The Shemwell Family

Benjamin McGehee Sr wrote his Will on December 26, 1808. The Will documents his family at the time; namely, Crafford McGehee, Shem McGehee, Banks McGehee Sr, Claborn McGehee, Charles McGehee, Benjamin McGehee Jr, Joseph McGehee, Josiah McGehee, Sarah Griffin (nee McGehee), Haymon McGehee, Ann Garrot (nee McGehee), Lucy McGehee, Mary Cook (nee McGehee), Penelope McGehee, Huldy Duke (nee McGehee), and Polley McGehee. Note: There is an indirect reference to his second wife, Mary Priddy, in the phrase: "...in reserving my wifes life with part...". Note: The "Lucy McGehee" mentioned in the Will was his daughter from his first wife, Lucy. It was not uncommon for a daughter to be named after the Wife in that era, perhaps with an identifying middle name. Note: Both Benjamin McGehee Jr and Charles McGehee are indicated that their share of the estate goes to their heirs .... suggesting they both died prior to December 26, 1808.

Benjamin McGehee Sr Transcribed Will: "State of NC Granville Co .Aug Court 1816 Last Will and Testament for Benjamin MEGHEE decs'd duly proven in open court by oaths of Thomas Person and Nelson Nailing witnesses. Step' Sneed Clerk. Recorded Book 7,page 636. I, Benjamin Meghee of Granville County North Carolina do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following (to wit) Inprimis. I give and bequeath to my four sons Crafford Meghee Shem Meghee Banks Meghee Claborn Meghee the land which I now live on to share & share alike the land is to be Equally to be divided & Claborn Meghee to have the Lott including the house that I now live in reserving my wifes life with part allotted to Claborn Meghee Item I give and bequeath unto the heirs of my son Charles Meghee five Shillings I also give and bequeath to the heirs of my son Benjamin Meghee five Shillings I also give and bequeath unto my son Joseph Meghee five Shillings I also give unto my son Josiah Meghee five Shillings and to my daughter Sarah Griffin five Shillings also to my daughter Haymon five Shillings & to Ann Garrot five Shillings & to Lucy Meghee and to my daughter Mary Cook five Shillings also to my daughter Penelope Meghee to my daughter Duke five Shillings Item I give and bequeath to my son Claborn all my stock of horses cattle and hoggs Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Polley & Claborn Meghee to be Equally divided between the two Meghee all my house hold and Kitchen furniture. I do hereby appoint my two sons Meghee and Shemuel Meghee Executors of this my last will and Testament In witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of december 1808 Signature of Benjamin (his Mark X) Meghee Signed sealed and acknowledged to be his last will and Testament of Benj Meghee in presence of us Thomas Persons Nelson Nailing State of N Carolina Granville County August Court AD 1816 The foregoing last Will and Testatment of Benj Megehee was duly proven in open Court by the Oaths of Thomas Persons and Nelson Nailing the subscribing Witnesses thereto and Ordered to be Recorded Test Step' Sneed, Clk