Will Francis Dancy (1753 - 1806)

Date: 3 Apr 1806 [unknown]
Location: Northampton, North Carolina
Surnames/tags: Dancy Mason

Francis Dancy Sr.’ Will

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN: I, Francis Dancy, of the county of Northampton, State of North Carolina, being sick of body, but of sound and disposing memory and calling to mind that it is ordained once for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last WILL AND TESTAMENT, in manner and form following; viz:

First: I lend unto my beloved wife Mary Dancy during her natural life the land whereon I now live, containing eight hundred and thirty or forty acres (including several tracts) be the same more or less.

Secondly: I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Mary Dancy the following property, viz: Adam, Cherry, Mary and her three children, Ephram, Violet, Eliza and Beck, which Beck I got by said wife, my dining chairs and bay horse, two feather beds and furniture such as she may choose, one hundred barrels of corn, one thousand five hundred weight mechantable pork, or as much bacon as will be equal to it, one chest drawers which my said wife owned prior to our marriage and fodder sufficient to support the horse, I give her such as she may purchase as also the cattle she may purchase one year, to her and assigns forever.

Thirdly: I give and bequeath unto my son David Dancy the following negroes viz: Teterm Jacob, John, Grace, Beck, Judy, Polly Chocolate, Candes and Frank, to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

Fourthly: I give and bequeath unto my son William Dancy one negro boy named Davy, now in his possession, together with all the property I have heretofore given him, to him and his heirs and assigns forever:

Fifthly: I give and bequeath unto my son Frances W. Dancy one negro girl named Emma, together with all the property I have hereto fore given him, to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

Sixthly: I give and bequeath unto my son John W. Dancy the river and Malone tract of land as they are termed which I purchased of Walter Kibble and wife and the deed will more fully show, to him and his heirs and assigns forever.

Seventhly: My hays Neck Land, as it is termed, which I purchased of Walter Kibble and wift as the deed will more fully appear, I wish sold my Exrs. Upon a credit, the money to carry interest from the date until my daughter Mary Dancy arrives to lawful age, or marries and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided between my three daughters, viz, Mary, Sarah and Martha Dancy to them and their heirs and assigns forever.

Eightly: My will and desire is that if either of my four youngest children, Mary, John W., Sarah or Martha Dancy should die before they arrive at lawful age or marry, I wish the estate devised them equally between the survivors or surviver of them.

Ninthly: The land called my store tract of land purchased by me of Daniel Mason, I wish sold by my Exrs. on a credit of five years to become one by annual installments to carry interest from the day of sale and the money arising from such sale to be equally divided between all my children to take their share and share alike, the three eldest children to take their share of the money first – payable agreeable to seniority which I give to them and each of them their heirs and assigns forever.

Tenthly: All the residue of my negro’s not heretofore devised I wish equally divided between my children as follows, viz. Mary, Jo John W, Sarah and Marthy Dancy, which division to take place when the oldest arrives to lawful age or marries, which negros I give to them and their heirs forever.

Eleventhly: All my household and kitchen furniture, stock, crop, plantation utensils, etc. not herefore or hereafter specially devised I wish sold and the money arising from such sale equally divided between my beloved wife and all my children, share and share alike, which money I give to them, and each of them and their heirs and assigns forever.

Twelfthly: After the death of my beloved wife, I wish the land I lend her sold by my Exrs. and the money arising from such sale equally divided among all of my children, share and share alike which money I give to them and their heirs forever.

Thirteenthly: After paying all my just debts my will and desire is that the balance which might be due me prior to my death by my bond note or account, be equally divided between my beloved wife and children as follows; David Dancy, Mary, John W, Sarah and Martha Dancy, which moneys due I give to them and each of them and their heirs forever.

Fourteenthly: My will and desire is that Daniel Mason take charge of my youngest children, viz. Mary, John W, Sarah and Martha Dancy and educate them in such a manner he thinks their estate calculated to do, which I leave to his discretion.

Fifteenthly: And Lastly, I nominate and appoint my beloved wife Mary Dancy Executrix, William Dancy, Francis Dancy, David Dancy and Daniel Mason Executors, of this my last WILL AND TESTAMENT.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this third day of April, Anno. Dom. One Thousand eight hundred and six.

Francis Dancy (Seal)

Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of John M. Binford Susan M. Mason William Harris Northampton Court

The preceding will of Francis Dancy, Sr. was duly proved by the oath of William Harris and the affirmation of John M. Binford, whereupon William Dancy, Francis Dancy, David Dancy and Daniel Mason, the Executors therein named were duly qualified. Ordered to be certified and recorded.

Witness

R. W. Freear D. Clerk

Acknowledgement

• Many thanks to cousin Virginia Leigh Refo for transcribing this will in the early 2000 as well as others in the collection. The originals were donated to the Library of Virginia in 2004 by Liz Edens Vermillion with the help of Virginia Refo [Moody Family Papers, 1750-1881. Accession 40535, Personal Papers Collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.]

Notes

VLR (Virginia Leigh Refo)

On top of copy The Name of Hannah is recorded by error of the clerk. It was Mary.