Semore York
Born: 1727; Pipe Creek Settlement, Carroll Co., Maryland
Father: Jeremiah York
Mother: Sarah Seymour
Married: Sylvania Aldridge; Randolph Co., North Carolina
Children:
- Jeremiah York - 1753
- Sarah York - December 3, 1755
- Shubel York - 1759
- Semore York, Jr. - 1762
- Tabitha York - 1765
- Isaac H. York - 1766
- Martha York - 1768
- John York - February 1, 1772
- Jabez York - April 9, 1776
Died: February 8, 1783; Randolph Co., North Carolina
Burial: Sandy Creek Baptist Church Cemetery, Randolph Co., North Carolina
In 1756 Rev. Shubel Stearns established the Sandy Creek Baptist Church on land donated by Semore York.
Military service: Semore York was a British loyalist. He was issued the following order from Royal Governor Josiah Martin on January 10, 1776:
To: William Fields, James Hunter, Robert Fields, Jeremiah Fields, and Seymoure York, Esquires of the County of Guilford;
Greetings. I hereby grant to you power and authority to form the forces you shall so raise into companies of fifty men each, and to appoint one Captain, ...and I do hereby give you...full power and authority to seize and take whatsoever may be necessary of arms, ammunition, provisions, horses, and carriage for the subsistence and accommodation of His Majesty's faithful subjects...
Led 34 men into the battle of Moore's Creek Bridge near Wilmington on February 27, 1776. He was captured and taken to Halifax, North Carolina. In April 1776 he appears on a list of prisoners in the Halifax Goad. On October 12 1776, his wife, Sylvania, petitioned the Council of Safety, sitting at Halifax, North Carolina, seeking his release in order to provide for his family. He was eventually released, retained his property, and received citizenship.
Last Will & Testament:
In the name of God amen, I Semore York of Randolph county in the state of North Carolina being sick and in a low state of health but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for it. Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men due to die do make constitute ordain and confirm this my laste will and testamente by me made Declaring this only to be my laste will and Testament revoking and canceling all other wills and testaments by me made Declaring the Only to be my laste will and testament and in the firste place I recommend my Soul to God who gave it and my body to be buried in a decent Christian manner at the discretion of my Executors never doubting but I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God--and as touching such worldly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I Despose thereof in the following manner after all my just debts and funeral charge be paid.
I bequeath to my well beloved wife her feather bed and furniture and all the reste of my household furniture Excepte such as I appoint too my children in this will.Item -- I bequeath to my well beloved wife one negroe girl named Nan with free privalidge to live on my plantation until my youngest child comes of age.
Item -- I bequeath to my Eldeste son Jeremiah all the land and improvements now in his possession.
Item -- I bequeath to my daughter Sarah her bed and table all the rest of her household goods she received after she was married. I also bequeath to my Daughter Sarah the sum of five shillings starting to be paid oute of my Estate.Item -- I bequeath to my Daughter Dorcas her bed and mattress and all the reste of the household goods and other things which she received before and after she was married. I also bequeath to my said Daughter Dorcas the sum of five shillings to be paid out of my Estate.
Item -- I bequeath to my son Shubal the land whereon he now lives with all the improvements thereon containing about one hundred and seventy acres more or less to be divided from John Wilburns land. Likewise I bequeath to him my said son Shubal his horse and saddle and bridle and all the rest of the things he received from me before he was married Also I bequeath to him my said son Shubal the sum of five shillings starting to be paid out of my Estate.
Item -- I bequeath to my son Semore one half of the land whereon I now live that is to say that part which lies adjoining to the plantation whereon William Allred Sr. now lives. I likewise bequeath to him my said son Semore one mare to be worth twenty five pounds and a saddle and bridle and likewise a good suit of clothes when he comes of age.
Item -- I bequeath to my sons Isaac and John the sum of two hundred pounds in hard monty rates to be raised oute of my Estate and to be paid out in hand at the Discretion of my Executors and likewise a horse and saddle and bridle and a suite of clothes for both when they come of age at the Discretion of my executors.
Item -- I bequeath to my son Jabez one half of the land whereon I now live that is to say that parte whereon the house and other improvements is likewise one horse and saddle and bridle and a suit of clothes when he comes of age at the Discretion of my executors.
Item - I bequeath to my Daughters Martha and Tabitha each a feather bed and furniture and each a bedstead and likewise a cow and calf and a saddle for Each of the aforesaid girls Martha and Tabitha when they come of age at the Discretion of my Executors.
Likewise I bequeath thate the remainder of my lands and negroes note particularly mentioned in this will shall be sold at the discretion of my Executors and the money arising there from to be equally divided between my six youngest children excepting two hundred pounds in hard money rates which is bequeathed to Isaac and John as aforesaid land. It is my will that my Executors make a deed for one hundred and twenty acres of land to my son-in-law John Wilburn the land that my father formerly lived on and likewise a claim of land containing about eighty acres adjoining aforesaid land.
It is further my will that the stock and all the impliments belonging to the plantation be left thereon towards raising and maintaining the children and schooling them Except any parte thereof that shall appear superfluous to the Executors and then to be sold and the money to be converted to any necessary expense that may occure and I do appoint my wife and my son Semore Executors to this my last will and testament and in case my wife should remarry or die before my son Semore comes of age it is my will that my son Jeremiah shall be executor in her place. Duly executed according to the true Intent and Meaning thereof.
Semore York (Seal)
Salvania York (Seal)
Signed Sealed and Pronounced Randolph County March Court 1783
in the presents of those names The last will and testament of
underwritten this twenty- Semore York was proved in open court
eighth day of January 1782. by the oath of Nathan Allridge one of
Enoch Davis the subscribing witnesses thereto and
Nathan X Allridge ordered to be recorded.
William X Swaford William Bell
