Will, 1793
Craven County, North Carolina
Submitted by: Rick Girtman rickman@worldpath.net
Date: March 5, 2001
Source: Original Will at the NC Archives
In the Name of God Amen.
I Thomas Gatlin of Craven County an State of North Carolina are sound an mind an Perfect memory do make ordain this my last will and Testament in manner an form following. Viz:
Item. I give an bequeave unto my son John one feather bed, one Negroe boy named Ben. To him and his heirs for Ever.
Item. An bequeave to my son Slade one boy named Dun. Also on feather bed an furniture an my part of boat(?) to him an his heirs for ever.
Item. I give an bequeave to my son Mitchell on Negro boy named Limbo. Also one feather bed an what furniture. Also my sadle an bridle to him and his heirs for Ever.
Item. I give an bequeave to my daughter Sarah one feather bed an what furniture she had with the bed. An the thing she Carried away with her that I lent, I now give to her an her heirs for Ever.
Item. I give an bequeave to my six youngest Children, namely James, Thomas, Major, Mary, Elizabeth, Teresa, nine negroes, namely old ben, Will, Simon, Bum(?) (or Buman?), Sesar, Vilet, Miny, Pen, Lidd to be Equally divided (them an their increase) amongst them when Teresa arive to sixteen years. An that girls shall have the wenches in part, an boys the felolows. To them an their heirs for Ever.
Also the hire of these negro shall be for to raise an school these
six younges Children. An the remainder part of my Estate heretofore not
mentioned to be sold at nine months Credit to pay my lawfull Debs; Consisting
of Crop of Corn, horses, hog, Cattle an Every thing not mentioned belonging
to me. An then the remain part of the money my lawfull Debts be paid. One
hundred pounds to be Equally Divided between my three sons, John, Slade
an Mitchell. Also out that which sold for at Vandue, that a negroe girl
shall be bought an lent to Sarah Carmon(??), (between B & D)??. In
Case she has any Children given to her which my desire. An in Case there
should not enough money to do it ,that hire of the youngest Children negroes
should do it. I also Do nominate an Appoint my Bros. James an Hardy Gatlin
an my two sons John an Mitchel Gatlin to my Executors of this my last will
an testament. An I do ratify this Instrument of writing to be my last will
an testament, Disanuling all other wills by me heretofore by me made. Ratifying
this an no other to be last will an testament. In Witness whereof the said
T Gatlin have hereunto set my hand, fixt my seal this 14th(?) day of July
anno Domini, 1793.
T. Gatlin -Seal
Signed sealed and Delivered in Presence of Us.
State of North Carolina
December Craven County Court 1793
Then was the aforegoing last Will & Testament of Thomas Gatlin
dec'd produced in Court and Signed, but no Subscribing Witnesses being
thereto the hand Writing of the Testator was proved by the Oaths of Hardy
Gatlin, Daniel West and Joseph Loften, agreeable to Law.
James & John Gatlin, two of the Executors therein named, appeared
in Court and Qualified as Such accordingly. Ordered that Letters Testamentary
issue.
Attest: Sam'l C h a p m a n -C. C.