Caswell Co., North Carolina Wills

Last Will & Testament of George W. Chandler (1832-1883)
Transcribed and contributed by Susan Chandler

Will of G. W. Chandler (4 July 1877)

I, G. W. Chandler of the County of Caswell and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do wish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say;

First: That my executors herein named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of relatives [and] friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the monies that may first come into their hands as a part or parcel of my estate.

Item: I give and devise to my beloved wife all of my estate personal or real during her widowhood or natural life except for her to give to any of the children when they marry or arrive at the age of 21 such property or money [that] she may think they need so as to make all the children equal. My wife Elizabeth L. Chandler is to support and educate my children so long as they are under age and remain with her just as I have done.

Item: If my wife should marry she can have an equal share with the children.

Item: If any of the girls are single at the death of my wife, their portion of land is to include the homestead so that they may have a home while single.

Item: I empower Thomas Y. Chandler one of my executors to select three disinterested men to divide my lands according to will, the remainder after taking out the…legacies above mentioned for him to sell or divide as he thinks best.

Item: My will and desire is that all the residue of my estate (if any) after taking out the…legacies above mentioned shall be sold and the debts owing to me to be collected and if there should be any surplus over and above the payments of debts, expenses and legacies that such surplus shall be equally divided and paid over to my children in equal proportion; share and share alike to them and each and every of their executors, administrators, and assign absolutely forever.

And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty wife, Elizabeth L. Chandler and my son Thomas Y. Chandler (when he arrives at age) my lawful executrix and executor to all my intents and purposes to execute this my last Will and Testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof, I the said G. W. Chandler do hereunto set my hand and seal this the 4th day of July A.D. 1877.

G. W. Chandler (seal)

Signed, sealed, published, and declared by the said G. W. Chandler to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witness thereto.

Tes. {Wm (H.?) Taylor}

{A. Y. Chandler}