Transcribed by Tonie Hill Moody
State of No’Carolina In the name of God Amen-
I, Alexander Blackshear of Jones County and aforesaid Planter, being weak in Body but of Perfect souond mind and Memory (Blessed be God) do therefore this third day of October in the year of our Lord 1785 make and Publish this my Last Will and Testament in manner and form following-
Vizt-
First, I lend unto by Beloved Wife, Agnes Blackshear all my estate both real and personal of what kind or nature soever it be, during her natural Life– I give and bequeath unto my beloved son James Blackshear one Large Bible and one pair of Brass-headed ‘Hand Iron, immediately after my wife’s death– I lend to my Daughter Eleanor Baily my small dwelling house (the cellar excepted) also one acre of land adjoining the same during her natural life or widowhood and no longer, Nor is my said Daughter Eleanor to rent, lease or let the said House and Land to any Person or Person, in any manner or condition whatever–I give and bequeath unto my son Elisha Blackshear on Negro Boy, Joe (slave) part on amount what I owe him and for other good causes, also one Negro woman named Amey, to him and his heirs forever, after my wife’s death.
I lend to my son Abraham Blackshear one hundred acres of land on the So. side of Trent River including the Houses and plantation whereon I now live, also one hundred acres joining the afores’d land and river, also Ten acres on the N.side of s’d river, the latter being part of a tract patented by Nehemiah Randal, during his natural life, and after his death, I give and bequeath all the lands I lend to my son Abraham, unto his son Alexander Blackshear, to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever, reserving my wife’s life as aforesaid- I lend unto my son Abraham Blackshear (Immediately after my wife’s death) my negro boy Buck during his natural life, and after his death, I then give the afores’d negro boy, Buck unto my Grandson Alexander Blackshear (son of my son Abraham afores’d) to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever– I give and bequeath unto my son Abraham Blackshear, all my cider casks of what kind or nature soevr they be, immediately after my wife’s death– I lend unto my son Elisha Blackshear (after my wife’s death) and until his son Jacob shall arrive to the age of twenty-one, Eighty-Two acres of Land on the So. side of Trent River whereon my son Abraham Blackshear now lives, also Fifty acres lying on the No. side of Trent River patented by John Wallin–Which said Lands I give and bequeath to my Grandson Jacob Blackshear son of my son Elisha afores’d after ny wife’s death, and then as soon as he shall arrive at the age of Twenty-one to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever– My will and desire is that all my household and kitchen furniture, not herein before given, be equally divided between my Daughter Eleanor Baily, Sarah Clifton, and my Grand Daughter Susanna Fordham, immediately after my wife’s death, by my sons, James, Elisha, and Abraham Blackshear, to them share and share alike as equally as may be. I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, Susanna Fordham, one negro girl named Curchey, to her and her heirs lawfully begotten of her body forever, but in case said Susanna should die without any legal heir, then and in that case, I gives s’d negro girl Curchey, and her part of my household and kitchen furniture, to my Grand Daughter, Mary Clifton in the same manner as they are given to my Daughter Susanna. Also my will and desire is that my son Abraham Blackshear pay unto my Daughter Eleanor Baily yearly, the value of five pounds in produce, to commence from the time he shall take possesion, or so long as my Daughter shall live in the house, or continue a widow, and no longer.My will and desire is that all my flock of horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, etc. and all my other personal estate not herein before specified and particularly give, or mentioned, to be equally divided between my Daughter Eleanor, Sarah, and Grand-Daughter Susanna Fordham, and in manner and form before mentioned, to them and their heirs forever. I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my son Elisha Blackshear & my friend Nathan Bryan esqu. my Executors to this My Last Will & Testament, hereby Disannuling all others by me heretofore made. In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first within written his.
Alexander A. Blackshear (Seal)
mark
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared for and as his Last Will and Testament in presence of us who have hereunto set our names as witness- Harget-John T. Bryan-Benjamin Pickren – Recorded in Book A. No. l and Page (61) Sixty-one
Attest. J.F. Bryan C.C.
State if North Carolina 1786—Jones County Court September Term/ Then was the foregoing Last Will and Testament of Alexander Blackshear Dec’d duly proved in open court agreeably to Law by oath of Fredrick Harget, one of the subscribing witness, and ordered to be registered at the same time Elisha Blackshear one of the Executors herein named qualified agreeable to Law, orders hat Letters issue accordingly.
Attest John Lent Bryanm, Cr.Cr,