North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Original Will at N. C. Archives
January 12, 1792

In the name of God Amen I Thomas Hopkins being weak in bodey but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to almighty God for the same - Knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament, First I recomend my soul to God that gave it, and my body to be buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned and as to my worldly goods I give as follows - viz. -

My will and desire is that my well beloved wife Phillis Hopkins have the use of all my estate both real and personal dureing her natural life to maintain her and raise all the young negroes that belongs in the estate or that is born in her lifetime, and if the use of the estate is not sufficent to answer that purpose she may sell some of the perishable part of the estate such as may best be spard, to sell as need require not making any waste, not to sell any of the four first legecies, and if the use of estate aford more than maintain her and the negroes she may convert it to her own use in her lifetime and after her death to be disposed of as follows - viz. -

My will and desire is that at my wifes death all the negroes that belong in the estate to be free and may by virtue of this my last will and testament claim their freedom if the laws of this state doth allow them their freedom, so as not to be in bondage to any person and if the laws of this state doth not allow them their freedom so as not to serve any person then they and the rest of my estate to be devided as follows and if they are free the rest of my estate to remain as a possession in the hands of them to whom I give it for ever -

1st I give to Thomas Hopkins son of Samuel Hopkins & Jehodan his wife the plantation that I now live on that I bought of Anthony Ward containing one hundred and thirty acres of land and my negro man Primus and my negro woman Rose and my molatto boy Peter and all Roses increase from this date and all my books and my gun and one pare of fine dogs and one pare of fire tongs to him forever -

2ly I give to Jehodan Basnight daughter of Ann Basnight now wife to Wm. Basnight Junr. one peace or track of land calld Cow Ridge containing eighty eight acres coast by a deed from Wyatt to me, allso one more peace joining of it containing fifty acres corst by deed from Saml. Hopkins to me, and both my negro girls Tamer and Pleasant with one bed and furniture to her forever -

3ly I give to Thomas Devaul son of John Devaul and Christian his wife one peace of land or swamp lying on the Sound Side containing fifty acres patend by my self and my negro boy Isaac to him forever -

4ly I give to Phillis Hopkins daughter of Saml. Hopkins & Jehodan his wife my negroe boy Sick and girl Bet and one bed and furneture and one linning wheal to her forever -

And if any of the above named legetees die before married or come to age their part to be divided amongst the rest that are then living - All the remainder of my estate both real and personal I give to be equily devided between Jehodan Hopkins my sister Phillis Basnight daughter of Joseph Basnight Phillis Tweedy wife of David Tweedy and Ann Basnight wife of Wm. Basnight Junr. Ann Basnights part is to be hers to keep in her care to use during her natural life to raise and school her daughter Jehodan, or sell part for that purpose and at her death to be her daughters Jehodan and the others parts are to be theirs for ever, and if Jehodan die before her mother Ann is to have the part that is last ment in this last gift for her to Ann Basnight for ever -

I nominate and appoint my well beloved wife Phillis Hopkins whole and sole executrix to this my last will and testament - I do hereby disanul all other wills gifts dowers and incumbrances what so ever and do constitute and ordain this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and fixt my seal this twelft day of January one thousand seven hundred ninety two

Tho. Hopkins

Signd seald & acknowledged in presents of

Benja. Meads
Rufus (his mark) Perisho
John Foster

(Will has no probate information.)

Minutes
Tyrrell County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions

January Session 1801

On motion of Col. John Hambleton ordered that the estate of Thomas Hopkins deceased be laid before the auditors to settle and audite the accounts of said deceased and make return to next court.

April Session 1801

The last will and testament of Thomas Hopkins deceased was proved in court a second time by the oath of the Revd. Samuel Rudder, who qualified as executor in right of his wife who was left soal executrix of the above will filed.

The Revd. Samuel Rudder returned an inventory of part of the estate of Thomas Hopkins which was left out in the first inventory filed.

July Session 1805

Ordered that Paul Thoroughgood James Hoskins and Jesse Alexander Esquire be appointed to audite and settle the estate of Thomas Hopkins deceased with the executrix and executor of said estate also to audite and settle the estate of Samuel Rudder deceased with the administrators and to divide and allott of the widows part of said estate agreeable to law and make return to next court.

October Session 1805

Ordered that Jesse Alexander Paul Thoroughgood and James Hoskins be appointed to audite and settle the accounts of Saml Rudder deceased with Saml Spruill Esqr. administrator to said estate and make returns to next court & to audite and settle the estate of Thos. Hopkins with administrator executrix & make division of said estate.

Transcriber's Notes:
Tyrrell County deeds show the sale of 124 acres formerly called Cow Ridge on the north side of Little Alligator Creek by Anthony Ward of Tyrrell County to Thomas Hopkins of Pasquotank County on 28 Apr 1777. Also, Thomas Hopkins and Christian Hopkins witnessed a deed in Nov 1776. Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Samuel Hopkins to Jahodath Hopkins on 17 Jun 1780, Isaac Alexander & Henry Alexander securities; also the marriage of William Basnight to Jahody Hopkins on 5 Jun 1802 {probable transcription error}, John Foster security; also the marriage of Phillis Hopkins to John Routon on 10 Feb 1804, Samuel Spruill security.

Return to Tyrrell Co Wills Introduction & Table of Contents

Updated September 8, 2018
Charles W. Barnes