This is my working hypothesis - the way I see it as of
this moment!!
1741 -- This Josiah Perry, son of John Perry
and his wife Sarah Walton, is said to have been born 19 Nov [I
think most likely this was in Chowan County]
Shortly thereafter his family moves to Bertie
County.
1742 -- Bertie Ct. Records: 11 May 1742 John Perry prov'd his Rights on Oath
Vizt.
John Perry, Sarah Perry, Nichs. Perry, Jacob Perry, Isaac Perry, Benja. Perry, Sarah
Perry, Grace Perry, James Perry, Anne Perry, Josiah Perry, Saml. Thomas, whites.
Mingo, Cesar, Venus, Bridget, Hager, Phillis, blacks.
Prosessional Report [undated] of the Chinkapin-Barbeque
Sw. area est 1757
Bertie Ct. Records (Haun) Oct Ct 1760 The last will and Testament of John Perry
Deced.
was Eshibited into Court by James Perry One of the Exors thereof and Proved by the oath of
Nathaniel Holley one of the sub. wit. thereto, and at the same time the said
Exor.
was Quallified. The inventory of the Goods etc of the Estate of John Perry
deced was exhibited into Court by Oath of James Perry etc.
filed under John Perry: Inventory Oct 13, 1760 by James Perry,
exr. including 17
unnamed Negroes.
filed under Sarah Perry: Order for the division of the estate by Nicholas Perry, her
admr. Oct 1761.
Estate Records: filed under Josiah Perry
Division of estate into equal shares Oct. 20, 1761 among (1) Nicholas Perry, (2) Isaac
Perry, (3) Benjamin Perry, (4) James Perry, (5) Josiah Perry, (6) Michael Collins, (7)
James Early, (8) William Rice, (9) Rachel Perry, (10) Ruth Perry, and (11) Frusanna Perry.
Dec 1761 Josiah Perry married Elizabeth Freeman, who was daughter of William Freeman of Chowan County and his wife
Christain [thought to be an Outlaw].
18 Sept 1764 Deed Bk L-2 Bertie Co John Green of Bertie Co
to James Boon Wynns of Hertford Co 100 pounds proc. 510 ac joining Barbeque
Swamp, George Wynns, William Crawford, Bryery Branch: also [no acres]
joining James Boons former corner, George Wynns former line, both tracts
willed to me by my father Thomas Green decd. Wit: Thomas Bonnifant, James
Jones. Sept Ct 1768
June 1768 Bertie Co -Josiah Perry's name
drawn for service on the next Grand Jury -
24 Nov 1768 Deed Bk L-2 Bertie Co
Stephen [x] Bennett of Hertford Co to Daniel Van Pelt of Hartford Co. 20
pounds proclamation. 150 ac joining Cabin Branch, Cyshy Roady, John
Mitchell, James Ward. Wit: W B Kippax, Jas. Boon Wynns, Josiah Perry Dec Ct
1768 CC John Johnston
March Ct 1770 Bertie Co - ordered that Josiah Perry be appointer overseer of
the Road in the Room and District of James Boon Wynns.
A deed of sale from Josiah Perry to Isaac Carter was produced in open
court and proved by the oath of Luke Hardy? one of the subscribing witnesses
and ordered registered.
2 Feb 1770 Deed Bk L-2 Bertie Co Josiah Perry of Bertie Co to Isaac
Carter of Hertford Co 5 pounds proclamation 50 ac joining John Freeman,
Great Branch. Wit: Moses Freeman, Luke Hare
6 Mar 1771 Deed Bk L-2 Bertie Co James Boon Wyns
planter of Bertie Co to Thomas Garrett Sr of Chowan Co 70 pounds proc. 700
ac in Bertie & Hertford counties joining Meadow Branch, Josiah Perry,
James Jones, Rivats, Long Branch, Lewis Williams, Barbeque Swamp. Wit: W B
Kippax, Rich'd Garret, James Garrett. Proved at Edenton 30 Apr 1771 before M
Howard CJ
Nov Ct 1774 Bertie Co - Josiah Perry proved sale from James
Jones to Samuel Rayner.
Feb Ct 1775 Bertie Co - Josiah Perry, with Watkin Williams
Wynn, Thos Ward and James Holly Jur. are appointed to lay off one acre of
Timothy Walton's land opposite Benjamin Brown who has asked leave to build a
Water Grist Mill on Barbaque Swamp.
also - the petition of Timothy Walton praying leave to build a
publick Water Grist Mill on Barbaque Swamp and that Josiah Perry, Joshua
Freeman, Nathaniel Holly and Jesse Garet to lay off one acre of the property
of John Ramsay the proprietor of the land on the opposite side of the swamp.
John Ramsay summoned to appear at the next court.
Aug Ct 1775 Bertie Co - Petition of James Holly have
leave to build a Mill on Barbaque Swamp and have a jury lay off one acre of
the property of Josiah Perry for that purpose. ordered. that Samuel Rayer,
James Wynn, Timothy Walton & John Rayner be appointed a jury to lay off
another acre on the Land of James Holly for the same purpose and that Josiah
be summoned to appear at the next court.
Nov Ct 1775 Bertie Co - Josiah Perry proves a deed from Thomas Garrit to
Timothy Walton.
11 Nov 1775 Deed Bk M Bertie Co Thomas Garratt of Chowan Co to Timothy
Walton of Bertie Co 100 pounds 700 ac [part in Bertie Co, part in Hertford
Co] joining Meadow Branch, Josiah Perry, James Jones, Rivats, Long Branch,
Lewis Williams, the road, Barbique Swamp. Wit: Starkey Sharp, Josiah
Perry.
Nov Ct 1778 Bertie Co - Josiah Perry selected to serve on Grand Jury.
Feb Ct 1779 Bertie Co - Josiah Perry selected as tax assessor.
ca 1779 Josiah Freeman's wife Elizabeth died.
Will of William Freeman Dated - l7 April 1781; Proved-August court
1781 Chowan Co
Item I give and Bequeath to my well beloved grandsun WILLIAM PERRY one Negro Boy named
Jacob.
Item I give and Bequeath to my well beloved Sun in law JOSIAH PERRY one good Feather bed
and Furniture and two Cows and Calves.
ca 1782 Josiah Perry married
Miss Amillicent Freeman, [Josiah's first wife's niece] daughter of John Freeman and his first wife
Christain Rountree
Nov Ct 1782 Bertie Co - Josiah Perry selected for Grand
Jury Duty.
Aug Ct 1783 Bertie Co - Josiah Perry drawn for Jury Duty
Nov Ct 1783 - Josiah Perry and Lewis Outlaw prove the Will of Nathaniel
Holley
Feb Ct 1784 - Josiah Perry to serve as Jury men at the Superior Ct at
Edenton May next.
Nov 1793 Melicent Freeman Perry's father
John Freeman died in Bertie Co.
26
May 1797 Deed Bk R-441 Bertie Co John Campbell, Jr. sold his father's seine fishery to Josiah Perry,
Samuel Rayner, James Ward, Charles Freeman, Jeremiah Freeman and Joshua Freeman,
Jr. It was located on the beach at Colerain.
"[Josiah Perry's] land [was] in the Powellsville section of Bertie County
. . . adjoining the lands of Timothy Walton. He also
purchased from John Winborne the Liberty Hill Fishery on the Chowan River,
which he devised in his will to his wife for life, and then to his son
Freeman and daughter Amillicent." B B Winborne
Note: Judge Winborne [and Major John W Moore] confused Josiah, the son
of John Perry and Sarah Walton, with Josiah the
son of Israel Perry who was a younger man and this Josiah's first wife Elizabeth
with Elizabeth Twine Perry daughter of John Twine
who died in 1783 -- at the
time of Mr. Twine's death his daughter Elizabeth was still living - this
Josiash Perry's wife Elizabeth had died about 1775/9. Josiah Perry, Esquire,
was living in Paquotank County at the time of the 1790 Census.
US Census Bertie Co 1790
Josiah [Joshua] Perry 2 m 16+, 3 m 16-, 5 females and 16 sls
US Census Pasquotank Co 1790
Josiah Perry, Esquire 1 m 16+, 4 m 16-, 3 females and 5 sls
US Census Bertie Co 1800
Josiah [Joniah] Perry 1 m 10/16, 1m 16/26, 1 m 45+, 2 f 0/10, 2 10/16, 1 f
45+ and 20 blks
US Census Pasquotank 1800
Elizabeth Perry 2 m 16/26, 1 f 0/10, 1 f 10/16, 1 f 26/45, 2 sls
US Census Currituck 1800
Josiah Perry 1 m 0/10, 1m 26/45, 2 f 0/10, 1 f 26/45, 2 sls
US Census Bertie Co 1810
Josiah Perry 1 m 16/26, 1 m 45+, 1 f 10/16, 1 f 45+ and 20 blks
US Census Bertie Co 1820
Josiah Perry 1 m 10/16, 2 m 18/26, 1 m 45+, 1 f 16/26, 1 f 26/45, 1 45+
Freeman Perry 3 m 0/10, 1 m 26/45, 1 f 26/45
Will of Josiah Perry:
In the name of God Amen that I Josiah
Perry of Bertie County
and State of
North Carolina being in good health & of a sound mind &
disposing memmory and knowing how nessary it is for all men once to
die and make such disposal of their worldly Estate as will leave no
Room for contention hereafter do make and publish this my last will and testament
in form and manner as follows. Viz
1st I give and bequeath unto my son William Perry
One Negro man
Jack now in his possession with what he has received already to him
& his Heirs forever it being his full Share of my Estate.
2nd I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Salley Stephens
One Negro woman
Rachel now in her possession with what other she has already recd. to
her and her Heirs forever it being her full portion of my Estate.
3rd I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Christian
Walton One Negro woman Pat with what other she has already
recd. to her and her Heirs forever it being her full portion of my
Estate.
4th I give and bequeath unto my Son John Perry
One Negro
boy Nelson now in his possession with what other he has received
it being his full portion of my Estate.
5th I give and bequeath unto my Son Josiah Perry
One
Negro names Eliza now in his possession with what he has
received it being his full portion of my Estate.
6th I give and bequeath unto my grand son Samuel
Jenkins one Negro man Buck to him and his Heirs forever -------
7th I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Bershabe Garrett one half
of the money that shall arise from the sale of a tract of land
bought by me of Sollomon Saunders lying in Edgecombe County (which
said tract of Land has already been sold) to her & her Heirs
forever it being her full portion of my Estate.
8th I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Jinkins &
Grand Daughter Salley Odom the Remaining half of the money arising
from the said Sale of the aforesaid tract of land bought by me of
Solloman Saunders to them and their Heirs forever to be Equally
Divided between them the said Mary Jinkins &
Salley Odom it being
their full Share of my Estate. --------
9th I give and bequeath unto my grand son Jeremiah Perry
son of James Perry dec'd the following Negroes one boy (Dave, Esther
& her child George. I also give and bequeath unto the said
Jeremiah Perry one tract of land bought by me of Wm. Saunders lying in
the County Edgecombe the above Negroes & land to him and his heirs
forever provided however if he the said Jeremiah Perry should die
without Lawful Issue then & in that case I give the said Negroes
and Land to my grand children Josiah Balfour, Joseph J Mercer, Lanston
P Sessoms & Joseph J Jinkins. the surviving or survivers of them
& their Heirs forever.---------
10th I give and bequeath to my daughter Celia Rayner
one Negro boy Isau
now in her possession and all other property such as she has already
rec'd and also one Negro girl Rose for and During her natural life and
after her Death to all the children she now has or may have hereafter
to be equally Divided amongst them to them and their Heirs
forever------
11th I give and bequeath to my son Freeman Perry a tract of land
I bought of Isaac H. Ward & ninety five acres in Kiss ? Glade
& also my part of the Colerain Fishery to him & his heirs
forever-----
12th I give and bequeath to my grandchildren sons &
Daughters of Freeman Perry which he now has or hereafter may have the
following property to be Equally Divided Amongst them (Viz) one tract
of land where on I now live (with the Exception of a home I shall
hereafter make to my wife) and the tract of Land I bought of Jacob
Perry also the following Negroes (viz) Ruffin, Lucy,
Rosetty,
Martiller & Ben Demcee Dinnah & Andrew. With the following
condition That my son Freeman Perry do keep the above property During
his life & the net proceeds arising there from for him to apply to
the various clothing, schooling all his children and after his death
to them & their Heirs forever -------
13th I give and bequeath un to my Daughter Nancy Balfour
the following Negroes named Tony & Bridget David & Seller
Carter Rose V and all her children to her during her Natural life and
then to her surviving children to them & their Heirs forever.
--------
14th I lend unto my Daughter Frusanna Mercer the following
Negroes (viz)
Anthony, Moses, Marty, Jenny, Rose V and all her children to her
during her life & then to her children to be Equally Divided
amongst them & their Heirs forever---------
15th I give & bequeath unto my two daughters Nancy Balfour
& Frusanna Mercer a certain track of Land lying in Edgecombe
County which I bought of Phillip Cosway? lying over Jiny Creek in the
piney woods to be sold and the money arrising there from to be Divided
in the following manner (viz) Nancy Balfour to have One hundred
dollars more out of the sale than Frusanna Mercer to them &
their heirs forever.---
16th I give unto my Grand Children sons & Daughters of Penelope Sessoms
which she now have or hereafter may have the following property to be
equally Divided amongst them (viz) all the old plantation Land I
bought of James Walten also Piney Redduck Winey Slah Judah & her
children Cloe & her children with the following consideration that
my Daughter Penelope Sessoms do keep the above property during her
life & the net proceeds arising there from for to be applied in
various clothing & schooling all her children & after her
Death to them & their Heirs forever -------
17th I lend unto my Daughter Amelicent Simmons one tract of land bought of
Isac
Perry containing one Hundred & thirty three acres also the
following Negroes (viz) Ned, Annis, Eneriah, and Arthur with all the
Property she has rec'd during her Natural life and after her death to
be Equally divided between the children she now & may hereafter
have to them and their Heirs forever------
18th I lend unto my Beloved wife Amelicent Perry all my Black smith
tools, Cooper tools, & the following Negroes
(viz) York, Bridget,
Pat, Tamar, & children, Haywood Simon Dick & George my Brandy
still also one third part of the land & plantation whereon I now
live bounded as follows Beginning at Timothy Walton's line at the part
leading from my house to said Walton's Avenue which leads to pine Tree
Store formerly Belonging to James Jones running thence to a pond and
through to a small Branch at the School House thence along the cart
path which leads to where the old school house stood to the Near
branch thence down said branch to barbecue Swamp thence down the said
Swamp to Timothy Walton's line thence along his line to the first
station. I also lend my beloved wife as much land on the South Side of
the Near branch as shall make pines enough to . . .. .......(line
missing) .. . . of that purpose also the lightwood on the South side
of the Road which is or may be on the Land which I exchanged with
James Ward for the pines & lightwood thereon growing &
standing there lands to be given up when Each of us are done making
Tar & Turpentine on Each Track & Exchanged for the purpose
aforesaid to have the said property during the period of her Natural
life.
19th I give & bequeath unto my beloved wife the following Negroes
(viz) Toby, Cynder & her children, Jack, Sabra, & Silva with
all the remaining paart of my Estate not otherwise disposed of after
all my Just Debts are paid and funeral Expenses Discharged by my Exet.
to her & her heirs for Ever. I also lend my beloved wife during
her Natural life that part of Liberty Hill Fishery that I bought of
John Winbon & wife and after her death I bind unto my son Freeman
Perry & Daughter Amilicient Simons the said land & fishery to
them & their Heirs forever-------
20th I lend unto my son Freeman Perry the following Property after the
Death of my wife and after his Death to his heirs forever namely one
Brandy still & three Negroes to say York Bridget & Pat--------
21st It hereby is my Desire that the Court should appoint some proper
person to be guardians to my grandchildren sons & daughters of
Freeman Perry touching all the Legacy given them in this my last will
& Testament---- & I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint
my wife Amilicent Perry & John Simons Executrix & Executor to
this my last will & Testament ....(.line in fold)...... by me made
& declaring this to be my last will & Testament In Witness I
have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this the 25th day of
April Anno Domina 1820 Josiah Perry
Signed sealed & acknowledged in presents of us.
Jas. Ward & Benj. Hill
I hereby
revoke so much of the 12th item as relate to a Negro boy Andrew
(which
was given to Freeman Perry Children) it is my desire that my Executer
and Executrix sell the said boy Andrew & the money arising there
from to be at my wife Amilicent Perry's disposal this annexed to
making a part of my Last will & Testament made the 20th day of
April 1920. Witness I have hereunto set my hand & append my seal
this the 3rd day of June 1820 Josiah Perry
( very shakey signature)
Witness: Jas Ward Benj Hill
North
Carolina, I Josiah Perry of Bertie County. Low in Health tho of
a sound mind & Disposing memory do hereby annex this my Last Will
& Testament dated the 20 day of April 1820 and make part of my
last Will.
Item 1st I lend to my four Daughters (Viz) Celia
Rayner, Penelope Sessoms, Frusanna Mercer, Milicent Simons the following
Negroes (Viz)
(Tamar, Haywood, Pomp, Dick, George & Simon) that frusanna Mercer
have two fifths of the above property after my wife Death (& Celia
Rayner, Penelope Sessoms, & Milicent Simons one fifth Each) During
their lives & after their Death I give the said Negroes to their
children & their Heirs forever.
Item 2 I hereby Revoke so much of .(15th)...... Sexton as relates to a
Certain Tract of land lying in Edgecombe County which I bought of
Phillip Cosway? lying over Jerry Creek in the piney woods, which I
give the whole of said land to my Daughter frusanna Mercer
to her her
heirs & assigns forever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affix my seal
this the 19th day of June Anna Domni 1820.
Signed sealed & acknowledged Josiah Perry
in presents of Jas Ward Benj Hill
State of
North Carolina Bertie County August Term 1820
Last will of Josiah Perry decd and also the codicils hereunto annexed
was proven in open court by the oaths of Benj. Hill and James Ward the
subscribing witnesses thereto & ordered to be recorded at the same
time Milicent Perry & John Simons the Executors therein named
Qualified as such Test. E. A. Rhodes. Recorded Book G page
80 transcribed from microfilm of the original will by Sally
Koestler.
- - - -
-
Will of Milicent Pery: In
the name of god Amen
I Millicant Pery being of sound and perfect mind & memory, do this 18
day of October 1822 make and publish this my last will & testament in
manner & form following Viz.
1st I give & bequeath unto my grand children Emily
Sessoms, Elanson Sessoms, Pininih Sessoms, Harrell Sessoms, Selah Sessoms
& Laviney Sessoms and all the children that my
daughter Penelope Sessoms may hereafter have, the following property Viz.
Negroes Silas & Ben, four beds & furniture, half dozen
Windsor chairs, two horses, thirteen head of cattle, twenty head of hogs,
all of which I purchased of Nathan Sessoms and have issue remained in the
said Nathan Sessoms posession; also two beds & furniture, 1 large pine
chest, 1 walnut table, 1 wagon with two bodies, together with its gear as
also 2 mules, to be equally divided between them at the death of their
mother; but it is my will & desire, that their mother should have the
use of the foregoing property during her natural life.
2nd I give & bequeath to my daughter Fruzy Mercer
Negroes Jack & Silvy, 1 large Linen Chest,
to be hers & her heirs forever.
3rd I give & bequeath to Millisant Simons, Negroes
Toby & Cindu, 1 Bed & furniture, 1 pine chest, 1 walnut Desk,
1 Mahogany table, 1 Mahogany stand, 1 yoke of Oxen, cart & wheels &
my riding horse & gig, 1/2 of my bofat furniture, 1/2 of my kitchen
furniture, 1/3 of my cattle & sheep, 1/2 of my hens, 1/2 of my spinning
wheels, and 1/2 of the brandy that may be found at my death to be hers &
her heirs forever.
4th I give and bequeath to my grandchildren Laviny
Catharine Simons, Elizabeth Millisant Simons, Mary Louise Simons, and
all the children that my daughter Millisant Simons
may hereafter have the following negroes Viz - Sabra,
Bryant, Nicy, Casar & Violet, 2 beds & furniture to be
equally divided between them as they may sensally arrive at age, to be
theirs & their heirs forever
5th I give & bequeath unto my son Freeman Pery
1 bed & furniture.
6th It is my desire that all the property that may be found at my death
which is not above disposed of may be sold and after paying all my just
debts, the balance be divided Jeremiah Pery, son
of James Pery decd and the children of Miles
Rayner, that may survive me, that is to say Jeremiah Pery to have one
third thereof & Miles Rayner's children to have the remaining two
thirds, thereof.
6th It is my Will & Desire that all the notes, or bonds, that may be
found at my death against Freeman Perry and Nathan
Sessoms, may give up to them to the said Freeman & Nathan grattis.
7th ly & lastly I hereby appoint my beloved Son in law John Simons,
Executor of this my last will & testament, in witness whereof, I have
hereunto set my hand & seal, the day and year above written.
Signed sealed published & declared, in the Presence of,
Isaac
Perry
Milisent Pery seal
Jas
Ward
State of N Carolina, Bertie County Court: Nov Term 1823.
The last will and testament of Milicent Pery decd was proved in open court
by the oath of James Ward, one of the subscribing witnesses there to --
ordered that the same be recorded at the same time James Ward qualifies as
Adm. to the will annexed E A Rhodes CC
transcribed from microfilm of the original will by Sally
Koestler.
Children of Josiah Perry and Elizabeth? Freeman
dau of William:
following includes info from Robert
Polk Thomson and his work "Perry family (Mansker Creek area)"
1. William Perry ca
1762 - ca 1831 Sumner Co TN
married bef 15 July 1792 Sarah Hunter d
1793/5
dau of Hardy Hunter and wife Rachel
i. Roundtree Perry est 1791 - moved to Williamson Co IL
ii. Norfleet Perry 4 July 1793 - 27 July 1833
Ronnie
1830 Census Sumner Co 398
Norfleet Perry 120001001
110001
married Davidson Co TN 3 Dec. 1816 Rachel Perry [divorced 24 Nov 1819]
married Sumner Co TN 19
April 1820 Elizabeth [Betsey] Garrett
2 Dec 1800 - 9 Nov 1839 Sumner Co TN
both buried in the Patton cemetery near Goodlettsville, Sumner Co TN