1 Fr - Of all I give my sole to God who gave it & my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a Christian like manner at the discretion of my executors & calling to mind the worldly good that it has pleased God to bless me with in this life do give & dispose of the same in the following manner. Viz:
Item the 1 First- It is my desire that my wife Elizabeth Melson be supported out of the income of my estate during her life time and it is also my desire that if my daughter Sarah should become destitute of support that my executor shall have power if he wishes to administer to her wants out of the income of my estate:
Item the 2nd- I don't wish my son John Melson to have any part of my estate that I may die seizeed & possessed of for the reason that I have given him heretofore all that I intended to give him.
Item 3th – I leave my sloop Arthur T. Jones to be sold publick or private & the money derived from such sale to be used for the schooling of my grandchildren that my daughter Mahala has or may have by her husband J.C. Meekins or if my executor should think best he may exchange said vessel for some other species of propperty for the sole use of the children above named -
Item -4th- It is also my desire that my executor shall be vested with the power to remain on my plantation during the life time of my daughter Mahala & her husband J. C. Meekins working it solely for the benefit of the children above named & further it is my desire that my executor may have the power to sell or exchange any or all portions of my estate for the best promotion of the children above named & there pecuniary interest -
Item 5th- I also give my executor the power that if he may think proper, to appoint a guardian for the above named children.
Item 6th- At the death of my daughter Mahala & her husband J.C.Meekins I give my whole estate to the children that my daughter Mahala has by her husban J.C.Meekins- And furthermore I do constitute & appoint my trusty friend J.C.Meekins & his wife Mahala to be my lawful executor & executrix to execute this my last will & testament according to the true intent & meaning of the same - In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & Seal the day & year above written.
Witness
Fred Patrick, Jut.
J.A.Patriok, Jut.
Elijah P. Melson (Seal)
State of N.C.
Tyrrel County
Court of Pleas & Quarter Sessions
April Term 1867.
Then was the within paper writing purporting to be the last will & testament of Elijah P. Melson decd duly exhibited in open court for probate by John C. Meekins & his wife Mahala Meekins executors therein named & the due execution of the said Elijah P. Melson proved by the oaths & examination of Fredk. Patrick & John A. Patrick the subscribing witness therein named, whereupon it is considered & adjudged by the court that the said paper writing & every part thereof is the last will & testament of the said Elijah P. Melson decd. & the said J. C. Meekins one of the executors therein named came into court & qualified by taking the oath prescribed by law &c.
T. H. Alexander C.C.C.
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