The Will of Hardy Dean, Wake County, NC

In the name of God Amen I Hardy Dean Senr. of the County of Wake and State of North Carolina being not very well but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this to be my last will and Testament in the following form and manner.

First my land and plantation whereon I live containing by estimation four hundred acres its my will and desire that it be divided in the following manner, first beginning on Powell's Creek where the spring branch that my still stands upon empties into the said creek thence up the said branch to the head thereof thence a straight north line to the Halifax road thence with said Road to Allen Rogers line near the cross roads, thence with said Roger's line and Smith's lines to said Powell's Creek thence up said creek to the first station it being the lower and whereon my son Josiah Dean now lives, I give and bequeath unto my said son Josiah Dean to him and his heirs for ever.

The other part of my land being whereon I now live I lend to my wife Elizabeth Dean to have the use thereof during her life and at her death I give and bequeath the same to my son Theophilus Dean to him and his heirs forever and I feel the desire that my son Theophilus Dean continue to live with his mother and take care of her and family.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Dean one Negroe woman Surry and her increase to him and his heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebekah Dean three Negroes, viz. one Negroe man named Tom, Harriott and Lettice and there increase to her and her heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my son Hardy Dean one Negroe named Isaac to him and his heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my son John Dean one Negroe woman name Anika which he has in possession and her increase forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my grandson John Westley Dean son of John Dean one Negroe boy named Peter to him and his heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath unto my son Alsey Dean one Negroe woman named Darkess which he has in possession and her increase to him and his heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath unto my son Theophilus Dean one Negroe man named Jacob and one woman named Silva with her increase to him and his heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath unto my son Josiah Dean one Negroe man named Jack also to his son Richard Foster Dean one Negroe boy named Tom commonly called Little Tom to them and there heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Rebekah Dean daughter of Alsey Dean one Negroe boy named Sam to her and her heirs forever.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my grandson Wiley Dean son of Thomas Dean one Negroe boy named Jeffrey to him and his heirs forever .
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That my will and desire is that my still is to be left to the use of the plantation.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebekah Dean two Beds and furniture and one Blue? Chist one gray mare to her and her heirs forever. Also the said Rebekah Dean is to Reside on the plantation where she now lives during her lifetime.

I further give and bequeath to my grandaughter Mary Sevila Dean daughter of Theophilus Dean one Bed and furniture.

I give and bequeath to my grandaughter Frances Dean daughter of Josiah Dean one Bed and furniture to her forever.

After paying my debts all the residue of the money owing me either by Bond or Account is to be equally divided. Also all my stock of Cattle hogs and sheep Between my sons Hardy Dean, Theophilus Dean, Josiah Dean and my daughters Rebekah Dean to them and their heirs forever. Also my stock of horses to be for the use of the plantation.

And lastly I hereby nominate and appoint my sons Hardy Dean, Theophilus Dean, and Josiah Dean executors to this my last will and testament and no others ratifying and confirming this to be my last will and testament this 21st day of October 1821. In witness wereof I the said Hardy Dean Senr. hath hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the day and date above. Signed Hardy ["H" his mark] Dean. Witnesses: Frederick Ezell, Lewis Fell. Recorded February 1823