If you've done research in North Carolina for any length of time, you are probably familiar with Grime's Abstract of North Carolina Wills.
I've referenced it many times at the NC Archives or in one library or another. But did you know that it's online now?? WooHoo!
Maybe it's been online for a long time and I'm just now seeing it. But it's new to me...so it might be new to you, too!
It is on the Library of Congress site, as well as others, but the link I use most often is in the East Carolina University's Digital Collections.
Just a bit of North Carolina trivia:
- John Bryan Grimes was NC Secretary of State for 22 years.
- His daddy was Confederate Major General Bryan Grimes.
- His granddaddy was a Congressman.
- Before he entered NC politics as a Democrat, he was a tobacco farmer.
- He grew up on his family's plantation in Pitt County.
Source: NCpedia
God bless Mr. Grimes. He sure left us researchers a true gem.
Joseph STANCIL, my illustrious 3rd great uncle, was born in 1840 in Johnston County, NC as the fourth child of William Young STANCIL and Elizabeth Sallie MORGAN.
He had eight siblings: Young Allen, Elizabeth, Seviah, Prudia, Moses, Edney, Aaron, and William.
When he was 27, he married Sarah E GODWIN,daughter of Stevenson GODWIN and Elizabeth FLOWERS, on 15 Mar 1867 in Johnston County, NC.
Joseph STANCIL was counted in the census in...
- 1850 in District 15, Johnston, North Carolina.
- 1860 in Neuse River, Johnston, North Carolina
- 1870 in Elevation, Johnston, North Carolina
- 1880 in Johnston County, North Carolina
Joseph served in the US Civil War in the NC 24th, Co. I.
Once the war was over, Joseph and Sarah started a family:
- L. Florence STANCIL, born on 12 Feb 1866 in Johnston County, NC (Elevation Township). She died on 22 Oct 1917 in Harnett County, NC.
- Mary C. STANCIL, born in 1870 in Johnston County, NC (Elevation Township).
- Orther M STANCIL, born in 1871 in Johnston County, NC (Elevation Township).
- Arthur M. STANCIL, born about 1871. He married Lalan JOHNSON on 03 Feb 1892 in Johnston County, NC
Joseph died about Jul 1889 in Johnston County, NC.
Know all men by these presents that I Sherwood Wilson of the County of Warren and State of North Carolina being of sane mind and memory do this 28th day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty make the publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit.
Item 1st. I lend to my wife Peggy the whole of my estate both real and personal during her natural life should she see cause to give to any one of my daughters any article such as a bed cow & calf during her life she is hereby authorized to do so & after my death my wish & desire is that the whole of my estate both real & personal be equally divided in the following manner to my daughter Nancy to have one fifth part & my daughter Jane one fifth part & my daughter Polly one fifth part & my daughter Ellenor to have one fifth part & my granddaughter Julia Catherine Wilson the remaining fifth & should my granddaughter who is an infant die leaving no lawful issue my wish is for the part left to her to be divided among my surviving children & their heirs. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this day & date above.
In the presence of:
Edw. White
John D. Tucker
Sherwood Wilson (his mark)
Codicil to this my will made this 9 day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & forty four.
Item 1st, my wish is that if my granddaughter Julia Catherine Wilson while an infant have my daughters & their ? then & and in that case she is to forfit and lose her interest in the land left to her on the other page of this my will given under my hand & seal this day & date above.
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
Edw. White
I Lo’ke (?) Mayfield
Source: North Carolina Archives
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