LENOIR COUNTY, NC - WILLS - John L. Nelson, 20 July 1903.
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Will of John L. Nelson located in Lenoir County Court House, Kinston, North Carolina
JOHN L NELSON WILL
North Carolina
Lenoir County
I, John L. Nelson of the aforesaid County and State, being of sound
mind but considering the uncertainty of my earthly existence, do make and declare this
my last will and testament.
First Item
My executrix hereinafter named, shall give myt body a decent burial, suitable to the
wishes of my friends and relatives, and pay all funeral expenses, together with all my
just debes, out of the means coming into the hands of my Executrix in manner hereinafter
expressed and set out in this my last will and testament.
Second Item
I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary A. Nelson the brick building situated in the
town of Kinston, NC on Queen Street, between the Bank of Kinston and the former Bank
Building of S.H. Loftin for her natural life.
Third Item
I give and devise to my beloved wife Mary A. Nelson the lot in the Town of Kinston, NC
situated on Chestnut Street, being the lot on which I now live, for her natural life.
I give and devise to my wife Mary A. Nelson of my personal property that I may have on
hand at my death.
Fourth Item
I give and devise to my daughter Reba Byrd during her natural life and after the
enjoyment of her life estate of my wife, the store adjoining the Kinston Bank, it being
one of the stores in the Brick Building heretofore described in item two of this my last
will and testament, be it understood that my daughter Reba awaits the full enjoyment of
the life estate herein devised to my wife Mary A. Nelson in item two of this will and
testament before her life interest rest in the store.
Fifth Item
I give and devise to my daughter Reathy Blow during her natural life and after the
enjoyment of the life estate of my wife, the store adjoining the former Bank building of
S. H. Loftin, it being one of stores in the Brick Building heretofore described in item
two of this my will and testament, be it understood that my daughter Reathy awaits the
full enjoyment of the life estate herein devised to my wife Mary A in item two of this
will and testament before her life interest rest in said store.
Sixth Item
I give and devise in fee simple to my grandchildren Loisey, Leo and Lottie Grubbs the
lot in the town of Kinston, NC on Chestnutt Street, being the lot on which I now live
after the full enjoyment of the life estate devised to my wife Mary A. in item third of
this my last will and testament, that my said grand children shall hold the said lot in
common until the youngest of the said grand children shall arrive at the age of twenty-one,
then the said lot may be partition among them in such way as they may be advised.
Seventh Item
I give and devise in fee simple after the full enjoyment of the life estate of my wife
Mary A. and the full enjoyment of the life estate of my daughter Reba and the full
enjoyment of the life estate of my daughter Reathy in manner set out item two, in item
four, and in item five of this my last will and testament all this said Brick Building
to the lawful begotten children of my daughters Reba and Reathy that the said children
shall hold said property in common until the youngest one of said children shall arrive
to the age of twenty-one years. By the word children I mean the children of my daughters
now born or that may be born to them in the future.
Eighth Item
I give and devise to my daughter Reba Byrd and Reathy Blow the use and occupation of the
up stairs to the said brick building during their natural lives, that is to say after
the full enjoyment of the life estate of my wife Mary A. in said entire building.
Item Nine
I fully authorize and empower my executrix to rent, lease, or mortgage the said property
herein devised to the extent of raising money sufficient to pay off all or any
incumbencies that may stand against any of said property at the time of probating this
my last will and testament.
Item Tenth
I give and devise to my daughter Reba Byrd a life estate in the lot on Chestnut Street
after the enjoyment of the life estate given to my wife heretofore in this my last will
and testament.
Item Eleven
I devise recommend and request in this my last will and testament that my wife use and
employ the rents derived from the plantation in Contentnea Township, Lenoir County NC
known as the Clark King plantation in payment of all debts outstanding against all or
any of the property herein devised.
Item Twelve
And whereas my grandchildren, Loisey, Leo and Lottie Grubbs are now minors, I hereby
appoint my wife Mary A. and my daughter Reba as Guardian to said grand children.
Item Thirteen
I hereby constitute and appoint my wife, Mary A. Nelson my lawful executrix to all
intents and purposes, to execute this my last will and testament according to the true
intent and meaning of the same, and every part and clause thereof, hereby revoking and
declaring utterly void all other wills and testaments by me heretofore made. In witness
whereof, I the said John L. Nelson, do hereunto set my hand and seal, this 20th day of
July 1903.
J. L. Nelson (seal)
Signed, sealed published and declared by the said John L. Nelson to be his last will
and testament in the presence of us, who, at his request and in his presence, do
subscribe our names thereto.
T.C. Wooten
E. R.Wooten