JOSEPH DUKE

	1726	BRUNSWICK, VIRGINIA
		MARY MAJORS
	CHILDREN	MAJOR DUKE ISHAM DUKE MARY DUKE DELILAH DUKE SHERROD DUKE ALICE DUKE HARDY DUKE REPPS DUKE RANSOM DUKE WILLIAM DUKE MARTHA DUKE BUCKNER DUKE
	PARENTS	WILLIAM DUKE THAMAR ?????
	AUGUST 1779	WARREN, NORTH CAROLINA
Note: Joseph Duke, of Warren County, North Carolina. His wife's name was Mary, and his will was probated in August, 1770, in Bute County. His wife's will was probated in August, 1789, in Warren County. The children named in the wills were: Henry Duke, removed to South Carolina, William Duke, died in Greene County, GA, in 1800. Buckner Duke, lived in Wilkes and Hancock Counties, GA. and had a daughter Keziah Duke. Isham Duke, married in 1807 Elizabeth Sherrell in Green County, Georgia. Sherrod Duke killed in Revolution. Hardyman Duke, lived in Greene County, GA. Ransom H Dukes, married Jane (???) He died in Greene County, GA, in 1816. Mary Duke married Wilson Whatley. Alice Duke, married James Jackson. Delilah Cuke, married Miles Drury. Pattie Duke. Joseph Duke and all of his sons served in the Revolution. James Duke did not remain in Granville County, North Carolina, and nothing further is known of him. Robert Duke removed in 1763 to Orange County, North Carolina. A bond dated March 14, 1794, was given for the marriage of Robert Duke to Anne Rhew. WILL OF JOSEPH DUKE "In the name of God Amen I Joseph Duke of Bute County in the state of North Carolina being in perfect health and sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. Item I give and bequeath to my son Major Duke one hundred acres of land it being the same whereon he now lives to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Item: I give to my daughter Mary Whatley wife of Wilson Whatley one shilling proc money, being all I intend she shall receive of my estate. Item: I give to my daughter Alice Jackson wife of James Jackson ten pounds proc money to be p aid by my Executors out of my estate. Item: I give to my daughter Delilah Drury wife of Mills Drury fifteen pounds proclamation money to be paid by my Executors out of my Estate. Item: I give and bequeath to my sons William and Buckner Duke and to each of them one shilling proclamation money to be paid each of them by my Executors out of my Estate lying in Bute County, North Carolina as I am going to Travel into the state of Georgia to purchase lands for my said sons William Duke and Buckner Duke, but if it please God that I should die before making such purchase, then my will and desire is that instead of one shilling proclamation money given to each, that they possess each of them a proportionable part of my Estate already given in this my will. Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Duke fifteen pounds proclamation money and on e bed and furniture being the same she lies on to her and paid by my Executors when she attain to lawful age or day of her marriage. Item: I leave the remainder of my Estate not already bequeathed both real and personal to m y loving wife Mary Duke during her natural life or widowhood and whenever death or marriage happen to my said wife, then my will and desire is that my land whereon I now live be sold by my Executors and the money arising from such sale be equally divided between my four sons I sham Duke, Sherrod Duke, Hardy Duke and Ransom Duke, and if either should die before they attain lawful age, first then the survivors to enjoy the same, then their heirs or assigns forever, Item: I give and bequeath to my son Ransom Duke my negro boy Daniel, to him and his heirs for ever. Item: My will and desire is that at the death or remarriage of my wife Mary Duke whichever happens first, that all of my stock of what nature or kind soever together with all my household goods and utensils of trade and plantation tools be sold and that the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my five sons Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke, Hardy Duke, Repps Duke and Ransom Duke, and if either of my sons die before they attain lawful age or day of marriage that the same be equally divided among the survivors of them. Lastly, I appoint my loving wife Mary Duke my son Isham Duke and my friend Matthew Duke Exet. and Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set m y hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of January Anno Domi 1778. Joseph Duke (seal) Witnessed by: Thos. Machen William Park Rose Brewer (Warren Co. N.C. Will Bk. 3, page 15) The will of Joseph Duke, written in Bute County, was proved at the August Court of Warren County in 1779. This was the year Bute County was discontinued and the Counties of Warren and Franklin were created from Bute. It is not known as to whether or not Joseph Duke returned safely from his trip to Georgia. That he did get there and did purchase land for William and Buckner Duke does seem probable. Both men were living on 100 acres of land in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1785. They were later joined by their younger brothers. Most of the sons of Joseph Duke served their country during the Revolution although some of the younger ones were mere boys. Sherrod Duke lost his life in the conflict while still unmarried. He made his will on May 3, 1781, leaving his estate to his mother, his brothers and his sisters

DUKE