Will of Jesse Reeves
Ashe County, North Carolina
Will Book A, pages 3-4
15 Sep 1833
Transcription
I Jesse Reeves of the county of Ashe and State of North Carolina being weak in body but of a sound and disposing mind and memory blessed by Almighty God for the same, do make and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say, First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Reeves during her natural life or widowhood all and singular my home consisting of three tracts known by the name of the Eller tract, the Dickson and the Dick tract and at her death or marriage to descend to my three sons Jesse B Reeves, Alexander Reeves and Charles Reeves. Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my beloved sons John Reeves and Eli Reeves all my other lands which I own and possess to be divided equal between them (by themselves) if they can agree or if not to be divided by two or three good men of their own choosing with the exception of the tract whereon Robert Baker now lives all joining which I give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter Jane Baker and her children after her death. Thirdly, I give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Reeves and her children all my stock of cattle with the exceptions of the cattle I have or have had at Robert Baker's, which I give and bequeath unto my daughter Jane Baker, also I give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Reeves and her children all my stock of hogs and sheep, also I give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Reeves and her children four head of horses known by the names of Dick, Pidgeon Kit and Young Tim, also tree colts two yellow and one brown.Fourthly, I give and bequeath unto my two sons John Reeves and Eli Reeves five young horse beasts being the residue or remainder of my stock of horses Except one filly which I give to my daughter Jane Baker and which Robert Baker has in his possession.
Fifthly, I give and bequeath unto my son John Reeves one black boy by the name of Rodge, and unto my son Eli Reeves one black boy by the name of London, and unto my daughter Elizabeth Cox, one black Girl by the name of Mossey and unto my daughter Jane Baker and her children one black boy named Joe.
Sixthly, I give and bequeath unto my wife Mary Reeves during her life or widowhood all the balance of my Negroes, consisting of five boys, namely Bil, Samuelson, Simon, Hard and Dick and three women Lucy, Rachal and Nance and to decend to her children as they become of age or at the death or marriage of my wife with their increase, also I give unto my wife Mary Reeves all my household and kitchen furniture to be disposed of at her will and pleasure, also all the farming tools of every kind to be retained by my wife Mary Reeves on the farm.
Seventhly, I will that one black man by the name of Handy which is now hired at the Lead mines on New River be sold and the money equally divided between my three sons George Reeves, John Reeves and Eli Reeves, also one black girl named Hanner.
Last I hereby appoint my beloved friend George Bower my sole executor to carry this my last will and testament into effect, empowering him to collect all debts due me and to make sale of such stock or negroes as he shall see proper for the purpose of settling my debts, such property to be taken out of the bequests to my wife Mary Reeves and her children, and I do hereby revoke all other wills by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this the 15th day of September AD 1833.
Jesse Reeves
Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Jesse Reeves to be his last will and testament in presence of — & presence of testator George Koons, Lowns Grimsly, R. Gentry