Cathy Cranford's Genealogy Site ~ James CRANFORD of Guliford Co., NC 1774 Will

James CRANFORD of Guliford Co., NC 1774 Will

March Term 1874 The execution of this was duly proved by the oath of Jeremiah ARNOLD and Joseph LAMB*Note from Cathy who transcribed this copy, the surnames of the gentlemen who subscribed their names to this will of James Cranford, may have been transcribed incorrectly. It was hard for me to make out the surnames. Arnold may well be Renald (Reynold) and/or Russell. Any corrections or additions will be considered.

Be it ------ ----- this twenty sixth day of the second month in the year of our Lord, One thousand, Seven hundred, and seventy four. That I James Cranford of Guilford County, in the providence of North Carolina yeoman, Being sick and weak of Body but of Perfect mind & memory Blessed be god 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 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 who gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a decent and Christian like manner at the Direction of my Executor and as touching such worldly Estate and Effects will hath blessed God to Bless me with in this life, I give devise and dispense of the same in the following manner and form, first it is my will that all my just debts and funeral charges be first paid. I give and bequeath to Eve my Beloved Wife all my Moveable Estate good and chattels both in corn and ---- with all ----- to me with full power to give and devise the same at any time amongst my children at her own discretion during her natural life except my improvements or plantation and other things hereinafter given and devised to my children. I also give and bequeath to my said wife my improvements and plantation whereon I now live during her natural life and it is my will that my said wife should as soon as possible obtain title for my said plantation when the land offices shall open and the costs therein to be paid out of my Estate it is my will and desire that my wife should take care so to order the matter either by gift(sic) or Devise at her decease so that my lands and plantation may become the property of my daughter Sarah and the lawful heir of her body but in but in case my said daughter should decease without issue my desire is that the said land shall be the property of my Daughters Catherine & Mary, their heirs, or assigns. I give and devise to my aforesaid daughter Catherine the wife of Owen WILLIAMSON three pounds proclamation money to be paid out of my Estate, I give and devise to my aforesaid daughter Sarah my largest bay mare and side saddle covered with ------ and a cow and calf with a two year old heifer two ewe & their increases aforesaid bed and furniture & ----- perk and bason. I give and devise to my daughter, Mary, wife of Even JONES one cow which they have in their care to the shares with his increases that is with her, with two ewe and a man saddle ---- ----- and greate coat to her said husband aforesaid and I likewise hereby constitute and ordain my said loving wife Executrix with cousin John LEWIS Executor of this my Last Will and testament do hereby revoke and utterly dishonor and dismantle all former wills by me heretofore made any time left or made ---- or ----- and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto shown hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year above mentioned Signed sealed Published and declared by the within testator - the aforesaid James Cranford to be his last will and testament in the presence of us the subscribers who subscribed our names in the presence of the said testator. Jeremiah ARNOLD James Cranford (Seal) David LEWIS Joseph LAMB

Surnames Mentioned Are: Surnames Mentioned in Record are: CRANFORD, WILLIAMS, JONES, LEWIS, RUSSELL or REYNOLD, RENDELL or ARNOLD, HALTOM, LAMB

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