These are arranged chronologically, by the date the will was written, rather than alphabetically. Please use your browser’s search function to find any particular surname. Also, see main “Wills” page for links to other sources.
William Riley, February 5, 1842
In the name of God Amen. I William Riley of the County of Orange State of North Carolina, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do constituteand, ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament in form following. Firstly I give and devise to my son Copeland Riley and his heirs forever the tract of land known as the Baily place containing 160 acres be the same more or less. Secondly I give and devise to my son Samuel Riley and his heirs forever, a tract of land, lying on Bailys creek, which I purchased of Watson, and which adjoining a piece of land purchased by said Samuel of Wilson Watson, containing 40 acres be the same more or less. Thirdly I give and devise to my son William Riley and his heirs forever in special trust and confidence for the benifit of my sons Warden Riley and Judson Riley and the heirs of cash equally, the tract of land purchased by me from Enoch Thompson lying on the waters of the W__ creek containing one hundred and thirty acres more or less and in the event of the said Warden and Judson preferring to have said land divided between them it is my will and divise that said division under the discretion of my son William, shall be made as will give each an equal portion in value without reference to quantity, but if my said sons Warden and Judson shall prefer to have said land sold and the proceeds __ from such sale shall be equally divided by said William between said Warden and Judson as foresaid. I give and bequeth to my son William and his heirs forever, the tract of land whereon I now live, containing 340 acres more or less together with all my household and kitchen furniture, farming utinsels of every kind whatsoever now on my home place. Lastly I nominate and appoint my son William Riley my sole executor of this my last Will and Testament, in testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and __ my seal this 5 day of February 1842.
Signed, sealed, published and declared by
the __ to be my last will and testament in
our presence and __ as his __ and in his } William Riley (seal)
presence and in presence of each then
did sign __ as witnesses.
Hugh Waddell
F. N. Waddell
Codicil to this my Last Will and Testament I devise that my son William Riley shall support and maintain my daughter Polly and permit her to live with him.
5 February 1842
Hugh Waddell
F. N. Waddell } William Riley (seal)
contributed by Diana Mundle
Thomas Squires
I Thomas Squires of the County of Orange State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manor and form following that is to say
First That my Executor shall provide for my body a decent burial and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts to whomsoever owing out of the first monies that may first come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate.
Item I give and devise to my beloved wife Elizabeth Squires the home tract of land including eleven acres purchased from Joseph Tohmpson also all my perishable property consisting of horses hogs and stock of all kind crops on hand house hold and kitchen furniture farming utinsels to have and to hold to her the said Elizabeth Squires for her and during the term of her natural life and then it is my devise that the said home tract of land shall belong to my Grandson Thomas Squires son of my son Thomas Squires to have and to hold to him his heirs and executors forever and also That all the perishable property then remaining be sold and divided equally between my son Thomas Squires and daughters Nancy Miles Mary Tate and Margaret Squires.
Item I give and beueth to my daughter Sarah Thompson fifty dollars in money to her by my executor within two years of my death out of monies belonging to my estate to be hers at her disposal forever.
Item I give and bequeth to my daughter Mary Tate twenty seven acres of land adjoining the tract of Samuel N. Tate dec’d Mary Wilson and others to have and to hold to her her heirs in fee simple forever.
Item I give and bequeth to my daughter in law Margaret Squires the two tracts of land which I purchased from John Dally and whereon she now resides to have and to hold to her during her natural life or widowhood and then said tracts to be equally divided between her two sons Thomas Franklin and John Samuel to ahve and to hold to them and their heirs in fee simple.
Item I give and bequeth to my son Thomas Squires a parcel of land whereon he now redies it being part of a tract adjoining George Mebane and others the western boundry to the line marked heretofore by my siad son Thomas and Wesly Milesas a dividing line between them also a portion of the Nacy Bind and Camd tracts to be laid off by a line beginning on the north on the line marked by my son Thomas and Wesly Miles heretofore mentioned where it strikes the east and west line of the Nacy Bind tract thence running due south at John Thompson line all on the east side of said line to be his the said Thomas Squires to have and to hold to him his heirs in fee simple forever.
Item I give and bequeth to my son James Squires fifty dollars to be paid by my executor out of funds belonging to my estate it is my will and devise that the balance of my money or funds after all the expenses of my estate are settled not otherwise provided shall be equally divided between my son Thomas Squires daughters Nancy Miles Mary Tate and Margaret Squires to have and to hold to them forever.
Item I give and bequeth to my daughter Nancy Miles a parcel of land whereon she now resides adjoining George Mebane and others it being the balance of the tract not heretofore given to my son Thomas Squires also the balance of the Nacy Bind and Camd tracts not otherwise provided for to have and to hold to her the said Nancy Miles during the term of her natural life then belong to her son Thomas Miles to him his heirs in fee simple forever.
Item I appoint my friend Geo. W. Tate my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true meaning of the same In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand seal this 3rd day of March A.D. 1842
signed sealed published and declared by said
Thomas Squires is to be his last will and
testament in presence of us who at his request } Thomas Squires (seal)
and in his presence do subscribe our names as
witnesses thereto
George Brown
John Whitaker
~~~
Time and circumstances making it necessary I hereby make the following alterations to this my last will and testament to wit that portion which given my daughter Mary Tate twenty-seven acres of land adjoining the boundry of Samuel N. Tate dec’d Mary Wilson and others I hereby make null in void intending to dispose of it by sale also it is my will and desire that the dividing line heretofore mentioned between son Thomas Squires and daughter Nancy Miles shall run due south to old __ line opposite to the south end of the school house __ __ __ with the said __ line to the corner of the school house tract so as not to interfer with the Camd tract before mentioned in witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal to this my codicil to my last will and testament
signed sealed published and declared in
presence of us who at his request and in his } Thomas Squires (seal)
presence subscribe our names as witness thereto
Wilson Brown
John Whitaker
~~~
Will of Thomas Squires deceased was duly proved in open court. See Orange County Court minutes, August Term 1865. Contributed by Diana Mundle
