State of North Carolina}
Beaufort County }
In the name of God, Amen - I, Joseph McGOWAN, of the County and State aforesaid, being of sound mind and memory and knowing it is appointed unto all men to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former Wills made by me And first, I commend my soul to God who first gave, and then my body to be decently buried by my Executors and then my worldly goods I bequeath as follows, to wit: Item 1st -- I lend unto my wife Martha all my estate, both real and personal, during her natural life or widowhood – Item 2nd – I give and bequeath to James R. WILKINSON after the death of my said Wife Martha, my mare and buggy, all my lands, and all property belonging to me if every name and nature - except two beds and furniture and one note against Jesse WHITLEY for the amount of two hundred dollars; which two beds and furniture I give to Eliza Ann WHITLEY and which note I give to said Jesse WHITLEY - the said property to said WILKINSON and his heirs forever. Signed June 11, 1865

Joseph McGowan {Seal}

in presence of
James F. LATHAM }
Thos. O. TYSON }
Witnesses I also leave Jas. R. WILKINSON my Executor.

North Carolina }
Beaufort County } County Court -- March Term, 1866
The within paper writing is duely proved as the last Will and Testament of Joseph McGOWAN by the oaths of James F. LATHAM and Thomas O. TYSON, the subscribing witnesses thereto, and is ordered to be recorded. James R. WILKINSON swore that the value of the estate does not exceed one thousand dollars.
Richd. GRANGER, Clerk

North Carolina }
Beaufort County }
In the name of God, Amen - I, Martha McGOWAN, being of sound mind and body, do make this my last Will and Testament revoking all former Wills -
Item 1st - I give and bequeath to Jas. R. WILKINSON all my property of every name and nature, to him and his heirs forever, and leave him my Executor. July 17, 1865.

Martha McGowan {Seal}

Signed in presence of
Jas. F. LATHAM }
Thos. O. TYSON } Witnesses

North Carolina }
Beaufort County } County Court -- March Term, 1866
The within paper writing is duely proved as the last Will and Testament of Martha McGOWAN by the oaths of James F. LATHAM and Thos. O. TYSON, the subscribing witnesses thereto, and is ordered to be recorded. James R. WILKINSON, the Executor named therein, duly qualifies as such. James R. WILKINSON swears that the estate does not exceed one thousand dollars in value. Richd. GRANGER, Clerk

Note: Jesse WHITLY and Elizabeth Ann WILKINSON were married on the 15th day of May in the year of our Lord 1851 at the residence of Joseph McGOWAN in Leechville District of Beaufort Co., N.C. by Thomas J. LATHAM, a licensed minister of the Gospel. (Beaufort Co., NC Record of Marriages (1851-1868): by Beaufort Co. Gen. Society)
Note: Was James R. Wilkinson possibly a son of Martha McGowan by a previous marriage, or was he married to a McGowan daughter? And was Eliza Ann Whitley a daughter of Joseph and Martha McGowan's?
Note: Joseph McGowan (c.1797-1865) was a son of James McGowan (c.1774-1854) and Elizabeth "Betsy" (Hodges) McGowen (c.1773-c.1852) of Hyde Co., NC. The maiden name of Martha McGowan is unknown.

Beaufort Co., NC Estates Index Page
Beaufort Co., NCGenWeb Pages