"Negro Slave Buried on Wooten Plantation." 1938.

Image: From The News and Observer. Raleigh, NC. 1938. (newspapers.com)

Transcription of newspaper notice:

NEGRO SLAVE BURIED ON WOOTEN PLANTATION.

Peter Wooten, 87-year-old Negro and former slave of Council Wooten, Sr., father of the late Mrs. George W. Sanderlin, was buried Sunday on the Wooten plantation, 10 miles east of Goldsboro.

He died in Garfield Memorial Hospital in Washington, D.C., Saturday morning, and is survived by his widow, Rachel. Following the Emancipation he and his wife never left the services of their mistress.

Peter served as coachman and butler until the death of Dr. Sanderlin in 1890, and since the death of Mrs. Sanderlin in 1912, he and his wife had been with Miss Rosalie Sanderlin in Washington, D.C. The burial was attended by Miss Rosalie Sanderlin and her friend, Miss A. Saunders of Washington, D.C., and Mr. and Mrs. Willis Briggs Raleigh.

Source: The News and Observer. Raleigh, NC. 22 Feb 1938, Tue. Page 5. Found on newspapers.com. https://www.newspapers.com/clip/63471209/obituary-for-peter-wooten/)

Nehemiah Garris's Will. 1862. Pitt County, NC

 

Image: From the 1862 will of Nehemiah Garris of Pitt County, NC.

Note: I've kept the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation, and added any comments in square brackets [ ]. I've formatted references to enslaved individuals in bold.

State of North Carolina}

Pitt County                   }

I Nehemiah Garris of the County and State above mentioned being of sound and disposing mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make declare and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows

Item 1st  That my executor herein after named shall provide [crossed out: for my] a decent burial for my body suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay the expenses of the same together with all of my just debts out of the first monies that may come into his hands belonging to my estate

Item 2nd  I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Susan Garris one half my crop, stock, provisions on hand and parishionable property of every description that may be on hand at my death my debts first being paid out of the whole of my crop stock and provisions to her and her heirs forever I also loaned to her during her natural life all that part of my land on the east side of back swamp including the houses on the track hereinafter given to my son Asa to the division line between my sons Asa and John hereinafter made and the privaledge of fire wood and rail timber and two negroes Sam and Jinsy [incompletely erased: during her natural]

Item 3rd  I give and bequeath to my son Nahum Garris one hundred and seventy acres of land more or less known as the Tucker tracts on which said Nahum now lives and two negroes to wit: Shade and Hollern ^and their future increase^ to him and his heirs forever and the said Nahum is to pay fifty dollars in currant mony to Sarah Dail

Item 4th  I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Dail one hundred acres of land where she now lives to her and heirs forever

Item 5  I give and bequeath to my daughter Malvina Stocks thirty five acres of land known as the Dennis Cannon land on which she lives & Chany Cesar and after the death of my wife Jinsy ^and her future increase^ to her and her her heirs forever and she is to pay the sum of fifty dollars in currant mony to Sarah Dail

Sixth 6th  I give and bequeath to my son John V Garris all that part of the tract of land on which I now live north of the cross fence the dividing line to run parallel with the cross fence from Harpers line to Brown’s line and negroes Cloie Council Green Frank Wilie and Fanny and their future increase to him and his heirs forever and he the said John is to pay the sum of seventy five dollars to Sarah Dail in current mony.

Item 7  I give and bequeath to my daughter Susan Branch the following negroes to wit: Moriah Jordun and Elenor and their future increase to her and her heirs forever and she is to pay to Sarah Daid [Dail] the sum of fifty dollars in current mony.

Item 8th  I give and bequeath to my son Asa Garris all that part of the tract of on which I now live south of the cross fence subject to the dower herein before given to my wife and negroes Harriet Sena Mary Joseph Celia and Cornelus and their future increase and Sam after the death of my wife and the crop stock stick provision & parishionable ^property^ after paying my debts out of the same to be equally divided between him and my wife to him and his heirs forever and he is to pay to Sarah Dail to sum of seventy five in current mony

And lastly I do hereby constitue and appoint my worthy son John B. Garris my executor to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same. Given under my hand and seal this 18th day of August 1862

N. Garris (seal)

Witnesses

E. J. Blount

Francis Harper

J. B. Mannin [Manning]

Source of document used for this transcription:

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

Susan (Becton) Jones's Will. 1847. Craven County, NC

Image: From the 1847 will of Susan (Becton) Jones of Craven County, NC

Note: I've kept the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation, but added paragraph breaks between items, and added any comments in square brackets [ ]. I've formatted the names of enslaved individuals in bold.

In the name of God Amen! I, Susan Jones, of New Bern, State of North Carolina, being of sound and disposing mind and memory, do make, publish and declare my last Will and testament in manner and form following.

Imprimis: I give unto [illegible-Pensy?] Jones, (formerly [Pensy?] Galloway) widow of Henry Jones, of Tennessee, and her executors and administrators four hundred dollars in cash.

Item  I give unto Susan, the infant daughter of Malvina Dimock of Washington [refers to Washington, NC], and her executors and administrators two hundred dollars in cash.

Item  Should I survive Mrs. [Pensy?] Jones above named to prevent the lapsing of her legacy, I give said four hundred dollars to her children in absolute property.  

Item  I lend unto Mrs. Mary Brown, who has resided many years in my family the lot, brick dwelling house and other improvements situate on the east sides of Handcock Street, and near South front Street, in the town of New Bern, with all the household and kitchen furniture for and during the term of her natural life.  

Item  I give unto Mrs. Mary Brown, her executors and administrators two hundred dollars to furnish her one years provisions.  

Item  After the death of Mrs. Mary Brown, I give and devise unto the following children of my deceased sisters Nancy Isler, and Betsey Isler, viz Eliza the wife of Council Wooten, Rebecca, the wife of William Herring, Eveline the wife of William Fort, Susan the wife of Levi Dawson, Rebecca the wife of John Wooten, and John Isler, to be equally divided between them, and their heirs and assigns the lot, brick dwelling house and improvements in New Bern on Hancock Street, and near Trent river, and household and Kitchen furniture loaned to Mrs. Brown.  [Illegible--It is?] is further my will that the married ladies above named viz: Eliza Wooten, Rebecca Herring, Eveline Fort, Susan Dawson, and Rebecca Wooten, [illegible] [illegible-severally?] and each of these have and hold their respective shares of the property [illegible--divided?] in this clause to their sole and separate use so as not to be liable or subject to the debts contracts or engagements of their said several husbands.  

Item  I give to my Executors three hundred dollars, and desire them to apply the sums immediately after my decease to inclose with a permanent and substantial brick wall my husband’s grave, and the place near said grave where I desire to be buried, and to put a slab of marble or other tomb stones on my grave. 

Item  I give unto my brother Simon Becton my old negro man George who is one of my house servants, and direct him to apply one hundred dollars for his comfortable maintenance and support, and to permit him to reside wherever he may think himself most comfortable.  

Item  I am anxious to reward the meritorious service of the following named slaves, with the boon of freedom, namely Phillis, Esther, Nancy, Patsey, Scot, John, Amey, Pleasant, and Fortune, West, Mary and Sarah, which four last named are the children of Amey and all their future issue and increase, and I request and direct my Executors to apply a sum not exceeding three hundred dollars to pay their safe passage and settle said slaves in some one of the free states. 

Item  All the rest and residue of my estate I give and devise in the following manner, that is to say, to my brother Simon S. Becton, his executors and administrators one fourth part of said residue to my nephew John E Becton, son of my deceased brother Frederick E. Becton, and his executors and administration one fourth of said residue, to the children of my sister Nancy Isler, deceased one fourth of said residue, in absolute property, and to the children of my deceased sister Betsey Isler, in absolute property the remaining one fourth of said residue.  

Item  I appoint my brother Simon S. Becton, and Council Wooten, my Executors.  Item I ratify and confirm to my nephew John E. Becton, the gifts of my negro George and Bridget formerly given verbally.

In Testimony whereof I hereto set my hand and seal this 26th day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty seven.

Susan Jones (seal)

Signed, sealed and declared by the testatrix and published as her last will and testament in our presence.

Jeremiah H Allen

J. G. Stanly

Source of handwritten document used for this transcription: 

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

John Wooten's Will. 1835. Wayne County, NC.

Image: From the 1835 will of John Wooten, of Wayne County, NC

Note: I've kept the original spelling, capitalization and punctuation, and added any comments in square brackets [ ]. I've formatted the names of enslaved individuals in bold.

In the Name of God Amen I John Wooten of the State of North Carolina and County of Wayne Being of sound disposing mind and memory do constitute and ordain this instrument to contain my last will and testament in manner and form following

 

1st I lend unto my beloved wife Sarah Wooten during her natural life the Following named Negroes (Viz) Simon, Song Wright, Jim Charlotte and Grace, Also, my Will is if my said wife should choose after my decease to live with my son Council, that he shall have the use of her Negroes during her continuance with him and he shall be bound to Support her well for the Service of her Negroes and again if she should see cause to remove else where that her negroes be hired out by my Exor [Executor] for her benefit also I give her one bed and furniture her choice

 

2nd I Give unto my son Thomas Wooten My Mill and two acres of land belonging unto said mill seat Also one Negro man named Sam besides what I have heretofore given him to him and his Heirs and assigns forever

 

3rd I Give unto my Grandchildren the children of my dec'd [deceased] Son Peter Bond Wooten Namely unto John Wooten, one negro man named Arthur als [also] [illegible] including one common Horse and bridle and saddle--I Give unto my Grandaughter Susan Wooten one negro Woman named Mychel and her son Rufus unto my Grandaughter Hariot Caldwell [Colwell] one Negro Woman named Tener unto my Grandson Peter Bond Wooten one Negro woman named Penny one horse bridle and saddle one Feather bed and furniture and unto my Great Grandson Wiley Cox one negro Girl named Narcissa to them and their Heirs and assigns forever

 

4th I Give unto my Son William Wooten one negro boy named Jesse beside what I have heretofore given him to him and his Heirs and assigns forever

 

Turn over [written at bottom of first page]

 

5th I give unto my Son Shadrach Wooten one negro man named Jerry besides what I have heretofore given him to him and his Heirs and assigns forever

 

6th I Give and Devise unto my Son Council Wooten all my land on the East side of Bear Creek also the following named Negroes (Viz.) Baker and his wife Chloe and all her children except Jinny, Hardy and his wife Molly and all her Children, Waggoner Bob, Duplin Bob Willis, Handy, Stephen, Needham, Jack and his wife Jinny George and his wife Nanny Duplin Wright, and old Jinny als [also] after the decease of my wife all the Negroes loaned her and their increase the whole of my stock of all kinds and every description all my plantation utensils household and kitchen furniture not hereafter mentioned to him and his Heirs and assigns forever

 

7th I Give unto my daughter Polly Dawson one negro Girl named little Jinny besides what I have heretofore given her to her and her Heirs and assigns forever

 

8th I lend unto my daughter Nancy Bizzell during her natural life the following named negroes (Viz) Pat, Ben, Isaac, Bill Esther, Lucy Caleb Miles Bob Solomon and George and after her [illegible] decease to be Equally divided among all her children including all the increase of said negroes I also further lend unto her during her life my Daniel Jones Land, and afterward I Give said land to my Grandson John James Bizzell to him, and his Heirs and assigns forever

 

9th I Give and devise unto my Grandson John Pugh Williams Wooten my part of the land where I now live on the West side of Bear Creek all my stock I have on said plantation all my my household and kitchen furniture except my bed to him and his Heirs and assigns forever

 

Turn over [written at bottom of second page]

 

10th    My Will further is that if then is should be a surplus left it should be turned into money and such surplus money as may be due [illegible] be equally divided among my following Heirs (Viz) Polly Dawson Charity Wooten all the Heirs of Peter Bond Wooten (Except John Wooten) And Nancy Bizzell her part to be paid her at the discretion of my Executors, to them and their Heirs and assigns forever

 

11th    I Give unto my Grandaughter Sally Ann Wooten one Negro Girl named Julia to her and her Heirs and assigns forever

 

12th    I Give unto my Grandaughter Mary Jane Wooten one Negro Girl named Martha to her and her Heirs and assigns forever

 

Before asigning this instrument I hereby appoint my two Sons Shadrach Wooten and Council Wooten Executors to this my last Will and Testament  In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 16th day of September in the year of our Lord 1835

 

John Wooten (Seal) [Signature is to the right of the following witnessing statement:]

 

Signed, Sealed and acknowledged by the Testator to be his last Will and Testament, in presence of

 

Alexr [Alexander] Moseley

 

Louis M. Moseley

 

[The following additional page is annexed to the will]

 

In my Last Will to which this codicil in annexed in the Special legacies I left out a certain Negro Girl named Hariot since assigning, that I have [illegible--possibly "seen"] cause to dispose of said Girl by Special legacy in the following manner and desire that it shall be as valid as if it was in my will to which this is annexed and in fact is a part

 

My Will and desire is that My daughter Nancy Bizzell have the use of said Girl during her natural life then the Said Negro Girl Hariot and her increase be divided among all the children of my said daughter to her and her Heirs and assigns forever In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 19th day of September in the year of our Lord 1835

 

John Wooten (Seal) [Signature is to the right of the following witnessing statement:]

 

Signed Sealed and acknowledged by the testator as a codicil to the annexed Will in presence of

 

AlexR [Alexander] Moseley

 

Louis M. Moseley

[The following appears on the back cover of the last page:]

 

Wayne County Nov Term 1835

Then was the within will of John Wooten duly proved in open court by the oath of [illegible] M. Mosley, a subscribing witness thereto & ordered to be recorded--at the same time Council Wooten and Shadrack Wooten Qualified as Executors thereto let letters testamentory issue. 

 

[illegible notation] Mr. N. Green, clk [Clerk]

John Wooten

Will

Recorded

Nov [illegible notation] 1835

 

 

Source of handwritten document used for this transcription: 

Ancestry.com. North Carolina, U.S., Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2015.

This transcription also submitted to NCGenWeb. Some formatting may be lost. Link: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/wayne/wills/wooten1068nwl.txt