Will of John Tanner Sr.

Warren County North Carolina Will Book 13 Page 197-202

In the name of God Amen, I John Tanner Sr. of the County of Warren state of North Carolina, being weak in body, but a vague good sound disposing mind of memory, take God for the same, and calling to mind the mortality of my body, and that it is appointed once for all men to die.  To make an ordained this to be my last Will and Testament.  In manner and form as followeth.

First is to say first and principally I recommend my soul into God who gave it, and my body to be buried in Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my friends.  In German certain hold of its resurrection after last day and asked to the world the Estate which almighty guard half blessed with in their slide, ideas and dispose of in the following manner.

In premise.  I let into my beloved wife, Dorcas Tanner, foreign during her natural Wyatt all that tract of land whereon eyed Galileo containing 800 acres at which land lies on the Northwest side of Purchase Patent Road, together with 6 Negroes, viz., Milly, Simon and Hamshire with his wife Chaney, Jenny and Judy a small girl, and also, I amended to my said wife all my personal Estate, all such property or household and kitchen furniture, Plantation, utilities, stock of every kind after my demise.

I can I get unto my son John Tanner five shillings Sterling.

Item I give in to my son David Tanner five shillings Sterling.

Item I give and bequeath into my son Edward Tanner my Negro man tall with his wife Fanny, and also that little Negro girl Judy allotted my wife about, with their increases, to him into his heirs for ever after my demise, and after the deceased of my wife.

Item I get unto my son Joseph Tanner three hundred and eighty nine acres of land lying on the southeast side of Purchase Patent Road and also that tract of land whereon eyed Galileo containing 800 acres after my decease and after the deceased of my wife.  Together with the fall in Negroes, viz., Simon and Hamshire with his wife Chaney, and Jenny with their increases, to him into his heirs after my decease and after the deceased of my wife Dorcas Tanner.

I also, well that, my wife, shall have old servant woman Milly allotted to her above to dispose of after my decease as she my said wife may take most proper.

I also given to my said wife Dorcas Tanner, one mare colt which was got by the noted orders rain Tanner and which they mare filly she my Wyatt may dispose of as she making best after my decease.

Item I amended to my said wife my Negro man Kingston for and during her natural life, and after her decease I desire and will that my servant Kingston go free, to enjoy his liberty as a freeman in every respect, during his lifetime on earth, provided he shall behave himself honestly and orderly but with all notwithstanding he said Kingston is to be responsible at all times and from time to time and to my son Edward Tanner for his conduct.

Item I bequeath to be applied to be rebuilding on repairing of our Baptist meetinghouse twenty-five pounds of Virginia currency, after my decease to be raised out of my Estate, by my Executor hereafter to be named.

I also given bequeath into my Baptist friends one acre and a half of land whereon are meetinghouse now stands and bounded as follows, to wit, beginning at a black will for a quarter eastward of our meetinghouse on the road.  That's by a line of mark trees crossing the meetinghouse sprain branch to a black gold that's by a line of mark trees to a black oak on said road thence along said road for a line the first station and also will that our friends would every occasion show require that date may get timber for the repairing or rebuilding said meetinghouse on the west side said road, off my land.

I also desired that all my chest debts be paid current of my estate after my demise by my Executor hereafter to be named and all debts due my Estate be collected likewise.

I also desired that my tooled servants, Frank and Phyllis, Alfred their support during their lives the sum of $10 annually out of my Estate and further will that whatever of my estate shall remain after my decease, and after the deceased of my Wyatt, that is not given away about that the whole of such remainder and remainders be equally divided my two sons Edward Tanner and Joseph Tanner, and I a plate Edward Tanner, Joseph Tanner and John Wortham Sr. Executors of my last Will and Testament, and I do hereby revoke and disannul all former wills by me either written or spoken.  In a witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 20^th day of  October 1805.

John Tanner {seal}

Signed, sealed and vague knowledge by said John Tanner to be his last Will and Testament.  In presence of Reuben Patrick, Elizabeth Robbins {her mark X} and John Wortham Jr.

Warren County February court 1806 this last well and Testament of John Tanner deceased was proved in open court by the oath of Elizabeth Robbins and John Wortham Jr., subscribing witnesses thereto, and on motion was ordered to be recorded, whereupon Edward and Joseph Tanner Executors therein named qualified according to law.

Test: Marmaduke Johnson CC

[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.]

©2002 by Ginger L. Christmas-Beattie.  No portion of this any document appearing on this site is to be used for other than personal research.  Any republication or reposting is expressly forbidden without the written consent of the owner.

08/29/2007