Wake County, North Carolina
In the name of God Amen. I James Lane of the County of Wake and the State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind and memory and knowing it is appointed to all men once to die, do make, publish, ordain and state this to be my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other former wills by me heretofore made. Imprimis I lend to my beloved wife Lydia Lane during her natural life the land and plantation whereon I now live likewise six negros (viz) Sue, Ben, Pompy, Anisa, Randal, and Luke, together with all my stock of horses cattle, sheep, hogs, geese and poltry, likewise all my household and kintchen furniture and plantation utensils not hereinafter given away.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved son Edmund Lane one negro man named Phil, one desk, one feather bed and furniture, likewise the land and plantation which I have leant to my beloved wife, after her decease he first paying all my just debts to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Caroline Lane one negro boy named Davy, one negro girl named Gilla with her future increase, two feather beds and furniture one chest one table three cows and calves, one mare named Kuff, one saddle and bridle likewise one negro named Sue, after the death of my wife to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Polly Lane two negro girls (viz) Ferriba and Sue and their future increase, two feather beds and furniture one black walnut chest and table one dark bay filly one saddle and bridle and after the death of my wife one negro woman named Annica and her future increase to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Betsy Christophers at my wifes decease one negro man by the name of Pompy and two cows and calves to her and her heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved grandson James Lane son of Joel Lane at the death of my wife one negro boy the name of Randal to him and his heirs forever.
Item I give and Bequeath to my beloved grandson Johseph John M. Lane son of Nathaniel M. Lane at the death of my wife one nedgro boy named Luke to him and his heirs forever, but if at the death of my wife my said grandson should not be of lawful age then the said negro boy to remain in the hands of my executors hereinafter named til my said grandson shall arrive at lawful age.
Item I give and bequeath to my beloved daughter Penny Atkins at the death of my beloved wife one negro man named Ben to her and her heirs forever.
Lastly my will and desire is that all the property of what kind soever not heretofore given away, at the death of my wife shall be equally divided between my son Edmund Lane, my daughter Caroline Lane and my daughter Polly Lane.
And I do hereby constitute and appoint my two sons Joel Lane, Edmund Lane and my worthy friend Isaac Hutchens executors of this my last will and testament hereby again revoking all other wills by me heretofore made in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this twenty eight day of December Anno Domni 1804.
Signed Sealed published and declared in presence of us
James Dennis Keddar Nell Jurat
Wake County Court Feb Term 1805
The within will was exhibited in open court and duly proven by the oaths of James Deddis and Keddar Nell subscribing witnesses thereunto and ordered to be recorded. S. Turner CC
Recorded in the clerks office in the county of Wake in Book H and page 4 the 17th day of May 1805. S. Turner CC
The above will was submitted and transcribed by Linda Schmehl at [email protected]
Editor's Note- This James Lane was the brother to Joseph, Barnabas, Joel, Jesse and John Lane, sons of Joseph and Patience Mckinnie LANE.