Wake County, NC - Will & Estate Records File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Stephen Terry Will of James Marshall Pearson I, James M. Pearson of the County of Wake and State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory, but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, so make and declare 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 relatives and friends, and pay all funeral expenses, together with my just debts, howsoever and to whomsoever owing, out the money that may first come into his hands as a part of my estate. I give and devise to my youngest son John P. Pearson one fourth of the tract of land on which I now live to be laid off so as to include the mansion house, all outhouses [unreadable symbol] to have and to hold to him and his heirs in fee simple forever. Provided that my beloved wife Nancy H Pearson shall have the lone of the above tract of land during her lifetime or widowhood. I give and devise to my children Stephen H Pearson, Sivel D Pearson, and James J Pearson the balances of the tract of land on which I now live to be equally divided and allotted among them, to them, their heirs and assigns forever. Provided also that my beloved wife Nancy H Pearson have the use of said lands until the first child becomes of age, when the allotment shall be made, each heir receiving his portion as he becomes of age. The said Nancy H Pearson retaining the right to each lot until it comes into the hand of the heir by age. I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Nancy H Pearson one bead beadstead [a bed?] and furniture of her choice. I also give and bequeath to my children Stephen H Pearson, Sivel D Pearson, James J Pearson, & John P Pearson each of them one bead [bed] abd furniture to be advanced as they become of age. My executor shall, after paying all demand and collecting all claims, distribute the moneys that he may have in hand (if any) as follows, he shall divid[e] it in equal proportions between my four above mentioned children, advancing each ones share as he becomes of age. I Lone to my beloved wife Nancy H Pearson all the balance of my estate including one Negro man, Henderson, stock of all kinds, shop tools, buggy, farming tools, household and kitching [kitchen] furniture, for her use and service during her lifetime or widow-hood; then all to be sold and equally divided among my children Stephen H Pearson, Sivel D Pearson, James J Pearson, & John P Pearson. I reques[t] my wife to keep a schedule of the advancements that she may make to each child, and that these advancements be taken into consideration by my executor in the final settlement. I do hereby constitute and appoint my trusty friend A.B. Freeman my lawful executor to all intent and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent of the same, hereby revoking all other wills by me made. In witness whereof I hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of June eighteen hundred and sixty two. James M. Pearson seal Signed and sealed in presence of us A.B. Freeman W.B. Williams J M Pearson will Recorded in Book HH page 427, 428 February term 1863 __________________________________________________________________________ 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. __________________________________________________________________________