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Jesse Gibbs
Dec. 27, 1853 - Feb. Term 1854

In the name of God I Jesse Gibbs of Swanquarter, Hyde County being in a low state of bodily health but of a sound mind and Memory blessed be God to make and publish this my last Will and Testament in the following manner, to wit,

First I consign my body to the dust from whence it Sprang and my Soul to God who gave it as to what worldly effect I possess I give in the following manner after paying my debts and all my funeral expences.

Item 1st - I give and bequeath to my two oldest daughters Elizabeth and Emulous the land that I bought of the heirs of Martin Jarvis deceased on Rose bay to be equally divided between them.

2nd - I give and bequeath to my two youngest daughters the land and plantation whereon I now live that is I give to my daughter Mahala all the land from my road leading from my leading ditch up to my gate, to begin at my Southern line and run with the said road to David Jarvis' line then with and along the Jarvis line as far down Eastwardly as my field was Cleared when I Came to it then Southerly with and along the ditch that divides my old ground from my new to my Southernmost line then with said line to the begining with my houses and all the appurtenances therunto belonging, I give all my land to the Eastward of the above described ditch to my daughter Rhoda Hellen with a free and uninterrupted privelege of the Ditches as they now are through the land. I further give all the residue of my land below my road to both my daughters , Rhoda H. and Mahala, for the equal benefit of Fire wood and rail timber. I further give to my two Daughters, Rhoda H. and Mehala, the amount of Seventy five Dollars each to Come out of my perishable property and also one bed & bedstead and furniture.

3rd - I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth the amount of thirty five dollars to come out of my perishable property and one bed and bedstead & furniture.

4th - I further give to my Daughter Emulous the bed & furniture she has now in possession.

5th - The residue of my property if any I leave to be equally divided between all my Children after my debts is paid. I further make and ordain William G. Jarvis and Nathaniel C. Williams my Executors to this my last Will and Testament Revoking whereof I hereunto sign my hand & seal this 27th day of December A.D. 1853.

Signed, Sealed and Executed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jesse Gibbs
In presence of us
Nasa Farrow
Mary A. O'Neale

State of No. Carolina }        Court of P & Q Sessions
     Hyde County         }        Feby Term AD 1854
     Then was this paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of Jesse Gibbs deceased produced in open Court & duly proved according to law by the oath of Nasa Farrow one of the subscribing witnesses thereto who testified that the said Jesse Gibbs signed sealed published & [illegible] the said writing to his last will & testament & that at the time of so doing the said Gibbs was of sound disposing mind & memory & that he the said Nasa Farrow & Mary A. O'Neale the other subscribing witness thereto subscribed the same as witnesses in the presence & at this [illegible] of said testator & the said paper writing is accordingly admitted to probate. Wherefore Wm. G. Jarvis & Nathaniel C. Williams appointed executors by said will appeared in Court & were duly qualified as executors thereof.
/s/ Will W. Spencer, Clk

NOTE: Emulous GIBBS married Nathaniel Chase Williams, Sr. and her sister, Rhoda Hellen Gibbs, married Nathaniel's brother, Benjamin Williams, both sons of Willis Williams and wife, Dorcas Credle Williams.

Transcribed & Submitted by Ellen A. Williams of Swan Quarter, NC.

Copyright 2002