WILL OF JOHN PERRY

Bladen County, NC  1870

Deed Book 2, pages 51, 52

 

                In the name of God Amen

I John Perry of the county of Bladen and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my Earthly Existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner land form following that is to say that my Executor (herein after named) shall provide for my body a decent burial and pay all my funeral expenses out of the moneys that may first come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate and also discharge and pay off all my just debts and obligations

Item 1^st- I give and devise to my beloved wife fifty acres of land on the west side of the tract whereon I now live including the dwelling house and land now in cultivation also the household and kitchen furniture together with my stock of cattle; also what provisions I may have on hand in the way of corn and bacon at the time of my decease

Item 2^nd- I give and bequeath to my son Elijah M. one rifle and one shot gun, also my farming implements and all the above property that I gave to my wife, after her decease

Item 3^rd- I give and bequeath to the heirs of my son James W. as follows to wit: Harriet Rebecca one-third of a dollar, Margaret one-third of a dollar and James Harrison one-third of a dollar

Item 4^th-I give and bequeath to the heirs of my daughter Rebecca as follows to wit: Margaret one dollar

                The residue of my property I have disposed of to [“and among” interlined] my children by deed of gift and lastly I do constitute hereby and appoint my son Elijah M. Perry my lawful Executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause thereof hereby working and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made

In Witness whereof I the said John Perry do hereunto set my hand and seal this the 21^st day of September Anno Domini 1870

                                                  John Perry (Seal)

Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Perry to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto

                              J. A. Edwards & D. J. Clark