The will of
ROBERT BURLEIGH, SR. was dated September 12, 1757, and was filed in the
New Hanover County, NC Deed Book D, on page 292. It was proven in the
November Court in 1757. The original will is located in the North
Carolina Archives in Raleigh.
In the name of God Amen. I Robert Burleigh of Wilmington In the
Province of North Carolina, being sick and weak in Body but of Sound
Mind and Memory and Considering the uncertainty of life do make this my
Last will and testament in manner following.
Imprimis I Recommend my soul to God who gave it, in all Humble
hopes of its Happiness as in the of a being infinitely good and
Merciful, as to my Body I desire that it may be buried in a decent
manner at the discretion of my executor hereafter named.
Item It is my will and desire that my Funeral Expenses and all my
just debts be paid and discharged and that all contract binding on me,
my Heirs or Estate be compiled with as punctually as may be and that
all debts due to me be collected as soon as they can in order to carry
on the Building I am now about.
Item It is my will that my Lots and Houses where I now live may
be sold to the best advantage,in order to enable my executor to
compleat my brick building on Market Street jointly with AnthonyWard
and James Gregory and after finishing the same it is my will that the
said houses and Lots on Market Street likewise be sold and and six
hundred and forty acres of land at Newtopsail? which I purchased from
Anthony Ward with all my working tools, Negroes and other personal
Estate/Excepting my household goods/ and to be made the most of at the
Descretion of my Executors.
Item I give and bequeath to my wife Sarah all my household goods
to her and her Heirs for Ever.
Item I give and Bequeath all the residue and Remainder of my
Estate Real and Personal unto my Wife Sarah and my two sons Robert and
James to be divided equally among them Share and Share alike and that
my two sons Robert and James be brought up by their mother so long as
she remains a widow. But in case my wife marries again it is my will
that my estate be then divided and my children may still remain with
their mother provided she gives such security as may be thought
sufficient by my Executors for their parts if put into her hands, that
they may receive the same when they become of age.
Lastly I do hereby Nominate and Appoint my Friends Dan Dunbibin
and Cornelius Hamett Executors of my Last Will and Testiment revoking
and making Null and Void all former will by me made declaring this to
be my Last Will. In Witness Whereof I have here-unto set my hand and
seal the twelve day of September in the year of Our Lord One Thousand
seven hundred and fifty seven.
Signed Sealed Publish and Signed by Robert Burleigh
Declared in the Presence of Sam Gideon Thos James & Thos Newton
