William Jarvis Will
Wilkes County, NC
Dated 1860/Probated 1862/63


I William Jarvis of the County Wilkes and State of North Carolina do make and Publish this my last will and testament hereby revoking and making void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made - and first I direct that my body be decently buried and that my funeral be conducted in a manner corresponding with my estate and situation in life and as to such worldly estate as it hath pleased God to intrust me with I dispose of the same as follows. First I direct that all my debts and funeral expense be paid as soon after my decease as possible out of the first moneys that shall come in to the hands of my executors from any portion of my estate real or personal. Also I direct that a fair valuation of appraisement be made by three judicious neighbors of all my said estate of which I shall die siezed or possessed Shall be sold by my executors for its reasonable value and to effectuate this my intention I do hereby vest in my executors full power and authority to dispose of my real estate in fee simple or otherwise in as full and large amount in every respect as I could myself do if living. Also do direct that the whole of my household furniture excepting such articles hereafter mentioned or bequeathed to my several children as the case may be shall be and remain the absolute property of my beloved wife if she shall be living at my decease. I direct that all my stock and property to remain in my beloved wife's hand. During her widowhood for the purpose of raising the children if she Sarah Jarvis my wife shall remain single during her life this property to remain in her hands. Otherwise the property to be sold by my executors and the children all to have share and share alike with the allowance made to any or all of the children that has had a small amount this amount to be considered a part of their dower. The heirs or representatives of any of my childrent who shall have died between the time of my decease and the time of such division or distribution to be intitled to such share or shares as their respective ancestry would have been intitled to receive if then living. The above bequest to my several children after my wife's death to be in lieu of their dowers at common law and I do hereby make and ordain my esteemed neighbors Thomas Foster and Alfred Staley executors of this my last will and testament in witness whereof I William Jarvis the testator have to this my will written on one sheet of paper set my hand and seal this nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and Sixty. Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us who have subscribed in the presence of each other.

The will was witnessed by Cyrus Gauttney and Edward Gottney.


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