GREENE COUNTY, NC - WILL - Benjamin Best, 1804.

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[Notes:
Benjamin Best I (1740-1805), was the second owner of the White House. He 
lived nearby in the house in which it is said he was born as the fifth 
son of Henry Best I. Married twice, his first wife, Celia Hood, died in 
child birth. Margaret Williams was his second wife.
Although the Greene County Courthouse fire destroyed the probated will 
of Benjamin Best I, a copy survived through descendants. It is recorded 
here in a reasonable close rendition of the original from which it was 
copied. It was written 28 January 1804 and probated in February 1805. --
ghp]

                        Will of Benjamin Best I

In the name of God amen,
        I Benjamin Best of the county of Greene and state of North 
Carolina, being sick & weak of body but of sound mind & disposing 
memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore calling unto mind the 
mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once 
to die, I do this twenty eight day of January in the year of our Lord 
one thousand eighteen hundred & four, make and ordain this my last will 
and testament, that is say principally and first of all, I give & 
recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God, that give it me, 
nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the 
same again by the mighty powers of God.

And as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to 
bless me with in this life, I give, demise, & dispose of the same in the 
manner and form following - that is to say:

First of all my will and desire is that all my just debts by me 
contracted be punctually and duly paid by my executors.

Secondly, I give and bequeath to my son, Henry Best, one negro boy name 
Peter.

Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my son, Benjamin Best, one negro man 
named Willie and one hundred dollars.

Fourthly, I give and bequeath to my grand daughter, Sela (Celia) 
Edwards, one mare, bridle and saddle, one bed & furniture, and one half 
of a negro girl named Milly, and the other half to Elizabeth Edwards, 
and one bed and furniture which Henry Britt hath in possession, and if 
Elizabeth Edwards dies without an heir begotten of her own body it is to 
return to Sela Edwards.

Fifthly, I give and bequeath to my grand son, Kinchen Theophilus Best, 
one plantation whereon Isom Revel now lives containing two hundred acres 
more or less. Also one negro boy named Ned, the plantation already 
given, after the expiration of six years is to be rented out to the 
highest bidder, while Kinchen Theophilus Best arrives to the age of 
twenty one years old, and if he dies without an heir lawfully begotten 
of his own body then the land and negroes to return back to my children.

Sixthly, I give and bequeath to my daughters, Ann Britt and Mary Revel, 
and Clarky Sherard, William Best, Theophilus Best, Benjamin Britt, 
Rebeccah Britt, children of Henry Britt (to wit) Six by names as follows   
Ginny, Cliff, Simon, Lettis, Ben. & Daniel to be equally divided, both 
the above mentioned children of Henry Britt to draw but one share. Also 
one bed and furniture to Mary Revel. Also I give to my son, William 
Best, a small parcel of land being and lying on the north side of the 
Reedy Branch being part of the tract whereon I now live.

Seventhly, I give and bequeath to my grand daughters Polly Murphrey & 
Sally Heath five pounds each.

Eightly, I give and bequeath to my son Robert Best, one negro man 
Dennis, together with all my lands and stock of all kinds and all the 
household furniture, together with all appurtenances and utensils 
hereunto belonging, and also half a set of black smith tools which Henry 
Best hath now in possession. By these gifts I oblige my son Robert Best 
to raise and school Kinchen Theophilus Best and also to support two old 
negroes: Peter and Patience. I constitute, nominate, and appoint my sons 
Henry Best and Robert Best executors of this my last will and testament 
and I do hereby disallow, revoke and annul all other former wills by me 
heretofore made, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be and 
contain my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal the 
day & year first herein written.

                                            Benjamin Best    (seal)

Signed, sealed, published, pronounced, & declared by the said Benjamin 
Best to be his last will and testament, in presence of us, who in his 
presence and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our 
names -
Jesse Pridgion
Thomas Pridgion