John Hester - Last Will & Testiment

John Hester
M, #3002, b. circa 1754, d. 18 February 1820

Biography*:The 1810 Bladen County Census lists John Hester as being over 45 years old (born before 1765.) NC Supreme Court Case, Hilburnvs. Hester, case#6678. This case contains the Will of John Hester. Item #1: The Will. At a Court of pleas and Quarter Sessions began and held for the County of Bladen at the Court House in Elizabeth Town on the first Monday in August 1819 - present -William H., Beaty Thomas Smith Esqurs. James Cromartie The last will and Testament of John Hester, dec'd was proved in open Court by the oath of Thos. Hester, Jr.one of the subscribing witnesses thereto in the following words and figures to wit. In the name of God Amen. I John Hester of the State of North Carolina and County of Bladen being, in sound and perfect mind and memory Blessed be God this 5th of March in the year of our Lord one thousand Eight Hundred Thirteen, make and publish this my last Will and Testament. Manner following, that is to say First, I give and bequeath to my youngest daughter Hannah a negro girl by the name of Clarycy, Secondly, I give and bequeath to my son phraim [Ephraim] Hester the plantation now live on also the Smith Land joining also a new entry joining that. Thirdly, I give and bequeath to my son John Hester the Kinlaw plantation. To my daughters Comfort, Sarah, Mirium, Mary, Hannah I give and bequeath the remainder of my land to be equally divided and the balance of the negros to be equally divided between all my children except Hannah. Also, I give and bequeath to John McRee one chow and calf and the remainder of my property to be equally divided between all my children. I also will that my wife Comfort shall live on the plantation for her life time and also to have negro Gin to wait on her her life time and that she shall be maintained out of the whole of the property, and I hereby make and ordain my other children Thomas Hester and John Hester and Ephraim Hester Executors of this my last Will and testament in witness wherof I the said John Hester have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal the day and year above written. His John Hester (Seal) mark Test William McRee his Thomas Hester mark Thomas Hester, Jr. and Ephraim Hester two of the Executors named in his Will, were qualified agreeably to law and received letters testamentary and ordered that said Will be recorded. Test. William J. Cowan Clerk I Heman H. Robinson, Clerk of the County Court of Bladen County do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy from the original on file in my office. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal of office this 6th day of January AD 1849.H. H. Robinson Clk. C. C.
Birth*:John was born circa 1754 at Bladen County, NC
Marriage*:He married Comfort circa 1775.
Death*:John died on 18 Feb 1820 at Stokes County, NC