William Spencer
April 3,1790 - Feb. Term 1793
Hyde County Wills;
DAH in Raleigh, NC; C.R. 053.801
In the Name of God Amen. I, William Spencer of the State of North Carolina and County of Hyde, being infirm in body but of sound and disposing mind and memory do make and Ordain this my last will and Testament in form following, that is to say, I give and recommend my Soul into the hand of almighty God who gave it; and my body to be decently interred at the discretion of my Executrix, and touching such worldly Estate as it hath pleased God to bless me with, I give and Bequeath it in the following manner and form:
I give and bequeath to my son Zachariah Spencer my plantation and land whereon I now dwell with all and singular the appurtenances; and one negro man named Frank, reserving twelve years use and benefit of said negro to my wife Mary Spencer.
Item I give to my son Thomas Spencer one negro boy named Bob.
Item I give to my son William Spencer one negro boy named Frank.
Item I give to my son Benjamin Spencer one negro boy named Brister [?].
Item I give and Bequeath to my beloved wife Mary Spencer my land and plantation whereon I dwell with all and singular the appurtenances during her widow hood. I give to her all and singular my Estate which hath not been already herein otherwise disposed of, during her widowhood, and afterward to be equally divided amongst my five daughters Sarah Casandra Mary Sophia and Oliva Spencer.
And lastly I do Constitute my beloved wife Mary Spencer my Executrix and William Gibbs Senior and Benjamin Gibbs younger Executors of this my last will and testament. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, and disannul all former wills and Testaments of me in any wise made, ratifying and Confirming this and this only to be my last will and Testament. In witness whereof I the said William Spencer have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this third day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand Seven hundred and ninety.
William Spencer {seal}
Signed sealed published and pronounced
by the Testator in presents of us,
Joseph Gibbs
Israel WatsonNOTE: The will was proved at the February 1793 term of court by Joseph Gibbs. William Spencer, son of William Spencer and his wife Elizabeth Mary, was born ca. 1743 and died ca. 1792. William Gibbs, Sr. was William Spencer's father-in-law. Candidates for Joseph Gibbs are the brother of William Gibbs, Sr., and that Joseph's son, Captain Joseph Gibbs (the widow's cousin). Benjamin Gibbs "younger" probably refers to the widow's brother.
(Submitted by Jim Spencer.)
Copyright 2003