WILL OF
MARY FORTSEN
Whereas there is a patent Granted unto mee, Mary Fortsen, wife to Fredrick Fortsen, for a divident of twoe thousand acres of land for mee, my heirs or assignes, ye said Land Lying & being att Paspetank, of w’ch divident there is disposed by ye Said Fredrick Fortsen & my Self nine hundred Acres, my right title and intrest of w’ch I doe by these presents assigne & sett over unto my Said Husband, to enable him to give bills of Sale for ye Same nine hundred Acres of land.
Now, know yeu, That I, ye said Mary Fortsen, being Sicke, yet having my perfect senses, considering ye cartainty of death & ye uncertainty of ye houre thereof, I comitt my Soule Unto God Almighty; & my body to ye Earth whence it came; De-
siring to dispose of ye remainder of ye said divident of land beinge elleaven hundred acres;
I doe by these presents, give & bequeath unto my son, Theophilus Fortsen, all ye Said P’cell of Elleaven hundred Acres of Land, to have & enjoy ye Same after, ye decease of my said Husband, for my will & intention is y’t my Said Husband
shall enjoy ye same during his life. But if my said son shall come to dye before my said husband, then he to dispose of ye sd. land according to his pleasure.
And it is also my intention & will, y’t if my said husband shall think fitt to dispose of any part or p’cell of ye sd. land, it shall be lawfull for him to doe it. Soe yt the proceed thereof be imployed in Cattle for & to ye behoofe of my Said Son, Theophilus Fortsen. Provided allwaise yt. if it shall please God to send me safely delivered of ye child I goe wth, all yt ye same shall have Equall Share wth ye said Theophilus.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seale,
the 20th day of June, 1663.
MARY FORTSEN (seal)
Testrs.
ye marke I of JNO. LAWRENCE.
ye mke W of WILLIAM EMLY.
ye mark 0 ELIZABETH ROSY.
ye marke 0 of ELLINOR WADELL.
Recorded ye 15th novemb’r 1665.
Test. THOMAS HARRIS Cle: Co.
Contributed by Nola Duffy
Edited and proofed by Mary Maarbjerg
Copied from Original Will, filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Source: NC Wills & Inventories – Grimes