Abstracts of Edgecombe County Wills 1707 to 1760

Allen, James

. 4 Dec 1732: Feb Court 1733. Heirs: James Kelley, John Nairne (executor). Wit: William Bell, Anne and John Stone.

Barrow, William

20 Oct 1758: Dec Court 1758. To my son, William Barrow, the plantation lying on Kehuckey Swamp. Daughter, Anna Fort. Granddaughter, Elizabeth Fort. Executor: William Barrow. Wit: James Barnes, Drew Smith, William Barnes.

Bell, George

, 1 Mar 1720: 29 Mar 1721. To my son, James, all of my land at Alegator. Sons: John, William, George, Nathaniel (all of my land on the north side of the Pasquotank River), Henry, Joseph, Benjamin. Daughter: Mary Bell. Wife/Executrix: Mary. Wit: William Willson, Samuel Cock, Darbey Sivilenant. Will was proven at Queen Anne's Creek in Chowan Precinct before R. Hicks, Clerk.

Bell, William

. 1 Dec 1752: May and August Courts 1754. Sons: Arthur (390 acres of land on River Island), Joshua (plantation where he now lives). Daughters: Mary Pyrent, Anne Bell. Executors: Arthur and Joshua Bell. Wit: James Atkison, William Cain, Rebecah Cain.

Bradford, Nathaniel

. 2 Oct 1756: feb Court 1757. To son, John, the plantation whereon I now live. To son, Nathaniel, the remainder of my lands. Daughters: Mary Bradord and Patience Bradford. Wife, Sarah. Executors: John Bradford, Joseph Lane. Wit: Samuel Harvy, Jamima Simmons.

Brown, James

. 26 Mar 1773: 25 Mar 1774. To son, James, my plantation. Daughters: Molly, Rachel, Catharine, Sally, Anny. Executor: Benjamin Amason. Wit: James Amason, Jesse Amason, Willliam Amason.

Brown, John

, 13 Mar 1758: June Court 1759. To son, Nathan, my land, still and cyder hogsheads. Son, Hardy. Daughters: Patience Pope, Elisabeth Edwards, Priscilla Brown, Henrietta Brown, Sarah Brown, Olive Brown. Grandson: Bural Shelton. , Patience. Executors: Nathan Brown, Samuel Edwards, Solomon Edwards. Wit: John Pope, George Cradup, Nicholas Dixon. Will was proven in Halifax County.

Bryant, John

, 14 Sep 1734: May Court 1735. , Elizabeth. to son, William Bryant, a tract of land known by the name of Ballards. Sons: Arthur Bryant and David Hopper. Friend, James Turner. Executors: William Bryant, David Hopper (sons). Wit: Robt Redford, Archibald Thompson, Ann Frazier.

Bryant, William

. 21 Sept 1749: Feb Court 1749. Sons: Joseph, William. Daughter, Patience, my house, land and plantation. Daughter, Sarah Myhand. Grandson, James McDaniel. Friend, Thomas Huyandine. Executors: Abram Derw, Edward Brown. Wit: Thos. Pope, Wm Andrews, James Myhand.

Cain, Hardy

. 21 Dec 1754: May Court 1755. Daughter, Isabell Cain the plantation whereon I now live. Daughter, Plurity. Wife/Executrix: Rachel. Brother/Executor: James Cain. Wit: Wallis Jones, James Correll.

Cain, John

. 9 Feb 1755: Feb Court 1757. To sons, Jonathan and Abijah the plantation whereon I now dwell. Daughter, Zipporah. Executor: Jonathan Cain (son). Wit: Jas Dehorty, John Tanner, Rebekah Dehorty.

Clark, Robert

. 12 Dec 1752: Aug Court 1753. Sons: William, Moses, Aaron, Robert, Levi. Daughters: Ann Tatum, Jean Clybun, Mary Duglis, Rachel Etheredg, Agness Etheredg, Hannah Underwood. Wife, Jean. Executos: Thomas Tatum. Wit: Wm Wiggons, Mary Wiggons.

Coker, Caleb

. 11 Jun 1748: Nov Court 1748. , Mary. Sons: Richard, James, Thomas. Daughters: Mary Narron, Ann Brun, Francis Wall, Elizabeth Speir, Sarah Coker, Agnes Coker. Executors: Mary Coker () and James Speir. Wit: Margret Coker, James Coker.

William Coleman

. 29 Dec 1749: Feb Court 1752. Son, Samuel, the plantation whereon I now live. Daughters: Sarah, Susannah. Wife/Executrix: Jane. Executor: Robert Coleman (my brother). Wit: Moses Coleman, Cornelius Jordan, Elin Jordan.

Crocker, Peter

, 24 Oct 1752: Aug Court 1753. Wife, Sarah. Children mentioned. Wit: James Williamson, Thomas Barran, Joseph Bridges. Executors: Francis Williamson and Sarah Crocker (wife).

Dawson, John

. 22 Nov 1748: May Court 1749. Sons: John, Demey, Sollomon. Daughters: Martha, Patience. Wife/Executrix: Mary. Wit: Benjamin Champion, Frances Bythell Haynes.

Dooles, Thomas

. 28 Nov 1756: May Court 1757. To my son, Joseph, the plantation whereon I now live. Son> John. Daughters: Sarah Catteren, Bitha. Wife: Patience. Executors: Joseph Dooles (son), Robert Purrer. Wit: James Myhand, Moses Horne, Robert Puryear, Joseph Dooles.

Edwards, Henry

. 14 Jan 1758: June Court 1758. Sons: Nathan, Britain, Jesse, Samuel, Henry. Wit: Arthur Bowin, John Norwood.

Evans, Charles

of the Tarr River. 1 Jun 1759: June Court 1759. To son, Jacob, land in Beauort County. To sons, Benjamin and Charles, land on the Tar River and Town Creek. Grandchildren: Charles Evans (son of Benjamin), John Evans (son of Charles and Elizabeth), Ann Evans (daughter of Charles and Elizabeth Evans). Wit: John Tison, Charles Evans, Jr.

Gainer, William

. 11 Mar 1746: Nov Court 1750. Wife/Executor: Hester. Sons: William, Joseph. Daughters: Martha, Mary, Lydda, Eliza. Executors: William and Joseph (sons). Wit: John Collins, William Bell, Matthew Lowry.

Gewin, Christopher

. 2 Apr 1748: Feb Court 1749. Son/Executor: Christopher. Daughter/Executrix: Mary Harrell. Grandsons: Lot, Abell and Christopher Harrell. Wit: James Braswell, Benjamin Braswell, Abraham Dew.

Haywood, John

. 18 Feb 1758: June Court 1758. Brothers: Robert, William and Sherwood Haywood. Sisters: Deborah and Mary Haywood. Father not named. Executgor: Egbert Haywood. Wit: Robert Warren, Joseph Pope, Samuel Pitman.

Haywood, John

. 23 Jul 1756: Dec Court 1758. Sons: William, John, Egbert and Harwood. Daughters: Deborah and Mary Haywood, 213 acres of land. All six children named as executors. Wit: Edward Crowell, Wm Campbell, Thomas Merrit.

Hilliard, Robert

. 13 Apr 1743: May Court 1751. Heirs: Jacob Hilliard, Robert Hilliard and Jeremiah Hilliard the plantation on the falls of the Teare (Tar) River; Samsone Hilliard, Mary Hilliard (all children of Jeremiah Hilliard); William Hilliard, Jeames Hilliard (sons of William Hilliard). Wife, Charety. Executors: William Hilliard, Osborne Jeffreys. Wit: Samuel Halliman, William Sirgener, Benj. Boykin.

Hobby, Jacob

. 22 Jan 1758: Sept Court 1758. To son, Mathew, all of my land. Daughters: Rhoda, Sarah, Frances. Wife/Executrix: Jemime. Executor: John Baker. Wit: Andrew Irwing, Bracewell Bridges, Joseph Kelley.

Howell, Joseph

. 10 Jan 1749: May Court 1750. Sons: Joseph and Thomas, land on Herricks Creek. Daughters; Mary, Murphrey, Martha. Wife/Executrix: Margett. Executors: Joseph Howell (son), Coll. J. Dawson, Robert Ruffin, Thomas Howell, Joseph Henderson. Wit: Jos. Williamson, Jas. Barran, Thos. Barran.

Jones, Francis

. 14 Jan 1750: Aug Court 1755. Sons: Nathaniel and Tingnall, land on Crabtree Creek in Johnston County. To son, John, land on Crabtree Creek. To Matthew, land on Swift Creek in Johnston County. To Francis, land on Jackit Swamp in Edgecombe County. Sons: Albridgton and Ridley. Son-in-law: John Cullers, land on Crabtree Creek. Daughters: Judith Wilson, Mary Cullers, Lucy Jones, Bette Day Jones, Lydia Jones, Jemima Jones. Executors: Mary Jones (wife); Nathaniel Jones (son). Wit: Thos. Wiggins, Francis Drake.

Jones, Isam

. 24 Apr 1753: Nov Court 1753. , Mary. Daughter, Creacy. Executor: Wallis Jones. Wit: Richard Burd, Matthew Jones.

Jones, William

. 27 Nov 1749: Aug Court 1750. Sons: Dreury and Peter, the plantation whereon I now Live. To son, Isam, my grist mill. Arbitrators to divide the land: Thomas Hill, George Nicholson, John Clark, Wallis Jones. Executors: Sarah Jones (wife) and Wallis Jones. Wit: Thomas Thrower, William Atkison, Winnired Atkison.

Keeland, John

. 21 Jan 1752: 24 Mar 1752. Executor/heir: James Carter. Nuncupative last will and testament proven by William Hornsby, William Taylor and Cattren Carter.

Kinchen, William

. 6 Nov 1758: Dec Court 1758. Sons: John (land on the river adjoining Craghil), William (remainder of my land). Daughters: Martha, Elizabeth, Mary, Temperance. Executors: Blake Baker, Henry Dawson (brothers) and John Kinchen (son). Wit: Henry Campbell, Peter Jones, William Moore.

Lane, Joseph

. 6 Dec 1757: Nov Court 1759. Brother: William Lane. Sisters: Faith Bynum, Drewsiller Bryant. Heir: Winired Pope. Executors: John Bradford, Henry Pope. Wit: Benjamin Merryman, Barnabas Lane, David Dickson.

Lee, Richard

. 4 Apr 1756: May Court 1756. Son, Timothy, 100 acres of land on Contenteny Creek. To sons, Arthur, Richard, Solomon, the plantation whereon I now live. Daughters: Elisabeth Lee, Rachel Bradley, Sarrah Horn, Martha Lee. Wit: Absalom Holliman, William Fokes, James Permenter.

McKinney, Mary

. 13 Oct 1754: Nov Court 1754. Sons: John, Barnaby. Daughters: Annjeleany Pope, Mary, Patience and Martha McKinne. Executor: Barnaby Pope. Wit: David Crawley, Wm Gaddy, Robert Belcher.

Merritt, John

. 13 Jan 1757: no probate date. Sons: Thomas, John. Daughters: Pegee, wife of John Stgone; Amee (wife of William Hanby) and Betty Merritt. Wife/Executrix: Mary. Wit: Jno. Haywood, Thos. Merritt.

Mitchell, Randall

. 24 Sep 1756: June Court 1758. Brother: William Mitchell. Daughter-in-law: Elizabeth leavet. Wife/Executrix: Mary. Executor: Aquila Sugg. Wit: Beurleay Belcher, Joseph Howells, Benjamin Mitchell.

Mobley, John

. 5 Aug 1752: May Court 1753. Sons: John, Mordeca, Edward, one negro each. Brother: Edward. Nephew: Samuel Mobley, one negro. /Execurix: Rachell, two negroes. Executor: Edward Mobley, son. Wit: John Williams, John Ward, Lewis Atkins.

Moore, Joseph

. 15 Feb 1753: Feb Court 1757. Sons: Joseph, my plantation in Edgecombe County on Little Swamp and the plantation in Bertie County on Rockquies Swamp. To son, James, land on Conehoe pocoson. To son, Hodges, land on the Conehoe. To sons, Jessee and Ezekiel, my water mill. Daughters: Ann McGee, Martha Hinton, Celia Moore, one negro each. Daughter, Melia Moore. Executors: Ann Moore (wife) and my four sons. Wit: Elizabeth Williams, Mary Whitmill, Wm Williams.

Mulkey, Philip

. 17 Dec 1736: May Court 1737. To son, David, land on Beaver Ponds. To son, Philip, my plantation. Daughters: Jane, Eve, Scarbrough, Judith. Son-in-law: George Laws. Friends, Backley Kimbrough and John Hardy, land at Plumtree. Wife/Executrix: Sarah. Executor: James Smith. Wit: Richard Herring, John Calihan, Jonathan Mulkey.

Murphey, William

. 23 Jan 1736: May Court 1737. Daughters: Mary and Martha, one plantation each and Esther, negroes. Heirs: William Hurst, Joseph Bradshaw. Wife/Executrix: Ann. Executors: John Edwards, Isaac Ricks. Wit: John Pope, Wm Goodwin, John Strickland.

Parker, Francis

. 26 Apr 1746: Aug Court 1757. Sons: Francis, Joseph, Simon, my plantation. Daughters: Elizabeth Foreman, Charity Brett, Catherine Hodges. Wife/Executrix: Elizabeth. Wit: Gerrard Wall, John Knight, Walter McFarlan.

Parker, Simon

. 31 Dec 1758: Mar Court 1759. Sons: Francis, Simon, William, Robert, to each a plantation, and James. Daughters: Judah, Sarah, Winne, Charitie and Ruth Parker. Wife, Judith. Executors: Francis Parker (brother) and James Knight (brother-in-law). Wit: Charles Daniell, Girrard Wall, Mary Cullender.

Pasmore, John

. 19 May 1754: Nov Court 1754. Sons: George, John, Robert, Joseph. Daughters: Elizabeth Sammon, Sarah Pasmore. Wife: Sarah. Executors: George and John Pasmore (sons). Wit: John Jackson, Moses Pendry, James Samon.

Pirent, James

. 7 Mar 1757: May Court 1757. Son, James, the plantation whereon I now live. Daughters: Tation, Mary, Sarah. Executors: Arthur and Joshua Bell. Wit: James Hogan, Joshua Bell, William Holloway.

Pitman, Benjamin

. 3 Aug 1755: May Court 1756. Sons: Moses, Micah, Samson, Jacob. Daughters: Patience Faulk, Mary Bottom, Abigal Pitman, Lucy Pitman, Cela Pitman, Jemima Pitman. Wife/Executrix: Ann. Wit: John Streater, John Jameson, John Murphree.

Pitman, Thomas

. 4 Apr 1754: Feb Court 1755. Sons: Lot, Thomas and seven others. Daughers, two mentioned. Brothers: Robert and Ambrose Pittman (executors). Wife: Anne. Wit: Jno Hopkins, Ambrose Pitman, John Fort.

Pope, William

of Isle of Wight County, Virginia. 15 Jan 1749: Feb Court 1749. Sons: Jacob (three negroes), West and Stephen (one negro each). Daughters: Rebecca Pope and Julian Newson. Grandsons: William Taylor (two negroes), William Pope (my plantation). Executors; Jacob Pope (son) and Joseph Newsom (son-in-law). Wit: Henry West, Joseph pearce, Arthur Wall, John Jordan.

Price, Thomas

. 24 Aug 1750: May Court 1751. Sons: William, Thomas, John. Daughters: Elizabeth and Rachel. not named. Wit: John Hooks, William Raddam, John Hooks, Jr.

Puryear, Robert

. 25 Dec 1758: June Court 1759. To son, Robert, my plantation. Son, William. Daughters: Mary, Margaret, Elizabeth, Ann. Wife/Executrix: Frances. Executor: Moses Horne. Wit: William Hobgood, Rachel Taner.

Rawlings, Benjamin

. 10 Dec 1738: February Court 1738. Heirs: Robert Lockalear, David Coltraine, Edward Kearny (son of Thomas and Sarah), James Flood, Benjamin Hill, Jr. (son of Benjamin and Sarah), Henry Hill, Sarah Kearny, Elizabeth Alston, William Alston, Elizabeth Williams ( o Samuel). Executors: Thos. Kearny, David Coltraine. Wit: Samuel Williams, R. Whittington, William Lee.

Richards, Richard

. 23 Oct 1758: Dec Court 1758. Sons: John, Jesse, Richard. Wife/Executrix: Rebecca. Executor: David Crawley. Wit: Wm Kinchen, Wm Hayes, John Green.

Ricks, Isaac

. 11 Mar 1748: 28 Oct 1748. Sons: Abraham, Robert, John, two negroes each. Daughters: Mary Pope and Martha Ricks. Wife/Executrix: Sarah. Wit: John Crowell, Richard Richards.

Robertson, Henry

. 23 Jun 1749: Feb Court 1752. Sons: Higdon, Henry, Peter, Lewis (executor). Daughter: Deborah Robertson. Wit: A. J. Smith, William Ogilvie, Christopher Ogilvie.

Sanders, William

. 5 Jun 1756: eb Court 1757. Son, Henry, land on Panther Branch. Son, William, the Mannor plantation. The land called Simmonses Neck is to be sold. Wife and daughters not named. Executors: Joseph Shaw, Jr., John Bradord, Tristrim Lowther and Solomon Williams. Wit: Wm Irby, John Grice, Wm Hornsby.

Shelley, John Philip

. 28 Jun 1749: Aug Court 1749. Son, Philip, land on Swift Creek and four negroes. To son, Daniel, land on Swift Creek at the mouth of Tumbling Run and two negroes. Daughter, Judith Shelley, two negroes. Executor: Thomas Mann. Wit: William Smithes, Jeremiah Malpass, Margaret Terry.

Simmons, Edward

. 5 Oct 1735: Nov Court 1735. Daughters: Elizabeth and Jane Holley, Tomazin and Hannah. Grandchildren: John and Mary Jackson. Wife/Executrix: Mary. Wit: Andrew Johnson, Francis Johnson, Ben. Rawlins.

Smith, Richard

. 17 Dec 1756: May Court 1757. Sons: Richard, Stephen and William, to each 73 acres o land, Benjamin (my plantation). Wife/Executrix: Sarah. Wit: John Doyle, Charles Dodson.

Smith, Thomas

. 10 Mar 1757: May Court 1757. Wife/Executrix: not named. Executor: Benjamin Haile. Wit: John and Susana Jones.

Syms, William

. 24 Oct 1755: no probate. Daughter: Sarah Whooper my lantation lying on Kehukey. Son: William . Executor: John Whitaker. Wit: Thos. Taylor, Mary Tree, Xtr. Haynes.

Tatum, Nathaniel

. 9 Noc 1750: Feb Court 1750. Sons: Edward, Nathaniel, Peter, Jose. Daughter: Rebecker Tatum. Divide all land between children. Wife/Executrix: Elizabeth. Wit: James Cane, Ellener Wever, Rebecca Cane.

Taylor, Robert

. Sep Court 1758. Sons: Robert and Edward (one shilling each), Joseph, William, Henry, Richard, Thomas, Billington, Nimrod, Hudson. Daughters: Judith and Rachel Taylor, Ann Huse. Wife/Executrix: Ann. Wit: William Hudson, James Vaux, Wm Hudson, Jr.

Thomas, Joseph

. 24 Oct 1757: June Court 1758. Daughters: Mary, Priscilla and Charity Thomas, each lands on Pigg Basket Creek and one negro and to my daughter, Morning, my plantation. /Executrix: Mourning. Executor: John Thomas (brother). Wit: Micajah Thomas, William Defnall, Mourning Thomas.

Thomas, Luke

. 20 Jun 1751: Aug Court 1751. Brother/Executor: Jacob Thomas (my plantation eith one negro). Sister: Mary Thomas (one negro). Heir: Ezekiel Keel. Wit: Edward Brown, John Tanner, Elizabeth Keel.

Turner, Henry

. 20 Jan 1748: Feb Court 1748. Sons: Joseph and Thomas, land on Cattale Marsh; Solomon, land on Deep Creek. Daughters: Sarah, Mary, Ollif (one negro each). /Executrix: Mary (three negroes). Executor: Matthew Joyner. Wit: Matthew Joyner, James Harris, Marmaduke Norfleet.

Wall, Sarah

. 2 Nov 1754: June Court 1756. Sons: Henry, Arthur, John. Grandson: William French. Daughter: Faith. Executor: son, John Wall. Wit: Henry, Elizabeth and Sihon Horn.

Warren, Robert

. Probated June Court 1759. Daughters: Mary Warren, Sarah, Jane and Milsson Warren. Wife/Executrix: Margret. Executor: George Dawkins. Wit: B enjamin Merryman, William Lane.

West, William

. 26 Nov 1749: Feb Court 1749. Son/Executor: William, lands on Rocky Swamp, together with the water mill. Brother: Henry West. Nephew: William West, son of Henry. Daughter; Mary Williams. Wit: Wallis Jones, John Long, Joel Jones.

Williams, George

. 19 Jul 1758: June Court 1759. Sons: George (my plantation), Samuel (land on Deer Creek bought of William Whitehead). Daughter: Cloe. Deceased sister: Lucretia Williams. Wife/Executrix: Priscilla. Wit: George Cradup, Moses Baker, John Norwood.

Williams, John

. Aug Court 1737. Wife/Executrix: Ann. Sons: John, Joshua. Daughter: mary. Wit: Henry Tanton, Thomas Carta.