Will of Ezekiel Black

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: [unknown]
Surnames/tags: slavery wills

This is the will of Ezekiel Black, b. 04 August 1754, Dumfries, Dumfries, Scotland, d. in 1840 Mecklenburg Co., N. Carolina. He married twice, first to Elizabeth McCombs and second to Sarah McEwen, both times in Mecklenburg County. This will was transcribed by WT member Cornelia Fenenga

State of North Carolina\ Mecklenburg County..../ I Ezekiel Black of the county of Mecklenburg Do make the following codicil to my will made by me bearing the date of July 21st 1831 Towit~ I desire and will that the property given by me in my said will unto my son Ezekiel (who is since dead) be disposed of as follows:

I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Black the plantation that I had willed unto my son Ezekiel. I also give and bequeath unto my son Thomas two hundred and fifty dollars-this sum being the amount of money given unto Ezekiel. the plantation there given, and the two hundred and fifty dollars is given in place of the seven hundred dollars given to Thomas by my will. The seven hundred dollars I don't allow my son Thomas now to have, I give and bequeath to my son Joseph Black the young mare which I have given by my will unto my son Ezekiel, now deceased.

I will and direct that the Negro boy Frank given in my will be sold to my executors and the money equally divided among my children -towit- Eli, Thomas. Joseph and Betsy- now the wife of Jonathan Z? Maxwell

Lastly, in the place of my old friend Guy Morwick?, now deceased, and who I had appointed one of my executors his son William Maxwell (this writing is clear as day, but Guy's name is a mess. but if I squint, yes, it could be Maxwell.) one of my executors to assist my son James M. Black my other executor in carrying into effect my will in Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal April 11 1837 I witness J? M. Hutchison Ezekiel Black. Shilemon? M. or Mary?

A supplement to Ezekiel Black Will In the name of God Amen, I, Ezekiel Black of the County of Mecklenburg & State of No. Carolina being in good health and sound mind & memory but knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this as my last will Testament I recommend & give my soul to Almighty God who gave it and as "toushing Irish"??? worldly property which He has been pleased to bless me with in this life I do will & bequeath as follows;

I will and bequeath to my beloved wife Sarah (his second marriage) the one third part of the plantation that I now live on, including the dwelling house, barn and all other buildings during her natural life or widowhood & the use of the whole plantation until my youngest son Joseph is 21 years of age for the purpose of maintaining & schooling the children I also give and allow my wife Sarah during her life or widowhood my negro woman Phillis and negro girl Affey and at her death or marriage I allow Phillis to be sold and the amount to be equally divided between my first wife's (Elizabeth) children James Cynthia Margaret and Celia and do also allow my said wife Sarah to dispose of the said girl Affey among my children as she thinks best. I also allow and give to my wife Sarah two horse beasts, her choice, two cows and calves, her choice, also two young ones (young ones what???) also the one half of all the stock of hogs & sheep on hand all the household and kitchen furniture and also gears and plows sufficient for her horses.

Item I will and bequeath to my son Eli. O. Black the plantation he now lives on containing about one hundred and fifteen acres. I also will and bequeath to my son Eli O. Black a negro boy named Peter but provided my said son Eli should die having no heirs of his body I then allow my son Ezekiel to get the aforesaid tract of land and my other sons, Thomas & Joseph and daughter Betsy to get the price of the said Peter divided equally among them.

Item I will and bequeath o my daughter Elizabeth (Betsy) a negro girl named Daffey. Item. I will and bequeath my son Ezekiel H. Black a plantation forming the lands willed to my son Eli perhaps about one hundred & forty acres also a negro boy named Frank also a colt that he now claims as his own, but should said colt die I allow him another good horse, saddle & bridle & also a cow & calf.

Item, I will and bequeath to my son Thomas Black my negro boy named Amos also seven hundred dollars in cash or good vendue notes to purchase land to be put in interest until he is twenty one years of age, also a colt that he now claims as his also a cow and calf. & provided such colt should die my said son Thomas a horse saddle & bridle out of my estate equal to my other sons.

Item I will and bequeath to my son Joseph C? Black the plantation that I now live on subject to the incumbrance of his mother's rights as above stated and also a negro boy named Tom and also seventy five dollars in cash when he comes of age to purchase a horse, & a cow & calf.

Item I will and bequeath to my son James M. Black fifty dollars. Item I will and bequeath to my daughter Margaret Black fifty dollars. Item I will and bequeath to my daughter Cynthia Collins twenty five dollars item I will and bequeath to my daughter Celia Black a negro boy named Tom and one hundred dollars in cash

item I do also will and bequeath to my son Ezekiel Black two hundred and fifty dollars in cash over and above the bequeathments above stated I do also will to my son Eli O Black one hundred dollars beside the bequeathments above.

I do allow all my property that is not willed above to be sold by my executors and after paying all my just debts and the legacies above mentioned the balance if any, is to be equally divided amongst my five youngest children viz Eli Elizabeth Ezekiel Thomas & Joseph

And lastly I do nominate and appoint my son James M. Black & Guy Maxwell to (damaged) this my last will & testament ratifying this and disannulling? (faded, shouldn't be disannulling, should it?) all others in whereof I have reunto??? set my hand and seal this 27th day of July 1831 signed and pronounced \ Ezekiel Ble(c)k (in somewhat shakey handwriting) so he signed his last name Blek with a c above the e as his last will in presence of us/ RMaxwell Saml Clarks or Parks. capitol letter could be Cl or P. (next page is a little faint, bear with me.) Ezekiel Black maybe Exes? approved and right below approved is an 8, an o or an 0, a forward slash and what appears to be a 23 below Ezekiel is something way too faint to be read but very short, 2-4 letters. Registered in Book H page 22 July Term 1837 State of North Carolina Meckenburg County I certify that the execution of the within will of Ezekiel was duly proved in the Superior Court of law of said County by the attesting witnesses thereto in? a? contrive___ in relation to it's validity and the enclosed Codicil Marked A was also duly proved in like manner = Codicil that the said will and Codicil be remitted to the county court of the said county Court to be recorded and registered and also that the executor or executors therein named in said will and codicil be permitted to renounce or qualify as the case may be. J. B. Kell or Hill (undotted open loop i) below here is extremely difficult to read and I'm straining my eyes. I can just barely read "State of North Carolina". under that is almost impossible, ending with of County? October ...June??? 1840 next line indented, I certify that the Executors James M. Black to? M???? Maxwell (should be Guy Maxwell) ???? in the will and codicil appeared in court & ??? qualified  ??? Oates ??