Category: Will and Estate Records

PETER PEARSON (1779 Will)

 Will of

Peter Pearson

Will Written 27 May 1779 

North Carolina

Perquimans County                 

Know all men by these presents that I Peter Pearson of the aforesd County and Province being sick and weak in body and knowing the uncertainty of this life do for settling of my temporal concerns make this my last will and Testament in manner as followeth, that is to say—

1       I give unto my wife Marry Pearson the best bed and furniture in my house two cows & calfs a side saddle two  iron pots three pewter dishes & one bason half dozen plates & one third part of the Delft ware to her & her heirs forever

2       I give unto my two sons Nathan & William Pearson my Negro boy Isaac to be equally divided between them I also give my son Nathan one feather bed & furniture to him & his heirs forever

3       I give unto my son William Pearson one feather bed without furniture  my yearling colt & one cow & calf to him & his heirs forever —

4       I give unto my son Peter Pearson one feather bed & furniture & my mains after paying my son Jonathan the value of eight pounds gold & silver to him & his heirs forever

5       I give unto my Daughter Mary Moore one feather bed & furniture to her and her heirs forever—

6       I give unto my son Jonathan Pearson one feather bed & furniture & the value of eight pounds gold and silver which he is to receive from my son Peter Pearson to him & his heirs forever-

7       I give unto my Daughter Ruth Boyce one feather bed & furniture to her & her heirs forever—

8       I give unto my son Christopher Pearson twenty five pounds  I mean the value of that sum in gold and silver to him & his heirs forever—

9       I give unto my Daughter Rachel Newby four pounds seventeen shillings which is all ready hard—

10    I give unto my three grand children Nathan Peter & Josiah Lacy one cow & calf a piece to each of them  to them and theirs forever—

11     I give all the remainder part of my estate not before mentioned & desire it may be equally divided amongst my six children Peter  Nathan  William  Mary  Ruth & Jonathan to them and their heirs forever—

Lastly I nominate constitute & appoint my son Nathan Pearson & my friend Matthew White Executors to this my last will and testament hereby revocking all other wills heretofore by me made and publishing this to be my last

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and have this 27th day of may In the year of out Lord one  thousand seven hundred seventy nine.

Peter Pearson   (his mark)

It is my desire that Josiah White Matthew White Josiah Jordan may divide my estate agreeable to the above mentioned will-  

Signed Sealed & Published &                                                       

Delivered by the sd. Peter Pearson to be & contain his last will In the Presents of

Nathan Lacey

Mary White

Josiah Jordan Junr

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MARY ANN MARTIN PEARSON (1781 Will)

Will of

Mary Ann (Martin) Pearson

16 July 1780

                 Proved in April Court, 1781                 

North Carolina

In Perquimons Countey 

In the name of god the 16th day of July in the year of our Lord 1780: I  Mary Ann Pearson in the Countey of Perquimons Being in perfect mind and memory thanks be to god there fore caling to mind the mortality of my bodey and knowing that it is apointed for all men to Die do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament that is to say principaly and furst of all I give and recomend my soul into hand of god that gave it and for my bodey I recomend it to the Earth to be buried in A Christian and desent like maner at the Discretion of my Executor and as touching such wourldly estait where with it haith pleaised god to Bless me with in this life . I give and devise and dispose of the saim in the following maner and form.

First. I leave unto my grandater Mary Wilson doter of Robert Wilson one cow and ??? or calf and one linen wheal and one large puter dish and one small one  itm. I leave to her 1 two 2’quart bason. Itm I leave untow my grand doter Mary Wilson two puter plaits and I leve unto hur six puter spoons and I leve to hur too ???? nives and too fork. itm I give unto my soon Enock Jesop one feather bead and bolster and bedstead and cord and cover lid. too pilers and own blanket and two sheats itm. I give unto Meriam Jesop dauter to Enock Jesop one year old heffer itm-I give unto my soon Enock Jesop 1 chert 1 baking(?) iron—

I give untow my Dauter Ruth Boice one large iron pot–Itm. I give unto my grand doter Mary Wilson one small trunk and too chairs and I give unto my grand doter Mary Wilson 1 iron pot and if my grand doter Mary Wilson should die without Isew of bodey then it is my will that the above mentioned goods left to my granddauter should be equaly devided with all the rest and remainderof my estait a mongst all my children– Jemima Hasket—Enock Jesop  Cristefor Pearson  William Pearson  Jonathon Pearson  Mary More  Ruth Boice and I constitute and apoint — Enock Jesop and Calob White to be my executors and I do hereby uterly disalowe and revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments, wills legiaser, bequeath and executors by me in any wise be fore named wiled and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seall this sixtenth day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty

Maryann Pearson   (her mark)       

Signed Sealed published pronounces and declared by the said Maryann Pearson hur last will and testament in the presenets of us who In Presents and in the presents of each other have here to subscribed our names                                                            

Pritlow Elliot  

Mary Elliot  (her M mark)    

Elizabeth Perry

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Perquimans CountyApril Court 1781                        

This may certify that the forgoing will was then and there proved in open Court, g’ Enoch Jesop the exor therein named was qualify agreable to law

By ?? Skinner (?)        ??? Clk

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DANIEL STALLINGS (1800 Will)

Will of

Daniel Stallings (Sr.)

1800

North Carolina          } 

Perquimons County } 

In the name of god amen I Daniel Stallings being sick of body but of sound and disposing mind and memory thanks be to god for the same do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following viz–

Item I give and bequeath unto my Well Beloved Daughter Mary Stallings to her and her heirs for ever one Negro girl named Siller she and her increase–

Item I giv and bequeath unto my son Patih (this is no doubt his son Palatiah) Stallings all my land in Gates County to him and his heirs for ever–

Item I giv and bequeath unto my son Henry Stallings my Plantation that I bought of Wiliam Lilley and all the Land joining there unto to him and his heirs for ever–

Item I giv and bequeath unto my three sons Simon Stallings Daniel Stallings Joseph Stallings all the remaining part of my Land to them and their heirs for ever to be devided equaly when they all come of age and if (word illegible) of the three should die without heir then the Surviving heirs of these three to have this land   —

My will and desire is that my well Beloved Wife Milison Stallings shall hav the use and prevelidgs of all my Lands till my Sons comes to Lawfull age or her Marrage

My desire is that my wife shall hav the Plentation during her Natural Life whereon I now live–

Itim I give and bequeath all the Remainder part of my Estate be it of what kind or nator soever to be equal devided beteen my Loving Wife Millison Stallings and my six children Palliah Stallings Henry Stallings Simon Stallings Mary Stallings Daniel Stallings and Joseph Stallings—

The above prevelidge of my land to my Well Beloved Wife is to Raise and Chool my small children–

My wish and desire is that my land not to be rented nor my Negros hired out —

I all so ordain and appoint my Brother Simon Stallings Joseph Riddick and Pittiah Stallings to be whole and Sole Executors.

(one or two lines are missing due to a copy error by NC State Archives which is not uncommon)

set my hand and seal this 17th April 1800 in the presents of —

Daniel  Stallings     Seal   (his X mark)  

Test—-

Will King                                                                          

Rubin Riddick                                                                        

Betsey Bagley

proved in May Term of Court, 1800, Perquimans County, NC

 

DANIEL STALLINGS, JR. (1837 Will)

In the name of God Amen: I Daniel Stallings of the County of Perquimans & State of North Carolina being at this time sick of Body but of sound and Disposing mind thanks be to god for the same, do make and ordain this writing to contain my Last Will & Testament in manner and form as followeth, to wit– 

First it is my desire that my Executor here after named shall sell a sufficient number of my Negroes at Private sale to pay all my Just Debts & Funeral Expenses–

Secondly I leave all the remaining part of my Estate to my Beloved wife Elizabeth Stallings for the support of herself and all my children & for the educating of them untill my son James Stallings shall arrive to the age of twenty one years Then it is my desire that all my Estate, Excepting Land & shall be equally Devidid between my Beloved wife & all my children then living–

Thirdly, I leave the use of all my Lands & Building unto my Beloved wife Elizabeth Stallings During her natural life and at her death to be equally divided amongst all my sons then living–

Fourthly, I give devise and bequeath unto my Four sons Namely James, Asa, William & Whitmill Stallings my Brandy still to them and their heirs for ever–

Fifthly, I nominate Constitute and appoint Elisha N. Riddick my hole & sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament desiring him to see the same fully Executed and Performed, In witnes whereof I the said Daniel Stallings have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 5th day of January in the year of our Lord 1837.

Daniel Stallings   Seal 

Signed and sealed in the presence of us }

Simon Stallings             

Benjamin Hinton    (his X mark)          

proved in Feb Term of Court 1837, Perquimans County

 

SIMON STALLINGS (1788 Will)

Will of

Simon Stallings

written 20 Jan. 1776; probated October Court, 1788,

Perquimans County

North Carolina}

In the name of God amen I Simon Stallings of the County of Perqmns, in the province of North Carolina, being at this time in perfect sence and sound memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and being Desirous of setling and Disposing of my temporal Estate which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me Do make publish and Declare this present writing to be my Last Will and Testament which is in manner following–

Imprimis I will order and appoint that all my funeral Charges and Expenses together with my just Debts to be paid by my Executors here after named and that the same be Deducted out of my Estate which I shall leave behind me at my decease–

Item I give Devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Ruth Bagley five shillings and every other article that I have before given her to continue to her and her heirs for Ever–

Item I give Devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Ann Riddick five shillings and every other article that I have before given her to continue to her and her heirs for Ever–

Item  I give Devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary King five shillings and every other article that I have before given her to continue to her and her heirs for Ever–

Item I give Devise and bequeath unto my son Simon Stallings five shillings and every other article that I have before given him to continue to him and his heirs for Ever–

Item  I give Devise and bequeath unto Son Seth Stallings five shillings to him and his heirs and every other article that I have before given him to continue to him and his heirs for Ever–

Item  I give devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Stallings one feather bed and furniture two cows and calves & one iron pot & one linen wheel to her and her heirs for Ever–

Item I give devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Christian Lilly one feather bed and furniture two cows and calves & one iron pot & linen wheel to her and her heirs for Ever–

Item  I leave unto my Loving wife Mary Stallings the use of my home Plantation and all the land there unto belonging and also the use of every Indevi??? of my Personal Estate During her widowhood Excepting one gunn given to my Son Daniel Stallings and if in case my said wife shall marry or dye all that part that I have given the use of it is my will and Desire that it be equally devided between her and all my Children

Item  I give and Devise and bequeath unto my Son Daniel Stallings the same Plantation and all other Lands that I hold and one half of the Benefit ariseing by the Apple Orched to him and his heirs for Ever and lastly I do hereby nominate and appointe my wife Mary Stallings & Joseph Riddick & Simon Stallings my soul Exeutrix and Executors of this my last will and testament Desireing them to see the same fully Executed and Performed in witness where of I the said Simon Stallings the testator have hereunto set my hand and seal this Twentieth Day of January in the year of our lord one thousand and seven hundred and seventy six–  

Simon Stallings     Seal

Signed Sealed Published and Declared to be the     }

last Will and testament  of the Testator in the  Presents of    }

Robert Riddick Snr   Jurat

Christian Riddick     her X  mark

 

Perquimans County  } 

October Court at Hertford NC 1788

This may certify that the within will was duly proved in open court by the oath of Robert Riddick  Snr an Evidence thereto, at the same time Joseph Riddick one of the Extrs therein named came

into court ??? as qualify’d agreeable to law.

Test J. Harvey

Recorded the 21st of October AD 1788

by J. Harvey CPT

Transcriber’s note:  Simon was the son of John Stallings, Jr. late of Nansemond County, Virginia and Perquimans County, North Carolina.

Contributed and transcribed by Bob Stokley

(Transcribed as written, including errors in spelling and grammar.)

 

BENJAMIN HURDLE (1735 Will)

BENJAMIN HURDLE

will, 14 February 1734, Perquimans County

Proved in Court 9 July 1735, Perquimans County

In the name of God, amen the fourteenth Day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundren and thirty four Benjamin Hurdle of Perquimons in North Carolina in the County of Albemarle plantor being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament  that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian mannor at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general resurection(?) I shall relive the same again by the Almighty Power of God and as <word illegible> such worldly estates herewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. Imprimis: I give and bequeath to William Hurdle all my close(clothes) and three yards of cloth and a m??? bridel and saddel and a Negro boy named Sam unto Moring Hurdle after the decease of my mother Elizabeth Hurdle.

This my Last Will and Testament.

Benjamin Hurdle (his B mark)  Seal

Nathaniel Williams  (his mark)       

Daniel Rogeson  (his mark)

Joseph Riddick

Signed Sealed publish and delivered in the presents of the Subscribers

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NOTES: Benjamin was the son of William and Elizabeth Hurdle of Surry County, Virginia. He was one of three brothers who came to North Carolina from Surry County, Virginia. His brother, Martin, settled in Chowan County and his brother, William, purchased land in Perquimans County as evidenced by an April 17, 1732 deed. Benjamin apparently did not marry nor did he have any children.

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RACHEL JORDAN WHITE JONES (1797 Will)

Will of

RACHEL JORDAN WHITE JONES

1797

In the name of God Amen, I Rachel Jones of the county of Perquimans and state of North Carolina, being at this time sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory and being desirous of settleing and disposing of my Temporal Estate, do make and ordain this pressent wrighting for to be my last will and testament Revoking and making void all former wills by me heretofore made

First of all I do order that all my Just Debts be paid by my Excutrix hereafter made the same to be Raissd out of my Estate which I shall leave at my Decease

I give and Bequeath unto my grandchildren , the children of my son, Silas White, Deceased, one womans saddle, one large Iron pot to be equally divided among them to them and their heirs forever.

I give and Bequeath unto my grandchildren, the children of my daughter, Abigail Winslow, dec, two silver Dollars to be equally divided amongst them, to them and their heirs forever

I give and Bequeath unto my grandchildren the children of my son John White, Dec, one feather bed and furniture, one pine chest to be equally divided anongst them to them and their heirs forever.

I give and Bequeath unto my Daughter, Lydia Griffin, one heifer and one Sesin of wheat to her and her heirs forever.

I give and Bequeath unto my grandaughter, Elizabeth White, the daughter of my son JORDAN White, one book —history to her and her heirs forever.

I give and Bequeath unto my grandson John White, the son of my son, John White, one church Bible, One pewter dish and one pewter bason to him and his heirs forever.

I leave unto my Daughter-in-law, Christian White, the widow of my son Benjamin White, Decs., the use of one feather bed and furniture, one walnut table , one case of bottle and all the residual or Remainder part of my Estate of whatsoever nature or kind during her natural lifetime and at her death I give and Bequeath the same unto her two children, Senah White and Daniel White, My grandchildren unto them and their heirs forever.

Lastly I do nominate and appoint my daughter-in-law Christian White, Executrix to this my last will and testament, desiring her to see this same fully Executed and performed

In witness where of –

The said Rachel Jones has hereunto set my hand and seal

This 15th day of July 1797 

Signed and Sealed in the presence of us

Rachel Jones (Seal) her mark

Benj Perry

Philip Perry

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Perquimans County} November Term at Hertford 1797

The within will was exhibited unto open court and proved by the Oath of Benjamin Perry and Evidence this is at the same time appraised Christian White, Quallified as Executrix agreeable to same.  Recorded this the 20h day of December 1797

test M. H.

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RACHEL NEWBY PEARSON (1750 Will)

RACHEL NEWBY PEARSON

will dated 25 April 1750

Rachel was the wife of Peter Pearson (1679-1735)

North Carolina

Perquimons County

Know ye that I Rachel Pearson being sick & weak of body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be to God;  Therefore calling to mind the mortality of my Body & knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die Do make & ordain this my last will & Testament, That is to say I will ye all my just Debts & Contracts be well and truly contented & paid or ordained to be paid in Convenient time & place after my Decease by my executors hereafter named; & as touching Such worldly Estate whereas it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give Demise & dispose of in the following manner & form

Imprimis   I give to my son Peter Pearson one large iron pot containing Seven or Eight gallons to him and his heirs for ever and one hand mill

Item    I give to my Daughter Rachel Bogue one blew Rugg, one feather bed being new, one pair of sheets, one bolster, and two pillows, one small iron pot containing about three gallons, Also to my Grandaughter Lida Bogue one two year old heifer to them and their heirs

Item    I give to my Daughter Mary Winslow one iron pot containing about four gallons  to her and her heirs

Item    I give to my son Jonathan Pearson one Small Iron Pot containing about three gallons to him and his heirs

Item    I give to my Son John Pearson, one large Pewter Dish to him and his heirs-

Item    I give to my Daughter Betty Bagley  one Iron  Pott that I bought of James Cobb also one Iron Skillet containing about three quarts, also one small pewter Dish & one new Pewter Bason & two new pewter Plates, to her and her Heirs for Ever

Item    My will is that the residue of my whole estate be equally divided between my six children  viz——-Peter, John & Jonathan & Rachel Bogue & Mary Winslow & Betty Bagley to them and their heirs for Ever

Item    I likewise Nominate Constitute & appoint my Trusty Son in Law John Winslow and Robert Bogue Executors of this my Last will and Testament and I do utterly disallow, revoke & disannul, all and every other former wills & testaments Legacies bequeaths & Executors by me before this time. Names willed & bequeathed, ratifying & confirming this and no other to be my Last will & Testament  In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand & Seal this 25th of the fourth Month in ye year 1750

Rachel Pearson  (her R P mark)      her seal

Signed Sealed Published Pronounced & Declared by the Said Rachel Pearson as her Last will and Testament             

in Presence of Joshua Hobard

Arthue   Croxen   his mark  affd

John Moore    J M  his mark   affd

Both qualified by affirmation

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North Carolina Perquimans County

January Court anno Dom 1750

Present His Majestys Justices

Then was the within will proved in Open Court by the affirmation of Arthue Croxen and John Moore in due form of law and at the same time John Winslow and Robert Bogue Executors to the within will was duly qualified by taking the affirmation of law appointed to be taken by Executors Ordered that the Secretary or his Deputy of Said province have notice that ???? Testamentory issue thereon as the law directs

Test Edmund Hatch  Cl–  

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NATHANIEL ALBERTSON (1752 Will)

 NATHANIEL ALBERTSON

will dated 4 December 1751

 Proved in January Court, 1752, Perquimans County

N. Carolina

Perquimans County Pc.) Know all men by these presents that I Nathaniel Albertson, Farmer of the place aforesaid being very sick & weak of body but of sound disposing mind and memory thanks be given to God therefor, and calling to mind the mortallity of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain these presents to  contain my Last will & Testament in manner & form following

(Viz) Principally & first of all I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it, & my body to the Earth to be buried in a Decent & Christion manner at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named: And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to belss me in this life, I give & dispose of the same as follows,

First I will that all my just debts be  Defrayd & paid in convenient time after my Decease by my Executors hereafter named

Item.  I give to my Son Joshua Albertson all of my Land  from Long Branch down to the Creek Swamp and so down to the branch at the upper end of my Mannor Plantation & so out to the back line to him & his heirs for ever, also one feather bed & Furniture on which I lie, also the one third part of all my stock of cattle & hogs to him & his disposial.

Item.  I give to my Son William Albertson my Mannor Plantation I now Dwell on with all the Land from the aforementioned Branch at the upper end of sd. Plantation, running with a direct course with the Branch from the Creek Swamp to the back line & thence down to the line of that Land that was former by his Grandfather Samuel Nicholsons, to him and his heirs for ever, Only my will & desire is that my Daughter Hannah Albertson have the liberty of  the use of my non Dwelling Houses as long as she shall remain unmarried  Also I give to him the one third part of all my stock of cattle and hogs to him & his Disposal Also one Negrow woman named Joan with what issue she may here after happen to have to him & his heirs lawfully begotten of his body them failing then to return to the Heirs of my body; Also I give to my Grandsons  Benjamin & Chalkley Albertson, Sons of William one young Negrow boy named Abraham, to them & the heirs of their bodies them failing then to return to the Heirs of my Body

Item,  I give one Negrow girl named Rose she and her increase to my Son Joshua & Daughter Hannah Albertson to be equally divided betixt them But if it should so happen that my Sd. Daughter Hannah should Depart this life without heirs of her body Lawfully begotten  then my will and intent is that the Sd. Negrow and her increase shall return to my Sd. Son Joshua & his Heirs

Item   Give to my Said Daughter Hannah Albertson one third part of all my sheep, Also one featherbed & furniture also one chest to her & her disposal

Item,  I give to my Daughter Elizabeth Newby one Barrell of Pork   to her & her disposal

Item   I give to my Son Aaron Albertson one hundred weight of fresh Pork and also the one third part of all my stock of hogs & Cattle to him & his disposal—

Item   I give to my Daughter Lydda Trueblood  one third of all my sheep to her & her heirs

Item   I give all the rest of my personal estate to my Son William Albertson to him & his heirs for Ever

Item,  Also I constitute and appoint my three sons, Viz. Aaron, Joshua, & William Albertson Executors of this my Last will and Testament Hereby disallowing & Disanulling all & every other former will  or Will Legucie, Bequests & Executors before this time by me named willed & Bequeathed— Ratifieing & Confirming this & no other to be my Last Will & Testament— This fourth Day of the tenth month commonly called  December 1751

Nathaniel Albertson   (his N mark)

Signed Sealed Published Pronounced & Declared by  the said  Nathaniel Albertson  to be  his last will and Testament in the presence of

Joshua Perisho

James Henby

Mary Morris  

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North Carolina

Perquimans County January Court anno Dom 1752

Present His Majestys Justices

Then was the within will proved in Open Court by the affirmation of James Henby and evidence thereto in due form of law and at the  same time Aaron Albertson and William Albertson Executors to the within will was duly qualified by taking the affirmation by law to be taken by Exec. Ordered that the ???? or his said Deputy of said province have notice that ???? Testamentory issue thereon as the law directs

Test  Edmund Hatch

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