Will, NC, Mecklenburg, John Taylor 1777 In the name of God Amen I JOHN TAYLOR of the county of Mecklenburg within the state of North Carolina being in a very low state of health at present but blessed be God that I am yet of present of a sound mind and disposing memory and calling to mind the mortality of the body and that it is appointed unto all men once to die do constitute and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit: First of all I give and bequeath my spirit to God he gave it hoping for mercy and acceptance in and through Christ Jesus my Lord and my body to to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executor hereafter named. And as touching my worldly concerns I order and my will is that they disposed in manner and form following, viz: First that all my just debts be and funeral charges be paid as soon as may be by my executors. ITEM I give and bequeath unto my ever loving wife RUTHE TAYLOR her own bed and furniture belonging to the same also two cows and the young mare and all pewter, pots, dishes and other furniture belonging to the dresser to be her own forever at her disposal after my deceased and also be further provided for by my son JOHN has will appear hereafter. ITEM I give and bequeath to my son ABRAHAM TAYLOR five Shillings current money of North Carolina. I give and bequeath to my daughter MARY now wife to WILLIAM REED five shillings current money aforesaid and also to my son-in-law WILLIAM REED the sum of five shillings current money as aforesaid. ITEM I give and bequeath to my daughter MARGARET now wife to DANIEL HOLSON five shillings like my and also to my son-in-law DANIEL HULSON on five shillings current money as aforesaid. ITEM I give and devise too my son JOHN two hundred acres of land where I now live including all my improvements and also all the plantation tools, plow gears and all other xxxcklings belonging to me and said place. And also three hundred acres of land in Tryon county in the state of North Carolina. And also I give and bequeath to my son JOHN after my debts are all paid and my other children receive their part as is mentioned in this my will. All the rest of any goods and chattels to and for his own use and at his disposal forever provided never the less that my said son JOHN shall always take care of my ever loving wife RUTHE TAYLOR and give her a proper and decent maintenance during her natural life and also take care of and feed the two cows and mare left to my wife aforesaid. Page 1 of 3 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will, NC, Mecklenburg, John Taylor 1777 ITEM I give and devise to my daughter JEANA one hundred and twenty five acres of land lying in the county of Mecklenburg and state of North Carolina joining my son ABRAHAM's land JOHN BELL's and ISAAC HARLIN's land and also the cow and a heifer and yearling steer now named to my said daughter and the mare and colt formerly named to her also one large pot now in the house and also six new pewter plates and four small basins and larger one. And lastly I do constitute and appoint my trusty and well beloved friend WILLIAM BARNETT and ROBERT IRWIN in to be my whole and sole executor to manage and sell settle my affairs after my decease according to the true intent and meaning of this my last will and testament. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and a fixed my seal this 8th day of February 1777 JOHN TAYLOR {seal} Signed sealed and declared by the above named JOHN TAYLOR to be his last will and testament in presence of us. ABRAHAM TAYLOR, jurat GEORGE BAKER, jurat Illegible name Page 2 of 3 ** PAGE BREAK ** Will, NC, Mecklenburg, John Taylor 1777 JOHN TAYLOR's last will & Testament A copy to be made Copied April Sessions 1777 Registered in book D page 29 Page 3 of 3 ** PAGE BREAK **