I, James Lee Senr. of the County of Anson and State of North Carolina being of Sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following that is to say
Item 1st That my executor and executrix (hereafter named) shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and pay all funeral expenses together with all my just debts howsoever and to whom soever owing, out of the moneys that may first come into their hands as a part or parcel of my estate.
Item 2nd I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary B. Lee two beds and furniture her choice, five Negroes (viz.) Orange, Cherry, Ruth, Washington, and Harry, Two hundred and fifty acres of land including my dwelling House all the out houses and other improvements, to have and to hold the said negroes and land for and during her natural life and widowhood in satisfaction for and in lieu of her dower and thirds of and in all my real estate, I also give my wife Mary the following property as above mentioned all my household and kitchen furniture, one sorrel Mare Saddle and bridle, one bay mare, two colts, all of my stock of cattle, cart and steers, all my stock of hogs, ten head of sheep her choice, all my flock of geese, all my farming and plantation tools, Sixty barrels of Corn, Two Thousand weight of pork and bacon, forty bushels of wheat, Seventy five pounds of sugar, and seventy five pounds of Coffee, & Two sacks of salt,
Item 3rd I give and devise my Grandchildren Roena, Sarah Ann and John Children of James B. Lee Dec'd the following property Two Hundred and fifty Acres of Land adjoining Uriah Staton, & Richmond Lee, on the west side of the Wadesboro Road, one negroe woman & two children, Hager and her Two children Hubbard and Hampton, to be equally divided when they become of age or either of them marries.
Item 4th I give to my Daughter Pheriby Brantly (wife of William Brantly), and her heeeeeirs the following Negroes, All of Pats Children (names not known), and a girl named Jane, her and hers forever.
Item 5th I give and devise to my son Richmond Lee the tract of land whereo he now resides containing Two Hundred and fifty acres, one NEgroe boy named Anthony Senr.
Item 6th I give an devise my Daughter Annie Thomas (wife of John Thomas) the following negroes, Clarissa, Lucy, and old greenand all their increase,
Item 6th I give and devise my son William M. Lee, The tract of Land I now live on at his Mothers death or Marriage, three Negroes, Marry, Lucinda, and Anthony Jnr. one bed and furniture, one colt called Bet,
Item 7th I give and devise my daughter Maniza Davis three Negroes, Washington Charlotte and Hardy and my smallest Colt called Nancy, and one bed and furniture, Also a tract of Land called the Pond field containing Two Hundred and fifty acres adjoining Jos B. Ingram and Richmond Lee on the East side of the Wadesboro Road.
Item 7th I give and devise my Granddaughter ELizabeth Williams Lowtharp Fifty Dollars in Money, to her and her lawful heirs forever-
Iten 8th I give unto my wife, Mary the following negroes besides the property named in item 2nd (viz) an old negro woman named Ally, one boy named Thomas and one boy named Ralph during her life time or widowhood, and at her death or marriage all the property willed to her to go to my Two youngest children William M. Lee and Maniza Davis Lee-
Item 9th For and in consideration of the above property I have willied my wife MAry B. Lee, she is to support and educate my two Youngest Children William and Maniza until they become of age or marry, free of all expense-
Item 10th I request and will my two neegroes Dick and YOung Green and all other property not willed of to be sold and out of the proceeds to pay my debts and the articles to be bought for my wife, and the balance to be divided betweeen my five children, Richmond Lee Pheriby Brantly, Annie Thomas, William Lee, and Maaniza D. Lee.
Lastly- I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend DAvid C. Liily my lawful executor and my wife Mary B. Lee my executrix to all to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the same and every part and clause therof, hereby revoking and declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made.
In Witness Whereof I the said James Lee Senr. do hereunto set my hand and Seal, this 17th day of October 1846.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said James Lee Senr. to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, whoaat his request and in his presence do subscribe our names as witnesses therto.
J. F. Crump
Uriah Staton
State of North Carolina
Anson County
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