I have been looking through my family tree database adding sources to verify that ancestors are actually my ancestors. One of those missing a citation is Edward Stringer, supposed father of an ancestor…Tabitha Peed, wife of Henry Peed.
Several online sites have Tabitha as the daughter of Edward Stringer and his wife, either Frances or Judith. 1
Using the hints left by these researchers on the sites, I was able to locate the 1778 will of Edward Stringer in Caswell County, North Carolina.2 That will did name a daughter “Tobitha Pead” among others. The following is a transcript of that will:
In the Name of God Amen
the tenth Day of march one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy Eight
I Edward Stringer of Caswell County and province of North Carrolina Planter being very Sick and very weak in body but of Perfect mind and memory thanks be to God, therefore Calling to mind the Mortality of my Body and Knowing that it is Appinted for al men once to die do make and ordain this my Last will and testament that is to say Principly and first of all I give and Recommend my soul into the hands of God that give it and for my Body I Recommend it to the Earth to be Buried in a Christian like and Decent manner at the Discretion of my Executor. Nothing Doubting but at the general Resuerection I shall receive the Same by the mighty Power of God and as touching Such worldly Estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to Bless me in this Life I Devise and Dispose of the Same in the following manner and form;
I Give and Bequeath unto my well beloved wife Judah Stringer all my Goods Chattles Lands and tenements moveables and immoveables Effects to be Enjoyed by her for Ever to do with as Sutes herself to give it to them who she pleses only at my wife’s Death I give to my Son Limeledge Stringer my Plantation and Three hundred acres of Land takeing in a Cabbon where Robert Campel Lives with all the appertainces there unto to him and his heirs for Ever. Item I Give and bequeath ^to^ my Daughter fanney Southerlain one Cow and a Cow yearling one feather Bed and one hundred acres of land to her and her heirs for Ever Item I give and Bequeat to my Daughter Maryann Stringer one young Cow and one feather Bed to her and her heirs foe Ever Item I Give and Bequeath to my Gran Daughter Sarah Stringer one young cow to her and her heirs for Ever and what Remains at my wifes Decease after the Legtees Recd. is to be Equily Devided between my Children James Stringer, Wm. Stringer, Limeledg Stringer, Agness Whitlock, Luse Browning, Tobitha Pead, Sarah Campel, and my Son Edmond Stringer one Shilling Sterling and no more I leave to my Son Rubin Stringer one Shilling and no more I also Give to my Daughter Frances Vier one Shillind Sterling and no more Item I Constitute and appoint my Said wife my Lawfull Exeutricts of this my Last will and testament and I Do hereby utterly Revoke and Disannull all and Every other formes and Confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal the Day and year first written…..
Edward ‘E S’ Stringer (his mark)
Sined Seled Published and Pronounced and by the Said Edward Stringer as his last will and testament in precense of us the subscibers:
Jacob Miles Snr.
John Davis
Hezekiah ‘x’ Davis (his mark)June Court 1779. The Execution of the within Will was proved by the Oaths of Jacob Miles Sen, John Davis & Hezekiah Davis the Subscribing Witness thereto & on motion ordered to be recorded. Test: William Moore, CE
Edward Stringers Will Will
fees pd.
June Court 1779
1779
Recorded Book A, Page 76.