Robert Simms Sr. of Wayne County made out his will on 18 December 1789. It entered probate in April Court 1891. Simms’ landholdings were in the area between Contentnea and Black Creeks, which is now in Wilson County.
- to wife Mary Simms, a life interest “negro man Roger and his wife beck,” “one boy Jack,” and “one boy Pompey,” with remainder to son Benjamin Simms
- to son Benjamin Simms, “Negro girl Chaney“
- to son Robert Simms, “a Negro boy named Boston“
- to daughter Susanna Simms, “a Negro gairl Named Rashel“
- to son Barnes Simms, “negro boy Charles“
- to son Abm. [Abraham] Simms, “one Negro man named Jim and one Negro boy named peter“
Robert Simms Jr. submitted this undated inventory of his father’s property to court in July Term 1791:
A 26 August 1791 account of sales from Simms’ estate shows that his daughter purchased Roger for two pounds.
Will of Robert Simms (1789), Estate Records of Robert Simms (1791), Wayne County, North Carolina Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998 [database on-line], http://www.ancestry.com.