There is a very thorough index of all NC wills called "North Carolina Wills: A Testator Index, 1665-1900" by Thornton W. Mitchell (Genealogical Publishing Co.). If you request a will, the NC archives staff will check this index first. If there is no will listed, they will send you the estate papers. The Archives has all of the important early NC county records, either as originals and/or on microfilm. It is usually unnecessary to contact or visit county courthouses for genealogical research. The Archives website is at: http://www.ah.dcr.state.nc.us The above book also notes the originals still stored in the counties. For some reason, Granville chose not to cooperate and send their records to Raleigh--at least as of the printing of the book.