John Brooks
July 19, 1707 - April 27, 1708

In the name of God Amen.

I John BROOKS of y^e precent of Corratuck being verye Sick and weak of body but perfec in mind & memory doe make ordain Constitute & opiene? this my Last will and testament in maner & forme following holy revoaking & declaring all other my former wills to be null & voyd to all persons? & purposes? as if Such wills had never been made.

first I bequeath my sould to almighty god from whomd it had in originall being & _____ beseeching him to [next several words unreadable] into his mercy with full and graceous pardon for all my Sins through y^e merritts of Jesus Christ - my Saviour.

My body I Committ to y^e Earth to Receive decent & Chrisian Buriall & so to Remaine in hopes of a Joyfull Resurraction and a reunion with y^e Soull.

As to my wordly goods & Estat it hath pleased god to Endow me with I bequeath as followetth vizz------------

Item I give and bequeath to my Son in Law William SCOTT one gun and one yearling heifor.

Item I give to my Loveing wife Mary BROOKS y^e use of my plantation wheron I now live & all y^e appertanances therto beloning during y^e ____ & _____ of her widowhood after my deceas & I modiastly? after hur _____ or next Marriage I give y^e s^d plantation with y^e Improvments theron & all other its appurtenances ther unto belonging or apportayning I [give] unto my Son John BROOKS & his heirs.

Item I give & bequeath unto my Loving wife Mary BROOKS y^e use of one pair of Qui__ Milstones? during hur widowhood after my deceas & afterwards to my Loving daughter Elizabeth BROOKS.

Item and all other my Estate goods Chattles movable and Imoviable my will & desire is that they are Equaly devided between my Loveing wife Mary BROOKS & my four Children namly my son John BROOKS and my daughter Elizabeth BROOKS & my daughter Frances BROOKS & my daughter Mary BROOKS.

I doe herby Constitue & appoynt my Loving wife Mary BROOKS Sold Execurtix of this my Last will & testament In witness wherof I have herunto sett my hand & Seal this 19^th day of July 1707.

Signum
    John BROOKS [his mark looked to be a B on its side]

Signed Sealed in presents of us
    Wm. SWANN
    James I. BETTS
    Ann BETTS

Att a Co^rt holden for the pearect of Corahtuck the 27^th Day of April anno Dom 1708
    This w^th in Will was proved by the w^th in Evidances viz. M^r Will SWANN and James BETTS.
            Test. Edward TAYLOR Clk Court

[Source: North Carolina State Archives - MARS ID: 12.96.1.281 (folder)]

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!

© 2006 Kay Midgett Sheppard