Farris Family Records NC and SC Submitted by Betsy Faris Will of James Faries, State of South Carolina In The Name of God Amene I James Faries of York County and State of South Carolina, being in my ordinary state of health and of sound memory Bless be God and Calling to mind the uncertenty of Life, Do this fifth day of Jenuary and in the year of our Lord one Thousand Eight hundred and two make and publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner following-- 1.st I give and Bequeat & Devise unto my beloved wife Jean two Negro, Grace and Dine, and two Mares named poll and sorral, and the third part of the Cattle with hir Bed and Bedding, and to Live on the plantation as long as she pleases, 2.nd I Give and Bequeat into my son James Faries Two Negroes named Dan and Dan with the half of the Plantation and the third of the Cattle. 3.rd I Give and Bequeat unto my son Richard Faries, the other half of the plantation with Two Negroes Named Rodg and Sank with the third of the Cattle. 4.th I give and Bequeat unto my grandson Elias faries one Black horse Coalt, 5.th I Give and Bequeat unto my son William faries the Sorral Mares Coalt, 6.th I Give and Bequeat unto my son Alexander faries five Dollars, 7.th I give and Bequeat unto my Daughter Margret Married to David Strane five Dollars, 8.th I give and Bequeat unto my Daughter Agnese Married to Benjamin Garrison five Dollars. 9.th I Give and bequeat unto my Daughter Jean Married to John Andre as much as will pay the Doctor Bill or Bills, 10.th I Give and bequeat unto my Daughter Susanah Married to John faries five Dollars, 11.th I give and bequeat unto my Daughter Ann Married to James faries five Dollars, 12.th and Lastly I Apoint my Wife Jean faries and my son James faries Executors of this my Last Will and testament in witness whereof I the Testator have unto this my last will and testament Set my hand and seal the Day and year first above written. Signed Sealed and Delivered by the Testator as and for his last will and Testament in presence of us who w(e)are James Faries (Seal) present at the signing and Sealing. Thereof James Faires Rich'd Faires John Kerr Probated March 5, 1802 Case no. 56 File no. 146 Will Book "A" P-85 ************************************************************Will of Jean Faris, State of South Carolina November the 5th--1807 This being the last will and testament of Jean Faris 1.st I will and bequeat unto my daughter Ann Faris a Negro girl named Diner 2.nd I will and bequeat unto my daughter Jean Adear my Bed and bed steds also bed Furniture-------- 3.rd I will and bequeat unto my Grand Daughter Poly Adear one pewter dish---- 4.th I will and bequeat unto my Grand Daughter Polly Brown one pewter dish also-- 5.th and last I will that James Faris and Alexander Faris should be my Executors-- mark Jean x Faris her John Barnett Gasaway Wilson James Faris) Executors Alexander Faris) Probated December 7, 1807 Will Book "A" P-261 Case No. 56 File no. 149 ************************************************************ Will of Alexander Faires The State of South Carolina, York District In the Name of God Amen, I Alexander Fearis being of sound and disposing mind and memory but weake in body and calling to mind the uncrtainty of life and being desirous of disposing of all my Negro property, having in my life time divided all of my other property to the best of my Judgment, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following-- I do will and bequeat to my Son Jess, Sampson a Negro man Slave, and Bid and Moriah Negro girl Slaves and their Increase to him and his heirs forever, Item, I will and bequeat to my son Thomas my Negro man Slave Levi to him and his heirs forever,-- Item, I do give and bequeat unto my son Thomas, William, and Samuel, and Alexander, and my Daughter Jennet wife of William Wallis the following Negroes to be Equally divided between them Viz: Mary a Negro woman, Joe a Negro man, & Cinthia & Lavania Negro girls and their increase to them and their heirs forever, Item. It is my express will that the above named Negroes remain with my son Jepsee (Jessee) during the Natural life of my beloved wife Jennet Fearis to assist to support her Except Levi who is at this time with my son Thomas and I allow him to remain with him-- I wish it to be understood by all my other Children not mentioned in the above Will that I have given them what I thought to be their Just shares of my property- Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my Son Jesse Fearis Executor of this last will and Testament by me made in Testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 16th Day of Febuay 1824. Signed and Sealed and published and declared to be the last will and testament of the above named Alexander Fearis Alexand Farres (Seal) in the presence of us and in the testators presence James Carothers Alsey Fuler August 10th, 1824. South Carolina York District South Carolina, York District - Probated the above Will and Testament of Alex. Faires Dec'd, by the oath of James Carrothers one of the Subscribing Witnesses to the same, August 10th, 1824. Benjamin Chambers, A? or Oyd(Reg.?) At the same time heretofore Jesse Faires Executor. Benjamin Chambers, A? or Oyd Probated August 10, 1824 Will Book "G" P-137 Case No. 18 File No. 268 The last will and testament of Alex Faires deceased August 10, 1824. Minute Book Page 154 Recorded Book 9 or G Pages 137 and 138. Note: The date of Alexander Faires tombstone is Died June 6, 1834 which is not correct as his will was probated August 10, 1824. The date of his death being June 6, 1824 In Many old wills I have found that the one doing the writing spelled the name the way it sounded to them. On all the old grave markers I have seen it is spelled Faires, Alexander, Jesse, James, and William at Old Unity and James and John at Bethel Presbyterian Church, S.C. are spelled Faires. Louise Kerr Faires ************************************************ The Cloud's Creek Massacre by: Kerby Able One of Bloody bill's men, according to a Negro slave who witnessed it, added a macabre touch to the grisly scene when he arrayed himself in the dead Captain Butler's uniform and strutted before the bereaved families of the dead men. ************************************************************ Ft. Mill, York Co., SC Monument to Slaves Perhaps the only monument of its kind stands at the lower corner of Confederate Park. This monument dedicated to the "Faithful Slaves" is also erected by Capt. White "in grateful memory of earlier days" with the Jefferson Davis Memorial Association. On one side is inscribed the picture of a slave holding a scythe and on the other a Negro woman with a baby in her arms. The names of the slaves, in the typical fashion, were the same as the people who owned them. Among the names were Nelson White, Sandy, Warren, Silas, Handy, Anthony, Jim and Henry White, Nathan Springs, and Solomon Spratt. **************************************************************************** Reminiscences of Cynthia Catherine (Choate) Faris, 1855 - 1943 "The year before my mother died I remember seeing her pack boxes to send to the front to Uncle Augustine Davidson Choate's seven sons and to my first cousins, Jim and Andy Stewart. Sally, a young negro girl, helped her to cook the hams and cakes, and I remember so well watching Mother ice them, for at that time iced pound cakes were a rare thing. Shortly after my mother's death, about two dozen Yankees came to our home looking for horses and mules, but my father and other neighbors had all the valuable stock hidden in the big thickets on the creek. One old mule with a big foot was left at home and Will, a young negro boy who helped around the house, refused to answer any questions concerning the horses. He pointed to this mule and said, 'There is a fine animal you can have if you want him.' The soldiers laughed heartily and made fun of the old mule and told Will that he could keep it." The soldiers told Aunt Rena, our negro "Mammy," to fix them something to eat. They requested that she pour a jar of cream into a jar of buttermilk which they happened to see sitting in an open entry between the main part of the house and the kitchen. Sally and Will helped Aunt Rena prepare the meal. She fried ham for them and served it picnic style, ordering the soldiers to sit in the entry between house and kitchen. ********************************************************** "Historic Maury" Maury County, Tennessee Genealogical Society January - March Page 6 - Wills and Settlements, Book 6, August 1832 - April 1837. Farris - Page 47 - Recorded December 28, 1832 - pursuance to order of the Court for the division of the Negroes of William Farris dec'd. Among the heirs of said decd. Negro woman Betsy to the widow Jane Farris, Negro Jack to James R. Farris. Balance of the Negroes in the hand of Samuel D. Akin, guardian of the minor heirs. Signed, A. Cathey, David Craig, John Akin, W.G. Cooper, Will Cathey, James Curry. Page 296 - Farris - James Kennedy, Admrs. return March 1836 of estate of minor heirs of William Farris, dec'd, for schooling of John B. Faris, David Faras, Robert Faras, Rent of land to the widow, Jefferson Faris for hire of Negro, Miriah. James Kennedy, Admr. ************************************************** Original Will of William Faris New Hanover County, North Carolina In the name of God Amen. I William Faris of the county of New Hanover and Provience of North Carolina being sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect memory do Make this my Last Will and Testament In Manner and form following. That is to say Imprimis It is my will and Desire that my Whole Estate Real and Persoanl be Sold and Executors hereaster named but not Dispose of the Negores Attending the Saw mill until the Said Mill With the Lands belonging to it be sold so as to make a remittance to my worthy friend Robert Mackay of London To Whom I am justly Indepted at least five hundred pounds Sterling. Item I give and bequeat my Negro girl Chris to my Kindswoman Sarah Faries & also a negro named Lucy Sams daughter for the use of Mrs. Faris's Children. I name & appoint my friend Corneilus Harnett and Marmaduke Jones Executors hereby revoking all other wills. 3 January 1757 William Faris Signed Published and Declared by the Testator as his Last Will before us Caleb Grainger Isabella McNeill her mark -- Jean Moody 2nd side After publishing my will as on the other sid It is my desire to declare that if any thing remains of my Estate aster payment of my Just debts and Legacies that the same all be applied and given towards the furnishing the church of St. James parish in the county and my funeral Expenses be as moderate as deceny requires without _________. William Fairs Signed and acknowledged by the Testator as a Codicill to the will on the other side the same day in presence of Caleb Grainger Isabella McNeill her mark -- Jean Moody Also the money arising upon the Sale of my Lott in Wilmongton joining to the house and Lott where the late Francis DAvis lived part of which I bought of the widow French, I give and bequeat to John and James Faries sons of Isaac Faries to be by my Executors equally divided betwixt them. Also that my Executors pay unto Miss Isabella McNeill the sum of then pounds Pro.1 Money for her trouble in attending me. William Faris Signed and acknowledged by the Testator as a Second Codicill to the Will on the other side the same day in presence of - Caleb Grainger John Bound (?) Feb.ry Court 1757 Caleb Grainger came into Court and proved the Execution of the above will. Register on Book D fo. 334 Isaac Faries CC Register (Note: When Isaac Faries copied the original will of William Faris into the record, the surname was spelled in nearly every instance as Faries. The handwriting in the body of the original will changed 4 times as codicils were added and people came and went throughout the day. fc) Fawn P. Coleman *********************************************** Origianl Will of Sarah Faris New Hanover County, North Carolina In the name of God Amen. I Sarah Faris of Wilmington being sick and weak of body, but of sound mind and memory, do make this my last Will and Testament, in the manner following. Imprimis. I give and Bequeat unot Miss Jenny DuBois my Two Negroes named Sdyney and Belinda and their increase to her and her Heirs forever. Item. I give and Bequeat unto Thomas Maclaine my Two Negroes, named Lucy & Betty, with their increase to him and his Heirs forever, Likewise I give unto the Said Thomas the amount of a Bond due by Archibald Maclaine as one of the Executors of the late James Moran, with all the Interest due thereon Item. I give and Bequeat unto my good friend Mrs. Toomer, such part of my worked muslin as she may chuse, and a Seal, the Swivel of which is lost, also any of my Trinkets she may chuse and Such part of my wearing apparell as She thinks worth her acceptance item. I give and Bequeat unto Thomas Macline, aforesaid a Lot in the Town of Wilmington, adjoining the house in which George Meek now lives, also my lands in Anson County or else where to him and his Heirs forever. - and hereby declare him to be residuary Legatte Lastly., I hereby nominate and appoint the Said Thomas Maclaine to be Executor of this my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me made. In witness hereof I have hereunto Set my hand seal this eleventh day of April 1781- Sa Toom (a case could be made for this signature which looks very little like 'Faarri' no matter how much the imagnation is stretched. Was Sarah senile?) - with seal. Signed and Sealed Published in presence of Henry Toomer Mary Toomer New Hanover County January Term 1782 The above Last Will & Testament of Sarah Faries was exhibited in Court and proved by the Oath of henry Toomer, a Subscribing Witness thereto, who swore that the Testatrix did Sign, Seal, Publish and declare the same to be and contain her last Will and Testament, and that he believes she was of sound and disposing mind and memory. Also, that Mary Toomer Signed at the same time as a concurring evidence thereto. At same time Tho. Mclaine Qualified as Executor to the said Will. Ordered that the Letters Testamentary issue to the said Thomas Mclaine, agreeable to Law. (Unsigned by clerk of court) ************************************************** Will of John Faires of Raleigh, North Carolina In the name of God Amen I John Faires of the city of Raleigh Wake County State of North Carolina being of perfect sound mind and memory, doth make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is today 1st It is my will that all my just debts be paid particularly one Thousand Dollars To My Sister Ann Neeper which I owe her as executor of the will of my brother Jas. Faires Deceased. 2nd I leave all my estate real and personal of every kind to be equally divided - share and share alike - between my beloved wife Mary Faires and our children Viz (and I mean) Caroline Faires John Washington Faires William James Faires and Anne Jane Faires and would (should?) any of them die under age without lawful heirs then their part to be equally divided amongst the living children and should all of them die without lawful heirs - and under age - then their property to go to my brother Wm. (WW?) Faires and his children. 3rd It is my will that as soon as may be after my decease that an inventory be taken of all my property of every kind and all monies collected to be laid out in bank stock in the name of my heirs and all dividens or interest to go to the support and the education of our children also house rent or negro hire that may be (he?) _____ to be approximated to the same purpose. 4th It is my will that when Caroline is of age that all my property of every kind be sold (or a reasonable credit) and establish auction and then a division to take place of the whole nett (net) procedes. 5th To my Son John Washington I leave my gold watch and to my son Wm. James my block over and above their equal shares. To John W. I leave a negro boy named George and to Wm James I leave a negro boy named Ben. but to be counted at their face value at the time of the sale should they be alive and Scilla the mother of the above named boys it is my wish that my dear wife should purchase her at the sale for the use of herself and the other children who may still live with her and also Scilla's children that she may have her after so that neither Scilla nor her children will be taken out of my family but Scilla particularly to remain the property (at her full value) of my dear wife Mary Faires. 6th My Boy Jefferson bound to Billy Holmes Barber I do hereby emanipate __________ free and leave him one hundred dollars to be paid him when he is eighteen years old to pay his charges to some of the Northern States when he could follow his trade without any one to interrupt or mollocudle(?) with his having been a slave. 7th It is my will that my children get a liberal education and that John and James be educated so as to purchase and qualify themselves for choosing some honorable occupation either law profession or any other they may choose when capable of making a choice for themselves. 8th I do hereby appoint my beloved wife Mary Faires General Robert Williams and So_eth_y Bond Esq. (Esquire) Executors of this my last will and testament in witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of September 1817. JW Faires Seal The County Y ___ G____ 1819 This You giving last Will and Testament of John Faires dec'd ____ in Open Court duly _________ by the Oaths of H______ G. Bowen James R. King and Alex Melson and Grant to be Recorded Unreadable signature Recorded in clks Office of Wake in Book 2 page 156. Unreadable signature *********************************************** A Family Story Descendants of Robert Faries, 1785 - 1974 by: Dennis O. and W.M. Farris, Gastonia, North Carolina Here are some interesting notes from the will of Samuel W. -- "I will that my still and vessels be sold to meet demands against me" -- "Should the negro woman prove dissatisfactory I allow my Exerts. to sell her or trade her for another girl." (Evidently he operated a Government Distillery and owned at least one slave - both were legal at that time). "I direct that Elvy C.D. (Clementine) be made equal with my above named daughters." At the time the will was made (1844) Clementine was unmarried and lived at home. I think that Samuel W. inserted this statement so that at her marriage or in the final settlement she would share in his estate. Clementine later married E. Amiz Falls, son of Eli Falls. They are the parents of Martha E. (Mattie) Falls, June 10, 1852 - October 4, 1914 and William G. (Billy) Falls, March 26, 1861 - January 11, 1933. When Clementine made her will in 1902 it was witnessed by S.H. and Mary Farris (our parents). ************