(NOTE: [illegible] indicates a word or words that I
could not make out from the original document. I have also tried to preserve the
punctuation marks and capitalization used in the document as best I could read them.)
—I, John I. Brock, of Stony Branch Craven County in the
State of North Carolina, being of sound mind, do make and ordain this my Last Will and
Testament in manner and form following.—First...I desire my Executors to sell
[illegible word] of my perishable Estate [several words illegible] I shall owe at the time
of my decease [several words illegible] after the [illegible word] of said debts shall
have been [several words illegible] to apply the money thus obtained to the payment of
said debts.—After having complied with this request, it is my Will, that the residue
of my Estate, of what kind soever it may be, shall remain unsold and that the income from
the same, shall be applied, under the superintendence of my Wife, Sarah Brock, to the
support and Education of my children, as well as to the support of my said Wife
Sarah.—After the fulfilment of these requests, I give the overplus income of my
Estate (if any there be) to my Wife aforenamed.—I also desire, that when my oldest
child shall have arrived at the age of twenty-one years, all my perishable property shall
be valued; by persons competent to the task, and an equal share according to the number of
Heirs, be given to him or her at the said age of twenty-one: the residue of said
perishable property reverting into common stock, for the mutual benefit of the remaining
children and their Mother. When my second child shall be of age, the same course shall be
pursued; and so on to the last: And when my youngest child shall have attained the age of
twenty-one, and said child and my Wife shall have [illegible word] their parts of the
perishable property, it is my desire that the whole of Real Estate be sold to the highest
bidder, and that the proceeds thereof be equally divided among my surviving Heirs
[illegible words] my Wife and children—. I appoint my friend Robert G. Moore, and my
Wife Sarah Brock, Executors of this my last Will and Testament: hereby revoking all other
and former Wills by me at any time heretofore made. In witness whereof I have hereto set
my hand and seal this 27th day of November, in the year of our Lord,
One thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty-Seven—
John I. Brock (Seal)
