WILLIAM BOON'S WILL

In the name of God Amen

I William Boon of the county of Northampton and state of North Carolina being of sound and disposing mind and memory but concious of the uncertainty of my earthly existence do make provide and declare the following to be my last will and testament in manner and form as follows.

Item first - I wish my just debts paid out of my perishable property and the residue of estate of every kind and description I give devise and bequeath as follows

Item Second - I lend unto my beloved wife during her natural life all that portion of my home tract known as the Henry Grant Land, the Absolam Grant Land, the Newitt Grant Land, the Tempy Grant land and the Noah Odom Land and also the following negro slaves named Edmund, Alec, Patty, Angie and the child Luke and Amanda also all my household and kitchen furniture, and I give her absolutely one first choice horse, two cows and calves, two sows and pigs and a comfortable support for herself and family during one year. At the death of my wife I give the land loaned her to my son Wesley F. and the slaves and other property loaned and their increase I wish equally divided between my children then living and the issue of such as may be ...... the issue to represent the parent and take such share as would the parent if living.

Item Third - I give devise and bequeath to my son Solomon all that portion of my land in the county of Halifax lying on the right of the following line and nearest the River Roanoke. Beginning at a corner in Mr. James Johnsons Line the lower portion of the plantation, thence a ditch to a dam at the Gate where I enter the farm, thence a ditch on the opposite side of the dam to a crop fence, thence the fence to the Halifax Road and thence the road to a place where Mr Tillory is about erecting a Gate, negro man Abraham, negro (two short but unreadable names), and one half of thrashing machine and corn sheller to have and to hold said property to him and his heirs forever.

Item Fourth - I give devise and bequeath to my son Wesley F. all that portion of my Land in the county of Halifax not given to my son Solomon with the privilege of cutting firewood from Solomons portion of said land when his own shall be exhausted. I give him also at the death of his mother the lands loaned to her, and the following negro slaves namely Bill and David I give him immediately upon my death. I give him also one half of my thrasher and corn sheller to have and to hold said property to him the said Wesley F. his heirs and assigns.

Item Fifth - I give devise and bequeath to my son William my Urehaw Swamp plantation all of the stock therin except a mule, one horse now in his possession, two pair cart wheels and the following negro slaves namely Sam and Mary to him and his heirs forever.

Item Sixth - I give devise and bequeath to my daughter Sarah my land adjoining adjoining the land of Shadrack Grant purchased of James and Newitt Grant, the Ailsey Green land and the James Newsome Land, and also the privilege while she is single of occupying the room in my dwelling house over the chamber and free access to and from the same and the privilege of cutting neccessary firewood from the land loaned my wife. I give her also the following negro slaves namely woman Betty and child Bob, and boy George and one hundred and fifty dollars in money to have and to hold said property to her and her heirs forever.

Item Seventh - I give to my daughter Ailsey Lassiter wife of Joseph J. Lassiter negro man Isham, negro girl young Patty and six hundred dollars in money, to her and her heirs forever.

Item Eighth - I wish my son Wesley to remain with his mother and go to school until he is of full age, and during that time I wile him furniture out of my estate enough to board him.

Item Ninth - Should my perishable property, crops money be insufficent to pay my debts and the money legecies herein bequeathed, I wish the slaves given my children to be hired out until an amount sufficent their purpose is raised.

Item Tenth - I hereby emit.... and appoint my son Solomon executor to this my last will and testament hereby revoking all others heretofore made by me, In witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 7th day of April 1857.

( a squiggly "Wm Boon" is signed below)

Witnessed by David Langford and David A. Barnes

Northampton County - June Court 1857

The foregoing last will and testament of William Boon, decd. was exhibited in open court and the executor thereto was proved by the oaths of David Langford and David A. Barnes, the two subscribing witnesses. Clerk ordered to be certified and recorded, Whereupon Solomon Boon the executor therin named came into open court and qualified as such according laws. John L. Rogers, Clerk