Will of Andrew Harrison ( 1773 )

In the Name of God, Amen. I, Andrew Harrison of Orange County in the Province of North Carolina, being very sick and weak of body tho; of perfect mind and memory, but calling to mind the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and ordain this my last will and testament and do dispose of all my estate in manner and form following, (to-wit) Imprimis, I lend unto my well beloved wife Jane Harrison the use of the plantation whereon I now live, likewise the land and plantation on Moore's Creek, likewise a water grist mill on the said Creek all which she is to have during her natural life or widow-hood without any intercession, likewise I lend unto her one negro woman named Sarah and one named Isabella and one negro man named George and their future progeny during her life or widow-hood and after her death the said negroes to be equally divided among six of my children, to-wit, Milley Moore, Elizabeth Harrison, Ninian Harrison, Molly Harrison, Jane Harrison and Andrew Harrison. Item, I give unto my son Ninian Harrison who is at present of unsound mind the tract of land on Moore's Creek, the place always intended for him after the death of his mother provided he should recover his proper senses. It is to extend down the said Creek to a marked line which is the dividing line between him and his youngest brother Andrew Harrison. I also give him negro boy named Bob and one negro girl named Phillis and their future progeny. I also give him one horse, one mare, two cows and calves and also two sows and pigs to him and his heirs forever PROVIDED he should recover his proper senses so as to be capable of managing the same but if he should never come to his proper senses I desire that the above mentioned negroes and stock after his death be equally divided amongst my children and it is my desire that my son Ninian Harrison and his estate be under the management of William Harrison and Thomas Harrison his two brothers, who is to act as Trustee for him until he shall be capable to act for himself. Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Milley Moore and her heirs forever one negro woman named Judah and one negro girl named Pegg. Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Harrison and her heirs forever one negro girl named Rose and one named Esther. Item, I give and bequeath to my daughter Molly Harrison and her heirs forever one negro girl named Chloe and one named Frank. Item, I bequeath unto my daughter Jane Harrison and her heirs forever one negro girl named Rachel and one named Nancy. Item, I give and bequeath unto my son Andrew Harrison and his heirs forever the tract of land whereon I now dwell and water grist mill on Moor's Creek together with all the vacant land that I have improved or intended to be improved adjoining the mill after the death of his mother or widow-hood, the land and plantation on Moore's Creek which is intended for my son Ninian if he should die without heir to be sold and the money arising to be equally divided amongst all my children. I also give and bequeath unto my son Andrew Harrison one negro boy named Little Bob and one negro girl named Aggy. Likewise one silver cann with my name engraved thereon and if my son Andrew should die without a lawful heir I desire that all his part of my estate above mentioned should be sold and the money arising be equally divided amongst the rest of my children. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Ware and her heirs forever one negro girl named Isabella. Item, it is my will and desire that all the rest of my estate not herein mentioned or disposed of may, after my just debts shall be paid, be equally divided amongst all six of my children, Milley Moore, Elizabeth Harrison, Molly Harrison, Nancy Harrison, and Andrew Harrison to them and their heirs forever after their mother's death.

Item, I give and bequeath unto my two sons, William Harrison and Thomas Harrison, Five Shillings each as they have already received an equal part of my estate.

Item, if any of my children should die without heir it is my desire that the estate of my child or children shall be equally divided amongst all the rest of my children. Item, I give unto Margaret Bayn one cow and calf, I also appoint William Harrison, Thomas Harrison, John Ware and William Moore my whole and sole executors of this my last will and testament herein revoking and denying and disanulling all other wills by me formerly made, in witness whereof have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal, this 16th day of May, 1773.

N. B. The words "to descend to my son Andrew Harrison if he should die without lawful heirs" interlined before signed.

ANDREW HARRISON, (Seal)

Signed, sealed published and
declared to be the last will
and testament of the testator
in presence of

ROBT. PAYNE
CHAS. BURTON

North Carolina,
Orange County.

I, Chas. Strayhorn, Clerk of the Superior Court of Orange County and State of North Carolina, do hereby certify that the forgoing is a true copy of the last will and testament of Andrew Harrison, deceased, as appears of record in my office in Will Book "A" page 140.

Witness my hand and official seal, this the 13th day of October, 1913.

(Seal)
CHAS. STRAYHORN,

Clerk Superior Court