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The following is through the courtesy of  Guy Potts

Will of John Rhodes - Wayne Co., NC, April 20, 1808

In the name of God Amen I, John Rhodes of Wayne County and State of North Carolina being of sound and perfect mind and memory (blessed be God) do this twenty day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eight make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following that is to say,

First, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife, Mary Rhodes during her natural life all that tract or parcel of land lying and being in the aforementioned County and State butted and bounded as followeth (to Wit) beginning at a sweet gum James Suttons Corner from thence a direct line to my___Lazarus Smiths line, then with my line and Lazarus Smiths to a pine on the Beaver Dam then up the Beaver Dam swamp to Suttons line from thence with said
Suttons line to the beginning being part of the land where I now dwell containing my dwelling house and other out houses supposed to be about eight hundred acres

Secondly, I give and bequeath to the above said Mary Rhodes  during her natural life four Negroes (to Wit) Will, Tinny, Lucy and Needham

Thirdly, I give and bequeath to the said Mary Rhodes all that stock or herd of swine which have been commonly fed by Will and Laban and therefore called Wills and Labans hogs

Fourthly, I give and bequeath to the said Mary Rhodes my young sorrel horse and my young bay mare

Fifthly, I give and bequeath to the said Mary Rhodes one bed and furniture

Sixthly, I give and bequeath to my two sons, William and Tailor my black mare and colt to be equally divided between them

Seventh, I give and bequeath to my aforesaid sons William and Tailor all that tract or parcel of land situated and lying in the County of Duplin on Goshen Swamp containing about one thousand
and thirty acres to them the said William and Tailor their heirs and assigns forever

Eight, I give and bequeath to the rest of my beloved children Thomas, Ingraham, Drusilla, Moses and Mary all the residue or remainder of my lands not heretofore given lying in Wayne County to them and said Sarah, Bryan, Thomas, Ingraham, Drusilla, Moses and Mary their heirs and assigns forever together with all the appurtenances and improvements there unto belonging or in any more appertaining

Ninth, I give and bequeath the residue or remainder of my personal property to wit Negroes, horses, cattle, hogs, household and kitchen furniture, farming utensils and___ to be equally divided between my wife, Mary Rhodes and all my children to wit William, Tailor, Sarah, Bryan, Thomas, Ingraham, Drusilla, Moses and Mary and I hereby make and ordain my worthy friends, Joseph Evret and Thomas Wright Executors of this my last Will and
Testament in witness whereof I the said John Rhodes have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal the day and year first mentioned

                                  John Rhodes {Seal}

Signed sealed and published and declared by the said John Rhodes
the Testator as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us
who were present at the time of signing and sealing thereof

Thomas Crow
Henry L Rouse