Lenoir County, NC - Will of Melcher Rhem, 1852

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WILL OF MELCHER RHEM

Original Will found at the NC Archives, NC Supreme Court Case #8498. 

In the name of God, Amen. I, Melcher Rhem of the County of Lenoir and State of 
North Carolina, being at this time in good bodily health, and of Sound mind and 
memory, blessed be God for it. Knowing the uncertainty of life, and concious 
from my advanced age, and infirmities incident thereto that the time of my 
departure draweth nigh, do make this my last Will and Testament, in manner and 
words following: that is to Say, First I give my body to the dust, and my soul 
to God that gave it.

Secondly.  The lands I now reside on in the County of Lenoir, and the lands I 
purchased on the Snow hills, the old Richard Watson plantation, all my lands 
lying and adjoining Moseley's Creek and on the waters of said Creek, being in 
Craven County, comprehending all the land I possess in the aforesaid Counties 
I wish to be sold and the proceeds of the sale of said lands I give and bequeath 
equally amongst my four children viz: Emily Rhem, wife of John Rhem illegitimate 
child, Martha A. West, wife of George W. West also illegitimate, Christiana Rhem 
and Nancy Rhem legitimate heirs. For the last two mentioned heirs I give and 
bequeath the two hundred acres of land which fell to me by heirship from my 
deceased brother Joseph Rhem in Craven County, between flat Swamp and core Creek. 
This I want generally understood by all of my heirs.  To my beloved daughter 
Emily Rhem, Martha A. West, Christiana Rhem and Nancy Rhem, I give and bequeath 
negroes Simon, Styre, Lunnun, Bob, Sam, Jim, Adam, George, Joseph, Benjamin, 
Else, Nancy, Sally, Primus, Aleck, Jeffrey, Venus, Abram, Carolina, Jacob, 
Penny, Julia, Phill, Mary, Eliza, Isaac, Henry, Edy, Betsy, Hannah, Henry, Susan, 
Primus, Harriet to be equally divided between the above mentioned heirs.  To my 
beloved daughters Christiana Rhem and Nancy Rhem I give and bequeath each two 
beds, each with furniture complete.  As for the remaining part of my property, 
I wish sold for to pay my just debts, funeral expences, and should there be more 
than sufficient I wish the proceeds to be equally divided between my four 
children, and I Melcher Rhem do by these presents constitute, make, and appoint
my beloved son-in-law George W. West, Executor to this my last will and 
testament; hereby revoking all former wills and testaments by me heretofore 
make, and do by these presents formally declare this to be my last will and 
testament.  In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal 
this nineteenth day of November; In the year of our Lord, one thousand eight 
hundred and fifty.
Signed M. Rhem
Signed sealed before us as witnesses
Jesse Jackson
Lewis M. Loftin

State of North Carolina, Lenoir County  Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessions, 
January Term 1852. Then was the foregoing paper writing exhibited in open Court, 
by George W. West the executor therein named and the executor thereof as the 
last will and testament of Melcher Rhem dec'd duly proved by the oath of Jesse 
Jackson and Lewis M. Loftin the subscribing witnesses thereto.  Let the same be 
recorded according to Law.  And at the same time George W. West the executor 
therein named qualified as
W. C. Loftin, Clk

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This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by
Martha Mewborn Marble <mmarble@erols.com>
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