|
In the Name of God Amen I ROBERT BRANTLEY of Halifax County & State of North Carolina being very sick at present &
low in body but of sound mind & memory I thank Almighty God for the same and expecting daily to depart this life, do make, constitute, ordain & appoint this
my last Will & Testament, that is to say, principally & first of all. I give & recommend my soul into the hand of almighty God who gave it, my Body to be
buried in decent Christian burial and as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life; I give and dispose of the same
in following manner. First I give to my daughter SARAH APLEWHITE[sic] one Negroe woman named JUNO & her increase, one bed & furniture and two cows &
calves likewise one cow & calf I give to my daughter ELIZABETH SULLIVANT one Negroe girl named JUDE one bed & furniture I give to my grand daughter MARY
SULLIVANT one Negroe girl named SILVIA. I give to my daughter MARTHA BRANTLEY one Negroe girl named ROSE 1 bed & furniture one cow & calf. I
give to my daughter JANE BIRD one Negroe girl named VIOLET, 2 cows, & calves one bed & furniture one loom. I give to my son ROBERT BRANTLEY my Land &
plantation whereon I formerly lived, also all the Negroes on said Plantation not otherwise bequeathed, likewise my stock of horses, cattle, sheep & Hogs
together with the crop of corn & fodder, Plantation utencils and household furniture. I give & bequeath all the above mentioned articles to my son ROBERT
BRANTLEY on purpose for him to settle my debts out of the same. I give to my son THOMAS BRANTLEY one Negroe woman named old LUCY & one Negroe man
called old PETER. I leave my son ROBERT BRANTLEY and HENRY APPLEWHITE Executors to this my last will and Testament & I hereby utterly revoke all and
every Wills Legacies & bequests by me in any wise, before, allowing this, & none other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto
set my hand and affixed my seal this second Day of Jan'y in the year of our lord Christ 1795.
Signed Sealed & delivered in presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each have subscribed our names
JOHN DENTON
RICHARD RUSSEL
ELIZABETH BRANTLEY ("X" her mark)
Halifax County Ct
February Sessions 1795 then this Will was Exhibited in open Court and duly proved by the oath of RICHARD RUSSEL one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and
on motion ordered to be recorded, whereupon ROBERT BRANTLEY and HENRY APPLEWHITE the Executors in the said will named came in and was duly qualified
thereto.
Witness
L. LONG, CCt -------------------------------
Will of Joseph Carter - 1795
Haifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 238 In the Name of God amen, I, JOSEPH CARTER of the County of Halifax & State of
North Carolina being weak of Body, but of sound mind and memory But calling to mind that it is appointed for all men to die do make & ordain this to be my
last Will and Testament in manner & form Following; First, I will that all my just debts be first paid & satisfied. 2nd. I give & bequeath unto my
daughter LUCY RUSSEL forty shillings current money to her and her heirs forever. 3rd. I give & bequeath unto ELIZABETH JACKSON daughter of my last wife
two Negroes (viz) LUCY & NED and one bed & furniture to her & her heirs forever. But in case she should die whithout heir lawfully begotten
of her body then & in that case my will and desire is that the said Negroes & bed should return to my two sons JOHN & RICHARD. 4th. I give & bequeath unto
my grandson JOHN SIMMONS three negroes (vizt) HANNAH & BEN and her youngest girl and bed & furniture & other necessaries that was lent to his
Mother to him and his heirs forever. But in case he should die without heir lawfully begotten of his body then and in that case my will & desire is that
the said Negroes and Bed & furniture should return to my two sons JOHN & RICHARD to them and their heirs forever. 5th. I will that all the remainder of my
estate both real & personal to be equally divided between my two sons JOHN & RICHARD Brothers to SARAH CLAYBOURN SIMMONS and son of my last wife. When
RICHARD comes to the age of Eighteen share and share alike between them and their heirs and assigns forever. 6th. I will that RICHARD be educated and
suported out of my Estate that I give unto JOHN & RICHARD untill he shall arrive to the age of Eighteen. 7ly. I will that in case either JOHN or RICHARD
dies before they arive to lawfull age or marries, that then their part shall go to the surviving one to him & his heirs & assigns. 8ly. And I do hereby
constitute and appoint to my friend CARY WHITAKER & ROBERT WARD and JOHN CARTER son of my last wife whole & sole Executors of this my last will and
Testament. In testamony hereof I have hereunto set my hand & afixed my seal this 9th day of December 1794.
JOSEPH CARTER
Signed Sealed published & declared to be the last Will & Testament of the Testator
PENELOPE WHITAKER, JAMES JONES, MILES CROSS
Halifax County Ct.
February Sessions 1795 then this will was exhibited in open court & duly proved by the oath of MILES CROSS one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and on
motion ordered to be recorded. Whereupon JOHN CARTER one of the Executors in the said Will named came in and was duly qualified thereto.
Witness
L. LONG, CCt.
-------------------------------
Will of Christopher Dudley-1777
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 2-3 In the name of God amen: I CHRISTOPHER DUDLEY of Halifax Town in the province of
North Carolina being of sound & disposing mind, memory & understanding do make & ordain this my Last will & Testament in manner & form following that is
to say first
I Bequeath my soul into the hand of Almighty God that gave it hoping & believing in a Remission of my Sins by the merrits & mediations of Jesus Christ,
and by my body I commit to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of my Extrs. hereinafter named and my worldly Estate I give Devise & Bequeath as
followeth Vizt.
Imprimis my Will & desire is that all my just Debts & funeral Expenses be first paid and satisfied and I charge my real & personal Estate with the payment
thereof.
Item I give & bequeath to my son RANSOM DUDLEY Seventy five pounds proclamation Money to him & his heirs for ever.
Item I give & bequeath to my Son CHRISTOPHER DUDLEY One hundred pounds proclamation money to him & his heirs for ever.
Item I give & bequeath to my Daughter SARAH DUDLEY One hundred pounds proclamation money to her & her heirs for Ever.
Item I give & bequeath to my Son LINTON DUDLEY a Tract or parcel of Land in the County of Mecklenburg in Virginia which I hold in right of my late wife
ELIZABETH, Mother of the said LINTON; I also give & bequeath to my said son LINTON One Hundred pounds proclamation money together with the said Land to
him his Heirs & assigns for ever.
Item My will & desire is that the Legacies in Money heretofore devised to my four children To wit RANSOM, CHRISTOPHER, SARAH & LINTON may be applied
towards their bringing up maintenance & Education & to and for no other use or purpose.
Item all my Estate both real & personal whatsoever the same now is or may be at the time of my decease (the Land before Devised to my son LINTON excepted)
I will & desire may be sold at the discretion of my Extrs. and the money arising therefrom in the first place to be applied towards the payment of my just
Debts & the Legacies in money before devised to my four youngest children To wit, RANSOM, CHRISTOPHER, SARAH & LINTON and the balance or overplus together
with all Debts & moneys owed me to be equally divided betwixt my Eight children, to wit, ANN MACHEN wife of HENRY MACHEN, GUILFORD, AGATHA, ELIZABETH,
RANSOM, CHRISTOPHER, SARAH, & LINTON to them & their heirs for ever Excepting that in the quota or share of my son LINTON. The ballance or overplus as
aforesaid their to be an allowance made of One Hundred & thirty three pounds Six Shillings & Eight pence so as to include that sum his portion or share
will be then equal to the rest, this being in consideration of the Land before devised to him and further my will & desire is that in case either of my
said Children. To wit, ANN MACHEN, GUILFORD, AGATHA, ELIZABETH, RANSOM, CHRISTOPHER, SARAH, or LINTON should die before they arrive to lawfull age or
marry that then their portion a share go & discend to the Survivor or Survivors of them share & share alike to them & their heirs forever. And lastly I
nominate constitute & appoint my son GUILFORD DUDLEY, HENRY MACHEN, & MY Friend OROONDATES DAVIS Excrs. of this my Last will & Testament hereby utterly
revoking all other by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my Seal this Second Day of June Anno Dom. 1777.
CHRISTOPHER DUDLEY
Signed Sealed Published & Declared in presence of
CHARLES PASTEUR
GAB'L LONG
WM. MONTFORT
JOSEPH COCKS
PATRICK MARTIN
Halifax County Session, November Court 1781
Then this Will was Exh'd in open Court & duly proved by the Oaths of WM. MONTFORT & JOSEPH COCKS who on their oaths did say that they saw CHRISTOPHER
DUDLEY sign seal Publish and Declare this instrument of writing to be his last Will & testament & that he was of sound mind & memory at the time of
signing the same and on Motion ordered to be Recorded, whereupon GUILFORD DUDLEY and HENRY MACHEN qualified as his Lawful Executors.
Test WM. WOOTTEN CCt
-------------------------------
Will of Temperance Harriss- 1783
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 42-43
In the Name of God Amen, I TEMPERANCE HARRISS of Halifax County in the State of North Carolina
being sick and weak of body yet of perfect sense and memory thanks be to God and my Soul I recommend into the hands of God that gave it and my Body I
recommend to the Earth from whence it was taken as to my Worldly goods I do the indow and to be ordered as follows (Viz)
Imprimise. I give to my Son in law NORFLEET HARRISS one mare named Gin and a Colt named the Cray to him his heirs and assigns for ever.
Item. I give to my Daughter in law PHAROBY HARRIS one Negro boy named ISAAC and one horse one bed and furniture to her her Heirs and assigns for
ever.
Item. I give to my Daughter MARY HARRISS one Negro boy named JOHN one horse saddle and bridle one bed and furniture to her her heirs and assigns
for ever.
Item. I give to my Daughter SALLY HARRISS one Negro girl named EASTER and her Increase one horse bridle and saddle one bed and furniture to her her
Heirs and assigns for ever.
Item. I give to my Daughter ELIZABETH HARRISS one Negro girl named CHANY and her Increase one horse bridle and saddle one bed and furniture to her
her Heirs and assigns for ever.
Item. I give to my Son JAMES HARRISS after my just debts being paid and the above mentioned Legacies being paid of then and thereafter all the rest of my
Estate both real & personal of what kind soever it to be to my Son JAMES HARRISS to him his Heirs and assigns for ever and if my son JAMES should die
before he arrives to the age of Twenty one years or have a Lawfull issue then the Estate that left him to be equally divided between his Sisters ans
Sister In law and the four above mentioned girls there Legacies to be valued which of them has the greatest in value to repay to them of Less to make all
their legacies equal.
Lastly, I appoint SAMUEL WILLIAMS, WILLIAM WILLIAMS and THOMAS WILLIAMS Executors of this my Last will and Testament and I do ratify this and none other
to be my Last will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this first day of February one Thousand Sevenn Hundred
and Eighty Three.
Enterlined before I assigned in the Tenth Line from the bottom the word between, Signed, Sealed published and Declared n the presence of us
TEMPERANCE HARRIS
ELISHA DIXON JR., MARTHA JOYNER
PHERABY HARRISS
-------------------
Halifax County
May Court 1783
Then this Will was duly proved in open Court by the oath of ELISHA DIXON one of the subscribing witnesses who on his oath did say that he saw the Testator
Sign, Seal, publish and Declare this to be his Last will and Testament & that at the time of signing the same she was of sound mind & memory- Whereupon
THOMAS WILLIAMS qualifed as Exer. and on motion ordered to be recorded.
Test
WM WOOTTEN CCt (Note: Temperance Williams- Harris, was the daughter of William Williams &
Elizabeth Whitmel, originally of Edgecombe, then Martin Co.,NC; She was the widow of James Harris; their daughter, Mary [1764-1848 Warren Co.,NC] married
Philip Guston Alston [1762-1820], son of Philip Alston & Winifred Whitmel)
-------------------------------
Will of Mary Hulm - 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 165 In the name of God Amen. I MARY HULM, of Halifax County & State of No. Carolina,
do make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following
I give & bequeath to my Daughter ANN HULM the whole of my Estate be it of what nature or kind soever to be delivered to her by Executor herein after
mentioned when she shall arive at lawful age or be married but & if my said Daughter should depart this life under age & without Heir of her Body in such
case the whole be equally divided the one half equally divided between my Brother JOSIAH GOODWIN's Children the other equally divided between the
unmarried children of JOHN HULM to them and their heirs for ever.
Lastly I constitute & appoint my trusty Friend PETER QUALLS my whole & sole Executor to this my true last Will & Testament in Witness whereof I have
hereunto set my Hand & affixed my Seal this third day of May 1789.
If in case said QUALLS should die I desire MAJOR EGBERT HAYWOOD should take the management of my Estate.
MARY HULM ("X" her mark)
Test - HENRY JOYNER, JOHN MOORE, JESSE GOODWIN
Halifax County
May Session 1789
Then this Will was exhibited in open Court and duly proved by the oath of HENRY JOINER a witness thereto, & on motion ordered to be Recorded whereupon
PETER QUALLS was duly qualified.
Test- WM. WOOTTEN CCt
-------------------------------
Will of John Hulme - 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 164-165 In the name of God Amen
I JOHN HULME of Halifax County and State of North Carolina, being sick in Body but of sound mind and memory & mindful of the instability of my present
transitory state of existance, do therefore make this my last Will and Testament as follows viz;
Imprimus, recommend my immortal soul into the hands of that adorable being from whom it originally presented and my body to be committed to its unatural
dust.
Item- I give & bequeath to my Daughter SARAH WOOD the sum of five shillings, specie to her and her Heirs forever.
Item- I give and bequeath to my Wife ANN HULME all the residue of my Estate after my just debts are paid to enable her to raise & maintain my young
children THOMAS [&] JOHN HULME, ROBERT & ELIZABETH, to her the said ANN HULME & her Heirs forever.
Lastly, I constitute and appoint my said Wife ANN HULME sole Executrix to this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand
& affixed my Seal the 8th Day of April One seven hundred and Eighty Nine.
JOHN HULM
Signed, Sealed published & declared in the presence of
P. DWYER
JOSIAH GOODWIN
Halifax County May Sessions 1789
Then this Will was exhibited in Open Court and duly proved by JOSIAH GOODWIN, a Witness thereto & on motion ordered to be recorded wherefore ANN HULM was
qualified as an Executrix thereto in due form.
Test- WM WOOTTEN, CCt -------------------------------
Will of Henry Jones-1808
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 474
In the Name of God Amen, I HENRY JONES of Halifax County do institute make and ordain this my last
will and testament and being sick and weak in body but sound in mind and memory I give and bequeath in manner and form as follows first I lend to my
beloved wife ANNA JONES all my worldly goods during hr natural life Secondly I give and bequeath all my worldly goods as above mentioned after the death
of my wife to my three daughters namely NANCY, SALLY and CHRISTIAN to be equally divided between those three daughters lastly I do appoint BENJAMIN
HAWKINS, CHARLES EDMUNDS and WILLIAM PARTIN as my Executors to this my last Will and Testament. Given under my hand & Seal this 3rd day of January 1808.
HENRY JONES ("+") his mark
Test
WEST GOODRICH
JESSE GREENE
Halifax County Session
February Session 1808 Then this will was exhibited in open Court and duly proved by the Oath of WEST GOODRICK and JESSE GREENE the subscribing witnesses
thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded whereupon BENJAMIN HAWKINS as Executor therein named came in and was duly qualified thereto.
Witness
L. LONG CCh -------------------------------
Will of Ephraim Knight- 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 345 In the Name of God Amen
I EPHRAIM KNIGHT seriously considering the uncertainty of Human life while in a Sound state of mind make this my last Will and Testament intending to
dispose of all my Worldly affairs not in humour<?> may prompt but as a Justice and Equity sum to direct I must here recommend my soul to the Extensive
mercy of that Eternal Supreme Intelligent Being who gave it me In the first place it is my Will and desire that the following Slaves may be emancipated
viz, ALEX'R & RICHARD men grown, SUBINAH & POLLY woman with their present and future increase.
2dly It is my Will and desire that all my real and personal Estate be equally divided between my children share & share alike after paying my just debts
being a sufficient maintenance for my beloved wife during her life time.
And I do now appoint WILLIE JONES & WILLIAM R. DAVIE Esquires my Executors of this my last Will and Testament renouncing all Wills heretofore made. In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this the 25th day of May 1789.
EPHRAIM KNIGHT
Witness
WILL MUIR
Halifax County
November Sessions 1800
Then this Will was Exhibited in Open Court and thereupon JAMES BRADLEY came in & made Oath that he was well acquainted with the handwriting of WILLIAM
MUIR the subscribing witness hereto and that he believed he subscribed his name as witness with his own proper hand & that the said WILLIAM MUIR is now
dead & on motion ordered to be Recorded.
Witness
L. LONG CCt
(Note: The slaves, mulattoes, Alexander & Richard, were emancipated in 1789, and given the surname of DAY; the female slaves, also mulattoes,
Sabina & Polly, were emancipated in 1800, and took the surname of CURTIS; it is very possible that these slaves were his children since they were all
mulattoes, and he didn't mention other family. See Halifax County Emancipation Records)
Also see: Ephraim
Knight Memorial 1781 -------------------------------
Will of John Locke- 1788
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 166 In the Name of God Amen the 12th day of March 1788, I JOHN LOCK of Halifax County
& Province of North Carolina being weak of body but of good & sound memory, thanks be to Almighty God for it and I do make, Constitute, ordain, & declare
this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following that is to say first I give my Daughter ANNA HALL my land & every thing that I possess.
I also give my Son JOHN LOCK one Shilling cash & I give my son JONATHAN LOCK one Shilling cash. I also give my Daughter ELIZABETH DENT one Shilling cash.
I also give my Daughter DOROTHA LOCK one Shilling cash. In Witness whereof I have set my Hand & Seal, the day & year above written. Signed & Sealed &
delivered in the presence of us.
Test. ADLEY MORRISS, JOHN HEETH, STEPHEN SAMPSON.
JOHN LOCK ("X" his mark)
Halifax County, May Session 1789. Then this Will was exhibited in Open Court & duly proved by the Oath of STEPHEN SAMPSON a Witness thereto and on motion
ordered to be recorded.
Test WM. WOOTTEN CCt -------------------------------
Will of Ephraim Merritt- 1788
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 160-161
In the name of God Amen
I EPHRAIM MERRITT of Halifax County and State of North Carolina beign sick and weak of body but of sound mind and memory Blessed be God for it I ordain
and make this my last Will and Testament on manner and form following, First I bequeath my Soul to God who gave it firmly hoping the forgiveness of all my
Sins to and by the merits of my Blessed Saviour and my body to the ground to be decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named and as
for what Worldly goods it has pleased God to bless me with, I do give and dispose of in manner and form following
Imprimis My will and desire is that all my just debts and funeral charges be first discharged.
Item I give and bequeath my land I purchased of JOHN MORELAND unto my son NATHANIEL MERRITT to him and his heirs for ever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter HOLLEY MERRITT one bed and furniture.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Daughter JEMIAH MERRITT also one bed and furniture to them and their Heirs forever
Item My will and desire is that all the remainder of my Estate that I have not given may be sold to pay my debts.
Item My will and desire is that the money due me from GARDNER HARWELL he and be in his Heirs for the schooling and boarding my son NATHANIEL MERRITT and
cloathing my daughter JEMIAH MERRITT and after schooling and boarding for NATHANIEL MERRITT and Cloathing my daughter JEMIAH MERRITT untill she be trusted
by my Executors able and old enough to Cloath herself, then if there should be any money left in the said HARWELLs hands.
Item My will and desire is that it be equally divided among my three children and lastly I do constitute and appoint my friend GARDNER HARWELL, my friend
RICHARD NORWOOD, my friend AMBROSE HARPER and my friend VINCENT HARPER my whole and Sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof
I have hereunto set my hands and affixed my Seal this Third day of December One Thousand Seven Hundred and eighty eight.
EPHRAIM MERRITT
Signed Seal'd in the presence of
JAMES HOCADAY
WILLIAM HOCADAY
_____ HARWELL
Halifax County, February Sessions 1789
Then this Will was exhibited in Open Court and duly proved by the oaths of JAMES HOCADAY and WILLIAM HOCADAY two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and
on motion ordered to be recorded whereupon the Executors named in the Will came into Court and refered to qualify as Executors thereto.
Test
WM WOOTTEN CCt
-------------------------------
Will of Abraham Scott - 1799
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 400-401 In the Name of God Amen, I ABRAHAM SCOTT of Halifax County and State of North
Carolina, being at present weak in body but stil blest with soundness of mind & memory I do lend give & dispose of what it hath pleased God to bless me
with in the following manner, I do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament. I lend to my Beloved wife SUSANNA SCOTT that part of my land lying on
the South side of the Branch that parts my two fields except one half of the Orchard during her life or widowhood the other half of the Orchard I lend to
my son SIMON SCOTT during my wife life or widowhood and at her death or marriage it tis my will & pleasure that the above mentioned land to be sold & the
money arising therefrom to be equally divided amongst my children or Heirs (to wit) SALLY SCOTT & HARDEMON SCOTT, JUDIA SCOTT, TABITHA SCOTT & SAUL SCOTT,
RHODY SCOTT & LYDIA SCOTT, AMY[?] SCOTT, ABAGAL SCOTT, MARREY SCOTT & SIMON SCOTT. I likewise give & bequeath unto my son SIMON SCOTT the balance of my
land which lies on the North sides of the Branch that devides the two fields or his Heirs forever.
I likewise lend to my Wife one cow & calf & at her death or marriage one cow & calf to be sold & divided amongst the above mentioned children or their
Heirs & as for my working Tools, I give and bequeath unto my son SIMON SCOTT or his heirs forever. I likewise give & bequeath unto my Son SIMON SCOTT one
cow & calf or his Heirs forever.
My will is that the balance of the perishable part of my property should be sold & divided amongst all my children.
I appoint my son HARDIMON SCOTT & SIMON SCOTT my Executors to this my last Will & Testament this thirteenth day of June 1799.
ABRAM SCOTT ("A S" his mark)
Teste
PATRICK McDANIEL
THOMAS WILLIS
Halifax County
Feby Sessions 1803
Then this Will was Exhibited in Open Court & duly proved by the Oath of PATRICK McDANIEL a witness thereto & on Motion ordered to be Recorded.
Witness
L. LONG CCt -------------------------------
Will of Francis Scott - 1771
Halifax County Wills 1759-1774
Will Book 1, Page 339 In the Name of God Amen
I FRANCIS SCOTT of the County of Halifax bring thro the abundant mercy and Goodness of God tho Weak in Body yet of Sound and perfect understanding and
memory to constitute this my last Will and Testament and desire it may be received by all as such, Imprimis, I humbly bequeath my soul to God my Maker
beseeching his most gracious acceptance through the all sufficient merrits and meditation of my most compasionate redeemer Jesus Christ who gave himself
to be an atonement for my Sins and is able to server to the uttermost all that unto God by him seeing he gives ever birth to make Intercession for them
and who I trust will not eject me a returning sinner when I come to him for mercy in this hope and confidence I render up my soul with comfort humbly
beseeching the most Blessed and (Written on document: note/the remainder of this line so ???? can not make it out)
Without end Amen, I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Wife SARAH SCOTT all the land lying between the Spring Branch and Horsepen Branch and I also
lend unto her my old apple orchard during her life and I also give unto her two cows and calves and two yous <sic> and ten sows and five shotes and I also
lend unto her one mare during her life and after her death to my son ACSOM SCOT only I give unto him the first colt that mare brings and also give unto
her one feather bed and furniture whereon I now ly and also give unto her one pewter dish and two plates and two basons and one water pail and also I give
unto her the third part of my barrels and hogsheads and one weeding ho and grubing ho and one plow ho and one ax and one wheal and cards and two cheavs
and the third part of my crop that is now growing and I also give unto my son ACSOM SCOT all the rest of my land and plantation and all the rest of my
live stock and houshold furniture and ?? tools upon paying five shillings proclamation apiece to all the rest of my children and constitute JESSE POPE and
BENJAMIN MERRYMAN Executors of this my Last Will and Testament as Trustees to my Estate as whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal the 10th Day of August
in the Year of our Lord 1771.
FRANCIS SCOT ("TT" his mark)
JOHN SAXON
Halifax County.
May Court 1774
Then this Will was exhibited in Open Court by JESSE POPE Executor and duly proved by the oath _____ Witness thereto who upon his oath did say that he saw
the Testator FRANCIS SCOTT sign seal publish and declare the same to be his last Will & Testament whereupon the Executor aforementioned were duly
qualified and on Motion ordered to be recorded.
Test
JOS. MONTFORT CCt
[Note: The clerk who transcribed this from the original will into the Will Book apparently could not read several phrases, some of which they left
blank spaces, others they added small notes in the margins] -------------------------------
Will of Lacy Simmons - 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 165-166 In the name of God Amen, I LACY SIMMONS of Halifax County, North Carolina at
present on a low state of health being of sound mind & memory blessed be God & knowing the uncertainty of human life I do make his my last Will &
Testament, thereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore.
I give to Son ZADOCK SIMMONS my Land & Bed & Furniture to him & his heirs forever & still provided thre be enough of other property to pay the debts
except their legacies.
I give to my daughter BARSHA YOUNG two cows & calves & three sheep to her and her heirs for ever.
I give my Daughter ANN SIMMONS one sorrel mare Saddle & Bridle one bed & furniture, one pair of flat Irons to her & her Heirs for ever.
I give my Daughter MARTHA JOYNER a mare of a sorrel coular to her & her Heirs forever
I give my Daughter MARY one Negro fellow named ARTHUR a bed and furniture & Desk if not wanting to raise money to pay debts to her & her Heirs for
ever.
I give my Daughter SARAH a bed and Furniture & other necessaries, which she has in possession at this time to her & her Heirs for ever.
And after all just debts paid the remainder to be divided equally among the children.
I do wholy & solely appoint my son ZADOCK SIMMONS my Executor.
Lastly I give up my whole sole & body into the hands of God this my last Will & Testament, this 23rd day of April 1789.
LACY SIMMONS
BENJAMIN WILLIAMS, ELIZABETH YOUNG
Halifax County.
May Sessions 1789- Then this Will was exhibited in open Court & duly proved by the Oath of BENJAMIN WILLIAMS a Witness thereto, & on motion ordered to be
Recorded whereupon ZADOCK SIMMONS came in & was duly qualified as Executor thereto.
Test WM. WOOTTEN, CCt
-------------------------------
Will of William Turner- 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 164 In the name of God Amen
I WILLIAM TURNER of the County of Halifax in the State of North Carolina being very weak of body but of a good memory do make and ordain this to be my
last Will and Testament.
Item. I give and bequeath to WILLIAM TURNER HALL One Hundred and Fifty Pounds and all the rest of my Property to be equally divided between EDWIN TURNER,
PETER TURNER, JAMES TURNER and MARY WEBB. I do nominate and appoint my Brother PETER TURNER and EDWIN TURNER Executors of this my last Will and Testament.
December the 29th 1788.
WILLIAM TURNER
Signed, Sealed and delivered
in the presence of us
JAMES TATUM, LEWIS SLAUGHTER ("X" his mark), PETER TURNER
Halifax County
February Sessions 1789
Then this Will was exhibited in open court and duly proved by the oath of JAMES TATUM and LEWIS SLAUGHTER, two of the Subscribing Witnesses thereto, and
on motion ordered to be recorded. PETER TURNER qualified as Executor thereto.
Test WM. WOOTTEN CCt
-------------------------------
Will of Henry Weaver - 1808
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Page 474-475 In the Name of God Amen I HENRY WEAVER Senior of Halifax County of No.
Carolina being of Sound & disposing mind do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following vizt:
Item, I give and bequeath to my son JARRAD WEAVER two Negroes to witt DANIEL and CHARLES also a tract of land that I purchased of WILLIAM
HARGROVE containing of two hundred and fifty three acres also one cow & calf 1 Desk 1 walnut table one feather bed and furniture to him and his heirs for
ever,
Item I give & bequeath to my daughter CHERRY WEAVER one Negro boy named FERRY one Negroe girl named JUDAH one chest of drawers one cow &
calf feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter SUSANNAH WEAVER one Negroe boy named FED and one Negro girl named PATTY one chest of drawers one cow
and calf one feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my three daughters that I had by my first wife LUCY GARY, SALLY GARY and POLLY DRAKE twenty silver dollars to them and their
heirs forever
Item I give unto beloved wife MARY WEAVER, the use of the land whereon I now live during her life or widowhood also the rest of my estate not mentioned
except two first choice negroes which is to support my daughter ELIZABETH WEAVER during her life but in case the said ELIZABETH leaves an issue in that
case I give the said Negroes to her issue to them and their heirs forever but in case that she dies without an issue the said Negroes to be equally
divided between my daughters [sic] CHERRY WEAVER, JARRAD WEAVER and SUSANNA WEAVER.
Item I give to my three grand children JUDITH, RICHARD H. and EDWIN WEAVER twenty dollars to be equally divided between them which I wish them to lay out
each in a Mourning ring his share.
Item My will is that the land that I gave my wife the use of at her death or marriage, shall be sold and be equally divided between my daughters CHERRY,
ELIZABETH and SUSANNAH but in case ELIZABETH dies without issue her part to be equally divided between CHERRY & SUSANNAH WEAVER.
Item My will is after my just debts & at the death of my wife MARY WEAVER that the remaining of my estate shall be equally divided between my daughters
[sic] CHERRY, JARRAD and SUSANNAH WEAVER to them & their heirs forever.
Lastly I nominate and appoint my beloved wife MARY WEAVER executrix, JARRAD WEAVER, HENRY WEAVER, CHARLES MALONE Executors to this my last Will and
Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal te 15th day of February Anno Dom. 1806.
HENRY WEAVER
Signed Sealed and Acknowledged in presence of
HERBERT HILL
JOHN T. JONES
BENJAMIN HILL
N.B. and as I fear that my daughter ELIZABETH is not capable of managing for herself that her estate shall be left in the hands of the Executors for to
support her in a decent manner.
HENRY WEAVER
HERBERT HILL
Halifax County
February Session 1808 then this Will was exhibited in Open Court and duly proved by the oaths of HERBERT HILL, JOHN T. JONES and BENJAMIN HILL the
witnesses thereto and thereupon HERBERT HILL the witness to the Codicil thereto written made oath that he saw HENRY WEAVER the Testator thereafter signed
the four in confirmation & as a republication of his said last Will & Testament & thereafter JARRAD WEAVER one of the Executors therein named came in &
was duly qualified thereto.
Witness
L. LONG CCt
-------------------------------
Will of Israel West- 1789
Halifax County Wills 1781-1824
Will Book 3, Pages 166-167 State of North Carolina
Halifax County
In the name of God Amen
I ISRAEL WEST of the County & State aforesaid being weak in body but of perfect mind & memory & calling to mind the mortality of my body & knowing that it
is appointed for all men once to die do constitute make & ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following viz
First I give unto my beloved wife PRICILLA W. WEST, TOM, SILVA, JESSE, TIM, TOM the Younger, ROSE, STEPHEN, NELL, ARTHUR, CHANE, & LODWICK also
LYDIA & their increase to her & her Heirs forever.
2d. I lend unto my beloved wife PRICILLA W. WEST, DIANNA, WINNA, DAVIE and AMY, also all my lands lying above a Red oak standing near a path<?> of
barrs on the Mill path JAMES JUDGEs corner formerly THOS. WRIGHTs then along the Mill path to a little branch then down the branch side of my fence to
Rocky Swamp below the Mill during her widowhood or life, & in case she should marry or dies I give & bequeath DIANNA, WINNA, DAVIE, & AMY likewise
the land above mentioned unto my Sister ELIZABETH DANIELL's children to be equally divided between them share & share alike to them & their Heirs for
ever.
3ly. I lend unto PRICILLA W. WEST my beloved wife, all the remainder of my land that I possess lying in the County & State aforesaid not yet mentioned
during her natural lifetime & after her death I give and bequeath the land last above mentioned unto my Sister ELIZABETH DANIELL's children to be divided
between share and share alike to them and their Heirs forever.
4. My Will & desire is that my Executors hereafter mentioned shall ??? and dispose of as they think proper, a Tract & parcel of land lying in Isle of
Wight County State of Virginia containing Fifty acres be the same more or less which I have JOHN JORDAN's Bond for to compel him to make a title to when
required & the money arising from the sale thereof is for the payment of my just debts, & if there should not be a sufficienty from the sale of the land
my desire is that a sufficiency of money may be raised out of the residue of my Estate not yet mentioned.
5thly. I give unto my beloved Wife PRICILLA W. WEST after my just debts are paid all the residue of my Estate not yet mention of any or every kind soever
to her and her heirs forever.
6thly. I nominate, Constitute, & appoint my loving Wife PRICILLA W. WEST Executrix & MAT. C. WHITAKER Executor of this my last Will & Testament in Witness
whereof I the said ISRAEL WEST have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this nineteenth day of February in the year of Our Lord One thousand seven
hundred & Eighty nine.
ISRAEL WEST
Signed, Sealed & acknowledged by the said ISRAEL WEST to be his last Will & Testament in presence of JAMES JUDGE, RICHARD HEATH, WILLIAM WEST.
Halifax County May Session (1789)
Then this Will was exhibited in open court and duly proved by the oath of JAMES JUDGE & WILLIAM WEST, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto, & on
Motion ordered to be Recorded whereupon MATTHEW C. WHITAKER came in Open Court & was duly qualified as an Executor thereto.
Test- WM. WOOTTEN CCt
-------------------------------
Will of SAMUEL WILLIAMS
Edgecombe County, North Carolina
Secretary of State Records 881, Page 109
Oct 24, 1753 North
Carolina, In the name of God Amen.
The twenty-fourth day of October One thousand seven hundred and fifty-three,
I, SAMUEL WILLIAMS of the county of Edgecomb in the province aforesaid being
sick of body but of perfect and sound mind and memory do make ordain,
constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament in manner and form
following,
First. I give and bequeath to my son WILLIAM WILLIAMS Twenty shillings
sterling,
Item. I give and bequeath to my son SOLOMON WILLIAMS Twenty shillings
sterling and ye first Negroe child born on the plantation,
Item. I give, devise and bequeath to my Grandson SAMUEL WILLIAMS & his heirs
and assigns forever one Negroe girl named PATT.
Item. I give divise and bequeath to my son SAMUEL WILLIAMS his heirs and
assigns one hundred acres of land lying in the County afores'd in Mush
Island which I bought of ROBERT LANG and one hundred pounds Virginia
currency to be paid out of the first money that is received of my Book
debts.
Item. I give divise and bequeath to my loving wife, ELIZABETH WILLIAMS her
heirs and assigns forever four Negroes (to wit) MINGO, COOB, PRISS, and
LUCEY.
Item. I give divise and bequeath to son JOS. JOHN WILLIAMS his heirs &
assigns forever the plantation whereon I now live and all the land thereunto
belonging and the plantation which I bought of JOHN BURT and all the land
thereunto belonging, and also one hundred and fifty acres which I bought of
JOHN EGERTON, and also one hundred acres of land joyning to the mill and two
hundred ninety acres of land joyning YANCEY's line and the Reedy Branch.
Item. I give divise and bequeath to my two sons SAMUEL WILLIAMS and JOSEPH
JOHN WILLIAMS and their heirs forever to be equally divided between them
Thirteen Negroes BRISTER, TOM, LONDON, EASOP, DINER, HASHEY, HANNAH,
CLOYE, MOLL, ESSEX, RACHEL, BROOMFIELD and PENNY.
Item. I give divise and bequeath the remainder of my whole estate consisting
of every kind whatsoever- to be divided between my loveing wife ELIZ. and my
two sons SAMUEL and JOS. JNO. WILLIAMS and there heirs and assigns forever,
equally share and share alike, to be divided between them by my Executors
hereafter mentioned.
Lastly, I nominate constitute and appoint my son WILLIAM WILLIAMS and my son
SOLOMON WILLIAMS and my trusty and well beloved friends PHILIP ALSTON,
BENJAMIN WYNNS Executors to this my last Will and Testament. In Witness
whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seal the day and year first above
ment'd
Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the s'd SAM'L WILLIAMS to be his
Last Will and Testament in Presence of us.
The words: by the s'd SAM'L WILLIAMS Interlined before signed
THO'S KEARNY
EDM'D KEARNY
JAMES ALSTON
Edgecombe County. February Court, 1754
The aforewritten Will was Exhibited into Court by SOLOMON WILLIAMS, one of
the Executors therein appointed, and proved by the oaths of THOMAS KEARNY
Esq'r and EDMOND KEARNY two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and at the
same time the said SOLOMON WILLIAMS took the Executors oath by law
prescribed which was order to be certified.
Test BENJ'N WYNNS Clerk Court
Capt SAM'L WILLIAMS, Will Feb'ry Court 1754; Recorded in the Secretaries
Office in Book K, Pg. 109
(Note: This was Samuel Williams, son of William Williams, d. 1712 Chowan Co.,NC, and Mary Moore; Samuel was married to Elizabeth Alston, daughter of
John Alston, d. 1758 Chowan Co.,NC & Mary Clark; Elizabeth remarried on Sept. 17, 1765 to Richard Burt in Halifax Co. NC. This will is
included here because Samuel & his family lived in the area of Edgecombe that became Halifax County.) |
