In the Name of God Amen I William BRASWELL, Sen. of Nash County in the State of North Carolina being weak in body and in a low state of health but of a Disposing mind and memory Thanks be God for the same but remembering the mortality of my body do make and ordain this my Last Will and Testament. Principally and first of all I bequeath my soul to God that gave it and my body to be buried at the discretion of my Executors and as Touching my worldly Estate I give in manner and terms as followeth:
Item, I give and bequeath to my loving wife Margaret BRASWELL one feather bed and furniture also all the money she has by her also all the linings and woolings with awosling wheel and cards to be at her own dispose.
Item, I give to my son Jacob BRASWELL one dollar sterling to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give to my son Arthur BRASWELL a negro wench named Mott and her increase to him and his heirs forever.
Item, I give to my daughter Patience WEST one dollar sterling to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give to my daughter Dorcas HOOKS one dollar sterling to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give to my daughter Pattey BRIDGERS one dollar sterling to her and her heirs forever.
Item, I give to my son Samuel BRASWELL one negro man Jack with all the rest of my estate undisposed of to which he is to take care of his mother and not let her suffer during her life.
Item, I do constitute and appoint my son Samuel BRASWELL and John CHITTY, Sen. my whole and sole executors of this my Last Will and Testament and do hereby pronounce and publish the same in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this fourth day of March 1785.
William BRASWELL (Seal)
Wash (West?) DANIEL
Micajah BRASWELL
Jacob WARBENTON. (Warburton?)
Nash County, North Carolina Wills 1778-1859 Vol 1 ADA-BOY
NOTE: Son William predeceased his father. See 1778 William Braswell's Will. Son David died in South Carolina in 1782.