Martha Elizabeth Eelbank

     Martha Elizabeth Eelbank was born circa 1765.

Martha married William BURT, son of Joseph BURT and Elizabeth (?), on 12 October 1794 in Halifax, Halifax County, North Carolina. She was the widow of Hance Bond who had died about 1796. Her parents were John and Elizabeth Eelbank.¹

Martha Elizabeth Eelbank was named in the will of her mother, Elizabeth Eelbank, on 24 June 1798 in Halifax County, North Carolina. To daughter, Martha Elizabeth Burt, negroes and at her death the said negroes to be divided between Elizabeth Constantia Bond and Harriott Davis Bond. "My reason for leaving them only for her life is that William Burt has enough and them poor children has nothing." The Bond children appear to be grandchildren of the deceased. The will was probated in February 1800 and her executor was Goodorum Davis and witness was Mary Davis.²

Martha Elizabeth Eelbank was named as an heir in the will of her sister, Mary Davis, on 30 June 1809 in Halifax County. Mary was the widow and relict of Goodorum Davis. She left to her nephew, William S. Burt, son of William Burt, "land in Northampton County and mill therein where if he die under 21 the same goes to my neice Harriott D. Eppes, wife of Richard Eppes, and Maria Burt, daughter of said William..." William Burt was to hold in trust for Harriott Eppes a "house and lot I now occupy at present in the Town of Halifax and also the lot I purchased of the late William Barksdale, dec'd." She also left her neices Harriott and Maria negroes. She left to "my negro fellow Jim who was manumitted, freed and liberated by order of the Worshipful Court my lot #1 in the town of Halifax and the circumjacent land and the said negro to have a free gift of his wife Rina and his two sons Joseph and Jim and their said father should have the said sons freed when they are 21." Her executors were her "friends" William Burt and Richard Eppes esquires of the Town of Haifax. Witness were William Drew and Robert Johnston. A codicil was added 30 Jun 1809 leaving her neice Martha Burt wife of William Burt her negro Adam as gardener and Richard Eppes of the Town of Halifax merchant, residue of her estate. The will was proven in the court of August 1815.³

Martha Elizabeth Eelbank died in December 1814 in Halifax, Halifax County, North Carolina.