Will of John Claud 3 April 1793 Southampton County, Will Book 4:608-609

Will of John Claud 3 April 1793Southampton County, Will Book 4:608-609

In the name of God amen , I John Claud of Southampton County calling to mind that uncertainty of human life do make and appoint this to be my last will & testament . And first I recommend my soul to almighty God who gave it & my body to be buried in a Christian like manner at the direction of my Executors hereafter mentioned& as to what worldly goods it hath pleas'd God to bless me with in this life I dispose of them in the manner following-- Item It is my desire that at my death the plantation whereonI now live containing four hundred acres more or less be divided by a line as follows Viz Beginning at a white Oak a corner tree on Hailey Fosters line forth side of Dunns Branch from thence an east course to Walden Kersey's house thence N. East to the Reedy Branch to Barrows lineAll my lands on the North side of said line I lend to my loving wife Polly during her natural life or widowhood likewise all my stock of horses , cattle, Hogs, Sheep, household & kitchen furniture plantation utensills ve. likewise a Neg Wench Sarah for the term of ten years at the expiration of which time it is my desire she be set free. I likewise lend her the use of a Negro boy Aaron & a Negro girl Calah untill such time as my daughters Polly Claud Francis & my daughter Dolly Claud Francis Mary at which time I give to my daughter Polly the Negro boy Aaron & I give to my daughter Dolly the Neg. girl Calah to them and their heirs forever. What I have lent to my wife Polly is in Lien of her dower for the purpose of raising & schooling my children at the death or Intermarrying of my wife Polly I give my said Land to my daughter Lucy Claud to her and her heirs forever. At the same time I desire that my stock of horses Cattle hogs sheep household & kitchen furniture vc. be sold & the money arising therefrom to be equally divided between my daughters Polly, Dolly and Fanny Claud Francis--- Item I give to my daughter Fanny Claud Francis all my lands on the East side of the line above mentioned to her and her heirs forever. Should my daughter Fanny die without lawful issue I then give her part of the land to my daughter Lucy aforementioned at and in case my daughter Lucy die without lawful issue I then give her part of said land to my daughter Polly Dolly & Fanny aforementioned ifin case my daughter Polly die before she takes possession of her estate I then give her part of my estate to my daughtersDolly & Fanny and in case my daughter Dolly die before she take possession of her estate I then give her part ofmy estate to daughters Fanny & Lucy aforementioned to them & their heirs forever

Item- My will and desire is that my bonds and open acct. be applied towards the payment of my Just debts including the building & compleating my new house now on hand likewise my crop of Tobo now on hand. The balance to be equally divided between my four children Polly Dolly Fanny & Lucy to them and their heirs forever. I do appoint John Barrow and Henry Barrow Executors of this my last will & testament, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & affixed my seal this 3 day of April Anno Domn 1793

Sign'dPublish'd declaredJohn Claud

In presence ofAaron Smith

Benj' Millar

Philip Claud

Joshua Westbrook

At acourt held for the county of Southampton the 13 day of Feby 94 this will was Presented in court & prov'd by the oaths of Aaron Smith , Benjamin Miller two of the witness thereto and ordered to be recorded and on the notion of Newett Claud who made oath according to Law certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the estate ofJoshua Claud dec'd with the will winead (?) ) the Executor John Barrow refusing ) giving Security whereupon dc.

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