EARLY NORTH CAROLINA WILL
ABSTRACTS
1900 North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Register
Compiled from the originals in the office of the Secretary Of State at Raleigh, N.C. The later date indicates the day of probate. They are arranged alphabetically by surname. In some cases, county is not named.
SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH A
Abercrombie, Hannah, Pasquotank. August 12, 1754, Jan. Court 1755.
Daughter Catherine Chamberlain, granddaughter Lucy Chamberlain, grandson
Jeremiah Chamberlain, grandsons Jeremiah Everton and William Everton,
granddaughter Hannah Everton, grandsons Edwin Everton and James Everton,
granddaughter Courtney Chamberlain, granddaughter Aby Chamberlain, daughter
Catherine Chamberline Executrix. Test. Thos. Taylor, William
Coale.
Abington, Joseph. Jan. 2, 1734-5. Probated July Court 1735, son William, daughter Mary, Henry Wood, executor.
Abington, Thomas, Pasquotank. Nov. 13, 1707, Dec. 28, 1707. Mary
Pope daughter –in-law to Francis Delamare, granddaughter Mary Tully, George
Ellis, Charles Griffin, Tobias Knight, John Palin, Thos. Palin, Mrs. Elizabeth
Hecklefield, Tobias Knight, John and Thos. Palin Executors. Test. John
Hecklefield, Francis Gilbert, Mary Cookoo.
Abraham Adams. Dec. 18, 1734, son James Adams, son Joseph, wife Anne, daughter Sarah.
Adams, Abraham,Sr., Oct. 3, 1733, March 13, 1733-34. Sons Abram,
Richard, Willowby, and William, daughter Abia, wife Bathia Executrix. Test.
Phillip Shute, Mary Shute, John Collison.
Adams, Abraham. Son Abraham, son Richard, son William, son
Willoby, wife Barthia, Mar. 13, 1733, probated Mar. 27,
1734.
Adams, Charles, Newbern. Mar. 20, 1757, Apr. 20, 1757. All my
estate to my wife Margarett, whom I appoint Executrix. Test. J. Vail, Nath’l
Richardson, Vinyard Bond.
Adams, James. Feb. 17, 1733, probated July 1734, son Abraham, son
James, son Emanuel, son John, son Thomas, daughter Martha, daughter Rachel,
daughter Mary, child of Rachel.
Adams, John, Bath. Feb. 17, 1733-34. Sons Abraham, James Emanuel,
John and Thomas, daughters Rachel, Martha, and Mary, sons Abraham and James
Executors. Test. Olive Blackburn, John Aldershire, Robert
Sharples.
Adams, John, York, Massachusetts Bay. June 6, 1750. Joseph Balch,
John Gewel, Francis Stringer, Wiliam Heritage, wife Mary, my children, wife and
Jos. Balch Executors. Test. Jer. Vail, Gershon Spear, Rd.
Lovett.
Adams, Margaret, Newburn. July 1765, Bernard Parkinson, whom I
also appoint Executor. Test. Mary Hawks, Ambrose Bayley, Perigan
Cox.
Adams, Matthew, Chowan. Aug. 9, 1708, Nov. 26, 1708, son Matthew,
daughter Ellinor, wife Sarah Executrix. Test. Thos. Blount, James
Bonner.
Adams, Peter, Chowan. Dec. 13, 1745, Mar. 31, 1746. Brother John
Adams and his children, sister Mary Mounie of Crediton in Devinshire, Great
Britain, wife Sarah, son John, brother John of Wrentham, New England, Wm.
Hoskins, Henry Bonner, and John Lewis Executors. Test. Wm. Luten, Wm.
Lewis.
Adams, Roger. Lucy Green, property bequeathed to me by her late
father, John Green, wife Frances Executrix. Gov. Gabriel Johnson, Sam’l
Woodward, Robt. Hamilton, James Merry, and James Jones, assistants. Test. Robert
Knowles, Jas. Menzies. Probated Aug. 1739, county not
stated.
Addison, Richard, Scuppernong, Tyrrell. Aug. 2, 1720, January
Court 1724. Wife Sarah, whom I also appoint Executrix, Test. Sam’l Spruell,
Robert Fewox, Chas. Craddock.
Aheir, John, Onslow. Wife Elizabeth, son William, daughter
Elizabeth, wife Executrix. Test. Stephen Howard, Stephen Howard Jr., Jan. 19,
1744-45, Oct. 1746.
Albertson, Albert Sr., Perquimans. Feb. 10, 1701, Apr. 14, 1702.
Sons Peter, Nathan, Albert, and Esau, son Peter’s wife Ann, son Nathaniel, sons
Peter and Nathaniel Executors. Test. John Falconer, Nat’l Richard
son.
Albertson, Isaac, Pasquotank. Feb. 12, 1759, March Court, 1759.
Wife Jemima, daughter Ruth. Test. Thomas Craghill, Isaac Litton, Sarah
Martin.
Albertson, Joshua, Perquimans. Son Francis, wife Mary, daughters
Elizabeth, Mary and Penelope, wife, brothers Aaron and William Alderson,
Executors. 5th day, 8th month, 1753, Oct. Court 1753.
Test. Phineas Nixon, Nathaniel Albertson, Jno.
Audeyon.
Albertson, Mary. Son Albert Albertson, granddaughter Mary
Albertson, grandson John Albertson, my granddaughter Elizabeth Albertson, son
Nathaniel Albertson, his daughter Elizabeth, Jan. 10,
1720-1.
Albertson, Nathaniel, Feb. 13, 1752, Jan. Court 1752-53. Sons
Joshua, and William, William’s grandfather Samuel Nicholson, daughter Hannah,
grandsons Benj. and Chalkey Albertson, sons of William, daughter Elizabeth
Newby, son Aaron, daughter Lydia Trueblood, sons Joshua, William, and Aaron
Executors. Test. Joshua Perisho, James Henbe, Mary
Morris.
Alderson, Simon, Beaufort. No date. Son Levi, daughter Sarah,
Thos. Cooper and his wife Jenny, son John, daughter Elizabeth, wife Elizabeth
Roben. Test. Robert Howard, William Martin, James
Crandall.
Alderson, Simon, Jan. 9, 1712-13, son Simon, daughter Jane
Averidge, daughter Elizabeth Martin, wife Elizabeth
Alderson.
Alderson, Simon. Probated December court 1740, eldest son Levi, daughter Sarah son John, daughter Elizabeth, wife Elizabeth. Will mentions a sawmill.
Aldridge, John, Bath. Dec. 28, 1705, Apr. 2, 1706. Wife Dorothy,
whom I also appoint Executrix. Test. A. Slocumb, Rich’d Smith. Probated at Court
held at the house of Wm. Barrow.
Alexander, Anthony, Tyrrell. July 29, 1746, sons Anthony and
Joseph, daughter Ann, sons Samule and Benjamin, daughters Rachel and Priscilla,
son Isaac, daughter Sarah, son-in-law Thomas Bateman, sons John and Gideon,
daughter Jane, my four youngest daughters Naome, Casiah, Jane and Selah, son
Joshua Executor. Test. Benj. Bidgood, Thos. Best, Christian
Alexander.
Alford, Ann, Little River, Perquimans. Apr. 16, 1691.
Father-in-law, Chas. Jones, Tabyther Alford, Sarah Alford, my children, Chas.
Jones Executor. Test. John Huntt, William Pindor, Hannah
Wood.
Alford, Jabez, of Chawan. July 9, 1705, George Taylor, Esayah Henly.
Alford, Joseph, Albemarle. Dec. 18, 1689. Wife Ann, whom I appoint
Executrix. Test. Charles Jones, John Barbee, Ludford
Juy.
Allday, Thomas, Bertie.Son-in-law Wm. Coward, his brother Benj.
Coward, William and Thomas Highman, Mrs. Dianah Sanderlin, Henry Hunter and John
Smith Executors. Mar. 16, 1754, May Court 1754. Test. Thos. Hyman, Moses Hunter,
John Brogden.
Allen, Andrew, Newbern. Oct. 29, 1762, Nov. 15, 1762. Thos.
Wallton son of John and Hannah in the county of Kent Maryland, Grace Meers wife
of Elisha Meers, Grace being the daughter of Stephen Walton of Accomack County,
Va., wife Priscilla daughter of Jacon Van Pelt in Craven County, N. C., friends
Joseph Parker and Gilbert Ker, brother-in-law John Van Pelt, Jaco Van Pelt,
wife, and Gilbert Ker, Executors. Test. Anyhony Van Pelt, Frederick Gibble, Ann
Gibble.
Allen, Eleazer, New Hanover. Jan. 1, 1742, wife, nephews and
nieces William, Daniel, and Catherine Willard, children of Josiah Willard of
Boston, sister Catherine Willard, mother Sarah Trott of South Carolina, wife
Sarah sole Executrix. Test. Susanna Hassell, James Hassell, E. Moseley. James
Hassell and Nath’l Rice assistant Executors.
Allen, George (Doctor) of Edenton. Son Arthur, daughter Ann Allen,
Wm. Buckwood, probated Mar. 3, 1734.
Allen, Hugh of Chowan. July 5, 1752, wife Elizabeth, sons Joshua
and John, daughters Elce, Mary and Sarah, wife and her brother Joseph Spivey
Executors. Test. Richard Bond, Richard Stallings, James
Bond.
Allen, James, Edgecombe. Dec. 4, 1733. Feb. Court 1733-34. James
Kelly. John Nairne Executor. Test. William Cell, Ann Stone, John
Stone.
Allen, John. July 9, 1736. Probated Aug. 1736, wife Elizabeth,son William, son Richard, daughter Martha, daughter Catherine, and daughter Margaret.
Allen, Sarah, widow of Eleazer, Wilmington. Thomas Frankland of
South Carolina, niece Mrs. Sarah Frankland, niece Mrs. Mary Jane Dry, my nieces
daughters of my sister Moore, viz. Mrs. Sarah Smith of Charleston S. C., Mrs.
Harlston of the same place, and Mrs. Hannah Swan of Cape Fear, my grandnieces
Miss Mary Frankland and Harriet Frankland, my grandniece Miss Rebecca Dry,
grandniece Miss Susanna Hassell, grandniece Mary Hassell, Mrs. Dr Rossett Sr.,
friend William Dry, James Murray, William Dry and Henry Hyrne Executors. In case
of death of either, Fred’k Jones to be substituted, and next Benj. Hyrne.
William Bampfield exevutor of that part of my estate in Sauth Carolina. Jan. 5,
1761, Apr. 1, 1761. Test. George Moore, Elizabeth De Rossett, James
Colson.
Alligood, Richard, Beaufort. Jan. 22, 1755, Sept. 19, 1755, son
Hilery Lytea Alligood, son William, Matthew Bauer, sons William and Hilery
Executors. Test. Geo. Jenkins, Martha Jenkins, John
Alligood.
Alston, John, Feb, 22, 1755, Dec. 2, 1758. Sons, Solomon, William,
and Phillip, daughter Mary Seward, daughter Elizabeth Williams, daughter Sarah
Kearney, daughter Charity Dawson, wife Mary, grandson John Alston, son of
Solomon, Elizabeth, daughter of W. M. Alston, granddaughter Pattie daughter of
Joseph John Alston, grandson William son of Phillip Alston, John Alston son of
James, son James. Test. Seabrook Wilson, Thomas Byrd, Joseph
Parker.
Alston, Joseph John, Halifax.(footnote says he was a son of John
Alston on Chowan) Jan. 5, 1780, Sugust Term 1781. Sons John and Phillip,
daughter Pattie Merony, son William, son Willis, grandsons, grandsons John,
Joseph and William, sons of William, grandson Joseph John, son of William, his
brother William, son Henry, daughter Mary Palmer, John Cooper, daughter Uphan
Wilson Cooper, son Joseph John, grandson Joseph John Alston,son of John,
grandson John Alston, son of Phillip, sons John, Phillip, William, Willis and
Henry, daughters Pattie and Euphen Wilson Cooper, Wesley Jones, Solomon
Williams, William Alston son of Phillip, James Alston, John Jones and son Joseph
John Alston Executors. Test. Robert Green, John Green, Wiley Green.
Amblers, William, Periquimans. Apr. 7, 1745, 3d Wed. July 1745.
Brother Richard Ambler of Yorktown, Virginia, John Stevenson of this county for
his son William, Zachariah Nixon and his wife, Eliza and Henry Phelps, John
Barclift for his son Demsey, Mrs. Elizabeth Williams, Benj. Baptist, Elizabeth,
wife of Zachariah Nixon, Joseph, Thomas and Sarah Stevenson. John Stevenson,
Executor. Test. Sam’l Scolley, Wm. Harold, Francis
Leyden.
Ambrose, David, Chowan, July 14, 1745, Aug. 1, 1745. Wife Susanna,
sons David, Jesse, and Israel, daughters, Mary, Susannah and Mourning, speaks of
plantation where David Bush lives and bequeaths it to sons David, Jesse and
Israel, son William, wife Executrix, Proved before Enoch Hall, Chief Justice.
Test. Jacob Previtt, David Bush, James Craven.
Anderson, Carolus, Northampton. Daughter Rachel Warren, land
bought of Capt. William Baker, grandson Carolus Warren, daughter Mary Anderson,
daughter Sarah Anderson, wife Executrix. Feb. 10, 1752, Feb. Court 1753. Test.
Nicholas Boon, William Boon.
Anderson, Elizabeth, widow of John Anderson, Perquimans. May 25,
1757, Jan. Court 1760. Son John, daughter Abigail Charles, son Samuel,
granddaughter Elizabeth Henbe, grandson William Arnold, granddaughter Sarah
Henbe, grandson Joshua Albertson, son of Elihu, William Arnold, son John and Wm.
Albertson Executors. Test. Sam’l Anderson, John Boswell, Joseph
Boswell.
Anderson, Elizabeth. Nov. 5, 1732, probated Dec. 24, 1733, son James, son Carolus, daughter Elizabeth Pitman, daughter Elizabeth Anderson, Elizabeth Pitman's son, Wm. Anderson, daughter Sarah Anderson, granddaughter Elizabeth Anderson, granddaughter Sarah Anderson.
Anderson, George, Granville. July 6, 1757, St. John’s Parish, wife
Mary, daughter Eave Anderson, George, son of my brother William Anderson, son
George, Elizabeth daughter of John Underwood, wife Mary and Osborne Jeffreys
Executors. Test. John Brazer, William Anderson, Thomas
Smith.
Anderson, James, Perquimans. Feb. 13, 1741-42, Dec. 14, 1742. Son
James and John, my friend Richard Skinner and son John Executors. Test. Thos.
Jessope, Thos. Bateman.
Anderson, John, Perquimans, Jan. 27, 1744-45. Friend Christopher
Sutton, Jane Mullen, Abraham Mullen’s children, Christopher Sutton and Abraham
Mullen Executors. Mary Mullen, daughter of Abraham. Mar. 5, 1740. Test. George
Wood, Ellender Mullen.
Anderson, Joseph, Edenton. Daughter Mary, wife Ann (footnote says
she was former Mrs. Ann Martin of Bertie), daughter-in-law Lucy Martin, Ann
infant daughter of my Daughter-in-law Agnes Martin, brother Rev. James Anderson
at or near Lundy, sister Margaret Anderson in Bonnetown near Leith. Dec. 24,
1750, third Thursday, Jan. 1750-51. Test. Peter Payne, John
McKildo.
Anderson, Joseph, Perquimans, 23rd, 7th
month, 1751, Oct. Court 1751. Daughter Elizabeth, child in “esse”, wife and
Zachariah Nixon, Executors. Test. Silvanus Henbe, Samuel
Anderson.
Andras, Thomas.Bertie. Mar. 31, 1737. Robert Bell.
Andrews, Warren, Tyrrell. May 4, 1772, Feb. 28, 1774. Son Edmund
for use of my daughter Millie Blount and her children during the life of her
husband Thomas Blount, grandson Benj. Blount, daughter Martha Pearce and her son
Lovick Pearce, daughter Elizabeth Andrews, sons Etheldred and Levi, wife Sarah,
sons Edmund, Etheldred and Levi Executors. Test. Wm. Ellis, John Sherrod, Ruben
Sherrod.
Andrews, John. Rowan. Oct. 3, 1756, wife, Agnes, children James, John and Janet.
Anesley, Solomon, Tyrrell. Daughters Sarah, Mary, Elizabeth, and
Ann, sons John and Joseph, daughters Rachael and Easter, wife Sarah. Aug. 27,
1750, March Court 1751. Test. Samuel Spruell, Matthew, Carswell, Sam’l Spruell
Jr.
Anolyne or Aredine, Peter, of Bertie. Mar. 14, 1710, son Henry,
daughter Ann, son Peter, Jno. Anolydne, and Thos. Pollock Executors. Test.
Lawrence Satson, John Jones, Robert West, Thos.
Ashley.
Ansell, James. Sept. 12, 1738. Probated Apr. 1, 1740, John Ansell, daughter Sarah Roberts, grandson, James Roberts.
Ansell, John, Currituck. Apr. 6, 1753, March Court 1755. Son John,
wife, son William, grandson James Ansell, son Nathan, daughter Sarah’s children,
son Caleb, daughter Lebasta, daughter Mary, son John Executor. Test. Caleb
White, Joshua White, Paul Elison.
Ardene, John. 1712, kinsman Wm. Duckinfield.
Arenton, Christopher, Chowan. Apr. 22, 1753, July 1753. Daughter
Abigail Hubberd, son William, wife Sarah, my six children. Robert Beasley, Thos.
White, and Thos. Pierce to divide my estate. Test. Mary Creecy, Thos. Pierce,
John Fennele.
Arenton, William, Craven. Wife Mary, children Rebecca, Mary, and
Leah. Henry Sheppard Executor. Jan. 23, 1761. Test. Edmund Hatch, Martin
Sheppard.
Arlow, James, Wilmington. Dec. 27, 1757, Feb. Court, 1758. Nephew
John Arlow, wife Bridget. Benj. Morrison and wife Executors. Test. Ben. Wheatly,
Arthur Mabson, John Jones.
Armour, John, Pasquotank. April 3, 1729, son John, wife Elizabeth
( a footnote says she was a daughter of David Bailey and married second Simon
Bryan), daughters Ann and Mary.
Armour, John. Pasquotank. March 1, 1728 - 9, John Davis former wife's brother. Son John, daughter Ann, daughter Mary, William Davis brother of my former wife, wife and her father David Bailey, Exectutors.
Armour, William of Pasquotank, Thomas Armour, sonof Elizabeth, my
wife Elizabeth Armour, Ashley Evans, son of Theophilus Armour, my mother, Robert
Armour, John Armour, Ann Meads, Wm. Brothers youngest child, Dec. 13, 1719, probated
Jan. 1719-20.
Armstrong, James, 22 --- 1685. Friend Richard Graye. Test. Henry
White, William Jarson, Nov. 1685.
Armstrong, John, Currituck. Wife Afiah and her children, wife
Executrix. Mar. 28, 1753, March Court, 1755. Test. Thomas Williams, Joshua
Brent, Lucy Pitt.
Arnell, Edmund,Chowan. Apr. Court 1752. Wife Pleasant, daughter
Hannah Stallings, son Edward Executor. Test. John Sumner, Richard Brothers,
Abcilla Webb.
Arnold, John, Perquimans, Apr. 11, 1735, July 1, 1735. Wife
Elizabeth, son John, child in “esse”, daughters Elizabeth and Sarah, wife and
Samuel Parsons Executors. Test. James Gibson, William
Arnell.
Arnold, John. Prequimans Co. Apr. 11, 1735, probated July 21, 1735, son John, daughter Elizabeth, daughter Sarah, wife Elizabeth.
Arnold, Joseph, Perquimans. Nov. 30, 1751, daughter Mary, brothers
Lawrence Arnold and William Arnold Executors.
Arnold, Lawrence. Dec. 14, 1690, son John, wife (not named), Lawrence Gedfrey.
Arrington, William, Northampton. July 11, 1750, Feb. Court 1752.
Sons Briggs and William, James Ross son of Sarah, friend Nathan Williams,
Elizabeth Riggin daughter of Daniel, Col. John Dawson and Nathan Williams
Executors. Test. Henry Dawson, John Pitman, John
Brock.
Arthur, John, Chowan. May 29, 1735, October Court 1735. William
Falaw, Jacob Privit, John Hanah, Thomas and Constant Luten, Executors. Test.
William Goldsberry, Humphrey Webb, Edward
Howcutt.
Arthur, John, Craven. Jan. 7, 1750-51, Mar. 2, 1750-51. Eldest son
John in Maryland, son James in Craven, wife Bridget, sons Matthew and William,
daughters Ann and Mary, wife and son Matthew, Executors. Test. Chas. Evitt,
Robert Moore, Amacy Moore.
Asbell, Richard. Executed Sept. 15, 1695, wife (not named),
daughter Mary, child in "esse", all my children, Wm. Privett, and Wm. Charleton
(note-Chowan names)
Ashe, John Baptista. Nov. 2, 1731, codicil Oct. 16, 1734, probated
Nov. 15, 1740, son Samuel, son John, daughter Mary, brother Samuel
Swann.
Ashley, John, Anson. Feb. 19, 1759. Sons John and Francis,
daughter Mary Ann Franks, Euliner Sutton, daughter Rose Touchstone, son William,
daughter Sarah Ashley, saon Turden, wife Mary Executrix. Test. Richard
Yarborough, Christopher Touchstone.
Askew, John. Oct. 18, 1712, brother Nicholas Askew, son William,
son Joseph, daughters Sarah, Nelly, Mary, brother Nicholas Askew
executor.
Avelin, Peter. Mar. 14, 1710, probated Nov. 1, 1712, sons Henry,
Peter, and John, daughter Anne.
Avent, Thomas, Northampton, apr. 15, 1751, Feb. Court 1752.
Brother William Avent, wife Viola, my children. Test. Richard Moore, John
Davis.
Avery, John, Hyde. Oct. 27, 1740. Wife, Jane, Martha Smith, Agnes
Slade wife of Ebenezer Slade, Thomas, William and Samuel Smith, sons of John
Smith, Sr., Lydia Russell wife of Benjamin Russell, Elizabeth Smith, widow,
Elizabeth Smith daughter of John, Dorcas Smith daughter of John, Dorcas Worldly,
John Smith son of John Sr., James Avery, Gilbert McNary, cousin Kezia Hadley,
Elizabeth Collins daughter of Uriah Collins, Foster Avery of Virginia, Jno.
Smith Sr., and Jr. and Foster Jervis Executors. Test. Uriah Collins, William
Silvester, William Giddens.
Alston, John.
James R. Baker, Jr.