4 March 1796

In the Name of God Amen

I, John Watkins of the State of No. Carolina and County of Wayne, Planter, being Sick and Weak in body but of a perfect mind and memory, Blessed be almighty god for his Mercies do this fourth day of March one thousand Seven hundred & Ninety six make ordain and publish this my last will and Testament in manner and form following

Viz, First I recommend my soul unto the hands of almighty God that gave it unto me, secondly my body to be buried in a Decent order by the Direction of my executors hereafter Named. 

Item  I give and bequeath unto my oldest son John Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my son James Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my son Wm. Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my son Wilson Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my son John Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my son Mathew Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my son Jesse Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my son Arthur Watkins and Ira Watkins all my lands on the North side of the great Swamp and to be divided from the sine log [?]ping place of the great Swamp into the [?] sine and the upper part to Arthur Watkins and the lower part to Ira Watkins on the wat[?]ry Branch.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Patience Watkins Holland Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Martha Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Lydda Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Isbel Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item  I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Watkins Ten Shillings.

Item   I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Lydda Watkins my mare bridle and Saddle one Bed & furniture and one Negro Fellow by the Name of Joseph to have to her own Dispose[?]g.  I also lend her the use of my Plantation land and Tenaments likewise the use of all the remainder part of my Estate which I have not heretofore given During her Natural life or WidowHood and the Part of my Estate so lent to my well beloved wife Lidda Watkins to be Equally Divided amongst all my Children by the said Lidda Watkins, only the Plantation and lands belong thereunto, that I give and reserve unto my youngest son John Watkins after my wifes Death or WidowHood.

And I hereby Ordain my Worthy friends William Watkins and Lydda Watkins my wife my sle lands [?] of this my Last Will & Testament whereof I the said John Watkins have hereunto this my Last Will & Testament Set my hand and Seal the Day and year above Written.

Signed Sealed Published & Delivered by the Said Testator John Watkins As his last will & Testament In Presence of us

SnJeffery [?]
James Deana [?]
Thomas Gisborn [?]

Notes:

John Watkins wrote his will 4 March 1796 and listed his family as follows:

Wife – Lydda
Sons – John (the oldest), James, William, Wilson, Mathew, Jesse, Arthur, and Ira. 
Daughters – Patience, Martha, Lydda, Isbel, and Sarah. 

Patience appears to be the only daughter who was married at the time. 

Each of the children received ten shillings except Arthur and Ira who received tracts of land.

Under the old currency system of Britain and Ireland there were 12 pence (d) to the shilling and twenty shillings or 240d to the pound.

The will was probated in October Court, 1796, in Wayne County, North Carolina. 

This will was provided to NCGenWeb by Diana Holland Faust.  All rights reserved.  August 2002

Home  Archives Obituaries Message Board What's new  Queries and Surnames 
Wayne County Families  Cemeteries Censuses History   Wayne County Resources Pictures Wills  Biographies   Links   Maps   About us  Search

Welcome to Wayne County, NC, Genealogy Project
Comments and suggestions to author: thefolks@betterthanmost.com
Copyright © 1996-2004 Diana Holland Faust.  All rights reserved.
Published 10 November 1996.  This page added 21 August 2002.   Last updated 16 February 2007.  
URL: http://www.betterthanmost.com/wayne/wills/watkins-john.htm