Tag: Slavery

Will of William Hobbs of Wake County, North Carolina, 27 May 1788

~ Kelly ~ 2 Comments

William Hobbs was my 5th great grandfather on the Cole side. The John Cole mentioned in this will is another 5th great grandfather: his son Loyd married Hobb's daughter, Betsy, and moved to Benton County, Tennessee to found an enormous clan of Coles. I've left the original spelling in this will because it shows how … Continue reading Will of William Hobbs of Wake County, North Carolina, 27 May 1788

Will of Lewis Lashley of Wake County, North Carolina, 31 January 1815

~ Kelly ~ 2 Comments

Lewis Lashley was my 6th great grandfather. I am fairly certain that the "Holleman" men named in the will are most likely Hollands, as Lewis' wife was Mary Holland and they all lived near each other.  A slave woman, Nell, is named in this will.  She is not found on 1800 census, and I can't … Continue reading Will of Lewis Lashley of Wake County, North Carolina, 31 January 1815

Will of James Holland of Wake County, North Carolina, 22 November 1787

~ Kelly ~ 1 Comment

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

Will of George Peay of Rockingham County, North Carolina, 7 June 1803

~ Kelly ~ 2 Comments

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

~ Kelly ~ 1 Comment

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

~ Kelly ~ 2 Comments

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

Oh Dear, Found Another Scoundrel Hiding In The Branches

~ Kelly ~ 2 Comments

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

~ Kelly ~ Leave a comment

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