William Forrester's Will & Misc.
From USGenWeb for North Carolina:
Orange County, North Carolina Wills - William Forester, 8 Aug 1777
From: Will Book 1
Pages 219-220
Pittsylvania County Virginia
2 May 1795
Pr: 16 September 1799
Contributor's Note: This will is that of William Forester a/s/a William Forrest (son of James Foraster & Ann Ashley). this copy is typed from a typewritten copy, not directly from a photocopy of the actual will.
Will of William Forester
State of North Caroline, Orange County
In the Name of God, Amen
I, William Forester, being at present in health, blessed be
to God - I do make this my last Will and Testament as follows:
I give to my son, SHADRACK, one dollar;
then to my son, GRESHAM, all the land lying in the Fork;
to my son JOEL, all the land above the Spring Branch of the North side of
the Elebee's Creek. The creek of
the said tract, I give to my son, WILLIAM.
To my loving wife, LOUVINA, I give one negro boy named ABRAM, and all the
rest of my estate I give to her during her life or widowhood.
To my son, JESSE, I leave a maintenance out of said estate, according to
the discretion of my wife with the approbation of the trustees and at her
decease to be equally divided amongst my heirs begotten of her body unto which I
constitute and appoint EDWARD GRESHAM and ARCHER and my beloved wife LOUVENA
executors of this my last Will and Testament and trustees for my children.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the EIGHTH day of
AUGUST in the year 1777.
signed William Forrest
Witnesses: Edward Gresham, Jr. & Isaac Forrest
August Court 1778: The execution of the above Will was duly proved in open Court by the oaths of Edward Gresham, Jr. and Isaac Forrest, the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered recorded.
Miscellaneous Notes:
From: GEDCOM from Amelia Forrest Bogard of Groesbeck, Texas
http://members.aol.com/lforroots/gedcom.html
The will above does not mention sons Isaac nor James, nor daughters. However, it does state in naming executors "trustees for my children" which could include these unnamed children and by naming trustees, it could be implied that the children were minors.
In August Court 1777 there is recorded a deed from William Forrest to Isaac Forrest; if this is a deed of gift or if the consideration is far less than the value of the property, it could be William giving to son Isaac that portion of his estate (William's) which he wished Isaac to have thus making it unnecessary to include Isaac in the will. Another indication that William had a son Isaac is Isaac's appointing "my brother Shadrach Forrest" executor of Isaac's will 7 July 1797.
Source of the following: James A. Oliphant
William Forrest was one of the early settlers of Orange County, North Carolina along with his father James. They are both listed in the 1755 tax list of Orange County. William received land on the Eno River from his father's will which was proven in the December Court in 1755. Williams and his family lived on a plantation and owned considerable land along Elebee Creek. A William Forrest is listed as head of family in FIRST CENSUS OF THE UNITED STATES (1790) in Gloucester District of Orange County, North Carolina.