Derived from North Carolina Wills: A Testator Index, 1665-1900
by Thornton W. Mitchell, Genealogical Publishing Co, 1992

Copies of these wills should be obtained from the North Carolina state archives or the individual county involved.

Will of Joshua Tatum
Halifax County, North Carolina
Volume 1, page 166-167
dated 12 April 1765; proved July Court 1765

Item - I give to my son, Christopher Tatum, the land and plantation whereon I now live, containing 150 acres more or less, which land I formerly bought of Samuel Saxton...likewise one negro girl named Louise and one negro girl named Abigail.

Item - I give to my son, Howell Tatum, a tract of land containing 230 acres which land I formerly bought of Robert Green..

Item - I give unto my son, James Tatum, a tract of land containing 400 acres which land I formerly bought of Francis Williams and likewise one negro boy named Toby and one negro boy named Frank..

Item - I give unto my son, Joshua Tatum, (Jr) three negro slaves named Kate, Pegg and Jack..

Item - I give unto my daughter, Elizabeth Tatum, two negro girls named Patt and Jenny...one bed and furniture, etc.

Item - I give unto my loving wife, Amey Tatum, two negro men named Jimmey and (?Dick)...and all the rest of my property, real and personal not given above..My wife, Amey, my whole and sole executrix...

Witnesses:  Nathaniel Jones, Bridget Tatum, Henry Tatum

Will of Stephen Tatom

Thanks to Arvis Tatom, for providing this will

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA             
COUNTY OF ORANGE  
                                    
In the name of God, Amen.  Know all men by these presents, that I, STEPHEN TATOM, of Orange County and State of North Carolina, am now in a low state of health but in perfect sense and full of memory, thanks be to God! Calling to mind that it is appointed for man to die, I thought it proper to make my Will, as followeth, Viz:
                                       
1. After this life departed, and my soul to God who gave it, and by body buried in a Christian manner, all worldly possessions with which the Lord has blessed me, I dispose of in the following manner, Vis:
                                       
2. I leave to my well beloved wife, MOURNING, during her natural life all my world estate, except that lies on the south side of the spring branch; provided, she continues a widow; but if she marries, (she) shall have a child's part only.
                                       
3. After her decease, I leave all the land I possess between Camp Creek and the spring branch to my son, STEPHEN.
                                       
4.  I leave all the land on the south side of said spring branch to my son, JOHN.
                                       
5.  I leave all the land I possess on the east side of Camp Creek to my daughters to be equally divided between them; that is ti say, SARAH and ANNA.
                                       
6.  I leave my son WILLIAM one schilling sterling.
                                       
7. After the decease of my wife, all my movable estate (is) to equally divided between my five daughters, to wit:  ELIZABETH, FRANCES, RIZIA, MARY,
     JEMIMAH;    But if my wife marries, then all (is) to be divided according to my Will.
                                       
8. I do hereby appoint my trusty friends, ROWLAND GOOCH, and JOHN WILBORN, to be executors to this my Last Will, all which I acknowledge to be my Will, and IN TESTIMONY THEREOF (I) have hereunto set my hand and seal this third day of September, A. D., 1788.

                                       
            /s/ STEPHEN TATOM


Signed, Sealed (and) Acknowledged in the presence of:

FOWLER JONES                     *Jurat

        His
WILLIAM T TATOM                 *Jurat
        Mark

This Will was offered for probate in Orange County, North Carolina, where it appears in Book "B", page 73.

Absolom Tatom’s Will
Orange County, North Carolina, Book D, pages 94-99, will dated 17 December 1802 and proved February Court 1803

Absolom Tatom "of the Town of Hillsborough but now in the city of Raleigh."
"To my friends John Hogg, Catlett Campbell, David Ray, William Kirkland and Duncan Cameron"
"To Mary Willott wife of William Willott in the County of - (blank) - in the State of Tennessee"…land on Harpeth River in the County and State aforesaid."
"To nephew Samuel Goodwin of the town of Fayetteville"…"my house and lot in the town of Hillsborough".
"To my eldest brother Barnet Tatom"…
"To my sister Elizabeth Hicks of Granville County"…
"My brothers Abner Tatom, John Tatom, and Wiliam Tatom"
"To the children and heirs of my deceased brother Abel Tatom"
"To the children of my cedeased sister Haritta Tulbylove"
"To the children of deceased sister Meriah Goodwin alias Newby, Samuel Goodwin excepted who is otherwise provided for"
Testate and William Moore have "interests in certain lands lying Randolph County".
Executors: Samuel Goodwin, John Hoff, Catlett Campbell, Duncan Camerson.
Witnesses: William Norwood, Ed. Jones, Gavin Alves, W.L. Strudwick.

Codicil dated 17 December 1802 leaves to "Thomas Hogg the son of James Hogg" $200 to be placed at interest until he reaches 21 years of age. Same witnesses as above.
Friends to handle Tennessee lands: Major Abraham Maury(?), General Daniel Smith

Phebe Tatum’s Will
Rockingham County, North Carolina, Will Book A, page 39, dated 19 April 1807, probated May 1807
Son: John
Daughters: Sarah,  Elisabeth
Witnesses: Edward Owin, Stephen Henry, Hardaman Short, Jr

Abstract of Will of Edward Tatum

Book A, Page 384  Guilford County, North Carolina
Written: 24 September 1805   Probated:   February 1811

Wife:  Sucky - personal estate, including slaves Suck, Beck and Sarah
Son:  Harbert - $70, pewter dish and what he has already received
Son:  Sihon - land and improvements where John Pyatt lived and that part of the tract bought from his heirs on upper side of Pyatt's Branch, $40, dish, 6 plates
Son:  Edward - land between Harbert and Sihon, $40, dish, plates
Son:  Henry - land whereon I live, pewter dish, plates, bason
Daughter:  Betsey - $25 in addition to what I have heretofore given her
Executors:  Wife Sucky Tatum, sons Harbert and Sihon Tatum
Witnesses:  William Ogburn, Kinchin Vaughan, Tabitha Vaughan, Charles Bruce

Will of Haley Tatum
Rowan County, North Carolina    20 March 1819

View Image of this will - (Part 1)  (Part 2)

In the name of God, Amen.  I, Haley Tatum, of the county of Rowan and state of North Carolina being now in my perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament.  First, I leave to my daughter, Milley Merrel, one negro girl named Liza and all her increase during her natural life and then to be equally divided between all the heirs of her body.  I also do leave her the tract of land that Moses Claybrook now lives upon during her natural life then to belong the the heirs of her body.  I also give her ten dollars forever and no more of my estate.  I, Haley Tatum, also give to my son, Hardy Tatum, all my possessions of land in Buncombe County and state of SC.  I also give him one of my best beds and furniture and as many of my clothes as he will wear and no more of my estate.  I also give to my niece Centy Buckner for her kindness to my family one of my next best beds and furniture and my commode and if she continues and takes care till my property is sold after my decrease for her wages to be doubled.  Also after my just debts is paid I give to my two sons viz, Haley and Samuel, all other of my lands, household goods, debts and moveable effects to wit the said Haley and Samuel to their use and benefit for their education and raising if one should decease before they come of age for the other to possess the whole.  I also acknowledge this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness thereof I set my hand and seal.

Will of James Tatum
Ashe County, North Carolina, Book B, Page 24

Thanks to Julie Tatum for this will

In the name of God amen I James Tatum being of weak body but sound mind. blessed be God, living in the County of Ashe & state of North Carolina do
hereby make my last will and testament. First of all I give & commend my soul to Almighty God that give its vast to my estate which it hath pleased God to give me in this life. I give and demise and despose of in the following manner. First I leave and bequeth to my beloved daughter Sarah Williamsons one dollar out of my estate. I do give to my beloved daughter Patsey Noel one dollar out of my estate also my beloved daughter Elisabeth Grimes I give and bequeath to her one dollar.I leave and bequeath to my beloved son George Tatum ten dollars to be paid out of my estate. My beloved son Mathew Tatum I give and bequeath to him one dollar to be paid out of my estate. To my beloved son James Tatum I give to him one dollar of my estate, also to my beloved daughter Tabitha Eggars, one dollar paid out of my estate. To my beloved daughter Polly Eggers I give and bequeath to her one dollar out of my estate.
Further I leave and bequeath to my beloved son Joseph Tatum one bed of furniture and my largest puter dish and half of the fruits early of my upper orchard as long as he and my son Buckner lives on my old tract of land where they now live. As to my son Buckner I give and bequeath to him all my old tract of land agrees with my old lines down to the lane now between me and Joseph Tatum which lane is to be a conditional live driept what land lies on the last side of the river below the fish hole that is to be Joseph Tatums. Also I give and bequeath to my beloved son Buckner all my stock of cattle horses hogs and sheep belonging to my estate except one bed and one cow and calf out of the estate, I leave in the hands of my beloved wife Amy Tatum for her use during her natural life and her death to belong to my son Buckner. Also if there be any money left belonging to my estate at my demise after discharging all just debts and demands or claims against the estate the ballance if any I leave to my son Buckner Tatum I do hereby apoint Amy Tatum and George Tatum my legal and lawful excutiers after my decease.
5 December 1822
James Tatum
(seal)

Will of Jesse Tatum
Davie County, North Carolina,  Book 1, Page 126

Thanks to Julie Tatum for Contributing this will

I, Jesse Tatum of the county of Davie and the State of North Carolina,being of sound mind, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existance;

Item.  I give and devise to my eldest son Ezra Washington Tatum all my interest in lands, to have and hold to him and his heirs in fee simple forever.

I give and bequeath to my eldest daughter Lucy, wife of Benjamin F Eaton, one negro boy, Jack and girl Bes and her increase to her and her personal representatives forever. together with her advancements she had from me at the time of her marriage and sundry advancements since that time.

I give and bequeth to my youngest daughter, Elizabeth, wife of Benjamin H.Eaton, one negro girl Ann and her increase to her and her personal representation.forever, together with the advancements she had from me at the time of her marriage and sundry advancements since that time.

I give and advance to my eldest son Ezra Washington, one negro boy Abner and one girl Ann and her increase forever with all former advancements.

I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Samuel Owen Tatum, one negro boy Will and one named Green to have and hold forever, with all former advancements.

My will and desire is that all my notes, accounts, and monies that may be on hand at my death, if any, shall be equally divided between all of my above named children.

If there should be any other property at my death that has not been heretofore named, my will is that my son Samuel Owen Tatum shall become heir to that Property.

And lastly, I do hereby constitute; and appoint my two sons Ezra Washington and Samuel Owen and my two Son-in-law Benjamin F. Eaton and Benjamin H. Eaton
my lawful Executors.
Signed May 4, l854           Witness John Foard  and Daniel N Sharpe

Will of Theophilus Tatum
Bladen County, North Carolina
May 1863

Thanks to Roger Tatum for supplying this will
You can also view this will at the Bladen County Web Site.

I Theophilus Tatum of the County of Bladen and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following -that is to say--

First that my executor shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relatives and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts. Howsoever and to whomever owing out of the monies that may first come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate.

Item 1st.    I give and devise to my beloved wife the plantation where I now live on and fifty acres tract that the mill is now uppon. And the Jones Swamp tract. And Swain(?) and his wife Judy(?) and a boy by the name of Bill and a young mare, three cows and calves. Such as she chooses the best sow and pigs and five head of____hogs such as she wishes and corn and fodder enough to keep up her own stock for the year and two bushels of shelled peas and twenty-five bushhels of potatoes and five bushels of slips. Enough of corn for her bread and her family. And meal enough to support her and her family for this year and five stock of Bees. Her choice of five head of sheep and leather enough to shoe her and her family for the year and all the ____?.

Item 2nd.    I give and devise to my son Daniel two tracts of land, called the Culbreath(?) tract and seventy-five acres called the Ellis land.

Item 3rd.    I give and devise to my youngest son Lennon one hundred acres of land patented by myself lying on the South West side of Turnbull Creek below the mouth of Panther Branch, and also the two tracts of land on the North east sid of Turnbull Creek, the land I bought of Tim Smith.

Item         My will and desire is that all the residue of on the North East side of Turnbull Creek, the land I bought of Tim Smith.

Item         My will and desire is that all the residue of my estate, of real estate and personal property, be sold and divided among all my children share and share alike with the exception of my daughter Mary Jane Downing.    I give and bequeath to the said Mary Jane Downing her equal share to her and to the lawful my daughter Mary Jane Downing.  I give and bequeath to the said Mary Jane Downing her equal share to her to the lawful issues of her body.

And what I have bequeathed to my beloved wife after her deceast to be equally divided among my children.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my son John Henry Tatum my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause thereof. Hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made.

In withness whereof, I the said Theophilus Tatum in the presence of us what at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
Witness.    M. Monroe
                 H.R. Francis

North Carolina, Bladen County, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, May Term 1863

On paper writting purporting to Theophilus Tatum do hereunto set my hand and seal this the 24th day of January one thousand eight hundred and sixty three.

Signed sealed and puplished             Theophilus Tatum (seal)
and declared by the said
Theophilus Tatum to be his last will and Testamenmenbe the last will and testament of Theophilus Tatum deceased is exhibited for probate in open Court by John H. Tatum the Executor therin named and the due execution thereof by the said Theophilus Tatum, is proved by the oath and examination of Malcom Monroe, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto. Is is therefore demanded by the Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said Theophilus Tatum deceased. And the same is ordered to be recorded and filed. ceased. And the same is ordered to be recorded and filed. And thereinafter the said John H. Tatum Executor as aforesaid duly qualified as such by taking the oath required by said

D Blue Cerk
Signature

Will of Joseph Tatum    (son of James Tatum, above)
Ashe County, North Carolina,  May 23, 1877
Will Book E, Page 194
Thanks to Julie Tatum for this will

I Joseph Tatum being weak in body but strong in mind, now I make my last will and testament, in the name of God amen.
I leave my estate to Sarah Tatum, my wife as long as she lives, if she outlives me.
Now I leave one hundred dollars to be made out of my estate to Myry? E Sorence (Myra Lawrance)
Now I give and bequeath to my daughter Evaline Tatum one hundred dollars to be made out of my estate.
Now I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Sorance (Sarah Elizabeth Lawrance) all my land that I own on the west side of New River with the improvements, mines and appertainances there unto belonging to it.
Now I give and bequeath to my Daughter Syrena G.Tatum all my lands on the east side of new river that joins the Saw tract with all the improvements mines and minerals. and appertainances there unto belonging.
My Gap Creek Sand and the balance of my estate I want equally divided among all my children.
Now I leave Elizah Tatum and A.J. Sorance (Andrew Jackson Lawrance) my excecutors to manage all my business after me according to law and my last will and testament.

Abstract of Will of M. W. Tatom

Bladen County, North Carolina
Written: 29 July 1889    Probated:   12 August 1889

Wife:   Sarah J.
Sons:   G. W.,  J. T.,  Marshal C.,  David A., John W., A. G.
Executor:   M. N. Tatom
Witnesses:  O. J. Tatom,  I. J. Cain
Clerk:   G. F. Melvin

Will of Elijah Tatum

Feb. 27, 1899   Ashe County, North Carolina

Thanks to Julie Tatum for this will

I Elijah Tatum being weak in body but strong in mind, now I make my last will and testament in the name of God Amen. Now I leave to Syrena, my wife, the lower room of my new house that has a fireplace to it. House and kitchen furniture and her support out of the farm as long as she stays single.
Now I give and bequeath to George H. Tatum, my son the land where he now lives the old tract that did belong to George Tatum, My father, and also one other tract of thirty five acres on the other side of the river joining him with all improvements, mines, minerals appurtencnce thereto belonging at one thousand dollars.
Now I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah E Goodman all the land I have joining George H Tatum and others at five dollars per acre and enough of my
estate to make it equal with Georges land to have and hold with all mines minerals there into belonging.
Now I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Stansberry, all the land that my wife got from her father Joseph Tatum in Ashe County and all the land I have adjoining the said lands and two hundred dollars more of my estate to make it worth one thousand dollars to have and to hold with mines and minerals thereunto belonging.     
Now I give and bequeath to John L. Tatum my son all my home lands where I live on both sides of the river that joins together with all mines and minerals appurtenances thereunto belonging and all the working tools is to be John's, and J.L. Tatum is to support Syrene Tatum his mother as long as she stays single, then all that i have left her is to belong to the said John L. Tatum.
Now I give and bequeath to my daughter Laura S. Howell all my land on the south side of New River known as the Burt Hodges land with all the other land I have that joins it to have with all mines, minerals and appurtenances thereunto belonging.
Now I give my executors full power to divide my estate equally with all my children to sell publically or privately as they may think best.
Now I leave George H Tatum and Jacob A. Goodman my executors to manage all my business after me according to law and my last will and testament
Hereunto I set my hand and seal in the presence of these two witnesses.

Elijah Tatum

Abstract of Will of John H. Tatom

Bladen County, North Carolina
Written:  23 March 1893    Codicil:  17 August 1896     Probated:  7 March 1899

Wife and Executrix:  A. C.
Children:   A. L., R. P., L. P., E. Vance Tatom, Lula Shaw (wife of D. M. Shaw), Charley H. Tatom
(E. Vance Tatom will be 21 years of age on 28th day of July 1897)

Executor:  A. L. Tatom (son)
Witnesses:  r. W. Tatum, Evander Edge
Clerk:   A. M. McNeill