Cleveland County NcArchives Wills.....Swofford, William January 13, 1855 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Janet H jgirl282@hotmail.com January 10, 2011, 6:43 pm Source: Copy Of Original Will For Nc State Archives Written: January 13, 1855 Recorded: September 1858 I, William Swofford of the County of Cleveland and State of North Carolina being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say: First that my executors shall provide for my body and a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and to whomsoever owing out of the moneys that may first come into their hands as a part or parcel of my estate. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Prudence Swofford all my household and kitchen furniture of every kind also all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs and sheep, all the domestic fowl and poultry, all the crop of every description that may be upon the plantation whereon I now live and all the provisions on hand at the time of my death, also all my farming tools of every kind. Also the tract of land I now live on and all the other lands that I may be possesed of at my death and if the stock should become too numerous more than my said wife needs, it is my wish that my executors should sell off such stock at twelve months credit and the money from the sale of said stock to be put to the use or support of my said wife if needed after all my just debts are paid. Then at the death of my said wife my lands and all other property of every kind shall be sold at twelve months credit by my executor and the money yet remaining of my estate to be equally divided between all my children. I give and bequeath to my son David the sum of one dollar to be paid by my executors within two years from the time of my death out of any moneys belonging to my estate nor otherwise disposed of to be his and at his disposal absolutely forever. I give and bequeath to my son Martin the sum of one dollar as his right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the last bequest. I give and bequeath to my son John H. the sum of one dollar as his right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my son James the sum of one dollar as his right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my son William the sum of one dollar as his right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my son Joseph W the sum of one dollar as his right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah the sum of one dollar as her right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my daughter Hannah the sum of one dollar as her right and property to bep aid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my daughter Katharine the sum of one dollar as her right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy the sum of one dollar as her right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth the sum of one dollar as her right and property to be paid by my executors in the same manner as the foregoing bequests. And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friend Henry Hoyle Esq and my beloved wife Prudence Swofford my lawful executors to all intents 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 revolking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof, I the said William Swofford to hereunto set my hand and seal this 13th Day of January A. D. 1855. Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said William Swofford to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses thereto. .Milton ? and William B….? Signed: his mark and seal William Swofford Recorded in Will Docket page 230, Sept 1858 Appears to be a note added at end of will that Prudence Swofford removed in open court her right to qualify – see minutes of court. 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