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North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Original Will at N. C. Archives
December 17, 1793
In the name of God Amen I, William Cowell of the state of North Carolina and county of Tyrill being sick of body though perfect in mind and memory thanks be given to God Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed to all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all my soul I recommend into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I commend to the earth to buried in desent Christian burial at the descression of my executors hereafter to be named nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the power of God and as touching such worldly estate where with it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give devise and depose of in the manner and form following - -
Item. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Sarah Willam and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten five negroes named as follows one named Sarah one named Pomp one named Sam and one named Janny and one named Peter Jannys child - -
Item. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Elisabeth Owens and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten three negroes named as follows one named Peter one named Bridget and one named Merium - -
Item. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved grandson William Cowell and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten two hundred and seventeen acres of land lying and being in Currituck County near Cowenjock Creek and four negroes named as follows one named Sam that I bought of Reuben McDaniel and one named Rachel and one named Jack and one named Sarah Rachels child and one feather bed and furniture and if my grandson William Cowell should die without heir of his body lawfully begotten to his sister Elisabeth Cowell and the heirs of her body lawfully begotten
Item. I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Elisabeth Cowell and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten two negroes named as folows one name Nann and one named Chane and one feather bed and furniture and if my grandaughter Elisabeth should die without heir of her body lawfully begotten to her brother William Cowell & the heirs of his body lawfully begotten and if both my grandchildren William Cowell and Elisabeth Cowell should die without heirs of their body lawfully begotten to return to me and my heirs what I have given them -
Item. My will and desire is that Adam Owens one of my executors hereafter to be mentioned take my two grand children estates into his hands and act according to his own decression in letting out their lands & negroes at publick or private sale My desire also is that my grandson William Cowell receive his lands and negroes at the age of eighteen years old if required
Item. I lend unto my well beloved wife Esther Cowell one hundred acres of land that I bought of John McCleese during her natural life than my desire is that my son Galloway Cowell should have it - - I likewise lend all the rest of my estate within doors and without doors to my well beloved wife Esther Cowell during her widowhood and at her marriage to be equally devided between her and my son Galloway Cowell
And lastly I appoint my beloved wife Esther Cowell and Adam Owens my whole and sole executors of this to this my last will and testament utterly disallowing and revoking all wills by me heretofore made ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my to be my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventeenth day of December Anno Domni one thousand seven hundred and ninety three
William Cowell
Signd seald pronounced and
declard in the presence of us
Henry Holmes
Richard (his mark) Neil
Thomas Barns
Flyleaf indicates probate in April Term 1795
Minutes
Tyrrell County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
July Session 1798
Ordered that William Alexander guardian to the orphans of William Cowell deceased have leave to sell the perishable part of the estate of said deceased and make returns to next court.
January Session 1799
Ordered that Samuel Spruill Joseph Pledger & Paul Thoroughgood or any two of them be appointed to audite settle and divide the estate of William Cowell deceased amongst the representatives agreeable to the last will of said deceased and make returns to next court.
Ordered that William Alexander be allowed twelve pounds for the support & maintenance of Galloway Cowell orphan of William Cowell deceased as per account filed.
April Session 1800
Ordered that the estate of Galloway Cowell orphan of William Cowell deceased pay to Wm. Alexander {unreadable} to the support of said orphan twelve months 10 pounds and that the above some be allowed.
North Carolina Archives
Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.15), Box 15
Cowell, Benjamin, 1795
Guardian Bond dated 26 Oct 1797 appointing William Alexander guardian to Galloway Cowell with bond in the amount of 500 pounds and John Foster & Wm. McDonald securities.
Transcriber's Notes:
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of William Cowell to Esther Gallaway on 5 Aug 1791, Henry Holmes security {this
is obviously a second marriage and Galloway Cowell is the offspring}.
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