In the name of God amen: I Stevens Lee of the County of Tyrrell and state of North Carolina Planter being of sound and perfect mind and memory (blessed be God) do this eighteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following- that is to say - First I give and bequeath unto my loving wife her heirs & assigns forever the negro boy Toney, negro woman Lucey the negro girls Bess Winney Syllor and Judie and a negro boy named Daniel, also I give unto my said wife Mary Lee the use of the following negroes during her natural life the negro man Grent Cesar and Little Duroy and the negro woman Cleo, ten cows and calves thirty hogs, three beds and furniture six chairs all the pewter which I am at present possesed off, all my tables and table linen, four ploughs with their utentials a mare called Old Cotton and her two year old Fillie the horse Flat Swamp and horse Little Duke, all my kitchen furniture and utensals two lining wheels, and two woolen wheels, also the use of the plantation whereon I now live during her natural life - at her decease my Will and Desire is that that part of my Estate which I have given the use of to my loving wife during her natural life as above be equally divided amongst my three following children Viz: Thomas Mary and Elisabeth - except the plantation whereon I now live which plantation I give and bequeath to my son Thomas his heirs and assigns forever-

Also I give unto my daughter Sarah Crooke one hundred pounds current money of this state to be laid out in mourning -

Also I give unto my daughter Francis Mackey one hundred pounds current money of this state to purchase mourning -

Also I give and bequeath to my daughters Mary and Elisabeth a piece of land in the Piney Woods in Martin County at the head of Welches Creek together with all the stock upon it to be equally divided between them which said land and stock I give my said daughters Mary and Elisabeth to them their heirs and assigns forever -

Also I give and bequeath all and singular my plantations lands and tenements not here before disposed off unto my son Thomas Lee his heirs and assigns forever together with all the stock of cattle and hoggs upon and all my quarter called Sandy Bottom and likewise all the plantation utensials there and thereto belonging -

Also I order and desire that out of the residue or part of my estate remaining after what has been heretofore already disposed off that all my just debts be fully paid and satisfied - Also after my just debts are paid, I give and bequeath the whole residue or remaining part of my Estate to my three children Thomas Mary and Elisabeth to be equally divided amongst them the said Thomas Mary and Elisabeth by my Executors hereafter named - and in case one or more of my said children die before they arrive to the age of twenty one years or day of mariage my will and desire is that all the lands and every other thing belonging to the deceased child, or children, shall be equally divided amongst the survivon of the said three Thomas Mary and Ellisabeth and no others any thing here mentioned to the contrary not withstanding - and all the lands and every other thing by this Will given to my three children Thomas Mary and Elisabeth I give to them their heirs and assigns forever - and I hereby make and ordain my worthy friends William Gray and Stevens Gray Esqrs. Of Bartee County Executors of this my last Will and Testament and my said Executors I hereby constitute and appoint guardiens to my three children Thomas Mary and Elisabeth untill they arrive to the age of twenty one years or day or mariage, In witness whereof the said Stevens Lee have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written -

Stevens Lee (Seal)

Signed Sealed Published and Declared
by the said Stevens Lee the Testator
as his last Will and Testament in
the presence of us who were
present at the time of signing
and sealing thereof -

Henry Downing
John Jourdan
William Blount

Minutes
Tyrrell County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions

July Session 1779

The last will and testament of Stevens Lee was duly proven in open court by the oath of William Blount Henry Downing subscribing witnesses therein mentioned ordered to be filed. Ordered that Mr. Secretary have notice that letters issue.

Stevens Gray appeared in open court and qualified as exor to the last will and testament of Stevens Lee.

Ordered that Mr. Stevens Gray sell as much of the perishable part of the estate of Stevens Lee deceased as shall be sufficient to discharge the debts.

October Session 1780

Wm. Gray Esqr. appeared in open court and qualified as executor to the last will and testament of Stevens Lee deceased.

North Carolina Archives
Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.27), Box 27
Lee, Stevens, 1784

Execution dated 9 Jan 1784 against the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of Jesse Hudson & John Jordan for 16 pounds & 4 pence in favor of Stevens Lee's executors for damages, costs & charges. Not sold for want of bidders.

Execution dated 6 Jul 1786 and issued 1 Aug 1786 against the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of William Carkeet & Francis Ward for 40 pounds & 7 shillings in favor of William & Stevens Gray executors of Stevens Lee executors for debt and damages.

Execution dated 7 Jul 1785 and issued 2 Aug 1785 against the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of Charles Hudson for 52 pounds, 10 shillings & 1 pence in favor of Stevens Lee's executors for debt, costs & charges.

Execution dated 4 Jan 1787 and issued 31 Jan 1787 against the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of Francis Ward for 26 pounds, 14 shillings & 7 pence in favor of Lee's executors for debt, costs & charges.

Execution dated 8 Apr 1790 and issued 25 May 1790 against the goods & chattels, lands & tenements of Cuthbert Phelps & Thomas Everitt for 49 pounds, 12v shillings & 3 pence in favor of William & Stevens Gray executors of Stevens Lee for debt & costs. Levied on one bay mare and all the cattle and hogs and other property of said Phelps not sold for want of bidders.

Execution dated 7 Jul 1790 and issued 29 Jul 1790 against the goods & chattels, lands & tenements of Cuthbert Phelps & Thomas Everitt in favor of William & Stevens Gray executors of Stevens Lee for debt, damages & costs. Order to sell one bay mare, all the cattle and hogs and other property of Cuthbert Phelps that previously was taken. No sale for want of bidders.

Execution dated 5 Jan 1791 and issued 27 Jan 1791 against the goods & chattels, lands & tenements of Cuthbert Phelps & Thomas Everitt in favor of William & Stevens Gray executors of Stevens Lee for debt, damages & costs. Order to sell one bay mare, all the cattle and hogs and other property of Cuthbert Phelps that previously was taken.

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Updated December 5, 2020
Jean Owens Schroeder