IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.

 

I, Thomas Hicks, being in perfect health and of sound mind and memory, thanks be to God, therefore, and calling to mind the mortality of my Body knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, have thought good to make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament.

 

Imprimis. To my beloved wife I give the plantation whereon I now live and four negroes — viz., Rose, Pleasant, Saunders and Mingo, together with five cows and calves, a yoke of oxen, a gelding horse, two pots and all the pewter in the house and a choice of the beds with the furniture thereto belonging; also as many plantation tools as is necessary for her use to her own proper use and behoof during her life or while she remains my widow. I also give her twenty head of hogs which hogs with the above mentioned cattle to be to her own disposal forever.

 

Item. I lend to my daughter, Rebekah Mills, four negros, viz., Phelep, Philis, Cloe and her child, and what cattle is in her care at my decease, together with the plan-tation whereon she now lives for and during her natural life, and the said plantation I also lend to her present hus-band, James Mills, for the term of his life.

 

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson. Hicks Mills, after the decease of my wife, the plantation where-on I now live and a negro named Saunders to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

 

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson, Leonard Mills, the plantation where my daughter now lives after her decease and a negro named Mingo after the decease of my wife to him and hia heirs and assigns forever.

 

Item. I give and bequeath to granddaughter, Borden Mills, a bed and furniture and ten head of cattle to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

 

Item. I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Thankful Mills, a bed and furniture and ten head of cattle to her, her heirs and assigns forever.

 

Item. I give and bequeath to my grandchildren, Robert Mills, Anne Mills, Serena Mills, Betty Mills and Sarah Mills, ten head of cattle each to them and their heirs and assigns forever.

 

Item. I lend the two before mentioned negroes named Rose and Pleasant left to my wife after her decease to my daughter, Rebecca Mills, during her life and then to be appraised and one or two of any grandchildren to buy the other's parts and the remaining part of my estate, after any just debts and funeral charges are paid, I leave to be equally divided amongst my living grandchildren at the discretion of my wife whom I leave and ordain my Executrix of this my last Will and Testament, together with Robert Southerland.

 

Item. And I do hereby declare and pronounce this to be my last Will and Testament — hereby revoking and renouncing do make void all other Wills by me made. In witness whereunto I have set my hand and seal in presence of us.

Thomas Hicks
Witnesses:  
Shearrod Grimesley
Moses Hanshay
Ref. Duplin County, North Carolina
Book A — p. 186

 

[source: "History of the Gwin family" Fairfax, Va. :: Jesse Blaine Gwin] Submitted by Kiim Torp