1784 - Absalom Knott's Will

In the name of god amen I Absolom Knott of the County of Bertie & state of North Carolina being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dy do make and ordain this my last will - Testament in the following maner and form princepally and first of all Recommend my Soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named. Nothing doubting but but (sic) that I shall see (?) the same again at the General resurection by the mighty power of god and Touching such worldly Estate herewith it hat pleased god to bless me in this life I give and dispose of the same in ------ loving manner after payment of all my just debts Item I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Elizabeth Knott one negroe boy by the name of Ca---- one Grey mare and two Colts one black horse and one bay horse and six head of cattle with all other my household furniture goods and Chattles unto me belonging of every kind whatsoever by her to be possesed during her natural Life and after deceased to descend to my beloved Daughter Clarissa Knott her heirs & assigns forever and in case of the death of my sd daughter Clarissa Knott without heirs it is my will and desire that al my above named property be equally divided between Luke Smithwick and Lanier Smithwick them and their heirs forever Item I constitute appoint and ordain James Knott and and my Wife John SmithwickElizabeth Knott Executors of this my Last will and testament and I do hereby utterly revoke & disanull all former wills Testaments & by me made declaring this and none other to be my Last will & Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 10th day of April in the year of our Lord 1784 and in the Eighth year of American independence Absalom Knott {seal}
Test James Knott
Willm his X mark Brassell

Bertie County August Term 1784

The Last will & Testament of Absalom Knott dec'd was prooved in open Court in due form of Law by the Oath of James Knott one of the subscribing Witnesses and ordered to be recorded
Shoens (?) Gray C-C

(Bertie Co., NC WB C Pg 81-82)

1845 - Irvin Braswell's Will

I Irvin Braswell of the County of Anson and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory But considering the uncertainty of my earthly existance do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form as followers viz, 1st That my executor hereinafter named shall provide for my body a decent burial and pay all furneral expences together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the moneys that may first come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate Item 2nd I give unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Braswell the tract of land whereon I now Reside containing one hundred acres more or less also one tract of fifty acres adjoining the home tract which is an entry made by me as by reference to the courses will more fully appear to include my mansion house all out houses and other improvements to have and to hold to her the said Elizabeth Braswell for and during her widowhood or natural life time, in satisfaction for and in time of her dower and third of and in all my real estate. Item 3rd I give unto my sons Benjn R. Braswell Thomas M. Braswell and James W. Braswell the tract of land that I bought of the Executors of John Beards estate adjoining Jo B. Ingram & Ell Sibley containing one hundred and sixty nine and 3/4 acres more or less to be equally divided between them at my decease provided they pay to my executor fifty dollars each or one seventh of all my debts each. Item 4th I give unto George J. Braswell, William Braswell John W. Braswell and Elizabeth Lee wife of William Lee senr one tract of land containing forty acres more or less adjoining Richard Vinson & my home tract also one tract of land I bought of Bryant Braswell containing 75 3/4 acres more or less adjoining John Winfield & others also one tract of land containing fifty acres more or less adjoining John Winfield & others which is an Entry made by me - It is understood that each of the heirs named in Item four is to pay fifty dollars each or one seventh each of all my debts to my Executors before they are to have a title to the said Land - It is my wish that the heirs named in Item three & four have two years to pay their part of my debts. Item 5th I also give unto my wife Elizabeth Braswell three cows and calves her choice all of my beds furniture one sorrel horse about five years of age also one sorrel mare about four years old both now in my possession also all of my household kitchen furniture - twelve head of hogs her choice, six head of sheep her choice, all the domestic fowls & Poultry - six choice stands of bees - all of my farming tools - one half of all the corn I make this year after William Lee gets his part for this years services six choice stocks & fodder - one black sow & seven pigs - Item 6th I give unto my children by my last wife Christopher C Ann Mary, Laura Clematine, Irvin McDaniel, Robert Alexander and Barnabus B. Braswell all of the lands and other property willed to my wife in Item Second and fifth after her death or during her widow-hood Item 7th I give unto my wife one hundred weight of picked cotton. Item 8th Provided that the heirs named in Item 3rd & 4th should fail to pay their proportionable part of all my debts within two years from my decease I leave it in the power of my Executor to sell said land willed to them and appropriate the proceds to the payment of said debts - 9th I give unto my sons Benjn. Mabry and Wirick Braswell my cart and yoke of oxen - Item 10th I desire my executor to sell all of my crop stock and other property not named in my will and appropiate the proceeds to the payment of my debts - Lastly - I do hereby constitute and appoint my Trusty friend John Winfield my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part & claim thereof - In witness whereof I the said Irvin Braswell do hereunto set my hand and seal this 15th day of September A. D. 1845.
Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Irvin Braswell to be his last will and testament in the presence of us only (?) at his request and in presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto Erven Braswell {seal}
D. C. Lilly
Edw. -. B. Winfield
State of North Carolina}
Anson County} October Term 1845
then the above will was exhibited in open Court and duly proven by the oath of Daniel C. Lilly one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded whereupon John Winfield the executor therein named appeared in open Court and qualified as executor and obtained letters Testamentory. N.D Boggan clk

(Anson Co., NC WB B Pg 200-202)

1780 - North Carolina to Valentine Braswell

State of North Carolina No 26?
To all to whome these presents shall come greeting Know Ye That We for and in Consideration of the Sum of fifity Shillings for every hundred Acres hereby Granted paid into Our Treasury by Volentine Brassell Senr. have given and Granted and by these presents do give and Grant unto the Said Volentine Brassell Senr. a Tract of land Containing one hundred and two Acres lying and being in Our County of Chatham on the South Side of Cape Fear Beginning in Henry Brassell's at a red Oak running south Eighty Seven poles to A Black oak thence East one hundred and sixty poles to a red Oak thence North one hundred and forty poles to a post Oak thence West forty four poles to a stake in Henry Brassells line thence south along his line fifty four poles to a Black Oak at his Corner thence West Along his other line one hundred and sixteen poles to the first station as by the plat hereunto Annexed -orth Appear together with all Woods Waters Mines Minerals Hereditaments and Appurtenances to the Said Land belonging or appertaining To hold to the Said Volentine Brassell Senr. his Heirs and assigns forever. -------- and paying to us Such Sums of Money yearly or otherwise as Our General Assembly from Time to Time may Direct Provided Always That the Said Volintine Brassell Snr. Shall Cause this Grant to be Registered in the Register office of Our said County of Chatham within Twelve Months from the date hereof otherwise the same same (sic) shall be Void and of no Effect In Testimony whereof We have Caused Our great Seal to be hereunto affixed Witness Richard Casswell Esquire Our Governor Captain General and Commander in chief at Kingston the Thirty first day of March in the fourth year of Our Independence and in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Eighty
By His Excellency's Command
Wm Sheppard D Sec (?) RD (?) {great seal} Casswell

(Chatham Co., NC DB B Pg 538)

NOTE: Valentine (V) Braswell sold this to Henry Braswell from Wilkes Co., GA in 1783. They are presumed to be brothers as no records survive to prove the relationship.

1783 - Valentine & Henry Braswell

To all persons to whome these presents shall come greeting Know Ye that I Valentine Braswell of the County of Wilks and province of Georgy and in the Consideration of the Sum of ten pounds Space to me in hand paid before the Insealing well and truly paid by Henry Braswell of the County of Chatham and province of North Carolina the receipt I do Acknowledge and myself herewith fully satisf.d and contented hereof and every part and parcel thereof I do Exonerate --just and Discharge the said Henry Braswell his heirs Executors administrators forever by these presents have given granted bargained Sold and conveyd and Confirmed and by these presents unto the said Henry Braswell his heirs and assigns forever one Certain tract or parsel of Land lying and being in the county of chatham and province of North Carolina Containing by Estimation one hundred two Acres of Land be the Same more or less Buted and bounded lying on the South Side of Cape fair River Beginning in Sd. Henry Braswell own line at a red oak running south eighty seven poles to a Black oak thence East one hundred and sixty poles to a Red Oak thence North one hundred and forty poles to a post Oak thence West at forty four poles to a Stake in the sd. Henry Braswell line thence south along his line fifty four poles to a Black Oak at the Corner thence west along his other line one hundred and sixty poles to the first station To have and to hold the said Land with all the appurtancees priviledges and Commodities to the belongin or in Anywise appertaining to ---- the sd. Henry Braswell his heirs and assigns forever to his and their proper use benefit and behalf forever and I the sd. Valentine Baswell (sic) his heirs assigns that before the ensealing hereof I am the Sole and Lawfull Owner of the above bargained premises and Lawfully ------ posesed of the same in my own proper Right as A good perfect and absolute Estate Inheritance in ------ I have in myself good right full power and lawfu athority to grant Bargain Sell convey and confirm the said bargaind premises in manner above sd. and that the sd. Henry Braswell his heirs and assigns shall and may from Time to Time and all Times forever hereafter by and ------ of ---------into lawfully and peasable and Quietly have hold ---Occupy posses and enjoy the sd. Demised Bargained premises with the Appertainces free and Clear and Clearly Acquited Exonerated and discharged of all incumbrances of forms or other gifts grants Bargains Sails leases morgages Will intails ------Dowreys In-gmints Executions incumbrances and ------- further more I the Sd. Valentine Braswell for myself my heirs and Executors and Administrators do Covenant and ingage the Above Demised premises to him the Sd. Henry Baswell (sic) his heirs and assigns against the Lawfull Claims or Demands of Any persons whatsoever hereafter to Warrant Secure and Defend In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my Seal this present Day of May the 18th A.D 1783
Signed Seald in the}
presents of us} Valentine his V mark Baswell (sic) {Seal}
John Womack}
Perion his + mark Pharow
Chatham County February Term 1784
the above Deed was duly proved in Open Court
by the oath of John Womack and Ordered to be Registered
Test Ramsey ------

(Chatham Co., NC DB C Pg 143-144)

Difficult to Read

1774 - Valentine Braswell

This Indenture made this Eleventh day of May in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven Hundred & Seventy four Between James Brantley & Hester his Wife & Valentine Braswell all of the County of Chatham & Province of North Carolina Witnesseth that the said James Brantley for & in consideration of the sum of Forty five pounds proc money to him in hand paid at or before the Ensealing & Delivery of these presents by the said Valentine Braswell the Receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge & thereof he dother by these presents Acquite & Exonerate the said James Brantley his Executors adms & assigns hath given granted & Bargained & aliend sold enfeoffed and Confirmed unto the said Valentine Braswell his Heirs & Assigns forever a Certain tract of Land Containing by Estimation fifty Acres be the same more or less situate Lying & being in Precinct of Chatham County on North side Deep River about Six miles above the fork of sd River Beginning at a Hicory on the River No. 45 East 27/4 (?) Chains to a pine thence No. 45 West 45 Chains on the uper Creek thence down the various course of the Creek to the River thence down the River to the first station together with all Woods Waters mines & minerals Hereditimt & appurtaining in as full and ample a manner as the same was Granted unto said James Brantley to have and to hold the said fifty acres of Land & all Singular the other Premises Hereby Granted Bargained and sold to said Valintine Braswell his Heirs & assigns Forever the said James Brantley for himself his Heirs and assigns the said tract Land & all other of the Premises Hereby before Granted Bargained & Sold with appurtinances & that free & Clear of all Incumbrances Whatsoever unto the said Vall-Braswell & his Heirs & assigns forever against him the said James Brantley & Hester his wife & against all other persons Whatsoever & shall well & truely Warrant & Defend by these presents In witness whereof the said James Brantley and Hester his Wife hath to these Presents sett their Hands & Seals the day and year above Written
Signed Sealed & Delivered} James Brantley {Seal}
in presence of us}
Mial Scurlock}
William Dillard {Seal}

(Chatham Co., NC DB A Pg 214-215)

1778 - Valentine Jr & Henry Braswell

This Indenture Made on this Twenty third Day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Eight Between Hector McNeal of the County of Bladen and State of North Carolina of the one part and Valentine Braswell Junior of the county of Chatham and State Aforesaid of the other part Witnesseth That the Said Hector McNeal for and in consideration of the Sum of Two Hundred pounds proc money to him in hand paid by the said Valentine Braswell the Receipt whereof the Said Hector McNeal doth hereby Acknowledge he the said Hector McNeal hath Granted Bargained and Sold alien and Confirm unto the Said Valentine Braswell Jun'r A Tract or parcel of Land lying and being in the County of Chatham and State aforesaid Containing Six Hundred and forty acres on the East Side of the North East Branch of the North West River Beginning at a gum at the Mouth of Duck Creek in the upper corner of the Land formerly McLaughlins (now Bohannons) at the Fork of Said River and Runs East 72 Chains to a Pine then No. 80 Chains to a pine then West 88 Chains to a Stake nigh a Mark'd White oak then Along the said Branch to the first Station Including the Houses and plantation Land and other Improvments and also all profits Commodities advantages Herditiments ways Waters and Appurtenances whatsoever to the aforesaid Tract or parcel of Land and plantation Belonging or in any wise appertaining and Also the Reversion and Reversions Remainder and Remainders Rents and Services of the Said premises of every part thereof To have and to hold to the only proper use and behoof of him the said Valentine Braswell Junior his Heirs and assigns forever and the Said Hector McNeal for him and his Heirs the said Tract or parcel of Land and all manner of Improvments and every part thereof Against him and his Heirs and Against all and every person whatsoever to the Said Valantine Braswell Shall & will warrant and forever Defend In Witness wherof the Said Hector Mc Neal hath hereunto Set his hand and affixed his Seal the day and year first above Written
Signed Sealed and Delivered}
In presence of ~ Hector his + mark McNeal {Seal}
Henry Braswell
Arch.d McEachran

Chatham August Court 1778 proved by Henry Braswell
and ordered to be Registd. Mial Scurlock Clk Ct

(Chatham Co., NC DB B Pg 181)