JAMES EDWARDS' WILL:

I James Edwards of the County of Northampton, State of North Carolina, being of sound mind and memory but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make and ..... this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say.

First - That my executors heretoafter named shall provide for my body a decent burial suitable to the wishes of my relations and friends and shall pay all funeral expenses together with my just debts howsoever and whatsoever owing, out of the first money that may come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate.

Item - I give to my beloved wife Rachael my home tract of land containing two hundred acres where I now live in her natural life.

Item - I lend to youngest daughter Francis the wife of Jesse Boon one tract of land where she now lives, containing one hundred and thirty eight acres for her life and also the two hundred acres as mentioned above at the death of my wife Rachael. To have the use of her life and at her death to be equally divided between all of her children as their property.

Item - I lend to my elder daughter Polly, the wife of Raleigh Coggins one tract of land where she now lives containing two hundred and fifty eight acres her life and at her death to be equally divided between all of her children as their property.

Item - I give to my beloved wife one bed and furniture one cow and calf one sow and pigs, her choice of the hole, her support for one year. The remainder of all my property to sale including the holds of my estate not otherwise disposed of, and the money to be divided into three passels(sp?) one third to b given wife Rachael, and my youngest daughter Francis have the use of one thire her life and at her death to be equally divided between all of her children, and the other third for my eldest daughter Polly to have the use of her life and at her death to be equally divided between all of her children.

Item - All the negroes belonging to my estate at the time of my death to be equally divided between my wife and two daughters above mentioned and for any daughter ("two" marked thru) to have the use of this share their life at their death to be divided equally between their children as afforementioned but if the negroes cannot be equally divided the ---- be sold and the divided as the above mentioned property and l--lry I do here by constitute and appoint my friend William G(?) Edwards my lawful executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my last will and testament according to the true intent and meaning of the law and every part and clause therof.

All the property that I own in the hand of my son in law Jesse Boon is to remain in his hand until his death and to be equally divided between his children.

In testamony whereof I here set my hand and seal this 20th day of September A.D. 1856 signed sealed and .......

James Edwards (his mark)

Witness: R---- C. -houlas, John Boon

Codicil to the foregoing will,

Whereas I James Edwards have made my last will and testament - in writing bearing date the 20th day of September the year A.D. 1856 and have thereby made sundry diviese and bequests, according to the existing circumstances of my estate, but which circumstances having now materially changed I do by this writing which I declare to be a codicil to my said will to be taken and constituted as part thereunto. Where as I have lent a certain posion of my estate to my youngest daughter Francis her life, I also lend the same to my son in law Jesse Boon the Husband of my daughter Francis his life and then to be dispersed as afore mentioned. I have also lent a posisun of my estate to my eldest daughter Polly her life. Ialso lend the same to my son in law Raleigh Coggins the husband of my daughter Polly his life and then to be divided as afore mentioned.

In testamony where of I have here unto set my hand and seal this day of A.D. 1857 , signed sealed and delivered by the said James Edwards

(Note: The original has six "fifty cents" stamps affixed to the codicil page.)