In The Name of God Amen The Twenty Eighth of August 1742 I William STAFFORD of the Prec^t of Currotuck County In North Carrolina Where of being very Sick and weak of [torn] but of Perfect mind and Memory Thanks be unto the Almig[torn] God for it Calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Life and Knowing it [is] apointed for all men once to Dye Do Make and Orda[torn] this my Last will and Testament That is to Say principal[torn] and finalay first of all I give and Recomend my Soul unto the Hands of God that give it and my Body I recomend to the Ear[torn] to be Buried in Decent Manner as a Christian Ought to be at the Descretion of my Executers nothing Doubting but at the General Resurrection I Shall receive the Same again by the Mighty power of God and as Touching such Worldly Estate Wherewith it hath Pleased god to Bless Me in this Life I gave Demis [devise] and Dispose of the Same in the following manner and Form--

I gave to my Son James STAFFORD the plantation where I now Live with three Hundred and Twenty Acres of Land thereunto Belonging to him his Eairs or assighns for Ever with a youg Mare Named fancey She and her increase also a Cow Cauled white face and a heipher Named Cherry they and their increase for Ever.

I gave to my Son William STAFFORD the Remainder part of the Tract being the plantation Where on Rich^d ODOWDY Now Liveth to him his Eairs or asighns for Ever.  With one Mare Named Boanah and her increase With one Cow Cauled Motley and a heipher Cauled White Bo[torn] Them and their increase for Ever.

I give to my well Beloved Wife Frances STAFFORD all the part of my Estate Both within Doors and without that is Not Mentioned in this Will to her Self to be freely possessed With and Enjoyed to whom I Constitute one of my Execut^rs Joyning with Rich^d HODGES to be whole and Sole Execut^rs of this my Last Will and Testament Revoaking and Disallowing All former Wills by me made as Wittness my hand and Seal this Twenty Eighty Day of August 1742.
    /s/ William [his W mark] STAFFORD

Sighned Sealed Published and Delivered in presence of us
    Solomon BRIGHT
    William BOWIN

   North Carolina   }    att a Court begun opened and held att the County afore Said on
 Currotuck County}    Tuesday the Six Day of October Ann^o 1742

Present His Majestys Justices
    These may Certify That Solomon BRIGHT and William BOWING, Two of the Subscribing Evidences To the within will Came into open Court & maid oath on The Holy Evangeles that they ware present and Saw William STAFFORD Sign Seal Publish and Declare the within to be & Contain his Last will and Testament.  Then also appeared frances STAFFORD Execu^tr to the within will and took The oath appointed by Law for the Qualification of Execu^tr ordered that the Honorable Nathaniel RICE Secretary have Notice that Letters Testamentory may issue & Dated att the Clerks office This Six Day of October anno^D 1742
    Test  John LURRY Clerk Court

[On the back of this will is written: W^m STAFFORDs Will; Letters iss^d 8ber y^e 30^th 1742; Recorded]

[Source: North Carolina State Archives - MARS ID: 12.96.1.2153 (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!

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