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| In the name of
God, Amen. I, Edmond Matthis, the Elder of Duplin County and State of North
Carolina, being of sound and perfect memory tho of a weak and frail body
and calling to mind the uncertainty of life and knowing that it is appointed
for all men once to die do constitute and appoint this my Last Will and
Testament revoking and disanuling all others heretofore made.
Imprimis, I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God beseeching his most gracious exception of it. I give my body to the ground from whence it was first taken and rest in hope of its Resurrection to Eternal life, as to my burial I desire it may be decent without pomp or pride according to the discretion of my Executors hereafter named as to my wordly estate it hath pleased God to endow me with I give and devise in manner and form following: ITEM, I will that my just debts be paid before my estate is distributed. ITEM, I leave to my wife, Mary Matthis, all my lands with the profits thereunto belonging during her natural life and after her decease I give and bequeath the same to my son Harmon Matthis to him and his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Lanier, five pounds Sterling. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, John Matthis, my negro fellow Peter to him , his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, Rice Matthis, my negro boy, Isaac, to him, his heirs and assigns forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Tomzan Goff, my negro girl Clo to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Elkins, my negro girl Jan to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Jemima Fennel, my negro girl Hager to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Maryann Matthis, my negro girl Clarry to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sabra Goff, my negro girl Amey to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, Edmond Matthis, my negro boy Roddick to him and his heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, James Matthis, my negro boy Esseck to him and his heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Edah Matthis, my negro girl Milec to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Esther Matthis, my negro girl Hannah to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, Thomas Matthis, my negro boy Duplin to him and his heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, Lazarus Matthis, my negro boy Toomer to him and his heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my daughter, Oliff Matthis, my negro woman Teen to her and her heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, Lacheus Matthis, my negro fellow Sam to him and his heirs forever. ITEM, I give and bequeath to my son, Herman Matthis, my negro fellow Briston to him and his heirs forever. ITEM, I leave to my beloved wife, Mary Matthis, my whole estate during her life or widowhood; after her decease what I have not yet bequeathed to be equally divided amongst my children all. ITEM, I constitute and appoint my beloved wife, Mary Matthis, and my son, John Matthis, and my son, Rice Matthis, executors to this my Last Will and Testament ratifying and confirming the same under my hand and seal this eighteenth day of April in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Three. Signed, Sealed, and Delivered in
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