Northampton County - Etheldred Ruffin Will - 1777 USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Virginia Crilley (crilley@eramp.net)June 26, 1997. Etheldred Ruffin Will Northampton County, NC Will Book 1, page 13. Proven June Court 1777 In the name of God Amen. I ETHELDRED RUFFIN of Northampton County in the Province of NC being weak of body but of sound and perfect sense and memory, thanks be to God for the same, Do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following, first I give and bequeath my soul to God that gave it me and my body to be decently buried, at the discretion of my executors hereafter named, and as for my worldly estate, do order give and despose of in the following manner. Imprimus, I give and bequeath unto my loving wife MARTHA RUFFIN,one feather bed and furniture her coice of them, one wooling wheel, one linnen wheel, all my pewter, one small pine table, one small iron pot, one frying pan, four cows and calves, two sows and pigs, six barrells of corn, and side saddle and bridle, one box iron and huter all my Geese, two yews and lambs, one small pine chest four framed(?) chairs, also eleven pounds ten shillings Prov. money to be raised out of my estate. Likewise lend her one third part of the plantation and tract of land whereon I now live during her natural life, the above mentioned personal estate to her and her heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto my daughter NANCY RUFFIN five pounds Virginia currency to be raised out of my estate to her and her heirs forever. Item: I give and bequeath unto my natural son JOHN RUFFIN, alias O'QUINN the plantation and all the tract of land whereon I now live provided he pay unto my executors hereafter named the sum of sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence Prov. money, within one year after my death, for the use and benefit of my son BARTHOLOMEW RUFFIN,and also the sum of sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence like money, within the said term for the use and benefit of my son ETHELDRED RUFFIN in order that the same may be put out on (INTEREST) to him and his heirs forever, and in case be the said JOHN RUFFIN, alias O'Quinn, doth not pay the said sum as above mentioned or doth die without ....?,my will and desire is that my said plantation and tract of land may be sold to the best advantage by, and at the discretion of my executors and the money arrising therefrom to be equally divided between my said sons BARTHOLOMEW and ETHELDRED RUFFIN. Item: My will and desire is that after my just debts and legacies are paid all the residue of my estate both real and personal, be it of what kind or nature soever may be sold to the best advantage, by and at the discretion of my executors, to be equally divided between my said sons BARTHOLOMEW and ETHELDRED RUFFIN. I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my loving brother SAMUEL RUFFIN, loving nephew ETHELDRED RUFFIN and my loving son JOHN RUFFIN alias O'Quinn, my whole and sole executors to this my last will and testament, revoking, disannulling and making void all former wills and gifts by me made and declare this only to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the 30th day of March in the year of our Lord 1773. Signed sealed and acknowledged in presents of: John Peelle James Maddra ETHELDRED RUFFIN (SEAL) Mary Peele Northampton County, NC Proven June Court 1777. This will was proven by Jas. Madra at the same time Samuel Ruffin qualified as executor, ordered to be certified and recorded. Test Jepe Atherton C.C. Transcript of this will is at ECU Manuscript Room, Greenville NC Virginia Crilley 4500 Kenny Lane Waco TX 76710 (254)772-5390