Wake County, NC - Will & Estate Records File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Norma N. Diggs William Speight's will written January 8, 1809 and proved in the Wake County, NC courts May, 1809, Will Book 9, pp. 45-47. His bequests were as follows: First, I give and bequeath to my dear and beloved wife, Penelope, one black horse, one sorrel (ditto, got by Mark Anthony, five feather beds and furniture, fifty four geese & one filly one walnut (ovel?) table, six chairs, all my Pewter and Earthenware, two cotton wheels, two flax ditto, one flax hackle, all my case knives and forks, one Cart and work Stears, two Iron Pots, one dutch Oven, my Tub, Pails, and Pigions (?), and all my plantation utensils of every kind (except what is herein thereafter bequeathed) two flat Irons all my stock of Hogs, six head of sheep and twenty head of Cattle to her and her Heirs or Assigns forever. I likewise lend to my beloved wife Penelope during her natural life all my land and improvements on the north side of Swift ? creek above the Road leading to Raleigh including the Plantation whereon I now live (except twenty acres including a House built for my son James. Also the following Negroes (to wit), Luke Ned, Rachel, Flora, Cherry and Sarah, and after her decease to descend to the Legatees as herein and hereafter mentioned. I also give and bequeath to my Grand children (viz the children of my daughter Rhody Strickland the following negroes with all their future increase (to wit) Flora, Cherry and Sarah, to be equally divided among them after my wife Penelopes decease, to them their Heirs & assigns forever. I also give to my grandson Burrel Edwards one hundred Acres of Land including the plantation whereon Zachariah Edwards now lies. The same being surveyed by Nathaniel Jones WP. to him his Heirs & assigns forever. I give and bequeath to my grand children (viz) the children of my daughter Tabitha Edwards the following negroes, (to wit, Mary, Daniel, Milley, Rachel and Sam, to be and remain in the care and possession of my sd. daughter Tabitha (at the will of my Executors) during her natural life wholy & solely for the benefit of her children and after her decease to be equally divided among them all to them their Heirs and Assigns forever. I give and bequeath to my son William four hundred Acres of Land whereon he now lives, Also the following Negroes after his mothers decease (towit, Luke, Ada and Rachel, and also at my death the following Negroes, Cate and Lettice, also my still, one brass kettle, one bed and furniture one walnut chest, and one whip saw to him his Heirs and assigns forever. I give and bequeath to my son James all the land and improvements whereon I now live it being part of several surveys and containing by estimation eighteen hundred and twenty eight Acres, Also the following Negroes, with all their further inrease (to Wit, Sam, Willis, Ben & Amy. all my Blacksmith Tools, three beds and furniture, one cross cut saw one desk, one Walnut chest, one Walnut Table, six chairs, one sorrel Horse got by Raven, one Mare got by Flemnap? two head of cattle all my capenters Tools, and Books to him his Heirs and assigns forever. My further will and desire is that all my property not yet bequeathed shall be sold and the money arising therefrom together with my ready Money Notes and Book accounts be equally divided between my two sons, William & James after paying all my Just debts. I do also hereby nominate, consitute and appoint my two sons, William and James and my trusty friend Matthew McCullers Executors to this my last Will and Testament, revoking all former Wills and Execu__ by me heretofore made or appointed. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this eighth day of January A.D. One thousand eight hundred and nine. William Speight (Seal) Signed Sealed published and declared by the said William as his last Will & Testament in presence of us. Wm. Lane } Interlined before assigned Isaac Hunter } the words fifty geese and one Filly. Levi Jones } Stephen Segraves (X his mark) Wake County, May Term 1809 The execution of this Will was in open Court duly proven by the oaths of Levi Jones & Stephen Seagraves who are subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. Recorded 14th June 1809. W. H. Wm. 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