William & Sarah Hunter to Benjamin Best Deed 1 January 1796
(Transcribed by Hunt Sanders)


(Duplin Co, NC. Deed Book 3A, pp376-8)

William & Sarah Hunter to Benjamin Best
Deed 310 acres
This Indenture made the first day of January in the twentyeth year of American Independence & 
in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand Seven hundred and ninety six Between Benjamin 
Page 377.
Best of the State of No Carolina & County of Duplin of the one part & William Hunter and Sarah 
his wife of the same place of the other part Witnesseth that the said William Hunter and Sarah 
his wife for and in consideration of the sum of two hundred pounds current money of the State 
of North Carolina to them in hand well and truly paid or secured to be paid by Benjamin Best 
aforesaid before the ensealing & delivery of these presents, the rect. Whereof is hereby 
acknowledged hath by these presents granted bargained sold assigned and set over to the said 
Benjm Best his heirs and assigns forever the following tract or parcel of land lying & being 
in Duplin County on the north side of the Grand Swamp and over a branch called Ash Branch 
including the said Hunters improvements, where Abraham Mollen formerly lived upon the tract ~ 
Beginning at a persimmon tree at the mouth of Alexanders Branch at the run of ash Branch, 
thence runing the various courses of Alexanders Branch 70 pole to a white oak sd Hunters corner 
tree thence Hunters line No 202 poles to a large pine thence S 84 W 168 pole to the run of the 
Pine log Branch to a gum, thence down the run the various courses to the mouth 60 poles – 
thence down the various courses of Ashe Branch to the begining – Containing 150 acres being 
part of the contents of a deed from Stephen Middleton to the said William Hunter bearing date 
the 4th of October 1783, also part of one other tract or parcel of land joining the above ~ 
Begining at a pine said Hunters corner tree by a little dreaw of ashe Branch said Hunters corner 
formerly Abraham Moltens corner tree, thence No 87 E 140 poles to a pine across the main road 
thence So 3 E 196 pole to a pine thence So 86 W 60 pole to a Stake, thence No 53 pole to a 
water oak & white oak, thence So 86 W 70 poles to a Black Jack, thence South 45 W 60 poles to 
a white oak thence straight to the first station Containing 160 acres part of the contents of a 
deed from James Kenan Esqr. Sheriff &c to William Hunter bearing date the 19th July 1787, which 
said two tracts or parcels of land contains by estimation 310 acres, be the same more or less – 
To have and to hold the aforesaid land and premises with the appertainances to the same 
belonging to him the said Benjamin Best his heirs and assigns forever – and the said William 
Hunter and Sarah his wife the aforesaid land and premises before described lying below the pine 
log Branch & down ash Branch to Stephen Browns line at Alexanders Branch & to said Stephens 
Browns
Page 378.
line outward and being all the land the said Hunter is possessed of in the before mentioned 
two tracts from Stephen Middleton and James Kenan lying below the said Pine log Branch & 
joining to said Stephen Browns line and containing by estimation            acres more or less 
the said William Hunter and Sarah his wife for themselves their heirs to said land and premises 
to him the said Benjamin Best his heirs & assigns shall and will warrant & forever defend from 
and against them the said William Hunter and Sarah his wife & their heirs as also from & against 
the just and lawful claim of all and every other person or persons whatever who may hereafter 
lay any lawful claim to the same In witness whereof the said William Hunter and Sarah his wife 
have hereunto set their hands & seals at Duplin the date above written
Signed Sealed & delivered in		}				   his
The presents of Joseph Dickson Senr	}			William   H   Hunter  (Seal)
		 James Middleton	}				  mark 
								            her
								Sarah    ?   Hunter
								          mark
	State of N Carolina Duplin County October Term 1796
Then was the within deed proved in open Court by the oath of Joseph Dickson & ordered to be 
registered   James Dickson Regr. ~ Test Wm Dickson C.C.
State of N Carolina Duplin County ~ January the first 1796 – 
	This day Sarah Hunter the wife of William Hunter being examined by me in person did 
confess that she assigned the within with her husband of her own free will without compulsion, 
that she assigned the deed freely & was not compelled thereto by her husband – Acknowledged 
before me. ~ Joseph Dickson Jus peace






Return to Duplin County Deed Index

Return to Duplin County Index Page