Perquimans County, NC - Wills File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Donna Cooper In the name of God amen, the twenty first day of March 1723, I John Arnold of the county of Albemarle in the Province of Carolina being in perfect health and memory thanks be to Almighty God for the same calling to mind the unordained state of this transitory life and that all flesh must yield unto death when it shall please to call and being devious to settle things in order do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following revoking and absolutely unwilling by the present all and every Testament Will and Will heretofore by me made and declare either by word or by writing notwithstanding any promises to the contrary clause derogatory to the same and this to be taken only for my last Will and Testament and none other. First, I bequeath my soul to God my creator and to Jesus Christ my Redeemer and to the Holy Ghost my sanctified and my body to the Earth from whence it came, to be buried in such decent and Christian manner as to my Executors shall be thought fit and convenient, there to rest until my body and soul shall meet again at the joyful Resurrection, and, from my Worldly estate I give and bequeath as follows. I bequeath my son John Arnold my plantation where I now live and to his heirs for ever, lawfully beyond of his own body and for want of heirs in him. As aforesaid that, then my will is that my son William Arnold shall enjoy the said plantation land to him and his heirs of his own body begotten for ever and of heirs in him. As aforesaid that, then the said plantation and land to fall to my son Joseph Arnold and to his heirs for ever lawfully beyond of his own body and for wants of heirs in him. As aforesaid, my will is that my son Thomas Arnold that then the said plantation and land to fall to him and his heirs for ever lawfully beyond of his own body as aforesaid and for want of heirs in him. As aforesaid my will is that my son Lawrence Arnold that then the said plantation and land to fall to him and his heirs for ever lawfully begotten of his own body and for want of heirs in him. As aforesaid, my will is that my daughter Elizabeth Arnold that then the said plantation and land to fall to her and to her heirs forever lawfully begotten of her own body. As aforesaid, then I give to my two sons William Arnold and Joseph Arnold one tract of land containing two hundred and forty acres lying on the South shore joining one the land of Anthony Hatch to share own disposal. likewise, I do give and grant unto my loving wife Mary Arnold my said plantation with all benefits and profits during her natural life without controversy or and molestation whatsoever. And, that all the remains of my estate be equally divided among my children after the decease of my wife Mary Arnold. And likewise, I do hereby make my loving wife Mary Arnold to be my whole and sole Executrix of this my last will formed leaving her the tuition of my children until they shall come to age or married. In Witness whereof I have here into set my hand and seal the day and year first above written. Signed: John Arnold. Witnessed: William Heath, John Reigs, Lonny Jones ============================================================== 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. The 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. ==============================================================