In the name of God Amen, I Edmon BECHEM (sic) of the State of North Carolina Curotuck County being sick and weak in body Thanks be given to God, 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 unto the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent christain burial at the descresion of my executors (Thomas BEECHAM Kedar? BEACHAM *[see note] whom I appoint to execute this will according to law) nothing doubting but at the general resurection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

First I give and bequeath to Keder BEECHAM my lawful Son one hundred and 25 acres of land lying at the head of Kitty Hawk Bay and one hand mill, one gun and the home sheep, one tea kittle and one iron kittle.

Secondly I give and bequeath to Mary Ann BEACHAM my lawful Daughter forty acres of land more or less joining to the land I bequeathed to Keder BEACHAM my son.

Thirdly I give to Sarah BEACHAM one shilling sterling

Fourthly I give to Thomas BEACHAM five shillings and to Thos. BEST  5s.

Fifthly I give to John BEACHAM and Walter SIKES five shillings each.

Sixthly I give to Mary BEACHAM my lawfull Wife the third part of what remains not mentioned in this will only I give to Mary BEACHAM before the ensealing of this Will  all the wild sheep and all the hoggs and third of what remains not mentioned here in this will and to Keder BEACHAM and Mary Ann the third of what remains each and if in case that any more children happens that he she or they shall receive equal part with Mary my lawful Wife Keder my lawful Son and Mary Ann my lawful Daughter.

Rattifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament, and do hereby revoke and disannul all other wills legacies bequeath by me in any ways before mentioned in witness hereof I set my hand and seal the third of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty eight.

Edmon [his "E" mark] BEECHAM  seal
Mary [her mark] BEACHAM         seal

Witness
Thomas BEECHAM         jurat
Thos. [his mark] BEST       jurat
Mitchel McLAUGHLIN   jurat

Recorded and examined this 20^th day of January 1792

*[Note: There are some words here that are difficult to decipher. Please see image below]:

This will was contributed by Judy Merrell Brickhouse. No part of this document may be used for any commercial purposes. However, please feel free to copy any of this material for your own personal use and family research. If you find anything in these records that pertains to your families, it is strongly suggested that you look at the original record on your own to check for errors or possibly other additional and helpful information. Thank you!