In the name of God amen: I William Combs of the province of North Carolina & County of Tyrrel Planter being sick & weak in body but of sound disposing mind & memory blessed be God do make & publish this my last Will & Testament, in manner following that is to say.

Imprimis- I give & bequeath one half of all my lands & tenements to my dearly beloved wife Alice Combs during her life & at her death I give & bequeath the said lands to my daughter Mary Combs to her & the heirs lawfully issuing of her body & if she should decease without such issue, I give the said lands to be equally divided between my brother & two sisters Viz Thomas Combs & Elizabeth Harrison & Judith Everett to them & their heirs forever.

Item- I give & bequeath unto my daughter Mary Combs the other half of my lands & tenements to her & the heirs lawfully issuing of her body forever & if my said daughter should decease before my wife Alice Combs I then give the said lands & tenements to my wife Alice Combs during her life time only & if my said daughter Mary Combs should decease without such issue and the decease my wife & daughter I then give the said lands & tenements aforesaid to my brother Thomas Combs Elizabeth Harrison & Judity Everrett to be equall divided between them three to them & their heirs forever.

Item- I give to my dearly beloved wife Alice Combs one half of my goods & chatles & stock of all kind whatever to her heirs forever.

Item- I give unto my daughter Mary Combs the other half of my goods & chattels & stock to her & her heirs & for default of issue at her deceasse I give the said goods & chattels to my wife Alice Combs to her & her heirs forever- And I make ordain & constitute my wife Alice Combs executrix & my brother Thomas Combs executor of this my last Will & Testament in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal the day & year above written

William (his -x- mark) Combs (Seald)

Signed Sealed Published &
Declaired by the Testator as & for
his last Will & Testament in
the presence of us who at his
request in his presence & in the
presence of each other have subscribed
our names as witnesses hereto.

Fr. Ward
Isham Webb
Judith (her -x- mark) Adams

Note: There was no date on the transcribed will for William. According to Dr. Stephen Bradley, there is a date of 1775 on the back of the will.

Return to Tyrrell County Probate Records

Updated June 1, 2001
Jean Owens Schroeder