In the name of God Amen. I James Pasteur of Halifax County and State of North Carolina, being of sound mind, and disposing memory, willing to make distribution of my estate, in order to prevent any disputes, that may arise after my death, do make & ordain this my last will and testament, in manner and form following: to-wit, Imprimis, My will and desire is that all my just debts should first be paid by my executrix, hereafter in this will named.
Item, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife Susannah Pasteur my house and lott in the Town of Halifax for and during her natural life, and after her death, I give the same to my daughter Elizabeth Pasteur, & to her heirs & assigns forever.
Item, After the payment of all my just debts, I give, devise and bequeath to my beloved wife, Susannah one third part of all my negroes, to her and to her heirs forever.
Item, I give, devise and bequeath to my daughter Elizabeth Pasteur all the rest & residue of my estate, be it of whatever nature of kind forever, except legaees in this will hereafter made to her and to her heirs forever,
Item, I give to my mother Rachall Pasteur fifteen pounds current money annually, for and during the term of her natural life, to be paid her out of my estate by my executors in this will named.
Item, I give to my nephew James Pasteur son of Charles Pasteur my gun, shot bag and power flask, sword and paste knee buckles, to him and his heirs forever.
Item, My will and desire is, that all my furniture be equally divided between my wife Susannah & daughter Elizabeth to them & theirs forever.
Item, In case my said daughter Elizabeth should die before she attain lawful age or marry, then and in that case it is my will, that all the property that she may be entitled under this will be equally divided between all the lawful children of my brother Charles Pasteur and my sister Mary Crawley share and share alike to them, their heirs and assigns forever.
Lastly, I nominate, constitute, and appoint, my wife, Susannah Pasteur, executrix, my daughter Elizabeth Pasteur executrix, and my friend James Skinner and Col. Nicholas Long executors of this my last will and testament, disannulling all former wills by me made, and declaring this my will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 29th November Ann. Dom. 1791.
James Pasteur (Seal)
Signed, sealed, published and declared in presence of us.
L. Long | Wit | |
Hance Bond | Wit | |
Martha E. Bond |
Halifax County SES
May Session 1791
Then this will was exhibited in open court, duly proved by the oaths of Hance Bond & Lunsford Long two of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and on motion order to be recorded. Whereupon Nicholas Long one of the executors named in the said will came in and was duly qualified as an executor thereto.
Test. Wm. Wooten CCT
Source: Will Book 3, page 193 – Halifax Co., N. C. Records