In the Name of God Amen.  I Caleb ETHERIDGE SR. of the County of Currituck, and State of North Carolina, being in sound mind and disposing memory do make and constitute this to be my last will and testament to wit --

first - I desire all my just debts if any to be paid out of my estate.

second - I loan to my beloved wife Elizabeth during her natural life or widowhood all of my land also all of my household and kitchen furniture together with all my stock of every description also all my farming utensils.

third - At the death or marriage of my wife Elizabeth I give and bequeath to my daughter Eliza A. ETHERIDGE one half of all my lands including the dwelling and all outhouses whereon I now live also all my household and kitchen furniture and all my stock of every description also all my farming utensils to her and her heirs forever.

fourth - At the death or marriage of my wife Elizabeth I loan the other half of my land to my daughter Eliza A. ETHERIDGE during her lifetime, and at the death of my daughter Eliza A. ETHERIDGE I give and bequeath the said half of my land to my grand children Napoleon B. ETHERIDGE Milton ETHERIDGE Wilson C. ETHERIDGE and Peter ETHERIDGE and if either of the above named grand children shall die without lawful heirs the surviving ones to heir the same to them and their heirs forever.

fifth - At the death of my wife Elizabeth I give to my grand daughters Archan CHARLETON and Elizabeth ETHERIDGE ten dollars each out of my estate.

In testimony of which I Caleb ETHERIDGE SR. have hereunto set my hand & seal, the 29^th day of January 1874.
            /s/ Caleb ETHERIDGE SR.    Seal

Signed, sealed, published and declared to be my last will and testament, in the presence of us, who at my request and in my presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto.
     J.W. BAXTER
     James R. HALSTEAD

 Currituck County}    In Probate Court
   North Carolina }    June 21^st 1880

    A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Caleb ETHERIDGE SR. is this day exhibited for probate and the execution thereof duly proved by the oath and examination of J.W. BAXTER and James R. HALSTEAD subscribing witnesses thereto.  And it appearing that said Caleb ETHERIDGE SR. was of full age to make a will. and of sound mind and disposing memory and under no restraint or undue influence, and declaring in presence of said witnesses when he signed his name to said paper writing, that the said paper writing is signed and witnessed, was his last will and testament.
    Therefore it is ordered and adjudged that the said paper writing thus exhibited and proved be and is hereby declared to be the last will and testament of the said Caleb ETHERIDGE SR.  Let the same be recorded and filed.
     /s/ H.B. ANSELL, Probate Judge

Recorded in Will Book No. 5 pages 69 & 70
June 21^st, 1880
    /s/ H.B. ANSELL, 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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