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This page will list two wills of John Byrd's, they are not the same person.

John Byrd's Will

Duplin County NC

The will of John Bird/Byrd of Duplin County, North Carolina was proven in Court the 12th day of May 1761 by the oath of John Yarbrough. Registered in the registration office in Duplin County

In the name of God this fifth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty one, I John Bird of Duplin County being very sick and weak in body but in perfect mind and memory thanks be given to God. Therefore calling to mind the moratility of my body and knowing that it appointed for all men to die. Do make and ordain this my last will and testament that is to say personally and first of all I give and recommend my soul to the hands of God that gave it and for my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in a christian like manner at the discreation of my exts. But at the general resuraction I shall have the same again in the mighty power of God astonishing wordly estate herewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life.

I give demise in manner and form, viz:

I give and bequeath to my beloved son John Bird one hundred acres of land with the plantations wherein I now live and and one negro by name h---?, one cow and yearling and one horse colt named major to him and his heir forever.

I give to my well beloved son Michael Bird one negro girl named Lilles and one cow and yearling and one rifle gun and a mare colt name mucnh to him and his heirs for ever.

I give to my well beloved daughter Beththiah Byrd one mulato girl named Cleva three cows and yearlings and to her and her heirs forever

I give to my well beloved daughter Delah Byrd the first child that my negro wench Pat shall have. It shall live to be ten years old after date hereof and two cows and calves to her and her heirs forever

I give to my well beloved Catherine byrd one negro wench name Pat and all the remaining part of any estate that is not mentioned excepting my--- sow and pigs and my other negro that is not yet mentioned and this to be equally divided between my four children and I likewise constitute and make and ordain Michael King and Edward Byrd my only and sole Ex of this my last will and testament and I do hereby disanul revoke and disallow every other and form of will and legacies bequeathed and executed by me (his X here) any will before this time named and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last will and testament in witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written signed sealed published and discharged by the said as his last will and testament in presence of us the subscribers. John Yarbrough and George Bell

John Byrd's Will

Chowan County NC

In the name of God Amen the Thirteenth Day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixteenth, I John Byrd of North Carolina and precinct of Chowan, being very sick and weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory Thanks be unto God. Therefore calling unto mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, I 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 I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian burial at the discretion of my Exs(ecutors) nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive the same by the Mighty Power of God. And as touching such worldly Estates to have with it hath pleased God to bless me in this life I give, demise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.

To my beloved son, John I give that tract of land being Six Hundred and Fourty acres lying at New Market joining on NE Hollbooks to him and his heirs for ever. And also two cows and calves with their increase and one young Bay horse running with my great mares? one iron pot and my ------- gun and one chest with one half of my wearing apparel two --- and ---.

To my son Edward I give all of the land lying over to the West side of --the Maple Branch contained in a patent of Three Hundred Sixty Five acres, also two cows and calves with their increase to him and his heirs for ever and one gun, those sows and there increase and one young Bay horse running with my great mares? and two ? one iron pot with the other half of my clothes.

To my son William I give all the land lying on the East side of Maple Branch being one patent that part Three Hundred and Sixty Five acres or there abouts contained in the for sd. patent with their heirs and any of my two mares brings to him and his heirs forever and Two cows and calves now up on said plantation and their increase and three sows and their increase one iron pot and one gun at Jno. Hawkins and two ---?

I give to my well beloved wife Rebecca Byrd her choice of any bed and furniture belong to my Estate for her own particular use and also the plantation I now live upon and after her death, to my son Rich(ard) and also the remainder part of my estate to be equally divided among my loving wife Rebecca Byrd, Rich.(ard), Anne and Edward Byrd my loving children and also that child my wife is now with and pleases? God to lives shall have an equal share amongst the rest. It is my will that the boys shall help.

And also I name along with my dear and Loving wife Reb.(ecca) Byrd and my fellow and Loving Son-in-law, John Hardy my sole executor and Executrix of my last will and testament revoking and disannul all other and every other amounts, Willis Legacies and Accounts and executors by me in any way or before named will and bequeathed ratifying and confirming this and now To be my last will and testament of names to have and document to set my hand and Seal day and for Seal

J-n- Byrd

Signed Sealed and Delivered In presence of us

Jno. Cromore, Susanah ( X ) Williams, Mary( X )Damrell


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