Will of Francis Jones - 8 Feb 1841 Original Will, on file in Raleigh, NC Archives CR 073.801 In the name of God Amen...------- I Francis Jones late of the County of Chatham - but now of the town of Hillsboro in the county of Orange and State of North Carolina Being of advanced age, and feeble of body but of sound and disposing mind and memory - Do make and declare the following to be my last will and testament I give and bequeath to my son in law Dr James S. Smith of Hillsboro my plantation in the county of Chatham called the Road or Grove place on Poke berry creek - adjoining the lands of John Hackney Joseph Bynum James Kirby and others and containing from two thousand to two thousand seven hundred acres of land - In trust for the sole use and benefit of my only child and daughter Delia Smith wife of the said Dr. James S. Smith for and during her natural life free from any right tittle of claim of the said James S. Smith or any person from or under him; or against and debt claim or demand of the said James S. Smith or any other person whatsoever - And at the death of the said Delia Smith then I will and bequeath the Said tract of land to my grandson Dr Francis J. Smith and his lawful heirs.- I further give and bequeath to my son in law Dr James S. Smith aforesaid my plantation called the Flowers place in the County of Chatham on the waters of the New Hope and Bush creek adjoining the lands of Isaah Cole Mr. Merritt and others and composed of several original tracts and supposed to contain from Eighteen hundred to two thousand acres - In trust for the sole use and benefit of my daughter Delia Smith wife of the said Dr James S Smith and no other and against any claim right debt or demand of the said James S Smith or any other person whatsoever for and during her natural life and at her death I give and bequeath the said [page 2] Flowers tract to my Grand son James Sidney Smith and in event of his death to his lawful heirs - I furthermore give and bequeath to the said James S. Smith my son in law the following negro slaves to wit - Yellow James. Simon. Samuel. Dempsy. Tempy, and all her children - Aimy and all hir children - Betty and all her children - Milly Hetty and Violet - In trust for the sole use and benefit of my daughter Delia Smith and no other for and during her natural life - and against all right tittle claim or demand of the said James S Smith for himself or any person claiming by order or through him and against all debts claims & demands of the said James S. Smith or any person whomsoever and at the death of the Delia Smith I give and bequeath the said negro slaves and their increase to my three grand children - Francis J Smith - James Sidney Smith Mary R. Smith equally share and share alike and in event of either of their deaths to their lawful heirs ------- It is my will and request of my son in law Dr James S Smith that at his death he will give to my grand daughter Mary R. Smith the plantation in Orange County on Price's Creek which I conveyed to him by deed many years past. ----- Finally for any other purposes not set forth in the foregoing will I constitute and appoint the said James J Smith my Sole executor to this will ----------- Given under my hand and seal this 8th Day of February A D- 1841 ----------- Signed sealed declared and delivered in presence of Francis Jones (seal) A. Parks } Thomas Faucette } Jurat Transcription by Ben Franklin of Durham, NC 12 Dec 2009. Please credit me if you use this. This information is in the public domain.