In the Name op God Amen, the nineteenth day of September, 1734- I, Churchill Reading, of Bath County, being very Sick and weak in body but of Perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God, Therefore, calling unto mind the mortality of my Body, and knowing that it is apointed for all men once to Dye, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to Say, Principally, and first of all I give and Recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it; and my Body I recommend to the Earth, to be buried in decent Christian Buriel at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the General Resurrection I shall receive ye Same again by the mighty power of God; and as touching Such worldly Estate where with it hath pleased God to Bless me in this Life, I give, demise and Dispose of the Same in the following manner and form:
Imprimis, I give and bequeath to my Nephew, Churchill Caldom, my manner Plantation where I now live on, to him and his heirs forever. My Dearly beloved wife, Martha Reading, shall enjoy ye sd Plantation and tie profits thereof During her widdowhood.
Item, I give and bequeath to my nephew, John Blount, my Plantation at Swifts Creek, to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my nephew, Jacob Blount, the land a took up at Catachney, to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to Martha Reading, my dearly beloved wife, the land att Cathney, her Father, Robert West gave me, to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my nephew, Churchill Caldom, my land att Hickrey Neck, and all my back land Joining upon it, to him and his heirs forever. My Dearly beloved wife, Martha Reading shall have ye Use of ye light wood belonging to the sd. land During her widdowhood.
Item, I give and bequeath to Martha Reading, my Dearly beloved wife, five Negroes named. Jeek, Quamiers, Boston Tom, Dinah and Maud, with all my hushold Stuff, and all my Sheep, and all my Cart horses, and all my Cattle, excepting S "winter Cows and Calfs to my Nephew, John Blount, to her and her heirs forever. I desire that my Brother, Thomas Reading, shall live with my Dearly Beloved wife, martha Reading, and care may be Taking of him-
Item, I give and bequeath to my Dearly beloved Wife, Martha Reading, three Negroes Named, George, Joan, and Rose, to her and her heirs forever, (carried over)
Item, I give and bequeath Unto my Brother in law, John Caldom, my old white mare and Colt, to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give and bequeath to my Nephew, Jacob Blount, one young Mare of a black Colour, To him and his heirs forever.
Item, I likewise Constitute and ordain ye persons hereafter named, to be my Sole Executors, Named: Coll. Robert West, my Dearly beloved Wife, martha Reading, Mr. Thomas worsley, Gent., and John Caldom, of this my last will and Testament, and I do hereby utterly disaloaw, Revoke and Disanul all and every other former Testaments, Wills, Legacies and bequests, and Executors, by me in any ways before Named, willed and bequeathed, Ratifying and Confirming this and no other to be my last will and Testament.
In witness whereof, I have hereunto Set my hand and Seal, the Day and Year above written.
Chu’l Reading, (Seal)
Signed, Sealed, Published, Pro-
nounced and Declared by the
said Churchill Reading, as his last
will and Testament, in the Pres-
ence of us the Subscribers:
Edw’d Travis.
Harman Hill.
Edward Salter.
No. Carolina.
Before His Excelly. Gabriel Johnston, Esqr., His Majestys Governor in Chief, and Ordinary of the sad Province:
Personally appeared Harmon Hill, one of the Witnesses to the Annexed last Will and Testament of Churchill Reading, who duely Sworn, Sayeth That he was present and Saw the said Church'1 Beading, Sign, Seal, Publish and Declare the Same to be his last Will and Testament, and that he was then of Sound & Disposing Mind and Memory to the best of his knowledge.
And that he saw Edward Travis present & and sign his name as witness to the said last Will & Testament; and likewise that he belives the words, Edward Salter, being the Name of the third Subscribing Witness to be the handwriting of Edward Salter, late of Bath, Deceased.
Given at Edenton, Under my hand the 14th Day of February Anno Dom., 1734.
Gab. Johnston.
Likewise appeared John Caldom, one of the Executors of the Annexed Last WIQ and Testament and took the Oath of Executor as required by Law.
Given at Edenton, under my hand the 14th. Day of February Anno Dom-, 1734.
Gab. Johnston.
Copied from the Original Will, filed in the Office of the Secretary of State.
Source: North Carolina Wills and Inventories, copied from Original and Recorded Wills and Inventories In the Office of the Secretary of State by J. Bryan Grimes, Secretary of State, Published 1912)
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