1706-1793 I John Parks, Sr. of State of North Carolina, County of Wilkes being in perfect sences and memory calling to mind the mortality of my body knowing it is appointed for all men to die I make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following I leave my soul to almity god that give it to me hoping through the merits of my blessed saviour to inherit eteranl life and my body to decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned and to all my worldly goods. It hath pleased god to bless me with bequeath in manner and form following. Item: my will and desire is that all my just debts be paid fully and satisfied. Item: my will and desire is that my son John Parks be paid eight pounds Virginia money out of my estate for one hogshead of tobacco I borrowed of him. Item: I give unto my daughter Sary Sails five shilling sterling for her full part of my estate. Item: I give unto my son Samuel Parks the land and plantation where I now live also my wagin for his full part of my estate to be delivered to them by my executor's before the day of sale of my estate. Item: my will and desire is that my son Samuel Parks should have the care and management of my daughter Milly Parks and her part of my estate. Item: my will and desire is that my negros be sold at the highest bidder amonst my children as it's my desire that they be kept among my children. Item: my will and desire is that all the rest of my estate be sold at Publick sail after my death and all the money arising from my hole estate be equally divided among the rest of my children and constitute and appoint my son Benjamin Parks, William Carrel and Samual Parks executors of this my last will and testament revolking and disannulling all other wills by me heretofore made allowing this to be my last will and testament. Witnesses: on 7 February 1787 William Carrell, George Parks, Benjamin Thurston - My will and desire is that some of my estate should be sold to pay my debts before the division of my estate. North Carolina Archives has file of original will, cross reference to page 357 Will Book 1: Wilkes County, North Carolina

Thomas Parks II

Will of Thomas Parks: Thomas Parks of the State of North Carolina.....I give to loving wife Precilla a Negro girl Dicey and the land on the plantation whereon I now dwell the land as low as the middle branch during her natural life. I give an bequeath to my daughter Peggy Parks one negro girl named Hannah to her and her heirs forever to be delivered to her at the time of the rest of the estate being divided or at the day of her marriage. I give to my son Ambros Parks the land whereon I now live as low down as the middle branch after the decease of his mother to him and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath to my son Rubin Parks all the land lying below the middle branch being part of the tract of land I now live on to him and his heirs forever. I give to my son Ambros Parks my island land containing 18 acres to him and his heirs forever. My will and desire is that my beloved wife Pricilla have the use of all my movable estate only as before directed during her natural life and then to be equilly divided among my children namely, Ann Parks, John Parks, Thomas Parks, Rubin Parks, Aaron Parks, Mary Johnson, William Parks and I do hereby constitue and appoint my two sons, Rubin Parks and Ambrose Parks executors of this my last will and testament.......5 July 1790 signed in presence of ? Wheatly, Richd Allen, Mason Wheatly signed Thomas Parks (seal)

Thomas Parks III

Thomas Parks III did not leave a Last Will and Testament. However, County records indicate that sons Benjamin Parks and George Parks were appointed administrators of Thomas Parks, deceased, giving a bond in the sum of $10,000. George Parks was a partner with Finley & Waugh, his share being $7, 836.53 and was county trustee for several years. There is a record of powers of attorney executed to George Parks by his brothers and sisters who left Wilkes, namely Uriah Parks and Priscilla Gilreath and her husband (William Gilreath), all of Whitley County, Kentucky; Abial C. Parks of Franklin County, Tennessee and Charity Chandler and her husband Richard Chandler of Franklin County, Georgia. Sources: County Court Minutes, Wilkes Co. 1820; Will Book #4 page 36, Bond for George Parks, County Court Minutes. Oct 1821