from folder 157: Wills & Indentures

In the name of God Amen. I Willis Robertson of the County of Wake & State of North Carolina being in a low state of health, but of sound mind & memory do make this my last will, in manner & form following to Wit, Item 1^st I lend to my beloved wife Mary P. Robert son during her life one third part of my land whereon I now live (ie) one third of the land I purchased of Joseph Benja Powell, including the mans ion & other houses where I now live, and one third of the land I purchased of Dempsey Powell to be laid off by my Executor & two freeholders to be approved by my wife. Item 2^nd I give to my wife Mary P. Robertson one negro Woman by the name of Silvy & her increase to her & her lawful heirs forever.

Item 3 I give to my Daughter Sarah Jane Roberston One negro Girl called by the name of Big Mary & her increase, also Six hundred dollars in cash to be taken in possession when She becomes of age or marrys the money to be put out at Interest for her benefit & the aforesaid property I give to her & her lawful heirs forever. Item 4^th I give to my son Thomas C. Robertson my tract of Land on neuse River I purchased of Dempsey Powell according to deed, reserving however the right I have loaned to my wife Mary P. Robertson Also one negro boy by the name of Allen to him and his lawful heirs forever, Item 5. I give to my son Leonidas W. Robertson the Land I purchased of John & Benja Powell reserving however the loan to my wife Mary P. Robertson [?] one negro girl by the name of Little Mary and [her] increase, and two hundred Dollars in Cash & [?], to him and his lawful heirs forever, -

Item 6^th my will & desire is that if either of my Sons should die before they arrive at lawful age that the land I have willed to them or either of them should goe to the living Brother & the rest of the Estate of either of my sons so dying is to goe to my daughter Sarah Jane Robertson. Item 7^th my will & desire further is that that all the rest of my estate (except Such as I may otherwise dispose of be kept together for the support of my family & educating my children so long as the Estate is in a thriving Situation reserving the right however of my Executor Selling any Surplus Property that may not be needed for the use of the family and as my children come of age or marry to have an equal share allotted to them, my wife Mary P. Robertson to have an equal share with my Children, but in the mean time if my wife should marry my will & desire is that my executor sell all the property aforesaid and divide the proceeds of Such sale equally between my wife Mary P. Robertson and each of my children Sarah Jane Robertson, Thos C Robertson and Leonidas W. Robertson after paying the legacies which I have first given away to my daughter Sarah Jane Robertson & Leonidas W. Roberton together with all the rest of my estate that is not already willed away. Item 8 I given to my Sons Thos C Robertson and Leonida W. Robertson all my Brandy & Cider Casks to be equally divided between them, but to remain for the use of the plantatuion until oldest Son comes of age or my wife marrys Still is to remain in like manner.

Item 9^th & Lastly. I do hereby nominate and appoint my friend John Ligon Executor to this my last will & testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the 25^th day of July in the year of our lord 1839. Willie Robertson {Seal} Witness John Ligon Jacob Hunter Boling Dunn

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State of North Carolina Johnston County } Know all men by these presents, That I Edward Stevens of the County and State aforesaid for an in consideration of the natural love and good will which I have for my son Ransom Stevens have this and day given granted and delivered and by these present do grant give and deliver unto the said Ransom Stevens his heirs and assigns forever, four certain Negroes (Vizt) Sam a Slave aged about thirty two years Lucinda a Slave aged about Twenty five Edey a Slave aged about three years, Daniel a Slave aged about six months, and I Edward Stevens do for myself my Heirs Executors Adminstrators &c Warrant and forever defend a good and Lawful title unto the said Ransom Stevens his heirs and assigns for the said negroes, To Have and to hold after my death from the claim of all manner of persons, whatsoever. In Testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and Seal June 26th 1837 Edward Stevens {Seal} Signed sealed and acknowledged} in the presence of} Augustus W Stevens W H Stevens

Johnston County Court Augt Term 1839 Then was the due Execution of this Deed provedn in open Court by the Oath of Augustus W Stevens and Ordered to be Registered. Wm H Watson Clk Reges'd 12th October 1839 in Book S folio 342 A true copy from the record - B Stevens Regist by Mo L Powell