James Holland was my 7th great-grandfather. The phonetic spelling is interesting in this will. Clearly, they pronounced "kind" as "coind." This sounds Irish to me, and according to this Wikipedia article, the name Holland may derive from Houlihan, and variant is found in County Cork. There are no given names in the family that sound … Continue reading Will of James Holland of Wake County, North Carolina, 22 November 1787
Tag: Slave Names
Will of George Peay of Rockingham County, North Carolina, 7 June 1803
George Peay was my 6th great grandfather. He was born in King William County, Virginia in 1734, and died in Rockingham County, North Carolina in 1804. The Elias Peay mentioned in the will is my 5th great grandfather. Will of George Peay written 7 June 1803 and Proven in August Court 1804. Book A, page … Continue reading Will of George Peay of Rockingham County, North Carolina, 7 June 1803
Will of Mary Whitnel Parker of Davidson County, Tennessee, 29 February 1832
Mary was my 5th great-grandmother. Her maiden name is usually listed as Whitnel, however, I have no primary source for this information. She was probably born in North Carolina. Her husband was Charles Parker. In her will, dated 29 February 1832, she mentioned my 4th great-grandmother, Dicey Parker Lanier, and Dicey's husband John Lanier. She … Continue reading Will of Mary Whitnel Parker of Davidson County, Tennessee, 29 February 1832
Will of Robert Lanier of Tyrell District, North Carolina, 20 Sep 1744
Robert Lanier was my 7th great-grandfather. He was born in Barbados about 1674, and died about 1745 in North Carolina. I copied this will text from NC Genweb. See slave names in bold below. In the name of God Amen. The twentieth Day of September in the year of our Lord God Everlasting one thousand … Continue reading Will of Robert Lanier of Tyrell District, North Carolina, 20 Sep 1744
Two Wiggins Connections
Still sorting through my notes from the DAR library. I had found a an odd fact in a book called "Edgecombe County Kinfolks:" DB 16-315 Maria Bembry was daughter of John Wiggins, July 25 1814 What? Well, some Googling led to this deed abstract: Edge. Co. Db 16, page 315, date of deed July 1814, … Continue reading Two Wiggins Connections
Oh Dear, Found Another Scoundrel Hiding In The Branches
While looking up an estate file for Richard Dicken, father-in-law of Thomas Bembry, I found this court case involving Kenneth Bembry, the wealthiest of the four sons of Miles Bembry. Now I know how he got so rich. Kenneth became guardian (presumably after the death of Elias Bryan) to the three youngest sons of Richard … Continue reading Oh Dear, Found Another Scoundrel Hiding In The Branches
Will of Robert Hodges of Bertie County, North Carolina, 30 March 1740
I think the vernacular speech of this will is kind of awesome. North Carolina State Archives Secretary of State Papers In the Name of God Amen. The Thirty day of March 1740, I Roburt Hogges of the County of Bartie being in good health and perfect sences and memory. Thanks be unto God their fore … Continue reading Will of Robert Hodges of Bertie County, North Carolina, 30 March 1740
Thomas Bembry
Thomas Bembry, son of Miles Bembry, was born about 1799, in North Carolina, probably Martin County. He moved with his parents to Edgecombe County, and is found there with his own household, and a small farm with six slaves on the 1830 census. His first wife is unknown, but he married her between 1815 and 1820. … Continue reading Thomas Bembry
Will of Needham Bryan of Martin County, North Carolina, 11 March 1797
Martin County Will Book page 343; 11 March 1797. Will of Needham Bryan, Martin County, NC, 1797 In the name of God Amen I Nedam Bryan of the County of Martin and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and Memory Calling to mind the uncertainty of this Transitory life Do make and Ordain … Continue reading Will of Needham Bryan of Martin County, North Carolina, 11 March 1797
A Long Way to Tennessee 