 9, 1885
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of DAVID REYNOLDS, SR., deceased, is exhibited before JOHN T. GREGORY, Esq. Clerk of Superior
Court of Halifax County by DAVID REYNOLDS JR. on of the heirs of said deceased and the due execution thereof by the said DAVID REYNOLDS, Sr., is provided
by the oath and examination of J. R. MERRITT and W. B. WILKERSON the subscribing witnesses thereto, it is therefore considered by the Court that the said
paper-writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said DAVID REYNOLDS, SR. and it is adjudged that the said will is executed in
the formalities required to pass both real and personal estate. And it is ordered to be recorded and filed.
JOHN T. GREGORY
Clerk Superior Court
------------------------------
Will of WILLIAM REYNOLDS - 1876
Halifax County Wills 1868-1891
Will Book 6, Pages 363-364 Halifax County Superior Court-1885
In the Name of God Amen.
I WILLIAM REYNOLDS of the County of Halifax and State of North Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory, thanks be to Almighty God but
considering the uncertainty of my earthly existance, do make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following-
hereby revoking all wills heretofore made by me.
Item 1st. It is my will that my body have a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my beloved wife and friends.
Item 2nd. I give devise and bequeath to my beloved wife SARAH ABEGAIL REYNOLDS all of my property both real personal and mixed of every kind, and
description of which I may die seized possessed to her the said SARAH ABEGAIL REYNOLDS and her heirs in fee simple forever.
I hereby nominate constitute and appoint my beloved wife the said SARAH ABEGAIL REYNOLDS Executrix to this my last will and testament with full power and
authority to carry out and execute the provisions of the same.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hands and seal this the 15th day of February A.D. 1876.
WILLIAM REYNOLDS ("X" his mark)
Signed sealed and published in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
EDWIN T. CLARKE
GEORGE T. SIMMONS
In the matter of the Will of WILLIAM REYNOLDS
The paper writing hereto attached is this day propounded as the last will & Testament of the late WILLIAM REYNOLDS col'd of Halifax County by SARAH
ABEGAIL REYNOLDS the Executrix therein named.
And thereupon the due execution thereof by the said Testator is proven by the examination & oath of EDWIN T. CLARKE & GEORGE T. SIMMONS the subscribing
witnesses thereto which oath is hereto annexed.
it is therefore adjudged that said paper writing is the last will and testament of said WILLIAM REYNOLDS and it is ordered that the same be recorded.
Thereupon the said SARAH ABIGAIL REYNOLDS duly qualified as Executrix to said will by taking the oath prescribed by law and taking out letters
testamentary.
Witness JOHN T. GREGORY, Clerk of the Superior Court of Halifax County, N.C. at office in Halifax this 7th day of Feb'y 1885.
JOHN T. GREGRORY
Clerk Superior Court ------------------------------
Will of HENRY WALL- 1816
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 599 I as HENRY WALL of North Carolina Halifax County being of perfect mind memory do
make & ordain my last Will and Testament. I will my loving after payng my debts the balance I want I want my wife to have to raise my Children with and if
my Wife gets married I then leave my property to be equally divided among my Children, for Children that is MARY, JAMES, ELIZABETH & DAVID WALL as witness
my hand & seal this 16th of December 1816.
HENRY WALL ("X" his mark)
Witness
KINDRED KNIGHT
JAMES PITMAN Jt
Halifax County
Feb'y Sess's 1817
Then this Will was exhibited in open Court & duly proven by the oath of JAMES KNIGHT oen of the subscribing Witnesses thererto who says that the Testator
was at the time of signing the same of sound mind & memory & on motion ordered to be recorded.
Witness
RICHARD EPPES CCt
(Note: a very confusing will which left out the wife's name and repeated phrases; also of note is that the witnesses names may have been misstated in
court) ------------------------------
Will of MARTHA WILKINS - 1876
Halifax County Wills 1868-1891
Will Book 9, Pages 150-151 Halifax County - Probate Court 1876
I, MARTHA WILKINS of Halifax County State of North Carolina, I do make this my last Will.
I give, devise, and bequeath my estate and property, real and personal, as follows, that is to say-
To my brother THOMAS H. WATSON all the notes and Bonds I now hold or may hold at my death and all the other property I may hold or in any wise belonging
to me. and after his death to his wife and children.
I appoint my brother THOMAS H. WATSON executor of this my Will.
In witness whereof, I have Signed and Sealed and declared this instrument as my Will on the ___ day of June A.D. 1876.
MARTHA WILKINS ("X" his mark)
The said MARTHA WILKINS on the day and date above Signed this instrument and published and declared the same as and for her last Will, and we at her
request, and in her presence, and in presence of each other have hereunto written our names as subscribing witnesses.
Witness:
W. E. AARON
JAMES A. POPE
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
SS In the Probate Court
A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of MARTHA WILKINS deceased, is exhibited before me, the undersigned Judge of Probate for said
County by THOMAS J. WATSON the executor therein named and the due execution thereof by the said MARTHA WILKINS is proved by the oath and examination of W.
E. AARON & JAMES A. POPE, the subscribing witnesses thereto: who being duly sworn, doth depose and say and each for himself deposeth and saith, that he is
a subscribing witness to the paper writing now shown him, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of MARTHA WILKINS that the said MARTHA WILKINS in
the presence of this deponent subscribed his name at the end of said paper writing, which is now shown as aforesaid, and which bears date of the ____ day
of June 1876.
And these deponents further say That the said MARTHA WILKINS the testatrix aforesaid, did at the time of subscribing her name as aforesaid declare the
said paper writing so subscribed by her and exhibited, to be her last Will and Testament, and these deponents did thereupon subscribe their names at the
end of said Will as attesting witness thereto, and at the request and in the presence of said testatrix. And these deponents further say that at the said
time when the said testatrix subscribed her name to the said last Will as aforesaid and at the time of the deponents subscribing their name as attesting
witnesses thereto, as aforesaid, the said MARTHA WILKINS was of sound mind and memory, of full age to execute a Will, and was not under any restraint to
the knowledge, information or belief of this deponent. And further these deponents say not.
Severally sworn and subscribed this 6 day of November 1876, before me,
JOHN T. GREGORY
Probate Judge
JAMES A. POPE
W. E. AARON
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