Will of John Stephenson(1724-1773)
John Stephenson was on his deathbed and was unable to write or sign his name.His will was written for him by a friend Andrew Campbell and he used the wrong spelling "Stevenson."
South Carolina)
Craven County)In the name of God Amen. I, John Stevenson being weak in Body yet in perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the frailty of my Body that it is appointed to all men once to died and after death Judgment and willing to dispose of the small Estate God in his Providence has been pleased to bestow upon me I therefore deliver my soul to God who gave it and my body to the Dust from whence it came not doubting but at the last day they shall both be united in Glory in the Kingdom of Christ I therefore do order and allow my Body to be buried in a most Christian and decent Manner at the discretion of my Exors and after my funeral charges and my Just debts being paid I do Give and bequeath in manner and form following
Item. I do give and bequeath to my two Sons Robert and John Stevenson my whole Estate in Lands to be equally divided between them and if any of them die without issue it shall fall and become to the surviving heir and if both the above named Robert and John die without issue then the whole Real Estate shall be equally divided between my two Daughters Agnes and Margaret and their heirs.
Item. I likewise Give and Bequeath unto the said Robert and John my Negroe wench named Nelly.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Wife the thirds of all my Estate Real and personal and likewise the Dunn horse and his Saddle and Bridle.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my Son Robert one Cow and Calf.
Item. I Give and Bequeath unto my Son John one Cow and yearling and the rest of my perishable Estate to be qually divided between my well Beloved Wife Jean (Jane) Stevenson and my two Daughter Agnes and Margaret only five Shilllings Sterling to my Daughter Mary Stevenson now married to Daniel McCleary(Daniel McClaren) and one Cow and Calf to my Grandson John McCleary(McClaren) and one mare Colt. And I constitute and appoint my well beloved friends John Patton,Joseph Hardin,and John Armstrong my whole and sole Exors of this my Last Will and Testament Revolking all other Wills by me drawn and signed heretofore. In Witness Whereof I have herunto set my hand and Seal this 9th day of February 1773.
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John X Stevenson (L.S.)
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Signed Sealed and Acknowledged
In the presence of us
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Patrick x Laferty
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John x Gibson
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Andw.Campbell
Proved by virute of a Dedimus from the Honable William Bull Esqr Lieut Govr.directed to to Joseph Brown Esqr the 22d May 1773. At the same time qualifed Joseph Hardin and John Patton Exors to said Will. Actually Dedimus was issued to Joseph Brown,Esqr of Broad River to prove the will of John Stinson,decd.and Qualify the Exors, March 31, 1773
Charleston Will Book 1771-1774,pages 382,383notes:
1) resided BEF 1753 Augusta County, Virginia
2) On May 16, 1753, John and Jane sold their land on Mill Creek in Augusta County, Virginia to William Ramsey. The land is in present day Rockbridge County.
3) resided 1754 York County, South Carolina
4) He "squatted" on Indian land until it became possible to file a claim to it in 1764.