John Mercer/1730 Will 2 Jan 1775
Proved 1781
386 John Mercer/1730 s/o 3B Joseph Mercer/1701 s/o 03 Christopher Mercer/1672 s/o 02 Thomas Mercer/1648
s/o 01 Christopher Mercer/1612
Researcher : Mary Markley
April 2004
In the name of God amen , I John Mercer of the county of Duplin province of North Carolina ,Planter being sick and weak in body but in perfect sense and memory thanks be given unto God, 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 recommend my soul to Almighty God that gave it and my body to be buried in decent christian burial at the discretion of my Executors nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life , I give , demise, and dispose of the same in the following manner and form.
First of all it is my desire that as much of my movable Estate be sold as shall discharge my debts.
Also I bequeath to my well beloved wife Rachael Mercer the use of my manner plantation during her life or widowerhood and then to be my son Absalom Mercer all above the Indian Run further more I give to my wife Rachael Mercer my stock and household goods of all kinds and by such as I shall reserve here after also I give and bequeath to my son william Mercer all my land on house Branch with all the Cattle and Hogs in his mark. Likewise I give and bequeath to my son Joshua Mercer all my land below the Indian Run to his Disposal. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy Mercer five cows and calves to be paid out of my stock to her use and disposal. Also I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Nancy Brockston to the value of five cows and calves . Likewise I give and bequeath to my daughter Debory Mercer one sow and pigs. Further I give and bequeath to my son Joshua Mercer fifty pounds proc’d money to be paid to him at the years of twenty one
Also it is my desire that my two sons Absalom & Joshua Mercer be brought up in a christian manner . Likewise it is my desire that what remains after rasing my children be equally divided between my wife Rachael Mercer and my two youngest sons Absalom & Joshua Mercer they come of age and I do hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other former wills by me in any wise before named ratifying and confirming this and to be my Last Will And Testament. Also I nominate and appoint my wife Rachael Mercer , George Smith and William Mercer my son to be my Executors of this my Last Will And Testament.
Signed & Sealed in presents of us
George Smith
John Wheeden
John Mercer
Proved in open court by the oath of
George Smith and Wheeden and ordered to be filed
1781
State of North Carolina
County of Duplin
Book A page 290?
