In the name of God, amen: I, Thomas Lewis, Of the County of Tyrrel and State of North Carolina being in feeble health but of sound mind and memory, do make and declare this my last Will and Testament. I commend my immortal Spirit into the hands of God who gave it, humbly hoping for that mercy which is vouchsafed to wing mortals through Jesus Christ, and I commit my body to the ground to be burried in a plain and decent manner, in full assurance of a reunion with my soul at the last day.- In respect to the temporal possessions which it has pleased an indulgent providence to bestow on me, I desire as follows:-

First- That my just debts be paid by my executor hereinafter named.-

Item- I give and bequeath to my son, Charles J. Lewis all the tract of land on which he now lives, which is situated in Washington County, and bounded by the Albemarle sound and the land of John Newbery and others; I also give to him three feather beds which are now in his possession; my silver watch; and the following negros, Viz:- Joshua, Amanda and George- to him his heirs and assigns forever-

Item- I give and bequeath to my son, Hezekiah P. Lewis, one feather bed and furniture; and the following negros, Viz:- Aaron, Charlotte, and Sampson- to him his heirs and assigns forever- I have already given to my son Hezekiah twenty-two hundred dollars in the purchase of the land known as the William Wynne tract-

Item- I give and bequeath to my daughter Eliza Phelps, two feather beds, one of which is now in her possession; my bureau, rocking-chair; and the following negros, Viz: Annis, Hester, Eliza, Maria and her children; I also give to my said daughter the sum of five hundred dollars for the purpose of enabling her to purchase a small farm- to her, her heirs & assigns forever.

Item- I give and bequeath to my son, Henderson Lewis all the tract of land whereon I now live, also the lands purchased by me of Collin E. Spruill, Joseph Halsey, and John Harrel- bounded by the lands of Joseph Halsey, Henry Bateman, the heirs of Reichard Hassell, William Spruill and John A. Hassell; I give to my son Henderson my wheat machine an fan; one feather bed & furniture; also the following negros, Viz; Francis, James and Eveline- to him his heirs and assigns forever.- My will and desire is that negro woman Phebe remain on the plantation that I have given to my son, Henderson Lewis to his service and care.-

Item- The residue of my property- whether real, personal or perishable- not before devised, I give and bequeath to my children, above named to be equally divided among them.-

Finally- I appoint my son, Charles J. Lewis, Hezekiah P. Lewis and Henderson Lewis my executors to this my last Will and Testament, revoking all others heretofore made by me. In witness whereof, I hereunto set my hand and affix my seal this 31st day July 1853-

Signed, sealed & published to be last Will and Testament of Thomas Lewis in the presence of

H. E. Lewis
William S. Pettigrew
W. C. Sleight

Thomas Lewis (Seal)