The following is a transcription of the estate papers for Joseph MORRIS (1791) of Craven County. It is believed by many researchers that Joseph MORRIS was the father of Katie Anna MORRIS (or Katie Ann MORRIS) who married Benjamin LANCASTER of Craven County.
State of North-Carolina }
County. }Know all men by these presents, that we Benjamin LANCASTER, Walter ALLEN and William WILLIAMS are held and firmly bound unto his Excellency Alexander MARTIN, Esq; Captain-General and Commander in chief in and over the said State, in the sum of fifty pounds current money: to be paid to said Governor, his successors or assigns. To which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors and administrators, jointly and severally, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals,
and dated this 14 day of March Anno Domini 1791The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above bounden Benjamin LANCASTER administrator of all the singular goods and chattels, rights and credits of Joseph MORRIS deceased, do make, or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all and singular the goods and chattels, rights and credits of the deceased, which have or shall come to the hands, knowledge or possession, of the said Benjamin LANCASTER or into the hands or pessession of any person, or persons, for him
and the same so made, do exhibit, or cause to be exhibited to the Court of the county aforesaid within ninety days from the date of these presents; and the same goods, chattels and credits, and all other goods, chattels, and credits of the deceased, at the time of his death, which at any time hereafter shall come into the hands or possession of the said Benjamin LANCASTER or into the hadns or possession of any person or persons for him do well and truly administer according to law; and further do make or cause to be made a true and just account of his said administration within twelve months after the date of these presents and all the rest and residue of the said goods, chattels and credits, which shall be found remaining upon the said administrator account, the same being first examined and allowed by the court of the said county, shall deliver and pay unto such person, or persons, respectively, to which the same shall be due, pursuant to the true intent and meaning of the act in that case made nad provided: and if it shall appear that any will or testament was made by the said deceased, and the executor or executors therein named do exhibit the same into court, making request to have the same allowed and approved of accordingly; if the said Benjamin LANCASTER above bounden, being thereunto required, do render hte said letters of administration (approbation of such testament, being first had and made in the said court) then this obligation to be void and of no effect, otherwise to remain in full force and virtue.Benj { his X mark } Lancaster {seal}
Walter Allen { Seal }
Wm. Williams { Seal }Signed and sealed, }
in presence of }Sam. Chapman
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Benj. Lancaster
Adm. bondMarch Term 1791
An Inventory of the Estate of Joseph Morris dec’d
1 broad cloath coat
1 pair of thick set breeches
a piece of homespun cloth for a waistcoat
1 pair of worsted stockings
2 shirts. 2 pair trowsers. 1 pair of socks
1 pair of shoes. 1 hat {scratched out}. 1 new hat 1 old ditto.
1 yard of tammy. 1 frock. 1 pen knife.June 13th 1791
Benj X Lancaster
Administrator————————————
Inventory of Estate
Joseph Morris
_____________________returned June Term
1791
An Account of sails of the Estate of Joseph Morris Dec’d, July the 2d 1791
£ | s | d
1 Broad Cloath coat to Benjn Lancaster 6.1.0
1 pare of Breeches to Do 1.15.-
1 Viscoat to John Bond -.12.-
1 Do to Do -.5.-
1 yeard Tammey to Do -.9.-
1 yeard homespun to Solomon Williams -.11.6
1 pare of Stockins to Do -.10.-
1 Shirt 1 pare of Trousers & Frock to Do 1.-.-
1 Shirt 1 pare of Trousers to Do -.12.-
1 pare Shoes to Henry Warren -.5.-
1 pare of Socks to John Bond -.3.6
1 Hat to John Williams 1.-.-
1 old Do to Do -.-.6
1 Pen Knife to Benjn Lancaster -.2.6————————————
Sales of ye
Est of Joseph Morrisreturned Sept. Term
1791
Thanks for posting this, I’m a descendant of Benjamin Lancaster. My mother’s father was a Lancaster from Craven Co, NC. We also have Bland ( Pitt, Craven), Smith ( Pitt, Craven), Causeway, Kirkman, Gwaltney, Dixon and House. Keep up the good work!