I Joseph Chamness of Randolph County and State of North Carolina this nineteenth day of the eleventh month one thousand Eight hundred and sixteen, Being week in body, but perfect in mind and memory blessed be God, and calling to mind that it is appointed for all men once to die - Do make this my last will and testament in the manner following and touching such worldly estate as i am blest with. I Dispose of in the manner following. first i ordain and Constitute my son Edward Chamness to be my Executor of this my last will and testament, I also allow my jest debts and funeral charges to be first paid out of my estate, I also give to my son Edward Chamness the tract of land whereon we now live to be freely possessed of by him, I give to my children namely: Sarah Elliott, William Chamness, Elisabeth Peirson, Mary Elliott, Joseph Chamness, Anthony Chamness, Margaret Reynolds, Martha Moffitt, Lydia Cruthes, Mourning Oxbun, [and] Susanna Reynolds, five shillings each. - I give and bequeath to my beloved wife one bed bedstead and furniture during life and then to be the property of my son Edward. I also allow my son Edward to find his step mother a sufficient maintainance [sic] during the time of her stay with him, but if she should think it best to move (to move) and live with some of the rest of the family, it is my will that my son Edward shall still continue to find a sufficient support for her, finally all the rest of my property both in doors and out upon the plantation I give to my son Edward Chamness in witness whereof I Joseph Chamness have to this set my hand and seal the day and year first above written

[Signed] Joseph Chamness

[Witnesses] Isaac Wilson

& William Chamness

State of North Carolina, Randolph County, Court of Pleas and Quarter Session

August Term, 1818

The executor of this will of Joseph Chamness Decd was proved in Open Court by the Oaths of Isaac Wilson & William Chamness. The subscribing witnesses thereunto & ordered to be recorded.

Jesse ? Haspen CCC

Copies held at the North Carolina State Archives