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Last Will and Testament of Edmund Brinkley 18 March 1853

State of North Carolina Chowan County In the name of God, Amen. I Edmund Brinkley, of the state and County aforesaid, being very sick but of sound and disposing mind and mery (sic). Thanks be to God. Being apprehensive of death I make this my last will and testament. I resign and commend my soul to Allmighty God, who gave it, my body to the earth to be buried in a decent manner. I give and bequeath to my wife Susannah Brinkley certain property as follows, All my household furniture, Three bed and furniture, A pair of mahogany tables. A mahogany stand, one side board, and half dozen Willow Bottom Chairs excepted to be mentioned hereafter. All the work house and Cook room contents. All the stands in the smokehouse and store room, Her choice of two sets plough gear, Any two plows, one horse cart and tacklings, Rockaway and harnist (sic), Gig and harnest (sic). It is my desire that there shall be no sale until the crop is housed. I give and bequeath to my wife or widow fifty barrels of corn, three thousand lbs. Fodder, All the Shucks, twenty Bushels peas, Thirty bushels wheat, fifteen hundred pounds pork, one thousand herrings, six bushels salt. Twenty gallons molasses, one hundred pounds sugar, fifty pounds coffee. It is my will and desire that my sale be about the last of Nov. so that my hogs will be in good (illegible). I now proceed with my stock. I give and bequeath to my wife or widow my young bay horse or seventy five dollars, Her choice of two cows & calves and one heifer, One Ox that is now on hand, Ten head of sheep, Her choice of two sows and pigs. I now proceed with my land and negroes. I give and bequeath to my son Miles C. Brinkley All my land lying north of the shelter ditch that divides my low ground filed, Making a straight line on the south side of said ditch, from Riddicks line to James S. Roberts line, with the privilege of draining the water from said piece of land, down the leading ditch next to Mrs. Bushes line. I also give him my saddle. I give and bequeath to my son William T. Brinkley and my daughter Sarah E. Creecy, all my land on the west side of the Virginia and Mill Road in the following manner. To be kept to gether (sic) and rented out until William T. Brinkley becomes of age, three fifths of rent to William and two fifths to Sarah. At that time if Sarah desires and her agent or guardian who is to be Miles C. Brinkley thinks it necessary, her two fifths is to be valued and laid out in such property as herself and agent or guardian thinks best to her use. I also give and bequeath to my son William the piece of land in the fork between the Va and Mill Road. I give and bequeath to him my gun and after my wife deceased, side board and half dozen willow bottom chairs. I give and bequeath to my daughters Susan M. and Martha J. Brinkley a piece of land about eight or ten acres beginning in the Va. Road James S. Roberts line running said line to a pine named in the old deed and distance named one hundred and thirty poles, thence to Va. Road, again making a straight line and to be ninety yards wide at the Va. Road. To be sold by my executor provided he can sell it for one hundred dollars at any time, before my son Albert E. Brinkley becomes of age. If not sold in said manner it is to be publicly sold after Albert becomes of age and equally divided between them. I lend to my wife the track of land on which I live running as follows, to begin at the fork of a leading new ditch next to next to (sic) Mrs. Robinsons running up said ditch through the woods, one hundred and fifty yards from the field fence, thence to the pine before mentions. James S. Roberts line thence to Va. Road, down Va road to Stephen Dolbys line, running said line and swamp to first Station. The remaining land that I have not mentioned is to be rented out for the equal benefit of Ann E. Brinkley and Albert E. Brinkley. I give and bequeath to my daughters Susan M. and Martha J. Brinkley my boy Jim, to be hired out until he is sixteen years of age. Also to each of them a Bed and furniture, Also my wifes (sic) deceased a Mahogany table each, And to Martha Jane at my wifes (sic) decease a mahogany stand. I give and bequeath to my daughter Rosanna Brinkley my girl Charlotte to remain with my wife or widow until Rosannah becomes of age provided she will keep Rosannah free of charge. I give and bequeath to my son Albert E. Brinkley and my Daughter Anne E. Brinkley the land on which I live, their mother’s lifetime rights excepted, to be divided as follows: After my wife or wide death it is to be valued by albetration [arbitration ?] including the land that I have set apart to be rented out for them, giving Albert E. two thirds and Ann E. one third. If Albert E. is not willing to take at the valued price it is to be publicly sold. Also I give and bequeath to Ann E. one Bed and Furniture. It is my will and desire and I do appoint my son Miles C. Brinkley Executor to this my last will and testament as he is to cultivate my farm according to an agreement heretofore made. I put it in his power as executor to sell my property that is not given off to the best advantage, including one years (sic) rent of land, to pay all my just debts. If there should be any surplus left it is to be divided between my wife or widow & my executor, two thirds to her and one third to him. If my executor at any time thinks that he can get along with the crop without my sorrel filly he is at liberty to dispose of her at private sale and make a good right. I appoint Miles C. Brinkley Guardian to Susan M., Martha J., and William T. Brinkley. A appoint my wife Guardian to Rosannah, Ann E., and Albert E. Brinkley. In witness whereof I set my hand and seal, March 18th 1853 Edm Brinkley [Seal] Signed in the presence of William Roberts Jeremiah Evans The foregoing paper writings purporting to be the last will and testament of Edmund Brinkley, deceased is exhibited for probate, in open court, by Miles C. Brinkley the executor thereon named and the due executor thereof by the said Edmund Brinkley it proved by oath and examination of William Roberts one of the subscribing witness[es] thereto. It is therefore considered by the Court that said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said Edmund Brinkley and the same is ordered to be recorded and filed. And thereon the said Miles C. Brinkley executor as aforesaid duly qualified as such by taking the oath as required by law. Wm. R. Skinner Clk [Clerk] ...

Esther, The Beautiful Queen

Source: Victoria Louise Pendleton Memoir (Manuscript Collection #17.1.b) Staff Person: Jonathan Dembo The program above, advertising a performance of Esther, The Beautiful Queen, to be presented at the Warrenton, North...

Fannie Wallace Letter to Mannie & Sissie Tuten 29 July 1863

Greensboro, N. Ca. July 29th 63 Dear Marney & Sissie I thought I would write you a few lines to let you know how we are. We are well and hope you the same. Cousin Fannie and Cecie is staying with us. I wish you were with us. Nancie says please try and get her some snuff. I am writing with Confederate ink. I am writing on a Confederate spelling Book. I went to a Ball and Danced with two Confederate officers. Give my love to Aunt Mary Ann and Family, Uncle and Family, Mrs. Gardner and Family, and Mrs. Betry and receive a share for yourself and Sissie. Kiss Ephey for me. There is not any more News at present. All join me in love Good bye Excuse write as soon as you can. This from you affectionate Grand Daughter Fannie Wallace Fannie Wallace to Mannie & Sissie, 1863 07 29 Arthur Whitford Papers #18.1.a...

R. E. Day’s Letter to S. Day, 16 October 1831

TRANSCRIPT OF L.E. DAY LETTER S. Day at Mr. H. Hadlow At R. B. Miller Esq. John Street, Utica, Oneida County, New York America Handen [England] Oct 16th 1831 Dear Uncle S. Day an[d] H. Hadlow By the favour of Edward Boorman we embrace the opportunity of sending you a few lines as he is going back to America very shortly at the same time hopeing [sic] to find you all quite well as I am happy to say it leaves us all. There is no good news to send you from England for it is still in a very unsettled [sic] state which I suppose you see as you have Newspapers from here. They continue to burn in many parts. There was a large fire at Challock last Sunday Night which burnt all the buildings of a large Farm of Lord Winchilsea in the occupation of a Mr. Rogers with about 40 quarters of Beans. There is but a short crop of Corn this year, Wheat in particular. Hops in many parts was very bad. But round here for a few parishes they were better. Father had a fair Crop for the year. The average price is about five pounds. When we received your letter Aunt Oliver wrote to Mrs. Ralph as she is gone back to live but we have not heard from her since we have not time to let Aunt know that we was going to write as we have but a short time to write in but they was all quite well when we saw them last. Mrs. Selves has been very poorly but she is better now. They send their Love to you. Mrs. Braiser was confined this hopping [i.e. hops harvest] of another daughter. She is very hearty. Uncle Peter continues his Beer Shop. They are very well and send their Love to you. William Hadlow was here in June. He was just returned from a voyage to the Indias and a very narrow escape he had with new more for their lives. The boat in which they was sunk and they had to swim a mile to shore by which time poor William was nearly exhausted [sic]. He was very ill the most of the way home. He looked very bad when he first came. He stayed about three weeks. He was much better when he went away. We have not heard from him since. He intended to make another voyage to the Indias. He seemed very much put out at not hearing from his Father. Richard Watts sends his Love to you all and he is still livi[ing] with us, but he has quite given up go[ing] to America. After hopping we had a dance in Mr. Selves’s Oast and Sarah [text missing] had the misfortune to prop down the haying hole but fortunately she escaped with a slight bruise on her elbow. Grandfather sends his Love to you and is quite as well as can be expected at his years. [Letter continues in different handwriting] Dear Brothers you must excuse my not righting [sic]. I got Mary to right [sic]. You must not acspect [expect] anny [sic] of us in America for we hear different account from there but more bad than good but I hope you will let us know how you are a getting [sic] on when you right [sic] and let us know wich [sic] is best England or America. For my part I think Handen will do with industry [sic]. We shall be very happy to hear from you when conveyent [convenient]. No more at present from your affectnate [affectionate] Brother & Sister. R. E. Day Westfall Collection #8.1.a.os.1.1...

Valentine’s Day Card

Source:  Pittman - Coffield Family Papers, East Carolina Manuscript Collection #1135.1.f Staff Person:  Nanette Hardison Description: Although greeting cards are normally not considered of great historical value, they can offer insight...

Elbert Carpenter Civil War Letter

State of N.C. Edgecom County November the 26 1862 Dear and affectionet father and Mother It is with great pain that I seat my selfe to drope you a few lines to in form you that Brother Wiet [Wyatt] is Ded he Did one the 26 of this month he has Bin Sicke fore a month he Will be Bered here the Doctor has never told me What the Diseas Was so I cant say What Was the matter With him Dear and affectionate father and Mother I am Well at this more than Bad cole I hope that Whern this letter gits to hand it Will find you all in joying good halthe i want you to write to me as soon as you gitre this letter if you pleas it Dos give me great pleasure to reseve a letter from you James. Died on the 21 of this mohth and Was Bered here in this plas. Dear father Direct your letters to Tarbour in care of N A Ramsey the 61 Regiment company D Elbert Carpenter. ...

U. S. Army Provost Marshal’s Office Pass No. 11382 (1863)

Source: Shirley Kilpatrick Collection #10.1.d. Staff Person: Jonathan Dembo Description: U. S. Army Provost Marshal's Office Pass No. 11382 was issued in Union-occupied New Orleans on 4 February 1863.  It...

Pepsi Party at Bradham Drug Store, Bradham & Friends, 1890’s

Staff Pick for June 18th Source: The Minges Collection, East Carolina Manuscript Collection #1136 Staff Person: Lynette Lundin Description: This collection documents the history of the Minges family in the...

Photograph of “Hilma,” the home of John L. Bridgers, Jr., Tarboro, N.C.

Source: John L. Bridgers Family Papers, 727.1.c.8 Staff Person: Maury York Description: This ornate house belonged to John Luther Bridgers, Jr. (1850-1932). It was located adjacent to what is now...

Annie Bruce Carr posing with her Dolls

Source: Elias Carr Papers, East Carolina Manuscript Collection, #160.9.e.29 Staff Person: Nanette Hardison Description: The image shown is of Annie Bruce Carr, daughter of  North Carolina Governor Elias Carr. She...