Will of Joseph Brock – 1809

Contributed by Anthony W. Brock

Will of Joseph Brock of Jones County, NC
Contributed by Anthony W. Brock

The Last Will and Testament of Joseph Brock of Jones Co., NC
Transcribed from the Original Will
Located in the State Archives, Raleigh, NC
By Anthony W. Brock

(NOTE: I have placed three ??? where I could not make out the word or name, with each set of three ??? representing one unrecognizable word or name. I have also tried to preserve the punctuation marks and capitalization used in the document as best Icould read them. Finally, in the case of John Brock’s middle name, I have went with “Isler”, but the name is a bit difficult to make out.)

In The Name of God Amen. I Joseph Brock of Jones County and State of North Carolina. being weak in body but of sound disposing mind memory do make and declare this to be my last Will & Testament in manner and form following. That is to say— Imprimis….I lend to my beloved wife Mary Brock One half of my lands and plantation whereon I now dwell (Except the Lands I purchased of Lewis Bryan decd) together with One part of my dwelling house being that part below Stairs which is the three Rooms to the Eastward & half ??? of all my other out houses, the use and labour of six Negroes. Namely. Peter. Bitt. Sam. Tony. Abigail little Bitt and old ???. half my plantation tools & every utensil thereunto belonging. the labour and service of two horses. Namely Shirk and Bill ???if they or either of them die. the deficiency to be filled up by the such like horses One riding chair & harness One fourth part of all my hoggs Sheep and Cattle (Oxen excepted) all my household goods & kitchen furniture (except such things that I shall hereafter mention) for and during her natural life. my Will is further that my wife shall have lotted of to her a sufficient quantity of Pork. Corn. Fodder. peas & as will serve her and family for one year.—

Item….I give and bequeath to my son Martin Frank Brock the land and plantation whereon I now dwell. purchased of Nathan Bryan Senr decd. also two hundred acres of Land adjoining the above mentioned lands patented in in my own name. (reserving to my wife as above mentioned in said lands) Three Negroes. Namely. Grace. Jerry and Will my large Ox cart which with all its bodies my young yoke of Oxen and one feather bed and furniture to his heirs and assigns for ever.

Item….I give and bequeath to my son John Isler Brock the land and plantation that I purchased of  Lewis (Bryan) Bryan decd and my Stud horse Shakespear. the rest of my property for him I have already delivered to him Namely Negroes Horses Cattle & together with the whole I give to him his heirs and assigns for ever.—

Item….Provided after the death of my wife Mary Brock my son Martin Frank Brock will pay to my son Christopher Brock and my daughter Penelope Jones. One hundred dollars apiece. Then my will is that the property lent my said wife Mary Brock and all other property not mentioned in my will belong to my son Martin Frank Brock to him his heirs and assigns for ever.

Item….I give and bequeath by equal division to my two sons John Isler Brock and Martin Frank Brock all my carpenters tools my cross cut and whip saws one dutch Fan and one half of my plantation tools to them their heirs and assigns for ever.—

Item…I hereby consider that I have heretofore given a full share of my estate to each of my six children Namely. Benjamin Brock. Christopher Brock. Elizabeth Rhem. Penelope Jones. Mary B. Fondville & Sarah ???msey. (that is to say after my son Martin Frank Brock pay to Christopher Brock and Penelope Jones the before mentioned hundred dollars apiece)—

And Lastly….I nominate constitute and appoint my two sons John Isler Brock and Martin Frank Brock Executors of this my last Will and Testament in witness whereof I the said Joseph Brock have to this my last will and Testament set my hand and affixed my seal this 20th day of September

Anno Domini 1809.

Joseph Brock (Seal)

Signed Sealed published

& declared in presence of us

Christopher Brock

John I Brock

??? ???

State of North Carolina

Jones County Court Novr Term 1809

Then was the within and aforegoing last Will and Testament of Joseph Brock deceased duly proved in open court by the oaths of the subscribing witnesses and ordered to be recorded—at same time the executors therein named qualified as such agreable to Law—ordered that letters of Testamentary issue accordingly.

Attest

??? Bryan ???