Wilkes Co., NC Will Book #4 Page 270

                           May Term 1842
                        John Bryan's Will
In the name of God, amen, I John Bryan of the County of
Wilkes and state of North Carolina do make this my last will and testament
in the following form.  1st I give and bequeath to my decidedly beloved 
Wife all my Estate real and personal that is to say all my lands,
Negroes, Money on hand, Notes, Bonds, deeds of trust, farming utensils
household and kitchen furniture and stock of every kind during
her natural life and she may give any part of it to our Children
as she pleases so that they have all equal shares.
2nd I give and bequeath to James and Elvira Martin one Dollar and all
       the negroes and all other property they had of me likewise Henry
       & Sarah.
3rd  I give and bequeath to William & Matilda Parks one Dollar and all
       the negroes and other property they had of me.
4th  I give and bequeath to James & Polly Parks one Dollar and all the
       the negroes and other property they have had of me.
5th  I give to Benajmin F. Pettey & Cynthia his wife all the negroes they
       and other property they have had of me and one Dollar.
6th  I give and bequeath to George and Nancy Bower one Dollar and 
       all the negroes they have had of me.
7th  I give to my son Felix Bryans widow, Julia Bryan and his daughter
       Frances Cornelia Bryan all the negroes that I gave to him in his lifetime to
       be equally divided between them except the Negro girl Mira
       that I gave to Francis Cornelia Bryan to be her own property which
       gift I confirm to he absolutely.  I also give to my granddaughter
       Francis Cornelia Bryan five hundred Dollars, to be paid out of
       my Estate when she is eighteen years of age but if she should die
       before she arrives at that age my will is that the five hundred
       Dollars should be equally divided between my other grandchildren
       My will is that if any of my daughters should die and their husbands
       should marry again, that no part of what they have had of me
       shall go to the benefit of an after marriage but that every part of my
       estate that they had should belong to my grandchildren.
8th  It will be seen that my will is that all my estate Real and
       personal equally divided among my living Children But my
       Son Felix Bryan's Widow Julia Bryan and his daughter Frances
       Cornelia Bryan is not to have any more of my Estate except
       the five hundred Dollars to Frances Cornelia Bryan given by
       this my present Will as I think with what was given to him
       my son Felix Bryan in his lifetime was equal to what my other
       Children share.
       My will is, that my wife Nancy Bryan which I appoint to be
       sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament shall have
       the sole disposal of my Estate both Real and personal so
       as to make as equal Division as possible and do hereby

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                              May Term 1842

authorize and empower her to dispose and convey the same by deed or
otherwise in the manner heretofore directed and according to what is hereafter
stipulated.  But if any of our Children should be dissatisfied with what she
does they may not go to the law but leave the matter in dispute to two good men, and
if them two cannot agree, then them two may chose a third man, and whatever
them three agree upon shall be as binding as if judgement was given in the Supreme Court.
10.My desire is, that my land on the outh Side of the Yadkin should not be divided
but remain in one tract, as I think that dividing it would hurt its value
and if any of my childred should wish to purchase it to live on that any other
Children should give them the preference and also give Eighteen Months free
of interest on the price likewise allow reasonable time to pay the whole
amount, and if any of my children should purchase any of the aforesaid
property They shall be allowed reasonable time for to make payment for any
property that any of my Children should purchase, and the land on the
North Side of the Yadkin and then that on Rock Creek an that on the round
Mountain may be disposed of in any way by my Executrix or any one she
choses to act for her may think fit and if any of my Children should wish
to purchase any of my property and they think the price set on it too high
they may chose two goon men to value the same and if they cannot agree
they may chose a third man to assist but if the purchaser thinks it too
high he is not bound to take it.
11th  But as my desire is that no wrong meaning should be put on the wording
of this my last will & testament I repeat in substance what I have above
written that all my Estate Real & personal shall belong to my wife during
her natural life to be disposed of in what manner she pleases among
our children and theirs in equal portions, except to my son Felix Bryan
and his heir or heirs claiming under him whose full share is expressly
given as above stated in this my will and if any of my daughters should
be without children, they are to have an equal share with
those that have children  but if any of my daughters should
die in my lifetime before my wife without child or children
then their husband is not to have any more of my Estate that is
willed to be disposed of by my wife.
 12 I do hereby revoke anull and make void all former wills and testa
ments by me heretofore made, declaring this to be my last will & testament
In witness whereof I have hereto set my hand & seal this 13th day of
May in the year of our Lord one thousand eighteen and thirty Seven
Signed & sealed in The
presence of                              John Bryan (seal)
    J J Bryan     Int.
    Mayberry Wilborn
                        North Carolina  |
                          Wilkes County |   May Term 1842