Return to Dare County

State Of North Carolina}
       County of Dare      }

I, Adam D. Etheridge, of Dare County, North Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do hereby make and declare this to be my last Will and Testament:

Item One:  My Executor herein after named shall give my body a decent burial, suitable to the wishes of my relatives and friends and pay all funeral expenses, together with all other of my just debts, if any, out of the first money that may come into her hands belonging to my estate.

Item Two:  I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Lillie Etheridge, for the term of her natural life, that certain house and lot situated on the north end of Roanoke Island and on the Sunny Side Road and generally known as my homeplace where I now live, together with any and all other real and personal property that may belong to me at the time of my death, with the following proviso:  If it becomes necessary for the comfort of my said wife and for her support then she shall have full power to sell all or any part of the said real and personal  property and execute a fee simple title for same.

Item Three:  At the death of my said wife, Lillie Etheridge, or earlier if she so desires, it is my will and desire that my beloved son, Augustus Guy Etheridge, be given a building lot, not smaller than sixty (60) feet front by one hundred twenty (120) feet back, at any location on the Sunny Side Road that can be agreed upon and out of any part of my home tract of land that may still be remaining.

Item Four:  At the death of my said wife, Lillie Etheridge, it is my will and desire that my said homeplace, together with all other real and personal property that may still remain pass to my beloved grand son John (Jack) Wilson, Jr. with the following proviso:  If it be the desire of my beloved son Adam D. Etheridge, Jr. to possess my homeplace rather than the home recently built by him, then my said homeplace shall pass to him, then my said Adam D. Etheridge, Jr., but upon the further provision that he shall  carry to John (Jack) Wilson, Jr., my said grandson, the homeplace now owned by him, the said Adam D. Etheridge, Jr., same to be free and clear from any debt or encumbrance whatsoever, and in fee simple forever in exchange for the homeplace now owned by me.  In case of the death of myself and wife Lillie Etheridge before our said beloved grand-son John (Jack) Wilson, Jr., has reached the age of twenty-one (21) years then it is my will and desire that my trusted friend, Z.V. Brinkley, be appointed by the Court to serve as guardian for the said John (Jack) Wilson Jr., and protect his interest and hold his lands for his sole benefit until he the said John (Jack) Wilson, Jr. has reached the age of twenty-one (21) years.

Item Five:  I hereby constitute and appoint my said wife Lillie Etheridge my lawful Executor, without bond 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 claim thereof, hereby revoking and declaring utterly void any and all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made.

In witness whereof, I, the said Adam D. Etheridge, do hereunto set my hand and seal this the 4 day of April 1940.
    /s/ A.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, and in the presence of each other, do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto.
    Melvin R. Daniels
    Robert H. Atkinson
    Clara W. Tarkington

North Carolina}  In the Superior Court
  Dare County }
    It is therefore considered and adjudged by the Court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last Will and Testament of Adam D. Etheridge, deceased.  Let said Will, together with the probate, be recorded and filed.  This 24^th day of December 1940.
    /s/ C.S. Meekins, Clerk Superior Court

NOTE: Adam Dough Etheridge, III, son of Adam D. Etheridge, Jr. and Abia W. Dough, was born in Manteo on March 20, 1873 and died there on Dec. 22, 1940.  He married Lillie Lee Johnson (1878-1977) in Manteo on Dec. 17, 1893.  They had four children:
    1) Augustus Guy Etheridge (1896-1965) married Janie Ellen Wetmore
    2) Pearl L. Etheridge (1901-1921) married Charles Worden Dough
    3) Alma Mae Etheridge (1904-2001) married John Ferman Wilson, Jr.
    4) Adam Dough Etheridge, IV (1907-1994) married Cassa Milroe "Cassie" Basnight