State of North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Book 4 Page 177
Dated 2 June 1900
I George W. Merritt of State and County above named being of sound mind and memory. But considering the uncertainty of life do make and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I commit my soul to God who gave it. And my body to be buried in as decent a manner as my estate will allow and to suit my friends and relations.
I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Vashti Merritt during her life time to be used by her for her individual use and benefit and not to be sold or disposed of by her only as her necissity may or shall from time to time require. All of my personal property of every kind and discription and at her death I give and bequeath to my two sons L Haywood Merritt and Wilson B Merritt all of said personal property that I may die seized and possessed of.
I hereby appoint my two sons my true and lawful executors to execute this my last will and testament and every part thereof. witness whereof I have hereunto set my and seal in the presence of John B. Combs and E. R. Spruill who at my request and in my presence signed their names as witnesses thereto
George W. Merritt (Seal)
Witness A paper purporting to be the last will and Testament of George W. Merritt deceased is exhibited before me the undersigned Clerk of the Superior Court for said County by L. Haywood Merritt the executor therein mentioned and the due execution thereof by the said George W Merritt by the oath and examination of John B. Combs and E. R. Spruill the subscribing witnesses thereto who being duly sworn doth depose and say and each for himself deposeth and saith that he is a subscribing witness to the paper writing now shown him purporting to be the last will and testament of George W Merritt that the said George W Merritt in the presence of this deponent subscribed his name at the end of said paper writing which is now shown as aforesaid and which bears date of the 2nd of June 1900. And the deponent further saith that the said George W. Merritt the testator aforesaid did at the time of subscribing his name as aforesaid declare the said paper writing so subscribed by him and exhibited to be his last will and testament and this deponent thereupon subscribed his name at the end of said will as an attesting witness thereto and at the request and in the presence of said testator and this deponent further saith that at the said time when the said testator subscribed his name to the said Last Will as aforesaid and at .......(two lines missing)....... said George W. Merritt was of sound mind and memory of full age to execute a will and was not under any restraint to the knowledge information or belief of this deponent: and further these deponents say not John B. Combs Severally sworn and seuscribed this 30th day of July 1900 Before Me G. L. Liverman North Carolina This 30 day of July 1900 G. L. Liverman
John B. Combs
E. R. Spruill
This June 2nd 1900
State of North Carolina S. S.
Tyrrell County
In the Superior Court
E. R. Spruill
Clerk Superior Court
Tyrrell County
It is therefore considered and adjudged by the court that the said paper writing and every part thereof is the last will and testament of George W. Merritt deceased . Let the said will together with the Probate be recorded and filed
Clerk Superior Court
Return to the Tyrrell County Probate Records
Updated September 2, 2001
Ellen Kroll