The Corker Family
A Glimpse of Eighteenth Century Charleston
The Corker Family
A Glimpse of Eighteenth Century Charleston
Transcribed Will
Thomas CORKER, Merchant of Charles Town,
Province of South Carolina, North America.
PCC (Prerogative Court of Canterbury) will in the PROB 11 series of
the National Archives, London, images online at the Ancestry website.
A typewritten transcript of the will is in the
South Carolina, Wills and Probate Records collection,
images online at the Ancestry website.
Will dated: 3 May 1768 Amendments in margin: Oct 1770 Probate date in Charleston: 1 Feb 1771 PCC Probate date: 4 Aug 1772
The will transcript below was prepared from the copy of the will in
the PROB 11 series of the National Archives, London.
A note following the will stated that the original will was in the
record office in South Carolina.
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South Carolina In the name of God Amen I Thomas Corker of Charles Town and province aforesaid Merchant being some what ailing and indisposed but of perfect sound mind memory and understanding considering the uncertainty of this transitory life do make publish and declare this my last will and next page testament in manner and form following, to wit, first of all I will that my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon as possible and conveniently they may and that my funeral be plain and decent without pomp and extravagance committing my body to the grave in hope through the merits of Christ Jesus the Almighty Saviour of Mankind of a glorious resurrection Item 1st Item I will that my executors hereafter mentioned shall dispose of my personal estate unto the best advantage for the payment of my just debts and legacies according unto my bequest and that if I die in a marriage state I give and bequeath unto my widow fifty pounds sterling per annum during her widowhood out of the profits of my real estate at two equal portions. Item 2
and unto his children sons and daughters at the age of twenty one years twelve months after my decease twenty five pounds sterling each. [Item] 3
Corker (now deceased) unto his daughter or daughters at the age of twenty one years twelve months after my decease twenty five pounds sterling each. [Item] 5 I give and bequeath unto Nathaniel Withers son of Lawrence Withers was born in this town and went of the province and not returned since but if he returns to claim all my right title and interest to two tenements with all appurtenances thereunto belonging which was conveyed unto his mother Elizabeth Withers by bargain of sale by Mr John Breton late of Charles Town merchant and unto her heirs for ever known by model of Town Plat by No. 44 but by mistake in the deed is called 49 formerly bought of Noah Royer which Lawrence Withers mortgage to Mrs Mary Owen late of that town who was security for said Lawrence Withers for several sums of money which paid for said Lawrence Withers and was put unto many other great expenses in board and schooling of his son Nathaniel Withers. she Mrs Mary Owen left me heir unto all she had I am also next heir unto Lawrence Withers if the son Nathaniel does not return he said Lawrence and my self being brothers and sisters children these said tenements being occupied at present by Mrs Jane Price and other by Mary Withers now deceased who wrongfully detain the rent by unjust possession only and the law in this place is deficient to redress such oppression but if Nathaniel Withers son of Lawrence does live and return or any other does claim and prove next page themselves to nearer in affinity than I've done from records in England which must be from the said records and nearly to correspond with mine in most instances as the marriage of our parents was in the same parish then I think it best to leave the affair unto judicious arbitrators to settle the affair in dispute amiable. [Item] 6th I give and bequeath the surplus and remainder of my estate put into the hands of trustees hereafter mentioned and appointed for the use and purposes herein mentioned to wit that the present minister of the gospel at Namptwich [Nantwich] in Cheshire in Great Britain of the presbeterial or congregational persuasion with the members write on consulting other ministers at their quarterly associations in Cheshire when met to have full power and authority to carry into execution this my will and design of this charity, to wit, [Item] 7th I give and bequeath unto the congregation at Nantwich aforesaid out of the yearly income or profits out of the remainder of my estate as will pay a master and mistress twenty pounds per annum for teaching twenty boys and ten girls to write and read English until the age of twelve or fourteen years fit to put to some laudable trade to get their living being children of the society remembering to give preference to those of my name and the variants that may happen to be filled up by trustees chosen by the said society five to be a quorum to take charge of to manage this charity. [Item] 8th and lastly I do nominate and appoint
Charles Town South Carolina merchant executors of this my last will and testament revoking all other will or wills pronouncing and declaring this and no other to be my last will and testament In witness whereof this my last will and testament I have set my hand and seal this third day of May 1768 in presence of the subscribers who I have requested to be witnesses. [signatures of witnesses] |
| The executor of Thomas Corker’s will was named as ‘Mr Josiah Smith junior of Charles Town [Charleston] South Carolina, merchant’. The Josiah Smith Letter Book (Southern Historical Collection, Louis Round Wilson Special Collection Library, University of North Carolina; also available in Records of Ante-bellum Southern Plantations) provided reference material for Jennifer L. Goloboy, Charleston and the Emergence of Middle-Class Culture in the Revolutionary Era, The University of Georgia Press, 2016. |
The will stated that Thomas Corker and Lawrence Withers were
"brothers and sisters children" – that is, they were first cousins.
The will added that:
"the marriage of our parents was in the same parish".
It appears that Thomas Corker was the son of Nathaniel Corker, and
his cousin Lawrence Withers was the son of Thomas and Ann Withers.
A double wedding was celebrated at Wistaston, Cheshire on
5 January 1692/3. The parish register entries were:
Nathaniel Corker of Shavington in the parish of Wybunbury, and
Hanah Bowers of Wistaston; and
Thomas Withers of Gresty in the parish of Wybunbury, and
Anne Corker of Shavington in the parish of Wybunbury aforesaid.
(transcribed from the Cheshire Collection of parish registers at FindMyPast).
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Marriage entries in the Parish Register of Wistaston, Cheshire
Double wedding on 5 January 1692/3 of Nathaniel Corker and Hanah Bowers; and Thomas Withers and Anne Corker (from the Cheshire Collection of parish registers at FindMyPast). |
prepared by WhistlerHistory 2020.