John Battle (30 Apr 1709 – 24 Apr 1740)

John Battle was born on 30 Apr 1709 in Nansemond County, Virginia, a son of William Battle and Sarah (Hunter) Battle. At John’s birth, William Battle was about 27 years old, and Sarah Battle was about age 25 years. John Battle was likely their second child.

By 1726, John Battle was in Bertie County, North Carolina where he married Sarah Browne (43, Page 199). Sarah Browne was a daughter of Samuel Browne and Mary (Jones) Browne (126). John and Sarah Battle had at least four children: Sarah Battle, William Battle, and Jesse Browne Battle. All children were likely born in Bertie County, North Carolina.

On 12 Jun 1735, John Battle appeared on a list of Arrears of Quit Rents for Bertie Precinct of Albemarle County, North Carolina (228, Volume 22, Page 240). John Battle was responsible for Quit Rents for 220 acres during the period 29 Sep 1729 – Mar 1732.

On 17 Oct 1735, John Battle witnessed the Will of Walter Browne in Bertie County, North Carolina (864). Jesse Browne and John Brown also witnessed this will. Walter Browne was a brother of John Battle’s wife Sarah.

John Battle made a Will in Bertie County, North Carolina on 22 Apr 1740 and died two days later on 24 Apr 1740 (863). The Will of John Battle names his wife Sarah Battle, sons William Battle and Jesse Battle, and daughters Prissila Battle and Sarah Battle. According to the Will, at the death of John Battle, Sarah Battle was with child. The Will also mentions William Battle, a brother of John Battle as well as John Brown, a brother of Sarah (Browne) Battle. William Knight, James Griffen, and Martha Knight witnessed the will.

John Battle died on 24 Apr 1740 in Hertford County, North Carolina (43, Page 28).

The Will of John Battle was proved in Bertie County, North Carolina Court on 20 May 1740 (863).

Sources

43. Battle, H. B., and Lois Yelverton. The Battle Book: A Genealogy of the Battle Family in America. The Paragon Press, Montgomery, Alabama, 1930.

Will of John Battle (43, Page 27)
22 Apr 1740
Bertie County, North Carolina

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: the twentieth second day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred & fourty, I John Battle of North Carolina the County of Bertie, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefore Calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hand of God that gave it; and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

Item. I give unto my well beloved son William one tract of land lying on Cattowaskca Swompe containing three hundred and thirty acres which I bought of John Brown, to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give unto my well beloved son Jesse Battle one Negro boy named Toney and all so my Joyners and turners tooles.

Item. I lend unto my well beloved wife one negro man named Pompey during her natural life, and if in case that the child that she now goes with is a son then unto him, and if not then to that, and my two daughters Prissila Battle and my daughter Sarah Battle my Will and desire is that all the rest of my moveable estate shall be equally divided into three parts at the discretion of William Battle my brother, John Brown brother unto my wife and Mr. James Denton, wher of one parte I give unto my well beloved wife Sarah Battle and the other two to be equally divided betwext my children William Battle, Jesse Battle, Prissila Battle and Sarah Battle and that child that my wife now goes with and I do appoint my well beloved wife Sarah Battle and my brother William Battle Executors and Execkcotrix unto this my last will and testiment in witness where of I have here unto set my hand seals the Day and year above written.

J. Battle (Seal)

Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said John Battle as his last will and Testament in the presence of the Subscribers.

William Knight
James Griffen Jurat 1st, 2nd, 3
Martha Knight

The word lend interlined instead of give before assined and all so ye word wife.
[Note] Ye Testator was Born Aprel 30th 1709, and died Aprel ye 30th 1740.

This is the last will and Testament of John Battle.
Bertie Co.-ss. May Court 1740.

The above written will of John Battle was proved in open court by the oaths of William Knight and James Griffen Two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and at the same William Battle and Sarah Battle Execrs. therein named took the
Execrs. Oath by Law Required.

Test.-J ohn Wynns, Clk: Crt.

[Endorsement] John Battles will, 1740. Letters issued 9 ber ye 4th, 1740.
J. Craven.
D. S. Recorded.