Orange County NcArchives Wills.....Murdock, Andrew December 26, 1815 ************************************************ 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: Ben Franklin ben.franklin.ffru@gmail.com May 2024 Source: Will Book Volume D, pages 498-500 Written: December 26, 1815 Recorded: Feb 1817 Testator: Andrew Murdock [Will Book Volume D, page 498] In the name of God Amen. I Andrew Murdock of the County of Orange and state of North Carolina, calling to mind the uncertainty & shortness of human life and knowing that it is appoint =ed for all men once to die; but being with the blessing of God, in perfect sound mind & memory, do make, publish and ordain this my last Will and Testament - First I humbly bequeath my Soul to Almighty God who gave it through the merits of a Redeemer --- Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Margaret during her natural life all my Household & Kitchen furniture of every description including my clock, all my stock of Cattle, Sheep and Hogs, one Mare called Poll-Grover, one negro woman named Cola, one negro boy named Jerry and one other named Nat. The whole of my Lands & appurtenance except as herein after excepted and disposed of Item I give and bequeath to my Son Robert Murdock to hole of the money he owes me either for my paying his debts as security or lent Money, or an[on] any other account whatever -- Item I give and bequeath to my son James Murdock the Sun of twenty Shillings Item I give and bequeath to my grandson Andrew Murdock son of James Murdock my tract of Land called Justice's[?] old place and one negroe boy named George, all now in possession of James Murdock, to be delivered to him my grandson as soon as he come to the age of twenty one, until which time it is my will that my son James have the use and benefit [of] said Land & negro to enable him to educate and raise said grand son ----- Item I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Betsey Murdock daughter of James, one negro girl named Milly --- Item I give and bequeath to my grandson Andrew Craig son of Abraham Craig one negro boy Lewis --- Item I give and bequeath to mot grand daughter Peggy Ann Craig one negro girl named Ann --- Item I give and bequeath to my grand =son Andrew Steel son Joseph Steel one Negro girl named Bet, Item I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Peggy Steel one negro girl named Pol- Item I give and bequeath after the decease of my wife, to Andrew Murdock son of Thomas [Will Book Volume D, page 499] Murdock one negro boy named Nat - Item, It is further my Will that my Executors, as soon as they may deem proper after my death, sell to the highest bidder on a credit of twelve months my tract of Land on Haw River called Eli's old place, the whole of my negroes and other property not herein specifically bequeathed, and that out of the proceeds of the same, or out of such monies as may be due me, they in the first place pay off all my Just debts, and that they devide the reside equally among all my grand children except the children of Robert Murdock, fist ascertaining by correct valuation the amount of what property I have already bequeath to part of them, and so distribute the remainder that each of the above mentioned grand children shall have an equal share of my Estate --- And as to the property I have bequeathed to my Wife Margaret during her natural life, it is likewise my will that after her her decease it shall be disposed of in the same manner as the above mentioned residue, that is, sold & divided equally amongst the above mentioned grand children - Note I appoint as Executors of this my last Will and Testament my son in law Abraham Craig & my nephew James Mebane. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of December 1815 test Andrew Murdock (seal) Orange County February Term 1817 A paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Andrew Murdock deceased was offered for Probate by James Mebane, and it appearing to the Court by the oath of the said James Mebane that the said paper writing was found by him on the day after the said Andrew Murdock died, in one of the small Drawers of the Desk belonging to the said Andrew and in the place where the valuable papers of the said Andrew were usually kept, And it further appearing to the Court by the Oath of the said James Mebane and of William Sheppard Reuben Smith and Thomas Whitted that the name Andrew Murdock, subscribed to the said paper writing is in the proper hand writing of the said Andrew, they having often seen him write, and being well acquainted with his hand writing --- It is adjudged by the Court that the said paper writing is the last Will & Testament of the said [Will Book Volume D, page 500] Andrew Murdock decd. and it was ordered to be recorded -- Whereupon James Mebane qualified as Executor of the said last Will - and Letter Testamentary were issued to him --- Test [Deed of Gift from to Andrew Murock - 31 Oct 1797] [Will Book Volume C, page 115] Know all men by these present that I James Shepperd of the State of Georgia and County of Washington for divers good causes and consideration me hereunto moving have made, Ordained authorised, nominated and appointed and by these presents do make, ordain, authorise, nominate and appoint William Francis Strudwick of the State of North Carolina and County of Orange my true and lawful attorney for me and in my name and for my own proper use and benefit to ask, sue for, recover and receive of & from [Will Book Volume C, page 116] Andrew Murdock of State and County aforesaid or any Other person, a certain negro named Elymus which is not the property of my said James Shepperd and upon the receipt thereof to give acquittances and Other sufficient discharges, and to do and to be done in the premises, as fully and effectually to all Intents and purposes as if I myself were personally present hereby Ratifying and confirming whatever my said attorney shall Lawfully do or cause to be done in the premises and I hereby annul, and Make void all former powers of attorney by me formerly made and granted to any person whatever Given under my hand and seal this thirty first day of October In the year of Our Lord One thousand seven hundred and Ninety seven ~~~~ ~~~~~ Signed sealed and delivered } James Shepperd (seal) in presence of us Interline before assigned } ["Harriett Grove" x-out] Jarret Grace H Shepperd Orange County May Term 1798 ["The Execution of the foregoing Power of Attorney" x-out] The foregoing Power of Attorney being produced to this court and it appearing to the court that the same had been duly proved and admitted to Record in the proper office in the state of Georgia County of Lyncoln ~~ therefor Ordered that the same be Recorded ~~~~~ Test Additional Comments: Will Book Volume D, pages 498-500 Recorded Feb 1817 No loose will found. Estate Papers comprise 56 pages and are found in a folder labeled "Murdock, Andrew (1817)". Includes partition of land, allotment of dower. Abram Craig married Jane Joseph Steele married Nancy Robert Murdock's heirs: William Murdock, Alfred Murdock, Henry Murdock Valuation of estate on 21 March 1817 includes the line"To 1 Negro boy Right $401.00" There is a reference in the estate papers of the testator doing blacksmith work - there is some history there that may be of interest to those who are researching this lineage.