Notes: Agatha Dudley is my 4th great grandmother. According to my present research, she was born in Caroline County, Virginia in 1756 to Christopher Dudley and Elizabeth Daniel. She was the fifth child out of eight. Her oldest brother, mentioned in this will, was Christopher Dudley. Christopher was born in 1749 in Virginia and died around 1828 in New Hanover, North Carolina. At the time she wrote this will, Agatha was living in Wilmington which is in New Hanover County in North Carolina. Thus it would be logical that this brother and sister would be reasonably close.
At the age of 32, Agatha Dudley married Daniel McMurphy (or MacMurphy) on 24 July 1788. This union yielded at least 5 children, but the only one surviving beyond the first year was their daughter, Agatha Dudley McMurphy. She was born 28 Aug 1794 in Wilmington, New Hanover, North Carolina. Daniel McMurphy died April 12, 1796 before his daughter was two years old. Agatha McMurphy died a few months later in October, 1796. It is assumed that she is buried in St. James’ Episcopal Church Cemetery in Wilmington. It is not known what happened to their daughter, Agatha, but she may have gone to live with her uncle, Christopher Dudley or she may have gone to live with the executor of the will.
Agatha Dudley McMurphy (the daughter) married John Beck Wright, son of James Wright and Charity Beck, on May 21, 1778 in St. James Church in Wilmington. She was 24. They moved to Duplin County, a short distance north of Wilmington. This union produced 6 children including twin boys. Two of the children died in infancy and John Beck Wright died Jan.13, 1831 at the age of 31. He left Agatha with the responsibility of caring for 4 boys under the age of 6. Fortunately, her father-in-law, James Wright was a wealthy planter and lived nearby and he was very considerate of this family in his own will. After the boys were gown, they would all, including Agatha, travel to Texas to make their home in Carolina, Falls County. Agatha died there on May 9, 1852 at the age of 57.
At the present time, the witnesses and executor to this will are unknown to me. Perhaps Jos. G. Wight was a relative of James Wright. The name of the executor is not clear. It appears to be Hadonias Traton, but it might be Straton or Tratons.
-------------------------------
Will of Agatha (Dudley) McMurphy
Dated: 25 Oct 1796

In the name of God Amen. I Agatha MacMurphy at present of the town of Wilmington being weak in body but of a sound and disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament. After the payment of all my just debts, I give bequeath and devise unto my beloved daughter Agatha Dudley MacMurphy all my estate real personal and mined to (her his heirs) (?) executor Hadonias Tratons, but in case my said daughter, Agatha should die before she attains the age of Twenty years without issue then & in that case I give bequeath & devise all my estate real personal & mined to my brother – Christopher Dudley his heirs executor Hadonias Tratons, whom I constitute and appoint executor to this my last Will & Testament hereby revoking & making void all former Wills & Testaments. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this Twenty fifth day of October in the year one thousand seven hundred & ninety-six.

Signed Sealed & published as
the last Will & Testament of
Agatha MacMurphy in
Witness of
Jos. G. Wright (Signature)
H.W. Kingsbury (Signature)

Agatha McMurphy (Signature)
(Seal)

Transcribed by M.J. Bell – April 24, 2008 from a handwritten copy of the will obtained from the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, North Carolina.