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In the name of God Amen.
I GIDEON ALSTON of the County of Halifax and State of North Carolina being of a perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the do this nineteenth day of
October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty one, make & publish this my last Will & Testament in manner & form following. To wit;
My desire and will is that my dwelling house and the following land beginning on Fishing Creek at the mouth of Parkers Branch thence up the branch to a deep
bottom that runs to a point of woods just above my fence on the path that leads to MRS. BAKER's, thence a straight line to Reedy creek at the mouth of the
Sheep branch thence down Reedy creek to the mouth of Fishing Creek thence up Fishing Creek to the mouth of Gum Swamp, thence up Gum Swamp to the old mill,
thence along the path from the old mill to my Bridge on Fishing Creek, thence up the creek by the meander thereof to the begining. I also give her (my)
daughter BETSEY C. ALSTON, the following Negroes (to wit) ROSE, FED, DRED, EASTER, BELINDA, AGGY & EDY, AGGY's child & ISAAC to her & her heirs and
assigns forever.
I give my son JOHN ALSTON the Negroes heretofore put into his possession and the land I purchased of ROBERT BRINKLEY containing by estimation fifteen
hundred & thirty three acres, be the same more or less, the priviledge of my will excepted to him, his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. My son GIDEON being dead I give his two children HANNAH SEMORE and GIDEON ALSTON the tract of land my son GIDEON died in possession of being in the
County of Warren and State aforesaid containing my estimation one thousand acres be the same more or less to be equally divided between them share & share
alike, but if both of the children should die underage and leaving lawful issue of their body, then it is my will & desire that the lands thus given return
to my family and be equally divided among my daughter and their heirs & GIDEON HARRISS the son of daughter TEMPERANCE dec'd in as one equal heir.
Item. My daughter TEMPERANCE being dead, I give her son GIDEON ALSTON HARRIS the following Negroes (to wit) BUCK, DANIEL, MARINA and her child
ELIZABETH, their future increase. I also give her son STEPHEN BOBBITT the following Negroes (to wit) NED & LARRA & their future increase but
should the two boys GIDEON A. HARRIS and STEPHEN BOBBITT die under age and lawful issue of their body then it is my will & desire, the said Negroes, return
to the children of my daughter MARYAN BOBBITT it to be equally divided among them, the understanding is should either die underage and lawful issue.
Item. I lend my daughter MARYAN BOBBITT the following Negroes, to wit, MARTIN, SARAH, LYDIA, NANCY & TIPPO & their future increase during her natural
life and at her death to be equally divided among her children.
Item. I give my land I lately purchased of JOHN PEARSON to my two daughters FRANCES & ARRABELLA, to be equally divided agreeable to the number of ones
FRANCES to have the house that THOMAS WYRE lives in at this time, and ARABELLA the house & improvements that JOHN PEARSON now lives in land not included
improved for cultivation in the division.
Item. I give my daughter FRANCES the following Negroes to wit, DANIEL & LOUISA with their future increase to her her heirs & assigns forever.
Item. I give my daughter ARRABELLA the following Negros, MINERVA & BOB to her, her heirs and assigns forever with their future increase.
Item. I give my daughter AMMARILLA the following property, to wit, the lands I purchased of ZACARIAH SULLIVAN, & WILLIAM BRINKLEY with the mill erected
thereon, and appertenances thereunto belonging. Also the following Negroes, BRADY & HAGAR, with their future increase to her, her heirs and assigns
forever.
Item. I give my son JESSE A. ALSTON, all my lands in the fork of Gum Swamp & Fishing Creek that I have not already given away and the following Negroes, to
wit, WILEY, SETH, & BARBARY & their future increase to him his heirs, and assigns forever.
Item. I lend my son ERASMUS ALSTON my lands lying between the lands that I have given my daughter BETSEY and the lands I have given my son GIDEON's children
bound by Fishing Creek & Reedy Creek. I also lend him the following Negroes (to wit) HENRY, BUCK & BRIDGET, to be in the care of my son JOHN for the
use of him and his heirs.
Item. I give my daughter MATILDA the following Negroes, to wit, VIOLET, FELISHA, JEMIMA Jun'r, CINTHIA & CORNELA, LUCY, EUPHAMA & GEORGE.
Item. I give my daughter DOLLY C. ALSTON the following Negroes (to wit) GRACE & BOWERS with their future increase to her, her heirs and assigns
forever.
Item. the balance of my Negroes not already given away I desire to be equally divided between FRANCES, ARRABELLA, AMMARILLA and DOLLY.
Item. I give my daughter BETSEY, my carriage & horses.
Item. The balance of my lands not already given away, I desire to be equally divided between my daughter DOLLY, GIDEON A. HARRIS & GIDEON C. BOBBITT, son of
my daughter MARYAN.
Item. All my stock, household & kitchen furniture &c I desire to be equally divided between BETSEY, FRANCES, ARRABELLA, AMMARILLA, DOLLY, JESSE A. & ERASMUS
except the carriage horses already given away.
If the money due and my crop is not sufficient to settle my just debts, my desire is that it shall be equally taken out of the legacies that the stock &
household furniture is given to. I do appoint WILLIAM BRINKLEY my sole Executor to this my last will and testament disannulling and revoking all other wills
& testaments do make & ordain this & no other to be my last Will & Testament.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal the day and year above written.
GID ALSTON
Signed & Sealed in the presence of
CLEMSON HARPER
WILLIS BENNET
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
November Term 1831
Then this last will and testament was exhibited in open court and duly proved by the oaths of WINDSON HARPER and WILLIS BENNETT two subscribing witnesses
thereto, who says that the Testator was at the time of signing the same of sound mind & disposing memory; on motion the same was ordered to be recorded
whereupon WILLIAM BRINKLEY the Executor therein named came forward and was duly qualified thereto.
Witness
M. H. PETTWAY, Clerk
---------------
Distribution of the Slaves of GIDEON ALSTON,
1831
Agreeable to the annexed order,
we the undersigned Commissioners have proceeded to divide and allot to the
legatees of the late GIDEON ALSTON dec'd the personal property in the
following manner, viz-
Lot No.1 was drawn by FRANCIS ALSTON and consisted of the following
property-
Negroes DICK - valued at $500.00
ARTHUR - $100
ADELINE- $350
JINNY - $125
CHANY (blk)-$160
HESTER - $125
CHANEY (yellow)- $135
Lot No.1 is to receive from lot No.2: $21.25/100
Lot No.2 was drawn by WILLIAM DANIEL in rights of his wife DOROTHY and
consisted of the following Negroes-
HARDY valued at $470
MANUEL - $200
NANCY - $125
RANEY - $200
HARRIET - $200
MADISON - $100
EDWARD - $50
SALLY - $125
GEMIMA - $75
Lot No.3 was drawn by HENRY MACON in right of his wife AREBELLA and
consisted of the following Negroes-
MATTHEW valued at $250
HORACE -$300
HELEN - $325
MARIAH - $275
ARRETHA - $180
TOM - $165
PATTY - $25
Lot No.4 was drawn by AMIRILLA ALSTON and consisted of the following
Negroes-
JOE valued at $250
SAM - $275
CAROLINE - $300
SUSAN - $325
CORRENA - $180
CHARITY - $160
WILLIAM - $75
Sixty dollars is allowed her for keeping Old LYDIA. Lot No.4 is to receive
from Lot No. 2 $7. 50/100 and from Lot No.3 $4.75/100
GEO. HARPER
WM. W. THORNE
JOS. JNO. WILLIAMS
HENRY HARRIS
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Will of John Alston- 1831
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Pages 75-76 In the Name of God Amen. I JOHN ALSTON of the County of Halifax and State
of North Carolina being of sound mind & memory knowing the uncertainty of life & certainty of death, do make, ordain & establish this my last will &
testament annulling & revoking all others heretofore by me made.
1st. It is my will & desire that all my property I may die possessed with of every kind quality or description should remain in the possession & under the
direction and management of my beloved Wife MARGARET ALSTON.
2d. And as my children or either of them arrive at lawful age or marry, my wife under the direction of my Executors are authorised and impowered to
advance to such child such part of my Estate as she may think proper, but in no instance to advance more than an equal share of my estate; In the event of
my wife's marrying again, it is my will & desire that the whole of my estate be equally divided share & share alike, between my wife and all my children,
taking into consideration the advances I have made towards my son in law MARION SAUNDERS. It is also my will & desire that at the division, my three
youngest children, namely BLAKE, LUCY and MAJOR, have each a likely young Negro about their ages, more than the rest; And at my wife's death my will &
desire is that her part be equally divided between all my surviving children. Lastly I nominate & appoint my friend EDWARD ALSTON of Warren County and my
son in law MARION SAUNDERS Executors of this my last will & testament. Given under my hand & seal this 17th day of February in the year of our Lord 1831.
JOHN ALSTON
Signed sealed & delivered in the presence of
WILLIS A. WILLCOX
JOHN CARTER
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
August Term 1831
Then this last Will and Testament of JOHN ALSTON was exhibited in open court and the execution thereof duly proved by the oath of JOHN CARTER one of the
subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion ordered to be recorded. Whereupon MARION SAUNDERS one of the Executors therein named came into open court &
qualified thereto.
Witness
M. H. PETTWAY clk
pr JNO. H. HARWELL
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Will of Levi Browning-1839
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, page 176 Know all men by these presents that I LEVI BROWNING of the County of Halifax
of the State of North Carolina do make and publish this my last Will & Testament, 1st committing my soul & body into the hands of my Redeemer. I dispose
of my worldly goods on the following manner unto my son BENJAMIN I give & bequeath the tract of land on which I now live containing about One hundred
acres the same being more or less reference being have to the former deed, which I bequeath unto him and his heir forever. I also give him BENJAMIN all
the stock of cattle and hogs that I may die possessed of and I do give & bequeath unto my son BENJAMIN and daughter BETSEY to be equally divided between
them my beds & other furniture I may possess at my death.
Signed, sealed & delivered in the presence of 15 January 1839.
LEVI BROWNING ("X" his mark)
Witness
HENRY W. GARY
SAMUEL PEARCE
Halifax County
Febr Court 1839
Then the foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of LEVI BROWNING was exhibited in open court for probate and being duly proved
by the oath of HENRY W. GARY one of the subscribing witnesses thereto & on motion was ordered to be recorded.
Witness
J. H. SIMMONS, Clerk
***********************
Will of John Carter-1848
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Pages 268-269 In the name of God, Amen. I JOHN CARTER SR. of the County of Halifax,
State of North Carolina being of sound mind & memory do make, publish & declare this be my last will & testament hereby revoking all others.
Item 1st. I wish my body burried in a Christian manner
Item 2nd. I wish all my just debts paid out of such of my perishable Estate as to my Executor may seem best.
Item 3rd. I have heretofore made provisions for my sons, WELDON, JOSEPH & HARTWELL & RICHARD and also for my daughter, and for this reason I make none in
this will.
Item 4th. I give to my son SAMUEL CARTER and in the event of his death before mine, to his children one sorrel horse called Sir William.
Item 5th. I lend to my beloved wife MARTHA, during her natural life all the residue of my property, real, personal & perishable and at her death, I give
the same to my son WILLIAM and his heirs forever. This gift to him is made as well out of a sense of justice or of affection, for his valuable services to
me in my old age in contributing to the support of his parents their family.
Item 6th. I desire that my perishable estate may not be waisted, and such parts or portions thereof as may be used & consumed, I wish replaced with the
increase thereof if on hand the death of wife, and to go as the part or portion not consumed or used.
Item 7th. I earnestly hope that my wife will permit my friend MARTHA VICK to live with her as they have heretofore done, further, if the said MARTHA
should survive my wife, my son WILLIAM will take proper care of her, this I recommend & wish to be done, but it is not under to be and injunction, or
condition of my legatees enjoying their legacy or a charge thereon.
Item 8th. I have a little grandson name JOHN RICHARD GREGORY for whom I feel a just affection & especially lament his destitute condition being without
parents or brother or sister he is now living with me, and I would give him a legacy if I could do so and discharge my ?? to my wife & my son WILLIAM, all
that I can do is to request that my son WILLIAM will take care of him after my death, and bring him up to work, affording him as much education as he can.
This request is not intended as a condition nor a charge on the legacy of my son WILLIAM.
Item 9th. I hereby nominate constitute & appoint my son WILLIAM CARTER my Executor of this my last will & testament. In testamony of all which I have
hereunto affixed my hand & seal this the 13th day of July A.D. 1845.
JOHN CARTER
Signed sealed & published & declared in the presence of us
B. F. MOORE
BENJA. EDMUNDS
JOS. H. WALKER
Halifax County Court
November Term 1848
Then the foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of JOHN CARTER was offered for probate and the same being duly proven by the
oaths lf BENJA. EDMUNDS & JOS. H. WALKER two of the subscribing witnesses thereto is ordered to be recorded whereupon WILLIAM CARTER the Executor named
therein is duly qualified.
Witness
W. W. DANIEL, Clerk
***********************
Will of Dudley Clanton-1853
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, pages 353-355 Halifax County, November Court 1853
I DUDLEY CLANTON of the County of Halifax and State of North Carolina, do ordain and establish this my last will and testament in manner & words as
follows.
In the first place I desire all my landed and real estate to be sold by my Executor and the money arising from said sale to be applied as a primary fund
to the payment of all my debts, and should such money be insufficient to pay my debts then it is my wish that so much of my personal estate as may be
necessary be sold and applied to the payment of such debts as may remain unpaid after the fund so arising from my landed and real estate shall have been
exha??
In the second place, it is my wish that after my debts have been paid so as aforesaid, that the money remaining raised out of my landed and real estate as
aforesaid, should there be any, to go to my friend FREDERICK N. McWILLIAMS in trust and confidence as hereinafter declared. And I further wish that so
much of my personal estate be sold by my Executor as will be sufficient together with the fund so left to my friend FREDERICK N. McWILLIAMS as aforesaid
should there be any remaining as aforesaid to make up the sum of Five thousand dollars, which sum of five thousand dollars so raised do aforesaid. I give
to my friend FREDERICK N. McWILLIAMS and his heirs to the following trust, uses and purposes, that is to say, that he shall pay over annually to my
Mother, to her sole and separate use, during her coverture the interest of the said sum of five thousand dollars, and in case of discoverture, should her
expences require more than the annual interest of said sum of five thousand dollars then the said McWILLIAMS is hereby authorized and empowered to pay to
her so much of the principal of said sum of money as he is his own judgment and discretion may think requisite; and if my friend the said McWILLIAMS
should at any time under circumstances as aforesaid pay to my Mother any portion of the principal of said sum, he is not to be accountable for said
payments in any subsequent legatee of said fund; and at the death of my Mother, I wish the said sum of five thousand dollars, or so much thereof as shall
be remaining on the hand of my friend the said McWILLIAMS to be equally divided between the two sons of my Aunt FRANCES TUNSTALL deceased but if either of
them should die before he arrives at the age of twenty on years and without issue then I wish the whole of the said sum to go to his surviving brother.
In the third place, I give to the elder of my said Aunt FRANCES TUNSTALLs sons my gold watch and chain formerly worn by my brother, and I also give to his
brother my other gold watch and chain and I wish the elder son to have the diplomas of my Father, my Brother & myself and request that he shall keep them.
And I also give him the gun formerly owned by my Uncle JESSE RHYMES with the request that he let my Mother keep it as long as she desires; and I also give
to him all my books, and gold shirt buttons; and to his youngest brother I give my gold pencil.
In the 4th place, I give to my friend THOS. H. CHRISTMAS my favourite buggy horse Prince; and my slave BEN to my friend FREDERICK N. McWILLIAMS in
confidence that he will be well treated.
In the 5th place, I give my slave GUS to the elder son of my Aunt FRANCES TUNSTALL deceased and appoint my friend FREDERICK N. McWILLIAMS his
guardian with respect to this slave only and desire that he shall have the sale slave GUS put to some mechanical trade.
In the sixth place, I lend to my Uncle WM. C. CLANTON during his natural life the two slaves my Brother JESSE R. CLANTON inherited from my Grandmother
RHODA BALTHROP, and at his death I give said slaves to his son WILLIAM CLANTON.
In the 7th place, I lend to my Uncle WILLIAM C. CLANTON all the rest of my property during his natural life and at his death I desire it to be equally
divided between the two sons of my Aunt FRANCES TUNSTALL deceased but, the value of slave GUS, shall be assessed and taken into consideration at
the time of division and charged to the share of the elder son, so as to make both shares equal at the time of division, but should either of them die
without issue, and under twenty one years of age and intestate leaving his brother heir survivor, then I wish the whole to go to the surviving brother,
and in case both should die before they are twenty one years old without issue and intestate I wish the whole of the said property to go to my cousin
GEORGE CLANTON the son my my Uncle LANDON CLANTON.
I do intend this my last will and testament to be on execution of all powers created and vested in me by the last will and testament of my brother JESSE
R. CLANTON.
In the 8th place I constitute and appoint my friend FREDERICK N. McWILLIAMS my sole Executor to this my last will and testament.
I earnestly request that the sons of my Aunt FRANCES TUNSTALL deceased be kind and generous to their sister and render her assistance on all proper
occasions.
Given under m hand and seal this the 16th Feb'y 1853.
D. CLANTON
Witness
A. M. QUALLS
H. Y. BURT
Codicil of explanation to the foregoing-
My brother JESSE having bequeathed to me the profit of his estate during my life with the power to dispose of the estate as I may choose, which power I am
advised gives an estate to me for all beneficial purposes, I have and the term my property in the foregoing will as including all that I have of my own
property and what I have the power to dispose of. In other words I have considered the property over which I have the power of appointment as my own. 1853
Oct 28.
D. CLANTON
Signed & published in our presence we subscribing in the presence of the testator as witnesses requested thereunto
B. F. MOORE
CHAS. N. WEBB
Codicil 2nd to my will
I give to my Friend FRED. N. McWILLIAMS in trust my slaves, to wit, girl JANE and my man ABRAM for the sole and separate use and benefit of
my Mother with liberty for her to dispose of them by deed or will.
Item 2d. I revoke so much of my will as disposes of my slave GUS, and do now bequeath him to my friend F. N. McWILLIAMS. Oct. 30th 1853.
D. CLANTON
Signed and published in our presence as a codicil to this will in subscribing our names as witnesses in his presence.
B. F. MOORE
CHAS. N. WEBB
Halifax County
November court 1853
Then the foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of DUDLEY CLANTON dec'd is offered for probate and the execution of the same
& publication thereof was duly proven by the oaths of A. M. and H. Y. BURT the subscribing to the same. At the same time the execution of two codicils
annexed to the said will as part thereof were duly proved by the oaths of B. MOORE and CHARLES N. WEBB the subscribing witnesses thereto, and thereupon
the said will and codicil are ordered by the court to be certified & recorded. And thereupon F. N. McWILLIAMS the Executor named in said will came into
court and is duly qualified as such.
Witness
WM. W. DANIEL, Clk
***********************
Will of Willis Daniel-1828
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Pages 46-47
In the Name of God Amen.
I WILLIS DANIEL being sick in body but of sound mind and memory, do make and constitute this my Last Will and Testament.
First I recommend my soul to God, and my body to the grave, to be buried at the discretion of my friends.
Item, my will and desire is, that my farm continue to be made and housed without any interruption.
Item, I loan to my daughter HARRIETTE one Negro boy HARK and on Negro girl LIZA to be delivered to said HARRIETTE, and continue with my said
daughter HARRIETTE untill she arrives at the age of Twenty one years, the said Negroes to be delivered to my said daughter HARRIETTE the first of January
1829. I loan to my beloved wife JUDITH DANIEL all my lands and Negroes, plantation utensils, stock, and all my perishable personal estate during her
natural life of widowhood, to be kept together for the purpose of raising my children and schooling &c.
My wish and desire is that my children as they arrive at the age of twenty one years, that they should as they come of age, draw their part of the
Negroes.
I have in hands about Four hundred and fifty dollars, which I wish to be put to the best advantage.
I have on hand about Twenty five barrells of brandy to be disposed of to the best advantage. My wish and desire is that my children when arriving to the
age of twenty one should have a horse. It is my desire that my Executor should pay all my just debts.
I do hereby constitute and appoint to this my Last Will and Testament, my beloved wife JUDITH DANIEL and VALENTINE BAILEY my executors.
Signed, Sealed in presence of, this the 8th day of June 1828.
WILLIS DANIEL
Test.
V. BAILEY
Halifax County
August Co. 1828
Then this will was exhibited in open court, and the same was duly proved by the oath of VALENTINE BAILEY a subscribing witness thereto. And on motion
ordered to be recorded. Whereupon JUDITH DANIEL executrix mentioned therein came forward and was duly qualified thereto.
Witness
M. H. PETTWAY, Clk
***********************
Will of Massey F. Ellen- 1831
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Page 76 I MASSEY F. ELLEN of the County of Halifax & State of North Carolina being of
sound mind but weak in body do beqeathe & dispose of my property as follows, this Twenty Eighth day of September and year one thousand eight hundred &
thirty one viz-
All my property or share of property whether landed or otherwise I will & bequeath to MARTHA J. SMITH only child and daughter of ALEXANDER SMITH and in
case of said MARTHA JANE dying under age & without issue I will that the said property shall be equally divided between my sisters children and the lawful
heirs of EATON F. ELLEN. Moreover it is my will that ALEXANDER SMITH have the use of my property as long as he lives. To execute this my last will &
testament I appoint ROBERT VINSON & PETER his brother my Executors. In confirmation of this my last Will & Testament witness my hand and seal on this 28th
day of September the year of our Lord 1831.
MASSEY F. ELLEN ("X" her mark)
Witness present
JOS. J. GRAY
JESSE MOORE
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
November Term 1831
Then this last Will and Testament of MASSEY F. ELLEN, was exhibited in open court and duly proved by the oath of JOSEPH J. GRAY one of the subscribing
witnesses thereto. And on motion, it was ordered to be recorded.
Witness
M. H. PETTWAY, Clk
***********************
Will of Margaret Evans-1837
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Page 212 In the name of God amen. I MARGARET EVANS of Pitt County North Carolina being
of sound and perfect mind and memory do this 26th day of June in the year of One thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven make and publish this my last
will and testament in manner and form as follows. That is to say first I wish all my just and lawful debts to be paid. Secondly I give and bequeath to my
Nephew PEYTON R. TUNSTALL the sum of one thousand dollars $1000. Thirdly. I give to my friend MARY T. ARMSTEAD one Negro girl named ANA AMANDA.
Fourthly. I give to PEYTON R. ATKINSON one Negro boy named GEORGE. Fifthly. I give to WILLIAM F.R.M. ATKINSON one Negro girl named MARTHA ANN.
Sixthly. I lend the residue of my Estate to JOHN H. ANTHONY his wife and my niece LUCY L. M. ANTHONY during their natural lives and after their death to
be equally divided among the children of my said niece LUCY L. M. ANTHONY.
Lastly. I hereby make and order my worth friend JOHN H. ANTHONY of Halifax County Executor to my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said
MARGARET EVANS have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said MARGARET EVANS the testator as her last will and testament in the presents of us who were present at the
time of the signing and sealing thereof. June the 26th 1837.
MARGARET EVANS
Witness
A. H. JOHNSON
JAS. C. ALBRITTON
Halifax County, August Court 1842
This paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of MARGARET EVANS being offered for probate and the Execution thereof duly proven by the
subscribing witnesses A. H. JOHNS and JAS. C. ALBRITTON. The Court doth declare the same to be fully proven as the last will & testament of the Testator
and order that the same be recorded whereupon J. H. ANTHONY qualified as executor.
Witness
J. SIMMONS, Clk
***********************
Will of Arthur Green- 1830
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Pages 62 -63 In the Name of God Amen
I ARTHUR GREEN of the County of Halifax & State of N. Carolina being of sound mind & memory, thanks be God for the same, do this 25th day of April in the
year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & thirty, make ordain & publish this my last will and testament. In manner and form following, that is to say,
Item 1st. I lend unto my beloved wife ELEANOR GREEN during her natural life, all my land & plantation whereon I now live, Including House and all the
household furniture, and every thing appertaining there unto, and all the kitchen furniture, stock of horses, hogs, cattle, sheep, and all & every other
stock that I may die possessed of; being in and upon the aforesaid plantation, together with all the corn, fodder, wheat &c all the Negroes to wit,
ESTHER, FRANK, EDNEY & her Child LOUISA, ELIZER, JIM, MOSES, AMIE, AGNES, DAVID, ALLEN, JACOB, TOM, ESTHER the 2nd, HARRIET and POLLY,
the above property remains as above noted, except that which of the same may herein after be named.
Item 2d. After the death of my before mentioned beloved wife ELEANOR GREEN, I give and bequeath the whole of the same above mentioned property to be
equally divided between my beloved niece PATSY POWELL, and my wife's grand daughter MARY ANN WATSON to them and their heirs forever, the Negroes and their
increase included.
Item 3rd. It is my wish and desire that my trust Negroes BEN & NANCY for their long faithful and meritorious services should at the death of my
wife, be liberated and freed of their bondage, and that I desire my friend HENRY GARRETT to attend to the same, and see that they so liberated and freed.
It is my desire that the aforesaid BEN & NANCY should at the death of my wife have a part of the tract of lands, which said land I purchased of
JOHN S. SHEPPARD to wit, that part of the said tract, which lies on the North side of the roads leading from Halifax Town to the Marsh swamp, & which said
lands adjoins the lands of MAJOR WILLIAMS, MUNGO T. PONTON and others. Also I give & bequeath to them one cow & calf, 1 sow & pigs & a certain bay mare
called Jin, to them & their heirs forever.
Item 4th. I give and bequeath unto my beloved brother JOSEPH JOHN GREEN, a certain tract of land which aid land I purchased of ANDREW HARPER adjoining the
lands of JAMES BISHOP and others, said to contain by estimation one hundred acres to him and to his heirs forever.
Item 5th. I give and bequeath unto my beloved brothers JOSEPH J. GREEN & HARDY GREEN to be equally divided between them all my proportion of my father's
Estate which I may heir, and is as yet undivided to them and their heirs forever.
Item 6th. I give & bequeath to my wife's son WILLIAM WATSON the sum of five hundred dollars to be paid to him by my Executor out of such monies as he may
think best. And last of all I leave my friend HENRY GARRETT to this my last Will & Testament my Executor to carry into effect the same, in the best way &
manner in his judgment he may think fit. In Witness whereof I the said ARTHUR GREEN have hereunto set my hands and seal to this my last will and testament
the day and year above stated.
Interlined before signed.
ARTHUR GREEN
Signed, sealed & acknowledged in presence of
JOHN T. CLANTON
REBECCA B. HIPKINSTALL
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
3rd Monday of May 1830
Then this last Will & testament of ARTHUR GREEN deceased was exhibited in open court and was duly proved by the oath of JOHN T. CLANTON one of the
subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion it was ordered to be recorded. And thereafter the Executor HENRY GARRETT therein named came into open court
and duly qualified Executor thereto.
Witness
W. H. PETTWAY, Clk
***********************
Will of Elenor Green-1841
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Page 200 In the name of God Amen I ELENOR GREEN of the County of Halifax & State of
North Carolina being of sound mind and disposing memory do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament in the Manner & form following, to wit
Item the first, I give and bequeath to JOHN THOMAS WEBB my bay horse called Mohawk
Item the 2nd, I give and bequeath my two slaves BEN and NANCY his wife to MARTHA ANN WEBB & in case of her death to her sister MARY ELIZABETH both
of whom are the daughters of ALLEN I. and MARY ANN WEBB
Item 3rd, I give and bequeath to my grand daughter MARY ANN WEBB all the monies that may be due me from sons TOM WATSONs Estate
Item 4th, After paying all my just debts I give and bequeath all the property of every description I may die possessed of to ALLEN I. WEBB
Item the 5th, I hereby authorise and constitute my friend ALLEN I. WEBB with full authority to carry this my last will and testament into effect.
In testimony of all which I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20th day of August A.D. 1841.
ELENOR GREEN ("X" her mark)
Signed & delivered in presence of
THOMAS OUSBY
M JOURDAN
Halifax County November Court 1841
Then the foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of ELENOR GREEN was exhibited in open court & offered for probate. The
execution of which was duly proven by the oath of M. JOURDAN one of the subscribing witnesses thereto. And on motion it was ordered to be recorded.
Whereupon ALLEN I. WEBB the Executor therein named came into open court & was duly qualified as such.
Witness
JAMES SIMMONS Clk
***********************
Will of Nancy R. Hawkins-1839
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Pages 176-177
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Know all persons that I NANCY R. HAWKINS have ordained & published this as my last will & testament.
First. I will that my just debts be paid out of my money and perishable estate other than my slaves. After they are paid my will is that all the residue
thereof be divided into four parts and whereof I give to my brother WILLIAM and to my brother BENJAMIN and to the children of THOMAS G. STONE by my sister
& one to my brother REDDEN J. HAWKINS.
Second. I give my slaves to BENJAMIN & WILLIAM HAWKINS to be equally divided equally between them but they are to pay my brother R. J. HAWKINS one fourth
of the value of said slaves & to MR. STONE's children aforesaid likewise one fourth of the value thereof.
Third. If I have any property besides what is included in the foregoing items whether real or personal I will that it be sold & the proceeds divided into
four parts one to my brother WILLIAM one to my brother BENJAMIN one to my brother REDDEN and one to MR. STONE's children aforesaid.
Fourth. I appoint my friend B. F. MOORE my Executor with full power & authority to carry into effect the provisions of this my will and especially with
full power and authority to sell any land that may fall under the operation of the third item.
In testimony of which I have set my hand & seal this the 20th day of October A.D. 1838.
NANCY R. HAWKINS
Signed, sealed published & declared in the presence of us
MARY R. WHEATON
T. W. MATHEWS
Halifax County
Feb. Court 1839
Then the foregoing paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of NANCY R. HAWKINS was offered for probate & the same was duly proved by the
oath of T. W. MATHEWS one of the subscribing witnesses thererto & on motion ordered to be recorded. B. F. MOORE, the executor therein nominated came into
open court & qualified as such.
Witness
J. H. SIMMONS, Clerk
See Estate of Nancy R. Hawkins-1839 ***********************
Will of George King-1825
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Page 177 In the name of God amen. I GEORGE KING of Halifax County and State of North
Carolina being weak in body but of sound mind & memory blessed be God for the same do this the 9th day of September in the year of our Lord 1825 makes
this my last Will & Testament that is to say I commend my soul to the hands of Almighty God who gave it me & my body to the earth from whence it came in
hope of a joyful resurrection through the merrits of my Saviour Jesus Christ as for that worldly estate it has pleased God to bless me with. After paying
my just debts & funeral expenses &c I dispose of as follows
1st. I give unto my beloved wife SOPHIA KING all my estate real and personal to do as she pleased with. I leave my wife SOPHIA KING and THOMAS GREEN
Senior my Executors to settle my estate.
GEORGE KING ("X" his mark)
Witness
H. T. JACKSON
H. J. WELDON
Halifax County
Feb. Court 1839
Then the foregoing paper writing was offered in open court for probate & was duly proved by the oath of H. T. JACKSON one of the subscribing witnesses
thereto was ordered to be recorded whereupon SOPHIA KING the executrix named therein came into open court & was qualified as such.
Witness
J. H. SIMMONS, Clerk
***********************
Will of Ann Pitts- 1830
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Page 64 In the name of God Amen. I ANN PITTS of Halifax County in the State of North
Carolina being week & feeble of body but of sound mind ad disposing memory, thanks be to God for the same, and knowing that is appointed once for all
flesh to die, do this 3rd day of February in the year of our lord one thousand eight hundred & thirty make this my last will & testament in manner & form
following viz~~
Item 1. I give & bequeath to my grand son THOMAS PARHAM one Negro man FRED, that he has already in his possession, and one other Negro boy named
AARON, and I also give him up one note of hands that I hold against him for money lent to him the amt of which will appear by reference thereto, to
him and his heirs forever.
Item 2d. I give and bequeath to my daughter NANCY WELDON the lands and Plantation whereon she lives and the following Negroes viz~~
ADAM, DANIEL, FANNY, AMY, CHARLOTTE, DORCAS, and SANDY them & their increase to her & her heirs forever.
Item 3rd. I give and bequeath to my daughter MARTHA HARRISON's children that may be living at the time of my death, the following property or money viz~~
One hundred & Eighty eight Dollars to be paid them by my Executors, out of the sales of my property when due and my will is that the land & plantation
whereon I now live be sold by my Executors and the monies arising from such sale be equally divided between my said daughter MARTHA HARRISON's surviving
children and my son JOHN PITTS to them and their heirs forever.
Item 4th. I give and bequeath to my daughter SILVIA LANE's three children the following Negroes viz~ ISAAC, EASTHER, ELIZA & her two children
HANNAH & WILLIS and EDEY and her child HAYWOOD and three hundred dollars in good bonds to be paid them by Executors I will and wish the
said Legacy not to be divided untill the youngest of them above mentioned children should arrive the age of twenty one years and if either of them should
die before they arrive to that age the others or other to have it to them and their heirs forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son WALTER PITTS the following Negroes viz~~ TIM, SARAH, GREEN, MANERVI, CLANTON & ROSE to him and his heirs
forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son JOHN PITTS the following Negroes viz~~ HARRY, PRINCE, FRANK, SIMON, MARIAH, & SALLY them & their increase to
him and his heirs forever.
Item. I will & wish that all the rest and others of my Negroes that I have not given away in this my last will & testament, together with all the rest and
residue be it of whatsoever value or kind, be sold by my Executors hereinafter named, and the monies arising from such sale be equally divided between my
three following children namely - my daughter NANCY WELDON, and my two sons WALTER and JOHN PITTS to them and their heirs forever.
Lastly I nominate and appoint my two sons WALTER and JOHN PITTS my whole and sole Executors to this my last will & testament hereby revoking &
disannulling all other will or wills by me made or assigned.
In testimony whereof I the said testatrix ANN PITTS
have hereunto set my hand and seal in presence of
ANN PITTS
J. NICHOLSON
P. P. HARVEY
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions
3rd Monday of May 1830
Then this last will and testament of ANN PITTS was exhibited in open court and was duly proven by the oaths of JOHN NICHOLSON and PEYTON P. HARVEY the
subscribing witnesses thereto. And on motion it was ordered to be recorded. And thereafter WALTER PITTS and JOHN PITTS the Executors therein named came
into open Court and qualified as Executors thereto.
Witness
M. H. PETTWAY, Clk
***********************
Will of Willowby Sorey-1830
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Page 65 I WILLOWBY SORREY of the State of North Carolina Halifax County do make and
ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz; I give and bequeath to my granddaughter SALLY PRICE the sum of forty dollars, and
to my granddaughter MARY PRICE the like sum of forty dollars & to my granddaughter JULIA PRICE the like sum of forty dollars & to my grandson LEWIS PRICE
the like sum of forty dollars & to my grandson PATON PRICE the like sum of forty dollars. I give unto my grandson JAMES PADEN the sum of forty dollars, I
give & bequeath unto my wife JULIA SORREY, one bay horse cart & wheels, three choice cows & calf, one feather bed & furniture, and all my stock of Bees
brandy still, and apple mill & all my home plantation utensils, household & kitchen furniture, one yoke of oxen, & cart. And I give and bequeath unto my
daughter JULIA PRICE twenty shillings. I give and bequeath unto my daughter SALLY PADEN the sum of twenty shillings. My wish and desire is after reserving
a support for my family for the next year, that all my perishable property shall be sold on a credit of twelve months and the money divided equally
between my three sons & daughters ELIZABETH, viz - HILLARY M. SORREY, JOHNSTON SORREY & ELI SORREY and my daughter ELIZABETH SORREY. I give and bequeath
unto my wife JULY SORREY my home tract of land her lifetime, after her decd my wish and desire is that the said tract of lands shall be equally divided
between my four youngest children above named. I give & bequeath unto my four youngest children above named alll my other lands to be equally divided
between them. I give and bequeath unto my grandchildren namely SALLY PRICE, MARY PRICE, JULY PRICE, LEWIS PRICE and PAYTON PRICE one certain, which tract
of land I purchased of WHITMELL PRICE May 11th in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and twenty nine This my last Will & Testament hereby
revoking all my other former wills by me at any time heretofore made as witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 12th of Nov. in the year of
our Lord one thousand Eight hundred & twenty nine.
WILLOWBY SOREY ("X" his mark)
Witness
JOSEPH BRYAN
HARDY BRYAN ("X" his mark)
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
3rd Monday of May 1830
Then this Last will and testament of WILLOWBY SOREY was exhibited in open court and was duly proven by the oath of JOSEPH BRYAN one of the subscribing
witnesses thereto. And on motions it was ordered to be recorded.
Witness: M. H. PETTWAY, Clk ***********************
Will of Wade W. West-1831
Halifax County Wills 1825-1854
Will Book 4, Page 80 Name of God Amen.
I WADE W. WEST, make this my last will and testament for the purpose of having my property distributed as I wish.
1st. I lend unto my father WM. M. WEST, my Negro man HANK, so long as he should live and at his death for him to go to my son WILLIAM.
2D. I give unto my dearly beloved wife ELIZABETH H. WEST one hundred dollars a year for two years to be raised out of my estate by my Executor.
3rd. I wish all my just debts paid and my two Negro men SURRY and LEW to be sold by my Executor, and the money laid out in Negro girls or young
women.
4th. I want my estate to be equally divided between my dearly beloved wife ELIZABETH and my much loved son WILLIAM.
5th. If my son WILLIAM should die before he comes of lawful age of 21 years old I wish all my property to go to my beloved wife ELIZABETH H. WEST.
6ly. I leave my father WILLIAM M. WEST Executor to my will and on my Estate in this state, and also on my Estate in Alabama. I leave my father guardian to
my son, this 25th July 1831.
WADE W. WEST
Halifax, N. Carolina
Witness
JNO. A BINFORD
WILLIS A. WILLCOX
State of North Carolina
Halifax County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
November Term 1831
Then this last will & testament of WADE W. WEST was exhibited in open court & duly proved by the oath of JOHN A. BINFORD who says that the Testator, at
the time of signing the same, was of sound mind & disposing memory. On motion it was ordered to be recorded. Whereupon WILLIAM M. WEST the Executor
therein named came forward & was duly qualified thereto.
Attest
M. H. PETTWAY, Clerk
*********************** |
