Wills

1739 Will of Richard Etheridge: mentions two daughters Hellena Dowdy and Elizabeth Dowdy (also daughter Dianah Dowe)

1742 Will of William Stafford of Currituck Pct. - to son James....son William...the plantation where Richard O'Dowdy now lives. Wife Frances. Executor wife, Richard Hodges, wit: Sol. Bright, William Bowin.

Daniel O' Dowdey will dated Currituck NC 1765 Sons: Caleb, Benjamin. Daughter: Hanner. Grandson: Jacob Sulls (50 acres..his father and mother to have their lives in it) Eliz Blount (to have her maintenance out of my estate during her life). Exrs: John Woodhouse, Eliz Blount Wit: David Cook, Mary Shepard, Uriah Angel

William O' Dowdey d. will dated 1776 Currituck NC Wife: Sarah. Sons: James, Joseph, William. Daughters: Mary Jones, Annie Jones, Eliz, Rebekah, Grandson Jacob Odowdee, the children of my son John. Exr: Son Joseph. Wit: Joss. Ennalls, Sarah Mitchell, Sam Saunderson.

1778 Will of Thomas Sanderson. Witnessed by William Dowdy

1784 Will of Jos. Bowers: Witnessed by Caleb Dowdy and William Dowdy (same as next?)

1784 Will of Joseph Bocus Oct. 23, 1784; Dec. 20, 1786 Currituck Co. Will Book 1, p. 217 Test.
CALEB DOWDY MARY HALL WILLIAM DOWDY jurat NATHAN HALL jurat Recorded and examined the 20th day of December Anno Dom 1786

1789 Will of George Day West April 25, 1789 (or Sept. 29, 1789?); Dec. 15, 1789
Currituck Co. Will Book 1, pp. 243-244 ZORABABEL HARISSON jurat JONAH HARISSON jurat
JOHN ODOWDY jurat his mark

1791 Will of Jesse Sanderson. Witnessed by Jo Dowdy

Caleb O'Dowdy will dated 1792 Currituck NC Wife: Hannah. Sons: Dannell, Thomas, Caleb, Samuel, Issac. Daughters: Sofier, Elizabeth. Exrs: Wife and brother-in-law Isaac Tillet. Wit: John Grant, Wm Carter, Jacob Lutz
1793 Will of Samson Etheridge 1785; Oct. 15, 1793 Currituck Co. Will Book 2, pp. 19-20…Item: I give unto my Grand Daughter ANNE SIMSON fifty acres lying on the same sound joining on the sound left to my son SAMUEL on one side and Caleb Dowde on the other, running up the swamp to her and her heirs forever, but if she should die without any child of her body for the said land to return to my son SAMUEL ETHERIDGE and his heirs forever…

1795 Will of Abraham Leitchfield - test: THOMAS WHITE, WILLIAM DOWDAY jurat
SAMUEL WHITE

1795 Will of Willis Walker: "...Item I also leave the whole of my other estate within doors and without to my Wife Elizabeth WALKER during her life widdowhood and if she should marry then and in that case I give the same unto my four last children to wit. Mary, Noe, Griffen and Anne WALKER to be equally divided amongst them and as for my Daughter Anne that married John DOWDAY and is now dead I have given her already her part and raised her child ever since it was borned and is now seven years old or thereabouts clear and free of any charge against his Father or any other person or persons whatsoever. Recorded 1801.

1796 Will of Thomas Tillett Sr: Hannah Dowdy mentioned as daughter. Mentions grandchild Thomas Dowdy.

1798 Will of Benjamin Linton. Witnessed by William Dowdy

1798 Will of Randall Jones Sr: "...heirs of my daughter Darkis Douda, now dec'd..."

1801 Will of Edward Taylor. Witnessed by William Dowdey

William O' Dowdey will dated 1803 Currituck NC Sons: James, John, Thomas, Caleb. Other Legatees: Sarah Bunnill, Dorcas O. Dowdie daughter of William, exrs: Sons John And William. Wit: Sam Jervies, Edw Taylor [ ? ]

1803 Will of John Mann Sr. Mentions John Dowdie as living on land

April 4, 1811 The Will of Mary Gray Currituck County Record of Wills..... Signed, sealed, pronounced, published & declared by the Testator to be her last will & Testament in presence of Thomas Poyner Jurat Thos. Dodwdy [sic]

1812 Will of John Davis. Legatees: Samuel Dowdy (big canoe and sails) and Isaac Dowdy (musket). Exor: Wife and Samuel Dowdy

1812 - Oct. 29 Will Book 3, pp. 24-25 Adam Etheridge "Fourthly I give and bequeath to my daughter ELIZA DOWDY one pound lawful money of this state after the death of my wife".

1815 Will of Benjamin Cooper. Aby Dowdy listed as a daughter

1815 Will of Bowen Green. Mentions sister Polly Dowdy

Feb. 21, 1817; August Term, 1817. The Will of Wilson Woodhouse Currituck County Wills....I leave the piece of land that I bought of Thomas Dowdie the son of William if recovered, to be sold by my Executor hereafter mentioned at Publick or private sale

Josiah Dowdy Jr. Will dated 1818 mentions sister Grace. Exr: Thomas Dowdy. Wit: Thomas Dowdy, John Dowdy

Oct. 7, 1820; August Court 1821 The Will of Thomas Sanderson, Esq. Currituck County Record of Wills... land now belonging to William Coffee (1) at Dowdy's bay,....with the ditch and gut as it now runs to Dowdys creek,... and all that piece I bought of Jacob Dowdy...and all that piece I bought of John Dowdy Jur

1821 Will of Caleb Chaplin. Witnessed by Patsey Dowdy

John O. Dowdie Sr. d. will dated 1824 Currituck NC Wife Kezia. Sons: John , Spence, Willoughby, Daughters: Mary Griggs Clarky and Silah Dowdy. Brother Caleb Dowdy, dec'd. Exr: Thomas Poyner, Sr. Wit: d.B. Lindsey, Augustus Sevantor Hawkins.

Josiah Dowdey Sr. of Currituck NC . Will dated Feb 1828 Wife Rebecca. Son: John. Daughters: Nancy, Sally Sanderson, Peggy, Betsey, Patsey White, Rebecca. Exr: Thomas Poyner. Wit: Thomas Dowdy, Abner Harrison.

1833 Will of Sarah Parker. Mentions Julia Dowdy as a grandaughter

Samuel O' Dowdy will dated 1838 Currituck NC (same Samuel as above?) Wife Julia. Daughter: Suffier. All my children...duducting out $300 from Donalson's part and $200 from Margaret's and $200 from Suffier's part that I have already given them. Green Berry Dowdy, Lindsey Dowdy. Wit: Mathias Davis, Margret Davis

1838 Will of Sally Scarber. Witnessed by Thomas Dowdy

John Doudy. will dated 1841. Wife Tamer. Sons: William, Spence. Daughters: Mary , Patsey, Lucinda, Eliza Ann, Sally Ann. Exrs: Friends Samuel B. Dozier, Banister H. Jarvis Wit: Bainster Jarvis, Coy Mercer, Nancy Doudy

1844 Will of Willis Gallop. Mentions daughter Mavey D. Doudy. Will contested by Ivy Doudy and wife Mary, William Doudy and wife Fanny.

1866 Will of Charlotte Dowdy WB-4/263

1880 Will of Jacob Baum - noted in Baum vs Currituck Shooting Club 1880 - "The will of the last-named grantor, dated November 11, 1880, and duly proved and recorded, in the fifth clause whereof he devises as follows: "I give and bequeath to my two sons Jacob and Josephus Baum all of my lands lying between Beasley's beach and the Old House creek, together with all my island of marsh lying to the north of Peter's creek, to the north end of Hog island; also one hundred acres of beach land which I purchased of Caleb Dowdy and Samuel Cooper, a reference to the deeds from said Dowdy and Cooper will more fully appear, it being the land whereon my son Abraham Baum now lives, " etc. The Southeastern Recorder p 674

Caleb O'Dowdy
Dec. 16, 1792; March 22, 1793
Currituck Co. Will Book 2

In the name of God Amen,

I Caleb Odowd being weak and Sick in Body but of Sound and Perfect Memory and Calling to mind the mortality of the Body and knowing it is appointed and for all Men to Die do Constitute and Ordain this my Last Will and Testament In the Manner and form following. Viz First of all I commend my Soul unto The hands of Allmighty God who first gave it and my body to be Decently Buried in the Earth at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named

Secondly I desire all my Just Debts to be paid by my Executor the I Give and bequeath this part of land whereon I now dwell to my beloved Sun Dannel Odowdy by a straight line beginning at the Sound Side to (?) through the middle of a low Ground or Swamp with a straight line to Daniel Bog ___es corner tree with all the land to the West and of a P. (?) line, to him and his heirs forever. Item I give and bequeath to my beloved Sun Thomas Odowdy all that part of any land cald the Old Plantation to the Eastward of mt Sun Dannels line to Danel Rogers corner line, thence a straight line across my land to William T_____(?) line to him and his heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeth all my back land to my Sun Caleb Odowdy to him and his heirs forever.

Viz may desire is if either of my Suns should die that is to say Daniel odowdy or Thomas odowdy without heirs lawfully begotton of their bodies then the land given them to go to my two Suns Samuel Odowdy and Isaac Odowdy to them and their heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeth one feather bed and furniture to my beloved Daughter Sofier Odowdy to her and her heirs forever.

Item I give and bequeth to my beloved daughter Elizabeth Odowdy one feather bed and furniture and to her and her heirs forever.

Now my Wil and Desire is that Item my beloved wife Hannah O'Dowdy (? Can't read a section - bad copy) all the land and property before given with all my children (? Can't read a section - bad copy) during her natural life or widowhood to which I Constitute and Ordain my (can't read - bad copy) wife Hannah Odody and my brother in law Isack Tillet my (can't read bad copy) soal Executors to this my last Will and Testament this 16 day of December 1792. In witness hereof I have set my hand and fixed my Seal.
Agreable to the above Day and date.

Signed Sealed and Acknowledged

Caleb Dowday

In the Presents of us
John Grant
William (his X mark) Carter
Jacob (his X mark) Lutz

Recorded and Examined 22 Day of March 1793

Holl. Williams CCC

Daniel O'Dowdy
Dec. 22, 1765; Dec. 20, 1766
Currituck Co. Will Book 1, p. 34

North Carolina
Currituck County

In an Inferior Court of Pleas and Quarter Session held at the Courthouse in and for the county of Currituck aforesaid on the first Tuesday in October Anno Domini 1766
Present His Majesty's Justices

The Last Will and Testament of DANIEL O'DOWDY late of the said, Deceased, having been then and there in open Court proved in due form and ordered to be registered accordingly it here follow In Hoc verzt.

North Carolina Currituck County
In the name of God amen I DANIEL O'DOWDY of the County and Province of afores. being very sick in body and weak but in perfect memory Thanks be to God for it . In the first place I recommed my soul to Almighty God that gave it to me and my body to be buried at the descretion of my executors I do appoint Major JOHN WOODHOUSE and ELIZABETH BLUNT my executors and this I acknowledge to be my Last Will and Testament and now I begin and dispose of what it hath been pleased God to bless me with as in the following manner.

I give to my grandson JACOB SULLS fifty acres of land at the north corner his Father and Mother to have their lives in it and the rest of my land to be equally divided between CALEB and BENJAMIN & BENJAMIN to have the manour plantation, 2 Cows and 2 Heifers I give to my Daughter BIAR and one two year old Heifer to my Daughter REUKE (?)* and no more and all the rest of my Estate to be equally between my three children CALEB, BENJAMIN and HANNAR and that ELIZABETH BLUNT to have her maintainance out of my estate during her life and to have my plantation and dwelling house and to keep the estate together and live there and not be interrupted but not to make any ???? or destroy the estate, to which I have set my hand and seal this 22nd day of December 1765.

DANIEL O'DOWDY and a seal
his X mark

DAVID COOK

MARY SHEPARD
her W mark

URIAH ANGEL

Recorded and Examined 20th December Anno Domini 1766

*[Note: It is possible that the daughter's name that looks like "Reuke" could actually be the word "Revoke." If this is the case, then there was no daughter by this name. Instead, Daniel O'Dowdy might have been giving his daughter Biar 2 cows and 2 heifers, while taking away from her a two year old heifer he had given her previously].

William Odowdee/Odowdey
Dec. 26, 1776; April 12, 1777
Currituck Co. Will Book 1, pp. 118-119

In the name of God Amen, I WILLIAM ODOWDE of Currituck County in the province of North Carolina being weak in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following Viz.

Imprimis: I give and bequeath unto my Grandson JACOB ODOWDEE the plantation whereon I now live with so much of the woodland adjoyning as shall contain seventy five acres of land to him the said JACOB and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my Son JAMES OWOWDEE twenty five acres of land lying to the south westward of the land I have given JACOB ODOWDEE, to him the said JAMES and his heirs forever.

Item: I give to my Son JAMES ODOWDEE one mare and colt the bed and furniture whereon I now lie to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give to my Daughter MARY JONES one shilling in full for her part of my estate.

Item: I give to my Daughter ANNE JONES one shilling in full for her part of my estate.

Item: I give to the children of my Son JOHN ODOWDEE one shilling in full for their part of my estate.

Item: I give to my Daughter ELISABETH one heifer.

Item: I give all the rest and remainder of my estate to be equally devided amongst my Wife SARAH and my Son JOSEPH my Son WILLIAM my Son JAMES and my Daughter REBECKAH to them and their heirs.

Lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my Son JOSEPH ODOWDEE to be whole and sole executor of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking and disallowing all former wills heretofore by me made ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament in witness whereof I have herto set my hand and seal this twenty sixth day of Decemb. ann. one thousand seven hundred and seventy six.

WILLIAM ODOWDEE and a seal
Signum "M"

Signed sealed published and
declared by the P. Testator in the
presence of

JOS. ENNALLS

SARAH MITCHELL
signum

SAM. SAUNDERSON
signum

Recorded and examined 12th day of Aprail in the First Year of
our Indepdndance (sic) 1777

Willoughby Dowdy
No date on will - May Term 1854
I Wiloughby DOWDAY of the County of Currituck and State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following.
Item I lend unto my wife all the cleared land on the west saide of the road where her father now lives also the water field on the WOODHOUSE tract of land during her natrul life also sixty dollars in money also five wood and nail timbers.
Item I give to my sister Clarky BEASLYs children all my land that I own to be equely divided betwein them at my wife death.
Item I want my mother to have her maintenance out of my estate.
Item I want Clarky BEASLY to have her maintenance out of my land.
Lastly I nominate and apoint Lancelot POYNER the whole sole executor to this my last will and testament.
/s/ Willuehby DOWDY
In presents of
Zechariah B. MORSE Jurat
Edmond [his x mark] DOWDY Jurat

Currituck County Court} May Term 1854
The within paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of Willoughby DOWDY decd exhibited for probate in open Court by Lancelot POYNER, executor therein named and the due execution thereof by the said Willoughby DOWDY is proved by the oaths of Zachariah B. MORSE & Edmond DOWDY the subscribing witnesses thereto.
It is therefore considered by the court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will & testament of the said Willoughby DOWDY and the same is ordered to be registered & files - and thereupon the said L. POYNER executor therein named duly qualified as such by taking the oath required by law.
Attest J.W. BAXTER CCC
Recorded in Book No. 4, Page 185

Jacob Dowdy
March 2, 1859 - May Term 1859
In the name of God amen.
I, Jacob DOWDY in the County of Currituck and State of N. Carolina, being sick but of sound and disposing mind doth make and publish this my last will and testament in maner and form as follows.
I give and bequeath to Edmund W. JONES all of my property of every description and to pay all of my just and lawful debts to him and his heirs forever. I nominate constitute and appoint Edmund W. JONES exetor to this my last will and testament and revoking all other wills by me made in witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 2nd day of March 1859.
/s/ Jacob [his x mark] DOWDY
Attest by us
Jno. B. JONES
J.J. WATERFIELD

Currituck County Court} May Term 1859
The within paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Jacob DOWDY dec'd is exhibited for probate in open Court by Edmond W. JONES the executor therein named, and the due execution thereof by the said Jacob DOWDY is proved by the oaths and examination of John B. JONES & John J. WATERFIELD the subscribing witnesses thereto. It is therefore considered by the Court that the paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said Jacob DOWDY and the same is ordered to be recorded & filed - and thereupon the said Edmond W. JONES executor as aforesaid duly qualified as such by taken the oath required by law
Test J.W. BAXTER CCC
Recorded in Book No. 4 Page 232
J.W. BAXTER CCC

Ivy Dowdy
May 1, 1875 - no probate attached to this will but the folder is dated 1876
State of North Carolina}
Currituck County }
Know all men by these presents that I Ivy DOWDY being old & well stricken in years tho of a sound mind & memory knowing all flesh must dye do make this my last will & testament to say--
Itom the first I give to my daughter Polley MELSON fifty dollars in money or good notes all so I give to my daughter Cyntha DOWDY fifty dollars to her paid in money of good notes. I then lend to my beloved wife Delary Ann DOWDY all & singler of my estate goods wares lands & teniments chattle property & reail estate in dores & out during her life time for the benifit of the seport of her & famely & at her decece I give all that is left to my son Samuel B. DOWDY & to his heirs for ever. I all so leave my beloved wife & son S.B. DOWDY executors to this my last will & testiment in witness where of I hear unto set my hand & seel in the presents of these witnesses. This May the first day in the year of our Lord 1875.
/s/ Ivy DOWDY Seal
Attest
John D. WICKER
William J. MORSE

North Carolina } In Superior Court
Currituck County} June 18th 1886
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Margaret DOWDY was this day offered for probate by J. M. WOODHOUSE, executor named therein, and the execution of the same duly proven by the oath and examination of J. M. WOODHOUSE & Willoughby OWENS subscribing witnesses thereto. And it appearing on the said examination that the said Margaret DOWDY was of full age to make a will, of sound mind and disposing memory and under no restraint or undue influence; that they witnesses said will at the request and in the presence of said testatrix and in the presence of each other by subscribing their names thereto, and at the time said testatrix signed her name or made her mark to the same.
Therefore it is ordered, adjudged and decreed that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will & testament of the said Margaret DOWDY. Let the same be recorded & filed. J.W. WOODHOUSE qualified as executor by taking the oath prescribed by law.
Test H.B. ANSELL Clerk Superior Court
[On the back side of this will was the following:]
Margaret Dowdy's Last Will
Willoby Owens witness
Kissy Crane
next of kin
&
Children of Thos. Dowdy
Jos. Dowdy
Wm. T. Dowdy
Enoch W. Dowdy
&
Grace Taylors child
Ben. Taylor & others

Samuel Dowdy
Sept. 21, 1892 - no probate attached to this will but folder is dated 1893
Powells Point Currituck Co. N.C.
This is my last will. At my death I leave to my daughter Virginia five dollars $5.00 and to my grand son Charles G. DOWDY the son of Donison? S. DOWDY and Moly his wife five dollars $5.00 and to my grand son William S. HARRISON the son of my daughter Virginia and Walter S. HARRISON her husband all the land I may be in possession of at my death and all my personal and chattle property I leave him as my administerator without giving any bond or security as he is my only heir with the exception of the above mentioned ten dollars my reason for making him my only heir he agrees to take care of me my life time as witness my hand and seal this the 21st day of Sept 1892.
/s/ Samuel DOWDY
Test
Andrew SCARBOROUGH
Caleb G. DOWDY