I, James Armstrong of the County of Richmond and State of North Carolina, being of Sound mind and memory 
but considering the uncertainty of my earthly do make and declare this my last Will and Testament, in 
manner and form following that is to say.
	
First - That my Executors hereinafter named, shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the 
wishes of my relations and friends, and pay all funeral expenses, together with my just due however and 
whomsoever owing out of the money, that may first come into his hands or a part or parcel of my Estate.
	
Item 1st- I give and declare to my beloved wife Elizabeth all my land along with the improvements theron, 
and ten of her choice negroes, entirely to her own use, for to dispose of them, as she in her wisdom sees 
proper - also five more negroes of her own choice to dispose of in such a way as she in her wisdom sees 
proper - and their issue if any.
	
Item 2nd - I give and bequeath the balance of my negroes which are to be equally divided between Isaac, 
Richard, Elizabeth and Martha, Lillea Aldred, the heirs of my sister, Milla Aldred and Joshua Chappell 
and Mary Ann McKay the wife of Alexander McKay and Isaac McCaskill share and share alike.
	
Item 3rd - I give and beqeath to my brother Peter Armstrong One Thousand Dollars in Cash for him to do 
with as he thinks proper.
	
Item 4th - I give and bequeath to my said wife Elizabeth my stock of horses and cattle, hogs and sheep, 
household and kitchen furniture and the entire crop of every description, that is now on hand, together 
with the farming tools of every description also the Blacksmith tools, also my good wagon and cart to 
her own use and to dispose of the same as she sees proper and furthermore, my desire is that all my black 
ones, stay on the farm, until the present crop is made, and gathered, and the above named crop to go to 
the use of my said wife Elizabeth forever together with the last years crop, and lastly I do hereby 
constitute and appoint my trusty friends, John Aldred and Isaac Aldred my lawful Executors to all intents 
and purposes, to execute this my last Will and Testament according to the true intent and meaning of the 
same, and any part and clause thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other Wills and 
Testaments by me heretofore made.
	
In witness whereof the said James Armstrong do hereunto set my hand and seal this 14th day of March 1849.
Signed, Sealed Published and Declared, by the said James Armstrong to be his last will and testament in 
the presence of us who at his request and in his presence, do subscribe our names as witness thereto.
M.B. McRae	Christopher Green
    
State of North Carolina, Richmond County
Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions October Term 1853
The will was filed and recorded.  See his estate record here.