Transcription of Will: Annie D. (Long) Hobbs

There have been many articles and blogs regarding the newly available Ancestry.Com Wills and Probate Records. I thought I would give it a try. My goal was to find wills for my Howell/Hobbs project. The Hobbs family lived in Martin County for many years so I decided to search for the surname “Hobbs” in Martin County, North Carolina. I immediately found two that were appropriate for my research. The first one was regarding Mary-Alice’s great-grandmother, Annie Deborah Long Hobbs.

In reading through the will, I was surprised that I didn’t learn anything new, only confirmation of other facts I had known. For example, I knew that four of James Ashley and Annie D. Hobbs’ nine children were alive in 1913 and the will and probate records confirm that. Had I not already had that information, the will and probate record would have been invaluable.

It is interesting, however, to note that Annie indicated she was in “feeble health,” because she signed the will the day before she died.

Amanuensis Monday

Transcription of Will: Annie D. (Long) Hobbs (1846-1913) 16 May 1913
North Carolina}
Martin County}

I, Annie D. Hobbs, of the state and county aforesaid, being of sound mind and memory, and being in feeble health do hereby make and declare this to be my last will and testament.

Item 1.   I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary L Howell my state Bond of Five Hundred Dollars.

Item 2.   I give and devise to my daughter Annie Armstrong, my son’s, Roland R. Hobbs and James F. Hobbs, the sum of one Hundred Dollars each.

Item 3.   I give and devise to my sister, Mary F. Long the sum of One Hundred Dollars.

Item 4.   At my death, after paying all necessary expenses of my funeral and the purchase of a lot in the Cemetery at Hamilton as near the burial lot of my aunt, Arrista Bryan as can be purchased, The residue of my estate I give and devise to my beloved husband, J. A. Hobbs for his use and benefit during his life and at his death the same shall be equally divided among my four children, R.R & J. F. Hobbs, Annie Armstrong and Mary L Howell share and share alike.

Item 5.   I hereby constitute and appoint my beloved husband J. A. Hobbs, my lawful executor of this my last will and

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testament to execute the conditions of the same. In testimony of which I hereto set my hand and seal this 16th day of May 1913.

Annie D Hobbs (her mark) (her Seal)

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Sealed, signed & declared by Annie D. Hobbs to be her last will and testament, in our presence who at her request and in her presence and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as attesting witnesses thereto.
This May 16-1913

        R. J. Peel
A. S. Frassell. [?? name is unclear]
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Notes from the Order Papers:

The will was probated in Washington County, although Annie was “late of Martin County.”

EXECUTOR’S OATH was signed by J. A. Hobbs on 20 June 1913.

PROBABE OF WILL – Received and accepted on 20 June 1913.

Application for Letters Testamentary posted 20 June 1913 identified estate worth $600.00 and Parties entitled to property include: Annie F Armstrong, Mary L Howell, R R Hobbs J. F Hobbs, Mary A. Long and J A Hobbs.