Bateman Wills
of North Carolina
Jonathan Bateman Sr. (17 Jan 1794)
Albermarle County
In the Name of God Amen I Jonathan Bateman of Albermarle in ye Province of Carolina being sick and weak but blessed by God of sound and perfect memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manor and form following hereby revoking and making null all former will or wills whatsoever ____ Imprimis I give and bequeath my Body to Earth from whence it came _________? to be buried according to ye discretion of my loving wife and my sole executor in this my last will _____? and my to God that gave it.
Item: I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Elizabeth Bateman my servant Margaret for and during ye tyme she hath to serve and my Mare named Bonny. (something inserted above here-appears to be 3 words that I cannot read)
Item: I give and bequeath (after debts and funeral expenses payd and discharged) ye remainder of my whole estate hoggs cattle and whatsoever else to be equally divided between my loving wife and children viz: Jonathan, John, Thomas and Mary; and I do hereby set my sayd son Thomas free at sixteen years of age and liberty to-after ten (?) years of age to choose whether he will live with my sayd wife or his brother, and if (he sees himself ?) fit to continue with my sayd wife I then give and grant unto (will is torn here) in consideration of ____ ye sum of ten pounds and about her just or equal part or share and ye sum to be payd out of my sayd estate.
Item: I give and bequeath my plantations to my sons Jonathan and John that is to say to Jonathan my plantation up ye Creek and to John ye plantation I now sit upon, and of this my last will and testament I do herby nominate appoint and make my son Jonathan my sole and whole executor and in case he dyes then I make my nominate and appoint in his place and stand my son John my sold and whole executor of this my last will and testament in testimony whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this seventeen day of January 1694.
Signed and sealed in ye presence of us
Tho Hassold
John Twiggen (?)
Diana Whidbee (her mark)
Jonathan Bateman (Seal)
In the Colonial Court records 1669 - 1759 is recorded the petition of the widow Elizabeth: that upon due consideration and for many reasons it is not convenient to stand by the will and pleas to be granted 1/3 of Jonathan's estate. Later, a court case between Elizabeth Case and Jonathan Bateman, Jr., is mentioned, so Elizabeth must have remarried to a Mr. Case. S- "Genealogy Ancestors and Descendants of Nicodemus Bateman, Sr. 1693 - 1996" Volume 2, 1996 by: Carol L. Vidales.
Daniel H. Bateman (17 Mar 1841)
Will Book #3 Page #1 Tyrrell County
In the name of God amen. I, Daniel Bateman of the County of Tyrrell and State of North Carolina do make and constitute this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say I will that my executors and trustees herein after mentioned shall pay all my just debts out of my estate in such manner they may think best.
Item 2nd: To my wife I give my home plantation during her natural life for her dower and at her death to return to my daughter Caroline to her and her heirs forever.
Item 3rd: To my wife I give negro Jim, boy George, woman Chice, girl Abagail and girl Rhoda to her and her heirs forever.
Item 4th: I give to my wife my two gray mares Rose and Susan, two cows and calves, two sows and pigs, ten head of dry hogs, five head of sheep, one third part of my farming utensils, my Burouch and harness.
Item 5th: The balance of my land except Addison Island I give to my trustees in trust and for the sole and separate use of my daughter Carolline for life and at her death to be conveyed to such child or children of hers as may then be living and in default of such child or children then to go to Mary B. Johnson, James S. B. Hatfield, Andrew J. B. Hatfield, Hamilton B. Hatfield, the three children of my niece Harriet Herbert, Serepta Herbert, Marenitta T. Herbert and Margaret Herbert, Benjamin Bateman son of John Bateman, my nephew Joseph Blount son of Joseph Blount Senr., the surviver or suvivers to them their heirs.
Item 6th: I leave to my trustees hereafter mentioned negro woman Thebe and her three children, Washington, Mack and Douglas, Woman Dorcas, woman Hasty and her two children July and Henry, negro girls Frank, Barbara, Charlott and Rebecca, negro man Aaron and man Mack, negro Peter, Jerry, David, Jasper, and Dewy in trust and sole and separate use of my daughter Caroline for life and at her death to be conveyed to Mary B. Johnson, James S. B. Hatfield, Andrew J. B. Hatfield, Hanilton B. Hatffield, the three children of Harriett before named my nephew Joseph Blount, Benjamin Bateman son of John Bateman the survivor or survivors of them their heirs and assigns forever. I except five of these negros which I give to my daughter Caroline forever to dispose of in any manner she thinks best. She is to have her choice of the negros.
Item 7th: I give to my daughter, Caroline, my riding horse Napolian, my carpets, my black walnut chairs, all my beds and furniture except two and one dining table and all other property that I have already possessed her of and a sufficient sum to purchase her a piano.
Item 8th: I leave Addisons Island to my executors and trustees herein after mentioned and for their sole and separate use of Jone Alexander, wife of Gideon H. Alexander, for life and at her death to be conveyed to such child or children then living of hers and if none then to be conveyed to James S.B.,Hatfield, Andrew J. B. Hatfield, and Ametton B Hatfield their survivor or survivors of them their heirs and assigns forever. I reserve enough of Addisons Island to support my Oakland Plantation with wood and other necessary timber to which my daughter is to have free access.
Item 9th: Out of my estate to be raised in such way as my executors and trustees may deem most advantageous. I will unto James S.B. Hatfield one hundred dollars and if he dies before he receives it to go to his brothers Andrew J.B. Hatfield and Hamilton B. Hatfield. I give to Andrew J. B. Hatfield one hundred and fifty dollars but if he dies before he receives it is to go to his surviving brother or brothers. To my trustees. hereafter mentioned, I give three hundred dollars in trust for Hamilton B. Hatfield to be laid out in raising and educating him if he lives. If not this is to be null and void. These legacies to be paid as the income of my estate will best afford it.
Item 10th: To my niece Harriet Herberts three children Serepta, Marrenette and Margaret Herberts, I give one hundred and fifty dollars each to be paid over to Arther I. Herbert or some safe person in trust for them but if they die before they receive it, this clause to be Null and void. To my niece Jorey Godfrey six children Benjamin, Lamuel, Dempsey, Hezekiah, James and Eliza Godfrey, I give twenty dollars each except Eliza Godfrey to her I give fifty dollars. These legacies are to be paid out of my estate as the income will best afford it or at any time when my executors or trustees may deem it most advisable.
Item 11th: To Mary B. Johnson, I give three hundred dollars to be left in the hands of my executors or trustees to be paid to her when they may think it most advisable provided she does not marry Aaron Spruill. If she does marry Aaron Spruill, she is not to receive one cent of my estate. Proviso -1st. It is my will and desire, if there should be no judgement or judgements obtained against my estate to the amount of five hundred dollars the legicies left in money shall be paid as written in their places but if there should be a judgement or judgements obtained against my estate to the amount of five hundred dollars then and in that case there shall be deducted from the legicies left in money thirty percent in the hundred dollars.
Item 12th: Man Calvin, I leave in trust to my trustee herein after mentioned that they shall hire him out to any person that he may desire to live with and his hire to go to his own separate use and benefit and should the said Calvin at any time signify a wish to go to a free State my trustees hereafter mentioned shall give him a permit to do so . If the said Calvin shall from misfortune become an invalid, unable to help himself, he is then to be maintained out of my estate. Calvin is not to leave my services until the barn of my Oakland Plantation is finished.
Item 13th: It is my will and desire that my trustees herein after named keep all my negros and property given to my daughter Caroline together to be under the direction of some careful manager in a farming like manner for her special use and benefit. If my executors and trustees shall deem it most advisable, it is my wish, that a sufficiency of animals be kept to manage my estate and the balance, if any, be sold with my corn and pork and all other unnecessary articles of my estate at public or private sale left discrentionary with my executors and trustees herein after mentioned.
Item 14th: It is my wish that my wife out of sugar, coffee, pork, bacon, and salt have a compentancy to last her twelve months if she does not revoke my will.
Item 15th: It is my will that all the land I sold by deed that I acquired by my brother Joseph Bateman dec’d. and the land of the said Joseph Bateman dec’d. that I purchased at the sheriff sale for taxes to be sold and one hundred and fifty dollars of the money from the said land to go to my estate and the balance to be divided between Seth Bateman, Patsey Bateman, children of my brother Joseph Bateman de’cd. and William Bateman grandson of the said Joseph Bateman de’cd, to them and their heirs forever.
Item 16th: I appoint my worthy friend R. R. Heath, my attorney, to attend to the business of my estate when his professional services is required and I wish him to be well paid for his services.
Item 17th: I constitute my worthy friends Ebenizer Pettigrew, Joseph Halsey and James A. Cheesson my executors and trustees for the purposes herein before mentioned authorizing them to reimburse themselves for expenditures and pay themselves for their trouble. It being expressly understood that they are not to be held liable for any loss to the property unless such loss be the consequence of willful neglect and or willful misconduct of which I well know they will not be guilty. Revoking all other wills and testaments by me made I this 17th day of March A.D. 1841. Sign, declare and publish this my last will and testament in the presence of the undersigned.
Witness:
H. E. Lewis
W. Swinson
Tully
Henry Bateman (24 Jul 1857)
Will Book #3 Pg. #58 Tyrrell County
In the name of God Amen: I, Henry Bateman of the State of North Carolina and County of Tyrrell, being feeble of body but of sound mind and memory do make ordain and publish this as my last will and testament in manner and form following VIZ:
First: I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Eliza K. Bateman during her natural life the use of all my lands.
Second: Also I give to her the use of all my negroes and chattle property: It is my wishes that my wife Eliza K. Bateman may sell any part or portion of my property either personal or chattle for the purpose of raising and schooling my children.
Third: At the death of my wife Eliza K. Bateman my wish is that all my property real personal and chattle be equally divided between my lawful heirs. I appoint my wife Eliza K. Bateman executrix to this my last will and testament.
In witness whereof I have this 24th July 1857 set my hand and seal and declared this to be my last will and testament: revoking all other former wills by me made signed and sealed and delivered to be my last will and testament.
In the presence of
Henderson Lewis
Franklin Swain
Henry Bateman (seal)
State of North Carolina
Court of pleas and Quarter sessions
Tyrrell County Jany Term 1859
Then was the due executions of the foregoing paper writing proved in open court as the last will and testament of Henry Bateman dec’d. by the oaths of Henderson Lewis and Franklin Swain the subscribing witnesses thereto and admitted to a probate as duly executed to pass real and personal estate and it is ordered to be recorded and filed when Eliza K. Bateman the Executrix named came into open court and was duly qualified as executrix thereto.
Eli Spruill Clk.
John Batmon/Bateman (11 Aug 1803)
Will Book #D Pg. #186 Edgecomb County
Being sick, but in sound mind and memory, acknowledge this to be myt last will and testament. After paying all my just debts and funeral expenses, I give unto my beloved wife Kizia Batmon, one feather bed and furniture. I also lend to my wife Kizia my land and plantation, where I now live, during her life or widowhood.
I give unto my son Ashal, one feather bed and furniture and my land and plantation after my wife's decease or marriage, to him and his heirs forever. I also give unto my beloved daughter Poley Batmon, one feather bed and furniture and once cow and calf and its earn forever. I also leave my mare and two hundred acres of my land to be sold which is to be taken of the upper part of the tract of land to pay my debts. I also leave all the rest of my estate to be equally divided between my wife and two children after my wife's death or marriage, I leave Isaac Farmer and Jesse Farmer to be exectors this 11th day of August, 1803.
John T. Batmon Seal
Micajah Pettaway
Willibey T. Etheredge
Jermah Etherage
Isaac: was qualfied
Edgecomb County November Court 1803
The within last will and testament of John Bateman and was exhibited into court for probate and was proven by the oath of Micajah Pettaway and Welloby Ethridge, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto.
And Isaac Farmer, one of the Executors, theron named, was at the same time qualified and the will ordered to be recorded.
E. Hall ceLj.
John Bateman (15 Jan 1812)
Will Book #2 Pg.#30 Tyrrell County
In the name of God amen: I, John Bateman of Tyrrell County, being of sound and perfect mind and memory blest be to God do this 15th day of January 1812 in the year of our Lord make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say.
First I lend unto my beloved wife Unice Bateman the use of my Plantation whereon I now live with all the houses therunto belonging during her life or windowhood.
Item I lend unto my well beloved wife one negro woman by the name of Molly and negro man by the name of Moses during her natural life or widowhood. I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife one negro girl by the name of Grace, she and her heirs forever. I give unto my well beloved wife two cows and calves and sow and pigs her choice out of my stock, one feather bed and furniture and bedstead and all the property that I had by her if it be found also I give unto my well beloved wife one mare by the name of Jenny the residue of my estate personal after paying my just debts, I wish to be equally divided between my brothers and sisters Viz: Levi Bateman, Jos. Bateman, Daniel Bateman, Benjamin Bateman, Joanna Bateman, Ester Spruill and Thomas Bateman to them and their heirs forever.
I give unto my son Joseph Bateman my land known by the name of black oak neck on the east side of Scuppernong River. I also give unto Benjamin Bateman ten acres of land to be laid out of my manner plantation adjoining of him at the decease or marriage of my wife. It's my will and desire that the residue of my manner plantation at the decease or marriage of my wife be equally divided between Levi, Daniel, Bejnamin and Thomas Bateman and I here by make and ordain my beloved wife Unice Bateman my Executrix and my beloved brothers Levi, Joseph, Daniel, Benjamin Bateman, Aron Spruill and Ebenezer Bateman executor of this my last will and testament in witness thereof. I, the said John Bateman, have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
John Bateman (seal)
Signed, sealed, published and delivered by the John Bateman as his last will and testament.
John Bateman (5 Jan 1818)
Edenton, Chowan County
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Bateman, of the town of Edenton manner, being sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God, knowing that it is appointed for all men, once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. First of all, I recommend my soul to God and my body to the earth to be buried in a decent christian burial, at the direction of my Exc. and as respects my worldly estate, I give, device and dispose of the same in following manner. First, it is my will that all my just debts be paid.
Item I give and bequeath to my wife, Nancy, two bed and furniture, one secretary, one beaufat, all my crocery, tea and glass ware, one dozen silver spoons, six windsor chairs, one looking glass, one pair of fire tongs and shovel.
Item To my eldest daughter, Eliza, I give and bequeath negro girl, Trisa, together with one trunk.
Item To my daughter, Harriet, I give and bequeath Negro girl, Fanny, together with one trunk.
Item To my son John, I give and bequeath Negro boy, Brutus, together with one pair of gold sleeve buttons and one trunk. Also it is my will and desire that the house and lot whereon I now dwell be sold, also that Negro woman Lucy and her daughter Mary be sold. Also five head of cattle, also it is my will and desire that one half of my schooner, named Emily, be sold, provided a purchaser be found who is capable of taking charge himself or it can be sold to a merchant in Edenton.
Item It is my will and desire that the residue of my property of every description be sold,except the other half of my schooler, Emily, which half I wish kept and retained for the use and maintinance of my wife and three children.
Item It is my will and desire that my Exec., after paying my just debts, do purchase out of the proceeds of the above mentioned property designated for sale, one or two lots and thereon put a comfortable house to be owned by my wife and three children during said wife’s life-time and at her death to be equally divided between my aforementioned three children, Eliza, Harriet, and John.
Lastly, I constitute, make, ordain and appoint Joseph B Tinner, Esqr. of the town of Edenton the sole Exct. of this my last will and testament requesting and empowering him to give such length of audit for the payment of sums as may be derived or may receive from the sale of the above designated property as he thinks will conduce most to the benefit of my heirs and I also request the said Joseph B. Thinner. To take care and charge of the education of my son John and afterwards qualify him for such calling as he, in his judgement, will think fit. I, also recommend the rest of my family to his care and protection. And I do hereby utterly disalllow, revoke and disannul all and every former will and testament by me in anyways made willed and ratifying and confirming this my last will and testament in which whereof I have set my hand and seal this fifth day of January 1818.
John Bateman (His seal)
Signed, sealed, published, pronounce and declared by the said John Bateman this last will and testament in presence of us
Robert Keating (juret)
Thos. T. Heggart
State of North Carolina June term 1818
Be it remembered that I, Joseph T Thinner, the within named person as executor and guardian of the aforesaid will and testament do hereby renounce the executorship and guardianship resulting without this my deposit from the foregoing last will and testament.
Jos. B. Thinner (His seal)
test
Henry Mills
John Bateman Jr. (23 Aug 1783)
Will Book #1 Pg. #134 Tyrrell County
In the name of God amen: I, John Bateman Junr., of Tyrrell County and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound memory (blessed be God) do this 23 day of August in the year of our Lord Anno Domini 1783 make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following (that is to say)
First: I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Henry Bateman one hundred and twenty acres of land whereon I now live be the same more or less to him and his heirs forever, and one Bible.
Item: I give and bequeath to the issue of my body, (that my wife Sarah Bateman now goes with) if a son one hundred and thirty six acres of land be the same more or less to him and his heirs forever and on default of such issue then to be equally divided between my three daughters.
Item: I give to my well beloved wife Sarah Bateman two cows and calves, five head of sheep, fourteen head of hogs and one feather bed, bedstead and furniture, two linen wheels and one woollen wheel, and one Jinn case, one loom and harness that belong to her and two pewter dishes and two basins and half a dozen plates and one mill to she and her heirs forever. And I also appoint my two brothers Jonathan Bateman and Isaac Bateman Executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly revoke, disallow and disannul all and every other will and testament by me made and this is to be taken for my last will and testament and no other. In witness whereof I the said John Bateman Junr. have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date first above.
signed, sealed and delivered by the said John Bateman Junr. as and for his last will and testament in the presence of we the subscribers.
Tyrrell County Oct. term 1783
Personally appeared Stephen Bateman and made oath on the Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that he saw and heard John Bateman within named sign, seal, publish, pronounce and declare the within to be his last will and testament and at the same time he saw John Ansley and Zephaniah Davis subscribing Witnesses within sign at the time and further saith not.
Jonathan Bateman Sr. (26 February 1761)
Will Book 1 Pg.#20 Tyrrell County
In the name of God amen: Know ye that I, Jonathan Bateman Senr., through the mercy of God tho weak in body yet of sound and perfect memory do constitute this my last will and testament.
Imprimis I most humby bequeath my soul to God my maker beseaching his most gracious acceptance of it at ye General Resurrection of the dead thro the mercy and mediation of my most compassionate Redeemer, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for me and attonement for my sins and earnestly beg pardon of anybody I have injured and I freely forgive all mankind ye have any ways offended me and I profess myself to die in the Faith of the Communion of ye church of England. Next I give my body to the Earth from whence it was taken in full assurance mercey at the last day as for my Burial I desire it may be decently buried at ye discretion of my wife or Exector and as to such worldly estate as it has pleased God to endow me with I leave in manner and form following.
Item I give and bequeath my beloved wife all my personal estate of goods and chattel during her life.
Item I give to my sons, James and Jonathan and Stephen and Neve, four pewter dishes and catel that I formerly gave them with ye mones and item to them all my rite and titell to land and negroes that I have in Merland that can be found.
Item I give all my sons and daughters that I had by my first wife one shilling to each child.
Item I give all my personal estate to four sons that ye bare after death and furthermore I ordain and constitute and appoint Sarah Bateman, my wife, my sole executor of all my personal estate of goods and chattels and disannul and revoke all wills by me made amd do acknowledge this to be my last will and testament as witness my hand and seal this 26 day of February in the year of our Lord 1761.
Jonathan Bateman (seal)
Signed sealed and declared by above named to be his last will and
testament in the presence of us.
Benjn. Staples Jurt.
John Richards
Robert Elton
Recorded by Fr. Ward Clerk
Joseph Bateman (26 Oct 1839)
In the name of God, Amen. I, Joseph Bateman , planter of Tyrrell County and State of North Carolina, being sick and feeble of body but sound and proper disposing mind do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following: (Viz)
I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Martha Bateman one bed and furniture, one cow and calf, one loom and harness, one lining wheel, one woolen wheel, all my sheep, one folding table, all my chairs except my rush bottom chairs, one chest, all my knives and forks, one hand mill and all my kitchen furniture, one sow and pigs, seven hundred and fifty pounds of pork, ten barrels of corn and all her pottery and the use of negro woman Charity and negro girl Rose during her natural life. My will is that after my wife’s death the above property except negros Charity and Rose be equally divided between my sons Seth and Benjamin Bateman and my daughter Martha Bateman and my grandson William B. Bateman. I give and bequeath unto my son Seth Bateman one clock, one cow and calf, one bed and furniture, four young hogs, one cart, and one half of all my working tools. I give and bequeath to my son Benjamin Bateman one bed and furniture, four young hogs, one cow and calf, six rush bottom chairs, one work steer, and one cart, one looking glass and the other half of all my working tools. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Bateman one bed and furniture including the stead, one beaufat and furniture, four young hogs, one cow and calf and my large chest, one trunk, one toilet looking glass, one lining wheel.
I give and bequeath to my grandson William B. Bateman one bed and furniture, one cow and calf, four young hogs, one small chest and at the death of my wife, I give one half of negros Charity and Rose and their increase to be divided between my son Benjamin Bateman, my daughter Martha Bateman and my grandson William B. Bateman and their heirs forever and the other half to my son Seth Bateman and his heirs forever. I give to my son Daniel Bateman fifty cents and all the notes and accounts I hold against him. I give and bequeath to my daughter Fanny Ansley fifty cents to be paid out of my estate. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Furlough fifty cents to be paid out of my estate I give and bequeath unto my daughter Hannah Craddock one cow, three head of hogs. I give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Bateman fifty cents to be paid out of my estate.
After all my debts are paid my will is that the residue of my property be equally divided between my son Seth Bateman , my son Benjamin Bateman, my daughter Martha Bateman and my grandson William B. Bateman. I constitute and appoint my two sons Seth Bateman and Benjamin Bateman and my brother Daniel N, Bateman and my friend Nathan Alexander as executors. to this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand and seal this the 26th day of October in the year of our lord 1839.
signed and delivered, Jos . Bateman (seal)
In presence of us:
Thos Lewis
G. W.. Davenport
County Court April Term 1844 The last will and testament of Joseph Bateman dec’d was exhibited in open court and proved by oath of George W Davenport a subscribing thereto who swore that Joseph Bateman the testator was of sound mind and memory at the time he signed this will he further swears that he saw Thomas Lewis sign said will as concerning testamony.
Recorded 16 day of May 1844
Joseph Alexander clk.
of October in the year of ou
20 Mar 1999