Sampson County, NC
Wills, 1821-1860, Vol. 01, pp. 123-125

Will of Jesse Lee, Sr.

In the name of God, I, Jesse Lee Sr. of the state of North Carolina and County of Sampson being of sound and perfect mind and memory, Blessed by God, do this twenty eight day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and thirty one make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say
 
1st    All my just debts and funeral charges to be paid.
2nd    I lend to my wife Susannah two Bay mares by the names of Pal and Suza, one yoke of work steers and cart, three cows and yearling, one cow and calf, one thousand pounds of pork on the foot, three sows and pigs, five head of grown sheep, twenty-three head of geese, two feather beds and furniture, two iron pots, two pewter basons, two dz dishes, six dz earthern plates, six knives and forks. Also all the Juniper ware, two dagon plows and stocks, two cutters and stocks, one hand saw and drawing knife, one inch Auger and one 3/4 auger, two chests, two tables, six sitting chairs, one loom and all gear, one sifter, one tray, two grubbing hoes, two best axes, three best weeding hoes, one frying pan, flesh fork, one dutch oven, one pot rack. All the flax, three sides of cather, one barrel of vinegar, two stoves, two stone jars, all my wool, all my potatoes, three pounds of seeded cotton, all the peas, oats and five bushels of rice, one lightwood axe, all the collards and turnips for her lifetime on widowhood, then to be sold at public sale.
 
Immediately after my death my negro woman Juda and all my property that is not given by gift nor lent by will to be sold at public sale and Joab Lee to have one hundred dollars, Elizabeth Ingram to have fifty dollars, Joseph Blackman to have twenty dollars, Sarah Jernigan, the wife of Wm. Jernigan to have five dollars, Susannah Smith, the wife of Samuel Smith, five dollars. Edy Lee, the daughter of Josiah Lee dec'd, five dollars, son Jesse Lee five dollars, John Lee, five dollars.
 
After my property is sold and property that I have lent to my wife for life is sold and the above sums are paid to the above heirs then the balance to be equally divided between Joab Lee, Elizabeth Ingram, Joel Lee, Powell Blackman, James W. Lee, Nancy Johnson, Jonathan Lee, Pharaba Lee.
 
All my cotton and pork that is not lent by will that my Executors shall have full power to sell at private sale for cash and pay my just debts and the balance if any to be equally divided among the above mentioned heirs. All my lands that I deeded to James W. Lee and Jonathan Lee, my two youngest sons, that my Executor and my wife Susannah shall have full power to rent out and use of my wife, if they think proper, during her life time. Also to hire out Gilfords and Beads to use of my wife if they think proper, subject to waste or is wasting that they may sell it for the use of my wife is required.
 
And I hereby make and ordain in my wife Susannah Lee Executrix and worthy son Joel Lee and my grandson Powell Blackman, Executors of this my last Will and Testament. In witness thereof I, the said Jesse Lee, Sr., have to this my last will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
 
                                                                                                            Jesse Lee, Sr.     (Seal)
 
Signed, sealed, published and declared by said Jesse Lee, Sr. the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who were present at this time of signing and sealing thereof.
 
                                                                                                            Cader Blackman
                                                                                                            John Tart
                                                                                                            Westbrook Lee
 
North Carolina
Sampson Co.      --    Court of Pleas of Quarter Session
                                November term, 1831
 
There was the foregoing Will of Jesse Lee, Sr. proven in open court by the oaths of Cader Blackman, John Tart and Westbrook Lee, the subscribing thereto and ordered to be recorded.
 
                                                                                                            Thomas I. Faison    Clerk
 

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