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I Wm. A. Pridgen of State of North Carolina of the county of Nash being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do make and declare this my last Will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say:
First-That my executor (hereafter named) shall provide for my body a burial according to the wishes of my family and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever owing out of the moneys that may come into his hands as a part and parcel of my estate.
Item. I give and devise to my beloved wife Martha Pridgen the tract of land upon which the mansion house stands, that is the house in which I live. The building thereon and all the improvements thereof for the time of her natural life in satisfaction for and in lien of her dower and thirds of and in all my real estate.
Item. I give and devise to my oldest son Drewman Pridgen all that tract of land on which he now lives to have and to hold to him and his heirs in fee simple forever.
Item. I give and divise to my next oldest son..William H. Pridgen, the tract of land on which he now lives to have and to hold to him and his heirs in fee simple forever.
Item. I give and devise to my youngest son John H.(D)? Pridgen that tract of land on which he now lives and known as the Eason tract and at the death of my wife Martha Pridgen, the tract on which I now live shall also be his and his heirs to have and to hold to him and his heirs in fee simple forever.
Item. I give and bequeath to my said beloved wife Martha pridgen, two beds and furniture, her choice, all the house hold and kitchen furntiture, one sow and six shoats, her choice in all the foregoing stock: all the domestic fouls and poultry, and enough of the present crop or the money there from to pay her expenses twelve months and all the provesions on hand at the time of my death.
Item. And whereas my grandson Josiah is a minor heir of age of about thirteen years of age now therefore my will and desire is that my trusty son Drewman Pridgen is hereby appointed and constituted guardian of this my grandson, to have and to hold the custody and guardianship both of this person and estate until the said Josiah Pridgen shall arrive at the full age of twenty one years
Item. I hereby will that my mail heirs shall pay such an amount each
as will equal fifty dollars to each of my female heirs and after my estate
is settled, I will that all moneys over after the settlement shall be equally
divided among them my female heirs--namely
Elizabeth Joyner,wife of William B. Joyner,
Sarah Davis,wife of A.D. Davis,
Terbitha ? Batts,wife of William Batts,
Zilly Bone, wife of J.W.Bone, and
Martha Winstead, wife of David Winstead
and lastly I do hereby constitute an appoint my trusty friend Wm.
R. Carter my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute
this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning
of the same and every part and clause thereof hereby envoking and declaring
utterly void all other wills and sayings by me hereto fore made. In witness
whereof I the said W. A. Pridgen do herewith set my hand and seal
this 27th day of Sept. AD 1876
W A Pridgen (his own writing)
Signed sealed and published and declared by the said W A Pridgen to be his last will and testament in the presence of us who at his reaquest and in his presence do subscibe our names as witneses thereto.
William R. Carter His mark
E L Gordon His mark
P.S. I give and devise to my grandson Josiah Pridgen the tract of land known as the Parker tract to have and to hold to him and his heirs in fee simple forever.