Peter Smith 1793
Source: Caswell Co., North Carolina Will Book C Folio 249. NC State Archives
In the name of God Amen. I Peter Smith, of Caswell County state of North Carolina, for diverse good causes and considerations, now hereunto moveing have made constituted and appointed this my last will and testament, in the following manner.
Item first. I give to my daughter Elizabeth, her heirs etc. a certain Negro woman named Jane, a horse, saddle and bridle and feather bed, etc. now in her and her husbands possession.
Next I give to my daughter Martha a Negro girl named Bess, a horse, saddle and bridle and Feather bed and furniture.
Next I give to my son Jesse a negro boy named Lewis.
Next I give to my son Moses a negro boy named Edmond.
Next I give to my son Aaron a negro girl named Fannie, and I will that all my other property estate consisting of land, negroes, stock, household furniture, etc., be equally divided between the rest of my sons, to wit: James, William, Pressley, George, John B., Elias and Elijah, except my Negro man Anthony, who tho not absolutely free, I will that he have liberty to have his own choice from time to time, to serve which of my children he shall choose, and not to be confined to any one particular, but if ill treated by one, to have liberty to go to another as he shall see fit, and not to be sold to any other person.
In testimony whereof, I set my hand and seal this 18th day of April Seventeen hundred and ninety three 1793, and I appoint John Windsor, Richard Hornbuckle, and my son William W. Smith executors of this my last will and testament.
Signed Peter Smith
Teste
Jas. Grant Junr.
Jeptha Rice
Henry Ferrel
Caswell County, October Court, 1797.
The executors of this Will was duly proved in open court by the oaths of James Grant and Jeptha Rice, subscribing witnesses, and on motion, ordered to be recorded.
A.C. Murphy, Clerk
Note: Records show that the following children of Peter Smith and Jemima Simpson came to Muhlenberg County: James Simpson, John Bailey, Pressley Wheeler, William Wiggington, Aaron Fairfax, Elias Guess, Moses F. and Martha (Smith) Blackwell Roberts.