In the Name of god amen I Samuel COOK of Bertie County failing to mind the uncertainly of ys mortal life all Flesh must dye do make and ordain this to be my Last Will and Testament here by revoking, disanulling and making void all former Wills and Testaments by me here to fore made.
Discretion of my Exc. here after named and as to what Worldly Estate ??? pleased God to Bless me with I give and dispose of as forth with
Item I give and bequeath unto my loving wofe, Mary Cook, the plantation where I know gives during her life and at here death ??? plantation conforming to hundred sixty two acres more or less. I give to my eldest son John to him and his heirs forever with of other estate hereafter mentioned to him.
Item I give and bequeath unto my Loving wife Mary Cook the Negro Wench called Venijs that is the use of her during her widowedhood and then if wench after her widdowhood to give to my son John Cook only the two first children of the wench has that comes to of ages of twelve months old is to go to my two sons Benjamin Cook and William Cook to them and their heirs for ever with the other parts here after mentioned like wife I give to my loving wife follows and calves and fore large stears ??? called Derrick and a mare Bonny with a Equal parts with my children of my hogg. and house I ??? that is not given in if will
Item I give and bequeath to my children as followeth Frances Cook, ??? Cook,Benjamin Cook, William Cook, Mary Cook, Elizebeth Cook all the to be equal divided amoung them
Item I give and bequeath to my son Jessey Cook a hundred acres of Land lying at the head of Black warnut to him and his heirs for ever.
Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Frances Cook a young Negro child called pen to her and her heirs forever it is my desire that all my children have their part delieved at the age of twenty one years.
Item I give and bequeath to my son John Cook all my tools foyners and turning tools
Item I give and bequeath all my hoggs and sheep and household goods and debts all to be equally divided between my wife and my eight children that is not already given in this will.
Lastly I nominate and appoint my beloved wife Mary Cook Executriox and my son Jon Cook and Capt. Edward Bryant Robert here tofore made and hoping if occasion be my Executised Executor will see the same duly executored. In testimony where of I have here here unto set my hand and seal this in day of October anno dam 1756 .
Signed Sealed Published and Declared in ye presents of.
John Burn Iurat
John Penny Iurat
Robert West
Mary Cook and Jno Cook
Samuel Cook
The within written will was entered into Court by Mary Cook Exc. and John Cook Exor. there of and Proved by the oath of John Burns and John Perry two of the subscribing witnesses there to and at the same time the name excors Quallifyed for said office of which was ordered to be certifiyed. Test. Benj Wyms Clerk
This was generously contributed by Sarah [email protected]