From Family Findings
Vol. VII, No. 2, January 1975, pp. 5-7
Copyright, Mid-West Tennessee Genealogical Society, 1975
Appears on this web site by permission

WILL AND INVENTORY OF JOHN HOUSE

The following Will and Inventory were submitted by Mary Ann (Mrs. L. R.) Mitchell, 72 Woodhaven Drive, Jackson, Tennessee 38301, who transcribed them from the original records. The Will can be found in the Search Room of the North Carolina State Library & Archives in Raleigh, in the Edgecombe County Wills, 1758-1830, Vol. V (C.R.037.801.5) p. 86, 1791. The Inventory is in the Edgecombe County Inventories, Estates 1790-1792, pp 147, 148, 149, also in the Search Room of the North Carolina State Library & Archives. Unity, oldest daughter of John House, married the Revolutionary War Soldier Brittain Adams and settled in Haywood County, Tennessee; Joseph, one of youngest sons of John House, married Alcey Bedwell, and settled in man and Haywood Counties, Tennessee.

 

            In the name of God Amen

            I John House of the County of Edgecombe and State of North Carolina being weak of body but of sound and disposing memory do constitute make and ordain this my last will and Testament and give and dispose of my Estate in manner and form following (to-wit)

            I give unto my daughter Unaty Adams forty shillings current money to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

            I give unto my son Jesse House thirty shillings current money to him, his heirs and assigns for Ever —

            I give unto my daughter Sarah House one feather bed, one sheat, one counterpin & bed cover to her, her heirs and assigns for ever.

            I give unto my daughter Mourning House thirty shillings current money to her, her heirs and assigns for ever

            I give and bequeath unto my son John House the plantation where I formerly lived containing two hundred acres of land to him, his heirs and assigns for Ever —

            I also give unto my son John House my Bay Mares filley also my musket to him, his heirs and assigns for Ever ——

            I give unto my daughter Rachel House ten pounds current money to her, her heirs and assigns for Ever —

            My will and desire is that all my just debts be paid out of my estate. I hereafter lend unto my loving wife Mary House during her widowhood:

            I lend my loving wife Mary House during her widowhood the house of the land and plantation whereon I now live containing two hundred and seventy-five Acres be the same more or less and all the remaining part of my Estate that is not all ready given.

            My will and desire is that whenever one of my children son or daughter, should marry or leave there Mother and live else where they should have a part of the Estate I have lent unto my loving wife Mary House given them at the discrisuion of my wife and executor. hereafter mentioned and all the retaining part of my Estate Excepted I have lent unto my loving wife at her marriage or death be equally divided between my children that continues to live with her at her marriage or death

            I give and bequeath unto my three youngest eons Israel House, Isaac House & Joseph House the land I have before lent unto my loving wife Mary House at her marriage or death to be Equally divided between them in Quantity and Quality Joseph House to have that part of the land whereon the house stands to them and their heirs and assigns for Ever

            Lastly I nominate and appoint my friend Jacob House Sen, Jesse Johns & Ethelred Philips my sole executors to this my last will and Testament. In witness hereof I have hearunto set my hand and affixed my seal this Eleventh day of March one thousand seven hundred and ninety one.

	JOHN HOUSE (seal)
Signed sealed and acknowledged in the presents of us Exum Philips Benjamin Phillips William (x) Rose
Book No. 3, P. 167	Edgeconbe County May Court 1791 The within will was duly proved in Court by the oath Exum Philips - The Exers qualified & the Will ordered, be Recorded. Test. EDWD. HALE C.C.

 

            A true and just Inventory of the Estate of John House decd. as far f as have yet come to my hand Taken the 5th Day of May 1791 —

475 Acres of land 1 Mans Saddle & Saddle Cloth 29 Hogs about 1 year old 10 head of Sheep 7 Sheets 4 Bedsteds 1 Stone Mug ½ dos. glass bottles 1 Cloth Brush 2 Shot Bags & scm amonition 1 Loom a parcel of Cotten Wool & Flax 4 Pewter Basons 1 case of Knives & Forks 1 Pail 2 Combs 1 Cart 2 Pr. of Hamer 1 Half Shear 4 Narrow Axes small piece of bar Iron

5 Horse Creatures 6 Bridles 3 Cows & 3 Calves 4 Sows 9 Geese 3 Blankets 4 Cords 9 Chairs 3 Stone Jugs 1 Small Viol 3 bins wheets 2 pair Cotten Cards 2 Slays 1 Flax Hackle 3 Iron pots 4 Pewter dishes 1 frying Pan 2 Piggins & meal Lifters 1 gilt Trunk 2 Plow frames 2 Fluke Hoes 5 Broad hoes 1 Cotter 1 Claw Hammer

l Woman Saddle & Saddle Cloth 2 Stears 11 Piggs 5 feather Beds 3 Counterpins 1 Chest 1 pair of flat irons 18 Books 3 Guns 2 bins wool 1 pair wool Cards 1 pr. of Loom Harness 1 Slate 3 pair of Pot Hooks ½ doz. Pewter plates 3 Washing Tubs 1 Tray 2 Pr. of cast wheels 2 Horse Collars 2 Trowel Hoes 3 Grubing hoes small piece of Steel ½ a Cross Cut Saw

1 hand Lace 1 Gauge 1 Hack Saw 1 Coopers Adze 1 Vice 1 dowell Bitt 1 Shoe Hammer 1 Doz Ta_____ 1 shoe knife parcel of Tan'd Leather 2 Banels 4 Beles 1 Rasp 1 flare brake 1 table 1 Candle Stick pair of Leather Traces	3 Augers 3 drawing knives 1 Currying knife 1 Broad Ax 1 Jointuse Stock 3 Taper Bitts 1 pr. Pinchers 1 heel awl 1 Jack knife 1 Apple Mill 1 Powdering Tub 1 pr. of Iron Wedges 2 Files 13½ Silver dollars by Aut. ½ doz. spoons panel of old Pewter	3 Chissels 1 pair of Compasses 1 Howell 1 Croze 2 Jointuse Irons 1 Marking Iron 1 pr. knippers 3 Awl blades 2 Raw Cow Hides 6 Hatchetts parcel of Hhd. Timber 1 Frow 2 Ink Stands 4.16 due by acknowledgment of Army Gran____ 2 hives of Bees
a parcel Corn. Bacon, Pickled Pork & Pickled Fish & Hoggs Fatt
Warring Apparels 1 loose Coat 2 pair Breeches 1 pair Shoes 1 pair Spectacles 1 rasor Parcel of Fodder one curry comb	3 Close Bodied Coats 2 pair Stockings 3 shirts 1 Neck Stock Two Baggs 1 par knee Buckles	1 Waist Coat 1 pair of Boots 1 Mans Hatt 1 Handkf. 1 Cloth Wallet Some dunghill fowls

 

Edgecombe County August Court, 1791

JACOB HOUSE Exhibited on oath and ordered to be Recorded. Test. EDWD. HALE C.C.

 

            The following was transcribed from the original in the Search Roan of the North Carolina State Library & Archives in Raleigh, Edgecombe County Inventories & Accounts of Estates 1795-1797, p. 147.

            Agreeable to an order of the Worshipful Court of Edgecaube February Term 1796 — appointing Benjamin Philips, Elias Bryant & Exum Philips to divide the Estate of Mary House decd. amongst the lawful Representatives, In Obedience hereto we have divided it in manner and form following Viz — (said Mary Rouse, the wife of above John House)

To Jesse House To Unaty Adams wife of Britan Adams To Sarah Maimer wife of Levi Mainer To Faith Rose wife of Matthew Rose To Mourning House To Charlotte House To John House To Rachel House To Israel House To Isaac House To Joseph House

Pounds 12.57.7 3/4 " " " " " " " " " " ___________ 140.12.9

Divided the 14th March 1796
Edgecombe County, May Court 1796