Will of Matthew Adams
Book B, page 99 - 102, Rowan Co., NC;
In the name of God Amen I Matthew Adams of the State of North Carolina and county of Rowan Yeoman being very sick and low in body yet of perfect mind and memory blessed be god and calling to mind the mortality of my body and that it is appointed for all once to die do therefore make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form as follows Viz___Itam 1st I resign up my soul into the hands of Almighty God who give it and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent manner at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but I shall receive it again through the mighty power of Christ and as touching such worldly substance as it hath pleased God to bless me with I dispose in manner and form as follows Viz____Itam 2nd I will and ordain that all my lawful debts be levied and pay'd out of my personal estate. Itam 3rd I also will and ordain that my son George and Daughters Viz Mary, Chloe and Frances shall have sufficient schooling to be paid out of my estate. Itam 4th I leave and bequeath unto my beloved son Walter the Negro wench Anna with her increase except her first born which I ordain to be given unto Chloe when the child is two years old but if Chloe dies under age said Negro child to be given unto my daughter Frances. Itam 5th I leave and bequeath unto my beloved son George the Negro boy Sam to have him at the years of maturity but if George should die in minority then the Negro Sam to be given unto my daughter Rachel Itam 6th I leave and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Elizabeth my black cow Itam 7th I leave and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Diana my white heifer Itam 8th I also leave and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Rachel my red and white heifer Itam 9th I leave and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Nancy my red heifer Itam 10th I also leave and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth my mansion house and lands during her life time to possess with all their undetermined profits and advantages for her maintenance and bringing up of my four youngest children an also my Negro man Harry and Negro wench Betty to have and to hold during her life and at her death the land to be equally divided between my beloved sons Luke and Matthew and the above said Negroes to be equally divided amongst my daughters that I have left no slaves unto provided ____? unless that if my beloved wife Elizabeth should die shortly I ordain that the above said plantation and slaves with all their profits and advantages Viz house rents and heirs should be expended in bringing up my four youngest children until the youngest is twelve years old and then to be divided as above written but if Negro Betty has young during my wifes lifetime the said young I will and ordain to be equally divided amongst my daughters that I have left no particulars unto and as touching all the rest of my good and chattels I have and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth to have and to hold for ever except Negro Abraham Itam 11th I also leave and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Diana Negro Abraham Itam 12th I also will and ordain to my beloved sons Walter and Luke shall be the sole executors of this my last will and testament and do hereby revoke and disallow all former wills and testaments whatsoever given under my hand and seal this 6th day of June Anno Domini One thousand seven hundred and eighty one
Signed sealed pronounced and delegated in the presence of
the eighteenth line raced out and ____? before it was signed
John (his X mark) Adams
Rachel (her X mark) Adams
John (his X mark) Irwin
Matthew (his X mark) Adams (seal)