This post covers from 1730’s to 1772.
Here are the Lackey / Leakey generations, like links in a chain, at a glance:
ALEXANDER – Thomas – Joel – Anna S. m. Thomas Gray – Nancy Margaret m. Amonet Washington Wilbourn – William Harvey – Ella Washington (Rae) (our grandmother)
Alexander
He was born in the 1730’s, in Maryland. He appears in various records in Orange County, North Carolina. His will was written August 19, 1772, but the record of its probation is not offered in the abstracts, so we know he died after August 19, 1772, but we don’t know the date afterwards.
Years of searching, mainly by Kenneth Lakey, the dean of researchers of this family line, has not revealed who his father is, but records indicate Alexander was born in Maryland.
Please click on these links here, here and here.
You can also google K M Lakey or Kenneth Lakey. He’s the “dean” of Lackey / Lakey / Leakey researchers. He posted a lot of things online.
Mary
She is named in Alexander’s will (see below).
Important link to Maryland wills:
http://guide.mdsa.net/series.cfm?action=viewSeries&ID=S538
Their Children
The offspring is listed here in order of appearance in their father’s will (see below). Often, but not always, children in wills are named in birth order. But it could be that Elizabeth should appear near the top, since she is married.
- Mary
She married Mordecai Moore
- Margaret
- Sarah
- Thomas
He is our direct line. See his post here:
- William
- Elizabeth
She married Mr. Boney.
If anyone has done research on Alexander’s family, please email us.
Spelling variations: Lackey, Lackie, Lakey, and Leakey appear in these and more documents. Even a generation or two later, the Lackey name is spelled Leakey, Lakey, and sometimes Lake. Mordecai Moore’s last name is spelled Moor in the same will, below.
Tax Lists
1755 “This tax list is the earliest one extant for Orange County [North Carolina], the next one being dated 1779.”
Alexander Lackey is listed: White Polls: 1; Black Polls: 0.
White Polls and Black Polls means race.
Compiled by William Perry Johnson
Deeds
October 1754
Orange County, North Carolina
Lackey’s Deed: A deed of sale from the Honourable John Rutherford Esq. to Alexander Lackey for 320 Acres of land was proved in open Court by the Oath of William Anderson, one of the Evidences thereto and on his motion was ordered to be registered.
January 14, 1755
Orange County, North Carolina
Alexander Lackey buys 323 ½ acres, from John Rutherford, esq. In 1769 (see below) he sells as much to his son William.
March 1758
Orange County, North Carolina
A Deed of Sale from Alexander Lackey to John Anderson for 2 acres of Land was proved in open court by the oath of John Pinkerton and was ordered to be registered.
December 12, 1769 or 1759
Orange County, North Carolina
Alexander Lackey buys 256 acres, from the Earl of Granville.
From this same source William Lackey March 13, 1759 buys 405 acres from the Earl of Granville; February 8, 1762, he buys 90 acres from Archibald Smith; 90 acres from Nehemiah Howard; and 54 acres from Nehemiah Howard.
December 17, 1769
Orange County, North Carolina
The (X) between Alexander’s name means that he signs his name with a mark.
Page 589, 17 December 1769, Alexander Lackey of Orange, farmer, to William Lackey of same, forty pounds, half of a tract of 323 ½ acres on waters of Eno [sic], distinguished in plat of original deed by #12, bounded on E by the east most branch of Eno R which divides #10 & #19, from the [said] tract to the N by #13 & #14 by the W by #9 to the S by #8; signed: Alexander (X) Lackey, William Lackey; witness Thomas Lackey, John woods; acknowledged January Term 1770
Court Minutes
March 1758, Orange County, North Carolina.
Ordered that Alexander Lackey be appointed Constable in the room of John Tinnen.
Important Source
Leakeys of Orange and Surry Counties, North Carolina
Alexander’s Will
August 19, 1772. Orange County, North Carolina. Note the variations on the spelling of his last name – in the same document. The (X) between Alexander Lackey’s name at the bottom of the will means he signed with his mark, not his signature. Thomas is our direct line, so his name has been put in bold font.
Will of Alexander Lackie, deceased.
In the name of God, Amen. I, Alexander Lacky [sic] of Orange county in the province of North Carolina, being very weak in body, but of sound memory, blessed be God, do this nineteenth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-two, make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following.
My soul I recommend to God who gave it and my body to be buried in a decent Christian like manner according to the discretion of my Executors, and as touching what worldly estate it has pleased the Lord to bestow upon me, it is my will that it be disposed of as follows.
And first, it is my will that all just debts and demands against me be answered and fully satisfied.
It is my will that a certain plat or tract of land situated on the waters of Enos, being the rest of the tract of land which I formerly conveyed by deed to my daughter Mary and her husband Mordecai Moor, be sold to raise money to portion my daughters as follows.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret, forty pounds to be paid when the money can be raised without damage to the estate; also one sorrel mare and a side saddle, and one cow and calf; also a bed and bed clothes and a loom and tarklings [sic], and a spinning wheel.
And to my daughter Sarah, I give and bequeath forty pounds to be paid at such time as mentioned above, for the payment of my daughter Margaret’s portion; also a colt come of the mare I bequeathed to my daughter Margaret as above; also a side saddle and one cow and calf; also a bed and bed clothes and spinning wheel.
Also I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Mary, a horse to be valued at about twelve pounds and side saddle; also two cows and calves; also it is my will that said wife be allowed a suitable livelihood maintenance on the said tract of land I now live on whilst it is in the possession of my sons Thomas and William, and if they or either of them dispose of either of their part of the said tract of land, it is my will that my said wife be allowed fifty pounds to be paid one half by my son Thomas, and the other half by my son William in equal portions as they receive consideration money for the said land. Also I give and bequeath to my said wife her bed and bed clothes and spinning wheel;
also I give and bequeath to my son Thomas, the one half of tract of land I now live on, said tract being divided in equal portions by a straight land from East to West, my said son Thomas shall possess the north end, to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
And to my son William, I give and bequeath the south end of the said tract of land so divided as above, to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Moore [sic] five shillings. To my Daughter Elizabeth Boney, I give and bequeath five shillings, and as to the rest of my personal estate which has not yet been disposed of, it is my will that it shall be impartially valued and the one third part be allowed to my wife Mary; one third part to my son Thomas, and the other third part to my son William. And I make and ordain my wife Mary and my son Thomas, my Executors of this my will, in trust for the intents and purposes in this my will contained.
In witness whereof, I the said Alexander Lackie [sic], have to this my last will and testament, set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Test:
John Tinnin
Joseph Tinnin
William Anderson
Alexander (X) Lackie
Produced in open court and duly recorded.
Francis Nash, clerk
Sources
Bennett, William D. C.G. Orange County Records, Vol. II, Deed Books 1 & 2 Abstracts, Privately Published, Raleigh, North Carolina, 1989
Haun Parks, Weynette, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1752-1761, Book 1.
—, Orange County, North Carolina Court Minutes 1752-1761, Book 1.
Weeks, Eve B., Register of Orange County, North Carolina Deeds, 1752-1768, and 1793, Heritage Papers, Danielsville, Georgia, 1984.
—, Register of Orange County, North Carolina Deeds, 1752-1768, and 1793, Heritage Papers, Danielsville, Georgia, 1984.
Willis, Laura, Orange County, North Carolina Wills, vol. 1, Simmons Historical Publication, Melber, Kentucky, 1997, transcribed from Will Book A, p. 117.
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