The North Carolina State Archives has wills; they state: "Wills. Although will books remain in the office of the county clerk of court, the loose, original wills are usually retired to the Archives where they are alphabetically arranged by surname of the testator. The staff will search Thornton W. Mitchell's North Carolina Will: A Testor Index, 1665-1990 by mail for original and recorded copies of wills. If no will is found Archives' staff will automatically check for an estate as well." If you are an out-of-state resident send eight dollars to: North Carolina State Archives, 109 East Jones St, Raleigh, NC 27601-2807 Phone: 919-733-3952 FAX: 919-733-1354 Hope this is of assistance. Kindest Regards, Gail Robinson