In the Name of God, Amen, the Twentyeth Eight day of January, 1754. I John Redding, of Perquimons County, being very Sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory, Thanks be given unto God; Therefore Calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to Dye, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament, that is to Say, Principally, and first of all, I Give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it; and my body to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the Discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general Resurrection I shall Receive again by the Mighty Power of God; and as touching Such Worldly goods and Estate wherewith it hath Pleased God to bless me in this-Life, I give, demise and Dispose of the Same in following Manner and Form:
Imprimis, I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Fullenton, my Dearly beloved and Intended Wife, my Plantation and Land next to Jesse Eason's to the Deviding, Together with my horse, bridle and Sadie, & three Cows and Calfs, to her and her heirs for ever.
Item, I Give and bequeath unto my three Sisters all my Other Lands, Together with all my others Goods and Estate, 10 be Equaly Devided between them three, and their Heirs for ever.
Item, I Give and bequeath unto my Cousin, John Ellis, one Mare Colt, to him and his heirs for ever.
Lastly, I Nominate and appoint my to Brothers in Law, John Davis, & Joshua Small to be my Executors to this my Last Will and Testament, and do hereby Revoke, Dissanull and make void all other former Wills by me heretofore made, and this Only to be my Last Will and Testament.
In Witness whereof, I have hereunto Set my Hand and fixed my Seal the Day and year above Written;
John Redding. (Seal)
Signed, Sealed, Published, Pro-
nounced, & Declared by the said
John Redding as his last Will and
Testament, in the Presence of us
the Subscribers,
Jesse Eason,
Joseph Sketo.
John Harris.
Perquimans County. ss. April Court, Anno Domini, 1754.
Present his Majesteies.
These may Certify that the within will was Duly prov'd by the Oath of Jesse Eason, one of the Evidences thereto and at the Same time appeared Joshua Small, Executor, find was duly qualifyed by taking the Oath by Law appointed. Ordered that the Sccutary of Sd. Province have Notice that Letters Testamentory Issue thereon as the Law Directs.
Test. Willm Skinner Clr. Cur.
Copied from the 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)
