WILLIAM GRAY (1823 Will)

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT

OF

WILLIAM GRAY

May 14, 1821

In the name of God Amen! I WILLIAM GRAY of the State of North Carolina and County of Camden being of sound mind & memory this 14th day of May 1821 do make this my Last Will & Testament in manner & form following Viz.

Imprimis. I give & bequeath unto my Daughter LENA CHAPLIN one dollar to her & her heirs forever.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my Son PETER GRAY one dollar to him & his heirs forever.

Item. I give unto my Son EDMUND GRAY one dollar to him & his heirs forever.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my Son NATHAN GRAY one dollar to him & his heirs forever.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my Son NATHANIEL GRAY one dollar to him & his heirs forever.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my Daughter SALLY GREAVES one dollar to her & her heirs forever.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my Daughter SOPHIA GRAY one dollar to her & her heirs forever.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my Daughter ELIZABETH GRAY one feather bed & furniture not to be delivered to her till she marries or comes of age to her & her heirs forever.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my Son WILLIAM GRAY one gun to him & his heirs forever.

Item. I lend all the remainder of my estate after paying all my just debts & funeral expences to my Wife POLLY GRAY during her life or widowhood & if she marries I give her one third of the said remainder to her & her heirs forever (with this Promise) that she shall take care of & support the small children (viz) CHLOE GRAY, JANE GRAY, WILLIAM GRAY, & CYNTHIA GRAY till she or they come of age.

Item. I give & bequeath unto my four following children viz CHLOE GRAY, JANE GRAY, WILLIAM GRAY, & CYNTHIA GRAY at the marriage or death of my wife the two thirds or the whole of the said remainder of my estate as the case may be, to be equally divided between them.

Lastly. I nominate & appoint my two friends CALEB PERKINS & MY Wife POLLY GRAY my Executors to this my Last Will & Testament REVOKING ALL FORMER Wills by me made heretofore, In witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & date above written

WILLIAM GRAY seal

Signed & sealed in presence of

LUKE G. LAMB

JON H. ROBERTS


State of North Carolina

Camden County

November Term 1823

This Last Will & Testament of WILLIAM GRAY dec’d was exhibited & proved in open Court by the oath of LUKE G. LAMB one of the subscribing witnesses thereto CALEB PERKINS one of the Executors therein named appeared & qualified agreeable to Law. Ordered that the Will be Recorded & Letters Testamentary Issue.

Test.

M.S. LEWIS CLK.


Will Book C

Pages 24, 25

Contributed and transcribed by Judy Merrell Brickhouse