In the name of God amen. I John Crank being very sick and weak, but of a sound mind and disposing memory, do hereby make my last will and testament in the manner and form following, that is to say; My will and desire is that my beloved wife Elizabeth shall have all my estate both real and personal during her life, after paying all my just debts and funeral expenses, and also to maintain and school my two youngest sons, to wit: Abraham and Robert. At my wifes decease I will and bequeath the land I now live on, together with a small tract of fifteen acres which takes in the sugar camp bottom to my three youngest sons namely, William, Abraham and Robert to be by them freely to possess and enjoy, their heirs and assigns forever, to be equally divided among them agreeable to quantity and quality, and that the said William, Abraham and Robert shall pay my five oldest children, to wit - John, James, Dorothy Kelley, Elizabeth Bundy and Polly fifteen pounds each as they the said William, Abraham and Robert shall severally come of age, futher at my wifes decease all the stock of whatever kind then remaining on hand shall be equally divided amongst my eight above mentioned children, last do hereby appoint and constitute my beloved wife and son William executrix and executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all other former wills or testaments heretofore made by me. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 4th day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three.
his
John X Crank (Seal)
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Signed sealed and acknowledged to be his last will & testament in presence of, Henry Dickenson, Nathan Ellington.
At a court of quarterly session continued and hel for Russell County the 27th day of April 1803, This instrument of writing was exhibited in court as and for the last will and testament of John Crank deceased and proven by the oaths of Henry Dickenson & Nathan Ellington witnesses thereto, and ordered to be recorded. And at a court held for said county the 24th day of May 1803 - On the motion of Elizabeth Crank and William Crank executrix and executor named in the last will and testament of John Crank dec'd, who made oath according to law, and together with Nathan Ellington and Zachariah Fugate their securities, entered into and acknowledged their bond in the penalty of $1000 conditioned as the law directs, certificate is granted them for obtaining letters testamentary in due form.
Teste, Nathan Ellington D.C.
A Copy Teste, James P. Carrell D.C.