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Will of Israel Jasper

of Beaufort Co., N.C.

(1784 / 1785)

. . . . . In the name of God amen in the sixteenth day of our Lord, 1784. I, ISRAEL JASPER of Beaufort County, state of North Carolina. A ship Carpenter being sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be to God. Therefore calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my last will and testament. That is to say: principally and first of all, I recommend my soul to the hand of God who gave it to me, nothing doubting. That at the general resurrection, I shall receive the same again by the mighty power. And for my body I recommend to burial in a Christian like and decent manner at the desecration of my executors. Annis: such worldly estate forever that pleased God to bless me with in this world. I give, devise, and dispose of in the following manner and form:
. . . . . Imprimis: In the first place I desire all my just debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
. . . . . Item: I give and bequeath unto my Son: JOHATHAN JASPER, and his heirs saying: my wife's right of dowry: manner plantation, belonging to it whatsoever I now live. to him one Negro boy named Isaac and all the cattle and sheep that has his proper mark, one bed and furniture
. . . . . Item: Daughter: SELA CAMPEN, one Negro named Luse, during her natural life and at her death said Negro and her increase, if any, to be devised among all my children. And if she has no children, then at her death if no increase it is my will that if the girl and increase shall return back to my family to be equally divided between all my children. I give to her a cow she is already possessed with, two elves and lambs to be delivered to her at my death. One case of bottles she has already possesses with, one bed and furniture, one cloth loom she is already posessed with
. . . . . Item: I give to my Daughter: MARY JASPER and her heirs, Negro Plebe; and all the cattle that is in her proper mark, two levels and lambs, one feather bed to be delivered to her at my death.
. . . . . Item: I give and bequeath to my son: WILLIAM JASPER, one negro girl named Prudence and 1/2 of all the land I own on the west side of Goose Creek, to him and his heirs; also all the cattle and sheep that is in his proper mark.
. . . . . Item: I give and bequeath unto my son: RICHARD JASPER, the other half of land on the west side of Goose Creek to him and his heirs forever; I give to him all my joiners tools.
. . . . . Item: I lend to my beloved Wife: LURANA JASPER, all and singular items, the remainder part of my estate that I have not given or hereunto shall give any to my children and legalities during her natural life and widowhood.
. . . . . Item: It is my like wise desire that If Benjamin BALANCE fails to pay 150 pounds on or before 1 Dec., next insuring for a certain piece of land on Oyster creek, then the aforesaid land is to be equally divided between my two youngest sons JAMES JASPER and VALENTINE JASPER to them and their heirs forever. But if the aforesaid BALLANCE pays the aforesaid money then it is to be kept or laid out to the best advantage or use of them and benefit of my two youngest sons at the desecration of my executor and other trustees and if the either of my two youngest sons shall die with out issue the land or money to be devolved on the others of the aforesaid youngest sons and their heirs forever.
. . . . . Item: It is my desire that my ship carpenters tools to be sold
. . . . . Item: It is my will desire that at the death or marriage of my wife that part of my estate that which was lent her should be divided between my following five children: Viz: RICHARD JASPER, SUSANNA JASPER, JAMES JASPER, VALENTINE JASPER, HANNAH JASPER and ELIZABETH JASPER. And it should be the will of God that if anyone or more of them shall die before the time of such premis, the remaining shall fall to them as to there proper right and heirs forever.
. . . . . I likewise do make and ordain my Brother WILLIAM RICHARD JASPER, and my son JONATHAN JASPER my hole and sole executors of this my last will and testament. And I do utterly deny and disown, revoke and disannul all other former wills and imprimis and decrees by me, genieulls made or given, ratifying or confirming and no other after this my last will and testament In witness hereof I set my hand and seal in the year and date above written. Signed, sealed, Published and declared and promised to the said ISRAEL JASPER as to his last will and testament in the presents of us.

. . . . . Probated June term 1785