The Last Will and Testament of Bridges Arendell, Deceased
1 December 1798 Will Book A, page 126 Franklin Co., NC
In the name of God Amen, I Bridges Arendell of the county of Franklin and State of North Carolina, planter, being weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God for calling to mind the mortality of the body, and knowing that is appointed for all men to once to die, I do make and ordain this my last will and testament, that is to say principally and [first] of all I recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried at the discretions of my executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, therefore I give and dispose of the same in the following manner (To Wit)
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth one Negro woman by the name of Tab, one feather bed and furniture, one ___ mare, two cows and calves, two ewes and lambs, one sow and pigs, two pewter basins and five pewter plates, to be possessed by her forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Frankey one Negro man named Jack, one horse by the name of Spring, one cart and yoke of steers, one feather bed and furniture, three cows and calves, and seven head of sheep, the sow over the creek and her increase, and two pewter basins, and six pewter plates to be possessed by her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Sally one Negro woman named Cloe, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, one sow and pigs, two basins, and five pewter plates, to be possessed by her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Nancy, one Negro girl named Charity, my bed and furniture, two cows and calves, one sow and pigs, two pewter basins and six pewter plates, to be possessed by her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Polly one Negro boy Cook, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, two pewter basins, and six pewter plates, to be possessed by her, and her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Rowena one Negro boy named King, two cows and calves, two pewter basins and six pewter plates, to be possessed by her, and her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give unto my beloved daughter Elizabeth one Negro named China, two cows and calves two pewter basins, six pewter plates, to be possessed by her and her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give unto my beloved son Thomas one Negro man named Dick, one Negro boy named Gabriel, one horse named Babarrum, to be possessed by him and his heirs and assigns forever.
And all the rest of my estate which is not willed away to be equally
divided between my seven children after paying off the Legatees (To
Wit): Frankey, Sally, Nancy, Polly, Rowena, Elizabeth, and Thomas,
this and no other to be my last will and testament, and I do utterly
disavow
all other former wills, legacies, and bequeaths this and no other to
be my last will and testament. In witness whereof, I have hereunto
set my hand and seal this first day of December 1798. And I do
appoint James Bolton and John Williams my executors to this my last
will and testament.
William Dunn
his
John x Ames
mark
Jesse Weathers
Signed, sealed in the Presence of us Bridges Arendell