Contributor's
Note: This Will for Sarah Hand, although written in Cumberland County
and mentioning her place of residence as Moore County, has many New
Hanover County folks as heirs.
Will Book B, page 132 Cumberland County, NC
In the name of God Amen, the Last Will and Testament of Sarah Hand of
the State of North Carolina, now of Fayetteville, usually residing in
Moore County— Considering the uncertainty of this Mortal Life and being
of sound mind and memory thanks to my Heavenly Father for the same, I
Sarah Hand this day do make and publish this my Last Will and
Testament, in manner and form following, that is to say
First I give and bequeath to William MacLean a minor son of Hugh and
Sally MacLean, dec., my male slaves Edinborough and Hanibal, my
Secretary, Bed Matress and Bed Furniture, together with two shares of
Cape Fear Bank Stock held my me.
ITEM, I give and bequeath to Sally Jones Belden, a daughter of Simeon
and Emily Eliza Belden, my female slave named Eley, daughter and at
present the youngest child of my wench Eley
ITEM, I give and bequeath to my niece Julia Armstrong, and to the Heirs
of her body, my Female Slave named Harriett
ITEM, I give and bequeath to my nephew Jeremiah Hand, son of my Brother
Jeremiah Hand, my female Slave named Lucy
ITEM, I give and bequeath to Emily Eliza Belden, wife of Simeon Beldon
one share of Cape Fear Bank Stock held by me.
ITEM, I give and bequeath to each of my nephews and nieces, sons and
daughters of my Brother Jeremiah Hand, who may be alive at my death,
one share of Cape Fear Bank Stock held by me, that is to say one share
to each.
ITEM, I give and bequeath to Hugh MacLean, a minor son of Hugh MacLean,
dec., and Mary Ann His wife, my female slave named Fanny, it is my
intention to exchange Fanny for a younger slave for Hugn in case it is
not done before my death, it is my Will that his mother do it
afterwards.
ITEM, I give and bequeath to my Brother Jeremiah Hand, and to his Heirs
forever after paying any just debts and funeral expenses, all the rest,
residue and remainder of my personal Estate, Goods and Chattels of what
kind and nature whatsoever.. And lastly I appoint my friends John Huske
and Simeon Belden my sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament,
with a special request they will hold in trust the property bequeathed
to William MacLean until he arrives at the age of twenty-one, to hire
out the slaves and to receive such dividends as may be declared on his
stock and the money which may into their hands from the hire of the
slaves and dividends on the stock to be applied to his the said
William's benefit, at their discretion, either in the purchase of Bank
stock or in being put out at interest for his use.
In witness whereof I have set my had and affixed my seal this first day
of March in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and
Twenty-three (1823).
Signed Sarah Hand
Witnesses
James K. Belden
J. W. Cochran
Whereas I Sarah Hand now of Moore County in the State of North Carolina
have made my Last Will and Testament in writing bearing date on the
first day of March in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred
and Twenty-Three (1823) and have thereby given to my niece Julia
Armstrong daughter of my Brother Jeremiah Hand, my female slave named
Harriet, now I do by this my writing which I hereby declare to be a
Codicil to my said Will to be taken as a part thereof, revoke the said
bequest made to my niece Julia, and do now give and bequeath to Sally
Jones Belden daughter of Simeon and Emily Eliza Belden my female slave
named Eley which at the making of my said last Will and Testament was
the youngest child of my wench Eley, now I hereby revoke the said
bequest and by this Codicil give and bequeath my female slave named
Eley daughter of my wench Eley to my niece Julia Armstrong (daughter of
my brother Jeremiah Hand) and to the Heirs of her Body and lastly it is
my desire that this my present Codicil be annexed to and made a part of
my Last Will and Testament to all intents and purposes, in Witness
whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 16th day of February
in the Year of Our Lord One thousand eight hundred and twenty-four,
(1824).
Signed Sarah Hand
Executed and declared by the above named Sarah Hand as a Codicil to be
annexed to her Last Will and Testament in our presence at the
Plantation known and called by the name of Washington Hill in Moore
County, State of North Carolina the day and year above written.
