BERTIE COUNTY WILL - Baker, William Henry - 1883 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by by Michael Vance Baker State of North Carolina Bertie County 2 April 1883 I, Wm. Henry Baker, of the County and State aforesaid being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthy existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say: First - That my executors (herein after named) shall provide for my body a decent burial suitably to the wishes of my relatives and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts, howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the money or moneys that may first come into their hands as a part or parcel of my estate. I give and devise to my beloved wife Sarah Baker, Four hundred acres of land, where I now live including my residence and all improvements the same being the same being the land which I purchased from Charney Cale Sr. and D.L. Cale to be set apart by mutes and bounds as aforesaid off of the northeast corner of my tract for and during the term of her natural life. (or so long as she remains my widow) in satisfaction for and in lieu of her dower and thirds of and in all my real estate. I give and devise to my three youngest children, Susan C. Baker, Henry C. Baker and Thomas F. Baker. Four hundred acres land the place where I now live (being the land which I purchased from Charney Cale Sr. and D.L. Cale) except the life estate (or the widowhood estate) of my wife mentioned in a former **** of this my will to be equally divided between them, each and everyone of them to share and share alike. To have and to hold to their and their heirs in fee *simple* forever. I give and bequeath to my said beloved wife our bed and furniture, her choice. All the household and kitchen furniture not otherwise disposed of in my will. One Bay Mare named Jenny Lind, and all of her increase from this ate. And one Bay Mare named Nelly Gray. Two cows and calves her choice two yews and lambs, her choice, one sow and pigs her choice. All the provision corn mesh & C. on hand. All the domestic fowls and poultry on hand, together with one hundred and fifty dollars in money. One cash and the crop or crops of any or all kinds that may be growing upon the lands where I now live at the time of my death, to be hers during her natural life, or as long as she remains my widow. And no longer, and in case or her death or suiter marriage to be equally divided between my three youngest children, Susan C. Baker, Henry C. Baker and Thomas F. Baker, share and share alike to there and their personal representatives forever. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary E. Perry, Twenty dollars in money, as her just and full share in my estate. I give and bequeath to my son, Gilbert R. Baker, Twenty dollars in money, as his just and full share in my estate. I give and bequeath to my grandson, Henry R.L. Baker, Son of Geo. W. Baker, Five dollars in money, as his just and full share in my estate. I give and bequeath to my son, William W. Baker, Twenty five dollars in money. I give and bequeath to my son, John C. Baker, Fifty dollars in money. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth White, Twenty five dollars in money. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah E. Butler, Twenty five dollars in money. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Nancy Castellow, Twenty five dollars in money. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Emeline Perry, Twenty five dollars in money. I give and bequeath to my three youngest children, Susan C. Baker, Henry C. Baker and Thomas F. Baker, one bed a piece, one cow and calf each, and one yew and lamb each, to their and their heirs forever. My will and desire is that the residul of my estate (If any) after taking out the desires and legacies above mentioned shall be divided out by my executors, without any public sale. If any horses or any other articles of personal property cannot be divided out by them without sale. I authorize and fully encourage them (my executors) to sell said horses & privately or to the best advantage at Windsor, or elsewhere, as in their judgement they may think proper. (except at my residence) and the debts owing to me collected. And if there shall be any surplus over and above the payments of debts, expenses, legacies, that such surplus shall be equally divided and paid over to my said wife and all her children (The said Sarah Bakers Children) in equal portion, share and share alike to them and each and every of them, their heirs, executors, administrators or assigns absolutely forever. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friend Geo. W. Cobb Sr. and my son John C. Baker my lawful executors to all intense and purposes to execute this my last will and testament, according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause thereof hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me hereafter made and declaring this to be my will and devise. In witness whereof I the said Wm. Henry Baker do hereunto set my hand and seal this 2nd day of April A.D. 1883. His William X He Baker SEAL mark Signed sealed published and Declared by the said Wm. Henry Baker to be his last will and testament in the presence of us. ***************************************************** Transcribed April 3, 1997 by Michael Vance Baker For more information contact mailto:mvb63@earthlink.net