The Last Will and Testament of John Simpson - 1764

           

Transcriber Notes:  The following is a transcription of the last will and testament of John Simpson, dated 21 July 1764, and proved in Carteret County court during the March term of probably 1766.  The original document now resides in the North Carolina Archives in Raleigh. The date of the making of the will - 21 July 1764 - is very clearly written at the top of the document; the year it was proved in court (written on the front and back of the will) is not clear, but is likely 1766.

            The John Simpson whose will is below transcribed came to Carteret in the early 1700’s and was a constable and first Clerk of Court for many years.   John Simpson owned many thousand acres of land in Carteret, Jones, and Onslow Counties. The Carteret land was to be later known as Shepard’s Point (now Morehead City).  He married Jean Howland, probably about 1730, and they were the parents of five sons (John, Edward, Joshua, Cornelius, and Rossiter).  He later married Sarah (last name unknown), who was the mother of his son Joseph.

            The transcription was done by John Frivance on 23 August 2003.  Some punctuation has been added where it was deemed appropriate.

 

 

 

Jonathan Simpson’s Will                       Recorded in Book A

1766                                                    page 25 & 26

Recorded in book D page 345

 

            July 21 – 1764

 

            I, Jon. Simpson, being in perfect of mind do make and Ordain this my last Will, making Voyd all former and Other Wills by me maid and this to be my last Will and no Other.

First.  I bequeath my soul to God that gave it, hoping Through the merits of Jesus Christ a pardon from all my Sinns; and my Body to be buryed by my Wife Jean.  Secondly, I Desire that all my Just Debts be paid, and thirdly I Give to my Son John Simpson five Shillings in full of his Portion thinking that I have sufficiently wrought for him.  I Give unto my Son Edwd Simpson one Shilling.  I Give to my Son Josh Simpson one Shilling.  I Give to my Son ?Corneius? Simpson one Shilling.  I Give unto my Son Rossiter Simpson one Shilling, ?proch? thinking I have sufficiently wrought for each of them.  Fourthly, I Give unto my wife Sarah Simpson all and every of my houshold goods and eutensils for housekeeping, and my ?hoes?, and all my Implyments for Farming.  Fifthly, I Give to my Son Joseph Simpson all my Catoll of the feamale ?sorte?, alowing his mother the male until he is Seventeen years of age and then one half of the male Cattoll for to be apropryated to the use of my Son Jos Simpson.  and Sixthly I Give unto my Son Joseph Simpson the plantation whereon I now live and all of the land there unto belonging being in all one hundred and Sixty Eight Achers his heires, Executors, ?adminisous? or assignes for ever but allways and for ever excepting the burying place where my Wife Jean lyeth being 40 foot Square beginning at a great Stone ?glecir?, her Grave thus lying at the Northernmost and Esternmost part of the said plat of land, and Lastly, I Nominate and Apoint to be Executors of this my last Will Mr Michel Paquenett and Mr John Easton and my wife Sarah.

Signed Sealed in                       Interlined the word                                                        seal

in pressance of                          this above the third line  (signed) Jon Simpson

(signed) Robt Read                   and the word his above

(signed) Thos Chadwick           the 13th line

                                                Henry ?Horne?

 

March Carteret Court 1766.  This May Certifise that the within will was proved in Open Court by the Oath of Robt Read, One of the Subscribing Evidences there to

Test  (signed) Robt Read C.J.C.