|
The will of Charles R Howcott, proved 1845 |
|
Background The "Raleigh
Register" (9 May 1845) records that Charles R Howcott of Chowan county
died on 13 April 1845. He had married Louisa M Knox (licence issued 27 March
1834) but, as she was not mentioned in the will, Louisa had presumably died
by 27 January 1845, when the will was signed. Text In the name of God,
Amen. I Charles R Howcott of the County of Chowan & State of North
Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind & memory but knowing the
uncertainty of human life, do make and declare this to be my last will and
testament, as follows, viz: - It is my will and desire
that my executors hereinafter named should sell all of my Chattle or personal
property, negroes excepted and pay off all my just debts. If the sale of any
other property should be required to pay off my debts, I do hereby authorise
and empower my said executors to sell my lands, or such negroes as they may
think proper excepting Wallace and his family, whichever they may deem to the
best advantage to my estate. If the Land is sold, the grave yard must be
reserved and fenced up by my executors. I desire that old
negroes woman Pleasant and man Wallace and his family should be taken good
care of and well treated. I give and bequeath
to my neice Martha Howcott one hundred Dollars. I give, bequeath
and devise to my children, Charles H Howcott and Clinton Howcott all the
remainder of my property of any description whatsoever to be divided between
them share and share alike whenever the oldest shall arrive at the age of
twenty one years. If one of them should die before that time the other is to
receive his share. My Executors are
authorised and empowered to sell my lands at any time if they should deem it
most advisable and to the interest of my estate to do so. I do hereby
nominate and appoint my worthy friends and cousins John B Beasley &
Joseph C Norcom Executors to this my last will and testament and do further
appoint them testamentary Guardians to my two children Charles and Clinton
desiring that they would use their best endeavours to have my said children
brought up to usefulness and respectability and Educated as well as my estate
will consistently afford. In testimony
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty seventh day of
January in the year of our Lord 1845. Chas. R Howcott
(seal) Signed sealed &
acknowledged to be the last will and testament of Charles R Howcott in our
presence & we being called upon have witnessed the same in the presence
of each other. Thos. S Hoskins,
Wm. Coffield Codicil Codicil to C R
Howcott’s will. It is my will &
choice that my children should live with the family of my friend Nathl. Bond
Snr. in Edenton until they arrive at such age as it may be thought most
prudent to remove them. It is my most
earnest desire & I do hereby instruct my Executors & Others in behalf
of my Children to institute proceedings as soon as possible for the purpose
of recovering damages done my lands by the overflowing of the same by the
water in the mill Pond belonging to [Dr?] Thos. D Warren formerly James
Coffields deceased a thing that ought to have been done long ago but it is
never too late to have the right thing done. Witness my hand and
seal this March 26th 1845 Chas. R Howcott
(seal) Signed, sealed
& acknowledged to be a part of the last will & testament of C R Howcott
in the presence of us who signed in the presence of each other Thos. S Hoskins,
Martha Gregory Probate Chowan County Court
of Pleas & Quarter Sessions May Term 1845. Then was this Paper writing
& the codicil annexed duly proved as the last will & testament &
codicil of Charles R Howcott. Tho. S Hoskins one of the subscribing Witnesses
who proved the signing & Publication of this Paper writing & its
codicil by Charles R Howcott that he was of sound & disposing mind &
memory at the time of the execution & that he & the other witness
signed the same as witnesses at his request & in his presence let it be
admitted to probate as a will passing realty & personalty – ordered
recorded – and at the same time appeared Joseph C Norcom appeared [sic] and
qualified as Executor thereto ordered that Letters testamentary issue. Test. F T Hathaway,
Clerk Transcribed by Francis Howcutt
from office copy. |
|
|
|
|