Descendants of John Middleton of Onslow County, NC

LAST WILL AND TESTMENT

John Middleton (25 Dec. 1741, proved 1744)

(Onslow Cty, NC, NC Wills 1663-1789, 21:16)

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In the name of God Amen. I John Middleton of the County of Onslow and province of North Carolina planter being sick and weak in body but through mercy of sound mind and perfect memory and being mindful of mortality and, desirous so to better my affairs that my family may be at peace after my decease, do make this my last will and testament in form following chiefest of all commend my soul into the hands of God my maker, trusting for salvation through Jesus Christ my Redeemer and my body to the ground to be buried in decent and Christian like manner hoping to receive the same again at the general resurrection on the Last great day, and as for such worldly goods as it has pleased providence to bless me with after my just debts and needful expenses are first honestly contented and payed I dispose of the same as follows:

First I will and bequeath unto my son James my plantation whereon I now dwell and so much of the land adjoining ?---------------------------? of marked trees that was called Lowells line beginning a little below the bridge on the swamp side and running till it meet the county road and then the said county road to be the bounds unto the head line the said plantation and land bounded and described as aforesaid unto my said son James and his heirs and assignes forever.

Also I bequeath unto my son John all the remainder of my said land being above the line and road aforesaid unto my said son John and his heirs and assignes for ever. Also I bequeath unto my son Samuel over and above what I have already done for him one cow and calf one ewe and lamb one iron pot that was his mother's and also all my cloths as his full part. Also I bequeath unto my daughter Sarah one cow and calf, one ewe and lamb and half dozen of pewter plates that M- Radford has for me. Also I bequeath unto my Daughter Ann one feather bed and all the furniture that usually belongs to it that now stands in the shead room also one cow and calf, one ewe and lamb and her spinning wheel. Also I bequeath unto my son John my musquet? one cow and calf, one ewe and lamb and my young mare that runs in the woods, provided he deliver the first colt the mare has for the use of my son James. Also I bequeath him my bridle and sadle. Also I bequeath unto my Daughter Sabra two cows and calves and one ewe and lamb. Also I bequeath unto my Daughter Susanna two cows and calves and one ewe and lamb. Also I bequeath unto my son James my small gun and sword, the first colt the mare I willed to my son John brings, also one cow and calve and one ewe and lamb and my hand mill after his mother's death or when she shall move of(f) the plantation. Also I bequeath unto my son Isaac two cows and calves and two ewes and lambs. Also a feather bed and what furniture usually belongeth to it being the bed that now lies in chamber upstairs, Also my great chest, my small table, and my case and bottle also my great iron pot and still after his mother's decease.

Also I begueath unto my loving wife Sarah for her comfort and support my best feather bed and what furniture usually belongeth to it, also my rideing horse and sadle, also a pewter pint and tankard, also the two flax ratchells [ratchetts?], also my square table, also one small iron pot also her spinning wheels and cards and the weaving loom and also the sarkling[?] belonging to it, also the other half dozen of plates that M. Radford has for me. Also I bequeath for her life or so long as she shall continue to dwell on my plantation the use of my still and the old horse and all the plantation tools and I will the horse and tools for the use of the plantation to be left thereon. Also I bequeath the hogs and what corn or other dead provisions I may have bv me to my wife for the use of my family. Also I bequeath all the rest and remainder of goods and chattel rights and creditts not by me particularly willed by name to be equally divided between my wife and her own seven children. Also my will is that the cattle willed to my children shall be payed to them as followeth: The boys to have theirs as the[y] shall come to the age of twelve vears and the girls the[y] come to the age of ten years to have theirs payed to them. My will first is that my wife have the use and benefit of what I have willed to my children until the[y] come to the ages aforesaid. I further will that my wife may keep my proper mark.

Further, I do constitute and appoint John Starkey executor of this my last will and testament and also trustee and guardian to my children and do revoke all other and former wills by me at any time before made and declare this only to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and fixed my seal this 25th of Decem. In the year of our Lord 1741.

Signed sealed published & declared
by John Middleton as his last will
and testament in presence of us.

Abr__ Mitchell
Alex. Mitchell
Sarah Mitchell