Wills & Estate Records

The Muddle that is John Vendrick, Sr.

The Muddle that is John Vendrick, Sr.

The Reverend Joshua Kocherthal baptized John Vendrick in New York on 25 Aug 1710 (The Book of Names: Especially Relating to the Early Palatines and the First Settlers in the Mohawk Valley by Lou D. MacWethy, p. 23). He may have been born there or on the voyage. His...

Is Harriet Morris a relative of Laban Morris?

Is Harriet Morris a relative of Laban Morris?

(This article was originally published July 25, 2018. It was most recently updated June 6, 2019.) It's now worth investigating the possibility that Harriet Morris is a daughter of Thomas Morris of Beaufort County and granddaughter of Elisha Morris. While Laban...

Brick Walls: Jesse P. Vendrick, Sr.

Brick Walls: Jesse P. Vendrick, Sr.

My 5th great-grandfather, Jesse P. Vendrick, was probably born in Craven County circa 1760.  The identities of his parents and the mother of his children are mysteries.  Why?  Because there were two Jesse Vendricks in this generation.  I think.  Thought?  I don't...

The Brother-in-Law Conundrum

The Brother-in-Law Conundrum

The word "brother-in-law" is becoming the bane of my research.  In earlier times, the term "in-law" had a broader scope than is now the case.  Pretty much anyone related to you by marriage was an in-law.  Therefore, a brother-in-law could be one in the modern sense, a...

Joseph Gaskins and Mary Coleman?

Joseph Gaskins and Mary Coleman?

I was reading through some court records yesterday, when I came across this entry dated 9 Dec 1799: Ordered that notice issue to Mary Gaskins to appear at the Next Term and show cause to why the nuncupative will of Joseph Gaskins decd. should not be Established. Who...

Will of Garrett Nelson (Beaufort County), 1856

Will of Garrett Nelson (Beaufort County), 1856

The following is a transcription of the will of Garrett Nelson of Beaufort County, dated 15 May 1856. I don't descend from Garrett (that I know of), but I have seen far more children attributed to him on Ancestry, although I suspect some of that is in error.  Garrett...

Update on the William S. Morris family of New Bern

Update on the William S. Morris family of New Bern

Nearly five years ago I published a post for a will I had stumbled upon for a William S. MORRIS of New Bern in which he declares his wishes that his "negro woman Patty" and her "mulatto" children be freed and well-maintained after his death. The will was dated 1831...

The John Holmes – George Fisher Connection

The John Holmes – George Fisher Connection

Was John HOLMES of Beaufort County the son of George FISHER of Craven County? If not, what was their relationship? I'm not sure, but I'm collecting evidence and I welcome any ideas or suggestions you might have! John and Esther HOLMES are my fifth-great grandparents,...