In the name of God, amen. I, JAMES JOSEY of Halifax County and State of
North Carolina being weak of body but of perfect sound sense and memory, thanks
be to God, for the same, do make and ordain this to be the same, my last Will
and Testament. Viz.
I give and
recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body to be decently
buried at the discression of my executors and as to my
worldly estates, I give, demise and bequeath in the following manner. Viz. - In
promise
I lend unto my
loving Wife PEGGY JOSEY three negroes named ZEANA,
ROGER and TONEY for and during her life and likewise I lend unto her all my
household furniture and my stock of all kinds to her during her life to raise
my children on.
ITEM.- I give unto my Son
ROBERT JOSEY the
ITEM.- The Plantation and land over the mill, which
I purchased of JOHN C
ITEM.- I give unto my
Daughter, OLIVE JOSEY one negro Girl named ANNA, to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM.- I give unto my
Daughter, SARAH JOSEY one negro Girl named
ITEM.- I give unto my
Daughter, MARY JOSEY one negro Girl named B
It is my will and
desire if what debts that is owed to me can't be got in to pay my Just debts,
that my negro Wench named FILLIS, should be sold and pay them, and if she
should not be sold, it is my desire that my Wife PEGGY JOSEY should have her
during her life and after my Wife's death it is my will and desire that the
said negroes that I lent my Wife should be equally divided among my Daughters,
and if the said negroes should increase, so that my Daughters have more than
one apiece, that the overplush after their getting
one apiece should be equally divided among my Sons and after my Wife's decease,
it is my will and desire that all my household furniture and all my stock
should be sold and equally divided amongst all my Children and it is my will
and desire that my Wife shall keep all my Children and their negroes till they
come of age and as they come of age for them to have their parts equally to
their legacies.
Lastly.- I nominate and
appoint my two friends JOHN YOUNG and WILLIAM WHITEHEAD to be my whole and sole
executors of this my Last Will and Testament and do make void every other
former Will and Testament, ratifying and confirming this to be my Last Will and
Testament. In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal this 25 th day of October in the year of our Lord 1785.
JAMES JOSEY
Signed Sealed and delivered
in the presence of
SAMUEL BRADLY and
JESSE DICKSON