Last updated:  01/17/2003
Goldston Family

LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF WILLIAM GOLDSTON OF CHATHAM COUNTY, NC

IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I, William Goldston of the County of Chatham and the State of North Carolina, being weak in body but sound in mind and memory, duly considering the shortness of life and certainty of death do hereby make and ordain this my last will and testament and for following: hereby revoking and annulling all others whatever by me heretofore made. After recommending my soul into the had of Almighty God in hopes of a glorious resurrection through the merits of a glorious redeemer, and my body to be decently interred in the dust from whence it came I give an bequeath all my property, real and person, of which I shall die possess after my just and lawful debts are paid in the following manner, to wit:

Imprimis, I give and bequeath to my beloved wife all the negroes now in my possession and which I have not already disposed of, to her use and benefit until the oldest of my children to wit: William, George Washington, Joseph John, and Elizabeth Goldston to be equally divided between herself and the four mentioned children when the eldest shall come of age. I also give and bequeath to my beloved wife the whole of that tract of land whereon I now live and at her decease to descend to my son George W. Goldston, to him and his heirs, forever.

Item: I give and bequeath to sons William Goldston, Jr., and my son Joseph John Goldston the tract or parcel of land called the River Plantation to be equally divided between when the eldest son comes of age by my executors.
 

1820 Census shows William Goldston, (Jr.) 1 male under age 10, 1 male age 18-25, 1 female age 10-15, 3 females age 45 or older, occupation: Manufacturer, 1 male slave under 14, 2 male slave 45 or older, 1 female slave under 14, 1 female slave age 26-46.

Item: It is my request that the tract or parcel of land on George’s adjoining Thomas Beale land be sold by my executors and divided between my three youngest sons. It is my will and request that my Executors dispose of and sell all the stock that can be spared upon the plantation, and that the residue and their increase go to the use and benefit of my wife (Sarah, listed in 1810 census) during her natural life and at her decease be sold and equally divided among my four youngest children.

Item: It is also my desire that my (son-in-law) George Williamson (married Elizabeth?), superintend the plantation and hands during the ensuing years as overseer and at the expiration draw an equal share of the crop for himself and his hands.

Item: I give and bequeath to m y wife during her natural life all my household and kitchen furniture and at her decease to be equally divided among all my children.

Lastly, I hereby constitute and appoint my esteemed friends Joseph John Alston, John Mebane and my beloved son Thomas Goldston and Sons-in-law George Williamson and Mial Ramsey (did William have two daughters?) executors to this my last will and testament.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my and seal this 21st day of March, 1808.

his

(SIGNED) WM. x GOLDSTON (SEAL)
                    mark

Signed, Sealed and Delivered in presence of

WM. B. MERONY
EDWARD RIVES Proved May Sessions 1808, by Wm. B. Merony.
REFERENCE: Chatham Co., NC, Wills, Book A p. 151.








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