I have had a couple of requests on information on the Gentry wills that I inferred to in a message a while back. So I am posting them to the list. I transcribed some from the microfilmed records located at the SC State Archives & Museum, Columbia, SC and others are ABSTRACT from Edgefield Co., SC Wills 1787-1836 by James E. & Vivian Wooley, 1991 Historical Press. For those, I cannot verify those abstacts. Hope these help. I am always ready to listen to info. supported by good sources or lots of circumstancial support. AT times, I am so desperate, I even listen to far fetched speculation to give me an idea of where to look. If they sound like any of your family, get back and I will send a registry of the info. I have on that family. Billie Jones Camden, SC [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------------- Estate of Sarah "Jentry", Probate Box 15, Pkg 552, Edgefield Dist., SC. Whitfield Brooks, I read this estate administration and there is no indication of any family relationships in it. No distribution of property, only an assessment of property valued at 121.93 and an estate sale. It does however list several of the children noted in Thomas Gentry's will as purchasers, thereby supporting the conclusion that this Sarah was the Widow of Thomas Gentry d. 1820 Persons who purchased are listed only once: Dr. Garrett, Lavinia Gentry, Wm. Gentry, Sam/Sim Christy, B. Spikes, Zak S. Brooks, R. Ellis, H. Duffie, J. Griffith, J. Rutherford, R. Coleman, ? Towls, J. Boulward, Susannah Christy, J. Vines, J. Riley I have created a family group as follows based on probate records of Thomas which is copied below: Descendants of Thomas Gentry 1 Thomas GENTRY b: Abt. 1760 d: February 1820 in Edgefield Co., SC . +SARAH b: Abt. 1760 d: November 1828 in Edgefield District, SC ..... 2 Lavenia GENTRY ......... +Whitfield CLIFTON ..... 2 William GENTRY b: Abt. 1785 in Edgefield Co., SC ..... 2 Catherine GENTRY ......... +Gilbert SMITH ..... 2 Hezekiah GENTRY b: Abt. 1806 ..... 2 Nathaniel GENTRY ..... 2 Sarah W. GENTRY b: Abt. 1818 Burial: Limestone Co, TX ......... +John J. BEARD b: Abt. 1818 in Johnson Co., NC Burial: Haynie's Chapel in Garfield, Tx ..... 2 Elizabeth GENTRY b: Abt. 1795 in SC ..... 2 John GENTRY b: Abt. 1800 ......... +WIFE b: Abt. 1800 Will of Thomas Gentry - dated 17 Jan 1820, recorded in book C, pg. 38, admitted into probate 07 Feb 1820, Probate Box 12, pkg 399, Probate Court, Edgefield Dist., SC Executrix: Sarah Gentry, wife. - ABSTRACT from Edgefield Co., SC Wills 1787-1836 by James E. & Vivian Wooley, 1991 Historical Press, p. 129 therefore I do not have accounting and distribution info] 15 Jany 1820: I, Thomas Gentry, planter, being sick and weak in body but sound and disposing mind and memory & understanding & finding my time too short to make my last will I therefore in the present of Zachariah S. Brooks, Joseph Rutherford and Joseph Griffith do declare this verbally to be my last will....First I give to my three daughters Elizabeth Gentry, Sarah W. Gentry and Levinna Gentry $50 each to be paid as they come of age or marry. to make them equal with my dtr. Catherine Smith which I have already given the same... I give to my two sons William and John Gentry $50 each to be paid within 12 months from this date... I give to my youngest son Hezekiah Gentry to be paid when he comes of age... The balance I give to my wife Sarah, being one negro woman, all my stock, tools, household, & kitchen furniture, with all debts due to me by notes or open accounts during her natural life & after my just debts are paid and after her death the property to be equally divided amongst my children. ... I appoint my beloved wife Sarah Gentry as executrix. witness (same as above) Proven 7 Feb. 1820. Qualified Sarah Gentry executrix to the within the 28 Feb 1820 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Gentry names that occur in wills that I have are: *Will of Hezekiah Gentry - Box 11 pkg 382 /w/ 19 Jan 1820 /r/ April 17, 1824 [***Hezekiah is my ancestor] State of SC. In the name of God, amen, I Hezekiah Gentry of the District of Edgefield, planter, being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind Memory and understanding do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner following, first, I give devise and bequeath unto my son Runnels Gentry the two following Negroes Elles & Bill, he Runnels Gentry paying over to the Children of Lurany Burnett the sum of four hundred dollars. Twelve months after my decease. 2ndly I give devise and bequeath unto my Daughter Anna Teer one Negroe Boy named Dave, she paying back to the estate two hundred dollars to her and her heirs forever. 3rdly I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Gilly Abney one Nigro boy named Sam during her natural life she paying back to my estate the sum of two hundred dollars and at her death to her children and their heirs forever. 4thly I give devise and bequeath unto my son Robert Gentry the two following Nigores, Dolly and Lewis, to him and his heirs forever he paying back to the estate two hundred dollars. I also give to my son Robert Gentry one half of my present dwelling plantation it being the upper part Joining to Runnels Gentry the place where I now live, to him and his heirs forever. 5th I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Delilah Taiket one Nigroe Girl named Demce and one hundred dollare to be paid to her twelve months after my decease, to her and her heirs forever. 6th I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter-in-law Sarah Gentry during her widowhood the three following nigores Meanor and her two children Tim and Elizer and at her death or marriage to her children and their heirs for ever she paying back to the estate the sum of two hundred dollars. I also give to my daughter-in-law Sarah Gentry the one half of my present plantation it being the part she now lives on joining the part I gave to my son Robert Gentry , during her natural life and at her death to the children on her and Thomas Gentry and their heirs forever. 7th I give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Elizabeth Nichols, the follow four Nigroes, Liz and her three children Rachael, Spence, and George. Also the sum of one hundred dollars to her and her heirs for ever. 8th I give devise and bequeath unto my grandchildren being the heirs of my daughter Mourning Carlton the sum of three Hundred Dollars to be paid out of my Estate and to be Equally divided, to them and their heirs for ever. 9thly I give devise and bequeath unto grandson Runnels Gentry - son of Hezekiah the sum of three Hundred dollare, to be paid our of my Estate to him and his heirs for ever. It is my will & desire that incase there is a crop reparing or begun that the property shall not be divided nor altered until the crop is finished. It is also my Will that the Balance of my property not heretofore Given away Shall be Sold, and after my Executors paying the sum of Money heretofore given away, the Balance of Money arising for the sale should there be any, after paying my Lawful Debts, is to be equally divided among my five children Runnels Gentry, Anna Teer, Gilly Abney, Robert Gentry and Sarah Gentry wife of Thomas Gentry. And Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my two sons Runnels Gentry and Robert Gentry my Executors of this my last will and Testament, Making void all former wills at any time made by me. And I do declare this to be my Last Will, and Testament in witness whereof I have subscribed my name and fixed my seale, this the 19th January in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty. Signed Sealed Delivered & published by the above named Hezekiah Gentry the Testator in the presents of us who has Subscribed our Names as Witnesses therto - Gibson Yarborough (Signature) Hezekiah Gentry Richard Coleman Nathan Trotter Recorded in Will Book "C" p. 243-244 Recorded April 17, 1824 Jn Simkins, OED Box 10, pkg 387 Proved the 12th April, 1824 by Richard Coleman Witness to the within same time qualifies Runnels Gentry Exec. Recorded in Book C p. 243 17th April 1829. SC, Edgefield Dist, By John Simkins Ordinary of said Co.: Personally appeared before me Richard Coleman witness to the within who being duly swore declarith on his said oath that he was present & saw Elizabeth Gentry sign seal & declare the within to [be _ his last will and testament ] and that she, said Elizabeth Gentry was then of sound and disposing mind and memory to the best of the despondants knowledge & belief & that he with Gibson Yarborough and Nathan Trotter did sign their names as witnesses [thereto] at the request of the testatrix & in her [__] same time qualified Runnels Gentry Exc. Given under my hand at my office 12th April 1824 Wm Simkins OED. [WHO is this Elizabeth. His daughter Elizabeth is called Elizabeth Nichols in item 7 of the will. ?????] Purchasers at the estate sale May 10. 1824: Sarah Gentry, Crafford Perry, Wm Barns, Daniel Vines, Joseph Mays, Joseph Trotter, SR., James Vines, Gibson Yarborough, Thomas Trotter, Caleb Willis, Richard Ellis, Edward Carter, William Riley, Jr., Wm Hill, Hezekiah Burnett, Hugh Duffey, Susannah Abney, Charles Abney, Sampson Duffy, Thomas Largent/Sargent?, Wm. Turner, Simeon Moss, Levi Gentry, Gilly Gentry, Reason Gentry, B. Key, J. May, Moses Watton, Wm Powers, Wm Lewis. There is no listing of payment to legatees. May need to check Equity records. ------------------------------------------------------ Will of Anna Gentry Tear - "Edgefield Co. Wills 1787-1836 - James & Vivian Woolsey, 1991 [***Daughter of Hezekiah Gentry. Anna m. 1) Pleasant Burnett m 2) Stephen Teer. One researcher adds another husband between 1 and 2, but I don't support that data with my research. Anna is my ancestor with Pleasant Burnett. Will of Anna Tear, being feeble in body but sound of mind and memory..."I commend my soul unto the hands of almighty God hoping for a pardon of all my sins and transgressions through the victorious blood of my beloved Savior" First I desire that my funeral charges and just debts be paid. First I desire that my executors sell all my estate of every kind from every where after my death and equally divide the proceeds among lawful heirs to my estate. I do appoint my loving sons Pleasant Burnett and Aaron Waite (this is son-in-law) as my executors. Wit: John Carter, Jr Charles C. Burnett Signed Anna X Tear Proved by the oath of John Carter this 16th Sept 1829 and same time qualified Pleasant Burnett as executor." The following made purchases at her estate sale: Pleasant Burnett, Aron Waits, Sarah Burnet, [A] Fowler, T. Goggins, E. Childers The following received payments from the estate in 1829. Samuel Burnett - 160.00 Jeremiah Burnett - 160.00 Zacheus Corley 191.58 Aron Waite 191.58 Archibald Pitts 27.36.75 Willis Burnett " Elizabeth Burnett " Sally Burnett " Amelia Childress " John Burnett " Hazel Culbreath 2.00 Zedekiah Watkins 2.00 Robert Williams 4.00 Sarah Smith 47.12.5 " " " Dec 25, 1832 - Martin Carter in full for his share of said estate 77.37.5 Nov 27, 1833 - [Letha] Etheridge in full for the share of Mark Burnett of as from his order to me. ------------------------------------------------------ Will of Thomas Carter, deceased, John Carter, Exec. Filed March 21, 1802 [Non-cup will/estate] [Box 35, Pkg. 1305] [transcribed by Beverly Peoples] - [***Mentions a Sarah Jentry, but don't know which one] John Carter, Freeman Hardy, John [Tarsance(??)], John Curry posted bond of 50,000 to John Simkins of Edgefield on Feb. 12, 1802 John Carter and Freeman Hardy are administrators John Carter and Freeman Hardy to have Inventory made signed by all 4 men above except John Curry signed with his mark Edgefield: personally appeared Adrah Howard...saith that she was present at the house of Major Thomas Carter on Sunday the 24th in company with several of her neighbors and heard Major Carter call Capt. Freeman Hardy to him and Coll. John Carter ___ present the Major ___friends___property among all my children equally __ my big mare give her to my youngest daugher Extronary....January 28, 1802. Adrah Howard signed (BP note: this is Adrah Narcissa Collins Howard, wife of Seth Howard who was a neighbor) Edgefield: personally appeared Sarah Jentry...she was present at the house of Major Thomas Carter on Sunday the twenty fourth...with several other and heard Major Thomas Carter call Capt. Freeman Hardy to him and Coll. John Carter being present the Major said to them, my friends divide my property equally among all my children only my big mare give that to my youngest daughter Extonary ...January 28, 1801 Sarah Gentry signed (BP note: I do not know which Sarah Gentry this is, Allen Cain Gentry had a daughter Sarah, but she was likely too young to be a witness?-it is more likely one of Cain's daughter-in-laws or wife?) Edgefield: personally appeared Capt. Freeman Hardy.....and Major Carter called this deponant to him and Col. John Carter being present, the Major took them by the hands and said friends, divide my property amoung all my children equally and my big mare and...give to my youngest daughter Extronary....January 28, 1802 Freeman Hardy signed (BP note: It is possible the word Extronary was not a reference to the youngest daughter's name.) Edgefield:...a true and perfect inventory...any three or four of you.. Hightower Thorne, Anthony Butler, James Hardy and Joseph Hightower....on or before April...dated Feb. 12, 1802 Warrant of Appraisement: James Hardy, Hightower Thorne and Anthony Butler...Feb. 1802. Inventory taken Feb. 18, 1802 totaled $3,637.30 and signed by the 3 men above except the name Hightower Thorn appears to be Charnals Thorn Received in file March 1802 The inventory consisted of (among other things) 7 named slaves, several horses, 33 cows, 2 oxen, 5 beds, 400 bushel corn, lot of hogs at Mrs. Adams on the road, (BP note: I find it interesting that there are more personal items: sword, lookinglass, shot bog, powder horn, several womens saddles than tools or plantation crops listed). -----------------------------------------------------------------------------