Will of Richard Brown
[Transcription, to the extent possible: some parts very faint] In the name of God Amen. I Richard Brown of the parish of Saint Andrews in the county of Brunswick (...) being of sound and perfect mind and memory (...) of February in the year of our lord Christ one thousand (...) that make and publish this my last will and testament in the (...) viz: Imprimies, I lend unto my wife Frances Brown (...) Robin, Moses George and the (...) during her natural life. Item, I give and bequeath unto my loving wife Frances Brown six negroes, to wit Jenny, Doll, Ding, Pansy, Will and Tom, to her and her heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my said wife all my household furniture and all my stock of horses, cattle, hoggs & sheep in the county of Brunswick, and also all my stock of all birds on the plantation wheron my son Richard Brown now lives in North Carolina to her and her heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my son, William Brown, after my said wifes decease, one negro named Robin, to him and his heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Brown two negroes, to wit Jim and Burnell (?) to him and his heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Lewis Brown after the death of my said wife the land and plantation whereon I now live and one negro named Moses, to him and his heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Lewis Brown two negros to wit Davey and Chancy to him and his heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Beverly Brown one negro named Jerry, and also after my said wife’s decease, one other negro named George, to him and his heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my son John Brown one negro named Jack to him and his heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Joany Harrison one negro girl named Dinah, to her and her heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Daniel one negro girl named June, to her and her heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Sucky Butt one negro girl named Mina, to her and her heirs forever. also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Sexton one negro girl named Nancy to her and her heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Francis Brown three negros, to wit Judy, Ben and Wenay (??) to her and her heirs forever. Also my will and desire is that all my estate, both real and person, that is not already bequeathed be equally divided between my said wife Francis Brown and my said son Lewis Brown, to them and their heirs forever. Also my will is that there be no appraisement of said estate, and I so hereby make constitute and appoint my said loving wife Francis Brown and my said son Lewis Brown executors of this my will, revoking and making void all former wills by me made and do (?) to be my last will and testament. In witness whereof the said Richard Brown here (...) hand and seal the day and year before written. Signed Rich’d Brown.
Witnesses: Wm Richardson, Nathaniel Richardson, Thos. Stith
Memorandum. It is my desire (...) unto my daughter Elizabeth ?Wigen? to be (...) one shilling sterling and no more (...) my daughter Edna Tarpley one shiling sterling and (...) Signed (...) seven hundred and seventy three, in presence of Wm Richardson Nathaniel Richardson, Thos Stith. (Will Book 4, pp 148-150)