Cumberland County NcArchives Wills.....King, Michael 1783 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Bud King bud5082@earthlink.net August 5, 2010 Source: N C Archives Written: 1783 The Will of Michael King was written in Cumberland County (NC) on 27 November 1783. Michael King died in Cumberland County just prior to 26 January 1785, as the minutes of the Cumberland County, North Carolina Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions on this date record that the Will of Michael King was proven by Thomas Armstrong and Mary King qualified as Executrix. Michael King was born in the Bertie Precinct of Chowan County, Province of North Carolina in 1722 to Michael and Isabell Ferguson Bell King. He was the first of their seven children (3 boys & 4 girls) and he was my great-great-great-great-great grandfather. Michael King lived in an area of Bertie County, Province of North Carolina between the Cashie and Roanoke Rivers, just south of present-day Windsor, prior to his relocation to Duplin County (PONC)) in 1750. He was already married to Mary Catherine Snell (1727-1765), daughter of Roger Snell (1698-1759) and Ann Pickering, and had two children (Michael b. 1745 & William b. 1748) prior to his move to Duplin County. Michael King's petition for a grant of 640 acres of land in Duplin County was approved by the Executive Council of the Province of North Carolina at a meeting in New Bern held on the 27th day of September 1751. This was the first of several land grants received by Michael King in Duplin County most of which became part of Sampson County (NC) when it was formed in 1784. Shortly after Michael and Mary Snell King arrived in the Six Runs Swamp area of Duplin County (PONC) a son, Nathan, was born on 7 November 1750. Michael King and Mary Snell King added one other child, a daughter Keziah, who was born about 1752. Mary Catherine Snell King died about 1765 and Michael King remarried, probably in Duplin County, to Mary Boone (1750-?). Michael King must have left Duplin County sometime in the late 1760's as he is recorded as purchasing 240 acres of land on the East Side of the Cape Fear River in Cumberland County (PONC) from Archibald McNeill and his wife Barbary on the 25th day of January 1770. Michael King (1722-1785) left behind in Duplin County sons William King (1748-1816) and Michael King (1745-1811) and their families, however, he had provided well for these sons to become large land owners and successful planters in Duplin County (NC) and later in Sampson County (NC), prior to his departure. Many of those in the Michael King family (1745-1811) remained in Sampson County (NC) throughout their lives, and most of the William King family removed to the State of Alabama between 1818 & 1820. After relocating to Cumberland County, Michael King and Mary Boone King had a family of eight children (4 boys & 4 girls), the last being born in 1784 not long prior to Michael King's death. Several of these children remained in Cumberland County during their lifetime, however, two of the younger children, Joseph (1772-1820) and Charles (1774- 1811) removed to the State of Georgia about 1800, settling in Jefferson County. Nathan King (1750-1833) born in Duplin County (PONC), a son by Mary Catherine Snell, and Henry (Henery) King (1770-1821) born in Cumberland County (PONC), a son by Mary Boone, both remained in Cumberland County during their lifetime settling in the same general area (Carvers Creek- Linden-a few miles north of Fayetteville) as their father. The following transcription of the Last Will and Testament of Michael King (which was written in Cumberland County, NC and bears the date 27 November 1783) provides the glue which along with an analysis of 5 Cumberland County, NC Deeds solidifies the connection between the Duplin-Sampson County (NC), Cumberland County (NC) and Jefferson County (Georgia) Kings, all of whom are meshed together by their referral back to the document transcribed below by Randolph McPhail King on 22 July 2010. The information contained in the Last Will and Testament of Michael King of Cumberland County, North Carolina written on the 27th of November 1783, when studied with the following deeds obtained from the Cumberland County (NC)Register of Deeds Office (Online), provides a clear connection between the King families of these various locations. The Will of Michael King of Cumberland County, NC - written November 27th 1783 In the name of God, Amen. I Michael King of the County of Cumberland and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and perfect memory ( blessed be to God) do this 27th day of November in the year of our Lord 1783 make and publish this my last will and testament in the manner following (that is to say) First, to my beloved wife Mary I give and bequeath Pegg, a Negro wench, her increase excepted, to be disposed of as hereafter described. Also, lend to her during her natural life the Negroes (to wit) Penn, Kate, Nan and Taff, and one hundred and twenty acres of land whereon I now live, the land at her death to belong to my son Charles. The Negroes and the increase to be equally divided amongst my children (to wit) Sophiah, Sally, Henry, Joseph, Zilphy, Charles, Isabell and the one that my wife is now big with. Also, I give and bequeath to her my flock of cattle, sheep, hogs, and horses as follows; the white mare horse, Deriak, and the sorrel black face horse, and the whole of my household furniture that I do not otherwise dispose of. To my son Michael, four hundred acres of land whereon he now lives. To my son William, five shillings, he being already provided for. To my son Nathan, Robin a Negro boy and one bed and furniture. To my daughter Keziah, Amie that is now in her possession and the first child that Pegg shall have that lives to be one year old. To my daughter Sophiah, Isaac a Negro boy and Lilla a Negro girl of about 3 months old. To my daughter Sally, Cloe a Negro wench & Meriah a Negro girl daughter of Kate. To my son Henry, two hundred acres of land back that I bought of Duncan McNeill, and Noah a Negro boy. To my son Joseph, one hundred & twenty acres of land to be taken of the front of the plantation whereon I now live and Sam a Negro boy about three years old. To my daughter Zilphy, Hannah, Cloe's daughter. To my son Charles, one hundred and twenty acres of land whereon I now live, being the back part of two hundred and forty acres, the other land being already given to Joseph. To my daughter Isabell, Jack a Negro boy…. Kate…. To the child that my wife is now big with,…. that lives….be one year old, after Keziah gets the first. I also give to my son Nathan two hundred acres of land on Raiford Creek. The increase of Pegg, if she should have more that what is already disposed of, to be equally divided amongst the following children (to wit) Henry, Joseph, Zilphy, Charles & Isabell. The following horses to be sold to pay my debts (to wit) Jeney a white mare, the sorrel 2 years old mare, the gray year old colt, and a note of hand on Edward Bird to be converted to the use of paying my debts. The above children to receive there shares when the shall come of age or marry. To my grandchild Michael Matthews, …. son of…. after my death when called for. Also, to my daughter Sophiah, forty weight of feathers to be good and new, and I hereby make and ordain my beloved wife Mary and my worthy friend John Armstrong Executors of this my last will and testament, in witness thereof I, the said Michael King, have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Michael King (seal) Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Michael King ,the Testator, as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who were present at the time of the signing and sealing thereof. X Thos. Armstrong Jacob Matthews (witnesses) # Note; some punctuation was added to the will during transcription for clarity purposes, otherwise, the will is pretty much as it was written except for some parts that were illegible. The grandchild included in the will of Michael King was Michael Matthews , the son of Jacob and Keziah King Matthews and they were residents of Cumberland County (NC) at the time the will was written. Also, it should be noted that Isabell King (1782-1827) married Stephen Slocumb (1760-1828) of Sampson County (NC) and Sampson County is where they made their home. The following 5 Cumberland County, NC Deeds all make reference back to the Last Will and Testament of Michael King dated 27th November, 1783 and make interesting reading for those persons who wish to solve the mystery of connection between the King families of the Duplin-Sampson County area of North Carolina, the Cumberland County area of North Carolina and the Jefferson County area of Georgia. (RMK) Cumberland County, NC Deed Book 27, PG 184 - Henery King to Nathan King bearing date 2nd day of March A. D. 1812 In this deed, Henery (Henry) King of Cumberland County (NC) grants to his beloved brother Nathan King of the same County & State all rights, title, claim, and etc., both present and future, to certain tracts or parcels of land that may come to him by way of the last will and testament of Michael King, deceased, of Cumberland County (NC) which bears the date of November 27th, 1783. Specifically, the tracts or parcels of land were; two hundred acres on Raiford's Creek bequeathed to said Nathan King, and one hundred and twenty acres bequeathed to Joseph King in the last will and testament referred to above. # Note; Henery King (1770-1821) and Nathan King (1750-1833) of Cumberland County were half brothers and sons of the testator of the previously mentioned will dated 27 November 1783. The Joseph King mentioned in this deed, also the son of the testator Michael King, relocated to Georgia in the early 1800's. Joseph and Henery (Henry) King were sons of Michael King (deceased in 1785) by his second wife Mary Boone. The Thomas D. King (1779- 1854), whose signature bears witness to this deed, was the son of William King, Senior of Sampson County (NC) and the other witness, Anne King, was probably Barbara Anne (Moore) King (1775-1828), the wife of Henry King (1770- 1821), who was born in Duplin County (NC) and was the daughter of Colonel James Moore and his wife, Ann (Thomson) Moore. Cumberland County, NC Deed Book 27, PG 185 - William King to Nathan King bearing date 2nd day of March A. D. 1812 In this deed, William King, Senior of the County of Sampson and State of North Carolina grants to his beloved brother Nathan King of the County of Cumberland and same State (and his heirs) all right, title and claim which he has or may have in the future to two certain tracts or parcels of land connected to the last will and testament of Michael King of Cumberland County and State of North Carolina which bears the date November 27th, 1783. Specifically, the tracts of land involved were; a tract of 200 acres on Raiford's Creek bequeathed in said will to Nathan King of Cumberland County, and another tract of 120 acres which was bequeathed to Joseph King . # Note; at the time the will of Michael King was written (1783) Joseph King was then of Cumberland County, North Carolina. Joseph sold his 120 acre inheritance to Nathan King in 1790 (Cumberland County Deed 16, 338). At the time the above deed was dated (2 March 1812), Joseph King was then living in Jefferson County, Georgia. Joseph King married Zilpha Powell of Johnston County (NC) about 1790 prior to his relocation to Georgia. Joseph King died in Twiggs County, Georgia in 1820. William King, Senior was a son of Michael King of Cumberland County (NC) by Mary Catherine Snell and he remained in Duplin County (NC) when his father, Michael King, removed to Cumberland County (PONC) in 1770. William King married Margaret DeVane (1758-1822) about 1778 and most of their family relocated to Alabama about 1820. William King died in Sampson County (NC) about September of 1816. Cumberland County, NC Deed Book 27, PG 186 - Nathan King to Nathan King and Henery King bearing date 3rd day of March A. D. 1812 In this deed, Nathan King of Sampson County, North Carolina grants unto his beloved uncles , Nathan King and Henery King, both of the same State and County of Cumberland (and their heirs) all right, title and claim to certain tracts or parcels of land in Cumberland County (NC) referenced in the last will and testament of Michael King, bearing the date November 27, 1783. This action was taken by Nathan King of Sampson County (NC) for the love, esteem and goodwill felt toward the said uncles and in consideration of a certain instrument of conveyance bearing the date 2nd March 1812 in which William King, Senior of Sampson County and Nathan King and Henery King both of Cumberland County granted any claim they might have, present and future, to a tract of 400 acres of land in Sampson County bequeathed to Michael King, Senior, deceased, of Sampson County by the last will and testament of Michael King, deceased, of Cumberland County which bears the date November 27th, 1783. Specifically, Nathan King of Sampson County (NC) and his brothers Edmond King and Bryant King, also of Sampson County, as heirs of Michael King, Senior of Sampson County then deceased, granted to Nathan King of Cumberland County and his heirs all their right, title and claim, both present and future, to the following lands in Cumberland County (NC) ; 200 acres on Raiford's Creek bequeathed to Nathan King and 120 acres bequeathed to Joseph King in the last will and testament of Michael King of Cumberland County bearing the date 27th November, 1783. Likewise, the said Nathan King, Edmond King, and Bryant King granted unto Henery King of Cumberland County and his heirs all right, title and claim to two parcels of land in Cumberland County; specifically, 200 acres purchased by Michael King of Duncan McNeill and by said Michael King and bequeathed to Henery (Henry) King in the last will and testament referenced above, and another parcel of land of 120 acres bequeathed to Charles King in the last will and testament of Michael King of Cumberland County and dated 27th November, 1783. # Note; Michael King, Senior of Sampson County died about May of 1811 and Nathan King (1788-1828) born in Sampson County (NC) was the eldest of his living sons as of 3 March 1812. Neither Edmond King (1796- 1863) nor Bryant King (1794-1835), both born in Sampson County (NC), was of age at the time of this transaction. Michael King, Senior was married to Sarah Rhodes (1755-1827) and he owned 2,177 acres of land in Sampson County at the time of his death. Bryant King is the great-great-great grandfather of the author. Michael King, William King and Nathan King were all brothers and children of Michael King by his first wife Mary Catherine Snell. Nathan King (1750-1833) joined his father in Cumberland County several years after his relocation there in 1770. Nathan King served under his older brother Michael King (1745-1811) in the Duplin County Militia in the early stages of the Revolutionary War and prior to joining the Continental Army, in which he reached the rank of Captain. Nathan King became a large landowner and planter in Cumberland County, North Carolina. Cumberland County, NC Deed Book 27, PG 185 - Nathan King to Henery King bearing the date 2nd November A. D. 1812 In this deed, Nathan King of Cumberland County (NC) conveys to his beloved brother Henery King of the same State and County, all of his right, title and claim, both present and future, in two parcels of land which were designated in the last will and testament of Michael King, deceased, of Cumberland County (NC) which bears the date November 27th, 1783. Specifically, this includes one parcel of land containing 120 acres bequeathed in said last will and testament to Charles King, and another parcel of land of 200 acres which was purchased of Duncan McNeill and bequeathed to Henery (Henry) King by said last will and testament mentioned above. # Note: Charles King (1774-1811) was the son of Michael King of Cumberland County by his second wife, Mary Boone. Charles King removed from Cumberland County (NC) to the State of Georgia about 1800. He was married to Unity Toole (1783-aft. 1830) who was born in Duplin County (NC), prior to his relocation. Charles King died on 10 October 1811 in Jefferson County, Georgia. The Henery King mentioned in the Cumberland County (NC) deeds referenced in this article was actually Henry King as written in the original last will and testament of Michael King dated 27th November, 1783. Henry King and Nathan King were actually half-brothers. Mary Catherine Snell was the mother of Nathan, and Mary Boone was the mother of Henry. Henry King (1770-1821) married Barbara Ann Moore (1775-1828) of Sampson County (NC) daughter of Colonel James Moore and Ann Thomson Moore. Nathan King (1750-1833) married Flora McDuffie (1766-1824) of Cumberland County (NC) about 1789. Cumberland County, NC Deed Book 27, PG 184 - William King, Senior of Sampson County, NC to Henery King of Cumberland County, NC bearing date 2nd November A. D. 1812 In this deed, William King, Senior of Sampson County and State of North Carolina in consideration for the love, esteem (and etc.) felt for his beloved brother Henery King of the County of Cumberland and State aforesaid granted to said Henery King and his heirs all right, title and claim, both present and future, in two parcels of land referenced in the last will and testament of Michael King, deceased, of Cumberland County (NC); specifically, one tract of 200 acres purchased by said Michael King of Duncan McNeill and bequeathed in his last will and testament to said Henery (Henry) King, and another tract of land containing 120 acres which was bequeathed to Charles King in the will referenced above bearing the date 27th November, 1783. # Note; William King, Senior (1748-1816) and Henery (Henry) King (1770-1821) were actually half- brothers, as the mother of William was Mary Catherine Snell (1727-1765) and the mother of Henery (Henry) King was Mary Boone (1750-?). The Charles King mentioned above was a younger brother of Henery (Henry) King and, as mentioned earlier, Charles relocated to Jefferson County, Georgia about 1800. Charles King sold his 120 acre inheritance to Henry King by way of a conveyance dated 22 November 1802 (Cumberland County, NC Deed Book 21, PG 337). File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/nc/cumberland/wills/king1729wl.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/ncfiles/ File size: 19.4 Kb