State of N. Carolina, Tyrrel County. In the name of God amen. I Stark Hassell of the County & State aforesaid being sick in body but of sound & perfect mind & memory blessed be God do this 10^th. Day of February in the year of our Lord 1846- make & publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say-

First- I will that so much of my stock as is necessary for the use of my family be retained unsold which I lend to my beloved wife Mahala during her natural life Viz 5 head of cattle, 10 sheep such as may be her choice, one mule & one gray mare & that so much of the remaining part of my chatlle property property negros exepted be sold as will pay all my just debts and also my executors is hereby authorised & required to sell to the best advantage a tract of land which I own lying in Gum Neck adjoining the land of Abel Cahoon & others-

Second I also lend to my sd. wife Mahala during her natural life all the remaining part of my lands improvements & appurtenances & all my farming utensils for the alone purpose of keeping together rasing & supportting my family which I leave behind without charge both white and black & also for the education of my children Viz William W. Hassell, Benjamin F. Hassell, James S. Hassell & John W. Hassell and I also lend to my wife as above named during her live for the purpose & on the terms above named during her life for the purpose & on the terms above named all my negros & there increase if any Viz Man, Daniel, Woman Rachel & Mariah, boys Albert & Henry girl Adaline, boys David & Bowin, girl Ellin, boy Aaron, girl Emily and boy Lewis-

3^rd. The above meaning & intention of the above loan to my beloved wife Mahala is that she herself receive a decent support & that my white children be decently supported & educated & that my family of slaves be raised & supported out of the profits arising from the plantation & increase of the stock on my said plantation without any charge or charges to my my estate or my heirs hereafter named-

4^th. My will is after the death of my said wife Mahala all my estate that may then remain both real & personal be equally divided amongst my 4 sons (Viz) William W. Hassell, Benja. F. Hassell, James L. Hassell & John W. Hassell - and I hereby make & ordain my beloved wife Mahala Hassell executrix & my trusty friend & brother Solomon Hassell executor of this my last Will & Testament In Witness whereof I the said Stark Hassell have to this my last Will & Testament set me hand & seal this the day & year above written-

Stark Hassell

Published & declaired by the sd. Stark Hassell the testator as his last Will & Testament signed sealed in the presence of us who ware present at the signing & sealing thereof-

Saml. Rogers
Richd. Davenport
Joshua (his -x- mark) Hassell

State of North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
April Term 1846

April Term 1846. Court of Pleas & Quarter sessions then was this will proved in open court by the oath of Saml. Rogers one of the subscribing witnesses who swore said Hassell was of sound desposing mind & memory when he signed said will & that he saw R. Davenport & J. Hassell sign the same as concerning testamony let it be recorded-

JOS. ALEXANDER Clk

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Updated April 15, 2001
Jean Owens Schroeder