In the name of God amen: I Jonathan Bassnight of the State of North Carolina Tyrell County. Do ordain the following words and agreements as my last will and testment.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly all the rights and title which she had in my account to a certain negro named George sold by her husband----------

I give to my son in law Reddin Davenport a negro girl named Venus--------

I give to my daughter Sally a negro boy named Jack also one bead and furniture & one linnen wheel--------

I give to my son in law King Hackett one negro name Stephe---------

I give to my son Joseph negro Tom also the maner paltation & one bead and furniture------

I give to my son Jacob one negro names Sam-----------

I give to my son in law Jno. Combs one negro named Peter-------

I give to my son in law Spencer Combs all my claim to two certain negros now in his occupancy namd Jess & Pleasent-----------

It is my will & desire that the balance of my property should be divided in eight shares & that one eight of such process after a legal sale.

I hereby appoint Jno. Combs and Jacob Bassnight executors of my last will and testament. This instrument was signed Sealed and declared to be the last will of the testator in the person of

Jonathan (his -x- mark) Basnight (Seal)

Test Jno. Erntes
         Thos. Alexander
         Jno. Alexander

State of North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Jany Term 1838

The will of Jonathan Basnight was exhibited in open court and proved by the oath of Thos. Alexander one of the subscribing witness thereto who swore at the time of signing the same he was of sound, disposing mind and memory and that he saw Jno. I. Alexander and Jno. Combs sign the same as concurring testimaony, let it be registered. At the same time came Jno. Combs one of the testators named therein and qualified to said will.

Test. Jos. Halsy Clk.

North Carolina Archives
Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.06), Box 6
Basnight, Johnathan, 1837

Promissory note dated 20 Dec 1837 in which Abraham Alexander, Hardy Alexander & Spencer Combs agree to pay John Combs executor of the last will and testament of Johnathan Basnight deceased one hundred and sixty three dollars for value received. To be paid on order after six months. Witnessed by A. Pledger.

Warrant dated the fourth Monday in October 1838 for Abraham Alexander, Hardy Alexander & Spencer Combs to be in court on the fourth Monday in January next to answer unto Jno. Combs executor of Jonathan Basnight deceased of a plea that they render unto him the sum of one hundred and sixty three dollars which they owe and detain to his damage fifty dollars.

Transcriber's Notes:

Tyrrell County marriage bonds show Jonathan Basnight to Martha Pledger on 30 Apr 1795, Joseph Perisho security; also Spencer Combs to Ada Basnight on 28 Jan 1833, Amos Thoroughgood security; also King Hackett to Patsy Basnight, Amos Thoroughgood security; also Readin Davenport to Deborah Basnight on 22 Jan 1830, Fredk. Davenport security; also Abram Swain, Jr. to Polly Basnight on 7 Sep 1814, Abram Swain Sr. security; also John Combs to Nancy Basnight on 10 Mar 1825, James Pledger security; also Nancy Combs to Turner Cohoon on 4 Jan 1843, Jonathan Tweedy security.

In the 1850 Tyrrell County census Spencer Combs is age 45 and his wife Adah is age 35.

In the 1850 Washington County census King Hackett is age 45 and Patsy Hackett is age 48.

In the 1850 Tyrrell County census Mary Swain is age 51. Her husband, Abram J. Swain, died in 1849.

In the 1850 Tyrrell County census Nancy Cohoon is age 50, living with her son Samuel H. Combs, age 22. Nancy's first husband, John Combs Sr., wrote his will in 1839 and died in 1840. Her second husband, Turner Cohoon, died in 1849. In his will Jonathan Basnight bequeathed a negro named Peter to his son in law, John Combs. John Combs then left a negro named Peter to his wife Nancy in his will.

Redding Davenport and Deborah Davenport were both apparently deceased by 1847 since Abram J. Swain is appointed guardian to James Davenport, orphan of Redding Davenport, on 20 Jul 1847.

Updated February 20, 2023
Gordon L. Basnight