Will of Nicholas Jones - 3 May 1830 Original Will, on file in Raleigh, NC Archives CR 073.801 In the name of God Amen. I Nicholas Jones of the county of Orange and State of North Carolina, being of perfict sound and mind and memory, thanks be to Almighty God for kind mercy's, but am low in bodily health; and well knowing that all persons are once to die . do make and ordain this instrument of writing as my last will and testament in manner and form as follows Towit I in the first place I[sic] will my soul to God, And my body to the mother dust from whence it originated. - My will is that after my death I may be decently buried at the discretion of my executors herein after named. - Item 1st I lend unto my beloved wife Nancy Jones a part of the land I possess in the county of Orange said state including the homestead To.wit. Beginning at the corner between Samuel Evan's and my say it being his south west corner, running thence south until it strikes the great road from the ford to Hillsborough. Thence eastwardly along said road to the cross fence, that now exists between the Bowling place now called and the first field nearest the homestead. Thence southwardly along said cross fence to the woods. Thence due south to the lands of the late Ephraim Carrington Decd.. Thence eastwardly and various other courses to the begin= =ning, it is to be distinctly understood to be all the lands that I am seized and possessed of, lying East of the first named line and lines in the county of Orange. - Also two negroe slave's Towit negroe man Sci and negroe woman Thamar, also three head of horses To. wit. Snip Bounce and the selection filly. Also all the necessary house= =hold and Kitchen furniture, also plantation utensils suff= =cient for her force. One still, also the apple Orchard lying north of the great road leading from Oxford to Hillsborough, immediately again the house that Willis Bowling now resides in. Also one yoke of oxen & cart Five head of cattle first choice & calces. All of my stock of sheep also two sows and shoats first choice. Also one years support to e allotted and layed off to her next fall, say the 1st day of November next. Also the Thrashing machine & Gear. One cotton Gin and screw. All of which loans herein set forth is to be understood to be during the natural life or widowhood of my said beloved wife & no longer. And my will is that if my beloved wife's father [page 2] Father[sic] David Parker of Granville County said state, should die intestate that my said beloved wife shall equally divide such part of the said David Parkers estate as she may be entitled to and receive between herself and the heirs of her body at this time. And my will is in case my said beloved wife Nancy Jones should refuse to so equally divide such property or estate as she may be entitled to and receive between herself and the present heirs of her body of the estate of said David Parker in case he should die intestate . - Then and in that case she shall be deprived of all the property loaned her as herein before set forth, in the same manner as if she was to marry or die. - --- Item 2nd. I give and bequeath to my son William Jones Three tracts of Land which may be called one lying and being in Granville County on nap of Reed Creek, all being in a body adjoining the lands of the Heirs of George Roberts Decd. James Roberts, Edwin Jones Senr. and others, containing four hundred and fifty aces more or less to him and his heirs forever. - --- Item 3rd. I give and bequeath unto my son Washington Jones Eight hundred dollars in cash to be paid at such time or times as may be necessary to complete his education if he continues. But in case he should quit school, he is to receive the same or such balance as may be remaining when he arrives at full age. - --- Item 4th. I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Jones one negroe Girl by the name of Fanny to her and the lawful begotten heir of her body forever to be delivered when she arrives at full age or marry's.- --- Item 5th. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Anne Jones one negro Girl by the name of Leath, to her and the lawful begotten heirs of her body forever to be delivered her, when she arrives at full age or marry's Item 6th I give and bequeath unto my daughter Rebecca Jones [page 3] Rebecca Jones[sic], one negro Girl by the name of Sarah to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever to be delivered when she arrives at full age or marry's - . --- Item 7th. I give and bequeath to my son Willis Simpson Jones one tract of land lying in Orange County on the waters of Flat river. Beginning at a white oak Samuel Evan's south east corner near the horse lot, running thence south forty five degree's east to the lands of Morgan Carrington,. Thence East and many other different courses ot the first station it being all the lands that I am in any wise seized and possessed of lying Eastwardly in Orange County of the first line named, to him and his heirs forever, to take possession of the same at the death or marriage of his mother, it being a part of the land loaned to my wife And I do hereby constitute and appoint my brother Henry W. Jones of County of Granville and my son Washington Jones executors to this my last will and testament. - My will is that my executors shall proceed to sell all the land that belongs to me in the County of Granville except that part that is herein give away, on such credits as they may think proper and also to sell on such credits as they may think advisable all the perishable property & chattels that is not loaned or gave away in this instrument. My executors will proceed to collect all the debts due me. - And if my executors should think or find it necessary to sell other property for the purpose of paying my debts, They are at liberty and have full power to sell any or all the negroes and lands as they may think most advisable for the purpose of meeting my debts, and on such credits as they may think proper. And do authorize both or either of my said named executors to make title or titles to the lands or other property jointly or severally. . - My will is that the residue of my property say lands & negroes not herein loaned and demised away, my executors will hire out the negroes annually and rent the lands biennially, and the proceeds as far [page 4] far[sic] as may be necessary. My will is that my children be educated and maintained with. - My will is that at the death or marriage of my beloved wife Nancy, or in case she fail to divide equally such property or estate as she may receive from her father David Parker in case he should die intestate, My property that is loaned and all other money's or property & property's of every discription that be remain+ =ing after my just debts being paid, to be equally divided amongst my children William Jones, Washington Jones, Polly Jones, Martha Ann Jones, Simpson Jones, and Rebecca Jones share and share alike. My will is that if my executors should find it not necessary to sell land and negroes for the purpose of paying my debts they will only sell the tract of Land adjoining Abner Jones, one other tract called the Lewis Moize tract. Two shares and interest in the Landish land and the Fishing Creek tract. . And I the said Nicholas Jones do publish and declare this paper writing to be my last Will and testament, annulling all other wills heretofore by me made. Given under my hand and seal. This the Third day of May A.D. One thousand either hundred and thirty. Attest. Willis Bowling } N. Jones (seal) Jno. J. Carrington } Jurat Henry W. Jones qualified Transcription by Ben Franklin of Durham, NC 13 Dec 2009. Please credit me if you use this. This information is in the public domain. Note: The will is written in a clear and legible hand. The will's writer uses some unusual punctuation. Many of the sentences are ended with a period, followed by a dash. Some sentences are ended with a comma, others with a period. Some are followed by the next phrase being capitalized, regardless of whether preceded by a comma or a period, and others not. Genitive case is always formed with a simple "s", when it should be apostrophe "s", and plural is frequently (incorrectly) formed with an apostrophe "s", although not always. Keeping in mind that current usage did not exist when this will was written, the usage throughout is not internally consistent. Regardless of the punctuation, the intent is clear, and the names and relationships are easy to interpret.