Return to Currituck Co.

   I Thomas ETHERIDGE of Knotts Island County of Currituck and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory do make publish and declare this to be my last will and testamenty to wit:

   First my desire is for my funeral expences and lawful debts be paid as soon as they can conveniently be paid.

   Secondly I loan to my dear wife Emily all of my property real and personal the term of her natural life.

   Thirdly At the death of my dear wife Emily the property herein described goes to my son William and should he die without a lawful heir living said property I give to my grand son Willie COOPER the son of Samuel H. COOPER & Nancy his wife to hold to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

   Fourthly I nominate and appoint my wife Emily F. ETHERIDGE to be my executor to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made.

   In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this August 20, 1893.

    /s/ Thomas [his x mark] ETHERIDGE     seal

Signed, sealed, published and declared this for his last will and testament by the above named testator and in the presence of each other signed our names as witnesses thereto.
    W.A. COOPER
    J.E. KELLY

  North Carolina  }    In Superior Court
Currituck County}     Before E.W. Ansell Clerk

                   In Re Estate                }
                        of                           }    Order for probate of Will
Thomas ETHERIDGE deceased }
   A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testment of Thomas ETHERIDGE dec’d is exhibited in open court for probate by Emily F. ETHERIDGE executrix therein named and the due execution thereof by the said Thomas ETHERIDGE dec’d is duly proven by the oath and examination of W.A. COOPER and J.E. KELLY subscribing witnesses thereto and it is further shown to the satisfaction of the court by said witnesses that the said Thomas ETHERIDGE was at the time of making said will of sound mind and memory of full age to execute a will and under no restraint to their knowledge information or belief.
   It is thereupon considered adjudged and decreed that said proof is sufficient and according to law and that said paper writing is and contains the last will and testament of Thomas ETHERIDGE dec’d and on motion it is ordered that said will be admitted to probate and recorded in the Book of Wills of Currituck County and as such filed as provided by law in the Office of the Clerk of Superior Court of said County.
   It is further ordered that said Emily ETHERIDGE be allowed to qualify as executrix as provided by law and enter upon the discharge of the duties imposed by said trust.

Dated this the 19^th day of August 1897
    /s/ E.W. ANSELL, Clerk of Superior Court

  North Carolina  }
Currituck County}    In the Superior Court before Clerk
    A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of Thomas ETHERIDGE deceased, is exhibited before me, the undersigned Clerk of the Superior Court for said county by ___________ the execut__ therein mentioned, and the execution thereof by the said Thomas ETHERIDGE is proved by the oath & examination of ____________ and __________ the subscribing witnesses thereto, who being duly sworn, doth depose and say and each for himself desposeth and saith, that he is a subscribing witness to the paper writing now shown him, purporting to be the last will and testament of Thomas ETHERIDGE; that the said Thomas ETHERIDGE in the presence of said deponents, subscribed his name to the end of said paper writing now shown him as aforesaid, and which bear date of the ___ day of _____ 18__.
    And the deponent further saith, that the said Thomas ETHERIDGE the testator aforesaid, did, at the time of subscribing his name as aforesaid, declare the said paper writing so subscribed by him and exhibited to be his last will and testament, and this deponent did thereupon subscribe his name at the end of said will as an attesting witness thereto, and at the request and in the presence of the said testator.  And this deponent further saith that at the same time when the said testator subscribed his name to the said last will as aforesaid, and at the time of deponent's subscribing his name as attesting witness thereto, as aforesaid, the said Thomas ETHERIDGE was of sound mind and memory, of full age to execute a will, and was not under any restraint to the knowledge information or belief of this deponent.  And further these deponents say not.
    /s/ W.A. COOPER    Seal
    /s/ J.E. KELLY         Seal

Severally sworn and subscribed this 19^th day of Aug. 1897
    /s/ E.W. ANSELL Clerk Superior Court

    You swear that you believe this writing to be and contain the last will and testament of Thomas ETHERIDGE deceased; and that you will well & truly execute the same, by first paying his debts and then his legacies, as far as the said estate shall extend, or the law shall charge you; and that you will faithfully and honestly execute the office of executrix agreeable to the trust and confidence reposed? in you, and according to law; so help you God.
    Sworn to before me this Aug. __ 1897
[not signed]

Top portion, which includes the will, was contributed by Judy Merrell Brickhouse; bottom portion 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!

Return to USGenWeb	Return to NCGenWeb	Return to Currituck

© 2011 Kay Midgett Sheppard