| Notes |
- [Following is a transcription of James Carver's will. Note that, even though James was indeed a Quaker, he used the opening phrase that most Quakers did not use.]
In the Name of God, "Amen." I, James Carver, Sen., of Bladen Prect., mill wright, being in perfect health and bound by the Grace of God to the Island of Barbados, and knowing the uncertainty of this transitory life, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, and do utterly revoke and disallow all former wills by me heretofore made, and as concerning what worldly goods it hath pleased God to bestow upon me in this life, I give and devise in the following manner.
First, I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almightly God my Savior, and Redeemer, and my Body to the earth or seas as it shall please God to ordain it.
Secondly, I will that all my just debts be paid and satisfied by my Executrix and Executor, who I do hereafter appoint.
Item - I give, devise, and bequeath unto my loving wife Elisabeth Carver, the bed and furniture thereto belonging, which she usually lies on, as also one half of the stock of cattle and a mare called Jonny, and an iron pot, a brass bottle, two porringers, four plates, and a pewter dish, and the use of the house during her widowhood.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son, James Carver, my land that is on the northeast side of the Northwest River, joining Rich Hellier's land, containing two hundred acres and one half of the saw mill, and one half of the land thereto belonging, beginning at the lower corner, a stake, and running up the creek south seventy-eight degrees west, so far as to compechend [?] on half the land, and thence a line at right angle to the back line, and along that line to a lightwood stump, and thence to the first station, to him, his heirs and assigns, forever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my son, Samuel Carver, the remaining part of my tract of land, being the upper part as also the other part or half of the saw mill standing, thereon to him, his heirs, and assigns forever, he being at one half the charge of making of as good buildings on his brothers' part of land as there is on his part.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Mary Benbow, three hundred pounds currency of North Carolina, one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid in a twelve-month after my decease, the other one hundred and fifty pounds to be paid in two years after my decease to her and her heirs forever.
Item - I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Ann Carver, the bed and furniture that she usually lies upon, and all that stock of _____ that is reputed and called her cattle, and three hundred pounds currency of North Carolina, fifty pounds when she arrives to the age of eighteen years, and the remaining sum of two hundred and fifty pounds to be paid in two payments, the first payment to be when she is nineteen years of age, the other [one?] year after, to her and her heirs forever.
Lastly, I nominate my loving wife, Elisabeth Carver, my Executrix to this my last Will and Testament, and my two sons James Carver and Samuel Carver, my Executors jointly with my wife, and do appoint my said two sons to pay yearly to their mother one hundred pounds per year during her life. In witness whereof I, the said James Carver, have hereunto set my hand and seal this seventh day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred thirty-eight.
[signature of "Jam. Carver" and his seal upon wax]
Signed, Seal'd, Publish'd, and declared by the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us: [signed] Richard Hellier, Ann Hellier
Proved before me in due form of Law this 7th day of June 1739, [signed] Gab. Johnson
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