MARTIN COUNTY, NC - Will - Joseph Biggs, Sr., 1837. ========================================================================= 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, 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. This file was contributed by: Andy Anderson May 2000 ========================================================================== From original on microfilm. Will of JOSEPH BIGGS, SR., dated September 16, 1837, and proved July Term, 1844. Martin Co NC Will Book 2, page 308 State of North Carolina} Martin County} In the name of God. Amen. I, JOSEPH BIGGS SR., of the State and County aforesaid, being in common health, yet knowing that [it] is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this instrument of writing to be and contain my last will and testament. As it respects the worldly goods that it hath pleased Almighty God to bless me with, I give and dispose of them in the following manner, viz.: Item, I lend unto my wife, CHLOE BIGGS, for her and the families (now?)[possibly "the family's need"?], all and singular, all of my property, both real and personal, both in and out doors, during her natural life or widowhood, and at her death or marriage I give in the following manner, as herein expressed: Item, I give and bequeath to my children that have been married and left me, all the property of mine that I let them have at their marriage or leaving me, to them and their heirs forever. Item, I have given deeds for lands to my sons DANIEL BIGGS (now deceased) and JOSEPH D. BIGGS, ASA BIGGS, WILLIAM BIGGS and KADER BIGGS (with certain reservations). I now confirm the same to them and their heirs forever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter LOUISA F. BIGGS at the death or marriage of my wife, CHLOE BIGGS, the half lot on which I now live, that I bought of GEORGE ROGERS, and a lot adjoining the same that I bought of SUSANNAH BROGDON, and my Negro woman HANNAH, to her and her heirs forever. Item, my will and desire is that at the death or marriage of my wife, CHLOE BIGGS, after my just debts are paid, that the residue of my estate be equally divided between my sons JOSEPH D. BIGGS, ASA BIGGS, WILLIAM BIGGS and KADER BIGGS and my daughter, LOUISA F. BIGGS, to them and their heirs forever. Item, [I] further authorize and empower my executors, hereafter in this instrument appointed, to sell and dispose of any of my estate, either real or personal, for the payment of my just debts (or when my wife or family may need the same) and with it made under their signature and for that purpose. I appoint my sons JOSEPH D. BIGGS and ASA BIGGS as executors hereunto this sixteenth day of September 1837. /s/JOSEPH BIGGS, SR. Signed and sealed in presence of us: D. W. BAGLEY WM. HENDERSON State of North Carolina} Martin County Court} July Term, 1844 The foregoing paper writing, purporting to be the last will and testament of Joseph Biggs, Sr., was exhibited in open court and the due execution thereof according to law as the last will and testament of the said Joseph was proved by the oath of D. W. Bagley, one of the subscribing witnesses thereto, who also proved that Mr. Henderson, the other subscribing witness, is now dead, whereupon it is ordered that the said will be recorded. Joseph D. Biggs, one of the executors therein named, appeared and qualified according to law. Jos. D. Biggs, Clk