CHOWAN COUNTY, NC - Will - James Luten, 1766.

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From the NC Raleigh Archives

                    WILL OF JAMES LUTEN, 1766 EDENTON

CHOWAN COUNTY towit

In the name of God Amen.  I James Luten of the Town of Edenton in the 
County aforesaid being weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and 
memory (blessed be God) do this day and year make this my last Will and 
Testament in manner and form following.  That is to say.

First  give my Plantation and all the land thereunto belonging lying on 
Sandy Point in the County aforesaid to my son Henderson, to him and his 
heirs forever.

Secondly I give and bequeath unto my sons James and Absolum all my houses 
and lotts in Edenton bounded East by the main street opposite to Thomas 
Barker's on the North by the street that leads by Eggleton's on the West by 
Mr. Blair's Possessions and on the South by the narrow lane from Mr. 
Blair's to the main street to them and their heirs forever.

Thirdly I give a parcel of lands I bought, lying at the foot of Land bridge 
once in possession of Clealand(?) to my son King, his heirs forever.  Also 
I give to my said son, King, the Place called Baises to him ad his heirs 
forever.

Fourthly I give to my wife my two negroe men named Daniel and Will, the two 
negroe women named Juda and Sabina, three feather beds and furniture, one 
dozen black walnut chairs, two oval tables, and one mahogany tea table.

Fifthly I give to my son Soloman my negroe man Gandey(sp) and the negro 
girl Bets.

Sixthly I give to my son James my negroe man named Gun, the girl called 
Penny (has(?) it at Mr. Bennet's) and also young Sam.

Seventhly I give to my son Absolum the negroe wench called Venus also the 
negroe woman called Mald(?) and the child that is at her breast.

Eighthly I give to my son Henderson the negroe fellow called Jame and the 
negro woman called Rose and her children.

Ninethly I give to my son King, the two negroe men called Old Sam and Jack 
and the mulatto girl called Poll.

Tenthly I give to daughter Mary, my negroe girl called little Nan and the 
boy called Cato.

Eleventhly I give to my daughter Ferraba my negroe wench called Amarella 
and her two children, to wit, Peter and Dublin, the negroe boy Harry and a 
feather bed and furniture.

Twelfthly I give to my brother, Henderson Luten, my young English horse. 
Thirteenthly, My will and desire is that all the remainder of my personal 
estate be by my executors hereafter nominated and appointed sold to 
discharge all my lawful debts and when they are discharged the over plus if 
any remaining to be evenly6divided amongst my Children, share and share 
alike.

Fourthly(sic) my Will and desire is that my legacy heretofore made (except 
that made to my wife) be subject to the following regulations, restrictions 
and appointments that is to say my Daughters each to receive her separate 
legacy at the age of sixteen or the day of marriage.  My sons each of them 
to receive their separate legacy at the age of twentyone.  And that until 
such time or times as that shall happen, the whole of the Legacies, to wit, 
the land, negroes and all the chattles so bequeathed as aforesaid shall be 
and remain in my Executors hands and make---.that the best may be done 
towards bring up and educating my said children.  And do hereby further 
ordain, it is my will that if any of my said Children should die before the 
time of his or her or their capacity of receiving and---.such child's part 
of the personal estate shall be equally divided amongst the surviving 
Children share and share alike and in no other way whatsoever. Lastly I do 
hereby appoint William Lowther, Esquire, John Beasley the younger and my 
Brother Henderson Luten to be the Executors of this my last Will and 
Testament---.(writings or witness ?) whereof I the said James Luten have to 
this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the twenty fourth day 
of Sept. 1766.
Signed sealed published and
Declared by the said James Luten and for             James Luten (seal)
His last Will and Testament in the Presence
Of we who are present at signing and
Sealing hereto.
John Davisfon
Charles Bondfield
Wm. Righton  Jurat