I Penelope BELL of the County of Currituck and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my will and testament in manner and form as follows, that is to say--

First that my executors hereinafter named, shall pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever or to whomsoever I may be owing out of the money that may first come into their hands as part and parcel of my estate.

2^nd - It is my wish and desire that my executors shall sell all my chattle property on a credit of six months except one of my best beds bedstead and furniture which bed and furniture I give and bequeath to my daughter Lucretia BELL as her property forever.

3^rd - It is my wish and desire for my executors to sell my negro man Tom and my land which was given to me by my father, Samuel FEREBEE, either publicly or privately as they may think best in their judgement on a credit of one two and three years or a shorter time if they think best taking notes with security interest from date.

4^th - It is my will and desire that the proceeds from the sale of my negro and my land after first paying all my debts costs and comissions shall be disposed of as I now here direct.  I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth SNOWDEN, wife of Isaac SNOWDEN, five dollars as her right and property forever.

5^th - It is my wish and desire that my executors have ample time to collect the money on the notes taken for the sale of my land, negro & chattle property pay all just debts and cost and commissions and so forth after dying? which they shall make an equal division of the nett sum into eight equal parts and give off to my children as follows:
    Item: To my son Samuel BELL I give one eighth part of the nett sum above named? amount of the sales of my land negro and chattle property to hav as his property forever together with the advance of the money I have made to him.
    Item: To my son James BELL I give one eighth part of the nett sum of the sales of my land negro and chattle property also the advance of money I have made to him to have as his property forever.
    Item: To my son Fredrick BELL I give one eighth part of the nett sum of the land negro and chattle property together with the advancement of money I have made to him as his property forever.
    Item: To my daughter Sarah Jane SMITH wife of S.N.M. SMITH [not sure of the initials] I give one eighth part of the nett sum of the sales of my land negro and chattle property together with the advancements of money I have made to her as her property forever.
    Item: To my daughter Huldah SNOWDEN wife of George SNOWDEN I give one eighth part of the nett sum of the sales of my land negro and chattle property together with the advancements of money I have made to her as her property forever.
    Item: To my daughter Amelia WILSON wife of Joseph WILSON I lend to use of one eighth part less three hundred dollars of the sales of my land and negro and chattle property during her natural life and for my executors to pay over the part for her Amelia WILSON's use for her natural life to a guardian appointed by the County Court of Currituck said guardian giving to her the interest annually and at her death the principle I give to her children forever.
    Item: To my daughter Lucretia Virginia BELL I give one eighth of the nett sum of the sales of my land and negro and chattle property together with the advancements of money I have made to her as her property forever. together with the three hundred dollars.  Item: I wish and desire the
    Item: I wish and desire the one eighth part of the sale of my land negro and chattle property to be placed into the hands of a guardian appointed by the County Court of Currituck County for the purpose of putting to interest for the support of my son George F. BELL and his wife and children.  The interest to be paid over annually to him for the support of his family and at his death I give the principle to his wife and children together with all the advancements of money I have made to him and the money I have paid for him I do give to him forever.  Also I desire a deed of trust if not closed before my death to be closed.  It is a deed of trust given by George F. BELL to me in 1857 with L.M. BELL trustee for the payment of money which I might have to pay for him as surity also money he owes me, the nett amount of money which may come to me by the closing of deed of trust I wish to be paid by my executors over into hands of a guardian the interest annually to be paid over for the support of my son George F. BELL and his family and at his death I give the principle to his wife and family forever.  Also if I should have any property at my death not mentioned in this will and disposed of in this will preceeding this I give to the wife of my son George and his children it being placed in the hands of a guardian for their benefit.

Last I do here _______ and appoint Demus? Thomas? BELL and my son James BELL as my lawfull executors without bond to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and purpose herein mentioned hereby revoking all others made by me as void.

I give to my daughter Lucretia three hundred dollars taken from Amelia WILSON's part as her property forever.  20^th and 21^st line of page 3^rd was erased out before the signing and sealing this will.  In witness where of I the said Penelope BELL do hereunto set my hand and seal this 27^th June 1858.
             /s/ Penelope L. BELL    Seal

Signed in presence of us
     John F. BURFOOT
     LYCURGUS M. BELL    Jurat

State of North Carolina}    Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions November Term 1867
     Currituck County    }
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Penelope L. BELL, dec^d, is exhibited in open Court for probate and the due execution thereof by the said Penelope L. BELL is proved by the oath and examination of Lycurgus M. BELL one of the subscribing witnesses thereto.  It is therefore considered by the Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said Penelope L. BELL and the same is ordered to be recorded and filed.
    /s/ J.W. BAXTER, CCC

[Source for will: Currituck Co., NC Wills (original) 1841-1924; Vol. Ansell-Woodhouse (Microfilm G.030.1548672)]
[Source for probate: Currituck County Record of Estates 1812-1926; Vol. Ashby-Brumsey (Microfilm G.030.1862908)]

This will was contributed by Kay Midgett Sheppard. 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!

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