In the name of God, Amen. I James CHAPLIN of Currituck County being in perfect senses and strength of memory but calling to mind the mortality of the body and knowing it is appointed for men once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament first recommending my soul to almighty God who gave it to me and my body to be buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named and Secondly that all my debts be punctually paid and the residue of my estate which it has pleased God to bless me with I dispose in the manner following viz

__________. I lend to my beloved wife Polly CHAPLIN the Dwelling house and the one half of the Plantation on which I now live the said Plantation _________ is only to extend as far as James WILLIAMS' former line and the use of one half of the woodlen land thereunto belonging and privilege in the marsh as far as the head of the gar gut during her natural life. Likewise I lend to my said wife the use of two Negroes one a wench by the name of Winny and a boy by the name of Stiphen and one feather bed and furniture and her chest one linin wheel and one woolen wheel and one horse and the eighth part of all my stock household and kitchen furniture that in not given away by this will during her natural life and I give to my said wife twelve Barrels of corn and all my barns and one Earthing pot of Hogs fatt and five shotes of one young sow for the support of her self and two children and after my said wife decease my will is that the Negroes stock and household furniture already lent to my wife be equally divided between my two sons James and Henry CHAPLIN which I gave to them and their heirs forever.

Then I give to my son John CHAPLIN the Plantation and lands I last bought of James WILLIAMS with the Islands and Marsh thereunto belonging Bounded agreeable to the deed and the one half of my schooner called the Dispatch and one half of my cannoe and young mare and one half of my wearing apparel to him and his heirs fore ever and if in case my son John CHAPLIN should have any lawful right to a Negro woman to be hereafter mentioned by the name of Violet and if the said John CHAPLIN his heirs or assigns shall make over my daughter Director CHAPLIN her heirs or assigns his right or title as aforesaid anytime when required after he comes to lawful age then in consideration of the above I give him one Negro boy called George of one feather bed and furniture But if Ever he or his heirs should claim or take any part of the afs^d Negro Violet or her increase then the Negro boy George and feather bed and furniture is to belong to my daughter Director CHAPLIN and her heirs for ever.

Then I give and bequeath to my son Spence CHAPLIN the land and Plantation and Marsh whereon I now live as far as the head of the gar gut or as far as the Hog Quarter line the one half of the land and Plantation as aforesaid he is not to _______ till after the death of my wife agreeable to the aforementioned text I give my son Spencer CHAPLIN and kitchen which he is to move when so ever he please . Likewise the one half of my schooner called the Dispatch and the one half of my cannoe. Young mare and wearing apparel and six and an half silver dollars to him and his heirs for ever and in case he complies on his part likewise the one half of my schooner called the Dispatch and one half of my cannoe. Young mare and wearing apparel and six and an half silver dollars to him and his heirs for ever and in case he complies on his part with the same Injunctions as is laid on his Brother John CHAPLIN than and in that case I give to my son Spence one Negro girl called Rachel and one feather bed and furniture but if he or his heirs or assigns should take any part of the before mentioned Negro Violet or increase then and in that case the aforesaid Negro Rachel and feather bed and furniture is to belong to Director CHAPLIN and her heirs forever

Then I give to John CHAPLIN the chest I commonly call mine.

Then I give to my son Caleb CHAPLIN the land and Plantation joining William MELSON on one side and the land I gave John CHAPLIN on the other side to him and his heirs forever and in case aforesaid Caleb CHAPLIN on his part with the injunction laid on his brother John CHAPLIN as aforesaid respecting a Negro Woman Violet then and in that case I give him Twenty silver dollars but if he and his heirs or assigns should take any part of the said Negro Violet or her increase then in that case the said twenty dollars and all his part of my chattle property is to belong to Director CHAPLIN and her heirs for ever.

Then I give to my son Solomon CHAPLIN my land Plantation and Marsh on Grig Point as far as the land already Given to his Brothers to him and his heirs for ever and if in case he should comply on his part with the Injunctions laid on his Brother John CHAPLIN respecting a Negro Violet then and in that case said Solomon should claim or take and part of the said Negro Violet then in that case the said Negro Charles is to belong to Director CHAPLIN and her heirs for ever.

Then I give to my daughter Director CHAPLIN one Negro woman called Violet one feather bed and furniture and chest called her mothers one linnen wheel and one wooling wheel to her and her heirs for ever.

Then the remainder part of my estate whether indoors or outdoors that I have not already given away I desire may be equally divided between my seven children to wit John, Spence, Director, Caleb, Solomon, James and Henry CHAPLIN to them and their heirs forever and I do constitute and ordain and appoint my friend Spence HALL my whole and sole executor to this my last will and testiment. In Testimony whereof I have here unto set my hand and affixed my seal and published , pronounced and declared this to be my last Will and Testament this 22 day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and Ninety five.
    /s/ James CHAPLIN     seal

Executed in the presents of us the Subscribers
    Nathan HALL     Jurat
    Mark DAVIS
    Mary [her x  mark] DAVIS

A supplement to the above my will and desire is that of my wife Mary CHAPLIN should have one barrel and a half of pork over and above what is given to her in the above will. Witness to this supplement have hereunto set my hand this 22^th of March 1795.
    /s/ James CHAPLIN

Witness
    Nathan HALL     Jurat
    Mark DAVIS
    Mary [her x  mark] DAVIS

Recorded and Examined this 7^th day of July 1795
    James (?)
    Wm TAYLOR D.G.C.C.C. for ______?

This will was contributed by Stuart Chaplin. 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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