Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 In the name of God Amen. I ROBERT KERR of Mecklenburg County in North Carolina being in a sickly and pale state of body but of sound mind and memory thanks to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and approaching disposition I do make and ordain this my last will and testament, viz. PRINCIPALLY and FIRST of all I give my soul into the hands of almighty God who gave it, and, my dying body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my executors, not doubting but I shall receive the same again at the general resurrection by the all Mighty power of God. And, as touching such worldly estate as it has pleased God to bless me with in this life, I now will give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form viz. IMPRIMIS. I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife HANNAH KERR the third part of my movable estate, exclusive of all my Negroes, together with her saddle and bridle, one Feather Bed & Furniture, and the privilege of living and enjoying the benefits of the plantation on which I now dwell during her widowhood, or until my son RICHARD KERR arrives at the age of 21 years, and the further benefits of my to Negroes WILL and MATILDA to work said plantation, the letting to enable her to raise, clothe, school and & c, clear of any charge, our young children, five in number. And whereas it will be difficult for my wife HANNAH to carry on the farm for the purpose of for said without horses & c, I do therefore request and require my executors here after named to apportion and layoff is a said HANNAH such horses, cows, hogs, sheep, and farming utensils & c. as they may judge necessary for the said purposes, including said Negroes, for the benefit of the legatees hereafter named, and whenever it shall appear necessary and consistent, my said executors are hereby required and empowered to make sale of the whole, or part, of my said movable estate or the taking security for the same as to them or any two of them shall appear necessary. And whereas it may be this happen that my said negro WILL is then sold, it is my will and pleasure that the half of his price he paid to my son JOHN KERR and the remaining half be equally divided between my son ROBERT KERR and daughter JENNETT KERR and it is for them I will and pleasure that when my said negro wench is this sold that her price be equally divided among my wife HANNAH and all my children now alive. ITEM I will give bequeath transfer and said over to my beloved Son ROBERT KERR five hundred acres of land situate on Little River now in South Carolina, granted by patent in North Carolina, being one divided tract of land and also one hundred acres of land situate, joining the large tract I now live on known by name of the Z place being one divided survey, to him and his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM I will give bequeath transfer and set over to JENNETT KERR, my beloved daughter, one hundred and twenty acres of land situated on Beaver Dam Creek on the west side of the Columbia River at the Great hat Rock granted by Patent being an undivided survey to her and her heirs and assigns forever I also her feather bed and furniture and her saddle and bridle. Page 1 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 ITEM I will give bequeath transfer and set over unto JOHN KERR, my beloved son, one hundred and fifty acres of land to be laid off the north side of the four hundred and twenty acre tract I now live on from the Great Road to the creek but not to extend over the creek any further then to include the bottom and Meadow ground on the said Creek to him and his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM I will and bequeath give bequeath transfer and said over onto SAMUEL KERR, my beloved son, one hundred and fifty acres of land to be laid off of the West End of the said four hundred and twenty acre tract and the other thirty nine acre tract which is to include the creek bottom and below the falls on the creek to him and his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM I will give bequeath transfer and make over to RICHARD KERR, my beloved son, all the residue and remainder of the said four hundred and twenty acre and the thirty nine acre tracts contained by computation one hundred and fifty acres including the improvements I now live on to him and his heirs and assigns forever. And, that complete Justice may be done to each of the said three last mention sons, I hereby empower by said executors, or any two of them, to apportion, measure, and lay off each and every said child’s part or division of land aforesaid, having a due regard to quality and quantity, and it is my will and pleasure that the mansion house and garden be still reserved for my son wife HANNAH during her widowhood. ITEM I give and bequeath one negro girl named TAMES on to my beloved daughter MARGARET KERR. ITEM I give and bequeath unto HANNAH KERR, my beloved daughter, one negro boy named ABNER to her and to their heirs and assigns forever. Said children to be kept in the family and raised, or hired out by my executor, or any two of them, as to them shall seem best for the benefit of said legatees until my said two daughters shall arrive at the age of twenty one years. ITEM I will have bequeathed to each and every of my said children one new Bible to be purchased hand delivered by my executors. ITEM I give and bequeath to MARGARET KERR, my granddaughter, the sum of forty shillings specie hand one new bible as above. ITEM I give and bequeath to MARGARET KERR, my daughter, the sum of thirty pounds specie. ITEM I give and bequeath to HANNAH KERR, my daughter, the sum of thirty pounds specie. And it is further my will and pleasure that if any of my said three young sons should die, leaving no heirs of their body, before they arrive at the age of twenty one years, that then his division of land and legacy shall be equally divided between his two surviving Brothers. But in the case two of said three should die as aforesaid, that then their divisions of land and legacies will fall to and be received by the surviving brother on conditions he pay to each of his sisters viz, JENNETT KERR, MARGARET KERR, HANNAH KERR the sum of thirty three pounds specie. Page 2 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 I further recommend and request my executors, hereafter named, immediately after my deceased, to meet and use all prudent endeavors to appraise, apportion, and by consent, to lay off the aforesaid widow’s third & c, & c, & c; and that as few things of my estate be sold by my executors as to them appears necessary for paying all my just debts and the aforementioned legacies; and the remainder to be equally divided among all my aforesaid children. AND I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friends Hezekiah ALEXANDER, ROBERT Robison Jr., ROBERT ALLISON, and JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER to be my sole executor of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby utterly revoke and disannul all and every other former wills, testaments, legacies, and executors by me in any wise named or bequeathed before, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof the said ROBERT KERR have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this 15th day of February 1784. ROBERT CARR [KERR] {seal} Signed Sealed Delivered published pronounced and declared by the said ROBERT KERR as his last will and testament who in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as Witnesses. GEORGE ELIOTT JAMES MCCRACKEN ADAM EDGAR Codicil to the within will, viz: Whereas, since the signing of the within will my negro wench MATILDA is dead to the apparent loss, hardship, and disadvantage of my wife HANNAH, and whereas in this said will a negro girl named TAMER is bequeathed to my daughter MARGARET, & c, & c, & c., I do therefore by this codicil set aside and break that part of this will, and I, ROBERT KERR do hereby expressly order, & it is my will, that said negro girl named TAMER be the property of my beloved wife, HANNAH KERR, during her life or widowhood in place of MATILDA, thus dead, the better too enable her to raise the said children as mentioned in said will. And after said death or marriage, that said negro girl TAMER shall revert and then become the property of my said loving daughter MARGARET KERR and her heirs and assigns forever. In witness whereof I the said ROBERT KERR being in my ordinary health and sound mind and memory do hereby set my hand and seal this 16th of June 1785. ROBERT CARR [KERR] {seal} Signed sealed and delivered by the federal worker as a codicil to his last will and testament who in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as Witnesses. JANE ALEXANDER MARGARET ALEXANDER J. MCKNITT ALEXANDER Page 3 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 Received of ROBERT ROBISON executor of ROBERT KERR deceased two Pounds nineteen Shillings four Pence it ROBERT KERR's taxes for the year 1788. GEORGE GRAHAM === The estate of ROBERT KERR deceased to WILLIAM BLACKWOOD to weaving 16 yards woolen. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD makes both he did the above work and received pay in full for the same from HANNAH KERR the XXX same day last week sworn to May 18th 1789 before J. M. ALEXANDER === September 12th 1788 Dr ROBERT KERR senior too GEORGES RICE To laying plow irons March 9th 1790 Then was the witness of the above account proven befor me. WILLIAM POLK === May 6th 1791 received of ROBERT ROBISON the sum of 25 Shillings it being for selling the movable property of ROBERT KERR deceased. Received by me JOSEPH KERR === ROBERT ROBISON as Executor of ROBERT KERR deceased returns a certificate [.. d...] returning of sale of set estate [...] of the widows third as bequested to her by the will of said deceased amounting to £109.8.3 but as the said third is not precisely ascertained, perhaps some part of said £109.8.3 may be yet applied to said Widow. Enter this on the docket. Page 4 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 Vouchers produced by ROBERT ROBISON the executor of the estate of ROBERT KERR senior deceased [VOUCHER LIST] ISAAC ALEXANDER JOHN MCNITT ALEXANDER WILLIAM B. ALEXANDER ANDREW BARRY WILLIAM BLACKWOOD JOHN CANNON JOHN ELLIOTT WILLIAM ELLIOTT JOHN GIBSON GEORGE GRAHAM JOHN GREEN DR. HENDERSON HANNAH KERR JOSEPH KERR JAMES MCCRACKEN WILLIAM RAMSAY GEORGE RICE JOHN SHARP JAMES TODD July 1794 we have examined and do admit of the above vouchers amounting to fifty nine pounds four shillings and three pence against the estate of ROBERT KERR senior deceased. THOMAS ALEXANDER GEORGE GRAHAM Amount of the estate of ROBERT KERR as per clerk's certificate ... We also submit to the worshipful Court the property propriety of allowing ROBERT ROBISON as executor the sum of ten pounds for his trouble which agree to allow. Page 5 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 ROBERT KERR deceased to JOHN GIBSON 1789 to and a half bushels of salt £2.5.0 State of North Carolina Mecklenburg County This day personally appeared JOHN GIBSON before me and made oath that the above account as it stands stated is just and true and that the amount of £2.5.0 is justly due to him from the estate of ROBERT KERR, deceased, and that he has never received any satisfaction for the same. Sworn to before me this 28th day of July 1789 JOSEPH DOUGLAS Page 6 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that we ROBERT KERR and ABRAHAM ALEXANDER both of the county of Mecklenburg are held and firmly bound onto JAMES KERR late of the county in the sum of seventeen pounds ten shilling specie to be paid to the said JAMES KERR his Executor administrators or assigns to which payment well and truly to be made we find ourselves and each of us our heirs executors and administrators jointly and severally firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 27th day of September 1782 THE CONDITION OF THE ABOVE OBLIGATION IS SUCH that whereas the above bounden ROBERT KERR hath the day of the date of these presents prayed an attachment against the estate of the above-mentioned JAMES KERR for the sum of eighteen pounds fifteen shilling specie and hath obtained the same returnable to the next County Court to be held for the county of Mecklenburg on the second Monday of October next. Now if the said ROBERT KERR shall prosecute this his said suit with effect or in case he should be cast therein shall well and truly pay and satisfy the said JAMES KERR all such costs and damages as shall be awarded and recovered against the said ROBERT KERR then the above obligation to avoid otherwise to remain in full force and virtue. ROBERT KERR ABRAHAM ALEXANDER Sealed and delivered in presence of HEZEKIAH ALEXANDER Page 7 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 Mecklenburg County January session 1795 On the petition petition of HANNAH KERR Widow and relict of ROBERT KERR, deceased. Ordered by the court that JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER, JAMES HENRY and EZEKIEL ALEXANDER be and they are here by appointed a committee to settle the estate of ROBERT KERR, deceased, and apportion to the Widow and each of legatees their respective shares of said estate. Test ISAAC ALEXANDER, OMD Order for the settlement of the estate of ROBERT KERR, decease January term 1795 executed by me RICHARD RANKIN deputy sheriff Page 8 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 Estate of ROBERT KERR, deceased 1788 To THOMAS HENDERSON [list of doctors expenses] This day THOMAS HENDERSON proved the above account to be just and true as above stated and has given all due credit January 1791 Before me WILLIAM WILSON, JP Page 9 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 State of North Carolina We HANNAH KERR and ROBERT ALLISON are held and firmly bound unto JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER chairman of the county court of pleas and quarter sessions held for the county of Mecklenburg in the penal term of four hundred pounds currency to be paid by us to the said chairman or his successors in office in trust for the benefit of HANNAH KERR minor of ROBERT KERR, deceased, to be void on condition that HANNAH KERR who is appointed guardian of said minor HANNAH KERR shall, will and Faithfully discharge his duty as guardian aforesaid in several cases which by law is required to do. HANNAH KERR {his mark} ROBERT ALLISON Signed and sealed in the presence of WILLIAM ALEXANDER Page 10 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 Page 11 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 State of North Carolina We ROBERT ALLISON and ANDREW MCKEE are held and firmly bound unto JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER chairman of the county court of pleas and quarter sessions held for the county of Mecklenburg in the penal term of four hundred pounds currency to be paid by us to the said chairman or his successors in office in trust for the benefit of RICHARD KERR minor of ROBERT KERR, deceased, to be void on condition that ROBERT ALLISON who is appointed guardian of said minor ROBERT KERR shall, will and Faithfully discharge his duty as guardian aforesaid in several cases which by law is required to do. ROBERT ALLISON ANDREW MCKEE Signed and sealed in the presence of WILLIAM ALEXANDER Page 12 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 State of North Carolina we JOHN MCKEE and ANDREW MCKEE are held and firmly bound unto JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER chairman of the county court of pleas in order sessions held for the county of Mecklenburg in the penal sum four hundred pounds currency to be paid by us to the chairman or his successors in office in trust for the benefit of JOHN KERR minor of ROBERT KERR deceased to be void on the condition that JOHN MCKEE who is appointed guardian of said minor JOHN KERR shall will and Faithfully discharge his duty as guardian aforesaid as in several cases which by law in such cases require. JOHN MCKEE ANDREW MCKEE Signed and sealed in the presence WILLIAM ALEXANDER Page 13 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 State of North Carolina we ANDREW MCKEE and JOHN are held in formally found unto JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER chairman of the county court of Pleas Court of sessions held for the county of Mecklenburg in the penal sum of four hundred pounds currency to be paid by us to the said chairman or his successors in office in trust for the benefit of SAMUEL KERR minor of ROBERT KERR deceased to be Floyd on condition that ANDREW MCKEE was appointed guardian of said minor SAMUEL KERR shall will and Faithfully discharge is Duty as guardian of for said as in several cases which by law in such cases required. ANDREW MCKEE JOHN MCKEE Signed and sealed in presence of WILLIAM ALEXANDER Page 14 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 State of North Carolina we ROBERT KERR am held in formally found unto JOHN MCKNITT ALEXANDER chairman of the county court of Pleas Court of sessions held for the county of Mecklenburg in the penal sum of four hundred pounds currency to be paid by us to the said chairman or his successors in office in trust for the benefit of MARGARET KERR minor of ROBERT KERR deceased to be Floyd on condition that ROBERT KERR was appointed guardian of said minor MARGARET KERR shall will and Faithfully discharge is Duty as guardian of for said as in several cases which by law in such cases required. ROBERT CARR Signed and sealed in presence of WILLIAM ALEXANDER Page 15 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 January 31st 1789 the within account of 2 / 0 proved against the estate of ROBERT KERR, deceased by JAMES MCCRACKEN before J. ALEXANDER === February 29th 1789 RICHARD KERR for his father one quart whiskey two shillings to JAMES MCCRACKEN === 1786 ROBERT KERR draft to ANDREW BARRY May the 14th To dressing of leather ANDREW BARRY prove the above account of 12 Shillings 0 Pence according to law November 4th 1790 before me J. ALEXANDER === Received from ROBERT ROBISON as executor of ROBERT KERR find the sum of 50 Shillings it being for making said KERR’s coffin === January 20th 1794 ROBERT KERR deceased estate debit to JAMES CANON January 20th 1791 JAMES CANON Proved the above account according to law before JAMES MCKNITT ALEXANDER === Received from ROBERT ROBISON eight Shillings currency for letters of administration of estate of ROBERT KERR deceased 26th July 1791 (not legible) === I also gave receipt to ANDREW ALEXANDER, esquire for the sum of one pound ten shillings for five guardian bonds on behalf of the orphans of ROBERT KERR, deceased. ISAAC ALEXANDER, OMD Page 16 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will Probate, NC, Mecklenburg, ROBERT KERR 1784 1789 June 12th 1789 Then sold by way of published venue the goods and chattels of ROBERT KERR, deceased the account of said KERR to the amount of £186.7.1 on the books £3.1.2 total amount £189.8.3 by me ROBERT ROBISON executor === Mecklenburg County At July session 1789 Has returned an inventory and amount of sale of the estate of ROBERT KERR deceased by the executor £189.83 test ISAAC ALEXANDER, OMD Page 17 of 17 ** PAGE BREAK **