Last Will and Testament of William Bloodworth, dated 1793, Edgecombe County NC

Transcribed by Kathy Mansfield July 2001 - To the best of my ability. Because of the poor copy I was working from there may be errors. I have tried to copy the will verbatim, using the same spelling and punctuation.

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In the name of God, Amen.

I, William Bloodworth of the county of Edgecombe, and state of North Carolina being weak in body but in sound mind and perfect memory do make this my last will and testament and do make all others made by me hereto for void and of no effect.

In promises I give and bequeath to my wife my _____?___ mare bridle and saddle to her and her heirs forever. I further lend to my wife the use of my Plantation where I now live with all my stock of every kind as my children come of age for their maintaining and caring of them together during all of her life time or widow hood and to be possess as my wife will direct. I further lend ________ my household goods of every kind to the legases(?) as paid to my children when they come of age.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to Betsey Horn one Negro girl named Ruth and two head of sheep to her and her heirs forever.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary Bloodworth my Negro girl Jude and one cow and calf one head of sheep one feather bed and fancy lace that I have before lent to my wife to be paid by me Estate when she comes of age.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my daughter Soalah one Negro girl man and one feather bed and furniture one cow and calf and two head of sheep that I have before lent to my wife to be paid by my Estate when she comes of age.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my son William and all the land that I own on the South Side of the Mill Branch to possess at twenty one years of age to him and his heirs forever.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my son Hardy one hundred acres of land which I have before lent to my wife to possess at the age of twenty one.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my son Jesse one hundred acres of land that I have lent to my wife to possess at the age of twenty one to him and his heirs forever.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my son Timothy the remainder of my land that I possess on the north end of the Mill Branch with the plantation where I now live which I have before lent to my wife.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my daughter Patsey one Negro girl named Easter and one feather bed and furniture one cow and calf two head of sheep which I have before lent to my wife. My will and desire is that my wife should have the use of my Negro wench during her life time or widow hood and then for my son Hardy to have my Negro boy Ephram and my son Jesse to have my Negro Boy George.

Iprim (?) I give and bequeath to my daughter Avey one feather bed and furniture one cow and calf two head of sheep to have and our ??

And after my wifes dessee (decease) or marriage that my Negro wench Vilet and all heir in ??? from this date should be equally divided between my son William and my daughter Purity and my Son Timothy and Likewise the remainder of my Estate that I have not given in Legases to my daughters should be equally(?) divided between my four sons and my youngest daughter Purity and that is to be left under the care of my Estate only lent to my wife.

And Lastly I do appoint my friends Samen Ruffin and Barteon Bridgess my hole and sole Estate of this my last will and Testament where unto I give my hand and seal this ___ day of ______ 1793.

Signed sealed and ?? known
?? in the presence of us by Wm Bloodworth.         Seal

William Sell          (mark is an x)
James Thomas      (mark is an x)
Mary Thomas       (mark is an x)

Edgecom County February ______1794
        The mother will was duly shown in __________by the ________ of William Sec and James Thomas and Mary Thomas the Executors of the will ????? (can´t read the rest)