Willie Powell & Unknown

Some apparently related Powells

Willie/Willis Powell 1769 – 1860
& first unknown
& 1827 Mary Powell [Carstaphen] ca 1780 –
of Nash Co NC


This is my working hypothesis – the way I see it as of this moment!!


Notes from David Gammon:

from The Southerner, Sept. 15, 1860:
Willie Powell died in Nash County,
Sept. 4, 1860, having been born Aug. 15, 1769.

Cannot say if this is same person, but this is from The Free Press, Dec. 28, 1827:
Willie Powell of Nash County married Mrs. Mary Carstaphen of Halifax County,
Dec. 18, 1827.

Will of Willie L. Powell – Nash County Will Book 1, page 570
28 March 1860, proved Nov. Ct., 1860
Wife Mary – beds, furntiure, horse, buggy, etc., and at her death to be sold
and divided among all my children or their heirs. If my granddaughter Martha
Burnett dies heirless, her part is to revert to my children or their heirs.
Wife Mary – my land near Griffin’s Swamp, and my daughters Martha and
Margaret are to live with her as long as they remain single. Remaining
estate to all my children, but the heirs of my son Willie Powell and his
daughter Elizabeth Powell shall receive half.
Executor – grandson J.P. Bowers
Wit. B.D. Mann, L.F. Wheeless

1860 Nash Census – House # 988
Willie Powell, age 91
Mary, age 80
Martha, 51
Margaret 49
William H. 10
Penny J. 8
Charles 6
Sallie 4

Willie/ Willis Powell of Nash Co 15 Aug 1769 – 4 Sept 1860 will #12
married 18 Dec 1827 Mrs Mary [Powell] Carstaphen of Halifax Co ca 1780 –
widow of James [d ca 1813] of Halifax
Martha J Powell 1809 – dsp 1892 Buncombe Co will #10

Then this will up in Warren County
10. Martha J. Powell of Warren County
This will is not recorded in Warren, but in Buncombe County in Will Book C,
page 194. It is filed with the original will of Warren County but was not
proved there.
19 November 1889, proved April Court 1892
Nephew W.V. Powell – $100
Niece Mary E. Tucker – $100
Nephew Ivy Allen – $250
Niece Mary E. Alsop of Enfield NC – $200
Nephew Samuel B. Alsop of Enfield NC – $200
Nephew W.E. Bowers of Halifax County – $100
Nephew T.R. Bowers of Halifax County – $100
Niece Martha V. Perry of Fayette County, Tennessee – $50
Niece Annie Ramey of near Memphis, Tennessee – $85
To Fanny Key, sister of the said Annie Ramey, of near Memphis – $50
To Georgia Boulder, Carrie Boulder, and Mattie Boulder (half-sisters of the
said Annie Ramey) of near Holly Springs, Mississippi – $25 each
To the trustees of the Methodist Orphanage in Thomasville, NC – $25
Nephew Thomas O. Powell of Brownsville, Tennessee – all that he owes me in a
note.
Nephew George W. Powell of Red Rock, Texas – all he owes me on a note.
Niece Mary E. Tucker – residue of my estate
Executor – R.D. Fleming
Witnessed by A.V. Fleming, John A. Dowtin
Probate indicates R.D. Fleming refused to qualify as executor and
administration was granted to J.H. Tucker.More Warren County marriage bonds:
Dr. R.D. Fleming to A.V. Watson, bond dated 13 Feb 1866; minister’s return
showing date of marriage as 15 February 1866.

Margaret Powell 1811 – Jan 1873 will #4 [sp 1860]

Will of Margaret A. Dunn
Halifax Will Book 6, page 84
Dated 20 May 1872, proved April Court 1873
Money from a bond due me by R.D. Stallings, a draft from Thomas C. Powell of
Tennessee, and funds in the Savings Bank of Warren are to be divided as follows:
(a) to Mary E. Powell and Wiley Powell (children of my nephew) – $300 each;
(b) to Eugene Allen and Ivy Allen (children of my niece) – $200 each, and
(c) the residue to my niece Martha E. Burnett.
My property at Vine Hill in Nash County is for my step-daughter Martha S. Dunn.
Niece Martha E. Burnett – furniture, silver, etc.
Nephew Thaddeus R. Bowers – bed.
My executor is to sell my remaining property in Nash County and divided proceeds
among my step-children William O. Dunn, Martha S. Dunn, and Frank W. Dunn.
To my step-niece Mary W. Powell – a rocking chair.
All other furniture is for my sister Martha J. Powell.
The interest on the estate of my late husband Benjamin W. Dunn is for his children William O. Dunn, Martha S. Dunn, and Frank W. Dunn.
Executor – John Watson of Warren County
Witnesses: David Clark, W.e. Bowers, T.R. Bowers
(Probate indicates the deceased died in January 1873.)

married aft 1860 Benjamin W Dunn
Elizabeth L Powell ca 1821 – by Aug 1860 will #15
married 11 Oct 1849 Benjamin Burnett Esq ca 1821 – 1857 will #16
From the Tarboro Press, Oct. 20, 1849:
Benjamin Burnett, Esq. of Halifax County married Elizabeth Powell, daughter
of Willie Powell of Edgecombe County, on Oct. 11, 1849.
has brother William Burnett
a. Martha [Pattie] Elizabeth Burnett ca 1851 – [sp 1875]
child of Ben by 1st wife
b. Mary W Burnett ca 1848 –
married 19 Dec 1865 John W Powell

Will of Benjamin Burnett – Halifax Will Book 5, page 34
5 Aug 1856, Feb. Ct 1857
Wife Elizabeth L. Burnett – lend her my land of 300 acres, including the
house, with reversion to my two children at her death. Daughters Mary W.
Burnett and Martha Elizabeth Burnett – Negroes. If either of my children die
under the age of sixteen, the surviving daughter will inherit the full share.
Ex. – brother William Burnett
Wit. H.E. Vick, John P. McAuliff
Codicil dated 10 Nov. 1856 – My executor is to sell my negroes in Tennessee
in the care of A.D. Powell, and also to collect all sums due me or given me
by my father-in-law Willis Powell of Nash County.
Codicil dated 6 Jan 1857 – My executor is to sell three lots of land lying on
the south side of the Wilmington-Weldon Railroad.1850 Census of Halifax County #1674
Benjamin Burnett, age 29
Elizabeth, age 29
Mary, age 2

1860 Census of Halifax County #883
in the household of M.C. Whitaker, with many others, are
Mary Burnett, 12
Martha, age 9
Each with $4000 worth of real estate

John Powell d. 1838 Halifax Co will #6

Will of John Powell – Halifax County Will Book 4, page 173
August 1838 (no day given), proved November Court 1838.
To wife Mary G. Powell – certain Negroes, with some of them loaned to her
until my oldest child is twenty years of age, at which point my Negroes are
to be divided among all my children. Balance of estate to my children
(unnamed) who are all to be equally well provided for, whether or not they
benefit from my estate or from the will of Mrs. Mildred E. Pryor, deceased,
who left me property “in trust for the benefit of the children of his present
wife my daughter Mary G. Powell.” This property left me in trust shall
belong to only a part of my children, “he or they thus receiving property
under that will shall have none of my estate, unless he or they shall pay or
give over to my other children who may not be entitled under Mrs. Pryor’s
will as much of property in value.” My children shall have good liberal
educations.
Executor – Mark H. Pettway
Witnessed by Moses Johnson and Cullen Powell

Minute Docket, Warren County Court of Equity, 1839 – 1855
John W. Powell and Mary E. Powell (underage with John Watson as their
guardian) brought suit against Mark H. Pettway, executor of John Powell,
deceased, starting April Court 1849 and continuing through October Court
1852. This record notes that John and Mary were due legacies under the will
of the said John Powell, who was their deceased father.Minute Docket, Warren County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, 1852-1854
John Watson filed a guardian account for John W. Powell and Mary E. Powell at
February Court 1852. Watson’s guardian accounts for John and Mary were
ordered to be examined in 1853 and 1854.

Minute Docket, Warren County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions, 1854-1857
Watson’s guardian account for John and Mary Powell were ordered to be
examined in 1854. No appearance of this again until 1856, when his guardian
accounts for Mary E. Powell were ordered to be examined. (I presume John was
of age by then.)

married 11 July 1831 Mary G Pryor d 1889/92
Halifax County marriage bonds:
John Powell to Mary Pryor, bond dated 11 July 1831.
she married 2nd John Watson d 1889 will #11

John Watson – Warren Will Book 51, page 277
11 November 1884, proved July Court 1889
Daughter Lizzie Purefoy, wife of George W. Purefoy of Orange County NC – my
home tract of land in Warren County where I now live, containing 1200 acres,
but she is to furnish my wife Mary G. Watson a home for her lifetime or
widowhood.
Daughter A.V. Fleming, wife of R.D. Fleming now of Warren County – the
Freeman tract of land in Warren County, where is located a grist and flour
mill.
Nephew John W. Dowtin – all my right in land now owned by Mary A. Dowtin,
widow of William A. Dowtin, containing 200 acres, in which she has a life
estate.
Wife Mary G. Watson – $2500 and livestock worth $300. Balance of estate to
my two daughters.
Executors – sons-in-law R.D. Fleming and George W. Purefoy
Witnessed by P.H. Allen and Walter Allen

John Watson d 1889
wife Mary G Pryor Powell
1. Lizzie Watson
married George W Purefoy of Orange Co
2. A V Watson
married 15 Feb 1866 Dr R D Fleming
John has sister Mary A Watson
who married William A Dowtin

More Warren County marriage bonds:
Dr. R.D. Fleming to A.V. Watson, bond dated 13 Feb 1866; minister’s return
showing date of marriage as 15 February 1866.

John W Powell ca 1833 – Nov 1868 will #1

From Halifax County Will Book 6, page 9
Will of John W. Powell
Dated 2 November 1868, proved November Court 1868
My wife Mollie W. Powell, my aunt Martha Powell, and my children may occupy
my house and all the land on the north side of the path running from
Butterwood Creek to the ridge path. Son Wiley Powell – my library.
Remaining real estate to my children Wiley and Mary E. Powell, including a
tract sold by Nat Allen. If either of my children should die underage or
unmarried, the survivor will inherit the full share. If both die underage,
their property shall revert to my nephews Eugene and Ivy Allen. I appoint my
stepfather John Watson of Warren County as guardian of my children.

Executor – brother William P. Watson (sic)
Witnesses: David Clark, William E. Bowers
The loose estate record of John W. Powell gives a little more information
than the will — it indicates Eugene and Ivey Allen were children of Nat
Allen. It also indicates Mary E. Powell (daughter of John W. Powell) became
21 years of age on 10 November 1887, and her brother Wiley V. Powell became
21 years of age on 24 October 1889. These papers further indicate that Mary
W. Powell (widow of John W. Powell) was still underage in 1868!John W. Powell –
1. He is nephew of Margaret Powell Dunn, widow of Benjamin W. Dunn.
2. He calls William P. Watson his brother
3. He has an aunt Martha Powell.
4. His wife Mary W. Burnette Powell is a step-niece of Margaret Powell Dunn. (more on that later)
5. He has nephews Eugene and Ivy Allen, who are children of Nat Allen.

this John W. Powell seems to have lived on the northwest side of Enfield
married 19 Dec 1865 Mary W. Burnett ca 1849 – Sept 1875 will #2
Nash marriage bond for John W. Powell & Mary W. Burnett, 19 Dec. 1865

Will of Mary W. Powell
Halifax County Will Book 6, page 172
Dated 1 September 1875, proved November Court 1875 (although on the original
will the probate date is indicated as September 1875)
Entire estate to my children Mary E. Powell and Wilie Powell.
If they die without issue the property is for my sister Miss Pattie E. Burnett.
Executor – friend William E. Bowers
Witnesses – W.P. Watson, Austin Allen.

The loose estate record of Mary W. Powell (widow of John W. Powell) indicates
her daughter Mary E. Powell was age 9 in 1875, and son Wilie Powell was age 7.

Mary E Powell 10 Nov 1866 –
ii. Wiley V Powell 24 Oct 1868 –
b. Mary E Powell
married Warren Co 15 March 1859 Nathaniel Allen
i. Eugene Allen
ii. Ivy Allen
married 1st unknown
other children
5. Sallie Powell 1794? – 1840?
married William Bowers 1794? – 1840?
a. James Bartholomew Bowers 1821 – 1863
married Jan 1845 Martha R Pryor 1811 – 1864
she had first married Halifax County marriage bonds:
Jeremiah J. Brinkley to Martha Pryor, bond dated 9 April 1832.
i. William Ezra Bowers 1846 – 1928
married Sallie Maud Hunter 1846 – 1912
ii. Thomas Thadeus Ray Bowers 1852 –
married Mary E ca 1859 –
b. Thadeus R Bowers
6. Willie Powell Jr
a. William H Powell ca 1850
b. Penny J Powell ca 1852 –
c. Charles Powell ca 1854 –
d. Sallie Powell ca 1856 –
e. Elizabeth Powell

—————————————————————

Children of Ezra Pryor d. 1830 and wife Mildred E Knight d 1834
[Ezra is the son of William Pryor]

7. Will of Mildred E. Pryor – Halifax Will Book 4, page 112
13 August 1834, proved November Court 1834
All household and kitchen furniture is to be divided between my two daughters
Mary G. Powell and Martha R. Brinkley. I leave money and slaves to John
Powell in trust for the benefit of the children of his present wife, my
daughter Mary G. Powell.
Executor – John Powell
Witnessed by L. Clanton and Kinchen Dicken8. Will of Ezra Pryor – Halifax Will Book 4, page 66
6 Sept 1830, proved November Court 1830
Wife Mildred Pryor – Negroes, furniture, etc., and lend her my land on Bear
Swamp, where Hart’s Meadow Branch empties in to Bear Swamp adjoining
Butterwood Creek and William Harvey. To my father William Pryor, his wife
Nancy Pryor, and Mrs. Susan Elmore I lend the land I own on Rocky Swamp for
the lifetimes. To my slaves George and Grace, I loan the land where they now
live adjoining Charles Isles, with reversion to their children. The balance
of my estate is to be divided among my children Martha R. Pryor, Mary G.
Pryor, and Eliza A. Pryor. If any of my children should die underage or
without marrying, his share is to be divided between the surviving siblings.
Executors – father William Pryor, wife Mildred Pryor
Witnessed by William W. Thorne, William Price, John Knight

Will of John Knight – Halifax County Will Book 4, page 105
December 1833 (no day), proved February Court 1834
Niece Mary G. Powell – entire tract of land containing 984 acres, provided
she and her husband John Powell relinquish to Martha R. Brinkley all title
and interest they have to the land they obtained in the division of the lands
of her father Ezra Pryor, deceased, and provided the said Martha shall
relinquish her portion laid off in the division of Ezra Pryor. If either
refuse they are to have no part of my land. To my sister-in-law Elizabeth
Jones – Negroes. Money due me in the state of Virginia is to be divided as
follows: one-fifth to John Freeman and wife; one-fifth to Benjamin Jones;
one-fifth to the children of George Jones; one-fifth to George Parham and
wife; and one-fifth to the children of Robert Jones, and this money is to be
collected by John Freeman, who holds the bonds for the same.
Executors – Jeremiah Brinkley, John Powell (for estate in NC), John Freeman
(for estate in VA
Witnessed by Willis Alston, Henry Harris

Mary G Pryor d 1889/92
dau of Ezra d 1830 will #8 and Mildred Pryor d 1834 will #7 Halifax Co
married Halifax Co 11 July 1831 John Powell d 1838 will #6
a. John W Powell d. Nov 1868 will #1
married 19 Dec 1865 Mary W. Burnett ca 1849 – Sept 1875 will #2
i. Mary E Powell 10 Nov 1866 –
ii. Wiley V Powell 24 Oct 1868 –
b. Mary E Powell
married Warren Co 15 March 1859 Nathaniel Allen
Then I found among the Warren County marriage bonds:
Nathaniel Allen to Mary E. Powell, bond dated 14 March 1859, date of marriage
indicated on the minister’s return as 15 March 1859.
i. Eugene Allen
ii. Ivy Allen ca 1862 –
she married 2nd John Watson d 1889 Warren Co will #11
c. William P Watson

Martha R Pryor ca 1811 – 1864 will #3 sister of z

Will of Martha R. Bowers
Halifax County Will book 5, page 115
Dated 29 February 1864; proved May Court 1864
Daughter Mary P. Solomon – $10 to buy a mourning ring.
Balance of my estate to my sons William Ezra Bowers and Thomas Thadeus Ray Bowers.
If either son should die underage, the surviving son may have his share.
If both die underage, I leave my niece Mary E. Allen certain Negroes, and the rest shall
be divided between my said niece and my nephew John W. Powell.
Executor – John W. Powell
Witnesses – W.H. Thorne, J.W. Heptinstall, D. Clark
Codicil dated 21 March 1864
I appoint John Watson of Warren County as an additional executor
Witneses – William H. Thorne, R.H. Carter

The Martha Bowers who made the will above seems to have been married twice:
first husband was Jeremiah J. Brinkley, who died in 1840. By him she had an
only child, Mary Brinkley, who married William P. Solomon in Halifax County,
20 May 1857. After the death of Jeremiah Brinkley, Martha married second,
James Batt Bowers. Their marriage bond in Halifax County is dated 6 January
1845.
In the 1850 Census of Halifax County, Household #`646:
Bat Bowers, age 29, born Nash
Martha, age 39
Izaiah, age 4
Mary Brinkley, age 12
C. Ethrage, age 18

married 1st 9 April 1832 Jeremiah Brinkley d. 1840
a. Mary P Brinkley ca 1838 –
married 20 May 1857 William B Solomon
married 6 Jan 1845 James Batts Bowers ca 1821 –
b. William Ezra [?Izaiah 1846] Bowers 1846 –
married Sallie M 1847 –
c. Thomas Thadeus Ray Bowers 1852 –
married Mary E ca 1859 –

Eliza A Pryor

Notes from David Gammon:

Will of Temperance G. Arrington – Nash Will Book 1, page 587
Jan. 3, 1864, Feb. Ct., 1864
Daughter Temperance and son Richard W. Arrington – 160 acres where I now
live, as well as certain slaves now in the possession of my daughter Eliza,
who is wife of George W. Powell.
Ex. George W. Powell, Richard W. Arrington
Wit. Henry G. Williams, Daniel E. Sumner

14. Will of Russell Tucker – Nash Will Book 5, page 178
Aug. 29, 1881, Nov. Ct., 1883
Mentions, among others, daughter Mary F. Powell and her husband J.W. Powell.
[This appears to be James W Powell 1840 – and wife Mary F Powell 1844 – of Nash Co.]

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