Will of Matthew Hawkins

February Court 1856

Warren County, Will Book 49, Page 12

(Wills transcribed by Deloris Williams)

I MATTHEW HAWKINS of the County of Warren and state of North Carolina, Knowing that all men must die, and being in feeble health but sound in mind and of disposing memory, do make this my last will and testament, to wit,
1st. My will and desire is that all of my property of every description (except one sorrel horse name Ponie which I give to my daughter NANCY) shall remain as it is for the benefit and support of my beloved wife MAHALY, my son WOODLY daughter NANCY and my four grand children THOMAS CARTER, ELIZABETH CARTER, HAWKINS CARTER, and MATTHEW CARTER. My will and desire is that nothing shall be sold or disposed of in any way, (except it be a surplus raised on the plantation) so long as my beloved wife MAHALY shall live; after the death of my wife MAHALY; my will and desire is that my property of every description shall be divided into three equal parts, one third I give to my son WOODLY, one to my daughter NANCY, and one third to be equally divided between my four grand children, THOMAS CARTER, ELIZABETH CARTER, HAWKINS CARTER and MATTHEW CARTER. I appoint WILLIAM WATSON JR. and JOHN WATSON my Lawful Exr. this 17th December in the year of Our Lord One Thousand eight hundred and fifty five,

MATTHEW HAWKINS ("X" his mark)

Witness
EDWIN D. DRAKE
L. Y. CHRISTMAS


Warren County February Court 1856.
This paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of MATTHEW HAWKINS, was exhibited for probate in open court and the execution thereof by the said MATTHEW HAWKINS, was duly proved by the oath and examination of EDWIN D. DRAKE and L. Y. CHRISTMAS the subscribing witnesses thereto. & on motion the same was admitted to probate and ordered to be Recorded, Test

JNO WHITE, Clk

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Will of Frank Hawkins

February Court 1851

Warren County, Will Book 41, Page 80

In the name of God amen, I, FRANK HAWKINS of the County of Warren and State of North Carolina being in feeble health but of sound mind & memory do make and declare this to be my last Will & Testament in manner and form following to wit:

First I give and bequeath to my Father MATTHEW HAWKINS my Sorrel filly
Secondly I give and bequeath to my wife LUCY ANN all the balance of my property of every description after paying my just debts to her and her Heirs forever.
Thirdly, I ordain and appoint Genl M. T. HAWKINS my Executor to this my last Will and Testament.
In Testamony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affix my seal this 31st day of January 1851.

FRANK HAWKINS ("X" his mark)


Signed, Sealed, & acknowledged
in the presence of
E. W. BEST
THOS. G. PLUMMER (Jurat)



Warren County February Court 1851
The execution of this will was duly proven in open court by the oat of THOMAS G. PLUMMER one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion was ordered to be recorded, whereupon Genl M. T. HAWKINS the Executor therein named came into and qualified as such in due form of Law.


Test
JNO WHITE, Clk
 

Notes:

Matthew Hawkins, b. 1783, was a former slave of Philemon Hawkins, who was freed in Hawkins 1802 will filed in Warren County. According to Philemon’s will, Matthew had informed him about some fraudulent activities of Philemon’s grandson, also named Philemon, and he was grateful for Matthew’s help. Also freed at the same time with Matthew was another slave named Amy, who Philemon said had helped nurse him during his illness, and in the emancipation records, Matthew was given the surname of Hawkins, while Amy was given the surname of Honesty.  I don’t know what happened to Amy Honesty, but Matthew named one of his daughters, Amy, who married Plummer Carter (1800-1863) on January 1, 1838, and they were the parents of Thomas, Elizabeth, Hawkins, and Matthew Carter, the grandchildren mentioned in Matthew Hawkins’ will. Matthew Hawkins wife was Mahala Mushaw (1783-1862), whom he had married on February 26, 1812 in Warren County, North Carolina.