James Lafayette Hassell, Jr., The Hassell Family History 1640-2000, (February 20, 2002, Author's address: 12001 Bexley Ct., Richmond, VA 23233), 38-39.
August 6, 1723 court record: a complaint was brought against Edward Hassell by the other heirs of John Hassell Sr., namely" Thomas Andrews (husband of one of John's daughters) and his three minor brothers John Jr., William and Abraham. Edward as administrator, was bound to hold his father's lands until each of Edward's heirs reached the age of 21 years.
November 10, 1734, Edward hassell and wife Elizabeth deeded to his brother Abraham Hassell 200 acres of land at the mouth of Rider's Creek on the east side of the Scuppernong River. (Therefore Abraham attained 21 years of age in 1734, thus born CA 1713.)
Tyrrell County North Carolina Minutes Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions 1735 thru 1754, Book 1, by Betty Fagan Burr, 1981, p 5-6, September Court 1735 p 9, Court appoints "Anthony Alexander, Joseph Alexander, John Hassell, Edwd. Hassell, Abraham Hassell, Joshua Alexander, Benjamin Alexander and others to lay out a road from E side of Scuppernong River to Benjamin Alexander's in Aligater to ye best advantage of travillers."
1755 Tax List Tyrrell County, North Carolina. Original document State of North Carolina Archives in Raleigh.
Taxable Persons Whites Blacks
Hassell, Abraham 3 2
We have very little information on Abraham Hassell except as set forth in his
will. Since he signed with a mark, I am showing the spelling as Hassell
instead of Hafsel as set forth in the copy of the will, otherwise we set it
forth in total as follows:
In the name of God Amen, October 8, 1770.
I, Abraham Hassell, of Tyrrell County, being sick and weak in body but of a
perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore calling unto mind
the mortality of the 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 hands 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 direction of my executors not
doubting by at the general Resurection I shall receive the same again by the
mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate where it has pleased
God to bless me in this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in the
following manner and form.
First I give and bequeath to my beloved grandson, Abraham Hassell, son of John
Hassell, one mare and one heifer.
Item- I give and bequeath to my beloved grandson, Abraham Hassell, son of
Benjamin Hassell, one mare and one heifer.
Item- I give and bequeath to my beloved grandson, Abraham Howet, son of
Richard Howet, deceased, one mare and one heifer.
Item- I give and bequeath to my beloved granddaughter, Priscilla Brickhouse,
daughter of Richard Howet, deceased, one breeding cow.
Item- I give and bequeath to my beloved son, John Hassell, the whole tract or
survey of land where he now lives, commonly known by the name of Black Oak
land, likewise my negro fellow, Jack, and my negro wench, Luda, to him and his
heirs and his heirs heirs for ever.
Item- I give and bequeath to my beloved son, Zebedee Hassell, all that tract
or parcel of land whereon I now live, likewise my negro girl, Flora, and my
negro boy, George, and negro girl, Hannah, to him and his heirs and his heirs
heirs forever.
Item- I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Priscilla Nichols, one
negro girl named Nell and one negro girl named Pleasant, to her and her heirs
forever.
Item- I give and bequeath unto my son, John Hassell, one disc.
Item- I give and bequeath unto my son, Zebedee Hassell, one hand drill and one
grinding stone and all the remainder of my housekind and all the remainder of
my husbandry tools and smith tools to be equally divided between my sons, John
Hassell and Zebedee Hassell.
Item- I give and bequeath unto my son, Zebedee Hassell, and my daughter,
Priscilla Nichols, all the remainder of my cattle, hogs, and sheep, to be
equally divided among them.
Item- I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter, Ann Wyatt, one shilling
sterling.
Item- I give and bequeath unto my beloved son, Benjamin Hassell, one shilling
sterling.
Item- I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife, Priscilla Hassell, one bed and
furniture, binding my executors and executrix to find her a negro wench or
negro girl to attend on her during her natural life, likeways to find her
sufficient meat, drink, clothes and other necessaries as it sufficient for a
woman in her capacity.
I give and bequeath all the remainder of my estate unto my son, John Hassell,
my son, Zebedee Hassell, and my daughter Priscilla Nichols, to be equally
divided amongst them, making John Hassell, Zebedee Hassell, and Priscilla
Nichols my sole executors and executrix of this my last will and testament and
I do hereby disallow, revoke and disown all and every other former testaments,
confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
Witnesses were John Chantwell (or Chantrell), Elisha Hassell, Gideon McCamber (another said Alexander).
Proved Tyrrell County, NC, August 1771 before Fr. Ward.
