Transcribed by Patricia W. Gilstrap
Will of Alexander Skeen, dated 29 August, 1797. Jones County, North Carolina. Copied by Patricia W. Gilstrap in Jan. 2001, from microfilm at LDS Library, film #0386900 – Wills, Vol. A 1778-1812, incl index, Vol B. 1811-1868, incl index, from microfilm of typescripts and originals at Jones County Court House in Trenton, N.C. and at N.C. Historical Commission in Raleigh, N.C. The following in original handwriting and spelling:
Note: punctuation, if any used, was too faded to see.
2nd NOTE: Alexander Skeen married Rachel Morris about 25 Jan. 1787 in Craven Co. N.C. Bondsman was Thomas Morris, Witness: Wm. Bryan.
In the Name of God Amen I, Alexander Skeen of the County of Jones farmer being sick and week in Body but in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to god for the same Calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordane this my last Will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recomend my soul into the hands of almighty God that give it and my body I reccommend to the Erth to be buried in a descent Christian buriel at the Discresion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall have the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give and (dispurse?) of the same in the following manner and form
Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rachal Skeen my Land. her lifetime if dying without a lawful heir begotten of her body then to return to Thomas Wadsworth and his heirs forever. I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Rachal Skeen all the rest of my worldly estate forever after paying of my debts I likewise constitute make and ordane the last -Executrix and Executor this my last will and testament Rachel Skeen and Ignatious Wadsworth (can’t read, maybe “Jr. ” ?) and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other former testaments and wills legacys bequeaths and executors by me in any ways before. Named Willed and Bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament in Witness whare of I have herunto set my hand and seale this 29th day of August in the yeare of hour Lord one Thousand seven hundred and ninety seven. Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the said Alexander Skeen as his last will an testament in the presents of uswho in the presents of each other hearunto subscribed our names
Alex Skeen
Benjamin Hawkins
Joice Gilstrap
Levicy (?or- Lewcy, or Lucy?) Gilstrap, her mark X
State of North Carolina
Jones County Court feby Term 1798
Then was the within foregoing last Will of Alexander Skeen dec,.duly proved in open Court by the oath of a Joice Gilstrap one of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded at the same time Ignatious Wadsworth the Executor therin named qualified as such agreeableto law ordered that Letters Testamentary (issue?) accordingly
Attest
W.T.? Bryan