Last Will and Testament of Hugh Laughlin
In the name of God Amen. I, Hugh Laughlin of the County of Orange in the Province of North Carolina being weak of body but sound and perfect memory, thanks be given to God, and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, Therefore do make my last will and testement in manner and form following: That is to say, first of all I commit my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my Body to the earth from whence it came to be buried in all Christian like and decent manner at the discretion of my Executors in hopes of a Glorious Resurrection at the last day. And as to what Estate it hath, please God to bless me within this world, I give,dispose and bequeath of the same manner and form following: That is to say, principally and first of all, that all my debts and funeral charges to be paid.
Impremis I give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Wife Mary Laughlin all my Real Estate. That is to say, my Plantation and all Lands with the profits arising therefrom, During her life and after her Demise, to be sold and Equally Divided amongst my children. I likewise give and Bequeath unto my Beloved Wife all my Personal Estate. That is to say all my Goods and Chattles of every sort whatsoever. With all debts, dues and monies and demands to be found.
2dly I give and bequeath unto my beloved children Elizabeth, Mary, Rebecca, Charity, Joannah, and Susanna each ten pounds proclamation money which said money to arise from the rent of the mill to be deposited into the hands of my wife, and to be paid to them as they marry or when they arise at the age of eighteen.
3rdly I give and bequeath unto my brother William Laughlin my best set of cloths. Lastly I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife, Mary Laughlin, my whole and sole executor of this my last will and testament. I do hereby revoke and disannul and make void all wills and testaments by heretofore made likewise.
Likewise all gifts, Domains,Bequestments which heretofore might be made as well. And I do hereby ratify this and no otherto be my last will and testamentin witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 24th day of February Anno Domino 1765.
Signed, sealed and deliveered in the presence of us.
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Orange Just.
William Payne came this day before me, one of the Majesties Justices of the Peace for the aforesaid County and maketh oath that what is herein contained is wrote by the Directions of the within mentioned Hugh Laughlin as his last will and Testament, Given unto my hand at Charlesburg (sp?) the 26th Day of February 1765
[signed] Francis Nash
William Laughlin make oath to the same effect
[signed] F. Nash
John Laughlin make oath that he heard this within will read to the within named Hugh Laughlin and that he assented thereunto. Sworn before me.
[signed] F. Nash
The aforesaid certificate being sworn to and present in court, it is ordained a to be recorded.
[signed] Francis Nash
https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/6973854/person/-920596604/media/5bd6cb08-174f-4584-bf6c-d8c78da173d6?destTreeId=36168599&destPersonId=29567997968&_phsrc=Ott20817&_phstart=default
