Last Will and Testament of John Mason, Senior, transcribed
by Melanie Willis from a copy of the original which is on microfilm at the NC
State Archives in
About the document:
About the transcription:
I have retained as closely as possible the grammar and spelling of the original, except for the names of individuals, which I have put in all-caps. The words Imprimis and Item are written outside the margins of the body of the will. I have added colons after these words, and spaces to indicate separation between what would normally be considered paragraphs. My own comments are in brackets.
In the Name of God Amen, I JOHN MASON SENIOR of hyde County in New Currotuck in the province of North Carolina being of Sound and perfect memory Blessed be God for his mercy and Caulling to mind the uncartainty of This Life and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Die do ordain Constitute and appoint This my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following Revoaking and making null and Void all former wills by me Before maid and this to Hand and Remain my Last will and Testament ...
Imprimis: First I Recommend my Soul to God that Gave it and my body to be Buried in a Christian Like manner at the Discression of my Exers hearafter named not Doubting but to Receive pardon and Remission of my Sins through the merits of my Blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ
Item: I give and Bequeath to my Loving Son MOSES MASON my now Dwelling place with all the land houses thereunto Belonging after his mothers Decease and my Shuting gun when he is able to use hurand all my working Tools Excepting axes and hoes and all the Cattle that in his mark Clear of Charge
Item: I give and Bequeath to my Loving Son JOSHUA MASON one persell of Land on the East Side of Roes bay which hath been Laid out by a Line of Marked Trees by my Father ROGER MASON SR and Iwhich Land we took up Between us and its my will and Desire that my father ROGER MASON SR should make the Said Land over to my Said son JOSHUA MASON and its my will and Desire that my Said Son JOSHUA Should have all the Cattle that was marked for him Clear of Charge
Item: I give and Bequeath to my Loving Son JOHN MASON JR fifty acres of Land at Swanquarter bay Joyning on THOMAS MASONS SR Line which Land we took up Between my Brother ROGER MASON JNR and I: and its my will will and Desire that my Brother ROGER MASON JNR Should make the Said Land over to my Said Son JOHN MASON and one Cow Calf to be paid to him next Spring Clear of all Charge
Item: I give and Bequeath to my Loving Daughter CHARITY MASON one Cow Calf to be paid to hur next Spring clear of all Charge
Item: I give and Bequeath to my Loving Daughter ANN MASON all the Cattle that was marked for hur Clear of all Charge next Spring .
Item: I give and Bequeath to my Loving Daughter AGNESS MASON all the Cattle that was marked for hur Clear of all Charge next Spring
Item: I lend to my Loving Wife CATHARINA MASON the one half of Estate besides what heare Given During hur naturl Life and at hur Decease to be Equally Divided amongst all my Children heare named MARY and ANN and AGNESS and JOSHUA and JOHN and CHARITY MASONS and I also Lend hur the Use of the plantation During hur naturl Life .....................................................................................................
Item: I Leave the other half of my Estate besides what heare given to the Schoolling and Bringing up of all my Children and if there be any Left to be Equally Divided amongst all my Children [end of page]
Carried over to the other Side----------
Lastly I ordain Constitute and appoint my Loving wife Exeritrix and ROGER MASON JNR and THOMAS MASON JNR Exctors of This my Last Will and Testament Revoking all former wills By me Before maide as witness my hand and Seall This 9th day of January anno Domini 1751/2 ...
Signed Sealed and Delivered
in the presents of us
Benjamin Mason John Mason Se.r.
Roger R (his mark) Mason Sr.
Sarah ) (his [sic] mark) Coplin