PHILLIPS Wills
Will of BENNETT PHILLIPS
Written 10 November 1776, Surry county, NC
In the name of God amen. The tenth day of November and in the year of our Lord 1776 I Bennett Phillips of North Carolina Surry County Planter being very sick and weak in body but of a perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God, Calling unto mind the mortality of my body do make and ordain this my last will & Testament in the manner following. I recommend my soul into the Hands of Almighty God that gave it and my boddy I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian buriel at the discresion of my Executors and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner & form first that my Executors sell as much of my Estate as they think best to be spared and pay my lawful debts then the rest of my Estate be kept together till my youngest children is able to act for them selves in order to raise the children and for them to have resonable living by schooling them and after the youngest of my children is of a proper age to act for them selves then for all the remainder of my estate to be sold and it to be equally devided among my children then alive. I likewise constitute and ordain Joseph Phillips my son Joseph Phillips my brother & William Phillips my Executors of this my last will and Testament and I do hereby utterly disallow and revoke all former Testaments Wills Legaces and Executors Ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have unto sett my hand and seal the day & year above written.
Bennett Phillips [his mark] {seal}
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us
James Glen
Andrew Philips
William Robinson
Robert Tate [his mark]
North Carolina Surry County, August Court 1777
William Robinson & Robert Tate two of the subscribing witnesses to the within Last Will & Testament of Bennett Phillips made oath that they saw the said Bennett Phillips publish & declare the same to be his Last Will & Testament, that he was of sound disposing mind & memory, and that at the same time they saw James Glen & Andrew Phillips sign the same as witnesses and on motion it was ordered to be recorded.
Recorded accordingly, Jo Williams, Clk.
I do not have further information on this family. I copied it because I do have a Phillips family line to trace, but no reason to think Bennett is in my family. If he's in your line, I'd be glad to add an email or webpage link to you here.
Will of JOHN PHILLIPS SR
Written 26 September 1839, Johnston county, NC
In the name of God Amen. I John Philllips Sr of the County of Johnston and State of North Carolina being weak in body and in bad health but in sound mind and memory thanks be to God and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do this day make and ordain establish and confer in my last will and testament in manner and form following (to wit)
First - My will and desire is that all my just debts shall be paid by my executor out of my property as soon after my decease as it may be practicable
Secondly I give and bequeath unto each of my sons William Phillips, Hamilton Phillips, Dixon Phillips, John Phillips, Jr, Elbert Phillips, and Barnas Phillips and my daughter Edith Woodall the sum of fifty cents to be fully and freely enjoyed by them and their heirs and assigns forever having heretofore given them more than I shall be able now to give my younger children.
Thirdly I lend unto my beloved wife Polly Phillips my land whereon I now live and all the balance of my property of every description which may remain after paying my just debts and which is not otherwise disposed of during her natural life or widowhood and after her decease or marriage I then give and bequeath the same unto my three sons namely Fort T. Phillips, Elijah H. Phillips and Lewis P. Phillips to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike and to be fully and freely enjoyed by them and their heirs and assigns forever.
Lastly I nominate and appoint my friend Jesse Holt executor to this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this the 26th day of September A.D. 1839 Signed ealed in the presence of
Etheldred Holt
William Brown
November Term 1839 Then was the above will exhibited in open court and duly proven by the oaths of Etheldred Holt & William Brown and ordered to be recorded.
I do not have further information on this family. I copied it because I do have a Phillips family line to trace. If this is your line, I'd be glad to add an email or webpage link to you here.
Will of RAINEY PHILLIPS
Written 31 Mar 1798, Orange county, NC
In the name of God amen. March 31st 1798. I Rainey Phillips of the County of Orange & State of North Carolina being weak in body but of perfect mind & memory thanks be to God - therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament -
First of all I give & recommend my soul into the hand of God that gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried at the discretion of my Executors, and as touching my worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form - After all my just debts are paid -
I give & bequeath to Nancy my dearly beloved wife all my whole Estate during life or widowhood to raise my children upon.
Item I give to my stepson Henry a 3 year old stud colt a saddle & bridle and rifle gun and when he marries a cow & calf.
Item I give to stepdaughter Leander choice of the colts my 2 mares is with a poided heifer she claims.
Item I give to my daughter Polly a tract of land containing one hundred acres on the north side Haw River bought of Widow Parks.
Item I give to my daughter Rachel a mulatto girl named Luce with her issue with nine months schooling.
Item I give to my son Ben Rainey the land whereon I now live two years schooling.
Item I give to my daughter Hannah Johnston a negro girl called Mime with good learning like the first issue of Lets Luce or Mime.
I give to my daughter Lucretia Item I give to my son Ben Rainey and daughter Rachel the remaining issue of my negro wench Let -
Likewise at the death or marriage of my beloved wife Nancy I emancipate my negro wench Let for forty years if the law admits otherwise I appoint her as a nurse for Lucretia. Likewise when the laws of the state will admit of emancipation I liberate Let with all her issue -
and lastly I appoint my beloved wife Nancy and Brother William Phillips my Executors to this my Last Will & Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this day and year above written.
Rainey Phillips {seal}
Sarah Phillips
William Madray