First of all I give my soul to God, who gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be burried in a Christian manner at the discretion of my executors; and calling to mind the worldly goods as where with it hath pleased god to bless me with in this life, do give and dispose of in the following manner, Viz-
Item I- I give my sister Ann McClees ten dollars-
2nd. I give my sister Elizabeth Melson ten dollars-
3rd. I give my brother William Melson ten dollars-
4th. I give my sister Mary C. Melson ten dollars-
5th. I give my mother Elizabeth Casgrove three hundred dollars, to be left in the hands of my brother Henry A. Pledger, to be used for her support as he may then her needs may be.
6th. It's my will and desire that after all of my debts are settled that all of the remainder of my estate, be equally divided between my wife Mahala E. Pledger and my brother Henry A. Pledger- I likewise constitute and appoint my friends John A. Pledger and W. J. Beasly, my whole & sole exrs. of this my last Will and Testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day and date above written-
Attest:
Jno. Spruill
Joseph Morris
R. L. Pledger (Seal)
State of North Carolina
Tyrrel County
Court of Pleas and Quarter
sessions
April Term 1854-
The foregoing will of R. L. Pledger was this day proved in open court by the oath of John Spruill whereupon John A. Pledger & William J. Beasly the executors therein named appeared in open court and were duly qualified as said executors-
Saml. McCleese Clk.
North Carolina Archives
Loose Estate Papers
Tyrrell County (C.R.096.508.40), Box 40
Pledger, Robert L., 1854
Bond dated 24 Apr 1854 in the amount of $8,000 appointing Benjamin Spruill guardian to Mahali E. Pledger minor or orphan, Jesse Sanderson, Benjamin A. Spruill & Saml. M. Alexander securities.
Petition April Term 1854 of John A. Pledger & William J. Beasley, executors of Robert L. Pledger deceased, who show that said Pledger departed this life since the last term of this court leaving a last will and testament which has been proved and recorded, Said testator owned at his death an undivided half of two vessels called the Charles Canal and the Friendship and said vessels belong by will to Mahali E. Pledger & Henry A. Pledger. They show that half of one of the vessels is worth much more than half of the other and that they can't divide them without a sale. They pray a decree for sale.
Petition April Term 1854 of Mahali E. Pledger & Henry A. Pledger who show they are tenants in common of three negro slaves named Tom, Charles & Fan which were bequeathed to them by Robert L. Pledger. They desire a division of said negros so they may hold them in severalty and pray appointment of commissioners.
Petition October Term 1854 of Mahali E. Pledger, an infant under the age of 21 years by her next friend and guardian Benjamin Spruill, Henry A. Pledger, James Cosgrove & Elizabeth Cosgrove his wife, Elizabeth Melson, William Melson & Mary C. Melson, the three last being infants under the age of 21 years by their next friend and guardian Henry McClees and Henry McClees & Ann McClees his wife against John A. Pledger & William J. Beasley, executors of R. L. Pledger. Petitioners show that R. L. Pledger died during the present year leaving a last will and testament to which defendants are executors. Defendants are now prepared to pay over the legacies to the petitioners who are the only legatees named in said will. They pray a court order to settle with your petitioners under the direction of said will.
There are also a few documents dealing with recovery of debts owed by the estate.
Transcrber's Notes:
Tyrrell County marriage bonds show the marriage of Robert L. Pledger to Mahala E. Melson (dau. of Elijah P.) on 4 Mar 1851, Benjm. Spruill security; also the marriage of Jos. Melson to Betsy Melson on 29 Dec 1834, Jesse McClees security.
The 1850 Census of Tyrrell County shows the household of James Cosgrove (32), Elizabeth Cosgrove (44), Henry A. Pledger (18), Elizabeth Melson (13), William Melson (10), Mary C. Melson (8) and Eliza Garret (26).
The 1850 Census of Tyrrell County shows the household of Henry McClees (28), Angelico McClees (23), Harriet E. Midyett (2), Joseph J. McClees (1), Henry W. McClees (3 mo) and Nancy Owens (19).
See the 1860 Census of Tyrrell County shows the family of Samuel Barnet (23), Elizabeth Barnet (22) and Henry Barnet (2).
See the 1847 estate papers of Joseph Melson.
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