Transcribed by Tonie Hill Moody


State of No'Carolina
In the name of God Amen-

I, Alexander Blackshear of Jones County and aforesaid Planter, being weak in 
Body but of Perfect souond mind and Memory (Blessed be God) do therefore this 
third day of October in the year of our Lord 1785 make and Publish this my Last 
Will and Testament in manner and form following-

Vizt-
First, I lend unto by Beloved Wife, Agnes Blackshear all my estate both real and 
personal of what kind or nature soever it be, during her natural Life-- I give 
and bequeath unto my beloved son James Blackshear one Large Bible and one pair 
of Brass-headed 'Hand Iron, immediately after my wife's death--
I lend to my Daughter Eleanor Baily my small dwelling house (the cellar 
excepted) also one acre of land adjoining the same during her natural life or 
widowhood and no longer, Nor is my said Daughter Eleanor to rent, lease or let 
the said House and Land to any Person or Person, in any manner or condition 
whatever--I give and bequeath unto my son Elisha Blackshear on Negro Boy, Joe 
(slave) part on amount what I owe him and for other good causes, also one Negro 
woman named Amey, to him and his heirs forever, after my wife's death.
I lend to my son Abraham Blackshear one hundred acres of land on the So. side of 
Trent River including the Houses and plantation whereon I now live, also one 
hundred acres joining the afores'd land and river, also Ten acres on the N.side 
of s'd river, the latter being part of a tract patented by Nehemiah Randal, 
during his natural life, and after his death, I give and bequeath all the lands 
I lend to my son Abraham, unto his son Alexander Blackshear, to him and his 
heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever, reserving my wife's life as 
aforesaid- I lend unto my son Abraham Blackshear (Immediately after my wife's 
death) my negro boy Buck during his natural life, and after his death, I then 
give the afores'd negro boy, Buck unto my Grandson Alexander Blackshear (son of 
my son Abraham afores'd) to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body 
forever--
I give and bequeath unto my son Abraham Blackshear, all my cider casks of what 
kind or nature soevr they be, immediately after my wife's death--
I lend unto my son Elisha Blackshear (after my wife's death) and until his son 
Jacob shall arrive to the age of twenty-one, Eighty-Two acres of Land on the So. 
side of Trent River whereon my son Abraham Blackshear now lives, also Fifty 
acres lying on the No. side of Trent River patented by John Wallin--Which said 
Lands I give and bequeath to my Grandson Jacob Blackshear son of my son Elisha 
afores'd after ny wife's death, and then as soon as he shall arrive at the age 
of Twenty-one to him and his heirs lawfully begotten of his body forever--
My will and desire is that all my household and kitchen furniture, not herein
before given, be equally divided between my Daughter Eleanor Baily, Sarah 
Clifton, and my Grand Daughter Susanna Fordham, immediately after my wife's 
death, by my sons, James, Elisha, and Abraham Blackshear, to them share and 
share alike as equally as may be. I give and bequeath unto my Grand Daughter, 
Susanna Fordham, one negro girl named Curchey, to her and her heirs lawfully 
begotten of her body forever, but in case said Susanna should die without any 
legal heir, then and in that case, I gives s'd negro girl Curchey, and her part 
of my household and kitchen furniture, to my Grand Daughter, Mary Clifton in the 
same manner as they are given to my Daughter Susanna. Also my will and desire 
is that my son Abraham Blackshear pay unto my Daughter Eleanor Baily yearly, the 
value of five pounds in produce, to commence from the time he shall take 
possesion, or so long as my Daughter shall live in the house, or continue a 
widow, and no longer.My will and desire is that all my flock of horses, cattle,
hogs, sheep, etc. and all my other personal estate not herein before specified 
and particularly give, or mentioned, to be equally divided between my Daughter 
Eleanor, Sarah, and Grand-Daughter Susanna Fordham, and in manner and form 
before mentioned, to them and their heirs forever. I hereby nominate, constitute 
and appoint my son Elisha Blackshear & my friend Nathan Bryan esqu. my Executors 
to this My Last Will & Testament, hereby Disannuling all others by me heretofore 
made. In Testimony where of I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and 
year first within written his.

Alexander A. Blackshear (Seal)
mark
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared for and as his Last Will and Testament in 
presence of us who have hereunto set our names as witness-
Harget-John T. Bryan-Benjamin Pickren
Recorded in Book A. No. l and Page (61) Sixty-one
Attest. J.F. Bryan C.C.

State if North Carolina 1786---Jones County Court September Term/
Then was the foregoing Last Will and Testament of Alexander Blackshear Dec'd
duly proved in open court agreeably to Law by oath of Fredrick Harget, one of
the subscribing witness, and ordered to be registered at the same time Elisha
Blackshear one of the Executors herein named qualified agreeable to Law, orders 
that Letters issue accordingly.

Attest John Lent Bryanm, Cr.Cr,



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