Will of John Simpson
Will: Book E. page 11 Rockingham Co,
NC
12feb1868
16mar1869
I John Simpson of the County of Rockingham and State of North Carolina being of
sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence
do make and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner and form
following, that is to say:
Item 1st - I give and bequeath to my son JOHN HENRY SIMPSON all my lands on
certain conditions, that is so long as he lives a sober life, but if he should
become intoxicated three times which can be proven by three credible witnesses,
he then forfeits all claims to said lands. Then it is my will and desire that
his son GEORGE shall inherit the same free of any encumbrance whatever.
Item 2nd - It is my will and desire that all my debts which is now owing to me
I wish to be collected and divided between my three Daughters (to wit) MARY
MEADOWS, ALMEDA PINNIX, and HANNAH ANN BOULDIN, except my Daughter Mary which
it is my wish shall have Fifty Dollars over and above the other two, and lastly
I do, which may be construed as
Item 3d, will and bequeath that my Daughter Hannah Ann have one hundred Dollars
out of the bond I hold against my son WILLIAM. I also leave Hannah Ann Seventy
five Dollars to be paid by my son John Henry which he now owes me, also Twenty
five Dollars to his son George, then I discharge him from any and all other
obligations whatever.
And I do hereby Constitute and appoint my worthy son in law THOMAS MEADOWS my
lawful Executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and
testament, so far as regards my Estate in North Carolina and no farther. But
that my two Sons John Henry and William be my Executors to settle my business
in KENTUCKY, hereby revoking all other wills by me heretofore made.
In witness whereof I the said John Simpson hath hereunto set my hand and seal
this the 12th day of February A. D. 1868.
Signed, sealed in presence of us who were present & witness the same
F. L. SIMPSON
B. H. SMITH
Rockingham County -- In the Probate Court
A paper writing purporting to be the last will and testament of John Simpson
decd is exhibited before me the undersigned Judge of Probate for said County by
Thomas Meadows the executor therein named, and the due execution thereof by the
said John Simpson by the oath and examination of F. L. Simpson and of B. H.
Smith the subscribing witnesses thereto, who being duly sworn doth depose and
say and each for himself deposeth and saith, that he is a subscribing witness
to the paper writing now shown him purporting to be the last will and testament
of John Simpson. That the said John Simpson in the presence of this deponent
subscribed his name at the end of said paper writing which is now shown as
aforesaid and which bears date February the 12th 1868.
And the deponent further saith that the said John Simpson the testator
aforesaid did at the time of subscribing his name as aforesaid declare the said
paper writing so subscribed by him and exhibited to be his last will and
testament, and this deponent did thereafter subscribe his name at the end of
said will as an attesting witness thereto, and at the request and in the
presence of the said testator. And this deponent further saith that at the said
time when the said testator subscribed his name to the said last will as
aforesaid, and at the time of the deponent's subscribing his name as an
attesting witness thereto as aforesaid, the said John Simpson was of sound mind
and memory, of full age to execute a will, and was not under any restraint to
the knowledge, information or belief of this deponent. And further these
deponents say not.
Severally sworn & subscribed
this the 16th day of March 1869
THOMAS A. RAGLAND, Probate Judge
State of North Carolina
Rockingham County - In Probate Court
I Thomas Meadows do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I believe the foregoing
paper writing to be the last will and testament of John Simpson deceased, and
that I will well and truly execute the same by first paying his debts and then
his legacies, as far as the said estate shall extend or the law will charge me,
and that I will well and faithfully execute the office of an Executor,
agreeably to the trust and confidence expressed in me and according to law so
help me God.
Sworn & Subscribed this the
16th of March 1869.