Orange/Chatham/Alamance Counties of North Carolina

[ Cane Creek Monthly Meeting ]
[ Orange County ]
[ Chatham County ]
    [ Wills of Chatham Co. ]
[ Alamance County ]
[ Key to Sources ]


About the Early Counties of North Carolina

The county names of the areas in which the Vestals lived in North Carolina changed several times. They were in North Carolina by 1751, when William Vestal III (son of William Junior and Elizabeth Mercer Vestal) obtained a grant of land from the Earl of Granville. The Vestal property, where Elizabeth, William, James, Thomas, and David, and possibly a daughter or two of Elizabeth, originally lived is in present-day Chatham Co., NC, the Rocky River Preparatory Meeting area. Cane Creek, the Monthly Meeting of Rocky Creek, was located in present day Alamance County. Following is the listing of the establishment of the North Carolina counties in which Vestal records concerning the Vestals around Rocky River and Cane Creek canbe found. Vestals can also be found in nearby Randolph and Guilford counties, as well as other counties in North Carolina.

   Bladen County, established 1734
   Orange County, established in 1752 from Bladen, Granville and Johnston counties
   Chatham County, established in 1771 from Orange County
   Alamance County, established in 1849 from Chatham

Orange County

    From the Minutes of the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting.

The 7th day of the 10th month 1751. Then friends met together at Cane Creek Meeting house in Order to hold their monthly meeting of Business. According to direction of the Quarterly Meeting held at Little River in the county of Parquotank. A minut of which follows.
   
Whereas friends Inhabiting on Cane Creek Requested of this meeting a monthly meeting settled amongst them which motion was Refered to this meeting. An now several friends from them parts appeared at this meeting and acquainted friends That there are Upwards of Thirty families of friends settled in them parts and continues their former Request Which upon consideration this meeting grants their Request. And Leaves them to their liberty to settle said Monthly meeting in the mosts convenient place amonsts the Body.Signed on behalf of said meeting, Joseph Ratclif Clerk[ page 1 ]

. . . . ELIZABETH VESTAL with her two sons WILLIAM and THOMAS produced certificates from Hopewel mo. meet. dated the 1st day of the 2nd mo. 1751. Which were accepted.... [note: David also came at the same time, but was probably a minor. I do not know if minor were given certificates of removal.]  [ page 2 ]

. . . .
    At a monthly meeting held at Cane Creek meeting house the 1st day of the 12th mo. 1751 The representatives being called appeared.
   Cane Creek Preparitive meeting Enters a complaint against JAMES VESTAL for accomplishing marriage to a woman not of our society by the assistance of a Justice, Likewise for taking strong drink to excess. This meeting therefore appoints Thomas Branson and Anthony Chamness to labour with him on that account and report their care to next meeting. [ page 2 ]

    At a monthly meeting held the 4th day of 5th mo. 1765 JAMES VESTAL complained of in the 3rd mo. for using strong drink to excess and has been laboured with from then till now and no hopes of his _____ this meeting disowns him.


1751, 12 Apr - WILLIAM VESTAL, Chain Carrier with Timothy Tyrel , surveyor James Carter, for property of William Leaky on Deep Creek/Rocky River. Recorded 5 february 1755.(NC-8, p. 22)

1754, 18 Nov - WILLIAM VESTALL and Jacob Youngblood survey land of John Johnston on a branch of Mudlick Creek. (NC-8, p. 103)

Chain Carrier with Timothy Tyrel , surveyor James Carter, for property of William Leaky on Deep Creek/Rocky River. 1756, 6 April - Land of Willliam Vestall surveyed; both sides of Rocky River beginning at a white oak, West cross Rocky River 50 chainsto a black jack, south cross Poplar Branch 82 chains to a red oak, east cross Rocky River 50 chains to a persimmon tree, north 82 chains to first station, 410 acres, sixteen shillings five pence rent per year, surveyed 6 apr 1756, recorded 5 Nov 1757. Surveyed by George Hobson and Brinsley Barns. (NC-8, p. 73.)

1759, 25 Mar - JAMES VESTAL of Orange County sells to DAVID VESTAL of Orange Co., 28 3/4 acres on the middle branch of the Rocky River on the waters of Deeep River. Part of 405 acres, Granville to William Leaky 5 Feb 1755; 172 acres from Leaky to Simon Hadley 6 Nov 176_, Hadley to JAMES VESTAL 11 Aug 1755.
(signed) James (X) Vestal. Witnesses: Jeremiah Piggott, Willliam Hobson, Rachel Piggot; proved by Jeremiah Piggot July Term 1769. [Orange Co. Deed Book 2, p. 558], (NC-2, p. 124).

1759, 25 October - Witnesses to the marriage of DAVID VESTAL and Sarah Chamness, Cane Creek MM: None listed (NC-7)

1766, 11 September - Witnesses at the marriage of Jesse Johnson and Hannah Hadley, at Cane Creek MM: Margaret Stout, Jesse Hadley, William Marshill, Hannah Stanfield, Mary Piggott, Abigail Pike, Patience Hadley, Elizabeth Johnson, Simon Hadley, Richard Kemp, William Hobson, DAVID VESTAL (NC-7)

1769, 21 July - DAVID VESTAL witness to deed between Thomas and Elizabeth Davis of Orange Co. to Jeremiah Piggott of Orange Co. David Vestal proved, July Term 1769. [Orange Co., Deed Book 2, p. 560] (NC-2, p. 124)

1771, Jan 13 - Enoch Pugh to Jacob Pugh, both of Orange Co. 90 acres, one-half part of 180 acres of land purchased from JAMES VISTAL 21 Oct 1771 in Orange County on branches of Rocky River. Deed Book A (1771-1782) p. 91

Chronology ofChatham County

1772 - 7th day of 11th month - Cane Creek Monthly Meeting requests payment from Province of North Carolina for flour and six wagons and teams in the campaign against the Regulators. Signed by Christopher Hussey, Morgan Edwards, Thomas Lindley, Isaac Jones, Joseph Comer, Jeremiah Piggott, DAVID VESTAL, William Hobson, Benjamin Piggott, William Lindley, Aaron Jones, William wierman, Richard Kemp, Jesse Hinshaw, THOMAS VESTAL, William Marshill, Jacob Marshill, Daniel Brown, Joseph Cloud, John Dairy, William Brown, Levi Branson, WILLIAM VESTAL. (Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol IX 1771-1775, William L. Ssaunders, ed, Raleight: Josephus Daniels, 1890; Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993, p. 354-55)

1774, 4 October - Witnesses at the marriage of Benjamin Tyson and Ann Mayner at Cane Creek MM: Jeremiah PIggott, Abigail Pike, THOMAS VESTAL, Mary Brooks, Margery Buckingham, Sarah Tyson, Thomas Tyson, Cronelius Tyson, Jane Mayner, Rachel Piggott, Ssarah Bray, Sarah Tyson, Richard Tyson, Katharine Tyson. (NC-7)

1780, 19 January - Witnesses to the marriage of John Sanders and Milley Moorman at Pee Dee Meeting House in Richmond County, Cane Creek MM: John Moorman, Thomas Moorman, Luckey Moorman, Christopher Clark, Jacob Marshill, Joseph Crew, DAVID VESTAL, Christian Clark, Thomas Moorman, Sarah Moorman, Francis Clark, Benjamin Moorman (NC-7)

1782, 15 May - Witnesses to the marriage of DANIEL VESTAL and Mary Piggott, Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek MM: Margery Piggott, Joseph Kemp, William Hobson, WILLIAM VESTAL, William Piggott, David Smith, DAVID VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, THOMAS VESTAL, John Piggott, Levi Branson, Mary Branson. (NC-7)

1784, 17 November - Witnesses at the wedding of Isaac Stubbs and Margaret Carter at Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek MM: THOMAS VESTAL, WILLIAM VESTAL, Daniel Cloud, Mincher Littler, John Carter, Jane Carter, Edward Carter, William Hobson, Samuel Carter, Mary Carter, Brimsly Barns, Elizabeth Barns (NC-7)

1786, 12 Aug - JAMES VESTAL to WILLIAM VESTAL son of the said JAMES VESTAL, for 10 pounds. 22 acres, joins David Vestal's Mill pond, James Vestal's line, also one of the original corners of the said William Vestal that he purchased of Thomas Hill, it being part of a tract of land granted to William Leaky 5 Jan 1755 under the seal of Earl of Granville, from said Leakey conveyed to Simon Hadley 2 Nov 1762 and from Hadley to James Vestal 11 Aug 1766.
(signed) James (X) Vestal.
Witnesses: John Berry, John Chamness

1786, 15 March - Witnesses to the marriage of Edom Ratcliff and Rachel at Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek Monthly Meeting: Amos Ratclliff, DANIEL VESTAL, Jesse Johnson John Johnson, Joseph Hadley, Patience Hadley, Elisabeth Hadley, Eleanor Cashatt,DAVID VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, Stephen Hobson, THOMAS VESTAL, ELIZABETH VESTAL, John ratcliff, Ann Ratcliff, John Ratcliff, Jr., Jesse Ratcliff, Thomas Ratcliff, David Smith, Jr., Elisabeth Smith.(NC-7)

1787, 13 Jan - DAVID VESTAL to JAMES VESTAL - for 1 pound, 20 acres on the waters of the Rocky River, conveyed from Daniel Hogan to David Vestal 12 May 1785.
(signed) David Vestal
Witnesses: WILLIAM VESTAL and Temple Thompson

1787, 7 November - Witnesses to the marriage of Amos Ratcliff and Eleanor Cashatt at Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek Monthly Meeting: NATHAN VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, ELISABETH VESTAL, Wellmett Kemp, Jesse Johnson, Hannah Johnson, John Johnson, Andrew Culbertson, Christopher Hornaday, Moses Farmer, Hannah Ratcliff, Ann ratcliff, Willliam Hobson, Thomas Ray, Stephen Hobson, George Hobson, David Hobson, Abner Ratcliff, John Ratcliff, John Cashatt, Ratchel Ratcliff, Edom Ratcliff, David Smith, Jr., Sarah Ratclliff, Redin Ratcliff, Littleton Williams, Benjamin Williams(NC-7)

1788, 12 March - Witnesses to the marriage of Nathan Stubbs and elizabeth Jones at Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek MM: DAVID VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, William HObson, Samuel Nelson, Jr., Jesse Hobson, Stephen Hobson, John Hobson, Mary Neal, John Johnson, Isaac Johnson, Mary Nelson, George Hobson, Anne Hobson, Mary Carter, Isaac Hobson, Samuel Carter, Elizabeth Carter, Lydia Hobson, Robert Carter, Samuel Nelson, Joseph Cloud, Henry Jones, John Stubbs, Jacob Watson, George Jones, Hannah Jones, Mary Stubbs, William Jones, francis Jones, THOMAS VESTAL, ELIZABETH VESTAL, MARTHA VESTAL (NC-7)

1790, 8 Mar - Deed from JAMES VESTAL to NATHAN VESTAL, both of Chatham county... for 91 pounds, 5 shilllings for land on the waters of the Rocky River, beginning at Temple Thompsons' croner, 93 acres. Conveyed to JAMES VESTAL from Simon Hadley 11 Aug 1766.

1791, 10 February - Witnesses at the marriage of WILLIAM VESTAL and Mary Wheeler, Cane Creek MM: John Piggott, Jacob Marshill, Margaret Marshill, Willliam Hobson, Stephen Hobson, James Neal, Mary Neal, THOMAS VESTAL, ELIZABETH VESTAL, John Wheeler, Joseph Wells, Charity Wells (NC-7)

1792, 21 November - Witnesses at the marriage of Robert McCracken and MARTHA VESTAL: Joseph Cloud, Hannah Cloud, Henry Jones, Samuel Nelson, Stephen Hobson, Jesse Johnson, DAVID VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, Samuel McCracken, Thomas McCracken, Thomas LIndley, Samuel Lindley (NC-7)

1796, 16 Mar - Witnesses to the marriage of Abner Ratacliff and Sarah Cashatt at the Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek Monthly Meeting:John Craten, John Hobson, Thomas Hadley, Mary Hadley, Eleanor Hadley, Jane Whitehead, Jjoseph Terry, John Hadley, Lydia Hadley, Jeremiah Johnson, Joseph Hadley, Moses Smith, John Cashat, Ann Cashat, DAVID VESTAL, WILLIAM VESTAL,Stephen Hobson, John Carter, THOMAS VESTAL, Willliam Hobson,SARAH VESTAL, Jesse Johnson, Hannah Johnson, William Craten, John Ratcliff, Ann ratcliff, Margaret Cashat, Elizabeth Smith, John ratcliff, Jr., Edom Ratcliff, Eleanor Ratcliff, Job Ratcliff, Samuel Ratcliff, John Ratcliff, David Smith, Thomas Cashat. (NC-7)

1798, 21 November - Witnesses at the marriage of BENJAMIN VESTAL and Ruth Newlin, Spring MM: Hugh Woody, John Newlin Joshua Newlin, William Hadley, Sarah Hadley, Thomas Holliday, Catharine Hollliday, Jonathan Lindley, Zachary Dicks, John Hadley, Simon Hadley, Jesse Johnson, Lydia Hadley, Mary Hadley, Jacob Hadley, Eleanor Hadley, ACHSAH VESTAL, Isaac Johnson, DAVID VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, Sarah Newlin, JOSEPH VESTAL, MARY VESTAL, John Newlin, Jr., Deborah Newlin, James Newlin. (NC-7)

1801, 4 Seventh Month. Peter Stout & Benjamin Piggott of Orange and John Piggott son & heir at law of William Piggott & DANIEL VESTALL of Chatham to Solomon dixon & Joshua chamness, Trustee, the religious Society of People called Quakers at Cane Creek known as Cane Creek Monthly Meeting elected Dixon & Chamness to take conveyances & gifts of land from the grantors for the purpose of continuing & keeping up a meeting house or House of Worship for use of members of Cane Creek Monthly Meeting....includes present meeting house...
(signed) Peter (X) Stout, Benmajin Piggot, DAVID VESTAL, John Piggot.
Witness: Daniel Freeman, John S1787, 7 November - Witnesses to the marriage of Amos Ratcliff and Eleanor Cashatt: NATHAN VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, ELISABETH VESTAL, et al.

1804, 7 November - Witnesses at the marriage of Jonathan (Jeremiah) Johnson and Hannah Jones at Rocky River MH, Cane Creek MM: Joseph Holliday, William Carter, SARAH VESTAL, Jehu Carter, Simon Johnson, Joshua Hadley, Deborah Hobson, Isaac Hobson, John Carter, Joshua Harvey, Abigail Hinshaw, JOSEPH VESTAL, DAVID VESTAL, Henry Jones, Keziah Jones, Jesse Johnson, Thomas Hadley, John Johnson, Sarah Johnson, George Jones, Jesse Johnson, Jr., Jeremiah Johnson, Mary Jones, Lydia Johnson, Hannah Johnson, Lydia Jones (NC-7)

1808, 6 January - Witnesses at the marriage of Benjamin Wells and Dorcas Barker, Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek MM: Isaac Hobson, Emey Hobson, Elizabeth Barker, charity Wells, Jesse Gifford, William Wells, Enoch Williams, William McDaniel, Catharine Barker, Hannah Barker, John Wells, samuel Barker, Levi Gifford, Stephen Cameron, Asa Mcdaniel, Isaac Wells, Rebecca Barker, Charity Wells, John Carter, John Piggott, Hannah Piggott, Isaac Wells, Mary Wells, William Barker, DAVID VESTAL, SARAH VESTAL, Nathan Wells, Margaret Wells, Elizabeth Cameron, Abigail Gifford (NC-7)

1812, 12 Feb - Witnesses at the marriage of Thomas Marshill & Elizabeth Hobson, Rocky River MH, Cane Creek MM: Jesee Johnson, John Johnson, Sarah Johnson, Thomas Pugh, Deborah Hobson, Nathan Piggott, DAVID VESTAL, Soloman Stout, THOMAS VESTAL, JEREMIAH VESTAL, Jane Carter, William Marshill, Mary Marshill, Isaac Hobson, Amy HObson, Charles Hobson, Stephen Hobson, Dinah HObson (NC-7)

1812, 1 August - Witnesses at the marriage of William Weisner and Rachel Moon at Cane Creek MM: Ruth Dixon, Silas Dixon, Joseph Carter, Hugh Woody, Jeremiah Piggott, Jacob Kemp, Dinah Moon, Louany Moon, Hannah Thompson, Mary Woody, Hannah Stout, Simon Moon, Nathan Piggott, Dinah Hobson, DAVID VESTAL, Mary Long, John Moon, Rachel Moon, John Moon, Jr., Sarah Dixon, Jacob Hinshaw, Eli Hadley, Jesse Hinshaw, Jacob Moon (NC-7)

1815, 27 May - Nathan Wells of Orange to Benjamin Vestal of Chatham. $430, 129 acres on N. side of Cane Creek.... on Marshall's line... Signed: Nathan Wells, witness Soloman Alan & John Dixon. Acknowledged August term 1815. Deed Book 15, p. 167. (NC-5, p. 25)

1815, 2 Tenth Month. Thomas Whinery Senr. of Clinton Co., OH to Benjamin Vestal of Chatham, $12, 125 acres on waters of Cane Creek...line of Henry McCullock...Thomas Dixon's Corner.... (signed) Isaac Perkins (att'y of Thomas Whinery, also of Clinton Co., OH). Witnesses: William Pike & Priscilla Pike, proved August Term 1816 by William Pike Deed Book 15, p. 349. 22 Feb 1796(NC-5, p. 54)

1816, 20 Eighth Month - Elizabeth Wheeler of Orange to William Vestal and Mary his wife, John Wheeler, John David & Sarah his wife, Benjamin Wheeler, and Joseph Wheeler. $110., right of dower in land of John Wheeler deceased
(signed) Elizabeth Wheeler
Witnesses: Joshua Buckingham & Thomas Marshill, proved May term 1818 by affirmation of Joshua Buckingham. Deed Book 16 p. 297 (NA-5, p 118)

1817, 12 February - Wittnesses to the marriage of William Marshburn & Hannah Johnson, Rocky River MH, Cane Creek MM: Isaac Hobson,DAVID VESTAL, William Allen, Stephen Hobson, Mary Woody, Hannah Chamness, John Carter, James Hadley, Thoms Hadley, James Woody, William Hadley, Ruth Johnson, Ssarah Atkinson, Jesse Johnson, Thomas Atkinson, Ssarah Carter, Mary Hadley, Mary Johnson, David Carter, Jane Carter, Rebecca Johnson, John Johnson (NC-7)

1817, 4 April - Benjamin Vestal of Chatham to William Wells of Orange. $400. 120 acres on North side of Cane Creek...Marshall's line...part of 2 tracts of Henry Eustace McCulloch, one dated 6 June 1763, the other dated 16 April 1760.
(signed) Benjamin Vestal. Witnesses: William Hornaday & Joseph Wells, proved November Term 1817 by affirmation of William Hornaday. Deed Book 16, p. 112.(NC-5, p. 88)

1817, 10 April - Witnessesto the marriage of Thomas Rubottom and Edith Dixon, Ridge Meeting House, Cane Creek MM: BENJAMIN VESTAL, Hannah Hadley, Ruth Hadley, EDITH VESTAL, Jane Cox, John Hadley, Joshua Hadley, Simon Hadley, Joshua Newlin, ACHASAH VESTAL, Zimri Dixon, Nathan Dixon, Joel Dixon, Miriam Rubottom, Ruth Haydock, George Rubottom, Sophia Dixon (NC-7)

1817, 10 December - Witnesses at the marriage of Peter Larrance and Abigail Hinshaw at Rocky River MH, Cane Creek MM: DAVID VESTAL, Elizabeth Hinshaw, Jane Hinshaw, Isaac Hobson, Thomas Larrance, Mary Pugh, Rachel Pugh, ANN VESTAL, John Johnson, Johnson, Jacob Hinshaw, Susanna Larrance, Jesse Hinshaw, Thomas Hinshaw, Robert Hammond, Ann Hammond (NC-7)

1818, 7 August - Witnesses at the marriage of Joseph McCollm & Mary Hobson: Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek MM: Zachariah Allen, Isaac Hobson, Jr., William allen, Benjamin Hobson, BENJAMIN VESTAL, ANN VESTAL, Ruth Hinshaw, John Johnson, DAVID VESTAL, Isaac Hobson, Richard Norton, Elizabeth Norton, Stephen Hobson, Joseph Hobson, Rebecca Hobson, Deborah Hobson, Sarah Allen. (NC-7)

1824, 9 June - Witnesses at the marriage of James Lindley and Ruth Hadley; New Hopewell MH, Guilford Co., NC; Cane Creek MM. Delphenia E. Gardner, Matilda Hadley, Flora M. Gardner, James Woody,ELIZABETH VESTAL, Sarah Lindley, William Hill, Achsah Hill, Nathan Pikett, Mary Pickett, Eli Pugh, John Hill, John Hadley, Naomi Pugh, John Long, Jonathan Hadley, Alfred Hadley, William Lindley, Hannah Marshill, Mary W. Long, John Long., Jr. (NC-7)

1824, 8 December - Witnesses at the wedding of Simon Stuart and Eunice Johnson at Rocky River Meeting House, Cane Creek MM: Robert Woody, Jesse Johnson, Robert Atkinson, Rebecca Johnson, Sarah Atkinson, Hannah Stuart, Aaron McPherson, Charity McPherson, Jane Carter, John Johnson, John Carter, Joseph Hill, Jesse Hobson, Benjamin Stuart, Job Jjohnson, Edith Hockett, RUTH VESTAL, Ann Hill (NC-7)

1828, 16 Oct - Witnesses at the marriage of James Woody and Sophia Dixon at Ridge MH, cane creek MM: Jeremiah Hadley, Andrew Jones, SALLY VESTAL, Roxanna Dowd, Nancy Jones, Phebe Hadley, Jo Pope, Daniel HIll, James B. Hadley, Thomas Lindley, Martha Hadley, Mary Lindley, ELI VESTAL, Samuel Hockett, Edith Hockett, John Dowd, Thomas JOhnson, Srah Dixon, Hannah Hadley, John dixon, Zimri Dixon, Hugh Wood, John Atkinson, John Carter, John Hadley (NC-7)

Wills of Chatham County

Will of Thomas Vestal, 22 July 1807
   [note: This is the Thomas Vestal who married Elizabeth Davis]

I Thomas Vestal of Chatham County and State of North Carolina being favored with health and memory but knowing that it is appointed for all men to die, I do make this my last Will and Testament touching such worldly estate as hath pleased God to bless me with. I give devise and dispose of the same in following form. I ordain, constitute appoint my trusty friend William Vestal and William Marshall to be my only and sole executors of this my last Will and Testament, allowing my just debts & funeral charges to be first paid out of my estate. First, I give unto Elizabeth my dear Wife, one fine chest, one feather Bed & furniture 2 Puter dishes 2 puter basons, half dozen Puter plates, two Pots, one oven, one spinning wheel, one fring pan, one Mare sadle and bridle, two Cows & Calves two spotted hogs and fifty pounds in money to be her own. And likewise I give her that part of the plantation we live on with House and Orchard during her life time or widowhood. And I giver her the privilege of the household furniture while a widow. And the Land I now live on I leave between David and Silas Vestal that is to have Silas' run Forty rods from his Northeast corner, North then West Fifty two rods then North to divide line and to all the bottom on the East (written above: "side or line of _________ (indecipherable), from one dividing line to the other, to him and his heirs forever . And the rest of the said land I give to David my son to him and his heirs, forever. And the rest of my estate I leave to be to be equally divided among my Ten children or to their heirs if dead. And I leave my close to be divided among my sons and William is to have the big Bible and the Howe. I request that my Executors of this my last Will and Testament to act in place or in my stead as Trustees of the whole charge. And I request them to discharge their Trust faithfully. In witness and testimony whereof I have set my hand & affixed my seal this 22nd day of the 7 Month 1807.

Test.
Nathan Vestal Thomas Vestal {Seal}
Isaac Hobson
Proved August Session 1813 by Nathan Vestal Isaac Hobson
(Chatham Co. Wills, Vol. A, pg. 237, 237(a) NC State Archives)

Will of David Vestal - 6 Aug., 1828
     [note: This is the David who married Sophia McMasters]

"In the Name of God Amen I David Vestal of the State of North Carolina and Chatham County being of sound and perfect mind and memory blessed be God do this sixth day of August in the year of our Lord 1828 make and publish this my last Will and testament in manner following that is to say, first I give and bequeath unto my wife Sophia all the perishable property at her disposal which is not hereafter excepted to her in possession of the plantation where I now live as long as she remains my widow or untill it is named who is to the charge thereof also 100 dollars in cash for the support of her and family 2nd I give and bequeath unto my daughter Susan Dorsett ten dollars. 3rd I give and bequeath unto my two sons Andrew and Price Vestal the Mill and Land adjoining of said Mill belonging to me to say each one to have one half provided they pay to Calvin six hundred dollars 300 each to pay him at the age of 21. 4th Sally and Austin P. Vestal to be made equal with Susan out of my stock now on hand it is also my will that after all my just debts is paid and the girls made equal the Remainder be equally divided Between all my heirs. 5th I give and bequeath unto my son Calvin Vestal the tract of Land I bought of Benoni Price and forty four acres adjoining it on the south side. 5th I give and bequeath unto my son William H. Vestal the Remainder of my lands and farming tools my waggon and other tools thereon where I now live for him to have possession at the age of 21 and to have the charge thereof and is bound to maintain his Mother as long as she remains my widow, her to have the priveledge in the house with him it is also my Will that My Executor sell such things as he may think to be an advantage to the estate and such as is not needed in the support of the family and I hereby make and ordain my Worthy__________[note: left blank] Executor of this my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I the said David Vestal have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written.

Signed sealed published and delivered by the said David Vestal the testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who were present at the time of signing and sealing thereof
      David Vestal {Seal} The foregoing last Will and testament of David Vestal was exhibited in open Court at November Session 1828 and proved to be in the hand writing of the said David Vestal by the Oath of William Albright John Vestal Andrew McMasters and John Culberson.
[N.C. Record of Wills, Vol. B 1818-1833]

Will of William Vestal Chatham Co., May 7, 1789
   [note: William was the eldest son of William Vestal and Elizabeth Mercer]

" I William Vestal of Chatham County, in the State of North Carolina this seventh day of Fifth Month called May in the year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & Eighty Seven being weak in body but of perfect sence and memory Blessed be God and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die I do make this my last will and testament Touching such worldly estate wherein it hath pleased go to bless me with. I give devise and dispose of in the following manner and form, first I ordain constitute and appoint my trusty friends and brothers Thomas & David Vestal to be my only and sole executors of this my last will and testament allowing my funeral charges and just debts to be first paid out of my estate. I give and devise unto the heir of John Vestal, dec'd estate the sum of five shillings. I give and devise unto James Vestal the sum of five shillings I give and devise unto David Vestal the sum of five shillings all my land whereon I now live being two hundred and five acres more or less I give and devise one hundred two acres & half to Thomas Vestal my brother and one hundred two acres & half to William Vestal son of the said Thomas Vestal to be freely possessed and enjoyed by them their heirs and assigns forever provided the said Thomas Vestal will and do pay out of his own estate the sum of twenty pounds, ten pounds, ten pounds to William Vestal son of James Vestal and ten pounds to Nathan Vestal son of David Vestal. I do give and devise unto Daniel and Nathan Vestal the sons of David Vestal the sum of thirty pounds to be divided between them twenty pound to Daniel and ten to Nathan Vestal. I likewise give and devise to my three sisters the sum of twenty shillings to each, and all the remainder of my estate I leave to be equally divided between the children that are not legatees of my three brothers, viz. Thomas, James David Vestal Children In witness and testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year above written Signed Sealed and Delivered in presence of us

William Vestal
Stephen Hobson
Jacob Doane - Jurat
John Vestal
[NC Wills, Vol. A (1798-1819), pg. 47-47a]


Key to Sources

NC-1 Minutes of the Cane Creek Monthly Meeting
NC-2 Orange County (NC) Records, Vol. II: Deed Books 1 & 2 Abstracts, William D. Bennett, ed., Raleigh, NC: privately pub, 1989.
NC-3 Chatham County, N. C. Early Deeds: Vol 1, 1784-1787, Laura Willis, Melber, KY: Simmons Historical Publicatrions.
NC-4 Chatham County North Carolinda Deeds 1783-1788, Marily Poe Laird, Vivian Poe Jackson, Poe Publishers, n.d.
NC-5 Orange County Records, Vol. XIX, Deed Books 15 & 16, William D. Bennett ed; Raleigh, NC: privately published, 1997.
NC-6 Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol IX 1771-1775, William L. Ssaunders, ed, Raleight: Josephus Daniels, 1890; Wilmington, NC: Broadfoot Publishing Co., 1993.
NC-7 Marriages in Cane Creek Monthly Meeting and its Subordinate Meetings, Vol 1-4.
NC-8 Orange County Records, Vol V. Granville Proprietary Land Office Deeds & Surveys, 1752-1760, William D. Bennett, editor; Raleigh, NC: Privately Published, 1989.