In the Name of God, Amen. I, William Arenton, of Craven County, and Province of North Carolina, Planter, being in perfect Sound mind and Memory, thanks be to God. but Calling to mind the uncertainty of this life, do make and Declare this to be my last will and Testament, in Manner and form following.
& First, I Recommend my Soul unto the allmighty God who gave it, hoping for Pardon for all my Sins through the Merits and Mercy of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redemer, and my body to the Earth, and as for my Temporal Estate which it hath pleased God to bestow upon me I Give and Dispose of the Same in Manner and form following:
Imprimis, my will and Desire is that my well beloved wife Mary Arenton have the use of the Plantation Whereon I now live during the time of her life.
Item. I Give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Mary Arenton One third part of all My Estate of horses, Cattle & hoggs and Household Goods to her and her heirs for ever.
Item. I Give and bequeath unto my three Children, Rebeccah, Mary and Leah Arenton, all the rest of my Estate to be Equally Devided Amongst them when they Come to Age or Marriage.
Lastly. I Doe hereby Nominate, Constitute, Ordain and appoint my friend Henry Shippard Executor of this my last will and Testament, And I Doe hereby utterly Disallow and Make Void all and every Other will or wills, Legacys and bequests heretofore done or Made, Rattifying and Confirming this and no Other to be my last will and Testament.
In Witness Whereof he hath hereunto sett his hand and Seal this 23d Day of January, 1761.
............................................................................................................................................W. A. (His Seal)
Signed Sealed Published & De-
Clared by the Said William Aren-
ton to be and Contain his last
will & Testament in the Presence
of us the Subscribers
EDMUND HATCH
..............his
MARTIN X SHIPPARD
..... ..mark
Copied from Original Will filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Source: North Carolina Wills and Inventories, copied from Original and Recorded Wills and Inventories In the Office of the Secretary of State by J. Bryan Grimes, Secretary of State, Published 1912)
