Will of Matthias SteelmanSTATE OF NORTH CAROLINA
COUNTY OF SURRY In the name of God - Amen. I Matthias Steelman being weak of body but of sound and perfect sense and memory, thanks be to Almighty God for the same, do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. First and foremost I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it me and my body to the earth to be decently buried after the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned. As for what worldly goods it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and bequeath as follows. My Will and desire is that all my debts and funeral expenses be first paid and discharged. Item. I lend to my beloved wife Ruth Steelman two hundred and thirty acres on Turner's Creek beginning at a white oak sapling on the East side of Buttens branch runs North thirty-five chains to a black oak, thence West fifty-seven chains & twenty links to a pine, thence South thirty-five chains to a post Oak thence East to said Creek thence down the same as it meanders to the mouth of the Green branch & thence North at an East course will go to the beginning. I also lend to my beloved wife Ruth Steelman all my stock and household furniture during her widow hood or natural life, and when she either marries or dies to return to my beloved son James Steelman all the said two hundred and thirty acres and all the good(s) and chattels before mentioned and if my son James Steelman die without issue then the whole of my land and Estate to be sold at public auction & the money to be equally divided between my son William Steelman, Sealah Cain, John Steelman, Ruth Speer, Rachel Creson, Charles Steelman, George Steelman, and Elizabeth Speer. I do hereby constitute and appoint my beloved sons William Steelman and James Steelman whole and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I do hereby revoke and disallow and make all former will(s) by me heretofore made or spoken. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of February, 1789. Matthias M Steelman (SEAL ) Witness Present H. Speer John Bruce State of North Carolina, Surry County November Court A.D. 1793 Henry Speer Esquire one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing Last Will and Testament of Matthias Steelman made oath that he saw said Steelman sign, pronounce and declare the same to be his Last Will and Testament that he was of sound disposing mind and memory and at the same time he saw John Bruce sign the same as Witness the same which was made to be recorded. Recorded accordingly. R.J. Williams |