After nearly a year since my last post, I’ve been going through my files recently putting people in their places in my family tree database. Today, I rediscovered a will that needs further research.
“North Carolina, Cravin County{ Whereas I Joshua Real was this Day Adeamed as a Vagerent and forsed to serve as a Solder Under the Command of Capt. McManus I think It Most Proper to Give & Dispose of My Estate as followeth Upon Previsers that I Never Return.
Item I Give & beQueve My hole Estate Joyntly And Severly After all Just Debts paid to be Eaquelly Devided amongst My Brothers & Sisters and Cusens.
This twentyeth Day of April one thousand Seven Hundre[d] & fiftey Six.
Signed Sealed & Delivered in the Presents of
James Stevenson, John Toler, John Franck.
Exeaters Left to Administer Edweard Gatlin & Petter Reel is appinted Executors of this my Last will & Testament.
[signed] Joshuy Reel his mark V W”
[Will of Joshua Real, no date, found on FamilySearch at
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:S7WF-S1ZF-39?i=138&wc=32LL-HZ4%3A169766501%2C170713901&cc=1867501 visited 2 Jan 2021.]
While the will was written 20 Apr 1756, it was presented for probate twelve years later at the September 1768 term of Craven Inferior Court. James Stevenson proved the will, and on examination stated “he was present and saw the said Joshua Reel Sign Seal Publish and declare the same as his last Will and Testament and at the time thereof he was some what Intoxicated with liquor and appeared to be much confused by reason of being confined as a Vagrant, but not so as to be Deprived of his sences and that the said Joshua requested him after the same was sealed up to take the charge thereof.”
[Page 2 of will, court probate information, is out of order and is at https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:37SQ-2943-8M9?i=158&wc=32LL-HZ4%3A169766501%2C170713901&cc=1867501 visited 2 Jan 2021.]
I have a Joshua Reel in my database, but on examination, he is not this Joshua Reel. The one in my database is the son of James and Sarah Ann Reel, most likely born in the 1760s, and died in 1803. He had two children, Robert Reel and Susannah/Susan Reel, who married William Springle. This younger Joshua is a brother of my ancestor, John Reel.
Speculation at the moment is that James Reel [father of the younger Joshua] is the son of a Peter Reel. Could Peter be the Peter mentioned as an executor? The time frame fits, but there are numerous early Peter Reels in the record, so more research is needed to see if that is the case. Also, could he be a brother of Joshua?
Edward Gatlin, mentioned as the other executor, is supposed to have married a Reel. Could she be a sister of Joshua of the will?
Who are the other “Brothers & Sisters & Cusens”?
Who is the witness, John Toler? Is he from Craven County? Or is he the John Toler from Cumberland? If from Craven, this is the one and only time I’ve seen that name in Craven.
Who are the other witnesses? Franck is Craven/Jones county area name. Stevensons are also Craven County. Did they also serve with Capt. McManus?
Who is Capt. McManus? Based on the date (1756), I’m guessing French and Indian War with a North Carolina regiment.
Looks like I have more research to do…
UPDATE 1: Joshua Reel (d. c1768) is the son of Peter and Mary Reel. Peter died testate in 1739 naming wife Mary and sons Joshua, James, and Peter, and daughters Mary, Sarah, and Elizabeth. The sons were to “be for themselves at the age of sixteen and my daughters at twelve.”
Thus, the Peter Reel mentioned in Joshua’s will is his brother and Edward Gatlin is his brother-in-law (married Elizabeth Reel).