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In the name of God Amen, I, WILLIAM DAVIS of the County of Hyde in the state of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory Blessed be God do this tenth day of April Anno Domini eighteen hundred and two, make and ordain this my Last will and testament in the manner and form following:

To wit, First, I give and bequeath to my son, John DAVIS the Plantation on which he now lives beginning at an Ellem on the river side running from thence across the ridge to the back swamp to him and his heirs forever.

Secondly, I give and bequeath to my son Jesse DAVIS the manner plantation with fifty acres out of a hundred of a new survey below the manner plantation the said manner plantation to him and his heirs forever reserving to my beloved wife, Elizabeth DAVIS the use of the said manner plantation during her natural life.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my son, Richard DAVIS one hundred acres of land I bought of James WILKINSON to him and his heirs forever. I also, give him my blacksmiths tools with my gun.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath to Frederick ALLEN as a token of my friendship thirty five acres of land out of an hundred acres of a new survey below the manner plantation to him and his heirs forever.

I also, give and bequeath to my son, John DAVIS fifteen acres of land out of the same survey joining the great branch to him and his heirs forever.

I also, give to Frederick ALLEN one, two year old heifer and her increase and I request my Executors after my death to deliver the said heifer and her increase if alive to the said ALLEN or his guardian for the use of said ALLEN.

I give to my daughter, Sarah STILLEY five shillings current money of this state to be paid to her by my executors after my death out of my personal property.

Item, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Elizabeth DAVIS a negro girl named Jemima to her and her heirs forever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son, John DAVIS my negro boy named Gabrel to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my son, William DAVIS a negro boy named Joseph to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my son, Richard DAVIS a negro boy named Moses to him and his heirs forever.

I give and bequeath to my daughter, Lydia DAVIS a negro girl named Kesiah, to her and her heirs forever.

I give my daughter, Winiford WINFIELD thirty pounds current money of this state to be paid to her as I shall hereafter mention.

I also give and bequeath to my daughter, Rebeca Rogers five shillings current money of this state to be paid to her by my Executors after my death out of my personal property. I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecah ROGERS three orphan children ten pound apiece current money of this state to be paid to them when they come of age as I shall hereafter mention.

Item, I lend my negro woman named Cate to my beloved wife during her life and afterwards I give her to my son Jesse DAVIS, I also give to my son Jesse my negro woman named Judith and my negro girl named Silard to him and his heirs forever, on condition that he shall pay to my daughter Winford WINFIELD thirty pound current money of this state and ten pounds apiece of my daughter Rebecah RODGERS three orphan children current money of this state as I have given unto them, I give to my four sons all my carpenters and farmers tools to be equally divided.

It is my will and pleasure that my beloved wife, Elizabeth DAVIS and my two sons, Jesse and Richard DAVIS and my daughter, Lydia should have all the remainder of my personal property that is not already given away to be equally divided amongst them. And I hereby make and ordain my three beloved sons, John, William and Jesse DAVIS Executors of this my Last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and date above written.

/s/ Wm. DAVIS

Witnesses:
    Jacob PAUL
    Stephen CARTER
    Ezra PAUL

Will proved by oath of Ezra PAUL

Ben FOREMAN, Clk.

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