In the name of God Amen: This the 22nd day of Jany. A D 1867. I
Elijah P. Melson of the State of North Carolina & County of Tyrrell
being in good health & of perfect mind & memory and knowing tht it was
once appointed for all men to die do make & ordain this to be my last will
and testament.
1 Fr - Of all I give my sole to God who gave it & my body I recommend to
the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my
executors & calling to mind the worldly good that it has pleased God to
bless me with in this life do give & dispose of the same in the following
manner. Viz:
Item the 1 First- It is my desire that my wife Elizabeth Melson be
supported out of the income of my estate during her life time and it is also my
desire that if my daughter Sarah should become destitute of support that
my executor shall have power if he wishes to administer to her wants out of the
income of my estate:
Item the 2nd- I don't wish my son John Melson to have any part of my
estate that I may die seizeed & possessed of for the reason that I have
given him heretofore all that I intended to give him.
Item 3th – I leave my sloop Arthur T. Jones to be sold publick or private
& the money derived from such sale to be used for the schooling of my
grandchildren that my daughter Mahala has or may have by her husband
J.C. Meekins or if my executor should think best he may exchange said
vessel for some other species of propperty for the sole use of the children
above named -
Item -4th- It is also my desire that my executor shall be vested with the
power to remain on my plantation during the life time of my daughter
Mahala & her husband J. C. Meekins working it solely for the
benefit of the children above named & further it is my desire that my
executor may have the power to sell or exchange any or all portions of my estate
for the best promotion of the children above named & there pecuniary
interest -
Item 5th- I also give my executor the power that if he may think proper, to
appoint a guardian for the above named children.
Item 6th- At the death of my daughter Mahala & her husband
J.C.Meekins I give my whole estate to the children that my daughter
Mahala has by her husban J.C.Meekins- And furthermore I do
constitute & appoint my trusty friend J.C.Meekins & his wife
Mahala to be my lawful executor & executrix to execute this my last
will & testament according to the true intent & meaning of the same - In
witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal the day & year above
written.
Witness Elijah P. Melson (Seal)
State of N.C. Then was the within paper writing purporting to be the last will &
testament of Elijah P. Melson decd duly exhibited in open court for
probate by John C. Meekins & his wife Mahala Meekins executors
therein named & the due execution of the said Elijah P. Melson proved
by the oaths & examination of Fredk. Patrick & John A. Patrick
the subscribing witness therein named, whereupon it is considered & adjudged
by the court that the said paper writing & every part thereof is the last
will & testament of the said Elijah P. Melson decd. & the said
J. C. Meekins one of the executors therein named came into court &
qualified by taking the oath prescribed by law &c.
T. H. Alexander C.C.C.
Fred Patrick, Jut.
J.A.Patriok, Jut.
Tyrrel County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
April Term 1867.
Return
to Tyrrell County Probate Records
Updated June 15, 2001
Mike Schoettle