IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, the
ninth day of october, 1688. I, George Durant, of the Countie of
Albemarle, in the Province of Carolina, Marriner, being in perfect health and
memory, thanks bee to Allmighty God for the same, and calling to mind the
uncertain state of this transitory life and that all flesh must yeld unto Death
when it shall please to call and being desirous to Settle things in order, Doe
make this my las will and Testament in Manner and forme following. Revoking and
Absolutly Un willing by these presents, all and every testament and testaments,
will and wills, heretofore by me made and declared, either by word or by
wrighting, notwithstanding any promise to the contrary or clause derogatory in
the same, and this to bee taken only for my last will and testament and non
other.
First, I bequeath my soule to God my maker and to Jesus Christ my Redeemer and
to the Holy Ghost my sanctifier; and my bodie to the Earth from which it came,
to bee buried in such decent and Christian manner as to my Executor shall bee
fitt and convenient, there to rest untill my body and Soul shall meete again at
the Joyfull Resurection; and for my worldly estate I give and bequeath as
followeth:
1st. I bequeath to my son John Durant my plantation wheron I now live
with the eaquall part of one half of the tract of land belonging thereto to him
and his Heiyrs male, lawfully begotten of his own bodie for ever, and the other
half of the said tract of land I give to my son Thomas Durant, and to his
Heiyres male, of his bodie lawfully begotten, forever, and in case of failing of
Heiyrs as Aforesaid, that then the of * * either of them is * * (Illegible). My
will is that my Nephew George Durant, the son of my brother John
Durant, of London, Shall enjoy the whole tract of land, to him and his
Heiyrs male, of his own body begotten, for ever and for want of such Heyers as
aforesaid, that then the said plantation and land to fall to Henry Durant,
the son of my Brother John Durant aforesaid, and for want of Heyre male
as aforesaid in him, then my other Nephew John Durant, the sone of
my Brother John Durant aforesaid, and his Heyres male as aforesaid, to
have hold and enjoy for ever. and for want of Heyers in him I doe give and
bequeath my said plantation and tract of land thereto belonging * * *
(Illegible). Rights and priveledge for ever.
2nd. I doe give and grant to my loving wife, An Durant, my Said
plantation, with all benefitts and profitts during hir naturall life, without
controule or any molestation whatsoever, and that all the remainder of my estate
be equally divided between my loving wife, An Durant, and my Daughters
Sarah, Matytya, Pertyenia and Ann Durant, and likewise I doe here make my
loving wife, An Durant, to bee my whole and Sole Executrix to see this my
last will performed, leaving her the trust of my Children untill they shall come
to age or maried.
In Witness
whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and year first above
written.
Geo. Durant
(Seal)
Signed sealed and delivered in presence of
John Philpott
Francis [x] Hossten
John [x] Cully
Proved in Court by the oath of Mr. John Philpott and Mr. Francis
Hossten, ye 6th day of Feby 1693-4
Attested Edward Mayo, Cler
Recorded ye 26th day of Feby, Anno Do: 1693-4
Edward Mayo, Cler.
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