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Chatham County
North Carolina
Book A, pages 267-269, John Crow 1815
In the name of God Amen. I, John Crow, of the county of Chatham, and state of North Carolina, being infirm in body, but of sound mind and memory, therefore 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 to be my last will and testament, in manner and form following. My desire is that all my just debts be regularly discharged.
I lend to my beloved wife, Sarah Crow, during her widowhood, the use of fifty acres of land, including the house wherein I now live, to be laid off in such manner as she may direct, likewise, one grey mare called, Peg, one feather bed and furniture, one plow and gears, one weeding hoe, one axe, one family Bible, one cow and calf, one sow and pigs, one pair cords and cotton wheel, one spinning wheel, one loom, two pewter basins, one dish, six pewter plates, and the kitchen furniture, also, two Negros by the names of Betty and Judy.
My will and desire is, that at the expiration of the widowhood of my said wife, or at her death, whichever should first happen, that the said two negros, Betty and Judy, with their increase, should be equally divided between my three sons, Ruben, James, and John Crow, to be theirs and their heirs for ever. The remainder of the property which I have lent to my wife, except the land, at her death is to be equally divided amongst all my children.
I give to my son, Jesse Crow, a tract of land adjoining Bullard, White and others, called the Copeland place, estimated at twenty-five acres, to him, his heirs, and assigns forever.
I give to my daughter Rachel Smith, ten shillings.
I give to my son, James Crow, one tract of land lying in Rutherford County, on Hickory Creek, estimated at three hundred and twenty acres, also one feather bed and furniture, to him and his heirs forever.
I give to my son, John Crow, one feather bed and furniture.
I give to my son, Gabriel Crow, one feather bed and furniture, one bay horse called Fox, one cow and yearling, and one Negro boy named Larkin.
I give to my son, Johnson Crow, one Negro girl named Penney, one feather bed and furniture, one colt called Bob, and one heifer.
I give to my daughter, Elizabeth Crow, one feather bed and furniture. I lend to my said daughter, Elizabeth, one Negro girl named Fan, during her natural life, provided she remains single, and at her death or marriage, my desire and will is that the said Negro, Fan, with her increase, be equally divided amongst all my children.
I give to my daughter, Sarah Crow, one Negro girl named Dilley, one horse called Julius, one woman's saddle and bridle, one cow, one feather bed and furniture, two bed blankets, one bed quilt, three counterpanes and one spinning wheel.
I give to my three sons, John, Gabriel and Johnson Crow, the land and plantation whereon I now live, with all my lands adjoining, to be equally divided amongst them, reserving to my wife, fifty acres as above mentioned.
All the residue and remainder of my estate, after paying my just debts, I leave to be equally divided amongst all my children.
I nominate and appoint my son James Crow, after the death of my wife, trustee to my daughter Elizabeth.
Lastly, I constitute and appoint my sons, James and Ruben Crow, sole executors of this, my last will and testament, in witness whereof I do hereunto set my hand and seal this 25th day of May, 1815.
John Crow