Will Book __, Page 28
July 4, 1789

In the Name of God, Amen.

I, Hugh Brown of the State of North Carolina and County of Hawkins, farmer, being very weak and frail in body, but blessed be God of perfect mind and memory and calling to mind the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed unto all men once to die, therefore, I do make, constitute and ordain my last will and Testament.

And being thus composed in mind, first and principally, I do give and recommend my soul to God who gave it me, and my body. I recommend to the earth to be buried in a decent Christian like manner at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general judgement I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God.

And as to such worldly Estate wherewith it hath pleased the Lord to bless me in this life, I do give, bequeath and dispose of in the following manner.

Imprimis. After all my just and lawful debts are paid, I do give and bequeath to my dearly and well beloved wife Rebecca Brown my negro wench named Jean.

Item. I do give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Sarah Brown my negro girl named Atne. Item. I do give and bequeath to my dearly beloved daughter Margaret Brown my negro boy named Sam.

Item. I do give and bequeath to my two dearly and well beloved sons, John Brown and William Brown all my houses, lands, tenements and whole estate until they come to the age of 21 years or until some one of my daughters should be married and then their part Viz: The girls shall be given them and when my sons come to the age of 21, they shall equally divide the remainder between themselves.

And furthermore, I do appoint, constitute and ordain my true and trusty friend, Rob’t. Black and my dearly and well beloved wife, Rebecca Brown, to be the whole and sole Executors of this my last will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly break, disannul and make void all and every former will or wills or testaments at any time, or in any way by me made, and I do acknowledge this and none other to be my last will and Testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourth day of July in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty-nine.

Hugh [X] Brown (seal) (his mark)

Signed, sealed, published and pronounced by the said Hugh Brown as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in the presence of the said Brown and in the presence of each other have hereunto witnessed our names.

Jas. Cunningham
Ananisa McCoy
James White

This Hawkins County Will was transcribed by one of the following volunteers:  Audrae Mathis; Gary Fletcher; Betty Mize; Diana Arney; Karen Negron, Kathey Welder.