Mecklenburg County, NC - Will of Jacob Meissenheimer, 1801 WILL OF JACOB MEISENHEIMER [translated from original which was written in German] Cabarrus County, North Carolina December 15, 1787 I, the undersigned, Jacob Meissenheimer, Planter and dweller in North Carolina, Mecklenburg County, who through the goodness of God have grown old feel myself ill and weak in body, but, God be thanked, wholly sound of mind. As I well know that my days on earth are soon to end but do not know how soon it will please the Master to demand me, so do I remember my mortality, and pray to God, at my death to take pity on my soul, and then when it is parted from my body to take it up graciously in his heavenly Kingdom, and my left behind family shall place my body in the earth according to Christian custom. Regarding the few timely possessions that I, by the will of God, possess, so will that they be used peacefully and quietly by my family, so that no quarrel may arise. After payment of all just debts, my goods be divided as follows: FIRST. My wedded wife, Margaretha, whom I tenderly love, shall after my death remain fully lord and master over all my belongings, and the full reign and house management shall be held in her hands, also that no one dare to take anything from her, except that she of her own free will, and without being forced, gives to her children. But should she marry again, so must she take nothing with her except what the law allows, her bed, spinning wheel and saddle. SECOND. My son Abraham shall for always become possessor of my plantation but shall give my wife the fourth bushel of wheat, welch corn, and rye that he farms. So long as she lives and remains a widow shall this be given her yearly without fail. Also, my son Abraham, unhindered, the use of the wagons that I leave behind, but the half of the pay that he earns through it shall belong to my wife as long as she is a widow. THIRD. Then, shall my son Abraham not have a full right or law made deed be made for him until after the death of my wife, if she remains a widow, but then, shall be made for him a deed by the executors of my testament, over my plantation. Abraham shall from that time on be indebted to his brothers and sisters to pay them the sum of thirty pounds. FOURTH My children are John, George, Jacob, Peter, Abraham, Anna, Margaret, Katherine, Maria, Elizabeth and Barbara. These ten children which I recognize all as my children and tenderly love shall after the death of their mother, my goods in equal parts divide between themselves. If they can divide the things peacefully without vendue, so will this be the best for them. But if they cannot become one over some, so may they order an auction, and then between themselves, divide the whole in equal parts. But shall them the big saw not be sold but belong to my children all together. I recognize this alone for my last Will and Testament which after my death shall accurately be kept and followed. Otherwise do I throw out all other wills & testaments which may be shown. To executors I make my sons John and George. To our strength have I before witnesses set my hand and seal. North Carolina, Mecklenburg County in the year of our Lord 1787 - 15th day of December. For always is the undersigned set in /s/ Jacob Meissenheimer *****seal****** Witness /s/ Peter Quillman /s/ Isaac Blackwelder Probated Oct 1801 ______________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by D Jakob Misenheimer - Misen59@aol.com ______________________________________________________________________