Craven County

1794 Will of John Allen, Craven County

1794 John Allen Will image 1

John Allen of Craven County, North Carolina, drafted his last will on October 7, 1794. He bequeathed his plantation and 700 acres of land to his wife, Ann G. Allen, for her widowhood, along with enslaved individuals, livestock, and household goods. His children, Mary, Burton, Burton Allen, and John Burton Allen, received extensive landholdings and slaves to be divided upon Mary’s sixteenth birthday. Cash and property were to be equally divided among his children. Executors were Shadrach Allen and Robert Williams. The will was proven in court in March 1795.

New Bern North Carolina Female Benevolent Society

Female Benevolent Society Membership Certificate

The New Bern Benevolent Society traces its roots to the 1812 founding of the New Bern Female Charitable Society, the first benevolent society incorporated in North Carolina. The society was formed to offer relief to the poor and to educate poor female children. Minute book contains the record of the administration and activities of the Female Benevolent Society of New Bern, N.C. for the dates of January 22, 1878 – May 1905. Roll Book contains the record of members present at meetings of the Female Benevolent Society of New Bern, N.C. for the years 1942-1962.