State of North Carolina
Tyrrell County
Book 1, page 143
Dated 9 May 1780
In the name of God amen: The ninth day of May one thousand seven hundred and eighty I William Swain of Scupperlong Planter being sick but in perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for the same calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body I recommend to the Earth to be buried in decent and Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give demise and dispose of the same in the following manner.
Imprimis - I give and bequeath unto my dearly beloved wife Mary Swain whom I also constitute ordain and appoint my Executrix and James Swain Executor with her.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Zilpha Swain one half of my mulatto girl named Wynne to her and her heirs forever also one half of her mother Chloe also the red chest to her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved daughter Ann Swain the other half of my mulatto girl named Wynne unto her and her heirs forever, also one half of her mother Chloe and one small trunk to her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son William Swain my manor plantation with one hundred and fifty acres of land to it unto him and his heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son Joseph Swain two hundred acres of land it lying joining on the back of his brothers unto him and his heirs forever, also one hundred acres of land known by the name of Crodel new land unto him his heirs forever.
Lastly - I give unto my beloved wife Mary Swain all other my movable she paying my funeral charges and all other lawfull debts she also bringing up my children for the same and do hereby utterly disallow revoke void all and every other former Wills Testaments and bequests whatsoever by me heretofore made ratifying and confirming this and none other to be my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof I the said William Swain have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written.
Signed Sealed Pronounced and
Declared by the said William Swain
In the presence of us
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