Amanuensis Monday: Last Will and Testament of Thomas Avent

This is a throw back to the days of using a prompt every day of the week for a blog post.  It is a good way to get ideas flowing.  

"In the Name of God, Amen; I, Thomas Avent, of Northampton County, North Carolina Being in a very weak Condition and Knowing it is appointed for all mon [sic] once to Die Do make and ordain this my Last will and testament in manner and form following Viz.:

First I recommend my Soul to almighty God the giver and as for my worldly goods I give and bequeath as followeth -------------------------

Item: I give and bequeath to my Brother William Avent an Island of Land Joyning [sic] on his own Dwelling plantation Containing by Estimation fifty acres to him and his heirs for ever.

Item: I Lend to my Loving wife Uslea [sic] Avent all my Estate without exception During the time she shall continue my widow and on her Death or marriage to be Equally divided amongst my Children and I do hereby Revoke all others made heretofore Either by word or writing and I hereby appoint John Moore & William my executors to this my Last Will and Testament as witness my hand this fifteenth Day of April, 1751.

               his
Thomas   X     Avent
              mark

Test: 

Richard Moore [illegible]

[illegible name]

           his
John    X       Davis [illegible]

          mark"

"Northampton County
February Court 1752

The within written Will was Exhibited into court and proven by the oath of Richard Moore one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and at the same time John Moore and William Avent were qualify'd Executors thereof; which on motion was ordered to be Certify'd. 

Test JEdwards  Cler Cur"

Outside of folded Will:

"Thomas Avent's

Will

[illegible] the 28th March

1752"

Source:  "North Carolina Original Wills, 1663-1790", State Agency Records, Secretary of State, filmed by the North Carolina Division of Archives and History, June 2000.

Thomas Avent was my 6th great-grandfather.  His daughter, Mary, married Joel Tapley, son of Hosea Tapley and Sarah Moore.  Sarah's father, John Moore, is probably the John Moore listed as an Executor in Thomas Avent's will.  

Amanuensis Monday: Tapley to Short Deed

"Tapley
to
Short

North Carolina

This Indenture made the thirteenth Day of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven Hundred & forty eight between Hosea Tapley of Northampton County in the said Provence of the one Part and William Short of the said County of NC of the other part Witnesseth {?} the said Hosea Tapley for and In consideration of the Sum of Twenty Five pounds Current Money of Virginia to me in hand paid by the said Wm Short before the ensealing and Delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do hereby Acknowledge and myself Contended and paid have given granted bargained Sold Conveyed and Confirmed and do by these Presents fully Timely and Absolutely give grant bargain Sell Convey and Confirm unto the said William Short his heirs and assigns forever a Certain Tract or parcell of Land Containing Two Hundred acres Lying in the County afd bounded as followeth beginning at a red Oak in Joshua {?} Line thence along the said Line to a pine a Corner of John Richards's Land thence along his Line to a pine a Corner of Arthur Harris's Land thence along his Line to a pine another of his Corner thence along a Line of marked Trees to the first Station being part of a Parcel granted to Thomas Avent for four hundred acres of Land with all woods waters profits {?} and Appendences to the said Land belonging or {?} {?} {?} with the Reversion and Reversions remainder and Remainders {?} {?} and profits thereof & of every part and parcell thereof.  To have and to hold the said Two hundred Acres of Land & Premises hereby granted to the only Sole use bought and behoof of him the said William Short his heirs and assigns forever and The said Hosea Tapley for myself my heirs Excs & admrs do Covenant and agree to and with the said William Short his heirs and assigns that The said Hosea Tapley at the time of the execution hereof and {?} Lawfully {?} of all said Singular the Premises hereby granted as an absolute Estate of {?} {?} {?} fee Simple having {?} full Power and Authority to sell and Dispose of the same as in manner as afd and that the sd Land and Premises is free and Clear of all other Gifts grants bargains Sales Leases Mortgages and all other manner of Incumbrances whatsoever and Further that I the said Hosea Tapley my heirs Ecrs and Administrators the said Land & Premises with all and every the Appurtenances unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns with warrants and forever Defend by these Presents against the Lawfull Claims and manner of all every person or persons whosoever and shall & will at any time hereafter on demand give and account such further and other Conveyance for the better Securing the within granted Premises unto the said William Short his heirs and Assigns as {?} the said William Short his heirs or Assigns or his or their Councel Learned in the Law can be reasonably {?} advised or required.  In Winess whereof I have hereunto put my hand and Seal the day and Year above written.

Signed Sealed in presence of us}
{?} Edwards Thos Barret Wm Hurst}

Hosea Tapley and a Seal
Northampton County {?} February Court {?}

The above written Deed from Hosea Tapley to William Short was proved in open Court by the Oath of Thomas Barret one of the Subscribing Witnesses therto which one Station was ordered to be Registered.

{?} Edwards Clerk{?}"

Northampton County (NC) Real Estate Conveyances, 1741-1758, Vols. 1, 2, Microfilm #C.071.40001, p. 364-365.

Amanuensis Monday: Hosea Tapley to Arthur Harris Deed

"Tapley
to
Harris

This Indenture made the tenth Day of April 1743 Between Hosea Tapley of Northampton County in N. Carolina of the one Part & Arthur Harris of the sd County of the other Part Witnesseth that the sd Hosea Tapley for & In consideration of the Sum of Two Thousand Pound Current Money to him in Hand paid by the sd Arthur Harris before the ensealing & Delivery of these Presents the receipt whereof he the sd Hosea Tapley doth hereby Acknowledge thereof & of every Part thereof doth full clearly absolutely acquit & discharge the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs by these Presents & for [?] other good Causes & Considerations him thereunto moving hath granted bargain solo Aliened enfeoffed & confirmed unto the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs Adm or assigns & Doth by these Presents bargain sell enfeoff & confirm unto the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs & [?] A Certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing five Hundred acres Lying in Roanoak River in the County afd bounded as followeth [?] Beginning at a Birch in Hicory Island yn to Wyches line, along the sd Line to a Hicory a corner in the Patent yn along the sd Line to a Hicory a fore & afs Tree of the Patent Line a corner of Edward Jacksons at the side of a branch, yn Down the Wares Course of the sd branch to a Sycamore n along a Line of marked Trees to a Creek of the River y up & across the Creek to a Poplar in Gillams Island another corner of Jacksons Lands yn along his line to the Patent Line the other corner of Jacksons Land yn along the Patent Line to the River, to another Oak & Mulberry standing on the Bank of the sd S River yn up the various windings of the River to the Beginning it being Part of a Greater Dividend of Land granted to Hinshe Gillum for six Hundred acres of Land with all wood waters Reversion & Reversions Remainder & Remainders yn of every part thereof & all the Estate right & Title thereunto To have & to hold the sd five Hundred acres of Land be the same more or Less it being all ye Land the sd Hosea Tapley holds in the afd Tract or Part & all singular other the Premises herein before Mentioned & entered to be hereby Granted with his & every of his appurtenances unto the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs & Assigns forever & the sd Hosea Tapley for himself his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs doth covenant & grant to & with the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs that he the sd Hosea Tapley at & before the ensealing &  Delivery of these Presents is & Stands Lawfully seized of & in the above Demised Premises of a pure & perfect Estate of Inheritance on fee simple & hath good right & full power & Lawful Authority to grant sell & convey the same & that the sd Land & Premises is free & clear from all other gifts grants Titles Dowers Rents & from all Manner of Incumbrances whatsoever that hath or may Claim any rights or title [?] unto the sd Hosea Tapley doth further oblige himself his Heirs & [?] [?] to the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs [?] [?] the sd Hosea Tapley [?] [?] any other Deed or Instrument [?] Writing for the better surety of the above [?] Premises.  As by the sd Arthur Harris his Heirs Ecrs & Admrs or Assigns or his or their council Learned in the Law shall be Reasonably Devised Avised or Required.  In Witness whereof the sd Hosea Tapley hath hereunto set his hand & seal, the Day & Year above written.
Signed, Sealed & Delivered in Presence of us}
Ben: Smyth Walter Clark Adam Tapley}
Northhampton County JC  May Court 1743
The Preceding Deed from Hosea Tapley to Arthur Harris was Acknowledged in open Court in Due form of Law & on Motion was ord. to be Registered.
{?} {?}Edwards Clerk"

Northampton County (NC) Real Estate Conveyances, 1741-1758, Vols. 1, 2, Microfilm #C.071.40001, p. 75-76.

Amanuensis Monday: Thomas Avent to Hosea Tapley Deed

"Avent to Tapley

This Indenture made the 25th twenty fifth Day of May in the Year of our Lord 1743 Between Thos Avent of Northampton County in North Carolina & Hosea Tapley of the sd County Witnesseth that the sd Thos Avent for & In consideration of the sum of five Hundred Pounds Rock Money to have in hand paid by yo sd Hosea Tapley before the ensealing & Delivery of these Presents the receipt whereof he the sd Thos Avent doth hereby Acknowledge thereof & of every [?] Doth fully freely & absolutely acquit exonerate & Discharge the sd Hosea Tapley his Heirs Exrs & Ad[?] by these Presents & for [?] other causes & considerations him thereunto moving hath granted bargained sold Aliened & Enpossed & confirmed unto the sd Hosea Tapley his Heirs or Assigns & doth by these Presents bargain sell [?] & confirm unto the sd Hosea Tapley his Heirs Exrs Admrs or Assigns a certain Tract or Parcel of Land containing Two Hundred Acres of Land Lying in the County afd bounded as followeth, [?] Beginning at a red Oak in Joshua Slops Line yn along the sd Line to a Pine a corner of John Richards land yn along his Line to a Pine a corner of Arthur Harris's Land yn along his Line to a Pine another corner of the sd Harris's Land yn along a Line of marked Trees to the first Station, the Dividing of Edward Crews it being Part of a greater Dividend of Land granted to Thos Avent for four hundred acres, with all woods waters Reversion & Reversions remainder & Remainders thereof & of every Part thereof and all the Estate right Title thereunto To have & to hold the said two Hundred Acres of Land & all & singular other the Premises herein before mentioned & intended to be hereby granted with every of its Appurtenances unto the sd Hosea Tapley his Heirs & Assigns forever & the sd Thomas Avent for himself his Heirs & Exrs & Admrs doth covenant & grant to & with the sd Hosea Tapley his Heirs & Assigns that he the sd Thomas Avent at & before the ensealing & Delivery of these Presents is & Stands Lawfully seized of & in the above Demised Premises of a pure & perfect Estate of Inheritance in fee simple & hath good right full power & Lawful Authority to grant sell & convey the same & that the sd Land & Premises is free & clear from all other gifts grants Titles Dowers or rents & from all manner of Incumbrances whatsoever that hath or may Claim any rights or Title thereunto & the said Thos. Avent doth further oblige himself his Heirs Exrs or Admrs unto the sd Hosea Tapley his Heirs or Assigns that he the sd Thos Avent will make any other Deed or Instrument in Writing for the better Surety of the above mentioned Premises as by the sd Hosea Tapley his Heirs or or Assigns or his or their ocuncil Learned in the Law shall be Reasonably Devised Advised or Required.  In Witness whereof the sd Thos Avent hath hereunto put his Hand & Seal the Day & Year above written------------

Thos. Avent & a Seal

Signed Sealed 7 Delivered in Presence of }
Edward Crews Francis Eldridge Arthur Harris }
Northampton County JC/   May Court 1743

The Preceding Deed from Thos. Avent to Hosea Tapley was acknowledged in open Court in Due form of Law & on Motion was [?] to be Registered.
[?] JEdwards Cler[?]"

Deeds and Mortgages - Northampton County, N.C., Book 1, p. 76-77, May 1743

I believe this Thomas Avent was my 6th great-grandfather.  My records indicate he died in 1733; however, my information is not sourced.  While searching online, I found other information indicating he did not die until 1751.  (This, of course, gives me an assignment for the next time I go to the North Carolina Archives!)  Also, considering that Thomas Avent's daughter, Mary, married Hosea Tapley's (also my 6th great-grandfather) son, Joel, then that lends weight to my theory that the Thomas Avent from the deed is one and the same as Thomas Avent, my 6th great-grandfather.

Mappy Monday: My Tapleys and Drakes in North Carolina

 After being inspired by my genealogy friend, Annette, I decided to map my Tapley and Drake families' origins in North Carolina.  It was an experiment in using the Paint program, so don't expect perfection!   But it gives you the general idea.  The Tapleys migrated from Virigina and arrived in North Carolina first, in the late 1740's.  The Drakes also migrated from Virginia, but about 30 years later, in the late 1770's.  The Tapleys left North Carolina about the time the Drakes arrived and migrated to South Carolina for a few years and then ultimately to Georgia.  The Drakes left North Carolina in the early 1820's and headed straight to Georgia.

Please click each map to view them larger in another window. 

Hosea Tapley was my 6th great-grandfather.  His son, Joel, of course, was my 5th great-grandfather.

 

Exum Drake was my 5th great-grandfather, with his son, Richard, being my 4th great-grandfather.

Maps courtesy of Catawba County NCGenWeb site at http://www.ncgenweb.us/catawba/countyfm.htm.