N. Carolina, Bertie County.
In the Name of God Amen. I, Simon Bryan, being in my perfect Sences but in a Very bad State of health, do make this my Last will & testament, revocking all former wills whatsoever by me heretofore made, Constituting & appointing my wife Ann, My Bror. Edward Bryan, & my Son, David, my Sole Exors. First my Soul to almighty God in Sure & Certain hopes of a resurection from the Dead through the merits of my Lord & Saviour Jesus Christ, my Body to be buried at the discreation of my Exors., my Worldly goods in the following manner;
Imp. To my Dear & Loving wife, I bequeth one third part of all my personal Estate after my Just debts are paid (there being nine Negros belonging to my Children, Some of wch came by the death of their Bror. Jno. Armour, the rest they hold by deed of gift; the negros are named, viz: Perry, Hannah, Feb, Dina, Ben, Lyd, Joe, Jupiter & Pina).
Item. To my Son, David, I bequeth, that tract of Land I bought of Michell & Henry Kings, to him, his heirs & assigns; the other two thirds of my personal Estate to be equally divided amongst my three children, but if my wife is with child now, my will & pleasure is that it have one Equall Share with my other children.
As witness my hand & Seal this 26, Novr., 1751.

                                                                                                      Simon Bryan (Seal)
Signed, Sealed & published
befor us:
martha Bryan.
.........her
Isabel X Deal.
......mark
Jas. Lockhart.
Lillington Lockhart.

Bertie County.                                                       May Court, 1753.
The within Will was Exhibited into Court by David Bryan, One of the Exocs. therein Named, and Proved by the Oath of James Lockhart Esqr. and Lillington Lockhart. Two of the Subscribing Witness's thereto; & at the same time the said Exor. Quallifyed for said office according to Law, which was Ordered to be Certifyed.

............................................................................................................Test.   Benjn Wynns, Cler- Cur.

Copied from 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)