Wills and Estate Settlements
Will of William Hunter, Nansemond Co., Va., d. before 1729
The will of William Hunter is lost, probably destroyed in one of the Nansemond courthouse fires. It was mentioned when William’s son Nicholas sold his brother William 120 acres near Meherrin Swamp, a bequest their father’s will had made to Nicholas—”descended to Nics Hunter . . . as by the last will & testament of the afsd Wm Hunter deceased” (“Rountree attorney of Nic. Hunter to Wm. Hunter, A Deed,” 17 March 1729, Chowan Deed Book C , pp. 599 601).
Will of Isaac Hunter (Huntor), Chowan Co., N. C., son of William Hunter of Nansemond, Va., husband of Elizabeth Parker Hunter, 1753
Isaac Hunters Will
Letters issued May the 8th 1753 10 ½ copy sheets
Recorded in the Sec Office in book K
P C Neale
IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN. I, Isaac Huntor, of Chowan County, Being of perfect Memory and minde and Calling to minde the Uncertainty of this transitory Life, do make and ordain this my Last will and Testament, in manner and forme following, first, I Bequeath my Soul to almighty God; and my body to the Earth to be Buried at the Discretion of my Execut’r, hereafter named; and as for my worldly Estate which it hath pleased God to Bestow upon me, I Give and Dispose of as followeth, Vizt:
First, my will and Desire is, that all my Just Debts be Trewly paid and Discharged by my Execr.
Item. I Give and Bequeath to my son, Elisha Huntor, my plantation whereon I now Live, and the plantation whereon he now Lives, together will all the land thereunto Belonging, I Say to my sd. Son, Elisha Huntor, and his heirs and Assignes for Ever. I also give to my Sd. Son, Elisha Huntor, my Negro man named Duke, to him and his heirs for Ever.
Item: I Give and Bequeath to my son, Jesse Huntor, all my Land and plantation Purchased of Thomas Morris as Pr. (Deed) Deed of Sale Containing three hundred Acres, be it more or less, I say to my son, Jesse Huntor, and his heirs and assignes for Ever. I also give to my sd. Son Jesse Huntor, my Negro boy named Toney, I Say to him and his heirs and assigns for Ever.
Item. I Give and Bequeath to my son, Isaac Huntor, all my Land in Bartea County, as by a pattent Dated the twenty Eighth day of February, 1744/5, for one hundred and fifty acres; also, a Deed of Sale for 170 acres, Dated April, 20, 1745, and Joyning to Elisha Huntors Lands, I Say to my son, Isaac Huntor, and his heirs and assignes for Ever; I also give to my sd. Son, Isaac Huntor, my Nero Girle named Venus, she and her Increase; also, one Good feather Bed and furniture there unto belonging; also three medle Sized puter Dishes and one puter Bason, and one Iron pott of forty pounds weight, one frying pan, and two Cows and Calves, to him and his heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give to my Son, Daniel Hunter, Seventy five pounds, Currant Money of Virginia, to be Raised out of my Estate, it being in consideration as I have not Given him any Land or negroe, I also Give to my sd. Son Daniel Huntor, one Good feather Bed and the furniture thereunto belonging, also three Medle Sized puter Dishes, one puter bason, and one Iron pott of about forty Pounds weight, one frying Pan, and two Cows and Calves, I Say to him and his heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give to my Daughter Alce Perry, my Negro man named Tobey, to her and her heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give to my Daughter, Hannah Riddick, my Negro Girle named Lucey, She and her Increas, to her and her heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give to my Daughter, Elizabeth Perry, my Negro Girle named Kate, provided She pay to my Daughter Alce five pounds Currant money to make the Vallue of Tobey Equill with her negro Kate, and then I Say to her and her heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give to my Daughter, Rachell Walton, my negro woman named Hagor, to her and her heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give to my Daughter, Sarah Huntor, my Negroe Girle named Tresea, also my Side Saddle, and my Leather Trunk with a Date of 1734 on it, and a Horse or mare of four pounds Vallue, and three Meddle Sized puter Dishes, one puter Bason, one Iron pott, one frying Pann, two Cows and Calves, and one Good feather bed and the furniture thereunto belonging, I Say to her and her Heirs for ever.
Item. I give to my Grand Children, ye sons and Daughters of my Daughter, Jean Deceast, namely Jesse Phillip, & Mary Perries & Sarah field, to Each and Every one of them the Sum of five pounds, Currant money of Virginia, to them and their heirs for Ever.
Item. I Give to Zilphea Parker, Daughter of Jonathan Parker, one Good feather Bed and furniture, and two Puter Dishes & three puter plates provided, that if She Stays and Lives with me or in my family till She Cumes to the age of Eighteen years and Behaves well, or at ye day of Marriage, if to my, or friends Satisfaction, then I say, to her and her heirs for Ever.
Item. All the Rest and Residue of my Estate not before given, be it of what nature or Kindsoever, It is my Will and Desire that it be Equally Devided between my Sons and Daughters Namely: Elisha, Jacob, Jesse, Isaac, Daniel, Alce, Hannah, Elizabeth, Rachell, and Sarah, Share and Share a Like; it is also my Desire that my Son, Jacob Huntor, have & injoy all my Right of the Water Mill.
Lastly, I Nominate and appoint my Son, Elisha Huntor, my whole and Sole Executor to Se this my Will duly fulfiled and performed, and I do hereby Revoak and Make Null & Void all former or other will or wills heretofore by me made, published, or Declared, Either by word or wrighting, and if my Son Elisha Should happen to Die before this my will be fulfiled, then, and in that Case, I do hereby appoint my Son, Jacob, and John Gordon, or Either of them, to Se this my Last Will and Testament Duly fulfiled.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto Sett my hand and fixed my Seal this Seventeenth day of aprill, 1752.
Signed, Sealed, published, and Declared by the Testator to be his Last Will and Testament in the presents of us:
Isaac Huntor {seal}
Moses Sumner
Samuel Sumner, Jurt.
John Sumner, Jurt.
Chowan Court April Court, Anno Dom, 1753
Present His Majestys Justices:
These may Certifie, that the within Will was Duly Proved in Open Court, by the Oaths of Samuel Sumner and John Sumner, two of the Subscribing Evidences thereto; and at the same time appeared Elisha Huntor, Executor, in Open Court and was Duly qualified thereto by taking the Executors Oath by law appointed. Ordered that the Secretary of Said Province have Notice thereof that Letters Testamentary issue thereon as the Law Directs.
Test. James Craven, Cler. Cur.
Josiah Granbery, John Gordon, and Timothy Walton made the inventory of Isaac Huntor’s estate. Isaac’s son Elisha, the executor, parceled the chattels equally to his brothers and sisters, each receiving the equivalent of approximately £25 in household goods and other possessions.
An Inventory of ye Estate of Isaac Huntor Deceased
Names of ye slaves viz
Duke Tobe toney Hager Cate Venes Luce Treas Pender
Max Stock & houshold goods & New goods
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7 ½ yds of Broad cloth |
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Will of John Alston of Chowan Co., N. C., 1754
Father of Solomon Alston, grandfather of Martha Alston (Mrs. Isaac Hunter), and great-grandfather of Solomon Alston Hunter
The following abstract of John Alston’s will was published in the April 1900 issue of North Carolina Historical and Genealogical Reigister: "Alston, John. February 20, 1755; December 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, Seasbrook Wilson, Thomas Byrd, Joseph Parker." This footnote is added: "NOTE.—John Alston first appears in Chowan Precinct in 1714. He probably came with his wife from Surry County, Va. His son Solomon was of age in 1727; he is found conveying real estate at that time. John Alston settled at or near Gatesville in Gates County, it being at the time a part of Chowan. Son Phillip married Winnefred Whitmell, daughter of Thomas Whitmell and wife Elizabeth Hunter Bryan, daughter of Lewis Bryan and wife Elizabeth Hunter of Bertie County, N. C. Daughter Mary married first Henry Guston of Edgecombe; second, William Seward of Isle of Wight county, Va. Daughter Elizabeth married William Williams, who lived in Martin County. Daughter Sarah married Phillip Kearney. Charity Alston married John Dawson. Wife Mary was Mary Clark before her marriage. Solomon Alston married Ann Hinton, daughter of Col. John Hinton. James Alston married — Chancy, related to Ruth Chancy, who married — Baker. . . ."
Chowan Book Ten, pp. 120-130
In the name of God amen September 17th in the yar of our Lord God one thousand seven hundred and fifty four I John Alston of Chowan county and province of North-Carolina Being in perfect helth and of sound and perfect mine & memory thanks Be to allmighty God for it, calling to mind the oncertainty of this transitory Life and that all flesh must yield unto Death when it shall pleas God to call, doe make Declair or dain appoint this my Last Will and testament in Manner & form following and principaly I Recommend my soul to God that Gave it to me in full hope I shall Receive full pardon for all my sins past by the merits and meditations of our Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body to be Buried in Such Christian Like manner as Shall pleas my Executor here after naimed and appointed, and secondly I doe By these presents frustrate and make null & void all other or former wills by me made or Declaimed Either by word or writing and this to be taken for my Last will and testament and no other, thirdly my will is that all My Debts Duly [illegible] in Right or [illegible] To any maner of person what Ever Be justly contented and paid in sum conveniant time after my Death By my Executor here after named, and now as toutching such worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to Bestow upon me I give & dispose of the saim in manner and form following—
Item, I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved son Joseph John Alston my Land at White Oak River and other personall Estate By me all Ready delivered to him and a Tract of Land containing two hundred and fifty acres Being in Chowan County Joyning to Mr. James Willson Line Begining at a hickory Standing on Benits Creek Side I allso give to my son Joseph John Alston one Gold Ring about fifteen Shelings worth I say afor said Land and Estate to him and his heirs for Ever—
Item I Give and Bequeath unto my Beloved son Solomon Alston a negro woman named Sarah which he has in his possession and other personall Estate all Ready Delivered to him by me I Say the aforesaid negro and Estate to him and his heirs for Ever—
Item I Give and bequeath unto my Beloved Son William Alston in his Life time that part of my Estate I allotted for him and now his heirs has it in their possession
Item I Give to my Beloved son Phillip Alston one negro man named Seser now in his possession and one negro man named Robin and what Else of my personal Estate he has had of me before now in his possession I say the aforsd negros & Estate to [him] and his heir for Ever
I give & Bequeath unto my Beloved Da[ugh]ter Mary Seward one melato woman named Moll and what Else she has had of me Befor to hur and hur heirs for Ever I allso mean the use of my Dwelling Hous and garden to her Durin her naturall Life
Item I Give & Bequeath unto my beloved Dagter Elizabeth Williams one negro woman named Moll an harinor-eas[?] to hur and hur heirs for Ever and what Else of my personall Estate she has had all Ready
Item I Give and bequeath unto my Beloved Dagter Sarah Kearny one negro woman named fanny and hur increas now in hur possession and what Else she has had of my Estate Before the aforsaid negro and Estate to hur and hur heirs forever
Item I Give to my Beloved Da[ugh]ter Charity Dawson one negro woman named faney and negro boy named Jupiter and a negro girl name Cate and a negro girl named Nancy I say the afore Said negro to hur and her heirs an assigns for Ever —
Item I mean my Dear wife Mary Alston to have the use of my Estate as vis Dick fanney peter Robin & Easop and Diner all so my plantation Stock & hous hold Goods During hur naturall Life But at hur Death to be returned in manner hear after mentioned —
Item I give to John Alston son of Solomon Alston one negro Boy named peter to him & his heirs for Ever
Item I give to Elizabeth Alston Da[ugh]ter of William Alston Deceased one negro boy named Ned to hur & her heirs for Ever
Item I give to Paty Alston Da[ugh]ter of Joseph John Alston one negro girl named Pru to hur and hur heirs for Ever
Item I give to William Alston Son of Philip Alston one negro Boy named hary to him & his heirs for Ever
Item I Give to John Alston son of James [illegible] one negro woman named Diner and hur increase and one negro boy named Robin to him and his heirs for Ever
Item I Give and bequeath unto my beloved Son James Alston one negro man named Dick one negro man named peter and one melato man named Easop All so my plantation where on I now Live and all the Land ajoyining there unto I allso Give him the Rest and Residue of my whole Estate Both Raill and personall I say the aforsaid Land and Estate to him and his heirs & assigns for Ever I all so leave him my whole and sole Executor of this my last will and testament in witness where of I have hear unto set my hand and seal this 20 day of Feby 1755 [sic]
John Alston
Seasbrook Wilson
Thomas Byrd
Joseph hisXXmark Parker
Recorded in Book No. 10 Pge 120 to 130
Edenton 2d December 1750 [sic]
[Illegible] personally appeared [illegible] Seasbrook Wilson [illegible] who made oath that they saw John Alston the Testator sign seal deliver & declare the foregoing as & for his last will and Testament and that the sd John Alston was at that time to the best of their Judgment & belief of sound and disposing Memory & understanding and that they together with Thomas Byrd subscribed their names to the forgoing will as witnesses thereto. At the same time James Alston Exeuctor before named took the oath of an Executor. Let Letters Testamentary issue hereon.
Arthur Dobbs
Will of Solomon Alston, 1780, 1784
Father of Martha Alston (Mrs. Isaac Hunter) of Bute/Warren Co., N. C., grandfather of Solomon Alston Hunter
In the name of God amen. I, Solomon Alston, of the County of Warren in the State of North Carolina, being in health and sound memory, thanks be to Almighty god for the same, do make this my last Will and Testament. Principally and first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it me, trusting in and through the merits of my Saviour Jesus Christ to receive full pardon and forgiveness of all my sins As for what worldly goods it has pleased God to bestow on me I give and bequeath of it in the following manner
Item I give and bequeath to my son James Alston the tract of land and plantation whereon I now live, the same being purchased by me from William Hurst by deed bearing date the twentieth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty-four, for six hundred and forty four acres more or less out of which tract I have formerly given to my son, Solomon Alston, now deceased, two hundred acres more or less at the upper end thereof according to the bounds already made by me which said piece or tract of land and plantation I do give to my said son James Alston and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my son James Alston one piece or parcel of land, being sixty seven acres more or less lying and adjoining the land before bequeathed to him on the south side thereof the same being purchased by me from William Hurst by deed bearing date the eighteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred and fifty six and bounded for the same as follows and according to the courses mentioned in the said deed which said sixty seven acres more or less I do give unto my said son James Alston and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I do give and bequeath to my son James Alston one piece or parcel of land containing two hundred and thirteen acres be the same more or less lying north east of the land I now live on, the same being purchased by me from my son Solomon Alston now deceased by deed bearing date the thirteenth day of July one thousand seven hundred and sixty five and bounded for the same according to the courses mentioned in the said deed, which said two hundred and thirteen acres of land more or less I do give to my said son James Alston and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my said son James Alston one piece or parcel of land out of the tract of twelve hundred acres purchased by me of Joseph Montfort Esqr beginning for the same at a white oak my old corner and running by my line south fifty degrees east to a branch called Pitchers to a poplar, Isaac Hunter’s corner, thence on Isaac Hunter’s line to a red oak Corner thence north 70 degrees east 118 poles to the corner of three black oaks thence north 88 degrees east 224 poles to a poplar standing on the cabine branch, No. 51 East 280 poles to the road, thence up the road to the Lower Richneck next to where Robinson’s path turned out of said road, thence down the said branch to McCulloch line, thence on McCulloch’s line to the head of the Great Branch, thence down the said Great Branch to my corner, and from thence along my line to the beginning which piece or parcel of land I give to my said son James Alston and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Grand-son Solomon Hunter, son of Isaac Hunter a piece or parcel of land out of the tract of twelve hundred acres purchased by me of Joseph Montfort, Esq., beginning for the same to with at the head of lower Richneck, where my son James Alston’s line leaves the road, thence keeping down the road to where my line crosses the same, thence by my line fifty one degrees east to a black oak corner, thence north 140 poles to a white oak, thence north 42 degrees west 58 poles to a spanish oak in poor creek, thence up the creek south 60 degrees west 46 poles to the mouth of Zacharies branch, thence up the said branch north 70 degrees west to the head of said branch, thence the same course continued to McCulloch’s line to a post oak 132 poles thence by his line to James Alston’s line, then up his line to the place of beginning to him my grandson Solomon Hunter and his heirs forever
Item It is my will and desire that if my son James Alston should die with heir lawfully begotten out of his body that all and every part of the land hereby given to him descend and go to my son William Alston and to his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Hunter, wife of Isaac Hunter, my negro woman Esther with her future increase to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my grand son James Alston Hunter one negro boy named Tom—born of the body of the said Esther to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my grand son Jacob Hunter one negro boy named Essex born of the body of the said Esther to him and his heirs forever.
Item it is my will and desire that what estate that I have already put into the possession of my daughter Mary Kimbrough together with five pounds I now leave her to be paid by my Executors hereinafter named be all the estate I intend for my said daughter Mary out of my estate.
Item I give to my son John Alston one negro fellow named Little Dick to be delivered to him after my decease by my executors, to him and his heirs forever besides what I have already put into his possession out of my estate.
Item I give and bequeath to my son William Alston what I have already given him in his possession, also one negro man Ned the younger and one negro boy named Daniel now in his possession to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Hunter wife of Jesse Hunter one negro woman named Dinah and her increase now in her possession to her and her heirs and assigns forever and that my full interest and meaning is that she nor her heirs claiming under her have any part of my estate except five pounds current money, which I also desire my Executors to pay to her at my decease.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved son Philip Alston what of my estate that I have already put in his possession, also forty pounds current money to be paid him when demanded from my executors, which is all I intend for my said son out of my estate.
Item I give and bequeath to my grand son John McCoy son of my son Philip Alston one negro boy named Arch to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Charity what estate I have already put into her possession, also five pounds current money to be paid to her by my executors which is all I intend for my said daughter out of my estate.
Item I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Priscilla Jones, daughter of James Jones, deceased, one negro girl named Violet with all her increase to her and her heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Hunter, wife of Isaac Hunter, the increase of a negro woman named Aggie, now decd, the said increase being now in her possession to her and her heirs forever.
I give and bequeath to my grand son, Alston Jones son of my daughter Rachel Jones one negro named Minga, born of the body of negro Rose to him my said grand son and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item I bequeath to my daughter Rachel Jones, wife of Edmond Jones one negro woman named Cate with her increase now in her possession together with five pounds current money which I desire to be paid out of my estate by my executors.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Morgan two negro girls Jane and Pretty with their increase to her and her heirs and assigns forever which is all I intend for my said daughter Sarah out of my estate.
Item I give and bequeath to my grand son Lemuel James Alston son of my deceased son Solomon Alston five pounds current money to be paid by my executors when he attains to lawful age.
Item It is my will and desire that my two sons in law Isaac Hunter and Jesse Hunter have the use of my still in distilling the brandy made by them on their plantation.
Item It is my desire that if my son James Alston die without issue lawfully begotten of his body that what negroes he has of my estate at the time of his death with their increase shall be equally divided between William Alston Isaac Hunter Jesse Hunter & Edmond Jones to them and their heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath all my estate of the personal property of what nature or kind soever not before in this my will and testament bequeathed to James Alston and his heirs forever.
Lastly I constitute my loving sons James Alston William Alston & and my son in law Jesse Hunter executors to this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 4th day of September A. D. 1780.
Solomon Alston {seal}
Witnesses: William Myrick Francis Myrick Thos. Maclen
A Codicil to the Afore Written Will
It is my will and desire that a certain piece or parcel of land given in my last will and testament to my grand son Solomon Hunter son of Isaac Hunter and Martha his wife, since the making of my said will, I have given the said Solomon Hunter the said land by deed dated on the 18th. day of April 1781. Therefore it is my desire that the said legacy given in my said will be noll and void as if never made.
Item It is my will and desire that if my son James Alston should die before his son John Alston attain to the age of eighteen years, that then and in such case it is my will and desire that none of my land shall be cleared until my said grandson attain to his said eighteen years of age or till the same shall be claimed by my heirs according to my said will.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 18th day of April A. D. 1784.
Solomon Aslton {seal}
Witnesses: Thos. Maclen, Richard Revear, Solomon Hunter, William Myrick, Francis Myrick.
Probated January Court 1785.
Will of Jacob Hunter, 1780, 1784
Son of Isaac Hunter and Elizabeth Parker Hunter of Chowan Co., N. C.
Husband of Sarah Pugh Hill, a colonel in the Revolutionary War, and a member of the North Carolina legislature
Will Book One, Gates Co., N. C., p. 42
In the name of God Amen, I Jacob Huntor of Gates County in the State of North Carolina calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and knowing that I must depart when it shall please God to call me, do for the better ordering and settling my estate make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following and first, I will that ll my just debts may be paid and satisfied by exers. hereafter named. Item I leave to my beloved wife Sarah Huntor [née Sarah Pugh Hill] the use of one third part of my land and improvements thereon during her natural life also the use of two Negros, viz. Ceasor & Hannah during her natural life and the use of one Negro boy named Harry during her widowhood and after her decease Ceasor & Hannah and their increase to be equally divided between all my children, viz., Isaac, Leah & Elisabeth Item I give to my son Isaac Huntor all my land and their improvements having regard to the use of my land already left to my beloved wife also my grist and saw mill also four Negroes, viz., Jack, Sambo, Joe, and Will with all my Black Smith’s tools to him and his heirs forever Item I give to my daughter Leah Riddick two Negroes, viz., Ceasor who she has in her possession and Harry after the time that the use of him is left my wife to her and her heirs forever Item I give to my daughter Elizabeth Hunter three Negroes, viz., Tony, Rose, and Phebe to her and her heirs forever. Lastly I leave all my estate not already given by this will of what nature soever to be equally divided between mys belived wife Sarah Huntor and my three children Isaac Huntor, Leah Riddick & Elisabeth Huntor to them and their heirs forever. I do by these presents nominate and appoint my son-in-law Seth Riddick and my son Isaac Huntor Executors to this my last will and testament and do by these presents disallow and revoke all former wills by me made and this only to be taken for my last will and testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand and seven hundred & eighty.
Jacob Hunter {seal}
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in presence of us
James Hodges William Freeman Abner Harrell
State of North Carolina, Gates county November Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1784 the within will was exhibited into court by Isaac Hunter, one of the executors therein appointed, and was proved by the oaths of William Freeman and Abner Harrell, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto. Then the said will was ordered to be recorded at the same time the said executor came into court and qualified himself for that office and prayed an order for letters testamentory thereon which was accordingly granted. Tst Law Baker CGC
Will of Elisha Hunter, 1784, 1786
Son of Isaac Hunter and Elizabeth Parker Hunter of Chowan Co., N. C.
Husband of Ann Walton
Chowan County Will Book One, pp. 62-63
In the name of God amen, I Elisha Hunter of the state of North Carolina in the county of Gates being very weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God for the same, calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament as followeth. Item I give and bequesth to my daughter Sele Hunter one feather bed and furniture, two cows and year-olds, two two-year-old steers, six sheep, ten hots, one iron pot, two pewter dishes, two basins twelve pewter plates, one frying pan, one riding mare, bridle and saddle. I say to her and her heirs forever. Item I leave to my loving wife Ann Hunter [née Ann Walton] the use of all the remaining part of my perishable estte of what nature or kind so ever during her widowhood, and in case she should marry, it is my will and desire that ll my estate that I have left her the use of be equally divided amongst my wife and children or their legal representatives, except my granddaughter Ann lay, daughter of Amos Freeman, which said Ann Lay hath already received her full part of my estate, and furthermore it is my will and desire that my loving wife Ann Hunter have free liberty on any part of my land so far as her people can cultivate but not to sell or destroy timber or timber trees further than her people can work off themselves and the she be not deprived of a greater part than one half of my apple orchard. And lastly I do nominate and appoint my son Thomas Hunter and Joseph Riddick my sole executors to see this last will and testament fully executed in manner and form as above mentioned, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I the said Elisha Hunter have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this seventh day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty six.
Elisha Hunter {seal}
Signed, sealed, published, and pronounced in the presence of John Gordon, Sarah Gordon, Sarah X her mark Hunter
State of North Carolina Gates County August Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1786 the within will was exhibited to the court by Thomas Hunter & Joseph Riddick Executors therein appointed and was proved by the oath of John Gordon, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto. Then the said will was ordered to be recorded. At the same time the said executors came into court and qualified themselves for that office and prayed an order for letters testamentory thereon, which was accordingly granted. Teste Law Baker CGC
Will of Jesse Hunter, 1786
Son of Isaac Hunter and Elizabeth Parker Hunter of Chowan Co., N. C.
Husband of Ann Alston
Wake County, N. C., Record Book 2, pp. 105-107
In 1784 Jesse Hunter sold his Warren County lands to his brother-in-law James Alston and with his wife Ann Alston Hunter, their sons Philip, Elisha, and Nathaniel, and their daughter Ruthy, recently married to William Green, migrated to newly opened territory in Georgia. Jesse and Philip secured headrights in Washington County and settled in Wilkes County near Sherrill’s Creek and Little River. As the tax lists show, the Hunter land was in the vicinity of Whatley’s Mill Church, now Bethesda Baptist Church, today in Greene County. In 1786 Jesse and Ann traveled back to North Carolina, apparently on a visit in the Wake County home of Nathaniel Kimbrough, husband of Ann’s late sister Mary Alston Kimbrough. While there, Jesse fell ill and wrote his will. He died soon afterward, and his son Philip traveled from Wilkes Co., Ga., to be the administrator of the estate. Ann and Philip returned to Georgia. Ann’s name appears on the Wilkes County tax list in 1791.
Last Will and Testament of Jesse Hunter deceasd
In the name of God Amen, I Jesse Hunter of Wilkes County and State of Georgia being sick and weak in body but sound mind and memory make this my last will and testament making null and void all other will or wills by me heretofore made, and first and foremost I give and bequeath my soul to God that first gave it to me and my body to be decently entered at the discretion of my executors and as to my worldly estate I give & bequeath in manner and form following viz –
Item I give and bequeath to my loving wife Ann one Negro man named Pinter, one Negro girl named Darkis, one feather bed and furniture, also I lend her one Negro man named Peter during her lifetime. Also I lend to her one Negro boy named Willis during her life, also I give and bequeath to my son Philip one Negro man named Stephen, also one Negro woman named Pat, and her three children, one bed and furniture, also one Negro boy named Butter, to him & his heirs forever, also I give and bequeath to my son Elisha one Negro boy named Isom, one Negro girl named Rose, one negro boy named Pinter, one feather bed and furniture to one horse, to him and his heirs forever, also I give and bequeath to my son Nathaniel one Negro boy named Will, one Negro girl named Else, one Negro boy named Lewis, one feather bed and furniture, one horse and saddle, to two hundred and fifty acres of land lying between Little River and [illegible]ils Creek, my wife to have her thirds of it, also I give and bequeath to my daughter Ruthie Green one boy named Tom, one Negro woman named Estor, one Negro girl named Hanner, one feather bed & furniture, two cows & calves all which Negroes & things are already delivered and all that other part of my estate now in her possession to her and her heirs and assigns forever also all my other estate to be equally divided also I lend my wife one Negro boy named Green. I nominate and appoint my son Phillip Hunter and William Green, whole & sole executors of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal 10 day of July A Dom 1786
Jesse Hunter {seal}
Test John Kimbrough (Jurat] James Kimbrough (Jurat) [sons of Nathaniel Kimbrough and Mary Alston Kimbrough]
Wake County September Term 1786
The execution of the within will was in open court duly proved by the oaths of John Kimbrough and James Kimbrough witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Henry Lane Clk Co
Recorded in the Clerks office in the County of Wake in Book B and pages 105 & 106 the 20th day of Septr. AD 1786 Henry Lane Clk Co
1786 Septr 5 Inventory of that part of the Estate of Jesse Hunter that is in the State of North Carolina –
Cash in hand £33.6.8, one Negro man named Stephen, one Negro girl named Else, two feather beds and furniture, one gray gelding, one gray mare and colt, one horse cart, one shot gun, one jug, one mans saddle and bridle, his wearing apparel, two coats, two shirts, one pair of breeches, one hat, one pair of shoes & buckles, one pair of stockings, two waist coats, one dish, seven plates, one bason & three spoons – By me Phillip Hunter Executor
Wake County Septr Term 1786
The within Inventory was in open court duly proved by the oath of Jesse Hunter [Philip?] the executor and ordered to be recorded – Henry Lane Clk Co
Recorded in the clerks office of Wake County in Book B, and pages 106 & 107 the 20th day of Sepr 1786 – Henry Lane Clk Co
Estate of Daniel Hunter, 1797
Son of Isaac Hunter and Elizabeth Parker Hunter of Chowan Co., N. C.
Brother of Isaac Hunter of Bute/Warren, Jesse Hunter, Elisha Hunter, and Jacob Hunter
Daniel Hunter of Granville Co., N. C., a bachelor son of Isaac Hunter of Chowan Co., N. C., brother of Isaac Hunter of Bute/Warren, N. C., and a grandson of William Hunter of Nansemond Co. Va., died intestate in 1797, leaving land and other assets.
Four of Daniel’s siblings survived him—Isaac, Jacob, Rachel, and Sarah. After their deaths, their children, as well as those of Daniel’s late brother Jesse, who died in 1786, became Daniel’s heirs at law. In 1798 Daniel’s nephew Isham Kittrell, a son of Ann Hunter Kittrell (daughter of Isaac Hunter of Bute/Warren), was appointed executor. Yet twenty-five years after Daniel’s death the estate remained unsettled and in dispute. By then all Daniel’s siblings were deceased. Their children—Daniel’s nephews and nieces (with their husbands)—petitioned the Granville court for distribution of Daniel’s remaining assets. The court responded with a decree requiring them to publish an announcement in a Raleigh newspaper and in the Edenton Gazette so that any other possible heirs also could make claims. After the notices appeared, claimants in Gates, Perquimans, and other counties (mostly descendants of Daniels’s sisters Rachel and Sarah) came forward.
Granville County Deed Book One, page 37, shows that the original petitioners included children of Isaac Hunter of Bute/Warren: James Hunter (Wilson Co., Tenn.), Jacob Hunter (Warren County, N. C.), Ann Hunter Jones and her husband Lewellen Jones (Maury Co., Tenn.), Patty Hunter Williamson and her husband Green Williamson (Maury Co., Tenn.), Sacky (Sooky) Hunter Voorhies and her husband Garret Voorhies (Maury Co., Tenn.), Sarah Hunter Turner and her husband Beaufort Turner (Maury Co., Tenn.); children of Jesse Hunter (late of Wilkes Co., Ga.): Elisha Hunter and Ruth Hunter Green of Greene Co., Ga.; Elizabeth Hunter, the daughter of Jacob Hunter of Gates Co., N. C., and her husband Robert McCullock; and children of Rachel Hunter Walton: Timothy Walton, William Walton, Mary Walton Cherry, and Celia Walton Jones.
For forty-two years following Daniel’s death, the case was continued in each successive term of Granville County court. In March 1839 the judge "ordered that the cause be removed to the Supreme Court" for settlement.
The Daniel Hunter estate papers are archived in the Granville County, N. C., courthouse, with microfilm copies in the North Carolina State Archives (Roll # 2169). The documents consist of petitions, an inventory, court minutes, and depositions. Although none shows the supreme court’s resolution of the case, the papers are a key to understanding the complex genealogy of the Hunters of Nansemond, Va., and Chowan, Granville, and Bute/Warren, N. C.
From the estate records of Daniel Hunter, Granville Co., N. C.:
"The clerk of master who was directed by this Honorable Court to take an account of the persons who are tenants in common of the land sold, & heirs at law of Daniel Hunter Decd, & to make publication in the Edenton Gazette, to give to other persons interested an opportunity of shewing their title therein, & to what proportionable part each of them is entitled—begs leave to report that he has caused the publication to be made accordingly, & by the affidavit of Henry Walton Sen.
"It is shewn that Daniel Hunter left four brothers, viz. Elisha, Jacob, Jesse, & Isaac, and five sisters, viz. Hannah, Jane, Elizabeth, Rachel, & Sarah, who are the heirs at law of the said Daniel.—
"By the affidavit of William Berriman it is shewn that Elisha (the brother of Daniel) left nine children viz. Thomas, Mary, Christian, Celia, Milly, Elizabeth, Rachael, Asenith, & Sarah—that Thomas (the son of Elisha) left three children viz. Nancy, Christian & Isaac—that Mary (daughter of Elisha) intermarried with Benjm Saunders & left one Daughter Nancy (now White) as appears by the affidavit of John Hudgins—that Christian (daughter of Elisha) intermarried with Jonathan Roberts, by whom she had two children viz. Nancy, who intermarried with Wm. W. Riddick, & Celia, who intermarried with Miles H. Jernigan—as appears by the affidavit of John Roberts & Moses Sumner—Celia (daughter of Elisha) intermarried with David Harrell—their issue not certain—Milly (daughter of Elisha) intermarried with — Sumner – their issue not known – Elizabeth (daughter of Elisha) intermarried with Neadham Jernigan by whom she had three children, viz. Milly, Miles H. & Seth—as appears in the affacavit of George Holloman—Rachael (daughter of Elisha) intermarried first with Aaron Blanchard, by whom she had three children, viz. Milly, Mary and Easter—afterwards she intermarried with Demsey Bond by whom she had five children, viz. Elisha, Nancy, Celia, Demsey & Thomas—as appears from the affadavit of John Roberts & William W. Riddick—Asenith (daughter of Elisha) intermarried with Abraham Easom—their issue not known—Sarah (daughter of Elisha) intermarried with Amos Freeman & their issue not known.—
"Jacob (brother of Daniel) left three children, viz. Isaac, Leah, & Elizabeth—of Isaac & Leah, who intermarried with Seth Riddick, their issue is not known—Elizabeth intermarried with Robert McCullock one of the petitioners —
"Jesse (brother of Daniel) left two [sic] children, viz. Elisha & Ruth who intermarried with — Green, two of the petitioners–
"Isaac (brother of Daniel) left seven children, Anne, Solomon, James, Jacob, Patsy, who intermarried with Green Williamson, Sacky, who intermarried with Garrett Voorhes, & Sarah, who intermarried with Beaufort Turner—all of whom are Petitioners except Solomon whose issue is not known [This would be James Alston Hunter of Abbeville Dist., S. C., aged one year at the time Daniel died].—
"Hannah (sister of Daniel) intermarried first with Joseph Riddick by whom she had two children, viz. Joseph & Mary. She afterward intermarried with Benjamin Perry by whom she had two children, viz. Benjamin & Drucilla—Joseph Riddick (son of Hannah) left seven children viz. Reuben, Hannah, Isaiah, Avis, Esther, Nathan & Mabel—Mary Riddick (daughter of Hannah) intermarried with Thos. Trotman & left two children, viz. Lovey & Quintin—Benjamin Perry (son of Hannah) left three children viz. Polly, James & Benjamin—Drucilla Perry (daughter of Hannah) intermarried with—Hinton & left two children viz. Benjamin & Mary—as appears by the affidavit of Seth Riddick–
"Jane (sister of Daniel) intermarried with Philip Perry & left four children, viz. Jesse, Philip, Sarah & Rachael.–
Elizabeth (sister of Daniel) intermarried with Joseph Perry and left three children, viz. Elisha, Hannah & Susan—Elisha left [space] children, viz. Absalah, Hannah intermarried with Lambert—her issue not known—& Susan intermarried first with — Howard, then with Baker.
"Rachel (Sister of Daniel) intermarried with — Walton & left nine children, Timothy, William, John, Isaac, Sarah, Rachael, Mary, Nancy & Celia—Timothy, William & Isaac are petitioners—John (one of the sons of Rachael) left [space] children, viz, William, Rachael (of Rachael) intermarried with Jesse Garrett by whom she had —children (names not known)—Sarah intermarried with —Lasiter—Mary intermarried with Easom, then with Cherry—Nancy intermarried with James Jones, & Celia intermarried with —Jones—issue not known.—
"Sarah (sister of Daniel) intermarried with Charles Moore, by whom she had nine children, viz. Nancy, Isaac, Millicent, Elizabeth, Charles, John, Edwin, Leah, & Sally—Nancy intermarried with Edward Hall & left two children viz. Charles & Nancy—Charles left five children viz. Mary, Alfred, Lemuel C., William C, Augustus & Elizabeth—John left five children, viz. Sally, Edwin, Edward, Mary & John—Edwin is now living in the State of Tennessee—Leah intermarried with Curry & died without issue—Sally intermarried first with Skillings by whom she had no issue, then with Gregory by whom she had one child, viz. Elizabeth—she afterwards intermarried with Brittain Harvey by whom she had several children now living as appears by the affidavit of Joseph Barrow.—
Respectfully submitted
Tho. B. Littlejohn, CMC"
Estate papers of Solomon Alston Hunter, 1799
Eldest son of Isaac Hunter and Martha Alston Hunter of Bute/Warren Co., N. C.
Husband of Elizabeth Harris Hunter of Abbeville Dist., S. C.
Father of James Alston Hunter of Abbeville Dist., S. C., Choctaw Co., Miss.
Solomon Hunter died intestate in September 1799 (See Abbeville wills and estates, Box 47, Pack 1063). His estate was administered 13 September by his widow Elizabeth, her brother Will Stoutly Harris, and Uel Hill. Joseph Barksdale posted a surety bond of $10,000 to Andrew Hamilton, Judge of the Court of Ordinary. An inventory of Solomon’s goods and chattels was made by Captain William Collier, Edward Collier, and Major Uel Hill. The sale of these was held at the house of the late Robert Terry. William and Edward Collier were brothers of Cornelius Collier, Jr. (See Abbeville wills and estates, Box 20, Pack 442, "14 slaves"), former husband of Elizabeth Harris Hunter. He died in 1790 (See "Elizabeth Colyer,"1790 federal census of Abbeville, "14 slaves"). Around 1792 Elizabeth married Solomon Alston Hunter, brother of Ann Hunter, the wife of Elizabeth’s uncle, Isham Kittrell.
Account Sales / the Estate of Solomon A. / Hunter Deceased
Ordinary’s Office
Recorded in Inventory Book No. 2 page (5), 18th day of March 1800 A. D.
Examined by A. Hamilton O A.D.
Amount Sales of the Estate of Solomon Alston Hunter deceased
Receipts & Expenditures of the Estate of Solomon A. Harris [sic] Deceased
The Estate of Solomon Alston Harris [sic] Dcd.
1799 To Eliza Hunter Admr & Will Stoutly Harris admr. Dcd.
Sept. 21 To cash paid Clerk f letters of administration & 3.
Nov. 11 To cash pd 3 appraisers 3.
1800
April 18 To cash pd for Order of Sale 1.
1801
Jany 23 Cash paid the Ordinary for the return 3.
paid ordinary for probate & recording .45
To my Commission .32 3/6
1801 Contra Cr $11.18 3/6
Jany 23 By amount Sales of the Said Estate $11.18 3/6
Abbeville District } Personally came Will Stoutly Harris
Joint administrator for with Eliza. Hunter, of the Estate
of Solomon A. Hunter Deceased and made Oath that
the above statement of Receipts & Expenditures is Just
and True
Will Stoutly Harris
Sworn to before me 23 January 1801 Andrew Hamilton JQ
An inventory and appraisement of the Estate of Solomon Alston Hunter Deceased as delivered us by Will Stoutly Harris Admintr & Elizabeth Hunter Administrx, to said Estate as follows – – –
To one Foot Adds [adz] $00-87-5
½ Dozen Pewter Plates 01-50-0
One Bed Sted Bed & furniture 02-00-1
One Drawing Knife 00-18-7½
One Pewter Basin 00-37-5
One Cotton Wheel 01-25-0
One Prayer Book 00-25-0
One weading hoe 00-25-0
$ 8-65-7½
This is to certify whom it doth or may concern tht we whose names are hereunto subscribed have made and taken the above appraisment of the sundrie belonging to the Estate of Solomon Alston Hunter Deceased as produced us by Will Stoutly Harris & Elizabeth Hunter Administr with care and caution and according to the best of our judgment Given under our hands this 11th Day of November 1799
Will Collier Uel Hill Edwd. Collier
A True account of the sale of the Estate of Solomon Alston Hunter Deceased made this 29th March 1800
1 Lott of Pewter – Elizabeth Hunter $2.
1 Hoe – Do Do 0.50
1 Big Cotton wheel Do Do 2.50
1 Bead stead beads
& Furniture Do Do 5.122
1 Drawing knife William Terry 0.25
1 Foot Edz Do Do 0.81 3/4
$11.18 3/4
I do hereby Certify the above to be a just and true account of the amount sales of the Estate of Solomon Alston Hunter Deceased
Given under my hand at date to be written W Stoutly Harris – Clark
State of South Carolina
Abbeville Co To Wit
Know all men by these presents that we Elisabeth Hunter, Will Stoutly Harris, Majr. Uel Hill and Joseph Barksdale of the county aforesaid Planters are held and firmly bound unto Andrew Hamilton, Adam Crain Jones and Hugh Wardlaw Esquires Judges of Abbeville County Court and their successors in office in the just and full sum of ten thousand—-Dollars to be paid to the said Judges or their successors in office to which payment well and truly to be made and done we bind ourselves our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine and of the independence of the United States of North America the twenty fourth
The Condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bound Elisabeth Hunter and Will Stoutly Harris administrators of the goods chattels and credits of Solomon Alston Hunter deceased do make a true and perfect inventory of all and singulaar the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands possessions or knowledge of the said Elisabeth Hunter & Will Stoutly Harris or into the hands or possession of any other person or persons for them and the same so made do exhibit into the said Court of Abbeville County when they shall be there [illegible] and such goods, chattels and credits do well and truly administer according to Law, and do make a just and true amount of their [illegible] and doings therein when required by the said Court, and all the rest of the said goods chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the account of the said administration the same being first allowed by the said Court shall deliver and pay untio such persons respectively as are entitled to the same by Law and if it shall hereafter appear tht any last will and testament was made by the said deceased and the same be proved in Court and the executors obtain a certificate of probate thereof and the said Elisabeth Hunter & Will Stoutly Harris do in such case if required tender and deliver up the said Letters of Administration then their obligation to be void or else to remain in full force.
Sealed and delivered.
In presence of
JA Wardlaw Elisabeth her Hunter {seal}
X
Mark
Will Stoutly Harris {seal}
Uel Hill {seal}
Joseph Barksdale {seal}
To Major Hammilton
at Abivile Court House
Abbivile Coty February the [illegible] 1800
To Major Hammilton Esq
Sir I suppose you’l recollect my joining the widow Hunter in Administering on her husbands Estate at last September Court. I made [illegible] of the appraisement but could not obtain an order of sale then. I have since been informed that you are appointed for such business, and as the distance [illegible] my Father is going up, if you can grant it without my being there and will send it by my Father you’l very much oblige your obsequious friend
Will S. Harris
P. S. Sir please to send me a few lines of [illegible] a respecting the credit that must be given and the time that I must make the return of the sale in the D C if you send the order of sale
Warrrant of Appraisement
for the Estate of
Solomon Alston Hunter
Maj. Uel Hill, Capt. William Collier & Lieut Edward Collier came before me & [illegible] that they would execute the written warrant—according to the best of their knowledge & skill
Attested this 11th of November 1799 before me
P. Gibert L/B
Edwd Collier Wm. Collier Uel Hill
Inventory of Appraisement of the Estate of Solomon A. Hunter deced
Recorded in Inventory Book No. 1 Page (402) the 15th Novm. 1799 And Examined
Amounts of Receipts & Expenditures of the Estate Solomon Alston Hunter deceased
Ordinary’s office }
Recorded in Inventory Book No. 2 – page (45) the 23rd day of January 1801 & Examined by
A. Hamilton O.A.D.
State of South Carolina
Abbeville County Court}
By the worshipful Court of Abbeville County aforesaid To Maj Uel Hill, Capt. Wm. Collier, Edward Collier, John Martin, Adam Wideman & Geo. Crawford Freeholders Greeting.
These are to authorise you or any three of you to repair to all such places in this county as you shall be directed unto by Elisabeth Hunter and Will Stoutly Harris administrators of Solomon Alston Hunter late of the county aforesaid — deceased wheresoever any of the goods and chattels of the said deceased are within the said places and which shall be shewn unto you by the said administrators and their view and appraise the same being first sworn to make a true and perfect inventory and appraisement thereof and cause [illegible] certified under the hands of any three of you unto the said administrator within sixty days from the date hereof. – Certified by order of Court this thirteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety nine and of the independence of the United States of North America the twenty fourth.
JA Wardlaw D. C. C.
The Estate of Solomon Alston Hunter deceased
To Eliza. Hunter & Will Stoutly Harris Administrators – Dcd.
1799 Sept. 21 – to Cash Paid the Clerk for
Letters of Administration & Warrant } $3.0-
Novm 11 To cash pd 3 appraisers – – – 3.0
To cash pd Magistrate for Qualifying apprs. .32
1800 April 18 – to cash paid for Order of Sale 1.00
Paid the ordinary for recording Amt sales – .09
1801 Jany 23 – Cash pd the Ordinary for this return 3.00
Do Do for Probate 0.32
Do Do for recording [illeg.] & Expendi. 0.13
To Commissions – – – 0.32 3/4
$11.18 3/4
Abbeville district} Personally came Will. Stoutly Harris Joint administrator with Eliza. Hunter of the Estate of Solomon A. Hunter Decd. And made oath that the above statement of Receipts & Expenditures is Just and True.
Sworn to before me the }
23rd day of Jany. 1801 –} Will Stoutly Harris
Andrew Hamilton JQ }
Cr
1801
By amount Sales of the said Estate $11.18 3/4
January 2
Will of Isaac Hunter of Warren Co., N. C., 1811, 1815
Son of Isaac Hunter of Chowan Co., N. C.
Husband of Martha Alston and brother of Jesse, Jacob, Elisha, and Daniel Hunter
Father of Solomon Alston Hunter of Bute/Warren Co., N. C., and Abbeville Dist., S. C.
The original will is in North Carolina State Archives
In the name of God Amen I Isaac Hunter of Warren County do make and declare this to be my last will & testament revoking all & every will heretofore by me made.
I give to my son James A. Hunter three hundred & fifty dollars to him & his heirs forever
I give to my son Jacob Hunter my lands lying in the county above mentioned & two negro men named Bob & George to him & his heirs forever
I give to my daughter Ann Alston Kittrell three hundred & fifty dollars to her & her heirs forever
I give to my daughter Patsy H. Williamson one Negro man named Will & two hundred dollars to her & her heirs forever
I give to my daughter Sacky Nicholson one negro man named Hardy to her & her heirs forever
I give to my daughter Sally Alston Estis two Negroes named Poncy & Patty to her & her heirs forever
The balance of my estate to be equally divided among my children & I do hereby appoint my son Jacob Hunter & my friend John Martin executors of this my last will in witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & affixed my seal this the 3rd day of May 1811.
Isaac Hunter
Witness
John Farmer, Jurat
Polly Murphy, Esq.
Isaac Hunter 1815, Warren County loose estate papers, North Carolina State Archives
An Inventory of the Property of Isaac Hunter Deceased late of Warren County taken the first day of August 1815 —
Ebenzer Slader note due the 1st February 1815 for six hundred & eighty dollars
Robert McCullock ditto due 20th April 1909 for two hundred & ninety six dollars & 80 cents
Carter Nunnery’s ditto due 28th March 1815 for one hundred dollars
Green Dukes ditto due 19th October 1809 for eighteen pounds seven shillings & 6 Virginia currency
William R. Johnsons note due 25th December 1810 for three hundred dollars
Benjnm Dossey’s note balance due thereon the 10th day of October 1810 of five dollars 12 ½ cents
Outstanding debts due on accounts four hundred dollars
Cash in hand at his death fifty one dollars & forty two cents
One mare
Two cows
One yearling
One calf
Sixteen sheep
Two small trunks
four iron pots
Two ditto hooks
Two Dutch ovens
A parcel of old books
One saddle
One rifle
One pine chest
One loom
Two pewter dishes
Three ditto basins
Two cotton wheels
Two flax ditto
One broad axe
One butter pot
Two crocks
One pr. sad irons
Three old bed steads
Fifteen old rag bottomed chairs
Five negro men
One negro woman
The above is a true inventory of all the property that has fallen into my hands belonging to the dece.
Jacob Hunter
Executor
Will of James A. Hunter, Wilson Co., Tenn., 1827, 1829
Son of Isaac Hunter and Martha Alston Hunter of Bute/Warren Co., N. C., and brother of Solomon Alston Hunter of Abbeville Dist., S. C. In 1789 he and his wife, Anne Walker Hunter, left Warren County and settled on bounty land he had purchased in Tennessee from a Revolutionary War veteran named Hitchcock.
In the name of God Amen. I James A. Hunter of Wilson County and State of Tennessee, being sick and weak of body, but of sound mind and disposing memory (for which I thank God and calling to mind the uncertainty of human life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly substance as it hath pleased God, to bless me with I give and bequeath the same in manner following. That is to say, I [illegible] all my just debt, and to be paid as [illegible] and speedily as circumstances will permit.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Jane [sic, miscopied for Ann] Hunter one third of the tract of land on which I now live, during her natural life, also one Negro man named Joseph, one boy named John, one girl named Rachel, one girl named Rin[?], one girl named Caroline, two horses Charley and Raglin, two feather beds, and furniture, two cows and calves, one cupboard and furniture, one desk, one table, one clock, and one yoke of oxen and cart during her natural life.
Item. I give and bequeath to my son Isaac Hunter one negro man named Daniel, one negro man named Lou[?], and one girl named Marge.
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Patsy Bradley one negro woman named Easther, one negro boy named Warren, one boy named Giles and one boy named L[illegible].
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Hunter one negro boy named [illegible]deth.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Kessiah Turner one negro woman named Dar[illegible], one boy named Douglas, and one boy named Jeremiah during her natural life and after her death to the [illegible] of her body. Also my wish and desire is that my negro man Tony should be hired out annually during his life by my executor and the money arising from this hire of said negro man to be given to my daughter Kessiah Turner during her life and after her death to the [illegible] of her body.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Nancy Derr one negro woman named Tillis, one boy named Edmund, one boy named Stephen, one boy named Phill.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Polly Walker one negro woman named Lucy, one named Lucky, one named Prissy, and one named Aicy, and one named [illegible].
Item. I give unto my son William Hunter one negro man named James[?], one girl named Rutha & one girl named Boney [?].
Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandson James Hunter , son of William Hunter, one negro boy named Daniel.
Item. I give unto my daughter Elizabeth Doak one bed and furniture.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Jacob Hunter the tract of land whereon I now live, after the death of his mother, also one negro boy named Will, one boy named [illegible], and one girl named Dicy, one horse named Ball, and all my household and kitchen furniture.
Item. My wish and desire is that the tract of land on [illegible] store[?] houses containing forty acres of land more or less, also my stock of all description should be sold on credit of twelve months and the money after paying my just debts be equally divided my heirs.
Lastly I constitute and appoint my friend William H. Peace [?] and my son Isaac Hunter Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other and forms of will by me made.
In testimony whereof I have here set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of November 1827.
James C. Caruth, Jurat James A. Hunter (seal)
William S. Caruth, Jurat
State of Tennessee
Wilson County Court
December Term 1829
The last will and testament of James A. Hunter Decd [illegible] in open court and fully proven by the oath of James C. Caruth and William S. Caruth the subscribing withesses thereto and ordered by the court to be recorded.
Recorded 1st February 1828
Test John Stone clerk of said court
December Term 1835
A list of the sale of the property of James A. Hunter & Ann Hunter Deceased sold the 28th Oct 1835. Isaac Hunter Executor of the last will of Jas A Hunter.
Old negro man Joseph Deceased also a negro girl Deced.
George D. Cummings to boy John $900.00
D[itt]o to girl Beney $627.00
Robert Jackson to Rachel & child $826.12 ½
James H. Taylor to five barrrels corn $6. 31 1/4
D[itt]o to one pot .25
D[itt]o to one tub .3 1/4
Jas H Taylor to hire boy John .50 for 1835
Isaac Hunter Executor
State of Tennessee
Wilson County Court, December Term 1835
The foregoing list of the sale of the property belonging to the estate of James A Hunter & Ann Hunter deceased was produced in open court by Isaac Hunter their Executor & ordered by the court to be recorded.
Recorded 14 April 1836
Test I. S. McClain
Clerk of Wilson County Court
Will of Thomas Harris of Baldwin Co., Ga., 1816, 1817
Husband of Sarah Gardner Harris
Father of Martha P. Harris (Mrs. James Alston Hunter)
In the name of God amen, I Thomas Harris of the county of Baldwin and the state of Georgia do make, ordain and publish this my last will and testament in the manner & form following, viz, First of all, I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Sarah [Gardner]Harris all my estate, both real and personal, during her life or widowhood, and I wish for her (at her discretion) to give to my children as they marry off, as much as the estate and her situation will conveniently admit of, but in case of her marrying again, I wish and direct that there may [be] a final distribution of my estate, then to be equally made between my children and the said Sarah, she having a child’s part. I do also make and appoint my dear wife Sarah Harris my sole executrix to this my last will & testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal, this twelfth day of December in the year of our lord in Christ eighteen hundred and sixteen.
his
Thomas X Harris (Seal)
mark
Signed & sealed in the
presence of us
Isaac Newton
Saml Swithy
William Harvill
John Rushen, Jr.
Fielding Ellis
Baldwin County Courthouse
Milledgeville, Georgia
An Inventory of Property of Thomas Harris decd.
Taken this 17th of January 1817
To one Negro Gilbert 300.00
To one ditto Kiar 300.00
To one ditto Hirum 350.00
To one ditto Elley 515.00
To one ditto Susannah 300.00
To one ditto Ausick 200.00
To one ditto Hiram 450.00
To one ditto Spencer 400.00
To one waggon & hind gear 45.00
To one blind Mare 15.00
To one Sorrel Horse 50.00
To one Blind Bay Mare & Colt 20.00
To one Bay Colt 20.00
To one Black Cow & Yearlin 13.00
To one Red Cow & Calf 15.00
To one nohorned Cow & Calf 15.00
To one Speckled Cow & Calf 13.00
To one Pided Cow & Calf 13.00
To one Pided Cow & Yearling 11.00
To one nohorned Heifer 8.00
To one Bull Yearlin 3.00
To one Red Cow & Yearlin 13.00
To one Desk 20.00
To one Slab 2.00
To one Chest 2.00
To one Iron Square 0.50
To one Lot of Books 10.00
$3213.50
To one lot of Chears 2.50
To one Bed & Stead & furniture 15.00
To one ditto 20.00
To one Cheer Box 1.00
To one Table 2.00
To one Bed and Sted and Furniture 20.00
To one Shot Gun 20.00
To one Bofat & Furniture 20.00
To one Bed & Furniture 20.00
To one ditto 7.00
To one Trunk 5.00
To one Pair of Stettards 3.00
To Two Spinning Wheels 4.00
To one Coffee Mill 1.00
To one Spinning Wheel 1.00
To 3 Pair of Cotton Cards 1.00
To one Lot of old tools 4.00
To Three Sives .75
To one old Saddle and lot of Leather 3.00
To Two Pair of Fire Dogs 4.00
To one Pair of Flat Irons 1.00
To one Lot of Pot ward 18.00
To one Loom and Gears 7.00
To one Lot of Coopers ware 3.75
To one Sithe & Cradle 1.00
To one lot of Tools 19.50
To two Clivics ditto .50
To one lot of Casks 4.50
To one lot of Meat 150.00
To one lot of Hogs 50.00
To four head of Sheep 8.00
$427.50
To one lot of Corn 90.00
To one Half Bushel 1.00
To one lot of Fodder 10.00
To one Cow Hide 1.00
To one Mashane 40.00
To one Still 130.00
To one Lot of Stands 25.00
To one Saddle & Bridle 10.00
To one Lot of Seed Cotton 375.00
$ 702.00
Amounts brot. From pages 1 & 2 st. nd 3213.50
427.50
$ 4343.00
Georgia
Baldwin County
In obediance to an order from the honorable Court of Ordinary of this County made the 8th day of January last , we have proceeded to appraise the Estate of Thos. Harris Deced and find the amount to be Four Thousand Three Hundrred & forty Three Dollars; As will more fully appear by the above Inventory – Given from under our hands this 22nd day of February 1817.
Henry Worsham
J. D. Chapman
John H. Smith
Settlement of the Estate of Thomas Harris
Georgia
Baldwin County
Agreeable to an order of the Honorable Inferior Court of Said County when setting for ordinary purpose. We have made and distributed the Estate of Thos Harris decd as follows: 1 Lott to Isaac Stephens a legal heir by the marriage of Sarah Harris a Daughter and heir of said decd, the north east quarter of lott 85 in the first Dist aforesaid with the Improvement at Six hundred and fifty dollars and his acpt of Two hundred and sixty one dollars which we require the said Stephens to pay to the manager of the Estate or proportionable to each distributee sixty one dollars which is over and above his equal share untill the debts are paid.
2d To Prior G. Harris – a minor & heir of said Estate the South west quarter of lott 85 in the first dist aforesaid at four hundred & fifty dollars and a small negro girl called Sucy [Lucy?] at three hundred Dollars 3d Lott to James Powell a Representative by Intermarriage of the widow the north west quarter of lott 85 in the 1st Dist aforesaid at Seven hundred Dollars – 4th Lott To Drucella Harris minor & heir of the same – the south East quarter of lott 85 in the same Dist at four hundred & sixty dollars and a negro wench called Hoad at three hundred dollars 5th to Fanny [Frances Harris] also a minor and heir of said [illeg.] the south west quarter of lott 72 in the said dist aforesaid at six hundred fifty dollars & a negro fellow called Kiah at two hundred dollars 6th Lott Lison an heir also of said decd The north west quarter of lott 72 in the first Dist aforesaid at three hundred and fifty and a negro boy Spence at five hundred 7th Lott to Martha an heir also of said Decd – the north east quarter of lott no 72 in the first Dit aforesaid at three hundred & fifty dollars and a negro boy named Hiram to five hundred dollars 8th Lott to Thomas a minor of said Dsd three negroes Ellie and her two children Huzick & Morning at Eight hundred and fifty dollars 9th Lott to Sarah a minor a minor [repeated] and also an heir of said Dcd – the South East quarter of lott 72 in the first Dist aforesaid at six hundred dollars – We also require the manager of the Estate to pay to each legate whatever sum they may be in arrears to make each Eight hundred dollars and to collect from those who have received over that amount so as to make each equal – We further charge and require the said manager to collect all debts due the Estate and pay all that the Estate may be in debt as soon as practicable also to sell the Land which belong to the Estate in Twiggs and after collected to make an equal distribution of the proceeds and also of all other monies which may be left after the debts are paid – We also from feelings of the purest interest for the minor heirs recommend that the court appoint their Guardians – We also viewing the extreme difficulty which the Estate is now in for want of an acting Executor or administrator we do hope and recommend that the court will appoint an administrator with the will to settle the business of the Estate Sworn under our hands and seals this 9th July 1821
Dryry M. Lesuuer
Fielding Ellis
M. W. Perry
John H. Smith
Dispersal of Thomas Harris’s estate to his eight children and his widow. From a document in an old Hunter wallet now lost but once in the possession of Leo Hunter of Mantee, Mississippi, a grandson of James A. Hunter and Martha Harris Hunter.
The manuscript, a plat directing executors in the distribution of Harris’s land, shows a grid of eight segments. At the top is "West," at the bottom "East," and at the respective left and right sides "S" and "N."
Fanny [Frances Harris]
Next Worsham & Justice
S. W. Cr of Lot 72 $650
and Kiah $200
Liser [Elizabeth]
Next Anderson N. W.
Cr. of Lot 72 @ 350
and Spence @ $500
Sarah
S. E. Cr. Of Lot 72 where
Etheriage Lives @ $700
and to be paid
out of the Estate $150
Martha
Woods next Beckom
N. E. Cr. of Lot 72
@ $350 – and Hiram
at $500
Prior
Next [?] Swthy Cr. of
Lot 85 S. W. @ $450
and Sucky @ 300
to be [?] paid out Este. 100
Mrs. Harris
N. W. Cr. of 84 @ $700
to be paid of the Est 150
[total] $850
Drusilla S. E. Cr. o
Lot 85 @ $450
and Hannah 300
to be paid out of
the Estate 100
Mrs. Stephens [daughter Mary Polly]
Lot 85 – Perrys Store
at $650 — $650
his own debt — $201
[Total] 911.00
To pay back the Est $61
[verso of sheet:]
Thos. Harris
Elly & child and Anjick [?]
At $850.00
This is a true coppy taken from the original Feby 27th 1824
M. W. Perry
Will of John Harris of Abbeville District, S. C., signed 5 December 1831, proved 12 December 1831
John Harris was born in Granville Co., N. C., and settled in the Hillsborough township of Old 96 District, S. C., before the Revolutionary War. He served as a private with South Carolina troops. He was the son of Richard Harris and was married to Rachel Milly Kittrell, also a native of Granville County. Their daughter Elizabeth was the wife of Solomon Alston Hunter. John Harris’s grave is in the old Wideman-Harris Cemetery in McCormick Co., S. C.
There is no proven connection of Thomas Harris of Baldwin Co., Ga., and John Harris of Abbeville Dist., S. C.
Box 43, Pack 959, Abbeville Probate Court
LAST WILL & TESTAMENT, JOHN HARRIS
In the name of God Amen. I John Harris of the District and State aforesaid, being of sound and disposing mind and memory but weak in body and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and being desirous to dispose of all such worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner following (that is to say)
1st. I desire that all my Just debts and funeral expenses be paid immediately after my decease out of such monies as may be on hand.
2nd , I give to my wife Milly Harris five Negroes (to wit Dave and Elsey his wife and their two young children Jenny & Caty and a Negro Man named Isaac. I also give to my said wife the plantation whereon I now live containing one hundred acres with three other small pieces attached to said tract. Amounting Ninety one Acres making in all one hundred and ninety one Acres. I also give to my said wife one other tract of land containing one hundred and sixty acres situated in the District aforesaid on the bold Branch whereon Henry Wideman now resides Joining lands of Robert McCaslan, George M. Farlin and others. I also give to my said wife four cows & calves her choice of my Stock with two of my horse beasts her taking her choice. I also give to my said Wife all my household and kitchen furniture of every description with all my corn Fodder wheat etc with one half of my Stock of hogs all and singular the property above specified both real and personal. I give the same to her during her natural life or widowhood and her decease or should she intermarry then it is my will and desire that the said property be equally divided among my children herein after named (to wit) William, Robert, Elizabeth, Polly, John, Sarah, Caroline, Peggy, Milly, Leuisa, Catherine and Thomas.
3rd , All and singular the residue of my property not above specified both real and personal I desire that my Executors herein after mentioned immediately after my decease should sell the same at publick sale and the proceeds thereof to be equally divided among my said Children as is above named when they arrive to the age of twenty one years or marry as the Case may be—With the exception of two horses (to wit) a black horse which belongs to my said son William and a Gray horse that beongs to my son Robert–which said Horses I have no claim to, and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son William Harris and my friends Robert McCaslin and James McCaslan Executors of this my last Will & Testament, hereby revoking all former Will & Testaments by me heretofore made. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 5th day of December eighteen hundred and thirty one.
Signed Sealed published and declared as and for the last Will & Testament of the above named John Harris in the presence of us
Patrick Gibson John Harris {seal}
S. Wideman
Jse. Wideman Proven by the Oath of Joshua Wideman & Qualified
Wm. Harris & Jas. McCaslan Ex’or 12 Decr. 1831
Moses Taggard OAD
Estate Settlement of Philip Hunter, 1808
Son of Jesse Hunter and Ann Alston Hunter
Brother of Elisha Hunter, Ruthy Hunter (Mrs. William Green), and Nathaniel Hunter
Husband of (1) Mary Watson and (2) Mrs. Mary Jackson
Double first cousin of Solomon Alston Hunter
A List of the amt of the Saile of the Estate of Phillip Hunter Decd [Greene Co., Ga.]
One Cow & Calf $13
One Do Do $16.30
One Gray Horse $85.00
10 Goats $15.51
The whole of the Hogs $40.75
19 Gees $7.75
The whole amount of plantation tools $22.93
Cow hides $6.00
2 Colts $22.00
The whole amount of Household & kitchen
furniture and some other trumpery war $621.50
Total Amount $851.00
Note to the amount of $100.00
On one Steedmon and one Harris and Lewis which I never Expect to Collect if I do I will make a true return of all I receive
Registered the 30th day of May 1810
A. B. Fannin for Thos. Carleton CCO
Aprl 1890
Cattle sold in Baldwin by advt $96.00
Recd Thos Wingfield notes [illegible] $80.00
Rede Chas Haynes’s Do $31.00
Cr
Apl 1809
Rec for necessary Expenses $28.95
1 Do Isaac Roberson Pro ante $11.00
2 Jno Morrett Do Do $10.75
3 Do Jno Cooper Do Do $32.00
4 Do Js. Moore Do Do $10.00
Do Do Do Do Do $13.00
5 Do Carlton for Letters & Reg 2 Deeds $6.35
9 Do D. Watson for [illegible] Carrd [illegible] $83.60 [Douglas Watson, Philip’s father-in-law]
6 Do Jno Simmon pro ante $43.47
7 Do Saml Hall Do Do $19.00
8 Do M. Knight Do Do $20.62
10 Do Keah Rutledge Do Do $60. 92
11 Do Robt Ray Do Do $32.14
12 Do Jarred Beasly Do do $13.75
13 Do A Note with Interest $12.46
14 Do taxes for two years $2.04
15 Do do Watson pro ante $10.00 [Watson, Philip’s father-in-law]
16 Do L. B. Boslick $6.25
Advertisement in The Monitor, Washington, Ga., Saturday, 30 September 1809:
"One tract of land lying in the county of Greene on Beaverdam Creek, containing 100 acres, adj. Wingfield and Rowland, belonging to the estate of Philip Hunter deceased. All sold for the benefit of the heirs and creditors of the said deceased. Elisha Hunter, adm’r. September 30, 1809."
Will of Elisha Hunter, Greene Co., Ga., 1836
Son of Jesse Hunter and Ann Alston Hunter
Brother of Philip Hunter, Ruthy Hunter (Mrs. William Green), and Nathaniel Hunter
Husband of Rebecca Sparks
Double first cousin of Solomon Alston Hunter
Elisha’s will is abstracted in Freda Reid Turner’s Greene County, Georgia, Wills, 1786-1877 (Fernandina Beach, Fla.: Wolfe Publishing, 1998), pp. 199-200:
Will Book F, page 211 – "18 Oct. 1836, will of Elisha Hunter, deceased. To my present wife Rebecca [Sparks] Hunter, the land whereon we now live together with household and kitchen furniture, livestock, plantation tools, road wagon, a four-wheeled carriage, one cotton gin, and all negroes except those I shall otherwise will to my son E. S. [Elisha Sparks] Hunter, my daughter Rebecca Shackleford, my son Allsey Hunter and my granddaughter Elizabeth Towns. To E. S. Hunter, negroes Jacob and Jim; to daughter Rebecca negroes Lucinda, Fan, and Lucy; to son Allsey negro Henry; to granddaughter Elizabeth Towns negro Charity. Residue to be sold and divided among my lawful legatees. Appoint son Elisha S. Hunter executor. Wit.: John G. Roberts, William Tuggle, William Clark. Recorded 23 Dec. 1836. Thomas Grimes, Clerk."
James A. Hunter, d. 1844
Son of Solomon Alston Hunter and Elizabeth Harris Hunter
Husband of Martha Harris Hunter
Veteran of the War of 1812
No will has survived. The Choctaw Co., Miss., courthouse burned in 1881, and almost all court documents were destroyed. A hint that a will existed arises in letters mentioning Silvanus Gardner Hunter, twenty-one when his father died, as legal guardian of all his brothers and sister and executor of the estate.
Will of Silvanus Gardner Hunter, 1900
Son of James A. Hunter and Martha Harris Hunter
Resident of Webster Co., Miss.
S. G. Hunter was mortally injured and his hip was broken when his buggy overturned. He died at the age of seventy-seven on 14 July 1900, nine days after signing his will. His widow died 30 January 1912. Both are buried in Mt. Pleasant churchyard near Mantee, Miss.
Know all men by these presents that I, Silvanus G. Hunter of Hohenlinden, Webster Mississippi, have signed and delivered the following will to be my own and personal acknowledgment.
After my death my wife Sallie H. Hunter [Sarah Hannah McMullen Bingham Hunter] shall assume full control over my estate, paying the indebtedness and paying Iva Hunter 5 (five) cows and 1 (one) horse for service rendered.
And paying Pearl Hogan for service 1 (one) cow and 1 (one) yearling and $25.00 (twenty-five dollars) in cash for labor after the death of my wife Sallie H. Hunter [Pearl Hogan evidently was a nurse caring for Sallie H. Hunter, who was blind and ill], or after being mentally disabled to manage successfully.
Then the following above-mentioned estate shall be dispersed of as follows:
To my son Henry H. Hunter [son of Silvanus and his first wife, Mary Jane Spencer] or his heirs $50.00 (fifty) cash, and to my daughter Henrietta Hunter King [also a child of Silvanus Hunter and Mary Jane Spencer] or her heirs $50.00 (fifty) cash, the remainder to be equally divided between my son James W. Hunter [Willie Hunter] or his heirs, my daughter Mattie S. Hunter Cole [Martha Susan Hunter Chandler Cole, Mrs. S. M. Cole] or her heirs, my son Tom E. Hunter [Thomas Edwin Hunter] or his heirs, and my daughter Iva Hunter or her heirs.
My son James W. Hunter or his heirs to have the following land, to wit: thirty-five acres (35) lying in N ½ of S ½ of NE 1/4 Sec 31, Town. 15, R 2E, County of Webster, state of Mississippi, approved to him as part of his portion of estate.
The estate herein to be divided is my personal property and the following land, to wit: SE 1/4 and S ½ of NE 1/4 all in Sec. 31, T. 15, R 2E and 60 acres East side W ½ fractional, Sec. 6, T. 16, R 2E, all in Webster County, state of Mississippi.
Witness my signature this the 5 day of July A. D. 1900
S. G. Hunter
Witnessed by A. J. Womack, B. T. Spruill, Dr. A. C. Gore, T. N. Moody, J. P., and proved 16 October 1900 before W. A. Rogers, Clerk of Chancery Court at Walthall, Miss.