1. …
1.1. Sir Thomas Horner, purchased the manor of Mells in 1544.
1.2. John Horner, gent., of Stoke St Michael, Somerset. The Horners were landlords of the Peace family:
(1. … Peace.
1.1. John Peace, bur. 19 Oct. 1677.
1.2. Joseph Peace, bur. 8 Nov. 1672, a tenant of the Horner family of Stoke St Michael, Somerset
1.2.1. Joseph Peace.
1.2.1.1. James Peace, bapt. 2 Jul. 1682, Stoke St Michael. The Peace name was quite rare, but there are examples of Peace intermarriages with families of Selleck (1628), Randle (1650), Thomas (1658), Earle (1662), Mathewes (1672), Lewis (1682).
1.2.1.1. John Peace, bapt. 27 Mar. 1679, Stoke St Michael. He held 900 acs. on Tabbs Creek, Granville Co.
1.2.1.3.Joseph Peace, bapt. 27 Dec. 1675, Stoke St Michael.
1.2.1.3.1. Joseph Peace, b. c. 1700, a carpenter, paid William Smith £100 for 200 acs. at Ezekiel Fuller’s line on Tabb’s Creek, in June 1756 (B. 6, p. 59). Wit. Thos. Smith, Saml. Smith. On 2 May 1734. In May 1761, he purchased 420 acs. on Tabb’s Creek from Darwin Elwick (Gran. Co. B. d., pp. 250-251). On 11 April 1763, he sold his original 200 acres on Ezekiel Fuller’s line to John Mask, witnesses to were Robert Blackwell, his son Joseph Peace, and John Mask Jr. (Gran. Co. B. f., pp. 199-200). Joseph Peace of Granville Co. to John Dickerson. Power of Atty to collect debts, etc. Wit: John Smith, John Peace. (ibid.). May 1764 Court , Gran. Co.: ‘Ordered that the following Jury to wit: Joseph Peace, Isham Parham, John Dickerson, John Parham and others lay off a road from out of the new road at Bradfords Road Crossing, Tar River near George Priddy’s, directing its course to Oxford and make report thereof to the next Court. (Gran. Co. B. g, pp. 252-253).
1.2.1.3.1.1. Joseph Peace.
1.2.1.3.1.2. Capt. John Peace, d. 1821.in Granville Co, m. Margaret… Joseph Peace and son John are listed together in the 1762 tax list of Granville Co.
1.2.1.3.1.2.1. Joseph Peace. In 1788, John Peace and his son Joseph were taxed in Fishing Creek. They later lived at Bambro, the Peace family plantation near Fairport.
1.2.1.3.1.2.2. Lucy Peace.
1.2.1.3.1.2.3. William Peace.
1.2.1.3.1.2.4. John Mask Peace.
1.2.1.3.1.2.5. Pleasant Peace).
1.2.1. John Horner (Jack of the nursery rhyme), m. Muriell Malte, and after 1554 united the properties of his father and uncle. He was sheriff of Somerset in 1564 and 1573.
1.2.1.1. Dorothy Horner, m. John Hippisley, d. 1608; their great-great-grandson was associated with the Dickersons:
(1. Thomas Dickerson – a name particular to these parts.
1.1. Elizabetha Dickerson, bapt. 9 Apr. 1600. Wedmore (St Mary)
1.2. George Dickerson.
1.2.1. Mary Dickerson, bapt. 19 Oct. 1623. Cheddar (St Andrew)
1.3. Thomas Dickerson.
1.3.1. Thomas Dickerson, bapt. 17 Jan. 1629, f.Thomas.
1.3.1.1. George Dickerson Jr. Hippisley v Dickerson. Plaintiffs: George Hippisley. Defendants: George Dickerson. Place or subject: property in Mendip, Winsford etc, Somerset. 1681. (Nat. Arch. ref. C 7/147/42).
1.3.1.1.1. Jayne Dickerson, bapt. 30 Jan. 1684.
1.3.1.2. Eleanor Dickerson, m. Josias Smith, 17 June 1678. Cheddar.
1.3.1.3. Alice Dickerson, m. William Allan, 26 Dec 1686. Cheddar.
1.3. Matthew Dickerson. Admon. Bonds for making etc.inventory of the goods and chattels of Wm. Mays, John Vowls, Eliz.Spenser, 1680, Hester Williams, 1680/81, Sarah Spenser, Geo. Brooke, John Binsam, Edw. Cooke, Mary Cooke, John Smith, Matthew Dickerson, 1681, Wm. Philips, 1682, all of Cheddar. (Cheddar. Peculiar of the Dean and Chapter of Wells. Somerset Heritage Centre, ref. DD\SAS\C/795/PR/151).
1.2.2. Thomas Horner, of Cloford; inherited the manor of Mells; m. 2. Jane Popham. LWT proved 20 Sept. 1612. His widow was left a life interest in his townhouse and certain other lands, provided she kept seven score deer within the park at Cloford.
1.2.2.1. Amy Horner. m. John Symes.
1.2.2.1.1. Edith Symes, m. John Gorges, d. 1680.
1.2.2.1.2. Jane Symes, m. John Seymour, 1587-1663.
1.2.2.1.3. Dulcibella Symes, m. Thomas Hodges, d. 1675, of Shipton Moyne, Glouc.
1.2.2.1.4. Elizabeth Symes, m. Nicholas Martyn, 1593-1653.
1.2.2.1.4.1. Dorothy Martyn, m. Richard Turner, 1610-1676, of Exter, Devon.
1.2.2.1.5. William Drewe, 1604-1654, son of Sir Thomas Drewe, 1578 – 1651, of Broadhembury. William’s sister, Bridget Drewe, m. Richard Ducke, 1603-1656, of Mount Radford. The Harris of Hayne held Mount Radford, the Duckes being their tenants.
1.2.2.1.6. Susanna Symes, m. Rev. George Newton, 1602-1681.
1.2.2.1.7. Henry Symes, 1609-1682, m. Anne Seymour, d. 1685.
1.2.2.1.8. Thomas Symes, 1621-1670, m. (3 June 1640) Amy Bridges, 1621-1662, dau. of Edward Bridges (d. 1639), esquire, of Keynsham, by his wife Philippa Speke, d. 1628. A parish register for Winterbourne shows that Thomas Symes ‘hath given unto the church the summe of 20 shillings for a pew or seate in the sayde church’. In 1662 Thomas and his brother Henry Symes assigned the manor of Middlezoy to William Strode of Newnham.
1.2.2.1.8.1. Richard Symes, born in 1657 at Winterbourne; merchant and shipmaster, of Blackheath, in Lewisham, and of Bristol; held property in Antigua. In his Will, dated 17 July 1723, he left his estate in remainder to the issue of his deceased brother William Symes, Gent. (d. 1687) by Mary Walrond Symes (d. 1720), then in remainder to the issue of his brother Charles. ‘To the memory of Richard Symes, of Blackheath, in this Parish, Esq., who departed this life on Monday, the 27 of May, 1728, in the 72nd year of his age. He was the son of Thomas Symes, of Winterbourne, in the County of Gloucester, Esq., who married Amy, the sister of Sir Thomas Bridges, of Keynsham, in the County of Somersett, Knt., by whom he had 12 sons and 4 daughters. The above-named Richard was the tenth son. By his last will, bearing the date the 17 day of July, 1723, he desired that a monument might be erected by his executor in memory of him and his second wife, Charlotte Symes, who also lyes here interred; she was the daughter of Sir Orlando Bridgman, of Ridley, in the County of Chester, baronett; she died the 3 day of March, 1718, in the 37th year of her age. His third wife was Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of the Right Honourable Mathew Ducie Morton, Baron Morton of Morton, in the County of Stafford, who is now living‘. Beneath the inscription were these Arms: Azure, 3 escallops in pale or (Symes), impaling argent ten plates sable, on a chief argent a lion passant sable (Bridgeman).
1.2.2.1.8.2. William Symes
1.2.2.1.8.2.1. William Symes, d. Feb. 17, 1726, New Kent County, VA.
1.2.2.1.8.3. George Symes. He received a grant of 260 acres in 1681 in Antigua, and was a merchant and Speaker of the Council.
1.2.2.1.8.3.1. George Symes, living in Surry County, Virginia by 1687, and in Oct. 1698 gave power of attorney to John Shelton, blacksmith, to represent his interests in Virginia. In 1699 on Antigua legacies were due to Christopher, Henry, and George Symes, ‘children of George Symes, late of the Island, dec’d.
1.2.2.1.8.4. Capt Henry Symes, born Nov. 1653 in Doynton, s. Glouc.; d. Jul. 1714 in Antigua, with a will proved 13 July 1714. His wife, Henrietta, was a sister of Elizabeth, wife of Gov. John Yeamans of Antigua.
1.2.2.1.9. Capt John Symes, member of the Council of Antigua, d. by 1687.
1.2.2.1.9.1. Thomas Symes Jr., evidenced here: Symes v Horner. Plaintiffs, Thomas Symes and Merrill Symes his wife. Defendants, Samuel Horner and Philip Horner. Subject: property in Mells, Somerset. (Nat. Arch., ref. C 5/64/111 1672).
1.2.2.1.9.1.1. ‘John Symes late of Montserrat, West Indies’. John Symes of Montserrat, in his will, dated 4 Feb. 1709, abstracted in Brown’s Abstracts of Somerset Wills, 1st. Series, p. 55, gives to his uncle, ‘Charles Symes of Compton-Martin, Somerset, Clerk, £ 100′; and provided further, ‘His son, William Symes, to be presented to the vicarage of Barwick’.
1.2.2.1.9.1.1.1. Elizabeth Symes (da.,not sister), m. a kinsman, Samuel Perry. (See Nat. Arch., ref. C 11/750/12, 1714).
1.2.2.1.9.1.1.1.1. Symes Perry.
1.2.2.1.9.2. Richard Symes (See N&Q, 1890).
1.2.2.1.9.2.1. Adam Symes. (ibid.).
1.2.2.1.9.2.1.1. George Sims, of Brunswick Co.; d. Sept. 1763. He bought land from his br. John Sims, on 5 Nov. 1747, witnessed by Micajah Perry, a cousin.
1.2.2.1.9.2.1.1.1. Adam Sims, m. Elizabeth Walton, da. of George Walton of Brunswick Co., and who was, thus, the br.-in-law of Nathan Harris, grandson of Thomas Harris, d. 1688, and br. of West Harris.
1.2.2.1.10. Edward Symes of Bridgwater, Somerset, bapt 1645 in Doynton.
1.2.2.1.11. Joseph Symes, bapt. 14 Feb. 1659 in Winterbourne.
1.2.2.1.12. Mary Symes.
1.2.2.1.13. Katherine Symes, m. Thomas Harris, 28 Oct. 1679, in Doyton (Thomas Harris, Redcliffe, Bristol city, brewer, W., and Katherine Symes, Deinton). Marriage settlement on the marriage of William Harris and Margaret Divick of a tenement known as the Rose and Crown in Redcliffe street and tenements in Marsh and Wine streets. Parties: (1) Thurston Harris of Bristol, baker. (2) Francis Divvick and Edward Boulashe of Bristol, merchants. 2 November 4 Charles 1 (1628). (Bristol Record Office, ref. 19835/2/f). The Pitts of Bristol and Virginia had extensive property in Redcliffe.

Will of Elizabeth Langton. (Sister of Amy Bridges).

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN: I Elizabeth Langton of Doynton in the County of Gloucester, Widdow-being somewhat sick in body but of sound and perfect minde and memory thanks be given to Allmighty God for the same And considering with my self the certainty of death and the uncertainty of the time thereof Do therefore make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) Ffirst I commend my soul unto the hands of Allmight, God my Maker hoping to be saved and to enjoy the joys of Heaven in and through the meritts of the passion and Death of my beloved Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body I committ to the Earth from where it was taken decently to be buryed in the Chancell above the steps there of the parish Church of Keynsham in case my Nephew Harry Bridges shall give consent thereto And in case my said Nephew shall not consent thereto then to be buryed in the Chancell of the parish Church of Winterborne as near the grave where my sister Symes lyeth as conveniently it may And as to such worldly Estate as the Lord of his infinite mercy and goodness hath bestowed upon me I give and bequeath as followeth (vizt) Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my Brother Sr.Thomas Bridges the sume of Ffifty Guineas of lawfull money of England ITEM I give unto my said Nephew Harry Bridges the sume of Ffifty pounds of lawful English money ITEM I give unto my Nephew George Bridges and to my two Neeces Ann Powell and Elizabeth Orange the like sume of Ffifty pounds apeece ITEM I give unto my Cozen Arabella Bridges daughter of my said Nephew Harry Bridges the Sume of Ten pounds I give also unto my Cozen William Bridges his daughter the sume of ten pounds ITEM I do alott the sume of Ffifty pounds to be spent by my Executors hereafter named in and about my decent Interrment and that thereout shall be given gloves to all my Tenants But in case Ffifty pounds shall not be sufficient to be spent in and about my decent Interrment my Will is that my said Executors shall bestow as much more in and about the same as shall be thereto necessary ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Cozen Edward Symes the sume of One Hundred pounds And I give unto my Cozen Harry Symes the sume of One Hundred pounds of lawfull English money ITEM I give unto my Cousin George Symes his children the sum of Ffive pounds apeece ITEM I give unto my Cozen Harry Symes his children ten pounds apeece ITEM I give unto my Cozen Charles Symes his children Ffive pounds apeece ITEM I give unto my Cozen Edward Symes his children Ffive pounds apeece ITEM I give and bequeath unto my Cozen William Guise the sume of ten pounds. And I give unto his wife and children Ffive pounds apeece ITEM I give unto my Nephew John Symes his widdow Ffive pounds and to his son John Symes I give Twenty pounds And to each of his two daughters I give the sume of Ffive pounds ITEM I give unto my Nephew John Meredith his children the sume of Ffive pounds apeece And I give unto my Neece Elizabeth Oranges children Ffive pounds apeece ITEM I give unto my Cozen John Meredith the sume of Ten pounds and to his wife I give the sume of Ffive pounds ITEM I give unto William Symes Thomas Symes and Richard Symes sons of my Nephew William Symes the sume of ten pounds apeece and I give unto their sister Amy Symes the like sume of ten pounds I also I give unto my Cozen Elizabeth Hanis (wife of Mr. Charles Hanis) the sume of ten pounds and I give to her children ffive pounds apeece ITEM I give and bequeath unto my neece Katherine Harris wife of Thomas Harris the sume of Thirty pounds and a silver skillet I give also unto her son Thomas Harris the sume of ffive pounds and I give unto her daughter Katherine the sum of ten pounds ITEM I give unto Mr. Joseph Jackson Minister of Doynton the sume of Ffive pounds to preach my funerall Sermon ITEM I give unto my maid servant Jane Galley one Feather Bed with the appurtenances thereto belonging and the green Cloth Curtains and Vallance and I give unto her alsoe the sume of Ffive pounds ITEM I give unto all my other servants that shall be living with me at the time of my Decease the sume of twenty shillings apeece ITEM I give unto John Still son of Henry Still of the Berry and alsoe to Ann Still Philippa Still and Mary Still his sisters the sum of ten pounds apeece ITEM I give unto Mrs. Katherine Stephens wife of Mr. Stephens of Easton in the County of Gloucester the sume of Ffive pounds ITEM I give unto Mary the wife of my Nephew Richard Symes the sum of Ffive pounds and I also give to Ann the wife of my Nephew Charles Symes the like Sume of Ffive pounds ITEM I give to the poor of the Almeshouse erected by my brother Sr. Thomas Bridges the sume of twenty pounds to be disposed of and distributed there at the discretion of the Founder ITEM I give to the poorof Doynton the sume of ten pounds the Interest thereof to be distributed by the Minister and Churchwardens of the said parish at Christmas for ever. ITEM I give unto Mary Symes wife of my Nephew William Symes the sume of Ffive pounds All which legacies and bequests and sumes of money hereinbefore by me given (I will) shall be paid within one whole year after my Decease (except such to whom Legacies are given that are not capable to give a legall discharge in which case I appoint my said Executors to pay them the Legacies by me to them respectively given at such time as they shall judge may be most for their good and benefitt and the discharge of such Legatees or of their parents or Guardians for them shall be a good Discharge in Law to my said Executors But my Will and meaning is that (notwithstanding anything herein contained) in case my Nephew Harry Bridges shall not give consent that my Corps shall be Interred in the Chancell above the steps there of the parish Church of Keynsham aforesaid Then in such case the Legacy or sume of Ffifty pounds hereinbefore by me to him given shall be null and void And my will and meaning is also that (Notwithstanding as aforesaid) in case my Nephew Harry Symes shall not within one year after my Decease give unto my Executors hereafter named a good and sufficient release in the Law for the releasing and discharging to them of all rents and sumes of money by me received for Rent of Ffrancoms Tenement in Doynton aforesaid and all pretence and claims thereto Then in such case the Legacy or sume of one Hundred pounds herein before by me to him given and also the Legacy of ten pounds apeece to his children shall be null and void And my will and meaning further is That notwithstanding as aforesaid in case any loss or losses shall happen to my said Executors in the receiveing and recovering in of my Debts and personal Estate or to any of my Estate in fee of which I am now seized and which I shall make hereby chargeable for the payment of my Legacies by reason of fire of houses or badness and insufficiency of Securities or otherwise That then in such case such loss and losses shall be borne proportionably by my respective Legatees according to their respective legacies herein by me given And alsoe my Will and meaning is That in case any suit or suits in law or in Equity shall be brought or commenced by any person or persons against my said Executors or either of them or by my said Executors or either of them against any person or persons in about and concerning the receiving and recovery of any or either of my Debts and personal Estate or endeavoring thereof That then the surplus charges of such suite or suites which shall not be recovered had and gotten against such person and persons shall be paid borne and discharged proportionably by my several Legatees herein named according to their respective Legacies herein by me given ITEM I give devise and bequeath unto my Nephew Charles Symes and to my Neece Amy Meredith their Heirs and Assigns forever All that my Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances thereto belonging now in the possession of Deborah Mathew Widdow scituate standing and being in Broad Street in the parish of St. Evins in Bristoll which I formerly purchased of and from Abraham Weare Merchant Taylor since Deceased But my Will and meaning is that in case my Debts and personal Estate shall not appear to be sufficient for the payment of the several Legacies herein by me given Then in such case that they the said Charles Symes and Amy Meredith and the survivor of them and the Heirs of such survivor shall and ought to sell and dispose of the said Messuage or Tenement and premisses for as much as they can gett for or towards the payment thereof ITEM I do fforgive unto my Nephew Richard Symes the sume of One Hundred pounds and Interest which he oweth me on Bond and doe appoint my Executors to deliver him up the same to be cancelled ITEM I give unto my Cuzens John Meredith of Mangottifield Esqr. Henry Still of the Berry Samuel Trueman of Durham and Thomas Harris of London two guineas apeece ITEM I give unto my Cozen Mathew Huntley of Boxwell a mourning Ring. ITEM I give to the poor of Doynton the sume of FForty Shillings to be distributed in bread at the day of my ffunerall ITEM I give to the poor of Keynsham or of such other place that I shall be buryed at the like sume of fforty shillings to be distributed in bread on the day of my funerall As to my household goods plate jewells and wearing apparrell I doe order and appoint that my Cozen Elizabeth Orange and my Cozen Amy Meredith shall give and dispose of the same to such of my friends and Relations as by any writeing under my hand I shall order the same to be given and disposed unto All the rest and residue of my moneys securities for moneys Debts and personal Estate whatsoever not herein by me given (my Legacies being first paid and ffunerall expenses discharged) I give and bequeath unto the said Charles Symes and Amy Meredith whom I do hereby make constitute ordain and appoint to be Executors of my last Will and Testament And this I do hereby revoke all former and other Wills by me at any time hereafter made and do declare this writing contained in three sheets of paper to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof to each of said sheets I have set my hand and to the last thereof my Seale this twelfth Day of February in the Eighth year of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord King William the third over England Anno Domini One Thousand Six Hundred Ninety Six Elizabeth Langton Then signed sealed published and declared in the presence of Joseph Jackson William Bruton Abraham Harper Martyn Noline AND further my will is that my Executors shall on the Day of my ffunerall distribute to the poor of Doynton and Kainsham in each parish ffive pound of lawfull money of England besides what I have given them in my Will (to be yearly paid them) if it be not therein mentioned Alsoe my Will is that my executors shall give to each of my servants that formerly lived with me ffive shillings only to Ann Tanner ten shillings As for my plate Jewells wearing Cloathes furniture of my House and household goods I hereby impower and appoint my Neeces Mrs. Elizabeth Orange The Elder Mrs. Amy Meredith The Elder Mrs. Philipa Still to dispose of it as followeth ITEM I give and bequeath to my Neece Amy Symes daughter of my Nephew William Symes my Green wrought Curtains and Vallens the best pair of brass Andirons in my Parlour the great silver Tankerd the red armed Chair in my Chamber two red stcoles the Chest of Drawers and a little Square table all which goods were belonging to my sister Katherine Bridges as alsoe a looking glass which being broke I give my said Neece Amy Symes in stead of it my great olive frame Looking Glass ITEM I give and bequeath to my Neece Ann Powell my silver Bason that hath my own Coat of Arms ingraved on it ITEM I give and bequeath to my Neece Elizabeth Orange the elder my great silver Tankerd ITEM I give and bequeath to my Nephew John Meredith and to his son after him my great silver Bason ITEM I give and bequeath to my Neece Ann Still my pearle Necklace which I formerly lent to her And my Will is that my three above named Kinswomen Elizabeth Orange Amy Meredith and Philipa Still shall take their choice and what they think fitt of all the rest of my plate Jewells wearing Cloathes Furniture of my House and Household goods for their own proper use And that they shall distribute the Remainder of the said goods according to their discretion betwix my Cousins Amy Symes Daughter of my Nephew William Symes Mary Still Katherine Harris the younger Elizabeth Symes daughter of my Nephew Charles Symes and Theadotia Guise And I hereby order and appoint this Codicill (annexed to my Will) to be part thereof In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seale the Thirteenth day of January in the eleventh year of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord William the third by the grace of God King over England and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Six Hundred Ninety and Nine Elizabeth Langton Signed and Sealed by Mrs. Elizabeth Langton and by her declared to be part of her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who set our hands as Witnesses thereto in the presence of the Testator the mark of Jane Galley, Joseph Jackson the mark of Hester Snell.

Will of Richard Bullock, 1764.
In the Name of God Amen I Richard Bullock of the County of Granville and province of North Carolina Being very sick though of a perfect sence and Memory thanks be to Almighty God and calling to mind the uncertainty of this life and that all flesh must yield unto Death whenever it shall please God to Call therefore I appoint this my Last will and Testament in manner and form following first and principally I give my soul unto God that gave it me and my Body to the earth to be Buried in such manner as my Executors hereafter naimed think fit in sure and certain hopes of Eternal life through the Merits of Jesus Christ my Mediator and Redeemer and for my Temporal Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with I give and Bequeath as followeth after my just Debts is Paid Item I give and Bequeath to my Daughter Sarah Sims one shilling Sterling Item I give & Bequeath to Henry Nandych one shilling sterling Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Agnes Williams one shilling Sterling Item I give and bequeath to my son Zachariah Bullock one shilling Sterling Item I give and Bequeath to my son William Bulock one shilling sterling Item I give and bequeath to my son John Bullock one shilling sterling Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Susannah Sims one shilling sterling Item I give and bequeath to my Grandaughter Ann Nandych one feather bed and furniture to the value of Eight pounds Virginia Money. Item I give and bequeath to my Grandson Zachariah Nicholls one feather Bed and furniture the Value of Eight Pounds Virginia Money. Item I give and bequeath to my Daughter Aggatha Nicholls one shilling sterling my will and Desire is that my Land on Ellibies Creek in Orange County be sold to pay part of my Debts and I leave the Land and plantation whereon I now live to my wife during her Natural Life likewise all the remainder of my Estate after my just Debts is paid. Item I give and bequeath to my son Nathaniel Bullock after my wifes decease the Land and plantation whereon I now live and after my said wifes decease Item I give and bequeath to my Two youngest sons Leonard Hendley Bullock & Nathaniel Bullock all my Estate except what is otherwise devis’d to be Equally divided between them and my desire is that my Estate be not apprais’d I likewise appoint my said wife and son Leonnard Hendley Bullock my executress and Executor of this my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affix’d my seal this 27th day of October 1764. Ric .Bullock (Seal) Signed & seal’d and Declar’d to be his last will & testament in presence of William Shaw.

This Will was proved in Open Court by the oaths of Philemon Hawkins and Julius Howard subscribing witnesses thereto and on motion was Ordered to be Recorded.

Will of John Sims, February 10, 1765.
In the Name of God Amen, I John Sims of the parish of Granville in Granville County of the province of N. Carolina, being sick & weak of body but of perfect mind & memory and calling to mind the mortality of my Body and that there is an appointed time for all men once to die have made ordained and constituted this my last Will and Testament that is to say first and principally I recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my body to the earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executors. And as touching such wordly goods wherewith it has pleased God to bless me I give bequeath devise and dispose of in manner & form following: Imprimis: I give to my son William Sims his heirs & assigns forever five hundred acres of land more or less within the bounds following, viz; Beginning where my lower line crosses Great Nutbush Creek thence joining Hargroves lines Bullock’s land or lines and vandikes to the head of a branch called, The Long Branch thence down the same to Reedy Branch thence down the Reedy Branch as it meanders to Great Nutbush Creek and thence down the same as it meanders to the first station. Item: I give & bequeath to Frances Keeling her heirs & assigns forever one hundred acres of land on the North side of the Reedy Branch Beginning where my upper line crosses the sd. Branch thence down the sd. Branch so far as to include the plantation where Agnes Keeling dec’d lived and to make out the sd. hundred acres in a suitable square form. Item: I lend to James Wade Senr. and Dorothy Wade his wife during their continuance and their natural lives and no longer the use of Fifty acres of land joining Robert Mitchell’s line to be laid off in a suitable square form & to include the plantation whereon the sd. James Wade now lives. Item I give and bequeath to my son Elisha Sims his heirs and assigns forever one certain tract or parcel of land containing by estimation six hundred acres be the same more or less – Beginning where my line crossesthe Long Branch thence down the sd. Branch to the Reedy Branch thence up the sd. Reedy Branch as it meanders to a large poplar blazed on two sides near the mouth of a small Branch thence a straight course to be marked to cross the path that goes to Hendersons at the first Branch and thence down the sd. Branch to Mitchell’s line thence along Mitchell’s line and my out lines to the Reedy Branch thence down the same as it meanders to where Frances Keeling’s line markd off thence joining sd. Keeling’s & my outlines to the Beginning. Item. I leave the land that I had of Nathaniel Bullock to the child that my wife is pregnant with if it lives it & its heirs forever and if in case it should please God that it should die before it be of age or marriage that then the same to be sold and the money to be equally divided among all my children & their heirs. Item I give & bequeath to my son Elisha Sims his heirs & assigns all my smith’s tools & my Negroeman Sam also one bay mare that he has in possession and one feather bed & furniture. Item I give & bequeath to my son William Sims my Negroe C- – esse-d to him & his heirs & assigns forever also one young horse or Mare about five pounds in value at the age of sixteen years if required Likewise tne feather bed & furniture. Item. I give & Bequeath to my daughter Agness & her heirs my negroe girl Amy. Item I give & bequeath to my daughter Dorcas Sims my negroe wench Jane to her & heirs forever Likewise one feather bed & furniture. Item I give & bequeath to my daughter Salley Sims & to her heirs my negroe girl Tamar Likewise one feather bed & furniture. Item I give & bequeath to my son Lennard Sims my mill and my will is that my sons Elisha Sims & William Sims have their grain ground toll free at the same Likewise one feather bed & furniture Item The rest of my children, To wit Susanna, Mary & Lucretia Sims, & the infant to be born each of them a feather bed & furniture. Item I lend unto my loving wife Sarah during her natural life the four following negroes, Viz. Bess Jack Patt & Dick At her decease them & their increase if there be any to be equally divided among all my children save that my son Lennard Sims Sussanna Sims Mary Sims & Lucretia Sims & the infant to be born shall have each of them a negroe apiece & the remainder to be equally divided among all of them. Item I leave the money that is due to me from Mr. Richard Bullock’s estate to be equally divided among five of my children, viz. Lennard Sims Susanna Sims Mary Sims Lucretia Sims & the infant to be born. All other debts due to me I leave at the discretion of my executrix & Executor to support the contingent uses of the family as occasion shall serve Item My will is that at my wife’s decease the stock of cattle hoggs & horses & likewise all the household furniture be equally divided among all my children. Item I have appoint & constitute my loving wife Sarah Sims & Lennard Sims Executrix & Exectr. of this my last Will & Testament hereby disannulling revoking & abolishing all other & former Wills testaments legacies & bequests whatever. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Tenth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & sixty five.
John Sims (Seal)
Signed sealed & Delivered acknowledged in presence of us Robt. Mitchell, James Wallace, G. Sims. Granville County ss August Court 1766.

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