Notes for John Henry PRYOR-1923 21 Jan 1998 Page 1
A member of the House of Commons of NC at the time of his death. He and wife Margaret Gaines had moved from Hanover Co., Va., to Edgecomb Co., NC. He was the son of Robert and Betty Virginia Green Pryor of Glouster Co., Va. Margaret was a descendant from Sir John Gaines of Brecon Co., Wales. The will of John Pryor dated 28 Sept 1771, was probated in Orange Co., NC and mentions his sons-in-law, David and John Womack.
WILL of JOHN PRYOR
Orange Co NC WILL Book "H" page 160, drawn 28 Sep 1771, proved Jan Court 1772 First, I principally yield my Soul to God who gave it hoping through the merits of his dear Son to obtain pardon for all my sins and body to be buried in a Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors and what estate it has pleased God to lend me after my just debts be paid, I give and bequeath as follows, to wit: Item I give to my son Robert Pryor that tract of land on the head of Aarons Creek in Granville County, being 640 acres and also my Negro man named Will and what I have already given him and my account against him on my book to him and his heirs lawfully begotten by his body forever. Item I give to my daug Rhoda Stone my Negro man named Pompy and two cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture, one mare and saddle which estate she had already received to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my daughter Mildred Womack my Negro man named Frank and two cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture, one mare and saddle which estate she had already received to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my daug Lucy Tapley my Negro man named Harry and two cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture and one mare and saddle already received to her heirs forever. Item I give to my grandson John Pryor, son of Green Pryor, all that land I purchased of Isaiah Alday and also that land I purchased of Robert McCarley on May Creek and also my Negro woman named Sue and also my Negro girl named Dinah also my Negro girl named Judy and their increase and a horse, saddle and two cow & calves, one feather bed and furniture when he shall arrive to 21 years to him and his heirs forever which have already delivered to Green Pryor. Item I Give and bequeath to my daughter Leah Perkins my Negro woman named Moll and her increase and two cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture, one horse and saddle already received, to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my grand daughter Betty Green Pryor my Negro girl named Dilsey and her increase and also my tract of land on Adam Creek adjoining Hugh Barnett when she shall arrive to lawful years or married, to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my daughter, Rachael Pope my Negro boy named Essia, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, one young mare and saddle, which estate she has already received to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my daughter Dorothy Pryor my Negro girl named Cloe, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, one horse or mare and saddle when she arrives at lawful age or marries to her and her heirs forever. Item I give to my daughter Hoith Pryor (Henrietta Pryor) when she arrives to lawful age or marries, my Negro boy named Ben, and two cows and calves, one feather bed and furniture, and horse or mare and saddle to her and her heirs Item I give to my son John Henry Pryor the land and plantation where I now dwell and also my Negro girl named Phylllis, and two cows and calves and one feather bed and furniture and one young horse and saddle to him and his heirs forever. Item I give to my son Abner Pryor all that land I purchased of Frederick Kerlock and also that land that Moses Walker owned and also that land on Hico bought the improvements of Harkley Warren and also my Negro boy named Cato and two cows and calves one feather bed and furniture and one young horse and saddle and also that tract of land I took up adjoining the land I purchased of Frederick Kerlock to him and his heirs forever. Item I give to my grandson John Pryor Smith my Negro girl named Violet and if she dies before she becomes of age, then my desire is that he be paid out of my estate forty pounds, Va. money, to him and his heirs forever. I also desire my tract of land I purchased of HOSEA TAPLEY, JUNR. 301 acres on Flat River be sold and the money divided amongst my daughters and if either of my children should die before they become of lawful age or marries then their estate both real and personal be equally divided amongst those of my children as shall then be living and if either of those Negroes above mentioned should die before the owner of them comes of age or marries that then he be paid by those coming of age or marries out of my estate forty pounds, Virginia Currentance and I lend to my WIFE MARGARET PRYOR during her natural life or widowhood, the use of my plantation and land whereon I now dwell and also the use of my Negroes, Tom, Macah, Bauns, Nan, Fan, Juda, Jane, Hannah, Punch, Captain, John ___and my young Negro Net (Not?) yet named in my WILL and also the use of my personal estate together all my stock of all kinds and two stills which stills I give to John Henry Proyor and Abner the larger one to John Henry Pryor and the small one to Abner Pryor and at the end of her life or widow hood, my desire all my estate of what so ever kind lent to my wife land excepted to my wife as afoesaid to be equally divided amongst such of my children as shall then be living. Lastly do I appoint my son-in-law William Stone, and my son- in- law David Womack, and my wife Margaret Pryor, Executors and Executrix of this my last WILL and testament, revoking all other WILLs. Given under my hand and seal this 28th day of September 1771.
Signed sealed and delivered John Pryor (seal) in the presence of Jnouase Burges Harrison
Joseph Hicks
Peter Rogers
Proven 11 Jan 1771
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