In the Name of God Amen!  I, Adam D. ETHERIDGE, 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 last Will and Testament, in manner and form following, that is to say --

First - That my executrix (hereinafter named) shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends, and pay all funeral expenses, together with my first debts, howsoever and to whomsoever owing, out of the moneys that may first come into her hands as a part or parcel of my estate.

Item 1 - I lend to my beloved wife during the term of her widowhood, or for the time she shall remain my widow, the entire tract of land whereon I now live, including my mansion house, all out houses, and other improvements, boats, oxen and carts, household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils, stock of all kinds, except the increase from date of this my last will and testament of one filly (which increase it is my will and desire shall go to my sons, Patrick H., Adam, and Augustine H. ETHERIDGE, equally), three cows, two guns, and a watch.  In addition to the property hereinbefore lent to my beloved wife, I hereby give to her such effects as notes bonds and accounts due at this time or to fall due--The land, lent during the term she shall remain a widow; the chattel property and all effects except that portion hereinbefore excepted, to wit: the increase from date of one filly; three cows; two guns; and a watch, given and bequeathed to her and her heirs in fee simple forever.  My will and desire is that my said executrix shall use the property hereby devised in fee simple, as she may deem proper--to dispose of the same, or any part thereof at public or private sale and apply the proceeds to her own use.  At the death of my said wife, I devise that the tract of land whereon I now live, be divided equally between my sons, Patrick H., Adam, and Augustine H. ETHERIDGE--to each, one third of all my land, including that heired from my father, to have and to hold to them and their heirs, in fee simple forever.

Item 2 - I give and bequeath to my eldest son, Patrick H., one-third of my land lent to my wife during her widowhood; one small gun--to him and his personal representatives forever.

Item 3 - I give and bequeath to my son Adam, one-third of my land lent to my wife during her widowhood, or for the time she shall remain my widow; one large gun--to him and his personal representatives forever.

Item 4 - I give and bequeath to my son Augustine H., one-third of my land lent to my wife for the time she shall remain my widow; my watch--to him and his personal representatives forever.  Also two cows "Jinny" & "Penny", together with increase from date.

Item 5 - I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret F., one cow called "Nance", together with her increase from date of this my last will and testament--to her and her personal representatives forever.

And lastly, -- I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved wife Fanny B. ETHERIDGE, my lawful executrix to all intents and purposes, to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same, and every part and clause thereof, hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other will and testaments by me heretofore made.  All my children herein named being minors, my will and desire is that my wife aforesaid, is hereby constituted and appointed guardian of these my four children, to have and to hold the custody and guardianship both of their respective person and estates until they, the said children, shall severally arrive at the full age of twenty-one years.

In witness whereof, I the said Adam D. ETHERIDGE, do hereunto set my hand and seal, this eleventh day of October, A.D. 1867.
            /s/ Adam D. ETHERIDGE    Seal

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Adam D. ETHERIDGE, to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto
     Stephen GAYLORD
     M.V.B. GILBERT

State of North Carolina}
    Currituck County     }

A paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of Adam D. ETHERIDGE, deceased, is exhibited for probate in the Court of the Judge of Probate for said County by Fanny B. ETHERIDGE, the executrix named therein, and the due execution thereof by the said Adam D. ETHERIDGE is proved by the examination and oath of Stephen GAYLORD one of the subscribing witnesses thereto.  It is therefore ordered by the Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of the said Adam D. ETHERIDGE and the same is ordered to be recorded and filed and thereupon the said Fanny B. ETHERIDGE executrix as aforesaid, duly qualified as such by taking the oath required by law
     /s/ J.B. LEE, P.J.

Recorded June 16, 1869
[no book number given]; page 2-3-4
    /s/ J.B. LEE, P.J.

[Source: Microfilm G.030.1548672 - Currituck Co., NC Wills (original) 1841-1924; Vol. Ansell-Woodhouse]

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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