WILL OF THOMAS BENNETT SENIOR JANUARY 12,1795

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA MARTIN COUNTY

In the name of God Amen. Thomas Bennett, Senior, being at this time imfirm of body but of
perfect mind and memory, Thanks be to Almighty God. For the same therefor calling unto mind,
the mortality of my body knowing it is appointed for all I give and recommend my Soul into the
hands of Almighty God who gave it and my body to the Earth to be buried in a decent and
Christan Manner at the discretion of my Executors afterwards touching my worldly state and give
and dispose of the same in the following manner and form as follows as Item I give unto Anna
Bennett, daughter of Lydda Stallings, one bed and furniture and three cows and calves and a two
year old heifer and three ewes and lambs and a linen wheel shakle_______ Woolen Wheel and
all my pewter and two iron tools. Item I give to my well beloved granddaughter, Dicey Smithwick
one bed and furniture. Item I give to my grandson, Silas Bennett, one bed and furniture and one
gun and I do give my house and lands and manner plantation, where on I now live to my
grandson, Silas Bennett five years after my decease and then to be equally divided between,
Thomas Smithwick and Luke Smithwick, sons of Edward Smithwick and Dicey, his wife. Item I
give to my beloved son, John Bennett, five schillings to be raised out of my estate. Item, I give to
my well beloved son, Thomas Bennett, 5 schillings to be raised out of my estate. Item, I give to
my well beloved son, James Bennett five schillings to be raised out of my estate. Item, I give to
my well beloved son, William Bennett five schillings to be raised out of my estate. Item, I give to
the heir of my beloved son, Luke Bennett, (dec.) five schillings to be raised out of my estate. Item
I give to my well beloved daughter, Sarah Lanier, five schillings to be raised out of my estate and
all the rest of my estate I give to Anna Bennett, daughter of Lyddda Stallings,except she should
die without an heir and then all that I have given to Anna Bennett Daughter of Lydda Stallings, I
give to my grandson, Silas Bennett, and my negro Mary, I give her, her freedom, to live along with
any of my children or grandchildren. Just which she wishes she pleases without interruption and I
also do appoint for my exceutors, William Bennett Jr. and Silas Bennett.
Signed, Sealed and Delivered in the presence of for this 12th day of January in the year of our
Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninetyfive. his
Test. Kedar Lilley Thomas X Bennett, Senr.
James Robason mark