In the name of God amen. I John Mayes of Wake County and Province of North Carolina, being in a Low state of health & body but in Perfect sense and Memory thanks be to God for the same and knowing that is appointed once for all men to die, Doe make and ordain this my Last will and testament, in form and Manner follows that is to say, after my Deceair for my body to be decently buried desire of my Executors not doubting but at the last day to Receive the same again thru the mighty Power of God, and as for such worldly goods wherewith it hath Pleased God to Bless me with do give and bequeath as follows: VIZ that after all my just debts be paid I give and bequeath into my son James MAYS: a Negro boy named Antho and a Negro girl Rachel, to him the said James During his Natural Life and then to be equally (the Benefit) to be divided among his children then alive, and them and their heirs for ever. Item I give and bequeath to James Mays, Jr., my grandson, and to his heirs for ever one Negro boy named Little George. Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary one Negro Wench Betty and her increase, to wit Guy, Bob, Hanner and future increase. Item I give and bequeath unto my son William Mays a certain tract or Parcel of land Lying and being on the South side of the of Neuse River in Wake County containing three Hundred Acres more or less together with a Negro fellow named Phill, a Negro wench named Kate she and her increase (to wit Peter & future Increase), also a Negro boy Sciped, to him the said William. The said land and Negros to him and his heirs for ever. Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Mays and his heirs forever this tract of land whereon I now live Containing Six hundred Acres more or less together I give unto the said John A Negro man named Dick, a Negro Girl named Beck a Negro girl named, Cele, Harry a Negro boy them and their increase for ever, be it further known it is my will to bequeath one half of Profit arising from the fishing Place and fishery to my son William Mays to him his heirs forever to have hold and enjoy an equal Part that him the said William & John shall be joint Proprietors. Thereof in all Profits arising therfrom. Item I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Anne a Negro Wench names Beneke, a Negro wench names Sue, a Negro girl names Nelse A Negro man named Moses, a Negro Child named Cloe. During her natural life, it is like wise my will and desire that all my household goods and Chattles real and Personable my shocks of hogs Cattle horse be equally divided between wife Anne, son William, John, daughter Mary at discretion of Executors and an Estimate thereof to be remitted to children to wit William at the age of twenty One or marriage also to John at the age of Twenty one or marriage as also to my daughter Mary till her marriage or arising to the age whereby the law gives her Power to wrist it out of the Executors Management furthermore it is my desire that after the decease of my wife the said above mentioned Negroes and their increase shall be equally divided between my three children. To wit William John and Mary Mayes and let it be remembered that there shall remain unmentioned three Negroes to wit old George a Negro child Moses and Tom it is my desire and will that the Negro fellow are by my Executor to be sold if need requires to discharge my Debts., if the said William & John Mayes together with the Executors Discharge without and if avoided selling the said Negro fellow to be valued by my Executors and joint and equal division between said William and John and if any demur between the Parties the said Negro by the Executors sold to the highest bider and money to be divided between the Partners to wit William Mayes and John Mayes and the other two Negro Children to wit Moses and Tom I give and bequeath as follows. VIZ I give unto my son William the said Negro Child Tom John to him and his heirs forever, I give and Bequeath into my son John the other Negro Moses to him and his Heirs forever. I further manifesto whom it may Concern that is my will and Desire that my beloved wife Anne shall and I hereby be give and bequeath unto her a full Right and Dower of free possession without hindrance Molestation on the plantation whereon I now live during her life. I further more Revoke and disannul all other will or will & testament whatsoever and Acknowledge and Revoke all others and Ratify and Confirm this to by my last will and testament and doe appoint and Constitute & appoint my well beloved wife Anne Mayes , my beloved friend Thomas Crawford to be my Executors to this my will and testament in witness whereof I Hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 13 Day of November Anno Dom One Thousand Seven Hundred and Twenty three Signed John Mayes (Seal) in witness of us Abigail Spain, Elizabeth Crawford, Mich Rogers, John Spain (Jurat)
Wake County June Term 1777
There
was the within last will and Testament of John Mays in open Court duly proved by
the oath of John Spain a witness thereof and ordered to be Recorded. Test. John
Rice, Clerk
Wake County
The within will and testament was Recorded in the Clerks office of wake County in Book A and Page (102) this 12th day of July 1777. John Rice, Clerk
(The
signatures of the witnesses are all very legible and were all signed by them.)