Rowan County, North Carolina. Will of JOHN JOSEY

Will book G page 36-38 14 November 1808

In the name of God amen! I JOHN JOSEY of the County of Rowan, in the State of North Carolina. Planter, being in a low state of bodily health, but have my present senses, Thanks be to God, for the same, calling to mind the mortality of my body, and that it is appointed to all men once to die, to this the 14^th day of November AD 1808, I make and publish this my last will and testament, in the manner as follows: That is to say, first of all I recommend my soul into the hands of the Almighty God, who gave it, and my body to the earth to be buried indecent Christian burial at the discretion of my Wife and children and as touching those worldly estates where it had pleased God to bless me, I go on in the following manner.

1. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife, MOLLY, the _______ plantation, where she now lives, as long as she lives, it is to be at her discretion, her choice of two cows, out of the flock and her bed and furniture and chest and household furniture, which she stands in need of and she shall have an equal share when divided, with my children, when all is sold of my property.

2. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Son, WILLIAM, the Old Plantation, which is three hundred and nine acres, after the death of his Mother, by given his sister HANNAH fifty dollars current, in full money and likewise my Son, WILLIAM, if he will find his Mother, until her death, victuals and clothing in which she thinks she stands in need of, she shall have the old buck horse and the ploughs and two pair of brases and collars and double trace and blind hatters, axes mattook and the bed where she formerly laid in, and if he won’t accept of the above, he shall be cut off to Five Shillings only.

3. I give and bequeath unto my beloved Daughter HANNAH, shall be furnished out of the estate, as for as her sister PEGGY, when she married.

4. Likewise my Sons, JOHN and FREDRICK, it is my wish that each of them shall receive only Five Shillings of my undivided estate.

5. Likewise it is my will that there shall be Forty Dollars equally divided between my Wife, PILLY and two Daughters mentioned, HANNAH and PEGGY, and my Son DANIEL after my debts be paid and then my Daughter CATY CUMSIN goes in equal share with the said POLLY, HANNAH, and PEGGY and DANIEL as far as it will reach. Also there is a small tract of land lying in the rooks, which is two hundred and fourteen acres, which shall be sold at the selling of my other property, at the highest bidder. Also I ordain and appoint JOHN JOSE and JOHN BROWN as executors, to settle all just debts, as near as within their power lies, and I do set my hand and seal hereunto, that this is my last will and testament.

Witnessed and delivered in the presence of us

WILLIAM HAMPTON

PEGGY BROWN JOHN JOSEY