THE WILL OF SARAH B
WESTRAY, 1838
In the name of God Amen!
I Sarah B Westray of the County of Nash and
state of North Carolina, being in feeble health, but of sound and disposing
mind and memory, do make and ordain my last Will and Testament in manner and
form following, viz-
In the first place, I give and bequeath unto
my Daughter Sarah Harriott, the wife of James S Battle one thousand dollars.
Secondly, I give and bequeath unto my
Daughter Martha Smith, wife of Doctor John Arrington one thousand dollars.
Thirdly, it is my Will and desire after the
payment of the above named Legacies, that all the residue or balance of my
property of whatever kind or sort be equally divided between my Grandchildren,
Sarah B Short, Jourdan Hill Short & Thomas Short, the children of my son
William Short and Harriott Eliza, wife of Doctor Joseph Drake, and Solomon
David, the children of my Daughter Mary Ann Sessums, wife of Doctor Isaac
Sessums. That is to say one moiety or half to the above named children of Mary
Ann Sessums viz Harriott Eliza Drak and Solomon David Sessums subject however
to the limitations and restrictions hereinafter set forth.
Furthermore it is my Will and desire that
before any division shall be made of the moiety or half of the residue of my
Estate which I have given and bequeathed unto my Grandchildren Sarah B, Jourdan
Hill and Thomas Short, there shall be taken or deducted there from the sum of
eight hundred dollars, which said sum of eight hundred dollars I hereby give
and bequeath unto my Great Grand Child William Smith Jourdan, the child of Mary
Jane Jourdan, the residue of said moiety or half to be then equally divided
between the said Sarah B, Jourdan Hill and Thomas Short, share and share alike.
It is likewise my Will and desire that
before any decision shall be made of the moiety or half of the residue of my
Estate which I have given and bequeathed to my Grandchildren Harriot Eliza
Drake & Solomon David Sessums the children of Mary Ann Sessums, there shall
be taken or deducted there from an amount or sum sufficient to purchase a
first-rate Gold watch, which I hereby give and bequeath to my Grand Son Solomon
David Sessums, the residue of said moiety or half to be then equally divided
between Harriott Eliza Drake and Solomon David Sessums, share and share alike.
It is further my Will and desire that should
my Great Grand Child William Smith Jordan die before he arrives at the age of
twenty one years with or without lawful issue, that the amount or portion which
I given him shall be and accrue to the surviving child or children of William
Short. In like manner should either of the children of William Short die before
arriving at the lawful age or without having lawful issue, then & and in
that case it is my Will and desire that the share which each child shall be
entitled to under my Will, shall belong and accrue to the survivor or survivors
of said children.
It is also my Will and desire should Solomon
David Sessums die under twenty one years of age without leaving lawful issue,
that the share and portion which he shall get or be entitled to under my Will,
shall belong and accrue to Harriot Eliza Drake, or in case of her death to her
child or children.
Lastly, I hereby nominate, constitute and
appoint my son Turner P Westray the Executor of this my last Will and
Testament. In testimony whereof and of the matter and things herein contained,
I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8th day of September in the year of
our Lord one thousand eight hundred thirty eight.
Signed, sealed and published as her last
Will and Testament in presence of J W Clark