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THE WILL OF SAMUEL BRASWELL (1738-1794)

 

In the name of God- Amen

I, Samuel Braswell of the County of Nash and State of North Carolina, being of sound and perfect mind and memory (blessed be God) do this 30th day of November in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety-four, make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following that is to say:

First I give and bequeath to my beloved wife- Sarah Braswell- one negro woman named Mary Ann and one mare called Jenny to her, her heirs and assign forever.

Item, I lend to my said wife Sarah the land and plantation where I now dwell and the land and plantation where my father lived and died containing on the whole my estimation two hundred and ninety-six acres it being two parcels of land that was given me by my father also one still for and during her life or widowhood, and at her marriage or death I give the two parcels and plantation and also my still to my son Sampson Braswell to him and his heirs and assign forever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son Micajah Braswell all the cattle that he has in his possession belonging to me. One colt called Sam and my part of a ---- to him and his heirs and assign.

Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Woodard one negro man named Jack and three head of sheep to her, her heirs and assign. (They had to have wool for their cloth making.)

Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Braswell one feather bed and furniture and young horse Jolly. The horse to be sold and the money applied to her use, and two cows and calves to her, her heirs and assign.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son Sampson Braswell one hundred acres of land I purchased of William Hunt also two hundred acres of land more of a new survey adjoining the other tract I purchased of William Hunt to him, his heirs and assign forever.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son Wilson Braswell all my land that is not bequeathed in this will to my other sons, one feather bed and furniture, two cows and calves, two sows, one rifle, one chest, one pocket compass, and the colt that his mother's mare Jinny is now with foal with to him, his heirs and assign forever.

I give and bequeath to daughter Queenie Braswell one negro man named Simon, one feather bed and furniture to her, her heirs, and assign forever.

Item, I lend to my wife Sarah one negro man named Peter, and the rest and residue of my estate of all kinds whatsoever for and during her life or widowhood and at her marriage of death I give my negro man Peter to my daughter Sallie Braswell to her, her heirs, and assign forever.

And after paying my just debts I leave to my wife Sarah all the residue of my estate during her life or widowhood, and at her marriage or death, to be equally divided between my two grandchildren to wit, Sampson and Polly Braswell, to them, their heirs, and assign forever.

And I do hereby constitute and appoint make or ordain my worthy friends Howell Ellin and Fredrick Hines executors of this my last will and testament. I witness, whereof I the said Samuel Braswell have to this my last and will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year first above written signed, sealed, published, and declared by the Samuel Braswell, the testator, as his last will and testament in the presence of us, who were present at the time of signing and sealing thereof.

James Williams; Jesse Hunt; Martha Thomas.

February Court 1795, Nash County. The foregoing will was duly proven in open court by James William.

This will of Samuel BRASWELL is an exact copy from Nash County Wills Part II, Samuel BRASWELL, 1795.

 Photostat copy in the files of Dr. Roy Bennett BRASWELL.

From the department of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina.