Will of John Jones - 17 Oct 1846

Original Will, on file in Raleigh, NC Archives CR 073.801

    In the name of God. Amen. I John Jones
of the County of Orange & State of North Carolina 
being of sound mind and memory but considering
the uncertainty of my earthly existance do make
and declare this my last will and testament in
manner and Form Following That is to Say
First That my executors (hereinafter named) Shall
provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the
wishes of my relations and friends and pay all
funeral expences together with my just debts howsoever
and to whomsoever owing out of the money's that may
first come into thir hands as a part or parsel of my
estate
    I appoint my Son William and my Wife Margaret
my Lawful executors to all intents and purposes
to take charge of all my property Land negroes
and all my perishable property: with the exception of
The property herinafter named towit a negro girl named
Nelly[?Note 1] which I gave to my Daughter Margaret at 
the time of her marriage and a negro girl
Sally that I gave to my Daughter Hannah at the
time of her marriage and a negro girl named 
Viney that I gave to my Daughter Rebecca at 
the time of her marriage and a negro Boy
named Elijah that I gave to my Son John and
negro girl named Milly that I have to my
Daughter Polly at the time of her marriage

[page 2]
and Sundry Small advancements since that time
will make them a fair and equitable portion according
to the value of my estate which I now consider
them stoped from receiving eny more of my estate
whatever
My will and desire is that my executors Shall
Keep and manage all the rest of my property as
above named for the sole support of the family
now together namely my Wife and Children
the property to be so managed as not to be wasted
or run through with but Kept and disposed of
in the following manner first my desire is 
that as all my daughters: (heretofore not named)
do marry or arrive at the age of Twenty One
years that my executors Shall furnish them
with a negro girl eight or nine years old or
a boy about the same age if my executors think
best One Horse Saddle & Bridle One Bed & furniture
and cooking utensils my reson for not naming
my Daughters is there is one child yet unbourn 
if it Should be a Daughter it will Shear with
my Daughters equal at the above named age or
when married if a son it will Shear with
my sons hereinafter named; My Desire is that
if any of my Daughters by my Last wife 
Die without a Lawful Issue that their portion
of my estate shall fall in the hands of my sons


[page 3]
by my Last wife:
My will is that the ballance and residues of
all my property both personal and real and
in crees of Stock after paying all my just debts
out of my estate: to be equally divided among
my sons by my last wife: with the exception
of My Wifes Dower or Support though I think
it best for it to remain together untill the
youngest Son comes of age as my sons
come of the age of twenty one years I wish
them to remain together and with the hands 
on the farm and to receive a reasonable compensation
for their labour as they and my wife may agree
upon But if they prefur to work to themselves
that they shall have a portion of Land sufficient
for One hand to work as they and my wife
may agree upon
My will and desire is further that my wife
Shall have One third of all my land During 
her natural life or widowhood two negroes of
her choice two Horses of her choice two Milch cows
her choice Two Beds & furniture her choice one
Side Board - One Chest One Folding leaf table and
all nessary[sic] cooking utensils One half Dozen chairs
The property herein willed to my wife at her death 
to be equally divided among my Sons by my 
Last wife


[page 4]
My will is that all my Just debts shall be paid
and in Order to do this I desire that the Creek
plantation be sold which will be sufficient to
pay all the debts I owe
In witness whereof I John Jones do hereunto set my
hand and seal this 17th day of October AD 1846

Signed sealed published and declared
by the said John Jones to be his last
will and testament in the presents      John Jones (seal)
of us who at this request and in 
his presents do subscribe our names 
as witnesses
R. Stanford
S. H. Turrentine  Jurat


                                    Dec 4th 1846
                      Codicil The Negro girl Viney that
I have given in the foregoing will to my Daughter Rebecca,
I hereby give and bequeath to my Daughter Rebecca during her
natural life and her and her The said Viney & her issue if any to her children, the
children of the said Rebecca. - 
Signed in the presence of 
James C. Turrentine   }
S. H. Turrentine      }  Jurat


John Jones Will Recorded February 1847




Transcription by Ben Franklin of Durham, NC <benz2@earthlink.net>
13 Dec 2009.  Please credit me if you use this. This information is in 
the public domain.


Note 1: The name "Nelly" is only a guess.  The left margin is covered 
with conservation tape and is hard to read, especially in the photocopy.
To get a better clarification, comparison to the Will Book copy or a
re-examination of the original will be required.