Edgecombe County, NC - Will & Estate Records

File contributed for use in USGenWeb by 
Charlotte Varnell Beck at Cvbeck@coxnc.rr.com.  

Edgecombe County Wills
Submitted by Charlotte Varnell Beck at Cvbeck@coxnc.rr.com

North Carolina
Edgecombe County

     I William Varnell of said State and County, being of sound mind and disproving 
memory do make publish and declare my last will and testament in manner and form 
following that is to say:
Item 1: 
My executors will provide for my body a decent burial in accordance with the wishes of 
my family in the graveyard now used on my home place hereinafter devised to my son James.
Item 2: 
My executors will proceed at once to collect what money may be due me and sell all of 
my personal property not herein specifically devised, and the proceeds of said 
collections and sales, after the payment of my debts, funeral expenses, charges of 
administrations and legacies, divide equally between my sons Bolin, John, Jackson, and 
Robert Varnell, - who have been fully advanced in lands - one fourth to each - the 
children of any of them who may be dead when this will goes into effect shall stand in 
the place of and represent their deceased parent and take his share of same.
Item 3: 
I give and devise to my wife Penina, should she survive me, Two Hundred Dollars in cash 
to be paid to her at once upon my death; also one cow and calf, her choice; also a new 
bed and stead and the belongings thereof which she owned in 1895, or about that time; 
also all the property which she owns, as well that which she had when I married her as 
well as that which she has bought since.  This devise is made to my wife instead of dower, 
years allowance and distributive share of my estate.  (This is stated and so provided 
with the consent and upon the suggestion of my said wife, who wishes to live with her 
daughter).  In case she my said wife, should dissent from my will, the legacies herein 
to her shall be entirely abrogated and revoked, and the said  amount of Two Hundred 
($200.00) Dollars shall be paid to my son James Varnell, whose share of land hereinafter 
devised to him will be unharmed by the widow's dower.
Item 4: 
To my daughter, Elizabeth Edwards, for the term of her natural life, remainder to her 
children, I give and devise the tract or parcel of land on which she now lives, bounded
and described as follows: Beginning at a stake in the lane, there S 10 degrees W along, 
a new line 74 holes to a stake in Reid's line, thence S 85 ½ degree E unto said line 62 
poles to a Black Gum in the run of Rooty Branch; thence down said Branch 77 ¼ poles to 
a stake - a new corner tract with a line fence N 81 ¼ degree W, 65 holes to the beginning, 
containing 40 acres, more or less.
Item 5: 
To my daughter, Sallie Varnell, I give and devise that piece or parcel, of land described 
as follows: Beginning at a stake in the land on the Sparta Road in the run of Little 
Swamp, thence S 11 degrees W to a Pine in a small branch, thence up the run of said 
Branch to a small Black Gum near a large Pine, thence continue same course S, 11 degree 
W to a stake in Reid's line, turn along Reid's line nearly a West course to Garrett 
Webb's line; thence nearly North to Little Swamp; thence down the Swamp to the beginning, 
containing 50 acres, to the same more or less, also one bed stead, and all the 
furnishings belonging to it (first choice) and also all the creatures which she has 
raised.
Item 6:  
To my daughter, Bede Woodard, wife of James Woodard, I give and devise that piece or 
parcel of land described as follows: Beginning at the Road in the run of Little Swamp, 
then corner of Sallie Varnell's piece, thence down the swamp to the mouth of Rooty 
Branch; two up said Branch to the Road; thence down the Road to the beginning on front 
of the family Residence, containing 40 acres, to the same more or less, exempting 
however nearly one acres which has been fenced in as horse lot which is taken off of 
this piece and , together with the buildings and improvements, is added to the piece 
herein devised to my son James Varnell.
Item 7: 
To my son James Varnell, I give and devise the balance of my home tract, (together with 
the horse lot, buildings, and improvements excepted in Item 6.)  embracing the dwelling
house and lands not art off by the other devises, containing 60 acres, to the same more 
or less.  Also; my steam engine, saw mill, gristmill, cotton gin, and all the fixtures, 
machines and other things used in operating same.  Also one bed and stead and the 
furnishings belonging hereto (second choice).  The lands devised in Items 4,5,6 and 7 
comprise my home place which I bought at a sale made for division among the heirs of 
Garry Sherrod about 1847.
Item 8: 
I give and devise to my son James Varnell, his heirs and assigns the piece or parcel of 
land bought by me from T.W. Owens adjoining the lands of Franklin Webb, Thomas Felton, 
others, containing 60 acres, more or less, Not, however, for his own use and benefit, 
but in special trust and confidence that he will rent the same out during the natural 
life of Wiley G. Sharpe, husband of my daughter Theresa, and convey said rents and 
profits to said Theresa in such sums and at such times as he may think best for her 
comfort and provision, and at the death of the said Wiley Gray Sharpe, convey said land 
to said Theresa in fee simple, the said Wiley Gray Sharpe is to have no control or 
profit whatever, over or from said rents and profits and said land and shall not be 
allowed to live upon the land.
Item 9:  
To my son Joseph Varnell, I give and devise that piece or parcel of land which I bought 
from Franklin Pitt, adjoining the lands of (Intrur) Reid, Bolin Varnell others, 
containing 50 acres, more or less.
Item 10: 
To my daughter Mary Pitt, I give and devise that piece or parcel of land, which I bought 
from Wiley Gray Webb adjoining the lands of said Webb, Jackson Varnell, and others, 
containing 40 acres, more or less.
Item 11: 
From the lands devised in item 7 to my son James, I (receipt) the graveyard, and I do 
hereby receipt one acre from said devise and set the same apart as a family bury ground, 
the same to surround and encircle the present graveyard.
      I nominate and appoint my son, James Varnell, and my son in law, James Woodard, 
executors of  this my last will and testament, and specially request that they both 
(qualify) and act as such.
     In witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and set my seal, this 17th 
September, 1897.

William Varnell (seal)

Witnesses:
James Pender
J D Bruner

__________________________________________________________________________

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. The 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, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of 
this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives 
to store the file permanently for free access.
__________________________________________________