[Repository = NC State Archives]
In the name of God amen, I William Bone of the State of North Carolina, and of the County of Iredell, calling to mind that mortality which is common to all men; and at this time being blessed with a sound mind and disposing memory (blessed be God) and being desirous of disposing of worldly possessions as the Lord hath blessed me with to the [sic] those that are nearest to me on Earth - do my [sic] these presents constitute, ordain and publish this as my last will and Testament in manner and form following
- First - to my beloved wife Elizabeth Bone, I give the use of the plantation on which I now live; and my
Negro woman Jemimah and at the death of my aforesaid wife Elizabeth — the said Negro Jemimah with her increase is to be sold by my executors hereafter named, and the proceeds of such sale or sales to be equally divided between all my children that may be then living or their children male & female in equal shares — It is farther my wish that said Negro Jemimah & her increase (?) if any may be purchased by one or more of my children for the purpose that said Jemimah & her increase (?) may be continued among my children. Also I bequeath to my aforesaid wife Elizabeth two Horse creatures now on the plantation, four head of milch cows, four head of young cattle, four head of sheep, and ten head of hogs and all the farming utensils; together with all my Household and Kitchen furniture during her natural life & at her death the whole of the Stock above mentioned that may be on hand farming utensils are to go to my Son James Bone him & his hears forever — further it is my will that my aforesaid wife dispose of the Household & Kitchen furniture as she may think right absolutely.
- Secondly - To my beloved daughter Artimas Wasson, wife of Josiah Wasson, I give and bequeath my Negro girl Nancy, to her and her children forever.
- Thirdly to my beloved son Eli Bone, I give and bequeath the one half of the plantation on which I now live at the death of his mother and the other half of said plantation to my Son Henry Bone, after deducting thirty acres, which is to be laid off as hereafter directed, which division is to be equally made between my Sons Eli & Henry as to quantity & quality to them & their heirs forever. - Also to my Son Eli Bone I give to him & his Heirs forever my Negro man Linis, & Negro girl Jemimah daughter of the foresaid Jemimah. -
- Fourthly — To my beloved daughter Margaret Wasson, wife of John Wasson, I give & bequeath my Negro girl ___ to her & her children forever.
- Fifthly - To my beloved Son William Bone I give and bequeath my Negro Boy Paris to him and his Heirs forever.
- Sixthly — To my beloved Son Henry Bone, I give & bequeath in addition to the one half of my Plantation as above described, my Negro woman Nancy, and a small child Prisilla a little upwards of two years of age to him and his Heirs forever.
- Seventhly — To my Son James Bone I give and bequeath thirty acres of Land to be laid off of the north west Corner of the plantation on which I now live - Beginning on Andrew Morrison’s corner on my line, therein north to my Corner - thence East—thence South—thence to the beginning to be laid in such manner that the Eastern boundary will be parallel to the first line and of equal length - Also two Negro Boys, Joseph and George—This large bequest is made to my son James on the consideration that he provide a comfortable ___ or has it done for his aged mother on my plantation, or where ever she may choose to live, to him and his Heirs forever.
- Eighthly - To my beloved Daughter Susanah Barker wife of William Barker I give and bequeath my Negro girl Linda to her & her heirs forever.
- Ninthly — To my beloved daughter Elizabeth McConnell wife of William McConnell, I give & bequeath my Negro girl Levinia, to her and her children forever.
It is further my Will and desire, that my wagon be sold all my debts collected, the balance of my stock & grain divided of by my Executors and all my past debts paid, together with a sum paid by Josiah Wasson of Tennessee for my late son John Bone and after those accounts are settled, and my wife provided with a competent support — the balance of such sales or proceeds, to be equally divided between my four sons Eli, Henry, William and James and their Heirs forever.
I do hereby constitute and appoint by Son James Bone, my trusty friends and [?] and Andrew Morrison Executors of this my Last Will & Testament—hereby revoking and declaring void all former wills made by me — In witness whereof I have hereunto set my name & affixed my seal this 7th day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred & twenty six.
Signed sealed and published in the presence of [illegible]
William Bone
Mch 7, 1826
