In the Name of God Amen
I, John Ellis, of the County of Halifax, North Carolina, Planter in perfect health of body and of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, calling unto the mortality of my body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament that is say principally and First of all I give and recommend my soul into the hand of almighty God that gave it me and my body I recommend to the earth to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of my Executors. First I leave to Mary, my dearly beloved wife, the land and plantation I now live on and the Mill and one Negroe wench named Peg during her life and I also leave her all my stock of horses, cattle, hogs and household goods, debts and a still during her life then to be equally divided amongst my children. Also I give and bequeath to my son James Ellis, the land his house stands upon all on that side the creek and the Mill place after his Mother's death to him and his heirs forever. I also give one Negroe fellow named Buster. I also leave unto my daughter, Sarah Mills, one Negroe wench during her life and her name is Lamer and I give the first live child she brings to my Granddaughter, Elizabeth Fenell, and the wench and her increase I give to Sarah Mills' children. I also give and bequeath my daughter, Mary Doyel, one Negroe boy named Jack during her life and then to her children. I also give unto my daughter Ann Clake one Negroe girl named Phillis. I also leave to my daughter, Susanna Elmore one Negroe girl named Selve during her life and then I give her and her increase to her children and also give and bequeath to my daughter, Frances Ellis, one Negroe girl named Sush. I also give her one feather bed and furniture, also one cow and calf. I also give and bequeath to my daughter, Jane Ellis, one negroe wench named Pegg after her Mother's decease. Also I give her one feather bed and furniture and one cow and calf. I also give and bequeath to my son, John Ellis, one Negroe boy named George. I also give him 250 acres of land, all more or less on that side the creek I live on after his Mother's decease to him and his heirs forever. I also give him one feather bed and furniture, also one cow and calf and I leave and ordain my wife and George Clark Executrix. And I desire they may sell that piece of land where William Mills lives upon and divide the money equally amongst my children and I do hereby confirm this my last will and testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand seal this Twenty First of January in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy Two.
Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared
by the said Jno Ellis to by my Last Will and
Testament in the presents of such other have
hereunto subscribed our Hands-
John Ellis
Delk __Mabry
Frances Ellis
Jane Ellis
Halifax County, First may Court 1774. Then this Will was exhibited in open Court by Mary Ellis, Executrix and duly proved by the oaths of Delk Mabry and Frances Ellis, two subscribing Witnesses thereto, who upon their Oaths did say that they saw the Testator, John Ellis, Sign, Seal, Publish and Declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament and that they together with Jane Ellis, the other Witness, subscribed severally thei respective names as Witnesses thereto in the presence of the Testator and at his request. Whereupon the Executrix aforementioned was duly qualified according to Law and on Motion Ordered to be Recorded---- List (or Test)
Jas Montfort C. Ct.