John TERRELL

                   Historical information and Will in notes
From "Tidewater Virginia Families" By Virginia Hutcheson.  From a pedigree on Ancestry World Tree.John Terrell was reported to be the son of William and Susannah Terrell by his great nephew, John D. Terrell. He probably grew up in St. Paul's Parish and lived as an adult in Caroline County. He married Sarah, but her maiden name is not known.

John was called into court several times for his relationship with Elizabeth Harrison. It was reported that he had taken Elizabeth into his home, even though he had a wife, Sarah Terrell. Three children were born to John and Elizabeth out of wedlock. Ea h time, John and Elizabeth were tried by the court and placed under a bond of 50 sterling money not to meet. Even this did not s top them, and they left the colony in 1738.The court was forced to bind out the three children, to be raise d by other families. They were required to help with the family to pay for their keep. Finally in 1749, Sarah Terrell asked the court to appoint her separate maintenance from her husband. John Sold land in Caroline Co., VA in March 1741 and in April 1742, the chancery court ordered John to place two Negroes, Beck and Amey, and one gray mare in the possession of John Mauldin, in trust for Sarah. She was to receive the profits from these for her maintenance during her separation and until she shall cohabit with the defendant or until the time of her death.It would have taken an act of the General Assembly to have granted a divorce, but the county court could grant her separate maintenance. Sarah was granted permission to take over her husband' s estate because he had fled the colony with Elizabeth Harrison . A number of the citizens of the colony of VA, who did not feel they could comply with the marriage laws of the colony went to North Carolina to live.John apparently went to Edgecombe Co., NC and settled there with Elizabeth Harrison.

He was granted 500 acres in Edgecombe County. Whether he realized all of the profits from the sale of his land in Caroline County or whether he was required to turn some over to Sarah is not known. there is no mention in the Caroline records of children of Sarah and John. 

John had the following children: Lohamar, Hezekiah, Jeptha, John, Ann and Agnes. There is no mention as to whether any of these children were those who were born in Caroline County. 

A copy of the will of John Terrell is of interest, identifying himself as John Terrell of Franklin County, north Carolina, he bequeathed to his reputed wife Elizabeth who is called and known by the name of Elizabeth Terrell with whom I have cohabited; my reputed daughter Loruhimah, born of the body of Elizabeth Harrison aforesaid reputed wife, my reputed son Jeptha called and known by the name of Jeptha Terrell born of the body of the aforsaid Elizath; my reputed daughter Anne..; my reputed son Joel.. my reputed son Timothy's children, that is his daughter Elizabeth, his son Richard and his daughter Susannah..... The will was written September 20, 1783. His family Bible records as given below were taken from the original papers by Mrs. Anne William Smith...

The entries do not agree with the work of Emma Dicken, nor does he name all his children in his will.

Lomhannah Terrell b. Jan 18, 1731 
Jeptha Terrell b. Oct 29, 1733 
Hezkiah Terrell b. Aug 15, 1735 
John Terrell b. Nov 15, 1737 
Ann Terrell b. July 10, 1741 (sic) 
Timothy Terrell b. June 22, 1741 (sic) 
James Terrell b. Dec 9, 1743 
Agnes Terrell b. Oct 25, 1746 
Betsey Terrell b. June 15, 1749 
Joel Terrell b. Dec 5, 1751

Will of John Terrell ofFranklin County, NorthCarolinaDated: 20 September 1783In the name of God amen I John Terrell of the County of Franklin in the State of North Carolina being somewhat in Disposed in body but of perfect sence & Memory thanks be to God for his Mercies but knowing the frailty of human nature & that it is Decreed that all men must surely die do make & ordain this my last will & testament as followeth that is I give & bequeath my soul to God who gave it & my body to the Earth to be Decently buried at the Discretion of my Executors & as to my worldly Estate I give & bequeath to my (reputed/respected) wife Elizabeth who is called & known by the name of Elizabeth Terrell & with whom I have Cohabited ???? ????? my furniture I desire is then provided 5 Negro slaves towit Mingo big Jack old Saul Lidia & Willy also my Mill on Sandy Creek & all my household Furniture & such of my stock as she may think fit during her life & after her Decease to be Disposed of as hereafter shall be Decreed. 

ITEM I Give & bequeath to my (reputed/respected) Daughter Loruhimah born of the body of Elizabeth Harrison aforesaid (reputed/respected) wife the Four Negro slaves towit Mourning Phebe Patch & after her mother's Death old Sal together with the saidNegros increase
ITEM I give & bequeath to my (reputed/respected) son Jeptha called & known by the  name of Jeptha Terrell born of the body of the aforesaid Elizabeth the labour of the 5 negro slaves following During his life & after his decease to his children as he shallthink proper to them & their heirs forever towit Sare & her child & their increase James & little Jack & after his mother Deceases big Jack
ITEM I give & bequeath to my (reputed/respected) Daughter Anne born of the body of  he afsd Elizabeth the 4 following Negro slaves towit Judy & her Child little Amy old Amys Child & little Jenny Lidias child together their increase to her & her heirs For Ever
ITEM I give & bequeath to my (reputed/respected) son Joel born of the body of the  aforesaid Elizabeth 7 Negro slaves towit Bob Sam Old Amys Child Amy old Sals child little Saul Peter & Priscila Sabina Lidias Children & after his mothers Death Lady I also Give him the plantation & tract of Land whereon I now live together with another tract adjoining thereto to Him & his Heirs & assigns for ever.
ITEM I give & bequeath to my (Reputed/respected) son Timothys children called & known in his lifetime by the Name of Timothy Terrell born of the body of the aforesaid  Elizabeth the 4 following Negro slaves towit Andi Buck & his increase Nat & after theirgrandmothers Decease Willy & his increase to be Equally Divided among them as they come of age that is the boys to the age of 21 & the girls to the age of 18 It is also my will & Desire that the widow of my (reputed/respected) Son Timothy shall have a childs partduring her life that such part to return to the to the children of the said Timothy & be Equally Divided among them.
ITEM I give & bequeath to  my (reputed/respected) son Johns children who was called & known in his Lifetime by the name of John Terrell begotten of the body of the aforesaid Elizabeth as followeth to his daughter Elizabeth one Negro Slave old Amy to her & her heirs for ever. To his son Richmond one negro Girl Lucie to him & his heirs for ever. To his daughter Susannah one negro boy Will to her & her heirs forever I also give & bequeath to my (reputed/respected) son Johns Children above mentioned the value of One Good negro to be Equally Divided among them & lastly my will & desire is that all & every part of my Estate which I have not herein before particularly mentioned & disposed of in Legacies together with my Mill on Sandy Creek before mentioned be divided into 6 Equal totts & Equally Divided by Drawing for the same by my 4  (reputed/respected) Children towit Jeptha Joel Lorihuma & Anne aforesaid & theOrphans of the two Deceased John & Timothy & whoever receives the Mill is not to have his till the Death their Mother or Grand Mother as the case may happen. I hereby Nominate & appoint Jeptha Terrell & Joel Terrell & Jenkins Devaney Executors of this my Last will & testament hereby revoking all other Wills heretofore made or Executed. In Witness Whereof I have hereunto affixed my hand & seal this 20 Day of Septm. 1783 Cs.
Signed sealed & acknowledged in the presence of Elias Daviney his Luckey Daviney 

John Terrell (Seal)her mark
Susannah Brooksmark