The will of Elisha Stedman, written September 1832, proved Dec. 1832. Cumberland Co., NC The Will of Elisha STEDMAN, Fayetteville, Cumberland County, NC. Recorded in Book B, Folio 215.16 Proved Dec. 1832, John Owen, Qual. State Dept. of Archives and History Search Room, Raleigh, N.C. Transcribed by Carolyn Burgess Knott ========================================== In the name of God,Amen, I Elisha Stedman of the Town of Fayetteville in the State of North Carolina, merchant, being of wound and disposing mind and memory, but languishing on a bed of sickness and bearing in mind the uncertainty of human life, do on this eighteenth day of September, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand, Eight hundred and thirty-two, make, publish and disclose this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:- that is to say:- First, I give and devise to my executors hereinafter named, all my estate real and personal, for the payment of all my legal debts. To this end, they, my said executors shall have full power to sell and dispose of, and make title to any part of my said Estate, real or personal, in fee simple or otherwise:- they first consulting and obtaining the opinion and advise of General James Owen of Wilmington, Major John Owen of Bladen, and John Huske Esquire of Fayetteville on this subject. Secondly, And whereas my son, James Owen Stedman has it in contemplation to enter in a course of Theological studies, to prepare himself for the ministry of the Gospel, and as the change of circumstances which my death might occasion, might possibly circumscribe his means of advantageously prosecuting his studies at a distant Seminary, it is my will and desire, that he postpone the said course, for the space of twelve months after my decease; and, that he, together with my son, John Madison Stedman, take my stock of goods now on hand, at cost; and trade together, for their joint benefit, as merchants and co-partners, for the space of one year after my decease, in the new store that is now finishing. Thirdly, After my said debts shall be fully paid and satisfied, I give and devise the rest and residue of my said estate, whether real or personal, or both to my four sons, Thomas William Stedman, John Madison Stedman, James Owen Stedman, and Denny Porterfield Stedman, equally, to them, and their heirs and assigns forever. Lastly, I do hereby make, constitute, and appoint my two sons, John Madison Stedman, and James Owen Stedman Executors of this my last Will and Testament; and I do hereby further constitute and appoint my Son Denny Porterfield Stedman co-executor of this my said last will, when he shall have attained the age of Twenty one years, but this latter appointment is not to change the authority of my two executors first names, during his minority. E. Stedman (SEAL) This last will was signed, sealed, published, and declared by the Testator in our presence and witnessed by us in presence of each other, the day and year first above mentioned. Colin McIver H. Potter ----------------- Codicil to the preceding last Will and Testament of Elisha Stedman On this, the Twenty sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord, One Thousand eight hundred and thirty two, being still (Blessed be God!) of sound and disposing mind and memory, I, Elisha Stedman, do, by this codicil to the preceding will, declare it to be my will and desire that Major John Owen of Bladen County, North Carolina, unite with, and be added to the number of my executors above named; and I do hereby constitute and appoint him, the said Major John Owen, one of the executors of this my last Will and Testament. E. Stedman (SEAL) Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of Colin McIver Submitted to the USGenWeb Archives by : Carolyn Burgess Knott http://homepage.USR.com/s/seeknott USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free informationon the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities,as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronicpages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. Return to the NCGenWeb Archives Table of Contents http://www.usgwarchives.net/nc/ncfiles.htm#NC