From the Parker family genealogy web site: “Frances E. Parker said that at the first Parker Family reunion Judge Joseph W. Parker, of Windsor, NC read great grandfather's will. It is in the only old book that survived the disaster of the Winton Court House. He wrote it on May 20, 1848, and died June 1, 1849.”
Will of Silas Parker
In the name of God, Amen, I, Silas Parker, of Hertford County and State of North Carolina, do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, to wit.
First, I lend to my wife Elizabeth Parker the Land and Plantation I now live on, which is the land lying between, the swamp and Murfreesboro Road, supposed to be 200 acres, be the same more or less, as long as she lives, after her death I give the said land to my son, William Carey Parker. Also I give to my wife one Negro man by name of Peter, one Negro woman by name of Celia and two horse of her choice, one riding buggy and harness, two cows and calves and three loose cattle, one yoke of steers and cart and wheels, single cart and wheels, two beds and furniture, two sows and pigs, twelve loose hogs, one bureau, two mahogany tables, twelve sitting chairs, one buffet and all the chinaware, all the silver spoons, and one large trunk, one small table and dressing glass, two iron pots and hooks and racks, one frying pan, one case of knives and forks, twelve Plates and three dishes, two oxen, two grubbing hoes, four flocks of hens, two dugongs, two cotton wheels, and cards, one flax wheel, one loom and gear, and her year's provisions for her and her family, and $700 to her heirs forever. Also I lend to my wife one Negro man by the name of Nat as long as she lives single. If she marries or after her death, then her Negro Nat is to be sold and the money to be equally divided among all living children. Item, I give to my son David Parker, $600 besides what I have given him before, to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give to my granddaughter Anna Weston $150 to and her heirs forever. Item, I give to my grandson Henry Griffith $150 to him and his heirs forever. Item, I give to my grandson Dawson Griffith $150 to him and his heirs forever. Item, I give to my granddaughter Elizabeth Parker $150 to her and her heirs her forever. Item, I give to my granddaughter Mary Rebecca Cobb $100.
Item, I give to my son William H. Parker the land and plantation where William Griffith formerly lived and died, one Negro man named Reddick and $600. Item, I give to my son Oris Parker all my land lying on the south side of Beaver Dam Swamp, also one Negro man named Bob and $800 to him and his heirs forever. Item, I give to my daughter Sarah Parker one Negro woman named Matilda and man named Henry, on feather bed and furniture and $800 to her and her heirs forever. Item, I give to my daughter Annie E. Parker one Negro woman named Harriet and Negro boy named Redmond, one feather bed and furniture and $900 to her and her heirs forever. Item, I give to my daughter Ellen Parker one Negro girl named Susan and one man named Jim and boy named Ephraim, one feather bed and furniture and $900 to her and her heirs forever. Item, I give to my son Peter P. Parker the piney woods tract of land, Cold Moor's, also one Negro man named Ben and boy named Rookus, one girl named Penny and $1,500 to him and his heirs forever. Item I give to my son William Carey Parker the land I loaned to my wife, after her death. Also one Negro boy named Charles and one named Daniel, also $2,000 to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give the Still to my wife for the use of the Plantation, also I leave the lands I bought at Moore's sale discriminatory with my Executor to sell or rent out as he thinks best. After my death I leave the whole of my property, which I have not given away, to be sold by the discretion of my Executor and after paying all my just debts and legacies, then the balance of the proceeds to be divided equally amongst all my living children.
Lastly, I appoint my son, David Parker, Executor to this my last Will and Testament. Also I request him to become Guardian of my Sons and after settling my Estate and to see to schooling them and boarding them. I hope my son David Parker will see to the rest of my little children that they have some fit person to take care of them. Sealed and acknowledged in the 20th day of May, 1848 B.B. Cobb, Benjamin H. Jenkins Signed, Silas Parker (Seal) Test. L. K. Cooper, Clerk.
