LENOIR COUNTY, NC - WILLS - John L. Nelson, 20 July 1903. ============================================================= 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. These 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Gloria Taylor glot@netpath.net =============================================================== Will of John L. Nelson located in Lenoir County Court House, Kinston, North Carolina JOHN L NELSON WILL North Carolina Lenoir County I, John L. Nelson of the aforesaid County and State, being of sound mind but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do make and declare this my last will and testament. First Item My executrix hereinafter named, shall give myt body a decent burial, suitable to the wishes of my friends and relatives, and pay all funeral expenses, together with all my just debes, out of the means coming into the hands of my Executrix in manner hereinafter expressed and set out in this my last will and testament. Second Item I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary A. Nelson the brick building situated in the town of Kinston, NC on Queen Street, between the Bank of Kinston and the former Bank Building of S.H. Loftin for her natural life. Third Item I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary A. Nelson the lot in the Town of Kinston, NC situated on Chestnut Street, being the lot on which I now live, for her natural life. I give and devise to my wife Mary A. Nelson of my personal property that I may have on hand at my death. Fourth Item I give and devise to my daughter Reba Byrd during her natural life and after the enjoyment of her life estate of my wife, the store adjoining the Kinston Bank, it being one of the stores in the Brick Building heretofore described in item two of this my last will and testament, be it understood that my daughter Reba awaits the full enjoyment of the life estate herein devised to my wife Mary A. Nelson in item two of this will and testament before her life interest rest in the store. Fifth Item I give and devise to my daughter Reathy Blow during her natural life and after the enjoyment of the life estate of my wife, the store adjoining the former Bank building of S. H. Loftin, it being one of stores in the Brick Building heretofore described in item two of this my will and testament, be it understood that my daughter Reathy awaits the full enjoyment of the life estate herein devised to my wife Mary A in item two of this will and testament before her life interest rest in said store. Sixth Item I give and devise in fee simple to my grandchildren Loisey, Leo and Lottie Grubbs the lot in the town of Kinston, NC on Chestnutt Street, being the lot on which I now live after the full enjoyment of the life estate devised to my wife Mary A. in item third of this my last will and testament, that my said grand children shall hold the said lot in common until the youngest of the said grand children shall arrive at the age of twenty-one, then the said lot may be partition among them in such way as they may be advised. Seventh Item I give and devise in fee simple after the full enjoyment of the life estate of my wife Mary A. and the full enjoyment of the life estate of my daughter Reba and the full enjoyment of the life estate of my daughter Reathy in manner set out item two, in item four, and in item five of this my last will and testament all this said Brick Building to the lawful begotten children of my daughters Reba and Reathy that the said children shall hold said property in common until the youngest one of said children shall arrive to the age of twenty-one years. By the word children I mean the children of my daughters now born or that may be born to them in the future. Eighth Item I give and devise to my daughter Reba Byrd and Reathy Blow the use and occupation of the up stairs to the said brick building during their natural lives, that is to say after the full enjoyment of the life estate of my wife Mary A. in said entire building. Item Nine I fully authorize and empower my executrix to rent, lease, or mortgage the said property herein devised to the extent of raising money sufficient to pay off all or any incumbencies that may stand against any of said property at the time of probating this my last will and testament. Item Tenth I give and devise to my daughter Reba Byrd a life estate in the lot on Chestnut Street after the enjoyment of the life estate given to my wife heretofore in this my last will and testament. Item Eleven I devise recommend and request in this my last will and testament that my wife use and employ the rents derived from the plantation in Contentnea Township, Lenoir County NC known as the Clark King plantation in payment of all debts outstanding against all or any of the property herein devised. Item Twelve And whereas my grandchildren, Loisey, Leo and Lottie Grubbs are now minors, I hereby appoint my wife Mary A. and my daughter Reba as Guardian to said grand children. Item Thirteen I hereby constitute and appoint my wife, Mary A. Nelson my lawful executrix to all intents and purposes, to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same, and every part and clause thereof, hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness whereof, I the said John L. Nelson, do hereunto set my hand and seal, this 20th day of July 1903. J. L. Nelson (seal) Signed, sealed published and declared by the said John L. Nelson to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence, do subscribe our names thereto. T.C. Wooten E. R.Wooten