Caswell County, North Carolina
Book E
pp. 168-171

In the name of God Amen I John Williams of Caswell County, in the State of North Carolina, having been for some past in a declining State of health but of perfect Mind and Memory And Knowing that it is appointed for all men to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament - - - -

Imprimis - I lend to my beloved Wife Betsy Williams during her Natural life or Widowhood the plantation I now live on With the Dwelling and other Houses Orchards Etc including a Sufficiency of wood Land adjoining that is to Say Beginning on Horsley's Creek at Nashe's Line Thence an Easterly Course until it intersects with Triplets Tract Thence along the Several lines and boundaries to the beginning. Also the following Negroes To Wit Betty Barbary Tillar; Doll, Milley, Rose, Jimmy, Charles, Jack, Frank, Clabourne, Moses, Cate, Settle, Betty, and Phillis also all my Household and Kitchen furniture Together With all my Stock of every kind waggon and guns, chair and harness and plantation utensils without interruption dividing the terms aforesaid after which the lands aforementioned to descend to my son Duke to him and his heirs forever on his relinquishing all and any claims he may have against my Estate.

Item -- I give to my grand Daughter Betsy Williams Simpson to take possession of when she arrives to the age of twenty one years or marries one negro girl named Genny but in case my said Grand Daughter should die before she becomes of age or marries as aforesaid the said negro is to descend to her Brother John Kincholow Simpson.

Item -- I give to my grand Daughter Betsy Williamson Williams to take possession of when she arrives to the age of twenty one years or marries one negro girl named Cate but in case my said grand Daughter should die before she becomes of age or marries as aforesaid the said negro is to descend to her Bro John Williams.

Item -- I give to my grand daughter Nomey Lea Graves to take possession of when she arrives to the age of twenty one years or marries one negro named little Bett but in case my said grand daughter should die before she becomes of age or marries as aforesaid the said negro to descend to her Bro John Williams Graves.

Item -- It is my will and desire that all the negroes before lent to my wife except the three given to my grand children as aforesaid after the term of my Wife's life or Widowhood together with every Thing lent to her the land excepted be allotted off by {illegible} man to be appointed by the Court and equally divided between my son Duke and my Daughter Betsy, Wife of Azariah Graves and I lend to my Daughter Henrietta Simpson Wife of Richard Simpson an Equal distribution of the property lent to my Wife during her life or Widowhood to her my said daughter Henrietta during her natural life and at her Death to be equally Divided amongst all her Children and it is also my Will and desire that she my said daughter shall at any time she may think proper have the liberty of giving up said property to be divided between her children aforesd.

Item -- I give and bequeath to my Daughter Betsy Graves the following Tract of land (To Wit) Beginning on Horsley's Creek at the Mouth of Dill Branch running up said branch to the head thence a Southwestwardly course till it intersects Tubbs Branch - Thence Westwardly until it intersects my son Duke's Branch crossing the same and Running so as to include an improvement made by Thomas Nance there on until it intersects Browns line near Simpson's on Foot's road Thence North with said Browns and Goodloes line to Horsleys Creek Thence down the Creek to the beginning to her and her Heirs forever - -

Item -- I give and bequeath to my son Duke the Tract of Land I purchased of Homes together with all the land lying between it and the land bequeathed to my Daughter Betsey and the Tract lent to his Mother to him and His Heirs forever --

Item -- I lend to my Daughter Henrietta Simpson the Tract of Land I purchased of Lewis Pike and also the Small Tract I purchased of Hall Williamson including the Mill seat during her Natural life and at her Death to be equally Divided between all her Children, it is also my will and Desire that she my said Daughter shall at any time she may Think proper have the liberty of giving up the said property to be equally Divided between her Children as aforesaid on Condition she annually renders to my beloved Wife one Third part of the said Mill --

Item -- I give the Several Negroes now in possession of my son Duke to him and his Heirs forever --

Item -- I give the Several Negroes now in possession of Azariah Graves to my Daughter Betsey Graves and her Heirs --

Item -- I lend the several Negroes now in possession of Richd. Simpson to my Daughter Henrietta Simpson during her Natural life and at her Death to be equally divided between all her Children and it is also my will and desire that she my said Daughter Shall at any item she may Think proper have the liberty of giving up The said property to be Divided between her Children as aforesaid.

Lastly I nominate and appoint my son Duke Williams, my son in law Richard Simpson And Azariah Graves Executors to this my last Will and Testament. In Witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand & Seal this 31st day of May A.D. 1798.

John (his X mark) Williams (Seal)
Signed, Sealed and Acknowledged
In the presence of
his
Signal X mark
Jere Williamson

N B my Desire is that my son Duke shall have my Negro man Frank at the Death of my Wife to be valued to him & received by him as part of his Share of the Negroes left to my Wife.

State of North Carolina)
Caswell County)

The Execution of this Will was duly proved in Open Court by the Oath of Jeremiah Williamson One of the subscribers thereto and on motion ordered to be Recorded - at The Same time Duke Williams and Azariah Graves Qualified Executors and letters Testamentary issued Accordingly.

Test.
A. Murphey C.C.