The Will of Ann Brooks, Caswell County, North Carolina, 1808

Ann Brooks was the wife of Richard Brooks.  She was probably actually the second wife of Richard Brooks.  She was mentioned in his will, written 1789.  You can read more about Richard and Ann Brooks here. It is quite possible her maiden name was “Armistead” and that her daughter, Frances Armistead Brooks was named after Ann’s father.

The following will was obtained from the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, North Carolina.  For more information on locating wills and ordering copies from the North Carolina State Archives, please reference my Looking for Wills at the North Carolina State Archives – Updated post.

The following will was found in the Caswell County Series of Original Wills, (dates), box no. 1
Call no. 020.801.1

Summary of Will:

Written: March 4, 1806

To Grand Children:

Six Children of Ann’s son William Bird Brooks:
John, Robert, and William Brooks

Betsy, Ann and Joanna Brooks

Three Children of Ann’s daughter Frances A Sheppard:

Ann, Betsy and Polley Sheppard

Executor:  Son William Bird Brooks
Witnesses: Sol[omon] Graves, S. Graves, John L. Graves

The sale of Ann Brooks’ estate was held in February of 1808. Many of the articles in her estate were purchased by William B. and Jonathan Brooks.

Papers of her estate can be found at the North Carolina State Archives in the Caswell County Original Estate files, C. R. 020.508.8 Ann Brooks. 1808.

Original Scanned Images:

 

Transcript of Will:

In the name of God Amen – I Ann Brooks of the County of Caswell and State of North Carolina – on this 4th of March 1806 – being in perfect mind, health and memory thanks be given unto the Supreme being for the same calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is once appointed for all men to die, recommending my spirit to God who gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian-like burial at the discretion of my Executors; nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again through Christ, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it pleased God to bless me with in life I give demise and despose of the same in the following manner –

To Wit. I give to William B. Brooke’s son Jno my young  Sorrell Mare at my death Item I give the resideue of my estate to my nine grand children Viz. William B. Brooks’s sons John Robert and William and daughters Betsey, Ann, and Joanna, and Frances A. Shepard’s daughters Ann Betsey and Polly to be equally divided at my death and my three granddaughters Ann Betsey and Polly Shepard equal parts to remain in the hands of my Executor until they marry or arise to lawful age and then paid by my Executor to them as they come of lawful age or marry.
Lastly I constitute and appoint my beloved son William B. Brooks the whole and Sole Executor of this my last will and Testament – revoking and annulling all other wills and testaments heretofore made by me and declaring this to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I Ann Brooks doth set my hand and affix my seal the day and year above within signed and sealed in the presence of

Sol Graves (Jurat)
S. Graves Jr
John L. Graves
Ann Brookes(sealed)

Caswell County Lawful court 1808
The Executor of this will was duly proved in open court by the oath of Solomon Graves Esquire one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and on Motion ordered to be recorded. At the same time William B. Brooks qualified Executor.
Test A Murphey CC
Recorded Book E folio 379
Test A Murphey CC