THE WILL OF MARY SCALES, (WIDOW OF JOSEPH SCALES)
DATED 7 JUN 1803
WILL BOOK A, PAGES 10 AND 11
ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
(PROVED IN OPEN COURT, AUGUST TERM, 1804)
IN THE NAMEOF GOD AMEN I MARYSCALES of the county of Rockingham in the state of North carolina being of perfect mind and Memory thanks be given to God calling unto mind the mortality of my body do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner following. I recommend my soul into the hands of almighty God that gave it, and my Body I recommend to the earth to be buried in decent christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned, and as touching such wordley estate whereseth it has pleased God to Bless me in this life. I give desire and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
Imprimis. I give and bequeath to my grandson ROBERT PEAY, one negro Woman by the name of BETTY and all her future increase hereafter to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my grandson JOHN PEAY, one negro boy by the name of MORRIS, a son of said BETTY to him and heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter MARY PEAY two negroes, virs., one negro girl named AMEY, and the other a Boy named NED, children of the said BETTY to her and heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Grandson NATHANIEL PEAY, one negro Boy by the name of ISAAC, a son of said BETTY to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter ANNA PEAY two negroes, visr a Boy by the name of PERRY, and a child by the name of GEORGE, children of the said BETTY to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my granddaughter LUCY SCALES daughter of my son HENRY, one feather Bed and furniture and two cows to her and heir forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my Granddaughter NANCY SCALES a daughter of my son JAMES, one feather Bed and furniture and two cows to her and her heirs forever.
Item, my will and desire that all the remainder part to my estate be equally divided between my children.
Lastly, I appoint my son JAMES SCALES and GEORGE PEAY Executors of this my last will and testament revoking all former wills and testaments by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three.
Signed, sealed, published & delivered (signed) by the said MARY SCALES as her last will and Testament in the present of us SKIPWORTH WRAY, ELIAS PEAY, JEAN WHITLOCK.
her mark
MARY X SCALES (seal)
[There is no probate date. The Will was proved in open Court at the August 1804 Term of the Rockingham County Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions and is recorded in the Court minutes of Rockingham County, North Carolina. (at Wentworth, NC.)]
