Gates County, NC - Will of John Morris, Senr., 1856 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Will of John Morris, Senr. Gates County, North Carolina. In the name of God Amen. I John Morris, Senr. being of sound mind but of weak of body and knowing that death is the enevitable fate of all men and no human sagacity can avert its approach; I do by these presents publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner & form as follows. Item 1st I give to my beloved wife Nelly Morriss the use of all my lands so long as she may live also the use of all my stock, farming implements of every description and household and kitchen furniture except what I hereafter give to my son Jacob Morriss. Item 2nd I give to my son Jacob Morriss the claybank horse, one cow & calf, 1 Bed & furniture and farming tools which he has in use and I also give to my said Jacob Morriss the whole of my lands and Improvements after the death of my wife Nelly Morriss but in the event of the said Jacob Morriss should die leaving no Issue lawfully begotten of his body then I give said lands to the children of my son John Morriss and my grand daughters Larthagenia and Margaret Simons; but in the event of either of the latter two dying without lawful Issue the survivor is to have the deceased one's part but should both die without lawful issue then the whole of their part of said land I give to the children of said son John Morriss forever. Item 3rd I give to my grand daughter Larthagenia & Margaret Simons all my money and notes which I may have at my death and after the death of my wife Nelly Morriss all my stock and house hold & kitchen furniture of every kind; but in event of either dying leaving no lawful issue of their body then the whole property and money given them is to go to the children of my said son John Morriss forever - but it is not intended that my said Grand Daughters shall not have the priviledge of using said Gift prudently and for their comfort. Item 4th The Gift hertofore given to son John Morriss is conformed & I believe it is a fair part. I appoint my son Jacob Morris my sole executor to this my last will and testament and guardian for my Grand Daughters herein spoken of with the power of retaining any thing in his hands for their benefit & giving them such part as he may think prudent and proper until they are married then the married will receive her part by equal division. Given under my hand and seal this 26th Septr 1856. his John X Morriss (seal) mark Witness J. H. Freeman E. F. Hurdle ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Harvey Harrison ___________________________________________________________________