Category: Wills and Estate

JOHN WRIGHT (1813 Will)

Will of

JOHN WRIGHT, SR.

1813

In the name of God amen. The last will and testament of John Wright senior of the county of Camden and state of N. Carolina made the 3rd day of February 1773 as follows. Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God that give it to me and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent christian burial at the discretion of my executor and as touching worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life. I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First I leave the use of my manner plantation thereon I now live to my wife Francis Wright during her natural life with all the priviledges to the same belonging. Also I leave the use of all my negroes to my wife during her natural life.

I give and bequeath unto my wife Francis Wright two mares, one horse her choice. Two feather beds and furniture her choice. Four cows and calves, five ewes and lambs, one yoke of oxen, one ox cart and yoke, all the hogs ? ?. The west side of my plantation whereon I now live. One beaufett and all my crockery ware. Two chest, one large oval table, seven windsor chairs, one arm chair, two flage chairs, one large iron pot, one small ditto with hooks, two pot trammels, two washing tubs, four pails, one churn, one large honey tub, three ploughs and harness, two axes, one large and four small hoes, one powdering tub, four pork barrels, one barrel with fat, one loom and harness, five linen wheels, one copper tea kittle, one hand mill, one walnut stand, one looking glass all her choice. Thirty barrels saune corn, three barrels salt pork, five hundred pounds bacon, fifteen bushells wheat, one side saddle. Also three negro women Judah, Patience and Aleaph to her and her heirs forever.

I leave the use of one certain piece of land known by the name of The Pand to my grand daughter Sally Bell Downing her natural life and to her heirs. If any lawfully begotten of her body and if the said Sally Bell should die without an heir lawfully begotten of her body. Then my desire is that the aforesaid land br equally divided between John Wright and Gamiel Wright sons of Mathais Wright and John Wright son of Peter Wright dec’d to them and their heirs forever. Also I leave the use of two feather beds and furniture, three cows and calves, four ewes and lambs, seven windsor chairs, one armed chair to my grand daughter Sally Bell and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body. And if the siad Sally Bell dies without an heir lawfully begotten of her body. Then the aforesaid things last mentioned to be equally divided between John Wright and William Wright sons of Gamiel Wright dec’d and John Wright son of Peter Wright dec’d and John W. Berry son of James Berry to them and their heirs forever.

Also I leave use of two negroes to my grand daughter Sally Bell Downing her natural life to her heirs if any lawfully begotten of her body forever. The names of the negroes Betts and Patience and provided the said Sally Bell should die without an heir lawfully begotten of her body. Then the aforesaid negroes to be equally divided between John Wright and William Wright sons of Gamiel Wright dec’d and John W. Berry son of James Berry and Alexander W. Gandon to them and their heirs forever.

Also I leave the use of one hundred and fifty acres of swamp land lying down the river binding the river and sound to my grand daughter Sally Bell and her heirs if any lawfully begotten of her body forever and for want of such heirs. Then for the said land to be divided in the same manner and between the same heirs as is mentioned in the clause last before this. To them and their heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto Cornelius Wright son of Cornelius Wright dec’d fifty acres swamp land binding his plantation and bearing towards the sound so far as will make the same to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Hughes daughter of William Hughes Jr dec’d one feather bed and thirty pounds current money to her and her heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto John W. Berry son of James Berry one certain piece of land known by the name of The Ridge binding north river swamp containing fifty acres to him and his heirs forever. Only observing that if the said John W. Berry should die without an heir lawfully begotten of his body for the said land to be equally divided between his two brothers namely Batson B. Berry and Jesse B. Berry to them and their heirs forever.

Also I give and bequeath unto John W. Berry one negro man named March to be delivered to him at the death of my wife Francis Wright to him and his heirs forever.

Also I give the said John W. Berry all the cattle that I hold in my possession which is marked posslan leaf in both ears and a whole cut in each ear.

Also I give the said John W. Berry fifty pounds current money to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto William S. Berry fifty pounds current money to be raised out of my estates to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto Alexander W. Gandon son of Thomas Gandon one negro boy named Ishmal to be delivered to him at the death of my wife Francis Wright.

Also I give the said Alexander W. Gandon son of Thomas one coalt by the name of Black to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto John Wright son of Gamiel Wright dec’d one negro man named Lamb to be delivered unto him at the death of my wife to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto William Wright son of Gamiel Wright dec’d one negro man named Jess to be delivered to him at the death of my wife to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto John Wright son of Gamiel Wright dec’d and John Berry son of James Berry one hundred acres of swamp land lying in north river swamp binding Jacob Cartwrights line thence extending out to Merrels patent. And also ten acres of land known the Great Island binding Tully Cartwrights line. The aforesaid land to be equally divided between the two last names, heirs to them and their heirs forever.

I give and bequeath unto John W. Berry son of James Berry one small piece of land by the name of Paston paint near the old wharf. Also I give the said John W. Berry one young mare to him and his heirs forever.

I leave the use of the land and plantation whereon I now live to my grand daughter Sally Bell and to her heirs lawfully begotten of her body. Altogether after the death of my wife Francis Wright and if the said Sally Bell should die without an heir lawfully begotten of her body. Then I give the aforesaid land and plantation to John Wright and William Wright sons of Gamiel Wright dec’d to equally divided between the two of them and their heirs forever.

My will and desire is that all the remaining parts of my estate which I have not given away or named off in legacies should be sold and after paying my just debts. That the ballance of the money should be equally divided between my wife and John Wright and William Wright sons of Gamiel Wright dec’d and my grand daughter Sally Bell and provided the said Sally Bell should die without an heir lawfully begotten of her body. Then her part of this legacy to be equally divided between John Wright and William Wright sons of Gamiel Wright dec’d to them and their heirs forever.

And also my will and desire is that all the property that I have left the use of to grand daughter Sally Bell. Except the land and negroes should be sold when the rest of my estate is and to be kept in the hands of my executor at interest for her with the land and negroes paid for them. My executor to deal out to her for her support such part of the same as they may think neccessary at their own discretion until she marries and has lawfull heir or dies.

Lastly my will is to nominate and appoint my trusty friends Mathias Wright and Caleb Perkins executors to this my last will and testament utterly revoking and disannulling all former wills by me before made ratifying and confirming this to be the last will and testament which I have made. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal, date first mentioned.

John Wright Sr. (seal)

Test: James Berry and Demsey Squires

I certify the foregoing to be a copy of the paper writing purporting to
be the will of John Wright Sr. dec’d which was filed in the papers of
the suit removed from Camden to? court.
Test: John Mead for
Edward Mead, clerk

Contributed and transcribed by Harry Schoettle

 

MATHIAS WRIGHT (1836 Will)

Will of

MATHIAS WRIGHT

1836

State of North Carolina, Camden county

In the name of God amen. I Mathias Wright being of sound mind and memory bless be God and calling to mind the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time hereof do make, publish and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

Item: I lend to my wife Susan Wright during her natural life, the tract of land I bought from Arthur Gregory also a piece of land I bought from Batson Berry. I also lend her during her natural life negro man George, negro woman Fannah, negro boy Andrew and negro girl Jane, one gray mare, six stool chairs, one large table, one yoke of oxen and ox cart, two new bed stand. My will is the negroes I lent to my wife shall not be moved out of the county during her life.

Item: I give to my wife three feather beds and furniture her choice, one horse and gigg and the harness belonging thereto, one desk, two tables, two stands, one case of knives and forks, one pair hand irons, one case, six flaged bottom chairs, one loom and harness belonging thereto, two powdering tubs, two hogs heads, one large iron pot, one small iron pot, one spider, one pair smothing irons, one dutch oven, two chests her choice, three linnen whereis hr choice, one horse cart, two cows and calves her choice, eight head of sheep her choice, pne pair of working bars and screws. Eight head og hoggs her choice, one plow and harness her choice, two weeding hoes her choice, two axes her choice, four empty barrels, two metal tubs, one pair of tongs and shovel, one coffee mill, one beaufat and all the crockery ware, one looking glass, two iron pot trammels, one hand mill her choice, two sows and their pigs her choice, one dennijohn, one heiffer, two steer yearlings which was hers before I married her. I also save for my wife to have her years provisions set off to her out of my estate. I also give her all the poultry on hand and one pair of stilyards.

Item: I leave the bricks and lime I have on hand and all the cypress and juniper plank I have on hand, also for my executor to purchase three thousand shingles for the repairs of my buildings where I now live. Also for my executor to pay over to my wife fifty dollars, to pay the expense of the repairs of said buildings.

Item: I leave negro boy Joseph to be sold by my executor.

Item: I give to my grand daughter Margaret Wright at my death negro woman Bridgett and her increase. Also at my wifes death I give the lands I bought from Arthur Gregory and Batson Berry to my grand daughter Margaret Wright and one turned bed stand.

Item: I give Delphy Daley at my wifes death one of the bed stands I lent to my wife/

Item: I give to my grand daughter Maragret Wright one bed stand, one bed and furniture and one chest.

Item: I give to my son Benjamin Wright the following piece of land that is to say beginning at the main road at the corner of the fence near where my son Gamiel Wright made bricks thence running down the road fence a westwardly course, a straite course until it strikes the main road near where my son Benjamin Wright had a garden. I also give him all the lands I bought from Benjamin Wilson and Jess Torksey, one negro boy Harry, one half of negro man Simon and at my wifes death one half of negro man George.

Item: I give my son Gamiel Wright all the lands I bought from Leonard Martin except what I have already given away to my son Benjamin Wright. I also give him negro man Isaac, one half negro man Simon and at my wifes death I give him half of negro man George, at my death I give him negro boy Grandy.

Item: I give to my daughter Chloe Poter, negro woman Rhody and her youngest child.

Item: I lend to my daughter Francis Garrett, negro girl Venis during her natural life and at her death I leave her to be divided between her children.

Item: I lend to my daughter Presilla Standly during her natural life, negro woman Isabelle and her increase and after her death I give them to her children to be equally divided between them and my grand daughter Lydia Standly.

Item: The negroes that I have not already disposed of in this will I leave in the following manner that is to say, one fourth of them I lend the use of to Presilla Standly during her natural life, one fourth I lend the use of to Francis Garrett during her natural life and the other two fourths I give to my grand daughter Margaret Wright and my daughter Chloe Poter to be equally divided between them at my death.

Item: The negroes that I have lent to Presilla Standly I give at her death to her children and Francis Garrett my grand daughter, to be equally divided between them.

Item: The negroes that I have lent to Francis Garrett my daughter, I give at her death to be equally divided between her children.

Item: The negroes that I have lent to my daughters Presilla Standly and Francis Garrett, my will is for them not to be removed out of the county until their death.

Item: The property I have not already given away in this my last will I leave to be sold to pay my just debts and should there be any money left in the hands of my executor I wish to equally divided between Presilla Standly, Francis Garrett, Chloe Poter and my grand daughter Margaret Wright.

Lastly I appoint my worthy friend Joseph G. Hughes as executor to this my last will and testament and should he fail to qualify I leave Noah Hughes as executor, this July 8, 1835.

Mathias Wright
Signed, sealed and delivered in the present of us

Noah Berry
A. Walston
Wm. Berry

Camden county court Feb term 1836

This last will and testament of Mathias Wright dec’d was exhibited and the executor thereof was proven in open court by the oath of William Berry one of the subscribing witnesses thereof in due form of law and Joseph G. Hughes the executor therein named appointed in open court and qualified as such and on motion it was ordered recorded.

Test C.G Lamb, clerk

 Contributed and transcribed by Harry Schoettle

 

GAMIEL W. WRIGHT (1842 Will)

Will of

GAMIEL WRIGHT

1842

State of North Carolina, Camden county

I Gamiel Wright being of sound mind and memory blessed be God do this 29th day of January 1840 make and publish this my last will and testament. I give my property in the following manner.

Item 1: I give and bequeath all of my land and plantation where on I now live to be equally divided between Gamiel Wright and Burfoot Wright sons of Benjamin Wright dec’d to them and their heirs forever.

Item 2: I give and bequeath to Mary Williams the land that I bought of Jno. Williams to her and her heirs forever.

Item 2: I give and bequeath to Mary Porter two negroes namely ? and girl ? to her and her heirs forever.

Item 3: I leave the use of negro man Isaac to Francis Garrett during her natural life and at her death I give him to her lawful heirs forever.

Item 4: I leave my negro woman Phillis and one half of negro man named Simon to be sold by my executor and the money paid to Priscilla Legrange at fifty dollars from sale and if the said Priscilla should not to live to use the sale of said negroes and in that case I give the balance left at her death to her heirs forever.

Item 5: I give one half of negro man George to Mary Stephens at the death of Susan Taylor to her and her heirs forever.

Item 6: I leave all of my chattle, property not already given away to be sold by my executor and after paying all of my just debts and lawful expenses I give the balance thats left in his hands to Mary Stephens the wife of Luke Stephens.

Item 7: And lastly I nominate and appoint my worthy friend John S. Burgess executor to this my last will ans testament in witness whereof I here unto set my hand and seal day and date first above written.

G. W. Wright
Witness: D. C. Bell, Albert Rooker

Camden county court Sept. Term 1842

This last will and testament of G. W. Wright was exhibited in open court and the executor of said will was proved in open court in due form of law by D. C. Bell one of the subscribing witnesses there to and John Burgess executor named in said will come into open court and qualified as such by taking the necessary oath whereupon it was ordered by the court to be recorded.

Teste A. H. Grandy clerk

Contributed and transcribed by Harry Schoettle

ARTHUR WRIGHT (1824 Will)

Will of

ARTHUR WRIGHT

1824

WB C-39

.
In the name of God amen, I Arthur Wright of the county of Camden the state of N. Carolina being of perfect mind and memory thanks be the Lord. ? ? recalling unto mind the mortality of my body and know ? ? ? appointed for all man and to die do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.

Item: I lend the use of all my land together with all my house hold and kitchen furniture ? unto my beloved wife Lydia Wright her natural life in widowhood and at her death or marriage as follows

Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Cornelius Wright a certain part of my land, the eastward end beginning at Malachi Godfrey corner at the mouth of the lake, thence running north along the branch to a white oak and Isaac Williams line, unto him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Willoughby Wright the westward end of my land, beginning at the aforesaid lane and running ? aforesaid to the white oak, it further my will if this said Willoughby Wright should die without an heir by lawfully begotten of his body that aforesaid land should be equally divided amongst Cornelius Wright children. If the said Willoughby Wright should live and have a lawfully heir to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Elisabeth I say one feather bed and cow if she arrive to the age of fifteen years to her and her heir lawfully begotten of her body forever. It further my will that if the said Elisabeth should die before she has a lawful heir or arrive to fifteen years that my daughter Lydia Burges’ children should have the above mentioned property equally divided amongst them.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Lydia Burges one bed and furniture to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson Arthur Wright one bed and furniture to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lydia Burges after paying all my just debts and lawful expenses the residue of all my estate within and without to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever.

Last of all I appoint and nominate my beloved and faithful sons Cornelius Wright and Willoughby Wright to be my shole and ? executors this 14th day March 1823.

Arthur (+, his mark) Wright

Signed and witnesses of S. Forbes and Isaac Williams

Contributed and transcribed by Harry Schoettle

 

THOMAS WRIGHT (1825 Will)

The Last Will and Testament of

THOMAS WRIGHT

1825

In the name of God amen. I Thomas Wright of the county of Camden and state N. Carolina being weak in body but of sound mind and memory blessed be God, do this nineteenth day of December one thousand eight hundred and twenty four make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following, that is to say.

I bequeath my friend Stephen S. Snowden and his wife Pressilla Snowden all my land and plantation and one negro boy by the name of Luke and one negro man by the name of George during their life and no longer.

Item: My will and desire is that after the death of my friend Stephen S. Snowden and his wife Prisilla Snowden, I give and bequeath unto Lydia Snowden daughter of Stephen S. Snowden all my land and plantation to her and her heirs forever.

Item: My will and desire is that after the death of my friend Stephen S. Snowden and his wife
Prisilla Snowden I give and bequeath unto Lydia Snowden daughter of Stephen S. Snowden one negro man George to her and her heirs forever.

Item: Also my will and desire is that after the death of my friend Stephen S. Snowden and his wife Prisilla Snowden, I give and bequeath unto Lydia Snowden daughter of Stephen S. Snowden one negro boy by the name of Luke to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my aunt Prisilla Snowden wife of Stephen S. Snowden one horse bridle and saddle and ___ to her and her heirs.

And I hereby make and ordain my worthy friends Stephen S. Snowden and Samuel Phillips
executors of this my last will and testament in witness I said Thomas Wright have to this my last will and testament set my hand and signed this day and year above written.

Thomas Wright

Signed, sealed, Published and declared by the said Thomas Wright this ___ as his last will and testament in the presents of ___ were present at the time of signing and sealing.

John Right

John W. Berry

Camden County Court May Term 1825

This will of Thomas Wright dec’d was exhibited in open court and ___ as the last will and testament of said dec’d unto the persons ___ and as farther (he being an infant under the age of twenty one ___ by the oaths of John Right and John W. Berry ___ ___ ___ thereto and S. S. Snowden one of the executors therein named ___ and qualified as executor thereto.

Contributed and transcribed by Harry Schoettle

 

HENRY BRAY, SR. (1833 Will)

Will of

HENRY BRAY, SR. 

1833

In the name of God amen I Henry Bray Senr. of the County of Camden and State of North Carolina being weak of Body but of perfect Sound mind & memory Calling to mind the mortality of my Body Kowing [knowing] it is appointed for all men once to die in the first place I Reccommend my body to the Grave to be buried in a decent christain burial & my Sole to God that gave it as touching my worly [worldly] Estate I give and bequath in the following manner Item–I give and bequath unto my Dearly beloved Grand Son Maning bray one Cow and Calf to him and his heirs

Item–I give and bequath unto my last wife children as follows one feather Bed and Furniture one puter Bason one pr of Fire Dogs one Spining wheel one iron Tea Kettle one Coffee mill and chest this I give unto my last wife Mary Brays Children and Grand children that she had before I married her Then the rest of my Estate I give and bequath in the following maner. I give and bequath unto my Six Daughters to be Equily Divided between the heirs thats liveing and the children of them that are dead Viz Each Daughters Children to heir there mothers Shear these are the heirs hereafter named that are liveing, Margaret Torksey, Mary Gallop, Batsheba Forbes, these are the Daughters that are dead that is to Say Abigail Hunings, Sarah Whitehall, Mariam Right [or Kight?] to them and there heirs

Last of all I recomend and appoint my faithful and Trusty Friend Noah Torksey to be my whole and sole Executor of this my Last will and Testament and I the said Henry Bray do disanull all former Wills & Testaments and do Ratify and Confirm this to be my last will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this 30th day of June in the year of our Lord 1833.

Henry Bray

Signed & Sealed in Presents of

Silas Forbes

Alman Moriset

Camden County Court August Term 1833

The Last Will and Testament of Henry Bray Decd. was Exhibited in open court & proved by the oath of Silas Forbes and Judith Gregory subscribing witness thereto & Noah Torksey the Executor therein named appeared and Qualified as Executor thereto. Ordered that Letters Testamentory Issue &c. and that the said will be recorded

Test. C. G. Lamb Clerk

Camden County Record of Wills, Vol. 1833, p. 136-138

NC State Archives microfilm reel #C.018.80001

Contributed and transcribed by Marty Holland

 

FRANCIS WRIGHT (1826 Will)

Will of

FRANCIS WRIGHT

1826

In the name of God amen. I Francis Wright of the state of North Carolina and county of Camden being sick in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner following.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Caleb Perkins one negro named Judith to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Jesse Berry one bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever also one large chest.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Frances Berry one new bed and furniture, one chest and all my wearing apparel, one ?, all the ?. all my cotton, ?, flax and spun stuff, ??, and one table, six chairs her choice, one small pot and hook, one skillet, one pair of  fine tongs, one ? and lid, all my cooking ?, one case of knives and forks, ? coffee pots, ? ? ? calf, one linen wheel, three pewter basons to her and her heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto Jno. W. Berry the remainder of my estate indoors and outdoors to him and his heirs forever.

Lastly: I nominate and appoint my worthy friend Caleb Perkins my executor to this my last will and testament on witness whereof I have signed my hand and seal this first day of March in the year of out Lord one thousand eight hundred twenty six.

Francis (x, her mark) Wright

Signed sealed in presence of Wilson B. Webster and Isaac Gallop

Camden county court, November Term 1826

This last will and testament of Francis Wright was exhibited in open court and proved by the oath of Isaac Gallop one of the ? witnesses thereto in due form of law. No exec appears to quality the said will. 
It was on motion ordered to be recorded.
Teste ? ? ? clerk
Contributed and transcribed by Harry Schoettle