In the name
of God, Amen. I William Pigford, Senior; of the County of New Hanover
of the state of North Carolina, being of perfect mind and memory,
thanks to God for his Mercies, calling into mind the mortality of my
body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die as such
declare this my last will and testament, that is to say, principally
and first of all, I give and recommend my soul into the hands of
Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be
buried in decent and Christian burial at the discreation(sic) of my
executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection, that
Mighty power of God; and as to using such worldly estate, where with it
hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise, and dispose
of the same in the following manner and form:
First; I give and bequeath to Sarah, my dearly beloved wife, all my
household furniture, moveable effects and all other of my estate (
except such parts as shall here under bequested ) to be by her disposed
of amongst her children as she may think proper; and also the
plantation whereon I now live, with all the improvements there on; and
all the land I possess adjoining the east side of Sill's Creek, for the
term of her life.
Second; I give and bequeath to my son, William Pigford Jr. and my son
Jacob Pigford, my daughter, Martha Pigford, my son Edward Pigford, and
my daughter Margaret Pigford, one shilling sterling, each.
Third; I also give and bequeath to my son Timothy Pigford, all the land
I possess on the west side of Sill's Creek, to him, his heirs, and
assigns forever.
Fourth; I also give and bequeath to my son Solomon, the plantation on
which I now live with all the improvements there on; and all the land I
possess on the east side of Sill's Creek, after the decease of his
mother, to him, his heirs and assigns forever- and in consideration of
Solomon getting a plantation improved at the death of his mother, he is
hereby enjoined to assist his brother Timothy, in building a dwelling
house, kitchen, corn crib, smoke house, dairy, and in clearing ten
acres of land.
(LINE MISSING)
…cutrix and excutor to this my last will and Testament, and I hereby
evoke all other wills by me made.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the 27th day of
March, in the year of our Lord, 1801.
Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of William Jones.
William X Pigford
(his mark)
State of North Carolina, New Hanover County, Court of pleas and quarter
sessions - March term, 1803.
The execution of the within last will and Testament of William Pigford
was proved by the oath of Wm. Bloodworth, who swore he believed the
signature of Wm. Jones the subscribing witness thereto be in proper
handwriting of said William Jones, ordered that the same be filed.
