Granville Co.-Bastardy---

            This examination of Elizabeth Searcy, Single woman, taken before us James Paine, John Martin and Gidion Macon, Esq. this 4th Mar. 1746.

This examinant Saith that the eleventh day of January last at the County of Granville she was delivered of a female bastard child born alive of her body. That she

went into the woods to look after some cattle and that while she was in the woods she was taken in labour and could not get home before she was delivered.

That she used her utmost endevors to save the life of the child, but that the weather being excessive cold the sd child perished throu' extremity of the same.  That after the child died she endeavored to carry it to the house of her father in order to have the same buried, but being unable to carry the same ______ she wrapped it in a petticoat and some leaves and laid it by the side of an old tree.

            That she has provided some necessary apparel for her child sometime before she was delivered.  The sd. Elizabeth freely and voluntarily made the above confession but refused to sign same.

Certified under our Hands & Seals-Respectivly the day & date aforesd--Ja's Paine, Jn Martin, Gidion Macon.

  Granville Co., N.C. Sept. 5, 1750. Elizabeth Searcy, charged Richard Hargrove with having begotten by her a bastard child.  He is ordered to pay the Church wardens of St. John's Parish 4 pds. proc. for maintainance of the child 1 year next ensuing.

 Sept. 5, 1754.  Wm. base born child of Elizabeth Searcy, bound to Reuben Searcy, to learn Shoemaker's trade.  Will be 5 years old on Apr. 30, 1754. (info. from Jeff Cullison, N. Ogden Utah)

Granville Co., N. C:This Indenture made the fifth day of September in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Fifty Four.  Between William Person, Esq. first Justices in the Commission of the peace for the said County of Granville in behalf of the justices of the said County  & their Successors of the one part and Reuben Searcey_______ of the said County of the other part Witnesseth that the said Justices by virtue of the power & authority in them vested do put & place unto the said Reuben Searcey, William Searcey, son of Elizabeth Searcey_______aged five years the last day of Apr. 1754 with the said Reuben Searcey to live after the manner of an Apprentice & Servant until he the said William Searcey shall accomplish the age of twenty one years during all which time the said Servant his sd Master shall faithfully serve his lawful commands every where gladly obey and in all things shall behave as a faithful Servant oughtto do.  And the said Reuben Searcey______doth Covenant promise & agree to & with the said Justices & the successors that he will teach and in­struct or cause to be taught & instructed the said William Searcey__ in the Art & Mystery of a Shoemaker & that he will constantly during the said tenor find & Provide for Suffi­cient Diet Washing

Elizabeth Searcy pg. 3.

Lodging & Apparel fitting for an apprentice & all other necessaries both in sickness & in health in Testimony

whereof the parties to these presents have interchangeably set their hands & Seals the day & year above written.

Sealed & Delivered

in presence of                                                   William Person (Seal)

John Thornton                                                  Reuben Searcy (Seal)

Unrecorded will of Elizabeth Searcy. (Xerox copy of will)

            In the name of God Amen I Elizabeth Searcy of Granville County in State of N. C. being sick and weak in body but of sound & disposing mind and memory thanks be given to Almighty God for the same, do by these presents constitute and appoint this to be my last Will and Testament in manner following:

Item: I give & bequeath to my natural son William Hargraves Searcy my oldest cow & her yearling.

Item: I give & bequeath to my natural son Joseph Moore one heif­er-my knife and fork and frying pan.

Item: If my natural son Ozwald Towns should live to come in from Ky. I then give him one heifer and if he should not come in therewith same to go to my natural daughter Martha Tudor & the other young cow & calf together with my featherbed & furniture my pot & wearing apparel and I hereby appoint my said son Joseph Moore & John Tudor my Ex. of this my last Will & Testament.  In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand and seal this 20th day of Feb. AD 1784.

                                                                                                                                                Elizabeth  (X) Searcy (Seal)

Signed Sealed published & declared

by the said Elizabeth Searcy to be

her last Will & Testament in presence

of: John Tudor

    Henry (X) Rardon            

Filed in Granville Co., N. C. Not recorded in deed bk.

(Natural in Genealogy--The term natural does not necessarily refer to an illegitimate relationship but it does denote a rela-t­ionship by blood and not by marriage or adoption.  Ille­gitimacy  was usually identified by the terms base or bastardy, although natural could also be used.)