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Colony of North Carolina
Tyrell County
Dated 27 April 1753
In the name of God Amen The twentieth seaventh day of Aprell 1753 I Edward Griffin of the County of tyrell plantor being very sick and weake in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God Therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to dye dou make and ordaine this my Last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in decent Christian buriall at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the Generall Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and forme.
Imprimis - I give and bequeath unto my two soons Edward Griffin and William Griffin a certain tract of land in beartey County lying on a branch called Croofoot branch and joyning Mikell Hills line the same to be equalley devided betwene my two soons at the discretion of two persons appointed by them or my selfe so that each of them ma have an equal part of the good land.
Item - I dou likewise lend to my beloved wife Grace Griffin the services of my negro man Roben as long as she remains a widdoe and if the negro should prove obstinant and cross in the family that they cannot rule him that then he shall be sold and the monyes arising by that sale to be equalley devided betwene my son Edward Griffin and my soon William Griffin and my youngest daughter Ann Griffin.
Item - I give and bequeath to my soon Edward Griffin my gun and cutlass and one yearling horse to his proper use forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my two daughtors one mare called the old mare to Mary and Sarah Griffin the mare is branded with this brand 22 to ther use forever.
Item - I give to my soon William Griffin my daughtor Ann Griffin one mare called the young mare male and female to their use forever excepting the first mare colt that the young mare shall rase to Rhoda Coopers to her proper use forever.
Item - I dou likewise give to my son Edward Griffin one horse which came of the mare branded 22.
Item - I give unto John Griffin ye son of Sarah Griffin one yearling heffor to be marked for him in the spring 1754 run on male and female to his use forever.
Item - I give and bequeath to my son William Griffin and (cut off) Ann Griffin my youngest daughter each of them one iron pott.
Item - I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Cooper my loome and the geare belonging to her forever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Grace Griffin all and singuler my household goods not all ready bequeathed to hir dispose during her life and if any remains at hir death to be equally devided amongst my children one and all and allso I give to my wife my riding horse to hir use forever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my two daughters Mary Griffin and Sarah Griffin the benifit of a note of hand of the value of twelve pounds ten shilings Virgina money to their sole use benifit forever and to be paid to them by Edward Coopper in the year 1757.
Ratifying and Confirming this to be my Last will and testament and dou hereby constitute my well beloved brother John Griffin and Edward Coopper to be my Lawfull Executors to this my Last will and testament and dou hereby uterly disalow revoake and disanull all and every other former testaments wills Lagacies and bequests and Executors by me in any wais named willed and bequeathed ratifiing and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale the day and year above writen sined sealed and declared in the presenes of us.
Edward Griffin (Seal)
Testis
William Gardner
John Griffin
Edward Coopper
North Carolina
Tyrel County
March Court 1754
Then was the within Will Duly proved in open court by the oath of William Gardner and Edwd Cooper two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and at the same time John Griffin and Edward Cooper were duly qualified as Executors thereto. As the law directs ordered taht the Honorable Jas. Murray Espr. Secr. Have notice therof that Letters Testamentory issue thereon accordingly.
Test is Evan Jones
Clerk Court
Edward Griffins Will
Letters Issued June 1753
Recorded in the Secretarys Office
In book K in page 7(?)
Minutes
Tyrrell County Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
June Session 1753
An inventory of the estate of Edward Griffen deceased was exhibeted into open court and proved by the oath of Edwd. Cooper.
December Session 1753
Ordered that on hearing the petition of John Griffen and Edward Cooper executors of the last will and testament of Edward Griffen deceased praying an order to sell so much of the parashable part of the said deceased estate as will pay the just debt of the said deceased which is granted.
March Session 1754
An account of sales of the estate of Edward Griffen was returned by oath of the sheriff.
June Session 1759
Personally appeared Edward Cooper and exhibited an acct. of the estate of Edward Griffin deceased & proved the same upon his oath. Ordered allowed and filed.
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