Edgecombe Co NC Will Abstracts 1732-1792
Benjamin Cotton Aug Court 1789 0 C/105 Book 3 pg 105 (Nuncupative Will)
Proved by oaths sworn by: Thomas Garret, Nathan Bridgers, and AMY STEWART within twenty-four hours of the death of the said Benjamin, and entered in writing 28 June1789.
Thomas Garret swore that the said COTTON gave to his DAUGHTER, SALLY STEWART, (which child he had by AMY STEWART) one cow and calf, colt, dish, 3 plates, basin, linnen wheel, looking glass, box iron and heater, chest and chairs. To his son JOEL WATSON (sic) two cows and calves, three pewter plates, dish, basin iron pot, 6 earthen plates, chest, weeding hoe, grubbing hoe, pair stillards, shoemakers' tools and carpenters' tools. AMY STEWART stated that he requested his remaining property to be divided between his two sons JOEL WATSON and ARTHUR COTTON. Nathan Bridgers also stated the dec'd gave SALLY STEWART a cow and calf.
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From Records of Estates Edgecombe County, North Carolina 1761-1825
Volume I by David Gammon.

Benjamin Cotton
Petition ( Aug. 27, 1794) by Amy Stewart who is "unsettled and no home of her own" with an infant daughter. The dec'd (Benjamin Cotton) bequeathed the said infant certain property which was in the hands of one Presley Spinks, whom Stewart fears will waste it. She prays that her said child be bound to James Jones and have him apptd. the guardian.
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North Carolina Probate Records, 1735-1970, Edgecombe, Wills, v. C-D 1785-1810, p 105 familysearch.org