CRAVEN COUNTY, NC - Will - Josephus Nelson, 1837

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Source: Loose Wills - NC State Archives - Department of Cultural Resources, 
Raleigh, N. C.

                 LAST WILL & TESTAMENT OF JOSEPHUS NELSON

Original Will "Nelson"
Craven County Wills 1748-1941 Unbound

In the Name of God, Amen, I Josephus Nelson of the county of Craven State 
of North Carolina, being through the abundant mercy and goodness of God, 
though weak in body, yet of a sound and perfect understanding and memory, 
do constitute this my last Will and Testament and desire it may be received 
by all as such, First I most humbly bequeath my soul to God, my maker 
beseeching his most gracious acceptance of it, through the all sufficient 
merits and mediation of the most Compassionate Redeemer Jesus Christ who 
gave himself to be an atonement for my sins, and is able to save to the 
uttermost, all that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make 
intercession for them, and who, I trust, will not reject me a returning 
penitent sinner, when I come to him for mercy; in this hope and confidence 
I render up my soul with comfort, humbly beseeching the most blessed and 
glorious Trinity one God most holy, most merciful and gracious to prepare 
me for the time of dissolution and then to take me to himself into that 
peace and rest, and incomparable felicity, which he has prepared for all 
that love and fear his holy Name, Amen, blessed be God.

I give my body to the earth from when it was taken, in full assurance of 
its resurrection at the last day, as for my burial, I desire it may be 
decent, without pomp or state at the discretion of my friend Oliver S. 
Dewey, my Executor, who, I doubt not will manage it with all possible 
prudence, as to my worldly estate, I will and positively order, That all my 
just debts be paid.  First I give to my dear and loving child Joseph all 
the Slaves that I may have, to him, his heirs and assigns forever, together 
with all the other property which may be left after paying my debts, but 
should my child Joseph die before he arrives to the age of twenty one years 
or having no issue, I will and desire that the same slaves and other 
property whatever it may be should go to Oliver S. Dewey during his life, 
except Silvia who I wish and desire should have her time and my Friend 
Oliver S. Dewey to be her protector and at the Death of Oliver S. Dewey the 
slaves except Silvia, which I wish her to have her time and whatever other 
property there may be to descend to the heirs of Oliver S. and Matilda 
Dewey. I constitute Oliver S. Dewey my Executor of this my last Will and 
Testament, and Trustee to my beloved child Joseph.  In witness whereof I 
have hereunto set my hand and Seal the tenth day of April in the year of 
our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty seven.....
In witness whereof I have hereunto sent my hand and seal.

                                             Josephus Nelson {SEAL}
Witness
Lewis N. Atherly
Smith Delamar

Craven County Court May Term 1838
Oliver S. Dewey, Exr

Josephus Nelson
         vs
Esther Nelson
                           ISSUE WILL OR NO WILL

The following jury being sworn and impaneled, viz: James Master, Silas 
Gaskins, Horatio Gwaltney, Francis McLLwean, Archibald Wallace, Calvin 
Bunch, James F. Nelson (Note: Josephus' cousin), Solomon N. Hawkes, John 
Tomes, Thomas S. Gooding, Charls Wallis and Samuel Brinson find the 
foregoing paper writing is the last Will of Josephus Nelson dec'd. 
Wherefore Oliver S. Dewey qualifies as Executor. Ordered that said Will be 
registered.

Note: Esther Eliza Nelson  m. Josephus Nelson 1830 - divorced by Act. Of 
General Assembly April 1835.