Added May 20, 2002
1806 Will of James Rodgers of Orange County
Provided by Tim Mitchell of Wellington, New Zealand
Copy of will at NC Archives, Raleigh, NC
Will of James Rodgers – Orange Co. 1806
In the name of God Amen I James Rodgers of the County of Orange and State of
North Carolina being in perfect mind and memory Thanks be unto god but calling
to mind the uncertainty of my life And that it is appointed for all men once to
die therefore such property as it hath pleased god to bestow on me in this life
I give and bequeathe in the following manner and form Viz –
First of it is my will and desire that my loving wife shall have the full use
and benefit of the manor plantation whereon I now live ??? and Negro fellow by
the Name of Sharper during Her life also a Child part in full of all the ??? of
young Negro that may hereafter happen that my said wife may have the benefit &
use of the same during her life and further my will and desire is that my said
wife shall possess and enjoy the whole of my stock of every description Viz
Horses Cattle Hogs & Sheep &c and to us a descreationary right to raise sell and
hire as the circumstances of the family may require For the support of my said
wife and children & as my children grow up marry or die in the first instance I
leave my said wife at liberty to part with such portion of the stock as she may
see fit at such seperation and also such articles of furniture as she may be
Disposed to part with leaving the whole at her disposal in every instance as my
will and desire is that she shall be possessed of the whole of my property
during her life of every Description whatsoever
Item I give and bequeath to my son John one hundred and fourty acres of land
adjoining the lines of Ceason Capps running for quantity on the western line I
gave to Him and his Heirs for ever
Item I give and bequeath to my son James one half of a tract of land said to
contain two hundred and fifty acres be the same more or less & adjoining the
lands of george Foust, william Holt and others which said land one half thereof
I give to my said son James his Heirs and assigns forever
Item I give and bequeath to my said son William the other Half of the above
named tract of two hundred & fifty acres Be the same more or less one half
thereof I give to my son William and his Heirs and assigns forever
Item so far as respects my daughters Viz Jean, Ann, Nelly and Poley I have
heretofore placed a descreationary ??? in my loving wife that if my said
daughters grows up and Enters into the married state then my said wife will
discover(?) & and give such portion of stock and furniture as she may see fit at
such seperation – and at the death of my loving wife my will and desire is that
all of my stock & furniture of every description shall be divided agreeable to
the power and descreation with which I have entrusted my said wife to do for the
benefit of my said children and as to such negroes as I am now possessed off viz
Patience, Dilee, Amay & Joe with the increase that may accrue theraforsaid(?) my
will and desire is that the above named slaves &c shall continue to live with my
said wife to aid and assist her untill my youngest daughter Polly comes of age
Then an equal division of the said slaves &c to take place jointly Amongst all
my children sons & daughters To them and there Heirs for ever and for the true
execution of the within I Do nominate and appoint my brother William Rodgers &
my loving wife as executors and executrix to this my last will and testament
revoking and disanulling all others Heretofore made acknowledging this and this
only to be my last will and testament in witness hereof I have hereunto set my
hand and affixed my seal this 18th Day of December 1806
James Rodgers
Signed Sealed and delivered
In presence of us
J Scott(?)
James Patton Jurat
Codicil before signing viz the slaves left to my
wife during her life at Her
death The s(?)
Sharper is to be equally divided as the other slaves
Exm qualified James Rodgers