Last Will and Testament
William Beard
(son of Richard Beard and Eunice Macy)
1794 Guilford, NC
I, William Beard, of the county of Guilford, state of North Carolina, being weak of body, but of sound mind and disposing memory, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
Impremises - It is my will that my just debts br paid.
And first I give and bequest unto my beloved wife Levina Beard, the use and profits of all my estate both real and personal during her widowhood except waht is hereafter reserved for our children.
I also give unto my son David Beard all the interest that is now in the possesion of which he ahs interests by his hatter's Trade, also all the Hatter's tools and the time from my death till he arrives at the age of twenty-one.
I also give unto my son Benjamin, all that tract of land I bought of Richard Glover abd william Raper, sontaining eighty-eight acres be the same more of less with all privileges thereto belonging to him and his heirs forever.
I also give unto my son William Beard at his mother's decease or marriage, the plantation of tract of land that I now live on with all privileges thereto belonging.
also I give unto my daughter Lydia Beard one good feather bed and furniture, also one cow and calf and one woman's saddle provided that she should marry before my wife's decease, or marriage.
I also give and bequest unto my daughter Rachel Beard one good feather bed and furniture, also one cow and calf and one woman's saddle provided she should marry before my wife's decease, or marriage.
It is my will and meaning that if my wife should incline to marry, my will is as soon as she doth, that she have no more of my estate than one good feather bed (the best that my house affords) and furniture and one choice of my horses and a good woman's saddle and bridle.
And it is my will that at my wife's decease or marriage that all the residue of my estate, both real and personal of what name whatsover be equally divided among my children namely: David, Benjamin, William, Lydia and Rachel, and if either of my sons should decease in minority it is my will that his part shall devolve to my other sons or son; also, if either of my daughters should decease in minority that their part of my estate devolve ot he other.
And lastly I do make, ordain and constitute my trusty and well respected friends: Stephen Gardner and Jno Talbot executors of this my last will and testament, utterly revoking and disannulling all other wills or testaments by me any way before made or intended, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament.
In witness whereof, I hereinto set my hand and affixed my seal the eleventh day of the month of September, one thousand, seven hundred and ninety-four.
WILLAIM BEARD
signed: John Hamilton, C.C.
William Beard signed, sealed and
acknowledged his last will and testament in the presence of Stephen
Gardner and Barnas Coffin, May court 1795, Guildford County, North
Carolina. The execution of the will was proven in open court by the
affirmation of Stephen Gardner and Thomas Talbot, qualified as
executors thereto...
signed: John Hamilton, C.C.
