Will of John Brown
dated 27 March 1880

In the Name of God, Amen. I John Browne of the County of Cleveland of the State of North Carolina Being of sound mind and memory. bessed be God, but viewing the uncertainty of life and the certainty of death, do make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following

(Viz)

1st I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary M. Brown all my land whereon I now reside on the waters of Muddy Fork creek. containing, One Hundred and thirty two Acres more or less to have and to hold the Same during her natural life time. Also all my live stock of every discription that may be in my posession at my death, together with all my house hold and kitchen furniture. And after her decease the live stock of every discription shall be equally divided Between my two sons, R.G. and W.L. Browne.

I give and bequeath unto my son R.G. Browne my desk and Bookcase.

And to my son W.L. Browne my Buggy and harness.

After the death of my beloved wife, all my land shall be equally divided Between my three daughters Mary S. Ramsey, Rachel Gambell, and Margaret E. C. Hallman in equal Shares. Giving Margaret E. C. Hallman the third to include my house and other buildings.

I give and bequeath unto my two sons R.G. and W.L. Browne all my farming tools of whatsoever kind including my farm wagon to be equally divided between them. All my books shall be equally divided Between all my children. The house hold and kitchen furniture not otherwise disposed of shall be divided equally between my three daughters, Mary S. Ramsey, Rachell Gambell, and Margaret E. C. Hallman.

Lastly I hereby constitute my son R.G. Browne my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and Testament according to the true intent and meaning hereof.

In witness whereof I the said John Browne do hereunto set my hand and affix my seal. The 27th day of March 1880,

Witness
W. W. Reynolds                                                                         John Brown (Seal)
N. O. Harrelson

Go to my page on John Brown. Also please see my will page for more wills.

For the sake of clarity I have inserted paragraphs at logical breaks in the text and put names in bold, but in no way have I changed the spelling or grammar of the original. The original loose will from which this was transcribed was found at the Division of Archives and History, Raleigh, North Carolina.