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| Abstracts of North Carolina
Wills Contributed by Natasha Miles January 2010 Brunswick County, North Carolina  |
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| Abstract of North Carolina Wills compiled from Original and Recorded Wills in the Office of the Secretary of State by J Bryan Grimes, Secretary of State Note: Even though Brunswick was named a county in 1764, this book contains will abstracts that were supposedly written and filed in Brunswick County before this date. I am not sure what the reason is for this discrepancy, but I have included here all wills in the book that mention Brunswick. |
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| Arthur Dobbs; Brunswick, in New Hanover County. "Governor and Captain General of the Province of North Carolina." August 31, 1763; April 24, 1765; Sons: Conway Richard Dobbs, Edward Brice Dobbs. Wife: Justina. Brother: Reverend Doctor Richard Dobbs. Witnesses: James Hasell, Lewis DeRosset, John Sampson. Proven before Wm Tryon. The following items are of interest: "instead of immoderate funeral expenses I desire that one hundred pounds Sterling money may be paid and distributed proportionately among the housekeepers of the Parrishes of Ballynure and Kilroot in the County of Antrim and Kingdom of Ireland, and one other hundred pounds of like money among the poor freemen House-keepers who reside within the county of the town of Carrick-fergus to be paid - - - out of my Demesnes at Castle Dobbs or out of the arrears of rents I reserved out of a Moiety of lands in that Kingdom during my life." All slaves, plate, etc, is bequeathed to wife, together with "the money and interest due to me by the General Assembly for the lands called Tower hill in Johnston County, purchased from me by the publick." "Whereas, I have a right to the Moiety of two hundred thousand acres of land granted to me by the Crown in Sixteen patents of twelve thousand five hundred acres each in Mecklinburgh (late Anson) County as one of the associates of Huey and Crymble - - - etc" To each of children is bequeathed fifty pounds and to brother twenty pounds. "Item. Whereas I am entitled to a Moiety of Twelve Thousand acres of land by a purchase from Mr Patrick Smith of Waterford, merchant, for which a patent was granted to him as an associate of Huey and Crymble, subdivided from the great tract No. 4, the heirs and assigns of Mr. James Benning of Lisburn, Ireland, being entitled to the other moiety." "I give and bequeath to my son Conway Richard Dobbs - - - all my plate goods, Household furniture, arrears, Rents and other chattels whatsoever which are now belonging to me at my decease, which are now or hereafter may be at Castle Dobbs in the County of Antrim and Kingdom of Ireland." Sons and wife appointed executors and executrix. Impression of head on seal. William Downer; Brunswick, New Hanover County December 10, 1745; March Court, 1745; Executors: Capt Hugh Blaning and Capt Richard Quince. The will directs the executors to sell so much of the estate as may be necessary to pay the debts of the testator and to pay to themselves 80 pounds each in addition to their legal fees of seven and one-half per cent, and to ship the remainder to William Wynn and wife Ruth at Aldgate in the City of London, and Benjamin and Mary Sandwell in Wapping, London. Witnesses: Hugh Mackay, Ralph Sugnion, Thomas Campbell. Clerk of the Court: James Smallwood. Richard Eagle; Brunswick County. March 23, 1769; March 31, 1769; Son: Joseph ("House, plantation, saw and grist mills"). Daughter: Susannah Eagle. Wife: Margaret Henrietta Eagle (formerly Bugnion). Cousins: Jean and Elizabeth Davis. Sister: Elizabeth Davis. Other legatees: Jeanet McFarling, John Eagleson. Executors: John Gibbs, Robert Shaw, John Ancrum and Thomas Owen. Witnesses: John Walker, John Fergus, Mary Walker. Will proven before Wm. Tryon. Codicil to this will, of even date. Confirms title to Mr. Wm. Dry in and to a tract of land "bought of my father, Rich'd Eagles." James Espy; Brunswick, in New Hanover County October 3, 1739; October 9, 1739; Son: Usher. Daughter: Sarah Espy. Wife: Margaret. Executors: John Montgomery and William Dry. Witnesses: Richard Hellier, Wm. Gray, James Lyon. Will proven before Gab. Johnston at Newton. Henry Irby; Brunswick County January 30, 1733; February 12, 1733-1734; Sons: William, Henry ("plantation up North West and House and Lott in Cape Fair to hold in common with Elizabeth, his sister, and Fortune Holederley their mother"). Daughters: Ann and Elizabeth Irby. Executrix: Fortune Holederley. Witnesses: James Espy, Robt Eaton, William Power. Will proven before Geo Burrington. John Johnson; Brunswick County March 1, 1750; February Court, 1752; St Andrews Parish in Brunswick County. Son and Executor: William ("my land and plantation"). Daughters: Amey Mitchell and Ann Jelks. Granddaughters: Martha and Anne (daughters of William). Witnesses: John Carrell, William Holloway and William Moseley. Clerk of Edgecombe Court: Benj'n Wynns. Christian Kince; Brunswick County December 24, 1761; January 19, 1762; Sons: John, Edward, William. Daughter: Elizabeth. Executors: John and Joseph Kince and Edward Williams. Wife: mentioned, but not named. Witnesses: John Fillyaw, Samuel Kince, John Howard. Proven before Arthur Dobbs. William Lord; Brunswick, in New Hanover County July 5, 1748; August Court, 1749; Sons: Peter, William, Thomas. Daughters: Mary, Margaret, Amelia. Wife and Executrix: Margaret. Witnesses: Rich'd Quince, William Ross, Geo. Nicholas. Clerk of Court: Isaac Faries. John McDowell; Brunswick County March 27, 1735; April 19, 1735; "Master of the scooner called the Jolly Batchelor, now riding at anchor in Cape Fear River, But of Brunswick * * *." Ten pounds is bequeathed to the Presbyterian church at Dover, Delaware, and five pounds to the Episcopal Church at the same place. Brother: James McDowell. Sister: Eleanor Nisbett. Friend: Lydia Jones. Executors: Hugh Campbell and James Espy, of Brunswick. Witnesses: Stephen Mott, A Delabastie, Andw Blyth, Magdalen Campbell. Proven before Gab Johnston. Provision in will that "a small brick wall be put around my grave wt two marble stones sett up, one att the head and the other att the foot, as is commonly us'd in such cases att Philadelphia." Roger Moore, New Hanover County March 7, 1747-1748; May Court, 1758; Parish of St Philips. Sons: George, William. Daughters: Sarah Smith, Mary and Anne Moore. Wife: Mary. The following lands are devised: Plantation called Kendall; land on "Mr. Aliens Creek"; lands between Therofaire and Black River in the Neck known by the name of Maultsby's Point and lands on the Island opposite; land in fork of River known by name of Mount Misery; 500 acres on So. West River; land between Job Howe and Mr. Dallison; 3,025 acres near Saxpahaw Old Fields, bought of John Porter; lot in Brunswick where "Mr. Ross at present dwells"; plantation called Orton where "I now dwell"; 640 acres at Rocky Point; land on Smith Creek; 5,000 acres at Eno Old Fields. To daughters, Ann and Mary Moore, is bequeathed 3,600 pounds, 1,800 to each. To son-in-law, Thomas Smith, is devised lot in Brunswick "where William Lord at present dwells." Grandmother of daughters: Mrs Sarah Trott. Aunt of daughters: Mrs Sarah Allen. About 250 negroes bequeathed. Will mentions mill at Brices Creek. Executors: George and William Moore (sons). Witnesses: Wm Forbes, Rich'd Quince, Geo Logan, Wm Ross, Rebecca Coke. Clerk of the Court: Isaac Faries. Coat of arms on seal. Edward Moseley; New Hanover County March 20, 1745; August Court, 1749; Sons: John (plantation at Rockey Point, on the west side of the northeast branch of Cape Fear River, about 3,500 acres; lot and houses in Brunswick "where my Habitation usually is at Present"; plantation below Brunswick commonly called Macknights), Edward (plantation in Chowan County containing 2,000 acres in fee tail; lot and house in Wilmington; 600 acres of land opposite Cabbage Inlet; 500 acres in Tyrrell called Coopers; 450 acres in Tyrrell called Whitemarsh), Sampson (land on the east side of the northeast branch of Cape Fear River, lying between Holly Shelter Creek and the bald white sandhills, containing 3,500 acres), James (lands on the east side of the northeast branch of Cape Fear River opposite Rocky Point plantation, containing 1,650 acres), Thomas (1,880 acres of land on northwest branch of Cape Fear River). To Sampson, Jambs and Thomas is devised "all my lands on the East side of Cape Fear River, on part whereof Mr Bugnion dwelleth." To five sons is devised "my large tract of Land in Edgecomb County called Clur, containing 10,000 acres," and fifty-six slaves. Wife: Ann (plantation on the Sound "whereon is a large Vineyard planted"; also 3,200 acres of land in Edgecomb called Alden of the Hill, lying on a branch of Fishing Creek, by "some called Irwins, by Other Butterwood"; also 1,650 acres on the west side of Neuse River, about twenty-four miles above Newbern; also twenty-one slaves, new chaise harness and pair of bay horses, ten cows and calves, ten steers and twenty sheep. Daughter: Aner (eleven slaves). Friends: Samuel Swann, John Swann, Jeremiah Vail, Alexander Lillington, James Hasell. Mother-in-law: Mrs Susannah Hasbll. Brother-in- law: James Hasell, Jr. Sisters-in-law: Mrs Mary Vail, Mrs John Porter and Elizabeth, late wife of Col. Maurice Moore. Executors: John and Edward Moseley (sons) and Ann Moseley (wife). Witnesses: Eleazr Allen, Rogr. Moore, Wm Forbes, Matt. Rowan. Some interesting provisions in will: "I Recommend it to my Dear and loving wife that one of my sons as shall be thought best qualified for it be bred to the law, it being highly necessary in so large a family, and to him I give all my law books, being upwards of 200 volumes, which are now or shall be in my closet," etc. "Item: I give to my dear wife Blome's History of the Bible in folio, 3 volumes in folio of Arch Bishop Tillotson's Works, four volumes in Octavo of Dr Stanhope's, on the Epistles & Gospels, and all the Books of Physick. Item: I give to my daughter, Ann Humphries, 3 Volumes in folio on the Old & New Testament, and I will that my executors buy for her the work of the Auther of the whole Duty of Man. I give to the oldest of my sons that shall not Study the Law, Chambers Dictionary, 2 Volms in folio, and LeBlond of Gardening in Quarto; and the rest of my books, about 150 Volumes, to be divided among my other three Sons. Item: I give and bequeath unto my Eldest Son, John, my large Silver Tea Kettle, Lamp & Server for it to stand on, weighing in all about 170 ounces; To my Son Edward, my large silver Coffee Pot Pott; to my son Sampson, my large Silver Tea Pot; to my Son James, my Large Silver Tankard, & To my Son Thomas, a pair of Large Square Silver Servers, my cases of Knifes, Forks, Spoons, Salts, Casters & Other my plate to be divided between my Wife & Daughter * * *." "Item: it is my will that the profits arising from the labour of my Two Sons' Slaves & their part of the profits arising by the stocks be laid out in purchasing Young Female slaves * * *." Item: When it shall be necessary to give all or any of my sons Other Education that is to be had from the Common Masters in this Province, for I would have my children well educated, it is then my will that such expence be defrayed out of the profits of such Child's estate, etc." Codicil to will dated June 9, 1748, gives to son William, "born since my said last Will was made," the tract of land in Edgecomb called Alden of the Hill and 300 acres contiguous thereto, and also emancipates three slaves, with the provision, however, that "if it shall not be allowed them, then it is my will that my executrix shall place them jointly or severally, as they shall choose, on any of my lands, to make what they shall judge most for their advantage, rendering one-tenth part of the profits to my executrix." Witnesses to codicil: John Cochran, John Hancock, John Cooke. Clerk of the Court: Isaac Faries. Coat of arms on seal is illegible, and coat of arms on seal to codicil is said by testator to be "Mr. Sampson's (my Wife's Father), mine being lately lost." All land devised to sons is devised in fee tail, showing that entails existed at the time of the will. |
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