Duke Bell, Sr.
May 17, 1825; Feb. 1826
Currituck Co. Will Book 3, p. 199-201

In the name of God Amen. I Duke BELL SEN. of the County of Currituck and State of North Carolina being of not God (sic) health but of perfect sound mind and memory blessed be God for it do this day make and ordain this instrument of wrighting to be and contain my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

   Item 1^st. I give and bequeath unto my Son Duke BELL the one half part of my land adjoining of BROOKSes land the line to run from the main road down a branch through the plantation to the percoson runing through the percosan to the river to him and his heirs forever.

   Item 2d. I give and bequeth unto my Son Joseph BELL the other half part of my land adjoining Jesse LEEs land to him and his heirs forever.

   Item 3d. I give and bequeath unto my Son James BELL my swamp land adjoining of Joseph BALLENTINE and Jacob PERKINS heirs to him and his heirs forever.

   Item 4^th. I give and bequeath unto my Son Duke BELL one heifer and yearling and one ewe and lamb, one steer yearling one sow and eight shoats and the cider cask, one steel trap one half of the hand mill and one half of the rine stone one half of the hatchell to him and his heirs forever.

   Item 5^th. I give and bequeath unto my Son Joseph BELL one cow and yearling one sow one shot gun, one steer yearling, one half of my hand mill and one half of the grind stone and one half of the hatchell and one cider barrel to him and his heirs forever.

   Item 6^th. I give and bequeath unto my Son James BELL one cow and one steer one bed and furniture belonging there to ; one ewe and lamb to him and his heirs forever

   Item 7^th I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Anna [inserted above Anna’s name is "one quart bason"] one bed and furniture County Pin one cow and yearling two sheep one stock of bees one cow cald broad horns and yearling one pine chest-large four oald geese and eight young ons one too year oald heifer, one linnen wheel one small dish and half gallon bason

   Item 8^th. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Nancy FLORO one cow and calf her horns sawed, one heifer ditto one ewe and lamb and one stock of bees one case and half the bottles large ones pork stand two porks barrels one large dish

   Item 9^th I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary WEST one cow and yearling and one brinded heifer, one yew and lamb one case and half the bottles, 1 hogshead, one honey tub one woollen wheel one half gallon bason two pork barrels

   Item 10^th I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah one bed and furniture of four blankets and two sheets two cows and calves, one loom, one quart bason one blu chest two sheep

   Item 11 I give and bequeath unto my Son William BELL one hundred dollars in cash to him and his heirs forever.

   Item 12 After all my lawful debts are paid I give all the remainder of my estate of every kind that are not heretofore will away to be equally divided between my three Daughter Anna MORSE, Nancy FLORY, Mary WEST to them and their heirs forever.

   I impower my executor if any the property goes under the value to bid it in and sell it at private sail for a better price and to give twelve months credit

   Item 13^th Lastly I nominate, constitute and appoint my Nephew Davis B. MORSE executor to my Last Will and Testament . In witness whareof I have hereunto set my hand and affixt my seal the seventeenth day of May 1825.

                                                                                 (Signed)              Duke BELL    seal

Signed, sealed and delivered and declared
By the testator to be and contain his
Last Will and Testament in presents
Of
Attest Witness
    H. BALLENTINE
    Joseph BALLENTINE

The Last Will and Testament of Duke BELL SEN. was proved in open Court in form of law by the oath of H. BALLENTINE and ordered to be recorded. When the executor therein named qualified in form of law . Recorded and examined Feby 10^th 1826.
        James G. HALL DCK

© 2005 Marty Holland