Tombstone Tuesday~J. Martin Dry, My 4th Great Grandfather

Johan Martin Dry

b. 10 Jul 1759

bp. 29 Jul 1759

d. 11 Dec 1836

bu. St. Johns Lutheran Church 

Tombstone can be viewed here:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/29480602/j-martin-dry#source

Johan Martin Dry was born in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania to Charles Dry and his wife Christina Muss. (The German family name of Derr/Dorr was anglicized to the surname Dry).

Martin married Catherine Keppel abt 1785/86. They had nine children. He and Catherine are buried in St. Johns Lutheran Church Cemetery. 

Related Article:

https://carolinafamilyroots.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-family-timejohann-martin-dry-and.html

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[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 December 2015); Memorial page for J. Martin Dry; (10 July 1759–11 December 1836); Find a Grave memorial #29480602, Citing Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery; Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA.

Amanuensis Monday~Charles Dry Migrates to North Carolina

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.


His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.


Today’s subject is the Migration of Charles Dry and his Family to North Carolina, 1777. ¹

Charles Dry was born about 1733 in Pennsylvania. He married Christina Muss about 1753/54 in the New Goshenhoppen Reformed Church, Montgomery County, PA.

Their first born, a son Owen Ulrich was born 4 December 1754 in Montgomery County, PA. Between 1754 and 1769, Charles and Christina would have five children; four (4) sons and one daughter. The two oldest sons were baptized in 1757 and 1759.

In July 1777, we find Charles, Christina, and their four sons; Owen Ulrich, Johan Martin, Phillip Wiley and Andrew Dry in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. Their daughter Anna Christina Dry passed away 29 June 1772.

It is between 29 June 1772 and 26 July 1777 that Charles Dry and his family made their moved from Pennsylvania.

In Mecklenburg County Deed Book 7, pages 297 – 300 we find the Land Deed transcribed below between  Barbara Hernhart and Charles Darr.

DB 7, pg 297

DB 7, pg(s) 298-299

DB 7, pg 300

Deed Book 7, Mecklenburg County, NC.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99D6-F9HB-Y?i=363&cat=168633


Transcription:
Page 297
This Indenture made the twenty six day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand Seventeen and seventy Seven Between Paul Barringer of Mecklenburg County in North Carolina planter and Barbara Hernhart, heretofore Barbara Haggler Executors of the last will and testament of John Haggler late of Mecklenburg County aforesaid planter deceased of the one part and Charles Darr of the said County of Mecklenburg planter of the other part. Whereas the said John Haggler deceased by his last will and testament in writing bearing date on or about the twenty ninth day of May which was in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Seventy one amongest other things willed and Directed that in case of his wife, the said Barbara should Intermarry again his Executors therein mentioned should sell and Dispofe of his lands in the best manner or by reference thereunto said will more fully appear. And the said John Haggler did afterward thereby nominate and constitute the said Paul Barringer and his said wife the said Barbara Executors of his said will And Whereas the said John Haygler afterward Departed this life without altering or Revoking his said Will and the said Paul Barringer and his said Wife the Said Barbara afterwards  proved the same in the proper Court and took upon themselves the burden of the Execution thereof  And WHEREAS the said Barbara heretofore the wife of the said John Haggler Deceased afterwards Intermarried with Phillip Hernhart of Rowan County North Carolina planter whose wife she still is. And the said Paul Barringer and the said Barbara Hernhart the Executors as aforesaid have proceeded to Sell and Dispose of the land of the said John Haggler Deceased after the best manner pursuant to the Direction in the above in part recited will And have according contracted and agreed with the said Charles Darr for the absolute purchase of the same at and for the price and sum of two hundred and fifty pounds proclamation money. NOW this indenture Witnesseth that for and in consideration of the said sum of Two Hundred and fifty pounds proclamation money to them the said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart or one of them in hand paid by the said Charles Darr at or before the Sealing and Delivery of these presents the receipt whereof they do hereby acknowledge and therefore {word copped of bottom of page 297] and Discharge the said Charles Darr
Page 298
his Executors and administrators by these presents that the said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart Have granted bargained Sold delivered and Confirmed by these present Do Grant bargain Sell alien and confirm unto the said Charles Darr and his heirs Executors administrators and assigns all that Messuage or Tenement plantation or Farm late of him the said John Haggler Situate lying and being on Dutch Buffalo Creek within the said County of Mecklenburg  and the lands and premises thereto belonging  and premises particularly mentioned and Described that is to say all that Tract or parcel of land and premises beginning at a white oak on the east side of the said Creek running thence North Sixty eight West one hundred and eighty poles to a stake thence South one hundred and twenty poles to a pine thence South twenty five West one hundred and  (illegible??) forty poles to a stake thence South fifty eight East one hundred + fifty five poles to a white oak thence North Twenty East to the first Station. All of which said Lands and premises are situate on Dutch Buffalo Creek aforesaid and containing in the whole about Two Hundred and Fifty acres little more or lefs and were heretofore conveyed to the said John Haygler Deceased by Arthur Dobbs Esquire late Governor of North Carolina and Justina his wife, by Deed of bargain and sale bearing date the tenth day of February which was in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and Sixty-five.  And all messuage buildings Orchards by ways waters water courses profile Commodities heriditaments and appurtenance whatsoever to the said premises hereby granted or any part thereof belonging or in anywise  appertaining and the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders, rents, issues and profits thereof;and also all the estate, right, title, interest, ??? Trust property claim and Demand whatsoever of them the said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart of in and to the said premises and every part and parcel thereof  TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said Plantation Lands and premises hereby Bargained and sold with their and every of their appaurtenances unto the said Charles Darr his heirs and assigns to the only proper use and behoof of him  the said, Charles Darr, his heirs and assigns forever. And the said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart for themselves and their heirs Execeutors  + Adminstrators  Do Covenant and promise to and with the said Charles Darr his heirs and assigns by these presents that they the said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart Now at the time
Page 299
of Sealing and Delivery of these presents Have granted? full power and lawful and absolute authority to grant and Convey the said Plantation Lands & Premises hereby bargained and Sold unto the said Charles Darr his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns in manner and form aforesaid and that the said Premises Now and So forever hereafter Shall Remain and be free and Clear of and from all former and Other Gifts Grants Bargains Sales Dowers Right and Title of Dower Judgments Executions Titles Troubles Charges and incumbrances whatsoever Made Done committed or Suffered by the said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart for the said John Haygler Deceased or any Other Person or Persons whatsoever,the ?Quit Rent? hereafter to grow ?Due? and payable for and in ?Respect? of the Premises only ?Excepted? And Lastly that the said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart and their heirs and assigns every other person and Persons and his and their heirs having or Claiming in the Premises herein before mentioned or Intended to be hereby bargained and Sold Shall Shall and will from Time to Time and at all Times and at all Times hereafter at the Reasonable Request and at the proper books and Charges in the law of him the said Charles Darr his heirs or assigns make do and execute or Cause??? to be made Done + Executed all and every Said further and Other lawful and Reasonable act and action thing and things Conveyances and Assigning?  in the View for the further better and more perfect Conveying and Assigning the premises aforesaid with their and every of the appurtenances unto the said Charles Darr his heirs and assigns as by the said Charles Darr his heirs, assigns or his or their Council Carried in the law shall be Reasonably Devised Advised or Required In Witness whereof the Said Paul Barringer and Barbara Hernhart have hereunto Set their hands + seals the Day and year first above written
 
Signed Sealed + Delivered                     Paul Barringer (seal)
   In the Presence of                           Barbara Hernhart (seal)
Jacob Dunne
Matthias Beaver

North Carolina}                          October Sefsion 1777
Mecklenburg County}
             The within Deed was proven in Open Court by the Oath of Matthias Beaver a subscribing witnefs thereto. Ordered to be Registered.
Test                                                 Sam Martin C of C

Charles and Christina Dry are my paternal 5th Great Grandparents. 




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[1] Gary D. Walter, Genealogy.com, Prelude to "Focus on Johan Georg and Charles Dry (www.genealogy.com/ftm/w/a/l/Gary-D-Walter/FILE/0002page.html : viewed 17 July 2015), Mecklenburg Deeds 7:297-300, Deed- Barbara (Hagler) Haygler, Extx of the LWT of John Haygler, late of Meck. Dec’d. to Charles Darr, 25 July 1777.

Obituary~Death of Phillip Wiley Dry

Phillip Wiley Dry

b.abt 1781

d. 14 Dec 1837 (age 76)

Transcription:

Death: Philip Wiley Dry
Also after a long painful illness, Capt, John Furr, a worth, industrious and highly respectable citizen. Also, Mr. Paul Furr, in the 87th years of his age. Also, on the same day, Mr. Philip Dry, in the 76th year of age. These two old gentlemen had lived near neighbor for upwards of 50 years; and Mr. Dry had on the evening of his death, just returned from the death-bed of his neighbor, Mr. Furr, and with but an hour's warning. Was called to follow him into eternity! They were both interred at the same time.


Phillip W. Dry is the son of Charles Dry and Christina Muss. He married Catherine Köppel.

Phillip Wiley Dry is my 4th Great Grand Uncle. 












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[1] Obituary: Phillip Dry obituary, The Weekly Raleigh Register, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, 1 January 1838, page 3, Col. 6.

Tombstone Tuesday~Eve Dry, 1st Wife of Owen Dry

Eve Dry

b. Feb. 1, 1757
d. Nov. 17, 1828

bu. Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery

The Tombstone of Eve Dry can be viewed here:

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21322395

The past 189 years have been very harsh on this tombstone and today it is unreadable and would be totally indistinguishable among other rocks of the same color and size.

Eve Dry was the first wife of Owen Ulrich Dry, son of Charles Dry and Christina Muss. Based on the birth of their known first born, Owen and Eve were married about 1776/77.

Eve and Owen had 4 known children before her death in 1828. On 9 December 1834, Owen remarried uniting with Catherine Polk, age 70.

The "Standard" published the marriage of Mr. Owen Dry, aged 80, to Miss Catherine Polk, aged 70, and adds with evident satisfaction ---"all for the Administration "----.
What else could be expected of individuals in their dotage?
[The Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, North Carolina)  30 Dec 1834. Page 2, column 6.]

In Cabarrus county, 9th inst., by John Fuggart, Esq., Mr. Owen Dry, age 80, to Miss Catherine Polk, age 70 --"all for the Administration "---Communicated.
[The Weekly Raleigh Register (Raleigh, North Carolina)  26 Dec 1834. Page 3, column 5.]

Eve Dry is buried in the Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery where most of the early pioneer Dry families are buried.

Eve Dry is my 4th Great Grand Aunt by marriage to Owen Dry. 

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[1] Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 10 June 2016); Memorial page for Eve Dry; (1 February 1757–17 November 1828); Find a Grave memorial # 21322395, Citing Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery; Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA
[2] Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 13 November 2017), memorial page for Eve Dry (1 Feb 1757–17 Nov 1828), Find A Grave Memorial no. 21322395, citing Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA ; Maintained by Linda Flanagan (contributor 46926736) .

Identifying the Parents of Charles Doerr/Dorr/Dry

There are one hundred and sixty-six trees on-line at Ancestry for Charles Dry, born abt 1730—35 in Pennsylvania and died before 16 Oct 1797. in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.

It’s hard to believe that 165 people can come to so many different conclusions as to the parentage of Charles Dry.




I did a tally of these trees and the results are:

I have looked at a lot of these trees and as of yet I haven’t found a single document or reference, in any of these trees, that would prove that Charles Dry who passed away in Cabarrus County about 1797 is the son of any of these couples.

When Charles died he left a Will but that WILL was destroyed in a Cabarrus County Courthouse House fire in 1876. The only proof remaining are the Cabarrus County Pleas and Quarters Minutes April 17, 1797-April 17, 1805. His actual death death is unknown yet most of these trees shows a specific death date of 16 October 1797. 

We also find in the P&Q Minutes for 20 October, 1800 an entry that reads:

• Charles Dry, dec’d. Settlement of estate by Owen Dry, extr. Balance in hands of extr. £ 98.6.0 Divided among 6 children, for each £ 16.7.8.

So we know that Charles + Christina Dry had 6 surviving children. No where are these 6 children named with the loss of the Last Will. Five of the six have been identified; they are:

1. Owen Ulrich Dry
2. Johann Martin Dry
3. Phillip Wiley Dry
4. Andrew Dry
5. Anna Christina Dry

A few researchers say the sixth child was Jacob Dry born 1764, migrated to Allen County, Kentucky where he died in 1854. I have no proof to validate this claim.

Charles Dry migrated from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania between 1776 and 1777.  The surname is recorded in the German name DOERR in Pennsylvania records while all the North Carolina records, with one exception, are recorded in the anglicized surname DRY. 

Mecklenburg Land Deed, Book 7 pages 297-300 dated 26 July 1777 is the first recorded deed for Charles Dry to be found within North Carolina records.

If you have any information on the parentage of Charles Dry I would like to hear from you.

Charles Dry is my 5th Great Grandfather.

It’s Family Time~Phillip Wiley Dry

Phillip Wiley Dry is my 4th Great Grand Uncle

Phillip Wiley Dry was born on 10 Jul 1759 in Upper Hanover, Montgomery, Pennsylvania, a son of Karl Charles DUERR and his wife Christina Muss. Their surname was anglicized to DRY after arriving in the United States.  

Phillip Wiley had two older brothers one of which was my 4th Great Grand father and a younger brother and sister; four siblings.  

They migrated from Pennsylvania and settled in Mecklenburg County prior to the first US Census. Phillip Wiley and his wife is enumerated in the 1790 census for Mecklenburg County, North Carolina;

1790 CENSUS: Mecklenburg, North Carolina; Series: M637; Roll: 7; Image: 543; Family History Library Film: 0568147, Page: 370; Line 4; Phillip DRY, Male over 16 years of age and 1 Female {Wife Catherine ?? [LNU]]. 

The 1820 Census shows that Phillip and Catherine had 5 sons and 3 daughters.  I have identified four of these eight children but some trees' on-line have names listed for all 8 children. 

Phillip Wiley Dry and Catherine [LNU] had the following children:
 
i. Joseph Dry was born on 10 Oct 1797.
ii. Solomon Dry, born abt 1798; married Esther Melchor, 11 Dec 1821, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died bef Oct 1857, Cabarrus County, North Carolina.
iii. Abraham Dry, born 19 Oct 1804, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Mary Catherine Harkey, 27 Feb 1830, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 3 Apr 1865, Mount Pleasant, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
iv. Barbara Dry, born 19 Jan 1812, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; married Adam Eli Harkey b: 7 Oct 1831, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 6 Aug 1888, Yell County, Arkansas.
 
These 4 children are also listed as children of Phillip and Catherine but as of today I have found no proof for this connection.

• Lawrence Dry
• Mathias Dry
• Sally Dry
• Mary Dry

Phillip Dry died 14 December 1837 according to the date on his tombstone (Find A Grave Memorial# 123888267). Phillip is buried at Cold Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina. This is the only source known for the death of Phillip Dry. 

Catherine Dry was enumerated with Phillip in the 1830 census for Cabarrus County. No death date has been found for her. 













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Sources:
1. 1790 U S Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, population schedule, Mecklenburg, North Carolina, , Page: 370, Line 4, Household of Phillip DRY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 August 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M637, Roll 7.
2. 1800 U S Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Salisbury, Cabarrus, North Carolina, Page: 691, Line 2, Household of Phillip DRY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 August 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M32, Roll 29.
3. 1810 U S Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Page: 372, Line 23, Household of Phillip DRY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 August 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M252, Roll 39.
4. 1820 U S Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Page: 155, Line 13, Household of Phillip DRY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 August 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M33, Roll 80.
5. 1830 U S Census, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, population schedule, , Page: 202, Line 3, Household of Phillip DRY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 11 August 2015); citing National Archives Microfilm M19, Roll 119.
6. Find A Grave, Inc., Find A Grave, database and digital images, (http://www.findagrave.com : accessed 11 August 2015); Memorial page for Phillip Wiley Drye; (10 July 1759–14 December 1837); Find a Grave memorial # 123888267, Citing Cold Springs United Methodist Church Cemetery; Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, USA.

It’s Family Time~5th Great Grandfather~Charles Dry

My paternal 5th Great Grandfather is a man named Charles Dry. Dry is the Americanization of the German surname Dürr/Duerr. I have also seen the surname spelled Derr, Doerr, Dürr and other variations. 

Charles Dry was born about 1735 in Württemberg Germany. He married Christine Muss in 1753 Upper Hanover Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
I have yet to find exactly when Charles and Christine migrated to North Carolina but they are in Cabarrus County by the late 1700’s and are enumerated in the 1790 Census. In this census two males and two females were enumerated with their parents in the household. Charles passed away on 16 October 1797 and his estate and Will was probated. Since then his Will has been consumed by fire in the Cabarrus Courthouse burning of 1876.

The known children of Charles Dry and Christina Muss are:
 
i. Owen Ulrich Dry, born 4 Dec 1754, Montgomery, Pennsylvania; married Catherine Polk, 9 Dec 1834, Cabarrus County, North Carolina; died 5 Mar 1840, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
ii. Johann Martin Dry, born 10 Jul 1759, Montgomery County; married Catherine Keppel, 1785/6; died 11 Dec 1836, Cabarrus, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
iii. Phillip Wile Dry, born 10 Jul 1759, Upper Hanover, Montgomery, Pennsylvania; married Catherine ; died 14 Dec 1837, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
iv. Andrew Dry, born 26 Mar 1762, Montgomery, Montgomery, Pennsylvania; married Mary Barbara Teem, 1784; died 9 Apr 1828, Concord, Cabarrus, North Carolina.
v. Anna Christina Dry was baptized on 14 Feb 1769 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. Baptism, 1769, Febr.14, born Anna Christina, daughter of Carl Doerr. Witnesses Henrich Loppel and wife.
 
This is a works-in-progress so if you have any information about this family I would love to hear from you.
 
 
 
 
 
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1. Grant #140 - Charles Dry, 9 March 1799, Book: 100, pg: 423; North Carolina State Archives of North Carolina Land Grants, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
2. Grant #645 - Charles Dry, 7 August 1787, Book: 68, pg: 33. North Carolina State Archives of North Carolina Land Grants, State Archives of North Carolina, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.
3. Rev. William John Hinke PH. D., D.D., A History of the Goshenhoppen Reformed Charge,: Montgomery County, Pennsylvania (1727-1819) (Lancaster, Pennsylvania: Press of the New Era Printing Company, 1920), page 302, entry [69].
4. Kathleen Marler, Families of Cabarrus County: 1792-1815 (Baltimore, Maryland: Clearfield Publishing Company, 2004), page 44.
5. Pennsylvania German Society, Pennsylvania German Church Records: of Births, Baptisms, Marriage, Burial, Etc. in Three Volumes (Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1983), page 119.
6. 1790 U S Census, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, population schedule, Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, Page: 370; Line 2, Household of Charles DRY; digital images, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com : viewed 1 February 2016); citing National Archives Microfilm M637, Roll 7.

Amanuensis Monday~Will of Owen Ulrich Dry

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.
 His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is the Last Will and Testament of Owen Dry, 1840 



The Last Will and Testament of Owen Dry
WILLS: the Last Will and Testament of Owen Dry was produced in Open Court and the Execution thereof was duly proven by the oaths of Martin Widenhouse & Rebel B. C. Smith the subscribing witnefses thereto and the Executors Peter Kimble Jacob Miller there in named qualified and obtained Letters Testamentary whereupon it was ordered by the court that the Will be Recorded & Registered which is in the following word and figures, to wit:
In the name of God Amen I Owen Dry of the County of Cabarrus and State of North Carolina being old and weak in body but of sound mind & memory blessed be God for the same I do now make this instrument of writing the following, viz to be and contain my last will & testament as follows.
1^st It is my will that all my just debts be paid and my body to be buried in in <sic> a decent & Christian like manner.
2^nd I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Catherine Dry all the property which she brought into my possession when we were married to be hers forever and my Willing have garden & cotton patch and the full use of firewood and of the orchard as much as she strikthough may need and the half of the rent of the plantation to be hers during her natural life or widowhood.
3^rd It is my will that the executor here within named shall after my decease rent out annually the plantation together that with which is already willed to the highest bidder of the hereditaments thereof and the other half which is not that half willed to my wife to be applies to the use of repairing fences on the said plantation and all the rest of my property to be disposed to sale to the highest bidder after my decease and also after the decease or widowhood of my wife the whole of the plantation to be sold to the highest bidder and the money arising from such sales or otherwise to be divided as follows. One hundred to my daughter Christine Kimble hundred dollars to the heirs of the body of my son Daniel Dry and then my son John Dry is to draw an equal share of the remainder of my estate with the rest of the legatees already named and all the notes and receipts which I now have against any of my children shall be given up to them and not counted.
I constitute nominate & appoint my worthy friend Peter Kimble & Jacob Miller Sons in Law to be the Executors of this my last will & testament In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this Twenty first day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty nine in the [presence] of us witnefses who was present at the time.
Martin Widenhouse, Esq.                                                      Owen Dry {seal}
Rebel B. C. Smith

Owen Ulrich Dry was born 4 December 1754 in Montgomery County and died 5 March 1840. He was twice married; the name of his first wife and mother of his children is unknown. He married Catherine Polk, as his second wife, on 9 December 1834 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina.  

 Owen Ulrich Dry was the son of Charles Dry and Christina Muss. 

Owen Ulrich Dry is my 4th Great Grand Uncle. 
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[1] North Carolina, Pleas & Quarter Sessions (1839-1846): PQS #3, page 78, C.016.30003, Last Will and Testament of Owen Dry; North Carolina Archives, Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina.My Thanks to Melissa H. Leahy for her help in transcribing this Will. 

Amanuensis Monday~The Last Will and Testament of Johann Martin Dry

Amanuensis Monday is a genealogy blogging theme. It was started by John Newmark who writes the TransylvanianDutch blog.
 
His definition of Amanuensis is:
Amanuensis: A person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another.

Today’s subject is The Last Will and Testament of Johann Martin Dry, 1836.

Page 305 & 306
Be it remembered that heretofore to wit: at a court of Pleas and quarters sefsions begun and held at the Court House in Concord on the Third Monday of January 1837 and in the Sixty first year of American Independence ---
Present the Worshipful
William Gilliaw}
John S. Beard}  Esq.
Levi Stope}

That at the Court aforesaid the following Wills Deeds and other instruments were recorded and ordered to be registered.

The last will and testament of Martin Dry was produced in open Court & duly proven by the Oath of P. Barringer a subscribing witnefs and the Executor there in named were qualified and received letters testamentary. 

In the name of God Amen. I Martin Dry of the County of Cabarrus and State of North Carolina, being of sound mine and memory, but being weak in bodily strength and knowing as I do. That it is the lot of all men to die, do make & establish  this as my last will and testament viz 1st I will and bequeath to my son John Dry the plantation whereon I now live lying on the east side of Dutch Buffalo Creek adjoining  Moses  Barrier, the lands of Andrew Dry Dec’d Owen Dry & George Dry containing one hundred and thirty nine and ¼ acres to him and his heirs forever, but the said John Dry is to pay to my Estate five hundred dollars at the end of twelve month after the death of me,and my wife Catherine Dry. 2nd I will and bequeath to my Son Peter Dry the plantation whereon he now lives adjoining George Dry, Esq, David Blackwelder and others containing containing one hundred and fifty acres, for which he has my deed by his paying twenty five dollars to his Brother John Dry and twenty five dollars to his brother George Dry, after his mother’s death to him and his heirs forever-
3rd I will to Son John Dry the plantation whereon he now lives joining Daniel Peninger, Mike Stough and others containing ninety five acres to him and his heirs forever.
4th I will and bequeath to my Son George Dry the tract of land whereon he now lives for which he has my deed, containing two hundred and Fifty acres, joining Martin Hone, Henry Shod and others to him and his heirs forever.
5th I will and bequeath to my Son Martin Dry two hundred and fifty dollars it being money I have already advanced to him, two dollars I have neither note or receipt for and the other fifty dollars to be deducted our of a Hundred note I hold on him, these two hundred and fifty dollars I intend him in place of the lands I willed to my other Sons. the tract of land whereon he now lives for which he has my deed, containing two hundred and Fifty acres, joining Martin Hone, Henry Shod/Shoe and others to him and his heirs forever.
6th I will and bequeath to my son-in-law Mark Honeycutt the tract of land whereon he now lives lying on Meadow Creek joining Peter Teeter and others containing One hundred and fourteen acres but the said Mark Honeycutt must pay to my estate three hundred dollars. Then the Executor herein after names shall make him & his heirs a good and lawful deed, for the same, the money to be paid twelve months after the death of me and my wife Catherine Dry.
7th I will and bequeath to my son-in-law Jacob Kanoy the tract of land whereon he now containing two hundred and thirty three acres,adjoining George Eagle, Mathias Barringer and others on Bear Creek, but the said Jacob Canoy is to pay to my estate three for said lands two years after the death of my wife the sum of three hundred dollars, to him and his heirs fore ever.
8th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Elizabeth Teater wife of Peter Teeter one hundred dollars.
9th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Catherine Layton one hundred dollars wife of John Layton.
10th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Sally Kanoy wife of Jacob Canoy one hundred dollars.
11th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Catroul [Charity] Huneycutt wife of Mark Honeycutt one hundred dollars.
12th I will and bequeath to my Daughter Esther Sides wife of David Sides one hundred dollars.
13th It is my will and desire that after my death that all the property I die seized of & possessed of both real & personal be sold by my executor hereafter named (Exception- such household furniture as my wife Catherine Dry may a lot for her use during her natural life} to the highest bidder, at a reasonable credit and the money arising from the same & my notes # first to pay cash of my Daughters before named each one hundred dollars willed them, the balance to be equally divided among all my children Viz Peter, Martin, John, George,Elizabeth, Catherine, Sally, Catroul, & Esther or their lawful heirs.
14th I now nominate, constitute and appoint to this my last will and testament as executor my son Peter Dry & my son in law David Sides hereby revoking all former wills by me made, in witness where of I have hereunto set my hand & Seal this 26th day of September in the year of our Lord as 1836 Signed Sealed & Subscribed in presence of us.
L. P. Barringer, Jr.                                                   Martin Dry {seal}
Moses Barrier                   NB Dry signature in German in Will.



Martin Dry was the son of Karl Charles Dry and his wife Christina Muss. Martin was born 10 July 1759 in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. He was one of five known children. Martin married Catherine Keppel in 1785/86. They had nine children all named within this Will; five daughters, Elizabeth, Catherine, Sally, Charity and Esther and four sons, John, George, Martin and Peter, his Executor.  

Martin died 11 December 1836 in Cabarrus County, North Carolina. His tombstone can be found in the Saint Johns Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery.

Martin and Catherine Keppel Dry are my 4th Great Grandparents.











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[1] Cabarrus County, North Carolina, Pleas & Quarter Sessions Minutes; C.016.30003,; Vol. 2, p. 405; Will of Martin Dry (PQS 2/405). This Will can be ordered from the NC State aArchives using this link-http://archives.ncdcr.gov/Public/Services/Mail/North-Carolina-Residents