Beaufort Co., NC Wills?
(C. Avis Catalog entry #521)
[This transcription was found in the book "Manning and Allied Families", Elizabeth Ann Wright, 1956. The specific book and page were not identified, only that it was probated in the March Court 1756]
In the name of God Amen the first day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty six I William Little of Beaufort County in the Province of North Carolina being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be given unto God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all once to die do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recom- my soul into the Hands of the Almighty God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my executors and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form ———
Primis I give and bequeath to my son Abraham Little one hundred acres of land adjoining to the plantation whereon he now dwells beginning at Thos Sharpe's line on Cheeks Mill Creek then up the creek to James Hearns line then along James Hearn line to his corner tree then along a contracted line to the aforesaid Thos Sharps line and so by his line to the beginning to him and his heirs forever Also I give to my son Abraham Little twelve pounds current money of Virginia to re-enter and survey the whole tract of land I bought of James Cheek and then to make a lawful title to two of his brothers hereafter mentioned to the remaining part of the said tract of land. one brass kettle.
Item I give and bequeath to my sons William and James the remainder of the aforementioned tract of land which I bought of James Cheek to be equally divided as they shall think proper to them and their heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son Jacob Little one hundred acres of the tract of land whereon I now dwell lying on the off side the dividing branch to him and his heirs forever (viz) on the south side the aforesaid branch.
Item I give and bequeath unto my son John Little one hundred acres of land on the north side the afore mentioned Dividing Branch with this exception that my daughter Jane Mooring shall have the use and benefit of the plantation whereon she now dwells during her natural life and then returned to my son John and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane Moring the benefit of the plantation whereon she now dwells during her natural life and also one side saddle and one small pot
Item I give and bequeath to my son Isaac Little one pot which he has already received.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Little ten pounds current money of Virginia to be paid in silver or gold also one small gun.
Item I give and bequeath to my loving wife Mourning Little all the rest of my world estate with which it hath been pleased God bless me among my five youngest sons (viz) Jacob, William, James, Joseph, and John Little.
And I do hereby appoint make constitute and ordain my sons Isaac Little and Jacob Little my only and sole executors of this my last will and testament and I do hereby utterly disavow and revoke and disannul all and every other former will and testament by me in any ways before this time named and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
his
William x Little
mark
Signed sealed & delivered
in the presence of
Amos Atkinson
Mary Judkins
Jene Atkinson