Samuel Smith Sr – land bequeathed by his will

Samuel Smith Sr’s Will shows the following dispersion of land

“…. I also lend to my beloved wife the plantation where on I now live and all the lands adjoining there to on both sides Middle Creek, ….”

I believe this to be the land on Middle Creek in the vicinity of Cow Branch which I will plot at a later time.

“…. I give and bequeath unto my son John the plantation where on he now lives and all the lands belonging to me adjoining the said plantation containing four hundred and eighty six acres more or less ….”

So far in my research I’ve discovered that Samuel Sr had land holding in 4 main areas. 1) South side of and on the Neuse River, 2) North side of and on the Neuse River, 3) On Swift Creek (closest to what is today Smithfield), and 4) Middle Creek in the vicinity of Cow Branch towards Wake County.

“….I give and bequeath unto my son Alexander …. one tract of land lying on Black Creek whereon I now have a Quarter, also my mannor (manor) plantation with the lands adjoining there to on both sides Middle Creek after the death of my wife ….”

The rest of the children where not given any land.

Based on this will he is giving children a ‘ninth’ part of the remainder of his estate.

Wife: Edith; Children per the will: John, Samuel, David, Jonathan, Alexander, Jane, Edith, Elisabeth and on page 4 there is a section torn and this is assumed to be Sarah Ann.