Will of Abraham Molten

Transcribed by Elizabeth Dickson Golbach

Will of Abraham Molten Duplin Co., NC

Duplin County, North Carolina

 I, Abraham Molten of the State of North Carolina and County of Duplin, being sick and weak in body, but of sound and perfect memory blessed be God, do this twenty-third day of November in the ninth year of the American Independence and in the year of our Lord Christ, one thousand, seven hundred and eighty-four make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following.

 1st. It is my will and desire that my beloved wife, Sarah Molten, do remain in quite and peaceable possession of the one-third of my lands on Stewart’s Creek and back branch, which I purchased from Felix Kenan, James Kenan, and Joseph Williams. So as to include the house and plantation on the South west side of back branch where I now live during her natural life.

 2nd. I give and bequeath to my son, John Molten, that part of my land on Stewarts Creek, Beginning-running out with Thomas Johnston line to his upper back corner, and from thence a due west to the back line of my land, and thence northward between the said back line and the creek as far as my land runs to him and his heirs forever.

 3rd. I will and ordain that my son, Michael Molten, have a certain tract of land which I patented of two hundred acres joining Glissons line and my own to the South west of my plantation to him and his heirs forever.

 4th. I will and ordain that the remainder of my land be equally divided in quantity and quality to the discretion of my executors so as to possess my son, Michael Molten, of the plantation and the buildings west of back Branch and the upper half of the plantation East of said Branch, to him and his heirs forever : and the remainder of the aforesaid divide to be my son, Abraham Molten and his heirs forever.

 5th. I give and bequeath to my son, John Molten, one negro boy called Ben to him and his heirs forever.

 6th. I give and bequeath to my son, Abraham Molten, one negro boy named Ishmail, one negro boy named Jupiter, one negro boy named Pompey, one good feather bed and furniture, and one horse called Driver to him and his heirs forever.

 7th. I give and bequeath to my son Michael Molten, one negro named Harry, one negro boy named Caesar, and one negro girl named Chloe with her increase, before and after my said wife’s death one good feather bed and furniture, one young horse named Vertise and one other horse called Spider to him and his heirs forever.

 8th. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Patience Molten, one negro boy named Zack, one negro girl named Airy, with her increase and one negro wench named Sall, with her increase, and one good bed and furniture and one mare called Juliet to her and her heirs forever.

 9th. I give and bequeath to my grandson, Abraham Hall, twenty pounds specie to be applied by my executors for his schooling.

 10th. I give and bequeath to my grandson, Molten Dickson, twenty pounds specie to be applied by my executors for his schooling.

 11th. I give and bequeath to my grandson, James Hall, one negro boy named Peter to him and his heirs forever.

 12th. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth, one negro girl named Rachel to her and her heirs forever.

 13th. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law, William Hall, five shillings sterling.

 14th. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law, Joseph Dickson, five shillings sterling.

 15th. I give and bequeath to my son-in-law, Jesse Peacock, five shillings sterling.

 16th. I give and bequeath my beloved wife, Sarah Molten, my negro man Ishmail, my negro wench Pen, with her increase to her only use to be disposed of as she may Judge proper---also my negro girl Chloe, I will to her during her natural life and there to be the property of my son, Michael Molten.

 17th. I will and ordain that all my just debts and funeral charges and other legacies that I have mentioned in this will be paid out of my estate not already willed, at the discretion of my executors.

 18th. I will and ordain that the remainder of my estate not already willed consisting of horses, cattle, hogs, household furniture, plantation tools, and kitchen utensils be wholly and entirely the property of my wife Sarah Molten to be used and disposed of as she may judge most proper.

 19th. Lastly I have my beloved wife Sarah Molten executrix and my trusty and worthy friend, James Kenan, and Joseph Dickson Executors to this, my last will and testament. In witness whereof the said Abraham Molten, the Testator, hath hereunto set his hand and seal the date above written. Signed, sealed, published and declared by Abraham Molten, the testator, in the presence of us who were present at the time of sealing and publishing the same.

 Johnathan Thomas

 Mary (X-her mark) Quinn

 Salley Thomas

 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

 DUPLIN COUNTY

  There was within will proved in open court by the oath of Johnathan Thomas one of the subscribing witnesses to the said will , and at the same time, a codicil to the will of the said Abraham Molten, deceased, dated the 25th day of November, 1784 was proved in open court by the oath of Thomas Johnston and John Johnston, two of the subscribing witnesses thereto, and at the same time, Joseph Dickson, one of the executors named in the said will, came before the court and qualified according to law: Ordered that letters issued accordingly.

 STATE NORTH CAROLINA

 DUPLIN COUNTY

  Whereas, I omitted in the within will to mention anything respecting a certain piece or parcel of land on the north east side of Stewarts creek which I purchased from John Robinson, late of Wilmington, deceased. I do now by these presents will and ordain that my son, John Molten, who is in possession of the said land have all my right , title, interest, claim and demand of in and to the said piece or parcel of land containing by estimation, one hundred and five acres be the same more or less, to him and his heirs forever. I also will and ordain that should either of my sons, Abraham Molten or Michael Molten die before they be of age that the surviving brother be heir to the deceased part of the lands. Witness my hand and seal this 25th of November, 1784. Signed and delivered in the presence of

 Kedar Bryan

 Thomas (X, his mark) Johnston

 John Johnston

 NORTH CAROLINA

 DUPLIN COUNTY

  I, R. V. Wells, Clerk Superior Court of the aforesaid County and State, do hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the Will of Abraham Molten as taken from the original now on file in this office.

 I further certify that said Will is recorded in Will Book A, Pages 335-338.

 Witness my hand and official seal this 6th day of May, 1958.

 NOTE: This transcription from the 1958 copy from the original Abraham Molten Will was made May 2005 by Elizabeth Dickson Golbach, GGGGG grand daughter of Abraham Molten. The 1958 copy, the original Will, and other documents pertaining to the estate are at this time found on file in the North Carolina State Archives in Raleigh, North Carolina. I copied it as transcribed and checked the spelling of Abraham’s name on the original Will. It was spelled Molten , not Molton as has come to be the accepted spelling. EDG