Contributed by Kay Lynn Midgett Shephard
State of No Carolina }
Onslow County }
In the name of God Amen. I Benjamine Shepard plnt. [planter] being weak in Body but of perfect Mind and memory thanks be to god for the Same Calling to mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed once for all men to Die, and as Touching my worly [worldly] good[s] I give and Dispose in the following manner—–
Itm – I Lend to my beloved wife Sarah Shepard all my Living both reaal and personable to use and Dispose of as She pleas [pleases] to Support her Self and family without making Wilfull wast[e] During her natural Life.
Itm – I Leave to my Son[s] Daniel Shepard Joseph Sipaan [likely this name is Cyprian] and Benjamine and my Daughter Mary Brinson One Shilling Starling [sterling] Each it being their Share of my Living.
Itm – I give unto my Daughter Susanna one Feather Bead [bed] and furniture and bead sted [bedstead] my weaving Loom and gave one Cow and Calf one Smoothing and hackle and all the Spun and on Spun [unspun] Cotton and flax after the Death of my Wife.
Itm – I give unto my Son Stephen Shepard all the remainder part of Living both reaal and personal after the Death of my wife.
Lastly I Nominate and appoint my Son Daniel Shepard and my wife Sarah Shepard my Executors to this my Last will and Testament and Do utterly Disallow revoke and Disanul all and Every other wills or bequeaths ratifying this and no other to be my Last will and testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand an Seal this 20th day of January 1791.
Signed Sealed and acknowleged by the Sd. Benja. Shepard to be his Last will and testament.
Benja. [his B mark] Shepard (Seal)
Test: Geo. Shepard
William Norman
Benja. Shepard, Jur.
At Onlsow County – April term 1791
The within Will of Benja. Shepard Dec’d., was duly proved before the Court by the Oaths of Geo. Shepard & William Norman, two of the Subscribing Witnesses there to and Mrs. Sarah Shepard & Danl. Shepard, the Executors, appeared before the Court and was duly Quallifyed. The will Admitted and ordered to be Recorded.
/s/ Will Cray? CCC
[On the back of the will is written: Will of Benjamin Shepard, Dec’d. Copy’d & Letters issued.]