Will of William Banks

Transcribed by Rachel Beale


  Source: North Carolina Archives “WILL” YEAR--1772 WILL of WILLIAMS BANKS In the Name of God, Amen. I, WILLIAM BANKS of Craven County in North Carolina being sick and weak but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in the following manner that is to say principally and first of all, I commend my soul unto God--Who gave it and desire when I die. To be decently buried at the discretion of my executors and as to my worldly estate, I dispose of in the following manner. I give unto my loving wife, ANNE BANKS, one Negro Man--called CESAR, one Negro Woman DINAH, to her, her heirs, and assigns forever, also one Negro Man called BINDER, one Negro Man called NEW CESAR, one Negro Man called QUICKSON, one Negro Man called FRED, one Negro Woman called DINAH and her Son JACOB for and during her Natural Life and then to goe to my Brother JOHNATHAN BANKS, his heirs and assigns forever. I also give my said wife all and singular my household goods, and furniture of all kinds my plantation tools and all my stock of 65 cows and calves to be chosen by her out of my stock of cattle , my crop, and the remainder of my cattle to be sold to pay my debts and pay the Legacies hereafter given to JOHN MOORE and WILLIAM MOORE and I desire my Executors may hire out the plantation whereon I now live or return it to the Owners on the best terms they can for the benefit of my Estate and also the plantation I hired from GEORGE PHEMNY LOVICK, Esquire, unless my wife chooses to keep it and pay the rent. ITEM: I give my loving Daughter-in-Law, SUSANNAH MOORE, one Negro Boy called DONIUM to her, her heirs and assigns forever--- ITEM: I give my loving Daughter-in-Law--FIELDER MOORE, 640 Acres of Land lying on Nuse Road in Craven County being the same which I purchased from MRS.FIELDER POWELL, to her the said FIELDER MOORE, her heirs and assigns forever.--- ITEM: I give unto my Son-in-Law JOHN MOORE 30 Pounds Proclamation Money-ITEM: I give unto my Son-in-Law WILLIAM MOORE 30 Pounds of Proclamation Money.--- ITEM: I give unto my beloved Brother JOHNATHAN BANKS, one Negro Man called HIRAM, together with my other lands and all and singular the rest and residue of my Estate of what kind or administration whatsoever. Constituting my said Brother JOTHATHAN BANKS and my loving friend CHRISTOPHER NEALE, Executors of this My Last Will and Testament. In Witness Whereof: I have hereunto Set my Hand and Seal this 27th April 1772 William Banks Signed, Sealed, and Delivered to be his last Will and Testament before: JAMES COOR BENJAMIN FORDHAM JOHN MOORE The within Last Will and Testament of WILLIAM BANKS was proved before and this 27th May 1772 by the Oath of JAMES COOR, One of the Subscribing Witnesses thereto who swore that he saw the Testor Sign, Seal, Publish, and Declare the same to be and contain his last Will and Testament and that at the time thereof he was of sound and disposing Mind and Memory. And JONATHAN BANKS and CHRISTOPHER NEALE, the Executors therein named having taken the Oaths appointed for their Qualification. It is ordered that Letters Testamentary issue thereon-according. Jo. Martin, Clerk

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