last will and testament

The last wills and testaments of Joseph Barnes (1824) and Sallie Whitehead Barnes (1833).

Joseph Barnes (1770-1824) and Sarah “Sallie” Whitehead Barnes (1770-1833) lived in far southwest Edgecombe County, an area that is now Wilson County.

Joseph Barnes made out his will in May 1824. Among his bequests, he gave his wife Sarah Barnes three enslaved people — Luke, Bob, and Rachel.

He also gave his daughter Nancy Barnes an enslaved girl named Forten and a boy named Frank; his daughter Penney Barnes, a girl named Hannah and a boy named Toby; his daughter Celia Barnes, a girl named Rose and a boy named Isaac; his daughter Treecey Barnes, a girl named Clark and a boy named Reddick; his daughter Temperance Barnes, a girl named Dinah and a boy named Jacob; and his daughter Martha Barnes, a daughter Milley and a boy David.

There was also this complicated provision:

As best I can decipher, Barnes was directing that Peter and Dick and some livestock be sold and the money divided among all but his youngest children. After that, it gets more confusing. The clear part: wife Sallie is to receive a life estate in “two negros Jack and Jude,” as well as three “hors craturs” (??), five cows and calves, a brandy still, cider casks, plantation tools, and furniture. All this property was to be sold at her death, and the proceeds divided among all his children except James and Dempsey.

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Sallie Whitehead Barnes executed her will in December 1833.

Among other items, Sallie Barnes left her daughter Theresa Barnes Farmer two enslaved men, Ben and Bob, and her daughter Martha Barnes Bullock, enslaved people Luke and Rachel. (Luke and Rachel, whom Sallie Barnes had inherited from her husband, remained together. Were they a couple?)

And then, this curious bequest to son-in-law Isaac Farmer:

“I leave Isaac in [lieu] of Jack that I sold which was lent to me my life time to dispose of as they would with Jack had he not been sold.” My best interpretation: Joseph Barnes had bequeathed Sallie Barnes a life estate in an enslaved man named Jack. However, Sallie had sold Jack and had to provide an equivalent substitute for him in the form of Isaac.

I cannot with certainty trace forward any of these enslaved men and women.

Will of Joseph Barnes (1822), Will of Sallie Barnes (1833), North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The death of Ed Bynum.

Wilson Daily Times, 16 February 1945.

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In the 1900 census of Lower Town Creek township, Edgecombe County, N.C.: widower Henry Bynum, 54, and children Jonas, 24, Ellen, 22, Alison, 20, Eddie, 18, Patsy and Reddin, 16, and Mary, 13.

On 26 May 1912, Ed Bynum, 27, of Saratoga township, married Mahala King, 25, of Saratoga township, in Saratoga township, Wilson County.

In the 1920 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farmer Ed Bynum, 40; wife Mahada, 30; children Annie, 15, and Seth, 11; and nieces and nephews Willie, 17, Louisa, 15, Ellen, 9, Anna Jane, 10, and Caroline, 5.

Mahaley Bynum died 27 November 1923 in Saratoga township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was 45 years old; was born in Wilson County to Shanny King and Nancy Barnes; was married to Eddie Bynum; and farmed for M.J. Felton.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: auto shop manager Ed Bynum, 49, widower, and daughter Caroline, 15.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: in a house owned and valued at $500, widower Ed Bynum, 59, grocery manager.

In 1940, Jessie Roy Edwards registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his registration card, he was born 15 May 1920 in Pitt County, N.C.; lived at Route 4, Wilson; worked as a laborer at Marine Barracks New River, N.C.; and his contact was first cousin Ed Bynum, Route 4, Wilson.

Anna Foster died 8 March 1941 in Sand Hills township, Moore County, N.C. Per her death certificate, she was born 3 February 1901 in Wilson County to Edd Bynum and Mahala Lou [no maiden name]; was married to Kelly Foster; and lived in Jackson Springs, N.C.

Edd Bynum died 14 February 1945 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 12 October 1881 in Edgecombe County to Henry Bynum and Nannie Cobb; was the widow of Mahalia Bynum; worked as a laborer; and was buried in Rountree Cemetery [probably, Vick Cemetery.] Caroline Smith was informant.

Ed Bynum left a fascinating will. The version we have access to is the transcription typed into court records. The original was handwritten by a man with little formal education, but a debt-free estate built from a lifetime of hard work and firm plans for its distribution. Bynum owned a house, a grocery, and investment properties, as well as a significant amount of cash.

[June 26, 1934. This is Ed Bynum’s will. I want Willie Bynum to have Alex Williams‘ house [and automobile?]. Seth Bynum to have the store.]

[Caroline Bynum to have the big house. Anna Bynum to have the little lot.

Caroline Bynum, Anna Bynum, Doll Bynum, Louise Bynum, Ellen Bynum divide the money, about $1600.

Give [Crockett Best?] $50. Give Mary $25. Give Ida Speight $50 for attending to me when I was sick and I don’t own no one not a penny.

Divide the goods in the store.

Witness Caroline Bynum, Ida Speight

Let Anderson Bynum [Ed Bynum’s brother] do this dividing.

This is Ed Bynum writing my will to the children.

Give me a 200 dollar steel vat 100 [?]

Louise & Ellen & Doll have the six lots back in the field.

Give Crater King 25 dollars.]

Stephen Woodard’s enslaved people, no. 4.

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 15th, daughter Penelope Woodard received 20 enslaved people. Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.

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  • Asa
  • James
  • Ben

Benjamin Woodard has been a popular subject of my blogposts.

  • George
  • William
  • Jacob

Perhaps: on 3 August 1867, Jacob Woodard, son of Gabriel Woodard and Rena Deans, married Anna Tyson, daughter of Jack Tyson and Diana Tyson, at A.G. Brooks’ in Wilson County.

  • Gray

Grey Woodard, son of Cooper and Chacy Woodard, married Jane Edmondson, daughter of Easter Edmondson, on 6 February 1869 in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Saratoga township, Wilson County: farm laborer Gray Woodard, 19; wife Jane, 19; Cherry Edmondson, 21, farm laborer, and child Willis, 4; Jno. Woodard, 6 months; and Epps Edmondson, 6.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Grey Woodard, 27; wife Jane, 25; and children Daniel, 10, Grant, 5, Handy, 4, Frank, 3, Jonah, 2, and Martha, 1. [Gray Woodard and family were close neighbors to Austin Woodard and Cooper Woodard, who were Gray’s brother and father.]

  • Sam
  • Old Bob
  • Sarah and her children Delilah, Edwin, and Ellen

This does not appear to be Sarah Woodard who married first Warren Rountree, then her sister Harriet’s widower, Alfred Woodard.

  • Rebecca and her children Isidore, Isaac, and Mary
  • Rose
  • Cherry

Perhaps: in 1866, Jack Woodard and Cherry Woodard registered their three-year marriage with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farmer Jack Woodard, 25; wife Cherry, 24; and daughter Martha, 2.

In the 1880 census of Gardners township, Wilson County: farm laborer Jack Woodard, 36; wife Cherry, 36; and children Martha, 13, Mattie, 8, James, 6, Mary, 4, Fannie, 3, and Nicey, 5 months.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: widower Jack Woodard, 59; sons Jimmy, 26, and Baylum, 14; and grandchildren Moses Atkinson, 6, and Afonsa Atkinson, 5.

  • Barbery

Stephen Woodard’s enslaved, part 3.

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 11th, daughter Elizabeth Woodard Newsome received 15 enslaved people. Stephen Woodard died in 1864, and all were likely freed before his estate was distributed. Though they presumably were in Wilson County at Emancipation, I’m able to trace forward relatively few people.

  • Alfred

In 1866, Harriet Woodard and Alfred Woodard registered their ten-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farm laborer Alfred Woodard, 40; wife Harriet, 28; and children Ned, 14, Rosa, 15, Zilly, 4, London, 3, and Minny, 2 months. Harriet died before 13 February 1873, when Alfred married her widowed sister Sarah Woodard Rountree. [Harriet and Sarah Woodard were daughters of London and Venus Woodard and had been enslaved by James B. Woodard.]

In the 1880 census of Taylors township, Wilson County: farmer Alfred Woodard, 50; wife Sarah, 45; children Florence, 28, Mary, 22, Howell, 18, Sarah E., 16, Zilly A., 17, Lundon, 13, Minnie, 12, Willie, 10, Josephine, 7, and Evvy, 4; and grandchildren Elizabeth, 7, Robt. B., 5, and John H. Bynum, 4.

  • Washington

Perhaps: in the 1880 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 54; wife Harriet, 24; and servant Esteller Pitt, 20.

In the 1900 census of New Hope township, Wayne County: farmer Washington Woodard, 65; wife Harrett, 55; and boarders Malissie, 23, and Henry A., 8.

  • Sherard
  • Ned
  • Wright
  • Frank

Frank Woodard and Appa Thompson were married in Wilson County on 15 October 1866.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 25, farm laborer; wife Appie, 23; son Frank Jr., 1; and Samuel Woodard, 20, farm laborer.

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: Frank Woodard, 37, farmer; wife Appie, 32; and sons Frank, 11, and Romulus, 9.

  • Auston

On 1 January 1870, Austin Woodard, son of Cooper Woodard and Chacey Woodard, married Easter Newsome, daughter of Cezar Newsome and Jane Simms, in Wilson County.

In the 1870 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farm laborer Cooper Woodard, 56; wife Candiss, 56; and Austin, 21, Jonas, 24, Handy, 17, and Esther Woodard, 21. Cooper claimed $225 in personal property. [Candis was the stepmother of Austin, Jonas, and Handy. Esther was Austin’s wife.]

In the 1880 census of Stantonsburg township, Wilson County: farmer Austin Woodard, 29; wife Easter, 30; and children Foy, 10, Marion, 5, George, 3, John, 2, and Chasey, 1.

  • Etney and her three children Jane, Hugh, and Oliver

Perhaps: Oliver Woodard died 14 May 1929 in Saulston township, Wayne County. Per his death certificate, he was about 75 years old; his marital status was unknown; and he was a farmer.

  • Jincy and her child Chany
  • Hester
  • Lucy

The last will and testament of Stephen Woodard Sr. (1858).

When Stephen Woodard Sr. executed his last will and testament in 1858, he determined the fates of 72 enslaved African-Americans.

In Item 2nd, Woodard bequeathed to his son Stephen Woodard Jr. 26 enslaved people — Lazarus, Randol, Henry, Harry, Little Bob, Jack, Arch, Solomon, Cooper, Mintus, Chacy and her child Handy, Jackan and her children Julia and Silvia, Rachel and her children Lawrence and Jim, Charity and her children Minger and Anzy, Little Peggy, Dianna, Nicey, Old Peggy, and Darkus. (In Item 6th, Woodard provided that, if an annuity could not be paid to son John G. Woodard, he would receive Jackan and her children.)

In Item 8th, son Willie Woodard received 11 enslaved people — Barden; Sy; Reddic; Jonas; Sena and her four children Smithy, Amos, Jesse, and Michel; and Maram and her child Bedy.

In Item 11th, daughter Elizabeth Woodard Newsome received 15 enslaved people: Alfred; Washington; Sherard; Ned; Wright; Frank; Auston; Etney and her three children Jane, Hugh, and Oliver; Jincy and her child Chany; Hester; and Lucy.

In Item 15th, daughter Penelope Woodard received 20 enslaved people — Asa, James, Ben, George; William; Jacob; Gray; Sam; Old Bob; Sarah and her children Delilah, Edwin, and Ellen; Rebecca and her children Isidore, Isaac, and Mary; Rose; Cherry; and Barbery.

Woodard’s will also gave insight into the way his farming operation was set up. He also bequeathed Stephen Woodard Jr. “all of my stock hogs at Lazerus’ pen & at Reddic’s pen and those at my home place” and Willie Woodard “my stock hogs at Washington’s pen.” In other words, Woodard’s hogs were kept at several locations across his plantation, including pens assigned to specific enslaved men.

Later posts will attempt to trace forward each group of Woodard’s enslaved.

Will of Stephen Woodard (1858), North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Reuben E. Ellis.

Three weeks after his wife’s death, Reuben Ellis made out a will that left all his property to his step-grandchildren. The land had been Mary Lynch Rhodes Ellis‘, and Ellis returned it to her descendants.

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In the 1920 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Stantonsburg Road, farmer Reuben Ellis, 45; wife Mary, 42; and stepson John Hardy Rhoades, 21, widower.

In the 1930 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: on Old Stantonsburg Road, Ruben Ellis, 57; wife Mary, 52; and grandchildren Hattie M., 12, Carrie, 9, James, 6, and Charlie Rhodes, 5, and Cora B. Wynn, newborn.

In the 1940 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Ruben Ellis, 60, farmer; wife Mary, 62; grandsons James R., 17,  and Charlie Rhodes, 15; and granddaughter Cora Bell Ellis, 11.

In 1942, James Rhoades registered for the World War II draft in Wilson County. Per his draft card, he was born 4 January 1923 in Wilson County; lived at Route 3, Wilson; his nearest relative was Ruebin Ellis; and he worked on Isaac Jones’ farm.

Mary Wyatt Ellis died 10 October 1943 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per her death certificate, she was born 16 May 1876 in Wilson County to Wyatt Lynch and Nicie [no maiden name listed]; was married to Rubin Ellis; was engaged in farming; and was buried on “Lynch Farm.”

Rubin Ellis died 11 March 1944 in Wilson township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was 67 years old; was a widower; was born in Wilson County to Rubin Ellis and Clara Atkinson; worked as a farmer; and was buried on the home place. Charlie Rhodes was informant.

Will of Reuben E. Ellis (1943), North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Bushrod Dew.

Bushrod “Bush” Dew executed an unusually detailed will two months before he died in April 1920.

First, he requested a decent burial with “suitable headstones,” which we have seen here.

He then bequeathed his wife Susan Melton Dew a life estate in the house in which they lived, which was situated on one-eighth acre of land. That land was part of a one-acre tract Dew bought from Donaldson [Dollison?] Powell. After Susan Dew’s death, the house and small lot were to pass to their son Van Dew.

Susan Dew was also to receive all household and kitchen furniture. Daughters Nannie Dew, Effie Dew Parker, and Lossie Dew Best received one-quarter acre each from the one acre purchased from Powell.

Bush Dew’s son Van and three daughters were to divide equally 13 acres adjoining the property of Walter Woodard, Wiley Rountree, and others, and Van Dew was to receive the remaining one-eighth acre of the one-acre parcel above.

However, “on account of the unfaithfulness of my son Ed Dew to his parents and on account of his neglect to take advantage of the opportunity of an education which I have tried to give him,” Ed Dew was to receive twenty-five dollars and nothing more.  All other property, other than money, was to be divided among Bush Dew’s daughters.

Any remaining money was to be held in trust for five years, then equally divided among Dew’s daughters and son Van.

For more about Bushrod “Bush” Dew, see here and here and here.

Will of Bush Dew (1920), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Noah Best.

For more about Noah Best, see here and here and here. The Griffin Street house and lot he mentioned in his will was property Best (and several of his family members and neighbors) received after being forced out of Grab Neck community.

Will of Noah Best (1924), North Carolina Wills and Probate Records 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.

The last will and testament of Alfred Dew.

Alfred Dew signed an X to his will on 22 June 1910, witnessed by Samuel H. Vick and Elijah L. Reid. (Reid was a close neighbor on Viola Street; Vick lived a block away on East Green Street.) Dew left his wife Laura Dew a life estate in all his property, with a remainder in son R.D. Dew. Sons Jack Dew and Needham Dew were to receive ten dollars each and daughter Martha Alston, sixty dollars.

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On 11 August 1866, Alfred Dew and Susan Dew registered their five-year cohabitation with a Wilson County justice of the peace.

In the 1870 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: Alford Due, 26; wife Susan, 23; and children Jack, 6, Redick, 4, and “no name,” 1 month; plus Oliver Due, 48, Amos Barnes, 23, and Anna Due, 19.

In the 1880 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: farmer Alford Dew, 39; wife Louiza, 35; mother Olivia, 60, widow; and children Jackson, 18, Redick, 16, and George, 15, Needham, 12, and Martha, 10; and niece Hatta, 4. [George was likely George W. White, Louisa’s son from prior relationship.]

On 13 March 1889, Jackson Dew, 25, son of Alfred Dew and Susan Dew, married Maggie Thompson, 22, daughter of Enos and Elis Thompson, at Thompson’s father’s residence.

On 4 December 1889, Alfred Dew, 50, of Wilson township, son of Jack and Olive Dew, married Eveline Mitchel, 35, of Stantonsburg township, daughter of Olive Kilabrew, at F.W. Barnes’ farm, Stantonsburg.

On 4 January 1893, James Alston, 21, son of Charles and Anna Alston, married Martha Dew, 21, daughter of Alfred Dew, in Wilson.

On 17 January 1894, C.D. Dew, 24, of Wilson County, son of Alfred and Susan Dew, married Cora Wells, 18, of Wilson County, daughter of Jason and Ellen Wells, at Jason Wells’ residence in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. [Needham Dew changed his name to Cornelius D. Dew.]

On 28 June 1898, Reddick D. Dew, 30, of Wilmington, whose father Alfred Dew lived in Wilson and whose mother Susan was deceased, married Addie J. Cash, 30, daughter of John and Martha Cash of Wilmington.

George White, 34, of Craven County, son of Louisa Dew, married Lucinda Parker, 20, of Craven County, on 27 December 1898 at Jackson Dew‘s residence in Wilson township, Wilson County. Alfred Dew applied for the license, and Baptist minister J.T. Deans performed the ceremony in the presence of James T. Alston, L.A. Allen, and Jackson Dew.

On 9 May 1900, Alfred Dew, 55, of Wilson County, son of Jack and Olive Dew, married Margarette Hinton, 48, of Wilson County, at her house in Wilson. Henry Cotton applied for the license, and Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony in the presence of Mamie E. Parker, Lee Simms, and Mary Simms.

In the 1900 census of Wilson township, Wilson County: day laborer Alfred Dew, 50; wife Maggie, 47; sons Hassell, 14, and Will, 13, and stepson Charlie Hinnant, 14, day laborer.

On 4 March 1903, Alford Dew, 56, son of Jackson and Olif Dew, married Laura Watson, 45, at Watson’s residence in Wilson. Charles Oats applied for the license, and Baptist minister Fred M. Davis performed the ceremony.

In the 1910 census of Wilson, Wilson County: on Viola Street, Alfred Dew, 63, street laborer; wife Laura, 54, laundress; and daughter Eva, 13.

On 24 May 1911, Hassell Dew, 26, of Wilson, N.C., son of Alfred Dew and Evalina Kilbrew, married Daisy Robinson, 25, of Winston-Salem, N.C., daughter of Samuel Robinson and Elvira [no maiden name listed], in Manhattan County, New York.

Alfred Dew died 23 August 1910 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was about 66 years old; was born in Wilson County to Jackson Dew and Olive Dew; lived on Viola Street; was married; and worked as a common laborer. Martha Aulston was informant, and he was buried in Wilson [likely, Oakdale or Odd Fellows Cemeteries.]

Martha Alston died 3 April 1929 in Wilson. Per her death certificate, she was born 10 March 1871 in Wilson County to Alford Dew and Barbray Woodard; was married to James Alston; lived at 507 East Green Street; and was buried in Wilson [likely, Vick Cemetery]. Rufus Edmundson was informant.

Redick Diew died 6 August 1933 in Wilson. Per his death certificate, he was 3 August 1868 in Wilson County to Alfred and Susan Diew; was a barber; was a widower; and resided at 1108 Wainwright Avenue. Eula Locus of the home was informant.

“Cornelius Dew (nick name) Needham Dew” died 30 July 1944 in Cross Roads township, Wilson County. Per his death certificate, he was born 1 May 1881 in Wilson to Albert [sic] Dew and Susian [maiden name unknown]; was married to Maggie Dew; and worked as a farmer.

Will of Alfred Dew (1910), Wilson County, North Carolina, U.S. Wills and Probate Records, 1665-1998, http://www.ancestry.com.