North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Original Will at N. C. Archives
April 5, 1816

In the name of God Amen I Joseph Hassell of Tyrrell County who am weak and sickly in body but of sound mind and memory thanks be to God and calling to mind the mortality of ? that it is apointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament and first I recomend my soul to God who gave it and my body to the ground to be buried in a Christian like manner at the dischresion of my executors hereafter named and with what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give and demise in the following manner

Item I gave and bequath to my daughter Affe Hassell one bed and furniture one linning wheel one cow and calf one sow and pigs one yew and lamb to her and her heirs for ever

Item I gave and bequeath to my daughter Betsey Hassell one bed and furniture one linning wheel one cow and calf one sow and pigs one yew and lamb to her and her heirs for ever

Item I gave and bequeath to my daughter Maria Hassell one bed and furniture one linning wheel one cow and calf one sow and pigs one ewe and lamb to her and her heirs for ever

Item I gave and bequeath to my daughter Milla Hassell one bed and furniture one linning wheel one cow and calf one sow and pigs one ewe and lamb to her and her heirs for ever

Item I lend to my beloved wife Mila Hassell all the remainder of my property both rail and perishable during her widowhod to raise my children on and at her death or marage to go in the following manner

Item My will and desire is that my two sons Joseph and John Hassell shall have the whole of my lands with this exception only that if the present prignency of my wife should produce a son than my lands to be equally devided among the three sons but if a daughter to be equally divided between Joseph and John Hassell to them and their heirs forever

Item If the present prignency of my wife produces a daughter than for her to have an eaqual lagecy as the rest of my daughters to her and her heirs forever

Item I gave all the remainder of my property both negroes stock and household furniture to be eaqually devided among all my children that is to say Affa Betsey Maria Joseph John Milla and the one unborn at the death or marage of my wife to them and their heirs forever

And lastly I do hereby apoint my well beloved wife Milla Hassell and my brother James Hassell my lawful executrix and executor of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen

Joseph Hassell

Signed seald and
acknoledged in
the presents of us

Paul ? Thoroughgood
Ann ? (her mark) Hassell
Amos Thoroughgood

(No probate information.)

Minutes
Tyrrell County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions

July Session 1816

The last will and testament of Joseph Hassell son of Joseph was exhibited in open court and proved by the oath of Amos Thoroughgood

Amelia Hassell wife of Joseph Hassell deceased appeared in open court and qualified executrix to the last will and testament of her deceased husband.

Amelia Hassell executrix of Joseph Hassell deceased returned into court an inventory of the estate of said deceased - - ordered filed.

Ordered that James Hassell be appointed guardian to Affa, Elizabeth, Mariah, Joseph Tarkenton Hassell, Jno. West Hassell, Amelia & James Pinckney Hassell orphans of Joseph Hassell son of Joseph and has entered into bond agreeable to law in the sum of two thousand pounds, Col. Jesse Alexander and Silbey Patrick his securities.

October Session 1816

Ordered that James Hassell sell the tools of different kinds which was left him & his brother Joseph Hassell by the will of their deceased father Joseph Hassell & make return to next term.

July Session 1817

Ordered that Asa Smith Esqr. Lemuel Basnight & Henry Alexander Junr. audite the estate of Joseph Hassell Senr. deceased and set off to the heirs of Joseph Hassell Junr. their proportionate parts of said estate & make return to the next term.

April Session 1818

Ordered that Saml. Spruill Esquire Thos. Leigh Ava Smith & Henry Alexander Junr. set off to Affa Hassell, Elizabeth Hassell, Mariah Hassell, Joseph Hassell, Jno. West Hassell, Amelia Hassell, James Pinkney Hassell heirs of Joseph Hassell Junr. deceased their equal dividend of Joseph Hassell Senr. estate also to audite and settle the accounts of James Hassell guardian to said orphans & make returns to next court.

July Session 1818

The settled accounts of James Hassell guardian to the heirs of Joseph Hassell deceased was returned in court by Saml. Spruill filed.

Ordered that the clerk are directed to alter on the record returned, the return of the division of Joseph Hassell Senr. deceased returned by Samuel Spruill William Combs Ava Smith Thomas Lee Edward Hunnings so as to make James Hassell pay to Paul Thoroughgood 58 dollars 33 2/3 cents and also pay to Hester McCallister guardian to his two daughters $32.66 2/3 in stead of pay to the heirs of Joseph Hassell Junr. deceased, and that Rachel Swain pay to the heirs of Joseph Hassell Junr. deceased the sum of ninety one dollars & 66 cents instead of paying to Paul Thoroughgood & Hester McCallister.

April Session 1822

The following guardians appeared in open court & renewed their guardian bonds agreeable to the act of assembly in that case made & provided as follows viz. - -
James Hassell guardian to Joseph, John, Amelia & James Pinkney Hassell

October Session 1823

James Hassell guardian to Joseph Hassell, John W. Hassell, Amelia Hassell, & James P. Hassell, orphans of Joseph Hassell appeared in open court & resigned his guardianship to said orphans - Ordered that Amelia Hassell be appointed guardian in his stead who appeared & entered into bond with approved security. Ordered that she receive the estate of the said orphans in her possession & account for the same as the law directs.

Ordered that Paul Thoroughgood John Thoroughgood & Amos Thoroughgood be appointed to audite & settle the accounts of the heirs of Joseph Hassell deceased between James Hassell former guardian to said heirs and Amelia Hassell the present guardian & make report to next term.

January Session 1824

The audited accounts between James Hassell former guardian to the heirs of Joseph Hassell deceased & Amelia Hassell present guardian to said heirs was returned to court with a ballance due said heirs $111.41 & file.

Division of the negroes belonging to the estate of Joseph Hassell deceased was returned to court & filed.

April Session 1824

Ordered that Enock Hassell be appointed guardian to the heirs of Joseph Hassell deceased (viz.) Joseph, John and James P. Hassell and Milly Hassell and that notice be given in the Raleigh Register for one month to Milly Hassell former guardian and show cause if any she has why the aforesaid appointment of Enock Hassell shall not be confirmed. The appointment of the said Enock is made upon condition that if the said Milly shall fail at the next County Court to show good cause why she should not be removed then his appointment to be confirmed.

July Session 1824

Enock Hassel to the Court -It is ordered that publication be made in the Raleigh Register 3 months to Amelia Hassell personally to be and appear at the next court and shew cause if any she can why she should not be removed from the guardianship of Joseph, John, James P. and Amelia Hassell, heirs of Joseph Hassel.

April Session 1825

Enoc Hassell guardian to the heirs of Joseph Hassell appeared in open court and returned nothing belonging to the said heirs had ever come to his possession.

October Session 1826

Enoc Hassell Esqr. returned into open court the guardian accounts with the heirs of Joseph Hassell deceased and ordered to be filed.

January Session 1828

Enoch Hassell guardian to the heirs of Jos. Hassell returned the hire of negroes for the year 1828 amount $12.82.

July Session 1828

Enoch Hassell guardian to the orphans of Jos. Hassell to wit Jos, John, Milly & James P. Hassell came into court and renewed his bond with Alexander Dillen & Simion Brickhouse security.

North Carolina Archives
Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.04), Box 4
Hassell, Joseph Senr., 1816

Bond dated 8 July 1816 in the amount of two thousand pounds appointing James Hassell guardian to Affy, Elizabeth, Maria, Joseph, Jno., Amelia & James P. Hassell orphans of Joseph Hassell son of Joseph deceased, Jesse Alexander & Silby Patrick securities.

Additional inventory and account of sales on 28 Dec 1816 of the estate of Joseph Hassell deceased. Purchasers and number of purchases are James Hassell (7), Robert Holmes (1), Samuel Jackson (2), James McAlister (2), Avey Smith (4), Abraham Swain (1), Paul Thoroughgood (2). Total sales $53.02 1/2.

Bond dated 1 Apr 1822 in the amount of one thousand pounds appointing James Hassell guardian to Joseph, John, Amelia & James P. Hassell orpans of Joseph Hassell son of Joseph deceased, Thomas Leigh & Ephraim Mann securities.

Petition September Term 1823 by Enoch Hassell and his wife Affa Joseph Dowdy and his wife Betsey Jesse Alexander and wife Maria Joseph Hassell John Hassell Mille Hassell & James Hassell by their guardian Milley Hassell who show that Joseph Hassell died leaving a will which loaned certain property to his wife Milley during her life or widowhood. He gave all the remainder of his property to be divided among your petitioners, who are his children. Among the property given as aforementioned were seven negroes viz. David, Lavinia, Ebenezer, Benjamin, Edney, Ellexander & Rhody which negroes were given to your petitioners in the will aforementioned after the death or marriage of the testator's wife Milly. Petitioners further state that all right and title to these negroes has been relinquished to your petitioners by Milly. Request that a division of these negroes be made among the heirs.

Court order September Term 1823 for division of the negroes belonging to the heirs of Joseph Hassell Junr. by Paul, John & Amos Thoroughgood.

Division of the negroes belonging to the estate of Joseph Hassell deceased on 4 Oct 1823.
Man David valued at $350 was drawn by Joseph Hassell & Affie Hassell
Viny, Rhoda & Alexander valued at $350 were drawn by Mariah, Alexander & James P. Hassell
Allen valued at $176 was drawn by Emellia Hassell
Benjamin valued at $151 was drawn by Betsy Dowdy
Edney valued at $100 was drawn by John Hassell
Enoch Hassell, Joseph Hassell, Jesse Alexander & James P. Hassell owe John Hassell $14 each. Millia Hassell owes John Hassell $5. Millia Hassell owes Joseph Dowdy $10.

Bond dated 29 Sep 1823 in the amount of seven hundred and fifty pounds appointing Amelia Hassell guardian to Joseph, John West, Amelia Ann & James P. Hassell minor orphans of Joseph Hassell, Jesse Alexander, Caleb Woodward & Jesse Hassell securities.

Note dated 4 Oct 1823 showing $793.38 due from the former guardian and her sureties to Joseph Hassell's heirs.

Petition December Term 1823 by John Thoroughgood who states that James Hassell has died after having first made & duly published his last will and testament wherein he appointed John Thoroughgood his executor. The said James was regularly appointed guardian to the heirs of Joseph Hassell viz. John, Joseph, William & James Pinkney Hassell, Affie, Elizabeth & Maria Hassell. The said heirs were equally entitled to an equal distribution in two negroes viz. Eliza & Pleasant. Three sevenths of the said negroes has been justly settled for by the said James to and with Affa, Elizabeth & Maria Hassell and the said James thereby became entitled thereto. Petitioner prays a court order for the sale of the same so equal distribution may be made.

Bond dated 25 Jan 1825 in the amount of five hundred pounds appointing Enoch Hassell guardian to Joseph Hassell, Jno., James P. & Amelia Hassell minor orphans, Henry Alexander & Jno. G. B. Davenport securities.

Summons dated 11 Nov 1825 for Jesse Alexander to appear at next court to answer the complaint of Enoch Hassell guardian to the heirs of Joseph Hassell who complains that Jesse Alexander is in debt to him to the amount of seven hundred and fifty pounds as guardian aforesaid and that Jesse Alexander has removed himself out of the county or so absconds or conceals himself that the ordinary process of law can not be served on him. The sheriff is commanded to attach the estate of Jesse Alexander if to be found in the county.

Statement under oath on 11 Nov 1825 by Enoch Hassell guardian of the heirs of Joseph Hassel deceased staing that Jesse Alexander former security to the guardian bond of the heirs of the said Joseph Hassell deceased has removed himself to the state of Indiana so that the ordinary process of the law can not be served upon him and the said Jesse Alexander is due as security to the former guardian bond to the said heirs of Joseph Hassell deceased and that he Hassell is at present guardian to the sum of seven hundred dollars or thereabouts.

Attachment bond date 11 Nov 1825 wherein Enoch Hassell & John B. Davenport are bound unto Jesse Alexander guardian of the heirs of Joseph Hassell deceased in the sum of three thousand dollars. Enoch Hassell present guardian of the heirs of Joseph Hassell is bound to prosecute his suit against Jesse Alexander or pay all costs and damages.

Summons directed to the Coroner of Tyrrell County dated 5 Mar 1828 for Henry Alexander Sheriff to appear at the April Term to say on oath whether he has any property, money or effects of Jesse Alexander or if he knows of anyone who does or who owes him anything.

Bond dated 28 Jul 1828 in the amount of sixteen hundred dollars appointing Enoch Hassell guardian to Jos. W. John, Milly & James P. Hassell orphans of Joseph Hassell deceased, Simeon Brickhouse & Alexander Dillen securities.

Summons issued 20 Apr 1829 for Enoch Hassell, Simeon Brickhouse & Alexander Dillin to appear at April Term of court to answer a plea by Jesse Alexander guardian of James P. Hassell of a plea of debt for $1600 plus $100 damages.

Bond dated 26 Oct 1830 in the amount of five hundred dollars appointing Enoch Hassell guardian to Daniel, Amos & Amelia Ann Hassell minors, Benjamin Sikes & Charles McCleese securities. {Note it does not say orphans.}

Bond dated 24 Oct 1831 in the amount of one thousand dollars appointing Enoch Hassell guardian to Jno. & Amelia Hassell minor orphans, Charles McCleese & Ephraim Mann securities.

There are many other documents dealing with the above suits and other suits that don't appear to be of further genealogical value.

Transcriber's Notes:

The estate file of Joseph Hassell Senr. in 1816 actually has estate papers of both Joseph Hassell Senr. and his son, Joseph Hassell Junr. Only those estate papers believed to be for Joseph Hassell Junr. are shown above. The same applies to court minutes.

Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Joseph Hassell to Amelia Tarkington on 28 Jul 1795, Isaac Patrick security; also Joseph B. Dowdy to Elizabeth Hassell on 23 Dec 1819, Baldy W. Halsey security; also Jesse Alexander to Mariah Hassell on 12 Dec 1821, Jno. Norman security; also Affy Hassell to Enoch Hassell on 22 Dec 1817, James Hoskins security.

Return to Tyrrell Co Wills Introduction & Table of Contents

Updated August 29, 2020
Charles W. Barnes