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In the name of God amen the First day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
I, Jesse Pridgen in the county of Nash and state of North Carolina being in health and Perfect mind Thanks be given to God for the same therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing 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 unto the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend it to the earth to be buried in a Christian Like manner at the discretion of my executors nothing doubting but at the general resurection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give and divide and despose of the same in the following manner and form viz,
Item: I give to Patrick H. Pridgen one hundred and twenty five acres of land at the lower end of the old plantation.
Item: I give to Colen E. Pridgen one hundred and twenty five acres of land at the upperend of the above mentioned plantation.
Item: I give to Jesse Pridgen two hundren and fifty acers of land where on he now lives.
Item: I lend unto my dearly beloved wife Mary Pridgen two hundred and fifty acres of land the plantation wheron I now live during her lifetime and after her decease my will is for it to be equally divided between my three sons Jesse Pridgen and Patrick H. Pridgen and Colen E. Pridgen
Item: I lend to my wife Mary Pridgen one negro man by the name of George during her lifetime and after her decease my will is for him to be sold and equally divided between all my children.
Item: It is my will and desire that as much of my Property as shall be sufficient to pay my just and lawful debts shall be sold to pay them and after my debts are maid the Remainder of my property I want it Sold and equally divided between all my children and my wife. I want them all to have an equal part.
Lastly I do herby constitute and appoint Drewery Pridgen and Hardy Pridgen my whole and sole executors of this my last will and Testament. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the first day of February one thousand eight hundred and sixteen.
Signed sealed in presence of
Jesse Pridgen (SEAL)
Saml WW Vick
David Winstead
John Wells
State of North Carolina Nash County Court, P.&QS Aug. Term 1823 The foregoing was duly proven in open court by the oath of Sam. WW Vick one of the subscribing witness there to and on motion ordered to be recorded as the last Will and Testament of Jesse Pridgen ded'd Attest: __Blount And is recorded in obedience thereto Attest __Blount