Return to Tyrrell Co Wills Introduction & Table of ContentsIn the name of God amen: I William Barns of Tyrrell County and Province of North Carolina planter being week of body, tho of perfect sense and memory, 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 principally and first of all, I recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and my body to the Earth from whence it was taken, to be buried in a Christian, decent manner at the discretion of my executors hereafter named.
Imprimis - I will desire that all my lands that I am now possessed with lying in Tyrrell County shall be sold and with the said money, lands to be purchased for my three sons, Thomas Barns Stephen Barns & James Barns at the discretion of my executors.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my daughter Meliscent Barns one negroe man named James and his wife Hannah and his daughter Bash, and negroe girl named Dye, also one new chest drawers, six silver table spoons, one bed & furniture and one young black mare.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann two negroe girls that she has now in her possession, named Charity and Lyda, to her and her heis for ever, also one cow and calf and two ewes and lambs.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Elizabeth Barns, two negroe women, each named Rose during the term and time of her natural life, and after her decease to return to my two youngest daughters Catharine and Elizabeth Barns, and their heirs for ever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Barns, one negroe man named George, one boy named Minger, one negroe girl named Jean.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son Stephen Barns one negroe woman called OB Bash, one negroe man named Benn and one negroe girl named Cloe.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son James Barns, one negroe boy called Jack, one negroe girl called Bett, and one negroe boy called {unreadable}.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Clark Barns one negroe boy called George, one negroe woman named Jean, and one negroe girl name Sarah, also one silver tankard.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my daughter Catharine Barns, one negroe boy called Ben, one negroe boy called Bobb and one negroe girl called Hannah and one silver tumbler.
Item - I give and bequeath unto daughter Elizabeth Barns, one negroe woman named Maud and two negroe boys named Stephen and Isaac, also four silver table spoons.
Item - I give and bequeath unto Edmund Baptist my riding horse called Byand - my negroe fellow Sam the Blacksmith I will desire shall be sold at the discretion of Edmund Baptist and the money put to the use of paying for the land I bought of him the sd. Baptist.
And then my will and desire is that all of my personal estate, be of what kind or nature soever it will after my just debts is paid shall be applyed to the maintenance and education of my six youngest children at the discretion of my executor Edmund Baptist.
Lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend Edmund Baptist and my son Thomas Barns my whole and soul executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking disanulling and making void all other will or wills by me before made, allowing this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy three.
Wm. Barns (Seal)
Signed Sealed Pronounced and Declared by the said
William Barns as his last will and testament
in the presents of us
Samel Parsons
William (his -x- mark) Jennett
William Edwards Junr.
Pasquotank County
Present his Majestys Justices
The last will and testament of William Barns was exhibited by Edmund Baptist one of the executors therein named
and proved by the oath of Samuel Parsons in due form of law the said executor quallified by taking the oath by law appointed.
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