CLEVELAND COUNTY, NC - WILLS - George Goforth September 15, 1869 ============================================================================ USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the North Carolina USGenWeb Archives by: J.E. Williams jxwilliams@earthlink.net ======================================================================== The Will of George Goforth (1778 - 1869) In the name of God. Amen. I George Goforth of the State of North Carolina Cleaveland County being of sound mind (blessed be God) do this 15th of Sept in the year of lord 1869 make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say 1st I give and bequeath to my Daughter Margaret Phifer a portion of land begining at the old Creek mark near a bluff runing a strait line inside of the fence north to a hickry on Elizabeth Goforth line including all the land above this line joining lands of Samuel Harmon and others I want the remainder of my land and property all sold I give to my Three Daughters Elizabeth Weer, Sarah Goforth and Nancy P Eskridge one hundred dollars each I want the balance of money equally divided amongst all my Children I appoint J D Weer my Executor of this my last will and testament in witnefs whereof I the said George Goforth have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written G e o -- {Seal} X George Goforth Signed sealed in the presence of us Samuel Harmon Robt. A. Rhea ================================================================ Executor's Oath State of North Carolina, Cleaveland County ss. In the Probate Court. I J. D. Ware do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I believe this writing to be and contain the last Will and testament of George Goforth, deceased; and that I will well and truly execute the same by first paying his debts and then his legacies, as far as the said estate shall extend, or the law will charge me; and that I will well and faithfully execute the office of the executor, agreeable to the trust and confidence reposed in me, and according to law; so help me God. J. D. Ware Sworn and subscribed before me, this 16th day of November, 1869. J. Jenkins Probate Judge ================================================================= Probate of Will State of North Carolina, Cleaveland County ss. In the Probate Court. A paper purporting to be the last Will and Testament of George Goforth deceased, is exhibited before me, the undersigned, Judge of Probate for said county, by J. D. Ware the executor therein named, and the due execution thereof by the said George Goforth by the oath and examination of Samuel Harmon & Robt. A. Rhea the subscribing witnesses thereto: who being duly sworn, doth depose and say, and each for himself deposeth and saith, that he is a subscribing witness to the paper writing now shown him, purporting to be the last Will and Testament of George Goforth. That the said Goforth in the presence of this deponent subscribed his name at the end of said paper writing, which is now shown as aforesaid, and which bears date of the 15th day of Sept 1869. And the deponent further saith, That the said George Goforth, the testator aforesaid, did at the time of subscribing his name as aforesaid, declare the said paper writing so subscribed by him, and exhibited, to be his last Will and Testament, and this deponent did thereupon subscribe his name at the end of said will, as an attesting witness thereto, and at the request, and in the presence of the said testator. And this deponent further saith, that at the said time when the said testator subscribed his name to the said last Will as aforesaid, and at the time of the deponent's subscribing his name as an attesting witness thereto, as aforesaid, the said George Goforth was of sound mind and memory, of full age to execute a Will, and was not under any restraint to the knowledge, information, or belief of this deponent, and further these deponents say not. Samuel Harmon {SEAL} Robt. A. Rhea {SEAL} Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of J. Jenkins Probate Judge ==================================================== Application for Letters Testamentary Cleaveland County: --In the Probate Court. In the matter of the Will of George Goforth} Before J. Jenkins Judge of Probate. J. D. Ware being sworn doth say: That George Goforth, late of said County, is dead, having first made and published his last Will and Testament; and that his is appointed as the executor named therein. Further, that the property of the said George Goforth consisting of Real estate and farm personal property is worth about $700 so far as can be ascertained at the date of this application; and that Preston Goforths heirs, Johnston Goforth heirs, Elizabeth Ware wife of J D Ware John Goforth, Sarah Goforth wife of W E Goforth, Washington Goforth Andrew Goforth Samuel Goforth Nancy P. Eskridge wife Jas I Eskridge, Margt Phipher wife of John M Phifer are the parties entitled under said Will to the said property. J. D. Ware Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of Nov 1869. J. Jenkins Probate Judge