A Friend of Friends Friday: African American Slaves Named in the 1804 Will of ROBERT LYON of Caswell Co NC

Note: "A Friend of Friends" was a password used on the Underground Railway

1804 CASWELL CO NC, WILL OF ROBERT LYON  In the name of God Amen. I ROBERT LYON of Caswell County of State of North Carolinabeing in a low state of health but of sound mind and memory do constitute and ordain this my last will and testament revoking all will or wills heretofore made by me. 

--Item I lend unto my beloved wife REBECCA LYON three negros, old GRACE, CHARLES and CATE, one feather bed & furniture,one gray mare by the name of Iwa, two milk cows, four head of fatning hogs, one sow & pigs & fifteen barrels of corn during her natural life and at her death to be equally divided among my children (viz) JANE JOHNSTON, ANN DANIEL, MARY MIDDLEBROOK, WILLIAM LYON, ROBERT LYON, JOHN LYON, TEMPERANCE POTEAT, them & their heirs.

--Item I give unto my daughter JANE JOHNSTON, one negro named JOSH unto  her & her heirs  forever

--Item I give unto my son, ROBERT LYON, one negro boy named REUBIN & twenty pound current money of Virginia unto him and his heirs forever.

--I give unto the heirs of MARY MIDDLEBROOKS one negro boy named MOSES to them and their heirs forever,

--I lend unto my daughter TEMPERANCE POTEAT one negro girl named PHILLIS & twenty dollars in cash and if she should have an heir to her heirs

forever and if she should die without an heir to be equally divided among my chidren before named.

--Item I give unto my daughter ANN DANIEL one negro girl named AMY unto her & her heirs forever.

--Item I give unto my son, JOHN LYON one Negro boy named PETER unto him & his heirs forever.

--Item I give unto my son WILLIAM LYON one negro boy named PHILL to him & his heirs forever.

--Item I give unto my grandson EMOND LYON forty pounds current money of Virginia

--Item I give unto my granddaughter ELIZ BETSEY LYON twenty pounds current money of Virginia 

--It is my will and desire that my wife live on the land whereon I lived during her life and at her death for it to be sold and equallydivided among my children above mentioned to viz JANE JOHNSTON, ANN DANIEL, MARY MIDLEBROOKS & Heirs, WILLIAM LYON, ROBERT LYON, JOHN LYON, TEMPERANCE POTEAT;  and as for the stock and all other property not given away to be sold and discharge my lawfull debts and the balance to be equally divided among my children above named. 

--Page 2 And lastly I do appoint James Burton & Henry Howard Executors to this my last will and testament in testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 23rd day of October 1804. Signed sealed ROBERT LYON **Seal** 

Have a great day!

Betty

© Betty Tartas  2012