Bertie County, NC - Wills - Bonner, John, 1754 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 Lorene Rambo hocott@aol.com Transcriber Note: This area of Chowan later became part of Bertie County. ========================= Secretary of State Original Wills, 1663-1789 Bonner, John, 1754 (Chowan County) North Carolina Chowan County January Court 1754 Present His Majestys Justices These may Certify that George Liles appeared in open Court and made oath that he saw John Bonner sign Seal Publish and Declare the within to be and Contain his Last Will and Testament and that he was then of and at that time of Sound and Disposing mind and memory and that he also saw John Smith and Jeremiah Mitchener Sign there names thereto at the same time then appeared Thomas Bonner Executor to the within Will and was duly Qualified by taking the oath by Law appointed ordered that the Secretary of said Province have notice that Letters Testamentary issue as the Law Directs. In the Name of God Amen. The Eleventh Day of November, and the year of our Lord God One Thousand Seven Hundred and fifty Three. I John Bonner of Chowan County in the Province of North Carolina Planter, being very Sick and weak in Body, but of perfect mind and Memory, Thanks be given unto God for it, Therefore calling unto Mind the Mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is appointed for a man once to Die, do make and Ordain this my last Will and Testament, That is to say, Principally, and first of all, I give and recommend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it, and my Body I recommend to the Earth, to be buried in decent Christian Burial at the Discretion of my Executor; nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty Power of God. and as touching such Worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and Form. Imprimis. I give and bequeath unto my God-Son Thomas Ecleston Two Negroe Boys, Jack and Cato. Six Cows and Calves and my Riding Horse to be delivered him when he comes to Age. and if he should die without Heir Lawfully begotton of his Body, the same to return to my Brother Thomas Bonner. Item. I give and bequeath to my Cousin William Howcott, one Negroe Boy Named Bob. and if he should Die without Heir, the said Negroe Boy to be Divided between his Two Sisters Elizabeth and Mary Howcott. Item. I give and bequeath my Cousin Edward Howcott one Negroe Girl named Grace and if he should Die without Heir, the said girl, to be divided between the aforesaid Elizabeth and Mary Howcott. Item. I give and bequeath to my Sister Sarah Howcott one Gold Ring. Item. I give and bequeath to my Sister Martha Howcott. One Gold Ring. Item. I give and bequeath to my Brother Thomas Bonner my Plantation whereon I now Live and all the Land that I have now in my Possession, Likewise all the Rest and Residue of my worldly Estate. (Except such as is herein before mentioned.) I likewise constitute and appoint the aforesaid Thomas Bonner my Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament. I Likewise leave John Benbury and Henry Bonner as Trustees to see that my Will is fulfilled according to my Desire. And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke, disannul all and every other former Testaments, Wills, Legacies and Bequests and Executors, by me in any ways before Named, Willed and bequeathed, ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof, I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, the Day and Year above written. Signed, Sealed and Declared by the said John Bonner, as his last Will and Testament in the Presence of us. Jeremiah Michener John Smith George Liles, JURAH Signed: John Bonner Thomas Bonner Qualified