Will, NC, Rowan, John Bryan 1797

North Carolina   ]
Rowan County     ]

In the name of God Amen

The eighteenth day of November in the year of our God seventeen hundred and
ninety seven, I JOHN BRYAN of Rowan County and state of North Carolina
planter being in perfect health though weak in body but a perfect mind and
memory, thanks be given unto God, therefore calling to mind the mortality of
my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and
ordain this my last will and testament.

That is to say principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into
the hands of almighty God who gave it and for my body I recommend it to the
earth to be buried in a Christian like and decent manner at the direction of
my executors, not doubting that at the general resurrection I shall receive
the same again by The mighty power of God, and as touching such worldly
estate, wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give,
devise and dispose of the same in the following Manner and form, also:

also I give and bequeath unto SARAH my dearly beloved wife the sum of 10
pounds in money yearly of the land during her widowhood and likewise I
bequeath unto her one negro wench named SAL and likewise one horse named
Rant, likewise two cows and likewise two sheep and two beds and chest and
with whatever of the dresser furniture she pleases, with one pot, with the
choice of the bee guns and likewise at my widows death I order the Negro
wench SAL to be sold and be equally divided among my daughters.

I also give and bequeath to my well beloved son SAMUEL BRYAN two hundred
acres of land along the South line of my plantation, only bequeath twenty
pounds out of that part to my beloved grandson JOHN BRYAN, son to JOHN BRYAN
deceased, likewise I bequeath one negro boy to my beloved Son SAMUEL BRYAN
named GEORGE and likewise my clothes.

Likewise I give and bequeath unto my well beloved son JAMES male heirs two
hundred acres of land, it being the old improvements to where I now live, to
be sold and put to use of or their use when they come of age to share and
share alike.

Likewise I will that the residue of my movable property be put to sale the
money equally divided amongst my daughters JEAN ORTON, JEANETTE ORTON,
ELIZABETH DAVIS, SARAH ALLEN, MARY HUEY and MARGIE ALLEN.

Likewise all debts due with two young negro wenches TRACE and SUSE.

Lastly I do hereby make constitute ordain and appoint my beloved son-in-law
JOSEPH ORTON and WILLIAM LAW to be the only executor of this my last will and
testament.




                                 Page 1 of 3


**  PAGE BREAK **

                      Will, NC, Rowan, John Bryan 1797

And I do hereby utterly disallow, revoke and disannul all and every other
former Testaments, wills, legacies, bequests and executors by me in any way
before this time mentioned, willed and bequeathed. Ratifying this, and no
other, to be last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day above
written.

JOHN BRYAN {his X mark} {seal}

Signed Sealed published pronounced and declared by the said JOHN BRYAN as his
last will and testament.

In the presence of these subscribers:

SAMUEL CASEY
THOMAS ALLEN
JACOB TROUT “TROTE”




                                 Page 2 of 3


**  PAGE BREAK **

                      Will, NC, Rowan, John Bryan 1797


Jon Brion will proved December scratch November 1800 copied registered in
Book D 1797




                                 Page 3 of 3


**  PAGE BREAK **