| Notes |
Will of Benjamin Farmer, dated Mar. 16, 1825, proved Feb. Ct. 1827, Edgecombe Co. Book F, p. 65.
Wife Elizabeth, 6 negroes, household & kitchen furniture, farming utensils; 225a including Deloach tract, also all on N. side Tarborough Rd., which belonged to Newbern tract; reversion to William, 2 horses, 4 cows and calves, 4 ewes. Son & Exr., William D., land N side Harmony Swamp; son Brasswell, 214a N. side Toisnot Swamp joining lands of Moses Farmer and Arthur D. Farmer, being part of land drawn by my wife & me by death of William Dew. Dau. of Benj. Farmer: Sally Hollowell, 40s. Heir of John Barnes: Thomas, Betsy, Sally, Budy, Dempsey, Nancy, $24 to be divided equally between the 6 of them. Balance of negroes be divided between following heirs: sons, Absolom, Dew, Braswell, Jacob, Arthur D. and William D. Farmer; daus: Beedy White, Nancy Dew and Elizabeth Amason. Wit: Isaac F. Wood, Hansel D. Griffith. (Abstracts of Wills of Edgecombe Co., NC, Ruth S. Williams & Margarette G. Griffin, p. 124-125).
Inventory of estate of Benjamin Farmer, dec'd taken by William D. Farmer, exr., included two tracts of land of 150 acres and 75 acres and a list of negroes left to the heirs, May Ct. 1827. Division of negroes into nine lots for the heirs, namely, Elizabeth Amason, Arthur D. Farmer, Braswel Farmer, Dew Farmer, Absalom Farmer, Dempsey Harrison, William Farmer, William White, and Jacob Farmer, June 28, 1827, Feb. Ct. 1828. Account current with the exr. and audit and settlement of account. Division of the money arising from the estate agreeable to the will among Sally Hollowell, the heirs of Jno. Barnes, Absalom Farmer, Dew Farmer, Braswell Farmer, Bedy White, Nancy Dew, Jacob Farmer, Elizabeth Amason, Arthur D. Farmer, and William D. Farmer, March 12, 1829, May Ct. 1829. (Estate Records of Edgecombe Co., NC, Vol. II, Joseph W. Watson, p. 92).
Notes from the Estate Papers of William D. FARMER (died c. 1834):
1853: Nov Ct.:
Petition of Elizabeth Amason (sic), Beedy White, Isaac D. Farmer, Wm. D. Farmer, John R. Farmer, Wm. B. Farmer, Dew Farmer, Arthur Farmer, Silas Hollowell in right of wife, Sally, Jonathon Farmer, Joseph Farmer, Martin Pittman in right of his wife Anha, Henry Farmer, Martha Dobbs, Stokely A. Robinson by right of his wife, Elisabeth, John D. Farmer, Thomas Daniel, in right of his wife, Sally, Elizabeth Amason Jr., Beedy Deans, Dempsey Barnes, Nancy Calhoun, William F. Dew, Johnathon Dew, Albert Farmer in right of his wife Nancy, Jethro Harrison, Christiana Harrison
vs.
Larry D. Farmer
Notes from petition:
Wm. D. Farmer died in 1834 intestate. Frederick Robbins was assigned as executor of his estate. Frederick Robbins died before administration of William D. Farmer's estate was complete. Administration of William D. Farmer's estate was then assigned in Nov 1852 to Larry D. Farmer. Wm. D. Farmer left as next of kin, his mother, Elizabeth Farmer, who has since died leaving a last will and testament nominating Larry D. Farmer executor and will was proven Nov 1852 by same.
The following brothers and sisters of William D. Farmer were petitioners:
2. Elizabeth Amason
3. Beedy White
4. Arthur D. Farmer
5. Absalom Farmer (Arthur and Absalom Farmer also died intestate after William D. Farmer)
The following were also petitioners:
Children of 6. Jacob Farmer (brother of William D. Farmer), dec'd:
1. John R. Farmer
2. William B. Farmer
3. Dew Farmer
4. Arthur Farmer
Children of 7. Dew Farmer (brother of William D. Farmer), died before William D. Farmer:
1. William D. Farmer
2. Johnathan Farmer
3. Joseph Farmer
4. Anha Pittman who intermarried with Martin Pittman
5. Henry Farmer
6. Martha Dobbs
7. Elisabeth Robinson who intermarried with Stokely A. Robinson
8. John D. Farmer
9. Exum Farmer
Children of 8. Polly Barnes died before her brother, William D. Farmer:
1. Sally Daniel, wife of Thomas Daniel
2. Elisabeth Amason, Jr.
3. Beedy Deans
4. Dempsey Barnes
5. Nancy Calhoun
Child of Benjamin Farmer, who died in the lifetime of his brother, William D. Farmer:
1. Sally Hollowell, wife of Silas Hollowell
Children of 10. Nancy Harrison, a sister of William D. Farmer who died in his lifetime:
1. William F. Dew
2. Johnathan Dew
3. Nancy Farmer, wife of Albert Farmer
4. Jethro Harrision
5. Dempsey Harrison (Dempsey Farmer died in 1853, intestate, Admr. Nov Ct. 1853 in Nash Co. NC…Admr's granted to Christiana Harrison and Sally Farmer, whose husband was Larry D. Farmer. Sally Farmer was a daughter of Nancy Harrison.)
WorldConnect Family Tree Entry 17063, updated Aug. 3, 2007, contact: Helen Sharpe
BENJAMIN FARMER & ELIZABETH DEW-Hugh Johnson
Benjamin Farmer, son of Isaac and Elizabeth Farmer, was born in the present Halifax County, North Carolina in 1756 and died in Edgecombe County in 1837. He married in 1779 to Elizabeth "Bettie" Dew, daughter of Arthur and Mary Dew of Edgecombe County. She was born in 1766 and died after 1852 in Edgecombe County. She and her husband were buried in their old family graveyard on Kenan Street near the corner of Tarboro Street in Wilson, North Carolina. Considerably diminished in size, it is the only family graveyard that has survived within the growing boundaries of this city. Their home formerly stood on a hill N.W. of Tarboro Street, about where the City Water Tank now stands, and it is said that they owned at one time all the land N.W. of the present Atlantic Coast Line Railroad within the City limits. This may very well have been true, before the rapid growth of recent years.
Some years ago the DAR erected a boulder of native stone and a bronze tablet over the grave of Benjamin Farmer to commemorate his supposed service in Captain Lytle's Company, Tenth North Carolina Regiment, during the Revolutionary War. Actually, Benjamin Farmer of Edgecombe County was a first-cousin to Benjamin Farmer and brother William Farmer of Johnston County who both served in Lytle's Company, but there is no question that the first Benjamin was a Patriot and served in the Edecombe County Militia. There is an interesting tradition handed down in the family that, when the British under Lord Cornwallis passed through this area in 1731, they could not be convinced that Benjamin Farmer was away at war and not hiding near by in the woods until they went into the fields and actually saw his wife's little footprints everywhere in the newly ploughed land.
On November 2, 1779, the Edgecombe County Court appointed Benjamin Farmer to help care for the public road near Tosneot Swamp. On May 28, 1782, his slaves were ordered to work this road. On August 4, 1790, he was a witness in Court.
In the Edgecombe County Census of 1790, he was listed with himself, four sons under sixteen, three daughters, wife, and two slaves.
In the Census of 1800 he and wife were 26-45, and had two sons under ten, one son 10-16, 3 sons 16-26, four daughter under ten, one daughter 10-16, and seven slaves.
In the Census of 1810, he was over forty five-had two males under sixteen, one male 16-26, one female 10-16, two females 16-26, wife over forty five, and ten slaves.
The tradition that he owned fifty slaves at the time of his death in 1837 seems somewhat doubtful as in the Edgecombe County Census of 1840, Elizabeth Farmer had eight slaves and in 1850, she was worth only $680 in her own right.
On December 29, 1802, Benjamin and Elizabeth Farmer and the other heirs of Arthur Dew deeded to Tosneot Baptist Church, one acre of land on the Tarboro Road, about where the People's Hardware Store now stands as a new and more convenient location for
END
EC DB E, page 274: Jesse Farmer of Edgecombe County to Benjamin Farmer of same 30 March 1782 for 34 pds. Proc. money a tract of 100 acres on the Mirey Swamp. Wit: Isaac Farmer, Joseph Farmer.
EC DB 4, page 456: John Deloach of Edgecombe Co. and Martha (x) Deloach to Benjamin Farmer of same, Sept 29, 1785 for 110 pds a tract of 225 acres lying on both side of Hommony Swamp. Wit: Jesse Farmer, Isaac Farmer
EC DB: 7 Dec 1793: Andrew Greer of Tarborough to Benjamin Farmer, Planter for $124 in Virginia currency 200 acres north of Hominy Swamp (being property of David Godwin confiscated on 4 July 1776 and granted to said Greer on 15 November 1787) Witnessed by: Joseph Farmer, Stephen (x) Evens.
EC DB, dated 6 Feb 1798: John (M) Mewborn to Benjamin Farmer for 200 pounds current money of North Carolina 185 acres granted to William Foakes on 1 April 1763. Witnesses: Jesse Farmer, John Dew, William White and Arthur Dew.
EC DB, dated 23 March 1798: Daniel Wood to Benjamin Farmer for 500 pounds current North Carolina money..200 acres north of Hominy Swamp adjoining said Farmer, Moses Roundtree, and Poley Branch. Witnesses: Jesse Farmer and William Blackburn.
EC DB , dated 20 November 1802: Archelaus Mewborn of Elbert County, Georgia to Benjamin Farmer of Edgecombe County for $345 in silver dollars....300 acres north of Hominy Swamp adjoining John Mewbern, John Broadstreet, Britain Barnes?s new corner and the old David Godwin line. Witnesses: Arthur Dew and William White.
EC DB, dated 9 Feb 1805: Benjamin Farmer to Absalom Farmer for 100 pounds a tract of 185 acres north of Hominy Swamp (granted to William Folk on 1 April 1763) Witnesses: Joseph Farmer and Braswell Farmer.
EC DB, dated 27 July 1805: Benjamin Farmer to William White for 5 pounds North Carolina currency 3 1/2 acres south of Hominy Swamp adjoining said Farmer. Witnesses: Arthur Dew, Joshua White and John Dew.
EC DB 12-403, dated 1 January 1807: Benjamin and Elizabeth (x) Farmer to Dew Farmer for $500 in silver dollards 200 acres north of Hominy Swamp adjoining Absalom Farmer and Moses Rountree. Witnesses: Jesse Farmer and Bracewell Farmer.
EC DB, dated 17 Jan 1825: Benjamin and Elizabeth (x) Farmer to Orman Cobb for $106 a tract of 55 acres south of Town Creek adjoining Wiggins. Witnesses: Moses Farmer and Thomas Barron.
EC DB 18-358, dated 16 March 1825. Benjamin and Elizabeth Farmer to Son Arthur D. Farmer for love 215 acres north of Toisnot Swamp (half of thd William Dew land known by the Bridge tract lot No. 2) on the Newbern Road and bounded by the mouth of White?s Branch and Tartt. Witnesses: Isaac F. Wood and William D. Farmer
EC DB, dated 28 Feb 1831: Elizabeth Farmer to ?my beloved son? Arthur D. Farmer 214 acres north of Tosnot Swamp (the bridge tract) that fell to her in half of Lot No. 2 from William Dew west side of Newbern Road and bounded by the mouth of White?s Branch and the same land ?that there may be no dispute in the land. Witnesses: Isaac F. Wood and William D. Farmer.
EC DB, dated 21 Oct 1852: Elizabeth Farmer to Albert Farmer for $22.50 a lot of 1 1/2 acres on the Wilmington and Raleigh Rail road ?near the foot of the County road bridge across said Rail Road on the south side of said County road? bounded by John W. Farmer and James D. Barnes. Witnesses: L. D. Farmer and Samuel B. Farmer.
EC DB 18-55: Thomas Barnes, Elizabeth Barnes, Salley Barnes, Bedy Barnes, Dempsey Barnes; and Nancey Barnes were grandchildren of Benjamin Farmer, 4 June 1823.
EC DB 18-190, dated 21 Aug 1824: William Farmer was son of Benjamin Farmer.
EC DB 18-190, dated 21 Aug 1824: Arthur D. Farmer was son of Benjamin Farmer.
EC DB 18-267, dated 20 May1824: Nancy Dew, wife of Jonathan Dew of Nash Co., N. C. was daughter of Benjamin Farmer.
EC DB 21-111, dated 2 May 1828: Absalom farmer was son of Benjamin Farmer, decd. and his widow, Elizabeth Farmer.
EC DB 19-81, dated 16 Aug 1827: William D. Farmer was executor of and Elizabeth Farmer was widow of Benjamin Farmer, decd.; said Elizabeth Farmer was an heir of William Dew, decd.
EC DB 26-252, dated 3 Nov 1853: Beedy White of Dickson Co., Tenn. was daughter of Benjamin Farmer, decd and Elizabeth Farmer, decd. and was sister of William D. Farmer decd.; she appointed William L. White as her attorney.
EC DB 26-215, dated 26 Feb 1853: James D. Farmer of Wayne Co. NC. sold to Gray Framer of Nash Co. his interest in the estates of Benjamin Farmer, Elizabeth Farmer, William Farmer and Braswell Farmer.
EC DB 26-531, dated 21 Dec 1854: Axsum Farmer of Platte Co., Missouri was son of Dew Farmer, decd. and was grandson of Benjamin Farmer and Elizabeth Farmer, decd., his uncle was William Farmer, decd.
Will Book Volume F: Page 65-66: Will of Benjamin Farmer: SOURCE: Edgecombe County Courthouse at Tarboro and the North Carolina Archives, County Records Film # C037-50003:
Will Book Volume F: Page 65-66: Will of Benjamin Farmer:
North Carolina }
Edgecomb County }
In the nam of God amen I Benjamin Farmer, being in perfect mind and memory, and knowing that all men is ordained to die, make and constitute this my last will and testament ___After paying debts
I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth Farmer during her life or widdow hood the following, Zed and Baltimore, Jude, Rhode & Patience, (5 negroes) House hold and kitchen furnature, and farming utentials sufficient to carry on a farm; negro Boy Aaron; Two Hundred and twenty five acres Land which includes the Deloach Tract, also all on the north side of the Tarborough road which belonged to the Newbern Tract, - 2 Horses, 4 cows & calves, 4 sows & pigs, 4 Ewes-
I give and bequeath unto my Beloved son William Farmer all the Land I own on the north side of Harmony Swamp that joins, with exception of his mothers lifetime as above stated (I mean for my wife to hold the part above mentioned her life or widdow hood then to him the said William)
I give and bequeath unto my son Braswell Farmer Two Hundred and fourteen acres of Land more or less lying & being in the County & state aforesaid & on the north side of Toisnot Swamp and adjoining the Land of Moses Farmer and Arthur D. Farmer, it being part of a tract of land drawn by me and my wife Elizabeth, by death of William Dew.
I give and bequeath unto Sally Hollowell daughter of Benjamin Farmer forty shillings.
I give and bequeath unto the Heirs of John Barnes (Toit) Thomas, Betsey, Sally, Beedy, Dempsey, & Nancy Twenty four Dollars to be equally divided amongst them.
It is my will and desire that the Balance of my negroes be equally divided amongst the following Heirs Absolom, Dew, Braswell, Beedy, Nancy, Jacob, Elizabeth, Arthur D. Farmer & William D. Farmer -- also at the death of my wife Elizabeth, it is my will and desire, that the negroes afore given to her and their increase if any be equally divided between the afore mentioned Heirs (Toit) Absolom Farmer, Dew Farmer, Braswell Farmer, Beedy White, Nancy Dew, Jacob Farmer, Elizabeth Aimason, Arthur D. Farmer & William D. Farmer
My will and desire is that the Land and all other property not given by me in this my last will and Testament be sold by my Executor and after paying all my just debts as afore stated to be equally and imparsially divided between the afore named Heirs (Toit) Absolom Farmer, Dew Farmer, Braswell Farmer, Beedy White, Nancy Dew, Jacob Farmer, Elizabeth Aimason, Arthur D. Farmer & William D. Farmer
This 16th March 1825. I nominate and appoint my affectionate son William D. Farmer Executor to my last will and Testament.
Benjamin Farmer (seal)
Signed sealed and }
Acknowledged in presents } Isaac F. Wood X (his mark) Hansel D. Griffith (his mark)
Edgecomb County
February Court 1827
The within last Will and Testament of Benjamin Farmer dec'd was exhibited in open Court for Probate and was proven by the oath of Isaac F. Wood, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto
And William D. Farmer the Executor therein named at the same time qualified thereto.
Ordered that the same be certified and the Will recorded.
|
Abt 1756 - Bef 1827 (~ 71 years)