Mecklenburg Co. NC - Will of Reuben Hood, Sr

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WILL OF REUBEN HOOD, SR.

   "In the name of God, Amen.  I, Reuben Hood, of the County of Mecklenburg 
and State of North Carolina, being old and frail in body, but of a sound 
and disposing mind and memory, considering the certainty of death and the 
uncertainty of the time thereof, do make and declare this my Last Will and 
Testament in manner and form following, viz:
   "First, that my Executor shall provide for my body a decent burial, 
suitable to the wishes of my relatives and friends and pay all funeral 
expenses, together with my just debts howsoever and to whomever owing, out 
of money that may first come into his hands as a part or parcel of my estate.
   "Secondly, as to Six of my children, viz: John, Robert, Elizabeth Bain, 
Sarah B. Nesbit, Jane Bain and Deborah Glass, I consider that I have 
already advanced to them a full share, or as much as I allow them out of my 
estate.
   "Third, I will and bequeath to my son Reuben and my son James, the 
plantation that I live on, to be divided equally between them.
   "Fourth, I will and bequeath to my daughter Mary Hart, a Negro girl name 
Celia, about Fourteen Years of age.
   "I will and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Lemmonds a Negro boy named 
Eli, about sixteen years of age; said boy to be under the whole and sole 
control of my son James Hood, and the benefits arising from said Negro to 
be applied to the use of my said Daughter in the manner that my son James 
thinks best, and if my said Daughter should die leaving behind her no heirs 
of her own body, then and in that case said Negro boy Eli is to go to my 
Daughter Mary Hart.
   "Sixth, it is my will also that my Daughters Mary Hart and Margaret 
Lemmonds pay to my son James Hood a note (each equal parts) that he holds 
on me for about One Hundred and Eighty Dollars and considering the two 
Negroes that I will to them more valuable than I can afford to give to them 
out of my estate.
   "Seventh, I also will and bequeath over and above the bequeathments 
above mentioned, to my Daughters Mary Hart and Margaret Lemmonds, all the 
balance of my property of whatsoever kind over what will pay my just debts, 
and lastly, I do hereby constitute and appoint Wm. Maxwell my true and 
lawful Executor to all intents and purposes to execute this my Last Will 
and Testament according to the intents and meaning of the same, and do 
hereby declare and make void all other Wills and Testaments by me 
heretofore made.
   "In Testimony Whereof, I the said Reuben Hood doth hereunto Set my hand 
and seal, this 23rd day of April, 1845.
   "Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared to be his Last Will and 
Testament in the presence of: (s) James A. Irwin     (s) Joseph 
Irwin      /s/ Reuben Hood (Seal)