Will of John Boswell
Caswell Co. NC July Court 1854
In the name of God, amen, I John Boswell, of
the county of Caswell and the State of N. Carolina being of sound and perfect
mind and memory, blessed by God, do this eighth day of March in the year of our
Lord, One thousand eight hundred and fifty three,
make and publish this my last will and testament in manner following to wit:
I commend my soul to the Almighty, whom gave it
unto me return -----to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian like manner
at the direction of my friends.
2nd My will is that all my
lawful debts be paid.
3rd I Loan to my wife, Sarah
Boswell, two negro slaves, viz: Claracy, Jack and Susannah, one horse the
choice the choice of the stock of my horses of her own choosing, two cows and
two calves, two beds, bedstear & furniture, one bureau, all of the china
and queensware, & silverspoons, I may possess at the time of my death, one
folding leaf table, one thousand pounds of pork, fifty barrels of corn, twenty
five bushels of wheat, and side saddle and bridle may barouche & harness,
one yoke of oxen & cart all of which property my will & desire, is
shall remain, in the possession of my wife, Sarah Boswell to be controlled by
her for her own use and benefit during her natural life, and at her decease.
4th My will is that the land, and
three negroes, ----- and harness, yoke of oxen and rest above named , shall be
----- equally divided, my six children, their heirs and assigns and the above
named property, except the land, & three negroes, barouche and harness, yoke
of oxen & cart shall be at the diposal of my wife, Sarah Boswell, to dipose
of as she----.
5th My will is that all my negro
slaves be valued & equally divided between my six children, herein after
named.
6th. My will is all the balance of
my estate,both real and personal be sold and the proceeds equally divided
between my six children herein after named.
7th My will is enough of my property
be sold for cash enough to make all of my children equal in their dowery they
have received & then all my negro slaves to be valued and divided among six
children herein after named.
8th I give and bequeath to my son,
Thomas Boswell, thy one sixth part of my estate herein left to be divided among
my six children after deducting the sum of nine hundred and fifty three dollars
and forty five cents, the amount of property which I have advanced to him out of
his portion or sixth part of said estate to him, his heirs or assigns.
9th I give and bequeath to my son,
James Boswell, the one sixth part of herein left to be divided between my six
children, after deducting the sum of Five hundred and seventy eight dollars the
amount of property, which I have advance to him out of his portion
or sixth part, his heirs or assigns forever.
10th I give and bequeath to my
Eliza Fielder, the one sixth part of my estate, here in left to be divided
between my six children, after deducting the sum of five hundred and ninety one
dollars, the amount of property which I have advanced to her out of her
portion,or sixth part of said estate to her, her heirs and assigns, forever.
11th I give to Joseph Simpson in
trust, for the sale and separate maintenance and support my daughter, Eunice
Hurdle, wife of Jacob Hurdle, during her life free from the control and
management of her said husband and without any liability for his contracts,
debts, and at the my said daughter and to be equally divided amongst her
children, the one sixth part of my estate, includes the negroes which my
daughter now has in her possession valued to her with other property at the sum
of Seven hundred and twenty five dollars and fifty cents, which I have advanced
to Jacob Hurdle, husband of my said daughter, in payment for negro woman,
Margaret, and infant child, bitsy, which said negroes. I give in advance to my
said Daughter, making the whole amount of thirteen hundred and sixty six dollars
which said amount she must pay in account to my estate for and then receive such
an amount an amount of money and property as will make her equal with the rest
of my children, and further I will and desire that Joseph Simpson trustee as
aforesaid shall manage the estate of my daughter, Eunice in that way will be
most conducive to her comfort either bring the negroes out paying to my daughter
the hire or is hereby authorized, to leave them with her, as she may deem best.
12th I give and bequeath to my son
Dixon Boswell, the sixth part of my estate, herein left to be divided between my
six children, after deducting the sum of one hundred dollars which I advanced to
him out of his portion in ------- for a horse saddle & bridle and the
further sum of seven hundred dollars which I have advanced to him out of his
portion or sixth part of said estate to him his heirs and assigns forever.
13th I give and bequeath to my
daughter, Lucinda Pattillo the one sixth part of my estate herein life to be
divided between my six children, after deducting the sum of six hundred &
tenty six dollars which I have advanced her out of her portion or sixth of said
estate to her, her heirs or assigns forever.
14th My Will and desire is that all
the money notes bond and accounts and their effects or the proceeds that not
herein beofre disposed of which I may possess at the time of my death, shall be
equally divided between my six children, each one accounting for the sum I have
advanced to them as herein before named. So that they all shall have received an
equal part of my estate herein willed to them on a final settelement.
Lastly I do appoint, Joseph Simpson and James
Farish, Executors of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other
wills, by me heretofore made, declaring this to be my last will and testament in
witness whereof & the said, John Boswell, I have hereunto set my hand, to
affix my seal, the day and date above.
Mentioned, Signed and Sealed in the Presence of us:
Witness:
Wagstaff
Maynard John
Boswell (seal)
W S Simpson
Whereas, John Boswell, departed this life, in
June 1854, and left a last will and testament, & was admitted to Probate at
July county court now be it known that I Sarah Boswell, wife of John Boswell, do
hereby appoint Thomas Bigelow, my lawful attorney, for me and in my name to
enter in Caswell County Court my dissent to the aforesaid will, of John Boswell,
dec’d, in a full and ample manner, as if I were present and acting, Given under
my hand and seal this six of July, 1854.
Witness:
Sarah Boswell (seal)
J I Farish
Milton P Mitchell