In the name of God Amen: I JOSEPH STRICKLAND, of Nash County, State of North Carolina, being in perfect health and sound memory do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit: My soul I recommend unto the hands of God that gave it me: And as to my body, I recommend to the earth to be buried in a christian and decent manner at the discretion of my executors and as touching my worldly estate I give and bequeath in manner and form following.
Item: I give and bequeath to my loving grandson MARMADUKE MASON the plantation whereon I now live containing one hundred acres be the same more or less to him and his heirs.
Item: I give and bequeath my dearly beloved son JESSE STRICKLAND, ten shillings.
Item: My will is that the remainder of my estate be equally divided amongst my son DAVID and my daughters PATIENCE, MARY and ELIZABETH and my grandson BURWELL STRICKLAND to them and their heirs.
Item: I constitute and appoint my beloved sons DAVID STRICKLAND and RALPH MASON executors of this my last will and testament and revoking all former wills and testaments by me heretofore made and do publish and pronounce this and no other to be my last will and testament. Signed, sealed, published and pronounced this the fourth day of March, Anno Domini 1779.
In the presence of DUN LAMON, ARCH LAMON, MARY LAMON.
Nash County, April court, 1781
The within will was in open court exhibited and duly proven by the oaths of DUN LAMON and ARCHIBALD LAMON, two subscribing witnesses which is ordered to be registered and is registered. Attest Wm. Hall, C.C.
Item #18 1/2, Page 17
Nash County, North Carolina
Record of Wills, Book I
1776-1872, LDS #0419419
Posted @genforum by Marta Patterson