Submitted by Nerissa Williams
Margaret Williams’ Will
Recorded October
Term 1861
In the name of God amen I Margaret Williams of the County of Duplin 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 Executors (hereinafter mentioned) shall provide form [sic] my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the monies that may first come into their hands as a parcel or part of my estate
- Item 1st I give and bequeathe to my Nephew Charles Francis Williams all my negroes viz Caster Hariet Eliza John George Henry & Abram and their increase, to have and told to him and his heirs forever
- Item 2nd I give and bequeathe to my brother Francis Williams five dollars
- Item 3rd I give and bequeathe to my Brother Branch Williams five dollars
- Item 4th I give and bequeathe to my Brother Harper Williams five dollars
- Item 5th I give and bequeathe to my Brother Robert Williams heirs five dollars
- Item 6th I give and bequeathe to my Brother James Williams heirs five dollars
- Item 7th I give and bequeathe to my Brother Blany Williams heirs five dollars
- Item 8th I give and bequeathe to the heirs of my sister Polly Cooper five dollars
- Item 9th I give and bequeathe to the heirs of my sister Sarah Pridgeon five dollars
- Item 10th I give and bequeathe to the heirs of my sister Patience Hunter five dollars
- Item 11th I give and bequeathe to the heirs of my sister Rosa Cooper five dollars
- Item 12th My will and desire is that all of the residue of my estate (if any) after taking paying my debts andthe legacies above mentioned shall go to my Nephew Charles Francis Williams
And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my Brother Francis Willliams and my nephew Charles Francis Williams my lawful executors 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 wills and testaments by me heretofore made In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of
April AD 1857. Margaret X Williams (seal)
Signed sealed published and declared by the said Margaret Williams to be her last will and testament in presence of us who at her request and in her presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto
John D Stanford
D M McIntire
State of North Carolina
Duplin County Court. October Term 1861.
The forgegoing and written paper writing purporting to be the last Will and Testament of Margaret Williams deceased is exhibited in open Court for Probate and is duly proved by the oath of John D Stanford and David M. McIntire, the subscribing witnesses thereto. It is therefore considered and adjudged by the Court, that the said paper writing is the last will and testament of the said Margaret Williams deceased and sufficient in law to pay the real and personal Estate therein devised and bequeathed.
Thereupon Francis Williams and Charles F. Williams the Executors therein named duly qualifies as such and enters into and according to law.
Test John J. Whitehead CLK