Transcript:Will of David Houston, Rowan NC, 1761

WILL OF DAVID HOUSTON ROWAN COUNTY, NC In the name of God amen. This thirteenth day of August one thousand seven hundred sixty one, I David Houston of of the county Rowan being in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God, therefore calling to mind the motality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men to die and afterward the judgment, do make and ordain this my last will and testament.
First and principally of all I give my soul into the hands of God who gave it. As for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in
a Christian manner at the discretion of my executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive it again by the mighty power of God. As touching such worldly estate wherwith it hath please God to bless me with in this life I give devise and dispose of in the following manner and form:
[Impeitus?] I nominate constitute ordain and appoint my dearly
beloved wife Mary and my beloved son Aaron executors of this my last will and testament, whom I likewise order to pay all my lawful debts and funeral charges before any division be made of my personal estate, and then by them duly to be performed and fulfilled according the true intent and meaning hereof.
I give and bequeath unto Mary my dearly beloved wife forty pounds
ready money, ageing mare called sorrel, her choice of my beds and [furniture?] and bridle, six pewter plates, a pewter dish, and a pot which she pleases to choose to her, her heirs and assigns forever, except [unreadable] plantation, as is above directed.
Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved son Archibald five pounds to be
raised out of my personal estate to him and his heirs and assigns for ever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my beloved son William that tract of land
whereon he now dwelleth as [unreadable] may more at large appear, and what moveables he has or already received in part of his portion and also four pounds in money to be raised out of my personal estate to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved son Aaron that piece of land
lying between or adjoining to Hugh McQuowns and Thomas McQuowns land and ten pounds to take out a deed for it also a tract of land in the county of Anson near Twelve Mile Creek as [unreadable] do the more at large appear and what stock he has already received to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved son John one half of the
tract of land whereon I now dwell to be laid off on the west side of the branch to him his heairs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved son David the other half of
the tract of land whereon I now dwell to be laid off to him on the east side of the branch after his mother's decease or when at age to him his heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Ann two pounds to be
raised out of my personal estate to her her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Jane a horse value
eight pounds, a saddle and bridle, a bed and furniture and four cows to her her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Hannah a horse value
eight pounds a saddle and bridle a bed and furniture and four cows toher her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Margaret a horse
value eight pounds a bed and furniture, saddle and bridle a bed and furniture, four cows to her her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Elizabeth a horse
value eight pounds a saddle and bridle a bed and furniture, four cows to her her heirs and assigns forever.
Item. I order my son John half a year schooling, also I order 'my son
David two years school, and more if my executors sees needful also I order my daughter Elizabeth three years schooling and cost of schooling to be calculated and taken off the estate before any public sale be made of what is not here willed and bequeathed.
Item. It is my will and pleasure that what of my estate is not here
willed and bequeathed be sold at public vendue and the value thereof to be equally divided among these my children, viz Aaron, John, David, Jane, Agness, Hannah, Maragaret, Elizabeth to them their heirs and assigns forever.
Item. It is my will and pleasure if any of my children should die
before they come to age, that then what I have herein willed and bequeathed be sold by my executors and equally divided among the then surviving children males and females except my son Archibald and daughter Ann. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said David Houston as his last will and testament in presence of us the subscribers.
Hance Hamilton
Hugh Parks
David Houston
her Mary Parks mark