Jan 1797; Original will is lost; Copy on file
at NC State Library in Raleigh NC; (Copy very bad-transcribed by Selena DuLac).
In the name of God Amen. Thomas Smith of the
county of Rockimgham and State of North Carolina, Being in Perfect health Mind
and Memory do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and
form .... that is to say first of all I give my soul to God who gaveth me and
Body to the earth to be buried by the Descreation of my Executors hereafter
named And as to the remaining worldly goods as it hath pleased god to Bless me
with. I give and despose with in manner and form as in Followeth, ... I leave
to my Beloved wife Elizabeth Smith all my whole Estate Both Personal and Real
During her natural life and after the death of my said wife ... I give and
Bequeath to my son Drury Smith ten Shillings, then I give and Bequeath to my
grandson Isaac ...(Thomas??) son of Zachariah ... one negro boy named Tom to
him and his heirs for ever. Then I lend to my daughter Mary Joningken one negro
girl named Dol during her natural life and after her death she and her Increase
be equally divided between her daughters. then I lend to my daughter Betty
(Elizabeth) Mayes one negro girl named Lettice During her natural life and
after her death she and her increase to be equally divided between her
daughters, then I lend to my daughter Phebe Mayes three negroes named ...,
Frank and Peter during her natural life and after her death they and their
increase to be equally divided between her daughter, then I give and Bequeath
to my Granddaughter Pollyanny one large chest, then I give and bequeath to my
granddaughter Betsy Mayes daughter of Phebe one feather bed and furnature to
her forever, then I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Nancy Mayes daughter
of Phebe one ovel table one Iron Pot and one Duch oven to her forever, then I
give and bequeath to my granddaughter Pollyann Smith one feather feather bed
and furnature forever....My will and desire is that at the death of my said
wife that all the rest of my Estate not mentioned be equally divided between my
three granddaughters Elizabeth Smith daughter of Drury Smith Betty Smith
daughter of Zacheriah Smith ...? and Nancy Mayes Daughter of Pheby Mayes to them
forever. My desire is my Estate be inventoried ? and appraised and do hereby
constitute and appoint Drury Smith and my grandson Melon John Smith Executors
to yhis my last Will and Testament in writing where ...unto set my hand and
seal this 10 day of January 1797. Signed Sealed and Published in presence of
Drury Smith John More Unphrey Brooks. Signed: Thomas (X) Smith.