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Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.56), Box 56
Weskett, Jeremiah, 1845
Undated list of the heirs of Jeremiah Weskett deceased
1 - Phebe Ann Weskett the widow
2 - Mahala Cox's heirs, viz. Mary, Jeremiah & Mahala Cox
3 - Morris Weskett's heirs, viz. Thomas Alexander and wife Mary, Samuel, John & Jeremiah Weskett
4 - Thomas Weskett's heirs, viz. Mary E. & Andosia Lavinia Weskett
5 - James Weskett, son of Saml. Weskett of Gates
6 - Lois Caroon's heirs, viz. Betsy Ann & Ann Eliza
7 - Betsy Sawyer's heirs, viz. Selathiel Leary and wife, John Sawyer, Jas. Sawyer, William Sawyer & Thomas Sawyer
8 - Amelia Spruill, the mother
9 - John Spruill, a brother
10 - Clement M. Hill and wife Mary
11 - James Weskett of Currituck
Bond dated 9 Dec 1845 in the amount of $30,000 appointing Benjamin Spruill special administrator of the estate of Jeremiah Weskett deceased, John Sanderson, Jesse Sanderson & Jos. A. Spruill securities. Permission granted to sell all the perishable property.
Bond dated 26 Jan 1846 in the amount of $25,000 appointing Benja. Spruill administrator of the estate of Jeremiah Weskett deceased, Jesse Sanderson & Jos. A. Spruill securities.
Petition January Term 1846 of Benja. Spruill, administrator of Jerh. Weskett, who shows that said intestate was owner of the schooner Polly & Nancy of 25 tons burthen, the schooner Nancy Clark of 20 tons burthen and the schooner Joseph Libby of 33 tons burthen. Because of the situation of his estate it is necessary a sale should be had and he prays an order to do so.
Petition January Term 1846 of Phebe Ann Weskett, widow of Jeremiah Weskett deceased, who prays her year's allowance be alloted to herself and family with a bed and necessary furniture.
Petition January Term 1846 of Phebe Ann Weskett against Thomas Sawyer, Betsy Ann Caroon, Ann Eliza Caroon, Mary Cox, Jeremiah Cox, Thomas Alexander and wife Mary, Samuel Weskett, Jeremiah Weskett & Louis Weskett infants and Mrs. Amelia Spruill, Jno. Spruill, Clem Hill and wife Mary, James Weskett, Mary Weskett, John Sawyer, William Sawyer, James Sawyer, Salathiel Leary and wife Milly adult heirs at law of Jeremiah Weskett deceased. Petitioner shows her late husband departed this life about 30 Nov 1845 seized and possessed of land joining E. Mann's heirs and Lemuel Basnight's heirs in which she prays her dower and that guardian ad litem be appointed for the infant heirs.
Summons dated the 4th Monday in January 1846 and issued 26 Mar 1846 for Mrs. Amelia Spruill, John Spruill, James Weskett, John Sawyer, William Sawyer, James Sawyer & Selathiel Leary and wife Milly to appear in court on the 4th Monday in April next to answer the petition of Phebe A. Weskett.
Summons dated the 4th Monday in January 1846 and issued 26 Mar 1846 to the sheriff of Martin County for Mary Weskett to appear in court on the 4th Monday in April next to answer the petition of Phebe Ann Weskett who is plaintiff and the heirs of Jeremiah Weskett defendants.
Summons dated the 4th Monday in January 1846 and issued 26 Mar 1846 to the sheriff of Bertie County for Clem. Hill and wife Mary Hill to appear in court on the 4th Monday in April next to answer the petition of Phebe Ann Weskett who is plaintiff and the heirs of Jermiah Weskett are defendants.
Undated petition from Benjamin Spruill administrator of Jerimah Weskett deceased showing that the estate of his intestate is in debt to the point that his personal property, aside from numerous slaves, cannot cover the debt, which exceeds the value of his personalty by about $1,500. He prays an order to sell slaves to the amount of said excess.
Court order dated the 4th Monday in April 1846 and issued 4 May 1846 for the laying off of the dower of Phebe Weskett in the lands of her deceased husband, Jeremiah Weskett.
Undated report of the laying off of the dower of Pheby Ann Wesket, widow of Jeremiah Wesket deceased, in the lands of her deceased husband said to contain 151 acres joining Ephraim Mann's road. Widow received 15 acres and the whole of the plantation where the widow now lives at Fort Landing including the house and out buildings. Commissioners were Isaac W. Parker, Thomas B. Basnight, Elijah Basnight, King Hackett, William J. Beasley, Nevel Caroon, Jesse McClees, Jesse Sanderson, John Sanderson, Saml. McClees, Joseph A. Spruill & Stephen Etheridge with Jordan L. Jones sheriff and H. McClees surveyor
Sale of some of the negros belonging to the estate of Jeremiah Weskett deceased by virtue of a court order at October term 1846 by Benjamin Spruill administrator of Jeremiah Weskett deceased. Negro girl Mary was sold to Jordan L. Jones who was the highest bidder at $534.
Petition July Term 1847 by Benjamin Spruill, administrator of Jerh. Weskett deceased, who shows that his intestate left some 25 negros at his death and ten distributees in addition to his wife who survived him and is entitled to 1/3rd of said slaves. Said widow has elected to have her portion of said slaves layed off to her in severalty, but the residue of said slaves can't be laid off because many of them are young and the distributees numerous. Negro woman Bridget is old, infirm and therefore worthless and will be a charge upon the estate. Petitioner prays an order for the sale of said negros in order to effect a division and that said Bridget to whomsover will take her at the lowest bid.
Petition October Term 1847 of Phebee Ann Wesket whose husband Jermiah Wesket died about 2 years since possessed of considerable personal property among which are 24 negro slaves, one of which, old Bridget is entirely worthless. Benjamin Spruill is administrator of the estate and has the negroes in his possession. Petitioner prays a division so she can hold her share of the negros in severalty.
Court order October Term 1847 for Jesse Sanderson, John McClees & Jos. Alexander to divide the negros belonging to the estate of Jeremiah Weskett deceased and lay off 1/3 of said negros to Phebee Ann Weskett, widow of the said J. Weskett.
Petition October Term 1847 of Benj. Spruill, administrator of Jerh. Weskett, who shows that he has paid large sums in admistering the estate and now wishes to settle the account and make distribution to the heirs. The said Jeremiah died intestate leaving the following heirs viz. Phoebe Ann Weskett, Mary, Jeremiah & Mahala Cox, Thos. Alexander and wife Mary, Samuel John & Jeremiah Weskett, Mary E. & Andosia Lavinia Weskett, James Weskett, Betsy Ann & Ann Eliza Caroon, Selathiel Leary and wife, John Sawyer, James Sawyer, William Sawyer, Thomas Sawyer, Cornelious (?) Spruill John Spruill Clement M. Hill and wife Mary & James Weskett who are entitled to distribution of said estate and moneys in his hands. To the end that they may be present at the auditing and settling of this account, petitioner requests they receive a copy of this petition and subpoena to attend the next session of this court where final settlement will be accomplished.
Summons dated the 4th Monday in October 47 for Phebee Ann Weskett, Mary, Jeremiah & Mahala Cox, Thos. Alexander and wife Mary, Saml., John & Jeremiah Weskett, Jos. Caroon guardian to Betsy Ann & Ann Eliza Caroon, Selathiel Leary and wife Amelia, John Sawyer, James Sawyer, William Sawyer & Thomas Sawyer, Amelia Spruill & John Spruill to appear in court on the 4th Monday in January next and answer the patition of B. Spruill, administrator of Jeremiah Weskett deceased.
Summons dated the 4th Monday in October 1847 issued to the Sheriff of Gates County for Clement M. Hill & Mary Hill to appear in court on the 4th Monday in January next to answer the petition of Benja. Spruill, administrator of Jeremiah Weskett deceased.
Summons dated the 4th Monday in October 1847 issued to the Sheriff of Washington County for H. G. Spruill attorney for Mary E. Weskett to appear in court on the 4th Monday in January next to answer the petition of Benja. Spruill, administrator of Jeremiah Weskett deceased.
Division of the negros belonging to the estate of Jeremiah Weskett deceased at Fort Landing on 31 Dec 1847:
Harvey valued at $800
Dave (sailor) valued at $600
Dave valued at $600
George valued at $600
Matilda and child Jack valued at $350
Olive & Nelson valued at $375
Sally and child Sally valued at $450
Ferebee and child Matilda valued at $500
Amy and child Abaline valued at $550
Rachel valued at $200
David valued at $200
Franklin valued at $150
Ann valued at $175
Monday valued at $150
Eliza valued at $250
Zion valued at $250
Caroline valued at $150
Betsy valued at $225
Pamela valued at $125
Eliza valued at $175
Lot Number 1:
Harvey - $800
Matilda & child - $350
Ferebee & child - $500
Eliza - $175
Ann - $175
Monday - $150
Betsy - $225
Total - $2375
Lot Number 2:
Dave (sailor) - $600
Dave (little) - $600
Sally & child - $450
Rachel - $200
David - $200
Franklin - $150
Total - $2200
Lot Number 3:
George - $600
Amy & child - $550
Olive & child - $375
Zion - $250
Caroline - $150
Eliza - $250
Pamela - $125
Total - $2300
Lot 1 pays lot 2 $83.34. Lot 3 pays lot 2 $8.34.
Lot 2 was drawn by Phebee Ann Weskett and lots 1 & 3 belong to the heirs at law.
Bond dated 28 Jul 1851 in the amount of $2,000 appointing Thomas Meekins guardian of John Wesket & Jerry Wesket orphans, Wm. Basnight & Jos. McClees securities.
Bond dated 22 Jan 1855 in the amount of $700 appointing Joseph McClees guardian of Jack Wesket & Jeremiah Wesket minor orphans, Henry McClees & John McClees securities.
Bond dated 29 Jan 1856 in the amount of $500 appointing Benja. S. Basnight guardian of John & Jeremiah Weskett minor or orphan, Chas. T. Basnight & Benja. A. Spruill securities.
Petition April Term 1856 of Samuel Wesket shows that Thomas Alexander and wife Mary late Mary Weskett in right of said Mary, John & Jerry Wesket infants of tender years whose guardian is Thomas Meekins, and himself the petitioner are tenants in common in equal proportion of 281 acres joining Azor Snell, Benjamin Brickhouse and Albemarle Sound. Petitioner prays division of his share so he can own it in severalty.
Reply from court to petition January Term 1857 of Thomas M. Alexander and wife Mary and John & Jerry Wesket with guardian before the court. Let petition be made in such manner as to allot to petitioners 1/4th of the funds described in the petition, to Mary Alexander 1/4th, to John & Jerry Wesket each 1/4th, and let James Brickhouse, Abraham Alexander, Wm. C. Snell, William Jarvis & Oliver Bateman be and they are hereby appointed to divide as aforesaid with Eli Spruill as surveyor.
Court order January Term 1858 in the case of Weskett Vs. Weskett, a petition for partition. James Brickhouse, Abraham Alexander, Wm. C. Snell, Wm. Jarvis & James Forbes are appointed commissioners to divide the lands described in the petition in four equal shares and to allot to Thos. Alexander and wife Mary, late Mary Weskett, in right of said Mary, John & Jerry Weskett and Samuel Weskett one equal share thereof.
This file has multiple copies of some documents. Documents dealing with recovery of debts have not been included here.
Transcriber's Notes:
It appears Jeremiah Weskett had no children living at the time of his death and his heirs were therefore his siblings, mother and other relatives. There was a son, Franklin, who died in 1842. Franklin had a daughter, Frances Ann, who does not appear among the heirs of Jeremiah, so she must have been deceased. The mother, Amelia Spruill, listed among the heirs died in 1852. See the will of Milley Spruill in 1852.
There is an 1835 estate record for Milley Weskett with Jeremiah Weskett as administrator of the estate. Since the mother, Milly, was still living at the time of Jeremiah's death, this is likely a sister or niece of Jeremiah.
Tyrrell County marriage bonds have three marriages for Jeremiah Weskett: to Merenda Basnight on 16 Jan 1830, Joseph McKimy security; to Susan Brickhouse on 9 Jun 1838, Mores Weskett security; and to Phebee Ann McCalister on 20 Dec 1842. There is also a bond for the marriage of Phebee Ann Weskett to William Basnight on 22 May 1848, T. L. Hassell security. Phebe A. Basnight, wife of William Basnight is 22 years of age in the 1850 census of Tyrrell County, so she was quite young when married to Jeremiah Weskett. The 1839 will of Lemuel Basnight shows Miranda Weskett was his daughter. The 1835 estate papers of Elsberry Brickhouse show that Jeremiah Weskett had married his widow, Susan Brickhouse, by 1839.
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Mahala Weskett to James Cox on 10 Aug 1831, Amos Thoroughgood security; also Mary Weskett to Thomas Alexander Junr. on 17 Jul 1840, A. H. Smith security; also Selathiel Leary to Milly Sawyer on 29 Oct 1829.
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Morress Weskett to Patsy Basnight on 7 Dec 1823, Richard Spruill security; also the marriage of Richard Spruill to Milly Weaseant on 26 Apr 1812, Salathiel Spruill security. Milly Weaseant is actually Milly Weskett, the mother of Morris Weskett and the Richard Spruill who was security on his marriage bond. This is confirmed by the fact that Amelia Spruill is cited as the mother of Jeremiah Weskett in his estate papers.
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Thomas D. Wesket to Polly Armstrong (widow) on 19 Jan 1828, Lovick Swain security.
There is a James Weskett, age 39, sea captain, in the 1850 census of Gates County. Based on his age, his father Samuel was probably a cousin of Jeremiah.
The 1810 census of Tyrrell County shows the family of Miley Wescoat with two males under 10, 2 males 10 and under 15 and one female under 10. Since she remarried to Richard Spruill in 1812, these are probably the only children she had by her Wescoat husband. The 1820 census of Tyrrell County shows Richard Spruill with one male under 10 and one female under 10, likely both children of Amelia. The 1830 census reveals no additional children. The 1840 will of Richard Spruill lists Amelia as his wife, John Spruill as a son and Lois Caroon as a daughter, beside other children, so John Spruill and Lois Caroon were children of Amelia.
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Lois Spruill to Joseph Caroon on 14 Apr 1832, Jos. Pledger security; also Jos. Caroon to Eliza Doe on 14 Nov 1840, Joseph McClees security. In the 1850 census, Joseph is 50 and his wife, Eliza, is 35.
Clement Hill appears in the 1850 census of Gates County age 67 with Mary Hill age 64.
The only James Weskett of Currituck that I could find was in an 1847 guardian bond. He was the son of John Weskett deceased and his guardian was John Weskett.
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