Halifax County Plantation Owners' Wills
North Carolina has 100 counties, Halifax is one of those. It is difficult to wrap one's head around the amount of enslaved Black people that are in Slaver's wills "giving" them to other family members for all 100 counties.
Below is a small portion of the list of Halifax County's recorded wills of slavers "giving" their enslaved people to other family members, or requesting that their enslaved people be sold and the money given to family members.
As we are able to find this research for other counties in NC, we will post them.
This is a very long list which includes the years 1758-1854. We will include the link so others are able to access this list for further research.
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Slaves Named in Wills -Halifax County, North Carolina, 1758-1854.
Halifax County Will Book Volume 1, 1758-1774.
p.1, I George Huling...to my son John Huling one Negro fellow named Jerry and a Negro boy named Dick...Daughter Elizabeth Huling one Negro fellow named Frank(? writing faded) and a negro woman named Agge & her child Ben...1759.
pp.9-10, Benjamin Sherrod...son Benjamin a tract of land in Northampton County...his choice of all my negroes that is to say one negroe and one iron pot, one bed three cows and calves and five head of sheep...son Richard land in Johnston or Dobbs County containing 100 acres and all the stock of cattle living there on and their future increase, one negroe his choice, one bed, one iron pot, five head of sheep...all the rest of my personal estate of what kind or nature to be rent by my executors for the use of my wife Patience and support of my children...5 June 1759. (signing). June Court 1760.
pp. 17-18, Martha Davis 20 November 1760...I give to my cozin Nathan Whithead 5 shillings... cozin Lewis Lewis...iron tools, cart and wheels, cart horse. To my cozin Sarah Whithead living with me my Negro Woman Rose, my looking glass, one smoothing iron... September Court 1760.
pp. 28-9, I Joshua Williams...give to my Eldest son Thomas Williams Five negroes that is to say Abraham, Isaac, Jenney, Betty & Judith with their increase...also...my Distill, one horse called Derick, a sorel mare colt, one bed & furniture also three sows & twelve shoats also 200 acres also one gun.
To my daughter Temperance two negroes named Peter & Nanny, one mare called Jenney and a woman saddle, eight head of cattle, one bed & furniture, one trunk.
To my daughter Sarah, two negroes named Cezar & Amey, one horse called Prince & four pounds five shillings to buy her a saddle, eight head of cattle, a black walnut chest.
To my son Elisha Williams the plantation where I now live with all the land...four negroes named Nan, Jacob, James & tom, one mare & colt, a young horse named Parrot, one bed and furniture, one horse called Blase.
To my daughter Martha one negro called Hager.
To my loving wife one negro named London during her life of widowhood, also one bed and furniture, seven cows & calves and a three year old stear, one gray mare called Jenney & a horse called Diment, two dishes, four plates, two basons and one desk.
To Celea Dickens one negro called Cezar which she is to be possest of when she arrives to the age of twenty one years...but she dieing before she comes of age the negro to fall to my son Elisha Williams...the negro to be hired out and the money converted to the said girl... Joshua Williams. Proved October 1761 court, Sarah Williams widow
p.31, Barnaby McKinny, Jnr, parish of Edgecombe lend to my Beloved wife Ann during her natural life a negro woman called Moll and three negro children to wit Chesser, Gibb and Juno and after my wife's decease I will that my wife's son Isaac Ricks have the afsd negro named Gibb to negro Woman Moll afsd to my sister Patience McKinnie...the negro called Juno afsd to my wife's daughter Mary Ricks...the negro called Chesser afsd to my sister Martha McKinnie...(other bequests of cattle etc.) 15 March 1761.Barna McKinnie (signed)
p.32, James Vaulks...lend to my wife Mary the land whereon I now live During her Widowhood together with the negros and stock household stuff...provided she shall take care to raise & maintain my children. I give to my son Daniel the land where on I now live and three negroes to wit Will and Nan and Sall after my wife's decease or marriage...my negro man and my negro woman named Cate and her increase may be equally divided among my daughters after my wife's decease. My land in Virginia to be sold at publick sale. 10 January 1761. James Vaulx (signed)
p.33, William Dugliss gives tracts of 275 acres, 375 acres, 50 acres, 200 acres, and his plantation and tract of land to several persons, divides his estate between his brothers and sisters but does not name any slaves. William x Dugliss. June court 1761.
p.41, I Robert Ronard...to my well beloved Mother Barbery Ronard one negro woman slave known by the name of Frank during her Widowhood and if she should Marry or decease the said slave to return to my brother James Ronard...I likewise lend to my Mother Barbery Ronard two negro Boy slaves one Samson and the other Jack during her Widowhood and if she should Marry or Decease then the two Boys Samson and Jacob (sic) to return to my brother William Ronard...10 February 1757. Robert Ronard (signed). September court 1761.
p. 43, I Henry Haws...I give and bequeath to Henry Haws Tucker and all my negros in General with my land and plantation and all my stock Hogs, Cattle and Horses and that his Mother Sarah Tucker have the Labour of the said negros and the use of the plantation and stock to help her raise her children as long as she lives a single life...Anne Tucker 25 pounds...Dianah Tucker 25 pounds...Mary Tucker 25 pounds. 10 March 1761. Henry (H) Haws. September Court 1761.
p.44, I Benjamin Merrit of Edgecombe County...I lend to my Loving Mother Mary Merrit my Negro Man Dick and also my Moveable Estate to be Possessed by her and used at her Decretion...after her Deceas to be Equally divided Between my two Brothers Nathaniel and Ephraim and my two sisters Sarah and Mary...9 July 1755. Benjamin (B) Merrit. September Court 1761.
pp.45-6, I James Jackson, Senr., ...lend to my daughter Lucy one Negro Girl Named Sue During her Natural live and the afsd Negro Girl shall be raised upon my Estate till such time as my afsd Daughter shall think fit to take her to her self and after her decese the afsd Negro and her increase should be Equally Divided amongst her children...Lend to my Dear Wife Ann Jackson all the remainder of my estate Real and personal...if my wife Ann Marries or dies...to my daughter Elizabeth Jackson a Negro Boy Named Charles...to my son Richard Jackson a Negro Boy namd Davie. 9 February 1761. James (J) Jackson. September Court 1761.
p.47, I Barnaby McKinnie of Edgecombe Parish...my land and plantation to my nephew William Coupland...and all my Negro slaves, Segar and Sarah excepted...my two Negro slaves excepted and undisposed of...to be sold to pay debts. 9 November 1761. Barnaby (his mark) McKinnie. December Court 1761.
p.49, I William Andrews...son Henry Andrews...twenty shillings...daughter Jean Bryant twenty shillings...daughter Amey Bailey twenty shillings...son William Hill Andrews twenty shillings...son Abrm Andrews twenty shillings....son Isam Andrews twenty shillings...son Micajah Andrews 240 acres...one walnut Desk, one feather Bed and furniture...six cows and calves, one Bay Horse called Pompey...daughter Sarah Andrews four cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture, Black Mare which is commonly called her Mare, two ewes and lambs one black Walnut Chest and twenty shillings. To my loving Wife Catherine Andrews the use of my plantation and all my stock of Horses, Cattle Hoggs sheep & household furniture that is not given in Legacies and one Negro Man named Charles during her Natural life...20 October 1761. William Andrews (signed). December Court 1761.
p.50, John Waller...lend to my loving wife Ann Waller during her natural life three Negroes as follows Charles, Pocorvan Jack, and Lucy & after her decease then Charles to return to my son Hardress other two...after my wife's decease they & their increase to be equally divided between all my children...I give to my Loving Wife & her Heirs for Ever as followeth Sam, Pheby, Ned & Linder & their increase for ever...(further disposal of household goods and instruction on raising his children)...my Negro Man Goliah or Long as is called that is now hired to my Brother Robert Waller in Norfolk Town shall be kept in his possession if he chuses to keep him until his Wages pays him what I'm in debted to him & if he refuses to keep him then my son Hardress to take him in possession and hire him out until he raises the Money & that to be added to my estate for the Children. Then I give him to my son Hardress...20 January 1762. John Waller (signed).March Court 1762.
p.54-5, I John Corlen...to my Loving Wife Keziah Corlen the use of my several dwelling houses which are now on the plantation...son Philip Corlen a piece of land on the south side of Quanque Creek...and also give him my Negro Mann called Billey over and above what I have already given to him...son William Corlen the land I now live upon on the north side of Quankey Creek...bed & furniture, four head of Black Cattle, 27 head of Hoggs, one iron Pott & two pewter basons, one half of my crop of corn & tobacco & also together with my Negro Mann Call'd Tom...to my daughter Elizabeth Jackson...other lower half of my land on Quankey Creek...also my Negro Man Called Paul over & above what I have already given her. All the rest of my goods and chattels not already mentioned to be sold in order to pay my debts...Surplus to be divided between my children. 27 October 1761. John Corlen (signed). March Court 1762.
p.57, I Drew Smith...lend to my Loving wife Elizabeth Smith five Negroes (to wit) one Fellow Named Dick another Named Mingo, another named Jacob, one Wench Nam'd Rose, another Namd'd Hannah, during her life & then they and their increase to be equally divided among my four Daughters...to my Daughter Millea the land whereon Nathan Marley now lives...one Negro Girl Nam'd Lucy...to my Daughter A__ the plantation where on Francis Besthel Haynes now lives...also I give to my daughter Ann one Negro Girl Named Olive...22 February 1762. Drew Smith (signed). March Court 1762.
p.62-3, 26 February 1759, Thomas Matthis Senr. ...to my Grandson Charles Matthis one hundred acres of land...Beloved son Thomas my Fellow Named Peter & my part of the Water Mill...my son Thomas Matthis my Negro fellow Named Cork. James (J) Matthis. March Court 1762.
p.64, I Thomas Pope...to my Son Amos Pope the plantation where on I now live and all the land belonging to it & the Still...the residue of my estate to be sold to the highest Bidder for six months credit that is my Negro fellow & every thing else within. 7 March 1762. Thomas Pope (signed). March Court 1762.
p.70, 3 January 1762, I James Smith...lend to my Loving Wife Francis Smith during her life or Widowhood the land I now live on two Negroes Ceasar and Pris, two White Mares, to wit, Benny and Jenny, half the Black Cattle, Hoggs and sheep, two feather beds & furniture, one Brandy Still, Worm & Tub, two Iron Potts one Bras Kettle, one half the pewter, the new gun, one large pine chest, six chairs, two axes, four hoes, six knives & forks, one frying pan, one Butter Pot, one case of Bottles...my Negro Girl called Aggy, one Black Walnut Table all the spinning wheels & cards, one cart and wheals...to John Smith son of James Smith one Negro woman called Rachel, one gun...and the bed whereon I now lie with a silk Rugg...to Mary Norwood wife of Samuel Norwood one Negro girl called Nan...to James Killingsworth son of William Killingsworth a Negro called Pris after the death or marriage of my wife...unto Sarah Spann wife of John Spann one Negro man named Ben...to James Smith son of John Smith after the decease or marriage of my said Wife Frances, my Negro Man called Ceasar and the great Looking glass...James (J) Smith. June Court 1762.
p.72, William Taylor (gives over a thousand acres of land to children) son Thomas Teackle Taylor the following Negroes (to wit) Ceasar, Cudgo, Nan & her child named Boatswain & a Negro Boy Named Will...to son Joshua Taylor one Negro Boy Named Jacob...son John Taylor one Negro Boy Named Jeffrey...Daughter Elizabeth Taylor...one Negro girl Named Patt & her increase and one Negro Boy named George...Daughter Ester Taylor one Negro Girl Named Lid and her increase...Daughter Catherine Negro child named Diner and her increase...Daughter Mary Taylor 25 pounds sterling...Lend the rest of my Negroes...25 March 1762. William Taylor (signed). June Court 1762.
p.75-6, I James Lovell...to son James Lovell five Negroes, to wit, Will, Murron, Ralph, Nan and Cato. to my son William Lovell two Negroes Philip and Nathaniel and all the rest of my slaves I give to my four youngest children Elizabeth Lovell, Jane Lovell, Malachi Lovell and Ann Lovell all the rest of my slaves and not to be Divided only as they Marry. 16 November 1761. James Lovell (signed). June Court 1762.
p.83, I Barnabas Lane...lend to my Dear and wife During her Natural life the plantation whereon I now live with all the land...also lend the Labour of my Negro Wench Rachell to my Loving Wife During her life and also the Labour of my Negro fellow Mingo until my son Martin Lane shall come to full age and then the said Negro fellow and all the Increase of the Negro wench aforesd to be equally divided amongst all my children. 30 May 1762. Barnabas Lane (signed). September Court 1762.
p.85, I Winefred Pope...to my Loving Brother Jesse Pope my Negro Girl Vilate and my Negro man Peter & one small chest...17 February 1762. Winefred (her mark) Pope. September Court 1762.
p.90, I Samuel Gaines...(gives plantations and cattle to his children)...Leave my Negro Woman Sue to Labour for my three children...8 January 1763. (signing) January Court 1763.
p.92, I Jordan Thomas...(gives use of plantation to wife Ann Thomas and other plantations to sons)...to my son John one Negro Boy & one Negrra girl when he shall attain to age of twenty one years...giving to each of my daughters that is to say Nanney, Mary & Susanah each of them a Negro girl such as my wife shall think fit...my Negro man Mingo & Negro Woman Patt be at their Liberty to chuse either my wife or which of the children they think fitt for their master or mistress & the children to accept them as so much toward their part of their estate. 23 June 1762. (signing). January Court 1763.
p.98, 21 June 1763, I James Bynam...to son William Bynam one feather bed & furniture...to my Grandson John Bynam son of William Bynam one Negro man Named Jacob...my Daughter Agnes Whitney five cows...my son Nicholas Bynam one feather bed and furniture...my grandson James Bynam son of Nicholas Bynam one Negro wench Named Cate...my Daughter Mary Dill wife of Philip Dill one Negro man named samul...James (his mark) Bynum. April Court 1763.
p.101-2, I Joseph Bulter...my executors sell 400 acres in Cumberland County in Virginia...Daughter Sarah Butler one Negro Woman named Easter with her Increase...Daughter Jude one Negrra Girl named Easter and her increase...Daughter Annice(?) Butler one Negrra Girl named Amey with her increase...Daughter Mary Ann Butler one Negrra Girl named Jenny with her increase...Daughter Elcie Butler one Negrra Girl named Milley with her increase...Daughter Susanna Butler two Negrra boys Daniel & James...son Samuel Butler one Negrra man Named Harry...son Joseph Butler one Negrra man named Jack ...son Stephen Butler one Negrra boy named sam...my Loving Wife Dolathy Butler during her life...all my Negrras to which is not already Given and all my stock of all kinds...30 October 1760 (signing). April Court 1763.
p.119, I Mary Lattimore...to m two sisters Ann and Marget Lattimore My Negro girl Grace and her increase to be equally divided between them. My other Negro Girl sue and her increase I give to my friend Jeane Crooker. (her mark) 3 July 1763. January Court 1764.
p.121, I James Martin...to my loving son William Martin one Negroe Girl known by the name of Nanny...Loving Daughter Susannah the now wife of John Goodloe one gold ring of the price of twenty shillings...to my loving son James Martin one Negroe girl known by the name of Winney...Daughter Mary Martin one Negroe Girl known by the name of Violet...son Henry Layne Martin one Negroe Girl known by the name of Judy...loveing son Patrick Martin one Negroe Girl known by the name of Rose...loving Daughter Lucy Martin one Negroe girl known by the name of Sarah...in case any of the Negroes Bequeathed as above mentioned should happen to die before the time of the Division of my Estate then my Meaning is that such son or Daughter to have another Negroe out of My estate of the value of the one Deceased. My Negro Man Toby to be hired out till the Division of my Estate for the support and education of my children. My tract of land in Culpeper to be sold...to my loveing wife Mary Martin the use of my Dwelling house and lott...and one Negroe Girl named Lilly...loveing son James Martin one Negroe Boy Called Hamp shire...Remainder of my Estate to be sold...1 October 1763. Jas Martin (signed). January Court 1764.
pp.125-6, Henry Robertson....to my son Peter my Negroe man Tom...two cows and one feather Bed and furniture and my Bay horse Colt and my smooth Hand Gun...to Daughter Suckey the land and plantation whereon I now live ....my Negroe wench Phillis...to my son Henry my plantation on south side of Mush Island Creek...my Negroe Boy Dick...two cows and my rifled gun...one feather bed and furniture...8 May 1763. (signed). January Court 1764.
p.129, 15 March 1764. Robert Williamson...unto my Son George Williamson my Negro Boy Brutus and three pounds cash...to my Daughter Frances Williamson two Negroes, Hannah and Judah...lend to my Daughter Susannah Hackett my Negro Girl called Lucy...after Susannah's decease to my Granddaughter Elizabeth Hacket...and if the said Negro girl should have issue...her second child should descend to my grandson Thomas Hackett...to my Son John Williamson my Negro fellow called Willm and a Negro man called Frank and a Negro Girl called Sillah...(signed). June Court 1764.
p.131, I Jane Williams...My Negro woman Bandy be sold at public sale and I give the money that shall arise to my son William Williams. 4 September 1761. (signed). July Court 1764.
p.136, I George Goodwin...lend to my loving Wife Martha Goodwin one third part of my plantation also one Negroe Man Jack & 80 pounds...to my dutiful son Josiah Goodwin all my tract of land with two Negroes namely Robert & James...be hired out for the schooling & Maintenance of my son...to my dutiful Daughter Molly two Negroes namely Freeman & Hagar also twenty pounds...7 March 1764. (signed). April Court 1764.
p.144, I Henery Pope...to my loving wife Tabitha Pope one Negroe named Joe and all my household furniture, all my livestock and all my debts due to me...to my oldest son Burrel Pope one plantation...209 acres & also one negroe Girl named Patt...my younger sons Willis, John, Henry Austin and Wiley Pope all ye rest of my lands & negroes not bequeathed before. 2 January 1764. (signed). April Court 1764
p.146, 16 August 1764, I Thomas Kearny...to my loving wife Sarah Kearney three Negros that is Sharper, Didchers & Fennll as also ten cows, six sows, two of the old Work Horses & half of all my household furniture...loving Son Edmund Kearney four Negroe Fellows nam'd Scipio, Cato, Pompey & Lowil(?) which he has now in his possession and also two Negroe Girls nam'd Sarina & Hester...to son Philip Kearney six Negroes Viz Jack Brutus Kingall(?), Trusa(?), Cyrus & Anakil that is now in his possession as also all the Negroes that is at the home plantation that is not already bequeathed, all my stock of cattle and hogs...(signed). April Court 1764.
pp. 153-4, I Thomas Davis...(bequeaths thousands of acres of land)...to my Nephew Dioclecian Davis son of Lewis Davis one Negroe Girl named Tolar her increase...Daughter Sally Davis one Negroe nam'd Pink and her increase...the use of four Negroes to Wit Dick & David, Rose and Clary to my loving wife during her natural life also the use of the increase of the said Negroes...all the rest of my personal estate not before disposed of may be kept together and...profits applied to support of my loving wife and maintenance of my children. 16 September 1764 (his mark). January Court 1765.
p.156-7, October 15, 1764, I Thomas Mathis...to my son James Mathis my Negroe fellow Will....to my son Isaac Mathis my plantation...Benjamin Mathis 150 acres...loving wife three Negroes Cook, Rachel and hannah during her life...to son Isaac I give Dinah and Daniel after my wife's decease...to son Benjamin I give Nell and David after my wife's decease...(his mark). April Court 1765.
p.158, 26 January 1765. I Jennings Hackney...to my beloved son William Hackney all and singular my lands, messuages and tennements also five Negroes known by the names as followeth: Viz. George, Cato, Lucy and Jude and all my stock of cattle Hoggs & also my household furniture. (signing). April Court 1765.
p.159-60, Robert Hill....to my Beloved wife Tabitha Hill the use of three Negroes to wit Sambo, Sarah and Bess...I also lend her six cows and calves and all the household goods...two horses...to my son William Hill a Negroe girl called Dealse...to my son Green Hill a Negroe called Simon that he is now possessed with....to my son Sion Hill the plantation ...also two Negroes one called Toney the other called Pompey...to son Abner Hill a Negroe called Peter and a girl called Bibby...to Daughter Tabetha Chapman a Negro fellow called Jammy that she is now possessed with...Daughter Agnes Arrington a negroe called Jack that she is now possessed with...Daughter Ann Steel a Negro girl called Tuggy...Daughter Mary Bryant a negro girl called Daffeny that she is now possess'd with and also I give her a negroe wench called Jenny...Daughter Milbry my plantation...two Negroes one Named Hannah the other named Barbey and all the cattle I have given her. 18 June 1762. signed. April Court 1766.
-End of this sample list-
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