In the Name of God, Amen, I, JOHN USSERY, Senr of the county of Lunenburg, Being in good health and perfect mind, and memory, thanks be unto God for the same. And knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make, ordain, constitute, appoint, this my last will and Testament in manner and form as follows:
viz. I lend unto my son MASTAIN USSERY two Negroes by the names of Peter and Dinah, during his natural life, and at his death, the said negroes, and their increase, to be equally divided among all his children or their heirs.
ITEM: I give and bequeath unto my son
JOHN USSERY, JR that part of my tract of land wherein he now lives to be paid off as follows Viz.
Beginning at John Callihans line at Kittlestick Creek, at the corner tree, thence down the said creek as it meanders, to the mouth of the Onion Patch Branch, thence up the north side of this Branch, as it meanders, to Green's and Neblett's corner tree, thence along Neblett's line to the aforesaid Callihan's corner, thence along Callihan's line to the beginning, the aforesaid land as so prescribed to be my said son and his heirs forever.
I also lend unto my said son JOHN USSERY, JR two Negroes, by the names of Priamous and Tab during his natural life, and at his decease the said negroes and their increase, to be equally divided among all his children, or their heirs: I also lend unto my said son JOHN USSERY, JUNR., my Negro girl Rose, and at his death, she and her increase to be equally divided among all his children or their heirs.
ITEM:. I lend unto my daughter ANNIE RAGSDALE, my Negro woman by the name of Bess and all the children the said Bess has ever had, to my said daughter during her natural life, and at her death the said negroes and their increase, to be equally divided among all her children or their heirs.
ITEM:. I lend unto my daughter SARAH BROWN, my Negroe Roy, Frank and my Negro woman Jenney, and all her children to my said daughter during her natural life and at her death, the said negroes and their increase to be equally divided among all her children or their heirs.
ITEM:. I lend unto my daughter MARY CALLIHAN the negroes by the names of James and Hannah, and all Hannah's children, during the natural life of my said daughter, and at her decease, they and their increase to be equally divided among her children or their heirs. I also lend unto my daughter MARY CALLIHAN my tract of land in North Carolina, near Pee Dee river, containing two hundred and thirteen acres, during her natural life, and at her death the said land and premises, to be equally divided among all her children or their heirs.
ITEM: I lend unto MATILDA DUNMAN*, my Negro woman Sylvia, during her natural life, and at her death the said Negro and her increase to be equally divided among all the said MATILDA'S children if she should have any, if not to revert to my Estate again. I further lend unto MATILDA DUNMAN on feather bed and furniture, one horse, at the value of twelve pounds in money, and a good saddle and bridle, during her natural life, and at her decease to be equally divided among all her children if she should have any, if not to be brought into my estate again. I also lend unto MATILDA DUNMAN (the) shed room, as long as she lives single and likewise liberty to work her beforementioned negroes, on my plantation rent free, for the said term of time.
ITEM:. I give unto my son SAMUEL USSERY, that part of my tract of land, whereon he now lives, to be laid off as follows: Viz. Beginning at the mouth of the Rocky Branch, thence up the Branch to Wilkinson's & Green's tree, all the land and promises south of the said Branch to me belonging, to him and his heirs forever. I also lend my son SAMUEL USSERY, my Negro man Tom during his natural life, and at his death to be equally divided among his children or their heirs.
ITEM: I lend unto my beloved WIFE ANNE USSERY, that part of my land and plantation not above willed away to my said two sons JOHN & SAMUEL USSERY, also, the above mentioned priviledges granted to MATILDA DUNMAN. I also lend my wife my Negro girl Dislah, during her natural life, and at her decease, the said negroes to be equally divided among all my children and their heirs. I also lend unto my WIFE two cows and calves, two sows and pigs and choice of my horses, during her natural life, and at her decease, to be divided as above. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife one Negro girl names Sue, and a sufficient quantity of Corn, and five hundred pounds of pork to support herself, and MATILDA DUNMAN, and their negroes, and stock, one year. The aforesaid Sue I give and bequeath to my wife, and her heirs forever.
ITEM:. I give and bequeath to my son SAMUEL USSERY, after my wife's decease, that part of my tract of land which I have lent her as above, to him and his heirs forever, excepting as above, the priviledges granted to MATILDA DUNMAN.
ITEM:. My will and desire is that all my property not mentioned above, should be equally divided among all my children or their heirs. Lastly, my will and desire is that my son JOHN USSERY and my friend John Blackwell should be Exers. of this my last will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly revoke, disallow and disavow all and every will, bequest and legacy heretofore by me made, and provided, declaring and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this TWENTY FOURTH DAY OF NOV. ONE THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED & THREE.
Test: Sterling Davis, John Wilkinson, John William, Matthew Callihan
JOHN USSERY (SEAL)
At a court held for Lunenburg Co. the 13th day of Dec. 1804, the within written last will and testament of JOHN USSERY, Sr., was exhibited in court by JOHN USSERY, Jr, therein named, and the same was proved by the oaths of two witnesses there to subscribed and ordered to be recorded, and on the notice of the said Exer. who having made oath according to law, certificate is granted him for obtaining probate of the said will in due formar. Whereupon, he gave Bond and Security according to law, reserving liberty to the other, therein names, to joint into probate when he shall thing fit. William Taylor, Clk.
Deed Book 20 page 41A: Know all men by these presents, that I JOHN USSERY, SENR. of Lunenburg County for and inconsideration of the natural love and affection which I bear to my son JOHN USSERY, JUNR. of the County aforesaid, as well for the further consideration of One Dollar to me in hand paid by the said JOHN USSERY, JUNR.. at or before the dealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt, whereof is hereby acknowledged, have given, granted, and by these present do give and grant, unto the said JOHN USSERY, JR., his Executors, Administrators... and assignees my three Negroes viz.: Tab, Rose, and Priamous, with their future increases, to have and to hold the said Negroes unto time the said JOHN USSERY, JUR., his Exect: admin: and assignees forever. And the said JOHN USSERY, SENR. for himself, his Executors and Administrators, the said Negroes unto the said JOHN USSERY, JUNR., his Executors, Administrators and assignees against the claim of him the said JOHN USSERY, SENR., his Executors, Administrators and against the claim or claiming of all, and every person or persons, Whatsoever shall and will warrant, and forever defend by these presents. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set me hand and seal this twenty third day of May 1804.
John Blackwell, James Neblett and John (X his mark) Ussery
· W6-109A, Dec. 14, 1804: An inventory of estate of JOHN USSERY, Sr., by James Hinton, John Wilkinson, and James Neblett.
· WB 6 pg. 130 Dec 17, 1804: Account of sales, Estate of JOHN USSERY, Sr. dec’d, by JOHN USSERY, Jr. Executor.
Estate Sale of John Ussery, Sr.
Account of Sales-Estate John Ussery, Sen., deceased
John Campbell, 1 cow and calf ______ 2/19/6 Sterling Neblett serv 1 cow 2/10/0 1 cow 3/2/0 1 cow 2/5/0 1 0/12/0 Reuben Dourghan 1 cow 1/18/0 6 yearlings 5/14/6 William Neblett 1__________ 2/14/0 1 cow 2/8/6 Randolph Steagall 1 cow 2/10/0 David Dunn 1 ox 7/12/6 John Brown 5 choice hogs 7/10/6 5 old _____ 7/12/0 1 conch shell 0/2/0 4 _____ 0/1/0 4____ 0/6/6 1 ax hoe 0/12/0 1 ____ & pots 1 Negro Jack 150/0/0 1 walnut desk 0/7/6 1 pitcher 0/3/0 1 red cover / 2 table clothes 1/15/0 1 basket________ 0/4/0 1 basket 0/0/6 Samuel Ussery 5 hogs 7/13/0 5 hogs 7/13/0 3 sheep 1/0/0 3 ____ 1/4/0 1 scythe 0/10/0 1 _______ 0/8/6 1____ax 0/9/0 1 tea kettle 0/10/0 1__________ 1//3/6 1_____tools 0/6/6 1 bed and furniture 8/12/0 Wool 22/6 1/2/6 100 lbs cotton 1/5/0 1 set knives & forks 0/7/6 1 churn & tubs 0/3/6 1 oak stack 2/14/6 1 oak stack 2/14/6 1 0/2/0 1 chain 1/1/0 1 cart and wheels 6/0/0 5 barrels & cover 7/15/0 5 barrels & cover 7/10/0 sewing articles 1/3/0 36 lbs cotton 0/11/3 36 lbs _____ 0/12/0 Henry W.________ 5 hogs 3/18/0 William Taylor Parcel of ________ 7/15/0 John Ussery 1 copper still 20/0/0 crop cutting saws 0/12/0 wheel 0/6/0 1_______ 0/19/0 1________ 0/7/6 1 1 1 1 walnut table 1/18/6 2 1 Negro boy Andrew 127/10/0 1 Girl 64/2/0 1 0/9/0 1 1/2 bushel 0/2/6 1 stack ____and shucks 2/11/0 2 ____ stacks 1/0/0 ______ 0/10/6 Barrels 8/ _____ 1/ 0/9/0 Parcel salt 0/6/0 1 wedges 0/12/3 1 shears 0/2/0 sack bag and salt 0/8/1 ______- articles 0/8/10 28 3/4 lb cotton 0/8/9 John Bishop 1 barrel and hogshead 0/3/0 3 hides 18/ pewter 7/6 1/15/6 1 parcel tallows 0/15/0 3 chains 8/ 1 Bible 1/6 0/9/6 John Richy 3 sheep 1/3/6 1 _______ 0/9/6 509. 11 Samuel Ragsdale 1 pitt saw 0/15/0 1 wheel 5/ 1 pott 17/ 1/2/0 1 barrel 0/4/0 1 flax wheel 0/16/0 1 chamber pott 0/13/6 1 furniture 9/6/6 bed cover and table cloth 1/7/0 1 hog 1/16/6 parcel of leather 0/14/0 10 barrels cover 15/15/0 9 hens and ___ 0/6/9 1 ___ 0/4/0 John Christian _____ 0/6/6 David Harrison 1 mouse trap 0/1/1½ Matthew Callaham 1 mans saddle 0/9/6 Beans 0/5/0 Mrs. Ann Ussery 5 chears 0/3/0 1____ 1 Bible 2/ 0/7/0 1 table 1/6 feathers and barrel 16 0/7/6 1 saddle 6/ 0/6/0 knives and forks 0/0/6 parcel leather 0/7/2 1 mark fodder 0/13/6 1 _____ and Buttons 0/0/9 Green Jackson 1_______ 0/0/9 Moses Calliham 1 sorrel horse 0/11/3 1 piece of furniture 11/15/0 568/17/5 1 bed stead 0/13/0 11 geese 1/16/8 1 grist stone 0/6/9 1 goard 0/1/2 15 barrells corn 21/3/9 _____ 0/4/8 Samuel Jefferson 1 Negro woman & child 133/11/0 1 Negro man Will 178/0/0 Frederick Watkins 1 Negro girl 46/6/0 1 boy 30/0/0 William Elmore 1 Flax ____ 0/9/0 Samuel Ussery (_____) 1 looking glass 0/6/0 Tandy Dicks oak stack 2/14/6 John Darley 3 stacks blades 4/1/3 survey tools 0/9/0 James Sturdivant 15 barrels covers 19/6/6 James Hunter Nails 0/2/9 James Moore 85 lbs cotton 1/6/6 John Williams 3 hogs 1/16/6 Turner _____ tops and shucks 0/15/0 Samuel Ussery 1 ft saddle bags 0/16/0 Mary Calliham 1 _______ 0/2/0 Total: 1046/12/52 John Ussery, Exect.At a court held for Lunenburg County the 12th day of Dec. 1805. The within account of sales of the Estate of JOHN USSERY, dec’d was returned and ordered to be recorded. Wmar. Taylor.
WB 6 pg. 142 - Dec. 18, 1805
The Estate of JOHN USSERY, deceased
Jan. 1806: Inventory of JOHN USSERY, con’t
At a Court held for Lunenburg County the 13th day of Feb. 1806 the within amount currant of JOHN USSERY, Admin. of JOHN USSERY, decd. was this day returned and ordered to be Recorded--Teste William Taylor, Clerk
Order Book 19-237, Dec. 1805
Ordered that Thomas Adams, Thomas Orgain, John Neblett, Sr., James Henton, and John Blackwell, Gentlemen, or any three of them, be appointed Commissioners, who shall examine the accounts of the defendant's executership, and then divide the balance found and in his hands, as follows:
Allotting to SAMUEL RAGSDALE and ANNIE his wife; JOHN BROWN and SARAH his wife, MOSES CALLIHAM and MARY his wife; SAMUEL USSERY, the defendant against JOHN USSERY, and the children of Mastain Ussery, each one-sixth part thereof, and make report on their proceedings to court in order for a final decree.
Lunenburg Co. Tax Lists for Personal Property 1783 and 1784 is as follows:
Thomas Ussery - Henry
John Ussery - Hager, Suckey, Harry
John Ussery, M [astain] Ussery, W[illiam] Elmore - Jim, Jack, Peter,
Jack, Jenny, Bet, Pat
1784 - John Ussery, Mastain & John Ussery - Jack, James, Peter, Jack,
Patt, Jane, Bett, Besse, Primus, Jane, Tom, Tim, Will, Hannah, Bob
1784 - John Ussery's estate - Hager, Suke, Hary, Cele
In 1804, prior to his death, John emancipated Lucy and Samuel. See Lucy and Samuel...Their emancipation
From the 1784 list the following slaves were mentioned in John Ussery's Will:
Peter (to Mastain, who also received Dinah not mentioned in Will) Mastain was deceased at the time of his father's will. Primus [to John, Jr., along with Tab & Rose not mentioned in Will) John Ussery, Jr. Will lists the following: to my wife: 9 negroes: Old Jack and his wife Rose; Peter; Dilsey and her child Randel; Freeman; America and her two children Becks (Decks?) and Mose. Bess [to Annis Ragsdale] Bess valued at $300 in Samuel Ragsdale's Will Jenny [to Sarah U. Brown along with Roy and Frank not mentioned in Will) James and Hannah [to Mary U. Calliham] Sylvia aka Cele [to Matilda Dunman] Tom [to Samuel Ussery] Suke [ to wife Anne, and Dislah not mentioned in Will. Upon Anne's death, she willed Sue (Suke) to her neice Jincy Moore.
Purchased at the Estate Sale:
To John Ussery, Jr.: Andrew & 1 girl {not mentioned in tax listing] To Sam Jefferson: Will [1784 tax listing] and 1 woman & child To Fred Watkins: 1 girl and boy To John Brown: 1 man Jack [listed in 1784 tax listing) Return to:Ussery Home Page