UNION COUNTY, NC - WILLS - Thomas Winchester Will - 1853 ************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material AND permission is obtained from the contributor of the file. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by other organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of the contributor, OR the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Barbara Roesch pdeese@ix.netcom.com *************************************************************** Will of Thomas Winchester I, Thomas Winchester of the County of Union and State of N. Carolina being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, First that my executor hereinafter named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay all funeral expenses toether with my just debts, howsoeer and to whom _________ owing out of the money that may first come into his hands or a part or parcel of my estate. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Elizabeth all the lands together with the improvements thereon where I now reside lying So West of ? This Creek between my son G A Winchester and myself, also a negro boy ? J ____ and his wife ______ and youngest child also one two horse wagon and two horse beast her choice. Two cows and calves her choice. Two young beef cattle, Six head Sheep, one Saw & pigs her choice also such farming tools as she may need to _______ the farm. Also one years (one years) praovisions for herself and family, also one Hundred Dollars in money to be left in the hands of GEO WINCHESTER put to interest by him to be used for her benefit as she needs it. Also such articles of household and kitchen furniture as she may need. Also the Cotton Gin, Thrasher and ?Fan and running Gear all the above property I give and devise to my beloved wife Elizabeth during her natural life or widowhood and at her death or marriage to be divided together with the increase or improvements theron between my children or their heirs. ITEM I give and bequeath to my said beloved wife two beds and ?furniture, one wheel and ? ____ one large chest one Saddle and Bridle one cooking pot one wash tube one set of Knives and Forks one set plates ______ ______ ________ articles are to be hers _____ at her disposal. ITEM I give and bequeath to my great grand daughter SUSAN MCNEELEY one Bed and furniture, one Cow and Calf. ITEM I give and devise to my son THOMAS D WINCHESTER a certain tract of land known as the ?Beck all land adjoining the lands of Michael POLK, Samuel RINER and others said land to be valued by ____ disinterested persons and my son Thomas D to receive it and account for it to my estate for its valuation, or if he objects to take it at the valuation put by them it shall be sold by my executors and the proceeds equally divided among my children or their heirs. ITEM I agaive and bequeath to my son GEO A WINCHESTER the tract of land lying North of him known as the ?RAPE tract to be valued & disposed of as the Item above tract also the remaining part of the tract I now live on not disposed of to my wife Elizabeth to be valued and disposed of as above divided also the land divised to my wife Elizabeth at her death. I give and bequeath to my son GEO A WINCHESTER to be valued and disposed of as above ________. ITEM I will and devise that all the negroes belonging to my estate except those already disposed of be equally divided among my children or their heirs WILLIAM WINCHESTER, MARY WINCHESTER, THOMAS D WINCHESTER, & GEO A WINCHESTER ITEM I will and devise that all the residue of my estate after taking out the divisi____ and legacies above mentioned shall be sold & equally divided among my children or their heirs. And lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint my children WILLIAM WINCHESTER, MARY WINCHESTER, THOMAS D WINCHESTER AND GEO A WINCHESTER my lawful executors and executors? To all intents and purposes _____ _______ this my last will and testament according ot the true intent and meaning of the same ______ _____ part _______ ______ thereof. In Testimony whereof, I the said THOMAS WINCHESTER do hereunto set my hand and Seal This 26th day of September 1853. Signed sealed published and declared by the said THOMAS WINCHESTER to be his last will and testament in presents of us R G HOWIE; ? R WINCHESTER Signed THOS WINCHESTER (Seal) State of North Carolina Union Co: ______ _______ ________ July ?Seven A D 1864. ____ the _____ _____ papers of writing was admitted to probate in due form of law as the last will and testament of THOS WINCHESTER dec’d.