BEAUFORT COUNTY, NC - Will - J. L. Gower, 1920.

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Copy of this will was provided by Jean the granddaughter of J. L. Gower who 
in 1998 is still living in Hyde County.

Will of J. L. Gower

State of North Carolina
Beaufort County
In The Name of God, Amen

I J. L. Gower, being of sound mind and memory, but realizing the 
uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, do make this my last will 
and testament, as follows:

     Item , 1. - I will for my body a decent burial and that my beloved 
wife, Victoria Gower, pay the expenses of same.  Also Doctor bill, put of 
the amount which will come to her from the C.B.H. Lodge. I further will 
that she have all my personal property with the exception of Bank account, 
if any, which said account is to be equally divided between her and my four 
children, viz. Mrs. D. W. Lupton, Lindon Gower, Ralph Gower and Monnie 
Gower (1/5 each) I also will that she have the 15 acre tract of landwhereon 
we now live during her natural life or widowhood and when she ceases to be 
my widow then she is not have any claim in my real estate.  She is to let 
Ralph Gower continue to live in the home and continue to cultivate the 
land, paying her 1/3 rent for all crops (hay crop excepted, he is to have 
that free of rent) during her natural life or so long as she is my widow.  
She is also to let have the team and farming implements to use in 
cultivating the land and any other land which may seem best for him to 
cultivate, and he is to feed the team at his own expense. Ralph is also to 
furnish her with two hundred (200) pounds of meat each year at his expense 
during her natural life or widowhood.  Ralph is to use team free.

     Item,2- I will that my daughter, Mrs. W. D. Lupton, have Fifty Dollars 
($50.00) in cash.

     Item,3-I will htat my son, Linden Gower, have Fifty Dollars ($50.00) 
in cash and five (5) acres land on Eastward end of tract, adjoining Harry 
Steins; the five acres is to go to him at the death of my beloved wife, 
Victoria Gower, or when she ceases to be my widow.

     Item,4-I will that my son, Bonnie Gower, have Fifty Dollars ($50.00) 
in cash.

     Item,5-I will that my son, Ralph Gower, have the thirty (30) acre 
tract of land on NOrth side of R.R. adjoining G. E. Ricks, at my death, and 
that he have the remaining ten (10) acres whereon we now live at the death 
of his mother, or when she ceases to be my widow.  I further will that he 
pay over to Mrs. W. D. Lupton, Linden Gower and Bonnie Gower the $50.00 in 
case to each named in items 2, 3, & 4, out of his own picket.

I nominate and elect my son, Ralph Gower, Administrator to all interests 
and purposes to this last will and testament.

Witness my hand and seal this 6th day of March 1920.

                             J. L. Gower, (Seal)

Witnesses:
T. H. Whitley.
J. W. Topping.