Sheffield, John (b. 1 Jun 1720, Yorkshire, England; d. 18 Dec 1790, Duplin County, NC) Married about 1741 in Duplin County, NC to (1) Mary Elizabeth West (b. June 1722, Duplin County, NC; d. About 1770, Duplin County, NC) Married (2) before Jun 1771, Duplin County, NC to Nancy Turner (b. About 1730; d. Before 1779). Married (3) 29 Oct 1779, Duplin, NC to Elizabeth Purnal, widow of John Grady (b. About 1759, Duplin County, NC; d. 1823, Pulaski County, GA. Information contained in a bundle with copies of legal documents about Thomas Adams and Fabean Adams: "Among the first Sheffields that came from England to America, were four brothers, viz: 1. John Sheffield 2. William Sheffield 3. Arthur Sheffield 4. Bryant Sheffield John Sheffield settled in Duplin County, North Carolina, and was a revolutionary soldier of Duplin County. He had seven sons. The following sons moved to Georgia: William, Wright, Isham, West, Arthur, Bryant. Ephraim remained in North Carolina. Early County, Georgia (county seat Blakely; named after Captain Blakely) was formed in 1818. Among the original settlers of this county were: Isham Sheffield, West Sheffield, Arthur Sheffield, James Bush and Nathaniel Weaver." Will: Book A, p. 427, Duplin Co, NC In the name of god, Amen. I, John Sheffield of the County of Duplin and State of North Carolina, Planter, being sick and weak in body but of sound and perfect mind and memory and calling into mind the mortality of the Body the shortness of life and certainty of death, do make and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, viz Imprimius. First of all, I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it me and my body to the dust to be buried at discretion of my Executors hereafter named. And as for the worldly goods as it hath pleased God to bless me with I dispose of them as followeth. Item, I give and bequeath to my son Ephraim Sheffield 80 acres of land including the plantation he lives on and being part of a tract of 250 acres I bought of Thomas Gray and lying on the third and fourth lines of the patent to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Item. I give and bequeath to my son William Sheffield 80 acres of land joining the piece I give Ephraim including part of the North Carolina Pecos on and lying on the fourth and fifth lines of the patent both pieces, that is to say Ephraim’s and Williams to be laid out with the advice and assistance of my Executors to him and his heirs and assigns forever. Item. The residue and remainder of my lands together with the plantation I live on I leave to my beloved wife Elizabeth Shuffield during her natural life or widowhood and after her decease or future marriage my will is that the same that is the whole remainder of my lands to be sold and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided between my sons Wright Sheffield, Isham Sheffield, Bryan Sheffield, West Sheffield, Arthur Sheffield and my wife’s son William Grady, share and share alike. Item. My future will and desire is that my young sorrel mare be sold at 6 months credit and the money arising from such sale to be divided equally between my daughters, Nancy Screws, Louisa, Polly, Catherine Sheffield and Tabitha Sheffield share and share alike, the shares of the younger ones to be kept at interest at the discretion of my Executors until they come of age or marry. The residue and remainder of my personal estate consisting of stock of every kind, household kitchen and plantation tools of every kind I leave to my said beloved wife Elizabeth during her natural life or widowhood and she raising and schooling my younger children on the same and after her decease the same to be sold and the money divided between my sons Wright, Isham, Bryan, West, Arthur, my wife’s son, William Grady and my daughters Nancy, Louisa, Polly, Catherine and Tabitha, but in case of my wife’s marriage, my will is that the sale and division immediately commence she having a child part and in the case my executors to take care of the younger children part in this minority. Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friend Francis Oliver and Levin Wilkins to execute this last Will and Testament hereby revoking and disannulling all former wills declaring this to be my last Will and Testament. In witness thereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal. John. X Shuffield Signed, sealed and witnessed, published and declared by the said John Shuffield as his last Will and Testament this 22nd day of November 1790 in presence of Francis Oliver, Levin Watkins and William Harris. Service: Private in Hall’s Company 10th NC Regiment, Continental Line.