Will, NC, Mecklenburg, JOHN McRee 1795 The will of JOHN MCREE October 11th 1795 October term 1795 Registered in book b page 137 Page 1 of 4 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will, NC, Mecklenburg, JOHN McRee 1795 North Carolina ] Mecklenburg County ] In the name of God Amen. I JOHN MCREE being in a very weakly declining state of body but of sound mind and memory, thanks to God for his repeated mercies, knowing that all must die and after that the judgment, do make an ordained this my last will and testament, that is, I recommend my soul to almighty God who gave it, not doubting but I shall receive the same again by the might power of God – And as touching such worldly estate as he hath blessed me with, in this life, I will, give, bequeath and dispose of in the following manner. Viz. Imprimis, it is my will and desire and I earnestly request that my dearly beloved wife, RUTH MCREE, do live on this plantation of 230 acres during her life or widowhood together with our seven children until they severally arrive to full age, except the time any of them maybe learning of trades, and that the goods and chattels to me belonging; the negro boy ALLICK included be kept on - - to school and support my family accept such - - as my executor hereafter name judges proper and prudent to sell for the sole use and benefit of said family. ITEM it is my will and desire that my two eldest sons JAMES MCREE and WILLIAM ELLIOTT MCREE be bound to trades by the court and I said executives together with my said wife be attentive to see that justice is done to them. ITEM I will give bequeath, infeoff, convey and transfer to my third son JOHN MCREE the whole of the set 230 acres of land I now live on to him and his heirs and assigns forever provided none the less that my said wife RUTH is to have a full and ample maintenance of and from the said premises during her life or widowhood. ITEM And in case my said son JOHN should die before he arrives to the age of twenty one leaving no heirs of his body that then the said land shall be equally divided between his said two brothers JAMES and WILLIAM ELLIOTT that is my said executor may sell said land for the best price and divide the rest - - arising between said JAMES and WILLIAM ELLIOTT share and share alike but this is in no wise to be done until the death or intermarriage of my said beloved wife and in order my said executor may make a legal title for said land when the sold. I will, give, bequeath, infeoff, convey and set over unto my said executor to them and their heirs and assigns forever the Hall of the said tract of land. ITEM And when it shall hereafter happen that any of my daughter's viz: HANNAH, MARY, SARAH ALEXANDER, and RUTH should marry or be of the age of twenty one and be disposed to move off the premises that my said executives with the assistance of my said wife sell a portion and give off to said daughters or to any of my said sons as the case may happen but they may then judge to be the eighth part of the neat estate, then on hands if judged by said Executives and said wife RUTH not distressing to the remaining part of my family so as to render impartial justice to my said children agreeable to Page 2 of 4 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will, NC, Mecklenburg, JOHN McRee 1795 the spirit of this my will and agreeable to what they may then judge I would do were alive and present. ITEM And in case my third wife RUTH should intermarry that then I said negro boy ALLICK shall be sold by my said executor for the best price - - arrising from his sale shall be equally divided between my said two sons JAMES and WILLIAM ELLIOTT provided my said son JOHN is alive and inherit the land as aforesaid. But in case said son JOHN is dead or dies without issue as aforesaid so that his said two brothers inherit the piece of said land that then I said four daughters or the survivors of them that shall have the price of said negro boy divided among them share and share alike. ITEM And it is my further will and and pleasure that if my said negro boy ALLICK should prove turbulent or unruly and do not then render that service to the family that might be expected that he then shall be sold at any time by my executors for the best price and then neat sum arising from the sale to be divided in the manner above described accepting the interest of said money to be appropriated to the use and benefit of the family. ITEM It is further my will and pleasure that at that. When I said wife RUTH should die or intermarry then my said executor shall sell the whole of my estate not here and disposed of for the best price and the monies thence arising together with all other monies due shall be divided equally share and share alike among my said wife RUTH and our seven children. ITEM I will and give and bequeath to my said beloved wife over and above the aforesaid division the done mer her saddle and bridle one feather bed and furniture and two cows. ITEM I will give and bequeath to my said son JAMES on two year old filly to be kept on the farm for the use thereof until said JAMES is of full age. ITEM I will give and bequeath to my said son WILLIAM ELLIOTT the first colt which may be raised from the stock now on the farm to be given him when he is twenty one years of age. And lastly I hereby nominate and appoint my trusty and - - ANDREW MCREE, XXX ALEXANDER and ROBERT BARNETT and sole executor of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former wills, gifts or bequests either by word or writing ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament. Page 3 of 4 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will, NC, Mecklenburg, JOHN McRee 1795 In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 11th day of October anno domini 1795 Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the said JOHN MCREE as his last will and testament who in his presence and in the presence of each other subscribed our names. JOHN MCREE {seal} ROBERT ALLISON DAVID MCREE ANDREW MCREE Page 4 of 4 ** PAGE BREAK **