Joseph DUKE

                   RESEARCH NOTE: Some sources suggest Joseph Duke was born in 1717 on Hays Farm in Jefferson, VA.  They also list him as the son of Colonel William Duke and Thamar Taylor.  Further research is necessary.  If this connection is correct, the pedigree may be extended several generations.  The will of Joseph Duke is included in notes. 

RESEARCH NOTE:  Some researchers suggest that Sarah Duke is the daughter of William S Duke and Mary.  This would make her the half sister of Joseph Duke who married Mary Majors, if he is also truly the son of William S. Duke.  Further Research needed.

Ancestry World Tree pedigrees include the following research information:
Death: Will probated 1779 Warren Co NC. In 1778 Joseph DUKE set off for GA to buy land for his two oldest sons after first writing his will. GA was frontier and Indian country and he was fully aware of the dangers. It is not known if he returned to NC or died in GA, but his will was probated one year after it was written.It is reported by a researcher in CA that Joseph possibly had two wives. Both named Mary. The first was the mother of Major and ?? The second was Mary Epps who had been married to Thomas Dickenson before marrying Joseph. No proof was submitted so this needs to be checked out.


WILL OF JOSEPH DUKE
"In the name of God Amen I Joseph Duke of Bute County in the state of North Carolina being in perfect health and sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Major Duke one hundred acres of land it being the same whereon he now lives to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Item: I give to my daughter Mary Whatley wife of Wilson Whatley one shilling proc money, being all I intend she shall receive of my estate.
Item: I give to my daughter Alice Jackson wife of James Jackson ten pounds proc money to be paid by my Executors out of my estate.
Item: I give to my daughter Delilah Drury wife of Mills Drury fifteen pounds proclamation money to be paid by my Executors out of my Estate.
Item: I give and bequeath to my sons William and Buckner Duke and to each of them one shilling proclamation money to be paid each of them by my Executors out of my Estate lying in Bute County, North Carolina as I am going to Travel into the state of Georgia to purchase lands for my said sons William Duke and Buckner Duke, but if it please God that I should die before making such purchase, then my will and desire is that instead of one shilling proclamation money given to each, that they possess each of them a proportionable part of my Estate already given in this my will.
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter Martha Duke fifteen pounds proclamation money and one bed and furniture being the same she lies on to her and paid by my Executors when she attain to lawful age or day of her marriage.
Item: I leave the remainder of my Estate not already bequeathed both real and personal to my loving wife Mary Duke during her natural life or widowhood and whenever death or marriage happen to my said wife, then my will and desire is that my land whereon I now live be sold by my Executors and the money arising from such sale be equally divided between my four sons Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke, Hardy Duke and Ransom Duke, and if either should die before they attain lawful age, first then the survivors to enjoy the same, then their heirs or assigns forever,
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Ransom Duke my negro boy Daniel, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: My will and desire is that at the death or remarriage of my wife Mary Duke whichever happens first, that all of my stock of what nature or kind soever together with all my household goods and utensils of trade and plantation tools be sold and that the money arising from such sale be equally divided among my five sons Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke, Hardy Duke, Repps Duke and Ransom Duke, and if either of my sons die before they attain lawful age or day of marriage that the same be equally divided among the survivors of them.
Lastly, I appoint my loving wife Mary Duke my son Isham Duke and my friend Matthew Duke Exet. and Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of January Anno Domi 1778.
Joseph Duke (seal)Witnessed by: Thos. MachenWilliam Park Rose Brewer
(Warren Co. N.C. Will Bk. 3, page 15)

The will of Joseph Duke, written in Bute County, was proved at the August Court of Warren County in 1779. This was the year Bute County was discontinued and the Counties of Warren and Franklin were created from Bute.
It is not known as to whether or not Joseph Duke returned safely from his trip to Georgia. That he did get there and did purchase land for William and Buckner Duke does seem probable. Both men were living on 100 acres of land in Wilkes County, Georgia, in 1785. They were later joined by their younger brothers.
Most of the sons of Joseph Duke served their country during the Revolution although some of the younger ones were mere boys. Sherrod Duke lost his life in the conflict while still unmarried. He made his will on May 3, 1781, leaving his estate to his mother, his brothers and his sisters.
(Warren Co. N.C. Will Bk 3, p. 142)
On May 15, 1782, Mary Duke (mother of Sherrod) was appointed Administrator of the Estate of Sherrod Duke and posted bond of five hundred pounds with Matthew Duke as her security, (Warren Co., N.C. Will Bk.3, page 140).
WILL OF MARY DUKE
In the name of God amen. I Mary Duke of Warren County being weak and low and disposing of mind thanks be to God for it.
Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved son Isham Duke all that part of my land that lies on the east side of the Spring branch including his improvements up to Kicker's line and my negro Suvis.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Hardy Duke all that part of my land that lys on the upper side of Opossom Quarter Creek to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Ransom Duke all the land I now live on including my plantation except the part to his brother, Isham also my negro man named Daniel to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved son Eppey (Repps) Duke all that tract of land I own in the piney woods also my Negro girl Fanny and my old negro Ned to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Pattey (Martha) my negro woman Luckey and her future increase to her and her heirs forever.
And my further will and desire is that all the rest of my Estate that I die possessed of be equally divided between my three children viz: Pattey, Eppey, & Ransom they first paying my debts and funeral expenses  And lastly I do revoke all former wills by me made and I do appoint my beloved sons Isham & Eppey Duke to be my Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand the 20" day of February 1789.
Signed and pronounced in presence of Will Johnson, Ben E. Brewer Mary (her mark) Duke (seal)
This last will of Mary Duke was presented at the August Court of Warren County in 1789, proved by the oaths of the witnesses (Warren Co., N.C. Will Bk. 5, p. 100)
The children of Joseph and Mary Duke were Major Duke who went to South Carolina before 1780 (It has been said that Major Duke married Elizabeth Drury although no proof of it has been found), Mary Duke who married Wilson Whatley, Delilah Duke who married Mills Drury, Alice Duke who married James Jackson and later went to Georgia, William Duke, Hardy (Hardyman) Duke, Buckner Duke, Isham Duke, Sherrod Duke and Martha Duke, the youngest child.
All the sons of Joseph Duke, except Major Duke, went to Georgia. William and Buckner Duke were there by 1785. Isham, Hardy, Ransom and Epps were there by 1806. Martha Duke married Joshua Bobbitt of Warren County, North Carolina.