William Cheek -
Abstracts of Records

William Cheek is found in the records of Bute County until 1779 (see previous page), at which time Bute County was abolished and split into Warren and Franklin Counties. The following are the records from Warren Co., NC.

Feb. 17, 1780. Warren Co., NC, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions. Randolph HAZILWOOD acknowledged a bond to William CHEEK and it was recorded. (Warren Court Minutes.)

May 8-9, 1780. Warren Co., NC, Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions. William CHEEK and Charles DANIEL post £8,000 bond for Susanna POWELL, adminx of the estate of William POWELL, Jr. (Warren Will Book 1, p.4; Will Book 3, p.52.) Letters of administration granted to Susannah POWELL and William CHEEK.

May 12, 1780. Warren Co., NC. Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions. William CHEEK, John CHEEK, and others ordered to lay out a new road from the road near John DUKE's along the ridge to Green Ford.

May 13, 1780. Warren Co., NC. Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions. William CHEEK, John CHEEK, and others ordered to lay out a new road from Fishing Creek Bridge to the road by William GREEN's house.

Nov. 1, 1781. Warren Co., NC. William CHEEK purchases items from the estate of James ROGERS. (Warren DB 2, p.7.)

Jan. 24, 1782. Warren Co., NC. William CHEEK witnesses the will of John BROWN. Other witnesses are Moses READ and Peter COX. (Warren DB 2, p.8; Will Book 3, p.125.)

1784 State Census, Warren Co., NC:
• William CHEEK, no males age 21-60; 2 males under 21 or over 60; 2 females
• Randolph CHEEK, 1 male age 21-60, no males under 21 or over 60, 1 female
1786 State Census, Warren Co., NC (Weather's Dist.):
• William CHEEK
• John CHEEK
• Randolph CHEEK

Jan. 16, 1790. Warren Co., NC. William CHEEK to his granddaughter Rebecca BURROW, not 14 years old, gift of a slave, to return to Robert Tys. CHEEK if she has no heirs. Wits: Phillip JOHNSON & Matthew DAVIS. (Warren Will Book 1, p.50; see also Will Book 5, p.196.)

May 1790. Warren Co., NC. William CHEEK is involved in a lawsuit with the executor of the estate of Nicholas LONG. (Warren Estate Book 1, p.64.)

1790 Census, Warren Co., NC, p.76:
• William CHEEK: 2 white males >16, 1[?] w/m <16, 2 white females, 18 slaves
• John CHEEK: 1 white male >16, 0 white males <16, 3 white females, 7 slaves
• Randolph CHEEK: 1 white male>16, 0 white males <16, 4 white females, 4 slaves
1792 Tax List, Warren Co., NC, Capt. Cheek's Dist.:
• William CHEEK, 697 acres, 10 slaves
• John CHEEK, 400 acres, 4 slaves
• Randolph CHEEK, 400 acres, 3 slaves

Oct. 15, 1797, William CHEEK wrote his will, and it was proved Feb. 1800 in Warren Co., NC. The will names his wife Sarah, sons John; Randolph; Silas, Robert T.; daughters Martha SMART, Phoebe GOODRICH, Mary SMITH wife of John SMITH. Exec: Robert T. CHEEK. Wits: Jesse PERSON and Amy PERSON. Inventory by Robert T. CHEEK, Feb. 26, 1800. Supp. inventory by Robert T. CHEEK, May 1800. (Warren Will Book 10, pp.213-217, 314; also Will Book 2, p.22; Estate Book 1, p.25.)

Will of William Cheek of Warren Co., NC

Dated Oct. 14, 1797, Proved Feb. 1800
Warren Co., NC, Will Book 10, pp.213-217

In the name of God amen, This fourteenth day of October one thousand seven hundred and ninety seven. I WILLIAM CHEEK of Warren County and state of N Carolina: Being mindfull of the mortality of my body do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament. In the first place I do recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God hoping and believing that he will raise it up at the last day and reunite both body and soul again at the general resurrection as for my worldly goods I shall dispose of them in the following manner to wit:

Item: I lend to my loving wife SARAH CHEEK during life or widowhood four negroes to wit Harry, [??], Hannah [??] one horse called Sauny one feather bed and furniture four cows and calves all this during life or widowhood.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son JOHN CHEEK four hundred acres of land whereon he now lives and one negroe named Sam to him and his heirs for ever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son RANDOLPH CHEEK four hundred acres of land whereon he now lives and two negroes to wit Arthur & Edy which he is now possest of to him and his heirs.

Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY SMITH one negroe woman named Agge and her increase and at her death for the and her increase to be equally divided between all the children she has by JOHN SMITH.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son SILAS CHEEK three negroes to wit -- Brunswick, Peter & Lucy all which he is now possest with to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughter MARTHA SMART three negroes to wit: Grace darkess & Solomon to her and her heirs which she has by FRANCIS SMART and to be equally divided at her death.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Daughter PHEBE GOODRICH two negroes to wit Sarah and Major to her during life and after her death to be equally divided amongst all the children she has by MATTHEW GOODRICH with [??] increase.

Item: I give and bequeath to my Son ROBERT TYNES CHEEK the plantation whereon I now live on both sides of the creek only my wife is to have her life or widowhood in the said land also twenty one negroes with those I lent to my wife during her life or widowhood but she is not to have possession of them until all my debts is paid and it is to be observed that two old women to wit: Silva and Easter is to have there choice to live with who they please in the family after my death. The other Negroes I give to my son ROBERT TYNES CHEEK Namly: Harry Luvey Jacob Kitt Dick James Fanny Hannah Captain Vice Rachel Little Berry Linder David Pud Phillip Brunswick Polly Kinchen General Sumpter Kinny all which twenty one negroes. I give to my son ROBERT TYNES CHEEK also all my stock of heifer cattle and hogs with all my household & kitchen furniture also my still but my other children living to have the use still their own liquor in all which I give to him and his heirs forever.

Item: I do constitute and appoint my wife SARAH CHEEK and my son ROBERT TYNES CHEEK my whole and sole executors to this my last will and testament given under my hand and seal the day and year first above written.

WILLIAM CHEEK

Signed in the presence of:
JESSE PERSON
AMY PERSON