Will of Thomas Smith

 Jan 1797; Original will is lost; Copy on file at NC State Library in Raleigh NC; (Copy very bad-transcribed from a copy of the original by Selena DuLac with additions and corrections by Jeri Corbitt).

In the name of God Amen I Thomas Smith of the county of Rockingham and State of North Carolina Being in Perfect health Mind and Memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form as Followeth that is to say first of all I give my Soul to god who gave it [to] me and my Body to the Earth to be Buried by the Descreation of my Executors hereafter named And as to the remaining [of] my worldly goods as it hath Pleased god to Bless me with I give and Dispose with in manner and form as in Followeth, Item I lend to my Beloved Wife Elizabeth Smith all my whole Estate Both Personal and Real During her natural life and after the death of my said wife ... I give and Bequeath to my son Drury Smith ten Shillings, Item I give and Bequeath to my grandson Isaac Smith son of Zachariah Smith dec’d one Negro boy named Tom to him and his heirs for Ever. Item I lend to my daughter Mary Joningken one negro girl named Dol dureing her Natural life and after her death she and her Increase be Equally Divided Between her daughters Item I lend to my daughter Betty Mays one Negro girl named Lettice Dureing her Natural Life and after her death she and her Increase to be Equally Divided Between her Daughters. Item I lend to my daughter Phebe Mays three Negros named P... Frank & Peter During her Natural life and after her Death they and their Increase to be Equally Divided Between her daughters. Item I give and Bequeath to my Granddaughter Pollyanny one large chest. Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Betsey Mays daughter of Phebe Mays one Fether bed and furniture to her for Ever, Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Nancy Mays daughter of Phebe Mays one oval table one Iron Pot and one Duch oven to her for Ever, Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Pollyann Smith one feather feather bed and furniture to her forever.... My will and desire is that at the death of my said wife that all the Rest of my Estate not mentioned be equally divided between my three granddaughters Elizabeth Smith daughter of Drury Smith Betty Smith daughter of Zacheriah Smith Dec’d and Nancy Mayes Daughter of Pheby Mays to them for Ever. My desire is my Estate be inventoried But not appraised and I do hereby constitute and appoint Drury Smith and my grandson Bellerophan Smith Executors to this my last Will and Testament in witness where ...unto have hereunto set my hand and seal this 19 (or 10) day of January 1797. Signed Sealed and Published in presence of us

Drury Smith X

John Moore

Umphrey Brooks

Signed:  Thomas (his X mark) Smith (seal)