Source: Record of Wills - Craven County Courthouse, Volume A, Page 361

from: Website of Calvin L. Ingram cingram@inficad.com http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/i/n/g/Calvin-L-Ingram/

PETER GILSTRAP - 1795 Will Craven County, North Carolina

In the name of God, Amen, the 10th day of November 1795, I, Peter Gilstrap of the county and state aforesaid. Planter, being in perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executrix and Executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith in this life, I give and dispose of the same in the following manner and form:

Imprimis, it is my will and I do order that in the first place all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.

Item, that in this manner I lend to my well beloved wife, Mary Gilstrap, the plantation whereon I now live, the same containing 76 acres, that is if she shall choose to sell it and to go into the back country and carry the children with her, her deed shall be good, otherwise if she continues here at her death the said land shall be sold and the money equally divided betwixt these four children: Polly Gilstrap, Bright Gilstrap, Welthy Gilstrap, and Winifred Gilstrap.

Item, I lend in like manner as before mentioned to my well beloved wife, Mary Gilstrap, 96 acres of land on the gum pewson to be disposed of as the land before mentioned, the same lying near and adjoining the land I now live on.

Item, I give to my beloved wife, Mary Gilstrap, during her natural life all the household furniture that I have and then to be equally divided between my children before mentioned, the three girls

each to have a feather bed in their parts. Also I leave all my cattle, horses, and plantation tools for the same purpose before mentioned.

Item, I give to my beloved son Benjamin Gilstrap - 5 shillings.

Item, I give to my beloved son Richard Gilstrap - 5 shillings.

Item, I give to my beloved daughter Ellender Johnson - 5 shillings.

Item, I give to my beloved son Lewis Gilstrap - 5 shillings whom I likewise constitute, mark, ordain and appoint my executor with my beloved wife executrix of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have here unto set my hand and seal the day and year above written, signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of us.

Thos Pryor his mark Peter X Gilstrap mark

Ephm Owen

Source: Estates of Craven County, North Carolina. Department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina

Inventory of Estate of Peter Gilstrap, returned June term, 1796 by Mary Gilstrap.

Notes against Frederick Lane, and William Johnson

Book accounts against Frederick Lane, Lewis Gilstrap, Daniel Steward, Thomas Green

Horses, mare, saddles, bridles, cattle, corn, bacon, hogs, feather beds and furniture and other personal property.