CASWELL COUNTY, NC - WILLS - Phelps, James - 5 Mar 1785
Last Will and Testament of James Phelps
March 5th 1785- Will Book BPage 155
Caswell County, North Carolina
In the Name of God Amen I James Phelps ofCaswell County Province of North
Carolina being Weak of body but of PerfectSense and Memory do make and Declare
this my last will and Testament in Mannerand form following
First I Recommend my Soul to Almighty GodWho gave it me, hoping to Receive it again at the Last day in a JoyfullResurrection. My body to be Buried in a Christian like Manner as for WhatWorldly Estate it has Pleased God to Bless me with after my Funeral Expenses& Just debts are paid I order and dispose of the following manner,
1st-- I Give and bequeath to mySon William Fifty Pounds Currant money to be paid out of my Estate.
2nd-- I lend the Remainder Partof my Estate With my land to my Beloved wife Mary During her natural Life orWidowhood She raising my children out of it as I have heretofore done.
3rd-- I Give and Bequeath aftermy Wifes decease to my Youngest Son Ambrose that
part of my Land Lying on the North side ofthe Branch being the part whereon I
now live.
4th-- I Give and bequeath to myNext youngest son Obadiah the other part of my land to him and his heirs onlymy mother to have her Lifetime thereon if She Chooses.
5thly-- The Remainder Part ofmy Estate after my Wifes decease I Give to be Equally divided Among the Rest ofmy children to wit Reubin, Thomas, Larkin, Lucy, Betty, and Patty. If my Wifeshould marry then to be Equally divided among my Six Children Reubin, Thomas,Larkin, Lucy, Betty and Patty and my Wife.
6thly-- My Will and desire isthat if Either of my Eight youngest children should
die Without Lawfull Issue that their partbe Equally divided amongst the Survivers
of them.
7thly-- And lastly I appoint mybeloved Wife Mary my Executrix and my Son William my Executor to this my lastWill and Testament. In witness Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand and Sealthis fifth of March 1785
Seal
Signed Sealed & Delivered in thepresence of }
Shadrack Hudson, Wm Cromwell
James Williamson
Caswell County October Court 1788
This Will is was duly proved in open Courtby the Oaths of Shadrack Hudson, John Phelps, William Cromwell and in themanner as entered of Record upon the
Minutes of this Term and Ordered that thesaid Will be admited to Record.
Test AE Murphy Clk
Executors gratified
TRANSCRIBED BY: Latham Mark Phelps --March 2004