Rebecca Wilcox Will

CHATHAM COUNTY, NC - WILLS - Rebecca Wilcox, 30 Aug 1808
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Will  of Rebecca Wilcox -
Chatham Co. NC Record of Wills
Film # 022.80001
Vol. A. pg. 158 1808

I Rebecca Wilcox of the county of Chatham in the State of North
Carolina, Widow, being weak and sick of body but of sound & disposing
mind and memory calling to mind the uncertainty of life and the
certainty of death, do think it prudent and necessary to make the
following disposition. First my Will is that all my just (debts) be paid
by Executors to be hereafter named. And whereas the Negroes in my
possession and also Lucy and her increase in the possession of James
Alston and Harry in the possession of my son John Wilcox were settled on
some of my Children that is to say Mary wife of John McLennan and my
three oldest sons, John, Thomas and James Wilcox & my three other
children having no share and title in any of the Negroes. It is my wish
and desire that my children should all be provided for as near alike as
can be. And I earnestly recommend to my three oldest sons James Alston,
& the Guardians of my Granddaughter Jane Wilcox McLennan to consent to
make an equal division of the said Negroes with my three children to
wit: Elizabeth Barge, George Wilcox and Rebecca Wilcox. If such equal
division should be made of the said Negroes my Will is that my seven
surviving children and my Granddaughter Jane Wilcox McLennan shall all
be entitled to equal shares of all the Lands of which I am seized and
possessed. But, if my three oldest Children James Alston and the
guardian of my said Grand daughter shall refuse to make an equal
division of the Negroes aforesaid ; My will then is that my other three
children Elizabeth Barge, George Wilcox and Rebecca Wilcox  shall be
provided for out of my Land so as for them to full as good estates as
these of my children & Grand daughter holding the sd Negroes. And if my
Lands should be considered more valuable than three fifths of the
Negroes the overplus & residue to be equally divided amongst all my
children and my said Grand daughter. And if it should be found
advantageous to make sale of any or all of my Lands. I do hereby
authorize & empower my Executors to do so & to make conveyance thereof
to the purchasers. I give & bequeath to my son George my daughter
Rebecca and my daughter Jane W. McLennan each a Feather Bed Bedstead &
furniture. My silver Mug (or Tankard) I give and bequeath to my son John
Wilcox all my silver spoons and other small silver plate. I give to my
daughter Rebecca and my Grand daughter Jane W. McLennon to be equally
divided between them. I do nominate & appoint my trusty Friends Thomas
Waddell & Murdock McKenzie to be Guardian of Daughter Rebecca and Grand
daughter Jane W. McLennon and wish them to take charge of their
education and their property until they shall arrive at years of
maturity. I give and bequeath to my daughter Rebecca my Mahoggany Tea
Table and as I have not given my son James a Bed it is my will that he
shall have as much allowed him over and above his share and dividend  as
will purchase a Bed & furniture for him. All my other property not
herein bequeathed I will to be disposed of by my Executors at their
discretion Lastly I do nominate and appoint my four sons John, Thomas,
George & James Wilcox, James Alston, Lucas Barge Jr. Murdock McKenzie &
Thomas Waddell to be executors of this my last will and testament.
Hereby revoking & making void all other wills by me made and
acknowledging this & no other as my last will & testament. In witness
whereof I the said Rebecca Wilcox have hereunto set my hand and seal the
30th day of August 1808. Note. The clause relating to Elizabeth Barge
having paid Eighty pounds ---- and the interlinations made before the
extension.?
                                Rebecca Wilcox {Seal}
Signed Sealed published and declared by the Testatrix to be her last
will and testament in the presence of us the subscribing witnesses who
saw each other subscribe as such.
Mary Montgomery
Philip Alston
Drew Sr. Alston         Proved Nov. 1808 by Philip Alston

Source: http://www.ncgenweb.us/chatham/wills_wyz.html