Last Will and Testament of John Wilkins
I John Wilkins of the county of Stokes and State of North Carolina aforesaid being weak in body but of disposing mind and memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament.
First -- I will that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid out of my estate.
Secondly - I give and bequeath to my son John Wilkins the following negro girl ABIGAIL and all her increase.
Thirdly I give and bequath to my son in law Benjamin Hutcherson and his wife Delisha, the following negroes woman and child (to wit) SOCK and her youngest child ELARY (CLARY?) and all there....
Fourthly I give and bequeath to my son in law Richard Vernon and to his wife Nancy the following negro boy MINGO
Fifthly I Give and bequeath to my son Jeremiah WILKINS the following negroe boy DAVID.
Sixthly I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Wilkins one hundred dollars in money to be made out of the sale of my lands, stock of all kninds, and house hold and Kitcheon furniture
Seventhly I give and bequeath to my son in law Jeremiah Hutcherson and his wife Elizabeth one Hundred Dollars in the same way as my son Thomas Wilkins is to have his.
Eightly -- I will that the remainder if any be equally divided between the following children (viz.) my sons Jeremiah and John Wilkins, Jr. and my sons in law and their wives (viz.) Richard Vernon and his wife Nancy and Jeremiah Hutcherson and his wife Elizabeth.
Ninthly -- I further will that the whole of my Estate both real and personal be held by my wife Sarah Wilkins during her natural life and the same be subject to her support to all intents and purposes.
Tenthly -- I further will and devise and say that neither my sons William Wilkins and George Wilkins shall not secure or have any part of my estate whatsoever. And further will that after the death of my wife Sarah all my property not heretofore disposed of be sold on a credit -- of Twelve months and the money arising therefrom appropriated by my Estate as above stated.
Eleventhly -- I do hereby constitute nominate and appoint my friend ABSALOM SCALES, Executor of this my last will and testament.
Twelfthly -- I hereby revoke all forms wills and testaments heretofore made by me and the fore going is my will and desire in --- whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 18th day of Aug. 1832.
John [his mark] Wilkins.
Signed sealed and delivered in the presents of Lemuel (Samuel?) Joyce, Daniel Hudson, Perrin Joyce.
In this county court June term 1838 the executor of the above last will and testament of John Wilkins dcd. of which the foregoing is a Law copy was duly proved in open court by the oath of Lemeul Joyce one of the subscribing witnesses who also proved the handwriting of the other subscribing witness Daniel Hudson was duly proven according to law and ordered recorded which is accordingly done.
[signed] Reuben Golding."