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In the name of God Amen, I, Edmund Hatch, Jun of Craven County, North Carolina, being low in health, but of disposing memory and knowing the uncertainty of life do make this my last Will & Testament. That is to say,
Firstly, I give unto my two sons Buckner and Lemuel Hatch, all my lands lying on the North side of the Trent River in Jones County, to them their heirs and assigns forever, upon condition that in case my son John Hatch should in anywise become to be dispossessed of the property that I may leave for his support that in such event my said sons Buckner and Lemuel should support him.
Secondly, I give unto my son John Hatch, during his natural life, all my slaves, for his support and after his death I give the said slaves to my sons Buckner and Lemuel Hatch, to them their heirs and assigns forever.
Thirdly, I lend unto my daughter Mary Blackledge for and during her natural life the plantation and land wherein I now live called "the Haywood land" and at her decease I give the said Haywood land unto the heirs of her body lawfully begotten, and in case my daughter Mary shall die without heirs of her body as aforesaid, then the said Haywood land I give to my heirs at law.
Fourthly, I give unto my sons Buckner and Lemuel Hatch and to my daughter Mary Blackledge to be equally divided, all of my household and kitchen furniture except one bed and furniture which I give my son John and except one mahogany bedstead which belongs to my son Buckner, now in my possession to them their heirs and assigns forever.
Fifthly, I give unto my sons Buckner and Lemuel Hatch all my horses, cattle, hogs, mules, sheep, and goats to be equally divided between them excepting my carriage horses which with my carriage, I give to my son Buckner.
Sixthly, The land which I have herein given to my daughter Mary during her life is to be in the possession of my Executors until the same is paid for by the said Mary and whenever, the said Mary shall so pay for the said land, that is to say shall pay the balance which I now owe for its purchase then my said Executors to give up to her its possession.
Seventhly, The crop of produce now in my possession I give to my Executors to be sold and the proceeds to be applied towards paying for the land which I now live on.
Eighthly, I constitute my sons Buckner and Lemuel Hatch, Executors of this my Last Will & Testament and this my request that they give Bonopart Busnet a reasonable portion of education and I make my Executors Guardian to my son John.
In testimony, whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 26th day of January AD 1821.
Edmund Hatch
Signed & Sealed in the presence of
Geo. Wilson, C. A. Hatch
Craven County Court, March Term, AD 1821
The foregoing last Will of Edmund Hatch was produced and the execution by said Testator and proved in open court and in due form of law by the oath of George Wilson one of the subscribing witnesses thereto Lemuel Hatch and Buckner Hatch the Executors appeared and qualified.
Attest (illegible)