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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Virginia Crilley (crilley@eramp.net) August 28, 1997.

BERTIE COUNTY
WILL OF
THOMAS RUFFIN
Aug 22, 1832
Probated Nov Term of 1840
Book G page 324

In the name of God Amen.  I,   Thomas Ruffin,  of the county of Bertie and
State of North Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory
(Blessed by God)  do make ordain   publish  and declare this my last will
and testament inmanner and form following (vis)
   That my Executor herein after named shall sell my lands that formerly
belonged to Jesse Hodges dec'd adjoining the lands of Joseph D. White, Lewis
Thompson and others estimated to contain three hundred and thirty three and
a third acres  (133 1/3),   and out of the money arising therefrom
   I give and bequeath unto the children of the said Jesse Hodges dec'd the
sum of five hundred dollars ($500) to be equally divided among them,   and
that my said Executor also sell the sixty (60) acres tract of land adjoining
the Lands of Abraham Smith, Hardy Hayses and Richard Veale's heirs,  the two
tracts to be sold at private or public sale and for cash or credit at the
option of my Executor.

Item:  I give and bequeath unto each of the children of my deceased Brothers
Henry Ruffin, the sum of Five hundred dollars ($500).
I also give and bequeath unto each of the children of my deceased Brother
James Ruffin the sum of Five hundred dollars ($500)   and should either of
the children be dead leaving a child or children born in wedlock,  he, she
or they shall represent their parent and receive said legacy of Five hundred
dollars ($500)

Item:  I give and bequeath unto my brother Whitmel B. Ruffin the sum of Five
hundred dollars ($500).  I also give and bequeath unto my brother Blount B
Ruffin and his heirs the sum of Five hundred dollars ($500)

Item:  I give and bequeath unto my Brother, John Ruffin, his heirs and
assigns forever  (after the payment of all my Just debts and funeral
charges)   all the balance of my Estate, real, mixed, personal and
perishable under the decree that my said Brother John Ruffin shall keep all
my Negroes together in the Indianwood plantation so that they may not be
divided or scattered about during his life.

Lastly I nominate constitute and appoint my said Brother John Ruffin sole
executor to this my last will and testament hereby revoking and disallowing
all former wills and codicils heretofore made by me.  In testimony of all
which I the said Thomas Ruffin have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal
this 22nd day of August in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred
and thirty two.  (1832)
In presence of witnesses:			Signed Th Ruffin

Rich'd O. Britton
James G. Mhoon

State of North Carolina, Bertie County Court Nov Term 1840
   This last will and testament of Thomas Ruffin dec'd was proved in open
court by the oaths of Wm B King and H H Hardy who testified that they were
well acquainted with the handwriting of the witnesses  Rich'd O Britton &
Jas G Mhoon who have removed beyond the limits of this state, and that the
signatures of the said Rich'd O Britton & James G. Mhoon are in their own
proper had writing, whereupon it is considered by our said court that said
will is properly proved ordained that the same be recorded at the same time
John Ruffin the Executor there named Qualified as such.    James S. Taylor, Clk