Wednesday, April 28, 2010

How Do You Pronounce.......

This topic actually jumped into my head back when I was watching the first episode of "Who Do You Think You Are?" when Sarah Jessica Parker found out she had an ancestor named Jabez.

And then again when  ClueWagon tweeted "This is cool: it tells you how to pronounce words, so you don't sound like a dork. http://bit.ly/9PbMZ"  (and I am just now getting around to posting it.) So I click on the link to check it out and there I discovered that I have been sounding like a 'dork' for quite a while!  That is not how I have been pronouncing Jabez.


The site we were all a "Twitter" about is called FORVO. If you are not sure how to pronounce a word, you can go to this site and actually hear how it is pronounced.  However you may not find the pronunciation you are looking for if no one has submitted that particular word or name.

Of all the names in my database that I am not sure how to pronounce, only two of them have been submitted:

Hezekiah (I have been pronouncing this wrong too!)
Jabez

So here are the other first names that I am not sure how to pronounce:
Abijah
Capitola
Elihu
Epenetus
Jehu
Keziah
Mehitable
Micajah
Paschel
Peleg
Tartellus
So if you know the proper way to pronounce these names, could you do a fellow genealogy blogger a favor and hop on over to FORVO and tell me how? (pretty please, with a cherry on top.)

Speaking about (okay, writing about) names,  There are a few  unusual ones in my database -- Preserved Fish -- (Come on, what in the world were his parents thinking?).  Then there is Golden Bridges Keetch, and Daisy Fern Madsen.

Then there are the Puritan names like Increase, Experience, Comfort, Content, Fruitful, etc.  It turns out that Given names have histories. Here is an excellent resource on names in history  Given Names in Early America: Shaped by history, religion and traditions, by Myra Vanderpool Gormley, CG


Wordless Wednesday -- Ruth Evans and Blanche Theora Barker

There must be a some kind of story behind this photo.

Friday, April 23, 2010

Friend of Friends Friday -- Slaves in Utah

Well I ran out of slave names in my own database so I decided to do a little searching among religions, organizations, etc. that my ancestors may have been involved with.

I was quite surprised to learn that in 1850 Twelve Mormon slave owners possessed between 60 and 70 black slaves in Deseret Territory. There is one Apostle, Charles C. Rich, among these slave owners. 

Green Flake was one of three enslaved men who were among the first Pioneer company to arrive in Utah. He was born enslaved in Anson County, North Carolina around 1828, and was presented to James Madison and Agnes Flake as a wedding gift from James' father.

After the death of James Flake, his wife Agnes tithed Green to the Mormon church.

I was able to find a posting of the Wills of Jurden Flake and Samuel Flake, the father and grandfather of James Madison.
In The Name of God amen. I Samuel Flake of A n son County Being of Sound Deposing Mind Tho Weke In Body owing to age And Infirmuty Do Make & ordane This My Last will & Testament In Manner following


I tem I give & Devise to My Wife Alcy All Pewter Pots & House Holde furniture Allso My Stock of Horses & Cattle & Hoges three Negro Boys Jo Tom and A bra ham All which Estate It is my Wish and Desire My Wife Alcy and Elijah Flake my youngest Son May peaceably possess and Injoy for there own & Use Enduring Herr Natural Life or Widow Hood & at my dicease it is my will and desire my youngest Son Elijah Flake now lives with his Mother and will have the trouble of her and all other mothers things, touching the primses which it is my will and desire the sd Elijah have two Shears on Dividing of Negrows Stock House Houlde & Kitching furniture and Allso of all plantation and other tools that My other three Sons Namely Thomas, Samuel & Jurden Which It is My Will and Desire That They Have Shear & Shear Alike Elijah two Shears Thomas Samuel and Jurden shear Equally alike etc


I Tem I give and Bequeath to My Son Thomas & Samuel one Negro girl name Dill Which Negrow is to Be divided Be twent My Two Sons Thomas & Samuel after the Deseace of My Wife Alcy. Which To T__ __ Conveyance of There part of my Lande


I Tem I gave and beqath to My Son Jurden one hundred Akers of My Lande Being part of two Tracks No parte of and olde survay pattend By Jo White Mcvane parte of a track of two Hundred Akers pattend by myself Jining the Hundred acre that I sold to Dudley Williams


Lastly I give to My Son Elijah all the Ballance of Sd Thre Tracks of Land Including the Williams plantation Etc


Also I give and Bequathe to My Son Wm. Flake one Dollar which is his parte


I give and Bequathe to My five Daughters Namely Mary Elizabeth Jemyah Sara & Delilah one Dollar Each which is to Be pade out of my Estate that Being There Several partes of My Estate


April 5th 1802
******
Samuel Flake * Seal *
******
Teste
Thomas Smith


Recorded in Anson County Will Book 2, Page 36.


The will of Jurden FLAKE is recorded in Anson County, North Carolina Will Book "B", Page 163.


In the name of God, amen I Jurden Flake of the State of North Carolina & County of Anson Being weak in body though of sound mind and memmory thanks be to God for the same and Calling to mind the mortallity of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die, Therefore I Do make this my last will and testament in the following manor and form First I give and bequeath to my son John W. Flake the three negro boys that he has in possesion namely Red, Daniel and I Som and Two hundred Dollars including note in 2nd I give to my son William C. Flake three negroes Lucy Ruben & Cudgo and Two hundred Dollars out of his note 3rd I give to my son Thomas G. Flake four negroes Abram, Haly his wife Arter and Jude and all the East part of my land on Smiths Creek up the T Creek as high as opposite the old house to that Cross fence where the lane was formaly and with that fence to the Little orchard that Son Thomas tends and round to the maple Corner near Thos Spring including the orchard then up the S spring branch including the Spring up to the fence of that upland field west of Thos House then with that fence to the Corner next Hooker then South to Hooker and then round Hooker Lowes & P Smiths to the South line then up to opposite the Cross fence 4th I give to my son James M. Flake Two negroes Green and Lyse and three hundred Dollars 5th I give to my son in Law Jurden W. Morris and Jane E his wife Allonzo, Siller and her child and Claborn by his paying up his note 6th I give to my son in law Peter P. Cocks and Sarah his wife six negroes Lyda King George Rosan and her two children Aron and Arter 7th I give to my daughter Fathy H. Flake three negroes Sary and her two children Thaner and Tom and her filly bedd and firniture and Two hundred and fifty Dollars 8th I give to my son Frances E. Flake four negroes Aron Jack Cindy and Mary a bead & firniture and his young horse and all the balance of my land on the North Side of Smiths Creek including the Houses 9th I give to my son in law Charles Winfree and Ann Winfree his wife one thousand DOLLARS to be paid them by my Executors when collected and all the balance of my property not in the will including the land wher James M. Flake left also all joinding it on the South side of Smiths Creek also the Sandhill land & Stock & Ephram to be sold as the Law Directs and all the proceeds after all my Debts is paid and what there is Due me Collected and what there is in the will all Discharged then the balance if any to be Equally divided a mong all my heirs Eccept Charles Winfree and Ann his wife who will have their part in the will and I hereby apoint my Sons John W Flake and William C. Flake my sole Executors to this my Last will and testament and it is my Desire that my son John W. Flake be appointed guardian for my son Francis E. Flake and to attend to Education & everything Else of his to his best interest till he is Capable of managing for him self Signed and Seald this 19th Day of May and in the year of our Lord Eighteen hundred and forty three


Test
James Hooker Jurden Flake *Seal*
Benj G. Hooker


October Term 1843


Then the above will was duly proven in open Court by James Hooker & Benj G. Hooker the subscribing witnesses thereto - whereupon John W. Flake & Wm C Flake appeared in open Court & qualified as Excecutors and obtained letters Testamentory


W. W. Boggan CM
http://genforum.genealogy.com/flake/messages/118.html

In doing my search I stumbled on to this next will that is included in The Limbs and Branches of the Smith Family Tree.  I wanted to re-post it here just in case for some reason it no longer becomes available within this family tree.

Will:
William Young Sr., of Stafford and Fauquier County, wrote a will on 20 December 1790. That will was probated 27 February 1792, Fauquier County, Virginia. (Virginia Mixed Probate Records, FHL film 0031566)

"In the name of God Amen this twentieth day of December Annis Domini, one thousand seven hundred and ninety. I William Young of the County of Fauquier being in perfect and sound memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament Imprimis (in person). I commit my soul to the mercy of Almighty God, hoping through the Mediation of my Blessed (Savior crossed out) Redeemer to be forgiven all my sins and transgressions.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my beloved son Bryan Young, one Negroe woman slave named Sarah and her increase to him and his heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my beloved son William Young to him and his heirs forever one Negro Male slave named and called Joshua.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Mary Jeffries one Negro woman slave named Amy to her and her heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Hannah Owsley the sum of twenty pounds current money of Virginia.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Sukey or Susanna Smithey [Susanna Smith] the sum of twenty pounds current money of Virginia.

Item -- My will and desire is that all my land, Negro slaves not before devised and personal estate be enjoyed by my beloved wife Patience Young, during her natural life or widowhood, which ever shall first happen, my will and desire is that at the death or marriage of my said Wife all the Estate both real and personal be sold at publick auction and the moneys arising from such sales to be divided amongst all my Children or their Representatives. I do appoint, constitute my loving friends Joseph Jeffries and Thomas Fitzhugh executors of this my last Will and testament revoking and disannulling all former and other wills and testaments before by me made, ratifying and confirming this my last Will & testament only. .

Signed in the sixteenth line, (signed by) William Young L.S. (locus Sigilli or legal seal).
Signed, Sealed & pronounced in the presence (signed by) J. Moffett, Minoah Stone (his X mark) Edward Feagan, Benjamin Carpenter

At a court held for Fauquier County the 27th day of February 1792. This Will was proved by the oaths of Edward Feagans, John Moffett and Benjamin Carpenter witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded, and on the motion of Joseph Jeffries Junior the Executor therein named who made oath and together with Joseph Jeffries Senior his Security, entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of two thousand pounds conditioned as the law directs. Certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate thereof in due form. Testifier, (signed) Francis Brooke C.C. (county clerk)."

Friday, April 16, 2010

Friend of Friends Friday -- Hyde County, North Carolina

The following are extracts of wills, deeds, and court records, etc. of my sister-in-law's ancestors who lived in Hyde County, North Carolina.

Apprentice Bonds: Hyde County Apprentice Papers, 1850-1892.

  • John Longtom (age 16), described as a free boy of color, bound to Benjamin R. Roper to be a farmer- 12 May 1856.

  • John Laban Long Tom (age 10), described as a free boy of color, bound to E.S.
    Roper to be a farmer - 26 August 1851.

  • The above information is included in the appendices of THE MATTAMUSKEET DOCUMENTS A STUDY IN SOCIAL HISTORY by Patrick H. Garrow.The appendices cover Apprentice Bonds and unlawful Negro Marriages regarding several Hyde County, North Carolina families.

    Hyde County, North Carolina Wills & AccountsWill Book 4 (May term 1819-Nov term 1829)(Abstracted by Kay Midgett Sheppard)

    • Acct. of sales of the property of Bethany VEAL, dec'd. December 11, 1820. Various buyers included: Abraham COX who bought Negro Aubrey, Asby COX, Henry DILLON, Robert GIBBS, Burage LINTON, Jno. NORTHEN, and Richard COX. Mentions several notes due the estate. [signed] Abram COX, Exr
    • Account of sales of the estate of George VEAL sold 8th June 1818 Various buyers were: Bethany VEAL, George VEAL, David GIBBS, Barnaba BALLANCE, Affie COX, Abram COX, & Elizabeth SAUNDERSON. Mentions hire of Negroes Andrew, Lovy & child, Orpra & child, Bob, and Barzilla. Total amount of sale was $285.17. One year's provisions laid off for widow which consisted of corn, wheat, bacon, hogs, cows, fish, etc. August 27th 1818: Further inventory of 3 Negroes consisting of 2 boys and 1 girl. [signed] Benj. SAUNDERSON
    • Watson GIBBS of Hyde Co. Feb. 25, 1826 / Probate: May Term 1826 -- Wife: Elizabeth GIBBS during her natural life to have the house & lot whereon I now live, horse cart & harness, 1 bed & furniture, chest, trunk, bureau, 1 calf, all hogs & poultry and corn on hand. Son: David & his heirs to have $10.00 each to be paid by my executor. 3 youngest children: Selby, Flinn, & Doctor Shanklin GIBBS to have the house & lot whereon I now live, and after my wife's death to be sold and proceeds divided equally between them. Negro Boston and the residue of the estate to be sold by my executor and debts to be paid out of that. Any residue is to be divided between Selby, Flinn, & Doctor Shanklin GIBBS. Exec'r: Benjamin SAUNDERSON Witnesses: John COLSTON, Ann Maria JONES [signed] Watson GIBBS
    • Account of sales of the Negroes belonging to Reubin GIBBS - 23rd Dec 1819 -- Sabra & York sold to B. SAUNDERSON for $400.00
      Adam sold to Ricd. COX for $586.00
      Sophia sold to B. SAUNDERSON for $76.00
      Bridget sold to Elizabeth GIBBS for $163.00
      James sold to Saml. GIBBS for $318.00
    [signed] John CREDLE, Admr.


    Thursday, April 15, 2010

    A Festival of Postcards 8th Edition -- Geography

    This edition's Festival of Postcards theme is Geography. The postcard I chose to share is one that was in a box of things that my great-grandmother had saved.
    It is a wonderful piece of architecture, castle like, the Administration Building of the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington. It was published in the United States by Edward H. Mitchell of San Francisco. It doesn't have a date on it, but I know it was published and sent to Hazel Madsen before October 5, 1910.

    This postcard was sent to Hazel Rebecca Madsen by a fellow named Frank Wilks before she was married to William Cannon Piggott (my great-grandfather).  One gets the idea that he was quite smitten with Hazel after reading his penciled words to her; this one as well as two more.


    Dear Friend Hazel 
    I read your card 
    was pleased to 
    hear from you and to 
    know you are well but 
    was sorry to hear that 
    you are going home I 
    thought perhaps you was
    going to make your
    home in B. are you and 
    Will Piggott going to get
    married soon if you 
    are not I wonder if there
    would be any show
    for a guy that looks
    like me do you supose
    there would? I'm awfull 

    lonesome I'd like to have
    some one to lay her
    head on my breast
    and share all my joys and
    sorrows. I'd like to see
    you before you go away
    may write and answer all
    questions Frank



    Monday, April 12, 2010

    Ancestor Approved Award

    As some of you may know, I initiated the the Ancestor Approved Award back in March.  I had a big smile on my face last night when I learned that this award has come full circle back to Ancestors Live Here  thanks to TransylvaniaDutch.  It really meant a lot. He said I didn't have to pass it along to ten more bloggers, but now I have a chance to list ten things  I have learned about my ancestors that surprised, humbled, or enlightened me.

    I was previously given this award by IrishEyes at 'On a Flesh and Bone Foundation': An Irish History on my other blog Lost Family Treasures and was only able to come up with eight things so I am pointing you there for those.

    However because of yesterday I am able to come up with two more:
    1. I was surprised to learn yesterday that the daughter of my cousin (on mom's side) is also my third cousin twice removed on my dad's side.
    2. And I am also enlightened that said cousin has shown an interest in genealogy and family history (thank you WDYTYA!). It means a lot to know that someone from the next generation in my family will pursue genealogy research.
    Thank you everyone for participating!

    Friday, April 9, 2010

    Friend of Friends Friday -- Hubby's Virginia Lines

    This week for Friend of Friends Friday I am posting slave information from hubby's side.  Most are from Virginia.

    John Adams (?-1769)

    Will of John ADAMS, on file in Book O, page 270, Halifax County, VA .....Item ...to my sone (sic) William one Negro boy named Harry and 400 acres of land where he now lives. Item...to my sone (sic) John Addams one Negro boy named Ben & 300 acres of Land joyning (sic) my sone (sic) William that I bought of Peter Trible I give George Adams one hundred acres the said tract on the North Side of the Creek. Item.....to my son Joshua Addams a Negro boy named Peter and the land and Plantation on Sandy Creek whereon I did Dwell. Item...to Daughter Elizabeth Addams one Negro Girl Sarah. Item .....to my Daughter Mary Addams one Negro Girl named Fillis. Item....to my Daughter Martha one Negro girl named Hannah and Negro Jonah (?) I desire shall be sold and what she fetches to be Equally divided amongst all my Children and all my moveable estate to be divided by three good house keepers amongst all my Children Before signed I leave all my estate to my Wife Elener Addams during her widowhood and after her marriage all to return to my children as I have before mentioned. I leave my wife my whole and sole Executor. Witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of March 1769. John Addams, L.S., sealed and acknowledged in presence of Benjamin Dickson, Joshua Powell, Mark Milner, Edward Cornwil It was acknowledged in Court by Joshua Powell and Benjamin Dickson who also volunteered to serve as sureties for Eleanor's administration of the estate.
    Recorded 21 Sept. 1769
    Johan Michael  Price (1718-1802)

    His will, on record at the Montgomery County, Virginia court
    house, is here quoted in its entirety:


    "I, J. Michael Price of the county of Montgomery and State of
    Virginia being of sound and perfect mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, in form following, I will and bequeath my soul to God, and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the direction of my executors herein named, and as to such worldly estate wherewith I have been blessed in this life. I will and dispose of the same as follows, vis. It is my will and desire that all my just debts and funeral expenses be first paid out of my personal estate or so much thereof as may be necessary for that purpose and I order the same accordingly. I give to my son David one Negro Woman Slave, Nell, he paying therefore to my
    executors the sum of Two hundred dollars, I give to my son Michael, a small Negro girl Lindyzey, he paying therefore to my executors the sum of fifty dollars, and to my son Lewis or Sodowick? [CIT:]Lewis is believed to be a twin to John[:CIT], My big Bible. I give to my son Jacob a Negro Boy Slave, Will, he paying therefore to my executors the sum of one hundred and thirty three dollars, thirty three cents. Also my house clock, still and slitting utensils, including a large copper kettle, he paying therefore to my executors the sum of one hundreddollars, likewise my blacksmith's tools he paying to my son Christian in lieu thereof the sum of sixteen pounds.
    I give to my son Henry a Negro Woman Slave Clary and her increase now in his possession also my iron stove. He paying therefore to my executors the sum of two hundred and seventy dollars.
    I give to my son George the Big Wagon and Jack Screw, with out the harness or ____, he paying therefore to my executors the sum of sixteen pounds to them severally and their heirs forever and should it happen that any of the Negroes aforesaid should die, be emancipated or kept out of the estate, then and in that case, I will and order that the price of such slaves or slaves be rewilled to such of my said sons or sons as by chance he lose the gain. It is my will and desire that in case my wife Margaret should survive me that she have and enjoy her bed and bedding, spinning wheel and other household furniture during her natural life also one full and equal third part in addition to the aforesaid bequest of all my estate, that I may die seized of her comfort and support but should she marry after my decease, she is to have and receive from my estate no more than a child's part, and I will and devise the same accordingly and whereas there may be some of my real estate not disposed of and personal estate not herein before devised. I order that such part or parcel of any such remain, and the money in the hands of my executors, and all moneys which may come into their hands, by virtue of this my will, be equally divided among all my children and their legal representative alone (my son Alexander excepted) and I devise the same accordingly. And for the due exception of this my will I appoint my worthy friend and Neighbor James Patton Preston and my sons David and Henry my whole and sole executors. Hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me made, declaring this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I here unto set my hand and seal this 11th day of June in the year of our Lord 1802." The will was Signed, Sealed and acknowledged before Abram Trigg and John Gardner.


    "A codicle to my last will and testament above written made and subscribed this ninth day of July eighteen hundred and two. Whereas from my present infirmity I am impressed with the opinion that I shall not recover, I have thought proper, (in justice to my wife Margaret to alter the devise to my sone Michael, be it therefore understood that it is my will and thereby my devise that my wife shall have and ___ during her natural life, my Negro Girl named Lizie, and she shall afterwards as is herefore devised. But my executors shall not demand from my son Michael the sum which by my will he is to pay until the same Negro Slave Lizie shall be delivered to him by some one of my executors. In testimony wherewith I have herewith set my hand and seal this day and date above mentioned in the presence of John Gardiner and James P. Preston." (Signed) J. Michael Price.
    This will was probated by Charles Taylor at Montgomery October Court 1802.

    Henry David Price (1759-1834)

    WILL: MONTGOMERY COUNTY COURTHOUSE, CHRISTIANSBURG, VIRGINIA WILL BOOK 5, PAGE 219
      I Henry D. Price of the County of Montgomery and state of Virginia
    being indisposed in body and noting that is is appointed for all men
    once to die and being in sound mind and memory do make and ordain this as my last will and testament revoking all others by me made.  First I give my Body to the dust from whence it was taken in full afsurance of it being raised at the last day, to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my executors.  And as for my wordly substance wherewith it hath pleased God to give me I bequeath it in manner and form following viz.  All my funeral expenses and Just debts to be paid first out of my estate.  Item, To my well beloved wife Mary Price I bequeath the dwelling house that I now live in during her natural life, two feather beds and furniture and all the cooking utensils that she may think proper to keep and everything in the house that is not hereafter specified and devised otherwise and my son John Price out of what I bequeath and leave unto him is to provide my wife Mary (his mother) yearly and every year during her life ten bushels of good wheat, ten bushels of rye, thirty bushels of good corn, and one hundred and fifty pounds of port and fifty pounds of beef, and to keep for her one milch cow, to sow one half bushel flax seed for her, and find her ten pounds good wool and to pay her ten dollars in money or in anything that she may require in the store. These things are to be given her yearly as she requires them by my son John Price and it is my request that my Executors see that it is punctually performed if she complains to them respecting the same and likewise he is to find her as much as she requires to use of turnips, potatoes, and apples.  I bequeath unto her likewise her spinning wheel and one cow her choice out of my stock, all things that are bequeathed unto her (except what is hereafter described and bequeathed otherwise) she may give and bequeath unto whoever she thinks proper at her decease. Item, Unto my son David Price I bequeath unto him and his heirs forever the tract of land whereon he now lives the division line between him and my son John begins at the old road at a large white oak corner to the old tract and runs on to the Index at the forks of Peppers and Brown road bearly a straight line and then with Walls land round that land to the beginning and he has to pay sixty dollars which sum I have received from him.
       Item, Unto my son Henry Price I bequeath unto him and his heirs
    forever the tract of land whereon he now lives.  That I purchased from Philip Harlefs on Toms Creek and he is to pay unto my estate two hundred dollars, one hundred of which I have received from him and therefore he has only one hundred to pay unto my estate.
       Item, Unto my son Christian Price I bequeath unto him and his heirs forever the tract of land whereon he now lives the division line between his tract and my son John begins at a white oak in the field close to the line between Alexander Price's deed land and mine and runs down straight to the spring in the edge of the meadow the spring to be on John's side and runs through tence up the meadow to a crofe fence at the ten acre field and thence up the fence side to the ten
    acre field to the brierfield and thence up the brierfield to a locust and mulberry trees and from thence to a blaxed black oak on the side of a Big road and from thence twenty five poles west to a gum on same side of the big road and from thence on a straight line to the southeast corner of my son Adam Price's first cleared new ground and then with said fence and the (can't read) said fence (can't read) my son Henry Price's line of the land he purchased from Wall and my said son christian Price is to pay unto my daughter Sally Price one hundred collars two years after my decease or sooner if he can and likewise he is to pay yearly to my wife May Price ten dollars during her life.
       Item, Unto my son Adam Price I bequeeath unto him and his heirs
    forever the tract of land he now lives on the division land between his tract and my son John begins on my son Christian Price's line on the big road that leads to Peppers Ferry and runs with said road to the Index at the forks of the road and round by Snider's line and to my son Henry's land that he purchased from wall until it come to where my son christian's line joins Henry's land except that my son Adam Price is to give unto my son christian Price the timber of ten acres of land wherever he agrees to afsiat my son Christian in repairing his old field fencing as he is a little scarce of timber on his tract and this my son Christian is to get in the course of five or six years fromthis time.
       Item, unto my son John Price I bequeath unto him and his heirs
    forever the old tract whereon I now live the division line being mentioned in the bequest to my sons David, Christian and Adam and he is to find and pay unto his other all that is mentioned unto her and
    he must not infringe on her right of the house during her life without her consent and he must keep the house in good repair for her to keep her comfortable and find her a sufficiency of fire wood.  I bequeath likewise unto him one bed and furniture and two cows.
       Item, Unto my daughter Sally Price I bequeath unto her two feather beds and furniture or whatever she now has or claims a spinning wheel, three cows, five sheep, three hogs, and a horse beast worth seventy dollars, her side saddle and bridle, this with the one hundred dollars that my son Christian Price is to pay to her.  I bequeath to her and her heirs forever.
       My negro man Ben I desire and bind my four sons jointly to support
    him comfortably during his life or if he make choice of any of them to live with I am willing and allow them to have him and his sorrel horse that he now has and claims I bequeath unto him to afsist in his support.  And further the one hundred acres of land or more whatsoever it is called the sugar bottom tract with all my property not bequeathed otherwise or devised I wish to be sold at publick sals by my executors on a credit of twelve months and equally divided between my daughters Elizabeth Harlefs, Katherine Shell, Sally Price (and my daughter Polly Server da'd) children namely Sally Harlefs, Peggy Surface, Mary Harlefs, Betsey Harlefs, James Server and Nancy Server, these children of hers I allow to have her one part.  I require my executors to keep my daughter Katharine Shell's part in their own hands and to give to no other person but herself for the benefit of her and her children and I prohibit her husband Jacob Shell from having any claim or anything to do with it in any wise.
       I bequeath unto my son John Price during my wife's natural life two
    horses named Bull and Tom to afsist him in farming to support his mother and for her to ride when she thinks proper.  I likewise bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Harlefs ten dollars to purchase her a saddle besises his part already mentioned to her.  And if my daughter Sally and my granddaughter SAlly Harlefs wishes to remain and live with my wife Mary I allow them to be maintained by my son John they afsisting him as they can or as formerly done and pay attention to my wife Mary.
       And lastly I do constitute and appoint my beloved sons Henry Price and Adam Price Executors of this my last will and testament and I enjoin it on them to see that their part is religiously observed and in particular with respect to my wife Mary.  In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my and and affixed my seal this 3rd day of June in the year of our Lord 1829.
    his mark
    Signed sealed and delivered
    in presence of
    William S. Price
    Edward Bane
    Henry Snider
    John Sniders
    Devis M. Bennet

    There is a Benjamin Price living with Adam Price, the son of the above Henry David, in the 1870 census.  This Benjamin may be a descendant of "Negro man Ben" mentioned in the will above.

    Source Citation: Year: 1870; Census Place: Blacksburg, Montgomery, Virginia; Roll  M593_1664; Page: 89A; Image: 182; Family History Library Film: 553163.

    Tuesday, April 6, 2010

    Carnival of African-American Genealogy 2nd Edition -- Grandma's Hand

    February 22 would have been grandma's 99th birthday. I originally posted this on her birthday, but I thought it would be fitting for the 2nd edition of
    CoAAG so I am re-posting it.

    When I was young my most favorite thing to do next to hanging out with daddy, was hang out with grandma Piggott.

    In the summers sometimes when we went to Paris, Idaho to grandma Smedley's (my paternal grandmother) with all the cousins and aunts and uncles that were also there not everyone had a bed. That is why I got to spend the night with grandma Piggott in Bloomington which is just a couple of miles up the road.

    I had her all to myself and I loved being at her house. We listened to records,watched Lawrence Welk, and picked strawberries and rhubarb. What I wouldn't give for a bottle of her canned rhubarb right now. I always slept in her bed with her until the day she married grandpa Dunn when I was nine years old. It took me quite a while to get over him taking my place.

    Her house was still the best place to be even when brother and sister and all the cousins, aunts and uncles were there. The more family around me the happier I was, and still am. My cousin Doug and I used to play concentration with every deck of cards that grandma had in the house. The whole dining room floor would be covered with cards, and sometimes it went into the hallway.

    Grandma was very talented. She crocheted baby blankets for the grandkids, made a doll quilt for each of the granddaughters and great-granddaughters, and a block bag for each of the grandsons and great-grandsons.

    You can read copies of her handwritten history that she started here at my Footnote page.


    Friday, April 2, 2010

    Friend of Friends Friday -- Cook and Related Families, part 3

    This is part 3 and the final installation of will abstracts taken from the book "Thomas Cooke of Rhode Island", by Jane Fletcher Fiske.

    Elizabeth Graves Henry(1744-1825)pg. 130-131
    The Will of John Cook, son of Silas (1741-1785), dated 23 March 1784 and proved September term 1785, left all his property to his Wife Elizabeth (Craven Co. Wills A:101). A letter from Silas Cooke Jr. to Henry Merchant dated 3 Feb. 1788 mentions the marriage of his deceased brother's widow to "Mr. Henry, a son of Gov. Henry of Virginia, August last"(Marchant Papers, RIHS).


    The will of Elizabeth Henry, dated 26 Feb. 1819 with codicil added 19 Dec. 1822, proved Feb. term 1825.
    ..."Whereas I am permitted by order of Craven County Court granted on my petition to emancipate at my pleasure my Negroes, I give Chelsey and her children, Hanna, Rose, Abram, Robert, John, Moses Sarah, Terrah and Ben, and big Rose, their freedom, and I hereby direct and requite my executors to execute any other writing for the emancipating of said Negroes, which may be thought necessary; authorize and appoint John C. Stanley guardian of those Negroes as are under age, and request him to bind or apply ... the said young Negroes to suitable persons resident of Craven County until they attain the age of twenty one years. I give John C. Stanley two hundred dollars for his trouble he may have with my black people ... I desire my black women may have all the blankets and flannel and spun cotton or thread that is found in the house at my death, to be equally divided." In the codicil Elizabeth directed that her black woman Violet be maintained for life out of the estate.(Will of Elizabeth Henry, N.C. State Archives).


    Josiah Briggs (1708-1759), pg. 155

    The Pardon Gray Seabury Papers at New Bedford Public Library include several original documents relating to the Briggs family. Among the collection are wills, powers of attorney, and deeds. On 12 April 1729 Joseph Dyre of Northampton, Bucks County, Pa., husbandman, gave Josiah Briggs of Tiverton, cordwainer, power of attorney to sell, disopose of or keep [sic] an Indian woman called Mary hoopp.

    Abial Cook (1719-1808) pg. 159

    In a court case of May 1759 Abial Cook sued Job Almy for L5000 damages, claiming that on the above date he had set fire to a windmill in the occupation and improvement of said Abial Cook, and the said mill was entirely consumed and destroyed. At a court of general sessions in November 1758, a boy called Pardon, variously described as an Indian boy, a mustee, and a mulatto, of Little Compton, an apprentice to Job Almy of Little Compton, yeoman, had signed his mark to the following statement:


    I did set fire to the mill ... I had been to drive the cows & when I came back I told my master I saw a fire by Mr. Cook's mill ... he told me to go back & I did & he followed me & told me to set fire to the mill, which I did on that side next our House & my Master stayed outside the wall, I went to him & he bid me go back & set fire to the other side which I did. --- I put the Fire between the step and the mill, the other side from ou House, & put some chips to kindle the Fire.


    Pardon's mother, Sarah Ned, and Indian woman, testified that she had asked her son what made him do it and he told her his Master said if he did not do it he would beat his brains out.
    ... Job Almy was found guilty and ordered to pay damages to Cook and also L200 to the Colony. The Indian boy Pardon petitioned that he ought to be dismissed and discharged from any further service to Almy, and the court released him from his apprenticeship. (Newport County Court Files, Nov. 1758; May 1759, from Box 2716)
    David Cook (1731-1816) pg. 181
    David Cook was the son of Thomas Cook and his wife Philadelphia Cornell. He married first Lydia Rouse, second Alice Cook.


    The family removed to New York State about 1785. The last child recorded in Little Compton was in August 1783, and on 5 July 1784 David Cook of Little Compton, gentleman, gave to his "Negro man Sippo his freedom, no more to be a servant to me, my heirs ... free and at his own disposal forever" (Tiverton Deeds 6:44).

    George Cook (1748-1808) pg. 196
    George Cook of Monmouth County in his will dated 17 April 1808 and proved 21 October 1808 bequeathed to his wife Parhenia his black woman Elizabeth and his clock,
    ... His black boy Timothy was to be sold, and black man Peter to be manumitted at age 38.

    Andrew McCorrie (1771-1801) pg. 387
    Andrew McCorrie, Sr., in his will dated 8 August 1801 and proved May 1805, named his daughter-in-las Phebe, leaving to her his Negro woman Joane.





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