Chowan County, NC - Will of William Ward, Sr., 1821 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ William Ward, Sr. - January 11, 1821 Chowan County, North Carolina Book C, Pages 130 - 132 In the name of God Amen I William Ward senr. of the County of Chowan State of North Carolina being in health and sound mind and memory, thanks be to God for the same, and calling to mind the uncertainity of this life and the certainty of death, do make and ordain this my last Will & Testament in manner and form following to wit - First of all its my will and desire that my just debts should be paid after my decearce as soon as convienientby my Executor out of my Estate here after named - 2nd. I leave unto of my beloved wife Sarah Ward the use of one half of the Plantation whereon I now live until my son Noah Ward arrives to the age of twenty one years or during her widowhood and after my son Noah Ward arrives to the age of twenty one and my wife remains my widow, for my son Noah Ward to have two thirds of the land and of the buildings and all the orchard wheron I now live. And also I leave my wife Sarah Ward one feather bed and necessary furniture. also one horse and fifty Dollars in money to buy a years provisions with. It is to be noted that my wife is to have nothing to do with my other lands at any time - 3rd. I leave all my land lying on Chowan River to my son Micajah Ward during his natural life and after his death I give the aforesaid land unto his son William Ward to him and his heirs forever. I also give unto my son Micajah Ward one negro girl by the name Celia - 4th. I give and bequeath unto my son Humphrey Ward my land that I bought of Frederic Ward and I also leave him the use of the land that I bought ofBenjamin Jordan during his natural life and then at his diceased I give the aforesaid Jordan land to his son Trotman Ward to him and his heirs forever, I also give my son Humphrey Ward a negro boy called Young Dick to him and his heirs forever. 5th. I give and bequeath unto my son Noah Ward all my land whereon I now live after his mother's death or marriage, and I also give him the land that I bought of James Rawls, I also give my son Noah Ward one negro man by the name of Harry, I also give him seventy five dollars in money, also one feather bed and neccessary furniture, one cow and calf, also I give him one Brandy Still with the rest of my children having liberty to still their cider on it toll free as they have done hintafore. 6th. But in case either of my sons should die before they come to lawful age or die without leaving any lawful heir my will and desire is that my son or sons then existing shall have his or their sole use of all such lands so given to such deceased son or sons as the care may be to them and their heirs forever - 7th. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Sarah Ward our negro girl by the name of Cary to she and her heirs forever. 8th. I give and bequeath unto my four Grandchildren, Sarah, Mary, Timothy, and Alfred White one negro girl by the name of Ferebee to be equally divided mong them, I also give my aforesaid Grand Children and their Father John White Ten Dollars in money to be equally divided among them and their heirs forever - 9th. I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Birum on negro boy by the name of Charles to her and her heirs forever - 10th. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elvy Perry one negro girl by the name of Mary to her and her heirs forever - 11th. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Thamar Boyce one negro boy by the name of Miles also one feather bed and furniture, one wheel, one cow and calf to her and her heirs forever - 12th. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Rachel Boyce one negro by the name of Ben also one feather bed and furniture, one wheel, one cow and calf to her and her heirs forever. 13. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Esther Ward one negro boy by the name of Will, also one feather bed and furniture, one wheel, one cow and calf to her and her heirs forever - 14th. I leave old Dick and Rachel at my deceased to be equally divided among my children Micajah Ward, Leah Ward, Sarah Birum, Elvy Perry, Humphrey Ward, Thamar Boyce, Rachel Boyce, Esther Ward and Noah Ward, it is also my will and devise that the balance of my property should be equally divided amongst my children before named to them and their heirs forever - Lastly I nominate and appoint my son Humphrey Ward my Executor to this my last will and Testament, I witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 11th day of January 1821. In presence of us William Birum William Ward Senr. (Seal) Moses Hollowell The foregoing will was exhibited in open court proved by William Birum and Moses Hollowell the subscribing witnesses to the same and ordered to be recorded. Test Geo. M. Jones dpy. clk. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. 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