Will, 1801
Craven County, NC
Submitted by H.
C. Arthur
Date: May 24, 2001
Source: NC STATE Archives
In the name of God Amen. I, James Gatlin, of the State of North Carolina and County of Craven being weak and in body and subject to death as all men are but perfect of mind and memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament of which I do revoke all other Wills heretofore made by me.
ITEM - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sidney West, one negro man named Toler; it being part of my estate with what she has received to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Hollon West, one
negro woman named Tamer; it being part of my estate with what she has before
received to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM - I give and bequeath to my grand daughter, Julia H.
West, one negro girl named Beth to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Polly Hall, all
my stock of cattle it being her part of my estate with what she has before
received to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM - I give and bequeath to my son, James Gatlin, one negro man named Jim, one negro boy named Isaac, one feather bed and furniture, and one desk to him and his heirs forever.
ITEM - I give and bequeath to my daughter, Betsy Gatlin, one negro man named Levey, one negro woman named Nan, one negro boy named Dick, one dark bay mare, one feather bed and furniture to her and her heirs forever.
ITEM - I give and bequeath to my son, Alfred Gatlin, five negros/tris/; Caleb, Pegg, Abram, Mary and Violet and all my land in case it should not be wanted for the purpose hereafter mentioned containing five hundred acres including the plantation whereon I now live, with all my lands adjoining the same, and the land known by the name of Dicks Island to him and his heirs forever.
ITEM - The residue of my estate which is not already given away, it is my will and desire that it may be sold by my Executors in a way they may think best to pay my just debts with what money is due me, and the surplus of said sale be appropriated to the use of raising and educating of my son, Alfred, property should not heir enough to rain and completely educate him, then and in case it is my will and desire that my executors may sale and depose of it any way they think proper. The aforementioned land which I have given to my son, Alfred, in case it should br wanted for the use herein mentioned in order to complete his education as amy executors may think proper or to be laid out for his benefit in the purchase of books in order to complete his study or other way proper for his benefit, and I do hereby authorize and impower as the surviving one of them for to sale and depose of the aforementioned land to the best advantaged as foremention and they are or the survivors is hereby authorized and impowered to convey and give deed for the aforementioned land and that the said deed shall be as good and rated as if I had paped deed in my lifetime, and I do hereby constitute and appoint my son, James Gatlin, and my son-in-law, John S. West my executors of this my last will and testament.
In witness where of I have hereunto sit my hand and seal.
The 4th day of April 1800 /s/ Jas Gatlin
Signed, Sealed and Delivered
in the presence of Major Gatlin
State of North Carolina, Craven County Court, March Term 1801
This was the written Will and Testament of James Gatlin Dec proved
in open court by the oath of Major Gatlin. The subscribing witness
these to and order to be recorded at the same time James Gatlin the executor
therein named qualified as such.
Order that letter testamentary ipue
Attest: /s/ Sam Chapman
Will transcribed by 4th Grandson H. C. Arthur 5/25/1999
{James, Sr., James, Jr., Sidney Gatlin (wife of Michael Arthur),
Harvey Arthur, Ephraim Harvey Arthur, Hubert Ephraim Arthur, HCA}