Will of John Christmas  (10 Jan. 1743 - 13 May 1777)

Bute County, North Carolina Will Book 2 p.129-130

In the name of God Amen. I John Christmas of the Parish of Saint John of the County of Bute being sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same and calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life and being willing to settle my worldly affairs, in order do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following: First I commit my soul to God who gave it hoping through the death and merits of Jesus Christ my Savior to be made partaker of the never fading joys of immorality as the day of resurrection as for what temporal estate hath pleased God to bestow on me, I give and bequeath the same in manner and form following that is to say First I give and bequeath to my loving wife Ann Christmas to her heirs forever five featherbeds and furniture, likewise I lend to my loving wife all the rest of my household furniture, together with my stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, except what I shall hereafter mention, likewise lend to her two Negroes Viz! Joe and Doll. Now my will and desire is that my executor do sell my bay mare giving what credit they think proper (and my Tobacco) with which money is my desire my debts should be paid, and if not enough, the rest to be paid out of the money arising from the sale of the mare, and if any left my Executors pay it out for the use of my children. Now my will and desire is that my loving wife do keep all this my estate together on my land if she thinks fit, but do not move it without the consent of my Executors which land I do lend her during the space of fourteen years, in case she lives a widow, in case she marries the land to be taken into the hands of my executors for the use of my son Henry all above which I lend her to bring up my children upon, till the youngest arrives to the age of fourteen years, at which time whereto my three children in case either dies, there will be an equal division. My will and desire is that in case my wife marries, my son Henry live with either of my executors as they think proper.

Item: I give and bequeath to my son Henry Christmas to him and his heirs forever all my land.

Item: I give and bequeath unto my three children to them and their heirs forever all my estate that will be found in the hands of my wife at the time of the division Viz! Henry, Mary and Martha CHRISTMAS, and lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint Thomas Christmas and William Duke Executors of this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void and null all form or wills heretofore made, and confirm this my last will and none other to be my last will and testament.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of April in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy-seven. John CHRISTMAS {seal} Presence of W. Kellow and Thomas Green.

North Carolina State Bute County May Court 1777 This will was presented in court and proved by the oath of William Kellow and Thomas Green the witnesses hereto, and the same was ordered to be recorded, and letters testimonial was granted to Thomas CHRISTMAS and William DUKE the executors who were qualified accordingly. Test Thomas Macken C.C.

Contributed by Ginger Christmas-Beattie

[Out of respect of the Ethnic heritage of the Slaves I have listed them as Negro or Slave where the records do not capitalize the words.]

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