THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT
OF
FRANCIS FLETCHER
1743
I FRANCIS FLETCHES Province of North Carolina and County of Pasquotank (unreadable) of perfect mind and memory blesed be God for the same and calling to mind that is appointed for all men once to dye do ordain constitute and app (torn) this to be my Last Will and Testament revoking disanuling all other wills by me at any other time heretofore made and allowing this only to be my Last Will and Testament.
That is to say first and principally I recommend my soul into the hands of God who gave it hoping for salvation through the mercey and merrits of Jesus Christ my Saviour and my body I comitt unto the earth from whence it was taken to be decently burried at the discretion of my Executrix here after mentioned; and as to what worldly estate it hath pleased God to bestow upon me I give dispose and bequeath of as followeth after all my just debts and funeral expenses are paid and satisfied.
It. I give and bequeath unto my Loving Wife MARGARET FLETCHER all my goods and chattells all my accts. Of out standing (unreadable) and all my estate real and personal to her and her heirs for ever.
Lastly I do nominate constitute and appoint my loving Wife MARGARET FLETCHER my whole and (unreadable) Executrix to this my Last Will and Testament as Witness my hand and seal day and month above (unreadable)
FRANCIS FLETCHER
His x mark
Signed sealed and delivered
In the presence of us
BENJ. BAPTISTS
JONATHAN LANGATHEN jurat
His x mark
WILLIAM DELENEY jurat
His x mark
North Carolina
Pasquotank County
January Court anno Dom 1743
Present His Majesties Justies
These may certifie that JONATHAN LANGATHAN and WILLIAM DELENY two of the subscribing Evidences to the within Will appeared in open Court & made Oath on the Holy Evangelist that they ware Present & saw FRANCIS FLETCHER sign seal publish, declare the within to be & contain his Last Will and Testament and that the said FRANCES FLETCHER was at that time of sound & disposing memory and that they also saw BENJAMIN BAPTIST the other subscribing Evidence sign his name thereto at the same time. Then also appeared MARGARET FLETCHER Executrix in open Court, and took the Oath (unreadable) by law for her Qualification Ordered that the Honorable NATHANIEL RICE Secretary have notice that Letters may issue Date ???? Clerks Office the 25th Day of January 1743.
Test. THO. TAYLOR
Contributed and transcribed by Judy Merrell Brickhouse
(Transcribed as written, including errors in spelling and grammar.)