JACOB PERRY
written 1775
Proved 1779
In the name of God, amen, March 4, 1775, I, Jacob Perry, of Perquimans County in the province of North Carolina, being weak in body but of sound and perfect memory thanks be given to God for the cause and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this to be my last will and testament. That is to say. . .
First and principally of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it me and for my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner, according to the directions of my executors hereafter named, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same by the almighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me within this life, I give, devise and dispose of the same in manner and from the following—that is to say in the first place…
I give and bequeath to my son Jacob Perry the land and plantation whereon he now lives in Perquimans County aforesaid to a line of marked trees mentioned in a deed of gift to my son Israel Perry which is supposed to contain about 187 1/2 acres to the same more or less to him, his heirs or assigns forever also such part of my personal estate with which he is now possessed with to him and his disposal.
Then I give to my son Israel Perry all such part of my estate as he is now in actual possession of meaning among other things, 50 acres of land for which some years past acknowledged a deed of sale to him that through mistake happened to be without date, to him and his disposal.
Then I give to my son Reuben Perry all such part of my estate as he is now in actual possession of to him and his disposal.
Then I give to my daughter, Priscilla Welch, wife of Dempsey Welch, all such part of my estate as she is now in actual possession of to her and her own disposal.
Then I give to my son Dempsey Perry all such part of my estate as he is now in actual possession of to him and his own disposal.
Then I give to my son John Perry, named Dick … and also such part of my estate as he is now in actual possession of to him and his own disposal.
Then I give to my daughter Hephzibah Stallings, wife of Hardy Stallings, all such part of my estate as she is now in actual possession of to her and her own disposal.
Then I give to my daughter Ann Winslow, wife of Caleb Winslow, land and plantation and improvements whereon I now live, also one plantation and improvements which I bought of Zachariah Lilley, also one plantation which I bought of my son Jacob, to her and her heirs forever, only my will is that the true intent and meaning of these presents also is that my well beloved Ann Perry shall have the use of the said lands during the time of her natural life without molestation.
Then I give to my grandson Isaac Wilson, son of Isaac Wilson, a parcel of land lying on the northwest side of a place called the Little Beaver Dam in Chowan County, containing by estimation 100 acres to him and his heirs and assigns forever.
Then I give to my well-beloved wife Ann Perry one horse call Spring, one woman’s saddle and bridle, one featherbed and furniture, also the use of the labor of my Negro man named Tom and Negro woman named Pat during the time of her natural life or widowhood, also the use of my copper still for the same time.
Then I give to my 8 children sig: Jacob, Israel, Reuben, Priscilla, Dempsey, John, Hephzibah, and Ann my copper still and Negroes Tom & Pat to be equally divided among them after the expiration of the time above limited to them and their disposal.
Then I give all the rest of my estate to be equally divided between my wife Ann Perry, and my youngest daughter Ann Winslow, wife of Caleb Winslow, to them and their disposal.
Then, lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my well-beloved wife executress and Jacob Perry and Israel Perry and Caleb Winslow executors of this my last will and testament, hereby disannulling and disallowing all and any other forms, wills and testaments, legacies, bequeaths, or executors before this time by me named, willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to by my last will and testament.
In witness thereof I have hereunto set my name, seal the day and year first
above written.
Recorded November 24, 1779.
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