Friend of Friends Friday - Will of John Barker, Sr., Iredell Co., NC, 1808

When John Barker, Sr., wrote his will in 1808, he bequeathed a number of slaves to his children; however, he set one woman, Hannah, free. A transcription of his will and a digital image of the document is given below. The references to slaves are shown in red text.

“In the name of God, Amen:

I John Barker, Sen^r. of the State of North Carolina Iredell County, being weak of Body but of sound & perfect mind & Memory, thanks be to God for the same, calling to mind the mortality of body know that is appointed for all men once to die hoping that the Great General resurrection to be raised to life Eternal, through the [?} & mediation o four blessed Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ & do hereby make & ordain this my last will & Testament. First of all I do recommend my Soul into the hands of ^^Almighty God that gave it me and my Body to Earth, to be decently buried after a Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors herein after mentioned, and as touching my worldly Estate it hath been pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give & dismiss and dispose of the same in the folloowing manner & form.

First I give & bequeath to my Son Burale Barker, all that I have procest him with & five Shillings beside[?] extraordinary. Second I give to my Daughter Susannah Cheetham one Negro Woman ^^named Jude with all her increase to her & her heirs forever. To my Daughter Mary white all that I have procest her with & 5/. besides. 3^d to my Daughter Elizabeth Foot I give two Negroes, a Negro Woman by the name of Fortune & Phib, to her & her heirs forever. Fourth, to my Son Howell Barker I give three by name of Jack, Easther & Ben, to him & his his [sic] forever. Fifth, one Negro woman by the name of Hannah, I set her, at liberty, only ^^left in the care of my Son Henchea.

Sixth, I give to my son Henchea, whom I appoint & constitute to my Sole Executor, Administrator, of this my last Will & Testatment or Estate. Seventh, four Negroes by the name of George, Rodger, Tobe & Raciel, & the two Wommens increase. These I give to my Son Henchea Barker, to him & his heirs forever, & I also give my son Henchea Barker all my goods & chattles & household furniture as also my Stock of all kinds as Horses, Cattle, Hoggs & Sheep & to him & his heirs forever, & I hereby disallow & revoke all other form or forms, Will or Wills, Testament or Testaments by me made, declared this & no other to be my last Will and Testament or Testamentory. Whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 2^d day of April 1808.

Signed, sealed & delivered

in the presence of us

Attest

Daniel Parham          }                                   Jn^o Barker {seal}

Tho^s Millsaps, jurat }

John Griffith, jurat   }”

[Source: Iredell County, North Carolina, Wills, 1:42, John Barker, Sr.; digital image, FamilySearch.org, "North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970, Iredell, Wills, 1790-1819, Vol. 01," (https://www.familysearch.org/search/collection/1867501 : accessed 30 June 2013).]

© 2013 Denise Spurlock, Ancestral Trees Research

Friend of Friends Friday - Will of William Ireland, Iredell County, North Carolina, 1796

One of the earliest wills recorded in Iredell County, North Carolina, is that of William Ireland who signed his will on 26 April 1796. In an interesting provision he bequeaths one of his slaves and that slave's wife and children to the "Pennsylvania Society for the abolishing of Slavery and the relief of free Negroes held in bondage." The Pennsylvania Abolition Society was originally founded in 1775; more information can be found here.

Here is a transcription of William Ireland's will with those provisions related to his slaves highlighted in red. Digital images of the source documents follow the transcription.

“In the Name of God: Amen.

I William Ireland of the county of Iredell, in the State of North_Carolina, being of sound and disposing Mind, make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following (To Wit) after all my lawfull Debts and funeral Charges are paid; I give and bequeath the remainder of my Estate, both real and personal as underneath___ I give and bequeath to my beloved Wife Sarah Ireland, the one half of all Profits arising from the Sale of Three Hundred Acres of Land from the Plantation I now live on, taken from the East End of said place to be separated from the remainder by a Line across said Track at equal distances from the old Corner of said Land; and also the One half of the Amount of the Sale of the Track or Entry of Land on the Elk Shoal Creek I purchased from Matthew Gaston both which parcels of Land I allow to be sold together with the Still and Still Vessels by my Executors as soon as Circumstances will admit after my Decease; together with the Right to hold and enjoy and to her only proper use and behoof forever, all the Profits arising or that may arise from the Cultivation or Possession of the remainder of all my Lands with their Improvement and Appurtenances in it's fullest Latitude without Hinderance or Molestation and that the said Profits so arising may be appropriated by her to her only proper use and behoof for ever with the right to dispose of, and bequeath by Will or otherwise at her Death to any Person to whom she may see fit, but her Right or Property in the same is not to be altered during her Natural Life. And also the whole of my household Furniture, Vessels of Cookery and Implements of Husbandry, including the clock, wearing Apparell, Books &c and also the Profits arising from the use of labour of all my Negroes, (Bob excepted) as long as she lives; likewise one half of all my live Stock of horned Cattle, Horses, Sheep and Hogs, ready Cash and outstanding Debts, all of which as above set forth she is to hold, and apply to her own use and her own disposal in any manner that, to her may seem meet, and that She be one of the Executors of this my last Will and Testament &c. I give and bequeath to my Brother's Son William Ireland, the Negro Boy Bob, reserving nonetheless, the use and labour of said Negro Bob for my Brother John Ireland as long as he lives, and then and not till then he is to become the property of said William &c. I give and bequeath to the Pennsylvania Society for the abolishing of Slavery and the relief of free Negroes held in bondage_ my Negro Boy named Ben and his Wife Poll and their Son Luke with all their increase till the decease of my Wife Sarah to be delivered to the Agent or legal Representative of said Society at any time when called for after the decease of my Wife, but not before that period, in order [th]at the said Negroes may have and enjoy the Benefits intended and designed by said Society &c.

I give and bequeath to my Brother John Ireland one Dividend or tenth part of the Profits arising from the Sale of the Land heretofore directed for Sale, and also that part of my personal Estate not heretofore bequeathed, which I allow to be sold at my decease, and also the like part or dividend of the remainder of my Lands, which I allow to be sold at my decease, and also the like part or dividend of the remainder of my Lands which I allow to be sold at the decease of my Wife and not before. I give to John Ireland's children, each of them, male and female one Dividend or tenth part of the Money arising from the Sale as above (To witt) to James Ireland, One part, to William Ireland one part, To James Alexander, Husband of Margaret Ireland One party, to Peter Fleming the Husband of Martha Ireland, one part, to David Ireland One Part, to Andrew Ireland, One part; to Elijah Mitchel, the Husband of Sarah Ireland, one part, to John Adams, the Husband of Nancy Ireland, one part, To David Pervinance the Husband of Mary Ireland one part, and that the same or each of them or their Heirs or Successors equally share and share alike, agreeable to the true intent and meaning of the above &c.

And I do hereby appoint and constitute my Two Friends, in whom I repose Confidence (to wit) Andrew Morrison and Thomas Morrison jointly with my Wife Sarah already nominated to be Executors of this my last Will and Testament.

Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament, I hereunto set my hand and seal in Testimony thereof this 26^th Day of April in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Ninety Six

                                                                                                William Irlande {seal}

Signed and sealed

in the present of

James Morrison. Jurat

Henry Morrison. Jurat”

Source: Iredell County, North Carolina, Wills, 1:3, William Ireland; digital image, FamilySearch.org, "North Carolina, Probate Records, 1735-1970, Iredell, Wills, 1790-1819, Vol. 01," (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-19423-124033-68?cc=1867501&wc=10922252 : accessed 22 June 2013)


© 2013 Denise Spurlock, Ancestral Trees Research

Friend of Friends Friday - 1817 Will of Elizabeth Cook, Surry County, North Carolina

When William Cook of Surry County, North Carolina, died in 1812, he bequeathed to his wife Elizabeth "his Molatto boy Lewis to be her own property forever." In her will, Elizabeth bequeathed Lewis to one of her sons with a provision for Lewis to be freed when he reached age 35. Following is a transcription and images of Elizabeth's will.

"In the name of God Amen I Elizabeth Cook of the County of Surry and State of North Carolina being weak in Body but of sound mind and memory Blessed be God for the Same_ and calling to mind my approaching mortality do this fourth day of april AD 1817 make and publish this my Last will and Testament in manner following: (viz) I give and bequeath until my Son Wilds [Miles?] Cook my molatto Boy lewis untill he shall arrive to the age of thirty five years old after that period my will and Desire is that the aforesaid Boy Lewis shall obtain his freedom and continue no longe[r] [?] and it is my will and Desire that my Said Son Wild [Miles?] Cook or Some other of my Children or some friend Should make application to the legislature for the purpose of haveing a law passed to Carry into effect this my will so far as Respects the freedom of said Boy. Witness my hand and Seal the Day and date above written. Signed and acknowledxged in the presance of ___

J Wright                                                                                    her

Henry Hampton Senr                                                  Elizabeth  X  Cook {seal}

                                                                                                  mark

State of North Carolina Surry County February term 1824. Thomas Wright one of the subscribing witness to the foregoing last Will & testament of Elizabeth Cook decd made oath that he saw the said Elizabeth Cook, sign publish & declare the same to be her last Will & testament, that she was of sound, disposing mind & memory, and at the same time he saw Henry Hampton Sen^r sign the same as a witness, and therupon it was ordered to be recorded.

                                                            Recorded accordingly  R J Williams C C"

Source: North Carolina, will, Elizabeth Cook, Surry County Wills, 1792-1827, Vol. 03, pg. 159, image 185; digital images, FamilySearch (www.familysearch.org : accessed 24 Jan 2013).

© 2013 Denise Spurlock, Ancestral Trees Research

Friend of Friends Friday – Bill of Sale to Jasper Gibbs, Bienville Parish, Louisiana

This 1857 bill of sale conveys ownership of Harriet, a girl of about seven years, from Samuel Sprawls to Jasper Gibbs and is recorded in the deed books of Bienville Parish, Louisiana. The document discloses that Harriet has a medical condition called “Ozeana.”

MedlinePlus defines ozena as a “disease of the nose in which the bony ridges and mucous membranes of the nose waste away.”[1]

In 1850, Jasper Gibbs was enumerated in Bienville Parish, Louisiana, as a 40-year-old physician, born in South Carolina, with real estate valued at $22,000.[2] The slave schedules for that year list him as the owner of 46 slaves.[3] The Bienville Parish census schedules for 1860 no longer exist.

Samuel Sprawls was not found on the 1850 census for Bienville Parish.

The transcription and images follow. Because of the poor quality of the microfilm images, the document had to be scanned in sections to allow for adjustments for readability.

“Bienville Parish         )

State of Louisiana       )

Received of Jasper Gibbs Four Hundred and fifty Dollars also six dollar Doctors Bill payment in full for a negro girl named Harriett black complexion and about seven years of age. The Title of said girl Harriet I do hereby guarantee unto the said Gibbs his heirs or assigns as also. the ownership of said Girl in mind and body. It is however[?] understood that said girl Harriet has, in her nose, what is called "Ozaena" against which the Vendor Samuel Sprawls does not guarantee the said Gibbs agreeing to take her with the risque and all damage which may be sustained by said "Ozaena." The said Saml. Sprawls hereby binding his heirs and assigns This 24th day of March Eighteen Hundred and fifty seven March 24^th 1857.

Martin Canfield              )       (signed) Samuel Sprawls

John G. Noles Recorder )       I accept (signed) J. Gibbs

I certify that the parties Samuel Sprawls & J. Gibbs signed executed and delivered the above bill sale in my presence and in presence of Martin Canfield and in presence of Each other on the day and date therein written. In Testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my seal of office March 24^th AD. 1857 (signed) John G. Noles, Recorder

I hereby certify that the above & foregoing is a true record of the original as filed & Recorded March 24^th 1857.

                                                John G. Noles Recorder”

Bienville Parish, Louisiana, Conveyance Records, 1848-1900, E: 115-116,
Bill of Sale, Samuel Sprawls to Jasper Gibbs, 24 March 1857; FHL microfilm 266,008.

---

[1] U.S. National Library of Health and National Insitute of Health, MedlinePlus (http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001627.htm : accessed 10 February 2012).

[2] 1850 U.S. census, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, population schedule, Western District, page 261-B, dwelling 206, family 206, Jasper Gibbs; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 February 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication M432, roll 230.

[3] 1850 U.S. census, Bienville Parish, Louisiana, slave schedule, page 699 (penned), line 26, Jasper Gibbs, owner; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : accessed 10 February 2012); citing National Archives and Records Administration microfilm publication M432.

© 2012 Denise Spurlock, Ancestral Trees Research

Friend of Friends Friday - Will of Alpheus Beal (Beall) 1833

While researching another family in Ohio County, West Virginia, I found the will of Alpheus Beal (Beall) written in 1833 which is transcribed below; copies of the images follow the transcription.

"Know all men by these presents that I Alpheus
Beal of Ohio County Farmer being weak in
body but of Sound mind and memory make
this my will and testament as follows

First I bequeath after all my just debts are
paid: to my black girls (vis) Easter Lethe
Mariah and Harriett all the property herein
after mentioned  All my land to be rented
until it Can be Sold and the interest to be paid
as well as the interest arising from the money
got for the land after it is Sold to the black
girls aforesaid Second I bequeath to the black
girls above named half of the Crop in the ground
at the time of my decease and also Loom and
tackling--a Cow--one back oven--brass Kettle--
tea Kettle Smoothing Irons and all their own beds &
bedding and Kitchen furniture except the three big
Kettles two bake ovens and one pot
Third I bequeath to the above named black
girls the interest of my personal estate after it is Sold
Fourth I bequeath to my girl Lethe a Sow and
pigs also a sow and eight pigs-- Also Sugar tongs
and six silver tea spoons to Harriet another of my girls
Fifth I hereby will and ordain my black girls (viz)
Lethe Harriet Easter and Mariah free at my death
Fifth After the death of my girls before mentioned
the money remaining in the hands of my Exec
=utors I devise to be paid to Alpheus Beal Willi
=ams my Nephew of Montgmery County Ma
=ryland I wish my Executors to have my prop
=erty Sold at a reasonable credit and they are
hereby empowered to execute all the parts of this
my last will and testament

I hereby appoint Zachariah Jacobs
of Wheeling Virginia my Sole Executor of
this my last will and testament Witness
my hand and Seal this twenty eighth day of
June one thousand eight hundred & thirty then
and thirty three Alpheus Beall (Seal)
Witness
Samuel McKeehan
John Stroop
Benjamin Stroop
At a court held for Ohio County on the fifth
day of August 1833
The last will & Testament of Alpheus Beall
deceased is presented in Court and proved by
the oaths of John Stroop & Benjamin Stroop
Two of the Subscribing witnesses thereto
and ordered to be recorded
A Copy Test Jno McColloch  Clk"

[Source: Ohio County, West Virginia, Will Books, V. 03 1828-1854, 98, will of Alpheus Beal; online images, Family Search (www.familysearch.org : accessed 3 October 2011), image 80.]

© 2011 Denise Spurlock, Ancestral Trees Research